The Pokémon Journey

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Just to remind everyone who has what Pokémon.

Lita's Pokémon:

On hand- Glaceon(Nova), Vulpix (Hestia), Poliwhirl, Meowth (Stilely), Dratini (Emerald), Rockruff

At the Lab- Cubone, Scyther, Primeape, Shelgon, Pidgeot, Tauros (4)

Ash's Pokémon:

On hand-Espeon, Pikachu, Charmeleon, Oddish, Riolu, Rhydon

At the Lab- Dratini, Alolan Vulpix, Skarmory, Nidorina, Nidorino, Rattata, Muk, Magnemite, Hypno, Gible, Tauros (10), Exeggcute, Litwick, Honedge, Butterfree

Misty's Pokémon:

On hand- Vaporeon, Krabby, Buizel, Lotad, Psyduck, Starmie

At the Lab- Goldeen, Feebas, Shellder, Horsea, Dewgong, Totodile

May's Pokémon

On Hand- Combustan, Butterfree, Ponyta, Absol, Tyrogue, Swinub

With Her Parents: Skitty

Fire in the Volcano

Ash had been training his Pokémon for his rematch with Blaine. Paul was helpful and while Ash didn't like some of the techniques Paul used but could see they worked for him and his Pokémon. There were other things Paul did Ash could find himself adapting.

Rhydon was still a work in progress. He was powerful, but he definitely didn't like listening to Ash. Even after having Pikachu knock Rhydon out once or twice. Ash could see it was going to be a while before he got control of this particular Pokémon and both Misty and Paul said to not use him in the rematch.

Ash had returned him to Oak and took Skarmory back. Skarmory more than willing to listen and battle. "So, Riolu, Charmeleon, and Skarmory?" Misty asked on the morning of the rematch.

"Yeah Chameleon is at the top of his game after all the training with Paul and you. I think one more big battle and he'll evolve," Ash said. "Riolu did well and Skarmoy needs a good battle. Sorry Pikachu and Espeon. Next time." The two Pokémon gave an affirmative sound.

"Mind if I come and watch?" It was Paul pulling up a chair. "After all that training I want to see you win."

"Come along," Ash said with a smile as they finished their breakfast and then he returned all Pokémon but Pikachu who jumped onto his shoulder. The three walking to the entrance of the gym.

When they got there, they heard an explosion. The three looked at each other for a moment before running into it. The heat getting them but they not slowing the pace as they heard more explosion. As they stopped in the gym they were shocked to see members of Team Rocket standing on the gym field tossing explosives into the lava.

"This is an active volcano," Misty yelled. "You're going to set it off."

Ash looked at the fire Pokémon in the volcano. Team Rocket must have done something to them. There were some knocked out on fields and the sidelines. Ash could see the two Magmars and one Magby he had noticed last time off to the side. The two Magmar protecting their young Magby

"Oh, stupid kids," one of the team rocket members said releasing a Geodude as if the lone Pokémon was going to take on the three of them.

Ash and Misty weren't afraid of grunts and one look at Paul told them he wasn't afraid of these grunt either. As Geodude came closer to them Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and responded with an iron tail. Geodude flew back and right into it's trainer getting knocked out.

The Grunts seemed shocked. "You two again," it was the woman who had been at Rocket Game corner when Ash had helped take it down. The one who had offered Ash to join Team Rocket. "Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower. You have caused us a lot of trouble along with your cousin Lita."

Ash, Misty, and Paul were fast in releasing all their Pokémon knowing they were now facing someone higher up. Ash keeping Oddish in her ball though. The grass type would never survive in this type of environment. "I'll take care of these three. Continue," the woman said.

"Yes ma'am," the trio of grunt said as they continued tossing bombs into the lava.

The woman released one Pokémon. A powerful looking Dragonnite and Ash had seen powerful Dragonnites before. This wasn't on the level of Uncle Lance's strongest but was clearly up there. Before it got to them and the three could command their Pokémon to fight back a Magmortar interrupted the Dragonnite.

"I come here for a battle and find Team Rocket destroying my gym and threatening the young trainers here to battle me," it was Blaine. "Plasma. I'd say good to see you but that's never the case."

"Blaine," Plasma said turning her attention to the gym leader and his stronger Pokémon.

"Let's stop the grunts," Paul said to them. Misty and Ash nodded as they sent their Pokémon after the grunts who had other Pokémon out as they continued to throw bombs.

The two Magmars went to jump from their spot at the side of the volcano. The stronger male seeming to want to take part in helping defend the volcano now his trainer was here. Ash noticed Magby getting flung as one of the bombs exploded right near the female Magmar and Magby.

Ash running over and catching Magby to the surprise of the little Pokémon. Unfortunately, he was near the edge and due to all the bombings the rocks were loose and fell under him. Ash and Magby starting to fall down to the lava.

"Char," Charmeleon yelled seeing his trainer drop as he sent a flamethrower at one of the grunts Pokémon. Skarmory was too far to help and Charmeleon felt himself getting bigger as light surrounded him and soon he had wings. The newly evolved Charizard going to the edge of the cliff hoping he wasn't too late.

As Ash fell towards the lava he saw eyes in the lava. For a second, he thought he was crazy, but then a large Pokémon came out of the lava and grabbed hold of him. Then he was on the back of a Charizard it took him a moment to realize was his. Magby in his arms still. Ash blinked as he saw on the gym platform was Entei himself. The legendary Pokémon known as the volcano Pokémon. His roar stopped everything.

"Yes," Plasma said after a moment. "On Entei now." And Team rocket switched their focus and weapons they had onto Entei as the lava got higher.

"The volcano going to blow," Ash yelled. "Charizard let's get out." And Charizard flew out the top or the volcano along with Skarmory.

Inside the volcano Blaine grabbed Misty hand. Pikachu and the other Pokémon having run to Misty and Paul now. "This way," Blaine said leading them back outside the volcano. By the time all of them and their Pokémon got out the lava was coming out of the volcano and down the sides. "Magmars, Magmortar try to stop the lava. All fire Pokémon help." Blaine yelled it to other fire Pokémon coming out of the lava unharmed and released some more from pokeballs he had on him. "Misty, Paul you two should run."

"We're not going anywhere," Misty said.

"Then stay close to me. Your water Pokémon might be able to help delay the lava some," Blaine said and the tow nodded as they followed the fire Pokémon master.

….

Ash was flying on Charizard seeing Entei at the top of the volcano. Team Rocket had managed to evacuate to some flying machine and had gotten ropes around Entei. The ropes weren't normal and seemed to be somehow hurting Entei. Sucking his power away from him. Ash knew they were trying to capture him. "We need to help him. Charizard get me on Entei. Magby you stay here."

Charizard flew close to Entei avoiding Team Rocket attacking them and then Skarmory came up to help distract the group. Ash jumping off Charizard and onto Entei back. "I'm here Entei, I'm here," Ash said going into his backpack and taking out a pocketknife. Ash started to cut the ropes. It was hard and when the last rope was cut it broke the knife as well.

Entei was free though and gave a roar as the ropes fell off. Lava hitting into Team Rocket flying machine sending them blasting off. Entei gave a roar out and suddenly all the lava turned hard as a rock and stopped right before hitting the town. Entei running down the side of the volcano where Blaine, Misty, and Paul were. Ash grabbing onto his hair to stay on.

"Thanks," Ash said realizing Entei was bringing him back to his friends as Ash got off his back. Pikachu jumping from Misty to Ash's shoulder and Espeon and Riolu coming up to his legs. Charizard and Skarmory in the sky above.

Entei gave them a look. Then he roared loudly and then one last look at them before he ran up the volcano and then past it. In a matter of seconds Entei was out of sight. "Entei was sleeping in the volcano," Blaine mumbled. "It's why it was an active volcano but also never erupted."

"What will happen now he's gone?" Misty asked.

"I don't think you're going to need to worry about that," Paul said. "I don't think this volcano will ever erupt again."

"Yes, it seems Entei made this volcano dormant," Blaine said. As Charizard landed. Magby who was still on Charizard back jumped back into Ash's arm. Ash barely catching the Pokémon. "Seems that little Magby likes you now. Might want to go with you."

"Really?" Ash asked the Magby who cheered. "That would be…."

"Magmar," the male Magmar stepped up.

"I don't think Magmar will allow that unless you prove yourself," Blaine said. "One on one battle. Right here. This Magmar is a little more powerful than I would normally be allowed to use against someone with your amount of badges, but if you want that Magby you have to prove yourself to him."

"I'm in," Ash said looking at his Pokémon. "Skar…." Before he could finish choosing Skarmory as his Pokémon Charizard stepped up. "Charizard, are you sure? You just evolved?" Ash knew sometimes getting us to a new body after evolving could be difficult, but Charizard gave a nod and a look at Magmar. "Okay, Charizard against Magmar."

Ash returning all his other Pokémon except Pikachu as Blaine and him walked to opposite sides of the make shift field near the volcano. Ash put Magby down. "Go to your mother," Ash whispered to Magby who walked over to the female Magmar who had come to watch. Misty and Paul took a couple of steps back to watch

Charizard landed in front of Ash as Magmar went near Blaine. Blaine's robotic referee came flying up. "This will be a one on one battle," the referee said. "Begin."

"Lava plume," Blaine said started it right away and Magmar let out the attack hitting Charizard. "Low kick."

"Take to the air," Ash called out as Magmar came at Charizard. Charizard getting off the ground before Magmar hit into him. "Flame thrower." Flames came out of Charizard mouth hitting into Magmar.

Magmar used flame wheel coming up and hitting into Charizard. As Charizard was in the air an attack Ash hadn't seen Charizard use before hit into Magmar tossing him out. "Air slash," Paul said loud enough for Ash to hear. "Charizard learns it after evolution."

Ash didn't turn but gave a smile as he ordered another air slash. "You know a lot about Charizard," Misty said not turning from the fight as the two fire Pokémon traded attacks with each other.

"I make it my business to know about the most powerful Pokémon in the world and Charizard is definitely one of the most powerful ones," Paul said. "My brother always wanted one too."

"You said your brother was a big deal with Sinnoh," Misty said.

"He was at one point," Paul said. "He competed in the Sinnoh, Hoeinn, and here in Kanto for the Indigo League. He wanted to be a frontier brain but he never made it. He ended up becoming a breeder. Considered one of the best in Sinnoh."

Misty decided not to dig further as she continued to watch Ash's battle. Charizard and Magmar were both getting warn out. Charizard took hold of Magmar and Ash was confused for a moment but Charizard gave him a look and Ash knew he knew what he was doing. "Go for it," Ash said trusting his Pokémon.

Charizard took Magmar into the air. His hold on Magmar so tight Magmar was unable to break out. Charizard seeming to speed around in circles in the air for a bit and then slammed Magmar down on the ground. "Seismic toss," Paul mumbled.

"Magmar is unable to battle," the robotic referee said. "Gym leader is out of usable Pokémon. Challenger wins."

"Yes," Ash said going and hugging Charizard. Pikachu cheering as well as the little mouse Pokémon jumped onto Charizard back.

"Well done," Blaine said. "This is some fire Pokémon you have here." Blaine was holding out his badge. "For you." Ash took the badge. "And Magby is now yours." Magby came running up to Ash as Blaine took out a pokeball and handed it to Ash. "I'll transfer that to you."

Magby was returned and as the pokeball was transferred to Ash account using his pokedex afterward it teleported away. Blaine returned his unconscious Magmar. "Now if you excuse me I have to find where all my Pokémon went and then figure out what to do with my gym," Blaine gave them a nod and started walking away with his fire Pokémon starting to follow him. "Ash, I'll be watching you. I better not see you do anything stupid like release a Pokémon you have no control over again."

"Yes sir," Ash said and then Blaine left them.

….

Paul, Misty, and Ash were eating dinner together in the hotel that night. "One day I want to battle your Charizard. After it's been trained a bit more," Paul said to Ash.

"You're on," Ash said.

"And we have to see about getting back to Vermillion to challenge Surge," Misty said. "We might need to take a few more jobs for the money for the tickets."

"Or you could take the Saint Anne," it was Blaine's voice and the three turned to see the gym leader himself standing there. He was holding out an envelope. "For you two."

Misty took the envelope and opened it to see two first class tickets for the Saint Anne. "We can't accept this," Misty said shocked.

"If you don't they will go to waste," Blaine said. "I was going to take a month vacation with a special someone but now I need to report to the league and do a lot of paper work and not even to mention start building a new gym. If I have any hope of getting an appropriate gym up and running before the Indigo League I have to start now. Even if I start right away chances are my gym will be closed until after this league is done."

"Well we can't let them go to waste," Ash said.

"And there will be a tournament on board before the Saint Anne enters international seas," Blaine said. "And fishing off the dock."

"Well it is free," Misty said and the two smirked on each other. "Thank you, Blaine."

Blaine gave a nod and backed out as Misty, Ash, and Paul started chatting. "Those tickets are better than mine," Paul mumbled. "But this means one thing. We might meet in the tournament."

"I hope so," Ash said with a smile.

-Pokemon-

Blaine sat in his house in front of his video phone waiting for a person to pick up. Soon Lance was on the line. "I gave them the tickets," Blaine said.

"And you didn't tell them it came from me?" Lance asked.

"No, I told him I was going to go and now can't due to my gym," Blaine said. "But I still don't understand. If you want to gift your nephew cruise tickets why all the secrecy?"

"I am going to tell you something Blaine and it's only something I can tell you because I ruled you out as the leak," Lance asked.

"Leak?" Blaine asked.

"In the league to Team Rocket," Lance said and Blaine knew this was serious now. "Someone has betrayed us and I fear my niece and nephew might be targeted. The Saint Anne will be out of Kanto for a month. Hopefully enough time for me to deal with Team Rocket and keep Ash safe. I just don't want him realizing I am getting him out of the way."

"What about your niece?" Blaine asked.

"She already took herself out of travel for a month due to an injury. She's back in Pallet Town safe and sound for the next month," Lance said

"Well my gym is closed. I can travel to other gyms and rule out the gym leaders there under the cover of research on how to design my new gym," Blaine said. "Wouldn't look odd to take some inspiration from other gyms."

"Thank you," Lance said. "I already ruled out Sabrina and Loren as well as you."

"I'll let you know if I find anything," Blaine said and the two said goodbye hanging up the phone.

Post Chapter Note: well I know it's been a while. Hope you liked this.

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Karry Master OUT!