Chapter 71: By Herself
"Get back here!" What started off as a normal day quickly turned into a chase as Ash and Nikki were chasing Team Rocket, who were currently on the run in their hot air balloon with Buneary. Their original target was of course Pikachu, but in their minds Buneary was a nice consolation prize.
"We may not have captured Pikachu, but at least we got away with something," Meowth commented.
"True," Jessie agreed. "I'd call this a successful heist." On the ground Ash and Nikki were struggling to keep pace with the escaping balloon.
"At this rate they'll get away with Buneary!" Nikki wailed.
"Not if I can help it!" Ash declared, grabbing a Poké Ball. "Stop them with Aerial Ace, Staraptor!" As soon as he came out of his Poké Ball Staraptor charged towards Team Rocket's balloon and tore a hole in it with his Aerial Ace, causing them to plummet to the ground. As Ash and Nikki got to the crashsite Buneary came bouncing out, completely unharmed, and into Nikki's outstretched arms.
"Are you alright?" Nikki asked.
"(I'm okay,)" Buneary answered. Team Rocket, on the other hand, came crawling out, completely dazed.
"So much for a successful heist," James moaned.
"Hey, things could be worse," Meowth pointed out. A sudden crackling sound caused them to look up where they saw Pikachu standing in front of them, his cheeks sparking with electricity.
"Me and my big mouth," the Scratch Cat Pokémon groaned.
"Alright, Pikachu! Give them a Thunderbolt send-off!" Ash instructed. Pikachu was all too happy to unleash a Thunderbolt on Team Rocket. The powerful Electric attack not only caused them a great deal of pain, but it also ignited the burner on their downed balloon, causing it to explode and send them hurtling through the sky.
"We're blasting off again!" they cried as they vanished from sight. With Team Rocket dealt with Ash turned his attention to Buneary.
"Is she okay?" he asked.
"She's fine. Thanks for rescuing her," Nikki said.
"No problem," Ash replied. "In any case we should get moving. I think I saw a town not too far from here on the Pokécomm's map."
"Lead the way," Nikki said. With that they continued on their journey towards the town Ash had said was up ahead. As they walked Nikki's mind was filled with thoughts of her place in their group dynamic.
It didn't take them long to reach the town Ash was talking about. After their recent encounter with Team Rocket Ash was convinced that a trip to the Pokémon Center was in order. A quick glance at the map told him where that was.
"So, shall we head to the Pokémon Center?" Ash offered.
"You go ahead. I'll catch up later," Nikki replied. Ash wasn't sure why she didn't want to just follow him there, but he respected her decision and headed to the Pokémon Center without her. As soon as Ash was out of sight Nikki let out a long sigh. Buneary could tell something was bothering her trainer.
"(What's wrong, Nikki?)" she asked. "(You seem kinda down.)"
"Buneary… do you ever wonder if we're contributing anything to this adventure we're on?" Nikki asked her.
"(What do you mean?)" Buneary wondered.
"It's just that… whenever there's a threat or something Ash is always the first to act. I just follow his lead," Nikki explained. "Take today for example. You're my Pokémon and yet I couldn't do anything to save you. Ash was the one who beat Team Rocket and saved you." Buneary wanted to say something, but she felt like this was something Nikki needed to get off her chest.
"I don't want to play second fiddle to him. I want to feel like I'm contributing something to this journey too," Nikki continued.
"(But you are,)" Buneary stated. "(I'm sure if you ask Ash he'll tell you the same thing.)"
"I know he will. That's just the type of person he is," Nikki said. "He'll tell me not to worry about it and that everything's fine the way it is but I… I just don't want to feel like a burden." Buneary could tell this was really bothering her, but before she could say anything she heard a commotion from somewhere nearby.
"(Hey, you hear that?)" Buneary asked.
"Hear what?" Nikki wondered. Rather than answer her Buneary hopped off her shoulder and bounded into town.
"Hey! Where are you going?!" Nikki shouted as she gave chase. She was finally able to catch up to Buneary after a while. The Rabbit Pokémon was crouched down by a corner to an alleyway, almost as if she was hiding.
"Buneary, what in the world…" Buneary quickly hushed Nikki and pointed around the corner. Rather than ask what was up Nikki decided to look for herself. Her eyes grew wide and her breath caught in her throat once she saw what was on the other side.
"Team Cerberus!" she gasped. "What are they doing here?!"
"(No clue,)" Buneary replied. Making sure to stay out of sight they continued to look on, trying to figure out what the evil organization was doing there.
"(Hey! They have someone cornered!)" Buneary pointed out. Nikki looked again and saw that they did have a young girl cornered.
"We've got to save her," Nikki stated.
"(You're right,)" Buneary agreed. "{(Let's go get Ash and…)"
"No. We have to do this ourselves," Nikki said.
"(You sure about that?)" Buneary questioned.
"If we go get Ash they could be gone by the time we get back," Nikki explained. Buneary was still unsure about this, but in the end she agreed with Nikki's logic.
"(Okay. Let's do it,)" the Rabbit Pokémon said. As they got ready to act the two Team Cerberus grunts were closing in on the little girl.
"Please… leave me alone," she begged.
"Not a chance," one of the grunts refused.
"Yeah. You know too much, so we have to take care of you," the other explained. The little girl looked on, fear in her eyes, as they grew closer and closer.
"Please, someone help me," she whimpered.
"Leave her alone!" The two grunts spun around and sw Nikki standing behind them, a look of anger on her face.
"Hey! Mind your own business!" the first grunt demanded.
"I'm making thius my business!" Nikki declared. She then grabbed a Poké Ball and threw it out.
"Use Flash, Shinx!" she shouted. Her Flash Pokémon soon appeared and let out a blinding Flash, obscuring the vision of everyone else in the area. While the grunts were blinded Nikki ran to the little girl's side. However, the girl didn't appear to be too sure of her at first.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you," Nikki assured her. "I'm going to get you out of here."
"But how?" the girl questioned.
"Like this," Nikki replied. She quickly recalled Shinx and called out her Ralts.
"Teleport us somewhere safe," she said.
"(Right!)" Ralts complied. In the blink of an eye they vanished from sight, just as the grunts got their sight back.
"They're gone!" the first grunt shouted.
"We've got to find them before they inform the authorities!" the second added. With that they began their search for Nikki and the little girl.
Elsewhere in town Ralts had Teleported Nikki and the young girl to what appeared to be a safe location away from the Team Cerberus grunts. After looking around to make sure the coast was clear Nikki let out a sigh of relief.
"Looks like we're good," she said. "Good job, Ralts."
"(Anytime,)" Ralts replied.
"I think I'll keep you out just in case we need to make another quick escape," she said. Now that they weren't in immediate danger Nikki turned her attention to the little girl.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," she answered. "Thank you for saving me."
"Of course. I couldn't let them do whatever they wanted with you," Nikki told her. "My name's Nikki. What's yours?"
"Janet," the girl replied.
"Why were they after you, Janet?" Nikki wondered.
"Well, I was with my parents doing some shopping in town when we got separated. While I was looking for them I came across those two guys talking about something. I didn't know what it was, but when they saw me they got really scared about something and started to chase me," Janet explained. "I don't know what they would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did."
"Sounds like they were using their usual bullying tactics again," Nikki assumed,.
"You've dealt with them before?" Janet asked.
"A few times," Nikki answered. "I know how they operate." Before anyone could say anything else Buneary's ears perked up.
"(Hey! I hear voices,)" she said. Fearing who it was they ducked behind the corner of a building. Nikki then peeked out to see who it was. Her eyes grew wide in fear once she saw it was the two Team Cerberus grunts.
"How did they know where we were?" she whispered.
"Nikki, I'm scared. What if they find us again?" Janet wondered.
"Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you," Nikki promised. She was about to tell Ralts to Teleport them again when a squawking noise overhead caught their attention. Looking up they saw a Murkrow flying overhead. Shortly after that they were cornered by a Mightyena. He was being closely followed by the two Team Cerberus grunts.
"Oh no! They found us!" Janet cried.
"That's right, and now we're going to make sure you two disappear… permanently!" the first grunt declared.
"Not a chance! Ralts, Buneary! Get ready for battle!" Nikki shouted.
"Ha! You really think you can take us?!" the second grunt laughed.
"I don't think I can. I know I can!" Nikki declared. "Ralts, use Thunderpunch on Murkrow! Buneary, use Jump Kick on Mightyena!" Her Pokémon went into action quickly. Ralts used a quick Teleport to get up to Murkrow before striking the Darkness Pokémon with a super-effective Thunderpunch, knocking him towards the ground. Meanwhile Buneary bounced towards Mightyena and hit him in the side of the head with her Jump Kick, causing a good deal of damage.
"Come on, you two! Fight back!" the first grunt ordered. "Use Dark Pulse!" Both Pokémon opened their mouths and fired off Dark Pulse attacks.
"Dodge that!" Nikki shouted. Ralts used Teleport to get out of the way while Buneary nimbly jumped out of the way.
"Hit that Buneary with Wing Attack!" the second grunt ordered. Unfortunately for Buneary her dodge left her wide open for a counterattack, which is just what happened when the Murkrow used his wing to slap the Rabbit Pokémon towards the ground.
"Use Psychic to catch Buneary!" Nikki called. Ralts took on a blue glow as he used his Psychic to catch Buneary and place her safely on the ground.
"(Thanks,)" Buneary said.
"(Don't mention it,)" Ralts replied.
"Use Headbutt while they're distracted!" the first grunt shouted.
"Guys, look out!" Nikki warned. Her warning came too late as the Mightyena plowed into Ralts with a powerful Headbutt, knocking him into Buneary and sending both of Nikki's Pokémon crashing down at her feet.
"No!" Nikki cried.
"Well now, looks like your out of defenses," the first grunt stated. The two grunts and their Pokémon started closing in on Nikki and Janet. Nikki stood protectively in front of Janet while looking down at her fallen Pokémon.
"Come on, guys. Get up," she pleaded. Unfortunately the last attack left them pretty dazed and not likely to get back up, leaving the two girls at the mercy of Team Cerberus.
"Oh man… I don't know what to do," Nikki thought to herself. "I wish Ash was here."
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Ralts, Hidden Power!" From out of nowhere a bolt of lightning flew in and struck the Murkrow, knocking him to the ground. At the same time the Mightyena was peppered with a volley of small orbs, forcing him back.
"Where did those attacks come from?" Janet asked. As if to answer her question Ash soon appeared at their side, Pikachu and his Ralts by his side.
"You two alright?" Ash asked.
"Y-Yeah… we're fine," Nikki answered. "Just how did you find us anyway?"
"Your Ralts sent a telepathic message to mine saying you were in trouble. After that I had her use Teleport to bring us here," Ash explained. "Looks like we got here just in time." He glared at the two Team Cerberus grunts.
"You'll pay for interfering with our business," the first grunt stated. By this time their Pokémon had recovered and were ready to engage in battle once again.
"Mightyena, Murkrow! Get them!" The two Dark type Pokémon charged forward, but Ash was ready for this.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail! Ralts, use Shadow Ball!" Ash instructed. Pikachu charged his tail with Steel type energy and swung hard, striking the charging Mightyena in the side of the head. Meanwhile Ralts fired off her Shadow Ball, the Ghost type attack exploding in the face of the charging Murkrow. Both Pokémon fell in a heap.
"Alright, let's finish this! Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Ralts, Hidden Power!" Once again Pikachu unleashed his signature Thunderbolt while Ralts fired off her Hidden Power. The two attacks struck the downed Team Cerberus Pokémon, rendering them unconscious.
"No! Our Pokémon!" the first grunt yelled.
"We'd better get out of here!" the second suggested. Left with no other option the two grunts made a break for it.
"Stop them with Psychic!" Ash shouted. Ash's Ralts' eyes took on a blue glow as she used her Psychic attack to stop them in their tracks. Then, to make sure they didn't go anywhere, she slung them against the side of the building they were next to, knocking them out.
"Good job, Ralts," Ash praised. "That should take care of them until Officer Jenny arrives." During this Nikki was dealing with conflicting emotions. On one hand she was grateful that Ash had shown up and saved them when he did, but on the other hand she wished she had been able to handle that situation without his help.
Minutes later Officer Jenny arrived to arrest the Team Cerberus grunts. Accompanying her were Janet's parents, who were more than glad to have their daughter back safe and sound.
"Oh Janet, you had us so worried!" her mother said.
"I'm sorry, Mom, but everything's okay now thanks to them," Janet responded, pointing over towards Ash and Nikki.
"You have no idea how grateful we are to you two," her father said.
"Yes, thank you so much," her mother added.
"You're welcome, but if you really want to thank someone thank Nikki. She's the one who first found her and protected her until I got there," Ash said.
"In that case, Nikki, you have our thanks for protecting our daughter," Janet's father told her.
"Of course. I couldn't just stand there and do nothing," Nikki stated.
"Well, we should head home now. I'm sure Janet needs some rest after today," her father said. With that Janet and her parents bid farewell to Ash and Nikki as they headed home.
"Well, I guess now's as good a time as any to head to the Pokémon Center," Ash suggested. He started offr towards the Center, stopping to see if Nikki was following him.
"You coming?" he wondered.
"Yeah," Nikki replied. She took a few steps to follow, but then stopped. This left Ash a bit confused.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"Ash… I want you to be honest with me," she started. "… Am I a burden to you?" Ash went from confused to taken aback.
"What? Of course not. Why would you say that," he asked.
"It's just that whenever there's a problem or anything it's always you who solves it, not me. I don't feel like I'm contributing to this journey and… I think I might be holding you back," she explained. Ash had no idea Nikki was feeling this way. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to me, Nikki… you are not a burden. Sure, I can handle most of what we encounter when it comes to things like Team Rocket and such, but you help in ways I can't," he told her.
"Yeah? Name one," Nikki challenged.
"Well, I can't cook like you can," he replied. "And if it weren't for you who knows what Team Cerberus would have done to Janet before I arrived. You see… you are contributing."
"Well…" Nikki started to speak but Ash cut her off.
"And if I'm being perfectly honest… just having you around makes this journey more enjoyable," Ash continued. "So don't ever feel like you don't contribute. You do, in ways you don't even realize." Listening to him Nikki realized he was right. At that moment a smile crept onto her face.
"Thanks, Ash. I really needed to hear that," she said.
"No problem," he replied. "Now, let's…"
"(Hey! What up with your Ralts?!)" Buneary shouted. Ash and Nikki looked over at their Ralts and saw them each take on a bright glow. Moments later they began to change shape.
"Are they?!" Nikki wondered.
"I think they're evolving!" Ash gasped. Within seconds their two Ralts had finished their evolution, revealing two brand new Pokémon.
"They're Kirlia now!" Nikki cheered. She quickly took out her Pokécomm and scanned her new Pokémon.
Name: Kirlia
Species: The Emotion Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It has a psychic power that enables it to distort the space around it and see into the future.
"This is great! Our Pokémon got stronger!" Ash shouted.
"You can say that again," Nikki agreed. "Now, I recall you mentioning something about heading to the Pokémon Center." Ash let out a chuckle and, with Nikki by his side, headed towards the Pokémon Center.
Ash and Nikki have grown closer as friends, and gained new Pokémon in the form of their newly-evolved Kirlia. What lies in store for them next? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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