Chapter 3: Advice from an Old Friend
Hello everyone. Sorry if I'm not updating in time but I'm not gone or abandoned the story, this story will continue. I see got some reviews for my last chapters, hopefully they continue. Ash's birthday party is building up and soon Dawn will be there so be patient because I'm trying to build up the arc.
Also I read your reviews to see where I stand. If you have any other questions or comments, please PM. Thank You.
Here's Chapter 3
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. Pokémon is the property of Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo, Game Freak and etc.
Ash got up a little early this morning alongside Pikachu since today he was going to Pewter City and meeting with his old time and best friend and travelling partner, Brock. Ash ate a big breakfast, got packed and told his mom good bye. His mother was proud him since he started to lighten up and began to act his normal mood. Before he left to Pewter City, he decided to see Professor Oak since he was about to pass the lab. He made his way towards the front entrance and knocked on the door. He was greeted by the Professor himself.
"Ash my boy, good morning and how may I be of assistance?" answered the old Professor.
"Good morning to you too Professor, I just wanted to say good morning to you and the guys at the lab before I head to Pewter City to go see Brock." Replied Ash.
"That's great, seems to me you're acting like your cheerful self I'm sure. So, do you want to take any of the Pokémon with you on your journey?"
"Oh no I'm ok, it's just a visit not a journey." He answered while peeking in the lab to see if Gary and Tracey are there.
"Say Professor, where are Gary and Tracey?" questioned Ash.
"They're doing their daily chores and work." Answered back the legendary Professor.
"That's good. Say hi to them and my Pokémon for me."
"Will do. Now take care of yourself Ash." Professor Oak reminded him.
"No worries Professor, let's go Pikachu." He told his loyal partner.
"Pika!" chirped Pikachu.
He and Pikachu were walking towards Pewter City enjoying the familiar scenery. It took him near 4 hours until he reached his destination. He and Pikachu were now walking in Pewter City soaking in the familiar location that he began his journey in Kanto. It took him a few minutes to find the Pewter City Gym until he walked towards the place. He knocked on the door four times when the door opened as Ash found to be greeted by a happy and joyful soon to be Pokémon Doctor.
"Ash? It's been long old friend. How are you?" Brock greeted Ash.
"Brock, it has been long huh. I'm fine, how your studies going?" replied the young trainer.
"Their great, I'm heading in my third year now." Brock replied.
Both shook each other's hands and hugged as if they were long lost brothers.
"Oh forgive my rudeness, please come in Ash."
"Thanks Brocko!" chuckled Ash.
"Pika!" chirped Pikachu.
"It's good to see you too Pikachu." Replied Brock while petting the electric mouse Pokémon.
Brock was two inches taller now and still had the same facial expression. He still wears the same Sinnoh outfit but more to his size now. He usually wears a white lab coat when he's studying. He obviously remained taller than Ash. Ash made himself comfortable in the living room couch.
"So Ash, what would you like to drink?" asked the former Gym Leader.
"A glass of orange juice would be fine." He answered.
"Be right back!" as Brock left to the kitchen to bring the glass of juice.
He returned not to long with the glass of cool fresh orange juice. Ash accepted the glass and thanked Brock who smiled back in return.
"So Ash…it looks like you're not starting a new journey and challenging the gym leaders or the regional league, why is that?" Brock asked while concerned.
Ash sipped his juice twice before he could answer him. He felt awkward and somewhat doubtful about his abilities and did not feel he wanted to open up to the topic.
"I see. You are frightened because you feel that you're not good enough to win a regional league." Stated Brock who sat across the raven haired teen.
Ash did not reply but gave a weak nod as an answer.
"Let's discuss this over lunch. I'll go whip you up something." Brock smiled.
Ash started to cheer up a little bit and replied back, "Sure, I really missed your cooking Brock."
Brock gave a small chuckle as he left towards the kitchen to prepare lunch for Ash and Pikachu. It only took 30 minutes as he returned to the living room with a tray full of sandwiches, a bowl of stew, and a big bowl of Pokémon food for Pikachu.
"Wow Brock, I sure missed your cooking big time." Ash replied has he helped himself to a portion of sandwiches.
"Pika!" smiled and chirped Pikachu who agreed with his trainer.
Brock smiled and still remembers Ash on their journey days and how he acts when it comes to food. Brock only ate a right amount of the food but it took Ash only 20 minutes with gusto to wipe out everything on the tray and bowl.
Ash, Pikachu and Brock were now walking in Pewter City so they can talk, but Ash was enjoying the city which hasn't changed one bit.
"So Ash, how's life at home now?" Brock asked as he broke the silence with both of them walking.
"Just the usual. Visiting Professor Oak to see and train my Pokémon, play with them, and get together with Tracey and Gary when they're not busy." Ash answered with somewhat of a saddened tone.
"Listen Ash. I know you're somewhat afraid of not becoming a regional champion and being a Pokémon Master. You need to believe in your Pokémon and most importantly believe in yourself." Brock stated.
They now were walking to a clear forest, as they entered Ash stood there silent with his head hanging low.
"Ash, I know how you behave and your emotions since we started to travel together. You are like my brother." Brock continued. "We all have fears but we have to conquer them and rise up. Trust in yourself, you're Pokémon and be positive always. Your Pokémon mean the world to you and you mean the world to them." Concluded Brock.
"But I'm not sure anymore. I practice and practice and what difference does it make. I'll eventually get stopped or something comes that I wasn't prepared for to knock me down." Ash responded, questioning his abilities at the same time.
Listen Ash, the motivated and confident you would go out there and challenge the league and the championship no matter how tough or hard it is."
"What's the point. "That Ash" was a complete dunce and an idiot believing he can make it. I train my Pokémon and enter the league and eventually lose in the end and you know what? I'll lie to myself by saying "Don't worry, we'll get stronger and will challenge the other league." YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE A FAILURE." Ash yelled somewhat who almost started to cry at this point from his fears and doubts.
"No Ash, you're wrong. You're not a failure. You accomplished titles and seen more legendary Pokémon than any other trainer I know. What would your Pokémon say if they heard you? Pikachu seems to disagree with your logic and what will friends say if they heard you talking like that. If you give up now than all this hard work, the friends you made on your journeys were pointless and a waste of time." Brock who was now somewhat fuming at Ash.
Ash begins to think about his Pokémon, and the hard work and dedication they showed him of never giving up and staying by him through thick and thin. His friends and family that stuck by him through each journey like Misty, May, Max and Dawn. Dawn. What if she heard him talk like that? She would think I was a quitter and an idiot. She was inspired by me and I was inspired by her and she always worked hard even if it was tough she wasn't a quitter and here he was moping like a baby.
"You're right!" Ash became determined. He wasn't going to let this fear or depression get the better of him. "I'm going to train extra hard and I'm going to be the champion and the best no matter what."
Ash's old confidence started to show and his happy expression was showing quickly.
"Now that's the Ash I know." Brock responded confidently.
Ash, Brock and Pikachu walked to a top of a hill in the forest and got a view of the city above. They began to soak in the atmosphere and the fresh air as feeling relieved, mainly Ash who let go every worry he had off his chest.
"Wow, this place is great." Commented Ash.
"It sure is!" Brock agreeing with him.
"Pikaa!" Pikachu who was also in awe.
They were enjoying the scenery until Ash decided to break the silent calm mood.
"So how's your studies coming along, Pokémon Doctor Brock?" Ash asked with a slight teasing tone.
"There great, and how's your Pokémon doing back at the ranch? Pokémon Master Ash." He replied in the same manner.
Ash chuckled while Brock smiled as Ash replied back, "They're fine and healthy."
"Good to hear that." Brock responded back as he looked at the sky.
"So still flirting with Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny, eh Brocko?" Questioned Ash who began to laugh.
"Hey! Hey!" Brock replied but laughed along.
Both stood there laughing. Ash's mood began to change to normal which Brock knew towel as he smiled. Brock decided to further the conversation.
"So Ash, are you interested in someone to spend time with?" Asked Brock.
"Huuh…?" Ash replied looking puzzled from Brock's question as he did not know what it meant.
Brock deadpanned and asked again in terms Ash would understand.
"I mean who is it going to be? Misty? May? Or Dawn?"
"WHAT! What are you talking about?" Ash began to defend himself.
When Brock mentioned Dawn's name, he began to think about her and her mesmerizing beauty.
"Come on Ash, you're not getting any younger. You need to interact with the opposite gender than just Pokémon and training. You're a human being like everyone else. So who is the lucky one out of the trio we travelled with? Huh?" Brock continued as he began to tease and wanted an answer from the young teen.
Ash began to think on Brock's question and decided to tell him, but giving hints and clues as he was shy in this topic.
"Well, between you and me, only one of them I think about all the time. You only get one guess though and that's it." Replied Ash.
"One guess huh? Hmm. Well if I'm right, it would have to be Misty since you guys travelled a lot and went on many journeys." Brock answered.
Ash felt relieved that Brock did not guess Dawn as his guess because it would feel somewhat embarrassing discussing his love life. Ash also begins to thin about Misty and hoped she is ok because it has been 2 years he did not hear from her spoken to her. He would sometimes visit Cerulean City and the gym, but no one would be there.
"Nope, sorry Brock. It's not Misty." Ash told him as he and Pikachu began to walk back to Pewter City's gym.
Brock was somewhat surprised it wasn't Misty since they had the most history, they fought and bickered with one another and it looked like they were in love but Ash did not see that way since he began to travel and does not see it that way still. Brock thought for moment and then it hit him, he smiled and began to think.
"I think I know who Ash likes. Damn, it was obvious. Let's see how things play out." As he began to walk back to the gym as well.
When he caught up to Ash he almost forgot the other reason he brought him.
"Ash! The other reason I asked for you to come here is because I have a small conference with some local children of Pewter City at the Pokémon Center. They want me to explain my profession and studies, but also about being a trainer. I thought it would be good if I bring you since you have excellent pointers and tips from your travels." Brock explained to Ash.
"Sure! Sounds like fun. What do you think buddy?"
"Pika Pika!" chirped the yellow electric mouse Pokémon agreeing.
Brock, Ash, and Pikachu made their way the city's Pokémon Center where they would talk to local kids about being a future Pokémon Trainer and understating the basics of Pokémon. Brock saw Nurse Joy and he immediately ran up to her and began to flirt with her, but Croagunk escaped his Poke ball and poisoned jabbed Brock in the sides. Ash chuckling a little at the scene, "Some things never change." Ash told himself.
The kids arrived and were eager and excited about this as the front of the center was set up with a long table with Ash and Brock sitting and Pikachu sitting on the table. There were chairs in front facing Ash and Brock as the kids took their seats. They introduced themselves to the local children and began to answer their questions. Ash who got the most questions about gym challenges, travelling and petting Pikachu. He happily answered them in his best way he could as well as allowing the kids to pet Pikachu gently. The Q & A lasted nearly 2 hours, with that being done, the duo and Pikachu left back to the gym. When they returned back to the gym, Ash saw Brock's Pokémon relaxing.
"Hey guys? Long time no see."
They chirped and cried their names to welcome him. Pikachu ran up to them to say hi to everyone and decided to hang out with them since it has been a long time.
"So Ash? How would you like to spend the night here?" Asked Brock.
Ash smiled and answered back, "Sure, let me give my mom a call and let her know."
He walked to the video-phone and dialed his house's number and sure enough his mother picked up and her image came on the screen.
"Hi honey! How are you?" his mother asked.
"Hi mom, I'm fine. Is it ok if I crash here with Brock for the night?" He asked back.
"It's ok dear, make sure you stay out of trouble and don't forget to change your underwear." Replied his mother.
"Moooom!" feeling embarrassed still getting the childish treatment.
"By the way Ash, can I talk to Brock in private?" She asked her son.
"Umm, sure I guess." He gave the phone to Brock who was standing behind Ash as he left the room to go see Pikachu.
"Brock dear, don't let Ash find out about his upcoming surprise birthday party." She told Brock.
"Don't worry Delia and I'll gladly show up after all his like my little brother." He replied.
"That's great! I'm going to phone his other friends and their families. Before he comes back to Pallet, tell him Professor Oak wants to speak to you, so he won't be suspicious, ok?" She continued.
"Will do." He answered back.
"Ok then, take care." She told Brock before she hung up.
Brock made his way to see Ash where he found him and his Pikachu playing. He saw Brock was approaching him and decided what they talked about.
"So what did my mom tell you?" He wondered.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just go see Professor Oak when you get back to Pallet, it's something important." Lying partially not wanting him to suspect about his birthday party that is being held.
"Oh, ok then." He replied, but he also had a question for Brock.
"Brock! Where is your family?'
"Oh, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you. They are on a cruise vacationing." Brock answered.
"Ohh!" replied Ash who was suddenly getting tired as he yawned.
Brock chuckled seeing Ash tired just like his usual self back on their journeys as he replied back to him, "Alright then, it's time to hit the hay your tired out big time."
Ash chuckled and replied, "Yeah, you're right."
Brock, Ash and Pikachu said good night to one another as Ash walked in to a guest room with Pikachu and Brock to his own room. Both wanted to be refreshed for tomorrow.
Hopefully I'll put out the next chapter in time. I hope you enjoyed this chapter though.
Remember, I read your reviews and if you have any questions or comments PM please. Also tell me how's the story like so far.
Well, until next time. See Ya!
