Welcome back and thank you to everyone who voted on the forum and in the reviews. Also I know I said I'd write about them getting new Pokedexs, but it completely slipped my mind while I was writing this chapter and I couldn't see where to fit it in. Hopefully I remember it in a later chapter. Anyway, enjoy the chapter. I hope it was worth the wait.
Ash was still having a hard time comprehending what he'd been told.
"You really want me to have one of this Region's starters?" asked Ash.
"Mate it's like I said, you've given me no reason to believe ya abused ya pokémon, and you've agreed to all the conditions required for ya to gain asylum 'ere. So I want you to take a starter, as a sign of good faith, trust and to make up for the fact that ya've had to surrender most of ya pokemon until they become clean," stated Professor Gidyea. "So please, take one."
Ash smiled.
"Thank you," said Ash.
He looked at the three starters. They all looked so powerful and amazing that it was difficult for him to choose which one to take. Wallaleaf looked like it would be a quick and powerful battler. Platipes looked like it would be extremely useful for water battles, but considering that most of the region was covered in desert, Ash felt it might find it difficult fighting in the more harsh areas, even if those areas were predominantly populated by ground types. Then Ash looked at Echidflame. The spikes on its back looked like they'd make effective weapons in battle. A fire type might have difficulty in a region with a vast amount of desert, but what if it eventually gained a second typing that would counteract that thought Ash. Not only that, but the sun in this region was so harsh that it might power up fire types.
"Excuse me Professor Gidyea, do they gain any extra types when they evolve?" asked Ash.
"Oh yeah mate for sure," said Professor Gidyea.
"What are they?" asked Ash.
"Wallaleaf's final evolution is a grass-fighten type called Boxaroo. Echidflame's is a fire-ground type called Lavana and Platipes' final stage is Tsunatypus. However, it doesn't gain any additional typing, as it's a water-poison type from birth," stated Professor Gidyea.
"They're poison types?" asked Gary amazed.
"How do they administer poison to another pokémon?" asked Brock.
"Is not as complex as ya think," said Professor Gidyea, picking Platipes up and showing the spurs on its back legs. "If it manages to kick ya with these your pokémon are more or less done for!"
Ash had a feeling that would be extremely helpful when battling in this Region. While he had already made his decision on which pokémon to choose there was one more question he needed to ask.
"Does this region's harsh sun increase the power of fire types?" asked Ash.
"Oh, you bet it does. Honestly learning the move Sunny Day is almost pointless because the sunlight is harsh throughout most of the region. Makes owning fire types very useful. It's also helpful to grass types that know Solar Beam because the time it takes to charge the attack is greatly decreased," stated Professor Gidyea.
"Then I know which starter I'll take," said Ash. "I choose Echidflame."
"Good choice mate," said Professor Gidyea. He returned Echidflame to its pokéball and handed it to Ash. "I gotta be honest though I was half expecting ya to choose Platipes. His water attacks would help keep ya cool in this region, not to mention he'd have a big advantage over all the ground types!"
"I thought about taking Platipes, but I also felt it would be uncomfortable battling far away from a water source, which I have a feeling could occur a lot in this region," stated Ash.
"That's pretty right," said Professor Gidyea.
"Not only that, you said fire types are really strong in this region due to the hot sun, which makes me eager to see just how strong I can make all my fire types while I'm here. Plus, I think it would be useful to have a strong ground type while traveling through this region's harsher terrain," said Ash.
"Right again," said Professor Gidyea.
"Welcome to the team Echidflame," said Ash admiring his newest pokéball.
"Just a shame we can't take all of them. These three starters could be great pokémon for me to research," said Gary.
"Well why not take all of em," decided Professor Gidyea.
The group couldn't believe what they'd heard.
"Seriously?" asked Ash.
"Well, I'm not expecting any new trainers at the moment, and I think it would do all three good to go out and travel," stated Professor Gidyea. "But how about letting someone else have the other two Ash?"
"I was just about to suggest the same thing. While it would be cool to have all three starters, I'd like to try and catch some native pokémon on my own," stated Ash.
"Good attitude Ash, good attitude," said Professor Gidyea, before turning to the rest of the group. "Well, how bout it, any of you game enough to try and train a Stralian Starter?"
This was a tough decision for the group. All of them wanted one of the starters, but there were only two left and there were four more people in the group who were old enough to own pokémon. Bonnie was still too young, so it was out of Dawn, Brock, Clemont and Gary as to who would take the last two starters.
Ash decided to speak up.
"I think Dawn should take one," said Ash.
"Really?" asked Dawn surprised.
"I think having a new pokémon will be a great help to you developing more contest moves. Not only that, if you're going to be the one to start contests in this region, it might be good promotion if you have one of the starters on your team!" explained Ash.
"I think that's a fair enough reason why she should have one," said Brock. "Besides as a Pokémon Doctor in training, I'm going to be more focused on learning how to treat pokémon and I'll barely get to use them. I think it would be less wasteful if Dawn took one."
"Same here. There will be plenty of new pokémon in this region for me to study, so it won't be a great loss if I don't take one," said Gary.
"I'm more of an electric trainer myself," said Clemont. "I mean, sure I like to catch and train all types of pokémon, but electric ones are my specialty."
"Thanks guys," said Dawn happily.
"Well, which one do ya want Dawn? I'll be happy for ya to take either of em," said Professor Gidyea.
Dawn carefully considered the starters. She really wanted to take Platipes, but she had a feeling her Piplup would get jealous if she picked another water starter to join the group. Then she remembered what Ash said. They wanted her to take a starter so she could develop more contest moves. Maybe it would be better to choose a pokémon with a type she'd yet to catch.
"I'll take Wallaleaf," said Dawn.
"All righ," said Professor Gidyea returning the pokémon and handing Dawn its ball. "'ere ya go."
"Thanks, I haven't caught a grass pokémon yet so I have a feeling Wallaleaf would be best for helping me develop new moves and combinations," said Dawn. "Plus, you said there are quite a few ground types in this region, so another grass type might be good for extra defence."
"That's right. The ground types 'ere are numerous in numbers and incredibly powerful, so having a grass type on ya team is a wise move," stated Professor Gidyea. "Now, who's taking Platipes?"
Brock, Gary and Clemont all looked at each other. Only one pokemon was left. How could they decide out of the three of them who should take it? Eventually someone else spoke up.
"I wanna take Platipes," said Bonnie.
Everyone looked at the young girl.
"Bonnie we've been over this a million times. You're too young to have your own pokémon," stated Clemont. Bonnie frowned glumly.
"But you ain't," stated Professor Gidyea. "And if I remember correctly this girl's your little sister. How bout you take it officially until she's old enough to have her own."
"Will you Clemont will you please?" asked Bonnie.
"Bonnie hold up, we still haven't decided if I should be the one to take the last starter," stated Clemont.
"Actually, I think we have," said Brock.
"Yeah, you should take Platipes for your sister," stated Gary.
"Really?" asked Clemont.
"Well from what we've seen she really loves taking care of pokémon and this could be the perfect opportunity for her to learn how to care for pokémon from a different region," suggested Brock. "So please, take the last starter for your sister."
Clemont turned to Gary.
"Do you agree with Brock?" asked Clemont.
"I do. Take it," said Gary.
"Alright," said Clemont, turning to Professor Gidyea. "Well Professor, I guess I'll be taking Platipes."
"Very good," said Professor Gidyea, returning Platipes and handing it to Clemont. "And remember Platipes is one of me personal favourites, so I'm expecting ya to take extra special care of this one."
"We will, I promise," said Clemont taking Platipes' ball.
"Good, anyway that's all I wanted to show ya's, I need to get back to work now, but as I said if there's anything ya need don't hesitate to ask," said Professor Gidyea, sitting down at his desk and picking up a stack of papers.
"Actually Professor, there was one more thing we were hoping we could ask of you," said Ash.
Professor Gidyea looked.
"There was a boy called Max Maple who defended me when I was first accused. Sadly, we couldn't take him with us when we escaped, because he was being restrained by the traitors. Because of his actions he's been banned from becoming a Pokémon Trainer when he's older and has been imprisoned at a military school. I know you've already done so much for us already, but do you think there's anything you could do to help Max? Maybe find a way to get him released and granted asylum in this region?" asked Ash.
Professor Gidyea removed his glasses and sighed.
"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do to help Max," stated Professor Gidyea.
"What do you mean there's nothing you can do? You're a Pokémon Professor, surely you can do something?" asked Ash.
"I may be a Pokémon Professor, but if you did your research on me, you'll know I've never left the Stralia Region or met the head professors of the other regions. I've read papers on pokémon from other regions out of curiosity, but I've never actually gone to study them. Because of this, I have zero influence in the other regions," stated Professor Gidyea.
"Darn, I can't believe there's nothing we can do to help Max," said Ash sadly.
"Not only that Ash, even if I did have influence in the other regions, I still think helping him would be a bad idea right now," said Professor Gidyea.
"What how can you say that?" asked Ash.
"Don't tell me you believe that Max deserves what's happening to him right now?" asked Brock.
"Of course not, but that's not the reason I believe helpin' him would be a bad idea," stated Professor Gidyea. "If I went over and tried to get him released on the grounds that he's been granted asylum in this region, it would be announcing to all the people who betrayed you where you've gone. Is that what you want? Do you think that's what Max wants? Do you think that's what ya mum wants?"
Ash understood what Professor Gidyea was saying.
"No, they'd want me to stay hidden until we could figure out a way to clear my name," said Ash.
"Exactly, so as much as I hate to say it. Max is gonna have ta remain where he is until we can clear ya name," said Professor Gidyea sadly.
"I guess not even Arceus himself can help him now," said Gary sadly.
The group were saddened by the realisation that there was nothing they could do to help Max. Their thoughts were interrupted by a buzzing sound on Professor Gidyea's desk.
"Professor Gidyea I need to see you right away," said a woman's voice coming from an intercom on the professor's desk.
"Not a good time Sheila," said Professor Gidyea, into the intercom.
"But sir the Eevees have arrived," said Sheila.
"Alrigh' come in," said Professor Gidyea.
A woman with long red hair and blazing blue eyes came into Professor Gidyea's office. She also wore a lab coat and was carrying two pokéballs.
"Kids this is me assistant Sheila Davis," said Professor Gidyea.
"Nice to meet you, I heard all about you kids on the news, I'm so glad Professor Gidyea was able to find proof you were innocent," said Sheila.
"I was glad as well," said Brock taking her hand. "Not just because it helped prove Ash was innocent, but also because it gave me the chance to meet you. You say you're the professor's assistant?"
"Umm yes," answered Sheila confused by Brock's actions.
"Well, I'm a Pokémon Doctor in training, maybe the two of us can help each other stu…" Brock trailed of as his Croagunk appeared and hit him in the back with poison jab.
"Or maybe not," said Brock falling to the ground dazed.
"Cro," said Croagunk dragging Brock away.
"Nurse Joy told me he tried that when ya visited the Pokémon Centre," said Professor Gidyea with a raised eyebrow. "Does he do that a lot?"
"More times than I can count," said Ash.
"Well he might wanna avoid doin' that while he's in this region. Most women 'ere might hit him before his Croagunk has a chance to intervene," stated Professor Gidyea.
"We'll let him know once he regains consciousness," said Dawn.
"Something tells me that won't stop Bonnie from trying to find someone to take care of me while we're here. If anything, she'll probably be more enthusiastic," thought Clemont silently.
"Anyway Sheila, you said the Eevees arrived?" asked Professor Gidyea.
"Yep, they're right here," said Sheila handing Professor Gidyea the pokéballs.
"Excellent, excellent. Thankyou Sheila, I can take it from here," said Professor Gidyea.
"Sure," said Sheila leaving the office.
"So, Professor are there Eevees in those balls?" asked Ash.
"Yeah, ordered them from the Kalos Region a few weeks ago," said Professor Gidyea throwing the pokéballs and the Eevees appeared on his desk. "Cute little buggers aren't they?"
"Yeah, but I'm guessing they're not native to this region?" asked Brock who had regained consciousness and re-joined the group.
"That is correct, you won't find an Eevee anywhere in the Stralia Region," said Professor Gidyea, returning the Eevees.
"Then why are you wanting to study them? Especially considering how much damage introduced species have caused the ecosystem?" asked Gary.
"Well as you know Eevees have multiple potential evolutions. As of now they can evolve into a water, electric, fire, psychic, dark, grass, ice or fairy type pokémon. I want to see if introducing em to this region might generate another type of evolution," said Professor Gidyea.
"But aren't you worried they might spread across the region like Bunnelbys and Bunearys and become pests?" asked Brock.
"That had crossed me mind, but I've taken extra precautions to ensure that won't happen. For example, the Eevees I've been sent are the same gender. At least I think they are," said Professor Gidyea, putting the balls in a nearby machine and scanning them. "Ok good they are. And secondly there are no Dittos in this region, so that'll prevent them from increasing in population. Finally, I plan to keep a close eye on them in this habitat, so I can study how they adapt to a new environment. I'll even let them stay in the habitat with the native pokémon if they behave 'emselves."
"That seems like a reasonable research move," said Gary.
"Then again it might be more practical to send one with a trainer so we can see how it adapts to different areas of the Stralia Region," stated Professor Gidyea before looking back at the group. He sighed before saying. "This might be the stupidest decision I've made in me career as a researcher, but would one of you kids like to take one of the Eevees?"
"Wait seriously?" asked Clemont.
"Like I said it might be more practical to introduce em to other parts of this Region. And you kids probably know more about Eevees then any other trainer in this region," stated Professor Gidyea, before turning to Gary. "Not only that, but I was told that one of you was an aspiring Pokémon Researcher. Maybe you'd like to help me a little with me research?"
"Professor Gidyea I'd be honoured," said Gary happily.
"Well then I guess you'll be the one taking the Eevee," said Professor Gidyea handing Gary one of the pokéballs.
"Actually, I think it might be better for someone else to take it. I think I might be able to learn more if it's given a chance to participate in battles or contests in this region," stated Gary.
"Suit yourself," chuckled Professor Gidyea before turning to the rest of the group. "Well, who's taking Eevee?"
This would've been another tough decision for the group, but Ash made the decision easy.
"I think Dawn should take this one as well," said Ash.
"But that's not fair, I already took Wallaleaf," stated Dawn.
"I know Dawn, but what do most of the other performers I've travelled with have in common?" asked Ash.
Dawn thought about the performers Ash had travelled with and how this related to Eevee. Then it hit her.
"Most of them have an evolved form of Eevee," stated Dawn.
"Exactly. May has a Glaceon, Serena has a Sylveon and Zoey has a Leafeon. I think we need to show them how a true performer raises an Eevee," stated Ash.
"But Ash, we don't know if Zoey sided with Oak or not," stated Dawn.
"Perhaps, but we know we must put May and Serena in their place. So, what do you say Dawn? Want to show those traitors what a real performer does with an Eevee?" asked Ash.
Dawn grinned.
"You bet Ash," said Dawn, before turning to the rest of the group. "Are you all ok with this?"
"You bet Dawn, you'll raise an Eevee they could only dream about having," said Brock, as Clemont and Gary nodded in agreement.
"But you have to let me take care of it from time to time," said Bonnie who was upset that her brother didn't insist on taking an extremely cute pokémon for her.
"Of course. I'd love it if you wanted to help take care of it," said Dawn, Bonnie smiled. "Well Professor Gidyea, I guess I'll be the one taking Eevee."
"Alrigh'," said Professor Gidyea handing her the ball. "But maybe keep a close eye on it like ya Buneary. Just in case."
"Of course," said Dawn taking the pokéball.
The group left so Professor Gidyea could get back to work. They spent the rest of the afternoon allowing their new Pokémon to get acquainted with the others. All the pokémon quickly became friends. Then they decided to test out the power of the Stralian Starters. As new pokemon they couldn't use a lot of moves. Ash's Echidflame could use Ember and Tackle while also having the best defense. Despite its limited move set, Ash had already figured out how to use Echidflame's spikes to its advantage. If an enemy pokémon got too close, Ash could command it to curl up into a ball, leaving the attacking pokémon with a nasty sting.
Dawn's Wallaleaf knew Scratch and Vine Whip, but what really gave it an advantage was its speed. It was a lot faster than Echidflame and Platipes and because of this it had a decent advantage in battle, even when battling against a pokemon it was weak against. Clemont/Bonnie's Platipes knew Water Gun and Poison Sting. It wasn't as fast as Wallaleaf or as durable as Echidflame, but it had the best attack strength. What's more being part poison type actually gave it an advantage over Wallaleaf, because the poison typing gave it some moves that were super-effective against grass types, while also making it less susceptible to grass attacks. All in all, they were very happy with the pokémon they chose. In addition, Dawn was eager to see if her Eevee would gain a new evolution upon being exposed to the new region's climate.
Their day wasn't completely happy however. They were all still sad that there was nothing they could do to help Max get to the Stralia Region. He had stood up for them and they'd been forced to abandon him. He was now considered a traitor by those who were supposed to love him the most and now he was all alone, forced to suffer the hardships of military school with no one to support him. They tried thinking of ways they could help him, but knew there was nothing they could do. Even sending Ash's Pigeot to check on him would be too risky, because the large bird pokémon would likely be captured and detained the moment it got within a few miles of where Max was being held.
Little did they know hope was not lost for Max. There were still people out there who were willing to help Max. Or rather there were pokémon that were willing to help Max.
Thanks for reading, but I have to ask was this chapter a little to heavy on exposition? Please let me know what you think. All feedback is appreciated, especially with regards to helping this story improve. See you next time.
