Pokémon Pokemon Lightning Yellow

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 13c: A Clash of Superstars (part 1)


Misty sighed as the bus made its way back to the Cerulean Gym. There's no way around it...and I've stalled long enough...I have to face Lilly and Violet now.

She sighed as she mentally rehearsed what to say, aware of Ash and Brock talking in the seat behind her. Lilly...for the millionth time, I an NOT interested in joining your idol unit. Dancing around singing cutesy lyrics in equally cutesy costumes is NOT my cup of tea.

After taking a breath to calm her nerves and the Beautiflies in her stomach, she next mentally rehearsed what to say to Violet. Violet...I will happily act in a play, but all your water ballets and spectaculars should be put on elsewhere--the Gym is not your private theater. If you want a theater so bad, the Wave isn't far from here, and it can accommodate aquatics easy.

She shuddered a little. That, and your scripts need serious work.

Her nervous smile turned hopeful. At least Daisy has my back should Lilly and Violet hound me to perform in ways I don't want to. If they've gotten wind of our chasing Team Rocket, and try to just give him a badge, I will be more than happy to battle Ash myself!

Now arriving at Cerulean Gym... came an announcement as the bus came to a stop before the majestic crystalline building. Here we are...time to face my fear once and for all! Misty thought as she got up and followed the boys off the bus...

---------

"Wow..." Ash gasped as he glanced around the room housing the Gym's massive main pool. "Did we just walk into Zelda's Water Temple?"

"Nope! This is Cerulean Gym's main pool." Misty explained. "In addition to Lily and Violet's water shows, it's also used for scuba training and swimming lessons."

She tensed up as a familiar red haired girl and indigo haired girl arrived to meet the group. Speak of Darkrai...

"Welcome back, Misty!" Lilly smiled. "Maybe now you're interested in becoming Waves' fourth member?" She held up a poofy green blue, and gold costume with a two layer piano key skirt for Misty to see.

"Lilly...we've been over this before, I do not want to dance around in cute costumes singing cutesy lyrics." Misty sighed. "So please do not ask me again. For all I care, Waves will always be a trio act..."

Violet, meanwhile, was more interested in Ash. "Aw, is this a new boyfriend, Misty?" she asked, oblivious to the look of awkward confusion and shock on Ash's face. "He would be perfect to play the role of the prince in our newest water ballet, 'The Swanna Princess'!"

Misty happened to overhear Violet's comment. "Listen--Ash is a boy-that-is-a-friend, NOT a boyfriend! There IS a difference!"

"Lilly, Violet, knock it off!" a third voice called, bringing the shouting match to a halt. "If Misty doesn't want to participate in the unit or the water ballets, that is her choice, and her right." a blonde haired girl explained as she arrived in the room.

Thank you, Daisy! A weak smile formed on Misty's face as Daisy approached Ash.

"Um...Daisy...I'd like to battle for a Cascade Badge..." Ash awkwardly stammered as Daisy looked him over.

Daisy offered Ash a water drop shaped badge to Ash. "I heard about how you guys chased off Team Rocket at Nugget Bridge. You deserve a Cascade Badge just for that."

"No..." Ash replied as he waved away the badge. "I came all this way to battle for a badge, and I'm not leaving until I get a battle for one."

Daisy was about to object when Misty volunteered "I'll do it, Daisy! We'll battle two on two in one of the side pools so Violet doesn't get up in arms about 'ruining' the main pool. That, and I promised him a battle anyway..."

"Okay..." Daisy replied. "You can use the right hall pool to battle, since the left hall pool is being used for rehearsals of Violet's production of 'The Swanna Princess' at the moment. If your challenger wins, he gets a Cascade Badge."

"Deal!" Misty replied before motioning for Ash to follow her into a hallway.

"I know Misty is going to use Astra the Staryu and Pearl the Starmie--so how should Tintri and Wings do for a two on two match?" Ash asked Brock as the group followed Misty down the hall.

"Wings is a bit of a risk--what if Astra and/or Pearl know an Ice type move or two?" Brock cautioned. "The only Fire move that Butterfree knows is Sunny Day. That being said, Sunny Day does weaken Water and Ice moves, and powers up many Grass type moves. So the risk of using Wings might be worth it. Don't forget that Tintri knows a few Dark type moves, since Starmie is part Psychic."

[Misty's super stars won't be so super when I'm done with them!] Tintri bragged as the group arrived in the room with a dock-like arena floating over a pool, complete with a red and blue Poke Ball painted on the widest part of the dock.

"Okay, Ash--two on two match, first team to knock out the other side, wins, okay?" Misty reminded Ash as he and Tintri faced Misty on the blue side of the arena. "Astra and Pearl vs. Tintri and one other one of yours."

[Bring it, Lady Dragon of the Waves!] Tintri taunted.

"Okay!" Misty smiled before motioning to Brock. "Brock, if you would count us down, please?"

"All right--both sides are ready?" Brock asked as he hurried over to the line dividing the Poke Ball arena.

Both Ash and Misty cheered in reply. "Okay! Three...two...one..."

Brock's referee's whistle resounded through the room as Tintri stared down the small gold starfish Pokemon...

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 13d: A Clash of Superstars (part 2)

Previously, on "Pokemon Lightning Yellow"...

"Okay, Ash--two on two match, first team to knock out the other side, wins, okay?" Misty reminded Ash as he and Tintri faced Misty on the blue side of the arena. "Astra and Pearl vs. Tintri and one other one of yours."

[Bring it, Lady Dragon of the Waves!] Tintri taunted.

"Okay!" Misty smiled before motioning to Brock. "Brock, if you would count us down, please?"

"All right--both sides are ready?" Brock asked as he hurried over to the line dividing the Poke Ball arena."

Both Ash and Misty cheered in reply. "Okay! Three...two...one..."

Brock's referee's whistle resounded through the room as Tintri stared down the small gold starfish Pokemon...


"Tintri, start with Thunder Wave!" Ash called.

"Astra, Confuse the Pikachu with Confuse Ray!" Misty called.

She winced as Tintri leaped over the orange ray of light, then fired a small thunderbolt at Astra, making lightning criss cross across her. [Misty...I can't move...] she groaned.

Horrified, Misty made a T signal with her hands, spurring Brock to meet her at the Red side of the arena. "Is it okay to use items on your Pokemon?"

"According to global League rules, Items are allowed, but it will cost you a time out to use them." Brock explained as Misty dug out a Paralyze Heal from the item closet near the Red side of the Arena. "If you already called time out, then you won't lose another for using an item. So you still have two time outs left."

"Got it." Misty smiled as she healed Astra's paralysis.

Okay--if paralyzing her directly won't work, new plan! Ash thought. "Tintri, try Thundershock!"

"Astra, defend with Light Screen!" Misty countered.

Ash grimaced as Astra surrounded herself with a purple glow, making Tintri's attack fizzle out. Maybe, if I were to use Disarming Voice, it would break the barrier Astra put up!

He grinned. "Tintri, use Disarming Voice!"

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... came Tintri's tiny voice. The wave of electric music notes broke the Reflect barrier and sent Astra stumbling near the edge of the arena, falling in the water moments later.

A whistle blast got Ash's and Misty's attention. "Ring out! Astra is unable to battle." Brock announced as Misty scooped her fainted Staryu from the water.

"Ring out?" Ash was confused.

"In most Gyms and arenas, each side has a safety barrier to protect Pokemon, trainers, and audience members from particularly powerful attacks." Brock explained. "Should a Pokemon hit this barrier, or fall off the edge of the arena, it is considered a ring out, and that Pokemon can't battle for the rest of the match."

Misty smiled, unusually calm about losing one of her two Pokemon. "That was cool! I don't know how your Pikachu got Disarming Voice, but I hear it grows with the Pokemon, so as Tintri grows stronger, so will the attack."

She then heaved another Poke Ball skyward, revealing Pearl. "But you're not out of the stormy seas just yet!"

Okay, Starmie is part Psychic...so in addition to Tintri's Electric moves, he can also use Bite and other Dark type moves. Ash thought. That, and Wings' Sunny Day and Bug moves might be enough to weaken Pearl a little bit.

He whistled. "Tintri, come back!"

He next heaved another Poke Ball skyward. "Wings, let's go! Use Sunny Day!"

Misty smiled as she shielded her eyes from the bright sunlight Wings created--never mind the group was in a building. What an opportunity! Ash won't be so confident once his little Butterfree is a Butterfreesicle!

She called "Pearl, use Icy Wind!"

"Wings, fly over the Icy Wind and put Pearl to sleep with Sleep Powder!" Ash called.

[AHH!] Wings yelped as the blast of cold air hit him, making it hard to fly. [C-cold...]

That should've knocked Wings out in one shot! Misty thought, amazed the Butterfree was still able to fly. Then again, the Sunny Day is weakening all of Pearl's Water and Ice attacks...

A grin formed on her face. So let's show off Pearl's Psychic abilities!

She called "Pearl, use Psybeam!"

"Wings, counter with Energy Ball!" Ash shot back. Wings has a selection of Grass moves, so that's an option if Tintri falls...

He watched as a green ball of energy met the rainbow wave. At first, neither attack had any clear advantage for a moment or two. But after a few tense moments, the green ball of energy powered past the rainbow wave and impacted Pearl!

"Wings, return." Ash called, recalling his Butterfree. "Tintri, let's finish this with Disarming Voice!"

"Pearl, try Power Gem!" Misty called back. That should give the Pikachu a jewel of a headache, and allow me to finish his Butterfree too!

She watched in shock as Tintri darted away from the sapphire Pearl had created, leaped skyward, then loudly sang Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... sending Pearl flying all the way to the other end of the arena and into the water!

"Pearl is unable to battle! Blue wins!" Brock announced, spurring Ash and Tintri to cheer.

"Well, color me impressed!" Misty smiled. "Maybe you're a better trainer than I thought!"

She met Ash and Tintri on the pool deck, a familiar water drop badge in hand. "Here you go...as promised, a Cascade Badge to show that you beat me!"

"Thanks..." Ash smiled as he and Misty shook hands. "So, does this mean you're staying here, or continuing on with us?" he asked.

"Are you kidding? There's a wide world of Water Pokemon, and I want to meet them all!" Misty grinned before finding her PokeNav and opening CameraNav. "So of course I'm sticking with you! But before we go, a picture for the Winner's Wall, so Lily, Violet, and Daisy know you beat me!"

"Cheese!" Ash and Tintri smiled as he held the Cascade Badge high for the camera...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 14a: The School of Hard Knocks (part 1)


"...since we couldn't see any other colors, It has to be a Shiny Fearow!" Misty countered as the group made their way down a back road leading to Cerulean Cape some days later.

"Oh yeah? How many Shiny Fearows do you know that make rainbows as they fly?" Ash shot back. "That's why I'm sure it was Ho'oh we saw!"

"It wasn't Ho'oh, it was a Shiny Fearow!" Misty retorted.

"It WAS Ho'oh!" Ash pleaded. The argument continued like this for a while:

"No, it wasn't!"

"Oh, yes it was!"

"Was not!"

"Was to!"

"Was not!"

"Was to!"

"Was not!"

"Was to!"

"Was not!"

"Was to!"

FWEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!

"Okay!" Brock interjected before pocketing a black referee's whistle. "Let's review just what happened in the storm before we saw that odd Pokemon..."

---------


In the group's memory, Brock called to Ash and Misty to join him in a small alcove covered in foliage. "In an effort to get out of the rain last night, and get away from some more Spearows, I found a small cave, and called to you both to join me inside." Brock explains via voiceover as the Ash and Misty in the flashback hurry towards the alcove, with a Spearow flock hot on their heels. "Try as you might to run, you and Misty were separated in the chaos, and the Spearows tried to attack you." Brock continues via voiceover as the Ash in the flashback desperately tries to deflect the Spearows as he and Misty are separated at a fork. "All the attacks eventually caused you to trip on a small embankment." Brock continues as this happens in the flashback. "Battered, beaten, wet, and cold, you decided to sacrifice yourself to the Spearows, in hopes Tintri, Misty, and me could live." Brock continues as Ash weakly gets up and yells something into the rain as the Spearows approach. "But Tintri decided to attack the Spearows to save us all." Brock continues as we see Tintri leap off Ash's shoulder and fire a massive Thundershock at the Spearows as Misty watches from a rock, and Brock watches from the cave.

When the group emerges from their safe spots some time later, Ash spots a majestic bird-like Pokemon flying towards the rising sun. "Once we finally collected ourselves, we saw that Pokemon. It was too far away for Ash's Pokedex to analyze it, so that started what you guys were fighting over." Ash and Misty start arguing as the scene swirls back to the present...

---------

"You both have strong cases for what you think that Pokemon was, but I'm going to have to tentatively--key word here!--side with Ash based on his description of what he could see of that Pokemon." Brock explained. "Hopefully, we will see the Pokemon again so we can have definitive proof as to what it is."

"That's fair." Misty replied as Brock started building a makeshift camp near a clearing. "Maybe next time it will be close enough for Ash's Pokedex to analyze it."

Brock nodded in agreement. "Ash...can I trust you and Tintri to go get some wood for a campfire? It's getting too hot to travel, so may as well rest from last night, and have some lunch."

"Leave it to us!" Ash smiled back as he welcomed his now recovered Pikachu on his shoulder. "Be back shortly!" he called as he hurried off into the forest.

---------

[Here's a stick...] Tintri smiled as he gave Ash another piece of wood some time later.

Some male voices in the distance snapped Ash to attention. "...the Terastal phenomenon?"

"A mysterious transformation from the far away Paldea region that transforms Pokemon into a jewel-like appearance, and may change their type." a nervous voice replied.

"Name one of the two attacks that the card Tauros the Fury of the Jungle has."

"Rampage."

Piqued, Ash and Tintri followed the voices to a large grove, where a group of boys in elegant navy and red outfits that Ash assumed were school uniforms were quizzing a brown haired boy running on a treadmill:

"In the play 'Braviary Warrior of the Flowers', what is unique about the daeva Scarlet Braviary?"

"He has Braviary talons."

"Name one of the two Grass type moves Abra can learn, and for extra points, what their Contest types are."

Finally, the boy sputtered "I don't know!", more out of exhaustion than anything else. "Abra...is supposed...to..."

This was as far as he got before one of the boys sped up the treadmill, making the brown haired boy attempt to run even faster. "10 more miles an hour!" one jeered. "Get a few right, and we might slow it down!"

That poor boy's going to be ran to death if I don't do something! Ash thought as he summoned Mina. "Mina, take the wood I've gathered back to camp, then bring Misty and Brock here."

After finding the treadmill's power switch, Ash turned the treadmill off, making the brown haired boy collapse in exhaustion. "What were you trying to do to your...classmate? Run him to death?"

"He flunked his latest exam, so we were putting him through Power Training." one boy explained.

"We're students of the Pokémon Technical Institute or PTI, for short." another boy explained before motioning for the other uniformed boys to leave, taking the treadmill with them. "Do to Joe as you like--we've got class in a few minutes."

Misty and Brock arrived with Mina as Ash did his best to assess the brown haired boy's condition. "We heard everything from Mina." Brock explained before addressing the boy. "Joe, right?"

"Yes...water...please.." Joe wheezed.

As Brock gave Joe a bottle of water, Misty spread out a large cushion for Joe to lie on. "What were you doing on that treadmill answering questions?" Misty asked as Joe gingerly climbed on the cushion to finally rest his throbbing legs.

"It's Giselle's so called 'Power Training'." Joe explained in between gulps of water. "She claims it's supposed to strengthen your body and your mind, but all it ever does is exhaust those that do it, and makes them do worse on the exams. Then they're sent to do it again, in a viscous cycle."

He took another gulp of water. "I sometimes pretend to know less than I really do because the questions--and the Power Training--get so much harder..."

"But that's no way to learn anything!" Ash protested. "Learning should be enjoyable and engaging, not torture!"

He asked "Who came up with this torture? I'll be happy to give them a piece of my mind!"

Joe showed Ash a picture of a dark wavy haired girl in a similar uniform to the boys. "Here she is...this is Giselle."

Ash balked at the picture. "Whoa...pretty and powerful!"

"Yeah, she looks like a movie star!" Brock agreed as he admired the girl's picture.

Misty, meanwhile, was annoyed by Ash and Brock's reaction to the picture. "If you guys wanna see stars, I'll be more than happy to show you some!" she snapped, preparing to knock some sense back into the boys with a massive mallet.

Ash noticed the large mallet looming over him and Brock. "Okay, okay! We'll behave if you don't bonk us!" Even Joe found Misty's threat hilarious, and giggled over Ash's panic--the first time he had laughed all day...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 14b: The School of Hard Knocks (part 2)

"Wow..." the group gasped as they arrived onto the beautiful campus some time later. "Where do we begin in touring this place?" Misty asked as the group went inside one of the academics buildings.

Ash balked when he saw a portrait in a hallway depicting some familiar faces and a familiar Meowth. "WHAT??? Team Rocket once studied here?"

"School legend has it that Jessie and James both epically flunked the entry exam, achieving the worst score in its 150 year history." Joe explained. "No one has ever tied them or even topped it in all that time. But I don't know how true that story might be."

"So why would they get a portrait in this hallowed hall if they did so terrible?" Brock wondered.

"As a reminder of their failure, and a warning to the students not to be like them." Joe replied. "They were eventually allowed in on provision, as the story goes, and they were kicked out before they ever graduated. I could tell you what I've heard about them for hours."

He turned business-like again. "If memory serves, Giselle should be in one of the study yards by now. Here at PTI, it's overall skill as a trainer, not any one battle, that determines success. Even though I am is the weakest student in the class, I like to think I'm still better than someone with two Badges."

"How can that be?" Misty gasped. "You don't even have a single Badge to your credit!"

"I'm very familiar with Cerulean Gym--when I get a minute with my Game Boy Color, I can easily clear it on Trainer's Quest Blue and Trainer's Quest Yellow." Joe replied.

"I might be a pushover in a video game, but I'm more than a match for you in the real world!" Misty vowed. "Let's head for the training yards, and have a real battle!"

"I dunno, you were pretty easy in Trainer's Quest..." Joe smiled as he led the way to a training yard.

---------

"Pearl, let's go!" Misty called, summoning her faithful Starmie on the Red side of an outdoor arena.

"Venus, come on!" Joe summoned a pitcher plant-like Pokemon onto the Blue side of the arena.

Ash, meanwhile, decided to read up on what Joe had summoned:

"Weepinbell, the flycatcher Pokemon. It is a Pokemon that appears to be a plant. It captures unwary prey by dousing them with a toxic powder."

No matter what Joe may try, Misty has a counter for. Ash thought as Pearl and the Weepinbell traded attacks. Joe may have the advantage against a Water type, but Starmie is part Psychic too, taking advantage of the fact that Weepinbell is also part Poison. Joe needs to be careful here...

"Pearl, use Ice Beam!" Misty's call and a frozen blast snapped him back to reality.

"What???" Joe gasped as he hurried to collect his frozen and swirly eyed Weepinbell. "I thought I could beat you because Venus is a Grass type!"

"Didn't I tell you that real life is very different than a video game, Joe?" a familiar girl with thick brown wavy hair began as she arrived in the yard. "Since the real Pearl has real world battle experience, she won't go down as easily as her Trainer's Quest counterpart!"

She sighed. "I don't know why the administration keeps you here--you are a total embarrassment to the school! If I were the one in charge, you would've been expelled a long time ago..."

Brock winced as Giselle continued to rant. "She may be beautiful, but she literally rules the school like a queen!"

"Yeah...the Queen of Hearts from 'Alice in Wonderland'..." Ash shuddered in agreement.

A threat from Giselle snapped the boys to attention. "...If you don't shape up, Joe, I will personally force you to study alone, without any help!"

"Now wait a minute!" Misty interjected, stopping Giselle mid rant. "A true friend would not walk away from a friend in need of help! You may be beautiful outside, but inside, your heart is as ugly as a witch!"

Giselle said nothing. "You're just jealous, Redhead, because you're too plain for me. I would flatten you with a Graveler to prove I can beat a Pokemon with a disadvantage, but I don't know if you're worthy enough to fight me."

"Graveler?" Ash looked to Brock as Misty and Giselle continued arguing.

"If I may borrow your Pokedex for a second?" Brock asked.

After pressing a few buttons, he showed Ash an image of a large rugged rock being Pokemon on the Pokedex screen. "A Graveler is this guy..." he explained as he gave the Pokedex back to Ash to study.

"Graveler, the rock Pokemon. They descend from mountains by tumbling down steep slopes. They are so brutal, they smash aside obstructing trees and massive boulders with thunderous tackles."

Ash swallowed hard at the entry. "I can see how a trained Graveler could possibly beat a trained Water or Grass type..."

"...Besides, weak Pokémon can still win if they are better trained." Giselle told Misty with a smug smile, aware of the growing crowd of students watching the argument out of concern.

A podium overlooking the yard got Ash's attention. A podium! Maybe I can tell the students that there's more to training than all these stats and numbers--and Giselle is wrong!

After dashing to the podium and gently tapping the mic to make sure it worked, Ash addressed the crowd. "Everyone...there is so much more to training Pokémon than levels, stats, natures, EV's, IV's, special formes, and special evolutions. It's about getting to know your Pokemon for the unique creatures they are, bonding with them, learning with them and from them, and being there for them through thick and thin. There's no such thing as strong or weak Pokemon--even the weakest Magikarp can become a mighty Gyarados with enough love and care."

He proudly showed off the Boulder Badge and Cascade Badge he owned. "Even though I have only been on the road for two short months, I already have two badges!"

Giselle was unimpressed as the huge crowd of students gasped in awe and chattered with excitement. "So you beat two weak Gym Leaders with the power of love...big deal."

"Hey..." Misty growled.

"Come a little closer and say that..." Brock agreed, striking a fighting pose. "I happen to know Raikou style kung fu, if you want me to defend Ash's honor!"

Giselle ignored Misty and Brock, and approached the podium. "I'm amazed you haven't even taught your Pikachu how to return to its Poke Ball! So are you training your Pokémon, or are they training you? Hm?"

Ash summoned Wings and Mina for Giselle to see. "Tintri, Wings, and Mina are my friends!"

"Really? Most beginners should have a full team of six Pokémon by the time they get two Badges, and you only have half of that!" Giselle gasped. "Maybe those two Badges are beginner's luck!"

She went on "I'm surprised that you chose Pikachu as your starter, as they are known to be hard to handle. Guess you wanted to try and tame a 'shocking' personality!"

[YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!!] Tintri screeched as Giselle howled with laughter.

"Okay, if I'm so terrible at Pokemon training, then let's duel!" Ash snapped back. "Let's see whose style of training is better!"

To Be Continued...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 14c: The School of Hard Knocks (part 3)

Previously, on "Pokemon Lightning Yellow"...

Giselle ignored Misty and Brock, and approached the podium. "I'm amazed you haven't even taught your Pikachu how to return to its Poke Ball! So are you training your Pokémon, or are they training you? Hm?"

Ash summoned Wings and Mina for Giselle to see. "Tintri, Wings, and Mina are my friends!"

"Really? Most beginners should have a full team of six Pokémon by the time they get two Badges, and you only have half of that! Maybe those two Badges are beginner's luck!

She went on "I'm surprised that you chose Pikachu as your starter, as they are known to be hard to handle. Guess you wanted to try and tame a 'shocking' personality!"

[YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!!] Tintri screeched as Giselle howled with laughter.

"Okay, if I'm so terrible at Pokemon training, then let's duel!" Ash snapped back. Let's see whose style of training is better!"

In the arena, Giselle summoned a brown reptilian Pokemon with a skull for a helmet. "Lagrima, let's go!"

Piqued, Ash read up on his opponent:

"Cubone, the lonely Pokemon. If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes and emits a plaintive and mournful sound."

"Tintri, try Seismic Toss!" Ash called. Tintri's electricity would be useless--Cubone is a Ground type, according to the Pokedex!

He gasped in shock as the Cubone wriggled free from Tintri's grip! "WHAT???"

"Lagrima, lower the Pikachu's defense with Leer!" Giselle called.

Tintri, meanwhile, was unfazed at the Cubone's glowing red eyes, and opted to make some funny faces. [Nya-nya, nya-nya-nya! Nya-nya, nya-nya-nya!]

The crowd watched for a moment as both Cubone and Pikachu stared each other down. Giselle broke the silence some moments later. "Lagrima, use Bone Club!"

Ash winced as the Cubone bonked Tintri with a bone. That had to hurt... he thought as Tintri came stumbling back to him with Pidgeys spinning around his head.

Giselle's next call made him gasp. "Lagrima, let's finish this with Bonemerang!"

Ash heaved a relieved sigh as Tintri managed to jump over the large bone headed for him! "No fair making a vicious attack on an already battered Pokemon!"

"If I did it once, I can do it again to unplug your precious Pikachu!" Giselle shot back. "Lagrima, use Bonemerang again!"

"Tintri, show this bully who's boss!" Ash called. "You've got this!"

[Yeah!] Tintri nodded before jumping over the Cubone and shoving its skull down over its eyes, rendering it unable to see. The crowd then watched in amazement as Tintri bit the Cubone, then darted away, allowing the Cubone's own Bonemerang to knock it out!

Giselle wasn't sure what to make of her swirly eyed Cubone. "I can't believe it...your Pikachu won without a single bolt of electricity...." she began as she recalled her fainted Pokemon. "The textbook didn't say anything about this..."

In the crowd, Misty, Brock, and Joe watched in amazement as Tintri took a bow for the crowd. "Wow! Ash took Giselle down like a tough boss in Trainer's Quest!" Joe gasped. "I think that's the first time that Giselle has ever lost that I can remember!"

"Ash's victory was not a fluke..." Misty assured Joe. "He won because he believes in his Pokemon, and in return, they believe in him."

As the crowd dispersed, Giselle took a moment to reflect on what had just taken place. "Maybe the most important lessons can't be found in a book..." she mused. "Maybe you were right when you said that the key to being a successful trainer is love and trust."

She looked over at the group and Joe. "I'm not going to run the school like a prison anymore--I'm gonna try and follow Ash's example of loving and trusting the students and their Pokemon. No more Power Training, and no more drills of facts and figures! While numbers are only part of the equation, you have to love each Pokemon too--even the weakest of Magikarp!"

The school erupted in relieved cheers when the students saw that their top student and leader had changed for the better. "What's next for you, Joe?" Brock asked. "Are you gonna stay here now that Giselle and the students won't harass you anymore?"

"Actually..." Joe began. "While I wish Giselle and PTI the best, I think I'm gonna withdraw and go on an adventure like you guys. You've shown me that real world experience is way better than any textbook when it comes to Pokemon."

Ash smiled. "Well...no matter where your new journey takes you, Joe, I hope we meet again one day."

Joe smiled as he linked pinkies with Ash. "Let's meet again one day!"

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 15a: Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village (part 1)

"...I'm SURE Vermilion City is this way!" Ash announced as the group made their way down a path a few days later.

"Then why are we going north?" Misty shot back, shoving a map of Kanto in Ash's face. "Vermilion City is to the south--not the direction we're going!"

"But according to my guidebook, we have to go north a little ways to reach the road going south..." Brock interjected, showing Misty a picture in the guidebook.

"Let me see that!" Misty snatched the guidebook away, then raised an eyebrow at the diagram. "Huh...maybe we do have to go north a little. Most maps of Kanto I have say you need to go due south to reach Vermilion..."

A breeze and some trembling made Misty realize where the group was--a rope bridge! "Great--we've somehow walked onto one of those rickety rope bridges that have to show up somewhere in every adventure movie we've ever watched..."

Ash tensed up as he hard a snap. "Knowing our luck, the bridge is gonna snap right about..."

Just then, a gust of wind made the bridge snap in two! "NOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!!!" Ash screamed as he, Misty, and Brock went tumbling down into the water below.

Brock was first to surface. "Everyone okay?" he managed to sputter before coughing up some water.

"Aside from being soaked and cold, I'm fine." Misty replied as she surfaced. "Now all that's left is to see if Ash is okay..."

Ash surfaced some moments later. "Well, I don't see anyplace we can come ashore..." he mused as he wrung out his cap. "What if no one finds us? What if we're washed out to sea and shanghaied by pirates?"

Misty sighed as the trio drifted along the current. "Just how many episodes of 'Pirate Hunter Queen' do you watch a day?"

---------

Some moments later, the three come ashore, where a blue haired girl with a red headband was waiting for them. "Well! It's not very often that I see travelers out this way...my name is Melanie."

"Pleased to meet you...I'm Brock, a traveling storyteller." Brock replied as Misty and Ash climbed onto dry land. "These two are my companions, Ash, and Misty."

Melanie looked over the group as she draped towels over them. "You three don't look at to be troublemakers at all--so if you'll come with me, I'll take you to the Hidden Village. I know all the safe ways there, away from all the traps and deterrents."

"Hidden Village? Traps?" Ash was intrigued.

"You'll see when we get there, okay?" Melanie assured Ash as she lead the group through the brush, away from various pitfalls, ropes, and other traps.

---------

"Okay...good thing my guitar's okay, and survived our little misadventure." Brock mused when he saw his guitar was none the worse for wear.

"Fiddle's fine here, somehow..." Misty reported.

After blowing out some water from his two whistles, Ash tried a few notes on the silver D whistle, only for them to sound clean. "Both whistles are okay!"

He looked up from inspecting his instruments to find that the group had arrived in a large flower filled village filled with Pokemon. "Wow..."

"Are all these Pokemon yours?" Misty gasped in amazement at the many Pokemon going about their daily routines.

"The Hidden Village is a place for abandoned or injured Pokémon to rest and relax." Melanie explained. "If they are injured, I do my best to care for them until they are better, and then they go to seek their own fortune. Granted, I'm nowhere near as skilled as a Pokemon Center nurse, but I do pretty well."

"What about the abandoned ones?" Now Ash was curious.

"The abandoned ones stay here for as long as they like--or until they feel they are ready to leave here." Melanie explained. "I set all the traps around the village, including the rope bridge, to prevent troublemakers from reaching the village and protect the Pokémon from being captured."

Brock nodded to show he understood. "You have our word that we won't catch any of the Pokémon that live here in the village--not unless they make the choice to go with us."

"Trainer's honor!" Misty smiled, making the three fingered scout sign for emphasis.

"Are the traps we saw on the way to the village going to be enough to keep thieves and rogues away?" Ash wondered, concerned. "I'm not sure pitfalls, nets and ropes will deter the more determined thieves..."

"Sure, I'm sure...no troublemaker has yet made it in to the village without encountering the traps first." Melanie explained as a small reptilian Pokemon with a large bulb on its back joined her. "If they did make it in, this Bulbasaur chased them off."

Bulbasaur...that's one of the three starters of this region! Ash remembered before retrieving his still dry Pokedex:

"Bulbasaur, the seed Pokemon. The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows."

A blinking MORE icon got Ash's attention. "Bulbasaur's final form, Venusaur, is capable of Mega Evolution should the trainer have an awakened Heart Song."

[I don't care what kind of superpowered song you know...] the Bulbasaur growled. [You're not laying a finger on my charges!]

"But what if they ask to come with me?" Ash replied.

[If they make the decision for themselves, I'll respect that.] the Bulbasaur explained. [But I will not tolerate you making that decision for them!]

"Okay! I'm not going to catch anyone--all I ask for is food and a bed for tonight, at least." Ash assured the Bulbasaur. "In exchange for some entertainment, maybe?" he asked as he located one of his two whistles.

The Bulbasaur glanced at Melanie. [How bout it, Melanie? Should we let these humans stay for a while?]

"They look like trustworthy people, so I see no harm in letting them stay." Melanie replied. "They've promised not to catch anyone many times over."

[Okay...I am holding them to that promise.] the Bulbasaur mused before leading the group to a large cabin near the village's square...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Interlude: Planting the Seeds of Trust


"Wow..." Ash gasped as the group arrived in the cabin some time later. "This is beautiful!"

[This is the Council House of the Hidden Village.] the Bulbasaur explained. [It is where we gather for both important meetings, as well as celebrations. Guests also get to stay here, as well--there's plenty of room for you and your companions.]

"The flowers and vines are beautiful..." Misty agreed as she admired the many roses, chrysanthemums, geraniums and other flowers interwoven between the cabin's logs. "Did you plant them from your bulb?"

The Bulbasaur nodded. [Every last one was one of my seeds. Each one has a special meaning to us, but I would need all night to explain all their meanings.]

Brock knelt down to the Bulbasaur's level. "I make my keep as a traveling storyteller--would you like me to share some of the stories I've found with everyone?"

[Please do!] the Bulbasaur smiled. [It would make perfect entertainment for our dinner tonight!]

---------
Once Melanie and some Pidgeys had delivered dinner to the residents of the village, they turned to a stage at the north end of the room. "In a certain village lived an artisan who made his keep making paper flowers to sell as decorations." Brock began as a spotlight appeared on him. "He had a daughter named Hikari, who was as equally skilled as her father. One day, as Hikari was walking in a field looking for new ideas for flower designs, she found a Beautifly trapped in an Ariados web, and set it free moments before it could become the Ariados' dinner."

Relieved murmurs filled the room. "Back at home, Hikari told her mother about the trapped Beautifly, and how she had freed it." Brock went on. "Her mother only smiled and said that a good deed does not go unrewarded."

He went on "Hikari soon became famous for her paper flowers, and many people came from far and wide to request one--whether it was a noble or a commoner, all who bought Hikari's flowers raved that they were so realistic, you almost couldn't tell they were just paper."

Even the Bulbasaur gasped in amazement at this. "Now, at that time, there was a law in the land that said no Pokemon--not even a Venonat--could be killed, injured, or otherwise forcefully struck for any reason, not even in self defense." Brock interjected, quieting the chatter. "This meant that herders could not protect their Tauros and Mareeps from Mightenas, and summers were all the more miserable thanks to endless Venonat bites."

Laughter filled the room as Brock feigned scratching imagined Venonat bites for a moment. "One day, as Hikari and her father were in town selling their paper flowers, a wild Growlithe surprised Hikari." Brock explained. "It would have bitten her had her father not brandished a stick as a warning. The magistrate saw the whole thing, and arrested Hikari's father for attempting to harm the Growlithe, when he had in fact never laid a finger on the Growlithe to begin with."

[That's not very nice!] the Bulbasaur gasped, brandishing her vines as if the magistrate in Brock's story was there.

"It didn't help that some magistrates, like the one in the town, tried to game the system because of the law." Brock went on. "They arrested people when they in fact did nothing wrong; all in an attempt to gain the bounties for people that actually had broken the law."

More angry murmurs filled the room at this. "Hikari calmly told the magistrate that her father had only brandished a stick at the Growlithe to warn it away, and nothing more." Brock assured his antsy audience. "The magistrate then proposed a test for Hikari--if she could pick out a paper flower from a lineup of four other real ones, he would trust her claim, and set her father free."

He next revealed his twist in the tale. "As Hikari studied the lineup of flowers, she saw the Beautifly from before. It sipped nectar from all the flowers except for the second one."

Cheers filled the Council House at this. "The magistrate was stunned that Hikari had passed the test, and asked Hikari how she could tell that the second flower was only paper." Brock went on. "Hikari told the magistrate about the Beautifly, and how it had passed over the second flower, but gathered nectar from the real flowers."

He concluded. "So Hikari's father was set free, and his crime forgiven, thanks to the Beautifly."

Cheers filled the Council House as Brock took a bow. [Bravo!] the Bulbasaur cheered as she "applauded" with her vines. [Your friend is indeed as skilled as he claims to be!]

"Thank you..." Brock smiled to the cheering Pokemon and Melanie. "Ash, Misty, come help me with this next tale--I'll need your instruments for this one."

Once Ash and Misty had joined Brock on the stage, Brock started his next tale. "Once a boy was wandering through a forest one night, on his way home from a hunt. It was late that night, and there was no moon to light his way."

Melanie swallowed hard, but Brock had other ideas. "Suddenly, he heard a scream way off in the distance, and a mage dashed through some nearby bushes. A pack of Mightyenas pursued him. The boy readied an arrow and fired at the biggest Mightyena, killing it. The rest of the Mightyenas fled in terror."

The Pokemon cheered at this. "The mage was grateful, and promised his deliverer whatever he wished in return for spending the night with him." Brock went on.

"I would desire nothing more than a night's rest--I have been hunting all day, and have lost my way back home." Ash jumped in the role of the boy.

"The mage took the boy to his cabin that lay in a clearing." Brock continued. "No sooner had the boy arrived, did he lie down and fall into a deep sleep. After some time, the mage's servant girl was interested in how the boy saved her master. She asked him to tell her about the encounter. Once the boy had finished his tale, the servant girl instructed him..."

"If my master asks if you desire a reward for saving his life, request the third Ponyta that in the stable." Misty fills in the girl's dialogue.

"Some time later, the mage returned with a grand haul from his hunt, and the three of them sat down to a great meal together." Brock continued. "Besides the meat, there was fruit of all kinds, the finest cheeses, and fresh water unlike any other. When the meal had ended, the mage asked the boy..."

"I must thank you again for saving my life--do you desire any reward?" he asked in character as the mage.

"I only want the third Ponyta in the stables." Ash replied as the boy.

"The mage tried again and again to talk the boy into reconsidering his offer, but the boy insisted on the Ponyta." Brock went on as the group retrieved their instruments. "Finally, the mage relented, and also granted the boy three magic instruments--a guitar..."

He strummed a slow G chord for effect. "...a fiddle..."

Misty stroked a few notes for effect. "...and a flute...."

The Bulbasaur giggled as Ash played a high trill on his own whistle for effect. "The boy was told that should he ever be in danger, to play the guitar first." Brock explained. "If no help came, he was to play the fiddle, and if still no help came, to play the flute."

"Remember those instruments--they'll be important later!" Ash reminded their small audience...

---------
..."You would think by now, the groom would know to leave the boy alone, but no..." Brock intoned as he approached the story's climax. "Some time later, the groom appeared before the king a third time. He said that he had overheard the boy saying that he wished to have the throne for himself. Once again, the groom was lying through his teeth, but the king was angry enough to believe him."

"NO!!!!" Melanie gasped.

"The king was so angry, he didn't even bother to give the boy a trial, and ordered the boy killed right away." Brock continued. "The day of the execution came, and the boy was asked if he had any last requests. The boy nodded, and asked if he could play one last tune on the guitar. Leave was granted, and no sooner had the boy touched the strings, the executioner found himself dancing in spite of himself."

Tintri led the clapping as Brock proceeded to play "The Bluk Berry Flower" on his own guitar. "By the time the boy had finished, the executioner was so tired, he delayed the execution for a day." Brock continued when the applause quieted. "The story of the miracle guitar spread like wildfire. The next morning, a huge crowd had turned out to witness the execution. When asked if he had any last requests, the boy asked if he could play one last tune on the fiddle. No sooner had the bow met the strings, not only did the executioner dance, but so did everyone else in the crowd."

Melanie led the clapping as Brock and Misty launched into a guitar and fiddle rendition of "The Trainer's Cap". "By the time the boy finished, it was dark out, and so the execution was delayed another day." Brock went on. "On the third day, when the boy was asked if he had any last requests, he asked if he could play one last tune on the flute. The king refused him at first--he had bad memories of dancing away another day. But the princess interceded, saying that it was his last request, and a prisoner's last request was not to be denied. So the king plugged his ears with wax, and the groom tied himself to a tree to protect themselves. But no sooner had the boy blown one note, did the rest of the crowd dance again, barring the king and the groom."

Ash started the tune "The Meowth's Call" for effect. "After a few minutes, the mage appeared to the boy in a rush of wind and light." Brock narrated when Ash had finished the tune.

"What sort of danger are you in, that you have called for me?" he asked as the mage again.

"Someone present here has spoken a lie against me, and now the king wants to put me to death. The executioner is waiting for me to finish my song." Ash explained in character as the boy.

"The mage, meanwhile, charged some red light in his hands and called..." Brock narrated before calling in character. "Out of the ground, raze all greenery with flame! Fire!"

He played a mystical flourish with Misty to mimic the spell. "No sooner had the mage spoke, did a fireball come flying from the mage's hands, setting the gallows ablaze."

"And who was it that brought a false charge against you?" he asked as the mage again.

Ash points at an imagined person as Brock narrated "The boy pointed out the groom--who was still bound to the tree-- and the mage charged another ball of light, this one blue, and called..."

"Scatter your chilly sharp blades! Ice!"

Inspired, Tintri batted the bells at the house's entryway to mimic the spell. "Icicles came flying from the mage's hands, and they sliced up the tree and the groom to little pieces." Brock went on. "The king then realized that the boy was innocent, and that his groom had been lying to him all along."

"Thank Arceus..." Melanie was relieved the boy would be all right.

"So he ordered the boy freed, and offered the princess' hand in marriage as an apology. Brock concluded. "And so the boy and the princess were married. But the boy kept the three instruments and his Ponyta with him, just in case he needed their power again."

More cheers filled the house as the group took a bow. But Ash noticed the Bulbasaur's stern look was now an enthusiastic smile. I hope our performance is enough to convince the Bulbasaur to trust us!

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 15b: Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village (part 2)


"A little scrub over here, and we're done!" Brock smiled as he finished polishing a Staryu's jewel the next morning.

"Come on in, the water's fine!" Ash called to the Staryu, waving in the direction of a pond.

Misty smiled as the Staryu dove in the pond. "Maybe you two could dry the excess water off this Oddish after I'm done watering him?" The tiny sprout Pokemon giggled happily as the water ran down its skin and was absorbed.

[Oh, Sprout will let you know when he's had enough.] a familiar voice assured Misty.

"Huh?" Misty whirled around to see the Bulbasaur watching her. "Oh, good morning!"

[Caring for the residents, I see?] the Bulbasaur smiled. [One less seed for me to tend, then--carry on!]

Melanie watched the Bulbasaur walk off. "Bulbasaur's main job is to watch over the village, but she will assist anywhere there is a need."

A thwack of a Vine Whip snapped Ash to attention. [Back, back, you rogues!] he heard the Bulbasaur growl as she lashed a boy in delinquent's torn and faded clothing. [Don't lay a finger on these Pokemon!]

"Relax, Miss Bulby, we're not gonna do that..." one delinquent sneered before turning on a massive vacuum cleaner. "We're gonna pick'em up all at once, then give them out as trophies to the gang!"

"Where'd you get that?" Ash demanded as he, Misty, and Brock joined the Bulbasaur in staring down the delinquents.

"Some tough types in an R uniform, why?" one delinquent replied as he watched the vacuum power up. "Just try and stop us, hat-boy!"

As the large vacuum roared to life, Brock realized what was about to happen. "Everyone! Back to the Council House, quickly!"

As the various Pokemon followed Melanie and the group towards the Council House, Ash balked in horror as the Oddish was caught up in the suction! "Oh no!"

[Sprout! Catch!] the Bulbasaur called before lashing a vine for the Oddish to hold onto. [There...I have you, now don't let go!] she assured the Oddish.

Ash ran into the rapidly intensifying suction and braced himself against a tree, creating a human shield to block the wind. "There...I'm gonna try to hold off the suction for as long as I can--get the Oddish to safety!" he instructed the Bulbasaur.

The Bulbasaur nodded. [Such a brave human...I'll be back to help shortly!]

The delinquents snickered as they watched the Bulbasaur dash off to the Council House. "Their little safe zone is gonna be not-so-safe here in a moment..."

The Bulbasaur balked in horror as she watched the delinquents start to move the vacuum directly over the cabin! [My duty is to protect this place, or die trying!] she vowed.

She fired a vine at the vacuum hose. [HAAAAH!!!!]

Ash arrived moments later, just in time to see the Bulbasaur battering the vacuum hose. Say...if I can fight wind with wind...

He heaved a Pokemon skyward. "Mina, lend the Bulbasaur a wing, and help protect this village!"

[Know this, punks! The Pokemon here are not yours for the taking!] Mina screeched over the vacuum. [You think you're so powerful with a vacuum? Then feel my hurricane of fury!]

Ash and the Bulbasaur watched as Mina fired off a massive Gust, tossing the delinquents and their vacuum into the sky with a ping. "Good bye, and good riddance, punks!" Ash grinned.

[Okay, everyone! The intruders are gone!] the Bulbasaur called to the village residents.

Melanie smiled as the Pokemon emerged from the Council House, cheering for the humans that had saved them. "Well done, Ash--your courage and quick thinking saved the Hidden Village from being blown away!"

[Melanie...I think its time I left the village to go with these travelers.] the Bulbasaur replied. They are all clearly very talented, but I feel I could learn a lot from this young man's courage and kindness. There are no shortage of candidates for a new guardian, so I trust you will find some that will do as good a job as I did]

"Okay...Melanie smiled as she hugged the Bulbasaur one last time. "Since I never thought to name this Bulbasaur, I will let you give her a name, as a sign she is yours now." she told Ash.

Ash nodded. "I have just the name for her...Saria!"

"Oh, Link's friend in the upcoming Zelda game!" Misty remembered. "I've been hearing that 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' is gonna be amazing when it comes out!"

Brock smiled as he watched Ash and the Bulbasaur snuggle together. "If you want, I can teach you some stories to tell to your new guardian and the residents..."

"It's all right..." Melanie assured Brock. "I think you'll learn even more stories to tell us if you continue on your way."

Ash shepherded his new companion at his side. "Well, welcome to the team, Saria...the seeds of adventure will grow into flowers of memories!" Everyone laughed in agreement as they departed from the village...

 

[SparklingBlue]

Episode 16: Charmander, the Stray Pokemon


"Great...we're lost again..." Misty grumbled as the group arrived back at a fork in the road for what felt like the umpteenth time. "Just how hard is it to go due south to Vermilion City?"

"Actually, the trail we're on intersects Route 24, which in turn leads straight south to Vermilion City." Ash explained, proudly showing Misty the map, with their planned route marked in green.

"This is why I made sure to mark the route." Brock agreed as he accepted the map from Ash and put it away. "So it would minimize the chance of our getting lost."

"If you say so, oh mighty leader..." Misty sighed, not looking forward to taking the long way to Vermilion City.

A large shadow snapped her from her frustration. "Funny--is there supposed to be an eclipse going on--or something?"

"Not to my knowledge...look over there!" Brock called, pointing out a tiny orange lizard Pokemon with a flaming tail sitting on a rock in the distance. "That was what was causing the shadow."

Ash recognized the tiny lizard Pokemon. That's a Charmander--another of Kanto's starters!

The Pokedex confirmed his thoughts:

"Charmander, the lizard Pokemon. The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly."

Brock noticed that the Charmander's tail flame was flickering, and not the hearty blaze it needed to be. "Look there...there's barely any flame on this Charmander's tail at all! I don't know how it got here, or why, but we need to help it before its fire goes out!"

[Let me ask our Charmander how it got there, and if we can help it at all.] Tintri suggested as he hopped on the rock.


Misty watched as Tintri and the Charmander talked. "Can't we just reignite its tail flame? Or does reigniting it require some specialized procedure?"

"You can reignite a Charmander's tail flame with a match, but it would only be a temporary strength boost." Brock explained. "You'd have to treat the underlying problem before its fire burns brightly again."

About then, Tintri addressed the group. [Okay...our Charmander says he is waiting for someone to return for him--he didn't say who, but I presume it is his master.]

Brock noticed Ash's dejected look. "I know...you wanted to help that Charmander. But if he belongs to someone else, it is probably for the best to leave him be for now."

"Okay..." Ash sighed as the group turned to leave. "I hope his master comes and gets him soon."

---------

Later that afternoon, the group hurried inside a Pokémon Center just as rain started pelting the windows. "Whew...we made it to shelter before the heavens opened up!" Misty smiled, relieved that the group did not have to brave the rain.

Brock noticed the glum look on Ash's face as he made himself comfortable on a couch overlooking the front desk and the hall leading to the on site lodge. "Still thinking about that Charmander?"

"Yeah...part of me wonders just how long he's been waiting out there." Ash explains. "Or if he is waiting for a master who will never come."

Laughter snapped the boys to attention. "You just left your Charmander to the elements, Damian?" a dull blond haired boy asked a blue haired boy in a pink, red, and brown outfit.

The blue haired boy smirked. "That little lizard was was so weak, I left him on a rock out in the middle of nowhere...and I have no plans to come back for him whatsoever!"

Ash balked as the boys laughed again. "Wait a minute...the Charmander we saw before, and the Charmander that this Damian guy is talking about...they are one and the same!"

"Stay put for right now...I'm gonna go give our 'friend'--although judging from his behavior, he doesn't deserve to be called a friend--Damian a piece of my mind..." Brock growled, a note of anger in his voice.

Misty approached the red couch Ash was seated on as she watched Brock try to calmly talk to Damian. "Wow... this is the first time I've seen Brock mad before."

"Considering that he's had to deal with nine other kids in the house, he is trying to find a solution that benefits everyone without resorting to yelling." Ash explained. "Although you can hear the anger in his voice. If this were my dad, he would be a little louder, but not flat out yelling."

"THEN WHY DID YOU JUST LEAVE A POKEMON TO DIE?" the group heard Brock yell, bringing all the activity in the Pokemon Center grinding to a halt. "NO DECENT TRAINER DOES THAT!!!! Go back and get him, and treat him with the love and respect he deserves, NOW!!!!"

Seconds seemed to tick by like hours before Damian finally responded. "If you want him, you go get him."

"All right, I will." Brock growled as Damian and his friends departed. "My companions and I plan to give him more love, care, and respect than you ever could."

He noticed Ash and Misty looking at him, concerned. "Come on, guys--let's go back and rescue that Charmander before the rain puts out his fire. His 'trainer' never loved him from the beginning, so let's give him the love he longs for by saving his life."

"Yeah!" Ash agreed as he led the way into the rain. Arceus, I hope we're not too late to save that Charmander!

---------

As the group dashed through the rain, thunder and wind, Misty found a gaggle of Spearow diving at the rock, trying to desperately peck at a leaf shield the Charmander had made. "There! I see him!"

"Tintri, drive off those Spearow with a Thundershock!" Ash called. "Be careful not to hurt the Charmander!"

[HAAAAAAAAH!!!!] Tintri cried as he fired a huge thunderbolt, sending the Spearow fluttering away in panic.

[You risked your life for me?] the Charmander weakly smiled as he braced himself from a wind gust. [Thank you!]

"I couldn't leave you here to await a watery fate." Ash explained as he gently scooped up the Charmander in a fireproof blanket. "You're safe with me, okay? We're gonna do everything we can to help you."

Once sure the Charmander was secure in the fireproof blanket, Ash watched as Brock lit a weatherproof emergency match, then touched it to the Charmander's dim tail flame. "There...this should give it the strength to make it to the Pokemon Center. After that, he's in Arceus' and Nurse Joy's hands."

Misty nodded in agreement. "Let's go--we need to move quickly if we're gonna save this little guy!"

---------

"...and we found out its trainer just left it there to die." Ash explained to Nurse Joy some time later. "Is there a way you can save him?"

"He's very weak from being out in the elements for so long." Nurse Joy explained as she examined the Charmander. "There is a chance we can still save him--you did the right thing by bringing him here. But the procedure to save his life will take a while, so go get some rest for the night. We will do everything we can to save this Charmander, okay?"

Tears welled up in Ash's eyes. "Okay...thank you."

Misty noticed Ash's tears as she led the way to a room in the lodge are. "I know you're scared for that little Charmander--Brock and I are too. But I trust Nurse Joy and her team know what they're doing."

As the group arrived in their room, Ash felt a Super NES controller land in his lap. "Let's get our minds off the Charmander for a bit--you, me, 'Super Mario Kart'?" Brock suggested, the TV showing that he had already chosen Luigi for a 2 player Grand Prix.

"Yeah!" Ash smiled as he immediately moved the 2P icon over to Yoshi...

---------

The next morning, Misty noticed Ash was still fast asleep, despite the sun now streaming in the window. "Did he stay up all night gaming, or worrying about the Charmander?"

"I know just the thing to wake him up...it's almost 10 AM." Brock smiled before finding his referee's whistle and blowing it hard, startling Ash and sending him scrambling to not fall on the floor. "Good morning, sleepyhead!"

"Mm...can we not do any more whistle wake up calls?" Ash yawned as he steadied himself. "I am hungry, though..."

"They're changing over to lunch at the buffet, so get dressed and we'll get a little bite to eat." Misty assured Ash.

Nurse Joy met the group as they emerged in the Pokemon Center's main hall. "Good morning, you three...your Charmander made it through the night, and should be just fine."

Relieved sighs filled the air at this. "Can we go see him yet?" Ash asked.

He smiled as a Chansey wheeled out the now healed Charmander on a gurney. [Here he is--he is quite the fighter!]

"Since this Charmander was officially abandoned by its old trainer, I am releasing him to your custody." Nurse Joy explained. "All you need to do is give him a name, and he is now yours."

Ash studied the Charmander, who smiled at him happily. "Let's see...he looks like a Blaze to me. How does Blaze sound for a Charmander name?"

[I like that!] the Charmander smiled as he embraced his new master...