Hi there! This is in fact chapter 9 of 'The Very Best'! As you guys see from the title of this chapter, someone new is coming to stick by Ash from now on. I'll try to make this episode unique from canon, but school has been draining all of my energy so far. Along with this, you guys are going to see how Ryan's new goal is turning out.

Fun Fact: The outfit that Ryan is wearing right now is the same outfit that Ash wears in Pokémon Journeys. I just wanted you people to know that!

I am going to say this right now to avoid any confusion later on this year. I am going to be taking a one month break after I post chapter 10 so that I can go back and fix any mistakes I see in the previous chapters. I'll also use this time to actually plan ahead and think about where this story is going next, and I can also put all of my focus on school as well. Also know that I am grateful for the support, that is a pure fact!

But for now, let us finally begin our chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not, have not, or ever will own Pokémon. All right's go to they're respective owners. I recommend watching/playing Pokémon in general.

The Very Best:

Chapter 9:

Pokémon Tech, True Strength, And A New Traveler

Opening (If you really want to): Ready, Steady, Go! (From Fullmetal Alchemist, cover by AmaLee)

It was starting to reach the end of May, and that meant that the summer was about to happen very soon. Ash had used the two gifts that AJ had given him to begin training up his Pokémon, but at least the eleven year old wasn't mean to his team. The boy had trained up his team as best as he could right now, especially with Sandshrew. After all, the ground type lacked any real battling experience. Along with this, Misty had taught Wartortle the special move that she promised to teach back on Ash's birthday. And what was that move? Well... Ash will use it at the right time.

However, Ash's training was nothing compared to what Ryan was doing. Ryan had been training non-stop to become stronger to get his first badge from Brock, and then to get his second one from Misty. He had been using the Strength Intensifier and the workout paper on all three of his Pokémon, and it was clear that he used it three times more than Ash. You could tell he wanted to get those badges as Ryan had also been doing workouts for himself, only stopping when he could barley move.

The weather right now was very foggy, and the sun hadn't come out for the entire day. Ryan was currently battling Brock for the fifth time to obtain his Boulder Badge. One could see that the bug Pokémon that Ryan owned were definitely stronger than before. Sadly, none of his team could ever get past Brock's Onix, and this battle was no different. The ten year watch his Pinsir faint to the large Rock type.

"Pinsir, return." Ryan quickly put his strongest team member back into it's poke ball, now no longer having any more Pokémon to actually fight.

"I guess that's another win for me." Brock said in a bored way, returning Onix back into it's poke ball.

Ryan stomped his foot on the ground in growing anger. "I don't get it. Why can't I win even after all that training?"

Brock let out a small sigh as he walked up to the boy, clearly feeling bad for Ryan. "Your just going to have to admit it. The team that you have currently isn't meant to fight against rock types."

"But what about Paris?" Ryan asked the fifteen year old. "Is it not part grass type?"

"Your Paris is part grass type, but does not mean it could just handle both Onix and Geodude." Brock gently put his arm on Ryan's shoulder, surprising the boy. "If you can't handle me, then you definitely can't defeat Misty. What you need is a new Pokémon that can handle both water, and rock type opponents."

"So, what you are saying is that I need to get a grass type?" Ryan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That's probably your best option, and it had to be a naturally strong grass type Pokémon." Brock tried to answer in a kind way, Ryan looked down at the ground after hearing that. "Look, I want to see you collect those badges and make into the Pokémon League. However, you have to do your own part in all of this. Do you understand?"

Ryan gave a small bow at his statement. "I understand."

"It's a shame that Ryan lost again." Ash told Misty and Wartortle as he watched Ryan and Brock talking to each other. It turns out that the trio were sitting on the ground, watching the battle from a safe distance. Misty was not only a few feet away from Ash right now, but Wartortle was also sitting on the lap of it's trainer. Finally, the star necklace was still around Ash's neck. "I really hope he does win eventually."

"Well, we should get back to lessons before that happens." Misty told her student before she turned to face him, Ash now also facing Misty. "What are the weaknesses of the grass type?"

"Flying, poison, fire, bug, and ice type attacks." Was the simple answer that gave, earning a thumbs up from Misty.

"What Pokémon is number thirty-eight in the Pokédex?"

"That would be Ninetales, a fire type Pokémon." This response earned another thumbs up from Misty.

"Last question. What type do most Pokémon belong to in this region, besides poison?"

"That would be the water type, and they only have one less Pokémon to poison."

"You did good." Misty told Ash in a happy way, offering a small high five to the boy. Ash and Wartortle gladly returned the gesture with a smile.

"Hey, everyone." Brock tried to get the attention of the people around him, and was satisfied when he saw that everyone was now looking at him. "I say we should take a break. Who would like some tea?"

Misty let a sound of joy after hearing the question. "I always love a good cup of tea!"

Ryan just gave a small shrug in response. "I've never tried it."

"I'm so glad that you guys are on board with this idea. However, there is one small problem that is very important." Brock told the group in a very calm way, gently taking a tea pot out of his backpack. "We don't have wood to start a fire!" The fifteen year old yelled at them, catching everyone off guard. "So, one of you is going to have to bring me wood."

"I vote Ash." Ryan immediately said, making the eleven year open his mouth in betrayal.

"I second that." Brock instantly agreed, now setting up the tea for later.

Ash looked between the two before letting a loud sigh, very annoyed by this. "Come on, Wartortle. Let's go get some wood for the tea, because those two are too good for this kind of job." Ash began to walk away from the group, but the boy stopped after hearing something.

"Wait, Ash." Misty was able to stop Ash from moving forward, the boy now facing her. "Let me help you get that wood."

Ash was a bit surprised by this request, he thought Misty hated stuff like this. "Are you sure? It's not going to be that exciting."

Misty just shrugged at this. "I think I can handle a few plants."

"Alright." Ash told the girl before he and his Pokémon began to walk away, Misty right by their side.

"I think we should start heading back, Ash." Misty told the boy as they walked down the dirt path, the girl holding a large pile of wood in both of her hands.

"But I want to get a bit more wood." Ash responded even though the pile that he currently had was very impressive. Wartortle had also helped in gathering some wood, holding all of it underneath one of it's arms.

Suddenly, Ash noticed something in the distance. there appeared to be a bright light from far away, something that the other two were able to notice too. Ash decided to hide behind one of the nearby bushes so that he wouldn't be caught, placing the pile of wood right next to him. Both Misty and Wartortle did this as well, sitting right next to Ash to look at what was happening.

From behind the bush they were able to see what was going on. There appeared to be a group of seven boys that were all gathered around something, each of them having a candle in their hand. All seven of them were watching a boy run on a treadmill with a unsure look on his face. They all wore the same dark blue outfit with a yellow button up shirt underneath, black shoes, and a red tie. The kid on the Treadmill not only had a dark brown bowl cut that covered his forehead, but sweat was also running down his face.

"What type is Charizard?" One of the kids asked the person on the machine, a candle in his right hand. "And you better be right this time, Joe."

"Charizard is both a fire and flying type." Joe, the boy running on the treadmill, was able to tell them almost instantly.

"You are doing rather well. Now, tell us what level Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto." One of them demanded from the boy on the treadmill.

"You better answer quickly, or your going to have to be even faster." A boy told Jo as he put his hand over the controls of the machine, ready to press the button at any second.

The eleven year old couldn't believe that this was just happening, and he couldn't believe that no one was there to see this happen. The trio could tell that these guys were part of some kind of school with their uniforms, but none of them were caring about that part. Ash was ready to step in and protect this kid, he didn't deserve that kind of treatment!

However, someone else was about to take care of the problem.

"What is going on here?" The group of mean kids suddenly became very scared after hearing that voice, even one of them had turned off the treadmill that Joe was on. Joe, now finally able to stand, looked to see that an older girl was looking at them.

She looked to be two years older than any of the boys in front of her, along with being rather thin and pale. Her outfit was currently a short white shirt that had a cyan vest over it, a short dark blue shirt, black shoes that had white socks almost reaching her knee, and a red ascot around her thin neck. She had on yellow circular glasses on her face with long bright pink hair going far down her back and front, and emerald green eyes. Her face seemed rather emotionless and indifferent, and the voice that had used earlier was very calm and collected.

"Sa-Sakura." One of the kids managed to say in fear. "This isn't what it looks like."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I just thought I saw some kids bully one of their classmates." The now named Sakura said in an indifferent way.

"Pl-Please don't tell the principal!" One of the kids begged as they began to slowly back away from Joe and Sakura. "We'll leave. Just don't tell anyone!"

Joe and Sakura watched as the seven kids began to run away from them, eventually disappearing in the fog. Joe suddenly had a small smile on his face, happy that he wasn't being tormented anymore. "Are you okay?" Sakura asked in very relaxed way.

"I'm fine." Joe assured her. "Thanks for helping me right the-"

"Don't mention it." Sakura told the boy before he was allowed to finish his sentence, now starting to walk away from him. "Now, leave me alone."

Joe nodded, watching as Sakura began to disappeared into the fog. "Um, excuse me." Joe was surprised to hear a completely new voice come from behind him. Joe turned around and saw that Ash, Misty, and Wartortle were all standing together nearby. "Are you sure your alright after what those boys did to you?" Misty tried to ask in a kind way.

"Don't worry about me, my friends were just trying to help me learn for next year." Joe answered like it was nothing, but everyone was surprised after hearing that response.

"You call those people friends?!" Ash asked in very shocked way. "Those guys are the definition of a bully!"

Joe just let out a small after hearing that. "Well, I need to get back inside." Joe told them as he began to walk away, just as Misty realized something.

"Wait, Joe. Are you from Pokémon Tech?" The girl asked the ten year old.

Joe gave a smile at Misty. "Yup. I am from Pokémon Technical."

"Pokémon Tech." Ash said in a whisper as he tried to remember where he heard that name. "Isn't that rich kid school you told me about, Misty?"

"It is, and I think I have a paper of it." Misty began to look around in her pocket until she took out a piece of paper. "Here you go."

Ash grabbed the paper from her and began to read it to himself. It was really only taking about how this was expensive and how it was supposed to teach kids how to become a good Pokémon trainer, nothing that special. But there was one thing on the paper that got his attention. "So, you can get into the Pokémon League without ever having to collect a single badge?"

"That's right, but you can only do it once you have graduated." Joe told Ash in a nonchalant way.

"Doesn't that seem like cheating though?" Ash asked as handed the paper back to Misty.

"Wartortle." The water type agreed with it's trainer.

"Well, it wasn't exactly my choice to come here. You see, my parents are from Celadon wanted me to come here so that I can become a great Pokémon trainer." Joe began to explain to the group as he looked up into the sky. "I know my life here isn't perfect, but my parents had saved up all the money they could to just let me in. I can't fail them now."

"Well, you should at least tell a teacher about those guys." Misty suggested as she stepped forward.

"But I can't, not at this point." Joe told her. "Today is May twenty sixth, the last day of school for Pokémon Tech. Even if I were to tell right her and now, they either wouldn't care or wouldn't be able to do anything at this point."

"Well, what about that pink haired girl that you were talking to earlier?" Misty countered as she way trying to find a way to help Joe. "I assume she is in the same class as you.

Joe actually began to laugh after hearing that, thinking that it was some kind of joke. The student then stopped after he saw that the other three were giving him a weird look. "Wait. You seriously think Sakura is a Beginner like me?"

"So, what level is she then?" Ash asked in a curious way.

Joe pointed to a tree that was nearby, Sakura was underneath the large plant reading a rather large book in her hands. By her side was a a small, rabbit-shaped Pokémon with large whiskers and front teeth. It resembled The Nidoran Ash had fought all the way back in Mt Moon., but this one was different. The Pokémon was a nice lavender-bluish color along with a much smaller horn on her head. She has darker spots on her body. The small poison type was asleep right now, trying to take a good nap.

"Sakura joined this school when she was eleven and she was put into the Beginners when she first entered. It's turns that Sakura was so smart that she actually got to take the final exam three months ahead of everyone, and is one of the few people to ever get a perfect score on that test." Joe told Ash and group, now one can tell that they were getting interested in the story. "She was allowed to go all the way to Master, the highest level possible at this school, on her second year. Sakura was able to graduate with the highest scores of all time at this school, and she barley tried on any of those test." Joe said in a respectful way, trying his best to sound refined while talking about her. "Now, she even surpasses her own teachers in intelligence."

Misty and Ash couldn't believe what they had just heard from Joe, while Sakura was just reading her book as this was happening. Misty couldn't believe that someone so young could be this smart, and Wartortle was still trying figure out how this was possible. Ash was actually was starting to wonder if this girl was as smart as Professor Oak, because it sure seemed that way! Joe, after seeing the reactions of the trio, decided to throw in one last statement to make it official.

"Sakura's a true prodigy when it come to any kind of knowledge. That girl is someone who is the definition of intelligent, and she might be one of the smartest people that this Region will ever see."

"Her team must be incredible if she is that talented." Misty said in disbelief. However, Joe just shook his head at this.

"You see that Nidoran female that is right by her side?" Joe asked as she pointed to the Pokémon right next to Sakura. "That is literally the only Pokémon she has on her team."

"Then how is she going to make it into the Pokémon League with only one team member?" Ash immediately asked after hearing Joe's answer. "You need a full team of Pokémon to enter."

"From what I've heard, Sakura is actually going to journey out and find the other Pokémon she needs out in the wild. She is actually going to leave this place behind tomorrow to do that." Joe explained to them one last time before sighing. "She really does like to do things her own way."

"Ash! Misty!"

The two trainers, and Wartortle, turned around after hearing a familiar voice. Brock and Ryan ran up to them and stopped right by there friends. "Where have you been, and where is the wood that you promised to get?" The fifteen year old asked in a concerned way.

"Sorry, we just got a bit sidetracked." Ash apologized to the former Gym Leader, is was then that Ryan saw Joe right behind them.

"Who's this guy?"

"My name is Joe, and I'm from Pokémon Tech." The boy answered.

"Pokémon Tech you say?" Brock asked as he brought a hand to his chin. "I guess that explains the uniform that your wearing."

Misty turned to Joe. "So, your saying that there is no one here to help you with this problem? There's no like class president or anything like that?"

"Well, there actually is one for the Beginner class." Joe suddenly took out a small piece of paper and showed to everyone. "This is what she looks like."

Everyone looked to see that it was a picture that showed a ten year old girl that looked to be taking with other people. She had the same outfit that Sakura had on, but her was a dark brown instead of pink. Her was looked amazing and her face was beautiful, even though you could only see half of it on the photo.

"She's beautiful." Brock accidentally said out loud, until he realized that the other two weren't saying about this. "Hey, don't you two think she looks good?"

"Not really." Ryan instantly answered.

"Sorry, but I don't even know her name." Ash said as well.

"Her name is Giselle, and she is the top student of the Beginner class." Joe answered for Ash.

"Wait a minute. Why do you have a picture of her with you?" Misty asked after she realized just how odd it was that Joe just had this in his pocket.

Joe's began to turn red from embarrassment as he silently put the photo back in his pocket. "Please don't judge me, but I have a crush on Giselle. We share a lot of classes together and she's so beautiful and talented." Joe then let out a small sigh as he looked down at the ground. "But I know she doesn't fell the same way about me, and I agree with her. How could someone as amazing as Giselle every be friend's with a loser who can't even stand up for himself, let alone a person she would actually date?"

"Well, you have to tell her before the school year ends. Otherwise, those felling you have for her would have been nothing." Misty told the ten year after hearing what he said. "Trust me, it's best to tell truth."

"I don't know. Giselle is the top beginner right now, that's someone almost worthy of three badges!" Joe told the group in a very emphatic way. "As for me, I don't even think I good enough for two badges."

"Then how about we test your skill then?" Ash then took a step forward, a smile on his face. "You can fight me, a person who does have two badges!" The eleven year declared as he opened his jacket slightly to show both the Boulder and Cascade badge.

"Ash, it's best not to interfier with someone you just met." Brock then gently put his hand on Ash's shoulder. "Come on, we should start traveling again."

"Wait." Joe was able to make Brock stop. "I actually do want to fight you. You do seem rather strong for a rookie."

Ash carefully removed Brock's hand from his shoulder and crossed his arms at the student. "Glad to see where on the same page." Ash remarked as he let his Pokémon jump on his back. "So, do you want to battle here."

"That won't be necessary." Joe stated as he turned his back at the group. "Follow me, there's a arena in the school we can use."

"Are we really going to do this, Ash?" The former Gym Leader questioned as he saw Ash and Misty walk away, Wartortle still on it's trainer's back.

"Don't worry, this won't take that long." Ash told Brock in a assuring way, Ryan now also following him.

"Isn't that what he said about AJ?" Brock thought to himself as he saw everyone walking away. Eventually, let out a small sigh and began to follow the group before they disappeared in the fog. Now, there was no one at that spot anymore.

Actually, there was someone still there.

Sakura was still underneath the tree, and she had listened to everything that had been said. Her Nidoran was inside her poke ball and her book was placed inside her brown satchel. Sakura quickly put her satchel over her head and began to step away from the tree that she had been sitting in earlier. It was clear that she had taken an interest in the group that had entered Pokémon Tech, and that was something you would almost never see from someone like her.

It was clear that Sakura wasn't a person who liked to interact with people, and she didn't even try to hide this fact. However, the girl felt like those group of people were different from others. The group that had just walked in were just different from others, and she could see it quite clearly with Ash. There was just something unique about that eleven year old, something that she couldn't identify right now.

There was something special about Ash Ketchum.

The twelve year old began to silently follow where Ash and the group was going, eventually disappearing inside the fog as well.

"Do you want to go one on one?" Ash asked as he stared down Joe from across the battlefield, Wartortle by his side.

"That works for me." Joe responded, his poke ball in his hand.

Joe had taken them to a giant room inside Pokémon Tech, and the room itself was a gigantic battlefield. Both of the opposing trainers were on opposite side of the battlefield, and the two boys were staring each other down. Along with this, Sakura was watching the upcoming battle from the door inside theroom, ready to see just how strong Ash was.

Brock, Misty, and Ryan were now at the side of the battlefield. All of them were curious on just how strong Joe was, and Misty was actually wondering if Ash was going to allow Wartortle to use it's brand new move.

"Beedrill, go." Joe announced as he threw his poke ball out, releasing the bug type Pokémon. Ash just looked at the Pokémon with a smile.

"Pidgey, you got this!" Ash declared as he let out his flying type.

"Tried to sting that Pidgey." Beedrill instantly followed it's trainer's command, speeding towards the small Pokémon. Pidgey kept it's gaze at the incoming bug type, watching as Beedrill was aiming it's middle stinger directly at it. Just as Beedrill was about to poison Pidgey with it's stinger, the small bird used Quick Attack to instantly get out of the Beedrill's path.

"Use your Wing Attack!" Before Beedrill could turn around to try again, Pidgey has smacked the Pokémon with full force. Beedrill was sent back and fell to the ground, all from just one Wing Attack. Just as the bug type was about to attack out of pure anger now, Pidgey quickly teleported right next using another Quick Attack. Beedrill was unable to stop Pidgey from giving a hard tackle at it's center.

Beedrill was sent back from the simple attack, now right next to Joe. The viewers were surpirsed by how quickly Pidgey was able to handle a Beedrill, even Sakura wasn't expecting that to happen so quickly. Joe was scared that he had already lost this battle while Ash looked at the battle in an excited way, happy that this is a guaranteed win. Beedrill tried to stand up so that it continue the battle, but it was clear that the Bug type was already pretty weak right now.

The Beedrill then fell to the ground, now fainted.

"Beedrill, return." Joe quickly put his fainted Pokémon in it's poke ball before looking at Ash, letting out a sigh of defeat. "Well, it seems like you are strong."

"Nice work, Ash!" Misty remarked as she the Beedrill return to it's poke ball.

"I knew you would win, Pidgey!" Ash told his Pokémon in a very happy way.

"Wartortle!" The water type said as well.

"I guess that was okay." Sakura thought to herself in a tranquil way, still watching the group from the door.

"Pidgey." The flying type responded in a proud way. Suddenly, Pidgey's whole body was engulfed in a bright light. Everyone stood still with their mouths open, everyone surprised that the Pokémon was evolving right now. There was no longer a Pidgey after the light had went away.

"Pidgeotto!" Pidgeotto resembles a small hawk with it's brightly colored body, and this evolution was much bigger than Pidgey was. the Pokémon now had red and yellow feathers on it's head and rear, it's beak and claws were now much sharper than before. However, Pidgeotto still had the pink talons that it's previous stage had.

"Glad to see that Pidgey has finally evolved." Ryan commented as he saw the flying type hovering in the air.

Ash just gave a small smile at his new Pokémon. "I was wondering when you were going to evolve, Pidgeotto." The eleven year told his Pokémon as he put a gentle hand on the flying type's head. "I think you look really good now."

"Pidgeotto." The Pokémon told it's trainer in a kind, giving a smile as it went back inside the poke ball.

"It appears that your Pokémon has finally reached level eighteen."

Everyone turned to see where the new voice came from, and Joe was surprised by who it was. It was actually Giselle herself, and she looked identical to the picture that Joe had showed everyone earlier. "I must say, your impressive for someone who hasn't studied here."

"Um, thanks?" Ash responded, not sure what to say back.

"Sorry I failed to bring him down, Giselle." Joe quickly apologized to the beautiful girl, who was now giving a hateful glare at Joe. "I just wanted to tes-"

"I'm sorry, but I don't speak with people who can't win a battle." Giselle told her classmate in a very rude way. "You should have won that fight, but it looks like your just an embarrassment to the whole school. Now, let us end this conversation." Giselle turned her back from Joe.

"Bu-But Giselle-"

"End of conversation." The girl repeated, now walking away from the ten year old.

"Isn't she just beautiful?" Brock asked the others with some red growing on his face.

"Nope, still don't see it." Ryan replied with his arms crossed. Suddenly, Ash took a step forward.

"HEY!" Giselle stopped after hearing Ash. "Why are you being so rude to your own classmate? I can't believe that you are the top Beginner here!" Ash asked as he pointed to Joe, who was looking down at the ground in shame.

Giselle just gave a smile at the eleven year old. "Well, it's Joe's fault if he isn't able to hold up Pokémon Tech's amazing reputation. We have standards here at this school," Giselle then directed her eyes to the saddened Joe. "And it's not my fault if one cannot meet those standards.:

"So you think you meet those standards?" Ash questioned as he gave a determined look at the mean girl. "Then you can fight me, I'll show you how I got two badges."

"Wartortle!" The water type said as well.

Giselle just began to chuckle at this proposal. "In other words, you are a mere Beginner. A Beginner with an ugly necklace." She said it very brash way. "So, how long have you been traveling as a Pokémon trainer?"

"I began almost two months ago." The eleven year quickly answered. "And I-"

Ash couldn't finish his sentence as Giselle gasped at his answer. "Almost two months?!" She asked in shock as her eyes were focused on Wartortle. "You just let our water type walk free? you haven't been able to tame it?"

"Not all Pokémon enjoy being inside their poke balls." Ash retaliated as he and Wartortle were starting to become angry. "I'd expect someone like you to understand that."

"Is this actually the top Beginner for this school year? Her voice is so annoying." Sakura thought to herself as she watched all of this unfold.

"I wonder. Your Wartortle should be at level twenty three if you have been training for almost two months." Giselle told Ash in a sharp way. "However, your Wartortle seem weaker than that."

"Wartortle." The Pokémon said to Giselle in a dangerous tone of voice.

"Oh, I'll show you weakness." Ash told her in a serious voice, Wartortle just as mad. "I'll show you true strength!"

"Okay then, I'm guess we can have a quick battle." Giselle remarked as she took a poke ball out.

"I knew this was going to take long." Brock told the other two as they sat back down to watch this brand new battle.

"Let us see how strong your Wartortle really is." Giselle then threw her poke ball out into the battlefield. "Watch as it get's defeated by my Gloom!"

Gloom has a very wide mouth that is nearly always agape, with something that appears to be drool leaking. The flower on its head is large with four petals. Gloom also has some leaves sticking out of its sides. This Gloom also had one petal on the flower in it's head.

"Looks like the idiot is about lose." Sakura thought to herself as she watch the two Pokémon getting ready for the battle.

"Ash, don't do this." Joe told the eleven year old as he watched Wartortle jump into the battlefield. "You can't win with this kind of type matchup."

"You should listen to Joe, he is actually right for once." Giselle told the eleven year from across the battlefield. "Your odds of winning at this fight already slim with the type matchup, and we aren't even considering levels. So, I'll go easy on you." Giselle then signaled for Gloom to stay down, which the grass type instantly did. "Go ahead. the first shot is all yours."

Instead of responding to the order or telling Wartortle to do something, Ash just began to laugh at Giselle. Both Joe and Gisele was confused by this, and even Sakura was wondering what was going on. The only who wasn't confused was Ash's group, who knew what the eleven year was about to do with his free attack. Ash eventually began to stop his laughing, letting out a small as he did so.

"Woah. I thought I was cocky." Ash finally said after all the laughing he just did, his face now filled with determination. "Wartortle, use Ice Beam."

Joe, and Giselle were shocked after hearing Ash say that, even Sakura wasn't expecting this. Wartortle brought both of it's open hands together as blue energy began to form in the water types hands, a very cold energy. The confidence that the female Gloom had entering this fight was all gone, there was only fear. Giselle was to surprised by this to even say anything to her Pokémon, and the young girl watched as a bright blue ball was in the hands of Wartortle.

Finally, Wartortle released the ice type attack.

A blue beam of ice and energy was aimed at the grass type, making it's way across the battlefield in less than a second. Gloom wasn't able to dodge the attack, and the grass type couldn't even react to it. The blue beam hit Gloom with full force, and one could see the amount of pain that the Pokémon was in right now. everyone watched the female Gloom got hit by the attack, and Giselle, along with Sakura, were wondering if Gloom was going to get one shotted from this simple attack. Eventually, the attack disappeared.

Everyone saw that the Gloom was now stuck in ice, completely frozen inside it. It was obvious that she wasn't going to battle anymore. Joe was downright surprised by this, wondering how powerful Ash really was. Sakura now saw just how strong Ash, and she was confident in the felling that she had for him earlier. Misty smiled after seeing this, happy that her student finally used the that she thought in battle. Giselle fell to her knees, now as frozen as her own Pokémon.

"Ho-How did you beat me with such ease?" Giselle managed to say in pure shock, her unmoving from her frozen Gloom.

"I do agree, both levels and type matchups are very important." Ash admitted as he started down the dumbfounded girl. "But those two thing are useless if your Pokémon doesn't have a good moveset, and a good trainer always prepares their Pokémon for the worst."

"Gloom, return." Giselle was able to take out her poke ball to return her Pokémon, including the ice cube that the grass type was trapped in. The student then looked at Ash. "I know that the Blastoise line is capable of learning ice type moves, but I've never seen it in real life before."

"That was really something special." Joe remarked as he had the memory of Wartortle shooting the Ice Beam on repeat in his brain.

"Interesting." Sakura thought to herself after seeing that whole fight happen.

"Are you sure it was a good idea to give him that move?" Brock whispered into Misty's ear. "Ash is still somewhat new to this whole Pokémon thing."

Misty just shrugged at this. "I think he can handle it." Misty assured Brock as she gave a smile to the eleven year old. "Besides, he now has a second counter to grass types."

Brock just nodded after hearing this. "Okay then, I'll trust you on this."

"Giselle, I know that this place has standards and that you just want to keep those standards alive. However, that does not you can just bully those who aren't good enough to you." Ash told the girl as he took her hand, gently lifting her off the ground. "Everyone is capable of change, and I know that you can be more than a person that brings others down." Ash then guided Giselle's eyes to Joe. "You may not be able to fix everything now, but you can at least fix things with Joe."

"Your right." Giselle suddenly began to walk to Joe, an ashamed look on her face. "Joe, It wasn't right to treat you like dirt for this past year. I know that there is no easy way to say sorry about this, and I know that you won't be able to forgive me if I did apologize." Giselle then put a hand on Joe's shoulder. "But I will become a better person next year, that is a promise."

"You don't have to do that, because I already forgive you." Joe told her before suddenly wrapping the girl in a tender hug. "I just hope we can become friend's."

"Don't worry," Giselle then wrapped her own arms around Joe. "I'll gladly be your friend." Giselle, or anyone else, didn't see that Joe now had a blush on his face. You could tell he was happy about being with the person that he had a crush on since the very beginning.

"It's good to see that they made up." Misty commented as she, along with the rest of the group, watched the hug with a small smile on their face.

Sakura had everything she wanted to see from the open door, and the results were unique. Her plan was that she was going to leave this school behind tomorrow so that she could have a team strong enough for the Pokémon League, even though she could care less about the position of Champion. Although, that may no longer be the case anymore. Sakura then ran down the hall and went to go find her room at this large school.

Now, she was going to go pack and get change for the journey that she was about to go on. However, Sakura was actually wanting to go with Ash. Even though she was a very big introvert and she really didn't like talking to people, Sakura just felt like Ash was going to do amazing things in his journey. She was now interested in this group and she wanted to see what they were going to become during this time.

She wanted to see what Ash was going to become.

"It's rather beautiful now that the fog is gone." Giselle told Joe as she looked at the now blue sky outside.

"It really is." Joe replied from right next to her, a small frown on his face. "Although it's a shame that we won't see other until the next school year. I live all the way in Celadon, and I-"

"Wait, your from Celadon?" The girl questioned as she looked at Joe. "I actually live in Celadon as well. We can hang during the summer, I know I would like that."

"And I would to." Joe responded in aver kind. Suddenly, began to rub his elbow as he looked at the ground. "Giselle, there's something I must tell you. Something I've been keeping to myself for so long."

"And what is that?" Giselle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I was wondering if I could become your boyfriend."

Giselle did not immediately respond, she just looked at Joe in a surprised way. Joe, after seeing Giselle's reaction, instantly regretted what he had just said. The ten year old was now starting to fell like an idiot again, and he was w. He was starting to wonder if he had just made another idiotic error. was a mistake to have had feelings for Giselle in the first place.

All of a sudden, Giselle gave a small kiss to the cheek of Joe. The boy's face began to blush again, obviously not expecting that. "I'm happy to be with someone as kind as you."

"Thank you." Joe said in such a low voice that not even Giselle was able to hear it, his blush now beginning to fade.

"I'm glad to see that you two are happy." The two student turned to see Misty and the group were outside with them. "However, it's time for us to leave Pokémon Tech."

"I understand." Joe told the group in a respectful way, his eyes now looking at Ash. "Good luck with your journey, and try to always remain strong."

"Don't worry, I will." Ash promised the boy before walking up to him, sticking his arm out for a handshake. "I hope we see each other when I reach Celadon."

"I'll be waiting." Joe then returned the handshake, both of the trainers sharing a smile.

"Let's go, Ash." Brock told the eleven year old as Ash and Joe broke their handshake.

"I'm coming." Ash then began to walk alongside his group, Wartortle now on his back.

"Stop right there."

Everyone turned to see who was talking to them, and it was a person that no one was expecting. Sakura was no longer in her school uniform, but something else entirely. She was now wearing a blood red shirt underneath a black jacket, and dark indigo colored shorts. The girl now had own tall black boots that reached her mid-calf and a watch on her right hand. Sakura quickly adjusted the glasses that were on her emotionless face.

"Oh, your Sakura." Ash said as he faced the girl, his star necklace hanging from his neck. "So, why did you stop us for?"

"Would you mind if I became a part of your little group?"

Ash, and literally everyone else, wasn't even expecting this answer. "I'm sorry. What?"

"I said I wanted to join your group." Sakura repeated in a very bored way. "I saw what you did out there, and I would like to join your little group. I understand that we haven't talked beforehand, but I hope that you can at least accept this request."

No one was sure what to say.

Joe and Giselle were completely shocked by this, and Ash's group was very stumped by this. Ash could tell that this girl was begin honest with everything she had just said, but it was only now that he was actually taking to her. Although, Ash realized that he could maybe break the barrier around this non-social girl. Along with this, it would be nice to have another girl come along so that Misty would have a brand new person to talk to. The boy didn't see any reasons to say no to this proposal. Then, ash finally said something.

"Um, sure. I guess?" Ash tried to say in a very sure way. Sakura gave a nod after hearing that.

"Are you sure about this, Ash?" Brock whispered to the eleven year old. "Sakura doesn't seem to be that expressive."

"I think it will be fine." Ash told Brock in a somewhat confident way.

"Your male Wartortle seems to hold a great amount of potential." Sakura remarked as she looked at the water type. Ash gave a raised eyebrow at this statement, something that Sakura instantly noticed. "You don't know the gender of your Pokémon?"

"There was no way to tell, Wartortle's don't have a gender difference unlike other Pokémon." Ash told the twelve year old in a normal tone of voice.

"Do you have a Pokédex?"

"Right here." Ash took the small device and handed it over to Sakura, who quickly opened it up.

Sakura began to quickly began to press a few button in the device, not breaking her concentration. Ash's group were what exactly Sakura was doing, and why she wanted the Pokédex of all things. Eventually, she stopped pressing the buttons and aimed the device's camera at Wartortle. The girl then flipped the device around to show the group what was on it.

"This specific Wartortle is approximately one meter tall, and has a weight of twenty two point five kilograms." Dexter began to tell the group as it showed a picture of Wartortle on the small screen. "It's gender is male, while it's level is currently twenty five. This Pokémon has the following moves: Tackle, Bite, Ice Beam, and Water Gun."

"I had no idea it could do that." Ash commented as he put the device back, now looking at his Pokémon. "Sorry I didn't know that you were a boy, Wartortle."

"Wartortle." The male was able to quickly accept the apology, giving a hug to his trainer's leg.

"So, you really do want to come with us?" Ryan asked after the whole exchange he had just seen.

"Yes." Was the only answer that came from her mouth.

"Alright." Ash responded with a smile. "What's your goal then?"

Sakura was confused by this question. "My goal?"

"Yep, your goal. Each one of us has something they want to accomplish on this journey." Ash told her in a very passionate way. "Brock wants to become one of the Pokémon breeders ever. Ryan wants to be someone that this Region will respect. Misty wants to eventually surpass her older sisters one day. And I want to become the next Champion of the Kanto Region!" Ash pointed to each of his friends as he did all of this, finally stopping on himself. "We all have something we want to do before this is all over, and we are going to make those goals happen. So, what is your goal then?"

Sakura looked to be quite emotionless on the outside, but she was very unsure on the inside. She did have a dream, but she didn't really want to share it with anyone. However, maybe she could at least be honest with these people. It was worth a shot. The twelve year old then took a deep breath in, finally ready to say her answer.

"I want to become the next Pokémon professor of this Region."

Ash smiled at the girl, happy that she was being honest. "That's a pretty good goal, and all of us are going to support you all the way there."

"Yep."

"You got that right."

"We'll gladly help out."

"Wartortle!" The four other members agreed, all of them sounding very happy about doing this.

"I'm ecstatic that you are wanting to help." Sakura told them in a very calm way. "However, I would like to finish my goal in my own way."

"If that's what you really want." Ryan responded with a shrug. "Although, we should probably leave now. We've wasted enough time as it is."

"Yeah, I guess we have do have to go." Ash admitted in a somewhat sad way, his eyes looking at the two students. "You better be nice to Joe, he has done nothing wrong."

"Don't worry," Giselle then gently grabbed the hand of Joe, looking into his eyes. "I would never be mean to my boyfriend."

"I hope you two will stay together for a long time." Misty said in a very kind way. "Both of you deserve each other."

"Thank you, for everything." Joe responded with a smile on his face, watching as the group was starting to walk away from them. "Goodbye everyone! I hope to see you in Celadon!"

"I will be there as well!" Giselle said as well, waving her hand at the departing group. "Don't you ever forget about us, okay?"

"I wouldn't think of it!" Ash yelled back, waving at the pair as the group was leaving "Until next time!"

"BYE!" The whole group, minus Sakura, told the two students as they disappeared from view.

"So, are you happy that your part of this group?" Ryan asked the new companion as the group had finally left Pokémon Tech behind.

"I haven't even been with this group for ten minutes." Sakura told him in a very plain way. "Sorry, but I can't exactly give a constructive opinion right now."

"Well, I hope you do like it here." Ryan tried to tell her in a kind way. "We'll help you out with any problems you have."

"I'll always remember that." Sakura said in a very stoic way.

Sakura was now reflecting on her decision, looking up at the blue sky with a blank stare. She was always going to leave this school eventually, but she didn't think it was going to be in this way. The best way to describe this group was... unique? To be honest, Sakura had no real strong felling with this group so far. These people seem to be full of energy and always try their hardest, especially the apparent leader of this team. Also, they seem to always be to kind and helpful to anyone they meet. None of this exactly sat well with the quiet girl.

However, none of the people seemed to have any bad intentions so far. The group seemed happy that someone like her was actually coming along with them, especially Ash. Sakura had never really done anything with a group. Either the group just doesn't want her, or they don't do anything to help her. But this one was different, she'll at least stick with this one. Sakura just had felt like this group was going to be something special one day, and she would like to part of it. Suddenly, without anyone noticing, she showed an emotion on her face.

There was now a very small smile on her face.

Here's another bonus scene for you! Let's see how Seymour has been doing after all this time! Enjoy!

Bonus Scene:

Seymour was now walking to the the lab that held Professor Oak, one of the most famous Pokémon researcher's to ever live!

The young man was very nervous about the whole situation that was about happen very soon, and yet he was still somehow excited about it. He had always thought that he was just going going to be some random scientist that no one would ever pay attention to, and that thought seemed to be true for the first few years he was in the science world. But now that was going to change, there was now a chance that he was going to work with Kanto Region professor himself!

The scientist could see the lab on top of a hill, houses also far away in the distance. Seymour had to admit that Pallet Town was a very nice place to live in, even if wasn't anything that special on paper. Everyone here seemed to know each other here and you could tell that they do mean well. Seymour kept on walking down the path until he made it the stone stairs, it was now he stopped to take a good look at the building.

He could see that this was the place that Daisy, Professor Oak's own daughter, had told him about. Seymour looked at the place that he was about to enter, a small gust of wind moving his hair and lab coat slightly. It was now that he began to slowly walk up the stairs, one step taking slightly longer than the other. He eventually made it the top of the stairs and Seymour could see a door in front of him, the door that held Professor Oak behind it.

"Remain calm, Seymour. Try to make a great a first impression." Seymour tried to tell himself in his mind as he the door was starting to come closer, wiping away any sweat that was beginning to form on his forehead. "I just need to be respectful. I will get this job and show the world my knowledge." The young scientist was only a feet away from the door at this point, taking in one last big breath through his nose. "You can do this."

Seymour then knocked on the door.

END OF CHAPTER 9

How do you guys fell about Sakura now joining the group? It was fun to give Ash's Wartortle the Ice Beam attack, and you could tell that our Protagonist is slowly becoming smarter and stronger. It was also nice to see Seymour again after a few episodes, and all of you will see if he did get the position in a future episode! I have already decided the fates of Bulbasaur and Charmander, but I'm still a bit stuck on what I should with Squirtle. Leave any suggestions or predictions on what is going to have to the starters in the next few episodes, while I go and prepare the next chapter! See you then!

Ash's Team: Wartortle (M), Pidgeotto, Sandshrew

Misty's Team: Goldeen, Starmie

Ryan's Team: Pinsir, Butterfree, Paras

Brock's Team: Geodude, Onix, Zubat

Sakura's Team: Nidoran (F)