Burning Aura
"Hello." Humans
"Pika-chu." Pokémon addressing humans
"Hello." Pokémon addressing Pokémon
As the Growlithe days of summer drew to a close, the children of the Ketchum household took advantage of a slow day at the lab, to have a picnic. The sun was shining, the bird Pokémon sang and battled off in the distance. Lily and Caterpie set up the picnic and set out everything for everyone. Ash and Pikachu however, had another pursuit that distracted them from their normally gung-ho attitude towards food. Arguing.
"Come on, Pikachu! You can't keep eating like this and not getting exercise!" Ash scolded down at his partner, towering over the small, stout mouse Pokémon.
Pikachu simply pouted, crossing his little arms. "Pika! Pika, Pika, Pika!" he said defiantly.
"It's supposed to make your heartbeat faster! It shows your burning calories!" Ash replied frustratedly.
"Pika, pika! Pika, pika-pi, pika!" Pikachu complained further.
"The reason it makes it hard for you to breathe is because you're so out of shape!" Ash exclaimed in frustration.
Lillie sighed as she watched them. "I don't know how to get them to stop, Caterpie. I thought having a brother would help but… it's clear that was a pipe dream." she sighed out dejectedly.
Caterpie sighed with her and simply began munching on some berry salad, made with ones picked out to help him grow. The trainer-partner duo kept arguing until, finally, Ash could take no more. Now Ash was never considered by anyone in Pallet Town as a levelheaded boy, and his friends and family would not deny it. And it was on full display when Ash picked up a rock and chucked it off into the woods as hard as he could.
"Why do you have to be so stubborn all the time?!" Ash asked exasperatedly.
"Pika Pi-Pika!" Pikachu replied irritably.
"What do you mean 'takes one to know one'?! Don't you sass me, mister!" Ash replied angrily.
"Pikachu Pika Pi Pi Pi-Pika!" Pikachu yelled back, sparks beginning to form on his red cheeks.
"Oh, I'll make you exercise all right! One way or another!" Ash snarled, glaring down at his partner.
As the two kept arguing, Caterpie froze up and dropped the berry he was eating. Lillie noticed that and looked to where he was staring. Up in a branch sat a small brown bird with red wings. Its frazzled head feathers, intense eyes, and hooked beak gave it a fierce demeanor. However, it was a Pokémon she knew…
"S-S-Spearow!" Lillie stammered out, pointing at it.
Both Pikachu and Ash stopped arguing and looked at it. While all Spearow looked eternally grumpy, this one was cross. Its head had a lump, likely from an impact. Ash and Pikachu, however, didn't pick up on what, as Ash grabbed another rock.
"Hey, fuzz face! This is our argument, not yours! So, scram!!" Ash yelled, and threw the rock, knocking the Spearow off the branch.
It caught itself as it shook off the blow and hovered with its stubby wings. At that point, there was a fire lit in its black, fierce eyes. Letting out a shriek into the woods, it echoed like a haunting phantasm as it rippled through. Then they heard the sound of wingbeats and responding shrieks. At first, they were distant and few. But as the second went by, it grew louder and louder. Before a cacophony rolled over them like a great tide upon the beach.
"Run!" Ash yelled, grabbing Pikachu and Caterpie as he made a break for it, and grabbing Lillie by the arm to pull her along.
"Well, I hope you two are happy." Caterpie groaned before looking straight at Pikachu.
"Less lecturing, more thinking about how we survive this!" Pikachu replied in a panic.
"You're the big, strong Electric type! Shock them!" Caterpie yelled, fearful as the numbers of Spearow practically multiplied by the second.
"I can't shock them with you, Ash, and Lillie so close! I'll hit all of you too!" Pikachu told him, looking up at the cloud of feathery death in terror.
"Oh, NOW you care!!" Caterpie shrieked in exasperation.
"Lillie! You run into town and get help! I'll lead them away! It's me who they are after!" Ash yelled as he ran alongside Lillie, making sure she was okay.
"But what about you three?! You can't hope to battle and hold off that many Spearow alone!" Lillie asked in concern.
"Who said I was battling! We'll hide from them until they pass!" Ash replied. "Now go!!"
Lillie nodded and turned left, trying to avoid the cloud of mobbing Spearow. Just as Ash predicted, as he turned right, the horde of squawking terrors followed him. Now truth be told, it was a good plan at the time… until he realized he had no idea where to hide. And he knew he couldn't keep running forever. Mercifully, he finally found salvation. A large hollow stump off in the distance.
"Alright, you two! I got a place to lay low! Hang on tight!" Ash yelled as he sprinted off towards his target.
Making it there with barely any time to spare, he got Pikachu and Caterpie in the stump. However, upon closer examination, it was not big enough for him. Ash looked back as the Spearow were nearly upon them. He did not have time to grab the pair or cover the entrance and run away. Thinking fast, he did the only thing he could and barricaded the entrance of the stump with his own body. This, however, caused Caterpie to freak out.
"Ash?! What are you doing?! They'll kill you to get to us!" The terrified caterpillar Pokémon shouted, worried about his trainer.
"It's okay, you two. I'm not going to let them get to you guys. I… AAAAHHH!!" Ash said before letting out a pain fuel cry as he felt a talon claw at him.
The dozens upon dozens of Spearow swarmed around the stump, pecking and clawing at it as they tried to find a way in. Others, however, had a more brutal idea of getting inside. Some of them, the most angry and ruthless of the horde, pecked and clawed at Ash's back and legs. His clothes were torn and soon they were pecking and clawing into his skin and flesh. The whole time, Ash felt and took it all, biting into his own shirt to try and withstand the pain. To his partners however, as they looked on in horror, there was only one thought on their mind. For how long?
Meanwhile with Lillie
Lillie didn't know how long she was running for, but she could not keep going. With every step, her legs felt as if they were on fire. Sweat poured down her body, soaking her clothes, and her head began to hurt. She didn't even know where Pallet Town was from here. But the thought of leaving Ash without help… it made her sick to her stomach at what could happen next. Spearow were not known for mercy, especially wild ones. Finally, however, she lost her footing and fell face first through a bush, landing in a small grassy clearing. She panted and puffed as groaned meekly from her fall.
"Come on, Lillie… get up…" she meekly said, her arms trembling as she slowly got herself up.
"Excuse me… is something wrong? You seem to be in a hurry." a young male voice asked her in concern.
Lillie looked up and to her left in shock, not expecting to find someone so soon. Before her was a boy about her age, clad in a set of hakama robes complete with trousers. On his head, he wore a brimmed straw hat like something an old school wandering samurai from Sinnoh would wear, complete with a cloak. With the wide brim of the straw hat hanging over his face, she could not see his eyes or much of his face. Only the lower half of his face was visible. Beside him was a rather large-sized Charmander, looking equally as concerned.
"Please! Tell me where Pallet Town is! My friend needs help! He and his Pokémon are being attacked by a flock of Spearow!" Lillie shrieked, trembling and panting heavily afterwards, overwhelmed by just what Ash must be going through.
At this, the boy and his Charmander's eyes widened in shock. "A flock of Spearow!? Blaze let's go! They need help!" he said, looking down at his Lizard Pokémon companion.
"Char!!" the Charmander nodded firmly, clenching its little fingers into fists.
"You'll… You'll help me?" Lillie asked in shock.
The boy nodded. "Of course! Lead the way, please!" The young samurai replied.
"Thank you, mister…" Lillie said as she started to run the way she came.
The boy looked down at his partner, who looked up at him and nodded. "My name is Isaac! Now let's hurry! Come on, Blaze…!" The boy, now identified as Isaac, introduced himself as he told his partner, while beginning to run.
"Charmander Char!!" The Charmander agreed as it ran as fast as its stumpy legs could carry it.
Back with Ash
Ash didn't know how long this had been going on for. He did not think he would ever know. All he knew was it was pain, the worst pain of his life. The Spearow continued to try to tear into both Ash and the stump mercilessly, determined to get their revenge. It was to the point even Pikachu and Caterpie could see blood leaking into the front of his clothes. Caterpie was curled up in panic, terrified not just for Ash, but his life. Pikachu sat there in a pit of shame. Before finally, he stood up and looked up at the top of the stump.
"The top's about to give way. They will be in here soon." Pikachu sternly said to Caterpie, looking down at the terrified bug.
"What about Ash?! They're gonna kill him! And he'd rather die than let them get to us!" Caterpie pointed out, beginning to panic.
Pikachu clenched his fists as he looked down, unable to look at Caterpie. "They're not going to do that. Not if I can help it. You stay here and comfort him. I'm going to deal with those birds." Pikachu said grimly.
"Pikachu…" Caterpie uttered in disbelief.
"Our argument caused these birds to come after us. He's doing more than he should right now. It's time I picked up the slack for once. Stay here and blast anything that comes through that roof. Web it up behind me if you have to." Pikachu said, ready to leap for the roof of the stump.
Gripping into the sides of the stump, Pikachu then charged as he practically leapt off the ground. Using Quick Attack in such a short space, he gained just enough momentum to smash through the top face first and leap up into the air in among the flock. The shrapnel and sudden noise caught them off guard. However, before they could capitalize, Pikachu cut loose the electricity he had in him.
"PI-KA-CHUUU!!!!" the electric mouse roared at the top of his lungs, as an explosion of lightning shot forth from his body.
Powerful bolts of lightning surged off the tiny, fat mouse as it collided with the flock. Due to their numbers and proximity, they could not escape in time. Many were shocked by the same bolt as the surge ripped through them like a scythe through corn. As soon as the attack began, it was over. The ground was singed and scoured by the arcs that came off the orb. Trees were split or scarred by the passing arcs. The Spearow, due to their type-weakness and general frailty, stood no chance. They lay strewn across the forest floor, knocked out, with only a few having enough energy left to twitch. After falling back into the stump, Pikachu lay on his back panting, not able to move because of how much energy he used.
"Pikachu… you did it!!!" Caterpie cheered after his initial shock faded away, before rushing over to hug the electric mouse.
"Yeah… but that took a lot out of me. How's Ash looking?" Pikachu replied tiredly as they climbed out through the hole in the top of the stump.
The two, however, were stunned to silence at what they saw. Their trainer lay slumped at the entrance of the stump. His teeth still clutched his sleeve he used to bear the pain, and they could only hear faint pants. Their hearts sank as they realized he had passed out from the pain and blood loss. Pikachu's especially did, as he clenched his hands into fists, before kicking one of the Spearow out of frustration. However, to their horror… it began to move. Not merely twitch but open its eyes and slowly get to its taloned feet.
"You… you miserable… little… electric rat…! I'm going to make you regret that!" The Spearow panted out in a gruff male voice, glaring at Pikachu with hatred in its eyes.
Despite how weak he felt, Pikachu stood his ground. "Then come and get me, feather face! You've got blood on those talons of yours, and you will pay!" Pikachu shot back, weak sparks of electricity dancing off his cheeks. However, before the two fought, they heard a familiar voice.
"Pikachu! Caterpie! Be careful! I brought help!!" Lillie's voice rang out, as another voice soon followed.
"Blaze, use Flame Charge!" A young male's voice called out.
"CHHAAAARRR!!" Blaze roared, surging forward and smashing into the Spearow like a flaming rocket, forcing him away with an almighty crash.
"Lillie! Go get your friend Ash and his Pokémon! We'll handle this!" Isaac called out as he stopped running and got into a battle stance.
"On it!" Lillie called back, suppressing the huffing and puffing she had been feeling as she rushed over to Ash. Pikachu and Caterpie following in kind.
Rolling to his feet, the Spearow glared at the Charmander before him. "Don't get in my way, flame brain! This is between me, the rat, and his stupid kid!" he shrieked in rage, ruffling his feathers as he tried to recover.
"A samurai never allows those that can defend themselves to be brought to harm. You will do no further harm to them." Blaze sternly replied in a female voice, matching the fire in the bird Pokémon's eyes with her own.
The Spearow sneered, a venomous glint in his eyes. "Is that a challenge? Fine! I'll deal with you, then the rat and his punk!" he replied, taking to the air.
"You will try!" Blaze replied, a determined glint in her own eyes.
"Try my Assurance attack, lizard!" The Spearow called out as he flew up before diving into a downward charge headfirst, a swirling black energy coming off him.
"Blaze, counter with Flame Charge!" Isaac called out.
"Yes, sir!" Blaze replied, rushing forward and becoming lit ablaze with flames before leaping up in response.
The two attacks collided in midair, the two Pokémon fighting for dominance. However, Blaze got a glint in her eyes as her trainer called out another attack. "Now follow up with Metal Claw!" Isaac called out to his partner.
"Metal Claw!?" The Spearow called out in disbelief, unable to believe that this Charmander already knew such a move.
"Eat this, fat face!" Blaze yelled as her claws grew and turned to a shining, steel-like metal.
"Not so fast! I'll just counter with Peck!" Spearow called out, his beak growing in length as it shined.
The two rushed at each other as Blaze drew back her claws as if she were reaching to draw a sword. Then, with a swing of her claws, she struck as Spearow tried to counter with his Peck attack. The two combating Pokémon passed by each other in an instant. As the two landed, Blaze seemed to stumble for a moment as Spearow sneered. However, Spearow soon flinched and fell over, slashed by her Metal Claw attack.
Straining, Spearow tried to look up at Blaze as she turned to look at him, a pleased smile on her face. "You've been bested. Surrender now." she told him, walking up and looking down at him.
"I ain't… no quitter!" the Spearow growled back, barely getting back to his feet.
"First, you take a powerful Thunder Shock from that Pikachu, and now my Metal Claw? You are a tough one. Why don't you consider joining us? We could use grit and determination like that on our team." Blaze offered, extending her hand outward in invitation.
"Fat chance! If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging!" Spearow roared, before rushing in for another peck.
"That isn't necessary, Spearow. Losing one battle, especially in a weakened state, does not make you as weak as you think it does." Isaac told the weakened bird Pokémon.
Said bird Pokémon stumbled at that, collapsing to the ground as he tried to get up. "Did that human just talk to me?" The Spearow muttered in confusion.
"I did speak to you. You want to continue battling due to your pride being injured, both from being injured by a human and being defeated twice in one day. First by Pikachu, then by us." Isaac explained to him, walking over.
Spearow's eyes widened at that. This human… wasn't just speaking to him. He somehow understood him. Knew what was in his heart.
Walking up, Isaac kneeled down and pulled out a Pokéball. Enlarging it, he continued to speak to the wounded Pokémon. "Please, come with us. Join our team. You want to be strong, right? I can make you strong." he offered, holding the ball down to it in his hand, palm facing up.
Standing there, the tiny bird's face turned from fury to contemplative. He stood there thinking about it, as if weighing the options. He then looked up at Isaac, giving a nod.
Isaac smiled a bit. "It would be awkward to simply keep calling you Spearow then. You'll need a name that's solely yours. How does 'Ruffian' sound?" he offered to the bird Pokémon.
At that, the Spearow waddled up with a small smile, and pecked the button of the Pokéball. Disappearing into the ball in a flash of light, the ball soon clicked shut with a small bit of stars coming out. The newly christened Ruffian was now Isaac's.
Smiling down at the ball, he gave a nod. "Welcome to the team, my friend." Isaac said, shrinking the ball down and putting it into a small pocket in his hakama robe.
"Isaac!! Help me!" Lillie called to him, forcing Isaac to turn around.
Isaac looked in shock at what he saw. Lillie had Ash cradled in her arms, looking very weak as Lillie was covered in blood from Ash's back. Rushing over, Isaac helped her pick him up and the two began to make their way into town.
"Hold on, Ash… Please hold on." Lillie said to her unconscious friend as they began to carry him back to civilization.
To Be Continued...