//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Where am I? What is That? Pt. 4 // Story: Equestria, I Choose You! // by BronyDJ //------------------------------// "You know," Applejack broke the silence as the four ponies followed the new creatures. "He doesn't seem to be all that bad." "I have to agree," Rarity added. "He hasn't done anything garish or violent since he came here." "He also seems to have a kind heart," Twilight said. "He apologizes to his Pokemon for hurting them, and then sits down with them and retells stories of how they met. It's quite cute." "I still don't like the fact that they have to battle." Fluttershy replied. "And those monsters were so strong! Scarily strong." "Think of it like this, Fluttershy," Twilight began to try to shift the pegasus' train of thought. "If he has six alien creatures with special abilities, think of how many other new creature there may be where he came from!" That certainly caught the yellow pony's attention. She loved meeting new creatures; could this monkey like alien introduce her to some? The mares' trains of thought and conversation stopped as they heard another new sound, not unlike a loud bark, "Arc!" Stephen's POV Stephen heard the bark and immediately started running to his left, Nova was right behind him and was starting to become very tired. She couldn't keep up with the human. "Stephen," she called after her trainer. "I'm tired of all this running." "Oh? Why didn't you just say so?" Stephen relied, before turning to her and reluctantly putting her into her Pokeball. He took a minute to catch his breath and relax. How long have they been running around? He looked up through the thick foliage and looked for the sun, which was still high in the sky, but was already starting its decline from its zenith. About 1 PM Stephen thought, that's more than enough time. He began running again in the direction from which he heard the loud cry. Once again, he found himself right by another small clearing. However, this was a lot like the second encounter, Maple's. There was a group of wood-wolves being torn apart one by one as they kept trying to charge at a dark orange and yellow beast. Its mane flowed in the wind like flames, and its speed was completely unmatched by any of the wooden opponents. This was Patrician, the Arcanine. "Arc!" The Legendary Pokemon barked and charged down the last wood-wolf with a strong Headbutt attack. But before Stephen could step out to try to calm Patrician down and bring him back to normal, the remains of the wood wolves became to shiver. The random pieces of forest debris that made up the wooden canine were coming together, but instead of reforming into separate wolves, it built a giant wood-wolf. It was about 3 times taller than Patrician, and Stephen couldn't help but stare at the impossible feat. IT WAS MADE OF PLANTS! HOW THE HELL DOES THIS WORLD WORK? Despite this drastic change, Patrician looked cold and uncaring. With a ruff, it charged ahead with another Headbutt, but whimpered as his head met an especially thick portion of wood on the giant wood-wolf's body. The giant canine took a swipe at the Arcanine, but the latter managed to evade it in time. He steadied his footing and from his mouth emerged a small ball of fire. Once again, the wooden canine was curious and tried to approach this new development, but Arcanine saw it approach and immediately launched its Fire Blast attack. Right before the small ball of fire made impact against wood, it spread out all over, forming giant arms of flame that hit the wooden wolf head on. The target was knocked back hard against a line of trees, where it exploded into pieces upon crashing. Behind these tree, unbeknownst to the human and Pokemon, was a group of four ponies in hiding. Pony POV "Ain't that the same group of Timberwolves that attacked the first Pokemon critter?"Applejack asked. "It's possible, they look the same." Fluttershy, the animal expert, commented. "Look at that fiery mane!" Rarity pointed out. "How luxurious that would be on a nice winter coat! Oh dear, these aliens are truly and inspiration for fashion!" The four ponies watched as the battle went on, with the orange lion creature charging head first at the Timberwolves. "Ooh," Fluttershy winced. "That looked painful." "Whaddya mean?" Applejack replied. "The orange one seems perfectly fine after all that headbutting." "It must be very strong," Twilight added. "Not many creatures are able to repeatedly use their head to charge at enemies without harming themselves." The fight continued, and the moment when the Timberwolves went through their process of combination, the mares had looks of fear upon their visages. "Whoa, nelly." Applejack had experience with Timberwolves and an interesting encounter with a giant one, which Spike managed to take down. But this giant stood well over the one she met. The Earth pony looked to the smaller canine, scared that the it wouldn't be able to take it out. That is, until they saw its Fire Blast attack. and watched as it knocked the giant wooden creature in their direction and become a pile of sticks and leaves. "Yet another physical impossibility!" Twilight scribbled this down on her scroll, then looked up at the orange creature. It was very much like a cross between a dog and a lion, and had a very regal aura around it. She noticed some movement at the side of the clearing, and motioned for the girls to stay down and watch another scene of the biped's ability to dispel whatever held these strange creatures. Stephen's POV "Hello there, Patrician." Stephen barely took a step before a giant plume of flame was headed straight at his face. He rolled out of the way and felt his arm; some hair had been singed off. He reached for a Pokeball and called out, "Go, Tempest!" On command, the giant blue serpent appeared, ready to face the orange menace. "Tempest, use Waterfall!" Water from nowhere began to swell around the Gyarados, and it launched itself towards the Arcanine, who met the Water/Flying type with a Headbutt. The Fire type was knocked back,overpowered, as the Water type move had the advantage on the canine. Patrician readied another Flamethrower, this time at Tempest. "Tempest! Fire your Hydro Pump!" At the command, a very strong, and large jet of water emerged from the Gyarados' mouth, dousing the Arcanine and extinguishing its Flamethrower. "One more time, Tempest. Use Waterfall!" The serpent charged at the weakened and disoriented Patrician and knocked it back one more time with its attack. The latter tried to stand, but found himself too tired and weak to rise. Stephen decided that this was a good time, and approached the Legendary Pokemon. "Hey, boy. " He knelt down to run his hand through the Fire type's mane, and it seemed to calm it down for the moment. "The Prince of Flames still has a feisty fighting spirit after all these years?" ~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~ Stephen walked through the talk grass on his way to the Johto Safari Zone; there were many rare Pokemon there that he cold use on his team. However, Stephen's Gardevoir stopped, as she saw something several yards away. "Stephen," she pulled at the young trainer's shoulder ceasing his steps. "Look there." He followed Nova to the edge of the grass, almost near the dropoff to a waterfall. By the water's edge, a Growlithe lay unconcious. It was breathing, but had several bruises all over its body. "Hey there little guy," Stephen was about to pet the Growlithe when it sprang up and growled at Nova and the trainer. "So, you're alright." The little puppy nodded indignantly. "But you're covered in bruises, you must be very tired." Stephen held out his hand, but the little Pokemon refused to come to him. It barked a few times at the duo. "He says," Nova translated. "That he's waiting for his trainer. He promised he would be back for him with healing supplies. He is loyal to his trainer." Stephen nodded, understanding. "Okay then," Stephen accepted this. Hopefully this trainer would be back soon. I didn't want an injured Pokemon to be left out all alone. Him and Nova walked away from the Growlithe and walked to the Pokemon Center in front of the Safari Zone. He recalled Nova into her Pokeball and went ahead to Nurse Joy to heal his team. All the while, he couldn't help but overhear someone over in the corner of the center. "Oh yeah, I'm undefeated. I've had 100 battles so far, and I've lost none at all." An obnoxious voice bragged. Stephen couldn't seem him amidst the crowd of young girls. "I trained my Pokemon to be the best their ever was, and I think I can take down anyone in a one-on-one battle." Stephen looked away, not wanting to get involved in any way. "Oh Damien," He heard one of the girls near him say, "You're such a cool trainer!" The gaggle of girls muttered in agreement. "There's no way anyone could beat you, you're so skilled." Stephen rolled his eyes, and Miss Joy caught it, causing her to giggle. "You know, Stephen," Joy said as she gave me back my team. She knows me because I've been to the Safari Zone on numerous occasions. "You could always challenge him." He waved the thought away. "No thanks. I'm just here to catch some wild Pokemon in the Zone." Stephen accepted his team and put them on his sash. "Besides, I don't think he be a match for me." "OY!" I heard the obnoxious Damien call out to me. Stephen turned, trying to look as uninterested as possible. "You look like you're not from around these parts. Where ya from?" He asked. "That's correct." He answered. "I'm from Hoenn, and I've been traveling throughout the regions with my Pokemon team." "You must think you're very strong, then?" Damien asked. "How about a battle, then?" Stephen looked back at Nurse Joy, who had a smirk on her face, as if to say I told you so. He had a feeling she knew this would happen. "Sure, I guess." Stephen nonchalantly accepted his challenge, and we walked outside, Nurse Joy left her station to be the judge, and Damien's group of fangirls came out to watch. "Go Damien!" Various cheers for the obnoxious pretty boy ran through his side of the field. "You can do it!" "Now, I'll have you know," Damien started, an air of overconfidence in his voice, "I've never lost. I've had a 100 battles since I started training, and I have never lost a single one." Stephen looked bored. "Well, I can't say I've never lost a battle here and there." Damien started laughing. "But you are looking at the Champion of the Hoenn Pokemon League, and you'd best not go easy on me for a second." The braggart's laughter ceased immediately. "Wha?" Damien's mouth was wide open in shock, but he closed it in anger and continued to say, "I don't care. Champion or not, I'm still gonna make you my 101st victory!" "Rules!~" Nurse Joy's voice rang out across the battlefield. "This is a one-on-one battle. Trainers can only use one Pokemon and cannot switch out at any time during the match. Take your time now to choose your Pokemon!" Stephen knew exactly which of his Pokemon he was going to send out. This guy really needed to be taught a lesson. For a second, Stephen looked out to the side, where the sun was slowly beginning to set . In the distance, by the tall grass, he could barely make out a small figure, but immediately recognized it as the injured Growlithe from before. "Hey!" Damien yelled, getting Stephen's attention. "Are you getting bored? Second thoughts? C'mon, choose your Pokemon!" He had a Pokeball in hand, ready to throw. I reciprocated, getting a particular ball from my sash. "Trainers!" Nurse Joy rose her hand, and swiped it down like a flag. "Commence battle!" "Go, Nova!" Stephen called out. The Gardevoir stood calm and patient, ready to battle. "Go, Brutal!" Damien yelled, and a Heracross emerged. An interesting fight. He threw the first blows. "Use Brick Break!" The Heracross named Brutal rushed at Nova arm raised and claw in a fist. "Nova!" Stephen called out. "Use Reflect!" A barrier of light appeared just as the Bug/Fighting type was within two feet of my Pokemon. It broke through the Reflect barrier, but its momentum was cut down. Before the Hoenn trainer could say anything, Damien ordered Brutal again. "Use Close Combat!" The opponent once again rushed at Nova, but the Gardevoir's trainer had the idea to end the battle right then and there. "Nova," Stephen calmly said. "Psychic." The Gardevoir's eyes had a blue tint, and soon enough Damien's Heracross was sent flying by a blue energy from Nova. It landed in the dirt next to Damien, but made no effort to rise; it had fainted. "What!?" Damien was angry and humiliated. No one even noticed that his group of fangirls had mysteriously disappeared. "But he's supposed to be the strongest out there!" "He's strong," Stephen commented, returning Nova to her Pokeball. "But all smart trainers know that any Psychic type is super effective against Fighting types, even if they are half Bug types." Damien turned to him, still quite angry, and I'm sure that he was about to accuse me of cheating, if it weren't for the Growlithe from before, bounding and barking happily towards Damien. "Wha?" Damien looked at the Fire type. "Oh, it's you." his voice dripped with contempt. "He's yours?" Stephen asked, unbelieving. "Yeah," He answered, still glaring at the dog who no longer looked happy. "I abandoned him. He lost in a battle. He's weak, and I didn't want a loser on my team." The Growlithe, who understood what Damien was saying started growling. "He's not the weak one here." Now Stephen was angry. "What kind of foolish trainer leaves his Pokemon out there to suffer?" HE pointed to the orange Pokemon. "He's even still hurt! At least heal him if you're going to release him." He stepped closer to Damien, now face to face with the braggart, who seemed a lot smaller now. "It's the trainer who should be ashamed. If you can't find yourself to be able to rise from a loss with dignity, or even train your Pokemon past one, you shouldn't be called a Pokemon Trainer at all." At this, Damien stepped away, guilt and anger in his eyes. But when he turned to the Growlithe, it sent an Ember attack right at his face, sending him racing away from the battlefield. "Forget you!" He yelled back as he ran away. "I don't need any of you! I'll become the strongest Trainer ever, and you won't be able to stop me!" Stephen watched as the mean Trainer ran away, then felt a tugging at his pants leg. He looked down and saw the Growlithe, leaning against his leg, tired but refusing to let sleep take it. "Hey there, buddy." Stephen knelt down to pet his head. "I'm sorry he treated you like that. Let's get you healed up, okay?" He picked him up and gave him to Nurse Joy, who went inside to fix up the fiery canine. The trainer waited inside, just to watch the Growlithe be nursed back to health and when that was done, walked it out into the grass. "You're free now." Stephen gestured out into the grass. But he looked down at the Growlithe, who was nuzzling his leg. "You want to stay with me?" The Fire type nodded. "Alright, then. Don't worry. I promise you I will never mistreat you or abandon you like Damien did. You'll get to come explore the whole world with me and grow stronger with me and our other Pokemon friends. How's that sound to ya?" Stephen offered, but knew the answer immediately when the basic Pokemon jumped into his arms. Now, what should I name you? Stephen though, petting the coat of the Growlithe. He noticed how soft and silky the coat was, like an expensive fur jacket. It was as if this Pokemon was meant to be a part of a more royal settings. If he is a noble Pokemon, I shall call him something noble."Welcome to the team, Patrician!" The Growlithe licked Stephen's face happily at the sound of its nickname, and the two traveled back to Olivine City. ~~~~~~~Real Time~~~~~~~ "I always knew that you wouldn't belong with such a bad trainer as him." I was still petting Patrician's mane, as I used to when he was smaller. "You had a great fighting spirit, and it burns every single day, and I noticed that in our travels." I looked down at the canine's face. "We make a good team, you and me. We can make it better once we're together again, Patrician. Just, please, come back to me." Once again, a white light began to cover the Pokemon's body. When it finished, the Arcanine managed to rise on its four paws, its coat a vibrant, fiery orange. Patrician was back on his feet, and I felt even more confident about having survived this place. I rummaged through my backpack until I found a different spray, a Super Potion! I used it on Patrician and it moments if looked close to perfect conditions. I smiled as I called Patrician into his Pokeball, then called out Nova. "One more to go." I said to her, ready for the challenge. "And this one is the most dangerous to leave alone in the wild." She nodded and added. We're coming for you Reaper. It will be a harsh battle, but will have you safely back on our team, where you belong.