Evolution
It had been two months since their informative dinner, together with the Oaks. Over the course of the two months, the Oaks had invited the Ketchums for a dinner as well. Ash and Gary were the most delighted with the dinner party, especially when Grandpa Oak let them go play with the nocturnal Pokemon on the ranch. The Pokemon in turn were very happy and excited to play with the two boys, especially the ghost types. Lucario and Blue's Blastoise watched over all of them to make sure none of the Pokemon take off with the boys in their excitement. They were not in danger, no far from it actually, but he did not fancy searching for them in the dark. Unknown to the boys however, they were being observed by their fathers and the resident Professor. The three of them noticed how drawn the ghost type Pokemon were towards Ash.
Flashback to the dinner:
Professor Oak chuckled, "Well, would you look at that? Who knew that grumpy Gengar of yours would like another human? Eh Blue."
Blue was watching the adorable scene with a contemplative look, "No joke Dad, I'm pretty surprised too."
Cypress watched worried, "What do you mean? Is something wrong with him?"
Professor Oak, "Well Cypress, Blue's Gengar here is very picky and short tempered. He doesn't normally like people much especially when it evolved from a Haunter to Gengar. I'm surprised he's even playing with Ash and Gary. Usually he's off minding he's own business. Or hiding in the shadows around here."
Cypress hummed in understanding, "I see... That's a very curious one then. Wasn't he one of the first Pokemon you caught, Blue?"
Blue nodded smiling, "Yes, he is also the strongest Pokemon I have. A stubborn one too, never gives up a fight and refuses to quit training unless he wins the match again."
Leaf walked in with a jump in her steps, "Daaad, Graaamps, Uncle Cyyy, mom and Aunt Lia are calling you all for dinner. I'm going to get Red and Green."
The dinner was a fun affair and Ash especially enjoyed the pot roast and the Hoenn special tiramisu dessert. Delia and Rosalind moved to the couch and took Leaf with them to question her on the boy she had a crush on. Gary and Green snickered at their sister's red face. She looked at them for help but they pretended not to notice. It served her right for teasing them non stop all the time. Grandpa Oak however got their attention.
Grandpa Oak cleared his throat, "Ahem! Ash, Gary. This may come as a sudden surprise but next month I'm going to meet an old friend of mine. Would you like to join me?"
Ash and Gary blinked, they were surprised by the sudden offer. They knew the Professor always got invites to different places. However he never took any of them with him. He was quit serious when it came to privacy and security of his family.
The Professor continued hen they didn't answer, "I know, this is a sudden plan but that's why, I'm giving you time to decide whether or not you want to come. I promise, if you do agree to tag along, it'll be fun and educational."
Ash and Gary had both nodded not sure what to say to that sudden invite and the adults became immersed in their conversation. Green had taken Red to his room while in the middle of the conversation to play the latest video game and only came out when it was time to leave.
Flashback end!
Now Ash was training Pichu to master some of his moves. So far he had mastered Tail Whip, agility and charm, it worked on the female Pokemon very well. They were now trying to learn Nasty Plot and Nuzzle. From what Ash and Gary figured out little Pichu had two egg moves which were Charge and Wish. Gary and Eevee had taken a break from training and were currently going through a book that was filled with the different types of evolution for Eevee. Eevee had so far mastered Growl, Tackle, Sand Attack, Quick Attack and Swift. Eevee just like Pichu had two egg moves which were Detect and Curse.
Ash, "Try once again Pichu, Nuzzle!"
Pichu tried creating Nuzzle again and after the twenty second try finally succeeded in using it against Arcanine who had decided to watch over their training. The stronger Pokemon shook off the affect however and nodded in approval.
Arcanine rumbled, -Stronger than yesterday little one.-
Pichu rubbed his neck, -Thank you Arca.-
Ash picked Pichu up hugging him, "That was awesome Pichu. Let's take a break now yeah? Mom made some really delicious lunch for all of us."
Gary smiled at them when they joined him and Eevee on the picnic mat, "That was pretty impressive back there."
Ash laughed, "Thanks Gary, Pichu has been working really hard."
Ash sat comfortably next to Gary while Arcanine made himself comfortable behind them. And right after Ash had put Pichu down, the little electric mouse started to glow. Ash became a little startled while Gary looked shocked. Arcanine however watched expectantly, he knew the evolution was close. Pichu had been training really hard and had become stronger then before when it was a wild Pokemon. After a few minutes, the glow stopped and there in place of Pichu stood a larger yellow coloured Pokemon.
Pikachu chirped at them, -Hi. How do I look? Like the surprise?-
Ash was excited, "Pichu? You evolved! Into a Pikachu. Oh my Mew!"
Gary who got over his shock grinned, "Congratulations guys! That was pretty cool. Oh yeah, this is also our first evolution as well."
Ash hugged Pikachu before settling him down, "I know right. I can't believe you evolved. Oh! This means we'll have to visit your grandpa later on Gary. I want to make sure everything was alright in the process of evolution."
Gary nodded, "Sure for now though. Sit and eat. The food will get cold."
Eevee, -Congratulations. That was amazing.-
Pikachu nuzzled his friend's cheek, -Thank you Vee. Have you decided on what you want to evolve into?-
Eevee purred, -Honestly Gary and I are a bit torn between Umbreon and Espeon. But I want to be able to evolve into something that has special meaning. Don't get me wrong, they are both so amazing. What do you think Arca?-
Arcanine, -Whatever you choose to evolve into, do so with pride. It is still you after all.-
Ash and Gary had this time stayed on the outskirts of the forest to train and to go collect items after lunch. The lunch consisted of a bento with fried rice, stuffed omelet, steamed carrots and broccoli, potato chips, fried sausage and bacon and sliced tomatoes and cucumber salad. Ash then noticed that Pikachu didn't seem to enjoy the Pecha berry flavored Pokefood much like before instead he eyed the tomatoes in the bento with longing. He would have to make a note of that for the future.
After lunch they cleaned up after themselves and went to the same field where they had first met Pichu to collect some samples. This time Ash collected a few bulbs of lilies and tulips to grow. Gary however collected a stem of a wild orange coloured Hibiscus and some violet snapdragon. Just like last time they played with the wild Pokemon and this time the pink Mew greeted them as himself. He had brought a silver furred and another ebony furred Mews with him this time.
Mew, -These are my siblings. I hope you don't mind. I just couldn't not tell them about the fun we had.-
Arcanine gave a huff, -You Legendaries will do anything you want, huh.-
He however allowed them to play together at anyway, provided, they didn't try anything funny with his cubs. The two new Mews had been skeptical at first when their sibling had told them about the human child. But now, they were curious about Ash, especially the fascinating power that seems to glow inside him. One proper look at Gary however and they saw the young brunette had potential as well. Ash and Gary had welcomed the two to play with them before they had to return home.
The ebony coloured Mew, who watched them leave spoke up, -You know, when he goes on a journey, the other legendaries will probably want to keep him.-
Silver Mew smirked, -I agree. Shall we keep him to ourselves till then? Between the three of us it shouldn't be hard to hide him for a while.-
Mew giggled, -Why not?-
Red felt a shiver go down his spine, "Who?"
Green, "Something wrong?"
Red, "My little brother senses are tingling."
Green eyed him, "You feel it too, huh?"
Red, "We should check on them."
Green nodded, "Better safe than sorry."