Alright, I decided came up with this story a while ago, I decided to use a combination of Ash helping a legendary/mythical plus Ash learning to get serious right before the league. Now Ash will catch a few more Pokémon before the league, but my question is do you want Ash to get Haunter back or perhaps catch the Gengar he catches in Pokémon Journey instead? According to Bulbapedia that Gengar was abandoned three years before Journeys. But I can always rewrite the timeline, speaking of Pokémon for Journeys, do you want Ash to also catch that same Dragonite. Do you want Primeape to make a return? Let me know.

It was a sunny in Pallet Town as young boy and his Pikachu were walking around, looking for something interesting to do. This was Ash Ketchum, who's dream it was it become a Pokémon Master. Along the way with his partner Pikachu, they caught several teammates, and made several friends. Right now Misty and Brock were doing some surfing, while Ash was supposed to being training for the Indigo League. However, Ash instead decide to explore the forest surrounding Pallet Town.

"Man, it sure feels great out here, right Pikachu?" He asked.

"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered.

As they walked through, a loud noise in the distance caught their attention in the distance. Running towards the sound Ash and Pikachu, managed to find the source of the sound. It was a bipedal feline Pokémon. It had primarily white and bluish-grey fur, the were black zig-zag stripe on each of its legs, and two on each of its arms. There were small yellow tuffs of fur on its chest, and head. The Pokémon was panting as its fending off two other Pokémon. Ash recognized one of Pokémon holding the bone to be a Marowak. The other was looked like a living sarcophagus, with four black arms coming out of it.

Behind them was a man with a wicked smiled on his face. Grabbing his blaster, he fired a net towards the white furred Pokémon. The Pokémon avoided the net, before its claws length increased. It slashed out several times shredding the net into several pieces.

"Whoa. A Fury Swipes attack." Ash said, recognizing the move.

Knowing that Pokémon was up against a poacher, as decided to help it out.

"Pikachu Thunderbolt." Ash commanded.

"Pika…. Chu!" Pikachu shouted, as it unleashed the electric attack, towards the unknown sarcophagus Pokémon. However, its attack was suddenly redirected as it made its way towards Marowak. The attack struck Marowak, as it glowed yellow. The poacher didn't look happy seeing someone interrupt him.

"Get out kid." He warned Ash.

Ash stood his ground not moving an inch, and took out one of his Pokéball. The Pokémon the poacher was after looking at Ash for a moment not letting its guard down. Tossing his Pokéball a small blue turtle came out.

"Squirtle." It cried out.

"I'll make you regret this kid!" The poacher growled out.

"Marowak focus on Zeraora, Cofagrigus take care of that's kids Pokémon." He muttered darkly.

"Marowak!" Marowak grunted at it went after the Pokémon called Zeraora.

"Cofagrigus!" Cofagrigus cackled. It grinned menacingly.

"Pikachu try Thunderbolt again!" Ash ordered.

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out, as it launched another Thunderbolt.

However, once again the attack redirected towards the Marowak.

"Why isn't it working." Ash questioned, still in shock.

"Ha, ha, ha!' The poacher cackled. "You really are an amateur. If you were smart, you would have realized my Marowak has the Lightning Rod ability."

"Ability, what that? Some kind of attack?" Ash question.

"You really are a noob; this will be easier than I thought." The poacher grinned.

"Oh yeah, well see about that." Ash countered. "Squirtle use Water Gun."

"Squirtle!" The Turtle Pokémon called out, as it fired a stream of water.

"Please, Cofagrigus use Shadow Ball." The poacher countered.

"Cofa!" Cofagrigus called out, as it fired a purplish-black orb towards Squirtle. The attack easily overpowered the Water Gun and crashed into Squirtle sending it back.

"Oh no Squirtle!" Ash cried out.

Taking the opportunity, Cofagrigus took the opportunity to fire another Shadow Ball attack. The attack sent Pikachu flying back as well.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried out in concern.

Looking back at the Pokémon ahead of him, Ash clenched his hands. It was too powerful for Squirtle and Pikachu, and the only Pokémon he had that fend it would listen to him. Still had didn't have much of a choice.

"Charizard, I choose you." Ash called out, his misbehaving fire-type. "Charizard, use Flamethrower on that Cofagrigus."

Charizard, who had been laying on its side, merely side-glance the Pokémon before snorting, going back to sleep. Ash sighed, even in an emergency Charizard wouldn't listen. However, the Cofagrigus didn't enjoyed being dismissed and launched another Shadow Ball at the sleeping lizard. The Shadow Ball created an explosion, and Charizard roared in roared in anger, after getting attacked. More than willing to fight, Charizard fired a Flamethrower towards it. Seeing the attack, Cofagrigus's eyes glowed blue, as a blue aura surrounded the Flamethrower, and redirected back.

"Charizard dodge that!" Ash called out.

However, Charizard ignored Ash's orders, as it stood its ground only to be knocked down by its opponent. A part, of Ash wanted to cry, no matter what Charizard refused to listen to him. But he kept himself from doing so, after all there were more important matters. Since Charizard was now taking that Cofagrigus's attention, he could help out that Zeraora. Pikachu and Squirtle had managed to regain themselves a rejoin Ash. They were covered with dirt, and a few scrapes and bruises, but they were still willing to go.

"Okay, Charizard is battling that other Pokémon let's help, Zeraora deal with Marowak." Ash said, taking his Pokédex, wanting to know more about it.

Marowak, a Bone Keeper Pokémon. Despite its small size, its offensive and defensive strength is impressive.

"Okay Pikachu use Quick Attack. Then Squirtle use Water Gun." Ash began.

Pikachu darted forwards with a white streak of light following behind. Marowak noticed the incoming threat but was too late to respond. Pikachu slammed into its stomach, and chest at follow force knocking the wind out of it. Pikachu then moved to the side, as Squirtle's Water Gun struck Marowak. Marowak grunted in pain, as the poacher growled out in anger. Meanwhile Charizard and Cofagrigus intense battle continued, Charizard managed to land a few hits, but things took a turn for the worse, when it tried to use a Seismic Toss. Cofagrigus fazed out of Charizard's grasp and struck Charizard with a series of rings encased in dark energy. Zeraora, who now had a chance to catch its breath, was in shock seeing the young trainer protecting him. It knew this was its best chance to escape, however it didn't feel to abandon the boys who was trying to protect it.

"That's it I've had enough, Marowak and Cofagrigus use Hyper Beam."

Grunting, both Pokémon creating an orange beam before firing.

"Dodge that!" Ash shouted out in concern.

Unfortunately, his Pikachu and Squirtle were to slow. The beam struck them crashing into a tree, both taking major damage. Charizard attempted to block the Hyper Beam with a Flamethrower, but it was no use. The attack tore through the Flamethrower sending Charizard crashing through a large boulder, leaving Charizard in major pain.

"Pikachu, Charizard, Squirtle!" Ash shouted out in concern.

The three struggled to stand up, but kept falling down. It was clear they were in pain, and need medical attention quickly. Grabbing his last two Pokéballs Ash released his Bulbasaur, and Pidgeotto. Both Bulbasaur and Pidgeotto looked around in confusion before the shook to see their friends hurt.

"Quick Bulbasaur use Razor Leaf, on the Marowak. Pidgeotto use Wing Attack on the Cofagrigus." Ash continued.

Bulbasaur unleashed a fury of leaves the smacked in Marowak who grunted in discomfort. Pidgeotto wings glowed as it slammed into Cofagrigus making it wince a bit. Ash gritted his teeth, their attacks weren't as much damage as he hoped. Still they had to keep fighting.

"Roar!" Zeraora roared out, as it charged towards the Marowak as its sent its fist forwards, as green energy swirled around it. It struck the Marowak sending it flying back, crashing into the ground. Then Zeraora glowed green as some of its wounds healed. It then rushed towards Cofagrigus, ramming its foot into it, as it was covered in flames. Cofagrigus flew back, as it hit the ground. Zeraora, then bent over as it was taking in several deep breaths.

"Grrrr, get up you two." The poacher growled out.

Marowak managed get back first, since it had taken the least amount of damage. Cofagrigus was taking longer to get up, since it was still recovering to Charizard's hit, and as Zeraora's.

"Bulbasaur try a Solar Beam, and Pidgeotto use Gust." Ash called out.

"Marowak, use Flamethrower then Bone Rush." The poacher counted.

As Pidgeotto closed in on Marowak, it countered by releasing a torrent of flames from its mouth. The attack struck Pidgeotto sending crashing into the ground.

"Now take out Bulbasaur use Bonemerang!" The poacher called out.

Throwing its bone club, it quickly made its way towards Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur was still gathering sunlight for the Solar Beam. But before the bone could make contact, Squirtle rushed in to save his friend. As Squirtle dashed forward, a swirling vortex of water surrounded it. Spinning around Squirtle smashed it new move on to the bone as the two struggled to overpower the other.

"Come on Squirtle you can do it!" Ash encouraged.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle grunted as he managed to deflect the bone into the ground.

However, Cofagrigus managed to recover enough to take to launch another Shadow Ball. Despite retreating into its shell for a Withdraw, the damage was too much as Squirtle fell unconscious. Thankfully, Bulbasaur's Solar Beam finished charging as he fired it. Marowak attempted to dodge it, but it was too late. The massive beam struck its chest sending it back. Taking its own opportunity Zeraora struck Marowak with a flaming foot. Despite the two opponents taking massive damaged, neither were ready to give in yet. Looking at his own Pokémon, except for Bulbasaur who hadn't take a hit yet, and Pidgeotto who only took one, they were in bad shape and needed help, not to mention Zeraora as well.

"Bulbasaur use Sleep Powder, Pidgeotto use Gust to spread it." Ash called out wanting to end this quickly as possible.

"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur grunted at he released a white power.

"Pidgooo!' Pidgeotto cawed as it released a light breeze that spreading it to the three opponents.

As the spores spread each of their opponents fell fast asleep. Despite winning, Ash knew now wasn't the time to celebrate, his Pokémon were hurt not to mention he still need to tie up the hunter. Looking his back he had rope, but no potions. He winced he wished Brock was here.

"Pidgeotto, I want you and Bulbasaur to go get Prof. Oak, and bring him back here." Ash informed them.

Nodding, Bulbasaur hoped on Pidgeotto, before it took off heading to the corral. Sighing, Ash walked over the hunter, taking his two Pokéballs and return his two Pokémon before they had a chance to wake up. One done he began tying the Poacher up. Once that was done, he looks over to Pikachu, Squirtle, and Charizard. Pikachu was covered in dirt and bruises, while Squirtle has the same and small cracks on its shell. Charizard was cover in bruises and even had a nasty gash. Ash held back the tears that threaten to come out, he had to be strong for them.

Trying to put himself in Brock's shoes he tried to remember some of the things Brock taught him, when dealing with a Pokémon who is hurt. I didn't remember much, but did recall was you needed to remain calm. Taking couple of deep breaths, he did his best to remain calm, now the next thing he remember was the was an Oran Berry could help a Pokémon regain its strength. However, he didn't remember what it looked like. But maybe he could look it up on the Pokédex. Taking it out, he began looking through it hoping to find something. Finally, he found a photo of them, his eyes widen, he recognized the berry, his mom and him would come out to collect some and feed them to the Pokémon in Oak's corral.

Taking off, he went to the spot where they could be found. Thankfully there they were, as he got closer he noticed a small little brown Pokémon by the bushes. It was a Eevee, if it were for the situation, he might have tried to catch the little Pokémon. Finally noticing him, Eevee crouched down on all fours, it looked like it wanted to battle.

"Look I'm not here to battle, I need some of those berried, my Pokémon were hurt, and those Oran Berries will make them feel better. So please, may I grab some for them?" He pleaded.

This caught Eevee off guard, as it looked at Ash with hesitation. Looking at Ash then the bushes, Eevee then step back.

Ash's eyes widen, "Thank you Eevee, I promise to leave some thank you some much." He thanked the fluffy Pokémon.

Grabbing several, Ash made sure to leave several for Eevee. He then raced back towards his Pokémon. As Ash ran back, Eevee looked towards Ash's direction, it began running after the trainer with curiosity.

As Ash made it back to the camp, his eyes widen in horror as he saw Team Rocket, trying to place his unconscious Pokémon in nets along with the Zeraora.

"Team Rocket!" He yelled out.

"Oh well if it isn't the twerp." The red headed woman known as Jessie said.

Instinctively he reached for his belt, but his eyes widen when he realized he didn't have anybody left. He clenched his fist tightly, he wished he left Bulbasaur hear, or he had his Krabby or even on of his many Tauros with him.

"Him looks like the twerp his no back." The blue haired man, James said.

"In that case let's make are get away." Meowth cheered pressing a button.

Soon their balloon began filling with air, but before they could take off, several stars appeared and tore holes through the balloon. The balloon exploded, causing the trio to face plant into the dirt. Looking back Ash say the same Eevee from earlier.

"Eevee, you did that?" He asked.

Eevee happily nodded.

"Thank you so much." He thanked the little Pokémon scratching its head, who happily barked.

"Hey what the big idea!" Jessie growled out.

"Well look what twerp has the there." James said, notice the new comer.

"Look, like an Eevee." Jessie said.

"If we give that to the boss, and along with rest of these Pokémon, well be wallowing in dough." Meowth added.

But before they could try anything, Ash asked Eevee to hit them again, who happily listen. This time Eevee fired a purplish-black orb sending the trio flying.

"Team Rocket is blasting off again!" The trio cried out.

After thanking Eevee for its, he began feeding the Oran Berry to his Pokémon, and Zeraora the Oran Berries he collected. The berries began their work, as many of the Pokémon small wounds were healed. They all woke up and grunted in pain, as Ash did his best to keep them still.

"Pidgeo!" Ash headed he Pidgeotto cawed out.

Looking up, Ash saw his Pidgeotto, and Bulbasaur coming back with Prof. Oak who was riding his massive Charizard. Once the Professor landed Ash quickly explained the situation. The Professor had a massive scowl, once he saw the poacher. Thankfully the Professor also brought his Dragonite. The massive dragon had yellow scales, and two small antennae on the top of its head. The professor told Dragonite to watch over the poacher while they take the Pokémon to get treatment, and contact Officer Jenny.

Before returning his Pokémon, Ash could help but pat both of the Professor's Pokémon on the head, after it had been a long time since they had seen them. Returning his team, he picked up Pikachu while the Professor's Charizard carried Zeraora. They brought them back to the lab for treatment. Eevee also decided to tag along. Awhile later, Dragonite returned, as Officer Jenny showed up, she informed them that the poacher that had been taking into custody. She also thanked Ash a rewarded him with a Fire Stone, saying it was a thank you for not only catching the poacher, but also for help her family across the region.

With everything taken care off, Ash waited along with Eevee for his Pokémon to recover. Pidgeotto and Bulbasaur were the first to recover and joined the two. While waiting Ash asked Eevee if it wanted to join his team who happily agreed. After catching Eevee and letting it out, he began reflecting, in one day he nearly lost his Pokémon, and failed to save another. Clenching his fist, he decided he was going learn from this, and truly change his ways. He was going to better himself, not only for his Pokémon, and his dream, but to save other Pokémon from any poacher he came across.

Alright let me know watch you think of this story. Ash will be a better trainer, and catch more Pokémon.