I took a deep breath and sighed. I stretched my back and neck, closing my eyes as I took in the rays of sunshine.

Yesterday had been too close...

I shudder at the memory of Charizard bleeding out and passing out in front of me. I had failed them one more time. But this time it had almost cost me a member of my family.

'Master?' Espeon called me out, through our telepathic link.

I stopped looking at the sky, to turn my gaze towards my pokemon. There, in front of me, stood Pikachu, Jolteon, Honedge, Espeon, Feraligatr, Pidgeot, Primeape, Sceptile, and Meganium. The last two leaning against each other. They all had the same look of concern.

"I am sorry," I finally said. "I had failed you."

'What?!' They all exclaimed at the same time, with stunning expression.

'We were the ones that failed you!' Pikachu shouted. 'We should have protected you! Kept you from... from...'

'If anyone should be blamed is me!' The normally collected and calm Pidgeot shrieked, flapping her wings. 'My job was to take you and get you from the airship safe... I failed you...'

Tears started to fall from her eyes, making me heartache.

"Oh, no! Pidgeot, it was not your fault." I cried out, throwing my unhurt arm around her. "You did your best. Feraligatr saved me."

"He shouldn't have! We should have been strong enough not to have to rely on one of us evolving to save you." Primeape growled. "What worth was all this training if you still end up being thrown off a plane?!"

I looked at Primeape shocked by his words, then I looked around my other pokemon- who clearly shared his feeling. Did they really feel as if they had failed me? Then again, I did feel that I had failed them... Professor Oak is right, like trainer like pokemon.

When did I stopped looking at them and only focused on my misery? While I was moping about being a bad trainer they must have been wondering if they were good enough too. Because I would too if I saw my pokemon suffering in silence and not being able to help.

"I am... was childish," I confessed, gaining their attention. "I started my journey unprepared, knowing nothing about pokemon. Be it how to catch them or about type advantages. Heck, I didn't even know how to gain Pikachu's trust and friendship." I chuckled humorlessly. "I didn't train any of you properly, I could have hurt you guys... I did hurt Pikachu when I sent him against Lt. Surge. I practically abandoned Kingler, Muk, and the Tauros herd back at Professor Oak's ranch. It took me another two years to realize that and try to become a better trainer... but even then, it was not enough. I had to get better so I would not fail any of you again. But even then, I still failed you, Charizard ended up in surgery and Meganium didn't even tell me she was pregnant! What kind of trainer am I?!"

'The best!' Espeon was the one who finally spoke up, taking us all by surprise. 'Do you really think I would call anyone Master? You might possess my Poke Ball but if you had not gained my respect, I would have never called you that.'

'She's right, Master.' Honedge cut in. 'You might have failed back then, but you did not give up. You rose from the ashes, a new trainer. Your perseverance and the ability to be able to keep your mirth is what makes you a respectable and a worthy master.'

'Back then we were all children... we still are by age.' Pikachu finally spoke up, placing a paw on my knee. 'We all had a lot of learning... we experienced too much, which made us mature before we had to.'

'But we did it together,' Meganium cut in. 'I'm sorry I didn't tell you about our pregnancy. It's just that you've been so sad and preoccupied lately, that I did not want to add to your worries. You needed me and all I even wanted was to be of use to you.'

'You did not fail us,' Sceptile uncharacteristically cut in. 'Charizard is leagues ahead of that Salamence and could have won that battle at any moment. But he saw the opportunity to have a good fight and prologued it,' he took a deep breath. 'Then you fell, and he lost it. He got hurt by being reckless, not because he was not strong enough or you were not a good trainer.'

I looked into Sceptile's eyes and saw the honesty in his eyes. His loyalty and love... I was speechless.

'You are a good trainer Ash-oniichan!' Jolteon called out. 'Gary-oniichan is always saying that!' All my veteran pokemon and I looked at her in shock. 'He said that you were an idiot when you started your journey,' that sounds more like him. 'But you improved, and you did so fast. Your creativity and relentlessness are what makes you a great trainer.'

'So, please, stop thinking less of yourself and go back to being the happy Ash we all know and love.' Pikachu begged me.

"As if I can refuse a request from my beloved pokemon," I replied, laughing as I was attacked with hugs- luckily, they were careful with my arm. "You understand now, right? I do not blame you and you should not blame yourself... I'll try to do the same." I whispered.

'We do,' they replied.

"Good." I moved away a little bit, so I could face all of them at the same time. "You realize I'll have to send you guys back, right?" They looked at me with saddened eyes but nodded nonetheless. "Meganium don't even think of training, got it? You are pregnant and all you should be focusing on is bringing that baby into the world safely. I'll be telling Professor Oak, so he'll help you." She sighed, but her smile brightened at my words. "Feraligatr, you need to take it easy. Not only your ribs cracked, even if they are healed now, you just evolved and will need to get used to your new body and the rise of power. Your new height on its own will be a difficult challenge."

'Don't worry!' He simply replied, with his usual easygoing smile. Which now looked quite terrifying, for those who don't know him, with all the big and sharp teeth.

"The rest of you rest. We've been through a lot and deserve a break." I continued. "Also, Pidgeot I won't be bringing back Vibrava or Starly. Can you take them under your wing and teach them some flying tricks and moves? I know you already have your hands (wings?) full with Altaria and Skarmory..."

'Don't worry, I'll do my best.' Pidgeot replied, much calmer this time. It as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders (Does a Pidgeot have shoulders?).

"Good... I'll miss you guys," I said, smiling sadly. "Remember that I am so proud of you."

I have rapidly hugged again, this time my arm was not so lucky, but I paid it no mind. I relished in the warmth and affection of my pokemon. Sooner than I would have liked, I had to recall them all, except for Jolteon, Honegde, and Pikachu, and head towards the transfer system at the Center's entrance.

"Ash!" Surprisingly it was not Professor Oak the one who answered, but my mom. "Why did you not call me sooner?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! I had to find out about it from the news?!"

"Mom," I snapped, my voice barely containing the anger and frustration I felt. I love my mom and know she worries a lot; her strong personality is something I admired a lot of her... but right now it was simply making it worse.

"My boy, what happened?" Professor Oak finally appeared on the screen, besides my mother. They both wore similar expressions of surprise and worry. Surprise by me snapping and worry at the news they've heard.

"Sorry for snapping mom," I apologized. "But I've been through a lot today and had other priorities to handle first." I felt bad when her expression turned from worried to hurt. "No one should have known about the mission; you shouldn't have found out at all. But the news got hold of it and now everyone knows..." I sighed. "The mission was a success. My pokemon are fine, Croconaw even evolved," that brought out a smile.

"I'm glad" mom murmured "Are you truly ok Ash?" She asked, this time much calmer.

"I am," I answered, honestly. "I can't tell you more, it's confidential."

"I am starting to regret encouraging you to join the Ranger Force." Professor Oak sighed, his face twisting with guilt.

"Don't," I cut him off. "I've never felt more fulfilled in my life Professor," I confessed. "Before even if we stopped the bad guys, they always escaped and cause more trouble in another place. That brought me more sleepless nights than I would like to admit. Now not only I am capable of arresting them myself, but I also have other trainers to help me out and have my back. Your advice was one of the best ones I've ever received."

"I'm glad," he replied, this time looking relieved before turning serious. "But there's something else, right?"

"There is good and bad news, which one would you like first?" They gave me a deadpanned look and I laughed sheepishly. "All right, the good news is that Meganium is pregnant." They both exclaimed in surprise. "I know right." I laughed. "So, keep a good eye on her Professor."

"Two different regional starters having a baby... at my ranch... this is incredible!" He exclaimed. "What species will it be? What ability and egg moves will they inherited from their parents?"

His eyes shone as they always did when he is immersed in his studies. Knowing that he might as well end up murmuring to himself for another hour at least, I decided to cut in: "Bad news, Charizard needed surgery."

That did bring down the mood like nothing else.

"Oh, my," mom gasped, her eyes watering. "What happened? Is he ok now?"

"He was consumed by Blaze and the other pokemon used that distraction against him, to land some hits on him." I sighed. "He is fine now. Luckily, the loss of blood was the worst of it. But he'll need to forgo fighting for a month. Knowing Charizard there's no way he'll do it, so I'll keep him with me for the time being to keep an eye on him."

"Smart decision," Professor Oak praised me, his eyes however were sad and serious. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Yes, there is," I answered. "Mom, can you send me Poke Food recipes for injured pokemon and build back their strength? Professor Oak, you have Charizard of your own, can you give me some advice on how to tend to his injuries? And tips about how to train him when he is given a clean slate of health?"

"Of course!" Mom exclaimed, "I'll get right on it!"

"Of course, my boy." Professor Oak was calmer. "Anything else?"

"Yes," I sighed. "I'll be sending you back Espeon, Feraligatr, Pidgeot, Primeape, Sceptile, and Meganium," I told him sending the Poke Balls through the transfer system. Once I saw them being delivered safely, I continued. "Let them all mingle, for the time being, I'll call you later for Froakie, Bulbasaur, Turtwig, Chimchar, and Quilava."

"Now that I think about it Quilava will be the only Johto starter that hasn't evolved to her final form," Professor Oak thought out loud.

"I know, that's why I want her with me. To help her not feel depress and keep an eye on her training, so she won't work herself to the bone," I replied. "Bye Professor, bye mom."

"Bye Ashy," mom answered. "Be careful, please."

"Hear your mother, boy." Professor added, "I've already had enough white hairs as it is."

Once the call ended, I turned to Pikachu and we both sighed: "We'll need to call Misty, Brock, Gary, May, and Max, won't we?"

"Pika" he nodded his head.

"It will be a long day" I sighed and prepared myself to face a barricade of worried friends.

At least, the mission was a success. I tried to comfort myself but failed magnifically.