Finding Pikachu

Chapter Fifteen: Rescue

Pikachu and Chikorita were walking away from the gray building and suddenly stopped in their tracks. The smell of smoke wafted out of the windows high above and orange flames flickered and swirled above them. The two pokemon squinted at the light emanating from the windows. They stood there staring at the building and gasped when they heard a small cry. Chikorita was shocked, and Pikachu stood strong with a determined face. Pikachu recognized the voice; it was Ash's.

Pikachu knew he had to save him. The streets were bare of the mingling townspeople they had seen in the evening and there was no one around to help. Pikachu had to make it up to Ash for not going with him when he was finally found. He wanted to find Ash, but not like this. Ash was in danger, and Pikachu had to save him.

His little yellow feet dashed up the stairs and Chikorita called after him to come back. Pikachu stopped for only a moment and yelled back, "Stay here!"

Chikorita stood with a worried look on her face. Pikachu continued running up the rusty stairs and did not look back.

When he came to the top of the building, he was greeted once again by the heavy metal trapdoor. Last time, he needed the force of two pokemon to open it, but with a burst of adrenaline, he managed to open the door with little struggle. As the door opened, a cloud of black smoke flew up through the crack and made Pikachu cough and heave. He shook off his fear and descended into the smoky hallway with flames climbing up the walls.

He held his breath and rushed to the end of the hall. He searched the ground for Ash, and stumbled upon his body lying unconscious on the floor. Pikachu shook his body vigorously, but he did not wake. The flames climbed up the stairs into the hallway, nearing the two more every second. Finally, Ash stirred a bit and groaned. Pikachu was still pumped up and dragged Ash down the hall, mustering up every ounce of strength he could. The flames reached for Ash's feet and grew more and more.

Pikachu and Ash neared the door. Pikachu would not be able to hoist Ash's body up the ladder alone. He gently set his body on the ground and climbed the ladder, pushing open the door and gasping in the fresh air. He screamed, "Pika! Pika!" as he called for Chikorita.

Moments later, Chikorita's tiny head appeared at the edge of the trapdoor. She climbed down the ladder and grabbed Ash's other arm. The two pokemon were tired and breathing deeply by the time they got Ash's body up the ladder. They dragged him out and onto the roof and shook him again. Ash did not move. They shook him again. No luck. Chikorita suddenly ran away down the stairs and Pikachu did not notice. She returned a few minutes later with a small pail of water and brought it over to Ash. Pikachu took it and splashed it onto his face and Ash's body lurched as he went into a furious coughing fit.

Pikachu and Chikorita calmed Ash down as he slowly opened his eyes. "Pikachu," he mumbled.

Ash slowly and shakily rose to his feet and staggered down the stairs, followed by Pikachu and Chikorita. When they reached the bottom, Ash sat on a bench and caught his breath, gasping in the oxygen. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For saving me."

The two pokemon nodded.

"Let's go home." Ash said with a weak smile.