Cora, Alain, Mairin and their Pokémon are walking through the Vermillion Forest, heading towards Vermillion City where Cora's next gym badge awaits.

"How far are we from a Pokémon center, Cora?" Mairin asked.

Cora took out her phone and fiddled with the apps. Then a map popped up with a red dot, which indicated where they are.

"Here we are." Cora said.

Alain and Mairin looked over her shoulder.

"We're not far from a Pokémon Center." Cora said.

"Really!" Mairin perked up.

"Yup. We'll get going in a few minutes." Cora assured her.

Then Kilala and Perun's ears perked up. Cora noticed this gesture, "What is it, Kilala, Perun?" She asked.

The two ran towards the bushes and the three trainers followed after them. When they went past the bushes, they were surprised at what they saw. It was a Chikorita who seemed to be in pain.

"A Chikorita? What's one doing here in Kanto?" Cora questioned as she took out her Rotom phone:

[Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. Chikorita emit pleasant aromas from the leaves on their heads and they love to sunbathe.]

Kilala and Perun were standing next to Chikorita who were explaining that their trainers can help her. Chikorita glanced at Kilala and Perun and then Cora and back to Kilala and Perun. The two nodded and Chikorita nodded back. Kilala gestured to Cora to come over. Cora walked over to Chikorita and knelt down beside her. She examined the rash on her left back leg.

"Don't worry, it's only a small rash. We'll make it better in no time." Cora assured Chikorita as she took out a Super Potion, "Now this might sting a bit, okay? So try to stay still."

Chikorita nodded. Cora sprayed the rash and Chikorita whimpered.

"It's okay, the pain should go away soon." Cora assured her as she put a bandage around Chikorita's leg.

Soon enough, the pain was soon gone. Chikorita blinked when she realized that her pain was gone. Then she smiled and turned to Cora.

"Chiko! (Thank you!)" Chikorita thanked Cora.

Cora smiled, "You're welcome." She said.

"Chiko? (Did you just understand me?)" Chikorita asked.

"Yes, I've been able to understand Pokémon for as long as I can remember." Cora replied.

"Chikorita! (Cool!)" Chikorita beamed, "Chiko? (Can I come with you?)"

"You want to come with me?" Cora blinked.

Chikorita nodded, "Chiko!" She smiled and then blinked, "Chiko, chiko chiko chikorita. (Before you capture me, I want to say goodbye to someone first.)"

Cora smiled, "Sure, we'll let you say goodbye." She promised.

Cora carefully picked up Chikorita and turned to Alain and Mairin, "Ready to go?"

Alain and Mairin nodded, "Yeah."

And so, Chikorita led them to the person she wishes to say goodbye to.

Then they soon arrived at where the person lives which was a small wooden cabin where a blue haired woman was tending to some Pokémon. Cora recognized this place as the Hidden Village and the blue haired woman as Melanie.

"Is this the place?" Cora asked.

Chikorita nodded, "Chiko!"

Melanie turned to the sound of Chikorita.

"Chikorita! There you are!" Melanie ran over to the gang and stopped in front of them, "Where have you been?"

"We found her in the forest. She had a rash on her leg and I treated it." Cora explained.

"Oh, thank you." Melanie thanked her and soon realized that Chikorita was in Cora's arms, "Um, who are you?"

"I'm Cora Joy. These two are my partners, Kilala and Perun." Cora introduced herself, her shiny Espeon and her Pikachu.

Kilala and Perun trilled in greeting.

"Alain Sycamore and this is my little sister, Mairin."

"Hi! This is my partner, Chespie!"

"Chespin!"

"Nice to meet you. Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Melanie asked.

"Well, Chikorita wanted to say goodbye before she joins my team." Cora replied.

"Really? You haven't caught Chikorita?" Melanie questioned.

"Yeah. I thought it would be alright if she gets to say goodbye." Cora explained.

"Thank you for that." Melanie thanked Cora.

At that moment, someone's stomach growled. Everyone turned to Mairin who rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"How about some lunch?" Cora suggested.

Lunch was made. The gang's Pokémon had joined them with Melanie and the village Pokémon.

"Are these Pokémon all yours, Melanie?" Mairin asked as she watched all the Pokémon in the area.

"Oh no." Melanie shook her head, "This is a place where Pokémon are able to rest and relax. When Pokémon are abandoned or injured, they can come here. I take care of them till they get better and then they can leave."

"So this is like a Pokémon center and Melanie's like a Pokémon doctor." Mairin said.

"Oh no," Melanie shook her head. "I'm not qualified to be a Pokémon doctor." she replied with a smile.

"So it is more like a Pokémon health spa." Cora commented.

"Yes, here the Pokémon don't battle with one another. They relax and try to enjoy themselves until they recover." Melanie continued.

"Wow." Cora and Mairin praised Melanie.

"I collect plants to use for medicine and I know all about which plants can help a Pokémon feel better or grow stronger when it's too weak." Melanie finished.

"That's amazing, Melanie. Even though my mom is a Pokemon Nurse, she still supports my dream of becoming a great Pokemon trainer." Cora stated.

"Good for you, Cora." Melanie smiled.

The gang was helping out Melanie by taking care of the Pokémon and they promised that they wouldn't catch any of them. Everyone's Pokémon was interacting with the other Pokémon. Some were Kanto Region Pokemon and there were some that weren't.

Cora gently splashed water on a Staryu, "Does that feel better, Staryu?" She asked after the water Pokémon shook itself off.

Mairin was giving all her attention to Petilil and Sewaddle who seemed to like her. A Bagon was hanging around Nuri and Alain's Charizard. It was also odd because Bagon were usually found in the Hoenn Region.

Cora had noticed that a Bulbasaur was standing guard next to the cabin, watching over the Pokémon.

"Is Bulbasaur the protector of the village?" Cora asked Melanie.

"Well, he volunteered to protect our whole village. He protects all the injured Pokémon whenever enemies try to attack them," Melanie explained. "Bulbasaur is the bravest and most loyal Pokémon I know."

"But he doesn't like trainers, right?" Alain asked.

"I'm afraid so." Melanie replied.

Suddenly they heard beeping sounds coming from their backpacks.

"My egg!" Cora and Alain gasped.

The two trainers went to their bags and took out their egg incubators. They carefully took the egg out of the incubator. Then they sat down with their eggs in their laps while everyone stood behind them. The eggs began to glow brighter and brighter as Cora and Alain used their arms to cover their eyes. When the light died down, Cora and Alain were shocked at what Pokémon had hatched from the eggs. Cora had an Alolan Vulpix and Alain had a shiny Zorua.

"Wow, a Alolan Vulpix and a shiny Zorua." Cora said as she took out her Rotom phone:

[Vulpix, Alola Form. The Fox Pokémon. An Ice type. Vulpix is covered in white fur and was discovered on Mount Lanakila. Its breath can reach a temperature of 60 below zero, freezing anything it touches. And that Vulpix? It's a Fire type. When carefully groomed, its six tails can be extremely beautiful.]

[Zorua, the Tricky Fox Pokémon. Zorua hides its true form by changing its shape into people and Pokémon, and loves to surprise people. Note: This different coloration indicates that this Pokémon is a shiny Pokémon.]

"Aw, they're so cute." Melanie beamed.

Vulpix and Zorua opened their eyes to see Cora and Alain looking down at them. They blinked at them and then nuzzled against their cheeks.

"It's great to meet you, Elsa." Cora smiled.

'Elsa' blinked in confusion.

"It's your name. I wanted to give you a name. So I came up with 'Elsa'." Cora explained.

Elsa the Alolan Vulpix blinked again and smiled, "Vulpix!" She chirped.

"She seems to like her name." Melanie smiled.

"I'm glad." Cora smiled as well.

Melanie let the gang stay for the night at her cabin. Unknown to everyone, Bulbasaur had been observing Cora, Alain and Mairin throughout the day. At first, he was wary of the three trainers, but he could see how much they care for their Pokémon. Perhaps, he was wrong about all trainers being cruel. Finding out that the pink haired girl is the daughter of Nurse Joy assured him that the girl wouldn't harm a Pokémon. Then he made a decision.

It was the next morning and the gang was ready to leave.

"Thanks for letting us stay the night, Melanie." Cora thanked her.

"You're welcome. I have to admit that it was nice to meet some nice trainers." Melanie admitted.

"I'm glad." Cora smiled and knelt beside Chikorita, "So Chikorita, you ready to go?"

Chikorita nodded and Cora took out a Pokeball.

"I'm also giving you a name which is Kalmia. Do you like it?" Cora asked.

"Chiko! (I love it!)" 'Kalmia' trilled.

"Then welcome to the team, Kalmia." Cora gently pressed the button on Kalmia's forehead and Kalmia was sucked inside. The Pokeball wiggled for a moment and then 'ding'.

"Take good care of Kalmia, Cora." Melanie requested.

"Don't worry, I will." Cora promised.

"Bulba. (Wait.)" Bulbasaur called out.

Everyone turned to Bulbasaur who walked over to Cora.

"Bulba bulbasaur. (I would also like to go with you.)" Bulbasaur requested.

"Huh?" Cora blinked in confusion.

"What did Bulbasaur say?" Alain asked.

"He said that he wants to go with me." Cora replied.

Everyone else was shocked at what Cora had translated.

"I think Bulbasaur should go with you." Melanie stated.

Cora blinked in confusion, "Wait what?"

Melanie picked Bulbasaur up. "Bulbasaur stayed here to protect the weaker Pokémon, but this village is too small. The bulb on its back can't grow here. It needs to go out into the world now and I know you'll take good care of him. Please do me this favor. Take Bulbasaur with you on your journey. He'll be a good companion." Melanie promised, offering Bulbasaur to her.

"But what will happen to the village without Bulbasaur?" Mairin asked.

"It's true that Bulbasaur's done a great job, maybe too great a job. The thing is, these Pokémon shouldn't remain in the village forever. After they recover, the Pokémon are supposed to leave, but it's too safe here, so none of them want to go. They don't want to return to the outside world. But I think it's important that all of them return to the wild. That's where Pokémon belong and hopefully someday, they'll find good trainers like you. Of course, taking care of sick Pokémon will always be my mission, but I know my job isn't finished until they return to where they came from. So it's the day when a Pokémon leaves that is most rewarding to me." Melanie said passionately, "So, please. It's time for Bulbasaur to leave. Please take him with you. He won't be a burden, I promise. Bulbasaur still has a lot of growing to do. I want it to be in a place where I'm sure he can grow strong and happy. I'm sure that place is with you, Cora." she finished with a warm smile, making Cora smile back just as warmly.

"Well, if it's alright with Bulbasaur, it's alright with me." Cora stated happily.

"Bulbasaur Bulba. (I'll join you on one condition.)" Bulbasaur said.

"Condition?" Cora asked.

"Bulba Bulbasaur (I want to have a Pokémon battle with you)." Bulbasaur replied.

"I'll be happy to give you a battle, Bulbasaur!" Cora enthused.

Cora, with Gail in front of her, and Bulbasaur stood a few feet apart from each other.

"Gail, use Peck Attack!" Cora called out.

Gail pecked at the Bulbasaur like crazy. Bulbasaur used Razor Leaf to blow Gail away, but Gail flew up to dodge.

"Now it's time to use your new move, Sky Attack!" Cora shouted.

Gail had a white energy surrounding it and charged at Bulbasaur. That gave Bulbasaur real pain and dazed it.

"All right, Pokéball go!" Cora said, throwing a Pokeball.

The Pokéball hit Bulbasaur and was sucked inside. The Pokéball wiggled for a few seconds and then it dinged which meant that Bulbasaur was caught.

"Thank you, Gail." Cora thanked the Bird Pokémon.

Gail squawked with glee. But then she started to glow white, then she grew bigger. When the light faded, Gail was now a bigger bird with a short, hooked beak.

"Gail evolved into Pidgeot." Alain explained.

"Wow!" Mairin beamed.

Cora took out her phone and scanned the Pokémon.

[Pidgeot, the Bird Pokémon. The evolved form of Pidgeotto. It can fly at twice the speed of sound at an altitude of nearly one mile.]

Cora rubbed Gail's beak in affection and Gail enjoyed it.

Petilil and Sewaddle walked up to Mairin and rubbed their cheeks against her legs.

"Huh what's wrong?" Mairin asked.

"It seems Petilil and Sewaddle want to go with you," Melanie observed, "So would you take care of them?"

"If that is what they want I'll do it." Mairin tapped a Pokéball on Petilil and Sewaddle's head and soon they were caught.

Alain ended up taking a Pokémon too. The Bagon that was hanging around his Charizard. It didn't hesitate to come with him.

"Have a safe trip." Melanie said sincerely to the group, Kilala, Kalmia and Bulbasaur (who she decided to name, Nemus) by Cora's feet (with Perun on her shoulder) as she let the two grass types out to say goodbye to Melanie. Mairin was holding Petilil and Sewaddle in her arms so they could also say goodbye to Melanie. Alain was holding Bagon in his arms.

"I promise to take great care of Nemus and Kalmia." Cora promised just as sincerely.

"And I promise that I'll take great care of Petilil and Sewaddle." Mairin promised.

"I'll take great care of Bagon as well." Alain added.

Melanie knelt down to pat Nemus and Kalmia affectionately on the head. "Nemus, Kalmia, thank you for watching over us." Melanie thanked with a bittersweet smile.

"Bulba~/Chiko (I'll miss you too)." Nemus and Kalmia responded softly.

Then she patted Petilil and Sewaddle affectionately, "I'll miss you too, Petilil and Sewaddle."

"Petilil, pet/ Sew sew. (I'll miss you too, Melanie)." Petilil and Sewaddle smiled sadly.

Lastly, she rubbed Bagon's head, "You too, Bagon."

"Bagon." Bagon sniffled with teary eyes.

"Bye Melanie!" Cora waved back to her cheerily as they left.

"Goodbye! Take care of each other!" Melanie called after them, her and the Pokémon also waving them off with smiles.

"Bulbasaur/Chikorita (Goodbye!)" Nemus and Kalmia called back as they watched their shrinking figures.

"Don't worry, Nemus, Kalmia, you'll see your friends again. As soon as they feel better, they'll leave this place too." Cora assured her new Bulbasaur and Chikorita.

"I know that you'll see them again someday, Petilil and Sewaddle." Mairin said.

"Bulba~." Nemus replied, sounding more at ease.

"Chiko~." Kalmia smiled.

And so, the gang continued on their way to Vermilion City.

Pokémon Caught:

Shiny Espeon (Kilala)(F)

Shiny Charizard (Nuri)(F)

Altaria (Talia)(F)

Shiny Lucario (Jackal)(M)

Frogadier (Kenji)(M)

Pikachu (Perun)(M)

Pidgeot (Gail)(F)

Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M)

Cloyster (Matta)(M)

Shiny Starmie (Pyxis)(Genderless)

Beedrill (Stinger)(M)

Butterfree (Papilio)(M)

Nidoran (Juno)(F)

Nidoran (Malik)(M)

Clefable (Tana)(F)

Sandshrew (Digger)(M)

Alolan Vulpix (Elsa)(F)

Chikorita (Kalmia)(F)

Bulbasaur (Nemus)(M)