Where The Red Fern Grows: A Pokemon Story

Cerulean Shadow's Note: To Soft Flame Matthias, yes, I am gonna put down a tragic moment on the 10th chapter, which is also another tragic moment for the story. And it does have something to do with Meowth and Pikachu. You're not gonna like it. Believe me... And also, the "Nemesis" will appear in there. And, I SHALL break a leg. That is, if I can... Sorry if this chapter took so long to update!

To ShadowYin-Yang, it's just what they eat is about the size. They kinda made the Ghost Goon eat a little more fatter. Go figure... Also, the hunted RACCOONS on the original "Where The Red Fern Grows". And it's called "Where The Red Fern Grows". But soon enough, you and Soft Flame Matthias will finally find out in the last chapter WHY this is called "Where The Red Fern Grows".

Like I said, NO ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEOWTH AND PIKACHU. 'Nuff said.

ENJOY!

BEGINNING OF SCENE EIGHT

The whole family, including Pikachu and Meowth, were walking in the woods towards Grandpa's house for a perfect Sunday dinner. Jessie and James were holding hands (as they enjoyed in real life), while Pikachu and Meowth were trying to race each other.

"Come on, now, girls." Jessie said to Misty and May. "Hurry up. Grandpa's waiting."
"I have an idea, Jessie, this ain't just a Sunday dinner we're going to." James said.
"Why? Do you think he's got something else up his sleeve?"
"Knowing your father, it could be anything, especially where Ash's concerned."

Dinner arrived soon. Everyone ate the last crumb of Grandpa's meals. It was delicious, but somehow they turned out full just before the minute.

"All right, Jessie. I know you want some more tater pie." Grandpa said.
"Thank you, no." Jessie said.
"Uh, James? You? How about some?"
"No, no. I couldn't." James said.
"Girls? Huh?"
"No thanks, Grandpa. I'm stuffed." Misty said.
"I'm full, too." May said.
"May, did you know this is your grandma's favorite recipe?"
"No more, Grandpa." Jessie said.
"Now what are you trying to tell us, Oak?" James asked.

"I'll just throw it to the critters, then." Grandpa replied, changing the subject.
"All right, Poppa. What is it?" Jessie asked. "What's on your mind?"
"Mind? I--"
"Well, you must have some purpose for laying out a feed like this." James said.
"No, I just wanted Jessie to get out of the kitchen and sample some real cooking here."
"Poppa, will you stop your teasing? You got something up your sleeve, and what is it?"

"I don't. I got nothing up my sleeve, that's a promise. But uh... I do have a little thing here in my pocket that might be of interest to you. Ash, why don't you read that out?"

Grandpa handed Ash a small newspaper which was folded in half. Ash could read it more clearly, however. Pikachu and Meowth didn't jump on his shoulders to read what it said, but managed to get a glimpse of it from the table.

"Ozark Championship Zigzagoon Hunt To Be Held"

"There you go. I don't know about ya'll, but I've always been interested in being in a real Zigzagoon hunt. Ash, all you have to do is enter Old Meowth and Little Pikachu and we're in the contest." Grandpa said.

"I told you, Grandpa. I ain't never going hunting again." Ash said.

"I ain't talking about you entering, I'm talking about entering the Pokemon. Giving them Pokemon a chance to prove how good they are. Best in Oklahoma." Grandpa said.

He turned to James.

"Do you know I made a record of every Zigzagoon he treed? I took it over to J.B Johnson, down at the courthouse. He made some kind of... notary's affidavit, or something like that. Turns out there ain't a pair of Pokemon in this county can hold a candle to his--"

"That's enough, now." James finally said.
"Enough?"
"Well, they're Ash's Pokemon. He worked for 'em. It's gotta be his decision."

"... Maybe I will have one more tiny slice of that tater pie." Jessie said. "Then I think I need to get started on cleaning up the dishes."

"Oh, no you don't. That's Misty and me and May. We're gonna do that, aren't we girls?" Grandpa asked.

"I'll wash and May can dry." Misty said.
"Maybe I wanna wash." May protested.

"Maybe Ash and I can take a look at the pump and see what's causing that leak." James said to Grandpa.

"No, James. No, no. Relax. Wilkins are coming Tuesday--"

"I'll do it."

It was Ash. Did he just say I'll do it? Is he gonna enter in that competition?

"Hmm?" Grandpa asked in question.
"Grandpa's right. Meowth and Pikachu are the best. They have the right to prove it." Ash said.

Both Pikachu and Meowth smiled in delight.

"... Well, I think that settles it." James said.
"All right, then." Grandpa smiled.

Ash, Grandpa, James, Meowth, and Pikachu were on their way to the competition grounds, which was located in the eastern woods. They rode in their carriage, which was pulled by a Ponyta. Ash looked around in a whole mess of people. It was full of trained horse Pokemon. But it seemed the woods was covered with a whole mess of hunting Pokemon; Skitty, Poochyena, Mightyena, and Meowths. Meowth and Pikachu were quite amazed themselves. They saw a few Pokemon being examined for breeding, as Grandpa and James waved at fellow hunters.

"Well, I expected a mess of people but... nothing like this." Grandpa said.
"There's those fellers who were hunting over at our place a while back." James said.
"Mr. Bellington." Ash remembered. "He won the competition last year."
"He must be here to win again." James said.
"We'll see about that. Right, Ash?" Grandpa asked.

"Afternoon folks."

Ash recognized that voice. He finally saw a brown haired man walk up to the carriage with a beige hat on. It was the sheriff from Tahlequah! Ash really didn't know if he should believe it or not. Pikachu made a small Pika to the surprise of seeing an old friend.

"Howdy." Grandpa said.
"How you doing?" James asked.
"Good." Sheriff said. "I'm collecting for the pool, if you're interested. Cash pool."
"Cash pool?" Grandpa asked.
"Uh-huh."

"Howdy, Sheriff." Ash said.

The Sheriff was also amazed. He laughed as if he saw someone for the first time.

"Well, if it isn't the boy who tried to fight every kid in town. All at the same time. Ain't that right? Are these the same Pokemon?" Sheriff asked.

"Yes, sir. They sure are." Ash said.
"They sure grew into some fine looking Pokemon." he replied.
"Ah, thank you. Pa, Grandpa? This is the sheriff I told you about, from Tahlequah." Ash said.
"Birch O'Donnell." Sheriff said, shaking James' hand. "I'm pleased to meet you at last."

"James Coleman. Thank you for looking after my boy."
"Samuel Randall." Grandpa said, also shaking Sheriff's hand. "You said, uh, you said something about a cash pool?"

"Oh, yeah. Yeah, each contestant puts in $5. Make up a cash pool. Whoever wins, wins it, and the cup."

"$5?" James asked as the Sheriff nodded.

"Now, wait a minute." Grandpa said as he pulled out $5 from his pocket. "I think we'd better go along with that, there. That's like finding money. That ought to be $5. Put it in their name, though if you will. Coleman." He handed the Sheriff the money.

"Coleman." Sheriff said.

A gunshot fired. A Zigzagoon runs off into the woods to escape the hunting Pokemon that was coming towards them. A Poochyena and a Skitty pick up the scent of the Pokemon and run for it. Zigzagoon crosses the river quickly and accurately as it can. But it seems these two Pokemon will still continue their hunt for a one way down night time. At night, hunters were gathered around the grounds of the competition around the fire, and a group of folk singers playing "Old Joe Clark", celebrating the competition. In the woods, Pikachu and Meowth pick up the scent of a Zigzagoon down the hill. Ash followed them, immediately slipping through the leaves.

"But the point is, there ain't a pair of Pokemon out there that ain't gonna be struggling to keep up with Old Meowth and Little Pikachu. That's a promise, there." Grandpa said to a few hunters.

Soon enough, every single hunter in the competition were inside a big tent, where Sheriff was about to announce today's competition news.

"Let me have your attention, in here, gentlemen. All right? I got a special bulletin. Carl Brown's Pokemon have treed the first Zigzagoon of this contest, not 20 minutes ago. And the Poochyena are on the trail of another one. Hate to tell you this, but Old Carl may whip you before you even get a chance to start." Sheriff said.

"Hear that, Grandpa?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, I heard it." Grandpa replied.
"They almost have two Zigzagoons already..."
"Now, don't you start quitting before you get started here."
"I don't know. There's some mighty fine Pokemon out there."

"Isn't that what they're doing, they're just stirring 'em up for when you get out there. You're gonna lick 'em. You're gonna lick 'em good."

Outside, men could hear Poochyena barking and baying at the Zigzagoon from afar. But their attention was focused on each other's words to when their next Pokemon is coming up.

"Sounds like they're onto one already." Ash said.
"Yeah." Grandpa answered.

"Well, howdy, folks." Norman Kyle said as he walked up.
"Hey, Mr. Kyle. You remember my boy?" James asked.

"Sure do. Well, say, them your Pokemon, son? Oh, I figured you'd get you some, but boy, I didn't think they'd be such fine ones. What line'd you draw?"

"Third." Ash answered.
"Say, you're a little unlucky." Norman said.
"How come unlucky?" Grandpa asked.

"Well, our Mr. Bellington has got his Pokemon in the best shape ever. There may not be any Zigzagoon left by the time you boys get out there."

"Mr. Bellington better not start shining that award before he gets his hands on it, I'll tell you that." Grandpa said. "Pikachu and Meowth here are gonna smell out every Zigzagoon from here to Arkansas and back (CS's/N: I hope)."

"I'm gonna go get a little shuteye, fellas. Good luck." Norman said as the folk singers started to play their song.

"He was dead
I rammed my finger down his throat
And I pulled out a chicken head
Fare thee well, old Joe Clark,
Fare thee well, I say,
Fare thee well, old Joe Clark,
Haven't got long to stay..."

The next morning, a crowd of people finally made it to the stand of the competition. The Sheriff had his clipboard, and already had the remaining results of the most Zigzagoon hunted.

"All right. All right. Come on, everybody. Come on. The eliminations are over. The finalists are: no surprise, Harrison Bellington..."

Men clapped, and Harrison smiled.

"... Carl Brown..."

Carl made a thumbs up sign as men started to clap as well.

"... And a newcomer, Ash Coleman."
"Yeah!" James exclaimed.

Every single man, including the Sheriff, started to clap louder for the boy. Ash ws amazed that he was finally a finalist in a Zigzagoon hunting competition. Meowth and Pikachu gave each other high fives and smiles at each other. Ash pet both of their heads in a proud manner. They did great. All of them.

"Now, we're gonna start at sundown. And the Pokemon that bring the most Zigzagoon skins by sunup tomorrow morning's gonna win that cup!" Sheriff exclaimed as men clapped. "Not to mention that cash pool."

Men clapped and cheered.

"Good luck."

"Well, these Pokemon are raring to go." Norman said to Harrison Bellington as the Poochyena and Skitty were energetic and ready to hunt.

"So am I, Norman. So am I." Harrison said, before he turned to Ash, James, and Grandpa. "How you doing, boy?" he asked Ash.

"Howdy." James said.
"Hey, how you doing?" Grandpa asked.
"Pretty good." Harrison said.

Pikachu and Meowth, meanwhile, started to say hello to the Poochyena. Meowth started to grow more interest in the Skitty, who was entirely May's Skitty.

"Good luck, Mr. Bellington." Ash said.

"Well, thank you, young man. Course, I wont be relying on good luck. I'm gonna be relying on the finest pair of Pokemon I've ever owned. Good luck to you. See you." Harrison said as he walked away. "Let's go feed these guys." he said to Norman.

"Sure thing, Harrison." Norman said.

For the first time, Ash felt annoyed with Harrison. He actually thought he can win this competition again? Meowth shook his head very slowly at Pikachu.

"... Come on, Ash." James said. "We got a long night. Let's get some rest."

END OF SCENE EIGHT

At the lounge, Meowth and Pikachu plopped on the couch, since they were both alone.

"Well, I guess dat da next two scenes mean more ta us before da last scene... da one where we..."
"Pika. Pika Pi Pika Pikachu Pi Pika Pikachu Pika." Pikachu said.
"You say dat we can still be friends afta dis play?"
"Pika."

"... Well, you did try ta save my life in da story. You know, when dat nemesis tried ta kill Old Dan, and... Little Ann helped him?"

"Pika."

TO BE CONTINUED...