@Scytherwolf; @Soups;


Episode 87b: The Lonely Snover (part 2)

Dawn stretched as she emerged from her tent the next morning. "Mmm...a nice and sunny day..."

The Snover, meanwhile, snatched away Diddy's Pokechow bowl. [Hey, that's mine!] Diddy protested.

[Okay, okay...here you go.] The Snover assured Diddy as it handed back the bowl [I was just playing with you!]

Ash grinned as Diddy resumed eating breakfast. "Our Snover must like playing practical jokes..."

"Well, if you're gonna play jokes, just be sure they're funny but safe." Brock smiled as he started packing away his cooking gear and the camping gear. "Go round everyone up--we need to be on the road in case the weather catches us off guard."

Ash nodded. "Finish up, everyone! It's time to go!"

After receiving each of the empty Pokechow bowls, Ash performed a mental headcount on his team. Okay...Tintri's here on my shoulder...Tails, Diddy, Gaia, Estrella...where's Erin?

A crowd of Sneasel, Noctowls, Meditites, Delibirds and Swinub snapped Ash to attention. [As soon as Moltres heard her master’s voice; she shook her featers, making tem shine brighter tan ever.] he heard Erin say. [She danced in her cege, and sang so beautifully, te king was immediately healed, and it was as if a gret weight had been lifted off his heart. Moltres again burst into song...]

He listened in awe as the Lucario sang Gatrandis favel, secret, edena....
Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena...
Emusto koron zen fine, si...

Applause went up from the Pokemon. [Tis so moved the king tat he jumped from bed, and embraced te disguised prince out of sheer euphoria and gratitude.] Erin went on.

Ash recognized the story Erin was telling. This is 'Moltres' Song!' I can't just interrupt her performance, but then again, we have to go...

He heaved a relieved sigh as Erin finished the tale. [And so, Prince Brian married te beautiful Christine, and te king gave him half te kingdom as a wedding present. When te time came for te old king to join Arceus in heaven, Prince Brian ascended to te throne, and lived happily with his beloved Christine for many years.]

The wild Pokemon and Ash applauded. "That was very good, Erin!" Ash smiled as he, Dawn, Brock, and the Snover emerged from the brush. "But why did you decide to venture all the way out here?"

[A curious Sneasel wished te hear te Moltres story.] Erin explained as the wild Pokemon romped away. [So I tried to perform te fast version, because I heard ye callin' tat it was time te g-AAH!]

Ash gasped in horror as Mars locked Erin and the Snover in a cage. "Thought you could hide from us on a mountain top, Hat-boy?" Mars smirked as she hooked the cage to a winch connected to a hot air balloon.

"Tintri, try to break the cable with Thunderbolt!" Ash called.

"Need I remind you that winch rope is electricity proof?" Jupiter called down to Ash from the balloon's basket. "So your Pikachu's not gonna help here!"

Ash's heart pounded as he contemplated his options. "Erin, use Aura Sphere to destroy the cage!"

He smiled as Erin's attack blasted the cage open, causing a balloon the admins borrowed to descend. But his smile turned to shock when he saw Erin lose her footing and tuumble towards the ground! "ERIIIIIIIIIIIIN!!!!!"

[I'll save you!] The Snover created a massive root with leaves, creating something soft for Erin to land on.

Ash led the others to the root. "I'll see if Erin's okay while you guys save the Snover!"

Dawn raced up the hill, making sure to keep the balloon in view. "Snover! Jump!"

[B-b-but I'm scared...] the Snover stammered.

"It's okay, I'll catch you!" Dawn held out her hands to catch the Snover. "Trust me, okay?"

About then, Erin came to. [Te little Snover's been nice to us, and I can't let those Galactic rogues Poke-nap it!] she growled as she gingerly stood up.

The Snover's cry for help seemed to renew her strength, much to the group's surprise! [Hear my name and tremble, you rogues! I am one of many Pokemon owned by te greatest Pokemon Master in te world, and I will not stand te see a friend Poke-napped!]

Dawn watched in amazement as Erin unleashed a mighty war cry, causing her to glow blue-white. "Wow--Erin used her aura power to regain her strength!"

Ash baled as Erin's claws began to glow and sharpen. "What in the world?"

Brock watched Erin clambered onto the side of the cliff in an attempt to track the balloon. "Erin is using Rock Climb--that should give her a hand in catching the admins!"

"Come on, Erin!" Ash cheered as Erin leaped and bounded over the cliffs, easily matching the height of the balloon. You can do it!"

Erin growled as the admins tried taking the balloon up higher. [Trying te run awey, are we? I'll go to te end of te world te save tis Snover, or die tryin'!"]

With that, she made a flying leap from the cliff, slashing the balloon with a mighty explosion! "Talk about packing a punch..." Ash noted as Erin landed by him seconds later.

Dawn gasped when she saw the Snover hurtling to the ground. "Oh no!"

Gatrandis favel, secret, edena... Brock began the Swanna Song as Erin jumped onto another cliff.

Emusto ronzen fine el balaziis...
Katoradis favel siicletu edena... At this line, Erin gained a rainbow aura as she made a desperate leap to catch the Snover.

Emusto koron zen fine, si...

Erin dropped Snover into Brock's arms seconds later. [I got him.] she replied.

"What matters...is...the Snover...is safe..." Brock wheezed, tired from using his Swanna Song. I used...my Swanna Song...to help you..."

Ash hurried to Erin's side as she collapsed on the ground, exhausted. "Erin...that was a brave thing you did." he began. "I'm so proud of you!"

[Yeah, thanks for saving my life back there!] the Snover agreed as Ash massaged the winded Lucario...

---------

Later that afternoon, a crowd of kids gathered around the group. "What's that tree Pokemon with you?" a boy asked.

"What did you all find?" A woman Ash assumed was the children's teacher arrived some minutes later. "I see...you've all found a Snover."

"If it likes someone, it will offer one of the Berries growing on its body, which tastes like chocolate." Brock explained.

"The berries grow back in a few minutes, so you never have to worry about running out." Dawn agreed as the Snover offered the woman a Snoverberry.

The children cheered as the teacher accepted the berry and cut it in slices for them to enjoy. "You're right--it does taste like chocolate!" a girl raved as she bit into her share.

"Thank you, Snover; for giving us a sweet treat." the woman smiled.

She asked the group "Are any of you trainers?"

"I am!" Ash smiled as he watched some of the children and the Snover hurry off to play.

"I'm a Pokémon Coordinator, actually." Dawn replied.

"And I'm actually a Loremaster." Brock explained as he tuned his guitar in preparation to sing for a group of children.

"Have you arrived for the Sandalstraw Town Contest and Fantasy Stage at all?" the teacher asked. "It's only a few days away."

Dawn remembered something as Brock tuned. "Brock...would you mind if we tried each other's events for a change? So I would be competing in the Fantasy Stage, and Tarina gets her wish to compete in a Contest."

"Good idea!" Brock smiled. "We should get there in a day or so, and the festivities begin a few days after that."

Ash found the Snover resting under a tree. "We have to go tomorrow...but with your new friends, you shouldn't be lonely anymore."

[Don't worry--I'll be their bestest friend ever!] the Snover giggled before hugging Ash one last time...

To Be Continued...