Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I hope you are enjoying the story so far, as we are getting close to the halfway mark around the time we are done with Cianwood City. Either it is the gym battle or a Tournament I have planned there. Whether before or after the gym battle. Let me know what should happen first not going to tell you what it is, but it revolves around what the gym leader specializes in. That said, let's get this chapter started, shall we?
Chapter 38: With the help of friends
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes in the back of the Pokemon center as Ash's team was training, aside from Larvitar, who was being fed milk.
Charizard was training with Cyndaquil and Houndoom for the upcoming tournament, which was a fire-type tournament. Charizard plans to stay out of this for these two to participate and possibly Growlithe if she can battle by that point. Ash was finishing feeding Larvitar, who was acting playful towards Ash.
"You think that you are willing to battle, little one? I know what happened to your mother is a thing, but getting stronger can help?" Ash said to Larvitar, who nodded her head.
"Yeah, I can't just sit around being a baby and doing nothing," Larvitar said to Ash, who chuckled. Ash noticed that Venomoth was struggling to fight against Pidgeot. More importantly, his Psybeam was struggling to keep a stream. Venomoth looked down, hurt because he had used it ideally during his battle the other day.
"Hey, don't worry, you'll get it, Venomoth. You're stronger than you think you are," Ash said, who nodded at this.
"Thanks, Ash. Since you let me join your team, you've been trying to help me with my capabilities, but it doesn't look like it's getting any better, especially at my age. I'm only as of now, Ash, and yet I'm not at what most members of my line should be," Venomoth told Ash tearfully as Ash wiped the tear from his eyes.
"Hey, it's okay, don't be like that. You've done more for the team than you think, and I know that you are doing your best, which is all that matters," Ash said to Venomoth, who smiled and nodded. "Give yourself some rest. We can try and get this done together," Ash said to Venomoth, who sighed and nodded at this.
"You know, Ash, he's trying his best and still young. It's not his fault that he evolved when he was brainwashed to save Daniel," Misty said to Ash. More concerned about Venomoth, Ash nodded.
"I know Misty, and I'm trying my hardest and can see why he had trouble with him, but I won't give up on Venomoth, that is for sure," Ash said to Misty. Suddenly Ash's face spread like a grin as if someone were holding it. "Hey, stop it," Ash said, wiping it away and turning to see a Haunter.
"Surprise, Ash," the Haunter said to Ash which. This took Ash aback as Haunter laughed, but not in a mean way.
Another laughter was right behind Haunter, a person Ash, Misty, and Brock instantly recognized. "Been a while, my friends," she said.
"Sabrina!" Ash, Misty, and Brock said to her. The group had lunch with Kadabra, eating beside Sabrina, and Haunter made Cyndaquil and Larvitar happy by playing around.
"Will told us that you were here in Johto and wasn't expecting to run into you were doing so," Brock said to Sabrina, who finished drinking her drink.
"Well, actually, you ran into me yesterday on your way to the gym, so I went to see how much stronger you've gotten since I gave you my badge as thanks for giving me a friend in Haunter here and changing my life now," Sabrina said to Brock.
"I'm just glad that you aren't doing those voodoo things anymore just to make friends," Misty said as Ash Ahmed upon her saying that. "Oh, sorry, I still remember that day," Misty apologized to Sabrina, who held her arm out not to use her telekinesis but to say it was okay.
"No, I deserve that, Misty. I was so desperate to make friends, given you know my past, that I didn't realize I could've made friends even after the battle ended," Sabrina said.
"It wasn't a bad rule to your gym Sabrina, but we could've been friends without all that, and I would've come back when I was stronger to face you again," Ash said to Sabrina, who nodded. "You helped save us and Pikachu from Team Rocket that night."
"Looking back then, I would've accepted that suggestion, but you're welcome nowadays. I'm now taking it lightly as a gym leader and made more friends with the right trainers this time. And Haunter here has been a part of my team now," Sabrina said, which Ash was surprised to hear as Haunter nodded.
"I'm glad to hear that Haunter wished you would've helped me in the gym battle back then, but you did help regardless," Ash said, looking down at Haunter.
"I will admit, Ash, part of me had wished we battled that day if I knew how much fun battling was," Haunter said to Ash.
"Sorry to change the subject, Sabrina," Brock said to Sabrina, who looked at Brock. "But I feel you aren't here to say hi to us?" Brock said as Sabrina nodded and pointed to Venomoth, which made the group curious.
"I saw your gym battle yesterday, and I must say that I was impressed by how much you've changed as a trainer Ash. But both Kadabra and I noticed how much Venomoth struggled during that battle," Sabrina said to Ash and the gang. Venomoth was listening to this. "I heard everything you said about Venomoth's situation before and after joining your team," Sabrina said to Ash. Ash sighed and nodded at this.
"Team Rocket used a Noctowl to brainwash him and the forest to attack other trainers for their needs, and his former trainer was in the crosshairs of it," Ash explained to Sabrina, who nodded.
"I heard from the league what happened, and don't worry, I don't blame either of you two for deciding to help this young moth," Sabrina said to Ash. "The problem is that you will need more than what you are doing to help him get over all of this mentally and with his psychic capabilities," Sabrina said to Ash, trying not to sound mean.
"She ain't wrong, Ash," Venomoth told Ash as he could tell she was speaking for his heart through his training and battles.
"I was planning on leaving today for Kanto, but after seeing you yesterday and Venomoth's issues, I agreed to stay for another day to help you two out," Sabrina said to Ash, who was taken aback by this.
"How, though?" Ash asked Sabrina.
"Well, first, let's see how well he is by battle," Sabrina said to Ash, and this took everyone aback. "If I remember correctly, Ash? I still owe you a real battle. After all, that happened, so why not now? No strings attached. Not like I planned on doing anything to you guys anyway," Sabrina said. Ash turned to Venomoth, who nodded at this.
"We accept, Sabrina," Ash said to Sabrina, who smiled at this.
"Let's make this a double battle then if you are up to that?" Sabrina suggested to Ash, who had a battle in one before, so he was okay with it.
After eating, both Ash and Sabrina were on the battlefield. Sabrina had Haunter and Kadabra on her side of the battlefield as her Pokemon. Ash had Venomoth and Pikachu, who wanted a rematch against Kadabra.
"Well, Sabrina, you can make the first move," Ash suggested to Sabrina, who nodded.
"Kadabra use Psybeam, Haunter use Nightshade," Sabrina commanded her Pokemon, who fired their attacks.
"Venomoth use Gust, Pikachu used Thunderbolt," Ash commanded them, who fired their attacks as they clashed. "Venomoth, use Psybeam on Haunter," Ash commanded Venomoth. "Pikachu used Quick attack on Kadabra." Pikachu ran towards Kadabra as both hit their targets, but Haunter got out of it quickly as if not much damage was done to him.
"Hypnosis and Dream Eater, you two," Sabrina commanded her Pokemon, who used said attacks on Pikachu and Venomoth. Venomoth got out of it, but Pikachu wasn't so lucky, as he was hit on both sides of the combo.
"Pikachu! Get up, please," Ash said to Pikachu, but he was in a deep sleep.
"Shadow Ball and Future sight," Sabrina commanded her two Pokemon, who readied and used their attacks.
"Venomoth, use Sludge Bomb to stop the Shadow Ball," Ash commanded him, who used the attack to stop the Shadow Ball. But the Future sight hits both of them. Sending them back to Ash's side of the field.
"You want to stop, Ash? It's not wise to continue this battle that you can't win like this," Sabrina said to Ash, who sighed and nodded at this. He knew when he was beaten. Ash ran to Pikachu and Venomoth, who didn't blame Ash for surrendering like that. "You lasted longer than our last battle, Ash, but even though you managed to win many battles since we last saw each other, you still got more to learn," Sabrina said to Ash, who nodded in agreement. "But, I can tell you that you've done well raising your Pokemon here. Even the old me would be impressed. Maybe we can help each other," Sabrina suggested to Ash, wondering what she meant by that.
"What do you have in mind, Sabrina?" Ash asked Sabrina, who looked to Venomoth and petted his wings which he buzzed happily.
"Maybe, I can help you with his training by helping him overcome his issues but still let him be himself," Sabrina suggests to Ash.
"Wait, what? Hold on, Sabrina; I promised Venomoth and his former trainer that I wouldn't give up on Venomoth and help him," Ash said to Sabrina, knowing where this was going. He had people suggest this to his other Pokemon in the past.
"Who says that this will break that promise, Ash?" Sabrina said to Ash, who looked down. "I thought that we trade my Haunter with each other for him," Sabrina said. Ash was surprised by this as Venomoth looked interested.
"Venomoth will still be your Pokemon, and I will keep in contact with you, and he will be yours to use in battles, and he can return to your team once things are clear with him while still keeping Haunter. On your team," Sabrina explained to Ash. 'I'll do it,' Venomoth agreed to this condition if it meant still being a part of Ash's team.
"You sure, Venomoth? You've been doing well with my team, and this is sudden?" Ash said to Venomoth, who nodded.
"I helped with your gym battles and tried my best, but best isn't enough to help me with my moves. Please, Ash?" Venomoth pleaded. Ash looked down and nodded.
"I want to help you more, but I am willing to let you do what you want, Venomoth," Ash said to Venomoth before turning to Sabrina. "You promise you will help him, and he will still stay on my team afterward, Sabrina?" Ash asked Sabrina.
"I'm a woman of my word, Ash. It's the least that I can do for both of us as trainers," Sabrina said to Ash, who nodded in agreement.
The two went to the trading area of the Pokemon Center and placed the two Pokeballs on the slots. Both Venomoth and Haunter were traded to their respective trainers as it started. And we're on the opposite sides of where they began. However, Sabrina's eyes glowed on Venomoth's ball, removing the change of ownership clause of trading to ensure that Ash was still the owner of Venomoth. Sabrina and Ash let out their Pokemon. Venomoth was out of his ball, but it was a Gengar in Haunter's place instead of Haunter. Ash would usually be shocked by the sight of this but remembered that is the only way that Haunter evolved into Gengar. Ash turned to Venomoth and Sabrina.
"Take good care of him and do what you can to help him, Sabrina," Ash said, then looked at Venomoth. "I hope we can work together again as a team, boy, but since this is what you wanted, I won't stop you," Ash said Venomoth nodded at this.
"Not to worry, Ash, what I did before we let them out was ensure that you were still his trainer no matter what," Sabrina assured Ash that Venomoth was his still, which both Ash and Venomoth were happy hearing was now a thing. Gengar was smiling as he was with Ash again. "Well, Gengar, this is goodbye, and thank you for all you've done," Sabrina said to Gengar.
"Your welcome, Sabrina, and glad to help you and am happy to join Ash this time," Gengar said to Sabrina. Sabrina was about to leave but turned to Ash and the group.
"By the way. I ran into Will's sister Cherry and agreed to take her under my training. She was the one who told me about you all here," Sabrina said to Ash and the others, who were happy to hear this. "Given that I trained her brother before? She will make a good apprentice, not just a student," Sabrina said to the group as Ash nodded.
"Yeah, she may have trouble with battles, but she'll be strong soon enough with your help. Thank you again, Sabrina," Ash said to Sabrina, who chuckled and left.
"I'll be in touch until then. See you all later," Sabrina left the group as they waved goodbye to Gengar.
What a big surprise to see that Sabrina was helping the group with this issue. Now that things are looking up for Venomoth and Ash as the Journey continues.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, man. This chapter was fun to write. Don't worry about Venomoth. He will be back on Ash's team when the league comes around. Gengar was requested by Nathanael Card, who also requested Gengar in Unova. I won't lie; I struggled to figure out how to give Ash Gengar in this story, but he was okay with it after asking him and suggesting this. It's the Sakura episode's next chapter. See you next time.