Chapter 63: Rocky Road Trip
"Mineva Town shouldn't be that much farther," Nikki announced.
"That's great. The sooner we get there the sooner I can win my next badge," Ash said confidently. The trip there so far had been going very smoothly. Mineva Town was getting closer with each step taken, and with the distance decreasing Ash's anticipation was increasing.
"So what do you think the Gym Leader is like?" Ash wondered.
"The ones we've met so far have been pretty friendly. I would guess this one will be the same," Nikki replied. "What I'm worried about is if you'll have enough of the right type of Pokémon to challenge them."
"I hadn't thought of that, and without knowing what type they specialize in I don't know if I need to catch more of a certain type or not," Ash said.
"I didn't think you were the kind who needed a reason to catch Pokémon," Nikki commented.
"It's not that I need a reason. I just need to know if there's a certain type I need to focus on catching," Ash explained. As they continued to walk and talk the terrain started to get a bit rough. Looking ahead they could see boulders of various sizes scattered about.
"Oh boy. Things might get a bit tough," Nikki said.
"Looks that way, but we have to press on," Ash declared. "My next Gym battle is so close now." Left with no other choice the two of them pressed on towards Mineva Town.
As they continued on the terrain only got worse. Grasslands gave way to hard ground. Trees and forest were soon replaced with rocks and boulders. Ash and Nikki couldn't recall the last time they had to travel over terrain so bad.
"I knew this would be rough, but this is ridiculous," Ash commented. "Are you sure there's no easier way to Mineva Town?"
"I wish there was, but according to my map this is the easiest way there," Nikki replied. Ash let out a long sigh and looked ahead.
"Then I guess we have no choice but to press on," he said. Though they didn't want to they knew they had to keep going forward. Reluctantly they resumed their trek across the roughest terrain they could remember crossing. But as they continued on the terrain only got rougher and rougher. Pretty soon they found themselves surrounded on both sides by tall cliffs.
"Man, I'm starting to feel a little boxed in," Nikki commented.
"Let's just be glad that we don't have to climb them," Ash said.
"Yeah," Nikki agreed. They continued on through the mountainous terrain, all the while keeping their eyes on the cliffs.
"Say, Ash, did you ever get the feeling that something's about to happen that you might not like?" Nikki asked.
"Like what?" Ash wondered. Before Nikki could respond they heard a faint rumbling sound. Moments later rocks came falling down from the top of the cliffs.
"Take cover!" Ash shouted. They got out of the way just before tons of rocks and debris came crashing down, blocking their path forward.
"Oh no, now what are we going to do?" Nikki groaned.
"I don't suppose there's another way through," Ash wondered. Nikki took out her Pokécomm and checked the map.
"Looks like this is the only way through," Nikki said. "Unfortunately."
"Maybe we could bust through it with one of our Pokémon," Ash suggested.
"We could, but that might create another rockslide," Nikki warned. "Maybe we could go over it." Ash thought about it for a moment.
"Seems like we don't have much of a choice," he said. "But how are we going to do that? It looks too steep to climb over."
"We could use a Pokémon to help us get over," Nikki suggested.
"Not a bad idea, and I think I know just the Pokémon to use." Ash grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it, calling out Onix.
"Do you think you could get us over this?" he requested.
"(Not a problem,)" Onix replied. He lowered his body down so Ash and Nikki could climb on.
"(Hang on.)" As carefully as he could Onix began to climb the rocks. Both trainers were genuinely impressed with how easy the Rock Snake Pokémon was making this look. Within moments they were at the top of the rock pile.
"Well, that takes care of the hard part," Ash commented. "Now it time to head back down."
"(That'll be easy enough,)" Onix bragged. Once again making sure to be mindful of his passengers the Rock Snake Pokémon made his way down the other side. They made it to the other side without Onix even breaking a sweat.
"Man, you made that look easy," Nikki praised.
"Thanks, Onix," Ash said.
"(Glad to be of service,)" Onix replied. Ash recalled him to his Poké Ball and got ready to continue on.
"Alright, let's get…"
"(Hey! Do you hear that?)" Pikachu asked.
"Hear what?' Ash asked.
"(It sounds like someone groaning,)" the Mouse Pokémon replied. Everyone listened carefully to see if they could head whatever it was Pikachu heard.
"I don't hear anything," Nikki said.
"(No, he's right. It does sound like someone groaning,)" Buneary said.
"Can you tell where it's coming from?" Ash wondered. The two Pokémon concentrated on the noise, trying to determine where it was coming from.
"(Over here!)" Pikachu announced, darting off ahead. Ash and Nikki took off to follow the Mouse Pokémon. They eventually came to a large boulder, and lying behind that boulder was a small Pokémon.
"That's an Aron," Ash said. Nikki took out her Pokécomm and scanned him.
Name: Aron
Species: The Iron Armor Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It usually lives deep in mountains. However, hunger may drive it to eat railroad tracks and cars.
"Such a little guy," Nikki commented. "Do you think he caused that rockslide?"
"No, at least not by himself," Ash replied. "Besides, I think he was caught in it. Just look at the shape he's in." One look at the Aron told them that he was in bad shape. Scrapes and bruises covered his body, and the small Pokémon was breathing heavily.
"We have to help him," Ash said.
"I think I have a Potion in my bag," Nikki said. She took her backpack off and started looking. While this was going on the Aron gazed up at them.
"(W… What are you…)"
"Take it easy. We're not going to hurt you," Ash told him.
"That's right. We only want to help," Nikki added. Eventually she found a Potion. With it in hand she knelt down next to the Aron.
"Okay. Now this might sting a little," She told him. The Aron nodded and let her spray him with the Potion. Just as she said it stung, causing him to flinch, but after a while he started to feel a bit better.
"There you go," Nikki said.
"(Thank you,)" the Iron Armor Pokémon replied.
"I've got a few berries you can eat if you're hungry," Ash stated.
"(I'd like that,)" Aron said. Ash took out a few berries from his bag and gave them to Aron. The Iron Armor Pokémon quickly ate them. As soon as he was finished he let out a loud yawn and promptly went to sleep.
"Guess the little guy was sleepy,' Ash commented.
"Must have been," Nikki agreed. "So, should we keep going?"
"Actually I want to stick around and make sure he's going to be okay," Ash said. "You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all," Nikki replied. "Besides, I think we could use a rest ourselves." With that they got to work setting up a small temporary camp.
Day soon turned to night. Aron was still sleeping, and soon Pikachu and Buneary joined him in the land of dreams. Ash and Nikki were still awake, sitting by the campfire they had made.
"Aron should be better by morning," Nikki stated.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. Something about the way he replied told Nikki that he had something on his mind.
"What's wrong?' she asked.
"I was just thinking. You know Aron was the first Pokémon we encountered ever since we first got here," he said. Nikki thought about it for a few moments.
"Now that you mention it, he was," she agreed.
"That means he's been living here all by himself with no one else to keep him company," Ash said. "He's been all alone."
"Yeah, you're right. I wonder if he ever gets lonely," Nikki pondered.
"I'm sure he does," Ash declared.
"You think he'll want to come with us?" Nikki wondered.
"Perhaps. I plan on asking him in the morning," Ash stated. "For now I think we should do like our Pokémon and get some sleep."
"Good idea," Nikki agreed. With that the two trainers called it a night and joined their Pokémon in getting a good night's sleep.
Morning soon came and everyone was looking forward to getting the day started. Aron, who was in rough shape the day before, was looking much better.
"You're looking good," Nikki commented.
"(I'm feeling a lot better thank to you two)" he said.
"That's good to hear," Nikki said.
"Listen, Aron, I was wondering if you'd like to come with us," Ash offered. Aron looked at Ash, a bit shocked by his offer.
"(You want me to come with you?)" he asked, making sure he heard him right.
"I do," Ash confirmed. "So, what do you say?" Aron thought about this for a moment.
"(Well, I do want to see what's out there,)" he pondered. "(Okay, I'll come with you.)"
"That's great!" Ash cheered.
"(But first, I want to see what kind of trainer you are,)" Aron declared.
"You mean…" Before Ash could finish his statement Aron took a battle stance across from him.
"(Face me in battle!)" he challenged. This was an unexpected development, but Ash was never one to back away from a challenge. A smirk came across his face.
"You want to battle? You're on!" he declared. Nikki took Pikachu and Buneary off to the side as Ash and Aron got ready to battle.
"(I wonder who Ash is going to choose,)" Buneary commented. She would soon get her answer as Ash threw out a Poké Ball.
"Riolu, I choose you!" he shouted, calling on the Emanation Pokémon.
"Smart choice," Nikki commented. As soon as Riolu appeared Aron went on the offensive, charging forward with his head giving off a silver glow. The attack hit home, knocking Riolu back a few feet.
"That was an Iron Head attack," Ash mused. "We'll have to watch out for that one." Riolu recovered quickly, but Aron wasn't going to relent just yet. He charged again, intent on using Iron Head once more.
"Stop him with Force Palm!" Ash called. Just as the Iron Armor Pokémon was about to make contact Riolu thrust his palm forward. The two attacks collided, sending both Pokémon sliding backwards.
"They seem to be evenly matched," Nikki observed. With his close-range attack not working Aron changed tactics, this time calling down rocks from above.
"Watch it! That's Rock Slide!" Nikki warned.
"Dodge that!" Ash shouted. Using his superior speed Riolu danced around the falling rocks, expertly dodging the attack.
"Now use Aura Sphere!" Ash instructed. Riolu charged his attack and let it fly, striking Aron with a super-effective attack. Despite this Aron was still willing to battle on. The Iron Armor Pokémon charged forward, his whole body glowing white.
"That looks like Take Down," Nikki commented.
"(That's a pretty powerful attack,)" Buneary said. Despite this Ash looked calm.
"What's he doing?' Nikki wondered. As she looked on Aron struck home with his attack, barreling into Riolu.
"Fight back with Counter!" Ash shouted. The Emanation Pokémon's body gave off an orange glow as he unleashed a powerful Counter attack, sending Aron flying backwards. The Iron Armor Pokémon stood back up after that attack, but it was clear that he didn't have much more to give.
"Now's my chance!" Ash said. "Go, Poké Ball!" he hurled a Poké Ball in Aron's direction, striking the Iron Armor Pokémon and drawing him inside. The ball shook a few times before stopping, signaling that Aron had been captured.
"Yes! I got an Aron!" Ash cheered.
"(Way to go, Ash!)" Pikachu cheered. Seconds later the ball vanished as Aron was sent to Professor Oak's.
"That was quite a tough battle," Nikki said.
"I know. That Aron was one tough little Pokémon," Ash commented. "I'm glad he's with us now."
"Yeah," Nikki agreed. "So, how about we make our way towards Mineva Town."
"Music to my ears," Ash replied. With their campsite packed up, and a new ally in their ranks, they continued on their way to Mineva Town and Ash's next Gym battle.
What started off as a rough trip ended with a new team member. With Aron on his side Ash continues on towards his next Gym battle. Will he win? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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