Hello again, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's, Johto Journey. Before we begin, I would like to get a few things out of the way. First was the review about mentioning the older brother's evolution. As mentioned before, this evolution was requested before my reworking. Yes, I'm aware of Gary having one, and trust me, this isn't the last Pokemon that Gary also had on Ash's team. Next, yes, Ash will have all three starters in this story. However, Chikorita and Totodile will evolve fully Cyndaquil will evolve to her middle stage and then the final stage in the last story. Lastly, I didn't mention this in the update, but I will make a few adjustments to Ash's team for Johto and Hoenn. The first is Phanphy/Donphan since Ash will be getting Larvitar for Ash's baby Pokemon. Yes, there will be another baby. We'll get to that in the upcoming chapters, but egg wise Ash gets Larvitar and Brock gets Phanphy. The other Pokemon is being Snowrunt. Instead of what it would evolve into Glailie, let us make it be a Frosslass. In my opinion, that fits Ash more than Glailie, and have you seen its win/loss record even though it came in late into the story? Yeah, fast and hits hard would be better. With that said, let's get this new request done by the previous requester Myra the Dovihkinn.

Chapter 11: The Hour of the Houndour

' For Pokespeech

" For Human Speach

We see Ash carrying a small canine-based pokemon in his arms heading to the Pokemon center, who looked to be in the worse shape both physically and internally from its looks. Like a pack of the said canine, Pokemon was following behind, hoping that he could figure out to help said youngling.

Nurse Joy of the said area noticed Ash, a bit bruised and holding a young Pokemon. "Oh, my word, what happened to this Houndour? How could you get it to this" Nurse Joy was interrupted by Ash. "Nurse Joy, he doesn't belong to me. He's been attacked with some sort of stuff by Team Rocket. I'm trying my best to make sure that I can get him back to normal," Ash said while looking behind him at the pack of said Houndour, who was more upset than angry. As Nurse Joy notices this nods and takes the said Houndour to urgent care, Ash gets treated himself.

"I'll have Chansey cure him. He looks like he's gone through a heavy dose of Poisonpowder and Stuns spore. Can you tell me what had happened? Ash as Houndour isn't the type to attack someone and are usually at times friendly," Nurse Joy asked. Ash looking down. "Okay, here's what happened from what I heard from Team Rocket,"

Some point earlier that night:

A familiar male grass starter was sneaking into a den where a sleeping young Houndour was. 'So this is the soon-to-be leader of the pack I heard so much about,' the young male Starter with a leaf on its head was staring at it as he used stun spore and Poison powder on the said Pokemon while it was sleeping as it was stirring in its sleep from both of those effects hitting it. As the grass starter heard someone was coming his way as he hid out of sight.

'Huh? Hey, what happened to my son,' One of the Houndour said out loud. Which caught the attention of the rest of the pact. The grass starter who did the deed smirked at this and knew that he could take advantage of this and get back at the human he hates the most and maybe more Pokemon to his new trainers.

'I might be able to tell you what happened. I saw the whole thing,' The grass starter, who happens to be a Chikorita, walked out of his hiding spot to growls of the other members of the pact. 'Easy, boys, you want help with the young alpha, and I might be able to get you that,' the male Chikorita said. However, they calmed down; the pact leader was suspicious of him, who just came out of nowhere and suddenly saw everything.

'Tell me what happened to my son? And you better have a good explanation of why you invaded my den without permission especially given that we can beat you without hassle,' the pact leader said while growling at him, who held his vines out like hands showing the calm down suggestion.

'I saw a human with a grass starter like myself coming by and attacking your child. I was here because I fought against humans who attack Pokemon in their environments without remorse. If you need proof, you may have heard about what happened to the forest with Heracross and Pinsir as most of them were captured the same humans,' Chikorita said while hiding that his new owners were the ones who did the deed but didn't lie about what happened. That was enough to somewhat convince the pact as they did hear about that incident as it spread throughout the forest as Chikorita told the pact about Ash and his friends, given that they heard about a trio doing the deed.

As they left as the Chikorita left as well. However, the leader wasn't convinced about what the Chikorita said. Especially since they were not told about what Pokemon were taken in the said incident and went to get to the bottom of things.

As Chikorita was out of sight to his new owners Team Rocket. After being captured by them, he's been heavily brainwashed, and strengthened his hatred for Ash has grown. 'It's done they took it hook line and sinker, stupid dogs believing anything to get their soon to be leader well even if it means going in blind,' Chikorita said while bowing to his trainers.

"However that leader his father is getting very suspicious about what you said you really shouldn't have said the names of the Pokemon that was taken," Meowth said. Chikorita sighed. 'It was to convince them, and it seems that they've heard about what happened, but I'll keep an eye out on him.'

Meanwhile, Ash and his friends arrived in the forest nearby, trying to find the Pokemon center near where they were. "Is the Pokemon center nearby Brock? I just wanted to get away from this forest as quick as possible," Misty said while trying to ignore that they were in a forest that is full of who knows what.

"According to the guidebook, the Pokemon center is really close," Brock said while looking around as the pack of Houndour was watching the group from a distance. Something about them did feel off to them and not right. They don't look like the type to cause harm to Pokemon, but then again, they've never met Ash and the others before in their lives. As one of them went back to the leader to report this. This caught the attention of Pikachu which Ash noticed this as well.

"Hey Brock, I'm not sure what it is, but something or someone is watching us," Ash said to Brock. "I noticed it too. According to the guidebook, there's a group of Pokemon nearby that is very territorial but is normally friendly to those who are willing to respect them," Brock said as Ash pulled out his Pokedex to where the noise was and caught what was there a Houndour.

"I've heard of Houndour from my Mom. They're usually friendly, and if raised right, they can be more than a loyal trained Pokemon but never mess with their pack as they're very protective of their members," Ash said to Misty and Brock. They saw the image of the Pokemon, which they also pointed out a new type they had never heard of, Dark-type.

As many of them came out growling at Ash and the other's they definitely weren't friendly from what Ash said. Pikachu stood before them, ready to protect Ash and the others. "Easy Pikachu, we're not going to fight back cause we don't know what we did or what happened to make them come after us," Ash said to Pikachu. The pack overheard this. This wasn't what they were expecting from the humans that had taken an entire forest of Pokemon as told.

The leader came to where Ash and the others were after hearing the last part of what was said and talking to Pikachu. 'Before we leave you be tell me are you the ones who taken the Pokemon in the forest back a while back that was full of bug-types?' Houndour asked Pikachu, who shook his head at this. 'No, we were the ones who were trying to save it. It was a group named Team Rocket with a Meowth,' Pikachu said to Houndour, showing that he wasn't lying about that.

The rest of the Houndour wasn't convinced or was confused as that wasn't what they were told. One was about to attack the group. One managed to do so at Ash, who held his arm out after being bitten and sent to the ground. Luckily it wasn't enough to completely ruin his arm nor sufficient to break it, either just enough to make marks on Ash but boy, that attack made Ash out of wack. 'Enough they've proven that they aren't responsible for my son's condition,' the Houndour leader said to the one who attacked Ash and as well as his pack.

Ash noticed that the leader was stressed and was more concerned about something than worrying about what Ash and the others would do. "I don't know what is going on, but maybe we can help you in any way. We aren't going to catch any of you if that is what you are wondering unless you wanted to," Ash stepped forward, saying that, but the pack of Houndour growled at Ash, not welcoming him, still not convinced.

'Let them help but keep an eye on them. While I am convinced that they aren't responsible for attacking my son, I'm still not convinced that they are telling the truth about what Chikorita said,' Houndour leader said. 'Chikorita? It wouldn't be a male one, would it?' Pikachu asked the Houndour leader, who stopped.

'See, he knows him. He must be the ones who did,' one of the Houndour said to his leader. 'I highly doubt that Chikorita sounded very fishy and was a bit too revealing of what had happened. Let them come. We'll get to the bottom of this,' Houndour said, motioning his head towards Ash and the others to follow.

Ash and the others did while following in a distance without causing alarm for the pack. The pack, Ash, and the others arrived where the leader's son was suffering from the attack that Chikorita had done to him. The Houndour showed Ash and the others what had happened. Brock ran over but at a safe distance. "This is bad? This Houndour is very young, and yet he seems to be under some sort of attack by some sort of combination of spore-based attacks," Brock explained while moving away from the little Houndour, not trying to provoke the rest of the Houndour.

'Is that human with his eye closed a doctor or something?' The Houndour leader asked Pikachu. 'No, but he is a breeder and has a good eye when it comes to Pokemon and how bad they are in terms of health,' Pikachu said. 'And how long were you in the forest the four of you here, that is?' Houndour leader asked Pikachu.

'That's enough, Houndour. You really going to believe Pikachu and these humans,' A voice came out behind the rocks. It was the male Chikorita Team Rockets Chikorita, that is. 'You?' The Houndour leader growled towards the Chikorita. Half of the Houndour pack was with him, and the other half was convinced that Ash and the other's were not responsible. 'And you believe this Chikorita over me you heard what was said a mix of spore-based attacks, and yet you were just nearby a few hours ago you are not fooling me,' Houndour said.

A sludge bomb and Poison sting attack flurry were coming towards the Houndour leader only to intercept Pikachu's thunderbolt. Team Rocket was over the hill where the den was. "That stupid Houndour leader is smarter than he seems. A shame that the rest of your pack doesn't seem that you are worthy of calling the shots," James said as Chikorita stood beside James.

"Team Rocket!" Ash, Misty, and Brock said. 'So it is true you were behind all of this Chikorita? You may have fooled the pack, but I will never forgive you what had happened to my son,' Houndour leader said to which the Chikorita laughed at this while Meowth was translating this. 'Says the leader who used to belong to humans you don't know that we've done research on you or did you not tell your pack that when you became the leader?' Chikorita said.

Houndour was taken aback by this, but Ash noticed this as well. Surprisingly most of the pack wasn't fazed by what was said while the ones who turned on him were. 'Yes, it's true, but that was a long time ago, and it has,' "Has nothing to do with this Team Rocket. First, you tried to take the Heracross and then Chikorita. Now this man has you stooped to a new low," Ash interrupted the Houndour leader.

"Say what you will twerps, but we are here for these Houndour, not you. I'm sure that these ones rather be with someone competent than this leader who has been hiding things," Jessie said out loud. Two of the Houndour went over to where Team Rocket was now convinced that they were the ones who were helping and not Ash and the other's, but the other Houndour stayed with the pack. As James and Jessie pulled out two Pokeballs and caught them. "They'll make good for our team. We got what we came here for. See you later, twerps," Meowth said as Weezing used smokescreen. Team Rocket was gone along with two of the Houndour pack members.

Ash ran over to where the young Houndour was holding him in his arms regardless of the pain caused by one of the captured Houndour made earlier. The rest of the pack growled at Ash for doing that. "Look, I'm trying to help your youngling here, and the only way is to heal him is the nearby Pokemon center. I promise I won't capture him; I just want to help," Ash said to the Houndour leader, who can see that this is the only way that'll help his son.

'Let him go,' The Houndour leader said, which caused the other Houndour to stop. 'Right now, we can use all the help we can get. These humans are willing to help us without cost, and right now, our pack isn't in the shape or form to cause more trouble,' Houndour leader said this caused the Houndours to back off. "You're letting me help your child?" Ash asked to which the Houndour leader nods at this. "Thank you," Ash said as he left with the young Houndour in both his hands.

Flashback ends

Ash was finishing what had happened to the young Houndour just as Nurse Joy was finishing bandaging up Ash's arm. The rest of the pack was waiting outside the Pokemon center for news on their leader's son. "I see that's what happened. As you said, Houndour isn't the type of Pokemon that will cause harm, but this is very serious if a criminal organization like Team Rocket could convince two of them to join them." Nurse Joy said as she was finishing up. "The Houndour that was brought in is just a year old pup at most to think that with one usage of stun spore and Poisonpowder that can do that much damage in just a few hours?" Nurse Joy said to Ash.

"Is the Houndour going to be okay, Nurse Joy? I did promise that I would return him safely?" Ash asked Nurse Joy, who nodded her head. "He'll be fine give it till morning, and he'll be his normal self in no time," Nurse Joy said to Ash. "Thank you, Nurse Joy. I'll let the pack know about this right now."

Ash went out to the doorway to tell the pack of Houndours the news about their leader's son, to which they were happy and relieved by the news. However, the Houndour leader still feels that he still owes Ash everything, and one of the Houndours, the one who went and fetched the leader, noticed that there is more than thanks was for the humans.

'You want to go with the humans, don't you, leader?' The other Houndour asked his leader, surprised by this but shook his head. 'No, but I think that my son might want to. I've already been through one trainer before; I rather have my son be with someone I can trust, not me. I think that is a fair thank you, don't you think?' The leader said surprisingly the rest of the pack nodded in agreement.

"If the young pup's father is here, he is more than welcome to see his son now he has fully recovered but in no shape to leave the room until tomorrow morning?" Nurse Joy asked Ash. The leader didn't need to be told twice and followed Nurse Joy to his son, resting in the bed area where care patients would be.

He talked to his son about Ash and told him what he did to help not only what was left of the pack but also the young Houndour himself and if he was fine joining Ash's team. 'Are you sure, dad? I mean, you're more experienced than me, and I just met him?' The young Houndour asked his father. 'I'm sure, son, besides I've been with a human before and while he wasn't the best in the world from what I've been through was a worthy journey,' Houndour leader said, nuzzling his son who wags his tail. 'Don't worry about me. You in good hands, son, and I rather you be with a good trainer,' Houndour leader said, finishing his nuzzling.

'Okay, dad, if you say he's a good human, I won't let you down. I owe him that much he saved my life,' the young Houndour pup said to his dad, now convinced that Ash is the right fit for him.

The next day came, and the young Houndour was let out of the care unit to greet his fellow pack members. Before turning to Ash, as did the Houndour leader. Ash noticed what the two Houndour was trying to say and realized what was happening. "Even after I made a promise not to catch one of you? You still want me to have one of you as thanks?" Ash asked the Houndour leader as the young Houndour pup nodded at this and ran over to Ash, nuzzling him.

Ash notices that the other Houndour wasn't reacting to this sigh. "Okay, I'll make a new promise. I'll take good care of him for you and hopefully get those you have lost back for you that was taken by Team Rocket as well," Ash said to the Houndour pack, who smiled at this. "If you feel like I'm being too much or you feel like that I'm not worth it, I'll let you go out of my team with no hassle or complaint from me," Ash said to the Houndour pup, who nodded towards Ash. Ash pulled out a ball and tapped him with it, only to be sucked in without hassle. He was Ash's. Ash sent Bulbasaur back to the ranch since he had too many Pokemon on his team per his new expansion limit.

Ash and the others left the Pokemon center and headed towards the forest on the right trail to Azalea town. The rest of the Houndour pack saw them off as Ash lets out the young Houndour pup for one last goodbye before leaving.

With a new team member on Ash's team, the Journey to become a Pokemon master has taken a weirder turn as the Journey continues.

Stay tuned.

Done. My god, that took longer than expected. Yes, Ash has a Houndour now. I was contemplating giving him the young Houndour pup or the leader, but the leader had a pack to run, and I felt like the youngling had more weight when it came to Ash saving his life. I don't know. I just thought that it was the right thing to do, and I felt like Ash should've caught one in the original episode, given how late Houndour comes in generation two. The next chapter is another request capture and one of my favorite from generation two. See you guys next time.