Chapter 135 – Fear and rage
GNN Breaking News…
Live from GNN News in Rhyme City I'm Emilia Christie.
We begin this hour with our continuing coverage of the political crisis unfolding in Entralink. The Attorney-General has fired Special Counsel Heather Dunbar, who was investigating allegations of illegal Pokémon experiments being conducted by the Aether Foundation and any connections between the Foundation and Dracena Tabuu's Government.
The move happened just hours before, as reported by the Castelia Times, the Special Counsel was intending to indict the Aether Foundation, it's founder and president Lusamine, and several key staff members on racketeering charges for breaches of Environmental Protection and Pokémon right statues.
Prime Minster Tabuu was unavailable for comment, as she left Entralink last night for diplomatic meetings in Paldea Region. Attorney-General Kotchanski refused an interview with GNN, but her office put out the following statement.
'I have made the decision to terminate and not continue to fund the Special Counsel's investigation into illegal Pokémon Experiments. The investigation has used Department conducted wide ranging investigations that have resulted in two indictments of unrelated Pokémon experiments and cruelty in the Unova Region and Rhyme City. But after a year the Special Counsel has been unable to identify any wrongdoing on the part of the Aether Foundation and the Government. This has become a politically motivated sham and a misuse personnel and Department Resources.'
When asked about the racketeering indictment, a spokesperson for the Attorney-General responded, "fake news."
The opposition has condemned the decision. Ninja leader Shaizo had this to say to reporters outside his electoral office.
"This is a national disgrace. The Prime Minister continued to thumb her nose at the rule of law and avoid any accountability mechanism. Blatant attempt to obstruct justice to protect and ally and political donor. We demand that the investigation be reinstated, and that it's findings about the Aether Foundation be made public so that citizens can decide for themselves. Not only that, but all government grants and contracts to the Aether Foundation must be suspended until the investigation in finalised."
A government spokesperson called Mr. Shaizo's comments 'unhinged.'
A source has told GNN that a copy of the draft indictment was leaked to the Castelia Times. The indictment alleges the Aether Foundation was involved in a web of conspiracies to kidnap Pokémon and conduct experiments on them. The allegations including involvement in the P2 lavatory experiments where a Darkrai was infused with Charmander and Raichu DNA, and that the Aether Foundation conspired with Team Skull, a youth gang active in the Alola Region, to steal an Oshawott pup from a trainer. Other allegations include releasing the mutated Darkrai into the wild where it killed several Pokémon and interfering with the relationship between a Riolu and a Pikachu contrary to the one true pairing rule.
The Foundation released a statement denying the allegations and calling the investigation a witch hunt. President Lusamine did not respond to GNN's request for an interview.
We now go to our political correspondent…
Jimmy switched off the television and sighed. "Well guys, we're famous…"
Silence followed this pronouncement as Ash and Cameron exchanged looks with each other. Ash felt his heart pound and a tightness form in his chest. Incoherent thoughts ran threw his mind. He hugged Pikachu tightly to him, the mouse's warmth, and soft fur a comfort to him. Pikachu cooed softly and licked the bottom of his chin.
"Pikapi."
"It doesn't name us," said Cameron. "It's some political story now. We were interviewed extensively by the Space Force after that incident with Team Rocket and nothing's come of it."
The three of them, Pikachu, Lucario, Typhlosion, Zacian and Koraidon were gathered in the lounge room watching the TV. Jimmy had called them in to watch after the news story had broken earlier that morning.
"I mean, we knew the Aether Foundation was up to no good. Now the authorities know about it. Does this really change our lives." He turned to Ash. "Ash. Are you okay?" When Ash didn't respond he continued, "I mean. We went through this with Team Flare, and Cipher, and now this."
"You make it sound like being caught up with terrorists, gangsters and political conspiracies is an ordinary part of being a trainer," mused Jimmy, making the Pokémon, except for Pikachu, laugh.
Cameron sniggered. "I mean. Have you met us?"
Ash raised a hand and pointed at the TV. "It said government. This Aether Foundation bullshit is tied to the highest levels of government. Team Rocket and Team Flare were criminals. The police helped us when we needed them too. This feels…different." He had the same feeling he'd had when they'd met Looker only two nights before. Wheels within wheels. "And you add to that what Sobby and Tel told us!"
"To be fair, we did already know about the Aether Foundation," said Jimmy. "I mean the Aether Foundation investigation has been headline news for a while now." When Ash gave him a blank look, he added, "please tell me you were aware of that."
"I guess so." Ash bit his lip. In truth he hadn't been paying much attention to the wider context of what had been happening with the Aether Foundation, the government, and the fight over illegal Pokémon experiments. He had been far most focused on his training, and when he wasn't doing that, he'd been trying to stay alive while the same company hunted them down. "Do you think Geyser's life is still in danger?"
The questioned dropped like a hammer, making Jimmy and Cameron go ashen faced, and Pikachu's fur bristle.
"Geyser. Ashachu, Blade…Hunter," said Cameron. "They were all mentioned."
"They might not be in immediate danger though," Jimmy added, trying and failing to sound reassuring. "If the investigation is over, then there's no reason to try and hurt them. Right. I mean, they wouldn't want to draw more attention to themselves."
"And they took a serious blow after Team Rocket attacked them in Alola," added Cameron. "That's gotta count for something!"
"I don't think we can take that chance," said Ash.
Jimmy rubbed the back of his head. "I don't either. In fact, I think we should consider our move carefully!"
"Pika pika." Sensing his trainer's tension, Pikachu rubbed his head against Ash's chin, then tilted his head back to nuzzle him.
Ash used his right hand to rub his mate behind the ears, while keeping an arm wrapped around him. "What…What do we do!"
"Get back on the road. Travel to a region away from the Aether Foundation until the heat is off. Staying in Pallet Town would be like being a sitting Psyduck. They know you live here."
Cameron patted him on the back. "We have kind of been here before. Team Flare tried to steal Ashachu. And Team Rocket have been after Pikachu for a long time. We've beaten them all before."
For some reason, Ash wasn't entirely comforted by that.
"You wanted to travel through the Galar Region," said Jimmy. "I would go back there…"
"Maybe…" Deep within his mind, Ash desperately tried to think of what to do.
Whatever happened, he had to keep Ashachu, Geyser and the rest of his Pokémon safe!
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…outside on the ranch…
"Remember this always," Charizard growled in a deep voice into Charichu's ear. His voice was barely above a low mumble and was inaudible to everyone except the Charmander. "Your opponent is always invisible to you. So, they will always have the advantage. If you want to stay alive you must be strong. Strong so that their attacks won't take you down. Strong so that when you attack, you will knock them out."
He placed his claws on Charichu's shoulder and forced the little lizard into a crouching position. His head lowered so that the tip of his nose was brushing Charichu's ear. "In a moment Thunderbolt will attack you. And you will use protect. Put your claws and your arms over your face and stiffen your body. The attack won't do you any damage. And then when he's exhausted and vulnerable and close. You strike." He gave Charichu a slap on the rear before adding, "that Pichu is your prey. He belongs under your foot. You must put him there."
"Char." Charichu let out a low cry as he ran over the instructions in his mind. He was still sleepy, having been woken up earlier than he would have liked to train, and was finding it difficult to concentrate. It was warm and sunny here and would have much prepared to find a rock to curl up on and go back to sleep.
Across the battlefield Ashachu was having the opposite experience with Thunderbolt. The little Pichu seemed hyper, as he jumped up and down waiting for the battle to commence. Performing star jumps and stretching his tiny limbs, but not looking at his opponent.
"Thunderbolt," Ashachu whined, and he tried to pin him down but putting a paw on his head and pressing him to the ground. "Concentrate."
"I am concentrating," Thunderbolt protested as he wriggled free from out of Ashachu's paw and commenced jumping again. "Geez Ashachu."
Ashachu grimaced and folded his arms. "Do you even have a battle plan."
Thunderbolt continued to do star jumps. "Don't need one. I'll battle him on pure instinct."
Ashachu let out a rest sigh and flattened his ears. "But you're not even looking at Charichu."
"The battle hasn't started yet. I'm warming up!"
Ashachu rolled his eyes. "Alright. Suit yourself!" He then muttered under his breath, "kids got to learn sometime."
There were a couple of spectators present. Ryu siting at the edge of the battlefield waiting to fight the looser. Dragonite who was sleeping under a tree, and Flygon who had agreed to act as the referee.
The Mystic Pokémon raised his right arm and tail to signal the start of the battle. "Ready battlers! Begin!"
Thunderbolt leapt right into action. He bounded onto the battlefield and let off Thunderbolt. Or at least he tried too…
"Piiichuuu!"
There was a yellow flash as electricity burst from his body. Trouble was, most of it seemed to hit him. Only tiny sparks showered down on Charichu, who promptly covered his face with his arms using protect, as Charizard had told him. Behind him, Charizard nodded and grunted approvingly.
"Chu."
Thunderbolt fell over onto his back looking dazed but was quickly on his paws again.
"PII-CHUUUU!"
Again, he tried to use a thunderbolt attack. It was more powerful this time and managed to hit the tiny mouse's Charmander opponent this time…As well as himself. Charichu used protected once again, crouching and shielding himself with his arms. A thin forcefield appeared around him, protecting him from the electricity.
"Chuuu."
Caught in the current of his own electric attack, Thunderbolt convulsed and fell flat on his back again. Ashachu groaned and burred his face in his paws. Charizard growled a note of encouragement to Charichu, who took this as an opportunity to pounce. He leapt forward and landed on top of Thunderbolt, who felt the Charizard's claws wrap around his small body. The Charmander's hot breath kissed his face, making his nostril burn.
"PICHUUUU."
He let off a powerful burst of electricity once more. This time, being in extremely close-range proximity to the Pichu, and unable to protect himself with his claws pinning the smaller mon down, Charichu received the full burst of the attack. There was a flash of white light as Charichu convulsed his skeleton temporarily visible under his scaly skin. He then collapsed in a smoldering heap, leaving Charichu to climb onto his chest in victory.
"Yeah, oh yeah!"
Ashachu looked up from his paws and felt a twinge of annoyance. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"
"See told ya," Thunderbolt called out to him, as he danced on Charichu's chest. "Is you keeping bossing me about, but I've yet to lose a battle!"
Ashachu's ears drooped and he fought hard to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "That's because you've only ever fought one opponent, and you've only fought it twice. And that opponent was a blind Charmander runt!"
"Huh…. What happened." Charichu started to come around, wondering what the furry weight on his chest was. He tried to get up but found he couldn't with Thunderbolt standing on him. "Ugh…Thun, you're crushing me."
Charizard signed before stepping over to Charichu and bending over him. He brushed Thunderbolt off his Charmander whelp with his claw and then picked up Charichu and placed him on his feet.
"You're timing was right, but your strategy was wrong," Charizard grumbled. "You're a fire type. Your strength is in your flame. You should have flamed Thunderbolt not pounced on him and given him an opportunity to shock you."
Charichu's eyes widened with the admonishment. "Oh…Good point…. Sorry!"
"Seems I need to build your endurance as well."
"Hey, a win is a win and I'm two for zero," a defiant Thunderbolt told Ashachu, as he got up out of the grass and brushed his fur clean. "And I did it without you bossing me about."
Ashachu folded his arms and looked down the at the little Pichu. His attitude was starting to annoy him. "Well then. Let's see how you fare against another opponent. Ryu…Ryu."
He called out to the Dratini twice, but when there was no response, he ran over to the sidelines where he found him fast as sleep, just like Dragonite. And small trail of drool leaned from his maw to the grass below.
"Ryu," he growled annoyed, tapping the Dratini on the head twice but failing to rouse him. "Oh really!"
"Ha looks like I win by default," giggled Thunderbolt. "If he doesn't want to battle."
"What. It doesn't work that way," cried Ashachu incredulously.
"Wait, doesn't it. I thought it did," Flygon unhelpfully interjected. "Isn't that how Ash lost the Indigo League?"
Ashachu glared at him. "There aren't going to be many battles where your opponent is asleep at the start of the match. Not the big leagues."
Thunderbolt groaned and rolled his eyes. "Ugh…Don't you have somebody's paws to lick."
Ashachu felt a definite twinge of annoyance at that remark. He glared at Thunderbolt, his fur bristling and his face going red. "What…What did you say that for."
Thunderbolt shrugged to look innocent. "Just something I heard!"
Before either of them could say anything else however, Ash wandered over; with Pikachu and Oshawott sitting on his shoulder and flanked by Koraidon and Zacian.
"Hey guys, how's training going?" He asked. Was it just Ashachu's imagination, or did he sound less enthusiastic than normal…As though something were on his mind.
"Umm…training it's quite the right word for it," said Ashachu. "If you call just sparking and hoping for a result to be training."
Thunderbolt put his hands on his hips and pouted. "Hey, stop being bossy. Paw licker."
"You want to find out what it like to battle a real opponent," Ashachu retorted, his patience finally breaking. He let off a spark from his cheeks. "Because fuck around like that, and you'll find out!"
"Ashachu," Pikachu snapped. "Mind your language. You can't talk to you brother like that."
Ashachu immediately felt a sense of guilt. He lowered his head and flattened his ears. "Sorry."
"Maybe we should do some training with Thunderbolt for a bit," suggested Ash, to diffuse the situation.
"Fine by me," Ashachu and Thunderbolt said in near unison.
"What about you, big guy," Pikachu asked Charizard as he Dragonite, and Flygon sidled over to their trainer.
"A long way to go," Charizard grunted.
Dragonite gesture with his claw to where Ryu was sleeping in the grass.
Ash raised his eyebrows curiously as they all gathered around the slumbering Dratini. "Well…I guess getting a lot of sleep is an important part of training."
"Nya." Ryu opened his eyes and raised his head. He blinked a few times to clear the sleep from his eyes and seemed surprised to find everyone gathered around him. "Oh…. Is it my turn to battle Charichu."
[Pokémon]
About twenty minutes later…
"Nova, use flamethrower!"
The Cyndaquil fired a jet of flame from his maw across the battlefield towards Thunderbolt. As he had agreed, Ash had taken over training his newborn Pichu. Jimmy and Typhlosion having come to join them. Despite his immature age and inexperience hew as proving to be a capable fighter, capable of going toe to toe, claw to claw with the older and more experienced Nova. He was quick on his paws and his electricity packed a punch…provided he didn't shock himself.
"Thunderbolt. Use quick attack," Ash shouted as the fire shot towards the tiny mouse.
Thunderbolt ran to the side avoiding the fire, then dashed at Nova. Nova tried to ward him off with another jet of fire, but Thunderbolt weaved around hit before crashing into the Cyndaquil. Nova was thrown off his feet and landed hard on his chest.
"Ahh…Fuck," he swore as he hit the dirt.
"Language Nova," Jimmy scolded him. "Now come one. Get back up and use cut!"
Nova grunted as he sprung back to hiss paws and took a run at Thunderbolt. A needle like object made from a white energy appeared in his paw.
"Iron tail," responded Ash.
As Nova brought his needle down on Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt spun around and whacked it with his tail. For a moment there was a stalemate as they each tried to push through the other.
"Damn, how strong are you kid," grumbled Nova. "Knocking you out shouldn't be this hard."
"Yeah. We'll see about that."
"Big mistake Ash," Jimmy called from across the battlefield. "Thunderbolt might be strong enough to hold Nova. But Nova still has the use of of another weapon."
"Huh."
It took Ash a moment to work out what what Jimmy was talking about, before he yelled out, "Flamethrower!"
Ash cursed himself silently and grimaced as he realised his mistake. He gave the only command to that he thought to remedy the situation, desperate and poor though it was.
"Thunderbolt. Use Spark!"
Both Pokémon attacked at once and promptly disappeared into a ball of fire and lighting. Surprisingly, the attacks did not manage to knock either Pokémon out, but left Nova on all fours panting heavily, his fur blacked with soot, and Thunderbolt stumbling around dazed.
Typhlosion intervened. "I think that's enough for today," he said stepping onto the field. "They've both fought really hard."
"Yeah, I think that's a fair call," said Jimmy. "Ash!"
"Agreed," Ash replied, as Thunderbolt stumbled backwards.
Typhlosion tired to help Nova back to up, but Nova brush him off as soon as he was placed back on his hind legs and wandered over to Thunderbolt, lying dazed in the grass.
"Hey kid. Good match." He offered Thunderbolt his paw. "You're going to powerful someday. More so than Ashachu!"
"Huh." Thunderbolt sat up still dazed. "Yeah, good. Don't call me kid." He tried to get up and shake Nova's paw but immediately fell back over.
Pikachu hopped off Ash to help him, picking up the Pikachu in his mouth. Ash knelt beside both and rubbed Thunderbolt on the top of his head with two fingers.
"Great work Thunderbolt. He's right, you're going to be a strong battler."
"Pichu Pichu." Thunderbolt squeaked happily looking pleased with himself.
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile in the air above….
The wind whipped through Ashachu's fur and Charichu's scales as they soared on the back of Charizard over the ranch. It was at times like this that he missed having fingers as he had when he was a pikachu. The lack of claws made gripping Charizard's neck that much harder. The best he could to was keep his arms wrapped around the base of his neck and his body low.
Though, he knew his partner wouldn't allow him to fall off…
Charichu, thanks to his sharp fore claws and sturdy feet had no trouble clinging to the middle of Charizard's back. Flying was still unnerving for the Charmander, especially considering he couldn't see. His cries were audible even over the rushing sound of the wind.
"Chaaaarrrr!"
Ashachu glanced downwards at the battlefield catching the last few moments of Nova and Thunderbolt's battle. "Little bro can hold his own," he mumbled. He felt a twinge of annoyance as he remembered the first time, he had fought Nova and wondered how powerful Thunderbolt was going to be.
And then the battlefield, Thunderbolt, Ash, and the others disappeared out of sight. Charizard flew over the meadows of the ranch, and the then forests that bordered Pallet Town. The flight didn't last long and eventually came to land one the edge of the forest by the sea on his fall fours. Charichu slid down his back and tail and on to the sand with a sigh of relief. Ashachu climbed up his neck, allowing the Flame Pokémon to stand up.
"Why did you bring us here?" Ashachu queried as he looked around at his surroundings.
The water lapped gently at the sand and there was a strong smell of salt on the air. In the distance he could see the outline of more trees across the water with mountains in the background, which he knew signaled the start of the Johto Region. There were standing at the far end of an unnamed bay to the west of Pallet Town. In the absence of roads or any other infrastructure, few trainers came here. Ashachu wondered what Pokémon were around.
"Somewhere to train uninterrupted," grumbled Charizard. "I didn't want to go back to the hill incase that fucking Inteleon and his brother are still lurking around there." A snarl crossed his face, and he bared his teeth at the ocean for a moment before turning to Charichu. "Alright. I can see from this morning I need to build your stamina up. Here…"
To Ashachu's surprise he grabbed a hold of the end of his long tail and placed it between Charichu's jaws.
"Charizard…What are you doing," Ashachu squeaked. He winced as he felt Charichu's jaws close around the lighting bolt shaped appendage at the end of his tail, but the Charmander did not bite down hard enough to hurt him…Though, Ashachu understood his sharp fangs and strong jaws could do him harm if he'd wanted. He gaped at his boyfriend.
"You're going to run. The breach will give you enough space without hitting anything. Ashachu, you act as a guide," Charizard grumbled.
Ashachu felt his heart sink. "Wait, I have to do this too."
"You need to be his eyes," Charizard replied. "Besides…I don't think his would hurt you." Ashachu watched as his eyes trailed over his body, taking in his bulky form. He felt a little offended but held his tongue. "Now come on, get moving."
Charizard gave him a casual slap on the backside with the back of his claw to get him moving.
"Hmmpf." Ashachu sighed huffily to himself as he and Charichu broke out into a run.
It much harder work than the Raichu had expected. When he'd been a Pikachu, he'd been lithe and quick on his paws, able to speed his opponents easily out. In his evolved form, his body had traded speed for power and endurance, and he was much slower. Slow enough that even tiny Charichu could match his speed and even overtake him. He felt the occasional tug on his tail. What was worse, his nub like forepaws and large feet kept sinking into the soft sand, making it hard for him to run. Within a few moments he was sweaty, his lungs ached, and his heart was pounding in his chest. '
"Damnit Charizard," he gasped, as he willed himself to move forward.
Charizard, being much larger than either Ashachu or Charichu, was easily able to jog along behind them. And to give Ashachu the occasional slap on the backside to keep him moving. A grin spread across his face as he watched the large mouse jump and his face burn red.
"Son of a…," Ashachu grumbled after the dozenth time or so. He silently vowed revenge.
His throat burned from exhaustion, and he continued to sweat as the mid-morning sun beat down upon him from above. He glanced sideways at Charichu and was slightly annoyed to see the Charmander having an easier time of it than he was. Sure, he was breathing heavy through his nose, and his scales glistened with sweat. But his large feet and lightweight body made it easier for him to sprint across the sand. His tail blazed brightly behind him.
"Is everyone hatched after me going to be stronger than me," He mumbled to himself. "Maybe I do need to train more!"
"That's the spirit," Charizard chuckled from behind him, and he felt another hard slap to his rear.
He put on a burst of speed to get away from his mate's claws, ignoring the burning in his lungs. Until his foot caught something hard in the sand, which brought him crashing down on to his chest.
"What that…. Ughh." His maw filled with sand as he cried in surprise. "Ewww." He pushed himself up and spat it out. Spittle dribbled on his fur.
Beside him, Charichu, feel the tail in his maw grow taught, came to a stop. He doubled over breathing heavily.
"Char char, Charmander…"
Ashachu sat up and turned around, trying to find what he had tripped on.
Charizard came to a stop behind him. Ashachu looked up and blushed at the grin on his face. "Heh…Clumsy paws."
"I am so going to get you back for this," Ashachu muttered through clenched teeth. "You're supposed to be training Charichu, not me!"
It was then that he noticed the sands shifting near where he had tripped. Suddenly there was flash of white light from beneath the surface, that caused Charizard to step backwards in surprised. His jaw dropped opened. A second later, a small blue creature popped it's head out from the sand.
"Squirtle."
"Huh…A Squirtle," mumbled Charizard.
The Pokémon climbed it's way out of the sand. It was a small turtle-like creature with a blue head, tail, and limbs, poking out of a brown and cream-colored shell. It was about the same size as Charichu and half of Charizard's height.
"Charmander."
Hearing, or otherwise sensing the new creature, Charichu stood back up, turned around and wandered over curiously. He sniffed heavily at the air, trying to get a sense of this new Pokémon.
"Char."
"SQUIRTLE!"
In a flash squirrel attacked. The tiny turtle Pokémon threw itself at the curious Charichu, tackling him flat on his back.
"Char Char!"
Charichu let out cries of surprise and distress at finding, what was to him, the invisible and violent creature on top of him. Pushing him into the sand with his paws pressed down on his throat. As Ashachu and Charizard watched in horror, Squirtle reared its head and opened its jaw wide.
"Fuck." Ashachu, realizing what it was about to do, sprang to his feet, his checks sparking. "Oi gets the fuck off him."
But to his surprise, Charizard raised his claw and said, "wait…Give Charichu a chance to fight him off first!"
Ashachu looked up at his partner in surprise, as an ear-splitting cry tore through the air.
"CHARRR!"
The Squirtle brought its jaws down and bit Charichu hard in the neck. Charichu felt pain explode through his body. The jaws were threatening to take a giant chunk out of his neck, or at least that was what it felt like. He squirmed and struggled under the turtle's body, his tail swishing this way and that.
"Come on son, you can take him," Charizard grumbled. "Summon your strength."
"Char…Char….CHARR…"
Suddenly, the flame on the end of Charichu's tail blazed hot and bright and his eyes turned red with fury. He thrashed harder underneath the Squirtle and managed to catch his shell with his feet, while using his claws to push the tiny turtle Pokémon off him. Squirtle was surprised, but managed to not fall over as Charichu shoved him off. It then found itself on the ground as Charichu attacked him in a fury of claws and teeth.
"Squirtle, Squirtle squirt."
Squirtle retreated into itself shell to avoid being hit or punched by Charichu. Charichu continued to pound on its shell for a moment, before picking it up and raising it above his head and throwing it hard.
"Suqirtlllllle…"
Squirtle rose high into the air then fell like a stone into the ocean. There was a splash, and it disappeared beneath the waves.
"Charrrr!" Charichu roared loudly, flexing his muscles and breathing fire into the air.
Ashachu watched in disbelief, his brain trying to process what he had just witnessed. Charichu grunted proudly and patted Charichu on the head with his claw.
"Good…good. Well done!"
"How did he," Ashachu wondered aloud, before it came to him. "Was that rage."
Before anyone could say anything else however, another roar filled the air. This one deeper and not Charichu's.
"BLASTOISE!"
The surface of the ocean started to churn, and three enormous turtle Pokémon rose from the surface. Unlike Squirtle, these Pokémon were larger, muscular and armed with two steel cannons protruding from the back of their large thick shells.
"Blastoise," cried Ashachu. "Squirtle's final form."
He knew at once that they weren't friendly. As the three Blastoise surveyed Ashachu, Charizard and Charichu, their eyes narrowed in fury. One of them, the one in the middle, who also happened to be the largest one, stepped forward. It hunched forward, pointing it's cannons at them and fired two high powered jets of water.
"Rwarrr."
Charizard charge forward, placing himself protectively in front of Charichu and Ashachu, and blasted and powerful jet of fire into the oncoming flames. The beach disappeared in a cloud of smoke and steam.
"…Toise!"
The Blastoise seemed stunned at the force of Charizard's attack, and the fact at he was still standing there boldly when the smoke cleared. Clearly, he wasn't one to be messed with. Charizard didn't need to say anything. The hard stare he gave the three tortoises was warning enough. Ashachu felt his heart pounding in his chest, and he took a hold of Charichu by the shoulder. The Charmander was crying loudly, "Char, Charmander," as though egging Charizard on.
For a moment there was tension in the air as each waited for the other to make the next move. Then the middle Blastoise held up his paws as though surrendering and said softly, "Blastoise." He pointed at the sand to Charizard's left.
As Charizard and Ashachu looked to where Blastoise was pointing and noticed the sand along the shoreline glowing. As the light faded, more Squirtle started to poke their heads above the sand. One by one, the tiny turtles climbed out of the sand and started to walk towards the ocean.
"Hmmm…I guess this beach much be where the Blastoise and Wartortle lay their eggs," Charizard mused. "That Blastoise are here to guard it."
"That explains why there aren't any roads or paths here," said Ashachu. "The humans made it a protected area."
"Hmmm." Charizard breathed heavily and a puff of smoke escaped his nostrils. "Come one. We'll find somewhere else to train!" He scooped up Charichu in his arms and gestured with a flick of his head for Ashachu to climb onto his back.
Ashachu took one last look at the Squirtle as they floated off into the waves before complying…
