Pokemon

Heroic Heart and Super Soul

Episode 8

A New Mega Starter

Tom: We got the last rounds coming up.

Sara: Tom! We're ready when you are.

Tom: Let's do this. (Hits the touch-screen buttons.)

TP1

Announcer: Last time Ash and company went to the Cerulean gym and met up with Dawn! Not long after they met up with the same trainer from Prof. Sycamore's demonstration of a new type of evolution. After he lost, Daisy told him to return to challenge her, due to the fact that Misty chose her to be the Leader while Misty's away. Now they're going to talk with Prof. Sycamore.

"I knew I recognized you. Ash Ketchum." Professor Sycamore told him.

Announcer: The adventure continues.

(Beat) In a loud whisper: GOTTA CATCH 'EM, GOTTA CATCH EM, GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL! POKEMON! (Regular) I WANT TO BE THE BEST, THAT NO ONE EVER WAS! TO CATCH THEM IS MY REAL TEST. TO TRAIN THEM IS MY CAUSE. FOR EVERY NEW JOURNEY I FACE, OFFERS A NEW CHALLENGE. FROM NEW FRIENDS, TO NEW RIVALS! NEW POKEMON WITH NEW ABILITIES. BE A HERO, BE A HEERROOO. IT'S IN YOUR SOUL. BE A HERO. BE A HEERRROOOOO. THE POWER IS IN YOUR SOUL. JUST TAKE IT IN YOUR HAAANNNDD! POKEMON.

Ash and his friends were on their way out of Cerulean until Ash caught the eye of Professor Sycamore. He invited them into the building he was staying at. As they were inside they saw all the work he had brought with him; along with the Pokemon. Ash even saw the stone Professor Sycamore had the other day. It was a green stone with a multi-color twist in the middle of it. Ash picked it up and looked at it. Turning it one way then another, just to see if he can get a good look.

"Ah! I see you've taken a liking to the stone that we've recently discovered." he said to him.

Ash looked at him. "Huh? What do you mean?" Ash asked.

"A few weeks ago. A small team of Professors, along with a work force, went to all these islands." he told Ash and his friends.

"These wouldn't happen to be the same islands that Professor Oak went to! Would it?" Misty asked.

"It so happens that you're right." he informed them. "You see. When we went over there we recently discovered many things. We all went in different directions to see what we could find. I happened to find a few of these stones when I traveled over there." he told them from his own memory.

"You found these stones?!" Iris exclaimed surprised.

"What do they do?" Dawn asked.

"Very simple really. All I have to do is put one on my finger, aim it at the Pokemon and it activates. Only to certain types, though. Along with how well your synced." he told them.

"Is that what you did with Heracross?" Ash asked.

"Yes it is. You see, Heracross and I have been a strong team for a long time. As for right now though, I have new starters for new trainers who are on their own journey." he informs them.

"What new starter Pokemon do you have?" Serena asked.

"This way, please!" he explained as he did a guiding motion with his hand. They all followed him and found their way to double doors. They entered through and saw three Poke-balls. Sycamore looked to his assistants. "Hello, everyone." he greeted them.

They looked to him. "Hello, sir!" one exclaimed.

"What can we do for you?" a female assistant asked.

"Please show these trainers the new starter Pokemon inside these Poke-balls!" he requested, his arm extended in a low angle.

"Most certainly." the second female said as she picked up one, holding it above the table. It bust open and the light materialized into a thin looking tree frog like Pokemon.

It looked up as it's line eyes became two dots. They blank twice, as if it's eyes were adjusting. "Froa... (Hmm...)" the Pokemon said.

The first assistant picked up the second ball as the second one picked up the last one. Both burst open and materialized into two different Pokemon. One looked like a small snake with limbs, colored green and the other looked like a fox with red hairs coming out of its ears and the top half of its poofy tail red.

"Wow! What are they?" Ash asked.

"Meet Froakie, Snivey and Fennekin." he told them as he gestured his hand to them.

"These are new starters?" Serena asked.

"New starters and forgot to mention continuing starters." he told them.

"What do you mean by that?" Dawn asked.

"Not only are they meant for other new trainers. Trainers who now have starters can get a secondary one. The League is now testing out a new system. Don't know how it'll fair out. I'm sure we'll know soon enough." he told them.

Serena got up close to Fennekin. "My, aren't you a cutie." she said as she gave the fox a scratch under the chin. Fennekin's head lifted up as it enjoyed the treatment.

"Only one problem Professor! That's the same Froakie." the female assistant informed him.

"It is?" he wondered.

"Afraid so!" she stated.

"Huh? What does she mean?" Ash asked.

"Thing is this. We've let many trainers have this Pokemon! But, either it ran away from them or they came back, wanting a different one when it doesn't want to obey or something." he informed them.

"Snivey is also the same way with trainers. Except we've never had one to return." the woman told them.

"You see, those two are pretty picky. Except for Fennekin." Sycamore told them.

"Which is why we like doing research on them. To find out more about all the Pokemon." the male Professor told them.

"I do want to know this, Ash." Professor Sycamore said as he looked at him. Ash's eyes met his, to know what he wanted. Sycamore held out an enlarged poke-ball. "I want to battle you; just to help promote my research and new starter Pokemon." he explained. Ash gavbe a nod that he would help him.

Later on the two of them go outside to the crowd that has surrounded the place. "Everyone! I thank you all for coming, once again." he told them. "Today I have a special guest." he informs them. "I present to you all, Ash Ketchum! The victor in the Sinnoh League." he informs them as he gestures to Ash, walking out into the open. Everyone murmured to one another, seeing the Victor. "He's here to help me show how this new evolution works. Including, to show the new starters. So please! Come inside and we'll show you everything!" he explains.

Everyone followed inside and to where they all arrived to a stadium. It wasn't big though as the lights were turned on. One of his assistants went to the side center of the stadium. Ash and Sycamore went to each side of the stadium as gave off a competitive look. Everyone watched from the side lines.

"Be ready, Ash! I won't go easy on you." Sycamore told him.

"Wouldn't expect it." Ash to informed him.

"Perfect!" Sycamore explained.

"READY! BEGIN." the ref. called out.

"GO NOW!" Sycamore said as he ran his fingers through his own hair and tossed the ball. It burst opened. From the light and formed Froakie.

"Froakie! (Yeah!)" it said, ready for battle.

"I'LL CHOOSE, PIDGEOTTO!" Ash called out as he threw his Poke-ball and out came Pidgeotto. He cawed his name, ready for battle. "Use Quick Attack." Ash said.

Pidgeotto went in fast as Serena got out her PokeDex. It beeped twice. "Pidgeotto! The Bird Pokemon and the Evolved form of Pidgey! It has outstanding vision. However high it flies, it is able to distinguish the movements of its prey as it renders it immobile. Using well-developed claws, then carries the prey more than 60 miles to its nest." the Dex stated.

Pidgeotto grew near to Froakie. "Dodge and use Pound!" Sycamore told Froakie.

The Bubble Frog jumped high and hit Pidgeotto hard. That he hit the ground, before Froakie landed. Pidgeotto got back up and gave a glare at it. Froakie returned it, changing its flat eyes to cubicle.

"Don't get intimidated Pidgeotto! Use Ariel Ace." he said.

"Pid- geooo. (Here goesss.)" he said as he flew into the air. He came around and headed straight for Froakie. Right in the crowd was Trip. He was watching the battle; since he was more interested in Sycamore's discoveries. Pidgeotto went in fast towards Froakie.

Sycamore flipped his hair. "Use Bubble." Sycamore called out.

"Froa-kie! (Hi-ayah!) the Pokemon exclaimed as he released bubbles out of it's mouth.

"DODGE AND USE QUICK ATTACK!" Ash shouted. Pidgeotto was hardly able to dodge in time and quickly sped up, hitting Froakie head on. Ash saw how fast Froakie's attack is. Yet, he had to focus on the battle.

"Use Growl then pound once more." Prof. Sycamore told 'em when he hit his bangs to the side.

"Froooaaaaa. (Gurrrrrr.)" the frog Pokemon growled. Pidgeotto stood it's ground. Ash smiled, knowing the training he did the past few weeks with him paid off. Froakie then charged in and came within hitting range.

"DODGE AND USE WHIRLE WIND." Ash said.

Saying the last part of it's name multiple times, it sent a strong wind, whirling and it hit Froakie. Froakie hit the wall out of the field and was on the ground, eyes closed, The woman raised her arm. "Froakie is unable to battle!" she declared.

Prof. Sycamore returned Froakie. "Great job. You deserve a good rest." he complimented. After he put away the Poke-ball he brought out another. "This time, Ash. Use your strongest. This will be a challenge." he informed him.

"Right!" Ash replied and returned Pidgeotto. "Return!" he called. "Take a nice rest." he told him and put his Poke-ball away. "Go Pikachu!" he called. Pikachu went onto the field and sparked his cheeks.

Prof. Sycamore smirked as others were murmuring. One asking if he was going to use such a small Pokemon. Another wondering if it was weak. Many comments were being said, even as questions. 'From the sounds of it! Seems like People are very curious about his decision. We'll see soon.' Sycamore thought then threw his Poke-ball and ran his fingers through his hair "Come on out, Heracross!" he said and the ball burst open.

Heracross had its arms up in a defense style as the light went way, then went to a normal stance. "Heracro. (Ready.)" it said.

"GO PIKCHU!" Ash said.

"Pika-pika. (I'm ready.)" he said as he got into position.

"Now...!" he brought out his ring, after tossing it in the air, and aimed it. "Let's see how you can handle it, while it has extra power." he fired a beam and it hit Heracross. The Pokemon evolved further. When Ash saw this, it was no surprise. He felt a little upset at how the Heracross now looked. Plus, thinking about the extra power Heracross had. He was thinking it might be going through a lot of pressure at the moment.

Tossing his hair. "Use Megahorn!" Sycamore told the beetle.

Its horn began to glow white and it charged at Pikachu as it flew. "Iron Tail, Pikachu! Let's go." Ash said. Pikachu ran towards Heracross and jumped into the air. When he did his tail began to glow as well. Sycamore gasped when he saw this. Pikachu flipped a couple of times before his tail hit the stronger version of Heracross.

The Pokemon hit the ground and gradually got up. It had a good hit mark on its head from Pikachu's Iron Tail. Pikachu was now right back in the spot from where it began its attack. "Use Thunder Bolt!" Ash told him.

"Piii-kkaaa-ccchhhhhuuuuuu! (Here I goooo!)" he said as he unleashed a Thunder Bolt. It hit Heracross. But after the attack, it looked as if it did hardly any damage.

"You see. Even though Heracross would get damaged badly, especially since Pikachu is your strongest! I have discovered that a high level Pokemon is hardly a match for this new style of evolution." Sycamore claimed as he messed with his hair.

"Even if it is a new style! Doesn't mean it's improved." Ash said to himself.

Waving his hair. "Use Cut!" Sycamore called out. Heracross's claws began to glow white and it lunged for Pikachu, giving it a direct hit. "Now use Take Down!" he called out as he was bent over in a pose. Heracorss went in again, at a fast seed and hit Pikachu. As he landed on the field, Pikachu was banged up a good bit.

"You best stop, Ash! I don't know if Pikachu can handle that." Misty told him, worriedly.

"I know Pikachu and I looks like that Heracross can't do much more either." Ash said. Misty looked puzzled and looked over to Heracross. Heracross was panting a good bit. This puzzled her even more. If Professor Sycamore was trying to advertise for this, why is Heracross looking tired.

"Use Mega Horn." Sycamore called out having his hand in his hair as he did a pointing pose. Heracross flew fast once again.

"Iron Tail!" Ash called out. Pikachu ran forward as well and jumped into the air, his tail glowing white. He flipped twice and hit Heracross on its horn. Both were in a tie. "Now use Thunder Bolt." Ash called out as well.

"PIKAAA-CHUUUUUU! (AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!)" Pikachu exclaimed as a Thunder Bolt went down its own tail and caused an explosion to send Heracross backwards.

"Iron Tail!" Ash called out once again. Pikachu ran and swung its lit tail into Heracross, knocking it out. Pikachu panted heavily, all banged up. Prof. Sycamore is in complete shock. He surely thought his own Pokemon would win. The Ref./Assistant raised her arm up with the flag.

"Heracross is unable to continue! Ash's Pikachu wins." she stated as she swung the flag in his direction.

Ash smiled, but went forth and picked up Pikachu. "You did great buddy!" he commented on his partner then looked to the Professor. "I'll admit, I thought you had us beat." he told him. Everyone looked at them both as Professor Sycamore looked at his own Pokemon.

He gave off a small chuckle. "I guess I got more research to do. I thought I had it all done up." he said. "Great job Ash." he commented. Everyone murmured to one another about the battle. As they looked at the fainted Heracross it gave off the same white glow and devolved back. They each murmured seeing that, thinking that what he advertised was a major fluke. "Please, everyone! Please! The new evolution is only temporary. This makes the Pokemon more powerful." he told them. "Not only that, but if you all go into the other room, I'll show you all the other two new starters." he told them.

"I honestly think that Heracross was being placed under pressure." Ash told Sycamore. No one else heard this as they began to depart to the other room.

Professor Sycamore looked to Ash. "Huh? What do you mean?" Sycamore asked.

"That evolution might make it stronger. It also probably took more energy for it to use." Ash told him. Sycamore looked at Heracross as it began to recover. "I'd say, look more into the new evolution! See its strengths and weaknesses." he told him before he began to head on out. Sycamore looked at his own Pokemon and returned it.

He looked at the Poke-ball. "More research it is then." he said.

"I'd recommend not to." Ash told him. He looked towards Ash as he stood at the entrance of the Arena. "If Heracross is going to lose that easily. Then it's best not to. Especially since it's over powering. I doubt I would use it." Ash stated as he finished, looking down at Pikachu; right before he departed. Sycamore looked at the Poke-ball.

After Ash had departed, he began to head for the Pokemon Center. Misty and the others were rushing to catch him. "Hey, Ash!" Misty called out. Ash stopped and looked back at them. They caught up to him and looked at Pikachu. "Is he okay?" Misty asked.

"Yeah! I know he will be." Ash told them.

"Why didn't you call him back? That Pokemon was far too strong." Iris requested.

"It's because I knew I'd win. Especially since that Heracross was undergoing a lot of pressure." he informed them.

"Still, that's very irresponsible of you, Ash Ketchum." Dawn told him.

"I know and I really didn't mean to. But I had to show him the downfalls. I knew Pikachu could handle it." he told them.

Misty grabbed his ear and he yelped a bit. "Next time, make sure you get your attack strategies right." she told him, then released.

"I will! I will. Yeesh. Sorry!" he said as he rubbed his ear.

"As for right now! Let's get Pikachu to the Pokemon Center." Serena informed him.

"That's where I was heading." he told her.

They all began to head towards the Pokemon Center. When they arrived, Nurse Joy gave off he usual greeting. "Hello and welcome to the Pokemon Center." she said.

"Hello Nurse Joy. Can you check my Pokemon real quick?" Ash asked as he handed them to her.

"Most certainly." she replied until she saw Pikachu's condition. "Oh my! What happened?" she asked. Ash explained what all had happened. "So Sycamore has a style of evolution!? Seems like it did a number on Pikachu." she commented.

"That and it did one on his Heracross as well." Ash told her.

"That it did." someone said. They all looked and saw Professor Sycamore.

"Professor Sycamore." Ash said in a loud whisper.

"Ash! A certain someone wants to join you on your journey." he informed him.

"Huh? Who?" Ash asked, wondering.

"It's Froakie!" he told Ash as he stood to the side. Froakie was right behind Sycamore, his eyes in a line form.

"Why though? Isn't he for beginners?" Ash questioned.

Sycamore gave a nod. "After his and Pidgeot's battle. He saw how strong you were with your Pokemon." he told Ash. "He came out of his Poke-ball and made signals he wanted to join you." he told him after a brief flashback.

"Are you serious about this Froakie?" Ash asked. Froakie looked up at him and his eyes went from rectangular to cubical again.

"Froa-kie! (I am!)" Froakie replied.

"How did the battle help with his decision?" Ash asked.

"He saw how in sync you were with Pidgeotto. The way you communicated to it and the strength and bond you both had. I think that's what Froakie was looking for. Especially how you and Pikachu battled as one." he told him. "Will you accept?" Sycamore asked as he extended the Poke-ball to Ash.

Ash looked to Froakie, seeing the determination in his eyes, then back to Sycamore. He gave a nod. "I will." he replied and put out his hand. Sycamore handed him Froakie's Poke-ball. "Let's get you checked up first. Also..." Ash said as he aimed the Poke-ball. "...welcome to the team." he told 'em and withdrew the Pokemon. "YES! I CAUGHT...FROAKIE!" he explained as he raised the ball into the air. He opened his Poke-dex and put the button into place. The dex gave off two dings.

"Froakie! The tree frog Pokemon! Newly acquired." the Poke-dex said.

"More like returned. You returned Froakie." Iris said.

"Same thing. I now have another Pokemon on my team, but it chose to come with me. Much like others have in the past." he told her.

"I remember that very well. Too well if you ask me." Misty said in a giggle. Ash arched over to her, with a silly annoying expression on his face.

"How do you remember that "too well" Mist?" Ash requested.

"You know what I mean!" she replied as she gave a wink.

"Such little kids." Iris commented.

"We all are, in our own way!" Dawn told her.

"Why did it say "newly acquired"?" Serena asked.

"When a starter has been handed to a trainer, the Poke-ball will have been programmed as an acquired Pokemon. Due to the fact that they received it from a Professor." Professor Sycamore informed her.

"It's still an experiment that the League is doing; from what Professor Oak told me." Ash told them. He put Froakie's ball with the others.

Speaking of 'starters' do you think I could have a new starter?" Serena asked.

"Most certainly! Which one were you thinking of?" Sycamore asked.

"I was thinking of Fennekin. It looked so cute." she said in a bit of a high squeak."

"How convenient." Sycamore stated as he brought out a Poke-ball. "I brought Fennekin with me since I saw how fond it was of you." Sycamore told her.

The ball burst open and Fennekin was formed on the floor. "Fen fen. (Hi there.)" Fennekin said.

"Oh my, you are so cute." she commented as she hugged the little fox.

"Best get it registered." Ash told her.

"Oh, right!" she exclaimed. She set down the Pokemon and about returned it.

"No need for that. I can get it fully registered. Sides, it needs to be fully altered." he informs her.

"Sure." she replied and handed him the dex. He took it and got to work.

"Well, well, look who we have here." someone said. They all looked and saw Trip. "I take it that your Pikachu couldn't handle the new evolution." he commented sarcastically.

"What do you want?" Ash asked.

Trip looked to Sycamore. "Is it possible for me to have the Snivey? I like the way it looks." Trip commented.

"Most certainly. Can I see you dex as well, then?" he asked. Trip handed it to him and he went to Ash. "Yours as well, Ash. It's a more proper way." he told Ash. He gave him his dex and Froakie's ball. Sycamore went to the the side to work on the Pokeball.

Trip looked to the others. "I'm betting to expect to see you at the gyms!" he exclaimed.

"Possibly. What's it to you?" Ash asked.

"I know we'll be battling soon. I'll show that I'm going to be the best one there is and that you're a weakling." he told Ash, with a smug look on his face.

Ash kept his cool, even as Misty put her hands over his. "We'll see." he informed Trip.

Sycamore came up to them. "I'm finished." he told them as he handed them their dex and ball.

"Great! I'm out of here." Trip finished.

"Glad he isn't like Paul." Dawn stated.

"Paul? Who's that?" Misty asked.

"Someone I know from Sinnoh. I'll tell you later." Ash informed her. She gave a nod.

After sometime, Professor Sycamore is continuing his research. He has checked on the new evolution a few times, and no readings show any signs of pressure. A good friend of his, along with her assistant, were helping him.

"I don't see any signs of pressure." she informed him. "What about you, Fennel?" she asked her assistant. Fennel wears a pink undershirt, with a lab coat covering the rest of her. Her hair is a dark blue body length with a pink flower clip on the left of her hair with a pink center and blue eyes. Pink shoes that finish off her look.

"I wouldn't know, Juniper! Seems as if when Heracross evolves further, it doesn't seem affected." she informed her.

Juniper is in a white shirt with a green skirt and a lab coat. Hair is light brown with red rectangular earrings and green eyes. Her shoes are white with red stripes. "I guess..." "Sir! We have a problem." Sycamore's assistant informed him as she interrupted Juniper.

"Huh? What is it?" he asked in a gasping tone. They all went to the monitor and looked. Heracross was in his new evolution form and the reading was currently showing that the Pokemon was indefinitely under pressure, then it devolved to its original form and panted heavily. "Oh no! Ash is right." he stated and looked at Heracross. "I must look at all the data and the stones." he stated and returned Heracross. "First, I need to get Heracross to the Pokemon Center." he finished and headed out.

Late that night, he was looking over the data he had gathered. As he was, he definitely noticed patters during their recent studies to the later ones. He saw all the carts and graphs. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. "Ash is most definitely right. That did put too much stress on him. The research...is done." he stated.

The following day after Sycamore gave Ash and Serena each a new starter, they were on the trail once again.

"I wonder where our journey will take us?" Iris questioned.

"Who knows." Ash replied as they walked down the path.

After sometime, Professor Sycamore is continuing his research. He has checked on the new evolution a few times, and no readings show any signs of pressure. A good friend of his, along with her assistant, were helping him.

"I don't see any signs of pressure." she informed him. "What about you, Fennel?" she asked her assistant. Fennel wears a pink undershirt, with a lab coat covering the rest of her. Her hair is a dark blue body length with a pink flower clip on the left of her hair with a pink center and blue eyes. Pink shoes that finish off her look.

"I wouldn't know, Juniper! Seems as if when Heracross evolves further, it doesn't seem affected." she informed her.

hnvhli

Juniper is in a white shirt with a green skirt and a lab coat. Hair is light brown with red rectangular earrings and green eyes. Her shoes are white with red stripes. "I guess..." "Sir! We have a problem." Sycamore's assistant informed him as she interrupted Juniper.

"Huh? What is it?" he asked in a gasping tone. They all went to the monitor and looked. Heracross was in his new evolution form and the reading was currently showing that the Pokemon was indefinitely under pressure, then it devolved to its original form and panted heavily. "Oh no! Ash is right." he stated and looked at Heracross. "I must look at all the data and the stones." he stated and returned Heracross. "First, I need to get Heracross to the Pokemon Center." he finished and headed out.

Late that night, he was looking over the data he had gathered. As he was, he definitely noticed patters during their recent studies to the later ones. He saw all the carts and graphs. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. "Ash is most definitely right. That did put too much stress on him. The research...is done." he stated.

The following day after Sycamore gave Ash and Serena each a new starter, they were on the trail once again.

"I wonder where our journey will take us?" Iris questioned.

"Who knows." Ash replied as they walked down the path.

I WANT TO BE THE BEST, THAT NO ONE EVER WAS! TO CATCH THEM IS MY REAL TEST. TO TRAIN THEM IS MY CAUSE. FOR EVERY NEW JOURNEY I FACE, OFFERS A NEW CHALLENGE. FROM NEW FRIENDS, TO NEW RIVALS! NEW POKEMON WITH NEW ABILITIES. BE A HERO, BE A HEERROOO. IT'S IN YOUR SOUL. BE A HEERRROOOOO. THE POWER IS IN YOUR SOUL. JUST TAKE IT IN YOUR HAAANNNDD! POKEMON.

TP1

Tom: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Sara: More on the way real soon.

Tom: Don't forget to sit back and relax. As I push the button. Also, remember to stay gold. Only Toonami!

Me: Till next time.

TimPrime1 out