Greetings, everyone. Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto journey. Before we start, I want to address things mentioned in some reviews and something else. The first request captures are all done, as the last request capture has been sealed and done. As of right now, I will take Hoenn Pokemon that way. I can get that out of the way. Next, mention my ways of things about Cyndaquil and Pidgeot. Yes, Cyndaquil is a baby, and I'm sure some people got the wrong idea thinking that Charizard was the father. No, he's not. He saw that Cyndaquil was a baby and decided to be a father figure to her and help Ash raise it as a Pokemon on the team until it evolves. Next, is Pidgeot more critical in her relationship with Falkner's Pidgeot? It's not a stretch. Remember, Falkner inherited his Pokemon from his father, including his Pidgeot. Even if that might be different, remember this is fan fiction and has a role in this story. Does any more need to be answered question-wise regarding that? I do reply to reviews if possible if not, PM me. Let's start this chapter as requested by the last requester, True Master.
Chapter 14: Shadow of a Drought
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
'Telepathy'
We joined our heroes as they arrived in Azalea town, Ash's following gym battle site. However, the drought previously mentioned by Bugsy has not ended.
"Man, this place was hit hard by this drought. I thought that it would end by now?" Ash said to Misty and Brock, who was also concerned by this. As they looked around Town, it was very dried and laking many things that needed water, like crops and fountains. "I know we came here for the gym battle and visited Kurt, but I feel we should help the town somehow?" Ash said to Misty and Brock.
"I know how you feel, Ash. But we don't know the source of the drought or what caused the blockage of the water supply?" Brock said to Ash that the guidebook didn't have solutions at all.
"But we can't just do nothing, Brock. Even if I use my Water Pokemon to help, it could only do as much as a hose would be limited?" Misty said, knowing that she was going to be asked that question.
"I know what you mean, Misty, but maybe we can ask around for what is going on?" Ash said to Misty. While the group was walking around Town, they noticed a lot of Slowpoke all over Town loafing around. "There sure are a lot of Slowpoke around this town must be something special about them," Ash said to Brock and Misty.
"You're not wrong, Ash, as the town looks up to Slowpoke to help them with the drought," A familiar voice called out. Bugsy was the person who was walking to Ash and the others and was just as concerned about the Town he runs the gym in.
"Hey, Bugsy, nice to see you again. Sadly under these circumstances, what happened? I thought the drought would be over by now?" Ash asked Bugsy, who sighed at this. The group walked with Bugsy further into Town. "The primary source of stopping the drought, the Slowpoke well, has been acting up as of late. The Slowpoke usually helps end the drought as late as possible. Many people couldn't go there just in case it's just them being slow," Bugsy explains to Ash and the others.
"Maybe we should help out, but we don't know if it's an emergency or something we should help at least," Misty suggested. Ash and the others nodded in agreement. As something or someone was saying something to the group in their heads.
'Help us, please?' Someone said as the group turned around only to see a Slowpoke who didn't look like the other Slowpoke and looked very intelligent and was speaking in telepathy.
"That's the first I heard stories that one of the Slowpoke has telepathy, but I've never seen it," Bugsy said to Ash and the others, who nodded at this and ran over to the said Slowpoke.
"Hey, maybe we can help you if it means ending this drought?" Ash said to the Slowpoke, who nodded at this. "Can you tell us what you need help with or what is going on?" Ash said to the Slowpoke, who took a deep breath at this.
'We were planning on ending the drought a day ago, but suddenly we were attacked by this group of humans at the well,' Slowpoke looked down in fear. 'This group took many of my friends one by one with a talking Pokemon.'
"Team Rocket, seriously, they're behind the drought or preventing it from ending?" Ash said, figuring out that Team Rocket was behind all of this.
"I think they are behind the stopping of the drought-ending Ash, and many gym leaders are aware of who Team Rocket is, Ash?" Bugsy explained to Ash. "Maybe we can help you if you take us there. Normally we need permission to go there as gym leaders. I do have permission if there's something amiss," Bugsy said. Ash and the others nodded and headed off to the Slowpoke well. Following the Slowpoke that informed them about what had happened. Slowpoke was paying attention to Ash and how much he seemed like a kind trainer but probably needed help getting to know his Pokemon and knew that once this was over, Slowpoke could help him on Ash's journey. Ash and the others arrived at the well and noticed a massive hole at the side of the mountain to which the well was connected.
"Yep, that looks like something that Team Rocket could make, huh?" Ash noticed that someone was in a Slowpoke costume at the cave entrance. "Hey, you okay you need help?" Ash asked the man in the outfit.
"No, I was planning on going in to help see what is going on, but my body isn't as good as it used to be nowadays," The man said to the group.
"Well, don't worry about it. We'll help out. What is going on?" Ash said, now concerned about the older man who had seen better days.
"Thank you, young man. Maybe I can help you later on after this is all over?" The older man said to Ash and the gang, who nodded and headed to the cave wall.
Ash and the others were now deeper in the cave and noticed how dark it was. Ash let out Charizard, the primary source of light for the cave now. As they arrived at a nasty scene, many Slowpoke were injured and were captured by Team Rocket and their machine. "Not good, another machine, another incident just like before," Ash said, tired of running into Team Rocket like this.
The Slowpoke was using Psychics to stop the machine, but it wasn't enough. It was stronger than usual but barely making a dent in the machine's arms. That caught the attention of Team Rocket, who has captured almost a third of the well.
"Oh great, the twerps are here. Oh well, this time, we are prepared," Jessie said. She pressed a few buttons as the machine launched a beam of light at the group, only to be intercepted by Bugsy with his Scizor taking the brunt of the attack as if it was nothing.
"It's going to take more than that to take out my Scizor," Bugsy said to Team Rocket and then turned to Ash. "Let's take care of them, Ash," Bugsy said as Ash turned to Charizard, who nodded in agreement.
"Slowpoke get your friends out of here, and maybe stop this drought; we'll handle these clowns," Ash said to Slowpoke, who nodded at this and told the remaining Slowpokes to get a move on it as this was an unwinnable battle for them. The rest who could move did as described, but Team Rocket was relentless and blocked the way. This was bad as that was the primary way out of the cave, and Slowpoke wouldn't let more of his friends suffer from people like these three or anyone else. He fired a move that didn't do anything, but his body made some glow before doing nothing. Team Rocket laughed at this, thinking that this Slowpoke was worthless, and slammed the machine's attack right at the Slowpoke, sending him back as Charizard and Scizor stood in front of Slowpoke, ready to fight.
Scizor and Charizard launched their attacks, doing as much damage as possible. Slowpoke, who was getting up, not wanting to feel useless, started to glow and evolve into a Slowbro as it launched what looked to be a Fire blast at the machine that caught Charizard off guard as he didn't think that water types could learn fire-type attacks.
Ash was amazed by this. This Slowbro was much stronger than he looked. Some rumbling was happening in the cave as a massive ball of psychic energy went straight towards Team Rocket, destroying the machine and sending them off through the waterway of the well out of the cave.
"Uh, what was that?" Misty said, as neither Ash nor Brock had seen that move before. But before Ash could look it up, the rest of the Slowpokes and Slowbro went out of the cave to help end the drought in Azalea town. Ash and the others went out and saw them yawning and using a move that caused rain clouds to start raining as it was helping with the rivers and all areas of Town. What looks to be months of drought has come to an end.
"That was Rain Dance Ash that they used. The legend said they would yawn, and the drought would suddenly end. Seeing it for the first time, I've seen trainers using that move in my gym. I can guarantee that it is what was used," Bugsy explained to Ash, Misty, and Brock. Who was watching how much this was changing the Town for the best?
"But what about that move that Slowbro used before he evolved aside from Fire Blast?" Ash asked Bugsy, still confused about what had happened earlier.
"I think that it has to be Future Sight. It's a new psychic-type move, and from what I was told about it? It takes time to get ready to be used, but again, I only heard that movie but never seen it?" Bugsy explained to Ash and the others, who were now interested in what Johto had in store in new moves and Pokemon. Ash noticed that Slowbro was walking over to Ash and the guy from before.
"Hey, Slowbro, I'm happy to help you guys, but you did all the work we just helped. Do you need anything?" Ash asked the Slowbro, who nodded at this.
'Yes, Ash, is it?' Slowbro asked Ash, who nodded to his question. 'Well, I want to join your team, Ash?' Slowbro asked Ash, who was surprised by this.
"Really? You want to join my team, but I'm at my limit, and I don't know that I am strong enough for a psychic type," Ash said to Slowbro, who shook his head at this.
'You don't need to be firm with psychic capabilities to train me, Ash, and to be honest with you, Ash, I can be more of a translator than battle for you, but if you want me to battle, I have no objections either,' Slowbro said to Ash. 'And don't worry about me and your team limit. I can think of a way to stay with you?' Slowbro said while using Psychic on one of Ash's Pokeballs. As it dinged, he put it under the shell on his tail to prevent the transport. His psychic capabilities were intense, even for normal Slowbro.
"Okay, that is strange. Are you sure you'll stay on my team and help me understand my Pokemon, Slowbro?" Ash asked to which Slowbro nodded at this.
"Sorry to interrupt, Ash, but I should return to the gym. I'll take your challenge in two days per the Town's rules. Everything needs a day to operate before things can return to normal?" Bugsy said to Ash, who nodded as Busgy left for the gym.
"We can continue this later, Slowbro?" Ash said to Slowbro, who nodded at this as he was not in any rush to try out what he was planning on helping Ash and his friends out with understanding their Pokemon.
"I must say, young kids. You did well. If there's anything you need, just let me know," The older gentlemen said to Ash and the others.
"There is something other than coming here to take on Bugsy, the gym leader. We are here to visit Kurt. The Pokeball expert, do you know him or know where we can find his house?" Ash asked the older man, surprised by this, and took off his Slowpoke costume head, revealing a familiar face to Ash and the others shocked by this.
"Yes, I'm Kurt. What is it you need to see me for?" Kurt asked Ash and the others.
With the Town's drought over and a new team member added to Ash's team, Ash and the gang run into the main reason why they're in Johto in the first place as the journey continues.
Yes, this is a cliffhanger, but this also happened in the anime. Yes, Slowbro is the requested Pokemon for Ash. I originally planned to give Misty a Slowpoke along with it, but she already has Psyduck, who might give her a headache. I suggest doing that when Ash is doing his gym battle. Let me know what you think about that. As for what I have planned for doing the translation for Slowbro? That'll be shown in the next chapter, so don't worry about it. But let's say that it'll keep Slowbro out of his ball to keep in effect, and no, it's not telepathy that'll be used. With that said, Mantine, Kangaskhan, and Girafirig are the last three Pokemon that are added for the remaining requests for Ash's Pokemon, and don't worry about Misty and Brock. They'll get more Pokemon, both what they got in the anime and more coming later on. The Apricorn episode is next. Catch you guys later.