Introduction
Ash couldn't contain himself. Not today, not by a long shot. This was evident by his jittery feet against the wooden floor and a teethy smile from ear to ear plastered to his face. His friend sat to his right, a pencil and pad in hand, ready to go. Tracey chuckled and sketched a few Pokemon for warm ups.
"You're pretty excited about this aren't you, Ash?"
"You bet! This is gonna be awesome, won't it Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Ash grinned, curled his bucket of popcorn with his forearm and handed Pikachu a few pieces.
"Where'd you get the popcorn? There isn't a concession stand around here."
"Snuck it in," Ash replied as he smacked his lips together. "This is gonna be hilarious! I still can't believe she got forced into doing this!"
"Well, so did Brock," Tracey said, brushing tiny pieces of eraser off his paper.
"Yeah, but he actually likes getting dressed up. When was the last time you saw Misty in a dress?"
"Uh..."
"Exactly!" and with that, he tossed a puffy kernel in the air and caught it with his mouth.
Tracey merely laughed and continued with his drawing. The ridge on that Rhyhorn's head didn't look quite right.
The lights dimmed. Loud indistinct conversations waned to low whispers as everyone in the auditorium took their seats. All eyes followed the spot light crawling across the room, finally landing on an attractive lady standing to the right of a 'T' shaped stage, splitting the audience halfway down the middle. Ash, Pikachu and Tracey were front row center. There was no way Ash would miss this opportunity. Not for all the food in the world.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the 1st annual Kanto League Fashion Show!" Nurse Joy smiled and panned her hand to the left as a large banner at the top exploded and unrolled. An assortment of multicolored confetti settled on the audience as they applauded. Nurse Joy adjusted the skinny microphone on her platform and continued. "We thank you all for coming to this charitable event! So, without further ado... I give you the 1st annual Kanto League Fashion Show!"
"Finally!" Ash yelled.
Breaking in the event were all the Officer Jennies, strutting in one by one to 'I Shot The Sheriff,' revamped of course. Some wore new Officer uniforms, while others adorned more revealing dresses and gowns. After all these years, Ash still couldn't distinguish the Jennies from one another. But that was more Brock's department, so that didn't bother him.
His sole reason for attending was to mock a certain close friend. The same friend who begged the council not to make her sashay herself publicly to the whole region. That same friend who tried everything in her power to keep Ash from knowing about the event only to have it leak out in a horribly mis-sent email.
The music changed to a fast paced techno version of 'Viridian City', ushering in the Nurse Joys. They entered single file, wearing various designer dresses. The last Joy planted her hands on her hips, and with a quick hip check, marched off with the approval of the crowd.
"Man, can't believe Brock's missing this!" Tracey laughed.
"Thank you, Joys and Jennies! Now on to the Gym Leaders showing off our more sophisticated, bold and sexy outfits!" Her words were followed by a stream of 'woos' and high pitched whistles from the crowd. Ash and Tracey straightened in their seats. This was where their patience paid off.
"First, modeling our spring lineup is Saffron's City's finest -- 'The Master of Psychic Pokemon' -- Sabrina!" The navy haired beauty walked on stage on que, featuring a short purple spring dress. She twirled emotionless to the dance music, posed for half a second and sped walked backstage.
"Doesn't she usually have a whip with her?"
"Don't even go there, Ash."
"Pika..."
Following her was Erika in her usual custom designed kimono. The flowing flowery pattern caught the attention of the whole audience. She bowed respectfully and exited just as classy. Next was Blaine, wearing some kind of golf attire: creased khaki pants with a red argyle vest over a white polo. He stood in the spotlight stoically and walked off just as unenthusiastic. The whole room laughed.
"Suave and sweet -- please welcome Pewter Town's Gym Leader, Brock!"
Ash and Tracey gave a standing ovation for that one. Much to their surprise (and amusement) their spiky haired friend strolled out, clad in a jet-black Asian style tuxedo, escorted by two of the Nurse Joys from before. He hooked their skinny waist with each hand as they traveled the walkway. Ash and Tracey cheered and laughed, as they were the only ones who truly understood the incredibly wide smile on his face.
"Go, Brocko!"
"Enjoy it while it lasts, buddy!"
"Pika-Chu!"
The trio sat back in their seats, still in their aftermath. Ash took out his half filled popcorn bucket and continued eating while Tracey turned another fresh sheet to draw.
"Wonder when she's next?"
"Could be soon."
Nurse Joy's amplified voice broke through the mesh of voices. "Now, modeling our summer swimsuit lineup: you know her as the "Tomboyish Mermaid!" Introducing, Misty from Cerulean City!"
"Pikachupi!"
Ash looked up. "Did she just say swimsuit?"
The curtains slowly eased away, allowing her through. Slim legs glided her across the narrow stage. She wore a thin two piece bikini stringing just above her curvy midsection. Her red hair fell to her shoulders. The stray bangs grazed her forehead and down passed her neck, trailing like an after burn. Lightly oiled skin glistened in the hot lights above, and the hundreds of split second flashes from cameras to the side. Her hands dove to her hips when she reached the end of the runway and spun around once, then twice. With a nimble flip of her wrist, shed her dark sunglasses off and gave a quick wink at the two boys in the front row. She smiled softly and struck a sexy pose; the kind of toxic pose that accentuated her features in a way Ash wasn't remotely aware of before.
"Wow, she actually pulled it off, didn't she Ash? ... Ash?" Tracey turned to his younger friend when he didn't get a response. Ash's popcorn bowl fell to the floor, spilling what was left. His arm still frozen in the cupping position, along with his now empty hand that didn't even make it to his gaping mouth.
"Ash," Tracey tried again. "That was quite an introduction, wasn't it?"
Yes, it was. And for Ash, it was an introduction to some other things too.
Okay, that was so much fun to write... even though I've never been to a fashion show. I hope I pulled it off. And we don't get enough Tracey cameos, do we? He'll be in the next chapter too. Lookin' forward to it. :)
