Greetings everyone, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's, Johto Journey. Before we begin, I shall apologize about the last chapter if anyone was creeped out or felt like it was dark. I wanted to make it sound like what Damian would do and say. While he won't be shown more in the story until the league, his presence is known throughout the story. And trust me, the Pokemon he has abandoned hasn't even begun to make their appearance, not just the ones in this chapter. With that said, let's get this chapter going, shall we?
Chapter 25: The Pokemon Rangers and the abandoned Pokemon
'For Pokespeech
"For Human Speech
We joined our heroes as they made their way through the forest as they heard about the preservation area where many of Damian's Pokemon were being held for safety and being taken care of.
"I hope that we can go into this place. I mean, the Pokemon Rangers aren't easy to reason with," Misty said to the group. Casey was in deep thought as Misty noticed. "Huh? What is it, Casey?"
"Oh, it's just I have a cousin that is a member of the Rangers, just not sure if this is his division of work?" Casey said to Misty. "But given how Ash has his former Charizard, I think that is enough, but I'm not sure if he wants to see his old teammates?"
"I asked Charizard that before we left the Pokemon Center the other day, and he said that the ones that Damian has are the only ones that he doesn't like the rest he was fine with. Umbreon, on the other hand, rather be not around them as he has worse memories with them than Charizard does," Ash said to Casey.
Casey would say something as she heard a voice calling her name. "Hey, Casey. Is that you? I heard that you were coming this way," A young brown-haired Pokemon Ranger was walking towards the group.
"Hey, Cailin. Yeah, my friends and I were hoping to visit the Preservation, but we don't know if that'll be okay with your division, that is," Casey asked her cousin, who was skeptical about Ash and the others. "These are my friends Ash, Misty, and Brock," Casey was interrupted by Cailin when Casey mentioned their names.
"Ah, I was told about you three and how you were helping Damian's Pokemon that were abandoned prior. My name is Cailin, second in command of the Pokemon Rangers in this part of Johto. Sure, you can come, but only Charizard can come in. I do hear that you have an Eevee and Pineco of his?" Cailin introduced and asked.
"Yeah, Eevee is now an Umbreon, who is now taking care of one of his latest victims, a Growlithe back at Professor Oaks ranch," Ash explained to Cailin as the group was entering the facility who nodded at this.
"Word about that hasn't gotten to me just yet? Must've happened recently?" Cailin said that Ash explained that it happened the other day as Ash lets out Charizard, who knew where he was and was prepared to see who left the team.
Cailin opened the doors to the Preservation as many Pokemon were being taken care of. Most were Kanto Pokemon from Dodrio to Kangaskhan and a few Johto Pokemon. Ash and the others were amazed by this. It was as if Damian had owned almost half the Pokedex in Kanto that was here.
On the other hand, Charizard recognized many of them. As one of the Pokemon noticed the group, a young Maril looked at the group and was very shy but seemed interested in one of them. A Kangaskhan was overseeing many Pokemon and noticed the group and Charizard as she recognized the Charmander she used to keep safe on the team.
'Oh, my Charmander, is that you? Have you grown since the last time since I've last seen you?' Kangaskhan greeted Charizard, who was scratching the back of his neck by what she was saying.
'Yeah, it's me, Kang," Charizard said to Kangaskhan before tuning to the group. 'Kangaskhan here used to be the one who kept Damian off a lot of us. She's more of a supporter and healer than a battler. She rather takes care of Pokemon than take part in a battle. She's like a mother to many of us but," Charizard was interrupted by Kangaskhan.
'But I prefer to be more an Aunt than a mother figure, but it's nice to meet all of you. Charizard should know many of the Pokemon that are here. Sadly your brother isn't one of them,' Kangaskhan said to Charizard, who sighed at this.
'He's the Dragonite that you saw the other day. If you want more about my family, we'll have to see a few of my siblings later down the road until then. I can explain the ones I know,' Charizard explains to the group.
Ash and the others were walking around the Preservation Cailin was talking. "I will say this that many of them rather not be with trainers sadly, no matter how much we can reform them, only a small handful of them are more scared of humans and being raised by those like Damian. If you want to have one on your team, you can try? But I highly doubt that they'll join," Cailin said.
"If they want to join, that is fine, but if they don't, that is fine as well," Brock said. "Sadly, I think that I have enough on the team for now, not sure about Misty and Ash," Brock said, trying to respect the other Pokemon's wishes. Cailin nodded at this.
Charizard noticed a Dodrio from before. 'Well, Doduo been a while,' Charizard said to Dodrio, who turned Charizard who recognized him. 'Charmander, I heard that you were with a new trainer? So this is your trainer. Nice to meet you?' Dodrio said nicely.
'Dodrio here was the last Pokemon that joined the team before Damian abandoned me. He was the Pokemon that I struggled to beat that led to me being where I am now,' Charizard explains.
"Realy? From what I've heard, it was a Bellsprout that did that?" Misty said as she was interrupted. 'One of the reasons that is, Misty not the other way around,' Charizard corrected Misty.
'Either way Charizard. I sadly don't plan on being with a trainer right now, but there was talk about Kang wanting to be with a trainer but not to battle,' Dodrio said to Charizard, who was taken aback by this. Ash noted this as he thought that this might help with Growlithe. Charizard noticed that Ash was thinking that same thing and turned to Ash.
'We can ask her about this before we leave. Ash gave me another half-hour here. I' Charizard was interrupted by Ash. "You don't need my permission Charizard. Take your time. These are your former "Friends" if you can call it and ask if any would like to join us, we'll be happy to help, but if they don't, that's fine. We'll respect that as well," Ash said to Charizard, who nodded at this.
Ash and the others were walking around. Misty noticed the young Marill earlier that was interested Misty, not Ash. Misty calmly walked over to the young Marill and reached out to her. "Hey, hey, don't be scared. I won't hurt you. Why don't you come on out?" Misty calmly asked the young Marill, who walked out to Misty. 'Y-you promise that you won't hurt me?' Marill asked Misty, who nodded at this. 'Okay!' Marill said enthusiastically. It's both shy and happy simultaneously, not as bad as Growlithe was but was slightly better.
Misty picked her up and petted her head as a small purr came from her. "That Marill was the most recent to come here. She was on the verge of tears when we first met her. She was doing her best from what we heard, and then suddenly she was dumped here? Maybe you can take care of her. She loves to battle and loves to play," Cailin said to Misty, who looked at the young Marill, whose tail wags a bit.
"Well, I am a gym leader who specializes in water types, so I'll be happy to take you in little Marill. And I promise you this you'll get some good battles in and attention you deserve just don't go to waterworks on me please?" Misty asked Marill, who nodded at this. 'I'll try to, but you got a deal,' Marill said to Misty.
Misty pulled out a Pokeball and tapped Marill, who was sucked in and was caught, as Charizard was coming towards the group with Kangaskhan in tow. 'So this girl caught the young Marill, I see. She'll be a good member for your team,' Kangaskhan turned Ash. 'Charizard filled me in on what is going on, and I am willing to help you and any help that not only your Pokemon but others back in the ranch at no cost at all,' Kangaskhan said to Ash.
"Let me guess in return. You won't be taking in any battles, right that does sound fair given that Kangaskhan isn't normally known to be fighters unless provoked," Ash asked which she nodded at this. 'You are correct young man. I was mainly the peacekeeper of the team before Damian had no more use for me, and right now, the Pokemon here is past my help, so yes, I am willing to join your team, Ash' Kangaskhan said to Ash, who nodded at this.
"Welcome, aboard and if it's too much for you? You can," Ash was interrupted by Kangaskhan. 'No more releasing is needed on my end, Ash? I knew Growlithe before Damian put her into this situation. This is what I need if I must battle, I won't hesitate to do so, but I would rather be on the sidelines helping than battling,' Kangaskhan said to Ash, who shook his head.
"No need we made a deal so you can still freely do whatever you want and still help the team out," Ash said before Kang toughed the Pokeball that he had planned for her to be caught in as she was sucked in and was caught and sent to Professor Oaks lab instantly.
The group was heading their way out of the Preservation. "See you, cuz, and as for the rest of you, if you see any more, please don't hesitate to help them out. Damian may only have seven more Pokemon on him, but who knows what else he left abandoned for reasons," Cailin said to Casey and the others.
"We will, and don't worry about it," The group said to Cailin as they left for the next town on the way to Ecruteak City.
An unexpected detour now gave the group two new Pokemon for the team, one for helping out Ash's Pokemon back in Professor Oaks lab and Misty's as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, man that chapter was short but fun to do. Yes, that Marill is Misty's now. I felt like she should have gotten one a while back, not the Azuril that replaced Togepi a season later. As for Kangaskhan, yes, it's more of a support Pokemon than a Pokemon that Ash will be using. Wolfy1000 requested it. Shoutouts to him for that request. She will come in handy in helping the Growlithe and the other Pokemon at the ranch. With that said, the request captures are just kept coming. This time Pidgeot and Murkrow are involved in the next chapter. See you next time with a new capture.
