So here it is, the group finally gets their pre-historic Pokémon. Despite them getting their Pokémon, this chapter mostly revolves around Ivysaur if the title indicates anything.

It's going to be painful to see what is going to happen, but I can assure you Ivysaur will not take part in either of the next two gym battles, especially for what will happen in this chapter. There will be an evolution in this chapter, and it's one we all knew was coming.


Flashback-17 years ago

Lumisone City-Outside the stadium

Jade has told Annie that she and Grace should try and connect, but Annie didn't want anything to do with her. Whenever Grace tries to interact with her, she just ignores her as in she lets her talk but doesn't listen. Grace wonders if anything is wrong and why she doesn't want to speak.

There are only two things Annie wants to focus on, winning the Kalos League and establishing herself with Jade. However when Grace isn't around, she is hogging all the time with Jade. Jade has made Grace feel welcomed while Annie is just rebutting her.

Jade was currenting walking with Grace as they shared a soda while Annie was out training somewhere. They talked about Annie and how Grace was being pushed to the side.

"I mean I try talking to her, but she just pushes me aside. Is there something wrong with me that makes Annie not like me?" Grace asked.

Grace was hurt, but not as hurt as after her father vanished and was presumed dead. However she was feeling much different when she was with Jade. Jade was understanding and took the time to listen. It was almost like she gained a real friend.

"Grace, you're doing nothing wrong. I don't know what's gotten into Annie. I mean she was cool until you came around," Jade stated.

Grace shook in despair. Great, she was the problem. She intruded in their lives and brought nothing but trouble.

"No Grace it's not like that. As I said you're doing everything right. It's just, she feels as if she should hog me for herself and let no one come in. I can understand you're a great person," Jade explained.

Grace felt a little better, at least Jade accepted her. But why hasn't Annie?

"Thanks Jade," Grace said as she shared a hug with her.

This wasn't normal for Grace to share a hug with someone other than her parents, but it almost felt like she felt safe with Jade. She was the real first friend she made after running away from Hoenn. Maybe if she were with her, she would feel like she has a new home.

"If it's okay, can I stay with you guys?" Grace asked.

"Of course you can, if it's okay with Annie," Jade answered.

"No, I don't her to have a say so," Grace sternly said.

"I understand, you are a great friend and I like you," Jade said, "Annie will just have to accept that."


Lumisone City-Park

Annie continued her training with Herdier. This was the only thing she could do when no one was around. The girl was frustrated with all of this nonsense with Grace butting into what was supposed to be their journey.

Her training was interrupted when Jade returned with Grace. Jade had a stern look on her face while Grace looked on. Annie turned around and to her disgust, she saw Grace with Jade again.

"Annie, it's time to accept to change. I think it would be good if Grace joined our group permanently," Jade declared.

Annie shook in shock when Jade said that. This girl butts into her newly developed sisterhood and now Jade wants her to be part of it. It almost felt like it was Yellow all over again.

"I know you and Grace haven't been getting along, but you need to start expanding your friendzone more," Jade explained as Annie shook.

"No," Annie spat.

"What," Jade replied.

"She isn't being with us," Annie retorted.

"Come on Annie, I know you haven't been fond of me, but give me time. We might actually click together," Grace explained as she took a stand.

"You don't understand! This was supposed to be an adventure with me and Jade! Alone, the two of us and no one else!" Annie shouted.

Jade was shaken by those words. She didn't want anyone in her life beside her. Annie wanted to hog her for herself. She turned around and looked at Grace. This was a girl who ran away after her father disappeared. How dare she treats Grace like that.

"You know Annie, you're being selfish. You're being a spoiled brat. You can't accept the fact that I found someone that I've gotten along with and you refuse to let them into your circle," Jade explained angrily.

Annie was taking shallow breaths as it seemed she was having PTSD. This was her homelife all over again. She finds a perfect sister only to put her to the side for someone else and that she has to accept it.

"You're just like my family," Annie said.

Jade stood in shock when Annie said that. That was the first time she ever mentioned her family. A year with her and she never talked about herself.

"You're family?" Jade questioned.

Annie twitched her eye. She was about to go on a tirade.

"Yes, I had a big sister who I considered my best friend. We were going to storm the world together a sisterly duo. Then another kid comes into our lives and gets in the way as my big sister decides to put me to the side for the new kid! They wanted me to deal with, but I refused to accept it, so I ran away! Now here I am again where I gain a sister figure within you where now you put me to the side for someone else and I have to deal with it! I'm living this nightmare twice!" Annie ranted.

As the tirade ended, Jade and Grace were standing in shock. She was a runaway child. She ran away because her parents had another kid. Jade looked on at Annie with a dagger in her eyes.

"So you ran away from home, because your parents had another baby and your sister wanted to spend time with her?" Jade questioned.

"Yes," Annie answered.

"Lucky you," Grace uttered as she has no siblings.

"Annie, running away didn't solve your problems, it only created more," said Jade, "If anything with what you're saying. I'm going to take it that you're a spoiled brat who didn't get what she wanted!"

"Spoiled brat?" Annie questioned, "My parents were the ones who ruined my life by bringing that sister into my life."

"That was their decision, and did you ever take into consideration that maybe your big sister wanted to have another sisterly figure in her life. The world doesn't revolve around you Annie!" Jade ranted.

Annie called Herdier over and began to storm off as she gave a menacing look to Jade and Grace.

"You're just like my so-called family," Annie muttered as she stormed off.

As the two watch Annie, maybe it was best she be alone and blow some steam. Maybe she'll open up to them soon enough. Annie wasn't going to give the two another look. She was going to focus on the Kalos League.


The Next Day

Lumisone City-Stadium

It was the first round of the Kalos League as Annie was taking on another boy who had a grey metal like bird called Skarmory. She was using her Herdier as this was her last Pokémon.

"It's come down to this. Allen's Skarmory and Annie's Herdier, who will win!" the announcer announced.

"Skarmory use Brave Bird!" Allen commanded.

Skarmory dove down at Herdier who was trying to attack with a Take Down, but Skarmory overpowered Herdier and sent him flying into the wall. Annie looked onward as she saw Herdier slumping against the wall.

"Get up!" Annie angrily yelled, "Get up!"

Annie hasn't been herself. She has become even more bitter ever since the fight. The official wasn't liking Annie's behavior, but he knew that Herdier wasn't getting up. He made the call.

"Herdier is unable to battle, the winner is Skarmory! Making the winner of this battle Allen Swanson!" the referee announced as Allen was declared the winner.

"Allen has bested Annie and will advance to the next round!" the announced exclaimed.

Annie gritted her teeth in extreme anger. She just took a lap around Kalos with Jade for a year and when she came here, her life became more hell. First Grace shows up, then Jade turns on her, now she makes a first-round exit in the Kalos League.

In the trainer's tunnel, Jade and Grace stood there hoping to make peace with her. After losing the first round, she could use some cheering up. As Annie was approaching, she had a scowl on her face.

"Annie," Grace uttered.

Annie turned around and gave the two girls a scowl. She didn't want to see them.

"You two can have all the fucking fun you want with each other. One day I will have my way with you and my so-called family," Annie spat, "Speaking of my family, they want to just consider me dead because I'm not going back there, and I'm not going to be backstabbed again."

"Annie wait!" Jade called out.

"Fuck you!" Annie shouted.

Jade just kept her mouth shut as Annie walked out of the tunnel. She didn't want to see any of them. Truth is, Grace couldn't help but feel happy that Annie is gone. She proved to be a toxic person. At least Jade would be on her side.

As for Annie, it seems she was going down a dark path.

End Flashback


Cinnabar Island-Big Riddle Inn

The group was laying in bed after Serena's big win at the Cinnabar Contest. They were showing highlights last night of the major phenomenon that took place in her battle against Amelia when her Delphox performed the battle bond. She didn't know how that came into fruition such as Ash's battle bond with Greninja. The man running the hotel asked Serena how that happened, and she explains that it's hard to understand.

Now knowing she will have to compete against the Viridian Gym Leader for an entry ribbon, she was definitely going to be using Delphox in that battle. After all, she was responsible for four of her contest wins.

What really got Ash to cringe was that if Serena were competing in the Pokémon League, the hotel owner said that Blaine…would have granted her permission to challenge her. Great, so Serena would get a battle with the gym leader, but not Ash. Maybe he could try doing the battle bond with Greninja, no way that would be copying her.

Right now was the time to worry about that, they just needed to get some more shuteye until a bubbly brunette comes in smiling all dressed in her traveling attire.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!" Leaf cheered as she was banging a pot.

Ash and Serena stumbled out of bed while Pikachu fell off the side landing on his head. The two were rubbing their heads wondering what that was all about.

"Leaf, what was that about?" Serena questioned in a groggy tone.

"Don't you know what today is?" Leaf questioned in a chirpy tone.

Ash and Serena looked like they had half-daggers in their eyes. What on earth was Leaf talking about?

"Today is the day the Pokémon lab complete the process of reviving our fossil Pokémon!" Leaf cheered raising her arms in the air.

Of course, a few days ago they sent their fossils over to the Pokémon Lab, and now the revitalization process was about to be complete. Well Leaf didn't need to blow their eardrums out.

Ash and Serena rubbed their heads and then felt the excitement running through, along with the continued frustration of Leaf's actions. After letting all of that process, the two start to show smiles on their faces.

"So the fossil Pokémon are about to wake up, awesome!" Ash said pumping his fists, "I can't wait to see an Aerodactyl."

"I'm looking forward to seeing Omanyte," Serena happily said.

"And I can't wait to get me a Kabuto," Leaf said giving a thumbs up.

"Remember Leaf, we don't get our Pokémon until the scientists approve that we can raise them," Ash told Leaf.

Ash of course now remembered that they need to prove they can be in possession of these Pokémon. Maybe if Ash can be allowed to raise an Aerodactyl, then maybe Blaine would accept him into his gym.

"Guess that slipped my mind," Leaf sheepishly said, "I was just so excited about meeting extinct Pokémon."

"We get it Leaf, we get it," Serena said waving her hand.

The couple got their clothes out, took their showers, got dressed, and ate breakfast with Leaf. Their breakfast was mostly a continental breakfast like in most hotels. After they finished their breakfast, they headed out with Pikachu, Munchlax, and Rotom Dex following behind them.

As they were leaving, the strange man running the hotel watched them heading off knowing that they will return. He was intrigued by this group, especially with Serena.

"I still can't believe that girl got her Delphox to do something like that, it makes me wonder if that boy has something in him. He does look like Red, but I wonder if he has the characteristics of Red," the man pondered to himself.


Cinnabar Island-Pokémon Lab

It only took them a couple of minutes before the group arrived at the lab. They had no trouble getting there at all. They entered through the door and greeted the receptionist as she told them that Seymour was in the lab.

The receptionist told them they could proceed onward. They arrive at the double doors only to see Seymour standing there watching the fossils. Seymour heard the door open and turned to see the group.

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

"Yeah, we were just wondering are the fossils ready?" Ash asked.

"To be honest, they won't be ready for another hour, but trust me they will be ready," Seymour declared.

Alright, so they would have to wait a little longer before the fossil Pokémon were ready. The group bowed and gave a thank you. Now they just needed to pass the time. They already had breakfast so what else could they do?

"Alright, thank you," Ash said giving a polite nod.

So the group decide to head to the waiting area to wait for the fossils. Serena looked around wondering what she could do to pass the time. She then looks at her Pokegear to see Shauna's number. Thank Arceus she put her number in as soon as her moms got her that Pokegear.

Serena got up and walked away from the group and decided to give her a call. Shauna answered and told her that she was at the Pokémon Center right now, but Shauna ran into someone who knew Serena. Shauna suggested that she goes to the video phone as she shares the video phone number for the Viridian City Pokémon Center.


2 minutes later

Serena comes across a video phone and dials the number for the phone Shauna asked her to call on. Why does she want to talk to Serena on a video phone when they were talking on the Pokegear? Maybe she likes to see her face making it a lively conversation.

"Hello?" Shauna questioned on the other end.

"Shauna?" Serena questioned as she raised an eyebrow.

The screen showed Shauna sitting at the video phone in the Viridian City Pokémon Center. Serena smiled as she saw her friend and rival on the other end.

"Hey Serena," Shauna chirped.

"Hey Shauna," Serena chirped back, "So why did you want me to move to the video phone?"

"Well as I told you, I ran into someone who's also competing in this contest. I mentioned you after you won the Cinnabar Contest, and this coordinator may have heard of you before. I wanted to bring her to the screen to see if you recognize her," Shauna explained.

"Oh," Serena stuttered.

So Shauna met a coordinator that Serena met. She said her so it had to have been a female coordinator. She prayed to Arceus it wasn't that spoiled Welch bitch again. Shauna informed the girl that Serena was on the other end.

"Serena," a voice called out on the other end.

Serena cringed when she heard that voice. Thank Arceus it wasn't Amelia, but it was someone who got on her nerves when they've met. Shoving Shauna to the side was a familiar girl with short blue hair. Serena's eyes widened when she saw who it was.

"Is that you Serena," the girl said as she sneered at her.

"Miette!" Serena shrieked.

"Aw, you remember me. It's been a while," Miette said in an adoring tone.

Serena can recall her meetings with Miette, especially when it comes to flirting with Ash. Serena got the better of her though when she beat her in the Cerulean Pokémon Contest and the Princess Day Festival tournament.

"By the way, I heard someone got their five ribbons," Miette said in a kind tone and then to a playful stern tone saying, "Is that true you got all of your ribbons?"

"Well of course I did," Serena answered as she reached into her pocket and opened up her ribbon case, "How do you like that!"

"Well that isn't nice. I'm still at four ribbons and it's not fair that you beat me," Miette pouted in a playful tone.

Serena was chuckling on the inside. Well she got to beat her little snooty frenemy in getting the five required ribbons. Did she know about the entry ribbon yet?

"I'm kind of surprised. I thought you would have five ribbons already," Serena stated.

"Well after today, I will have five ribbons," Miette smirked.

"Not unless I get my fifth ribbon today," Shauna declared.

"We'll see about that," Miette rebutted.

This was going to be interesting. Shauna and Miette were going to go head-to-head in a Pokémon Contest. Serena hopes Shauna would win, but she didn't want Miette knowing that.

"So who are you going to root for today Serena?" Miette questioned in her snooty tone.

"Well Miette, I hope you both do well," Serena said sheepishly.

"But who do you want to win?" Miette questioned in her snooty tone.

"Miette, you're making Serena uncomfortable," Shauna said.

Serena gave a sigh of relief. She didn't want to get Miette started with her antics.

"So when is the contest?" Serena asked.

"It's in two hours. We've already signed up," Shauna answered.

"Great, I hope I get a chance to watch you both. I'm staying here until Ash gets his seventh badge," Serena told them.

"Aw, how sweet. Serena is following her prince charming around," Miette said mockingly.

"Miette! Me and Ash have been traveling since we began our journey," Serena rebutted, "And please don't do anymore teasing involving me and Ash."

"Oh I won't tease you about Ash, but I can't say the same for him," said Miette.

"Alright, well I got to get going. Good luck in the contest both of you," Serena said.

"Don't worry Serena, I'll make sure to win it for us!" Shauna declared.

"Not unless I beat you first," Miette rebutted, "Speaking of you never told us who you wanted to win."

The microsecond after Miette said win, Serena ended the call, and the video screen went black. Boy that Miette sure was a handful. Serena does wish that Miette could get herself a boyfriend so she can stop teasing her like that. Maybe when she does, Serena can do the teasing.

Well truth to be told, after her two meetings with Amelia in Fuchsia City and here on Cinnabar Island, a handful from Miette seems tame. Sure she can give her a headache with her teasing, but at least she proved to be honest with her work not only in contests, but in baking too. Sometimes she can't stand her, but at least she doesn't hate her like how she hates Amelia.


Less than an hour later

After killing some time talking to Shauna, and Miette, Serena and the others proceed back into the lab as Seymour confirmed that the fossils are about to be ready.

"Alright everyone, brace yourselves as we are about to witness prehistoric Pokémon," Seymour announced.

"This is going to be exciting! I get to add data on prehistoric Pokémon, as long as they don't eat us," Rotom Dex said.

Munchlax looks off to the side and sees a Pokémon Egg that looks almost like a toy. Munchlax looks at that egg and wonders what he was like as an egg. While they say the egg's surroundings will affect the Pokémon's behavior, which was something he learned from Greninja and Delphox before they hatched, Munchlax wonders why he didn't feel so much fear after being born. His parents got involved with Team Rocket and his mother was killed. Maybe it was because he had such a powerful father.

Now wasn't the time to think about that. Now was the time to meet up with some Pokémon from ancient times. While these fossils weren't eggs, he wonders if they act the same. Ash and Serena have been involved in a lot of dangerous situations so there's no telling what could happen.

"Alright, the first fossil that is about to be finished with the revitalization process is the Dome Fossil," Seymour told everyone.

"That's my fossil!" Leaf exclaimed.

"Amazing, Leaf would you like to come forward and meet Kabuto?" Seymour asked gratefully.

"Do I ever," Leaf happily replied.

Leaf walked up towards the machine and got her Pokedex out. She knew she had to get data on this Pokémon when it arrived. Then after about a minute, the machine dinged.

Leaf's eyes widened as she saw what was coming out of the machine. It was a brown shellfish with yellow pincers, and his red eyes were inside the shell as he didn't show his face.

Leaf looked at the small creature and smiled at him. This Kabuto doesn't seem harmful. Seymour insisted that she could pick him up which she did.

"Hi Kabuto, my name's is Leaf. Welcome to the future," Leaf kindly said.

Kabuto looked at the girl wiggling his arms and legs around. Judging by the sounds he was making, Kabuto seemed like he was enjoying this girl holding him. She wasn't going to bite, she was friendly.

"It looks like Kabuto likes you," Seymour said.

"He does," Leaf chirped.

Rotom Dex was smiling at the interaction between Leaf and Kabuto as it now was processing the data for the extinct Pokémon.

#140-Kabuto: Shellfish Pokémon

While some say this species has gone extinct, Kabuto sightings are apparently fairly common in some places.

While Leaf was cuddling her Kabuto, Seymour guided Serena over to the machine as her Helix Fossil was about to be finished with the revitalization process.

"Serena, are you ready to see a live Omanyte?" Seymour asked.

"Of course I am," Serena answered in delight.

"Well get ready, because Omanyte is coming to life right now," Seymour announced as he spread his arms.

The machine was still running until it finally dinged. The capsule opened up and coming out of the machine was a blue mini octopus like creature with a fossil like shell on top of his body.

The Pokémon wiggled his tentacles as he emerged from the capsule. Serena looked at Omanyte in delight. While it was a historic Pokémon, it was also kind of cute.

"Wow Omanyte, you're a cutie," Serena said as she picked up Omanyte, "Hello there Omanyte."

Omanyte sprayed a Water Gun right at Serena's face. Serena flinched from the surprise Water Gun as she let go of Omanyte with one hand to dry her face with her arm.

"I think Omanyte likes you Serena," Leaf chuckled.

If that Water Gun proved to be anything, it might be a way of showing Omanyte likes Serena. At least it wasn't like how she Squirtle a while back. Rotom Dex got the data for Omanyte down.

#138-Omanyte: Spiral Pokémon

Because some Omanyte manage to escape after being restored or are released into the wild by people, this species is becoming a problem.

"But I thought Omanyte bit a dust a long time ago," Rotom Dex said in confusion.

"That's what most people think, but some Omanyte find their way into the way," Seymour explained to Rotom Dex.

Then Omanyte sprayed another Water Gun right at Serena's face knocking her hat off. Serena put the Omanyte down so she could bend down and retrieve her hat.

"Well don't let this Omanyte into the wild until he learns his matters," Serena muttered as she grabbed her hat and placed it back on her head.

"And now we saved the best for last," Seymour announced as he proudly looked at Ash, "Ash, are you ready to see an Aerodactyl?"

"You bet I am," Ash responded.

Ash was all pumped up as he was about to see an Aerodactyl. With Pikachu and Munchlax behind him, Ash looked at the machine as the capsule dinged. Serena and Leaf were terrified as they heard that Aerodactyl were predators, and the last thing they wanted was to be eaten alive.

It opened up and emerging from the capsule was a grey pterodactyl with purple underneath his wings and claws on his hands. The Pokémon stood there and gave a loud but friendly roar as he emerged into the new world.

"Aero!" Aerodactyl roared.

"Wow, an Aerodactyl," Ash said in an adoring tone.

"Careful, as research claims an Aerodactyl can prove to be dangerous. So approach that Pokémon with caution," Seymour suggested.

"Okay," Ash said as he slowly walked up to Aerodactyl.

Aerodactyl looked at Ash curiously and tilted his head. He doesn't know where he is, and he doesn't know who this human is.

"Hi there Aerodactyl, my name is Ash," Ash said nervously, "Would you like to be my friend?"

Aerodactyl looked at Ash. His nose got a quick scent and judging by his smell, it seems he has a strong odor. Probably from being in the outdoors a lot. Other than that, he didn't sniff out anything that seems to be a threat. He could trust this kid.

Aerodactyl gave Ash a genuine lick as Ash laughed. That tickled Ash. Serena and Leaf still had their head turned.

"Is he eating Ash?" Leaf asked nervously as she turned around.

Serena also turned around as the two girls lowered their arms only to see Aerodactyl affectionately lick him. The two girls not only gave a sigh of relief, but a small smile as it seems Aerodactyl likes him.

"Aww, who's a good boy," Rotom Dex said in a cute tone, "Better get data on this."

#142-Aerodactyl: Fossil Pokémon

This is a ferocious Pokémon from ancient times. Apparently even modern technology is incapable of producing a perfectly restored specimen.

Yeah, Rotom Dex believes that data is nonsense as Aerodactyl looks perfectly fine. Ash and Aerodactyl already are off to a good start.

"It looks like Aerodactyl likes you Ash," Seymour said.

"He sure does," Ash said as Aerodactyl stopped licking him.

"At least he's not eating you alive," Serena said in relief.

"So can we keep them?" Leaf asked as if she were a little kid on Christmas.

"I can already tell these Pokémon like you," Seymour said, "So here's what we'll do, why don't you take these Pokémon out to a secluded on the beach and have them experience the outside world. That will be the true way to deem them safe and know if you're capable of having them."

"Sounds like a plan," Ash said.

Aerodactyl already seems to like Ash. The Pallet Town native wonders that if anyone notices how he and a ferocious predator are getting along, then someone may recommend that to Blaine and he may be approved of a gym battle.


Cinnabar Island-Beach

The group headed out of the lab with Seymour guiding them to the beach. With Aerodactyl, Omanyte, and Kabuto following them, it was appropriate for them to witness the outside world.

Serena made sure not to carry Omanyte as she did not want to be sprayed in the face again. In fact, Omanyte and Kabuto were just walking along the sands of the beach as if it were there playground. Aerodactyl was flying low with the group and noticed the air felt different. Well he wasn't around for a million years so things had to be different. Maybe it was just the fact he was experiencing what happened to be urban air.

"It looks like the Pokémon are doing just well," Serena said.

"Interesting, they're acting normal," Seymour said, "I was afraid they would've had some prehistoric instincts kicking in, but they're behaving just fine."

The entire group smiled at the Pokémon's behavior. Kabuto was crawling around on the beach. Omanyte was crawling around on the beach sand. He had his eyes on Serena and darted another Water Gun, but Serena managed to duck this time. Aerodactyl took flight in the skies and let out a loud and exciting roar as he dove back down looking like he was grabbing his prey, but he was just making a landing.

"Aero!" Aerodactyl screeched.

"Aerodactyl seems excited," Rotom Dex said.

"Hey Seymour, do you think it's okay if we let out Pokémon out?" Leaf asked, "We want to see how they react to our Pokémon."

"I wouldn't mind at all," Seymour responded.

When Seymour gave them the clear, the entire group released all of their Pokémon. Leaf had her Venusaur, Venomoth, Rapidash, Victreebel, a Chansey and a Cloyster. Serena brought out her Delphox, Sylveon, Kangaskhan, Gyarados, Beedrill, and Wartortle. Ash released his Greninja, Charmeleon, Dratini, Tauros, and Lapras to interact with the Pokémon. Since they wanted their Pokémon to interact with the revitalized Pokémon, Ash thought maybe having Ivysaur out was not a good time.

Pikachu looked over at Sylveon and ran up to her giving her a big hug which Sylveon accepts. Then everyone approaches the three Pokémon. Leaf's Pokémon were taken over to Kabuto, Serena's Pokémon were shown Omanyte, and Ash's Pokémon were taken to see Aerodactyl. It was appropriate that their trainers had them meet their respective Pokémon.

"Alright everyone, these three Pokémon were just revived from pre-historic times. I want you all to give them a nice warm welcome to the world," Ash told all the Pokémon.


10 minutes later

All of the Pokémon interacted with the fossil Pokémon explaining about the world they live in right now and their trainers slash friends who they're traveling the world with. The ancient Pokémon explained that when they woke up, they were confused on what happened and tried not to show it. But the other Pokémon proved everything was alright.

Seymour was impressed with how the other Pokémon were interacting with Kabuto, Omanyte, and Aerodactyl. As he stood there watching, he notices one of the Pokémon from the group that stood out to him. The Lapras that was with Ash and Munchlax.

He can remember a while back when those pirates came and killed that Lapras's family, and he, Lorelei, and Hector were able to rescue a baby Lapras from those horrible pirates and have her live in Silph Company with Hector until he could figure out a forever home for her. Then Seymour's face darkened as he can recall not long after that incident, Team Rocket had control of the Silph Company and wondered how that poor Lapras was handling the abuse of those horrible people.

Seymour watched as Lapras was talking with Aerodactyl with how scary the world can be with the experiences she went through, but that he has to have hope. It felt like a healthy interaction. Seymour couldn't help but resist to meet Ash's Lapras.

"I think our Pokémon are doing great," Ash said as he noticed Seymour's expression on Lapras, "I see Lapras interests you."

"Yeah, it reminds me of another Lapras I met a while back," Seymour said.

"Really, what happened?" Ash asked as he was intrigued.

Lapras was looking at Seymour and looked slightly surprised. The two didn't notices Lapras's expression as Seymour began talking while Serena and Leaf off with their Pokémon leaving just him and Ash.

"Well a couple of months ago, there were a group of pirates that hunted down a group of Lapras," Seymour explained.

"What!" Ash gasped as Munchlax also gasped.

"Yeah, they were hunting them down so they could sell their body parts for a profit," Seymour said.

"That's horrible," Ash stuttered.

Hearing about those pirates made him think about Team Rocket and Siegfried. Munchlax never knew about that but hearing what they did reminded him of what Siegfried did.

"Lorelei of the Elite Four was here on Cinnabar Island for a vacation as she witnessed the events unfolding," Seymour explained, "So she along with a Silph Company worker went after the pirates while I stayed at bay calling the police and monitoring the activities."

Well that to be fortunate that a member of the Elite Four was here on vacation. It also shows that despite being on vacation, that the Elite Four still serves their duties in Kanto.

"The pirates were killing those Lapras one by one, and even Lorelei and the Silph Company worker were struggling against those vile pirates. There was even fear that she was going to fall to a bunch of cowardly vile pirates," Seymour explained with a grim expression.

Ash hung his head down when he heard that. A mighty member of the Elite Four was having difficulty with the pirates killing the Lapras. Guess it shows even a high-ranking Pokémon trainer has their challenges.

"They would've killed all the Lapras, but one survived thanks to a miracle," Seymour said.

"What happened?" Ash questioned.

"Two Butterfree were crossing the waters and attacked the pirates with their Stun Spore. Lorelei and the Silph Company worker were free to take control of the situation and subdued the pirates," Seymour explained.

Ash let out a sigh of relief. While many Lapras lost their lives, at least one survived. Ash took a close look at his Lapras and noticed something. She was bowling her eyes out. Why was she acting like this? Maybe it was the story.

"The pirates were arrested, and the head pirate was sentenced to death as he had a long list of crimes," Seymour explained, "It was a miracle, the Lapras and Lorelei are still alive today thanks to those two Butterfree that came out of nowhere."

Ash smiled to know that there are heroes out there, and you never know where they will come from. Ash and Serena consider themselves heroes as well as they saved numerous Pokémon and people from Team Rocket, and how their Pokémon saved Munchlax and his friends from Siegfried allowing Ash to adopt him as his own son. Something else rung in his head, that it was Butterfree that saved them. He can recall having a Butterfree himself before releasing it.

"I'm glad to hear two heroic Butterfree came to the rescue for them," Ash sighed.

"Yeah, and another interesting thing is that one of the Butterfree was pink," Seymour said with a small smile.

Processing Seymour's words, Ash's eyes bugged out when he heard that. Pink Butterfree!? That was who his Butterfree flew off into the sunset with. Wait, no, it couldn't be!

"Did you know anything else about those Butterfree?" Ash asked in shock.

"Yeah, a regular color Butterfree was wearing a yellow scarf," Seymour said as he notices the shocked look on Ash's eyes, "Is something wrong?"

"Seymour…that was my Butterfree!" Ash exclaimed which surprised Munchlax.

"What!" Seymour exclaimed.

"I released it across the ocean with a pink Butterfree so he could be with his mate and start a family!" Ash beamed.

Munchlax's eyes grew wide as he heard that. He had a Butterfree that just saved a Lapras and two other humans and he just found out about that now?

"That was your Butterfree!?" Seymour questioned in shock.

"Yeah, I didn't think it was possible, but that's all I can think about," Ash said in shock.

Ash was in shock. Was it really true that the Butterfree he released, and his mate just saved an Elite Four member along with a Lapras and bring justice to a group of pirates? Knowing the possible timeframe, that's the only thing that could come to mind.

"Wow, what are the odds," Seymour said in shock, "A Pokémon you released ended up crossing into a situation like that and saving the day. Small world we live in."

Lapras looked over at Ash as she stopped crying. Was it really one of his Pokémon friends that saved him from a group of pirates before he came to save her again from Team Rocket? If that was the case, Ash saved her life twice.

"So what happened to Butterfree?" Ash asked, "And Lapras?"

"Lorelei would depart with the two Butterfree to help them find a place where they could live together, and Lapras went off with the Silph Company worker to stay at the Silph Company until someone who was deemed a loving trainer would adopt her," Seymour answered.

It had to be honor for Butterfree to save Lorelei, the Lapras, and the Silph Company worker. When Ash enters the Pokémon League and meets the Kanto Elite Four, he has to remind himself to speak to Lorelei on behalf of his Butterfree and know where she took him and his mate. Maybe in the future he could visit her.

There was another thing that came to Ash's attention. The baby Lapras was taken to the Silph Company and Ash was given that Lapras from Hector as a thank you for saving the Silph Company from Team Rocket, and Hector knowing Lapras could trust him.

"Did you hear about what happened at the Silph Company?" Ash asked.

"I did, just a little while after our visitor from Silph Company left with Lapras, the company was sold to a couple. It turned out they were the kingpins of Team Rocket," Seymour said feeling disturbed.

Ash's face grimaced as he heard about that. He remembered he and Serena being abducted by Team Rocket and meeting their bosses for the first time, and then proceeded to get tortured by them until their Pokémon found a way to transport themselves to Saffron City to save them.

Ash then turned to Lapras who was crying again. What Seymour said made Lapras cried. Ash recalls saving this Lapras from the vile actions of torture Team Rocket put her through so they could perfect the Master Ball.

Wait a minute, he already knew about his Butterfree potentially saving that Lapras that went to the Silph Company. Could it be that this is the same Lapras from the Silph Company?

"Did you ever find out what happened to Lapras?" Ash asked.

"I heard Team Rocket was run out of the Silph Company and that the Kanto Government would watch over the company until new ownership was confirmed," Seymour answered as he didn't finish, "But I never how Lapras was doing. I don't know if she got hurt or if she is alive."

So he never knew what happened to Lapras meaning…this could be the same Lapras! Ash noticed Lapras's behavior as she was bowling over. Could it be that his Lapras from the Silph Company be the same one that was rescued by his Butterfree?

If the answer was yes, then once again, what a small world this was.

"Seymour, this Lapras I got, I adopted her in Saffron City from the Silph Company," Ash said looking at Lapras, "I think this is the same one you and Lorelei rescued."

Seymour looked at the Lapras. Lapras looked at Seymour as she remembered him being with Hector and Lorelei. They saved her from those pirates who took her family. Seymour was looking astonished when he heard that.

"When did you get it?" Seymour asked.

"One of the Silph Company workers who went by the name Hector took in this Lapras until he could find a trainer that she could trust. He noticed Lapras could trust me and offered Lapras to me right after the Team Rocket incident," Ash explained.

"You mean," Seymour said as he didn't have words to say, "Wow, I never thought I'd be seeing you again Lapras."

Lapras nodded her head.

"Lapras has been growing up quickly. She even helped me win my sixth badge right after I got her," Ash explained as he gestured to Lapras.

"Outstanding. So Lapras is happy right now," Seymour beamed.

"She sure is, and I might use her in my next gym battle. If she is up for it," Ash said looking at Lapras.

"La," Lapras replied.

It looks like Lapras has seen a new light in Ash. He not only saved her and Hector from Team Rocket's actions of destroying a connection between an endangered Pokémon and a human she could trust in hopes of perfecting a project, but one of his Pokémon saved her life before that and he didn't even know until just now.

Lapras was lucky to have someone like Ash Ketchum.


15 minutes later

After that conversation with Seymour, Ash and Munchlax went back to Aerodactyl where Pikachu and Rotom Dex stood there looking at the Pokémon. Rotom Dex was telling some corny jokes to Aerodactyl.

"You got a good roar Aerodactyl. If there were to be an airborne addition of the Pyroar King, you would be perfect," Rotom Dex told Aerodactyl.

Aerodactyl stood there with a sweat drop. The rest of the Pokémon looked at Rotom Dex with a deadpan look on their face.

"Yeah, that sucked," Pikachu uttered.

All of the Pokémon were looking at each other. They would expect Aerodactyl would do something like go on a rampage, but this one seems to be stable. Greninja looked at all the Pokémon and knew one of Ash's Pokémon was absent.

"I think it was a good idea for Ash not to bring Ivysaur out," Greninja said.

"Ivysaur?" Dratini questioned.

"Ivysaur has been a complete jackass ever since he evolved. Did you know he intentionally tried to attack Ash during a battle for our freedom!" Greninja said raising his voice.

All of the Pokémon looked over in concern. Aerodactyl had no idea what Greninja was talking about.

"We get it, you hate the fact that you evolved. But he needs to get over it and everybody's actions have been futile," Greninja said as he crossed his arms.

It was wise words of Greninja. They still wonder why anything Ash tries doesn't work. Ash and Munchlax then return to the group and Aerodactyl and he can see that Aerodactyl was doing fine.

"So how are you doing Aerodactyl?" Ash asked.

"Aero!" Aerodactyl cheered.

"Do you like my Pokémon?" Ash happily asked.

"Aero!" Aerodactyl chanted.

Ash smiled from that response. At least Aerodactyl was getting along with all of his Pokémon. Then Ash glazed at his Pokeball which contained Ivysaur. He wonders if he should bring him out.

"Munchlax?" Munchlax questioned.

"I'm just thinking, that's all," Ash sighed.

Ash looks at the Pokémon who seemed concerned. They could tell Ash was thinking about Ivysaur when he looked at his Pokeball. All of them knew about the behavior Ivysaur has shown since evolving.

Then again, Ash wanted to be fair to all of his Pokémon. Despite Ivysaur's behavior, he thinks maybe meeting a new friend could help him out.

"I'm going to send him out and have him interact with Aerodactyl," Ash said as the other Pokémon gasped, "Don't worry, if anything goes wrong I'll call him back."

The Pokémon seemed worried about Ash's decision. Serena and Leaf were over with Omanyte, Kabuto, and their Pokémon as they noticed the situation. All of them walked over and saw that Ash was holding Ivysaur's Pokeball. The girls were wondering what was going on.

"Come on out Ivysaur," Ash said sending out Ivysaur.

Ivysaur emerged from his Pokeball still feeling awfully bitter. He turned around and gave Ash a death stare. Why did he bring him out? Was he trying to make him accept his evolution again? If he was, then he was an asshole.

"Ivysaur I was wondering," Ash said until Ivysaur interrupted him.

Ivysaur sent out another Razor Leaf towards Ash, but Greninja jumped in and deflected the leaves with his arms protecting Ash. This was wrong. He was protecting Ash from one of his own Pokémon. Charmeleon was getting angry and was about to launch a Flamethrower at Ivysaur.

"Charmeleon stop!" Ash called out.

Charmeleon closed his mouth feeling much bitter. Sure he cared about trying not to be weak, but he wanted to protect Ash too. Seymour was concerned about this. While all of his Pokémon including Lapras have been friendly towards him, Ivysaur has seemed hostile.

"I think it's getting worse," Serena said in worry.

"Ivysaur, let me finish," Ash told Ivysaur as he growled at him, "I was wondering if you like to meet Aerodactyl. Maybe a new friend might help you."

Ivysaur turned around and saw a grey pterodactyl in front of him. He just stared at it as if he were showing no emotion. Aerodactyl gave Ivysaur a friendly hello. Ivysaur just sighed a whatever.

"Come on Ivysaur, at least try," Ash told Ivysaur.

Ivysaur glared at Ash again, but Greninja jumps in front of him in case he sends out another attack.

"Come on Ivysaur, try at least," Greninja told Ivysaur.

Ivysaur growled and turns back at Ivysaur. Aerodactyl wasn't looking so friendly now, he was looking concerned. What was this Pokémon going to do?

"What's gotten into you? Are you having a hard time adjusting to this reality?" Aerodactyl asked.

"Yes, but not because it isn't a Jurassic time like you lived in! That boy there is a fucking asshole! He said he would be your friend, but then he'll double cross you like he did to me! I'm fucking surprised the other Pokémon haven't gotten that fate I've gotten!" Ivysaur ranted.

Aerodactyl took a few steps back. Sure he may have just met Ash, but he didn't have anything to prove that he was going to hurt him. All of the other Pokémon turned and glared at him. How dare he talks about Ash like that, in front of a new Pokémon who just emerged from a fossil.

"Ivysaur, stop it," Ash told Ivysaur.

"FUCK YOU ASH KETCHUM!" Ivysaur yelled as he sent out another Razor Leaf.

"Ash!" Serena shrieked.

Greninja once again blocks the Razor Leaf, but he grimaced in pain as that proved to be painful for Ash.

"Okay Ivysaur, this has gone far enough! I'm sorry Ash couldn't prevent your evolution! But you have to live with it!" Greninja argued.

"Like how I heard Ash abandoned you when that psychopath showed up," Ivysaur ranted.

"Ash was taken by a judgmental ranger by force who proved to be corrupted. He even went out into the wilderness looking for us," Greninja said defending Ash.

Nobody in the group understood the Pokémon's language, but Ash and Serena knew what the argument was about. Greninja turns and looks at Ash. While he glad to have him as a friend, he does wish that maybe Ivysaur would be with him in his group when Siegfried was around. Maybe that moment would have gotten Ivysaur to look at Ash in a different light.

Munchlax then stepped in and walked past Greninja to confront Ivysaur. Greninja grabbed Munchlax's arm in a brotherly way as he did want him to try anything with that Pokémon.

"Munchlax!" Ash called out.

"Munchlax no," Greninja told Munchlax.

"No, I want to help," Munchlax demanded.

"Me and Ash won't let you, you'll get hurt," Greninja stated.

"I was just going to tell him that Ash made a mistake, and he learns from them. He's probably thinking that if he got that Ever stone thing back in Saffron City that prevents a Pokémon from evolving, then this wouldn't be happening," Munchlax explained.

Greninja hung his mouth wide open and so did Pikachu. Ash looked at the predicament of his Pokémon as they all were in shock. Serena, Leaf, and Seymour looked on as if Munchlax dropped a cuss bomb.

But Ivysaur on the other hand was now shaken from those words that Munchlax just said out loud. The Seed Pokémon was now shaken and trembling while blowing steam out of his nose like he was ready to charge at someone. They all knew what just happened and Ash was trying to keep that from him.

Munchlax blabbed about how Ash didn't get the Ever Stone.

Ivysaur felt his blood boiling. Greninja stood in front of Ash he was getting ready to defend him once more.

"Munchlax, you were not supposed to say that!" Greninja yelled as he grabbed Munchlax as tossed him over to Ash, "You just made it a lot worse."

"So he found something that could've prevented an evolution and he didn't take it into consideration," Ivysaur said shaking with venom in his voice.

"Ivysaur listen, Ash cares about every Pokémon's feelings, but he hasn't learned anything on how to control when a Pokémon evolves. He has been a trainer for less than a year! He's still learning!" Greninja yelled out, "When I evolved, I felt proud of myself. Proud that I can be stronger for Ash, Delphox, and myself! Evolution is an accomplishment, but you treat it like the Arceus damn plague!"

Ivysaur then shot out a Seed Bomb right at Greninja, and he tried to defend Ash from it, it took a massive blow as he was weakened. Greninja gritted his teeth as now Ivysaur has lost it. He was going to have to fight Ivysaur now.

Before Greninja could attack, Ivysaur tackled right into Greninja's torso and sent him flying on his back knocking him out cold.

"Greninja!" Ash cried.

Munchlax hugged Ash's leg as he was terrified of Ivysaur's look. Ash couldn't bear to deal with this any longer.

"Ash, call Ivysaur back now before he hurts someone!" Serena cried.

"I will," Ash said as he got Ivysaur's Pokeball, "Ivysaur return!"

Before Ash could call him back, Ivysaur sent in a Vine Whip at light speed whipping Ash's hand and sending the Pokeball flying into the waters. Everyone gasped in shock when Ivysaur did that.

"I guess we have no choice, we're going to have to fight Ivysaur," Leaf muttered.

Ivysaur then glared at Ash and sent another Razor Leaf over in hopes of hitting him. But at the last second, a big flying figure blocked Ash from the Razor Leaf. The figure was tough as he looked at Ash wondering if he and Munchlax were alright.

It was Aerodactyl! He just met him and now he was protecting him!

"Thanks Aerodactyl," Ash praised.

"Aero!" Aerodactyl replied.

"Serena, Leaf, Rotom Dex, Seymour, get Munchlax and all the Pokémon and clear the area. I fear Ivysaur is now after my blood," Ash said as he called back Greninja.

"He is Ash, Munchlax slipped up about the Ever Stone and how it could've prevented this," Rotom Dex said.

Ivysaur gives Aerodactyl an evil eye and launches another Seed Bomb right at Aerodactyl. The Fossil Pokémon deflects it and then slaps right at him with a Wing Attack. Rotom Dex from the distance did the honors of gathering data on Aerodactyl so Ash can learn about his moves later on.

As Ivysaur was down, Aerodactyl then dove in and use Crunch to try and clamp Ivysaur with his teeth. Ivysaur was moving violently trying to escape as Aerodactyl struggled to keep Ivysaur in his grip. This Pokémon was tough.

"Stop it now!" Ivysaur screamed.

"No Ivysaur, you need to calm down! So what if Ash had a bit of lapsed judgement of getting an Ever Stone for you! This gives you no right to attack us!" Pikachu called out.

Ivysaur was screaming and cursing as Aerodactyl tried to continue using Crunch. Aerodactyl was losing his grip as Ivysaur continued to struggle out in wretched anger. Then all of a sudden he began to glow white and Aerodactyl got blinded and lost his grip as he felt Ivysaur getting bigger.

Ash and Pikachu and all of the other Pokémon looked up as the saw that Ivysaur was now replaced with a Venusaur. Venusaur took shallow breaths as he felt something. It felt like he got bigger.

"Ivysaur evolved," Serena muttered.

"Is that a good thing?" Seymour asked.

"Well, if he knows now that he can't evolve any further, I guess so," Serena answered.

Venusaur felt like he gained weight magically. He charged over to the water to see his reflection. Aerodactyl was just getting up after the ambushed evolution with Charmeleon following through.

"Ivysaur is going to be pissed now," Charmeleon muttered.

Venusaur looked at his reflection as his eyes widened. He took shallow breaths as he saw what was in that reflection. It wasn't the body of an Ivysaur, it was the body of a Venusaur. He evolved again!

"That's twice that bastard didn't prevent me from evolving!" Venusaur roared as he glared at Ash.

Ash looked like a Deerling caught in a headlight. Venusaur roars like a giant monster rampaging through the city as he is skin starts to become red with pure anger. Aerodactyl gets back up and roars at Venusaur.

Venusaur begins to charge towards Ash as Aerodactyl flies in with a glowing head. He was prepared to use Iron Head. Venusaur launched a barrage of vines for a Vine Whip as he now had more vines. Aerodactyl evaded every vine swiftly until he smashed into Venusaur. Venusaur grunted as Aerodactyl made contact with him, which got the Seed Pokémon angry.

Venusaur used his own head for a Take Down which sent Aerodactyl flying backwards. Charmeleon looked on in shock to see Aerodactyl take a hit. Charmeleon figured the Fossil Pokémon could use some help. Charmeleon turned to Ash and nodded his head.

"You want to help Aerodactyl?" Ash asked.

"Charmeleon," Charmeleon replied.

Venusaur looked onward as he was looking at Ash. The girls and Munchlax were watching in horror as Venusaur charged towards the raven hair boy. Charmeleon jumped in and opened his mouth to unleash a monstrous Flamethrower. Venusaur angrily brushed right through the attack, despite being weak to it. Chameleon's eyes widened as he was smashed into sent flying a great distance into the water.

"Charmeleon!" Ash cried as Venusaur closed in on him.

Venusaur continued to charge, but Aerodactyl flew in at the nick of time and delivered another Iron Head, but Venusaur plowed right through him too sending Aerodactyl flying into a distance.

"Ash!" Serena cried as she turned to Delphox, "Delphox get in there and use Psychic!"

Venusaur was charging closer to Ash ready to kill him until Delphox stopped him with her Psychic. The Fox Pokémon glared at Venusaur as she tried to protect Ash. Venusaur proved to be tough as there was controlled movement by him in Delphox's grip, but enough for Ash to get out of the way.

"Alright Delphox, now get in front of Venusaur and use Fire Blast!" Serena cried.

Delphox continued to try and hold Venusaur down with Psychic until she got in front of him. Delphox finally let go and the Seed Pokémon looked at her. Delphox unleashed a powerful Fire Blast, but Venusaur quickly fired off a Solarbeam. As Delphox's Fire Blast was charging through, it got canceled out by the Solarbeam which got Delphox's eyes to widened. The attack exploded on impact and when the smoke cleared, Delphox was out cold. That was one powerful Solarbeam.

"Delphox!" Serena cried in panic.

Munchlax stood there all shaken up. He wanted to try and help Ivysaur, but he made it worse by having him evolve and begin to murder Ash. He cried as if his actions would cost him another dad.


Out in the water

Charmeleon was submerged in the water. Sure it may endanger the flame on his tail which could weaken his lifeforce, but that was the least of his worries. Charmeleon just got totaled by Venusaur, and it wasn't even close.

"This is humiliating," Charmeleon thought to himself.

He was underwater, but it wasn't a deep part as he was near the shore. Charmeleon felt weak, and not because he's underwater, but because he failed to protect Ash from a grass-type Pokémon.

"Ash helped save me from that bastard Damien twice. That bastard got rid of me because I was weak and then tried to take me back because he thought I was strong, but Ash came and gave me another chance," Charmeleon thought to himself.

Charmeleon felt the memories rush through him of how Ash saved him a while back. When Ash took him in, he wanted to help him in any way possible. He also wanted to know he could be strong for him, which was why when he evolved, he wanted only opponents he felt were at his level or higher. Sure he didn't like to be like that towards Ash, but he was doing that for him.

"Ash gave me a new life and what did I do to repay him? Struggle with Team Rocket get smacked around by a sociopathic hunter, and now getting trampled by a Venusaur who was supposed to be our friend," Charmeleon thought to himself as he cried.

He felt as if the beating from Venusaur was the last straw. This was his pride that kept taking blows, and he had no answer for them. Most of the Pokémon Charmeleon knew had personal pride, and he could compare to them.

Greninja hated losing as if that was a life-threating situation, he would've failed. Pikachu took beliefs in being a Pikachu because of the selfish trainers who wished to slap a Thunderstone at him. Then of course was the enemy, Venusaur. He wanted to prove his strength as a Bulbasaur and Ash took all of them seriously, including his wishes.

Charmeleon right now could compare to Venusaur as if he were just like him. His pride was tarnished, but it was an accident, not because his friend was arrogant, nature just took its course. Venusaur can never prove himself as a Bulbasaur ever again. He can't recover from what has occurred, and he refuses to accept it.

"If I sit here in the water to die, then Ash would've failed twice. He already did with Venusaur, and I don't want him failing with me," Charmeleon thought to himself as he felt a new sense of determination, "And I have to do whatever I can to save Ash! I don't care if Venusaur is stronger than me, I'm up for the challenge!"


Back on the beach

Venusaur looked at Ash and launched another Solarbeam. People on the beach were noticing the commotion and started grabbing their things and fleeing the scene. Even a few tourists left their belongings behind. Venusaur's violent behavior even drew the island's attention.

"Citizens of Cinnabar Island, please clear the beach and take shelter as a violent Venusaur is rampaging across the beach. I repeat, clear the beach, take shelter, and avoid the Venusaur at all cost!" a voice on the intercom announced.

There was now a police presence as Ash was still on the beach. Ash stayed on the beach knowing that if he were to enter the city, Venusaur would attack and hurt innocent people. Right now he wants to kill Ash.

Serena, Leaf, Munchlax, Rotom Dex and Seymour were getting back into the city. They recalled all of their Pokémon except for Kabuto and Omanyte.

"Why can't we help him?" Leaf asked in worry.

"Venusaur is only going after Ash. If he stays on the beach and no one is around, then no one should get hurt. Last thing that Ash wants is for his Venusaur to deal property damage," Seymour explained.

The strange man from the Big Riddle Inn stood there and watched the events unfold. He wasn't sure what to make of this situation, but he knew that this boy was in trouble.

Aerodactyl gets back up and comes in at Venusaur again, but this time he used Ancient Power to summon a bunch of fossilized rocks and direct them at Venusaur. Venusaur used his vines to whip them out of the way.

As Aerodactyl and Venusaur continued to attack, no one noticed what was happening to Venusaur which Ash was noticing. Despite Venusaur efforts, for some reason it feels like he is unknowingly losing more energy than usual. Venusaur was starting to pant.

"Aerodactyl, I think Venusaur is getting tired!" Ash called out as he turned to Pikachu, "Pikachu, why don't you and Aerodactyl team up and attack Venusaur."

"Pika," Pikachu responded.

Aerodactyl and Pikachu jolted towards the Seed Pokémon as Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt while Aerodactyl came in with Wing Attack. Venusaur was sending his vines towards both Pokémon as Pikachu and Aerodactyl tried to evade them. Aerodactyl had to use Wing Attack on Venusaur's vines while Pikachu made a desperate attempt with Thunderbolt. The attack hit Venusaur, but to the Seed Pokémon's delight, it felt like nothing.

Venusaur gave Pikachu and Aerodactyl an evil eye as he charged at both of them. He plowed Pikachu by almost thirty yards and Aerodactyl was slammed into as he skidded across the beach sand. Charmeleon was right behind the action as he glared at Venusaur from behind.

"Pikachu, Aerodactyl!" Ash cried as his Pokémon were out cold.

"Wow, that Take Down was powerful," Leaf said as she watched from a safe distance.

"That wasn't Take Down he used on Pikachu and Aerodactyl, that was Double-Edge," Rotom Dex said in worry, "It's similar to Take Down, but stronger."

Venusaur now had his sights on Ash. Ash gritted his teeth. How was he going to stop Venusaur? Did Venusaur even realize how powerful he is now that he evolved? Can he understand that Ash was not taking any actions of evolving him?

"Hey Venusaur, leave him alone!" Charmeleon yelled.

Venusaur turned around and gave Charmeleon a disgusting look. Charmeleon was looking at Venusaur with a mixture of vengeance and determination. He didn't want to just protect Ash, he wanted to make Venusaur pay for humiliating him.

"Charmeleon?" Ash questioned.

"Why?" Venusaur questioned "He ruined my life!"

"No he didn't! You're just an Arceus damn crybaby because you aren't a Bulbasaur anymore! Did you ever realize how powerful you are now!?" Charmeleon questioned.

Venusaur continued to look at Charmeleon with disgust.

"You just beat the living crap out of most of the Pokémon, including Greninja and that Aerodactyl! Not to mention most of our attacks have been futile because of your raised defense!" Charmeleon argued.

"True, but if I stayed a Bulbasaur a lot longer, then I could've exceled further and when I reached Venusaur, I would've been even more powerful than I am now!" Venusaur argued.

"Well looking at what's going on, I don't think you need to get any stronger!" Charmeleon yelled, "But enough talking, I'm going to make you pay!"

Charmeleon opens his mouth and launches a monstrous Flamethrower right at Venusaur's face. Venusaur then proceeds to charge at Charmeleon plowing through the Flamethrower once more, but Charmeleon had other plans as he made a fist and engulfed it in flame. As Venusaur came closer, Charmeleon proceeded to punch him in the face with a Fire Punch. Venusaur was now grunting as that attack was stopping him in his tracks.

"Get the fuck out!" Venusaur yelled as he turned his Take Down into a Double-Edge.

"Charmeleon no!" Ash cried out.

Charmeleon was sent flying many yards down the beach sand. Venusaur then proceeded to pound the ground and charge at Charmeleon as he shook the ground.

"It's almost like an earthquake," Serena cried as she was feeling the vibrations from the ground.

"Venusaur knows Stomping Tantrum," Rotom Dex said in horror.

"Stomping Tantrum," Serena replied.

"Yes, it's a ground type move that shakes the ground," Rotom Dex said as his tone turns dark, "And the power of this attacks sky rockets if either the Pokémon's previous attack misses, or the Pokémon has a high level of frustration."

Serena looked on in horror after hearing that. Stomping Tantrum's power goes up if the Pokémon is frustrated, and Venusaur is completely frustrated right now. At this rate, if that attack hits Charmeleon, he could be a goner.

Venusaur shook the ground as he used Stomping Tantrum to ram at Charmeleon. The Flame Pokémon was quick to get up. He looked at Venusaur with pure anger. He was not going to fail Ash or tarnish his pride any further.

"I've had enough of your Tauros shit!" Charmeleon screamed as he was engulfed by a white light.

"Is Charmeleon evolving!?" Serena exclaimed.

"It sure does look like it!" Leaf exclaimed.

Venusaur stopped as he was surprised by what was happening in front of him. Charmeleon was starting to change shape and now taking his place was his final evolution.

Charizard!

Ash looked out in the distance as he couldn't believe it. Another one of his Pokémon has evolved, this time it was Charmeleon who was now a Charizard.

"Charizard," Ash said hopefully.

Now that Charmeleon has evolved with a flying-type, it means that Stomping Tantrum now proves useless. Charizard stood and stared at Venusaur. Venusaur didn't hesitate as he came at Charizard with Double-Edge, but the Flame Pokémon used his hand to keep Venusaur in place.

Venusaur kept charging as Charizard opened his mouth and fired a Flamethrower right in his face. Venusaur began to scream from the much more powerful Flamethrower as Charizard took flight and looked at Ash.

Venusaur started to pant as he could see Charizard in the sky. He prepared to gather sunlight as he was going to fire another Solarbeam.

"Watch out, Venusaur is going to launch another Solarbeam!" Ash cried.

Venusaur proceeded to fire…but nothing came out. Venusaur was in a state of shock. How could he have lost so much power that he can't use Solarbeam? The Seed Pokémon decided to just put it to the side and switch to the next plan and that's to attack Charizard in the air with his vines.

Charizard darted towards Ash as Venusaur prepared to launch his vines, or what he thought. No vines were coming out of Venusaur's body as Charizard makes it over towards Ash.

"Thanks Charizard," Ash said.

"Roar," Charizard replied implying Ash to hop on.

"Okay," Ash replied as Charizard bent down so Ash could hop on.

Rotom Dex was on his camera mode as it zoomed in on Venusaur. Serena, Leaf, and Seymour were surprised that Venusaur's Solarbeam was a dud and that Venusaur's Vine Whip didn't bring out any vines.

"What happened to Venusaur?" Seymour asked.

"I think Venusaur is finally getting tired," Leaf joyfully said, "It looks like Ash can get this under control."

They see that Ash was now getting on Charizard. It looks like it was finally going to end, and right before they could see what Ash and Charizard were going to do, Rotom Dex realized something.

"I know what happened!" Rotom Dex exclaimed.

"What?" Serena questioned.

"Venusaur shouldn't be getting exhausted this quickly, but now I know why," Rotom Dex said.

"Is it because his blood boiled so much he might be having a heart attack?" Munchlax asked.

"No, well maybe," Rotom Dex said, "It's because of his exposure to Aerodactyl."

"Aerodactyl?" Munchlax questioned.

"Yes, Aerodactyl's special ability. Pressure. When Aerodactyl is around, the opposing Pokémon is suddenly using more energy in their attacks than usual. The fact that Venusaur was around Aerodactyl for a prolonged period of time affected Venusaur's use of energy," Rotom Dex explained.

This surprised the group. If it weren't for Pressure, this battle could still go on, but now it seems it will be drawing to a conclusion.

Charizard flew up in the air as Venusaur looked up. Ash was riding on Charizard as he delivered a series of air blades at Venusaur. The Seed Pokémon took his ground as he took the blows.

"That was Air Slash," Ash said in amazement.

Charizard then opened his wings and began to heat up. Ash was feeling uncomfortable as Charizard began to build heat around him.

"What are you doing Charizard?" Ash asked.

Sure it was hot on Cinnabar Island, but now it almost felt like he was inside a volcano. Charizard stared at Venusaur with authority. He was not going to miss his target.

The Flame Pokémon shot out a massive blast of flames right at Venusaur. The angry Seed Pokémon eyes widened not in anger, but in terror and fear as the volcanic flames came flying down.

"Mother," Venusaur whispered.

The volcanic flames hit Venusaur as he screamed in pain. With the additional heat and the grass-typing, the attack proved to be even more agonizing than usual. The only question was what was that attack? Venusaur began to cry and he could bear to stand anymore.

Within the fire and flames, Venusaur collapsed to the ground. Pikachu and Aerodactyl woke up to see a big fire in front of them. Then they looked up in the air to see something that wasn't there before. Charizard.

"What exactly happened?" Pikachu questioned.

Charizard was hovering in the air as he and Ash watched solemnly. While Charizard could be proud, he wasn't. Charizard was hurt that he had to hurt his friend. Ash couldn't help but have tears fall from his face. He was sorry for Venusaur. No one wanted this, but for everyone's safety, they had no choice.

They were glad it's over.

"Charizard, take me down so we can get Venusaur's Pokeball," Ash said in a dark tone.

Charizard descended back to the ground as the fallen Venusaur continued to be barbequed. As he got off Charizard to begin searching for Venusaur's Pokeball, Serena and Leaf let out a huge exhale. It was finally over.

"I can't help but feel sorry for Venusaur," Leaf said with a tear coming from her eye.

"We should, he was trapped in his own sadness," Rotom Dex sighed, "He will never again have the chance to excel the heights of a Bulbasaur, and now he won't be able to do that with Ivysaur too. Ash was his friend, and he was the one he took his frustrations out on."

Sad it was. Venusaur was now burning from Charizard's super powerful fire attack as he was now too weak to get up. He knew what was going through his head, he wouldn't be in this predicament if he stayed a Bulbasaur and Ivysaur longer.

One question remained, what was that attack?

"What was that move by the way?" Serena asked.

"The move Charizard just used?" Rotom Dex questioned as he looked at the flame, "That was Inferno. It's not an easy attack to land a hit on, but when that attack hits, it burns the opposing Pokémon."

"Okay," Serena said nodding her head.

The only thing they could do was just watch. Ash finally got Venusaur's Pokeball and returned him, and then he went over to Pikachu and Aerodactyl. The crowd watched on as they just witnessed Ash stopping a violent Pokémon and protecting them. Munchlax was looking out in the distance as he believed it was his fault. If he never said anything about Ash missing out on an Ever Stone, this would've never happened. He wanted to help, and he failed.

The mysterious man watched as he let out a sad sigh. Sure it might have been his Pokémon, and he would want to berate him and kick him and his friends out of his hotel. But he didn't have the heart too because he handled the situation like a pro making sure not to do anything that could put more people in danger. Most importantly, he saved the island with the help of his Pokémon, including an Aerodactyl that just met him.

The man couldn't help but have respect for him, but he did feel sorry for him and his Venusaur.


Cinnabar Island-Pokémon Center

Ash would reunite with Serena and Leaf. Serena gave Ash a big hug and was relieved he was alright and congratulated Charizard on his evolution. Ash had two evolutions, one happy, and one that included misery.

The three along with Seymour went to the Pokémon Center to get all of their Pokémon healed. Seymour gave Ash permission to catch Aerodactyl in a ball, so they didn't have to carry him over. After his heroics today and hearing all of his other heroics with Lapras, despite the fact that the violent Venusaur was his Pokémon, Seymour was considering letting Ash keep Aerodactyl.

All of the Pokémon were resting as they were getting healed from the fight with Venusaur. Even though Kabuto and Omanyte had no part in the fight, it wouldn't hurt for them to get checked on too.

Ash sat there with his head hung down. He knew he was at fault for this catastrophe. He wanted to yell at Munchlax for inciting the incident, but the young Pokémon was just trying to help. That wouldn't be right, and it would discourage Munchlax. Ash looked over at Munchlax as he was afraid to show his face at him. He didn't just let him down, he let Venusaur down.

"Ash," Serena whispered.

"Venusaur, I failed him," Ash wept.

"Venusaur should be fine," Serena assured patting Ash on his back, "Sure he got scorched like crazy, but it isn't life threating."

"I know, but…I couldn't do anything to help him," Ash said, "And all I did was endanger everyone, including you guys."

Serena looked at Ash as his eyes were shot. What was going to happen to Venusaur? How much damage would his reputation take as a Pokémon trainer? Would he bring shame to Red's legacy? Well he doesn't care about that last one.

Then Nurse Joy along with a group of officers walked into the lobby and approached the group. Nurse Joy had a sad look on her face while the officers looked concerned.

"How are you doing?" one of the officers asked.

"Not good," Ash answered as he looked up at Nurse Joy, "How's Venusaur?"

"Venusaur has some serious third-degree burns, he will make a full-recovery, but it could take up to a month," Nurse Joy answered, "But I think Venusaur's physical injuries are going to be the least of his problems."

While they were worried about the physical injuries, it was the emotional scars that did worse and what happened on the beach proved it.

"Just to clarify, are you the trainer of that Venusaur?" the officer asked.

"Yes I am," Ash answered as tears came to his eyes, "I'm so sorry. It's just Venusaur hasn't been."

The officer then held his finger up interrupting Ash. It was his turn to speak.

"Can we ask you to come with us," the officer said.

Ash hung his head down. It looks like we was going to be arrested for endangering the public. How was he supposed to know Venusaur's behavior was going to get that violent?

"Sure," Ash sighed.

He followed the two officers and Nurse Joy. Serena and Leaf were shaken up with the scene. Well they didn't handcuff Ash…yet. Serena was scared that Ash would get arrested and she may never see him again. More importantly as she looked over at Munchlax, she wondered what would become of him and how he would handle it? He's already dealing with so much and he doesn't need more of this.


1 minute later

Ash was in a room with Nurse Joy and the two officers. One of them pulled out a notepad and a pen. It looked like they were going to ask some questions.

"We will take the weight off your shoulders. Since no one got seriously hurt and you managed to keep the threat in place and not bring it into the city, there's a possibly you won't face charges," the officer said.

"Sigh, what a relief," Ash said as he felt a little better.

"However, we do need to ask some questions regarding your Venusaur that might differ," the officer said which raised the tension again, "Please answer these questions honestly."

So he was being observed, but it was mostly Venusaur being observed. Ash was going to tell them the truth about everything.

"First, I want to know where you met Venusaur. Tell me everything you know about Venusaur's history," the officer told Ash.

Ash took a deep breath and began to speak.

"When I first met Venusaur, he was a Bulbasaur who was protecting weaker Pokémon in a hidden village in the forest. I learned he was there for about a year and then I learned that his previous trainer sent him floating down the river abandoning him because he wouldn't evolve," Ash answered.

The officer wrote down what Ash just told the police. Ash let the police take their time to write down that information, and then he continued to speak.

"A girl who lived in that hidden village offered me to take Bulbasaur, and he accepted the offer. I promised that I would not try to evolve him," Ash said continuing to speak as the officers wrote down that information.

"Alright, next question. How long have you had this Venusaur?" the officer asked.

"Almost six months. Bulbasaur would even take time at Professor Oak's lab to be a peace keeper for some of the other grass Pokémon that reside at his lab," Ash answered.

The officer continued to write that stuff down as Nurse Joy listened in. At least it was known that he didn't get this Venusaur recently.

"Has Venusaur always been like this, or was this a behavior change? And he did change behavior, when was it?" the officer asked.

"Well, he has been a prideful Pokémon, but he got along with the others. His behavior changed at Fuchsia City after we beat Koga for my fifth badge. After my battle, I was congratulating Bulbasaur, and he evolved into an Ivysaur. When his evolution took place, he was feeling unhappy," Ash answered.

"Anything else?" the officer asked.

"Yeah, when I faced Sabrina for my sixth badge, I used him in my battle, and he refused to battle for me. In fact, he tried to attack me. I was thinking he was still upset about his evolution and I was trying to help him accept it," Ash explained.

The two officers let out a sigh as they finished taking notes. Nurse Joy looked concerned when she heard that. Did Ash notice that could've been a big red flag?

"If he changed after evolving, when did he evolve?" the officer asked.

"About a month ago," Ash answered, "The violent behavior was discovered during my sixth gym battle."

As they continued to listen in, Ash told them more of Venusaur's backstory.

"But I know why Venusaur acts the way he does. It's because he evolved, and that he'll never be able to have a chance to reach his heights as a Bulbasaur. He wanted to do that to prove his so-called trainer wrong. He wasn't ready for an evolution, but it just happened. I never was trying to have Bulbasaur evolve," Ash cried.

Ash was about to speak more about the hard part. The information where Ivysaur lost it.

"I kept something from Ivysaur after he evolved because knowing our rocky relationship, I knew he would have it at me," Ash said.

"What was it you were keeping from Ivysaur after he evolved?" the officer asked.

"Back when he was a Bulbasaur, me and my girlfriend went on a date in Saffron City. We visited a rich family's house to attend an auction. One of the items up for bid was an Ever Stone. We'd figure we wouldn't need that, but to my lapse of judgement, I missed out on a chance to give a precaution to Bulbasaur. It was something I regrated," Ash confessed.

They heard from Ash and he wasn't finished.

"If I got that Ever Stone, Venusaur wouldn't never been in this mess. Today my Munchlax spilled the beans to Ivysaur which caused him to be so violent that he wanted to kill me, and the anger caused him to evolve even further," Ash confessed as he cried, "I take blame for all of this. I love all of my Pokémon, and I let Venusaur down."

The two officers and Nurse Joy were looking at Ash solemnly and then one of them had a stern look on his face.

"Mr. Ketchum, when your Ivysaur attacked you during your gym battle, that's you needed to realize something was wrong and it could take a turn for the worse," the officer explained.

"I understand, I take full responsibility not just for Venusaur, but for all my Pokémon," Ash cried, "I was trying to help, but he refused, and he just kept attacking me."

The two officers looked at Nurse Joy as she now had a sad look on her face. It was now her turn to speak.

"It's come to my attention that maybe you should've let a professional handle it and not take it in your own hands. I know Ivysaur is your friend, but you were in a situation that was out of your reach. It's just something you're learning today," Nurse Joy told Ash.

Ash had to accept the fact. This was something he couldn't deal with right now. Nurse Joy's face grew dark as the worse news was about to come out.

"Mr. Ketchum, I'm sorry to say this…but I have to get in touch with the Pokémon League and the G-Men. I'm going to have to declare your Venusaur a mad Pokémon," Nurse Joy announced.

"Mad Pokémon?" Ash said choking up.

"It means the G-Men will have to come here and…take Venusaur into their care," an officer solemnly said.

Ash couldn't believe it. He wanted to punch something. This wasn't happening. They were going to take Venusaur away from him.

"But Venusaur is my friend," Ash said taking shallow breaths.

"I'm sorry, but you're not at a level where you can handle such a dangerous Pokémon. The G-Men may consider giving you Venusaur back, but for the time being he will be in their care," Nurse Joy explained.

Today was a nightmare. It started good as he got to immediately befriend a revitalized Aerodactyl and share some stuff with Seymour about Lapras, and then came the whole thing with Venusaur. Even Charmeleon's evolution got overshadowed by this. Now he was going to lose Venusaur.

"Can I say goodbye to Venusaur?" Ash asked.

"I wouldn't call it a goodbye," the officer said, "As she told you, you might get Venusaur back if you're lucky."

"And we've also decided you won't face any charges or get any citations on your League Record," the other officer announced.

Sure Ash wasn't going to be indicted on anything, but that didn't patch up the fact about Venusaur.


1 minute later

The police and Nurse Joy escorted Ash to the window where he saw his Venusaur. Venusaur was hooked up on a number of IV poles and was on a ventilator. He inhaled a lot of smoke from that powerful Inferno attack. Nurse Joy did tell Ash he would make a full recovery.

Ash stood there as tears came from his eyes. This could be the last time he would ever see his Venusaur. They've been through a lot and he proved to be a great friend to all of his Pokémon, until his evolution. Now he's a mad Pokémon and will have to be cared for by the G-Men.

"Venusaur…I'm sorry. I failed you," Ash wept.

Venusaur had his eyes closed so he didn't need to see Ash. Best he didn't. It wasn't clear if he heard what Ash said. Venusaur wasn't even thinking about it but somewhere deep down in the bottom of his heart, he knew that he failed him too.


3 minutes later

Ash emerged from the doors where Serena, Leaf, Rotom Dex, and Munchlax were waiting for them. Serena was the first to emerge and gave him a big hug. As Serena hugged Ash, he wasn't getting that warm feeling.

"Are you alright Ash?" Serena asked.

"Did something happen in there Ash?" Leaf asked.

"Are you in trouble?" Rotom Dex asked.

"Munchlax?" Munchlax asked worriedly.

Ash took a deep breath and broke the news.

"I'm not in trouble, I'll be off the hook. As for Venusaur, he has been deemed a mad Pokémon and I'm not to have him. Venusaur will be going to the Pokémon G-Men," Ash cried.

Serena then proceeded to hug Ash even tighter. This had to have hurt Ash. Letting Butterfree go was one thing, but to have a Pokémon confiscated was a whole different story.

"Ash, I'm so sorry," Serena said.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to take a walk by myself," Ash sighed, "I need to clear my head and process all of this."

Serena let go of Ash as he left the Pokémon Center. He didn't even bother to pick up his Pokémon, he just wanted to be alone. Serena could understand that he needed some time to himself.

"Ash," Serena uttered.


Cinnabar Island

As evening approached, Ash walked with his head hung down trying to clear his head of today's events. His Pokémon dug in deep enough to take down Venusaur, but he was nowhere at a level where he could help him. Now he was going to be taken away.

He and Serena dealt with a similar problem with Greninja and Delphox before they evolved, but they were too frightened to do anything rather than attack them. That came out of trauma and fear, Venusaur's issue came out of anger and a tarnished pride. He failed him, they both failed each other.

Ash was wondering if he was good enough to be a Pokémon Master. Sure his Pokémon thought so, and Greninja, Pikachu, and Munchlax were good examples. He wasn't sure though.

"How are you doing?" a voice asked.

Ash snapped out of his thoughts to see that it was the mysterious man from the Big Riddle Inn. He had his arms crossed and had a small smile on his face as if he respected him.

"Not good," Ash muttered, "I'm sorry if I caused any trouble here on Cinnabar Island."

"Well to be honest I could've asked you to leave after the issue with Venusaur but looking at how you handled that situation risking your life to protect everyone and the island, and how an Aerodactyl who just revitalized not only got along with you but fought on your side, and how that Charmeleon stood up against Venusaur and evolved to save you and settle Venusaur down. I can't help but appreciate you," the man explained.

"You're not mad at me?" Ash questioned.

"Well I could be, but the most important thing is everyone is alright thanks to you," the man stated, "By the way, how's Venusaur doing?"

"Venusaur is going to be spending about a month recovering. Because of my heroics and no one getting hurt, or any property damage being done, I won't be facing any charges or citations," Ash sighed as he shook up to speak of the hard part, "But the league will be taking Venusaur away from me, and I might never see him again."

Even though Ash barely knew this man, he started to cry in front of him.

"Venusaur was acting so violent because he was upset about his evolution. Sure my Pokémon dug in deep enough for me to settle Venusaur down, but I wasn't strong enough to help him.," Ash cried, "I don't know if I'm even a good enough Pokémon trainer."

The man stood there and let Ash cry for about a minute. After about a minute, the man spoke once again.

"What about the rest of your Pokémon?" the man questioned.

"What?" Ash questioned as he stopped crying.

"What do they think of you?" the man asked.

Ash listened to what the man said and put his thoughts of Venusaur to the side. He was letting that one thing cloud over everything he has done. He had to remember the other things he did with his Pokémon.


5 minutes later

Ash spoke to the mysterious man about what he has done with his Pokémon. He talked about Greninja in how he managed to open up to him after the pre-birth trauma with Siegfried and taking a stand in bringing that evil hunter down. Then he mentions Pikachu and how he respected him being a Pikachu and allowed him to beat Lt. Surge's Raichu on his own. Then he talked about the Pokémon who just saved him, Charizard, and how he rescued him as a Charmander when his trainer left him out in the rain to die. He even talked about Scizor giving him a new home after his previous trainer was killed in a shipwreck.

Then came these two Pokémon, Butterfree and Lapras. He tells the story of how he raised Butterfree and allowed him to fly across the sea with his mate to start a family only to rescue a Lapras and Lorelei from a group of savage pirates. Then he mentions that the surviving Lapras was taken to the Silph Company only to suffer more abuse in the hands of Team Rocket until he came and put a stop to it. The man was shocked when Ash told him that the Lapras he adopted from the Silph Company was the same one that his Butterfree rescued.

Finally he spoke about Munchlax in how after Greninja overcame his trauma to save him, that Ash took him in as a pseudo son after his real father was killed. He even gives a slight chuckle on how his Munchlax has an addictive taste for cotton candy. Despite the slip up that ignited the incident, Ash was glad to take him in for a chance to have another father figure in his life.

"You stand there thinking you aren't a great Pokémon trainer, but after what you told me, it shows how great you are as a Pokémon trainer," the man told Ash.

"What do you mean?" Ash questioned.

"Listen, a lot of those Pokémon are alive and happy because of you. They've become stronger thanks to your actions. Sure you weren't able to reach out to your Venusaur, but don't let that drag you down from the things you have accomplished with your Pokémon," the man stated.

While Ash wasn't feeling much better, his words did bring some light. He can recall all of those accomplishments in not only saving those Pokémon from threats like an abusive trainer, a psycho hunter, and Team Rocket, but helping them get stronger too. Ash then can recall that even though he couldn't help Venusaur and the G-Men would take him away, he was still alive and would be at 100% in due time and hopefully have a chance to be happy again. And at the end of the day, he never regrated anything he has done. He was going to make mistakes, but he would learn from them. Ash then wonders how does this man know so much about Pokémon?

"Thanks, I need to remember that" Ash said as he was feeling a bit better, "This thing with Venusaur might bring me down for some time, but I'll get over it soon enough."

"That's what I like to hear," the man said, "Well I got to get going, I'm actually going to be meeting Blaine for dinner tonight."

"Really, can I come too?" Ash asked as he recalls about getting a gym battle from Blaine.

"No, it's just going to be me and him," the man confirmed, "But I'll mention everything you talked about with me. He might even see the light in you as a worthy opponent."

"Alright, thanks," Ash said as the man walked out in the distance.


30 minutes later

Ash continued to walk around the island for half-hour alone reminiscing what that man told him. He needed to recall that he was a good trainer. He has six badges, he stopped Team Rocket a number of times, he saved Sabrina, and he has Pokémon that respect him. Sure Venusaur was the one exception right now, but Ash would know not to give up hope that Venusaur could rejoin him one day. Ash was going to go through the process of accepting Venusaur's fate.

He would return to the Pokémon Center where Serena, Leaf, Rotom Dex, Pikachu, Munchlax, and Seymour were waiting for him. Seymour had something in his hands and Munchlax that looked like a canister.

"How are you doing Ash?" Serena asked as she gave Ash a hug.

"Well, I'm doing better. It'll be a tough process, but I'll accept the fact that the G-Men will care for Venusaur," Ash said as there was more a positive tone in his voice.

"I'm sure they'll do a great job," Leaf said, "After all, Lance of the Elite Four is one of the G-Men."

Ash can recall that. He and Serena met Lance after the Siegfried crisis and even recruited a terminated ranger to join them. Ash wouldn't have anything to worry about if Venusaur ended up in his care.

"I'll have faith in them, and I wish Venusaur the best," Ash said.

"By the way Ash, Seymour wanted to speak with you," Serena said as Seymour approached Ash.

"Ash, after what you have done for our island and the great friends you have, you will be rewarded twice," Seymour declared.

"Twice?" Ash questioned.

"First up, all three of you are deemed worthy of the pre-historic Pokémon that have been revitalized by our machine. Which means you are now the owner of an Aerodactyl," Seymour said giving Ash Aerodactyl's Pokeball, "And I know Aerodactyl is happy about that, because he likes you."

Ash got a hold of Aerodactyl's Pokeball and looked at it. He couldn't help but smile that despite losing one friend, he has gained another. He would Aerodactyl the best care. While Ash was not going to use him in his next gym battle, he would love to give him a chance in his final gym battle. Serena also would get Omanyte while Leaf would get Kabuto.

"And what's the second reward?" Ash asked.

Seymour looked down at the canister in his hands which contained an egg with colorful spots on it like it was a play toy.

"After everything I've heard about you and how you showed how amazing of a Pokémon trainer you are, I've decided to help you fill that void with Venusaur. I've decided to give you this Pokémon egg. You've proven to be capable of it," Seymour said as he handed Ash the egg.

Ash looked at the egg with curiosity. The thoughts of Venusaur were going away when Ash looked at that egg. This helped cheer him up when Ash not only got to keep Aerodactyl, but he would be welcoming a new addition to his Pokémon family.

"What Pokémon is it?" Ash asked.

"It's a rare Pokémon that was rumored to be found in the Johto Region," Seymour answered.

Ash looked at the egg and then he looked at Munchlax. Ash was already being a father to one Pokémon, now he was going to take the role of a father to another Pokémon. With Serena on his side, they could look at this Pokémon as its parents.

"Thank you very much Seymour," Ash said as he looked at Serena, "Hey Serena, when this egg hatches, do you want to watch over this Pokémon together?"

"I would love too," Serena giving Ash a kiss.

Ash looked at this egg with determination. He was going to make sure that this Pokémon would not only become strong, but happy as well. He and Serena would raise this Pokémon together, and Ash vows not to make any mistakes with this Pokémon like he did with Venusaur.

"Look at that Munchlax, it looks like you're going to become a big brother," Leaf said elbowing Munchlax on the side.

While Munchlax could be happy for Ash, he can't help but worry. When that Pokémon egg hatches, a new baby will come, and he will start to be a daddy to that Pokémon rather than him. It also means that Ash wouldn't treat him to any more cotton candy. Maybe this was going to be his punishment for costing Ash his Venusaur.

Munchlax already lost a dad. Could he lose another dad because of this egg? He didn't want this to happen so soon. His real father did help him to grow up and learn about life, but he never taught him about being a sibling.

Munchlax wonders what the future holds for him.


Cinnabar Island-Port

There was going to be a ferry leaving soon, and now that Leaf has her Kabuto, he was now going to return to Pallet Town. Ash and Serena stood on the side with Munchlax hanging his head down worried about what will happen next.

Munchlax hasn't said anything since Ash got the egg. Ash was feeling a bit better thanks to gaining Aerodactyl and a new egg.

"Sure you don't want to stay and watch Ash's gym battle?" Serena asked.

"No thanks, I don't know when Ash would be given a gym battle and I don't want to hand around here for too long. I want to get back to Pallet Town as I'm sure my parents miss me," Leaf explained, "I've gotten enough information on my Pokedex and I want to just sit at home and relax for a bit."

"It was nice seeing you again Leaf," Serena said.

"Ash, I'm sorry about everything that happened with Venusaur. I hope everything goes well with you," Leaf told Ash.

"I know, it's pretty hard, but I'll get over it. I mean I got an Aerodactyl and an egg after all," Ash told Leaf as he looked at his backpack which contained the egg, "But thanks for thinking about me."

"You're welcome," Leaf said with a bow, "You just worry about getting that seventh badge."

"Thanks Leaf," Ash replied.

"And don't worry Ash, I might meet up with you in Viridian City to watch you get badge number eight, and for Serena to get that entry ribbon," said Leaf as she gave a wink.

"Maybe the gym will be open when we get back," Rotom Dex said.

"The nanosecond that gym is open, the Arceus Gary will be at the doors where they will serve his final badge on a silver platter because he is the greatest trainer in this and every single totality of existence," Leaf jokingly said.

The group let out a good laugh which was needed. They knew Gary Oak was always caught in his own ego. Everyone was laughing except for Munchlax as he still had thoughts in his head.

"But seriously, I know Gary will be at the gym once it opens," Ash said as he hopes for another battle with him soon.

"Well everyone, I'll see you back in Pallet Town." Leaf told the Pallet Town couple, "I'm sure Daisy and everyone else would like to see you."

"Even Gary," Ash said.

"Ash, though he tends to be an ass, of course Gary would like to see you," Leaf said.

Ash exhaled a deep breath as that would be a treat. Hearing from Gary again and telling Ash how almighty he is.

Leaf boarded the ferry and after a couple of minutes, the ferry departed from Cinnabar Island. The group waived goodbye to Leaf as she was returning to Pallet Town. Aside from Venusaur, she had a great time with Ash and Serena. She couldn't wait to see them again soon.


Cinnabar Island-Big Riddle Inn

Ash and Serena return to the Big Riddle Inn where at the front of the door was the mysterious man. Ash was surprised to see him as he just talked with him about his Pokémon. He wonders why what may gotten him to go deep into his stories with his Pokémon? Maybe he was just down in the dumps after today.

"So I take it you're alright?" the man asked as he seems to be looking at Ash.

"Yeah," Serena answered.

"So where's your friend?" the man asked.

"She went home," Serena answered.

"I see. Anyway, I saw everything unfold today, and may I just say that you did an excellent job out there," the man said praising Ash again.

Serena wasn't there for the conversation, but Ash knew that this man saw what unfolded and he even told him about his other accomplishments. Wait a second, didn't he tell Ash he was going to meet Blaine for dinner?

"Thanks," Ash replied.

The man didn't want to bring Ash back into that territory, now he needed to bring up something else to Ash.

"Anyway, I just came back from having a good meal with my friend the gym leader Blaine," the mysterious man told him.

"Really, you met the gym leader?" Serena asked.

"Yeah, I mentioned Ash here on how brave he was to try and settle down that mad Venusaur and save the island. I did mention he may be at fault, but we agreed to put it aside," the man explained.

Well, that had to be good news for Ash. At least he wouldn't be getting an earful from Blaine himself. Better yet, there's hope he'll have a chance for a gym battle.

"I also heard about some of the other things Ash here has done and me and Blaine talked about that too," the man explained as Ash knew it really came from that conversation, "Blaine was amazed with all the things you've done."

"He was," Ash said hopefully.

"Indeed, and it brings me great pleasure to tell you that the Cinnabar Island gym leader Blaine...will accept a gym battle with you," the man said.

Now it felt like the sorrows of Venusaur were truly gone. They were still there, but not overtaking him. Aside from Charmeleon's evolution, the obtaining of Aerodactyl, and the Pokémon egg, now Ash has been deemed worthy of a gym battle with Blaine.

"Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that!" Ash beamed with joy.

"Well now that Ash will get a gym battle, do you mind telling us where the gym is?" Rotom Dex asked.

"Why certainly, in the form of another riddle," the man said putting his finger up, "It's located in a place where firefighters never win."

They let out a sigh, another riddle to determine where the gym was. If Serena can recall correctly, Shauna accidently slipped up where the gym was. In a volcano. She didn't tell Ash, but she wasn't going to tell him right now.

"In the meantime, why don't you spend a free night in the hot springs to think about where this gym could be and what Pokémon you plan to use," the man said.

"Okay," Ash and Serena said in union.

It was going to be settling to relax in the hot springs after everything that happened today. Ash could use it, and Munchlax could use a night in there too. Serena felt as if she could relax after watching everything unfold.

Wait, watch everything. She just remembered! She missed Shauna's contest and she was going against Miette. Serena had no idea how that went. Serena wanted to know the outcome of that contest.

"Excuse me, could I use your phone?" Serena asked, "I have a friend who competed in a contest today, and I want to know how she did."

The man smiled at Serena and then nodded his head.

"Sure," the man answered.

"Thanks," Serena replied as she turned to Ash, "I'll catch up to you Ash."

Ash nodded his head as he understood that she wanted to catch up with Shauna on the contest that took place today.


10 minutes later

It felt like an eternity, but Serena would finally get a connection to the Viridian City Pokémon Center. She asked to speak to Shauna Florry, and in one minute, Shauna appeared on the screen.

"Hey Serena," Shauna replied on the other line.

"Hey Shauna, I'm so sorry. I was preoccupied with so many things today that I missed your contest," Serena apologized.

"It's fine Serena. While it would be nice to watch me, it's understandable that you have other things to tend to," Shauna stated.

Well at least Shauna was cool with Serena. Still, she wanted to know how the contest went and if she got her fifth ribbon.

"So if I recall, you and Miette were competing in this contest together," Serena said.

"Yeah, both of us would make it past the preliminaries, and we would end up meeting on the final stage to determine the winner," Shauna explained.

Serena's eyes bugged out. Shauna and Miette were competing against each other in the finals to determine who would win the contest. Now this was interesting.

"So tell me what happened, and tell me who won," Serena told Shauna.

Shauna took a deep breath as she began to explain the contest and who came out on top.


Next up is another Interlude that will feature the Pokémon Contest that Shauna and Miette took part in. Spoiler alert, both of them will get their fifth ribbon (and entry ribbon) to qualify for the Grand Festival. One of them will just get it in this interlude.

I guess none of you expected Ivysaur to evolve in this chapter. Sadly, due to Venusaur's violent behavior, Ash will have to surrender him to the G-Men. Will he ever get him back? Maybe he will.

On a happier note, Ash gets Aerodactyl, Serena gets Omanyte, Charmeleon finally evolved into Charizard, and Ash can finally have his battle with Blaine which will take place after the Interlude. Also Ash got himself an egg. I think we know who's going to hatch out of that egg. That will take place after the Viridian Gym.

I'll be trying to write both the Interlude and the next chapter at the same time. (Interlude will be posted first)

Stayed tuned and find out what will happen next. Don't forget to review and see you next time.

Interlude VI: The Viridian Contest