New Beginnings - Chapter 171 (Patreon)

“And you’re positive it was in this location?”

Ethan scanned the map placed before him, which was laid out on his kitchen table. “One-hundred percent. While I may not leave my ranch often, I live in the forest. That’s where I found them.”

Ethan looked past the two Rangers who’d stopped by for information and looked at Ursaring who was glaring through the window. Ever since he’d come back, she’d been on super protective mode. He hadn’t even seen either of the Teddis or Litten. They were most likely in her den. With a wave, he called her over. 

If anyone would know what other pokemon were about that area, it’d be her. 

Ursaring didn’t waste any time in stomping over and entering his home with a dip of her head to avoid the doorframe. Both the Rangers, two men slightly younger than Ethan himself, immediately tensed up. Ethan ignored them, focusing on his pokemon. Even if he did give them assurances, they’d still be tense. “Ursaring, do you know of any powerful pokemon in this location?” Ethan walked over to her then guided her to the table with an arm wrapped around her. 

“We’re here, obviously.” Ethan pointed out Berry Falls. “Over here is Route 205, and down there is Floaroma Town. You often came from the south when you visited, so you lived down here in this general area.” 

Ursaring scanned the map as Ethan explained what she was looking at. Sometimes, Ethan forgot that some of his pokemon couldn’t even read or would even know what a map was or how it worked. Ursaring obviously knew what a map was—He wasn’t her first trainer, after all—but explaining what she was looking at was a good refresher. 

“Ursa. Ring-ur-ursa.” Ursaring began pointing to the map, highlighting sections surrounding the ranch and slowly pointed to areas further away. 

Ethan snapped his fingers at Ralts as Ursaring continued explaining, earning a glare, but she at least picked up on what he wanted. Normally, translation was Chatot’s job. 

Ralts dropped down from the sofa, ran over, then climbed him like a tree until she clambered on top of the table. Then she pointed out the areas Ursaring pointed at and had a quick back and forth with the mama bear. 

“To the north, the powerful pokemon are the fairies. My mother.” Ralts explained a bit haughtily, obviously proud at the fact that her mom was the big bad of the north. Ethan spoke aloud to let the rangers know, translating it back. 

“The south was hers, and she is sure that no other pokemon has come by to take her spot since she’s still technically here.” Ralts hand waved all over the map, pointing out the sizable area in which Ursaring controlled—or perhaps still controlled. 

“She said that the only pokemon that stayed next to the routes were those who were either weak or wanted to leave. The east leads to the mountain, and those pokemon don’t typically wander into the forest. To the far west, across the route and deeper in, she said there’s a… uh…” Ralts looked back to Ursaring, who then filled in the blank. “A Honchcrow who is fairly strong. He is the alpha of this general area.” Ralts then walked over the large map and gestured to the location. 

“Nothing about a Slaking?” One of the Rangers asked. 

Ursaring rumbled and spoke, making Ralts explain again. “They’re strong, but too lazy to hold territory. They don’t care what happens in the forest as long as they’re left alone.” 

“And would one of their children being killed by a trainer make them act?” Ethan asked. 

“Urs.” Ursaring grunted. 

“No.” Ralts didn’t need to translate that, judging by Ursaring’s annoyance. 

Ursaring loved her children. The fact that these Slaking’s seemingly didn’t even care for theirs obviously pissed her off. Ethan could see her frustration at the reminder of it. It bothered her… a lot. 

Ethan looked to the Rangers, who were still put off by Ursaring’s presence, then went back to Ursaring to ask a final question. “So, you don’t think there’s going to be a problem?”

With a grunt and a headshake, Ethan got his answer. “Is there anything else you need from me?” He asked the Rangers. 

“No. I think that was it. I will say, we’ll probably be surveilling the area regardless. The second start for trainers this year just happened and we don’t want to have any accidents along the route. It sets a bad precedent if we can’t protect them.” The Rangers stood at once, then collected their maps, gave him a nod, then left his home. 

Ethan walked to his door and watched them leave through the darkness up the path towards the Pokemon Center, leaning on the doorframe as he did. It was weird, watching strangers on his ranch. At some point, completely and subconsciously, this place was suddenly his. If you asked when Looker first suggested it, Ethan would have been just as happy anywhere else, but now? Now, he didn’t want to leave. This place was a home. 

Several other people had flashlights waving back and forth as they wandered in the darkness, creating a weird lightshow. Ethan wondered if any of the Jennys would update him on how the whole criminal side of this event was going or if they would just leave. Deciding that he wanted an answer, he sent a quick text to Joyce who was still in the Pokemon Center, asking if anything had changed. 

Ethan: Any updates? 

He waited a few seconds, then saw the three dots signaling her response. Not long after, he read her text. 

Joyce: They’re figuring out how to get them to Eterna City. None of the Alakazam or Kadabra for the police department have been to the ranch before so they can’t teleport here. Do you think Smeargle would be willing to bring some over? Cleffy brought the Jennys over so she’s very tired.

Ethan: If he doesn’t, then are they going to stay at the Pokemon Center tonight?

Joyce: Yup.

Ethan: I think he could do that. After everyone is gone, do you want to come over? I’ll make dinner? Have you eaten?

…….…..……

Ethan: Hello?

Seeing as Joyce had suddenly fallen off the face of the Earth, Ethan set out to find Smeargle. He’d asked his pokemon to find him when he first arrived, but that was nearly two hours ago. He looked back to Ralts and Ursaring, who were now chatting in poke-speak. “Have you seen Smeargle?” 

Ursaring pointed out the door to her den, then turned back to Ralts to continue their… animated conversation. Seeing as how he’d snuck up on her dancing with Porygon, he’d let her have her secrets for now. 

The walk to Ursaring’s den was only a couple minutes longer than it should have been due to the darkness, but he knew his ranch like the back of his hand by now. A little lack of light was nothing when you didn’t have lights for a whole year before. Ethan waved to and had to avoid a few of the now very much awake, Oddish. They all greeted him with happy and excited little ‘Odd Odd!’s as they went about their nighttime activities, which was adorable. Each of them still wore their little red scarves he’d gifted them for Christmas. 

What he didn’t know so intimately, was Ursaring’s den. He’d only been inside a couple times, but every time he entered something had changed. The first thing he noticed this time was that she’d stolen one of his spare blankets that he thought he lost a few weeks prior and was using it as a rug. Her mound of… fur was still here—which was a reason he didn’t like to visit for long. She used the untreated pelts as bedding for her and the Teddis. 

Ethan walked down the slight incline into the main chamber and looked around, finding Smeargle and two Oddish sitting and talking. Then, the hair on the back of his neck rose. Danger! Danger! 

“Raaaaawr!”“Raaaaah!” 

His two cuddly Teddiura charged him from their hiding spots, jumping into his chest and nearly knocking him to the floor. Seeing that the battle was on, Ethan roughly tucked one under his arm as he fended off the other with his foot, all while sending forth a Tickle Attack on the one he trapped. The free Teddiursa grabbed his foot and lifted it, sending Ethan sprawling to the floor. Then, they were both upon him. 

They too, had learned Tickle Attack. After having been subjected to it for so long, it was only a matter of time. 

Smeargle’s barking laugh echoed throughout the small cave as Ethan tried and failed to defend himself. His armpits and sides were relentlessly attacked, causing him to laugh uncontrollably as he flailed with all his might. The human body was not capable of fending them off. The battle was over before it even began. 

A few seconds later, his two attackers were unceremoniously lifted off of him by a purple glow. Ethan silently pledged to get Smeargle anything he wanted (within reason) the next time they went shopping. The two Teddis flailed and grabbed at him as they were manhandled by his painter's psychic prowess, then were dumped right onto the bundle of furs which was their bed. 

“Thank you, Smeargle.” Ethan got out after catching his breath. His sides hurt from the vicious and ruthless ambush. He pointed off to his aggressors. “I’ll deal with you two in a bit.” 

The Teddis squealed and then started play-fighting with one another, as they are wont to do. 

“Smeargle, can I ask you one final favor?” Ethan walked up and rubbed Smeargle’s head, earning a happy whip to the thigh from his painter's tail. “If you could, can you go to Eterna City to bring some of their teleporting pokemon to the ranch so that people can begin to leave? I don’t want those teens on my ranch a minute longer than they have to be.”

“Sme.” Smeargle nodded, happy to get rid of the murderers just as much as he was. 

“Go to the Pokemon Center and get Chatot to talk for you. She’s there keeping an eye on things. But first, as a big thank you for all you’ve done for me this past week…” Ethan trailed off, making sure he had Smeargle’s attention before continuing. “What would you like to eat for dinner? I’ll make us something nice. I’ll even bake a cake.”

Smeargle wasted no time in nodding to the cake idea, then mimed eating a slice of pizza. 

Ethan lowered himself, hands on his knees to come level to level with Smeargle. “Consider it done!” He finished with a smile. 

Smeargle gave him a quick hug, then ran off with his tail clutched against his chest as he went on his mission. 

His phone’s vibration distracted him from turning toward his cuddly foes. 

Joyce: Dinner sounds wonderful. 

Ethan: I just sent Smeargle over to talk to the Jennys with Chatot about getting some of their teleporters here. I’ll start cooking in a few minutes. Come over whenever you’re free.

…….…..……

Joyce: Okay!