I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, but I own Denise and my other OCs

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 132: A Faux Oak Finish!

Dawn, Denise, Ash and Brock were busy helping Johanna prepare for the upcoming Twinleaf Festival.

"Good. That takes care of the schedule then."Johanna declared as she finished typing in her red laptop and stood up to look at the heroes. "The Twinleaf Festival is almost here and the first event is a Pokemon Lecture by Professor Oak."

"What a perfect way to start things off."Brock commented. "Professor Oak is known as an expert. His reputation is worldwide. Everyone loves him."

Dawn smiled at Prinplup.

"Prinplup, we'll see him in person."Dawn remarked.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"That's awesome news."Denise chuckled.

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.

"How about helping you out with more stuff?"Ash insisted.

"Pika."Pikachu said.

"Sure."Johanna agreed with a smile. "Plenty to do around here."

Ash nodded. "Great."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door causing Denise to go answer it.

"I'll get the door."Denise declared.

Denise walked up to the door and check who was there, only to find Lucas standing outside with Riolu and his mum, Claire.

Claire Diamond was a woman with wavy hip-length sandy brown hair that was tied into a low ponytail using a periwinkle bow that slightly resembled a butterfly, pale skin and grey eyes like Lucas. She wore a mint green sweater with long pink jeans and light brown shoes.

"Whoa, Lucas and Claire!"Denise remarked happily.

"Hi, Denise."Lucas greeted with a wave.

"I assume all of you heard that Professor Oak was coming today?"Claire asked kindly.

"We sure did, Claire."Johanna agreed as she walked forward.

"Hey, Lucas."Dawn remarked.

"How you've been doing?"Ash asked.

"Are you looking forward for the Twinleaf Festival?"Brock questioned.

"Pikachu."Pikachu said.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.

"Yeah."Lucas answered with a nod. "Me, my mum and Riolu are just excited as all of you."

Riolu spoke in agreement.

A while later, the group all meet up with Izzy and Cara, who reported Professor Oak has not yet arrived.

"Dear me."Cara said worriedly. "I hope he gets here soon."

"This is peculiar."Izzy agreed. "His balloon should've landed quite a long while ago."

Johanna and Claire walked up to the elderly couple with Ash, Denise, Lucas, Dawn and Brock behind them.

"Excuse me, is there a problem?"Johanna asked. "Where is Professor Oak?"

"I'm afraid he hasn't arrived yet."Izzy stated.

"Maybe something went wrong on the Route."Cara complemented.

"But his lectures are about to start."Claire complemented sadly. "This is not good."

"We'll go check things out."Ash insisted.

"That would be great."Johanna agreed.

"Make sure to be careful on your way to find him."Claire instructed.

"We will, mum."Lucas assured with a smile.

Riolu barked with a small nod.

"Let's go, gang!"Ash encouraged.

"Right!"Dawn, Denise and Brock answered in unison.

A While Later...

Professor Oak was standing by while his assistant was replacing his tire on the car.

"Sincere apologies, Professor Oak."the Assistant said and placed a tire in the car. "It will only take a minute to change the tire. Until then, please relax."

Professor Oak spotted a nearby marshland in front of him.

"My! There's a sight to see!"Professor Oak declared. "A most impressive looking marshland to be sure and I'll wager it's the home of some exciting pokemon."

"Professor, please!"the Assistant protested. "Since we're late, it is best that you don't go far!"

"I'll be right back!"Professor Oak assured as he waved dismissively and continued walking. "I'm just going for a quick look!"

"I hope so."the Assistant responded.

Then Ash, Brock, Dawn, Denise and Lucas show up running down the path and find the assistant without Professor Oak.

"Excuse me, sir."Lucas said. "Was that Professor Oak?"

"Yes."the Assistant answered. "He went off to look for some Pokemon."

"Well that's Professor Oak alright."Brock declared with his arms folded.

"But isn't his lecture about to start soon?"Denise reminded.

"Oh no!"Dawn panicked. "There's a man that I have been hearing rumors that marshland is chock full of quicksand!"

"No time to waste!"Ash declared. "We gotta bring him back!"

The heroes began to head to where Professor Oak was.

Professor Oak was walking through the marsh and sees a Poliwhirl causing him to make up a poem about it.

"This calls for a poem."Professor Oak declared. "Poliwhirl, leap! Prove the silence to the deep! I knew I was up to something out here. This marshland is a Pokemon treasure trove!"

Suddenly Professor Oak heard rustling coming from the bushes that were near him.

"I wonder what pokemon I'll see next."Professor Oak remarked.

Then a Politoed walked out of the bushes.

"Politoed."

"Excellent!"Professor Oak complemented. "It's a Politoed!"

Politoed looked at Professor Oak quietly.

"Come here, Politoed."Professor Oak instructed.

Professor Oak goes over to look at the wild Politoed causing the Frog Pokemon to snap his fingers causing two Quagsire to walk up next to him.

"Oh, this is excellent! Another creative post!"Professor Oak stated and makes a poem about the Quagsire. "A Quagsire team and a friendly duo is just how they seem!"

Suddenly the two Quagsire picked up Professor Oak causing him to become startled a bit.

Denise brought her Luxray out to lead them to find Professor Oak was with the Gleam Eyes Pokemon to track the professor's scent.

"Luxray!"Luxray barked.

Ash, Dawn, Denise, Lucas and Brock followed Luxray's gaze, only to spot Professor Oak not far from where they were.

"Look!"Ash exclaimed. "It's Professor Oak!"

"Pikachu!"Pikachu said.

"Professor!"Brock called out. "Professor Oak! Hey!"

The heroes notice the two Quagsire picking Professor Oak up and running off with a Politoed following causing them to become confused.

"Weird."Denise commented. "Why are those Quagsire carrying Professor Oak?"

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.

"Well, I know he likes pokemon but playing with them when he got a lecture to give?"Ash said.

"Hold on, something's not right."Brock stated.

Riolu spoke and gently patted Lucas's leg.

"Riolu said there is nothing bad about the auras of those wild pokemon."Lucas explained. "But it seems that there is something else about this."

"Let's hurry!"Dawn responded with a firm look.

As the heroes began to follow Professor Oak and those wild pokemon, they soon lost track of them and arrived at the quicksand area of the marshland.

"Now where could they've gone?"Dawn asked.

"Professor Oak!"Brock shouted.

"Professor Oak!"Lucas called out. "Where are you?"

Riolu called out for the Kanto professor as Ash looked at Pikachu.

"Let's go, Pikachu."Ash insisted.

"Pikachu."Pikachu agreed.

Suddenly Denise quickly caught Ash's shoulder with her free hand since she remembered the quicksand in the area.

"What's wrong, Dennie?"Ash asked.

"Ash, hold on."Denise instructed with a frown. "Don't you remember that Dawn said that this marshland is filled with quicksand? It's really dangerous."

"Aw man! That's right!"Ash agreed. "Now what? We can't leave Professor Oak like that?"

"Yeah, it's risky."Brock agreed. "But we've got to take a chance and help."

Denise looked at Lucas.

"Hey Lucas, can Riolu use his aura to sense which parts the quicksand are in?"Denise asked.

"I don't know, Denise."Lucas answered with a unsure look. "We haven't tried something like that before?"

An idea came to Prinplup's mind causing him to look at Dawn.

"Prinplup."Prinplup insisted firmly.

"Prinplup, you'll lead?"Dawn asked.

"Prinplup."Prinplup agreed with a nod.

The evolved Penguin Pokemon began walking forward to take the lead.

"Prinplup's a water type, I'm sure it will know where it is safe."Brock suggested.

"Luxray."Luxray mumbled quietly.

Prinplup took a few steps forward, but quickly sinked into the quicksand.

"Prinplup!"Prinplup panicked. "Prinplup!"

"Oh no!"Dawn gasped in shock. "Prinplup!"

"Dawn have Buneary use Ice Beam, quick!"Ash ordered.

"Right."Dawn agreed and took out Buneary's pokeball. "Buneary, go!"

The pokeball opened and Buneary came out of it.

"Buneary!"

"Ice Beam!"Dawn ordered. "Let's go!"

Dawn sends out Buneary to use Ice Beam to save Prinplup from sinking into the quicksand.

Once Prinplup was trapped in a small chunk of ice, Riolu hits the ice with a swift chop to set the Penguin Pokemon free.

Prinplup smiled at Riolu.

"Prinplup."Prinplup thanked.

Riolu nodded at Prinplup as Luxray shook his head at Prinplup's mistake.

"Buneary, return."Dawn ordered. "You were great."

Dawn returned Buneary inside her pokeball.

"Luxray luxray."Luxray commented. "Lux."

"Prinplup!"Prinplup snapped. "Prinplup!"

"Whoa, easy there you two."Denise instructed with a nervous smile. "There is no need to argue. We just need to find another solution to avoid the quicksand."

Suddenly Croagunk takes the lead and began to walk in the area.

"Croagunk?"Lucas said.

"Of course!"Brock exclaimed. "Croagunk is th one who knows his way around the marshland."

Luxray sniffed the air in the area causing him to walk forward as well.

"And it looks like Luxray has picked up Professor Oak's scent again."Denise declared proudly.

Riolu and Prinplup followed Croagunk and Luxray in the area while Ash, Dawn, Denise, Lucas and Brock followed them from behind.

Croagunk and Luxray continued leading the group until they arrived in front of a cave.

Denise looked at her electric type pokemon.

"Is this the place where Professor Oak was taken to, Luxray?"Denise asked.

Luxray nodded. "Luxray."

"There is something going on inside that cave."Brock stated.

Suddenly Politoed came out of the cave followed by two Quagsire.

"Quagsire and a Politoed."Ash remarked with a surprised expression. "Wow."

Denise took out her Pokedex to scan Politoed.

"Politoed the Frog Pokemon and one of the evolved forms of Poliwhirl."Denise's Pokedex buzzed. "It gathers groups of others as their leader. Its cries make Poliwag obey."

Lucas took out his onw Pokedex to scan Quagsire.

"Quagsire the Water Fish Pokemon."Lucas' Pokedex said. "Quagsire has an easy-going nature and doesn't care if it bumps its head on boats and boulders while swimming."

Politoed and the two Quagsire began to approach the group causing Pikachu and Luxray to glare at them while preparing to hit them with their electric attacks.

However, Croagunk brought out his hand to tell the two electric pokemon not to get involved.

Politoed challenged Croagunk as the Poison Mouth pokemon approached him.

"Hey, what's going on?"Dawn asked.

"Unless I'm mistaken that Politoed is challenging Croagunk to a duel."Brock admitted.

"A duel?"Denise repeated.

"Hey, head to head?"Ash exclaimed excitedly. "That's great!"

Croagunk and Politoed stared at each other before they both jumped and started attacking each other.

Croagunk activated his Poison Jab while Politoed put his right foot forward with Mega Kick.

The two frog pokemon landed in opposite sides with their backs turned from each other as the group watched the sight quietly.

"So who has one?"Brock questioned.

"Both of them look calm, but one of them must be in pain."Lucas replied.

After a moment, Politoed appeared to be hurt which meant Croagunk has won the duel.

"Looks like Croagunk has one!"Dawn remarked.

The two Quagsire prepared to attack Croagunk, but Politoed told them not to since the Poison Mouth pokemon has won the duel fair and square.

Politoed stood up, gestures the group to follow him.

"Looks like Politoed wants us to follow him."Denise suggested.

"Yeah."Brock agreed. "Looks like Politoed has recognised Croagunk's strength."

"Let's go!"Ash insisted.

The heroes followed Politoed, the two Quagisre and Croagunk into the cave.

When they walked into the cave, they found Professor Oak with a Lombre and two other Quagsire.

"Professor Oak!"Ash called out.

"Ash!"Professor Oak remarked and looked at Ash's companions. "Hi, everyone!"

Lucas looked at Denise.

"So that's Professor Oak, huh?"Lucas asked.

"The one and only."Denise chuckled.

"Professor Oak is everything alright?"Ash questioned.

"Of course, it is."Professor Oak assured. "It's me who should be asking you that."

"We were really worried about you, sir."Brock explained.

"No need for that."Professor Oak answered with a smile. "These pokemon are as nice as nice can be."

"So why did those water pokemon bring you inside this cave?"Denise asked.

"I believe it has something to do with Lombre."Professor Oak answered.

"That's a Lombre?"Dawn said and took out her Pokedex.

"Lombre the Jolly Pokemon."Dawn's Pokedex buzzed. "Lombre is a playful trickster. If it spots an angler, it will tug on the fishing line to interfere."

Torchic walked up to Lombre and smiled at it.

"Torchic."Torchic greeted with a smile.

Lombre looked at Torchic, but then simply turned its head to another direction.

"Torchic."Torchic said sadly.

Pikachu gently patted Torchic's back.

"It doesn't look like a playful trickster like the pokedex said."Dawn exclaimed.

"Not by a long shot."Lucas added.

"I would agree."Professor Oak agreed. "It's supposed to be, but something's off."

Politoed looked at Professor Oak with a pleading look.

"Politoed."Politoed begged sadly.

"It would appear Politoed would like me to do something to lift Lombre's spirits."Professor Oak stated.

"That's amazing!"Dawn commented. "How can you always understand what pokemon are feeling, Professor?"

"Why it's nothing you can't do."Professor Oak admitted and knelt down in front of Politoed. "Just open your heart and join it with the Pokemon's heart and you're there."

"Awesome."Lucas chuckled.

"That's why his the professor."Ash replied with a smile.

Pikachu, Prinplup, Torchic, Riolu and Luxray all responded in agreement.

"And, in fact, I believe what really happened is that Politoed smelled something that I was carrying."Professor Oak explained.

Professor Oak took out a Water Stone that was inside his pocket.

"A water stone."Denise responded in amazement.

"Correct, it can be used to make Lombre go to his evolution."Professor Oak agreed and looked at Politoed. "The fact is, Politoed is the leader of the marshland and seems to want to coax this timid Lombre into evolving. I brought it since my lecture concerns the connection between pokemon evolution and stones, but this works too."

Professor Oak breaks off a small piece of the Water Stone and gives it Politoed.

Politoed approached to Lombre and gives him the piece of the Water Stone causing the Jolly Pokemon to glow brightly as everyone watched in awe.

Then the light disappeared and showed that Lombre has evolved into Ludicolo and became happy again.

"Ludicolo!"Ludicolo cheered and started swinging Politoed around in joy. "Ludicolo!"

Denise takes out his Pokedex again to scan Ludicolo.

"Ludicolo the Carefree Pokémon."Denise's Pokedex said. "If Ludicolo hears festive music, all its muscles fill with energy. It can't help breaking into a dance."

Ludicolo picked up Pikachu, Torchic and Riolu while spinning around in happiness.

"Talk about lifting its spirit."Brock admitted.

"Now everyone is happy."Dawn giggled.

A small smile crept up on Luxray's face, but immediately dropped it and looked away when he notice Prinplup giving him a smile.

Ash smiled at Professor Oak.

"I can't believe how quickly you take care of this."Ash remarked. "Your an amazing professor, professor."

"Then time for a poem."Professor Oak announced. "The water stone giving Ludicolo a joyful tone."

"Wow!"Dawn cheered in delight. "And I got to hear him right now in the flesh!"

Suddenly Dawn snapped out of her fangirl more causing her to check the time on her Pokedex and gasp in shock.

"Oh no!"Dawn panicked. "Look what time is it!"

"Yikes!"Denise retorted. "We need to get back to Twinleaf Town quickly!"

"Yeah!"Lucas agreed. "Otherwise, we are in big trouble!"

"Come on, Professor Oak!"Ash demanded as he pulled Professor Oak, who was busy waving at the pokemon. "We gotta move!"

"Take care now!"Professor Oak remarked. "Have fun with each other!"

Politoed and his companions waved goodbye to Professor Oak as he and the group headed back to Twinleaf town.

Afterwards...

The group went out of the car and headed inside, where the backstage was and also where the other pokemon trainers were waiting for him.

"Hi, I'm sorry that I'm late."Professor Oak apologised.

Professor Oak notice the fake professor on the stage causing everyone to become completely surprised.

"What is going on here?"Johanna asked.

"Oh my!"Claire said in disbelief.

"I don't recall the contract saying that we were going to get two professors!"Izzy admitted.

"One of them has to be fake!"Cara suggested.

Dawn and Denise glared at the fake Professor Oak.

"That Professor Oak is an imposter!"Dawn declared.

"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped with a glare.

"Your time on the stage is finished now, faker!"Denise snapped.

"Torchic!"Torchic tweeted angrily.

Johanna, Claire, Izzy and Cara went on the stage.

"What is this all about?"Johanna demanded.

"How can there be two Professor Oaks?"Claire questioned.

"Mum, this isn't the real Professor Oak!"Lucas warned with a frown.

Riolu glared at the man pretending to be Professor Oak.

Brock pointed to the real Professor Oak.

"This Professor Oak we found in the marshland is the real one!"Brock protested.

"No doubt about it!"Ash agreed.

"Faker, you were going to steal those pokeballs weren't you?!"Dawn shouted.

"Confess, you imposter!"Denise growled.

"That is puppy nonsense!"James denied. "I'm Professor Oak!"

"No!"Professor Oak refused. "That would be me!"

"No, I'm the real Professor Oak!"James lied.

"I'm the Professor Oak, phoney!"Professor Oak snapped.

"I am!"James shouted.

"No!"Professor Oak yelled. "I am!"

Professor Oak and James glared angrily at each other as a young boy raised his hand up, earning the attention of the two men.

"Excuse me."the young man responded. "My Tyranitar has been acting out for weeks and now it won't listen to anything I say. So I figure the real Professor Oak should be able to figure out what that is."

Professor Oak smile while James froze in fear.

"I'm happy to help."Professor Oak remarked. "Let's have a look at your Tyranitar."

"Tyranitar!"the young boy said and threw out his pokeball. "Come on out!"

The young boy sends out his Tyranitar and the Armor Pokemon appeared on the stage before letting out a roar which startled the audience.

Izzy and Cara pushed James up to help Tyranitar.

"I suggest we let the original Professor Oak have a nice little look."Izzy suggested.

"Yes."Cara agreed. "Good luck."

"I don't need laugh."James laughed nervously. "The real Professor Oak never requires luck. Let's see now."

However James was promptly blasted off by Tyranitar, leaving a hole on the roof.

"I'M BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"James screamed as he disappeared in the sky.

Everyone watched in worry as Professor Oak began approaching Tyranitar.

"Professor Oak, be careful!"Dawn protested.

"It's too dangerous!"Ash warned.

"Everything is fine."Professor Oak assured. "I'm just simply joining my heart with Tyranitar's."

Tyranitar gives Professor Oak a small growl.

"Oh, I see. Yes of course, you poor thing. That must hurt."Professor Oak said and knelt in front of Tyranitar. "Now don't be scared."

The Tyranitar slowly raised its gigantic foot and put it in front of the Professor's face much to the fear of everyone watching.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon alright."Professor Oak assured as he reached for Tyranitar's foot and pulled out a thorn. "I've got it!"

Once the thorn was out of its foot, the Tyranitar stomped its foot a couple of times before gratefully nuzzling Professor Oak.

"Aww, no need to thank me."Professor Oak chuckled.

"Awesome!"the young boy said in joy. "You figured it out just by looking!"

The little boy rushed forward and hugged his Tyranitar.

"This poor little thing was very angry because it had a painful thorn stuck in its foot, quite simple really."Professor Oak explained before looking at Johanna and Claire. "Does that proof to you now that I'm the real Professor Oak?"

"Yes, of course."Johanna agreed with a nod and looked at the audience. "So let's make sure we give the real Professor Oak a warm welcome with his interrelation of Pokemon and evolutionary stones!"

Everybody in the crowd cheered at Professor Oak.

Afterwards...

Brock, Dawn, Ash, Denise and Lucas sat down in the Pokemon Center.

"I guess the fake one was James from Team Rocket then."Lucas suggested.

Denise scoffed and folded her arms.

"Served him right to try and fool everyone by pretending to be the professor."Denise commented.

"Torchic."Torchic agreed.

Riolu let out a soft growl.

"Boy, I'm glad everything turned out alright."Ash remarked. "Now the festival can get started."

"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.

"I still can't get over James being the fake Professor Oak while showing up to steal all those pokeballs."Dawn stated.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"I guess people try and imitate you to achieve fame."Brock exclaimed.

A smile crept on Denise's face as she thought about the Twinleaf Festival.

"I wonder which two of Sinnoh's Battle Frontier Brains will appear in the festival."Denise thought. "I'm getting more excited with every breath I let out when I think about it."

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)

Denise's Team

Torterra (Male): Solar Beam, Giga Drain, Seed Bomb and Earthquake

Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump and Aurora Beam

Luxray (Male): Shock Wave, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang

Kirlia (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Confusion

Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic

Torchic (Male): Ember, Peck, Hidden Power and Fire Spin

With Professor Rowan

Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish