After catching Bulbasaur, Ash immediately got on his communicator to call his staff. Within a remarkably short time, a team of professional workers arrived. The lead foreman gave Ash a crisp salute.
"Boss, the team is assembled. Ready to begin on your command."
"Excellent," Ash replied, his voice taking on a tone of authority. "Install the rehabilitation equipment first. Then, get the botanical team settled in. They'll be working with Miss Melanie to cultivate these purple flowers. Once you have a successful yield, notify the Joy family to set up a regular pick-up schedule for the medicinal ingredients. Also—protect Miss Melanie. Ensure no one disturbs her while she's treating wild Pokémon."
"Understood, sir! Moving out!"
Watching him work, Misty couldn't help but whisper, "When Ash gets serious, he's like a completely different person..."
Giselle shrugged, though her eyes held a trace of respect. "That miser loves his money, but he's dead serious about his medicine. It's one of his few tolerable qualities."
While they talked, Brock approached Melanie, his face flushed deep red. "Miss Melanie, would you... perhaps need someone like me to stay behind and guard everyone?"
Melanie smiled gently at him. "That's very kind, but if you're with Ash, I'm sure he's already ensured our safety. You should continue your journey."
Crack! The sound of a heart breaking echoed through the clearing. Ash patted Brock's shoulder sympathetically. "Better luck next time, buddy." Pikachu followed suit, patting Brock's leg while stifling a laugh.
After saying their goodbyes to Melanie, the group resumed their trek. Ash, however, stopped at a video phone terminal to make one more call.
"Hey, Dad. I'm transferring my Beedrill over to you. I need you to help me prepare its medicated baths."
"Oh?" Giovanni's voice crackled through the screen. "Your Beedrill is ready for that already?"
"Yeah. It's reached the stage where the baths will maximize its growth potential for the future."
"Very well," Giovanni replied, a rare, small smile playing on his lips. "Transfer it once you reach Vermilion City. I'll have my own Beedrill take it under its wing for a bit."
"Thanks, Dad. And if you don't mind... Could your Beedrill teach mine that move? The one I developed?"
"Consider it done. It's your technique, after all. It's only right if your Pokémon learns it."
After Ash hung up, Giselle looked at him with wide eyes. "Ash, since when do you have a dad?"
"Careful how you put that," Ash sighed. "He's my adoptive father. My biological dad is... well, probably dead in a ditch somewhere for all I know. I met my Old Man years ago. He was badly injured, and I treated him before getting him to a hospital. We stayed in touch, and eventually, he took me in as a foster son. My mom knows all about it."
Misty, Brock, and Giselle stood in stunned silence.
"The Boss was always a bit of a meddler when he was a kid," Meowth chuckled, reminiscing about his own meeting with Ash.
Ash picked Meowth up with a grin. "If I wasn't a meddler, I never would have met you guys, right?"
As the group continued down the path, Ash suddenly stopped.
"There's a trap ahead. Meowth, use a small Shadow Ball to trigger it."
"You got it, Boss!"
Meowth flicked a miniature orb of dark energy at the ground. BOOM! The dirt caved in, revealing a massive pitfall right in the center of the road. Ash turned his gaze toward a nearby thicket.
"You can come out now. That blue skin of yours is a bit too easy to spot in the greenery."
"Squirtle?! Squirtle!"
A group of Squirtle wearing dark sunglasses marched out of the bushes, glaring at the group. Ash didn't back away; instead, he laughed softly and knelt down to their level.
"Relax. You're just kids," Ash said gently. He ignored their aggressive stances and looked them in the eye. "Only an idiot would abandon Pokémon like you. Want to tell me your story? Meowth here can translate, and I've got snacks."
He pulled out a tray of gourmet cakes made from Chansey's eggs and Miltank's high-grade milk. The Squirtle Leader looked at the food, then at Ash's kind eyes. He gave a sharp nod to his squad.
"Squirtle!"
"Oh!" Meowth gasped as he translated. "Your original trainer was a complete moron! He made you fight an Electabuzz?!"
The group was sitting in a circle, sharing cake and hot cocoa. The Squirtle Squad took turns sharing their stories of abandonment. Some grew teary-eyed as they spoke, and Ash pulled them into a hug, comforting them.
"It's okay now. That guy didn't deserve to be a trainer. You're better than that."
Just then, Officer Jenny arrived on her motorcycle. Seeing Ash, she immediately relaxed. "Ash! I should have known you'd have things under control."
"Hey, Jenny. Want some cake and cocoa? We're just having a little heart-to-heart."
Jenny joined the circle and listened to the squad's history. "I see... their original owners were truly irresponsible. But even so, they've caused quite a bit of trouble with their pranks. They need to make amends."
"Squirtle! Squirtle!" (The turtles nodded solemnly, looking ashamed.)
Ash looked at the squad and then at Jenny. "I have an idea. These mountains are prone to forest fires, right? Why not have the Squirtle Squad work with the police as an official fire-fighting unit?"
Jenny's eyes lit up. "That's a brilliant idea! If they're willing to help, I can provide them with official training and a home at the station."
The squad cheered, but the Leader Squirtle stayed behind, looking at Ash. He remembered the feeling of safety in Ash's arms—a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. He stepped forward and offered a small hand to Ash.
Ash smiled and shook it. "Welcome to the team."