New chapter! Right before Christmas!
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Episode 4: The Reunion! … Who's the Redhead?
"C'mon… Where… Where is she?"
"Froa… Froakie…?"
"Pika…"
Ash, Froakie, and Pikachu both wait around in the Viridian City Airport, their eyes looking around as they watch many people walk pass them. Ash leans left and right, trying to use his toes to further see above his normal height, in hopes of spotting the person he's looking for.
He woke up super early just come here, much to the ire of a 'friend' he made on the way to Viridian City. Her name is Misty and the two… didn't really have the best start with one another. Well, Ash didn't even have the best start in general with his journey. He woke up late, ran in his pajamas to Professor Oak's lab, and got made fun of by Gary.
You know, the typical shtick.
Gary was just as condescending and arrogant as he was a couple of years ago, although Ash knew that he wouldn't go far with his insults. Not unless Gary wanted another reminder of what happens when you cross Ash. Gary still hasn't forgotten, thus keeping the insults more childish than anything else and just between the two of them.
When Professor Oak handed him his Pokéballs and PokéDex, he didn't get the same celebratory goodbye as Gary, which he didn't mind. While Gary has always been seen as Pallet Town's prodigy child, Ash was usually seen as the average kid with big aspirations, but nothing of importance. Considering Gary is the grandson of Professor Oak and Ash is just the son of two average people, one of whom never made it far in their Pokémon journey, one can imagine the disparity in popularity.
That being said, it didn't bother him too much.
He didn't care that people thought less of him, he was going to prove them wrong! He was going to be the best trainer ever, with his Pokémon by his side!
When his mom finished embarrassing him, by constantly telling him to change his underwear, he immediately changed to his journey clothes and headed off.
In his own haste to catch a new Pokémon, Froakie and Pikachu both accidentally struck a Spearow's nest. In other words, they all messed up. Spearow called its entire flock and began chasing the three. Froakie was heavily damaged from their assaults.
Froakie tried to fight them all off, throwing Water Pulse after Water Pulse to hit them, but the flock were smart and avoided the attacks. They began to attack Ash, pecking him and clawing him, but he didn't give in. When he saw a cliff during his attempted escape, he grabbed his two Pokémon and jumped off into the surging waters below him.
And that's where Misty comes into play.
… By immediately slapping him! In her anger, she accused Ash of hurting his own Pokémon, calling him a reckless idiot, much to his chagrin. However, she did tell him where the nearest Pokémon Center was going to be at: Viridian City.
And when he saw the flock appearing above the trees, still in search of Ash, he thanked her the best way possible – by stealing her bike! Ash can still see the rage induced Misty scream bloody murder at him for stealing her bike, but he promised to return it!
Which he didn't, because… well, it's destroyed thanks to Pikachu!
Froakie and Pikachu were still trying to fight the Spearow for Ash, as he continued to cycle, but with the mixture of rain and mud, he easily lost control when he didn't see a ledge. Ash then attempted to do the most reckless thing ever, sacrifice himself for his Pokémon.
"Spearow, do you know who I am? I'm Ash Ketchum from the Town of Pallet. I'm destined to be the world's number one Pokémon Master. I can't be defeated by the likes of you. I'm going to capture and defeat you all! Do you hear me?" He spoke bravely to them, knowing full well it's all a bluff. He just wanted his Pokémon to escape with their lives.
"Come and get me!" he yelled out to them, which made them all charge at him.
Pikachu, using the lightning storm above them, was able to save them all from the attack.
After waking up, Ash was hugged by both Pikachu and Froakie, as they cried over their trainer's body, thinking the worst. He hugged them back, comforting them, but they all watched as a shiny, golden, and majestic bird Pokémon flew over them, a rainbow being cast over. He immediately used his PokéDex to snap a photo of it.
The PokéDex just stated to him, "No Pokémon identified. There are still many more Pokémon to be discovered."
What's even crazier is that while the majestic bird was flying, it dropped a feather! The feather, as Ash can best describe it, is just a normal plume, but when held up high, shines a bright spectrum of colors at once. Ash called it the Rainbow Wing and put it away, noticing that it's almost impossible to crumple it, much to his relief at the time.
That made him and his two Pokémon all the excited for their journey… until Viridian City happened.
Not only was he thought a criminal by Officer Jenny, but when he arrived at the Pokémon Center, he was yelled at by Misty, who threatened she wanted her bike back or be bought a new one.
Then the whole Team Rocket debacle happened and… yeah, let's just say that the Pokémon Center wasn't fully all there anymore. Since then, Misty tagged along with him, stating, "Since you're going on an adventure, I might as well follow because you owe me a new bike, Ash Ketchum!"
Froakie and Pikachu just wished she'd disappear.
When calling his mom, she was the first to congratulate him for reaching Viridian City. He was praised by his mom about getting there so fast that his father once took four days to get there, but he didn't care about that. He just wanted to talk to his mom after such a crazy day. She spoke to him about making sure he took care of himself and his Pokémon and that the world isn't going to play nice now, and that he should be careful from now on.
Then she mentioned Serena and his heart skipped, he almost forgot about her! Grace apparently called his mom and explained that Serena was heading to Viridian City! She was going to land in a couple of days, early in the morning, as said by the ticket they bought for her.
And now that's where they are right now, Ash still waiting impatiently for Serena, Misty with her arms crossed with an annoyed look at the boy, and Froakie and Pikachu on him waiting just as impatiently.
"Just wait, Ketchum, you moving around is getting on my nerves!" Misty hisses at Ash, making him harrumph at her, a frown forming on his face.
"Well sorry," he retorts, "you didn't have to come here with me, you know!" She really didn't have to be there, but Misty was adamant to come with him, but he didn't care. In Ash's eyes, she only came along to make sure he didn't run off or something.
"Yeah, well," she didn't really have a way to respond. It's true, she didn't have to come here, waiting in some airport for this brat's friend. Who was this friend anyway? He didn't mention at all, but it's not like she cares. All he kept saying was that it was his best friend since they were 6. All she knows is that the friend is a girl, and she wonders how any girl can be friends with him of all people.
Misty just huffs, turning away from Ash, who just grins victoriously at their argument. Froakie then notices a certain someone, he smiles, and pokes Pikachu to look in the area he's staring at. Pikachu then looks and he too smiles brightly, "Pikapi!" he calls out, excitedly. Ash then looks over to where Pikachu was pointing and Ash's eyes widen, the smile he had from winning his argument against Misty turns into the happiest smile he could muster.
"Serena!" he calls out, waving an arm with gusto.
He then runs over, Froakie and Pikachu following him with smiles on their face. Misty just sighs and follows but is sort of surprised at the fact the boy was just happy. It was kind of cute, in a way. She shakes her head at the thought and walks herself there.
"Ash!" Serena calls out, a blush forming on her cheeks as she runs towards him. Subconsciously, she played with the very same blue-ribbon Ash got her all those years ago. It was wrapped as a cute little bow on her shirt.
The two slowly stop their run towards one another, stopping a foot apart, staring at each other.
He couldn't believe it… Serena is here in the flesh! She's finally here with him! He spreads his arms out, inviting her for a hug.
She begins to tear up, she sniffs, and just rushes in, hugging him tightly, "Oh my god, it's good to see you again…" she squeezes him, wanting to make sure he wasn't going to disappear this time around. Ash just chuckles and comforts her with gentle pats on the back.
"I missed you too, 'Rena… we all did!"
When pulls her away from the hug, Pikachu and Froakie both jump into her arms, surprising her. Her wide eyes then just go back to normal as she laughs, holding the two of them, "Oh it's so nice to see you again, Froakie!" she then looks at Pikachu and squeezes him, much to Pikachu's delight, "And it's so good to finally meet you in person, Pikachu!"
As the two got to be reacquainted, Misty watches with a surprised look on her face… this was his friend? Wow. How did she put up with him? Misty holds back from snickering at the idea that Ash just annoyed the girl to death until she became friends. Was she being rude? Well, Ash didn't really make a good first impression on her. However, right now seeing the two of them just happy, she couldn't help but smile… it was cute.
… Not that she would admit it.
Feeling left out, she just does a fake cough to get their attention.
Ash, Serena, Froakie, and Pikachu just look at an annoyed Misty, who just taps her foot, "Well, Ash? You gonna introduce me to your friend or not?"
Ash lets out a nervous chuckle, "Yeah, yeah. Sorry," he then looks at Serena, "Serena, this is Misty!" He gestures to Misty who just gives her a small wave, "And Misty, this is Serena! She's been my best friend since we were 6!" He gestures back to Serena, who just nods at Misty.
Who is this redhead? Serena tries not to frown, not wanting to ruin the mood, but… Misty totally ruined her mood. She looks over to Ash, "So, how did… you two meet?" she asks with a rather sharp tone, one that was noticed by Misty, but she ignores it as she just glares at Ash. The hostility Misty is showing to Ash is rubbing Serena the wrong way and she's not having it at all.
'Oh, I don't like you already,' Serena thinks as one of her eye twitches.
"Well, your friend took my bike and broke it!" Misty snaps, turning her head to glare at a defensive Ash.
"Hey, you saw the Spearow after me! I had to take it, I'm sorry! I told you I'll pay you back for it one day!"
"That doesn't matter you little pipsqueak!"
The two argue and Serena just sighs, putting herself between Ash and Misty, "Okay… Explain this from the top," she looks at Ash, who sheepishly looks away. Misty just rolls her eyes. She knew this girl was going to take Ash's side anyway but might as well let him explain his side… again. After Ash explains his side, Serena shakes her head at his recklessness.
"Ash," she chides softly, her eyes filled with worry, "don't ever do something stupid like that again, please."
He just glances away, but she knows he's not doing it to be rude. She holds his hand gently, trying hard not to blush. She squeezes it, comforting him. "At least you're okay, that's all that matters. You, Froakie, and Pikachu." He smiles, nodding at her.
"Thank you, Serena."
She then thinks about how to respond to Misty. She mentally rolls her eyes. Screw it. The girl was annoying her. She then turns around to face a huffy Misty. She takes away her hand from Ash's, albeit reluctantly, and crosses her arms, giving the ginger girl a similar huffy look, "Well?"
Oh, Misty was not liking the curt response, "What do you mean 'well'?! He took my bike!"
"Yeah, and as he said, he was running for his life!" Serena argues back. Was this rude tomboy really prioritizing a stupid bike over someone's life?!
"He already agreed to let me join him until he can pay me back! What are you, his mother? Don't defend him for something was his fault! He provoked the Spearow and now I lost my bike because of him!" Misty gets up in Serena's face, Ash was ready to stop the two from further arguments, but Serena stopped him. She gave him a look to let her deal with it.
He was wise enough to let her do it herself.
Misty continues, "This idiot needs to face the facts he needs to pay me back for his own idiocy!"
"Oh, I know he's an idiot," Serena began, making Ash fall in disbelief, "But accidents happen! Just because he and his Pokémon were excited at starting their journey and accidentally angering a flock of Spearow, that doesn't mean his life is less important than some stupid bike! If you were in his position, wouldn't you have done the same?!"
"No, because I wouldn't dare provoke some stupid Spearow!"
"Oh-ho, and because you wouldn't that doesn't make him less of a trainer just because of a small mistake! The fact you care about your bike over a life just shows how selfish you are!"
"Selfish?! How dare you!"
Ash, Froakie, and Pikachu look around nervously as people watch them argue, he can hear some guy's even whisper about a love triangle, making him wince. It's not like that at all!
The trio watch in fear as both girls stare at each other intensely, their anger for one another reaching sky high, and he swore he can see lightning coming from them both! Pikachu just whispers something in Ash's ear, in hopes of helping defuse the situation, "Pikapi pika," he's telling Ash to ask Serena where's Eevee.
Froakie overhears and nods, "Froakie…" he whispers, hugging Ash's leg.
They're both just wanting this fight to end before it gets worse, and Ash was inclined to try anything.
Ash gulps, nodding, 'Gotta end this somehow… Don't want them to kill each other now… heh…' he then does a fake cough of his own, catching the girls' attention, "Uh… Serena… how's, er, where's E-Eevee?"
This makes Serena instantly forget the argument she was having with Misty as she smiles brightly, opening her slightly opened backpack fully to show a sleeping Eevee. Ash is amused at the fact that Eevee slept through the entire argument. Lucky girl. Eevee then feels the cold AC air hit the inside of the backpack, making her stir, she opens her eyes and sees Ash and Serena staring at her with a smile. She immediately jumps out of the backpack with glee, "Vui!"
She rushes to Ash's arms and Ash laughs, holding the Eon Pokémon, "Oh, Eevee! It's so good to see you again, buddy!" Eevee jumps down of his arms to greet herself to Pikachu and Froakie, who both smile and begin to play with her.
The tension in the area just lifted, thanks to Pikachu's bright idea.
Misty watches in adoration at the Eevee, her hands clasped together tightly as she gushes, "Oh my god, Eevee is so cute! How did you even get one?!" Misty turns to Serena, her mood shifted. Serena puts her hands on her hips in a smug way, pointing at Ash with fervor.
"You can thank Ash here for that! Eevee was my birthday present!" Ash blushes, turning away, laughing nervously.
"Hehe…"
Misty just raises an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't expect Ash of all people to get an Eevee – let alone just hand one out. "And how did you get your hands on Eevee, Ash? I mean, they're quite rare… and usually not seen in Pallet Town." Serena bit back the urge to let her know that Froakie isn't native to Kanto, but considering the mood is a lot better because of Eevee, she let it slide for now.
Ash wasn't that smart, "Well, Froakie isn't either, Misty," he smiles at Eevee playing around, "I got her from Professor Oak. He wasn't too keen on giving me her, saying I had two Pokémon already and I was being greedy," Ash laughs at the memory, "Mom and I had to explain that I'd do chores at the lab to prove I can take care of Eevee and that it wasn't for me, but for 'Rena."
After explaining to Misty how he got Froakie, Serena smiles at the memory, but then she gasps, turning to Ash right away, "By the way! Do you want to see what I got from Professor Sycamore?!" She bounces happily, showing Ash a Pokéball.
Ash has stars in his eyes, nodding enthusiastically, "Yeah! I want to see!"
Misty shakes her head at him but watches coolly with interest on the starter. Serena grins, throwing the Pokéball high in the air, which then opens, with an orange fennec looking Pokémon pops out, "Fennekin!" she calls out happily, her tail wagging at seeing her trainer. Eevee pounces on her, happy to see her friend.
"Pika!" Pikachu squeals happily, waving at the new friend.
"Kie!" Froakie just nods, happy to see a fellow Kalosian Pokémon, Fennekin blushes and looks away at Froakie. The blue frog just looks at her confused but shrugs it off.
"No way! You got a Fennekin!" Ash gushes, crouching down to pet Fennekin, making Fennekin look at him oddly. Who was this boy? She looks over to her trainer to see what she should do. All she sees is her Serena nodding, her eyes glimmering with happiness at the boy's exclamation.
"Yeah, Professor Sycamore said I can keep her! He didn't know about Eevee until the day of, but still wanted me to take her! Fennekin," she crouches down to her starter Pokémon, "this is Ash, and he's been my best friend for a very long time! He's a sweet boy! I'm sure you'll like him!"
Fennekin just smiles, nodding and lets Ash continue in petting her. If her trainer says he's a friend, then he's okay in her eyes!
Misty smiles, "She is quite cute."
Serena thanks her, still not all to warm to the idea of the girl following Ash, but she figures for now it'd best just let Ash take care of things. She smiles, looking at her crush, swaying back and forth with excitement, "So, I think we should head out now, don't you think?"
Ash grins, fist pumped up excitedly, "Then let's go! The sooner we get to Pewter City, the sooner I get my first badge! But first, off to Viridian Forest!" Serena just giggles at his enthusiasm, but Misty freezes… oh, right… Viridian Forest…
She sighs, she really has no choice but to follow him. She made her bed, now she has to sleep on it.
Serena opens up her tablet, happy to see that the entire map of Kanto has been downloaded, "Well, that's great! I have a feeling that if we make our way now, we can probably get to Pewter City in about 2 or 3 days!"
She recalls Eevee and Fennekin and turns back to Ash and Misty, "I'm ready whenever you guys are!"
Misty jitters at the thought of going through Viridian Forest, but Ash doesn't seem to notice as he grabs both hers and Serena's wrists, pulling them forward with a grin, "Then let's go!"
"Pika!" Pikachu jumps onto his right shoulder.
"Froakie!" Froakie hangs onto his left shoulder.
Grumble
They all blink and turn to the person who's stomach just growled. "Hehe… sorry," Serena apologizes sheepishly, sticking her tongue out, "I didn't really eat all the way here. Why don't we just go ahead and eat before we head off!"
Despite the damages done to the building, Nurse Joy stated the Pokémon Center is still in operation and that the only things damaged were the guest rooms. As much as it bothered a lot of the trainers stopping by, it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to the building. Miraculously enough, the dining area was still intact!
Serena was explained by the both of them that Team Rocket attempted to hijack the building and capture the defenseless Pokémon, but luckily for Nurse Joy and the sick Pokémon, Ash and Misty were able to stop the bandits. Serena wanted to scold Ash for being reckless but held it off since she knew it was in his nature to always help somebody in need.
Ash already got plates for him and Serena, placing them down on the table, and waits for her. Misty just began eating, not wanting to wait, which was fine by them. Misty just raises an eyebrow at Ash as she puts her utensils down, "You sure care for her, huh?"
She bit back a smirk as Ash just gives her a glare, but she continues, "How did you get such a nice-looking girl like her to become so close to you? I swear, you two look like you guys would be miles apart." She teases, but Ash still took offense. He didn't want to argue, so he just shrugs it off.
"Well, things just plan out that way," his retort was rather simple.
"Speaking of her, where is she?"
"She went to get her Pokémon checked. She said after we finish eating, she'll call her mom to let her know she made it here safely." Ash smiles, "It'd be nice to talk to her mom again. Mrs. Paschall was always so cool to talk to! She's a Rhyhorn Racer, and it's super fun to watch one of her races! Mom and I would always tune in whenever she would race!"
Misty almost looks kind of jealous, "You're really close with her and her family, huh?"
Ash nods, looking out the window, "It was always us two… my friend became my rival, and he was often a jerk about everything, so… it was just her and I, plus her cousin, but he was already a trainer. He's an awesome trainer, and I'd like to battle him one day! We pretty much were inseparable, and I'd like to continue being that way with her, even after our journey ends in Kanto one day."
'Hm… Maybe he's not so bad after all,' she muses to herself.
Serena ran to them, panting, "Sorry, sorry," she apologizes, thanking Ash for giving her a plate. She sits down next to him, with him scooting over to give her some room for the two to eat. Misty just watches them eat and notices that Ash is trying really hard to not eat like a slob.
She notices him forcing himself to eat at a slower pace, not trying to scarf his food down. She almost found it amusing. Serena ate calmly and gracefully. The two were so opposite of one another, Misty almost found it incredible Ash and her were best friends.
Don't best friends usually like and do the same stuff? She doesn't know. She never really had many friends.
Serena would be the first to finish her food, while Ash still tried to eat the remaining food, making her laugh, "Oh, Ash, why aren't you inhaling your food?" She teases him, making him laugh nervously, Pikachu and Froakie shake their head.
"Uh… Just wanted to eat like a normal person?"
"Ash, you're far from normal," was her only reply, albeit a very playful one.
Ash just laughs.
And the reunion finally happened!
Originally, I wanted them to meet up in Vermilion City, shortly after Ash fought Lt. Surge, but I realized if I was going to do a certain episode, I figured it wouldn't be fair for Serena to get into a life-threatening situation already.
There will be more chances of that later on!
Aren't I nice?
