"Ash, Pikachu isn't looking too good." Cassie said, seeing small sparks coming from the electric types cheeks, his breathing heavy.
"I know, I know, I'm looking." Ash said amidst a panic. "I knew I should have gotten more supplies in Fuschia."
"What about the medicine we didn't need? Could that work?" Cassie asked.
"It's human medicine, I wouldn't even know how to use it properly if it could even help." Ash said.
"Pi." Pikachu struggled.
"Stay calm buddy, I've got you." Ash assured. "You'll be feeling better in no time.
"Pi?"
"Pika?"
"Chu, Pikachu."
"Ash, I don't think we're alone anymore." Cassie said, as a series of cries surrounded them.
"First Pokémon long dead, and now whatever this is." Ash said worriedly.
A horde of Pikachu's surrounded them, giving no escape.
"Look, he isn't one of yours." Ash said, as they closed in. "He just got hurt in a battle."
"Pika." A older looking Pikachu said, holding out his hands.
"What do you want me to do?" Ash asked.
"Pi. Pika." The Pikachu said, lowering his hands to the ground and then stepping back.
"Ash, if anyone would know how to help Pikachu, a bunch of other Pikachu is probably a good shot." Cassie said.
"Right, right." Ash said, gently setting Pikachu on the ground.
"Pi." The old Pikachu said, motioning for Ash to move back.
"Right, sorry." Ash said, stepping back until the old Pikachu stopped motioning.
"Pika. Pikachu." The old Pikachu said motioning for two larger Pikachu's.
"What do you think they're doing?" Cassie asked.
The two Pikachu released a bolt of electricity at Pikachu, engulfing him in the energy.
"No! You're hurting him!" Ash exclaimed.
Ash rushed to Pikachu, only for the electricity to stop as he got close. Pikachu's breathing beginning to lighten, and become steadier as his body relaxed.
"You, you helped him." Ash said.
"Pika." The older Pikachu motioned for Ash to follow him.
"I guess we're going with them." Ash said, picking Pikachu back up.
They were led into a protected grove, filled with hundreds of Pikachu.
"I had no idea that this was even possible." Ash said.
"This many Pikachu's?" Cassie asked.
"Well that, and this is a Pika Paradise." Ash said.
"Pika." Pikachu said, starting to perk up.
"Hey buddy, these other Pikachu helped heal you." Ash said, pointing to the other Pikachu's roaming around.
Switching to Pikachu's perspective
"Newcomer, with me please." An elderly Pikachu said calmly.
"Me?" Pikachu asked.
"Yes, your human is welcome to stay, along with any other companions they have." The elderly Pikachu said.
After miming to let Ash know to let everyone out, Pikachu followed the elder to a hollowed out tree.
"Tell me, where is your tribe?" The elder Pikachu said.
"My tribe?" Pikachu asked in confusion. "Do you mean my team, they're outside."
"No, your tribe, your family, where you came from, where are they, someone as young as yourself would never have been left to roam freely." The elder said.
"I grew up with a group of Kangaskhan, but I became too large for my mom's pouch, so for her health, I left. That was years ago." Pikachu said.
"So you have no tribe to call home." The elderly Pikachu said. "You are a tad old for adoption, but I believe we can make room."
"Wait, make room? I have a family with Ash, and Gloom, and the others." Pikachu said.
"But we could teach you so much." The elder Pikachu said. "Like how we revived you."
"I know, but I'm needed with Ash." Pikachu said. "He's my trainer."
"You are your own Pikachu, no one has claim over you if you don't wish for it." The elder assured. "We can drive him out, and allow you to live amongst your own kind."
'Thud'
Dratini's head flew through the hole as he looked around.
"There you are Pikachu I was wondering where you were I found this really big leaf out there that you need to check out before Ponyta eats also is everyone here named Pikachu or are some named Dratini who's the old Pikachu we're we playing hide and seek did i win!" Dratini rambled excitedly.
"Sorry Pikachu, he slipped away." Ponyta's voice was heard.
"Look at me go!" Dratini exclaimed as he was dragged backwards out of the tree.
"They may not all look it, but they are my family, I learn with them all the time." Pikachu said. "I never had a proper tribe of my own, but I helped make this one." Pikachu said, looking out at his friends.
Ponyta for once wasn't chasing after Gloom for a snack, but rather munching on some bushes. Jigglypuff was performing for a few unfortunate Pikachu, while Gloom was trying to run up a tree. Sell hadn't left Ash's side, clearly unsure of what to do, meanwhile Dratini seemed to be frightening several Pikachu though.
"I should take care of that." Pikachu said, running towards Dratini. "Dratini, they aren't me!"
"Oh Pikachu!" Dratini said excitedly. "When did you learn to be in two places at once."
"I didn't, why don't you go check with Seel, he seems lonely." Pikachu offered.
"Okay!" Dratini said, hopping over to Seel.
"Gloom! No you can't be angry at them just because you fell!" Pikachu said rushing over.
From inside the tree, the elder Pikachu watched Ash's Pikachu run around taking care of the rest of the team. Perhaps he was wrong about this one. When Pikachu finally returned, the elder had returned to his original position.
"Sorry about that, Ash can only do so much." Pikachu said.
"As I can see." The elderly Pikachu said. "You do not need our tribe, as you have found your own. It was wrong of me to ask you to join ours, you show wisdom beyond your age."
"So we're free to go?" Pikachu asked.
"You always were." The elderly Pikachu said.
"Wait one more thing, do you know a way off the island?" Pikachu asked.
"There were other humans nearby at a beach, we dare not come close, but you may be safe, and they may be able to help." The Elderly Pikachu said.
Switching back to Ash's perspective
"Hey there Pikachu, did you have fun?" Ash asked, rubbing his partners head.
"Chaaa!" Pikachu said happily. "Pika Pi, Pi Pikachu." Pikachu said pointing in the direction the elder had told him, before running and grabbing everyone.
"What do you think he's trying to say?" Cassie asked.
"If I had to guess, he must know a way off the island now." Ash said. "Let's hurry, and hope they haven't left yet."