Why'd you kidnap Bulbasaur? Ash demanded once he reached the old venusaur, glaring up at the enormous grass type as she towered over him atop the gigantic tree stump.
You are impertinent, the venusaur huffed. Not only did you bring a pokémon despite the fact that we just told you to come alone-
If you think I'm letting him deal with a bunch of crazy pokémon alone, you need to check your brain for blight, Pikachu said, crossing his arms and joining Ash in glaring up at the venusaur.
-but, the venusaur continued, ignoring Pikachu, you are also skipping the formalities. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Venusaur.
That's nice, Ash replied, still glaring. Now why'd you kidnap Bulbasaur!?
Yeah! He heard Bulbasaur cry out. Ash turned to see his pokémon being carried over, still trussed up in vines.
You are his trainer, Ash Ketchum? Venusaur asked as Bulbasaur was deposited at the base of the trunk.
How'd you know- Ash shook his head. You must have been spying on us!
How long has he traveled with you? Venusaur continued.
Ash didn't answer. Instead, he rushed over to Bulbasaur.
Are you okay? He asked the grass-type, kneeling down next to the pokémon and looking him over. Bulbasaur looked little worse for the wear.
I'm pissed off, but functional, Bulbasaur grumbled. They just trussed me up and dragged me here.
Ahem, Venusaur coughed. Ash looked back up at her. I asked a question, if you care to recall. Or perhaps you are hard of hearing?
I am his trainer, Ash said, glowering. What of it?
How long has he been with you? Venusaur asked, looking down her nose at him.
A few months.
And during that time has he had a chance to evolve?
No…. Ash said hesitantly, glancing over at Bulbasaur. His gaze turned hard when it returned to Venusaur. And unless you think I'm keeping him from evolving, I don't see how it's any of your business.
That was what I was getting at, yes, Venusaur nodded. Bulbasaur, is he telling the truth?
As far as he knows, yes, Bulbasaur said, joining Ash and Pikachu in glaring at Venusaur.
Meaning that you've kept your chances to evolve secret, Venusaur nodded to herself. And then I can confirm that it is you who has shown a blatant disregard for your own safety.
Disregard? Ash looked between the two grass-types.
Yes, Venusaur nodded. His refusal to change shows a disregard for his own well-being.
Oh, tauros-shit! Bulbasaur growled. Ain't like I never heard this lecture before. I don't need to evolve. I don't need to eat as much as an ivysaur and I can still fit into small places.
Monopolizing those spaces you mean, Venusaur replied. Denying them to younger bulbasaurs.
Oh, now you're accusing me of being selfish too? Bulbasaur rolled his eyes. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I ain't exactly spending a lot of time around other bulbasaurs. Ain't a lot of pokémon in Orre in the first place.
But you're not in Orre anymore, are you?
Now I'm with a trainer, Bulbasaur retorted. Ain't exactly competing with other bulbasaurs now, am I?
No, Venusaur agreed. Indeed, you are no longer in the wild, cooperating or competing with other pokémon for resources. Instead, you are with a trainer who can provide you with all the food an ivysaur or even venusaur could need. You now have help.
Well, I might want to go off on my own again one day and then I'll be back to needing to provide for myself, Bulbasaur retorted. And it ain't like there's a way to de-evolve, now is there.
Why would you need to revert your evolution? Venusaur asked. With the strength you will have gained, on top of the skills you already possess, providing for yourself should prove no obstacle whatsoever.
Maybe I just don't feel like risking it, Bulbasaur growled.
Instead, you'd rather be at a greater risk of death in battle, Venusaur continued. Do you plan to change your lifestyle in the future?
Of course not! Bulbasaur shouted.
Do you plan on retiring to the wild in the future? Venusaur probed.
No…
Why then do you worry more about starvation than death in battle? Did you face starvation earlier in your life?
What? No, Bulbasaur shook his head.
Then why do you fear it?
It's just something to keep in mind, okay! Bulbasaur grumbled. There are other reasons I don't want to evolve, not that it matters. My evolution ain't anyone else's business!
Oh, but it is! Venusaur countered. Even if we put aside the question of your own personal well-being, there is also your duty to the future to consider. Will you be able to shelter the young buds you will discover in the world beneath you as you are now?
I will probably do that one day, but I don't need to be a venusaur! Bulbasaur cried back. I can do that as a bulbasaur!
Can you? Will you be strong enough alone? Venusaur asked, standing up straighter. With your flower unbloomed, will you have the strength to do this?
Her flower glowed as her face scrunched up in concentration. The tree behind her also began to emit light and red flowers began to bloom all over its branches. Like spring accelerated, the tree exploded into full glory, gaining a crown of petals. The flowers then began to shine, casting a gentle purple light over the garden and changing the night into an imitation of dusk or the glimmers of dawn.
Ash and Pikachu stared up in amazement at the display. Then Ash shook his head and narrowed his eyes at the venusaur.
You were the one who made the forest attack us! he said accusingly.
I was just trying to warn you off, but you seem to be just as stubborn as your bulbasaur, Venusaur said, with the hint of a smile on her face. You two are a good match.
Thank- I mean, we could've gotten hurt! Ash said. We did get hurt! I'm going to be feeling this for days! He pointed at the welt on his forehead.
Given how hard-headed you've demonstrated yourself to be, I'm sure it'll be a minor burden. Venusaur turned back to Bulbasaur. Now, will you have the strength to control nature? To intwine yourself with the plants around you and form a garden by yourself with which you can nurture those who come after you?
Bulbasaur had been looking up at the tree while Ash and the venusaur had their exchange. His brow was furrowed and the corners of his lips quirked downward. He looked back over at the venusaur.
No, he admitted. I won't be able to control nature like you can. I won't be as big enough to shelter young bulbasaurs beneath me either.
He looked around at the garden around them, at the herd of fellow bulbasaurs and then his eyes grew hard as carnelian.
But I'll manage all the same, he declared. I'll build a shelter instead of growing one. They can shelter behind my back instead of under me. And I'll be able to make a garden where nothing else grows, because I'll do it my way.
That's a fine philosophy… Venusaur's eyes narrowed. If you can live long enough to achieve it.
Why do you think I'm going to die? Bulbasaur groaned, rolling his eyes. I've lasted fine the way I am!
Traveling with your trainer you are facing new challenges, are you not? Venusaur shifted her weight forward.
No, Bulbasaur said flatly.
Venusaur just looked at him. Bulbasaur eventually shifted his weight and said, Well maybe. Some of the things that have happened have been stranger than before. It ain't like I was kidnapped by a bunch of crazy bulbasaurs and a meddling venusaur before I started traveling with Ash.
I am sure that this isn't the strangest experience you have had traveling with this trainer, Venusaur said, glancing at Ash out of the corner of her eye.
Hey! You can't know that! Ash protested.
She's not wrong though, Pikachu added.
Shut up, traitor.
He's right, how did you come to that conclusion? Bulbasaur asked, narrowing his eyes at Venusaur.
It doesn't matter, Venusaur replied.
I think it does- Bulbasaur began, but Venusaur cut him off.
The source of this knowledge does not matter! she said firmly. What matters now is your future! You acknowledge that you are facing new challenges, you acknowledge that you no longer have to worry about food for the foreseeable future, and yet you show no signs of changing! You refuse to approach new dangers in a new way!
By the end of her little speech, Venusaur was nearly shouting at Bulbasaur, who refused to quail, but couldn't help taking a step back. Venusaur took a deep breath and then looked Bulbasaur straight in the eye and said one more word.
Why?
Bulbasaur let out a breath and then stepped forward, facing Venusaur who was backlit by the shining tree.
I don't want to! Bulbasaur shouted back, from within her shadow. Ain't that enough? I like being a bulbasaur and I don't want to change! I lived my life the way I wanted to until now and I'll keep doing that! I don't see how it's your business or anyone else's
It is the business of all you will leave behind! Venusaur growled, standing straight and tall, the shadow she cast over Bulbasaur growing, For you will die, lost to the darkness in the bowels of the earth!
Bring it on, Bulbasaur said. His eyes wavered the tiniest of amounts. Whatever's waiting for me, I'll handle it my way!
Then prove your determination! Venosaur roared. Plants ripped out of the earth, vines grabbing Ash and Pikachu.
Let go of me! Pikachu shouted, unleashing a burst of buzzing electric power into the plants. Ash let out a cry of pain as the electricity got him too.
Ash! Shit! Pikachu swore as the plants carried them away.
Let them go! Bulbasaur shouted, his vines extending as he rounded on Venusaur. The elder pokémon ignored him as more vines ripped out of the earth.
Ash grunted as the vines let him and Pikachu go, falling to the ground on his back. He picked himself up quickly.
Before him was a wall of thorny vines that circled around Bulbasaur and Venusaur. Ash tried to figure out what was happening and then gaped as he realized what had happened. The elder grass-type had grown an arena for her and Bulbasaur. The two pokémon now faced each other down within the encircling thorns. They were going to settle things in the way many pokémon dealt with their problems; using violence.
Around them the entire garden of bulbasaurs gathered. They watched, some eager, some worried, some curious, some bored.
Ash stood up, reaching for Bulbasaur's pokéball, ready to recall him if the fight went too far. A single vine lashed out from the wall and knocked the pokéball from his hand, grabbing it and withdrawing before Ash could even register what had happened.
"Aaron!" Ash turned around when he heard his human name and saw that Misty and Brock were rushing over. Brock put a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" He asked Ash.
"Yeah," Ash nodded. "But she took Bulbasaur's pokéball! I can't get him back now, if things go bad! And you're right, we can't fight them all!"
"What is she thinking?" Misty asked, staring at the venusaur.
"Uh…" Ash tried to think of what he could tell them without revealing too much about himself.
Let me pretend to translate or something, Pikachu said and then began to point at Venusaur and Bulbasaur. Blah, blah, blah, blah, something crazy grass-types, something, something, Bulbasaur is a jerk.
"Uh, she wants Bulbasaur to evolve and he doesn't want to," Ash said with a shrug.
"Is that his mother?" Brock asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh…" Ash thought about that for a moment. "No…?"
"Then why is she doing this?" Misty asked.
"She might just be worried about him," Brock said, looking at Venusaur. "She's used to taking care of bulbasaurs in her own way and she thinks Bulbasaur needed her help."
"Violence is an awfully strange way of helping someone," Misty remarked as Bulbasaur and Venusaur circled each other.
"Is it?" Ash asked, frowning at the vine wall. He was upset about Bulbasaur being abducted and about the possible danger he was in. He wanted to be able to recall Bulbasaur if things got too heated in the fight.
But two pokémon fighting, using violence against each other, was just a fact of life. Using violence to win an argument made sense to Ash when it came to pokémon in a way that it didn't when it came to humans.
That… was probably not a good thing, Ash reflected. There was a reason it was considered a bad way to resolve issues in the human world.
And while he was actually thinking, Ash realized that he should have probably just retreated and then rode Pidgeot to do a fly-by recall on Bulbasaur, rather than to try and confront the kidnappers or fight through them.
He hated to admit it, but Brock and Misty might be right about him.
He shook his head and returned his attention to Bulbasaur and Venusaur. The two were still circling each other. Venusaur was slowly closing in on Bulbasaur and Ash wondered if she was trying to intimidate him. If so, she was having no luck; Bulbasaur faced her, eyes focused, limbs steady.
Show me what you can do as a bulbasaur! Venusaur roared, one vine whipping out from the base of her flower. Bulbasaur threw himself away from the strike, sliding across the ground on his side. With a crack the vine whipped into the ground sending clods of dirt and rock flying.
Before Bulbasaur could pick himself up the vine lashed out again. Eyes wide, Bulbasaur whipped out two of his own vines to intercept, forming an X to catch Venusar's vine. The impact was loud enough that Ash winced in sympathy and Bulbasaur slid backward, leaving a furrow in his wake.
Shit, that hurts, Bulbasaur swore, getting to his feet. Ash could see that the two vines that had blocked the attack were limp. Bulbasaur gritted his teeth, withdrew them and then sent out two more vines to replace them. They dug into the earth on either side of him.
Do you still think you have a chance? Venusaur asked, advancing on Bulbasaur once again. The smaller grass-type growled at her in lieu of an answer.
Her vine lashed out again and this time Bulbasaur was ready. Using his dug in vines, he yanked himself to his left and fired off several Razor Leaves as he went. Cutting through the air, the deadly greenery honed in on Venusaur's face.
Too fast for Ash to follow, Venusaur knocked them out of the air with her vine. One moment they were in flight and the next Ash was left with the blurred afterimage and the projectiles were falling to the earth.
Again, the vine whipped out and Ash flinched. Bulbasaur yanked himself away and Venusaur's vine blew a hole in the dirt once more. Before the flying dirt clods and pebbles could even land Venusaur's singular vine moved again.
It slammed down on Bulbasaur, right in the bulb, smashing him into the soil. He let out a gasp combined with a grunt and his legs splayed under him.
Venusaur continued to press down, reminding Ash of when he had seen an adult human squash a biting insect under their thumb.
Can you even stand? Venusaur demanded of Bulbasaur. Once again, he refused to say anything. Instead, he wrapped one of his vines around Venusaur's vine and pushed the other into the ground. His vines trembled as he struggled.
Venusaur's vine might as well have been a mountain for all the progress Bulbasaur was making in lifting it. Ash wondered how his pokémon could even find the breath to struggle. Bulbasaur's entire body was trembling now and Venusaur showed no sign of relenting.
Bulbasaur had no chance of lifting the vine or winning the fight as he was now and Ash realized that was what Venusaur was trying to tell Bulbasaur, the argument put forth by violence. It was a simple enough message, but watching Bulbasaur shake as he futilely tried to pry the pinning vine off of him, drove the truth home for Ash harder than simply saying the words ever could…
But Ash was a creature of words. And, just maybe he could use words to help Bulbasaur's counter-argument.
Bulbasaur! Ash shouted. "Energy Ball! Blast that vine!"
Ash saw his pokémon's red eyes shoot over at him and then they flashed with renewed determination. His face screwed up in a familiar expression concentration, staring intently at a spot just before his face. The leaves of the trees above him, the grass under him, and even the thorny brambles of the arena walls, all gently leaned towards him.
A spark of green light appeared before Bulbasaur and then the spark became a blaze, green light washing away the light of the tree from Bulbasaur's face. A shell of green energy surrounded the blaze, crackling tendrils of green power connecting light and shell.
Get off! Bulbasaur managed to scream. Flying fast the ball of light and energy went upward into the vine and exploded. The shockwave rippled the grass and the vine buckled.
With a strangled scream of exertion Bulbasaur regained his feet and threw Venusaur's vine off of his back. Panting he faced down the elder grass-type, his red eyes glaring into her own.
"Yeah!" Ash pumped his fist. You go Bulbasaur!
"Aaron, what language are you speaking?" Brock asked, giving him a puzzled look.
"Who cares about that now?" Misty asked, pumping her own fist. "Go Bulbasaur! You can do it! Stand up to that bully!"
I can stand, Bulbasaur spat.
Only because your trainer helped you, Venusaur glanced over at Ash.
So? Bulbasaur asked, panting. He's one of my comrades. He's there to help.
And yet you didn't think to ask him, did you? Venusaur turned her gaze back on Bulbasaur. Your first instinct was to struggle alone.
You made it perfectly clear that you didn't want him interfering-
And I also made it perfectly clear that I wanted you to evolve, Venusaur interrupted. But you didn't seem to be inclined to obey me there.
Oh, shut up-
No, Venusaur snarled. If your first instinct is to do everything on your own, then you should be strong enough to handle it on your own. And if you refuse that strength, then you should learn to change your first instinct. You must choose one of those two options or death will find you.
I ain't scared of dying, Bulbasaur snarled.
So, you would rather die than change?
No, that ain't what I'm saying-
But it is! Venusaur snapped. If you do not change, either in form or instinct, then you will die.
Like you know the future! Bulbasaur snapped back.
Venusaur was silent.
I don't know why you decided to kidnap me and why you're trying to bully me into evolving, but it doesn't matter! Bulbasaur declared. I ain't evolving. So, I don't care if you're thinking of someone else or just puffing up your ego, but you're not getting whatever it is you want!
You're right, Venusaur said, drawing herself up. It doesn't matter why I'm doing this. What matters is the choice before you!
All the plants, from the branches of the tree to the grass throughout the garden and the walls of the arena suddenly swayed towards Venusaur. A blazing ball of purple energy appeared in front of her face.
If you're strong enough, then why don't you stop this! she roared.
The ball sailed over to Bulbasaur who rolled out of the way. But the sphere of power came back around, burning a path through the brambles. Bulbasaur growled and jumped out of the way again.
I said to stop the attack, not just dodge it! Venusaur snarled, her vine lashing out and pinning Bulbasaur to the ground once again. The purple orb advanced on him, the light splayed over Bulbasaur's face growing brighter and brighter.
Bulbasaur gritted his teeth, concentrated, and summoned another green ball of energy and launched it at Venusaur's Energy Ball. The green light was consumed by the purple and Venusaur's attack kept coming.
Ash looked at Pikachu and nodded. They moved to intervene, but more vines sprang out of the brambles, swiftly and silently locking down not only them, but Brock and Misty as well, clamping their mouths shut. They struggled, but they couldn't get free or even make noise.
Bulbasaur shouted in exertion and frustration as he summoned up another ball of energy, the rapidly fluctuating green light playing over his face. Again, he hurled it at Venusaur's attack, now towering over him like the setting sun. And again, it was swallowed whole.
You don't have the strength to stop it as you are now! Venusaur bellowed. Accept that!
Bulbasaur said nothing.
Would you rather die than change?
Bulbasaur still said nothing. The purple light obscured his face.
Will you let down those who will need you in the future?
I won't evolve, Bulbasaur snarled. And I won't die!
But you will need to change, Venusaur stated solemnly, her voice low, or you will die. Do you understand?
Bulbasaur's eyes shifted away from the attack to look at her and his gaze softened for a moment. And then they grew carnelian hard with focus.
Guys! Bulbasaur shouted. I need some help!
The vines holding Ash and Pikachu down fell away. The two wasted no time.
"Charmander, Pidgeot! Gust Bullet and Fire Bloom to get us in!" Ash shouted, throwing two pokéballs. "Pikachu, Thunder that Energy Ball!"
On it! Pikachu replied, vaulting off Ash's shoulder to clear the bramble wall. He became a point of yellow light as galvanic power surrounded him and then he unleashed a solid column of electricity into Venusaur's Energy Ball. The roaring buzz of electricity drowned out all other sounds, including the screeching winds of Pidgeot and the crackling fire of Charmander.
Charmander and Pidgeot combined their attacks and a swirl of wind fed flame burned through the bramble wall. As soon as it was clear, Ash jumped through followed by his pokémon.
"Everyone out!" Ash shouted, rapidly throwing out pokéballs. White light blazed and the rest of his team joined the fray.
"Pidgeot, Gust as strong as you can around that venusaur!" Ash commanded. "Butterfree, Confusion! Primeape, take care of that vine!"
Telepathic and telekinetic waves washed over Venusaur as she was surrounded by a howling gale and Primeape rushed over to Bulbasaur. The fighting-type spread his feet shoulder width apart, grabbed the vine, and pushed up. A growl of exertion could be faintly heard through the winds and Primeape began to slowly sink into the ground as he strained against the elder grass-type.
Bulbasaur also growled and then his vines once again grabbed Venusaur's. He joined Primeape in the struggle. Slowly and surely Venusaur's vine rose up and Bulbasaur was back on his feet.
"Squirtle, Shell Tackle!" Ash ordered. "Pikachu, Thunderwave when you see an opening! Bulbasaur, Razor Leaf! Aim around her stem!"
Squirtle withdrew into his shell and then rocketed forward on a jet of water as Pidgeot's winds faded. But before debris and dust from the Gust could dissipate on their own, they were swept away as another one of Venusaur's vines swung out like a titan's axe. A jet of water shot out of one of the holes in Squirtle's shell and he blasted himself to the side, avoiding the vine that smashed into the earth, carving out a small trench.
A brace of Razor Leaves flew towards where the vine emerged from the stem of Venusaur's flower but were slapped out of the air by a vine moving too fast for Ash to track.
But not too fast for Pikachu.
Grinning and cheeks sparking, Pikachu rushed in while Venusaur was occupied countering the Razor Leaves. He slid under her vines and then launched a ring of electricity at her side.
Ash had seen many surprising things throughout his life, but the speed with which the tremendous grass-type dodged Pikachu's attack, leaving grass rippling in her wake, was enough to leave him gasping.
Shit! Pikachu swore as Venusaur rounded on him.
"Pidgeot, get Pikachu out of there!" Ash snapped. Pidgeot became a barely visible blur as she swooped up Pikachu just as Venusaur charged him. The flying-type's tail feathers were knocked askew as she cleared the grass-type's charge with centimeters to spare, Pikachu safely in her talons.
Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be happy to be in this position! Pikachu remarked, clinging to Pidgeot's feet.
Never thought I'd see the day where I'd carry a live electric-type like this! Pidgeot retorted.
She was too fast and too strong for them to have any chance at victory, at least in a fair fight, Ash realized. And he couldn't think of a way to tilt the fight in his favor, not when he was surrounded by pokémon loyal to her and in the heart of the forest she controlled.
He'd have to try something else then, Ash thought to himself, stepping forward.
"There's no way we can win this, right?" He said to the Venusaur.
That is correct, she said, without moving. Ash knew that Brock and Misty were watching so he forced himself not to react.
And? Venusaur tilted her head when Ash said nothing.
You gotta nod! Butterfree trilled. The other humans aren't supposed to know that he can speak properly!
Oh, my apologies, Venusaur said and then nodded.
"Then we give up," Ash said.
And what does giving up entail? Venusaur asked, walking over to stare Ash down.
Let me pretend to translate, Pikachu sighed, rolling his eyes. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
"It means we quit fighting you," Ash said, sitting down cross-legged on the ground.
Does that mean you'll have Bulbasaur evolve? Venusaur asked, looming over the human.
Blah, blah, blah, Pikachu was staring up at the heavens.
"No," Ash shook his head.
Then you haven't given up.
Blah, blah.
"We aren't gonna fight you anymore," Ash said. "So, you can either kill us or let us go."
Ash, what in the Distorted World- Bulbasaur growled, but Venusaur interrupted him.
And what makes you think that I won't kill you? Venusaur's voice was low and rumbling.
That's a good question actually, Pikachu said, stepping in between Venusaur and Ash.
"You've been warning Bulbasaur to change or he'll die," Ash replied, crossing his arms. "You aren't about to kill us and him, when you're trying to save him."
That isn't actually a given, but in this specific case, you're correct, Venusaur nodded. Her vines withdrew.
"Besides, you wanted this to end after Bulbasaur called for help," Ash said, holding out his hand. "And give me back his pokéball."
That is true, Venusaur said as vines emerged from the bramble wall, carrying Ash's pokéball.
What? Bulbasaur asked, looking between Ash and the elder grass-type.
She had us tied up until you asked for help, Pikachu told Bulbasaur. If she wanted us out of the way, she could have kept us out of the way.
Oh, so me asking for help was the whole point of… of… of whatever the Distorted World this was? Bulbasaur asked, rolling his eyes.
Getting you to change was the whole point, Venusaur corrected. I would've preferred that you evolve, but at the very least you need to stop trying to shoulder these burdens alone as your first instinct.
I do not try to shoulder burdens alone! Bulbasaur protested.
You kinda do, when you get the chance, Squirtle interrupted. Remember when you tried to hold the line in the cave before Ash, Brock, and Misty bailed us out of there? Or when you tried to go look for Oddish alone? Or when you took after Aoba?
I let you help in the cave, Bulbasaur said. And I had Ash with me when I went after Aoba.
Yeah, but I needed to ignore you telling me to retreat in the cave, Squirtle pointed out. And you took off before Ash when you went after Aoba.
(I think I forgot to be mad about that, Pikachu said, glancing at Ash and then looking over at Venusaur. But that night's kinda hazy.
I think we all inhaled too much smoke, Ash replied with a whisper.)
It is in your nature to try and handle these things by yourself, Venusaur continued. But your capacity to do so is limited… as a bulbasaur that is. Either you evolve and obtain more strength or you learn to ask for help instead of only taking it when it's offered.
Oh, you don't even know me, Bulbasaur scowled at her. You just kidnapped some random bulbasaur that was passing by because you like to bully pokémon and made a lucky guess. Sure, I could stand to ask for help more often, but don't kid yourself. It ain't like there was no other way for me to learn this other than being pokénapped by a psychotic venusaur and her gaggle of minions!
Think whatever you want of me, Venusaur said, turning her back on Bulbasaur. But remember the lesson.
The vines of the arena wall withdrew into the ground as Venusaur headed back to the opening in the roots of the tree. Ash and his pokémon went over to Brock and Misty, who were now free of the vines.
Brock just shook his head.
"Only you, Aaron, only you," Misty sighed.
"Hey!" Ash protested. "This time it was Bulbasaur's fault! Not mine!"
Hey!
"That's not helping your case," Brock said. "Come on, let's get back to camp. I'll take the first watch in case, I don't know, a bunch of pichus kidnap Pikachu for some reason."
Don't tempt me… Pikachu muttered.
Venusaur watched the sun rise from inside the roots of her tree, her face covered in alternating harsh sunlight and streaks of shadow. There was a noise behind her, a tiny, deliberate scuffing of dirt. She turned her head and saw a small green bipedal grass-type pokémon, with tiny wings, a round head, two tiny antennae with blue tips, blue eyes, and a sharp tuft of windswept grass that resembled human hair.
I'm sorry, she sighed to the newcomer. I don't think I was successful.
AN: I'd like to thank Amationary for beta reading!
This chapter will hit much differently for those who recognize the pokemon described at the end. For everyone else, you'll understand in time.
This arc was also a reminder in why detailed outlines are important, so you don't spend a month revising a single chapter.
Upcoming month is going to be busy (like the last couple of months), so I'm not back to my old schedule yet. So this will be the last chapter of the year. The next chapter will be released January 12, 2022.
Don't forget to review! Concrit is welcome!