Doing Things Differently

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. I own only the characters that show up when Ash is wondering certain regions and gets certain Pokemon. I own the characters there.

Summary: Ash is given Pikachu in the beginning. What if Pikachu ditches him in his time of need. What is another pokemon takes place of his starter. He takes to the world differently and is smarter. He wants to be the best of trainers. Watch out world.

Answers:

Pokemon Ash has so far:

Fearow:Talon (male)

Gyarados: Mystic (female)

Cloyster: Gem (female)

Arbok: Naga (female)

Primeape: Champ (male)

Pinsir: Spike (male)

Beedrill: Videl (female) mothers pokemon

Sandslash: Quake (male)

Clefable: Tinker (female)

Persian: Bastet (female)

Espeon: Evlon (female)

Nidoran: Queen (female) mothers pokemon

Steelix: Diamond (female)

Poliwrath: Wav (male)

Bulbasaur: Alpha (male)

Charizard: Torch (male)

Squirtle: Shades (male)

Squirtle: Munch (male) mothers pokemon\

Krabby: Crush (male)

Magmar: Volcan (male)

Gyarados: Triton (male)

Slowpoke: Oni (male)

Seadra: Spirit (male)

Tangrowth: Fern (female)

Ralts: Rune (male)

Cubone: Rattle (male)

Gengar: Sly (male)

Golduck: Einstein (male)

Muk: Grim (male)

Magnemite: Sparks (male)

Rapidash:Dash (female)

Tauros: Rodeo (male)

Rhyhorn: Pazder (male)

Parasect: Spura (female) mothers pokemon

Doduo: Trio (male)

Venonat: Rura (female)

Goldeen: Koi (female) mothers pokemon

Dratini: Marine (female)

Pikachu: Small One (female)

Egg: Eevee

Aerodactyl: Arrow (female)

Kabutops: Shredder (male)

Omastar: Nova (female)

Ash is a ladies man... Has more girls then Brock will ever get. ;)

Listed is what I think could work in the next chapter:

None at the moment

What do you think? Name any others you would think will work with him and this story.

Chapter 23

Farfetch'd, Togepi, Bulbasaur's Garden, Princess

Pokemon!

Last Time on Starting Things Differently:

A flashback shows a young James running out of his house with a young Jessiebelle, carrying an Oddish. She was shouting at him for not running properly. As the flashback ends James admits that if he marries Jessiebelle. That it will be the worst mistake of his life. He gives a small smile while turning to his Growlithe. He states that Growlie is the only real friend he has on the estate.

Suddenly, Jessiebelle and Vileplume burst through the wall sending Jessie and Meowth flying out of the mansion. Jessiebelle gets ready to start a battle. She gets her Vileplume to try another Stun Spore attack. Ash glares at her, "I don't like this! Go Marine!" Ash shouted unleashing his Dratini. Jessiebelle gets hearts in her eyes seeing the cute dragon pokemon, "Oh! How cute!" Ash smirks, "She's more then cute! Show that Vileplume your power!" Growlie and Marine shoot a combination of Flamethrower and Dragon Rush right back at it. This causes Jessiebelle and Vileplume to run away in fear.

Jessiebelle knocks James's parents and Hopkins into a pond while running away, proclaiming how much she hates Jame's Growlie. She leaves them convinced that she's too good for their son. From the bushes, James says goodbye to Growlie and asks it to look after his parents. James states would rather live the free low-life with Team Rocket instead of the upper-crust lifestyle. Growlie howls sadly as James heads off.

Meanwhile, Jessie and Meowth are saddened by the loss of James and believe him to have left with Jessiebelle. Just then they hear a familiar voice that says "Prepare for trouble." It is James, flying in the Meowth balloon. James pulls Jessie aboard, and they vow to continue their own free lifestyle. As Jessie and James look into each other's eyes in happiness. Meowth yells from the ground that they forgot him.

Ash and crew end up being chased by Jessiebelle away from the mansion. She's pleading for them to help her find her beloved James. Ash looks at her in panic, "He's the one who finds us! You crazy women!" Ash shouted in alarm. The gang just keeps on running.

Present:

Ash and the gang decide to take a break in a meadow. Ash currently had Evlon out with him. She was resting her head on his lap while he petted her calmly. Tomo was holding her egg in his arms.

The group begin discussing the rumor that the rare Farfetch'd has been spotted in the area. Ash blinks a this and looks up the pokemon.

Pokedex Farfetch'd: A Wild Duck Pokémon. Farfetch'd makes a delicious meal, especially when cooked with leek. Because of this, Farfetch'd is nearly extinct.

He frowns and stares at the pokemon. "Hmmm... It seems cool. I wouldn't mind one of those..." Ash stated. Brock, Ash and Tomo then decide to get some water for the group from a nearby spring.

Left alone, Misty begins hearing sounds coming from the bushes. She gets nervous being alone wishing Ash had left his Espeon with her. All of a sudden a Farfetch'd appears nearby and begins parading in front of Misty. Misty squeals at how cute it is and watches it run into the woods.

Misty eager to catch the rare pokemon runs after it. She chases after the flying Pokémon, but then just after turning a corner. She bumps into a boy, Keith. They both fall over. The boy apologizes running into her. He then hands Misty her bag that had fallen to the ground, and runs off in a hurry. She thanks him and goes back to the group.

Misty is sad from losing track of the Farfetch'd, she returns to the meadow where Ash, Brock and Tomo are looking for her. She reveals that she was trying to catch a Farfetch'd, which causes everyone to become infuriated that she was sneaking around behind their backs.

They soon calm down after hearing from Misty how much of an awesome pokemon Farfetch'd is. Brock hands Misty the water they he had gotten for her, but when she goes to put it in her bag she realizes something shocking. She screams in panic and alarm. They all find that the backpack is filled with rocks.

Misty then realizes that she must have picked up the wrong backpack when she bumped into the boy in the woods. She starts to get upset because all of the pokemon she had ever caught were in that backpack. Ash frowns at this, "We'll get your bag back Mist. Let's get Sly to help. Tomo you know what to do." Tomo salutes and begins to sniff for her bag.

Back in the woods, Keith is walking down a path with the Farfetch'd by his side. He is grinning after stealing from Misty. He looks inside the newly stolen backpack to inspect what he has found, which turns out to be six poke balls. He returns to his tent, which is filled with other backpacks that likely were inherited by the same way Misty's was. He starts bragging that by using his Farfetch'd as a distraction so he could steal other Trainers' pokemon.

Just then, Keith and Farfetch's spot Team Rocket walking by. As it turns out, Team Rocket is also looking for a Farfetch'd. Keith and his Farfetch'd approach Team Rocket who are disappointed by the fact that the pokemon already has a master. The boy states that he was planning on getting rid of his Farfetch'd, along with a Staryu and Starmie. He proposes that they could work out some sort of deal.

Keith and Team Rocket stop at a dock to take a small boat across a river, when the boy rememberss something he forgot. He runs off, saying he'll be right back. This leaves Team Rocket with Farfetch'd and all of Keith's pokemon in a backpack. They smirk as they try to steal them, and take the small boat themselves. Unknown to them this is exactly what the boy wanted them to do. Slowly a cork comes loose in the bottom of the boat, causing it to sink. Jessie and James lose Arbok and Weezing. Their poke balls are now floating down stream. When Team Rocket goes into Keith's bag to get Staryu and Starmie to help themselves out of the water, they discover the bag is full of rocks.

Farfetch'd gathers the poke balls and sends Team Rocket over a waterfall. The pokemon swims to shore to find Keith waiting for him. The duo has succeeded at yet another plot of thievery.

Ash and the gang run to the nearest police station and tell Officer Jenny what had happened to Misty's Pokémon. Misty still believes the whole thing was an accident. Jenny tells them that Misty is the fifth victim of the backpack-switching thief just that week. She informs everyone of how she has been trying to catch the perpetrator. Ash growls, "What a loser to steal pokemon with a stunt like that. I'll give him my reaction to this whole thing." Ash stated pounding a fist. Tomo nodded doing the same.

Back at Keith's tent who was sitting by a fire. He begins talking to himself about his situation. He states that he and his Farfetch'd had been together for a long time. They had been together ever since he found it injured and nursed it back to health. He reveals that just after his Farfetch'd was healed, they started stealing other trainers pokemon. He believes the only way to survive is to steal because they are too weak to battle. He genuinely wishes there was another way to get by.

Inside the tent, Misty's Oddish releases itself from its poke ball and walks off without Keith or Farfetch'd noticing. She bolts worried she'll be caught.

Misty and the group take Officer Jenny to the place in the woods where she bumped into Keith. Just then to the group, Misty's Oddish appears from behind a bush. Misty asks her pokemon some questions about where it was and where her bag is, but the Oddish is nervous at this and unable to provide any useful information. Misty sees it's look of sadness and goes easier on it. Desperate to find her bag, Misty has Oddish try to lead the group to where it came from.

Team Rocket in their Meowth Balloon are extremely angry and are out to find Keith and their pokemon. They run into him just as he's packing up his tent and all of the pokemon he stole. He looked ready to get on the road.

The boy tries to return their pokemon by saying the whole thing was just a joke and in return he can just leave. Team Rocket glares at him and wants more. So Kieth gives them a whole bag full of poke balls and along with his apologies. Team Rocket decides to forgive him and they take off in their balloon with all of the poke balls.

Shortly after Team Rocket leaves. Ash, the gang and Officer Jenny arrive. Her Oddish had led them correctly. Everyone surrounds Keith. Theyconfront him about his stealing. Ash cracks his knuckles, "So you like to take pokemon from trainers who went through blood and tears to get were they are? I'll give you my answer!" Ash was about to slug him in the face, before Brock grabs his shirt. "Wait let's settle this in a better way." Ash snorts and looks at the pitful boy, "Fine..."

The group decides that they would have a pokemon battle to teach him a lesson. They wanted to see how Keith could see how difficult a match really is. He then explains that his Farfetch'd is too weak to battle and he has no choice but to steal pokemon. Brock glares at him and discounts this. He says that pokemon will become stronger with trainers who work with them. Ash snorts, "You sound like you don't train your pokemon at all." Hearing no response to this, Ash realizes the trainer hasn't.

Just as Keith begins to say something, Farfetch'd expresses an interest in battling. Ash jumps in and sends out Marine to battle. Keith widens his eyes at the sight of the Dratini, "You have a Dratini?!" Ash glares, "Yeah. I do and she's gonna kick your ass!" Ash then orders a Slam attack from the dragon pokemon. With every slam of Dratini, Farfetch'd screeched in pain. It got up shakily and to became more and more energized to win. Keith who completely unaware of his Farfetch'd's techniques and inner strength. His eyes widen as he witnesses an Agility attack his pokemon made. Farfetch'd also followed the attack with multiple strikes of the it's leek weapon. Ash's Dratini get's pissed at this and roars.

Everyone watches in shock and amazement as it glowed. Ash was in awe seeing his Dratini evolve and become a Dragonair. The newly evolved Dragonair stares down at the Farfetch'd and gets ready to give it another attack. Marine is stopped by Misty who wants to battle since it was her bag that was stolen.

Then she remembered to her dismay. That the pokemon she only has is her Oddish. However as Farfetch'd begins to taunt her plant pokemon. Oddish begins to get angered and annoyed by the wild duck pokemon. She growls and to the amazement to everyone again. Another evolution happens. They watched as it evolved into a Gloom. The Gloom glares at the Farfetch'd in anger. Misty order's her Gloom to attack it with a Stun Spore attack. It hits the Farfetch'd head on and the wild duck pokemon hits the ground in a daze.

Misty and her Gloom celebrate their victory over the trainer that stole her pokemon.

Meanwhile with Team Rocket they are opening all of the poke balls that Keith gave them. They discover that they all contain Voltorb. Angry that they have been tricked again. Tthey throw the Voltorb over the edge of their balloon. All of the pokemon unfortunately at the time land directly where Keith and his Farfetch'd are. They all self-destruct near him, Ash, the gang, and Officer Jenny. The boy was left feeling defeated and scared with Ash glaring at him with his Dragonair curled around him. Keith promises to stop his wrong doing. Ash smirked at him darkly, "You'd better kid. Me and Marine wouldn't like that. Am, I right girl?" Ash said smiling to his Dragonair. She roars and nuzzles her trainer while looking Keith directly in the eye.

Back at the police station with Keith in hand cuffs. Keith tells Officer Jenny that he'll give back all of the pokemon he stole. Jenny informs him that he is lucky that none of the trainers are going to press charges because they all got their pokemon back.

Misty squeal her joy to have all her pokemon back. Keith now says that he knows that it was wrong to steal and that it was wrong not to believe in Farfetch'd. He decides to train his Farfetch'd to become even stronger. The two start to head off. Ash frowns, "You'd better train that thing!" Keith nods and high tails it out of their because he was nervous, Ash would sick his Dragonair on him. Ash was tempted to do so with a thief like him.

Jessie and James are up in their balloon. They considered telling their boss what happened, but Meowth convinces them not to. Team Rocket was embarrassmed to being outsmarted by a kid. All of a sudden to their horror they realize one Voltorb is left in their balloon. It looks at them and self-destructs. Which sends them blasting off again.

Ash and the gang are sitting in the pokemon center in a small town. While there, Ash gets a phone call from Professor Oak on the PC phone. "Hello everyone!" The Professor greeted them all. They all smiled and greeted the Professor. Ash grinned, "Hi Professor Oak! Got your message. Sorry it took us so long to get it. We've been traveling a lot." Ash said with a smile. Oak nods showing he understood. He noticed an Eevee egg in Ash's arms. "Oh another egg? That's great Ash. Where did you get it?" Oak questioned. Ash blushed, "I had my Espeon breed with the one of the Eevee brothers, Jolteon." Ash commented. Professor Oak's eyes widened, "Your already breeding your pokemon Ash?!" He shrieked. Ash gave a sheepish smile, "Yeah..." The Professor is in shock at this point that, Ash was breeding pokemon already.

He then shakes his thoughts away telling them the real reason, he called. He informs Ash that his pokedex is now upgradeable. Ash uses a device within the PC to receive the upgrade. Ash looks at the Professor, "Why get it now? It seemed to be working fine earlier..." Ash questioned. The Professor told him that it was time for an update and knowing, Ash seemed to be getting different pokemon more often.

The Professor then looked at Ash with huge eyes, "I must say Ash! I'm impressed you got yourself a Aerodactyl and so many fossil pokemon! This is great research! Me and Bill are currently checking them out!" The Professor started to go nuts about the research and Ash sweat-dropped, "That's great Professor. Glad your happy." He noticed his Muk being affectionate to the Professor. He smirked, "My Muk seems to like you." The Professor looked annoyed, "Yeah. He's a real Muk alright. Loves to smuggle you with hugs..." The Professor deadpanned. Ash laughed at this.

Ash and the gang where now sitting at a nearby table. They were talking about traveling plans then they begin to discuss the pokemon that they wish would hatch out of the mysterious egg that Ash found back at the pokemon fossil canyon. Ash was smiling softly, "I'm fine with whatever it is as long as it's healthy. I'm fine with whatever is the pokemon is." Ash stated. Ash was currently polishing his own egg at the moment knowing it was gonna hatch into an Eevee soon. Tomo was smiling at this as he was looking forward to the new baby pokemon. Misty smiled and nuzzled her own egg. She was still in awe that, Ash gave it to her. She was hoping it to be a water type, but like Ash she hoped it was healthy.

The discussion concludes and they leave the pokemon center. Just outside the group finds the Team Rocket posing as Egg sellers. The three have a whole basketful of eggs that look just like the mysterious egg. Team Rocket tries to talk them into trading or buying one of their eggs. The group politely refuses. Team Rocket insists on buying one. Ash frowned, "Didn't you hear us. No means no..." Ash huffed out. Jessie and James resort to throwing all of their fake eggs in the air. The real egg that Misty was holding gets stolen in the confusion caused by the multitude of lookalikes. They had a fake one in hand. Misty gets upset at this.

They notice Meowth has the egg. Ash glares at the cat pokemon dead on, "Drop the egg you flea bitten thrown rug!" Ash shouted. Meowth twitches an eye, "Why you little twerp!" Meowth was gonna scratch Ash when Team Rocket grabs him to run away with the egg. Ash growled watching them leave, "Bloody cowards... I'll psychic their asses to the moon..." Ash said with his eyes glowing. The group stand away, "Some how, I wish he didn't find out he was psychic..." Misty commented. Brock nodded, "He's scary with that power." Tomo frowns, "He has strong power, but he's still big brother."

Meanwhile in Team Rocket's small hiding shack, Meowth starts to take care of the egg. While it is in Meowth's possession, the egg is lavished with attention and care. Meowth sleeps with it, sings to it and even eats with it guarding it from anything he feels might damage it. Team Rocket sweat-drops at this.

Ash and the gang were following a trail of broken red blue and green eggshells until they reach the shack in which Team Rocket is hiding. Ash snorts, "These guys are morons to leave a trail like this for us." They look in the window of the shack and spot Meowth with the egg. They now realize that Team Rocket does have the egg. They decide to burst in even though it may be the most dangerous thing to do so and get the egg back.

Ash sends out his Gengar, Misty sends out Staryu and Brock sends out Golem. They all quickly explode into the shack, surprising Team Rocket. "What the!" James exclaims and freaks seeing the twerps angry faces. Ash is growling, "Drop the egg Team Losers!" Ash shouted. James sends out Weezing, who gives a Poison Gas attack. This makes Ash and others cough and gasp for breath. The person in possession of the egg at this point is covered by the gas. Everyone all lunges for the little white egg.

The egg is tossed up and down frantically. Ash was horrified by this, "Don't you guys know how to care for a egg?!" Ash shouted in alarm. He tightened his own grip on his Eevee egg. He knew he'd kill Team Rocket if they touched his egg. He was saddened that Misty didn't keep tighter hold on her's. Through much fighting among the shack's occupants, Tomo ends up with the egg and gives it back to Misty. At that moment the egg begins to glow and break open. Everyone stopped fight as they realized the egg was beginning to hatch.

Misty is enthralled with this as she gets closer to her hatching baby pokemon. Ash smiled remembering when each of his baby pokemon were born. He grinned looking down at his own egg. He felt it shifting and realized it might hatch today as well.

Misty watched her egg hatch in awe. It revealed a new, unidentified pokemon. Ash and others are all surprised, especially Team Rocket who instantly want to steal it. The group beat them up and leave the hide out. Ash sneered at them, "You shouldn't steal from us. You should learn from now that we don't take well with your kind..." Ash stated and left. Meowth glared at his retreating back, "My...egg..."

The group was now at a park watching Misty interact with her baby pokemon. Ash had never seen a pokemon before in kanto. He then realized it must be a pokemon not from this region. He grins and points his newly updated pokedex at the cooing baby pokemon.

Pokedex Togepi: An Egg Pokémon. Specific information about this Pokémon is still unavailable.

Togepi cooes at them. Ash smiles and leans forward to stare at the egg pokemon. It stares at Ash and tilts it's head at him. Ash grins, "It's cute Mist. You should be proud to have this cutie." Misty smiles, "Thanks. I'm proud of her already." Ash smiled and hugged his own shifting egg. "Our pokemon might get to be siblings. My Eevee is gonna hatch soon." Ash stated showing his shifting egg.

The newly hatched Togepi causes quite a fuss among the group and Team Rocket. Ash just watchs everyone fighting as he patted his egg calmly. He in that time released Evlon to be out as her egg hatched. Evlon yipped and nuzzled Ash for his kindness to see her baby being born. Ash smiled and petted her. He looked up from his musings to see Meowth getting into the debate. Ash sweat-dropped at this, "You gotta be kidding me..."

Meowth wants it because he looked after it just before it hatched. Jessie and James both just want it to just give to their boss. Meowth points out to them that his partners didn't do anything to help in Togepi's growth. Misty glares at them saying Togepi is her pokemon. It was her egg originally and Ash gave it to her to raise. Ash smiled and stated the egg was hers. Everyone looks at him then. "Why aren't you fighting for the Togepi twerp?" Jessie stated. Ash huffed, "I don't need it. Mist wanted an egg. So, I gave it to her. I already have an infant pokemon coming." Ash stated holding up his shifting egg. He saw out of the corner of his good eye Team Rocket going to try and steal it. Ash snarled, "Don't you dare try you assholes..." Ash stated with his eyes glowing. His Espeon glared at them with her eyes glowing as well. Team Rocket decided to back off seeing his anger.

Team Rocket decides to have a pokemon tournament to determine who should have Togepi. Ash sighed at this, "This isn't going well..." Tomo who is sitting beside him agrees.

Meowth suddenly panics because he has no pokemon and goes to ask Jessie and James for theirs. They refuse as he didn't let them participate in the tournament. Ash just looked over at the cat scratch pokemon, "You moron! You are pokemon!" Ash shouted at him and face palmed at the stupidity of the cat. "Geez Bastet why did you let him go?" Ash sighed rubbing his forehead. Meowth gives a sheepish grin as he know remembers that he is a pokemon and decides to battle for himself. Ash snorted, "This is gonna be fun. That Meowth is gonna get his ass kicked..."

Just as Ash stated. Meowth got his butt handed to him. Brock fought with Onix, but lost to Meowth's cheating. Misty and Meowth were the only one's left. Misty used her Gloom for the fight. Meowth used Fury Swipes on the plant pokemon. Misty glares, "Gloom use your Stun Spore!" Gloom shrieks and unleashes her stun spore. Meowth is hit and groans in pain on the ground.

Misty walks over and picks up her squealing Togepi. She stares at Meowth on the ground and walks off. Ash grins and pats her the back, "This battle was stupid, but glad you won." Ash smiled and tickled Togepi's feet. She squealed at this and Ash smiled. He then sweat-dropped seeing Jessie and James dragging a dazed sobbing Meowth away. "Serves him right..."

The group was getting ready to leave when Ash froze. He felt the egg in his arms shifting once more and grinned. He sat back down on the stage floor and watched his egg. Evlon sat down beside him watching her egg in great intent. Everyone watched as the egg glowed and shift. Soon the light dead down to show a strange Eevee laying in Ash's arms. Everyone realized it was a shiny Eevee. Ash grinned knowing these were rare. He couldn't wait to tell Sparky about this. He watched as it opened it's eyes slowly and blinked. Ash smiled and picked it up. He held it out in front of him with a smile. It stared at him and yipped, "Ve veeee!" Ash got a wide smile and hugged it, "Your sooo cute!" He laughed as it licked his face.

Ash looked over to Evlon, "Say hello to your son Evlon!" Ash grinned placing his new Eevee down in front of his Espeon. He watched in pride as his beloved Espeon sniffed and nuzzled her baby Eevee. Evlon turned and yipped at him, "Espe!" She nuzzled him and Ash smiled, "Glad to have him with us. Now...Let's give him a name." Ash commented. He picked up the shiny Eevee and stared at it. He clicked his tongue a few times before a smile graced his face, "Ebon..." Everyone stared at him. Tomo walked up to Ash, "Why Ebon?" Ash grinned, "He is a interesting color. I want to show he is the son of my Espeon, Evlon. Ebon is perfect because his coat is a shade of grey. It's almost black." He smiled and nuzzled his squealing Eevee, Ebon. The group tested the name out and liked it. "Alright welcome to the group Ebon." Tomo said petting the Eevee. Misty smiled looking at her infant Togepi and Ash's infant Eevee.

Ash and his friends heading for the Cinnabar Gym. Ash was carrying his new shiny Eevee everywhere now. So far he had ran into many trainers that wanted to battle or wanted to trade his Eevee with them. Ash was about to scream at the next person to do so. Tomo laughed petting Evlon who was beside him. Ash had her out the whole time to be with her baby.

While walking along in the forest. Ash comes across a Hiker that challenges him to a battle. The scary trainer sends out a Rhyhorn while Ash counters with his Bulbasaur. He had been training his pokemon like crazy. The trainer's Rhyhorn executes a Take Down attack. The ground shakes as it charges right at Ash's Bulbasaur.

Ebon who was being held by Tomo does not like this and yips in distress. Ash hears this and frowns, "Let's try to win this fight Alpha!" Alpha hears him and nods, "Bulba!" Ash commands his Bulbasaur to use Leech Seed, but Rhyhorn closes in and sends Bulbasaur flying before the attack is launched. Ash tries to recall his tired Bulbasaur. He is shocked and a little anger that his Bulbasaur refuses.

Brock states that it will not back down until it wins and it seems that Bulbasaur really wants to battle it. The Hiker says Ash must be a bad Trainer if his own Pokémon do not listen to him and cannot even return it to its poke ball when told. Ash glared at this, "Why you greasy slob! That's it! Alpha give that Rhyhorn a beating! I'll give that man a piece of my mind!" Ash shouted hair standing on end. The hiker wonders if it was a good idea that he said that remark. The hiker's Rhyhorn charges again, but Bulbasaur uses Razor Leaf. It stops it dead in its tracks before following up with a powerful Vine Whip. Rhyhorn collapses with a groan. Ash smirks darkly, "What do you know? I won. Guess, I'm not such a bad trainer after all." Ash snorted. The Hiker commends Ash for training Bulbasaur well. Ash then gave a smile, "Yeah. I've been training my pokemon like crazy." The hiker spots his shiny Eevee, "Wow! That's shiny pokemon!" Ash glares at the man, "You gonna try to trade with me for him?" The hiker saw Ash's look and said no.

Ash then notices that his Bulbasaur cannot get up, its bulb pulsating a blue glow.

They rush Bulbasaur to the nearest Pokémon Center. Ash is scared about his plant pokemon and tells Nurse Joy about what happened. He looks at her saddened and asks her to save it. Nurse Joy hooks up Bulbasaur to a machine and runs some tests. Ash was hugging his nervous Ebon and petted him softly, "Alpha will be fine. He's strong..." Ash told himself firmly.

Afterward, she returns to Ash and informs him that Bulbasaur is not sick at all. It is almost ready to evolve. Ash hears her response, "Really!? That's awesome! Alpha is gonna be great!" Ash stated with a grin. Ebon in his arms yipped at this with a smile. Nurse Joy tells him that it will evolve at a special festival for Bulbasaur.

Everyone is asleep at the pokemon center and a long line of Bulbasaur goes past. Ash's Bulbasaur gets up and follows them. Ebon yawns snuggled with Ash and his mother. He blinks and sees Alpha walking past their room. Ebon decides that he wants to investigate.

Ebon whimpers to Ash and his mother. Ash groans and opens his eyes to Ebon's face inches from his. Ash yawns, "Ebon. What's the matter boy?" Ash says sleepily. Ebon yips and points to outside. Ash frowns at this and wakes everyone up. Ash tells them about Alpha not being there anymore. He bolts out to find him and everyone goes to follow him.

They are all following Ebon. Brock says if they follow the trail of pollen, they might find Ash's Bulbasaur. Ash grinned, "Yeah. I hope we do find Alpha..." He smiled afterwords feeling Evlon nuzzling his leg. He petted her and continued following the trail to his Bulbasaur.

Suddenly the roots of a bunch of trees started thrashing around. A bunch of vines starts to block their path as if to try to stop them from getting through. Ash glares at this, "We are going through those vines no matter what the stakes are! Come on!" Ash shouted. They dive through them just in time.

They were inside the Great Mysterious Garden. Ash and the gang stared around in awe. They then realized the legend was true. They walked forward and saw that inside are thousands of Bulbasaur. Ash widened his eyes, "Wow! So many Bulbasaur... Where's mine?" Ash stated to himself curious. He stopped his leader Bulbasaur at the end.

Ash then noticed the main tree starts to open. He started at it intently and watched as a Venusaur appears. It climbs on a big tree stump. Ash frowns and realizes it was a Venasaur. He grins and pulls out his pokedex.

Pokedex Venasaur: The final form of the Bulbasaur evolution. This Seed Pokémon soaks up the sun's rays as a source of energy.

Brock comments on the description, saying that it makes it sound like a plant. Ash laughed and commented to Brock that it was hard to find out if it was a plant or animal.

The gang searches for Ash's Bulbasaur, Ash states he saw it towards the end. He points to his Bulbasaur at the end. Tomo is in awe at all the Bulbasaur. Tomo tries to yell out to his big brother's Bulbasaur, Brock stops him and reminds him that humans have never been in this garden before. Ash shushed him and they all crouched down to watch the preceedings. All of the Bulbasaur are happy and singing. Ash watches his intently. The Venasaur bellows and sings. Soon all of the bulbs on the Bulbasaur's backs begin to glow.

The group watches entranced as all the Bulbasaur start to evolve into Ivysaur one by one. Brock says that people have always disagreed whether Bulbasaur is a plant or animal. He says that maybe Bulbasaur are a symbol that all life on Earth is connected. Ash was smiling ear to ear at his new Ivysaur. Alpha looks to where Ash is and grunts, "Ivvvysaur..."

Soon the festival is over and the group watch all the Ivysaur's and the head Venasaur leave to where ever they came from. Alpha walks over to his trainer. Ash grins and runs to his Ivysaur. "Wow Alpha! Your amazing!" He shouted in glee. He hugged his Ivysaur's head and petted him. Alpha smiles at this happy to get stronger. Ash returned Alpha afterwords and picked up Ebon. "Alright guys. It's time for us to move out. We need to get to the next gym sometime." Ash stated brushing off his jeans. The group nods and starts to head out.

Ash and the gang are in a new city. Everyone was groaning when they saw Misty getting excited about the Princess Festival. Ash was usually fine with this day since his mother was nice enough to buy stuff for him too on this day. Today on the other hand, he hated it. Tomo looked at Ash, "What's today? Misty seems really happy." Ash sighed and explained that this is a holiday with events, shopping sales and discounts. It had festivals and games that are exclusively for women. Ash sighs, "It's basically Mist controls us today... Get ready to hold some bags..." Ash stated. Tomo and Brock groaned.

Everyone watched as Misty went on a shopping spree. These actions made Ash, Brock, and Tomo carry her purchases. Ash sighed in depression as he saw her buying clothing, "Mist... How much are you gonna buy today?" Misty looks to Ash curiously. "Well, I saw all these cute outfits and toys. So it's going to be a while." Misty said with a chirp. Ash snorted, "So basically all day event..."

Misty was now at a cafe enjoying ice cream, parfaits, chocolate and everything sweet. She was in heaven since she could eat for free. Tomo's stomach growled at the sight of the food. Ash and Brock who were watching felt their stomachs growl as well. Ash snorted and asked a waiter for some ice cream. He ordered one for him, Tomo and a large bowl for Ebon and Evlon. Ash got himself chocolate, Tomo vanilla, and his pokemon vanilla. Misty saw this action and looked at her Togepi. She asked the waiter for a small bowl as well for her pokemon. Misty saw them paying, "How come you guys are paying?" Ash looked at her, "Unfortunately guys have to pay." Misty gave a sheepish laugh, "Oh sorry. I forgot."

After the cafe, Misty is seen enjoying the perks of The Princess Festival. Misty then drags her friends with her to do more shopping. She was in a clothing store. Ash, Brock and Tomo are watching nervously with all the cat-fighting going on. They watched her growling at girls for clothing, this is when she ran into Jessie.

The two start to fight over a piece of clothing. The boys watched as another shopper grabbed it while the other girls aren't looking. Misty and Jessie went to yell at her that it was theirs. The women glares at them. Misty and Jessie back off. Ash snorts, "They could have totally taken her..." Brock frowns, "Not everyone settles things with fights." Ash grins, "It does in my book."

The boys watched as the girls quickly forget about the incident when an announcement is made over the store's intercom about the Queen of the Princess Festival contest. Jessie and Misty decide to enter, fueled by their desire for the prize. They were excited that the prize was Pokemon Princess Dolls.

Everyone is now at the competition. It is being held by a guy called Fiorello who is an announcer. The main announcer starts to show the girls. You see a line of pretty girls dressed in kimonos on a stage. To everyone's shock this included Jessie and Misty. The announcer then brings everyone's attention to the prize, a one of a kind set of Pokemon Princess Dolls. The other announcer for the competition also adds that he is part of the prize too. This causes an uproar in the crowd. Ash groans, "Damn... These girls can scream..." Ash said rubbing his ears.

Then to the shock of everyone listening. There is another startling announcement that is made. The announcer says that this contest isn't just a beauty pageant. He says that it's a pokemon battle competition. The contestants are split into divisions and they must use four pokemon to battle.

Misty runs to Ash and Brock, "Please let me use some of your pokemon to battle!?" Ash sweat-drops, "Look Mist. Some of our pokemon might not listen to just anybody." Misty looked at Ash sheepishly, "They will if you tell them to listen to me and my instructions." Ash sighs, "Alright. Who do you want?" Ash said with a sigh going for his pokemon. Misty smiled and told them who she wanted. Seeing Ash giving Misty his pokemon made Brock reluctantly agree to give her his.

Misty's team of four is Espeon, Ivysaur, Vulpix, and her Starmie. Ash see's Misty getting all excited for the competition. He asks why she wants to meet Fiorello. He thinks she wants to win the contest to meet him. Misty shook her head and explains that she just wants the dolls. Ash looks at her in shock at this. She told him that since he was an only child, he wouldn't understand not owning your own true thing to yourself. She said growing up her sisters all had their own dolls sets, but she only got their hand-me-down dolls. She got upset saying they were broken by the time she got them. So she has always wanted a Pokemon doll set of her own. Ash sees her saddened face and wishes her the best for the competition.

Everyone watches Misty and Jessie winning several matches. Jessie's team consists of Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth. Misty and Jessie then face off in the finals. Misty grins knowing this well be a good battle.

Jessie has a sad flashback. She talks about being a little girl. She like Misty never had a Pokémon Princess Doll of her own. She got upset when all the other little girls did. The story brings the emotional trio to tears. James and Meowth give her support. Showing they believed in her.

Misty and Jessie proceed with the match. Starmie makes quick work of Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth. At first, Jessie and James lose hope that she will win the contest. Meowth tries to cheer her up by reminding her that she caught a Lickitung earlier. Jessie clenches her poke ball and releases it. The battle continues. Lickitung easily defeats Starmie, Ivysaur, and Vulpix with it's Lick Attack. Misty grows frustrated and remembers Ash's Espeon. She releases it and makes it use the many psychic attacks, Ash has been training it with. She made it use Protect when the Lick attacks were coming. She then remembers Evlon's main attack. "Psybeam!" Misty shouted pointing to the Lickitung. Ash's Espeon yips and fires. The powerful beam attacks the Lickitung and rolls into Team Rocket. Which then sends Team Rocket blasting off again.

Misty squeals for joy that she won the contest. Ash gets his pokemon back from Misty and pet's his happy Espeon, "Good girl Evlon." Ash said with a smile. Ebon yips and licks his mother. Misty sends the dolls to the Cerulean Gym to make her sisters jealous. Ash laughed, "That's very evil. I like the plan Mist!" Ash said with snort. Misty grinned, "Your not the only one with a bad moments." Ash snorted, "Everyone seems to think, I am."

As for Team Rocket, James, Meowth, Arbok, Weezing, and Lickitung are all dressed up as Pokémon dolls to make her feel better. Jessie was moved to tears and pretended to be a Pokémon doll along with them. This action made her happy to have James and Meowth as her teammates.

End Chapter 23

Ash now has a Dragonair, Shiny Eevee, and Ivysaur. I wonder what he's gonna capture or have evolve next. Misty now has a Gloom and Togepi. I wonder what pokemon the gang will capture next. Review and tell me what you think should be on his pokemon journey in Kanto and other regions. Or what pokemon should he evolve. Also tell me if there should be a love interest or not. Also if there should be fanart would be a cool idea. I have some already. If anyone wants some that'll be cool for the story. Also if anyone wants to make any the more the merrier. I love that stuff.

I am not a writer. I'm an animator/illustrator. So this story is a fun creation on my time. For viewers who wanted to know why there are some writing mistakes.