The gang was now walking through the waist high grass. A few hours earlier, the gang had left Pokémon Tech School when they were on their way to Vermilion. Ashlyn already knew what that school was for and she was glad that her mom didn't send her there. After meeting a student named Joe who Ashlyn had met when looking for firewood when she and the others were taking a break on the misty road. Misty had asked for a battle with him to prove that she was stronger than him, which she was. Then he was humilated by an upperclassmen named Giselle. The gang was angry at her treatment of Joe and Ashlyn insulted her for that. Giselle got angry and demanded a battle with Ashlyn. In the end, Ashlyn won and Giselle apologized to Joe about she treated him. Team Rocket soon showed up and Giselle told them that Team Rocket used to go to Pokémon Tech School but flunked out. Lucario and Tesla sent them blasting off before they could do anything else. To make up from how she treated them, Giselle gave them directions on how to get to Vermilion City.
=========================================================
"We're lost aren't we?" Misty said, annoyed.
Brock scratched his cheek nervously, "Yeah we're definitely lost."
Misty huffed in annoyance, "Did Giselle give us bad directions?"
Ashlyn took out her phone and fiddled with the apps. Then a map popped up with a red dot, which indicated where they are.
"Here we are." Ashlyn said.
Brock looked over her shoulder.
"We're not far from a Pokémon Center." Ashlyn said.
"Really!" Misty perked up.
"How about a break here?" Brock suggested.
"Sounds good." Ashlyn nodded.
They sat down on some boulders in the clearing they found. Then Ashlyn saw something near the river, it has a blue round body with leaves with five large green leaves sprouting from its head. It was taking a drink from the lake.
"Hey, an Oddish." Ashlyn scanned the Pokémon.
[Oddish, this Pokémon is typically found roaming the forest, scattering pollen as it walks around.]
Misty squealed, "Its so cute! I'm gonna catch it!" she brought out a Pokéball.
Ashlyn looked at her, "Really? Even though it's a Grass type and not a Water type?"
"It's cute! So types don't matter." Misty replied.
Brock, Ashlyn, and her Pokémon sweat dropped at her answer.
"(What kind of answer is that?)" Lucario asked.
Ashlyn shrugged, "No idea."
"Go Starmie!" Misty called, throwing the Pokéball into the air and releasing Starmie. "Watergun, now!" Misty cried.
The star shaped Pokémon shot a water gun attack at the poor unsuspecting Oddish knocking the poor Pokémon back. She threw out a Pokéball but it was knocked away by a vine whip.
"What was that?" Misty said, confused.
A small bluish green Pokémon with green spots and a green plant bulb on its back and red eyes and white pupils. It was glaring at them very intently.
"It's a Bulbasaur!" Ashlyn exclaimed in excitement and scanned the Pokémon.
[Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. A young Bulbasaur uses the nutrients from its seed for the energy it needs to grow.]
The Bulbasaur growled as it stood in front of Oddish.
"A wild Bulbasaur is a rare sight." Brock said.
Ashlyn observed Bulbasaur and remembered that this was the same Bulbasaur who joined Ash on his journey. Knowing that Bulbasaur was being very protective of Oddish, she decided that Misty should give up on Oddish for the moment.
"Perhaps we should leave the Oddish alone. It's obvious that Bulbasaur protecting it from being captured." Ashlyn suggested.
"Yeah, you're right." Misty agreed, "I'm sorry for trying to capture you, Oddish."
Oddish tilted its head in confusion. Then Bulbasaur gently grabbed Oddish and took off.
"Let's get back to our break." Brock suggested.
The gang sat down and had their lunches.
============================================
After they were done with lunch, they're currently walking across a bridge, very carefully, because it wasn't really safe or stable. So they had to hold onto the ropes as they walked with the wind blowing over. Ashlyn had put Lucario and Tesla into their Pokeballs until after they got across.
"Remind me again, WHY we decided to cross this bridge?!" Misty yelled.
"There might be someone on the other side who can h-" Ashlyn began to say. Suddenly a harsh wind blew over them and the bridge began to wiggle. Then it snapped causing everyone to hold onto whatever they could.
Ashlyn managed to hold onto the wood and Misty hanging onto Ashlyn's waist who refused to look down. However Brock couldn't hold on much longer and lost his grip on the rope.
"AAAHHH!!!" Brock yelled before he fell into the river.
"BROCK!" Ashlyn and Misty shouted when Brock fall into the river.
"We can't stay like this forever!" Misty yelled.
Ashlyn managed to pull themselves up with all her strength. Ashlyn got to the top first and helped Misty the rest of the way. They all let out sighs of relief once they were all on top.
"Phew, that was close." Ashlyn sighed.
"I thought we were goners for sure." Misty sighed. "What about Brock?"
"Let's look around. We might find him." Ashlyn suggested as she stood up. Misty stood up as well. Then they headed off to look for Brock.
===================================
Ashlyn had let out Tesla and Lucario after they were at a safe distance from the damaged bridge. Ashlyn had then asked Lucario to spread his aura to find Brock and detect any traps nearby. Luckily, Lucario detected a few as they walked and he managed to pull them out of the way before they could fall in. However, Misty just nearly fell in one pit.
"This is ridiculous!" Misty yelled after Ashlyn stopped her from falling into a pit, "Who set up all of these traps?!"
"I don't know. But I know that these traps were set up for a reason." Ashlyn stated. "They were probably made by someone who lives in this forest. Maybe they're used for protection."
"(Let's keep moving)." Lucario decided.
The gang continued to walk for who knows how long until...
"Ahoy there!"
They turned to the voice and saw the person they were looking for who waved at them.
"Brock, you're okay!" Ashlyn and Misty said, relieved.
Brock smiled, "Yeah."
"What happened to you when you fell into the river, Brock?" Misty asked.
"Well, I was being carried away by the current when a beautiful girl rescued me." Brock explained.
Ashlyn, Tesla, Lucario, and Misty sweat dropped at the 'beautiful girl', only Brock would say something like that.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to her." Brock said.
The gang followed after Brock, to where the girl who rescued Brock lives.
======================================
Brock led them to a small wooden cabin where a blue haired woman was tending to some Pokémon.
"Oh are these your friends you've told me about?" The woman asked.
"Yes," Brock answered, "Ashlyn, Tesla, Lucario, Misty this is Melanie."
"Hello/Rai/(Hello)." Everyone greeted.
"Hello, Brock told me all about you." Melanie greeted back.
"Wow, are these Pokémon all yours?" Misty asked when she spotted all the Pokémon in the area.
"Oh no." Melanie shook her head.
"This is a place where Pokémon are able to rest and relax," Brock explained, "When Pokémon are abandoned or injured, they can come here. Melanie takes care of them till they get better and then they can leave."
"So this is like a Pokémon center and Melanie's like a Pokémon doctor." Misty said.
"Oh no," Melanie shook her head. "I'm not qualified to be a Pokémon doctor." she replied with a smile.
"This is more like a Pokémon health spa." Brock explained.
"Here the Pokémon don't battle with one another. They relax and try to enjoy themselves until they recover." Melanie continued.
"Wow." Ashlyn praised.
"Melanie collects plants to use for medicine. She knows all about which plants can help a Pokémon feel better or grow stronger when it's too weak." Brock finished.
"So you and Melanie both like to take care of Pokémon." Ashlyn commented slyly.
"We do," Brock replied, a grin on his face as he watched Melanie play with the insect and plant Pokémon.
"Well, it looks to me like there's something else Brock might like." Misty teased.
Brock's face turned an impressive tomato red. He shuffled in place hilariously before jumping over to Misty to clamp her mouth shut with his hand.
"Be quiet! She might hear you!" Brock growled as Misty pried his hand off her mouth and laughed.
"Melanie, are you the one who set up those traps?" Ashlyn asked, already knowing.
Melanie smiled weakly, "I'm sorry about that. I set those traps for Pokémon poachers and Pokémon trainers who try to catch the Pokémon here even though they're too ill to escape or fight back."
"(That would explain the traps that Ashlyn and Misty almost fell in)." Lucario nodded.
Misty blushed as she frowned with puffed cheeks.
"It's okay. You were trying to protect them." Ashlyn assured her which made her smile.
Melanie went back to the Pokémon as Ashlyn and Lucario looked to each other, thinking the same thing.
"(Do you think those traps will keep poachers and thieves away)?" Lucario asked.
"I'm not sure," Ashlyn replied, "But I do know one group of thieves who won't hesitate to come here and steal all these Pokémon."
============================================
The gang was helping out Melanie by taking care of the Pokémon and they promised that they wouldn't catch any of them. Everyone had let out their Pokémon for some fresh air. Ashlyn let out her Pokémon so that they could interact with the other Pokémon.
"I promised Melanie we wouldn't capture any Pokémon here." Brock stated.
"And did you seal the promise with a kiss?" Misty jeered with a stupid grin. She was rewarded with a fist to the top of her head. "Ow!" She glared up at Brock's extremely red face, embarrassed and angry. Misty's grin returned. "So that must mean you really do like her." she continued, rewarded with another bump on the head.
===============================================
Ashlyn watched silently as Brock gently splashed water on a Staryu, momentarily looking into the lake to watch a Magikarp swim by.
"Does that feel better, Staryu?" She asked after the water Pokémon shook itself off.
Ashlyn brought her attention to Misty when she was apologizing to the Oddish from before. She couldn't help but comment on the last thing she said.
"...I hope I'm not becoming heartless." Misty said.
"I don't think so, Misty," Ashlyn assured her, "You just didn't know that Oddish had a trainer and was afraid to get captured. Besides, if you really were heartless, your Pokémon would have left you by now."
"I suppose." Misty said, sadly.
Oddish walked up to Misty and nuzzled her head against her knee. Misty smiled softly and ruffled Oddish's leaves, "Thanks, Oddish."
"Bulbasaur (Back off)!" Bulbasaur suddenly appeared and was about to tackle Misty. But Rockruff intercepted it. The two jumped away from each other.
"Rock! Ruff Ruff! Rockruff Rock! (Misty was just apologizing to Oddish! She wasn't going to hurt her again! Oddish also forgave her!)" Rockruff growled.
"Bulba Bulba Bulbasaur! (Well then, tell her to step away from Oddish!)" Bulbasaur growled.
"Why was Bulbasaur about to attack me?" Misty asked, slightly scared.
"I believe that Bulbasaur thought that you were taking Oddish away from the village." Ashlyn replied.
"Ashlyn's right. Bulbasaur was only trying to protect Oddish. He volunteered to protect our whole village. It protects all the injured Pokémon whenever enemies try to attack them," Melanie explained. "Bulbasaur is the bravest and most loyal Pokémon I know."
"So that's why Bulbasaur was about to attack me. You were right, Ashlyn." Misty said in understanding. Ashlyn looked down in surprise when Bulbasaur started pressing his head against her shins in an obvious action telling her to leave. "Now what?" Misty questioned.
"Bulbasaur doesn't like Pokémon trainers. He wants you to leave the village now." Melanie explained sadly.
"But we're not here to capture Pokémon!" Misty argued. "We're here to help you!" Bulbasaur never stopped pushing at Ashlyn's legs with his head.
"It's true, Bulbasaur. These are our friends." Melanie defended softly.
Ashlyn smiled gently down at the Pokémon that never stopped pushing at her, "Bulbasaur just wants to protect the injured Pokémon so he became the village bodyguard. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a partner." Ashlyn praised.
Lucario came over and picked up Bulbasaur who was surprised at the action, "(That's enough, little one)." Bulbasaur glared heatedly at Lucario, "(Just because you were abandoned by your trainer, don't assume that every single trainer is the same)."
"Bulba Bulba Saur! (They are the same!)" Bulbasaur growled.
"Pokémon are just like people. They all have different personalities. It may be true that some trainers are arrogant or cruel, but there are some who care deeply about their Pokémon. You just haven't met those kind yet." Ashlyn stated.
Bulbasaur stopped glaring and blinked at Ashlyn.
Suddenly a mysterious shadow appeared over them. The gang looked up to see Team Rocket standing on some platform reciting their usual stupid motto.
Ashlyn sighed exasperated, "Them again."
"Today only at Jessie Stadium, it's the Team Rocket Pokémon challenge!" Jessie announced grandly.
Suddenly a large hose came out from a compartment that slid open on the side of the large floating metal 'stadium', immediately giving off a powerful suction that had Ashlyn wondering what their obsession with vacuums was.
"All Pokémon are invited to the stadium!" Jessie welcomed.
"Step right up." James intoned darkly.
"Yeah, we're not hosin' ya! Well, maybe we are!" Meowth followed up, making Ashlyn roll her eyes. She dove for the Staryu from before that was losing ground, holding it to her tightly.
"They never run out of ideas, do they?" Ashlyn questioned.
"Hurry, everybody get in the cabin!" Brock cried over the gusting wind, everyone promptly doing as told.
"Wait!" Misty cried as Oddish slipped through her fingers and got swept up in the air. "No, Oddish!"
Of course Bulbasaur was quick to rescue the little Pokémon, catching it with his vine whip and wrapping his vines around it securely as he brought it closer.
"Bulbasaur!" Misty said happily.
Ashlyn ran over to hand the Star Pokémon in her hands to Misty.
"Here, take Staryu," Ashlyn called as she immediately ran over to help the two Pokémon out as Bulbasaur seemed to be struggling. She ran behind him and helped by acting as a buffer, pushing him forward towards the door. "Don't stop, Bulbasaur." She encouraged, having a harder time than she thought pushing the Pokémon forward.
She sighed in relief when the door closed behind her but there wasn't much time to relax as the hose focused on sucking the roof off the cabin. Bulbasaur quickly put Oddish down and climbed to the roof, slapping the hose away with his vine whip.
Ashlyn ran out as soon as she did so, "Pidgeotto, use Gust attack!" She called. Pidgeotto flew out of the cabin and launched her Gust attack. The opposing forces in the air caused a tornado to form in the center, heading straight for Team Rocket and blowing them and their stupid stadium away.
"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket shouted as they disappeared into the sky.
Ashlyn just sighed in relief that the 'terrible trio' were finally gone.
"Is everyone feeling okay?" Melanie asked in concern.
"Well, I just had the wind knocked out of me." Ashlyn joked poorly, though Bulbasaur seemed to chuckle and smiled.
"This village is well protected with Bulbasaur here." Ashlyn commended.
"Ashlyn, don't you think that Bulbasaur would be an excellent addition to your team?" Melanie suddenly asked.
"Of course! He'd be great!" Ashlyn enthused.
"I think Bulbasaur should go with you." Melanie replied.
Ashlyn blinked in confusion, "Wait what?"
Melanie picked Bulbasaur up. "Bulbasaur stayed here to protect the weaker Pokémon, but this village is too small. The bulb on its back can't grow here. It needs to go out into the world now and I know you'll take good care of him. Please do me this favor. Take Bulbasaur with you on your journey. He'll be a good companion." Melanie promised, offering Bulbasaur to her.
"But what will happen to the village without Bulbasaur?" Misty asked.
"Yeah, who's going to protect you?" Brock questioned in concern.
"It's true that Bulbasaur's done a great job, maybe too great a job. The thing is, these Pokémon shouldn't remain in the village forever. After they recover, the Pokémon are supposed to leave, but it's too safe here, so none of them want to go. They don't want to return to the outside world. But I think it's important that all of them return to the wild. That's where Pokémon belong and hopefully someday, they'll find good trainers like you. Of course taking care of sick Pokémon will always be my mission, but I know my job isn't finished until they return to where they came from. So it's the day when a Pokémon leaves that is most rewarding to me." Melanie said passionately.
"Melanie, I-" Brock started.
"So, please. It's time for Bulbasaur to leave. Please take him with you. He won't be a burden, I promise. Bulbasaur still has a lot of growing to do. I want it to be in a place where I'm sure he can grow strong and happy. I'm sure that place is with you, Ashlyn." she finished with a warm smile, making Ashlyn smile back just as warmly.
"Well, if it's alright with Bulbasaur, it's alright with me." Ashlyn stated happily.
"Bulbasaur Bulba (I'll join you on one condition)." Bulbasaur said.
"Condition?" Ashlyn asked.
"Bulba Bulbasaur (I want to have a Pokémon battle with you)." Bulbasaur replied.
"I'll be happy to give you a battle, Bulbasaur!" Ashlyn enthused.
================================================
Ashlyn, with Pidgeotto in front of her, and Bulbasaur stood a few feet apart from each other.
"Pidgeotto use Peck Attack!" Ashlyn called out.
Pidgeotto pecked at the Bulbasaur like crazy. Bulbasaur used Razor Leaf to blow Pidgeotto away, but Pidgeotto flew up to dodge.
"Now it's time to use your new move, Sky Attack!" Ashlyn shouted.
Pidgeotto had a white energy surrounding it and charged at Bulbasaur. That gave Bulbasaur real pain and dazed it.
"All right Pokéball go!" Ashlyn said.
The Pokéball hit Bulbasaur and was sucked inside. The Pokéball wiggled for a few seconds and then it dinged which meant that Bulbasaur was caught.
"Thank you Pidgeotto." Ashlyn thanked the Bird Pokémon.
Pidgeotto squawked with glee. But then she started to glow white, then she grew bigger. When the light faded, Pidgeotto was now a bigger bird with a short hooked beak.
"Pidgeotto evolved into Pidgeot." Brock explained.
Ashlyn took out her phone and scanned the Pokémon.
[Pidgeot, the Bird Pokémon. The evolved form of Pidgeotto. It can fly at twice the speed of sound at an altitude of nearly one mile.]
Ashlyn rubbed Pidgeot's beak in affection and Pidgeot enjoyed it.
Oddish walked up to Misty and rubbed its leaves against her.
"Huh what's wrong?" Misty asked.
"It seems Oddish here to go with you," Melanie observed, "So would you take care of it?"
"If that is what Oddish wants I'll do it." Misty tapped a Pokéball on Oddish's head and soon Oddish was caught.
Brock ended up taking a Pokémon too. The Weepinbell, he had taken care of, grew with affection for Brock and wanted to stay with him, so Brock caught it.
================================================
"Have a safe trip." Melanie said sincerely to the group, Tesla on Ashlyn's shoulder, Lucario by her side, and Bulbasaur by her feet as Ashlyn let him out to say goodbye to Melanie. Misty was holding Oddish in her arms so she could also say goodbye to Melanie.
"I promise to take great care of Bulbasaur." Ashlyn promised just as sincerely.
"And I promise that I'll take great care of Oddish." Misty promised.
Melanie knelt down to pat Bulbasaur affectionately on the head. "Bulbasaur, thank you for watching over us." Melanie thanked with a bittersweet smile.
"Bulba~(I'll miss you too)." the Pokémon responded softly.
Then she patted Oddish affectionately, "I'll miss you too, Oddish."
"Oddish, odd (I'll miss you too, Melanie)." Oddish smiled sadly.
"Uh, Melanie," Brock stepped forward, his cheeks red, "I've been thinking," he started.
"Yes?" Melanie questioned.
"Well since Bulbasaur's leaving, I wouldn't mind staying and helping you out." Brock offered.
"That's very kind of you, but we'll be okay. I wouldn't want to keep you from all your wonderful adventures." Melanie replied with a happy smile.
Ashlyn snickered into her palm as Brock tilt his head to the side dejectedly.
"Oh, I guess you're right." he replied.
"Bye Melanie!" Ashlyn waved back to her cheerily as they left.
"Goodbye!" Melanie called after them, her and the Pokémon also waving them off with smiles.
"Bulbasaur (Good bye)!" He called back as he watched their shrinking figures.
"Don't worry, Bulbasaur, you'll see your friends again. As soon as they feel better, they'll leave this place too." Ashlyn assured her new Bulbasaur.
"I know that you'll see them again someday, Oddish." Misty said.
"Bulba~." he replied, sounding more at ease.
"Oddish~." Oddish smiled.
"Take good care of each other!" Melanie called out to them.
"Bu-bye!" Brock looked back wistfully before turning forward with a sigh.
"Ah, what did Melanie say when you said you loved her? Did you kiss her goodbye?" Misty teased. Brock growled and put his hand over her mouth again.
"That's enough stupid questions! Will you please stop embarrassing me?" Brock asked.
Ashlyn, Tesla, Lucario, and Bulbasaur just watched from the sidelines. Ashlyn's hands behind her head. Oddish jumped out of Misty's arms when she started to get dizzy when Brock shook Misty and stood by the others.
"You know, okay, so she's cute, I understand that, but-" Brock ranted as he shook Misty back and forth, obviously very flustered.
Ashlyn couldn't help but chuckled as she watched this scene.
================================================
Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Rockruff (M), Pidgeot (F), Clefable (F), Sandshrew (M), Pokémon Egg, Bulbasaur (M)
Prof. Oak's Lab:
Boltund (M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Scyther (F), Nidoran (M), Nidoran (F), Butterfree (M)