Author's Note:
Here it is, May's next capture and based on the title you can probably guess who since it's a canon episode and chapter. Despite this, I have tried to mix it up and put my own spin on the storyline with putting a second focus on Serena and one of her Pokémon. It's an arc I've been looking forward to concluding. I can't remember who exactly but back in Kanto, it was suggested by a reader that the Grass-lands from this episode could be fulfilled by the Hoenn safari zone and I really liked that correlation. Part of this episode is also based on an episode from Sinnoh called: Crossing Paths, particularly in which Pokémon other than the new addition gets the spotlight. Not much else to say here, just don't forget to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin
Chapter Fifty-Nine: Grass Hysteria
Serena smiled as she strolled down the pathway with one of Sylveon's eggs in her arms, resting inside a proper portable incubator. Glancing to the side, she saw her boyfriend carrying the second one in the same sort of device with the father-to be on his shoulder, diligently watching. She's sure her fairy type eeveelution would like to join them but as one could imagine, birthing two eggs can take a lot out of someone and thus the need for rest.
"How long will it take until the eggs hatch?" Max asked.
"It's gonna be a while Max." Brock mused, rubbing his chin, "longer than Sylveon was pregnant, that's for sure. We can guess a rough time lime, but it won't be until the Pokémon growing inside are truly ready to enter the outside world."
"And that's why we're sending them back to the lab," Serena smiled, "it'll be a lot easier to raise them in one place rather than on the road."
"So, what will happen with the Pokémon when they hatch?" he asked, "will one of you catch you? Or will they stay at the lab or-"
"Honestly Max, we haven't discussed it," Ash interjected, "we're just waiting for them to hatch healthy. We can cross that path when it comes to it, but I would say it would be up to Sylveon and Pikachu rather than either me or Serena."
"Pikapi Pikachu," her boyfriend's starter uttered from his shoulder.
"Aww, that's really sweet," Ash replied with a teasing tone.
His pure electric type narrowed his eyes and gave a small threatening spark of electricity from his cheeks before leaping down from his shoulder. Scurrying across the ground, he climbed up her body and rested on her shoulder, overlooking the egg she was carrying. Stumbling slightly from the weight increase, she let out a weak pulse of ESP to help her keep balance and continue her stride.
Glancing off to the side, she found May off to the side with her own egg in her hands. Letting out a small smile, she never imagined they'd have three eggs all at once but here they are. As she turned back around, she noticed a large wooden fence standing tall over the tree-lines.
"What's this?" she asked no-one imparticular.
"According to the guidebook, there use to be a safari zone around here but given the Pokémon's hostility the rangers guide turned it purely into a no-catch zone and put up the fence to properly outline the boarder." Brock read. "The Pokémon are free to enter and leave as they wish but it's a safety ground for those who don't want to interact with humans, and they're forbidden from entering the ground."
"Aww man, I bet there's a tone of cool Pokémon living in there right now," Max uttered.
She was about to add in too the conversation, remembering Leaf mentioning a place like this when talking about how she caught her Tropius, but a bright light flashed off her belt. Materialising in front of her was none-other than her fully evolved poison moth Pokémon.
"Dustox?" She blinked. "What're you doing out?"
Instead of answering, she took off over the ground and into the wooded forest area. Turning on a heel, she used ESP to gently pass the egg over to Brock, he wrapped his arms around the incubator. Spinning back forward, she spun on a heel and took off. Using her psychic powers to clear the path of any obstacles on the floor, she struggled to keep sight of her Pokémon as she shot straight ahead.
A large wooden fence appeared through the treeline, and she came to a stop. Her bug poison type shot up and flew over the top of the fence and she prepared her powers when a voice caught her attention. Turning to the side, she found May running towards her but the boys no-where in view.
"May?!" she questioned, "what're you doing here?"
"I couldn't let you go alone..." She panted. "So, I gave Max my egg and followed... so... how do we get over that?"
Smirking at the brunette, she activated her powers and used them to push herself up. Landing on the top of the wooden fence, she used one hand to channel powers to balance her and the other to lift May up. She let out a scream and curled up into a ball as she carefully guided her over and down onto the ground on the other side. Free to use her own powers on herself, she lowered herself down beside her female travel companion.
"Come on, May, we don't have time to wait." She held her hand out, feeling the younger girl accept it with her own, she pulled her back to her feet.
"That was not what I had in mind!" She stomped her foot down. "Anyway... do you know which way Dustox went?"
Closing her eyes, she sent out a weak pulse of ESP. Noticing several minds within the vicinity, none of them matched what she was looking for. It didn't take long before finding her bug poison's type and from the thought patterns, she'd guess she was in the middle of some sort of battle.
Turning on a heel she took off over the grassy field. Taking in the scenery as she ran, she noticed how the shrubbery and other plant life were more vibrant with healthy shades of green. Making the world over the wall more like a jungle than a forest.
Coming out to an opening, a lush field of flowers created a sea of yellow. Hovering over the meadow was her fully evolved bug poison type and a Beautifly locked in a battle. Her second caught Hoenn Pokémon was beneath, blowing a psybeam up but a gust blew it back
She quickly connected the dots and realised what was going on. Running forward, she saw her bug poison type swoop down and ride the wind.
Using the gust as an updraft to zoom higher into the air. As she closed in, she noticed a Pokémon lying on the ground... a Bulbasaur.
Turning her attention upwards, she watched the two bugs continue their clash. A multicoloured beam of psychic type energy shot out.
The bug flying type looped underneath and extended his proboscis and shot out a thick white string. It struck Dustox and wrapped around her, sending her down into the floor. Zooming straight down towards her, she instinctively moved forward. Holding her hands out, balls of psychic type energy surrounded her hands as she t-posed in front of her fully evolved Pokémon. Her eyes locked on the bug flying type as he stopped his decent.
Sending out his own psychic wave, it shot down in a wide-spread move. Crossing her arms in front of her, a shield of her own making appeared.
Absorbing the blow, she sent her shield backwards and it struck the butterfly Pokémon. Knocking him backwards into the air, he turned and fled into the sky.
"Serena?!" May gasped.
She turned to see the girl kneeling next to the grass poison type. She couldn't help but wonder what a Bulbasaur of all Pokémon was doing here. She shook her head, knowing that wasn't important right now. Turning around, she kneeled and picked up Dustox who struggled against the string shot.
"Calm down and let me help you," she instructed. Closing her eyes, she let her powers expand under the threads. Applying pressure until they loosened and allowed her poisonous moth Pokémon to escape, flying up and landing on her head, "you better now?"
"Hardly," she muttered, "and sorry... about flying off like that. I just sensed-"
"No harms done," she replied, "now I'm happy to talk but first let's check out May and Bulbasaur."
Seeing her bug poison type nod, she turned to look at the brunette girl and kneel beside her. She was already spraying a super potion over her, but it was difficult to know exactly what was up. Seeing the grass poison type move before entering sleep was reassuring. The two of them stood up.
"I'm guessing her families around here somewhere." She informed May.
"Where?" May asked.
"No idea," she replied, but a light buzzing sound came from her poison moth Pokémon, who took off from her head, "you got one Dustox?"
"I can still sense some Pokémon nearby... if nothing else, they might know something about Bulbasaur," she replied.
"Right." She nodded. Turning back to her friend. "May, Dustox is gonna lead us to some Pokémon. Hopefully, they can help us figure out Bulbasaur."
"Couldn't she just be wild?" she asked.
"She could but she's a pretty similar size to Leaf's when we first started as trainers," she explained, "so I think she's young. Along with this once being a safari zone, they doubled as breeding grounds and given starters are endangered species."
"What about mentally asking her?" she asked.
"Right now, we should just let her rest," she replied, "she clearly needs it and even then, we're not sure how she'd react to humans. Remember this is meant to be a Pokémon sanctuary. If my estimate about her age is right, then it's likely we're the first humans she's seen."
"Lead the way then," she encouraged.
Spinning on a heel, she followed her fully evolved Hoenn Pokémon over the grassy field. Glancing around, she couldn't help but notice several species of Pokémon nearby but none of them dared approach her. While they could waste time trying to speak with them, it hardly seemed worth it. If they were interested in helping Bulbasaur, they could've. Clearing her thoughts, she reconnected her mental voice with her bug poison type.
"So Dustox, was it your father you sensed?"?" she asked.
"No," she replied, "at least... not at first. He only came onto my radar when I crossed the fence. I sensed my mum... and my siblings."
"Siblings?" she asked.
"I told you my dad only cared about Wurmple. He'd... breed, with any Pokémon he could find." She explained. "When we hatched, he took me as the only Wurmple from our litter. That just meant my mum dried up in uses for him."
"Why would he care about that?" she asked.
"Despite being his children, we're treated more like extensions of himself. Not allowed individuality," she paused. "He'd hold us until we evolved into Beautifly because that's what he considered beautiful. Only thing worse than one of his children not being a Wurmple is one being one and picking Cascoon."
"How do you know this?" she asked, "I mean... you're not old. Who told you this?"
"No one needed too, I saw it," she replied, "you know how quickly my species should evolve. Between being taken to Petalburg forest and meeting you, I saw him go through seven different partners. I saw it play out in front of me time and time again. I even held off on my own evolution because it was become like him or end up dead because I couldn't escape as a Cascoon or properly defend myself."
"I'm so sorry, Dustox," she muttered, "my dad... was a piece of work too but I never knew what it was like. Only re-encountered him just before arriving in Hoenn and that's how I saw what he was like... but my mum was able to get me away from him before things got how it was with you."
"Well Serena... back when we met, I may have just been wondering out in front of any human in hopes they'd catch me," she replied, "but I'm glad it was you who ended up being my trainer. I'm-"
A gust of wind blew past and blurred her vision. Once it passed, she noticed an army of Pokémon surrounding them, with Dustox backed up against her. The most prominent one was a large Shiftry, but they were accompanied by a number of Nuzleaf, Ninjask, Volbeat, Illumise, Masquerain, Lombre, Breloom, Roselia, and a single Grovyle, who stood beside the fully evolved grass dark type like some sort of bodyguard.
Despite not receiving a word from any of them, she couldn't help but think if they wanted to attack them, they would've already. Giving a small incline with their head, Shiftry turned and started to walkway with the others continuing to circle around them. Taking the hint, she followed with Dustox taking refuge upon her head. Looking to the side, she tried to reassure her friend with a smile... far from ideal but not the worst thing which could've happened.
Ash contemplated running ahead but quickly realised it'll put the eggs at risk. Trusting his girlfriend to handle things herself, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Calming himself down, he opened his eyes to find two men in their twenties dressed in ranger gear.
"I'm afraid this is the end of the line for you," one of the men informed whilst both t-posed, "no-one is allowed to enter the safety sanctuary. Our proximity alarms went off which is why we're here."
"Serena and May already ran off after Dustox?!" Max blurted out.
"Which direction did they go?" the second one asked to which he gestured with his head. "Oh no, that's straight towards the gate. If they've gone into the land then-"
"But they were just going after Dustox who-"
"We'll need to discuss this further with our brethren." The rangers seemed to just ignore them.
Turning on a heel, they set off back the way from which they came. Looking between Max and Brock, they gave a silent nod and set off behind them. Following them into some sort of cabin campground, they saw two other rangers chatting away. One seemed quite elderly, while the other was familiar.
"Rangers Obee and Morita," they drew the two's attention, "we have some troubling news. Two girls have made their way into the sanctuary before we could stop them."
"This is not good; we'll need to put together an arrest squadron before they cause any harm to residence of-"
"Hang on a minute, they only went in because one of their Pokémon flew over there," Ash spoke up, "you can't just arrest someone for-"
"Ash?" Morita interjected, "what're you and your friends doing here?"
"Passing through on our way to Lilycove," he shrugged, "can you please tell them that neither Serena or May are a threat to the Pokémon. We already knew about the no catch zone, and they wouldn't try anything like that."
"How do you know these children, ranger?" the elderly ranger asked.
"They helped with the restoration project I've been assigned too back in the early days," he replied, "May, one of the girls whose gone over the wall, she's the trainer I told you about. Who took the injured Swablu. I think we can trust these kids to be telling us the truth."
"Very well," Obee grumbled, "but if when they return, they have caught any Pokémon, I won't hesitate on issuing charges. But given the circumstances I'll overlook the trespassing if everything else evens out."
"Thank you, sir," Morita bowed.
"And I still want a rescue team prepped for extraction," he replied, "even if they don't intend trouble, you know as well as I do how defensive some of the residence can be to uninvited guests."
"Right, I'll be more than happy to lead that extraction should the time come," Morita replied. Obee set off with the other rangers following behind.
Closing his eyes, he tried to connect his mind with Serena. After doing so and getting a message of reassurance, he relaxed. Returning his attention to the place they were in, he realised only himself, Pikachu, Brock, and Max were left.
"You get anything?" Brock asked.
"Yeah," he smiled, "Serena said they're fine. Just trying to follow Dustox now."
"Good," he replied.
"But what if that changes?" Max asked.
"If we get even the slightest inkling that they're in danger, then I promise you Max. I'll take Aerodactyl, mega evolve him, and fly him face first into whoever dares try to harm them," he replied, turning to face the elder boy, "and Brock. I hope you'd be fine watching both eggs if it comes to it."
"Of course." He smiled. "See Max, there are very few things which'll set Ash off but Serena possibly being hurt is top of the list."
"I-it's not just Serena," he stuttered, feeling his cheeks heat up.
"As your attorney I beg you to plead the fifth," Pikachu quipped, "your less believable then Amber Heard... which I didn't think was possible."
Pouting at his starter's joke, he turned around. Since they just need to wait for them return, he decided to set up the others on some training tasks. Taking special care to rest the egg inside his backpack, he tried to focus his mind on the possible pairings he could take advantage off for today's practice.
She kept close to May as they grass, and bug type Pokémon continued to lead the way through the jungle. Despite the humidity being at an all-time high, the lighting was limited due to the large treetops blocking out most of the sun. Only a few beams illuminated the ground level which gave off an almost magical feeling to the world around them. A society completely ran entirely by Pokémon, something as she couldn't help but want to explore further.
Looking ahead at a large open space with a large sunlight shining down, she noticed a sort of rock podium positioned. If she had to describe it, she'd say it was a naturally made thrown. Lying on top of the display was a large Venusaur, one much larger than both Ash's and Leaf's.
His eyes opened and looked straight down to them. She noticed the corners of his lips fall as he slowly stood up. Parting around them, the crowd of Pokémon created a pathway to the presumed leader. Swallowing hard, she couldn't help but feel like they were about to meet the leader of this otherworld and one if she were to guess, one of the parents of the Bulbasaur they found. Standing her ground, she stepped forward and brought May with her.
Two vines extended out of the plant on the back and moved towards them. Feeling her powers tingle through her fingers, she was ready for an attack but instead of hitting them, the vines gently wrapped around the grass poison type in May's arms, lifting her out of the embrace.
The brunette tried to grab her back, but she placed a hand on her shoulder. Even with their full teams available, she wouldn't like their odds fighting out of this situation and if she's right about their relation, Venusaur has every right to inspect their child. Holding her overhead, the fully evolved starter examined the first stage Pokémon before placing her down on the back of a Parasect, who scurried off into shrubbery, out of view.
Locking his eyes with her, she closed her's and sent out a weak mental communication, "hello. My name is Serena, and these are my friends. Dustox and May."
"You possess psychic abilities." A male voice mused in response. "Very unusual for a human."
"You know about humans?" she asked, "h-how? I thought this place was off limits for humans."
"It is... but I had a human before my residence here," he replied, "although your knowledge does beg the question, if you knew this was off limits, why have you trespassed on our land? And why had the rangers who stand guard allowed it?"
"We never encountered the rangers," she replied, "my friends and I were walking along and-"
"It was my fault." Dustox interjected. "I sensed some family nearby and flew off. My human and her friend were just chasing me. Sorry."
"Very well," he nodded, "now I must ask. Your friend, May I believe, seems concerned for my daughter. Might I ask what happened."
"We came in on a battle. Dustox here was fighting a Beautifly and Bulbasaur was lying injured in some sort of flower garden," she explained, "we were able to scare him off but-"
"Thank you for saving my daughter. Provided you don't battle or attempted to catch any of my residence, I'll permit your visit in this land," he replied.
"You just believe us?" Dustox asked.
"I know of the Beautifly you mentioned and as I previously stated, I had a human before," he replied, "he had the same kind heart I sense in you two. He helped us set up this sanctuary for Pokémon not wishing to interact with humans. I don't hate humans, far from it, he was my best friend but after his passing, I've dedicated myself to fulfilling our dream of what this place means. It's one reason we allow Pokémon to come and go as they please."
"Is that how my dad ended up getting in here?" Dustox asked.
"Yes... Despite the accusations against him, we never wanted to dictate which Pokémon could or couldn't take refuge here. Some have been abandonded by trainers, others were just born in the wild and wish to stay that way," he explained, "we even have parents to be stay for a short period to raise their children until they're able to fend for themselves. It's one reason we have strict rules over battle practise."
"And Beautifly went against these?" she asked.
"Both opposing parties need to consent to the battle and as proof, they take place in our rocky area. It's much harder to damage the scenery there," he explained, "I've tried to encourage such training in my daughter but... she's a sweet summer child. She'd never agree to such a battle."
"What sort of accusations have you heard?" Dustox asked, "about my... Beautifly, I mean."
"That he... forcefully fathered himself with some Pokémon and took his favourite children," he explained, "but we lacked proper evidence to act."
"I can confirm he took me from my mother. He only took the Wurmple children and would try to force us to evolve into Silcoon," she replied, "if it weren't for my human... I don't wanna think about it."
"Well, that's enough information to act," he nodded, "feel free to stay. Shiftry shall escort you out when ready, but I have some business to deal with."
"That seemed rather quick," she added.
"Your details match a previous claim," he replied, "and I don't believe in coincidence. He's broke our rules and is no longer welcome here."
"Wow," she muttered, "you enforce a tough rule around here."
"Of course," he nodded, "we're not humans. Someone does something wrong, they get punished not promoted into positions of power."
"I wanna help!" Dustox yelled, "he made my life hell. I want the chance to show him... I-"
"Very well," he nodded, "you may join us. I was going to find one of our other residence to see if they wish to have a part in this. The more help we have the easier it'll be, and I believe there is a certain karma in those wronged dishing out the punishment. Your human is also more than welcome to join us."
"Alright," she smiled, "but do you mind if I just check with May first?"
"Certainly," the grass poison type nodded.
Seeing the two Pokémon walk or fly away into the forest, she turned around to see May stood there with a stoic expression. She wasn't sure where that was going and wanted to keep it simple so only connected her mind with Dustox and Venusaur, rather than everyone here.
"We're gonna sort something out and will be back later," she explained, "Venusaur said you can stay or Shiftry will lead you back. If you do go back, can you let the boys know I'm gonna be a little while."
"Is it too do with that Beautifly?" she asked.
"Yeah," she nodded, "it's Dustox's dad and she wants the chance to face him. I gotta help her overcome this in any way I can."
"That's fine," she replied, "but I'm gonna wait around here. I wanna check Bulbasaur's alright."
"Any particular reason?" she asked.
"I just kinda feel sorry for her." She shrugged. "I mean, it seems she got hurt just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Well alright," she replied, "we'll be back as soon as we're done. I'll try to make it as quick as possible."
Giving the brunette a quick hug goodbye, she turned and took off into the forest. Following the large fresh footprints of the seed Pokémon. It didn't take her long to walk into a sort of grotto area with a single sunlight shining down in a circle. The head of this Pokémon civilisation stood in front of her with a swarm of Venonat crowded around. Above him flying around was a quite large Venomoth and her own Dustox. Stepping out into the light, her own bug dived down.
"Serena... I want you to meet my mother," she introduced, gesturing to the Venomoth approaching slower, "mum... this is Serena. My human."
"Dustox told me a lot about you." Venomoth greeted. "You are a psychic, correct?"
Giving a small nod, she smiled at the fully evolved bug poison type, "yeah, I am."
"I want to thank you, for taking care of my daughter like you have," she replied, "I never imagined I'd get to see her again."
"There's no need to thank me," she smiled, "Dustox has helped me out more times than I could count."
"Now I'd hate to break up this reunion, but we need to get moving before Beautifly causes any more trouble," Venusaur interjected.
"I don't like the idea of you facing him by yourself." Venomoth turned to Dustox.
"She won't be alone; I'll be here to help her the full way." She insisted, taking out two Pokéballs. Pressing their centres, they burst open. Her Zangoose and Absol materialised on the floor in front of them. "And you'll both be here to help too, right guys?"
Both Pokémon gave a nod. Turning to the grass poison type, he nodded and turned to head off into the forest, with them following behind. Venomoth and her children stayed behind but she couldn't help focusing on the normal type. She knows he's been waiting for his daughter to open up since the reveal, but she could only imagine his anger of encountering a father like Beautifly after losing the chance himself.
May lifted up some branches and stepped into the thick shrubbery which the Parasect took Bulbasaur into. As she struggled through the tight squeeze, her mind flashed back to her original encounter with Altaria. Despite the striking similarities, she couldn't help but feel more anxious. Maybe it's because Swablu had already been healed by the ranger some or the fact Bulbasaur's injuries were inflicted by a Pokémon, she couldn't be certain.
Making her way into the grotto, she found the two grass bug types surrounding the injured seed Pokémon. Waves of tinted green energy expanded out, shimmering through the plant life around them. With a mystical healing light engulfing Bulbasaur's body.
She crept closer and the mushroom Pokémon stopped to look at her. Her heart stopped for a moment, thinking they might attack but Bulbasaur stirred slightly, and they returned to her. As she opened her eyes, she couldn't help but notice her eyes looking straight up to her while the Parasect finished up. Once happy with their work, they scurried off deeper into the grotto. Stepping closer to the patient, she squatted down and hugged her legs.
"Saur?" She blinked, tilting her head to the side.
"How are you feeling, Bulbasaur?" she asked, flicking the corners of her lips up in a warm smile.
"Bulba Bulbasaur," she replied. Standing up, her legs wobbled slightly but she didn't fall back down. Her eyes remained fixated on May.
"I don't know what you remember but my friend and I found you in a flower garden." She sat down on the grass and stretched her legs out in a more comfortable position. "A Beautifly seemed to have attacked you, so my friend scared it off and I carried you back here. Some of the other grass types helped guide us though."
"Bulbasaur." She looked up with curiosity and closed her eyes. If she were to guess, she'd say the grass poison type was replaying events in her head. She couldn't imagine what sort of experience she went through before they found her, but her common sense was saying it wasn't anything good. After half a minute, she slowly opened her eyes which shimmered with tears. Stepping forward, she climbed on May's lap, nuzzling her head into her stomach.
"There, there Bulbasaur." She soothed, stroking her head and bulb. "It's alright. No-one's going to hurt you now."
"Saur," she purred, relaxing down on her legs. Smiling lightly, her hand absent mindlessly stroked her body. Her bulb had a surprising leathery texture to it, but it didn't really matter. Her eyes lingered down on the friendly and trusting Pokémon until she realised where they were.
"Hey Bulbasaur, how about we get out of here?" she asked. "I mean, this... medical bay?"
"Bulba," the seed Pokémon nodded.
Standing up herself, she cradled the grass poison type in her arms. It took her a brief moment to realise but she wasn't exactly heavy despite her size, she'd argue Skitty has felt heavier after a big meal. Shaking her head, she focused on the small gap she previous squeezed through and knew she couldn't with the new addition in her arms. Before she could voice the concern, however, a series of sharp leaves flew out of the Pokémon in her arms.
Slicing through the shrubbery, the razor leaf effortlessly cut down the vines and branches. Easily tripling the size of the hole to escape through. Making her way forward, she climbed out of the grotto and jumped back down into the more open part of the forest.
"Saur." A thick green vine extended out of the Pokémon in her arms. Pointing upwards, she noticed a large tree was the direction she was looking at.
"You wanna climb?" she asked.
"Bulba." The grass poison type nodded.
A second vine shot out and the two wrapped around one of the branches near the top. Retracting quickly, it pulled the seed Pokémon out of her arms and high into the treetops. Landing on a thick branch, she called down once more.
May couldn't stop the smile from spreading over her lips. Approaching the tree, she reached up to some sort of leverage. With slight ease, she pulled herself up along the trunk of the tree. It took a couple minutes, but she soon reached the branch that the seed Pokémon sat on. Sitting against the base, the grass poison type rested on her lap. While she took in the sight given from the point on the tree.
As far as her eyes could gather, she saw a sea of green below. Upon the horizon several large buildings stood with a mountain to her right. She guessed that was the mount Pyre her brother wanted to visit before Lilycove. Several flocks of flying types littered the sky, from Taillow, Wingull and Swablue. She couldn't help becoming giddy being able to recognizing them now. Her hand slowly stroked the top of Bulbasaur's head whilst scanning the adventures which await.
"You know Bulbasaur," she muttered, "when I first became a trainer. All I wanted to do is explore the world. My dad owns his own greenhouse filled with trees and I'd climb them countless times just to get a better view. Of course, being inside it never really got a great view of anything."
"Bulba," she replied, turning to look at her.
"Yeah, I know what you're saying," she smiled, looking down to the grass poison type, "you've never been out of here, have you?"
"Saur." She nodded.
"I'll tell you, there's a gigantic world out there." She offered a reassuring half glance. "With all sorts of people and Pokémon. Along with restraunts, salons, bouquets and... you probably don't care about all of them."
"Bulbasaur." She turned back to the view ahead of them.
"See that over there, that's what we call a city!" She pointed off to the skyscrapers in the distance. "It's Lilycove and the place my friends and I are heading too right now. We've travelled through lots of towns, cities, and villages just like it.
"Bulb-ba."
"I can hear it in your voice," she mused, "you'd like the chance to get out and explore the world, correct?"
"Saur."
She smiled as her hand absentmindedly ran over her bulb. Once upon a time she felt like the outsider in her family because she didn't get the intrigue of Pokémon but now... it's like she's having a conversation with Bulbasaur and their shared passion helping to connect them. Of course, she's close to all her other team members but the fact she's doing this with a Pokémon she just met... it really shows how much she's learnt on her journey so far.
She clenched her fist as she they came up on a large tree with a Volbeat string shot around the trunk of the tree. Struggling against the restraints, the sight of two other bugs flying around caught her attention. One being Beautifly, who continued to try, and string shot his target whilst the other was a primarily black body with light purple rings around each limb and a round neck piece of the same colour. Her skin was pale blue with golden antenna and a flap blow her chin. Small blue wings on her back making it difficult for her to avoid the attacks.
"Zangoose free Volbeat and help both of them get to safety." She instructed, pulling out her Pokédex:
Illumise, The Firefly Pokémon. The female counterpart to Volbeat. During the night, they can be scene colouring the sky with their Volbeat partners in some sort of mating ritual. If one of their vests are attacked, Illumise tend to be the protectors while Volbeat prioritise the children
Her normal type ran forward and raised his claws. The two sharp blades sliced through the string shot, preventing it hitting the bug. Bringing it down on the trunk, he cleanly cut free the second bug. With Illumise floating down to check on her presumed partner.
He turned around and held his claws out in a protective fashion. Giving the bug flying type a long stare with the two smaller Pokémon cowering behind.
While Dustox floated ahead. Vibrating her antenna's together, she sent a psybeam direct into his back. Knocking him away from the three Pokémon.
Quickly recovering from the blow, he turned to see who attacked him. His eyes narrowed as he evened out at the same height as his daughter.
The grass poison type stepped forward between them and called something out. While not understand their natural tongue, she got a good idea from the thoughts radiating out, with Venusaur demanding Beautifly leaving and never returning. Although given his response, it's clear he had no intentions of doing so. Needing to see if any of his eggs hatch into Wurmple and teaching them the reason to pick their beautiful evolution branch.
While he clearly intended the jab for Dustox, she just smirked back at him. His eyes bulged in anger. He truly felt like his children were nothing more than an extension of himself and he felt like that sort of relationship meant he could control their evolution and future... the image of her own father flashed for her.
Ascending higher, he flapped his wings together and sent out a strong gust. It blew down against them and Dustox winced, fighting not to lose her position.
Turning around, she rode the wind and turned upwards to use it to send her higher. The momentum helped throw her higher than before and she looped around to end up above her father. Diving down at a slanted angle, she shot out a second psybeam.
He ducked below the beam and spun on his axis. Extending his prohobic, he shot out another string shot towards her.
She tightened her dive to avoid it, swooping underneath him. While he flipped back around and the two of them went flying off.
A golden yellow powder sprinkled down below the bug flying type. Covering sight of fully evolve poison moth, she held her breath.
The stun spore became engulfed by psychic type energy. Swirling around the bug poison type like an orbiting ring around a planet.
Her father turned and ascended straight up. Stopping in her place, she shot the stun spore up after him.
Exploding in the sky with golden powder covering the sky. She caught sight of Beautifly in the centre, wincing with static covering his body.
He began to fall and Dustox charged straight up. Her antenna's vibrated and struck the bug flying type, destroying the reminence of stun spore above her.
An outline of pale blue energy surrounded her, and she smashed into his side. A cry of pain echoed as she continued with the acrobatics assault. Delivering several more strikes as both entered a straight free-fall. Closing in on the ground with each passing second.
Slapping her wings together over his head, she knocked him down into the dirt. Rolling him right in front of Venusaur as she landed on Serena's head.
"Did you get it out of your system?" she asked her fully evolved Pokémon.
"Is he still breathing?" she asked.
"Heh, she's saying she's still got some to give 'em!" Absol snickered.
Shaking her head from the friendly banter between her team members, she focused on the two Pokémon ahead. Venusaur was giving some sort of speech and from this angle it was difficult to make out his expression. Not that it mattered much, his authoritative tone got the point across. Some light whimpers from the bug flying type didn't dissuade him. After a minute of conversation, the paralyzed Pokémon took off. His flight was hinder by the status condition as he swooped all around the air in his escape. Disappearing amongst the trees as the grass poison type turned back towards them.
"Thank you for your assistance," he nodded, "he shouldn't be causing any more trouble around here anymore."
"But couldn't he keep doing his... ya know, wherever he goes next?" Absol asked.
"He could," Venusaur nodded, "but we can't protect everyone. It's unfortunate but it's a fact. I wouldn't worry too much though. The wild Pokémon around these parts know what this place is and choose to live outside as they're more than capable of defending themselves. Maybe another beat down or three would help him change his ways. Either way, he's no longer any of our problems."
While she couldn't say she liked this outcome she had to admit Venusaur was right. Following the grass poison type, they set off back towards the place where they originally met the seed Pokémon. She wouldn't even know where to begin redeeming him if she were to catch him and with Hitmontop, Seviper and the upcoming showcase... she's got enough on her plate for the time being. Not to mention the adverse effect it could have on Dustox. One of her favourite parts of Ash is his optimistic outlook on everything but after encountering her father before the silver conference... she couldn't quite share that life view fully.
They soon made it back to the campsite and found May sat with Bulbasaur and Lileep. It seemed the two duel grass types were getting along but under the escort of Venusaur and Shiftry, they made their way to the fence. Extending one vine out, he used it to wrap around the top of the wooden wall and he pulled it down, making it open a path onto the outside.
"Well, Bulbasaur," May muttered, setting her down on the ground, "I guess this is goodbye."
"Saur," she nodded.
"I'm gonna miss you," she offered a small smile and scratch on her head.
Standing up, she turned around. She noticed a glistening in the girls eyes, but a firm resolve prevented the tears from escaping. With a stiff smile plastered on her face, she remained tall and walked out across the fence line. Taking a deep breath, she turned to see Dustox with Venomoth and her sibling Venonat.
"Dustox," she connected their minds, "I'm guessing you'll want to stay here. I know you've wanted to find your mother a-and-"
Despite her voice quivering, she tried to keep her eyes locked on her fully evolved Pokémon. The bug poison type looked at her before turning back to her mother, saying something in her natural voice before turning back and flying in front of her face.
"Your right, Serena, I did want to find my mother. Let her know I'm safe and well," she replied, "but I'm not staying."
"You're not?!" She blinked, taking a step back.
"No... even if you released me, I couldn't stay here," she replied, "seeing my mother... my siblings... it'll just be a constant reminder of the chance I lost to growing up with them. My place is on your team and-"
Reaching forward, she engulfed her poisonous moth in a hug. Careful not to squish or hurt her, she felt the wings wrap around her arms in an attempt to return the gesture whilst a tear escaped down her cheek. Swallowing, she felt a lump which had formed in her throat.
"Sorry, Dustox," she mumbled, "but after how you flew off earlier... and learning of your mother, I just kinda assumed... never mind."
"It's true I always wanted to see my mother but... I could never stay," she replied, "evolution is the point in which my species leave the nest. And seeing her and my siblings everyday... it would bring back to many bad memories. I want to keep moving forward, not looking back."
Letting her poison moth Pokémon go, she turned around and gave her one last goodbye to her family. Giving them some privacy, she made her way over to May on the far side of the fence. Standing next to her, she could see a longing stare off in her eyes.
"You alright?" she asked.
"Yeah." She sighed. "I mean, I kinda got close to Bulbasaur and I just thought of the other Pokémon I've met. It's like Altaria or Mawile but seeing that I'll be leaving her is... it's a new sort of experience-"
"It happens and it's what's best for her," she replied, "I've seen a couple Pokémon I thought I'd catch but someone else did. Or they ended up better off somewhere else. Ash and I actually traded Gengar and Alakazam with each other because of what they prefer. I still love Alakazam and cherish the time we spent together but he's better off with a trainer which better matches his style."
"It still sucks," she muttered.
"It does but-"
A light cry called out and she turned to see Bulbasaur running out towards them. Her brunette friend kneeled down, and the seed Pokémon ran straight into her arms. Giving the sight a small smile, she turned to see Venusaur behind with Dustox flying over to land on her head.
"Is this-" she tried to ask.
"I told you I once had a trainer, he was a good man," he replied, "I learnt so much on my journey that turned me into the Pokémon I am today. How could I deny my daughter the same sort of experience? Just please take care of her."
"May is a good trainer, she's in good hands," she replied, "and I'll be happy to keep an eye on both of them."
"Thank you," he nodded. Extending one vine, he reached into his plant and removed a large marble like stone. Her eyes widened at the sight of a mega stone, and he handed it straight to her. "I felt your key stones presence from before we met. It's one thing which allowed me to trust you."
"Does this mean Venusaur can mega evolve?" she asked.
"It does and I did it often with my old trainer," he replied, "please give this too my daughter when she's ready. It's a family heirloom and I wish for her to keep it as remembrance of where she came from."
"Why not give it her yourself?" she asked.
"You know how kids are... they don't fully see somethings importance of something in the moment." He shrugged. "So, I wish for you to give it her once she is mature enough to understand it's importance."
"Of course." She nodded. Clenching the item in her hand. While part of her thought of Ash using it to mega evolve his Venusaur, she couldn't deny the request or betray that level of trust. Doing such a thing would be the same as steeling and she'd be mad if someone turned on her like that.
Turning around, he walked back into the sanctuary. With a longing look, he used his vines to return the gate to normal, disappearing from sight. With a small smile on her lips, she turned to see May standing up with Bulbasaur in her arms.
"I guess this is welcome to the team," she smiled.
"Saur," she replied.
Returning most of their team, they set off with Bulbasaur being in May's arms. The two of them were enthralled in a conversation about the possibility of contest performances. They soon came up on a wooden cottage with the boys and some rangers outside. They seemed each taking part in their own training but upon seeing them, they regrouped. Ash engulfed her in a hug, and she pecked his lips a couple times whilst he spun her around.
"Hehehe, I missed you too," she giggled.
"How did it turn out?" he asked.
"Dustox met her mother... and she battled her dad," she whispered, "I think she's going to be much better now."
"I'm glad," he replied.
"Was you worried?" she asked.
"Of course, I was worried," he replied, "part of me wanted to fly Aerodactyl in and not stop until I found you both."
"Why didn't you then?" she asked.
"Because May and Dustox had the toughest, strongest person I know there," he whispered, tightening their embrace, "so I knew they'd be just fine."
She giggled lightly as he continued to kiss her face, nuzzling into the crook of her neck. She always loved when he'd get affectionate like this but her mind focused on the item in her pocket. Moving in the embrace slightly so they were looking eye to eye. Using a free hand, she pulled the item out.
"A mega stone?" he asked.
"Venusaurite, to be specific," she replied, "turns out the head of the sanctuary on the Pokémon side is a Venusaur... and the father to the Bulbasaur with May."
"May has a Bulbasaur?" he blinked, turning to look at her.
"You didn't notice?" she asked.
"When you returned, I guess my attention was drawn away," he giggled whilst scratching the back of his head. She smiled but felt a familiar tingle in her cheeks. Ash has always been Pokémon nuts so hearing him admit to focus more on her than them put Butterfree's in her stomach.
"Well unfortunately, I can't let you have this one," she replied, "Venusaur asked me to give it to Bulbasaur when she's ready."
"That's fine," he replied, "I wouldn't want to take something like that from her anyway. And between Aerodactyl, Houndoom and Kirlia... I think I've got enough to work on for the mega evolution side of stuff. Not to mention the league will be here before we know it."
"Thank you for understanding," she whispered, pecking his lips once more.
Tightening her hand with his, she moved to the side and rested her head on his shoulder as they approached the brunette. Reaching her, she finally tapped an empty Pokéball against her head and caught her new Pokémon. It dinged almost instantly, and she pulled out her Pokédex to scan her:
Bulbasaur, The Seed Pokémon. Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger. When the bulb looks ready to bloom, it's a sign of evolution for the species
Type: Grass / Poison
Ability: Overgrow
Hidden Ability: Chlorophyll (Note: This hidden ability is currently locked)
Gender: Female
Nature: Mild (Note: This nature could change when this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Seed Bomb, Sweet Scent, Petal Dance
She watched May's Pokédex switch screens to a list of her current on hand team, "please select which Pokémon you wish to send back."
Her eyes scanned across the seven shilluette images on the screen of Combusken, Mightyena, Mawile, Skitty, Spoink, Lileep and Bulbasaur. Serena had an idea of who she thought of using in the contest but other than that, she couldn't be sure who her friend would rotate. May pressed the steel fairy types image, she saw her Pokéball teleport off her belt. While May put the encyclopaedia away, she held the new Pokéball up and whispered, "welcome to the team."
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