Chapter 2: New Adventures
"Pika-Pikachu!" exclaimed the energetic yellow mouse. A week had passed and the little mouse Pokémon was feeling much better. It was just like N had said. Pikachu was now playing with Zee, N's Zorua, and Audio, N's Audino, by the lake. The air was filled with glee and for a moment the evils of the world didn't exist. Ash watched with glee. He was happy that his friend was alive and well. Pikachu was having the time of his life. He ran over to Ash and snuggled into his trainer's chest.
"Hey there buddy," Ash said. He lifted Pikachu into the air and started to spin around. However, he lost his footing and fell down with Pikachu in his arms. Both Ash and Pikachu laughed. "I'm so happy that you're okay, Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed.
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu responded. They were both so happy to be together again. This time, they would not be separated. Ash held Pikachu close, both enjoying the warmth of the embrace. Suddenly, they heard a soft noise. Looking beside them, they saw N face flat on the ground. Anyone could see that he had fallen down. As N slowly got up, Pikachu ran over and climbed on N's head. "Pikachu?"
"I'm fine, Pikachu. Thanks for asking." N replied with a warm smile. "Are you feeling better, Pikachu?" Pikachu leapt off N's hair and answered,
"Pikachu! Pika-pika-pi. Pika Pikachu." Pikachu's head was held up high and pride radiated from his pores. No traces of his previous weakness remained. N was happy to see that Pikachu was doing better. Now there was only one thing left to ask.
"What about you, Ash?" N queried with genuine concern. Ever since last week, N had been watching Ash carefully to make sure that Ash remains healthy and well. Ash seemed to have picked up on this.
"Don't worry. I'm fine, N." Since that night, Ash was feeling guilty for what he had said to N. He had no right to say such things to anyone, especially N. "Hey N," Ash said, "I'm sorry for the way that I acted last week."
"It's okay," N said, smiling. But Ash didn't drop the matter.
"It's not okay, N!" Ash yelled, startling the other boy and Pikachu. "I had no right to say or do those things to you." Tears began to pour from Ash's eyes. Pikachu stared in shock.
"Pika?"
"Ash."
"Even though you helped me! Even though you suffered so much! I-I slapped you and yelled at you!" Ash face started to turn red. "I-I-"
"Enough!" N interjected. Ash stopped his rant and stared at N. "That's enough, Ash. It's fine. I know you feel bad about it, that's why I forgave you. So please- Stop crying." Ash's face began to revert back to its normal color and he wiped his tears. Pikachu jumped on his head and Ash smiled.
"Thanks a lot, N."
"Pikachu!"
N blushed. "No problem. I was just here to tell you that there's a new Pokémon League."
"Really!" Ash exclaimed with stars in his eyes. Pikachu's ears stood up. He was as excited as his trainer.
"Yes. It's called the Champion Tournament. All you have to do is win eigth PokéGems and you can compete. I thought you would like to enter."
"You bet!" Ash said, excitedly. He and Pikachu were having an excitement overload. "What do we have to do?" N smiled at Ash's and Pikachu's enthusiasm.
"First, you have report to Nurse Joy and she'll register you and give you a Tournament Pass. It locates nearby tournaments and acts as a gem case. It's quite useful." When N finished speaking, Ash grabbed his hand and dragged him to the Pokémon Center. Pikachu called Zee and Audio and they all followed.
Ash and Pikachu ran into the Pokémon Center at lightning speed with N, Zee, and Audio in tow. When they got to the counter, Nurse Joy greeted them with her usual smile. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you?" Ash smiled.
"My name is Ask Ketchum and I would like to enter the Champion Tournament."
"Pikachu!"
Nurse Joy giggled at their zeal and responded, "I'll register you." With the press of a button, Ash was registered for the Champion Tournament. Nurse Joy then gave Ash a circular red Tournament Pass. "Train hard, Mr. Ketchum." At with that, Ash and the gang left the Pokémon Center.
Once outside, Ash turned to N and said, "N, I know you've done so much for me the past year, but could you do once more thing for me?"
N smiled. "Of course, Ash."
"Please accompany me on my journey!" The request startled N. It seemed like N would decline when Pikachu jumped on N's shoulder in order to persuade him. N looked over to Zee and Audio. They both gave him encouragement. N looked back to Ash and nodded. Ash grinned. At with that their adventure started.