S.R: Hey look another update.

M.R: I know part of the reason it takes a while on our updates is the fact we send them off to beta readers, but how in the hell are these updates coming so quickly compared to others?

S.R: I've only been using one of our beta readers for this story. And I may or may not type 2 or 3 chapters at once even if they get sent to the beta reader one at a time.

M.R: That explains so many things actually…

S.R: Doesn't matter right now. Also this chapter is shorter than the others, but the next chapter will make up for it. Anyway It's time for the story.

ASH'S POV

Normally I spend the first half an hour after I wake up meditating, but I couldn't clear my mind enough to do so this morning. The reason being, yesterday I caught a Bulbasaur and a Squirtle. You'd think I'd be really excited for that hence the reason I can't focus enough to meditate. Well you'd be wrong. I can't help but worry about the two and their mentality because I am not their first trainer. They were released, and for reasons that I find to be absolutely horrible. Thankfully after spending yesterday interacting with them and letting them meet a few of my other Pokemon they were starting to realize not everyone is like that.

I was also somewhat curious if Brock saw enough of my training methods to improve his training routine. Thankfully I'd have the chance to ask him once he was done preparing breakfast.

A few hours later

Brock and I had been discussing things he could do differently than I did with my training methods, that would lead to similar results, since his Pokemon while similar in strength all had different specialties making it harder for him to set them all on the same task. He was about to say something when I heard a weak sound.

"Hold on a minute Brock… Pikachu your ears are better than mine did you hear that sound?" I said tilting my head sideways to look at my partner. Pikachu squeaked in response and lead us to a clearing not too far ahead of us, that was just off the path we were following. In the center of this clearing was a flat stone, on which sat a Pokemon. Once I saw it, I instantly recognized it as a Charmander.

It was in horrible shape. Enough so that I almost panicked. But then I remembered there was supposed to be a Pokemon Center not too far from where we currently were. Charmander was acting slightly defensive, so without getting too close I examined him and realized just getting him to the Pokemon Center would only aggravate his injuries.

"Charmander, I don't know why you're so set on staying right here, but please let me patch you up a bit" I spoke softly as I pulled out a few supplies. Charmander gave me a small nod and I healed him to the best of my abilities. Sadly while I started working it began raining. While he was in better shape once I was done, he was not in a condition where he would survive staying out in the rain.

"I don't know why you want to stay here, but with the shape your in this rain will kill you. I can't let that happened," I started talking to him as I pulled a blanket out of my bag and wrapped him up "Even if you hate me for this, I have to do everything I can to save your life." Picking him up I asked Pikachu to keep Charmander's tail dry and booked it for the Pokemon Center.

Unfortunately as I burst through the door I saw a young man I remembered from Pallet town. One that I hated because he was arrogant and uncaring. His name was Damian, and upon seeing him I knew what happened with Charmander. If my hands weren't full and I wasn't worried about Charmander living I would have punched him square in the face especially after hearing him talk about how he left Charmander behind and secretly released him just so he wouldn't have a "weak" Pokemon.

Knowing how hurt Charmander was emotionally after hearing that I quickly handed him over to Nurse Joy and explained the situation. She rushed him into treatment and I sat down to wait while Brock called professor Oak and told him about what just happened.

One hour later

Nurse Joy came over and told me that thanks to my bringing him here, Charmander would live. She said she placed him in his own room for now and offered to let me see him. Nodding my head, I stood and followed her to the room. Before opening the door I let Bulbasaur and Squirtle out of their Pokeballs. I told them about Charmander and asked them to speak with him, getting confident nods

from the two of them.

A short while later both of them called me using our aura bonds. I entered the room and gave Charmander a smile. I was surprised when Squirtle grabbed my hand and pulled it to Charmander, but I let him do it. Once my hand made contact I felt Charmander flare his aura a bit and realized they wanted me to make an aura bond with him as well. Quickly making an Aura bond with Charmander I smiled.

'Bulbasaur and Squirtle have told me a lot about you. They say they've been with you a day but that with how friendly and open you are it feels like it's been years. They claim you are worthy of trust and proved that your different from other trainers, taking them in and being a friend for them. After hearing about how you can make aura bonds I wanted to make one and ask if you'd show me why they trust you' Charmander told me mentality. I just smiled and opened myself to him.

After a few moments he asked me to take him with me, and help him grow strong enough to prove Damian wrong. I patted him on the head and welcomed him to the team, before standing up and telling him to get some rest.

A few days later

We stuck around the Pokemon Center waiting for Charmander to heal. I used that time to get to know him better and train my team more. Though a few days in both Zubat and Nidorino asked to go to the ranch so they could do some training with Beedrill again. I sent both of them over and Pigeotto begged to come back so I let her. But today was the day Nurse Joy told me Charmander was healed enough to leave. I'm only allowed to let Charmander do a slight work out every other day until he's fully healed in a week.

Thankfully Charmander was okay with it since he was still allowed to do small things. At least he was until he learned we'd be in Vermilion city before the day was over, which means he wouldn't be allowed to take part in the gym battle. Before we left the Pokemon Center I remembered to scan him with the Pokedex.

"Charmander, the lizard Pokemon. A flame burns on the tip of its tale from birth. Charmander will die if the flame ever goes out. This Charmander is male. It's ability is Blaze. It knows the moves Scratch, Ember, Dragon Rage, Bite, and Metal Claw. It's egg move Flare Blitz hasn't been activated yet." The Pokedex informed us making me wonder what the hell Damian was doing if he thought Charmander was weak, but I pushed it to the back of my mind so we could continue on our way to Vermilion.

After a few hours we made it Vermilion and approached the Pokemon Center. I was feeling bad for Charmander not getting to train even a little bit, so I decided to take three days to train. This way he'd be able to train twice before I challenged Lt. Surge at the Vermilion gym, even though Charmander wasn't going to be in the battle.

ON HAND:

1. Pikachu (m) 2. Bulbasaur (f) 3. Squirtle (f) 4. Charmander (m) 5. Pigeotto (f)

AT THE RANCH:

1. Gyarados (f) 2. Beedrill (m) 3. Nidorino (m) 4. Zubat (m)