Goodbye Butterfree
"Alright Butterfree, use Confusion!"
"Freee!" Butterfree's eyes glowed bright blue, a similar blue light surrounding a Loudred as the Normal type was lifted up into the air before swiftly being slammed back into the ground!
"Lou... dred..." The Normal type groaned out in defeat as he laid on the ground with swirls in his eyes, his trainer had a look of disbelief before it turned to a sour look as he handed Zach his winnings.
"You did it, Butterfree!" Zach shouted out while giving his Bug Pokemon a fond look as it landed on his shoulder and began nuzzling him. "If we keep this up you'll be the strongest Butterfree in no time, might even be the first champion to actually have one on his main team!"
"Freeee!"
"Car!"
"Scor!" His two Pokemon partners showed their support for the first addition to their family, Butterfree was special to all of them as he marked the beginning of their adventure together along with being a great and trusted friend!
Ash and his friends were currently on their way to Draco Island in order to face off against Drake but the ship had docked at another port in order to resupply, giving the trainer's a full day to explore the island and get back before the ship left in the morning. Or rather that's what Chloe wanted, Zach had decided to split off and take the day to train his Pokemon to make sure they'd be in proper shape to fight Nessa while allowing the others to wander off.
Scorbunny's stomach soon rumbled loudly causing the others to look at her as she pulled away from the hug, rubbing the back of her neck with a nervous smile as the others laughed.
"Come on, let's find a place to eat. I'm sure we all worked up an appetite after today!" The Pokemon cried out in agreement as the four left the Pokemon Center training grounds and went to find a restaurant. As they walked through the small town Zach couldn't help but notice a lot of people were walking around with Butterfree, Beautifly, Dustox, and Vivillon on either their heads or flying next to them.
"That's strange..." He commented but shrugged it off as they found a restaurant that allowed Pokemon to eat with their trainers. "Now this is my kind of establishment, let's go everyone!" He threw forward the remaining three balls, allowing for Linoone, Corvisquire and Piplup to all break free of their confinement.
"Pip, Piplup!"
"Noon!"
"Corvi!" The Pokemon cried out as their trainer got them all a place to eat, all of them having food set out in front of them not long after and were prepared to have a nice and peaceful meal before they were suddenly surrounded by a crowd of trainers who were eyeing up Butterfree letting out 'Oooh's' and 'Aaah's' while Linoone and Lucario growled at them for different reasons, Linoone wanted his personal space while Lucario didn't like them crowding in his trainer.
"That Butterfree is quite magnificent, the wings are bright and show that he's well taken care of and the stripes show that he is quite a powerful Pokemon. I'll give you 50,000 pokebucks if you'll let him be my Vivillon's mate!" A well dressed gentlemen trainer offered up with a thick Kalos accent.
Zach immediately spat out his drink. "Excuse me?! Butterfree's family, he ain't for sale! Especially not for something as disgusting as breeding stock!"
"Nono, it's tradition here on Meadow Island. Bug Pokemon from all over the world gather here once a year to pick out their mate and travel the world to continue the cycle of providing new trainers with Caterpie, Wurmple, Scatterbug and the like!" A female trainer explained before resting her hand on top of Zach's and giving him a seductive look. "If you chose my Butterfree then perhaps we can head back to my hotel room afterwards?"
Zach immediately pushed her hand away and shook his head. "No way, I'm not accepting deals of any sort! Butterfree means more to me than anything you have to offer me!"
"Not any a million Pokedollars?" A gold briefcase was dropped onto the table causing Zach to let out a growl before looking up, his face growing irritated when he recognized the culprit.
"You!"
"Oh please like I have time for your petty squabbles, you Galarian neanderthal" Chad's eyes were focused on Butterfree. "When we met I dismissed you as just common trash but it appears as if your Butterfree would make for quite the powerful social status for myself if it got with my Dustox!"
"Tox, Dustox!"
"Free..." Butterfree narrowed his eyes and immediately turned his back to Dustox.
Chad's eye began to twitch. "N-Nobody turns me down!" He shouted out angrily, shaking his fist at the Bug type.
"Butterfree just did," Zach countered with a smirk before standing up. "Come on guys, let's go find somewhere else to eat."
"Freee?" As he sat on his trainer's shoulder Butterfree happened to look upon a beautiful Beautifly, his eyes lit up and focused upon Beautifly before losing track of her. Butterfree flapped his wings for a brief second as his heart said to follow but then stopped as he was getting mixed signals, Butterfree loved Zach and the rest of their tea-no family. Was he really going to throw that bond away for some Bug Pokemon he literally just met?!
"Alright everyone let's get practicing! Linoone you pair with Lucario, Corvisquire and Piplup you're practice buddies too, Scorbunny and Butterfree same with you. Now give your partner your all, don't hold back! We can all take what our team can dish out as we've grown stronger together!"
Zach watched closely as Linoone rushed Lucario, Piplup slid across the field on his belly to get Corvisquire only for the bird to fly up and avoid the attack before swooping in from behind, while Scorbunny stood there...?
"Scorbunny what's wro-?" Zach paused midsentence as he saw Butterfree gazing off into the distance with a longing expression. Fear showed itself on Zach's face as he quickly realized what Butterfree was thinking of, he wouldn't leave him right? He couldn't... he lost family before and considered himself lucky enough that he wasn't old enough to remember them as it hurt less but Butterfree was family now. Him, Lucario, Scorbunny and the others. He loved them all and didn't know what he'd do if he lost any of them. Maybe changing the subject would help Butterfree out and clear both their heads, maybe even allow for Butterfree to not realize how much time was going by until it was too late, then he'd have to stay! Zach quickly shook his head, realizing that it wouldn't be right for him to do that.
Zach approached Butterfree and got down onto his knees to make himself eye level with Butterfree. "Butterfree... d-do you want a mate?" The words struggled to come out as Zach did his best to hold back potential tears, not wanting Butterfree to feel like he needed to stay.
"F-Freee...?" Butterfree turned his gaze towards Zach before gazing back at where he'd last seen Beautifly as the Bug type nodded lightly.
"Well then let's try our best to get yourself a mate!" Zach forced a smile upon his face as he pulled out his Rotom Phone to quickly research the subject. "So Bug type's like honey... maybe if we spread it across your body you'll be a chick magnet!"
"Scor!" Scorbunny licked her lips.
"A Bug type chick magnet," Zach corrected himself with a light glare as Scorbunny chuckled. He walked off and left his Pokemon there for a few minutes before briefly returning with a jar of freshly purchased honey. "Alright here you go, Butterfree!" He stuck his hand in and began spreading honey across Butterfree's body, Butterfree had an unsure look across his face but kept quiet as he didn't want to risk upsetting his trainer as he was working hard to make sure he got his dream!
"Huh, somebody posted a picture of their own Butterfree with a scarf and he got a beautiful pink mate!" Zach quickly began fishing through his bag before pulling out a blue colored scarf and wrapping it around Butterfree's neck. "There, that ought to make you more noticeable if the honey fails! I-It'll also keep you warm at night and... give you something to remember me by." Zach hung his head as the sadness fully took over, Butterfree flew closer and nuzzled his cheek against Zach's forehead, leaving a smear of honey.
"Oh Butterfree, I-I want you to be happy but I'm scared. I'm worried that something might happen to you while you're out there alone with your mate and scared that... scared that we might forget each other!"
"Free?" Butterfree tilted his head as he noticed his trainer's tears, nuzzling him once more as tears flowed down his own face. "Freeee!"
"You'll never forget him." Ash suddenly spoke as he and the others arrived on the scene while on their way back to town after their adventure around the island. "Remember how I said my first capture was also a Caterpie? I remember him every time I see another Caterpie because he meant the world to me! I also let him go to find happiness and though we've never seen each other since I have the feeling that he's alright and out there somewhere. You may no longer see one another but you'll always be close within your heart!"
Zach sniffled into the sleeve of his hoodie before looking up to face Butterfree, his eyes red from tears as he stared directly into Butterfree's eyes with Butterfree staring right back. "L-Let's just get this over with..." Butterfree nodded in response, both wanting to get it over with before they changed their minds.
"Welcome one and all to the annual Meadow Island Festival! In a short while dusk will be approaching and the Bug types will be released so they can pick a mate and travel the world to produce more Bug types, so without further ado let's get the show underway!" Shortly after the announcer finished various trainers began rushing around with some Bug types already flying off with a mate.
"Alright Butterfree, t-there's your chance!" Zach cheered the Bug type on as he flew off of Zach's head and began looking around for the Beautifly but struggled to see it.
"Hey I thought you weren't coming!" The gentleman trainer spotted Zach and prodded his chest with his cane. "The deal's still there if ya want it!"
"So is mine, handsome!" The girl trainer latched onto Zach's arm, flashing him a seductive look before Marnie punched her.
"Back off, temptress!" Marnie growled. "He's free to make his own decision!"
"Y-Yeah I changed my mind but only because I want him to be happy, this could be Butterfree's one chance at true love and I'm not going to let it go to waste just to keep him around!"
"He'll be happy with my Dustox, she has perfect EVs and IVs. I spent a lot of good money on her!" Chad boasted.
"EVs, Ivs... yuck!" Zach made a disgusted face.
"Hey, whose that flying to your Butterfree?" Chloe suddenly asked causing everyone to look up apart from Zach who'd been watching the whole time, not breaking contact once not even when he spoke to the others.
"Freee!" Zach's Butterfree's eyes lit up as a yellow scarfed Butterfree and pink Butterfree flew up to him before nuzzling their bodies against one another.
"No way..." Ash breathed out. "Butterfree!"
"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out as their faces lit up with excitement upon seeing their old friend again.
"Wait a second, that means-" Marnie started.
"My Butterfree is your Butterfree's son?!" Zach turned to Ash with a look of surprise.
"Sure looks that way!" Ash smirked as he waved up at the Bug types. "Hey Butterfree, down here!"
"Freeee!" Butterfree dove down immediately upon spotting Ash, nuzzling his face with affection as he laughed out.
"It's great to see you again, old friend!"
"Pika!"
"Freee!"
Zach's eyes scanned the clearing and skies as it appeared that most of the Bug types had gone during the reunion, even Chad's Dustox. They were quickly running out of time!
"Butterfree, hurry! You've got to find the love of your life before she's taken, I know you can do it!"
"Scor!"
"Car!"
"Cor!"
"Noon!"
"Pip!" Zach's other Pokemon all cheered their teammate on as he flew through the air, constantly flicking his head back and forth before locking eyes upon the Beautifly, flying straight towards her before crying out.
"Freee!"
"Beautifly!" The other Bug type seemed to find his attractive as she didn't move away or turn her back in disgust, causing Zach to let out a sigh of relief but still felt a tinge of sadness taking over as the two Pokemon locked eyes and began flying circles around one another.
"Freee!"
"It's a beautiful sight, ain't it?" A voice spoke as Zach heard a pair of footsteps approach him.
"I-I suppose it is," Zach sniffed as his eyes followed Butterfree around.
"I think it's wonderful, it's a shame to lose a friend but it's important to let your friends go off to find their own happiness... he was your first wasn't he?"
"Yeah, he means a lot to me..." Tears began flowing from his eyes once more as he felt a hand touch his shoulder.
"I have the same connection to my Beautifly, we've been through a lot together but lately she started looking lonely so I decided to take her here and see if this would help resolve her problems... my brother suggested it actually. Anyways since our Bugs are friendly then I suppose to we should be friends as well? The name's May, pleasure to meet you!"
Zach jumped lightly as the name rang a bell. "I-It's Zach..."
"Pleasure to meet you, Zach!" May smiled, patting his shoulder as the two Bug Pokemon flew down to say their goodbyes to their trainers.
"Freeee!" Tears flew down Butterfree's face once more as he was face to face with his trainer.
"I-I'll miss you, Butterfree!" Zach sniffled as tears began flowing down his face, remembering when he caught Caterpie back in Vermilion Forest, then the moment he evolved into Metapod and how the two met Corvisquire for the first time, then his evolution into Butterfree and going Gigantamax to beat Milo! Zach reached down for Butterfree's Pokeball before pressing a button as a blue beam flew out and surrounded Butterfree, setting him free. "N-Now go, live your life with that Beautifly! I'll continue fighting on for my dream of becoming Galar champ for the both of us!"
"Freee!" Butterfree nuzzled his trainer one last time before turning to Beautifly as she was getting parting words from her own trainer, May seeming much better had keeping her emotions in check but some tears still flowed from her eyes as she waved her former partner off.
"Take care Beautifly!"
The two Bug Pokemon flew backwards as they gazed back and watched their trainers getting smaller and smaller, only turning away when the island became a speck on the horizon.
"I can't believe he's gone." Zach collapsed onto his back as he stared up at the star filled night sky. "It feels like a part of me is missing yet at the same time I'm proud and happy for him!"
"It gets easier as times goes on, trust me." Ash gave his friend a supportive smile before turning to May. "Hey May, it's been awhile!" He noticed she was back to wearing her usual colors.
"Yeah it has, I've actually been quite successful since!" May let out a light giggle before showing a picture of herself with several Grand Festival trophies. "I'm a top Coordinator now, so is Dawn by the way. I'm taking a vacation for the time being to work on my routine, I wanna make something new while also catching new Pokemon. I only really came here because of Beautifly and I'm headed back for the mainland tomorrow."
"Wait a second, you were on the boat the whole time?" Marnie narrowed her eyes lightly. "How did we not see you?!" Not like Ash's Latias was hard to miss after all.
"I was catching up on sleep." May explained, rubbing the back of her neck. "So where are you all going?"
"We're going to Draco Island so I can face Drake!" Ash excitedly proclaimed.
"Sounds exciting, I remember watching you challenge him back during the Hoenn days. You lost back then but perhaps now could be different!"
"You can tag along if you like!" Ash offered.
"Sure, I-"
"Ash, mind if the girls talk?" Marnie suddenly spoke up.
"Uh, sure?" Ash blinked, noticing that Marnie seemed to have an issue but didn't dare question it. He walked off and sat down next to Zach while Marnie leaned closer to May, narrowing her eyes as she stared directly into May's.
"...If you're about to ask if I like Ash, the answer is no!" May spoke up, shaking her head as she recognized the look of jealousy too well from back when she pined for Drew. She gave Marnie a light smile. "So don't worry about it."
"Wait-you like A-?!" Chloe's eyes widened in realization before Marnie quickly covered her mouth and flashed a quick look in Ash's direction but he was too engulfed in his discussion with Zach to notice.
"Don't you dare tell him!" Marnie hissed out, flashing a terrified look towards Ash before breathing out a sigh of relief as he hadn't noticed.
Pierce walked through a long corridor wearing a science coat, his hands placed within his pockets as he stared ahead. His eyes soon set upon a door labeled 'Dr. Yung'. A smirk crossed his face as he cast a quick glance before walking on inside.
"I thought I told Oleana that I don't want visitors or interns, go away whoever you are!"
"Fascinating..." Pierce's words caused Yung to jump up and hit his head against a lamp. Pierce gazed into a cage as he watched what appeared to be a Gigantamax Butterfree only not as large as normal only appearing twice the normal size of a Butterfree, it's transformation not seeming as a result of the Dynamax factor nor did it appear to be changing back! "Rose is trying to make the phenomenon permanent?!"
"Rose as nothing to do with this!" Dr. Yung suddenly shouted, his face reddened as he locked eyes with the Rocket agent. "I've been aiming to do this for years, Mirage Pokemon were a bust but this is sure to be a success once I work out the kinks!"
"Well I'm sure that Giovanni would be very thrilled if you bring that experiment into the organization, imagine how unstoppable we'd be if we owned a Mega Charizard that never tired out from it's extreme power surge or the sheer chaos that a Gigantamax Charizard could wreck upon cities! The world would be brought to it's knees!" Pierce had a sinister glint in his eyes.
Yung noticed a stone tablet in the man's pocket, reaching out to grab it as he was distracted. "'Shadow Pokemon' eh? Yes, I heard of this. Your old friend the Masked Marauder used to engage in an early prototype with his 'Dark Balls' and almost got himself killed. Why on earth would I want to engage in this?"
"Because you're the most intelligent man on the planet, you created Mirage Pokemon and so much more! In fact it's your notes that we're using to create Thu-"
"Say no more I'm in! Rose is a terrible boss and his lackeys are just so ill mannered, at least with criminals you can threaten them without a dreaded call from 'human resources'" Yung shivered. "All I want is more resources so I can perfect my personal experiments and a lackey to fetch me coffee."
"Consider it done! Welcome to the Rocket team, Dr. Yung."
And Butterfree's gone.
