Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon and am making no money off this fic Well, here's another chapter from me. I hope you enjoy it and as always comments including constructive criticism are welcome
"Dodge and then Iron Tail!" Ash called. Pikachu dived out of the way of the oncoming assault. His tail changed, becoming metallic. With a "Pika!" he charged toward his opponent.
"Use Leafage," Sawyer commanded.
A green glow burst from Treecko before forming into a flurry of foliage. The leaves obscured the creature.
Pikachu skidded to a halt. His confusion reflected itself in the face of his trainer. Too late, Ash realized what was going on. "Get out of there, Pikachu!"
"Now, Treecko! Use Pound again!"
Suddenly, Treecko's tail slammed into Pikachu. The mouse appeared dazed.
"Use Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"
Pikachu's cheeks crackled. The bolt flew through the air and hit Treecko. A cry of pain came from the Wood Gecko Pokémon.
They'd gotten their first hit on their opponents, but Ash couldn't relax. Because of Treecko's type, Thunderbolt hadn't done much damage. Plus, there was that trick with Leafage, they had to find a way around it.
"Quick Attack, Pikachu!"
The mouse built up speed until he was almost a blur.
"Now, Iron Tail!"
Pikachu's tail took on the same metallic sheen as before. But just before the tail connected, Treecko rolled out of the way.
"Use Leafage, Treecko!"
The Pokémon sent up the same burst of foliage as before. Again, the leaves hid it from view. Ash gritted his teeth, trying to devise some way around the tactic. Otherwise, they'd be stuck firing off Thunderbolt and hoping that it hit. Wait a moment, that was it. Using Thunderbolt on the leaves themselves could get some of them out of the way.
"Pikachu, let's fry that foliage! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Pi-Ka-Chuuu!"
The same bolt of electricity flew through the air. A clump of blackened leaves fell to the ground.
"Get away, Treecko!"
A green shape darted out from behind the leaves.
"Don't let up, Pikachu!"
"Treecko, let's keep on the pressure. Use Pound over and over!"
Ash could only watch as the gecko's tail slapped Pikachu, sending the mouse to the ground. Before Ash could give another order, the tail hit his partner again. A sickening thwack sounded through the area.
"Pikachu! buddy, get up. You've got to get up."
The electric mouse struggled to his feet. But another blow left him sprawled on the ground, unconscious.
"Pikachu is unable to battle. The winner is Sawyer," Professor Birch announced.
Ash scooped up Pikachu. He stood there for a moment, feeling his partner's weight in his arms and listening to the Pokémon's soft breathing.
Sawyer came up to him, "That was a great battle, Ash. Using Thunderbolt on the leaves was a strategy I didn't see coming. I'll be sure to make a note of that." He pulled out a little notebook and pen and jotted something down.
"Well, I'd better get Pikachu healed up before I set out. Thanks for the battle, Sawyer."
"Wait, Ash. I have a small favor I'd like to ask of you. Sawyer and May, too."
"What is it, Professor?"
Birch handed him an electronic device. It was rectangular and gray and looked thin enough to be slipped into a pocket. "This is a Pokédex. Just scan a Pokémon with it, and it will identify it and transmit data on its location back here to the lab."
"And you want us to use it to help with your research?"
"That's right, the work we do here is useful but getting field data is invaluable."
Of course, Professor."
###
Ash led the way as the group made their way up the path that led to Oldale Town. Trees lined either side of the trail, and a Taillow chirped somewhere in the woods. As Ash walked, he couldn't help replaying the battle. Was there anything he could have done differently? Steven always said you could take away something from every battle, win or lose. Right now, Ash couldn't figure out what that was.
The three of them walked along the sun-dappled path. Rustles sounded from the undergrowth, and the occasional glimpse of a Poochyena or possibly a Zizagoon could be seen.
Ash's thoughts turned to building his team. He needed to think about the gyms as well as Pikachu's type strengths and weaknesses. Electric-type Pokémon were only weak to ground types. Plus, ground-type Pokémon were utterly unaffected by electric-type moves like Pikachu's Thunderbolt. Ground's main weaknesses were grass, flying, and water types. He needed at least one Pokémon with any one of those types. Preferably Grass or Water, since those would help against the gyms.
Pikachu chirped and shifted his weight on Ash's shoulder. Ash paused for a moment to give his partner a good scratch behind the ears.
The path widened as they came out from the woods. Before them lay a small town. There was a Pokemart and Pokémon center, as well as four or five houses.
"You've been to Oldale Town before, right, Ash?" Brendan asked.
"Yep. There are some caves with some ancient drawings not too far away. Steven took me there once. Ash smiled at the memory.
"Whoa!" was the only word the nine-year-old could manage as he stared at the walls filled with ancient artwork.
"Amazing, aren't they?" the man with him said.
"They're the absolute coolest" Ash's eyes were still roaming around the cavern.
"These are the earliest known depictions of Groudon and Kyogre," Steven told him.
"Really?" Like all Hoenn children, Ash knew of the legendary Pokémon and how they'd created the region of Hoenn, both land and sea."
"Yes, really."
"I can't wait to tell Brendan and May about this. It's the coolest thing ever, and you're the coolest brother ever for taking me here."
"Does anyone need anything in Oldale?" May asked, jolting Ash back to the present.
"Not me," Ash said.
"I don't think…" Brendan started to answer before something else seemed to catch his attention, "Look over there."
Ash looked in the direction Brendan was pointing and saw a group dressed in mostly red heading in the direction of the cave. With them, walking in the middle of the group, was an older man. Ash couldn't tell for sure, but he thought he saw fear in the man's face. That's Mr Taylor, the guy who looks after the cave," he told the other two, "but I think something's wrong."
"Why?" May asked.
"He didn't come with us when we visited and looked scared."
"Maybe we should tell someone," worry crept into Brendan's tone.
"I know where he and Mrs Taylor live," Ash said.
"We should head there first," Brendan suggested, "maybe she knows what's going on."
Ash led the way towards one of the houses. It was set slightly apart from the others. Colorful flowers led the way up to the front door.
"Get ready, Pikachu. We may have to fight,"
As if in answer, the mouse's posture stiffened.
Almost as soon as the trio entered the front yard, the door burst open and two men and a woman hurried out. All three were dressed in red, like the group that they had seen a few moments earlier.
The woman was the first to speak, "You kids better behave and get inside if you know what's good for you."
"And don't even think about sending out any Pokémon," one of the men added, "or my partner here will have to deal with them." He threw a Pokeball and a large, horned, black dog-like creature emerged.
"Ash, that's a Houndoom," May's eyes widened.
Ash didn't answer. Houndoom weren't native to Hoenn, but he had heard of the creatures. They, as well as their pre-evolved form Houndour, were supposed to be almost impossible to train but those who did manage it were rewarded with an intensely loyal Pokemon.
Ash felt Pikachu get ready to jump down and put a hand on his partner's back to stop him.
"Smart choice, kid," the woman said, " we wouldn't want your little electric rat to get hurt. Now, all of you get inside quickly."
The three adults marched the kids into the house. Once inside, Ash, Brendan and May were hustled through a hall and into a sunlit living room at the back of the house.
The room was just as Ash remembered it. The armchairs and sofa were still arranged in the exact same way. Sitting in one of the chairs, with her hands behind her back and ropes around her ankles, was an older woman.
"Ash," she said, "how nice to see you again. Although, I wish it were under different circumstances."
"It's nice to see you too, Mrs Taylor," Ash replied.
"How nice," the woman said, her tone mocking, "you all know each other. Turn around, kids and put your hands behind your back."
"You won't hurt them, will you?" concern showed in Mrs Taylor's eyes as Ash felt rope being wrapped around his wrists.
"We told you, Mrs Taylor, the man with the Houndoom said as he tied Brendan's hands, "No one needs to get hurt as long as no one decides to be stupid and not do what we tell them. We in Team Magma are not cruel for cruelty's sake."
The other man finished tying Ash's wrists and pushed him down on the sofa. Brendan and May were soon pushed down beside him. Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder onto the arm of the sofa.
Ash knew he had to keep calm. Panicking would do him no good at all. Steven always kept a cool head even when the battle wasn't going in his favour.
Ash swept his eyes over the entire room. The man with the Houndoom was talking to someone who he addressed as Commander on his cell phone. Their other captors were talking among themselves.
Ash's gaze fell on Pikachu. His partner was on all fours. His cheeks crackled with electricity. Ash knew he had to take a chance while their captors were distracted.
"Pikachu," he called, softly.
The mouse turned his gaze to his trainer.
Ash took a deep breath and then motioned with his eyes to Pikachu's tail and then his bound wrists.
Pikachu gave a small nod. His tail changed, becoming metallic once again. Ash shuffled closer to his partner and began rubbing the rope binding his wrists against the edges of the tail.
It took a while but at last, Ash felt the final strands of the rope separate. However, he kept his hands behind his back.
He nudged Brendan with his elbow. Brendan turned, mouth open ready to object. Ash moved his head, indicating first his own wrists and then Brendan's.
Brendan got the message and turned so he was once again facing forward. Ash shuffled closer to Brendan and began feeling around, trying to find the other boy's ropes.
It took a while but his fingers found the knot. Ash caught it between two fingers and began to tease it open. After what seemed like an eternity, Ash managed to untie the knot.
"Now do May," Ash whispered, "I'll keep their attention on me."
"What are you kids whispering about?" the woman barked.
"Nothing," Ash said, hoping he sounded confident, "I was wondering what Team Magma's whole deal was anyway."
"I knew you were a smart boy," the man with the Houndoom said, "Team Magma's goal is to ensure the advancement of humanity."
"I see," Ash said, "and is holding an innocent woman captive worth the advancement of humanity?"
"A regrettable but necessary action," the man with the Houndoom said, "but then I could never expect a child to understand what achieving our goals could mean for everyone in Hoenn."
Suddenly, Brendan jumped up. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a Pokeball. Treecko emerged, the twig still clamped in its mouth.
"Treecko, Leafage!"
The Pokemon sent up a flurry of leaves. Seizing his chance, Ash tackled the man with the Houndoom, shoving his captor off balance. Pikachu sprang back onto Ash's shoulder.
Ash knew he couldn't afford to waste a moment. He sprinted through the hall and out the front door. Once outside he headed for the caves, Brendan and May close behind him.