Over the course of the following morning several police officers, led by a member of the Jenny clan, and uniformed pokémon trainers from the Saffron City Gym arrived at the Yin-Li Memorial Pokémon Center. Ash sighed as the police took him aside for another debriefing. He hoped that he wouldn't have to do too many of those.
After the debriefing Ash found himself once again waiting in the lobby, though this time there was human company in the form of the newly arrived cops and trainers. Most were sitting around, reading magazines or watching television, while their compatriots took Melanie and Aoba's stories.
Ash amused himself by briefly watching television with them and then taking a nap. When he woke up several hours later, Aoba had joined him in the lobby and the others had left.
"Welcome back to the waking world," Aoba said when he noticed that Ash had woken up.
"How'd it go?" Ash asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes. Aoba sighed.
"They're going to exhume Ted's body," Aoba informed Ash. "Just to see if they can confirm the autopsy report. They also sent out a trainer with a fearow to collect the corpses. If any of them are on record as being an active member of Team Rocket, then they'll start investigating this in earnest."
"What did they say about you?" Ash asked.
"If everything checks out, then they said that they'll probably take me into protective custody," Aoba informed the boy. "But I'm not sure what that's going to entail."
The man then closed his eyes. "They're also going to want to know more about why Team Rocket was targeting me in the first place," the former scientist went on. "I didn't do anything illegal, but I don't want people finding out about my past…. Or at least I thought I didn't," Aoba finished, opening his eyes again. "I'm still apprehensive about the prospect, but nowhere as much as I used to be."
"Appre-whatisve?" Ash inquired.
"Apprehensive. Scared." Aoba told the boy.
"Oh. Why aren't you as scared as you used to be?"
"I honestly don't know," Aoba shrugged. "Maybe several near-death experiences have changed my perspectives on things. Or maybe it's because someone at Team Rocket already knows what I did."
"Do you- do you want to try telling me what it was that you're so afraid of?" Ash asked, forcing himself not to look away from the man's face.
"I can try," Aoba said, taking a deep breath. "I was involved in a project focused on pokémon genetic engineering. Everything they did was legal, but, at the same time, they did things that never should have been done. I left before the project was complete and the last I heard of it was that the lab had burned down. I think the experiment was responsible."
"Oh. Were you messing around with fire-type pokémon or something?" Ash asked.
"No," Aoba shook his head. "Something else."
"Were they being cruel to the pokémon?"
"They tried not to be," Aoba said. "But I think they might have been anyway. I wasn't really involved with the pokémon itself, most of my work was done before it ever came into being."
"Did you try and fix things?'
"I voiced my concerns and tried to get them to change their approach. I was unsuccessful. As I said, it wasn't my department," Aoba answered, "so my voice didn't carry much weight. I don't know if anything changed after I left."
"That doesn't really sound too bad," Ash told the man. "I don't get- I mean I sort of get why you don't like it, but I don't get why you were so scared of it."
"I don't think I can describe the affair in a way that does it justice." Aoba said, a sad smile on his face.
"Maybe," Ash shrugged. "Or maybe you just felt guilty because you're a good person."
"I doubt that," Aoba snorted. "But it is true that guilt does have a way of messing with you. Maybe it made things seem worse than they were. Fear's like that as well."
"And you're not afraid anymore."
"I guess not," Aoba said with a shrug. "Maybe that's all there is to it."
The two sat in silence for a while, until Melanie rejoined them.
"How'd it go?" Aoba asked the blue haired woman.
"As well as it could have gone," Melanie answered, taking a seat on the other side of Ash. "They took my statement, they questioned me about what happened, and then they told me that if everything checked out then they would probably take me into protective custody."
"Oh," Ash said. He looked at Aoba and then back and Melanie. "What exactly do you do in protective cust-custody?"
"Not as much as I'd like," Melanie sighed. "Or at least, that's what I've heard. Once things cool down some I can either get a small security detail or find a job at a gym or a League facility."
"What about the pokémon?" Ash inquired further. "What's going to happen to them?"
"They'll probably keep me here, at least at first," Melanie told the boy. "These frontier pokémon centers double as outposts. They'll use this center as a forward base while they investigate. I should be able keep the pokémon here until they're ready to leave. After that, I don't know."
"I guess they'll probably keep me here too," Aoba said from Ash's other side. "I wonder what I'll do." Ash turned to see the former scientist looking down at the ground, arms resting on his knees, hands hanging limply between his legs. "I doubt they have need for a biochemist or a café assistant."
"I might have need of an assistant though," Melanie said, leaning around Ash to address Aoba. "Another pair of hands would be very helpful in dealing with the pokémon. I know it's not much, but it's something to occupy your time while we're stuck here."
"It would be nice to have something to do," Aoba admitted. "I think I'll take you up on that offer."
"Welcome aboard," Melanie said, grinning at the man. "You can get started tomorrow. We've got to take care of some checkups and tests that aren't part of the standard examination, several medications to administer to uncooperative pokémon, and then we have to plan out a number of special diets."
"Oh, what have I gotten myself into," Aoba complained, but Ash could see that the man was smiling.
"I nearly forgot in all this excitement; Aaron, what's going to happen to you?" Melanie asked, turning to face the boy. "Team Rocket came after me just because Aoba stumbled across me. Surely they'll consider you a target now too."
"Maybe?" Ash shrugged. "I don't even know if they saw me. I mean, they might've during the first attack, but the last attack was at night. But they're all-" Dead "-gone now."
"They could've sent a report with your description back," Melanie said.
"I guess," Ash shrugged. "But I've already got people trying to babysit me. Brock and Misty already are following me just because I ran into Team Rocket a few times before this-"
"You ran into Team Rocket previously?" Aoba shot Ash a surprised glance. "Where?"
"Uh, in the Viridian Forest, they were catching all the caterpie for some reason, and then in Pewter City when they attacked," Ash informed the man. "I just ran into them both times-"
"I remember you saying something about that before, I think it was the night we met," Melanie said. "But Aoba's right, they might decide to come after you for the same reason they came after me, especially if you've run into them previously."
"Ugh, Misty isn't going to quit bugging me about this," Ash groaned, letting his head slump into his hands. "Professor Oak told her and Brock to babysit me because of what happened before! Now they're never going to leave me alone!"
"I thought you travelled together because you were friends?" Melanie asked.
"I mean," Ash shifted around in around in his seat a little, "yeah, I guess. I like travelling with them, it's just, well I was hoping for a bit more freedom? I just sort of want to travel alone for a week once and a while and then meet up with them later."
"You'll just have to wait then," Melanie reassured the boy. "Once everything's died down with Team Rocket, you can take some time to yourself."
"I'll be an old man by then," Ash groaned. "Why do human friends have to be so, uh, complicated? Ugh!"
Melanie and Aoba shared a glance over the top of the boy's head and then collapsed into a fit of giggles.
Around dinner time the trainers who had set out on the fearow returned, carrying two wrapped bodies. The trainers dropped off the bodies and one of them stayed behind while the fearow's trainer set out to retrieve the last three bodies.
Several filled pokéballs had been recovered as well, the pokémon who had been too weak for the final attack on the group from the village or those that had been recalled before their trainers died. The pokémon inside were all stable and the pokémon center staff started making arrangements for their eventual release.
The police officers were able to send photos of the corpses back to a station, which was able to identify one of them as an active member of Team Rocket. The Jenny leading the force was confident that at least one other member of the group would be likewise identified. It was enough for her to decide that everyone's stories checked out.
After that had been announced, Aoba, Melanie, and most of the newcomers went off to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. Ash had started to follow them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey kid, you got a minute?" The Jenny asked when Ash turned around.
Ash nodded, unsure as to why she wanted to talk to him. Pikachu shifted on Ash's shoulder, also facing the Jenny.
"I just want you to know, the offer of protective custody is open to you too," Jenny said to the boy, her hand still on his shoulder.
"Okay?" Ash said, titling his head a little, still confused.
"Just in case you don't feel safe going back out there," Jenny continued.
"Yes and?"
"If you're worried about Team Rocket coming after you for this we can protect you," Jenny continued, looking Ash in the eye. "You don't have to worry."
"Okay, but I'm fine," Ash told her. "I've already got two babysitters and that should be enough."
"Oh?" Jenny raised an eyebrow and Ash quickly explained his traveling situation.
"It's good to hear that you won't be totally defenseless, but I'm afraid it might not be enough," Jenny told him after he had finished. "You may need 'round the clock protection to keep you safe."
"I think I'm fine," Ash said, grimacing at the thought of constantly being around adult humans. He'd have no time to talk to his pokémon. It would be awful!
"Kid," Jenny sighed. "If Team Rocket decides that you need to die, they'll hunt you down without mercy."
Ash froze for a moment when he heard her words. He looked down so that he wouldn't have to meet the officer's eyes and saw that his hands were clenching into tight fists.
The wave of fear that had washed through the boy at her words was chased by a wave of fury washing through his body. His mind raced. What did she know of being hunted? And who did Team Rocket think they were? They thought that they could hunt him after he beat them twice! They were nothing compared to his actual hunters!
Ash felt something patting him on the side of the head. It took him a moment to realize that it was Pikachu. He turned his head to look at his pokémon.
Ash, calm down, the electric type told him. You're safe here.
The black-haired boy took a deep breath. He let his fists relax. He looked Captain Jenny in the eye again.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine," Ash said to her. "If Team Rocket wants me-" He took another deep breath. "I'm going to be traveling around a lot. That'll make it harder for them to get me. And I'll be traveling with a former gym leader and a gym trainer. I'll be fine."
Captain Jenny held his gaze for a long moment. And then she gave him a nod.
"If you're not scared," she began, giving him a crooked smile, "then you'll be alright. I've kept you long enough. Go enjoy your evening."
Ash returned the nod and then went off to have dinner.
Ash and his team sat outside the pokémon center, watching the horizon. The sun was setting and the sky was painted in a spectrum of colors from yellow to red to violet. The boy and his pokémon were watching the event in silence.
Howdy, Bulbasaur said as he joined them. Nice evening.
It is, Ash replied. What's-
Hey everyone! Squirtle exclaimed, sliding off the pokémon center roof to land next to them. What's up?
Not much, Ash started to reply. What's-
Umm… Hello everyone, Charmander said, coming around the side of the pokémon center to the join the group. Do you mind if I join you?
Not at all, Ash told the fire type. What's-
Why are you two here? Bulbasaur asked. Shouldn't you be with your squad right now Squirtle?
'Bout that….. Squirtle grinned and looked down. Uhh…
What's- Ash began, but was interrupted again.
Spit it out already, Bulbasaur told Squirtle.
Ash, the water-type said turning to the human. Can I- Can I ask you something?
Sure, Ash replied. What's-
Wait, I've also got a question for Ash! Charmander exclaimed. Can I go first?
I guess, Squirtle said with a shrug.
Okay, Ash turned to Charmander. What's-
I think I see where this is going, Bulbasaur grumbled. I think I've got a question, but I can wait until these two are done.
Okay, Ash sighed. Anyone else got anything to ask?
No, Pidgeotto chirped.
I'm good, Butterfree said.
I don't have any questions for you anymore, Pikachu said. I've given up on expecting intelligent responses.
Okay, Ash said, rolling his eyes. Charmander. What's the question?
Can I- Would you mind if- Do you think-… CanIcomewithyouandjoinyourteamplease? Charmander asked, fidgeting with his claws and looking at the ground, speaking fast.
You want to… join my team? Ash asked after he had puzzled out the fire type's request.
If- If you don't mind, Charmander asked, still looking at the ground.
Charmander, Ash's face broke into a grin. I'd love to have you!
Really? Charmander said, still not looking up.
Yeah, Ash said, reaching and tipping up the fire-type's chin. Charmander's eyes were full of tears and he grabbed the poké-raised boy in a hug.
Thank you, thank you! The fire type was nearly shouting into Ash's shoulder.
The boy's face went through several complicated emotions before he wrapped his arms around Charmander, smiling as he returned the hug.
You're welcome, Ash said, his voice cracking.
You won't regret it, I swear! Charmander said. I'll be the best-
Charmander, you don't need to be the best, you just need to be yourself, Ash told the fire type. That's all you need to join us.
Charmander's face went through his own set of complicated emotions and he ended up tightening the embrace as silent tears fell from his eyes.
The hug between the boy and the pokémon lasted a full minute before Charmander stepped back, wiping at his eyes. He looked at Ash and smiled. Ash smiled back.
The two of them heard sniffing coming from near them and the boy and the pokémon turned to see Squirtle wiping at his eyes.
I'm sorry, but that was so- Squirtle began before being cut off by Bulbasaur.
It was melodramatic, Bulbasaur said.
(If anyone had looked a Bulbasaur a few moments earlier they would have seen the grass-type use his vines to wipe a tear from his eye.)
Hey! Ash and Squirtle protested.
Didn't you have a question of your own? Bulbasaur asked Squirtle. Before the water-works began?
You're right, Squirtle said. And you're a jerk, he added before turning to Ash.
I'll cut straight to the chase, Squirtle pressed his forepaws together and took a deep breath. I also want to join your team.
Wait, really? Ash looked the water-type up and down, trying to determine if Squirtle was up to some mischief. But what about your squad?
They'll be fine with Melanie, Squirtle said, waving away Ash's concerns. He then looked the human straight in the eye. If they stick with her, they won't need me. There are some things I need to do. I need to get stronger. I need to learn how to be a better commander. And I need to learn how to help them get stronger. I can't do that as we are now.
And, Squirtle smiled, it was sort of fun fighting with you. I want to do that some more!
If you want to come, I'd be glad to have you, Ash said. He extended a hand out of the water-type. Welcome aboard.
Squirtle initially reached out like he was going to take Ash's hand, but instead yanked himself into a hug with the boy.
You also saved my squad, the water-type said, throwing his forelimbs around the human boy. Thank you for that.
It was the least- it was my pleasure, Ash told the water-type, returning the hug.
Oh joy, Bulbasaur grumbled from behind Ash. Now my thing is gonna seem unoriginal.
Wait, you wanted to come with too? Ash said, letting go of Squirtle. But, Melanie-!
Is going to have some other protection, Bulbasaur said, not meeting Ash's eye. It ain't like she's gonna to need me if she's doing her thing from a pokémon center.
Even if she's not going to need you, Ash replied, she's still going to want you to be around.
And I'd like to stick with her, but I know myself too well, Bulbasaur told the boy. If I ain't going to be needed, then I'm liable to get bored and go look for someplace I am needed. And, quite honestly, from what I've seen, you're gonna need me.
What's that supposed to mean! Ash said, straightening up in indignation.
I'm sorry, but you were taking a trip between two cities and you managed to stumble over our whole fiasco, Bulbasaur snorted. And before that you got involved with an attack on a city-
I wasn't the only one involved, Ash said.
And before that there was that fight in the woods you told me about-
I mean, I was sort of looking for that-
And before that you were almost kidnapped twice, Bulbasaur continued. Face it Ash, you're a trouble magnet. And I don't know whether it's better to pity Pikachu for having to keep you safe-
It is a very difficult job, Pikachu said, closing his eyes and nodding solemnly.
Or pity you for having to put up with such a pikachu, Bulbasaur finished.
Hey!
It can be an ordeal, Ash said, closing his eyes and nodding in an imitation of Pikachu.
And don't you start-!
The point is, you could use some extra vines on board, Bulbasaur told the pokéraised boy. And I'm offering and it ain't like I cost much. Just some food, some calls to check-in on Melanie, and you just keep on doing what you've been doing and we're good.
I mean, if we encounter anyone else who needs help, I'll try and help them, Ash replied to Bulbasaur, kneeling down so he could look the grass-type in the eye. But I'm not exactly going out and looking for people or pokémon in trouble.
The same way you didn't go lookin' for us? Bulbasaur asked with one raised eyebrow-equivalent.
Alright, Ash conceded, but I don't expect that to happen again.
Then I'll just train and fight gyms until something else comes up, Bulbasaur shrugged. Maybe Melanie will need me again. Or I'll find some place needing guarding.
If you're sure, then welcome to the team, Ash said extending a hand. Bulbasaur extended his vines. The green tendrils were cool against the skin of the boy's wrist as the grass type wrapped around Ash's offered limb and shook his hand.
Thanks for having me, Bulbasaur said.
My pleasure, Ash said with a smile. The boy then stood up and clapped his hands together. Right, now we've got to get you all in pokéballs-
Actually, I've got a better idea, Squirtle grinned and rubbed his forepaws together. You've got three pokémon with you and there's three of us. Let's do a battle first! Try to catch us the proper way!
That's what I did! Butterfree trilled, fluttering in excitement. And then he calmed down. But it didn't go so well…. It sort of hurt.
I did it by accident, Pidgeotto added, head cocked as she remembered the incident. And it was also painful.
Pikachu laughed a wicked little laugh. Yeah, I did a good job.
Butterfree's capture wasn't epic though, Ash complained. Me and Butterfree were trying to make it epic and you wouldn't play along.
I was tired! Pikachu protested. And the end result was always going to be him getting electrocuted.
Well now we're gonna give you a chance to do it properly, Bulbasaur grinned. Squirtle, I like this idea. I'm in.
Charmander took a deep breath. If you two are going to do it… then I'll fight too!
Are you all up for this? Ash asked, looking back at his current team.
Yeah! Butterfree exclaimed.
Sure, Pidgeotto nodded.
Pikachu's cheeks sparked as he gave the other three pokémon an evil grin. He rubbed his forepaws together.
Let's do this.
Okay, Bulbasaur said. How are we gonna to do this?
He, Squirtle, and Charmander had gone around to the other side of the pokémon center while Ash and his current team remained where they had been. The two groups had split up to come up with their strategy before the battle began.
Hmm….. Squirtle sat down and rubbed the top of his head.
Ummm….. Charmander fidgeted with his claws again. Bulbasaur didn't say anything; he simply stared at the ground, apparently lost in thought.
I think I've got an idea, Squirtle said eventually. I remember Ash and I came up with a plan to deal with Team Rocket at one point. We didn't get a chance to use it, but it was primarily using type advantage because we probably couldn't do anything more complicated.
You think he's going to do that against us? Charmander asked.
It makes sense, Bulbasaur nodded. Pikachu takes out Squirtle, Pidgeotto attacks me, and then Butterfree will probably take down Charmander with Sleep Powder.
But if we know what they're going to do, then we can stop it! Charmander exclaimed. Then a few seconds later. How are we going to stop it?
Pikachu will probably try to take out Squirtle right away, Bulbasaur said. So, I'll jump in front of Squirtle to block the hit. Pikachu ain't gonna curve it around me if he ain't expecting me to be in the way.
I'll Bubblebeam Pidgeotto right away, Squirtle said, to keep her off of Bulbasaur. Charmander, can you Ember Butterfree just long enough to keep him from getting close?
Okay!
We'll need to take out Pikachu fast as we can, Squirtle went on. While Pidgeotto's recovering, I'll Bubblebeam if you can use Razor Leaf at the same time.
That should be enough to take care of Pikachu, Bulbasaur nodded. Charmander, we'll need you to cover us while we're doing that.
I can do it!
And then we'll take out Butterfree, Squirtle said. After that the three of us can finish off Pidgeotto.
I can't wait to do this, Charmander was grinning. I don't remember looking forward to a fight like this. It never seemed this fun with Da- with my old trainer.
That's because he was a shithead, Squirtle said. Now does everyone have the plan down?
The other two pokémon nodded. Squirtle grinned, pulled out his sunglasses, and then stood up. Let's teach Ash a thing or two about battling!
So how are we going to start this thing? Pikachu asked once everyone had gathered back together on a small flat patch of grass to the side of the pokémon center. I think we're supposed to have a referee or something say go but-
I'm just going to use the timer function on my pokédex, Ash said, walking over to a nearby tree stump and placing the device. It'll go off in twenty seconds!
Oh, we've got to wait that long before I can teach your pikachu a lesson? Bulbasaur smirked as Ash hurried back to his spot behind his team.
You grass-types are tough to fry, but that simply makes it all the more satisfying to do so, Pikachu said, glaring at Bulbasaur.
Don't hold it against us when we win! Squirtle said to Pidgeotto and Butterfree.
Okay! Butterfree trilled. But if we win you can't hold it against us!
Okay! Charmander chirped.
How much longer do we have to wait? Pidgeotto asked, just before the timer on the pokédex sounded.
Go! Ash shouted, pointing at the three pokémon from the village.
The village pokémon moved as they had planned. Bulbasaur leapt in front of Squirtle, vines already extended as he did so, braced to catch an electric attack. Charmander charged forward spewing an Ember attack into the air where he thought Butterfree was going to go. And Squirtle fired off a quick Bubblebeam, trying to anticipate Pidgeotto's movements.
None of their attacks made contact.
The first thing Ash's pokémon did was group together, Pidgeotto hovering over Butterfree, who hovered over Pikachu. And then Pidgeotto gave a might flap of her wings and a windstorm erupted around Ash's current team. Stray embers and bubbles were caught in the swirling air and pulled into the spiral.
Light shone and electricity buzzed from within the Gust attack. A solid column of yellow power erupted from the winds and engulfed Charmander. The fire-type bellowed in pain. He fell to the ground, his body sparking.
Ash threw a pokéball at the prone pokémon. Charmander vanished in a flash of red light and the pokéball rocked three times on the ground before going still.
Ah, crap, Bulbasaur winced once he registered what had happened to Charmander. This ain't gonna be-
Before he could finish his sentence, the grass-type was covered in a faint purple glow as Butterfree attacked him with Confusion. At the same time, Pidgeotto swooped at Squirtle, driving him away from Bulbasaur.
Fry! Pikachu exclaimed, jumping into the air and lashing out with a Thunderbolt attack. The spear of electric power lanced into Bulbasaur who was still struggling with the waves of telekinetic and telepathic force from Butterfree's confusion attack. Bulbasaur grit his teeth as he was electrocuted.
Pidgeotto, Gust around you and Squirtle! Ash ordered. Pikachu, Thunderwave Bulbasaur. Butterfree Confusion again!
Another column of swirling wind was added to the battlefield, surrounding Pidgeotto and Squirtle, stopping the water-type from coming to Bulbasaur's aid. Bulbasaur tried to get out of the way of the two attacks by wrapping his vines around the stump that held the pokédex and hauling himself away. Before he could escape, he was struck by another Confusion attack.
Rings of electric power earthed themselves in Bulbasaur, covering him in a shell of sparks. His limbs locked up and the paralyzed pokémon's rigid body tipped over. Bulbasaur's expression was locked in a glare as he rocked on his side.
Ash grinned in return and hurled another pokéball onto the field. Bulbasaur also became a mass of red energy and was sucked up into the open sphere. The ball fell to the ground, rocking, while the button in the middle shone red. A few seconds later it was still.
Water rushed, a flying type squawked, and a blue shell blasted skywards from the center of Pidgeotto's Gust attack. Squirtle popped out of his shell in mid air and surveyed the arena.
Well, time to pull an amazing comeback, Squirtle exclaimed as he landed. You won't know what-
Everyone get him! Ash shouted, standing tall and pointing at the water-type. Gust, Confusion, and Thunderbolt!
Damn!
Psychic power, wind, and electricity all converged on the blue pokémon. Squirtle couldn't even shout as he was swamped with attacks. A beaten and sparking squirtle was hurled belly first into the air, spinning like a frisbee as he flew up.
Ash and his team's gazes followed the flying water type, heads craning back and then forward as Squirtle's rise came to an end and he plummeted back to the ground. They all winced as he slammed into the earth.
Ouch, Squirtle croaked, beaten and singed. Ash threw a third pokéball and Squirtle was sucked into it. The ball didn't even rock before the center quit glowing.
Huh, that was quicker than I expected, Buttefree said while Ash collected the three pokéballs on the field.
Yeah, Pidgeotto agreed, coming to land next to Pikachu.
Well, I got lucky and managed to predict what they thought I was going to do, Ash said after collecting his three new pokémon.
I still think I could have finished this quicker by shocking Squirtle first, Pikachu said. Even if that's what they thought we would do.
They were ready for that, Ash told his starter. And this way we managed to take out Charmander quickly.
I guess, Pikachu shrugged. So how long do we have to wait until they're ready to come out?
After a quick stop inside the pokémon center to have the nurses look over and heal his new pokémon, Ash returned to the area just outside and released them from their pokéballs. His old team waited behind him while he addressed the new joiners.
Welcome to the team! Ash said once they were all assembled before him. You guys didn't do bad back there.
If you say so, Charmander said, scuffing at the ground with his foot.
No, really, Ash said, kneeling down to look Charmander in the eye. Pikachu hit you with the strongest attack he has, Thunder, before you were ready. That would take down most pokémon unless they had type advantage on their side.
But you thought I was the easiest one to hit, Charmander said, not meeting Ash's eyes. I thought I was getting stronger-
You are, Ash reassured the fire-type. And that's why we took you out first. We didn't want you using type advantage against Butterfree.
Really? Charmander finally met Ash's eye.
Really, Ash reassured his new pokémon. He then stood up and turned to the other two. So, who came up with the plan for Bulbasaur to try and stop Pikachu from hitting Squirtle?
It was me, Bulbasaur said, stepping forward.
It wasn't a bad idea, Ash told the grass-type. It was a pretty good idea honestly, that's why I felt you guys would have thought of it.
So, you tried to think about what we would have thought of? Squirtle asked. What would have happened if you had been wrong?
Then the battle would have been longer, Ash shrugged. I mean, I had Pidgeotto use Gust to protect everyone in case I was wrong,
Okay, Squirtle nodded. Errr….. I should probably be trying to remember stuff like that.
For when you come back for your Squad? Pidgeotto asked.
Yeah, Squirtle nodded.
Hey, idiot, you got anything else to say to them, Pikachu said, jumping onto his trainer's shoulder.
No, I'm done, Ash told his starter.
In that case, let me also extend a forepaw in greeting, Pikachu announced, gesturing at Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. While on this team you will be given commands by one of the most stupid, foolhardy, and reckless humans in existence. When he is not having one of his rare bright ideas you should feel free to ignore him because he's probably doing something stupid that will put him in danger.
You will be provided with food though, Pidgeotto added.
And Ash will help you do things! Butterfree piped up, adding his own two cents.
Yes, there are some small upsides to having to babysit this reckless- Hey! Pikachu protested as Ash shrugged Pikachu off of his shoulders and caught the electric-type in a hug.
You can't even hide how much you care about me, Ash said, nuzzling Pikachu while the yellow pokémon tried to squirm out of his trainer's grasp. It's so cute how you're trying to-
There was a brief electric buzz and Ash found himself twitching on the ground while Pikachu calmly collected himself and walked several steps away from Ash and towards the new pokémon.
As I was saying, he's a reckless idiot, Pikachu told them.
I'll say, Bulbasaur replied. I mean, just think of how much easier things would be for him if he kept you in your pokéball.
Now don't you start, Pikachu glared at Bulbasaur.
Well, anyway, Ash said while picking himself up. We're all glad to have you on the team.
Thanks for letting us on the team! Charmander replied with the largest smile that Ash had seen on his face. I'm so happy to be here.
"They all wanted to go with you?" Melanie shot Bulbasaur a surprised glance. They were sitting in the pokémon center's cafeteria, where Ash and his pokémon were replenishing themselves after the battle. Melanie had been having a cup of tea, chatting with Aoba who was drinking a mug of hot decaf.
"Yeah!" Ash exclaimed, spearing some meat, cheese, and potato dish that lay on his plate next to a pile of rice and vegetables. "I didn't expect that!"
"Honestly, Bulbasaur, I thought you were just going to slip away into the forest." Melanie took another sip of tea. "But I'm glad you decided to travel with someone. It will put my mind at ease."
Hey! I can take care of myself! Bulbasaur protested from his bowl of pokéchow.
"I know you're a tough pokémon," Melanie said, rolling her eyes. "But it will still make me sleep better knowing you have someone to watch your back."
Fine, Bulbasaur grumbled before turning back to his food.
"Huh," Aoba said after inhaling deeply to savor the aroma of his drink, "Is that how trainers normally acquire pokémon?"
"No," Ash shook his head. "Well, a little. They usually just challenge you when you walk by if they want to be caught. If you're too weak or they don't like you, they just run away."
"But they don't normally volunteer to join you and then fight you?" Aoba said, taking a sip of his drink.
"No!" Ash said, shaking his head again. "But it was fun!"
"That's nice to hear, I guess," Aoba replied.
"Aaron, I know you'll take very good care of those pokémon," Melaine smiled at Ash and laid a hand on the boy's wrist. "Just make sure to let them take care of you as well."
"Okay!" Ash nodded.
"At least you'll have some more backup the next time you get into trouble," Aoba told the boy.
"I'm not going to get into more trouble," Ash crossed his arms, slumped, and scowled. "I don't know why everyone thinks I will."
"Your record speaks against you," Aoba said, shooting a wry glance at the boy. "I mean, given what's happened and what you've told us, I doubt you're out of the woods yet."
"We are out of the woods," Ash said sullenly. "That's why we came to this pokémon center."
"You're absolutely correct," Melanie said, bringing her cup of tea up to her lips. Ash thought that he saw the corner of her mouth quirk up, like she was hiding a smile behind the beverage. "We are out of the woods."
"Anyway," Aoba said, the corners of his own mouth twitching up and down, like he was trying to hide a smile, "you planning on leaving soon?"
"As soon as Brock and Misty get here," Ash said, still pouting.
"Which should be soon?" Aoba asked.
"I hope," Ash muttered, looking down at the table.
AN: I'd like to thank BlackCatSpecialist for beta reading.
Once again I'd like to thank everyone who left a review/comment.
My thought process for this bit: "Oh, I'm so tired from writing those big fight scenes. Hey, do you know what this part and these characters could use? A fight scene! Great job ConstructiveWriter, you bloody idiot."
(My trip was fine for anyone curious. I got to hike a lot and collected a bunch of sunburns.)
We should be concluding this arc in the next chapter. Not much else to say.
Anyway, don't forget to leave a review!