Chapter 15 A Legendary Encounter
As snowfall arrives in Vermilion City, Professor Cerise says, "Ash, Serena. The heavy snowfall is causing some malfunctions in our systems. I decided to close the laboratory for a few days so we could do some maintenance."
"System maintenance..." Serena says, "Wait, the lab is closed?"
"I'm sorry about this. It would be easier for us if you went home in the meantime." Professor Cerise says.
"Home...but I am from Kalos..." Serena frowns. Ash says, "How about you stay at my place since there might not be flights available in this heavy storm."
"I guess so, but I will need to inform my mother about this." Serena says.
"Of course." Ash says with a smile. "Let's go."
Serena nods as they finish packing up their stuff, once they are done, Serena asks, "So how are we going back to Pallet Town?"
"We'll be taking the train." Ash says.
"How long does it take to get to Pallet Town?" Serena asks.
"Maybe some minutes..." Ash says as they are heading to the train station. But on their way, they get to a park as they see three Mankey chasing after a Cubone.
"Mankey and Cubone? What's going on here?" Ash asks in confusion.
"Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. A Ground type. Cubone wears a skull as a helmet, concealing its face as it sheds tears for its long-lost mother. It cries loudly to express its loneliness. It also always carries a long, thick bone. Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokémon. A Fighting type. Mankey is quick-tempered and can fly into a rage even while dreaming."
"That Cubone clearly doesn't stand a chance..." Ash says as he notices how Cubone was surrounded by Mankeys.
Scorbunny suddenly leaps into action, knocking two of the Mankey back with a few swift kicks. Serena asks, "Scorbunny?"
Cubone tries to take a swing at the third one, only to have its bone club knocked and snatched away by the Mankey. Scorbunny rushes after the assailants, but the three Mankey get away with the club in hand.
"Hey, wait up!" Ash yells as he and Serena chase after the Pokemon.
Pikachu and Scorbunny try to stop them, but they failed as they get away. Cubone begins crying for its bone, and Ash says, "I'm sorry, that bone must have been important to you."
Serena hugs the Pokemon, trying to comfort it, and Serena says, "Don't worry, we will make sure you will get your bone back."
As Cubone stops crying, Ash sends out Talonflame, Beedrill, Staraptor, and Fearow. "Guys, sorry for bringing you out in the cold..."
Just then, they see how the other three Pokemon are hugging Talonflame as it has Flame Body, causing the Pokemon to get uncomfortable. "Please, I'd like you to help us get Cubone's bone back." Ash says.
Serena shows them the Pokedex so that they will know what it looks like, and Cubone has been begging them for help as well, so they quickly fly off to find the Mankey and the bone.
The four Pokemon are finding the Pokemon while Ash and Serena are also finding. On their way, they notice some Sandshrew, and Ash captures one of them to help to find the Mankey through the ground.
"Geez...just where did those Mankey go?" Serena mutters. "They can't have gotten that far..."
Ash says, "They can be very crafty..." Then he has an idea.
They set up a Nanab Berry bait while the others are hiding, Serena says, "I see...you're luring them out with a Nanab Berry."
The Berry lures the Mankey in; however, Pikachu's Electroweb fails to snare any of them. Scorbunny uses Quick Attack to knock one down, Pikachu Thunderbolts another while Beedrill uses Poison Sting on the last Mankey.
"Now Mankey, give us back Cubone's bone!" Ash says.
The three Mankey then try to use signs to show that they've lost the bone.
"You lost the bone? Where did you lose?" Serena asks, but they have no idea, causing Cubone to cry again.
"Come on, just cheer up, Cubone." Ash says. "I promise that we'll find it!"
As they search for a whole evening, the three Mankey also offer to help to search for the bone. Just then, Fearow calls to them as he finds something.
"Looks like it found something." Ash says. "Bring us over there!"
As they ride on Talonflame and Staraptor to a lake, Fearow tries to tell them that the three Mankey were playing around with the bone when they lost it in the lake below.
"So you mean that the pond seems fishy..." Ash asks Fearow and he nods.
Once they land on the ground, Serena says, "But if it's in the pond...that looks really cold."
"But we have this Pokemon to help us out. Come on, Dewgong!" Ash sends out the Water and Ice Type Pokemon. He helps them pick the bone underwater, and Serena says, "You're right. Dewgong is an Ice Type and it can swim in the icy waters."
"Yeah." Ash says. Dewgong gives the bone back to Cubone, and it is very happy.
"Thank you all for helping out." Ash says as he recalls all the Pokemon, and Cubone is cheering with Scorbunny and Pikachu.
After that, Cubone tugs Ash's pants, and Ash asks, "What's wrong? Cubone?"
Cubone points the bone at him and Serena asks, "Does that mean he wants to come with us?"
"Really? You want to come with us?" Ash asks as he nods. "It is nice to meet you, Cubone."
Then Ash throws a Pokeball and captures the Cubone, and then they decide to quickly head back to Pallet Town.
After a long train ride, they finally reach Pallet Town. Ash says, "There is my home."
"Yeah, let's go in." Serena says as they open the door, but much to Serena's surprise, Not only Delia is there, but her mother Grace is also inside of the house.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" Serena says in surprise.
As Grace and Serena hug each other, Grace says, "I was having a Rhyhorn Race in Viridian City, and then I heard from Delia that you are coming to Pallet Town, so I decided to come and visit."
"It is so nice of you." Serena says, Grace turns to Ash and says, "And it is good to see you again, Ash."
"It is nice to see you as well, Ms. Yvonne." Ash says as Pikachu and Scorbunny greet the mother.
Delia comes in with a pot of hot soup, and she says, "Since you are back, I just finished making dinner. Remember Ash, you have to wash your hands first."
"Okay, Mom." Ash says as he leaves, with Serena following him.
Delia and Grace smile at each other and Grace says, "Serena is really comfortable around Ash."
"I know, that makes them a great couple." Delia smiles.
During Dinner, Ash and Serena have told their parents about their adventures, and how they met the Galar Champion Leon, and how he gave them the Dynamax Bands.
"Sounds like you two are having a great adventure as lab assistants of Professor Cerise." Grace says. "Though I was surprised to learn that you agreed to do this kind of job."
Serena says, "Mom, I already entered Contest and Showcases for once, and I think it is time to find a new hobby, maybe my real goal is just like Ash, being a Pokemon Master."
Ash says, "We have also try to capture all Pokemon so that we can learn more about them."
"I see." Delia says, and Ash turns to his mother, "But what about you? Mom? I mean...usually, you have Mimey to keep you company, but now that he is with us..."
"It's fine, I can take care of myself after all." Delia says with a smile. Grace says, "By the way, I have a gift to give you two."
This causes the two to get excited, and it turns out to be Rhyhorn, Serena asks, "Wait, isn't this Rhyhorn...?"
Just then, Rhyhorn starts to nuzzle at Serena, causing her to laugh a little, and Grace says, "Since you are already a capable trainer, I think it will be nice if you take care of this Pokemon."
"That's great, Mom. Rhyhorn, now you are going to be a part of our team." Serena says with joy, and Rhyhorn nods with affection.
After the day is over, Grace decides to stay at Ash's house for a night, so Ash and Serena are sharing their room as Serena notices Ash's accomplishments and the pictures. "Wow, Ash...you really travel a lot of places..."
"Yeah. These are the pictures taken when we are on our journey." Ash says, "And do you remember this picture?"
Serena notices the picture with the two of them along with Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina, Serena says, "I remember, this picture is taken from Geosenge Town, right?"
"Yeah, these pictures are really memorable." Ash says. "And this is actually a picture from the Summer Camp."
As they take out the picture of Ash, Serena, Gary and Chloe when they are little, Serena says, "I remember this one, it is actually from the Summer Camp."
"Yeah...if only Chloe is the same in this picture...I guess the pressure from school is making her a cold person..." Ash says.
Serena frowns as they realize that it is true, she just hopes that Chloe can open up to them.
When Ash and Serena are sleeping that day, they suddenly wake up as they see themselves in a void. "Serena, where are we?"
"I don't know..." Serena says as they notice a Pokemon standing in front of them. It is no other than the Mythical Pokemon Arceus. "Arceus..." Ash and Serena exclaim in shock as it is the Alpha Pokemon.
"Relax, Ash, Serena. I used my powers to bring you here from your dreams." Arceus says.
"Okay...Arceus...what do you want from us?" Ash asks, and Arceus says, "I heard from Lugia and Ho-oh that they have been captured by you, so I want to see if it is true."
"We are sorry if we capture them..." Serena says, now in a panic. Arceus says, "There is no need to apologize. Us Legendary Pokemon have a meeting and we have decided to become your Pokemon."
"For real? I mean...are you sure we can just capture Legendary? But what about the balance?" Ash asks.
"When one is captured, another one will appear to replace their role. That is how Legendary and Mythical Pokemon like us work in this world." Arceus says. "And I am here so that I can lend you my powers."
"Your powers? What does that mean?" Ash asks, and Arceus says, "First, you will be able to learn what your Pokemon is talking about, that makes you understand Pokemon better as you are now trying to learn all of them. Second, I'll lend you the plates that give me the ability to change any type. If your Pokemon hold them, they'll boost their power."
"And what is the last one?" Serena asks, and then a special Pokeball appears in front of them. It is golden colored Pokeball, and they are surprised.
"With this Pokeball, you can call me out if you need my help." Arceus says, and Ash and Serena gulp as they take the Pokeball. Arceus says, "Now that it is done, I'll send you back to your dreams. Farewell."
A bright light glows and now Ash and Serena are back in their rooms. They wake up from their bed and Ash asks, "Serena...did you have the same dream as us?"
"I do." Serena says, and they hear the Pokedex saying, "Arceus' data is added to the Pokedex."
"No way...it was real..." Ash says as he notices the Golden Pokeball on its desk. "We can't let anyone know that we have Arceus...or else we are in danger."
"I know." Ash says as they continue to sleep.
Yep, Arceus comes in this time for Ash and Serena. After this episode, I will be trying to add Pokemon Speech into the story, and for five chapters, they will capture a Legendary Pokemon after the twentieth chapter.
New Pokemon: Cubone, Rhyhorn, Arceus