Chapter 3 Ivysaur's Mysterious Tower!
The next morning in the Cerise Laboratory, Ash and Serena now greet their first morning here. As the alarm clock rings, both of them aren't wanting to wake up. Serena mutters, "Ash, it's morning."
"Yeah...we have to wake up." Ash mutters, and just then, Mimey walks into the room as he uses the mime vacuum, which suddenly takes away their blankets, and Ash also falls to the floor with shock.
"Ash? Are you okay?" Serena asks while she is fully awake.
"Oh, it's just Mimey..." Ash mutters.
Once they clean themselves up, they are now at the dining room as they are in awe at the sight of food. Ash asks, "Can we really eat as much as we like?"
"Of course, after all, we're research fellows here." Serena says.
"Yeah, being research fellows is amazing." Ash says. "And they also got Pokemon food as well!"
Pikachu and Sylveon are happy as they also take a bowl of the food, and then they all sit at the table as they have their breakfast. Ash and Serena are sitting together as they talk a lot about their journeys, and then they see Professor Cerise and Chloe also coming in.
"Good morning." Cerise says.
"Good morning, and for you too, Chloe." Ash says.
Yamper goes to play with Pikachu and Sylveon, while Sylveon just doesn't want to get shocked by the two's nuzzle.
"Did you guys sleep well?" Cerise asks.
"Perfectly." Serena says. Ash adds, "You even have a buffet in the lab, that is the best!"
"Ash has been stuffing his face since he got here." Serena says with a tease, and Ash says, "And you still love me of that."
Chloe flinches a little at how Ash and Serena are being a little lovey-dovey, She turns to Yamper and says, "Yamper, I'll put your food and water here."
After putting the bowls for Yamper down, she takes only a bag of candies before leaving. Ash says, "Chloe, you should eat with us as well."
"I already ate. And I don't want to be late for school." Chloe adds as she closes the door, Cerise says, "Well, I'll see you later." Then he also leaves.
Ash and Serena just look at each other, and Ash says, "I never knew Chloe still goes to school..."
"Yeah, maybe because we don't need to go to school because of Professor Oak in your case, or Professor Sycamore in my case." Serena says.
"Yeah. So what do you think we should do today?" Ash asks, and Serena thinks for a while and says, "How about we go Pokemon capturing?"
"That will be nice." Ash says, "But first, let's finish our meal before we go to the lab."
Serena nods as they quickly eat their breakfast, with Mimey, Pikachu and Sylveon doing the same.
In the lab, Ash, Serena and Cerise are waiting as Ren rushes inside, "Sorry that I'm late! The bus got stuck in traffic..."
"Oh, that's right. I hadn't introduced you yet." Cerise says,
"I am Ren, I am an assistant here." Ren says.
"And my other assistant." Cerise looks at the female worker and she says, "I'm Chrysa" She turns around and says, "The cause of the traffic jam is up on the news sites."
Ash and Serena are looking at the screen and they see Ivysaurs. "A city-wide outbreak of Ivysaur?" Serena asks.
"Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur. Ture to the "saur" in their names, they're full of mysteries." Cerise says.
"How about we go investigate?" Ash asks Serena, who nods and says, "This'll be our first job as research fellows at the Cerise Laboratory!"
"Yeah! Let's give it all we've got, Pikachu, Sylveon." The two Pokemon nod in agreement as they rush out.
"By the way, do you two have a smartphone?" Cerise asks, and they are confused. Cerise takes out two phones, one with orange and one with pink, and he gives them to Ash and Serena.
"Thank you." Ash and Serena say as they look at the phone. Just then, Professor Cerise sends out two Rotom, and Ash says, "Rotom? Don't tell me it is another one of those Rotom Pokdex like things..."
"It seems like you have experience with it." Cerise says, and Ash says, "Of course, I had one while I was with Professor Kukui back in Alola."
Then two Rotoms go into their smartphones and Cerise says, "They are called Rotom Phones, they have Pokedex functions as well."
"Thank you, Professor." Ash says as both he and Serena are leaving to investigate.
Ash and Serena are walking on the streets and Serena says, "Strange...it should be around here..."
Ash says, "Maybe I should have this guy to help me." As he throws a Pokeball, a Bulbasaur appears. Bulbasaur is confused, and Ash says, "Please help us find the Ivysaurs."
Bulbasaur flinches at the name, but it nods as Ash and Serena follow him. Just then, they hear a voice and it belongs to Officer Jenny. "Please stop!"
"Over there." Ash and Serena say as they rush towards Officer Jenny. "Officer Jenny, did something happened?"
"Oh, Ash. It is nice to see you again." Officer Jenny says, "You see."
Just then, a horde of Ivysaur is walking along the street, and Bulbasaur is looking at the horde in awe. Serena uses the chance to scan the Pokemon. "Ivysaur, the Seed Pokémon. A Grass and Poison type. The stronger the sunlight it absorbs, the stronger this Pokémon becomes and the larger its flower bud grows."
"I wonder where the Ivysaurs are going..." Serena says.
"This might not have anything to do with Ivysaur, but look at this." Officer Jenny suddenly turns serious as she shows them a group of trio. Ash groans and says, "Team Rocket?"
Serena says, "Those guys again? When will they ever give up?"
"I don't know, even when I go to Alola they are still causing trouble." Ash mutters, "They really are going everywhere I go, huh?"
"We're on guard because there were reports they'd been sighted around here." Officer Jenny says. "By the way, Ash. I think you have an old friend that wants to meet you again."
"My old friend?" Ash is confused until Officer Jenny takes out the Pokeball, revealing a Blastoise. "A Blastoise?" Serena says with a surprise. "But why is it wearing black glasses?"
Ash is surprised and he says, "Squirtle, you evolved!" They share a hug, and then Pikachu and Bulbasaur also greet the Pokemon. Ash says, "Serena, this is Blastoise, it is actually my Pokemon."
"Wait, this Blastoise is your Pokemon?" Serena gasps in shock. Ash says, "Blastoise, this is Serena, she is my girlfriend."
Blastoise just gives her a hug and Serena says, "It's nice to meet you as well."
Officer Jenny says, "Recently he has picked a new leader for the Squirtle Squad, since he is not a Squirtle anymore. I think it will be better if you take it back with you."
"Really? Are you going to come with us again?" Ash asks, and Blastoise just gives a nod. Ash smiles as he gets the Pokeball back. "Now you take care as well." Officer Jenny says as she leaves.
Bulbasaur suddenly notices something as he rushes to a wall, with the others following suit. They find an Ivysaur tackling a wall.
"What's wrong?" Ash asks.
"It seems like it wants to get past the wall..." Serena says.
Bulbasaur decides to help it out, after communicating, Bulbasaur tells him how to use Vine Whip, and then they both get past the wall. "Nice work, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur." Ash says.
Just then, Bulbasaur starts to glow white, much to their surprise. It is now an Ivysaur and Ash says, "Ivysaur?"
Ivysaur looks at its new body, but it doesn't seem to mind. Pikachu and Blastoise are surprised as they know that Bulbasaur doesn't like to evolve. They ask him about the reason, and Bulbasaur tells them that he was just nervous about evolving and that he realizes he won't be stronger if he continues to be a Bulbasaur. Blastoise understands the feeling as he gives him a nod, while Pikachu just doesn't want to evolve.
Pikachu tries to tell Ash about what happened, and Ash manages to realize what he is saying. "I see, if that's your choice, then as your trainer, I should also accept it as well."
Serena asks, "Ash, do you know what Pikachu is saying?"
"I feel like I can understand what he is saying, maybe it is because we lived together for many years..." Ash says as Serena nods.
After climbing through the wall, they notice a giant building and Ash asks, "Rotom, what is that?"
"That's a Pokemon Gym under construction." Rotom replies.
"Vermilion Gym, huh?" Ash says, "It really brings back old memories."
"How come?" Serena asks, and Ash says, "The battle in Vermilion Gym is the reason why Pikachu refuses to evolve."
Before he can talk some more, they see that the wild Ivysaur is leaving, so they quickly follow the Pokemon and they also smell something.
"Is that Ivysaur using Sweet Scent? It smells good." Serena says.
"Maybe Ivysaur might be going there to evolve." Ash says. Ash's Ivysaur also wants to follow suit, and they also follow the wild one.
"Them letting out a sweet scent from their bud-like that is a sign that they're about to evolve and have their flowers bloom!" Ash says.
"But why didn't your Bulbasaur want to evolve?" Serena asks, and Ash says, "That's because he was terrified at the evolution. You see, when it has signs to evolve, a lot of Ivysaur are trying to force him, and it makes him uncomfortable."
"I see." Serena says. "That's a good thing to know."
They continue to follow and they see more of them appearing, with Bulbasaur also joining in the Ivysaur horde. "What is special about the place?" Serena asks Rotom, and it says, "There is a photo from when construction was starting."
It shows a photo of Machop working with the builders. "Before the construction began, it was a sunny grassland! Wild Bulbasaur and Ivysaur would gather there to bask in the sun!"
As they arrive at the construction site, the Pokémon are clearly disappointed. Ash's Ivysaur is also disappointed, but then the beaming sun overhead spurs the Grass Pokémon into action, and they scale the scaffolding with their Vine Whips.
"Are the climbing up, since the sun shines brighter up top?" Ash asks.
"Maybe we should follow them as well." Serena says.
"Great idea. Charizard! I choose you!" Ash sends out his Fire Type Pokemon, who gives him a Fire Blast on the face. "Ash!" Serena says with worry, and Ash says, "I'm okay..."
Charizard notices Blastoise and he shakes hands with the Water Type Pokemon, and they did converse with each other and Charizard learns about Ivysaur. Ash and Serena hop on its back while recalling Blastoise and Sylveon back to the Pokeball, then they start to fly on top of the tower.
After getting to the top, they see all the Bulbasaur and Ivysaur are basking in the sun. "The Bulbasaurs's bulbs are taking in sunlight and growing bigger." Serena says.
The Ivysaur's flower opens as it absorbs the sunlight and a Sweet Scent fills the air once again. Ash says, "Does this mean they really did come here seeking stronger sunlight?"
"I know!" Serena says as Ash looks at her. "We might understand them better if we become Ivysaur ourselves!"
"What?" Ash is surprised, but then he says, "That's a great idea!"
Then they try to act as the Pokemon together, and Serena says, "Wow, this feels nice..."
"I know." Ash says, "The wind is so pleasant."
"This spot is famous in Vermilion City for its strong winds..." Serena adds.
Just then, Bulbasaur and Ivysaur start to glow, including Ash's Ivysaur. Serena asks, "Is this evolution?"
But then, a net appears and it captures all the Bulbasaur and Ivysaur, Ash's manage to dodge the net as it jumps back at Ash.
"What the?" Ash asks.
"Prepare for trouble!" "And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation." "To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" "To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!" "James!" "Team Rocket blasts off with the speed of light!" "Surrender now or prepare for a fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!" "Wobbuffet!"
Ash and Serena groan and Ash says, "Team Rocket...not you guys again."
"Looks like the Kalos Twerpette is also here as well." Meowth says.
"The same one who stole my title for the Kalos Queen..." Jessie says with anger.
"Team Rocket! Give us back Ivysaur and Bulbasaur!" Ash yells.
"With so many of them gathered in one place, it's like they're saying "Please steal us"!" Jessie says.
"And so, of course, we will do just that!" James says. "Farewell, twerp!"
Ash says, "Charizard! Use Slash!" Charizard roars as it cuts through the net, causing all the Ivysaur and Bulbasaur to fall off the net.
"How dare you take our Bulbasaur and Ivysaur!" Jessie says. "We're going down! Meowth!"
As the trio lands on the tower, Jessie says, "You have some nerve, you know that?"
Just then, a Pelipper with Team Rocket's logo appears, and it drops a machine. Meowth says, "This is the secret weapon?"
"Looks like a vending machine to me." Jessie says.
"Well, then we'll have to put in a coin!" James says.
"But do we even have one?" Meowth asks.
Jessie and James shove Meowth headfirst into the coin slot, using his golden charm to activate the machine. With a turn of the crank, Jessie and James receive a pair of Rocket-branded Poké Balls.
"So these Balls contain awesome Pokemon that Giovanni picked out, huh?"
As they send out, there is a Gyarados and a Tyranitar. Ash and Serena take a step back and Serena says, "I don't think that has happened before, right?"
"Yeah..." Ash says as he takes out the Pokeball, "Blastoise! I choose you!"
As Blastoise appears, Ash says, "Use Hydro Pump on Tyranitar!"
Blastoise fires the attack at Tyranitar, who dodges the attack, Gyarados is using Ice Fang on Charizard, who manages to dodge. Tyranitar also uses Fire Fang on Ivysaur, and Ivysaur also dodges the attack as well.
"Ivysaur! Use Razor Leaf!" Ash yells, as Ivysaur uses the attack to counter the Hydro Pump and Dark Pulse, but it fails as the attack hits Ivysaur as gets bounced back.
"Charizard, Blastoise! Dragon Claw and Flash Cannon!" Ash yells as both Pokemon use their attacks to deal some damage on the two. But Charizard is hit by Stone Edge and Blastoise is hit by Bite attack.
"Now let's finish them with the attack." As Team Rocket thinks that they are going to win, Ivysaur is now leading the Ivysaur and Bulbasaur as they fire Solar Beam.
"Ivysaur!" Ash says with delight, and then both Tyranitar and Gyaradoes decide to defeat the Ivysaur and Bulbasaur first as they use Hyper Beam attacks, but Venusaur blocks the attack and it starts to glow, causing it to become a Venusaur. Ash takes out his Rotom Phone and scans it.
"Venusaur, the Seed Pokémon. A Grass and Poison type. It's believed that a nutritious diet and lots of sunlight make Venusaur's flower bloom in more vibrant colors. The flower's scent can calm and heal the human heart."
"Venusar!" Ash says with delight, and he yells, "Use Solar Beam once more!"
Venusaur roars as it fires a powerful Solar Beam, knocking the Pokemon down on the ground. Team Rocket is panicking as Ash says, "Now Charizard, Flamethrower! Blastoise, Hydro Pump! Venusaur! Petal Dance! Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
All four of them fire their attacks, and it causes an explosion and Jessie says, "It seems like the twerp has gotten his Pokemon back on his team..."
"So we'd better stick to our original plan." James says.
"We'll get that Pikachu and his other Pokemon, meow!" Meowth says.
"We're blasting off again!" The trio yells as they are out of their sight.
"Now that's that..." Serena says as they notice the Ivysaurs evolving into Venusaurs. The newly-evolved Venusaurs promptly unleash pollen into the air, causing the buds across Vermilion City to bloom into flowers. The young Bulbasaurs follow suit, all evolving into Ivysaurs.
"So the Ivysaur come here to use the wind to spread their pollen." Serena says.
"Yeah." Ash says as he turns to his own Pokemon. "Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise. You guys are doing a good job as well."
The three Pokemon hug Ash, causing him to laugh, Serena also smiles at the scene.
Back in the lab, Professor Cerise watches the video and says, "The mysterious strength hidden in Venusaur's pollen...another grand discovery."
"Well, when up against the ultimate duo of Serena and I, it was an easy job." Ash says, and Serena blushes and says, "Yeah."
"Today is quite fun, we got to see the moment they evolved." Serena says.
"And I see you also have your Bulbasaur evolved and you captured a Blastoise, that is also great as well." Cerise says.
"I'm back!" Chloe comes back to the lab and Cerise asks, "Welcome home, Chloe. What took you so long?"
"All the flowers at the school bloomed at once. I was in charge of cleanup...it was so much work." Chloe says.
Ash and Serena look at each other, and then they burst out laughing. Chloe says, "What's with you? How creepy..."
"In any case, my exceptional research fellows have solved the mystery of the Ivysaur march. Thank you."
"We can still keep going!" Serena says.
"Yeah! I can't wait to see what adventure lies in store next!" Ash says as they all head to Cerise Park.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, I decided to let Bulbasaur evolve into Venusaur in the end, and I also have Blastoise back in the story, as for the other Pokemon, please be patient and I am sure they will return. In the next chapter, it is going to be the Galar Region's Wild Area.