A/N: Written for A Prompt Per Pokemon Challenge, #043-1: Oddish, Work must include a platonic or romantic pairing between two Pokemon. A platonic Oddish/Bulbasaur here, going off the episode where Ash caught his Bulbasaur.

Passing the Torch
a ficlet collection

1. Hidden Village
Oddish & Bulbasaur

Oddish missed the Bulbasaur that used to protect them already, but he found himself a little envious as well. They'd frightened him initially: those humans that had come, especially that girl that had tried to capture him. But he saw quickly enough that it had been an innocent mistake, and that the girl really cared about her Pokemon. They all did. He wouldn't have minded if he had gotten caught by someone like her. He was sure she would have given him a far happier life than his old trainer. But could he have given anything in return to her?

Bulbasaur was the lucky one that got to go with them. Oddish had debated running after them, begging to be taken as well. But Bulbasaur was saying something: whispers to be strong, get stronger, and protect everyone. And maybe they weren't directed at him. Or maybe they were. Either way he knew he had to stay a little longer, and live up to the legacy that had been left behind.

He had healed long ago. Most of the pokemon still there were still injured. But they'd get better. And stronger. And one day more kind trainers like those three would pass by, and he'd join them and grow stronger and stronger. But first he had to get stronger here, and become the Pokemon that had protected this place.

Bulbasaur was no longer visible, and his new trainer and two companions were just dots on the horizon. Most of the pokemon had gone back inside, or two the little lakes that were a part of their habitat. Oddish stayed out a little longer, imagining Bulbasaur still with them: its vines tossing them playfully up in the air, wrapping around him firmly when that vacuum was trying to pull him in. One day he'd be strong enough to save his friends as well. Maybe he could now, if it came to that. Although all he'd proven himself capable of so far was gently brushing away tears.

'Get stronger.' Whether those words were for him or all of them, it didn't matter. He would get stronger, like the protector that had protected them. He'd protect the sanctuary that had taken him in and protected him. He'd reach the stage where he could be strong like Bulbasaur: strong enough to survive and grow even stronger with the strong.