In all of Johto, there was only one place to be if you were a Slowpoke: Azalea Town. Slowpokes were viewed as sacred to the land, as their yawns were believed to cause rain, making them essential for the crops. Thus, Slowpokes, Slowbros and Slowkings alike were allowed to roam free. Being slow and lazy, they didn't roam all that much, anyway.

Except for one.

Down in the town's well (known as "Slowpoke Well," as it was inhabited almost solely by Slowpokes) there lived only one Slowbro. He wasn't a typical Slowbro, either. While most Slowbros did have to stay more active than Slowpokes (as they were eating for both themselves and their parasitic Shellder on their tail), this Slowbro was the most active one that any of the town had ever seen.

This Slowbro loved to take jogs around the town, to spar with the Spearrows that lived nearby and to stay generally active. It was most unusual, everyone agreed. Still, Slowbro was happy and since he was the strongest Pokemon in town, he was generally seen as the Well's protector.

…of course, there wasn't all that much to protect.

That was the problem: Slowbro was bored. And so it was one day that he decided to journey down to the deepest level of the well to speak with their leader, Slowking.

"Master Slowking," Slowbro said to him, "I come seeking advice."

"And I guess I came with him," muttered the Shellder. "Not that I had much of a say in it, of course."

"What advice do you seek?" Slowking asked calmly.

"I'm bored," Slowbro admitted. "I've been bored for a long time, but I was afraid to ask, because I thought I would sound ungrateful for all the things that this Well and this town have done for me."

"You are brave to ask," said Slowking. "How can I aid your boredom?"

"Well," said Slowbro, "I wanted to ask your permission to leave."

Shellder gasped. "Leave? LEAVE? You're consulting this guy to leave and you never once asked ME?"

Slowbro ignored Shellder and continued. "I mean, what I really want to do is train at the Saffron City gym for psychic Pokemon."

Shellder moaned.

"I see," nodded Slowking. "That is very noble of you. I must say, I cannot think of anything that is stopping you from leaving."

"But aren't I the Well's protector?" Slowbro asked.

"You were never officially named such," admitted Slowking. "Nothing binds you here but yourself."

"And my wishes!" whined Shellder. "Doesn't anyone care what I think?"

"I do foresee dark days ahead," Slowking said softly, looking off into the distance.

"Dark days?" repeated Slowbro. "What kind of dark days?"

"I do not know," sighed Slowking. "It could mean many things. My predictions are always vague. Perhaps the Well will be under attack, or perhaps it will mean that we will all miss you."

"I doubt anyone would want to attack our Well," said Slowbro. "I'm sorry if you'll miss me, but I'll be sure to visit! I promise!"

"It is your own choice," said Slowking. "I wish you luck in whatever you choose."

Slowbro thanked his leader and began to climb to the Well's upper level.

"I can't believe you," growled Shellder. "Of all the Slowpokes in the world to bite, I had to bite YOUR tail."

"You knew what you were signing up for," Slowbro shot back.

"No, no I didn't. Every Shellder dreams of becoming a Slowbro's accessory. Once we're attached at the tail, I don't have to do any work. You get all the food for me. It's all part of being a parasite."

"So what's the problem?"

"Well, for one thing, you're always putting us in danger, especially when you get in fights with those Spearrows. But you're missing the big picture. We're living in a paradise here! No one is allowed to capture you, 'cause you protect the Well. Once you're outta here, trainers will be after you!"

"I'm fast on my feet for a Slowbro," replied Slowbro. "They have to catch me first, and the subway to Saffron isn't that far from here."

"I never should have bit your tail," Shellder said bitterly.

"So why don't you just let go? Go back to being a Shellder and leave me alone in the world as a Slowpoke?"

"You know perfectly well why!" snapped Shellder. "You were smart and showed initiative, even as a Slowpoke! You were the only one in the whole, wide Well that bothered sticking his tail into the water, making it possible for me to bite you! …aside from that one idiot who went and stuck his head in. And he somehow ended up as your leader! What a cushy life he's got, sitting around and dispensing vague advice all the time!"

Slowbro stopped and turned around, facing the Shellder. "Do NOT insult Slowking! He's our oracle! And your brother's the one who bit his head."

"Yeah, the lucky jerk."

By now, Slowbro had reached the top of the Well where all the Slowpokes were lounging around.

"Goodbye, everyone!" Slowbro called.

The Slowpokes yawned.

With a smile, Slowbro waved to them and walked out of the Well and into the world.

This is a very special story to me, as it was one of the first fanfics I ever wrote...kind of. This is a heavily revised version of an old story that I never posted. Characters have come and gone, but I've had this story floating around for years and years. Slowbro is my favorite Pokemon, and I believe he deserves a chance to shine.