Written by me and Cloud4012
Started: September 24th
Finished: September 30th
Beta Reader: cherrybombees
Chapter 8: Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village
We found ourselves off the main road, as Ash, Misty and Brock wandered through some tall grass. The foliage engulfed them whole, hiding them from countless wild Pokémon.
"I'm sure this is the way back to the path." Ash said.
"Yeah, right" Brock mutters.
"That's what you said an hour ago, I'm tired." Misty groaned as she came to a stand still. "I told you to stick onto the main road, but nooooo, you just had to take a short cut."
"Well I didn't hear you complain when I suggested it." Ash snarked back.
"Well I didn't think you'd lead us into the middle of nowhere." Misty snapped as she gripped some grass in her hand.
"Alright, clearly arguing is not going to make this better." Brock said as he stood between them both, blocking them with his arms.
Misty frowned and crossed her arms, "Fine, but remind me to yell at you some more if we ever get to Vermillion City!"
After walking through the dense forest for a couple of minutes, the group finally decided to sit down for a break. While Brock pulled out a bag of Pewter Crunchies to eat, Misty readjusted her ponytail and pulled out several twigs and leaves.
After setting down his backpack, Ash heard the sound of running water nearby.
Turning around, he noticed a small Pokémon sipping from a creek.
It had a round body, beady red eyes, a small mouth, and large feet. Five large green leaves sprouted from the crown of its body.
"Hey what Pokémon is that?" He asks taking his Pokémon out to scan it.
"Oddish, the Weed Pokémon, a Grass and Poison type. This Pokémon is typically found roaming the forest, scattering pollen as it walks around."
"I could use one of those," Ash whispered to himself.
"Hold it." Misty said, moving in front of him. "I want to catch it."
"You? Uh you do know Oddish isn't a water Pokemon right?" Ash points out.
"Yeah I know, but it's near water, which is good enough for me," She answered. Also Ash realized, unlike him and Brock, Misty hasn't caught new Pokémon yet.
"Alright you can have this one, but you better hurry." Ash pointed out.
Looking at Oddish, Misty saw it waddling away from the creek like it had somewhere better to go.
Misty shouted, "Oh no you don't. Go Starmie!" She threw her starfish Pokémon and it came out spinning.
It jumped in front of the Oddish, blocking it. The little Oddish squeaked out in surprise, and ran in another direction. "Water Gun, now!" Misty shouted. Starmie blasted the wild Oddish with a concentrated blast of ocean blue water. The Oddish went flying and spun around in the air like a toy.
"Now that's the way to spray! Tackle it, Starmie!" Misty said with a grin. Starmie went spinning towards it and smashed the Oddish into the ground. It fell onto its face, closing its eyes as grass clippings blew into its face.
"Yes that oughta do it. Go Pokeball!" Misty throws a Pokéball at Oddish when suddenly a vine flew in and whacked the Pokeball away.
Ash gasped in surprise as saw an unfamiliar teal Pokémon standing in between Starmie and Oddish. Its' large bulb caught him off guard…was that?
"No way. A Bulbasaur?!" Ash said, amazed.
Quickly reaching for his PokéDex again, they heard its entry.
"Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. It bears the seed of a plant on its back from birth. The seed slowly develops. Researchers are unsure whether to classify Bulbasaur as a plant or animal. Bulbasaur are extremely calm and are difficult to capture in the wild."
"Bulbasaur!" The Bulbasaur growled and tackled Starmie away with great force.
"Starmie, fight back with Psywave!" Misty said as Starmie released a ring of psychic energy.
Bulbasaur retaliated by leaping out of the way. Then from its bulb, came a small seed which shot out and latched onto Starmie.
Once it opened, it unleashed a stream of vines that wrapped around Starmie.
"That's Leech Seed! It's sucking away Starmie's energy!" Brock yelled
"Saur!" Swinging Vine Whip, Bulbasaur whacked Starmie twice, tossing it through the air like a frisbee.
It went flying to Misty, "Oh Starmie! Are you ok?" She shouted with worry for her starfish Pokémon.
"My turn." Ash said, staring the grass starter down. "Videl I choose you!"
Throwing his Pokeball, he called out the bee princess. "Videl, Poison Jab!" Ash said.
"Bee!" Flying in with poison-coated stingers, Bulbasaur took the attack head-on and stood his ground.
Ash was surprised it could take a hit like that. Then Bulbasaur used its vines to smack her away.
"Saur!" Releasing another Leech Seed, it attached to Videl's stinger causing vines to shoot out.
She buzzed in a painful manner, feeling the energy in her being sucked away, quickly?
"Bulba!" Charging in with Tackle, Bulbasaur knocks Videl to the ground.
"Come on Videl hang in there." Ash encouraged.
But before Videl could get back into the air, Bulbasaur grabbed Oddish and fled.
Ash frowned that it got away, he quickly turned his attention to the weakened Beedrill as he hurried to her. "Are you OK, Videl?"
"B-Bee.." Videl buzzed looking down in shame.
"Hey don't feel bad, they just took us by surprise." Ash said.
"What was that Bulbasaur's problem?" Misty said, helping her Starmie recover.
"It was very protective of that Oddish." Brock said.
"To the brink of it completely destroying us," Ash said as ripped the vines off of Videl.
"And now neither of us has a new Pokemon." Misty said.
"It's rare to see a Bulbasaur out in the wild." Brock points out.
"Which means I gotta catch it before it gets too far." Ash said.
Collecting all of their belongings, they followed the path in which Bulbasaur took, which would lead them to a bridge over a raging river down below.
"Nope. No way I am not crossing that." Misty refuses.
"But Misty, I don't see any other way to get to the other side." Ash said. "Tell her Brock." He said to the older boy, who was looking at the map.
"Well I don't really see just where we are on the map." He admitted.
"See we might not even need to cross that bridge. I say we double back." Misty suggests.
"But then again, I don't know any other way that'll lead us to the other side," Brock said.
"Sounds like a reason to cross to me." Ash said.
"Then you go first." Misty ordered.
'Course she'd suggest I go first.' Ash thought, rolling his eyes.
Slowly stepping onto the bridge it shook a little forcing him to hold onto the ropes.
Taking a deep breath Ash started walking across. As he was about halfway in, he turned around to Misty and Brock.
"Is this proof enough for you?" Ash calls out.
"Guess we were concerned over nothing." Brock said following after him, while watching his steps. Whimpering, Misty slowly followed after.
As they made their way down the hill, Brock stepped on a small patch of mud and slipped.
"Whoa!" Brock yelps as he slipped but ended up rolling down the hill.
"Brock!" Ash and Misty panic.
Which made him fall into the nearby rafting river, being drifted away.
"Come on! We gotta catch him before he gets too far!" Ash panics.
Scrambling down the hill the two of them tried to catch up with him but the river was too fast and they lost sight of him.
"He must've gone this way!" Said Ash, running down a path of stones nearby when Misty suddenly fell into something.
"Huh?" Turning around Ash saw Misty had fallen into a pit trap.
"Ugh.." She groaned in pain.
"Are you OK?! Where'd a hole come from?" Ash said.
"I don't know and I don't care! Just help me out!" Misty yells.
"OK, OK, just tone it down." Ash said, bending down and grabbed onto Misty's hand.
Meanwhile at the banks of the river we see Brock laying against the shore when a figure and a Paras spots him.
"Paras?" Slowly poking his face Paras checked to see if he was breathing.
"Oh my, quick Paras. Help me get him inside." The figure said.
"Paras." Grabbing him by his backpack Paras pulls him out of the river.
Back with Ash and Misty...
They continued their search for Brock at the river bed. "Brock!" Ash called out.
"Brock!" Misty calls out.
Looking around Ash stepped away from the river but when he did he stepped on a rope causing a net to capture both of them.
"Oh come on! What is with all these stupid traps?!" Misty whines.
"I don't know, but it was funny the first time, but now it's getting annoying!" Ash said, struggling to get Quake's Pokeball.
"Hey, what do you mean funny the first time?!" Misty fumed.
"Saur." Hearing the familiar croak, Ash and Misty looked down to see the Bulbasaur from earlier on the ground, looking up at them.
"You again." Ash gasps seeing he had another chance to catch it. Eyes narrowing, Bulbasaur turned and walked off. "Hey get back here! I want a rematch!" Ash struggles.
"Hey! Quit the wiggling, you're gonna kick me!" Misty protests.
Fortunately, all the wiggling resulted in one of Ash's pokeball falling out.
Dropping to the ground it opened revealing Talon.
"Spear? Spearow?" It cawed, looking around for his trainer.
"Talon, up here!" Ash shouts.
"Spear?" Flapping his wings Talon flew up to them.
"Get us down!" Ash said as Talon cuts the rope making them drop down.
With a groan, Ash threw the rest of the net off. "Thanks buddy." He said as Talon perched himself onto his shoulder.
"Spear." Talon nods happily.
"Maybe while you're here you can help us find our way through this stupid forest." Misty groans.
Nodding with a salute with his wing, he took off into the sky. "Think he'll find us out and maybe Brock?" Misty asked.
"Hey I trust my Pokémon, they won't fail me." Ash nodded with confidence. Ash has grown awfully fond of the little sparrow Pokémon. Even after the incident, it sure has redeemed itself with going along with whatever Ash says..unlike a certain other cowardly rat.
Flying around Talon was on the lookout for anything helpful when he suddenly spotted something in a large clearing.
It looked like...smoke?
"Spear!" Turning around, Talon went to tell Ash and Misty.
Meanwhile...
Brock was laying down in bed, when he felt something tap his cheek making him wake up.
Groaning, Brock wakes up to see Paras was on his chest.
"A Paras?" He croaked.
Yelping startled Paras fell off as Brock got up.
"What happened? Where am I?" He groaned, holding his head.
"You fell into the river and bumped yourself." Looking up Brock saw a pretty girl with blue hair and overalls.
"O-oh um did you save me?" He asked.
"Well I pulled you out but Paras was the real hero. I used medicine made from his mushrooms to fix your injuries."
She gestures.
"Paras Par." Paras smiles.
Brock stood up on the bed. "Well I gotta thank the both of you..wait!" He gasped. "My friends! They're probably out there looking for me!"
The girl blinked in surprise, "You mean there's more of you here?"
"We got separated after we crossed a bridge and I fell in the river." Brock explains.
"Oh no, this part of the forest is filled with traps to ward off poachers and thieves." She cringed.
Unfortunately for them, the damage was already for them.
On the opposite side of the clearing we hear the sound of something dropping.
"OH COME ON!!" Misty's scream echoed.
Zooming in, we see Ash and Misty on the ground, trapped in yet ANOTHER net.
Struggling to get up, they tried to push it off but it was heavy.
"I am really starting to hate this stupid forest." Ash groans.
"Changing your mind on going after that Bulbasaur now?" Misty asks.
"Guys?" Looking up they saw Brock and the girl approach them.
"Brock!" They said with relief that their older friend was alright and wasn't harmed. Pulling the net off, they immediately hugged Brock.
"We were so worried about you." Misty said.
"What happened? Where'd you go?" Ash asked.
"Well I washed up near Melanie's cottage and she along with her Paras nursed me back to health." Brock explains, turning to the blue haired woman.
"I am so sorry. I hope those traps didn't cause you too much trouble." Melanie apologizes.
"You set those horrible traps?" Misty said, outraged.
"She only set those up to keep thieves and poachers from entering the village," Brock said defending her.
"It's just that no one really comes through this area often, so the first thing that came to mind was what if thieves were passing through and saw the village and all of the poor Pokémon there. I panicked without a second thought." Melanie said as she bowed in an apologetic manner. "I'm very sorry if you were injured."
"Wait Pokemon?" Ash looks around and he sees the place was filled with Pokemon, the tall grass, perched up in the trees, and in the nearby lake.
"Wow, do all of these Pokémon belong to you?" Misty asks, truly amazed.
"None of them are mine. I'm just here to help them. See we don't have a Pokemon Center in this part of the forest so Nurse Joy assigned me here to help care for sick and injured Pokemon." Melanie explains.
"You worked with Nurse Joy?" Brock asked as this was the first time hearing this as Melanie nodded.
"Yes, though back then I was originally her assistant." She said as we zoomed into her head to see an image of her helping Nurse Joy treat injured Pokémon. "I was working to get my Pokémon Doctor license when I was offered an internship to work with her in Vermilion City. There I've learned all about Pokémon medicine, my own remedies to cure sick Pokémon and how to care for each different type."
"That's amazing." Misty said.
"Melanie I don't suppose you can help us find our way back to the path towards Vermillion City?" Ash asks.
"Of course, but first I have a few chores to do around here. Once I finish I can show you." Melanie offers.
"Hey Melanie, if you want, I'd be happy to lend a hand." Brock offered his assistance.
"We can help too. That way you can get things done quicker." Misty agrees.
"Really, but wouldn't it affect the time in your journey?" Melanie asks.
"Ah who cares about that? Vermilion isn't going anywhere; besides, we'd never turn down helping Pokémon in need." Ash said.
"Well thank you." Melanie smiles.
However, just as they were about to walk towards the Pokémon Bulbasaur ran in front of them.
"Saur!" Bulbasaur snaps telling them to stay away.
"You again?!" Ash said, eyes sharpening. "Come to finish what we started?" He asked as Talon perched in front of Bulbasaur, raising his wings and growling.
"Bulbasaur stop!" Melanie said running in between them. "They're not here to hurt us!"
"Bulba..." Bulbasaur snarled, still glaring daggers at the humans.
"You know this Bulbasaur, Melaine?" Brock asked her.
"Yes I do, Bulbasaur was one of the first Pokémon I took care of when I was sent here. Unfortunately his trainer chose to leave him behind. Ever since that day Bulbasaur has taken it upon himself to protect this village all on his own." Melanie explains.
Ash and the other's, especially Ash's part, were shocked at the news they were given. Abandoning your own Pokémon?
"So that's why Bulbasaur attacked us back there. It thought we were stealing away Oddish." Misty realized.
"And it makes sense why he's acting hostile over the wild Pokémon," Brock added.
Looking down at the Pokemon, Ash couldn't help but see a bit of himself in him. When Pikachu had abandoned him he was so angry at the beginning.
It couldn't be just mere coincidence.
"Bulbasaur, they just want to help around here," Melaine says, bending down to the grass starter. "I promise, I'll make sure none of them catches a single Pokémon while here. Can you at least stomach this for me?"
"Bulba." Slowly stepping back Bulbsaur glared at them.
However Talon wasn't gonna let this guy mess with his owner while he's out and about.
As this was happening..a strange of similar and hilarious hijinks were happening with a few more people lost in the woods.
Screaming, Team Rocket was dangling upside by three rope traps.
"I hate this stupid forest!" Jessie whines.
"First the bridge snapped, we fell into a pit and now this?!" James snapped. "What sick man thinks this is funny?!"
"I don't know, but when I find out who, they're gonna get it!" Meowth threatens.
The three heard about the Hidden Village being around the area, hoping to steal all of the Pokémon for themselves.
Unfortunately, they were the exact kind of people Melanie had prepared for.
Meanwhile back at the village..
The gang was currently helping Melanie with the Pokémon. They even let all of their Pokémon out to lend a helping hand.
As Misty brought some Pokemon Food to the water Pokemon by the lake she noticed the Oddish from earlier by the rocks.
"Hey it's you again." Misty said.
"Oddish." Oddish said nervously.
"It's OK, I'm not gonna hurt you." Misty promised as Oddish was still hesitant.
"Odd." It said moving behind a rock.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I was so caught up in wanting to catch you I didn't stop to think about how this would affect you. It must have been scary for you." Misty apologizes.
Slowly Oddish popped its head out to see the concerned look on Misty's face.
Her old trainer never once showed compassion to her before. It was all eat, fight and do as I say. A sad and normal routine.
"I won't try and capture you but I do hope someday you can forgive me." Misty said.
Smiling softly, Oddish nods its head accepting the apology.
Touched, Misty smiled and ruffled the Oddish's leafy head as it closed its eyes, liking the petting.
However, this sweet moment was instantly ruined by Bulbasaur who thought Misty was trying to capture Oddish again.
Just as he was revving up to tackle her from behind, Talon jumped in front of him.
"Spear.." He glared saying, 'Don't you dare'.
"Saur." Bulbasaur threatens telling him to 'step aside.'
But Talon refused to budge in the slightest, not if his friend was to be harmed in any way.
With a gleaming beak, Bulbasaur saw he was ready to attack if needed.
Growling, Bulbasaur stomped away as he muttered a threat only Talon could hear.
In Melanie's log cabin, Brock was inside organizing all the medical supplies she had.
"Wow you can tell she learnt from Nurse Joy. She's prepared for everything." Brock said, impressed.
"Paras?" He heard the familiar cry as he looked down and saw Paras walking in behind him.
"Oh hey there Paras. How are you?" Brock asks.
"Paras Paras." It said pointing to his bandages checking if he was okay.
"Oh I'm holding up well. Gotta say, you did a pretty nifty job patching me up." Brock said, praising the mushroom crab, who blushed.
"Par." Paras said sheepishly.
"I mean it. You're lucky to have someone like Melanie in your life," Brock said. "Aside from Bulbasaur, I can tell you two were probably together for a long time."
"Paras. Par." Frowning, Paras remembered being left behind.
His former trainer thought he was a weakling so helping others was the only way he ever really felt useful.
But Brock was calling him amazing. This was a new feeling.
"Hey," Brock said, getting his attention. "I don't know who your old trainer was, but they made a big mistake in letting you go. Your mushrooms can help save lives."
"Paras." Paras smiles happily.
"To be honest I would love to know more about how you help Pokémon." Brock said eagerly.
Nodding, Paras was to happily assist him.
"Here, get up on my shoulders so that way we can reach the high shelves." Brock suggests.
As Paras climbed up, Bulbasaur saw them from outside and glared.
However just as he was about to move in, Talon perched himself in front of the door and glared down.
The second time he's trying to harm a friend who hasn't done ANYTHING wrong and Bulbasaur was acting ridiculous.
"Spear." Talon said, telling him to 'beat it.'
Snarling at him once more, Bulbasaur stomped off, but Talon was keeping a very close eye on him. If he tried this stunt, one more time, that was it.
Finally, we see Ash helping Melanie feed the younger Pokémon.
"Here Ash you feed the babies." Melanie said, handing him a bowl of food.
"Uh..are you sure?" Ash asks, a little nervous. He wasn't sure how'd they react to him once they'd seen his face. Ash didn't want to frighten them.
"Don't worry they won't bite." Melanie assures.
Still hesitant, Ash takes the bowl and turns to some of the baby Pokémon around the area. Taking a deep breath, and trying to hide his left side and placing the bowl down in front of them. "H-Here you go. Eat up."
Slowly a baby Nidoran looks at the food and smiles happily at Ash.
With a cry, it walked up to him, and jumped onto his lap.
"Whoa? Uh...hey there l-little guy." Ash said surprised by this.
"NidoNi." Once the little poison type saw his scarred eye..it wasn't scared, instead it just smiled and rubbed into his chest, confusing Ash.
Following Nidoran's example all the other baby Pokemon surrounded Ash.
"Well aren't you Mr. Popular." Melanie giggles.
"Y-you guys aren't afraid of me?" Ash asked a baby Pidgey on his shoulder, who just shook its head.
Slowly, a touched smile appeared on the boy's face as he petted them all. "Thank you."
Smiling Ash was loving being with all the babies. They looked at him and they weren't afraid of him. They loved him.
"You have quite a way with Pokemon Ash." Melanie said, impressed.
"I guess...never really thought about that." Ash admits.
"I may not be a doctor in counseling, but I can definitely see behind those scars is a sweet and caring child who puts everyone, man or Pokémon, first instead of himself." She comments, smiling.
"T-thank you, Melanie." Ash smiles.
Seeing all the babies around Ash, Bulbasaur was about to move in when Melanie turned to Ash.
"If you don't mind me asking. How did this happen? Were you in an accident?" Melanie asks.
Hearing this, Ash frowned. "S-sort of.."
Looking down at the Pokemon, Ash petted Nidoran.
"It's also the reason I wanted to help these Pokemon out. I-I was left behind, but by my own Pokemon." Ash surprised her and Bulbasaur by that statement.
"N-no it can't be. Your own Pokémon abandoned you in your time of need? Why?" Melaine asks.
"It's not a pretty story, but when I needed him the most he chose to save himself rather than help me and then..." Ash touched his face.
Melaine walked over and embraced the young trainer. "To think you'd experienced something horrible at such a young age.." She said with a heartbroken look on her face. She believed most Pokémon were nice and friendly creatures.
Frowning, Bulbsaur looked at Ash and for the first time since they arrived he didn't feel angry, he actually felt sorry for him.
In all of his time here in the village, Pokémon were abandoned by humans, not the other way around.
Smirking, Talon was finally glad to see the stubborn weed was finally lightening up.
Ash placed the babies down and stood up. "Thanks for the comfort Melanie, but after that harrowing experience, it made me see that I can't let something like that just push me back. I gotta keep moving forward, that's all there is to it."
"I can respect that Ash. I honestly hope someday the Pokemon here can think like that." Melanie said.
Nodding, Ash thanked her and the two got back to work.
Little did they know high up in the clouds, Team Rocket was on their newest contraption.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"It's payback time for earlier." Jessie declares.
"Their puny traps can't even touch us now that we're all the way up here." James smirks.
"Let's see those punks just try and hit us, cuz we got a BIG surprise for'em!" Meowth laughed.
As the giant shadow floated over the village everyone looked in shock and awe as it descended down towards them.
"Oh no, not them." Ash groans.
"Today only at Jessie Stadium, It's the Team Rocket Pokémon challenge!" Jessie retorted.
James looked annoyed and said, "The flying stadium was MY idea."
Jessie gave a sheepish grin. The doors opened on the side showing pipes. The giant tube hit the ground and started suck things in.
"All Pokemon are invited to enter the stadium!" Jessie calls out.
"Step right up." James agrees.
"Yeah we're not hosing you, well maybe we are!" Meowth joked with a sinister sneer.
Ash groaned and grabbed a Staryu about to be sucked in, "They never run out of ideas do they?!" Then he took off to the others with Staryu in hand.
"Quick! Everyone in the cabin!" Brock yelled out holding the cabin door open.
"Paras!" Digging his claws into the ground Paras struggles to crawl towards the door.
"Hurry Paras!" Melaine cried while carrying some of the Pokémon in her arms.
As Oddish tried to run the wind was too much and pulled it.
"Oddish!" Misty screams.
"Saur!" Firing Vine Whip, Bulbasaur caught Oddish before it was sucked in.
Misty looked relieved afterwards, "Bulbasaur, thank you!" Ash ran up to her and handed Staryu to her.
"Take Staryu!" He said, handing her the starfish to Misty and ran to Bulbasaur. He went behind it to give it a push. It looked shocked that this boy was helping him. "Keep going Bulbasaur!" Ash shouted to the plant Pokémon.
Glancing at the trainer, Bulbasaur knew he was right and kept moving towards the cabin.
They finally got to the cabin in seconds, and Misty closed the door with a slam.
"You can run, but you can't hide." Jessie said.
"Meowth increase the suction!" James orders.
"Roger that!" Meowth said, grabbing a remote control and pushing a button. The vacuum went towards the cabin and began sucking from above.
Slowly climbing up onto the roof, Bulbasaur used Vine Whip to smack the vacuum nozzle stopping the suction.
Ash then came out of the cabin with Talon as he flew up towards the machine. "Talon! Whirlwind!!" He shouts as Talon flaps his wings in a repeated fashion which mixes with the suckage from the hose, making a giant tornado appear.
"And the Tornado is winding up." James said, taking a baseball pose.
"But will it strike us out?" Jessie gulps.
"There goes the whole ball game.." Meowth cringed, knowing this was gonna hurt.
The tornado swallowed the TRio and the stadium up, sending them around and around, with nobody knowing when and where they were stopping or going.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" their voices cried out as the tornado disappeared into the distance.
With the village now safe from the thieves, everyone along with the Pokémon left the cottage. "Is everyone OK?" Melanie said, looking everyone over.
"Yeah we are. Way to go Talon, you sure knocked the wind out of them." Ash said as he and Spearow chuckled.
"Bulba." Bulbasaur smiles, joining in on the laughter.
Melanie took notice of that. Bulbasaur was..smiling?
"Team Rocket shouldn't bother you guys again, but I think you're in good hands." Ash said, looking at Bulbasaur.
"Saur." Bulbasaur replied on a neutral tone.
Looking around Melanie noticed Brock and Misty were saying goodbyes as well.
"You keep working hard Paras. Pokemon are gonna need someone to take care of them." Brock said, petting him.
"Paras." Paras replied with a sad look on his face.
"And Oddish don't worry about things. I know it's hard now but you'll get stronger someday." Misty assures.
"Odd.." Oddish frowned, looking down.
Seeing the faces on the grass Pokémon, Melanie came to a decision. "Brock. Misty." She said getting their attention. "I believe it's best if you two took Oddish and Paras with you."
"Wait what?" Both said as they were confused.
"The two of them seem to really enjoy your company. Brock, you and Paras both have a lot in common when it comes to making medicine."
"Well I hope I can become a great Pokemon Breeder and taking care of Pokemon is part of my job." Brock admits.
"And Misty," Melanie continued. "You and Oddish may have gotten off to a rocky start, but you showed Oddish how kind of a person you are when you apologized to it."
"You really think I'm the best trainer for Oddish?" Misty asks.
"Oddish seems to think so." Melanie gestures.
Looking down, she saw Oddish near her feet, cuddling up to her. "Oddish." She said, jumping up into her arms.
"Then I would be more than happy to take care of her." Misty smiles hugging back.
"What do you say, Paras? You want to travel with me?" Brock asks.
"Paras." Paras smiles, climbing onto his shoulder.
"Looks like you guys got some new Pokémon," Ash said with a smile.
"Not just them Ash. I think there's a Pokemon for you here as well." Melanie smiles.
"There is? Who?" Ash asks as Melanie looks at Bulbasaur. "Bulbasaur? But don't you guys need him more?"
"Bulbasaur has spent far too long protecting the weak Pokemon. The bulb on his back can't grow. He needs to get out into the world and after hearing your story I know you would never abandon a Pokemon." Melanie explains.
"But what will happen to the village without Bulbasaur?" Misty questioned Melanie.
"Yeah. Who's gonna protect you?" Brock said looking at Melanie, confused.
"It's true that Bulbasaur has done a great job. Maybe too great a job. You see, these Pokémon shouldn't remain in this village forever and ever. After they recover, the Pokémon are supposed to leave, but it's too safe here so none of them wants to go away. They don't want to return to the outside world." Melanie said. All the Pokémon hearing this looked down realizing this as she continued. "It's better that they all return to the wild. That's where Pokémon belong and hopefully someday they'll find food trainers like you. Of course taking care of sick Pokémon will always be my mission. I know my job isn't finished until they return where they came from. So it's the day a Pokémon leaves is the most rewarding to me." She said to them. Everyone looked amazed at this.
"Saur." Bulbasaur pauses in realization.
Maybe he had been a little overprotective over the Pokemon. So much so that to the point he had coddled them and made them unprepared for life outside the village.
That was probably the other reason why Oddish and Paras wished to go with Brock and Misty.
"Well Bulbasaur? What do you say?" Ash asks him.
"Bulbasaur." Bulbasaur said if he wanted to catch him he would have to earn it.
"What did it say?" Ash questioned.
Melanie giggled, "Bulbasaur said he'll join you on one condition. You'll have to defeat him in a battle. Right Bulbasaur?" Melanie said, translating. Bulbasaur nodded, confirming it.
Hearing this Ash couldn't help but grin.
"You're on Bulbasaur." Ash declares.
Turning to his Pokemon, Ash tried to figure out who to use.
"Okay guys for this battle I'm gonna choose--"
"Spear!" Looking up Ash saw Talon fly in volunteering himself for this one.
"You want to do this, boy?" Ash asks, surprised. Talon nodded as he looked over to Bulbasaur, who was grinning. Looks like they both wanted this. "Alright then, go in and use Peck!"
"Spear!" Talon flies in with a glowing beak.
"Saur!" Using Razor Leaf, Bulbasaur hurls them at Talon hoping to keep him away.
Talon gracefully dodged them and reeled down towards Bulbasaur. The grass type leaped away at the last second; Bulbasaur took this opportunity to strike back. Two vines came out from the sides of his bulb, and smacked Talon down.
"Vine whip." Ash growls hating that attack.
"Saur!" Swinging Vine Whip again, Bulbasaur knocks Talon a good distance away.
Talon growled and winced, recovering from the lash. "Whirlwind!" Ash said.
Flapping his wings, Talon created a powerful gust of wind forcing Bulbasaur to try and hold his ground, but the wind was too strong for him.
"Now do a Dive Bomb!" Homing down straight towards Bulbasaur like a missile, Talon struck the grass type with a great impact.
"Saur." Firing Leech Seed it hit Talon from close range, trapping him just as he did with Starmie and Videl.
"Spear!" Talon cringed, feeling his energy being drained.
"Aw man, not that move again." Misty said.
"Talon, use Steel Wing!" Ash said.
With gleaming metal wings, Talon slashes the vines off him.
He then made his way towards Bulbasaur, who lashed his vines out, grabbing onto the wings.
"Saur!" Pulling with all his might, Bulbasaur slams Talon to the ground multiple times.
"Even at a disadvantage, it's giving Talon a lot of trouble," Brock said, amazed at Bulbasaur's strength.
"Come on Ash! You got to break free!" Misty yells.
Trying to think of a way out of this, Ash realized Bulbasaur was still latched onto Talon. He grinned as an idea came to mind. "Talon, take flight!"
Flapping his wings, Talon flew up high. Bulbasaur tried to pull him back down but in the end was pulled up with him.
He then flew into the trees, making sure Bulbasaur hit the branches.
With each strike, Bulbasaur's grip on him loosened.
"Now dive in and Peck!" Making a sharp U-Turn, Talon jabs Bulbasaur dead center, sending him crashing to the ground.
With a groan, Bulbasaur tried to get up, only to collapse. "Alright! Pokeball, go!" Ash shouted, throwing a Pokéball as it smacked into the plant Pokémon and was sucked in. As it rolled, everyone was waiting for the results until finally it stopped with a click, signaling the capture. It then teleported away.
"Yes! We did it!" Ash cheers.
"Spear!" Talon cheers at his victory.
"Bulbasaur, I'll miss you." Melanie said in sadness and happiness that Bulbasaur got a good trainer.
"I promise I'll take good care of him." Ash vows.
"I know you will. You all will." Melanie smiles.
The gang was getting ready to leave to head to Vermillion City. "Down this will lead you to Route 6, which is straight to Vermilion City." Melaine said as she pointed to her right.
"Thanks again, Melanie." Ash said.
"And we'll be sure to tell Nurse Joy about all of the help you've given us," Misty smiled.
As Melanie and all the Pokemon waved goodbye, Ash, Misty and Brock may have arrived lost but they found new Pokemon and new friends.
Party Data:
Ash: Spearow (Talon), Magikarp (Mystic), Meowth (Bastet), Ekans (Naga), Beedrill (Videl), Sandshrew(Quake)
Oak's lab: Bulbasaur (Alpha)
Sent to his mother: Pidgeotto and Clefable
Misty: Staryu, Goldeen, Starmie, Seel and Oddish
Brock: Geodude, Onix, Zubat and Paras
Well here's my last update for the year folks. Hope you've enjoyed it.
For those wondering why I didn't get Evlon last chapter from the original, Ash won't get Eevee until the Orange Islands.
And I've decided to skip the Pokémon Tech episode for something more that'll help the characters in the future.
I also saw the latest Pokémon Special from the ICY universe.
A Lot of people speculated we were finally going to see Ash's father
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SPOILERS!
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We didn't.
Well that surely shut them up. I don't know how or if I would write Ash's father in the story though. Who knows. Maybe I will.
In any case..
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYBODY!! AND THANK YOU FOR OVER 200 FAVORITES AND FOLLOWERS!
