Damian's Farewell

Professor Venom seemed rather down lately, more so than usual. Ash noticed that he hardly even reacted to Damian causing trouble during class or even looking oddly aroused whenever fights broke up between Damian and one of the others. And Ash would soon find out why as the Professor took out a deep sigh before handing out sheets to them upon entering his class Friday morning.

"We're going to Sinnoh?!" Zach shouted excitedly as Ash noticed that it was a bunch of paperwork all about the region and stuff they'd need to fill out while they were there. It appeared rather than waste time teaching them himself, Venom was going to make the trip as boring as possible and force them to do work rather than let them have fun like Oak did and teach them when they got back.

"Yes, calm down." Venom sighed out.

However Zach seemed rather giddy, not seeming to be able to do so. Ash then remembered briefly hearing about how much like Lance, he was also a Cynthia fan! Perhaps he was hoping for the chance to see one of her matches in person?

"This blows!" Damian shoved the paperwork off his desk, seeming to refuse to do it.

"Detention Mr. Damian!" Venom merely said as he waved his hand out the door. Damian let out an annoyed growl, storming off. Ash honestly thought Damian had changed for a moment, he'd found out that Zach had apparently saved the dude's life and Damian had calmed down for a couple of days but now he was quickly regressing back to his normal self, the near death experience seeming to have finally lost its control over him.

"Whatever," Damian walked out.

"This is so exciting, there are some cool Water type in Sinnoh like Finneon!" Misty excitedly whispered to Ash.

Brock seemed rather thoughtful too, perhaps there was something there that he could catch? Though he soon got to work on the paperwork as it appeared Venom wasn't bothering to teach them today.

"How are we supposed to know this stuff?!" Flash shouted out as their books contained nothing on the Sinnoh region.

"You have phones, use them." Venom coldly responded before looking at his newspaper, it appeared that he wasn't pleased going to Sinnoh for some reason.

They'd soon find out that Damian had apparently ditched detention, having left to go train. Though Venom didn't appear like he was willing to deal with that as when Monday approached? Damian would be seen boarding the plane with the rest of them, bragging to Ben and Ken about how his Litleo was quite strong and dare he say unbeatable? His two goons grinned, laughing as they followed him onto the plane. Ash letting out a growl of annoyance as he almost forgot they existed for awhile on account of them not going to Kalos with them.

"Hmp, can't believe I'm forced to leave the comforts of my home..." Venom muttered, sitting next to Damian. The boy getting an annoyed look before looking at Ben and Ken who both hastily shook their heads, neither seeming to want to sit next to the moody Professor.

'Ah, he's a homebody...'

Ash quickly realized though he sure hoped Venom wouldn't be their chaperone for all of their regional trips, why couldn't Cerise or Oak come instead?! Though his thoughts were answered as Venom could be heard. "Damn research expeditions... I should just lock myself in my house and say I'm doing the same thing."

Ash looked around for a seat before Leaf patted an empty one next to him, it appeared that everyone else had sat by their previous choices seeming to pick them as their traveling buddy. Though Brock was alone for now but he didn't seem to mind, a goofy smile on his face as he was playing with his phone again.

The plane soon took off into the sky, Ash completely unaware of their destination until he heard.

"We'll be arriving at Jubilife City in six hours, until then feel free to take a nap," Which Zach could already be seen doing, Ash guessed plane rides made him sleepy as he always seemed to sleep through them. "Eat some snacks, or enjoy the in-flight movie!" Ash turned on the movie before quickly getting a look of disgust as it was a 'chick flick'. He decided to close his eyes and take one from Zach's book and just sleep the trip away!

"Passengers, we're now arriving at Jubilife Airport. Please depart in a calm single file fashion and have a nice day!" The flight attendant instructed.

Venom walked past the students before turning back. "I don't care what you all do, just be back here and waiting by tomorrow night!" Leaving them to do basically whatever.

"He sure sucks at his job and is cold as hell but he's still the best teacher," Damian stretched out before looking at Ben and Ken. "Let's go find somebody to battle! Those Jubilife Academy kids are probably pushovers!" He laughed before the three went racing off.

Ash bit his lip, tempted to follow the three. He was wanting to see some of the Sinnoh Pokemon while they were here and fighting some of the students would be a great opportunity to do so while also growing stronger! Though he also wanted to try and catch a Sinnoh Pokemon if he could.

Ash eventually waved at his friends, excusing himself before splitting off as they exited the airport. Ash had a bit of trouble locating the school at first however, it took quite a few minutes for Espeon to realize the duo were walking in circles the whole time as they passed the exact building five times now!

"Espe!" Espeon narrowed her eyes before spotting a sign marked "Jubilife Academy, one mile" pointing off west.

Ash walked on off in the direction and soon came upon the large building which looked to house the school, a battlefield across the road from it as well as fire could be seen getting launched off. Ash quickly ran to get a closer look and sighed in disappointment as he realized he'd missed the beginning of the fight. Damian was standing across from a trainer with a black and purple jacket, with a rather notable hair color of purple! The male appeared to be their age but seemed quite stronger and more skilled, his voice didn't sound as energetic as most battlers either. Sounding quite commanding.

"Ursaring, let's finish this with Hyper Beam!" Ash noticed the large bear Pokemon that resided within the Kanto and Johto regions stood quite menacing in front of the trainer. Ash wondered how he managed to even go about catching one of those?! They were quite fierce battlers and hard to control too yet Ursaring appeared to be obeying his every command.

"Ursa-" Ursaring's mouth began glowing as he charged up an orange-yellow beam of energy, proceeding to fire it off at Damian's Litleo who was sent flying before landing in a defeated slump in front of Damian! Damian collapsed to his knees, a shocked look on his face as he uttered out incomprehensibly.

"Alright, go Paul!" Some of the Jubilife students cheered him on.

"Hmp, come back when you're stronger. Don't waste my time or yours," Paul was about to return Ursaring before Damian stood up. "No... I've got another for you to fight!" Damian gripped a ball, holding it quite firmly as his hand shook. He wasn't about to be made a mockery in front of an entire school even if it wasn't the one that he went to!

"Charmander, let's go-!"

Ash quickly grabbed hold of Damian's arm, pulling it down and refusing to let go.

"No, can't you see?! you're unmatched, Charmander's only going to get hurt!" Especially as the other trainer didn't seem to be holding back at all!

"Get the hell off of me, Ketchum!" Damian growled, Ben and Ken quickly rushing and pulling Ash away, holding him back and forcing him to watch as Charmander was sent out.

"Paul, you sure about this?" A trainer asked from the side only for the purple haired trainer to shrug.

"If I forfeited then I'd just look weak, I want everyone to know how strong I am!" He clenched his fists before throwing out his arm. "Hammer Arm!" Ursaring's arm glowed brightly as he aimed a punch down at Charmander, the fire lizard tried to fire off an Ember attack to protect itself only to prove futile as it hardly affected Ursaring, the large bear punching Charmander in the gut and sent him flying into the sky before crashing down in a defeated slump, his tail fire began to weaken as a light moan could be heard from his mouth. Damian growled at Charmander before picking him up and walking off into the woods, Ben and Ken soon let Ash go before quickly following.

"Hmp, pathetic." Paul stated.

"What was that?" Ash turned to face Paul who continued.

"If he just forfeited and gave me the win then this wouldn't have had to happen but he forced my hand, I wasn't about to let a weakling like him show me up." Paul returned Ursaring before walking into the crowd of students. Ash watched Paul go and made a silent vow, promising that the two would fight someday. Though a different trainer stood across the field now, one wearing a red and blue jacket along with a solid red colored hat as he held a ball in hand.

"We gonna battle or what?!" The boy asked, tossing a ball up and down while Ash had an excited grin on his face and momentarily forgot all about Paul and Damian.

"Come on Dawn, we're gonna miss it!" A blonde haired boy with a orange and white striped shirt went racing down the dirt covered path followed shortly by a rather attractive female with long blue hair.

"H-Hold up Barry," The girl clearly out of breath, attempting to hold down her skirt as a heavy breeze began flying through the area. A blue penguin Pokemon running alongside her and looking quite annoyed at Barry's impatient antics.

"No way, if we miss that red Gyarados then I'm gonna have to fine you!" Barry pointed at his friend with an annoyed look. "With a Pokemon like that on my side then we can take on the Lily of the Valley conference with no problem!"

"Prin Prinplup!" A taller version of the penguin Pokemon stood by, tapping his chest rather proudly as Barry grinned. "We're going to become as strong as my father someday, even stronger than that maybe! But until that day comes I'm going to train nonstop and seek out the rarest and strongest Pokemon for my team!"

The girl couldn't help but let out an annoyed sigh, rolling her eyes lightly. "Couldn't you drag Lucas into this?"

"No way, he'd just try and steal Gyarados before I had a chance!" Barry remarked, laughing as Lake Acuity came into view. "Besides I want somebody nearby just in case something goes wrong, which it definitely won't!" Barry laughed.

He cast out a rod shortly after arriving at the shoreline though it was barely even a minute before he got an impatient look, grabbing a pebble and chucking it out into the water as he let out an annoyed growl. "This is boring, maybe we should just hea-"

"GYAAAAAA!" A loud splash was heard as the stone had apparently landed on Gyarados, the Gyarados' scales shined brightly in the sunlight and showed off a unique red coloring. Barry had a mixed emotions of excitement and fear, quite evident as a wet mark showed on his pants though he'd deny it if anyone asked!

"Gyarados, this is perfect! Prinplup, let's use Metal Claw!" Prinplup's wing shined bright and looked to be made of metal as he rushed forward only for Gyarados to lash out, his tail glowing light blue as he hit Prinplup hard with a Dragon Tail!

"Prinnn!" Prinplup's back rammed hard against a tree before eventually sliding downwards, the penguin laying in defeat as Gyarados turned his attention to Barry and his companion.

"Piplup!" The smaller Piplup bravely stepped forward as it attempted to protect his trainer, his attempts proved futile though as he was sent sky high as Gyarados merely gave him a whack with his tail!

"Piplup!" The girl shouted out, worried for her Pokemon though that worry soon turned to a shriek as Gyarados hovered over the pair, still looking quite feral as he charged up a Hyper Beam and prepared to blast them! Both of them closed their eyes as they couldn't help but feel like this was the end...

"Thunder Punch!" The crackle of electricity could be heard shortly followed by a pained growl as a loud splash could be heard, covering the pair in a large wave of water and forcing open their eyes to reveal that Gyarados had been chased off, a Lucario standing in front of them with his fist glowing and showing what had saved them before another trainer stepped into sight, one that didn't look like he was from Sinnoh at all.

"You two okay?"

"Okay?! Am I okay?! You just chased off my catch, you owe me big for that buster so pay up!" Barry waved his fist at the newcomer while he and Lucario stared at one another in confusion.

"W-We're okay, Barry's grateful that is just how he normally behaves around people. I'm Dawn by the way," She brushed her hair aside, a light blush forming across her face.

"I'm Zach, pleasure to meet you too-" Zach froze up, a blush crossing his face as the pairs eyes would meet for the first time.

"Hey, I'm still here!" Barry shouted, stomping his feet with an annoyed look. "Are you going to pay up or what?!"

"I don't exactly have a lot of cash, sorry. I'm a student just like you only not from here!" He sweated.

Barry pouted, crossing his arms. "No way I'm getting that Gyarados now..."

"You better not try, you're lucky that Thunder Punch even worked! Gyarados take quite a heavy amount of damage from that sort of attack," Zach looked to Lucario who lowered his fists before standing by his trainer's side, Scorbunny soon approached from the bushes having kept back until the big scary water serpent went away.

"Scorbunny!" She cried out before leaping atop her trainer's shoulder.

"Awww, she's cute!" Dawn practically squealed at the sight of Scorbunny, causing the rabbit to flinch before smiling.

"Scor!" She stated before looking down at her trainer. "Scor, Scorbunny?!"

"Carrr!" Lucario growled, shaking his head at Scorbunny.

"Where are you from anyways? I've never seen that Pokemon before." Barry stated, pointing at Scorbunny.

"Alola, but I'm currently studying under Professor Oak in the Kanto region and trying to follow in Cynthia and Lance's footsteps!"

"Alola? I'd love to go someday." Dawn let out a sigh, wondering if they held Pokemon Contests in the region.

"Well you knows, maybe we could go together someday!" Zach grinned as he stroked Scorbunny's head. "I've been itching to go back lately and I think I might just do that during Fall to see how everyone's doing over there. Maybe even catch another Pokemon,"

"Well... how long are you staying here?" Dawn asked, twirling her hair as she gazed at Zach with a rather admirable expression. Barry took notice and decided to leave, having no time for romance junk. "I'll see ya back in Jubilife, Dawn."

"Iiiiiiplup!" A loud splash was heard as Piplup finally landed, shaking itself off before noticing Dawn and a strange boy talking and his trainer acting quite weird. "Piiip?" Piplup waddled towards his trainer before pulling at her leg.

"Until tomorrow night," Zach looked down and noticed Piplup. "I've always wanted one of those..." He commented causing Piplup to stand rather proudly. "You made a fine choice in your starter!"

"Thank you," Dawn lowered her head lightly in appreciation. "Well would you... like to hang out? Until you leave, I mean!"

Zach paused for a moment, wondering if he made any plans with Flash or Ash before shaking his head. "Nah, I don't have any plans!" He was quite excited about making a new friend, there was something about her that was rather magnetic. Made it rather hard for him to say no to her.

"Well then, fancy walking back home?" Dawn giggled as she held out her hand, Zach took it and smiled as the pair began walking back towards Jubilife.

"Oh man, you should have seen it!" Damian laughed along with Ben and Ken in the Pokemon Center as it began to rain outside. "Charmander actually laid there and acted like he'd wait for me to come back! Oh I wonder how long it'll be until he realizes I released his worthless ass!"

"You did what?!" Ash was sitting nearby, chatting to Brock and Misty before overhearing Damian. He stood up and walked towards Damian before lifting him up by his shirt, pinning him up against the nearby wall as he growled out. "How could you leave him like that? Pokemon are supposed to be our friends, not tools!"

"Yeah Damian, that wasn't funny." Flash added in, glaring as he handed Electabuzz's Pokeball to Nurse Joy.

"Oh look, a bit of sensitive babies!" Damian laughed. "Pokemon get released all the time, get over it! At least I didn't hand him over to Team Rocket like I originally planned-Eeek!" Damian ducked as Janine aimed a punch at his face, putting a dent in the wall as she glared at him.

"Where. Is. He?!" she growled out while Brock stared rather worryingly out the window as the rain began falling down harder.

"Out in the forest... but you'll never find him, it's too late!" Damian laughed before Ash growled out, headbutting Damian and knocking him out cold!

"Let's go, Butterfree can try and locate him when we get far enough in." Ash growled from annoyance, he knew Damian was an asshole but he never imagined the guy would actually leave a Pokemon for dead!

Butterfree soon was released, flying through the skyline of the forest. Brock was following though his eyes soon landed on a Croagunk who was struggling to reach for a berry as he kept leaping up and down, letting out an annoyed croak before Brock reached up and handed him the berry with a kind smile. "There you go," Brock then rushed off after his friends while Croagunk stared after him, letting out a croak as he didn't blink until Brock was out of sight!

"Freeee!" Butterfree soon began descending as they got closer, the sight pained Ash as he noticed Charmander in quite the weakened state. His tail flame was almost gone and he was shaking and shivering from the cold rain shower. Ash reached out to grab Charmander only for the lizard to shake his head.

"Char char!" He cried, seeming to believe Damian would come back for him.

"Espeon!" Espeon shook her head, revealing that wasn't the case. Charmander's eyes widened before he looked even sadder than before, lowering his head as he let Ash pick him up and carry him back to the Pokemon Center, Brock getting out his trusty drying pan to hold over Charmander as they walked by. Several people giving them looks while they exited the forest, Zach squinting his eyes as he walked by with Dawn, wondering if he just saw Ash running by with Charmander? Paul noticed him too and gave a curious look as Ash rushed into the Pokemon Center, handing Charmander over to Nurse Joy without a word as he panted and breathed heavily. Nurse Joy's eyes widened before quickly nodding, taking Charmander into the back and starting urgent treatment on him right away.

Ash paced around as they waited for Charmander, Ash growing quite impatient before he was finally allowed inside! Janine and Brock had fallen asleep in the waiting room as night had fallen by now but Ash walked on into the hospital room, sitting down by Charmander's side while his eyes opened to look at Ash for a moment.

"Char...?" He cried out weakly, wondering what Ash was doing there?

"It's okay Charmander, I'm here. You don't have to be alone.." Ash smiled at him, Charmander merely stared at him before closing his eyes though he seemed to calm down and look a bit more peaceful now. Sleep would soon take over and Ash would fall asleep with his head resting on the bed a short distance from Charmander. Charmander would wake up in the morning and see Ash sleeping there. Charmander licked his face as Ash opened his eyes before smiling. "Hey... you're awake!"

"Char..." Charmander smiled, flicking his tail before a confident look formed on his face as he balled up his fists. "Char, Charmander!"

"What?" Ash tilted his head. "Y-You want to fight Damian?!"

Charmander nodded his head.

"Well... alright then, but food first! Can't fight on an empty stomach!" Ash grinned while Charmander's stomach rumbled extremely loudly. Now that Ash got a closer look at him it appeared that Damian had been holding off feeding the Fire type, that just made Ash even more ticked off!

"Fearow!" Damian's Fearow made quick work of a Turtwig, sending it flying as the same trainer Ash fought the day prior collapsed to his knees.

"Can't believe I lost two days in a row!"

"Maybe next time, Lucas!" His friend patted his shoulder reassuring.

"Alright, whose next?!" Damian shouted out with quite the cocky grin, feeling relieved now that the dead weight had been removed from his team!

"I am!" Ash walked forward, taking Lucas' place on the battlefield as Damian laughed.

"Y-You?! Oh I am going to enjoy teaching that annoying Eeveelution of yours a proper lesson!" Damian howled, causing Espeon to snarl as her eyes shot bright blue in a threatening manner only for Ash to shake his head.

"Oh, it's not her who you'll be fighting..." Ash revealed a new Pokeball, holding it up before throwing it forward and releasing Charmander!

"Charmander, Char!"

Paul had been about to pass by the battlefield when he noticed Ash calling out Charmander, the boy paused to watch.

Damian shook his head.

"That weakling?! Please! Drill Run!" Fearow began spinning like a drill as he soared across the ground before crashing into Charmander, the fire lizard already looking quite weak due to his condition. Ash was about to call it only to see Charmander shake his head in response, almost as if he knew what Ash was thinking.

"Char!" He cried, stating that he had to do this!

"Alright then, Dragon Breath!"

"Char!" Green-blue fire began firing from Charmander's mouth, landing upon Fearow's feathers and causing the bird to squawk in annoyance before glaring at Ash.

"Fearow!"

"Aerial Ace!" Fearow flew through the air at incredible speed before slashing his opponent, Charmander letting out a painful groan as he collapsed to one knee. It appeared as if the battle would be over... until a bright red fire surrounded Charmander, the Fire type stood up with a newfound energy as his tail flame was even larger than what it normally was.

"CHAR!"

"That is Charmander's Blaze attack!" Leaf gasped out from the crowd. "Charmander's Fire attacks should be twice as strong!"

"Let's test that out then, use Ember!" Charmander opened his mouth before blasting Fearow clear out of the sky, the bird laid in a defeated slump. Damian growled out, returning Fearow but it appeared he was a sore loser as he grabbed a hold of Litleo's ball while also holding onto several more!

"Screw this, I'm done playing by the rules! I'm putting you down for good!" Damian growled at Charmander as Litleo appeared alongside a Zubat, Beedrill, and Gastly! While Ben and Ken released Poliwhirl and Machoke!

"CHAR!" Charmander wasn't going to just stand there and take it anymore, a big powerful blast of fire erupted from his mouth before blasting every single one of Damian's Pokemon along with Damian and his goons! Damian cried out in pain, quickly rolling across the dirt before his face ended up touching some rather fine shoes, looking on up to notice a rather stern looking old man in a Professor lab coat to be staring down at him.

"Boy I have no idea who your teacher is but I still have the ability to take your trainer license!" He grabbed Damian's shirt, pulling him up before dragging Damian on up towards the school. Damian shrieked out, glaring at Ash and swearing his revenge rather feral-like while the crowd cheered. Ben and Ken quickly ran away as they sensed they were in trouble, booking it for the hills!

"Goodbye and good riddance, Damian!" Flash shouted out with a laugh, waving as Damian was giving every single one of them the bird with both hands!

"So long!" Giselle waved.

"Please don't write!" Zach laughed

"Char, Charmander!" Charmander danced excitedly as Ash got on his knees to hug Charmander, the fire type returning the hug and looking quite thrilled to be a part of a loving team for the first time as Espeon joined in the hug before Butterfree, Nidoran, and Froakie all appeared and joined in as well!

Brock smiled at the sight, unaware of Croagunk's presence as the frog Pokemon stood right behind him and croaked while staring silently and almost creepily at him.

Paul had a light smirk across his face, impressed by the strength that Charmander had possessed. Perhaps he would battle him later on?

Dawn had walked with Zach to the airport, handing him a piece of paper before grinning at him. "That's my number, please call me!"

Zach looked down at it for a moment before nodding his head. "S-Sure, I'm not one for talking on phones but I can give it a shot!"

Dawn smiled, reaching out and pulling him into a hug before eventually pulling away and waving at him. "Good luck!"

"You too, I'll call you whenever I have some spare time." Zach promised, waving back before walking on into the airport.

Flash and Giselle were watching from the door to the airport as large smirks crossed their faces. It appeared as if their friend had finally found the love he was looking for, it probably wouldn't be long until they were together

Ash boarded the plane and noticed that Damian still wasn't present as the plane began leaving the airport, leaving Sinnoh behind them as they went back to Kanto.

Venom had quite the stern talking to from Oak about Damian when he'd found out what Damian did during the trip though it appeared Venom suffered no penalties due to everything working out. Just got a slap on the wrist while both Damien and his two goons were expelled and unable to ever come back, permanently unable to have trainer licenses due to their cruel and sadistic behavior on top of very poor sportsmanship.

"Those fools will wish they never laughed at me," Damian muttered as he walked along a dirt trail. "I'll show them... I'll show them..." He growled before looking up at the sky with a clutched fist. "You'll rue the day we met Ketchum, I swear it. Your days are numbered!"

Best rival Paul made his debut! Dawn was there too and formed quite the connection with a certain Lucario user!

Damien's made his exit but he'll be back... eventually