Chapter 88

"Man, I can't believe we didn't even manage to take down one of your pokemon," Ash groused, collapsing on the seat opposite me in the main room of the Pokemon Centre, "You really weren't kidding about how strong Fearow is now compared to back on my first day."

"We train multiple times a day, and we mostly fly everywhere, so don't waste as much time on the road," I shrugged, also, I had Chansey, the amazing cinnamon roll who made it so we basically got the efforts of like five or more training sessions out of the one in pure conditioning, "I'm actually surprised you put up as well a fight as you did, besides Surge I've pretty much dominated every battle I've been in."

Scizor lost in that final clash against Fearow, the accumulated damage from its own Hyper Beam attacks blowing up in its face, dozens upon dozens of Fearow's Peck attacks and a point blank Hyper Beam of Fearow's own, wore it down too much for it to overpower Fearow in the end.

Still, Fearow pretty much collapsed himself as soon as he brought down Scizor, so I'd say that one was closer to a draw than a loss. And my try hard bird was now under the tender mercies of Nurse Joy and recovering.

I'll have to wait a few hours before he'll be rejuvenated enough for me to fly on and leave this place behind.

"He's right Ash, you done really well, Jord and Fearow are a tough combo," Brock added from where he sat beside Ash, I was of course next to Misty, "Even back when he fought me they were formidable, but now they're on an entirely different level, even Steelix, evolved now would still lose outright if I battled them I think."

I blinked, "You evolved your Onix?" I asked, surprised.

"Yup," Brock grinned, "Back in Cerulean when we came across a stall selling some Metal Coat's, when Ash bought one for Scizor, I decided to get one for my Onix as well and le him choose if he wanted to evolve or not and he chose yes."

Huh.

Well there was another massive change. Originally, Brock's Onix wouldn't have become a Steelix until he returned from Hoenn.

"Considering Brock got beaten easily by Jord and you lost the first time to Brock even with Scyther, I'd take that as a compliment," Misty pointed out, "Besides, you've been getting a big head from all the other trainers you've been beating lately, you haven't lost since you battled Brock, popping that ever growing ego of yours will be good for you."

"Like you're one to talk," Ash rolled his eyes at her, "Your constantly praising how awesome a trainer you are just because you taught your Starmie thunderbolt, with my Pikachu's help by the way."

"I'm not the one that claimed he could take on every Gym Leader in Kanto at once yesterday!" Misty huffed and fired back. She shook her head and looked to me, a smile spreading across her face, "Thanks for telling me that by the way, and even the stuff you left for Ash has been a big help, I taught Oddish Bullet Seed!" she beamed at him.

"Yeah, really, thanks for that!" Ash nodded in agreement, "Thanks to what you left for me, I taught my Ludicolo Bullet Seed as well, and taught Steel Wing to Pidgeotto and a bunch of others and Iron Tail to Pikachu! I totally wouldn't be as awesome without your help!"

"Don't mind it," I shrugged, "Though that does beg the question, where did you get an Oddish, and why?" I asked Misty, curious.

"Oh, I got this little cutie at this little hidden village we came across on our way here from Cerulean City, there was a bunch of abandoned and weak pokemon there," the beautiful orange haired girl replied, "A bunch of thugs attacked the place while we were there and the lady overseeing the place was scared it would happen again after we left, so she asked us to take the pokemon with us."

Huh…

The more things changed, the more they stayed the same I guess.

"Yep, I caught a really strong Bulbasaur that was the protector of the place!" Ash happily supplied, "Not to mention a seriously cool Staryu that's way better than Misty's."

I blinked.

Huh?

"Like hell it is, you've hardly even trained Staryu!" Misty shot back, but nodded at me, "I also caught a Magikarp that was there."

Okay, now that was massive change-

"I got two while I was there as well, a Weepinbell and a Paras, they're a big help!" Brock happily supplied.

Another change. And what the fuck Brock, if Onix had evolved, that meant he only had one rock type pokemon now. He had more grass types than rock types even now!

This is seriously a lot to take in.

I turned my attention to Misty, "I thought you were afraid of Gyarados?" I asked her.

She'd mentioned such on our date when I brought the topic up.

"…I am," Misty reluctantly nodded, "But I couldn't just leave it there after it was attacked, besides she's a total sweetie."

Well, fair enough I guess. My respect went up for her a bit. Actually training up a Gyarados of her own instead of the one her sisters trained.

That always bugged me in the original series. In Johto, Misty harped on at Ash constantly for using Charizard and his other older pokemon all the time in battles, which, was the in world explanation for most for why Ash constantly started over with new teams in other regions. Only for Misty to do the exact same and only use her Gyarados, except, the Gyarados she used wasn't even trained by her, but by her sisters, making her not only a massive hypocrite, but also someone that relied on others to train her pokemon for her.

Which reminds me, I know where to find a giant Magikarp and a shiny one.

Just then, Nurse Joy approached us all, "Excuse me, Ash," she said, stopping at our table, "May I speak with you for a moment?" she asked, pointedly looking away from me.

Ash blinked, "I guess so." he agreed with a shrug and stood up.

Nurse Joy looked at Brock thoughtfully, "You said you were a breeder correct?" she asked him.

Brock practically pranced out of his seat and took a knee in front of her, "Oh Joy, I'll be whatever you want my love." he proclaimed.

She wrinkled her nose, but nodded, "Can you come as well then? A breeder's perspective here would be welcome." the pink haired nurse said

"Lead the way, I shall follow you to the depths of hell and back!" Brock nodded vigorously.

It was kind of cringe to see this happening in front of me. And this was the second time at that, the second we entered the pokemon centre and dropped off our pokemon, he'd been all over the pink haired nurse.

She bid them to follow her, and as they did, she looked over, glancing briefly at me. I winked.

Her face flushed and she quickly turned back around and quickly walked away, Ash and Brock in tow.

Wonder what she needed those two for?