Chapter 18: True Loyalty
After a hard fought victory at the Lunick Town Gym Ash decided that his Pokémon more than deserved a long break, so while he waited for Nurse Joy to finish examining them he was telling Professor Oak what happened during the battle.
"Oh, that was fortunate," the professor commented upon hearing of Gible's evolution.
"It was. He really performed great in the battle. In fact, everyone did," Ash said. "When it was all said and done we earned our first badge." He took out his badge case and opened it, showing Professor Oak his newly won badge.
"Well, congratulations," Professor Oak praised. "All you need are seven more to qualify."
"Seven more badges and four Area Crests to be exact," Ash corrected.
"Ah yes, the crests slipped my mind for a moment," Professor Oak said. Right then a chime went off inside the Pokémon Center, letting Ash know his Pokémon were finished with their check-ups.
"My Pokémon are ready," Ash said. "I'll be sending them over in a little bit."
"I'll be waiting for them," Professor Oak replied. Ash then got up from the videophone and walked over to the front desk where Nikki, Buneary and Nurse Joy were waiting for him.
"All your Pokémon are in perfect health," Nurse Joy reported.
"Thank you," Ash replied as he accepted his Poké Balls. "Now to send Torterra, Onix, Donphan and Gabite to Professor Oak's ranch." He walked over to the Poké Ball transporter and called Professor Oak using the nearby videophone.
"Okay, we're ready on our end," Ash said.
"As am I. You can send them whenever you're ready," Professor Oak informed him. Ash then began sending his Pokémon over. He had just finished sending them over and was about to request four others when a rather loud bark caught his attention.
"What was that?" Nikki wondered.
"I don't know," Ash told her. "Would you mind holding on for a bit, Professor? There's something we want to check."
"Not at all. I'll be waiting for you to get back." The two trainers and their Pokémon got up to investigate the bark they heard. The first thing they thought of doing was asking Nurse Joy about it.
"Nurse Joy, did you hear…" When they got back to the front desk they found the pink haired Nurse was nowhere to be found.
"Where do you suppose she went?" Ash wondered. Before they could come up with an answer they heard another bark, only this time it was followed by a voice.
"Is it your feeding time already?" The group immediately recognized the voice.
"That's Nurse Joy," Nikki said.
"Sounds like she's in the recovery room. Let's go see what she's doing," Ash suggested. The others agreed and followed him back to where the recovery room was. When they arrived they found Nurse Joy setting a bowl of Pokémon food down in front of a orange canine-like Pokémon.
"That's a Growlithe," Nikki stated. Ash instantly whipped out his Pokédex and scanned the Growlithe.
Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon. Growlithe have a brave and trustworthy nature. They fearlessly stand up to bigger and stronger foes.
"Okay, eat up," Nurse Joy said, stepping away from the bowl of food. The Growlithe barked happily and began devouring the food. To Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon something didn't look right.
"It may just be me, but that Growlithe doesn't appear to be injured," Nikki commented.
"I don't think he is," Ash replied.
"I wonder what he's doing here then," Nikki said.
"He was abandoned." The two trainers were surprised when Nurse Joy walked over to them. They were so focused on the Growlithe they didn't notice when she walked out of the recovery room.
"Abandoned?" Nikki gasped.
"Yes," the nurse confirmed.
"But why? Why would anyone want to abandon one of their Pokémon?" Ash questioned.
"According to his trainer, or former trainer, he was too weak," Nurse Joy said.
"Too weak?" Nikki repeated, making sure she heard the nurse correctly.
"Yes, that's what he said," Nurse Joy answered. "It happened a few days ago, right after you two arrived actually…"
Nurse Joy was standing at the front desk, waiting for any trainer who happened to need her assistance. Her Chansey was in the back going over their inventory to make sure they had everything they'd need in case of an emergency. It had been a quiet day so far, but the experienced nurse knew that could all change in an instant. She was about to head to the back to help Chansey when an angry looking trainer stormed into the lobby.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I…" Her greeting was interrupted when the trainer angrily threw a Poké Ball in her direction. She barely had enough time to react and catch the ball before it hit something.
"If you want to help me you can start by taking this worthless thing off my hands!" the trainer spat. Nurse Joy had half a mind to give him a piece of her mind for what he did, but she was curious to see what was inside the Poké Ball. When she opened it she gasped, for what came out was a Growlithe that appeared to have been in a war. Scrapes and bruises dotted his small body, and his breathing was labored.
"Oh my goodness! This Growlithe needs immediate medical attention!" she gasped. "How could you let him get in this condition?"
"It's not my fault he got beat up like that," the trainer replied.
"Yes it is! As his trainer it's your responsibility to care for your Pokémon!" Nurse Joy reprimanded.
"Well if he wasn't so weak then maybe I'd care!" the trainer retorted. By now Nurse Joy was disgusted by him. She was about to call Officer Jenny and report him, but a pained whimper from the Growlithe changed her mind. She took the Growlithe in her arms and glared at the trainer.
"I'll deal with you later," she said before rushing to the emergency room, calling for her Chansey to help her.
"Chansey and I managed to successfully treat the Growlithe's injuries, but when I got back to the lobby the trainer was already gone," Nurse Joy explained. "I called Officer Jenny and told her about him. She agreed to be on the lookout for him, but so far she hasn't seen him either." By now both Ash and Nikki were angry, but Ash's anger was so great his entire body was shaking.
"That… jerk!" he fumed. "How could he say that?"
"He's the absolute worst!" Nikki added.
"(I can't stand trainers like that!)" Pikachu growled, his cheeks slightly sparking in anger. They were angry about what the trainer did, but Buneary was more concerned with how the Growlithe felt.
"(Poor guy… being abandoned because your trainer thinks you're weak,)" she said. The others heard her and felt the same way.
"I wish there was something we could do for him," Nikki said.
"But what?" Ash asked.
"I don't know, but there has to be something," Nikki answered. "Maybe we could ask a Pokémon expert about it." Seconds later Ash gasped.
"We left Professor Oak waiting on the videophone!" he shouted.
"Oh no! I completely forgot!" Nikki said.
"Come on! Let's hurry!" The two of them rushed back to the lobby.
"… and that's what took us so long," Ash said as he finished explaining the situation to Professor Oak.
"I see. This is a very delicate situation," the professor commented. "People like him don't deserve to be trainers."
"We totally agree with you," Nikki stated.
"Still, what can we do for him?" Ash wondered.
"If you feel you should do something for the Growlithe, try befriending him," Professor Oak suggested. "Pokémon can sense the kindness in trainers, and that Growlithe should be able to sense your kind hearts rather easily."
"Befriend him, huh? That sounds like a good idea," Nikki said.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. "Thanks, Professor." After hanging up with him they returned to Nurse Joy and told her what Professor Oak told them.
"Well, what do you think?" Nikki asked.
"We could try," Nurse Joy replied. "It may not look like it, but right now that little Growlithe needs the kind of love and care that only a trainer can provide."
We'll do what we can," Nikki stated. Nurse Joy nodded and lead them into the room. Upon entering the Growlithe looked up and saw the nurse approaching, along with two people he didn't recognize.
"Growlithe, there are some trainers here who'd like to meet you," Nurse Joy said. She stepped to the side and let Ash and Nikki approach. Pikachu and Buneary stood in front of him while Ash and Nikki knelt down.
"Hi there. I'm Ash," Ash said.
"My name's Nikki," Nikki added.
"(I'm Pikachu,)" Pikachu greeted.
"(And I'm Buneary,)" Buneary said, finishing the greetings.
"Nurse Joy told us what your former trainer did, and in our opinion he was wrong," Ash said.
"That's right. You don't look weak to us," Nikki continued.
"(But how do you know that? You haven't seen me battle yet,)" Growlithe replied.
"I can tell just by looking at you," Ash admitted. "I've seen plenty of Growlithe over the years, and you look as strong as any of them did." Growlithe wasn't sure if Ash knew what he was talking about, but before he could reply Ash reached out and gently began scratching Growlithe on top of his head. Growlithe couldn't remember when the last time he felt anything so wonderful was as his wagging tail let Ash know he was thoroughly enjoying it.
"There, now doesn't that feel good?" Ash asked.
"(Oh, yes… it feels very good,)" the Puppy Pokémon sighed. As Ash watched Growlithe continue to enjoy the head scratching an idea came to him.
"Hey, Nikki. What do you think about staying here for a while?" he suggested.
"Huh?" Nikki asked.
"You see, I want to spend more time with Growlithe, and I figured you did as well," he explained. "So, what do you think?" Nikki had to think about that for a bit. She wanted to get going so they could find out where the next Pokémon Contest and Gym were, but like Ash said she also wanted to spend some more time with Growlithe. After thinking for a few seconds Nikki gave her answer.
"Sure. I don't see why we couldn't," she said. "That wouldn't be a problem, would it Nurse Joy?"
"Of course not. I think it would do Growlithe some good to have someone here to spend time with him," Nurse Joy said.
"Well then, that settles it. Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other, Growlithe," Ash declared. Growlithe's tail continued to wag as he looked up at Ash with a smile on his face.
The next few days saw Ash and Nikki spending plenty of time with Growlithe. The Puppy Pokémon was often seen with them while they trained their other Pokémon, often times participating in the training himself.
"It's good to see Growlithe opening up to them like that," Nurse Joy commented as she watched Growlithe train with Ash and his Pokémon. Ash had been rotating his Pokémon team regularly and was now training with Pikachu, Torkoal, Swellow, Buizel and Glalie.
"Looking good, guys!" Ash cheered. The Pokémon were paired off in groups of two. Pikachu sparred with Swellow, Buizel with Glalie and Torkoal with Growlithe. As usual Ash was impressed with the progress his Pokémon were making, but what really surprised him was Growlithe. The Puppy Pokémon had shown a great amount of strength while sparring with Ash's Pokémon, as well as an impressive array of moves.
Growlithe's really putting forth a lot of effort," Ash commented.
"(He's probably trying to prove to himself that he's not as worthless as his former trainer said,)" Pikachu assumed.
"I don't think he has anything to prove. He's not worthless," Ash said. Their conversation and training session were both brought to an abrupt end when Nikki and Buneary came rushing out of the Pokémon Center, map in hand.
"Guys, they just announced the location of the next Pokémon Contest!" she shouted.
"That's great. Where is it?" Ash asked. Nikki unfolded the map and pointed to a small town north of their location.
"Right there, in Carnation Town," she said.
"Carnation Town?" Ash questioned.
"Yeah. The town's named that because they have some of the most beautiful flower field in all Legenda," Nikki explained.
"Sounds like the perfect place to hold a Pokémon Contest," Ash commented.
"And the perfect place for us to our my first ribbon!" Nikki declared. "Right, Buneary?"
"(Right!)" the Rabbit Pokémon agreed.
"Come on! We've got to plan out some combinations with Shinx and Swablu!" She and Buneary bolted back inside the Pokémon Center, their excitement at a fever pitch.
"(She sure is psyched about this,)" Pikachu commented.
"No more than we are right before a Gym battle," Ash stated. Looking up Ash noticed it was getting quite late.
"I think we've done enough training for one day. Time to call it a day." He recalled all his Pokémon with the exception of Pikachu, who took his normal spot on Ash's shoulder. Along with Growlithe they entered the Pokémon Center.
That night everything seemed peaceful. The Pokémon Center was closed for the night, and everyone inside had settled down for a good nights sleep. Everyone, that is, except for Growlithe. Sleep didn't come him for his mind was filled with various thoughts.
"(Wow… I didn't think I would have so much fun being with Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon,)" the Puppy Pokémon commented as he stood on the balcony on the upper floor of the Pokémon Center looking at the moon. After his trainer abandoned him he doubted if he would every find anything enjoyable about life, but since meeting up with Ash and Nikki he looked forward to every day they spent together. This, though, brought up its own concern.
"(I wonder… would they be willing to take me along when they leave?)" he wondered.
"(I don't think there's any doubt of that.)" Startled by the voice Growlithe spun around and saw Pikachu and Buneary standing behind him.
"(I hope we didn't startle you,)" Buneary said.
"(No, it wasn't that. It's just… I wasn't expecting anyone else to be up right now,)" Growlithe explained.
"(We saw you walking around and wanted to se if you were okay,)" Buneary said. Growlithe said nothing, opting to continue to look at the moon as Pikachu and Buneary walked up and stood next to him. The three of them looked up at the moon for a while before Pikachu spoke up.
"(So you really want to come along with us?)" he asked. The Puppy Pokémon nodded.
"(I can't remember the last I had that much fun. Training with Ash and Nikki is everything I imagined having a trainer would be like,)" he explained. "(I know this may sound silly to you but…)"
"(Not at all,)" Pikachu interrupted. "(In fact I'm sure Ash and Nikki would love to bring you along.)" Growlithe's eyes lit up when he heard this.
"(R-Really? You think they'd let me come along?)" he inquired.
"(Absolutely,)" Buneary answered. "(In fact we'd all love it if you could come with us. We have fun hanging with you too.)" This filled Growlithe with a sense of hope. Even though his former trainer deemed him useless there were still trainers who were willing to take him in, and two of them were right here.
"(Tell you what. Why don't you ask Ash and Nikki tomorrow if you can come with us,)" Pikachu suggested.
"(Do you think they'll say yes?)" Growlithe wondered.
"(I'm sure they will,)" Pikachu replied. This made Growlithe both excited and nervous. On one hand he could ask them and be rejected, but at the same time he knew that if they said yes he'd be taken on an adventure the likes he'll more than likely never forget.
"(Okay. I'll ask them tomorrow,)" he said. Pikachu and Buneary smiled as they pat him on his back.
"(They'll let you. Trust us,)" Pikachu encouraged.
"(Okay, but just to be on the safe side could you two be there to back me up? I fear that I may lose my nerve without some support,)" Growlithe requested. The two of them couldn't help but laugh as they both nodded.
"(I doubt if you'll need any support, but if you do we'll be there to back you up,)" Pikachu promised. This made Growlithe feel a bit more confident about what he was going to do tomorrow. All of a sudden Buneary let out a loud yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"(I don't know about you two, but I'm ready to get back to sleep,)" she said.
"(I think you're right,)" Pikachu agreed, letting out a yawn of his own. "(Care to join us, Growlithe?)"
"(Sure. I want to be well rested for tomorrow.)" The three Pokémon left the balcony and headed inside for a good night's rest.
The next day the group was gathered in the Pokémon Center lobby. Ash and Nikki were looking at their map, planning their next course while Pikachu, Buneary and Growlithe looked on.
"Let's see… Lunick Town is right here, and here's Carnation Town," Nikki stated, pointing out the two locations on the map. "That's quite a ways away."
"We're in for a long trip," Ash commented. "Good thing we thought about stocking up on supplies the other day."
"No kidding," Nikki agreed. While the trainers were plotting their course Pikachu discretely nudged Growlithe, getting the Puppy Pokémon's attention.
"(Now's your chance,)" he whispered. Realizing Pikachu was right Growlithe took a deep breath to prepare himself.
"(Here's goes nothing.)" Before he could open his mouth and say anything the doors of the Pokémon Center slid open.
"Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I…" She never finished her greeting, for when she saw who walked in she gasped.
"I-It's you!" The group looked up from the map and saw a rather disgruntled trainer walk in. As soon as Growlithe saw him the hair on his back stood up and he let out a menacing growl.
"What is it?" Ash asked.
"(It's him!)" Growlithe growled.
"Who? That guy?" Ash glanced at the trainer, still clueless about his identity and how Growlithe knew him.
"Who is he?" he asked. Growlithe's eyes narrowed in anger as he gave his reply.
"(Allistar… my old trainer…)"
"What?" Their eyes immediately went to the trainer that walked in. Though most of his body was covered by a black trench coat the scowl on his face let them know he was not a caring or compassionate trainer.
"Just as I figured… every Pokémon around here is useless," he spat. Once he reached the front desk he placed a single Poké Ball on the counter.
"Heal my Pokémon," he demanded. Rather than do as he asked Nurse Joy glared at him with a look of disgust.
"How dare you come here after what you did the last time!" she chastised.
"What are you talking about?" Allistar questioned.
"Your Growlithe! The last time you came here you abandoned him!" the nurse answered.
"Oh, that worthless thing. He was as weak as the rest of the Pokémon around here, not even worth my time," he spat. His attitude was beginning to rub everyone the wrong way, but before Nurse Joy could reprimand him further Ash spoke up.
"I don't think it's the Pokémon who's worthless," he stated. "I think it's the trainer who's worthless!" The trainer turned around and faced Ash, his face contorted in a snarl.
"You care to repeat that!" Allistar demanded.
"You heard me! I think you're a worthless trainer!" Ash repeated.
"That's right!" Nikki agreed. "People like you shouldn't be allowed to train Pokémon!" The trainer took a few steps towards them.
"I think you two need to mind your own business!" he shouted.
"If it involves Growlithe then it is our business!" Ash retorted.
"And what makes you think this is…" Before he finished he spotted the Pokémon standing near Ash and Nikki. Once his eyes landed on Growlithe he smirked.
"So the little weakling found someone to take him in," Allistar spat.
"Growlithe's not weak!" Ash countered.
"I beg to differ," he argued. By now it was clear only one thing would settle this argument.
"I'll prove to you that Growlithe isn't weak! I challenge you to a battle!" Ash declared. This seemed to pique the trainer's interest.
"You want to battle me… using that worthless Pokémon?" he questioned.
"We're going to do more than just battle you. We're going to BEAT you!" Ash declared. Once he knew Ash was serious he quickly agreed.
"I could always use another easy victory," he stated. He snatched the Poké Ball from Nurse Joy's desk and followed Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon outside. As soon as they were outside Nurse Joy grabbed the phone on the desk and dialed a number.
"He's come back! Get over here as soon as you can!"
At the battlefield behind the Pokémon Center Ash and Growlithe were preparing to face off against Growlithe's old trainer. Nikki, Pikachu and Buneary were sitting on a bench on the sidelines. Looking at the competitors it looked as though the only one more eager for this battle to start than Ash was Growlithe.
"(Growlithe really wants to get started,)" Buneary commented.
"Knowing him he sees this as an opportunity to prove himself in front of his old trainer," Nikki assumed. "I just hope he doesn't overdo it and hurt himself."
"(I wouldn't worry about that. Growlithe is in good hands,)" Pikachu stated.
"I hope you're right," Nikki said. By now Ash and his opponents were getting ready to start.
"So, what are the rules?" Allistar wondered.
"One-on-one with no substitutions," Ash said. "I'll be battling with Growlithe, of course." Upon hearing his name Growlithe took his place in front of Ash and let out a menacing growl.
"Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine," Ash told the Puppy Pokémon. Growlithe nodded, though his eyes never left his old trainer.
"That's fine with me. I'll just use the same Pokémon I did when I caught that worthless Pokémon!" He hurled his Poké Ball into the air, and when it opened a large steel bird appeared.
"A Skarmory!" Ash gasped.
"A Skarmory? Hold on a second." Nikki took out her Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. Its sturdy wings look heavy, but they are actually hollow and light, allowing it to fly freely in the sky.
"That doesn't make any sense. Why use a Steel type against a Fire type? The match-up isn't In his favor," Nikki stated.
"(But he did just say he used that Skarmory when he first caught Growlithe, so maybe he knows something we don't,)" Pikachu pointed out. Realizing Pikachu may have been right Nikki thought to warn Ash.
"Be careful! He may know how to beat Growlithe even with a type disadvantage!" Nikki shouted. Ash gave her a thumbs up to let her know he heard her.
"Okay, Growlithe. If he tries anything you've seen before let me know," Ash instructed.
"(I will,)" the Puppy Pokémon confirmed.
"Well since you're not going to make the first move I will! Skarmory, Drill Peck!" The Armor Bird Pokémon let out a screech and dove down towards Growlithe, spinning rapidly.
"Dodge and use Flamethrower!" Ash shouted. Growlithe jumped to the side and let Skarmory pass by harmlessly. He then set himself and spewed intense flames at the retreating Flying type.
"Protect!" Allistar ordered. Skarmory spun around and erected a greenish barrier around himself right before the Flamethrower made contact. The powerful Fire attack was effectively blocked.
"(Heads up, Ash! Last time he followed this with Aerial Ace!)" Growlithe warned. Ash was familiar with that attack and the fact that it never missed.
"In that case we need to get our next attack off fast!" he replied.
"Aerial Ace!" Just as Growlithe had predicted Skarmory went into a dive.
"Counter with Flame Wheel!" Ash shouted. As Skarmory drew closer Growlithe wrapped himself in spiraling flames and charged towards the Armor Bird Pokémon. The two Pokémon hit head-on and appeared to be evenly matched, but Growlithe's type advantage gave him the edge as he forced Skarmory back.
"Way to go, Ash and Growlithe!" Nikki cheered.
"(They just might win this!)" Buneary added. Allistar, on the other hand, was furious.
"You better not let that weakling beat you!" he seethed. "Now hit him with Steel Wing!" Filled with anger Skarmory slashed at Growlithe with his wings, sending the Puppy Pokémon rolling across the ground.
"No, Growlithe!" Ash cried.
"Now finish him off with Drill Peck!" Allistar ordered. While Growlithe was still a bit dazed and confused Skarmory gained some altitude. Then, he dove down and began spinning, intending to end this battle right here and now.
"Look out!" Nikki screamed.
"Growlithe, use Flamethrower towards the ground!" Ash shouted. Right at the last minute Growlithe got to his feet and fired a Flamethrower at the ground, propelling himself upwards. He passed Skarmory on his way up, just barely avoiding being clipped by the Armor Bird Pokémon.
"He's above you! Stop your attack!" Allistar shouted. By then, though it was too late. Unable to stop Skarmory plunged into the ground, stunning himself upon impact.
"Now dive down and use Flame Wheel!" Ash instructed. As Growlithe began his descent he once again wrapped himself in the spiraling flames of Flame Wheel.
"Do it!" Ash encouraged.
"Get out of there, Skarmory!" Allistar panicked. But it was too little, too late. By the time Skarmory knew what was happening the Flame Wheel hit home, engulfing the Armor Bird Pokémon in red-hot flames. Growlithe emerged from the attack and landed right in front of Ash. Skarmory, on the other hand, had been rendered unconscious.
"Yeah! We won!" Ash cheered. Nikki and the Pokémon leapt up from the bench and ran out to congratulate Ash and Growlithe.
"You two were amazing!" Nikki exclaimed. "There was no way Allistar stood a chance!"
"(Didn't I tell you they would be fine?)" Pikachu said.
"(You did, and you were right,)" Buneary said. "(Guess that really shows who the weak one is, huh.)"
"You got that right," Ash agreed. "Don't you think so, Growlithe?" The Puppy Pokémon nodded, his tail wagging excitedly as he basked in the glory of defeating his former trainer.
"I don't believe this! How could I have lost to that weakling?" Allistar roared. He glared at Ash and Growlithe.
"This isn't over! I'll get my revenge on you yet!" he warned.
"I doubt that!" The next thing they knew Allistar was in handcuffs with Officer Jenny standing right behind him.
"Hey! What's going on?" Allistar demanded.
"You're under arrest for Pokémon neglect!" Officer Jenny announced.
"Officer Jenny? What's she doing here?" Ash wondered.
"I called her." The group turned and saw Nurse Joy approaching them.
"You called her?" Nikki asked.
"I did. When all of you went outside for your battle I called Officer Jenny and told her he was here," Nurse Joy explained.
"I wanted to arrest him as soon as I arrived, but I saw that your battle had already started and I didn't want to interrupt it, so I decided to wait until you were done before I moved in and arrested him," Officer Jenny continued.
"So now that you've got him, what will happen next?" Nikki asked.
"He'll be taken down to the station where we'll have his trainer's license suspended. Of course I'm confident that in the end his license will be revoked and all his Pokémon confiscated," Officer Jenny explained.
"That's good to hear," Nikki said. "He doesn't deserve to be a Pokémon trainer with the way he just abandoned Growlithe."
"I agree," Officer Jenny said. "Well, I've got to take this guy back to the station." With a salute she lead Allistar back to her motorbike and placed him in the sidecar before climbing on the bike herself. As she drove away Allistar shot a hateful glare at Ash and Growlithe. Within seconds they were gone.
"Whew… glad that's over," Nikki sighed.
"No kidding," Ash agreed. "That was a bit too tense for me." Everyone else agreed with the two trainers.
"So, now that everything's calmed back down I guess we should think about heading out," Nikki suggested.
"Yeah. We have to get to Carnation Town for your Pokémon Contest," Ash said. During this Pikachu and Buneary glanced down at Growlithe. The Puppy Pokémon noticed this and looked up at them. Both Pokémon nodded at him, telling him that the time was right.
"(Okay… here I go.)" Growlithe took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"Okay, guys. Let's…"
"(Umm… Ash?)" The Pallet Town native looked down at Growlithe, wondering what he wanted.
"What is it, Growlithe?" he asked. Now that he had Ash's attention he knew what he had to do, but that didn't keep him from feeling a bit nervous.
"(Well… you see… I was wondering if… maybe… if I could… c-come along with you?)" he asked.
"You want to come with me?" Ash questioned.
"(Well… only if you want me to… I mean… I'd like to… but if you don't want me to then…)" By now Growlithe had begun rambling, not paying attention to what was coming out of his mouth. Ash knelt down in front of him and placed his hand on the Puppy Pokémon's head.
"If you wanted to come with me all you had to do was say so," he stated.
"(S-So… does that mean?)"
"Of course you can come with us," Ash told him. That was exactly the answer Growlithe wanted to hear. Overcome with happiness he leapt onto Ash and knocked him to the ground, happily licking his face.
"Haha… okay, Growlithe, okay! That tickles!" Ash laughed. After a few more seconds Growlithe got off of Ash and let him get up. Shortly after that Ash grabbed an empty Poké Ball.
"Okay, time to make this official. Go, Poké Ball!" He tossed the ball at Growlithe, watching as it bounced off his head and drew him inside. The ball never shook as the light flashed three time before a 'ping' echoed around them. Ash picked up the Poké Ball.
"Alright! I got a Growlithe!" he cheered.
"(We got a new friend!)" Pikachu added.
"I'm glad Growlithe will be in good hands," Nurse Joy said.
"He's in very good hands," Nikki stated. Now that Growlithe was on the team Ash and Nikki could look forward to their next destination, Carnation Town, where Nikki hoped to win her first Pokémon Contest.
Ash's kind-hearted nature not only helped an abandoned Growlithe prove himself to his old trainer, but also convinced the Growlithe to join his team. Now with a new member where will Ash and Nikki's journey take them? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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