Episode 33: Going Out (part 1)
The first part of episode 33 in my Fan Fiction series about the Pokémon journey of Ash and Angie. Involves some MorpheusShipping (Ash and Angie liking each other) so if you don't like that idea, perhaps you might want to stop reading here. The rest, I hope you enjoy this fan-fiction.
A new day had dawned in the beautiful Kanto region. Our friends had slept well, and after breakfast, they had left the little town they had stayed a few days, to get by from all the adventures with that person that tried to capture Lucario. It was a little while ago since they passed the town's perimeter, and Ash was somewhat quiet. He was still thinking about his friend, the Lucario he first met when it was still a Riolu. Ash would have liked to spent some time together, but he also knew his friend had a task to fulfill for it's kingdom, which it had sworn to protect. Angie worried a little about Ash's silence, but she decided it would be best not to say something of it just now. And she was right, after lunch, Ash seemed a little more cheered up, and was able to enjoy the fine weather much more. Suddenly Pikachu stopped, and moved it's ears.
"What is it, little buddy?" Ash wondered.
"Ash, look!" Angie said.
Pikachu pointed with it's right paw in the direction of the bushes next to the path.
They heard some rustling of leaves in the bushes, and everyone looked attentively, wondering what the possible source of the sound might be. The rustling became louder, and everyone braced themselves. Then a bluish creature jumped out of the bushes, ran a few circles around our friends, and before anyone could see what it was, quickly disappeared into the bushes again.
"Okay... what was that?" Angie asked.
"A Pokémon... I think..." Ash answered, not fully sure of his answer,
"Well, whatever it was, it seems gone now," Angie commented
So our friends continued their journey, and soon they had almost forgotten about their mysterious encounter. The sun was beginning to set a little, and it wouldn't be long before Ash and Angie had to decide where to make camp.
"Ash?" Angie suddenly spoke.
"Yes Angie?" Ash replied.
"You like me, right?" she added.
"Well, yes... but you know that already," Ash said a little shyly.
"You like me a lot, right?" Angie kept asking.
"Yes I do," Ash replied, a little agitated, "but didn't I already say that a few seconds ago?"
"You did," Angie said, "but if you like me that much, like you said, how come you never take me out on a date?"
"A date?" Ash said, nearly choking, as he accidentally bit his tongue.
"Yeah, you know, like other couples do?" Angie added.
"Well, if you like that so much, I'll keep it in mind the next time we come across a town," Ash sighed, "although that may take a while if I remember the map well."
"Awwwww..." Angie said, sounding very disappointed.
"Look, if I could I would take you out right now," Ash said on a comforting tone, as he put his right arm around her shoulder, "but it's not like we will find a fancy restaurant just around that corn..."
Ash was unable to finish his words, because of what he saw. Past the bend in the road they saw a small building with a big sign on the front. "Hiker's Home – The Place to Be for Hungry Travelers!" it read on the sign.
"You were saying?" Angie remarked.
"I've never seen that here..." Ash said, still wondering how he could have missed this restaurant the first time he had been following the same route.
"Well, it's definitely here now," Angie replied, winking at Ash.
"I... eh..." Ash stuttered, before regaining his cool again. "Angie, would you like to have dinner there?"
"I thought you'd never ask," she smiled, before giving Ash a quick peck on the cheek, "well, let's go then!"
Ash started running towards the entrance, and Ash followed suit. When they came close to the building, some personnel stepped outside. Our friends could see a hostess, wearing large glasses, a waiter fully dressed in a tuxedo, and a smaller person, standing in between those two. This latter had dark glasses on, so Ash and Angie assumed it was the manager of the establishment.
"Welcome in our humble restaurant!" the hostess greeted our friends.
"Yes, welcome! How may can we be of assistance to you?" the waiter added.
"Well, we would like to have dinner here, if that is possible," Ash asked, a little dazzled by the heartily approach.
"Are you Pokémon Trainers?" the hostess asked.
"Well, yes!" Ash answered enthusiastically, while he flashed his trainer card.
"Splendid!" the hostess commented.
"I'm afraid I don't have a trainer card yet..." Angie said with a timid voice, "but I do have half a badge!" she quickly added, "my friend has the other half since we won it together."
"Well, that qualifies also, right boss?" the hostess said, as she looked at the smaller person with the dark glasses.
The boss nodded, and then pulled his two employees closer to him, after which they started whispering to each other. Then the three stopped their little conversation, and the hostess addressed our friends again.
"I have good news for you two," the hostess said, "normally we only give a little discount to trainers that eat here, but today we have a special offer, and all Pokémon trainers eat for free."
"Gee, that's very nice of you!" Ash cheered.
Angie looked a little less happy about this announcement, she had been hoping Ash would have to be a true gentleman and pay the bill, but well, she couldn't really complain. After all, Ash did ask her out before he knew the meals would be free anyway.
"This way please," the hostess said, while making an inviting gesture.
Ash took Angie's hand, and the two followed the hostess inside, Pikachu and Shinx following their respective trainers.
"Oh no!" the hostess suddenly remarked, "Pokémon are not allowed in this restaurant!"
"But..." Ash started, "since we are Pokémon trainers, we always have Pokémon with us."
"Regulations, I'm afraid. If the inspectors found out we had Pokémon inside the dining room, we will get a big fine, or they might even shut us down," the hostess replied. "But don't worry, we already have a solution for that," she continued, "there is a special room where your Pokémon can get a meal and play together."
"How would you like that, little buddy?" Ash asked, as he turned his head around to address Pikachu.
"Pi-pika!" the electric mouse Pokémon cheered.
Shinx seemed equally enthusiastic, so Angie told it to go with Pikachu.
"You can follow me," the waiter said to Pikachu and Shinx, after which he led them away to the back of the restaurant.
The hostess brought our friends to the dining room. Ash was about to sit down right away, when he heard Angie making a sound like she had to clear her throat. That reminded him that he had to help her sit down, like a gentleman would. After they had both sat down, the hostess brought them the menu, and left the two alone to decide on what to eat.
"Hey, don't you think this menu is a bit strange?" Ash remarked.
"It is a little short, I've got to admit," Angie replied.
"Hamburger and fries, hamburger and fries with extra ketchup, hamburger and extra fries, no extra ketchup," Ash summed up the list, "it's all the same!" he complained.
"I agree, but then again, it's free, so we shouldn't expect a full six course dinner, right?" Angie tried to make it sound more positive."
"True, but when you have a big "restaurant" sign on the front side, you would think they could make a little more than hamburger and fries," Ash sulked.
"Don't forget the extra ketchup," Angie said, smiling.
Ash looked her in the eyes a few seconds, before he realized she was mocking him a little.
"That is a plus indeed!" Ash laughed, "better remind the hostess to serve some of that to Pikachu. I don't think there is something else Pikachu likes better than ketchup."
"That more like the spirit," Angie said, smiling back at Ash, "besides, we came here to have some time together, right? So what if all we can eat is a hamburger with fries?"
For a moment the two stared at each other, then their hands slowly moved towards each other over the table, meeting in the middle, their fingers touching momentarily. Then Ash took Angie's hand, and they looked into each other's eyes for a little longer, not saying a word.
"What are you looking at, Jessie?" the waiter whispered to the hostess, that was hiding behind the bar. "And why do you have such a funny look in your eyes?"
"Isn't love beautiful?" Jessie whispered back. "Just look how cute these two are together," she added.
"Well, even though they are still twerps, I've got to say you're right," James answered, as he straightened the tie of his waiter's costume."
"And what are you two doing here!?" the boss suddenly said from behind Jessie and James. "And James, why do you have your arm around Jessie?" the boss added, with a look on his feline-like face, that revealed a mix of astonishment and disgust.
"Ssshhhht!" Jessie hissed at Meowth, "we don't want to ruin this romantic moment of the twerps."
"Can someone please get me a bucket!" Meowth complained, making a face palm gesture. "I don't know what makes me sick more. Watching those lovesick twerps, or you two driveling over them! We are Team Rocket, remember!? And we are here with a mission!"
"Hold your horses!" Jessie protested, "we haven't forgotten about our plan. Now you get back to the kitchen and prepare those hamburgers!"
"Oh, that is what I came here for in the first place," Meowth said, a little calmed down now. "I need James to help me with the microwave, the buttons on it are too small for my paws..."
"James, what are you waiting for!?" Jessie said, "go help Meowth!"
James sighed shortly, let go off Jessie, and followed Meowth to the kitchen. Jessie got up from behind the bar, and stepped towards Ash and Angie.
"And, have you two decided yet?" Jessie asked.
"Well, it was a tough choice," Ash said on a mocking tone, "but I'll have the hamburger and fries with extra ketchup. And how about you Angie?"
"Well... I'll have the hamburger and fries without the extra ketchup," she replied, also having trouble keeping in her laughter."
"An excellent choice," Jessie chimed.
"Pardon me, but is there a reason all things on the menu are hamburgers and fries?" Angie asked.
"Well, we have just opened our establishment here, and we are still looking for a better cook," Jessie explained, "the current one is, well to put it politely, not quite satisfactory, I'm afraid."
"I heard that!" a little nasal sounding voice shouted from behind the bar, where the kitchen was.
"By the way, have we met before?" Ash wondered, "there is something familiar about you, the waiter, and even a bit about your boss."
"That must be pure coincidence," Jessie countered Ash's question, sounding a bit nervous, "I am sure you must be mistaking us for some other villai... I mean, restaurant owners."
"Okay, that must be it then," Ash replied. "Oh, and could you give that extra ketchup I ordered to my Pikachu?" Ash asked, "my little buddy just loves ketchup."
"Certainly," Jessie answered, "are you two comfortable enough?"
"Well, yes!" both Ash and Angie answered at the same time.
"Okay, our guests are ready!" Jessie shouted in the direction of the kitchen.
"Alrighty!" the strange voice yelled back from the kitchen.
All of a sudden Ash felt something tie his legs to the struts of the chair! The same happened to his hands, thin metal bands came out of the armrests, and immobilized them, just like Angie's hands and legs.
"Hey, what is the meaning of this!?" Ash shouted, as he struggled to get free, but to no avail.
"Hahahahaha!" Jessie laughed, as she removed her disguise.
"Dinner is being served, that is what's happening," Meowth said, as he had jumped on the bar.
"Jessie added, "Listen... is that a hungry voice that I hear?"
"It came from the table, loud and clear," James improvised.
"Through the kitchen," Jessie continued.
"Past the bar," James added.
"In your ears!" Meowth said it's line.
"Making hamburgers at a breakneck pace," Jessie spoke.
"Dashing hope, putting fear in it's place," James said.
"A fry by any other name is just as sweet," Jessie spoke again.
"When everything's cooked, our work is complete," James continued.
"Jessie!" she introduced herself.
"James!" her companion did the same.
"And Meowth, now that's a name!" the catlike Pokémon managed to get a word in again.
"Putting do-gooders in their place..." Jessie continued.
"We're Team Rocket..." James spoke once more.
"...in your face!" the three villains now said together, followed by Wobbuffet closing the motto by saying it's name.
"Team Rocket!" Angie shouted.
"So that is why they seemed so familiar to me..." Ash remarked.
Meowth held his remote high up in the air, and pressed a button on it.
"Now it's time for the last course!" the catlike Pokémon said with a vicious smile on his face.
Suddenly the walls of the restaurant started moving! The reception hall was lifted up and put on top of the dining room. Both former rooms moved up higher, and two appendages appeared from the sides, like arms. The same happened on the bottom so the contraption also got legs. Ash and Angie were still strapped to their chairs, and watched in amazement how the restaurant around them disappeared, and the three Rockets jumped inside the thing it had turned into.
"This is the Eat-o-Matic 3000," Meowth said, "since we are always hungry when we are hunting for Pikachu, we decided to build a robot that has it all, dining room, reception, a playroom that functions as a prison for our catch, and a kitchen... hey! Where is the kitchen!?"
"Oh... it seems I forgot to reconnect that module..." James confessed.
"Well, don't just stand there, and fix it!" Meowth said on a bossy tone.
"Just leave it," Jessie interrupted Meowth, "every time we want too much, we always end up getting blasting off. We have Pikachu now, and even a Shinx as bonus, so we'll make do with that."
"Aaaa, but all those lovely hamburgers..." Meowth protested.
"And don't forget those crispy fries..." James sighed.
"My decision is final, now get this thing moving!" Jessie commanded.
The robot began to walk away, and Ash and Angie could just catch a glimpse of their Pokémon through the window on the former 'playroom' that was now attached to the back of the robot, like a backpack.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, "I'm coming for you!"
"Shinx!" Angie cried, "hang on!"
As Team Rocket's robot was gradually walking further and further away, no one noticed something blue had been watching these events attentively...
(To be continued...)
My 70th fan-fiction chapter. I apologize for any typing errors, or grammatically not 100% correct sentences. Remember, I am not a native English speaker or writer. I tried to make this story as close to the Pokémon series as possible, so that the characters will react roughly the same in this fictional story as they do in the series. Comments are always welcome, you can use the review function on this FanFiction site for that.
Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any trademarks of Pokémon. Any similarities to the works of others is purely accidental, and not meant as an infringement on anyone's achievements.