Cycling Road Northside (7.5 Months Until the Indigo League Conference)
After another week of traveling and training from the P1 Grand Prix, Ash, Brock, and Misty had finally arrived at the long-awaited Cycling Road. In all of their excitement, the trio had seemingly overlooked a rather obvious problem though.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE NEED BIKES TO CROSS?" an irate Misty yelled at the poor security guard.
"Just what I said miss. Cycling Road is for cyclists. I'm afraid I cannot allow you to cross this bridge without bikes," the man replied apologetically, but firm.
"LISTEN HERE—"
"We understand sir. Have a nice day," interjected Brock, who had covered Misty's mouth and began to drag her away.
Ash sighed and followed, wondering what they would do next.
Cycling Road Northside Pokemon Center Lobby
"According to the map, it will take us more than a month to go back to Celadon, Saffron, Lavender Town, and a few routes, which would finally get us to Fuchsia City," Brock concluded, looking up from said map.
"But that's way too long! I want to have at least a good 5 months to train my Pokemon back in Pallet before the League starts, and there is no way I can make that happen with such a diversion," complained Ash.
"Stupid bridge and its stupid bike rules," grumbled Misty.
"Ahem," a voice sounded behind the seated trio. They turned around and found an anxious looking Nurse Joy behind them.
"Did I overhear you three say you were trying to cross Cycling Road?" asked the nurse with a hopeful expression.
"Well we tried, but the guard wouldn't let us cross without bikes," muttered Ash.
Nurse Joy sighed in relief. "Well I have some good news for you three. The Pokemon Center will happily lend you bikes to cross!"
"Really?" perked up Misty.
"Yes, but it will come with a catch. You see, there is a Pokemon at the Pokemon Center in Sunny Town, which is on the other side of Cycling Road. That Pokemon is sick and its condition is getting worse by the hour. Unfortunately, the Nurse Joy there told me they are low on supplies and don't have the medicine to treat it. I managed to whip something up, but I have to stay here and watch over my own sick Pokemon. Would you three be willing to deliver the medicine?" desperately asked Nurse Joy.
Brock grasped both her hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Nurse Joy, we would be honored to aid a lady as lovely and true as yourself," said the teen in what he thought was a suave voice.
"Ok Romeo, let's focus here!" an annoyed Misty responded, grabbing Brock by the ear and dragging him away.
"Anyway, yeah we would love to help. Just give us the medicine and show us where the bikes are," Ash answered, getting everybody back on track.
In no time at all, the gang had their bikes, and the medicine was stored away in Ash's jacket pocket. Sadly, Espeon got the short end of the stick. She was too big to ride on Ash's shoulder and, as the gang found out earlier, Cycling Road was strictly for bicycles. With reluctance, she agreed to be called back to her Pokeball. Then they were off, and riding away from the Pokemon Center.
"Please ride as fast as possible! Time is of the essence," called out Nurse Joy, who was beginning to disappear in the distance as the group rode on.
"Man the wind on my face feels great! Doing ok Pikachu?" Ash asked his shoulder passenger.
"Pi! Pikachu!" cried the yellow mouse in affirmation.
"Looks like the entrance is right up ahead," Brock observed.
"Now that guy should let us through," murmured Misty with a hint of irritation.
"Happy to see you folks got a hold of some bikes," smiled the guard, while the group approached. "It should take about 8 hours for you to cross. There's a pretty good rest stop about halfway through, which might make for a nice picnic. Have a nice ride." With that, he opened up the gate and the gang was finally on Cycling Road.
It was a beautiful sight to behold and to be a part of. Cycling Road was one long bridge that rose from the water. Ash, Brock, and Misty enjoyed the blue sky, blue sea, and mountains in the distance. Everyone was having a relatively good time when the oddest thing prompted them to stop. There, inexplicably, in the middle of the road, holding its head and staring blankly ahead, was a yellow duck-like Pokemon.
"Ooooo, A Psyduck! With some training, it can evolve in a dreamy Golduck!" Misty exclaimed, starry eyed. "Stay back guys, i'm going to catch it!" added the girl, who quickly got off her bike and ran towards the duck, leaving her friends to watch.
"Psy?" cried a confused Pokemon that watched Misty with curiosity.
"Let's go Starmie!" called the girl, letting out her ace. "End this fast with your newest move. Use Thunderbolt!" Starmie let out a concentrated blast of electricity from its red gem, heading straight for the seemingly helpless Psyduck. At the last second, the duck's eyes glowed blue and the electricity made a 180 degree turn.
Before Misty could say a word, the attack slammed back home into Starmie, knocking it out instantly to her horror.
"No way..." babbled the shocked girl.
"That's one powerful Pokemon," Ash said in awe. A dumbfounded Brock nodded in agreement.
"Fine. Return Starmie!" a recovered Misty said, calling back her Pokemon. This isn't over yet Psyduck!" vowed the girl.
"Duck?" Psyduck innocently responded with confusion and a head tilt.
"Misty calls Seel!" The Sea-Lion Pokemon appeared on the bridge in an instant, facing the almighty Psyduck.
"Use Aurora Beam!" A rainbow colored beam of ice shot out of Seel's horn, once again closing in on Psyduck. Like last time, the attack spun back, but this time Misty canceled it out with another Aurora Beam, causing an explosion of ice between the two Pokemon.
"Ok Seel, let's wait for Psyduck to attack this time and then we can find an opening," suggested Misty.
The duo eyed the yellow Pokemon with tension, just waiting for the Pokemon to unleash more awesome power. Then they waited some more... and more... and more.. and.. "ARE YOU GOING TO SIT THERE ALL DAY OR WILL YOU ATTACK!" yelled a frustrated Misty.
"Psy." responded the Pokemon, and then it got up, beginning to walk towards Seel.
"About time. Be ready for anything Seel," warned Misty.
The duck Pokemon waddled, slowly getting closer. Then Psyduck surprised everyone again and completely ignored Seel, walking past it and towards Misty. It didn't stop until it bumped into the girl' leg.
"Duck," muttered the Pokemon, gesturing with his hand for Misty to lean down.
"Um... Ok?" assented Misty, as she kneeled down. "Now what do you—"
Psyduck interrupted the girl and did the unthinkable. He placed both of his webbed hands on either side of Misty's face and pulled the unwilling girl into a smooch! It only lasted a fraction of a second, because the Pokemon quickly pulled away, falling on his butt and giggling like mad with a red blush.
Misty also sported red, but on her entire face and of the angry variety. Ash and Brock, not daring to laugh, seemed to think they could see steam escaping the ears of the red-head.
She didn't say a word. Instead, she slowly grabbed a red Pokeball from her pocket... AND THEN HURLED IT WITH ALL HER MIGHT STRAIGHT DOWN AT THE UNPREPARED PSYDUCK! The ball banged against the poor Pokemon's head with a loud crack, sucking Psyduck into the ball in an instant. The ball gave a few rolls and dinged. Almost simultaneously, Staryu's Pokeball disappeared, but Misty didn't notice, or she did not care. The girl grabbed the Pokeball, recalled her Seel, and walked back towards Ash and Brock.
She seemed to ignore them at first, opting to get back on her bike, but then her mouth opened as she stared ahead at the open road. "If I hear a word about what just happened, then Arceus help you, because I will bring pain," promised Misty in a low and deadly voice.
Ash, Brock, and Pikachu shared a brief terrified look, but said nothing. Woe be to the poor soul that would dare invoke the wrath of Misty.
Cycling Road Rest Stop (A Few Hours Later)
The group rode in silence for the next few hours, but the conversation did pick back up again. Eventually, they came across the location the guard had mentioned, so they decided to stop for a rest and some lunch. It was a circular area off to the side with foliage and railing. There were also a few vending machines scattered about.
Ash, Brock, and Misty also let their Pokemon out for a bit, aside from Onix due to his weight, and Psyduck for obvious reasons. As they were cleaning up and getting ready to tackle the second half of Cycling Road, a question popped into Ash's mind about the events that had transpired with said duck earlier.
"Hey guys, why didn't Psyduck's Pokeball disappear when Misty caught it earlier?" asked the boy.
"I didn't want to bring it up, but I noticed that as well," added Brock.
Misty was slightly irked, but the two managed to avoid speaking directly about the incident, so she let it slide. "Staryu's Pokeball vanished instead, and no I don't know why," replied the girl.
"By the way, where do your Pokemon go when you catch more than six?" pressed Ash.
"We have a transporter at the Cerulean City Gym. Staryu should have arrived safely, but i'll check in with my sisters later at the Pokemon Center," explained Misty.
Brock was about to add in his two cents, presumably about where his Pokemon would go, but the sounds of laughter and multiple approaching bicycles stopped him. A little over a dozen bikers in black leather and other punk outfits descended on the group and their Pokemon.
"Is that..." started Misty.
"A Bike Gang? Yes," deadpanned Brock.
The rogues swiftly surrounded the trio and their Pokemon, boxing them into a circle. A man with flaming orange hair with yellow streams, a black leather jacket and pants, and a white headband, stepped off his Zapdos themed bike.
"Haven't seen you guys around her before," observed the man, while his goons chuckled.
"That's because we're passing through," Ash every replied.
The man smirked. "Is that right? Well, nobody passes through our turf without paying the toll."
"And that is?" Ash asked tensed up.
"A Pokemon Battle!" he exclaimed, grabbing a capsule from his jacket.
"I would love to kick your butt, but we don't have time. We need to get medicine to a sick Pokemon in SunnyTown as soon as possible. Please move!" pleaded the raven-haired boy.
"Sounds like a pathetic excuse," chimed in a long green-haired girl in a similar black leather outfit.
"Agreed. Medicine or not, you three aren't crossing until we get a battle. Tell you what, if you can at least beat two of us, we'll let you go on your merry way," offered the man.
"I don't think we have a choice Ash," Brock whispered from behind the boy.
Ash took in his surroundings, but Brock was right. They were outnumbered. He would have to make this quick. "Fine! I'll battle for us first," Ash declared in a cold voice.
"And I'll be your opponent kid," the leader responded. Everybody's Pokemon were called back to their Pokeballs as a people and bikes were moved to create a makeshift battlefield.
"Golem Go!" called out Ash's opponent, summoning what looked like a giant chunk of rock with a face, hands, and feet. A loud booming noise echoed across Cycling Road as the heavy Pokemon hit the ground.
Ash was not intimidated. "I choose you Ivsauar!" The grass Pokemon materialized and the battle began.
"Use Rollout Golem!" started out the punk biker. Golem tucked his hands and feet, and entered into a speedy roll towards the Grass Pokemon.
"Counter with Sleep Powder all around you and then leap with Vine Whip," an emotionless Ash responded. Ivysaur expelled spores from his bulb into the surrounding area and then slammed his vines to the ground, sending the Pokemon skyward and out of Golem's reach.
The rocky heavyweight rolled below Ivysaur and through the spores that had been expelled, slowing Golem down and eventually putting it to sleep.
Meanwhile, "Ivysaur, use Growth and follow up with a Razor Lead straight down onto the sleeping Golem!" yelled Ash.
Ivysuar glowed in midair, powering up his attack and special attack, and then unleashed a torrent of leaves.
"WAKE UP GOLEM!" desperately cried his trainer. Golem didn't budge. Razor Leaf, aided by gravity and Growth, tore into the Rock Pokemon, waking it up and then knocking it out instantaneously.
"W-What just happened?" the shocked biker asked.
Ash called Ivysaur back, before addressing him. "You lost. Pick your next battler. We have a Pokemon to help," repeated the boy with narrowed eyes.
"But I—"
"Shut it Chopper," the green-haired teen cut him off. "The kid is right. You are an embarrassment. I'll be fighting next," continued the girl as she walked up.
"But Tara..." Chopper tried weakly.
"BUT NOTHING! CALL BACK YOUR POKEMON AND GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" yelled the intimidating girl. The big bad leader did so, retreating with his tail between his legs.
"My turn!" Misty said with determination, walking past Ash, who took her place on the sidelines.
"Take a look at this little girl," Tara said with a smirk as she threw out a Pokeball. A Pokemon with a large and spiky purple-gray shell emerged. The shell opened revealing a black pearl with a face.
Cloyster huh. I'ver seen Lorelei battle with hers plenty of times on TV, thought Misty. "Misty calls—"
But the girl was interrupted when a Pokeball from her belt opened, letting out her brand new Psyduck.
"Psy?" the confused duck cried, looking around with a blank stare.
"I DIDN'T CALL YOU OUT YOU STUPID POKEMON!" an angry Misty yelled.
"Psy?" retorted the Pokemon once again, holding its head with his normal empty expression.
Misty sighed and waved the Pokemon forward. After all, it had displayed amazing psychic power earlier. What could possibly go wrong?
"Is that really your Pokemon?" Tara asked with a barely restrained laugh.
"Looks aren't everything! Show them what I mean with Confusion!" confidently called out Misty.
The yellow Pokemon focused intensely, locking eyes with Cloyster as its body began to glow blue.
"PSY! PSY! PSY! duck..." and Psyduck plopped to the ground forward on his belly. Laughter erupted all around the vicinity. Tara, the other bikers, and even Ash and Brock couldn't help themselves. All the while, Misty's rage boiled.
"GET UP YOU DUMB DUCK!"
"Clamp Cloyster," Tara called, expecting a nice and easy victory.
Cloyster slowly moved to the helpless Psyduck, opening its shell along the way.
"Get out of there!" cried Misty. Psyduck did nothing, and then it was too late. The shell clamped together, squeezing Psyduck's head with intense force.
The poor Pokemon cried in pain, trying to to pry open the shell with his webbed hands.
"Psyduck..." Misty muttered in sadness. She was about to call back her Pokemon in pity, but then it happened. The blue glow covered Psyduck again and Cloyster's shell was forced upon. Psyduck stood with glowing blue eyes and raised his hands. Cloyster flew into the air at an incredibly high speed and altitude.
"PSYDUCK!" cried the seemingly possessed Pokemon, flinging its hands down, sending Cloyster crashing straight into the ground with a boom louder than what Golem had caused earlier. When the dust settled, Cloyster was knocked out in a deep crater that ruined part of Cycling Road.
"Ps-Psyduck?" Misty called out with a little fear and concern. The yellow Pokemon slowly turned, losing his blue glow in his body and eyes.
"Duck?" refrained Psyduck with his previous clueless expression.
"Where did that come from?" wondered the girl aloud.
"Focus Misty! We have a sick Pokemon to help! Remember?" Ash yelled from behind her.
"R-Right. Return Psyduck," recovered Misty, calling back her Pokemon.
The trio quickly moved to their bikes, while the bike gang was still stunned and looking at Cloyster.
"Move," Ash ordered to the blockade. To the trio's surprise, they did with no resistance. Ash, Brock, and Misty were finally on the road again. Misty still didn't understand what was going on with her new Pokemon, but she couldn't focus on that. For now, they had to hope they would make it to Sunny Town in time to help that poor Pokemon.
Sunny Town Pokemon Center
The rain was out in force and thunder echoed from outside. Nurse Joy stood at the Pokemon Center entrance, looking through the window for the trainers with the life saving medicine. If they didn't make it through this storm, her Pokemon would not make it through the night. Lighting flashed from the outside, blinding the woman for a moment. When she the white light faded, her heart nearly leapt through her chest. Three figures on bikes were quickly approaching the Pokemon Center at a high speed. Parking near the Pokemon Center, they made a bee line for the door.
"Nurse Joy!" Ash yelled, bursting into the Pokemon Center, followed closely by Brock and Misty.
"Do you have it?" quickly asked the healthcare professional with worry and hope.
Ash pulled out the medicine from his pocket and handed it over without a word.
"Thank Arceus. I have to administer this right away. Feel free to relax in the lobby for a while," replied the nurse as she ran off elsewhere into the Pokemon Center.
"I hope we made it in time," Ash said to his friends with concern. Brock put a comforting hand on his shoulder in response.
"Me too, but there isn't much we can do anymore. We're soaked and exhausted. Let's take a seat by that fire," suggested the teen.
The group walked over and sat down, warming themselves. Pikachu got especially close, trying to get the water out of his fur. To Ash's amusement, Espeon decided to join the party and let herself out as well, giving Ash a stink eye, before lying down.
Misty sat there for some time with a frown, thinking back to what had happened with her newest Pokemon. The power Psyduck had shown was frightening, but it seemed to appear and disappear on a whim. What was going on with him?
"Misty. Misty. MISTY!" a voice finally yelled, shocking the girl from her thoughts.
"Yes? Sorry, I was kinda lost in thought," said the girl, shaking her head a bit.
"We noticed," chuckled Ash.
"Thinking about Psyduck?" wisely pondered Brock.
"Can't hide anything from you," sighed the girl. "I'm not sure what to do with him or where his powers come from?"
Ash did some thinking himself for a moment, but quickly came up with an idea. "Maybe dexter will have some help?" Pulling out the Pokedex, Ash brought up Psyduck's entry. "When its headache intensifies, it starts using strange powers. However, it has no recollection of its powers, so it always looks befuddled and bewildered," spouted the device.
"That explains what happened during the battle with Cloyster, but it still doesn't tell us how Psyduck used his powers when I tried to catch him," Misty frustratedly responded.
"Maybe he had a bad headache then?" suggested Ash, as he put away his Pokedex.
"Yeah maybe..."
"Come on Misty! I thought you wanted to be a Water Pokemon Master? You're not going to let this drag you down are you?" Brock asked with a friendly smile.
"You know what, you're right. Psyduck and I will figure this out together. Thanks for the encouragement Brock," the girl perked up and smiled back.
After a few more hours, Nurse Joy returned, finding the group cuddled together and asleep near the fire. Covering them with some blankets, she turned out the lights and headed off to get some well-earned rest herself.
The Next Morning
The gang woke up, showing no care or shame that they had fallen asleep on the Pokemon Center floor. After washing up and a quick breakfast, they approached Nurse Joy for an update.
"Good morning Nurse Joy! Is the Pokemon ok?" Ash tentatively asked.
"Why don't you all follow me and see for yourself," mischievously replied the nurse, leading Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, and Espeon through the Pokemon Center and to an aquarium. There they found a happy and healthy looking Shellder.
"Thanks to all of you, Shellder made a complete recovery," praised the nurse.
A wave of relief showered the trainers and their Pokemon. "That's great. I'm sure Shellder's trainer will be happy too," Ash smiled.
"Well, i'm afraid Shellder doesn't have a trainer. A cloaked figure dropped her off in a terrible condition a few days ago. I haven't heard anything since, so I can only assume Shellder is wild or was abandoned," explained Nurse Joy.
"That's so sad," Misty said was a pained expression.
"Yeah, but Shellder seems like she is happy though," Brock added with some optimism.
Ash looked at the Pokemon through the glass, focusing on the playful creature. She happened to notice and came closer, grinning at the boy through the glass.
"Nurse Joy," Ash started with intent, turning to her with a determined expression. "I would like to take Shellder with me on my journey if you don't mind."
"Really?" asked the Nurse with a mix of skepticism and anticipation.
"Yes. She looks like a wonderful Pokemon with loads of energy. I think we could both grow stronger together on the road to the Pokemon League and beyond," reiterated Ash with fire in his eyes.
Nurse Joy's expression softened at the speech and she gave her assent.
Ash turned back to Shellder herself. "What do you say Shellder? Do you want to come on an adventure with me and my friends?"
"Shellder!" screeched the Pokemon, bouncing up and down.
"I think that means yes," laughed Brock.
Just like that, Ash had another friend. A friend that would be one of many, to join him on his road to be the very best.
END CHAPTER
I know I promised a certain character would show up, but I felt this would be a good spot to end the chapter. Next time HE will show up though. In any case, Psyduck appears in a modified set of events from the anime. He can and will be a real powerhouse on Misty's team, once the issues get sorted out anyway. Yes, I know the bridge episode happens later and that Sunny Town is elsewhere in the anime, but I changed it here purposely. I also decided to give Ash Shellder. Removing Squirtle earlier on made me feel like Ash could use another Water Pokemon.
Next Chapter - Ash switches out some Pokemon to set up his next two Gym Battles, we run into that character I mentioned, and possibly get an update on another character away from the group.
DragonEmperor999 - Thanks for the review! Espeon does not know Zap Cannon. Maybe in the future?
Guest44 - Thanks for the review! I think I have plans to utilize some other abilities for the two, but I appreciate the thought. Synchronize and Cute Charm will come in handy down the line in the Pokemon League.
Mazzax Manacry - Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Yeah there are some logical inconsistencies in Pokemon lore lol, but it is what it is. As I said in the PM, I justify it by claiming that these evolutions were likely discovered in the respective regions. As for Susie, no wonder business is bad ;)
SpacePuffs - Thanks for the review! Don't swell my head too much now. I will do my best to keep Ash competent thanks.
Reader - Thanks for the review! Great suggestions on using other characters down the line. I will probably avoid most characters from Unova and on, because that is when I stopped watching the anime due to Ash's regression. Main characters such as Iris, Serana, etc. may show up though. As for the Kanto characters, I might introduce one or two if the situation allows.
Remember to review with your thoughts/critique :)
Smell ya later!
