Making sure that the Pokemon were healed, Ash turned to Oshawott who was looking at him expectantly.
"Thank you for saving us back there, Oshawott! You were great," Ash praised the sea otter and Oshawott preened from the praise. "But aren't you one of Professor Juniper's starter? What are you doing here?"
Oshawott nodded enthusiastically, immediately climbing on Ash's shoulder pushing Pikachu from his usual spot. Misty fortunately caught Pikachu and her eyes widened at the implication. Pikachu grumbled as he realized that Oshawott felt like he could replace Pikachu since he saved them from Team Rocket.
'I'll show him.'
Pikachu directed a Thunderbolt to Oshawott only for him to deflect it using his scalchop. Ash, unfortunately, got zapped.
"Hey, what was that for!" Pikachu looked apologetic. Ash then picked Oshawott up from his shoulder and brought it at the front to face it.
"I get the feeling that you want to come with me, is that right, Oshawott?"
"Oshawott!"
The sea otter flailed happily. Ash smiled. "I'd love to have you in the team but first, I'll let you know that what you did to Pikachu wasn't very nice. If you wanted to, I would have carried you if you asked."
Oshawott looked sheepish and Pikachu huffed as he crossed his arms. Oshawott, then, looked at Pikachu and muttered an apology.
"And I'll have to talk to Professor Juniper if she'll let me keep you."
Oshawott deflated but nodded, nonetheless. The group decided to stay the night at the Pokemon Center and talk to Professor Juniper by tomorrow morning since they were all exhausted from the events that transpired earlier.
Misty also had to talk Ash down and made him strip so she can take care of the gashes or swelling that Ash might have acquired from his fall, much to Ash's embarrassment and Pikachu's amusement. Pikachu was initially worried about his Pikapi when Pika-Chu had said he would stop traveling with Pikapi to pursue being a Pokemon doctor.
Of course, Pikachu would make sure to take care of his trainer. However, he was delighted knowing that Pikapi would be in good hands still now that Pikachu-Pi was here to help keep Pikapi in line.
"Oh, so that's where he went! I was beginning to worry about him," sighed Professor Juniper, relief coursing through her was evident in her tone of voice.
She smiled before addressing Ash, "Well, Ash, if it's not too much of a bother, you can keep Oshawott. I'll send you his Pokeball through the Portable Transfer System. Take good care of him, okay? As you noticed, he's a bit enthusiastic and tends to be… impulsive. By the way, Ash, you are now able to hold eight Pokemon in your team."
"That's great, Professor! Thanks!"
The Pokeball was immediately sent by Professor Juniper, only to find out that Oshawott had run away again somewhere.
After a long day of finding Oshawott, helping the hot sand spa, the Sandile, and the wild Pokemons, and fighting Team Rocket, Misty supposed that they deserve this treat of trying out the new hot spring of the hotel that came out from the geysers. She had sent out Corsola, Psyduck, Staryu, and Seadra to refresh themselves as Ash did with Rufflet, Gible, Larvitar, and Oshawott.
"Wow, your Pokemon are cool, Misty! You even have a Seadra!" Iris gushed as she met the rest of their Pokemon, especially Seadra who will evolve into a Kingdra and adopting a dragon-type.
Misty smiled as she saw Pikachu playing with Staryu, Psyduck, and Corsola. She guessed that Pikachu missed them as they had missed Pikachu. Oshawott swam peacefully with Seadra and had acquainted himself with the other Pokemon. Gible and Larvitar were hanging out at the edge of the springs with Axew and Rufflet was observing them.
"Thank you, Iris! They're Pokemon I acquired when I traveled with Ash in Kanto and Johto," Misty replied before turning her attention to Ash. "Speaking of Pokemon and Ash, that Sandile reminds me of your Squirtle."
Ash looked up at her and grinned, "Oh yeah! The sunglasses, right? So cool. I wonder if we'll meet it again."
Iris looked at him incredulously. "It's a wild Pokemon, Ash. You wouldn't."
"Well, wild Pokemon often follow us around. I remember the Jigglypuff who wants to show off her skills followed us throughout our travels," Misty giggled as Iris bit this information.
The Cerulean sister fondly sighed, "It's never really a boring day when traveling with you, is it?"
Ash laughed. "I suppose it's not."
"Oh man, I thought this was Striaton City!" Ash whined as he learned that Striaton was at least the next town over. He had been psyching himself up ever since he saw the buildings from a far only to find out that this was Accumula Town.
"Ash, we don't have Brock anymore. We're lucky that Iris knows the places we want to go to," Misty admonished before narrowing her eyes. "Why won't you use your map, though?"
"Misty, you know what happened the last time you and Brock made me hold the map," Ash retorted and Misty thought back, sighing when she realized he was right.
Iris then piped up. "Don't worry, though. There's a Battle Club in the area! I'm heading there right now."
This piqued Ash's interest.
"I'm Don George and I am this Battle Club Manager. This place is suited for your battle needs."
Misty paused. "This? Does this mean there's other Battle Club in the region managed by… Don George, too?"
At this information, Ash came into realization. "Don George… so you're like a family too, right? Like the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys."
The burly manager of the Battle Club chuckled good-naturedly at Ash and Misty's inquiry and observation.
"I suppose we are. Now, are you ready to battle?"
Ash grinned. "Of course!"
"This would be two-on-two battle between Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town and Daniel Ootori from Twinleaf Town. Ready, begin!" announced Don George.
Ash's opponent – Daniel – was a boy around his age with unkempt hair and eyeglasses, sent out his Pokemon.
"Krokorok, in the battlefield!"
A crocodile-like Pokemon emerged in the field who promptly roared when he materialized.
Krokorok, the Desert Croc Pokémon, and the evolved form of Sandile. The special membrane that covers Krokorok's eyes detects heat, which allows it to see in the dark.
Ash grinned at seeing a new Pokemon and battling a strong one, too. He clutched his chosen Pokeball from his belt and threw it out.
"Butterfree, I choose you!"
Iris looked at awe as the butterfly Pokemon materialized, a yellow scarf on his neck, giving out a squeal as he fluttered above the field.
"A bug/flying type, huh? Krokorok, Stone Edge!"
Sharp rocks materialized and shot towards Butterfree, the butterfly managing to dodge out everything but was bitten by Krokorok. Ash ordered Butterfree to use Bug Buzz and the Pokemon promptly fluttered his wings faster, making it vibrate and produced a damaging sound wave that caused Krokorok to get blasted away.
Daniel gritted his teeth. "Rock Slide, Krokorok!"
The crocodile who managed to get himself up promptly produced rocks which fell from above, hitting Butterfree as he tried to dodge. "Oh no, Butterfree, are you okay?"
"Furrrreeeee!" 'Could be better.'
Ash smiled. "Okay, use Sunny Day and then Morning Sun!"
"As if I'd let you recover! Assault Butterfree with Stone Edge!"
Krokorok sent rocks with sharp edges flying to Butterfree but Butterfree managed to dodge it skillfully. The light was becoming brighter now and Daniel had noticed that Butterfree didn't just dodge the stones thrown at him, he was following at rhythmic pattern. The butterfly's wings sparkled, as if regaining strength. His eyes widened at Butterfree using Sunny Day, Morning Sun, and…
"Hey, is that Quiver Dance?! Alright, Butterfree! Let's finish this with Signal Beam!"
"Krokorok, Dig to dodge!"
Before the crocodile could have begun digging, a beam of light came out of Butterfree and hit Krokorok squarely on its chest, sending it flying to the wall. As the dust settled, it was clear that Krokorok was out for the count.
A red beam collected Krokorok. "Thank you, my friend."
Daniel switched the Pokeball in his belt with his last Pokemon. "Go, Lilligant!"
A humanoid Pokemon with plant characteristics emerged in the battlefield.
Lilligant, the Flowering Pokémon. The beautiful flower on Lilligant's head gives off a relaxing fragrance, although getting it bloom can be difficult even for a veteran Trainer.
"A Lilligant, huh? You must be a tough trainer because your Lilligant's flower had bloomed!" Ash commented to which Daniel answered with a sheepish smile and a "thank you".
"Return, Butterfree. Have a good rest."
Ash smirked as he sent out his second Pokemon.
"Pidgeot, I choose you!"
The big bird let out a strong squawk as she materialized, her magnificent plumage was prominent, it was clear that she was taken good care of. Don George had feasted his eyes on Ash's Pokemon as Kanto species were rare in Unova. He wouldn't have pegged the Butterfree as a battler but he was floored when Krokorok got defeated. He looked at Daniel's Lilligant and he could see a faint gulp from the flower Pokemon.
As it stood, Lilligant was no match for the experienced Pidgeot, who hadn't been slacking as she became the flock leader and the guardian of Viridian Forest. Lilligant's stats may have been boosted with Quiver Dance but her attacks barely made Pidgeot flinch as the bird of prey dived for a Brave Bird attack, finishing off the Grass-type. Daniel thanked Ash for a great match.
"Hope that I'll get to battle you next time, too!" Daniel said as he thanked Ash for a great battle. Misty and Iris came along.
Misty quipped, "He was nice. More amiable than that Trip kid."
Ash merely hummed. He was put off by Trip's attitude but he also had a cocky phase too. Besides, Ash just wanted to help new trainers in any way he can. After four regions – five, if you include the Orange Isles – and after meeting a bunch of people along the way, he knew the importance of having friends, and if a rival comes along the way, it's a bonus to your progress.
He just hoped Trip would realize that, too.
"Hey, Ash, why didn't you use Rufflet or Oshawott?" Iris asked.
Ash replied, "I'd be using them later for low-level battles to train them, it was just that I promised Pidgeot and Butterfree a battle, and the Battle Club is a perfect way I can train my team."
Misty then said, "Before you, me first!"
Just before Ash can retort, the alarm on the club rang.
Don George, "Well, that's the emergency alarm. I'm sorry, Misty but we'll have to suspend your battle for now."
The group collectively decided to help the Battle Club in its predicament and they were not surprised to see Team Rocket in the footage that the security camera managed to catch but the Battle Manager pointed out that it wasn't just them that the camera managed to get sight of. Replaying the feed, due to its speed, it was hard to take notice of the thin, black creature who managed to blur in the camera.
"Maybe, it's an Umbreon!" Ash exclaimed as he showed Iris and Don George his Pokedex.
Misty raised an eyebrow at this. "An Umbreon in the Unova region? Come on, Ash."
"If it really is an Umbreon, then it will be a great find!" the battle club manager exclaimed as they made plans to find and capture the said Pokemon.
The unidentified Pokemon wasn't an Umbreon, as they later found out, but an abandoned Tepig. Ash had to chase it to untangle and remove the rope that was tightly tied around its snout. Seeing Ash's emotions went haywire as it flared to anger but he managed to compose himself enough to let an assuring smile to the wild Pokemon so that the fire-type can eat.
After meeting with the Battle Manager and learning of the story of how Tepig got abandoned because it lost a battle, Ash thought back of how Charizard was abandoned, Quilava almost caught by a trainer who won't care for her, and how Paul abandoned Infernape just because it wasn't enough to keep up with Paul's standards. Ash seethed in anger to think how many trainers would have hurt Pokemon instead of showering them with love and support.
Iris leaned over to Misty and whispered, "Why does Ash seem so worked up about Tepig? I mean, I am too, but it looks more troublesome to him."
Misty sighed. "Well, Iris, let's just say it's not the first time Ash encountered abandoned Pokemon."
Iris nodded before exclaiming, "If I ever meet that trainer, I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget."
This startled Tepig awake and Ash's gaze softened as he apologized to Tepig. At that moment, Team Rocket showed themselves carrying a bag followed by a worried Oshawott. Ash, then, realized that Pikachu was missing since he left the two together before he found Tepig.
"Hey, that bag! Who's that voice? That sounds suspiciously like Pikachu," Iris exclaimed.
"'Who's that voice' so naïve, indeed," Jessie began.
"We'll answer you when we feel the need!" James followed.
The motto was promptly recited.
"Give me back, Pikachu!" shouted Ash.
James teased, "Ha! Not after you left it in a box!"
Jessie taunted, "How could you abandon your Pokemon? We just saved your Pokemon from harm – from a trainer of the lowest order."
Misty gasped, "Oh no, they didn't."
It was then at this moment that Ash's temper broke. His aura spiked that even Misty and Iris went rigid as they felt his emotions emanating to them. Team Rocket absolutely did not visibly gulp.
James said, "Oh no, I think we went too far. We know how the twerp feels about Pokemon being abandoned."
"'Ya think?" Meowth deadpanned.
"Oh hush you, we're the bad guys," Jessie frantically placated and failed, before saying, "hurry up on that barrier transport, Meowth!"
Meowth pushed a button from a small remote and a beam of light was promptly produced. A small-dome shaped barrier emerged and set up as both protection and transportation by the trio and as they gained altitude, Ash ran towards them just before slipping on a puddle of water. Tepig, sensing the trainer's ingenuity and care towards his Pikachu promptly volunteered to fight. Ash relaxed and calmed down as he smiled towards the fire-type starter.
"Alright, Tepig, use Ember!"
Small flames and cinders went out of Tepig's snout and was directed to Team Rocket where it clashed with the barrier, making it explode and Pikachu promptly dropped out of the bag. Ash rushed to catch him. Team Rocket fled, not bothering for a fight.
Pikachu and Ash thanked Tepig for his assistance.
"I've got to say Tepig, you're a cutie!" Iris commented as she and Misty arrived at their side. She scrunched up Tepig's face before clutching a Pokeball and exclaiming, "I think I'd like to catch you!"
Tepig, however, was unenthused as it shook his head, promptly turning to Ash. Don George saw this scene and let out a hearty laugh.
"Seems like Tepig has chosen Ash as his trainer. After all his hard, Tepig knows a great trainer when it sees one," Don George commented.
Ash smiled.
Again, thanks for your positive response to this fic, even if this was an impulsive, self-indulgent one. I do enjoy reading your reviews/comments.