Chapter 33: After The Battle

Don't forget to drop some power stones!

*****

"Take a nice, long rest, Amber. You deserve it.", Ricky smiled, taking his Pokeball, and recalled Amber back inside it.

"That was so cool!", Ash immediately responded, being the first to recover. His eyes were all sparkly. "I can't wait to have Pokemon Battles like this when I set off on my own adventure!", Ash continued to say. It was clear he was excited after witnessing such an intense Pokemon Battle.

"You did well, Ricky.", Violet called out to him while he saw his friends run up to him with their equally excited looks.

"Yeah, but I could have done better. You didn't even give me the chance to go all out, Mom.", Ricky said.

"And you shouldn't expect trainers to give you those opportunities, unless they're arrogant enough to do so. But that was your key mistake. You tried to take Krystal head on, knowing full well that Krystal is a legendary Pokemon. You should have tried to work your way around that. Legendary Pokemon are known to be the strongest in the world for a reason.", Violet explained to Ricky.

"I was fully aware of that, which is why I decided to take Krystal head-on, knowing that I would lose. I wanted to see how Amber would fare against Krystal. I think our battle gave me that satisfaction. I will definitely improve from this.", Ricky responded with a firm nod.

"I expect you to, Ricky. After all, you're of the Oak Family. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that even the Elite Four is presently sizing you up right now. After what you've shown me today, I have no doubt that you'll enter the Indigo League just fine.", Violet said. She truly felt happy for her son. Her cool demeanor melted, and she displayed a heartfelt smile.

"So you can smile after all huh mom?", Gary retorted with a playful smile.

"Oh, don't even get me started with you, Gary. Ricky has matured much more than you have. I will not be worried about him setting off on an adventure. But you? You still bicker day and night with Ash.", Violet retorted back with her usual stern look again.

"Hey, I can't help it. Ashy-boy gets into all sorts of weird situations. It's hard not to make remarks about them! And enough with that bullshit. I plan to become the strongest trainer in the entire world. Even stronger than Ricky!", Gary said, puffing his chest out in anticipation.

"The world's strongest trainer, huh? That's a pretty lofty goal, Gary. I'm setting out because I want to. To seek the thrill of adventure. It doesn't matter whether I end up in the Champion's chair or not. You felt similar, right mom?", Ricky asked Violet.

"I did. That is why I do not have much desire to reach the very end anymore. If I get some battles in here and there, that is enough for me. But just that energy alone is a good driving force. Send that energy to training your future Pokemon Gary, and you might turn out fine.", Violet smirked.

"Might?", Gary asked, doubting his mom again.

"Hehe, that really was a great battle.", Serena said with a smile. "Is the Pokemon League really already keeping watch over you? I'm starting to get more nervous...", Serena uttered, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Oh yeah. You two are setting off with Ricky, aren't you?", Green mused.

"Uh-huh. That's a lot of pressure to suddenly receive...", Lillie said, nodding her head.

"Hey, I'll welcome it no matter what. It just means we have to secure our spots in the Indigo League!", Ricky happily exclaimed.

"That was a splendid battle, Ricky. Just don't forget to catch a lot of Pokemon during your adventure, alright? I still hope to achieve a completed Pokedex. Between the six of you, I think it can be accomplished!", Professor Oak said. Growing anticipation appeared in his eyes. Even though over a thousand Pokemon have made their appearances since Ricky was brought into this world, no one has yet to complete the entire Pokedex. Professor Oak's dream was still just a dream.

"That's a pretty high goal in itself, Gramps. That might even be more challenging than taking part in the Gym Challenge. The world is our oyster, as they say, though. I'm already getting more excited just thinking we'll be setting off tomorrow.", Ricky mused.

"Must you go so soon?", Ash asked, revealing a frown.

"Aww, someone's missing Ricky already?", Serena giggled again.

"Hey, that just means these three are off to bigger and better heights. We're sticking back just to make sure you set off properly, you dimwit.", Gary said to Ash.

"So that's why you're sticking around and not setting off with us, eh?", Ricky asked. Now he knows why Gary and Green won't be joining them when they set off tomorrow.

When Ricky, Serena and Lillie first arrived back here in Pallet Town, they had already spent a day here to get in touch with everyone. The reunion happened during that, and they all shared a big meal together at Ricky's house. Ricky's house was just a simple two-story building, which allowed a couple guests to stay over. It was nowhere near the size of Lillie's mansion back at Alola. Perhaps that was why they felt just a warm atmosphere when the reunion took place.

But now, with it already being Thursday, Wednesday has already come and gone. It was Thursday now, and that was when Ricky decided to challenge his Mother. The battle went as Ricky anticipated. He didn't care about the result. He simply wanted to see how strong a legendary Pokemon could be. And he was very satisfied with what he had witnessed firsthand. He also had Mew as a partner now. Ricky wondered if he should try battling with Mew. There are definitely lots of trainers out there with strong and powerful Pokemon. It's not like his mother was the only individual with legendary Pokemon like Articuno.

There were likely trainers who had Zapdos, and Moltres. And other legendary Pokemon!

Ricky didn't know if trainers also had mythical Pokemon. He wanted to see that after setting off.

Ricky's current plan was to set off tomorrow, first thing in the morning. He had already recalled Amber back into his Pokeball. He wanted Amber to enjoy a long rest, and get fully healed back up. Unlike the video games, Pokemon did gradually restore back to peak condition, given enough time. But that process was pretty slow. Thankfully Professor Oak had a healing machine inside his lab. Pallet Town was one of the few small towns that didn't have a Pokemon Center.

Many trainers did set off from here to begin their journeys, but they didn't actively stay inside Pallet Town for long periods of time. There wasn't much of a need to have a Pokemon Center here. It was a pretty small town overall. All the townsfolk knew each other.

Turning quiet, Ricky saw his mother reach for her Pokeball. Articuno's domineering presence from earlier quickly receded back into its body, and it returned to its graceful attitude. It nuzzled its beak against Violet's cheek.

"You can enjoy a rest too, Krystal. Thank you for putting up with me today.", Violet smiled back at Articuno.

"Schree!", Articuno responded with a soft chirp. In the next moment, Articuno was absorbed back into Violet's Pokeball.

"How cool. Do you think we'll be able to catch our own legendary Pokemon?", Ash asked with an excited look in his eyes.

"Heh, in your dreams, Ashy-boy. They're hard to find for a reason. If anything, I'm the one who is going to find one first!", Gary retorted.

"Nuh-uh. I will!", Ash immediately responded back. A hidden glint of light streaked across their eyes. It was as if they wanted to start their own Pokemon Battle. Green simply shrugged her shoulders while Serena blinked her eyes.

"Are these two always like this?", Serena asked.

"Pretty much. Sometimes they can go all day at it. It's really tiresome sometimes.", Green sighed, saying that.

"Hehe, it just goes to show how great rivals they'll become.", Lillie responded, giggling.

"Now that I'd like to see.", Ricky responded with a playful smile.

"Haha!", Gary laughed. "Anyways, you're going to be setting off tomorrow, right, Ricky? You'll be staying over tonight?", Gary asked.

"That's the plan. The three of us will set off tomorrow morning. I hope you got our starting Pokemon ready, Gramps.", Ricky said.

"I do. I'll be waiting for you three back at the lab. For now, why don't we head back inside? I don't want to disturb the Pokemon here more than we need to. Plus we can get your Amber healed back up all nice.", Professor Oak suggested. "And thanks again for bringing those jackets, Delia.", Professor Oak said to the middle-aged woman. She sported a smile on her lips.

"Oh it was no biggie! I haven't had that much excitement in a while. Thanks for letting me watch this battle!", Delia happily said.

"We'll all have dinner later, right?", Ash asked, sporting a more normal look in his eyes. His previous bickering attitude was nowhere to be seen.

"Yeah. This will be our last night here for a while. You can cook up a mean stew right, mom?", Ricky asked.

"If that is what you want tonight, then big servings of stew we'll have. Tonight will be a celebration for a new beginning.", Violet declared.

It looks like everyone was in agreement for tonight's dinner arrangement. They had no more business here in the ranch, so per Professor Oak's suggestion, they all wandered back inside. Professor Oak took a moment to restore Ricky's and Violet's Pokemon back up to full, becoming healthy again. Ricky wondered if he should take out their new Pokemon during the feast tonight. Given the opportunity he might!

Before they all realized it, they were back at Gary's House, with the sands of time churning again. Night time soon descended, and the smell of meat being roasted inside a giant pot of mixed vegetables tickled everyone's taste buds. Everyone's mood was raised, and became hungry just at the notion of what was going to be served tonight. The atmosphere turned festive, and overall, Ricky had a great time with his friends he had come to love as family here!

However, what came next surprised Ricky. He didn't expect to see Serena and Lillie come by his doorstep, which led into his room. Violet had already situated them in the guest room not too far away.

It was well into the night now. Gary had already retired for the night, and so did Violet. Ash, Delia and Green returned to their respective homes. Serena and Lillie were staying here during these couple of days, but Ricky didn't expect to come across the two standing in front of his room like that...***

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Did you readers really expect me to end the lemons with the previous one? Haha!

Did you find the *** this chapter? That means go check out Patre0n for a lemon scene!

It's /Aht666 !

This was the last chapter of the rewrite volume 1! Did you readers enjoy it?

Stay tuned for the kick off of Volume 2! I do have a lot of chapters to go through. They will be converted to 3rd person view.