Authors Notes
Covering a lot of comments and questions real quick
No the Tauros Ash traded was not his lead Tauros, just one of many of the Tauros. Yes Scyther was planned, no Wobbuffet was not, hence his small time on the main team. No I haven't given much thought to Ash's Scyther's gender so for now it is a they/them until I make up my mind.
"Alright, we should be meeting Molly just up ahead." Ash said, double checking the map on his Pokegear.
"I know I've been rough and trying to push forward lately since we separated from Molly, I'm just worried, you know we left her alone and the whole crystal palace thing happened and then we leave her again." Casey said.
"I get it, but we didn't leave her or leave her alone this time, she chose to go and find her dad, and asked us to meet back up with her." Ash reminded, as they approached a large crowd at a critical juncture.
"What's going on over there?" Casey asked.
"It's ridiculous, someone planted a tree smack dab in the center of the garden between the three cities, and now no one can get through!" A man said angrily.
"Why can't you just go around it, I mean there has to be more than one path, right?" Ash asked.
"It's in the only junction between the three gardens, showing peace between the three cities. Over in this section Goldernrod's more modern aesthetic is shown, while in the garden for Violet City, the plants grow tall and strong like the sprout tower, while the third section from Ekruteak has a rainbow of roses showing the importance of them being the home of Ho oh." The man explained.
"But surely there has to be enough room to get by just a tree, right?" Casey asked.
"There is for a sole traveler, but anyone carrying goods or a little slower, this tree attacks, it's like it has a mind of its own." The man said.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ash asked as Casey nodded, the duo running towards the center of the garden to see what's up.
In the center of the garden
"This is definitely a more unique area." Ash said seeing the area signifying all three cities as they entered it to see a strange tree rocking back and forth in the center of the closed area.
"Ash! Casey!" Molly shouted.
"Molly, any luck finding your dad?" Casey said, inching carefully over to her.
"We found some leads, but we were waiting for Ash, Schuyler thinks his abilities could be the key." Molly said.
"I don't even know what my abilities are, yet alone how to use them though." Ash responded. "But before that, we should help with this situation."
"How, it doesn't look like anyone can get close." Casey said. "Molly, you're the expert on the strange, any thoughts?"
"Good to see you too, and no, I don't, this isn't any legend I've read about before." Molly informed.
"You guys are overthinking this too much." Ash responded. "Watch and learn. Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of electricity shot out, striking the strange tree but it did nothing, only causing it to wriggle even more.
"Done thinking yet?" Casey questioned.
"No, just need a new plan. Come on out Houndour!" Ash said.
"Ash, no this garden in huge! A single flame could cause massive damage if it hits the wrong spot!" Molly urged.
"Then how else am I supposed to make a tree move?!" Ash said in confusion.
"An ax?" Casey offered.
"Great idea! Scyther come on out!" Ash called out. "Use Fury Cutter!"
Scyther zoomed forward, getting close to the strange tree before it was knocked away.
"Maybe Gligar would work?" Molly offered.
"No I have a feeling we'll run into the same problem there." Ash admitted. "Any other ideas from you two?"
"If Scyther didn't get close, I doubt Beedrill will." Casey said.
"And Flaaffy isn't as strong as Pikachu, and Teddiursa is only good physically." Molly said.
"Oh you actually brought Teddiursa with you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, but that's not the only point outside of the fact that you caught a Scyther, what haven't we tried." Molly said in thought.
"Okay, this might be a dumb idea, but let me try this." Ash said. "Totodile come on out!"
"Ash, what is your plan here?" Molly asked.
"I have no other ideas, so I figured I'd try this. Totodile use Water Gun!" Ash called out.
Totodile sent out a stream of water, drenching the strange tree as it began to violently shake about.
"Ash, look, I don't think it's working." Casey said.
"Wait, hold on I think it is." Molly said.
"Totodile use Rain Dance!" Ash called out.
"Totototo!" Totodile cheered, sending down rain water on the garden, causing the tree to get even more chaotic before uprooting itself.
"What is that?" Molly asked, opening her Pokedex.
'Sudowoodo, the Imitation pokemon, a Rock type. It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.'
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Authors Note
Real quick putting this here in the middle of the chapter to say I did NOT know that the Pokedex entry said it will run from rain until after I wrote it uprooting from the rain. Funny coincidence.
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"Totodile, you've got this use Water Gun!" Ash called out.
Totodile stopped dancing before shooting out a blast of water at the Sudowoodo, getting it's attention.
"Ash what are you doing, it's leaving!" Casey pointed out.
"And for how long. We remove it today, but what about tomorrow?" Ash asked, as Totodile's water stream was weakening.
"Ash, might want to focus on the Sudowoodo." Molly reminded.
"Right! Totodile use Bite!" Ash called out.
"Sudowoodo Sudowoodo Sudowoodo Sudowoodo!" Sudowoodo exclaimed, running around as Totodile hung off of it's arm, trying to flail it off.
"Sudo!" Sudowoodo exclaimed, throwing Totodile off with a rock.
"To!" Totodile grunted, rolling back on the ground.
"Totodile use Bite!" Ash called out.
Totodile hopped back up, running forward, and biting back down on Sudowoodo.
"Hold it steady Totodile!" Ash said, opening his bag, to see only one Pokeball left. "One shot, better make it count."
Ash threw the Pokeball as Totodile tried holding Sudowoodo still, the Pokeball striking the rock type and engulfing it in a red light.
"To?" Totodile said questioningly as the Pokeball shook in his jaws.
"Ash, what happens if the Pokeball breaks while Totodile is holding it in his jaws?" Casey asked.
"I don't know." Ash said worriedly.
'Ding'
"Come on." Ash said on baited breath.
'Ding'
"Stay strong Totodile!" Molly said cautiously.
'Ding'
"Phew." Ash said, finally breathing.
"TOTOTOTO!" Totodile cheered, unintentionally sending out Sudowoodo.
"Totodile no!" Ash called out.
"Tototototo!" Totodile cheered dancing in place.
"Sudo-woodo! Sudowoodo Sudowoodo Sudowoodo!" Sudowoodo cheered shaking his arms to make a sound while dancing with Totodile.
"Well at least they look like they're getting along." Molly laughed.
Ash's Current Team and their Moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Thunder Punch - Agility
Gligar: Poison Sting - Sand Attack - Double Team - Wing Attack
Houndour: Ember - Bite - Smog - Headbutt
Totodile: Water Gun - Bite - Rain Dance - Scratch
Scyther: Fury Cutter
Sudowoodo: Flail - Mimic - Rock Throw
Molly's Current Team and their Moves
Cyndaquil: Ember - Tackle - Smokescreen - Cut
Flaaffy: Tackle - Thunder Wave - Flash - Thunder Shock
Teddiursa: