Morning came in showering daylight on the Viridian Forest. All Pokémon living there begin waking up to start their day.

In particular, one certain Pokémon yawns as it wakes up from its temporary nest. Its blue eyes opened tiredly, but it was up and full of energy in a second. It giggled as it began to float in the air and headed out, excited about what kind of surprises would this one bring today.


Meanwhile, those same rays of light went right through the front window of a room in the Pokemon Center.

The rays of the sun landed on Ed's face, who was sleeping on his temporary bed.

Succumbing to the sun's wishes, he began to stand up with a lot of bedrolls. "Yawn…Alright, I'm up, you stupid yellow ball." He mumbled as he got up from the bed, and started to stretch his muscles.

Once that was done, he turned to a sofa in the room, which had Pikachu, sleeping. His hat was removed from his head so he could sleep better.

Ed felt relief as he watched him sleep without a care. ('He cried a lot. Yesterday's loss was heavy damage to his pride…') To the point, he fell asleep.

Looking down, he saw Natsu and Ekans curl up. After coming out from their checkups, they saw Pikachu with swollen marks under his eyes and became worried. When they went to their room, and Ed placed him on the sofa, both of them sat next to their friend.

('Only three days and they already are close with each other.') Ed thought with a smile. They act like siblings…

Just like his sister.

"Y-Yawn…" Natsu let a yawn out as he began to wake up. He rubbed his eyes before looking at the room and finding Ed. "Morning, Boss!"

"Shh!" Ed placed a finger on his mouth and silenced him. "Morning. Did you sleep well?" He asked in a whisper.

Natsu nodded. His stomach growled suddenly, making him blush a little.

"Hungry already, eh?" Ed chuckled. "How about we get some food and bring it to these sleepy heads?" He asked, earning a furious nod from the fire lizard.

Quickly putting his clothes, and leaving a note for Ekans and Pikachu to where they went, Ed and Natsu left their rooms.

Both of them quickly went to the dining hall, where the majority of the trainers were already there.

"Hmm." Ed hummed as he looked at the Pokémon menu. "Oh, they have the Spicy Charizard meal now!"

"That one! I want that one!" Natsu was already drooling.

"Why am I not surprised?" Ed sweatdrop. ('Natsu's done...I think Ekans would like the Rattata Wild berries and Pikachu would like Zapdos's Discharge meal.') He reached the counter, "I'll take the number 4, 6, and 8."

Five minutes later, Ed was heading back with the food order, Natsu trailing behind him while munching his meal. "Don't eat it fast. You might get some tummy aches."

"Dodt borry!" Natsu replies with his mouth full.

They both reach their door room. Ed opened the door and looked inside. To his luck, Ekans and Pikachu were already up. "Ah, morning you two." He greeted them.

"Morning, Mas~ter." Ekans reply.

"..." Pikachu was still quiet.

"I brought food." Ed walked up and placed their meals in front of them. "I had to guess what to order, so sorry if its not to you liking-"

"Mas~ter bringing me food is~ more than enough." Ekans thank and accepted the meal, licking her lips at Rattata's food face.

"..." Pikachu simply looks at the food before grabbing a piece and bringing it to his mouth to chew it. "...Thanks, Boss." He thanks him.

Ed smiled, but he could still see that he was thinking of that loss.

Even with that amazing power, he lost to Celestia's Persian. Not only because it had Limer, but because she was faster than him.

Overwhelmed by speed and durability…

Ed nodded. "Good. After we all eat, we are going to Viridian Forest." He proclaimed, making the three Pokemon turn their heads in confusion.

"What for?" Natsu asks.

"To train, of course," Ed said while taking a bite of his breakfast. "We'll take a few days to prepare before taking on the Gym."

"Awesome!" Natsu was fired up. "I'm going to get stronger and win!"

"I'm at your s~ervice and care, Mas~ter!" Ekans was also pumped up.

Pikachu was still silent, debating whether doing this was the correct choice with his current feelings.

"Good...because you guys are going to be the first ones to train a little bit differently." Now that caught their attention.

('Train...differently?') All three of them asked themselves.

After a good breakfast, Ed and his team left the Pokémon Center and began to head deep into Viridian Forest once again.

Once inside a spacious area where no trees could bother them, Ed had the three Pokemons line up. "All right! First thing I have to say; all three of you did exceptionally great in the tournament!" Natsu and Ekans cheer while Pikachu simply looks away depressed.

"We didn't win it, which is a disappointing fact, but the experience we got from it is acceptable...So!" He looked at them with determination. "We now focus on leveling up our abilities and taking on the Pewter Gym itself!"

"Right!" Natsu and Ekans nod.

"So for now, we are starting something a bit different." Ed suddenly grabbed his backpack and pulled out a book. "I'm going to teach you guys Martial Arts!"

"...Huh?" Pikachu spoke up for the first time, confused.

"Martial…" Natsu said with a tilted head.

"Arts~?" Ekans finished asking.

Instead of answering quickly, Ed opened the book and went to a page. "Is a way of fighting that requires a bit of focus and patience. It won't just make you stronger, but it will help you guys be quicker in attacking." He stopped on the page he wanted to first start with. He kneels and shows it to Ekans. "And when I say attacking, I mean it as in without the need of a move."

"Is this like the thing you had Rat do?" Natsu asked, remembering how Ed trained Pikachu in that three attack combo.

"...Meh. Not completely but something along the lines. But think of it as what Fighting-type Pokemon's train with." Ed replied while swaying his hand. "Now, then! First off, Ekans?"

"Mas~ter?"

"I'm going to teach you the martial arts called Viper-Style," Ed said as he began to pose, his arms moving like a snake while swaying around. "It's an art that focuses on quick reflexes and attacking weak spots at the right moment." He made a few quick jabs in the air to demonstrate it to her.

The Snake Pokémon was intrigued. "I s~see...It's~ like hunting; I s~tudy my prey, waiting f~or the perf~ect opportunity to s~trike and catch~ing them by s~urpris~e."

Ekans noticed the silence that was in the air. Turning to the side, she saw all three males eyeing her with widened eyes. "What?"

"Were you always this smart, Snake?" Natsu asked out loud, earning a glare from Ekans, suddenly making him freeze in place. "Ack! I-I can't move!"

"! Ekans?!" Ed suddenly yelped in surprise. "Did you just learn Glare?!"

The Snake Pokémon was shocked as well. "I-I...think I did." She replied.

"That's...perfect!" Ed smiled before his mind went into overload into deep thinking. "Having Glare will help out a lot! Awesome timing, Ekans!"

Ekans's cheek suddenly turned a shade of dark purple while bashfully looking away.

"Alright! Now I'm pumped up!" Ed walked to a tree and returned to his viper pose. "Ekans, this is what I expected from what you will be learning."

The Snake Pokémon watched with cautions at her trainer, who closed his eyes and began to breathe deeply, starting to sway his hands around like...well, as a snake would do.

It was there she saw an open mind.

Ed opened his eyes, which were blue yet again, without his knowledge, and delivered seven strikes to the three, leaving small marks on it.

The black-haired blink was surprised at this. "Huh...I managed to deliver seven...Nice." He was going for six, but he'll take it.

He turned to Ekans, chuckling as she, Natsu, and Pikachu had their jaws on the floor. "Impressive, right?"

"I-I...I'm going to train to do that!?" Ekans shouted as her slit eyes began to glow in excitement. "That's~ amaz~ing!" With that kind of speed, she could deliver devastating blows!

"I know. But keep in mind," Ed turned serious. "This art is not about attacking. It requires time, practice, precision, and speed. I'm not teaching you about sending blows; I'm showing you how to attack weak spots."

Ekans nodded. She needed to be calm and cool. Just like she used to hunt in the wild.

"Good. So first, let's stretch out." Ed pointed at a cut tree stump that was conveniently there. "I want you to use Bind on that tree stump with all your might. Think you can do that?" Ekans saluted. "Good. And remember, if you feel tired, take a rest. It's very important, and I don't want you overworking yourself, okay girl?"

Ekans had a mesmerizing look. ('M-Mas~her is so kind...Even when needing strength, he worries for my health…') She blushed again before nodding in understanding at her trainer's petition while heading off to the stump.

Natsu and Pikachu sweatdrop at the scene. "Hey, rat? Is it me, or is this girl looking like she fell for that 'Attract' move?" He asked, seeing hearts flying around the snake.

"It's not only you," Pikachu replied as he tried to clear his eyes from any hallucination.

"Natsu!" The Fire lizard flinched and stood straight when Ed called to him. "For you, I will be teaching you a style that will also help your speed." Ed flipped the pages of the book and landed on the page he wanted. "Considering you know Scratch and Rock Smash, and that we'll face rock-type attacks, this style should be perfect; Crane-style."

"...Crane?" Natsu looked at his trainer in disbelief. "No offense, Boss! But you do realize that I'm not a bird, right?"

"Hahaha!" Ed found himself laughing hard. "Oh ho ho! Wow, I didn't think I would hear those words again!" He kneels in front of Natsu, placing his hand on his head. "I know what you mean, but believe; this style will go perfect with you."

"...Alright. If you say so." Natsu grumbled, still bit off to practice something related to a bird. But his trainer knows what he is saying, so he can only trust him.

"First, I'm going to have you swaying your hips around while standing on that rock." Ed pointed at a plane rock that could support Natsu's form. "I want you to do all that in one leg."

"...Boss, have I offended you in some way?" Natsu was horrified with what Ed was asking him. I mean, sway his hips in one leg?! On that rock that one could easily slip off?!

"Trust me. Trust me." Ed was sure in his choice, making the fire-lizard sigh before heading to the rock. "...Now, Pikachu?"

Pikachu took a deep breath before looking at Ed, ready for his training. "...Yeah?"

"Come with me for a second." Ed motions him to follow as he walks away. "Ekans! Natsu! We'll be gone for a few minutes, it won't be long!"

"Yes~ Mas~ter!" Ekans yelled out while trying to wrap herself completely around the stump.

"Okay-Woah!" Natsu was saying before losing his leg balance and falling off the rock. "Ouch!"

With their knowledge, Ed and Pikachu began to walk deep into the forest.

Unknown to them, a pair of previously mentioned blue eyes had been looking at the group with curiosity. Looking momentarily at the fire lizard and snake before following after the human and the electric mouse.


The duo had been walking for quite a while, making the electric mouse confused. "...Uhm...Boss?" He turned to his human friend, "Where are we going?"

"Just a bit more." Ed simply replied before moving a branch, "Ah! Here it is!"

Pikachu looked beyond Ed's leg and saw a small lake with a waterfall in it. Confused, Pikachu followed Ed as he stood close to the water.

"...Hear that, Buddy?" Ed suddenly spoke in a low tone, confusing his electric partner. "The wind...the lake...the trees...Can you hear their whisper?"

Pikachu looks at him with a weird expression. "Umm...no?"

"Just close your eyes, and let the world speak," Ed said as he sat on the grass and closed his eyes.

Pikachu follows his example, flopping down and closing his black eyes.

Pikachu felt like an eternity past. But he felt...at peace.

His ears twitched as he could hear the wind going between trees, several leaves falling and being taken away. The waterfall's small waves crash against the lake.

It felt...refreshing.

"Can you hear it now?" Ed asked, his eyes still closed.

"...I...I think I am?" Pikachu replied.

"This is something my father taught me and my sister when we were young. Which he learned from his father." Ed said as the breeze went through him. "Whenever it was needed for the mind and heart to relax, he would bring us to a forest and have us sit down and meditate. At first, I didn't understand it, but as time went on, I did." He smiled as a memory surged in his mind. "Especially when I lose a battle."

Pikachu flinches a bit before looking at his trainer in surprise.

Ed continued to speak, "That's right. I got myself in fights, and I lost several of them. And I did not like to lose." He chuckled out. "I remember I almost punched a window one time. I was seven." He opened his eyes, and looked at the lake, seeing his reflection. "But I also know that acting like that was childish, even if I was a kid...So my father brought me to a secluded place and told me to give the forest my feelings."

Pikachu tilted his head in confusion. "Feelings?"

Ed nodded, "This place, it may not speak verbally, but it's still alive. They are your best listener, and will always be here to hear out your troubles." He began to stand up, dusting off his back pants. "That's why you warm-up for today...you will be letting out any regret you have."

Pikachu stood up as well, and walked up to the lake, looking at his reflection. "My...regret."

"Yesterday, you let out your emotions." Ed looked at him, "And I know that you still have something holding back...and you can't tell me about it."

Pikachu was about to speak but closed his mouth when he realized that he was right. "...Sorry…" Instead, he apologized, knowing that was saying that he didn't trust him completely.

"I'm not mad nor disappointed." Ed kneel and patted his hat. "I know that there's a reason you can't tell me now." He then stood up, "I'll leave you here, come back to us when you feel you let everything out, okay?"

Pikachu stood silent for a while before humming in response.

"Alright. See you later." Ed stood up and walked away.

It was now a single Pikachu in the deep part of the forest. Said Pokémon turned to the small lake, his reflection dancing in the small blue water.

"...To let out my regrets…" Pikachu replayed what his trainer said.

He looked back at himself through the reflection, seeing his thunder mark and the hat gifted by his trainer. He removed his hat to look at it.

These two things were now a part of him.

"...Yesterday, I had an important battle...and I lost." Without knowing it, he began to talk. "I was confident in my speed, yet I was overwhelmed by an experienced fighter." He replay the fight with Persian, where the cat outclassed his speed in mere seconds. "I couldn't see her come, and I wouldn't have gotten even close without Boss commanding. And my last attack…"

The clash between his Iron Tail and Persian's Fury Swipe was intense, but Pikachu knew...The cat's claw was faster than his tail and landed first than his.

"She was faster…And I lost." Pikachu moves back and kicks a small rock into the water. "...It's not like I'm mad or sad at that...But…"

"Get out! Run and don't look back!"

"Don't let any of them escape!"

"Hey! One of them is running!"

"After him!"

Pikachu hunchs his breath as he remembers his past. He shook his head to calm his mind. ('...How long was it? Three weeks? A month?') He asked himself before looking at the lake once again. "...I want to become stronger...so I don't need to see those I care for fall...Like my father…"

"Son...Live...Do what I could not."

"I...I want to make him proud…!" Tears began to drop into the water. "I want to show him...that I'm okay...and I'm strong...unlike before…" Pikachu sniffed before cleaning his eyes. "That the weak me...isn't weak anymore...But losing just-"

"Forget the weakling! We have a ton more of them! This one ain't worth the trouble!"

"...Reminds me of that moment." A moment that made him angry, both at those words and lack of strength.

He just wants to be strong...so when he finds the one behind those words, he'll prove him wrong!

*Rustle*Rustle*

Pikachu perks up at the sound of bushes, turning to his back, readying himself for battle. "Who's there?!" Is it Ed? No, he said that he would give him space.

The bushes kept moving, making the electric mouse tense…and then it stopped.

Pikachu was left confused. Did whoever was there back off? Was he a bit mean? It was probably a Pokemon looking for water to drink or passing by.

('Wow...I feel horrible.') Pikachu flops his ears down in sadness. It's not like he can do anything now, they probably ran off-

"Mew?"

"Eep!" Pikachu yelped in surprise when a voice spoke next to him. He jumps back in fear and turns to the side, seeing the cause of the voice.

It was...a floating light-pink cat? With a long tail?

"Mew!"It said, looking all happy as it floated round in circles.

"Uh…H-Hello?" Pikachu greeted it.

"Mew! Mew!" It continues to giggle around before playfully going around Pikachu. "Mew!"

"...Sorry, what?" Pikachu stares with tiny dots and confusion. He knew the creature was a Pokemon, but he could not understand it.

The language was...Unown!

N-Nobody gets it? Oh, okay.

"Mewwwww!" It suddenly began to glow, its body suddenly morphing into another form as it landed next to Pikachu.

When the light ended, what stood next to Pikachu was...himself?

"Eh?" Pikachu was not hallucinating. He was seeing another Pikachu. "W-What?" And that confuses him.

"Pihihihihi~" The 'Pikachu' chuckled before starting to stretch its face, making several expressions.

"...Pfft!" Pikachu found himself puffing his cheeks to contain his laughter, which was getting harder every time the expressions changed.

He then broke the water...No! Not that kind of water!

"Pfhahahahahahahahaha!"

"Mew Mew Mew Mew Mew Mew Mew!" 'Pikachu' glowed again and changed back to its original form, feeling satisfied with the reaction of the Mouse Pokemon.

Then it proceeds to grab his hat without warning, inspecting the mysterious piece of clothing it had seen before on several humans. "Mew?" Especially the symbol it had on the center.

"Y-You like it?" Pikachu, having calmed down, asked. "It's a gift from Boss, my trainer." He explained before puffing his chest up. "It's the symbol of our team! And I'm the leader!"

"Mew?" The Pokémon tilted his head cutely to the side as if it was asking more about that. Pikachu motioned to his head, in which the Pokemon turned around and placed it over his head...and hid his face. "Mew?! Mew!" It began to panic when everything turned dark, flailing around.

Pikachu chuckled slightly at what he was seeing. "Guess it's a little big for you." He reached out and took the hat off it, who looked around in slight panic before calming down. "Yeah. Boss did say the hat was made for me." He placed it on his head.

"Mew!" It then began to float around him yet again before rubbing its cheek against Pikachu.

"H-Hey! That tickles!" Pikachu giggles as the strange cat continue to snuggle its face with it. "S-Stop! I'm going to die!" Pikachu said between laughter.

Seconds later, Pikachu was on the ground, heavily breathing from all the snuggle attacks. "Ha...ha...ha...A-Arceus...I seriously...thought I was going to die…" Who knew that soft skin could be a great tickling move.

"Mew!" The flying cat giggled with his tiny paws on...where his mouth should be.

Pikachu rose and looked at the cat, seeing in it feeling happy...and he then took notice that his previous emotions and thoughts that were stressing him were gone.

('Did...did it know I was troubled with something and decided to help me?') He thought as he focused on the cat…

Or rather, where it was supposed to be.

"Eh?!" Looking around, Pikachu was left mind blown at the disappearance of the creature. "H-Hey! Where are you?!" He shouted, but nobody answered, leaving him a bit sad that it left just like that. ('I didn't even said thank you…')

"Hey there, buddy! How are you doing?"

Pikachu, after a few minutes, finally returned to Ed, who greeted him for his return.

"...I feel fine," Pikachu replies to him with a smile. "I did what you told me and...I felt like my shoulders dropped off some weights."

Ed smiles in satisfaction. "Excellent. Just as I expected." He crossed his arms together, "So what do you say? Ready to start practicing?"

"Yeah!" Pikachu yelled.

"Great!" Ed turned to Ekans and Natsu, both still doing their previous workouts. "Alright, you two! Break time!"

Ekans stop clenching the stump, floating down in tiredness. "My mus~cles~ are hac~hing…"

Natsu slowly sat down, massaging his waist. "My poor hips, it's been too long…"

Pikachu sweatdrops at the way his two companions were acting. ('Something tells me...I'm about to regret this.')

"Once you rest up, I want you both to start doing push-ups, ten of them!" Ed commanded, earning a grunt from both of them. "You too, Pikachu! I want eleven push-ups from you!"

('Scratch that; I already am regretting this!') Pikachu's sweat drops as he takes his hat off and drops down.

"Don't worry. I'll be joining you." Ed proceeded to take his jacket off and dropdown. "Now! Begin! One!" Both Pikachu and Ed began to do push-ups, soon to be joined by Natsu and Ekans.


Day turned into mid-day real quick. After a few stretches and warm-ups, and a little bit of rest, the group started to improve their attacks.

"Pikachu! Iron Tail! Natsu, counter with Rock Smash!"

Pikachu and Natsu clash with each other with their respective attacks, sending waves around them before jumping away.

"I want a full clash! Keep using them and do not get hit!" Ed said, having Ekans on his stretch arm, who was doing pull-ups. "Flint's a Rock-Type Gym Leader; the two of you are at disadvantage, but not a lost cause! Sharpen your reflexes and momentum, don't let the enemy get the upper hand!"

"Right!" Natsu and Pikachu resume their collision.

"You're doing good, Ekans!" Ed focuses on his Snake Pokemon, feeling her grip on his arm tensing his muscles. "Keep it up, you almost are at 30!"

"R-Right!" Ekans hissed as she pulled her face up.


Later, both Ekans and Natsu were back to back, sweating and breathing as their eyes tried to follow Pikachu, who was using Quick Attack to run around them.

"Forget about following Pikachu!" Ed shouted while training with his weights. "With speed like his, neither of you can catch him! Instead, feel his movement and predict where he will be!"

Natsu and Ekans closed their eyes and began to concentrate.

"Pikachu! Do not let them hit you! They will predict you, so you have to act! Be quick! Be ready!"

At that, both Fire and Poison Pokemon glare in one direction before launching Flamethrower and Poison Sting. The attacks were heading exactly where Pikachu was going to pass by. The Electric Mouse turned his eyes to the side and jumped over the attacks, although the fire move managed to grace him a little. He landed in four, shrugging the slight pain away.

"Not perfect, but it was good. Excellent job, you three!" Ed clapped his hands as he went to check on his partner, taking a potion out for the burn. "Let's do it one more time! I want quickness from the three of you!"


Now, all three Pokemons were charging their moves. "The more you charge, the more power you guys will deliver!" Ed said while pulling himself on a tree branch. "They say that the first to strike always wins! I won't ask you that much, but I expect damage! Now, fire!"

"Pika!" The thunder mark appeared above Pikachu. "Chuuuuuuuuuu!" He summoned a lightning bolt then came straight down on top of him, releasing a devastating electric shockwave.

"Charrrrrrrr!" Natsu roared into the sky, barfing flames, brighter and bigger than ever.

"Kasssssssss!" Ekans fired her poison needles into a rock, creating a small explosion on it, making cracks on it.

"That's it!" Ed dropped down, "I can see your attacks improving, keep it going!"

"Alright! I guess that's enough for today."

At Ed's words, all three Pokemons drop to the ground, tired and sweating. "B-Boss...I-I don't think I can feel my legs," Pikachu said.

"Me...neither...and my arms…" Natsu felt dizzy.

"Mas~ter...I...blegh!" Ekans...pass out, her tongue hanging to the side.

"Ah quit it, you babies." Ed rolled his eyes while grabbing his bag, "You guys should know that strength is not given that easily." He said while pulling out three light-yellow fruits. "We need to improve as much as we can. Here, have a Sitrus Berry."

Pikachu, Natsu, and Ekans each took a berry and chomp a bite on it.

"Better?" Ed asked.

"...Better!" All three of them said, energize completely.

"Good." Ed took his phone out and checked the time. "Huh...12:25. It's really that late." He expected that it was ten or eleven.

"What are we going to do?" Natsu asked.

"Well, I guess we can take the time to check around Pewter City," Ed answered, putting his phone away. "I never did get the chance to see the city." He looked at the trio. "What do you all say?"

"Sure!"

With that said, Ed put on his jacket and backpack. Pikachu quickly went up to his left shoulder, Ekans slithered into his right one, and Natsu managed to, somehow, jump into his head.

"Everyone ready?" Ed asked, earning nods from the three Pokémons. "Then, let's go!" And with that, he left.

As they began to leave, from above the trees appeared the mysterious cat Pokemon, having been there for quite some time.

"Mew…" It said in a curious tone, its blue eyes focused on the human that the Pikachu spoke highly about. "Mew!" And by the tone of its voice, I say that he was interested.

So, it morphs into a Pidgey, taking into the sky while following the human and his Pokémon.


(Pewter City)


After a twenty-minute walk, Ed and his team began to explore Pewter City. Going through the streets, they could see people and Pokemon going on their daily days.

"This place is way more huge than I thought!" Ed commented in amazement.

"You can say that again." Pikachu agreed, looking around the tall buildings.

"What s~hould we do firs~t, Mas~ter?" Ekans asked.

"Hmm," Ed hummed in thought before landing his eyes on a familiar spot. "Oh, look! It seems there are small stands in the park. How about we all go and check it out?"

"I do believe that's a wonderful idea."

"Great! So let's go..."

He and the three Pokémons blink a few times before turning to the side in surprise at the newcomer. "Eh?! Celestia?!"

Celestia Mercury stood right next to them, sporting a smile that would creep anyone, and dressed in her usual outfit, except she had now changed her skirt for long pants and her bow for a hat, and her twin-drill hair was now a ponytail. "Good day to you too, Ed."

"Awroo!" Arcanine, who was next to her, greeted.

"O-Oh, good day." Ed recovered from the surprise. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Likewise." Celeste said, "I thought you would be training by now after yesterday's event. Consider that I didn't see you in the morning."

"Ah, we're already done," Ed replied, making the girl look at him in surprise. "We just came back from Viridian Forest."

"Already?" Celeste had to admit, she was impressed.

"Awroo?" Arcanine turned to the three Pokemon, asking if that was true.

"Yeah! We just came back from training hard!" Pikachu answered, making the Fire Dog Pokemon growl impressed.

"That's quite impressive," Celeste said. "Are you planning to take on the Gym afterwards today?"

"Nope." Ed shook his head. "I feel that it is too early to challenge Gym right after yesterday. I'm going to take a few days to rest and train up."

"Smart move." Celeste hummed, acknowledging his plan. "I heard that Flint was taking the time to remodel the Gym with the money from the tournament. It'll take him a few days to finish it."

"Huh...I didn't know that. What luck I have." Ed was surprised.

It seems that he did it right while waiting for the Gym.

"So," Celeste spoke as she put her attention on the park. "Are you planning on seeing the stands?"

"Well, it is the plan I was going to do," Ed replies and he looks at his Pokemon, all of them having a curious look in their eyes. "And it might be good for them to see around the world for a bit."

"Agreed." Celeste said, "Then, would it be a problem if I accompany you?"

"Eh?" Ed looked at her in surprise at the request. "Um...sure, I have no problem. But why?"

"Well, just like you, I'm taking a few days off before planning my next course." Celeste brought her hand under Arcanine's furry chin, scratching affectedly much to the dog's pleasure. "And I do believe my team deserved a break after a hard battle."

Ed hummed, understanding what she meant. "True...But wait," he suddenly realized something important. "Is it a good idea for you to be out? I mean, you are kind of famous." True enough, celebrities in the streets cause too much attention.

"Don't worry about it," Celeste smiled, "For some strange reason, nobody recognizes me without my previous hair style and bow."

"Huh?"

"How's that possible?" Natsu asked in confusion. "She didn't change at all! She is even wearing the same outfit!"

"Awro!" Arcanine responded to him, saying that it was luck.

"Luck?" Ekans had question marks, "How dos~e that work? It's~ not poss~ible for human~s to be that dens~e."

"You are kidding me, right?" Ed asked her.

"I promised you. Even my father's connection could not understand it." Celeste replies before pointing at the park. "But anyways, shall we go and have a look around?"

"Sure. That is the plan." Ed agreed.

And so the two trainers began to make their way around the park.

After a while of sightseeing, the two trainers found themselves sitting on a bench, all their Pokemons out and having fun.

"So this is the famous Octillery Takoyaki…" Ed said in amazed and excited as he brought close the steam ball.

"Have you never eaten one?" Celeste asked in curiosity.

"Not this kind," Ed said as he bit the treat, his eyes went glowing. "Mmmh! Dw gwod!"

"I concur. They are truly delicious." Celeste took a bite and chewed it for a moment before swallowing it. "The Johto Region created an amazing meal. But I sometimes wonder if they do make this out of a real Octillery."

"Same." Ed couldn't help but agree as he looked at the Pokemon face food. "I sometimes feel disgusted that there are people out there who killed them for this. But I think it is not that cruel if I think of it as them helping us." He bites it.

Celeste looked at him in confusion and curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"Think of it like this; instead of killing an Octillery, it surrenders willingly one or two of his tentacles to be cooked. Octillery is an octopus, and they tend to regenerate their tentacles if they lose one. Sure, it could take time, but it will be replaced without much of a problem." Ed explained.

He remembers with much nostalgia when he and a few of his Pokémon fan friends had discussions about making replicas of the foods that the anime show.

Celeste looked at him in surprise at what she just heard, "I...never thought about it that way." She looked at her bowl of takoyaki. "Willing to let them cut their tentacles for ingredients."

"Then again, I can't exactly answer this," Ed said as he pulled out the Pidgeys Roast Meat. "I have no idea how one could just replace their body without any damage." He took a chunk off it. "And honestly? I don't want to think about it."

"You bring a valid point." Celeste agreed as she looked up, focusing on her three Pokémons having fun with Ed's Pokemon. "Moving from foods, I'm quite pleased that your idea of having our Pokemon's out is bringing a healthy atmosphere."

"Of course it was." Ed chuckled as he saw Persian having a teasing expression and she nuzzled Pikachu, who felt embarrassed and forced a smile to stay nice. "Like I said, they too deserve some freedom even after being captured."

"True." Celeste said as she saw Dewgong having a small race with Ekans. "So...What is your plan after this?"

Ed looked at her with curiosity. "If you mean after I go and win the Boulder Badge, then I plan to head to Cerulean City." He answered.

"Smart decision." Celeste nodded. "The Cerulean Gym is a Water-type gym. You have an Electric-type Pokemon with you. With the power you display, your Pikachu will assure you victory."

"Yeah...But I wouldn't get my hopes up." Ed said, making the black-haired girl look at him in confusion. "The Gym Leader, or Leaders, of Cerulean would rather spend time performing water shows than battling. They consider it not that interesting. Chances are, they will give the badge for free."

"What!?" Celeste looked at him incredulously. "But they can't do that! It's a gym leader's job to answer the call of a challenger for their proof of their success! What's the point of having a Gym if you don't like battling?! Why don't they just close it?!"

"I know!" Ed exclaimed. "Is stupid! I didn't train myself and my Pokémons for so long just to go to a Gym and win a badge for free! One will think they are strong enough to fight the next Gym!"

Just imagine someone getting a badge for free, making the trainer think highly of himself, and then lose the next Gym Hard.

It's Ash vs Lt. Surge all over again!

"Dear God… How haven't I heard of this before?" Celeste slapped her forehead in annoyance. "The neglect should be a penalty to their licenses."

"Yeah...Luckily, their fourth sister plans to take over the Gym, so they are probably battling until she comes back from her journey." Ed said.

"They better." Celeste sighs, "Not even the Viridian city Gym leader is this bad, and he doesn't stay there all the time."

"Yeah. Reason why I didn't even bother checking it out." Ed rolled his eyes since he knew what kind of man was Viridian's Gym Leader. ('Aside from that, as long as I don't get involved with TR, I will never see him once.') He looks at the Pokémon group and notices that a wild Pidgey has appeared and was playing with them. "Oh! A real Pidgey!" He took his dex to get information on it.

"Pidgey-Error! Error!"

"Huh?" Ed and Celeste said as the Pokedex continued to shout that. "The Hell is wrong with this thing? Did it glitch?" Ed asked as he bumps it a few times.

"...Pidgey, the Tiny Bird Pokemon. Small in size, but a fast hunter in the sky. Never underestimate the habitat in which this little guy hunts."

Ed blink in confusion at the small glitch that happened. "There we go. But that was weird."

"Did you drop it by any chance?" Celeste asked.

"Nope. It's freshly minted. Samuel Oak himself made sure of it." Ed said before pointing it out to Arcanine.

"Arcanine, the Legendary Pokemon. Loyal and strong, this Pokémon has been considered Man's best friend."

"Maybe it was a small glitch." Ed said after hearing that.

"Who knows." Celeste said with a shrug. "Either way, you should have it checked just in case."

"I'll put that on the list." Ed put away his dex before focusing on another subject. "So...Persian was your first pokemon."

Celeste hummed in joy. "That, she was." She looked at her partner, who had taken the pleasure of following Pikachu with a predator's glint, making the yellow mouse run in panic. "It was a gift from my father. She was but a tiny Meowth, leaving the comfort of her parents and into my care. We have been together since little."

"I can tell." Ed said with a smile. "You train her to be strong, not only to fight, but to protect you from any harm."

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

"She was your last pick for the final."

"I guess it was pretty obvious."

"Woah! Are you serious?!"

A small voice belonging to a kid caught the attention of the two trainers, who looked to the side to see three children in front of another kid, bigger than the other. He had a proud smile while holding a yellow-gold Pokeball in his hand.

"Hehe! That's right!" The bigger one spoke in smugness. "I achieved this awesome Pokémon that can grow, reproduce and make me rich! Just you wait, I'll be the next Big Thing from Pewter City, right behind Flint 'The Wall' and Brock 'The Rock'!"

"Awesome!" The three children were in amazement. "W-What is it?! What Pokémon is it?!"

"Hehehe...Since you are amazed, get a load of this!" The big kid threw his poke-ball up, "Come on out!"

The ball opened out and a light shot out. Once it was clear it reveal the amazing-

"Karp! Karp! Karp!

…Pokémon…

"Eeeeeeeeeeeh!?" All three kids stare in disbelief as they stare at familiar red-scale fish with a yellowfin that looks like a crown.

"Hehehe." The kid smirked as he pointed at the jumping fish. "Behold! A Magikarp!"

"...Lame~" Those words caused the kid to fall in pain.

The kid recovered and then said, "Y-You say that now, but get a load of this!" He took out a manual from his pocket and showed it to his friends, "This Magikarp reproduces one egg, when that one hatches, it will reproduce one thousand eggs at a time! Each one of those babies will then lay one thousand more! And the repeated process happened!"

"Ooooh~"

"If I raise it properly like this book said, my future is a golden mind of success!"

While the boys praised their friend with 'smartness and intelligence', the grown duo watched with a -_- on their faces.

"...Damn." Ed said. "That's the most unrealistic book I have ever seen."

"All that and the book is what you care for?" Celeste couldn't help but shake her head in amusement. "What a strange man you are."

"Strange, am not. Special, I am."

"Well, aren't you confident." Celeste couldn't help but chuckle.

"Boss!"

Pikachu suddenly jumps on his trainer's face, taking him by surprise. "Yo! What?!"

"Save me!" Pikachu yelled as he scattered to the top of Ed's head, shaking like a leaf. "That hussy is trying to kill me!"

"Per~" Persian appeared next to her trainer, snickering.

"Oh dear." Celeste chuckled as she patted her partner. "It seems Persian's mischievous side is getting out of control."

"Yeah. He thinks she is going to eat him." Ed said as he scratched his nose.

"She is! Look at her!" Pikachu points accusingly at the cat, whose eyes glint in a predator's glare. "She's staring at me like a slab of meat! I did not exist to become some sort of food product!"

"Per! Persian!"

"Groom!? That did not look like getting groomed! That was the tongue of a predator! I am not something to be licked!"

"Per! Per!"

"Oh, you went there. That's it. Boss, sent me to the ball cage. I'm done for today."

Ed snorted at the conversation Pikachu was having with Persian. He couldn't understand what the cat Pokemon was saying, but by the reactions, Pikachu was doing, he had enough. "Damn. Already done talking with your girlfriend? That's bad." He decided to tease him out

Pikachu snapped his head down as his black eyes shrunk and his face turned red. "W-What?! G-G-Girlfriend!? Her!? Never!"

"Per~ Per~" Persian eyes glinted as she made some flirtatious winks at Pikachu, making the little rat shiver.

"Stop it!" He whined.

This time, everyone laughs at the misfortune Pikachu was having. Although in her laughter, Celes couldn't help but notice details about Ed. ('Strange...the way he talks to Pikachu is as if he can understand him.') Don't get her wrong, she knows certain trainers can communicate with their Pokémons.

But his way…is like he can talk with him.

('You just keep getting more interesting by the minutes.')


(The next day)


We now fast forward to the next day. Morning came and Ed and his team found themselves outside in the Pokemon Center, training. Especially a certain mouse's new move.

"Pikachu! ThunderShock!"

Pikachu slapped his cheeks and the yellow circle appeared in front of him, a small version, and his newly trademark attack shot forward to a flying rock, hitting it.

Ed hummed. "Excellent. Keep it up!" He said, throwing another rock into the air.

He was so glad that Pikachu learned another electric move. While Thunder is powerful, it lacks accuracy. It's a straightforward attack, for God's sake!

Not only that, but Pikachu had been acting so...active. Like, the thing hanging around his shoulders was lifted a little but he was determined to improve.

That's good.

"Alright!" Ed had stopped throwing rocks and took out a rubber ball. "Let's move to some tail training! I want you to hit the ball with your tail as hard as you can, without using Iron Tail!"

"Got it!" Pikachu understood and he positioned his tail.

"Hit it hard, Rat! I want a homerun out of this city!"

"Be mindf~ul of~your s~urrounding!"

Natsu and Ekans cheered from the side under a tree. Above them, unknown, stood a Spearow, watching the training in curiosity.

"Alright!" Ed positioned himself like a pitcher. "Let me hear you shout!" And he threw it.

The ball flew through the air at maximum speed, heading to Pikachu who jumped into the air and spun, his tail in the flat form before hitting the ball. He growled with all his might before sending it high into the sky before it disappeared with a blink of a star.

"And the rat sends it flying!" Natsu commented as he placed his hand over his eyes.

"Not bad." Ekans commented.

On the tree, the Spearow cooed in joy.

"Jeez." Ed looked at the sky, "I said hit as hard you could, not send the thing straight into a home run." He chuckled, now he's not searching for that thing.

"Was it bad?" Pikachu in concern.

"Opposite." Ed said as he patted his head. "My fault for not being more detailed. Nevertheless, an effort of good work."

"Thanks!"

"Ah! So cool!"

Ed and the rest look at the side to see someone watching them from the side. It was a kid...one that he would have mistaken as a certain slit-closed-eyed guy if he was ten years old. Said boy was looking at the direction the ball was sent, admiration.

"Impressive, right?" The boy flinches in surprise when he looks to the side to see Ed staring at where he was staring. "Most people wouldn't believe that it was from a Pikachu's tail."

"Ack!" The boy jumped back in surprise. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to bother!" He apologized.

"Bother?" Ed raised an eyebrow. "You haven't done anything wrong. There's no need to apologize. You were simply watching and were impressed by my buddy's hit, correct?"

"Y-Yeah…It was so cool!" The kid said in excitement. "You're so strong! Are you planning to challenge my dad's gym?!"

"...So you are related to Flint." Ed sweatdrop at his words. "What if I say yes?"

To his shock, the boy kneels for him. "Please! I asked for your help!" He said before bowing his head. "I know you can help me out!"

"Woah! Easy there, kiddo!" Ed nervously sweats, his three Pokemon reaching him and looking confused. "Take a deep breath," The kid looked up and was breathing, "And while you're at it, care to introduce yourself? Name's Edgard Martinez, friends called me Ed."

The kid nodded. "R-Right, sorry for the outburst." He stood up, dust his pants, and composed, "My name is Forrest, and I am, as you have guessed, Gym Leader Flint's son."

"Alright. Now, tell me, how can I help you?"

Forrest took a deep breath and looked at him with determination. "...I want you to train and help me defeat my father and mother!"

"...Eh?"


(One explanation later)


"...I see."

Ed had brought Forrest inside the Pokemon Center, inviting him for a quick lunch. While his team eats, he listens to the second son of the "The Rock" family.

In short, his mother, Lola, had returned from her journey, (which is practically an unofficial abandonment of parenting), a month after their father came back to substitute Brock's parental job and allow him to go on a journey to fulfill his goals. Forrest, now the oldest in the family, didn't have a problem. It's not like she abandoned them at birth or divorced Flint, or that she left without explaining.

Now, the problem here was that Lola was a Water-type Pokemon Trainer, and Flint, being the love idiot he was, didn't fight back when she asked to be the Gym Leader of Pewter City. She only asked for one change; that it's now a Water-Type Gym.

('That's where the Tournament came in.') Ed thought as he connected the dots of the Tournament. Flint and Lola wanted to remodel and expand the Gym.

Also, they were putting a bit more attention on their marriage than their children, which Forest was slightly angry about.

"So you got mad at your old man for not defending the Gym's speciality, your mother's unappreciated talent for Rock-Types, and the fact they are putting more love to each other than attention to you and your siblings." Ed summarized.

"Y-Yeah…" Forrest clenched his fist, "I'm mad at them…My older brother put up with all of us and the Gym after those two left. He maintains the Pewter Gym image! And it's not fair that mom wants to take that away! Worst part, she just talks all this without concern or opinions! Brock would never allow this, and Dad shouldn't just give up!"

"...You admire Brock, don't you?" Ed asked with a smile.

"...I do." Forrest smiled at remembering." his brother's battles with challengers. "He was so…cool! His Onix and Geodude are so strong! He didn't win all battles, but those two never went down without a fight! They have been with him since little!" He stood up, going with the flow. "Someday, I'm going to be as cool as him! And become as strong as him! And then, I will take over the Gym Leader and make him proud when he comes back."

"Heh! I'm sure he is proud already," Ed said, starting to remember this episode, "The fact you are fighting for the honor of the gym is proof enough." He stood up with determination. "Alright, Forrest. I'll help you out."

"Really?!" Forrest beamed in joy. "Alright!"

"Okay. First thing first, do you have a Pokémon with you?" Ed asked.

"Yeah!" Forrest took out a poke-ball and maximized it. "Come on out!" He threw it in the air.

It opened, bringing out a rhinoceros-like creature with a body covered in gray, rocky plates. It has a triangular head with narrow, red eyes, two fangs protruding from its upper jaw, small, triangular openings on the upper sides, and a short horn on the tip of its snout, with a spiked ridge runs along its back. "RYYYY!" It cried before releasing steam through its nostrils.

"Rhyhorn. Nice choice." Ed said while taking the dex out.

"Rhyhorn, the Spike Pokemon! It's bones are 1000 times more durable than normal! A powerful bulldozer for anything that stands in its path!"

"Rhyhorn is my best friend and partner." Forrest knelt and began to pet Rhyhorn, who appreciated the love. "I caught him when I went to Saffron City's Safari. It was perfect for me since I want to be the next Gym Leader."

"Hmm. I can see it." Ed hummed as he watched Pikachu and the others starting to climb Rhyhorn's body for fun. ('He did have a Rhyperior. And they are hard to catch, so props to him for doing it.') He started to inspect the rhino creature, its body slightly glowing like a pearl. "It looks quite healthy."

"Yeah! My brother taught me a few things!" Forrest replied, "He wants to be an excellent Pokémon Breeder. I learned a few techniques to take care of Rhyhorn."

"Alright. How long until the Gym is finished remodeling?"

"Five days."

"...Hmm, that's quite a bit short, but beggars can't be choosers." Ed mumbled as he began to think. ('As far as I know, Lola has used in battle a Mantine and a Marill. She is strong, consider that Flint is the Gym Leader…Slight disadvantage we have.') "Alright, I said I will help you, and I will keep my word. But I must understand a few things; are you willing to do this?"

"I do-"

"Be careful with what you say." Ed suddenly glared at him, making Forrest flinch. "What I want to know is your feelings in full detail; your emotions to both parents, your determination in your goal, the acceptance of consequences. Are you aware of what you are doing? Ready to take responsibility with your actions? You must be absolutely sure of what you are going to get yourself in."

Forrest stared in shock (no idea how he has "freaking" slits for eyes) before looking down at the ground. Rhyhorn stood next to him, looking concerned for his trainer's well-being at the moment.

After a while, he clenched his fist.

"I…I love Mom and Dad." Forrest spoke, "They are strong trainers and they do care for all of us. But…! I'm mad at what Mom is doing; the job both Dad and Brock have been protecting for so long! And Dad is just letting it happen!" He looked up, and Ed could see the resolve in his eyes. "I want to protect that which is my dream and desire! To show Mom that the Pewter Gym is fine the way it is! And to show Dad that we can be great like Brock!"

"Horn!" Rhyhorn growled and stood into leg before giving a hard stomp, showing the determination his trainer had.

"...Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

Ed smirked. ('You have a passionate brother, Brock. I'm sure you knew the Gym was in good hands.') "Alright, then be ready…We have things to do."

"Yes, Master!"

"...T-That's weird, don't call me that."

"Sorry, Boss!"

"That's worse!"

Pikachu and the others laughed at the name Forrest was giving.


(Five days later)


Days passed in the blink of an eye. Or in layman's terms, the author got lazy to not put the training montage that Ed did with Forrest.

Ed and Forrest stood in front of the Pewter Gym. Rocky terrain with a standard path, a building that once held in a tournament was…decorated with some sort of childish drawings?

"What the Hell?" Ed sweatdrop.

"Are you sure we are in the right building?" Pikachu, standing on his shoulder, sweat drops too.

"It's my mother…she claims to be an artist." Forrest said in a sweatdrop.

"An artist?" Ed felt like Picasso rose from his grave and was blanking like a baby. "That looks like a five year old starting to draw, and it barely knows what the word 'drawing' is."

"No comment." Forrest said before taking a deep breath. "This is it… Are you sure the time training was enough, Boss?"

"Only time will tell," Ed said with determination.

He could have waited a bit more and trained Forrest the necessary time, but the reopening of the Pewter Gym sounded like a good way to make a statement of their changes. With only Rhyhorn on his personnel, the battlefield is mostly covered in water.

The bad predicament for them.

"Remembered. Win or Lose. We Trainers are going in to prove our worth in guiding our Pokémons in battle." Ed said as he stretched his arms. "The outcome can be anything…We must accept it, and become better." He looks at Forrest. "Are you prepared…to lose?"

"...Yes!" Forrest proclaimed.

"Then…let us."

"Good morning."

Ed, Pikachu, and Forrest jump back in surprise at the sudden appearance of Celeste. "Holy Sweet Jesus! Celeste! What is wrong with you?!"

"Someone put a bell on that girl already!" Pikachu shouted in surprise.

"What?" Celeste raised an eyebrow. "I'm just greeting you. Is there a problem?"

"Is there? A greeting is face to face! You chose to slithered behind me like a snake and speak!" Ed informed her.

"Hmm, then I guess it is your fault for not sensing me."

"What are you? A ninja?" Ed gave her the meme. (Author's note: Confused Black Girl, search it in images(No really, I did that)

"I'll take that as a compliment." Celeste said before turning to Forrest, "Good morning, Forrest. Ready for today?"

"Y-Yes!" Forrest shouted with flushed cheeks. "T-Thank you so much for helping me out, Ms. Mercury!" He said flustered.

How couldn't he! He was standing in front of the Elite 4 Candidate! Who knew his temporary teacher knew such a powerful trainer! It was a blessing to be trained for three days by the two of them!

"No problem boy. I hope to see you win and bring some sense to your parents." Celeste said before turning to look at Ed. "And I wish you luck in your victory to get the Boulder Badge."

"Just hope we can win, but thanks Celes." Ed replied before taking his glasses out and putting them on. "Now then…Let us go, Forrest."

"Yes!" Forrest exclaimed as he went to the doors of the Gym and opened them up.

Ed followed behind him, and so did Celeste. "You're watching?" He asked.

"But of course." She replied with interest. "I did find fascinating how you handle yourself in battle. Being curious at what you will bring to this one might open some ideas for myself."

Ed chuckled at that. "Well, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, so go ahead and enjoy the match."

The three entered the arena…and couldn't help but cringe a little.

As Ed had predicted and Forrest had mentioned, the Gym was remodeled. The rock parts of the field were still there like in the anime, but there was also a giant pool of water covering it. What took the cringe part was the 'art' around the walls. ('Jesus! If the outside was a child's drawing, then this must be a Leonardo Da Vinci's wall of shame and regret!')

"Dear God…What have I entered into?" Celeste places a hand over her mouth to hide his disgust. Where was the battlefield she and Ed fought in?

She would pay everything in her allowance to get that scenery back.

Forrest shook his head and shouted. "Mom! Dad! Come out!"

"...Uh? Are they out-"

"FORRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!"

A comet.

A comet burst out from the door at the far sight of the Gym, ran past the field, and caught Forrest. Ed and Celes only had one second to blink, one second to be shocked, and one second to look at the side.

Forrest was being snuggled by a mature woman with mahogany color hair, crying tears of joy and worry. "My baby! You made me so worried when you left in the morning and didn't come back until nightfall in five days!"

"M-Mom! We have guests!" Forrest said, trying to not feel embarrassed, which failed in an instant.

"Oh?" Lola stops her love affection and looks at who came in. "Oh dear! I know you two!" She exclaimed with a gasp.

"Greetings, Ms. Harrison." Ed greeted her with a bow. "My name is Edgard Martinez, but please call me Ed. I have come today to challenge the Pewter Gym Leader for the opportunity to obtain the Boulder Badge."

"Oh~ What a gentleman." Lola cooed before her eyes widened. "Challenger?!" She turned to the way she came. "Honey! Forrest bought our first customer!"

"Already?!" From the doors, Flint slid in in a surprise. "Everyone! To position!" He suddenly shouted.

The Gym's light suddenly turned off.

"Woah! Woah! What's going on?!" Pikachu asked in fear.

"Greetings! Trainer!"

A single spotlight appeared in the center of the field, Flint and Lola in the center with their back at them. "So you have come to make your worth known?" Flint spun around, "Such a strange way to make a 'rocky' start in here."

"Perhaps a refreshment is what you need." Lola spun as well, smiling. "Because we sure are different from before!"

They grabbed each other's hands and started to spin dancing. "We, the Pewter Gym Leaders, welcomed you! And accept your challenge!" They shouted together, as they dramatically posed, and confetti burst behind them.

"What the fu-"

And cut!