Pokémon The Johto Journeys: Tough Enough

Chapter 7: A Friend in Need

                “Fine,” said Ash. “We’ll do this the hard way.”

                Ash took two Poké Balls out of his vest and threw them in the air.

                “Go, Cyndaquil! Go, Chikorita!” he yelled.

                The two Pokémon burst onto the scene. Cyndaquil, a Fire Pokémon, had a sleek body and a long snout. Chikorita, a Grass Pokémon, had a light green body. Two dark green leaves grew on top of its smooth head.

                Misty and Brock threw two Poké Balls, too. Brock called on Onix, a huge Rock Pokémon that looked like a long serpent made of boulders. Misty tried to call on her Staryu, but Psyduck popped out instead. The Water Pokémon had orange feathers, a wide bill, and a confused look on its face.

                Pikachu, Cyndaquil, Chikorita, Onix, and Psyduck lined up in front of the Houndour.

                “Five on five,” Ash said. “At least we’re not outnumbered.”

                The Houndour didn’t let the trainers make the first move. They charged at the Pokémon.

                One Houndour leaped at Cyndaquil, baring its white fangs. Cyndaquil dodged out of the way just in time.

                Another Houndour leaped at Psyduck. The poor Pokémon didn’t have time to muster up a Confusion Attack. Luckily, Chikorita used Razor Leaf to knock the Houndour out of the ways. Sharp leaves shot out of Chikorita’s body, pounding the attacking Pokémon.

                At the same time, a Houndour jumped up behind Ash. Luckily, Brock saw it. He sent Onix after it. Onix dove after the Houndour, crash-landing in the dirt. Two Houndour jumped on Onix’s back.

                “Pikachu, use your Thundershock now!” Ash cried.

                Pikachu quickly obeyed. Sizzling bolts of lightning jumped from Pikachu’s body and zapped the two Houndour. They jumped off of Onix, yelping loudly.

                The sound of its fallen pack members made the lead Houndour angry. It jumped in front of Pikachu. The other four Houndour stepped aside.

                “It looks like the Houndour leader wants to have a one-on-one battle with Ash,” Brock said.

                “If it wants a battle we’ll give it one. Right, Pikachu?” Ash said confidently.

                Pikachu nodded, never taking its eyes off of the lead Houndour. Its eyes began to glow an eerie red color.

                “Careful, Ash,” Brock said. “Houndour is using its Leer Attack!”

                Misty looked worried. “It looks pretty powerful. Do you think Pikachu can take it?”

                “Of course Pikachu can take it,” Ash snapped back. “Use your Leer Attack right back at Houndour!”

                Pikachu started its Leer Attack, but the Houndour changed its strategy. Ferocious flames burst from its mouth. Pikachu jumped out of the way, countering with a powerful electric shock.

                The Houndour had quick reflexes, too. It deflected the shock with its short, powerful tail.

                The exchange took a lot out of both Pokémon. They faced each other, panting heavily.

                The other four Houndour flanked their leader.

                Thick, black smoke poured from the mouths of all five Houndour. The foul-smelling smoke filled the clearing. Ash choked and his eyes teared up. He couldn’t see anything thanks to the Smog Attack.

                When the smog cleared, Ash saw the Houndour disappearing into the woods.

                “Let’s follow them!” he cried. “I won’t stop until I get my backpack.”

                Misty and Brock groaned, but they followed anyway. This time, they didn’t lose the trail. They followed the Houndour to a cave cut into the bottom of the hill.

                Ash wasn’t prepared to see a sixth Houndour in front of the cave. It looked sick. Ash saw his backpack and a half-eaten ham near the cave.

                But that wasn’t all. A Golem was attacking the sick Houndour. The massive Pokémon had a round body made of heavy rocks. It stood on two small, sturdy legs, and long claws extended from its gray hands.

                On by one, the Houndour pack jumped down to the cave and lunged at the Golem. The lead Houndour aimed a shower of flame at the Golem. The big gray Pokémon tucked in its head, legs, and arms into a ball. It rolled across the dirt, slamming into the lead Houndour.

                The impact sent the Houndour sprawling. But Golem wasn’t finished. It came rolling at the lead Houndour again. The Houndour got ready to blast the Golem with another flame.

                Ash knew it was pointless. The fire attacks wouldn’t work against Golem, a combination Rock and Ground Pokémon. There was only one thing to do.

                Ash threw his body between the lead Houndour and the Golem. He dragged the Houndour away just in time. The Golem got ready for another attack.

                “Chikorita, Razor Leaf!” Ash yelled.

                Sharp green leaves zipped through the air and hit the Golem. They were moving so fast that they sent the Golem rolling away, far from the cave.

                Brock hurried to the side of the sick Houndour. The Pokémon was lying on its side and breathing heavily.

                Brock gently examined it. Then he looked up.

                “Its leg is hurt, and it’s burning up with fever,” Brock said.

                Ash turned to the lead Houndour. “Your friend here is in really bad shape,” he said, hoping it would understand. “We have to get it to the Pokémon Center fast!”