21. Ash's Story Journey Version

Chapter 15 A Legendary Encounter

As snowfall arrives in Vermilion City, Professor Cerise says, "Ash, Serena. The heavy snowfall is causing some malfunctions in our systems. I decided to close the laboratory for a few days so we could do some maintenance."

"System maintenance..." Serena says, "Wait, the lab is closed?"

"I'm sorry about this. It would be easier for us if you went home in the meantime." Professor Cerise says.

"Home...but I am from Kalos..." Serena frowns. Ash says, "How about you stay at my place since there might not be flights available in this heavy storm."

"I guess so, but I will need to inform my mother about this." Serena says.

"Of course." Ash says with a smile. "Let's go."

Serena nods as they finish packing up their stuff, once they are done, Serena asks, "So how are we going back to Pallet Town?"

"We'll be taking the train." Ash says.

"How long does it take to get to Pallet Town?" Serena asks.

"Maybe some minutes..." Ash says as they are heading to the train station. But on their way, they get to a park as they see three Mankey chasing after a Cubone.

"Mankey and Cubone? What's going on here?" Ash asks in confusion.

"Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. A Ground type. Cubone wears a skull as a helmet, concealing its face as it sheds tears for its long-lost mother. It cries loudly to express its loneliness. It also always carries a long, thick bone. Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokémon. A Fighting type. Mankey is quick-tempered and can fly into a rage even while dreaming."

"That Cubone clearly doesn't stand a chance..." Ash says as he notices how Cubone was surrounded by Mankeys.

Scorbunny suddenly leaps into action, knocking two of the Mankey back with a few swift kicks. Serena asks, "Scorbunny?"

Cubone tries to take a swing at the third one, only to have its bone club knocked and snatched away by the Mankey. Scorbunny rushes after the assailants, but the three Mankey get away with the club in hand.

"Hey, wait up!" Ash yells as he and Serena chase after the Pokemon.

Pikachu and Scorbunny try to stop them, but they failed as they get away. Cubone begins crying for its bone, and Ash says, "I'm sorry, that bone must have been important to you."

Serena hugs the Pokemon, trying to comfort it, and Serena says, "Don't worry, we will make sure you will get your bone back."

As Cubone stops crying, Ash sends out Talonflame, Beedrill, Staraptor, and Fearow. "Guys, sorry for bringing you out in the cold..."

Just then, they see how the other three Pokemon are hugging Talonflame as it has Flame Body, causing the Pokemon to get uncomfortable. "Please, I'd like you to help us get Cubone's bone back." Ash says.

Serena shows them the Pokedex so that they will know what it looks like, and Cubone has been begging them for help as well, so they quickly fly off to find the Mankey and the bone.

The four Pokemon are finding the Pokemon while Ash and Serena are also finding. On their way, they notice some Sandshrew, and Ash captures one of them to help to find the Mankey through the ground.

"Geez...just where did those Mankey go?" Serena mutters. "They can't have gotten that far..."

Ash says, "They can be very crafty..." Then he has an idea.

They set up a Nanab Berry bait while the others are hiding, Serena says, "I see...you're luring them out with a Nanab Berry."

The Berry lures the Mankey in; however, Pikachu's Electroweb fails to snare any of them. Scorbunny uses Quick Attack to knock one down, Pikachu Thunderbolts another while Beedrill uses Poison Sting on the last Mankey.