Greetings, everyone. Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I mentioned in the last chapter that I was thinking of Misty getting a Slowpoke, and someone suggested Slowking so that I might give Misty one. So I will give her that, but it'll be when Ash is in his gym battle. But it won't be shown, sadly. Aside from that, let's get this chapter started.
Chapter: 15: Going Apricorn
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
'Telepathy'
We joined our heroes as they were at the Pokemon Center. Ash was waiting for Slowbro to heal from his experience the other day.
"I wonder what Slowrbo meant by doing a different form of translation? He seemed adamant about it ever since he was captured?" Ash said to Misty and Brock.
"I think it's more than just telepathy as this Slowbro, even as a Slowpoke, was stronger in his Psychic capabilities than we think, especially since he was capable of destroying Team Rocket's machine with Future sight like that," Brock said to Ash. Misty was more in thought about the Slowpoke well, as most of them were more intelligent than they were letting on.
Ash was about to say something to Misty, but Slowbro and Nurse Joy interrupted.
"Well, your Slowbro is now fully healed. He may have taken a lot of damage, but he's now in full condition," Joy said to Ash, who was sighing in relief. "I'm surprised that he could stay out of his ball and still be with you even after being captured, even with the Pokeball in his tail shell," Nurse Joy said curiously towards Ash and Slowbro.
'I'm still with Ash's team, mam, and I do have ways to keep things without needing to be in confinement of that device,' Slowbro explained to Nurse Joy and Ash. 'And I'm the descendent of the original Slowpoke that stopped the first drought. That's why my Psychic capabilities are stronger than a normal Slowpoke,' Slowbro confessed to Ash and the others, who were surprised by this.
"Now that changed things, but you might want to talk to the Professor that you got your Pokedex from about all this because I don't want you to get in trouble with the league about him and the Cyndaquil that you just caught that is in your backpack," Nurse Joy said. Ash nodded at this, and Slowbro nodded to avoid getting his new trainer in trouble. Ash was on the phone with Professor Oak, especially Slowbro and Cyndaquil. Surprisingly Oak was okay with this.
"I understand, Ash, and don't worry about it. I'll see to expand your team a few more Pokemon, but that's all I can do about it now. You are not doing anything wrong in the league's rules," Professor Oak explains to Ash as he continues.
"Right now, I suggest you don't catch any more until later today, Ash, or ones like these two. I'll contact you in the Pokemon center whenever I come up with the solution for this but don't be surprised if you only get one or two more slots, but you are still held to the six versus six battles, Ash. You are the only one the league was willing to give this because many Pokemon were going through what Charizard did and hearing what is going on with the male Eevee and Murkrow has been. I think more expansion is needed," Oak said. Ash nodded at this, feeling like this was a punishment for what happened.
"I understand, Professor, and if I do catch another Pokemon, I'll make sure that it'll head to the lab," Ash said to Professor Oak, who sighed at this.
"Thank you, Ash, and it's not every day that you have a descendent of a Pokemon that has saved an entire town. I won't be surprised if you run into more Pokemon with similar histories," Oak said. Ash was going to question Oak about that, but Oak continued. "All I can say is that there is a legend about that one Pokemon that you met the day you started the Journey. You know, that one who flew over the rainbow right now. But right now, I don't know that legend all too well. That's all I'm going to say. Talk to you later, Ash," Oak said and hung up the call. Ash sighed and turned to Slowbro, who was curious about what Oak said but was ready.
"Okay, Slowbro, what will you give us to help with translation?" Ash asked Slowbro, who nodded at this.
'Well, it's not just for you, Ash, but your two friends here. But before I do this, are you okay with doing this? And are you willing to let it happen?' Slowbro asked Ash, Misty, and Brock, who nodded as Slowbro closed his eyes and used psychic energy on the trio's heads, more importantly, the ears as he finished what he was doing.
"Huh? What happened?" Ash asked Misty and Brock, who shrugged and were curious about what had happened.
"I adjusted your hearing understanding. You should be able to understand not only the Pokemon language but still keep understanding the human language without me using telepathy," Slowbro said to Ash and the others, this time without telepathy.
"Woah, you just now spoke without that telepathy? That must've taken a lot of Psychic energy to do for both the telepathy and what you did?" Misty said to Slowbro, now amazed by this. "Maybe Pikachu should try to speak?" Misty also tried to get to see if it wasn't just Slowbro.
"As if it's working," Pikachu said as Ash and the others were caught off guard. Pikachu noticed and was shocked by this. "You heard that, didn't you?" Pikachu asked, and the others nodded at this.
"It's not just you, Pikachu. It's all of your Pokemon. There was a time when most people could understand Pokemon via my family's telepathy, but over time we haven't found any use to use it. As for if it's temporary or not? It's only as long as I'm out of my ball. Sadly my capabilities are strong, yes, but not that strong," Slowbro explains to Ash and the others. "And no, it's not when I'm not around that it'll disappear only if I am returned to my ball."
This cleared up a few things though they still don't understand what just happened glad this happened as Ash always wanted to get to understand his Pokemon; aside from Meowth, that was different. Ash took out Cyndaquil, who was still asleep in his arms. "I guess it's nap time for this little one?" Ash said to Cyndaquil.
"Cynda?" Cyndaquil wakes up. Cyndaquil still needs to be capable of speaking. Ash noticed this and nodded in understanding.
"You want to come with us, girl?" Ash asked the young Cyndaquil, who nodded as she didn't want to sleep all day and set her down. " I guess because she is a baby, she must've not gotten a chance to learn to speak outside of her name?" Ash said to Misty and Brock, and Cyndaquil nodded at this.
Ash and the others left the Pokemon center. They headed to where Kurt lived in Azalea Town, seeing that Kurt talked to Professor Oak about why Ash and the others were there since they barely gave him much of a description of what was going on with the GS ball, only to be greeted by a young girl.
"Hello, Grandpa is busy with someone and isn't taking any customers right now," the young girl said while greeting Ash and the others, unaware that Kurt was expecting them. The young girl had Pigtails and brown hair.
"Oh, we are expected by your grandfather's act," Ash was about to say but was interrupted by Kurt himself.
"It's okay, Maizie. I'm expecting these three," Kurt said while finishing his call with Professor Oak.
"Oh, sorry, Grandpa, I wasn't told about this?" Maizie told her grandfather, who patted her head before turning to Ash and the others.
"These folks are the ones who helped save the town from the drought with the town's gym leader, and I also see that your Slowbro is still out of his ball?" Kurt explained while noticing Slowbro again.
"Yeah, he's helping my friends and me understand our Pokemon as promised," Ash explained. "As for why we are here, I'm sure that the Professor told you about the GS ball," Ash said while holding the said Pokeball while Kurt took it and examined it closer. Now curious about this Pokeball as Kurt has never seen anything like this.
"Yes, he did! But I wasn't expecting this at all?" Kurt said while taking it to his workstation. "I'll try my best to figure out the puzzle with this Pokeball, but until then, Maizie, why don't you take these lads out to the Apricorn orchard for a couple of them as their reward for helping not only me but the town as well," Kurt said to Maizie who was excited about this.
"Gladly, Grandpa! You see, Grandpa turns these Apricorns into Pokeballs depending on their color and when they're ripe to be picked," Maizie said to Ash and the others. Who was surprised by this and nodded at this?
The group arrived at the said orchard on a hill nearby on the outskirts of town. Everyone was amazed by this as there were many Apricorns in different colors, even Cyndaquil, as she had never seen this type of thing.
"Each one of these is used to make different types of Pokeball, the white Apricorns there are used to make Fast balls used on Pokemon that are either quick or for a quick capture," Maizie said, noticing they were in the ripe season for usage. "If you want one, they are ready to be picked," Maizie said as Ash decided to pick one, as did Misty. Little did they know it, but someone had been watching the group since they arrived at the orchard.
"Do you guys have any preferences? I'm sorry that I randomly suggested that as half of the orchard is now in the season to be taken," Maizie apologized to Ash and the others, who gave an okay hand gesture to her.
"Well, is there something for water types?" Misty asked Maizie, who nodded at this and pointed out the blue-colored Apricorn.
"That is to make Lure Balls that are used for both fishing and water Pokemon in specific," Maizie said to Misty as Misty took two and Ash took one on his own he knew that he'll be getting another water type later down the road just in case.
"I'm good now. I was thinking about at least two Pokeballs in case I run into a water Pokemon that I want or want to be captured later on," Ash said to Maizie, who smiled at this, as did Slowbro, as this was the type of trainer he was happy to be with. Cyndaquil, on the other hand, was looking around. She could tell someone was watching them.
Ash noticed this and did Brock and noticed a Pinco-looking Pokemon watching them from one of the Apricorn trees nearby. Ash looked it up to see it was a bug Pokemon called Pineco. Surprisingly, it seemed interested in Brock more than Ash, as Misty wasn't freaking out at seeing it.
"That Pineco has been around this orchard for a few months looking for something, but we never knew what it was?" Maizie explained to Ash and the others. Brock walked over, ready to test Slowbro's gift to it.
"Hello there, Pineco. Do you need anything? You seemed to be eyeing me more significantly than, say, Ash or the others," Pineco looked up to Brock, who was confused why he was asking that like Brock could understand him or something.
"He does understand you and the rest of the group aside from Maizie here," Slowbro said to the Pineco. Who was taken aback by this, looked happy for some reason, and turned to Brock was in tears.
"Please, I was abandoned here long ago and wanted to get stronger with a trainer. I may be small and can cause explosions, but I am also nice," Pineco said to Brock, who nodded.
"Was it a trainer with blueish hair and glasses on his head?' Ash asked the Pineco, who was surprised by this and nodded. "Damian should've known he was here in Johto must've done what he did to most of his Pokemon who either lost a battle, abandoned them, or left them in rough condition. Brock, this one is all yours. I know I was asked to help any that he left, but I think you should handle it for me," Ash said to Brock, who nodded at this and took out a Pokeball.
"Thanks, Ash, and yes, you can join the team. I'm also a gym leader and someone who cares about my Pokemon's safety as a breeder," Brock said to Pineco, who was in tears hearing this. While he wouldn't be in big battles, this is fair.
"Thanks. I'm not a huge fan of battling as we normally explode when provoked, but if I have to battle, I won't hesitate to give it my all," Pineco said happily, hopping up and down as he finally found someone willing to give him a chance.
"Deal, Pineco, welcome to the team," Brock tapped it and captured it without fail as it automatically dings without a single shake. Brock picked the ball up and sighed at this. "Damian, now I am madder that I didn't punch the guy way back when we first met him or report him to the league," Brock said to Ash.
"We can't change the past, but we can change what's to come, and he will get his dues," Ash said to Brock, who nodded at this now thinking about the whole thing with Pineco turned to Maizie.
"Is there something for Pokemon like Rock or ground types, maybe steel types, and one for help raising like for a Pokemon breeder?" Brock asked Maizie, who knew what Brock was asking, and nodded at this.
"The Black Apricorns are used for heavy balls. Those are self-explanatory as they can either be used for the Pokemon you mentioned or Pokemon that is heavy than usual," Maizie said and then turned to the green-looking Apricorns. "These are to make friend balls not sure about the whole breeding thing, but these are pretty useful for helping Pokemon become more friendly with you," Maizie said to Brock, who also took one. Ash also took one of the Black Apricorn balls.
"I think that's enough for now. Don't you think we shouldn't keep Kurt waiting," Ash said as the group nodded and headed back to Kurt's house. Who was still racking his brain around the GS ball? "We're back, and you still haven't figured out about that GS ball or any news about it?" Ash said to Kurt, who nodded.
"I can confirm that there is something inside the ball, but it couldn't come out of it for some reason. I did some more digging, and while I don't know why it isn't opening, I can tell you that it was manufactured in another region that isn't Kanto or Johto or the Orange islands," Kurt said.
Ash and the others were surprised by this and looked down, hoping that the mystery would be solved now but left more unanswered questions than answers.
"I'll keep an eye on this Pokeball and let you know if anything is to come of it until then. I see you got some Apricorns for me to make and pretty good ones," Kurt said to Ash and the others, who handed them to Kurt, who happily took them. "They should be done by tomorrow in the evening. I'll let Maizie give you them when they are done. Until then, I believe the gym should be back running tomorrow; however, Ash. The Professor would like to talk to you whenever you get a chance at the Pokemon Center," Kurt told Ash, who nodded as if he knew what it was about. Ash and the others left Kurt's place and headed to the Pokemon center. Ash headed straight to one of the phones to call Professor Oak, who instantly picked up the phone within one ring.
"Hello, Ash. Glad to see you managed to get the GS ball to Kurt. He told me what he found, which isn't why I asked you to call me. It's about your request for your team to expand more?" Professor Oak said to Ash.
"And what is Professor the league pulled through, or am I in trouble for keeping Pokemon out of their balls when it wasn't my doing?" Ash asked Professor Oak, who smiled at this.
"Yes, they did and agreed to give you three more slots open only because you brought this up right away and did not wait until, say, the league or anyone else other than Nurse Joy or the town's gym leader. As for being in trouble, they agreed that it wasn't your doing, and something like this has happened in the past but never like what Slowbro did. Since he has his ball in his shell, you have two more slots open as I will send you Cyndaquil's Pokeball back to you, Ash, but only Slowbro is the exception. No one else on your team, okay Ash," Oak said to Ash, who nodded at this.
"Before you go, Professor, I do have an update on Damian," Ash said just before Oak could hang up, which made him stop instantly. "While we were out in the orchard for Apricorns to make Pokeballs, we ran into another of his abandoned Pokemon, a Pineco. Professor, he's here in Johto, and Brock had taken the liberty to capture said Pokemon as it interested Brock," Ash said to the Professor, who had a worrisome look on his face, but not because of Brock capturing a released Pokemon but that of Damian.
"I was hoping he wouldn't be in Johto, as he's been wanted in Kanto for what he did to Charmander and another Pokemon who barely made it. I'll let the league know about this right now. Who knows what other Pokemon he has taken in and abandoned by now? Keep an eye out, Ash; that Slowbro you caught might be the one to help you reach out to other Pokemon who need a cry out for help. Oak out," Professor Oak said as he hung up the call. Cyndaquils Pokeball returned to Ash Ash returned Cyndaquil, who was okay with returning to her ball as the bag was stuffy. Ash sighed and turned to Slowbro, who knew what Ash was thinking.
"Ash, I did say I am more willing just to be a translator than a battler, as this is more my role than ever," Slowbro said to Ash, who nodded and patted his head.
.
"Only if it is needed to have you battle, I will, Slowbro. Until then, I accept your offer and am glad to have you on the team," Ash said, praising Slowbro for his gift. "And thank you again for that gift. It'll help me and my friends and any Pokemon out there," Ash said to Slowbro, who had a determined look on his face as he was happy to help and help other Pokemon.
With a new capture and more information on Damian being in Johto, Ash is now even more determined to put an end to Damian and get strong. Not only as a trainer but as a person as well. As the Journey continues.
Stay tuned
Done; yes, I gave Pineco a different Pokeball to be captured in, and yes, I gave it the Damian treatment, but that shouldn't just be tethered to Ash's captures, should it? That said, yes, this is a new way to translate without using devices, and I expanded the team to thirteen. That way, Ash won't get in trouble and all that. If you could think of any other way, let me know, but this would put Slowbro's strengths to the test, and yes, I gave a few additional Pokeballs to Ash and Brock because of what's to come later down the road. The gym battle is next; seeing you either in a week when it's done or later this week. See you guys then.