Work Text:
Brock hadn’t really known what to expect regarding the Titan Pokémon, but he did know exactly what to expect with Ash. Therefore, when Ash had insisted on battling the first Titan they had come across in the South Province—a gigantic Klawf—Brock knew that there would be no changing his mind.
Arven proved to be just as stubborn as Ash was; insisting that he had to battle the Titan Klawf for Mabosstiff’s sake, he had gone along, leaving Mabosstiff under Brock’s care. Penny had waffled a bit on whether or not she should help the battlers or Brock before deciding on the latter, assisting Brock with his medical equipment, as well as with the mixed greens that he was planning to add the Herba Mystica to (it had been Arven’s idea to use the mixed greens as a sandwich filling once it was ready)—assuming Ash and Arven successfully obtained it from Titan Klawf. Koraidon and Miraidon stood guard, ready to act if the battle got too close.
Though neither Brock nor Penny could see the battle going on (they wanted Mabosstiff to be far enough away from the action), they could still hear all the goings-on—Ash and Arven calling to Pikachu and Shellder to attack, Titan Klawf’s angry roaring and counterattacking, and Pikachu and Shellder’s yelps and yells as they tried to dodge…
“Should we be worried?” Penny asked, glancing nervously over her shoulder.
“Not yet,” Brock said, as he continued to monitor Mabosstiff’s vital signs; Blissey kept attempting to use Heal Pulse to stabilize him. “When it comes to battling, Ash knows what he’s doing—he’s good at thinking on his feet when it comes to surprises and needing to rethink his tactics. If he’s focused on the battle and not on unnecessary heroics, he’ll find a way to pull through. Pikachu’s terra type being Steel is an advantage here—Klawf is apparently a rock type, even as a Titan.”
“…What do you mean, though—unnecessary heroics?” Penny asked, wide-eyed. “More than battling Titan Klawf? What, is he going to fist fight that thing himself?”
Brock exhaled, thinking about all the scrapes Ash had gotten himself into—a lot of them out of the desire to help others. Ash was selfless to a fault, and this was just the sort of situation to get him to take unnecessary risks.
“It’s unlikely that he’ll get into a fist fight with Titan Klawf—though I certainly can’t rule it out,” Brock noted; thanks to Mewtwo eventually restoring their memories of New Island, Brock now recalled all too well how Ash had indeed thrown a punch at Mewtwo, futile as it had been. “But Ash knows that Mabosstiff needs that Herba Mystica that Titan Klawf is guarding. And that’s enough to—”
Brock hadn’t even finished the thought when Arven’s frantic cry became audible—
“Ash!? What are you doing!?”
Brock facepalmed.
“And there he goes! Penny, can you watch Mabosstiff, please!?”
“You got it,” she promised.
Brock nodded and headed towards the battle, calling Steelix from his Pokéball.
“Get ready, Steelix!” he ordered, grabbing at the keystone he wore around his neck.
Sure enough, as the battle came into view, he saw Pikachu frantically trying to keep Titan Klawf’s attention as Ash tried to sneak behind the giant crab to get at the tiny cave he’d been guarding—the cave where the Herba Mystica was growing.
But Titan Klawf now sensed the presence behind him; turning around, he aimed a giant claw right at Ash’s back; Pikachu panicked and switched to his tried and true Thunderbolt, but Titan Klawf didn’t even seem to feel it.
“Ash!” Arven yelled. “Look out!”
“Now, Steelix! Mega Evolution!”
Steelix reared up as he reached his mega form, drawing Titan Klawf’s attention back as an opponent that was almost as big as he was.
“Try picking on someone your own size,” Brock said.
Ash, having plucked a sample of Sweet Herba Mystica from the cave, now made his escape.
“Pikachu!”
“Steelix!”
“IRON TAIL!” they ordered, in unison.
Both attacks hit their marks almost simultaneously. Knowing he was beaten, Titan Klawf retreated before they could hit him again.
Arven just stood by, shaking his head as Ash grinned, running over to Brock.
“Thanks, Brock; I owe ya one!”
“Ash…” Brock replied, sternly—causing the grin to fade from Ash’s face. “I am trying very hard to treat Mabosstiff and prevent his critical condition from getting any worse. Don’t make my work harder by having to patch you up, too.”
Ash sighed; he knew he had taken a dangerous risk, but as far as he had been concerned, it had been a calculated one.
“I was just trying to get the Herba Mystica,” he said, handing the pink plant over to Brock.
“It’s not that I don’t appreciate your efforts, Ash. You know that. And you know what this is really about.”
“I know,” Ash admitted; though he had matured in a lot of aspects, his reckless streak—particularly when friends or Pokémon were in trouble—still needed work. “Old habits die hard.”
“Don’t die because of them, too,” Brock replied. His expression softened. “Ash, you’re one of my best friends. I’d like to keep it that way, alright?”
“Back at ya, Buddy,” Ash promised, managing a smile.
“Alright,” Brock returned, satisfied. “Let’s get back to camp and give this to Mabosstiff. Hopefully, we’ll see some improvement by morning.”