Today our heroes seem to have once again lost their way on the path to Vermilion City where Ash and Ritchie will earn their third Kanto gym badge.

"This is ridiculous!" Misty threw her hands up in frustration.

Ritchie rolled his eyes, "Calm down Misty you don't see Ash and Brock freaking out."

"I'm not freaking out!" she yelled.

"Hey guys!" Ash called out, "The path we're following intersects Route 24 which will lead us straight to Vermilion City."

"Oh in that case its fine." Misty calmed down.

Ritchie groaned at her mood swings.

Molly notices a shadow walking oddly towards them, "Hey look over there!" she pointed getting everyone's attention.

The figure came closer and Ash recognized it instantly, "A Charmander?" he ran over to the little guy stopping in front of it, "Hey little guy are you okay?" only then did he realize that was a stupid question to ask the little guy had cuts and bruises on him not to mention the flame on his tail was small.

Charmander heard a soothing voice call out to him looking up he saw it was a boy who had the most honest and caring face he'd ever seen. His instincts were telling him that he could trust this human. He walked limply towards him hugging his leg; Ash picked him up delicately being careful of the flame on his tail.

Charmander opened his eyes weakly and managed to smile a little holding out his little paw, "Char…Charmander (Please…Save them)." And with that the little guy passed out.

Ash felt his heart drop especially since the flame on the guys tail seemed to be getting lighter, "Brock! I need your help! Hurry!"

"Right!" The breeder went into action immediately the others following to see the little Charmander and were disgusted by what they saw.

"My god! Who did this?" Misty yelled.

Molly looked sadly at Charmander, "Poor Charmander…"

"Petilil…"

"Ursa…"

Ritchie already knew it was a Charmander because he had one of his own, well use to it evolved into Charmeleon but scanned the fire type anyway.

[Charmander. A flame burns on the tip of its tail from birth. It is said that a Charmander dies if its flame ever goes out.]

Ritchie eyes grew wide when he saw the dim light on its tail, "Guys! Its tail!"

"I know!" Ash picked up the fire type; "We need to get to a pokemon center now!"

Brock took off his jacket and held it over Charmander's flame as they ran to the pokemon center. Hopefully they would get there in time.

Pokemon Center

Ash busted through the door everyone else following behind him, "Nurse Joy please help!"

The pink haired nurse looked up gasping at what she saw coming from behind the counter she went up the group fast, "What happened?" she asked in shock.

"This Charmander's flame is really low! We found it outside with these cuts and bruises please help it!" Ash said frantically he couldn't take it if the little guy in his arms flame went out permanently and it wouldn't be alive anymore.

Nurse Joy was suspicious believing that Ash was its trainer and let this happen to it but after seeing the fear and concern in his eyes she knew that this boy was too sweet and kind hearted to hurt a pokemon. She nodded with determination, "I'll do everything I can to save this Charmander. You have my word."

Ash smiled tightening his hold for moment before giving the Kanto starter to the Nurse. She called for Chansey saying it was an emergency and brought the little Charmander in the back disappearing from their view.

Ash felt the world spinning and lost his balance falling to his knees. It was the first time he'd seen a pokemon abused in such a way that it made him want to throw up. He felt himself breathing quickly and sweating he could hear the voices of his friends albeit faintly. He distinctly heard a male voice say that he was having a "panic attack" and after that he passed out.

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Ash woke up on something nice and soft thinking it was probably a pillow or something. He groaned feeling a small headache, "Ash? Are you awake?" a female voice said laced with concern. Opening his eyes again but this time slowly he saw the worried face of…Misty and not only that but he was lying on her lap! Freaking out he shot up immediately only to feel woozy and laid back down.

"Take it easy Ash!" Misty scolded, "You just had a panic attack and need to relax."

He blinked, "I…had a panic attack?"

She nodded, "You had us all worried, especially Molly and Ritchie."

Before he could ask Pikachu entered his field of vision with a worried expression on his face. Getting up slowly this time he grabbed his starter setting him on his lap, "Hey there buddy, sorry if I worried you I'm alright now."

Ash smiled, "Yes, I'm sure." He saw that Luxray was at his feet looking him with worried eyes to. Leaning his arm down he pet the electric type letting him know that he was okay. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Nurse Joy, Brock, Molly, and Ritchie approach them.

"Ash!"

"Big brother!" Ritchie and Molly cried out in relief the little girl running to his side.

"Are you okay?" she asked with such innocence.

He smile hugging the girl tightly, "I'm alright sorry for scaring you."

"It wasn't just her you scared Ash," Brock told him, "You had us all worried, what happened? Ritchie said you were having a panic attack."

He let go of his sister and looked at the breeder, "Yeah, I was having a panic attack." He said sheepishly.

"I thought so," Nurse Joy intervened taking out a Stethoscope, "Take a deep breath for me?"

The boy nodded inhaling then exhaling slowly like she instructed everyone was sitting quietly letting Nurse Joy do her job while she checked out their friend. After one more exhale she smiled, "Your heart is beating normally." She informed.

They all sighed with relief.

"Do you have previous history of having panic attacks?" she asked.

"Yes," he nodded, "I had one when I was little but that was the last time I had a panic attack."

"I see," Nurse Joy had a thought, "it could be that seeing Charmander in such a state was such a shock to you that your panic attack happened again."

Ash blinked at the information, "Its possible. I didn't really think about it. Anyway how's Charmander?"

Nurse Joy smiled, "Charmander's stable now and its flame is healthy again and some of the bruises and cuts have almost been healed but it needs to rest."

"What a relief…." Misty sighed, "But what happened?"

Nurse Joy's face suddenly turned dark, "About that…" before she could say anything they heard laughter from some kids.

"Oh man Damian that's too damn funny!" one of them laughed.

"I know right?" a blue haired boy laughed who was assumed to be Damian, "I've got some rare pokemon now so I don't need that worthless Charmander. Its probably dead anyway."

Everyone heard what he said and were disgusted how can someone say such awful things and then laugh about it.

"That bastard!" Ritchie growled.

"So he's responsible for Charmander's injuries!" Misty growled getting ready to stomp over and slap the boy but Ash beat her to it. He walked over to the boy slowly and when he finally reached him he grabbed the arrogant boy by the collar and punched him so hard his nose broke.

"Hey man what's your problem?" one of the boys was about to grab Ash but Luxray and Pikachu growled at them as if challenging them to lay a single finger on their precious trainer. The boys were smart enough to know that these pokemon were serious and backed down.

Damian looked pathetic holding his nose but managed to speak, "What the hell's your problem?" he yelled but froze when he saw the cold look in Ash's eyes, but most frightening thing was the fact that he looked so…calm. Which was not good his friends saw this when he battled AJ and it meant trouble for the arrogant boy. Ash lifted him the frightened boy in the air, "How dare you…" he growled. Damian flinched at his tone of voice.

"Do you have any idea how close Charmander was to death? Not only did you almost beat it half to death but you also have the gals to laugh about it?" Ash's eyes were still cold and calm making the boy whimper.

Before Ash could go any further he felt two hands on each shoulder making him look over he saw Brock on his left and Misty to his right with worried expressions. He felt two people hug him from behind and his front, in front was Molly in the back was Ritchie. Feeling their concern he slowly let the boy go and calmed down much to everyone's relief including Nurse Joy this boy is too kind to feel hatred even though she understood why he hit the despicable boy doesn't mean she approved of him using violence.

Nurse Joy approached the fallen boy her Chansey was right behind her with an angry look on its face, "I suggest you try not to escape because I'm informing Officer Jenny as of right now! Also I will be keeping hold of the pokemon you brought in with you, if you try to escape I will not hesitate to have my Chansey use Sing on you to put you to sleep! And that's a promise!"

"Chansey Chan (Try it boy)!" the nursing pokemon threatened cracking her knuckles.

Despite the serious situation the others sweat-dropped at the rough and tough Chansey. Guess not all Chansey's are docile.

Ash couldn't help but smile. This Nurse Joy might be his most favorite one so far.

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Who's That Pokemon?

It's…Charmander

"Charmander!"

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Later

As promised Nurse Joy kept Damian's pokemon and boy did he have a lot! He had over 23 pokeballs! Trainers are allowed to buy more pokeballs from a Poké Mart provided they send some of the pokeballs back to their assigned professors so their pokemon can relax. Turns out Damian wasn't doing that according to Nurse Joy some of his pokemon showed signs of forced battling, meaning he forced his pokemon to keep battling even though they needed medical treatment.

Nurse Joy asked the gang to stay a little longer so they can adopt the pokemon Damian had which they agreed to. Officer Jenny arrived after hearing everything from Nurse Joy and was just as disgusted as the pink haired nurse was. Pokemon Abuse is a serious crime and anyone caught doing it will have his or her license revoked. Ash's hand was bandaged after punching Damian too hard courtesy of Nurse Joy who told the boy that she was glad he'd stood up for Charmander but also told him that violence is never the answer. The boy thanked her from the bottom of his heart for saving Charmander's life making the nurse smile warmly but she said that he was the one who saved Charmander.

Speaking of the lizard pokemon he'd finally woken up from his short coma but wouldn't let anyone touch him except Ash. The fire type only trusted the raven-haired teen and growled at anyone else that tried to touch him, even Nurse Joy! Ash stayed with him and told him that Nurse Joy nursed him back to health so the little fire type allowed the woman to touch him to see if his injuries have healed but only because Ash was in the same room. Charmander got along well with Pikachu and Luxray probably feeling a connection of some sorts and didn't really mind Molly seeing the girl as no threat. Now Misty, Brock, and Ritchie? The fire type didn't trust them one bit and growled if they tried to come near him. Ash was reminded of Luxray when he was a Shinx, always growling at anyone except Ash. That's probably why the two of them got long so quickly.

Nurse Joy called everyone out in the lobby including Officer Jenny who was standing near Damian who was tied up with rope so he couldn't escape. The boy was scowling the whole time, not that anybody really cared.

Nurse Joy sighed, "I'm glad you all decided to stay a little longer and I hope I'm not inconveniencing you."

Ash shook his head, "This is more important right now." The others agreed with him. Right now the condition of the pokemon were more important. They were all gathered including the pokemon and of course Charmander who was standing next to Ash proving the fire type was completely loyal to the boy. The fire type wanted to judge who would take care of his friends and sometimes would turn around to glare at Damian who may or may not have flinched and looked away. Guess after hearing what Ash did to the arrogant prick the Kanto starter wasn't scared of him anymore.

The woman smiled, "Jenny?"

The officer waved her hand dismissively, "Don't even worry about it trust me I'm not that busy."

Brock then thought it was the appropriate time to flirt, "If your not too busy then maybe you and me can go-OW!"

"She's busy alright, busy staying away from you!" Misty pulled his ear away from the officer.

Ritchie sighed and Molly laughed.

"Yes well, I'm about to release the pokemon now but the ones with the question marks are pokemon I haven't see before so I'll release them last." She informed them.

Nodding their heads in understanding she released all of the pokemon except the three question marked ones.

Damian captured some interesting pokemon:

Rapidash

Vaporeon

Raichu

Tangrowth

Jynx

Machoke

Beedrill

Venomoth

Nidoqueen

Nidoking

Fearow

Farfetch'd

Dodrio

Scyther

Hoothoot

Xatu

Alakazam

Exeggutor

Rhyhorn

Magnemite

"…What?" Ritchie's mouth was wide open.

"He caught all these pokemon?" Misty's eyes were wide.

"There's so many." Molly stared.

"Makes you wonder where he got them from. He couldn't have caught all these pokemon." Brock stated.

"Your right," Ash looked at Xatu, "The bird pokemon right there is a Xatu, a Flying and Psychic type from Johto same with Hoothoot."

Nurse Joy nodded, "That's right," she glared at the boy, "I'm very curious to know how you've obtained these pokemon."

Damian scoffed, "Like I'd tell you!"

Charmander growled and sent a Flamethrower at the boys face surprising everyone even Damian.

Ash smirked, "So you know Flamethrower huh? Good job by the way." He complimented.

"Char (Thanks)!" the fire type smiled.

"Alright, I'll talk I'll talk! I got those two from a trade okay!" Damian said.

Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny's eyes narrowed at the boy but determined that he wasn't lying. The nurse looked at all of the pokemon gathered and smiled.

"You all have nothing to fear," she said getting they're attention, "These trainers will be taking care of you from now on."

All the pokemon looked at the trainers and noticed Charmander standing loyally next to Ash. The look in his eyes told them that this trainer was responsible for saving the fire types life.

"You can trust them," she continued, "Charmander has already made it clear that Ash is to be its new trainer so that means the rest of you can choose who you want to go with."

They looked at Charmander earning a nod confirming that the trainers would let them choose who they want to go with.

Vaporeon and Jynx moved over to Misty sensing that she had some water types with her even though Jynx is an ice and psychic type. The red head stood completely still letting them examine her, when they were done Vaporeon rubbed up against her and Jynx hugged her confirming that they choose Misty to be their new trainer.

She smiled, "Thanks you two," she took out two pokeballs, "I promise I'll take good care you."

"Vay!" the water type said smiling for the first time.

"Jynx!" said the ice type.

Tapping them gently on the head they were sucked into the pokeballs. The girl kept on smiling.

Ash nodded, "They made the right choice because Misty will take good care of them."

"Char (I see)."

Nurse Joy turned to the others, "Don't be shy go to the ones you want to go with."

They didn't need to be told twice they all walked to the trainers they felt best suited for them.

Raichu, Tangrowth, Machoke, and Beedrill went over to Molly the little girl and she couldn't be happier with them along with Teddiursa and Petilil. Just seeing her smile at them made them feel more at ease. Machoke picked the girl up and settled her on his shoulder and she loved every minute of it.

Venomoth, Fearow, Farfetch'd, Dodrio, Scyther, and Hoothoot went over to Ritchie who let the small owl land on his shoulder and nuzzle him making the boy laugh putting them at ease with him.

Alakazam, Exeggutor, Rhyhorn, and, Magnemite went over to Brock the breeder checking them to make sure they were healthy which touched them. Rhyhorn had tears in its eyes and tackled the breeder to the ground nuzzling him in appreciation, which made Brock, and the others laugh.

And finally, Rapidash, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, and Xatu went over to Ash seeing as how this boy saved their friend from the monster known as Damian. Rapidash showed her appreciation by nuzzling him and Xatu stood in front of him and Nidoqueen and Nidoking thanked him repeatedly. Ash, Pikachu, and Luxray smiled because they gained more family members.

Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny smiled at the heartwarming scene while Damian looked away in disgust. What an ass!

The pink haired nurse got everyone's attention, "Now then," she picked up the three pokeballs with the question marks on them, "These pokemon aren't registered in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, or Unova so I'm afraid I don't know where he got them from."

Ritchie spoke up, "Ash or Brock might know!"

Both boys nodded.

She nodded, "Alright then here they are." She released all of the unknown pokemon from the pokeballs.

"Fennekin?" the yellow fox pokemon said.

"Froakie?" the blue frog pokemon said.

"Chespin?" the porcupine pokemon said.

Ash's eyes widened in recognition, as did Brock's alerting the others, "Well boys do you know what region they come from?"

They looked at each other then to everyone else. Ash told them, "The yellow fox one is Fennekin a fire type, the frog one is Froakie a water type, and the porcupine one is Chespin a grass type."

"I see, so what region are they from?" Officer Jenny asked.

"…They're from the Kalos region." Brock said.

The women's eyes grew big in shock, "Are you absolutely positive about this?"

Ash nodded, "Positive, Prof. Oak showed me a picture of the Kalos starter pokemon before. Prof. Sycamore is the Prof. in charge of that region."

Misty looked back at the boy, "Where did you get them from?" she growled, "I doubt that the prof. would give them to someone like you!"

"I'd like to know to." Ash said.

The arrogant boy scoffed and looked away again making it clear that he won't talk.

Ash was about to grab the boy again but a blue outline lifted the arrogant teen in the air flipping him upside down.

"What's going on?!" he yelled in fear.

Ash looked over to Alakazam and Exeggutor but the two of them had nothing to do with it so that could only mean. Looking from his shoulder he saw it was Xatu.

"Xatu, are you doing this?" Ash asked to be sure.

"Xatu (I am)." The psychic bird responded.

Brock smiled, "Looks like the pokemon aren't scared of him anymore." As if to prove his words they all glared at him menacingly making the boy even more scared.

"I suggest you answer the question otherwise Xatu will probably-no will drop you." Officer Jenny threatened.

The boy gulped, "A-alright! I'll tell you!" he yelled pathetically. The psychic and flying type readjusted the boy and dropped him on his bottom making the others laugh.

"Well?" Officer Jenny stared down at the boy.

He gulped then spoke, "…I got them from this guy who was selling them for a high price. And since I got a lot of money from winning tournaments I had enough to buy them off of him."

Nurse Joy put a hand to her mouth in shock, "How could you do such a horrible thing!"

Ash looked away from the boy in disgust. He just admitted to getting them from a Pokemon Poacher and instead of turning the guy in he bought the pokemon he stole.

"I think I've heard enough." Officer Jenny said.

"As have I." A familiar voice said.

They turned to the entrance of the Pokemon Center and saw non other than Prof. Oak with not so happy look on his face.

Ash blinked in surprise, "Prof. Oak! What are you doing here?"

The man approached the group; "I got a call from Nurse Joy asking me to come here and that it was an emergency situation." He looked down at Damian and scowled, "Damian, what you've done is absolutely disgraceful!"

Yep its official Prof. Oak is pissed.

"Pokemon and their trainers are partners that bond and work together as a team, they are not tools, punching bags, or something to buy and sell!" He lectured.

Ash couldn't remember a time when he saw the prof. this angry. It was actually surprising.

"Not only did you do the most despicable thing by abusing your pokemon, but you went so far as to buy some from a pokemon poacher who stole those three Kalos starters from Prof. Sycamore a dear colleague of mine who reported to me that anyone who bought them from the wanted pokemon poacher in question will be placed in jail!" He added.

Damian's head shot up at that, "What?! That's not fair you can't just do that!" he felt a tug on the rope and saw it was Officer Jenny, "He can't but I can!"

"Damian Daisuke! You are hereby under arrest! The charges are Pokemon abuse, neglect, and stealing!" Jenny said, "Your trainer license is hereby revoked and you will serve jail time for buying pokemon from a pokemon poacher!"

Damian paled he wasn't expecting he'd get arrested and brought up on charges let alone go to jail. Officer Jenny yanked him up and they started walking out of the front entrance.

Misty crossed her arms, "Serves him right. He should have treated his pokemon better."

"Froakie (Indeed)!" Misty looked down and saw that the blue frog from earlier was standing by her side looking up at her.

"Um, can I help you?" she asked.

Ash smiled because it's clear that the frog pokemon chose Misty to be his trainer, "Misty I think Froakie wants you to be his trainer."

She looked to him in shock, "Me? Are you sure?" the pokemon didn't respond instead it jumped on her head.

"What an odd pokemon." Ritchie took out his pokédex:

[Froakie, the Bubble Frog Pokémon. From its chest and back, Froakie creates bubbles called Frubbles, which act as a cushion and soften the blow of an opponent's attack.]

Prof. Oak smiled at the red head, "Froakie is a water type pokemon according to Prof. Sycamore." He said.

"It-it is?" Misty stammered in surprise looking up at the water type who just stared back. It's obvious it had no intention of getting off of her head anytime soon.

"Y'know Prof. Sycamore did say that if the three Kalos starters decided to find trainers on their own that he will let the trainers take care of them." He smiled.

"Really? Prof. Sycamore doesn't mind?" Ash asked.

The old man shook his head, "Not at all."

"Well its obvious Froakie's made his choice by picking Misty," Brock smiled. He felt a tug on his pants looking down he saw it was the porcupine pokemon Chespin smiling up at him.

"Chespin (Hi)!" it smiled.

"Seems like Chespin's chosen Brock." Prof. Oak smiled.

Ritchie scanned it:

[Chespin, the Spiny Nut Pokémon. Chespin can flex the soft spikes on its head, making them so stiff and sharp that it can even pierce through stone.]

Brock bent down petting the pokemon softly, "I'd be happy to be your trainer, Chespin."

"Chespin Che (Feels good)." It smiled with it eyes closed enjoying the soft caressing something Damian never did.

"If I'm not mistaken Chespin's a grass type." Prof. Oak commented.

Brock shook his head, "It doesn't matter. I'll take good care of him."

Oak nodded, "Good answer."

"Fennekin (Feels nice)!" they turned their attention to the fox pokemon who was being held by Ash petting it gently.

"Your really cute you know that?" Ash said stroking the fox earning a rub on his arm in return, "Fennekin (Thank you)!"

Ritchie scanned the last one:

[Fennekin, the Fox Pokémon. Fennekin expels hot air that can reach nearly 400 degrees. It likes to snack on twigs.]

Ash kept stroking the girl, "Isn't Fennekin a fire type Prof. Oak?"

"That's right, I take it you'll be taking care of Fennekin then?" Oak asked.

The boy nodded, "That's right."

"Excellent! I'll inform Prof. Sycamore immediately I also want you, Molly, and Ritchie to stay here for a bit. I have something for you three." He smiled.

The three kids tilted their heads in confusion but didn't question why he wanted them to stay.

When the Prof. said he had a surprise he wasn't kidding. After he informed Prof. Sycamore that all the starter pokemon were safe and given to trainers who will give them love and care he relaxed after hearing that information. Luckily there weren't any trainers going out on any journey's anytime soon so the starter pokemon would've gotten bored.

After he was done telling this information to the Kalos Prof. he let Ash and Ritchie switch out their pokemon and gave them more pokeballs telling them they could get more at a poke Mart, but don't go overboard and also allowed Molly to have her own pokeballs so she wouldn't have to keep using Ash's. So, Clefable, Teddiursa, Petilil, Raichu, Tangrowth, Machoke, and Beedrill are now in Molly's very own pokeballs, which the girl was happy about.

The gang left the Pokemon Center and Prof. Oak via car happy that a cruel situation turned out to be a happy one. They were able to give these beaten and broken pokemon a new life and knowing that Damian would be serving hard time was even more good news.

And so, after adopting the pokemon that were abused by Damian the gang head off to Vermilion City where Ash and Ritchie will earn their next gym badge.