Little Lost Pikachu

by CommanderX5

Ch.1 - Exploration Pt.2

Pikachu jogged along the dirt path, following the enthusiastic Raichu with Litten by his side. If not for the fact that they needed a guide to reach their next destination in this alien town, they would race each other. The temptation was still strong in their minds however. The large oddly designed building with something looking like white cream at the edges of the roof caught their attention.

“Is this the Sugarcube Corner you mentioned?” Pikachu asked as he sped up, reducing the distance between him and his guardian.

“You guessed correctly,” Nica said as with a nod.

Once close enough, the group stopped as Pikachu pointed at a few planks with nails tying them to the building, most likely a quick repairing measure to block the holes. “What’s up with those?”

“Since Sugarcube Corner is mostly made of candy, some ponies just couldn’t resist and ate part of the wall,” Nica said before running towards the door and poking its lower part. “Come on, give it a taste.”

Pikachu stared at the Raichu as if she was insane. With all the crazy stuff that this pokemon told her about this was one of the weirdest. Was she even serious? Did some ponies really make their homes from candy?

“Just kidding,” Nica said with a cheerful giggle.

Litten chuckled before looking at Pikachu with a sassy smile. “Don’t tell me you actually bought that… wait… you did?” He started rolling and laughing while holding his belly with his forepaws.

Pikachu stomped and groaned. “It’s not my fault. Nica and Twilight told me so many unbelievable things that I don’t know what’s the truth anymore.”

“Y-you’re right, I shouldn’t joke like that.” Nica tapped her forepaws together, her head lowered slightly as she gave him an apologetic glance. “ I’m sorry,” she said in a squeaking voice.

Litten pushed himself to a standing position, looked at Pikachu with narrowed eyes, and then frowned. “You seriously need to relax." He pointed at Raichu with his right forepaw. "Now you made her feel sorry for no reason.”

Pikachu sighed and his ears drooped. “I’m just a bit overwhelmed… give it time. So, about those holes...”

Nica took a deep breath before explaining, her expression suddenly serious, “When Darkrai temporarily summoned pokemon to Equestria, he sent them to take the families of national heroines hostage, but not many pokemon liked the idea of hurting innocents, so they started fighting each other instead.” She pointed at the cracks surrounding the damaged area. “Those holes are the result of two Ursaring kicking three dark-type pokemon out when they tried to hurt two cute little foals.”

Litten listened with full attention.

Pikachu placed his forepaws on his hips, staring in distrust. “It’s not another joke? Is it?”

“I wish it was,” Nica said with a shake of her head.

“If what you say is true, why aren't the ponies afraid of us?” Pikachu asked.

“Because ponies are very forgiving and they’re used to dangerous creatures. While Darkrai offered to use the magic of this world to make pokemon loyal to him stronger, not many were interested in his offer if it came at the cost of enslaving a nation. Ponies saw it as a sign of good will,” Nica explained before forcing a smile and waving her forepaw dismissively. “But it happened more than a week ago and is not something you should be concerned about. Just enjoy your stay.” She raised her forepaws and pressed them against her cheeks. “Pinkie Pie bakes the best sweets and is quite good at cheering up and giving warm hugs. You’ll both love her!” With the help of her tail, she opened the lower part of the pink door.

“Okay…” Pikachu said as he walked inside, following the Raichu. He gave the door a quick glance, noticing how the upper part was separated and opened outside. The interior of the room caught his attention.

One table with two stools and a rounded green carpet were present on the floor.

Numerous shelves with various treats were on his right, while one glass counter with even more displayed sweets was ahead of him. On his left Pikachu noticed stairs leading to the next floor while the smell of baking goods reached his nose. He sniffed, so did the cat-like pokemon as drops of saliva started dripping from their mouths.

Nica trembled in excitement. “Oh, I can’t wait to show you the delicious snacks this place has to offer. Trust me, they’ll taste sooo good.” With a few steps and quick movement of her tail, she pressed the ring bell on the glass counter, sending a clear ring throughout the bakery.

“I’m coming!”

Pikachu’s attention shifted to a pink earth pony with a tattoo of three balloons which was present on both sides of her flank. Is it just me, or is her mane and tail covered by cotton candy?

“Oh, hello Nica, how are you doing? Have you came to get some of my sweets into your cute hungry belly?” Pinkie asked as she stood on her rear hooves, standing behind the counter. “Or maybe you’re here to treat your friends over here. Are they pokemon as well?”

Nica nodded. “They are! Pinkie, meet Pikachu and Litten." She pointed at the pokemon behind her. "I promised that I would help them find their friends while showing them around, and I also thought your delicious, marvelous sweets will make them happier.”

“You can bet they will!” Pinkie shouted before jumping over the counter and grabbing Nica into a strong embrace, who happily returned the favor, only to be released while using her tail as a spring to slow down her fall.

Pikachu and Litten took a step back as the mare turned towards them.

Standing on her rear hooves, Pinkie grabbed them into a welcoming hug with her forelegs squeezing against their little bellies. “Three cupcakes to welcome you to Equestria coming right up!” She released them both and ran into the kitchen, only to return three seconds later. A plate with three cupcakes rested on her tail.

Pikachu took quick breath of air into his lungs, so did his fire-breathing friend. That was an intense hug, that’s for sure.

“Aren’t her hugs great? They may be a bit on the strong side, but they always cheer me up when I’m in a sad mood,” Nica said.

Pikachu’s attention focused on the long tail, which carefully picked the plate from Pinkie’s tail and presented it before them. “I must say, you sure like using that tail of yours.”

Nica displayed a toothy smile. “I don’t just like using my tail, I love it, maybe even more than I love warm hugs!” She waved her forepaws cheerfully. “It can be used in so many ways! It has range, flexibility, it’s dependable, and it allows me to multi-task and protect those I care about. Truly the best part of my evolution.”

Pikachu smiled nervously. “S-sure.” From all the Raichu he met, this sure had to be the most happy-go-lucky one. A lot of patience, love for squeezing, breathtaking hugs, cheerful personality. If not for the fact that it took some solid durability to take such a strong hug with a smile and some skills to evade manticore's attacks, he would think that this peaceful Raichu chose a calm life with a human while never having a single pokemon battle.

Litten sniffed the cupcakes and asked, “They smell nice, what are they made of?”

“Strawberries!” Pinkie said.

“Straw...berries? I don’t think there are berries of such a name where we come from,” Pikachu pointed out.

“Really? In that case eat up, you’ll love their taste,” Pinkie said. “Those pikalicious sweets will litten your day!” Litten and Pikachu rolled their eyes while Pinkie rubbed her chin. “It sounded better in my head, will need to work on that.”

“What are you waiting for? Eat up, you’ll absolutely love it!” Nica shouted before placing each cupcake in between their paws. She took the last one before opening her mouth and sinking her teeth into the cupcake, displaying a dreamy smile. Her eyes closed. Her tail flapped left and right in excitement as the chewing started while some cream leftovers now decorated her mouth. She gulped and took a finishing bite as her cheeks started looking like small balloons, which Nica massaged with her forepaws. Saliva started falling through a tiny opening in her closed mouth, mixing with the creem. She licked the cream from her lips and opened her eyes. “Ummm… why are you looking at me like that.”

“No reason,” Pikachu said with a nervous chuckle. Someone seems to have a sweet tooth. It was kind of cute, he thought before he looked at his own cupcake and took a bite. He closed his eyes and mimicked Nica’s previous actions, though needing to take six bites to finish his cupcake instead of two. She wasn’t wrong, it is delicious.

“Awww…” Pinkie said with a dreamy smile. “I’ll make you more.”

“Wait!” Nica shouted, making Pinkie turn around in mid-air and look down at her. “Is there any pokemon in here by any chance? We’re trying to find this Pikachu’s friends while also making sure that each has a guardian.” He poked his shoulder-bag. “I’m making a list of them and stuff…”

“Oh, there’s one, I’ll show you,” Pinkie said before diving behind the glass counter, only to grab all three pokemon with her forelegs from behind. All except Nica yelped in surprise who simply leaped up and landed on Pinkie’s back. Once in the kitchen, she released them in front of a tall multi-tailed fox-like creature wearing a cook’s hat.

<Well, well, well, who do my eyes gaze upon. Isn’t this the captain Nica herself?> Ninetales asked before turning away from the oven, now staring at the group.

Raichu nodded. “That’s me. So you got into this world as well? Nice hat.”

Ninetales groaned. <I noticed that the temperature of the oven was a bit too low, so I offered a tiny bit of my heat. Now she’s making me cook for her while wearing this stupid hat. Though it still beats being anywhere near the young ponies.> He looked at the other pokemon. <And speaking of kids, who are your small fry companions? Are you doing some babysitting?>

Pikachu and Litten narrowed their eyes.

“Hey! Who do you call small fry?” Litten asked as the fur on his back shot upward in aggravation.

<Isn’t it obvious? You’re tiny, unevolved and weak, that's what small fry means,> Ninetales said with a sassy smile as he waved his long thin foreleg above their heads.

Nica frowned and crossed her forearms. “Give it a rest. No one likes your mean remarks, even if it’s just teasing.”

Pinkie glanced at the small pokemon. “She’s teasing you? I hope it’s a friendly kind of teasing and not a mean kind of teasing. Also, how are you talking while Ninetales repeats words made of its own names… oh, right, those translating collars.” She laughed. “I remember when there was only one while Twilight and Starlight made it two weeks after Nica arrived in Equestria, making communication between us a bit problematic at the start. And now everyone gets one...” The ringing noise echoed from the other room. “I’m coming. Play nice you four.” She leaped forward, only to stop herself in mid-air, turn towards Ninetales and tackle-hug him instead. “Keep the fire up, buddy, but be careful not to burn the cake. Be right back!” She dashed outside.

Pikachu and Litten gasped, wondering how this pony was capable of talking for so long without taking a breath.

Pikachu rubbed the top of his head. “I wonder, is her special ability levitate? She doesn’t have wings after all, and what’s up with her silent teleporting?”

“That’s Pinkie Pie for you. She just… does stuff…” Nica explained. “Personally, I just assumed her abilities are no different from what other ponies can do, but apparently she’s doing impossible stuff even for pony standards.”

Ninetales groaned, giving the saloon doors an angered glare. <I’m here only two hours, and this pony already annoys me. Her lack of respect for personal space and over-cheerful sugar-rush attitude drives me insane.>

“Really? I find her to be incredibly kind and her hugs are heart-warming,” Nica pointed out.

Ninetales looked at Pikachu and Litten. <Now, where was I… oh yes, I was about to learn more about your feeble little friends.>

“And I told you to stop insulting them!” Nica shouted with a quick shake of her forepaw.

Ninetales rolled his eyes <Typical. You were always so overprotective for those much weaker than you.>

Pikachu looked between Nica and Ninetales before saying, “What do you mean, weaker? You don’t know our skills and power. Also, I have defeated strong Raichu before, so stop making assumptions. ”

Litten stomped. “You think we’re weak just because we aren’t fully evolved? Let’s go outside and I’ll show you what I’m capable of.”

<How adorable. The little pokemon think they’re a big deal.> Ninetales looked Pikachu in the eyes and next raised his head arrogantly. <I’m making assumptions, you say? So you defeated some Raichu and you're already thinking you're stronger than the captain, that's hilarious.> He chuckled, only to stop and take a step back upon receiving angered glare from the long-tailed pokemon.

“Enough is enough!” Nica shouted with a stomp. “Apologize immediately.”

Ninetales lowered his head. <I am sorry. I let my frustration get the better of me.>

Nica stepped in front of Ninetales and lowered her head, now addressing them. “I deeply apologize for his rude behaviour. Please, don’t let it get to you and ruin your day.”

“It’s alright,” Pikachu said with a forced smile. There seemed to be just enough in Ninetales’ teasing to make him challenge Nica just to prove him wrong, something she didn’t deserve in the least.

Nica looked back and up at Ninetales and asked, “You… didn’t happen to encounter two…” She gestured with her forepaws as if trying to show the shape and size of the ponies, “...cute, energetic, vulnerable, innocent little foals?”

<I did.>

“And… just to make sure…” Nica narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t hurt them.” Her tail raised threateningly.

Pikachu looked at the Raichu in confusion. Her kind and cheerful expression now being replaced by something like ‘choose your words very carefully.'

<Of course not. I admit that I hate babysitting brats, and those two little ponies were driving me crazy. They were pulling my fur, chewing my ears, had a tug of war with one of my tails and so on,> Ninetales said before looking to the side, his tone of voice suddenly fearful. <And while part of me wanted to teach those kids a lesson, I knew better than to bring your wrath upon me, so I endured it. Though I cannot deny that I needed to vent my emotions on someone, and your friends seemed an easy picking.>

Nica nodded. “Fair enough, but it’s obvious that this place isn’t for you. Princess Twilight wants each pokemon to have a guardian and place to live, and Rarity wants to make custom translation collars.”

<I can’t agree more. Is there any other accommodation to choose from?>

Nica looked at the floor while rubbing her chin. Her friend had a short temper and really disliked youth, and Pinkie’s cheerful personality and delicious sweets would be wasted on him. “Well… Sweet Apple Acres is a large farm filled with apple trees….”

<The risk of me setting it on fire is too great. Next.> Ninetales shook his forepaw dismissively.

“Lady Rarity is a mare with a good fashion sense and manners...”

Ninetales shook his head. <She probably uses flammable materials, next.>

“Well... you probably won’t like the company of numerous animals at Fluttershy. In this case, how about the castle? Princess Twilight and Starlight are scholars in the field of magic, they have a library with rich literature and the castle is mostly empty and spacious. Also, it’s made of crystals and stone.”

Ninetales raised his tails upward, stood up and smiled. <Privacy, books to read in silence and the prospect of learning about this world from royalty. I like this idea. I shall be triple careful around the flammable books and read only one at a time in a different room.>

“Wait a moment… you know how to read?” Pikachu asked.

<Of course I do. I was the second pokemon next to captain Nica who learned how to read and write from our trainer, though I became interested in it years later. Reading literature in blissful silence proved very relaxing.> He looked at Litten with a smirk. <Of course, uneducated pokemon like…> He paused upon seeing disapproving glare from Nica.

“Then it’s settled. Twilight’s castle is easy to spot since it’s the largest structure in this town, I’m sure you’ll find it.”

<I will. She will most likely accomodate me, and I will write a request for her to help me find this Lady Rarity you spoke of so I can receive a translating collar. There’s no need for you to waste your time on me.> With a proudly raised head, he walked regally while leaving the kitchen, most likely heading towards the castle.

With the tall pokemon gone, Nica noticed that two pairs of eyes were on her.

“I must say, your friend is very arrogant,” Litten said. “How do you stand him?”

Nica tapped her forepaws together. “I know he may be a bit grumpy… and impolite… and aggressive... but there’s a reason for it.”

“Oh, do tell,” Litten said.

“His trainer… Penny Longshot… it’s a delicate topic….”

Litten and Pikachu blinked in confusion.

“My trainer name is Astra, and she’s Penny’s daughter. Ninetales was tasked to keep Astra safe and years later joined her team, but he was still grumpy ever since he discovered his trainer’s gravestone. I know it may be difficult, but please, at least try to tolerate his teasing.”

Their faces became pale as an awkward silence overtook the room.

Pikachu nodded, feeling a sudden rush of depression in his little heart. “So... Astra lost her mother… and Ninetales lost his trainer... “ He approached, stood on the tips of his tiny feet and patted Nica on the shoulder, his stare filled with pity. “My condolences to you and your trainer. I’m sure this had to impact you as well.”

Litten ran over, stood on tips of his rear paws and nuzzled her cheek. “I know the feeling of loss. Give your trainer my condolences when you meet her again.”

Nica’s ears drooped. “Thank you for your understanding... It’s not a memory I like to relive.“ She forced a smile. “But we’re not here to be sad. I don’t want to ruin your stay.” She turned her full attention to Litten, now giving the fire cat a curious stare.

“Y-yes?”

“Do you like sweets?” Nica asked.

Litten nodded.

“Do you like hugs, stroking and belly rubs?” Nica asked.

“Well… I find them a bit embarrassing, but I don’t mind them all that much, and that pink pony seems nice.”

“How are you at taking care of little foals?” Nica asked.

“I never took care of any youth…” Litten said with a sheepish smile.

“He was taking care of an old Stoutland…” Pikachu said, only for his mouth to be sealed by Litten’s paw.

“I think we had enough of sad moments, so not a single word,” Litten said, giving Pikachu a glare of disapproval.

Nica tilted her head to the side, no doubt unsure what this was all about. She smiled and said, “If that’s the case, I think Pinkie would be a great guardian for you. You can have all the hugs and sweets you ever wanted, help her at the kitchen with your fire attacks, and you won’t get overwhelmed by very young ponies like Ninetales did. The time will pass and you’ll be with your trainer again before you know it.”

Litten sat and crossed his arms. “Sounds good. Anything is better than that fashion mare and her crazy cat.”

“That’s great,” Pikachu said with an excited movement of his forepaw into the air. “And this place is close to the castle, so visiting you won’t be a problem.”

“Oh, one more thing.” Nica approached Litten, then sat next to him and placed a forepaw on his shoulder. Her stare calm. “Now… I know that the young Cakes with their magic, strength and flight may start to annoy you, and I understand if you feel the urge to vent your frustration.” She narrowed her eyes and raised her tail towards Litten’s belly as bolts of electricity started to escape from the dots on her cheeks.

Litten felt a chill go through his body.

“While I really hate hurting others, even in pokemon battles, if I will find out that you left a single bite mark, claw mark or burn on their adorable, fragile, little bodies.” Her tone of voice sharpened. “So help me I will unleash a very memorable punishment upon you. I would really hate seeing those poor foals hurt in any way, and I would hate myself for punishing you, so I beg you, try to restrain yourself around the young Cakes as much as you can. Alright?”

Litten gulped and slowly nodded.

Nica smiled warmly, withdrew her tail and patted the cat pokemon on his shoulder. “I wish you the best of luck and a lot of fun. You’ll love it here, I’m sure of that.” She walked towards Pikachu, who looked at her in confusion with a hint of shock on his face, clearly surprised by her more aggressive behavior. Not that she could blame him. For the sake of the tiny ponies, she had to force herself to act harshly just this once. “Let’s go. Our next destination will be Fluttershy’s cottage.”

“Hey, you both don’t think you can just leave without a farewell hug,” Pinkie said as she appeared behind them and wrapped both pokemon into her embrace. Squeezing Nica with her left foreleg and Pikachu her with right as the back of their heads sank into her fur.

“Are all… those ponies… so huggable?” Pikachu asked as he pushed his trembling forepaws against the soft foreleg, struggling to gain some freedom to breathe.

“Oh, you have seen nothing yet. Just wait till you see what Fluttershy has to offer,” Nica commented before turning around as she affectionately pressed herself into the fur on the pony's chest.

Pikachu rolled his eyes.

“Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake, look who will live with us from now on,” Pinkie said enthusiastically as she pointed at the cat pokemon on her back.

“No more foxie? It’s a kitty?” Pumpkin Cake said with a confused look.

“Cute kitty! Hug!” Pound Cake said.

“See, they love you already,” Pinkie said with a warm smile.

Litten smiled nervously as he ended up being levitated by the little pony, noticing a magical aura around the filly’s horn. The following double hug proved somewhat uncomfortable. For such a young pony with wings, he sure has lots of strength.

As he felt his tail and ear being pulled in opposite direction while watching those large heads with tiny eyes, and those little limbs, a simple question was born in his mind. What have I gotten myself into?