Pokémon: Road to Indigo Glory

Gary sighed as he gently lowered a Sandshrew onto the medical table. It was bad enough that Ash's new electric rat had been a nuisance all day, but now the turf war between the Sandslash's and the Graveler's had caused an injury. Giving it an Oran Berry to munch on, he then began to search the medical cabinet for bandages and a potion for its wounds. It was at that point his grandfather rushed into the medical quarters.

"How bad is it, Gary?" Professor Oak asked his grandson.

"It's minor. It was lucky to dig out of the way before things got too bad. Mercifully Char was around to stop the fight before things got out of hand." Gary explained as he pulled a potion out of the cabinet.

"It's a good thing my old partner has respect from the other Pokémon. Sadly, he won't be around to handle situations like this forever." Professor Oak sighed.

"And respect grows as fast as leaves on a Sudowoodo." Gary grumbled as he got to work applying the potion to the wounds, comforting the Sandshrew as it winced. "There there, little guy. The stinging doesn't last."

It was at that time when the air ducts above them roared to life, as an almighty racket tore through them. Gary had to hold down the panicking Sandshrew as the cacophony was temporary, soon moving off to another section.

"How has Ash not caught that thing up there yet?" Gary asked rhetorically.

"That Pikachu always was a slippery one." Professor Oak replied, shaking his head.

"Hard to believe with how fat it is." Gary grumbled before pulling out a walkie talkie off his belt. "Oak Wonder to Bravo Mankey. Do you copy?"

The walkie talkie static's its way to life as Ash's voice came in. "Bravo Mankey here. I have eyes on the target." He said quietly.

"Well hurry on up there. You're scaring the Sandshrew. And the poor thing nearly got flattened by a Graveler Rollout earlier." Gary snapped back into his walkie.

"On it, Oak Wonder. Bravo Mankey out." Ash's voice replied before the walkie talkie went radio silent.

"I swear I got to do everything around here." Gary grumbled, as the distinctive, if rarely used noise of the doorbell rang through the building. "Gramps, I didn't know you had company today?"

"I'm not expecting anyone. Who could that be…?" Professor Oak replied in confusion.

Walking over briskly, he soon opened the door. He was met by a man with a near exact face to his own, complete with his bushy eyebrows and brown eyes. Of course, anyone looking beyond that could tell the two apart. His sun kissed brown skin, shoulder length gray mullet, and cyan Alolan shirt cast the man before him in a very different light to the formal, if messy looking professor.

"Alola, cousin! You're looking more smashing than a Machamp today!" The man said in a cheerful voice.

Professor Oak smiled at that. "Hello, Samson! I wasn't expecting you. You usually call ahead." He told his cousin, preparing to let him in.

"Indeed, especially with these snappy new Rotom phones all over the place. Well, I wouldn't Bibarel the point with you cousin, I have come here with an important point to discuss." Samson Oak replied, his voice turning more serious with that, yet keeping his cheerfulness in it.

Professor Oak chuckled at that. "Come on in, Samson." He replied, opening the door to the lab.

To the Pokémon Professor's surprise, his cousin wasn't the only one entering the room. He didn't see his guests until they were in the door. Both were women, one adult and one child. Both shared many features between each other. Long golden blonde hair, fair and smooth skin, charming faces, and slender frames covered by white summer dresses. Aside from their age, the main difference was what he presumed to be the mother had yellow eyes, while the daughter had blue. Wrapped in the arms of said daughter was a glass container containing a white Pokémon egg.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, cousin. I need to Slowbro down and collect my thoughts. These fine ladies are part of why I am here. Lusamine, head of the Aether Foundation, and her daughter Lillie." Samson said, turning on his heels to introduce them.

"Pleased to meet you both." Professor Oak cordially said.

"The honor is ours, Professor Oak. It's a rare day to be in the presence of a Pokémon Professor of your caliber." Lusamine responded with a courteous bow.

"Thank you for having us, Professor." Lillie respectfully said, bowing a bit.

"My cousin may be Kanto born and raised, but he has always had the Alolan spirit!" Samson proudly proclaimed.

Professor Oak smiled at that. "Thank you, Samson. Come, I'll make us some tea." He told them.

Before they could start heading over to the lounge, they all heard the racket coming from the air ducts. This caused Lillie a great fright to the point of nearly dropping the Pokémon egg she was carrying but managed to save it. This incident, however, got a deep sigh out of Professor Oak.

"It appears Ash has finally found Pikachu." He told the three.

"Who is this Ash you speak of cousin?" Samson asked inquisitively.

"I thought you said he didn't have any Pikachu, Samson? From what I hear, Pikachu are rare in this region, despite being their evolutionary homeland." Lusamine inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"In order? Ash is a childhood friend of my grandson Gary's and my lab assistant/pupil. And the Pikachu in question is Ash's new partner that we were given recently, but haven't had any luck… 'domesticating', I suppose you could say…" Professor Oak explained.

"Oh, how delightful! It's always amazing to watch youngsters getting to experience the wonders of the Pokémon world." Samson said, before smacking his cousin in the back. "Golurk on you, cousin!"

"I've always been fascinated by Pikachu! Especially with the fact that it's evolved form Raichu has a different form back home in Alola!" Lillie excitedly said, though with a bit of nervousness.

"Come on, Pikachu! I said I was sorry!" Came the voice of Ash as it echoed through the air ducts.

"PIKA PIKA CHU!!" Roared the yellow mouse back at its trainer.

"I know you're still mad, but it's not safe in here!" Ash told his partner.

"Pika-Pi?" Pikachu asked in mocking curiosity.

"Don't you give me that sarcasm! These ducts are old and haven't been switched out in years! They could collapse underneath us at any time!" Ash told his partner Pokémon, concerned for his safety.

"PIK-A-CHHUUUU!!!" Cried out the electric mouse, and massive voltage rang through the ducts to shock its trainer.

The humans beneath the air ducts flinched at that, looking up in concern. "Oh dear…" Professor Samuel Oak muttered in worry.

"I have, in all my years of Pokémon rehabilitation, never seen such an ill-tempered Pikachu." Lusamine said in shock.

"Is… is he okay…?" LIllie asked in concern.

"This means war now, Pikachu! Get back here!" Roared Ash as he stampeded through the ducts like a Tauros, as they disappeared again deeper into the lab's labyrinth of airways.

"Yep. He's fine." Professor Oak said dryly.

"Hopefully young Ash gets the ball Roggenrola-ing with that Pikachu soon, Samuel." Samson added, looking a bit worried.

"Pokémon and people aren't so different. Some relationships just take longer to get off the ground than others. Have a seat while I go get my tea set." Professor Oak replied, motioning to the simple furniture in the lounge.

As the Alolan guests sat down, Professor Oak swiftly returned with a piping hot tea pot and his venerable tea set. As he began to put some Earl Grey tea bags into their cups, Gary arrived with the bandaged up Sandshrew sitting on his shoulder. After rubbing it under the chin, Gary turned his attention to the company.

"Grandcousin Samson!? What are you doing all the way out here!?" Gary asked in amazement.

"I'm glad you asked, dear Gary. We came to ask Samuel here a favor before we walked in on your friend Ash chasing his Pikachu through the air ducts as it was throwing a Tyrantrum." Samson explained.

Gary sighed as he pulled out his walkie talkie. "Oak Wonder to Bravo Mankey. Your mission is dragging on into the sunset, can you speed it up at all?" Gary asked into his walkie talkie, before petting the Sandshrew again.

"Bravo Mankey to Oak Wonder! I just had him, but he zapped me and got away! I'm in hot pursuit!" Ash's voice replied through the walkie talkie.

"Ashie boy, you're worrying our guests, and especially the lovely ladies in the room with that Fast and the Fire-Types routine up there. Corner that electric hell spawn in a dead end already!" Gary said frustratedly into the walkie.

"On it! Bravo Mankey out!" Ash's voice replied before the walkie talkie went radio silent once again.

"... Why are you using code names for this?" Lillie asked in confusion.

"Because, my dear lady, it's fun." Gary answered as smoothly as he could.

"It seems like tempers are Flareon-ing up in there…" Samson replied nervously.

"Moving on from the running of the Tauros up in my air ducts. What was this favor you wished to ask of me, Samson?" Professor Oak asked as he handed his cousin his cup of tea.

"Right. Lusamine here wishes to send her dear daughter Lillie to Ichigo Academy to study being a Pokémon Trainer and help her get over her fear of Pokémon. So, I came up with the Boldore idea of seeing if anyone I know here can put her up while she's attending and immediately thought of you. So do we have your Spheal of Approval, Samuel?" Samson asked his cousin.

"Wait… fear of Pokémon?" Gary interrupted as he swiped his own cup of tea for himself.

"I 'm not afraid of Pokémon! I can touch and interact with them perfectly finely! In theory, at least…" Lillie replied.

"She had an… incident when she was little." Lusamine nervously said, and the two Kantonian Oaks were shocked by the change of demeanor.

"A Gastly experience that has been Haunter-ing her ever since." Samson replied sympathetically.

As if on cue, the Sandshrew on Gary's shoulder leapt off his shoulder and made his way towards Lillie. However, as soon as the small Ground type hugged the girl's leg. To the Kantonian's shock, Lille froze up. To the point where Samuel and Gary thought she somehow got hit by an Ice-Type move.

"Come here, little one." Professor Oak said, and while the Sandshrew was confused, it acquiesced and ran over. Lillie slowly began to unfreeze from her position after it stopped hugging her.

"I've… never seen anything like that…" Gary said in stunned disbelief.

"Which is why we want her to come to Ichigo Academy." Lusamine explained.

"I suggested that such an Electivire-ing experience and being so close to the world's foremost Pokémon expert will help her with such a Glalie-ing issue." Samson added.

"Well, she will not be alone. Both Gary and Ash will be attending Ichigo this year. Though I'm surprised you three are passing up Papaya Academy. From what I can tell, it has a wonderful curriculum on Pokémon moves." Professor Oak said.

"Oh, it does. But I thought more generalist knowledge would help Lillie get over her Fearow." Samson explained.

"Though my main concern is Ichigo's Academy's reputation for student housing." Lusamine said more sternly.

"It may be Primeape real estate, but there tends to be a lot of Crabrawler-ing going on in the dorms." Samson explained.

"You could say it's Crabominable." Gary chipped in with a smirk, much to Samson's pride.

"Finally! Another member of the Oak family takes to my puns!" Samson happily cheered.

As the Oaks entertained the lab's guests, Ash had finally gained headway in the lamest chase of the century. Pikachu in a more tired state finally began making mistakes, taking sloppy corners, and slowing down in pace. After slamming his way through a corner, he took the wrong turn into a dead end. This was his chance. Leaping at him with the last bits of his own energy, Ash grabbed hold of the Electric type with both hands.

"Finally got you!" Ash tiredly proclaimed, panting and sweating like a stuck Grumpig. 

Pikachu, however, swiftly pointed below them. Looking down, he realized that the air duct couldn't take the strain, and the hatch that he was on sprung open. Everything he was warning Pikachu about earlier.

"You win this round…" Ash grumbled to his partner.

"Pikachu." Pikachu proudly said with his acknowledged victory.

Soon the two plummeted towards the ground. Rolling in the air, Ash hugged Pikachu tight and twisted him out of the way of the floor. He soon hit the tile floor hard, his spine impacting it first. Biting back the coursing pain, he held firmly to his partner Pokémon to make sure he was safe. Everyone sprang from their chairs in sheer shock and horror at what had just happened before them.

"That was not a Servine landing… but at least they're both safe and sound…" Samson worriedly said.

"Ow…" Ash squeaked out, pain preventing him from speaking very loudly.

"I'll get the bandages." Gary said, heading out off the room to get the first aid kit.

"Gary, get the Jeep started! We will take him home! Delia will have what we need!" Professor Oak called out to him.

"Right!" Gary called out, turning to grab the keys instead.

"How are you two so calm after seeing this!?" Lusamine said in utter horror.

"This isn't the first time Ash has gotten injured in the line of duty, Lusamine. Though this is a bit more severe than usual." Professor Oak explained as both he and Samson helped Ash up.

"The fact that this isn't the Furfrow-st time is quite concerning…" Samson said in surprise as he helped his cousin carry the lad.

"I keep telling you, cousin. In Kanto, nothing comes easy. I have had to take my fair share of bumps and bruises on the job to get where I am today. It's not about taking the lumps; it's about getting up from them." Professor Oak explained as they made their way to the garage.

"Not everyone is built like a Metang like you Kantonians, Samuel." Samson admitted as they gently helped Ash into the Jeep.

As this happened, Pikachu stood there worried for his partner. He didn't think that would happen. It was then that he noticed the other two new humans. Slowly he walked over to Lusamine and Lillie, causing Lillie to hide behind her mother. This confused him greatly. Why was she afraid of him?

"Don't worry about my daughter, little one. She has a fear of Pokémon. Please don't take it personally." Lusamine explained to the little electric mouse.

"I do not, mother! I'm perfectly theoretically capable of touching and playing with Pokémon!" Lillie indignantly replied.

"Well, you can touch and play with the Pikachu when we make sure young Ash is alright and is recovering." Lusamine said with a coy smile.

"O-Of course I can! I-It's no trouble at all!" Lillie nervously insisted to her mother.

Later at the Ketchum House

It wasn't easy for Professor Oak to explain why Ash came in with such a backache. Normally he was very good at explaining these things. But seeing her son carried in by both Samuel and Samson sent her into a freak out. Not that anyone blamed her. Lusamine especially understood her concern for her son. If anything like that happened to Lillie… well, she didn't want to think about it. Soon Ash was laying belly down across the couch with ice packs, as Gary came in with Delia's first aid kit. Everyone else sat in various chairs that Delia was able to scrounge up for the living room.

"Ash, from now on, please be more careful! You're not going to make it to the end of graduation at this rate!" Delia yelled in a panicked town.

"I'm fine, mom. Is Pikachu safe?" Ash asked, wincing in pain as he tried to get up.

"He's perfectly fine. He is currently sitting in Ms. Lillie's lap… and she looks as if she's seen a ghost as a result." Delia explained, turning to the… peculiar sight.

Pikachu forced himself to look at Lillie. He couldn't look at his trainer in this state. Yes, the dummy called him fat and made many remarks that got him frustrated earlier… but he felt bad for causing that. Lillie couldn't notice this as she was in the middle of an internal freak out from the rotund electric mouse on her dainty lap. Samson, however, did notice Pikachu's reaction.

"The tension between you two is positively Electrike. But, after such a Coalossal and painful looking fall, it only makes sense. I think you two need to hash things out after you recover, Ash." Samson told the boy.

"Yeah… we are working on that…" Ash groaned as Gary put the last ice pack on his back. "Thanks, Gary…"

"No problem, Ash. Just try to be a little more careful next time, okay?" Gary told his longtime friend.

"And where is the fun in that?" Ash teasingly answered him.

To everyone's surprise, Pikachu hopped off Lillie's lap and walked over to the couch. Then, after a near failed leap due to his bulk, he then laid next to his trainer. As if to try and make sure he doesn't go anywhere. With Ash's injury under control, Professor Oak soon filled Delia in on the situation with Lillie. Delia, through the explanation, slowly was able to shake off the manic worry for her son. As soon as Professor Oak finished, Samson spoke up.

"Well, isn't that a positively Cutiefly sight? PIkachu actually looks somewhat Comfey there." Samson replied playfully, happy to see Pikachu's concern for his trainer.

"Be careful, Samson. That Pikachu is stronger than it looks." Oak warned his cousin.

"So, you're going to Ichigo Academy Lillie?" Ash asked the blonde-haired girl, not wanting to be left out simply because he had a hurt back.

"Y-Yes, I am. I want to learn more about Pokémon and my mother wants me to have new experiences outside of Alola." Lillie explained.

Ash smiled at hearing that. "Gary and I are also going! We can show you around the place!" Ash chipperly said, surprising the Alolans with his open generosity.

"I must say, Ash. You're quite direct and to the point. Such generosity is quite refreshing." Lusamine said with a small smile.

"That's my Ash. Always willing to help someone out." Delia said happily.

"Even if it will kill him." Gary grumbled under his breath.

"Wait… I have an idea! This is a positively Golduck opportunity!" Samson replied excitedly.

"And that is?" Professor Oak asked, raising his eyebrow.

"Why not have Lillie stay with the Ketchums? That way, she can ease herself into being around Pokémon more. A rather Marill-ous idea, if I do say so myself." Samson said with a smile.Ash perked up even more at that, getting a big smile. "She can help me and Gary around the lab! She'll get to see loads of Pokémon that way!" Ash excitedly exclaimed, while Lillie got both nervous and excited at hearing that.

"Th-that sounds like a wonderful idea! Can I, mother?" Lillie asked, her mix of nervous excitement showing on her face.

"Only if Mrs. Ketchum is okay with the potential arrangement. It is her house after all." Lusamine explained, before turning to the Lady of the Household.

"I don't know. I don't have very much money at the moment, and the spare bedroom is in such a state." Delia mused, putting a hand on one of her cheeks.

"I can pay for all of your expenses while my daughter is here. Please, don't worry about the money." Lusamine offered with a helpful smile.

"I-I couldn't take such an offer… it would be too much to ask for…" Delia replied, trying to deny due to the sheer shock of the offer.

"It's no trouble at all, trust me." Lusamine insisted.

"Well… if you insist…" Delia said, nervously accepting the offer, still unsure how anyone could casually pay that much. 

"Then it's settled! Lillie will stay with the Ketchum family while attending Ichigo Academy! I'd say that this is a cause for Celebi-ration!" Samson told everyone present in the room.

Samson's mood quickly caught on, as everyone quickly got excited for something fun. Even Pikachu smiled and jumped for joy. As they all began to figure out a celebration strategy, Lillie smiled from ear to ear. Yes she was nervous, but for the first time in forever, she had her own path to take. With brand new people to join her on it.