Pokémon: Masters
Chapter One – On the Road Again
"All right, Jessie," Ash said as he recalled Squirtle, "try this one."
Ash and Jessie were having a two on two pokémon match. Ash had already beat Arbok with Squirtle but lost to Lickitung.
"Jigglypuff, I choose you," he said as he tossed in a pokéball.
"Jiggly," she greeted.
"This should be easy," Jessie smirked. "Lickitung, wrap it with your tongue."
"Lick," it cried as its tongue went after Jigglypuff.
"Jigglypuff, dodge it and use sing," Ash yelled.
"What?" Jessie replied. "Are you trying to put us all to sleep?"
Ash smiled as Jigglypuff jumped out of Lickitung's way and began her song. When both rival pokémon and trainer were asleep, Jigglypuff blew herself up.
"Jigglypuff," she said as she pulled out a black maker.
"Hold it," Ash said as he ran up to his pokémon. "I thought I showed how you to focus that attack."
"Jiggly," she sighed.
"Guess we got to train some more," Ash said as he shook Jessie awake.
"Not now, James," she said waving him off. "Just a few more minutes."
"Ah, Jessie, it's me, Ash," he said to the half-awake girl.
"Huh?" she said as she opened her eyes. When she saw who it was over her, she jumped up.
"Don't ever do that again," she screamed as she brought a mallet onto his head.
"Yes, ma'am," a dazed Ash replied.
Jessie recalled her still sleeping Lickitung as Ash picked himself off the ground. He had been training for next year's Pokémon League Competition, but he always had distractions around.
"We better get back to the Pokémon Center," Jessie told him.
"Right," Ash replied as they headed down the path.
"I'll bet you this time, Brock," James said as he wildly mashed the buttons of the controller.
"I don't think so," Brock laughed as he calmly made a few quick moves with his.
Misty laughed. "You're both mine," Misty replied.
"What just happened?" two puzzled boys asked.
Pikachu was laughing hysterically. After fifteen rounds of Mario Kart 64, Misty still held the lead in the battle mode.
"Maybe I should be Bowser," Brock said as the door to their room opened.
"What are guys up to?" Ash asked as Jessie fell on the bed and he sat down next to Misty.
"Betting these two at Mario Kart," Misty beamed.
"Well," Ash said noticing the looks on the older guys faces, "shouldn't we check out soon?"
"Not until our pokémon are healed," Jessie said from the bed. "That should be in an hour."
"How about another game?" Brock and James suggested.
"How about we go someplace alone?" Ash whispered into Misty's ear.
"Sure," Misty giggled. "See you guys later."
As the couple left the three older teens and pokémon, Brock sighed. "It's just not fair!"
"What's not fair?" James asked. "With Misty gone, I got a chance of betting you."
Brock shook his head. "And I thought Ash was dense." He turned to the confused ex-Rocket. "Both you and Ash have girlfriends, and I don't."
"I have a girlfriend?" James asked with a shocked look on his face. He looked over at Jessie who had fallen asleep on the bed. "Oh, Jessie isn't my girlfriend."
"Sure, James," Brock sighed. "Sure."
"Here are your pokémon," Nurse Joy said as she handed Jessie and Ash their pokémon.
"Thanks," Ash said as he put Squirtle's pokéball back on his belt.
"Have a nice day," Nurse Joy smiled as the group walked out of the Pokémon Center.
"Where to now?" Ash asked.
"How about we head to the Viridian Forest," James said. "I want to get some bug pokémon."
"Yuck," Misty replied. "Not more bugs. How about we had to the beach. I want to catch some water pokémon."
Jessie glared at Ash. "Don't side with your girlfriend if you know what's good for you," she said as she pulled out a mallet. "I'm with James on this one."
Ash sighed. Luckily, he was saved by Brock. "How about we head over to the Safari Zone. I managed to get some permits to let us capture pokémon there."
"That's great, Brock," Ash cheered. "Let's go."
"I can't believe this," a blonde-hair boy said. "We used to be on top."
"It's Dad's fault," a younger black-hair boy replied. "He was too worked up about that Ketchum kid."
"Shut up," said another black-hair boy who was taller than the other two. "Dad must have had a good reason."
While these three argued, a fourth and older boy was watching them. "Be quiet, all of you."
The three younger boys looked at their older brother. "Rob is right," he told them. "Dad always had a reason for what he did."
"And look where it got him, Shane," the younger black-hair boy replied. "He's in jail, and Team Rocket is gone."
The older boy laughed. "You are so simple minded, Matt," he said. "Now Dad has an even better alibi for running his empire."
"What do you mean?" the blond boy asked.
"You'll see, Jake," Shane answered.
"Rocket, you have a visitor," the guard said to the man lying on the cot.
"Thank you," he said as he was led to the visiting room.
Waiting for him was an eighteen-year-old young man wearing a black suit. "Hello, Shane," he greeted his visitor.
"Hello, Father," Shane replied. "I trust you have been treated well."
"Yes," the prisoner replied. "How is the family?"
"My brothers are a little confused," Shane replied, "but I think they will understand soon enough."
"Good," Giovanni said, "but how about little Phil?"
Shane dropped his head. "He has been real difficult since you were arrested."
"He must be disciplined," Giovanni said grimly.
"I will take care of it then," Shane replied.
"Good," Giovanni said to his son. "Is there anything else?"
"Not really," he answered. "Some of the family is still scattered, but most have found their way home."
"Give it some time," he said as the guard informed visiting hours were almost over. "Soon, everything will be back to business as usual."
"I can't believe I didn't catch a single pokémon," Ash whined at the lodge.
"Cheer up, Ash," Misty said as she was polishing a pokéball. "You can't capture every pokémon in one day."
"That's easy for you to say," Ash replied. "You caught a Shellder, Brock caught a Rhyhorn, and Jessie caught a DoDuo."
"Hey, you forgot about me," James said from across the room. "I caught a Tauros, an Exeggcute, and a Slowpoke."
"Don't remind me," Ash muttered. He leaned back in the couch he was sitting on. "Some Destiny I'm turning out to be. Even James is capturing more pokémon than me.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked his trainer.
"I'll be fine," Ash told his pokémon. "I just feel like I'm going to disappoint everyone."
"Don't worry, Ash," Misty said trying to comfort him. "It's just one day. I'm sure you capture something tomorrow."
Ash smiled at her. "Thanks, Misty." He looked out the window at the stars. "I'm going out for a walk."
"Mind if I come?" Misty asked.
"I just want a little time to think," he said as he headed for the door. "Besides, I want to get some wood for that fireplace over there."
"A cozy fire, how romantic," Misty sighed. "All right, just hurry back."
Ash picked up his pokéball belt which he had laid on a table. "I will."
"Bulbasaur, chop down that limb with your vine whip." Ash told the little pokémon.
"Bulba," he replied as the limb fell to the ground.
"Thank you," Ash said as he added it to the pile of wood he had already collect. "Return."
After putting the pokéball on his belt, Ash leaned against a tree. The past year had been one of the most eventful of his life. He found his love, his father's murderer, and a new destiny, but he felt he was going to mess it all up.
He sighed as he heard some movement in the bushes. He turned and saw a male Nidoran leap out into the open.
"Ran ran," it challenge.
"Wow, a Nidoran," Ash said. "Jigglypuff, I choose you."
"Jiggly?" she asked at being woken up.
"Jigglypuff, use slap and weaken that Nidoran," Ash said.
"Jigglypuff," she replied as she jumped in front of the wild pokémon and slapped it a few times.
"Ran ran," it cried.
"All right, Jigglypuff," he thanked the pokémon. "Now, pokéball go."
The pokéball hit the Nidoran on the head, and it disappeared inside. Ash and Jigglypuff watched as it rocked a few times and finally stopped. It disappeared, and both jumped for joy.
"I caught a Nidoran," Ash shouted.
"Jiggly," Jigglypuff cheered.
Ash recalled Jigglypuff and picked up the pile of wood. Maybe everything will be all right, Ash thought as he walked into the lodge.
Misty was sleeping on the couch while he could hear the others snoring from the bedrooms. Ash smiled as he placed the wood in the fireplace and lit them. Ash sat and watched Misty while the flames' light danced on her face.
"My own angel," he said as he watched the sleeping girl. He gently nudged her.
"Ash?" she said as she woke up. "You were out for a long time."
"I had a lot to think about," he replied as he wrapped his arm around her and stared at the fire.
"You seem better now," she said as she looked into his face.
Ash turned from the fire and looked at the girl in his arms. "I also caught a new pokémon," he replied.
"That's nice," she said as she tried to snuggle into a closer position. "What type?"
"A Nidoran," he answered.
"Well," Misty said as she closed her eyes, "I hope you won't doubt yourself for awhile now."
"Why should I?" Ash laughed. "After all, I'm going to be a Pokémon Master."
Misty laughed. "Looks like I have the old Ash back."