Chapter 24: Six Tails to a Story
After departing from Carnation Town Ash and Nikki looked forward to the next stop on their journey, Treetop Town, where Ash would try to win his second Legenda League Gym badge. As they walked, and with Nikki's defeat in the Carnation Town Pokémon Contest still fresh in their minds, the two trainers were discussing possible strategies for Nikki's next Contest.
"You know, maybe if I could perfect some more combinations before my Contest I could do better," Nikki said.
"Sounds good to me. You know what they say, 'Practice makes perfect'," Ash said.
"(That's right, and we'll be there to help you practice,)" Pikachu added. Nikki looked to the two of them and smiled.
"Thanks you guys," she said. "With your help I can see a bright future as a coordinator ahead of me!"
"(I'm glad you see something, because I sure don't!)" Buneary stated. As they were talking a thick blanket of fog had rolled in, completely obscuring their vision.
"Where did this fog come from?" Nikki wondered.
"I don't know," Ash replied. "You'd better stick close to me so we don't get separated. Better yet let's join hands to make sure that doesn't happen."
"Good idea," Nikki agreed. The two of them joined hands and continued on through the fog. At certain points it grew so thick they could barely see a few inches in front of them.
"This is getting a bit dangerous. Do you think we should stop and wait for the fog to lift?" Nikki suggested.
"There's no telling how long that would take," Ash replied. "I say we keep going but be careful about where you step. One misstep could mean trou-AH!" Ash suddenly found himself falling down. Unfortunately because he was holding Nikki's hand she was in danger of being pulled down with him.
"(Whoa!)" Buneary cried as she tried desperately to keep from falling off Nikki's shoulder. As she hung on to Nikki's shirt sleeve the fog cleared a bit, revealing that Ash had stepped off a cliff. Nikki had thankfully fallen on solid ground, preventing them from falling further. Looking down the fog still hid the bottom, leaving them to wonder how far down the cliff reached.
"Hang on, Ash!" Nikki called.
"I'm… trying!" Ash grunted. He looked around to see if there was anything he could grab onto to help pull himself back up, but there was nothing. Pikachu hung onto Ash's backpack, desperate to keep from falling himself. As he glanced up he saw Buneary hanging onto Nikki.
"(Don't let go!)" Pikachu called.
"(Easier said than do-OONE!)" Everything began to move in slow motion as Pikachu saw Buneary lose her grip and begin to fall.
"Buneary!" Nikki cried. Acting faster than he thought possible Pikachu sprang off of Ash's backpack using Quick Attack and shot up towards Buneary, grabbing her as he ascended. Then, using the momentum from Quick Attack, he carried Buneary and himself safely up to solid ground.
"(Are you okay?)" Pikachu asked.
"(Y-Yeah. Thanks for saving me,)" Buneary said. Both Pokémon were relieved to be out of danger, but their relief soon turned to concern when they realized their trainers were still in danger. Their concern grew when they saw the cliff start to give way beneath Nikki.
"(Nikki!)" Buneary cried.
"(Hold on! We're coming to help!)" Pikachu shouted. Before either Pokémon could make a move Nikki called them off.
"No! Stay back!" she ordered.
"(But… the cliff…)" Buneary protested.
"(It could give way any second!)" Pikachu argued.
"And that's why we don't want you two getting too close!" Nikki stated. As she struggled to pull Ash back up the Pallet Town trainer knew she needed help. He grabbed a Poké Ball and tossed it to the top of the cliff.
"Ivysaur, help us!" he shouted. The Seed Pokémon appeared from his Poké Ball moments later. Just as Ash was about to call out a command the cliff gave way, sending him and Nikki plunging into the fog.
"(No!)" Buneary screamed. Just when it looked like Ash and Nikki would fall to their premature demise Ivysaur managed to snag Nikki's ankle with his vines, saving them from plummeting into the fog.
"(Don't worry! I've got you!)" Ivysaur shouted. With his evolved form came new-found strength, which he used to pull Ash and Nikki back safely to the top of the cliff. As soon as they were safe Pikachu and Buneary hurried to their respective trainers.
"(Are you alright?)" Buneary asked.
"We're both fine, thanks to Ivysaur, that is," Nikki praised.
"Yeah, you really helped us out of a tight situation there," Ash added.
"(I'm just glad you're both okay,)" the Seed Pokémon said.
"(So are we,)" Pikachu admitted.
"I'll be even more glad when we're out of this fog. It's way too dangerous to try walking through this," Nikki stated.
"I agree. If only we had something to give us a bit of light," Ash commented.
"We can use my flashlight," Nikki suggested. She immediately began digging through her backpack for the device in question. Because of the fog it was a bit difficult to find, but eventually she found it. Flipping the switch provided the group with a bit of light.
"It's not much, but it's better than nothing," she admitted.
"Okay. I say we try to find somewhere to stay until this fog passes," Ash said. "Let's…"
"Hey! Is anyone there?"
"Did you hear that?" Nikki asked.
"Yeah," Ash answered. "It sounds like someone needs help."
"Where are you?" Nikki called.
"Down here!" Strangely enough the voice seemed to be coming from the bottom of the cliff Ash and Nikki nearly fell off of.
"Who knew there was someone down there," Nikki commented.
"Hang on! We'll pull you up!" Ash shouted. He then called Ivysaur over to them.
"I need you to use your Vine Whip to help whoever's down there get back up here," Ash explained.
"(Leave it to me,)" Ivysaur said. He lowered one of his vines and then waited for whoever was down there to grab it. After a few seconds he felt something brush against the vine. However, something didn't feel right to him.
"(Um, guys… I think I found whoever's down there… but, uh… they feel a little… furry,)" he said.
"Furry?" Nikki questioned, a bit confused.
"(Yeah,)" Ivysaur confirmed.
"What's taking so long? Grab my paw and pull me up!" the voice demanded.
"Hold on! Did they just say 'grab their paw'?" Ash questioned.
"Let's just get whoever's down there up here. We can figure the rest out after that," Nikki suggested. Ash agreed with her and instructed Ivysaur to go ahead and do as the voice asked. Ivysaur complied, wrapping his vine around the paw of mysterious voice.
"(Kinda small,)" he commented.
"Be careful pulling them up. They may be injured," Nikki warned. With a nod Ivysaur slowly began pulling the distressed being up.
"(Light, too,)" he added. Within seconds the being had been lifted to the top of the cliff, revealing their identity.
"It's a Vulpix!" Ash gasped as he stared sat the small six-tailed fox hanging from Ivysaur's vine.
"(Thanks. I've been down there for a while,)" she said. Immediately Nikki took out her Pokédex and scanned her:
Vulpix, the Fox Pokémon. As it develops, its single white tail gains color and splits into six. It is quite warm and cuddly.
"They forgot cute," Nikki gushed.
"How did you end up down there?" Ash inquired. "Did you get lost in the fog like we did?"
"(Oh no. There was a berry plant just on the edge of the cliff, and since I was a bit hungry I tried to reach for it, but the cliff gave way and I fell down. Luckily I landed on that outcropping just a few feet down,)" Vulpix explained.
"I see," Ash said.
"(You mind putting me down?)" Vulpix wondered.
"(Oh… sure,)" Ivysaur replied. He gently placed her down on the ground, but as soon as she did she gasped in pain and fell.
"Oh no! What's wrong?" Nikki asked.
"(My leg! It hurts!)" Vulpix wailed. Taking a closer look at her they could see a rather large bruise on her left hind leg.
"That looks real bad. It must have happened when she fell," Ash assumed. "We have to get her to a Pokémon Center… fast!"
"But we don't know if there's one close by, and even if there is how are we going to get her there safely in all this fog?" Nikki wondered. That was something none of them had considered, but as they thought only one option came to mind.
"We've only got one option, but I doubt if Vulpix will like it," Ash said. "You're going to have to catch her." One look at Vulpix's shocked face showed that Ash was right about her not liking the idea of being captured.
"Why me? Why can't you catch her?" Nikki wondered. Ash shook his head.
"I already have a team of six Pokémon with me. If I catch her she'll get sent back to Professor Oak's place in Pallet Town," Ash explained. "You have three, so if you catch her she'll remain with you." Nikki nodded upon hearing Ash's explanation, but when she reached for one of her Poké Balls Vulpix tried to get up and run away.
"Whoa, take it easy. We only want to help you," Ash said.
"(No! You want to put me in one of those Balls! I won't let you!)" Vulpix argued. She tried to stand up, but immediately collapsed due to her injury.
"(Stop struggling! You're only making your injury worse!)" Pikachu pleaded.
"(Please, let us help you,)" Buneary begged.
"(No! I won't let you catch me!)" Vulpix shouted. Right then Nikki knelt down in front of her and began to gently pet her.
"I know you don't want to be captured, but it's the only way we can safely get to you to the Pokémon Center," she explained.
"(But… I've been a wild Pokémon all my life. I don't want to be captured,)" Vulpix explained.
"Okay then, how about we make a deal. You let me catch you now and after we get you taken care of at the Pokémon Center I'll let you go. That sound okay to you?" Nikki offered. Vulpix thought about this for a bit.
"(Well… okay,)" she agreed. With a nod Nikki grabbed one of her empty Poké Balls and gently tapped Vulpix on her head. She was converted to energy and drawn inside seconds later. The red light on the ball flashed a few times before the familiar 'ping' of a successful capture rang out.
"Okay, now we need to get her to a Pokémon Center," Ash stated.
"Is there one nearby?" Nikki wondered.
"Let's check the map," Ash suggested. He got the map while Nikki took out her flashlight. The two of them and their Pokémon scanned the map, hoping to find a Pokémon Center they could get Vulpix to.
"There's one," Ash said, pointing at a location on the map.
"(Looks like it's close by too,)" Pikachu stated.
"The closer the better," Nikki said. "So how do we get there from here?" Ash took a closer look at the map.
"Hmm… it looks like it's on a path," he observed.
"I don't remember coming across any path," Nikki said.
"Neither do I," Ash added.
"(So what do we do now?)" Pikachu inquired.
"There's not much we can do outside of retracing our steps and hoping we come across the path that'll take us to the Pokémon Center," Ash replied. After recalling Ivysaur to his Poké Ball the group began the task of retracing their steps in the hopes that they would find the path marked on the map so they could hurry to the nearby Pokémon Center and get Vulpix the help she desperately needed.
"Look! There's the Pokémon Center!" After spending some time retracing their steps Ash and Nikki managed to find the path marked on the map. After that it was a simple task of following the path until they found the Pokémon Center. They quickly entered and headed right for the front desk where Nurse Joy was waiting.
"Nurse Joy, we need your help!" Nikki panted.
"What is it?" Nurse Joy worriedly asked. Nikki immediately handed her the Poké Ball containing Vulpix.
"We found an injured Vulpix! She needs help!" Nikki said. Hearing the urgency in Nikki's voice Nurse Joy took the Poké Ball and let Vulpix out. Immediately upon appearing Vulpix collapsed, the pain in her leg too great for her to remain standing.
"That leg is in bad shape," Nurse Joy commented. She immediately called for Chansey to bring a stretcher. She then placed Vulpix on the stretcher before wheeling the Fox Pokémon to the operating room. Ash and Nikki could only look on and hope.
"Do you think Vulpix will be alright?" Nikki asked.
"I'm sure she will. Nurse Joy will do everything she can to help heal her injured leg," Ash told her. Nikki could only look towards the operating room, where Nurse Joy was trying her best to heal Vulpix's injury, and hope that Ash was right.
Half an hour had passed. Nikki glanced at the operating room. The light was still on atop the door, meaning that Nurse Joy was still tending to Vulpix's injury. The fact that neither of them knew how Vulpix was doing at the moment worried them, neither more than Nikki. While Ash, Pikachu and Buneary patiently sat on the couch Nikki couldn't help but pace back and forth.
"I can't take all this waiting. I wish Nurse Joy would come out and tell us something," Nikki said.
"So do I, but for now all we can do is wait for her to finish," Ash told her. Though she wanted to do more than just wait Nikki realized that Ash was right, so with a heavy sigh she sat back down on the couch next to Ash and waited for Nurse Joy to come out. Fortunately for Nikki the wait wasn't a long one, for the light above the operating room door went out a few short minutes later and Nurse Joy came out. The two trainers and their Pokémon quickly approached her, eager to hear news of Vulpix.
"How is she?" Nikki asked.
"Thankfully the injury to her leg was only a mild sprain. She'll be good as new in a few days," Nurse Joy reported.
"Whew… that's a relief," Nikki sighed.
"That it is," Nurse Joy agreed. "It must have been quite a frightening ordeal for her, dealing with those poachers and all."
"Yeah… wait, what?" Ash said.
"Who said anything about poachers?" Nikki questioned.
"Vulpix did. She told me she escaped from some poachers and in the process of running away she fell down that cliff," Nurse Joy explained. "When she landed on that outcropping she injured her leg, at least that's what she told Chansey and me." Ash, Nikki, Pikachu and Buneary all shared befuddled stares.
"That's not what she told us," Ash stated.
"(Yeah. She told us she fell while reaching for a berry bush that was on the edge of the cliff,)" Pikachu said. This left Nurse Joy as confused as they were.
"Why would she tell you one story and me another?" she wondered.
"Good question," Nikki replied.
"(Why don't we ask her,)" Buneary suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Nikki agreed. "What better way to get answers then straight from Vulpix." The trio of humans and the pair of Pokémon approached the operating room doors, but before they could pass through them Chansey walked out with a perplexed look on her face.
"What's wrong, Chansey?" Nurse Joy asked.
"(It's Vulpix, or to be more specific her story. I'm starting to think she made up the story about the poachers,)" the Egg Pokémon said.
"Let me guess. She's telling another version of how she was injured," Nikki assumed.
"(Why… yes,)" Chansey replied, surprised that Nikki figured it out so easily. "(How did you know?)"
"The version she told you and Nurse Joy is completely different from the version she told us," Ash explained.
"This will make number 3," Nikki stated.
"Come on. Let's here this one," Ash suggested. The others agreed with him as they quietly opened the operating room door. What they saw was a group of baby Pokémon all gathered around Vulpix, and from what they could tell all of them were listening to her story.
"(So there I was, my back to the cliff and an angry Machop staring me down. Safe to say I didn't have many options before me,)" she said. The baby Pokémon were all wide-eyed and listening intently.
"(What did you do?)" an Azurill asked.
"(The only way I could get away was to go through him, but before I could do anything he charged me, sending both of us falling off the cliff,)" Vulpix said. The babies all gasped.
"(What happened next?)" a Pichu asked.
"(As we were falling I saw an outcropping. I managed to land on it, but the Machop grabbed my leg as he fell and almost pulled me off with him. Fortunately I was able to hold on, but now I had that Machop holding onto my leg, and to make matters worse he was trying to pull me down with him,)" she described.
"(How did you get away?)" the Azurill asked.
"(I knew I had to get him off if I was to get back on the outcropping, so I started kicking him with my free leg to try and make him let me go,)" she continued. "(I managed to land a few good hits, but he was real stubborn.)" The baby Pokémon were hanging on her every word, completely enthralled by her story.
"(Once I realized that wouldn't work I had to try a different method, and that's when I was glad I knew Iron Tail. One well-placed hit and he let me go. He fell down into the fog while I was able to pull myself back onto the outcropping,)" she said.
"(You were okay after that?)" the Pichu asked.
"(Not really. When that Machop grabbed me to keep himself from falling he must have pulled something in my leg. Otherwise I would have been able to climb back up myself, but my leg hurt too much. Thankfully some trainers came by and rescued me,)" she concluded.
"(Wow! That was exciting!)" the Pichu commented. The other baby Pokémon agreed with him, much to the delight of Vulpix. At that moment Chansey came and ushered the baby Pokémon away.
"(Come now, Vulpix needs her rest,)" she told them. As the baby Pokémon were being led away Vulpix watched them with a smile on her face.
"That was quite a story you told them." She turned to the voice and saw Ash, Nikki and Nurse Joy approaching.
"So tell us, was that before or after you encountered the poachers?" Nurse Joy wondered.
"Yeah, and how were those berries?" Ash added.
"(Oh.. well… um…)" She desperately tried to think of an answer, but she couldn't come up with anything.
"Is there some reason you told three different stories about what happened to you?" Nikki wondered. Realizing she had been found out Vulpix decided to fess up.
"(Well, to be honest, I kinda fancy myself as a storyteller,)" she explained.
"(A storyteller?)" Buneary questioned.
"(Yes, a storyteller,)" Vulpix repeated. "(I like telling stories that really capture the listener's imagination.)"
"(Well, no offense, but your stories really didn't have that effect on us,)" Pikachu stated.
"(They weren't intended to,)" Vulpix replied. "(The stories I tell are intended for a much younger audience, so what I told you was nothing more than a…)"
"… a little white lie?" Nikki finished. Vulpix nodded.
"Okay then. Now that we've gotten that out of the way how about you tell us how you really ended up down on that outcropping," Ash insisted.
"(Well, if you must know… I got lost in the fog and fell,)" the Fox Pokémon admitted.
"(Guess we have something in common, then. That's the same thing that happened to us,)" Pikachu stated.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. "At least we all ended up safe, and Vulpix is getting the medical treatment she needs to heal her injured leg."
"So now all we have to do is wait for the fog to clear so we can get out of this forest," Nikki assumed.
"That may take longer than you think," Nurse Joy warned.
"What do you mean?" Nikki inquired.
"The appearance of the fog, as well as its duration, is very random. It could last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days," the nurse explained.
"So it's possible that we could be stuck here for days if this fog doesn't lift soon," Ash assumed.
"Correct," Nurse Joy confirmed. After learning this bit of news Ash, Nikki and their Pokémon looked to each other.
"We might want to get comfortable. We could be here for a while," Ash said.
"It might not be so bad," Nikki commented. "This could give me some time to work out a new Contest strategy and you some time to get some battle practice in with Ivysaur and Absol."
"You know, that's not a bad idea," Ash commented.
"You're more than welcome to use the practice field behind the Pokémon Center," Nurse Joy offered.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy." While Ash and Nikki were looking forward to getting some practice time in Vulpix was curious to see what kind of trainers they were, especially Nikki.
A couple of days passed, and just as Nurse Joy warned the fog had not lifted, meaning that Ash and Nikki were stuck at the Pokémon Center until it did. On the flip side it gave them time to prepare for their next challenge, an opportunity they were glad for. The fog posed no problem, for Nurse Joy had installed lights around the field to provide adequate light. She was currently standing at the window looking at Ash and Nikki train.
"I love seeing ambitious young trainers working so hard," she commented. The soft padding of feet attracted her attention. Turning around she saw Vulpix approaching her.
"Hello, Vulpix. Taking a little walk?" she inquired.
"(I needed to stretch my legs and I figured a walk would do just that,)" Vulpix explained. Though her injury wasn't fully healed yet it had healed enough for her to be able to walk around without much difficulty. She still had a slight limp, though.
"(Something going on outside?)" the Fox Pokémon wondered.
"Ash and Nikki are training some of their Pokémon," Nurse Joy answered. "Do you want to watch with me?" Vulpix nodded and walked over to the nurse. Nurse Joy picked Vulpix up and together they watched as Ash and Nikki practiced.
"Okay, Absol, I want you to defend against Ivysaur's Razor Leaf using Night Slash," Ash instructed.
"(I shall do my best,)" the Disaster Pokémon said. With Absol ready Ash gave his instructions to Ivysaur.
"Okay! Do it!" he called. With a nod Ivysaur launched a Razor Leaf volley at Absol.
"Now, Absol, use Night Slash!" Ash instructed. With a loud roar he swung the scythe on the side of his head at the Razor Leaf, a blade of Dark energy meeting the incoming Grass attack. For a while it seemed like the two attacks were evenly matched, but with a surge of strength pushed through the Razor Leaf, parting the attack.
"Alright! Nice work, you two," Ash praised. "Keep that up and the next badge is as good as ours."
"(No doubt about that,)" Ivysaur agreed.
"(We shall not disappoint,)" Absol stated. Nikki and her Pokémon had taken a short break in their training to watch Ash and his Pokémon.
"Not bad, Ash," Nikki commented. "With moves like that I don't see anyone being able to stop you."
"Thanks. What about you guys? Got anything new for your next Contest?" Ash inquired. Right then Nikki smiled.
"As a matter of fact we do," she declared. "Shinx and Buneary have been practicing a new combination and I think they've got it down. You want to see it?"
"Sure," Ash said. With their audience waiting Nikki and her Pokémon got ready to show off their new Contest combination.
"Okay, you guys ready?" she asked.
"(Yup!)" Buneary said.
"(You bet!)" Shinx added.
"Alright, then! Buneary, Hidden Power!" Twirling around for some added appeal Buneary hurled the attack at Shinx, watching as the orbs began to circle the Flash Pokémon.
"Okay, Shinx! Do it!" Nikki instructed.
"(Here we go!)" With the Hidden Power still circling her Shinx's body gave off a blinding flash of light. At first everyone had to shield their eyes, but once their eyes adjusted to the light what they saw left them speechless. Shinx's body was still shinning, but now the Hidden Power was shining as well, glowing in a variety of colors.
"Yes, it worked!" Nikki cheered.
"That was amazing, but if I'm not mistaken that looked like a new attack for Shinx," Ash commented.
"It was. Shinx can use Flash now," Nikki said.
"That's great! When did she learn it?" he asked.
"She told me earlier that she learned how to use it, though she never told me when," Nikki answered. "Either way it's a great Contest move." As they were talking they heard someone clapping. They looked and saw that Nurse Joy and Vulpix had stepped outside.
"That was really something," Nurse Joy commented. "You've really trained your Pokémon well."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy. All of us have been working hard," Ash replied.
"So, how are you feeling, Vulpix?" Nikki inquired.
"(Much better. My leg doesn't hurt nearly as much as it did at first,)" Vulpix informed her.
"That's good," Nikki said.
"(Umm… what kind of training were you doing just now?)" Vulpix wondered.
"That? That was some Contest training," Nikki answered.
"(Contest training?)" Vulpix questioned.
"That's right. You see, I'm aiming to be the top coordinator just like my mother," Nikki explained. Vulpix was highly intrigued. The only trainers she knew about were ones aiming for the Legenda League, so hearing about Nikki being a Pokémon coordinator really captured her interest.
"How about we take a break. We've been training for a while now and I think the Pokémon deserve a rest," Ash suggested.
"There are some snacks in the cafeteria that you're more than welcome to," Nurse Joy offered.
"Well, I don't see how we can so no to that offer," Nikki said. With both trainers in agreement they recalled their Pokémon except for Pikachu and Buneary and headed inside. Unbeknownst to them Vulpix remained in her spot. What she heard about Nikki had her intrigued, and she was determined to find out more about her… and what being a coordinator meant.
Nighttime came quickly for the inhabitants of the Pokémon Center. Everyone had turned in for the night and was currently enjoying their visit to dreamland. Everyone, that is, except for Nikki, who was currently lying in her bed wide awake, her mind occupied with her next Contest.
"I really hope I win. I don't know what I'd do if I lost a third straight time," she said. Right then the door opened. Nikki glanced at it and was surprised to see Vulpix walking in.
"Vulpix? What are you doing here?" Nikki wondered.
"(Well, to be honest, I wanted to speak to you about something,)" the Fox Pokémon confessed.
"Speak with me? About what?" Nikki inquired.
"(About what you said earlier, about you being a coordinator,)" Vulpix answered.
"Okay. What did you want to know?' Nikki asked.
"(First of all, just what is a coordinator?)" Vulpix asked.
"Okay, but that may take a while. You might want to get comfortable," Nikki suggested. She scooted back in the bed to give Vulpix room to jump in, making sure not to disturb the sleeping Buneary. Once there was enough room Vulpix jumped into the bed and laid down next to Nikki.
"Okay, now where to begin? Well, a coordinator is a type of trainer that focuses on how appealing they can make their Pokémon," Nikki explained.
"(Appealing?)" Vulpix questioned.
"That's right. While regular trainers try to make their Pokémon as strong as they can coordinators try to make their Pokémon and their moves as appealing as they can," Nikki continued.
"(I see. You also said something about your mother being a top coordinator. Does that mean there's some kind of competition that goes along with being a Pokémon coordinator?)" Vulpix asked.
"There is. Coordinators compete in Pokémon Contests all over the region trying to earn ribbons. Earning five ribbons means you qualify for the Grand Festival. Win there and you'll earn the right to be called top coordinator," Nikki said.
"(Wow,)" Vulpix gasped. "(What kinds of Pokémon compete in these Contests?)"
"All kinds. Every Pokémon can be appealing in their own way," Nikki answered.
"(Do you think I'd make a good Contest Pokémon?)" she wondered.
"Absolutely," Nikki confirmed. "It's just too bad… we'll never… get the chance… to… find… out…" While they were speaking Nikki began to feel tired, and with one drawn-out yawn she laid her head down and fell asleep. Now that Vulpix got the answers she was looking for she was even more interested in Pokémon Contests.
"(I wonder just how good I would be at Pokémon Contests,)" she whispered. "(Perhaps I could ask Nikki to take me with her so I can find out.)" She knew Nikki promised to return her to the wild once she was fully healed, but right now she had no intentions of returning to being a wild Pokémon. She just hoped she could convince Nikki to take her along.
The next morning saw everyone gathered out in front of the Pokémon Center. After a quick check-up Nurse Joy determined that Vulpix's injury had healed and she was cleared to leave. The fog had also lifted, meaning that it was safe for Ash and Nikki to continue their journey as well.
"Thanks for letting us stay, Nurse Joy," Ash said.
"My pleasure. I wish all of you good luck on your journeys," the nurse said.
"Guess it's time to hit the road," Ash assumed.
"Yeah, but first I have a promise to keep," Nikki stated. She then turned to Vulpix, the Poké Ball she used to catch the Fox Pokémon in her hand.
"I said I'd release you once you were healed, and now that you are I'm going to make good on my promise," Nikki explained. Just as she was about to release Vulpix the Fox pokémon stopped her.
"(Hold on a second,)" she said.
"What is it?" Nikki asked.
"(Well, I did some thinking after we spoke last night… and I came to the conclusion that I want to see how I'd do in Pokémon Contests. Therefore, I want to remain your Pokémon,)" she explained. Nikki was a bit shocked by this revelation.
"A-Are you sure? You don't want to be released back into the wild?" she questioned.
"(No. I want to be a Contest Pokémon, so please say you'll take me with you,)" she requested. Right then a huge smile broke out on Nikki's face.
"Of course I'll take you along!" she exclaimed. Both she and Vulpix were excited about their new partnership, and as Nikki returned her new Pokémon to her Poké Ball Ash and Pikachu offered their congratulations.
"I'm sure Vulpix will be a great addition to your team," Ash commented.
"(Yeah,)" Pikachu agreed.
"Thanks, you guys. With enough practice I'm sure I'll have a team that'll get me my first Contest ribbon," Nikki declared. With a new member to their ever-growing family Ash and Nikki left the Pokémon Center on their way to Treetop Town, the sight of Ash's next Gym battle.
An unexpected stop at a Pokémon Center not only nets Nikki a new Pokémon in the form of a storytelling Vulpix but also helps Shinx learn the move Flash. How will these improvements help Nikki in future Contests? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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