GT: Welcome to chapter 4! We are on a roll!
SZ: Indeed! Let us cut to the chase! We do not own either franchises used for this story, so let us begin!
Entry 003: This is Cajun Feycott. For two weeks, we were within the Viridian Forest. While it was mostly spent walking to our next destination of Pewter City, the breaks were filled with practice with the Pokemon where Ash worked with his Metapod on coming up with an effective way to battle using his attacks, String Shot, and Harden while Pikachu was being trained by Berry to use Iron Tail. It was during one of these breaks that Makoto captured a wild Weedle and gave her the name of 'Needles.' I wonder if she's going to try to use her to help with trying to help Noel with her phobia...
We also encountered a Trainer by the name of Samurai from a 'Alola Region.' Strangely, it sounds almost like 'Aloha,' the Hawaiian word for 'Hello' and 'Goodbye.' Perhaps the Alola Region is the equivalent of the Hawaiian islands here? I am falling off track once more. Samurai challenged Ash to a Pokemon Battle and started it off with Pinsir while Ash sent out Pidgeotto, who was swiftly defeated in one move by Pinsir. Instead of sending out Pikachu, who was still sore from Iron Tail training, Ash sent out his Metapod and showed the results of their training brilliantly, knocking out Pinsir with a combination of String Shot, Harden, and Tackle. It was then we met Samurai's Starter Pokemon; the powerful Golisopod.
Unfortunately, Golisopod's roaring and the explosion caused by his attack First Impression attracted a swarm of Beedrill and we had to flee. After losing the swarm, we ended up upon a hatching ground of Kakuna just as they were becoming Beedrill and were greeted to the sight of a Vespiquen that ruled the Beedrill in the forest. We had to flee once more when she spotted us, eventually arriving at Samurai's abode in the forest.
By the next morning, we discovered that Makoto had been abducted by Team Rocket to be used as bait for attracting the queen. Their idea was admittedly interesting; by having her attract them, they were using Ariados's Egg Move to make a hidden web to electrocute them all to capture with ease. Unfortunately for them, Vespiquen used Heal Order to heal herself and make them flee with a Power Gem. Makoto almost met her fate by it had it not been for Metapod taking the blow.
At first, we believed him to be lost...until it was revealed that he had finished evolving within his body and had become a Butterfree. It is rather interesting. Despite being a Bug/Flying Type, it also knows Psychic Moves. Perhaps some training together with Hikari would provide benefits to both? Perhaps. Ash quickly ordered Butterfree to subdue the swarm with Sleep Powder, allowing Samurai to capture Vespiquen to let the Beedrill be their own swarms instead of under her. He soon lead us out of the forest and he left it to begin his journey through Kanto once more. It will be interesting to see him again. Though now I am curious. What are these Gyms? And what is the Indigo League? Perhaps I will learn once we arrive at Pewter City. ...Which reminds me, I still need to ask Ash to call Professor Oak to address this issue with his Pokedex.
"Ekans, use Dig!"
"Ekans!" the snake Pokemon hissed as it dug into the ground, sending dirt into the air.
"Why are we here?" Meowth asked.
"Because this way leads to Mt. Moon," Jessie explained, "They'll most likely be coming this way once they're done in town, so by making this trap, we can catch them by surprise and steal their rare Pokemon."
"A rather perfect plan actually," James added, holding a rose near his face as Ekans slithered out of the deep hole it made, "All we need to do now is cover up the hole perfectly. Once they step in it, they'll fall right in."
"But first…" Jessie released Ariados, "Fill the bottom of this with the stickiest web you can make, Ariados."
"Dos," Ariados nodded as it began to spray a thick webbing down into the hole.
"Just a little precaution if they have any tricks up their sleeve," Jessie smirked.
"Clever," James noted before they began to cover the hole with a barricade made of sticks, leaves, and dirt, "Perfect."
"...Um...guys?"
"What, Meowth?"
"Where's da hole?"
"Easy. It…" James began before looking down, seeing no trace of the hole anywhere, "...Um...perhaps we covered it up too perfectly."
"How did we lose a hole on all things?!" Jessie gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"Now hold on. Maybe we can find it so we'll know where it is," James suggested.
"...Start searching!" Jessie ordered as they began to look around the area.
Ekans and Ariados looked on for a moment before sharing a look at eachother, blinking once or twice before they heard the three screaming, followed by a loud thud. Both looked to see the hole was found and the trio missing.
"(What did Master want us to do once trap was sprung again?)" Ekans asked.
"(Put a web on top to seal it)," Ariados replied, firing an Electroweb over the top of the hole, "(Let's find Master and tell her the good news)."
"(Let's)," Ekans nodded as they went off to look for Jessie.
"Ekans, Ariados! Where are you?! Get back here!" Jessie's voice barked from the hole.
"(...Was that Master?)"
"(...Oops.)"
Meanwhile, over with Ash and the girls, the group was walking down a rocky path of sorts.
"Okay. We need a plan when we get to the city," Tsubaki noted, "I'm thinking we check into the Pokemon Center first and take care of the Pokemon. Even with the potions we were able to buy in Viridian City, they may still be injured in ways we don't know how to treat."
"Good idea," Cajun noted, "And while we're at it, Ashton…"
"Please don't call me that," Ash blushed in embarrassment.
"...I'm hoping you could help me contact Professor Oak to discuss about just why Dexter is insufficient when it comes to how many Pokemon there actually are that are known at this time."
"...That is a good idea," Ash couldn't help but admit, "I mean, Dexter didn't know anything about Berry, Hikari, or Samurai's Golisopod."
"That thing was nuts," Makoto noted, recalling the ferocity of both times she saw First Impression used by the powerful Bug/Water Type.
"And scary…" Misty shuddered.
"R-Right…" Noel shivered.
"And once everyone's checked up on and calls have been made to professors on computers, then can we get to new clothes?" Makoto asked, motioning to her clothes that had some tears in it from being dragged that morning, "Seriously, because I need some new ones."
"I'm kinda with Makoto on that," Mai added, looking down at her dirt covered clothes.
"...Okay. Pokemon Center, call to Professor Oak, and shopping for new clothes once we reached Pewter City," Tsubaki listed down.
"Speaking of Pewter City…" Makoto began as she squinted her eyes a bit, "I think I see it up ahead."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"...Hey wait. I think I see it too," Ash noted as he ran ahead, stopping over a rocky edge as he noticed a fairly large city not too far from where he and the girls were at.
"Oh thank goodness," Noel sighed in relief.
"Pewter city is grey, the color of stone," a voice spoke from below them, "This town has always been famous for stone."
"Huh?" Makoto blinked twice as she looked at the dark-skinned man wearing a red beanie that covered most of his head, a yellow muscle sweater over a white shirt, light-brown slacks, and a scraggy beard.
"What the?" Ash blinked as he and the others looked down as well, "Who's this old guy?"
"Never met him," Misty shrugged.
"Name's Flint...and you're standing on some of my merchandise, young man," the man stated.
"Huh?" Ash blinked twice as he looked down to see he was standing on a rock.
"You sell rocks?" Makoto raised a brow.
"That's right, young lady. They're Pewter City souvenirs," Flint responded, "Wanna buy some? Buy two, and I'll throw in a rare stone for free."
"A rare stone?" Makoto repeated.
"They're normally found only in two Regions," Flint explained, "But a few weeks ago on a mining trip for more natural rocks found here…" he pulled out a small clear stone, the inside resembling a leaf in the colors of an acorn, "...I discovered this."
"Oh. That looks like a Leaf Stone," Cajun noted.
"Leaf Stone?"
"It's a special stone that allows certain Pokemon to evolve once they come in contact with it," Cajun explained before holding up her notebook, showing a side-by-side page depicting Pikachu with a larger mouse-like Pokemon with a long, thin tail ending in a lightning bolt, "Such as a Thunder Stone evolving a Pikachu into a Raichu."
"Pi…" Pikachu stared at the notebook, his ear flicking a bit.
"However…" Cajun looked closer at the stone, "Dexter's ItemDex feature never listed a Leaf Stone in this color before."
"Like I said, this special stone normally only appears in two Regions; Kalos and Hoenn," Flint noted.
"...And we get it for buying two stones?" Makoto asked.
"That's right," Flint nodded.
"...I'll buy the one Ash is standing on and this small one with the neat pattern on it," Makoto informed as she picked up a stone with what seemed to vaguely be a heart of sorts.
"That will be twenty dollars," Flint held his hand out, "Plus an extra two for standing on it."
"...Tsubaki?"
"Fine," Tsubaki shook her head.
"Why did I have to give her all my cash again?" Ash whispered.
"Because you tried to spend it all on just PokeBalls and not actual supplies," Tsubaki replied as she handed the man two one dollar bills and a twenty.
"Oh…"
"Thanks," Flint nodded as he pocketed the money, "So what brings you all to Pewter?"
"I'm here for the Gym," Ash replied.
"So you're a Pokemon Trainer," Flint noted as he began to move to a cart, "Let me get that rock on this cart and I'll take you to the Pokemon Center. Your Pokemon look pretty worn out." as if to prove it, Pikachu yawned as he sat on the ground with a tired look.
"Oh. No, no, no. I got it," Makoto assured as she grabbed the human-sized rock and lifted it up onto her shoulder, "Hup! There we go." she noticed the looks from Ash and Misty, "...What? I lift."
'Quick save, Makoto,' Tsubaki mentally sighed in relief.
'It's been awhile since she really needed to use her natural Beastkin strength to lift something heavy,' Cajun noted with a smile, "Please lead the way, Mr. Flint."
"It seems that each town with a Pokemon Center has a different design," Cajun noted as they stood outside of a building that seemed to resemble a computer of sorts with a 'P' in the 'monitor' and three PokeBall statues at the top, "Perhaps it's meant to fit with an aspect of the town."
"Uh...Makoto? Why did you buy that big rock?" Mai asked.
"Duh. Iron Tail training of course," Makoto replied.
"You got it for Pikachu?" Tsubaki asked.
"Well...for him, but also for me," Makoto replied, "Do you have any idea how cool it'd be to have your tail become as hard as iron and use it to whack things into pieces? It sounds so cool~"
"Pachi!" Berry beamed as she poked her head out of Makoto's tail.
"See? Berry agrees with me."
"I see….well...whatever works for you, I guess," Mai said as they walked into the Pokemon Center.
"Greetings, and welcome to the Pokemon Center." Nurse Joy greeted, "How may I…?"
"We're here to treat our Pokemon," Misty explained as Ash and the others were blinking a few times.
"I...Wh…" Noel tried to say something.
"Nurse Joy?!" Mai gawked, "B-But you were still in Viridian City!"
"Hmm? Oh. You must be talking about my little sister," Nurse Joy replied, "I'm the older Joy."
"...What?" Cajun blinked twice.
"And judging from your looks, you must be the ones who helped her when Team Rocket attacked her center. I've heard some good things about all of you. Very nice," Joy smiled.
"...But...you look just like her," Cajun noted.
"Oh, come now," Joy giggled as she held up a picture in a frame...showing a whole group of Nurse Joy's, "You see? My little sister is two centimeters shorter than me."
'A...Are...is...They've perfected cloning in this world,' Cajun thought, her eye twitching, 'That is the only explanation for how all these Nurse Joys are considerably identical to one another.'
"Now then…" Joy began as she put the picture down, "I understand you want your Pokemon to be treated?"
"Yep!" Ash nodded, managing to shake off his surprise.
"Please put your PokeBalls with Pokemon in them on these trays," Joy explained, "If you have a Walking Pokemon, then they can sit on the flat part of it in the middle if they're the right size for it."
"Walking Pokemon?" Mai whispered.
"I think she means Pikachu and Berry," Tsubaki replied as the two mentioned Pokemon hopped onto separate trays that Ash and Makoto placed their PokeBalls on with Cajun putting hers in one and Misty put two in a fourth.
"Your Pokemon will be treated as fast and as efficient as I can," Joy assured as she and her Chansey took the trays, Pikachu, and Berry to be treated.
"...Cloning. It has to be cloning," Cajun stated once Joy was gone, "Those small differences are just defects from repeated use of the same DNA."
"And Cajun is lost to us yet again," Makoto rolled her eyes as she put the rock down and sat on it.
"...Um…"
"We call it 'Science Mode' when she starts overanalyzing things," Tsubaki explained as Cajun took out a blank notebook and started writing in it.
"Cajun, Cajun, remember that you wanted to talk to Professor Oak?" Mai lightly shook Cajun, trying to remind her of what she wanted to do.
"Hmm? Oh yes. I almost completely forgot," Cajun nodded as she grabbed Ash and walked off, "Come on, Ashton. We need to make an important phone call."
"Uh…" Ash blinked, trying to register what's happening right now as he was dragged off.
"You have the number for his lab, yes?"
"I do, but…"
"Excellent," Cajun stated as they stopped before the phones and she had Ash sit down in one, "We need to get this situation with your PokeDex addressed at once."
"...Okay," Ash slowly nodded as he dialed in the number for Professor Oak.
=Yes? Hello?=
"Professor?"
=Oh! Ash, good to see you again!=
"I wish it was true for me, but all I see if your foot."
=Ah! Not again with the wrong camera!= Oak exclaimed before the screen fizzled and then corrected itself to show him =Well now, it's been nearly two weeks since I last heard from you. I take it you're in a new city?=
"Yeah. Pewter City," Ash replied, "But, well, while my friends and I were in Viridian Forest, we ended up running into some Pokemon Dexter couldn't tell us about."
=You caught some new Pokemon?=
"Well, yeah, but I also mean human friends," Ash replied as he scooted a bit to let Cajun move a chair beside him, "This is Cajun. She has a Ralts."
=A Ralts, you say? Impressive= Oak nodded =To find one here in Kanto when they're not even native to this region is quite amazing=
"Thank you," Cajun nodded before she gained a serious expression, "Now then, Professor Oak. The reason Ashton here brought up Dexter and my Ralts, Hikari, is because the former needs an update so we can analyze any new Pokemon we encounter, specifically ones that aren't native to Kanto. For example, we encountered a Wild Vespiquen, and a trainer with a Golisopod within the Viridian Forest not too long ago."
=A Golisopod and a Vespiquen? Oh my= Oak gasped =I could understand the Golisopod since it was brought by a Trainer, but a wild Vespiquen of all things? I do hope it was taken care of=
"Yeah. Samurai, the trainer with the Golisopod, caught it so it'd stop controlling the Beedrill," Ash replied.
=That's a relief. Now then…= Oak pointed down on his screen =If they're still using the right computers for it, there should be a slot the size of the PokeDex. Just put it in there and I'll switch it from Kanto PokeDex to National PokeDex=
"Okay," Ash nodded as he took out Dexter, looking for the slot in question before he slid the PokeDex into it, "It's in, Professor."
=Okay. It will take a few minutes to be loaded into Dexter= Oak nodded =So tell me, Cajun, where are you from?=
"Oh, from the far north. In truth, we still call Pokemon 'Manjuu' there."
=Ah...It must be surprising to see so many around here then=
"It has. In fact, I've been taking notes on each Pokemon we've encountered, including the ones registered in Dexter."
=Oh?=
"Indeed," Cajun replied as she pulled out her PokeDex Notebook, "They're all so fascinating with a uniqueness to them all in not just appearances, but in their abilities, types, and how they interact with the world around us."
=Indeed= Oak nodded as Ash now realized that he was stuck between two people that were in what Cajun's friends would call 'Science Mode.'
"So how did it go?" Misty asked before seeing Ash was being helped over by a smiling Cajun...steam coming out of Ash's head as Cajun was looking more at Dexter in her free hand than looking at where she was walking.
"...Um….What h-" Mai began.
"Eight Hundred and Two."
"Eh?"
"There are 802 unique Pokemon in the world," Cajun seemed to be almost giddy, "Interesting...very...very interesting."
"Are you okay?" Tsubaki asked as she took Ash.
"I'm scared…" Ash groaned, "Don't let Professor Oak and Cajun talk again…Please don't let them..."
"...Science Mode?" Ash's whimpering noise was all Tsubaki needed to know as she began to hold him close with a light petting to his head, "There, there...It happens to everyone that knows Cajun at one point."
"...Excuse me. I need to go do some studying," was all Cajun said, pulling out a few notebooks and pens as she walked off, still holding onto Dexter.
"You may need to wash Dexter when you get him back," Makoto noted.
"Huh? Why?" Ash blinked twice.
"...Oh to be ten again," Makoto rolled her eyes with an amused smile.
"...Where is Noel, by the way?"
"She went out to get some fresh air for a few minutes," Makoto replied before she heard the doors open, "Speaking of whom. Welcome b-" she began before she noticed something in Noel's arms, "..."
"Vul…"
In Noel's arms, roughly 2' in height, was a fox-like Pokemon. Its fur was as white as freshly-fallen snow with pale blue paws and eyes. It had wispy tuffs of white, fluffy cloud-like fur on its head and a mass of it that was its tail. Its ears twitched before it gave a sneeze, tiny flakes of snow coming from its mouth.
"...Noel, what is that cute puffball of adorableness in your arms?" Makoto asked.
"Oh, um...w-well...I was on a walk and I ended up in a random drawing," Noel explained, "A-And I won and got her."
"...I see…" Makoto noted, resisting the urge to glomp the little snow-fox in her shy friend's arms.
"Aw~ It's a Vulpix," Misty cooed, "I've never seen one that looks like this, though."
"...Mai, we thank you for your sacrifice," Makoto stated as she picked Mai up.
"What?" Mai blinked twice as Makoto began to walk off in the direction Cajun had left for, "...Oh no."
"We need to know about Noel's new Pokemon!"
"I don't wanna die from brain overload!"
"You won't die from that….wait. Can you? ...Nevermind. We're already here."
"Help!" Mai pleaded.
=Vulpix, the Fox Pokemon. This Vulpix is from the Alola Region. In ancient times, the Alolans would call Vulpix 'Keokeo.' Alolan Vulpix is believed to have arrived in the region at the same time as humans, but moved to the snow-capped mountain to avoid other Pokémon. It can be found in small pack with two to five individuals. Alolan Vulpix can expel breath as cold as -58°F (-50°C), which is capable of freezing anything. While it is not suited to warmer environments, its tail can produce ice to lower the surrounding temperature if needed. At birth, Vulpix are born with a single tail and eventually grow six as they grow older= Dexter explained, held by Makoto, as Ash was using his jacket to wave air at a downed Mai, smoke pouring out of her head.
"Wait, so does this mean Noel's Vulpix is an Ice Type?" Misty asked.
=This Vulpix's current moves are Powder Snow and Tail Whip. It knows the Egg Moves Moonblast and Charm= Dexter went on =Its Ability is Snow Cloak=
"How many tails does she have?" Tsubaki asked.
"Um...I think just one," Noel replied.
"So that must mean she's still a baby," Tsubaki noted as Noel's Vulpix yawned.
"What are you going to name her?" Cajun asked.
"...Yuki," Noel replied as the Vulpix fell asleep.
"Yuki?"
"W-well, her fur feels like, and is the same color as, snow…" Noel explained as she gently rubbed the small fox's head, making sure not to wake her up.
"I-I'm fine…" Mai groaned as she got up before seeing a poster nearby, "Hm? What's that?"
"Hmm?" Makoto blinked as she looked at the poster, "...'Pokemon League Regional Championship. Collect Eight Gym Badges to enter. Winner receives a chance to face the Kanto Elite 4, the strongest trainers in the entire region.'"
"Yep!" Ash beamed, "I'm going to collect eight Badges and win!"
"Heh heh heh…" a voice chuckled, making them turn to see Flint approach them, "Don't tell me you're planning on challenging Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader."
"Of course I am," Ash replied, "As soon as Pikachu and my other Pokemon are all healed up, I'll have no problem."
"Well, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. He closes the Gym at four each day," Flint replied as he pointed at the clock which read 4:15.
"...nuts," Ash slumped at that.
"...Well, look at it this way, Ash. It'll give Pikachu more time to learn Iron Tail," Makoto spoke as she patted his shoulder.
"Yeah…"
"And more time for us to get some new clothes!" Makoto cheered.
"That is a good idea," Misty noted, "But try to not spend it on new cosplay parts?"
"...It's not a c…"
"You're Pokemon are completely healed up," Nurse Joy called as Pikachu and Berry ran over to their Trainers.
"Pi/Chi-" Pikachu and Berry began.
"Shh…" Noel hushed as she motioned to Yuki.
"Oh, would you like me to give your Vulpix a check up?" Joy offered.
"...W...well...I-I suppose it wouldn't hurt," Noel replied as she stood up, gently holding the sleeping Yuki in her arms.
"Come right this way," Joy offered.
"Don't worry, Noel. I remember your current sizes," Cajun informed.
"R-right…" Noel nodded as she began to follow Nurse Joy.
"Okay, Ekans, use Dig!"
"Ekans!" the snake hissed as it began to dig another hole.
"Okay, this time you wait for me to say 'now' before you cover the hole, okay?" Jessie ordered.
"Ari!" Ariados saluted.
"Good. And you two...!" Jessie began as she pointed at James and Meowth, "Try not to cover up the hole too much this time!"
"Well we were trying to make sure it's not too obvious for the twerps to see it," James argued.
"Plus, dis time, we'll mark it," Meowth grinned.
"Good. so get to it!" Jessie ordered.
"Hold on. How come you're not helping?"
"Because I am a lady, and I don't want to get dirt all over me again thank you very much," Jessie argued as Ekans slithered out of the completed hole.
"Yeah...a naggy one…" Meowth muttered.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing!" both yelped as they went to work covering the hole.
"Good! Now…"
"(She said 'now!')" Ekans shouted.
*BZZRT*
"(We are good Pokemon)," Ariados beamed.
"(We very much are)," Ekans agreed before looking around, "(Where did Master go?)"
Inside the hole, Jessie twitched as sparks came off her from the electric web clinging to her.
"...James?"
"Yes, Meowth?"
"I think we should run."
"Agreed," James nodded as they both began to book it while Ariados and Ekans began to look for Jessie.
"And that leaves us with enough money to restock our supplies for when we leave for the next town or city," Tsubaki noted as she finished writing in a small red book, the girls and Ash walking back into the Pokemon Center with Makoto carrying most of the bags.
"I still can't believe you bought a doll dress," Mai noted as Berry poked out of Makoto's tail, wearing a baby-blue doll dress.
"Berry likes it," Makoto pointed out as Berry nodded while eating another chesnut.
"Oh….fair enough I guess."
"I wonder how things went with Noel and her new Pokemon?" Misty noted before yelping as they saw Nurse Joy on a stretcher with her Chansey assistant waving a towel over Joy's face like a fan, "What happened?!"
Needles popped out of her ball and sniffed the air, "Wee!" she scurried onto the desk and behind it before they heard munching, "Weedle~!"
"...Noel's cooking," those that knew the shy blonde sighed.
"Ugh…" Joy groaned, her face a sickly green, "Muh-Make sure to k-guh-keep a sample of that...we-oh~-we need it for a-urp!-new antidote formula…"
"Chansey…"
"Hi," Noel greeted as she walked over, Yuki still sleeping in her arms.
"Noel, what happened?"
"Oh, well...After she checked on Yuki and gave her some shots, I gave Nurse Joy some extra snack cakes I made yesterday as thanks," Noel explained as Mai moved to the desk to try to get some.
"...What...kind of snack cakes exactly, Noel?" Makoto cautiously asked.
"Oh. Well...I wanted to see if I could make the chocolate part both sweet and sour, so I added some lemon and lime juice into the mix," Noel explained before a thud made them turn to see Mai's head coated in a String Shot as Needles was giving a squeaky growl on her pile of Noel's snack cakes, "Oh my…"
"...Well...at least we found someone else who likes Noel's cooking," Makoto noted as Needles finished off the snack cakes.
"Weedle~!" Needles beamed, scurrying over to Noel and rubbed against her leg, unaware of Noel freezing up from the contact.
"Mmm…" Noel whimpered, her eyes a complete white as small waterfall tears rolled down her face, all while making sure to not scream and wake up the sleeping snow-kit in her arms.
"Come on, Noellie," Makoto assured, "Needles is just really happy with your cooking. I think you're her favorite cook."
"Wee~!" Needles nodded as she climbed onto Makoto's shoulder.
"...G-glad to hear…" Noel gulped, "H...ho..how did the shopping go?"
"We got new clothes," Makoto replied, "With some we thought you'd like, Noellie."
"Oh...th-thanks," Noel nodded before looking down at Yuki, who yawned a bit as she started waking up, "...Um, Misty?"
"I'll be sure to watch her," Misty assured as she gently picked up Yuki.
"Vul?" Yuki looked up at Misty.
"Don't worry. I'm just gonna look a-" Misty began before Yuki blew snow in her face, "A-a-a-after y-y-y-you…"
"Seems Yuki only likes Noel holding her," Cajun noted.
"Well she is technically still a baby, so maybe she thought Misty was trying to take her away," Tsubaki guessed.
"N-n-n-n-noted…" Misty shivered as Yuki jumped out of her arms and back into Noel's, nuzzling into her.
"Wow. That was cool, Yuki," Ash awed.
"..." Makoto snorted back a laugh, "D-Did you say that on purpose?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Ash asked, "You didn't think Yuki being able to do that was cool?"
"U-Um...We have two rooms for the night here," Noel informed, "A-Apparently, Trainers can stay for free at Pokemon Centers."
"...and yet me and Tsubaki don't have one on us…" Mai sighed.
"Apparently, Trainers can have a plus one," Cajun noted as she looked at a pamphlet she had taken from a wall filled with different kinds.
"So we don't have to spend another night outside?" Mai asked.
"Nope."
"That's a relief," Tsubaki noted.
"Okay. Are we all together?" Cajun asked, wearing a silk purple nightgown as the five girls from another world sat in a bedroom with three bunk beds in it and a bathroom.
"Yup/uh huh/correct/h-hai," Makoto, Mai, Tsubaki, and Noel replied with a nod.
"Okay. Thanks to Dexter and Professor Oak for turning on his National PokeDex mode, I've been looking around the entries and, well, I have some good news and bad news," Cajun informed.
"What's the good news?" Makoto asked, wearing a pair of pajama short-shorts and a tiny acorn-colored tee.
"We may have a way to get back to our home," Cajun replied.
"And the bad news?" Tsubaki asked, wearing a cream sleeping gown with white accents.
"...They're Legendary Pokemon," Cajun replied.
"Legendary Pokemon?" Mai asked, wearing a sky-blue button pajama shirt and pajama pants.
"These are Pokemon that, well...are extremely rare and nearly impossible to find," Cajun replied, "In fact, there are some that say they don't exist."
"Seriously?" Makoto asked.
"There's also the fact that the majority of them are, well…" Cajun muttered the end.
"What was that?" Mai blinked twice.
"I said they're g…" Cajun mumbled.
"Spit it out already, Cajun," Makoto groaned in annoyance.
"Gods," everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Cajun, who was biting her thumb with a troubled look, "The majority of them are literal gods."
"...you're joking."
"No I am not," Cajun shook her head, "From what I've seen, there are some that could control time, space, and even the very elements themselves. There is even one that is said to have created the universe itself." 'I don't think even the Master Unit Amaterasu could compare with these beings…especially since there are two Legendary Pokemon that utilize Time itself.'
"W-Which ones w-w-would we need t-t-t-t-to find?" Noel whimpered, cuddling Yuki closer to her pale-blue nightgown.
"There would be two that could most likely be good," Cajun replied before pulling her notebook out and looking through it, "The first is Palkia, one of the first children of Arceus, this universe's God. Palkia is said to have created Space itself and can open portals to travel through Space itself. The other is a Pokemon known as Hoopa, which uses rings to create portals that connect to different dimensions, but is a trickster and would more likely make a portal to just a few feet away from where we entered than take us back home."
"Nuts…" Makoto muttered, "...Any ideas where they MIGHT be?"
"Sinnoh for Palkia, and Kalos for Hoopa. But both of those regions are too far away from Kanto," Cajun answered, "And even if we could go to one of those regions, the odds of finding one of them are astronomical."
"So basically…?" Mai urged.
"For the time being, we'll most likely be stuck here for a few years," Cajun admitted.
"Years? B...but...our home...our families…" Noel whispered.
"There could be a time difference between our worlds," Mai spoke up, "I mean, I've heard in stories that a minute in one world could be a year in another. Maybe only a few seconds will have passed in our world when we go back."
"...That is a possibility, Mai," Tsubaki admitted, holding her chin in thought.
"...Hey wait. What if we found another one of those wormholes?" Makoto suggested as Noel put down Yuki, "I mean i-"
"Do you have a deathwish, Makoto Nanaya?" Cajun asked with a frown.
"Eh?"
"If we did find one, how would we know that it would put us where we left? What if we ended up in space?" Cajun questioned.
"...Good point."
"Exactly," Cajun nodded, "So for now, we need to further adjust our stay here in this world."
"Well, we already have Pokemon," Makoto noted as she looked over at the round table in the room, where Berry was eating a banana-shaped berry while Needles was polishing off her bowl of Noel-made food with Hikari just looking at a picture book, "Not that I'm complaining. I absolutely love Berry and Needles is gonna be an awesome Beedrill once she fully evolves."
"H-hai," Noel nodded before looking over at Yuki, who was laying down on a small bed set set up for her, "A...and I love Yuki...she's absolutely adorable...and I can't bare the thought of leaving her even if I just got her."
"And Hikari is quite the studious little Ralts," Cajun nodded.
'The way they're all talking…' Mai thought as she looked at the four Pokemon, '...I kinda want one now, too.'
"Speaking of Pokemon…" Makoto began as she looked back over at Cajun, "Any info on the Pokemon Gym here?"
"Of course," Cajun nodded as she put her PokeDex notebook away and pulled out a multicolored one with a PokeBall on it, "There are a little over a dozen Gyms in Kanto, but the eight Gyms that are considered the top tier Gyms in the last poll are Pewter, Cerulean, Vermillion, Celadon, Saffron, Fuchsia, Cinnabar, and Viridian. It seems that Pewter City's Gym focuses upon the Rock Type and the Gym Leader is known as the 'Rock-Solid Pokemon Trainer.'"
"Rock eh? ...Good thing Berry's been teaching Pikachu Iron Tail then."
"Unless he's already mastered it, yes," Cajun nodded, "Otherwise he's going to have a hard time, especially against the Gym Leader's ace Pokemon."
"His ace?" Makoto asked.
"I'll keep it a secret," Cajun replied as she put the notebook away, "You'll find out tomorrow."
"Oh...okay."
"Okay, I am loving this world more now," Makoto whispered as she looked at the buffet table that was being run by a Chansey.
"Just try and not go overboard, Makoto," Tsubaki whispered to her, "Remember what happened last time we were all at an all-you-can-eat?"
"...I still don't regret it."
"We were banned for life."
"...Still worth it."
"Ugh…" Tsubaki sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Um...why don't we just focus on getting b-" Mai began before she noticed Misty stomping off, "...Eh?"
"Stupid Ash...refusing my help…" Misty muttered.
"Everything okay?" Tsubaki asked as she moved over to her.
"I was trying to offer one of my Pokemon so Ash could win against the Gym Leader, but he refused, saying 'he can win with just his Pokemon,'" Misty explained with a frown.
"I see…" Tsubaki noted, "It seems he has a lot of faith in the three he already has."
"Honestly, I don't get what's with him," Misty frowned.
"Well...Think about it like this; would you be happy if someone offered you a Pokemon for something you're really looking forward to working with your own Pokemon for?"
"...I suppose not...but all of Ash's Pokemon are weak against Rock and Ground Type Pokemon," Misty argued.
"Which is why Pikachu has been learning Iron Tail," Tsubaki noted, "And remember that while Ash had been training with Butterfree as a Metapod, he was also giving training to Pidgeotto to see what she was capable of. We might be surprised."
"...I suppose you're right…" Misty sighed in defeat.
"Good. Now let's go back to the others a-" Tsubaki began before she noticed Makoto with several plates full of food, "..."
"How is she able to carry all of those at once?" Misty blinked twice.
"She lifts...and has a very big appetite," Tsubaki explained.
"You mean like Ash for the latter part?" Misty asked.
"What do you…" Tsubaki began before Misty pointed at Ash, seeing a few empty plates and bowls near him, "...I'm terrified for our food budget."
"Me too," Misty couldn't help but agree.
"Okay, based on the map of the town…" Cajun lowered the map as they stood before a large building that seemed to have been carved out of a massive boulder with an emblem resembling a PokeBall on the top, 'Pewter City Gym' engraved on the red half, "...This is the Pewter City Gym."
"Wow. Talk about a rocky place," Makoto noted.
"...Was that a pun?"
"Maybe," Makoto replied before she was smacked with a paper fan, "Ow!"
"No….none of that today. Shame on your for even saying that," Tsubaki scolded.
"Owie…" Makoto mumbled as she rubbed where the fan hit.
"Do you know who you'll be using if they only let you use a certain amount?" Tsubaki asked as she looked at Ash.
"Hmm…" Ash pondered for a moment, "...Pikachu and Pidgeotto."
"Good luck," Mai offered.
"Right," Ash nodded before he walked to the doors and opened them, "Hello?" he and Pikachu walked into the dark room, "Hello?"
"Who goes there?" a voice spoke up as a light turned on.
"Ah!" Ash yelped a bit as he turned to the voice.
Sitting in seiza beneath the light was a young man around 15 years of age with dark skin and brown hair going up in spikes. His eyes seemed to be shut tight while he wore an orange shirt under an open green vest and brown jeans. He was sitting on a flat rock at the top of a tiny set of stairs with two large rocks at his sides, both with a Pokeball carved on them.
"...So you must be Brock," Ash noted before gaining a serious look, "I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I challenge you."
"Is this your first Gym Match?"
"Huh?"
"A Gym Match is different from other battles. This match is for Pokemon League Authorization," Brock informed, "There are special rules that are not used in normal Pokemon Battles."
"Um…" 'Why did I tune out Cajun on the walk here again?'
"We will use two Pokemon in this battle. I will not be allowed to change at any time during the battle, but you will be allowed to," Brock informed, "Should you win, you will receive a Badge that proves you defeated this Gym and a monetary prize equal to the number of Badges you have."
"Right," Ash nodded.
"...How long have you been with that Pokemon?" Brock asked, turning his head a little towards Pikachu.
"We've spent about two weeks together," Ash replied.
"Yes, your Pikachu's in its cutest stage…" Brock spoke.
"Pikachu," Pikachu smiled a little.
"It can't win."
"Chu?!" Pikachu tripped.
"Oh yeah? Well we'll show you!"
"...Suit yourself. As Gym Leader, I have to accept every challenge," Brock stated before snapping his fingers, "So let's just get this over with."
Above them, the lights all turned on. Ash looked around before noticing the girls were all on a railing nearby, looking down at the floor. Makoto spotted him and gave a wave before Noel yelped while pointing behind Ash. Ash turned to see a metal door rising up before a platform made of stone with bits of stone come out.
"Ah!" Ash yelped as he and Pikachu barely avoided it as it collided with another similar platform, making the floor of the gym's field.
"Fascinating," Cajun noted as she looked over the field, "Quite fitting for a Rock Type Gym."
"Well, yeah, it's just rocks."
"No, no, no. I mean how it was deployed. It was a sudden surprise, akin to an avalanche," Cajun replied, "Even if rocks are motionless, they are steadfast, durable, and-depending on the location of them and the elevation-can cause quite a bit of damage."
"Oh...I see."
"Shh. It looks like it's starting," Mai whispered as Brock hopped over to the field, standing on a small white box as he held out a PokeBall.
"Let the match begin," Brock stated.
"Alright," Ash nodded before looking down at his starter, "Alright, Pikachu. You're up first, buddy."
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as he ran over to the field.
"Onix, go!" Brock declared as he threw his PokeBall out.
The PokeBall bounced once on the floor before transforming...and casting a shadow over Pikachu. The Pokemon that had been released was large and seemed to resemble a snake made of boulders. On top of its head was a stone flat horn, almost shaped like a stone sundial.
"IWAAAAAARK!" Onix roared out as it looked down at Pikachu.
"Holy! What is that?! What the H-E-double hockey sticks is that?!" Makoto gawked.
"Pika…" Pikachu froze.
"IWAAAAA!" Onix roared.
"PIKA!" Pikachu freaked as he ran over to Ash and tried to grab Pidgeotto's PokeBall.
"Pikachu's terrified," Mai gasped.
"He should. That is Onix, the Rock Snake Pokemon," Cajun replied while Ash grabbed Pikachu.
"Hey. This is your battle, Pikachu, not Pidgeotto's," Ash scolded.
"Pika Pika," Pikachu begged, as if he was saying 'don't put me back out there.'
"I know you can do this," Ash grinned as Pikachu walked back onto the field.
"Onix, Tackle!" Brock ordered.
"CHA!" Pikachu screamed as he barely avoided the head the size of a...well...a boulder rammed into the ground where he had been.
"IWAAAARK!" Onix roared as it emerged unscathed from its missed attack...a crater left where he had struck.
"Was he trying to kill Pikachu?!" Makoto freaked.
"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
"Pii…."
"Onix, use Screech!"
"IWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA~" Onix screeched out.
"GAH!" the girls cried out as they all covered their ears, Yuki and Berry whimpering as they covered their own ears.
"CHU!" Pikachu cried out, pulling down on his own to try to get the noise out of his head.
"Now use Bind!" Brock called out as Onix's Screech ended.
"Ark…" Onix growled as his tail slithered out and grabbed Pikachu tightly.
"Pii…" Pikachu grunted, his body being tightly squeezed by the large rock snake.
"Pikachu, try and shake him off with Thundershock!"
"P-Pika...CHU!-!-!" Pikachu cried out as he let out a strong blast of electricity, hardly doing anything to the rock snake.
"Tch. You haven't raised it very well," Brock frowned, "Such a weak electric attack can't hurt Onix."
"This isn't good," Cajun frowned, "Pikachu can't move at all and, even if he liked PokeBalls, Ash can't return him in a Bind."
"Well he has to do something!" Makoto exclaimed.
"At best...all Ash can do is surrender," Cajun replied as she saw Ash finally made up his mind.
"Cut it out!"
"Do you surrender?"
"...I...I do…" Ash sighed before a bell rang four times.
"What a jerk," Makoto fumed as Nurse Joy walked out with a sad Pikachu on the tray, "Seriously, who uses a giant snake made of boulders for a first-time challenger?"
"It didn't help said rock snake was his ace Pokemon," Cajun added.
"Seriously?!"
"Indeed. He was also planning ahead in battle with using Screech and then Bind as a way to prevent Pikachu from using Iron Tail," Cajun nodded.
"I think my ears are still aching from it," Makoto groaned as Berry gave a whine as she rubbed her own ears, "...But seriously, what was Ash supposed to do? That Brock jerk literally drove Pikachu into a corner with that Onix of his!"
"Vul…" Yuki whined before she saw someone approach, "Vu?"
Noel looked at where Yuki was looking, "Mr. Flint?"
"Everyone loses sometimes. You can't let it get you down," Flint noted as he walked up to Ash.
"...I know...but I didn't just lose...I stunk," Ash sighed, "Brock's way better than me."
"...That is true," Flint nodded, "His own talents could take him much further than simply being the local Gym Leader."
"Yeah. But why hasn't he been in a regional championship himself?" Ash pondered.
"...He has his reasons," Flint replied.
"Huh?" the group looked at him.
Flint looked at the clock, "Come. Let me show you something."
Ash, Flint, and the girls peeked over a grass fence of sorts at a two-story house. The back sliding doors were wide open, showing ten kids of different ages playing or working on schoolwork. They could see in the kitchen someone in a pink apron and a light-blue rag on their head cleaning dishes.
"Huh...They all look kinda...familiar. Well, the boys at least," Makoto noted before she saw a little girl run up to the figure.
"I tore my skirt!" the girl sniffled.
"Alright, alright…" the figure turned...revealing himself to be Brock, "I'll sew it right up for you."
"He's a dad?" Makoto gawked.
"Nope. Older brother," Flint corrected as they walked away from the home, "He has ten little brothers and sisters to take care of, so he's unable to leave town for a national championship."
"But...what about his parents?" Noel pondered.
"His good-for-nothing father left to become a Pokemon Trainer," Flint answered, "They never heard from him again. Brock's heartbroken mother tried her best to hold things together, but she went off to find his good-for-nothing father two years ago. Brock's the only one his little siblings have left. The oldest one, Forest, is just turning ten in two years, so it will be one less mouth to feed and take care of, but still..."
"...He cares so much for his family…" Makoto whispered, feeling a bit guilty for calling Brock a jerk after hearing all that.
"I better not listen to more sad stuff," Ash noted, "Next time I have a match with Brock, I might not have the heart to beat him."
"?" Flint stopped walking, "But...But you said that...you said you could never win a match with Brock."
"Yeah? Well, I changed my mind! If I can power up Pikachu, I can beat him!" Ash argued.
"Risu!" Berry called.
"Guess you want to help him even more, Berry," Makoto noted, earning a nod from her Pachirisu.
"...Hmm…" Flint pondered for a moment, "I may just know a way to supercharge Pikachu."
"You do?"
"Yeah. It'll also be a good training spot to help it master Iron Tail," Flint added.
"Great!" Ash beamed.
"What is this place?" Ash pondered.
"A hydroelectric plant," Flint answered, "River turns the wheel to produce electricity. Hook Pikachu up to the generator and you could give it a power boost."
"...How do you know so much about Pokemon, Mr. Flint?" Tsubaki asked as she gave him a look of suspicion.
"Before I started selling Pewter City souvenir rocks, I used to do a bit of travelling," Flint explained, "Went to a few other Regions like Kalos, Sinnoh, and Alola. Had quite a talk with the Rock Type Gym Leader in Sinnoh."
"...I see…" Tsubaki noted, "...Just one more question."
"What's that?"
"How're we gonna use the generator if there's no after in the river?" Tsubaki asked, "Also, are you sure this is safe?"
"Simple, Ash starts using it like a stairmaster," Flint replied, "As he spins the wheel, it will generate the power that we hook into Pikachu."
"...And you're sure this is safe?"
"I am," Flint nodded.
"Right," Ash nodded.
"Ash, could I borrow Dexter and Pidgeotto?" Cajun asked.
"Huh?" Ash pondered.
"Well, you're planning to use two Pokemon tomorrow, right?" Cajun asked, "I thought I'd help with training her with Hikari."
"Oh...well sure," Ash nodded as he pulled out Dexter and Pidgeotto's PokeBall, "Here."
"Thank you," Cajun nodded.
Minutes later and Flint finished placing a pair of wires on Pikachu's red cheeks using electrical tape. He looked over at Tsubaki, who reluctantly nodded as she had finished plugging a device to the cables. Outside, Ash peeked in through a hole in the wall, standing on the wheel.
"This has got to be the craziest idea ever, of all time," Mai noted as she looked out at Ash with Misty.
"Yeah," Misty nodded...before scooting away from Mai as she took another bite of a Noel-made sandwich, 'Either that or letting Noel learn to cook all on her own…'
"Ok. Pikachu's all hooked up," Flint gave a thumbs up to Ash.
"Right!" Ash nodded as he began to start taking steps, causing the wheel to move slowly, "Alright!"
He began to move fast. Inside, the lights on the machine began to slowly turn on one by one. Pikachu began to flinch and shiver as the electricity began to pour into him.
"Pi?! Chaaa…!" Pikachu grunted.
"Take it easy, Pikachu. All this power may be shocking at first, but sooner or later, your body will get used to the high voltage," Flint assured.
"Hang in there…" Tsubaki whispered as she worriedly looked at the sparks coming off of Pikachu's cheeks.
"If I can hang in here, so can you, Pikachu," Ash grunted as he kept going.
A bit away from the abandoned waterwheel, Makoto set down the rock she had bought from Flint, "Okay, the rock is in place."
"Thank you," Cajun nodded before turning to Pidgeotto, "You've been paying attention to how Berry has been teaching Pikachu Iron Tail, right?" Pidgeotto nodded, "I want you to try to apply that into your wings on that rock."
"Pigeo?"
"If you can master it by tonight, you'll be more than ready for fighting Brock's Rock Types," Cajun assured, "But we'll also be working on you using it in battles, so Hikari will be sending Confusion attacks at you that you will need to dodge while learning your new move."
"Pidgeo!" Pidgeotto nodded.
"Good. Then let us begin."
As the night went on, Ash continued to move the wheel as Pikachu struggled with getting used to the power coursing through him while Pidgeotto continued to try to learn her new move. Under his beanie, Flint's eyes widened as Tsubaki moved away from the device as it started sparking, the bulbs on it starting to pop.
"Confusion once more!" Cajun ordered.
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as she made a sphere of psychic energy...only for it to turn into a wave of energy, "Ralts?!"
"Oh! Psywave," Cajun noted as Pidgeotto barely skimmed the attack, her wings shining like light reflecting off steel.
"PIDGEO~!" Pidgeotto cried out as she slammed her wings into the rock, a metal clang going off as it shattered.
"Whoo! She did it!" Makoto cheered, "Way to go, Pidgeotto!"
"Abandoned cabin!" Tsubaki yelped as she ran out and ducked behind a large rock Misty, Noel, and Mai had begun to set up sleeping bags at.
"What's going on?" Misty asked.
"PIII~~!" the four girls turned to see light erupting from all the holes in the cabin before creating a large flash of light.
"Whoa! That's bright!" Makoto yelped, blocking the light from her eyes.
"It seems his plan worked," Cajun noted before turning to Makoto once the light faded, "Now it's time for Berry to help Pikachu perfect Iron Tail."
"Chipa!" Berry nodded with a determined look on her face.
"Now that's a bright light," Jessie noted, seeing the light in the distance.
"Yeah. I wonder what's causing i…" James began before they yelped.
"(She said 'Now' and something fell into the hole!)"
"(GOTCHA, PREY!)"
"Dis is not goin' t' plan," Meowth shook his head as he looked at an open laptop connected to a camera, "But da PokeTube comments are pourin' in. 'Two Schmucks and deir Poisonous Partners' is a hit."
Brock sat calmly in his gym. The doors slammed open and he looked up to see Ash standing there, Pikachu at his side.
"I'm back!" Ash called.
"Haven't you learned your lesson?" Brock questioned.
"This time we're ready for you, Brock!" Ash declared as Pikachu's cheeks sparked.
"Heh. We'll see. Same rules as yesterday," Brock informed as the arena formed.
"Man, Flint's missing out on this," Makoto noted on the railing.
"W-Well, he does have a place to sell wares," Noel noted, holding Yuki as she pawed at her own ear.
"True…" Makoto shrugged, "...Oh shh. The battle's about to start."
"I'll start with Geodude. Go!" Brock called out as he threw a PokeBall onto the field, quickly forming into what looked like a large, floating rock with stone arms, and angular brown eyes.
"Geodude!" the Pokemon declared.
Ash spun his hat around and threw out a PokeBall, "Pidgeotto, I choose you!"
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto declared as she flew into the air.
"Seriously?" Brock asked, "Don't you know Flying Types are weak against Rock Types?"
"Yeah, but Pidgeotto's not a normal Flying Type!" Ash declared, "Let's go, use Gust!"
"Pidgeo~!" Pidgeotto declared as she spun around Geodude, forming a tornado of bits of rock and dirt from the field.
"Dude," Geodude dug his fists into the ground, waiting for the attack to end.
"Now pull into a Steel Wing!"
"Steel Wing?" Brock repeated in surprise before seeing a glow in the tornado, "Geodude, look out!"
"DUDE!" Geodude cried out as he was sent out of the tornado and shattered one of the boulders on the field.
"Bullseye!" Makoto cheered.
"Guess he's using his head," Misty noted before blinking twice as she noticed the girls were surrounded by Brock's siblings, all watching the fight.
"...Geodude, Stealth Rock!"
"Oh no.." Cajun whispered, "Not good."
"What's wrong?" Mai asked as Geodude sent out a wave of rocks that seemingly vanished into thin air.
"Stealth Rock is a trap move that injures any opponent's Pokemon that comes out onto the field," Cajun explained, "Meaning when Ash switches to Pikachu, he'll be hit with Stealth Rock."
"Come on, Ash…" Makoto grit her teeth as she held onto the rails.
"Chipa…" Berry whispered.
"Geodude, use Rock Throw!" Brock ordered.
"Geodude!" Geodude complied as it picked up a large piece of the broken boulder and threw it at Pidgeotto.
"Dodge and use Courage Edge!" Ash ordered.
"Courage Edge?" Brock repeated.
"Pidge!" Pidgeotto moved out of the way, barely avoiding the attack before her wings glowed with Steel Wing as an aura came off her.
"A good way to throw your opponent off is by naming your combinations as things that sound like Moves or actual Moves," Cajun explained as Pidgeotto rocketed down at Geodude, the aura turning into a bird-like flame around her, "In this case...Steel Wing plus Brave Bird."
"Geodude, hurry and block it!"
"Geo.." Geodude began as he crossed his arms, only for Pidgeotto to crash into him, sending him flying and crashing into a wall, "G-Geo…" he fell onto his face, swirls replacing his eyes, "...dude."
"Yeah! Way to go, Ash!" Makoto cheered, "One down, one to go!" she blinked twice as she saw blue sparks coming off a cringing Pidgeotto, "Uh...what happened?"
"Brave Bird also hurts the user for a third of what the opponent was dealt," Cajun reminded, "It's why Courage Edge is meant to be used as a knockout combination attack."
"Oh my…" Noel whispered at that.
"Plus Ash has to deal with Brock's Ace Pokemon next," Tsubaki added as Brock returned Geodude.
"Go, Onix!" Brock declared
"IWAAAAARK!" Onix roared as he formed from the PokeBall.
"Onix, use Rock Tomb!"
"IWARRRRK!" Onix roared before it slammed its tail on the ground, sending up four large rocks that fell at Pidgeotto.
"Ah! Pidgeotto, dodge it!" Ash called.
"Pidgeo~" Pidgeotto called as she began to fly around, trying her best to avoid the rocks.
"Smack Down!"
"Smack what?" Ash blinked before Onix's tail shot out and slammed into Pidgeotto, sending it crashing into the three rocks that had already fallen before the last slammed down, sealing Pidgeotto into the Rock Tomb.
"Smack Down is a move that knocks Flying Types out of the sky, disabling their flight for a bit," Cajun explained, "Normally Flying Types are unaffected by Ground moves, but Smack Down makes that possible."
"Now, Onix, use Bulldoze!"
"IWAAAAA!" Onix roared as it raised its tail up.
It slammed its tail onto the ground, sending out a shockwave that slammed into the Rock Tomb. Upon impact, the Rock Tomb shattered while Pidgeotto was sent flying backwards. She cried out as she crashed into the ground before Ash with her eyes replaced with swirls. Ash returned her quickly.
"Yikes," Makoto cringed as Berry shivered in Makoto's tail.
"Be thankful it wasn't Earthquake or Fissure," Cajun stated before frowning a bit, "But this isn't good. Ash has no choice but to switch Pokemon now…"
"Pikachu, I choose you," Ash spoke up.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as he hopped onto the field before the rocks that had vanished appeared, "Pi?"
"Where'd those come from?" Mai asked, "Is...Is this what Geodude did?"
"Correct," Cajun nodded, "As its name implies, Stealth Rock summons stones that turn invisible when they hit the field. When an opponent's Pokemon comes out, they reappear to strike."
"I feel sorry for your Pikachu, being raised by such a weak Pokemon Trainer," Brock stated as the rocks started coming at Pikachu.
"We'll show you who's weak! Pikachu!" Ash called out.
"PIKACHU!" Pikachu roared out as it sent out a blast of electricity all around it, destroying the Stealth Rock coming for him and slamming into Onix...earning a cry of pain from the rock snake.
"Gh?!" Brock tensed at that before calming down, "Onix, Screech, and then Bind!"
"Oh Arceus not again!" Makoto freaked before Cajun put earplugs into her ears while Hikari put earplugs into Berry's, "Phew."
"IWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK~!" Onix screeched.
The tail shot out at Pikachu, who was holding his ears once more. Just before its tail could grab it, Pikachu's tail went down and,, like a spring, sent him into the air above Onix, surprising the rock snake and making it pause its Screech.
"With how his tail is shaped, Pikachu can use it like a spring if he applies enough pressure," Cajun observed as Pikachu's tail took on a metallic look, "Onix wasn't expecting him to do that, so it stopped its Screech in surprise. What a clever little Pikachu."
"Chu...PIKA!" Pikachu declared as he slammed his tail onto Onix's head with a loud clang.
"Iwaaaaaaaark!" Onix cried out as it stumbled back a bit from the strike.
"Onix!" Brock gasped.
""Iwar…" Onix grunted as he tried to stay up, shaking his head a bit to stop the pain.
"That Iron Tail must've been a critical hit," Tsubaki surmised, "If one or two more of those hits…"
"Then Ash would win the match," Mai finished.
"Pikachu, use Sword Strike!" Ash declared.
"Pikaa!" Pikachu nodded before charging in with a Quick Attack.
"Sword Strike starts with a Quick Attack…" Cajun noted as Pikachu's tail glowed, "...then adds on the power of Iron Tail…" lightning erupted around his tail from his cheeks, "...and then a newly learned Thunderbolt for good measure."
"Pikapikapikapika-PI-KA-CHU!" Pikachu cried out as he used a rock as a ramp and went into the air, slamming into Onix once more with a discharge of electricity.
"Iwaaaaaarrrrk…" Onix cried out as it fell over while Pikachu landed, the former struggling to get back up.
"Whoo! That's our bada…" Makoto began before seeing the glares sent her way by the other girls, "...Super awesome Pikachu right there!"
"Chipa!" Berry cheered before looking up to see some of the lights had caught fire from the electrical discharge, "Pa?"
"Hmm? Something up, Berry?"
"Pa-pa-chipa-risu," Berry pointed just before the fire alarm went off and sprinklers began to spray.
"Iwaaaaa…" Onix rumbled out as the water rained down on him.
"Ah!" Brock gasped.
"Ash, Rock Types are weakened by Water!" Misty called out.
Ash looked back at Onix as it was struggling to stay up in the fire alarm's spray, "I…" he felt twenty little hands grab him, "?!" 'I...I can't do it.' his eyes closed shut as his grit his teeth, 'My conscious is holding me back...I...I'm imagining all his little siblings here...stopping me from beating the one person they love.
"Hey! Hey, get offa him!" Makoto called, "I call shenanigans!"
"Oh for goodness sakes...Ash, open your eyes!" Misty called out.
"Huh?" Ash snapped out of his thoughts as he opened his eyes...to see all ten little siblings of Brock's holding onto him.
"You leave Onix alone! Our brother worked hard to raise him, you big bully!"
"Believe me, kid, I'm no bully," Ash argued, looking at the one who said it.
"Stop it. Get off, all of you," Brock ordered, "This is an official match and we're going to finish it off no matter what."
"But Brock, we know that you love your Pokemon so much," one of Brock's little sisters said.
"That's why we can't watch Onix suffer another attack," one of his little brothers added.
"..." Ash looked out at the shaking Onix as the last of the water emptied from the sprayers, "...Pikachu, return."
"Chu?" Pikachu turned to Ash in confusion, but complied.
"What do you think you're doing? This match isn't over, Ash," Brock argued as Ash got the kids off him gently.
"Those sprinklers going off was just an accident," Ash explained, "Winning the match because of that wouldn't have proven anything." he pumped his fist, "Next time we meet, I'll beat you my way; fair and square."
"He didn't want to continue because of the sprinklers?" Noel pondered.
"I think there's more to it than that," Makoto replied, looking at Brock's siblings and then at the water dripping, "...We're in a hollowed out rock, right?"
"I think so," Mai replied.
"So there's nothing flammable here aside from some lights…but there's a sprinkler system..."
"Just when he finally gets a lucky break, he decides to be a nice guy, too," Misty sighed.
"I think you did the right thing, Ash," Tsubaki assured as they walked along the riverside.
"Thanks…" Ash nodded as he looked down at Pikachu, "Sorry if I was so rough with you before., Pikachu...but you did a great job."
"Pika…chu."
"Sounds like you feel the same way Ash probably does, huh?" Mai noted, "But there's always another chance."
"Probably…" Ash sighed.
"Hey! Wait up! Ash!" the group paused in their walk to see Brock running up.
"Brock?" Ash pondered as Brock caught up them, panting a bit.
'He must have run all the way from the gym,' Tsubaki noted as Brock recovered.
"Ash…" Brock held out his hand, revealing a metal badge shaped like a boulder, "You forgot this."
"A Badge? For defeating a Gym Leader?" Ash blinked.
"Oh, this is a Badge? Really fitting with your gym, Brock," Cajun noted.
"I can't accept this. I didn't beat you," Ash noted.
"Do you want to know why there's a sprinkler system inside a gym made out of just metal and rocks?" Brock asked.
"Health Code violations?" Makoto guessed.
"Not exactly. It's a hidden test of sorts," Brock explained, "At times, a Gym Leader has one set up for use at some time, such as an interesting Trainer that doesn't give up in trying to get a badge from their gym. For me, those sprinklers are meant to see what they'd do if it went off. Albeit that it was an accident this time, you still didn't even try to use the water to attack Onix with Pikachu's electricity and even chose to forfeit."
"Well...It was wrong," Ash replied, "I want to beat your gym with my own abilities, not because of something like that happening."
"You did beat me, Ash," Ash looked at Brock, "When you forfeited, you showed me that you cared deeply for not just your own Pokemon, but mine as well."
"Really?" Noel pondered.
"To tell you the truth, I get more pleasure from raising Pokemon then from making them battle," Brock explained as he looked out at the river, "I don't care about being a Pokemon Trainer. I want to be the world's best Pokemon Breeder."
"Pokemon Breeder?" Mai repeated.
"Someone who raises and cares for Pokemon rather than battling with them," Cajun explained.
"Exactly," Brock nodded before frowning, "But I can't leave here because I have to look out for my brothers and sisters." he held the Badge out once more, "Ash, I want you to take this Badge and fulfill your dream for me so that at least one of us will. Will you do that for me?"
"...I will," Ash nodded as he looked down at the Badge, "And I'll do my best to deserve this too."
"Still...it's sad that you have to take care of them by yourself," Noel noted.
"Brock," everyone turned to see Flint approach, carrying a camping backpack, "You go follow your own dream."
"Mr. Flint?" Noel pondered before Flint removed his hat...and removed his fake beard, revealing an older version of Brock's face.
"Wh-What?!" the girls exclaimed.
"My father…" Brock scowled.
"What?! You're the good-for-nothing father who left home and never came back?!" Ash gawked.
"That's right...it was me," Flint answered, "I couldn't become the great Pokemon Trainer I wanted to...and because I was such a failure, I was too embarrassed and ashamed to go back to my family."
"But why did you help Ash instead of Brock?" Mai asked.
"Simple; he reminded me of myself," Flint replied, "He didn't seem to have a chance."
"Oh…" Ash slumped at that.
Flint looked at Brock, "It's time I started taking care of my family. You go fulfill your dreams and mine."
"Do you have Pokemon to run the Gym with?" Tsubaki asked.
"I do," Flint nodded, "My Starter along with some Rock Types I've caught when I travelled to a few other Regions."
"Ahh...I see."
"...Before I do head off, there's some things I have to tell you," Brock spoke as he looked at his father.
"After all these years, I understand how you must feel about me, so I want you to get it off your chest," Flint stated as Brock pulled something out and handed it to him, "...Uh…a needle and thread?"
"Suzy always rips her dresses so you'd better learn how to sew if you don't already. Timmy only eats cold spaghetti for breakfast while Tommy likes corn flakes for dinner…"
"Is...Is he really just telling him about the stuff Flint needs to do for the kids?" Makoto blinked owlishly.
"It seems that this is how Brock is getting his venting on his father leaving for so long out of his system," Cajun noted.
"Cindy sleepwalks, so you have to keep a bell tied to her wrist before bed each night and the twins hate baths…" Brock went on as Flint tried to keep up with writing it all down.
"You're all sure it's okay I go with you?" Brock asked.
"Sure I'm sure!" Ash replied, "The more the merrier! And it's good to have someone to talk with that's the same gender as me."
'...I feel offended,' Mai thought.
"...By the way…" Brock began as he looked over his shoulder, "What about that girl that keeps following us?"
"Ash owes her a bike," Makoto replied.
"Ouch," Brock cringed, "I take it we're heading for Cerulean then? Because that's the only place in all of Kanto where you can buy them and not simply rent."
"Seriously? No wonder they're so expensive."
"Expensive? They can't be th-" Tsubaki began before Makoto handed her the slip of paper Misty gave her, "..."
"Hmm?" Mai blinked as she looked over her friend's shoulder, "Gh?! S...so many zeros…"
"Pikachu, quick! Let's try to lose her!" Ash ran off.
"Chu!" Pikachu quickly ran after Ash.
"Hey, wait up, Ash!" Brock called.
"Hey, get back here!" Misty snapped.
"Here we go again," Makoto rolled her eyes as the others soon followed.
Up ahead, Jessie glared at her two Pokemon, "Now listen up and listen good. When I say 'now,' there is someone in that hole, and you can see me, then you can seal the top. Understood?"
"Ekans/Aria," both nodded.
"We finished covering da hole," Meowth informed.
"Good. Now do you see any sign of the twerps?"
James pulled out binoculars and looked out, "Oh! They're heading this way with a new twerp with them!"
"Good, now…" Jessie began before she tripped over Ariados and fell into the hole, "Gah!"
"Jessie!" the two exclaimed as they ran over and pulled her up a bit.
"(She said 'now,' there's someone in the hole, and I see her!)"
"Oh no," Meowth paled.
*BZZZRT*
"(...Did I get them?)" Ariados asked.
"(I think so)," Ekans replied as both hid in a bush upon hearing someone approach.
"Keep going, Pikachu!" Ash ordered as he ran by the web-covered hole.
"Pika!"
"This is kinda fun," Brock noted as he came by.
"Get back here, Ash Ketchum!" Misty snapped, jumping over the hole.
"They really need to get people to inspect this road and fix it," Mai noted as the five girls went around it.
Yuki sneezed out a Powder Snow, freezing the top over.
"Bless you, Yuki," Noel spoke before Yuki fell asleep once more in her arms, Ekans and Ariados beginning to search for Jessie once they were gone.
"...Buried alive, electrocuted, then frozen over… It's official. We've hit rock bottom," Jessie sobbed a little.
"Professor Cajun's Pokemon Lecture!"
The curtain rose up to reveal a lab backdrop with a table before it, a television on top of that. Beside the TV was Hikari, holding the remote, while by the table was Cajun, wearing a lab coat over her clothes.
"Greetings again, everyone," Cajun greeted, "Today, we'll be looking at two Pokemon…"
"Ralts…" Hikari pressed a button as the TV turned on, showing a split screen of Geodude and Onix.
"Our new travelling companion Brock's Pokemon, Geodude and Onix," Cajun informed, "Let's start off with Geodude."
"Ralts…" Hikari pressed another button, the screen chanting to a image of Geodude seen from multiple angles.
"Geodude, the Rock Pokemon. Despite being 1' 04" or 0.4 meters, they weight between 44.1 pounds and 44.8 pounds, or 20.0 kilograms and 20.3 kilograms," Cajun explained as Hikari pressed a button, splitting the screen between Geodude and another with black 'hair' and 'eyebrows' with all but its thumb and pointer finger fused together, "The reason for this weight difference is because the Alolan Geodude weighs more."
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as the screen changed to an image of Alola Geodude.
"Whereas Kantonian Geodude are Rock/Ground Types, Alolan Geodude are Rock/Electric Types," Cajun continued, "This is due to an abundance on a unique magnetic mineral there that makes up the body of Alolan Geodude. The eyebrows and short strands of hair are actually iron sand that's been attracted to him due to his natural magnetism."
"Ralts…" the screen changed to a simulation of a a chibi Brock climbing a mountain.
"Geodude can be most often found on mountain trails and fields. It will sit still in these areas, which is why it is often mistaken for a rock. It is often stepped on, and will sometimes swing its arms in anger when this occurs," Cajun explained as the chibi Brock stepped on a rock...revealing itself as Geodude and sending chibi Brock flying before digging back into the mountainside and 'Zs' appeared above it, "When Geodude sleeps deeply, it buries itself halfway into the ground. Once buried, it will not awaken even if someone steps on it. In the morning, Geodude rolls downhill in search of food."
"Ralts…" the screen changed to two Geodude bashing against each other.
"In the wild, Geodude is proud of its sturdy body and will bash against others of its kind in a contest of sorts to prove whose body is harder. The longer it lives, the more chipped and worn its body becomes," Cajun continued, "Geodude has an evolution, but we will discuss it another time. Hikari?"
"Ralts…" Hikari nodded as she pressed another button, causing the screen to change to an image of Onix.
"This is Onix, the Rock Snake Pokemon. This Pokémon has a magnet in its brain that serves as an internal compass. Its body absorbs many hard objects, making its body very solid. As it grows older, it becomes more rounded and smoother, eventually becoming similar to black diamonds," Cajun continued.
"Ralts…" the screen changed to show a simulation of an Onix tunneling with Digglet making homes in the tunnel it left behind.
"Onix tunnels under the ground at over 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour, which causes tremors and a terrifying roar that echoes a long way. The massive, winding tunnels it leaves behind are used as homes by Diglett. Onix loves to eat the large boulders it encounters while burrowing underground," Cajun explained as the screen changed to an Onix, rotating all its parts in 360 rotations, "Onix is capable of rotating its head, or any part of its body, in a full 360 degrees. It is a very aggressive Pokémon that will constantly attack humans and other Pokémon when in pain."
"Ralts…" Hikari changed the screen.
"There have even been rumors about a Crystal Onix a….Crystal Onix?" Cajun blinked as she looked at the screen, seeing an image of a Onix made of pure crystal while it was in the water, "...Interesting...how is it able to survive in water given it's typing? Could it be an Alolan variation? ...Hikari."
"Ralts…?"
"I believe this calls for an expedition," Cajun said as she stood up, "We will see you all next time, folks. In the meantime…" she pulled out a few scientific instruments and a very large net, "I have an expedition to head."
"Ralts…"
GT: ...I feel sorry for the Crystal Onix of the Orange Islands.
SZ: Same...speaking of Onix, I'm surprised we didn't get an Alolan variant based on the Crystal Onix for Pokemon Sun and Moon...then again, there's its evolved form, Steelix, so...not sure how that would work out.
GT: *nods*
SZ: Eeyup...but anyways, shall we keep this Poketrain rolling?! I'm good for another chapter, aibou!
GT: Same! Let's keep the train rolling! And you guys keep reading and reviewing!
SZ: YEAH!