More Supplements for the Heart

by stringdog

No story can tell all that happens on an adventure. Some moments aren't important enough or are too distracting to be included but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be told. This Supplement will tell those stories that didn't make it into 'Winning Takes Heart' but are worth telling. A collection of side battles, minor characters and pearly moments set during the Hearts Series.

11. Integration

Here is the eleventh Supplement for the Heart in 'Winning Takes Heart', released retroactively for an obvious reason. This is retroactive because I wanted to do the Coumarine Gym Battle first and then go back and explain the back story for something in that Part, and to let y'all what happened to some Pokémon after their capture. This Supplement is unique in two ways, the first being that it is not set in Kalos, the only Supplement not done so, and is almost entirely from a perspective I rarely use (about 4-6 times total so far in the Hearts series most recently in Part CVII) but it is like this for a specific reason and will serve as a test run for a suggested idea but I will elaborate on that at the end. For those curious, the events of this Supplement take place the day after the events of Part CVII so anything that has happened between Parts CVIII and the current Part (CXVIII) have not happened. There isn't any other admin stuff to add here and as there were no questions to answer or guest reviews to respond to since the last Supplement (and I will never reveal who won between Mega Pidgeot and Mega Lucario) so I will end this note here. That means that it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the Winning's eleventh Supplement For the Heart: Intergration.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon.

Integration

"Well, it is time to introduce them to the others." Professor Oak said as he walked out of his lab and into his ranch to find that Tracey had brought Bulbasaur and Togekiss to the area as he'd asked. "Good, you two are here, I have some new friends for you to meet and help adjust to life here."

The two Pokémon who served as the de facto caretakers of their trainers' respective Pokémon at the ranch looked at Oak with confusion. Bulbasaur had taken the role of mediator for Ash's Pokémon upon himself since coming to the ranch full time after the Johto campaign. As the longest continuous Pokémon under Ash's ownership after being caught by him, so second only to Pikachu, he'd earned that honor from the others. Meanwhile, Togekiss due to her prior trainer, full evolution, and caring nature had taken the role of mother to Dawn's Pokémon while helping Bulbasaur with Ash's when needed.

Right now, both would be needed for the Pokémon that Professor Oak had on him, especially Togekiss as her moves were perfect for containing any problems with the two Pokémon that had just arrived. He'd gotten a call from Ash and Dawn that morning to explain what had just happened to them in a forest in Kalos and why they needed his help. It had been a wild adventure but with Ash that was to be considered normal.

Apparently, while walking through the forest, Ash, Dawn, May, and their friend from Kalos Serena, had run into an Ursaring terrorizing some small Pokémon and trying to steal their food. They'd come to help in time to see a Hawlucha, a Kalos native Pokémon with a unique typing, save them but almost lost as it hadn't perfected a move. Naturally, Ash had stepped in and ended up helping the Hawlucha perfect that move.

However, as this was happening, the Ursaring had gone to find a Conkeldurr it knew in the forest that was also a bully and together they'd tricked a former forest guardian Machamp into helping them beat the Hawlucha. It was a double-cross and they betrayed Machamp as soon as they could but thanks to Ash and Dawn, Machamp saw the error of his ways and banded with the Hawlucha to beat the two bullies.

That was when something strange had happened. The two guardians had requested that Ash and Dawn capture Conkeldurr and Ursaring, which they respectively did. Afterwards, both Hawlucha and Machamp accepted challenges from Ash and Dawn to battle to see if they would join them, ending in ties both times. Regardless, Hawlucha had joined Ash while Machamp had joined Dawn, which was another shock in Dawn's ever diversifying roster of Pokémon that defied her style but was still nothing on her Spiritomb, Oak doubted any Pokémon would shock him as much as that one showing up.

Professor Oak had heard this story and then was surprised when the couple asked him to take Conkeldurr and Ursaring for a little bit so that they could be socialized at the ranch and learn to play nice with others. Ash reminded him of how Muk was, and Dawn pointed out the change after she caught Spiritomb, though that was more due to the strange nature of Spiritombs, so they thought that the Pokémon on the ranch could help their new ones mend their ways.

It also made sense from a practical standpoint. Ash already had a full team but would send Charizard to Sycamore in a bit as he wanted to bring in Conkeldurr but first felt that the Pokémon needed to learn a bit from his other Pokémon before he could have Conkeldurr by his side again. Meanwhile Dawn felt that Togekiss's nature would be good for Ursaring though she was fine with it taking a bit longer than normal.

Oak had agreed with their logic, especially as Dawn's Malamar had apparently taken over as the party's mother in Kalos and had a more tough love, slapping Dawn based, approach compared to Togekiss, so it made sense. That and if any Pokémon could help readjust two bullies it was Ash's lot as many of them had checkered pasts but had become loving Pokémon thanks to Ash.

"Alright you two, your trainers have caught some new Pokémon out in Kalos." Oak said to the two Pokémon glad that Heracross wasn't around to harass Bulbasaur as usual. "However, they have been sent here for some socializing lessons as both aren't great with others. Turns out both are fully evolved and strong Pokémon who were bullies when wild. Ash and Dawn have caught them to help them and wish for you guys to help out. Can you do this?"

"Bulbasaur." Bulbasaur said with a nod, he was always willing to help Ash's Pokémon out and make a new friend in the process.

"Toge." Togekiss said with a bob of her head looking forward to mothering a wayward child see the error of its ways.

"Good then meet your new friends." Professor Oak said releasing the Pokémon. "Bulbasaur, this is Ash's new Conkeldurr, Togekiss, this is Dawn's Ursaring. Please help them adjust to life here."

With that Professor Oak turned and retreated quickly as he didn't want to be here if violence happened which he was expecting. He'd been warned but Togekiss could easily negate them, so they were in safe hands. He just hoped that this didn't take long.

---

The balls burst open and Bulbasaur and Togekiss patiently waited to meet their new friends. A second later, a tall, bipedal, muscular Pokémon with light brown skin and pink markings in several places, a large red nose, and gray beard thing that was holding two pillars appeared before Bulbasaur. He hadn't seen this Pokémon before, but this had to be the Conkeldurr that the Professor had spoken of. It was clearly a strong fighting type.

Meanwhile, Togekiss had seen the bipedal, brown bear-like Pokémon with a yellow ring on its chest before. She knew what an Ursaring was and that it was a normal type like she had been before the strange change that she still didn't understand. It roared at her, and it was clear that neither Pokémon were happy to be there.

"Where are we?" Conkeldurr asked in a measured tone as he looked at the small, weird looking, quadrupedal green Pokémon with a bulb on its back that was standing before him. "And what are you?"

"Why aren't we in the forest?" Ursaring asked in a growl. "Last I remember was losing to that damned Machamp."

"We've been captured by some humans." Conkeldurr said to his friend before he narrowed his eyes at the Pokémon before him. "And I take it that you know them."

"Yes, I am Bulbasaur, one of your new teammates." Bulbasaur said extending a vine to great Conkeldurr that the Pokémon ignored as he wasn't here to make friends. "Ash is our trainer and I have been instructed to get you used to what is expected from us and introduce you to our brothers and sisters on the team."

"And I am Togekiss." Togekiss said in her soft, song-like voice. "You, Ursaring, have been caught by our trainer, a lovely and beautiful girl called Dawn. I am the groups' mother so if you will join me we can meet the ones here, though many are in the region she's in now so where you hail from I presume but four of us remained here. You will no doubt meet the others in time."

"And if we refuse or fight." Conkeldurr said simply as he tried to gage the situation that he was in. "I don't take orders from anyone, especially no human or whatever kind of Pokémon you are."

"Then we show you how strong our humans have made us." Bulbasaur said ready for a fight to quickly show this Pokémon how being with Ash makes you stronger. "I may be a first stage and I don't want to evolve but I can beat my final form in a fight thanks to Ash."

"And I know moves that will stop both of you." Togekiss said simply.

"I don't care, I do what I want." Ursaring snarled as he launched himself at Togekiss, his claws glowing. "So back off pigeon."

Togekiss just flew up and gracefully backflipped to avoid the Slash attack. Then she formed a blue ball in between her wings and blasted it at Ursaring before he could follow up his attack. The Aura Sphere didn't miss, and the fighting type attack took him full in the face blasting him back with a wail of pain while Conkeldurr looked on in surprise. That had been fast and skilled, more so than even those two pesky guardians could muster and showed what a human's influence could accomplish.

"I can keep this up all day." Togekiss called out to Ursaring. "And I have bested a Gyarados in my time, you aren't a threat to me. If you want to get stronger, you need to be nicer and meet our friends here as they can explain more. Dawn has some other strong Pokémon here, together we can get stronger for when she next needs us."

"Well shorty." Conkeldurr said to Bulbasaur deciding to test the small Pokémon's claim. "If you're so good, show me."

With that Conkeldurr raised his right-hand pillar and brought it down in a Hammer Arm. However, Bulbasaur had seen the move coming and leapt back as he extended his vines for a Vine Whip that slapped Conkeldurr across the face hard while he was still in the air. Conkeldurr was startled and took a step back as Bulbasaur unleashed a follow up Razor Leaf the moment he landed on the ground.

The leaves spun in the air and took Conkeldurr in the face and upper chest further staggering him and putting distance between him and Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur had been doing all this to allow himself to charge up a Solar Beam, something he'd begun doing the moment the Razor Leaf was off.

Conkeldurr just roared in pain and annoyance as he recovered and looked at the small Pokémon before him. It had been a long time since a runt had gotten the better of him and he was going to show it why he was a fully evolved Pokémon as he prepared to use Fling as he didn't think he could get in close enough to land a physical attack like Drain Punch yet. However, before he could Bulbasaur fired off his Solar Beam and took Conkeldurr in the chest staggering him back even more.

"Do you get that I am an equal match for you?" Bulbasaur asked as he heard a caw behind him and knew who was likely coming. "And I am part poison, so your fighting attacks won't work well on me."

"I'll give it to you, you're better than I expected." Conkeldurr said with a grimace as he walked forward, he was impressed that this little thing could land the attacks so effectively and plan for a charged attack, that took training to pull off. "But I am still not happy that a human caught me. I was top dog in that forest if it wasn't for those guardians."

"I take it that you've had a bad experience with a human." Bulbasaur said starting to understand something about this Pokémon.

"Perhaps, I won't go into it." Conkeldurr said.

"I get that, there are Pokémon here who were abandoned but Ash found them and made them strong because he loves Pokémon and knows we should all get along." Bulbasaur said surprising Conkeldurr and not pushing it. "We should help each other and not use our powers to bully those weaker than us. Ash has many small Pokémon like me who can best a tough one like you, but you don't have to be all tough."

"He does?" Conkeldurr asked confused. "I've rarely met a Pokémon of your size who can put up a challenge."

"Then come with me, meet the others, hear their stories, and see for yourself." Bulbasaur said seeing his opening. "If you pride yourself on strength then Ash is the right person for you to really boost it. He makes us all stronger and we have a friendly competition here in that regard."

"What do you mean?" Conkeldurr asked, he was stuck here and had seen the strength of this Bulbasaur, if a human could get this thing that strong then he wondered what the larger Pokémon around here could do.

"Ash is a typical trainer." Bulbasaur explained. "That means that he challenges gym leaders to earn badges and then once a year he enters a big competition to try and win it, at least that's how he explains it to us. He's never won one of those big competitions, but he keeps trying. We here all compare our battles, our victories and defeats, and see who has the best wins overall. There are no rewards, but the prestige is there. This is especially true for our victories and in the last year where we all got some time with him and he used who was best in the competition, which he made the final for the first time. That is the true sign of prestige as Ash choose his best for that final."

"I see." Conkeldurr said, he knew that with a human he had the potential to be better, but he wanted to see how good his forced human was first. "You will have to explain more but who's the top dog here? Which Pokémon is the strongest that our trainer has?"

"He's not here right now but the top in strength, and the one who we all look up to, is Charizard." Bulbasaur said. "He's a fully evolved fire and flying type and he has the only Mega Stone so he can Mega Evolve with Ash's help which is awesome. He's with Ash right now as he was specially requested but we all know he's the strongest. He was honored with being one of the finals Pokémon, one of the 6 who represented Ash in his first Conference final, and he was used last which means he was the one tasked with winning it all though he just lost to an equally strong foe. He's the only one here with a true victory over a legendary Pokémon, the greatest victory anyone here has claim to."

"Wait, I think I saw that Pokémon with the kid who likely caught me." Conkeldurr said recalling the powerful fire type with wings he'd noticed, didn't know what it was, and certainly didn't want to deal with. "That beat a Pokémon considered legendary?"

"It was an Articuno." Bulbasaur said surprising Conkeldurr, he'd heard of that Pokémon. "So, he had the type advantage in the battle, but he won, and he won without aid. Sceptile and Pikachu both have victories over legendary or similarly classified Pokémon as well, but their wins were all assisted as they weren't the first to face their opponents and benefitted from others weakening them a bit. That's why we consider Charizard's win over Articuno the best to date as it was a solo battle. It is one of the reasons why he's number 1, as well as being almost as old as me here and having the most impressive wins."

"So, you all compete to see who gets stronger and wins better matches." Conkeldurr asked starting to understand it more.

"Yes we do." Bulbasaur said with a nod as a strong looking Pidgeot appeared and landed next to him. "Right Pidgeot?"

"Huh, oh yeah we like to compare our wins, but we also have some competitions here as well between those of us with similar types." Pidgeot said. "The flying types all race and I'm the fastest of them by far. Anyway, I came when I saw some conflict, what's going on?"

"This is Conkeldurr." Bulbasaur said pointing to the Conkeldurr. "Ash's latest Pokémon who's here to learn more about him and how to get along with others before returning to Ash's side for the rest of the year."

"I'm returning?" Conkeldurr asked confused as he eyed the powerful looking, fully evolved flying type and knew he was no match for it. "I thought I was stuck here."

"Oh no, you are a new teammate, so you get to be with Ash through the Conference he enters this year." Bulbasaur said. "Ash always goes somewhere with just Pikachu, he's Ash's best friend and our leader but he's always by Ash's side as he's the original Pokémon Ash had so we don't see him often, and then uses the new Pokémon he caught there in that league."

"Though this year there was an exception." Pidgeot added. "He brought a second Pokémon with him."

"That is correct." Bulbasaur said. "He took Riolu with him this time as Riolu hadn't gotten any experience yet but that was a special case as Riolu was caught after the last Conference but before heading to the new region. Usually, it's just Pikachu though that Aipom who used to be here followed him to Sinnoh one year."

"What happened to that Aipom?" Pidgeot asked. "I've heard of it, but it doesn't seem to be here or anywhere."

"Bit of a long story there but she was traded to Dawn for Buizel for some reason." Bulbasaur said before turning back to Conkeldurr. "Anyway, last year was different as Ash was staying here in Kanto, so we were rotated in and out so that we all had some time with him and used that to compare our victories before he chose his best for the final. Well two were given spots as they'd been with him most of the year, so their recent experience was a factor but both more than earned it."

"I see." Conkeldurr said thinking on all he'd been told; he wasn't convinced but he could already tell that he was outclassed by the Pidgeot so he could at least see what was going on here. "Very well, I am not sure yet, but I can tell when I'm outmatched should I try to fight. Show me around and convince me to give this Ash human a chance."

"We can do that." Bulbasaur said. "Pidgeot, why don't you share your story first and then go get the others. Start with the flying types and meet us at Snorlax's tree as they are the fastest and can then go get the different groups. That seems like the best approach to me."

"Sounds like a plan." Pidgeot said before turning to Conkeldurr. "I'm Pidgeot. Ash caught me as a Pidgeotto many years ago. In fact, it was his first day as a trainer I believe and I was his second ever catch making me the oldest catch here as his first, a Caterpie that is now a Butterfree, was released to start a family and live happily ever after. As for me, I was by Ash's side his first year as a trainer but an incident in my home forest occurred on our way back here following the Conference. During it I evolved and protected the forest. After that Ash temporarily released me to look after the forest but forgot to return for me."

"That doesn't sound good." Conkeldurr said.

"Yes well he forgot and traveled so much that he never actually returned to the forest for several years." Pidgeot said with a hint of annoyance at the broken promise. "He did come back last year, and I saw him there. I attacked him and he apologized for his failure. Then I had Pikachu battle me to prove how much better he was, which was a lot, and I returned. Since then, I've claimed victories over a Staryu I knew back in the day as it belonged to Ash's friend and potential mate Misty, as well as a Venusaur and Meganium. I lost to a Politoed. I'm also the fasted of the flying types here and Ash has a lot of those."

"I don't know the Pokémon you beat but a winning record is good." Conkeldurr said as he tried to keep up with the fast bird before him. "That much says a fair bit about you."

"Venusaur is my final stage and Meganium is the final stage of my Johto equivalent." Bulbasaur said. "Ash has one of the latter, you'll meet her later and she's the only one who doesn't like his mate for confusing reasons we mostly ignore. Both are fully evolved grass types, so Pidgeot has the advantage in the battles but the fully evolved status and the fact that those two were in a Conference semi-final are big boosts. Staryu is a first stage water type and Politoed a fully evolved one."

"So how does this ranking system work?" Conkeldurr asked as Pidgeot took off to find the other flying types. "What's considered a good victory?"

"I'll explain as we head to Snorlax's tree." Bulbasaur said and walked into the ranch with Conkeldurr following him, Ursaring was still trying to fight Togekiss, so he left his friend as they had different humans now so different Pokémon to deal with. "We are going there first as it is near and you can meet Snorlax, he was caught in Ash's second year as a trainer, but he sleeps a lot so don't expect a greeting. Still, he's large and strong. Fought in the same battle as Pidgeot in the semi-final so a prestigious selection for one of us."

"I don't know what a Snorlax is." Conkeldurr said showing that he couldn't really comment on one.

"You'll see, they aren't a hard Pokémon to miss." Bulbasaur replied. "Anyway, the prestige system is based off the wins you get compared to the loses you suffer, who the win or lose to, and the round you were used in in the last Conference though there are other factors there."

"Other factors?" Conkeldurr asked confused.

"Basically, Ash didn't want to reuse a Pokémon other than Pikachu to keep his opponents guessing." Bulbasaur explained. "And even then he didn't use Pikachu in the first 4 rounds, only the later 4 that were full battles. That was a factor with where you were used but so too was Ash's expectations of his opponents' Pokémon. That's how one of us made his battle debut in the quarterfinals of all places but that was a special case."

"So, when where used?" Conkeldurr asked curiously.

"I wasn't." Bulbasaur admitted. "There were a maximum of 32 Pokémon who could be used and at the time Ash had about 36 to choose from, counting the Taurus herd as one that is. I was on standby for some of the early battles that weren't full battles as the humans call them, but I wasn't selected. Not that I can blame him, my one battle last year was a loss to a surprisingly strong Bellossom."

"That's not too impressive." Conkeldurr admitted though this Bulbasaur had given him a challenge which meant that the others had to be good. "Not that I know what one of those is."

"Bellossom is a fully evolved Pokémon that's a grass type." Bulbasaur said. "Some strange evolution of a Gloom I believe. In terms of how we evaluate losses it wasn't too bad as I lost to a more evolved Pokémon but as a Bellossom is a pure grass type and I am part poison I lost points for losing when I held a type advantage even though I don't know a poison type move."

"I think I'm starting to get it." Conkeldurr said. "So how does the system go for wins and losses."

"Basically, the best win, and thus most acceptable loss, is against a legendary without help, followed by being the one to beat a legendary that others have weakened." Bulbasaur said as they continue to walk. "Below that, it comes down to types and evolutionary status. If you have a disadvantage and win that is considered better than a type advantage, which is the lowest ranked win, or a neutral matchup. Same with evolution level. So, for me, if I were to beat a fully evolved fire type that would be big. For you, Pidgeot is an example of a big win in how we evaluate each other."

"Alright, now I get it." Conkeldurr said as they approached a tree with a massive, fat, green furred Pokémon with a cream belly and face sleeping soundly under it. "And the more wins that are impressive or the deeper in these Conference things you are used the better it is."

"Correct though I and likely Pikachu when you return to the rotation will explain more as the Conference thing was different last year compared to most years." Bulbasaur said as they reached the Pokémon. "As you are a new Pokémon this year, you will be used in gym battles and the Conference in the region Ash caught you, so this is where you build your resume for us to compare you to. After that, it is harder to gage."

"That makes sense, you get one main period to prove yourself and after that you have to hope that it was enough to make an impression for the future." Conkeldurr said understanding what the walking flower next to him was saying before pointing a pillar at the sleeping Pokémon before them. "Is that a Snorlax? I can't really think of anything else it would be and I've never seen a Pokémon like this before."

"Correct." Bulbasaur said patting his friend's belly with a vine that merely cause Snorlax to scratch the spot and let out a snore as he slept. "He's a big eater and the heaviest here. Doesn't evolve either so I think he's either fully evolved or one of those Pokémon who doesn't evolve at all. Ash uses him from time to time and his wins are impressive. He's a gentle giant but seldom awake unless it's to eat or battle."

"Ok and a normal type I take it?" Conkeldurr asked. "I can't see any other type trappings on this Pokémon."

"That would be correct." Bulbasaur said with a nod as there was a cawing sound and they looked up to see Pidgeot leading a group of 5 bird-like Pokémon flying towards them. "Looks like most of the flying types are here. Three are missing but they are slower so give them time and I'm not sure if Gliscor will come, he's more a ground type then a flying type so doesn't partake in the usual flying activities."

"There's a lot of flying types." Conkeldurr said a little surprised by the number. "I could test myself against them quite well."

"Yes Ash has a fair few." Bulbasaur said with a nod. "Most of any type. There are 8 here with at least one with him but likely two as he always catches one of the type plus he's released one before."

"What about psychic types?" Conkeldurr asked. "That's my other weakness that I'm aware of."

"He has one, a Mr. Mime but he doesn't live here." Bulbasaur said as the flock arrived and proceeded to land on Snorlax's belly. "I can explain him later though, he's the one who's only been in one battle that I alluded to earlier, for now I'll let these guys say hello."

"Pidgeot told us to introduce ourselves." The first bird, an owl-like one with a bright gold and red color scheme said. "I am Noctowl. I joined Ash in my native region of Johto. I am also an abnormal variant as most of my kind usually have brown feathers, not gold and red like I do. I'm also small for my species. A pleasure to meet you. I know a psychic move if you ever wish to test yourself against it."

"Um thank you." Conkeldurr said a little surprised by the serious sounding bird.

"Where are you from?" Noctowl asked. "I've never seen a Pokémon like you, though you are clearly a fighting type."

"He's a Conkeldurr." The Pokémon at the end, a grey and brown bird that looked like an oversized pigeon said in a distinctly feminine voice that took Conkeldurr aback as until now he'd noticed that most of the Pokémon here were male other than that Togekiss. "They're native to my home region of Unova so that must be where he's from."

"I'm not from Unova." Conkeldurr said not knowing what that region was at all. "I lived in a forest in a region the humans call Kalos until I was caught."

"I see, there must be other regions that have your kind then." The pigeon said seeming unfazed. "I've heard that that happens though my home region is strange in that it doesn't have many non-native species in most of it. Anyway, I'm Unfezant and as with most of these guys, I was the first caught by Ash in my native region and as a first stage Pidove. I'm also one of only 3 females in Ash's team so a rarity here."

"You all of you evolved with him?" Conkeldurr asked, that was impressive if this human of his could train up all these Pokémon.

"All but me." Noctowl said with a small nod. "I'm fully evolved and was caught as such. The others have evolved at least once with him."

"I only evolve once." A blue and red bird said. "Swellows like me are the last stage. Hoenn is odd in that our native birds only evolve once."

"It's the same with Johto actually." Noctowl said. "I only have one form before me."

"It's two evolutions for us in Sinnoh where Ash caught me as a Starly on his first day there." The last one, a dark grey and black bird with a red crest and an intimidating look said. "I evolved all the way to Staraptor there with him while we were there."

"It seems that this Ash has a habit of going for birds then." Conkeldurr said. "I noticed a Fletchinder with him before I was caught, that's a Kalos second stage fire and flying type I know from my time in the forest there."

"Sounds like the kinda Pokémon our Ash usually goes for right at the start." Unfezant said. "Though the fire part is new. We're all normal and flying types."

"I think it starts as a normal type before changing to fire when it evolves but it's not common where I was from so I've only met a few in my time." Conkeldurr said still on edge but starting to relax, he wasn't used to all these Pokémon being nice to him and all were strong with a big advantage over him, so he had to play along for now. "But I…"

He didn't get to finish before two large Pokémon flew down from the sky and interrupted them. One landed with a slight thud at the feet of the still sleeping Snorlax who was completely unaffected by his belly being used as a perch by 5 birds while the other dived onto Bulbasaur and started licking him enthusiastically.

"Sorry we're late." The one who landed said, he was a large yellow dragon type with small wings and had the tone of a fully evolved Pokémon, and the bearing to match it. "I had to get Aerodactyl and he's still a little slow in the air."

"Aerodactyl, calm down." Bulbasaur said as Conkeldurr stared at the large, grey, strange looking flying type licking him. "I'm happy to see you too but we have a new friend to meet."

"Um, what is that?" Conkeldurr asked. "I know I've never seen that Pokémon before."

"Aerodactyl, a prehistoric Pokémon that was revived from a fossil." The dragon said. "He's still a juvenile with only two battles to his name, both in a Conference full battle, but he's strong. Not a species that evolves as far as he's aware and not a common one due to technically being extinct. Ash explained how he found the fossil on an island and got it restored. He had to catch Aerodactyl as they can be aggressive but this one is affectionate for some reason. Pikachu explained everything to me when he introduced me to Aerodactyl."

"I'll have to learn more." Conkeldurr said still processing it before turning to the dragon type and being taken aback by its sheer strength he felt from the Pokémon now that he was focused on it. "And you are?"

"Dragonite." Dragonite said. "Ash found me a little over a year ago as a little Dratini. I grew up in a lake in this region as the only of my kind there and it was peaceful. That was until an evil Azumarill and her Marill lackies arrived and were immune to my attacks, so they took over the area and bullied all of us there. Ash ran into me fishing and helped me learn Thunderbolt to beat them. I joined him and he helped me grow. I evolved into a Dragonair for him while battling his mate's Pokémon in some strange battle thing and again into Dragonite in the Indigo final."

"Wait, you're one of the finalists I've heard of?" Conkeldurr asked, he was still unaware of what that really meant but he knew it was a big thing as he'd heard the respect in Bulbasaur's voice when the little grass type spoke of the finalists. "That means that you're one of the top Pokémon here."

"In a way I am but I am also new." Dragonite said with humility in his voice. "So, I got my spot more due to my year with Ash giving me a boost than experience as I wasn't even fully evolved when I started the final, though that changed early on. Me and another new one were in those slots."

"You guys more than earned it." Bulbasaur said from where he was under Aerodactyl having resigned himself to his current fate. "And you had some good victories last year during your window, so you are one of the top 10 here no question."

"Yes, I did didn't I." Dragonite said. "I try not to hype it up, but wins are a great way to show our prowess with Ash to everyone here."

"Who did you beat?" Conkeldurr asked interested in seeing the opposition that this Pokémon had faced to earn such respect here. "I won't know many species but more numbers, evolution status and types so I can get a sense of it. That's how status here works apparently."

"For those of us who take pride at the top yes." Pidgeot said. "Some just like having fun and don't care for where they rank but those who love battle will always compare their triumphs."

"I do care for that, but I still have some work to do despite my year." Dragonite said. "But I lost my only main battle as a Dratini against a Kadabra though I had some strange wins in this weird battle thing Ash had me and another new Pokémon partake in though I did beat a Clefairy in that thing. I also beat a Gloom and Pinsir in the finals of that weird battle after evolving into a Dragonair and as I knocked them out I consider it a win. As a full Dragonair, I beat an Exeggutor, an Arbok, and a Tentacruel while losing to a Drapion and a Tangrowth. Then I evolved during my win over a Shiftry and beat and Exploud in the final before drawing with a Magcargo but most of those wins were assisted."

"You forgot to mention that only Clefairy, Kadabra and Gloom aren't fully evolved." Pidgeot added. "Though the latter two are second stage Pokémon."

"And isn't Clefairy one of those new anti-dragon Pokémon like Togekiss?" Noctowl asked. "You know that strange change that occurred with some Pokémon."

"I believe so." Dragonite said. "And I did assist in defeating a Granbull as well who is also one of those new anti-dragon fairy types as the humans call them but at the time I didn't know so thought they were still normal types, so I don't count them as beating a type advantage on me. Plus, it wasn't me who brought down that Granbull, so I didn't take down a higher evolved Pokémon as a Dratini."

"Still impressive." Conkeldurr said a little confused on what they were saying about this new anti-dragon type thing as he'd not heard of that, but the number of wins was what he cared about, well that and the finals which sparked his next statement. "I would like to meet the other finalists. They all sound impressive."

"They are." Dragonite said with a nod.

"Then why don't you get them and bring them to the pond area as that is where we're heading to next." Bulbasaur said from under Aerodactyl. "And Aerodactyl, head to the area where the rock and ground types are to get them so they can meet Conkeldurr when we reach it."

"Ok." Aerodactyl said happily before he took off while Dragonair just nodded and left to find his fellow finalists.

"Alright, Conkeldurr, come with me to the pond to meet the water types as most are usually there." Bulbasaur said. "Pidgeot, get the fighting types and bring them to us as they are Conkeldurr's fellows so he should know them. Staraptor find the grass types and see if the Tauros herd will send a representative. Noctowl locate the fire types and take them to the rock and ground area as they are usually near it to train with types that are strong against them and aren't water types. Swellow, Unfezant, round up the solo ones like Muk and Glalie that might be around though I think Muk is inside as usual."

"On it." Came a chorus of birds before they all flew off in various directions to find their targets.

"You seem to have a good handle on this place and command some authority here, strange for such a small Pokémon." Conkeldurr said as they headed to the pond, or at least he presumed that was where they were going. "At least it is where I'm from."

"I've been here the longest continuously of all." Bulbasaur said. "Well with Ash that is and that isn't including Pikachu, so I know the place best. Only Pidgeot is present who was caught before me and only Kingler, who you will likely meet at the pond, has spent more time at the ranch as I was by Ash's side for most of his first 3 years while Kingler began his time here."

"That gives you authority?" Conkeldurr asked confused. "I don't get it."

"More it's the fact that I've known many of the early Pokémon from traveling and as such understand them." Bulbasaur said. "And the new ones hear of me from Pikachu so look to me for my experience when they first come here after Ash returns from wherever he is. That and I was once a protector of some grass types here in Kanto before Ash found us and showed me that I could trust a human to join him if he beat me. That's what he did, and I haven't regretted it since."

"Huh, and you never had to use violence?" Conkeldurr asked still confused. "In the wild it's all about dominance like that, for most of us at least. You get those noble hearted ones like Hawlucha and Machamp but they're uncommon."

"I'll use my moves to break things up or get Heracross off me, he likes sucking my nectar for some reason, but otherwise I try to avoid it." Bulbasaur said as they walked. "Treat them with respect and you get it in return. It's what Ash has taught all of us and we live by his example because he makes all of us better through his love."

"That's unusual but I guess it's not too bad." Conkeldurr said thinking on what Bulbasaur was saying. "I never knew that."

"You will learn here." Bulbasaur said as they reached the pond and Conkeldurr saw a large, blue, bulbus Pokémon floating on the surface dozing as it lay there. "Looks like Seismitoad is on the surface, good, he can be really helpful. Hey, Seismitoad, we got a new member, rustle up the aquatic lot and get over here to meet him."

"Huh, oh hey it's Bulbasaur and a Conkeldurr, cool." Seismitoad said as he turned his red eyes to them to notice and surprising Conkeldurr that he could recognize him. "Sure, Kingler, Croconaw, and Corphish should be here as usual. Not sure about Buizel or Oshawott, they tend to be elsewhere."

"Just bring the ones you can." Bulbasaur said knowing that Conkeldurr likely wouldn't meet everyone today but would meet most as Seismitoad grunted before rolling over and diving down. "Most of the water types stay here, the ranch has environments for all different types to thrive in, but the water ones are always the most particular. Well, the one pure ice type is as well but that's too be expected."

"I know, back in the forest the water types never strayed far from the streams." Conkeldurr said as Seismitoad surfaced followed by a red lobster Pokémon, an orange crab with one pincer larger than the other for some reason, and a blue and yellow allegator-like one. "Because of that I didn't interact with many of them."

"Sorry, Buizel appears to be off training or visiting Mr. Mime in the town." Seismitoad said with a shrug. "After his brief trip to Kalos he's been working hard and telling all of us of his victory, beat a Machoke there apparently."

"I heard, he and Charizard joined the new ones with Pikachu and Riolu out there to deal with some rival male for his mate." Bulbasaur said as Conkeldurr thought on that win, he wasn't sure what a Buizel was other than a water type but if it could beat a Machoke then that was decent as they were neutral types when battling each other and Conkeldurr knew how strong a Machoke could be. "They crushed him apparently, but Buizel hasn't spoken much of the two new Pokémon he met. I think he wants us to meet them without knowing much."

"As expected when a beta rival tries to take on our alpha of a human." Seismitoad said. "Though I liked that Misty girl, she wants to mate with Ash as well so he should claim her too."

"Humans are strange, they tend to only have one mate." Bulbasaur said. "But I agree, I like Misty and know she desperately wants to mate with Ash, but Dawn is nice as well."

"True and she was Buizel's first trainer, so he always speaks highly of her." Seismitoad said as he reached the edge and stood at about Conkeldurr's height though still in the water while the crustaceans stood to his sides and the allegator thing was off to the side partially in the reeds. "So, the new guy's a Conkeldurr, strange to see another Unova native when I thought Ash was in a region called Kalos."

"I am from Kalos not Unova, but I am learning that my species must be pretty common there." Conkeldurr said to the strong looking Seismitoad. "So how did you end up here?"

"I'm actually one of the rare ones here." Seismitoad said. "Ash took a liking to me when he and Oshawott invaded my territory back in Unova. Back then I was a Palpitoad and the boss of some Tympole, my first form, and Ash barged into my territory to get something. I confronted him and impressed him enough that when he used Oshawott to fight and beat me he decided to catch me. Most here at least get to know Ash first but not me, I was a straight catch due to my strength."

"Same here and that didn't cause a problem?" Conkeldurr asked. "You know, being forced to join a human against your will."

"Nah, I was beat by an Oshawott." Seismitoad said shaking his head. "A first stage Pokémon that is supposed to be weaker than me even if we have the same type. I deserved to be caught and Ash helped me grow stronger, it's one of the many reasons I like Ash as my trainer. I evolved last year in a battle where I took out 3 electric types single handedly, two without any assistance."

"Woah that is impressive for a water type." Conkeldurr said his eyes wide, it seemed that Ash had some real skills if he could train this Pokémon to beat his biggest weakness 3 times in a single battle. "Best I've heard so far, you must be highly ranked then."

"It would be but I'm also part ground type." Seismitoad said startling Conkeldurr. "Yeah, I know, I don't look it, but it completely negates my weakness and turns the tables on them so those victories, while being against fully evolved Pokémon, are classified as advantage victories so don't rank as high as if they had been against grass types. It is why Ash likes to use me against electric types though. I carried that battle as I beat three of 6 and Pikachu beat 2 so we were the main offence that day. I got a lot of respect from it and beat a bunch of strong Pokémon in the process."

"Still, that is impressive." Conkeldurr said. "Were you a finalist?"

"I'm probably top 15 and top water type, but I wasn't selected for the final." Seismitoad said. "Nor were these guys but Kingler was in the semis so he can challenge me for the water claim."

"An honor I didn't deserve." Kingler, the orange crab one that Bulbasaur had told him had been here the longest, said. "I lost to a fully evolved fire type last year in my first battle in years, but I've been with Ash since his first year, so I have done a lot. I did redeem myself in the semis by beating an Azumarill so there is that."

"Don't hold yourself short, that fire type gym is in a volcano." The allegator-like Pokémon said. "I was there as well; it dries us up and makes us slow. It is as if that place is designed to counter our strength over fire types."

"And you are?" Conkeldurr asked. "I don't think you're a Pokémon I've met so you can't be native or at least present in Kalos."

"Sorry, I'm Croconaw." Croconaw said. "Been with Ash since Johto where I'm from but I only evolved last year after beating a Flareon in that volcano before losing to a Ninetales. I can still evolve once more but I'm not ready for that."

"And I'm Corphish, I'm from Hoenn." Corphish, the lobster one, said. "I was one of those defeated in Seismitoad's beast mode against electric types, though I was out long before he came to win the battle. I also don't want to evolve."

"So, you are from all over then." Conkeldurr said.

"That is pretty much the case." Bulbasaur said with a nod. "Ash seems to find at least one water, flying, fire, and grass type per region, at least to date that's how it's been but we don't know what is going on in Kalos. Buizel is from Sinnoh while Oshawott is also Unova which further shows it. Speaking of that little otter, were that wannabe playboy who seems to be mimicking that human Brock even though they've met maybe once or twice."

"Probably trying to hit on that female Pachirisu and forgetting she's an electric type." Seismitoad said. "He'll show up at some point, he always does. Just look for the discharge when it happens, and you'll find a fried sea otter nearby."

"True, I'll bring Conkeldurr around again later to see if those two have returned, but there is a lot to see and meet so we should take out leave." Bulbasaur said. "Go back to the water guys."

"Already planning on it." Seismitoad said as he flopped back with a splash to lazily sleep on the surface as he'd been doing before.

"Such a show off." Kingler said as he and Corphish scurried into the water to enjoy the bottom of the pond. "See you two later then."

"Yeah catch you later." Croconaw said diving in and beginning to frolic around Seismitoad.

"Um ok." Conkeldurr said as they turned and walked away. "Odd bunch."

"The water types stay by the pond and the fire, rock, and ground types other than Seismitoad avoid it, so they tend to be a bit different." Bulbasaur said. "Best to leave it for now. They're all good Pokémon but there hasn't really been a top tier water type yet other than maybe Seismitoad so they can be overlooked a bit which does get to them, but we all get along."

"So, the types here have an internal ranking system as well." Conkeldurr said thinking on it, Seismitoad had as much as confirmed it earlier. "Interesting. Who's the top fighting type? I want to know what my main rival will be."

"That would be Infernape and he's also the number 2 fire type behind Charizard and a top 15 Pokémon on the roster so he's up there." Bulbasaur said. "Lost a finals spot because of Charizard as Ash didn't want two fire types in the finals. That's one of the reasons why there is some nuance as Infernape is better than some finalists but will lose to some who weren't selected for the full battles."

"Well types do play a role." Conkeldurr said. "It's a huge advantage."

"Correct and to balance it out, usually only one type gets chosen for the finals other than flying types as they're secondary types so it's the primary type that matters unless it's normal." Bulbasaur said. "You'll see what I mean when you meet the three other finalists here and notice their type diversity. You've already met the dragon type in the finals, the two missing are electric and fire. It's cos of this that one still feels a bit off about the honor he received. He deserved it and the logic was clear for his inclusion but he's not the top grass type here, though he is the top bug type, which has caused him some consternation."

"I see and does Ash have many types?" Conkeldurr asked intrigued by the sheer number of types he'd met or been told of already. "I saw a few when I was spying on them before what happened that led to my capture, but I could only see a fire, electric, fighting, flying, and water types."

"Ash has one for all the types, including that odd new one, with the exception of steel types." Bulbasaur said noting the types that Conkeldurr had mentioned, and which were likely new Kalos Pokémon, and which were ones who predated Ash's trip to the region. "That is the only type he doesn't have as far as we know."

"I see and who's the top of each?" Conkeldurr asked. "That would be good to know to see the range that is here."

"Well for some there are only one of that type here so that's not really a good quantifier." Bulbasaur said. "Like Mr. Mime, he's Ash's only psychic and he's the only one of us to add that new fairy type that suddenly appeared, well Togekiss did as well but she's Dawn's. That makes Mr. Mime the best for both, but he's only had one fight ever, which he won against a really tough, fully evolved, dragon and dark type but still he's not a fighter. Conversely, Pikachu is probably ranked second behind Charizard here because of his vast battle experience and he's the only electric type so he's the best of that type."

"Ah so for some it is hard to say." Conkeldurr said. "At least for the types."

"Correct." Bulbasaur said. "There's only one ice type as well as the other ice type was released many years ago which makes him the best of that type. There are also only two dragon types. Dragonite is probably the better of the two, but Garchomp is close enough and seen as a similar style Pokémon only from Sinnoh not Kanto and is clearly a top 15 on Ash's team. It's hard to really go by type here."

"If most types only have a few per type then that makes sense." Conkeldurr said. "So general is how it is then."

"Correct." Bulbasaur said as they saw Dragonite approaching them with a few Pokémon either in the air with him or on the ground below him. "Speaking of the top 15, here are the other finalists and all are in the top 15. One is the only ghost type, and another is one of only two dark types so both top their types though I'd say the dark type also tops the ground types as well."

"Dark and ground, strong combination to have." Conkeldurr said as they reached the newcomers and he looked at them. "I take it the red reptile with the strange eye coverings is that one."

"Correct, that's Krookodile and he loves his shades so don't touch them." Bulbasaur said introducing him. "He's one of the finalists, main reason for selection was his experience and multiple immunities, as well as his fully evolved status and strong record."

"You look tough Conkeldurr." Krookodile said surprising Conkeldurr in being able to recognize his species which meant that this Pokémon likely came from the Unova region he'd heard about. "Bulbasaur is right there. I have some strong wins with victories over an Alakazam, Haunter, and Claydol last year before that Shiftry beat me though I do hold type advantages in all my wins and a disadvantage in my loss."

"Speaking of Haunter." Bulbasaur said gesturing to a floating purple Pokémon with red eyes and a mischievous smile on his face that Conkeldurr didn't trust at all. "This is Gengar, what a Haunter evolves into and one of the new Pokémon from last year."

"Howdy." Gengar said with a laugh. "That's me, Ash found me and made me realize that I'd been abandoned by my first human which was why I was so angry. He then stood up for me so I joined him when I could. Best decision ever and have had a blast getting strong with him. The finals was an honor, but I know that my selection was more based on type and as one of the new Pokémon who'd spent time with Ash that year. I did record wins over two Glooms, a Pinsir, a Vileplume, a Granbull, and a Hitmonlee. Lost to a Rhyperior, Exeggutor and an Espeon, last two were bad as I had the type advantage."

"Yeah I followed Ash all over Unova to challenge that Pikachu again, evolving once on the way, but he beat me even as an electric type." Krookodile said surprising Conkeldurr and showing that this Pikachu had to be something else if he could best a ground type. "So, I joined Ash when he offered cos I had no where else to go and knew that he could make me better. I evolved again while facing a Dragonite, though not this guy, and won that battle, as well as a later one against a Sawk which is a fighting type, so I was at the disadvantage there."

"Ah so you are good." Conkeldurr said impressed with the Krookodile he was talking to, he had a feeling he'd lose a matchup against him despite having an advantage, before turning to last one, a tall, green Pokémon that looked like a cross between a bug and several leaves. "And you are the last finalist."

"Yes, I'm Leavanny and like Krookodile I was caught by Ash in Unova though as a first stage Sewaddle and I am to date the only Pokémon of Ash's to evolve because my closeness to him when I evolved the second time." Leavanny said in a song-like and yet surprisingly masculine voice. "Despite that, I know that my selection was due more to the fact that the trainer we were facing had a Sceptile, so Ash needed a strong grass type that wasn't Sceptile, and I was the best choice after him."

"Don't sell yourself short Leavanny." Bulbasaur said sympathetically. "I heard of the final, you beat a Rhyperior in that battle and made sure that the Magcargo was badly hurt even though it was a fire type which is up there with flying types for you to face as both your types are weak to it."

"Yeah without your aid I wouldn't have beaten that Magcargo." Dragonite said patting Leavanny on the back. "Which allowed Charizard his chance to win it all in a one-on-one final duel."

"And you avenged me with that Rhyperior that pummeled me with two recharge moves despite my weakening of it." Gengar said. "Plus, I didn't even beat one, you did better than me in that final."

"Thanks guys." Leavanny said with a smile. "It was an honor to have that chance and I will continue to work to prove that I was worthy of the trust Ash put in me for that battle."

Conkeldurr was struck by the comradery the Pokémon had. He'd never experienced it before. Ursaring had been his only friend and that was more because of their similar personalities but here these Pokémon who came from multiple regions, been caught at different times, and seemed to have different natures to some extent, all seemed to get along well. It was strange and seemed that this Ash guy was pretty good at working with a wide range of Pokémon.

"Yeah so these are the four finalists currently here." Bulbasaur said. "The other two are with Ash. Alright guys, were the others?"

"Some are coming, some are waiting by the rock and ground area, and some we don't know about as it is hard to find some of them, even for the birds." Dragonite said. "Plus, the Taurus herd can be annoying to deal with when trying to decide a representative."

"There's a whole herd of Pokémon?" Conkeldurr asked. "You keep saying there is one, but I don't really get it."

"Yeah funny story there." Bulbasaur said with a chuckle. "It was back in the first year, Ash ended up at this weird area of Kanto that allows you to use 30 special balls to catch Pokémon due to ecological protection I believe but for some reason he only caught Taurus there. Basically, just brought the herd of 30 Taurus here so they tend to send a delegate when Ash needs one or they need to meet someone other than Ash. When Ash is here they come as one unit to see him."

"Sounds odd." Conkeldurr said still trying to understand that.

"It works." Bulbasaur said as a spark of dust began running towards them. "Speak of the devil, I think one of them is coming and likely has some of the smaller ones with it if I had to guess as that is the easiest way for them to travel."

A moment later a brown bull looking Pokémon with horns and a large tuft of fur around its neck appeared while its three tails whipping its back and a small, bipedal, green Pokémon rode on its head looking a little annoyed. The finalists had already headed out to return to whatever they'd been doing though Leavanny was still around apparently looking for leaves.

"Leavanny, I don't need a costume." The green thing called out in a clearly feminine voice. "Save it for Oshawott, he'll need some soothing after his rejection and frying from that Pachirisu here."

"Shh Snivy, you know you'll look adorable in this." Leavanny called out as he went to work. "I'll even try to make it more feminine for you than how I usually make it for the guys."

"Keep it up and I'll use Attract on you to stop you." Snivy called out threateningly. "It's really useful being one of Ash's few female Pokémon here, I know that my Attract will almost always work."

"Snivy, please don't, you hated how that Emolga you've told us about who used to abuse her Attract." Bulbasaur called up. "And Leavanny, why don't you go and try and find Oshawott for his costume, he wasn't in the water earlier so Snivy is probably right in that he'll need something to sooth his soon to be electrical burns."

"Fine." Leavanny called out as he took his leave. "Next time Snivy."

"So, who's the new Pokémon." Snivy said from what Conkeldurr presumed was the Taurus's head before noticing him and ignoring the leaving Leavanny in the process. "Oh, a Conkeldurr I see. Another Unova Pokémon has arrived. We're almost at you Kanto lot level now I think. About 13 to 10 at this point so we are getting up there."

"Conkeldurr is from Kalos actually, that's where he was caught." Bulbasaur said. "And it's 15 total from Kanto as Butterfree and Lapras are Kantonian but have been released. Anyway, Conkeldurr, this is Snivy, Ash's minx and my counterpart from Unova."

"Hello." Snivy said with a wink. "I presume you're male, Ash has a way of finding men most of the time."

"Um yes I am." Conkeldurr said taken aback a bit by Snivy to be wary of her. "You know Attract?"

"It's how I'm able to punch above my weight class as you fighting types would say." Snivy said. "Course it only works on men like you lot but around here it's really useful seeing as almost all of Ash's Pokémon are male. Course if it fails then I'm usually at a disadvantage in that battle as I don't want to ever evolve."

"I see." Conkeldurr said before nodding to the bull-like Pokémon. "And this is a Taurus I presume."

"One of us." Taurus grunted. "Staraptor came to the herd to get one of us to come see you and I was chosen for the job, and to give Snivy a lift as she was nearby. Nice to meet you but I need to get back to the others."

With that Taurus turned and ran off with a protesting Snivy on his head who hadn't expected the sudden departure. Conkeldurr blinked at what had just happened.

"That was brief." Conkeldurr said.

"The herd likes to stick together unless one has been called to join Ash, something that always sparks a competition amongst them for the privilege of being the one Ash uses and he's apparently never used the same one twice, according to the Taurus that is." Bulbasaur said. "Snivy hitched a ride and is now stuck until that Taurus returns to the herd. She's one of the few like me who never wanted to evolve."

"Is that common?" Conkeldurr asked. "I noticed that both Croconaw and Corphish said they didn't want to evolve or weren't ready yet."

"Depends on the Pokémon." Bulbasaur said as they began ambling around the ranch. "Most have evolved but several haven't for various reasons. Pikachu won't, neither will I, nor Squirtle, he's an original 6 Pokémon like me, Charizard and Pidgeot but he's not at the ranch right now as he actually has a day job, and a few others as well. Some have evolved only once, one, Cyndaquil decided to wait over 3 years before he evolved for some reason he's never explained but most do so with Ash while on the journey he caught them. Only Quilava and Donphan evolved on later trips."

"Not true." A deep voice said from behind them causing them to jump and turn to see a bipedal, large, red boar-like Pokémon with a fire beard that seemed to be made of muscle. "I evolved the second time on a later journey when I was facing a tricky spider Pokémon, as did Gible, Palpitoad, Bayleef, and Croconaw. Gible actually evolved twice last year."

"True I forgot about that Emboar, last year was different from usual." Bulbasaur said to the flaming boar as a few others joined him. "Ah it looks like the other fighting types are here. Well other than Riolu as he's with Ash right now."

Conkeldurr took the moment to study his fellow fighting types the way only their type could study one another. If he chose to gave it his all, which he was warming to, these were the ones he was likely to compete with, so he looked at them closely.

Other than the Emboar, there was a small monkey like one with thick arms and legs and a lot of fur. Next to that was a reddish-brown ape with armor like things on its body and flames on its skull. Then there was a dark blue bug with strong looking arms that immediately leapt at Bulbasaur and started sucking his bulb while Bulbasaur protested that didn't look much like a fighting type to Conkeldurr. Lastly there was a small yellow-brown thing with a round head that was holding up its molting skin and who again didn't strike Conkeldurr as a fighting type at first glance.

"Heracross get off me." Bulbasaur wailed trying to slap it with his vines, but it wasn't deterring the Single Horn Pokémon. "I keep telling you don't suck my nectar, it's not for you. Go get your nectar from the trees like a normal Heracross would."

"Alright you're no use right now." Pidgeot said flying over them and down to pick up Heracross in his talons. "Time for a time out you. Bulbasaur is busy introducing our new friend to the rest of us so you can harass him later."

"Sorry, that was Heracross, he likes my nectar." Bulbasaur said as Pidgeot flew off with Heracross to parts unknown on the ranch. "He's the only one that doesn't listen to me as he's too distracted by the nectar."

"Hard to imagine that that's a fighting type." Conkeldurr said before looking at the small one with the round head. "Nor that you are, frankly."

"I am though and decent." That one said in a slightly juvenile voice. "And unlike Heracross, my fighting type is primary to my dark type while his is secondary to his bug type."

"Scraggy, we all know you are as good as the rest." Emboar said kindly showing that the pair had likely spent a lot of time together. "Looks alone don't show it but you know some good moves and you really improved in Unova. Not everyone can be as clear a specimen of fighting type prowess Conkeldurr or Primeape but that's a pure fighting type for you."

"And which of you is Primeape." Conkeldurr asked the two monkey-like Pokémon deducing that one of them had to be it. "I'm presuming the other is this Infernape I've heard of."

"I'm Primeape and you don't look so tough compared to what I've seen." The ball of fur growled. "I'll go a few rounds with you whenever to show how good I am."

"And I'm Infernape." The one with a burning scalp said. "So, you're the new guy then. Let me know once you've built up a resume so I can see how good you really are."

"Sure, I'm the best fighter here so I'll make sure I top all you." Conkeldurr said coolly to his fellow fighting types. "Once I've proven it to you lot that is."

"Say that again punk." Primeape said, clearly this Pokémon had some anger issues and a relatively short fuse. "I spent years in a fighting training place getting stronger thanks to Ash forgetting about me and I got so good few can best me. I'd be the top of us if I'd not left for so long and didn't have the reputation this Infernape got during his year with Ash."

"But you aren't, I'm the top fighter." Infernape said with a smirk. "I won 3 matches in that epic battle against Ash's big rival and my former trainer who is a total sadist back in my home region of Sinnoh."

"And I took down a damned Hydreigon in Unova." Emboar said. "As well as a Drapion last year and both had taken out two teammates each before I get through them, that Drapion actually took out three. Plus, I finally beat that Lucario that knocked Ash out of a Conference. I'm up there as well."

"That Hydreigon struggled against Buizel and got punched out with one hit from Mr. Mime." Primeape growled. "You lost the boost of that win as a Pignite when that happened. I've beaten a Bellossom, a warrior of a Vileplume, and a Lickilicky since returning with only a loss to a Hypno who has a type advantage on me, you drew with a Kangaskhan, and that Pokémon is a normal type so weak against you."

"The little ball of fur got you there." Infernape said with a chuckle. "You did fail to beat a normal type Emboar. My loses last year were to a really powerful Alakazam and a surprisingly strong Azumarill, both of which hold type advantages on me, while beating a Jynx and a Taurus."

"Still got some good wins, I'm no slouch." Emboar retorted. "And a Jynx is part ice type, so you had advantages in both those wins, I beat two poison types and those are actually resistant to fighting attacks."

"Call me little again flame skull, I dare you." Primeape roared as he tried to get into Infernape's face. "I'll show you who's better."

"Guys calm down." Bulbasaur said as things began to devolve around them. "Healthy competition remember."

"Sure, whatever." Primeape snorted before turning around. "I'm off to train. Welcome newbie, I'll see you around I guess. You at least look strong so we can spar sometime."

With that Primeape left. Both Infernape and Emboar also left without a word and in different directions to go train while Scraggy just looked around a little confused for a moment before trotting off to find a friend. Of all the fighting types, he was the least competitive of them.

"Interesting bunch." Conkeldurr said with a chuckle. "I like those three, I can respect their attitude."

"Most fighting types seem to be the same, especially male ones as they have all this macho attitude, though Primeape's always been an angry ball of fuzz and I was one of the few who knew him before he spent years training shortly after Ash caught him during his first year." Bulbasaur said with a sigh as they wandered off and headed towards a rocky, mountain area. "I wonder if Riolu will evolve and become like that. I've heard a lot about Lucarios and how they are sometimes seen as one of the top fighting types out there."

"I'll know if I return." Conkeldurr said. "That Riolu looked strong with them when I spotted it, but I never got a chance to face it as I was dealing with a Hawlucha at the time."

"He's an up and comer for sure and he's going to get a full year with Ash which is rare." Bulbasaur said not sure what a Hawlucha was but making a note to ask later as this wasn't the first time that Conkeldurr had mentioned it. "I expect a Lucario when he returns."

They continued to walk in silence for a few more minutes until they reached a rocky area complete with a small hill that had a cave in it to find a collection of Pokémon waiting for them at the edge of it. There was one that clearly was pure grass as it was green with a flower around its neck, but the rest looked more natural to the area, including the large tortoise Pokémon with a tree on its shell marking it as at least part grass type.

The others present were a three-legged sentient rock thing, a clear rock type. A twin tusked small, armored elephant-like Pokémon. A greyish flying scorpion thing balancing on the end of its tail that was smiling with its tongue out. A red tortoise with a gray shell that was blowing black smoke out its nose denoting it as a part fire type at least. A green and yellow thing with fire erupting from it on its neck and lower back so it was definitely a fire type. Lastly there was a large purplish dragon thing with red and yellow markings that was likely the Garchomp that Conkeldurr had heard of but didn't know what it was.

"Ah the rock, ground, and fire Pokémon are here, or at least part of one of those types." Bulbasaur said as they reached the gathered Pokémon. "Along with Meganium. I guess she was in the area, and it was easier for the birds to persuade her to come here than to find us. Wait, where's Sceptile?"

"Training." The pure fire type looking one said. "On his own, doesn't want to be disturbed for the moment. He'll be around later."

"Ah that explains it, he's like Infernape and Charizard in that sense." Bulbasaur said. "Always on his own trying to get better."

"So that's what a Meganium is." Conkeldurr said looking at the clear grass type while ignoring the side discussion about whatever a Sceptile was. "Strong looking."

"I should be, my darling Ash has made me such." Meganium said in a feminine voice identifying herself as the third female Pokémon there. "I evolved for him and am his closest Pokémon of all, I'm even closer to him than his mate who is not right for him."

"Huh?" Conkeldurr asked confused looking at Bulbasaur.

"Don't ask." Bulbasaur said seriously, they'd long ago decided to not question what Meganium said about Ash. "But yes Meganium is close with Ash, we all are but she takes it to a weird level. Let's see, the others are Torterra, that's the one with the tree and he's a dual grass and ground type while the other tortoise-like one is Torkoal who is one of the Hoenn Pokémon here."

"Hello." Torterra said in a low, slow, voice and a bow of his head.

"Hey." Torkoal said with a puff of black smoak from its nostrils that filled the air in front of it.

"The other fire type is Quilava." Bulbasaur continued. "He's from Johto, as is Donphan, that's the armored one and both evolved in regions they aren't from and over 2 years after being caught. Boldore is the rock guy and he's from Unova. Gliscor is the part flying type and like Torterra from Sinnoh, as is Garchomp who you should be able to guess is the dragon type though he's also part ground. That should be the lot that is here. Guys, this is Conkeldurr, Ash's latest catch in Kalos though apparently his species is native to, or at least common in, Unova."

A chorus of greeting came as Conkeldurr studied the Pokémon. All but the Boldore and Quilava seemed fully evolved or in the Torkoal's case unlike to have an evolution, and all seemed able to hold themselves in a fight. That was an interesting thing as it showed that they were strong, not that the ones who hadn't fully evolved weren't. It was certainly impressive that a human could train all of these Pokémon to be good like this.

"Where is Muk and Glalie?" Bulbasaur asked. "I thought they would be around, or at least the latter would be as Muk doesn't come out much."

"Glalie doesn't come here, it's too warm for him." Garchomp said with a shrug. "He's in the ice area where he likes it. I am not going there though; no self-respecting dragon type will go near an ice area."

"And we all know where Muk is." Meganium said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "He's always inside with the Professor. He really likes humans."

"True he is." Bulbasaur said still surprised by the level of friendliness Muk had with basically all humans no matter who they were, though Ash topped his list by far. "Well, Conkeldurr, let's get to know this lot as well. This is the last batch here, the few you haven't met are around which means that you will meet them in time as I think you'll be here for a few days at least. So, what do you want to know?"

"I guess I am curious as to how Ash chooses us for battles." Conkeldurr said deciding to ask that question first before getting the individual records of this lot as that would take more time. "I like fighting and want to face something strong. If I am to have a human then he had better chose me to face some tough Pokémon."

"Well, you are new and fully evolved I believe so expect the next gym to be your debut." Boldore said. "In my experience, it goes like this…"

For the rest of the afternoon, Conkeldurr listened to the Pokémon here and elsewhere as Bulbasaur continued to show him around the ranch and introduce him to others and get to know his new teammates. They all had good stories of epic battles, training, bonding, and growing with Ash who they all clearly loved, though did comment on his lack of sense at times, and Conkeldurr listened to it all.

By the end of it he was warming to the idea of having a trainer if Ash could produce these kind of results in so many different Pokémon. He was worth a chance at least in Conkeldurr's mind, which meant that he'd get a better ready for when he returned. He just hoped Ursaring was having as interesting a time as he was, his friend wasn't the brightest one out there and was dealing with a very different Pokémon in Togekiss. Ursaring was in for an interesting time at least.

---

Meanwhile, as Bulbasaur was starting to get through to Conkeldurr and bringing him around to the others, Togekiss was dealing with Ursaring. It appeared that he wasn't the brightest Pokémon out there and used his size and strength more than anything else to get his way.

Togekiss theorized that he may have evolved young when he wasn't mature enough to handle the power which would explain his attitude. He'd need a lot of mothering to understand how to be a nice Pokémon. Thankfully, that was Togekiss's specialty.

First though she had to deal with improving his attitude. After the first Aura Sphere, Togekiss had to use another and a sky attack to subdue Ursaring who was still trying to attack her to prove something or get her away she couldn't really tell. Finally, though, he was calmer.

"Have you got that out of your system?" Togekiss asked calmly as Ursaring sat there panting hard. "Feel better now?"

"How are you able to avoid me?" Ursaring growled. "Just stay still so I can hit you."

"Because I am a trained Contest Pokémon, so I know grace and style when I fly." Togekiss said. "And you are all brute force with mostly close quarters attacks. That will work in places but I have the mobility on you as a flying type who specializes in ranged moves so I can avoid and counter you."

"Contest?" Ursaring asked confused but no less angry. "What's that?"

"It's what the two humans' who have trained me love to do and is an alternative to normal training." Togekiss said. "My first was alas a special case and couldn't do what her heart loved due to her circumstances but still trained me to be a Contest Pokémon and I loved her. We got a chance to do so thanks to Dawn and afterwards my human gave me to Dawn so that I could know the freedom she couldn't. Dawn has given me that and I love her as much as Salvia. She's just like my first human but a little less proper at times. I look after her and all her Pokémon, as well as her mate's at times, as a mother would because you all need it."

"I don't need anyone." Ursaring growled. "Conkeldurr and I were fine in that forest without anyone else. We took what we wanted because we had the power."

"And now you don't which is good because what you did was wrong." Togekiss said simply. "And as you can see I am stronger than you. In fact, of all of Dawn's Pokémon, I only rank fourth, maybe even fifth depending on how good Banette is these days. You will meet Dawn's best soon, along with another strong Pokémon of hers who is more powerful than I am. Both of them respect me. The other two strong ones in terms of raw power are out in Kalos with Dawn. Course this is just the Pokémon here, I don't know who's joined the family since then as I could be lower on the power scale now."

"I doubt that you lot are stronger than me." Ursaring growled clearly not believing his earlier defeat was due to power. "You just have that advantage over me with your oddly ranged fighting move that I've never seen before."

"Come with me then." Togekiss said with a sigh, she was going to have an issue with this guy it seemed so the boys would have to deal with him if she was to get through to him. "And meet the others. They will explain more."

"And if it don't." Ursaring said.

"Then you will find this place lonely, and you are nowhere near the top of the power list as most of Dawn's mate's Pokémon are real powerhouses, so you don't stand a chance against them." Togekiss said. "You're here now and one of us, come and meet the family and hear from them at least. They should be in their usual spots."

"I don't have many options, do I?" Ursaring asked.

"Not really." Togekiss said, she was going to have to be a little tougher with this one, but he was fully evolved so he could handle it, he wasn't a sensitive sweet thing like Piplup who needed a mother's kind touch most of the time. "Now come, the first is this way."

Togekiss flew off and Ursaring growled but followed her. He didn't have much of an option and it seemed that Conkeldurr was at least giving this place they'd ended up in a shot. If his friend, who had never led him wrong before, could do so then he could at least try. He didn't know much about who had caught him, but it was clear she knew how to handle strong Pokémon as this Togekiss was strong. That could work he guessed as it would make him stronger.

They continued in silence for a while until they came to what Ursaring thought was a large, random, mound in the middle of a grassy plain that was really sunny. At least that was what he thought it was until Togekiss called out to it.

"Hey, wake up big guy." Togekiss called out to her friend. "We have a new teammate to greet."

"Huh." The mound groaned in a deep, male, voice that shook the ground slightly. "I was sleeping Togekiss. Aren't all of Dawn's Pokémon in that region with her? What's a new one doing here?"

"Apparently this one needed to come here for a bit." Togekiss said to the talking mound. "Something about an attitude problem that the Professor wants us to help with. You should know, you had one yourself after you evolved."

"Only because I was too strong and stubborn to listen to a trainer who liked cute and small Pokémon." The mound said. "But I leaned she still loved and cared for me despite not being a cute and small Pokémon anymore and now I listen to her. She also needs me to protect her."

"And you do a great job at that now get up and turn around." Togekiss said with a sigh. "Meet the new guy, I think you will be more productive in improving his attitude than I am seeing as your both alpha males with apparently big egos."

"Fine." The Pokémon said with a groan. "And no one has an ego as big as Piplup's, remember that Togekiss."

Ursaring watched in slight surprise as the mound rose to reveal that it was in face a large, beefy, quadrupedal Pokémon covered in thick brown fur. It turned and faced Ursaring and Togekiss to show them a blue mask like face and two large, vicious looking tusks of pure ice. Ursaring had never seen a Pokémon like this one but there was no doubt that it was a strong Pokémon.

"Ursaring, this is Mamoswine." Togekiss introduced. "Dawn's first large, fully evolved, Pokémon that defied her usual style and her self-described protector. Mamoswine, this is Ursaring, Dawn caught him recently apparently and he has a bit of an attitude."

"Disobedient." Mamoswine grumbled. "That was my problem at first."

"Bully." Togekiss said. "One of a few powerhouses in his forest so used it to be mean and not help the others."

"Well, that won't fly here." Mamoswine said narrowing his eyes at Ursaring. "I may be the best of Dawn's lot, but I can barely stand with her mate's Pokémon. They are true warriors and that Charizard isn't even here right now. He's a cut above the rest and that's saying something."

"Those are the ones who are with Conkeldurr." Togekiss said to Ursaring before explaining further to Mamoswine. "He was caught by Ash, Dawn's mate."

"That strong?" Ursaring said a little worried by that as he could tell how powerful this Mamoswine was and if he claimed there were better ones here then that made Ursaring a little nervous. "Not even Conkeldurr would handle that I think."

"Easy." Mamoswine said. "Togekiss, I, and Typhlosion can train with them as we are fully evolved, but we are all out classed in straight power as they train for that, we train for grace and style. Spiritomb is the only one of us who can probably truly stand on their top level with the true powers like Charizard, Infernape, Sceptile, Gengar, Dragonite, Krookodile, Pidgeot, and Leavanny and that's in large part due to his types. Those are the best of the best according to them. We're on the second tier with Staraptor, Primeape, Emboar, Garchomp, and Seismitoad. Still, never count any of them out."

"Bragging about Pokémon who are very different to us, sounds like you Mamoswine." A new voice said they turned to see a large, green and orange Pokémon with flames for a collar approaching them on all fours. "Hey Togekiss, Noctowl came to the fire area and told us that there was a new Pokémon with you for me to meet as he's Dawn's not Ash's, so I had to leave my training with Quilava and Torkoal to come here. I'm guess that this Ursaring is the new one, Dawn really is branching out these days."

"Still nothing compared to the time those two ghosts showed up, though at least Shuppet looked the part before he evolved." Mamoswine said. "That was a true shock to learn that Spiritomb was now one of us and loved Dawn as much as we do. Same with that strange Shuppet, well Banette now, but then again he did follow Dawn for months before she caught him."

"Yes our human is growing up so fast." Togekiss said with pride. "She's really matured since we met her in Sinnoh and realized how she can do anything she sets her mind to. And yes Typhlosion, this is Ursaring, the new member of our family."

"Why is he here though?" Typhlosion asked looking at Ursaring who now realized how much stronger all 3 Pokémon were to him, this was not good, so he'd have to play along for now and these were supposed to be with the same human as him and weak compared to the lot Conkeldurr was seeing which didn't sound good for them. "Shouldn't he be in that region? That's what Buneary told us when that lot left, the new catches over the limit would end up there. We stayed either due to duty, size, or sheer laziness as is the case with Pachirisu."

"Where is she?" Togekiss asked.

"Probably sleeping in a tree and ignoring that Piplup knockoff's attempts at flirtation, what's his name." Typhlosion said. "Oshawott I think."

"Ah that explains it." Togekiss said with a nod. "She does like sleeping in the trees here."

"Ah a Pachirisu, I can beat that Pokémon." Ursaring said with a smirk at knowing that there was one of this lot he could best. "I used to do so back home."

"Well, that won't fly here." Togekiss said as all three glared at Ursaring freaking him out a bit with their intensity. "We are teammates, and we get along, even if sometimes Piplup gets hurt by Dawn's mate's dragons but that is something we can deal with when it happens."

"Besides, Pachirisu is tougher than you think." Mamoswine said. "She'll shock you if you get in her way. She may be technically the weakest of Dawn's few Pokémon here but don't mess with her."

"If you need to fight take us on." Typhlosion said with a slight grow in his voice. "We can handle you, but you don't pick on a smaller one. You can try with Ash's small Pokémon, but they will beat you and I for one would love to see Snivy school your ass. I train with his Quilava, the Pokémon I evolve from, because Ash's is better than me. I can't keep up with his top fire types anymore, only Quilava and Torkoal are currently my speed but in time I'll be able to handle Infernape and Emboar."

"Not Charizard." Mamoswine joked.

"Please, only Pikachu and maybe Dragonite or Pidgeot can truly handle him though with Sceptile and Leavanny their types limit how effective they can be when training with him." Typhlosion said. "In time I think Garchomp will be able to reach that level as well though, his ground type makes him a good training partner. Charizard is the best here for a reason. Add in that Mega Stone he has, and he can get even better, though none of us were there when Ash used it."

"I've heard from Piplup about it though." Togekiss said. "It was scary how strong it made him, apparently. Charizard is already powerful, and that thing powered him up to a level Piplup had never seen before."

"Well maybe Dawn will find one that would work for us one day." Mamoswine said. "Then we can see how we strong we are though I still don't understand how those things work."

"In time." Togekiss said. "First we need to make sure that Ursaring is welcomed as part of the family."

"I am still not sure what is going on." Ursaring said as he looked at the three Pokémon with him. "But I will prove that I am better than all of you."

"Why do I get the feeling that we are going to have to beat the sense into him." Mamoswine said with a sigh. "I don't like violence for violence's sake. Plus, he's small, I will flatten him."

"Sometimes it's for the best." Typhlosion said as the flames around his neck ignited. "Togekiss, you've already shown him your power I believe. Let us go, we don't have a type advantage move over a normal type."

"Yes, if Ursaring wants to fight we will." Mamoswine said forming a ball of ice between his tusks. "So come at us Ursaring, we will put you in your place."

"I doubt that." Ursaring said with a roar as his claws glowed and he lunged at Mamoswine. "I am the strongest here!"

Togekiss sighed as the battle began and ended quickly with Ursaring only getting one lucky hit in on Typhlosion before he was bested by the other two in a combination of fire and ice. Clearly this Pokémon was not the brightest one and relied on raw strength rather than skill, grace, and precision like they did. It would take time for them teach him to be nice, but they would get through to their new teammate in the end. They were a family and family looked out for each other.

With Ursaring out, Mamoswine went over to find a patch of warm grass to resume his sleep while Typhlosion headed off back to the area where the fire types usually hung out to see if his friends were back so they could resume training and maybe meet the other new Pokémon.

Togekiss just flew off to find the berries to help Ursaring heal faster as he lay there out cold. She would nurse him back to health like a mother would and show him that they were truly a family who cared for each other. That would help get through to him, she was sure of it.

As she left she hoped that Bulbasaur was having a better time with that Conkeldurr. They were new and rough Pokémon, but they were part of their large family, they would come to realize that in time. Togekiss didn't care how long it took, she would get Ursaring to see that truth. With that thought, she began searching for the right berries knowing that all would be good in the end.

Sorry for the long, at times meandering, Supplement, Ash has a lot of Pokémon and I wanted to give as many as possible an appearance, so it took a while and some didn't get that much due to time, space, and to not overwhelm Conkeldurr. So yeah, this was the special Supplement to show how Conkeldurr began to adapt before his return, Ursaring is still a work in progress, and I felt it would be fun to include it as a retroactive perspective. This is also a trial run for a suggestion a while back for a look back at the events of Dreams but from the perspective of the Pokémon at the ranch as the events unfolded in Kanto. Depending on how well this does I will consider it, though as with most side projects it is a long time coming as I have a lot else going on so don't expect it until after Hearts 5 at the earliest. If you liked how a ranch chapter would work do let me know as the more support for an idea, the more likely I will go with it as a side story one day. Anyway, I hope y'all liked this special, different perspective. That's all I have for now so as always please continue favorite and follow both me and this story to keep abreast with new releases and keep the reviews coming. Until next time.

Stringdog