The next day the quartet awoke early to go down route 7, it was a rocky, mountainous area, connecting Celadon City in the west to Saffron City in the east.

"How far is Celadon city?" Laoise asked.

"A day's walk from here." Brock said.

While the others set up camp, Laoise went to forage for extra berries, and/or herbs. She knew the next gym would specialize in grass types and for that she'll be needing a fire type.

Speaking of fire type Pokémon, Laoise couldn't shake off the thought of the Ninetales she had always admired. She had heard stories of its elegance and grace, seen pictures of the lovely fox Pokémon from both the Kanto and Alolan regions, and deep down, she longed to have one as her own. Even the Kanto and Alolan Vulpix were just…indescribably precious.

Perhaps it was the way Taryn and the fashion club described them looking like foxes, there was something adorable about them. But Taryn had different aspirations then being a pokèmon trainer, her friends too. What's more the Vulpix were elusive and hard to catch in the wild.

Then, as she picked herbs into a small bag, she saw something a couple meters ahead that took her breath away.

A quadrupedal canine Pokémon covered in thick, luxurious golden-white fur. It had a small mane of thicker fur around its neck and a long, fluffy crest atop its head. Slender legs with three-toed paws and nine, long tails with pale orange tips.

Laoise's wish seemed to be granted when she stumbled upon a beautiful Ninetales in the wild.

Excitement coursed through her veins as she watched the exquisite Pokémon, she almost couldn't find her voice. "Guys, I found something!" she tried yelling but it came out as a ragged wheeze.

Neither, Ash, Brock, Misty nor Pikachu heard her. Well, she'll be catching this beauty. Otherwise she might not get another chance.

"Tricky, Storm, I got something here!" Laoise called out her Gengar and her female Pikachu.

Tricky and Storm emerged from their Pokéballs, sensing Laoise's enraptured excitement. They looked to where she was gazing and spotted the Ninetales as well.

"Look, you two," Laoise breathed. "Isn't she all so magical?"

The Pokémon nodded in awe. For this fox pokèmon was a beautiful rarity because Ninetales usually evolve when a fire stone is used on a Vulpix.

The Ninetales was indeed a vision of grace… A beauteous vision that just spotted them!

With a shrill bark, the fox pokèmon faced them all nine of it's tails on edge.

Tense excitement filled the air as Ninetales swiftly dodged Tricky's Shadow Balls and Storm's Thundershocks. This was no ordinary battle - the fox exuded a regal, seasoned grace.

But Laoise's Pokémon fought cleverly. When Ninetales charged Storm with a Fire Spin, Tricky swooped in with a sneak attack Hypnosis. The vixen slowed, eyelids drooping, and Storm hit her mark with a Thundershock.

Ninetales wavered, primal instincts clashing with weariness. Laoise threw her pokeball with care, holding her breath as it shook once...twice...three times! A satisfying click signaled her success.

"It worked!" Laoise crowed. "We got a Ninetales!"

Then a soft sound got their attention.

A trembling little Vulpix peered from the bushes, sad eyes on the pokéball and gently batting at it with its paw.

"Oh no..." Laoise breathed. Her heart sank as the truth dawned on her: The Ninetales she had just captured was a mother protecting her young.

Guilt washed over her, knowing that she had unintentionally separated them in her longing and excitement of wanting to catch a fire type she had her eyes on. Laoise knelt slowly. "I'm so sorry, baby...I didn't know."

Tricky, the mischievous Gengar, and Storm, the loyal Pikachu, shared in Laoise's concern. Storm cooed softly to the kit. "Pikachu…"

"Gengar!" Tricky then raised a finger with a merry smile as if he'd just got an idea, and told it to Storm, who nodded enthusiastically. He jumped and reached into Laoise's hiking bag.

Laoise was taken aback. "Tricky, what are you doing?"

Storm gently assured Laoise with a wink. "Pi Pikachu."

The Gengar had pulled out another pokéball and offered to Laoise, pointing to the Vulpix then to her and the pokéball containing the Ninetales.

"Oh, right!" Laoise caught on. There was no rule or law that kept her from keeping both the pre evolved form or the evolved pokèmon. "Tricky, Storm, you're right. We can't let them be apart. Better catch the baby Vulpix too."

Gently she placed a hand on Vulpix's head, which the little one allowed. "I can't separate you from your mother. But I promise, I'll take good care of both of you."

With a flick of her wrist, Laoise threw the Poké Ball towards the frightened Vulpix, hoping to bring it into their care. Tricky and Storm stood by her side, offering moral support in this endeavor.

The Poké Ball soared through the air, capturing the baby Vulpix in a flash of light. It shook once, twice, and then clicked, signifying a successful capture. Laoise let out a sigh of relief, knowing that the family was reunited as the two pokeballs were transported to Prof. Oak's lab.

Soon after thanking Tricky and Storm for their help, Laoise recalled them and began making her way to the others.

"What's happened?" Brock asked gently, seeing Laoise's distress.

"I caught more than I meant to." Laoise smiled sadly. "I'll explain later,

Laoise were still rather solemn the next day.

"There's a public phone a few feet that way, Ash is calling Professor Oak." Misty pointed. "Maybe you'll feel better once you talk to him and your parents."

Laoise said. "I'll do that."

In Pallet Town within the lab, Professor Oak was having a cup of tea. video phone rings, which Ash's Krabby brings to him. "Oh. Thanks a lot, Krabby."

Ash was the one calling. "Professor, good morning."

Prof. Oak greeted, "Good morning, Ash. I was just wondering when you might be calling. You have some good news?"

Ash grinned. "I sure do!" Ash opened his vest to reveal his badges. "Look at this! Pretty impressive, huh? I've already earned four badges!"

Prof. Oak sipped his tea, "Only four badges?"

Ash fell over in disbelief at Professor Oak's response.

"Ash? Are you still there? I just found out this morning that all your other rivals have earned five badges each, including Gary. They both passed through Celadon City, too."

Ash got up with a scowl, "Oh, that Gary!"

"You and Laoise better hurry up, Ash." Prof. Oak advised. "You both don't want to fall further behind. And Gary has already captured thirty new Pokémon."

Laoise approached just as Ash croaked out, "Thirty Pokémon?"

"What about you? What's going on? I haven't gotten any Pokémon from either of you in a while." Prof. Oak commented as Ash's Krabby entered the picture. "Not since the day you sent me Krabby, here."

"Krabby! How ya doing?" Ash smiled.

Prof. Oak replied, "We've become very good friends. We especially enjoy teatime, and writing poetry. And some of it's not that bad, either.' Every day it's cake and tea, just my Pokémon and me.' Like it?"

Ash sweat dropped, "Uh, I don't know very much about poetry."

"Now, listen, Ash, writing poetry is a lot like Pokémon training. I can't write a good poem without rhymes. And you can't be a good trainer without catching more Pokémon, and the same goes for Laoise." Prof. Oak then asked. "Which reminds me, is Laoise still traveling with you?"

Laoise waved and walked to the video phone. "Over here."

"I've received your new pokèmon, they're doing quite well."

Ash was too bummed about Gary getting ahead of him to even notice what kind of Pokémon Laoise had caught the day before. Let alone why she'd be using them a little sooner than intended.

"I'm relieved to hear Ninetales and Vulpix have settled in," Laoise said with a small smile. She told Professor Oak about how she'd unintentionally separated the mother and child, and her resolve to catch the kit as well so they could stay together.

Oak nodded kindly. "You did the right thing, Laoise. Family bonds are important for Pokémon just as they are for people. I'm sure with care and compassion, those two will thrive."

Laoise overheard about Gary's progress though she shrugged. "Thirty Pokémon, huh? That's... a lot."

Oak adjusted his collar. "Well, quantity isn't everything. What matters most is the care and camaraderie between Trainer and team."

Laoise nodded. "True, as much I wanna prove myself, I also want to Pokémon who'll be happy and well taken care of. After all they're supposed to be like family in a good way."

Prof. Oak smiled approvingly. "A fine point of view, Laoise."

Laoise greeted her new catches. "Hi! You two girls up for a challenge? I'll switch you up soon, Bulby, Goliath and Idril could use a little R and R!" and she asked the professor, "I'm gonna be stopping by the pokèmon center soon as we reach Celadon City, is there any erm, vitamins or formula the small one might need?"

"The Pokémon Center and the Pokémart alike ought to have some on hand preferably before you can have your new pokèmon here compete." Prof. Oak suggested. "Be sure to keep both close together in to go now. The tea's getting cold."

The video call ended as Ash sighed wearily, and the two trainers walked back to their resting spot where the others indulged in onigiri or better known as rice balls.

Laoise encouraged, "Cheer up, Ash. There's gotta be some pokèmon around here."

"You look kinda down, Ash. Have a rice ball or onigiri, that always cheers me up." Misty offered.

Pikachu chimed in, "Pika Pika!"

Brock held up a plate, "Sure, but these are great! Jelly-filled are my favorite! Nothing beats a jelly-filled riceball!"

Ash put his hands in his pockets, "I just heard Gary has five badges."

"I get it. He's upset because he's falling behind." Misty said.

Pikachu said, "Pika Pi."

Laoise reassured, "We can make it. There's still plenty of time."

"I guess. The next town we come to is Celadon City. Isn't there supposed to be a gym there?" asked Ash.

"There sure is. All we gotta do is follow this road. Celadon City is only a day's walk from here. Even less if we keep up a fast pace." Brock said pointing to a distance.

Misty reminded, "Just remember, Ash, unlike all the other wannabe trainers out there, you've gotta make it to the Pokémon League your own way."

Brock added. "Right. Just like Laoise. Remember, it's quality over quantity, especially if you have lots of different Pokémon. Then they'll help you catch others."

"Yeah, that's it. Catch, lots of, Pokémon!" Ash said determinedly.

Misty groaned. "He'll never learn."

"I didn't ask you."

Laoise said matter-of-factly, "I thought he was supposed to do this n his own by using his head."

Pikachu soon notices something moving in the bushes, which is soon revealed to be a wild Mankey. A small, simian Pokémon. It was bipedal, had a round body covered in whitish, shaggy fur. Its nose was similar to a pig's snout, and triangular ears with brown insides. Mankey's three-fingered hands, two-toed feet, and the tip of its curved, prehensile tail are brown.

"It's a Pokémon!" Ash gasped pulling out Dexter.

"Mankey, a Pig Monkey Pokémon of the Fighting type. Known for its superior footwork it packs a powerful punch."

The wild Mankey hopped toward Brock and moves around him

"Kinda calm right now." Laoise remarked.

Brock guessed. "Maybe it wants a riceball."

He held one to the wild Mankey, the pokèmon sniffed it curiously then looked to Pikachu.

Pikachu nodded, reassuring it of the snack. "Pika."

The wild Mankey took the riceball and jumped onto a rock to eat.

Ash grinned, "I think it likes it!"

Brock mentioned, "That riceball is my own special recipe. No artificial ingredients."

Ash then said, "A fighting Pokémon. That'll really help me in battle."

"Hold on! You're not gonna start by throwing a Pokéball at it." Misty said.

Laoise's eyes widened, "Ash, wait!"

She remembered what she read about the Mankeys and if it was accurate this could get crazy very fast.

"There's no way I'm gonna miss this chance. Mankey, you're mine, now!" Ash said, throwing a pokéball.

The wild Mankey noticed and thwarted Ash's attempt to capture it by tossing the riceball it was eating, which ends up getting caught by the Pokéball. And the Mankey dropped down, in a foul mood. It's eyes which were closed when sniffing around, were narrow and red.

Laoise already had gotten her hiking bag as did Brock. Ash was grimacing nervously, Pikachu hid behind his right leg, and Misty fetched her bag.

Misty commented. "Looks to me like you got it pretty angry."

"How'd you guess?" Laoise mumbled.

Ash questioned. "Now what are we supposed to do?"

Dexter the pokèdex spouted a fact. "Although Mankey is usually calm, it does have a bad temper. Once Mankey begins to Thrash, stopping it is impossible."

Ash wondered, "What does it mean by Thrash?"

Everyone looked up to see Mankey charging toward them, so they panic and run away. Brock tried to stop it by throwing another rice ball, but it destroyed it with its fist.

Misty tripped before she can start running again. The wild Mankey charged at her, but instead of attacking, the wild Pokémon jumped right off her head like a springboard, shoving Laoise aside and attacked Ash's face, causing him to fall down.

"Ash!" Laoise cried, watching Ash see firsthand Mankey's Thrash attack.

"Are you okay, Ash?!" Brock yelled as Misty hurried over.

"Of course I'm not okay!" Ash shouted as he was being pounded by Mankey.

Nearby, Team Rocket watches, seeing an opportunity to catch Pikachu and get a promotion. Meowth makes a smart remark as Jessie rolls a yarn ball at Meowth, easily pacifying the Scratch Cat Pokémon.

Finally, the dust settled and Ash is left battered and without his hat. "I surrender."

Laoise walked over and held up four fingers. "Ash, how many fingers am I holding up?"

Ash groaned, "Eight...?"

The wild Mankey hadn't gotten far, it climbed to the top of a tree with Ash's hat in hand.

Ash sat up and notices his hat is missing. Ash confronts Mankey as the Pokémon mocks Ash, imitating his tendency to twist his hat back before throwing a Poké Ball. Ash climbs the tree to reclaim the hat. Misty doesn't understand what's so special about the hat, but Ash stresses that the hat was won at the Pokémon League Expo and cannot be easily replaced.

"I can't replace that hat! I won it at the official Pokémon League Expo! Don't you know how tough it is to get one of those hats?" Ash snapped.

Brock questioned. "An official Expo hat?"

Misty and Brock both figure out what Ash's talking about. Laoise also remembered that Indigo League commercial, that hat was a limited edition.

"Hey, all you Pokémon League fans! Now, you have a chance to win one of a hundred limited edition Pokémon League official hats! It's wearable! It's washable! And it's official! Don't miss your chance to win the official hat of the official expo of the official Pokémon League!"That's what the advertisement said.

Brock said, "It's official."

Misty added. "I didn't know it was an official Pokémon League hat. I remember I entered the same contest, too."

Ash angrily emphasized as he continued trying to climb the tree. "I had to send in about a million postcards to win that hat!"

Misty looked embarrassed. "No wonder I didn't win. I only sent in one."

Brock sympathized wryly, "Poor Ash. Losing an official hat is like losing your best friend."

Pikachu titled his head. "Pika?"

Laoise looked a little uncertain. "But is it worth getting broken bones?"

Ash begins climbing up the tree trunk to get his hat. "Almost got it!

The wild Mankey knocked Ash back down to the ground as Team Rocket approached.

"Well, hello there, chumps." Jessie sniggered.

"Team Rocket!"

Laoise facepalmed, "Not these chumps again!"

"What are you doing here?" demanded Brock.

"Aren't you happy ta see us?" teased Meowth.

The wild Mankey then approached and examined Team Rocket one by one.

"Buzz off!" James kicked the Mankey, Brock, Misty and Laoise visibly winced in shock.

Brock gasped, "I wish he hadn't done that!"

"James, you idiot!" Laoise screeched. "You just about ticked off the Mankey!"

She wasn't wrong, not too far away, the wild Mankey gets up and its eyes glowed.

Brock warned Team Rocket, "She's right. If you guys don't get out of here fast, you're gonna get as whipped as Ash did."

Jessie looked at James, "What's a Mankey?"

James replied, "I guess that thing I kicked out of the way."

Laoise looked over their shoulders, "Uh oh, the mankey's come for its revenge!" she pointed behind Team Rocket.

Team Rocket turned around and are shocked when they see Mankey's eyes glowing. Soon, it's entire body starts glowing. The Mankey had evolved into Primeape!

Ash checked the Pokédex entry about Primeape. "Primeape. If you make eye contact with this evolved form of Mankey, it will chase you forever."

Team Rocket decides to ignore the newly evolved Pokémon, sending out Ekans and Koffing towards Ash and his friends. However, Primeape springs on Jessie, sending her flying face-first into a rock. She gets angry and ordered Ekans and Koffing to attack Primeape instead. Team Rocket all jumped into the melee as Laoise, Brock and Misty took this opportunity to drag Ash away to safety. Ash noticed his hat on the ground and Pikachu ran for it.

As Primeape stood over his fallen victims, Pikachu heads for Ash's hat, only for Primeape to spot him and stand between him and the hat.

Misty warned, "Don't look at it in the eye, Pikachu!"

Pikachu tried hard not to look Primeape in the eyes, but ended up doing just that. The wild Primeape put Ash's hat on its head. Pikachu attacked with Thunder Shock, but it only makes Primeape angrier.

Brock folded his arms. "Wait a minute! I have a theory! Primeape's not trying to steal your hat!"

Everyone looked at Brock in confusion.

"It's scared of us. When it was a Mankey, you tried to capture it, then James kicked it. I think it took your hat so it could get a little attention, because it's lonely all by itself."

Laoise protested worriedly. "But Brock, Mankeyand Primerape may be social Pokémon and if it loses sight of its colony or left alone to rage, its loneliness still causes it to become infuriated. I read it in a book!"

Yet Brock still walked over to the Primeape.

Misty said, "Be careful."

Laoise shook her head. "Brock, don't!"

Brock approached Primeape. "Now everything's gonna be fine." And he tried placing the Primeape's around his shoulders. "Give me a smile, buddy."

But the wild Primeape jumped onto Brock, pounding away on him sends him flying. Soon, Primeape does stop, only for James to look it in the eyes again.

Laoise was aggravated, "See, I told you!"

Misty murmured, "I think Brock needs a new theory."

Ash agreed. "Guess so."

Laoise held out her pokédex, Dixie. "Once Primeape begins its strongest attack, Thrash. It goes completely out of control."

Misty worried. "I think we're in big trouble."

Primeape then charged towards our heroes with the speed of a racing car!

"Gang, this is the part where we... run!" Laoise yelled.

Our heroes and Primeape run over Team Rocket; the trio dashed off while our heroes keep running down a trail. With all the rocky mesas and hoodoos, the area made Laoise think of Chiricahua National Monument or the Fish River Canyon in Namidia she'd seen in books

But it was kind of hard to admire the scenery when you're being chased by an angry Primeape.

Ash hollered, "If we split up, maybe we can lose it!"

Laoise and Misty replied, "Okay!"

Misty went right and Laoise ran left, but Primeape followed Ash.

"Oh no! It doesn't look like Primeape's easy to lose!" cried Misty when she saw Primeape going straight after Ash.

Brock soon runs up. "I just hope none of them look Primeape in the eye. Let's find Ash and Laoise!"

Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu were still running for their lives with Primeape closing in, blasting through multiple rocks in its way, as well. Laoise raushed out from the other way while running and nearly bumped into Ash.

Ash yelled, "I thought I told you we had to split up!"

Laoise wailed, "I did- the trail musta led right back here!"

"I don't know how much longer I can run!" Ash cried.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket sets up a pit trap. They see dust in the distance as Ash, Laoise and Pikachu plunge in, colliding into Team Rocket. The weight of everyone causes Koffing to spew gas out of the hole.

Ash coughed. "What's a hole doing in the road?"

"These hole traps are starting to get on my last nerve!" Laoise grumbled.

Jessie complained. "Koffing! You nincompoop!"

The two trainers soon noticed Team Rocket is in there with them.

"How did you get down here?!" Ash pointed a finger at the troublesome trio.

James leaned on Ekans. "Pikachu."

Jessie said sinisterly. "Why don't you come for a ride on my head?"

Ash growled. "WHAT?!"

Laoise snapped, "Stuff it up your windsock!"

Ash commanded. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"

But with Pikachu on his head, the attack ended up shocking everyone in the hole.

"YIIIEEEEEE!" Laoise shrieked.

Ash yelled. "Not us!"

Primeape looked into the hole, Ash spotted it, and it hopped in. Ash quickly climbed out, as Laoise to the other end of the hole, but Primeape hopped out of the hole and in front of Ash, causing him to look Primeape in the eyes. He soon remembered what Professor Oak told him.

"I can't write a good poem without rhymes, and you can't be a good trainer without catching more Pokémon."

Ash soon decided to fight as the others showed up. "Professor Oak's right! No more games! I'm gonna capture you, Primeape!"

Misty said, "Why do you have to be so stubborn? Primeape is too dangerous to capture, Ash!"

Brock urged. "Just forget the hat!"

Ash answered, "It's not that! It's because I want to be a Pokémon master! A real master wouldn't let any Pokémon get away!"

"He's always trying to stand tough." Misty said worriedly.

Laoise said, "Let him try."

Ash sent Squirtle to fire Water Gun, but it made Primeape angrier, so Ash sent Bulbasaur to use Razor Leaf, but Primeape's punches destroyed the leaves. Ash sent Charmander out, using Flamethrower, but Primeape dodged before pounding Charmander with several punches. Primeape was relentless, though Charmander's flame suddenly grew; the Pokédex points out that it is the move Rage, making Charmander's attacks more powerful with each hit it takes, to Ash's amazement. Charmander took more punches before biting Primeape's fist, but it is tossed aside. Charmander fired another Flamethrower and Pikachu jumped and rescues the hat, escaping unscathed before the attack roasted Primeape.

Primeape slumps as Ash tosses the Poké Ball. Primeape goes inside as the Ball rattles. It stops, the catch an apparent success. However, the Ball starts to rattle again, but it stops a second time, this time inert as Ash claims the Ball holding his newly captured Primeape.

"Alright! Primeape is mine!" laughed Ash.

Brock said, "You did it!"

Laoise cheered. "YEAH!"

Misty said, "Congratulations!"

Pikachu handed Ash his hat. "Chu!"

Ash took his hand gratefully, "Thanks a lot, Pikachu!"

"Don't forget us!"

Everyone turned to see Team Rocket weakly climb out of their own hole.

"It's your fault we ended up in here!" Jessie then noticed something. "Where's Primeape?"

"Well, why don't you see for yourself?" Ash smiled mischievously as he tossed Primeape's Pokéball into the hole.

Laoise snickered, knowing what would come next. Primeape materialized and pounded Team Rocket before uppercutting them into a blast off.

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

Misty remarked, "Primeape sure gave them a Thrashing."

Ash smiled, "Well, at least, now Primeape is doing the Thrashing on our side. Welcome to the team, Primeape."

However, Primeape nailed Ash, giving him a black eye, and knocked him down.

Laoise winced, "Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark."

"Primeape's good at Thrashing, but it's got a lot to learn about team spirit!" lamented Ash.

Brock suggested. "A hat, might help. "

"I'll do whatever it takes to be a Pokémon master! Charmander, Primeape, return!" Ash recalled both his pokèmon.

Pikachu soon sees something over the rocky cliff. "Pikachu Pika!"

"What is it?!"

All four youngsters walked over to see a city in the distance.

Laoise gasped, "No way!"

Brock pointed, "There's Celadon City!"

"You know, if Primeape hadn't chased us, we wouldn't have gotten here as fast as we did! Right, Brock?" mused Misty.

"Yeah, I guess it was lucky after all!"

Pikachu nodded, "Pika Pika!"

Ash crowed putting on his cap, "Way to go, Primeape! Now that I caught a new Pokémon, it's time to earn a badge!"

Laoise acclaimed. "I'm in!"

The four youngsters excitedly raced towards the city, ready for anything that came their way. Both Laoise and Ash's fifth gym battle awaited.

To be continued…

Author's note: I know weird to find one in that area, so I'm going with backstory that the mother Laoise caught was forcibly evolved with a fire stone and had escaped before having her kit in the wild. This was also for Laoise to 'look before leaping' when it comes to catching pokémon too, never know if you're separating close kin.

Next chapter if you're expecting Laoise to gang up on a friend over differing opinions on perfume... don't count on it. Nope, she will be dealing with a true to life problem autistic people face, AND unpleasant flashbacks to boot.