A week had passed since Sarah had introduced Wooloo, Galar Ponyta and Meowth to her parents. Nikki and James loved the three new pokemon. Nikki adored Wooloo's fluff. James was liking Ponyta's mane coloring. Sarah couldn't be happier. Today, she was wearing her right arm in a bandage instead of a cast now. It healed up very well but she still couldn't use it for now,
The Alolan Meowth that saved Ponyta and Wooloo also settled in well with her new family. While James and Nikki were skeptical after hearing of the species' Alola origins, they eventually warmed up to her thanks to Wooloo and Ponyta and their daughter putting in a good word for her. She also gave the Scratch Cat Pokemon a new name to go with her new life in the form of "Lolita", she liked the name and didn't gripe about it.
"With Meowth, now Lolita, and Wooloo and Ponyta as the newest members of their family, Sarah and her friends prepare for another day at the Pokemon School or have fun around the island with Ash and the others, are they?"
"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" called Sarah as she and her Pokemon left to see Ash and the gang.
"Bye, honey, you and your Pokemon have fun!" James called back as he and Nikki waved goodbye.
"Make sure your Pokemon are taking good care of you!" Nikki called, causing Sarah to fall back comically. "MOM!"
James couldn't help but laugh from his wife's joke as their daughter left. Blitz was on her shoulder and nuzzled her while pawing at her new bandage, "Aww.. Blitz don't worry." Sarah cooed.
"Pika." Blitz stated.
Wooloo and Ponyta were happily walking beside everyone. Lolita, on the other hand, was riding on Mudsdale again but he didn't mind being the freshly matured Draft Horse Pokemon he is.
As they made their way to the school, Sarah couldn't help but notice everyone staring at and muttering about Ponyta and Wooloo. Granted, they were now used to Silvally after he'd been with her and her Pokemon for weeks/months since Tapu Koko entrusted him to her but they couldn't take their eyes off of the Galar Pokemon with her. Wooloo and Ponyta were too happy walking with their family to care.
"Those stares we're getting are really bugging me," Silvally snarled quietly.
"They're not staring at you, Silvally," Sarah quipped. "They're looking at Wooloo and Ponyta, which can get annoying after a while, I'll admit."
"Rock, Rockruff, Ruff?" the first Rockruff brother asked.
"It's not every day you have Galar Pokemon in any other region," Sarah explained to the first brother, knowing what he's asking. "Ponyta and Wooloo are nothing like you guys or any other Pokemon here."
"Yeah... whatever..." Silvally grumbled.
Suddenly...
"Pop..!"
"Lotic..!"
"Huh?" Sarah asked suddenly, hearing the yells.
Opening (Power Rangers Beast Morphers, Pokémon Style)
(Scene opens with Melemele Island before transitioning to Sarah and her Pokémon Team jumping from a cliff into battle against Team Rocket or Team Skull)
Pokemon!
(Sarah and Blitz are shown, before featuring the Puppy Pair. Then, Sivally and Mudsdale appeared, all of them in an ordered introduction)
Go, Go, Pokemon
(Sarah and Blitz fight Team Skull to protect Ash and Pikachu. Mudsdale performs a Double Kick at an enemy Pokémon. Sivally unleashes Dragon Claw and the Puppy Pair use a Twin Rock Throw Attack)
Go! Go!
(Sarah and her Pokémon are introduced, one-by-one, in chronological order)
It's Battle Time!
(Sarah releases a Cherish Ball she found containing a Mythical Pokémon before Sivally starts to evolve at one point he fully trusts and accepts his family. Blitz prepares a Thunderpunch before Mudsdale neighs with pride as he stands on his back legs)
For justice we fight, with pokemon' light! Together, we rise!
(Team Skull's three main grunt leaders, Rapp, Tupp, and Zipp appear with their Poison Pokémon, ready for battle. Sarah uses Devastating Drake with Sivally while her friends attacked with their Partner Pokémon)
Go, Go, Pokemon! Go, Go Pokemon!
(Sarah and her Pokémon stand together in front of the four Tapu Guardians as they prepared to fight)
(The titles appear as the scene pans to Sarah and her Pokémon overlooking the seas of Alola from a cliff on Akala Island)
Pokémon Alola Journey – The Trials of Sarah
Sarah and her Pokemon jumped back at the yells. They looked around for the owners of the voices until they looked towards the entrance leading to Ten Carat Hill. Sarah looked at the building near it and realized they wandered to Professor Kukui's house by mistake. Suddenly, the Puppy Pair began to sniff around as if something had caught their attention.
"What is it, you two?" Sarah asked them. The Puppy Pair ignored her as they followed their noses to whatever they were sniffing at.
There was still plenty of time before they would get to the school so she rushed to the entrance to catch up with the Puppy Pair with her other Pokemon joining her as well. Carefully and quietly, they crept over to the entrance with the Puppy Pair leading the way. Ponyta and Wooloo, being the youngest members, scuttled closer to Sarah as Lolita joined them.
From there they saw a burly looking man with a Popplio and Milotic and it didn't look good. "You wireless Pokémon! Why can't you two ever do as I say!" He yelled before hitting the little Popplio! "Pop! It yelled in pain.
"Lotic!" Milotic gasped horror.
"And you be quiet or else...!" The man threatened.
"What the hell...?" Silvally gawked as the group watched the scene taking place. The man looked like he was abusing the Popplio and Milotic badly for something so petty or worse and the two Pokemon looked worse for wear. "We gotta do something!" Sarah whispered.
"And, how are you going to do that?" Silvally quipped. "Unless you want to be on the receiving end of his fat hands instead of them."
Sarah eyed Silvally but Mudsdale neighed quietly and reminded them to keep quiet or the man will hear them. Lolita narrowed her eyes angrily as the man kept beating up Milotic and Popplio, she couldn't stand seeing her fellow Pokemon getting abused that badly and decided to take action. "Meowth, Meowth, Meow!" she told everyone before she charged at the man with a Quick Attack and a Scratch attack.
"Lolita, wait!" Sarah cried.
Popplio and Milotic braced themselves for another beating until a loud cry from a Meowth and the man's pained screams snapped them out of their fear. Their eyes snapped open and they looked up to find Lolita, standing over them protectively with her claws out and hissing at the man. The man got up from Lolita's assault and gasped in shock to see her and her family coming to protect the wounded Milotic and Popplio.
"Hey! Who the hell invited you?!" he shrieked.
Sarah stepped forward and glared at the man while her Pokemon snarled at him. "You're not laying your dirty hands on these two anymore!" She snapped. The man got up and laughed, "Who are you to tell me what I do with my Pokemon, girly girl? You're just a kid!"
"And, you're just a monster!" Sarah growled. "Lolita, Thunderbolt!"
"MMMEEOOOWWTTTHHH!" cried Lolita as she let out a Thunderbolt that shocked the man as he screamed.
The man snarled. "Why, you little-! Get 'em, boys!" He shouted as he released a Trevenant, a Magmortar, and a Gigalith.
"Lolita!" Sarah gasped. That's when Sarah's other Pokémon nodded at each other and leaped over the hill and stood beside Lolita. "Wait for me!" Sarah called and she came beside her pokemon.
Lolita charged forward as she unleashed a Scratch attack at Trevenant, deciding to attack the Ghost Type first. While Trevenant held its own in terms of power, Lolita made up for it in her deceivingly strategic battle nature and her speed, for her species held the Rattled ability. When Trevenant used one of its Ghost Type attacks, she got a little scared and her speed increased, allowing her to attack the Ghost Pokemon faster. Gigalith and Magmortar were outraged and decided to gang up on her.
"POP!" "Lotic!" Popplio and Milotic cried out to her. Lolita heard their cries and when she saw Gigalith and Magmortar ambushing her, she jumped back off of Trevenant and the two Pokemon crashed into the Ghost Type. Lolita, safe from harm, landed in front of Popplio and Milotic, whom she thanked for warning her in time.
Soon, Sarah and her other Pokemon joined her and they shielded the two wounded Pokemon from the man as he snarled at his bumbling Pokemon, "MOE, LARRY, CURLY! CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT?!"
Sarah looked to Lolita and the wounded Milotic and Popplio while the man and his Pokemon were distracted. "Good job, Lolita, but you could've warned us first," she complemented. Lolita nodded before she returned her glare to the man.
Sarah looked back, realizing that they need to get out of here and head to the school to see Professor Kukui. "Come on, guys, let's get out of here," she whispered to her Pokemon, whom agreed despite Silvally's reluctance. Lolita and Blitz unleashed Thunderbolt and Thundershock on the ground to kick up a heavy dirt cloud which blocked the man and his Pokemon's vision and allowing Sarah and her Pokemon to escape with Popplio and Milotic. When the dust settled, the man saw that Sarah and her Pokemon were gone and so were Popplio and Milotic.
"NOOOOOOOO!" screamed the man in rage.
Sarah had taken the two wounded Pokémon to a safe clearing nearby. "Easy you too.." she cooed.
The wounded Popplio and Milotic looked towards their saviors, one by one. They were astounded, this girl and her Pokemon had the courage to save them from the horrible man that abused them and showed them kindness. But, their wounds from the beating caught up to them as they passed out.
"What's with them?!" Silvally asked in shock as he looked at them. Sarah looked towards the two and was horrified.
"Oh no, Popplio and Milotic's wounds are getting to them!" she screamed.
"I suppose we should get to the Pokemon Schoool and tell everyone about this whole scuffle," Silvally deducted. The other Pokemon nodded in agreement.
"I'll make sure that madman doesn't follow us if we hurry," Sarah announced.
There was no time to lose. With Popplio and Milotic's lives on the line after the recent beating from their former trainer, Sarah and her Pokemon dashed over to the Pokemon school.
Mudsdale and Lolita looked after Milotic who was carefully placed on the Draft Horse Pokemon's back with Ponyta and Wooloo on either side of them for extra protection.
Popplio was placed on Silvally with the Puppy Pair on either side of him to do the same.
In the meantime, Sarah and Blitz trailed behind, trying to make sure the man didn't follow them to take back the very two Pokemon he abused and nearly killed as they made their way to the school.
"Hold on! You can make it, Milotic, Popplio!" she called to the wounded Pokemon.
Meanwhile, everyone at the school was getting worried. Ash and Professor Kukui noticed that Sarah and her Pokemon didn't turn up yet and everyone was getting anxious. They were starting to contemplate on whether or not they should find out where she is until they heard a loud neigh from Ponyta and Mudsdale.
Realizing that Sarah had finally arrived, the gang and Professor Kukui rushed outside and found her and her Pokemon panting heavily with the wounded Popplio and Milotic still safely with them.
"Sarah!" Professor Kukui gasped.
"You made it! What happened?" Ash asked. "Pika, Pikachu?" Pikachu inquired.
"Guys, Professor, please help us," Sarah gasped.
Lillie could tell something was wrong. "What's wrong, Sarah?" she asked. "Vul?" Snowy put in.
"This Popplio and Milotic, they're badly wounded," she explained. "I found them with a man that was beating them up at Ten Carat Hill. They were being abused when I found them..."
"What?!" Everyone gasped in shock.
"They were being beaten up by a madman?!" Kiawe raged.
"That's cruel!" Sophocles agreed.
"To Toge To!" Togedemaru snarled. Professor Kukui took a look at Popplio and Milotic and the wounds that were on them. He touched a wound on both of them but they whimpered from whatever pain just touching them caused.
He gasped with horror, realizing what this could mean. "There's not much time!"
"Oh no.." Ash gasped
"Pika.." Pikachu cooed.
"What about the Pokemon Center?" Mallow asked.
"I don't know if they can make that trip." Kukui said. Sarah was very worried about her friends. Ponyta then stepped forward, "Ponyta?" Sarah asked before Ponyta bathes the two in a glowing light.
"What is that?" Lana said, surprised by Ponyta's move.
"That looks like Heal Pulse," Lillie answered.
"Right, it's a move that allows a Pokemon able to learn it to heal others by their maximum strength," Professor Kukui explained.
Soon, Ponyta managed to heal Popplio and Milotic and the two Pokemon were able to breathe normally. The others were amazed by Ponyta's act of kindness and cheered. "Wow, Ponyta healed them with Heal Pulse!" Mallow cried happily.
"Whoever thought all it would take to heal them was an act of kindness like that?" Lana agreed.
"This is outstanding!" Rotom-Dex cheered. "I need this move logged into my Pokedex-zzt!" Professor Kukui laughed in relief and happiness. "Let's not get our hopes up, kids. We still need to check if they're alright, I'll call Nurse Joy and have her come over to check on them to see if they're fully healed."
Deciding to cancel the lesson he planned, Professor Kukui called Nurse Joy to the Pokemon School. When she arrived, she began her medical examination as they waited anxiously for Nurse Joy and her Audino, Wigglytuff, Blissey, and Chansey to complete their medical check-up on them.
"Will they survive?" Sarah asked anxiously.
"Popplio and Milotic are both very weak but thanks to you, they're alright now," Nurse Joy said before she turned to Sarah with a firm look. "How could you and your friends let them get into their previous condition from what you told me?"
"Nurse Joy, this is a misunderstanding. Sarah told us earlier that a man she saw at Ten Carat Hill was abusing them for some reason," Professor Kukui defended, surprising the nurse. "What?!"
Sarah nodded, "He was hurting them so my Pokémon intervened."
"The wounds I've checked were some of the more recent ones and the older bruises I saw were ones that were inflicted on them before Sarah found them," Professor Kukui continued. "Which means that they've been enduring this abuse that guy she mentioned was throwing at them until she came and saved them from harm's way."
Nurse Joy was surprised and heartbroken from what she was told now. "Poor Milotic and Popplio and if you hadn't come to their rescue, Sarah, I don't know what would've happened to them if that man continued to hurt them."
"Nurse Joy, I'm begging you!" Sarah replied, coming up to her. "What should I do now? I can't take them to that man, not after everything he did to them. There has to be a way for them to be happy again!"
Joy nodded firmly, the mental trauma inflicted on the two Pokemon by the man could be serious and it was never an easy task to heal a traumatized Pokemon's mental wounds. "I can't make any promises for a quick recovery but I'll leave everything to you and your friends."
"Treat them with as much kindness and attention as you can give them. Prove to them that they can trust you and it'll be easier from there."
Sarah sighed but she agreed with a firm nod, "I'll do whatever I can to help them." She then turned to the others and her Pokemon. "Won't we?" she asked. Everyone agreed.
Nurse Joy and Professor Kukui smiled at Sarah. "I'm sure they'll be in good hands." Professor Kukui added.
A few hours later, following Nurse Joy's visit, Popplio and Milotic were resting peacefully on a makeshift bed in the classroom. Sarah and her Pokemon were in the room with them and Professor Kukui while the others were playing at the beach with their Pokemon Partners while they waited to hear anything on the two Pokemon.
Professor Kukui decided that because she was able to protect them and considering her and her Pokemon to be the first ones they'd trust after their ordeal with the madman, Sarah should be the one to look after them.
The minutes ticked by until, at last, Milotic was the first one to wake up. The Cute Charm Pokemon quietly looked around as she saw that she and Popplio were in a human school classroom, far away from the madman that abused her. She remembered about her Water Type friend and silently nudged the Sea Lion Pokemon to wake up. Popplio finally woke up and looked around before it noticed Milotic and hugged her out of relief before they took another look around the classroom.
"Hi there..." Popplio and Milotic looked and spotted Sarah near them. Milotic hissed in anger at her, "Lotic...!"
"Woah, woah... easy... I won't hurt you..." Sarah soothed but the Popplio moved closer to Milotic, who still glared at her. Wooloo and Ponyta then approached them and gave a small baaa and neigh at them. "Baa..." "Rrrrr..." they soothed to the two Water Pokemon. Popplio and Milotic continued to look at them warily, the memories of their previous experience with their old trainer being horrible ones. They had no idea that Ponyta was the one who healed them so they weren't trusting of her as well. But, at the very least, they didn't look so hostile now.
Lolita decided to step in and join them to help her Galar charges soothe Milotic and Popplio's ruffled feelings. "Meow, Me, Meowth, Meow," she said softly as she rubbed their heads gently.
Milotic and Popplio gaped in surprise at the Dark Type before them. This was the very same Pokemon that jumped to their rescue and saved them from another beating spree from the madman they once belonged to. Popplio started to move closer to her but Milotic stopped it, unsure of whether to trust her or not. Popplio ignored her friend and waddled closer to Lolita as the Meowth kindly offered her paw to her. She reached out to the Scratch Cat Pokemon's claw as a smile started to break out on her face while Sarah, her Pokemon, and Professor Kukui watched in anticipation. They could only hope that Lolita would be able to reach out to them just as Wooloo and Ponyta tried.
Sure enough, Popplio remembered Lolita and gave a happy bark to thank her, "Pop, Poppli!"
Lolita smiled, she had reached out to Popplio and the Sea Lion Pokemon trusted her. Milotic was shocked, Popplio decided to trust a Pokemon that saved them who belonged to a human of all creatures!
"Popplio, Pop, Pop, Poppli, Pop!" Popplio called to her. Milotic was concerned, should Lolita really be trusted? Doesn't she belong to a human as she and Popplio used to? What kind of trainer would go out of her way to save them and have Pokemon that will defend and protect others who were down on the luck from harsh treatment from their own trainers?
Wooloo then gently nuzzled the Water type pokemon and Popplio nuzzled it back. "Looks like the tiny sheep is convincing the little seal..." Silvally said. Sarah nodded at her two.
"Hey Sarah, how are they?" Ash asked as he and the other classmates entered the room. Milotic and Popplio hissed at the newcomers. "Hey easy... we won't hurt you..." Ash stated. Pikachu nodded, "Pika Pika..." Suddenly, Milotic unleashed a beam of colorful energy in the shape of a dragon at them. "DRAGON PULSE, WATCH OUT!" Rotom exclaimed and the friends dodged the attack. "Woah..!" Ash gasped.
"Milotic, it's alright.. they're my friends..." Sarah soothed the Water type pokemon.
"Pop, Pop, Popplio, Pop.." Popplio added. Milotic looked at Popplio and Blitz and at Ash and the others weary. "Lotic..."
"She's still hesitant to trust anyone." Silvally said to Sarah, who nodded. Sarah looked at Milotic with worry. Lolita calmly went over to Milotic with a smile and soothed her as she rubbed her neck, causing the Tender Pokemon to look at her.
"Meow, Meowth..." She cooked softly. Milotic started to relax and trust Lolita as she rubbed her soothingly and made sure to have her as relaxed as possible.
Popplio looked at her and tilted her head in confusion, curious as to what she's doing. "It's okay Popplio, Lolita's just gaining your friends trust.." Sarah smiled at her. Popplio nodded at Sarah.
"Looks like you made some progress with them, Sarah." Lana said.
"It's mostly my pokemon." Sarah admitted, seeing Wooloo and Ponyta nuzzling Popplio and Milotic. "Even so, it looks like Ponyta, Wooloo, and Lolita have everything under control," said Kukui, impressed. Lolita turned to Wooloo and Ponyta and told them to go find something for Popplio and Milotic to eat to help them get more accustomed to everyone. Ponyta and Wooloo baaed and neighed in agreement and went off to find any Pokemon food for them. "I'd better go help them and get some water," Professor Kukui spoke before he left with them.
While they were gone, Ash and Pikachu approached the two water type pokemon, "Hi my name is Ash and this is Pikachu."
"Pikachu..." Pikachu greeted softly. Milotic and Popplio looked at the two. Popplio then scooted back to Lolita and Milotic, a little queasy with Ash and Pikachu and the others coming close to her. Milotic tried to reach out to Popplio to protect her but the Scratch Cat Pokemon kindly told the Tender Pokemon to allow her to take care of things. Reluctantly, Milotic agreed and she let her go to Popplio. Smiling kindly, Lolita placed a comforting paw on Popplio, making the Sea Lion Pokemon look at her in surprise. She nodded to her new friend to approach Ash and Pikachu and say, 'hello', and sure enough, Popplio cautiously waddled to them.
When she was near the duo she cooed, "Popplio?" Pikachu gently reached out a paw to the pokemon, "Pikachu..."
"Pop?" Popplio reached out a flipper and gently placed it in Pikachus' hands and Pikachu smiled. "Pika."
Popplio smiled. "Looks like Ash and Pikachu got Popplio to trust them," Sophocles said, smiling.
"Actually, it was Lolita who encouraged her to trust them," Lillie corrected. "Vul, Vulpix, Vul!" Snowy squeaked.
"How does Lolita keep doing that, anyway?" Kiawe spoke up. "We tried to be friendly to them and Milotic used a Dragon Pulse on us but Sarah and her Pokemon managed to get them to trust her and they don't do anything crazy to them?"
"Who cares?" Mallow replied, shoving him aside. "This is great, maybe if we follow Ash and Sarah's example, they can trust us, too!"
Ponyta and Wooloo arrived back with Professor Kukui, bringing bowls of Pokemon food and water for the Water Pokemon. "Order up!" Kukui announced as Ponyta and Wooloo set down the bowls near Popplio and Milotic's bed. Popplio and Milotic smiled at the food and they dove right into it. "Wow, they must have been hungry, huh?" Kiawe said.
"Poor things, looks like they haven't eaten in a while." Lana cooed.
"Pop." Her Popplio cooed.
Everyone looked on happily as Popplio and Milotic ate their food and drank their water, feeling satisfied. Silvally and the rest of Sarah's Pokemon looked on in approval and relief for them. "I suppose it won't be long before those two start to fully trust us," the masked Pokemon said. Sarah could only agree.
Lolita smiled for them, happily. She knew that it would be her responsibility to take care of them as her own should they accept and trust her trainer after everything they've been through.
Later...
Everyone went out to the beach to help Milotic and Popplio get more accustomed to the rest of the gang and introduce themselves to the pair. Sarah, her Pokemon, and Lolita were with them, after formally introducing themselves to the two Water Pokemon. "Milotic, Popplio, you already know Ash and Pikachu and me and my Pokemon, especially Lolita," Sarah began. "Now, I want you to meet my other friends." She then looked and pointed Popplio and Milotic to the others and their Pokemon Partners, in order.
"This is Lana and her Popplio, Sophocles and Togedemaru, Kiawe and his Turtonator, Mallow and her Bounsweet, and Lillie and her Vulpix, Snowy." Her Alolan friends and their partners greeted them kindly. Milotic nodded respectfully but still feeling a little wary of them. Popplio, however, greeted them with a gentle 'Pop' and a wave. Lana set her Popplio down to interact with the Popplio with Milotic. Lolita came alongside them as a security blanket as Popplio interacted with Lana's partner.
The two Popplio do some funny gestures before they ended up blowing bubbles that popped and drenched them with water. Lana's Popplio laughed while Popplio gave a small giggle from playing with who's technically her twin. "Maybe we'll need a name for the other Popplio so we don't mix her and mine up," Lana put in, realizing this.
"Yeah, you're right," Sarah agreed. The Popplio playing with Lana's Popplio turned to Sarah as she thought for a moment. Finally, a name popped up in her head and she looked at the Sea Lion Pokemon happily.
"I got it! I'll call you... Ariel!" she decided. "What do you say, Ariel?"
Popplio was surprised and Milotic was stunned. The human that saved her and Popplio with her Pokemon from their former trainer actually gave her little friend a name!
"Hmm... How about Aqua?" Sarah suggested.
"Aqua..? Hmm... that could work.." Lana smiled and Popplio, now named Aqua, clapped her flippers together happily, liking her new name. "I think she likes it.." Kiawe smiled. The other pokemon smiled.
"That's excellent." Kukui stated with a smile. "Now how about we continue with class?"
"Right..!" Everyone cheered.
Unknown by them, the man that Popplio and Milotic belonged to was secretly watching from afar, "No one takes my pokemon and gets away with it." he grumbled.
By late afternoon, school was over once again and Sarah decided to bond with Milotic and Aqua more on the way home. Ash and the others decided to join her, hoping to bond with the two Water Pokemon more before they all left for home, too. Before they left, Professor Kukui gave Aqua a metallic blue collar with a golden nametag with her new name engraved on the front and the Sea Lion Pokemon fell in love with it. She played with the tag while riding on Milotic and had Lolita, Wooloo, and Ponyta walk beside them.
The Tender Pokemon was impressed with how her Water Type friend was recovering with their new friends and owner and even she had to admit she was feeling warm and safe around them, especially Sarah and the rest of her Pokemon along with Lolita. "I guess she likes the collar and nametag," Lana said with a smile. "Pop, Pop!" her Popplio agreed.
"What did you expect?" Mallow put in. "Not only did Sarah gave her a new name, but we also gave her and Milotic a new life to go with it."
"I'm still amazed they warmed up to you and your Pokemon after a while, Sarah," Lillie commented.
"Well, Lolita, Wooloo, and Ponyta were the first ones they trusted before the rest of us," Sarah denied again, modestly. "They've grown attached to them after helping them get used to us and the other Pokemon."
:Did you and Professor Kukui talk it over, though?" Sophocles reminded. "We can't give them back to that madman who treated them badly."
"We did. He did remind me that they'll need a new home to recover and couldn't bear leaving them, not after what Lolita did for them."
Ash turned to Milotic and Aqua, "Hey, Aqua, how would you and Milotic like to stay with Sarah?"
Milotic and Aqua were surprised. "I'm sure you'll be happier with her and us over your old trainer any day," Ash continued.
"Hi there, you little runts," sneered a man's voice. Everyone turned to find the man that had abused Aqua and Milotic in front of them. "Been looking all over for ya."
"You again!" Sarah growled. Popplio whimpered at the sight of him and hid behind Milotic, "Pop..." Silvally and the other pokemon stood in front of the pair, "What does this brute want now?" Silvally grunted.
"Why are you back here?" Ash growled.
"I'm just here to take back my pokemon..." the man hissed.
"No way!" Sarah exclaimed. "You're not taking them anywhere!"
"What do you want, you heartbreaking lunatic?" Kiawe snarled.
"What's it to you, short man? I came back for my Popplio and Milotic, they're my Pokemon to begin with," the man said with a dark smirk. The gang and their gasped but Sarah and her Pokemon just glared at the man. "Hand them over, missy. I have some unfinished business with them."
"Forget it, you chump! You'd do nothing but beat the crap out of them until they're nothing but sand crushed under your shoes!"
"Good thing if I did, my old fashioned way of making friends with Pokemon will toughen them up! Besides, what's wrong with punishing Pokemon for their disobedience in any fashion?" The man scoffed with pride. Sarah's friends gasped in shock.
"I wasn't going to come back for them but now that I found you and you've claimed them for your own, I'm glad I ran into you now. The best thing is, I don't have to raise them myself!"
"What'd you say?!" Ash gasped.
"That's terrible!" Mallow cried.
"Have you lost your marbles?!" Sophocles shouted.
"Raising a Pokemon like your own child is the best part of being a trainer!" Lillie told the man with a scowl.
"HA! You wish, it's the most pitiful part of the job!" sneered the man as he cackled. His answer only enraged everyone even more.
"How dare you call yourself a Pokemon trainer!" Kiawe snapped. Ash turned to Milotic. "You see, he doesn't care about you and Aqua as we and Sarah do, Milotic. He just wants to use you for his own selfish purposes!" he told them. Milotic realized how much of a fool she was with her precious actions. Sarah and her friends wanted to help them but she treated them like enemies, seeing them like the man who once owned them. "Popplio..." called Aqua to the downtrodden Milotic.
"I'll be taking my pokemon now." the man hissed bringing forth his pokemon, "Moe, Larry, Curly!" and a Trevenant, a Magmortar, and a Gigalith were released.
Silvally, Mudsdale and the Puppy Pair stepped forth.
"Bring it, pests!" Silvally grunted.
"Mudsdale..."
"Ruff.. ! Ruff...!"
"Get them!" Sarah ordered as she glared at the man and his Pokemon. Lolita, the others, and their Pokemon Partners quickly shielded Aqua and Milotic and kept them out of sight from the man while Mudsdale, the Puppy Pair, and Silvally charged at Moe, Larry, and Curly. It was clear to everyone that the man was going too far and doesn't deserve to be a Pokemon Trainer. This time, it's personal!
The battle between the man's Three Stooges and Sarah's Pokemon went on for five minutes but finally, the Puppy Pair, Mudsdale, and Silvally knocked them out with Dragon Claw, High Horsepower, and Double Rock Throw and sent them flying back to the man. The madman screamed as Moe, Larry, and Curly landed on him one by one while the others cheered for Mudsdale, Silvally, and the Puppy Pair. Despite being shielded by their new friends, Aqua and Milotic saw everything and they were astounded by what Sarah's Pokemon did for them. Ponyta and Wooloo stood beside Silvally and the Unique Horn Pokemon stuck her tongue out at the man and his Pokemon and gave them a small raspberry while Wooloo gave of an angry 'Baa'.
The man groaned as he pulled himself out of the Pokemon pile and snarled at Sarah and her Pokemon, the young trainer giving him another glare. Finally, the man snapped and went bananas as he grabbed a huge collection of Pokeballs over his head.
"THAT DOES IT, I'LL CRUSH YOU WITH EVERY POKEMON I GOT!"
Ponyta and Wooloo decided they had enough of the man torturing their new friends and used Dazzling Gleam and Electro Ball to shut him up. Lolita and Blitz also decided that it was time for the man to disappear and used Thunderbolt and Thundershock to send him packing.
The man and his Pokemon screamed as they were assaulted by the rest of Sarah's family until they were burnt to a crisp. "...WAAAAHHHHH!" The man cried and ran away as his frightened Pokemon followed him. "MOMMY, THERE WAS A GIRL AND THESE POKEMON WITH HER AND THEY'RE BEING MEAN TO ME!"
"Alright, Sarah!" Ash cheered.
"You did it!" Lillie, Mallow, and Lana cried happily.
"Yes!" Sophocles shouted, excitedly.
"Yeah, good work!" added Kiawe.
Wooloo gave a happy baa and rolled around in victory, "Baaa, baaa, baaa..."
"Aww, Wooloos' doing a victory lap." Lillie cooed. Blitz and the Puppy Pair cooed at the Aqua and Miltoic, asking them if they were alright. Aqua and Milotic nodded at the three pokemon. Sarah came over and she rubbed the two, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise..." she promised the pair and Aqua and Milotic could see she was telling the truth in her eyes.
They looked at each other and nodded in agreement. They had it rough with their old trainer before but now that Sarah made good on her promise to not let anyone hurt them on her watch, they decided it was time for them to lead a new life. They talked with Lolita, who was surprised about the choice they made.
"Meowth, Meow?" she asked, wanting them to be sure about this.
"Popplio, Pop, Pop!" Aqua said with a happy nod. Milotic nodded in agreement with a kind smile for the first time that day.
Lolita was silent but then she smiled happily for them with an approved nod, "Meow, Meow, Meowth, Meow, Meowth."
The gang heard everything and Ash and the others turned to Sarah. "Go ahead, Sarah, you take care of Aqua and Milotic. They will be great Pokemon for you," Kiawe smiled.
"But, won't any of you like to have them instead?" Sarah asked the others.
"You and your Pokemon are the ones they trust the most," Mallow told her.
"And, don't forget, you're the one who saved them from that crazy guy that hurt them," Sophocles added.
"There's nobody they would want more than you, Sarah," Lana agreed.
"I agree, Sarah, I'm sure you and your Pokemon will take care of them after everything they went through," finished Lillie, smiling.
Ash and Pikachu nodded in agreement, they didn't need to say anything.
Sarah smiled as she realized it would be the best thing for them. "Thanks, you guys," she thanked. She then turned to her new Water Pokemon, taking out two empty Pokeballs.
"Come on, you two, welcome to the family!"
"Pop, Popplio!" "Milo, Milotic!" cried Aqua and Milotic happily as they entered the Pokeballs and their balls rang after they closed, accepting Sarah and her Pokemon as their new trainer and family before they let themselves out to stand with them happily. "Alright! I got Aqua and Milotic!" Sarah cheered as she did a victory pose and her Pokemon cheered with her.
Ash suddenly deadpanned as he remembered the pose she did. "Wait a minute, that's supposed to be my pose!" Sarah snickered, "I know, I just wanted to try it after you showed us."
Kiawe cheekily smirked as he joked, "Hey, that's not bad. Maybe next time, I'll try it!"
Ash flailed as he angrily rebutted the idea. "Oh, why don't you guys think of your own victory poses, okay?!"
"You should be flattered that people want to try out your pose," Lillie added, getting into the fun.
"How about I try it next?" Sophocles added with a cheeky smile.
"That's right, Ash, don't be so greedy!" Lana laughed.
"WHAT?!" Ash screamed in shock as everyone laughed at him and the Pokemon warmly welcomed Aqua and Milotic into their family. "Come on you two, Mom and Dad will be happy to see you.." Sarah smiled. Popplio and Milotic smiled,
"Pop!"
"Lotic..!"
And so Popplio and Milotic are given new lives thanks to Sarah and her pokemon, now what more adventures will this family endure as Sarah's journey continues...?
Sarah's Team:
1. Pikachu
Moves - Thundershock, Tackle, Thunderpunch
2. Rockruff (2x)
Moves - Rock Throw, Bite, Tackle
3. Silvally
Moves - Crush Claw, Air Slash, Hyper Beam, Swords Dance, Dragon Claw
4. Mudsdale
Moves - High Horsepower, Double Kick, Mud Slap, Bulldoze
5. Wooloo
Moves - Wild Charge, Tackle, Electro Ball
6. Ponyta (Galar Form)
Moves - Dazzling Gleam, Moonblast, High Horsepower, Heal Pulse
7. Meowth (Alola Form)
Moves - Thunderbolt, Scratch, Iron Tail, Dark Pulse
8. Popplio
Moves - Pound, Water Gun, Icy Wind, Bubblebeam
9. Milotic
Moves - Dragon Pulse, Ice Beam, Twister, Mirror Coat
