Ash was too excited to meet the new trainer. He could not contain his energy so he ran out to train Pikachu. By the time he got to the docks, Team Rocket had appeared in an attempt to capture Pikachu yet again. Team Rocket was not wearing their typical uniform they had worn before. Instead they were wearing a sleek black outfit with the "R" in a crimson color on the chest.
A storm was approaching and Pikachu was trying his best to avoid Team Rockets attacks. They still have yet to send out any Pokémon. They just kept on firing electric proof nets, hoping it would trap the electric mouse. As the battle continued, the storm was now over top of them. However, there was no rain, it was just blue thunder. As soon as Pikachu landed a thunderbolt on the trio, they flew away on their jet packs. They knew that there was no way they could win at the moment and could not blow their cover, so a tactical retreat was in order.
Another thunder came from the black clouds. This time, a cry was heard above too. As soon as Ash and Pikachu looked up, they saw a silhouette of an unknown creature. The creature then fired a blue thunderbolt that had made contact with Pikachu. As soon as Pikachu collapsed, the creature and the storm disappeared. Ash carried Pikachu back to Professor Oak and Juniper in a hurry. Once Professor Juniper examined Pikachu, Pikachu had woken up feeling fine. Ash was happy that his friend seemed ok. However, Professor Juniper still wanted to take a few more tests to see what happened. A few more minutes and a bell could be heard.
"Oh that must be the new trainer. He is here for his new Pokémon." The professor said starting to walk out of the room.
"Oh boy I can't wait to meet him. I still remember when I started my journey, right Pikachu?" Ash stated looking over at his trusted partner, who responded back with a nod.
"Ash, this here young man is Trip, he is the trainer I was talking about."
"Hi Trip, I'm ash from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. I was just telling Pikachu about the first day I started my journey. I was so excited that I over slept through my appointment"
"Classic rookie move on an amateur I suppose." Trip retorted, causing Ash to wince.
"What was that?!" Ash responded back.
"Well clearly if you cannot make it to get your Pokémon on time then you aren't that well experienced. And that makes me a better trainer than you when you first started."
Before the two of them could get another word out, Professor Juniper came out with a tray of the starter Pokémon for the region. Trip had to decide which Pokémon he would like to start his journey with. He had to choose between Oshawott, Snivy, or Tepig. Trip commented on how Tepig did not look like it was suited for battles while Oshawott would probably slow him down. The choice was clear to Trip, fore he had chosen Snivy. After Trip had received his Pokémon he had challenged Ash to a battle. Trip was saying that is the true test of a trainer to accept any challenge given to them. To which Ash had agreed to the battle.
They both went outside where Tracey was talking to Professor Oak about something. The two young trainers were not focusing on them as so much so as each other. The rules were simple: one versus one battle. It was Pikachu versus Snivy. Ash called out for a Thunderbolt but Pikachu could not release its electrical attack. Trip looked confused. Wonder why a trainer would call for an attack that his Pokémon could not use. Trip responded back with Snivy using Tackle. The move did land but it did not phase Pikachu in the slightest. Ash then tried for Volt Tackle but it had the same impact as before. Ash then tried for Iron Tail and that seemed to work.
Trip now took this battle more serious because the trainer was now using moves it knew instead of hoping it would learn them mid battle. After a few more attacks had been given and received, sparks could be seen from Pikachu's cheeks. No one had noticed until it was too late. Pikachu had gone for a Quick Attack but it somehow turned into Volt Tackle. Plus instead of hitting Snivy. Pikachu had went after Trip. After Trip got up from the attack, he returned his Pokémon into its pokéball and said that if that is how trainers in Kanto battle, then he will never become a Pokémon Master. Before Ash could defend himself, Tracey came up to him and told Ash to let it go.
The two professors had finished their meeting and were bidding farewell to one another. Ash then asked Professor Oak if he could stay in Unova for a little bit longer. There had been so many Pokémon Ash has yet to meet and trainers he has yet to battle. He wanted to experience it all. Professor Oak stated that he had known that this would have happened and already told his mother, to which she was ok with it. As they were leaving, Tracey stepped in too.
"Professor, I want to stay here too! I know you need me at the lab to help you. But I want to see and sketch all the Pokémon I have never seen before. I feel like I have not been doing my best as a Pokémon Watcher. This will give a chance to fulfill my dreams to. So please wont you let me stay?" Tracey pleaded.
"Why my boy, I was hoping you would ask. You see, while I do appreciate your assistance at the lab. One cannot give up on their dreams. I was only waiting for you to have the courage to ask me." The professor remarked.
"Then why did you wait so long if this is what you were wanting me to continue my dreams?"
"Because it is your dream and only you can decide what you want to do. I cannot make that suggestion for you. If you wish to travel again, then by all means go on an adventure until your heart's content."
Now that everyone has decided on what they were going to do, everyone was ready for their next adventure. Professor Oak was heading back to Kanto alone, while Ash and Tracey were going over to the next city. Everything was looking great for everyone. On the way out of Nuvema Town, a familiar face from earlier was lurking behind a bush. This individual was not seen by the two heroes leaving town however.
Ash and Tracey were now heading towards Route 1 and were trying to get over to Accumula Town. About halfway through the path, a rustling through a bush could be heard. Ash, thinking it was a Pokémon, took out his pokedex and thought it was an Axew. Tracey was so excited that he took out his sketch pad and was going to get ready to draw the new Poké soon as he sat down, a purple haired lady popped out of the bush and starred at the Watcher in a irritated way.
The woman yelled at him saying that weirdoes like him should never be allowed to even look at her. Tracey was trying to explain that this was just a misunderstanding and that he was only trying to get a drawing out of this. That only infuriated her more. Ash then chimed in saying that they thought she was a Pokémon based on the pokedex. The woman then knew where the confusion came from and asked her partner to come on out. An actual axew then appeared out of the woman's purple hair.
The woman introduced herself as Iris Dracon. The three of them started to have a snack together. Ash and Tracey both had premade sandwiches while Iris was eating fruit she had gathered from trees. Iris revealed that she was aiming to be a Dragon Master, while the duo revealed their respected dreams as well. Ash seemed to be more interested in her dreams thinking that she must have some experience with dragon type Pokémon. Ash then challenged iris to a battle, in which iris declined.
"How come you won't battle me? I thought you said you wanted to be a Dragon Master?" Ash asked.
"That doesn't mean you just get to battle me. You should have more respect towards other trainers." Iris retorted.
"But battling will see how far you have come in you training. Isn't that what you want?" Tracey interjected.
"I don't know? I mean, I guess it wouldn't hurt." Iris said.
"There you go." Ash added.
The two of them were getting ready for their battle. It was going to be Pikachu versus Axew. Once the battle started, Iris called for Scratch. Axew did not run as so much as it walked. This caused a confused look on everyone watching the battle. Ash order Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, mainly to see if Pikachu was able to use his electric attacks again. The move did land, but what happened next no one could have anticipated. Axew began crying, and Iris tried to blame it all on Ash saying that he is too extreme and should have battled with more care.
Tracey tried to defend Ash by saying that a true challenge is for both sides to give it their best. Ash intervened by saying that Iris and Axew did battle to best of their abilities. Followed by Ash saying that will a little more training, the two of them could be an unstoppable pair. Iris was astounded that this new trainer was complimenting her and her Pokémon, despite yelling at them for being too tough. The three of them were now heading for the next town together. Once they arrived, they headed for the Pokémon Center to heal their teams.
Ash noticed that Tracey only handed one pokéball to Nurse Joy. After ha asked why Scyther was not with him, Tracey stated that Scyther is not suited for long travels like this and thought that he should stay behind for this trip. Iris was the curious why the two of them were in such a faraway region to begin with. After seeing Ash's Pikachu and Tracey's Smeargle, there must be a good explanation she thought. Ash responded by saying that being in a new region is like learning something new about yourself and that was always exciting to him. Tracey wants to learn as much as he can about other Pokémon he has never seen before.
Before they could continue their conversation, they could hear a loud commotion coming from outside. Once they got out there, a trainer and his Throw were trying to battle a wild Oshawott. Ash recognized it as the Oshawott from Professor Juniper's lab. The unknown trainer threw a pokéball at it, but the ball did not open. Ash explained that the Pokémon belongs to the professor from the previous town. The trainer was now annoyed that a Pokémon deceived him. He demanded that his Throw use Hammer Arm on the Oshawott. The said Pokémon avoided the attack and watching this on frustrated Ash.
"What do you think you are doing?!" Ash provoked.
"Teaching this one to not mess with the Brickhouse!" the man explained.
"Who is Brickhouse?" Iris asked.
"I am Brickhouse. I use only the toughest Fighting Pokémon around. I figured if I caught this Pokémon, I could get a real power house of a fighting Pokémon. But now that is all ruined thanks to this punk." Brickhouse stated.
"You were just going to catch that Pokémon just to trade it away? How could you do something so selfish? Its people like you that disgrace the name Trainer." Tracey intervened.
Brickhouse was amused that someone so scrawny had so will power in them. He challenged the trainer to a battle. The deal was that whoever won the battle would get bragging rights on who the better trainer was. Tracey accepted because he did not like how this guy treated Pokémon. Ash on the other hand did not like what was about to unfold. He had an idea on what the outcome would be like. He was only hoping that he was wrong.
The battle between Tracey and Brickhouse was going to start. Brickhouse sent out his Scrafty, causing ash to check his pokedex. It is known as the hoodlum Pokémon, and it can smash through concrete blocks with their feet. The size of their crest is how they demonstrate their respect towards another. Judging by the size of Scrafty's crest, ash knew that it was a tough opponent. Ash worried for the battle because he knew which Pokémon Tracey would send out. Tracey had no other choice but to send out his Smeargle.
Iris was not sure what the issue was at first. Ash explained that Smeargle was a normal type and only knew a move called Sketch. While the move could turn the tide of the battle, it was still a risky play to make. Iris was now dumbfounded on how much Ash knew about Pokémon. Brickhouse knew the situation and went for Payback. Iris was then confused on why a non super effective move, then remembered Sketch. Tracey did have a different idea in mind. He called for Smeargle to use Air Cutter. No one knew that was coming, not even Ash.
"Hey Smeargle can't learn that move. You must be cheating." Brickhouse declared.
"Actually, before this battle started, we were drawing pictures of a flock of Pidove's and one of them used that move. So this is perfectly legal."Tracey announced.
"Whatever, you are still gonna lose. Scafty, use High Jump Kick!"
"I don't think so. Smeargle, use Sketch! Followed by your new High Jump Kick." Tracey commanded his partner.
Both kicking moves have collided with each other. Smeargle and Scrafty looked at one another and have fallen down at the same time. The battle was then considered a draw. Brickhouse was upset at the loss: however he did acknowledge Tracey as a formidable opponent. Everyone who saw the match cheered for Tracey. Ash congratulated his friend on the match. Iris was amazed how his Pokémon could battle well despite the type advantage.
As the three of them entered the Pokémon Center, again, Iris asked how Smeargle could unlearn the new moves it had just used. Tracey responded if Smeargle traced backwards it will forget what moves it had learned. This enabled a plethora of moves they could use together. This also helped Tracey when help the professor back at his lab, to see how the other Pokémon were doing.
Now the three of them left the Pokémon Center, and the Oshawott from before was standing there. It was as if it had been waiting for them. Oshawott then took off his scalchop and pointed it at Ash. Tracey stated that maybe Oshawott has chosen Ash as his new trainer. Ash then accepted and went right back into the center. He contacted Professor Juniper to receive Oshawott's pokéball. Once there, Oshawott has now joined the team. Iris thought a Pokémon choosing a trainer was weird, because the tell trainers in order to catch Pokémon: you need battle them. Ash responded that there a numerous ways to befriend Pokémon instead of fighting them.
Now the three of them were heading out of town for good this time. Iris was wondering where they were heading to. Ahs and Tracey told her that ash was planning on competing in the Unova League and going to Striaton City for the first badge. Iris sighed as if they were planning on heading there without her. Ash then said that if she wanted to join along, she was more than welcomed too. He even offered to help her train some more too. Now the gang was on the second route.
"Ok, how about some training?" Ash asked his Pokémon.
"Pika"
"Osha wott"
"Hey Ash, how about Oshawott and Axew train together?" Tracey suggested.
"That sounds like it would be good idea. What do you think Iris?"
"I don't know." Iris whined.
"Hey, it's no worries. You guys train the way you two know how." Ash said.
Just when Ash was about to get ready for some training, they noticed that Oshawott was nowhere in sight. Everyone yelled for the sea otter, but there were no answers back. Ash contacted the professor to see if she had an idea on where he could have gone. Ash was given a communicator through his pokedex to reach out to the professor whenever he could. He promised himself that he would only try to get a hold of her for in case of an emergency. Right now this counted as an emergency.
The professor told Ash that Oshawott has a tendency to walk away when bored and tries to find something to do in the meantime. This did not help Ash in finding his newly acquired Pokémon. It did though help for in the future. Ash ran off into the woods to see where he could have gone off to. Ash was then startled by a flock of Pidove's. All of them, except one, flew away. Pikachu then came from behind had stared right at the opposing Pokémon. Ash thought that this one was a brave fighter and thought it would make an excellent member to the team.
Pikachu was instructed to use his Thunderbolt. The move did land and Ash took the opportunity to throw a pokéball at the target. Once the Pidove was inside the ball, the ball wiggled three times. After the third one, a chime was heard and the ball glowed a darken color to signify that the capture was complete. Ash sent Pidove back out and asked it to find Oshawott, after showing it a picture of it from his pokedex. The tiny bird soared the air right before the others caught up to Ash.
"Ash, don't, run, like, that, again, Ok?" Tracey panted.
"Yeah, you had us worried!" Iris joined in the conversation
"Sorry guys. I'm just trying to find Oshawott. But don't worry, I just Pidove out to search for him."
"Wait you caught a Pidove? How did you have the time to do that?" Iris asked.
"Leave it to Ash to catch a Pokémon in the middle of a search for another." Tracey amused.
"Pido!" a cry was heard.
The three of them raced off to see what the commotion was all about. When they arrived, they were greeted by an unpleasant sight.
The gang has arrived, and what they saw was not what they were expecting to see. Although, it was more so, who they were not expecting to see. Ash had seen them before, while Tracey has dealt with them in the past. Iris on the other hand, has never seen them in her life until now. It was none other than Team Rocket. Ash was only concerned about one thing though. Team Rocket has entrapped Pidove in a snare net.
"Let Pidove go!" Ash demanded.
"Oh why do you care, twerp? Is this your Pokémon?" Jessie teased the trainer.
"Actually that is his Pokémon. Would you be as so kind to give it back to him please?" Iris asked naively.
"These guys are criminals. They steal other peoples Pokémon. They would never give back to anyone." Tracey informed.
Iris was now updated on who they were dealing with. Ash tried to use Pikachu to free Pidove. However, team Rocket came prepared for this encounter. The fired off an electric resistant sphere to entice the electric mouse. Iris suggested that Tracey should use his Smeargle for help. They reminded her that Smeargle does not know any moves except Sketch, which it can do nothing at the moment.
Team Rocket was getting ready to gloat, when they got splashed with a stream of water. Oshawott has come back for the rescue. Everyone was excited to see the sea otter, except for the Pokémon kidnappers. Ash depended on Oshawott for help right now. Oshawott knew that this was serious and stared down his opponent. The otter took off his scalchop, which then shined an aquatic color, and raised it above his head. Team Rocket decided to avoid the otter by hiding inside their machine. Oshawott then raced towards Team Rocket with his shell in his hand.
"Oshawott, use Razor Shell!" Ash commanded.
"Oshawott!" The otter chanted and missed the robot.
"Ha, you missed twerps!" James for Team Rocket yelled out.
"We weren't aiming for you. I was aiming for Pidove" Ash responded.
"What?!"
The shell had split the cage Pidove was trapped in. ash then told Oshawott and Pidove to team up and help Pikachu. The tiny bird had carried Oshawott back over to the enemy. Oshawott then proceeded to use Razor Shell again. This time, the duo had broken off the arm of the robot and freed Pikachu from his captivity. Pikachu then went for his signature attack, Thunderbolt. The move made Team Rocket fly away from the conflict. They were trying their best to not be blasted off to an unknown location, in fear of being discovered.
Once that was solved, the gang headed towards Striaton City. This time Ash had Oshawott in its pokéball, along with Pidove. Pikachu was resting inside Ash's backpack. Iris commented on how that is how Team Rocket are always able to capture Pikachu very easily. Ash rebutted on how Pikachu prefers this way of traveling, similar to Axew in Iris' hair. The three trainers had located a spa resort and thought they needed to recuperate after what they had just gone through. However, the owners were having an issue with the water pressure for the resort.
Ash volunteered to help fix the issue. The owners were ecstatic hearing the young trainer offering his assistance. From there, the gang was told about a group of Sandile that have been lurking around and sanding the resorts water spots. This caused an issue for the customers did not want to lay in a sandy bath, like the Sandile. Ash thought that if they took out the leader, then the rest will leave.
Ahs used his pokedex to see what Sandile was. Besides telling Ash that they love to bury themselves in sand, it also told him that Sandile was a dark and ground type. Pikachu would not be a suitable opponent, so Ash went with Oshawott. Oshawott did not seem impressed, until the hoard of them surrounded them. The leader of the heard was wearing sunglasses, and only wanted to challenge Pikachu. Ash took up the challenge and both sides knew the terms. If Ash wins, then the Sandile leave the resort and clear the sand away too. If Ash loses, then the Sandile are free to stay as long as they want.
The battle started with Pikachu using Quick Attack, while Sandile used Dig. Sandile then emerged from underground and proceeded to use Bite. Pikachu retaliated by using Iron Tail and slammed the desert croc into the ground. The battle was interrupted by the shaking of the area. Apparently when the Sandile dug their way to the resort, they left the foundation unstable. Everyone was trying to evacuate the premises; the owner however fell in the midst of the stampede. As a tree was falling towards the owner, the leader Sandile used Rock Throw to prevent the man from being hurt.
Afterwards, when all the damage was done, Ash and the gang asked what the owner's were going to do. The owner responded that the insurance will cover the damage, but there was going to be a change around the resort. Now there was going to be two variations for the area. One would have a water spa while the other would be used for a sandy spa treatment. Mainly for the Sandile for rescuing the man's life. The gang were heading out again, bidding farewell to everyone behind them. What they did not know was that the leader Sandile was trailing right behind them.
