Sorry it's been a while since I updated the story. I had a week off from work where I did nothing but veg out.
This may be split into two parts too. There's a lot to get through before Ash reaches Pallet Town
Chapter 24
A few days after the incident Ash had come up with a training regime for Machoke and Poliwag and was on the Pokemon Centre training field going over it with them.
Poliwag it seemed was very mischievous but took to training like very few he'd seen before. She was incredibly light on her little feet and packed quite a punch. Her main weakness was her stamina as after a few attacks she was worn out.
"So, it seems we know what to work on" Ash said "your attacks are quick and hit hard but they're all or nothing at the moment. Now I won't be keeping you in my line-up. I caught you to help my mother at her home. So, in a few days you'll be sent to her along with Sylveon. She also has a Cleffa, so you'll need to keep in mind it won't be just you three. For now, we'll go over your moves and come up with a training plan for you. Go over to Wartortle and talk with him, he'll give you pointers on training."
"Now Machoke, your footwork is very poor so far and your speed isn't great so to make up for that we're going to be doing several drills for the next month in the morning to help your line speed. I don't expect you to become rapid, but your speed will tie in with your attacks and IF you decide to evolve then the faster you are now the faster you'll be as a Machamp. There's very few moves you can learn outside the fighting pool so your training will be mainly making sure that every hit you connect is devastating. I'll also be training you on your stamina too, if you can't outlast Pokémon that you're weak to then no number of attacks will win.
I've been going through the TM catalogue for moves I can teach you. I already have Earthquake and I'm going to buy you Flamethrower and Rock Slide to get going on with. You have no ranged moves so the sooner we can get you trained on them the better. I will also be sparring with you every day to help you train your body. I know you're a good fighter, I've seen you in action but I'm currently unbeaten in hand-to-hand combat so I know I can help you become a force. We have a lot of work ahead of us Machoke. But I'll be here alongside you every step of the way.
Now, I know over the last few days you've likely wondered why everyone is a bit on edge. It's because I have another Pokémon currently serving his punishment with my sponsor for an offence that almost cost another Pokémon it's life and us everything. Pikachu will explain it to you when he has the chance. He's going to be back on our team in the next few days with Sylveon and Poliwag going the other way to my mother. I'm aware this is a lot to take in, but we have a lot of time to get you up to speed. Are there any questions so far?"
"No" Machoke simply said staring at Ash "when do we start and what on?"
"We start now" Ash said nodding and appreciating the no nonsense aspect of his new Pokémon "We're going to spar; I won't be going full out. This is simply to gauge where you're at with your hands and feet. Don't be afraid of hurting me, I have great recovery. So, after I speak to Poliwag we'll begin."
The next few hours Ash and Machoke went over several things they could improve on, and the time flew by. Packing up Machoke asked Ash a simple question, yet it required Ash to truly think on it.
"Why were those people attacking you in the Safari Zone?"
"Ah, well that brings us on to a discussion I planned on having with you when my team is full and there are no ears around to listen in. I promise you I'll let you know everything because if you're going to be in our family then you're going to be involved in this whether you want to or not. I'll get Charmeleon back tomorrow. Can you wait another day for a full answer?" Machoke simply nodded. His new Pokémon was one of very few words it seemed.
The next day was full of activity as Ash sent his mum Poliwag and Sylveon. Wartortle was very sad at this but cheered up when Ash said they were making their way back to Pallet Town over the mountain and should be home in four weeks. His mum was overjoyed at having another Pokémon to help tend to her growing garden but even happier that she now had a valid excuse to install the pond she'd wanted for ages.
"You know you could have just had one bult anyway?" Ash asked confused.
"I know" she replied happily "but now I have a reason in my mind to go ahead with it."
Receiving Charmeleon was a mixed event. Upon releasing him in their room he gave them all a look, walked over to the corner and went to sleep. Unsure of what happened and sick of receiving grunts instead of answers Ash and the rest gathered round to get Machoke up to speed on their mission from Arceus, what being a part of their group meant and what their goals were.
"I tell all of my Pokémon this" Ash said ignoring the various snorts that had come from his fire type throughout the explanation "we're all a family. If you need anything just speak. If you want no part of this, we need to know before we leave Fuchsia City tomorrow. I'll happily take you back to the Safari Zone if that's what you want. Think it over for tonight."
Nodding Machoke stood up and walked over to the window where he sat down and meditated staring out of the window. Shrugging Ash went about his business before getting into bed. Looking over at his sleeping fire type he was a little concerned about his behaviour. Hopefully it could be sorted out soon.
The next Morning Machoke simply patted Ash on the shoulder in the morning and nodded. Training was a double-edged sword. Everyone went through their usual routines without a grumble. Charmeleon however didn't say a word. The others were giving him wary glances every now and then, but he just ignored them and went through his routine with single minded focus.
"Good work everyone. We're getting better every single day. Before we know it, we'll be home and then onto Cinnabar. There's simply a mountain in our way" he finished laughing.
Making sure he was packed Ash said goodbye to Joy and left via the southern route. When he reached the signpost for the beach he turned right and followed the path there. He knew he was in for a long trek. It would take at least four to five weeks to reach the outskirts of Pallet Town. Before that though was perhaps the hardest bit of the route. Before he had set out from Pallet Town, he had packed a pair of sturdy Rock-Climbing boots which he had changed into at Fuchsia. They were killing his feet as he wasn't used to them, but he knew they were essential for trekking over rough terrain. Standing at the top of the first hill Ash looked off into the distance. Directly below them was a deep ravine with a narrow path leading down to it that led into a huge forest. He could see off in the distance another path leading up to the other side to the top of the next hill. The first valley took over two days to get through, it involved a lot of careful walking along narrow ridges and scaling down a few cliff walls. Coming to the bottom to where the forest began, he stopped for a rest where everyone was fed and watered. An hour later Ash decided to carry on. He wanted to be out onto the other side of the forest before nightfall hit in six hours' time.
The trek through the forest was eerie for various reasons. The first was the path was so overgrown that it was clear it hadn't been traversed in months. Luckily, he had a small axe to make his way through. The second reason was because he knew they were being watched from the forest. Hopefully as long as he kept to the path, they would remain undisturbed. Machoke was a big help at various times helping to move fallen logs and boulders that had dropped in their path. Overall though Ash was enjoying the outdoorsy aspect of this route.
"We'll stop here for ten minutes" Ash said loudly taking out his canteen and drinking from it before handing it to Machoke who took a small drink. "This is some rough going, it's obvious the league hasn't cleared this area for a while. At times I think we should be paid by them for doing their job for them" he finished laughing. Quietly though he mentioned to Machoke and Pikachu about them being watched. The rest of the trek was more of the same. Several times they had to stop while various Pokémon trotted along their path giving them suspicious looks. Ash knew they were coming to the end of the path through the forest when the trees started thinning. Reaching the other side was a relief. They had made it through part one of the route. Now they had another valley to climb. Deciding to do that in the morning Ash set up camp and waited for first light to leave. Everyone was on edge that evening because they could all feel they were being watched. Funnily enough Ash's Aura powers were failing him on identifying whatever it was. It seems the trees were masking whatever it was.
The next morning Ash woken up and immediately knew something was wrong. It took him a minute to recognise what it was but when he did he shot up. "Guys!" he shouted, "Pikachu is gone!"
Pandemonium was what described the next twenty minutes as he frantically packed up. All the while he was quietly simmering with rage. There was no way that Pikachu would get kidnapped without putting up a fight. After he had packed up, he sat on the log at the side of the path and sent out as many pulses of aura as possible. After ten minutes he had come up empty.
"He's not in the forest. I sent as many focused aura blasts as possible in every direction. So that means he's likely gone on ahead. We follow the path up that valley. If he's anywhere he's up there."
Ash gathered up his backpack and recalled everyone. Making his way up the valley was arduous, but Ash's rage kept him moving. He sent a quick message to his mum and Sam about what had happened and his coordinates, he didn't expect a reply as he was out of the service area. The message would go through when it could. What should have taken three hours took an hour. All the while he had been going through what could have happened. He knew that Pikachu wouldn't abandon him, they had been through too much for that to happen, but he still wasn't being picked up on Ash's radar. Reaching the top of the valley he looked behind and saw just how far he'd come. Steeling himself he turned back to the path and started walking. After half an hour he came upon something that didn't belong. On a rock off to the side was an object Ash knew all too well. Picking it up he saw it was Pikachu's Light Ball. So, he had come this way. It made Ash more determined to find his partner. Every hour or so Ash found more and more clues, arrows made of branches, scars on rocks that only an electric attack could make. Rather than giving Ash more hope it made him angrier.
Around dusk Ash made camp for the evening Ash released everyone and informed them of what happened.
"So, Pikachu has run off without telling you what happened?" Charmeleon asked. It was the first question he had asked since they had re-joined each other.
"So, it would seem" Ash said heavily.
"And how is he going to be punished when you get him back?"
Ash just looked at him confused. "Figured" Charmeleon snorted before picking up his bowl and walking outside the circle "one rule for one" came the mumbling statement.
The rest of the gang looked on warily. Whatever Charmeleon had gone through with Sam seemingly hadn't worked how they wanted. It just seemed to make him more resentful. However, he was right. Pikachu had been gone for nearly a day now, and he obviously had departed on purpose.
"You know he's right" Ivysaur said "you can't let Pikachu off for this. He's caused us all to be worried about him."
"I know" Ash said nodding "Charmeleon is right. I just have no idea how he can be punished. If any of you have any ideas, then feel free to speak up."
"Send him to Charizard" Charmeleon piped up bring back his bowl "torture seems to be the way you like to punish those you call your family after all." He finished before walking off again.
"What the hell happened?" Wartortle asked seeing his friend walk off "what did Charizard put him through."
"Sam wouldn't allow Charizard to harm him" Ash said confidently looking at Charmeleon worried "I have no idea what happened, but it doesn't seem to have worked the way we wanted."
"No, it doesn't" Ivysaur said quietly "I suggest we go to bed soon. That way we can leave at first light."
After another restless night Ash packed up and they all left. Wherever Pikachu was he clearly had enough time to be able to leave clues, so Ash wasn't too worried about his health. Trekking in silence they came to yet another valley only this one wasn't as steep as the last. The forest in the trench though seemed to stretch on further than the last one. Ash was starting to seriously regret coming this way. Hindsight was always a wonderful thing. he had also come up with a way to punish Pikachu. After running it by the group they all agreed it was probably the most serious way to make Pikachu realise what he had put them through. Charmeleon on the other hand just shook his head and continued walking. Ash was very worried about his behaviour. He had never been so disrespectful before and while he obeyed Ash for now it was going to come to a head very soon. Ash just hoped it could be resolved as he hated rudeness. The only reason he had let it go on this long was because he was more worried about Pikachu.
The rest of the day was spent going down the valley into the forest. This one seemed a lot lighter and airier than the last one, there was even a little stream following alongside the path that they all stopped at to have a rest and refill the canteens of water. Around early afternoon Ash finally received a familiar pulse back on his aura. Pikachu was close by; he was still travelling wherever he was going but he was getting closer. This made Ash more determined to find his first friend. But by evening they still hadn't caught up.
"We can't traverse a forest at night guys" Ash said releasing them and making their food up "we rest for now and eave at first light."
That night as Ash slept Charmeleon stayed awake beside the fire going over what happened the time he was away. He hated it. He was being punished for learning a move on his own, OK he severely damaged the Venomoth but that was accidental. He was trying to win Ash a badge. But to be punished like he was, was way out of line. He never thought Ash would do that to him. But after spending a week being punished by the Charizard because of a move he was learning and lectured by Oak while he helped injured Pokémon at the ranch, he was in no mood to be around Ash for any length of time. In the back of his head, he still recalled how they met and what Ash meant to him, it was the only reason he stayed for now. Ash had saved his life. But he had done the same for Ash so weren't they even on that score? Those thoughts of their beginnings were quickly fading into distant memory and the immediate past was starting to take hold. How could Ash treat him like this? And the punishment that was planned for Pikachu was laughable. Oh, he understood it as it would mean something to Pikachu but still… Looking over at his sleeping trainer Charmeleon felt resentment coming back up to the surface. He didn't really foresee a future with Ash anymore. And that left him feeling hollow.
The next day Ash set out again. Hopefully this day would be the last day he would be without Pikachu. It seemed that wherever Pikachu was, was just off the beaten path. Ash had been following the pulse now for the last few hours and it swung immediately ninety degrees to the left of the path they were on. "Looks like were traversing the forest now guys."
Recalling them Ash brought out his axe and began making his way as quietly as he could towards where Pikachu was hiding. The beep was getting steadily closer. From nowhere though the forest opened out into a huge clearing. Crouching behind a bush Ash observed what was going on. It seemed like Ash had stumbled on to a Pikachu colony. Running around playing were various Pichu, Pikachu and the odd Raichu. Curious Ash observed them for a few minutes before deciding that he'd had enough. Pikachu was in here, and he needed answers. Leaving his backpack behind the bush Ash stood up and walked into the clearing. Immediately every Pokémon stopped what they were doing and became wary of the human that was walking steadily in the direction of their main warren. Seeing this the Raichu that were asleep at the side of their main nest became alert and walked threateningly sparking at the intruder.
Standing ten feet from the nest Ash shouted "Pikachu, I know you're in there. Come on out."
Instead, what Ash received was two Thunderbolts from the two Raichu. Ash immediately slipped into combat mode and started hurling Aura spheres at the two Raichu. It was tough going fighting two quick mouse Pokémon. It became even tougher when some of the Pikachu joined in. Ash realised he was getting nowhere quick and released the rest of his Pokémon. "We need to beat them, they've captured Pikachu. Everything that moves is a target."
The next ten minutes was pandemonium as Ash and his Pokémon systematically beat the Pikachu and Raichu that had been guarding the nest. But beat them they did. Ash had very well trained and coordinated Pokémon. Wild Pokémon had no chance. A few minutes later Ash had beat the two guard Raichu's and looked around. The clearing was littered with knocked out Pokémon. His own hadn't come out unscathed, Wartortle had a yellow hue around his face, Charmeleon had various scratches, Machoke was holding his left arm and Ivysaur looked unharmed but had a slight limp. Walking back over to his bag he brought out a bottle of Full Restore and started spraying his injured Pokémon. Once he had done that he walked back over to the nest and shouted again "Pikachu, everyone up here is knocked out. So why don't you come up."
Instead of Pikachu however a Golden Raichu came out of the hole. Ash was startled, not so much by the colour but by the size and obvious power of its aura. It was a good foot taller than most Raichu and looked very strong. It was easily on par with Lt Surges Raichu. Pikachu was stronger however.
"Who are you to come into my home human and harm my family?" Raichu asked angrily.
"Who are you mouse to kidnap my family" Ash angrily retorted making it spark its cheeks at the tone.
"So, you are Pikachu's human then?" Raichu asked looking at him appraisingly "I am far from impressed."
"I'm Pikachu's brother" Ash said taking a step forward "we have been through hell and back in the last few months. So, release him before I'm forced to harm you."
"I'd like to see you try" Raichu said falling on to all fours getting ready to pounce.
"Mother" a voice said from behind her "enough." It was Ash's Pikachu who stepped forward in between them facing the Raichu. "Enough. Ash is my trainer; you will not harm him."
"Get out of my way Pikachu before I harm you instead" Raichu said threateningly taking a step forward.
"Do so" Pikachu said simply "and you will never hear from me ever again."
Reeling back in shock at Pikachu's words the Raichu became visibly angry "you would dare harm your own mother by abandoning your duties?"
"You already did that" Ash said stepping forward "when you abandoned Pikachu as a Pichu in Pallet Town Forest! I saved his life back then. Where were you? Do not think I don't know who you are. The moment I saw you come out of the hole I recognised the aura you gave off. Pikachu's is a close match to yours. Now Pikachu may not have told me a lot about his life before we met but I can read between the lines."
"It was necessary" Raichu said angrily "he would have been killed for being so obviously different. I did what I had to do, for the best of my colony."
"I'm sure you did" Ash said mockingly "but also to hide the shame of your progeny too no doubt."
"Ash" Pikachu said turning towards him "please don't go there."
"You know I'm right Pikachu" Ash said "she wanted to hide the shame of who your grandfather was. well guess what, we met him, and he told us everything. Not only that but Pikachu was chosen by Arceus herself for a task."
"I do not care what Arceus wants" Raichu said earning a gasp from the recovering colony "I want my son back, here as he should be to perform his duties for this colony. You do not get a say in this."
"Actually, he does" Pikachu said looking at his mother "you see unlike you Ash has never abandoned me. You can wrap it up with as many words as you want. I faced possible death here? Ok, I can believe that. But you abandoned me to certain death out there. And that mother is unforgivable. So no, I won't be returning here. My place is with my trainer and best friend."
Pikachu began to walk towards Ash intent on climbing his shoulder when he was quickly pushed aside by Ash who sprang an aura shield up around them both from the Thunder attack that had come from Raichu. Incensed her attack had failed she charged forward into a Volt Tackle intent on harming the trainer who had clearly brainwashed her son. Just as she was about to hit Ash's shield Pikachu jumped forward and used an Iron Tail to block the attack. The struggle lasted for around ten seconds before Pikachu's attack overpowered his mothers and sent her flying backwards where she landed painfully on her back. Walking over to her Ash couldn't hear what he whispered to her, but he was quickly re-joined by Pikachu who jumped onto Ash's shoulder. Recalling his Pokémon Ash made his way over to his backpack, shouldered it and followed the path he had cleaved back to the main path of the forest. Neither of them had said a word about what happened. Ash would never find out what Pikachu said as he knew it was personal.
Finding the path didn't take long and soon enough they were walking in silence along the path out of the forest. Climbing the side of the valley was long and arduous but by evening they had made it to the summit. Turning around they looked down into the valley of the Pikachus. A strange sort of melancholy had taken over as they carried on the path towards Pallet Town. That night Ash released everyone from the pokeballs. Ivysaur, Wartortle, Machoke and Charmeleon walked off to one side and had a quick discussion. Curious Ash watched them seemingly come to a decision. Ivysaur was the spokesperson for them.
"Pikachu, given what we saw today we have decided not to go through with our planned punishment for running off like you did, worrying us all and leading us on a Mankey chase through a forest. Nothing we say or do could compare with having to leave your family like you did. However, should you pull something as stupid as you did again, we will go through with the punishment we agreed upon, only this time the length will be doubled. Is that clear?"
Nodding confused Pikachu said "erm, thanks? I am sorry for what I put you all through. When I was told my mother was nearby by a Pikachu scout, I wanted to see her, get her side of the story. To see if she could justify abandoning me. It was only after travelling for a few hours I realised I hadn't left a message with any of you, so I started leaving markers for you to follow. I'm glad you were able to do so. Out of curiosity what was the punishment?"
"Two weeks of confinement to your pokeball" Charmeleon said "you'd come out for training and food but the rest of the time you'd be confined to your pokeball."
"You are kidding?" Pikachu said shocked.
"No" Charmeleon growled "we aren't. I was punished severely for something I had no idea I was committing. You knowingly left us. The punishment while poor was the best thing we could come up with to make you realise what you'd put us through. I'm going to bed." Stalking away they all watched Charmeleon curl up on the other side of the fire and seemingly go to sleep.
"I'm sorry you went through what you did Pikachu with your mother" Wartortle said "but Charmeleon is right. For all we knew you abandoned us without a word, and we have been traipsing through two forests to find you. Don't ever pull a stunt like that again." Wartortle stood up and walked off and curled up beside Charmeleon.
"I don't need to say anything more" Ivysaur said "they said everything I was going to. I'm sorry about your mother. If you need to talk, you know where I am." He too walked over to the other two and lay down beside them.
"I don't know you well enough to judge you" Machoke said "so I won't." At that he sat down in a meditative pose and closed his eyes.
"You worried us all Pikachu" Ash said "you should have woken us up. We'd have happily come with you. Even if it meant staying on the path while you talked to your mother in the Pikachu village. We were planning on burning down the entire forest to find you, you know. I'll leave you to sort your head out. It's been a big day for us all but especially you. I'm glad you're safe pal." Ash finished his drink and headed inside his tent leaving Pikachu to go over what had happened. It took a long time for him to be able to fall asleep.
The next few days were thankfully less eventful. The group was still tense even after Pikachu had apologised to them all. He hadn't mentioned what happened in the village, and everyone else was seemingly content to go along with it. The good news was that the speed in which they had been tracking Pikachu meant they had ploughed through a weeks' worth of travelling in just under three days. According to the map on Ash's pokegear the next valley was the biggest to get through. It was so big it was called a canyon. It had several places of interest though.
"Well first up guys is Evolution Mountain. So called because of the mining industry here. Rather than gems being dug up every type of evolution stone is found in these mines. So, Pi be careful to not touch anything shiny around here. After that is a small town where we can hopefully heal up and restock. Then it's the Canyon itself. Crossing that is our main goal as Pallet Town is just on the other side of it. So, let's get cracking guys."
That afternoon Ash and the gang came across something that immediately reminded them of when they first met Charmander. An Eevee was tied up to a tree, lying down in its hollow trunk. Walking up to it concerned Ash spoke to it.
"Hello, are you ok?"
Waking up from its sleep it warily looked to where the noise was coming from. Seeing another human, it recoiled and crept backwards into the hollow. "Please go away, my trainer doesn't want me to be found."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked concerned "has your trainer tied you up here on purpose?"
"Yes" Eevee said poking its nose out from the shadow "but he's coming back for me later. He just doesn't want me to be found until the party is over."
"You're not making any sense" Charmeleon growled angrily "why would your trainer abandon you here?"
"He's not abandoned me" Eevee stated firmly "he's hiding me here, so I won't be forced to evolve at his brothers party with other Pokémon."
"Enough of this" Charmeleon said grabbing hold of Eevees rope and pulling him out "we're not going to harm you and you're not making sense so just nod, ok? Good. Let me see if we have this right. Your trainers' brothers are having a party, one where evolution is the main theme, he doesn't want you to evolve so rather than telling them he decided the best solution was to come and tie you up here, where you could be stolen, attacked or killed?"
"Well," Eevee said quietly "I wouldn't put it like that."
"Well, we would" Ivysaur said interjecting after seeing how worked up Charmeleon was getting "Charmeleon is right. He left you here, tied up to a tree on the main path through the canyon. You're both lucky we found you and not anyone else."
Ash knelt down and took the rope off Eevee "We're going to see your trainer. There are a few words I have for your trainer."
Feeling like he had no other choice but to follow them Eevee walked with them and lead them towards his trainer's house. All the while he was trying to persuade them that they didn't need to do this as he was going to be picked up later on.
"Enough kid" Wartortle said "this is happening so come to terms with it." Half an hour later the path opened up onto the grounds of a big white house with a huge garden. In the garden a marquee had been set up and various trainers were milling around with their Pokémon all walking around the grounds. On a stage that had been set up were three boys. All of them had different coloured hair.
"Which one is your trainer?" Ash asked. Mumbling Eevee replied that it was the small one on the stage.
"Testing" an orange haired trainer said into a microphone "hello everyone, and welcome to the evolution party. We hope you are having a great party. We're just waiting for the guest of honour to bring out his Pokémon and we'll get started."
"Yeah" A blue haired trainer said grabbing the microphone "where is he Mikey?"
"I don't know" the kid mumbled nervously "he's been missing all day. He'll turn up sooner or later. You know how he is."
"Mikey" a boy with yellow hair said "this party Is for your Eevee. Where is he?"
"Yeah, we wanna see what you've chosen to evolve him into." The redhead said.
"Find him Mikey" the blue haired boy said.
Using aura to push his way through the crowd Ash marched his way forward ignoring all the shouts from the trainers he physically moved out of the way. "Eevee is right here" Ash stated.
As one the four boys turned towards them. Mikey seeing Eevee was there jumped down from the stage and started shouting "what are you doing? He shouldn't be here. Eevee should still be in that tree safe!"
"Enough" Ash roared making the boy fall backwards "you are a disgrace of a trainer. You are lucky that I found him and brought him back! You left an untrained Eevee alone tied up to a tree on the path that leads to Fuchsia and Pallet Town. Anyone could have snatched your Eevee; he could have been hurt or worse killed and you would never have known! And all because you're too much of a coward to tell your brothers you don't want Eevee to evolve? You are lucky I can't revoke your license!"
By this point the young boy was in tears. His brothers were quick to jump to his defence. Leaping down as one they all advanced on Ash "Hey, you can't speak to our brother like that."
"You can shut up too" Ash said his eyes glowing blue making the three brothers step back "did any of you actually ask Mikey if he wanted to evolve his Eevee? Or did you just force your opinion on him? You're lucky that I found his Eevee and not some poacher. Now according to Eevee Mikey doesn't want to evolve him but he's too much of a coward to tell you himself. As for you three, stop pushing your agenda onto your brother. Evolution does not always make things better, nor does it always make a Pokémon stronger. My Pikachu could wipe the floor with every Pokémon here but is happy as a Pikachu. We're done here Pi."
"Hey" the blue headed boy shouted as Ash began to walk away "you don't get to talk to us like that either. Vaporeon, let's go."
"Flareon you too" the redhead said releasing his pokemon
"Jolteon, you're up" the yellow haired boy shouted doing the same.
"Pi, Thunder half power" Ash said as Pikachu jumped up from his shoulder and launched a huge bolt of lightning at the three Pokémon. The Vaporeon had no chance and was sent flying back severely injured where it landed twenty feet away clearly knocked out, the Flareon suffered the same fate as it too landed next to the Vaporeon with scuff marks on it and had sparks of electricity running across its body. The Jolteon was not as affected due to its typing, but it still went flying backwards and landed ten feet away from the other two. Struggling to its feet it looked up to see a yellow missile head towards its face and was sent flying backwards landing next to the other two. It too was out for the count.
Turning around Ash walked back through the crowd who parted for the clearly angry glowing boy. Leaving the estate Ash carried on the path towards the next town. He was still simmering with rage when they made camp that night. "You know, you and Charmeleon are made for each other, don't you?" Wartortle said after they had eaten. Both Charmeleon and Ash looked up questioningly "you both take abandonment, or what looks like abandonment to heart even after the situation is resolved."
"Everyone here, apart from Machoke was abandoned Wartortle" Ash said looking at him "there's no excuse for it. Absolutely none."
"I was like that Eevee" Charmeleon said "I was left on that rock by my trainer who told me he'd be back. He left me to die. Eevee could have suffered the same fate if Ash didn't find him tied to that tree. I don't like Ash at the minute, I don't like what he put me through but that doesn't mean I don't respect him as a trainer. He saved my life, but I've also saved his." sighing he said something that shocked everyone present "Ash I don't know whether or not I want to remain as your partner. What you did to me was not appropriate for what I did."
"Oh wow" Ash said taken aback "what makes you say that?"
"I am a Pokémon Ash" Charmeleon said looking at him "it's in my nature to learn moves. I also have dragon ancestry, getting stronger is also in my nature. Now I've never had an issue with the training you've given me, it has helped me immensely and I will be eternally thankful for everything you have done for me over the last six months. But sending me away to be humbled by that Charizard was too far. And no, I'm not going to discuss what happened at the ranch. You don't deserve an answer at the moment. So, for now I'll still be your Pokémon. How long that remains for is another story."
"You owe him" Pikachu started to say angrily.
"I owe him nothing anymore Pikachu" Charmeleon said interrupting Pikachu "I have long since repaid for what he did for me. I've saved his life a few times and put my life on the line. That debt has long since gone. And he once told us this family is not a transactional one, if you or anyone else stays because you feel you owe him then that statement is a lie. You should stay because you feel valued, not because you have value. What you all did to me was beyond anything Damien did to me. I trusted all of you and you abandoned me."
For a good five minutes Ash tried to come up with a response. Finally, he said "I've always tried to do things that are for the best. I don't come up with all the solutions, we are a family, and we discuss situations together. It was a group decision to send you away Charmeleon. We did so with the best of intentions to try and make you realise how bad a thing you had done."
"I knew it was bad only when you told me" Charmeleon said "but only then. Not once since I started traveling with you did you tell me I couldn't learn any moves or that some were restricted. If you'd have told me that I may have come to you. I'm a fire type Pokémon, my primary weapon is my fire. So why would I not try and develop that?"
"You're right" Ash said interrupting him "you're right. I should have told you. However, I trust every single one of you to come to me and ask questions. I've never had an issue about you guys' training on your own as long as you tell me what you're learning. You went off on your own to train using that move. This one is on you Charmeleon. You should have asked me for help."
"I think" Machoke said slowly "that it's clear mistakes were made on both sides."
Nodding Ash agreed. Reluctantly Charmeleon did the same. "So where do we go from here?" Ivysaur asked.
"I'm not sure" Ash replied sighing heavily "that depends on everyone here. Charmeleon was right about the value part. If you're here with me because you feel you owe me then it needs to be discussed. As for Charmeleon I'll do you a deal. Wait until we get to Pallet to make a decision. That way Sam can find you a place somewhere else. I will miss you Charmeleon if you decide to leave, but as I've told everyone else if you don't want to be here then don't feel obliged to stay. I will find you somewhere".
Nodding Charmeleon stood up and walked to the other side of the campfire and lay down. no one had a good night's sleep that night.
The next day Ash arrived in a quaint little village that was full of fields. The big issue Ash could see however was they were all barren. Questioning a local Ash found out that the dam where their fields received their water from had been blocked up. And had been for about a week now. Ash decided to check out what the issue was. Passing by a curious old man playing a Poke-flute he wandered through the village and followed the dried-up riverbed up to where he thought it came from. After an hour walking, he stopped dead in his tracks. There in front of him, in the middle of the riverbed was a Pokémon. Pointing Dexter at it he beeped.
"Snorlax, Pokedex Number 143, the sleeping Pokémon and the evolved form of Munchlax. It is very lazy. Just eats and sleeps. As its rotund bulk builds, it becomes steadily more slothful."
"What the hell is a Snorlax doing here?" Pikachu asked bewildered.
"Blocking the river, it seems" Ash said sniggering "I think we found out why the river is blocked Pi. Look, barely a trickle can get past it."
Looking down at the riverbed they saw that a slow stream of water was coming from the gap between Snorlax's head and its body, the only place the water could escape. Behind the Snorlax however were several thick vines that was also blocking the water.
"The water that's being let through would dry up way before it reaches the village because of those vines alone" Ash said.
"So, we need to move it and get rid of the vines?" Pi asked.
"It would seem so" Ash replied weighing up the situation "we may have to catch it because even if we knock it out it would still remain here. I'll speak to Sam about relocating it, perhaps to the Safari Zone."
Ash withdrew a pokeball and threw it at the sleeping Snorlax. The ball though seemed to hit a barrier and came flying back to Ash. Confused Ash threw it again and the same thing happened. As he was about to do it a third time, he paused mid throw as something Professor Oak said came back to him from the beginning of his journey.
"Now Ash, here are five pokeballs. Remember, you can only catch wild Pokémon. Trying to catch a Pokémon that belong to another trainer will not work."
"Snorlax already has a trainer" Ash said putting the ball away. We'll have to beat it and move it."
"Hang on" Pikachu said "why not get the guy from before to wake it up? That's what those things do right?"
"We'll do that then. Hopefully Snorlax moves on without needing to be battled." Ash replied as they turned around and made their way back down the slope to the town. Coming up to the man playing the Poke-flute they stopped and spoke to him.
"Hello" Ash said, "can we borrow your poke-flute for an hour or so please?"
Bewildered the man looked up and asked "why?"
"Well, you see this dried up riverbed?" Ash replied "well upstream there's a Snorlax lay down in the riverbed with some vines behind it and it's blocking the flow of the river. We need to move the Snorlax before we can clear the vines, so the village gets water again."
Surprisingly the man laughed and stood up. "So that's where she's got to. I did wonder where she was." seeing the confused looks he continued "the Snorlax is mine. We travel from place to place together. Come on, lets go wake her up. It's been a few days since I last saw her so im sure shes hungry."
Trekking back up the hill they soon came to the Snorlax lying down.
"Snorlax" the man shouted, "wake up, it's food time."
Groggily the Snorlax woke up at its trainers voice and looked around in confusion. The first thing it saw though was the vines and assuming they were its food it began to quickly devour them. Steadily the water began to pour again in the riverbed. Snorlax though carried on undeterred at getting wet and carried on eating. Soon though the force of the water became to much and it angrily got up and stepped out of the way. Ash, Pikachu and the man had to quickly leap to the side to avoid being swept away in the current as the water made its way downstream. Snorlax however looked at the river in disgust, sat down grumpily and fell over onto its back where it promptly fell asleep.
"Well, that's one way of clearing the vines" Ash said bewildered.
"Indeed" the man said pulling out a pokeball from inside his tunic and recalled the sleeping Pokémon "well, I must be off." He then walked off back towards the village leaving a confused Ash to slowly come to his senses.
"We're just going to assume this day never happened Pi" Ash said as he carried on down the path towards the next town. It was still around mid-day when Ash and Pikachu came across a small town. What was strange though that every house they passed the inhabitants quickly and abruptly closed their windows firmly shut. One woman even came out of her house to gather up her small child before dashing back indoors. Heading towards the Pokémon centre Ash was getting more and more irritated by the actions, but he was just as confused. Walking into the Pokémon centre Ash stopped dead in his tracks. There at the counter were two people he never thought he'd see again.
