Last time Ashlyn and her friends arrived at Valencia Island to receive a mysterious Pokéball for Professor Oak, after getting the GS Ball from Professor Ivy. Brock decided to stay back with Professor Ivy and her assistants, to learn more about Pokémon. And the gang said their goodbyes and parted way to Tangelo Island.
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Ashlyn, Volkner, and Misty got to Tangelo Island safely. Ashlyn was glad that they haven't run into Team Rocket yet. But she knew that they will soon.
"So what do we do now, Ashlyn?" Misty asked.
"Well first we find the Pokémon center, and then we plan what to do next from there." Ashlyn decided.
So they continued on finding the Pokémon center. On the way, they came to a beach. But what they saw on the beach made them very angry. Three trainers, dressed like a thugs, were beating a Lapras with wooden sticks.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing to that Pokémon?!" Ashlyn shouted, "Leave that Lapras alone!"
"If you must know, sweetheart," The trainer with the red open shirt said, "We're training this Pokémon for the Orange League."
"That's right! This is none of your business." The second Trainer said with purple shirt and white hat, "Now scram!"
Ashlyn got really angry and released her Espeon, "Espeon, use Psychic to throw these jerks into the sea!"
Espeon's eyes glowed blue and used her psychic power to hoist the three trainers into the air and flung them into the sea. Then the three trainers got out of the sea.
"You three have no right to be Pokémon trainers," Volkner glared, "and I don't think the Orange League would like trainers like you either."
"This brat wants to pick a fight." The third trainer with an orange shirt said, angrily.
"Then we'll give her one." The first trainer growled. "Go!" He sent out his Spearow.
"Go!" The other two trainer sent out Hitmonchan and Beedrill.
"Spearow!" The tiny bird screeched out.
"Monchan!" The punching Pokémon said.
"Beee!" The poison bee Pokémon said.
"Don't hold back, Tesla." Ashlyn told her partner.
"Rai! (You got it)!" Tesla got ready to battle when suddenly they were interrupted.
"Stop!"
Surprised, they all turned to see a young man with short black hair, brown eyes, wearing a bandana around his forehead. He was also sporting a green shirt, and red shorts. Ashlyn recognized him as Tracey Sketchit.
"Who's that?" Misty wondered.
"Not sure." Volkner said.
Tracey came down to the beach and observe the three jerks Pokémon before giving his examination.
"This Spearow is vitamin-deficient," then turned to Beedrill, "The coloring on this Beedrill is poor," and finally he evaluated Hitmonchan, "And this Hitmonchan is lacking exercise. Such poor care, underdeveloped actually."
When he was done with them, he then evaluated Tesla, "This Raichu however is a different story. Its coat is shiny, and looks very healthy."
"Um, thank you...?" Ashlyn slowly said, unsure of how else to respond.
Irritated, the trio decided to attack, but Ashlyn wasn't having any of it.
"Thunderbolt!"
Tesla sent a powerful Thunderbolt to the three Pokémon, knocking them out instantly.
"That's impossible!" The third trainer exclaimed.
"She knocked them all out?! Who is this gal?!" The second trainer exclaimed.
"Huh, wait a minute! I've seen her somewhere before...crap—its her! Ashlyn Ketchum, the girl who won the Indigo League!" The third trainer yelled.
"Seriously?!" The second trainer exclaimed.
"Let's get out of here!" The first trainer shouted.
Terrified, they return their Pokémon and flee the area with their tails between their legs. Serves them right.
"You better run!" Misty yelled at them.
"That couldn't happen to nicer trainers." Volkner stated.
Ashlyn knelt next to the Lapras, "This Lapras was abused by those three trainers, and it needs help quickly."
"I'll go get Nurse Joy, and you guys look after Lapras." Tracey volunteered and headed off to the Pokémon Center.
Ashlyn tried to touch Lapras, to let it know that everything was going to be okay. But Lapras kept moving its head away. Ashlyn knew that it didn't trust her because of what those three trainers did to it. She didn't blame Lapras for feeling that way.
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Soon Lapras was at the Pokémon center and Nurse Joy gave it treatment at once. She had placed it in the pool outside that she kept for water Pokémon.
"It's a good thing that you stop those rough trainers from hitting the Lapras," Tracey said, "Otherwise poor Lapras would have had it worse."
"I agree with that," Misty agreed, "Oh, we didn't get your name."
"I'm Tracey Sketchit and I am a Pokémon watcher." Tracey introduced himself.
"Pokémon watcher?" Misty asked.
"I've heard of Pokémon watchers," Ashlyn said, "They travel all over world observing, sketching and studying Pokémon. Prof Oak was one too before he became a professor."
"Wait, you know Prof Oak of Pallet Town?" Tracey asked, surprised.
"Yes," Ashlyn nodded, "I live in Pallet Town. I was also his assistant when I was six years old."
"No way, you're lucky," Tracey stated, "I'm a big fan of Prof Oak. Please introduce me some time."
Just then Nurse Joy came out from treating Lapras.
"How's Lapras doing?" Ashlyn asked.
"Lapras will be fine now," Nurse Joy replied, "But, there's a problem."
"What do you mean?" Volkner asked.
"You see, we're trying to load Lapras onto a truck so we can take it back to sea, but it doesn't want to move." Nurse Joy said, sadly.
"It's because of what those punk trainers did, especially since it's only a baby Lapras." Ashlyn stated.
"But if that Lapras is a baby, then where's its mother?" Misty questioned.
"I guess that this Lapras must've got separated from his pod. A big Lapras Pod past by the Island this time of the year and we had a big storm a few weeks ago." Nurse Joy explained.
Ashlyn felt sorry for Lapras. Being so far away from your family and not knowing how to get back to them.
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Ashlyn, Volkner, Misty, and Tracey went outside to watch Lapras. A truck was next to the pool; it was for lifting heavy Pokémon like Lapras.
"We need to get Lapras back to the ocean," Tracey stated, "but since it will be scared of us, we have to show that we are friends and not enemies."
Then Ashlyn got an idea, "I know," She turned to Misty, "Misty, could you bring your Lapras from the Cerulean gym? Maybe Lapras will listen to another Lapras."
"That's a good idea," Misty went back into the Pokémon Center and then came out and got her Lapras from Cerulean Gym and released into the pool.
"I'm surprised that your sisters let you borrow Lapras, since they like to use her in their shows." Ashlyn said.
"When I told them of the situation they understood," Misty explained, "but they want her back as soon as this situation is finished."
Misty's Lapras swam over to the baby Lapras and told it what the humans wanted to do. At first the baby Lapras hesitated of whether to trust the humans or not because of what the punk trainers did, but thanks to Misty's Lapras' persuasion, the baby Lapras agreed to trust them.
Then the two Lapras came over to the gang.
"Lapp Lapras Lapp Laapp (The little one wishes to thank you, Ashlyn)." Misty's Lapras said.
"Don't worry about. Glad to help." Ashlyn replied.
She held her hand out to the baby Lapras. He seemed hesitant and let Ashlyn place her hand on his head. He cooed as Ashlyn gently rubbed his head.
"It seems your plan worked Ashlyn," Tracey commented, "the baby Lapras trusts us now."
"Lapp Lapras Lapp. (I missed my mother.)" Lapras said, sadly.
"You got separated during that huge storm that happened not too long ago." Ashlyn explained.
"Lapras Lapp Laaapp. (Yes, my mother was calling out to me but I was already too far away and the storm push the pod away.)"
"Well, we have a situation to that." Ashlyn said.
Lapras face perked up, "Lap? (Really?)"
"First, you see I'll be travelling Island to Island so that I can compete in the Orange League. Second, you could travel with us and maybe one day during those travels we'll find your mother and pod." Ashlyn explained, "So what do you say? Wanna travel with us?"
Lapras thought for a moment and nodded happily, "Lappp! (Of course!)" He flapped his flippers, about.
Suddenly a truck came out of nowhere as some bazookas flew over the two Lapras and flung a big net, capturing the two transport Pokémon.
"LAPPP!" The two Lapras cried out.
Everyone gasped.
"Where did that come from?!" Misty exclaimed.
"HA HAHAHAHAHAHA!" A familiar laughter was heard and a familiar motto was also heard.
It was Team Rocket. It seemed that they had their eyes on the two Lapras.
"Ahahaha! These two Lapras will make us rich." Meowth grinned.
"No way! A talking Meowth?!" Tracey gasped.
"More like an annoying talking Meowth." Volkner deadpanned.
"I wouldn't want to interview that cat Pokémon. He's from Team Rocket." Ashlyn added.
"Team Rocket?" Tracey asked.
"Team Rocket is a criminal organization that steals people's Pokémon and use them for evil things." Misty explained.
"WHAT?!" Tracey exclaimed, crossed.
"You're not taking those Lapras anywhere!" Ashlyn shouted and released Steenee and Espeon, "Steenee, Espeon, come on out!"
"Steenee!" Steenee cried out.
"Espeon!" Espeon cried out.
"Raichu, let's go!" Volkner released Raichu.
"Raichu!" Raichu cried out.
"Steenee, cut the net with Razor Leaf!" Ashlyn ordered.
Steenee summoned a bunch of leaves which cut the net, freeing the Lapras. Espeon used Psychic to catch Misty's Lapras and the young Lapras and place them back into the water carefully.
The young Lapras landed back in the water, "Lapp!" He smiled.
"Oh no!" Meowth gasped.
"Tesla-"
"Raichu-"
"Thunderbolt!" Ashlyn and Volkner said in unison.
Tesla and Raichu let out their electrical attack towards Team Rocket.
BOOM! The truck exploded, sending Team Rocket flying away because they were on the truck.
"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" They screamed out as they flew off.
"Lapras, are you okay girl?" Misty asked, worried. Lapras nuzzled against her and she hugged the water Pokémon, "Thank goodness."
"Are you all right Lapras?" Ashlyn asked. Lapras cooed, "I'm glad."
Nurse Joy came out, seeing what happened, "Oh dear, is everyone alright?" She asked.
"Yeah, everyone is alright Nurse Joy." Ashlyn replied.
Nurse Joy sighed in relief, "That's good." She smiled and saw the young Lapras, "Well it seems like the young Lapras trusts you all."
Ashlyn nodded, "I promise Lapras here that we'll search for his mother while traveling through the Orange Islands." She said, "But I'll release him when we find his pod."
Nurse Joy nodded, "I see. Isn't that great Lapras?"
"Lap!" Lapras smiled.
Ashlyn smiled and pulled out a Pokéball, she held it towards the transport Pokémon.
"Lapras." Lapras tapped the Pokéball button with his head and he was sucked it, captured without a fuss.
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Soon it was time for Ashlyn, Volker, and Misty to leave Tangelo Island. Before they did leave, Tracey asked them if he could come along with them.
"That way I can see more Pokémon and places and meet Prof. Oak when you get back to Kanto." he explained.
Ashlyn, Volker, and Misty saw nothing wrong with that, and accepted Tracey into the group. So with a new friend and Pokémon in the group, Ashlyn and the gang started the journey for the Orange League.
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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Espeon (F), Shiny Charizard (Natsu)(M), Gengar (M), Persian (F), Steenee (F), Trumbeak (M), Pikachu (Levina)(F), Vaporeon (F), Leafon (F), Glaceon (F), Dusk Lycanroc (Romulus)(M), Kangaskhan (F), Lapras (M)