I awoke early the next morning and left the house without eating breakfast to go see the growlithe, my brother Kyle was already there since he was scheduled to work. I got to the center and went back to see the growlithe, he had just gotten new bandages and was trying to get up when I walked in the room, he whimpered because his legs still hurt him to bad to really get up. I walked to him and pet him "It's okay growlithe, don't try to move too much yet." I said, he nuzzled and then licked my hand, like he was saying thank you.

Kyle came in a few minutes later, "Ah Kai I didn't know you were here yet, did you eat before you left?"

"No, I was in a hurry to get here. Hey Kyle, I was thinking about a name for growlithe... I like Ace what do you think?" just when I said that the growlithe raised its ears and its tail, it lifted its head and seemed to be... smiling.

"Well it looks like he agrees, but Kai... it is probably best to not get too attached to him... you know how mother feels about you getting a Pokemon and will probably have us release him." He said placing his hand on my shoulder, he knew I was starting to get upset, but he had a point.

"Maybe she will let me keep him though... just until he is fully recovered at least." I looked at Kyle knowing he couldn't resist my sad eyes, growlithe seemed to mimic me in doing the same thing with his eyes looking up at Kyle.

"Oh alright listen, when nurse Joy says he can be released we will take him home til mom and dad get back, then you can plead your case to them alright. Now quit looking at me with those eyes." he laughed, growlithe swished his tail again in approval. "I gotta get back to work now sis, stay here with growlithe and let me know if you leave ok."

"Ok, I promise." I said with a smile, I looked back at growlithe and he laid his head back down, "May I call you Ace?" I smiled as he raised his head back up for a second and swished his tail back and forth in approval. Nurse Joy came in a little while later and brought me some pancakes, she also brought food for Ace and wrote his new name down on his chart. I spent most of the day there keeping Ace comfortable, strolling around the Pokecenter often so he could rest alone. When we were together he would talk to me when I pet him, very slowly of course but he seemed happy. We were already forming a close bond.

Later in the evening my best friend Ninguin came in as I was messaging Ace's leg, "Ace, I love you so much. I promise to take good care of you until you are better. I'll play with you til your leg is better or until you are ready to go back to your family..." just then Ninguin had grabbed my attention and Ace lifted his head up and looked at him happily.

Ninguin told me that his parents had gotten home a while ago and his father was proud of how we rescued the growlithe, he seemed to love the nickname I gave him. He was so excited that he was going to watch his father battle tomorrow, his father was the Viridian city gym leader. He took over when Giovanni disappeared and that was why Ninguin had moved to the area around the same time that we did. He stayed for a little while before he had to return home, "Enjoy watching the battle tomorrow Nin! I will probably be here again, I promised Ace I would stay here until he got better." I smiled

"Hey who knows, maybe you will catch a growlithe for your first Pokemon Kaiz." He said jokingly, like me, he knew my mother would probably have me release him once he recovered. It wasn't long after that Kyle said it was time to head home, so I said good night to Ace and we went home.

Almost a full week had passed and I visited Ace every day in the Pokemon center, his front right leg was no longer broken thanks to chansey but it was still weak and bandaged tightly. I was filled with joy when Nurse Joy said we could take him home. Ace and I immediately went to Ninguins house so we could all play. Ace was walking but still weak so we didn't push him hard, he loved playing fetch though so we had fun.

Another week passed and Ace had improved almost exponentially, he no longer needed the bandage to support his leg and his other cuts and bruises had healed nicely, even Kyle was impressed with him. It was almost time for our parents to return home, and I was so nervous to introduce them to Ace but I was also nervous for their reaction.

"Kai they will be here in just a few minutes, you sure you and Ace are ready to plead your case with mother?" he chuckled jokingly then looked outside as mom and dad arrived on the shuttle bus. "They are here, come on Kai."

I looked nervously to Ace, and he seemed nervous too "Don't worry Ace... I'm sure they will absolutely love you." I said trying to convince myself the same, we walked out the door and seen Kyle already gathering their luggage, I ran to my parents and hugged them because I was so happy to see them. Ace was right behind me, standing proudly as if he was auditioning in front of my parents for acceptance.

"Oh Kai, what is this growlithe doing here?" my mother asked

"It's a long story mom, come inside we will explain everything." Kyle said carrying part of their luggage

"It better be a good story." My father said looking at me sternly carrying the other half of their luggage into the house

"Trust me, you both will be very proud of Kai." Kyle said and he winked at me, Kyle was always sticking up for me when it came to our parents, Ace and I walked into the house and sat at the table waiting for the family to gather.

"Ok Kai, tell me what is going on here." Father said, I explained to them about Ninguin and I rescuing Ace and how Kyle saved us from the wild mankey and then how we nursed him back to health. Mother was very unhappy with me for going into the grass but nevertheless proud of me for saving him. I begged and begged for them to let me keep him until his leg was completely better or he wanted to return to his family, Kyle even helped me to convince them and they finally gave in, Ace and I cheered happily and I couldn't wait to share the news with Ninguin.

"Now of course you know Kai Lee, once he is better he has to go. Fire Pokemon can be dangerous if you aren't careful." Mom said

"Mom, you remember when Kai was little and she would play with Flannery's fire pokemon all the time, she's a natural I think she would do just fine." Kyle smiled,

"Kyle you know how your mom feels about Kai becoming a trainer, don't antagonize the situation." Dad said, mom was scared for me to be a trainer, saying it would mess with her chakras and her universe wouldn't be so zen. Dad on the other hand didn't seem to be as worried, of course with him being the regions Pokemart director I would always have access to the items I would need so he could at least feel comfortable about that.

Ace and I were anxious and left the grown-ups to their conversation, we immediately rushed to Ninguins house to tell him the news. He was just as excited as we were and we all went and played.