SZ: Hoo boy….hope you all brought your tissue boxes, because this chapter is gonna be a tearjerker.
GammaTron: This was one of those episodes that made me really cry. The most recent one being Litten and Stoutland…
SZ: Oh god…*tears start welling up*that was a real tearjerker right there...just...*starts bawling*ahh! It was just so sad!
Makoto:*sweatdrops* Maybe we should just cut ahead to the disclaimers and story…
GT: *giving SZ a box of tissues* Agreed. I…*sees multiple Ultra Wormholes open up* ...We should run.
Makoto:...Why?
Ultra wormholes: *multiple roars erupted from them all*
GT: That's why.
Makoto: 0-0….*looks at the readers*neither of these guys own Pokemon or Blazblue, but own any OCs that appear in this.*picks up SZ and GT*enjoy the story, folks!*bolts for it*
Entry 19: Hey guys! Makoto Nanaya here again, and I'm here to catch ya up to speed! Anyway, we had just arrived at a Pokemon Center with Ash changing out Squirtle for Butterfree. I wonder what Krabby said that made Squirtle want to go there...Ah well. *shrugs* Probably wasn't all that big. Now then, we were discussing our plans for when we get to Saffron City when suddenly some trainer comes running in screaming about the local Gym Leader there, Sabrina...I tell ya, his face looked horrified, especially when he saw Hikari. It gave us a clue that this Sabrina uses Psychic Type Pokemon, but considering from what Brock said and how horrified that guy looked….I think Ash is gonna be in for one heck of a battle...provided if he wants to battle at Saffron Gym...oh who am I kidding? He's so gonna challenge it.
And then Tsubaki went off with Luka for something, I don't really remember, and then she comes back, swipes the ribbon and string from Mai and Misty...and put my hair in pigtails. ...I hate having pigtails. My hair is not meant for pigtails! When Tsubaki came back in, we started accusing her with Tsubaki claiming she was innocent. Before anything else could be said, two things happened. One; Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy started arguing about pranking each other, and two; A Rockruff-normally seen around Alola apparently-comes in and pounces both Tsubaki and Luca. ...Seriously, why must something so cute and fluffy and adorable have to have rocks growing out of their neck? Sure, it fits the typing, but still? It'll hurt getting nuzzled when you hug it!
Ahem. Sorry about that...anyway, just as we were getting back on track, I soon came across...myself. I am not joking. I literally saw myself standing in front of me before she threw a pie in my face and ran off. It was a coconut creme pie! Coconut creme! Why couldn't it have been chestnut?! Oh ho, and we found out-thanks to Misty seeing the other me had a fox tail and ears instead of my normal 'cosplay attire'-that the other me was really a Zorua, a Pokemon that can transform into people and other Pokemon! And when we told Nurse Joy...I think we broke her. She kept repeating the same thing over and over, almost like she blue screened or something...ahem! Anyway, we decided to go grab a bite at the buffet and discuss our plan on dealing with that tricky little fox...only for our planning to be cut short when some people were being attacked outside. At first, we thought it was Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest again when we caught up with Ash-who was the first to run outside, mind you- only to find out it was two new guys named Billy and Kit….huh. Kinda sounds like Billy the Kid from those old history books Tsubaki made me read back at the academy.
While Kit was smart, Billy...was stupid...I mean really stupid. Apparently, they have a file on our little group and he never read it. Maybe he thinks he's so good, he doesn't have to read the file...doesn't help their team is called 'The Ultimate Rookies'...Ultimate part was right though as their Pokemon were really strong...especially for the fact one of Billy's Pokemon was a freakin' hellhound that eats fire, and the fact one of Kit's Pokemon is basically the Pokemon equivalent of a Yuki-onna or even Yukianesa! Seriously, it was like that one time Jin went nuts using it in Pokemon form! S...sorry. Getting off track here...ahem! Anyhow, we figured they were after Zorua considering they had him cornered, but the rest of us got away with Zorua in tow while Kajun and Tsubaki stayed to deal with Billy and Kit, who-from what they told me-used Pokemon called Excadrill and Mienshao while Houndoom and Froslass-IE the Pokemon I mentioned earlier-chased after us.
Even without their Trainers, those two were nuts to fight! Froslass froze both Pikachu and Berry's tails while Houndoom ATE Charmander's Flamethrower! It took almost all our Pokemon just to beat those two! Tsubaki and Kajun also had trouble dealing with Billy and Kit's Pokemon. From what Kajun told me, things weren't looking too good for them...at least until Rockruff popped in and bit Billy's Excadrill right on the tuckus and got in the way of Mienshao's Aura Sphere, knocking himself out. Once their Mienshao was beaten up, they tied up the Rockets and carried them over via Psychic from Koko. After handing those two into Officer Jenny, we decided to head on our until Rockruff came back and pounced Tsubaki once more. Heh...little guy imprinted on Tsubaki, and decided to become her Pokemon. Tsubaki, of course, was happy about it and caught the little guy, naming him Sorin. Huh...with how things have been lately, I wonder what else will happen today?...Meh. Probably will find out as we head to Saffron.
"Woah! Look at those rocks!" Ash awed a bit as he and the others stood above a tall cliff, looking down at the water below, "...That's a long drop."
"One drop from here and it's game over…" Misty noted.
"...Meh. I've seen higher heights," Makoto shrugged.
"Huh?"
"Our academy was at the top of one of the highest mountains in our region," Kajun explained, 'Though that does explain why I've been able to last longer in terms of stamina. We lived near or on the very top of mountains to avoid Seithr, so we got use to lower oxygen levels. By coming down to places with higher concentrations, it seems to have been more of a boost. ...I am so glad that none of us endured oxygen poisoning due to the sudden shift in oxygen levels.'
"Huh...I see," Brock noted before pulling the map out, "Hmm...according to the map, this ridge will lead us right to Saffron City."
"And to my next challenge at the Saffron City Gym," Ash added.
"Eh?! Y-you're going to challenge it?" Noel asked him with wide eyes.
"Well yeah. I might as well while we're passing through," Ash shrugged.
"But didn't Lt. Surge say it's too strong for trainers with less than four badges?" Mai asked.
"Perhaps, but I'm helping Ashton with some Psychic-type training considering that aside from Starmie and Butterfree, Koko and Hikari are the only other Psychic-types," Kajun replied.
"She does make a fair point," Tsubaki nodded.
*POP*
"Try again, you two," Kajun noted, looking over at where Butterfree and Hikari were trying to hide the remains of a popped red rubber ball.
"Free…" Butterfree slumped a bit before his antennae perked up a bit, "Free?"
"Hmm? What's up? Ash asked before looking out in the distance, "...Are those...Butterfree?"
"Hmm?" Brock raised a brow as he looked out, barely seeing a flock of Butterfree flying around the area, "You're right...Oh I get it. It must be that time of year again."
"Time of year?" Mai repeated.
"The Butterfree's Season of Love," Brock explained, "You see, the Season of Love is when Butterfree find a mate, and then fly out to sea to lay their eggs."
"Fly out to sea…" Noel whispered before closing her eyes a bit, "As I fly out to the sea, I will never forget our time spent together in this, our season of love…"
"Oh, that was really romantic, Noel," Misty noted.
"Th-thank you," Noel blushed a bit.
"...Would that mean...my Butterfree will go too?" Ash asked, looking over at Butterfree.
"If you don't let it cross the sea, it'll never have babies," Brock stated.
"..." Kajun pulled out a fresh notebook with a Butterfree sticker on it, "Oh, this will be a wonderful experience."
"Hoo boy. Kajun's going into Science Mode again…" Makoto sweatdropped a bit.
"Not again!" Ash and Mai yelped in fear.
"I still can't believe that there are hot air balloon rentals here," Misty noted.
"It could be for the Season of Love," Mai replied.
"We'll probably see lots of other balloons once we get into the air," Brock noted as the group stood in a large basket with a green, red, and blue hot air balloon connected to it, "Hold on, guys."
"Stay close, Yuki," Noel whispered to the young snow-fox kit as she held her in her arms.
"Vul~"
Brock pulled on the rope and soon the balloon took off, "Okay, once we're high enough, Butterfree will be good to go to fly to the swarm."
"And I made sure we can differentiate him from the others," Makoto grinned as Butterfree tilted his head while messing with the orange scarf on his neck before Hikari helped him with it, "This way we won't confuse him for someone else's Butterfree, and it'll make him look snazzy for any Butterfree gals he comes across."
"That's….actually a good idea, Makoto," Tsubaki noted in slight surprise.
"Thank you," Makoto gave a squirrely smile before tugging Brock's ear, "And if we happen to run into any Trainers, don't try getting Butterfree to go after theirs if they're a cute girl."
"Rats…" Brock muttered a bit through the pain of his ear being pulled.
"Besides, it wouldn't have worked anyway."
"Huh?"
"If you're trying to do the whole 'if the Pokemon falls in love, then the trainers follow suit' thing, then wouldn't that apply to Ash since he technically owns Butterfree?"
"..."
"...That never crossed your mind, did it?"
"..."
"We'll take that as a big ol' 'Nope,'" Makoto patted his shoulder, "And speaking of Butterfree, look!"
The others looked out to see the swarm of Butterfree flying not too far from them, a few already paired up as they gave each other lovingly stares. The group looked out in awe before the sounds of Pokeballs opening filled the air, making them turn and see a few more other hot air balloons flying around, the Trainers inside releasing their own Butterfree's into the air.
"Looks like we're not the only ones up here," Mai noted.
"They're all Butterfree trainers. They come here for the Season of Love every year to release their Butterfree," Brock explained.
"Huh….think we might run into AJ or Samurai?" Makoto asked, recalling the former having a Butterfree and the latter having a Metapod...which no doubt is a Butterfree by now.
"Maybe," Mai shrugged, "Might be nice to see AJ again, though. I think Terra's in need of the next weight set."
"...Given how strong Terra has gotten lately, I could see that," Tsubaki noted.
"Free…" Butterfree whispered as he looked out at the flock, looking for any females that weren't paired up until he laid his eyes on a pink-colored Butterfree, "?!"
"Butterfree?" Ash blinked.
"Free free free free~!" Butterfree beamed, his eyes in the shapes of hearts as he flew out towards the flock, flying right towards the pink Butterfree.
"Looks like he found one," Makoto noted.
"Looks like," Misty added.
"Yeah. Love at first sight with that pink one," Brock added.
"Pink one?" Kajun repeated, looking up from her Butterfree notebook before pulling out a pair of binoculars and looked out at the flock, "?! It...It really is pink...But how is that possible? That is not the normal Shiny variant for a Butterfree…"
"It isn't?" Mai blinked.
"No. Why is that Butterfree pink? It shouldn't be possible."
"Actually, it is possible," a familiar voice spoke up.
"Hm?" Kajun turned her head quickly to see a hot air balloon with a katana print to it float over to them.
"Samurai!" Ash gasped.
"Greetings once more," Samurai nodded.
"What br-" Makoto began before Kajun held her hand up.
"Explain. Please," Kajun ordered, keeping her pen against her note book.
"There are rumors that among the Orange Islands, there is one where the berries turn the Pokemon there a pink color, making them highly rare and valuable," Samurai explained, "It is quite possible that the Pink Butterfree you are talking about is one of that island's inhabitants."
"I see…" Kajun noted, writing this info down, 'A berry that can change the color of a Pokemon's skin to pink?! That shouldn't be scientifically possible, and yet there is proof flying out there in that Butterfree flock!...Note to self; make a trip to the Orange Islands to find this 'Pink island'.'
"Uh...guys?" Mai spoke up, earning the others' attention, "Butterfree's doing something weird."
"Hmm?" Ash blinked as he looked out, seeing Butterfree doing some weird flying movements around the pink one, "...What's he doin'?"
"That's th' Courtship Dance."
"Oh! AJ!" Mai waved as a hot air balloon came up on their other side.
"Howdy," AJ greeted, "Been a while since we last saw each other."
"It has," Ash nodded, "But uh...What's the Courtship Dance?"
"Basically, it's like yer Butterfree is sayin' 'Ah want t' be yer Butterfree, little lady,'" AJ simplified, "If it works, th' other one does th' dance too."
"Oh! How romantic…" Noel smiled softly at that.
"Though it appears that the pink one refuses to acknowledge your's," Samurai noted.
"Huh?" Ash blinked before they noticed the Pink Butterfree flying high into the air, Butterfree flying after it, "What's going o-"
*SLAP!*
"?!"
"Oof….shot down…" AJ cringed as the Pink Butterfree flew off, "Pretty badly too…"
"Ralts…" Hikari puffed her cheeks.
"That's not fair. She didn't even give Butterfree a chance," Misty frowned.
"Oh poor Butterfree…" Noel whispered before seeing Butterfree fly straight down into the woods below, "Oh!"
"Butterfree, where are you going!?" Ash called out, only to be ignored as tears fell from Butterfree's eyes.
"...Shot down in his prime…" Brock whispered.
"Oof. Rough break fer him," AJ cringed.
"Love is truly a dangerous battlefield," Samurai stated, "Even the strongest of warriors will fall when it involves matters of the heart."
"Butterfree!" Ash called out once they were on the ground once more, "Butterfree, where are you?"
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu called out.
"Pachiri~!" Berry called out as she and Cherry looked out from Makoto's tail.
"Mmm...where could he be?" Noel whispered in worry.
"Beedrill~!"
"Reee~!"
"Hey, AJ, why isn't your Butterfree up there with the others?" Misty asked.
"Oh, that's 'cause she's courtin' Beedrill," AJ replied, "The two hit it off in trainin'."
"Really?" Mai blinked.
"Eeyup," AJ nodded, "We jest came here fer a bit o' trainin' against th' trainers here and enjoy seein' them Butterfree tryin' ta impress one another."
"Ahh…" Mai nodded.
"What about you, Samurai?" Tsubaki asked, "Are you here for the same reason teh other trainers are?"
"My Butterfree is here to find her desired mate," Samurai replied, "None have seem to impressed her yet, though. A shame."
"Why's that?"
"I feel that she was hoping to find a strong mate that could make the journey to the Alola Region," Samurai replied.
"Why Alola?" Makoto asked.
"The female Butterfree when it is mating season take their mate to where they were hatched. My Butterfree was hatched back on Akala Island in the Alola Region," Samurai replied.
"Ahh...that makes sense then," Makoto nodded a bit.
"Free..."
"Hmm?" Ash blinked a bit as he looked forward, seeing one of Butterfree's wings slightly sticking out from behind one of the trees, "Oh! It's Butterfree!"
"Free…" Butterfree gave a depressed sigh, his eyes a bit dull as he sat against the tree, unaware of Ash and the others running up to him.
"Hey there, Butterfree. Are you okay?" Ash asked in concern, only to get a depressed sigh in response, "Hey...how come you look so sad, buddy?"
"He was rejected by someone he loved. It was a terrible shock," Brock spoke, "Believe me, I know, it's a terrible feeling...I could even write a book about the secrets of love and heartache."
'Sounds like it'd be a flop to me,' Makoto mentally snickered.
"I guess that book would be your autobiography?" Misty joked, causing Brock to slump.
"Hmm…" Ash pondered for a moment as he pulled his Pokedex out, "You think Dexter might know how Butterfree can convince that pink one to be his mate?"
"That would be foolish to ask a machine if it knows love," Samurai shook his head.
"Free…" Butterfree slumped further down the tree.
"...I just don't understand it…" Ash said, crossing his arms a bit, "My Butterfree is great. Why would any other one reject him?"
"Coulda come on too strong fer her likin'," AJ suggested.
"That, or she wasn't impressed with what he was trying before," Makoto shrugged.
'...I got it! Maybe Butterfree needs to be more assertive!" Misty spoke up, earning Butterfree's attention, "You see Butterfree, love is like a battlefield. It's all about attacking your opponent first! You get in a quick strike, and while they're still weak, you head in and beat them! That's the best way to win!"
"Seriously?" Brock gawked.
"Sounds like how my mother and father met in a sword competition, falling in love with one another in a battle of blades," Samurai noted.
"Ma don wrassled with Pa 'till he agreed ta marry her," AJ nodded.
"Sounds like the story how my mom and pop fell in love," Makoto noted.
"GAH! I wish I'd known that sooner!" Brock exclaimed.
"So you believe he is ready to try again?" Samurai questioned, looking at Ash and Butterfree.
"...You ready to try again, Butterfree?" Ash asked his Pokemon.
"Free…" Butterfree whispered, pondering it over for a moment before giving a determined nod, "Free!"
"Okay! Then let's go!" Ash cheered.
"Now where was this version of him when we first met?" AJ whispered to Kajun.
"Oh, it was missing due to an ego issue," Kajun replied with a tiny smile of amusement.
"Ahh...that explains it."
"Alright, where'd that pink Butterfree go?" Ash whispered, looking through the binoculars as he looked for the target of Butterfree's affections.
"You're really passionate about this," Misty noted.
"I raised Butterfree into what he is today and I am not gonna see him shot down like that!" Ash declared.
"Guess the trainer's just as hot-blooded for this as his Butterfree," Misty giggled.
"Where is she…?" Noel whispered, looking through her own binoculars as she rapidly looked around.
"You're getting into this too, Noel?" Mai asked.
"Of course!" Noel shouted, a determined look in her eyes, "Seeing someone fighting for their love like this is perfect material for a love story!"
"..." Makoto pulled Mai, Kajun, and Tsubaki to the side, "I think we're gonna need to get a portable wifi connection and a tablet so Noellie can watch her soaps again."
"Agreed…" the three sighed.
"Over there!" Samurai pointed, his katana drawn and used to point from his balloon.
"Huh?" Ash and Noel looked at the direction he was pointing at, "Ah! She's there!"
"Good luck out there," AJ nodded to Butterfree as his own and his Beedrill waved tiny flag with Butterfree's head on them.
"Free!" Butterfree nodded in determination as he flew off, heading towards the Pink Butterfree again, "(Hello again.)"
"(Oh...it's you again…)" the Pink Butterfree noted in an unimpressed tone, "(What do you want now? I thought I made myself clear last time.)"
"Okay...Butterfree, try impressive her with Whirlwind!" Ash called.
Butterfree nodded as he unleashed a powerful Whirlwind, "(Hope you don't mind me blowing away the competition!)"
"...Hmph," the Pink Butterfree scoffed as she turned away.
"Uh….oh! Try tackle!"
"(Speed is key!)" Butterfree declared as he shot about around the pink one, who roll her eyes with a sigh.
"Ugh...shot down again…" Ash sighed.
"Come on, Butterfree! You can do it!" Noel cheered on, "Show her how strong your love for her is! Try Confusion and Stun Spore if you have to!"
"Yeah...we definitely…" Makoto began before her ears twitched, "Hmm?" she looked over her shoulder before tensing, "...Uh, guys? Are helicopters allowed up here?"
"Heck no. Those would disturb the Butterfree and cause panic," AJ replied.
"Then what's that?" Makoto asked as she pointed behind them.
"Hmm?" the others blinked as they looked, seeing a black helicopter with a familiar R in the front flying right towards them.
"...I swear if it's who I think it is…" Kajun whispered through gritted teeth.
=Prepare for Trouble!=
=Make it double…=
"..." Kajun put her hands over Ash's ears, "GODDAMIT! WHY?! WHY IS IT ALWAYS THEM, DAMN IT?!"
"Yeesh. That is some serious rage…" AJ muttered.
"It is always the ones that seem to be the quietest that have the most fearsome hidden rage," Samurai nodded before his Vespiquen popped out of her ball and held up a '7.8,' "Not legendary yet, I suppose?"
"Quen," the 'queen bee' nodded.
=Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light!= Jessie declared as the bottom of the helicopter opened up.
=Surrender now, or prepare to fight!= James added as a large net came out of the opening, Meowth hanging onto it.
"Meowth! Dat's right!"
=Look at all the Butterfree…= Jessie noted.
=Indeed. Quite many to be seen…= James added.
"And ripe fer the takin'!" Meowth laughed as the helicopter flew right past the blimps and towards the swarm.
"Why those no good poachers!" AJ growled, "They're done tryin' ta steal all dem Butterfree!"
"...What?" Noel whispered, her eye twitching violently upon hearing that.
"How dare they...they're going to ruin something as important as the Season of Love for them?!" Samurai exclaimed with a growl, "Vespiquen, unleash your might!"
AJ cracked his whip and Beedrill and his Butterfree flew off after Vespiquen.
"Needles, go and get rid of those guys!" Makoto shouted.
"(WHAT IN THE NAME OF GENESECT HAPPENED TO YOU?!)" Beedrill exclaimed once Needles flew over to the three.
"(Noel's cooking. It...is...amazing~!)" Needles replied.
"(Quite interesting. Though quetion shall come at a later time. Onwards! We have a swarm of Butterfree out for love to defend!)" Vespiquen ordered.
"(Aye aye, ma'am!)" Needles saluted as the four flew towards Team Rocket's helicopter.
=Oh look. If it isn't the Twerps' Pokemon. Think they're trying to prevent us from stealing the Butterfree?= Jessie asked in a cocky manner.
=Perhaps, which is why we have something special to prevent them from doing so= James added.
"(HIT 'EM WITH EVERYTHING YA GOT!)" Beedrill shouted as he and Needles unleashed Poison Sting, AJ's Butterfree unleashing a powerful Gust attack, and Vespiquin firing a Power Stone attack...only for the attacks to bounce off the helicopter, "(WHAT?!)"
=Hahahaha! How do ya like our anti-move coating?! Makes it so any Pokemon move bounces off, and prevent da paint from scratchin'!= Meowth laughed as the net began to scoop up many of the Butterfree in the swarm.
"Hey knock it off!" Ash shouted.
"Stop it, or you're gonna disrupt their whole egg laying season!" Brock added.
"Can't you see these Butterfree are in love?!" Misty shouted.
=What you call love, we call an opportunity to snatch a ton of valuable Pokemon!= Jessie countered.
=Those Butterfree are free no more!= James added.
"(What do we do now?)" AJ's Butterfree questioned.
"(If we cannot damage the frame, perhaps we can inflict injury upon that which gives it flight or tear the net itself)," Vespiquen noted.
"(I say we go for broke and go for both!)" Needles shouted.
"(I LIKE THAT IDEA!)" Beedrill beamed, "(Let's…!)"
=Ariados, mind getting those four for us?=
The next thing the four knew, they were instantly wrapped up in Ariados' Electo Web, shocking them before being tossed into the net with the Butterfree.
"Hey! You give Needles back, you stalking creeps!" Makoto shouted.
=Mm...how about 'no,' you cosplaying twerpette!= Jessie mockingly laughed.
=Thanks for the Extra Pokemon!= James added.
"Oh, those no good…!" Makoto seethed, "Brock, give me Geodude!"
"Wish I could but they still have that coating on. Plus…" Brock paused as he pointed down at the water below.
"Well, what are we supposed to do?! Let them…?!"
"Yuki, use Powdered Snow..." Noel ordered in a cold, yet angry tone.
"VUL~~!" Yuki shouted, unleashing a large gust of cold wind at the helicopter, only for it to bounce off the blades.
=Hahahah! Thank you for the cool breeze!= James laughed as the net scooped up more Butterfree, including the Pink one =Haha! Nothing but net!=
"Those scoundrels…!" Samurai growled.
"Look! Butterfree hasn't been caught!" Makoto gasped, seeing Butterfree swoop down to the net where the pink one was looking out in worry.
"Free...free…" the pink Butterfre called out, a look of fear on her face.
"Free...Free…!" Butterfree growled out as he flew towards the helicopter and began to tackle one of it windows.
"Yeah! That's it, Butterfree! U-woah!" Ash yelped when Noel pushed him.
"YOU CAN DO IT, BUTTERFREE! MAKE THOSE HEARTLESS JERKS PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID!" Noel snapped.
"Again; it's always the quietest you should fear the most," Samurai gulped.
"Agreed…" AJ gulped, hiding inside his basket.
=Ha! That pathetic little insect thinks it can stop us= Jessie smirked.
"Butterfree, try Stun Spore!" Ash ordered.
"Ree~! Ree~!" Butterfree cried as he rained Stun Spore down on the helicopter, only for the spinning blades to disperse it.
=Hahaha! That was a Stunning failure!= James punned.
"Boo! Bad pun, boo!" Makoto shouted.
"Grr...guess I'll have to use Pidgeo…" Ash began.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Noel snapped, making him flinch and nearly fumble Pidgeotto's Pokeball, "IF YOU TAKE AWAY BUTTERFREE'S CHANCE TO RESCUE HIS TRUE LOVE, THEN I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!"
"R-Right," Ash gulped, hiding behind Kajun with wide eyes.
"Just try to not be noticed," Kajun whispered, 'At least Butterfree's attempts to save them is keeping Noel from pulling out Bolverk…'
"R-right…"
=Yes! We hit the jackpot! Now let's fly out of here!= Jessie beamed as the helicopter began to turn around, forcing Butterfree to move away from the blades =Thank you kind trainers for letting us have the Butterfree you worked so hard to raise!=
=But do not worry. They'll be put to better use when they're sent straight to Rocket HQ= James added.
=Adios, losers!= Meowth laughed =Next time we sees ya, we hope ya have more Pokemon fer us ta steal!=
"We gotta stop them," Ash grit his teeth.
"AFTER THEM!" Noel barked.
"Right!" Brock agreed.
"FREE!" Butterfree shouted as he flew after the hot air balloon.
"Butterf-"
"AFTER HIM!" Noel ordered.
"Y-yes ma'am!" Brock nodded as he pulled the handle.
"Hold up! We're comin' wit' ya!" AJ shouted as he and Samurai's hot air balloons followed suit, "No got dang poachers are takin' my Pokemon and get away wit' it!"
"They better prepare themselves for Golisopod's First Impression!" Samurai growled, "No one dishonors an important time such as this and gets away with it!"
"I swear if they do anything to Needles, they're gonna get sent blasting off...right into the moon!" Makoto snapped, banging her fists together.
'Butterfree...please be safe…' Ash thought in worry.
"98...99...100, meowth!" Meowth beamed as Team Rocket stood in an old warehouse, looking at the net full of Butterfree, "Talk about a big payoff!"
"Indeed. Plus we got a nice bonus," James added, looking at a few cages sporting Beedrill, Vespiquen, and Needles.
"Beedrill bee-bee…"
"Oh, please. You ain't gettin' outta dere and sting us ta the Distortion World," Meowth smirked, "Dose cages are strong enough to even keep a Tyranitar locked up!"
"BEEDRILL!" Needles growled as she tried to break the bars.
"Think we should personally give that Beedrill to the boss as a gift?" James whispered.
"Are you kidding? A Beedrill that rare will surely give us a promotion!" Jesse beamed, "Of which I will personally rub into Cassidy's smug face!"
"Isn't this the same Vespiquen from Viridian Forest?" James pondered.
"Hmm?" Jessie blinked as she looked at Vespiquen, "...Oh my god, it is! Talk about lucky!"
"We gonna give it to da boss t-"
"No! I'm keeping it!" Jessie snapped, "A Pokemon that powerful should belong to me."
"Well what about the twerps? Surely they'll be coming any second," James pointed out.
"Don't worry!" Meowth spoke with a grin, "I asked fer some assistance from one of da local Pokemon living here!"
"What Pokemon?"
"A Fearow duh!"
"Oh, very nice!" Jessie grinned.
"Yup! Let's see da twoips get past him!"
"See any sign of Butterfree or Team Rocket?" Mai asked.
"Ain't nothing from what we can see," AJ replied, Sandslash and a Rattata out and looking at two other sides of the balloon.
"Sadly, we do not see anything either," Samurai shook his head.
"(I tell everyone cats can't be trusted, but no one listens to me!)" Pinsir declared as Golisopod shook his head.
"(I'm going to fry that cat when I see him!)" Berry growled.
"(Better idea! We let Auntie Noellie at him!)" Booster called.
"(Good idea, kiddo!)" Cherry shouted.
"(Those meanies are gonna pay for getting in the way…)" Yuki whispered.
"(Agreed…)" Hikari added, a dark aura of anger surrounding her.
"Gol!" Golispod pointed out ahead, the clouds moving away to reveal a canyon ahead of them.
"They might have gone down there," Samurai nodded, "Excellent, Golispod."
"It would make sense to hide out there…" Kajun noted, "The canyon walls would make it hard for anyone to give chase, plus they provide good coverage for a hideout….darn it. Team Rocket thought this out thoroughly."
"That must leave a bad taste in your mouth to admit they thought of something good," Makoto noted before flinching at the glare Kajun delivered, "Right. Not the time!"
"Let's just keep an eye out for anything suspicious," Tsubaki advised, already having Luca out as the hot air balloons flew into the canyon like area.
"Butterfree, where are you?!" Ash called out.
"Butterfree~!" Misty shouted.
"Come on! Where are y'all at?!" AJ hollered.
"Butterfree! Where are you?!" Mai called out.
"...oh! I think I see him!" Kajun shouted, "...oh dear…"
"What's wrong?" Ash asked before he looked to see the sight, "Ah! Butterfree!"
"Reee...Reeee…" Butterfree panted, covered in light injuries and his scarf a bit tatters on the ends.
"Oh no…" Misty whispered.
"What could've caused…" Tsubaki began before Luca tensed up, "Luca? Wh-"
"FEAR~!"
"GAH!" Ash and Pikachu yelped.
"IT FOLLOWED US?!" Ash freaked.
"(Please tell me it didn't evolve along with its flock!)" Pikachu pleaded.
"Ash, wh-" Misty began before something large flew into the area, "?!"
Flying around was a large bird-like Pokemon with deep brown feathers. It had a long pink beak and a red 'mohawk' of sorts on its head.
"...Phew," the two sighed in relief.
"It's not the same one or from that flock…" Ash sighed in relief.
"...Y'all done threw a rock at a Spearow, didn't ya?" AJ deadpanned.
"...How do you know?"
"Had an uncle who did th' same thing. Wouldn't leave him alone 'till he caught th' dang bird and scared off da flock with his Ampharos. And from yer reactions, y'all didn't catch it, did ya?"
"...Maybe."
"...Oh fer th' love of…" AJ facepalmed.
"Fearow!" the large bird screeched as it flew at them.
"It's coming this way!" Brock shouted.
"Aqua, use Scald!" Mai shouted.
"Buizel!" Aqua nodded before jumping onto the side of the basket and fired a stream of heated water at Fearow.
Ferow narrowed his eyes as he flew to the side, dodging the attack before glowing a bit, giving a yell before firing off a stream of heated water at the group.
"What the…?!" Makoto gawked before the grouped duck down, avoiding the blast of hot water, "Fearow can learn Scald too?!"
"No. It must've been Mirror Move most likely," Kajun figured.
"Mirror Move?"
"It's a move that lets you copy the last move used," Kajun informed.
"You all move ahead," Samurai ordered as he pulled out another Net Ball, "I'll distract this Fearow as best I can."
"Eh? B-"
"Ah'll stay behind as well," AJ spoke with a grin, "It'll give me and Sandslash some more practice!"
"Slash!"
"We'll get Butterfree and Beedrill back," Ash nodded, "Butterfree, did you find Team Rocket?"
"Free…" Butterfree nodded weakly.
"Good. Then try and lead the way."
"Heh heh...oh boy dis is gonna be good," Meowth chuckled as Team Rocket looked at the bug net full of Butterfree, "When da boss sees dis, I'll be top cat again."
"And if things go perfectly, we'll be his favorites instead of Aoiro and Karai," Jessie grinned.
"Which means no more having to fear them!" James exclaimed as all three began to laugh, only for the windows to suddenly shatter, "?!"
"Hey! What da heck was...?!" Meowth began before the lights suddenly shut off.
"Prepare for trouble!" Ash declared as a spotlight shined on him.
"And make it a lot more than just double!" Misty added as one shined on her.
"To protect the world from Devastation…" Brock joined in, shining a flashlight underneath his face.
"To unite all people within our nation…"
"This was too good to last," James sighed.
"Hey, hey, hey! Do we copy youse twoips and your mottos?!" Meowth snapped.
"Nope, but compared to you, we're actually defending the beauty of truth and love," Misty countered.
"Why you…" Jessie growled, "Ariados, Ekans! Come out now!"
"Koffing, Weepinbell!" James threw out.
"Ek-/Ko-/Ar-/WE-" the four began before a cold wind blew through, instantly freezing them.
"Gah! What da heck was dat?!" Meowth freaked.
"You….you three…" Ash and the others parted, looking at a trembling Noel as Yuki stood before her, growling.
"Uh, is she okay?" Jessie asked.
"Nope. You did something you shouldn't have," Makoto answered.
"Huh? What are you…?"
"You...you have the nerve...the gall to say things like truth and love when you used the latter to steal all those Butterfree, all during a most special day for them…" Noel spoke, growling a bit as an aura of anger appeared around her, "How dare you….HOW DARE YOU!"
"Yikes! She blew her top!" James yelped before the three jumped out of the way of a jagged beam of icy-blue energy that left behind a trail of ice where it hit.
"Wow. Those two got so mad that Yuki learned Ice Beam," Makoto gawked.
"Never get in the way of Noel and her love stories…" Tsubaki shook her head a bit.
As Team Rocket was fully distracted by an enraged Noel and her Vulpix, Butterfree flew over to the container for all the Butterfree. He flew back before charging in for a Tackle attack, slamming right into the net. He ignored all the pain he was feeling as he charged in for another Tackle attack, the Pink Butterfree looking in a mix of awe and worry. Finally, Butterfree flew all the way back and charged straight at the container. His antennae glowed before a spiraling pink and white energy swirled around him. The attack slammed into the container, shattering it completely and making the building shake.
"Gah! What was…" Meowth began before noticing the trapped Butterfree starting to fly out, "GAH! DEY'RE ESCAPING!"
"WHAT?!" Jessie and James exclaimed, jumping over another Ice Beam aimed at them.
"Hurry up! Fly away!" Brock called as he and Makoto pushed open the doors.
"Hurry and fly to freedom!" Makoto shouted as the Butterfree began to fly out.
"Are you okay, Butterfree?" Ash asked as he ran over to his panting butterfly-like Pokemon.
"Free~" the Pink Butterfree spoke as she flew over, a look of concern on her face as she looked at Butterfree.
"I'll get you!" James shouted, about to grab the Pink Butterfree with a net before…
"DRILLBEE!"
"EEK! GIANT CORROSIVE BEEDRILL!" James freaked, barely avoiding Needles' namesakes in her anger.
"(PUT ME IN A CAGE, WILL YA?!)" Needles snapped as she chased him off.
"How did it escape its cage?! We-" Jessie began.
"Ahem!" Jessie and Meowth looked over to look at Kajun...along with a livid Beedrill, Butterfree, and Vespiquen.
"I do believe you recognize these two. They belong to a certain Trainer with a Sandslash that used Hyper Beam on you three," Kajun introduced, motioning to the Beedrill and Butterfree, "I should also mention…" she held up Dexter and aimed it at AJ's Butterfree.
=This Butterfree knows the move Hyper Beam= Dexter stated.
"GH?!" Jessie and Meowth tensed at that.
"(Dear?)"
"(Yes, your highness of another swarm?)"
"(Would you be so kind as to unleash your wrath upon these heathens?)" Vespiquen requested.
"(Oh, indeed I will)," AJ's Butterfree replied before a sphere of light formed between her antennae.
"...RUN TO DA COPTER!" Meowth freaked as he, Jessie, and James bolted for the helicopter.
"(FIRE!)" AJ's Butterfree roared before the sphere turned into a large laser beam, sailing over Team Rocket and slamming into the open door of their copter, causing it to blow up.
"(WHOO! THAT'S MY MATE RIGHT THERE!)" Beedrill whooped before catching the exhausted Butterfree.
"...Oh no…" James gulped before Team Rocket barely avoided another Ice Beam.
"Nowhere to run now," Ash grinned, "Hey, Noel!"
"WHAT?!"
"!" Ash tried hard not to cringe, "Maybe let Butterfree handle this?"
"Oh! Sure thing, Ash!" Noel nodded with a smile, the aura of anger disappearing.
'Phew. Crisis averted,' Ash thought as Butterfree flew over to his side, glaring at Team Rocket, "Okay, Butterfree! Confusion!"
"Free…" Butterfree's eyes began to glow.
"W-wait wait!" Team Rocket freaked before they froze and suddenly lifted off the ground.
"(Hikari, got any suggestions?)" Butterfree asked.
"(Mmm...I say go with the iron)," Hikari replied, using Confusion to bring over an iron pipe to Butterfree.
"...Oh No…" Team Rocket began as they paled.
"(Pikachu, Berry, care to help?)" Butterfree offered as he used Confusion to put the pipe through the trio's shirts and Meowth's curled tail.
"(Oh massively…)" Pikachu and Berry grinned as they jumped onto the ends of the pipe.
"No no no…" Team Rocket gulped at seeing them.
"..." both grinned as sparks came off their cheeks.
"They're gonna shock us," the trio squeaked.
More electricity crackled off the two.
"They're gonna shock us!"
More was generated.
"They're-gonna shock-us!"
Even more was generated.
"They're-gonna-shock-us!"
Even more was generated.
"They'regonnashockus!"
"Pi/Pa…Ka/Chi…"
"They'regonnashockus!"
"CHU/RISU!-!-!-!-!"
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" the trio screamed before an explosion went off, sending them flying out of the building and into the distance, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again~!"
"And don't mess with love ever again!" Noel shouted at the fading trio, "Okay, let's…"
"REEEE~!"
"Ree?!" Butterfree looked out to see a Fearow attacking the Pink Butterfree.
"Oh come on!" Ash exclaimed, "How'd that get here?!"
"So...You think either of us threw a rock at a Spearow in a previous life?" AJ asked as he cracked his whip and a Hyper Beam roared out of Sandslash at several Fearow around their balloons.
"I am starting to think that way!" Samurai agreed, using his katana to barely block the talons of a Fearow until Pinsir's pincers grabbed it and squeezed until it was knocked out.
"Butterfree, can you still keep going?" Ash asked.
"Ree!" Butterfree nodded.
"Okay then! Let's go!" Ash grabbed his hat and turned it around, "Tackle!"
Fearow was about to claw into the Pink one before Butterfree rammed into it, knocking it away from her. Fearow screeched at Butterfree and flew at him, intent on ending the butterfly. Butterfree dodged and fired a String Shot, nailing it in the eyes. Another String Shot was fired and Butterfree stopped flying and quickly began to layer up Harden after Harden. He swung down on the String Shot before using the momentum to slam right into Fearow's face, knocking it away.
"Row~!" Fearow cawed as it got the String Shot out of its eyes.
"Come on, Butterfree! Use Whirlwind and blow it away!"
"Reee!" Butterfree's wings tensed as they glowed before flapping them hard to form a tiny blast of pressurized air in the form of a mini-tornado.
"Oh! That's Gust!" Brock realized as the attack slammed into Fearow.
"Ree…! REEEE!" Butterfree cried as he charged at Fearow, becoming engulfed in the pink and white energy once more.
"Fear?! ROW!" Fearow cried as the attack slammed into it, sending it crashing through a rock formation before it flew off, "Row! Fearow!"
"...What...was that?" Ash whispered with wide eyes.
"That was Giga Impact," Brock answered.
"Giga Impact?"
"Think Hyper Beam, only used in a physical aspect instead of a long range attack," Brock explained.
"Oh…" Ash noted before grinning at Butterfree, "Way to go, Butterfree!"
"Ree!" Butterfree beamed.
"Free~"
"Ree?" Butterfree blinked as he looked over, seeing the pink one flying over to him, a blush on her face.
"Oh! Is she…?" Noel gasped before squealing in delight as the Pink Butterfree started to dance, "She is! She's doing the Courtship Dance for him!"
"Good on you, Butterfree!" Brock cheered.
"Guess he proved he was strong enough for her," Ash grinned.
"Ashton…"
"Hm?" Ash looked over at Kajun.
"You...you're aware that for Butterfree to be with that one...you'll have to Release him, right?"
"?!" Ash's eyes widened in realization.
"Look at them, Ashton," Kajun continued, gently moving Ash so that he'd look up at the two Butterfree, dancing around one another happily, "They look so happy with each other. Do you think it would be right to separate them?"
"Well….no…"
"I know it might be hard, but it's part of growing up. No matter how painful it is, there are times we'll have to let things go, including those we hold close to our hearts," Kajun explained in an almost elder sibling manner, "But do not worry. All those moments you've shared with him will always be in your heart, and Butterfree will always keep the memories you two shared in his heart as well."
"..."
"Ree~?" Ash looked up to see his Butterfree flying a few feet before him with the pink Butterfree.
"Butterfree…" Ash spoke before looking out at the other Butterfree that were flying off, "..." he inhaled before smiling at them, "You don't want to be left behind by the other Butterfree, do you?"
"Reee~?"
"Don't worry," Ash assured, "I'll tell everyone you've gone out to make a lot of new friends." he pulled out Butterfree's Pokeball in its small size, "You'll take care of Butterfree, right?"
"Free~" the pink one nodded.
"Thank you," Ash nodded before looking at Butterfree, "We'll miss you, Butterfree, but...I know you'll be okay."
"Free…" Butterfree whispered, tears welling up in his eyes a bit.
"Pika…" Pikachu sniffled while Berry blew her nose, tears in their eyes as well.
"Ralts…" Hikari whispered, a tear falling down her cheek.
The two Butterfree waved to them before turning around and flying off towards the swarm that was leaving towards the sea.
"Good-bye, Butterfree…" Ash whispered, his hat hiding his eyes.
"Bye bye, Butterfree!" Misty waved.
"Good luck to both of you!" Brock called.
"Take care you two!" Makoto shouted.
"F-farewell, Butterfree!" Noel called.
"Vul~!" Yuki called, tears in her eyes.
"Until we meet again, Butterfree!" Kajun waved.
"We won't forget you, Butterfree! Good luck out there!" Mai called.
"Take care of each other!" Tsubaki shouted.
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu waved, tears going down his cheeks.
"Pachiri~!" Berry waved, crying as well.
Ash said nothing as he stood there, remembering all the memories he shared with Butterfree, from catching him when he was just a Caterpie, the moment he fully evolved, and when Butterfree fought Misty's Poliwhirl in Cerulean City.
"...Butterfree…" he whispered, a lone tear rolling down his cheek.
"...Hey, Ash. Butterfree's almost out of sight," Misty spoke up.
"Huh?!" Ash looked up to see that Butterfree really was almost out of sight, "..." he began to wave and shout as loud as he could, "Take care, Butterfree! Good luck, buddy!"
"Ree…" Butterfree looked over his shoulder, faintly seeing Ash's waving form.
"Good bye, Butterfree! I'll always remember you! Thank you for everything! Goodbye, Butterfree!" Ash continued.
"Reeeeeeee~" Butterfree sobbed before an idea came to him.
"Huh? What's that?" Misty pondered.
"What's what?" Brock asked.
Everyone looked out to see a large amount of blue, purple, and yellow powder trail after Butterfree. His eyes glowed and the glow appeared on the powder. Ash's eyes widened as the powder was shaped into a large image of a waving Butterfree with a scarf.
"Wow...talk about a farewell…" Makoto whispered in awe.
"Yeah," Ash nodded, tears going down his cheeks as the Butterfree were no longer visible.
"I guess that's proof that Butterfree will never forget you, Ash," Tsubaki noted.
"You've done an amazing job raising him, Ash," Brock added.
"Yeah…" Ash nodded as he looked at the fading figure of Butterfree, "Good bye...old friend."
"...Oh my goodness! We forgot about AJ and Samurai!" Mai's eyes widened.
"So…how long 'till ya think they realize they fergot about us?" AJ asked.
"A little while longer," Samurai replied, "Though...Did you have to capture one of these?"
"Hey, it was a tough one and tanked three shots of Hyper Beam from Sandslash," AJ defended as he tossed and caught a Great Ball with a Fearow inside of it, "No way am Ah lettin' somethin' like that get away."
"Understandable," Samurai nodded.
"(I am the king of the birds!)" Pinsir roared on a large pile of pummeled Fearow, "(My first decree is war on the cats!)"
"(No way you're the king of the birds!)" Sandslash argued, standing an equally large pile of pummeled Fearow, "(If any, I'm the king!)"
"(There you are!)" the two looked to see AJ's Butterfree and Beedrill fly over.
"(Well, that explains why you guys weren't there to help)," Beedrill noted.
"(Hey! Settle a bet! Which of us is king of birds?)" Sandslash demanded.
"(Oh, that's easy)," Butterfree giggled before pointing behind them, "(Him)."
"(Huh?)" the two turned and gawked at the pile twice the size of theirs put together...with Golisopod meditating on the top of it.
"(This was an interesting day…)" Golisopod whispered.
Kajun's Pokemon Lab!
The curtains rose up once more, revealing Kajun standing by her desk as normal. Hikari was slumped on a corner of it, a box of tissues by her side, while Koko was at her normal position on the table.
"Greetings once more. For those who do not know, I am Kajun Faycott, and with me is my assistant Koko the Espeon," Kajun greeted, "Normally, Hikari is with me for these segments, but…"
*HONK!*
"She's mourning the loss of a friend due to him leaving due to Mating Season," Kajun continued as Hikari used Confusion to throw away the spent tissue.
"Espe…" Koko nodded.
"So to honor him, and this has been long overdue, today's Pokemon we'll be discussing about is Butterfree," Kajun stated as an image of Butterfree appeared on the screen behind her, "Butterfree are the final evolution of the Caterpie line, becoming a Bug-Flying Type in the process. What's interesting to note is that alongside the Weedle line, Butterfree's evolutionary line acts akin to a caterpillar's life cycle with Butterfree emerging from Kakuna's shell when it's evolved."
"Esp," Koko changed the screen to show two Butterfree side-by-side.
"Butterfree have a gender difference that is only visible in the form of their wings, with females sporting black oval scales on the lower halves of their wings," Kajun informed as Koko had the image zoomed in on one of the Butterfree wings, "The wings are covered in a powder that is sheds during flight. While it is often considered poisonous, Butterfree can actually alter this powder to poison, paralyze, or even make those that make contact with it fall asleep."
"Espeon," Koko changed the screen to show a Butterfree flying in the rain.
"This powder also acts as a shield for a Butterfree's wings, letting it fly in the rain," Kajun informed, "Butterfree will often fly in a six mile radius of their nest to search for honey which they carry home with tiny hairs on their legs." the screen changed to show a close up of one of Butterfree's eyes, "As you can see, upon closer examination, a Butterfree's eyes are like a normal butterfly's eyes in that they are made of a myriad of 'eyes' that work together to give it better vision."
"Eon…" Koko changed the screen to show Ash's Butterfree using Confusion.
"What's interesting to note is that when a Butterfree has evolved from Metapod, they automatically learn Confusion," Kajun noted, "Perhaps it's a sign that they were once Bug/Psychic-Types with it changing to Bug/Flying-Type as evolution took its course yet let it keep its ability to learn Psychic-type moves such as Psychic and Psybeam. Surprisingly, Butterfree can also learn the moves Hyper Beam and Giga Impact."
Koko snickered as she kept replaying Ash's Butterfree using the latter move on Fearow and AJ's Butterfree using the former on Team Rocket.
"Yes, yes, it's amusing to you, Koko, but it is something no one would ever expect from a Butterfree," Kajun shook her head, "Many Nuzlockers are often in awe that a Butterfree has the potential to become an Elite Four-level Pokemon."
"Espe…" Koko nodded.
"Anyway, I believe that is all for now. Tune in next time for...for…" Kajun blinked as the area began to become a little staticy, "Wh-what's going on?"
"Espeon?" Koko moved closer to Kajun.
"Koko?" Kajun blinked before Hikari teleported over and hugged her leg, "Hikari? What's…" a rather unsettling laughter of a child filled the air, "...Please let that be Makoto and her Pokemon trying to pull a prank on us."
"Do you want to play a game?"
"..." the trio gulped before the camera turned to static.
GT: Ohh...That's not good.
SZ: Oh….no….that could only mean one thing….that episode is up next.
Makoto: Eh? That episode?
GT: You'll find out soon enough, Makoto.*puts a tinfoil hat on her head* Just, uh...Just wear this and hope it works.
Makoto:...oh….kay….?
SZ: T-tune in next time for the first three-parter of this story, folks.
Makoto: Wait. Three-parter?
SZ: You'll see soon enough….ja ne minna.
GT: See ya!