Chapter 8
Before arriving at Azalea Town, we train with our Chikorita and both Kris' and mine Chikorita evolve into Bayleef in the end. Although that doesn't stop her from trying to hug me and nuzzle me all this time.
Bayleef: The Leaf Pokemon: Grass Type. Evolved from Chikorita at LV:16. A spicy aroma emanates from around its neck. The aroma acts as a stimulant to restore health.
And the next day, I feel a little out of the weather, I don't feel like getting out of the sleeping bag. My Pokemon notice me and they quickly call Lillie and the others to my side.
"Ash, are you alright?" Lillie says in worry as the other 4 rush in, Lillie puts her hand on my forehead and says, "It is hot… Ash has a fever…"
I really don't like to show my weakness, I try to stand up and say, "I…I am…o…" But my body betrayed me and I fell back down again.
Kris says, "He must be getting the fever due to exhaustion."
"Yeah, considering how many things he has done... mostly because of those three idiots..." East mutters.
I try to get up again, but Reisa just puts me down again. "No mister. You must stay here."
"We need to make medicine for him." Kris says.
"Yeah. Since we were at a lake, we should find some refreshing herbs here." Ethan says.
As some of my Pokemon decide to help out, Scizor, Bayleef, Cyndaquil, and Chansey decide to stay with Lillie and take care of me. Bayleef seems to be the most worried, and Lillie says, "Don't worry, Ash will be fine, can you help me get some water?"
The others decide to help, and now Cyndaquil is with Lillie alone. Cyndaquil asks, "What should we do?"
Lillie says, "We must not let Ash leave his bed, he needed to rest."
Scizor and Chansey get a bucket of water and a handkerchief, Bayleef uses its Vine Whip to put the handkerchief in the water and then gives it to Lillie, who places the thing on my forehead, everyone does the same except Cyndaquil, who can't do it since he is a fire type.
Just then, Scizor senses something and both he and Cyndaquil get out of the tent, and after a while, we hear some explosions. Lillie asks, "What's that?"
"It sounds like Cyndaquil!" Chansey says as they all rush out, leaving only me in the tent.
"You three again?" Lillie says in frustration. I have to guess that the trio is here to annoy us once more. After a while, I hear Lillie cheering, "Quilava! You evolved!"
Cyndaquill evolved that soon? That is really awesome. I have to guess that the evolved Quilava manages to send Team Rocket flying again.
Quilava: The Volcano Pokemon: Fire Type. Evolved from Cyndaquil at LV:14. Before battle, it turns its back on its opponent to demonstrate how ferociously its fire blazes.
The others are also back, after hearing what happened, they brought me medicine and I'm starting to recover. The next day, I finally got out of the sleeping bag, although everyone scolded me for being reckless, well, they might be right about that...
We finally arrive at Azalea Town, and although it is actually really hot, it makes us shriveled up. We try to use some Water Type Pokemon to make us better, and while we continue, we notice a Team Rocket grunt standing in front of a man. "Who are you? You don't know us? We are...Team Rocket!"
"But didn't you break up a while ago?" The man asks with shock.
"Give me a break! We haven't broken up! Actually, we did once. But we have come back to pursue Giovanni's ambition." The grunt says. "Enough talking. Shut up and just beat it!"
The grunt attacks the man and the man just runs away. I say, "Team Rocket...looks like those three are not the only ones here..."
"Why did that man say Team Rocket broke up a while ago?" Kris asks.
"Their boss Giovanni is defeated, and we already killed most of their grunts." I say, which causes Ethan and Kris to gasp.
"Hold on... did you say kill?" Ethan asks in horror. "You killed Team Rocket grunts?"
Reisa says, "Ash and his family are trained assassins, I hope this doesn't make you think less of them."
"Not at all... I mean, even though you're an assassin..." Kris says. "But why didn't you just kill those three?"
"I only kill them until they annoy us for the 1000th time. The last time is the 251st time." I sigh.
"Okay... I can't believe you actually count that." Ethan says. "So now that we're in Azalea Town, should we go to the gym first?"
"Not yet, we have a mission to deliver the GS Ball to Kurt so we can do it inside." Lillie says. "That reminds me, why are we walking in narrow streets?"
East says, "Because Team Rocket grunts are everywhere."
We notice how many are there and they cause all the houses, public places, and even the gyms to close. While we arrive at the house, we notice Kurt, who is actually wearing a Slowpoke costume?"
"Are you Kurt? Why are you wearing a costume like that?" Reisa asks.
"No time to explain. Hurry up and put these on, quick!" Kurt says to us as we decide to wear the costumes. Ethan says, "It doesn't help since the weather is already this hot..."
Then we notice Team Rocket ignoring us. Lillie says, "Wait, why did Team Rocket ignore us?"
"Slowpoke is already a giant population around this area. 400 years ago, there was a drought just like this in Azalea Town. One day, a Slowpoke came to the town, and when it yawned, it started to rain and the town was saved. Since then, Slowpoke has been treated with respect." Kurt explains. "However, Team Rocket has occupied the well, cutting off Slowpoke Tails for sale! So I'm going to give them a lesson in pain! Hang on, Slowpoke! Old Kurt is on his way!"
After that, he stands up from his seat and leaves, Reisa says, "Slowpoke Tails? They sure are delicious, but cutting off while they still have it is too cruel."
"I know, we usually wait until they drop...and I wonder why they need that much money for Slowpoke Tails?" I say.
"We don't know anything until we find out. Let's go stop them again." Then we rush to the Slowpoke's Well.
When we enter the well, we find Kurt lying on the ground. Lillie asks, "Are you alright?"
Kurt says, "Hey there! The guard up top took off when I shouted at them. But then I took a tumble down the Well. I slammed down hard on my back, so I couldn't move. Rats! If I were fit, my Pokémon would've punished them... Ah, it can't be helped. You guys have to show them how gutsy you are in my place!"
"Okay." We continue to head deeper and battle some grunts. Eventually, we manage to find the one that is causing the mess. I recognize the green-haired man with the cap back in Silph Co.
"What do we have here? It seems like we meet again." Proton says.
"Proton... to think you're here of all places." I growl.
"Who is this guy, Ash?" Kris asks with a slightly scared tone.
"He is Proton. He is often labeled as the scariest and cruelest guy in Team Rocket…" Lillie says.
"Since you're here, you're not going to interfere with my plans again. I still remember the defeat that you made back in Silph Co. Now it is time for revenge." Proton sends out Zubat and Koffing. Before I can send out any Pokemon, I hear a voice, "Hold it right there!"
We turn around to see a girl with a Houndoom in front of us. She looks just like Silver, but she is a girl. "Let me do the battle."
Proton said, "You… so you are also here to ruin my plans, too?"
"Of course." She used Houndour's Fire Fang to defeat both Pokemon. Proton had no other choice but to retreat.
"Grr… For a kid to be this good… I didn't see it coming." Proton says with anger. "Humph… Team Rocket was indeed broken up three months ago. But we continued our activities underground. A small obstacle like you won't be much of a problem for our mission. I advise you to be very afraid of what is to come!"
Then they throw smoke bombs and escape once more. Kurt rushes to us and says, "Way to go! Team Rocket has taken off. My back's better, too. Let's get out of here."
Just then, one Slowpoke lets out a large cry, and the remaining Slowpoke all stand up and begin to walk out of the cave. We see them line up on the edge of the cliff that surrounds the well. One by one the Slowpoke yawn, causing storm clouds to gather as it starts to rain. Then two of the Slowpoke decide to join me and Reisa, so we capture them.
We turn to the girl, and I say, "Thanks for helping us. Miss..."
The girl says, "My name is Ariel. No need for introductions. I know you, Ash Ketchum. Son of the Dark Rainbow who defeated Giovanni, I also heard you adopted Leaf into your family."
"You know Leaf? And how do you know everything about it?" I ask.
Ariel sighs, "Giovanni... he's my father." We gasped in surprise after hearing that. She says, "Go ahead, be surprised, laugh. I'm the daughter of the leader of Team Rocket. But I'll never acknowledge this man as my father. Not a shameless criminal like him."
I frown and say, "So what if you're the daughter of the leader of Team Rocket? You shouldn't let that thought judge you. The fact that you helped us prove that you are not like your father."
Ariel widens her eyes at my words, before nodding, "I guess you're right about that. However, that doesn't mean I should just forget about the past. If you're wondering, the last time I met my Dad was in Saffron City. I have never intended to go back to Saffron City because of how my mother is agreeing with my father's deeds."
I then remember the day when Sabrina was still a member of Team Rocket. Ariel says, "It was until my grandfather called me and told me how a boy named Ash Ketchum changed my mom and she was leaving Team Rocket, I went home only to find dad also there. What he said shocked me."
"Team Rocket suffered a huge defeat. Rising from the shadows again will be foolish. For now, Sabrina. You shouldn't get affiliated with Team Rocket's affairs anymore. I will also work to improve my skills and strength."
"And after that, he just left my Mom, and it was the first time I saw her cry." Ariel says. "And as you can see in the Slowpoke Well, he must be somewhere leading Team Rocket to do bad things. I'm going to stop him."
"I see..." I nod. "I also have another question. What is your relation with Leaf?"
"After learning Giovanni is leading a group known as Team Rocket, I can't wait to get away from him as soon as possible. I learned that I used to have a brother, but he was kidnapped and nowhere to be found. If my parents weren't going to find him, I would find him myself. After I found my brother, he escaped with a girl named Leaf. My brother at first didn't believe I was his sister, but that was no big deal since that was solved. In the end, I decided to bring Leaf to Kanto while my brother will be training with Lance, the Champion of Johto."
"You know Lance?" Reisa asks in surprise.
"Of course, I want to find my brother, he played a part in helping me." Ariel says.
Then the rain stops, and Kurt decides to invite all of us into his house. Ariel was about to leave, but hearing how Kurt can make Pokeballs, she decides to tag along.
I add an OC named Ariel, she is Silver's older sister. There will be more about her in the next chapter. I hope you like it.
Ash + Lillie's Pokemon:
Charizard x2 (In training), Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu, Lapras, Bayleef, Quilava, Furret, Hoothoot (Shiny), Ledyba, Golbat, Togepi, Flaaffy, Hoppip, Aipom, Wooper, Steelix (Crystal), Scizor, Heracross, Seadra, Porygon, Chansey
Reisa's Pokemon:
Totodile, Marill, Quagsire
East's Pokemon:
Hoothoot, Ledyba, Mantine
Ethan's Pokemon:
Quilava, Poliwhirl, Egg, Aipom, Sunflora
Kris' Pokemon:
Bayleef, Cubone