beenjammin: Thanks. I haven't really thought about pairings much but we'll see.
MaMcMu: Oh, thanks! The idea sounds good but it isn't really doable considering how I've planned things. I think this chapter could prove my point.
Ash, May, Max and Brock were on their way to Verdanturf town. The first three had started traveling together just before leaving Petalburg and they were soon joined by Ash's old friend Brock. Months had passed and they had come a good way since then, with Ash progressing along the gym challenge and May learning and growing as a coordinator.
''I can't wait for the contest!'' May smiled. ''I'm going to win it for sure!''
''Someone's confident.'' Max remarked with a bemused look.
''Well, of course! If I don't believe it, who would?'' She returned. ''Anyway, are we close to the town, Max?''
''Yup, we're not far off.''
Ash had a thought ''Hey, Verdanturf's that town Wally's supposed to be living in now, right? You guys wanna go visit him too?''
''Sure!'' The siblings replied while Pikachu nodded.
''So who's this friend of yours?'' Brock asked curiously.
''Oh, this was before we met you. See...'' Max started to explain.
Wally stared at the bag of tools ''They...really want all this?''
''Mmhm...'' His cousin Wanda returned, picking the bag up. ''...Dad says people look forward to this caravan coming and it's always good to keep extras in stock.''
The two smiled as Ralts teleported over to them, Wanda went on ''Thanks for the help, you two. You've both come a long way since you came to stay with us. Ralts, you're definitely getting stronger.''
''Raa!'' The feeling pokemon beamed at the praise while Wally smiled.
The three had left the town to get to the caravan that came around the area annually. It sold supplies and items that were hard to get usually around here, so it was common for people to seek it out. Ralts was helping by teleporting everything Wally and Wanda chose back to their home. While the feeling pokemon had some trouble teleporting certain things, like people, objects up to a certain weight were of no trouble.
''Well, we finished up with the requests. How about I get to showing you that stuff I mentioned before?'' Wanda began guiding them around the people then.
''Ah, here we are...'' She paused, seeing a particular side that had items like berries, pokeballs and other things that were good for trainers and pokemon. ''...all right, now you pick what you want.''
Wally blinked ''R-really?''
''Of course, it's my way to thank you. I'm sure you'd find something good here.''
''Ah, thanks! Well...''
''Oh man, what do we do?'' Max frowned.
After finishing another battle with Team Rocket, the group was left in trouble as May's Skitty had inhaled a lot of Seviper's Haze. The thing was, they still hadn't reached Verdanturf and there was no pokemon center in the area.
''I guess we'll just have to hurry and hope we get there...'' Ash blinked as he felt a tug on his pant leg, making him look down to see a Ralts smiling at him.
Pikachu smiled ''Pika!'' He jumped down to the pokemon's level with Ralts waving at him in greeting.
''Pikachu, you know that Ralts?'' Max looked confused.
''No wonder you took off like that...''
The group started at the new voice making them look back to find Wally and Wanda arriving then.
May blinked ''Wally?''
The boy smiled ''Hi, you guys, great to see you.''
Ash grinned back ''Great to see you too.''
''Totally!'' Max smiled. ''I didn't know you had a sister.''
Wanda giggled ''We get that a lot. I'm his cousin actually. Judging by the description, you must be the friends Wally told me about back from Petalburg. It's nice to meet you.''
Brock jumped in suddenly ''It's great to meet you, lovely lady. Would you honor us by giving your name?''
''Oh...um, sure, it's Wanda...'' She trailed off, looking thoroughly bewildered.
''I see! I'm Brock, even among all this merchandise, I cannot find something that is suitable of...''
He never got to finish as Max pulled his ear and dragged him away ''We just met her, don't make things complicated!''
''I'm sorry about him...'' May sighed. ''...hey, is there really no pokemon center around here?''
''No, I'm afraid there's one in Verdanturf.'' Wanda noted her expression darkening then, which prompted her to continue. ''But there is that pokemon spa center, it's infamous around here.''
''Spa center?''
She nodded ''The owner is a skilled breeder and she helped many pokemon in the past.''
''Yeah, she's a good friend. We can...'' Wally faltered and looked at Wanda, who smiled.
''It's fine, go ahead. We're done anyway, there's no trouble.''
He smiled back ''Thanks, Wanda.''
''I see...'' Wally trailed off when Ash and May explained what happened. ''...well, don't worry, it's just like Wanda said. I think Dr. Abby will be able to help your Skitty.''
''I hope you're right...'' May trailed off.
It wasn't long before they arrived at the center, just in time to see a very large woman with an Aron walking away. Moments later, a man with a Makuhita came out the door.
''Oh, hey Wally.'' He said, apparently a little surprised to see the boy. ''Are they friends of yours?''
The boy nodded back ''D-do you know if Dr. Abby's free, Ernie? We could really use her help.''
''Well then you've got good timing, go right ahead.''
As he said, Dr. Abby was free and also very accommodating as she was quick to have May set Skitty on a table so they could get to work.
''Wow!'' Brock gushed. ''Hello there, my beauty. I'm truly fortunate to be in your amazing presence...''
Once again, that was as far as he got because Max pulled him away. ''Cut that out! We're here to help Skitty, remember?''
Wally looked confused ''Um, does this...happen a lot?''
''Way too many times to count.'' Ash replied flatly.
''Pika Pikachu.'' Pikachu nodded, sounding just as exasperated.
''Anyway...I'll get to work.'' Abby proceeded to examine Skitty, speaking after almost a minute. ''I see...so it's inhaled too much smoke. Well then, let's begin.''
They watched gently and carefully massage Skitty's back, eventually the pokemon began to relax, her breathing getting easier. Abby looked back at the group ''Skitty will be just fine after some rest.''
May's face lit up ''Thank you!''
''Just doing my job.'' She returned pleasantly.
A Delcatty walked in after a few moments, stopping near Abby, Wally and Ralts. Wally smiled at the new comer ''Hi, Joanie.'' Ralts waved and chirped a greeting while the pokemon purred happily back, nuzzling Wally's hand.
Max noted how the Delcatty was obviously familiar with the pair ''So you're a regular in the center, Wally?''
The boy nodded ''Ever since Ralts and I got busy training. Dr. Abby really helped us out.''
''Oh, I don't know about that.'' Abby smiled. ''I just gave you some advice, the two of you are definitely coming into your own.''
''Heeeh, it really does seem like you guys are stronger.'' Ash remarked.
''O-oh, I don't know...'' Wally trailed off.
May made to speak but then she spotted a picture of Abby with a Skitty nearby, a trophy in between them. ''Wait, that's a...'' She looked at Abby then. ''...I thought something sounded familiar. You're a Top Coordinator!''
''That's right.'' Abby returned. ''So you've heard of me?''
''Yeah! The article I found was all about how you performed in contests and made your way through them with Joanie as your star pokemon. You two are practically legends.'' The brunette recalled, noting how Ash, Pikachu, Brock and Max looked impressed. Wally and Ralts less so but she had a feeling they knew before. ''It all sounds amazing, I wanted to be like you. Can I see your awards?''
''Of course you can.''
''Wow...'' May breathed as she stared at the display. ''...so that's the Grand Festival trophy. Abby, what was it like to compete in contests?''
''It was among the best times of my life.'' She replied readily. ''We worked hard to prepare for everyone of them. Joanie's adaptable so I could come up with a number of acts, her main one though was juggling with her tail. It always got us a perfect score. I taught her a variety of attacks for every situation.''
''I bet that's a sight to see.'' Brock remarked.
''Joanie must be super tough.'' Ash added.
Wally remembered the times Joanie had helped Ralts train ''Yeah...you should see her battle. Not only is she tough, Joanie can really make put on an amazing show.''
May petted the Delcatty ''I'll bet, Joanie's beautiful.''
''Thank you.'' Abby smiled.
''I have to admit, I'm curious.'' Brock started. ''How did you start working here in the first place, Abby?''
''Well...'' The woman leaned back. ''...I was just on my back from a contest when I was found by a trainer. I challenged the trainer but we lost, I rushed to find a way to help Joanie and that's when I came across this place. The previous owner was such a kind person. Thanks to his skill, Joanie was perfectly fine the following day. After seeing that, I just had to learn how he did it. He agreed to teach me and later on, he asked me to take over this place and I agreed. That was the day he gave me a Moon Stone and I used it on Joanie, we've been working here ever since.''
''Wow...''
Abby's face lit up ''...I have an idea. Would you all come with me?''
''You want to teach Skitty the juggling act?'' Max clarified, surprised.
Abby nodded and held up two orange balls to the pink cat, who seemed confused. ''I'm going to throw those, could you try tossing them around with your tail?''
Skitty glanced at her tail before nodding with a smile. Abby smiled back and tossed one ball, with Skitty catching it and deftly juggling then, to the group's surprise. It also worked when Abby threw in the second ball.
''Very good!''
''Yeah, you go, Skitty!'' May smiled.
Her pokemon mewled happily but then the balls fell down. Ash tilted his head as he picked one up ''Guess she needs more practice.''
''Then let's get to it!'' The brunette took a ball from him and got the other before tossing them. ''Again, Skitty!''
Oddly enough, this time nothing happened, Skitty didn't react and the balls fell down.
''What happened?'' May frowned.
Ralts levitated the balls back to her with his psychic powers. ''Practice makes perfect, right?'' Wally reminded.
She smiled back ''Right.''
Abby was called in by the reception worker to see about some new customers. Oddly enough, their pokemon was completely wrapped up in bandages. Her confusion was cleared up when the customers removed the bandages to show that it was actually a Meowth and she got to work.
While she was busy, she was joined by Ash, Wally and the others along with their pokemon and Joanie.
''My, they're so cute!'' The female customer gushed.
''Yes. Don't you just love them? What darlings.'' The male customer added.
''Thank you.'' Abby smiled, turning back to Meowth. Just then, they slipped collars around the two feline pokemon's necks. ''So how does it feel?''
''Meow...it feels so good!''
''That's great...''
Everyone was staring at the pokemon in shock, now realizing that he had spoken. Meowth on the other hand, seemed frightened. Abby looked shocked as the fact sank in ''Did...did it just...?''
Most of those present knew just what this meant. Max scowled ''Not again!''
Meowth jumped back to the two customers, who shed their disguise, revealing Jessie and James.
''Prepare for trouble!''
''And make it double!''
''To protect the world from devastation!''
''To unite all people within our nation!''
''To denounce the evils of truth and love!''
''To extend our reaches to the stars above!''
''Jessie!''
''James!''
''Team Rocket makes a dash speed towards the light!''
''Surrender to these great efforts or to a fight!''
''Meowth, that's right!''
''Now with that out of the way, Seviper, use Haze!'' Jessie tossed a pokeball, with the poison type immediately creating a thick cloud that covered the room. Thought visibility was poor, they were able to see Team Rocket snatch Skitty and Joanie up and get away.
''After them!''
As they hurried after the band of thieves, it was quickly becoming clear that they were escaping on their balloon and that the captives were trapped in a cage thanks to those collars.
Jessie laughed ''Just try and stop us.''
If she had looked closer, she wouldn't be so smug.
Skitty seemed oddly calm but in contrast Joanie was clearly angry as she kept ramming the cage repeatedly. She ignored James and Meowth's attempts to calm her and kept at it. The Delcatty then proceeded to use Solarbeam to get them out, picking her pre-evolved form up and jumping, ignoring Team Rocket's shock.
The others ran up to meet with them, with May and Abby hugging their returned pokemon.
''Great job, Joanie!'' Wally said.
''Yeah, that was well done.'' Abby agreed, earning a happy purr from the Delcatty.
''That's not fair!'' Jessie whined, seeing their plans failing again.
''Give them back!'' Meowth demanded.
''Yeah, right! Who would do that?'' Max frowned up at him.
''We'll make you, Seviper, attack!''
''You too, Cacnea!'' James added.
Ash's eyes narrowed at the pair ''All right...''
''Hold on.'' Abby stepped up. ''I'd like to handle this.''
''Bite now!'' Jessie ordered.
Joanie jumped on Seviper's head and back flipped behind it. The poison type swung around to wrap itself around her in response.
Max's eyes widened ''Oh no...!''
''It's fine.'' Wally assured. Ralts seemed to agree as he patted the boy's knee in a reassuring manner.
Joanie wound up proving their faith to be well founded as she blasted Seviper back with Thunderbolt. James looked surprised but he quickly shook it off ''Use Needle Arm!''
Cacnea leaped at Joanie, spinning its arm around but Abby ordered a Solarbeam which hit in seconds, sending the grass type flying.
Meowth grimaced but he quickly grabbed another collar and held up a remote, aiming it towards Ralts. They were clearly friends with their targets and hey, they could get away with one other pokemon anyway.
''Let's see how you take this!''
Wally's eyes narrowed ''Magical Leaf and follow it up with Confusion!''
The feeling pokemon attacked at once, destroying the collar with the first attack before trapping Meowth in the psychic attack and hurling him back to the rest of Team Rocket.
''Way to go!'' Brock smiled.
''Wow, Ralts is a lot stronger!'' Max remarked with a smile.
''Don't start celebrating, Seviper, Bite that Delcatty now!'' Jessie cried.
''Cacnea, Pin Missile!'' James added.
Abby remained unfazed ''Joanie, use Blizzard!''
The missiles were all frozen by the fierce icy winds while Seviper was blown down. May stared on in awe ''Blizzard too? Wow!''
''Yeah, Joanie really does know all sorts of attacks...'' Ash looked amazed.
Jessie had Seviper go after Skitty next but it was tackled back by the little pokemon. Abby had a thought ''May, does Skitty by any chance know Blizzard?''
''No...''
''It's all right, we can teach you.'' She assured. ''Skitty, watch closely. Joanie?''
Her partner nodded back and proceeded to hit Team Rocket with the attack once more. Skitty tried to follow suit but that only resulted in coughing up some snow. May frowned ''I don't think we can do this...''
''It's all right, just try again.'' Abby returned.
''...Right. Skitty, use Blizzard!''
Skitty focused once more, this time getting the attack so well that it even froze Team Rocket where they stood. May grinned ''Good job!''
Ash seized the opportunity ''Pikachu, Thunder!''
His partner summoned a massive bolt of electricity that blasted the band of thieves and sent them flying. The next thing everyone heard was a cry of 'We're blasting off again!'
''No wonder Dr. Abby was a legendary coordinator. Joanie's a testament to her skill.'' Max remarked.
''I'll say.'' Brock agreed. ''That was great.''
''Thank you so much for helping Skitty. We're definitely going to win our next contest together!'' May beamed.
Abby smiled back ''Go for it, I think you'll be great.''
As they made to leave, the group stopped to talk to Abby...
''Thanks for today, I learned a lot from you.'' Brock admitted.
''I'm glad I could help, Brock. I can tell that you've got the makings of a fine breeder.'' Abby complimented. ''Seems like you've found a good group of friends, Wally.''
The boy nodded back with a smile and May spoke up ''Well, we've got to be on our way. I'm going to put all my effort into winning my way to the Grand Festival.''
''Good luck, to all of you as well.''
''Thanks!''
Wally and Ralts lead the group to Verdanturf Town and they all came to a stop at a street that lead to the pokemon center.
''You guys really have been working hard, huh? It sure looks like Ralts got tougher.'' Max remarked.
''I'd say Wally's changed too.'' May added.
''Ah...well, we've been trying...'' The boy said sheepishly while Ralts beamed.
''I wanna try and experience that.'' Ash said suddenly. ''Hey, would you guys battle us tomorrow?''
A surprised Wally looked at his partner, who nodded back before they looked at the boy ''You got it.''
''Great! Meet at the pokemon center, okay?''
Wally nodded back and Brock looked between the boys with a grin ''This'll be interesting. Tomorrow it is then.''
Well, that's that.
I hope this was good. I'm planning to have Wally join Ash and the others in their travels. The situation's complicated, I'm setting up for it. I've got another idea in the works to help. This is just part one for now, I hope you like it.
