Hello everyone, it's Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I apologize for the last chapter; I understand it may have been uncomfortable for some readers. The purpose was to portray Damian's character and behavior accurately. Although he won't be featured again until the league, his influence is felt throughout the story. Rest assured, there are more abandoned Pokemon that will appear in future chapters. With that being said, let's begin this chapter.
Chapter 25: The Pokemon Rangers and the Abandoned Pokemon
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
Our heroes were trekking through the forest to reach the preservation area, where Damian's beloved Pokemon were being kept safe and looked after.
"I hope we can gain entry to this place, but it might prove difficult to persuade the Pokemon Rangers." Misty addressed the group and then noticed Casey was lost in thought. "What's on your mind, Casey?" she asked.
"I have a cousin who is a Ranger, but I am unsure if this is the division he works in," Casey told Misty. "I believe Ash having his former Charizard is sufficient, but I'm uncertain if he desires to reunite with his previous teammates," Casey explained to Ash and the others which Ash nodded.
"The other day, I asked Charizard about his preferences regarding certain Pokemon before leaving the Center. He mentioned that he was only bothered by the ones owned by Damian but was fine with the rest. However, Umbreon would prefer not to be around those Pokemon as it has unpleasant memories associated with them, even more so than Charizard." Ash said to Casey. Casey would say something as she heard a voice calling her name.
"Hello, Casey, is that you? I've heard that you're headed this way." A young brown-haired Pokemon Ranger walked towards the group.
"Hi, Cailin. My friends and I are interested in visiting the Preservation. However, we're not sure if your division permits it. Can you please provide clarification?" Casey asked her cousin, who was skeptical about Ash and the others. "These are my friends Ash, Misty, and Brock," Casey was interrupted by Cailin when Casey mentioned their names.
"Hello, I've heard about the three of you and how you've been assisting Damian's abandoned Pokemon. I'm Cailin, second in command of the Pokemon Rangers in this area of Johto. You're welcome to come, but only Charizard can accompany you. I understand you have an Eevee and Pineco belonging to Damian?" Cailin introduced himself and asked.
"Eevee has evolved into Umbreon and is now responsible for caring for a Growlithe who was caught at Professor Oak's ranch," Ash explained to Cailin as the group was entering the facility, who nodded at this.
"I haven't heard about that yet. Did it happen recently?" Cailin said that Ash explained that it happened the other day as Ash let out Charizard, who knew where he was and was prepared to see who had left the team. Cailin opened the doors to the Preservation as many Pokemon were being taken care of. Ash and his companions were awed by the sight of numerous Kanto Pokemon, including Dodrio and Kangaskhan, and a few Johto Pokemon. Damian seemed to have almost half of Kanto's Pokedex represented in this collection.
On the other hand, Charizard recognized many of them. As one of the Pokemon noticed the group, a young Maril looked at the group and was very shy but seemed interested in one of them. A Kangaskhan was overseeing many Pokemon and noticed the group and Charizard as she recognized the Charmander she used to keep safe on the team.
"Oh, my Charmander, is that you? Have you grown since the last time I've last seen you?" Kangaskhan greeted Charizard, who was scratching the back of his neck at what she was saying while chuckling embarrassingly.
"Yeah, it's me, Kang," Charizard said to Kangaskhan before tuning to the group. "Kangaskhan used to protect many of us from Damian. She is more of a supporter and healer than a battler, preferring to care for Pokemon rather than participate in battles. She is like a mother to many of us." Charizard was interrupted by Kangaskhan.
"But I prefer to be more an Aunt than a mother figure, but it's nice to meet all of you. Charizard should know many of the Pokemon that are here. Sadly your brother isn't one of them," Kangaskhan said to Charizard, who sighed at this and turned to Ash and the others listening.
"He's the Dragonite that you saw the other day. If you want more about my family, we'll have to see a few of my siblings later down the road until then. I can explain the ones I know," Charizard explains to the group.
Ash and the others were walking around the Preservation Cailin was talking.
"Many would rather not be with trainers. Sadly, no matter how much we can reform them, only a tiny handful are more scared of humans and being raised by those like Damian. If you want to have one on your team, try. But I highly doubt that they'll join," Cailin said.
"If they want to join, that is fine, but if they don't, that is fine as well," Brock said. "Sadly, I think I have enough on the team for now; not sure about Misty and Ash," Brock said, trying to respect the other Pokemon's wishes. Cailin nodded at this. Charizard noticed a Dodrio from before.
"Hey there, Doduo has been a while," Charizard said to Dodrio, who turned to Charizard, who recognized him and walked over to the group.
"Charmander, I heard that you were with a new trainer. So this is your trainer. Nice to meet you?" Dodrio said nicely. Surprisingly, the main head in the middle was talking as the two were also lovely, minus what they are known for.
"Dodrio here was the last Pokemon that joined the team before Damian abandoned me. He was the Pokemon that I struggled to beat, leading to me being where I am now," Charizard explains to Ash and the others, who are surprised as that is not what they had heard before.
"Realy? From what I've heard, a Bellsprout did that?" Misty said as she was interrupted by Charizard, who was unhappy that she brought that up.
"One of the reasons that are, Misty, not the other way around," Charizard corrected Misty while crossing his claws.
"Either way, Charizard. I sadly don't plan on being with a trainer right now, but there was talk about Kang wanting to be with a trainer but not to battle," Dodrio said to Charizard, who was taken aback by this. Ash noted this as he thought that this might help with Growlithe. Charizard noticed that Ash was thinking the same thing and turned to Ash.
"We can ask her about this before we leave. Ash gave me another half-hour here. I," Charizard was interrupted by Ash.
"You don't need my permission Charizard. Take your time. These are your former "Friends" If you can call it and ask if any would like to join us, we'll be happy to help, but if they don't, that's fine. We'll respect that as well," Ash said to Charizard, who nodded. Charizard and Dodrio went to talk with other Pokemon. Ash and the others were walking around. Misty noticed the young Marill, who was interested in Misty, not Ash. Misty calmly walked over to the young Marill and reached out to her.
"Hey, hey, don't be scared. I won't hurt you. Why don't you come on out?" Misty calmly asked the young Marill, who walked out to Misty.
"Y-you promise that you won't hurt me?" Marill asked Misty, who nodded at this. "Okay!" Marill said enthusiastically. It's both shy and happy simultaneously; not as bad as Growlithe was, but it was slightly better.
Misty picked her up and petted her head as a small purr came from her.
"That Marill was the most recent to come here. She was on the verge of tears when we first met her. From what we heard, she was doing her best, and then suddenly, she was dumped here. Maybe you can take care of her. She loves to battle and play," Cailin said to Misty, who looked at the young Marill as Maril looked back, and her tail wagged a bit.
"Well, I am a gym leader specializing in water types, so I'll happily take you in, little Marill. And I promise you you'll get some good battles and the attention you deserve. Just don't go to waterworks on me, please?" Misty asked Marill, who nodded at this.
"I'll try not to cry as much, but you got a deal," Marill told Misty. Misty pulled out a Pokeball and tapped Marill, who was sucked in and was caught, as Charizard was coming towards the group with Kangaskhan in tow.
"So this girl caught the young Marill, I see. She'll be a good member of your team," Kangaskhan turned to Ash. "Charizard filled me in on what is going on, and I am willing to help you and any help that not only your Pokemon but others back in the ranch at no cost," Kangaskhan said to Ash, who knew what she wanted in return for her assistance.
"Let me guess in return. You won't be taking in any battles. That does sound fair, given that Kangaskhan isn't normally known to be a fighter unless provoked, according to the Pokedex, and from the way you are here, I have taken that is true?" Ash asked, and she nodded at this.
"You are a correct young man. I was mainly the peacekeeper of the team before Damian had no more use for me, and right now, the Pokemon here is past my help, so yes, I am willing to join your team, Ash," Kangaskhan said to Ash, who nodded at this.
"Welcome, aboard, and if it's too much for you? You can," Ash was interrupted by Kangaskhan.
"No more releasing is needed on my end, Ash? I knew Growlithe before Damian put her in this situation. This is what I need if I must battle, I won't hesitate to do so, but I would rather be on the sidelines helping than battling," Kangaskhan said to Ash, who shook his head.
"No need. We made a deal so you can still freely do whatever you want and still help the team out," Ash said before Kang toughed the Pokeball that he had planned for her to be caught in as she was sucked in and was caught and sent to Professor Oaks lab instantly.
The group was heading their way out of the Preservation. "See you, cuz, and as for the rest of you, please don't hesitate to help them out if you see any more. Damian may only have seven more Pokemon on him, but who knows what else he left abandoned for reasons," Cailin said to Casey and the others.
"We will, and don't worry about it," The group said to Cailin as they left for the next town, Ecruteak City.
An unexpected detour gave the group two new Pokemon for the team, one for helping Ash's Pokemon back in Professor Oaks' lab and Misty's as the Journey continued.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, a man. That chapter was short but fun to do. Yes, that Marill is Misty's now. She should have gotten one a while back, not the Azuril that replaced Togepi a season later. As for Kangaskhan, yes, it's more of a support Pokemon than a Pokemon that Ash will be using. Wolfy1000 requested it. Shoutouts to him for that request. She will come in handy in helping the Growlithe and the other Pokemon at the ranch. With that said, the request captures just kept coming. This time Pidgeot and Murkrow are involved in the next chapter. See you next time with a new capture.