A good few days later – partly due to Ash setting up camp early so that they can train a bit – they still hadn't arrived in Vermilion, but they were close. One evening, while making dinner after training, Ash said to Phantump, "I think it is worrisome that we haven't heard anything from your trainer yet. The associated ID number of your ball was matched to a trainer, so where is he?"
"Honestly, I haven't seen Tyler in such a long time, I start to think he abandoned me.", answered Phantump. "Will you leave me if Tyler isn't found?"
"Do you want to?", countered Ash with his own question.
"No."
"Then you stay with us." Rowlet just hooted at her trainer's answer.
"Rowlie, I just can sit out the battles, if it bothers you so much.", told her Phantump, "I am not allowed to partake in the actual league anyway." Rowlet then hooted and chirped angrily.
"Rowlet!"
"She just doesn't like to be called Rowlie.", chimed the Frillish in. "And she is a bit jealous she can't understand you."
"Oh, Rowlet! One day you will be able to when you become a Decidueye!", reassured her Ash. "Now, Phantump, don't call her Rowlie, okay?"
"Okay, Ash." After Phantump agreed, Rowlet calmed down from her tantrum.
Rowlet then hooted something which Dreepy translated, "Rowlet asks if she can fly around."
"Sure, but keep your eyes open and be vigilant, Rowlet." Having her trainer's green light, she shot in the air and flew though the nearby forest. She landed though on a big birch and just looked around. Seeing nothing of interest, she proceeded to preen her feathers.
Ash the while was star gazing. He took out his phone and made a picture of the constellation 'laying Arcanine'. Seeing his camera wasn't utter shit for once, he send the picture to Delia, sharing the nice view in a way with his mom, even though he knows she won't see the picture until tomorrow.
Phantump, Frillish and Dreepy were getting ready for sleep, so was Snorunt. Rowlet was not tired, she was enjoying the night. She was getting ready to fly back – well knowing her team is not nocturnal like her – when she saw something under she tree she was on. She flew down and landed, taking a closer look. She realized she found a man on the floor. Rowlet sensed he was alive.
She instantly flew to the camp, making noise on the way.
"What the heck is going on, Rowlet?", he asked her.
Frillish translated her hooting and chirping, "Rowlet found a man in the forest, he is laying on the ground, not moving but alive. We need to help him."
"Lead the way, Rowlet.", said Asher. He and his team then followed the team. They followed Rowlet into the forest, until they reached the man.
Ash moved the man on his side, so that any potential vomit can drain out to free the air way. One of the first things when Aurore Laverne taught him. While the vomit drained, he called the authorities. He was asked to figure out if the person he found is a Mindless and if yes, where he is on the spectrum. Well, it was clear he wasn't on the most extreme end of the Mindless.
After the vomit drained onto the ground, the man woke up. Ash gave him water. He spoke in a language Ash didn't understand – it sounded like Kalosan – he then realized Ash didn't understand a word he said and stopped.
"Uh, thanks kid. By Arceus, my head.", he said in Galarian – essentially the world language - waking up.
"Mister, what is the last thing you remember?", asked Asher.
"I remember walking though the forest, I don't know why I walked around. Then I blacked out.", answered the man. "I don't remember anything beforehand. I-I don't even remember my name!"
Ash flinched in his mind, the guy is that kind of Mindless, total memory loss, but still functional. Aware that something is missing, arguably worse than death for some. Phantump came closer to Ash and the man.
"Tyler! That is my trainer Tyler!", announced Phantump and hugged Tyler, who was very confused.
"Uh, what is your Pokemon doing?", asked 'Tyler'. Ash could feel how fear radiates from Tyler, an subconscious type of fear, one he feels himself around Arcanines.
"Phantump isn't mine, he is a lost Pokemon I care for... Listen, sir, this may sound weird but I can understand ghost types. Phantump said you're his trainer, that your name is Tyler."
"Tyler feels familiar... I... I don't know if I am his trainer, but I feel like I don't want to take him back. Or any of my team.", answered Tyler. "I feel like I want to have nothing to do with Pokemon." Phantump felt hurt by this, while Ash was just confused by this. Even with memories gone, wanting their Pokemon gone feels so weird for Ash.
"Well, I called the authorities, they will sort it out.", said Ash. "We'll see how you decide, when you get informed of your old life."
Soon after, they were picked up by the police and an ambulance and brought to Vermilion City. Asher was asked to stay close for questioning and for Phantump, so he stayed in a hotel and waited for any news on Tyler. Snorunt and Frillish tried to soothe Phantump. Rowlet, while she doesn't exactly like Phantump, knows it probably hurt to hear from their trainer that they aren't wanted anymore after being separated for so long.
Ash, the next morning, called professor Oak. Said man was surprised Ash was the one calling for a change. "Oh, Ash? You call? Did something happen?"
Tracey asked in the background, "Did someone give you a new Pokemon?"
"No, if anything I potentially loose one. We found Phantump's trainer last night. Dude is a Mindless, the type that have their memory erased. He said he felt like he doesn't want his Pokemon anymore.", explained Ash.
"That sounds more like you get to keep Phantump, Ash."
"I know, but isn't it kind of sad that Tyler rejects Phantump? I felt subconscious fear radiating from him, when Phantump approached him.", said Ash.
"Mm... you see, we noted a pattern emerging with some Mindless, ones like Tyler. They are distancing themselves from Pokemon, their own at that.", told him the professor. "I am not supposed to tell you this, but as you can sense it, it seems to be caused by Pokemon, or at least is connected to Pokemon. All Mindless so far have been Pokemon trainers."
"Scary.", was all Ash could say.
"I know. Now, take care of Phantump, he probably needs a bit more attention."
"Will do, professor."
"Also, your mom was happy of the picture you send her."
The rest of the day, as well as the following was spend with training, mainly to pass time for any news about Tyler and to distract Phantump. Rowlet was cooperating enough to let herself be tutored by Phantump. To be fair, Ash my have egged her on by saying she has to replace Phantump as the ace at some point. Phantump was not offended by that, he saw it as Ash being sure Tyler will take him back when he clears his mind. That could be the wish thinking, though. Ash also made some trips into the nearby forest to catch Vulpix. He found three and all of them ran before he could catch them.
Then one day, he and his team was training on the battle fields of the local gym center. Ash watched how trainers trained for Surge and rushed to get their Pokemon healed after being smacked by the man. Ash didn't really think about that, his mind is still on Tyler and Phantump. He watched a sparring battle between Rowlet and Phantump, when the speaker system of the center started. The nurse announced, "Would the On-Field Trainer and Researcher Asher Farron Ketchum please go to the reception? Officer Jenny wants to speak to you. OFTR Asher Farron Ketchum?"
Ash did as he was told and walked into the building, making sure to have Phantump with him. There was no way this isn't about Tyler. At the reception was the Officer Jenny of Vermilion. She asked Ash to accompany her to the station, so they can discuss what happens to Phantump. Arriving there, she guided him into a room. There was Tyler and two older people, Ash got a hunch they're related to Tyler. Not only do they look similar to Tyler, they radiate a sense of relief he only felt from Delia after he returned from the dead. That feeling held on for weeks and was how he realized he can sense feelings when he focuses on it.
The man started to talk to Asher in Kalosan. He had no idea what he was saying. The man realized the language barrier and switched to the world language, Galarian. He said to Ash, "I forgot Kantonians generally don't understand Kalosan. I said that I am Tyler's father and very thankful that you found our son. We've been looking for him for weeks! He traveled to Kanto to challenge your league, but after he arrived in Viridian City, we lost contact."
The woman, Tyler's mother, added, "We are very thankful you found him. We were so worried to never see our son again!"
"I am happy to help.", answered Ash. He than looked to Officer Jenny, before asking, "What about Phantump?"
Tyler answered, "You can keep him, if you want. I can't explain why, but I feel the strong desire to stop being a trainer. I just want to go home and life a normal life. Phantump seems to be happy with you, anyway."
"What about your other Pokemon, Tyler?", asked his mother.
"Maybe the kid can keep them? Or you two, as long as I don't have to do anything."
"What about your siblings?", proposed the father.
"Right, you mentioned siblings.", said Tyler. "Kid, you said you can understand Pokemon?"
"Only ghost types.", corrected him Ash.
"Either way, ask Phantump who he wants to stay with.", said Tyler.'
Ash called out Phantump and explained the situation. He instantly flew to Ash and hugged him. "His siblings are goblins, no way in Giratina's distortion world would I want them as my trainer."
Tyler's father said, "I may not be able to understand Pokemon, but even I know Phantump wants to stay with you."
"What about the others?", asked Officer Jenny.
The parents then called out Tyler's other team members. Tyler had five further Pokemon. A Delphox, a Lapras, an Aegislash, a Noivern (a very cool Pokemon Ash thought) and a Persian. Phantump explained them the situation. The Aegislash said, "Phantump, only you and I think his siblings are nightmares. You more than I do, as I only think they are annoying and to hyper. I stay with his parents, I am too used to them to leave the whole family."
"Meaning?", asked Phantump.
"We stay with them. While we would want that you stay, too, we understand if you stay with that kid.", replied the lady-like Aegislash. She then floated to Ash. "So, you're a ghost whisperer? Nice to meet you. Keep an eye on Phantump. He may appear powerful, but he can be a total whimp at times."
It was clear to everyone the Aegislash insulted her old team mate in a way.
"Aegislash, you're more rude than normally."
"I'm laying an egg soon, dumbass.", revealed the Aegislash.
Ash was surprised by this, as noted by the parents. "What did Aegislash say?", asked the father.
"She is having an egg soon.", he translated.
"Oh. How nice.", commented the mom.
Tyler asked, "Sure that you don't want to keep the Aegislash"
"While I would love to, I won't force her.", answered Ash. "She wants to stay with your family."
"Fine. Let me trade Phantump over to you, kid.", said Tyler.
They connected their dexes. When the trade was concluded, Phantump evolved into Trevenant. After that, he was let go. Well, after the team said their farewell's from Trevenant. Announcing to the team that – the newly evolved – Trevenant stays in their team, only Rowlet was pissed at this, now adding on the jealousy that he evolved while she didn't.
Ash just said, "Relax, Rowlet. I actually plan to use him less until you all catch up to him. I won't go far if I only lean on the strongest. I can't start that habit now." That calmed her down to some extent.
Now that his focus was on Lieutenant Surge, he focused on genuinely train his team, not just to distract Trevenant. He wasn't feeling ready to challenge the Lieutenant yet. His training got interrupted by a call of Giovanni.
"Hello Mr. Sakaki, why are you calling?"
"First of all, call me Giovanni. Secondly, I just want to check on your progress.", answered his sponsor and mentor. "Are you in Vermilion by now?"
"Yeah, I arrived a few days ago, actually. You see, we found Phantump's trainer, he was a Mindless, but only total memory erasure. He said he had the subconscious desire to stop being a trainer, so I got to keep him. Phantump is now a Trevenant.", reported Ash. "I also had my first real OFTR job. I held a presentation at Pokemon tech about the OFTR's and ghost types."
"Interesting. Anything else?"
"I am not sure if you already know..." Ash told him about his reunion with Misty, and the Frillish. "What I want to say is that Frillish is a pretty."
"I see... now, when you challenge Mattis, I asked him to give you tickets for the St. Anne, well, the tournament that happens on the ship.", said Giovanni. "I wanted to tell you in case that idiot decides to make it dependent if you win if he gives it to you. Tel him I warned you, if I think about it."
"Oh really, thanks for the warning, Giovanni."
After that, he got called by Gary, a very big surprise. "Ashy-boy, have you challenged Lieutenant Surge yet?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Don't challenge him until I come to Vermilion, I want to battle you to compare our strength.", explained Gary.
Ash rolled his eyes, "Sure thing, Gary. I am curious what you had been up to anyway."
"Unfair. Gramps keeps me updated on you but not you on me!"
While waiting for that Slowpoke of a trainer, Ash focused a bit more on Snorunt. He felt like he neglected to train her, so he wanted to compensate for that. He focused so strongly on her, that he didn't notice a certain Military man watching his training regime.
Two days after the call, Gary arrived at the Pokemon center Ash was at. Asher told him, "By Arceus, you're such a Slowpoke. Now, what have you been up to?"
"Impressing girls, doing OFTR stuff – mainly assisting Aurore Laverne – and taking on the gyms, minor and major.", explained Gary.
"Minor? I thought you wanted to collect the major badges?", asked Ash his friend and semi-rival.
"Yeah, but a bit more training doesn't hurt. Plus the minor gyms are a good way to accustom new catches to battles.", reasoned Gary.
"That is actually a pretty good point, Gary. I so far had only one OFTR task directly from Professor Oak."
"Yeah, I noted Gramps only picks easy and save stuff for you.", said Gary, "He's worried about Team Rocket trying to snatch you again. And your mom's worries."
"Do you really think he intentionally-"
"Gives you a low work load? I am pretty sure that he only made you an OFTR to keep a closer eye on you, if needed a short leash. You're accident prone, Mr. Return of the dead.", said Gary. "Now... to be fir, Team Rocket is after you, so maybe this is for the better. The presentation was just so that you keep your rank as an OFTR. Have you met Yellow and Green since leaving Pallet?"
"No. I only know from the Professor that they both have lesser Pokemon than us two.", answered Ash.
"What have you done while waiting for my greatness?"
Ash rolled his eyes before answering, "Training the team, especially Snorunt. She needed it the most."
"Ah, your sponsorship Pokemon! Don't tell gramps that I tell you that, but he and Mr. Sakaki have been arguing about you. Sakaki wanted to send you to Unova for a movie his company is making – don't ask me if to partake or for the premier – but gramps said no.", revealed Gary to his friend, "He doesn't think it is a good idea for you to leave the region with Team Spaceship on your but. Mr. Sakaki called him paranoid and poisoned by your mom, he said you would be more save outside Kanto, as Team Spaceship isn't active outside. Tracey supported Sakaki's demand, which, uh, Tracey and gramps don't talk right now."
Ash was quite surprised to hear that. He kinda felt weird. He wasn't taken serious, no, he was treated like a fragile egg and held back. He was used tom this from his mom, but it is different from the professor. Maybe this 'friends with benefits' thing Tracey mentioned is to fault for this, that his mom influenced the professor to some extend?
"Gary, change of topic.", said Ash, "Do you know what friends with benefits are?"
"Uh... why do you ask?", answered Gary. Ash could feel embarrassment leaking from Gary.
"A term Tracey used for mom and the professor."
"That's it. I'm punching Tracey."
"What does it mean?"
Started: 17th September 2023
Edited: 29th July 2024
Finished: 17th September 2023
Uploaded: 8th November 2024