Ash and his friends had finally made it to the nearby Pokemon center that was built into the pokemon stadium itself.
Ash was quick to burst into the room by ramming his shoulder, swinging the room wide open. He was carrying Pikachu, while Dawn was right behind him carrying Buneary, who was still bleeding.
"Nurse Joy! Hurry! Buneary is hurt!" Ash begged in a great panic.
Nurse Joy turned from the pokemon she was assisting, only to raise her palm to hold in her gasp.
She saw how bloody Buneary's arm looked and the blood that was dripping from her head
"Oh… No! Come! Bring her in right away!"
It was late in the afternoon by this point and it was nearing nightfall.
The clock ticked slowly….
Ash, Dawn, and Brock sat in the waiting room. Their heads were low. They were all deeply worried
However, none of them were as worried as Pikachu….
Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Vulpix were sitting on the floor near Pikachu. They were all near the door to the operating room.
Where Buneary was taken into.
Pikachu was in a dark place as he was staring at this door, awaiting any sign of the one he loved, in which he knew was on the other side of this door.
All his fellow pokemon watched Pikachu with concern and with deep empathy.
Everyone was worried for him as they waited for Nurse Joy to return.
All they could do was wait at this point.
Pikachu's eyes were locked to this door. He just couldn't forgive himself for this.
He had failed her…..
He let her suffer….
He wasn't strong enough…..
Many dark and depressing thoughts began to spiral into this young Pikachu's mind.
He hated himself….
"Pikachu…." Vulpix slightly called. However, it seemed pointless. Pikachu wasn't responding to anything from his kind friends. They had been trying to ease his deep sorrow.
But they knew he wouldn't rest until he knew Pikachu's love was going to be alright.
….. All they could do was wait.
After a few hours the doorknob to the operating room turned, causing Pikachu's ears to twitch. He looked up with his watery eyes.
The door slowly opened.
In unison, Ash, Dawn, and Brock stood up at the same time.
Soon they saw Nurse Joy slowly walk out of the operating room. She took a deep sigh, as she exited the room taking off her used latex gloves.
She slowly turned to the awaiting trainers. Since Pikachu was already near her, Dawn was the first to step forward.
"H-How is she Nurse Joy…?" Dawn asked desperately, seeking answers. Ash stepped up right after.
"Is she going to be okay?" Ash asked with the same amount of desperation and concern.
Pikachu was staring up at the nurse. His heart sank so deep. He was so scared for the one he loved.
The nurse sweetly smiled at everyone in the room.
"... Do not worry… Buneary is going to recover just fine ..." Nurse Joy confirmed for them, easing only a bit of their fear. She tucked her hands gently together. "However,... We had to pop her arm back into place and we gave her a few stitches to seal her head wound…"
Everyone seemed to be silent. They were glad to hear that Buneary would recover.
… But it just didn't make any of them feel much better. So they remained silent for a moment.
"So…. She's…. going to be okay?" Brock asked, being the one to finally break the silence.
Nurse Joy shuffled her feet a bit. She seemed to be tired.
"Yes…. But …. She will have to rest, and take it easy for a while…. She shouldn't do anything that could use her arm or put strain on her…" Nurse Joy informed them slowly. Dawn looked down, thinking about this. They were silent for a moment.
Ash was watching Pikachu. Ash could see how much pain his loyal friend was in. He could see it in his eyes, the wetness in his face. Pikachu was even shaking.
Ash slowly knelt by him slowly. He reached out to him and he slowly rubbed the top of Pikachu's head.
"Did you hear that buddy….?" Ash asked him carefully, trying to give his buddy a warm smile. "... Buneary is going to be just fine ..."
Pikachu turned his head so harshly, he removed Ash's hand.
Ash brought his hand back, even more concerned. He examined Pikachu's expression.
He was still crying as he kept his eyes away from everyone. Ash could see his immense pain. Pikachu was beginning to hate himself. Ash could see that anger, and Ash was growing very concerned for his emotional state.
Ash watched his Pokemon cry within this moment, before eventually standing up quietly. He crossed his arms as he turned to Nurse Joy.
"Anyway we can see her…?" Ash asked in a low, sad, but caring voice. Nurse Joy's head perked up a little.
"O-Of course!" Nurse Joy allowed, although her eyes flickered as it gazed toward. "Although…. Buneary fell back asleep…. I would recommend you allow her to get some rest…."
Everyone started to get up. They were eager to see their injured friend. Pikachu however, was already scratching at the door, wanting to get to her as soon as he could.
"Don't worry Nurse Joy… We won't disturb her rest….." Brock reassured her as they approached the door. Pikachu was still pawing at the door as the nurse approached it.
She then turned the knob as she let the poor, desperate pokemon inside.
Pikachu slipped inside. He rushed over, desperate to see his beloved.
But he stopped upon seeing her in the bed she lied in. He saw her, covered in bandages, with a large black cast covering her right arm.
Pikachu stood there, unable to breathe.
….. Unable to approach.
However, he felt a pair of hands grab his side. Ash was picking him up. Pikachu turned to watch Ash lift him up. He carried him to the bed, as he gently set him on top of it.
Pikachu felt his heart quiver in sadness when his mind caught up with him in this utterly depressing experience. He turned from Ash and he turned to Buneary, who seemed to be in a deep sleep.
Pikachu's eyes began to water upon seeing her hurt. He couldn't take it anymore. He shook his head. He let his tears fall. He hated this….
Why her….?
Why this….?
How could this have happened?
Why did he let this happen?
Why was he so weak…?
He felt something within him snap and break. Pikachu shook hard. He shook his head hard. His tears began to soak the sheets below his feet.
"P-... Pika…. P-... Pika…. Pika! …. Pikaaa! ….. PIKAAAA!"
Ash reached for him, but Pikachu ducked unintentionally under his reach and Pikachu hugged Buneary gently. He gripped her with love and gentle care….
…. And he cried hard. He cried his heart out.
All Ash and his friends could do was watch as Pikachu's heart shattered bit by bit.
He did this for the rest of the day, spilling every last tear he had.
Ash, Dawn, Brock, and Ash's pokemon were outside in the waiting room again. They had decided to give Pikachu his time with Buneary. They were silent. They knew watching over Pikachu and Buneary during this time would not be of any help to either of them.
They would be there for them of course….
…. But they just needed time to heal.
Ash was deep in thought, and so were his companions. They had never seen one of their own pokemon suffer like this.
It was unlike anything they had been through before.
…. Sure, they've been hurt. Ash had even died before….
…. But….
Something was just… different about this.
Ash has damaged his pokemon's trust greatly. He knew this, and he knew he would have to make up for this experience he had put Pikachu and Buneary through.
He hated that fact most of all.
…. He knew that this was his fault. He had agreed to challenge that unforgivable gym battle. Ash didn't even think it was worth the trust of his beloved pokemon.
They sat there, listening to the clock tick by very slowly.
It was silent for the most part.
That was when they heard a commotion in the other room that led outside to the lobby.
"But wait! You can't go in there!" They heard Nurse Joy plee. This made Ash and Brock stand up defensively.
"I don't give a damn! I need to talk to him!" They heard a familiar voice yell back. Ash and Brock waited for the door to swing open. Which it eventually did.
They saw Paul open up the door with a determined expression. Ash and Paul stared at each other carefully.
Paul wasn't wearing his dark cloak anymore. He was wearing his blue jeans and a long sleeved purple sweater with a few gray stripes.
"What do you want….?" Brock asked him angrily. Ash however, remained silent. Squirtle and Bulbasaur stood up, ready to attack.
Nurse Joy rushed over to them, behind Paul.
"I-I'm so, so sorry! I- I tried to stop him from disturbing you guys…." Nurse Joy tried to explain in a slight panic.
"Well, then we should just make him lea-!" Brock tried to yell out, holding up a clenched fist.
"It's fine…. He can come in…." Ash suddenly said, interrupting Brock's anger. Dawn, Brock, and Ash's two pokemon turned to Ash with widened eyes.
"But, Ash…!" Dawn tried to express her concerns, but she felt a bit hesitant to do so.
They watched Ash sit back down, with his head really low.
"We've done enough fighting for today….." Ash told his friends, before he turned his head to give Paul a very serious glare. "... Right?"
Paul let go of the door. He paused before he nodded slowly.
"You may go Nurse Joy….. I know you must be busy…." Ash quietly relieved the very caring nurse.
Nurse Joy took a step forward.
"A-Are you sure….?" Nurse Joy asked, wanting to be sure it was okay to return to her work under these circumstances. Ash slowly nodded.
"Yeah…. We'll be okay…. Ash assured her. With this a silence appeared within the quiet air.
Nurse Joy gave them a silent bow, before she turned and left them to speak with Paul.
When the door closed, Paul examined Ash's expression silently. His head was still down. He could tell that Ash was deeply depressed, even though he was successful in their battle.
Paul was beginning to realize how much Ash cared for his pokemon. He would choose them over the league's title faster than a heartbeat.
Paul began to envy this….
"So…. What is it Paul?" Ash asked, without lifting up his head, or shifting his expression.
Paul looked down, trying to find the word's. He felt a deep sorrow about his actions. He knew he wasn't proud of himself anymore.
He now saw the error in his ways…
…. But how was he supposed to tell Ash?
Paul walked slowly to the front of Ash. Ash still didn't lift his head.
This began to frustrate Paul a bit. Paul clenched his teeth tightly and he clenched his teeth.
Then he hit his knees.
Ash looked up to watch Paul put his forehead to the tiled floor after he rested his palms on the floor.
"Ash! I was wrong to make those rules!" Paul began to cry out. His voice was so sad and harsh, they could hear the pain within his heart. "You are indeed the better trainer….! You care about your pokemon so deeply! I could never be like you!"
Ash felt his eyes widen a bit. Ash and his friends never saw Paul cry before.
…. It began to feel a bit surreal.
"I put your pokemon in so much pain in order to prove my own selfish ideals!" Paul continued to cry. "I do not deserve forgiveness… Nor do I deserve the right to call myself a trainer….!"
Everyone watched Paul, not knowing how to feel or how to think. They watched Paul bow before Ash as he sincerely cried.
Paul eventually clenched his fists.
"I…. wish… to be…. more like you…. Ash
…" Paul admitted. They stared silently at Paul's humble apology in silence.
Even Paul was silent. They could tell he was holding back his emotions.
They were quiet as their emotions lingered.
"... Ash …."
Paul slowly lifted himself up a bit, raising one knee. He slowly put a fist to his chest.
"You may….. never forgive me…." Paul stared to express with a shaky voice. "But…. I need you… to teach me your ways….."
Ash's expression shifted. At first it was of surprise, but then it slowly hardened into confusion and anger.
"What do you mean….?" Ash demanded to know, still finding it hard to trust Paul.
Paul slowly clenched both of his fists tightly. He shook with his own anger.
Anger he had … towards himself.
"Teach me….!" Paul begged harshly. He shook so hard that they saw tears fall to the tiled floor. "Let me follow you on your journey….. teach me…. A better way…."
He clenched his wet eyes shut again.
"Teach me how to be strong ….. and how to do it…. With love … " Paul sincerely cried. He could feel the pain and regret in his heart.
….. And Ash and his friends could see it. They let this linger for a little while longer.
Brock crossed his arms slowly, before he decided to finally break the lingering silence.
"And what about the gym…. Aren't you the Gym Leader?" Brock asked, finding it off that Paul would leave with Ash when he still had that opportunity.
Paul shook his head in anger. He looked at him, glaring at him with determination with his saddened eyes.
"I already quit…." Paul didn't hesitate to tell him. Paul's expression fell alongside his gaze as it fell back to the floor. " ….. I ….. I just couldn't bear the thought…. of hurting anyone else….."
Paul closed his eyes. Ash saw something in his expression when he took in a deep breath.
"What I did…. was….. Unforgivable…." Paul admitted. This left the room quiet again. They stood there in the silent waiting room.
This was a long and awkward silence. There was an odd tension in this room.
It was quiet …..
….. Until Ash took a step forward. This made Paul look up, hopeful.
Ash slowly kneeled down to his level.
"So…. You want to join me… and learn how to train Pokemon with care and love…..?" Ash asked him, repeating Paul's desires. Paul scooted a bit closer, turning to him with his knees.
"Yes! Please! I don't want to live with regret!" Paul begged from the bottom of his heart. He was quick to wipe his eyes with his long sleeve. He then took in another deep and shaky breath. "Please…. Show me the way…."
Ash was quiet as they stared, eye to eye. Paul was nervous. He didn't want Ash to turn him down. He needed him….
He wanted to be like Ash….
He wanted to understand more of his kindness and his love for pokemon…
Paul's expression shifted when Ash put his hand forward, presenting an open hand. There was a pause when Paul stared at his opened palm.
"Do you really want to join me on my journey…..?"
Paul clutched onto his jeans tightly. He tried to look determined and serious.
"Yes! Please! ….. I need to… change …."
Ash reached out further with his open palm. Paul looked at it again, wondering what Ash's gesture was.
"Then…. Hand me Lucario…."
Paul looked up with his eyes widened.
"What!? You want my pokemon!? Why!?" Paul asked, shocked by Ash's request. However, Ash wasn't phased by his reaction.
"I'm just going to hold onto him….." Ash reassured quietly. "Until ….. your … ready…. to trust yourself again…."
Paul thought about this for a moment. He hated the idea of handing his pokemon over to someone else. It just didn't feel right. It was something he didn't want to do….
… But….
He did want to change….
Paul slowly reached for his belt. He gripped Lucario's PokeBall slowly. He hesitated, but he eventually took it off his belt.
He slowly handed it to Ash. Ash took his pokemon slowly. He stood up, still watching Paul's expression.
He then held out his other hand, offering his hand to Paul.
"Then let's both get stronger….. together…."
Paul stared at his hand. With hesitation he slowly let himself finally smile. He took Ash's hand.
They gripped each other's hand with confidence as Ash pulled him up.
"... Together….. "
It was later in the night and everyone was asleep in the other room nearby Buneary's room.
This left Pikachu to watch over his beloved as she slept peacefully. Pikachu was standing in her bed as he was watching her.
His emotions had not seized and his hatred towards himself had increased. Buneary had not woken up and Pikachu was having awful thoughts about her recovery.
He couldn't stop crying and his heart hurt too much.
He was angry, depressed, and deeply worried.
Pikachu was in a very dark place…..
….. and he didn't want to pull himself out of it.
There was only one person in the room with them. It was Vulpix. She was worried for Buneary as well. To Vulpix, Buneary was her very best friend. She was waiting in this room for her recovery as well. However, it being so late at night, Vulpix had fallen asleep on the nearby chair.
Only Pikachu was awake in this room. He was staring at Buneary hard, contemplating his options.
He felt weak….
Useless…..
Unworthy…..
He felt his tears rise again. He stood there with a fierce expression as his tears poured out. He just couldn't help it.
The one who trusted him had failed her….
How could he face her when she recovered ….?
He just couldn't bear the thought of it…..
He knew what he must do…..
Pikachu slowly took off his hat….
….. He gently put it on Buneary's chest.
Pikachu turned to face the window. He had finally made up his mind.
Vulpix heard something open up, and she felt the chill of the night. She shuddered as the cold from the outside had woken her up.
She slowly opened her eyes up. Her tired eyes looked around slowly, looking for the source of the sudden, odd chill that appeared in the room.
She looked towards the nearby window…..
Just to see a mere glimpse of Pikachu leaving out the window….
Vulpix shook her head, trying to comprehend what was going on.
"P-Pikachu!?" Vulpix called surprised, confused, and very very concerned. She hopped off her seat and she rushed to the window.
Getting up on her hind legs she peered through the opened window. She saw Pikachu walk into the forest.
"Pikachu….!?" Vulpix called, as she crawled through the window herself. She landed in the grass below, before she proceeded to follow Pikachu into the darkness of the forest.
It wasn't long until Vulpix caught up with the young, depressed pokemon. Pikachu was walking slowly, he wasn't aware he was followed out there.
"Pikachuuuu!"
Pikachu's head perked up with surprise. He turned around to see who had followed him. However, when he did, he saw it was Vulpix and he only grew annoyed that he had been followed in the first place.
He turned away from her and proceeded to walk even faster.
"Go away!" He demanded in an upset voice. However, Vulpix refused to listen. When she did eventually catch up to him, she was out of breath.
"W-What are you doing out here?" Vulpix asked, short of breath. She tried to pant calmly, but she had ran too hard.
"That's none of your business!" Pikachu yelled out, not turning to look behind him. He walked even faster than before. Vulpix saw that he was trying to get away from her quickly, making it harder for her to follow.
"But - But wait! This is unlike you…!" Vulpix started to whine as she rushed to keep up with him. "Can you please tell me what you're doing out here?"
"Go back to the Pokemon center….!" Pikachu kept on demanding. Vulpix's ears folded as she refused to stop following him.
"But YOU'RE the one that needs to come back to the center! Buneary needs you there with her!" Vulpix continued to beg. They continued down the trail with Vulpix trying to keep up with him, but at this point, Pikachu was on all fours as he tried to lose his caring friend.
"Pikachuuuu! Pleaaaase! Come baaack!" Vulpix cried out, trying to reach him. Pikachu ignored her continuously. He growled at himself for being so rude to her.
…. But what choice did he really have?
They ran like this for what seemed like forever. Eventually, they ran past the forest and out into a clearing. Vulpix was losing her strength to keep up with his speed. Her footing started to go all over the place. She wasn't even running straight anymore.
Her side hurt, and she felt like her lungs were on fire. She panted hard.
…. Until she eventually slowed her pace to a tired walk.
After a few heavy pants, she shook the pain off. She began to cry. She shook her head again.
"So….. So…. " Vulpix started to pant out through her cry. " … So you're… JUST GOING TO ABANDON HER!?"
This made Pikachu slow down. He slowed down until he eventually went to a slow walk.
Vulpix watched as Pikachu slowed down to a complete stop.
"... Why …..?" Vulpix asked with a defeated and exhausted voice. Her heart quivered with exhaustion and heart ache.
They fell into silence in the cool, night sky.
Pikachu looked down, thinking about his words carefully. He closed eyes as his expression shifted into determination. He slowly turned around.
"I am not…. Abandoning her…." Pikachu promised as he turned. Vulpix didn't believe him. She limped her tired legs to him.
"If you're not…. then…. then…. what on earth are you doing out here, in the middle of the night!?" Vulpix questioned before finally reaching him. Pikachu was silent…
He didn't want to tell anyone what he was doing….
How would anyone take it?
He just didn't know…..
"I'm….." Pikachu started to confess, but he felt his nerves overwhelm him. He looked away, scared to tell her the truth. "... I'm looking for something…."
Vulpix stepped closer, giving him a frustrated glare
"You're lying! What on earth would be more important than staying by Buneary's side when she needs you most!" Vulpix questioned, trying to open up his eyes.
Pikachu stared her in the eyes. Vulpix's eyes were filled with sadness as well, and her eyes were locked into a serious glare. They sparkled with both hope, and a deep worry, but most of all, the passion to set things right
Pikachu stared carefully at her.
"I am not…. Lying…." Pikachu told her again. Pikachu turned around and he tried to walk away again.
Vulpix shook her head, before she ran up ahead and she stopped ahead of him. She jammed her muzzle into Pikachu's nose, pushing him back.
"Oh yeah!? Then-then…. What are you looking for? Huh!?" Vulpix questioned harder, becoming annoyed by Pikachu's stubbornness. Pikachu stepped backward, eyeing her hard.
Pikachu rubbed his nose, frustrated by Vulpix's pressure she was putting him under. He had to take a deep breath in, just to try calming himself down. He finally decided to tell her.
He then leaned sideways.
"Do you see that small mountain on that island over there…?" Pikachu asked, pointing with one of his paws. Vulpix's eyes softened a bit. She turned her head, just enough to take a look. It was an island connected to this one by a large bridge.
"Y-Yeah….?"
Pikachu stood straighter. He walked next to Vulpix, standing by her side.
"I overheard a couple of trainer's talking about it…." Pikachu started to explain carefully. He turned to Vulpix, who gave him her attention as she watched him carefully. "On that island is this cave that they recently discovered…. And in this cave….."
Pikachu clenched his paws into a tight fist.
"... Is a thunderstone ..."
Vulpix's eyes widened. She looked at the island, with her mind wondering. When she turned back to him, Pikachu was already beginning to walk off again.
Vulpix panicked and raced up ahead of him again, wanting to block his path.
"Are you serious!?" Vulpix screamed in anger. She paused when she saw Pikachu's expression.
He wasn't going to stop.
"This CAN WAIT!" Vulpix yelled. However, Pikachu wasn't phased by her suggestion. He just stared. He closed his eyes as he tried to ignore her again.
He started to walk off.
Vulpix growled as she ran at him hard.
"I said; THIS CAN WAIT!"
She wanted to push Pikachu, but Pikachu dodged her by turning. She was quick to follow his steps as she turned.
She kept trying to ram into him. However, Pikachu wasn't even trying to dodge as he did so. Pikachu just kept walking backwards. He turned his body to avoid her attacks.
"You boys! And your ego! I swear!" Vulpix mouthed through her tired breath. Pikachu wasn't going to fight back, even though there was this fact, Vulpix was tiring herself out trying to stop him.
She dove for him, trying to tackle him, but Pikachu dove out of the way. With a quick slide, Pikachu was on his feet easily.
After shaking off her landing, she turned to run at him again, but Pikachu jumped high above her. He landed far from her easily.
Vulpix panted slowly. She growled. She was trying to regain her confidence….
She swung and she swung.
She was becoming sadder and sadder with each attempt.
Pikachu eventually did a large backflip, gaining a bit of distances from her.
….. she knew deep down, she was no match for him …..
She gasped out her exhaustion slowly, trying to catch her breath. She had a few tears fall from her cheeks.
"Can't you wait to go on this journey of yours!? Do you seriously have to sneak off just to evolve!?" Vulpix complained, with frustration in her heart. "Buneary NEEDS YOU!"
A part of Pikachu wanted to ignore her. He slowly turned back towards that island he felt the need to travel to.
He stared silently at this island.
"PIKACHU!"
Pikachu closed his eyes slowly. He was slow to respond.
"It's not like you can stop me….." Pikachu remarked, almost coldly. Pikachu started to walk away again.
Vulpix panted a few times. She hated this….
Why couldn't he see things her way? Vulpix started following quickly.
"Look! I get it!" Vulpix admitted strongly. "You're upset about Buneary's injuries and you think it's all your fault….."
Vulpix ran up to his side, looking at him with concern.
"But don't you understand that you're the first person Buneary is going to want to see when she wakes up!?" Vulpix tried to explain desperately.
"... And I will be there for her….." Pikachu assured her, keeping his eyes down the path. "But I….. have to make sure that…. I get stronger….. "
Pikachu turned his head to the fox that wouldn't stop following him.
"So that Buneary will never… EVER! …. Get hurt again…." Pikachu expressed what was deep within his heart.
"But you can do this…. after she wakes up…. Can't you?" Vulpix tried to ask, trying desperately to get through to him. Pikachu shook his head. He started to quickly walk again.
"No… the sooner the better….."
Vulpix stopped for a moment….
He really had his mind set on this…..
There was no way to stop him….
Vulpix growled once again, but she ran up to him. She joined his side.
She sighed out a frustrated breath. She looked away from Pikachu, still annoyed.
"Fine…. You're right I can't stop you ..." Vulpix admitted. She then turned to him with an angry glare. "But, you also can't stop me from following!"
Pikachu turned his head so he could stare at her for a moment. However, this ended up making him smile. He slightly closed his eyes as he continued to lead the way.
He could use the help….
"Heh, do what you want…"
Back at the Pokemon Center, everyone was in a deep sleep. They had no idea that Pikachu and Vulpix had snuck off to the nearby island.
It was nearly 1:00 AM in the morning.
….
CRAAAAASH!
Ash was quick to kick off his blanket. He jumped out of his bed. Paul was right behind him.
"What the hell was that!?" Ash asked in great panic.
"It came from Buneary's room!" Paul informed quickly, being sure that was where the sound of the crash was.
Brock, Dawn, and Ash's pokemon quickly followed.
They all rushed through the hall towards Buneary's room.
Ash and Paul kicked the door open.
They all gasped. They all looked up just to see that the ceiling had been busted through.
Hovering over the hole in the ceiling was a silver, gigantic robot.
"Buneary! No!" Ash called as he charged forward. However, he was just a bit too late as a giant, metallic, flexible, robot arm crashed down on the poor rabbit and snatched her.
Ash slid to a stop, looking up at the massive robot. Paul stepped forward as well.
"Don't tell me it's who I think it is!" Paul questioned, already knowing who this could be.
Dawn and Brock stepped forward themselves.
"It's Team Rocket!" Dawn and Brock stated in unison.
"Ohoho! I guess it's hard to forget a team as grand as ours!" They heard the familiar, sinister, female voice laugh with her self righteous praise.
"Our name is known far beyond the stars …" They heard her teammate praise their own name as well.
"Especially when our duty calls!" They heard their pokemon continue their praise, rhythming alongside them.
Ash was watching the robot arm dangle out of reach in front of them. They had a hold of Buneary. Buneary had not quite woken up, even after all the commotion that had happened.
"Oh! Skip the intro for a change! We know it's you guys!" Ash demanded, calling them out.
Soon, a hatch opened up from the top of the robot's head. Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared from the hatch.
The trio all had wicked smiles. They crossed their arms.
"Spoil sports…" James grumbled, disappointed that they could start this off with their usual intro.
"Yeah! Where do you get off, telling us how to do our job!?" Jessie complained as well, already annoyed by them.
"Who cares!" Paul mouthed, uninterested in having conversation with these known criminals.
*Give us back Buneary!" Ash demanded clutching a tight fist. He really didn't like this. He had already been worried about her, and now his worries were only getting stronger.
Dawn was just as worried, for she stepped forward, gripping her heart with her palms.
"Please! You guys don't understand! Buneary is badly hurt!" Dawn begged. She was almost in tears. "Please… just let her go."
However, Meowth held out a claw and made a "Tsk, Tsk, Tsk." sound.
"Sorry….!" Meowth heartlessly apologized. "But Pikachu's little girlfriend here is our one way ticket to capturing Pikachu!"
This made the trainer's eyes widen. They all looked around the room quickly.
Where was Pikachu?
James stood up with an evil grin. He raised a fist.
"That's right! If you ever want to see Pikachu's little girlfriend ever again, you'll hand us Pikachu!" James demanded in a threatening way.
Unknowingly to them, Buneary slowly opened up her eyes. The first thing she saw was all the trainer's staring up at her with worry as she dangled in the clutches of the robotic arm.
"B-... BUN!?" Buneary gasped as she realized the predicament she had woken up to. "B-Buneary!"
She tried to kick free, but the robot's grip was too tight around her.
"Don't worry Buneary! We'll get you down!" Ash responded with determination. He turned to Squirtle and Bulbasaur who was next to him. "Bulbasaur! Use Razor Leaf! Squirtle! Use Water gun!"
They jumped in front of Ash. They growled as they began to charge their attacks. Team Rocket snickered to this.
"Oooh, I wouldn't do that if I was you~" Jessie warned with confidence.
However, Paul was the first to catch onto Team Rocket's evil trick. He was quick to throw an arm in Ash's way. Ash looked at him confused, and almost angry.
"Hold on Ash! You could hit Buneary!" Paul warned quickly. This made Brock step forward, he began to sweat over this dire situation.
"He's right, Ash!" Brock agreed with Paul. Ash looked back up to the team of criminals, who were all laughing, thinking they had already won.
Ash found himself growling at what seemed like defeat.
None of them wanted Team Rocket to take her away.
Jessie stood straighter, she held up a palm and let out an evil laugh.
"Ahahaha! Well…. Since it looks like you can't put up a fight…." Jessie tucked her fists to her hip as she looked around herself. "And it doesn't look like Pikachu is around….."
Meowth hopped up, joyful of how their scam was going to their evil plan.
"Then it looks like we'll be holding onto his little girlfriend for a little while!" Meowth boasted proudly. Dawn began to get upset as she tried to step forward.
"No! Please don't take her!" Dawn couldn't help but to beg again. Which only resulted in Team Rocket bursting out into even more evil laughter.
This was when James stood up.
"We would love to enjoy this moment, but we really have to get going!" James told them with a great smile.
"And don't you twerps worry…. We'll take good care of Pikachu's lovey dovey bunny!" Jessie promised, wickedly. This was when they all jumped back into the hatch of the robot. This was when they lifted off, taking off with Buneary.
"Buuuuuuuuun-eaaaaaary!" Buneary cried as she felt the robot arm take her away.
Ash turned to his friends.
"Come on! We gotta go after them!" Ash suggested to his friends with great determination. They ran out the door quickly. They ran outside quickly and they stopped when they saw that their robot was hovering away quickly….
With their laughter echoing through the night.
Ash looked towards his companion.
"C'mon guys! Let's go after them!" Ash commanded in a serious manner. Everyone turned to run, but Paul stepped in front of them.
"But wait…. One of us should look for Pikachu…." Paul suggested quickly, however this only frustrated Ash. Ash stepped closer, getting in his face.
"They're running off with Buneary! We can't let them get away!" Ash reminded him, getting more and more angry.
"And we won't!" Paul shot back quickly. Paul turned towards the direction Team Rocket went. He stared, becoming a bit frustrated himself. "But we have to be level headed about this, or we'll just fall into their trap….."
Paul turned back to Ash with a serious expression.
"And I know those fools won't let their guard down unless they have Pikachu in their sights…" Paul explained slowly, trying to explain it calmly.
This made Ash think about it a little. He wanted to just get Buneary back already, but he knew he was most likely right.
It would actually be alot easier to save her with Pikachu's help….
"But I wouldn't even know where to look…" Ash explained his concerns on that idea. He looked down, thinking about what they should do. They knew they didn't have time to think about this. "Where did he run off to?"
"Maybe I can help with your search…."
Everyone's eyes widened as a bright red light came out of Lucario's pokeball as it flashed suddenly. Lucario had appeared in front of them.
He turned to Ash and the others slowly.
"I can help you find your pokemon…." Lucario promised. He turned towards a direction to begin his search, then after a pause his eyes slowly gave off a soft, bright blue glow. "I have the ability to sense the aura of pokemon….. And sometimes…. They leave a trail…."
Ash stepped forward, clenching a fist.
"R-Really? That would be awesome!" Ash complimented, hoping that his idea would actually help them find him. Lucario took a few steps forward. He knelt down and he gently put his paw on the grass and he closed his eyes.
He was silent for a short moment…..
….. Then he reopened his eyes.
"He went down this way…" Lucario slowly stood up. He peered down the trail. "... And it seems like another pokemon had followed him as well ..."
Lucario turned towards Brock.
"One of your pokemon, perhaps…. The fire type?" Lucario figured out loud, staring at Brock for his opinion.
"Wait! Are you saying that my Vulpix has ran off as well!?" Brock suddenly realized. He started to look around, finally realizing that Vulpix was nowhere to be found. Ash took a step forward and put his palm on his shoulder.
"Don't you worry Brock, I'll find Pikachu… AND Vulpix!" Ash promised him.
However, after he said this, another flash of red light appeared. This time it was from Ash's pokeball and Charizard appeared. He turned to Ash and Brock. Ash stared for a moment, and Charizard returned his gaze with a soft nod.
The trainers watched as Charizard lifted himself up in the air with a flap of his large wings. He looked down at his trainer and his friends.
Ash and Charizard had a small, silent conversation, just with their eyes alone. They stared, understanding each other's intentions.
"Ah…. I get it …." Ash agreed, acknowledging Charizards appearance, giving Charzard a nod as well. He looked at his fellow trainers. "Lucario will take the ground, and Charizard will take the air…. We'll go find Pikachu as quickly as we can…."
Brock turned to Ash, with a look of concern.
"But what about Team Rocket…?" Brock felt desperate to ask quickly, not wanting them to get away. Ash started to run towards Lucario and Charizard, but he turned his body to look towards his other companions as he was taking off.
"Take Bulbasaur and Squirtle with you! Go! Quick! Don't lose them! I'll come back as soon as I find Pikachu! I promise!" Ash promised them as he started to run off. Lucario and Charizard were quick to lead Ash towards Pikachu's trail. "Buneary needs our help! Hurry!"
Brock, Paul, and Dawn nodded. They now knew their plan and they took off in the opposite direction, chasing after Team Rocket's trail.
Lucario and Charizard lead the way as Ash followed them into the nearby forest.
They began to pick up the pace, they knew they needed to be quick so they could save Buneary as soon as possible.
However…. Ash was still confused about one thing…..
"Pikachu….. What on earth are you doing?"
