Chapter 5: Ugly Meeting
'Yawn' "Time to get going. I gotta get down to business."
Brian popped out of bed and hopped in the shower. Walking out of the bathroom he dressed quickly. "I want to be the first one to register today so I can get going fast."
He grabbed his bag and ran out the hotel door, down the stairs, and up to the front desk. "Here's the key for room number 23. Thanks and bye," he waved as he rushed off.
In the same hotel Scott was ready for the day. "Time to go Espeon."
He opened the door and walked down the stairs and up to the front desk. "Room 19. Cya."
He turned and walked out the door.
At the registration center Brian had filled out the papers and was looking them over for mistakes when Scott walked in. "Are you here to register?" the man behind the counter asked.
"Yeah we came from Kanto to battle in this league."
Filled with curiosity "What's the Indigo league like?"
Scott turned to Brian "You've never been to Kanto?"
"No."
"Well it's the same as Johto."
"Why did you come to Johto? Did you battle in the Indigo league?"
"No I didn't battle in the Indigo league, and I came because I wanted to be a gym leader after I beat Sabrina fair and square but she turned me down so I left and came here."
"Sounds like my story, I beat Bugsy in a battle and decided to travel instead of join the gym."
"Well I think that I'm a better trainer than you because I beat a harder gym leader."
"No way, after were done here we battle."
"After I go to the Pokémon center then we battle."
"Fine. My names Brian and I challenge you uhh…."
"Scott."
"I challenge you Scott to a Pokémon battle."
"And I accept your challenge. It will be a 1 on 1battle."
"Good good," Brian said as he handed his papers in.
Entering the information into the computer the man turns around "Uh where do you want your extra Pokémon sent during your journey?"
"Where can I have them sent to?"
"We have Professor Ivy or Professor Oak."
"Professor Oak will do."
"Ok you're going to have to call him first before I can put you under his name."
Brian walked across the small building to the vid-phone and picked up the receiver, "What's his number?"
"1-321-656-9870"
"Ok," he said as he punched in the number.
The phone rang twice and an older man picked up the phone "Hello?"
"Hello I am Brian Gilhur From Azalea Town and I need somewhere to send my extra Pokémon on my journey, and I heard you will accept extra Pokémon."
"Yes I do accept extra Pokémon and I can take yours if you would like."
"You would like that very much."
Across the room Scott yelled, "Hey! Can you take mine to?"
"And you are?"
"Scott Brach."
"Yes I will take both of your Pokémon."
"We'll keep in touch Professor Oak and thanks again," Brian said as he hung up the phone.
"Here are your Pokédexes guys."
Both of them took their Pokédex and walked out the door and side by side walked to the Pokécenter. Almost simultaneously they held out their Pokéballs for Nurse Joy. Nurse Joy handed them each a tray, "Would you please put your Pokéballs in these trays boys."
They Pokéballs were in place Nurse Joy turned and walked behind the double doors.
"You are gonna lose Brian."
"I don't think so you haven't seen my power and what kind of Pokémon I even have."
"Likewise."
At the edge of town 3 youth walked into town and entered the registration building. "So Ash we finally made it to Johto," said Misty in relief.
"Yeah and I'm gonna be the champion when I'm done."
"Here is the paper work and you must select a place to send your extra Pokémon."
"That's an easy answer, Professor Oak."
"Call and make sure please."
"Sure."
"Hello Ash, are you calling about extra Pokémon?"
"Yeah," Ash said puzzled, "How did you know?"
"Two other trainers called about 10 minutes ago asking about that."
"I'm gonna find 'em what were their names?
"Brian Gilhur and Scott Brach."
"Your paperwork is checked in mister Ketchum."
Ash walked over and received an identification for his Pokédex. "Lets go to the Pokécenter and see if they're there."
Brian and Scott stood across and grassy area they were using for a battle. "I choose Girafarig."
"I choose Beedrill."
The Pokémon stared each other down. "You ready to lose Scott?"
"That's the question you should ask yourself."
"GO Beedrill Quick Attack!"
"Girafarig Quick Attack back."
Ash, Misty, and Brock walked out of the building and saw the two trainers battling. "Hey Ash lets go watch those may be the two trainers and you can learn some strategy from this."
"Yeah Ash maybe you could actually learn how to be good and not lucky."
"Shut up Misty. Lets go."
The two Pokémon collided and bounced back. "Another Quick Attack Girafarig."
"Beedrill Poison Sting."
Girafarig plowed into Beedrill but while Beedrill was flying backwards it thrust a stinger into Girafarig's side. "We can't fool around Girafarig Double Team Beam!"
'I've never heard of the before,' Brock thought.
"What is that Brock?"
"I don't know guys I've never heard of it."
"Beedrill fight back with Burning Poison!!"
"These guys have more weird attacks than anyone I've ever seen."
"Yeah Brock but where do they get them from?"
"I couldn't tell ya Misty."
Girafarig formed a circle around Beedrill and began to fire beams in every direction. "Beedrill fly!"
Beedrill took off and Girafarig's clones Shot each other and soon there was only the real deal standing. "Now Beedrill!!!"
"Up there Girafarig!!"
Both Pokémon unleashed a devastating strike and the powers collided. Both Pokémon forced more of their energy into their attack and soon their attacks had formed a gigantic ball. The ball reached its breaking point and exploded with great force. Ash, Misty, and Brock were knocked off their feet. "Holy Crap!! We gotta help the Pokémon. I'll get Nurse Joy."
"You do that Ash we'll take care of things here."
Ash took off running for the Pokécenter. Nurse Joy met him at the door. "I was afraid of this."
"Of what Nurse Joy?"
"These two boys came in earlier arguing who was better. And now they hurt their Pokémon to prove the other wrong."
When he and Nurse Joy got back Brock and Misty were tending to the trainers. "This is worse than we expected Ash we gotta get them to a hospital."
"Sure Brock."
Ash ran back into the Pokécenter and was almost run over by a pair of Blisseys pushing two carts to carry the Pokémon back in. He grabbed the phone and punched in 911. "Hello?"
"Hey," Ash said panting.
"What's wrong?'
"We need and ambulance out here now!"
"Where?"
"Out in front of the Pokécenter."
"We'll send one right now."
"Good, bye."
He set the phone back down and ran back outside, "How are they?"
"The one over there is still conscious but in major pain and this one," Misty said as she rested his head in her lap and her hand on his forehead, "Is unconscious."
Scott weakly yelled "So Brian you aren't so weak after all."
"You need to rest so don't yell. Anyway he can't hear you, he's unconscious."
An ambulance with lights and siren going flew over a nearby hill and screeched to a stop by the Pokécenter. Two people popped out of the back and two out of the cab and rushed to the trainers' sides. "We need to get them to the hospital stat."
"Yeah. Miss I'm gonna need you to rest his head on the ground."
Misty picked up Brian's head and slid out from underneath it. She remained seated by his head. The crew worked on getting Brian and Scott onto carts. When they had got them onto the carts and strapped them down they picked them up and placed them into the ambulance. The workers jumped in and took off back to the hospital. "Nurse Joy where is the hospital?" Misty asked.
"Ash its about 7 blocks that way," as she pointed in the direction the ambulance had come from.
"Lets go guys we gotta see how they'll be."
The 3 trainers ran along the sidewalk until they made it to the hospital. Panting they walked in and saw a bustle of work happening in the lobby. They pushed their way to the counter. "How may I help you?"
Brock's jaw dropped at the beauty of the attendant at the counter, "Yes you can help by going out with me."
"Lets go find a place to cool you off Brock," Misty said as she dragged Brock to a nearby bench.
"Yes ma'am we're looking for 2 trainers that were just brought here."
"Oh you mean Scott and Brian."
"Yeah where are they?"
"Both are in room 256."
"Thanks," He turned to Misty, "Lets go."
They climbed into an elevator to the second floor and turned looking for room 256. "Here it is," Brock said.
He turned the knob to find two beds filled with two boys connected to machines and IVs. Both were conscious and arguing. "So you guys almost kill your Pokémon and each other and you're still arguing," Misty snapped.
"Who are you guys?" Brian asked.
"Don't you know we saved your life," Ash replied.
"No I was out."
"Oh yeah."
"I am Brock this is Misty and that is Ash. We're from Kanto."
"Well thanks."
"How long you guys in here?"
"We both will be out of here by tonight," Scott answered, "do any of you know Professor Oak personally?
"Oh yeah he lives in my hometown."
The door behind them opened and a doctor walked in, "oh I didn't think you would have any visitors. I just wanted to let you know you're just fine and we are letting you go right now."
"Are you sure about that," Brock asked.
"Yes we are, they only have cuts and bruises and those will heal quickly," the doctor said as he took the tubes out of Brian and them Scott.
Brian grabbed his clothes off the table next to the bed and dashed into the bathroom. When he came out he looked like himself again and Scott bolted in behind him. "Well Ash what are your plans for tonight?"
"Dinner and then sleep at the Pokécenter and head off for the first gym tomorrow."
"Would you mind if Scott and I joined you for dinner and a conversation?"
"That would be great," Misty said as she checked Brian's body, "but what are you going to do now?"
"I have to check on Beedrill and then that's about it."
Scott busted out of the bathroom and almost ended out on his face, "Door was jammed."
"We are having dinner with the group Scott."
"Sure."
"We might as well spend the day together to get to know each other because I think this will last longer than what we think," Brock chimed in.
"Ok, so first stop the Pokécenter."
"Lets go," the group responded.
They filed out the door and jumped back into the elevator and strode out the front door. "So Brian how old are you?" Ash asked.
"16."
"So am I," Misty beamed.
"How old is everyone here?" Brian asked.
"15." Ash responded.
"18." Brock said.
"And I Scott am 15."
The group turned into the Pokécenter and Ash, Misty, and Brock walked over to the vid-phone and called Professor Oak. "Hello gang how are you?"
"First of all we're relieved, and second not bad."
"Why relieved?"
"Those two trainers you told us about we found them in time to save their lives."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah we'll tell you later. Bye."
"Bye now."
The picture zapped out and Ash returned the receiver to the hook. "You know I think that we should let them join us because Brian knows Johto better than any of us and Scott has psychic Pokémon and they can help keep Team Rocket away."
"Did someone say Team Rocket?" Brian asked.
"Yeah why?"
"Because Team Rocket took my dad's Best Pokémon and they tried to come back and take my Pokémon and after I foiled that plan they tried to kill me. And I have a question for you Ash."
"What is it Brian?"
"Why do you have your Pikachu on your shoulder and not in a Pokéball?"
"Because Pikachu is my best friend and he wont go back into his Pokéball so I just carry him around."
"Oh ok just wondering. Oh and can I have a little time alone I need to do some thinking"
"Sure Brian well meet you here in about half an hour."
"Sure thing."
Brian walked out the doors and disappeared into the thin forest behind the Pokécenter. The rest of the group walked out and headed into the middle of town. They ohhed and ahhhed at all the shops and attractions. "Hey guys I think I'm gonna looking some of these shops you I'll meet you back at the center."
"Sure thing Mist," Ash called back.
When she was sure they were out of sight she ducked into an alley and ran into the woods. Soon she realized she had no clue where she was and had no way of getting to where she wanted to go. Suddenly from behind a tree a figure appeared and placed a hand on her shoulder. She screamed, turned and delivered a punch to the figures midsection. "AW God Misty what was that for!?!"
"Brian? Is that you?"
"Yes its me. Man you hit hard," he said holding his stomach.
"I'm sorry I had no clue who or what it was."
"My question is what are you doing out here?"
"I wanted to find you."
"Why?"
"I don't know I guess I kinda like you and I wanted to talk to you."
"Aww thanks yeah I came out here to think about if I should go with you guys or not."
"Why wouldn't you?"
"Because I want to be the best and I cant really stick around with two other people with the same goals."
"Come on Ash isn't too hard to get along with in fact I dated him."
"Oh so that's how it is between you two I knew something was up. But the problem is really Scott I mean we are the exact opposite."
"We can work on that."
"Thanks again," he said as he took her hand in his and then let it go.
"Trust me Brian these are some of the greatest people you can be around, yeah there may be times but we get through them."
"I hear you hate the bug Pokémon."
"Yes," she replied with a shudder.
"Then it wouldn't work."
"Why Brian?"
"Because all I have are bug Pokémon."
Misty took a step back. "How do you think I found you out in these woods?"
"I wasn't sure I thought it was luck."
"It was my Ariados that found you. Lets get out of the woods because it's crawling with bug Pokémon."
"Get me out of here," she whispered as she followed Brian and his Ariados.
"Walk next to me not behind me otherwise they want to attack."
Misty scampered to get up next to Brian. She reached out and took his hand glanced up at his face, "You're better looking than I thought."
"Haha that's what people say when they're scared."
"Are you saying I'm scared?" she said with an angry tone.
"Well are you?"
"Yes," she said quietly.
"What about bug Pokémon scares you?" he stopped to ask.
She stopped and looked down at the ground then over at Ariados who had turned around. "It's just the way they look and the way they act that creeps me out."
"Lets get out of the woods so you can look at Ariados well."
"O-ok."
"Aria ari dos ados." (She can't be that scared.)
They emerged out of the woods behind the Pokécenter and walked into the lobby. "There is still about 5 minutes till they should show up care to tell me about your family?"
"Well I'm an only child with a mother and father."
When Misty heard the words come from Brian's mouth tears welled up in her eyes and she covered her face with her hands. Brian led her to a bench and sat her down. Placing his hand on her knee, "I'm very sorry I didn't know."
"Its not your fault, I asked the question and should have been ready for the answer," she said between sobs.
"Well I don't know how else to help you except with a hug, so here's one for you."
Misty leaned her head on Brian's shoulder as she sobbed and he rubbed her back. "What did you do to her!?!" It was Ash.
"I didn't do anything!"
"Yeah right then why is she crying?"
"Why don't you let her explain on her own terms in her own time."
"Because I want to hear you tell me why she's crying," Ash yelled back.
"Ash it.. its ok. Its not his fault I asked him a question and the answer he gave me hit home."
Brian stood up and walked out the front doors leaving the rest of the group. The other people in the Pokécenter watched Brian walk out the doors and then turned their attention to the group. "Someone better go talk to Brian," Brock suggested.
When no one volunteered Brock sighed and chased after Brian. Misty took a deep breath and calmed down. Ash tried not to look at Scott or Misty because he was feeling guilty about yelling at Brian. 'I thought he hurt her in someway, and even though we dated and then our love went out and we broke up. I still feel I need to be there as a friend and I think that wasn't good for our friendship.'
"What are you thinking about Ash?" Misty asked looking worried.
"Nothing Misty just nothing."
Ash walked over to the vid-phone and dialed up Richie. "Hey Ash! How's it going?"
"Not so well since two kids may join our group."
"Are they strong trainers?"
"I have no clue."
"Why are you worried about them anyway?"
"I'm just not sure if it's the best thing for Misty."
"How come."
"I think she's beginning to like one of them."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I'm just afraid she may get hurt."
"That's your opinion and your pretty stubborn so I'm not gonna try and change your mind."
"Bye Richie."
"Cya Ash."
"Brian! Brian! Where could he have gone in this short time?"
Brock felt a something sticky hit his arm and start tugging at him. "What the hell!"
What was tugging him soon got the best of him and pulled him into an alley. "Who are you!" Brock demanded.
"Don't blow up on my now Brock."
"Brian?" Brock pulled the web Ariados had stuck to him.
"Yes."
"Why the hell did you walk out on us?"
"I didn't think this was the group that I should travel with."
"How come."
"There is still something between Ash and Misty, and Ash is gonna be on my back all the time."
"Oh Ash isn't that bad when you get to know him."
"I'm still not convinced."
"I think Misty likes you and she needs something to lift her spirits. She's been moody ever since she broke up with Ash."
Shaking his head, "I'll give you one last chance but if I feel like leaving I will."
Brian returned Ariados and walked out of the alley. Brock caught up and they walked back to the Pokécenter. "So you got him," Scott greeted them.
"Barely he's right on the edge we got to get him to really stay."
"I think I have a plan," Ash interrupted.
"Then spill it Ash," Scott demanded.
"Ok we tell him that he can take revenge on Team Rocket because we are constantly running into members."
"Why would that work?"
"Didn't you see how mad he got when Brock said Team Rocket."
"Yeah that may work."
"Let's go try it."
"But first Scott go occupy Misty in case he refuses and walks out. We don't want her to fall apart on the spot."
"Got it. I'll talk to her."
The three guys spilt up and Scott walked over the bench Misty was sitting on. "Brian!"
"Yeah?"
"We want to tell you that if you stay with us you can take your revenge on Team Rocket because we are always running into some members." Ash offered.
"If this is a ploy to get me to stay with you it's working. I'm in." Looking up at the clock "I think we should eat something its 7:24."
"Yeah. Scott! Misty!"
"So where we gonna go eat?" Scott asked.
"Let's just go around town and find somewhere then." Brock answered.
"This café looks good." Brock said with a sly grin.
"I guess we can try it." Brian shrugged.
"This food looks good now lets see how it tastes," Ash said as he eyed his sandwich and the took a large bite, "Great!" he added after swallowing his bite.
"Have you guys seen Brock lately?" Scott asked.
"Why?" Ash asked stuffing his mouth with more of his sandwich.
"His food is here and is getting cold, but he left 10 minutes ago."
Closing his eyes, Scott scanned for Brock with his mind. "He's still in this building. Got him, he's over in the back corner talking with a girl."
"I should have guessed." Misty said in disgust.
"How could you have known he would be with a girl?" Brian asked.
Shaking her head, "He's always been that way when he finds a cute girl. I'm gonna go get him."
"Wait wait I can get him back here faster. Watch." Scott said as he clenched his fists with his eyes still closed.
They heard a scream and a shout and saw Brock go running into the bathroom with a large stain on the front of his shirt and the girl was right behind him going into the other bathroom. "What did you do?" Ash asked between laughs.
"Yeah what happened?" Misty asked laughing.
"Well I blew up the soup the girl was eating."
There was a pause and then the whole café broke out into a laughing frenzy. "So funny!" "What a prank!" "The greatest thing I've seen all day!'
"I'm gonna get that cook fired!"
"Why Brock?" Ash asked holding back a snicker.
"Because, as everyone saw, the soup practically exploded!"
"Oh and you think a soup can actually just blow up." Scott said throwing his hands in the air, "like this?"
A small cardboard box exploded next to Brock and he turned to Scott. "So you were the one that did that back at the café."
"Haha yeah!"
"I'm gonna kill you for that!" he said as he started to chase Scott down the street. Suddenly Scott disappeared and Brock stopped and looked from side to side. "Up here Brock," Scott yelled from the top of a store.
"How the hell did you get up there?"
"Like this," Scott replied as he zapped to a building across the road.
"You're a psychic trainer and you can use psychic attacks."
"Just like Sabrina's dad back in Saffron city." Ash yelled out.
"Ah yes, Sabrina's dad was the one who taught me how to use my powers. Hey!"
A group of little kids gathered at the base of the building and started throwing stones up at Scott.
"Get down!" "Go away!" "Leave us alone!"
"What did I do!?!" Scott asked with a yell as he put his hands out to block the stones.
"You have destroyed our houses!"
"I've only been he one day!!!!!"
"LIAR!!"
Scott snapped he threw a wave of psychic energy at the group gathered. They ran as they saw the energy bearing down on them. The energy hit the sidewalk and propelled some of the slower people onto the other sidewalk. "SHUT UP I AM NOT A LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The people that had massed scattered when they heard Scott scream. Ash and Brock ran towards the people lying on the sidewalk. "Scott why did you do that?"
"I don't know!"
Scott disappeared again and didn't reappear within sight. "Misty, help Ash and Brock I bet I know where he's going."
"Ok but be careful we don't know what he may do," she answered back as she ran towards the injured.
"Let's go Scizor," Brian said as he threw the Pokéball forward and jumped onto Scizor's back, "Take me to the Pokécenter."
Scizor spread his wings and sped off with Brian on his back. They soon arrived at the Pokécenter and flew through the doors. People jumped when they heard Scizor's feet scrap along the floor. "Scott!"
"What do you want?"
"We're kinda worried about you."
"That's a laugh."
"What do you mean?"
"That you guys would care about me."
"They care as much probably more about you than me."
"And why would you think that?"
"I think Ash sees me as a threat to Misty and his relationship and remember since we are the new members in the group we gotta stick together."
"Oh ok, well let's head back."
"Yeah."
"Who caused this?"
"Officer Jenny it was one of our friends. But he was being attacked by these people."
"How were they attacking him?"
"They threw rocks at him."
"Ok we'll take the people in for questioning after they heal."
"There he is!"
"Which one?"
"The one in red jacket and white shirt."
"So what are they gonna do to ya Scott?" Brock wondered.
"Nothing I got out easy but others will have short jail time."
"So we can leave?" Misty asked.
"Its too dark to head out tonight so we'll stay the night at the Pokémon Center then leave tomorrow morning." Brian responded.
"Goodnight Pikachu. Goodnight all."
To be continued…