Hey readers - here we are with another chapter : ) I know it's a day earlier than I usually post, but I have plans with my family tomorrow, so I probably won't have time to post it when I usually do, and I really wanted to get this chapter up this week : )

I don't really have too much to say today, so let's get straight down to the result of the last voting topic : ) I'm actually quite surprised to say that by landslide majority, the winner was... Poliwag! I honestly thought that since we already have Gyarados on the team, and later on will be getting Lapras, and possibly even Vaporeon and Omanyte, that people wouldn't go for the Water Type Pokemon here. I actually thought that people would go with Venonat, but I can work with a Poliwag ; ) Plus if you guys vote to evolve it when the time comes, a Poliwrath would be a good Fighting Type Pokemon, of which the team currently has none ; )

Anyway, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you for the continued support you guys keep showing this story. I really do appreciate it so thank you to everyone that has reviewed, followed and favourited this story. Please keep it up : )

Finally, please remember that Pokemon does not belong to me, only me OC's do.

I hope you enjoy this chapter : )

Ash Catches A Pokemon - Part 2

Ash, Nolan, and everyone else watched on intently as the pokeball thrown by the raven haired boy swung through the air in a great arch, before finally beginning its descent back down to Earth. The spherical object was the sole focus of their attention, with each of them looking on with a different emotion flitting across his or her face. Ash - for obvious reasons - was the most excited member of the party, and had a gigantic grin stretched across his face in eager anticipation. At his side was Nolan, who likewise was smiling, albeit he had more of an air of curiosity on his best friend's behalf to him. Pikachu and Meadow were both watching the capture device eagerly, excited about the prospect of making a new friend. There was no denying the protective stand that Meadow had adopted however, standing directly in front of her precious partner, just in case their newest acquaintance wasn't best pleased about its capture, and decided to attack. Just because she was excited about hopefully making a new friend, didn't mean she was going to take her eye off the ball. Not where her human's safety was concerned. He was far too important to her to allow that. Misty was the only member of their group to be watching the scene unfold with somewhat negative emotions. The moment that the sphere had parted ways with Ash's fingertips, the young girl let out a terrified shriek, and ran across the clearing as fast as her legs would carry her. Now, she was nervously hiding behind a tree, peering out in fear, as she tried and failed not to tremble where she stood.

Each of them, wide eyed, watched as the pokeball eventually fell to the ground and snapped open. A scarlet coloured light burst out from the small capsule, bathing the surrounding trees in an ominous red glow and casting crimson shadows, before finally coalescing into the familiar form of Ash's new Caterpie. The small green creature looked at each of them in wonder.

Ash, looking a little put-out by the fact that Misty was trying to hide from his new teammate, glanced back over his shoulder at the whimpering girl as he strode across the clearing towards his new Pokemon.

"There's nothing to be scared of" he shook his head in exasperation.

Nolan couldn't help but frown a little bit at the way Ash kept dismissing Misty's genuine phobia. Whilst he completely understood his best friend's excitement about this latest turn out events, he just couldn't agree with totally disregarding a friend's feelings like that. Especially not after the way that Misty had been so understanding after how much trouble they'd caused her. Perhaps he needed to have a quiet word in his friend's ear about this later. If they were all going to be travelling together for the foreseeable future, they needed to resolve this.

Right now though, that would have to wait. Ash had now fully turned his attention to Caterpie, and was about to introduce himself. That was the most important thing right now. The raven haired boy crouched down to be closer to Caterpie's level.

"Hi there Caterpie" Ash said in a surprisingly gentle tone given his usual loud manner, "My name is Ash Ketchum, and from now on, I'm gonna be your trainer".

Caterpie tilted its head to the side, peering up at Ash with a curious glint in its large eyes.

"Cater" the Bug Type Pokemon chirped softly.

"Do you understand what I mean by that?" Ash asked, trying to remember how Nolan had gone about this with Welkin since it had worked out so well for them, "When I caught you in the pokeball, it meant that I became responsible for you. From now on you'll be travelling around with us. Does that sound okay to you? I promise - me and my friends are all very trustworthy".

Caterpie hesitated for a moment, before cautiously nudging Ash's hand with his large red antenna.

Observing the scene from a short distance away, Nolan immediately realised what it was that Caterpie was doing. The small Bug Type Pokemon was using its antenna to get a sense of Ash, rather like how Meadow had used Nolan's scent to determine his trustworthiness back at the professor's lab. It was fascinating to watch.

Several long moments later, it appeared that Ash had passed Caterpie's inspection. The small green creature withdrew its antenna, and let out a few happy-sounding chirps. Ash exhaled deeply, letting out a breath he wasn't aware that he'd been holding. He sure was relieved that Caterpie seemed to like him a whole lot faster than Pikachu initially had. He wasn't keen for a repeat of that situation any time soon.

"Oh Caterpie, I'm so glad that you're not upset with me for capturing you" Ash beamed, and Caterpie chirped happily again, "I'm sure that we'll be the very best of friends before long, and I promise, I promise you Caterpie, I'm gonna be the very best trainer to you that I can possibly be".

Sensing the human's genuine sincerity, Caterpie couldn't help but smile warmly back at him.

"Here" the raven haired Pokemon trainer said, lowering his arm down in front of Caterpie, "Climb up onto my shoulder, and then I'll introduce you to everyone else".

"Caterpie" the small Bug Type Pokemon nodded again, doing as its new trainer suggested as it slowly crawled up his arm, before gently using the suction cups on its feet to secure itself in place on Ash's shoulder. Grinning, Ash stood up slowly, being careful to avoid jostling his new friend around too much, before turning back to the others. He was met with an audience of proud smiles.

"Caterpie - this is my best friend, Nolan Locke" Ash introduced, gesturing to the blonde boy, who smiled back at them warmly, "He and I have been friends for a very long time now, so we travel together. You'll be travelling alongside him too now".

"It's very nice to meet you Caterpie" Nolan said kindly to the little green Pokemon, before slowly extending his hand and leaving it hanging in the air just in front of Caterpie's antenna.

Understanding the curtsey that the human was trying to show, Caterpie nodded and rubbed its antenna over Nolan's fingers, just as it had to Ash's moments before. Thankfully, Nolan also seemed to pass the test.

"Pie! Pie! Caterpie!" Caterpie chirped in a friendly manner.

Nolan couldn't help but grin widely at the small creature's enthusiastic reaction to him. The golden haired boy had always enjoyed making friends with Pokemon, regardless of whether he was going to train that Pokemon or not. He was glad to be positively received by his best friend's newest teammate.

"Aw... I really like you too" Nolan cooed warmly, gently rubbing Caterpie's head, much to said creature's delight.

Ash smiled happily, pleased that Caterpie was already settling well into their group, before he continued making his introductions.

"Nolan also has some Pokemon too" Ash explained to Caterpie, who was listening to him with rapt attention, "Right now he has Welkin, a Pidgey that's currently in his pokeball but I'm sure you'll meet him later, and he also has Meadow. She's a very kind Bulbasaur, and she also happens to be Nolan's partner Pokemon. Say hello".

Caterpie glanced down from its perch on Ash's shoulder at the Bulbasaur, who politely inclined her head. The two humans were a little confused by her lack of reaction, but from the protective stance she had taken in front of Nolan, Caterpie understood perfectly. Don't mess with him and we'll get on just fine. Caterpie nodded its understanding to her, and at last a true smile eclipsed Meadow's face. She extended one of her vines up towards Caterpie, gently running it over the course of the Bug Type Pokemon's body. In response, Caterpie warmly nuzzled the vine in greeting. The two humans couldn't help but grin at the display.

"Looks like those two are gonna get on just fine" Nolan said happily.

"Thankfully" Ash nodded in relief, before turning back to the task at hand, addressing Caterpie once more, "Right, well that's Nolan's team. On our team there's you and me, but also Pikachu. He's my partner Pokemon, so I hope you two will become good friends as well".

"Pika!" Pikachu cheered warmly, jumping up from the ground and skilfully landing on Ash's unoccupied shoulder. The yellow creature extended a tiny paw, and patted the side of the Bug Type Pokemon's face in greeting. Caterpie nuzzled him back, both Pokemon smiling happily.

"Well it looks like you guys are gonna be best pals in no time!" Ash cheered in excitement, and both of his Pokemon smiled wider and nodded their heads, "Anyway, last of all Caterpie is Misty. She only just joined our little group but already she's become a good friend. She's a Water Type Pokemon Specialist".

Caterpie nodded its understanding, before looking around the clearing that they were all in curiously. When it found no trace of a third human, Caterpie tilted its head towards Ash in confusion.

"Cater" Caterpie frowned, completely bemused.

"Oh yeah, she's hiding for whatever reason" Ash muttered under his breath, a little annoyed that Misty hadn't come over to meet his newest Pokemon friend, "There she is over there".

"No, Ash, wait!" Nolan exclaimed, trying to stop the inevitable, or at least better prepare them all for it.

It was already far too late though, and the damage had already been done. Ash, not registering his best friend's words in time to stop himself, raised his arm and pointed with his finger to the spot where Misty was currently half-hidden. Naturally, Caterpie looked in that direction, its large obsidian eyes sweeping over the area in general, before finally coming to rest on the spot where Misty was trying to hide, quietly whimpering. The terrified girl and the curious Bug Type Pokemon locked eyes...

The effect was instantaneous.

"CAAAAAAATTTTTTEEEERRRRR!"

Ash, Nolan, Meadow and Pikachu were all quite frankly stunned as Caterpie's demeanour seemed to change in an instant. Each and every one of its tiny yellow feet flailing, Caterpie let out a noise more like a war-cry than the friendly chirping that they had all been growing accustomed to. And what happened next shocked all of them, for without any warning whatsoever, Caterpie suddenly lunged through the air, landed in the dirt on the ground at Ash's feet, before making a beeline across the clearing.

"Hey Caterpie! What's wrong?!" Ash called after the scurrying Bug Type Pokemon in concern, "Come back!"

His words had little effect on his newest Pokemon though. Either Caterpie was a bit like Pikachu and was... selective about following the raven haired boy's instructions, or else it was simply too overexcited about Misty's presence for some reason to really hear him. Either way, Ash's exclamation did nothing to halt Caterpie as it made its way across the clearing at an impressive speed. Within nanoseconds, Caterpie was at Misty's side, as all the world would soon discover.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A scream of pure and unadulterated terror echoed throughout the forest so loudly that Nolan was forced to place his hands over his ears, otherwise run the risk of a burst eardrum. Once the quite frankly frightening shriek of horror had ended, the golden haired boy cautiously lowered his hands, and looked over to where Misty had previously been hiding to see what was happening. He couldn't help but wince as he took the sight in.

Her skin as white as a sheet, her whole body rigid with panic, her bones rattling loudly, was Misty, practically vibrating with fear as Caterpie affectionately nuzzled the exposed skin of the terrified girl's lower leg. The green Pokemon had a loving look in its eyes, and was completely oblivious to the way that the human was trembling beneath its touch. Even though the Pokemon's display of affection would normally be a most heart-warming sight, Nolan couldn't help but grimace.

There was no way that this situation was going to end well.

"Hey Misty" Ash said as he walked over to join them, a smile on his face as he once again totally missed the intensity of the girl's turmoil, "Caterpie really likes you! Isn't that cute?"

At those words, Nolan groaned and ran his hand across the entirety of his face, suddenly feeling exhausted. He knew that Ash was just going to keep making this situation worse and worse until eventually it would all boil over. Honestly, it was like the raven haired boy couldn't even see the state that Misty was in. Nolan truly did love the other boy as a brother, but boy was Ash infuriatingly dense when he wanted to be.

The golden haired boy opened his mouth in an attempt to intervene, but sadly the chance to utter a single word was lost before he'd even had it.

Misty, unable to cope with the sheer mental horror of having a Bug Type Pokemon touching her, simply couldn't stand it anymore and collapsed to her knees in the dirt. The poor girl was close to ripping her own hair out, so great was her distress.

"GET THIS DISGUSTING BUG AWAY FROM ME!" the scared girl demanded at the top of her lungs, eyeing Caterpie with revulsion as the little green Pokemon pulled away from nuzzling her leg in curious bewilderment.

"Pie?" Caterpie blinked up at Misty in a puzzled manner, confused as to why the human was trembling with fear.

Misty whimpered again as she made eye contact with the small green Pokemon, and scooted back a little, trying to put some distance between the two of them.

"P-please... don't... come any closer to me!" Misty managed to gasp out, backing away a little more quickly until her back brushed up against a nearby tree trunk.

Ash just watched the entire display with thinly veiled annoyance. He put his hands on his hips as he scowled down at Misty's quivering form, a look of utmost disapproval burning away in his russet coloured eyes.

"What?!" the raven haired boy ground out through clenched teeth, offended on behalf of his newest Pokemon, "You think Caterpie is disgusting?!"

Poor Caterpie hadn't yet twigged on to the fact that it was the cause of Misty's panic and fear. Upon hearing Ash's words however, everything clicked into place, and the small green Pokemon looked utterly heartbroken. Caterpie immediately lowered its head out of shame and self-disgust, suddenly feeling dirty. The others took notice of the Pokemon's change in demeanour, and whilst Ash looked very angry and Nolan quite pitying, Pikachu and Meadow were much more focused on simply trying to raise their new friend's spirits. The two Pokemon immediately hurried over to the Bug Type Pokemon's side.

"Pika, pika" Pikachu offered Caterpie a sympathetic smile as he gently patted the shorter green creature on the back.

"Saur, Bulbasaur" Meadow extended one of her vines and soothingly rubbed it in circles across Caterpie's head. The Bug Type Pokemon seemed to appreciate their efforts.

"Cater..." it gave both Pikachu and Meadow a strained smile, but it was clearly still deeply hurt and downtrodden by Misty's harsh rejection.

A rejection that the girl was unwittingly about to magnify tenfold.

"I know!" Misty said in a voice of forced cheer, cautiously creeping forwards on her knees until she was close enough to pull both Pikachu and Meadow into her arms, cuddling the two of them tightly for comfort, "You boys can be friends with that creepy bug, and I'll be friends with Meadow and Pikachu!"

Again, Nolan couldn't help but wince as yet again this messy situation they were in seemed to continue to escalate. Caterpie watched Misty cuddling the other Pokemon with obvious joy on her face, whilst on Caterpie's own, tears began to brim in its eyes at the unfairness of it all. Nolan knew that Misty wasn't deliberately trying to be cruel, but he had to admit, her actions were a little cold. Ash on the other hand was not as understanding, and glowered at Misty in his anger.

"Oh, that is so unfair Misty!" Ash scowled on behalf of his new Pokemon, who was still clearly very upset, "Blatantly showing Pikachu and Meadow favouritism like that! It's just not... huh?"

Ash cut himself off when he realised that Misty wasn't paying him a blind bit of notice, nor were Pikachu or Meadow, both of whom were lapping up all the affection that Misty was showering them with. Scowling furiously at the display, Ash clenched both his jaw and his fists in aggravation.

"Pikachu... Meadow..." the raven haired boy ground out through his teeth, not liking the way that the two partner Pokemon seemed go be taking Misty's side in this, regardless of the way it was clearly hurting Caterpie's feelings.

"Cater..." Caterpie let out a soft whine of sadness, distracting Misty away from patting Pikachu's head and Meadow's bulb. All three of them looked over to see that Caterpie was starting to cry.

Now if it had been any other kind of Pokemon, Misty would have immediately tried her best to make the poor thing feel better by pulling it into her arms and offering it the same affection and attention until everything was alright again. Because of what Caterpie was however, everything that it did was simply revolting to the young girl, and tragically enough, that even included crying. So regardless of how cruel of her it was, in her fear Misty simply couldn't help but fix Caterpie with a cold and disgusted glare.

"It's so gross!" Misty whimpered again as she eyed the green Pokemon that was still far too close for her liking, "Ash! Put that creepy thing back in its pokeball! Bug Type Pokemon are one of the three most disgusting things in the world!"

Glaring darkly at the way that Misty kept on using that incredibly hurtful word in regards to his new Pokemon friend, Ash angrily stomped over to her side.

"Aside from the way that you're acting right now, what are the other disgusting things?" Ash bit out at the girl on the ground sarcastically.

On the sidelines, Nolan could do little more than shake his head in disappointment at the display his two human friends were putting on. Whilst he understood both parties' points of view in this, he couldn't help but feel that neither one of them were actually in the right. Not completely at least. He opened his mouth to say as much, but just like last time, the golden haired boy unfortunately never got the chance to say anything.

"Very funny!" Misty snapped, rising to the sarcasm she heard in Ash's tone, but deciding to answer his question anyway, "Carrots! Peppers! And Bugs! Everybody has something that they're afraid of, and for me that fear is Bugs!"

Again, Nolan opened his mouth to try to calm the rising tension, but once more he was immediately cut over before he could speak. As childish as it might sound, the golden haired Pokemon trainer couldn't help but pout a little in frustration.

"Yeah?!" Ash yelled back in response to Misty's words, pulling a silly face in an attempt to diminish her opinions on this subject, "Well I like carrots! And peppers! And Bugs! What I don't like is the way that you're hurting Caterpie's feelings with your stupid fear of bugs!"

Misty opened her mouth angrily, but thankfully this time she was the one that didn't get to speak.

"THAT'S IT!"

Having heard quite enough and unwilling to listen to anymore, Nolan snapped completely and angrily pushed his way forwards until he had broke Ash and Misty apart. The blonde haired boy was now stood between them, panting heavily as he glared at Ash and Misty in turn, both of whom stared at him in shock.

"That is enough out of both of you!" Nolan shouted angrily, putting his foot down as he point-blank refused to put up with any more of this, "Neither one of you is in the right here, so stop fighting right now, or I swear I will take Meadow with me right now and leave both of you here!"

Hearing those words, Ash looked actually rather hurt, whilst Misty just seemed quite shocked at the golden haired boy's outburst. Pikachu looked worried, hoping that Nolan wasn't being serious, but Meadow simply hopped out of a surprised Misty's arms and walked over to her precious partner's side. She ran a soothing vine over his leg, but it did little to calm her irate trainer down.

"But she keeps..." Ash started to protest.

"He keeps on..." Misty spoke out at the exact same time.

"I don't care!" Nolan bellowed over the top of them both, startling both of his hot-headed friends back into silence, much to Nolan's dark satisfaction, "We are all supposed to be friends, and we just agreed to travel around this entire region together! Well I'll tell you both this for nothing - if you think I'm gonna spend my whole journey listening to you two sniping at each other over this, you can think again, because I'm not putting up with it!"

Ash and Misty both lowered their eyes away from his intense gaze, both feeling slightly ashamed of themselves. Sadly for the two of them, Nolan was only just getting started, and he turned to Ash to give him his dressing down first.

"Now listen, I completely understand that you are very excited about catching yourself a Caterpie, and that you probably feel that Misty's phobia is spoiling it" Nolan started off, trying to control his tone but probably failing if the downcast expression on Ash's face was anything to go by, "But it's a bit rich for you to stand there complaining about her disregarding Caterpie's feelings, considering that you're doing the exact same thing in regards to hers".

Ash blinked in surprise, confused by what his best friend was trying to tell him.

"What? How?" Ash asked, clearly bewildered. Nolan sighed again, running a hand down his face as he tried to explain.

"Misty has a phobia Ash - she's not been petty, she isn't being mean, she is genuinely terrified of Bug Type Pokemon" Nolan said slowly, before cutting in when Ash showed signs of interrupting him, "I know that Caterpie doesn't mean her any harm, but she just can't help being scared by it. And you do not have the right to just ignore that. You need to respect it, even if you don't agree with it. Like Misty said before, everyone has something they don't like, and that includes you".

Ash grumbled under his breath, a somewhat petulant expression plastered all over his face.

"I don't have any phobias" he muttered softly, but Nolan still heard him as clear as day. He also knew those words were a lie.

"Two words for you Ash Ketchum" Nolan said in a tone that didn't brook any argument, "Small. Spaces".

The effect that those two short words had on Ash was instantaneous.

Almost immediately and completely against his will, the raven haired boy's entire body seized up uncomfortably, as he closed his eyes tightly, clearly disturbed just thinking about the notion. It had been a deeply held fear that Ash had developed back when he was much younger. Several years ago, back when Ash and Nolan had both been in preschool together, their class teacher had allowed them and all the other young children to place a game of hide and seek throughout the school, with some areas of course being restricted. Those other children had unfortunately included Gary, and he had played a particular nasty trick on Ash that day. An act that the raven haired boy still carried around with him in his heart to this very day in fact.

During the game of hide and seek, Ash had chosen to hide himself away in a small cupboard, just barely managing to squeeze his small body into the even smaller space. That was where Gary unfortunately came into the equation. Thinking himself hilarious, the young bully had thought it would be a good idea to take a skipping rope and tie the cupboard's handles together, binding them shut and trapping poor Ash inside.

It was three hours after the game of hide and seek had ended before anyone realised that Ash was missing.

Bawling his eyes out, Ash actually had to be treated by the school nurse as he suffered a major panic attack after being located and freed. It was only after Delia and Professor Oak had arrived at the school - having both been informed of the incident over the telephone from the boys' teacher - were they able to calm the traumatised Ash down, albeit only slightly. Nolan had never seen the usually kind and gentle Professor Oak so angry before, as he led a sulking Gary away from the school by the arm. The next day Gary was made to apologise to Ash in front of everyone, but sadly the damage had already been done.

Ash had developed Claustrophobia, and would probably carry that fear around with him for the rest of his life.

Catching the somewhat self-ashamed look in his best friend's eyes as his mind no doubt flew back to that day, Nolan pointed at Ash as though his point had just been proven.

"That... right there" the blonde boy said in a more gentle tone, "That fear you're feeling right now is how Misty feels whenever Caterpie goes near her. She can't help it Ash - and you know that it's wrong to ignore it or say that she's stupid for feeling that way".

Ash looked down at the ground, now feeling ashamed of his earlier actions.

Feeling that Ash had been suitably chastened, Nolan then turned to Misty, annoyed to see her sporting a somewhat smug expression. He would make quick work of getting rid of it though.

"And you haven't handled this situation any better!" the golden haired boy told her bluntly, causing Misty's smirk to drop, "Like you just heard me say to Ash, I understand just how difficult this situation is for you Misty, and I do feel bad for you, but if you want to travel with us then you need to realise that your feelings aren't the only ones that matter in this group".

Misty blushed, and opened her mouth to reply, but Nolan was quick to cut her off.

"No. I know that Ash hasn't been very respectful today in regards to your feelings, but nothing gives you the right to treat Caterpie the way you have either. It has just as much right to be in our group as anyone else here does, and being afraid doesn't give you the right to be cruel. It can't help being a bug, and if you want Caterpie to respect your phobia and keep its distance, than you need to respect its feelings too. You made Caterpie cry Misty - that wasn't okay".

Misty looked down at her shoes, and didn't say anything as she reflected on his words.

Sensing that both of his human friends had enough food for thought right now, Nolan decided it was finally time to address the newest member of their group. With a kind smile on his face, Nolan crouched down and gently pulled the Bug Type Pokemon into his arms. To his relief, Caterpie went with no resistance, so Nolan affectionately brushed his fingers over the creature's antenna.

"Now listen Caterpie - you are not disgusting, you're not gross, and you're not creepy" Nolan said reassuringly as he patted the small creature, who curled up in his arms and accepted the comfort Nolan was offering, "I can tell already that you're very sweet and very kind. Which is why I'm going to ask you to show that kindness towards Misty. I know you just want to be her friend, but she can't help being scared of bugs anymore than you can help being born one. So please keep your distance from her, yeah? Me and Meadow and Pikachu will all be your friends, and I know Ash already is!"

Caterpie, although disappointed, looked up at Nolan with an air of hope at those last words.

"Cater?" the Bug Type Pokemon tilted its head to the side.

"Sure I mean it!" Nolan confirmed happily, and Caterpie cheered in delight, pleased to have made at least some new friends. Smiling at the Pokemon's enthusiastic response, Nolan then carefully placed Caterpie on the ground between Meadow and Pikachu, before turning back to his two human friends. He forced his smile away as he did so.

"Now, is there anything you two would like to say?" the golden haired boy asked pointedly.

Ash and Misty both looked a little reluctant to admit it, but both of them knew that Nolan was right. They were silent for a few moments longer, before they both sighed. Ash was the one to break the tense silence.

"Okay, I admit it, Nolan was right" he said begrudgingly, before looking Misty in the eye apologetically, "I'm sorry Misty - just because I was angry about the way you were treating Caterpie, doesn't give me the right to call a phobia stupid when I know how bad they can be. I shouldn't have ignored it either, just because it didn't fall in well with my own excitement about catching Caterpie. I'm really sorry".

Misty, surprised that Ash had actually apologised, felt humbled by his words.

"No... Nolan was right about me too" the young girl admitted, and this time Ash was the one to look surprised, "Having an intense phobia doesn't excuse the way I lashed out at your Caterpie. I shouldn't have said the things that I did, and it was pretty mean the way that I rubbed my distaste for it in its face by so obviously favouring Meadow and Pikachu. I'm sorry Ash".

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Misty then did the decent thing, and turned to face Caterpie. Whilst her discomfort was still palpable, at least she brought herself to look the saddened creature in the eye.

"I'm sorry for my behaviour and for the nasty things I said before Caterpie" the girl said softly, and there was no denying the sincerity behind her words, "Nolan's right, it wasn't cool of me to make you cry. I won't say those things anymore, but I would appreciate it if you keep your distance from me from now on. I'm sorry, I know being a Bug Type Pokemon isn't your fault, but I just can't help but feel uncomfortable around you. I hope you understand".

"Caterpie" Caterpie sighed sadly, but graciously nodded its head. Misty gave a small sigh of relief.

"Thank you Caterpie" she said, before turning back to the other humans.

"Thank you for apologising to Caterpie, Misty" Ash said gratefully, "I really don't want us to fall out over this. I promise that from now on, I'll show you more consideration, and I'll make sure that Caterpie remembers to keep its distance".

"Thank you Ash" Misty smiled back at him, a true smile on her face now, "And I promise that I'll make more of an effort to keep from saying nasty things about bugs out loud moving forwards".

Ash nodded, and at last the tension between the group of human friends finally felt like it had lifted.

"So, are we all good now?" Nolan wanted to be sure. Ash and Misty both nodded at him warmly.

"I think we are" Ash said with a smile, "Thanks for stepping in when you did Nolan, before things could get any further out of hand".

"Yeah" Misty nodded in agreement at his side, "I think we both really needed to hear those harsh words. It brought us back to our senses, so thank you".

"Any time" he playfully winked, and the three friends all shared a laugh.

Feeling that things were now finally back on track, Nolan once again set off further into the Viridian Forest, all of the others, including the new addition of Ash's Caterpie, trailing after him. Each and every one of them was wondering the same thing.

Exactly what else might be waiting for them, just around the corner...

And that's another one : )

Yay! So Nolan managed to knock some sense into both Ash and Misty : ) When I re-watched the whole episode before I started rewriting it, I realised just how much of it is devoted to Ash and Misty arguing with one another. It's actually kinda annoying, so I decided early on that I was going to change that. Like I said before, I want those two to be proper friends earlier on than they were in the canon anime. I still wanted to include some of the arguing though, but I feel like this chapter was enough to get both character's points across, before having Nolan break it up by telling them that they're both in the wrong :) Let me know what you guys think ; )

Also, I wanted to give Ash a genuine phobia as well. I know that the character is supposed to be fearless, but that really just isn't realistic, so I decided to give him a fear that makes him uncomfortable. I thought about it long and hard, and Claustrophobia seemed like it was fitting, since Ash clearly loves being outdoors so much : ) We'll find out what Nolan's phobia is eventually, since he's going to have one as well ; )

Anyway - let's move on to the next voting topic : ) And yes, you guessed it, it's another new Pokemon vote! Like I said last time, I know we've had a lot of these lately, but going forwards they hopefully should be broken up a little bit better. Of course it also depends on if the vote ends in a tie, but assuming it doesn't, then the next one will be an evolution vote. But for now, here are the newest Pokemon options : D

Pokemon Options -

Route 7: - Meowth - Male - Sassy Nature - Pickup Ability

Pokemon Tower: - Haunter - Male - Bashful Nature - Levitate Ability

Route 18: - Doduo - Female - Hasty Nature - Early Bird Ability

Not gonna lie - I think the choice here is pretty obvious ; ) Of course, you guys pick whichever Pokemon you want, but I know which one I'd personally go for : ) Please leave a review telling me which Pokemon you vote for, and what you thought of the chapter in general. And remember, if you have any name suggestions for the Pokemon that Nolan gets, please leave them in a review since any suggestions would be greatly appreciated : ) I hope you enjoyed this chapter : )

Until the next time, keep on reading : )