Ash's heart was still pounding from the previous conversation with Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy. He would've preferred to have left Viridian City in peace, but no. The Officer had taken him aside afterward, chastising him for his 'irresponsible usage of Pokemon.' There was also something in there about his Trainer License revoked, or being fined for damage to public property, but the teen had forced himself, as a responsible Trainer, to stay silent and take in her insults. It was like the Police Force had a long-lasting grudge against him or something (and to be honest, he had developed a tiny phobia of the Kanto Police Force after an incident with one arresting him to bait Team Rocket. Ash had a vague memory of bowling balls toppling over two criminals). Even the Kanto Police Chief knew of his skirmishes with Pokemon Gangs. But as always, nothing seemed to change.
Nevertheless, the teen had pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as he discussed traveling routes with his Pokemon.
"I found that there has been more crime than usual in Johto: near Ecruteak and around the area where the Silver Conference was held. Maybe we should head that way," he suggested, ignoring the deadpan stares he was getting from his Pokemon.
"How did you do that?" Sceptile asked. "Did you hack some police files or something?"
"Of course not. Why would I do that?" the Trainer chuckled, leaving his Pokemon to surmise for themselves whether their Trainer was being truthful.
"Why don't we visit Brock first? We haven't seen him in forever," Pikachu proposed eagerly.
Ash thought about it for a moment, then decided that it shouldn't hurt the mission.
"Sure, but you guys'll have to behave, alright?"
"Can we pretend to be stupid beginners, then crush him in his own gym?" Charizard asked.
"That'd be fun, although Pikachu's the only one of you guys that isn't fully evolved, so he'll be the only one to battle. Plus, I don't think Brock runs the Pewter Gym anymore."
Sceptile joined the conversation. "He's right. It's his brother Forrest now."
"I mean, we can ask him about his brother after we beat him," the Electric-Type of the group suggested. "Brock's has been in Pewter City for the past year, right? Doesn't he have 'doctor school' or something?"
A nod from Sceptile confirmed the Mouse Pokemon's thoughts.
Pidgeot, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention. "We'll have to get new clothes and everything for you, 'cause you look too much like…you, ya' know? Everyone in Kanto knows you already…" The Bird Pokemon trailed off in contemplation, before piping up again. "Do you think Ash would make a good Bug Catcher?"
"Uh, none of you guys are Bug-Types. Let's just head there, okay? Then we can decide something."
"Fine."
Just on the edge of Pewter, four Pokemon lay asleep. Ash was sitting on a stone, pondering about possible reasons that Team Rocket (the 'three idiots,' according to Gary), hasn't shown up to abduct any of his Pokemon. It was very peculiar, in the Trainer's opinion, to the point where he considered the possibility that they had quit the Pokemon Gang, or that Giovanni had a grand scheme conducted, and the trio was busy assisting their boss. The latter option seemed more likely.
He looked around and realized that Aura in his palms had started to flare again, causing the campsite to glow with a faint, blue light.
He shook both hands violently, and it abruptly stopped.
The Trainer sighed heavily, dragging himself near his Charizard's bright flame to shield himself from the midnight cold front. He would deal with this later, just not tonight.
The next day, Ash was taken shopping.
Sceptile and Charizard went in their Pokeballs, but Pidgeot refused, saying that Ash needed a new attire if he was to face Forrest. The Trainer didn't listen to everything his Normal and Flying-Type said, but he was surrendered against persistent pleads for the sake of 'going incognito' or something like that.
The clerk, apparently used to large Pokemon coming in and out of the clothing store, didn't bat an eye when he saw the giant Pidgeot walking through the men's' aisle in front of her Trainer.
"See? I told you we wouldn't look crazy," Pidgeot glanced around the store. "Now...are we going for a classy or fancy look?"
"Whatever you want," the teen shrugged, trying his best to hide the boredom that was slowly consuming him. Ash didn't really enjoy shopping for clothes (it seemed like he died a little more on the inside every time he laid his eyes on a dress nowadays), but if he tried to escape, Charizard would probably come out of his Pokeball, protesting against his Trainer for ruining their little plan, and well, it wouldn't be pretty.
Pikachu, who had been making a pile of shirts on the floor, climbed into the backpack that had almost been forgotten in the 'excitement.' "Wake me up when you're done," he yawned.
Ash couldn't blame him.
"I thought this was only to meet Brock again. Are you sure I need another outfit?" Ash asked.
"Maybe someday you don't want anyone to recognize you," Pidgeot replied. "So you can wear this!"
"Stop talking to your Pokemon," a muffled Pikachu grumbled from the Trainer's backpack. "People might think you're crazy."
The teen rolled his eyes (not that Pikachu would see him in the first place), and tried not to look too appalled as Pidgeot pointed to a black beanie hat with the Pokemon League symbol on it.
"It helps tame your hair."
"You look so stylish!" Pidgeot marveled over an embarrassed Ash as the group was on Route 2. "And that messenger bag makes it seem like you have such great taste!"
The Trainer was too busy blushing at his Pokemon to answer.
"It kind of looks like your Kalos outfit, except it's black and blue, and the Pokeball symbol's off to the side now," Pikachu commented from Ash's shoulder. "You kinda look like Alain. Hey, I bet those boots are the same brand. Wanna check?"
"No thanks," the Trainer replied, sticking his tongue out immaturely at the Electric-Type.
Charizard and Sceptile agreed that they didn't really think that Pidgeot would go as far as buying a completely new set of traveling clothes for their Trainer.
"It was pretty expensive, too," Ash complained, pointing at his long receipt. "This cost like ten times the prize money I got from battling Brandon!"
"But it was totally worth it, right? You look so fashionable! I just wish you had contacts to change those eyes, though. Color scheme is important, you know."
Ash nodded. "You mean, like this?" He concentrated his Aura, and a few seconds later, Pidgeot was cooing over Ash like he was a newborn Pidgey.
"Great. Ash has blue eyes. We are all so excited," Charizard muttered, and the giant lizard received a fierce slap in the face from the Bird Pokemon.
"It's beautiful! I bet all the girls will be-"
"Hey Ash," the Electric-Type interrupted, "when was the last time you called Serena?"
The Flying-Type's face lit up. "Who's Serena? Your girlfriend?"
"I challenge the Gym Leader!" Ash yelled at the top of his lungs as he swung open the double doors, which collided with the wall with a slam. There was a sudden period of awkward silence that instigated, and the Indigo Conference Champion realized that the Gym had a new addition: a lobby. So that's why the Gym seemed bigger from the outside. It seemed like everything in Kanto was getting renovated lately.
Pikachu, who was smirking slightly at his Trainer's expense, was hidden in his messenger bag, which the Electric-Type found exceptionally cozy. He was curled up against some books, a sack of berries, some slightly worn clothes, a rolled-up sleeping bag, and Ash's (in his opinion, broken) Pokedex, but somehow, it all managed to fit. The Mouse Pokemon even speculated that there was a tent somewhere in there.
Nearby, other Trainers were looking at the Indigo Plateau Champion curiously. Ash caught one whispering to another: "Another newbie, huh?"
"I'll show you 'newbie,'" Pikachu muttered from the bag. "Challenge him, Ash. I dare you."
"Shush, Pikachu," the Trainer directed using his Aura. "The other Pokemon might recognize you or something."
"There are a million Pikachu in the world! And plus, why does it matter that they recognize me?!"
"You know what? That's a good point."
With that, the Electric-Type poked his head out of the bag.
A Trainer wearing a flagrant, red t-shirt with matching, red sunglasses decorated in blatant LED-lights walked up to Ash. "Hey you. What's your name?"
"I'm...uh," the teen's eye contact drifted to the bold shirt, "Red. And this is my partner, Pikachu."
"Raimund," the other teen declared loudly, causing other challengers to glance their way. "You want to challenge the Pewter Gym?"
Ash nodded slightly.
"Well, you're in for a surprise," Raimund motioned to where a few challengers were lining up. "Forrest's brother is filling in for him today, and he's hard! Not many people could get badges, and now everyone is lining up to just ask him for advice on Pokemon care and training after the battle! I don't think I can beat him, and it would make me feel better if you went right before me."
The teen nodded in interest, genuinely surprised at the beneficial coincidence. He had only come to the Gym to battle Forrest and then ask him for his older brother, but that didn't seem to be the case anymore.
Pikachu, who was listening to the conversation, raised a paw with an excited facade. "You're stupid!" he cheered sarcastically.
Ash ignored him, although the Trainer noted that his Starter was more like him than he had previously believed. The number of times he had BSed his own obliviousness (which was stupid) had reached the point that the teen had lost count. And he had honed his acting skills in Unova, where it took all his strength not to yell at Trip for being a jerk and Iris to stop calling him a kid every half hour (he failed a few times, but that was okay). People in the Pokemon World were terribly naive, and although Ash usually saw himself as an optimist, it seemed like his occasional sarcasm didn't sit well with certain people. The Unovian air didn't help either. Instead, it gave him headaches and probably dropped his IQ by 50, because he could only slightly remember half the things he did, and at least seventy percent of them were completely idiotic. In the end, he was glad Kalos had 'breathable' air. There, he had an almost lie-free region.
The Pokemon Trainer turned to Raimund, a grin forming on his face as he unleashed another generic newbie line: "I'm going to try my very best, you know? I believe in my Pokemon, and we'll have fun in the end!"
In a hypothetical situation in which Raimund met the last Indigo Plateau Champion (in all his glory) instead of 'Red,' the Pallet Town Trainer would've convinced the other teen that winning wasn't everything and that the only person he was trying to please with the pressure of winning was himself.
"I've been traveling for years, you know. Came from Sinnoh myself," the other boy revealed, glancing at 'Red' and Pikachu with a sad smile. "Not everyone makes it to the top." When Ash didn't say anything, he continued. "You know, Red, I want to be the very best. Like...no one ever was! Do you understand? It's like my life's goal to one day rise to the level of, maybe Ash Ketchum or something. Ever since his Sceptile toppled Darkrai, a Mythical Pokemon, I've had newfound hope."
One of the Pokeballs on the Indigo Plateau Champion's belt shook slightly.
"Well Raimund," he replied, "I'm sure you'll do great. Just never give up!" The Trainer was pretty proud of the cheesy, inspirational line he gave.
"Hey, look!" Raimund pointed to the double doors leading to the arena. There aren't that many people anymore. Let's both get in line!"
Ash smiled and nodded, trying his best to be polite.
"Next!" Brock's voice thundered from the tournament room. Pikachu popped back in the bag and closed the top over himself.
"Go on," Raimund whispered. "You'll be great! Just think, Ash Ketchum!"
"If only you knew…" Ash muttered as the door shut behind him with a loud clang. Memories sprung up as he surveyed the first gym he'd gotten a badge from, and nostalgia from the familiar battlefield made him smile. His eyes finally landed on Brock, who stood on the opposite side of the miniature stadium with crossed arms and an expectant look.
"Welcome to the Pewter Gym!" the Pokemon Breeder announced in a thundering voice. "I am Brock, temporary Gym Leader, and your opponent!"
"I'm...Red, and I challenge you!" Ash yelled back. He figured that since Brock hadn't seen him in forever (they rarely contacted each other nowadays), the to-be-Pokemon Doctor wouldn't recognize his voice.
"Great spirit, young man, now send out your first Pokemon!"
Here it goes…
"Let's go, Pikachu!" the Trainer shouted, and waited for Brock to send out his Marshtomp.
"Eat my dust!" the Electric-Type yelled, jumping out of Ash's bag. His opponent chuckled, and in response, sent out his own Pokemon. As Ash predicted, it was the Mud Fish Pokemon.
"You know, my friend once beat my Onix with his Pikachu," Brock recalled, smiling at the memory. "You remind me of him. But nevermind that. Let's battle!"
Marshtomp recognized the Pikachu immediately, but the Electric-Type motioned for Brock's Pokemon to be silent with a devious grin.
"Ready, Red?" The Gym Leader smirked slightly, letting the referee between the two Trainers call out the rules.
"This will be a two on two battle. Only the challenger may switch out their Pokemon! The winner is decided once both Pokemon from a side are unable to continue!" He raised both flags he was gripping. "Begin!"
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted his favorite move, but then paused, thinking of a small tactic to use.
"Use Agility instead!" he commanded, using his Aura in order to attempt at confusing his friend.
"Got it!"
Pikachu started to run, trailing a streak of dust and wind. As the challenger tried to go for a crestfallen look, Brock chuckled. "You have a strong-looking Pikachu there, but it doesn't seem like you've been getting along."
Ash wondered how his old friend didn't recognize the Pikachu, even after years of traveling with him. He concluded that squinting was probably bad for your eyesight.
Pikachu pounded Marshtomp with a double Brick Break, using both of his paws to hammer the Water and Ground-Type into the ground.
"This is totally not fair!" Brock's Marshtomp whined, reacting when his Trainer called for a Mud Shot. "Brock's clueless!"
"Is that not the point?" Pikachu asked mischievously, as he used Dig in order to fabricate a distraction of Substitute, missing the Mud Shot completely.
Ash, keeping up with the drama, was now sitting on the rock floor, looking absolutely horrified at his Starter (thanks to his acting skills), who 'wasn't following his directions.'
"Pikachu! I wanted a Thunderbolt!"
"Go ahead and come out of that Dig, and know that he's going to dodge. Iron Tail, and if that fails, Thunderbolt just for his reaction," Ash communicated silently.
"Marshtomp, dodge!" the Pokemon Breeder cried out as Pikachu shot up from the ground. Using his fin as a radar, Marshtomp was able to sense Pikachu, but not the spinning Iron Tail that came afterward.
The field exploded. Pikachu used a Thunderbolt just to appease himself.
After the smoke cleared, everyone in the room (except Ash and Pikachu of course) was stunned.
"M-Marshtomp is unable to battle, and the challenger wins...?" The referee stuttered, raising his right flag.
"Beat that!" Pikachu smirked, completely aware of his Trainer sighing in pretended relief behind him.
"You may have a strong Pokemon," Brock yelled across the battlefield, "But your bond...your friendship is what really counts! Steelix, come on out!"
"Pikachu, wanna reveal who we actually are?" Ash asked, sitting on the ground with eyes closed. His hands were buried into his face, and a slumped position showed apparent discouragement, but his Aura Sight allowed him to see Steelix on the other side of the field.
"Why? I'm having so much fun!" Ash's partner laughed, then turned to look at the Iron Snake Pokemon, who was trying to get the Gym Leader's attention about the very familiar Electric-Type in front of him. Pikachu let out a small sigh, mumbled about ruining his fun, then muttered, "Alright..."
Brock looked confused, but shrugged it off, ready to begin the battle. He glanced at the other side of the field, and watched as his opponent pick himself up, and brush the dirt off of his pants, before smirking. "Attack first," the challenger taunted, giving Brock a look that was much too confident for any beginner.
"Fine with me. Steelix, go for a Dig!"
From the challenger's side of the field, Ash called out, "Iron Tail!" The Steel-Type move collided with the battlefield, causing the ground to shake in a manner similar to an Earthquake. Bits of rock and stone flew up out into the air and crashed back on the ground for more damage. Steelix's head popped out from the battlefield a second later, and Pikachu jumped to avoid the move, landing on the Steel-Type's face.
"Now, counter shield." Ash commanded, trying not to laugh.
The look on Brock's face when his Pokemon fainted was priceless. (At least, it was to Pikachu.) Steelix collapsed with a thud, shaking the entire Gym.
"You are..." The Pokemon Doctor stumbled on his words.
"It was my Pokemon's idea. Don't blame me," the Trainer shrugged, and started walking over to greet his old friend.
"Ash, where did you get those clothes?" Brock asked with a bit of disbelief, knowing that the Trainer disliked dressing up.
"I went shopping with Pidgeot."
"And-"
"She went a little over-the-top with this idea," Ash shrugged, turning his eyes back to their normal color and taking off the beanie to reveal his untamable hair.
As if on cue, the Flying-Type released herself from her Pokeball and proceeded to show off her favorite flying techniques around the Gym.
"Oh yeah." Ash gave a sheepish grin, "There's a guy in the lobby who absolutely loves Ash Ketchum, and he was talking to me earlier. He's next in line, and when he comes in, tell him for me, 'kay?"
"Ash, you're such an..." Brock's voice faltered, and he began chuckling.
"I know, I know. Don't remind me. Oh, can you keep this a secret for me? I don't want this to get all over Kanto, because...you know, publicity, and...uh, Team Rocket."
"They're still following you?"
"Uh, yeah...you could say that."
"Wow, that sucks. Alright. Thanks for coming over to visit. You're still short, by the way. Might wanna fix that next time you come over."
"I am pretty sure I'm only like two inches under you and you know it."
"Hey," Brock greeted, smiling nervously. "Ready to battle?"
"Yes sir!" Raimund shouted eagerly. "I'm Raimund from Oreburgh City, and I challenge you for the Boulder Badge!"
"That's great," the Pokemon Breeder replied, accepted the answer. "I am Brock Harrison, Gym Leader of Pewter City. Oh, and...by the way, about that guy you who went before you…"
AN: In this fanfic, Pokemon can learn more than four moves, but it's just very hard to keep more than four at once. Ash...knows how to teach Pokemon more than four moves. And if you didn't catch on to how he does it (found somewhere in this fanfiction), you'll see in the later chapters.
Oh yeah. This was all filler but I honestly don't care 'cause it was fun. Plus, it imitates the actual anime, right? (Pokemon filler episodes are so weird sometimes.) Don't worry, he'll have some important stuff next week.
