Wazzup? Yep another chapter here. This time a bit of a break from gym battles and a reminder of what part of the life of a Pokémon trainer is like. With a special hook at the end.

Chapter 10: A Glimpse of the Unown

The Ilex Forest was a very calm place for those who were simply looking for a nice place to walk. A better opportunity for the most ambitious was for those who wanted to find Pokémon. Such was the case for at least a number of Pokémon trainers who had recently made their way there. Four of them had recently entered and split into three parties with Sabrina and her Espeon among them.

Sabrina was thankful that she didn't wear her red uniform gym outfit at this point since the forest was shaping up to be one of the most humid places she had yet to enter. She didn't let this environmental obstacle stop her from pushing her way through the bushes and deeper into the forest. She turned to her fellow Pokémon traveler to order, "Okay Espeon. Do you think you can sense anything out there?"

Espeon stepped over a few branches when she told her trainer, "There is certainly a lot of wild Pokémon out there. Not anyone who I think would be the best choice for tagging along however."

"By that you do mean a Pokémon who actually has psychic abilities right?"

"Yes of course. But I still have to remain picky. Even being around Pikachu is a little much for me to tolerate."

"Come now, he hasn't treated you poorly has he?"

"No. But he is just like many other wild Pokémon. It doesn't help that your human mate doesn't seem to keep much of a collar on him."

"For someone who actually was a wild Pokémon you do seem to have a habit of seeing yourself as above your kind."

"It is the only way that I can stand out from the others after all."

Sabrina stopped as soon as she and Espeon heard a distinct sound off in the distance. "Wait… Do you hear something?"

Espeon stopped when she agreed, "I do… And I don't just hear someone hawking down giant bundles of grass either."

Sabrina and Espeon peaked out of the bushes to find a dark purple pig that was simply minding his own business. "Is that the one that I'm hearing from?"

Espeon evaluated the eating Pokémon, "A rather crude one but I suppose it can't be helped considering his position."

"Not just that. That Grumpig seems to have a sizable amount of power within him."

"Ah yes. Well I suppose he is squandering that sort of potential just content to remain out here in the wild. I suppose if you really want to add him to our team we could make the effort."

Sabrina reached for a Pokéball when she told Espeon, "Well then, time to see if I haven't lost my touch in catching a Pokémon. Be ready. You won't be at this alone."

"Very well. I'm expecting this to be an easy one." Espeon rushed ahead of Sabrina as she snuck up behind the busy Grumpig. Just as he was about to take another bite of the tall bushel of grass, Espeon made a pounce on the back of the unsuspecting wild Pokémon.

Grumpig was surprised by Espeon's initiative but managed to brush himself up to his hind legs and summoned every ounce of strength he could to force Esepon off his back. The two rolled backwards on the short grass while Grumpig tried to beat Espeon into submission physically.

Espeon in the meantime had picked up on the motions of the air as the Grumpig prepared itself for a back slam to the ground. Leaping off her opponent, she watched the pig Pokémon land to the ground with a mighty slam only to see the ground left with an imprint of his body. Grumpig wasn't intimidated however as he stood up and turned to face Espeon with whatever challenge she was about to bring.

Sabrina gave the order, "Prepare for an attack with Future Sight."

Espeon's eyes glowed a light blue while Grumpig prepared for his own offense. The black pearl on his forehead glowed slightly while taking in a mighty breath of air into his nostrils. Just before Espeon could prepare for a chance to offer an attack, Grumpig's psychic waves found their way into her mind as she was left to struggle with the might of Grumpig's mental intrusion.

Sabrina however saw the attempt as she announced, "Help her Starmie!" At the summoning, Sabrina's sea star-like Pokémon flew out of the Pokéball as it prepared for a strike on Espeon's attacker. Sabrina encouraged the progress when she ordered, "Rapid Spin!" Starmie spun in mid-air with a mighty speed before smacking Grumpig right in the back of the head.

Grumpig fell on his belly with a massive headache while Espeon was offered an opening. With her mind clear, her eyes glowed a light blue again before right above her head she shot a rainbow colored sphere of energy towards Grumpig. Sabrina encouraged the attack further when she ordered, "Give Espeon some assistance Starmie! Finish him with Swift!" At Sabrina's order Starmie fired multiple white stars from the gem at the center of its body towards Grumpig. Right after the collisions with the rainbow sphere, Grumpig endured the two hits as he felt an explosion of energy around him form while the stars of energy simply kicked him while down.

The small amount of smoke that formed cleared to only leave Grumpig on the ground in a dazed and defeated stance in his small crater. Sabrina reached for the first Pokéball she could grab before stating, "You're mine." The Pokéball flew towards the head of Grumpig before converting him into a sphere of red energy that flew its way into the small compartment. Upon his capture, the ball wobbled and struggled only for a brief period before it settled down.

Sabrina scooped up the occupied ball when she thanked, "Great work Espeon. You were a great help too Starmie."

The sea star Pokémon was returned to its Pokéball while Espeon congratulated, "Not quite my choice for a new partner, but perhaps you might be able to refine him later on."

Sabrina agreed, "It's just rewarding to catch a Pokémon the old fashioned way again. Just two more before I have a full team." She looked up to the sky when she told Espeon, "We still have a few hours to go. Let's see what else we can find."

Espeon followed behind Sabrina when she agreed, "Well I do suppose there could at least be a few exotic berries I could find along the way."

Karen and Will were deep within the Ilex Forest along with the others while Will reminded his partner, "Right then. A large flying Pokémon. Not something that we can hope to immediately come across."

Karen shrugged, "If the other can come across wild Pokémon easily then it shouldn't be too hard for us. It's just unfortunate so few flying Pokémon are able to handle a frame as big as mine."

"You certainly aren't to blame Karen. All four of us would place more than the amount of pressure Ash's Charizard would be able to handle. If we can even find just one of comparable size we won't have to be weighing them down."

"You were the one who wanted to follow him up to this point. I thought you would have prepared us for this sort of meeting."

"A fair point. Clairvoyance isn't quite my specialty however. It is just represented far too little among our kind. Fortunately for us we are professionals and this sort of outing will simply be a throwback to our old days."

"Easy enough to look forward to. I would have thought that if anything you'd be more interested in trying to put a finger on our traveling future champion's mighty power. I know it's been a day but really you don't seem to have put that much progress on noting just what Ash is capable of."

"Well I'm fortunate to have you as my observer. The good news is however that you may not have to remain in the dark about what sort of power that Ash Ketchum has. I'm not sure if you noticed, but he did have a certain amount of passion about him."

"You mean the kind that he had right after getting off that ship to Olivine? He was able to kick some ass pretty easily but what does that have to do with anything?"

"You recall how it is that I have to maintain my psychic abilities. I have to separate myself from my being and then focus on everything around me. That sort of power comes from within. It is something that every psychic is born with. In the case of Ash, I wouldn't say it seems to be drawing from anyone or anything in particular. However it would seem that his passion has been going against everything that should normally work for a psychic user."

"So you're saying that because he has someone next to him to support his abilities that's an unusual thing. You're not saying he's an aura user but he's apparently not losing his concentration the way that a psychic newbie should are you?"

"The way that any user should be able to. If anything it would all seem to be a residual effect. When he was in battle with Chuck he did endure a little more punishment than his previous battle with Jasmine. Then when he went up against Whitney the next day he was back to his enthusiastic self again."

Karen paused before she remembered the fact that Ash and Sabrina shared an apartment room together when she added, "You're saying that he gets his power by trying to get Sabrina to sleep with him? Hoo-wee she's going to have her work cut out for her if we keep up at this rate." Karen laughed before adding, "Seriously though, you make it sound like you're giving him some kind of male fantasy that any man would love to exploit."

Will acknowledged, "It is a very curious sort of thing to propose isn't it? If anything it would seem that the relationship could potentially be mutual. I suppose we would have to discover for ourselves however by seeing Sabrina be more participant in battle or if she would be brought to use her powers for me to evaluate."

"Now you're just trying to find some excuse to stick around with these two. I don't think I can blame you for it though."

"It's not so much of an inconvenience. It's not as though you aren't interested in trying to get closer to Ash yourself."

"I should have known you would be able to read into my thoughts. Any chance you could give me just a moment of privacy?"

"Maybe if you were somehow able to control your mind against me reading you. I will say that I am interested in understanding what gravitates you towards him though."

"It's complicated. Let's just get back to what we were thinking earlier."

"Well if you plan on excluding me, you are on the road to pulling it off."

Will and Karen continued their way through the forest before Karen stopped them and whispered, "I think I might see our answer." Karen walked up to a nearby tree when she felt Will walk up next to her while watching what was she was observing. On a flat boulder there was a large sauropod-like Pokémon resting on the surface. The bulky Tropius was more than happy to rest itself without a care for whoever was watching.

Will agreed, "Just about on par with a Charizard even. Fascinating that one such as it would be out here, but we shouldn't question our good fortune perhaps."

Karen grabbed one of her pokeballs when she said, "First come first serve I say. Let's see who wants him more."

Will stepped next to her when he agreed, "That goes for both of us."

Karen threw out her Pokéball to order, "Honchkrow! Go!"

Will added, "Attack! Bronzong!"

Both Honchkrow and Bronzong appeared from their Pokéballs before viewing the target their trainers had in mind. Karen began, "Hit him with Sucker Punch!"

Will added, "Assist with Heavy Slam!" As both trainers gave their orders, Honchkrow pulled back one of her wings to prepare for what constituted a punch while Bronzong was surrounded in a yellow aura before slamming into the unsuspecting Tropius. Tropius had turned his head just in time to see the incoming attacks but was too late to react.
Tropius fell off the boulder and was completely dismayed at the pain it had been dealt. He couldn't even get up to try and prepare for an attack with the surprise that got to him. Will approved of the quick action, "Well not entirely like a throwback to my old days I have to admit."

Karen in the meantime threw a Pokéball towards the downed Pokémon as it turned into a sphere of red light before being immediately contained. Before she had a chance to pick it up though, the Pokéball changed into a sphere of white light as it vanished from existence. Karen smirked when she returned her Honchkrow and commented, "Now we aren't so much of a problem. I think we just accomplished what we set out to do already."

Will nodded when he returned his Bronzong and agreed, "We certainly did. We should be back to the camp site just before dinner. Give us a few things to ponder about doesn't it?"

Karen snuffed when she asked, "Yeah. Like how much you want to get into my pants before Ash gets a chance huh?"

Will blushed at the suggestion when he told her, "I'll have you know that I was not thinking of such a thing."

Karen crossed her arms when she agreed, "Heh. I knew you were too proper a gentleman. Really though, keep your interest in my relationships to yourself."

Will followed Karen as they made their way through the forest when he was simply left to comment, "Ah what a complex creature a woman is. This sort of thing is just far too much out of my control."

Sabrina continued her search through Ilex Forest while several hours continued to pass through the day while Espeon nonchalantly followed behind. "Sabrina. Could you please tell me why you would want to dirty up our team with a boorish fighting type? I can defeat them far too easily as it is and I'm supposedly not even your strongest."

Sabrina turned to correct, "I never said you weren't strong Espeon. You just haven't had the chance to compare with Alakazam yet. But yes, you can defeat them easily. That is something I will need. There's only one type you won't have so much of an easy time with though. Dark type."

Espeon tilted her head when she commented, "I suppose I haven't had the fortune to meet with one of such a type. Are they supposed to be dangerous to me?"

Sabrina confirmed, "Not like Rock is normally to Electric, but like Fire is to Ice. You might have a chance but the odds won't be good unfortunately."

Espeon was satisfied but pointed out, "Ah. So that's how it is. Well I suppose we will have to diversify after all. But you make it all sound like you have an opponent who plans to exploit that weakness."

Sabrina told her, "Karen has mastered Dark type to the point of becoming an Elite Four member. If I don't at least try to build a realistic chance against her..."

Espeon tried to finish the though for her, "You fear being seen as lesser? That is one way to anticipate the worst."

Sabrina nodded when she agreed, "Let's just say that's what the concern is. Now let's just keep searching and hoping for some Fighting type."

After a few minutes of searching Sabrina heard a few heavy strikes sounding through the forest that reached her ears. Curious to see if it was a particularly giant Pokémon making its way through she walked over to a nearby clearing only to find something far less intimidating. A short and humanoid purple Pokémon, Tyrogue, was punching and kicking a tree with one successive series of strikes after another. Sweat glistened from his body signifying his long dedication to the practices and attacks he made.

Espeon commented, "Well if that's not a fighting type I don't know what is."

Sabrina smiled when she agreed, "That little one is certainly a start. I think you should be able to handle him quite well."

Espeon agreed, "Be back in a few." Espeon rushed out of the bushes as she jumped towards the location of the Tyrogue before without any need for an order allowed the gem on her forehead to shine. He psychic attack grabbed hold of the persistent Tyrogue who was left to only marvel at the fact that he was suddenly suspended in mid-air. Before he could do anything, Espeon flung the Tyrogue to one side of the field as he was slammed to the ground. Before he could get up, he was slammed again. And again. And again. And then Tyrogue was on the receiving end of a one-sided beating.
Finally there was one final strike before Espeon simply threw Tyrogue with her powers into the very tree Tyrogue was training on. The tree fell over with a mighty thud upon collision as it was uprooted. "Well at least I finished what he probably set out to do."

Sabrina petted Espeon's head when she took out a Pokéball and thanked, "You did excellent Espeon. Now I have him." The defeated Tyrogue wasn't even able to attempt getting up as Sabrina threw a Pokéball towards him. The Pokéball didn't even wobble as Sabrina scooped up the new addition to her team. Pleased with herself Sabrina commented, "We did quite well for ourselves."

Espeon agreed, "Just one more before a full team. Next time I do hope it's more of a challenge than that."

While the three of his human companions continued their search through Ilex Forest for new Pokémon to add to their journey, Ash was simply in a state of contemplation as he tried to find out what he would do with his current position. "I've got powerful Pokémon but I need to figure out how I can beat more types with a clear advantage."

Mew added, "You have left yourself open for a potential weakness without a primary Ice type. Just imagine having to deal with mighty dragons that could overpower you."

Pikachu agreed, "Not unless you tried to use a Fairy type. Although even finding a really strong one is going to be a bit tricky."

Before either of them could ponder their situation any further, the three came upon an interesting site of the forest. A small structure resembling a hokora covered in moss stood out from a very quite part of the forest. Ash was interested in the structure when he asked, "Wow. What's this supposed to be?"

Pikachu sniffed some of the moss when he commented, "Hasn't been touched in a while. Whatever was worshiped and whoever was worshipping are both completely new to me."

Mew flew up to the shrine when she simply told them, "Something quite interesting. If anything you might want to come back here some other time when you find something to make this place worthwhile."

Ash scratched his head when he asked, "That's kind of vague. What's supposed to change about this place?"

Mew flew up to the head of the shrine when she pointed her nose to a small indent. She told Ash, "This is hollowed ground but it's not forbidden for you to take a look."

Ash walked up the moss riddled steps when he looked at the area Mew was referring to. There was a small spherical indent that was still clear from the spreading vegetation. He took out one of his Pokéballs to compare the size when he asked, "What's supposed to go in there?"

Mew floated up to his head when she told him, "One day you'll have something that will earn you a very valuable partner. For right now you only need to remember this place well."

Ash nodded when he accepted, "I guess I'll be strong enough to handle whatever happens here. I just hope you aren't trying to have fun with me Mew."

Mew smiled, "I don't plan on having that sort of fun with you Ash. Not outside of battle anyway."

Ash turned away from the shrine when he tried to find his own way through the forest. He looked through the tops of the trees before noticing something pink among the green. Ash asked, "Pikachu? That's not some kind of big berry is it?"

Pikachu shook his head, "Not of any size I've seen." He ran ahead of Ash with enthusiasm at the hopes of finding a peach only to see it turn around and prepare to make a leap out of the tree top.

Ash was curious at the sight when he took out his Pokédex to hear, "Spritzee, the Perfume Pokémon. Spritzee gives off a fragrance that delights anyone who smells it, which changes depending on what Spritzee eats."

Ash checked the other classifications about the small pink avian Pokémon when he saw something that mattered to him greatly. "A Fairy type! Just what I've been hoping to find."

Mew flew up to the pink Pokémon when she summoned a small bubble around the flying Pokémon. She then lightly bobbed the bubble down to send Spritzee down to the ground before it popped and left Pikachu with the opportunity to tackle the small bird to the ground. Pikachu announced, "Now's your chance! I've got him held down!"

Ash drew out a Pokéball when he agreed, "You bet. Welcome to the team Spritzee!" The Pokéball landed square in the head of the Spritzee leaving it to only go through the initial resistance of being caught for the first time. Pikachu held onto the ball for as long as it jumped and resisted but after a while finally settled down.

Just as Ash was ready to celebrate his new catch, the Pokéball changed into a sphere of white light and vanished from existence. Pikachu walked up to Ash with his form of a high-five while Ash knelt down to oblige. "Well this was sure a different sort of day. You and Mew sure make this an easy day out."

Pikachu agreed, "For something this little it's a piece of cake. I bet you've got big plans for that little guy later on though right Ash?"

Ash confirmed the plan, "This is just one Pokemon that's going to allow me to have a more diverse team. Well we've made a good amount of progress today at least. Let's not keep Sabrina and the others waiting."

Within the rooms of the Hale Mansion, things had changed in a way that few would have ever imagined or ever tried to comprehend. The crystallization was unlike anything anyone could imagine. The worst of it all however came from the sheer amount of loneliness that it brought for the few who were still within.

There was only one lone young woman who feared everything that the impending crystallization was encroaching around her. Molly Hale shook in fear as she looked down at the storybook she had to turn to ever since she was five. It was the only source of comfort she had as she shielded herself against the cold of crystalline structure.

Worse than her loneliness was the source of the only sound that was making its way through the growing halls. The mansion was filled with a series of solemn chants lightly saying, "Unown... Unown..." Molly had nothing that was able to defend herself against the might of what the multitude of psychic Pokémon would attempt and she had no comprehension of what sort of thing they would do to her if she was recognized by them.

Right now there was only one thing that Molly was able to think to herself. "Papa... Help me... Where are you?"

"I am here child..." An unsuspecting answer channeled through her mind. Molly didn't expect to hear anyone in the room but a low powerful voice sounded through her mind. She lifted up her head to find the source of the answer and was initially shaken with what she saw. A massive, leonine quadruped stood before her. Her irises shrunk at the sight of the mighty Pokémon leaving her fear to be very visible.

Molly tried to speak, "Wh... Who are you?"

The massive Pokémon answered, "I am Entei. I am here for you child."

Molly was still shaken when she asked, "How? What do you want with me?"

Entei continued to gaze at her when he answered, "I am here to care for you. I want you to understand that you are not alone in this world."

"But what kind of world is this? I don't understand any of this."

"A world where you can flourish Molly. One where you no longer have to be intimidated by others. You can become something that is truly extraordinary."

Molly shook at the answer before she felt her mind lose what potential rationality she would have to discern the situation. She came to a conclusion that few in the situation would have imagined. "Papa... It's you. The Unown turned you into Entei."

Entei paused before he accepted, "I accept my station as such Molly. You must understand. I am not here to instill fear in you. I am here because I will grant you everything that you desire. Most particularly that dream which was denied from you."

Molly's eyes watered as she allowed herself a smile to accept, "I'll be here Papa. I only need you at my side. Just like it's been for so long."

Entei allowed Molly towards him as he told her, "You desire will be easily achieved child. You only need to achieve one thing. You ability to control the Unown."

Notes on Chapter 10:

Woohoo there's another one down.

So here's a list of everything that everyone has right now with the captures now made:

Will Serenity - Gardevoir, Xatu, Grumpig, Jynx, Slowbro, Bronzong

Karen Lee - Weaville, Absol, Spiritomb, Houndoom, Honchkrow, Umbreon, Tropius

Sabrina Ortiz - Alakazam, Starmie, Espeon, Grumpig, Tyrogue

Ash Ketchum - Pikachu, Charizard, Blastoise, Ivysaur, Pidgeot, Muk, Snorlax, Tauros (x30(x24 in lab, x6 at Uncle Milton's)), Growlithe, Kingler, Primeape, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Azumarill, Armaldo, Aerodactyl, Rhydon (shiny), Dragonite, Mew, and now Spritzee.

Just to confirm, yes we have not seen the last of Ilex Forest Shrine.

And here we are, the beginning of an adaptation of the third movie. For this one pretend that Molly is her 18 year old version. As you might be able to guess, the nature of the story this time around is going to be different but that's pretty much par for the course isn't it?

So how will things pass? How will our heroes save the day? Things for right now are left on a hanging note until the next update.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.