Episode Two-Random Encounters

"Po," Pochama shouted as it shot out a powerful bubble attack towards a Rattata.

"Rattata, use quick-attack!" A fourteen year old boy shouted. Without notice the Rattata disappeared then reappeared long enough to tackle Pochama, who toppled backwards.

"Good Rattata, now finish it with a tackle!"

Maya panicked, "Pochama, withstand and surprise!"

Pochama hopped back up and waited for the Rattata to get close enough before shooting a direct hit bubble attack, sending the Rattata flying backwards. Pochama squealed with delight and hugged Maya's leg, who bent down and picked him up and carried him on her shoulders.

The Boy smiled and recalled his tired Rattata, "Good job Maya, you're not too bad."

Maya returned the smile, "Your Rattata was strong, and you almost beat me."

"Yeah, but I learned everything from my dad, we own a ranch," the Boy paused for a while, "Why don't you come?!" Without another word Maya found herself being dragged along towards an unknown destination.

Maya was flabbergasted as she explored the ranch Tommy called home. Tauros and Milktank along with Ponyta and Rapidash roamed the fields and a large pasture housed Mareep and Flaffy.

"Hey!" Tommy said bringing her back to the present.

"Gomen…" Maya said following him into the beautiful ranch house. He showed her into the kitchen and she sat down at the oak table.

"I'll get my mom, dad and Danny." Tommy said before disappearing but the stairs.

Maya relaxed after he left and looked around the kitchen. The home was just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside, with perfect white cabinets and a tanned hardwood floor. She felt something rub against her leg and looked down to see a baby Meowth. She sat down on the floor and scratched its belly, "Where's your mommy."

"Per-rowr," a Voice said in response and Maya turned to see a Daddy and Mommy Persian. Maya crept over and scratched their heads, just as Tommy returned with his parents and brother.

"I see Tyrant and Mia have become taken with you." A woman's voice said. Maya alerted, sat up and bowed, "My name is Maya."

"Tommy told us about you, any friend of Tommy's is more than welcome in our home." She said with a smile and pointed to the tall, grey-haired man standing next to her, "This is my husband Landon, and my son Daniel; and my name is Molly."

Maya bowed again, "Nice to meet you all," Maya said eyeing Daniel. His blue eyes sparkled beneath his black hair that clung perfectly to his head; Maya couldn't help but blush in his sight.

"Tell us Maya, Tommy tells us you've been a trainer officially for four days, what Pokemon have you caught?"

Maya walked outside and the family followed her outside, 'Ponyta, Pochama, come on out!" A horse with a bright fire mane and tail appeared along with the blue penguin, Pochama.

Landon approached Maya's Ponyta and examined it for a minute before nodding and returning to the house. Maya felt awkward at his abrupt leave and smiled despite herself,

"Don't worry," Daniel said, "Dad's just been down lately since a Rapidash he's had since he was a child has been sick…" Tommy and Mrs. Molly had already gone back to the house and Daniel kicked a rock, "Besides a cute girl like you shouldn't worry herself so much." He added with a wink and returned inside the house, leaving a blushing Maya.

"Tommy, grab the plates out of the cabinet." Mrs. Molly asked.

Letting out a disgusted sigh, he went to the cabinet and sluggishly set the table while Maya helped Mrs. Molly cook a hearty dinner of vegetables, soup and warm home-made bread. "Tell me a little more about yourself Maya, where do you come from?"

"Cinnabar Island, my grandfather is a gym leader there."

"Blaine?" She asked after finishing cutting a carrot.

Maya nodded, "He's been raising me since my parents died, and I have an older brother whose 28, ten years older than me."

"Is your brother married?" Mrs. Molly asked.

"Yeah, he married Daisy Oak." I said, embarrassed.

"That's a wonderful family to have, the Oak's are world-renowned."

She smiled, thinking of how much she loved her grandfather-in-law…and maybe even Gary…

The next morning Maya prepared to say good-bye to the Gregory family and exchanged phone numbers with Daniel and Tommy. As she was leaving, Daniel stopped her and grabbed her arm, "Lets have a battle before you leave!"

Maya smiled and released her Ponyta, "Go Ponyta!"

Daniel smirked, "Tododile!"

Maya frowned; the battle was already in his favor, "Alright Ponyta, use stomp!"

"Tododile, water gun!"

Ponyta was stuck with water gun and sent flying back. Ponyta stumbled up and neighed before charging at Totodile, you flew backwards and shot a powerful water gun at Ponyta. Ponyta staggered to get up and somehow managed to get up.

"Alright Totodile, this match is ours! Use bite!"

"Ponyta tackle!" Ponyta rammed into Totodile who flew back, "Quick, dig!" Daniel ordered. Totodile shot a watergun at the ground and burrowed underneath. The scene grew quiet as Ponyta looked around nervously and without warning Totodile burst through the ground underneath Ponyta who hollered and fell back onto her knees and closed her eyes. Maya ran over to her Ponyta and gave it a few pieces of poke-food. Stroking her mane she smiled, "Good job, you did great," and recalled her Ponyta and greeted Daniel with a smile,

"Not bad…"

"I plan on trying the indigo Plateau when it starts again next month." He smiled

Maya remembered it was already April, the Pokemon League challenge at Indigo Plateau was held every May, and all a trainer needed were eight badges to enter. Maya wasn't sure if she would enter next May…maybe she didn't know what she wanted to do.

Daniel and his family surrounded her, "It was wonderful to meet you Mrs. Maya, I hope we see you again soon, don't ever be a stranger," Mrs. Molly said handing her a small bottle of Moo-Moo Milk and a bag of various berries. Maya bowed in thanks and turned to Tommy and Daniel, "I hope to see you both again soon, and maybe we can have another battle?"

"Of course," Tommy said and Daniel smirked," Provided we're both stronger," Maya shook his hand, "It's a deal,"

All too soon, Maya found herself saying good-bye to the wonderful family she had quickly befriended, knowing she had to get to Cerulean and return Pochama to his family before the winter came. Maya however, found herself reflecting on her own family. All she had ever known was her grandfather and her older brother, she never even remembered her mother…and her father would ever be a mystery to her, since he disappeared before she was even born, but that was the past and Maya continued on to her next stop, Viridian City.