NOTICE!

There is a poll on my profile that labels what Fire type Naruto will have in this story! Go check it out! Also, what pairing do you want with Naruto? I don't have time to make a poll about it, since it would take a thousand years to just label ALL of the Pokemon girls and ALL of the Naruto girls. Guys might be there too to satisfy the... other crowd, but since it's not up there, I don't have to worry. Anyway, who do you want Naruto to have as a Fire type? It has to be a Kanto Pokemon however.

EDIT! Sorry! The poll is on my profile now! Sorry! It's the first time I ever done a poll!

Also, review responses are at the bottom now, since people don't want to scroll through responses that are at the beginning. It kinda kills the engagement to read.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor Pokemon. I swear to God the fanfic world will collapse if I did own them.


Running.

That was what was happening with Iruka as he ran through the different hallways of the Academy dorms and classrooms. He was full of anger while he was searching, but as he repeatedly see empty room after empty room, desperation and panic began to replace it. Now after opening the classroom door to discover an empty room for the umpteenth time, his feet nearly gave way and he leaned on the doorway due to the expense of his energy. His breath was erratic, but caught as he eyes were still wide.

'Damn, where the hell is he? I usually have no trouble finding him compared to the other instructors, but I can't find hide nor hair of him!' Iruka berated himself in his thoughts, as memories of dragging the kid's sorry ass back to be scolded multiple times. He thought he was doing the right thing with the scolding, but Iruka shook his head, knowing that the harsh things he has said to Naruto today certainly worked TOO well.

The scolding was about the incident when Naruto threw a Barboach at a student known as Sakura, in Sakura's 'perspective'. There were two things wrong with this picture.

One, where the hell did Naruto get a Barboach? The Whiskers Pokemon is a native from the Hoenn region, so where did he get it? Most likely from the wild, which is an almost impossibility in the Kanto region. This is what made Iruka intrigued about Naruto: how was he able to find a Barboach, let alone catch one without a Pokeball? (1)

Two, Iruka got the situation from Sakura herself. He usually believes Sakura, since the blond is usually the one who causes trouble, but now Iruka wasn't so sure. Sakura thinking that Naruto was a big annoyance was an understatement. She practically hated him most of the time, and most of the time, she blamed the situation, no matter how bad, on Naruto. Sure, Naruto usually has done some pretty nasty pranks like baiting Sasuke towards Hiruzen's age-old Charizard, dumping feces and urine on Kiba and locked Neji up in the cafeteria freezer multiple times, but those were usually the ones who berated Naruto's 'abilities' in battling. Also, it felt like Naruto was hiding something, specifically with his abilities in battling. Naruto knew what he was doing judging by the look in his eyes, but most of the time, he would call out the wrong command, or just plain stand there with a fake look of shock.

Iruka narrowed his eyes while he ran across the hallways and towards the front doors. Naruto was an enigma to him. The sensei knows that Naruto wants to be heard and gain attention from those around him. Most of all, however, he wants a friend. Sadly, many of the students do not like that and usually proceed to beat him down or shower insult after insult due to his test grades and battling. The more time this process progressed over the months, the more fake and downcast the cheery looks on Naruto's face are. Iruka clenched his teeth when the image of Naruto's fake smile appeared in his head, but with it, a depressed Naruto in tears. 'Just keep running, Iruka! Naruto's bound to be outside!' He thought.

"NARUTOOO!" Iruka cried out as he pushes his way out of the doors and into the orange-saturated landscape. He frantically looked left and right while running across the fields, trying to look for sun-blonde hair. However, when he reached the gate of the academy, he saw only the gates and…

"Professor?" Iruka panted out as he ran towards Hiruzen Sarutobi, his back facing towards the outside of the gate in his white robes. When the scarred man reached him however, he saw that his old face and eyes were dripping in tears. His eyes were still staring blankly towards the open road, almost as if he was experienced something dear to him leave his arms, and wishing whoever the person was, to come back right into the old man's arms.

"Naruto…" The old professor mumbled, tears still spilling freely. He gave a long sigh and turned around and started to walk towards the Academy dorms, with Iruka following. "You're probably wonder where the boy is, right Iruka-san?" He asked, without bothering to look at the ragged teacher.

"Huh? Oh y-yeah! D-Do you know where he went?" Iruka stuttered, trying to not break the poor professor's heart even more. Sadly, Sarutobi's eyes were even more downcast as he used his sleeve to wipe the tears away as he took a deep breath and replied with the inevitable.

"Naruto has deserted the Academy."

Almost immediately, Iruka's eyes widened in shock and tried to say something. Anything! But only incoherence was heard from the scarred man's jaw-slacked mouth. It was only after a few seconds that Iruka finally found his language and began to speak again.

"W-W-WHAT?! B-But why, Sarutobi-sama?!" Iruka all but demanded desperately. "W-We need to call the police! Release the hounds! Anyone who can find him! He's-!"

"IRUKA, ENOUGH!" Sarutobi raised his voice, his eyes will with a sad rage that Iruka has never seen before, and that shut him up. "I'm getting too old for this shit… Minato will kill me when he finds out. Then again, he barely pays attention to him due to his other children..." (2) He said to himself in a quiet voice, although silently praying that he would be too busy to call next week.

"S-So what do we do with Naruto?" Iruka asked, trying to get the answer he has been asking. Sarutobi was quiet for a while as he stopped in place, before walking again.

"Nothing. We let him go."

"H-Huh?!"

"He needs this, Iruka. He… and Chimchar…"

"Chimchar? You mean…"

"Yes. The one who couldn't produce fire."

"But why…?" Iruka couldn't shake the disbelief he had, his eyes filled with sadness and guilt. Professor Sarutobi lowered his head even more and responded in a low voice.

"His heart has decided, Iruka. I can't change that, not after all the bad happened to him."

After hearing that, the scarred teacher felt shivers down his spine, feeling the pangs of guilt in his heart.

"Oh… you mean the bullying? I-."

"Not just that, Iruka." Hiruzen interrupted. "There are dangers of hunting a son of famous trainers after all. I'll tell you when we get inside." Iruka relented after hearing that, and kept walking towards the main building. Hiruzen had one last thought before thinking on how to explain to Iruka on Naruto's escape.

'Damn, I really am way too old for this shit…' (3)

.o0o.

"Cmon *pant* Chimchar! Punch *pant* right through! *pant* UNLEASH *pant* YOUR *pant* POWEEER!"

"CHACHACHACHACHACHACHA!"

Naruto instructed in-between breaths as both he and the Chimp Pokemon kept ramming their sweaty bandaged fists to the cracked surfaces of the boulder. Before the boulder was perfectly smooth an hour ago, but now after relentlessly attacking the boulder using their chi on their fists, it was almost time for the piece of dome earth to break into pieces.

This was usually their daily fighting regimen that they follow one per day or two days, consisting of adjustments in terms of weights, stretching, 25 kilometres of running, 25 kilometres of running on the hands, 800 push-ups and sit-ups, tai chi stances and their many styles of fist fighting. One of them was a test of strength, hence why the boulder is their punching bag.

The boulder kept cracking and rupturing as the hits from Chimchar and Naruto became more solid. They both felt one last surge of chi energy and, in a simultaneous grunt, they punched the boulder, which caved in itself and exploded in a shower of pebbles, chunks and dust, revealing a cavern behind where the hard monolith once stood. After it cleared, no sound was heard other than Naruto and Chimchar heavily panting, their sweat dripping, and the wind giving a cool breeze to the sweat-drenched pair.

"Char…" Chimchar groaned as it got on all fours, wobbling tiredly after the intense workout. The Chimp then looked towards Naruto, who was on his bottom, his hair drooping with sweat. "Chim *pant* Chim *pant* Char?" It asked with a smile, but in a concerned tone. Naruto just smiled back.

"I'm fine, Chimchar. We'll go back to the nearby Pokemon Center…" Naruto responded, his panting slowing down, while getting up on his feet and picking up the Chimp Pokemon up onto his shoulder, or his "special seat" as Chimchar dubs it. After Chimchar was placed tightly on his shoulder, he began to walk along the mountainside, which is the direction towards the Pokemon Center, which was a kilometre from here.

"Chim char cha-ha?" A smiling Chimchar asked on Naruto's shoulder, albeit a little too confidently and a little out of the blue.

"The workout? Well…" Naruto said unsurely, a little too tired to think. "I could use some lunch now…" Naruto gave a chuckle, but was met with a glare from Chimchar.

"Umm Chimchar, what's-?"

"CHIIIIIMCHAR!" A shriek from Chimchar halted Naruto in his place, confusion and shock evident plastered on his face.

"Chimchar? What's wrong?!" Naruto began to worry due to Chimchar's sudden outburst. 'Did I say something wrong?' He thought. But then his eyebrow was raised when Chimchar went into a familiar stance. A thumbs up, the eyes that seemed to radiate with confidence, and an all-too familiar smile and shine.

"CHIIIIIMCHAR, CHAR!" Chimchar began to quote. "CHAR CHIIM CHAR CHAHA CHIM CHIIIIIIM CHIM CHAAAAAAA!" Chimchar screamed exuberantly, both of its fists pumped out into the air, smiling with its teeth shining, and its eyes white with spirit and fury. Even if Chimchar spoke in its own Pokemon-native tongue, Naruto knew that familiar phrase and its familiar scolding with familiar exuberance, almost as if it was echoing inside of him painfully.

.o0o.

"For trainees, that was a great job!" Gai complimented, smiling his usual crackpot smile. "So, both of you, how was the training?" He asked the two dead-looking pale trainees, both of them looking like they had their souls emptied out in a canister.

"Hurts… to… talk…" Naruto drawled on, not moving a muscle. It almost sounded like only his voicebox responded, but none of his facial muscles moved an inch. Chimchar also made the same drawling noise without moving a single facial muscle. Gai had a blank face from the response, but then quickly grew angry.

"NOT GOOD ENOUGH, NARUTO!" Maito Gai exuberantly "scolded" Naruto and Chimchar, both of them too tired to proceed with responding to Gai's question on the regimen. "EVEN IF YOU DO RESPOND WHILE IN THE MOST PAINFUL OF STATES POSSIBLE, RESPOND IT BACK WITH THE POWER OF THE FLAMES OF YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUTH!"

Many screams were let out by Naruto and Chimchar due to the mention of youth.

.o0o.

"YOSH SENSEI! WE SHALL MAKE OUR GLORIOUS FLAMES OF YOUTH EXPLODE, OR ELSE I WILL BE RUNNING AROUND THE KANTO REGION TWO THOUSAND TIMES ON MY HANDS!" Naruto blurted out, his hand shooting up towards his forehead in a salute. The phrase was bursting with a large amount of 'confidence' with a bit of panic spread on his face and trembling on his bodily form. It almost sounded like it was rehearsed or it was done by instinct.

By the time he was done, a few seconds of silence hovered in the air. Then, out of nowhere, Chimchar outright exploded in laughter and chortles, almost falling off of Naruto's tense shoulder. What Naruto has forgotten was that Chimp had a small mischievous side, and both of them often messed with each other, usually in terms of teasing, and never in physical harm. When Naruto realized what Chimchar did, his head formed veins about to explode in anger and embarrassment. (4)

"Oh, low blow, Chimchar…!" Naruto grumbled, crossing his arms and huffing and held back from grinding his knuckles on Chimchar's head. He continued walking towards the Pokemon Center, now visible across the horizon, with Chimchar still laughing its ass off. 'At least, no one but Chimchar and I saw was here to see that…' He thought to himself, mentally sighing in relief and looked towards the forest edges in embarrassment. However, what he saw caught his attention.

"Huh? Is that…?" Naruto's red contact eyes looked towards the trees and saw a small Pokemon laying down on the tree, in a near death-like state, bruises, cuts and scratches all over. The Pokemon had a yellow head that resembled a pitcher plant. Its body were brown vines and its arms were two green leaves, very thin at certain spots where there would have been holes drilled through. Its eyes were struggling to keep its eyes awake. "Hey!" Naruto called out and rushed over to the laying Pokemon, with the Chimp Pokemon ceasing its laughter to look at the Pokemon in front of it.

"B…Bell… sprout…" (5) It muttered in a weak and pained voice. It almost seemed afraid of Naruto and Chimchar, but their concerned eyes told a different story.

"Easy there, I'm not here to hurt you…" Naruto explained quietly, as he grabbed a Super Potion from his bag and began to spray on the wounds on the grass Pokemon's arms and face. It winced in pain, but it felt the wounds go away. It did not mean most of the pain went away though, but the face the Flower Pokemon adopted was one with confusion. Almost as if it did not expect help.

'It won't survive if I just use a Potion… maybe Nurse Tsunade knows…' Naruto said in his mind, as he gently picked up the wounded Pokemon and began to run towards the nearby Pokemon Center, with Chimchar adopting a serious face.

'Could it be…? Was this Bellsprout harmed by… humans?' (6) Were the thoughts of Chimchar, gripping its hand tightly unconsciously on the threads of Naruto's clothing.

"Chim…" Chimchar muttered darkly in its breath, with Naruto grip his hands even tighter around the Bellsprout at the mention of what Chimchar has said.

.o0o.

"Is Bellsprout going to live, Nurse Tsunade?" Naruto asked, worried for the Pokemon in front of him, lying on the white operating bed, being sprayed with Potions with a Chansey checking up on the poor Flower Pokemon.

"It was a close call. If you hadn't picked it up in half an hour, there was no way that Bellsprout would live, kid…" Nurse Tsunade, a little older and a little more serious and rugged than the one back at Pewter City, gently responded. (7) "It was a good thing you were there, and it was smart using a Super Potion, getting a couple of its worst wounds out of the way. It'll be all better in the next few days, Menma." Naruto could not help but plaster a small, yet proud smile on his face.

"Char? Chim chimchar?" Chimchar asked in its own language. The Nurse tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion from Chimchar's dialect, but thankfully, Naruto helped with the translation.

"He asks about what made Bellsprout into this. Do you know?" Naruto suggested, with Tsunade giving a thoughtful look on her face.

"It's possibly from a losing scuffle on Bellsprout's side. I just didn't think that this Pokemon would be roughed up to this degree… Although… why are you so caring about that Bellsprout anyway?" Tsunade asked, a little curious about why Naruto picked up the injured Pokemon. Sure he is a Trainer and it is not like he owns the Bellsprout, but why go out of his way?

"Well… it's our 'Trainer Way' (8) to not abandon other Pokemon in need, Nurse Tsunade." Naruto confidently replied, chuckling a little. Chimchar smiled at that thought, because it's how both of them fight and how they get their strength. It felt great that both of them are given the choice to help Pokemon. But now, Naruto needed to get back into the situation at hand. "Do you think that… maybe it was caused by its trainer?" Naruto asked, his hand gripped tightly. Chimchar's face contorted to one of anger, but chose to rein it inside himself. Tsunade's eyes widened a little before standing up and going to her computer.

"Might be… Let me check-up the databases." She said, picking up a pair of red glasses and began the onslaught of key typing sounds.

"Databases?" Naruto asked, with Chimchar tilting its head.

"It's simply where you can scan a Pokemon in the Pokemon Center, and basically, you can direct the coding of the Pokemon back towards the owner who owns the Pokeball. It's like a search engine." Tsunade explained, with Naruto nodding, but Chimchar didn't seem to get the hint as it narrowed its eyes. It chose to stay quiet though. Soon, a "ding" was heard and the ER room light turned off, with a Chansey coming through with a first aid kit, looking a little worse for wear, but otherwise fine. Chimchar looked like he was going to bolt inside, but then both the Chimp and Naruto looked back at the nurse. "Looks like Chansey's done now. You can go visit that Bellsprout now, kid." Tsunade smiled with approval, as she turned her head back to the computer, still loading the data. That was all the words needed to see a black blur run towards the ER room.

.o0o.

Why…?

"You're not fighting back, ya weakling! What a waste! I don't need Pokemon like you!" A blue-haired Trainer snottily remarked, with a mean grin that promised pain. He had sunglasses on his forehead and a pink shirt with a red undershirt underneath. A brown vest on his body was adorned with a large beige stripe, along with black pants and knee-high boots. With him was a large brown bird Pokemon with a long beak, sharp eyes and large brown wings, known as a Fearow. Its beak began to glow and spin and dove, and then all became black. Then almost nothingness, until it saw a light.

"Come here..."

"Bell...?" The Pokemon murmured as it outstretched its arm towards the light. It felt more and more of itself slipping away into the darkness, until another leaf arm outstretched, urging the Flower Pokemon to take it.

"Come to the light..."

"Bell...?" It asked again, with more confusion this time, but before it even thought of the question, the light shined brightly.

.o0o.

"Sprout…!"

The Bellsprout woke up in a cold sweat, almost feeling the phantom pain from the Drill Peck. Its eyes wanted to open, but the pain and the sheer light burned its eyelids. It was scared out of its mind.

"Hey, hey…! Calm down, please…!"

A gentle voice stopped the Bellsprout from shaking, and relaxed. For some reason, it felt familiar…

"B-Bell…?" It croaked out quietly as it turned its red tiny eyes, to see the same boy that picked it up from the floor when it was badly incapacitated. Red gentle eyes and black monkey eyes starred back at red tiny beady eyes. It then noticed that there wasn't any pain left.

"Bell?" It looked around its vine-like body and its two leaves. The cuts and scratches were gone. The leaves were good as new again. It felt strong, but the Flower Pokemon still could not believe it after a minute of searching its flowery body. Soon, a chuckle was heard from Naruto, which caught its attention as it turned its yellow head

"Hehe… Relax, I won't hurt you. What Trainer hurts a Pokemon when he brings it to the Pokemon Center?" Naruto gave a smile and offered his hand, like a friend. Something that was alien to Bellsprout, who shivered and tensed at the gesture, despite Naruto's reasoning.

Naruto did look a little hurt, but when he looked into its eyes, it wasn't apprehension or dislike.

It was fear. Something that Naruto could see and understand. However, Chimchar suddenly got off Naruto's shoulder.

"Chimchar?" Naruto asked out loud, wondering what the Chimp is going to do. It had this determination in its eyes.

Bellsprout looked at the serious looking Chimp Pokemon right in front of it. What is it doing here? Is it angry? Was it angry that the Flower Pokemon didn't accept its handshake? Will the human hit him like that other human did with the big-looking bird Pokemon? Will it hurt?! Wi-!?

A sudden warmth around its arms snapped Bellsprout out of its thoughts. All Bellsprout saw was an outstretched hand and a friendly smile on Chimchar's face.

"Char Chim?" It simply said in its own monkey tongue. Bellsprout looked stunned. First it looked serious, but now it was welcoming. Something that felt… warm inside Bellsprout. So with much vigor, the Flower Pokemon grabbed Chimchar's hand firmly and shook.

A smile crept on Bellsprout's face. It finally made a friend, and it didn't hurt! No pain at all! It felt... wonderful.

'I guess Pokemon understand Pokemon better…' Naruto disclosed to himself, as he smiled at the display and mentally shrugged at his previous attempt to connect with other Pokemon.

"Chim Chimchar!" Chimchar requested, as it removed its hand from Bellsprout's and Naruto was offered a handshake to it. Giving a small chortle, Naruto grabbed its hand and shook it politely.

"My name is Menma, and you can call this knucklehead," he pointed towards Chimchar, who glared playfully, "Chimchar. You should rest more. You were hurt badly after all." Naruto assured to Bellsprout, who promptly nodded and laid down on the white sheets to rest. Backing away from the sleeping Pokemon and out of the ER room, Naruto went back to Nurse Tsunade, having a serious face etched on his head.

"Found anything yet?"

"Yep, and apparently, it's one of the recent Trainers that I know of. Apparently, it was by a Trainer named Damian (9) who owns a Fearow, no other Pokemon. I remember him now." Tsunade informed, her eyes narrowing on the profile picture on the screen. "That smug jerk-ass… When I get my hands on him…!" She snarled frighteningly. She may have an angry visage on her face, but she was also secretly a little afraid. Afraid of the killer intent the trainer and his Pokemon are exerting behind her, sending her chills.

"You'll have to get in line, Nurse...!" Naruto growled, barely keeping his anger in check.

"Chiii…!" Chimchar seethed, with its anger the same as Naruto. They both knew how most trainers never gave a damn about their Pokemon or the Pokemon around them. Hell, some even become poachers and game hunters and hunted them. They both knew how they were both treated back in Konoha Academy. Right now, their faith in humanity is dwindling. (10)

'Tsk, look at me… My anger is getting the best of me… Gai-sensei would be disappointed if I let my anger get the best of me…' Naruto thought to himself while taking deep breaths to calm himself, before lightly squeezing Chimchar's hand on his shoulder. That snapped Chimchar out of its killer intent, but it shot a glare at Naruto.

'Why?!' Chimchar seemed to say with its glaring eyeballs. Naruto's eyes only softened.

"Remember what sensei told us. 'Anger may be a drive, but it also can make us do foolish mistakes.'" Naruto responded to Chimchar's unheard question, which made the Chimp Pokemon take a deep breath and take on a visage of calmness. Tsunade raised an eyebrow from that quote, but decided that it was their own Trainer way.

"Where… can we find him, Nurse Tsunade?" Naruto politely asked, his anger and killer intent disappearing. Tsunade gave a smirk, then turned her whole body towards Naruto. At first when she saw Damian, she thought he was just a no-name brat, but now after hearing what happened to the Bellsprout, she would love to see him get his comeuppance.

"He did say to himself that he'll be training in Mount Moon and that he'll be back in the evening." Nurse Tsunade informed Naruto, keeping the smirk plastered on her face. "Just don't battle near the Pokemon Center if you plan on ambushing him, kid." She advised, giving a hard piercing glare towards Naruto and Chimchar, who shrunk back slightly. The first Nurse Tsunade promised him pain when she glared at him. He will be sure to follow the second one.

Naruto absorbed the information like a sponge, and smiled genuinely. He then put on his hood and began to walk outside towards the setting sun. "Thanks. Keep an eye on Bellsprout for me before I come back with Damian's ego crushed." He said as he puts on his black hood, ready to crush a Trainer's ego.

Tsunade just heaved a sigh and pulled out a bottle of sake. 'That kid…' she thought to herself.

.o0o.

"Bleh! There's too many weak trainers and Pokemon around here. Maybe I'll find more in the mountains tomorrow." A snobbish voice said in the shadows. Damian, a Pokemon trainer, arrogantly smirked at his surroundings, slowly being cloaked by the shadows of the night. He may have destroyed many of the wild Pokemon here and the Trainers that passed by today to get to Mt. Moon, but he was still raring up for another battle. He needed to get stronger. Although two thought bugged him. Why is Fearow my only Pokemon? And where can I find some stronger Pokemon?

When he first started out, he only started with a weak Rattata. After many failed battles and trials and other Pokemon, Damian was getting impatient. Lucky for him, when he was hunting for Pokemon near the Viridian Forest, he found a rare and powerful Fearow that decimated all of Damian's Pokemon. It was only caught by luck as he desperately threw a Pokeball and after three shakes, it was caught. Soon, Damian began to use Fearow more and more, which won him the Boulderbadge from the scarred man Iruka. But with everything good that was happening began to have repercussions. His Rattata and the two other Pokemon he caught began to fear the Fearow and Damian, in all his arrogant glory said he didn't need them anymore and scared them away with Fearow. Thus, it developed a mindset that only the strong will win battles and that if he caught them, he will be unstoppable. (11)

"Hmmm, if I can find a stronger Pokemon…. I hope it's a Magmar! …Or maybe a Rhydon! …Or maybe…!" Damian snickered quietly to himself at the thought of an unstoppable team. Who needs training and bonding when you can just catch strong Pokemon? And if he can't find a strong Pokemon? He might as well steal one from a Trainer! They don't really deserve a strong Pokemon, do they? Only someone as strong as genius as him can utilize them!

Damian was just excited by the thought that he couldn't help himself but rub his palms together in excitement. "I'll be unstoppable! I'll catch anyone strong for my team! Whether it be from the wild or from a Trainer!" He blurted out, feeling no guilt about his goal at all. Immediately however, an ominous voice shook him out of his thoughts.

"Is that what you are aiming for?" A voice, no older than 13, echoed in the woods. On the left came a mysterious figure, cloaked in black. On his shoulder is a chimp-looking Pokemon, but he has never seen it before. However, what caught his attention were the red eyes from underneath the hood. That did not deter his arrogance however.

"Heh! That's right! Prepare to be stomped!" He declared as he threw his Pokeball. Out came the Beak Pokemon Fearow, a large brown Flying-type Pokemon with two wide wings, two sharp eyes, talons, a red mohawk and a beak that is sharp as a drill and at least a foot and a half long. It gave a screech before diving beak-first towards the mysterious stranger.

"Knock it away, Chimchar!" The stranger commanded and the Chimp Pokemon leaped up from the shoulder and gave a vicious backhand to the Fearow, effectively knocking the bird all the way back to Damian in a crash landing.

"You…!" Damian began, but couldn't choose the thousand insults he can think of as an insult to the stranger in black. Himself, lose? Preposterous! "Damn you! Fearow, finish him with Drill Peck!"

Fearow's beak, as it began to straighten itself, began to glow and spin. Soon it began to spin faster as Fearow took off and dove straight towards Chimchar again, this time with the goal to finish the battle for good.

"Don't think so! Thunderpunch Current!" The stranger commanded. Blue lightning surrounded the Chimp Pokemon and when Fearow got nearby, the lightning was too powerful to shake off. Thrown out of balance, the Beak Pokemon clumsily hit the ground beside the Chimchar, wide open for one last attack. Damian can only widen his eyes in shock.

"Argh! Get up, you stupid bird!" Damian yelled, blinded by his impatience and anger to win the battle. That wasn't going to work obviously.

"Finish it with a Focused Thunderpunch!" (12) The stranger commanded one final time, and Chimchar obliged, sending a lightning-covered fist at the face of the large bird Pokemon into the air, making it faint immediately before it crashed into the ground.

Damian could not believe it. His best and only Pokemon was beaten senselessly by some no-name Trainer. His hands twitched erratically and his teeth gritted hard. His eyes shown absolute fury, but it did not make the stranger flinch.

"Fine! I don't need Fearow!" He declared right off the bat, and readied a Pokeball. "Instead, I'll steal YOUR Pokemon!" (13) He screamed as he threw a Pokeball towards the Chimchar. The stranger can only sigh until…

SMASH

"You're a fool, Damian." The stranger simply stated, with the crushed remains of the Pokeball in Chimchar's chi-induced hands, its face cold as stone. "Strength alone will never win you battles."

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Damian shouted, losing his sanity the more he looked at the stranger with a disgusted face. "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT IN FRONT OF MY FACE!" He then took out a whole mass of Pokeballs from his bag. "I'LL BE TAKING THAT CHIMCHAR WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!"

"SPROUT!"

BOOOOOM!

But before he could throw them, a spherical ball of green light charged forth from behind the insane Trainer and exploded, scattering the Pokeballs and creating a small cloud of dust, before revealing Damian, but his clothes look a little singed and dirty and his hair all clumped. Behind him, however, caught the attention of the stranger.

"Bellsprout?!" He cried out, in surprise and in relief that it is okay. It is still looking a little beaten up, but the Flower Pokemon will manage.

"Bell-sprout!" It cried out jovially as it ran towards Menma and Chimchar. It looked incredibly happy according to Chimchar, and somehow slightly satisfied.

'Possibly from the good Energy Ball to the one you despised, Bellsprout.' Naruto thought.

"YOU!" Damian cried, shocked to see who blasted him and abhorred that it was the 'weakling' that he ditched and hurt.

"So he was the one who hurt you, Bellsprout? I shouldn't be surprised." Menma said with a hint of a smile. Chimchar stood by Bellsprout's side, both of them glaring at the dirty Damian on the ground. So many things has happened that made Damian fall to pieces.

"Please stop! Who the hell are you?!" He cried out desperately, angry, scared, guilty and humiliated, but all he ever got in return was a name.

"Remember the name… Menma…!"

"I…. I….! UWAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

And so, Damian desperately ran away crying, hoping he would go to the Pokemon Center, with Fearow in tow. (14)

.o0o.

The morning sun rose up, beaming on the forests and the sound of chirping Pokemon accompanied the sound of the wind. After a hearty breakfast and a few stretches, the duo were prepared to head into Mt. Moon. Tsunade accompanied them towards the exit of the Center before saying goodbye.

"So, you're checking out now, Menma?" Nurse Tsunade asked with a smile, being handed the keys to their rooms and signing them out of the Pokemon Center. In front of them, Menma had his black cloak and fighting gear underneath, with Chimchar, with its bandages and headband glory, on his shoulder.

"Yep! Thanks for the rooms, Nurse." Naruto and Chimchar both bowed, with Tsunade giving a small chuckle.

"Now now! No need to bow! It makes me feel older than I need to be!" The nurse replied, with a pat on Naruto's head. "After what you did to that Damian kid, I think I can get away with you calling me old once." She added specifically remembering the Damian boy wallowing to get his Fearow fixed, out of anger and hoping to get revenge on this… 'Menma' character. Even though Tsunade just wanted to kick him out due to Damian's reputation and from causing such a ruckus in the Center, her vow to heal any and all Pokemon that come into the center overruled that, even with seniority.

"Oh uhhh hehehe…. Sorry about that." Naruto apologized, even though it wasn't needed.

"By the way…" Tsunade began as her eyes began to crane towards the left, "That Bellsprout you rescued? Apparently it looks like it wants to have a word with you."

Naruto quirked an eyebrow, before turning his head to the right seeing Bellsprout. It then hobbled over towards the black-cloaked fighter with hopeful eyes.

"What's up, Bellsprout? Come to say goodbye?" Naruto asked with a smile, although Chimchar had a small sad frown. Bellsprout suddenly looked shattered, but shook its head vigorously, then grabbed Naruto's free hand, almost like a child to a father.

"Sounds like it wants to join ya, Menma!" Tsunade remarked, something that was on Naruto's mind.

"You really want to come with me, Bellsprout?" Naruto reiterated, wide-eyed from the proposal that Bellsprout had offered. His only response was Bellsprout happily jumping up and down and nodding as well. Then it proceeded to act out like a boxer, trying to fight with its green leafy arms, and being dodgy with its stem-like body. "Really… So you want to be strong." Naruto said, pulling out a Pokeball. "Then I guess I should say this: 'Welcome to the family, Bellsprout!'"

"Bell!" It agreed happily as it slammed its leaf arm on the button of the Pokeball. The capsule opened and in a bright flash of light, the Flower Pokemon was sucked in. After three shakes, it glimmered and relaxed, signalling the catch.

"Hehehe… alright!" Naruto cheered, Chimchar pumping its fists up. They finally got their second Pokemon. They then released said Pokemon, who was smiling gleefully and ready to train and become strong. Now that Chimchar and Naruto caught their second Pokemon, an initiation is in order. (15)

"YOSH, CHIMCHAR! ARE YOU READY TO JOURNEY ON?!" Naruto cheerfully exclaimed with exuberance.

"CHIIIIM CHAAAAAAAAAAR!" Chimchar cheered, with the same amount of exuberance.

"THAT'S RIGHT! NOW IT'S TIME FOR TRAINING! ARE YOU READY BELLSPROUT!?" Naruto asked (or demanded). Bellsprout hesitated a little, before nodding at the prospect.

"CHAR CHIIIIIIIM CHAHAAAAAA!" Chimchar jumped up and got on its hands.

"THAT'S RIGHT, CHIMCHAR! LET'S AWAKEN OUR FLAMES OF POWEEEEEER! BELLSPROUT! IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO AWAKEN YOUR FLAMES OF POWER! LET'S DO 2000 LAPS AROUND THE MOUNTAIN ON OUR HAAAAANDS!" Naruto cried with delight, before both trainer and simian charged forward, leaving behind dust clouds and jolly laughter.

...

Bellsprout can only sweatdrop at the amount of... flames of power both of them had.

"I guess every trainer had their quirks..." It thought, as it began to go on its arms and handstand a lot slower than the two that charged off. Now the only one left was the Nurse.

...

"That kid..." Having the same exact thought, but under a different opinion, she went back into the center to sip on her favorite drink.


guest: Ummm... well, it's a thought... I did mention that Kyuubi isn't in the story, but I never mentioned anything about KURAMA will be in the story. Although that can be determined by you guys!

withdranwnmadness000: Thanks for the compliment! If you stick around, maybe you'll find out!

NinjaFang1331: Welp, read this chapter and that answers your question!

suntan140: Yeah, and it kinda happened again with the next opponent, but Naruto and Chimchar will only be in the "strong" category, instead of the Godlike category compared to the other people who do make godlike Naruto Pokemon crossovers. (No offense to any author who writes them)

War Acolyte: Aww, the best thing I heard today! :3 Yeah, the idea kinda sparked literally from the question of why there is no "lightning" word in any Electric attack. Then I thought of the "Raikiri", then the rest is history! XD Now whether Chimchar has Blaze or Iron Fist... we'll talk more about it. Who knows what Naruto and Chimchar reverse-engineered!

Rebmul: Can't spoil it!

Fox Among Foxes: I'm not like most fanfiction writers out there ;)

ivan0061509: Aye it was! Here's the next one!


(1) Yeah, one would be confused about it too. Plus, Naruto caught the thing with his BARE HANDS! Also, that isn't the last time you'll see Barboach! It's just that it will be really REALLY late before you see it again.

(2) I'm taking a twisted "A Son Forgotten" route for this one. That's all I will say.

(3) I love that line :3

(4) Think of it as payback from Chimchar to Naruto from the introduction.

(5) BALLS TO THE WALL, PEOPLE! You thought it was probably a Dratini or some other rare Pokemon! Why a Bellsprout? Because the Flower Pokemon was never used in ANY NarutoxPokemon crossover fanfiction! I shall be the first!

(6) Dark thoughts. There is a reason why I'm labeling this with a number.

(7) The Nurse Tsunade was in her mid-twenties, who was sweet on the outside, but had a hard inside with anybody who dared to battle near the Pokemon Center. This Nurse Tsunade was in her late thirties, who is a little vain about her age, hard on the outside, but friendly on the inside and loves sake. Basically, this Tsunade is kinda like the Tsunade we know in the regular Naruto canon.

(8) What is japanese for Trainer? If Ninja Way is "nindo", then what is Trainer Way?

(9) Yeah, kinda expected for any avid NarutoxPokemon fanboy/fangirl.

(10) Their faith in humanity was low due to the Konoha Academy and their past. I will not explain any further.

(11) Wasn't this his mindset back when he was showcased in the Pokemon episodes?

(12) Read: Chidori

(13) Damian did not know that he can't catch a Pokemon that is already caught, and that it was against the rules. He was blinded by his own rage to even notice that fact.

(14) That won't be the last we will see of him.

(15) I feel as though you guys deserve it. I was not able to make the omake I promised back in last chapter, but maybe I'll treat you guys with this. The failed omake was the reason I was late with this. The reason I didn't label this as an omake was that... well, it actually happened.

Whew done! Hello everybody, Irate here with another chapter of The Failures' Journey! I think I've already stated what is needed to be stated. There is no omake, but rather funny Gai/Lee banter at the end. Anyway, I hope you guys have a fantastic night. Also, check out my Let's Play channel! It's

Gamer of Glory

I'm doing my Crash 3 Let's Play now! See you guys!