It has been couple of days, since Ash, May, Max and Serena left the Petalburg City, and headed toward the Fortree City, where Ash's and Serena's six gym battle, is to happen.

The last few days, have been relatively uneventful. Nothing major happen, and the three teenagers, and a young kid, were mostly just traveling, but were also making more stops to rest, then they would usually do. This was because Serena - while capable of traveling - can't walk too much without rest. As such, several times a day, they would make a stop to rest, and on occasions, train their Pokémon.

While nothing major has happened on the journey, with any new faces, one thing that happened in between the gang is that Serena has started to talk with Ash, more than she did ever since she caught him having sex with Jane and Caroline. She has been giving him silent treatment ever since, but in the last few days, she started talking to him again.

This was because Serena knows that Ash has put himself in danger by going all the way to the Kalos Region, to save her mother. It was also because Serena has realized that Ash, does in fact love her, even though he has cheated on her. She was having doubts, that he doesn't truly love her, but she realized while she was in the hospital, that he does truly love her, and would do everything for her, even go against his own father, for what he has caused Serena to go through.

Right now, as the gang was on the way to the Fortree City, they seem to have lost their way… or better said, they are lost in the middle of the forest and they don't know where to go.

"This place really gives me the creeps." May commented as she looked around the dark forest. All around them, there seems to be nothing but trees, and the wind which is blowing in between the trees, makes the whole place scarier then it should be.

"How do we always end up lost, I'll never figure out?" Serena asked no one, as she hung up her head. She was annoyed that they were lost again, but she was also tired, though she will not say it. The tiredness, only makes her even more annoyed, if possible.

Max looked at his PokéNav, but it doesn't have a connection, which surprise him, as it should be having a connection, no matter where they are. "Hey Ash," Max looked at Ash. "Can you figure out where we are?"

Ash sighed, as he looked around. He took out his Pokedex, and looked for the map in it. His Pokedex is of much greater quality then some simply PokéNav, and it also has a connection anywhere in the world, so he should be able to see where they are, and find a road out of the dark and scary forest.

As such, Ash was really surprised when he saw that his Pokedex isn't working either. This has never happened before. NEVER! And as such, he is interested, but also a little unnerved, because he doesn't know where they are, and what awaits them all. He doesn't like not to know something.

"My Pokedex isn't working, either," Ash said, making everyone else sigh. Now they were truly lost, and they knew that. "I guess we will have to find another way to find out where we are, and where the road is."

"I guess we could try and send out our flying Pokémon," Serena suggested. "They should be able to see where we are, and find the road out of here."

Ash, May and Max, liked the idea, and just as Ash and Serena were about to release their Swallow and Golbat, and May was also going to release her Taillow and Beautifly, they were interrupted by something moving in the threes.

"What's that?" Max asked, with fear in his voice, while all the others were looking at the bush.

Suddenly, a Skarmory, shot out of the bush, and flew toward the group of young trainers. Serena, May and Max, screamed in fear, and started to run away from the Flying/Steel type Pokémon. Ash though, he just stood where he was, and was looking at his friends, running away from a Pokémon.

"They are ridiculous," Ash commented to himself, while watching the scene. He didn't understand why they were running away, when they all have Pokémon, which they can use, to defend themselves.

Finally, one of May's Pokémon decided to come out of the Poke Ball, and do something. But, Skitty, wasn't able to do anything, except make May run back toward her, and hug her from above to protect her from the Skarmory.

Ash watched from several dozen meters away, as Skarmory came from the sky, grabbed May's backpack, and then flew away, with May in its claws, while she was still holding her Skitty.

"MAY!" Max and Serena screamed, as they saw May being taken away by the Skarmory, while Ash sighed, one more time. "I am tired of stuff like this happening." He said to himself.

Without waiting for Ash; May and Serena, started running through the forest, in the same direction where Skarmory flew. They could see the Pokémon, and May in its claws, and were following them, so they can save May. Ash was completely forgotten.

Ash sighed… again. "I fucking hate my life." He said, while looking toward the ground, all depressed.

Then, Ash run toward where the others went, thinking of how to save May, without hurting her. He knew it won't be easy to save her, as Skarmory has her in its claws, and if he shot down the Pokémon, May might be hurt in the process. As such, he had to find another way.

Few minutes of running later, Ash came in front of a huge wooden fence, surrounding some place. He didn't know what this was, but he knew it must be important, if it has a fence like this, and from what he could see, it also has a gate guards. The gate guards, who were currently talking with Max and Serena.

As Ash approached them, he heard Serena saying that their friend was taken by the Skarmory, which then flew over the gate, and that they must go and save her. The guards paled when they heard this, which is something Ash didn't like, as he knew that it was a bad thing if the guards are acting like this.

The guards didn't seem to like that there is a human beyond the gates of the protected place, and when asked what they can do to find and save May, they said that they need to speak with some old man.

By that point, Ash has showed up, and was right behind Max and Serena. "Ash," Max yelled! "We need to save May!"

"Don't worry, we will," Ash said. "But first, let's find out what's up with this place. I don't like how these guards are acting because there is human in there."

"Come with us." One of the guards said, and so, the gang of three, followed behind the two grown man, as they headed toward somewhere.

XXX

Far beyond the gates, in the protected land, Skarmory has just dropped May and Skitty on a tall rock formation, and then flew off.

"Finally," May sighed, before she looked at her Skitty, who she was holding in her arms. "Are you ok, Skitty?"

The white and pink colored cat Pokémon, nodded, saying she was fine.

"Ok then, you can get some rest." May said, as she recalled her Pokémon in her Poke Ball.

May then heard some noise, and looked at where it's coming from, only to see a Bulbasaur, standing at the edge of the hill, and was trying to grab something.

Bulbasaur managed to use its vine, to pick a flower from the side of the hill, but then tripped, and was about to fall down, if not for May, who managed to grab the grass Pokémon, before it could fall far into the abyss.

"Are you ok, Bulbasaur," May asked?

Bulbasaur nodded with a smile, but then it noticed who it was that saved it, and got weary of May, before it backed away a little bit.

"Don't worry, Bulbasaur," May spoke. "I won't hurt you."

Bulbasaur looked at May with interest in its eyes, before it started to tickle May on her face, using its vines.

Suddenly, a Sunflora, Weepinbell and Gloom, jumped in between May and Bulbasaur, and looked menacingly at May, who was confused by what's happening.

XXX

On the other side of the gate, Ash, Max and Serena, were currently in a small settlement, with only several small houses there. They were brought there by the two man from before, and are currently talking with the old man, the two younger man, brought them to.

Besides the gang, the old man, and the two man from before, there were two other man there, and a three small Poochyena, who were currently eating some Poke food.

"I'm sorry," the old man spoke. "But while I would love to help you save your friend, I can't. That land is absolutely off limits to any human, and we can't go there under any circumstances."

"But why?" Serena asked.

"Anyone who goes there, will draw the wrath of the Grass Pokémon, upon them." The old man said.

"Then what the hell is going to happen to my sister?" Max yelled at the old man.

"Do you expect us to just leave her there and do nothing?" Serena asked.

"Don't worry you two," Ash said calmly. "We will just go there and save her. I'm sure we can save her, without drawing the wrath of the Grass Types."

The old man sighed, before he said to Ash and the others to wait, while he and the other guardians talk and see what they can do. He didn't feel like letting Ash and his friends run around the Forbidden Forest, as he didn't know them, and didn't know what they would do to the Pokémon there.

XXX

Back in the forbidden forest, May is in trouble, because the three Pokémon which showed up suddenly, were glaring menacingly at her. She looked at them with fear, and wondered, what she has done, to earn such hateful looks?

Suddenly, a Gloom jumped at May, and started releasing Stun Spore, which was followed by Weepinbell, who used Vine Whip, and finally, Sunflora sent a barrage of Razor Leaf's.

May screamed and jumped away from the attacks, which hit the ground where she stood, and blew it up, lifting a little dust cloud in the air.

"HEY, why did you do that?" May asked them, when she turned around.

Bulbasaur tried to protect May, by talking with the other Pokémon, but they didn't seem to listen to it, and simply moved it aside, before they focused on May, once again.

Then, to make things even worse, a whole bunch of other Pokémon, just appeared out of nowhere, and stood in front of May. Among the Pokémon, were Sunkern, Hoppip, and Skiploom.

May was once again, attacked by the Sunflora, but this time, an Oddish, joined in, and attacked her as well.

May decided to fight back, and had her Combusken, use Flamethrower, to counter the Razor Leaf and, May a Sludge Bomb, which Oddish fired at her. Combusken's attack, canceled out the Grass and Poison type attacks, much to the shock of the grass types, and then May used the chance, to run away, along with her Combusken.

XXX

In the small settlement outside of the Forbidden Forest, Ash, Serena and Max, were still waiting for the old man to come back and tell them what will be done to save May. Quite a bit of time has passed, and the three were starting to wonder, if they will even come back.

Among the three children, Max was the most worried, as his sister is the one who is in danger, and he doesn't want anything to happen to her. Not after everything they've been through lately.

"I don't know why we are even waiting here," Ash commented. "I should just go and find May. It's not like these people will be of much help, anyway."

Serena sighed. "I also want to go and save May, but we better wait for these people to return. I don't want us to get in trouble with them."

"I never said that you and Max would be coming," Ash said as he looked at Serena and Max, who looked back at him with raised eyebrows, and surprised looks on their faces.

"What do you mean," Serena asked? "Of course we will come to help save May."

"No, you won't," Ash said. "I will go alone, as I'll be faster without the two of you. Also, you are already tired, and need to rest. Running away from angry Grass Types, certainly won't help you. And you, Max. You need to stay here with Serena."

"But…" Max started to say, but Ash interrupted him. "Trust me. I'll save May much easier by myself, then with you two there."

Serena and Max sighed. They didn't like that Ash considers them useless, but they knew that in a way, he is right. Serena still isn't complete recovered from her injuries, while Max is just too young, and Ash doesn't want him to be in danger. As such, it's much better that they stay in the small village, then to enter in the Forbidden Forest.

"Fine, Ash," Serena spoke. "But do be careful."

"Don't worry," Ash smiled at Serena. "I will." And with those words, Ash left to find May, while Serena and Max stayed behind.

XXX

Back in the forest, May was running all over the place, along with her Combusken. They were being chased by a large group of Grass Type Pokémon, who seem relentless in their pursuit, and don't let up.

May could have fought back. Her Combusken is strong, and can do some damage, but she knew that if she does that, it might start even bigger trouble for her, and even more Grass Type Pokémon might come after her. It's something she definitely doesn't need right now.

At one point, May and Combusken were cornered, and didn't see any way out, besides fighting. Lucky for them, before it came to that, Ash suddenly appeared.

"Ash," May shouted in relief, as she saw Ash run in front of her, and stood in between her, Combusken, and the Grass Pokémon. "What's going on? Why are these Pokémon, attacking me?"

"This place is forbidden for every human to enter," Ash said. "The grass Pokémon here live in peace, and don't like anyone to enter, otherwise, they attack."

"How are we going to get away from here?" May asked.

Ash smiled. "Hang on tight." He said, before he grabbed May in his arms, bridal style. May screamed when Ash lifted her, but before she could ask anything, Ash run away from the group of Grass Type Pokémon, while May's Combusken run next to him.

The grass types didn't seem to want to let them go, though, as they continued to chase after Ash and Combusken.

"They sure don't give up." Ash commented, while running.

"ASH," May screamed, while blushing like crazy! "What are you doing? Put me down!"

"I would, but then they would catch us, as you can't run as fast as I can." Ash said.

May wanted to argue, but she knew that Ash was right, so she decided to let him carry her, while they run away.

Finally, though, they run into a dead end, because right in front of them was a big cliff, and there was no way, Ash was going to jump down from that height. To make things even worse, the Grass Types run behind them, and prevented Ash to run back to where he came from. As such, he, May and Combusken, were trapped.

Ash let go of May, as she stood on her own feet.

"Please, you need to listen to me," May begged the Grass Pokémon. "I didn't come here on purpose, and I would never even think of hurting you. You have to believe me."

Unfortunately, the Grass Types weren't willing to listen, and just continued to glare at May, Ash, and Combusken.

"Well, I guess that didn't work," Ash said, as he looked ready to do something, to stop these Grass Pokémon from attacking him and May. Just as he was about to talk with them, as he can understand them, and he figured it would be easier to talk then to fight, the Grass Types jumped toward him, May and Combusken.

Before Ash could react, and do something, a Venusaur appeared, and shouted to the other grass types, which made them all stop, and look back toward it.

From behind a gang of Grass Type Pokémon, a large Venusaur appeared, and walked toward them all, while a Bulbasaur was walking next to Venusaur.

"What Pokémon is that?" May asked, as she has never seen that Pokémon.

"That's a Venusaur," Ash replied. "A final form of Bulbasaur. And look at that, there is a Bulbasaur with it as well."

Venusaur then used its Vine Whip, and started to touch Ash and May, making Ash confused, while May said that it must be checking them out. Then, Venusaur grabbed Combusken, and looked at May and Ash, before he shook his head.

Ash didn't need the ability to understand Pokémon, to realize what the problem is and what Venusaur was saying. "You should recall you Combusken, May," Ash said. "Grass Types don't like Fire Type Pokémon."

"Oh, right," May said, before she returned her Combusken in his Poke Ball. "I'm sorry, Venusaur. I never meant to disturb or attack anyone in this place. I hope you understand."

Venusaur then turned to the other Grass Type Pokémon, and started to talk to them. Since he could understand them, but May couldn't, Ash translated it all to May. He said that Venusaur explained to the other Pokémon, how May saved Bulbasaur, and that they must be good because of that, and are not there to hurt them.

"It's obvious that this Venusaur is the boss of this Grass Pokémon community," Ash spoke to May. "They wouldn't be listening to him like this, if he isn't.

"Good for us," May sighed. "I really wouldn't want to fight against all these Grass Pokémon."

Ash shrugged. "It would have been a good training, though."

XXX

Sometime later, Ash and May, were at a large clearing in the forest, which was surrounded by a lot of trees. There is a small lake right next to them, and three waterfalls, falling into the lake, and then flowing away through the river. A large number of grass type Pokémon were all playing around, and enjoying themselves at this beautiful place.

"This is a really beautiful place," Ash said, as he looked around. "I'm not surprised that the Grass Types like it so much. I wish I have a place like this around Pallet Town, where I built PPA. It would've been much better then it currently is."

May didn't say anything, as she just looked around, and admired the beauty of the place.

They were interrupted by the arrival of Bulbasaur, who offered a flower to May.

"Thank you, Bulbasaur." May said, as she took the flower, and smiled at Bulbasaur.

"This is a nice Bulbasaur," Ash commented. "It's just like mine used to be, before he evolved into Ivysaur, and then Venusaur."

"Where is your Venusaur, right now?" May asked.

"He is in Pallet Town, at Professor Oak's Lab," Ash replied. "The other Pokémon respect him a lot, and he is in charge of keeping the order over there. It helps that he is one of my more powerful Pokémon, and definitely the most powerful Grass Type, I have."

May was then dragged by the Bulbasaur, away from the clearing and the lake, while Ash followed them behind. Few minutes later, the three of them were standing at the edge of the cliff, while looking at the forest below them.

"Wow." May exclaimed.

"This forest is huge," Ash commented from behind, as soon as he arrived and saw the forest. "I'm not surprised that we got lost in it, though I'm still bugged that my Pokedex didn't work."

"Look, there is a town over there," May pointed toward the town in the distance. "I guess now we know where to go."

Bulbasaur looked at May, in wonder.

Ash said that Bulbasaur must have never been out of the forest, making Bulbasaur nod in confirmation. May then went and spoke to Bulbasaur, about all kinds of stuff you can see and find in the world, and many different towns and cities. She then picked up Bulbasaur, and showed it the town.

The small Grass Type looked at the town in the distance, with a smile on its face.

XXX

Back at the gate, the old man and the other people from the small village, have gathered in front of it, along with Max and Serena. The old man was currently telling them about how long time ago, many people have been coming into this forest to capture the grass Pokémon. Over time, the Pokémon became enraged, and started to fight back, but that led to the forest becoming a wasteland.

In order to stop this, a small group of people built the wall, and declared the land forbidden, which has stopped many from coming there.

"Our village's purpose, is to make sure that the law if obeyed." One man spoke, before the other added. "Fortunately for us and the Pokémon, this place has irregularity in the magnetic field, and it makes compasses not work, which is why barely anyone even tries to come here."

"Well, I guess that would explain why my PokéNav didn't work." Max commented.

"The same goes for Ash's Pokedex," Serena added. "The magnetic field must have messed with it, somehow."

"But that doesn't matter now," Max said again. "All that matters is for May and Ash to get out of there."

"I agree," the old man spoke. "Which is why I'm confused that you don't want us to go and save them."

"Ash will be able to save May, by himself," Serena said. "He is an Aura Guardian, so if anyone can do it, it's him. It's also better that none of us goes in there, since Ash and May are already in there, and the grass Pokémon might be even angrier, if more people get into the land."

"I agree with you on that," the old man spoke, though he was surprised to learn that Ash is an Aura Guardian. He hasn't seen one in decades. "Those Pokémon are definitely not happy with your friends in there, and if we go inside as well… who knows what might happen."

XXX

"I think we should go back, May," Ash spoke, while still standing at the cliff. "Serena and Max are really worried about us, and it's better to leave this place, before the grass types decide that we've overstayed our welcome, and chase us again."

"I guess you are right, Ash," May said. "Though I wouldn't mind staying here for a while longer. It really is beautiful."

"It sure is." Ash said, as he and May, turned around and started walking toward the group of Grass Type Pokémon, hoping that they will help them go back to the gate, so that they won't get lost in the forest.

XXX

It has taken them about an hour, but eventually, Ash and May returned to the entrance to the Forbidden Forest, and saw that the gate was opened, with Serena, May, the old man, and several other people, standing there, and looking toward them.

As they were walking toward the gate, May was holding the Bulbasaur in her hands, while a group of grass type Pokémon, was following her and Ash, from behind. Along with the smaller Grass Types, there was also a Venusaur, who has come to escort the two humans, outside of its home.

"May, Ash," Max shouted, as he saw his sister and friend walking toward them. He was surprised by the Bulbasaur in May's hands, along with a pack of Grass Types, following her and Ash, but he didn't care about that. He was just happy that May was fine, and doesn't seem to have been hurt by the grass type Pokémon. "I'm so glad you guys are ok. I was really worried."

"We were fine, Max," May said, as she stood in front of her brother. "There was a little problem at first, but it was soon solved, and we were even able to see the place where all these Pokémon live at. It's really beautiful, I'll tell you that much."

"What about you guys," Ash asked? "Why are you all here? And why is the gate opened?"

"We were worried about all of you," Serena said. "The people from the village wanted to come and help you two, even though it's forbidden to enter, but I told them that you didn't want anyone to come, so we just waited here. They did decide to open the gate, so when you come back, you won't have to climb above the gate, like you did when you entered."

Ash nodded at Serena, before he looked at the people from the nearby settlement. "Thanks' for the offer to help, but there was really no need," Ash said. "I was more than enough for this."

"Yes, well," the old man spoke. "I thought that you were just another trainer, but when your friend told me that you were an Aura Guardian, I knew that there will be no need to help you. I got to admit though. I'm really surprised to see an Aura Guardian, especially one as young as you are. It's been decades, since I've seen one, and I wasn't expecting to see another, in my old age."

Ash smiled. "Well, lately we've decided to increase the number of the Aura Guardians, as they are really needed in the world, right now," he said. "There are a lot more people who wish to harm Pokémon, and as such, the Aura Guardians are necessary."

"I agree with you on that." The old man said, with a smile. He was happy that the guardians of the Pokémon World, are coming back. He is sure that they will be able to protect the world of Pokémon, along with the Pokémon, just like the guardians of old were able to.

After a couple more minutes of small talk, Ash decided that it's about time for him and the others to leave the Forbidden Forest, and the whole area, and finally go to the next town they were going toward.

May has let go of the Bulbasaur, right next to the Venusaur, who along with the other grass types were standing there, and waiving goodbyes to Ash and May.

While the gates were opening, and while the grass Pokémon and humans were looking at each other, and waving goodbye, one Pokémon wasn't happy with what's going on.

A small Bulbasaur has taken a liking at May, and didn't want to see her go. It also was interested in the outside world, which May has mentioned before, and wishes to see it. Finally, the Bulbasaur, shock its head, and then run at May, while calling for her.

May was really surprised when she saw Bulbasaur running toward her, and then jump into her arms.

"What's wrong, Bulbasaur," May asked?

"Bulbasaur wants to come with you, May," Ash told her, much to May's surprise. She looked at Bulbasaur in her arms, and asked. "It that true, Bulbasaur?"

Bulbasaur nodded its head. "But what about you friends?" May asked, while looking at the other grass types. She was surprised when she saw them all smiling and waving at her and Bulbasaur.

"I don't think they have a problem with Bulbasaur leaving, May." Ash said with a smile, which was matched by Max, Serena and the other humans, who were standing there, and watching everything that was going on.

May was happy with this. She looked at the Grass Types, and especially Venusaur, before she promised it that she will take good care of Bulbasaur, and make sure nothing happens to it.

Finally, the gates closed, with both sides waving at each other, and all wore the smiles on their faces, regardless if they are humans or Pokémon.

Few minutes later, May caught Bulbasaur in one of her Poke Ball's, before she and the others left on their way to the next town.