Chapter 25: Litwick and the Haunted Mansion

"Human Speech"

"Pokemon speech"

We joined our heroes as they were still in the nearby forest area, as the weather was looking bleak for our heroes.

"Man, this forest is taking forever, and it seems like we are going to have a downfall of rain coming our way," Ash said. Brock, who was looking at the map, was looking for shelter.

"Ugh, I just shed my scales, and water on newly shed scales isn't a good thing both look-wise and smell-wise if it's too long," Snivy complained.

"And it's worse for me unless you want me to spark every time and accidentally hit everyone with electricity," Pikachu agreed with Snivy.

"Hey Brock, is there anything close by? I don't want to hear these two complaining about the rain constantly while standing here?" Ash asked Brock while showing annoyance at his two starters complaining.

"According to the guidebook, there should be a mansion nearby," Brock said as he saw it on a hill. "There it is. We should be able to make it in time before the rain hits," Brock pointed out. The group ran towards the Mansion; however, midway to the Mansion, the sky opened up, and the rain poured hard. Ash and the others managed to arrive at the Mansion, soaked and barely a spark from Pikachu, but Snivy wasn't kidding about the smell. While it was time, it was known.

"So much for it being close by Brock," Pikachu said to Brock, ready a thunderbolt Snivy prepared for a Vine whip for Brock as Brock held out his hands in apology.

"Sorry, the map is outdated. It said at least a five-minute walk, but that wasn't the case," Brock was being honest. That was enough to stop Pikachu and Snivy.

"More like you need to read the map correctly, Brock, or it's you who is outdated," Pikachu said. Ash didn't tell Brock what Pikachu said in the last bit.

However, the group feels like they're being watched by something. Ash noticed a Blueish flame in the rafters, as did Snivy.

"Looks like a Litwick's Flame to me, Ash. I heard stories that they lived in some house of sorts," Snivy said. Ash looked up the Pokemon that Snivy said and noticed that it was a fire/ghost type, and something about its Pokedex entry worried him.

"And I thought that map was outdated. Not all Litwick's are like that, Ash. Most of them usually play harmless pranks, but some don't want to harm humans or Pokemon because they want to be stronger," Snivy explained to Ash. This caught Pikachu's attention, and Snivy noticed this as she sighed. "I know this because I met one as a wild Snivy. This was during the first few weeks of leaving Amelia. He was with an abusive trainer, not Amelia's level, as he knew what he was doing to raise them, but he was mentally abusive to them," Snivy explained to Pikachu.

"Wow, Snivy, I am surprised that you knew a lot given the type disadvantage," Pikachu said, not realizing what he had just said. Snivy noticed this and was annoyed that Pikachu would think that, especially after how many times he put his foot in his mouth and their relationship was still in trouble.

"I didn't know Aqua tail back then, Pikachu, and remember, I do know Mirror coat, and that won't work on them because of their ability. You sound like I can't handle things myself. Is that what you are trying to say, Pikachu? That and during my battle against Litwick's trainer, he didn't use Litwick at all," Snivy hissed at Pikachu, who now realized what he just said and shook his head, not what he meant, which Ash noticed.

"Now, Snivy, even I would have pointed that out. What's gotten into you ever since Emolga joined the team? You two been at each other's throats?" Ash tried to calm down Snivy that did the trick as Snivy sighed and got off Ash's shoulders.

"You, Ash, I can forgive you for saying that to me because you are my trainer, but Pikachu, the man I love, should never underestimate me. I'm leaving this room and looking around. Don't worry. I'll handle it myself. Tell me when the rain has ended, will you and I be back? And don't bother looking for me, Pikachu. I need to be alone. Why don't you gaw over that Emolga of yours," Snivy hissed, humphed, and walked off as gracefully as she was. Pikachu's ears fell upon hearing this as he still doesn't remember what happened between Snivy leaving and her yelling at him.

"Man, Pikachu, you messed up somehow, but I agree you should leave her be as you kinda put your foot in your mouth there," Ash told Pikachu, who nodded at this and saw Snivy just left the room.

"That's the third time I did that, and twice with Snivy. I need to learn to shut my mouth," Pikachu said to Ash, who nodded.

"I think that would be for the best for both of you. That you would give her some space and leave her be Pikachu. She'll come back around again," Ash said to Pikachu, who nodded. Snivy was looking around, trying to enjoy the looks of the house photos and all that. But what happened between Pikachu and Emolga was still bugging her.

"Ugh, stupid electric squirrel, I warned you, Pikachu, that she might be trouble. I don't believe that Emolga about her being weak. Attract isn't a newbie's move either; I should know," Snivy hissed in anger, but something about her looked familiar, but she couldn't put her hand on it. "The only other Emolga I know belongs to that trainer I talked about with Ash and the others, but she wasn't like that or that weak; something was up," Snivy said to herself.

However, someone was watching her, and Snivy noticed, sighed, and took a battle-ready stance. "Come on out, Litwick. We know that you are watching us," Snivy announced, only to see many Litwicks approaching her, and Snivy was preparing an Aqua tail. However, one Litwick, in particular, stood in between them and Snivy.

"Wait, you guys, this Snivy is someone I know. She isn't going to cause harm to us," Litwick said as the group nodded and dispersed as the said Litwick turned to Snivy. "It's been a long time, Snivy. It's me, the Litwick that you saved from my abusive trainer," Litwick greeted Snivy, who screamed happily and hugged him.

"I thought that was you who was watching us earlier. You were the shy one whenever we see each other at times," Snivy happily said to Litwick, who smiled at this and nodded as the two caught up while heading to where Litwick saw the group. Meanwhile, Ash and the others who heard Snivy's screaming but didn't interpret it as happy, Ash let out Dewott and Pignite.

"Something happened to Snivy, and I want you three to go and find her. She might be in danger," Ash told his three starters, who nodded at this, doing as told as Litwick and Snivy were watching from afar as Snivy sighed at this.

"I guess I shouldn't have screamed like that. Sorry to put you and your friends on the spot like that, my old friend?" Snivy apologized to Litwick, who shook his head to this.

"It's fine, Snivy; it's more of my fault I told them not to engage you as I wanted to surprise you though I forgot that you don't like being snuck up on; you are welcome to use Aqua tail on me for that stunt with you if you want you to know that I don't have Flame Body as my ability," Litwick said to Snivy, who shook her head at this showing that it is okay which Litwick sighed and look at Ash and the others. "So that's your trainer Ash. He seems nice enough and has some good Pokemon on his team. You think he is the right fit for me, Snivy?" Litwick asked Snivy, who nodded at this.

"Ash may look like he isn't bright at times, but he is a good trainer and does care about his Pokemon. He helped me out with my former trainer recently. I have a plan, but I do need your friends to help. Hopefully, this won't go too far, or Pikachu will take it too far. I want Ash to have your trust after all," Snivy devised a plan to which Litwick snickered and nodded as he does love pranks as much as the others.

Meanwhile, Pignite and Dewott got the gist of what had transpired between Pikachu and Snivy beforehand from Pikachu.

"Man, Pikachu, you screwed up there. Whatever happened between you and her is all but in trouble," Dewott said to Pikachu, who looked down.

Before Pikachu could respond to Dewott, they heard a voice. It was Snivy's.

"Someone, please help me," Snivy said in a tone that sounded like a ghostly tone. That caught the attention of everyone, including Ash and the others. They ran in the direction where the voice was coming from and saw Snivy in the air being held by what looked like ghost energy, but it was the move Psychic by Snivy's Litwick friend while the other Litwicks were pretending to be around her. Snivy's friend Litwick was on the ground, ready to face Ash and the others.

"Snivy. Let her go now, Litwick, or you'll have to deal with my friends and me here," Pikachu said, only to see Dewott and Pignite with Ash. They were noticing what was going on. It was just Pikachu that wasn't aware this was a prank. "Some friends you are to Snivy, you two," Pikachu told them, unaware that it was just one of them that was friends with Snivy, the one who was using Psychic on her.

"Oh no, Pikachu, this is your mess. You are the one who has to deal with them," Pignite said to Pikachu as Dewott whispered what they think is going on to Ash, who narrowed his eyes in acknowledgment to Dewott.

"Let Snivy go, Litwick. You don't want to hurt her, but we will do anything to get her back. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt," Ash commands Pikachu, who launched one at Litwick, who was shocked but wasn't hurt as badly. That was enough for him and Snivy, who was let go from his Psychic attack and put down as Snivy ran to Litwick.

"That's enough. You don't have to do anymore, Ash. He wasn't planning on harming me, just wanting to test you," Snivy told Ash and the others. Pikachu was the only one shocked by this as Litwick stood up as the rest of his friends disappeared, not wanting any more trouble.

'"But we heard you scream, Snivy, and were worried about you, thinking that you were in danger," Pikachu said to Snivy, who shook her head as Litwick walked over.

" I'll admit that I screamed too loud, but that wasn't a scream of terror," Snivy said. Ash knew that something was off with her screams as Pikachu was still shocked by this, and Snivy sighed.

"Seems like you are not getting what Snivy said about me earlier, Pikachu, and about Litwicks," Litwick said to Pikachu, who was taken aback to realize who Litwick was as Snivy sighed.

"Everyone, this is the Litwick I talked about earlier, who I saved from an abusive trainer. He and many of his friends went through rough trainers in the past and hid here, not wanting to return to that life but are willing if the right one comes knocking," Snivy introduced Litwick to Ash and the others. "This was a test to see how good of a trainer you were, Ash, for him?" Snivy told Ash while looking at Litwick for his thoughts on Ash.

"Yeah, he's worthy. Strong too. I just wanted to be with a trainer who cares not only about training but, more importantly, above all else, his Pokemon, and you proved that here Ash, if you allow me to join your team, I'm a nice guy who likes to make friends with your Pokemon. And no more pranks from me. That's a one-time thing," Litwick told Ash, who nodded.

"Okay, welcome to the team Litwick, but if I'm not cut out for you, or you don't like my training methods, you can ask, and I will release you without any problems. I will still ask why of course," Ash explains to Litwick, who nods. Ash Pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it at Litwick, catching it without a struggle Snivy smiled at this, knowing that Litwick would enjoy being on the team Snivy turned to Pikachu and glared at him.

"As for you, Pikachu you? Our relationship is still on thin ice. You better watch what you say about my skill around me if you want to ever be in a relationship with me again," Snivy said to Pikachu, who nodded at this.

"I'm sorry, Snivy, and I have learned my lesson about watching what I said about you or the others. And Ash was right earlier. I need to give you some space until things are cleared up between us," Pikachu said to Snivy, who nodded but remained firm at what she said to Pikachu.

The storm finished, and the group left the Mansion with a new teammate.

With a new teammate on the team, Ash's journey to Nimbasa town is getting more interesting as the journey continues.

Stay tuned.