It was two days ago that Ash and Serena, now accompanied by May and her younger brother Max, left Petalburg City, after Ash and Serena won their first gym badges there. They were now on the way toward Rustboro City, where the next gym in Hoenn Region is located.

It wasn't long after they left Petalburg that May and Max realized that they haven't brought any food with them. Ash and Serena, had to share theirs, so the brother and sister won't starve to death. It's a good thing that the two long-time travelers brought enough food to last all of them at least until they reach Rustboro City.

During those two days, the gang stopped only to eat and sleep, but every time they stopped, and before they ate, Ash and Serena trained their Pokémon, and have also helped May train her Torchic, who is still just a starter Pokémon, and is not so much useless, but still very weak, and needs training.

May wasn't exactly happy to have to go through all that training with her Pokémon, but she also couldn't complain, since she has to do it, or she will never become top trainer.

Max on the other hand, was very happy to be traveling with all of them, especially with Ash, from who he can learn a lot, and even though he is still not old enough to be a trainer, and carry a Pokémon, he can at least watch the others train, and memorize it, so one day when he starts his journey, he will be ready. He was also able to convince May to catch some Pokémon for him, in case they run into some Pokémon he likes, and might be able to take care of from time to time.

Right now, that gang is in Petalburg Forest, where they have taken a break from traveling, and after an hour of training their Pokémon, they set down to have lunch.

"I cannot believe how much you can eat, May," Ash said, as they all were seating on the grass, and eating some sandwiches and curry, which Serena and Ash were able to cook. "It makes me wonder where it all goes, since you are so small and I'd dare say skinny."

"I've always been like this," May said to Ash's comment. "I always ate a lot, but never seemed to be gaining weight. There was few times when people who knew me as well as my parents commented how I can eat an elephant for a snack, and not gain a kilogram of weight."

"You are lucky," Serena said. "I don't think I would be that skinny if I ate as much as you. I bet I would be over a 100 kilograms."

"I bet it's not easy for your parents to take care of you, since you eat so much," Ash said with a smile, and May glared at him, while Max and Serena laughed at the expression on May's face. "I don't even want to imagine the food bill."

"Why are you laughing," May pouted cutely? "You eat more than I do."

"Yes, but I'm always traveling and training with my Pokémon," Ash said. "And, I also use my Aura and Psychic powers regularly, and that wastes a lot of energy, which I have to build up eating and training."

Their talking was interrupted, when out of nowhere, a bird flew from the sky, and took a sandwich right from Serena's hand, as she was about to bite it, making her bite air instead.

Everyone looked at the bird, and were surprised to see that it was a Pokémon, which everyone knew to be called Taillow, and is a Flying Type Pokémon native to Hoenn Region, but can also be found in some other regions.

"That Taillow sure came down fast," Ash commented, as he and the others were watching Taillow, as it was standing on the tree branch high from the ground, and munching on the sandwich which it so expertly stole from Serena.

"I'm surprised you didn't feel it coming," Serena said at Ash.

Ash shrugged. "I'm strong, but I'm still not at a level where I can constantly use my powers to feel all around me. That takes effort and a lot of training to use it constantly without thinking about it, and since I have to will it to be able to feel at all, I slip sometimes and forget about it."

As they were about to let it go, and leave Taillow to just get away with stealing some food, they were surprised to hear some screeches from the trees all around them, which made them look at what it is. None of them were happy to see a whole flock of Taillow glaring at them, and the food. Max and May were even scared from the situation they were in, and even Serena who has been traveling for a while and has seen a lot, was unnerved.

The only one not scared, was Ash, though he was annoyed, since he doesn't like to be interrupted when he rests or eats, and now he was doing both, in a way.

"Ash, what are we going to do?" May asked, while slowly moved behind Ash for cover.

"Maybe we should just let them have the food and walk away." Max suggested, while doing the same thing his sister did, and hid behind Ash.

"We could do that," Ash said, and May and Max were about to let a relived sigh, but then Ash continued, while smirking. "But this is a great opportunity for some battle, and we are not going to miss it."

"You want the three of us to battle a whole flock of Taillow." May almost screeched, but she managed to control herself so not to startle the flock, which is still not attacking, and is just watching at one specific Taillow, which is floating in mid-air above the gang, while the others were on the branches.

"We all need to train our new Pokémon, and you and Serena can use this opportunity to capture some of them," Ash said. "I also want to capture one for myself, as well as some for the PPA I mention to you I have built around Pallet Town."

Serena sighed as she was expecting this from Ash, and then she asked. "There is a lot of them, and only three of us with Pokémon, and since you want to use this situation as a training, I'm assuming you want to use our weaker Pokémon, and not the stronger ones we brought from Kanto."

"You are right, we will use our weakest Pokémon, which will be great training for them even if they lose eventually," Ash said. "Besides, if we see that we are being overwhelmed, we can pull our stronger Pokémon to deal with what remains of the flock."

Serena sighed again, and nodded. "Fine, Ash. Let's do it."

The two of them then pulled five Pokémon Balls, Ash two and Serena two as well, and released the new Pokémon they caught since they got in Hoenn. Ash released his Torchic and Duskull, while Serena released Mudkip and Ralts. Serena had Wurmple as well who is also one of her new Pokémon's, but as a Bug Type, he is not exactly a very good match against Pokémon like Taillow.

The four Pokémon stood in front of their trainers and waited for the orders, while, seeing this, Taillow that was floating above the gang, screeched at the others. Ash understood he ordered them to stand ready for battle.

"May, let your Torchic out so he can battle," Ash said to May, who nodded, though reluctantly, and released her Torchic, who stood next to Ash's and Serena's Pokémon, ready to battle.

"Let's see now if the last few days of training have paid off," Ash said, and then he, Serena and May ordered their Pokémon to use their first moves.

The battle started immediately, with a Taillow, who is apparently leader of the flock, attacking Ash's Torchic with, Wing Attack.

The others followed behind, and either used, Peck or, Wing Attack, on Serena's and May's Pokémon.

"Torchic, dodge and use Ember," Ash said to his Pokémon who is about to be hit by Taillow. "Duskull, Disable on as many of them as you can. Serena, May, try to take out those who are disabled by Duskull, but also be careful from the others."

Ash said that, and watched as his Torchic dodged the flock leader, and then hit him with Ember right in the face, which burned a small bird Pokémon, but the Flying Type wasn't to be taken out so easily.

Duskull on the other hand released blue rings from his body, hitting about a dozen Taillow, which caused them all to drop on the ground as they were unable to move. This also gave Serena and May an opportunity to attack those disabled Taillow, and hit them with either Ember, May's Torchic, or Tackle, Water Gun and Psybeam by Serena's Mudkip and Ralts.

The battles lasted for a while, as even though the gangs Pokémon are better trained then the wild Taillow, there is still only five of them against over a hundred Taillow.

The first to go down were May's Torchic and Serena's Mudkip, who landed-in several good attacks, and took out a over a dozen Taillow who were seating ducks after being hit by Duskull's Disable, but, they also had to defend from the others who were not hit by Disable, and after about five minutes of battle, they were overwhelmed, and defeated.

The next to fall was Ash's Duskull, who was ganged up on by over twenty Taillow after they realized he is the biggest threat to them.

After they were taken out and the only ones left are Ash's Torchic who was going up against the leader Taillow, and even though he was better and has landed quite a few hits, Taillow just refused to give up, and this was driving Torchic mad and tired.

The other Pokémon who was still in the battle was Serena's Ralts, and he is proving to be very good, and relatively strong, as he was able to hold his own, and has defeated a bunch of Taillow.

With a bunch of Taillow defeated, and while Serena was still in battle, Serena and May captured one of the defeated Taillow, each. Ash also had May take a bunch of empty Poke Ball's from his backpack after her Torchic was defeated, and told her to throw them at the defeated Taillow, as he was going to send them to PPA.

After few more minutes of battling, Ash's Torchic and the leader Taillow managed to take each other out, and Ash caught a Taillow.

Unfortunately, at the same time, Serena's Ralts was finally overpowered, and defeated by the reaming three dozen Taillow, which left the gang with no other Pokémon to battle, unless Ash and Serena were to send out their older and stronger Pokémon.

Ash thought about doing that for a few seconds, but realized there is no need, so he simply used his Psychic powers and stopped all the remaining Taillow mid-flight.

He then released his newly captured Taillow, and had him convince his fellow friends to stop fighting, and he will give them some food, after which they are free to go.

Ash could have tried to convince them himself, but he though it will be easier if he just sends out Taillow to do it, and he was right, as his new Taillow convinced his friends that enough is enough. After it was all over, they all had some lunch, with the gang giving some of their food to about three dozen Taillow which are going to remain in Petalburg Forest, while the rest will go to PPA in Pallet Town.

Two days after the battle against a flock of Taillow, Ash and the gang run into a Pokémon poacher, who has captured a whole slew of Ekans and Koffing, and Ash ended up battling him with his Tyranitar, who whipped the floor with the poachers Fearrow, and Pupitar. Even after his Pupitar evolved into Tyranitar, it didn't help the poacher much, as it was still weaker then Ash's Tyranitar, and was easily beaten into the ground.

As was his job as an Aura Guardian, Ash had the poacher arrested by Officer Jenny, even though he wanted to kill him and be done with him, but in the end, he controlled himself, not so much for his own good, as much as he didn't want to scare Serena, May and Max for life.

In agreement with Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, who was also called to check on Ekans and Koffing, Ash had all of the Pokémon transported to the PPA.

With the poacher arrested and the Pokémon safe in the PPA, Ash and the others continued their journey through Petalburg Forest and toward Rustboro City.

It was another day of journey through the Petalburg Forest, and the gang is lost. Again.

"How in the hell does this keep happening?" Ash wondered aloud, while shaking his head. May and Max were in the middle of fighting and Serena sighed just like Ash, while standing next to him.

"I guess we are just cursed to be constantly lost on the journey no matter where we go." Serena commented.

"This is all my fault," Ash commented, and Serena looked at him questioningly. "My Pokedex has a navigation app, and instead of using it, I always end up relying on others. First Brock and now Max. And they both end up getting us lost."

"Don't blame yourself, Ash," Serena said, while giving him a peck on the cheek. She wanted to kiss him on the lips, but with Max and May there, she though they should hold themselves back for a while until the siblings are used to the two of them being together and wouldn't be embarrassed if they kiss each other.

Ash sighed again, before he straightened up, and looked at May and Max who were still arguing, and have been at it for over 10 minutes, ever since they realized that they are lost, and since May accused Max of it being his fault since he is the one with the navigation device.

"Ok, that's enough," Ash yelled at May and Max, and the argument instantly stopped with the two now looking at Ash. "This is no one's fault and there is no reason for a fight. Let's just focus on finding a way back on the road."

May and Max looked at each other, huffed, and then looked the other way, while Serena smiled slightly at them. Ash only shock his head in annoyance.

As the four of them were trying to find a way out, with May, Max and Serena looking at Max's PokeNav and Ash's Pokedex, Ash was trying to feel something with his Aura, and see if there is any other human in proximity so they can help them.

After few minutes of this, with no one being lucky to find a way out of the Petalburg Forest, they were all interrupted when they saw a bunch of Treecko jumping from one tree onto the other, and heading somewhere in a hurry.

"Wow, look at all these Treecko," Max shouted in disbelief, while his eyes were shining at seeing one of his favorite Pokémon, and a bunch of them at that.

"Yeah, this is really surprising, since starter Pokémon are not easy to find in wild," Ash commented.

"I wonder where they are going," Serena wondered, and May, Ash and Max wondered as well, until May suggested for them to follow them and see where they are going.

Everyone agreed to the suggestion, and so, with Max running at the front, as he is the most existed of them all, they all followed after the group of Treecko.

XXX

The gang of four followed the group of Treecko, and found them after about 10 minutes. They were all standing near a very old tree, which looks like it's about to fall over.

At the base of the tree, were two Treecko, one old looking and the other younger, while the rest of the grass starter Pokémon are not far from them all in one group. Ash and the others noticed that the two Treecko were arguing with each other, with the younger being very into it, and the older being calmer, and was apparently trying to convince the younger one on something.

"Hey, Ash, what are they talking about," Serena asked, and May and Max looked at Ash, until it dawned at them?

"That's right, you can understand Pokémon," May said. "Can you hear what they are arguing about?"

"Well," Ash started to say. "From what I can understand, it appears that that big tree is their home, but since it's so old and is falling apart, the Treecko colony has to find another tree where to live in. But, the young one over there doesn't like that, and says that they can find a way to save the tree that's been their home for so long."

"That's so sad," May said. "That Treecko has probably hatched there, and now can't bring himself to leave the only place he ever called home and replace it with another."

"I wonder if we can help them somehow," Serena wondered, and May and Max were also wondering and were willing to help, though, none of them knew how. Ash in the meantime was in deep thought.

They watched the Treecko colony for a while, until everyone but Ash decided to go to a clearing not far from where they were, and have lunch, while also trying to think what they can do to help the Treecko with the tree.

Ash, on the other hand, decided to stay, and watch how the situation will develop.

XXX

Ash watched for a while what happened with the young Treecko after the older one and the colony left, but the young Treecko refused to leave.

Right after they left, Treecko took a big leaf, and headed somewhere, while Ash decided to follow him.

Ash was very surprised when he saw Treecko reach a river, where he used the leaf to gather some water, and then dragged it back to the tree, and poured the water at the base of the tree, after which, Treecko went back to the river and did the same thing.

Ash watched the young Treecko doing this over and over for a while, and was impressed with how much this Treecko is willing to go to save the tree.

That's when Ash though about something and decided to approach the Treecko, who is standing at the base of the tree taking a little break.

Ash walked behind Treecko, who heard him, and turned around, after which he glared at Ash, and stood ready to battle.

"I got to say, I'm impressed, Treecko," Ash said after he stood several meters from the grass Pokémon, who looked at Ash with a confused look on his face, though he didn't lower his guard. "I've been watching you ever since you had an argument with that old Treecko, and have seen the great lengths you are willing to go to save your home. Because of that, I would be lying if I say I wouldn't want a Pokémon like you to be a part of my team."

Treecko heard Ash and narrowed his eyes. So this human wants to capture him, is what Treecko thought, but was determined not to allow that, as he has no intention of having a trainer, and has a job to do.

"I'm not interested," Treecko said, and turned around to continue his job, thinking that the human will get the message from his action since he thought that Ash couldn't understand him.

"How about I make you a deal that I'm sure you will be INTERESTED in," Ash, said, purposely saying 'interesting', so that Treecko will get it that he understood what he said.

He was right in thinking that, since Treecko stopped immediately, turned around and looked at Ash with slightly widened eyes. "You understood me?" Treecko questioned.

"Yes, I did," Ash confirmed. "I'm a little special, you see."

Treecko looked at Ash for a few moments, and then asked. "And what could you offer that would interest me in joining you?"

Ash smirked. "I can offer to save that tree you like so much."

Treecko's eyes widened to epic proportion as he heard Ash say that, and he started spluttering. "H-How?" Treecko asked.

"I have a special power that will help me save the tree," Ash said to Treecko, who continued to look at Ash for a while, and then he narrowed his eyes.

"And you want me to join you and become your Pokémon if you save the tree," Treecko questioned? "You are trying to blackmail me."

Ash looked at Treecko, and sighed. "I can understand why you would think that, but no, I'm not trying to blackmail you," Ash said, getting raised eyebrows from Treecko. Ash continued. "I will save the tree no matter if you agree to join me or not, since I can tell how much you love this tree. Remember, I watched for some time how you worked hard to water the tree, trying to save it. It's because of that drive I saw in you that I want you in my team, not just because you are rare Pokémon hard to find and catch in the wild."

Treecko stood there for a while looking at Ash, trying to see if there is some way to recognize if Ash is lying to him, but he saw nothing but sincerity.

"Let's see if what you say is true," Treecko said, making Ash look at him questioningly. "Save the tree, and if you can do it like you said you will, then I will battle your Pokémon, and if you win, I will join your team."

Ash smiled widely as he heard Treecko's words, and went to work.

Ash approached the old tree, which at this point is barely holding itself straight, and looks like it's about to fall over.

As he came at the base of the tree, Ash placed both of his palms on the tree, closed his eyes, and started to concentrate.

After few seconds, Ash was enveloped in his green-colored Aura, much to Treecko's disbelief, which was proven by his eyes widening, and his jaw dropping to the ground.

The same green colored Aura that was enveloping Ash, started to spread to the tree, and all over it, until the entire tree was engulfed with Ash's Aura.

Treecko stood on the side, watching in amazement, as the tree was glowing green since it was enveloped in Ash's Aura, and then started to change, as the old looking tree, seems to have started to get younger, with the rotten parts of the tree starting to fix themselves. The dry parts and branches got healthier color, and leaf's started to grow in the previously bare branches.

This all lasted for about two minutes, until Ash's Aura receded from the tree, and then it stopped enveloping Ash as well. Ash let out his breath, and then turned around to look at Treecko who was looking at both Ash and the tree in amazement.

"So, what do you think?" Ash asked with a smirk.