'PokeSpeech'
"Normal Speech"
Tangelo Island, Beach
"Alright, let's set sail!" Ash said with excitement.
The next day arrived, Ash sent out Lapras while Seth sent out his own Lapras. Seth figured Ash should have some practice on riding Lapras solo and for some distance, sensing his distrusting aura.
Tracey didn't pick up on the context clues until Seth insisted he ride with him.
Ash was a bit grateful Seth was respecting his privacy and distance, even if they were traveling with each other now. Pikachu also appreciated it for the same reason and so he could act like he's King of the World.
Thor and Eevee did their own King of the World impressions. Lapis -Seth's Lapras- enjoying being in her natural element again and even struck up a conversation with Ash's Lapras, acting like her big sister in a way.
"So, where are we going again?" Ash questioned. In his excitement, he forgot where he needed to go.
"Mikan Island is the closest island and home to a member of the Orange Crew," Seth answered.
"Got it. What type of Pokémon does this Gym Leader specialize in?"
"Well, she doesn't technically specialize in a specific type, but I would say water. And it's a two on two challenge."
"Great, so I will use Ivysaur and Pikachu to swept through them!" Ash felt excitement, ready to battle the Orange Crew and show those traitors wrong. 'Yeah, no mercy on those Water types!' Pikachu added, 'Present Lapras' excluded.' Both Transport Pokémon nodded.
Mikan Island
"Thanks for your help Lapras," Ash said before returning his Pokémon. "You too, Lapis," Seth followed, returning his Pokémon. It had taken them three days to get to their destination. Each time they stopped, Ash and his Pokémon trained with Seth and teaching them.
Over the course of their first days of traveling, Ash began to warm up to Tracey and Seth. Not as friends yet, he was still having trust issues, more of acquaintances.
"Alright, let's get this badge!" Ash shouted before taking off with Pikachu in tow. Seth and his Pokémon giggled at the actions of the boy while Tracey was a bit impressed at the speed.
Running up the trail to the gym, Ash heart raced. His first gym battle against the Orange Crew! Nothing would keep him down! He was almost there when a coconut caught his attention.
"Huh, that's interesting," Ash said, all of his curiosity now into the fallen object. 'Ash, it's just a coconut,' Pikachu confirmed.
His two travel companions arrived and saw the duo approaching the coconut. Tracey just saw it as a regular coconut, but Seth found something odd with a lone coconut to fall. He knew at least that coconut fell in clusters, so why was there a lone coconut.
Ash picked it up, intrigued by it...
But was unaware of the bucket of water that drenched him and his starter.
"HAHA! You are such a loser!" A boy shouted at Ash, no doubt the prankster. Ash just paused in shock, feeling stupid for getting pranked like this, and Pikachu was charging up an electric move that looked like it would fry the boy and turn him into his trainer's name.
Seth, his Pokémon, and Tracey narrowed their eyes at the boy. "That's not funny, you know," Seth said.
"Pssssh. Please, I'm stopping trainers who think they have a chance at the Orange League," the brat dismissed, "he doesn't he look that skilled."
"I am skilled... I placed top sixteen," Ash muttered to himself, which was heard by the boy. The boy laughed aloud, "Top Sixteen! Ha! You're just a joke." Ash heard this and nearly cried, Pikachu tried to make him feel better while growling
Thor and Eevee growled with hate. This boy was insulting someone with a purpose. Who was he to say Ash is joke? If anything, the brat is a joke.
"SENTA!" The boy paled at that call. An auburn haired woman in a black tank top, salmon colored dress, and white shoes marched with an angry expression on her face to the brat. "How many times have I told you not to prank trainers!" She shouted.
"Well, it was ju-" Senta started before being cut off. "Honestly, every time a challenger comes, you do some stupid prank that drives them away," she said, clearly disappointed in the his actions. The brat shrunk down while Seth and the partner Pokemon smirked at the scolding he was getting, Tracey was a bit fearful.
Ash, on the other hand, was in deep thought. He fell for a stupid prank like this. Him! He wanted to be better, but how could he if he was distracted with a simple object?
"Ash, are you good?" Seth said. Ash was in surprise. It sounded like concern? Ash shook his head from the idea and got to his feet before replying, "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Tracey added.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ash said, not wanting to indulge in his thoughts.
Seth knew this was due to the betrayal. He was doubting his abilities in being a trainer, but he needed to know he could tell him -and to a lesser extent, Tracey- anything.
After the scolding, the woman calmed herself. "Sorry about that, my little brother plays pranks nonstop. Oh, hey Seth!" Seth acknowledged the woman, "Hi Cissy!" Thor and Eevee gave their hellos too.
"So, who are your friends?"
Ash worked up his courage, "I-I'm Ash Ketchum." Hearing the last name, Cissy eyes widened before getting the thought to herself. "And I'm Tracey Sketchit." Tracey introduced.
"So what brings you to my gym?"
Ash's face lit up upon hearing gym, "You're the gym leader?" Cissy nodded. "Okay, I challenge you!" Cissy's face grin from excitement, "You're on. Let's head to my gym for your badge."
Mikan Island Gym
Arriving at the gym, Ash was amused at the new setting. It was pool setting, but no pads for his Pokémon to battle on? Seth, Tracey, and the partner Pokemon -Pikachu included- were in the bleachers. "Umm, Cissy?"
"Yes?" the gym leader said. "Where are the pads for my Pokémon to battle on?" Ash asked.
"Oh, I don't have any pads," she said, "I have two challenges for you to beat me at."
Ash balked at that before mentally facepalming. He had forgotten that only two gym leaders in the Orange League had actual battles. And Cissy wasn't one of them.
"It's a water gun matchup for the first challenge," Cissy said before throwing up a Pokeball releasing a blue medium sized seahorse Pokémon with spiky fins into the pool. Ash had seen this Pokémon before but a refresher would be good for him, so he scanned it with his Pokédex.
[Seadra, the Dragon Pokémon and the evolved form of Horsea. Seadra's mouth is slender, but its suction power is strong. In an instant, Seadra can suck in food that's larger than the opening of its mouth.]
'Reporting for duty," the Seadra said.
"Hmmm... if it's a water gun challenge, then I'll go with Wartortle!" Ash said and sent out his Kanto Water Starter.
'Aw yeah! Time for some action!' Wartortle said, pumped up.
"I assume your Wartortle knows a range water type move," Cissy recognized. When she got a yes, "Alright, Senta, ready the cans!
The brat nodded, ready to see the challenger lose, and flipped a lever that brought stacks of cans up.
"Okay, Seadra! Fire Water Gun!"
'Yes ma'am!" Seadra readied his Water Gun and fired in rapid succession.
"Don't start without me!" Ash shouted, "Wartortle, Water Gun!"
'You got it!" Wartortle blasted his own Water Gun in a rapid succession as well.
Ash suddenly realized that Seth's training was paying off. Wartortle was faster than Seadra's Water Gun for each can the Dragon Pokemon knocked down the Turtle Pokemon took out 2-3 cans.
"Whew, that's impressive! Not many trainers knock down as many cans," Cissy whistled.
Senta was shocked. Did his sister just applauded this trainer?
"But let's see how you do with moving targets! Senta!" Cissy called out. "Right!" The boy said and flipped another lever that released discs.
Ash began to put two and two together. Those disc were like the ones Seth had been using! And since these journey has began, Ash was glad he let Seth travel with him. "Alright Seadra/Wartortle! Water Gun!" Both trainers called out.
Multiple discs were fired and shattered by the Water type attack, Wartortle shooting down more than the Seadra, much to the latter's frustration.
In the bleachers, Seth and his Pokémon had a look of satisfaction. Their training was a success. Pikachu was surprised at the progress, Wartortle was shooting circles around the seahorse and Tracey was sketching the battle to the best of his ability.
Both sides were starting to get exhausted from the constant firing. Ash and Cissy noticed it too.
"Alright time for a quick draw!" Cissy suggested.
"You got it!" Ash said.
"Ready... set..."
"...Go!"
The disc was fired and both water Pokemon fired their moves. And the disc shattered at Wartortle's Water Gun.
'Oh yeah! In your face 'Dragon' type!" The shades wearing turtle boasted before returning to his Pokeball.
"Woah! That was so fast! Wartortle must have gotten faster at shooting his Water Gun with that training," Tracey commented. Seth had smile on his face. Their training was a success. Ash's Pikachu was shocked but gave a cry of happiness at the win.
"Impressive, Ash. Usually when we have quick draws, it's often a tie. But your Wartortle won fair and square," Cissy said, "now for the second challenge..." she said before gesturing the trainer to follow her.
Ash grinned. He was glad Wartortle had been getting better with his accuracy and he had to thank Seth for the tips. But the second challenge alluded him. He followed Cissy onto the beach. "Our final challenge is a surfing race."
Ash nodded. He smiled since he was liking these challenges the Orange League had for him. Very different indeed.
"Now, Blastoise! Make a splash!" Cissy called out and summoned her fully evolved Water Starter.
"Lapras, I choose you!" Ash called out and summoned his Water/Ice Type. Lapras cried with anticipation at being sent out.
Then Cissy hopped on her Pokémon, much to Ash's confusion before he caught on. He had to ride Lapras. "Well, don't just stand there," Cissy remarked.
Ash carefully made his way onto the Transport Pokémon before briefly slipping. Tracey winced, "This looks dangerous. Maybe Ash should withdraw." The artist slightly flinched at the glare the boy gave him. "Relax, Sketchit. He rode Lapras solo on the way here. I have faith in him," Seth reassured.
That made Ash feel better, knowing his acquaintance had faith in him.
"So, we surf to that buoy and back. First one to make it wins," Cissy informed. Ash grinned with excitement, time to take her down and win his first badge.
The tide suddenly bursted with a huge mass, startling the onlookers. The mass revealed itself to be a large Magikarp with seaweed and seawater leaking from it.
"What is that?!" Cissy cried out. The Magikarp's fin then lifted open to reveal the TRio.
(Team Rocket Motto with seaweed puns)
"... Seriously?" Seth asked no one in particular. If this was going to be a common occurrence, he was going to start let his Pokémon fry them halfway through their mottos.
"Save it new twerp! We are here to catch your Pokémon!" Jessie yelled.
"Yeah and then we will give them to our boss!" James said, before the trio began to fantasize the luxury they could have.
"No more Persian, only respect for the #1 cat: me!" Meowth thought aloud.
"...Thor, Zap Cannon to Thunderbolt." Seth commanded, over this ordeal. 'Done and done!' Thor complied and let loose his electric attacks that struck the mechanical Fish Pokémon, sending the trio flying. "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off againnnnnnnnnn!"
"You may continue the challenge." Seth said before backing away and ignoring all the onlookers at his ability.
"Right, are you ready Ash?" Cissy challenged. "Born ready!" Ash shot back.
"Ready... set... go!" Senta said, waving his flags down.
Blastoise took off and Lapras made her way after. The Shellfish Pokémon had more experience with this, evidence with his experience. Lapras was slowly gaining, but Blastoise rammed her side. Lapras held herself together and kept Ash on her shell. Lapras started to push back, but she lacked in strength to knock the fully evolved Pokemon.
Coming to the buoy , Blastoise made his turn too far while Lapras was able to make a sharp turn and claim the lead.
"Way to good, Ash!" Seth and Tracey shouted from shore. 'Show that oversized cannon who's boss, Lapras!' Pikachu said on his behalf.
Ash smiled. His companions were supporting him! And he was sure going to win. "We can do this Lapras!"
'You got it, Ash!' Lapras reaffirmed, pouring more strength into her swimming.
Cissy and her Blastoise were slowly gaining again. They eventually caught up to the challenger and were neck and neck. "Come on big sis! Show that trainer!" Senta shouted, wanting his sister win instead. Thor was tempted to trip the brat with Grass Knot but Eevee refrained him from doing so.
A shadow began to cover the surfers and turned to see a massive wave. Ash gaped at this but had an idea. "Use Ice Beam!" Lapras fired three zig zag beams of ice energy, the move freezing their portion of the wave. Cissy wasn't as lucky and was swept off Blastoise. She resurfaced and made her way onto Blastoise, thanking him. They swam off, faster than Lapras and managed to pass the Transport Pokémon. 'Heh, see you at shore, slowpoke!' Blastoise jeered.
Ash began to think. Lapras didn't have enough strength to continue swim at this pace, and Blastoise just passed them. Then he got another idea. "Lapras, make an ice path!"
Lapras acknowledged the command and created one, hopping on as she did. She began to slide, faster than Cissy and Blastoise. The two turned and saw the challengers creating their path and were surprised at the development.
"See you at the shore!" Ash let out and reached shore, making him the winner! The inertia was a bit greater than expected and fell off Lapras by accident. Pikachu ran over to Ash, nuzzling him as a congratulations. "Way to go!" His traveling companions cheered.
This made Ash and Pikachu smile. They were finally satisfied with their new travel companions.
Dusk came and everyone gathered in the front of the gym.
"Well, Ash," Cissy started, "I must say. You are definitely a one of a kind trainer. Never seen an ice path before."
"Thanks for the compliment," Ash thanked. It's been a while since he was met with praise, even if it's from a gym leader.
"And without further ado, I present to you the Coral Eye badge," Cissy said, presenting a badge. The badge was a pink shell with a blue eye in the middle.
Ash accepted the badge with pride. "Alright, I got the Coral Eye Badge!" He cheered with Pikachu. Seth giggled, he was still growing so he decided to let the childish antic go.
"Now time to head off!" Ash said, ready for the remaining gym leaders and the challenges coming his way.
Ash's Team (on hand): Pikachu, Ivysaur, Wartortle, Pidgeotto, Psyduck, Togepi, Mimey the Mr. Mime, Lapras
Ivy's Corral: Charizard, Muk, Kingler, Tauros Herd (x30), Mew
To Guest Reviewer: There will be no shipping, maybe later. Yes, Ash will catch his canon and non-canon Pokémon. Most of the ones you listed will be caught, but I cannot promise that they will all be shiny. I was thinking about giving him at least one shiny per region. I'm still trying to figure out where he will catch each Pokémon. And yes, Legendaries, Mythical, and Ultra Beast will be captured in their respective regions. Though, I will be leaking a certain feature early for Ash. And the Eevee Evolutions I have a certain plan for that, which may be leaked in the next chapter.