Squad Collab Book

Blake: Hoenn.

"You are grumpy today, Maxie-boy."

"May, I am not in the mood for your attitude. And no, I don't have shit to heal your pokemon. Go to the bloody pokemon center." She frowned as the family joined the trio.

"The 'bloody' pokemon center said they can't help. You are the next best person." He snagged a bag from a chair before pulling out a book and almost slamming it on her head.

"Then you go get the stuff I need to do it. Because I can't do anything when the only thing I have is for healing paralysis."

"Are you saying you can't use that?"

"May, you really think a paralysis herb can heal your pokemon from a mysterious illness? If it can move under its own power, it's not paralyzed. So no, I can't use that." He then shoved the book back into his bag. "If you're not going to get the stuff I need, find someone else. I'm not the next best person when I don't have the proper equipment." He then shot a look at the older man, who was clearly his father just based on looks alone. "Same for you. If you don't trust the center and won't go find someone else, get me my stuff so I can do it. I'd do it myself, but I can't seem to get farther than this bloody room! I'm about to bloody charge you people for making me work without proper equipment and no, there will not be a 'family discount'. I'm charging full price." The two went to argue when the mother sighed.

"Before you go another round, we have guests. So Norman, May, why don't you leave it for later?" The two were silent as she sighed. "Good. Max, these three wanted to see you. I'm going to the kitchen." May and Norman joined her as Max fired threatening looks. He then sighed before dropping his bag onto the ground.

"So sorry about all that. How may I assist you? And if you are here about a Pokemon Illness, I have almost no herbs to help." Gary gulped as James intercepted.

"If we have to go get the stuff for this, we will. But the professor asked us to get you to check out a pokemon." Max hummed softly as Gary sent out the pokemon, the small brown creature already curled up into a ball when sent out. He picked it up before adjusting his glasses and bringing it to his bag.

"Here... come with me to my room. It'll be much quieter."

~

Max's room was like the Hoenn/Herbalist version of Gary's room. And Ash remembered every detail of the Oak's room, so it was a direct comparison to it. He placed the pokemon in his bed while dropping his bag on a desk.

"This looks like Scolor Crania, which is pretty easy to get supplies for." He frowned. "The problem is I don't know if one of the ingredients has started growing. I wouldn't be able to check its normal hiding place." He started grumbling as he got a sample before going over to his desk. A few moments later, he sighed. "Yeah. Scolor Crania. I can easily get you a list and pictures of most of the ingredients. But there's one I don't know about. I'd have to physically check its spot." He sighed. Ash was silent as he started thinking of a plan. Gary gulped.

"Would getting the others be a good starting point?" Max paused before nodding.

"A good start. But that ingredient would help the most." He cursed slightly as Ash glanced at Gary. The look he got back said it all. No, he was not planning on having many allies. That was not his problem. Max pulled a book from his bookcase and slipped a bookmark in a few pages. "There. Those are the rest of the ingredients. I'll try to find a way to check the last one."

~

"You are walking near the border of hell with that plan."

"If he wants me dead, he can sue me. I'll dance with the devil."

Gary sighed. They found all the ingredients and were heading back. Ash's plan? He was going to fight the gym leader to get Max out of the house. Not in a gym challenge, a physical 1v1 of their strongest pokemon.