It's the next day, Ash making a call via videophone on the road. Laoise stood nearby patiently to be next.

Soon, Ash's mother, Delia Ketchum, appears on screen.

"Hi, mom! It's me! I'm coming home!" Ash said.

However, it was a video message from Delia.

"Thank you for calling the Ketchum residence. No one's able to take your call at the moment."

Ash shrugged, "It's the answering machine, Pikachu."

Pikachu nodded, "Pika."

Delia's image said, "So please leave a message after the beep, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. "

The beep is heard and Ash leaves his message. "Mom, it's Ash. And I got a surprise. You're gonna have a visitor, and it's me!"

"Don't forget, visitors, and it's all of us!" Laoise cheered. "Oh, right my turn."

Laoise called home to let her parents know she's headed home for the Bluebell Hollows.

Soon enough, they're all heading back to Pallet Town to find out more about the Pokémon League from the hometown expert, Professor Oak.

Ash soon began to speed up, he was so excited to get home. Laoise could hardly blame him, she was feeling the same way.

Brock called, "Come on, Ash!"

"Laoise you too! Slow it down a little, will ya?" Misty said.

Ash said, "I just can't wait to get home!"

"Neither can I!" Laoise laughed.

Ash and Laoise hurried on ahead then suddenly, Ash ran smack into an invisible wall. Pikachu had been on Ash's shoulder and felt it too, thus he fell off and landed on the ground with a pained squeak.

"That really hurt." groaned Ash.

Laoise stopped running just a foot from where Ash was. "What did?"

Brock stopped in his tracks, "What's wrong?"

Misty also stopped, "Why'd you stop running?"

"I ran into this wall." Ash replied.

Pikachu pointed, "Pika!"

"What wall?" Laoise blinked.

Brock knocked on the wall with his right knuckled, "Hey!"

Misty pressed her right palm against it. "I feel it!"

Laoise tapped on it, then spotted the cause, "Look up there!"

Everyone looked up and sees something climbing up the wall.

"I'll check Dexter." Ash took out Dexter.

"Mr. Mime, the Barrier Pokémon. It uses pantomime to make actual walls appear. Because it is rarely discovered, information about this Pokémon is extremely limited."

"That's the same type of pokèmon Fallon has!" Laoise said.

"A Mr. Mime, huh? This is awesome! I just found a really rare Pokémon without even looking!" Ash took out a Pokéball. "Now, I'll catch it with my Pokéball and..."

But before Ash can finish, a voice is heard behind them. "Please, stop!"

Our heroes turn and see what looks like a female circus ringmaster with long deep blue hair. "Won't you please let me catch that Mr. Mime?"

Ash refused, "No way! Why should I? I'm the one who saw it first!"

Brock was immediately infatuated at the sight of the woman and held Ash back, "Ash, be polite! My name is Brock. I'm afraid my young friend's manners are what they should be. Please, be my guest and capture that Mr. Mime."

Laoise facepalmed, and Ash was far from happy. However, the commotion allowed the Mr. Mime to get away.

The woman was named Stella. She brought the group to the circus, where she has her Pokémon perform tricks for the show. The star of the show is her own Mr. Mime, but it will no longer perform because of her harsh training methods. Indeed, the group found it lying around lazily and eating snacks.

"But now I have a way to get Mr. Mime to perform again. I'll just get another one to be its competition." she explained.

Brock understood, "I get it, that'd make your Mr. Mime jealous and it would start performing again."

"Right!"

Misty quipped, "That might work, because Ash tries harder because he's jealous of Gary."

Ash protested, "What are you talking about?! I'm ten times better than Gary!"

"See what I mean?" Misty snarked.

Laoise elbowed her. "Just back off, Misty."

Brock told Stella that he will get a Mr. Mime for her. When Ash is confused as to how Brock would catch the Mr. Mime, Brock tells him that someone should dress up as Mr. Mime and perform in the circus with the hopes that Stella's Mr. Mime will see this and get jealous. They hope it will lead to Mr. Mime wanting to perform in the circus once again.

At the same time, Jessie, James, and Meowth arrive at the Team Rocket HQ. Their boss chastises them for the incident at the Viridian Gym, but they hastily apologized and get away. As they sit in their balloon thinking of a way to get rare Pokémon, a flyer for the Pokémon Circus flew by. They pick it up and hatch a new plan. Brock's plan was revealed to be dressing Ash up as Mr. Mime - which Laoise thought was crazy. Stella pulls out her whip and puts Ash into training before the show, during which he realizes that her training is indeed very harsh, and empathizes with Stella's Mr. Mime.

Eventually, the circus show begins and Ash, in the Mr. Mime costume, comes out for the entry parade and waves to the crowd, including his own mother. Suddenly, the lights go off and Team Rocket arrives. After performing their motto, they capture Ash with a net and leave, believing he is a Mr. Mime.

Misty stared in shock, "They got Ash!"

Pikachu cried, reaching upwards "Pika Pi!"

"This brilliant idea of yours backfired!" Laoise said looking as Team Rocket's balloon floated out of sight.

She was hoping to bring everyone to her hometown but things have gone awry.

Brock gaped, "You're right. We gotta get him back!"

Soon, Ash's mother comes up. "Laoise, Misty, Brock, everyone."

"It's Ash's mom!"

Delia questioned solemnly, "That wasn't a Mr. Mime. It was Ash, wasn't it?"

Everyone looked at Delia, worried.

Misty confirmed "That's right."

"I knew it." Delia said.

Everyone in the audience has left and our heroes have explained what Brock's plan was.

"And that's the story, Mrs. Ketchum." Laoise said apologetically.

Delia brightened, "Well, then, there's nothing to worry about."

Laoise was perplexed. "Nothing to worry about?"

Misty protested, "But Mrs. Ketchum, Team Rocket just kidnapped your son."

Delia reassured, "Don't worry about that, Misty. Team Rocket thought they were getting a Mr. Mime. Once they realize they took Ash instead, I'm sure they'll let him go."

Laoise gulped, "Unless they hold Ash for ransom. That ransom being Pikachu or Mr. Mime."

Delia shook her head. "They probably won't. After all, you can come up with something just in case. Besides, Ash proved he can handle any situation, just like at Porta Vista."

"You're right." Misty agreed.

"Pika."

Delia then invited them all for lunch.

Laoise half-heartedly agreed, guess they're just gonna have to go on a little faith. But if Ash wasn't back by sundown, she was gonna sound the alarm.

In a wood cabin, Team Rocket sits around a meal and talks about how they are going to present their catch to the boss. Meanwhile, Ash unties and unmasks himself, horrifying and infuriating Team Rocket. He escapes and steals Team Rocket's Meowth balloon, further enraging the trio.

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang and Stella are prepared to leave the Ketchum household after their meal.

Brock said. "Thanks for the meal."

"It was delicious!" Misty complimented.

Stella agreed. "Yes, thank you."

"Thank you for letting me use the phone to call my parents too." Laoise said.

Delia smiled, "It was my pleasure. Ash's friends are welcome here anytime."

Soon, the group departs, Laoise had to head home to Bluebell hollows so Brock and Misty offered to join her after agreeing to call the Ketchum residence to make sure Ash returned home safe and sound.

In the meantime, the midday sun shone brightly in the sky as Laoise and her guests tramped down the winding forest path. Though they chatted amiably, worry for Ash gnawed at them all.

"I hope that knucklehead can get himself out of this mess," Misty grumbled half-heartedly. She cared deeply for Ash, though she'd never admit it.

Brock nodded. "Ash has a gift for finding trouble, but he always pulls through."

Pikachu looked back at from where they walked from. "Pika pi." He was ready to hurry back to Pallet and to look for Ash himself if need be.

Laoise kicked a stone, listening restlessly. Finally they walked out of the small forest and followed a road leading into the modernized but cozy community that was Laoise's hometown.

"Well, this is the Bluebell Hollows. I'd called ahead hours ago to let my folks know I'm coming home." She pointed forwards, "It's just down the trail."

Finally they've reached a two story brick house by a large willow tree. She made it back home after being away for so long.

The friends smiled with relief to arrive safely at Laoise's home even though worry for Ash still tugged at them.

"Thanks for walking with me, guys," Laoise said with tired appreciation. "Let me just say hi to Mom and Dad, my sisters are probably out for the time being, and then we can check on Ash."

She led them up the path to the front door. She pressed the doorbell, the door opened and the three were greeted by Hyacinth McGrady. Grey blue business clothes and all.

"Look girls, if it's you're selling chocolate, we've just bought a box-" Hyacinth stopped and saw her youngest daughter stood there. "Oh my word, Laoise? Laoise!"

Laoise then found herself enveloped in a giant hug from her mother.

"Mama! Can't breathe!" Laoise choked out with a grin. Her mother laughed and released her, eyes bright.

Behind Hyacinth, Laoise's father, Dave, looked over and beamed. "Bunnyboo, you're home!" He too came out to hug Laoise.

"It's so good to have you home, sweetheart. You must tell us everything!" her mother said. "Your sisters are out but they'll be home by nightfall."

"It's a long crazy story," Laoise said. "But there's more, have a look!"

She opened her badge case to show all eight badges to her parents.

Hyacinth gasped in delight at the sight of the shiny badges. "Oh Laoise, I'm so proud of you! All eight already?"

"That's my girl, becoming a master Pokémon Trainer." Her father ruffled her hair affectionately.

Laoise's cheeks ached from smiling. She had missed her parents so much.

But then Brock spoke up. "I'm afraid there's no time to catch up just yet, Mr and Mrs McGrady. Our friend Ash was mistaken for a Pokémon and kidnapped by Team Rocket."

Hyacinth's smile faded to a look of concern. "The poor lamb! Well don't just stand there, come inside at once. I'll put the kettle on while you use the videophone."

She bustled them indoors, already going into motherly problem-solving mode. Laoise shot her friends a grateful look as they followed.

Laoise introduced Pikachu, Brock and Misty to her parents as they explained what had happened and how'd inadvertently gotten separated.

Dave offered to drive them back to Pallet town to ensure Ash was able to return home, which they'd accepted.

En route however, they saw smoke coming in direction of the circus. So they drove there, and their instincts proved right.

Team Rocket had burst out with a rubber tank, trapping the circus employees and Pokémon with nets. Stella and her Mr. Mime tried to escape, but Team Rocket turned around and honed in on them. As they are about capture them too, Ash intervened (much to everyone's relief), ordering Pikachu to use Thunderbolt on the tank, but it has no effect due to Team Rocket's use of rubber.

Ash tried to send out Charizard, but it doesn't obey him. Delia tells her Mr. Mime to help, and it builds a wall to block the trio. Stella's Mr. Mime sees this and, when the tank turns around, builds another wall to block them from the other side. The two Mr. Mimes eventually surrounded Team Rocket with a tower of walls. The trio tries to blow the walls out with their missiles, but end up blasting themselves off again.

Delia smiled "That's my little Mimey."

The wild Mr. Mime proceeded to hug Mrs. Ketchum.

Ash was surprised, "Huh? "Your Mimey"?"

"That's its nickname. Isn't it cute?" Ash's mother replied.

Stella then said to her Mr. Mime, "See, Mr. Mime? You can do so much if you try."

Mr. Mime agreed, "Mr. Mime!"

Stella agreed to give up her harsh training. In return, her Mr. Mime forgave her and agreed to perform in the circus again.

With Ash safe and sound, Laoise was able to introduced her friends to her sisters properly over a nice family dinner. Her father's experimental cooking paid off- stew, fresh bread and apple pie warmed them all.

During which Laoise told her parents and sisters about her adventures across Kanto. They listened with rapt attention to her exciting tales. Her Pokémon who'd' been with her also tucked into special Poké food by the back door.

As for the wild Mr. Mime, it decided to stay with Delia and become a helping hand around the Ketchum household. The three trainers would be staying in Pallet town, but promised to meet up with Laoise at Professor Oak's the next day.

Laoise woke up early, getting dressed and having breakfast to be ready for her father to drive her to Prof. Oak's lab. For she and the others have to find out more about the Indigo League for this year.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is seen heading toward their team headquarters to face their boss for their failures. Soon, they see the HQ in the distance.

James stopped, "There's his fabulous headquarters. "

Jessie pointed out. Wait a minute. What's the worst he could do to us?

"He could yell and scream and fire us all." James said.,

Or assuming he literally doesn't annihilate them.

Meowth mumbled, "Not if we quit first."

"We quit! Let's go!" The trio said altogether.

Suddenly, as Team Rocket starts to walk away, the HQ exploded!

Naturally they were greatly alarmed at the sight. James and Jessie clung to each other in fright and Meowth stopped right in his tracks then glanced up. "Hey, what's dat?!"

Jessie and James followed his gaze, looking upwards to see something fly away at rapid speed from the destroyed HQ, not knowing that was Giovanni's secret weapon.

Shocked, they approached the remains of the building.

Jessie murmured. "The boss must be... "

However Giovanni was heard and seen with his Persian, still alive and angry. "That thing!"

The troublesome trio hurried to their boss.

"Sir!" Jessie called.

James questioned, "Are you okay?"

"Now more bad news." Giovanni grumbled, "What are you three doing here?!"

With Jessie and Meowth behind him, and Giovanni's Persian in front of him, ready to pounce, James prepared to tell Giovanni that they quit.

Before he could so, Giovanni's helicopter arrived to pick him up. Jessie asked if there is anything they can do.

"Just do your job for a change!" Giovanni snapped as he and his Persian swept into the helicopter.

Jessie winced, "I'm sorry I asked."

Giovanni's helicopter took off. With renewed confidence, Team Rocket aspired to catch more Pokémon.

"Come on, everybody! Let's go on wit da show!" Meowth cheered.

In the meantime, Dave dropped off Laoise at the entrance to Prof. Oak's, there she met up with her friends so that they find out more about the Pokèmon League.

The doorbell to Professor Oak's lab is rung.

"Come in!" The Professor called out.

Ash opened the door to enter, "Professor Oak! It's me, Ash!"

"And me, Laoise, too!" Laoise waved.

Prof. Oak stepped out, "Oh, what a surprise! It's great to see..." And then he noticed Togepi, "a Togepi?!"

Ash fell face first in disbelief while everyone else sweat dropped.

"Pikachu." Pikachu squeaked, commiserating with his trainer's embarrassment.

Ash got up. "Glad you like it."

Prof. Oak lead the gang to his living room. "It just so happens that you two aren't the only Pokémon trainers to stop by today."

Everyone noticed that Gary is already in Prof. Oak's living room.

Gary noticed them and sneered, "Well, now, I'm not surprised you two showed up late, I'm surprised you two showed up at all."

Ash snapped. "Hey!"

Laoise folded her arms, "Watch it, Gary!"

Prof. Oak said their calmly, "Alright, calm down, you two. Why can't the Buebell hollows top trainer and Pallet's top two get along?"

Ash, Laoise and Gary can't believe what they heard. "Top trainers?! Not him/them!"

Prof. Oak nodded, "That's right. All three of you are such fine trainers that you'll be Pokémon masters before long. You might be able to learn from each other."

Ash, Laoise, and Gary just turned away from each other. Then Ash's Krabby comes in carrying a tray of cups of tea.

"Here's your Krabby, Ash." Prof. Oak noticed.

Ash greeted it, "How ya doing, Krabby? Long time, no see."

"That's his, huh?" Gary murmured then smirked.

Prof. Oak then said, "Four Pokémon trainers left Pallet Town on their Pokemon Journeys, but you Ash, and Gary with Laoise emerging from the Bluebell Hollows have earned the most badges and I'm very proud."

Ash asked, "What happened to the others?"

"The trainers got off to an excellent start, but they just didn't have the skill."

"Oh, that's too bad." Ash shrugged.

Gary scoffed. "Those trainers just wimped out."

Laoise then questioned, "Hey, yeah what about the others from my hometown that set off way before I did?"

The others listened in curiously.

"Ah, they kept working with pokèmon but with different paths. Some chose performing others took to coordinating." Prof. Oak replied, "But Gary has ten badges, and you and Laoise earned eight badges, Ash. That's really quite remarkable."

Ash was a little bashful. "Well, gee. Thank you."

Laoise raised her hand, "I noticed that three of those ten badges came from elsewhere on Gary's journey, he told me and the rest to forget about trying to find the gym on Cinnabar Island. But we managed."

Prof. Oak sipped his tea, "I suppose Gary didn't look hard enough."

Gary visibly sweat dropped.

Misty then said, "Hey, the Pokémon deserve lots of credit, too."

Pikachu nodded, "Pika."

"Misty's right. Maybe they deserve more credit than me." Ash acknowledged.

Laoise agreed. "Or me."

Just then they heard something shuffling about near the window, everyone looked over. Prof. Oak isn't too alarmed and for good reason.

At that moment, a little blue face with cotton puffs hopped into view. "Luff!"

"Hey, my Jumpluff!" Laoise smiled in delight.

Gary did a spit take with the tea he'd been drinking. "That belongs to her?!" he pointed to Laoise.

"Aha, yes. It's certainly taking a liking to exploring around." Prof. Oak remarked brightly.

The plant pokèmon from Johto hopped over into Laoise's arms, much to her joy.

"I'm glad to see you too." Laoise hugged it.

Prof. Oak added, "In any case, I'm glad you're both here. It's time for you two and Gary to participate in the Pokémon League."

"Alright, I'm on my way to becoming a Pokémon master! Let's go, Pikachu." Ash stood up.

Pikachu nodded, "Pika!"

Gary then interrupted, "Just one question. Where's the Pokémon League meeting this year?"

Laoise pointed out, "That's why we came here."

Brock nodded, "That's one of the things we came to find out."

Gary began, "The Pokémon League only meets once a year. In the exact same place..."

Ash then dashed in front of Gary and begged him to reveal the location. "Where is it? When is it? You gotta tell us!"

Gary was taken aback.

Prof. Oak responded epically, "Atop the Indigo Plateau. Exactly two months from today. And there'll be more than 200 trainers competing."

"200? Yyyyyyyeah! We're gonna beat em!" Ash cheered in excitement, "Right, Pikachu?"

Pikachu shared his enthusiasm, "Pika!"

Laoise grinned,"Wowzers, this is exciting!" then she thought. 'But wait what if.. If me and Ash end up facing each other?'

Prof. Oak then said, "You, Laoise and Gary should take this time to work hard, train your Pokemon, and get ready for the tournament."

Gary folded his arms and leaned back, "They can try, but even if they had a year to train, I'd beat em both with both hands tied behind my back."

Ash scowled. "You wish."

Laoise said matter of factly, "No Pokémon trainer can fight with their hands tied."

"I'm not saying you and Laoise are bad trainers, Ash. It's just that you both don't have what it takes to beat me." Gary gloated.

"We'll just see about that." Ash glowered.

Then Gary asked, "So, Ash, I guess you're happy with how your Krabby's doing here?"

Ash stoof up straight, "My Krabby's fine!"

Gary just laughed and gets out a Pokéball. "Check out mine."

Gary's own Krabby materialized

Misty had a hand to her mouth, "It's huge!"

Brock added, "Gigantic."

"Great Kukah-monga!" Laoise blurted.

Gary boasted, "I keep rotating my Pokémon so they all get to battle and get bigger and stronger. Good trainers have to be smart enough to help all their Pokémon grow and be the best they can be."

Ash just gulped. Gary also stated that Ash probably uses the same Pokémon all the time. Brock asked what kind of Pokémon Gary would use against his Geodude; Gary replies that he would use a Water-type and have a Grass-type as backup, and asks Ash what kind of Pokémon he would use. Misty answered that Ash would use Pikachu.

Laoise candidly said, "Usually, I'd like to make a team that's a jack of all trades different types."

Gary shrugged, "Maybe so, but how many Pokémon did you two capture? Or are you both too embarrassed to tell me?"

Ash growled. "Of course we're not embarrassed to tell you!"

Misty whispered to Ash, "Don't tell him. It's none of his business how many Pokémon you each have."

But Laoise had already begun counting on her fingers and remembering. "...I had eleven pokèmon once we reached Celadon city. Then when we reached the safari zone that made..."

"Very interesting." Prof. Oak got all of their Pokédexes. "I just scanned all of your Pokédexes and compared them all together, and the results show that Gary has seen sixty different Pokémon, and Laoise and Ash have seen over 100."

Gary sweat dropped from embarrassment.

Ash crowed, "Alright! We both beat him!"

Prof. Oak then said, "But Gary captured many more Pokémon than them."

Ash dropped his head. Laoise rolled her eyes.

Gary folded his arms arrogantly "You both use your Pokédex every time you see a Pokémon, but I know so much about em, I capture em first and ask questions later."

Ash looked at him, "Is that the best way?"

Gary replied, "Of course its the best way, if you know what you're doing."

Laoise became thoughtful the curiously questioned, "But what about that very last Pokémon you faced at the Viridian gym? I just remembered you never told us what it looked like."

Gary became visibly nervous, and changed the subject. "Grandpa, let's go to your lab and show 'em all the Pokémon I caught."

Prof. Oak agreed. "Yes. Good idea. Let's Poké round in my laboratory."

Inside, Prof Oak lead them to aisles full of metallic shelves holding the different pokéballs.

"Well, here we are. These are the Pokéballs that hold the Pallet Town trainers' Pokemon."

Our heroes are amazed. Ash gaped, "Wow! Professor, there must be thousands of Pokémon in here!"

Prof. Oak showed, "And these, these are the ones I received from Ash."

Misty commented. "That's a lot of Pokéballs."

Prof. Oak nodded, "Yes, but they're almost all Tauros from the Safari Zone."

Ash sulked as he remembers that day he caught all those Tauros.

"I remember. That was too bad. Ash really wanted to get just one Tauros, but the herd kept stampeding by each time he threw a Safari Ball."

Pikachu noted, "Pikachu."

"Laoise here now has a grand total of twenty five pokèmon." Prof Oak showed Laoise's pokéballs.

Laoise smiled and blushed.

Gary is then mentioned to have caught over 200 Pokémon, meaning he has multiples of some Pokémon. Gary said that the more Pokémon a Trainer has, the better chance of winning.

Ash said, "You may have a lot of Pokémon, but I bet they're not your friends."

Gary raised an eyebrow, "Friends?"

"Me, and him all formed a bond of friendship with our Pokémon." Laoise said.

"Having lots of Pokémon isn't important, it's what you teach and what you learn." Ash declared.

Gary scoffed, "I'd say that, too, if I had as few Pokémon as you and Laoise."

To diffuse the argument, Prof. Oak goes on to explain that people have different personalities, thus also having different ways of caring for Pokémon. He also says that Pokémon need to be respected and cared for like people.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket, out of their disguises, took the back route to Oak's research field. By accident, Jessie kicked a pebble into a tree, and a horde of Kakuna drop down. In an instant, a swarm of Beedrill flew at them. Team Rocket fled, only to slam into a Snorlax.

Back at the lab as they walked through the field, Oak explained his day, and says that he starts off by checking on all of the Pokémon's health. He decides which Pokémon to let out of their Poké Balls and into a habitat built especially for that type, and feeds them breakfast. By the afternoon, he studies Pokémon and has recently been studying individual Pokémon of the same types. Then, it is time for dinner and he puts the Pokémon back in their Poké Balls.

"You must get to learn a lot, living with so many Pokémon." Ash said.

Prof. Oak agreed, "Yes, living here certainly gives me a unique opportunity to research and communicate with lots of interesting Pokémon."

Laoise marveled at all the diverse pokèmon as she allowed her Jumpluff to enjoy the outside.

Then a Doduo came up to Gary. Gary greeted it, "Hiya, Doduo. How's everything going today?"

Ash took out Dexter to scan it, "Is that your Doduo?"

"Doduo, the Twin Bird Pokémon. It runs faster than it can fly."

Brock commented, "Professor, this is such a great place, the Pokémon must love it."

"I hope so, Brock." Prof. Oak confirmed. "I designed this place so I could study Pokémon the proper way, in their natural habitat, living free. When the Pokémon live in an environment like the one they were born in, it's easier to observe how they're affected by their trainers. In fact, I just made an interesting discovery in that area."

Ash asked, "What was it?"

"Pokémon frequently take on the characteristics of the humans who capture them."

Ash quipped. "Hey, that's true! Like Misty and Psyduck."

Misty made a face, "Ridiculous!"

Laoise covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

"You know what that means?!" Brock suddenly said, "I think I might have a girlfriend! Susie loved her Vulpix and gave it to me, now if the Vulpix is like me, and she still loves it, that means she loves me."

Gary became awkward. "Hey, what's up with this guy?"

"He crushes on any pretty girl he runs into." Laoise said.

Misty mumbled, "More likely, he's on vacation in Fantasy Land."

At that moment they walked onto a patch of wildflowers just as a breeze blew a couple onto them. One landed on on Prof. Oak's pocket and one on Gary's head.

That was when the Paldean Tauros Laoise had caught in the Safari zone, emerged and trotted over. He noticed the windflowers on them then went to sniff the blooms one by one.

"What's with..?" Gary began then stopped as it sniffed the flower on his head.

"Well, hi!" Laoise smiled sheepishly. She took the flower off off Gary's head and held it out to the Tauros to smell. "Looks like I'm definitely naming you Ferdinand."

"Never fails, whenever he's out in the field he prefers to sit in the shade and smell the flowers compared to the other Tauros." Prof. Oak noticed.

Laoise then asked "Hey Professor, does your theory mean they'll probably laugh at the same things too?"

Prof. Oak chuckled good-naturedly. "I wouldn't be too surprised. Of course, this effect only occurs when a trainer keeps in regular contact with his or her Pokémon. Because Ash always uses the same Pokémon, his Krabby and Muk stayed here. And so, it's not surprising that they've become somewhat attached to me."

Soon, Muk appeared right on cue, happy to see Prof. Oak. "Muk, Muk Muk Muk!"

"Is that Ash's Muk?" Laoise noticed.

Everyone but Brock soon saw Muk charge forward and give Professor Oak a hug, only to see him get knocked down by it.

"No, Muk! How many times have I told you not to do that?!" Prof. Oak protested, "You're mucking up my favorite lab coat! You see? I told you Pokemon get attached to you, didn't I?"

Muk proceeded to cover Professor Oak's face.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket is seen climbing up a rocky hill, having escaped the Beedrill, climbs rocks to get to Oak's lab. Jessie accidentally grabs hands with a Geodude. Geodude blushes, but is thrown away. When Jessie puts her hand back down, it lands atop of a Sandshrew's head, angering it and provoking it into repeatedly scratching Jessie's face, then kicking her and fleeing. Suddenly, an angered Onix comes up from out of the ground and starts chasing Team Rocket.

Back with our heroes they were admiring the Pokémon in their habitats.

Misty was in awe, "Oh, wow! Look at all the water Pokémon!"

Laoise greeted her shiny Staryu, Idril. "Hey, Idril, how ya been?"

Ash said, "Professor, I bet you have every kind of Pokémon in the world, don't you?"

Prof. Oak responded. "Definitely not, Ash. We believe there are lots of Pokémon that no one has ever captured or even seen just yet. That's not counting theose in other regions currently registered in books and databases."

Brock agreed. "Yeah, some people used to say long ago that there are only 150 Pokemon, then we met Togepi and aside from the two different ones Laoise caught in the Safari zone, we saw more pokèmon belonging to some of our other friends."

"Yeah, Tatum and Herbie had a couple of them from different areas." Laoise recalled. "Why, I reckon there's a thousand pokèmon here in this world."

"Yeah, come to think of it, the day I left Pallet, I saw a Pokémon that even Dexter didn't know about." Ash commented.

"I saw one in the sky I never saw, it looked like bird made of gold." Laoise added.

Prof. Oak smiled, "It's still a great mystery. No one knows how many kinds of Pokémon there are in this world. Finding new and different Pokémon is a never ending quest. One that only Pokémon researchers, and Ben, have taken up."

Ash said. "You know, Professor, I'm gonna find as many new Pokémon friends as I can."

"Me too!" Laoise declared, "I want to visit all the regions if and when I can! Bonus points if they can help poeple and pokèmon alike to leave a little good in the world."

Gary added, "Me, three! And I'm gonna train them to be as strong as they can be!"

The three trainers look at each other.

Brock remarked, "They really love Pokémon."

Misty then said, "Then maybe they can like each other."

Gary then challenged, "Come on, Ash! Laoise! What do you say we have a Pokémon battle? All three of us could use a little practice before the Pokémon League."

"You mean now?" Laoise asked.

"When else?"

Ash agreed. "Alright, Gary. I'm ready when you are!"

Laoise nodded sternly. "Me, too!"

Pikachu was ready. "Pika!"

Suddenly, an explosion is heard and the smoke from the aftermath is seen in the distance.

"Hey, what's that?!" Misty questioned.

Ash stared. "Yeah."

Prof. Oak said, "That smoke's coming from the Electric Pokémon preserve! Let's go!"

Upon arrival, they see that many Voltorb and Electrode have blown up because Team Rocket trotted onto their territory. Team Rocket tells them that they are there to steal Pikachu. As Gary and Oak were stunned to hear a talking Meowth, Team Rocket performs their motto.

Gary challenged them to a fight, but before the fight begins, Ash's thirty Tauros stampeded at them, sending them blasting off.

"And they're going, going... gone!" Laoise joked.

Gary smirked, "Well, we sure took care of them. Didn't we, Grandpa?"

Ash said, "We didn't really do anything, Gary."

Prof. Oak shook his head, "That's not true, Ash. You're the one responsible for saving my research center."

Ash questioned. "I am?"

Pikachu was stunned. "Pika?"

"All of those Tauros out there are yours." Prof. Oak pointed out.

Ash turned and sees the herd.

Prof. Oak added, "You were the one who captured them. And if they hadn't run Team Rocket off, who knows what would've happened?"

"Having an entire herd does come in handy." Laoise watched them go.

"I guess you're right. Good thing they were here." Ash laughed and waved to the herd.

Gary shrugged. "I'm gonna head on home now."

Ash was surprised. "I thought we were gonna..."

"This has been a long day, and besides, we can have our battle when we get to the Pokémon League."

Ash grinned, "You're on! You can lose to me at the Pokémon League."

Laoise gave a mischeivous smile. "Or me."

Gary smirked, "You two just better make sure you train as hard as I do. See you in two months, guys!" And he walked away.

Later, our heroes are looking out over the pasture where some Pokémon are grazing. Laoise actually was petting her ponyta, which she nicknamed "Sunriser".

"In two months, we'll be competing in the Pokémon League, Laoise." Ash said.

"I know, and I can't wait." Laoise said.

Misty smiled. "Two months seems like forever."

Brock said, "Yeah, but they've got a lot of work to do."

"No worries. Come June, we'll be more than ready."

"We will. Pikachu?" Ash looked to his pokèmon.

Pikachu nodded. "Pikachu."

Ash chuckled "Yeah. We're gonna do it! We're gonna start working right away!"

Right on cue, Prof. Oak dropped a pile of planks of wood into Ash's arms.

"What's this?" Ash asked.

Prof. Oak answered. "You both can start working right away on the fence your Tauros broke."

At that, Oak had the four fix the fence Ash's Tauros broke through.

"Believe me, helping others, sharing their burdens, that's the way to become a better trainer, a better friend, and a better person." He said.

Pikachu was dumbfounded. "Pika."

Though Togepi just obliviously and chirped.

Irritated at first, the four began working on the fence. And with those wise words, Ash and Laoise begin to learn much more, about the Pokémon League, and about life.

To be continued...

Author's note : Okay and now they're to prepare for the upcoming pokèmon league, gonna have to brainstorm on that too. So might be a bit more.

I truly want to focus on my fanfiction "The Path of Thorns" to update and will get back to working on my Isekai fanfiction after a few weeks, though to be blunt, the lack of reviews there have got me feeling down in the mouth.

And, Goosewing what's your name, I don't like it when reviewers leave comments just to ask questions that literally have NOTHING to do with the fanfiction chapter I've just posted.