Disclaimer: No I still don't own Pokemon. I make this for my and your amusement, not for money.

Chapter 10

Ash Ketchum: 10 years old

"Can't we just kidnap Meowth from under their noses?" Jessie said annoyed.

"You know we can't." James said as he ate his rice ball.

"But I'm so done with Wigglytuff." Jessie whined.

"Wiggly Wigglytuff!" It screeched unhappily.

"Oh shut up!" Jessie cried out, punching the pink ball in its side, making it skip to the side.

"Could you please stop." James asked desperately.

He would turn insane with these two maniacs around him 24/7.

"Squirtle, use Scald!" Ash ordered as the Vileplume jumped back from the previous attack.

A blast of boiling water met the Vileplume in mid air, sending her further into the air. She fell to the ground where she cried out in pain as flames engulfed her.

"Good job Squirtle. Finish it with Rapid Spin!" Ash shouted as the flames from the burn dissipated.

"Vileplume, dodge!" Ash's opponent, a girl he didn't know the name of, shouted desperately.

Vileplume stood up slowly before trying to step aside, which was hindered when flames engulfed her again. She was unable to recover quickly enough and Squirtle slammed into her. She skidded backwards again and fell flat on her back, body battered and unconscious.

"And the winner is Ash Ketchum." Brock declared loudly.

"Ivy Ivysaur." Ivysaur cried out happily when he stood next to Squirtle. His vines danced around the turtle.

"Your Squirtle is really strong," The girl said while she shook his hand. "My name is Casey by the way." She continued.

"Thanks, he's a tough nut to crack and I'm Ash, for al it's worth to know." Ash said, grinning.

He accepted the price money she gave and put it away in his wallet.

"It was nice battling you!" Casey said as she walked away, waving him goodbye.

Ash waved back, a smile on his face. He turned towards Squirtle and said, "You didn't even break a sweat battling her." Ash stroked Squirtle's head as he smiled brightly at water Pokemon. He stopped however when his stomach rumbled loudly.

Ash blushed and stood up slowly, "Ah, I think I need some food." Ash said embarrassed.

"Than I'll set up something immediately." Brock answered, already working his bag open.

It didn't take long for him to make some soup, which they ate happily while the Pokemon munched on their own food.

"So how has Pidgeot been in Oak Corral?" Brock asked in curiosity.

"Professor Oak says that she's been enjoying her free time immensely but that she can't wait to get back either." Ash said as he set his plate away. "According to the Professor she's been training on her own." Ash continued.

"So who're you going to send back next?" Giselle asked.

"I think I'm going to-," Ash stopped talking however when Maeve climbed on his lap silently.

"Hello love." Ash said.

Maeve made a noise that resembled a greeting as she snuggled up against his chest.

Maeve had been training hard the last few days. She hadn't been easy on herself; she had done the same exercises as everyone and just as long. She was also trying to learn new moves with Ash, which had been successful. She just hadn't been able to sit still for the last few days. Therefore it was quite a surprise when a feeling of content went through him, directly coming from Maeve, who was finally calming down as she curled up in his arms.

A cough brought him out of his thoughts. Ash looked up towards Brock, who had his eyebrows raised.

"Sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing but Giselle asked you something." Brock grunted teasingly. His eyes however gave away his curiosity as they shifted between Maeve and him.

"Ah right, I was thinking about switching Ivysaur and Pidgeot." Ash said, answering the question.

"Which species of Pokemon does she belong to?" Meowth said all of a sudden, his voice almost unsure as he looked at Maeve.

Ash looked at Maeve, who was the picture of serene calm (for the first time in a few days) as she snored softly against his chest. He looked back at Meowth, not sure if it would be a good idea to disclose such information. He knew it was ridiculous to feel protective about leaking any sort of information about someone from his team, even if it was something as small as the specie they belonged to, what Meowth could look up any time in the big cities, but he didn't really feel comfortable with Meowth just yet.

His gaze raked over Meowth. On one side he was a Team Rocket member, a criminal that stole or harmed (or both of course) Pokemon for their own goals, but on the other side Ash was sure Meowth wasn't really evil.

Wanting to believe that Meowth wouldn't misuse the information Ash gave him a chance.

"Maeve is a Riolu, a Pokemon well known and wanted for her evolution, Lucario. Their species can feel and wield Aura, making them very skilled fighters. They are Pokemon who are always in tune with themselves and everything around them." Ash said, trying to assess Meowth's reaction. Meowth kept still however, his body oddly frozen and his eyes glazed, staring at something in the distance.

"In tune with everything you say." He said almost wistfully as he sat up straight, looking at Maeve with an odd gleam in his eyes.

Ash nodded hesitantly while he clutched Maeve a bit closer unconsciously. He didn't know what was going through Meowth his mind but he was pretty sure he didn't like it.

He would have to keep a close eye on him from now on.

"Well let's go!" Giselle piped up.

"Is it me or are we walking in circles?" Giselle asked as she looked at something familiar in the distance with a grimace.

Brock scratched his head as he looked at the map.

"Well actually… you could be right." He said awkwardly.

"Pika Pikachu…" Pikachu grumbled from his shoulder as he glared at Brock.

"Maybe we should-" Giselle couldn't finish her sentence however when a loud explosion rang through the valley.

"What the…" Ash trailed off before running towards the sound.

"Ash! You're not supposed to run to such sounds, you're supposed to run away from them!" Giselle cried out in protest.

Ash ignored her however and kept running until he reached the origin of the sound.

A large amount of big rocks fell from a mountainside as other explosions went off. On the other side of the path were several container trucks, going towards a construction near the explosions.

Before they could reach it however the ground underneath the trucks sank in, taking the trucks with them. They slammed against each other with a harsh sound.

Ash ran towards them while he heard Meowth, Brock and Giselle on the background, still shouting at him.

Pikachu jumped from his shoulder on the ground and stayed behind.

"Are you okay?" Ash cried out as he opened one of the doors.

A man in a blue construction clothes and a yellow safety helmet crawled out as he groaned.

"No no no no! Not again!" He cried out almost hysterically.

"Always those damned Diglett!" He cried out angrily, as he stood up stiffly while other workers climbed out of the trucks.

"Uhm, sir. You okay?" Brock asked, who had neared them.

"Everything is just fine, can't you see." He said, his voice dripping of sarcasm and anger. "Another load of supplies that hasn't reached the dam!" He cried out.

Another explosion went off in the distance, which was followed by several large rocks falling again.

"Is that part of constructing the dam?" Ash asked as he watched the falling rocks.

"Yes." The man snapped. "Those Diglett are making it impossible to finish however. We even have a special division to help fight off the Diglett, but nothing is working!" He cried out.

"The final group of Pokemon trainers are arriving today. Lets hope they can clean up those Diglett, because otherwise I'm not sure if we'll ever be able to finish the dam." He said.

"Pika Pikachu." Pikachu said as he glared at the constructer, electricity escaping from his pouches.

Ash crouched down and calmed Pikachu down quickly, not wanting to cause a scene.

"AH! Finally!"

Ash's head snapped back towards the construction worker, who was looking in the distance at several buses.

"They have arrived!" He said joyfully.

Ash his face turned into a grimace however when he saw who was riding in front of the buses full of trainers.

He took his hands away from Pikachu and clenched them together instead as he stood up.

"Pika Pi?" Pikachu said, his eyes raking over the tensed body of Ash.

"I'm okay." Ash said slightly strained as he stood up and turned towards the worker and the trainers who had arrived.

The smug face of Gary Oak entered his sight.

"We are finally here people, you don't need to worry anymore." Gary's voice echoed through the crowd.

Ash couldn't help getting angry.

"We're getting out of here." Ash said quietly to his friends, not wanting to confront Gary right now.

It was useless however as a very familiar (and very unwelcome) greeting rang through the crowd.

"Well well well, if it isn't Ashy-Boy."

Ash turned around unhappily as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.

"Gary."

"Long time no see, are you finally catching up with the others?" Gary said mockingly as he walked up to Ash.

"How many Pokemon do you have now? I see gramps gave you that unruly and useless Pikachu." Gary continued as his eyes focused on Pikachu.

Pikachu growled as sparks escaped his pouches again. His glare intensified while his paws clenched on Ash's shoulder.

"Stand down Pikachu." Ash murmured soothingly. "I don't see how it's any of your business how many Pokemon I have." Ash answered a bit coldly, trying to keep from lashing out at Gary himself.

Gary's expression changed for a second from the smug look, which vanished just as quickly. Ash didn't feel comfortable with Gary looking him over. They may have been best friends in their childhood, but after Gary had started treating him like this he couldn't just stand by and let Gary crush him into the ground.

"Oh really," Gary said, "You're just to scared to admit to yourself that I'm better when it comes to the field of Pokemon training." Gary continued, his voice really grating on Ash his nerves.

"You can't even control that Pikachu of yours." He scoffed almost as an afterthought.

"Gary…" Ash said, his voice dripping with badly contained anger. Ash knew his temper was getting the better of him, but that was what Gary did to him.

Suddenly one of his Pokeballs opened. Maeve appeared between them, her eyes piercing into Gary's, who had stumbled back in surprise.

"Father, your emotions are getting the better of you." Maeve said, as she turned around towards Ash.

"I think it'll be better for all of us if you guys keep your distance from each other." Brock said as he stepped between Gary and Maeve.

Ash felt calm spread through him as Maeve's conscience brushed against his briefly.

He took a breath and unclenched his hands.

"Thanks Maeve." Ash said.

Gary scoffed and turned around, dismissing Ash and Brock. He walked into the crowd of Pokemon trainers who stood before the construction worker.

Ash, Brock and Giselle went to the edge of the crowd and watched the construction worker.

He gave a raging speech about the Diglett and how they made their project unable to finish and that it was their job to stop them in exchange for money and a seven days stay in a hot spring resort.

"Pika Pi." Pikachu said as he glared at the worker.

"What do you mean?" Ash asked curiously.

"This whole mountain is the home of the Diglett and Dugtrio. They keep it alive and well cared for. Several other Pokemon species live here in harmony. If this dam is built this whole valley will flood. The Pokemon of those trainers won't want to help if it means destroying a whole valley full of wild life." Maeve said, continuing Pikachu's statement.

"But that's… Do they even know? I mean, how are you able to start such a big project without knowing something so important?" Ash asked bewildered.

He repeated what Maeve had said to Giselle and Brock. They reacted the same as Ash.

They were interrupted out of their conversation by a loud sound. A second later the ground beneath the trucks sagged in even more, taking the trucks with them.

"Get them!" The worker cried out hysterically.

"Nidorino, it your time!" Gary's voice echoed over the crowd.

His Pokeball touched the ground. It opened and the familiar light came out. It stopped abruptly however and went back in.

"Huh…"

A second later a Diglett took the ball, bringing it back to Gary. He took it and looked at it oddly before he placed it back on his belt. He tried to send another Pokemon out, which resulted in the same way.

"It won't work." Ash piped up.

"…"

"Why?"

"Because the Diglett do not want their homes to flood with water when they've put so much energy in it to keep it like this. Your Pokemon won't want to help you destroy this piece of land." He said, focusing on the trainers.

"And, how may I ask would you know that?" Fumed the construction worker.

"Well, Pikachu and Maeve told me." Ash said as he motioned toward the two.

He felt more than saw Gary's gaze rake over them.

"Why would we believe you?" Gary said.

"Well, I can prove it." Ash said as he took a Pokeball from his belt. "Since I'm not here to fight the Diglett I should be able to let my Pokemon out."

He threw the Pokeball out and Squirtle appeared, confirming it.

"So than we've come here for nothing." Gary said, frustration dripping from his voice. He looked at Ash for a moment before he continued, "I'm not going to go away now, I was promised a fight, and so a fight is what I'll get." He said as he stalked towards Ash, dragging him away, followed by four protesting Pokemon and two annoyed humans.

"I haven't even accepted your challenge!" Ash protested as Gary walked to the opposite side of the clearing. Of course he wanted to battle Gary, but the way it had come to was not how he wanted it.

Gary ignored him and took a Pokeball from his belt. "It's going to be a one on one, basic rules." Gary stated.

Ash grumbled unhappily but agreed, because who the hell was he kidding, he wouldn't get out this fight if his life depended on it. Gary wouldn't permit it.

"Wartortle, come on out!"

Wartortle appeared, looking ready for a fight. It stood ready, its tail standing proud behind him while a smirk stretched over his face.

Ash wasn't surprised Gary had taken a Squirtle as a starter.

If Gary would use his starter it would be polite to return the favour.

"Growlithe, I choose you!"

He appeared, standing crouched (as always) and with his tongue hanging out of his mouth in anticipation.

"Ashy-boy, you're only making this more hopeless for yourself." Gary chided mockingly.

"Will you just shut up!" Ash said, his calm mask breaking for just a second.

Gary snorted and shrugged his shoulders.

"Very well." He said, sounding confident. "Wartortle, use Water Gun!" He cried out.

Wartortle complied and sent out a fast stream of water from his mouth.

Growlithe dodged it easily.

"Growlithe, use Quick Attack!"

"Dodge and use Bubblebeam!"

Growlithe was already moving the second Ash's order left his mouth he ran with a blinding speed towards the water type.

Wartortle dodged at the last second, just scraping Growlithe's side. He opened his mouth and let loose a stream of bubbles, which landed directly on Growlithe. He was send back from the force of the close ranged attack but was able to free himself.

"Use Flamethrower!"

Growlithe spat out a fierce stream of fire that hit the (still coming) bubbles, vaporizing them while the fire continued toward Wartortle.

"Use Protect!" Gary ordered.

Wartortle shifted from offence to defence almost flawlessly as he raised a green shield. The flames hit it not a second later. They stood like that a few seconds until Ash ordered Growlithe to cease.

"Use Rapid Spin!" Gary ordered immediately.

Wartortle's shield vanished. He curled into his shield as he fired himself towards Growlithe.

"Now Growlithe, step to the side and slam him away with Iron Tail!" Ash cried out as the water type neared.

Growlithe obeyed and jumped to the right before he used his momentum to hurl his glowing tail against the shell.

The smack hurtled the shell to the side and it slammed against a tree in the clearing.

Ash heard everyone, including Meowth cheer at the successful attack.

The shell fell down onto the ground, where a dizzy-looking Wartortle popped back out. It groaned for a second and shook his head.

"Growlithe, use Flamethrower!" Ash ordered.

Growlithe opened his mouth and the familiar heat of the Flamethrower slammed into Wartortle.

"Wartortle!" Gary cried out, loosing his cool for just a second. "Get away from there!"

A few seconds went by where Wartortle stayed under the attack. Just as Gary seemed to want to say something again Wartortle plunged down under the stream. He rolled away from the danger, what hit the tree instead.

Growlithe ceased fire.

"Use Water Pulse!" Gary shouted excitedly.

Wartortle immediately formed a ball of water between his hands. He slammed it down onto the ground not a second later, where it formed into a wave of water.

The wave hit Growlithe, who had already readied himself for the oncoming attack. He stood his ground and wasn't taken away by the force of it. When it passed Growlithe stood on the same place, totally soaked.

"Now use Hydro Pump!"

Ash his eyes turned wide as Wartortle complied. A harsh blasting stream of water escaped Wartortle's mouth, moving towards Growlithe quickly.

"Dodge it with Agility!" Ash cried out desperately.

Growlithe must have heard the desperation because Ash had never seen Growlithe move as fast as this to get away from an attack.

"Yes Ash, I wouldn't let it hit you." Gary said snidely.

"Growlithe, use Quick Attack!" Ash said, trying to ignore Gary. The idea that a Wartortle could use one of the most powerful moves of a water type was worrying.

As if Gary could read his mind he answered, "It's his egg move, so it's easier to master. Didn't you know that Ash? You didn't know that egg moves were easier to master?" He said mockingly.

Ash did know of course but he tried to not rise to the bait, knowing it would only distract him.

"Wartortle dodge."

Wartortle spun out of the way and made some more space between them, playing it safe.

Both Pokemon looked tired and quite a bit damaged. They both heaved out breaths as they focused on one another.

"Wartortle, use Hydro Pump!"

"Use Dig!" Ash ordered.

Growlithe vanished immediately into the ground, leaving a hole behind.

"Wait for it." Gary commanded Wartortle.

Seconds went by where nothing happened. The clearing was oddly still, only Squirtle and Pikachu's murmurs to be heard.

Eventually Gary frowned, "You sure he-"

Growlithe shot up from the ground, right under Wartortle, hurtling Wartortle into the air.

"Now use Thunder Fang!" Ash said, finally seeing their change.

Growlithe's mouth crackled with electricity and he bit down on Wartortle's vulnerable leg and slammed him into the ground. He didn't release the leg, sending more electricity through the turtle.

"Use Hydro Pump!" Gary ordered.

Wartortle opened his mouth immediately and raised his head, the stream leaving his mouth, hitting Growlithe from close by. They were propelled backwards from the force, slamming both against the ground a bit further.

"Come on Growlithe, use Reversal!" Ash encouraged as Growlithe's damaged body struggled to get up.

Gary was a bit more unfortunate.

Wartortle lay on his shell, unable to stand on both feet again.

"Wartortle, try and roll on your side!" Gary said a bit desperate.

He wriggled from side to side but was incapable of getting on his side quickly enough. Growlithe's lit up body connected with the upside down Wartortle, sending it flying head first into a tree, sapping the last energy from his body.

Wartortle's unconscious form slipped down the tree, limp.

Ash jumped up in joy, yelping in happiness. He ran towards Growlithe and tackled him into a hug, clutching him close to his body and singing his praise throughout the clearing.

Growlithe barked back happily, licking Ash's cheek with his sloppy tongue while the unnecessary amount of saliva leaked from his mouth, which had been heaped up from battling. Ash didn't mind however, just overjoyed with their win.

He felt three bodies tackle him from behind, all cheering loudly.

"That was great! When can we start battling?" Maeve piped up, joy and eagerness flooding into him.

"Soon." Ash promised while he gave the others some room to join them.

Brock and Giselle walked towards him, followed by Meowth.

"I have ta give it ta ya, ya did well…" Meowth said grudgingly.

"Yeah you did really great!" Giselle said. Brock nodded in agreement andcrouched down beside them.

"Let me look him over while you deal with Gary." Brock said, already taking some medicine from his bag.

Ash nodded and gave Growlithe one last pet before standing up. Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder and his balance shifted effortlessly while he kept walking towards Gary, who had just given Wartortle a stroke over the head before returning him. Ash waited for Gary to stand.

"You did great, Growlithe and I really enjoyed it." Ash started a bit awkwardly.

"Yeah well. It seems that Wartortle needs more training. He was not strong enough." Gary said bitterly, not looking at Ash.

"I'm sure you would've won if Growlithe didn't know Thunder Fang." Ash said. He didn't know why he said it, since Gary had only been a douche towards him but he did.

Maybe it was because they had been best friends once.

"I don't need your pity!" Gary spat angrily.

Ash's temper flared again, okay, so yeah, it was quite obvious that he didn't like Ash's gesture towards friendliness at all but seriously, he had only been trying to be nice! If he didn't want to appreciate it than he could shove off for all he cared.

"Whatever." Ash snapped. He turned around towards his companions, with Growlithe patched up again, and walked towards them. They left the clearing, not looking back at Gary and asked directions towards the road to Fuchsia City again.

They left the site (after making sure that the project would be disbanded) and went on their way again.

The Pokemon Centre was well appreciated when they finally stepped inside. The air warmed their numb and wet fingers up quickly, sending small uncomfortable tingles through them.

"I think I've never been happier to get inside." Brock said, as he stared through the window. Raindrops bounced of the window rapidly while a deep rumble was heard from far away.

Ash nodded as he took his raincoat off, which hadn't really helped since the wind had blown it upwards every few seconds while the rain had kept coming.

"Let's just give the Pokemon a check up." Ash said.

After everyone was checked up (Meowth's condition was still the same) they changed into some dry clothes.

Ash made his way to the telephones next. Pikachu jumped from his shoulder quickly when he saw whom he was calling.

"Ash, it has been a while! How have you been?" Professor Oak said enthusiastically.

Ash grinned and answered with the same enthusiasm, retelling the last few days.

"So I got a question." Ash said after finishing telling about his battle with Gary.

Professor Oak shifted as if readying himself and waited, looking at Ash expectedly.

"So Gary mentioned that Hydro Pump was easier for Wartortle to learn than normally, since it's his egg move." Ash began while the professor nodded. "The last time I spoke to you, you mentioned Growlithe's egg move, which was also Hydro Pump." Ash continued, sounding uncertain.

Professor Oak nodded again, a twinkle in his eye.

"Do you already know something about that? Was it a misunderstanding or well… something else?"

Professor Oak looked downright giddy as he regarded Ash.

"I am almost certain that I have found the proof to this peculiar egg move." The professor said.

"When I asked for Growlithe's blood a week ago it was so I could look at his cells." Professor Oak said. "If you want to know what I think is going on with Growlithe, you first have to know something very basic, but very important about the cell structure of certain Pokemon."

"Every Pokemon, human or plant have cells, as you already know. However, with Pokemon it's a bit different. Not much, but there is just enough to be able to separate several different type of Pokemon from the other. We're going to focus on the cells of two different types, fire and water types."

"These two types are very easy to distinguish from each other when you're looking at them on cellular level." Professor Oak continued.

"The cells of every water type contain a large central vacuole, which contains water. These vacuoles ensure that they'll be able to use moves that need water to fuel it."

"When we look at the cells of fire types it's logical to say that they do not have a large central vacuole. Which is true. Until your little Growlithe came along and crushed the whole notion under his paws."

"Wait you mean to tell me that-" Ash's words got stuck in his throat however when the professor nodded his head.

"Yes Ash, your Growlithe's cells are the proud owner of a large central vacuole." Professor Oak confirmed, a smirk plastered onto his face.

"But that's impossible…" Ash trailed off, astonishment clear in his voice and on his face.

"Here, I'll show you." Professor Oak said and stood up. He was gone for a moment but returned, now with a stash of photographs in his hands.

He showed Ash the numerous photos.

And yes, there it was, a big purple blob (purple because of the pigment used to make the cells visible), the vacuole.

"Wait… what is that?" Ash asked as he narrowed his eyes, trying to make out something around the vacuole. It looked vaguely like a zigzagged line, but not really at the same time.

"That's what has been keeping me up too. I have no idea what it is; the only thing that I know is that it's attached on the inside of the membrane that separates the vacuole and cytoplasm." Professor Oak said frowning, while his lips pursed in contemplation.

"Well let's move on to the next step I had taken after discovering the vacuole." Professor Oak continued, placing the photos back on the table.

"So the second (and so far the last) thing I wanted to research was of whom Growlithe could have gotten the vacuole."

"There were two option that I could consider that had happened. The first one was that one of Growlithe's parents was so strong or unique in a way that the Pokemon was able to transfer the ability to keep a vacuole even when his or her offspring was a fire type, or Growlithe had developed the trait himself."

"So the next thing that I did was send the cells to a lab, since discerning different species of Pokemon from DNA is not in my capability."

"The lab researched the nucleus thoroughly, which is where all the DNA is kept." Professor Oak said.

"And?" Ash said, curious but unbelievably impatient.

"The DNA of Growlithe's mother didn't cause this phenomenon, since she's an Arcanine. But the DNA that came from Growlithe's father is the cause of it. The problem is however that the species of the father is… unknown. They've never seen such DNA before. It doesn't resemble any species even closely, which means that Growlithe's father is part of an unknown species out there or one individual of a known species that is heavily mutated." Professor Oak concluded.

Ash wasn't sure how to process all this new information.

Growlithe had a freaking father who was an unknown factor. His father was so insanely different and unique that he had enabled Growlithe to have water inside his body! And oh yeah, not to forget that it made Growlithe able to use a water attack.

This whole concept should normally kill a fire type!

Not that he wanted that of course, Ash chided himself. He was getting a bit hysterical, which of course was totally fair in this situation but not really ideal.

"So what now." Ash rasped out, his throat feeling unbelievably dry.

"Now I await for you to succeed in teaching Growlithe Hydro Pump." Professor Oak said simply, as if it was a piece of cake.

"How the hell do I teach a fire type Pokemon a water type attack!" Ash bristled, his temper flaring just a bit.

"Well, just like you teach you Pokemon moves from other types."

"But that's different." Ash said, knowing his voice turned whiny.

"No it's not. I'm sure that with enough practise Growlithe will learn eventually, and if not, wait until you have evolved him into an Arcanine. That way you'll be able to access more power if it still hasn't worked as a Growlithe." Professor Oak said soothingly. "Now that I'm on the subject of attacks, you should try to teach Pikachu Return."

"Why?" Ash asked.

"That way you'll be able to test your bond. How bigger and stronger your bond with Pikachu, how stronger and harsher Return will hit your opponent."

"I'll look into it!" Ash said, looking at Pikachu for a moment. "Oh, could I switch Pidgeot with Ivysaur by the way?" Ash asked, almost having forgotten about it after all the revelations and excitement.

"Yes, yes, right away." The professor said as he stood up and walked out of the room.

He returned a minute later with a Pokeball and placed it on his platform while Ash did the same with Ivysaur's Pokeball.

"See you soon." He said to it as it flashed away. A second later another Pokeball appeared and Ash took it in his hand immediately.

"I've missed you." He said softly, his thumb stroking over it.

They talked a bit more and said their goodbyes not long after that.

Professor Oak vanished from the screen and Ash immediately typed in his mom's number next. He waited for what seemed like minutes but nobody came to answer. He switched the telephone off disappointedly; he had really looked forward to talking and seeing his mom again.

POKEMON ACQUIRED:

On hand:

Growlithe (M), Pikachu (M), Pidgeot (F), Charmander (M), Squirtle (M), Riolu (F) Maeve

At Oak Corral:

Ivysaur (M)

This chapter refused to come. I've been annoying over it for weeks. And look where that resulted in, its length is much smaller than normal. Hoop you don't mind.

I know that I promised all these other things like another evolution, Fuchsia City etc. but I just couldn't find the place for them, and than Growlithe's case shot in my head like, NEED TO TELLLLL, DO IT SLAVE. And yeah… That's about it.

I felt that the fight with Gary was a bit… unspectacular. Not really something I'm happy with, but I really struggled through that part… I'll have to see about revising it some time.

I still hope you enjoyed the chapter though, and I would really appreciate it if you reviewed about Growlithe's 'condition'.

ALSO. The poll is closed. See my profile for the result.

Review, favourite, follow, whatever the heck you want. ;)