A Ketchum's Journey Vol 2

by Girlofthewater

Ash Ketchum is continuing his journey to become a Pokemon Master with his eight-year-old sister Hayley, by his side. Follow Ash, Hayley, their Pokemon in making new friends as they follow Ash's dream of becoming a Pokemon Master in the Hoenn and Sinnoh regions!

7. Tree's a Crowd

To my readers-I decided that instead of making 2 huge volumes of A Ketchum's journey, I decided to make them into 4 separate volumes. Volume 1 will contain the Kanto and Johto regions, Volume 2 will contain Hoenn and Sinnoh regions, Volume 3 will contain Unova and Kalos regions, last but not least, Volume 4 will contain Alola and Galar regions. I want each and every one of you to know that if you personally don't like the way I'm writing the fanfic, then you don't have to read it. I will not reach through my laptop to force you to read any fandoms that I write for because you can probably find a lot better fanfics in those fandoms over mine. Even if you can't find what you're looking for and still don't like the way I write it, then I encourage you to write your own. Happy Reading!

I DONT OWN POKEMON. I ONLY OWN MY OC AND THE CREATION OF HER REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS. ALL REGIONAL POKEMON TEAMS WILL BE POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTERS FOR MY OC.

Shoutouts:

---

"Great! We're lost." Max yelled. "And if the blame belongs to anyone, it's you!"

"Why is it my fault?" May asked her brother.

"I said we should have taken a right at the fork in the road, but you insisted on going the other way, and now we're lost!" Max yelled at the top of his lungs.

"But this path looked prettier, and it had all those awesome flowers!" said May. "There's nothing more dreamy than strolling through lovely flowers. Anyway, who was in charge of the PokeNavi? You should have been doing a better job as our navigator!"

"But this PokeNavi's out of range!" shouted Max, pointing to the device in his hand. "Don't blame me!"

"How convenient!" said May.

"Come on. Break it up." said Brock, getting in the middle. "No one's to blame. Ash, Hayley and I got lost all the time, but we don't fight about it."

"That's right!" said Ash. "When we were travelin' with Misty, we probably set the record for gettin' lost, but we'd always wind up gettin' where we wanted to be in the end!"

"Pika, Pika!" said Pikachu.

"That's true." said Hayley.

"Riol, Riol!" said Meeko.

"Uh…"

Narrator: Ash, Hayley and friends continue their journey towards Rustboro City in search of the first Gym in the Hoenn Region. But for now, it looks like the only battle they'll be seeing is the one between May and Max!

Hayley: They're worse than me and Ash when we fight.

Meeko: Riolu.

Pikachu: Pika-Pik.

Narrator: It can't be all that bad, Hayley.

Hayley, looking at all three of them: Have you ever seen me and Ash fight over something like this?

"Hmm!" May said, turning away from Max.

"This is completely her fault!" grumbled Max. "Aw."

Suddenly Ash, Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko saw something move quickly through the trees. "Pika? Riol?" asked Pikachu and Meeko.

"What is it, you two?" asked Brock.

"I saw something!" said Ash.

"It was in the tree tops." said Hayley.

"Treecko! Treecko!" said Treecko, running across a tree branch before one stops and looks at the quintet.

"It's a Treecko!" Max exclaimed.

"Treecko! So this is where they live." said Ash.

"Treecko, the Wood Gecko Pokémon. Treecko are able to climb smooth vertical walls and use their thick tail to attack opponents. Since Treecko build their nests in large trees, it is said that those trees will live a very long life." said Dexter.

"They're cute!" said May. "Look at all of them!"

"This must be their territory!" said Max.

"Good." said Ash. "I've really been wantin' to catch a Treecko ever since Hayley and I saw our first one in Professor Birch's lab."

"I just want to cuddle it." said Hayley, causing Ash to smile.

"This is my first chance to do it!" he said.

"Huh?" asked May and Max.

"Okay. Go, Pokéball!" said Ash.

"Oh boy. Here we go again." said Hayley as May gasps.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, hitting Ash's empty Pokéball with its tall.

"Hey, you!" said Ash, mad at Treecko.

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"Ash, calm down." said Hayley pushing against her brother. "We're not having another round of the 'Spearow' incident."

"You heard her, Ash." said Brock, knowing about the incident and helps Hayley keep Ash back.

"But that Treecko…." Ash started to tell Hayley and Brock.

"But nothing." said Hayley. "We're not going to do that again. Do you want them to chase us like the first time?"

"No." said Ash.

"Good." said Hayley.

"When you want to catch a Pokémon, you should weaken them in battle first so they have no defense when using your Pokéball." May said, reciting Ash's words. "Isn't that what you and Hayley taught me the other day, Ash Ketchum?"

Ash and Pikachu nervously laugh as they remembered. "Pokémon Master, huh?" asked May.

"And I have to live with this idiot." said Hayley, giving Ash and Pikachu the side eye.

"Riolu. Olu." Meeko chimed in.

"Guess I got carried away." said Ash, hanging his head.

"Pika." said Pikachu, following suit.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, walking across the branch and jumps away.

"Now the Treecko's getting away!" said Brock.

"Wait, Treecko!" said Ash, chasing after it.

"Ash! Pika! Riol!" said Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko, chasing after the oldest Ketchum.

"Hey, Ash and Hayley, wait up!" Max called out after them. "Hurry up. Let's go! Huh?"

"I've seen Slugma slither faster than you!" said May, running after Ash and Hayley before teasing her brother. "Mm!"

Max sees nothing but red as May got further ahead. "You look like a Slugma!" he shouted after her. "Ah!"

"It's heartwarming to see them get along so well." said Brock before taking off. "At least Ash knows not to push Hayley's buttons."

"All right, where are you hiding?" Ash asked as he ran along the tree line with Pikachu, Hayley and Meeko alongside him. "Treecko?"

Ash looks up to see a twisting trunk of a tree. "That tree." he thought. Not seeing where he was going, Ash trips over a tree root.

"Ash!" Hayley cried out.

"Rio-Riolu!" cried Meeko.

"Pika, Pik!" cried Pikachu.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Ash cried out in pain as he slide down the grass. "Oww!"

"Well…at least he has grass stains on his pants." said Hayley.

"Olu." said Meeko. Soon, Ash hits the bottom of the hill and hits the tree, causing him to raise a shaking hand.

"Huh?"

Ash looks up to see a huge tree in front of him with no leaves in its branches. "It's huge!" said Ash as Pikachu, Hayley and Meeko came to check on him.

"Pika-Pik!" said Pikachu, concerned.

"He looks like he doesn't have any broken bones." said Hayley.

"Olu!" said Meeko.

"Pikachu, Hayley, Meeko, look." said Ash and the three looked up. "It's so big! Seems almost magical."

"It's bigger than the one at Professor Oak's lab!" said Hayley.

"Pika! Riol!" said Pikachu and Meeko.

"But it looks like it's dying." said Ash.

"Is it getting enough nutrients?" asked Hayley.

"Pika."

"Riol."

"I don't know, sis." said Ash.

Suddenly, a twig with leaves was aimed at the ground in front of them. "What's that?" Ash asked and the siblings looked up.

"Tree!" said Treecko, sitting on the dying tree.

"Hey, cut it out!" said Ash. "Why don't you come down, and we'll battle?"

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, challenging Treecko.

"Tree…cko!" said Treecko, accepting the challenge.

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"Whoa!" added Ash.

"Treecko! Treecko! Treecko!" said Treecko, climbing down from the tree. "Tree…cko!"

"Pi!" said Pikachu, dodging Treecko's twig.

"Treecko."

"Pika?"

"Tree….cko!" shouted Treecko, hitting Pikachu with its tail.

"Pika!" screamed Pikachu, getting knocked back by Treecko's tail.

"Pikachu!" said Ash and Hayley.

"Pik…" Pikachu said as he slides down the tree. "Pika!"

"That's right, Pikachu!" said Hayley. "We Ketchums never back down!"

"Riolu! Riolu! Riol!" said Meeko.

"Treecko, Treecko, Treecko!" Treecko taunted Pikachu.

"Pi…ka!" shouted Pikachu, running towards Treecko who jumped out of the way.

"Treecko!" it said, landing and jumps away.

"Pika!"

"Tree…cko!" said Treecko, hitting Pikachu again.

"Pika!" squealed Pikachu as he was knocked around. "Pik…Pika, Pika!"

"Treecko!" Treecko tells Pikachu.

"Very impressive." said Jessie as she and the others watched from afar. "That Treecko's unbeatable."

"There's really no need for Pikachu or Meeko if we had that!" said James.

"You know, I bet the boss would be thrilled at having us bring this Treecko to him!" said Meowth.

"Yeah!" said Jessie and James.

[Daydream]

"He'll wake up from his daily doze with a Treecko tail rubbin' his nose." Meowth said, painting the scene.

Giovanni lays in bed as Treecko uses its tail to wake him up. Treecko then massages his back.

"Treecko will look after his needs each day, gently massagin' his cares away, leavin' da boss so happy and relaxed he'll say, 'For catchin' this Treecko Pokémon, I think Meowth and his team deserve a promotion. I'm appointin' you directors of the Hoenn Branch.'."

[Daydream ends]

"It's the promotion we've been waiting for!" squealed Jessie.

"I can use all my leadership skills!" said James.

"Go Team Rocket at the speed of light!" said Meowth.

"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet chimed in.

"Ooh, look, that one Treecko has become a ton of Treecko!" said James, turning his attention back to Ash and Hayley, causing Jessie and Meowth to yell out in shock.

An older Treecko walks towards Treecko. "Are you okay, Pikachu?" Ash asked.

"Pikachu!" he tells Ash.

"That Treecko sure put up a good fight." said Ash.

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, praising his opponent.

"I wonder if we can learn from it." said Hayley.

"Riolu!" said Meeko, smiling.

"Tree!" said Treecko.

"Hmm. Wonder if there's a problem." said Ash.

"Treecko! Treecko!" said Elder Treecko.

"Treecko?" asked Treecko.

"Treecko, Treecko, Treecko." Elder Treecko tells it.

"Tree!" growled Treecko and punched its elder.

"Treecko!" said Elder Treecko, stumbling back and land on its butt.

"Treecko! Treecko!" said two Treecko behind the elder.

"Treecko." Elder Treecko said, holding up a hand.

"Tree?" they asked as they all stared at Treecko.

"Treecko." said Treecko, standing its ground.

"That's weird." said Ash. "Looks like he's not very good buddy with the other Treecko."

"Pika." said Pikachu.

"Yeah. Especially since he pushed the Treecko Elder." said Hayley.

"Riol." said Meeko.

"Ooh, we have a dispute here!" said Jessie. "I love watching other people's troubles! Come on, Meowth. Translate for us!"

"Count on me!" replied Meowth.

"Treecko! Treecko! Tree!" Elder Treecko tells Treecko, who glared at it angrily. "Treecko, Treecko, Treecko. Treecko, Treecko, Tree!"

"Ooh!" said Meowth. "It's sayin', 'What do you think that you're doin'? This tree here is dyin'. Its only chance is if you go live in another tree, 'cause if ya stay here, it'll die, and you'll be ruined.'."

"Go on. Go on." urged Jessie.

"Treecko, Treecko, Treecko, tree!" argued Treecko, then points to the tree. "Treecko, Treecko! Treecko, Treecko!"

"'It's too soon to write off this tree. I was born in those branches, and they've always been my shelter.'." Meowth translated.

"Treecko. Treecko. Treecko, Tree." Treecko added to his argument.

"'Now it's my turn to protect this tree. Whatever happens, I'll stay with it to the end!'." Meowth finally translated what Treecko had said. "Treecko! So much heroism and pride!"

"A weaker person would be moved to tears by that story!" wept James.

"That's not heroic." said Jessie, unfazed by Meowth's translation.

"Huh?"

"Life's all about exchanging old things for new, especially when it comes to homes and….and boyfriends!" Jessie tells the boys.

"Homes and boyfriends?" asked James.

"Are ya sure?" asked Meowth.

"Yes, I'm sure." said Jessie. "You should always strive for something new, for without change, there's no progress, and progress is the future! So living in a rotten old dried-up tree…hmph! Is not exactly my idea of progress!"

"I think the Treecko are leaving." said James as he and Meowth watched down at the big tree.

"Huh?" said Jessie, looking over her shoulder.

"Treecko." said Elder Treecko, hoping that the young one would listen and turns around to leave. "Tree."

"Tree."

"All right!" said Jessie. "Oh behalf of Team Rocket, I'm launching our 'Catch all the Treecko you can' plan!"

"Yeah!" cheered Meowth and James

"I'm brilliant!" said Jessie, smiling widely.

"She's brilliant!" said both boys.

"Go, Team Rocket!" they said.

"Wobbuffet!" said Wobbuffet.

"Treecko?" Treecko asked himself as he looks up at the tree, then sighs. "Tree."

"Pika!" said Pikachu as Treecko climbs up.

"Treecko!" Ash and Hayley called out.

"Riolu!" said Meeko as Treecko runs over to a cliff and into the forest.

"Treecko, come back!" said Ash. "Don't run off! Huh?"

"Pikachu! Riolu!" Pikachu and Meeko called out from the tree.

"Pika, Pika!"

"Pikachu? Meeko?" Ash asked. "Oh, I get it now."

"You really want us to climb all the way up there?" asked Hayley, looking at their Pokemon. "All right, then."

"Since the Treecko lives in that tree, we should wait here for it!" said Ash. "Treecko, you'd better watch out, 'cause I'm gonna catch you!"

"And you'll be a part of our Pokémon family." said Hayley.

Groaning, Max looks over his shoulder and into the forest. "What do you guys think happened to Ash, Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko?" he asked.

"Who cares?" asked May. "Let's just all enjoy Brock's delicious cooking."

"Thank you." said Brock.

"How can you be hungry and think about food when Ash and Hayley might be in danger?" Max asked his sister.

"You'll be in danger if you don't stop bugging me, so just give me your food if you don't want it." May snapped at him.

"No!" said Max, getting it out of her reach. "I never actually said I couldn't eat it! Hands off."

"Ash and Hayley are fine." Brock tells the Petalburg siblings.

"Huh?"

"There's no need for us to be worrying about Ash and Hayley." said Brock. "Ash's always getting into scrapes and Hayley occasionally cries, but with Pikachu and Meeko, they'll be okay, so we can go look for them after we finished eating."

"'Kay!" said May and Max, eating their snack.

Sun was setting as Ash, Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko were sitting in the tree. "I hope Brock and the others aren't too worried about us." said Ash.

"Pika." said Pikachu.

"I'm hungry, Ash." said Hayley.

"Olu." said Meeko.

"I know, Hayley. But I really want to wait here for Treecko." he said.

"Okay, Ash." said Hayley.

"Murkrow! Murk! Murkrow!" said a flock of Murkrow flying against the setting sun.

"Some Murkrow." said Ash.

"Wonder where they're heading." said Hayley.

"Somewhere cool, I bet." Ash said, then gets an idea. "I know! I'll use Taillow. Mm."

"Taillow!" said Taillow. "Taillow!"

"Taillow, I need you to find Brock and the others and bring them here while we wait for Treecko." said Ash.

"Taillow!" said Taillow and flies off to find Brock.

"Thanks, Taillow!" said Ash.

"You're the best!" said Hayley.

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, getting their attention.

"Huh?" Both brother and sister looked down to see Treecko bringing a leaf filled with water. "Looks like your idea worked." said Ash.

"Smart mouse." said Hayley, scratching Pikachu's head.

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"Here comes that Treecko!" said Ash.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu. Treecko pours the water onto the tree roots, then places dry leaves over the wet dirt.

"Treecko." Treecko said to the tree, hoping that it would help and rolls up the leaf. "Treecko."

"Pikachu, Hayley, Meeko, Treecko's doin' everything it can to save this tree from dying." said Ash.

"Pika." said Pikachu.

"But is it too late, do ya think?" he asked.

"Pika." Pikachu tells him.

"I don't know, Ash." said Hayley. "I don't know that much about trees. Remember what happened to that tree in Professor Oak's yard?"

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"Yeah, I remember that he had to get it cut down." said Ash.

"My guess is that Treecko has high hopes that it can save this tree." said Hayley.

Treecko makes its way back to where it was getting water and fills the leaf up again. It then drags the leaf back to the tree and does the same thing. "Treecko, Treecko, Treecko, Tree." said Treecko, patting the dry leaves. "Treecko. Treecko. Tree?" It then looks over at Ash, Hayley, Pikachu and Meeko.

"Pi. Pi. Pika." said Pikachu.

"Treecko, Tree?" asked Treecko.

"We don't want to battle, Treecko." said Ash. "We just want to try and help you save this old tree."

"Yeah. You love this tree, and you really care about it." said Hayley.

"Riolu!" said Meeko.

"Treecko?" asked Treecko.

"Pi. Pika. Pika." said Pikachu.

"Treecko?" Treecko asked again, then looks at what they were doing. "Tree."

Helping out, Hayley starts to sing. "Treecko-Treecko-Treecko." she sang, causing Treecko to look up. "Treecko….Treecko! Treecko-Treecko-Treecko…. Tree…cko!"

"Treecko?" asked Treecko.

"Oh….I hope that you don't mind, but I was singing a nursery rhyme in your language." Hayley said shyly.

"Treecko!" Treecko said, honored that Hayley would do that, then goes back to what it was doing with a smile on his face. "Treecko. Treecko, Treecko, Treecko, Tree."

Through the night, brother, sister, their Pokémon and Treecko carried water to the tree, in hopes of curing it. Suddenly, they heard rumbling in the distance. Treecko, who were hiding in the trees, fell from their branches.

"Ah! Uh!" said Ash and Hayley.

"Pika? Riol?" asked Pikachu and Meeko.

"What's goin' on?" asked Ash.

"Pika!" said Pikachu.

"What the…?" Hayley asked as the bulldozer came towards them.

"Riol!" said Meeko.

"Hey, what is this?" Ash asked.

"Treecko, Tree?" asked Treecko.

"Pika? Riol?" asked Pikachu and Meeko.

"Treecko, Tree!" shouted Treecko as the bulldozer knocks it and the others out of the way. "Treecko."

"What do you think you're doing?" Ash asked the person using the bulldozer.

"You could've hurt us!" said Hayley, shaking her fist at them.

"Prepare for trouble…and that's a threat."

"This time what's double is our net!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off again at the speed of light!" said Jessie.

"Surrender now or prepare to fight, fight, fight!" said James.

"That's right!" said Meowth.

"Wobbuffet!" shouted Wobbuffet.

"Team Rocket!" exclaimed Ash and Hayley.

"Pikachu! Riolu!" said Pikachu and Meeko.

"Treecko!" added Treecko.

"An electrifying plan!" said Jessie.

"Now, let us enlighten you." said James.

"These Treecko belong to us!" said Meowth.

"Treecko! Treecko!" the Elder Treecko and the others called out from the cage. "Treecko!"

"Oh, no, you don't!" said Ash.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt 'em now!" said Ash.

"Meeko, help him out with Vacuum Wave!" said Hayley.

"Pika….chu!" shouted Pikachu, sending Thunderbolt towards Team Rocket.

"Riol!" shouted Meeko, sending Vacuum Wave within Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Ha, just kidding." said Jessie.

"This fabulous balloon is fitted with electric-blocking devices and is Vacuum Wave proof." said James.

"I give you credit." said Hayley, impressed by Team Rocket. "If I had a cowboy hat, I would tip my hat off to you."

"Riolu, Riol." said Meeko.

"Hayley! Meeko!" said Ash.

"What? We're impressed." said Hayley as she and Meeko gestured at Team Rocket, causing Ash to shake his head.

"In that case, I'll…." Ash said, about to grab Taillow. "Oh, no, I sent Taillow away!"

"Aw, too bad!" said Meowth.

He then looks at Hayley, who knew what he was thinking. "Ziggy, I choose you!" said Hayley.

"Zigzagoon!" said Ziggy.

"Ziggy, use Water Pulse!" said Hayley.

"Zagoon!" said Ziggy, creating ultrasonic waves of water, then sends them towards Team Rocket.

"Wobbuffet, use Counter!" shouted Jessie.

"Wobbuffet!" said Wobbuffet, using Counter to deflect Ziggy's Water Pulse.

"Pika! Pi!" Pikachu cried out as he and Meeko were caught by Team Rocket.

"No! Pikachu!" shouted Ash.

"Meeko!" shouted Hayley.

"Treecko!" growled Treecko, seeing Team Rocket take away Ash and Hayley's Pokémon. It then runs up the tree. "Treecko! Treecko!"

"The boss'll burst his buttons when we bring him these Treecko, Pikachu and Meeko!" said Meowth. Unknown to Team Rocket, Treecko aims its twig at their balloon, not making a dent.

"Huh?"

Jessie starts laughing at Treecko. "You thought you could bring us down by attacking us with a twig?" she asked.

"I choose you, Cacnea!" said James. "Pin Missile!"

"Cac…nea!" it said, sending out Pin Missile.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, grabbing another twig and jumps out of the way. "Tree!"

"What Pokémon is that?" asked Ash.

"Looks like a cactus to me." said Hayley.

"Cacnea, the Cactus Pokémon. Cacnea lives primarily in dry desert areas and attacks by swinging its pin-covered arms like hammers." said Dexter.

"When did they get that?" asked Ash. "I'm sure they probably stole it! Pikachu! Meeko!"

"Pika! Pika, Pi!" Pikachu cried out to Ash.

"Riolu!" Meeko said, reaching out for Hayley.

"Don't worry, Meeko! We'll get you guys out of there." said Hayley, then looks up at her brother. "Got any ideas?"

"Now, ready for your first mission?" James asked Cacnea. "Go and catch that irritating Treecko."

"Cacnea! Cac!" said Cacnea, swinging its arms.

"Treecko. Treecko. Treecko." panted Treecko as it climbed up the tree. "Treecko!"

"Uh?" asked Meowth as Treecko made it up to the balloon.

"Treecko! Treecko!" it said, knocking Jessie back with its tail, causing her to accidentally press a button, releasing all the Treecko.

"Treecko! Treecko! Treecko!" they said, climbing out of the cage and over to the net with Pikachu and Meeko.

"Treecko! Treecko, Treecko!"

"You shouldn't run in a balloon, guys!" James warns Treecko and Jessie.

"Someone catch it!" shouted Meowth as Treecko jumps on their heads, knocking them out.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, climbing all over the balloon itself.

"Cac?" asked Cacnea, looking at Treecko.

"Tree!" Treecko said, taunting Cacnea as it blew a raspberry.

"Cacnea! Cac!" it said, turning red in anger. "Cacne….a!" Cacnea then uses Pin Missile, not realizing that it would destroy the balloon.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, running away from the attack as it rips a hole in the balloon.

"Oh, no!" said Team Rocket.

"Treecko!" said the Treecko, breaking the net.

"Pika! Olu!"

Pikachu and Meeko landed on a tree while the Treecko landed on their feet. "Don't hang onto me!" James tells Cacnea. "Hang onto someone else!"

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" shouted Team Rocket.

"Wobbuffet!" shouted Wobbuffet.

"Pikachu!" chuckled Ash as he and Hayley ran to their Pokémon.

"Meeko!" giggled Hayley.

"Pika, Pik!" said Pikachu as he jumps into Ash's arms.

"Riol!" Meeko said, her arms reaching out for a hug from Jordan.

"Hey, guys! Thank you!" Ash said to the Treecko.

"Treecko, Treecko."

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.

"Riol, Riol." added Meeko.

"Treecko! Treecko!" they all said.

They all walked back to the tree, standing before it. "Treecko?" asked Treecko, looking over his shoulder. "Treecko."

"Treecko, Treecko, Treecko." said Elder Treecko.

"Treecko." Treecko tells the elder.

"Tree…." said Elder Treecko, patting its tail.

"Cko." said Treecko. The other Treecko cheered as Ash and Hayley stood there, smiling.

"Looks like they're all friends again." said Ash.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu.

"Better to be friends, than enemies." said Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko. Suddenly, they heard a crack coming from the tall tree.

"Pika! Olu! Ah!"

"Treecko?" asked Treecko. The crack shot through the tree, going all the way to the top.

"Treecko!"

"Pika!"

"Riol!"

"Ah!"

"Uh-oh!"

"Treecko!" Elder Treecko said to the others.

"Treecko! Treecko!" The others ran around the tree, trying to keep the two halves from falling to the ground.

"Oh, no!" said Ash.

"Pika, Pika!" said Pikachu.

"It's falling apart. They won't make it." said Hayley.

"Riolu!" said Meeko.

"Hey, I know! We both have a rope!" said Ash.

"Oh yeah!" said Hayley, as both brother and sister digged through their backpacks.

"Treecko! Treecko!" said several struggling Treecko as they held both halves of the tree trunk. "Treecko! Treeck, Treeck!"

"Treecko! Treecko!"

"Treecko!" said Treecko, standing motionless as it watches its friends hold the tree.

The sun rose behind the tree, showing that it was morning. "Treecko!"

"Uh!" said Ash and Hayley.

"Treecko. Treecko."

"Uh. Treecko."

"Treecko!"

In the sunlight, a seedling opens up and starts to grow a new tree right in front of Ash, Hayley and the Pokémon. "Look at that!" said Ash as flowers appeared on the tree. "A brand-new tree's being born right in front of our eyes."

"Pretty." said Hayley. Acorns fell from the tree, planting themselves into the dirt as the tree gets bigger and bigger. Behind the new tree, the old one finally fell in different directions.

An acorn rolled towards Treecko, who then smiled. "Treecko!" it said, happily.

"Hey, Treecko." said Ash as he and Hayley walked up.

"Treecko?" asked Treecko.

"I think that tree was trying to say thank you for helping it." said Ash.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu said, nodding.

"And it gave you and the others a new tree in return." said Hayley.

"Riolu." said Meeko.

"Tree….cko!" shouted Treecko, only knocking Ash and Pikachu back, leaving Hayley and Meeko unharmed.

"Treecko!" said Elder Treecko and the others.

"Hey, what'd you hit me for?" asked Ash.

"I thought I only had that honor." Hayley said to Meeko.

"Olu, Riol." Meeko said, pointing to Pikachu.

"Treecko!" it said to Ash, turning away its head. "Treecko? Treecko."

"Treecko, are you tryin' to tell me you're ready to battle us?" asked Ash. "All right!"

"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, ready to battle.

"Taillow!" shrieked Taillow as it shows May, Max and Brock the way.

"Can't you run any faster, Max?" May asked her brother.

"Not with you in the way!" said Max.

"Hey, look!" said Brock, seeing the Ketchum siblings up ahead.

"Ash is about to battle!" said Max.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" said Ash.

"Pika….chu!" shouted Pikachu, sending his Thunderbolt at Treecko, who dodges the attack. "Chu! Chu!"

"What took you guys so long?" asked Hayley.

"Blame May for this one." said Max.

"Riolu, Riol." said Meeko.

"Chu-u-u-u!" shouted Pikachu as his Thunderbolt finally hits Treecko.

"Treecko's strong!" said May.

"And Electric attacks don't have much effect on Grass Pokémon!" said Max.

"That's not good!" said May. "Look how fast Treecko is! Pikachu doesn't have a chance against a Pokémon that fast, especially starting with a disadvantage."

"We got to try somethin' else, Pikachu!" said Ash. "This isn't over yet! Quick Attack, Pikachu! Now!"

"Pika!" shouted Pikachu, running as fast as he could towards Treecko, who then dodged again.

"Now's your chance!" Brock called out.

"Do it, Ash!" said Hayley.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Go!" said Ash.

"Pika….chu!" shouted Pikachu, using Thunderbolt and hits Treecko.

"Treecko!" screamed Treecko, feeling Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Oh, no!" said May and Max.

"Treecko!" shouted Treecko, feeling the pain.

"Treecko! Tree!" said Elder Treecko and the others.

"Treecko! Treecko."

Treecko falls to the ground and passes out. "How'd an electric attack work on a Grass Pokémon?" asked Max.

"Well, Hayley and I'll tell you." said Brock. "Pokémon that are strong against electric attacks are usually so because they diffuse it into trees or the ground. But they're not able to do that in midair!"

"Or when you're battling against a rock type gym with a sprinkler system." said Hayley. "Think outside the box. It's an Ash Ketchum battling strategy."

"That is also being passed onto his sister." said Brock, smiling at her.

"Which I can try to use when I turn 10." said Hayley as Brock nodded.

"There's more that decides a battle than the disadvantages!" Brock said to the Petalburg siblings.

"Oh." said Max.

"Go, Pokéball!" shouted Ash, throwing an empty Pokéball at Treecko and it hits its mark.

"Pika! Olu!" said Pikachu and Meeko as Ash groans.

"Treecko! Treecko! Treecko."

"All right!" said Ash as the ding went off. "Yeah! I caught a Treecko!"

"Pik! Pikachu!" cheered Pikachu.

"Treecko!" said Treecko, coming out of its Pokéball.

"Treecko, do you want to come and travel with us?" asked Ash.

"Treecko!" Treecko said, nodding its head.

"Awesome! Maybe I can sing to you." said Hayley.

"Riolu!" added Meeko.

Just then, Elder Treecko walks up to Ash's Treecko. "Treecko! Treecko!" it said, holding an acorn in its hand. "Treecko. Treecko."

"Treecko!" said Treecko, smiling at the acorn. "Treecko, Treecko, Treecko!"

Soon enough, they planted the acorn and placed leaves over it. "Treecko, Treecko, Treecko, Treecko." said Treecko.

"Treecko, Treecko, Treecko." said Elder Treecko.

"Treecko!" Treecko said in agreement.

"So long, everyone!" Ash said as he and the others waved to the Treecko. "Look after the trees!"

"Singing and talking to them helps plants grow!" said Hayley.

"Treecko! Treecko!" cheered the Treecko as they water the new tree.

"Goodbye, Treecko!" said the quintet.

"Pika, Pika!"

"Riol!"

Narrator: Now Ash, Hayley and friends can continue their journey to Rustboro City, with their new friend Treecko leaving home with dreams of new beginnings.

Hayley: You know, Mr. Narrator, I'm proud that Ash caught a new Pokémon.

Narrator: You are?

Hayley: I am.

"Seriously, who are you talking to?" Max asked Hayley.

"Why do you want to know?" asked Hayley, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh…." said Max. Hayley brings Max close and turns his head towards the sky, showing him the Narrator.

"Now you get it, Max?" asked Hayley.

"Yeah…does Ash and Brock know?" he asked.

Narrator: You'll find out soon enough, Max.