Tangelo Island

Ash, Misty and Tomo safely arrived at Tangelo Island.

"Okay first we find the Pokemon Center and then we plan on what to do next from there." Ash said.

Misty and Tomo liked that idea.

On the way there, they came to a beach. But what they saw on the beach made them angry. Three trainers were beating a Lapras with sticks.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing to that Lapras?!" Ash shouted.

"If you must know." One of the trainers said. "We're training this Pokemon for the Orange League."

"That's right." Another added. "Now scram!"

"Do it." Misty gave him the all clear to change forms.

"I'm only telling once. Stop beating that Lapras otherwise I'll make you stop." The three trainers were then sent flying into the ocean.

"Wow that was amazing big brother." Tomo said.

The three trainers pulled themselves out of the ocean.

"You three don't deserve to be Pokemon trainers." Ash said. "And I doubt the Orange League would permit trainers like you either."

"This punk wants to pick a fight." The third trainer said.

"Then we'll give him one." The first said.

The three trainers sent one Pokemon out each; Beedrill, Spearow and Hitmonchan.

"Oh please. Fire Dragon Roar!" The three trainers and their Pokemon were charred by his attack.

"Get out of here." Ash growled at them.

With their charred Pokemon in hand, the three trainers ran away in fear.

"That couldn't have happened to nicer trainers." Misty said.

Ash was about to run over to Lapras when he heard a voice.

"That was amazing." The voice said.

The voice belonged to a boy around Brock's age.

"You seem to be a very tough individual."

"Thanks." Ash said. "But now isn't the time to compliment me. This Lapras was abused by the three trainers I sent packing and it needs help."

"All right." The boy said. "I'll go get Nurse Joy while you look after Lapras."

Ash tried to touch Lapras to let it know that everything was going to be okay. But Lapras kept moving it's head away; it didn't trust Ash after what those three trainers did to it.

Soon Lapras was at the Pokemon Center and Nurse Joy treated it as soon as possible. She placed it in the pool outside that she kept for water type Pokemon.

"It's a good thing you stopped those trainers from beating that Lapras." The boy said. "Otherwise it would have received much worse."

"I agree with that." Misty nodded. "Oh we didn't get your name."

"I'm Tracey and I am a Pokemon watchers."

"I've heard of them before." Ash said. "They travel the world observing, sketching and studying Pokemon. Prof. Oak used to be one a long time ago."

"Wait you know Prof. Oak of Pallet Town?" Tracey asked.

"Yes I do." Ash said. "I live in Pallet Town."

"No way you're lucky." Tracey said. "I'm a big fan of Prof. Oak. Please introduce me some time."

Just then Nurse Joy emerged from the Pokemon Center after treating Lapras.

"How's Lapras?" Ash asked.

"Lapras will be fine now." Nurse Joy said. "But I'm afraid it's scared of being around humans."

"That doesn't surprise me one bit." Tracey said. "After what those punk trainers did, especially since it's only a baby."

"What, a baby?" Ash gasped.

"Tracey's right Ash." Misty said. "Adult Lapras are a lot bigger than that. I know because I have a Lapras."

"But if that Lapras is a baby, where's it's mother?" Tomo asked.

"My guess is it got separated from the pod." Nurse Joy said.

"Once a year the Lapras pod migrates around the Orange Islands." She explained. "A few weeks ago however, there was a big storm. So the Lapras got separated then."

Ash felt sorry for Lapras.

Ash, Tomo, Misty and Tracey went outside to watch Lapras. A truck was next to the pool; it was used for lifting heavy Pokemon like Lapras.

"What are we going to do about Lapras?" Ash asked.

"Well we need to get it back to the ocean." Tracey said. "But since it will be afraid of us, we have to show it we are friends not enemies."

"I know." Misty said. "I'll get my Lapras from the Cerulean Gym."

Misty got her Lapras from the Cerulean Gym and released it into the pool.

"I'm surprised your sisters would let you borrow Lapras since they like to use it in their shows." Ash said.

"When I told them of the situation they understood why I wanted Lapras." Misty explained. "But they would like it back after this situation is resolved."

Misty's Lapras swam to the baby Lapras and told it what the humans wanted to do. At first, the baby Lapras was hesitant to trust the humans after what those trainers did to it, but thanks to persuasion from Misty's Lapras, it agreed to trust them.

"It seems your plan worked Misty." Tracey said. "The baby Lapras trusts us now."

The baby Lapras was about to swim to the truck when suddenly some bazookas flew over to it and flung a big net over it.

"Where did that come from?" Ash gasped.

It was Team Rocket; they had their eyes on both Misty's Lapras and the baby Lapras.

"These two Lapras will make us rich." Meowth said.

Tracey was surprised that Meowth could talk.

"Team Rocket steals Pokemon and uses them for their criminal activities." Ash explained, angering Tracey.

"Those Lapras aren't going anywhere!" Ash shouted.

Ivysaur sliced through the net with Razor Leaf and Pikachu sent the three flying with Thunderbolt.

Misty was delighted that her Lapras was okay and Ash inspected the baby Lapras.

"Are you all right Lapras?" He asked. Lapras cooed.

"Listen Lapras, I know you were separated from your pod. But I'm going to help you return to your pod." Lapras looked into Ash's eyes and could determine he was telling the truth before accepting his help. Ash pulled out a Poke Ball and caught the Lapras.

"As soon as we find the pod I'll release him." Ash said.

Soon it was time for Ash, Misty and Tomo to leave Tangelo Island.

"Can I join you?" Tracey asked them before they left.

"That way I can see more Pokemon and places in addition to meeting Prof. Oak when you return to Kanto." He explained.

Ash, Misty and Tomo had no problem with that and accepted Tracey into the group. So with a new friend and Pokemon in the group, Ash and the gang started the journey for the Orange League.