Chapter 4

Ash and Misty arrived at the pokemon center within a few hours of coming over the hill. After healing their pokemon, the two teens decided to head over to the gym so Ash could get his badge. Misty had her arm looped in Ash's and a smile on her face that one could see for miles around. Upon getting to the gym Ash noticed something was off. The doors were locked with a closed sign on it and there was a box next to the doors.

Misty looked at the set up and growled, "Those dumb bimbos…I leave for a few weeks and they start giving away badges.

Ash looked at the box closer and noticed a slot for his pokedex. He put it in and heard an automatic voice, "Pokemon Trainer recognized…processing data…Trainer accepted…thank you for battling at Cerulean Gym." A click was heard and the box spit out Ash's pokedex before opening a slot that showed close to a hundred badges.

Ash heard Misty growl before she slammed the box shut and grabbed it. She looked at Ash, "Help please?"

Moving over to his friend, Ash lifted up the other end and the two of them moved to the doors. Misty pulled out a key and opened the door before propping it open and going back to help with the box. They pulled it into the gym and set it down before looking around. The main entrance was dark but the hallways leading to the pool were lit.

Misty growled again and started marching towards the pool with her hands clenched into a fist. As they got closer, Ash started to hear voices that were obviously female. They were laughing and the sounds of water splashing came along with it. They rounded the corner and Ash had to fight off the urge to let his jaw drop to the floor as three of the most beautiful women he had ever seen sat at the edge of the pool. They looked like they could be triplets except that their hair was different colors. One of them had golden hair, the second had deep blue, and the third had a shade of pink.

Misty growled again and spoke in a cold voice, "So this is why the gym is closed? You three are too damn lazy to do anything?"

The three girls froze and turned with shocked expressions. The one with blue hair spoke up, "Like, good to see you little sister. What brings you back home?"

The pink haired one spoke next, "Yeah like Violet said, what are you doing back? Have you become a water pokemon master yet?"

Misty blushed lightly, "Not yet Lily." The final sister with golden hair noticed Ash and smiled, "Well hello handsome. My name is Daisy, what is yours?"

Under normal circumstances, Ash would have blushed and acted like an idiot but in the few moments he had been in the room he could tell that they were not what you would call the best sisters to Misty.

"My name is Ash Ketchum and I have come for a gym battle."

Violet smiled and walked over, swaying her hips more than was necessary, "Didn't you see our little box out front? Why don't you go get a badge and then we can have a private pool party."

She ended her suggestion by gently pressing herself against Ash. The teen's hormones were screaming on the inside but he kept a stone like face, "No."

Violet looked at him in shock, "What?"

Ash backed up and put his arm around Misty, "I said no, I have a date later today with a beautiful young woman and I am not the kind of person to go back on my word just because another girl can't keep her legs closed."

Misty felt her jaw drop in shock at what Ash had just said about her sister but felt the urge to laugh at Violet's face.

Lily glared at Ash, "Like, that wasn't very nice. We are just trying to be friendly." She emphasized the friendly and Ash groaned mentally. "Besides, the three of us are the Sensational Sisters. You would have a much more enjoyable time with us then you will the runt."

Ash felt Misty stiffen in his arms before she turned and rushed out of the room.

Daisy looked back at Lily, "That was too far Lily."

The pink haired teen rolled her eyes, "Whatever." She looked back at Ash and struck a pose making sure that her breast were thrust out, "So how about it handsome?"

Ash glared at her and spoke in a cold tone, "You had better be ready to battle when I get back…I don't take bullying very well." Lily gulped at the coldness of Ash's voice but before she could respond, Ash had left.

*PSOR*

Ash quickly found Misty by the river that ran near the edge of town sitting with her feet in the water. She had a few stray tears falling down her cheeks and seemed lost in thought. The trainer from Pallet walked over and sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, "It will be alright Mist. I'm going to show them what happens to those that harm someone I care about."

The redhead looked over at Ash, "They are right you know…they are far more beautiful than I am."

Ash snorted, "You really think I'm that shallow of a guy? It takes more than looks to catch Ash Ketchum."

Misty's eyes sparkled for a moment, "So I caught you? And how did I do that?"

Ash smiled the Ketchum roughish grin, "With your charm and good looks."

Misty giggled and leaned her head onto Ash's shoulder, "What are we?"

The teen trainer thought for a moment, "What do you want us to be?"

Misty smiled lightly, "Well, we are friends but you did ask me on a date so wouldn't that make us more?"

Ash's arm wrapped tighter around her and he seemed to think about it before speaking in a light tone, "I believe it does…but why not make it official. Misty would you be my girlfriend?"

His redheaded friend smiled at him and nodded, "Of course I would."

The two teens smiled at each other before gently leaning in and placing their lips together in a simple first kiss. The two pulled back with equally large smiles upon their faces before Ash took on a hard look,

"Let's go." Misty looked at him with a questioned glance, "I'm going to show your sisters what happens when they cross me."

Misty looked at her boyfriend in shock but was pulled along with him towards the gym. Before they arrived, Ash called out his entire team and all nine of his pokemon looked at him with worry.

"Guys, Misty's sisters have said and done a couple of things that are plain wrong so we are going to show them what happens when one of our friends is hurt." His pokemon looked at Misty and could smell the faint saltiness that came with tears and knew something was wrong.

Bulbasaur growled in his throat before looking at his fellow team members, this battle called for brute force and power. Scyther was inspecting his blades and looked at Bulbasaur with a murderous glint twinkling in his eye.

Ash saw the exchange and knew what his friends were thinking, "I will let you guys decide who will be the three to battle."

Bulbasaur nodded and looked to the team. They all discussed for a moment before pointing to Scyther, Butterfree, and Bulbasaur. Ash accepted this and returned his team before starting to walk towards the gym.

Misty was silent for a second before speaking, "Hey Ash, I was wondering why you have all your pokemon with you?"

Her new boyfriend smiled as he gently held her hand, "I want them with me. Most trainers believe that you can only have the traditional six pokemon with you and have their other members sent to a lab or daycare center. In reality you can have all your pokemon with you but are only allowed to use six in battle. I don't want my friends to be stuck at the lab while I am out seeing the world. Not only does it get boring but it isn't fair to them to miss out on the training."

Misty looked at her boyfriend with wide and caring eyes, "You are one of a kind you know that Ash? I have never seen someone who puts that much thought into Pokémon."

Ash chuckled and kissed the back of her hand, "It is the path I chose for the future, why shouldn't I care about it?"

Misty remained silent at the rhetorical question and simply enjoyed her hand in Ash's.

*PSOR*

They arrived at the gym and Ash saw that the doors were open. The young couple walked in and saw the three sisters standing by the entrance to the battle arena now in every day clothes, "I'm glad you had the sense to wait for me."

Lily glared, "Like, we have plenty of sense. Sense of fashion, sense of what men to go after, how to use our looks…"

Ash rolled his eyes and looked at Daisy and saw that she had three pokeballs attached to her belt, "I see I'm battling you?"

Daisy nodded and turned, "Just because you are my little sister's boyfriend doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you."

When Misty simply smiled at Ash, Daisy spoke up, "You are actually dating him?"

Ash tightened his grip on Misty's hand, "I just asked her and I'm very pleased she said yes."

The sensational sisters could only look at their younger sister in shock before they were shaken out of their stupor by Ash speaking up, "I'm not getting any younger."

They looked and saw the young man standing in his spot on the field and quickly got into position. Violet was the referee, "Like, this is a pokemon battle for the Cascade badge. Both trainers will use two pokemon and the victor will, like, win when the other trainer's pokemon are unable to battle."

Ash waited as Daisy pulled a ball from her belt, "Like, Seaking go!" A massive koi fish like pokemon appeared in the water and roared as he jumped up. The horn on his head was medium size and he looked intently at Ash.

The trainer from Pallet Town selected his pokemon and threw the ball, "Scyther I need your assistance." The large mantis like pokemon appeared in the air and his scythes flashed in the light of the gym.

Daisy was slightly shocked to see such a rare pokemon for a new trainer, "Seaking get in close and use horn attack!" The horn on the water type's forehead flashed white and elongated before he used his powerful tail and fins to propel himself at the bug type.

"Scyther send him flying with bug buzz!" His Pokémon's wings flashed a light green before powerful sound waves rushed forward, catching Seaking in the air.

The pokemon groaned in pain before falling onto the platform that was floating in the water, "Quick while he is stuck get in there with quick attack and hit him with slash!"

The green mantis disappeared and seconds later appeared to the right of the water type. He brought his blade down and cut powerfully along the side of Seaking. The pokemon called out in pain as he was thrown into the water and floated belly up.

Daisy looked on in shock, "What happened? Seaking is one of our better pokemon!"

Ash smirked, "He may be good, but thanks to the high critical hit ratio of slash, your little fish was nothing more than sushi."

Daisy glared at Ash as she returned her fallen pokemon, "I won't let you get away with that, Seel go!" A small white seal pokemon appeared on the field. On its head was a small pointed horn and its tongue was hanging out of its mouth.

Scyther seemed offended by the dime witted looking pokemon and hissed at it.

"Seal use ice beam!" An icy blue ball of energy formed at the tip of the horn before launching in three separate arcs that screamed towards the bug and flying type.

"Dodge with quick attack." Scyther just managed to move away as the ice attack zoomed at him.

"Seel get into the water!"

Ash was ready, "Use pursuit!" A high pitch snapping sound filled the room as Scyther disappeared in a cloak of dark energy before appearing just in front of the seal pokemon and slammed into him.

Daisy was shocked, "What happened?"

Ash smiled coldly, "Pursuit is a move that takes priority when an opponent is trying to escape or return. In this case, it worked in my favor since you were technically trying to escape to the water. Scyther finish this battle off with wing attack and slash!" The bug type rushed forward with glowing wings and slammed into the water type. Just as Seel was about to move, Scyther brought down his scythes and slashed against the water type, knocking him out cold.

Ash watched with little pity as Daisy recalled her pokemon before looking sadly at Ash. Scyther landed next to his master and hissed. "That was a waste of my time. I would have thought a gym leader with the ability to insult a sibling so strongly would have been able to back up her words."

Daisy looked to her sisters and saw that they all were pale and had the same look on.

Misty smiled at her boyfriend and pulled a badge from the box that was still sitting by the wall. "Because of your victory over the Cerulean Gym, I present Ash Ketchum with the cascade badge!"

Ash took the small tear drop shaped badge and smiled at it before placing it in his badge case. "Let's go Mist."

Not wanting to be in the presence of her sisters any longer, Misty quickly followed her boyfriend out of the gym.

*PSOR*

Ash and Misty went to the pokemon center and healed their teams before checking into a room for the night. Once they were settled into their beds Misty asked something, "Hey Ash, do you think it is wrong of me to leave the gym?"

Ash shook his head and shifted so he could look at Misty from his bed, "No I don't…the way that they treat you is uncalled for. They have always gotten by on their looks and you have had to struggle for everything. You want to be a water pokemon master so the best way to do this is travel around and learn as much as you can about water pokemon. Let them take care of themselves for once and when you finally feel ready, come back and make the Cerulean Gym the most powerful gym in all of Kanto."

Misty smiled lightly at Ash's words, "Thanks Ash."

A light chuckled was her response, "Misty, you are my girlfriend, I am going to make sure that you are cared for. Sweet dreams."

The young couple snuggled into their beds and drifted off into the realm of sleep.

*PSOR*

The following morning Ash and Misty were back on the road after stocking up on supplies. They had decided to follow the main path and go to the fields nears Vermillion City in order to train. They decided it was best to keep their schedule the same and spent four hours a day training.

Ash was working of getting his Pokémon's stats up to what he would like as well as gaining experience from mock battles to help in the evolution process. Misty was working on the same thing and had barrowed Bulbasaur and Luxio in order to help her team better resist their weaknesses.

One the first day of training, Ash was working with his Magikarp and noticed that his starter pokemon were all talking in hushed tones and kept glancing at him. They had been doing this every time they were let out to train and would not tell Ash what they were doing. Ash shook his head and smiled as Magikarp executed a powerful tackle on a tree that was overhanging the stream he was in.

"Great job Magikarp, that tackle was really strong. I wouldn't be surprised if you evolve sometime soon!" The fish pokemon carped in excitement before doing several jumps in the air. Ash chuckled and patted his friend on the side while smiling gently. He was enjoying the moment but a sudden voice caused him to cringe.

"Well well well…if it isn't Ashy-boy. I'm surprised to see you out here. I would have thought you would still be sleeping at home."

Ash's body became tense and he turned around to see his rival Gary Oak. "Gary, I would say it is great to see you but that would be lying."

Gary glared at Ash, "You and I have some unfinished business Ashy-boy and I fully intend to see it through."

Ash recalled back to starting his journey when Gary challenged him to a battle, "Fine, one on one?"

Gary glanced at the Magikarp floating next to his rival, "If that little fish is anything to go by then sure."

Magikarp glared at the trainer but a gentle hand from Ash calmed her down.

Gary stood a few meters away from Ash, "Consider this an honor Ash, you get to see what greatness is all about, Squirtle I choose you!" Gary's starter pokemon appeared and puffed his chest out.

Ash thought for a moment before choosing, "Squirtle I need your assistance!" When Ash's water type appeared Gary's jaw dropped, "How did you get that pokemon? I already have Grandpa's."

Ash smiled, "There are many things you underestimate about me Gary…and this battle will prove it, Squirtle water gun!" Ash's pokemon took a deep breath and fired a powerful stream of water.

Gary quickly countered, "Withdrawn to defend and then counter with tackle attack!" Gary's pokemon drew his head, limbs, and tail into his shell just as the water hit him. When it finished, he jumped out and ran towards Ash's Squirtle and slammed into him.

Ash grimaced before taken command, "Alright buddy let's gain some momentum, use tail whip and then aqua jet!" Squirtle's tail flashed light blue as he quickly did a little jig which lowered his opponent's defense. Suddenly, a massive wave of water wrapped around the tiny turtle and he launched himself into the air before swinging around and slamming hard into Gary's starter.

"Get up Squirtle and use bubble!"

Ash smirked, "Use protect buddy!" The little bubbles hit the shield with little effect, leaving Gary agitated.

"Alright Squirtle, let's wrap this up full power water pulse and aqua jet!" The water pokemon smirked as he formed an orb of water in his hands and threw it before quickly launching right behind it. The aqua jet formed around the water pulse and formed a new attack that left Gary and his Squirtle speechless. The attack slammed into Gary's starter and knocked it out.

Ash smiled and patted his pokemon on the head before looking to Gary, "Great battle Gary."

His rival sneered at him as he returned his pokemon, "You got lucky Ashy-boy. Next time won't be so easy for you…smell you later."

Ash was left speechless as his rival turned and walked away, only to be replaced by Misty who was toweling her hair from the training she had just done with her pokemon, "Who was that Ash?"

Her boyfriend smiled, "Just a random trainer who needed to be taken down a level."

Misty looked at Ash with a questioning glance before shrugging it off and sitting down for lunch.

*PSOR*

Ash and Misty kept up their training routine until two days later when they found themselves outside a massive building with the numbers 98-0 on the front sign. During the previous two days of traveling, Ash had battled a trainer who had indicated that there was an unofficial gym with a win streak of almost one hundred. Ash learned that the leader of this gym trained 'savage pokemon' and was going to start collecting badges once he hit one hundred wins…a challenge that Ash couldn't pass up to try and break.

They knocked on the doors and waited a few moments before a teen around Ash's age opened the door. He had dark green hair and was wearing an orange and black shirt with blue jeans. He looked at Ash, "So are you my next victim?"

Ash chuckled at the arrogant tone in the teen's voice, "I'm actually here to end the streak. My name is Ash Ketchum and I have two pokemon badges so I think I should be able to take you on."

The teen chuckled, "Let me guess, the boulder and cascade badge?" When Ash nodded he chuckled even louder, "So went through Failure City and Wimpsville…not very impressive."

Misty glared at the young man, "Hey now that is my home town. Just who do you think you are?"

The young man smirked, "The name is A.J. missy, and I am going to be the greatest pokemon trainer in the world."

Ash shook his head, "Sorry to disappoint you A.J. but that is my journey, you will have to get through me first."

The green haired teen opened the doors wider, "Well then come on in and let's battle. If I beat you and one other person that will make a full one hundred wins for me."

Ash and Misty followed him into the arena and stopped on one side of the field. "I hope you are ready to lose kid, I haven't built up a streak like this simply by challenging weak trainers."

A.J. pulled out a ball and threw it, "Sandshrew let's get started!" From the ball appeared a small tan colored pokemon that resembled an armadillo and mouse. It had black eyes and white claws on its hands and feet.

Ash smirked as he pulled out his pokedex, "Sandshrew the Mouse Pokemon. To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball. It lives in arid regions with minimal rainfall."

Ash pulled his own pokeball and threw it, "Charmander I need your assistance!"

A.J. looked at the fire type and started laughing, "You really are weak aren't you. Only novice level trainers choose a fire type against a ground type…but your loss, Sandshrew use rollout!" The yellow mouse pokemon curled up into a ball and started rushing towards Charmander.

"Protect!" A green shield snapped into place and Sandshrew hit it with a squeak and flew back.

"Flamethrower!" Charmander opened his maw and let loose a stream of flames that quickly hit his target.

A.J.'s eyes widened, "Sandshrew get up and use dig!" His pokemon pushed up and then dove head first into the ground.

"Be ready Charmander, he can come up anywhere." Ash's pokemon nodded and closed his eyes in an attempt to sense his opponent. At the last second, Charmander snapped his eyes open and jumped back just as Sandshrew leapt out of the ground. He opened his mouth and fired a large stream of blue flames that sent the ground type back and onto the ground, unconscious.

Ash smiled and patted Charmander on the head, "Great job buddy. That last dragon rage was perfect."

He looked to A.J. and saw the teen walked over, "I have to say Ash you are something else. In all honesty I think I needed to be beaten…pride and all that."

Ash chuckled and held out his hand, "At least you are man enough to admit it. So what is next for you?"

A.J. looked at Sandshrew and smiled, "I think that we will train for a little while longer before heading out to collect badges. I would be honored if you and you lady friend would join me."

Ash looked to Misty and when she shrugged Ash shook A.J.'s hand, "We would love to."

A.J. smiled and swept his arm to the right, "Well then follow me."

They walked into the main building and found more of A.J.'s pokemon working with various equipment. There was a large pool in the middle of the gym and Sandshrew quickly put on a metal vest before climbing up a ladder and jumping off the diving board and into the water.

Ash looked at A.J. who laughed, "That is a special vest I created that helped pokemon build up resistance to their weakness. It basically forces them to work twice as hard for the same results. But in the long run it makes them twice as strong compared to pokemon that don't have the added stress."

Ash nodded in thought, "It makes sense…kind of going with the theory on spending time with each evolutionary stage right?"

A.J. nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly, trainers today are so focused on evolving their pokemon right away that they don't spend time to learn techniques of that stage. It also helps their physical structure if they are able to spend time in each stage and grow with their age."

Ash smiled but turned when he felt a tug at his jeans. Charmander was looking at him with a look of determination that Ash couldn't miss, "What's up buddy?" Charmander pointed to Bulbasaur's and Squirtle's pokeballs and made the motion to release them.

Ash wasn't sure what his little fire type had in mind but release his other starters. Bulbasaur looked at Charmander and quickly conversed with him. He then turned to Squirtle and the water type got a wide grin on and nodded. Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all turned and looked at Ash before simultaneously winking at their trainer.

Ash was about to question it when suddenly all three of his starter pokemon became engulfed in a bright white light.

Chapter 4 is done. You guys are amazing…I never expected this story to take off like this.

I wonder what is happening with the three starters….hmmm

Again…for the relief of any anti-pokeshippers…Misty is not the final pairing. I really do love her as a character but I want to have Ash grow up a little more before he settles down.

I'm going to put a little challenge to you who are up to it. I get a lot of suggestions for pokemon and shippings for Ash but not really much reasoning why. So here is the challenge.

Give me up to six pokemon that you want Ash to have on his team with a DETAILED reason why. Same thing goes for any future women you want Ash to be with.

The ones that are best reasoned will be the ones I pick. Send to me in a PM if you would.

As always…send in ideas and reviews.

KingFatMan25

Bulbasaur: Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Magical Leaf, Razor Leaf, Energy Ball

Charmander: Scratch, Growl, Flamethrower, Ember, Dragon Rage, Metal Claw, Protect

Squirtle: Tackle, Tail Whip, Bubble, Water Gun, Aqua Jet, Protect, Water Pulse

Luxio: Tackle, Growl, Charge, Spark, Night Slash, Shock Wave, Protect, Iron Tail
Spearow: Peck, Leer, Aerial Ace, Agility, Fury Attack, Protect, Mirror Move

Magikarp: Splash, Tackle

Butterfree: Confusion, String Shot, Sleep Powder, Gust, Poison Powder, Psybeam, Silver Wind

Pidgeotto: Quick Attack, Twister, Gust, Tackle, Sand Attack, Steel Wing

Scyther: Quick Attack, Pursuit, Wing Attack, Bug Buzz, Slash

Cranidos: Unknown, still a fossil

Kabuto: Unknown, still a fossil