Disclamer- I don't own Pokemon. Plain and simple. If I did, not many would watch it.
Notes-
'thought' "speak" (author's notes) ~psychic communication~ spell
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Chapter Nine-Ember Ridge City: Meeting the weapon's craftman Reed!
As the morining sun came to Ember Ridge City, so did four travlers. One in particular was looking for a certian building.
"WHERE IS THE WEAPON FORGE HERE!!!" shouted Ash as he ran into the town.
"Ash! Calm down and stop running! That's not going to get you anywhere!" shouted Misty.
Ash paid no heed to her words and ran blindly into the town. Billy jumped up and ran along the buildings until he caught up to Ash and jumped on him.
"OW! What the heck are you doing, Billy!" shouted Ash.
"LISTEN TO ME!!" shouted Billy. "Calm down. You can wait to have your katana re-forged. We'll find the forge together. Just relax. Just relax."
Ash finally listened and calmed down. As soon as he did, he stopped his hold on Ash.
"Good, now come on. We'll go get some breakfast and then we can search for the forge all day and stop for meals. Is that okay?" asked Billy.
Ash only nodded. He didn't trust himself to speak because he knew that he would only end up yelling and screaming to go to the forge.
"*gasp* Ash, don't run off again. You can run too fast now." said Misty.
"Yeah, are you okay now?" asked Brock while dragging his sword.
Ash nodded. "I'll be okay."
The group then set out on their search. Through the numerous streets, they went. Many different and interesting stores were all over. Some sold clothes, others had weapons, some had souviners, others sold fire pokemon. The part that was a grocery market sold numerous and exotic fruits and vegtables along with various spices. But nowhere could Ash find what he sought out. The weapon forge.
"It's got to be around here somewhere... Oof!" again, Ash bummped into someone. However, before he could appologise, the person was gone. "Why do I keep doing that?"
At lunch, Ash ate rather quickly. It was no different than any other day, but he seemed to do so with more urgency that usual.
"Ash, calm down. Chew. The weapon forge is not going to go anywhere." said Billy.
Ash gulped down some more of his drink and paid no heed to Billy as he continued to eat at an amazing rate.
"I get no respect these days."
It was at that moment, that someone ran up to them. Crimson red hair framed his face. A slightly tan complection. Dark red eyes like his hair looked out at them and stared at Ash's current eating habits. He was about the same age as Billy. He wore a light red muscle shirt and dark blue jean shorts.
"I thought I saw you. Hey Billy!" said the boy.
When the boy spoke, something clicked in Billy's head. "Oh! Hey Reed! How's it going?"
"Not bad." said Reed. "Whatcha doing in town? You should have called. I would have made lunch and you guys could have come eat at my place, but who are the other guys?"
"Um, the girl's Misty. This guy eating like mad is Ash, and over here is Brock." said Billy.
"Nice to meet you all. So, what's your business in Ember Ridge City?"
"Mphan orge." said Ash with his mouth full.
"Come again?" asked Reed.
Ash swallowed all the food in his mouth and then said, "Weapon forge."
"OH! Why didn't you say so! I know where it is. I own it."
When Reed said that, Ash jumped out of his seat, grabbed Reed and kind of glared at him.
"TELL ME WHERE IT IS!!!! I MUST GO TO THE WEAPON FORGE!!!"
It took Billy and Brock to pull Ash off of a startled Reed. Still so, Ash kept squirming to try and interrogate Reed.
"Sorry for Ash's behavior. He broke his katana and really needs it fixed." said Billy while bowing.
"It's okay. Finish up and I'll lead you there."
Ash then yelled at everyone to finish quickly and stuffed down his own food. Everyone did eat quickly, not wanting to get on Ash's bad side as he was, and then Reed led the way. From the restaraunt, they headed to the edge of town. From there, they started going up a path up a volcano
"It's getting hot." complained Misty.
"Yeah... I could use some water right now..." said Ash.
Reed looked behind at them and then smiled. "Don't worry. It's only a little while longer. See that building over there? That's the forge."
Seeing the building, Ash found some strange form of strength and ran up the path to it.
"Ash! Wait! You need me to open the door!" shouted Reed as he ran after him.
The other three groaned and followed the running pair. Soon, they found Reed scolding Ash at the doorway. It seemed that Ash had not heard Reed and tried to break the door down. He ended up slightly burning himself from the heated surface.
"Don't you ever think! You could have gotten seriously hurt! This door gets really hot some times! We're near a volcano for crying out loud!" shouted Reed.
"Sorry... I just really want my katana fixed..." wispered Ash.
Reed sighed. "I guess it's okay. I mean, you didn't really get hurt too bad and everything. Come on, I'll get you something for your burn when we get inside then I can look at your katana."
"Thanks."
Reed opened the door without getting burned and let everyone inside. It was an amazing change of temperature from the outside. It was a nice cool temperature which was surprising for a forge. Reed vanished behind a door for a minute or two and reappeared with some medications for Ash's minor burns.
"So, your parents let you run the forge now?" asked Billy as Reed gave Ash the medicines.
"Yeah, they think I'm responsible enough now. As if I wasn't before." laughed Reed. "But still, it's hard work, but it's fun."
"Ow! This stuff stings!" shouted Ash as he put on the medicine.
"Oh quit crying! You weren't complaining when you were getting hit by attacks from all those gym leaders. Why cry over this medicine?" preached Misty as she helped him.
"Because, it stings!"
"Cry baby."
"Why don't you try it and then talk to me."
"Stop fighing you two. Now may I please see your katana, Ash." said Reed.
Ash handed over all the parts of his katana.
"Wow, you did a number on this one. Blade's completely shattered. Who gave it to you?" asked Reed.
"Brian Star."
"Brian? He forges better quality than this." said Reed as he looked at the pieces.
"What! You know Brian! You mean that Brian can forge weapons?" said Misty.
"Yeah, he probably didn't make this one. Ash, did he pull this out of a huge store room full of weapons?"
"Um, yeah, he did."
"It figures. This thing's probably been made by his grandfather ages ago. No wonder it broke."
"Wait, Brian has weapons that are that old?" asked Ash.
"Yup. Some even older. Don't know why he keeps them. I told them if he was going to give them away, they'd break. Didn't listen. Now I have to fix his stupid mistake." sighed Reed. "He's just not as responsible anymore."
"Brian, irresponsible? Never." said Billy. "He'd die first."
"Yeah, maybe. Okay, I'll go work on this now. It'll feel only a little bit hotter in here when I get started, but you shouldn't notice." said Reed before he went in another door.
"Hotter? I'm scared." said Misty.
"Trust me, if he says a little hotter, it really will be only a little hotter." said Billy. "The main forge is behind many rooms and doors. That's why the temperature doesn't really rise when he gets working."
"Okay..."
Reed took a long time to finish his work. He had been right. The temperature did raise only a little. It was barely noticable. When Reed returned, the katana was as good as new and even better.
"Ash, here ya go. I added some stronger metals so it'll be better. It should last a reasonably good time. Maybe about 9000 battles give or take 237 or so."
"You're kidding me, right?" said Ash. "Nine thousand battles? No way."
"Way. Metals here are super strong." replied Reed as if it was nothing.
"Thanks Reed! Now I can face the gym leader with no problem!" cheered Ash.
At that, Reed started laughing.
"What? What's so funny?" asked Ash.
"You'll definately have a problem." said Reed still laughing.
"Why? Did you do something to my katana?" asked Ash angrily.
"No. That katana is near indestructable now. I'm only laughing cause you could never defeat me."
"Defeat you? Then that means..."
"That's right! I am Reed Flare, gym leader of the Ember Ridge Gym and I accept your challenge!"
StarMage: Sorry I haven't updated in so long. One thing led to another and another and you know how it goes. -_-' Anyway, here's Brian with the preview of the next chapter if I remember to write it.
Brian: *Glares at StarMage* So Reed's accepted Ash's challenge for a gym battle. You can be sure that this battle will be hot and firey. Maybe even litterally! With his restored katana, can Ash win against Reed while fighting over a volcano? Who knows what's in store in the next chapter: Challenge Accepted! The Firey Gym Battle!
StarMage: It may take a while, but don't worry. I'll try to make it a great chapter!
Brian: Or he'll take forever and you'll never know what happened. So review to remind him how much you like this story and want him to write it! REVIEW PEOPLE!!!
