Chapter Four: Fighting Fenfire with Fenfire

The three new trainers were overwhelmed with all that Professor Aspen had explained about the works of different was to evolve Pokémon. Ash was also a bit surprised. He knew of some of the different was to evolve Pokémon, but what he didn't know was that thee was so many. After showing and explaining what it was she was going to Gary do for her on Mt.Risemoon she took everyone back to the where the Pokémon that stayed at the Lab lived. Letting out their new Pokémon partner Andy, Richie and Zoë were getting acquainted with their partners. Squirtal and Pikachu were also getting to know these new Pokémon and all the other Pokémon that live at Professor Aspen's lab.

Ash was looking around, getting to know Pokémon and reacquaint himself with familiar ones. Out from the corner of his eye he noticed a Pokémon that was all by its self. Wondering what Pokémon that was Ash held up his Pokédex.

"Fenfire: The Fire Dog Pokémon
Fenfire is known for being loyal and obedient to its trainer. They are determined and sometimes a bit hot headed. The small striped feathers on its back and neck fluff out when in battle to make them appear bigger than they really are."

Ash was confused when his Pokédex side that this Pokémon was a Fenfire. This didn't look like the Fenfire that Richie had. This Fenfire was black instead of the mixtures of yellow, orange and gold like Richie's Fenfire.

"Professor, my Pokédex says that this Pokémon is a Fenfire, but it looks nothing like the Fenfire in the Pokédex or Richie's Fenfire."

Professor Aspen looked over to the Pokémon in which Ash was talking about. When she saw the small, black fire dog Pokémon curled up into a ball close to one of the Oren Berry Trees that grew in the compound she looked a little sad.

"Oh, well, your Pokédex isn't wrong. That is a Fenfire. It's just different then the others," Professor Aspen knelt down next to the odd looking Fenfire. "It's rare, but Fenfires can occasionally be found in black, which many people then mistake them for being a different Pokémon."

"Wow, that so cool. It's nice to meet you Fenfire." Ash reached out his hand to pet Fenfire, but as Ash's hand came closer Fenfire growled at him, causing Ash to draw his hand back.

"Please forgive Fenfire, Ash. This one has had some bad luck when it comes to trainers."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this Fenfire was one I once gave to a new trainer. They were on their journey for quite a while until the trainer suddenly came back asking for a replacement Pokémon. I asked what was wrong with Fenfire and the trainer simply said that he didn't like that way Fenfire looked, meaning that he didn't like it that it was a black Fenfire. The Trainer took the other Fenfire I had, and I haven't heard from that trainer since. Since then Fenfire has been staying here at the lab. It doesn't really interact with other Pokémon, which worries me."

Ash has seen this too many times. Trainers abandoning their Pokémon or gives the Pokémon back because they simply didn't like the Pokémon. It made Ash angry to think that a trainer would treat a Pokémon that way. Ash wanted to show this Fenfire that not all trainers were like that.

"Don't worry Professor," Ash once again outstretched his hand towards Fenfire and patted it on the head. "Pikachu and I will show Fenfire that not all trainers are like that. Right buddy?"

"Pika--Pikachu!" Pikachu said happily as he ran up to Fenfire to show friendliness towards the lonesome Pokémon.

Fenfire didn't care for all these people around him. Since the day his trainer no longer wanted him, he hasn't liked people much. As Ash continued to pat Fenfire on the head Fenfire became agitated. He lashed out and used Fire Fang on Ash's hand. It socked Ash at first as he flinched at the pain that was coursing through his hand.

"Fenfire!!" Professor Aspen yelled in shock. "Ash, are you alright?!"

"Yeah, it's not the first time I've been burned by a Pokémon and I'm sure it won't be the last. I've been burned, bitten and electrocuted by my Pokémon. Being bitten by Fire Fang is no dig deal. Plus, I understand why Fenfire bit me. He's angry about being abandoned by his original trainer. I have a few Pokémon that were abandoned by their original trainers and now we're best friends. It will just take Fenfire some time once it gets to know me and Pikachu a little better."

Fenfire looked up at Ash a bit surprised. Ash wasn't angry with him. If Fenfire would have done that to his original trainer he knew he would have been yelled at for sure. Fenfire removed his teeth from Ash's hand and then ran off to the other side of the dome. Professor Aspen wrapped up Ash's hand in some bandages where Fenfire had bit him.

"Hey Ash!" Richie suddenly yelled.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I know you and Gary just arrived in the Soko Region and everything, but I was wonder since you're an experience trainer if you and Pikachu would battle against me and Fenfire."

"A Pokémon Battle?"

"Yeah! I want to see how Fenfire and I do in battle. Plus, Pikachu looks strong an I would like to see how Fenfire and I can stand against Pikachu."

Richie was hoping that Ash would say yes to their battle. He wanted to face off against Pikachu and an experience trainer like Ash.

"Is there a battle field any where around here Professor Aspen?" Ash asked the Professor.

"Yes, the field is just outside. Follow me."

Everyone followed Professor Aspen to the other side of the dome to the back door that led outside where a battle field was waiting for them. Following carefully behind them was the black Fenfire that had bit Ash. He quickly ran to Professor Aspen's side to watch the battle that was about to get started.

"Gary, do mind being the ref for the match?" Ash asked as he took his side of the field while Richie took his.

"Sure," Gary steeped up to the side of the field where the red would stand. "The battle between Ash of Pallet Town and Richie of Magnolia Town is about to begin. Each trainer will use one Pokémon each, the trainer who losses their Pokémon first looses. You two ready?" Bother Ash and Richie nod their head yes. "Alright.... begin!"

"Alight Fenfire, use Flame Wheel!" Fenfire started to run towards Pikachu, its body becoming engulfed in flames.

"Dodge it Pikachu!" Ash ordered as a counter move. Pikachu quickly dodges Fenfire's Flame Wheel. "Now Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Pikachu ran towards Fenfire, disappearing and reappearing before tackling into Fenfire. While Pikachu and Fenfire were still connected Richie gave a second attack.

"Now Fenfire, use Bite!" Fenfire quickly turned a bit into Pikachu's hind leg.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"Fenfire! Quick, let go of Pikachu!"

It was too late. With Fenfire still patched onto Pikachu, Pikachu released a powerful bolt of yellow electricity from its body. Yellow sparks appeared around Pikachu's tail and cheeks. When Thunderbolt was done Fenfire jumped back in front of Richie. Little jolts of electricity sparked off of Fenfire's body. Both Pokémon were breathing heavily, both clearly out of breath.

"Fenfire, you alright?" Richie asked. Fenfire gave a growling grunt which meant yes and a nod.

"What about you Pikachu? You alright?" Ash asked.

"Pika." Pikachu panted.

She was really impressed by the skill and connection that Richie and Fenfire already had with each other, and this being their first battle teaming up too.

"Let's put everything in this last attack! Alright Fenfie?!" Fenfire blew out small flames from his nose. "Flamethrower!!" Richie yelled. Fenfire's bright blue eyes suddenly started to glow white as he powered up his Flamethrower. Finally, Fenfire released a red-orange stream of fire from its mouth at Pikachu.

"Then we'll do the same!! Pikachu, Electro Ball!!" Pikachu's body became surrounded in yellow electricity and multiple yellow sparks come off Pikachu's body. All the electricity then condenses at Pikachu's tail and forms into an orange-yellow orb of electricity with sparks of yellow electricity coming off it. Pikachu then jumps into the air and does a front flip, throwing the orb of electricity at Fenfire's Flamethrower.

The two attacks clashed together, forming a giant cloud of smoke. Both trainers struggled to see through the smoke to see whose Pokémon was still standing. As the smoke started to clear two figures started to show themselves through the smoke. Both Pikachu and Fenfire were still standing struggling, but still standing. Both Pikachu and Fenfire took some damage from each other's attacks. Both struggling to stay on their feet, not wanting to be the first to fall. But the damage was too much for one Pokémon to take. Fenfire fell to the ground, exhausted from his battle with a worthy opponent.

"Fenfire!!" Richie rushed to Fenfire and picked him up in his arms. As I his looked down at Fenfire, Fenfire looked up at him with a sad look in his eyes, as if saying that sorry that they lost their battle. Richie just smiled down at Fenfire and patted him on the head. "You did great Fenfire. I'm proud of you. Ash and Pikachu are more experience then we do."

"Richie's right Fenfire," Ash walked up to Richie and Fenfire with Pikachu in his arms. "You were great. That Flamethrower of yours is really strong mall your attacks are and they're only going to get stronger as the two of you train together."

"Ash is also right Richie," Professor Aspen walked up to Richie and Ash, with Fenfire right behind her. "Pokémon are only as strong as their trainer. When you're strong and have confidence in yourself your Pokémon will sense it and will draw power from your inner strength. Remember that. All of you. Even you Fenfire." Professor Aspen looked down at Fenfire who was hiding behind her.

Fenfire just grunted and rushed off back into the lab. Ash was still determined to win over Fenfire. To make him see that there are good trainers out there as well.

"Come Ash and Richie. We can heal Pikachu and Fenfire back in the lab."

Everyone made their way back to the lab where a lab assistant was waiting after witnessing the battle that had taken place outside. The lab assistant greeted Professor Aspen and the labs guests.

"Hello, that was quite a battle the two of you had. Quite exciting."

"Everyone, this is one of my lab assistants Téa. She'll take Fenfire and Pikachu to get treated."

Téa took Fenfire and Pikachu from Richie and Ash. "This will only take a few minutes then Fenfire and Pikachu will be as good as new."

While Fenfire and Pikachu were off being treated, everyone wanted to know a little more about Professor Aspen's research . Well, everyone but Ash. Although Ash was also interested in the Professor's research he was more interested in the black Fenfire. He was still determined to gain Fenfire's trust and make him see that not all trainers were like his original trainer was. This had been the fourth time Ash had seen a fire-type starter Pokémon being abandon by their trainer. His Charizard, who at the time was in its beginning stage as a Charmander, had been abandoned by his original trainer, Damian, who clamed to have grown tired of Charmander for being weak. There's also Ash's Infernape, who had been released by Paul as a Chimchar, was abandoned by Paul due to the clam that Chimchar would never be strong enough for his team. And then there's Ash's Pignite, who at the time was a Tepig when he was abandoned by his original trainer, Shamus, after losing at the Battle Club to a Deerling in battle. Disappointed with Tepig , Shamus tied Tepig to a post and left him. Three fire-type starter Pokémon abandoned by their original trainers and all three saved by Ash. Once again, Ash wanted to save another Pokémon from abandonment and loneliness.

Ash made his way back to the dome area where the Pokémon of the lab stayed. Right away when he opened the door he saw Fenfire taking a drink from the clear blue pond. As Ash watched Fenfire he couldn't understand why any trainer would abandon such a beautiful Pokémon. Yes, this Fenfire was different from most of the others who were colored with orange, yellows and gold, but why should a Pokémon be treated any different just because of its coloring.

Ash quietly made his way into the dome. When some of the other Pokémon saw him, they rushed to his side, wanting to play with their new friend. Fenfire heard the commotion coming from behind him and when he turned to see what was going on a slight look of shock in his eyes. This trainer was really persistent to get him to trust him. But that was just how Fenfire's old trainer was like when they first started out when they started their journey together. Caring and playful, but it suddenly changed to hatred and disappointment. Fenfire just didn't want to feel those feelings again. That's why he was trying as far away as he could from Ash, but there was also a feeling of wanting to know more. Ash then noticed the fire-type Pokémon straying back at him.

"Hey Fenfire, why don't you come over here and play with us too! It's no fun being alone!" Ash called out to Fenfire.

All the other Pokémon suddenly became fearfully after Ash asked Fenfire to come and play. Ash then remembered what Professor Aspen had said about Fenfire.

"Fenfire doesn't really interact well with other Pokémon...."

That had to be it. The reason why the other Pokémon suddenly became scared when he asked Fenfire to come and play with him and the other Pokémon. Because of Fenfire feeling betrayed by his original trainer, Fenfire has refused to get close to others. Pokémon and people, by acting bitter towards others when they try to get close.

Ash then walked over to Fenfire, knelt down next to him and started patting him on the head. All the other Pokémon were hesitant to follow, but finally some decided to follow Ash over to Fenfire while others went their own way, not wanting to have anything to do with Fenfire. When Fenfire saw the other Pokémon gathering around him he became really surprised. None of the other Pokémon would ever go near him before, it surprised him.

"See Fenfire, everyone wants to get to know you better. All you have to do is open up a little bit and allow them to get close to you."

Ash then laid back on his back on the lush green grass and placed his hat over his face to cover his eyes.

"You know Fenfire, I can see why you don't want to leave this place. It's peaceful and Professor and the Professor takes great care of you and the other Pokémon, but I also see that you have a desire of wanting to known what's out there. You're just scared about being betrayed again and I understand that." Ash then removed his hat from his face when he suddenly felt something leaning up against his side Fenfire had walked over next to Ash and curled up into a ball next to him. Ash smiled down at Fenfire, he had a feeling that he had finally gotten through to Fenfire in showing that there's also good trainers out there. Ash started to stroke Fenfire's back when Pikachu suddenly came running up to Ash.

"Hey Pikachu. You look all better." Ash sat up to greet his partner.

"Pika---Pikachu!"

Fenfire suddenly sat up when hearing Pikachu. Seeing Ash and Pikachu being all happy made him think about what he had with his trainer. Ash stood up with Pikachu and Fenfire in his arms, which surprised Fenfire.

"Come on Fenfire. You should come with Pikachu and I on our journey. We'll make a great. Your old trainer was wrong to give you back and leave you here." Ash encourage Fenfire.

Fenfire didn't know what to make of Ash. He seemed like a nice person, he just doesn't know if he can fully trust Ash.

"So, have you made a decision yet Fenfire? Are you going to go with Ash and his friends?" Professor Aspen suddenly appeared I front of them with Fenfire's Pokéball. "It's all up to you Fenfire. Ash as been persistent about convincing you to go with him." Professor Aspen then held out Fenfire's Pokéball. "It's your choice."

Fenfire looked at his Pokéball and then up to Ash and Pikachu. Make a choice to either stay at the lab or go with Ash on his journey with him and Pikachu. Fenfire reached out to his Pokéball and pressed the middle button with his nose, returning him to his Pokéball.

With a smile Professor Aspen placed Fenfire's Pokéball in Ash's hand.

"Congratulations Ash, you just caught yourself a Fenfire."

To be Continued....