Berry Brawling

Ash confidently walked down Route 2, towards his first trial with Ilima. The Pink haired boy was shortly behind him, his Eevee curled up in a ball asleep on his head. Lillie brought up the rear, clutching her egg tightly so as not to lose it again.

"You said Verdant Cavern is on the road ahead?"

"Yes, just past Hau'oli Cemetery and The Berry Fields. In fact, we're about halfway there, I'd say."

"Sweet! Verdant Cavern, here we come!"

"Chu, Pikachu!"

"Deli, Delibird, Deli!"

"Huh?"

Before Ash could take off running, a Delibird flew down on the path in front of them.

"A Delibird?"

With a cracking of electricity, Rotom came online and began scanning.

"Ooh, a Delibird! Let's see here, ah here it is. Delibird, The Delivery Pokémon. It has a generous habit of sharing its food with people and Pokémon, so its always scrounging around for more food."

"But whats it doing here?"

Rotom floated closer, listening to the Pokémon's frantic cries before returning to the group.

"It says it needs our help! Some nasty thugs are attacking its trainer! Please hurry!"

"Lead the way, Delibird!"

"Deli!"

Delibird took off, staying low enough to the ground so Ash and his friends could keep up. The bird lead them into a small garden, where an elder gentleman was being accosted by three very familiar looking grunts.

"Listen here, old man! We're sick and tired of playing games. Hand over all your berries, or else!"

"Yeah, or else!"

"Yeah!"

"Please, this is my livelihood. Please, just leave!"

"Not you three again!"

Tupp, Zipp, and Rapp turned to find Ash and Ilima standing behind them.

"Oh look, some goody-goodies are here to save the day. Scram, if you know what's good for you."

"Yeah, scram!"

"Scram!"

"Not as long as you three are causing trouble!"

Tupp groaned before turning to his friends.

"Looks like we've got to bring the beat down on these fools. You two take on the kid, but Ilima's mine."

"Right!"

"You got it, boss!"

The three separated, Zipp and Rapp charging Ash.

"This time will be different. Wont have Ilima her to back you up. Zubat, go!"

"Yungoos, front and center!'

The two Team Skull grunts sent out their Pokémon, hissing at Ash as they were released.

"Litten, Pikachu, lets go!"

Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder, while Litten emerged from its Pokeball in a burst of flame.

"Litten!"

"Pikachu!"

"This will be easy. Zubat, use Bite!"

"You too, Yungoos!"

The two Pokémon charged, teeth barred and ready to bite, but Ash stood his ground.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail! Litten, use Slash!"

Waiting until their attackers were close enough, Pikachu hit Zubat with its Iron Tail straight to the face, while Litten slashed at Yungoos, forcing it to retreat in pain.

"Pikahu, Thunder Shock! Litten, Flamethrower!"

While the grunt's Pokémon tried to recover, Pikachu and Litten hit them with electricity and a large burst of flame respectively, knocking the Pokémon out before they could even get a hit. This managed to scare the two off.

"Yo, Rapp! This kid's better than we thought! Next time we better bring back up."

"But Zipp, I've got another two Zubat at the..."

But her teammate had already hightailed it out of there. Seeing she was outmatched, she shook her head, turning to Tupp, who had also been beaten badly.

"Yo, Tupp! We've gone bust, we need to hightail it before the police show."

With that she took off running. Tupp angrily shook his head before joining her, but stopped momentarily to turn back towards Ilima.

"Yo, this isn't over, Ilima! I'll never forget what you did to me!"

With that, Tupp joined his friends in fleeing the scene. Ash and Ilima just shook their heads.

"Those three never learn."

"They remind me of some other crooks I know."

Ash turned to the elder gentleman, who was doubled over trying to catch his breath.

"Hey, are you okay?"

The man stood up, nodding his head appreciatively.

"I'm fine, thank you. I was just working the berry fields here when those three came out of nowhere."

"Deli!"

The gentleman laughed as the Delibird flew into view.

"It seems my Delibird ran and got help. Good job, Deli."

The Delibird chirped happily as the old man stroked its head before turning to Ash and Ilima.

"Thank you so much for your help. Please, come back with me so I can reward you with a good meal."

"Oh no, we-"

"Please, I insist. Its the least we could do."

Finally, the three relented.

"Oh, alright. I am feeling kind of hungry."

"Excellent! Come with me, my wife will be happy. She loves it when we have guests."

Ash, Ilima, and Lillie followed the gentleman to a small house. True to his word, his wife was rather pleased to meet them, and before long they were sitting round the dinner table exchanging stories.

"So Ash, you're on your Island Trial Challenge, yes?"

"Yep! I'm on my way to Verdant Cavern right now!"

The old man leaned back in his chair, smiling.

"Ah, I remember my challenge. The excitement, the adrenaline, ah to be young again!"

His wife shook her head.

"Oh, that's my Marcus. Always reminiscing about the past."

Marcus laughed heatedly, although he was somewhat embarrassed."

"Oh, come now, Reina, like you've never took time to remember good times before."

Ash and his friends gave a good chuckle at this before checking the clock.

"Woah, its getting late! We need to get moving!"

"You're more than welcome to stay the night, you know."

"Thanks, but the sooner I get moving, the sooner I can challenge my first trial!'

Before anyone else could say anything, Ash darted out of the house, his friends sweatdropping at his impulsiveness.

"He certainly is spirited."

"Perhaps a little too much so."

"Pika pi."

"Vee."

Ilima and Lillie, being more mindful than their compatriot, bowed to their host and hostess.

"Thank you for the meal, it was delicious."

"Yes, thank you."

"You're very welcome. Come back anytime."

The two of them waved as they left Marcus and Reina waved back until they had left, confident that no matter where those young ones go, as long as they stick together they can accomplish anything.