Chapter Ten: Pokémon Bond

Ash has successfully defeated Gym Leader Raquel's first Pokémon. Pikachu defeated Gigalith with a powerful Iron Tail. Pikachu has taken a great deal of damage, leaving him Ash has successfully defeated Gym Leader Raquel's first Pokémon. Pikachu defeated Gigalith with a powerful Iron Tail. Pikachu has taken a great deal of damage, leaving him weak. It's now Fenfire's turn to take the field to battle against Raquel's second Pokémon, Tyrnatrum.

"We'll be starting off this round! Tyrnatrum, use Rock Slide!" Tyrantrum's body started to glow white and multiple rings of energy started to appear above and around him. Several large gray boulders then started to come out of the ripples of energy and started to fall down from the sky to hit Fenfire.

"Fenfire, quick, dodge those rocks by jumping on top of them!" Fenfire quickly jumped up into the air, landing ontop of each boulder. After dodging the last boulder from Tyrantrum's Rock Slide, Fenfire started to fly through the air. His body then became surrounded by white streaks. Ash knew this move. "Aerial Ace? Fenfire, use Aerial Ace!"

"Tyrantrum, Dragon Tail!"

As Fenfire raced down towards Tyrantrum, Tyrantrum's tail started to glow light green. As Dragon Tail was charging up Tyrantrum swung his hindquarters towards Fenfire. Just as Fenfire was about to hit Tyrantrum with Aerial Ace, when, suddenly Fenfire went flying in a different direction. Tyrantrum's Dragon Tail made contact. Sending Fenfire flying into a wall.

"Fenfire! Fenfire, are you alright?! Can you get up?!" Ash called out to Fenfire. Fenfire pushed some rocks off of his body and jumped out of the rubble. Ash let out a heavy sigh of relief. "That was a close one. Tyrantrum's Dragon Tail is very powerful. Fenfire needs to be careful about that. Then there's Rock Slide. We were luck enough to find away around that, but it doesn't mean it will work every time. We also don't know what other moves Tyrantrum' might know. We need to be careful. Fenfire, use Sunny Day!" Fenfire raised his head towards the sky. Opening up his mouth, he then cast a big round set of sunlight, increasing the strength of his future fire-type attacks.

"Oh, trying to set the stage to strengthen you fire-type moves, huh? I won't give you the chance to use them! Tyrantrum, Head Smash!" Tyrantrum''s body became surrounded by a whitish-blue aura, making him seem black and white, and then shoots himself at Fenfire with its head pointed at the small fire-type Pokémon.

"Fenfire, dodge it and then use Flamethrower!" Fenfire jumped out of the way by jumping up on top of Tyrantrum''s head and then back up into the air. Turning in mid air, Fenfire opened his mouth and released a blue stream of fire from its mouth at Tyrantrum. Engulfing Tyrantrum in a blaze of fire.

"Nice job Fenfire! Now quick and use Iron Tail!" Fenfire rushed towards Tyrantrum. His tail then became surrounded in white sparkles and it becomes surrounded in a white outline. His tail then turned into iron. Just as Fenfire's Flamethrower disappeared and he as about to lay a blow on Tyrantrum, Fenfire's tail was suddenly caught in the grasp on Tyrantrum's teeth.

"Wh-what happened?!" Ash question.

"That was a good idea Ash. Using Flamethrower to blind Tyrantrum from Fenfire's Iron Tail. Well thought out, but I'm afraid that it just wasn't good enough. Now Tyrantrum, Head Smash one more time." Tyrantrum suddenly throw Fenfire to the ground and smashed Fenfire with his head.

"Fenfire!!" Ash yelled.

Everyone in the stands watched dumbfounded. Fenfire took a devastating hit. The chances if him being able to battle after taking such a hit is slim.

"Do you think that Fenfire is going to be alight. That was a very devastating hit he took. If Fenfire can't battle then Pikachu is going to have to go in. And Pikachu isn't in the best of shape either." Zoë looked to Andy and Richie in concern.

"I don't know. Fire-types are weak against Rock-types and that Head Smash was powerful. If Fenfire does manage to stand up he will be weak from Tyrantrum's attack. We, and Ash can only hope that Fenfire will be strong enough to stand back up and fight." Richie tightly griped onto the railing . He didn't know why he was getting so intensely serious about Ash's battle. Could it be that he sees Ash as some type of inspiration to be the best Pokémon Trainer he could be or is it just his inner battling spirit and his passion for Pokémon was truly starting to surface? All he knew was when it was time for him to battle, he was going to give it his all.

Fenfire laid on the ground after being hit by Tyrantrum's Head Smash. Trying to find the strength to stand. Hearing Ash's voice calling out to him to see if he was alright. He didn't know why this was happening. He thought he was stronger then this.

"Fenfire!... Fenfire... get up...! Get up right now you useless Pokémon!"

Fenfire looked over to where Ash was supposed to be standing, but instead he saw the image of his old trainer. The one who gave him back to Professor Aspen.

"I don't know why I choose such a weak and useless Pokémon like you? You can't even win a battle against a Pokémon you have an advantage against. What use are you? Really? I made the biggest mistake in choosing you. I won't make that mistake again..."

Fenfire didn't want to remember his first trainer. Why now, of all times is he remembering that horrible person, but was his first trainer right? Was he really no good to any trainer that he travailed with?

"Fenfire, please get up! I know you can do it! I believe in you and your abilities! Please, Pikachu and I believe in you, so please... get up!"

That's right! Fenfire did find someone who believed in him and his abilities. ash wasn't like his other trainer. Ash cared while the other didn't. Ash believed in him while the other didn't. Fenfire had to get up. He just had too if he was going to win this battle for Ash. Fenfire fought to get his body to stand up. Yelling at himself to stand. Finally, Fenfire was able to make it to his feet. Everyone was shocked, including Raquel.

"Well, well. Fenfire really is a tough little thing, but it doesn't look like he's going to last too long in this battle. Let's give it one more Rock Slide, Tyrantrum!" Once again Tyrantrum's body started to glow white and multiple rings of energy started to appear above and around him. Several large gray boulders then started to come out of the ripples of energy and started to fall down from the sky to hit Fenfire.

Fenfire watched as the boulders came rushing towards him. Remember all the horrible things that his other trainer told him. How useless he was and that no trainer was going to want him as a partner or as a Pokémon. Suddenly Fenfire's body became surrounded by a fiery blue aura. Fenfire had activated Blaze. A special ability that fire-type Pokémon have.

Without Ash saying anything, Fenfire jumped out of the way of Tyrantrum's Rock Slide. With the thoughts of his first trainer still in his mind Fenfire started to get extremely enraged and his body became outlined in a red aura along with the fiery aura from his Blaze. Everyone noticed the strange behavior that Fenfire was giving off. J.P know this battle had to stop. And it had to be fast.

"Ash! You need to call Fenfire back! Call him back into his Pokéball! Quickly!"

"What? What's wrong?! Why do I need to call Fenfire back?!" Ash questioned.

"Fenfire just learned Blaze, a special ability known to fire-types, but, somehow, he's just learned the move call Outrage. It's a move known to Dragon-types, but there are still some other types who can use this move! With both Blaze and Outrage Fenfire is losing control! For the safety of everyone here, please call him back!"

Ash reached for Fenfire's Pokéball when a sudden stream of blue fire was fired at him. Ash looked up to see Fenfire looking at him with his eyes glowing red and growling at him. Fenfire was completely out of it. He didn't recognize who Ash was. Fenfire then turned back to Tyrantrum. Growling at him and then opened his mouth to let out a stream of blue flames. J.P suddenly threw a Pokéball towards Raquel and one at Ash, releasing two of his Pokémon. An Aron and a Lairon.

"Aron use Protect to protect Ash! Lairon, you do the same and protect Raquel!" Both Aron and Lairon's bodies both became surrounded by a turquoise glow. Protecting Ash and Raquel from Fenfire's rampage. That's when Fenfire suddenly turned on J.P.

"Fenfire, please stop! This isn't you!" Ash called out to no prevail. "He can't' hear me! What happened to him?!" As Fenfire turned to attack J.P, Ash kept calling to Fenfire. Trying to snap him out of it. As Fenfire went to shoot of another Flamethrower at J.P one of his Pokéballs suddenly opened. A Pokémon called Carracosta appeared in front of J.P.

Carracosta looks like a blue-colored sea turtle who's a water and rock-type Pokémon and one of P.J's stronger Pokémon. Carracosta, then used Protect to protect his trainer.

"Thank you Carracosta. That was a close one." Carracosta nodded and then turned back to Fenfire. Waiting for what he might do next.

"This is really bad. Fenfire sees everyone as his enemies now! How's Ash suppose to stop Fenfire when he's like this. This is really scary." Zoë held on tightly onto both Richie and Andy's sleeves. She's never seen a Pokémon act this way. It was almost too much for her to watch.

Both Andy and Richie didn't know what to say to Zoë. They too had never seen a Pokémon act this way either. Richie was the one who was the most concerned. Was it possible for his Fenfire to do the same as Ash's Fenfire? He didn't want that.

"I don't want that..." Richie whispered to himself out loud.

"What was that, Richie?" Zoë looked to her old friend.

"It's-it's nothing. Just talking to myself. Don't worry about it." As Richie said this to Zoë a sudden rush of blue flames came towards everyone up in the stands. One of Gary's Pokéballs suddenly flashed open. Roisel jumped up onto the railing and also used Protect to protect everyone up in the stands.

"Thank you Roisel. You came out just in time." Gary thanked Roisel. Roisel jumped up onto Gary's shoulder and lightly kissed Gary's check.

Down on the battle feild Fanfire was still going crazy. Ash couldn't take see Fenfire this way. Suddenly Fenfire went running straight into a wall. That's when Ash took off onto the battle field towards Fenfire.

"Ash, what are you doing?! Don't get near him!" J.P yelled at Ash.

"There's no way Fenfire will hurt me! We're friends after all. Isn't that right... Fenfire?" Fenfire turned to see Ash coming towards him. He started to growl and snaps at Ash. Ash just silly smiles and slowly makes his way over to his friend.

"It's alright Fenfire, but your scaring everyone. Please calm down. Everything is going to be alright." Ash softly spoke to Fenfire. Holding out his hand like the first time they met. That's when Fenfire let out a Flamethrow right at Ash. Hitting him with his blue flames. Ash fell to one knee, causing Pikachu to run over to Ash.

"Pika--Pikachu!!"

"It's alright Pikachu. Fenfire just isn't himself right now. Come on Fenfire. This isn't like you. Remember what we promised the Professor. We were going to travel together so you could experience what it's like to be with a trainer that treats you nicely. Please Fenfire, remember." Ash knelt down in front of Fenfire, who was still growling at Ash. Suddenly, Fenfire jumped at Ash and bit him on the shoulder. Ash cringed slightly at the pain but didn't make a big deal about it.

Everyone gasped at what suddenly happened. What was Ash doing? Was he trying to get himself into trouble?

"Ash, what are you doing?! You idiot!" Gary yelled at him.

"It's alright Gary. I feel Fenfire starting to calm down now. Isn't that right Fenfire? I don't know what made you suddenly act this way, but I know it's not your fault. I'm here to help you in anyway I can. Don't forget, I'm never going to abandon you like your other trainer did."

Suddenly, Fenfire's eyes started to slowly turn back to their normal blue and the blue fiery aura started to disappear. Fenfire was finally starting to calm down. When Fenfire was finally completely calm he realized that he was biting Ash in the shoulder. He quickly let go of Ash's shoulder and looked up at Ash with shock in his eyes.

"There you are. All clam down and back to normal. Are you alright?" Fenfire didn't understand what had happened. He didn't remember what he had done. Suddenly, tears started to form in Fenfire's eyes and buried his face in Ash's chest. Ash just patted Fenfire on the top of his head. No animosity towards Fenfire. How could he? It wasn't Fenfire's fault.

"Ash, are you alright?" P.J asked as he slowly walked over.

"Yes, everything's alright now. Just give us a moment and we can get back to the battle." Ash held Fenfire for a while. Up until Fenfire had stopped cry. When Fenfire was all better Ash asked Fenfire if he was alright to continue the battle. Fenfire nodded his head yes. Ash and Pikachu returned to their side of field.

"Sorry about that Raquel, but everything's alright now. We can continue with the battle."

"Alright then! J.P, you can call back Aron and Lairon now. Thank you for your help!"

J.P called back Aron and Lairon, as well as Carracosta. "Thank you, all three of you for your help. Alright, let the battle commence!" J.P calls out.

"Alright, because the delay was our fault we'll go first! Fenfire, Iron Tail!" Fenfire rushed towards Tyrantrum. His tail then became surrounded in white sparkles and it becomes surrounded in a white outline. His tail then turned into iron. He jumped up into the air and did a front flip to land a blow on Tyrantrum.

"Tyrantrum, dodge it then use Dragon Tail!" Tyrantrum quickly moved out of the way of Fenfire's Iron Tail and started to use Dragon Tail.

"Fenfire, dodge and then use Flamethrower!" Before Tyrantrum was able to use Dragon Tail, Fenfire let out a powerful Flamethrower. "Great job Fenfire! Now use Aerial Ace and then use Iron Tail!" Fenfire jumped up into the air and his body then became surrounded by white streaks. Fenfire then did a front flip as his tail turned to Iron. As the Flamethrower dissipated and revealed Tyrantrum, Fenfire swung his tail has hard has he could. This time making contact with Tyrantrum. Causing Tyrantrum to fall to the ground. Tyrantrum was defeated.

"Tyrantrum is unable to battle the winner is Fenfire. And that means the victory goes to Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" J.P announced Ash as the winner.

Fenfire looked back at Ash and saw how happy his trainer was for winner the first Gym Battle. He went running to Ash and jumped into his arms.

"Great job Fenfire! Thanks to you and Pikachu, we won our first gym battle!" Pikachu jumped up onto Ash's shoulder and smiled at Fenfire. Fenfire smiled back.

Raquel called back Tyrantrum and looked over to J.P with a smile. Both started walking over to Ash and his team of Pokémon.

"Well Ash, you did it. You beat me. Which means you earned the Castelrock City Gym Badge, known as the Rock Badge. Congratulations on your win."

Ash looked over to J.P, who had Ash's Rock Badge sitting in a Badge case. Ash took it and filled up with happiness.

"Alright, I just got myself... the Rock Badge!"

"Pikachu!"

From the stands Richie was still in amazement. He doesn't understand how Ash does it. How does he pull off their victories? How does he have such a bond between him and his Pokémon? And how can he act so brave when his Pokémon goes out of control like Fenfire did?

"How does he do it?"

To Be Continued...