Disclaimer: Pokemon and its characters don't belong to me; they are the property of their creator.
Ash woke up happy this morning. He yawned and stretched his arms and legs and then put his feet on the ground. He looked out the window. It was a bright sunny Saturday morning of August.
The young pokemon trainer had just come back home the day before from the Hoenn region and had a joyful homecoming celebration prepared by his mom and friends at Professor Oak's laboratory.
The party lasted until late at night. Misty stayed at the Ketchum residence for the night, because she had to leave early to go to Indigo Plateau for a meeting with the other gym leaders of the Kanto region.
Ash made his bed before he went downstairs, closely followed by his pal Pikachu and saw Misty eating her breakfast at the kitchen table and talking with Delia.
''Hi Ash, said Misty. Did you sleep well?''
''Yeah, thanks! I slept like a baby, said Ash, while sitting at the table. So Misty, since you're going to Indigo Plateau for the gym leaders' meeting, who is going to watch over the Cerulean gym?''.
''Oh, well my sisters Violet and Daisy are on a trip in Europe, but my sister Lily will watch over the gym. She didn't want to fight, so I simply told her to tell to the trainers that the gym was closed for some time. Anyway, I sent a fax to the Pokemon League yesterday and they told me it's alright.
''Good! It's been really nice to see you again, Misty.''
''I feel the same way Ash. You seemed to have matured a lot since the last time we saw each other. Well, I better get going now if I want to reach Indigo Plateau shortly.''
Misty thanked Mrs Ketchum for everything and went to put her shoes on. She then gave Ash a hug and kissed him on the cheeks.
''Bye Misty, see you!'' said Ash while he looked at her setting off to Indigo Plateau.
Misty waved goodbye to him and continued to walk. Soon, Ash and Mrs Ketchum could no longer see her.
''So, what are you going to do now, honey? Will you leave again soon on another journey?'' asked Delia.
''Not this time Mom! I feel like taking a well deserved vacation from all those adventures.''
''I'm happy to hear that. You deserve to take a rest, honey.''
Ash ate his breakfast and went upstairs to take a shower. Hey, maybe I could call Lily to see what she's up to. Who knows, maybe she's bored and needs somebody to keep her company, thought Ash while he was in the shower.
After his shower, Ash walked to his room and put on clean clothes. Then, he sat at his desk to make a phone call.
Lily's face appeared on the videophone screen once she picked up the phone.
''Cerulean Gym,'' she simply answered.
''Hey Lily! Remember me?''
''You're Misty's friend, your name is Ash, right?'' asked Lily. ''Long time no see! I'm sorry Ash, but Misty had to go to Indigo Plateau for the Kanto gym leaders' meeting starting Monday.''
''Yeah, I know. She stayed at my house last night because my homecoming party ended very late. She just left a few minutes ago for Indigo Plateau. Look, maybe I could come over if you want and keep you company.''
''Yeah, it would be fun to have some company around here. Violet and Daisy are on a trip, so I'm alone here. It's a little boring.''
''It's all settled then. I'll pack my things and leave right away. See you.''
''Bye Ash,'' said Lily, winking at him.
Ash went downstairs to inform his mom about the new developments. He found her in the kitchen washing dishes while Mr Mime was wiping off the plates and other supplies.
''Mom, there are new developments,'' said Ash.
''What kind of developments, honey?''
Delia stopped washing the dishes and turned around to look at her son.
''Well, I just called Lily to see what she was up to and since she's really bored alone at Cerulean Gym, I decided to go there and keep her company.''
''So, you're going to stay there the whole time during Violet and Daisy's absence?'' asked Delia
''No, only for a couple of days, I guess.''
''Alright, but be careful.''
''Don't worry, I will. I'm going to pack my things and I'll leave right away.''
Ash ran upstairs and took his backpack. He put various clothes inside it and remembered there was a large pool at the Cerulean Gym, so he decided to bring a swimsuit and a towel too.
After he made sure he didn't forget anything, Ash went back downstairs to say bye to his mom.
''Mom, I'm ready to go now,'' said Ash.
''Oh honey, I'm going to miss you,'' she said while hugging him.
''Mom, I'll only be absent for a few days. Everything will be fine.''
''I know. You're fifteen now, you're not a little boy anymore. Take care Ash.''
''You too, Mom! Bye Mr. Mime!''
''Mime, Mr. Mime,'' said the pokemon.
''Pikachu,'' said the yellow electric mouse after he jumped on Ash's shoulder.
Ash put on his shoes, put his backpack in place and he and Pikachu were off to Cerulean Gym.
''Well, life is like an adventure for my Ash, said Delia. He rarely stays a long period between two journeys, but this time, I know it's only for a few days.''
''Mr. Mime,'' approved the housecleaning pokemon.
Lily sighed. She couldn't wait for Ash to arrive, because she was bored to death. Of course, she has done some housecleaning, but now everything was clean and neat. At least, Ash was going to keep her company. Furthermore, he's cute and seemed to have matured a lot since I last saw him. He became a handsome young guy.
Lily couldn't believe that she was thinking about Ash that way. The first time she met him, Misty introduced Ash to her, Violet and Daisy as a travelling companion, they were not close friends, back then. But over their adventures, Misty and Ash became real friends. Lily only saw Ash as another little boy eager for adventures when she met him, but when she spoke to him on the phone, she noticed some interesting changes in him. She found him more mature and looking more like a man. The pink haired girl couldn't help but feeling attracted to the young trainer.
Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu had already crossed Viridian Forest, and were currently in Pewter City. Ash hoped they could reach Cerulean City by the end of the afternoon in the worst case scenario.
''Hey Pikachu, what would you say if we stop by at Pewter City Gym to say hello to Brock?''
''Pi, Pikachu!''
''Alright, let's go!''
They soon arrived in the middle of Pewter City, where the gym was located. Ash walked straight to the door and pressed the doorbell.
''I'll get it!'' yelled Brock inside.
He ran downstairs and opened the door. Brock was shocked when he saw the person standing in front of him.
