"Okay, this path should be the quickest to get to Greenfield." Molly said, looking at Ash's Pokegear.
"Must be exciting to go home and show your mom all that you've done." Casey said as Ash elbowed her hard. "Hey, what was that… oh, sorry I didn't know."
"No, it's fine, I don't remember her much, I was really young when she passed." Molly admitted. "Aunt Delia has kind of been like a second mom to me though."
"Let's find a brighter subject to talk about, no more of this negativity." Ash said, trying to change the subject as they made their way into a small town. "I bet there's something fun to do here in town!"
"Ash, you don't have to try and make each trip and adventure." Molly said.
"No, but this does look like fun." Ash said, looking at a poster.
"The Fire and Rescue Tournament?" Casey asked, walking over. "What kind of tournament even is that?"
"It looks like a test of water type Pokémon's abilities to work in high heat and pressure situations." Molly said.
"Sounds like fun, I bet Squirtle and Totodile would have a blast!" Ash cheered.
"Except it says here you need at least a team of four Pokemon to enter." Molly said. "And we only have two."
"Not if Casey get's Qwilfish!" Ash argued.
"Ash, that's still only three Pokemon." Casey reminded.
"Don't worry, I have a plan." Ash said, rushing towards the Pokemon Center.
At the Pokemon Center
"You want to borrow Kingler?" Professor Oak asked in surprise.
"Just for the day, there's a tournament going on and I need water types to enter it." Ash said excitedly.
"I have no problem with that, but don't you have six Pokemon already?" Professor Oak asked.
"Right." Ash said, deep in thought. "I need Squirtle and Totodile, and Pikachu isn't an option either. I've got it!" Ash exclaimed, grabbing a Pokeball. "I'll send over Gligar for a bit!"
"Marvelous choice, I'm sure that Gligar will have a wonderful time here." Professor Oak said happily. "I'm awaiting his Pokeball now."
"Alright, sending over Gligar." Ash said, placing the Pokeball on the transporter.
"He's right here, and now I'll send over Kingler." Professor Oak said, setting Kingler's Pokeball on the transfer pad.
"Thanks Professor!" Ash exclaimed, "Take good care of Gligar for the day!"
"Of course Ash, I will talk to you tomorrow." Professor Oak said, as the two hung up.
"Got your other water type?" Casey asked.
"Right here, how about Qwilfish?" Ash asked.
"Don't loose him." Casey warned, handing over the Pokeball.
"I won't, I won't, now come on let's sign up before it's too late!" Ash said, rushing towards the event stadium.
At the stadium
"Wow, that's a lot of water types." Molly said, as she and Casey were walking around as Ash registered.
"No kidding, and some not so water types." Casey commented, plugging her nose as they walked past a Muk group.
"Alright Squirtle, stay in formation!" A woman's voice called out.
"Squirt!"
"Squirt!"
"Squirt!"
"Squir?"
Three of the four Squirtle's managed to keep in line however the fourth struggled keeping up.
"Oh wow, Squirtles!" Molly squealed.
"Molly, you see a Squirtle every day." Casey reminded.
"I know, but these ones are different, look how cute they are… with their matching sunglasses… oh no." Molly said in realization.
"SQUIRTLE!" Ash's Squirtle cheered, running over to the others, forming a group hug as Ash caught up.
"Ash, it's great to see you." Officer Jenny said, walking up to him.
"Officer Jenny, are you and the Squirtle Squad entering today?" Ash asked.
"We're hoping too, but morale has been a little lower than normal." Officer Jenny admitted. "How about you, are you here for the competition as well?"
"We just registered, team 23." Ash said, "Thankfully I had a friend that spoke on my behalf."
"Please Ash, after your help on Ascorbia Island, it's the least I could do." A man said walking up. "I'm Captain Aidan of the Wartortle Team." Aidan said, holding out his hand.
"I recognize you, the undefeated champion team." Officer Jenny said.
"Hey Ash, are you going to introduce us?" Casey questioned.
"Right, Casey and Molly. This is Officer Jenny of Vermillion City and the leader of Squirtle's gang, the Squirtle Squad!" Ash said proudly. "And this is Captain Aidan, he runs a fire and rescue team in the Orange Islands."
"It's great to meet all of you, I hope you enjoy the show." Captain Aidan said.
"Well we'll let you get ready, come on Squirtle, let's let them focus." Ash said.
"Squirtle Squirt!" Ash's Squirtle said, waving goodbye to his old friends.
A bit later
"Alright teams, gather round, the first round is snuffing out a fire, you will be graded on time, efficiency, and least structural damage to your house." A judge said. "On your marks, get set, douse!"
"Squirtle, Kingler, Totodile use Water Gun! Qwilfish use Bubblebeam!" Ash called out.
Squirtle, Kingler, and Totodile each began to extinguish their sides of the building while Qwilfish was just bouncing around, trying to aim a shot.
"Right, Qwilfish." Ash remembered. "Squirtle cover Kinger's side and use Hydro Pump! Kingler take over for Qwilfish!"
Kingler scuttled over taking on Qwilfish's side as Squirtle took over two sides until his Hydro Pump broke through a wall, startling Totodile on the other side, allowing the flames to catch up to them.
"And it looks like Team Ketchum is disqualified, better luck next year." A judge declared.
Between rounds
"Hey cheer up, it was fun while it lasted." Casey offered.
"It lasted five minutes." Molly reminded.
"A fun five minutes." Casey countered.
"It's fine, I mean I'm going up against actual pros at this kind of thing, I never honestly thought I stood a chance, it was just a fun thing to do." Ash said, as he put food down for Totodile and Kingler.
"Where's Squirtle by the way?" Molly asked.
"He's with his friends, they actually got a really good score and are going on to the next round." Ash admitted, looking over at the five Squirtle.
"He does seem really happy for them." Molly said, looking over.
"He'll be cheering them on harder than anyone." Ash said, watching his water type with his old friends.
Round 2
"Alright teams, your goal for this round is to make it to the top of your structure. Only once each of your Pokemon make it to the roof do you win." The judge said.
"There's not a lot of teams left." Casey admitted, seeing around eight groups left.
Ash and Squirtle watched closely as the Squirtle squad worked as a group, with one climbing up on the rope before flipping down to grab the next, each one of them slowly shimmying up the rope to the roof.
"And we have our two finalist teams,the Wartortle Team from Ascorbia Island, and the Squirtle Squad of Vermillion City!" The judge declared.
"They made it to the final round!" Molly cheered.
"Come on Squirtle Squad!" Ash cheered.
"Squirtle Squirt!" Ash's Squirtle cheered.
"Our final round will begin soon, the teams will be competing to rescue a dummy from the flames of their structure, the first to succeed will be declared the winner." The Judge announced.
"Best of luck to you and your team Jenny." Captain Aidan said.
"That's Office Jenny to you." Officer Jenny said. "And best of luck to you as well Captain Aidan."
Round 3
"Those are really big structures." Ash said, seeing the small houses.
"Now let's go over the rules, only the Pokemon are allowed into the structure to rescue the dummy, trainers must remain outside for the entirety of this or face elimination. Teams at the sound of my whistle, we will begin." The judge said as the Wartortle Team and Squirtle Squad got ready.
"This isn't even fair, they have five members against the Squirtle's four." Molly complained.
"I believe in Squirtles' powers, they might be small and outnumbered but they are still strong." Ash said. "Just look at mine."
"Squirt!" Squirtle cheered.
'TWEEEE!'
At the sound of the whistle, the two teams rushed forward into the burning buildings.
"Come on Squirtle!" Molly cheered.
"You've got this Squirtle Squad!" Casey called out.
Every now and then each time would run out, trying to catch a breath before coming in. However it was clear the Wartortle Team was having an easier time operating without their trainer.
"Why isn't the Squirtle Squad able to go as long, shouldn't they have a leader to keep them focused?" Molly asked.
"He's not there, is he. That's why they're struggling." Casey said in realization.
"Are you saying that Ash's Squirtle is the leader of the Squirtle Squad?" Molly asked.
"Good guess." Ash commented. "But the rules are rules."
"The rules do say only the Pokemon on each team can enter." Casey pointed out. "And let's face it, Squirtle has been hard to pull away from them ever since we saw them here."
"Go on then Squirtle, help your team." Ash said.
"Squirt!" Squirtle said, flipping on his sunglasses before rushing into the structure.
It wasn't much later that the Squirtle Squad re emerged from the structure with their dummy safe in their hands.
"And there we have it, the Squirtle Squad are victorious!" The judge declared. "They have won this years Fire and Rescue Tournament, taking the crown from the undefeated champions!"
After the competition
Ash, Molly, and Casey walked over to the still celebrating Squirtle Squad and Officer Jenny.
"So I guess you all are heading back to Kanto now, huh?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, this was fun but Vermillion City still needs us." Officer Jenny said, opening a van for the Squirtle Squad, as all four of them hopped in, still wearing their sunglasses.
"Squirt." Ash's Squirtle said a bit unsure.
"I know buddy." Ash said, reaching into his Pocket. "Officer Jenny, here." Ash said, holding out Squirtle's Pokeball.
"Ash." Molly said in shock.
"I recognize what Squirtle is thinking, it's just like how Charizard was. You want to go with your friends, don't you?" Ash asked.
"Squirt." Squirtle sighed with a sad admittance.
"Alright, take care of yourself and make sure to do all of us proud." Ash said, helping Squirtle up to where his team was.
"Squirtle Squirt!" Squirtle said with confidence.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered, saying goodbye to his friend.
"I'll take great care of Squirtle for you Ash, and if you ever need his help, feel free to give us a call." Officer Jenny said, taking Squirtle's Pokeball.
"Take care Squirtle." Ash said as the car left with his original water type.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder - Agility
Bulbasaur: Vine Whip - Razor Leaf - Solar Beam - Leech Seed
Houndour: Ember - Bite - Smog
Totodile: Water Gun - Bite
Kingler: Bubblebeam - Stomp - Crabhammer - Hyper Beam