What is up folks? So here is the awaited chapter I for this week. Turned out quite a bit longer than I expected but it's something I probably should have expected as well. Hopefully this chapter will have a little bit of everything that anyone could ask for in a new chapter.

Chapter 9: All That Glitters is Goldenrod

From Cianwood to Goldenrod, the trip had gone as smoothly as any would have for an aspiring trainer who was taking on Johto's gym leaders at such a rapid pace. There were some trainers who had an idea of trying to face Ash but with his arrival to the city, few actually had the guts to step forward and try. Espeon commented how humans were easily intimidated just by the coming of the world's future champion.

By the time Ash had reached the city, he wouldn't be able to try for going for a third gym that day since it was already reaching night time. Much to his and everyone else's relief though there were a few open rooms in a hotel where they would be able to stay the night. Will and Karen were able to have their own while Ash and Sabrina both decided to share one together to the surprise of very few.

Right after having a nice dinner out, the fellowship of Pokémon and humans made their way to their reserved rooms. Mew, Espeon, and Pikachu all found their small area outside the hotel as they chose to sleep under the stars as had become a habit for them. Ash and Sabrina in the meantime were preparing to practice their bedside manners before the day's end.

As Ash and Sabrina prepared themselves for bed, Ash took off his shirts to reveal his bare chest when he asked, "It sure is a big place isn't it?"

Sabrina in the meantime had removed her jeans when she agreed, "It feels a little closer to home. This feels just like Saffron City. This hotel even reminds me of what it's like to live there."

"Espeon sure does seem to trust Pikachu quite well. I'd imagine that they could be quite a pair in battle together."

Sabrina brought herself up to Ash as she wrapped her arms around his waist and asked, "It takes two doesn't it? Seriously I would like to have a chance to battle at your side if I ever got the chance."

Ash nodded when he asked, "You wanted to head out with me to become a better gym leader. Do you feel like you've been making progress?"

Sabrina was quick to answer, "Just being around you makes me feel like a better trainer."

"I'm glad you feel that way, but after being out for so long I really feel like we've only been taking you everywhere just to watch me win these matches."

"It's nice that you're so considerate Ash. But get a grasp of how much time has passed. We've been here for only one day after a week of a cruise. It's not like too much has happened that would have prevented this anyway."

Ash looked up before reverting his eyes to Sabrina and agreed, "Yeah. I guess doing so much in such a short amount of time just got to me is all. Back in Kanto it just felt like I could go anywhere and the worst I would have to expect is having a hard training day ahead of me. Things just aren't as simple as that now I guess." He brought an arm around Sabrina's waist as he supported her lean on him while they both stood next to the bed.

"After taking a first step towards becoming a Pokémon Master, everything you achieved earlier can start to seem rather small. I don't think it would be proper for you to be seen as a man who shrinks at the mere implication of a challenge however."

"I guess not. I have to say that you sure do know how to make me feel like I could take on the biggest challenges just by being around me."

"It just helps to have someone around to have someone around you who understands what it's like to be... you."

Ash sighed at the good fortune he had been blessed with when he told her, "I never thought I would be given the honor of having a chance to be compared with you and I don't think I could ask for anyone else."

Sabrina brought her hand beneath the rim of Ash's boxers as she snaked her fingers to his organ. "You have been reading my mind. And you do know the right words to say to me. That's going to be a very good piece of our relationship."

"I can only bet." Ash and Sabrina brought themselves together into a kiss. As opposed to a sloppy and desperate one however, they took their time and enjoyed the embrace. Not in a desperate hurry to have their first time together, they were now more willing to try and perfect their expression of affection.

As Ash continued to snake his arms around Sabrina's body he felt her other hand make its way to his zipper before pulling it down with a slow motion. Her hand then made a simple pinching motion to remove the button on the front of his jeans before allowing his jeans to being their descent to the ground. Ash wasn't complacent in the meantime however when he brought both of his hands to the bottom of Sabrina's shirt and made a simple pull over her body. She removed her hands from Ash's groin area as she lifted her hands above her head and allowed the shirt over her head and onto the floor.

Now clad only in her bra she felt Ash press his body to hers as he brought both of his hands to her back and unclasped the piece of clothing that covered her. Giving herself a chance to breath, she pulled away from Ash's embrace while he removed her undergarment to the ground with her other clothes before bringing himself back into an embrace with her. Both Ash and Sabrina fell back on the bed clad only in the underwear that covered their pelvic regions but that obstacle was soon to be dealt with.

Ash brought both of his hands to Sabrina's hips as he tugged on the laces of her panties and while she made her way to the rim of his boxers. Not ashamed of their nudity in any way, Ash brought a hand to Sabrina's most private place while she made a final pull of his boxers to free his hardened member to the hotel room air. Ash continued to rub Sabrina's clitoris in the meantime while hearing her moan out of the feeling. He parted from the kiss with her when he asked, "That feel stimulating?"

Sabrina brought an arm around his body when she answered, "As if I wasn't already." She pressed herself upwards as she brought herself into another embrace with Ash to feel her breasts conform against his chest. Ash leaned down as he did what he could to deepen the kiss while continuing his work on the area Sabrina kept shielded from public view. It only took a few more strokes of his fingers but after a short while Sabrina's folds released a sticky fluid that was familiar to him. He asked, "Like last time?"

Sabrina nodded while grabbing both sides of his scalp when she told him, "Oh yes. Nothing less." Ash brought his lips back down to Sabrina's as he prepared for the intrusion that he had accomplished before. With one additional motion Ash fit himself within Sabrina's folds.

The feeling wasn't as much of a pierce as her first time but the snug feeling of him inside her still accomplished something that made her feel as though she had achieved a sense of womanhood. The feeling of being pressed against Ash's body and his tongue working her way into her mouth intensified the heat within her body. Before long she felt her hips moving on her own as she clung to him for dear life with one arm around his body and one hand grasping his hair.

Ash in the meantime was granting everything that Sabrina could have asked for. He pushed himself in before pulling out and pushing in again. The wet and warm feel of her flesh wrapping itself around his member was a feeling that he had been anxious to relive and the intensity was just as he remembered it. As she continued to grasp hold of him, Ash continued to plunge in and out into Sabrina while wrapping both of his arms around Sabrina's body and tightened his embrace with her.

The embrace between Ash and Sabrina continued to build in intensity as they continued to solidify their mutual union. Both of their moans sounded through their mouths as they prevented the oral sounds from being mixed with the sound of their flesh colliding with one another. There was no one nearby who made an attempt to break the union of grinding bodies.

It took only a few minutes however before Ash began to pick up speed in his groin area and felt Sabrina tighten her grip on him. The two were absolutely consumed with their intention to fully unite with one another to hit that mutual peak they sought. It took a few more penetrations before neither one of them warned of the final eruption.

Ash buried himself to the hilt of his member within Sabrina's folds as he felt his member explode with his juice while her folds tightened around him. He pulsed in his wetted areas and began to quickly breath at the final expenditure of his energy for that day. More than anything he had achieved just what he had been seeking with his female companion.

Sabrina was still beneath him as she tightened her grip with her hands on Ash above her while her folds did the same and milked his member of his ejaculation. She could feel his essence pour its way into her womb as she let out a loud moan through Ash's mouth at the feeling. The feeling had become more than a mere reminder that she was truly embraced with Ash above her.

After a few minutes Ash removed himself from Sabrina's folds before lying down on his back while Sabrina leaned on his left side. The two enjoyed the solitude of the darkness of the hotel room and most importantly their embrace with one another. Sabrina brought both of her fingers to the scarred portions of Ash's chest while allowing sleep to overtake her. "Big day tomorrow." She reminded him as she leaned her head on Ash's shoulder.

Ash in the meantime leaned the back of his head on his pillow while he acknowledged Sabrina's reminder. Fortunately for him he was now more prepared and more clearheaded than he was earlier now that he had just gone through his "nightly exercise." The edge of sleep was closer than he thought he would have been as he reflected on what challenge he would have at Goldenrod's gym.

"I have the Pokémon. I have the brains. I have the girls." Ash smirked for a second before he shamed himself for that last word. He was more than happy to have Sabrina at his side and meant every word of what he had said. Why was it that he was still letting his mind wander to Karen?

He didn't let the peace he would have stop him as he tried not to think any further about the situation. He had Sabrina at his side and he wasn't going to risk anything that would break her away from him. He wasn't going to suffer a loss more crushing that losing to a gym leader.

As Ash made his way into the Goldenrod gym, he stepped in to see the battlefield prepared and a few women across from him talking to the gym leader. Ash walked up to the challenging square when he asked, "Hi! Are you the gym leader?"

The pink haired girl heard Ash call out her name when she stepped to her square to answer, "Hi there! I'm Whitney! Are you a Pokémon trainer too?"

Ash nodded when he confirmed, "I sure am. It's me, Ash Ketchum. I'm on a quest to be the best there is and you just happened to be my next place. I don't want to brag, but I was practically made for this.

Whitney giggled when she told Ash, "Well everyone being into Pokémon got me into them. They are super-cute!" She then realized what she was getting herself into when she asked, "Oh a battle huh? I should warn you - I'm good!"

Ash brought his hands to his Pokéballs when he agreed, "That's what I'm hoping for!"

Bridget stood in the middle of them when she announced, "All participants. We are now witnessing a three-on-three gym battle between Gym Leader Whitney Houston and the challenger Ash Ketchum, Kanto Champion. Ready... Fight!"

Whitney threw her first Pokéball when she ordered, "Go! Nidorina!"

Ash was prepared when he announced, "Go! Growlithe!"

At the center of the battlefield of the gym, a Nidorina and a Growlithe faced each other and stared in preparation for the battle. Whitney gave the first order, "Nidorina! Use Poison Sting!" Nidorina opened her mouth as multiple white darts shot through the air towards her target.

Ash announced to his Pokémon, "Growlithe! Use Flamethrower!" Growlithe opened his mouth and summoned a mighty storm of fire that made its way towards Nidorina. The white darts that were headed his way were eradicated in the burn but went uninterrupted as the flames made their way towards Nidorina.

Whitney was prepared for this however when she ordered, "Nidorina! Defense Curl!" Nidorina curled herself into a ball to endure the flaming heat. The flames made their way towards Nidorina but after a short while she stood back on her legs panting and steaming from the attack.

Whitney was anxious as the battle continued however when she ordered, "Get in there and use Tackle!" Nidorina ran forward with her horn forward as she prepared to attack Growlithe with full force at him.

Ash wasn't shaken however when he ordered, "Finish her with Fire Blast!" The small canine fired a star-shaped fire attack from its mouth as Nidorina was too late to try and endure the attack. As she jumped in midair, Nidorina took the full force of the Fire Blast and right after its path left her to a burnt crisp before falling to the ground.

Nidorina was completely beat as she was unable to stand up or attack any further. Whitney was shaken at the defeat when she took out her Pokéball and ordered, "You did your best Nidorina. Return." As the Pokémon returned to her Pokéball Whitney kept her hands to her side when she expressed, "Oh... And I thought she was almost ready for an evolution..."

Bridget stood next to her when she reminded, "Whitney, there's still another two battles."

Whitney snapped back to attention when she agreed, "Oh yeah! I have to keep this going!"

Ash in the meantime had returned his Growlithe as he waited for Whitney to prepare for her next attacker. She turned around and picked up a Pokémon from the ground that Ash didn't see before. Whitney had a Clefairy in her hands when she announced, "Clefairy! You can win this for me right?"

The pink fairy Pokémon simply accepted her trainer's question as she jumped to the middle of the battlefield. Ash reached for another pokeball when he announced, "I'll see how that turns out. Armaldo! Show them what you're made of!" At that order, Ash's mighty plated pokemon stood in preparation for battle.

Whitney was ready when she ordered, "Clefairy! Make this a one hit wonder with Metronome!" Clefairy pointed her index fingers out and wove them back and forth until they glowed white. The move was more of a concern than Ash could have expected when he tried to see what was about to be performed. His psychic ability only allowed him to foresee so much about something so random as this move.

From Clefairy's mouth, a yellow-orange beam shot out with a mighty tremor. "It's Hyper Beam!" Ash realized. He ordered, "Amaldo! Protect!" Armaldo crossed his claws as a green force field surrounded its body and the Hyper Beam attack collided with a mighty tremor. The collision was long and demanding as it managed to push Armaldo across the ground as the power attempted to break the shield.

The attack subsided however as Armaldo was finally given the chance to breath from the protection but was visibly breathing hard at the defense. Ash wasn't discouraged however when he ordered, "Don't give up Armaldo! Crush Claw!" Armaldo's claws glowed blue before he rushed forward towards his target Clefairy.

Whitney was prepared again however when she ordered, "Clefairy! Metronome!" Clefairy made the same motion with her index fingers before preparing for another attack. Armaldo however managed to rush in just in time to slam his claws down on his opponent with a prime opportunity to defeat her. Clefairy however managed to be quick as she jumped back to prepare for whatever random attack she had next.

Clefairy's ears ignited into flames for a moment before disappearing to form a v-shaped yellow flame around her head and a bright read aura around her body. Before Ash had the opportunity to warn Armaldo, the Clefairy was just too close to dodge. Clefairy made a mighty head-butt right into Armaldo's chest before a gigantic explosion filled a good chunk of the battlefield.

Ash knew Armaldo was in trouble from an attack as mighty as V-create, he only hoped Armaldo's endurance training would pay off. The explosion subsided and Ash saw Clefairy jump back now heavily weary as though she endured a Hyper Beam while Armaldo was visibly struggling to stand up from his charred armor giving off steam from the recent attack. Ash was determined to have at least one final chance when he ordered, "Come on Armaldo! Show them you have more in you! X-Scissor!"

Armaldo shakily brought up his claws when he prepared to make a jump before Whitney ordered, "You can win this Clefairy! Metronome!" Ash realized the danger he was in as Clefairy prepared for another potentially dangerous attack. He sent a warning to Armaldo, "Wait! Stay ready!"

Armaldo was shaking at the request to endure but waited for Clefairy to finish her move when he accepted, "I can handle another one of those... I think..."

He waited for the next attack before something odd happened. Clefairy jumped its way towards Whitney and took something from Whitney's belt before making her way over to Armaldo. Ash was initially confused by the motion but learned what sort of move she was now executing. "Bestow?"

Clefairy handed over a key item to him, and Aguav berry. Armaldo gladly took it and ate the berry with quick gratitude. Whitney was surprised by the gesture before Ash told Armaldo, "Now!"

Armaldo remembered his previous order, "Oh yeah. Time to finish this." Without any interruption, Armaldo's claws glowed light blue before slashing down on Clefairy in a mighty 'x' formation. Clefairy went down as she flew across the battlefield and into the nearest wall, completely defeated.

Whitney wasn't happy with the results when she ran up to pick up Clefairy adn offered, "Oh... That's okay Clefairy... You did your best... Bridget can you take care of her please?"

Bridget walked over to her when she accepted, "Okay Whitney, she'll be fine."

Whitney lightly whined at the results, "And I was so close to winning..."

She remembered her battle when Ash offered, "You did great Armaldo. Have a rest and return."

Whitney was more determined when she offered, "If this doesn't work I don't know what will. Go Miltank!"

Ash prepared his final Pokémon when he announced, "Time to see how this goes. Go Primeape!"

On the battlefield, the ashes of the V-create attack were still present, but Primeape was jumping and preparing himself for the oncoming battle. Miltank in the meantime was simply ready for what potentially mighty battle she was about to face. Whitney prepared herself for the battle when she ordered, "You can do it Miltank! Rollout!"

Miltank rolled herself into a ball before rappidly spinning on the ground and with a mighty charge raged her way towards Primeape. Ash took the chance to test out how ready the Miltank was for him when he ordered, "Primeape! Get in with Close Combat!"

Primeape pulled his fist back as he prepared for the first series of barrages to land on Miltank. The attack however was for nothing when he saw Miltank take the blow easily and saw his oncoming kick merely crushed by the weight of her attack. Ash saw the danger when he warned, "To your right!" Primeape saw the attack as he turned to the right with what time he had and was left only with a very squashed foot.

Primeape jumped up and down out of pain for a few seconds before he saw the worst had yet to come. Miltank was rolling around the battlefield and about to make her way towards him again. Primeape panicked at the attack when he dodged to his left and began to run around the field as he tried to avoid being crushed under Miltank's weight.

Ash ordered, "Don't give up! Try Karate Chop!" Primeape drew his left hand back as he waited for another chance to see deliver a chop downwards with his hand. As soon as Miltank came within distance, Primeape slammed his hand down with a mighty strike on Miltank's pink mass. The attack proved to be for nothing.

Primeape did take the initiative this time when he made a leap over Miltank to avoid being crushed beneath the rolling motion. His hand however was another story as it swelled up from the pain like that of a baby Mankey hitting a mountain. Whitney was confident in the situation when she observed, "Miltank just keeps getting stronger with each pass! Try all you can Ash! You can't beat her now!"

Ash saw the problem unfold right in front of him. "Primeape would take her down easily but that rolling just won't stop." Desparate for a solution he determined there was only one way he would be able to change the outcome. "Primeape! You'll get her this time! Get ready for a Seismic Toss!" He added mentally, "You'll hear when to grab the tail!"

Primeape wasn't as enthusiastic when he reluctantly agreed, "If this doesn't work I'm going back to Anthony's!" Ash waited for the first opportunity he had as he waited for Miltank to prepare for another rolling attack on Primeape. The closer he got, the more time started to slow down as Ash watched Miltank's rolling motion. Primeape was becoming tense with each inch Miltank came with threatening to crush him but still remained standing only with shaking legs.

Ash then ordered, "Now!" At that order, Primeape's hand made a swipe down to the ground with a grabbing motion. To his approval, he managed to grab the tail of the unstoppable Miltank. Primeape was more than happy to see his opponent caught in his hand as he made a mighty yank forward. As he pulled the tail, Miltank was given such a heavy hit of inertia that she almost felt as if her skeleton would pop out of her body. It didn't last long however as Primeape pulled Miltank back and prepared her for a mighty toss just as originally planned. Primeape swung Miltank in circles over and over again before leaping into the air and finally tossing Miltank down to the ground with a mighty crash.

Miltank was stuck in the ground without a way out but Ash ordered, "Let's finish this with Thrash!" Primeape heard the order and dropped down with a mighty stop onto Miltank before attacking over and over again with his punches and kicks. The thrashing had finally come to an end when Primeape fell on his rear and panted out of exhaustion. Miltank in the meantime was completely beat and was not getting up any time today.

With Miltank utterly defeated Bridget announced to the battlers, "All of the gym leader's Pokemon have been defeated. Ash Ketchum is the winner." She then crossed her arms as though she was about to wait for something when Whitney returned Miltank back to her Pokéball.

Ash congratulated, "You did awesome Primeape. You earned a good rest." The wild monkey Pokémon returned to his Pokéball while Ash began to make his way over to Whitney. Instead of someone who was willing to accept a defeat, Whitney's face was completely shadowed by her bangs. Ash was worried about her being a sore loser in expressing her anger when he asked, "Uh, are you alright Whitney?"

He had an answer immediately afterwards. "Sob... ...Waaaaaaah! You're mean! Why did you have to be so serious?! You... you... Waaaaah! Waaaah! Snivel, hic... Waaaah! You meanie!" The sound of Whitney's grief sounding through the gym was something completely off guard for Ash as well as Will and Sabrina. All three had their hands over their ears while squatting down as though weights were placed on their shoulders.

Karen was in the same situation but wasn't squatting when she asked, "What? It's annoying but it's not that loud!"

Mew answered, "It's a psychic thing. When humans express their emotions like this, they're basically funneling a rock concert into a giant megaphone for anyone like us."

Espeon agreed, "Honestly! I can't believe humans would be so emotional like this!"

Bridget walked over to the group when she apologized over Whitney's sobbing, "I'm sorry about this! This always happens after she loses a match! It shouldn't be that long before she gets over it though!" She looked down on her watch when she counted, "Should be in 3, 2, 1..."

"Waaaah... Snivel. Ah, that was a good cry! Oh yeah, I guess I owe you a badge don't I?"

Ash brought himself back up to composure when he scratched the back of his head agreeing, "Well that is what I was sort of expecting if it's not too much trouble."

Whitney pulled out the trinket in question when she offered, "Well, with that I present you Ash Ketchum the Plain Badge."

Ash took the third badge of the Johto region to his undershirt when he thanked, "I take it you just happen to be pretty emotional in situations like these?"

Whitney blushed when she answered, "Oh that. Well it's complicated. I've had a bit of a bad day recently and now I just had this battle, so things just aren't going my way right now."

Ash was remembered the sort of thing he could understand when Whitney was in her breakdown. He did hear her sobbing a great deal on the physical level but her thoughts in that moment were as easy to read as him making an effort to read someone else's thoughts. There was something about her uncle in it resounding all the way through his listening. He asked her, "Do you feel okay telling me about what happened?"

Whitney looked down when she answered, "Well it's really a family business thing. I think you'd be too bored to listen to it even if I did ask for your help."

Will walked up to her when he offered, "If it's of any consolation I believe Ash is quite honest about his intention to help. We do have a journey ahead of us, but I believe it would ease Ash's mind if you would offer him a chance."

Sabrina accepted, "It is the least we could do to see if future participants aren't... intimidated."

Whitney accepted the offer, "Okay. If you all insist on it."

"Howdy there kid. What brings you here?"

"Hi, so you're Uncle Milton? Whitney told me about you earlier."

"Ah she did, did she? Sorry if she was too much trouble. She always was a bit of a crybaby that one. Can't seem to even seem to handle getting a little dirt under her nails she's just that sensitive about any little thing."

"I'm just glad she wasn't unhappy about losing for too long anyway. What really brings me here is that I learned that you might be facing some kind of problems. Whitney wasn't really keen on telling me about them though."

"Well boy it's all something that just boils down to good old economics working against me. Some of my boys just weren't finding my wages to be enough for them so they went and told me that they had new opportunities waiting for them in Holon. Losing farm hands isn't too much of a problem since there's always young folk like yourself to pick up, but unfortunately they took the herds with them."

Will nodded at the answer when he told Ash, "You do at least seem to be honest about it. You did manage your men fairly am I correct?"

Milton nodded when he answered, "As nice as a mama Pokémon takes care of her egg. They were bright and happy to be here and I even offered a bonus when they went above and beyond their duties. Unfortunately they just saw the sort of money I still made and decided they would be better off if they tried leaving the nest."

Sabrina looked out to the fields when she pointed out, "There doesn't seem to be any shortage of Miltank out there. Isn't this what it's supposed to be like for a farm?"

Milton answered, "Most of the Miltanks I owned at least are still here. The real problem comes from the ones they did take. Rapidashes, Girafarigs, Houndooms, we had a fair share of them out here on this field here, but now there isn't a one to be seen that ain't mine. And them alone aren't enough for maintaining a healthy business."

Karen arrived at the problem when she added, "So they took all the males. No males, no reproduction, no milk."

Will nodded when he added, "That certainly does pose a problem. Unfortunately I don't believe it is something that I can try to mend any time soon."

Sabrina agreed, "My problem right now is a shortage of Pokémon."

Ash leaned on the nearest stack of hay when he agreed, "Yeah. I was hoping we didn't plan on letting Whitney down this easily... Hey wait a minute! Milton, can I use your phone real quick?"

Milton gestured to the video phone near the main house when he offered, "There's one over there. Someone you want to ask?"

Ash nodded when he told him, "Yeah. I'll be back in a bit." Ash made his way over to the phone when he entered the number he needed.

After a short while, Professor Samuel Oak answered, "Ah, good morning Ash. How can I help you today?"

Ash answered, "Hi Professor. Listen I have a bit of a weird request. Is there any way that you can send over six of my Tauros? I don't plan on using them for battle, I just want to help someone out."

"Ah for such a situation is it? Well let me check really quick..." Samuel opened a book from nearby when he searched through its contents to answer, "Ah yes, it should be workable. I'll just need confirmation of the benefiting party for confirmation."

Ash agreed, "Okay just a sec. Hey Milton, can you come over here real quick please?"

Milton walked up to the phone when he greeted, "Hi there. I'm Milton Houston. Does this boy have something in mind?"

Samuel confirmed, "Something that he clearly wishes to offer. In accordance to trainer regulations I can send a maximum of an additional six Pokémon if the situation calls for an emergency situation that requires more than the regular number or if it intended for a business transaction."

Milton smiled at the news when he asked, "That's amazing Professor! You mean to tell me Ash here has field Pokémon to spare for us?"

Samuel nodded, "Twenty-nine in fact, barring that he would plan to trade that one as well. Regardless, I should have six Tauros ready to be sent in just a few seconds." Samuel went off screen as he made his way for the Pokéballs Ash had and brought over six of the safari balls that contained members his herd. "Alright, I should be able to follow through. This will just be a little bit of work for me to finish later on."

Ash looked in the center of the teleportation module when he saw half a dozen safari balls appear before him. Ash nodded when he thanked, "Thanks Professor. This is a big help."

Samuel accepted, "Let me know next time you need anything like this. Good luck on your journey."

Ash thanked, "Talk to you some other time Professor." The line was cut as Ash took the safari balls and walked over to the nearest part of the fence when he told Milton, "I'm just going to need your word that you're going to handle my Tauros like your own. Not to accuse you of anything.

Milton agreed, "I only need to see if those Tauros are nice and healthy and you have my word." Ash agreed to the condition as he took all six safari balls and tossed them into mid air. At the gesture, six Tauros appeared in a row right in front of Ash only slightly startled to notice their new location.

Milton gave a brief look over them when he told Ash, "They all look to be in decent health. You planning on selling them?"

Ash shook his head when he answered, "I didn't have plan on giving them up, I just wanted to help out."

"Ah, that's nice to see you care about them. Well I think we can arrange a bit of a deal in that case."

Ash hesitated before answering, "I didn't plan on trying to make money off this either, I make enough as it is."

Sabrina walked up to him when she told him, "You might want to hear him about this Ash. It's something that we might need."

Ash paused before he asked, "Okay Milton, I'd like to know just what you had in mind."

Milton nodded when he explained, "So here's the deal, you have six Tauros here and I have a population of 50 field type Pokémon and 64 Miltanks. With that in mind you would bring my farms population up to 120. With those numbers, the Tauros you have in my farm would give you a solid five percent ownership."

Ash asked, "So I own a small portion because I didn't sell them?"

"Yeah, I would have offered a good $18,000 for all six of these boys but if it's an investment you're looking for, then I think you might be happy to know that I can offer you a five percent cut every month. At least assuming that the population doesn't shift in one direction or the other of course."

Ash thought about the offer when he decided, "How about you make it four percent and you let me have the Miltank offspring that any of my Tauros help breed?"

Milton was interested in the offer when he contemplated the idea before answering, "That's actually a pretty good alternative. You plan on getting into the business yourself Ash?"

Ash shrugged when he told him, "I can't say I thought about that, I've always been more interested in being a trainer. I guess it can't hurt to at least have a bit extra to get by."

Milton shook Ash's hand when he thanked, "Well I don't know if my business will be secure from here on, but it's definitely a step up from having the gap I had before. I'll do everything I can to live up to this promise Ash, or so help me I'm headed to the city to gamble what little I have left."

Ash thanked, "I'm happy to do something Milton." Ash turned to the Tauros when he told them, "Okay guys. You have a new pasture to enjoy out here. Try and be as friendly with the other Miltanks as possible alright?"

One of the Tauros answered, "Okay boss!" The other five gave a similar answer when they turned away to find a nearby patch of grass to feast on.

Ash parted from the front of the farm when he thanked, "It's been great to meet you Milton. Hope to hear from you soon."

Milton waved, "Couldn't have asked for a more generous piece of help Ash. Hope you go on to enjoy greener pastures."

Ash returned the wave, "Tell Whitney that she shouldn't concern herself so much."

The fellowship walked off to the nearest path when Will complimented, "Quite a nice business decision you made Ash. It is quite convenient you had such an opportunity in the first place."

Ash nodded, "I did catch 30 Tauros when I was back in Kanto at the Safari Zone and have been wondering what to do with them for a while. This should be an okay start."

Sabrina added, "And with that you should have at least one Miltank at some point. Aren't you glad you listened to me?"

Ash agreed, "I guess it's a good thing. I should try and listen to people more in situations like these."

Karen added, "All's well, ends well. Anyway, the rest of Johto isn't going to be quite as grouped together as we've seen Ash, so I hope you're ready to get your traveling legs stretched again."

Ash nodded, "I've done it before, I should be okay again. I just hope Pikachu and Espeon don't get tired easily."

Pikachu accepted, "No need for concerning about Mew seeing as she doesn't even walk that much."

Mew giggled, "Well it does reduce our potential for traveler fatigue."

Espeon added, "I'll have you know that I'm more than prepared for such a journey."

Ash looked to the horizon when he asked, "So what's our next destination?"

Karen pointed to the south when she answered, "Azalea Town is the next destination that way. One more and you're halfway to qualifying for the League."

Ash raised his hands when he prepared himself, "Okay guys, we have a way to go still. To Azalea Town we go." The fellowship rallied together as they walked off on the path to prepare for their next great endeavor. Little did any of them know that a truly challenging part of their journey was about to unfold.

So how is that? Another lemon down and yet Ash still can't stop thinking of Karen. Just where is this supposed to lead you might wonder? Developments should ideally start around the next chapter.

Anyone approve of the plan for at least six of the Tauros? Just consider it financial security along with Ash's current hustle as a Trainer. I could probably go more in depth about how I think these sort of rules would work in another chapter and hopefully that might clear up some of the concepts.

Regardless, the journey is almost reaching the halfway mark for Johto and there's apparently some "challenging part" of the journey about to go down. Only hint I have for now is that it's a major event that took place somewhere near Goldenrod City and it's something very observant will probably determine. At least if you're not patient enough to wait for a week (ideally).

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.