The team rocket members held their breath and stared at Gray in horror.

  The two children, sensing the tension between them, looked to both sides in confusion, not understanding the reasons for it. Gary, the more confident of the two, suddenly exclaimed “Oh!” in realisation.

  His uncle waited for the accusation, already internally considering how he could defuse the situation when Gary continued in a reassuring tone.

  “Don’t be scared! My Uncle Gray may be an awesome trainer, but he’s really nice, no worries!”

  Puzzled, the older man looked to his nephew, trying to summon up an unearthed bloodline power that would let his thoughts, or at the very least a direction of his intentions, flow through the boy.

  Gary smiled back before he steadfastly exclaimed. “I know it’s scary after you saw his match today, but there’s no need to worry. My uncle only beats up bad guys! You need help right? My uncle will help!”

  At the mention of ‘bad guys’ the Team Rocket members shuddered before trying to shuffle further away from the children. Unfortunately, they only succeeded in digging themselves deeper into the upholstery of their seats.

  Gray inaudibly sighed. Suddenly, Jessie and James being able to successfully disguise themselves time and time again became more believable. He promised to be a better mentor to the boys after this experience, choosing to let the boys be at present.

  “That’s right! Tell us what’s the problem, ma’am, and we’ll do our best!” Ash chimed in.

  The barely legal teens looked to Gray then, trying their best to discern direction from the man. The children may not recognise them now, but they were under no Ghost-type illusion that the older trainer knew precisely who they were.

  Gray smiled at them, a disconcerting thing that held warning and encouragement all the same.

  “No need! We don’t need your help, young masters. We can’t afford to burden your esteemed selves with our lowly issues.”

  Contrary to expectation, the high regard they addressed the boys caused their tails to rise higher in the air, practically wagging in self-importance and excitement before they stubbornly insisted.

  “We told you, my uncle is an awesome trainer! We’ll definitely help you guys if we can!”

  “Yeah, the Oak family is rich too, so you won’t even need to pay!”

  Gray groaned at Ash’s claim. He wasn’t technically wrong per se, but Gray would definitely have to instill some form of entrepreneurial spirit into the boy. Gray wouldn’t want him to be taken advantage of for his kindness in the future, plus saying no to a free lunch was simply bad form.

  The group turned to Gray then, but the man said nothing. The woman, who presumably was the owner of the voice Gray had recognised, met his eyes. Gray nodded minutely to her, his regard for her increasing as she was the only one in the group who was willing to make eye contact with him.

  “My name is Bella, young masters. You see, my family owns a flower shop, and we’ve been in business in Vermilion City for generations.”

  She looks to Gray for a hint of disapproval. When she found none, she regained confidence and began her tale, growing more impassioned as she outlined her situation.

  Her family had been running a flower shop in Vermilion for decades. It wasn’t a grand venture, merely a store that had been serving the community with its offerings for years. It neither profited greatly nor became a staple in Vermilion City — it just was.

  Things began to take a turn as Vermilion opened up its deep waters to international trade. Initially it had been a boost to their store, as greater traffic to the city naturally increased profits. However, when Blossom Bar opened its flowery arches, the competition slowly squeezed out Bella’s family store.

  The Johtonian competitor offered a wider variety of flowers, some native to Kanto while others were imported from its motherland. Gradually, more and more people turned to the bigger store, leaving Bella’s humble family business in the dust.

  Ash and Gary listened to her story intently, empathetic eyes shining and gasping at just the right moments of the girl’s story.

  Bella finished with a flourish, pleased at the very least at how her tale resonated with her young audience, though she made it a point to never look up again in Gray’s direction.

  In his head, Gray finished the unsaid story.

  Probably enraged at how her family’s livelihood was challenged by a foreign store, the girl had joined forces with Team Rocket to try and stifle the competition. Unfortunately, Blossom Bar proved its deep roots, able to bounce back after the store’s destruction to re-open again. The boys’ timely disruption the night before had likely prevented the group from causing too much damage.

  Moved, the two young boys looked at each other and nodded before eagerly vowing.

  “We’ll definitely help you, Miss Bella!”

  “Ya don’t need to worry, we’re here now!”

  Gray gave the boys a few moments to bask in their determination, amused at the ferocity they displayed towards a stranger’s flower shop of all things.

  “And how exactly will you help, hmm?”

  Like a Squirtle’s Bubble popping, the boys blinked back to earth before their brows furrowed in deep concentration. Their Uncle was right, what exactly can they do to help?

  Bella just laughed at the boys’ concentration. It had been heartening to at least have her story be heard outside her group of friends in Team Rocket. She didn’t expect anything after sharing her story, only hoping that it would deter Gray Oak from questioning their early release from the precinct.

  After Blossom Bar managed to still reopen, she’d come to acknowledge that she was powerless. Joining Team Rocket and getting their help to try and force Blossom Bar out of Vermilion had been her last ditch effort to change her family’s fortune. She was stuck and could only vent.

  Gray kept quiet and let the boys ponder. He could make suggestions to aid the boys, but it would have been counter productive. The fairy trainer knew he couldn’t hold their hands in the future, so it was best to let them explore while he kept a watchful gaze at the side.

  Furthermore, if the boys insisted on going out of their way to be a bleeding heart to every sob story they hear in the future, Gray would let them flounder. Even in his past life, Ash and his tales of helping as many people as he could throughout his journey was inevitable. No matter the region, the same theme of helping those who needed it had been constant for the boy.

  Gray could try his best to teach Ash otherwise, but he knew it was an exercise in futility. This part of the boy was already too ingrained. At best, he could redirect it into a healthier expression, making sure that the boy never compromised his own safety and interests in his quests to help. In the future, he hoped to straighten out his complete selflessness. Ash could help, for sure, but his beneficiaries should compensate him, regardless of how small.

  Both boys’ eyebrows remained furrowed as their minds raced with what they could do.

  “Maybe we can buy a lot of flowers from your business?”

  “Err…”

  “No, dummy! Even if we pay them now, what happens when we leave? They’ll be in trouble all over again.”

  “Oh… Right…”

  “We can try chasing away the other shop! That way, only Bella’s flowershop will sell flowers in Vermilion so everyone will be forced to buy from them!”

  Gray’s face turned ugly at that suggestion. Wasn’t that precisely what these young Team Rocket members tried to do last night?! Gray resolved to instill ethics and law abidance into his nephew.

  “But Gary… How will we chase them away…”

  Alright, he’ll add Ash into the lessons too. Equal treatment!

  “... Let me think about it!”

  Alarmed, Gray clarified before any of the rocket members whose eyes had gleamed in interest could say anything.

  “So, you both think it’s okay to chase away people from doing business here in Vermilion?”

  Not seeing where his uncle was going, the small ginger-haired boy tilted his head in confusion.

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  Gray told himself that it was his responsibility as the older figure to turn the boys as far away as possible from a potential life of crime.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “You want to hurt one group of people to make another group feel better?”

  Both boys’ cheeks reddened.

  “How about you investigate first? You can check out the flower shop and see how you can help from there?”

  Ash and Gary agreed to the suggestion, and immediately tried to get everyone to go as soon as possible.

  “We need to finish dinner first. We’ll go after you’re both done eating,” Gray turned to the Team Rocket teens with a pleasant smile. “We’ll have plenty of time after. They’re not going anywhere, right?”

  The group of teens had no choice but to nod their heads, silently swallowing down the fear lodged in their throats.

  Gray and his nephews resumed their stroll through Vermilion, this time with more purpose as they followed after the Team Rocket members.

  The group found themselves passing through Blossom Bar, the Johtonian store already in business despite its trashed state just the night before.

  Ash and Gary marveled at the quick turn around, never noticing how the teens they followed averted their eyes from the store. Gray hummed out loud for the fun of it, taking slight delight at how the Team Rocket members seemed to sweat more at the sound.

  Under the setting sun, Gray had to admit that the flower store had a lot going for it.

  Its dramatic wooden archways that mimicked traditional Johtonian architecture lent a subtle beauty that complimented the vast array of flowers within. Despite its olden design, the polished glass and the slight chill that drifted out of the store signified its attempts at blending tradition with modern conveniences. The boys ooh-ed when a Marill appeared in between the flowers, a well-controlled Water Sport misting the plants within, leaving a slight sheen that appeared beautiful under the golden light.

  Gray paid no mind to Bella’s clenched fists.

  The young teen hurriedly urged them forward, steps quickening to leave the Blossom Bar behind them.

  They soon approached another flower store, and it took but a single glance to notice the glaring difference.

  Unlike its competitor, this store was simple in appearance. While it rivaled the Blossom Bar in size, the plain concrete walls and glass windows added no additional allure. The flowers displayed were well-cared for but there was no spectacle.

  Simple and straight forward, exactly like how Kantonians are.

  The two young boys peered into the store, unmoved and unmoving. Their silence created an awkward atmosphere, the Team Rocket teens fidgeting as they waited.

  “... Are there pokemon to take care of things?” asked Gary.

  “Oh! Yes! Oddish!” said Bella, a hint of command in her voice.

  Immediately, a trio of Oddish jumped up with a cry, their leafy heads had previously blended perfectly within the foliage.

  They began to dance, leaving behind a Sweet Scent that invigorated the air. A flash of vitality swept through the plants, making them appear just a smidgeon more inviting.

  “So cool!”

  “Wow!”

  Emboldened by their receptive audience, the Oddish continued their dance.

  Gray let the boys enjoy the show for a bit more before trying to get them back on track. “What now, boys? Any ideas on how you can help?”

  Gray entered the store confidently and sat himself on the counter overlooking the entire store. Both Ash and Gary were well within his sight as they marched along the aisles, exclaiming amazement at the different plants and flowers they discovered.

  The Team Rocket teens stood against one wall, perfectly aligned and pliant. They collectively froze whenever Gray’s eyes lingered on them.

  To be quite honest, their reactions, whilst amusing, were beginning to become tiresome. Sure, Gray made it a point to keep them leashed lest they compromise his nephews’ safety. But did they really need to remain fearful the entire time?

  All his life, Gray never saw himself as truly intimidating. He simply didn’t have the strong frame of Red and Blue, nor their strong personality to back him up. Red’s iciness and Blue’s cocky confidence were far more lethal weapons than his own warmer personality.

  Unbeknownst to the Fairy trainer, his persona from his match against Lt. Surge was far from inviting. It’s said that pokemon and trainer had a tendency to emulate each other due to proximity and connection. Since his pokemon had proved themselves deceptively strong and tricky during the match, then what could be said for their trainer?

  More damningly, Gray and Hatterene’s matching predatory grins were screenshotted and presently making rounds online.

  Combined with the protective parenting the trainer exhibited as he corralled his nephews, the Team Rocket teens were understandably terrified.

  “Well? Thoughts?” said Gray once the boys had enough time to navigate around the store.

  Huffing, Ash and Gary walked around again, youthful faces concentrating on the flowers around them as if an answer would pop out like a Diglett if they stared hard enough.

  Unbothered, Gray called out again after a few minutes. “Hmm, any day now please.”

  Their inability to come up with anything to help frustrated both boys. “Uncle, will you please help? Do you have any ideas?”

  “I do, but what does it matter? I didn’t promise to help them, you did. So shouldn’t both of you be the one coming up with ideas?”

  Unable to deny the logic, both boys sighed. They looked to the teens, but received no help from them either. Instead, the older group was staring straight ahead, faces blank.

  Ash and Gary met in the middle of the store, heads huddled to discuss things in furious whispers. They would occasionally look at something in tandem before pressing their heads again to debate.

  Finally, they raised their heads to peer at their Uncle Gray, who could feel a shift as he met their fervent gazes.

  Both boys softened their expressions. Their brown eyes wide and innocent as they stared. Gray could have sworn that Ash’s lower lips were beginning to extend out and tremble, a perfect pout as he looked at his uncle with the fervency of an aggrieved child.

  “Uncle Gray, please help us. We’re really young so we don’t know what to do.”

  “Yes, uncle. Plus, you beat my dad so easily, so you’re really strong! If there’s anyone that can help, it’d be you!”

  Very good — these young ones were blatantly trying to manipulate their uncle into helping!

  Despite his awareness of their actions, Gray could feel the castle of his resolve slowly ebbing away, crumbling into dust under the relentless attack of his charges. In his last moments, he hardened his will like an Iron Defence.

  “No, boys. You’re the one who made the promise, the bulk of the help should come from you both.”

  Twin looks of betrayal and devastation was his reply, their eyes wide as if their uncle had just committed an unforgivable sin.

  Unable to withstand the weight of disappointment, Gray relented by a fraction.

  “Besides, I think you’re forgetting something important. When you guys journey in the future, you may find yourself in tough spots and unable to think of a way to get out of it. That’s why it’s important to pool your resources to come up with a solution. I may not be around to help you in the future, so what would you do then?”

  “But if we’re alone and can’t think of a way to solve the problem, what else can we do? We’re trying really hard but we’re stuck!”

  Gray smiled faintly, before reminding both boys in a low voice.

  “Are you really trying with everything in your power? Remember, even if you’re the only trainer in the middle of a deserted island, you’re never truly alone.”

  Sylveon and Azumarill stepped forward then, exasperated at the boys and the situation.

  All the while, both pokemon have been trailing after the boys, listening as they babbled about whatever thoughts sprung up. Yet somehow, Ash and Gary neglected to ask for the Pokemons’ opinion, talking at them instead of talking with.

  Stunned at the turn of events, both boys could only gape at the two pokemon.

  Getting more excited, Ash asked. “Do you guys know how we can help?”

  “Whim!”

  With a pop sound, Whimsicott made his appearance, twirling in the air with a flourish and swaying in a non-existing breeze.

  Waving his little hands to and fro, a gentle green mist slowly leaked out of the Fairy-Grass type, merging with the plants all around the shop.

  Every piece of nature begins to emit a certain sheen to them, immediately enlivening them and making them appear all the more delicate and enticing. By the time the Grassy Terrain had settled, the store was no longer as dry as before, instead taking on the vibrant appearance of a natural paradise within Vermillion City.

  Before the shock could settle between all the humans in the room, Whimsicott did another twirl that added hues of pink to the air. A dream-like quality is added to the flowers, making them appear even more ethereal than before.

  The awe-inspiring combination of Grassy Terrain and Misty Terrain transformed the store completely.

  “Let this serve as a lesson, boys. Whenever you’re stuck in the future, don’t just rely on your brains to solve the situation. Ask your pokemon for help, and you’ll be surprised at how so many problems can be fixed if you’d just think to ask.”

  Both Ash and Gary absently nodded to their uncle’s words, too stunned to take their eyes off the scene in front of them.

  Gray had no idea how this impactful moment would be engraved in their memories, how the simple act of respecting their future pokemons’ agency would contribute to making the boys even more holistic trainers.

  Summoning up her courage, Bella stepped forward. “Mr Oak,” she began, swallowing the reverence in her voice. “Will our Oddish be able to do the same?”

  The young Team Rocket wasn’t blind to how much of a difference this could make. Sure, it wasn’t guaranteed how much this little change could affect the future of her family’s store, but she wasn’t blind.

  Already she could see passersby turning their heads to observe the happenings in the store, their gazes in awe at how beautiful the flowers have become. Had it not been for the closed sign and barred entry, she was sure that many would have gone inside to have a closer look.

  “I’m sure Grassy Terrain is doable for Oddish, but as for the Misty Terrain —”

  Gray summoned one of the Rotom-dex to check. To his annoyance, there was no information on the move Misty Terrain, much less on whether Oddish as a species could even learn the move.

  He resolved to communicate the issue with Professor Oak in the future. Despite the complicated nature of his relationship with his biological grandfather, it felt distinctly wrong for the East to have so little knowledge on Fairy type pokemon and moves, as if by flying over the sea he had managed to regress and devolve.

  Furthermore, considering his grandfather was the premier Pokemon Professor in this side of the world, him not knowing was akin to the entire continent not knowing.

  “Boys, I’m not confident if the Oddish can learn Misty Terrain, but Grassy Terrain is definitely possible. What do you think we should do now?”

  Immediately both Ash and Gary turned to the pokemon, asking in excited voices if they had any ideas on how to resolve the situation.

  “Syl!”

  Sylveon stepped forward, bowing his head in a solemn manner. After a few seconds, the eeveelution raised his nose to the air, summoning a silver energy that caused stars to twinkle around the air.

  Akin to a soft meteor shower, the stars began to fall in unison, leaving sparkles of light that lingered on the petals and leaves of the flowers. The flowers began to sway, rejuvenated by the healing energy.

  “What move was that?”

  “Moonlight, a Fairy Type move. This move heals the user by bathing it in the soothing light of the moon,” answered one of the Rotom-dex.

  “Can Oddish learn it?”

  “Yes, they can.”

  “Nice!’

  Buoyed by the positive response, both young boys turn to their uncle in anticipation.

  Twitching his lips, Gary responded. “Why are you looking at me like that? This was your idea in the first place. Both of you are in charge of helping the Oddish learn Grassy Terrain and Moonlight.”

  “Really!?”

  “We can help train pokemon?!”

  Dismissing them with a wave of his fingers, both Ash and Gary turned to the pokemon, voices loud in excitement as they babbled about training and whatnot.

  Unable to turn their gazes away from this development, the Team Rocket teens were left as speechless bystanders. Bella, as the primary recipient of all these efforts, was choked on emotion.

  While there wasn’t any guarantee that this would turn her family’s fortune, she could finally see hope on the horizon.

  For now, this was enough.

  “Can I speak to you privately?”

  Shocked out of her stupor, she responded to her benefactor immediately. “Of course, Mr Oak.”

  Bella led Gray deeper into the store, the man not protesting for he was confident that his nephews would be safe in their distraction with his pokemon. When the trainer was certain they wouldn’t be overheard, he turned to the young teen, voice serious.

  “Since we’re helping you, it’s only fair that you help us too, yes? What can you tell me about the organisation you’re working for?”