"Yohana, it's getting late. Shouldn't we stop for the night?" Ash asked.
It had been hours since they'd left Pallet Town and the group was starting to get tired.
"You're right, Ash. No doubt Entei, Suicune, and Raikou are more tired than we are." Yohana agreed. "We'll stop at the next clearing."
Moments later, Ash, Yohana, and Leafeon slid off Entei and Suicune's backs and began to set up camp.
"Do you think it would be best to take turns keeping watch?" Ash asked. "We'd be safer that way."
(I agree with your friend, Yohana.) Entei growled. (Better safe than sorry.)
Suicune and Raikou growled their agreement as well.
"We all agree that might be best." Yohana said. "We'll have to post a guard tomorrow too, since we won't be travelling."
"What do you mean, Yohana? I thought the plan was to get to Celadon City as quickly and stealthily as possible." Ash said, confused.
"Change of plan. We'll be travelling every other day. The rest of the time will be used to train." Yohana, who had been pitching a tent, turned to her best friend. "You need to know how to fight."
Ash stared at her. "What?"
"Ash, you're in danger now. Team Rocket will be trying to kill you. Both with guns, and with pokemon." Yohana said. "You need to know how to dodge and how to fight back, and it won't be easy."
Ash stayed silent, processing what Yohana had just said. The fact was: she was right. He was going to need help if he was going to survive, and Yohana knew just the way to do it.
In Celadon City…
"I'm worried about Ash." Misty said, catching Brock's attention. "Sure, he has his pokemon with him now, but will that be enough to safely get him here to Celadon? He doesn't have Pikachu to protect him, or us to keep him from doing something stupid."
"It is worrisome, but Ash is old enough to care for himself. He'll be fine." Brock assured her.
"Brock, what if he doesn't make it?" Misty whispered. "I'm scared we'll never see him again."
Brock stared at her. "There's always that chance, Misty, but Ash is a strong boy. I'm sure we'll see him again soon."
"I hope you're right, Brock." Misty said. "I really hope you're right."
The next morning…
"Yohana! Up and at 'em!" Ash called.
"Five more minutes…" Yohana mumbled.
Ash sighed and threw a pokeball. "Some things never change. Squirtle, Water Gun Attack."
"Huh?" Yohana murmured. Within seconds, she was completely soaked. She sat up and glared at Ash. "Not funny, Ash!"
Both Ash and Squirtle burst into laughter at the look on her face.
"You asked for it!" Yohana shouted, and used a water attack on Ash and Squirtle.
Ash groaned. "I should have seen that coming."
Entei padded over to them. (Enough fun. We have work to do.)
"Aw!" Yohana moaned.
"What did he say?" Ash asked.
"He said we have work to do." Yohana told him.
"Can we have breakfast first?" Ash begged. "I can't train on an empty stomach." His stomach growled on cue.
Yohana rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Food first, training later. Five years and you're still the same Ash."
Ash blushed. "I thought you loved me!"
"I never said I didn't! Let's go eat so we can start training you to protect yourself!" Yohana said, and the two ran to the breakfast table.
Later…
"Your dodging skills have really improved in the few hours we've been training, Ash. You've always been a fast learner." Yohana complimented as they ate their lunch.
Ash blushed again. "Thanks, Yohana. You and Squirtle have helped a lot today. So, what's next?"
Yohana lowered her sandwich. "Ash, do you remember what we discovered about you when we were three?" Ash shook his head. "That you could use aura?"
Ash froze as the memory slowly came to mind. "Now I remember. Why do you mention it?"
"It will be an important defense when you're not able to dodge. It will also be a good offense when you need it to be." Yohana said. "Raikou went to find a Lucario to help train you. He should be back by nightfall. Because of the addition to the team, we're only going to travel until lunchtime tomorrow. Then, we'll start training your aura."
Ash nodded slowly. "Okay. I guess…"
Yohana placed a hand on his shoulder and forced him to look her in the eyes. "I know you want to see your friends and Pikachu again, but you need to be trained in case we run into Team Rocket. Do you understand, Ash?"
Ash nodded. "Yes, I understand, but you're right about me wanting to see Brock, Misty, and Pikachu, especially Pikachu, again as soon as possible. They're my friends. What if something happens to them?"
"It's more likely something will happen to us than them. Team Rocket isn't after them; they're after us. To Team Rocket, Brock and Misty are just a couple of random trainers that have nothing to do with us." Yohana assured Ash. "They'll be fine."
Ash sighed. "You'd better be right, Yohana. I will never forgive myself if something bad happens to them."
Yohana sighed as well. "Don't worry about it, Ash. Focus on yourself for once."
"Hmph. Easy for you to say." Ash grumbled.
Yohana opened her mouth to reply, but it was then that Entei decided to interrupt, telling them it was time to get back to training.
Both groaned, but obeyed.