Chapter 16: Blackbird

May let out a sigh and spoke with a sad voice, "We're lost and we're never going to get out of this forest."

"Don't say that May, we may have been walking the whole morning, but we'll get out of Pinwheel," Ash tried to cheer up the brunette.

"I just wish Hilbert could have given us directions before he flew off, not even Xtransceiver is able to pinpoint our exact location, it just says we're in Pinwheel Forest," May told the raven-haired teen.

Cilan chuckled and talked, "I'm sure we'll find a way out soon enough."

"How?" the sapphire-eyed girl looked at him.

"By climbing that tree!" Iris answered and pointed at a tree much taller than all other trees around Pinwheel Forest. "If we climb that tree, we might get a good view of the entire forest and even find a way out," Iris explained how they could determine their location and get out.

"Good thinking Iris," Cilan complimented the purple-haired girl, who smiled at him and nodded. The Unova girl rushed up to the tree and began climbing it like a monkey.

"Hey wait, I want to climb and help too," Ash stated and ran to climb up the tree, surprising the others. Pikachu leaped off Ash's shoulder and watched the auburn-eyed boy try to climb.

Iris sighed and frowned at him, "Honestly Ash, you're such a kid. Only one person is needed for this job and besides, I climb trees better than you do."

Ash frowned back at her and continued climbing, "Oh yeah, catch me reach the top first." The messy-haired teen pulled himself up with the tree branches, but he was having a harder time getting to the top than Iris.

When Ash pulled himself up again, he became surprised when he saw a human-size cocoon hanging from the tree branch next to him. "I've never seen a cocoon that large before," Ash rubbed the back of his head with his free hand, wondering what creature was inside it.

The black-haired poke the cocoon and noticed it felt more like cotton than organic material. Suddenly, a man with large, brown curly hair popped out of the cocoon, "Yes?" the man asked, confused when he saw Ash.

Ash's eyes widened with shock and became startled by the man; the boy lost his grip of the tree branch and began falling. The boy shouted with fear as he dropped to the ground and landed on his behind hard on the floor.

The boy held back a few tears and rubbed the bottom half of his body, "That hurt a bit."

When Iris and the others saw Ash, they couldn't help, but laugh, even May who covered her face and began giggling. Ash sighed, feeling embarrassed over what just happened. Iris dropped to the ground on her feet and walked over to him, "Ash, are you ok?" the Dragon user asked, trying not to laugh.

"My sincerest apologies for startling you, young man. Are you alright?" the stranger dropped from the tree as well and apologized for scaring Ash.

Ash stood up and smiled at the man, "It's ok. I'm fine anyway."

"Glad to hear it," the man grinned at Ash.

"By the way, I'm Ash, from the Kanto Region," Ash introduced himself to the man dressed in almost entirely green clothing.

"I'm Iris, from the Village of the Dragons," Iris introduced herself while standing beside Ash.

"I'm May, from the Hoenn Region," May approached the man with Ash.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu greeted Burgh from May's shoulders.

"And I'm Cilan, one of the Striaton Gym Leaders and I know who you are," Cilan introduced himself while stating something outside the topic after.

The man nodded at Cilan and spoke, "Nice to meet you all, I'm Burgh, a Bug-type trainer and artist, I also happen to be the Castelia Gym Leader."

"The Castelia Gym Leader!" Ash, Iris, and May screamed in surprise while Cilan nodded, having known this prior to what Burgh just said.

"What's a Gym Leader doing out in the forest," May asked the curly-haired male.

Burgh chuckled and spoke, "I came out to Pinwheel for some inspiration so I can paint my next work of art. After several hours after scouting, I ran into a Sewaddle, who I saw as the perfect candidate for my next painting, but after following it for some minutes, I lost track of it and have been trying to camouflage with the environment in an attempt to find it."

"So you're working on your next piece of art, may I say that you sir, are a master of the modern art and I'm a big fan of you artwork, no one in Unova is able to compete with such mastery," Cilan got in front of the gang and began to praise the gym leader, his eyes shimmering with admiration for the artist and Gym Leader.

"Why thank you Cilan, it means a lot," Burgh grinned at his fan.

Ash then got beside Cilan and interrupted, "Excuse me Burgh, but I was wondering if I could have a battle with you. You see, I was just on my way to Castelia City to battle you."

"Battle huh?" Burgh raised an eyebrow and rubbed his chin. "Ash, this wouldn't count as an official match, so even if you win, you wouldn't receive a badge from me," Burgh informed the auburn-eyed teen.

Ash grinned confidently, "That doesn't matter, I'll just think of it as a preview to the real battle."

Burgh smiled at Ash's sign of enthusiasm and nodded, "Very well then Ash, but it let's make things more interesting by making this a Triple Battle!"

"Triple Battle?" May and Pikachu raised their eyebrows in question.

Ash gave Burgh a gaze of confusion while Iris and Cilan decided to let Burgh explain. Burgh chuckled again and responded to their confusion, "You see, a Triple Battle is battle style similar to Double Battle. The only difference is you're battling with 3 Pokémon instead of two. The same rules apply for a Triple Battle as that of a Double Battle. It's a very popular battle style here in Unova; it's even spreading to other regions around the world."

"So you battle with three Pokémon," Ash muttered to himself and then looked at Burgh with a cocky grin, "You're on!"

"That's the spirit," Burgh grinned and they immediately got into battle positions on the dirt path.

"Ash's battling spirit has been higher since he defeated Lenora, he must be trying to get as much training as possible," Iris mentioned regarding Ash's battle spirit.

"Can you blame him, Pokémon battling is fun and it helps you become stronger," May smiled as she, Cilan, Pikachu, Axew and Iris sat on a log.

Burgh put his hands on his hips and grinned, "Choose the three Pokémon you'll be using Ash."

"I got it covered," Ash smirked and reached for three Pokeballs, "Let's go Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy!"

"Those are good choices, Ash has a varied team for this battle so Burgh will have a difficult time trying to put all 3 of them down because of their different elements," Cilan complimented Ash's choice of Pokémon.

"Tepig!" Tepig got on the battlefield and huffed with determination.

"Snivy," Snivy gave Burgh an arrogant gaze.

"Oshawott!" Oshawott crossed its arms and grinned confidently.

"Interesting choices Ash, but now witness my artistic Pokémon, Leavanny, Dwebble, Whirlipede, let's do battle," Burgh summoned his three Bug-type Pokémon onto the field.

"Whirlipede, the Curlipede Pokémon and the evolved form of Venipede, Whirlipede can spin its hard shelled body like a tire to smash into opponents," May clicked a button the side of the Pokédex and Leavanny appeared, "Leavanny, the Nurturing Pokémon and Sewaddle's final evolutionary form. Using sticky threads that come from its mouth, it makes clothes for Sewaddle by sewing leaves together."

The brunette put away her Pokédex and commented, "Sounds like some strong Pokémon."

"Ready when you are Burgh," Ash grinned.

Burgh chuckled and spoke, "Don't mind if I do, Leavanny, tie those three together with String Shot, Dwebble, you use Rock Wrecker once they are tied together and Whirlipede, use Steamroller if they retaliate!"

"Lea…" the Nurturing Pokémon released a string of web to tie around the starter trio.

The sticky thread tied Ash's Pokémon together, but Ash quickly made a command, "Oshawott, use Razor Shell to cut that string!"

Oshawott reached for its scalchop and easily cut the string, but Dwebble had already unleashed a large boulder at them. Ash grinned and made his next order, "Snivy, use Leaf Blade to counter Rock Wrecker!"

Snivy charged at the boulder and smashed it into tiny pieces with Leaf Blade, but suddenly, Whirlipede began charging at them like a lose tire. "Tepig, use Flame Charge to fight against Steamroller!" Ash extended his arm forward.

"Teeepig!" Tepig cried out and charged at full speed, fire enveloped it. The Fire-type clashed with Whirlipede and sent the Curlipede Pokémon flying against the ground.

Burgh raised his eyebrow, but then smiled, "Well done Ash, you really do have some fight in you. I didn't expect you to counter all my moves with such ease."

Ash grinned and spoke, "Now it's my turn, Tepig, use Ember on Whirlipede, Snivy use Leaf Blade on Dwebble, and Oshawott, use Water Gun on Leavanny!"

Burgh chuckled and made a command, "Defensive positions." With just that command, Dwebble and Leavanny used Protect while Whirlipede used Iron Defense. When the starters' attacks hit, they are easily countered by the defensive moves.

Ash grinded his teeth, "Didn't expect that to happen."

"Of course you didn't, Dwebble, use Dig and pick a target of your preference, Leavanny you will know what to do when Dwebble bursts out of the ground," Burgh smiled.

"This guy doesn't give off a clue of his next moves does he," May crossed her arms in frustration.

"That's what makes him a Gym Leader," Iris watched the battle attentively.

"A target of you preference," Ash mumbled, if Burgh and Dwebble are smart, they are probably going to target Tepig since Dig has an advantage over Fire-types, alright I know his plan! Ash thought in his mind and made his command, "Tepig stay alert, Dwebble is likely to come after you! Oshawott, use Aqua Jet on Whirlipede and Snivy go for a Leaf Storm on Leavanny!"

"Rash mistakes Ash, Leavanny counter with Leaf Storm and Whirlipede use our Iron Defense technique," Burgh spread his arms out.

Ash's eyes widened when Leavanny countered Snivy's Leaf Storm with a Leaf Storm of its own. The barrage of energy leaves left the two Grass-types in a draw. Meanwhile, Oshawott failed to cause major damage on Whirlipede because the Bug-type's Iron Defense left it in a stiff position, but something occurred with its body, it began to glow a yellow color.

"What's going on?" Ash wondered while Oshawott stood in front of Whirlipede with confusion.

All of a sudden, May's eyes widened and she along with Cilan and Iris realized what was going on at the same time. "Ash, Whirlipede is about to use Solarbeam!" the sapphire-eyed girl cried out.

"Solarbeam?" Ash looked at May and then at Oshawott, but before they could react, it was too late.

Whirlipede released a Solarbeam that sent Oshawott flying against the ground. Burgh chuckled and spoke, "Now Leavanny!"

"What?" Ash turned to Burgh and then saw Dwebble pop out of the floor. Leavanny used String Shot on Snivy to immobilize the snake and then Dwebble released a large energy attack shaped like an "X".

"It used X-Scissor!" Cilan gasped.

The attack sent Snivy flying against a tree. Ash looked at Oshawott and Snivy and saw their swirl eyes. The auburn-eyed teen grinded his teeth, How could I forget that Snivy is quick against Bug-types and how did I not realize Solarbeam was the attack Whirlipede was charging up. Ash returned his starters to their Pokéballs and thanked them for their efforts, but the battle wasn't over.

Burgh crossed his arms and smiled, "Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you?"

"It's the last time I ever make that mistake in my life," Ash frowned at Burgh.

Burgh chuckled and responded, "Then let us continue."

"Tepig, use Tackle on Leavanny!" Ash instructed.

"Whirlipede, stop Tepig with Steamroller and Dwebble, you use Rocker Wrecker as well!" Burgh demanded.

Tepig saw the incoming attacks and was ordered to dodge. The pig nimbly dodged Steamroller and jumped over Dwebble's boulder. Burgh smiled and began to speak, "Looks like I underestimated Tepig's speed, but here's where I get serious, Leavanny use Hyper Beam!"

"Dodge one more time Tepig and hit Leavanny with Flame Charge!" Ash ordered.

"Tepiiiig!" Tepig charged at Hyper Beam and barely managed to dodge the beam, but sidestepped and then charged at full speed towards Leavanny. Tepig's high speed didn't allow Burgh to react in time Leavanny was left vulnerable to the attack. Tepig shot at Leavanny like a bullet of fire and sent the Nurturing Pokémon crashing against the floor, leaving it unconscious.

"Way to go Tepig!" Ash made a fist pump.

Burgh returned Leavanny and grinned, "Impressive, now I'm down to two."

"I didn't expect Tepig to dodge so many attacks, looks like the training did more effect than we thought," Cilan crossed his arms with a satisfied gaze.

"Way to go Ash," May smiled happily.

"Now finish it!" Iris declared.

"Pikachu pi!" Pikachu also encouraged his friend to keep going.

"Dwebble Dig, Whirlipede, use Poison Sting!" Burgh extended his arm forward.

"Tepig, stay alert and use Ember to counter!" Ash commanded. Tepig nodded and canceled out Poison Sting with Ember, suddenly, Dwebble burst out, but Tepig easily dodged the attack.

"Now use Ember on Dwebble and then charge at Whirlipede with Flame Charge," Ash extended his arm to the left.

Burgh smiled, "Moving around the place won't give you an advantage, Dwebble, use Protect and Whirlipede use Solarbeam at full power!"

Tepig released Ember, but Dwebble easily blocked, however, the pig now began charging at Whirlipede with full blaze. Whirlipede began charging Solarbeam as Tepig drew closer and when Tepig got close enough; the Poison-type released its attack.

"Sidestep and finish the charge!" Ash pumped his fist into the air.

Tepig agilely avoided Solarbeam easier than Hyper Beam and sent Whirlipede crashing against a tree with Flame Charge. The Curlipede Pokémon landed unconsciously while Ash's friends cheered for him yet again.

Burgh calmly returned Whirlipede and spoke, "Amazing, you've managed to defeat two of my Pokémon with just one, but the definite winner will be decided now here and…"

Suddenly, Burgh stopped talking and heard a rustling in the bushes. Ash and the others wondered why he had stopped and turned to the bush. Out of it emerged a Sewaddle and Burgh's eyes began glisten, "It's Sewaddle, the Pokémon who will symbolize my next painting!"

"Burgh, aren't we going to finish our battle?" Ash scratched the back of his head in confusion.

Burgh returned Dwebble much to everyone's surprise, "I'm sorry Ash, but I value art more than battling, we will have to continue this some other time, right now I need that Sewaddle. Don't get me wrong, you are a fantastic trainer and I wish we could finish this battle, but there's a time and place for everything."

Ash sighed in disappointment, but then smiled; knowing his battle with Burgh would have to wait till they get to Castelia City. "Alright Burgh, I understand, but next time the definite winner will be declared," the boy made a fist and grinned confidently.

"Thank you Ash, now do you kids wish to help me go after Sewaddle?" Burgh gazed at Ash's other friends as well.

"Sure," May smiled delightfully.

Burgh nodded and turned to the fleeing Sewaddle, "Quick, we have to run; it knows we're after it."

They all nodded in agreement and ran after the fleeing Sewaddle, who proved to be pretty fast. Ash ran with Tepig still beside him and spoke to Burgh, "We're not going to catch up at this rate."

"Then…what do you…suggest we do?" Burgh panted as he ran after the clever Sewaddle.

"There's only one thing we can do, Tepig, use Ember!" Ash commanded.

The others' eyes widened when Tepig released the Fire-type attack at Sewaddle, who narrowly dodged it, but became infuriated with Ash and glared back at the trainer.

"Looks like it stopped," Cilan mentioned as Sewaddle stood there in an angry disposition.

Sewaddle then leaped into a bush, "Or it plans to hide," Iris added.

As Ash ran to catch up with Bug-type, a String Shot shot out from one of the bushes, making Ash trip, his face hitting the ground.

"Ouch…" the boy stated, still lying on the ground face forward.

Sewaddle came out of the bush and laughed at Ash mockingly while the others ran up to the boy. "Ash, are you ok?" May got next to him and kneeled down.

Ash got up and sat on the floor, rubbing his face, "I'm alright May, thanks," the teen smiled and May nodded.

"There there Sewaddle, no need to be angry," Burgh let the Bug-type climb his arm and onto his shoulder.

"Why did Sewaddle make me fall?" Ash asked, noticing the glare in Sewaddle's eyes when it looked at Ash.

"Maybe because you attacked it," Iris rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"It's so cute, it's adorable, but crafty little Pokémon," Cilan petted the Grass-type.

May, Iris, and Pikachu also petted the small Pokémon, which Sewaddle received warmly. Ash got up and tried to pet it too, "I'm sorry for attacking you like that Sewaddle."

Sewaddle frowned at Ash and used String Shot, wrapping Ash's face in web and making the others giggle. Ash sighed and pulled the web off his face.

"Why don't we have some lunch, everyone could use a break," Cilan recommended and they all nodded.

A little over half an hour later…

Everyone sat at the picnic table, eating Cilan's fruit salad. Burgh ate a spoonful of fruit and complimented Cilan, "This is exceptional cooking Cilan. You could become a cook for a living."

"That's mighty kind of you, Burgh," Cilan received the praise warmly.

"It's true Cilan, I don't know anyone who cooks better than you in Unova," Iris munched on her food.

"Please, you're too much," Cilan smiled sheepishly and then May, Ash, Pikachu, Axew, and even Sewaddle praised Cilan.

"C'mon Sewaddle, I said I'm sorry," Ash tried to pet Sewaddle, but the Bug-type threatened to use String Shot on the boy.

"Still hasn't taken a liking to you huh?" May spoke to her boyfriend about Sewaddle.

Ash sighed and answered, "No."

May picked up Sewaddle from the table and began cradling it like a baby, "You should probably try talking to it first before petting it, talking is always the best method to get others to open to you."

Ash smiled at the sight of May cradling Sewaddle like a baby, it was a sweet scene Ash couldn't stop staring at. Sewaddle appeared extremely comfortable in May's arms, the Sewaddle pressed itself against May's chest for warmth and everyone admired the moment with Ash. The Pallet boy mumbled, "She's a natural born mother."

"You know, I have Sewaddle with us, but suddenly I feel like Sewaddle alone isn't enough to inspire my painting," Burgh sighed in frustration, implying that something was missing.

"What could help you get inspired Burgh?" Cilan questioned the older Gym Leader.

"That's the problem, I don't know," Burgh signed again and looked at Sewaddle, who was still in May's arms.

All of a sudden, a Pokémon flew out of nowhere and snatched the little Bug-type from May's arms. "What was that?" Iris asked.

"A Mandibuzz!" Cilan pointed into the air and they spotted a vulture-like Pokémon carrying Sewaddle in its claws.

"It's going to try to eat it!" May yelled with fear, watching Mandibuzz fly off with Sewaddle fidgeting in its claws as an attempt to break free.

"No one is eating anyone on my watch," Ash grinded his teeth and jetted off with Pikachu, leaving the others behind.

"Let's go too," May told the others and the group nodded. May led the gang as they tried to catch up with Ash, who had already been lost in the distance.

In a deeper part of the forest, Ash ran with Pikachu as fast as possible to keep up with Mandibuzz. "Mandibuzz, let go of Sewaddle!" Ash shouted, grinding his teeth in frustration.

Mandibuzz gazed at Ash and smirked. Then it cried out in defiance. Ash glared at the Flying-type and suddenly two smaller birds came out of nowhere, they had some resemblance to Mandibuzz, but they were egg-shaped and smaller.

"Who's that Pokémon?" Ash reached for his Pokédex.

"Vullaby, the Diapered Pokémon and the preevolved form of Mandibuzz, Vullaby's small wings keep it from flying. It tends to chase Pokémon weaker than itself," the robotic voice stated.

Ash put away his Pokédex and stared at the two birds in front of them. He grinned cunningly and spoke, "I see, so you think we're weak huh? Let's show them Pikachu," Ash turned his pal.

"Pika," Pikachu smirked and looked at his opponents.

The pair of Vullaby released a barrage of saw-like energy blades at Pikachu. Ash then made his command, "Pikachu, dodge the Air Slash and use Quick Attack on one of them!"

"Pi!" the mouse nodded and easily avoided the Flying-type attacks and bashed against one of the small birds, who fly against the ground. The other Vullaby used Faint Attack; it flew up to Pikachu and got on its right side.

Pikachu tried to use Quick Attack on the bird, but it instantly disappeared and then appeared on Pikachu's left, bashing the mouse and sending it flying. The mouse gained its composure and landed safely on the ground. The two Vullaby laughed deviously as they prepared to attack Pikachu.

Ash saw Mandibuzz almost getting out of sight and knew he'd had to speed things up. The boy frowned and made his final command, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the pair of Vullaby!"

The Vullaby used Air Slash, but Pikachu easily canceled out the attack and knocked the birds out with Thunderbolt. The Vullaby cried in pain and dropped on the ground like flies.

"Let's get going," Ash told Pikachu, who nodded, and they ran out full speed.

Ash grinded his teeth in frustration, they were still a far distance from Mandibuzz and the bird was barely visible. The auburn-eyed teen couldn't stop Mandibuzz with an Electric-type attack because it knew Electric-type attacks would also hurt Sewaddle and Ash couldn't afford that risk.

There's only one Pokémon who can help us, the boy thought and reached for a Pokéball, "Tranquil, retrieve Sewaddle from Mandibuzz!" Ash threw Tranquil's Pokéball into the air.

Tranquil emerged and wasted no time in flying toward Mandibuzz at full speed. Ash saw Tranquil getting close to Mandibuzz and used Air Cutter on the enemy.

Mandibuzz easily dodged the attack and glared at Tranquil, who just smirked at the Bone Vulture Pokémon. The angry bird released a Dark Pulse at Tranquil, but the Wild Pigeon Pokémon countered with a Gust.

Tranquil then used Quick Attack and bashed the large bird, making it fly back; it quickly gained its composure while still holding on to a frightened Sewaddle. The two powerful birds then used Air Cutter and Air Slash respectively, causing a midair explosion. In the midst of the battle, Mandibuzz used Dark Pulse and released a beam of dark energy at Tranquil; the Wild Pigeon Pokémon began falling down from the powerful blast.

Mandibuzz smirked in amusement while Ash and Pikachu's eyes widened. "Tranquil, get it together and fight back, don't let Mandibuzz get away!" Ash called out to Tranquil.

The bird heard Ash's words and gained its composure, the Wild Pigeon then released a Gust that caused Mandibuzz to fly back a bit. Tranquil darted towards the vulture Pokémon and bashed it back once more.

Mandibuzz glared at Tranquil and made its beck glow, the vulture prepared to use Fury Attack. The Dark-type darted at Tranquil and tried to hit the Normal-type many times, but Tranquil proved quicker and sent Mandibuzz back with Air Cutter.

This time the bird squealed in time and glared at Tranquil menacingly. Mandibuzz began to glow a fiery blue and charged at Tranquil. Ash and Pikachu gasped when they saw the powerful move being unleashed, "It's Brave Bird, Tranquil, counter with Sky Attack quick!" Ash yelled out in hopes of Tranquil hearing his command.

Tranquil smirked and jetted towards Mandibuzz, it became surrounded in a clear aura with white energy around it. The two powerful birds clashed and caused a large explosion visible from miles away.

When the smoke cleared, Mandibuzz began falling to the ground like a dead fly while Sewaddle had been freed from the claws of Mandibuzz, but was now falling down toward a river.

Ash and Pikachu began running to the river while Tranquil tried to catch up with Sewaddle, but the drop was much faster than Tranquil and the bird was exhausted from its fight with Mandibuzz.

When Sewaddle was about hit the river, Ash jumped into the water yelling, "Don't worry Sewaddle, I've gotchu!"

The pair then dropped into the water together while Tranquil and Pikachu watched with surprise. Ash held Sewaddle securely in his arms and tried to swim against the current, but the water was much stronger and kept pushing Ash and Sewaddle back.

"No good, the river is too strong," Ash groaned and turned to the direction the river was pushing them against, Ash, Pikachu, Sewaddle, and Tranquil's eyes widened when they saw a waterfall at the end of river.

Ash tried to swim as powerful as he could, but it was no use, "Darn, the current is just too strong."

The raven-haired teen let out a deep breath and held Sewaddle securely in his arms. Ash smiled at Sewaddle and closed his eyes. Sewaddle gave the boy a confused gaze as they reached the waterfall.

Pikachu and Tranquil called out to Ash, begging him to fight back, but the boy didn't move and they reached the waterfall. The two began to fall and Ash maintained his eyes closed until he heard May's voice, "Ash!"

Suddenly, a strong thread wrapped around Ash and the boy felt himself being pulled up. The black-haired teen looked up and saw Burgh, May, Iris, and Cilan with Leavanny, who was using String Shot to pull them up.

"You made it!" Ash smiled with joy as he continued to be pulled up.

When they finally touched land and reached safety, they were greeted by their friends. Pikachu and Tranquil also reached the group and received Ash. "Ash!" May ran up to him and hugged him, her voice shaky.

"Hey May," Ash held May in his arms.

"Why are you so stupid?" May looked at him and grinned sheepishly.

"I thought I was smart," Ash teased May and made a reference to the conversation they had yesterday.

May sighed and laughed with the raven-haired teen, the brunette relieved that her boyfriend was still in one piece. "That was a close call, but we managed to get Sewaddle back," Burgh crossed his arms and smiled at the couple.

"Thank you Burgh, Leavanny," Ash thanked the pair. The auburn-eyed teen looked down at Sewaddle who rubbed itself against Ash affectionately.

"What do you know, Sewaddle likes you now and is thanking you for saving its life," Iris placed her arms behind her back and smiled.

"Actually, Sewaddle wants Ash to catch it," Cilan pointed out the reason for Sewaddle's change of heart.

Ash placed Sewaddle on the floor and looked at it, "Is that true Sewaddle?"

Sewaddle nodded happily and the friends smiled at the Bug-type's reaction. Ash reached for a Pokéball and spoke, "Well in that case, here goes!" Ash threw the Pokeball and trapped Sewaddle inside.

After a few motions, the Pokéball sealed, but the button was glowing red. Ash looked at the ball suspiciously and asked, "Why is the button red?"

"Because you have a full party Ash," Burgh stated the reason behind the red color on the button.

"But I only have 5 Pokémon," the teen replied.

"The egg counts as a Pokémon too Ash," Iris pointed out the obvious.

"Oh…" Ash simply replied, feeling stupid.

"There's Pokémon Center outside of Pinwheel Forest, the road to the Pokémon Center also happens to take you to Castelia City. If you want to transfer another Pokémon to Professor Juniper in order to use Sewaddle, then we should probably stop there," Burgh informed Ash.

"I don't see why not," Ash nodded.

Outside of Pinwheel Forest…

Relieved to be out of Pinwheel Forest, the gang reached the Pokémon Center in no time and Ash transferred one of his Pokémon to Professor Juniper so he could have access to Sewaddle.

"Thank you for receiving Tranquil, Professor Juniper, I'll transfer him back soon," Ash told the knowledgeable woman.

"Always happy to help Ash," Professor Juniper smiled.

"Goodbye Professor," Ash grinned and waved goodbye while Juniper did the same until the screen turned black.

Ash turned to his friends and grinned, "Everyone, please welcome Sewaddle to the team!" The auburn-eyed boy released the Bug-type, who smiled happily at Ash and his new friends.

Sewaddle's new trainer kneeled down and touched his head with Sewaddle's, representing the fact that Sewaddle now saw Ash as his trainer and friend.

Burgh snapped his fingers and spoke, "That's it, I finally have painting planned out, Ash, thank you so much for inspiring me with that wonderful moment!"

"Uhhh, no problem Burgh," Ash smiled, not understanding how that scene could've inspired Burgh.

"Well I have to go now, there must be many challengers waiting for me at the gym and my paint brush is also waiting for my arrival," Burgh told the youths.

"Then we'll see each other in Castelia City," May said, standing next to Ash.

"It was a pleasure meeting you all," Burgh smiled as he prepared to exit the center. "Ash, I'll be waiting for you at the Castelia Gym," the brunette stated.

Ash shook his head up and down, "I'll be training my hardest in the meantime."

"I look forward to it," Burgh grinned and walked off, waving goodbye to the group of teens.

Ash, May, Iris, Cilan, Pikachu, and Axew happily waved goodbye, anticipating the day of Ash's gym battle to meet Burgh again.

Shorter chapter than the others, but I was happy about that. Anyway, hope you liked it. It was much humbler than the other recent chapters, which was sort of a relieve for me cause it makes it easier for me to write, it was also like those many chapters where the real problems are forgotten and the teens are just traveling Unova, confronting everything in their way. Remember to review, give feedback, opinions, anything like that. Next Chapter should be up during the weekend, so till then!