Recap: Ash, Brock, May, Max and Pikachu were staying with May and Max's father Norman after a tough Pokemon Gym Battle.  It was there that a little bit of the past was told about how Ash and Charizard used to be, key word being used.  Then as they went through the Petalburg Woods, Ash, Brock and Pikachu ran into the one person they hoped to never see again, Damien.  Damien and Charizard had a little reunion, but it was everything but happy.  After Damien left, Ash and friends decided to take a break in a nearby lake.  But they had unintentionally invaded a Gyrados's territory, and Gyrados held Ash hostage.  But a brilliant plan by the Pokemon freed Ash from the Gyrados.
( ) followed by Pokemon talk is the translation
( ) alone is Charizard talking
(' is Pokemon thoughts
' is human thoughts






                                         Chapter 2: Aerodactyl Returns

       Night had fallen only an hour ago in the Petalburg Woods.  Ash and friends had left the lake.  After the experience they had with Gyrados, Marshtomp would check the area from now on so they wouldn't have any more problems like with Gyrados.  But there was big trouble coming from the air.  Aerodactyl wasn't that far away now, and Ash and friends would tango with it very soon.
       Aerodactyl had reached the Petalburg Woods before nightfall.  It decided to rest awhile because it was tired after flying for 5 straight hours.  It had taken breaks when it got tired, but was airborne again after being well rested.  ('Beward boy because I'm back.  That hotheaded fire Pokemon won't save you this time') it thought.
       Ash and friends had a good night's sleep.  It was a good thing because big trouble was only minutes away.  Brock made breakfast, and the humans and Pokemon ate.  Half an hour later, Swellow wanted to go flying.  Beautifly also wanted to go flying.  Ash and May just had to look into their Pokemons' eyes to know what they wanted.
       "Sure guys.  You can go.  Just be careful," Ash said.
       "Swell (Thanks)," Swellow said.
       "Beau fly (We'll be careful)," Beautifly added.  Then he and Swellow spread their wings and took to the air.
       They had no idea of the approaching danger.  They were high over the Petalburg Woods.  They didn't get to fly for fun that often with Team Rocket constantly at their backs.  When they did fly, it was mostly to help out with finding someone.  But they didn't mind at all.  They enjoyed every chance at flying that they could get.  Half an hour later, Swellow saw something coming toward them.  The something was still a little ways off, but Swellow's eyes were sharper than Beautifly's were.  Beautifly was able to make out the figure a few moments later.  They had no idea what it was.
       "Beau fly beautifly (What in the world is that)?" Beautifly asked.
       "Swell swellow (You got me)," Swellow responded.
       As Aerodactyl got closer, it saw two Pokemon flying in the air in front of it.  ('Looks like I'll have my meal after all') it thought.  It sped towards the two unsuspecting Pokemon.
       "Swellow swell (Let's get out of here)," Swellow said.
       "Beautifly (I'm with you)," Beautifly said as he and Swellow flew back for where the others had made camp.
       "Swell low swellow.  Swellow swell (Get on my back.  I'm faster than you)," Swellow said.
       Beautifly complied, and Swellow used Agility to leave Aerodactyl in the dust.  But it wasn't that simple this time.  Aerodactyl had a strong sense of smell and picked up Swellow's scent even though Swellow flew very fast.  All that was left now was for Aerodactyl to follow the scent.  Meanwhile, Swellow and Beautifly had made it back to camp.
       "Back so soon?" May asked.
       Ash saw a look of terror on Beautifly's face.  "Something is wrong you guys.  Beautifly's very spooked about something," he said.
       May looked closer.  "Hey you're right.  I wonder what spooked him so bad," she said.
       "Swell low swellow (We saw a strange Pokemon)," Swellow started.
       "Beau fly beau fly.  Beautifly fly beau fly beau (It looked like a weired flying bird.  It had sharp teeth and large wings with clawas at the tip of the wings)," Beautifly added.
       Pikachu and Charizard felt their blood run cold on hearing that.  They knew that the Pokemon was none other than Aerodactyl.  Charizard still blamed himself for what happened.  It was mostly his fault that Ash got captured in the first place.  If he had helped to fight off the dinosaur Pokemon, Ash would've probably never been captured.  He secretly thanked Jigglypuff every time he [Charizard] thought about the experience.
       ('I'll never forgive myself if Ash is killed.  I almost helped Aerodactyl kill Ash that day.  If not for Jigglypuff Ash probably would've been killed.  I won't attack unless I can if Aerodactyl manages to capture Ash again') Charizard thought.
       Half an hour later, Ash and friends heard a loud screech.  Ash went pale upon hearing it.  May, Max and the Pokemon were quite concerned about the terrified look in Ash's eyes.
       "What is it Ash?  It's like you know that Pokemon or something," May said.
       "I do know that Pokemon.  It's Aerodactyl," Ash said, never loosing the terrified look.
       "What happened Brock?" Max asked.
       "Since Ash is too spooked to tell you this story, I'll tell you.  This happened when Ash, Misty and I were traveling through Kanto.  We came to a Pokemon fossil area where we found a lot of people trying to dig up fossils.  Team Rocket was also there, intending to steal the fossils.  They set up dynamite in a specific area.  Ash, Pikachu and Squirtle tried to stop them, but the dynamite had successfully exploded.  Ash, Pikachu and Team Rocket were then trapped underground because the explosion had caused some boulders to fall over the spot of the hole," Brock started.
       "I'll tell them the rest," Ash said.
       "Are you sure you're up to it?" Brock asked.
       "Yes Brock.  I'll tell them," Ash responded.
       Charizard excused himself in a hurry.  He knew that he would feel guiltier than every if he heard what happened again.  He felt really guilty already for what happened as it is.  The others except Brock, Ash and Pikachu wondered why Charizard left so fast.
       "Marsh mar (What's with him)?" Marshtomp asked.
       "Why did Charizard leave like that?" May asked.
       "It deals with what happened after Team Rocket, Pikachu and I became trapped underground.  Charizard was still just Charmeleon then.  Anyway, we didn't get to ponder about where we were for long because four ancient Pokemon confronted us.  They were Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto and Kabutops.  Until the dynamite exploded, they were sleeping.  But the explosion had awakened them, and they were very angry about it.
       Team Rocket tried to capture the Pokemon without battling first.  Kabutops easily deflected the Poke Balls with its scythe-like hands.  I then summoned Charmeleon to help, but he just laid on a rock and did nothing.  The dinosaura Pokemon then attacked us.  We didn't really stand a chance against them.  Team Rocket's Arbok and Weezing weren't really much help.
       I told Pikachu to give Kabutops a Thundershock(A/N: Or was it Thunderbolt?).  But the Kabuto's weren't affected.  Charmeleon wouldn't help us.  Kabutops would've killed Pikachu and me if not for hearing Aerodactyl.  Kabutops, Omanyte, Omastar and Kabuto fled.  Team Rocket and I wondered about that and soon saw Aerodactyl.  I looked it up on the Pokedex.  The Pokedex said that Aerodactyl was a carnivore.  Aerodactyl was about to attack us, but Charmeleon stepped up.  But the only reason was that Aerodactyle knocked him off the rock before landing on a higher rock formation.
       Aerodactyl knocked Charmeleon out on the the first swoop.  But then Aerodactyl captured me.  Pikachu and Charmeleon grabbed onto Aerodactyl's tail.  Meanwhile, Misty and Brock had gotten help, and they dug through enough of the rock to create a hole.  Aerodactyl flew through that hole, and Pikachu and Charmeleon dropped down.
       Aerodactyl landed on another large rock formation.  Jigglypuff was at the fossil area.  This Jigglypuff loved to sing and always sung when it got the chance to.  Anyway, Charmeleon still wanted to battle Aerodactyl.  When Aerodactyl taunted Charmeleon, Charmeleon evolved out of anger.  Then Charizard gave chase to Aerodactyl, me still in Aerodactyl's grip.
       I thought Charizrad evolved to save me.  But when it started firing Flamethrower attacks, one of them hitting me, I knew it was because Charizard wanted to battle Aerodactyl.  Misty got Jigglypuff to sing, and everyone began to get drowsy because a Jigglypuff's song puts every living thing to sleep.  Charizard put his talons in his ears to block off the song.  But he couldn't keep awake for long.  Fortunately, Aerodactyl fell asleep and let go of me a few seconds later.  Charizard caught me and fell asleep upon landing," Ash responded.
       May, Max and the other Pokemon were stunned upon hearing that story.  They really couldn't blame Ash for being so scared.  They would've been scared as well if they were in his situation.  They knew that they would have to be on their guard.  Pikachu went to find Charizard.  Pikachu found Charizard half an hour later.  Charizard was far enough so he wouldn't hear the story.
       "Pika pi pika pi (You can come back now)," Pikachu said.
       (I still blame myself for what happened) Charizard said.
       "Pika pi pichu pika (We can really use your help right now)," Pikachue said.
       (I'm more than willing to give it) Charizard said as he and Pikachu made their way back.
       They came back to see Grovyle, Lombre, Foretress and Swellow battling Aerodactyl.  Aerodactyl was pretty agile and avoided every attack that came at it.  It then returned attacks of its own.  First it knocked Swellow out of the sky with Hidden Power.  Then it used Wing Attack on Grovyle, Lombre and Foretress.
       "Marshtomp, use Water Gun," Brock said.
       "Marshtomp (Eat this)!" Marshtomp shouted, firing the Water Gun.
       Aerodactyl easily maneuvered out of the way.  It then gave Marshtomp a devastating Hyper Beam.  Marshtomp was out cold from the Hyper Beam.  Then Aerodactyl fired a Hyper Beam right in front of Ash.  The explosion sent him airborne, and Aerodactyl went in for the capture.
       (Oh no you don't!) Charizard roared, flying up to make the interception.
       But Aerodactyl made it to Ash first and gripped him in its talons.  Aerodactyl then fired a Hyper Beam at Charizard.  Charizard maneuvered out of the way.  That gave Aerodactyl time to flee with Ash.  But Charizard ws not going to let Aerodactyl get away.  With a roar of fierce determination, Charizard flew after Aerodactyl.
       "Wow, Charizard is really determined to save Ash," Max said.
       "Yes he is.  He shows a lot of determination as it is, but I've never seen him this determined," Brock agreed.
       ('Don't worry Ash.  I'm coming and I will get you back') Charizard thought.
       Meanwhile, Aerodactyl had gotten pretty far ahead.  While trapped underground and after it was freed again, it practiced on increasing its speed.  Something that knew Agility could still leave Aerodactyl behind as Swellow showed.  But Aerodactyl learned to track a fast Pokemon by its scent.  While heading for the Petalburg Woods, it had come across many Pokemon who knew Agility.  Learning how to smell the Pokemon's trail was a big advantage for Aerodactyl, and a huge disadvantage for its prey.
       But Aerodactyl didn't count on Charizard also having a good sense of smell.  Charizard followed Aerodactyl's trail as fast as he could.  He was still a good ways behind because Aerodactyl got a head start.  He wasn't going to give up though.  He held the reputation of never giving up unless he won or fainted, and he definitely wasn't going to give up here.
       ('I'll get you Aerodactyl.  You won't have Ash today or any day') Charizard thought.
       Aerodactyl knew that Charizard was trailing it even though there was quite a bit of distance between them.  It was the same thing last time.  But something was different this time.  Charizard didn't have the intention of fighting, but something else.  Aerodactyl thought back to the roar.  It had never heard such determination in its life.  Then it how Charizard's first intention was to get Ash before it did after throwing that Hyper Beam in front of Ash.  Aerodactyl then made the connection.
       ('So, that's the hotheaded Pokemon's intention.  He wants to save this boy.  Well he won't do it.  I'll make sure of it') Aerodactyl thought.
       Meanwhile, Charizard was slowly closing in on Aerodactyl.  He really thanked his training in Charicific Valley now because he would've been really tired after flying as fast as he could for two hours.  He didn't even feel tired yet.  He continued through the air.  The longer he was still in the air, the more determined he was to save his friend from Aerodactyl.
       'I hope Charizard can find me,' Ash thought.  He heard Charizard's roar loud and clear as well.  'I've been around him quite a bit, but that's the strongest determination I've ever felt from him.'
       Another hour later, Charizard still wasn't gaining too much ground on Aerodactyl.  He noticed that he was now over Dewford Island.  While back at Pallet Town, Professor Oak shoed him the map of the locations from Littleroot Town to Ever Grande City.  Charizard knew that this was where he could make his move.
       ('You won't have you lead much longer Aerodactyl') Charizard thought.  He then went another route.  He could hopefully cut Aerodactyl off at Slateport City if not Mauville City.
       Ash saw that he was over Dewford Island.  He figured to make a move as soon as Aerodactyl was over the seas a little past Slateport.  He knew that Charizard would have no choice but to give up iff Aerodactyl made it to Pacifidlog Town.  'I've got to do something to help Charizard out,' he thought.  He then began struggling to get out of Aerodactyl's grip.
       Aerodactyl tried to keep its grip on Ash.  But the more Ash struggled, the more Aerodactyl lost its grip.  Soon, it completely lost its grip, and Ash fell into the water below, loosing consciousness on impact.  He and his friends had seen the group of Sharpedo that they made friends with.  The Sharpedo had taken residence here.  Fortunately, one of them saw Ash hit the water.
       "Shar (Ash)!" the leader Sharpedo screamed.  He swam down and grabbed Ash.  He quickly surfaced.
       Ash coughed up water the moment his head was out of the water.  He opened his eyes to see a familiar Sharpedo looking down at him.  "Thanks Sharpedo," he said.
       "Sharpedo (You're welcome)," Sharpedo said.
       The reunion didn't last because Aerodactyl returned to re-capture its prey.  The rest of the Sharpedo then surfaced, ready to protect Ash.
       "Sharpedo, I need you to hold off Aerodactyl until my friend Charizard comes.  Aerodactyl had gotten a head start on him, and a delay will help," Ash said.
       The group of Sharpedo fired their Hydro Pump attacks at Aerodactyl.  Aerodactyl barely got out of the way of this water attack.  Hydro Pump is one of the fastest water attacks.  The Sharpedo then tried the same thing again.  But Aerdactyl was ready this time and easily dodged this time.  Then Aerodactyl launched a surprise attack.
       Aerodactyl had learned Supersonic.  The Sharpedo were confused and began attacking each other.  In the Sharpedos' confusion, Aerodactyl captured Ash again.  Then it gave the group of Sharpedo a Hyper Beam before leaving.  Aerodactyl didn't know that Charizard had made it to Slateport.  Charizard heard the explosion and waited off the coast.
       Aerodactyl flew back over Slateport.  It then got a big surprise.  Charizard flew right in front of it.  Ash was very relieved to see that the Sharpedo did hold off Aerodactyl long enough.  Aerodactyl fired a Hyper Beam.  But Charizard countered the Hyper Beam with Flamethrower this time.
       (That won't work this time you freak) Charizard said.
       Aerodactyl screeched in anger at being called a freak.  It then charged at Charizard.  Charizard pulled up at the last minute and tail whacked Aerodactyl.  Aerodactyl was sent off balance but quickly regained its composure.  Charizard knew that he had to get Ash out of Aerodactyl's grip.
       Aerodactyl's grip on Ash had tightened, restricting Ash's air supply.  He wouldn't be able to breathe if Aerodactyl's grip tightened any more.  Unfortunately, that's what happened when Aerodactyl attempted to use Take Down.  Charizard evaded the attack again, and Aerodactyl unknowingly tightened its grip on Ash again.
       Charizard could see that Ash had much difficulty breathing.  ('I've got to get Ash out of Aerodactyl's grip.  It must have tightened its grip on him too much') he thought.  He saw his chance to attack and aimed a Flamethrower at Aerodactyl's legs.
       Aerodactyl screamed in pain and let go of Ash.  Charizard dove and flew under Ash.  Ash fell on Charizard's back.  He felt the pressure on his throat diminish.  Charizard flew up and hovered in front of Aerodactyl.  Aerodactyl was getting pretty tired and decided to let Ash go for now.  But it would be back, most definitely.
       Charizard also started to feel tired.  He landed, and Ash got off his back.  Ash knew that Charizard would begin to feel tired.  They walked over to the Pokemon Center.  Ash returned Charizard to its Poke Ball before giving it to Nurse Joy.  Ash spent the rest of the day and all night in the Pokemon Center.  Nurse Joy then returned Charizard's Poke Ball, and Ash let Charizard out.
       "Thanks Charizard," Ash said, hugging Charizard.
       Charizard hugged back.  (Anytime) he said.  He and Ash then walked out of the Center.
       Ash got on Charizard's back.  Charizard then flew for the long flight back to the Petalburg Woods.  In the Petalburg Woods, Brock and the others were very worried about Ash and Charizard.  It had been a full day since Aerodactyl captured Ash.  Brock and the others would soon find out that Ash was safe.
       "I'm worried about them," Brock said.
       "Yeah Brock, it's been a full day.  Who knows what happened to them by now?" Max added.
       It took most of the day for Charizard to fly back to the Petalburg Woods.  In fact, it was late afternoon when he returned.  The others were very relieved to see him land.  They were even more relieved seeing Ash on Charizard's back.  Ash then dismounted Charizard. 
       "Are you all right Ash?" Brock asked.
       "Yes I am Brock, and I owe it to Charizard and the group of Sharpedo we befriended," Ash responded.  He then told them the long story.  "Take a rest Charizard.  You really deserve it," He said before returning Charizard to its Poke Ball.
       Charizard was returned.  He really could use the rest after flying who knows how many miles.  ('Aerodactyl is a lot more determined to have Ash for its dinner.  But I'm a lot more determined to keep Ash safe from Aerodactyl.  I'm the best chance Ash has against Aerodactyl now') he thought.  Whenever Aerodactyl tried to capture Ash, Charizard would be there to help from now on.



Well, here's the end of chapter 2.  I intend to go back and forth with Damien and Aerodactyl for this story.  In other words, the next chapter will have Damien in it.  I haven't bashed any characters yet, but I will bash Damien since I really don't like him.  So again, don't read if you like Damien.  To those who don't like Damien either, if you have any ideas on how to bash him, send them my way in a review.  I could really use some help as far as bashing.  Moving on, preview for Chapter 3: Sneak Attack:  Ash and friends come across Mr. Briney again and sail for Slateport on the way to Fortree City to challenge Winona.  But Damien stows away on the boat and quietly follows them.  He plans to take Ash out of the picture.  Will the others be able to stop him?