We follow our heroes walking through the forest reminiscing about what's happened to them so far in their journey. Including a very happy Misty and Ritchie.
Misty and Ritchie were bragging about their new pokemon being better than the others, which of course turned into another argue between the two making the others sigh out in annoyance.
"Why does every thing have to end in an argument with these two?" Ash groaned.
"Pika." Pikachu copied him.
"Fennekin." Fennekin shook her head and Luxray just ignored the two not really caring anymore.
"I'm sure it'll be over soon." Brock said trying to stay positive about the situation.
Molly being the cute innocent girl that she is just stared at the two as they continued to argue.
The gang had to put up with their arguing friends until they walked out of the forest and onto the beach which mad Misty stop yelling at him and focus on the fact that they were out on the beach making the others wonder if she's bipolar.
Ash sighed but perked up when he saw a crab like creature come out of the water, "Hey it's a Krabby!"
Ritchie scanned it:
[Krabby. Lives near the shore. Its average height is about 16 inches.]
"Its kind of small isn't it?" Ritchie pointed out.
Krabby didn't appreciate that so it walked up to Ritchie and fired a Bubble Beam in his face making the boy fall down on his back.
"Pikachu (You okay)?" Sparky asked his trainer.
Ritchie sat up, "I'm good…" he groaned, "What was that for?" he said angrily.
Ash laughed at his cousin approaching him, "Its because you called Krabby small which made it mad."
Krabby snapped its claws letting the boy know that what he says is right.
"Oh, sorry then Krabby." Ritchie apologized.
Krabby merely snapped its claws then looked at Ash as if asking for something. Not sure what the water type wanted he took out a pokéball on instinct, "Do you want to be my pokemon Krabby?"
It responded by tapping the pokéball with its claw and was sucked in, "Guess that answers my question."
Ritchie sighed, "Why do I get the feeling you naturally attract pokemon to you."
Ash stared at him as if he was weird, "I have no idea what your talking about."
Brock and Misty looked at him, "Sure you don't." they both responded.
Ash sighed and pointed at something in the distance, "Hey look over there! It's a lighthouse!"
"Your right it is a lighthouse! That's good maybe we can rest up there and I can make us some food." Brock said.
"I get to sleep in a nice bed! Let's go already!" Misty took off so fast she was nothing but a blur.
"Somebody's excited." Ritchie said.
"Pikachu." Sparky nodded.
At the Lighthouse
Everyone was panting except for Ash who has stronger stamina than everyone else but didn't make fun of them for it. Molly wasn't feeling tired either because Luxray let the girl ride on his back, Ash wasn't lying when he said Luxray likes children.
"Geez," Ritchie wheezed, "Why have a lighthouse all the way up here?"
"I know." Misty was trying to catch her breath right along with him.
"Well at least we made it here." Brock said resting on the door.
Ash was looking at the markings on the door with interest, "Look at all these markings of different pokemon." They all look at the door.
Molly was looking up at it in awe, "Big brother what pokemon is that?"
"That's a Charizard." He answered.
"That one?"
"Blastoise."
"That one?"
"Drowzee."
"That one?"
"Flareon."
"Okay last one," Molly said, "What's that one?"
"Arcanine."
"Wow, talk about accurate." Ritchie said.
"That was actually kind of cute," Misty said, "He really loves his sister doesn't he?"
"Reminds me of the relationship I have with my own siblings." Brock reminisced about the time his siblings would ask him all kinds of questions.
Ash turned to them, "We should probably let the person who lives here know that we're here."
"Right." Brock hit the button announcing their arrival.
Unknown to them they were being watched by a fox like pokemon who was hiding observing them. It watched the group go inside and recognized one of the group members and went behind the tower.
Inside the Lighthouse
The gang was looking for the owner of the lighthouse, but didn't see him anywhere.
Ash saw a phone, "Guys you don't mind if I make a phone call do you?"
"Go ahead." Brock said.
"I'll go with you," Ritchie said, "I haven't talked to my mom since Pewter City."
"I'll go to!" Molly said cheerfully.
Walking over to the phone booth he dialed Prof Oaks number first. The old man immediately popped up on the screen, "Ah, Ash! How've you been?"
"I've been good Prof. thanks for asking." The boy smiled.
"By the way Ash," Prof. Oak continued, "I noticed that you caught a Krabby just like Gary even though yours is a little small."
Ash blinked; "So he caught one to huh?" he could really care less about Gary's captures.
"Yes take a look," the camera shifted to a bigger Krabby that was practically king sized, "He's been capturing a lot pokemon on his journey the people of Pallet Town are really proud of him."
Ash noticed that Ritchie looked away in disgust while Molly glared at the screen. Prof. Oak doesn't realize just how much of a touchy subject Gary is to these two. Not to mention the people of Pallet Town probably don't really care about him, Molly, or Ritchie that much anyway. They would have told the Prof. Oak a long time ago but out of love and respect for the old man they decided to just grin and bear with the scorn of half of the townspeople that despised their group the most. There were still those that found Gary to be an arrogant jerk and favored their group the most so it wasn't all that bad.
"Prof. Oak," the boy interrupted the old mans rant, "I need to call my mom now if you don't mind." He said in a neutral tone of voice.
"Oh of course! I'll let you get to it then!" the old man then hung up much to the relief of Ritchie and Molly.
"Of course the people of Pallet Town are proud of him," Ritchie spat out, "They don't give a damn about us."
Petilil and Teddiursa were trying to cheer Molly up even just a little. The girl did manage a small smile though it was forced.
Brock and Misty saw the whole exchange with worried faces. They still don't know the whole situation with Gary and their friends. Ritchie mentioned that he made their lives miserable but that was all, and judging by the look of disgust on Ritchie's face the people of their hometown weren't so nice to them either.
After Ash and Molly talked to their mom it was Ritchie's turn to speak to his mom and told her that he's traveling with Ash now so she doesn't have to worry about him anymore. The woman on the other end was relieved. She could trust her sister's son to take care of her Ritchie.
"I'm glad," she sighed out in relief, "By the way how is Ash? I haven't seen him in a long time or and how about Molly?"
"Wait! You know about Molly?" Ritchie gasped.
The woman rolled her eyes, "Of course I know about her Delia called me the moment she adopted her. She said Ash was ecstatic to have a little sister."
Ritchie hung his head low, "So I was the only one who didn't know."
His mother stuck her tongue out playfully, "My bad."
"Geez mom," Ritchie laughed then noticed his moms serious expression on her face, "What's wrong?"
She didn't say anything at first just took a deep breath then spoke, "Did you tell Ash? About Leaf and Yellow?"
Ritchie stiffened then clenched his grip on the phone, "Of course not," he growled, "You, me, and Leaf vowed to never let Ash know what happened to the two of them. He would have snapped and killed Gary, so we agreed to keep it between the three of us."
His noticed his mom fidget in her seat making his eyes narrow, "You told Aunt Delia didn't you?"
She looked like a child that just got caught doing something she wasn't suppose to do, "Well, yes I did, but since Ash hasn't asked you about them proves that she kept it a secret like she promised!" she said trying to reassure him.
Ritchie sighed, "Fine. I'm not upset but seriously though, the last thing any of us wants if for him to find out about it. By the way did Leaf start her journey to? I called her house and her dad said she wasn't there."
Hi mom nodded, "That's right, she started the same time you and Ash did. David called and told me, he says hi by the way to you and Ash."
Ritchie smiled, "Tell him we said hi to." his expression changed again but his mom already knew what he wanted to ask, "Yellow's parents are hanging in there honey but it not easy. They need all of our love and support, and they made it clear under no circumstances is Ash to know to what happened. He really cared about the girl like a little sister something the two of them are entirely grateful for."
He closed his eyes for moment before opening them again, "I know. That's why I still don't understand how that bastard could do something like this and still act so damn arrogant!" he growled.
"Ritchie." His mother called out to him, "First of all stop swearing, second your not the only one who feels disgusted about what happened because we all do, but karma comes to those who've done wrong. Remember that." She said sternly.
He sighed, "Your right, thanks mom."
She smiled, "Your welcome. Now enjoy your journey with your cousins. I love you."
"I will, and love you to." he hung up the phone and went over to the others who were talking to the owner of this house.
"Thank you so much for helping me out of that costume." He sighed out in relief, "My name is Bill and this is my Lighthouse."
"Its nice to meet you Bill. My names Ash and this is Pikachu, Fennekin, and Luxray." Ash introduced his friends.
"My names Molly and this is Teddiursa and Petilil!"
"I'm Misty."
"Hi my names Brock."
"And I'm Ritchie and this is Sparky!"
Bill smiled, "Pleasure to meet you all! Please come upstairs I have much to show you!" he said it with such a happy expression that they couldn't say no.
Ash and Molly were the first ones to follow after him, while Brock and Misty lagged behind with Ritchie. There was something they wanted to ask; hopefully they wouldn't come off as pushy.
Brock was the one to speak first, "Ritchie."
"Yeah Brock?"
He hesitated for a minute before asking, "Earlier when you called your mom I kinda overheard your conversation."
Ritchie stopped to look at him, "So then you know…?"
Brock shook his head; "I came at the part where you talked about some old friends of yours, and something about an accident that happened."
Misty nodded, "I kinda heard to."
Ritchie sighed he was so into his conversation with his mom that he didn't stop to think of the possibility that Brock or Misty were listening in on him.
"You heard right. Our friend Yellow's not really doing so good and I don't know if she'll get any better." He looked down in sadness.
Sparky rubbed his cheek against his trainers; "Pikachu (Ritchie)?" the boy rubbed the mouse's head gently.
"I see," Brock said, "By why keep it a secret from Ash?"
"I was wondering about that to." Misty questioned.
Ritchie looked at them seriously, "Ash is kind, but he's also very sensitive. We just…don't want him to know about it right now. Its selfish I know but I don't think he can handle it."
A hand was placed on his shoulder he saw it was Brock, "It's okay, and we won't ask anymore but know this. You guys can trust us. Always."
"That's right. We are friends after all." Misty smiled.
Ritchie may not have realized it at first, but he realized that he and Ash have some awesome friends, "Thanks guys."
After their conversation they followed after Ash and Molly who were looking at a screen filled with lots of different pokemon. They stood next to their friends and listened quietly as Bill explained different types of pokemon and just how many species there are out there.
"Wow! There's so many!" Molly was excited about seeing different types of pokemon.
"Indeed! Its very interesting!" Bill smiled at the girl. Before he could continue the lesson he heard small footsteps coming up the stairs, "Oh! Looks like the little one decided to come and see my guests."
"Little one?" Misty questioned.
The small footsteps revealed a mammalian quadruped creature with silver fur, with a white tip of its bushy tail and large furry white-colored collar.
Misty squealed, "What a cutie!"
Ritchie scanned the pokemon:
[Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Eevee is a unique Pokémon that can adapt to its environment by changing its form and abilities when evolving.]
NOTE: The different coloration indicates that it is a Shiny Pokémon.
"A shiny Eevee, awesome!" Ritchie was ecstatic this is his second time seeing a shiny pokemon, first Cloyster now Eevee.
Misty approached the quiet Eevee, "Hi there cutie pie." Misty was about to pick it up, but the evolution pokemon flinched and ran away from her going straight to Ash hiding behind his legs shaking a little, "E-Eevui (S-scary…)"
Bill was astounded, "Oh my, why this is a surprise! This little one rarely goes near strangers!"
"So its shy?" Brock asked.
Bill nodded, "Very. This little one doesn't come near me that much but it does eat the food I give to including its friends."
"Friends?" Ritchie didn't see any pokemon when they came in.
Molly turned back to the stairs, "Look!" they turned and saw more pokemon coming it was truly a surprise.
"There's so many!" Misty said.
"This is amazing they're all the evolved form of Eevee!" Brock said.
Ritchie scanned all of them:
[Vaporeon, the Bubble Jet Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. The composition of its cells is similar to molecules of water, and as such, can melt in water.]
He moved to the next one.
[Jolteon, the Lightning Pokémon. When angered or frightened, the hairs on Jolteon's body become like needles that are fired at its opponents. It absorbs charged atoms and can produce 10,000 volts of electricity.]
He moved to the next one.
[Flareon, the Flame Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. It stores some of the air it breathes in its internal flame sac, which heats its body to over three thousand degrees.]
Ritchie heard about the standard three evolutions of Eevee, but the others are new so he scanned them:
[Espeon, the Sun Pokémon. Espeon are able to read air currents allowing it to predict the future as well as its opponents' next moves.]
He whistled impressed by the information the pokédex said and scanned the others:
[Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon. When an Eevee has had sufficient training and is exposed to moonlight, it evolves into an Umbreon.]
"Umbreon, huh?" he scanned the others:
[Leafeon, the Verdant Pokémon. Leafeon is always surrounded by fresh clean air because it uses photosynthesis just like a plant.]
"So it's a grass type." Brock stated.
"Guess so." Ritchie scanned the last one:
[Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the evolved form of Eevee. Glaceon can freeze the fur on its body, and make it stick out like sharp needles.]
"I didn't know Eevee could evolve into these other forms." Misty said.
"Neither did I but here they are." Bill said.
"Are they yours?" Brock asked.
The man shook his head, "No they're not. Before they were already here when I came to this lighthouse so I assumed they used this place as their home." He explained, "After I found them here I contacted Prof. Oak immediately he said that it's safer to let them stay here."
The evolved forms of Eevee were sniffing the newcomers out of curiosity. The gang stood completely still and let the evolved forms of Eevee sniff them. Glaceon was sniffing frantically because it recognized a familiar scent that it smelt a long time ago. The ice type eyes landed on all of the strangers before finally landing on Ash who was petting the shy little Eevee. Glaceon's eyes widened and its tail wagged back and forth and ran to the boy.
"Glace (Ash)!" it squealed in excitement.
The boy saw the ice type come towards him and was tackled by the eeveelution, "Ow, that was some tackle." Sitting up he noticed a scar on the ice types forehead and recognized the pokemon that tackled him, "Hey, its my old friend Glace!" he hugged the girl who nuzzled him in return happy to see him again.
"Glace, Glaceon Glaceon (Ash I missed you)!" the girl said still nuzzling him making Luxray growl with jealousy having recognized the ice type as well. Glaceon looked over at Luxray a tic mark appearing on her forehead she got off Ash and went over to the electric type.
Poke-Speech Conversation Time
"What are you doing here you electric cat!" Glaceon growled.
Luxray scoffed, "What does it look like I'm doing? I've become Ash's pokemon unlike you," he taunted.
Glaceon bristled with anger. In the past when the two of the were just a little Shinx and Eevee they would fight for Ash's attention all the time and would sometimes attack each other prompting Ash to separate and scold them for fighting. Guess nothings changed.
Glaceon then got an idea and smirked making the electric type tilt his head at her. She walked back over to Ash took out one of his pokeballs and tapped it with her paw sucking her inside signaling a successful capture.
Luxray gaped while everyone else but Ash was confused about the exchange between the two. Before Ash could pick up the pokéball Glaceon came right back out smirking at the electric type, "You were saying lightning boy."
A tick mark appeared on Luxray's forehead and he glared, "I will electrocute you!"
"Bring it!" Glaceon glared right back they were in each other's faces bumping foreheads growling, prompting Pikachu, Sparky, Teddiursa, and Fennekin to intervene before they decided to have an all out brawl.
"Come on you two that's enough! No need to use violence!" Pikachu said getting in between them.
"Pikachu's right! Just calm down!" Sparky said.
"Don't fight…" Teddiursa was giving them the puppy dog eyes.
"Save your fighting for later!" Fennekin scolded.
The two glared at each other a little while longer before turning away from each other making the other sweat-drop.
End of Poke-Speech Conversation Time
The humans in the room except Ash of course couldn't understand why the two of them were arguing but Ash did and he sighed at the two shaking his head. Some things never change. He felt something tug on his pants leg and saw it was little Eevee, "What's the matter?" he set the girl on his lap.
"Eevee vui (Fighting over)?" she asked cutely making the boy chuckle at her cuteness. Rubbing her head softly, "Yes its all over now. These two are always like this so it's okay."
"So you've met this Glaceon before?" Bill asked the boy approaching him.
Ash looked at Bill and smiled, "This Glaceon use to be an Eevee that bit Prof. Oak all the time if he tried to touch her. If I wasn't in the same room as her she would act up."
Bill chuckled at this information, "That is truer than you realize, when I first met them she bit my hand freezing me in place. I only managed to get free thanks to Flareon."
Ash looked at Glaceon who stuck her nose in the air, "Glaceon Glace Glaceon (Only Ash allowed to touch me)!" the boy laughed sheepishly at the comment. Yep she hasn't changed. He looked over at the other evolved forms of Eevee and jumped back because they were literally crowding him sitting on their hind legs staring at him, "Um, yes?"
Bill laughed confusing everyone, "Glaceon is their leader so wherever she goes they go. And in this case they want to go with you."
"All of them!" he exclaimed in surprise.
He chuckled at the boys reaction, "Yes all of them," Bill then remembered something, "Oh that's right!"
"What is it?" Misty asked.
Bill scratched the back of his head, "Did I forget to mention that there are more of them?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…More of what?" Brock probably knew already but had to ask.
His questioned was soon answered when more Eeveelutions came up the stairs, but that wasn't surprising. No, what was surprising was the fact they were all shiny! A purple Vaporeon, A dark green Jolteon, A brown and yellow Flareon, A light green Espeon, A dark Umbreon with blue rings instead of yellow, A light blue Glaceon, and A tan colored Leafeon.
"They're all shiny pokemon! This is amazing!" Ritchie couldn't believe he was seeing more shiny pokemon.
Bill smiled, "If you all wouldn't mind. Could I be selfish and ask you to adopt them all?"
"You want us to adopt them? Are you sure?" Brock asked. His question was answered when shiny Flareon and Leafeon nuzzled his legs wanting attention.
"I believe you have your answer." Bill smiled.
Shiny Espeon went over to Molly sensing something coming from the girl and nuzzled her cheek making the little girl laugh, "Hi Espeon! Would you like to be my pokemon?"
"Espe (Of course)!" she smiled.
Shiny Jolteon and Umbreon went over to Ritchie who was ecstatic to have his own shiny pokemon much their amusement, and shiny Vaporeon and Glaceon went over to Misty who just loved their color.
Brock was petting both his new shiny evolved forms of Eevee and couldn't help but laugh, "How ironic is it? We're adopting more pokemon that want a home."
"Well, technically this is their home," Bill pointed out, "But after being here awhile I guess they want to be adopted by trainers they know will give them love and affection."
Ash smiled and looked down at little Eevee who looked back at him and smiled, "That's true."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Who's That Pokemon?
Its…Krabby!"
"Krabby!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After putting all the evolved forms of Eevee in their new pokeballs including little Eevee who he promised he'd let out again later so they could bond they were still talking with Bill who was telling them of a strange noise he heard one day and recorded it so he could hear it again. He said that it sounded lonely and when he played the others agreed with him. It had to be a pokemon question is what? Even Ash couldn't tell what kind of pokemon it was, but their questions would soon be answered when they herd the sound but it wasn't coming from the sound Bill recorded it was coming from the outside.
"You guys hear that?" Ash asked.
Molly nodded, "It sounds so sad…"
Brock saw movement from the lake and saw something burst out of the water, "Guys look over there!" he pointed towards the river.
What they saw astounded them, it looked like a pokemon and it was pretty big to it had antennas coming out of its head and had wings on its back. Even though it was dark they could still tis features, Ash leaned over the railing and recognized what kind of pokemon it was, "No way!" he said.
"Ash be careful you'll fall!" Brock pulled the boy back inside and just in time to because the mysterious pokemon flew right up to the railing and came inside letting everyone see what the mystery pokemon was.
"What kind of pokemon is that?" Misty couldn't look away from it.
"Its-its-its…" Bill kept stuttering.
"A Dragonite." Ash finished for him.
Ritchie looked at his cousin, "Did you say Dragonite? This is what a Dragonite looks like? Its huge!" he quickly scanned it:
[Dragonite, the Dragon Pokémon. This extremely rare and highly intelligent type is able to fly faster than any known Pokémon.]
Molly went to the dragon type and smiled, "Hi Dragonite!" the pokemon cooed at the little girl bending down to hug her, which she enjoyed.
Bill was flabbergasted he didn't know what to say, for the first time he was really shy. A hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality he saw it was Ash smiling at him with encouragement, "Don't be shy go say hello." The researcher nodded stiffly before walking over to the dragon type gaining its attention.
"H-hello! My name is Bill and I would like to be your friend!" Bill proclaimed blushing.
The others couldn't help but laugh at the blushing researcher thinking that his reaction was so cute. Meanwhile Dragonite smiled and hugged the researcher making him cry happy tears and hug Dragonite back. It was a cute and touching hello.
Morning Outside the Lighthouse
"Thanks for letting us spend the night here Bill we appreciate it very much." Brock said.
"It was no trouble at all! Besides it was fun to have people over for once. And I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this, but make sure you take care of those Eeveelutions." Bill said.
Ritchie nodded, "You can count on us Bill!"
"Pikachu (Yeah)!" Sparky said.
Bill chuckled, "I wish you luck on your journey and when the Indigo League starts you can believe I'll be there with my new friend Dragonite," he turned to the dragon, "Right my friend?"
Dragonite cooed in response looking forward to it just like his new friend Bill.
"We better get going then. It was a pleasure to meet you Bill and Dragonite." Ash said walking away the others following him.
Bill and Dragonite waved goodbye knowing that they'll meet their new friends again.
And so with seeing the mysterious pokemon that wanted friends and getting some new ones of their own, our heroes are finally on their way to Vermilion City where Ash and Ritchie will earn their next gym badge. But even with the excitement of earning their next gym badge there is still the question of sad past that bot Ash and Ritchie share. What could it be?
