Sorry for the wait. It was a bad combination of assignments, moving, and just genuinely struggling to write this chapter.
Ash: Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden
Ash is currently in the middle of a battle with a random Hiker. Ash is using Bulbasaur while the Hiker is using a Rhyhorn
"Rhyhorn Take Down now!" The Hiker commands and Rhyhorn starts charging straight towards Bulbasaur. The ground is shaking from the force of the charge causing everyone to stumble and try to keep their balance
"It feels like an earthquake!" Misty yells
"Nah that would be Earthquake." Alex replies
"Bulbasaur Leech Seed now!" Ash yells and Bulbasaur prepares to fire the seed out of it's back. However Rhyhorn makes contact beforehand causing Bulbasaur to be knocked to the side
Saur!
"Bulbasaur no!" Ash yells
Bulbasaur is knocked a good distance away from Rhyhorn and slams into the ground face first. It turns towards Rhyhorn revealing that it has a bump on it's head
Bulba...
Bulbasaur forces itself back to it's feet despite being in obvious pain
Bulba...Bulba...Saur
"Bulbasaur return!" Ash tries to call back his Pokemon but Bulbasaur leaps out of the way of the beam. It shakes it's head
Bulbasaur!
"What are you doing Bulbasaur!" Ash yells, "Return!"
"Bulbasaur's too determined to give up." Brock says, "It wants to win."
The Hiker chuckles, "You must be a lousy trainer kid. It won't even listen to you." He points at Bulbasaur and Rhyhorn immediately charges again. Bulbasaur braces itself
"You can do it Bulbasaur!" Ash yells, "Razor Leaf!"
Bulbasaur leaps into the air to avoid Rhyhorn's attack and then fires Razor Leaf. The leaves strike Rhyhorn head on causing it tremendous pain
Rarrrrr!
Bulbasaur then shoots out it's vines and smacks Rhyhorn with enough force to drive it into the ground. Rhyhorn faints
"Rhyhorn!" The Hiker yells shocked
"Alright!" Ash strikes his victory pose
The Hiker returns his Rhyhorn and approaches Ash, "You sure shrunk me down to size kid. Your Bulbasaur's great."
"Thanks. Your Rhyhorn isn't so bad either." Ash replies
"It's better than mine." Alex mumbles and glances over at his Rhyhorn who has been sleeping nearby the whole time
Rarr...
"Yes I'm talking about you!" Alex yells
"Bulbasaur can never settle for being second best can it Ash?" Brock chuckles
"All of Ash's Pokemon are really stubborn just like he is." Misty says
Chu?
Ash turns towards Bulbasaur happily, "That's the way to win Bulba-"
He notices Bulbasaur is shaking and gritting it's teeth
Bulba...Bulba...Saur...
Bulbasaur's legs give out and it collapses to the ground
"Is something the matter Bulbasaur?" Ash asks concerned, "Are you feeling sick?"
Pikachu?
Bulbasaur's bulb starts glowing
Bulbasaur...Bulba bulba...Saur
Ash has rushed Bulbasaur to the nearest Pokemon Centre
"Something's seriously wrong with my Bulbasaur." Ash explains to Nurse Joy, "I think it must be sick."
Nurse Joy leans in closer to inspect Bulbasaur, "Mmm"
Bulbasaur looks really weak and depressed
Bulba...
"Please Nurse Joy you've got to save it." Ash begs on the verge of tears, "Please Nurse Joy."
Nurse Joy picks up Bulbasaur and places it on a stretcher, "I can't make any promises until I examine it, but I'll do whatever I can."
Chansey pushes the stretcher into the backroom and Nurse Joy follows behind her
"It's gotta be ok..." Ash mumbles to himself
"Don't worry Ash. I'm sure Bulbasaur will be fine." Alex says
"Yeah Nurse Joy has it covered." Brock says
Togi Togi Priii
Togepi starts waving it's arms around excitedly and points at a potted plant nearby
"What's the matter Togepi?" Misty asks and glances in the direction Togepi's pointing just in time to see the flowers instantly bloom
Bulbasaur has been hooked up to a machine and is being monitored by Nurse Joy. A bandage has also been placed on his head. Ash is standing outside the room pressing his hands against the window. Nurse Joy checks something on a monitor before heading out of the room
"Is my Bulbasaur gonna be ok?" Ash asks worried
"You don't have to worry about your Bulbasaur at all. It isn't sick at all, it's just getting ready to evolve." Nurse Joy explains
"Evolve?" Ash says surprised, "Wow I can't believe it! Bulbasaur's gonna evolve!"
"You shouldn't be so surprised." Brock says, "That hiker said Bulbasaur was strong and that's because you've done such a good job training it."
Bulbasaur slowly wakes up. He can hear the conversation from outside the room
"So when Bulbasaur evolves it will turn into Ivysaur right?" Misty asks
"Right!" Ash turns towards Nurse Joy, "So how long is it gonna be before Bulbasaur evolves?"
"Let me see." Nurse Joy looks through a window at the garden outside. All the flowers are blossoming
"Wow just like last time." Misty notes excitedly
"What do you mean?" Alex asks
"When they brought Bulbasaur into the centre I saw a vase of flowers burst into bloom." Misty explains
The flowers start releasing sparkling pollen
"Look the flowers are sparkling!" Ash shouts
"They say that at a certain time of the year, Bulbasaur gather together from all over the world for a festival where they evolve. No one knows why they choose that time. It's different every year, but it seems to have something to do with the alignment of the planets and the phases of the moon." Nurse Joy explains
Alex scratches his head confused
"It sure is beautiful." Misty notes
"It seems we got here at just the right time." Brock says
"Where do the Bulbasaur go to evolve?" Misty asks
"Have you ever heard of the Mysterious Garden?" Nurse Joy asks
"The Mysterious Garden? Cool name." Brock replies
"Yes, but since no human has ever actually seen the garden, most people think it doesn't really exist." Nurse Joy explains
"Look at all those flowers sparkle. That's not an illusion!" Misty points out, "The Mysterious Garden must be somewhere out there."
"I want to see that!" Ash exclaims excitedly, "How about you Pikachu?"
Pika Pika!
Bulbasaur is still listening to the conversation. He looks upset
Early in the morning, before the sun has even started to rise properly, Bulbasaur starts sneaking out of the Pokemon Centre. He walks past the room where Ash and the others are fast asleep. Pikachu is curled up in his own bed but is awakened by the sound of Bulbasaur's footsteps
Pika?
He gets out of bed and follows Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur stops at a hill close to the Pokemon Centre. He stares out into the distance, in the direction the pollen seems to be headed
Bulba...saur
He hangs his head sadly. Pikachu approaches him
Pika?
Bulbasaur glances over at Pikachu surprised. The Electric mouse looks at him concerned
Pika Pikachu?(What's wrong?)
Bulbasaur shakes his head
Bulba Bulbasaur(I'm not sure)
Pikachu tilts his head a little
Pikachu?
Bulbasaur Saur Bulbasaur...(This whole evolving business. Everyone seems so excited about it...everyone but me...)
Bulbasaur stares back into the distance
Bulbasaur(I don't know if I want to evolve)
Pikachu pats Bulbasaur's back
Pikapika Pikachu(That's alright. If you don't want to evolve then you don't have to.)
Bulbasaur looks back at Pikachu and smiles...Then a bunch of vines shoot out of the forest and grab him
Bulba!
Pikachu!
A bunch of Bulbasaur lift Ash's Bulbasaur into the air and start carrying him away
Bulba! Bulbasaur!
Pikachu! Pika! Pikapi!
Pikachu turns and dashes towards the Pokemon Centre where Ash is still sleeping soundly. He has a smug grin on his face
"That makes a thousand badges." He mumbles in his sleep
Pikachu rushes into the room and fires a Thunderbolt shocking Ash awake
"Ahhhhhh!"
Everyone else was woken up by Ash's screaming
"Do you mind?" Alex asks
"What's the matter Pikachu?" Ash asks
Pika Pika! Pikachu! Pika!
Pikachu starts waving his arms around frantically but everyone just stares at him confused. Pikachu drops down onto all fours and makes a face similar to Bulbasaur
"Did something happen to Bulbasaur?" Ash asks alarmed and Pikachu nods, "Ah!"
Team Rocket's travelling through the woods towards the Pokemon Centre. Jessie is looking around at the sparkly pollen with a big grin on her face
"This place is so dreamy. It makes me feel just like a princess in a fairytale." Jessie says happily. James rubs his nose
"I feel another sneeze coming on. I hate this sparkling stuff! I have allergies!"
"And I'm allergic to your whining." Jessie replies annoyed
"You're both giving me a rash. Quit your yabbering we have a job to do." Meowth says
"Yes!" Jessie exclaims, "We're gonna get that Pikachu."
At that moment the group of Bulbasaur walk past, still clutching Ash's Bulbasaur with their vines. They stop and stare at Team Rocket confused
Bulba?
"Quick get all those Bulbasaur!" Meowth yells and the three of them leap towards the Pokemon. The Bulbasaur respond by smacking them away with Vine Whip
"Ahhhh!" And they go blasting off
Pikachu is leading Ash and the others after Bulbasaur. They come across a fork in the middle of the forest
"Which way Pikachu?" Ash asks
Pikachu sniffs the ground for a bit
Pika! Pikachu!
He takes off down the right path and the others follow. Team Rocket crash into the ground a few seconds later
"Oww" They groan
"If we follow this pollen it'll probably lead us to the garden." Alex says as the group continue running
"And that's where Bulbasaur must be!" Ash yells
Giant vines suddenly emerge from within the trees
"What's going on!" Misty yells
"This whole forest is going crazy!" Brock exclaims. He notices the vines are connecting together to try and form a wall in front of them, "They're trying to block our way!"
"There's no way a bunch of stupid vines are gonna stop me! Dive through!" Ash yells and dives past the vines. The others make it through just in time as the wall seals up behind them.
"That was close." Alex wipes his mouth with the back of his hand
"Now I understand why no one has seen the Mysterious Garden before." Brock says
Team Rocket come upon the wall
"These stupid vines are blocking the path!" Jessie yells
"There must be a way we can get around them." James says
Meowth rolls his eyes, "Ofcourse there's a way numbskulls."
Ash and friends reach a hill and see below them are a bunch of Bulbasaur, all gathered before a huge bare tree with a giant hole in the middle of it and a giant stump in front of it. The sparkling pollen floats around the tree
"Wow! This must be the Mysterious Garden." Ash says amazed
The Bulbasaur are all chanting
Bul-ba-bul-ba Bul-ba-saur. Bul-ba-bul-ba Bul-ba-saur
The top of the tree starts growing longer and flowers all around the area start blooming. Leaves pop out of the top of the tree. The Pokegang look on amazed
"It's so pretty." Misty says
A light starts shining in the hole in the tree and a loud banging sound is heard. A Venusaur emerges from the tree
Venusaur
"It's a Venusaur!" Ash exclaims
Venusaur steps onto the giant stump
Saurrrrrrrrr!
Ash pulls out his pokedex and scans it
Venusaur the Seed Pokemon. A Grass/Poison type. The flower on its back catches the sun's rays. The sunlight is then absorbed and used for energy. Venusaur is the evolved form of Ivysaur.
"That kind of behavior sounds similar to a plant." Brock notes
Ash looks at all the Bulbasaur, "I can't tell which Bulbasaur is mine."
"Ash Bulbasaur still has that bandage on it's head right?" Misty asks
"Good point." Ash starts looking for any Bulbasaur with a bandage on it's head
Pikachu!
Pikachu points at Ash's Bulbasaur who is standing near the back behind the other Bulbasaur. It looks confused and uncomfortable
"There it is. Hey over here Bulba-" Brock suddenly covers his mouth
"Hey! Don't forget humans aren't supposed to be here Ash." Brock shushes him
Ash nods and Brock lets him go
"Let's watch the festival." Misty suggests and everyone watches on quietly
Venusaur and the Bulbasaur all start yelling into the sky
Saurrrrrrrrrrr!
All the Bulbasaur are doing it, except Ash's Bulbasaur, who stares down at the ground sadly
Bulbasaur...
The Bulbasaur all start glowing. They start growing bigger and the sparkling pollen floats downwards and is absorbed into each Bulbasaur's bulb. The bulbs grow bigger and start unfolding leaving a big bud with leaves around it. The glow dies down and all the Bulbasaur have evolved into Ivysaur
"That was amazing." Ash says with awe in his voice
"I agree." Alex says amazed
Venusaur starts yelling again
Saurrrrrrr
This time it sounds softer though, more like a song. The Ivysaur join in
Saurrrrrrr
Ash, Alex, Brock, Misty, Pikachu and Togepi watch on in awe
"For a long time, people have disagreed whether Bulbasaur is an animal-type Pokemon, or a plant-type. If either plants or animals disappeared from the planet, life wouldn't go on." Brock says, "Maybe the Bulbasaur are a sign that all life here is connected."
"Maybe you're right." Misty agrees
"That or whoever made them just thought it would be cool to stick a flower on their back." Alex shrugs
"Hey I wonder if my Bulbasaur's gonna evolve too." Ash looks towards his Bulbasaur, "Huh!"
"What's wrong?" Everyone looks over and to their shock they see that Bulbasaur hasn't evolved. In fact he seems to be in pain as he is hunched over and gritting his teeth. The bulb on his back keeps flashing
Bulba...
"It's not evolving?" Misty states confused
"But why not?" Ash asks
Bulbasaur is shivering and has tensed up
Bulba...saur...
"It looks like it's trying not to evolve." Brock says
Pikachu watches Bulbasaur concerned
Pika...
Venusaur notices what Bulbasaur is doing
Venu
It stomps it's foot against the stump to get everyone's attention. The Ivysaur move aside so Bulbasaur and Venusaur can talk. They are staring at Bulbasaur judgingly
Venu Venusaur
Bulbasaur!
Venusaur
Bulba Bulba Bulbasaur!
Venu Venu Venusaur!
"It looks like they're arguing." Alex says
Bulbasaur shakes his head causing Venusaur to stomp his foot against the ground furiously. The Ivysaur all glare at Bulbasaur
Ivy Ivysaur!
"The others are getting really angry." Misty says concerned
"Bulbasaur's even more stubborn than you Ash." Brock says
Venusaur's vines suddenly shoot out towards Bulbasaur whose eyes widen in shock
"Hey!" Ash leaped off the edge and slid down the slope, "Leave it alone!"
Pikachu rushes after him. Ash leaps in front of Bulbasaur and the vines slam into his shoulders
"Ahhhhh!" Ash cries out in pain
Pikapi!
Bulbasaur!
Ash grits his teeth but smiles at Bulbasaur to show that he's ok. Alex, Misty and Brock rush over to them
"Ash are you ok?" Misty asks. Ash nods his head
Venusaur!
Ivysaur!
"Ooh I don't think they're happy." Alex says
"I'm sorry we crashed your festival." Ash steps forward, "But the Bulbasaur you're mad it is my friend."
Bulba?
"The reason you're so mad is because it doesn't want to evolve right?" Ash asks
Ivysaur!
"You probably feel like it ruined your festival by not evolving, but if Bulbasaur doesn't want to evolve yet then you don't have the right to force it to!"
Venusaur looks up at the tree branches above it. It concentrates and a bunch of pollen shoots out of it's flower and towards the tree. Flowers immediately start blooming along the branches causing everyone to let out awes
"They're manipulating nature." Brock realizes
"And if Bulbasaur evolves it can do that too." Misty looks over at Bulbasaur, "Don't you want that kind of power Bulbasaur?"
Bulbasaur shakes his head
Bulba
Ash kneels to be eye level with Bulbasaur
"I'm sorry I got so excited about you evolving without thinking if you even wanted to." Ash apologizes
Bulbasaur smiles
Saur
"Now look." Ash stands back up and turns towards the Ivysaur and Venusaur, "You can't just force Bulbasaur to do what you want. Bulbasaur has the right to decide when it wants to evolve."
"The twerp is right!" They hear James' voice startling them
"You've got to choose your own path!" Jessie yells
Everyone looks up and sees Team Rocket floating towards them in their Meowth balloon. Ash groans
"Great. Now we have to prepare for trouble."
Jessie: Prepare for trouble!
James: Make it double!
Jessie: To protect the world from devastation!
James: To unite all peoples within our nation!
Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love!
James: To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie: Jessie!
James: James!
Jessie: Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
Meowth: Meowth! That's right!
Meowth presses a button and a giant device emerges from the bottom of their basket
"Here we go." Misty moans
James presses a button and the device suddenly starts sucking the Ivysaur up towards it
Ivysaur!
"Oh it's a vacuum." Alex says surprised, "I was expecting a net."
"Now's not the time to admire them!" Ash yells
Bulbasaur flies past
Bulbasaur!
"No Bulbasaur!" Ash leaps forward and catches him
The Ivysaur are getting sucked up into the vacuum and stored into a giant bag connected to it. Venusaur shoots out a bunch of vines managing to catch all the Ivysaur that haven't been sucked up yet
"It's trying to save them." Jessie chuckles
"Up the suction fullpower!" Meowth yells
"Roger." James presses a button and the vacuum's suction gets stronger
Venusaur struggles to keep it's grip on the Ivysaur. It feels itself start to get lifted into the air
Venusaur!
It forces itself back onto the ground. Pikachu meanwhile gets pulled up by the vacuum
Pika!
"Pikachu!" Ash yells but he can't grab him. Bulbasaur shoots out it's vines and grabs Pikachu
Pikachu!
Bulbasaur pulls Pikachu back onto the ground
"Thanks Bulbasaur." Ash says, "Now use Razor Leaf to try and pop that balloon!"
Bulbasaur fires the Razor Leaf but the leaves immediately get sucked into the vacuum
"It's no good!" Ash yells
"Maybe we should try and send out our other Pokemon?" Alex suggests
"I left all my Pokemon at the Pokemon Centre." Ash replies
"Me too." Misty and Brock admit
Alex groans, "I did as well."
Venusaur loses it's grip on the Ivysaur and they get sucked up
Venusaur!
"We got them!" Team Rocket yell
"Look!" James points at Bulbasaur, "All that's left is that Bulbasaur. Should we get it?"
Jessie and Meowth burst out laughing
"Who needs a Bulbasaur?" Jessie asks through fits of laughter angering Bulbasaur
"You can keep that runt!" James yells
"Stop making fun of my Bulbasaur!" Ash yells back
Bulbasaurrrrrrr!
While this whole thing has been going on, the sun has slowly been rising and is now in the sky. Bulbasaur's bulb starts absorbing sunlight
"What's happening to Bulbasaur?" Ash asks confused and pulls out his pokedex
Solar Beam-Once of the strongest Grass type attacks. The Pokemon absorbs energy from the sun and then fires it in a powerful attack
"I didn't know you could do that." Ash says surprised, "Alright Bulbasaur fire at that balloon!"
Bulbasaur's bulb glows and he fires a powerful beam directly towards Team Rocket's balloon.
"Ahhhh!" Team Rocket scream
The balloon explodes freeing the Ivysaur and causing them all fall towards the ground. Bulbasaur shoots out it's Razor Leaf using the wind to slow the Ivysaur fall and allow them to land safely on the ground. Team Rocket meanwhile were sent flying from the explosion
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
"Great job Bulbasaur!" Ash yells
"That was amazing." Misty says
Venusaur stomps it's foot against the ground to get their attention. They look over and see that Venusaur and all the Ivysaur are facing Bulbasaur. However they are all smiling. Venusaur slowly extends it's vine towards Bulbasaur
Venusaur
Bulba? Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur extends it's vine and wraps it around Venusaur's. The two shake vines
"It seems Bulbasaur managed to earn Venusaur's respect." Alex says
"Yeah it seems you're right." Brock agrees
Venusaur and the Ivysaur have led the Pokegang back to the vine wall. The vines break apart revealing the path once again
Venusaur
Venusaur turns and starts walking away. The Ivysaur follow
"Goodbye Venusaur and Ivysaur!" Ash yells and waves
Fog forms around the Pokemon and they disappear into it
"I guess once the festival is over the garden disappears." Alex says
"I'm glad we were able to see it." Misty says
"Yeah that was probably a once in a lifetime chance." Brock agrees
The group turn and start walking back towards the Pokemon Centre. Bulbasaur stares at the road ahead with a big grin on his face
Bulbasaur
TBC
And we're done. I don't have any intention of evolving Bulbasaur throughout this series.
Pokemon:
Ash Ketchum:
Pikachu(Male)(Electric)
Pidgeotto(Male)(Normal/Flying)
Bulbasaur(Male)(Grass/Poison)
Charizard(Male)(Fire/Flying)
Squirtle(Male)(Water)
Haunter(Male)(Ghost/Poison)
Egg
At Oak's Lab:
Krabby(Male)(Water)
Muk(Male)(Poison)
Sandslash(Male)(Ground)
Tauros(Male)(Normal)(x30)
Primeape(Male)(Fighting)
Alex Martin:
Charmeleon(Male)(Fire)
Parasect(Female)(Bug/Grass)
Gyarados(Male)(Water/Flying)
Machop(Male)(Fighting)
Rhyhorn(Male)(Ground/Rock)
Eevee(Shiny)(Male)(Normal)
Porygon(Normal)
At Oak's Lab:
Magnemite(Electric/Steel)
Hypno(Male)(Psychic)
Beedrill(Female)(Bug/Poison)
Misty Waterflower:
Goldeen(Female)(Water)
Staryu(Water)
Starmie(Water/Psychic)
Oddish(Male)(Grass/Poison)
Tentacool(Male)(Water/Poison)
Horsea(Male)(Water)
Psyduck(Male)(Water)
Togepi(Male)(Fairy)
Brock Harrison:
Onix(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Geodude(Male)(Rock/Ground)
Zubat(Male)(Poison/Flying)
Dugtrio(Jenny, Joy and Suzie)(Female)(Ground)
Vulpix(Female)(Fire)
Tauros(Male)(Normal)
Aerodactyl(Male)(Rock/Flying)
Team Rocket:
Meowth(Male)(Normal)
Arbok(Male)(Poison)
Weezing(Male)(Poison)
Seaking(Female)(Water)
Weepinbell(Female)(Grass/Poison)
Lickitung(Female)(Normal)