Ash's ability

As the group traveled on route four Red and Clemont were arguing.

"Face it Clemont we're lost!"

"No the Mapnav I built says we should be at Arles town any moment."

"Right, maybe it's behind that tree."

"Look I built this mapnav because you missed Arles the first time we went down route four."

"If that map works as well as your web cannon we're in trouble."

"I'll have you know this map works." Clemont started as he stated pressing buttons on his Mapnav devices. Moments later the Mapnav exploded covering Clemont in soot.

"Not again brother." Bonnie said.

"I rest my case." Red said.

Ash, Pikachu, and Serena were watching with sweat drops coming down their necks.

"I knew we should have let you lead the way." Ash said.

"I'm sure we'll be fine." Serena said.

"forget it I'm reading the map, the real map." Red said as he opened his backpack. Clemont looked a little terrified as he started to move away from Red. Red looked over at Clemont.

"Clemont where is my map?"

"Uh well you see I needed a little extra cash to make my map nav so I sold it to a tourist." Red's face turned red before he got up and chased Clemont around.

"Get back here you Idiot!"

"Red please I really thought it would work." Ash and Serena sighed.

"Okay now what?" Serena asked.

"I think I have an idea." Ash said as he threw Fletchling's Poke Ball forward.

"Fletchling fly up and see if you can find the town." Red had tackled Clemont but got off him when he heard what Ash said.

"That's a pretty good idea, Fletchinder you look to." Red said as he sent out Fletchinder. The two birds flew into the air and started looking around for any signs of civilization.

"so I guess we just wait until those to find Arles." Bonnie said.

"well what should we do in the meantime?" Serena asked.

"Serena why don't you look for a Pokémon to catch." Ash said.

"Well it would be nice to catch another Pokémon. But I'm not sure where to start."

"It's alright, pikachu and I can help you."

"Pika." Pikachu said agreeing with Ash. Serena liked the idea of her and Ash alone looking, as he helped her catch a Pokemon.

"Yeah I can help you to." Red said.

"Eh, Clemont I think this would be a good time for you to look for another Pokemon too." Serena said.

"Huh."

"I mean, you and Red should go than one direction looking four Pokémon while Ash and I go on the other." Serena said.

"That's not a bad idea." Red said.

"That sounds really fun let's go Clemont!" Bonnie said as she grabbed her brother's arm.

"Alright I suppose I should try and catch another Pokémon too." Clemont said.

"Ok lets meet back here in an hour or two." Ash said.

Ash and Serena were walking through the trees looking around for wild Pokemon.

"So Serena what kind of pokemon were you thinking of catching?"

"I'm not sure, I don't really know what kind of Pokemon are around here."

"You could always look with your Pokedex." Serena took out her Pokedex and typed in route 4. A list of pokemon found in route four came up. As Serena looked through the list Pikachu heard something.

"Pika." Pikachu said poking Ash on the neck.

"What is it Pikachu?" Pikachu pointed over to a bush that had several Oran berries growing on it. Ash saw there was a Pokemon eating the Oran berries.

"Serena look." Ash said. Serena looked over towards the bush and saw it. The pokemon looked like a dog, and was a bit bigger than her Fennekin with a lot of white fur and a black head.

"What is that?" Ash said opening his poked. "*Furfrou, the Poodle pokemon. Furfrou were assigned the task of protecting kinds who ruled the Kalos region in ancient times.*"

"Hey I saw a few of these in Lumoise City." Ash said. Ash noticed Serena's eyes had lit up with pure excitement when she saw the Furfrou.

"I've always wanted a Furfrou!" Serena quickly took out a poke ball and threw it at Furfrou.

"Serena wait!"

"Pika!" The poke ball hit Furfrou and sent the pokemon inside.

"Yes I caught him!" Moments later Furfrou came out looking irritated.

"What? Why didn't he stay in?"

"Serena you can't just throw a Poke Ball and expect it to catch a wild Pokemon. You have to battle them first to tire them out."

"Oh, alright go Fennekin!" Serena shouted throwing Fennekin's Poke Ball. Fennekin came out and saw the Furfrou.

"Fennekin I want to catch him so we have to battle!" Fennekin got into a battle stance facing the Furfrou.

"Fennekin use Ember!" Fennekin opened her mouth and unleashed a small burst of fire.

The Furfrou quickly moved to the side then hit the ground with his left paw splashing some sand and dirt into Fennekin's eyes.

"Fennekin!"

"I think that's Sand Attack. He's trying to make it hard for Fennekin to see." Ash said. Unknown to any of them, another Pokemon was watching them. The Pokemon was standing on a branch in a tree directly above Ash.

While the pokemon could see all of them, he was particularly focused on Ash. The Furfrou lowered his head and ran at Fennekin.

"Serena's he using Headbutt. Tell Fennekin to move!"

"Right, Fennekin dodge it!" Fennekin tried to move but the sand in her eyes made it too hard to see where Furfrou was coming from. Furfrou hit Fennekin dead on and knocked her back.

"Fennekin!" Before Fennekin could get up Furfrou hit her again with Tackle and knocked her right in front of Serena.

Just as Serena knelt down to pick up Fennekin the Furfrou ran at them both.

"Ahh!"

"Pikachu thunderbolt!"

"Pika chu!" Pikachu shouted as he jumped off Ash's shoulder and unleashed a bolt of lightning at Furfrou.

When Furfrou saw this he lurched back, narrowly avoiding the thunderbolt. When the Furfrou saw Pikachu standing between him and Fennekin he turned around and ran.

Serena let out a relieved breath, "Thanks Ash, Pikachu. I guess I got in a little over my head."

"It's alright Serena, you tried your best."

"But it wasn't good enough, I'm sorry Fennekin." Fennekin seemed disappointed in herself as well.

"I know what might help." Ash said. He walked over to the bush and plucked a few Oran berries.

"Oran berries give a pokemon a lot of energy. Have Fennekin eat a few of these and she'll feel a lot better."

Serena took the Oran berries and gave them to Fennekin one at a time. Fennekin ate the first one slowly, then quickly ate the other two. She jumped out of Serena's arms filled with energy.

"Fenn!" She said happily.

"Wow she looks as good as new. Thanks Ash." The pokemon watching Ash was impressed he knew to give Fennekin Oran berries after the battle.

The Pokemon found Ash and Serena very peculiar. Over the last few weeks the only humans he saw in his habitat were the poaching Team Rocket members.

The Pokemon didn't think bad of all humans. He had some kindness in the Kalos soldiers who saved some of the poached pokemon from Team Rocket. But still most of the humans he saw were the bad ones.

"I really wanted to catch that Furfrou to."

"We can still try and find him, he couldn't have gotten far." Ash said as he knelt down to where the Furfrou was.

After a moment Ash took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The Pokemon watching him widened his eyes when he realized what Ash was doing.

Pikachu, Serena, and Fennekin were all confused by what he was doing. When he got up he looked back at them.

"I know where he went."

"How?" Serena asked.

"A few years ago I discovered a trick that let's me find Pokemon. I'm not sure exactly what it is or how it works, but it's almost like I can feel a Pokemon's energy."

"That is weird, but amazing at the same time." Ash led Serena and the Pokemon through the woods as the pokemon watching them followed through the trees.

After a few minutes they found the Furfrou drinking from a small pond with a few Fletchling and Litleo.

"Wow your ability worked." Serena, Pikachu, and Fennekin were amazed that Ash's ability lead them right to Furfrou.

"Alright are you ready to give this another try Fennekin?"

"Fenn!" Fennekin went in front of Serena and faced Furfrou who now noticed they had returned. The other wild Pokemon ran off but Furfrou remained.

"Fennekin use Ember!" Fennekin opened her mouth and unleashed a small burst of fire. Once again Furfrou dodged and slammed his right paw into the ground.

"Serena he's using Sand Attack again."

"Right, wait I have an idea! Fennekin use Ember and aim for the sand." Fennekin opened her mouth and unleashed a small burst of fire that scorched the sand and continued on to hit Furfrou.

"It worked!"

"Great job Serena." Furfrou growled and lowered his head at Fennekin before sprinting at her.

"Fennekin duck under his legs and use Tail Whip." Fennekin waited until Furfrou was close then slid under him and slammed the inside of his legs with her tail.

Furfrou lost his balance and tumbled forward slamming his face into the ground.

"Great job! Now use Ember!"

"Fenne kin!" Fennekin opened her mouth and unleashed a powerful ember that hit Furfrou right in the face.

"Now use a Poke Ball!" Ash shouted. Serena took out one of her poke balls and threw it forward. The Poke Ball hit Furfrou and sent him inside.

Ash, Pikachu, Serena, and Fennekin watched closely as the Poke Ball shook and flashed for nearly 30 seconds. After 31 seconds it stopped and sparkled.

"I did it. I caught a Furfrou!"

"Fenn!" Serena ran over and picked up the Poke Ball.

"Congratulations Serena."

"Thanks Ash, I don't think I would have been able to catch him without your help."

"Give yourself some credit Serena. When you battled him a second time that was all you." Serena blushed a little trying not to make it obvious.

The Pokemon watching Ash and the others continued to be impressed by Ash's personality and actions. Moments later he felt a disturbance. He concentrated for a moment and realized what it was.

He knew that the disturbance could be very dangerous and that he shouldn't try to stop it himself. He then had an idea and looked down at Ash.

Just before Ash and Serena left, Ash felt a strange sensation. It felt similar to the sensation he felt whenever he used his ability. Only this time it was as if someone was trying to tell him something. He wasn't sure what it was only that something was wrong and where it was.

Serena and Pikachu noticed Ash seemed a little distressed.

"Pika, pika." Pikachu said nudging against his leg.

"Huh."

"Ash you sort of dazed off a little. Is everything alright?"

"I don't know, I just felt something weird. Like someone was trying to tell me something is wrong. It almost feels like the same sensation I get when I use my ability."

"So you think there's some kind of danger nearby."

"I don't think I know. We can't just leave without without seeing what it is." Ash said.

"Alright if you think we should, lead the way." The Pokemon watching them was very glad to see Ash listening to him.

Ash followed the message until he saw them. Before Serena could even ask what was going on he put his arm around he and pulled her right up against him.

Serena blushed intensely not knowing what to say.

"Look." Ash said.

"What? Oh right." Serena looked over the corner and realized that Ash had done that so they could stay out of sight.

In front of them were two members of Team Rocket with a pair of Zubat and a Nidorina. The pokemon were guarding several small cages with Litleo, Fletchling, and other Pokemon two rocket grunts were both punching a third man who was against a tree.

This man was wearing a orange jacket with a white suit and black tie. He had a pair of orange broken shades on and orange hair.

The man's face had multiple bruises and swelling from repeated punches. "Please stop!"

"You just make sure you and the rest of your little fashion freaks know that Kalos belongs to Team Rocket now."

"Let your boss know that if he thinks he can out muscle us he's got a big surprise waiting for him." The two rocket grunts let the third man go and he ran off as fast as he could.

"Team Rocket." Ash said.

"They've got those Pokemon." Serena said.

"Well we're going to free them."

"Alright now that he's taken care of let's get these guys back to HQ." One of the grunts said as he started picking up a cage.

"Stop right there!" Ash shouted. The two rocket grunts looked up and saw them come out of hiding.

"Hey look more pokemon for us to steal."

"Thanks twerps, Nidorina use Poison Sting!"

"Pikachu dodge it."

"Fennekin dodge it!" The two pokemon avoided the attacks but the Nidorina ran straight at Fennekin as soon as she finished Poison Sting.

"Fennekin look out!" Just before the Nidorina could hit Fennekin, the Pokemon who had been watching them jumped out of the trees and hit Nidorina with Quick Attack.

"Woah." Ash said as he saw it was a Riolu.

"What is that?" Serena asked opening her pokedex. "*Riolu, the Emanation Pokémon. When sad or scared, Riolu's aura becomes stronger as a way of signaling its allies.*"

"A Riolu, what is it doing here?" Ash asked.

"A Riolu! Those things are rare and worth a fortune!" One of the grunts said.

"Guess it's our lucky day. Nidorina use Double Kick."

"Zubat use Wing Attack."

"Pikachu dodge and use Thunderbolt."

"Fennekin dodge and use Ember." Fennekin quickly moved out of the first Zubat's flight path and then blasted him with Ember, knocking the small bat out.

Pikachu dodged Zubat's attack like lightning then blasted him with Thunderbolt, knocking him out. Meanwhile Riolu dodged both of Nidorina's kicks then slammed her in the face with Force Palm knocking her out.

"What the!?"

"Beaten by a bunch of brats, this is going to go over well." The grunts said as they returned their Pokemon.

"Let's just take the Pokemon and run." The first grunt said as he picked up a cage.

"No you don't! Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika chu!" Pikachu shouted as he blasted the grunts with electricity knocking them out.

Serena tied the two grunts to the tree while Ash and Riolu let the pokemon out of their cages.

"I'm sure some of the national guard will find them eventually." Serena said as she finished a knot. When Ash let the last Pokemon out he looked over and saw Riolu was looking at him.

"So Riolu were you the one who told me to come here?" The Riolu nodded. Ash knew this meant that the Riolu had some kind of connection with him. He could definitely tell the Riolu was looking out for the other Pokemon in the forest.

"So Ash why do you think this Riolu helped us?" Serena asked.

"I think he was the one who told me to come here."

"Really."

"It's hard to explain, but I think he's the one who told me that Team Rocket was stealing Pokemon."

"I guess that means he was looking out for the other Pokemon here."

"Rio." Riolu said to Pikachu.

"Pika."

"Rio."

"Pika!" Pikachu turned back to Ash.

"Pika! Pika pika!" Pikachu said before flexing and sparking his cheeks.

"Are you saying Riolu wants us to battle him?"

"Pika!"

"I think you should Ash."

"Alright if you want to battle us Riolu, we'll battle." Ash said as Pikachu turned to face him. The Riolu got into a battle stance.

"Pikachu Quick Attack!" Pikachu sprinted forward with incredible speed. Despite this Riolu moved out of the way and the ran at Pikachu, hitting him with his own Quick Attack.

"Geez he's fast." Riolu raised his arm and prepared to use Force Palm.

"Pikachu Agility into Quick Attack!" Pikachu quickly moved out of Riolau's way and then hit him Quick Attack after Force Palm missed.

When he recovered, Riolu looked at Pikachu with his right eyes as it turned blue.

"What did he just do?" Serena asked.

"I'm not sure. Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed thunderbolt but Riolu quickly moved out of the way. Once he was clear, Riolu sprinted forward with Quick Attack.

"Pikachu use Agility." Pikachu tried to move out of the way but Riolu was prepared. He grabbed Pikachu by the tail as if he knew how he was going to move and hurled Pikachu to the ground before hitting him with Force Palm.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu slowly got up as Riolu prepared himself for another strike.

"This Riolu is good." Serena said. Ash thought carefully before he called out his next attack. Riolu sprinted at Pikachu preparing to use Quick Attack. Suddenly Ash noticed Pikachu's cheeks sparking and had an idea.

"PIkachu prepare to dodge but only move back a little." Ash said. Pikachu was confused why Ash would tell him to do that but trusted him enough to do it. Riolu hit Pikachu but only slightly.

Just after making contact with Pikachu Riolu fidgeted and shook as a spark of electricity ran through him.

"What just happened?" Serena asked.

"Static, sometimes when a Pokemon makes physical contact with an electric type like Pikachu they can get paralyzed. And now that Riolu can't move, Pikachu Thunderbolt!"

"Pika chu!" Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt and hit Riolu dead on.

"Rio!" Ash quickly took out a Poke Ball and threw it forward.

"Poke Ball go!" The Poke Ball made contact with Riolu and sent him inside. Ash and the others watched closely as the Poke Ball shook and flashed red.

"Come on." After nearly 40 seconds the Poke Ball stopped and sparkled.

"I did it! I caught a Riolu!"

"Pikachu!"

"Great job Ash! I guess we both caught a Pokemon today."

"I guess we did." Moments later Ash heard a familiar chirp and looked up. Fletchling flew down and landed on Ash's shoulder.

He let out a few chirps and pointed ahead of them with his wing.

"I guess he found Arles." Ash said.

"What about the others?"

"They have Fletchinder to guide them."

"True." Fletchling got off Ash's shoulder and lead them through the woods. After 15 minutes they reached the town of Arles.

"Here we are." Ash said.

"Guys there you are!" A familiar voice said. Ash and Serena turned around to see Red with Bonnie and Clemont behind them.

"Hey, how did your search for Pokemon go?" Ash asked. Bonnie and Clemont sighed.

"We didn't catch any Pokemon." Clemont said.

"Clemont tried to build a poke ball that would chase after a wild Pokemon. Let's just say it worked as well as his nav and cannon." Red said.

"After that all the wild Pokemon were too afraid to let us get near them." Bonnie said.

"Well how did it go for you?" Red asked. Ash and Serena both took out their Poke Balls and threw them forward. Furfrou and Riolu came out and stood in front of their trainers.

"Woah!" Clemont said.

"Is that a Riolu!" Red said. Bonnie's eyes lit up when she saw Furfrou.

"A Furfrou! You have to send it to a trimmer! It will look so amazing!" After the group went to the Pokemon Center Ash and Serena went over how they caught their new Pokemon and the encounter with Team Rocket.

"Geez these rocket gangs are everywhere." Clemont said.

"Red did you know about Ash's ability?" Serena asked.

"Of course I did, because I can do it to."

"Really?" Clemont said.

"Yeah we like to think we got it from our father." Ash said.

"So your father can do it to?" Serena asked.

"We don't know, we've never met our father." Red said. Serena suddenly felt very bad for asking that.

"I'm sorry I-"

"It's alright you didn't know. It doesn't really bother us anymore anyway." Ash said. Later that night Ash had just finished brushing his teeth and walked back into the room Nurse Joy gave them.

Just like last time Ash, Serena, and Red were in one room with Clemont and Bonnie in another. Red, Serena, and Pikachu were already asleep.

Ash was about to go to his bead when he started to think about how his Riolu had some how contacted him. He took out Riolu's Poke Ball and let him out.

Riolu yawned and saw Ash.

"Hey Riolu, do you mind if we just talk for a few minutes." Riolu nodded and Ash picked him up. He walked over to his bed and set Riolu down on the bed.

Doing this accidentally woke up Pikachu who yawned as he looked over at Ash and Riolu.

"Oh sorry we woke you Pikachu."

"Pika." Pikachu decided to listen to what Ash was going to say to Riolu.

"Riolu I know it was you who told me about Team Rocket. I also think there is a connection between my ability and your power."

Riolu nodded. Ash suddenly felt a strange sensation, similar to the one he felt earlier. It was as if he could feel what Riolu was thinking and realized that Riolu was trying to communicate with him.

"Woah this is incredible." Ash and Riolu exchanged thoughts with each other for several minutes before Ash let Riolu got to bed.

Ash noticed Pikachu was asleep again and tried to feel Pikachu's thoughts. After a minute he was able to feel something, but it wasn't quite as easy since Pikachu was asleep.

Ash looked over at Serena and thought about her for a minute. He remembered how good of friends they were at camp and now they were back together. He was starting to have strange feelings about her. He was beginning to wonder if he thought of her as more than just a friend.