"Look, out in the distance, I think that's my dad's boat!" Brendan said excitedly. "Ashton?" Brendan said, looking behind him to see Ash wasn't there.
Back in the Pokemon Center, Ash and Pikachu were still completely passed out, laying on top of one another in a mess of blankets.
"I guess he'll miss out." Brendan said, rushing to the docks.
"Brendan, it's good to see you. How have you been?" Professor Birch said.
"I've been good dad, caught a few Pokemon too." Brendan said. "A Seedot, a Ralts, and a Aron."
"Wonderful to hear. Where's Ash by the way? I thought the two of you were traveling together." Professor Birch said.
"Oh, he's probably still asleep back at the Pokemon Center." Brendan said, realizing it was very likely where Ash was.
"So, why did you ask me out here again?" Professor Birch asked.
"Well, something happened to my Seedot, and I was curious if you had any idea what it meant." Brendan said.
"Sure, let me see what we're looking at." Professor Birch said.
"Seedot, come on out." Brendan said.
Professor Birch kneeled down next to Seedot, taking a look at the grass type's shell.
"Well, I see what you're worried about." Professor Birch said.
"What do you think it is?" Brendan asked.
Professor Birch ran a finger through the yellow goop, before then licking his finger.
"Well, it's not sap." Professor Birch said, standing up.
"Why'd you eat it then?" Brendan asked.
"For science." Professor Birch said. "Not to worry though, it likely isn't poisonous."
"But what about Seedot, what does it mean?" Brendan asked.
"I'm not sure. I talked with a few colleagues before coming here, and it hasn't been fully recorded before now." Professor Birch said, thinking. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to stick around for a while, and maybe take a sample of the substance."
"I mean, as long as Seedot is okay with it, and you don't try eating it again." Brendan said.
"What are we eating?" Ash asked.
"Neither this sap, or your cooking." Brendan said. "I suppose I can cook some breakfast this time."
"You must be a master cook, after all the time you spent with your mother." Professor Birch said.
A bit later
"Brendan." Ash said, looking down at what had been their breakfast.
"Yeah." Brendan sighed.
"Never make fun of my cooking again." Ash said. Their breakfast was supposed to be eggs and toast, was now a cindery mess.
"Yeah, we might need to figure out something better for food." Brendan said.
"It's a good thing I was able to procure these." Professor Birch said, bringing out three instant breakfasts.
"Thanks Professor." Ash said.
"Thanks dad." Brendan said at the same time.
After breakfast
"So, lets do some training now with Seedot." Brendan said excitedly.
"So you're looking for training?" A girl said.
The three turned around to see a girl in a black and blue gi with short blonde hair.
"Yeah, are you hoping for a battle with me?" Brendan asked.
"Yeah, I saw your battle against Brawly, and I'd like to see how you've improved since then." The girl said. "The names Greta by the way."
"Nice to meet you Greta." Brendan said. "Are you good with a one on one battle?"
"Sounds good to me." Greta said.
"I'll act as the judge for this battle." Ash said. "Just to make sure no one gets hurt."
"Well then, let's do this Seedot." Brendan said.
"Come on out, Umbreon!" Greta said. "Use Body Slam!"
"Seedot use Bide!"
Umbreon slammed into Seedot, causing him to spin backwards.
"Umbreon use Body Slam again!"
"Seedot, hold the energy in!"
Umbreon pounced on Seedot, digging it into the sand.
"Seedot!" Brendan exclaimed.
"Umbreon use Faint Attack!"
Umbreon waved its tail, sending a dark energy at Seedot, a loud crack echoing from Seedot.
"Seedot is unable to battle, the winner is.." Ash paused, seeing a glow coming from the hole Seedot was in.
A figure leapt out of the hole, landing on the sand without displacing a grain of sand.
"What in the?" Brendan asked.
"Seedot, he evolved." Ash commented.
'Nuzleaf, the Wily Pokemon, a grass and dark type Pokemon. A forest dwelling Pokemon that is skilled at climbing trees. It's long and pointed nose is it's weak point. It loses power if the nose is gripped.' Brendan's Pokédex explained,
"Well then, lets try one of your new moves." Brendan said. "Nuzleaf use Fake Out!
"Umbreon use Confuse Ray!"
Nuzleaf sped forward, striking Umbreon quickly before it was able to attack.
"Umbreon switch back to Body Slam!"
"Nuzleaf use Nature Power!"
The leaf atop of Nuzleaf's head changed color to that of the sand, and the ground began to shake, flipping Umbreon onto it's back.
"Nuzleaf use Bullet Seed!"
"Umbreon use Feint Attack!"
A series of seeds launched out at Umbreon, knocking the dark type to the ground once more, not getting back up this time.
"Umbreon is unable to battle, the winner is Nuzleaf!" Ash declared when Umbreon still wasn't moving.
"Way to go Nuzleaf!" Brendan declared. "That was a great battle Greta."
"Good work to you as well, you've clearly been training since your match against Brawly." Greta said. "Well, I should be going. Scott is expecting me back in Kanto."
"Scott?" Ash asked, thinking of his photographer friend.
"Kanto? Don't you live here?" Brendan asked.
"Scott, he… well he manages a series of facilities called the Battle Frontier, each place with their own Frontier Brain, like myself." Greta said.
"Are they anything like gym leaders?" Brendan asked.
"No, we're much worse. You managed to win because Umbreon here is my favorite Pokémon, but not one meant for my facility." Greta said.
"Boys, take a look at this." Professor Birch said, looking at a small hole.
"Is that, Seedot?" Ash asked, looking at the shell of the Pokemon cracked wide open on the ground.
"Incredible, I've never seen this information recorded before now.'' Professor Birch said in surprise. "If it's okay with you. I would like to take this back to the lab to study."
"Go for it, I've got Nuzleaf now." Brendan said excitedly, still hugging Nuzleaf. "And tomorrow, I'm taking on the gym again."
Brendan's Current Team and their moves
Mudkip: Tackle - Mud Slap - Water Gun
Nuzleaf: Bide - Fake Out - Bullet Seed - Nature Power
Taillow: Peck - Focus Energy - Quick Attack - Wing Attack
Aron: Tackle - Iron Defense
