In your memories
"It's been seven years since I used to travel to different regions in order to collect gym badges and compete in the leagues. I have to say I won my share of battles and learned quite a lot. But… I kept on going back to where I began. Maybe it's because when I started to think of myself as the best, something had to pull me down to earth. And then again, maybe it's because there was something… or someone always distracting me, reminding me about…"
"Ash! They're here," called out Delia Ketchum, Ash's mom from downstairs.
Ash jumped up from the sudden voice and closed the journal. He tried to save his thoughts for later as he replied back in the same high pitch. He combed his hair a few times before putting on a light blue shirt to go with the deep blue jeans. He lost the cap, the jacket and of course, the ridiculous spiky hair that reflected his overconfident personality back when he was a young teenager. He'd gotten taller and a lot matured. His soft chocolate brown eyes became a lot sharper and more intense. He was the guy next door who was quite popular with the girls of Pallet.
"Hey man, what's up?" called out a familiar voice from the doorstep of Ash's room.
"Huh? Oh… oh hey Brock thanks for coming… and you too Gary I really needed a ride," said Ash in a low voice, his mind still on other matters.
"No problem buddy. Heard you messed up yours pretty badly," replied Gary as he walked into the room. Both Brock and Gary were the only two people with whom Ash still hung out. They had grown too over the years. Gary was 19, the same age as Ash and Brock was a bit older being 21. They didn't just change their appearances but they were almost two different people. Brock had the same thing for girls, but he didn't drool over them anymore. He turned into a lady's man going to parties now and then and finding himself a date with any girl who would've probably rejected him in a second seven years ago. He had longer hair that almost reached his shoulders. It was Brock who still kept some of the old Ash alive. As for Gary, Ash's once rival became one of his closest and most trustworthy friends. He had the same spiky brown hair but his arrogant personality was replaced by intellect and sophistication. He was the most reliable among the three and the one Ash could always count on when he needed help the most.
"Hmm… yeah. I kinda got carried away and… hit a tree," confessed Ash before adding, "But Justin says he can fix it though".
"Okay… hey since when do you keep a diary? I thought writing wasn't your thing," asked Gary as he walked towards the small book that lay on Ash's bed.
"Well yeah I thought it'd be a good idea to just… you know… clear my head," replied Ash as he kept on fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt.
"So you guys ready to hit the road? We're already running behind schedule," said Brock as he nervously glanced at his watch.
"Yup, all done," replied Ash as he took his jacket from the hanger and followed his companions down the stairs. Downstairs, on the couch, sat his little yellow friend while licking ketchup from a bottle.
"Hey Pikachu, I have to be somewhere with the guys. I'll be back soon," said Ash in a hurry. Pikachu replied in the affirmative not paying too much attention. Saying goodbye to Delia, they rushed out of the house.
"Wow… Gary, when did you get that?" asked Ash seeing Gary jump into the driver's seat of a shiny BMW convertible in the parking lot of the Ketchum residence.
"You like it? I got it as a gift from grandpa for helping with his research," replied Gary with a proud grin on his face. The three of them got inside as Gary started the engine.
"So Ash… I heard you talked to Gary about a job or something," said Brock curiously trying to get rid of the silence that was forming inside the car.
"Yeah… yeah I just thought it'd be a good idea to get out of the house and do something for a change," said Ash sounding like it wasn't a big deal. "So Gary… what did they say?"
"They said they could use someone with the experience. I mean after all… you've been to more gyms than even I did," said Gary praising Ash's previous achievements.
"So I'm in then?" asked Ash trying to hide the dint of excitement in his voice.
"Yes you're in. You're just going to have to sign some papers and you'll officially be one of the kanto league organizers," replied Gary in the most professional way he could manage.
"Wait Gary, you work there?" asked Brock surprised from their conversation.
"Hmm… not exactly. I just lend a helping hand when they really need it," replied Gary his expression unreadable.
"Cool… that's the place that gives trainers permissions to have their own gyms. It's really something," said Brock impressed at the two.
"Man it sure is taking a long time to get to viridian. I used to walk there in less time than it's taking to drive," said Ash changing the subject.
"Ha ha, that was a long time ago Ash. Didn't you notice how much the little town changed over the years? It's like a metropolis compared to many other towns I've been to. And besides, I'm driving at eighty miles per hour. That's like the speed limit," chuckled Gary.
"Yeah no kidding. It's kind of like a big city now… even bigger than Celadon, Cerulean, Vermillion…" trailed off Brock but was cut off by Ash.
"Cerulean? Hey isn't that where Misty used to live?" asked Ash as he stared out of the window.
"She kinda still does. But I heard she's having some trouble with the gym," replied Gary with a bit of disappointment.
"Maybe we should give her a visit sometimes. It's been way too long. I never even contacted her that much," said Ash a feeling a bit guilty.
"Hey maybe if you get a job you can buy her that bike," said Brock ironically. Gary knew what he meant and laughed out loud along with Brock himself.
"Yeah you got that right Brock. You really need to pay her back for the bike. She traveled for so long with you just for that," giggled Gary with sarcasm in his voice as well.
"Shut up guys… end of subject. Gary, drive," said Ash blushing a bit and knowing where the conversation would be headed if he didn't stop it.
…………………………………………..
"So this it. Come 'on let's get this over with. I promised I'd help grandpa later today," said Gary as the trio got down from the car and walked towards the building with Gary leading the way. The place was at the center of Viridian. Ash followed his friend in silence wondering why he thought this would be a good idea. Finally Gary stopped as a couple of guys came out from a closet or something. They were both in their late twenties wearing uniforms with the monogram of the institute imprinted on them. The tall one had decent sized dark raven hair. He looked the gentler among the two. The other person looked a lot more enthusiastic. He almost came running towards the group as the other one quietly followed.
"Hey guys. How've ya been? This is…" trailed off Gary but was cut off by the shorter one.
"Say no more… I know everything. You've brought Ash here didn't you? Excellent job Gary," he said as he approached Ash and Brock with a huge grin on his face.
"Hello Ash, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Steven, Steven Carter. You can just call me Steve. I'm the manager of the organization…" said the guy but was stopped when the other one coughed, glaring at him.
"Uhh… right. Actually I'm one of the main organizers here. That is my brother over there," he said startled by the awkwardness.
"I'm Kevin. Great to see you Ash. So you ready to get down to business?" said the taller guy as he stretched out his hand towards Ash.
"Hi guys. It's nice to meet you too. And yeah, the sooner the better I guess," said Ash as he shook Kevin's hand.
"Excellent, just what I was hoping. Right these way gentlemen," said Steven as he leaded the trio along with his brother through the corridor of the building.
"Now Ash, you see our job as the managers of this institute is to make sure that trainers face the most promising and intellectual mentors who can help them step forward in the way to becoming a master. These mentors are known as gym leaders. Like Brock here for example. Every gym has to pass some tests here in order for them to be noted as official league gyms. And even after the tests every gym has to maintain…" Steven kept on giving out his speech in a fast and professional mood which Ash was having a hard time keeping up with.
"So did you get all that? Simple isn't it?" asked Steve as he finally stopped in front of a room to face the others.
"Uhh… yeah, yeah it's no big deal I guess. I-I can handle it," said Ash nervously having no idea what it was.
"Why don't you start from tomorrow morning? I think you need some time to... get everything settled up for your job?" said Kevin realizing what Ash was thinking.
"Yeah I think you maybe right. Thanks guys for all the explanation and everything. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow," said Ash as he shaked their hands with a friendly smile.
"It's a pleasure ash, see you tomorrow then. This is going to be sooo exciting," said Steve as he grinned hugely.
Ash, along with Brock and Gary waved a goodbye to the brothers as they started for the door.
"So I think we should take a look at Cerulean. Things aren't really going well there," said Kevin to his brother in a voice just loud enough for Ash to overhear.
"Cerulean? Cerulean City? That's where Misty's gym is," said Ash as he turned around to the two brothers' surprise.
"Oh you know her?" asked Steve as he frowned.
"Well err… I used to. She's an old friend," said Ash as he gave them a look of confusion.
"Hmm… well Ash, I think it's best if you go get some rest now. We'll have a lot to talk about tomorrow," said Kevin as he intended for Ash to leave.
"A lot to talk about indeed…" said Ash to himself as the BMW raced through the roads of Viridian.
Author's note: New story. I know I'm still not done with my last one but I just had a great idea so I thought I'd give this a go. Thank you for reading. Hope you liked it. I'll update soon. Oh and most importantly… reviews please!