Gettin' Twiggy with It

Once again, Team Rocket tried to take the gang's Pokémon. However, that plan failed, and they were sent blasting off. At the moment, the gang were having a break.

"You weren't kidding about Team Rocket." Dawn complained.

"No, we were not." Ashlyn stated, "Who knows when they'll give up."

"Maybe when they become old or possibly get fired." Dawn guessed.

"Yeah." Brock agreed.

"That reminds me," Ashlyn remembered, "Riley warned me about bad people, including poachers, were here in Sinnoh too, so we better watch ourselves here too."

So the gang decided to have lunch for the moment. As they were eating, Ashlyn felt like someone was watching them from nearby. She turned to the bushes.

"You can come out. We won't hurt you." Ashlyn gently called out.

The bushes rustled a second and a Turtwig appeared.

"A Turtwig!" Ashlyn beamed.

Ashlyn held out a bowl of Pokémon food to Turtwig.

"Turtwig!" Turtwig beamed as Ashlyn set the food in front of Turtwig.

"I wonder where it came from?" Dawn pondered.

"It could be a wild one." Brock guessed.

Turtwig soon finished his food. He walked over to Ashlyn and nuzzled against her. Ashlyn smiled and petted Turtwig who cooed at her touch.

"Looks like Turtwig likes you, Ashlyn." Brock teased.

Ashlyn smiled as she nodded, "Yeah."

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Soon enough the gang had to leave. They wanted to get to Jubilife City.

"Turtwig! (Wait!)" Turtwig called out.

"What is it, Turtwig?" Ashlyn asked.

"Turtwig twig! (I want to come with you!)" Turtwig replied.

"Really?" Ashlyn blinked.

Turtwig nodded.

"Alright then," Ashlyn took out a Pokéball, "Welcome to the team, Silas."

"Turtwig!" Silas the Turtwig smiled as he tapped his nose on the button and was sucked inside. It wiggled for a second and then a 'ding' which meant a successful capture.

"That's a great catch, Ashlyn." Dawn complimented her.

"Thanks, Dawn." Ashlyn smiled at her.

"A great catch indeed." A female voice said.

The gang turned to the voice and saw an old woman. Ashlyn recognized this old woman as Clara.

"Who are you?" Dawn asked.

"Oh, I'm Clara, Turtwig's friend." Clara replied.

"Turtwig's friend?" Dawn questioned.

At that moment, they heard a moaning nearby and saw a Linoone come out from behind the bushes, exhausted and hurt, before collapsing on the ground.

"Oh no!" The gang gasped.

Brock ran over to it and picked it up into his arms, "This Linoone is smashed up pretty hard." Brock observed.

"You can come to my place." Clara offered.

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Clare brought the gang to her place. Soon after arriving, they introduced themselves as they cared for Linoone. Ashlyn had let Turtwig, now named 'Silas', out for a little bit. Clara had told them that she lives alone in the woods here, taking care of any injured wild Pokémon that come around her garden.

Now they were outside, having a nice lunch, with Linoone in Brock's lap.

"These herbs are perfect for healing all sorts of bumps and bruises. With this, you'll be all better soon." Brock assured.

"Linoone." Linoone cooed.

"Real soon is right! You sure know your stuff!" Dawn complimented.

"You certainly do. You're quite the Pokémon healer." Clara added.

"Don't thank me, it's because of those wonderful herbs of yours that did the trick." Brock said modestly.

"By the way, Clara, how do you know Silas?" Ashlyn asked.

"I found Silas when he appeared in my garden. Poor dear was weak, hurt and hungry. I gave the poor thing some food, but Silas is full of pride and can be very stubborn. But his empty tummy proved that he was hungry, and he ate the food and accepted me to heal him. He has lived around here ever since, and he has kept the peace between the wild Pokémon living around here." Clara explained.

"I see." Ashlyn understood, remembering how she first met Spruce (Venusaur).

"I'm glad that your Turtwig's, I mean, Silas's new trainer." Clara smiled.

Ashlyn smiled back, "Me too."

Then she suddenly felt Team Rocket's auras nearby.

"Tesla, use Protect on Silas!" Ashlyn called out.

Tesla quickly got in front of Silas and projected a green barrier in front of them just when a mechanical hand tried to grab them, and the hand bounced off the barrier.

"Hey!" An annoying female voice called out.

The gang turned to the voice and looked up to see Team Rocket's Meowth balloon right above them.

"Who are they?" Clara asked.

"Team Rocket. They're an evil organization who steal people's Pokémon and use them for them for evil deeds." Ashlyn added.

Clara gasped, "How horrible!"

"Prepare for trouble-" Jessie started.

"Tesla, Hyper Beam! Silas, Leafage!" Ashlyn interrupted.

Tesla and Silas launched their attacks at Team Rocket's balloon which caused it to explode and sent the trio further into the sky.

"I thought you told them we weren't going to lose until you said so!" Jessie called out.

"Hey, were you talking behind my back?" Meowth asked.

"Of course not! I said go and those idiots misunderstood!" James defended himself.

"WOBBAAFET!" Wobbuffet screamed as Team Rocket flew through the air until they were out of sight.

DING!

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"Well, we better get going." Ashlyn said.

"I wish you all a safe journey." Clara prayed.

"Thank you." Dawn said.

"Take good care of Silas, Ashlyn." Clara requested.

"Don't worry, I will." Ashlyn assured her.

Clara smiled and the gang walked away. Then they waved at Clara who waved back at them as they went on their way.

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With a new Pokémon friend added to Ashlyn's team, the gang continues on their way to Jubilife City where Ashlyn and Dawn's first Pokémon contest is.

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Pokémon Caught:

Shiny Piplup (Triton)(M)

Budew (Hana)(F)

Shinx (Raji)(M)

Shiny Buneary (Usagi)(F)

Starly (Sora)(F)

Turtwig (Silas)(M)