The Great Mysterious Garden

The gang are headed off to Cinnabar Island where Cora will earn her next gym badge and where Cora and her friends can have their fossils revived by the scientists.

At the moment, Cora, Alain and Mairin were at a Pokémon Center. Cora was training with Kalmia (Chikorita), who she knew was close to evolving. But she asked Kalmia if she wanted to evolve. Kalmia told her when she masters Solar Beam, she'll want to evolve.

Suddenly, the gang heard the doors slam opened and they spotted Ash and his friends entered the center. Ash was carrying a Bulbasaur in his arms.

"Nurse Joy help, there's something wrong with Bulbasaur!" Ash cried for help.

Nurse Abigail Joy came over and inspected Bulbasaur, "Oh dear, Chansey let's get to work!"

"Chansey! (On it!)" Chansey said as they both took Bulbasaur in the back leaving the gang in the waiting room.

Cora (carrying Kalmia in her arms), Alain and Mairin walked over to Ash and his friends.

"Ash, what happened?" Cora asked.

"Bulbasaur was battling against a trainer with a Rhydon. We won the battle and then Bulbasaur's bulb started glowing while wincing in pain." Ash replied and frowned with worry, "I knew I should have convinced Bulbasaur to stop battling and get some rest. What was I thinking?"

"Pika pikachu. (He'll be fine.)" Pikachu assured his friend rubbing against his cheek.

"Don't blame yourself Ash, Bulbasaur's been acting strange lately anyway and besides Bulbasaur himself wanted to keep battling." Brock told him.

Ash sat down still worried, "I guess you're right."

"I wonder what was wrong with the bulb on Bulbasaur's back? It was glowing blue." Misty wondered.

"Guess we'll find out when Nurse Joy's done with him." Alain said.

========================

It didn't take very long because Nurse Joy brought Bulbasaur right back out, Ash went up to him quickly, "How is he?" He asked rubbing the grass-type's head gently.

"Your Bulbasaur is just fine, in fact you'll be happy to know that Bulbasaur will evolve soon." Nurse Abigail Joy smiled.

"Evolve?!" Ash exclaimed.

"That's great news!" Misty smiled.

"Togephrii! (Great news!)" Togepi said.

"So that's why Bulbasaur's bulb was glowing blue, and he was shaking, it all makes sense now." Brock realized.

"This is a special occasion because Bulbasaur will evolve at a special festival that's just for the Bulbasaur's." Nurse Abigail Joy informed them.

"Guess that means other Bulbasaur's will be evolving soon then too." Brock said.

"That's right, all the Bulbasaur's go to a secret location that's just for them and once they return, they become Ivysaur's now." She informed.

"Chiko! (Hi Bulbasaur!)" Kalmia greeted.

Bulbasaur turned to Kalmia and was surprised to see her, "Bulba, bulbasaur! (Kalmia, it's good to see you!)" He greeted her happily.

"It's good to see you too, Bulbasaur." Cora greeted.

"Cora, have you met Bulbasaur before?" Ash asked.

"Why yes, he and Kalmia came from the Hidden Village. Kalmia decided to come with me after I helped her. I didn't expect that you had Bulbasaur with you." Cora replied.

"Chiko!" Kalmia smiled.

"Well Bulbasaur, you finally met up with one of your friends, huh?" Ash said, smiling.

Bulbasaur nodded, "Bulba."

=====================

Everyone decided to stay at the Pokémon center that night and were currently asleep. Suddenly Pikachu, Kilala, Chespie and Kalmia woke the gang up and told Ash that Bulbasaur was taken by some other Bulbasaur's which Cora had translated. The gang quickly got dressed and followed a trail of sparkling pollen which led them through the woods, some tree roots, with some vines thrashing around. Almost like they're alive.

The gang quickly ran through the vines and came upon a beautiful area that was full of flowers. It was the Great Mysterious Garden where they spotted thousands of Bulbasaur's including Ash's.

"This must be it." Cora stared at the garden.

"Bulbasaur. (It is.)" A Bulbasaur said.

Cora and the others turn to see another Bulbasaur making its way to the festival too.

"Hello. Are you here to evolve too?" Cora asked.

"Bulba. Bulbasaur Bulbasaur Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur Bulbasaur. (Sure am. I've waited until the festival came and now here I am. Better go, the ceremony is going to start.) The Bulbasaur replied and takes its leave to the garden.

"Look at all of the Bulbasaur's." Ash commented.

"There's so many of them." Misty stared.

"I don't see my Bulbasaur anywhere." Ash said.

"Hey, Ash, your Bulbasaur still has that bandage on his head." Misty pointed to the middle.

In the middle of the group, a Bulbasaur was looking around, unlike the others, he didn't look very happy been there.

"Hey, there he is," Ash said and waved as he called out, "Over here, Bulbasaur!"

Alain quickly covered his mouth with his hand, "Ash, humans aren't supposed to be here." he warned and moved his hand away.

"Oh, yeah." Ash muttered.

The ground suddenly started to shake a bit as footsteps were heard.

"What's that banging sound?" Ash asked.

"Hey look." Brock pointed at a tree.

The tree started to open to reveal a quadruped Pokémon with bumpy, blue-green skin. It had small, circular red eyes, a short, blunt snout, and a wide mouth with two pointed teeth in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. On top of its head were small, pointed ears with reddish pink insides. It had three clawed toes on each foot. The bud on its back had bloomed in a large pink, white-spotted flower. The flower was supported by a thick, brown trunk surrounded by green fronds.

"A Venusaur!" Mairin gasped.

Cora quickly scanned it.

[Venusaur, the final form of the Bulbasaur evolution. This Seed Pokémon soaks up the sun's rays as a source of energy.]

"Look, something's happening to the Bulbasaur's." Alain brought their attention back to the grass-type Pokémon.

All of the Bulbasaur's are happy they get to evolve, except for Ash's Bulbasaur who doesn't look happy about this at all. The bulbs on all of the Bulbasaur's backs begin to glow signaling they were about to evolve into their second evolved form, and soon enough one by one they started evolving into a quadruped Pokémon similar to a dinosaur. It had blue-green skin with darker patches. On top of its head are pointed ears with black insides, and it had narrow red eyes. It had a short, rounded snout with a wide mouth. Two pointed teeth protrude from its upper jaw. Each of its feet had three claws on them. The bulb on its back had bloomed into a large pink bud. A short brown trunk surrounded by leafy green fronds supported the bud.

"They're evolving into Ivysaur's." Cora scanned them again.

[The Seed Pokémon, Ivysaur, Bulbasaur's evolved form. The bulb on its back absorbs nourishment and blooms into a large flower.]

"People have always disagreed as to whether Bulbasaur is a plant or an animal. Maybe Bulbasaur are a symbol that all life on earth is connected." Brock explained.

"Prof. Oak said some scientists have debated about it." Cora commented.

Venusaur roared again and the Ivysaur followed suit. "This must be their Evolution Festival." Ash said.

Then Cora noticed that Bulbasaur didn't evolved but he was still glowing, he looked like he was resisting to evolve.

"Hey, Bulbasaur didn't evolved." Mairin pointed out.

"Huh?! Why not?" Ash asked as Cora and the others watched Bulbasaur.

"He doesn't want to evolve." Cora answered.

"Chiko. (Bulbasaur never wanted to evolve.)" Kalmia added.

"But..." Ash trailed off.

Venusaur and all the Ivysaur turning to Bulbasaur, noticing that he was resisting to evolve. The glow disappeared from Bulbasaur, and he looked at Venusaur.

"That Venusaur doesn't look too happy about it either, look at its expression." Alain said.

It was true, Venusaur did not look happy that Ash's Bulbasaur refused to evolve with the rest of Bulbasaur's that were gathered there, and the Ivysaur didn't look too pleased either.

"Venusaur!? (Why do you refuse to evolve!?)" Venusaur yelled.

"What did it say, Cora?" Alain asked.

"He said, "Why do you refuse to evolve?" Cora translated.

"It's upset because Bulbasaur doesn't want to evolve? Why?" Mairin wondered.

"Probably because this is considered a sacred ritual and for Bulbasaur to reject it, they probably see it as disrespectful." Brock theorized.

Suddenly, Venusaur's Vines appeared, about to hit Bulbasaur with Vine Whip attack. "Hey, leave him alone!" Ash shouted as he ran down the hill with his Pikachu. Ash ran to stand in front of Bulbasaur, letting the Vines hit his shoulders.

"Ash!" Everyone called out.

Everyone ran down the hill and slowed to as top behind Bulbasaur and the Pikachu. Ash looked down at Bulbasaur and gave a small smirk.

"Ash, you okay?" Misty asked.

"Yeah." he answered.

Everyone looked at Venusaur and the Ivysaur as they stared at them.

"Are they mad at us too?" Misty asked.

"I don't think they too thrilled." Brock said.

"Venusaur!" Venusaur called angrily.

"Sorry we broke into your festival," Ash apologized, "But the Bulbasaur you're angry at is my friend. The reason you're so mad is because he doesn't want to evolve, right?"

All the Ivysaur nodded, "Ivysaur."

"You probably feel like he ruined your festival, and I'm very sorry about that," Ash said and took a step forward, "But if Bulbasaur doesn't want to evolve yet, then I don't think you should have the right to force him to!"

Venusaur roared up to the center of the tree, sending pollen to the tree, which burst out in red flowers.

"They're manipulate nature." Brock stated.

"If Bulbasaur evolves, he could do that too," Misty said before looking down at Bulbasaur, "Don't you want to have that kind of power, Bulbasaur?"

Bulbasaur looked away from her, still not wanting to evolve, but looked at Ash, as the boy kneeled in front of him, "I'm sorry I got so excited for you evolving without even thinking if you want to do it or not."

Bulbasaur smiled, clearly forgiving him, "Bulbasaur."

Ash stood up and turned to Venusaur and the Ivysaur. "Now look, you can't just force Bulbasaur to do what you want. Bulbasaur has the right to decide when he's ready to evolve."

Venusaur seemed to finally come to accept it. "The pest is right," an annoying familiar male voice called from above. Everyone looked up to see the familiar Meowth air balloon flying above them.

"Team Rocket!" Cora growled.

"How did they even get here?! Did they follow us?!" Mairin exclaimed.

Team Rocket did their stupid intro before they started sucking up the Ivysaur's that were gathered there into a bag, and almost got Kilala, Chespie and Pikachu but Bulbasaur and Kalmia was quicker and grabbed the three with their vines pulling them back down.

"Kalmia how about we knock them out of the sky?" Cora told her friend.

"Chiko! (Sounds good to me)!" Kalmia got ready to get rid of those fools.

"Hey, should we capture Bulbasaur and that Chikorita as well?" James wondered.

Jessie and Meowth laughed, "As if we need those weak little Pokémon!" she mocked.

"Yeah, I bet they can't even get us at this height!" Meowth laughed.

Bulbasaur and Kalmia then shouted to the sky and the sun rose over the horizon, the sun's rays entered through the opening into the top of the bulb in Bulbasaur's back and the green buds around Kalmia's neck.

"Is that...it is!" Cora smiled.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

"It's Solar Beam! One of the strongest Grass Type Attack, and one of Bulbasaur's too! The light is collected and formed into a powerful beam with intensive force" Cora replied, "Kalmia,"

"Bulbasaur,"

"Use Solar Beam!" Cora and Ash said in unison.

The bulb glowed and a huge blue beam of energy shot out as Kalmia shot the same blue beam from her mouth, hitting the balloon causing it to explode. Bulbasaur then used Razor Leaf to free the Ivysaur. Then Team Rocket's basket landed amongst the Venasaur, Ivysaur, and Bulbasaur along with Kalmia.

Team Rocket stood up in their basket, then they flinched when they saw the murderous gazes of the Ivysaur, Venusaur and Kalmia.

"Things look bad." James trembled.

"Oh, they're about to get worse." Meowth panicked.

All the Ivysaur, including Venusaur, Bulbasaur and Kalmia shoot their vines at Team Rocket sending them flying, "TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

DING!

"Espe! Espeon! (Ha! Take that!)" Kilala cheered.

Everyone gathered around Bulbasaur.

"Great job Bulbasaur!" Ash said.

"That was so cool!" Mairin said.

"Togy!" Togepi said.

"Pika-Pika!" my Pikachu said.

"That was amazing!" Misty said.

"You're the greatest!" Brock said.

Cora smiled and was about to congratulate her friend when all of a sudden Kalmia's whole body lit up taking everyone by surprise, "No way...Kalmia?"

In the place of Kalmia was an Bayleef, "Bayleef!"

Bayleef is a quadrupedal, pale-yellow reptilian Pokémon that resembles a sauropod dinosaur. It has a long neck, red eyes, a short, rounded snout, and a stubby tail. Each foot has a single, light gray nail. Sprouting from its forehead is a green leaf that curves back over its head and around its neck are a series of tightly curled leaves.

"Bay." Kalmia smiled.

Cora took out her phone and scanned Kalmia's new form:

[Bayleef, the Leaf Pokémon. The evolved form of Chikorita. Bayleef emits a spicy aroma from the leaves around its neck and its Razor Leaf is extremely powerful.]

"Congrads, Kalmia." Cora petted Kalmia's head who cooed at her trainer's touch.

Bulbasaur walked up to Kalmia, "Bulbasaur bulba. (You look great, Kalmia.)"

"Bay bayleef. (Thank you, Bulbasaur.)" Kalmia smiled.

Venusaur stepped down from the tree stump and they all looked at him. They all stared at him for a moment before Venusaur used one of his vines and held it forward toward Bulbasaur. He nodded with a smile, "Venusaur."

Everyone all smiled as Bulbasaur held out his vine and shook Venusaur's bigger vine.

"I guess Venusaur finally understand," Misty said.

"Yeah, seems like it." Cora agreed.

================

Later on, Cora and the others are allowed out of the area as the vine wall comes undone. The others turn to see the garden is starting to disappear.

"Hey! The Mysterious Garden." Mairin said.

"After the evolution festival, it must disappear." Misty realized.

"Yeah. I sure am glad we were here to see it." Brock said.

"It definitely was a great experience to see the Bulbasaur evolve." Alain commented.

Cora nodded, "Yeah."

"Goodbye, Venusaur and Ivysaur!" Ash said, waving goodbye.

"Goodbye!" Everyone waved goodbye as well.

All the Ivysaur and Venasaur begin to walk back to the garden, suddenly, they notice one Ivysaur is walking towards them. Cora and her friends become confused as Ivysaur approach them. Ivysaur walked up to Cora.

"Wonder what's all that about?" Mairin asked.

Ivysaur talks to Kilala, Chespie, Pikachu, Kalmia, and Bulbasaur and they smile. Then Ivysaur turns to Cora with a smile and talks to her.

"It looks like Ivysaur wants to be with Cora." Alain suspected.

"Really? Are you sure?" Cora questioned.

Ivysaur." (Sure do.) Ivysaur confirmed.

Cora blinked and then smiled. She took out one of her Pokéballs, ""Sure. You can come with me. I'll give you the name 'Nemus'. Is that alright?" She asked.

"Ivysaur! (I like it!)" 'Nemus' smiled.

Cora gently pressed the button on Nemus's head and was sucked inside. The Pokéball wiggled for a second and then clicked which meant a successful capture.

"You got a new friend on your team, Cora." Alain said.

"Well I didn't expect to catch a Ivysaur. But I'm happy just the same." Cora admitted, rubbing the back of her head.

All in all, everything worked out okay.

=====================

Kalmia has now evolved into Bayleef and an Ivysaur has joined Cora's team. Also Bulbasaur has gained more than the respect of the gathered grass-types around him but has also forged a more powerful bond with Ash. With that, Cora and her friends were on the road once again.

======================

Pokémon Obtained:

Cora: Shiny Espeon (Kilala)(F), Shiny Charizard (Nuri)(F), Altaria (Talia)(F), Shiny Lucario (Jackal)(M), Frogadier (Kenji)(M), Pidgeot (Gail)(F), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Cloyster (Matta)(M), Shiny Starmie (Pyxis)(Genderless), Butterfree (Papilio)(M), Beedrill (Stinger)(M), Nidorina (Juno)(F), Nidorino (Malik)(M), Raichu (Tama)(F), Clefable (Shayla)(F), Sandslash (Digger)(M), Meloetta (Odele)(F), Bayleef (Kalmia)(F), Shiny Dephox (Rogue)(F), Mienshao (Mulan)(F), Glaceon (Nieva)(F), Leafeon (Panra)(F), Shiny Gengar (Sypro)(M), Shiny Monferno (Pirro)(M), Galarian Ponyta (Althea)(F), Shiny Quilladin (Cybele)(F), Alolan Raichu (Zuma)(M), Rockruff (Romulus)(M) Meowstic (Yuki)(F), Oshawott (Daisho)(M), Kingler (Kuka)(M), Shiny Umbreon (Zunair)(M), Sylveon (Stella)(F), Vaporeon (Kaori)(F), Jolteon (Lyn)(F), Flareon (Egan)(M), Dragonair (Scylla)(F), Absol (Twilight)(M), Shiny Raboot (Scorch)(M), Brionne (Naia)(F), Alolan Vulpix (Elsa)(F), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Sobble (Mystique)(F), Primeape (Manny)(M), Magnemite (Static)(Genderless), Growlithe (Aiden)(M), Alakazam (Houdini)(M), Zorua (Kurama)(M), Cubone (M), Marowak (Alsie)(F), Vulpix (Inari)(F), Persian (Cleo)(F), Ponyta (Rubira)(F), Dewgong (Moishe)(M), Seadra (Arnav)(M), Kangaskhan (Mildred)(F), Gardevoir (Guinevere)(F), Poliwhirl (Dallas)(M), Poliwag (Kishi)(F), Tauros (9), Porygon (Prism)(Genderless), Sprigatito (Fleur)(F), Quaxly (Emmett)(M), Hisuian Zorua (Eira)(F), Dreepy (Drogo)(M), Cyndaquil (Hugo)(M), Hisuian Growlithe (Fia)(F), Buizel (Itachi)(M), Type: Null (Talos)(Genderless), Jigglypuff (Chantel)(F), Aerodactyl (Téra)(F), Shiny Farfetch'd (Keesha)(F), Ivysaur (Nemus)(M)

Alain: Charizard (M), Metagross (Genderless), Tyranitar (M), Weavile (M), Bisharp (M), Unfezant (M), Leafeon (F), Umbreon (M), Chestnaught (M), Malamar (F), Steelix (M), Shiny Gyarados (F), Scyther (M), Golbat (M), Shiny Zorua (Unovan)(M), Frigibax (M), Prinplup (M), Copperajah (F), Lokix (M), Magby (M), Fraxure (M), Rockruff (M), Rhydon (F), Alakazam (M), Meowstic (M), Krokorok (M), Absol (M), Cyndaquil (M), Zweilous (F), Corvisquire (M), Squirtle (M), Growlithe (F), Marowak (M), Tauros (M), Lanturn (F), Fearow (M), Kirlia (M), Eevee (2), Fuecoco (M), Hisuian Zorua (M), Buizel (M), Pawmi (M), Hisuian Growlithe (M), Wattrel (F), Maschiff (M)

Mairin: Chespin (Chespie)(M), Flabébé (Bébé)(F), Gogoat (Grazer)(F), Butterfree (Bira)(F), Parasect (Paxtin)(M), Clefairy (Pixie)(F), Lilligant (Unovan)(Petunia)(F), Swadloon (Evanthe)(F), Thwackey (Biri)(F), Grotle (Aspen)(M), Simisage (Sage)(F), Roserade (Rose)(F), Azumarill (Mary)(F), Skitty (Cathy)(F), Cherubi (Cherry)(F), Maractus (Amaranth)(F), Snivy (Vinicius)(F), Shaymin (Carissa)(F), Squirtle (Kai)(M), Poliwag (Wade)(M), Eevee (Sorrell)(F), Seel (Nixie)(F), Goldeen (Maya)(F), Oddish (Bryony)(F), Hisuian Lilligant (Laurel)(F), Sprigatito (Jasmine)(F), Brute Bonnet (Shamrock)(M), Tandemaus (Kundu & Panya)(M&F), Smoliv (Olivia)(F), Applin (Pomeroy)(M), Togepi (Jevin)(M)