Hello Fanfiction Readers! Another chapter written. Let us see what happens in Pinwheel Forest shall we?
Also, someone commented on something in the very first chapter that I'd like to address to settle the confusion. The reason why Cilan isn't there is quite simple. It isn't a mistake. Since he will soon be traveling with Ash, I decided that he would run into Team Plasma on his own. The question I want to ask though is, why wasn't Roxie from Virbank City, Cheren from Aspertia City, and Marlon from Humilau City mentioned? They're Unova Gym Leaders too.
Anyway, now that I've gotten that out the way - I hope that answered your question - how about we get on with this chapter?
Disclaimer: The Disclaimer is out to lunch with friends.
Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Sixteen
Ash's Point of View
Yesterday sure was an exciting day. After some time, my Pokémon Egg was ready to hatch! As I pulled it out its container and set it on the ground, Axew was really excited about seeing the egg hatch. However, in his excitement, he sent it rolling down the hill we were resting on. Me, Misty, Iris, and Cilan then ran after it. On it's downhill ride, it hurtled into the air after hitting a rock.
Thankfully, before the egg could possibly splatter all over a rock, Pikachu managed to save it using his Quick Attack. After we approached Pikachu holding the egg, grateful that it was okay, I couldn't help but notice that Misty was glaring at Iris and Axew. No one else seemed to notice though. I suppose Misty was in the right since it was thanks to Axew the egg went tumbling. I decided not to bring it up though. Misty seemed to cool down slightly when Iris and Axew apologized. Good thing too, last thing someone needs to do is anger Misty enough that she uses her mallet. Where does she even keep that thing anyway?
My Pokémon Egg then hatched moments later. And inside of it was a Scraggy! After I introduced myself to Scraggy, when Pikachu went to say hello, it used Leer and readied a Headbutt attack which Pikachu dodged easily. Axew then jumped out of Iris' hair to say hello too. That would prove to be a mistake as Scraggy used Leer again and attacked with Headbutt, this time hitting its target. Luckily it seemed that Axew wasn't hurt, just mildly angry before Iris calmed him down.
After that, I decided that Pikachu have a battle with Scraggy as a sort of welcome gift. Pikachu more than happily accepted the challenge. Although, it didn't seem like much of a battle given how Leer seemed to have no effect and Headbutt did barely nothing at all. As Pikachu readied to counterattack with what I dubbed as a "Thunderburp" given how I didn't want Pikachu to do too much harm to Scraggy, it seemed to be enough to send it reeling backwards. It didn't seem to matter to Scraggy though as it was still raring to battle.
It then struck me that I hadn't introduced my Unova Pokémon to Scraggy or Misty yet. As Misty seemed happy to meet my Pokémon, and they greeted her the same way, Scraggy didn't exactly greet them the same way. It seemed that Scraggy wanted to start a fight with my Unova Pokémon, except for Pidove who scurried off after giving a Headbutt.
It seemed that Scraggy was a bit of a loner as it didn't want to eat with the other Pokémon. After all the Pokémon were recalled after the sun had set, Scraggy began to eat its food. As it finished it, I tried to return it to its Poké Ball, but it didn't seem it wanted to. During the night, we found that Scraggy had disappeared! Looking around, I found a faint outline in the dirt, probably were Scraggy had went.
Following its footprints, we saw that Scraggy was Headbutting a tree over and over again, only stopping when it saw us. It was then that a Galvantula appeared. As it did, Misty was clutching onto the back of me, scared because of a Bug-type appearing. Sympathizing with her briefly, me and Pikachu then ran over to Scraggy as the EleSpider Pokémon advanced. Scraggy then, upon getting over its fear, charged forward with a Headbutt. Scraggy was then blasted back with an Electro Ball and shocked with an Electroweb attack. The Galvantula then finished its assault with Pin Missile.
I then ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt on Galvantula as I held Scraggy. The EleSpider then retreated into the tree, its eyes glowing in an ominous purple glow. Afterwards, purple electricity was sparking off of Scraggy. Unfortunately it seemed that a Pokémon Center wasn't near then but Iris was able to mix together a medicine to use that would help it.
Heading back to camp, I couldn't help but notice the weird glance that Misty was shooting my way as I comforted Scraggy. After Iris was done making the medicine and I fed it to Scraggy, Iris said that all it needed now was a good night's sleep. After the rose and we were gathered around the sleeping Pokémon, Scraggy woke up. And it was feeling better than ever too.
Scraggy then, upon remembering last night, got up and ran straight back to the tree with us not far behind. Upon getting there, we saw that Scraggy was surrounded by four Galvantula, Misty clutching onto my back even more fiercely than before. I had to admit though, it wasn't a terrible feeling. I ordered Pikachu to use Thunderbolt as I released my four Unova Pokémon.
After a small battle, the Galvantula retreated when Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt attack that shocked all of them. When we returned to camp to have breakfast, Axew and Scraggy looked ready to fight after Axew tried to eat with Scraggy. Cilan then suggested that Scraggy and Axew have a battle. The battle ended when Scraggy used Headbutt on Axew while he was preparing Dragon Rage, causing an explosion and them both to be fainted. Scraggy was then prepared to go in its Poké Ball and I gained a brand new Pokémon Friend.
Now though we prepare to go through Pinwheel Forest and I noticed how Misty seemed to be a little apprehensive at that.
Normal Point of View
"So we walk through that forest until we get there?" Ash asked.
"Pretty much." Misty replied.
"Wow, it's huge!" Iris commented.
"It's the Pinwheel Forest!" Cilan interjected.
"Pinwheel Forest." Ash said. "Why is it called that?"
"Well, as long as we walk straight through it, we'll be out in no time," Cilan explained. "but if we wander off, we could find ourselves in a natural maze."
"Whoa." Ash said. "We'd better be careful then."
"As long as you aren't leading us, we'll be fine." Misty said.
Ash sweat-dropped at that. "What's that suppose to mean!" Ash demanded. "I could lead us through this forest and we wouldn't get lost. I'm not a little kid anymore."
"Yeah, I guess." Misty admitted, shrugging. "But whenever you have a map you always read it wrong."
"There's no way we're getting lost." Iris interjected. "I happen to be a forest expert."
"You're pretty sure of yourself, Iris." Ash commented.
"So the question is, will this path lead us out of here or do we get lost in the maze?" Cilan wondered.
"Let's go and see!" Ash said.
"As long as you are not charge." Misty said.
Ash face-faulted at that before they continued on their way to Pinwheel Forest.
"It's so nice being in a lush forest!" Iris said as they were walking along the path inside Pinwheel Forest.
"Speak for yourself." Misty said, slightly irritated. "Who knows how many Bug-type Pokémon lurk in here."
"It's okay Misty." Ash reassured her as she was looking around nervously. "Pikachu can just use Thunderbolt to deter any Bug-type Pokémon."
"Thanks Ash, Pikachu." Misty said, offering a grateful smile. Although, she couldn't hide the fact that her nerves were getting to her.
"The air is so fresh and the sunlight so clear and bright that this forest must be home to some amazing Pokémon." Cilan observed.
"I hope we come across a whole bunch of them actually!" Ash said.
Ash then felt a hand slap the back of his head.
"Ouch, Misty!" Ash shouted, holding the back of his head. "Why'd you do that for!"
"Why would you actively want Bug-type Pokémon to appear?" Misty asked incredulously.
"Well, maybe I would want to catch one." Ash replied.
As if on cue, one of the Bug-type Pokémon of Unova appeared, swinging toward them. When it got close, it knocked an unsuspecting Pikachu right off of Ash's shoulder and scared Misty.
"Pikachu!" ("What's the big idea!") The Mouse Pokémon then shot a Thunderbolt towards the Pokémon. However, instead of hitting it, Pikachu shocked Ash instead.
"Ash!" Misty said, kneeling next to an electrocuted Pokémon Trainer.
In response, the Pokémon then shot a Razor Leaf attack at Pikachu, which the Mouse Pokémon dodged completely by jumping backwards in somersaults as each leaf crashed into the ground.
The Pokémon then shot its String Shot at Pikachu's forehead, collided with the Mouse Pokémon.
"Ash, are you okay?" Misty asked with concern as she helped Ash up.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Ash replied, clutching his head with one hand before recovering. "But what about Pikachu."
As he said this, the attacking Pokémon's front teeth then glowed white as it moved its teeth across Pikachu's head, biting him.
"It's using Bug Bite!" Cilan shouted as Pikachu jumped up into the air from the attack.
"C'mon, Pikachu, shake it off!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu did just that as the Pokémon landed on its feet in front of the Mouse Pokémon.
"Pikachu, you okay?" Ash asked.
"Pikachu!" ("I'm fine!")
"Who's that Pokémon?" Ash wondered as he prepared his Pokédex.
"Sewaddle, the Sewing Pokémon. Sewaddle hides from its enemies by covering its head with a hood made from a leaf, and is known to eat its leafy clothing when food is scarce." The Pokédex uttered.
"Sewaddle are really popular among clothing designers, because they know how to design and make their clothing out of leaves." Cilan commented.
"Sewaddle might be popular with them, but in my book it isn't!" Misty shouted, debating whether or not to get her mallet ready.
"And that's just part of why they're so cute!" Iris added.
"Cute?" Misty asked, shocked at that comment. "Bug-type Pokémon are anything but cute."
"I like a Pokémon who's strong in battle," Ash said. "so I'm gonna catch it!"
However, before Ash could ready Tepig's Poké Ball, Sewaddle shot its string out at Ash. Surprised at this, Ash screamed before falling over.
"Ash, are you okay?" Misty asked with a sweat-drop.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Ash replied casually before getting up. "Yeah, you're good, Sewaddle! I like you even more now!"
"But why would it attack us?" Iris wondered as Sewaddle was looking like it was making taunting gestures.
"Maybe it just likes to battle." Cilan said.
Pikachu, upon seeing it's friend and trainer encased in a ball of string, took it upon himself to free him with an Iron Tail.
"Hey, thanks, Pikachu!" Ash said as the string feel apart.
"You're a real Pika-pal!" Misty added.
"Pikachu!" ("No problem!")
Deciding that it would be unfair to use a Pokémon against a Pokémon with double-weaknesses to it, Ash decided he would rather use a different Pokémon.
"Now, Pikachu, it's time to use Thunderbolt!" Ash said determined.
"Pikachu!" ("Right!")
As the electric energy surrounded the Mouse Pokémon, he fired a powerful Thunderbolt attack that knocked Sewaddle against a nearby tree.
"It's getting away!" Ash commented as Sewaddle recovered and shot a string of web to a nearby tree branch.
"Sewaddle, come back here!" Ash shouted before chasing after Sewaddle.
"Wait for me Ash!" Misty shouted, holding Marill in her arms as she ran after him.
"Ash, Misty, oh no!" Iris said.
"They're going off the path!" Cilan exclaimed.
"Guess we've got no choice." Iris said.
"We'll have to do the same thing!" Cilan said.
Iris then couldn't help but blush a little while they were chasing after Ash and Misty, noticing that, in some way, they were finishing each others' sentences.
Cilan blushed faintly too, but he wasn't exactly aware of it as he chased down after their friends.
"Stop, come back!" Ash shouted.
Running fast and distracted, Ash tripped and fell to the ground, causing a puff of dust to appear in his wake.
Being close behind him as she was, Misty quite literally ate his dust, coughing to free her throat.
"Ash, you should be more careful!" Misty said, kneeling next to Pikachu over the fallen Pokémon Trainer.
"Ash!" Iris exclaimed as she joined them along with Cilan. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Ash said while being helped up my Misty. "Sewaddle though..."
"Looks like Sewaddle got away." Cilan commented.
"Now what do we do, Ash?" Iris asked.
"I wanna keep looking for Sewaddle," Ash replied stubbornly. "but I don't know."
"This forest is a natural maze like we've never seen!" Cilan said. "It's too dangerous."
"I don't know." Misty interjected. "You might've never been in a forest before but me and Ash have been in multiple forests over the years."
"You're right." Ash said, but then hung his head dejectedly. "We'd better get back on the path then."
"That's really strange." Iris commented. "We should be closet o the exit by now."
"Maybe it's the wrong way?" Ash wondered.
"Well maybe if someone hadn't gotten off the path in the first place, you wouldn't be so unsure." Misty said.
"Hey!" Ash responded indignantly, crossing his arms. "I wanted to catch a Sewaddle!"
"Well you wanting to catch a Sewaddle might have gotten us lost in this forest!" Misty shouted. "Just like I said you would!"
"No, it's right!" Iris interjected, causing the two Pokémon Trainers to stop arguing.
"You sure?" Ash asked skeptically.
"Of course!" Iris replied proudly. "My sixth sense, silly! I just know!"
"More nonscientific explanations." Cilan griped.
"Well, when I get a hunch it's usually right." Ash said.
"Yeah, but that's you Ash." Misty said. "Not everyone with a hunch is going to get it right."
"Shush!" Iris said, holding up a hand to silence them. "I just heard the forest speak!"
"You heard the forest...speak?" Misty wondered aloud with a sweat-drop.
"Man, I'm hungry." Ash said, holding his head with one hand bashfully after his stomach rumbled. "Sorry."
"Oh Ash, you're always hungry." Misty said.
"I think the forest's voice was the sound of Ash's empty stomach." Cilan said.
"Stop, smarty!" Iris said. "I know the forest's voice when I hear it. This way!"
Ash, Misty, and Cilan merely looked at each other, a light chuckle between the three as they soon followed Iris.
"Oppsie-doops..." Iris said after they caught up.
"Forest's voice, huh,?" Ash asked as they were standing on a ledge overlooking a canyon that separated the two sides of the path.
"More like canyon's bellow." Misty said and Ash couldn't help but chuckle a little at the comment.
"Uh, the forest told us to come here because it wanted to show us this magnificent scenery!" Iris exclaimed.
"Come again?" Ash asked.
"Whatever you say, Iris." Cilan said, shrugging. "It looks like what they say about this forest is true. We got off the path for one second and now we're lost!"
"It wouldn't have happened if Ash didn't try to catch that disgusting Buy-type Pokémon!" Misty shouted.
"Oh yeah!" Ash shouted back, irritated. "Has they ever been a time when you wanted to catch a Water-type Pokémon?"
"Touché Ketchum." Misty replied after thinking about it. "You've won this round. Next time you won't be so lucky."
"The best thing to do at times like this is get to higher ground and see where we are." Iris piped up.
"Higher ground?" Ash pondered.
"Right!" Iris replied. "Over there!"
"She's right!" Cilan said as Iris was pointing over to a group of towering trees. "We'll be able to see far from the top of that tree."
"Let's go!" Iris exclaimed.
"Axew!" ("Let's go!")
"Pika!" ("Wow!") The Mouse Pokémon said, looking at their surroundings.
"Whoa!" Ash marveled as they were in the group of densely packed trees. "What an enormous tree."
"I agree." Misty said, looking up at the massive foliage. "I don't believe I've ever seen a tree so big before."
A thought then crossed the Water-type Pokémon Trainer's thoughts, sending shivers down her spine. I wonder if more Bug-type Pokémon live here.
Sensing her anxiety, Ash put a comforting hand on Misty's shoulder, offering a big smile. "Don't worry about it Misty."
Misty merely nodded her head, trying to keep her nerves under wraps.
"I'll go check it out!" Iris exclaimed, running over to the tree.
"Wait, I'm coming!" Ash shouted, following Iris.
"You be careful!" Cilan shouted, but couldn't help thinking more of Iris' safety than Ash's.
"Don't hurt yourself!" Misty added, then shook her head. He's been in more life-threatening situations before. And besides, Ash is like a human Primeape when it comes to climbing.
As he tried running up the tree, Ash and Pikachu merely slide down. Becoming more determined, they tried again at a faster pace, joining Iris as she looked around.
"What's up?" Ash asked.
"Pika pika?" ("Find anything?")
"Maybe we should climb a little higher." Iris said. "To get a better view.
"Then let's go!" Ash said as they both looked up.
They were then taken aback by what they saw above them.
"What is that thing?" Iris wondered aloud with a sweat-drop.
"Hey!" Cilan called. "You guys all right?"
Walking over to place a hand on Cilan shoulder, Misty interjected. "Don't worry about it Cilan, I'm sure they're fine."
"There's something weird up here!" Ash called down.
"Something weird?" Cilan and Misty asked in unison.
Abruptly, what Ash and Iris were looking at showed that a person was inside. The man then jumped down in front of them, what he was encasing himself in surrounding him.
The man motioned for them to be quiet as he held a finger to his lips. "You don't want to scare the forest Pokémon, do you?"
Ash and Iris merely looked on in confusion.
"I don't get it." Ash said after they had regrouped on the forest floor. "What're you doing up there?"
"I surround myself with nature by living like a forest Pokémon." The man replied. "By the way, it is good to see you again Misty."
"Hello Burgh!" Misty said friendlily. "Long time no see huh?"
"Indeed, I trust that everything is going fine at the Nacrene Museum?"
"Yeah." Misty replied. "Aside from an incident with a Yamask that I heard about though. It's all fine though."
"You two know each other?" Cilan asked.
"Yeah!" Ash said as realization struck him like a Thunderbolt. "Hawes told us that people from Team Plasma stole a Dragonite's Skull from the museum and how a trainer had gotten it back."
"But why do you surround yourself with nature like that?" Iris interjected.
"If I tell you, will you understand?" Burgh asked.
"I don't know, Ash sometimes has a hard time understanding anything unless it has to do with Pokémon Battles and eating food." Misty said.
"Hey!" Ash shouted. "I can understand more than that you know!"
"It's my pure heart, that's what it is!" Burgh exclaimed, ignoring the quarreling teens.
"Really?" Cilan inquired. "Your pure heart? Wow."
"I draw, I design-pictures, clothes." Burgh said, almost as if he was in his own little world. "Honestly, I'm a super-talented artist!"
Burgh's jovialness then took a sharp turn as he hung his head dejectedly. "A true genius, who's stuck in a slump."
"Oh." Iris said. "So even geniuses go through slumps?"
"I remember that." Misty said. "That's why you were in Nacrene City earlier to get some inspiration."
Cilan then motioned for the two girls to be silent in a chastising tone.
"Of course!" Burgh said, recovering from his moment of sadness. "So I figured I might get some real inspiration from Nacrene City, and when that didn't work, I stayed out here in the forest to live among the forest Pokémon."
"And that's why you've got a pure heart?" Ash inquired.
"That's it!" Burgh replied. "A pure heart makes for profound art!"
"Okay?" The teens said with sweat-drops.
"I've talked enough about me, so what are you doing in a place like this?" Burgh asked.
"Well, we strayed off the path and got lost." Cilan said.
"I see." Burgh said. "Have no fear! I can guide you out of here!" Burgh then leaned in closer as if to tell a secret. "But since you are here, why don't you enjoy living in the forest for a while?"
"Living in the forest with Bug-type Pokémon?" Misty asked incredulously. "Thanks, but no thanks."
"The thing is, I wanna go to Castelia City and challenge the gym." Ash said. "And Misty isn't a fan of Bug-type Pokémon as you've probably noticed."
"It's useless to go there now." Burgh said, jumping backwards onto the tree trunk.
"Huh?" Ash said.
"After all, the Castelia Gym Leader, Burgh, just happens to be me." Burgh said.
This caught the teens, except for Misty, by surprise.
"So you mean to tell us that you're that Burgh, the world-famous Bug-type Pokémon Trainer?" Cilan asked.
"I'm not just any Bug-type Pokémon Trainer, I'm an artistic trainer!" Burgh replied.
The four teens and their Pokémon sweat-dropped at that.
"I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town in the Kanto region and I'm glad to meet you!" Ash exclaimed after some time passed. "And this is Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!" ("Hey there!")
"And you've already met me." Misty said.
"Hi there, I'm Iris."
"And I'm Cilan, a Pokémon Connoisseur."
"Pokémon Trainers traveling together and expanding horizons." Burgh said, leaning against the tree trunk and having a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Ah yes, to remember those brilliant days of long ago that will never return!" Burgh then got up and spread his arms. "Youth! Innocence, with a pure heart!"
"That's it." Burgh said, as if an idea crossed his mind, pulling out a sketchpad from his backpack. "Eureka!"
"What's the matter, Burgh?" Ash asked after Burgh tapped his pencil to his sketchpad several times, humming thoughtfully before looking discouraged. "You feeling okay?"
"My artistic inspiration came and went!" Burgh exclaimed, his body shuddering before he threw his sketchpad into the air. "And here I thought I had it," Burgh then crouched down on the floor in a sort of fetal position. "safely in the palm of my artistic hand!"
"Uh, pardon me, but I'm still trying to figure out how you get this artistic inspiration back by living out here like a forest Pokémon." Iris said.
"I guess you could say it depends on the person." Burgh replied, getting into a more of a kneeling position. "When you live in the forest, surrounded by nature in its most primitive form, your dulled and long-forgotten senses come alive! You realize how beautiful nature is and you become one with the forest." Burgh then put his foot up against the tree trunk, a hand to his forehead. "Old things become new and fresh!
"Now I know what you mean!" Iris said.
"Axew!" ("Yeah!")
"Yeah, I finally get it, too!" Ash exclaimed.
"Really Ash?" Misty asked, raising an eyebrow.
However, before Ash could reply he did indeed get it as the Sewaddle swung from nearby and kicked an unsuspecting Pokémon Trainer in the face. This caused Pikachu to jump off and land on the ground as Ash fell on the ground.
"Hey, what's the big idea!" Misty said.
"That's the Sewaddle from before!" Iris commented.
"It is?" Ash said, turning around to look at the Sewing Pokémon.
"What, you know it?" Burgh asked.
"We got lost because I was trying to catch that Sewaddle!" Ash replied.
The Sewaddle then jumped onto Ash's hat, knocking him over a little and proceeded to jump onto Burgh's shoulder before eating one of the leaves nearby.
"Sewaddle's a bit stubborn, but it's actually a very sweet Pokémon." Burgh explained.
"Sounds exactly like Ash!" Misty said after helping Ash up. "Well, except for the Pokémon part anyway."
Ash then became indignant when she indirectly called him stubborn, but then blushed faintly when she also indirectly called him sweet.
"So, Burgh, is Sewaddle one of your Pokémon?" Ash asked, deciding to ignore it.
"No, no, it's wild!" Burgh replied. "It's just one of the many discoveries I've made while living and spending time here in the forest!"
"Wow!" Ash said. "Living out here with forest Pokémon sounds like a lot of fun."
"Of course you would say that." Misty said. "I'd be just fine living in the ocean with the Water-type Pokémon."
"It's very important for a Pokémon Trainer to get to know a Pokémon before they attempt to catch it." Burgh said. "How would you all like to join me?"
"That sounds great!" Ash replied with a hint of excitement.
"Pikachu!" ("Sure!")
"Yeah!" Iris said.
"Ew!" ("Okay!")
"I guess." Misty said, shrugging.
"Then I say let's set up camp right here, and I'll start getting ready for supper time!" Cilan said.
"Before you even think about catching Sewaddle," Burgh began after Cilan began making the food. "you introduce yourself."
"Introduce?" Ash asked.
"So who do you have in mind?" Iris asked.
"Why, to Sewaddle, of course!" Burgh said, kneeling down in front of the Pokémon.
"Sewaddle!" ("That's me!")
Sewaddle and Burgh then put their heads together.
"Supposedly Sewaddle are able to distinguish people and things by using the two round sensory knobs located right on the top of their heads." Burgh explained.
"And that means," Burgh continued after getting up. "by touching your foreheads, you're saying hi!"
"Touching a Bug-type Pokémon?" Misty said, shuddering. "I would not want to do that."
"Pika, pika!" ("Hey there!") The Mouse Pokémon said as he approached Sewaddle.
"Sewad!" ("Hi!") The Sewing Pokémon said as it touched its sensory knobs to Pikachu's forehead.
"Cool, Pikachu!" Ash commented.
"Axew!" ("Yeah!")
"Do you want to say hi, too?" Iris asked.
"Axew!" ("Sure!") With that the Tusk Pokémon leaped out of Iris' hair.
"Ma rill!" ("Hello!") The Aqua Mouse Pokémon said after jumping out of Misty's arms and approaching the Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewaddle!" ("Nice to meet you!")
As before, Sewaddle and Marill touched their foreheads together.
"I guess it's my turn then." Misty said hesitatingly before kneeling down next to her Aqua Mouse Pokémon.
"Nice to...meet you...Sewaddle." Misty said as she kneeled down in front of Sewaddle and touched her forehead to its sensory knobs.
"Sewad!" ("I agree!")
After getting up, Misty picked up Marill and stood next to Ash as Axew prepared to say hello.
"Now was that so bad?" Ash asked.
"Not necessarily something I'll do again." Misty said, shuddering once.
"Axew, Axew!" ("Here goes!")
"Sewad." ("Yes.")
Sewaddle's sensory knobs then met with Axew's forehead.
"Great!" Iris commented, getting down next to Axew. "It's my turn next!"
"Sewaddle, it's very nice to meet you!" Iris said as she touched Sewaddle's sensory knobs.
"Sewad!" ("Likewise!")
"Me, me, I wanna go next!" Ash exclaimed, his hat in his right hand as he jumped back and forth on his feet.
"Nice to meet you, Sewaddle!" Ash said as he kneeled down in front of the Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewaddle!" ("I'd say!") The Sewing Pokémon said before reeling back and headbutting Ash.
The impact made Ash put his hands to his aching forehead as he fell back.
"Well, that was, unexpected." Misty said with a sweat-drop.
"Pikapi." ("Ash.")
"I guess that's what you get for trying to catch it right off the bat!" Iris said, laughing to herself.
"Don't take it personally." Burgh said as Misty glared at Iris out of her peripheral vision. "A tackle is sort of like a hello."
"Right!" Ash said, jumping back up to kneel in front of Sewaddle. "Sewaddle, it's really nice to meet you!"
"Sewaddle!" ("Sure!") The Sewing Pokémon said with a tone of dismissiveness as it crawled away.
"Off we go!" Burgh commented. "Bye-bye!"
Ash then groaned before they soon got up to follow Sewaddle.
"Sewaddle." ("Hey what's that.") The Sewing Pokémon said before stopping.
"What's wrong?" Ash inquired.
"Sewaddle may look like it's just standing there, but I'm sure it's doing something." Burgh said.
"Like listening to the forest!" Iris said.
"Or the canyon." Misty said, earning a faint chuckle from Ash and a sweat-drop from Iris.
"It could be." Burgh said. "You might be right!"
"I am!" Iris said proudly and excitedly. "Yippee!"
And she calls me a little kid sometimes. Ash thought to himself before rolling his eyes.
"Sewaddle's eating those leaves." Ash said as he diverted his attention back to the Sewing Pokémon.
"I guess it was wondering which leaf it should eat." Burgh said.
"Unlike Ash, who would of just started to eat all the leaves at random." Misty said.
Ash sighed at that as Iris collapsed on the ground, most likely disappointed she'd been wrong about Sewaddle listening to the forest.
"Look, it's heading out again!" Ash observed as Sewaddle had chewed away a path.
"I wonder where it's going this time." Iris said, still on the ground.
"Sewaddle..." ("Oh yeah...") The Sewing Pokémon yawned as they followed it to a hill.
"Nothing like a nap after a big meal." Burgh said as Sewaddle pulled itself into a kind of fetal position.
"So that means..." Ash began.
"It's time for us to take a nap, too?" Iris wondered.
"Exactly!" Burgh answered.
"Man, does this feel awesome!" Ash said as he and Pikachu, Iris and Axew, Misty and Marill, and Burgh all lied down on the ground on a side of Sewaddle.
"Pika!" ("Yeah!")
"Not everyday where you just relax like this." Misty commented.
"Marill." ("I agree.")
"Haven't done this in awhile!" Iris said.
"Ew..." ("Yep...")
"How does looking at the sky make you feel?" Burgh asked.
"Beautiful blue, dotted by white clouds." Iris responded.
"What a great day!" Ash said.
"Pika Pika." ('You said it!")
"Reminds me of a calming ocean with sea foam on the water." Misty said.
"And not only that, doesn't the sky look amazingly huge?" Burgh continued.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, yeah!" Iris said.
"Full of endless possibilities." Misty said.
"Well, beyond that blue sky is outer space, infinitely huge!" Burgh added.
Outer space? Ash thought to himself, remembering Deoxys again along with meteorites.
"Awesome!" Ash said.
"Pika!" ("Yeah!")
"Sewad!" ("Nice nap!")
"It's awake!" Iris commented as they sat up a little to look at the Sewing Pokémon.
"Awake and on the move again." Burgh added, standing up.
"Look at all that fruit!" Ash said after following Sewaddle as it began to eat again.
"Kind of reminds me of a Snorlax the way it ate and fell asleep." Misty thought, preoccupied in her thoughts about the last time she saw Ash's Snorlax.
"It ate, slept and ate, so will it go to sleep again?" Iris asked.
"That's part of the life cycle." Burgh said. "It's the exact same thing with baby people, right?"
Sewaddle's meal was interrupted as a Woobat flew up out of the bush.
"A Woobat!" Ash said.
"It was eating too!" Burgh added.
"Woobat, Woobat Woobat!" ("Hey, I was eating here!")
"I think it's telling us to stay away!" Iris said.
"They're gonna start fighting over the fruit!" Ash said.
The Woobat then glowed white as it made multiple copies of itself.
"It's using Double Team!" Ash commented.
"Sewaddle!" ("Not so fast!") The Sewing Pokémon said, jumping up and shooting a spray of webbing to hit all of the Woobat in an arc until the original remained.
"Sewad!" ("Yeah!") The Sewing Pokémon said before noticing a second Woobat. "Sewad." ("Okay.")
"Two of them!" Ash exclaimed.
"Sewaddle, look out!" Ash shouted as the two Woobat fired two Air Cutter attacks.
Ash then took it upon himself to jump in the way of the Air Cutter attack.
"Ash!" Misty exclaimed with concern.
"Sewaddle!" ("Look out!")
"Pikapi!" ("Ash!")
Sewaddle and Pikachu then jumped into the air, back to back as they prepared their attacks.
Sewaddle's head leaf glowed as it lowered it to shoot a barrage of crescent leaves as it fired Razor Leaf. Each one impacting the Woobat.
Pikachu then enveloped himself in a yellow light as he fight Thunderbolt at the Woobat. The attack hitting directly.
The two Woobat then started to fly away from there, not wanting to hang around any longer.
"Ash, no!" Iris exclaimed as they ran over to him.
"You all right?" Burgh inquired as Misty helped Ash up.
"Pikachu!" ("You okay?")
"Yeah, I didn't feel a thing!" Ash replied.
"Sure you didn't." Misty said, her anger at his foolishness melting away a little when she noticed there were no immediate damages.
"Sewaddle, Sewaddle Sewad!" ("Here, have an apple!")
"Is that fruit for me?" Ash inquired as the Sewing Pokémon put down the apple is was carrying.
"Thanks a lot, Sewaddle!" Ash said as Sewaddle turned its head away.
"Let's eat!" The group of people shouted as they went back to camp as the sun was setting.
"Delicious!" Burgh commented.
"Wow, your pasta and soup taste great together!" Iris added.
"I haven't tasted anything that good since I traveled with Brock." Misty said.
"And here's a fruit salad just for you." Cilan said, placing a bowl of it in front of Burgh.
"Say, how did you know that dish is my favorite?" Burgh inquired.
"I am a Pokémon Connoisseur." Cilan replied.
"Hey, where's Sewaddle?" Iris wondered.
"Sewaddle's eating, too!" Ash said, looking up at the Sewing Pokémon as it ate its collection of fruit.
"What a magnificent view!" Cilan commented as the sun set, the crescent moon rose, and the stars emerged.
"I've never slept in a treetop before." Ash said.
"I find that odd given all the other stuff you do." Misty said.
"A delicious touch!" Cilan said.
"So how much have you discovered since you began your journey, Ash?" Burgh asked conversationally.
"Discovered?" Ash asked.
"When I was child, the great beauty of Bug-type Pokémon captured my pure heart!" Burgh said.
"That sounds kind of like me." Misty said. "I just love Water-type Pokémon. They have such great charm. And they are beautiful and have such depth."
"Same old Misty." Ash said, chuckling. "Whenever you talk about Water-type Pokémon you get a different personality."
"Well, it's true." Misty said simply.
"Since then, I've drawn pictures of and battled with them more times than I can remember," Burgh continued. "but, even to this day, I continue to learn new and marvelous things about them!"
"Yeah, Pokémon are awesome!" Ash exclaimed. "I've gained so much experience and friends since I started my journey and I probably wouldn't be where I am without them."
As Ash said this he was looking over at Cilan, Iris, her Axew, and Pikachu. However, when his eyes fell upon Misty, he couldn't help but blush faintly.
Although, I wonder if some of them are more than friends to me.
"Look!" Iris exclaimed "A shooting star!"
"Whoa, what a sweet sight!" Cilan said.
"Falling asleep under the stars is the best." Iris said.
It sure seems romantic. Misty though to herself, blushing lightly and a small smile gracing her features.
"Sewaddle, hang out!" Ash said, turning his attention to the Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewaddle!" ("Whatever!") The Sewing Pokémon said before turning away from Ash.
"That's okay!" Ash said. Ash couldn't help but reflect over the times a Pokémon of his - or any Pokémon - gave him the cold shoulder. "Have a good sleep!"
"Sewad?" ("Hello?") The Sewing Pokémon said as it dropped in front Ash's sleeping bag.
"What's the matter?" Ash asked, Pikachu comfortably under his arm.
"Say, that's a very unusual thing for Sewaddle to do." Burgh remarked as the Pokémon in question went into Ash's sleeping bag.
"Sewa, Wa Sewaddle!" ("Ah, this feels nice!") The Sewing Pokémon said as it got comfortable under Ash's arm.
"Pikachu!" ("Yeah!")
"'Kay, good night, Pikachu!" Ash said. "You too, Sewaddle."
"Pikachu Pikapi." ("Good night Ash!")
"Sewa Wa." ("Good night.")
"Good night Misty." Ash murmured under his breath as he turned slightly to look at sleeping orange-haired Pokémon Trainer next to her.
"Pikapi, Pikachu Pika!" ("Ash, Wake up!") The Mouse Pokémon shouted after the night passed.
"Pikachu, what's wrong?" Ash inquired, standing up on his sleeping bag as he looked around, Burgh looking over curiously, Cilan and Iris waking up groggily, and Misty looking ready for the day, albeit she wasn't wearing her usual attire.
"Pika Pika!" ("Down here!")
"Huh?" Ash asked as he looked down.
"Pikachu Pika." ("Over there.") The Mouse Pokémon said, pointing down.
"Huh!" Ash exclaimed, looking down to see a Patrat running off. The Patrat however wasn't alone as it was carrying a sleeping Sewaddle on its back.
"Hey!" Ash shouted, jumping back up into the tree. " A Patrat's got Sewaddle!"
"Where are you going?" Iris, Cilan, and Burgh asked as Ash jumped out of the tree.
"My guess." Misty said as they looked over to her. "Is he is going to chase down that Patrat."
"Huh, where am I?" Sewaddle wondered as it looked down and noticed the Patrat. "Oh, I don't think so!"
Sewaddle then fired a string of web at a nearby tree branch, swinging off of the Patrat.
"It ran into that cave!" Ash commented as they caught up to the Patrat.
Before the Sewaddle could pull itself over to the tree branch, a strong wind blew, snapping the webbing and knocking in down onto a Deerling. This surprised the Deerling and blinded it.
"Patrat!" The group of people said simultaneously as they saw the Patrat in the cave.
"Where's Sewaddle?" Ash asked.
"I think I see another Patrat!" Iris commented as the Patrat was looking at them, growling.
"It looks like it's ill." Cilan said as the Patrat in question was murmuring its name and shaking its head.
"Right!" Burgh said, walking over to the Patrat. "Eating the type of leaf that Sewaddle wears can go a long way to cure a Patrat's stomachache!"
"Which means Patrat brought Sewaddle back here so it could help its sick friend get well!" Iris said.
"I suppose a stomachache could be a sick ailment." Misty said.
"Here, take this." Burgh said, putting a small brown ball up for the Patrat to eat.
"It's bitter, but you'll feel better in no time!" Burgh said as the Patrat grimaced.
"Rat Rat?" ("You okay?")
"Patrat!" ("I am now!")
"Patrat!" ("Thank goodness!"
"Feel better, huh?" Ash asked as he approached them.
"Rat." ("Yes.") The Patrat that was caring for its friend said.
"Rat Rat!" ("Thank you!") The two Patrat said in unison.
"No prob!" Burgh replied.
"Wonder where Sewaddle went off to." Ash said as they made their way out of the cave.
"Who knows." Misty said, shrugging. "But I'm sure we'll find it."
As if on cue, the Deerling Sewaddle hitched a ride on appeared.
"A Deerling!" Ash exclaimed. "And is that who I think it is?"
"I wasn't necessarily thinking it would appear that fast." Misty said with a sweat-drop.
"Sewaddle!" ("A little help please!")
"And look who's with it!" Burgh said.
"It's Sewaddle!" Iris said.
"Sewaddle!" Ash shouted before chasing after the Deerline, Sewaddle hanging on to Deerling with its webbing.
"Sewaddle!" Ash said again as they followed him.
"Oh no!" Burgh exclaimed as he noticed that if the Deerling keeps running they'll run straight off a cliff.
"They'll go off that that cliff!" Iris and Cilan shouted in unison.
"Not if I can help it!" Misty shouted, kissing her Poké Ball before putting everything she had into it before throwing it. "Misty calls Gyarados!"
As the Poké Ball soared through the air, the Atrocious Pokémon emerged, blocking off the path if it should come to that.
"Use String Shot and aim for my arm, Sewaddle!" Ash shouted.
Right before Deerling crashed into Gyarados, and quite possibly knocking it into the ravine too at the speed it was going, Sewaddle did as it was told and latched onto Ash's arm with its string.
"Now, come towards me, Sewaddle!" Ash shouted.
As Sewaddle jumped off of Deerling, Deerling ran around Gyarados and jumped over the ravine, making it safely to the other side. The Deerling was then glad that was over.
The strong wind then came for a return trip, snapping the cord and sending Sewaddle over Gyarados and into the ravine.
"Sewaddle!" Ash shouted as he ran quickly around Gyarados and jumped in after the Sewing Pokémon, them both landing in the water at the bottom of the ravine. "Sewaddle!"
"Let's follow them!" Burgh said as they ran over to ravine and looked down into it. Misty then returned Gyarados to its Poké Ball, congratulating it for a good attempt.
"Right!" Iris and Cilan said simultaneously.
"Don't need to tell me twice." Misty said.
"Hang in there, Sewaddle, I'm coming." Ash said as he swam after the Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewaddle, don't give up!" Ash added as he noticed the waterfall at the end.
"Sewad Sewad!" ("As if I have a choice!")
"Just a little more!" Ash said, grabbing Sewaddle and holding it close.
"Leavanny, use String Shot!" Burgh shouted as he released his Poké Ball.
Leavanny then shot out its string onto Ash's back before pulling it with her hands, sending Ash flying back onto the ground. Thankfully, Leavanny managed to get his string ready before Ash could fall off the waterfall.
"All right!" Iris and Cilan exclaimed in unison.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Misty said before wrapping Ash up in a hug after he let Sewaddle go.
"Yeah...I'm fine...Misty." Ash breathed, blushing more fiercely then he did before. Deciding that he didn't want anyone to stare at them he added. "But...could you possibly...let me go...you're suffocating me."
"Oh, sorry." Misty said bashfully, blushing too. "I was just relieved to see that you're okay."
"Thanks Misty." Ash murmured. "I appreciate the concern."
"Don't mention it." Misty said, shoving his shoulder playfully before getting up to run next to Iris.
"Thanks a lot!" Ash said, directing the gratitude now to Burgh and his Leavanny as Pikachu ran over to him and Sewaddle jumped into his arms again.
"Sewaddle, you okay?" Ash asked, looking down at the Sewing Pokémon in his arms.
"Sewad!" ("I am now!")
"That's great!" Ash said. "But your clothes got messed up."
"Don't you worry about a thing!" Burgh said.
"Leavanny!" ("It'll be fine!")
"Leavanny huh." Ash said, reaching for his Pokédex.
"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 Pokédex uttered.
"Wow!" Ash said.
"Sewad!" ("Cool!")
"Okay, we'll use this!" Burgh decided after they followed the Castelia Gym Leader over to an arch of leaves.
Showing the leave he had chosen, Burgh spoke to his Pokémon. "Leavanny, can you make a new outfit using this leaf?"
"Leavann." ("Of course.")
Leavanny then happily murmured its name as it cut up a new outfit for Sewaddle.
"Leavann!" ("There you go!") The Nurturing Pokémon said as it placed the outfit on Sewaddle's head.
"Sewaddle Sewaddle!" ("Thank you so much!")
"Whoa, Sewaddle looks amazing!" Ash commented.
"I was quite impressed with the way you rescued Sewaddle, in a totally unselfish way and with a pure heart!" Burgh said.
"That's my Ash for you." Misty said, placing a hand on Ash's shoulder. Misty then blushed a little at the ramifications of what she just said. Luckily for her no one seemed to notice the implications.
"Aw, thanks guys!" Ash said bashfully, scratching the back of his neck as Misty removed her hand.
"It looks to me like Sewaddle feels the same!" Cilan interjected.
Ash then noticed what Cilan was talking about. Sewaddle was happily rubbing its head against Ash's leg.
"Wanna come with me, Sewaddle?" Ash asked as he kneeled down in front of the Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewaddle!" ("I sure do!")
"That's great!" Ash exclaimed as he readied a Poké Ball. "Then go, Poké Ball!"
The Poké Ball then rocked back and forth three times before signifying the capture was complete.
"All right!" Ash shouted after he picked up the Poké Ball. "I've got Sewaddle!" Pikachu then jumped up to join his trainer in his enthusiasm.
Ash then noticed something peculiar about his Poké Ball.
"Hmm? Something's wrong with this Poké Ball."
"What do you mean?" Misty asked.
"Well, remember when I caught my Krabby around the time we met Bill." Ash said.
"Yeah..." Misty began curiously. "But I don't see what that has to do with anything.
"After I caught Krabby, the Poké Ball was transported." Ash said. "I'd assume something like that would be happening right now. Something like the Poké Ball shrinking."
"Well Ash." Cilan began. "Since you're from Kanto, the maximum number of Pokémon a Pokémon Trainer can carry with them is six. Am I correct?"
"Yeah." Ash replied. "Is that different here in Unova?"
"Indeed." Cilan continued. "In Unova you are allowed to have a maximum number of up to ten Pokémon with you at a time."
"Ten Pokémon?" Ash and Misty both said at once, incredulity evident in their voices.
"Yes." Cilan replied tersely.
"There's a Pokémon Center right on the outskirts of the forest." Burgh interjected. "I'll take you there!"
"Wow, you will?" Ash inquired. "That means I can get my Sewaddle checked on by Nurse Joy!"
"And we can be out of this Buy-type Pokémon-infested forest." Misty added, eliciting a sweat-drop from those present.
"So, how did it go?" Cilan asked as Ash came from getting Sewaddle checked up on by Nurse Joy. "Was it successful."
"Yeah, it was." Ash replied. "Nurse Joy said that Sewaddle is as healthy as can be. And I also decided to send over Pidove so she could get analyzed."
Ash then brought out Sewaddle's Poké Ball. "All right! Sewaddle, come on out!"
"Sewaddle!" ("Hello again!")
"Nice to see you again, Sewaddle!" Ash said, picking up his Sewing Pokémon.
"Sewad!" ("I agree!")
Ash and Sewaddle then touched their forehead and sensory knobs together respectively.
"Ah, sweet inspiration!" Burgh exclaimed. "Yes, thanks to Ash and Sewaddle, I've got an idea for my next project! I'm off now to Castelia City, so I'll see you there!"
And with that, Burgh ran off in the direction of Castelia City.
"But, Burgh, wait!" Ash shouted.
Burgh then stopped moments later, his cloak billowing dramatically in the wind.
"I'll be waiting for you at the Castelia Gym." Burgh said, looking back at them. "Farewell!"
"Great!" Ash said before waving after the retreating figure of the Bug-type Pokémon Trainer. "Bye! See you there!"
"Sewa Wa!" ("See you again!")
"Goodbye, Burgh!" Iris said as she, Cilan, and Misty began waving too.
"Safe travels!" Cilan added.
"Be sure to keep those Bug-type Pokémon in line!" Misty said, causing those present to chuckle lightly at the comment.
"Pikachu!" ("Goodbye!")
And with that, the four teens and their Pokémon rested at the Pokémon Center before continuing the next day. As they continue on Ash's journey to win the eight Unova Gym Badges required and enter the Pokémon League.
Author's Notes: So, what do you think of Ash, Misty, Iris, and Cilan being able to have ten Pokémon on their person at one time? Yes, I know it isn't Canon, but sometimes, the Canon leaves some things to be desired. With this allowance of extra Pokémon on Ash's person, I plan on trying to make it so that the spotlight is shared by all of his Unova Pokémon. Only time will tell if I succeed in that department. Not going to be easy to juggle all of those Pokémon and their move sets.
And to save myself from writing sentence after sentence, there may be things in this story that I took from the Fanfiction I mentioned in the last chapter.