New chapter, people :) As always, enjoy! ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon! If I did, it would've been announced on the Nintendo Switch already.
''Meloetta'' speech
'Meloetta' thoughts
In front of Ash was a massive building made entirely out of red brick. In its center, four massive white pillars rose up high in the air, holding the front part of the roof in its place. The roof itself was painted cerulean blue, and the large double doors a fresh white. The windows were also white, and at the top of the pillars, big golden letters indicated the name of the building in all its glory.
''Well,'' Ash muttered in awe to his floating partner, ''I think we're at the right place.''
''Melo,'' she replied with a whisper. Even the small legendary was amazed with the grandness of the Cerulean city town hall.
After the group had had a nice long rest from the events of yesterday, they had set out in search for the town hall immediately. The mayor had invited them over, after all. For what exactly, Ash didn't know. He could only guess what was in store for him—as did his pokemon.
''Do you think daddy gets a reward?'' Eevee inquired happily. She was currently sitting on Ash's left shoulder, her bushy tail wagging joyfully behind her.
''I'm certain he will, pipsqueak,'' Pikachu responded warmly, sitting on Ash's other shoulder. ''Maybe we will get a reward as well.''
''Really?'' Eevee squeaked.
''Who knows? Why did the mayor state that Ash had to bring us with him otherwise?''
''Yay, I will get a reward!'' she sang.
For Ash, it sounded as a series of very happy yips. He chuckled at Eevee, she always seemed to be so cheerful.
Meloetta, in the meantime, was levitating close by. She decided to stay visible this time around, because she saw no reason to cloak herself anymore after yesterday's events.
She nudged her trainer gently, effectively bringing him out of his thoughts.
''Mel mel?''
''I'm fine, Meloetta. I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have you guys with me.''
She blushed, a shy but happy smile coming over her face, before she softly kissed the raven haired trainer on his lips out of appreciation.
When she broke it, Ash was getting flustered as well, much to the amusement of Pikachu.
''One happy family, aren't we? When can we expect eggs?'' he teased, resulting in a cute pout from the powerful legendary. She puffed up her cheeks in the cutest way, something which Ash thought was absolutely adorable.
''When you find yourself a girlfriend,'' she countered smoothly, immediately shutting the electric rodent up.
''That was a low blow,'' he muttered, a small smirk forming on his lips nonetheless.
She playfully blew him a raspberry, while Eevee in the meantime, simply had no idea what they were talking about. She was too focused on the building in front of her anyway. With a mighty leap, she jumped from Ash's shoulder and ran to the front door, her cheerful cries filling the air.
''Uncle, aunty, daddy, let's go inside! Hurry,'' she almost pleaded. The young energetic pokemon couldn't wait any longer. She was enthusiastically jumping up and down while impatiently waiting for her family to join her.
Ash laughed at her antics. ''Okay, I get it, Eevee. We'll go inside right now.''
Soon, Ash and his pokemon were sitting with the mayor, who had greeted them jovially. He was very pleased with Ash's heroic performance in the swimming pool yesterday, and wanted to reward him and his pokemon royally.
''If you could please be patient for another few minutes, Ash. The gym leader of Cerulean city will join us soon.''
''Oh? I was about to challenge the gym leader today anyway. That's very convenient.''
The mayor nodded. ''Then it most certainly is. Ah, here she comes right now.''
Ash watched with growing curiosity to the door that was opened. He expected a tough looking woman to enter the room, but to his utter stupor, instead, a very familiar face greeted his sight.
''Misty?''
The petite redhead smiled. ''Hi, Ash. It's great to see you again.''
''Wait, you are the gym leader?'' he asked, dumbfounded.
''Yes, I am.'' She giggled. ''Are you surprised?''
''Pretty much. So that's what you meant with that you would fine me in Cerulean city no matter what.''
She nodded her head sweetly. ''I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I wanted to surprise you.''
''It's okay, Misty,'' Ash stated cheerfully. ''I'll get you back in a battle, though.''
''It's a deal. I'll be available right after we're done here,'' she replied.
The mayor watched the two with amusement on his face. ''It seems you two were already acquainted.''
''Yes, we were,'' Misty said. ''Sorry for being so late. I had to resolve an issue with my sisters.''
''It's quite all right, Ms. Waterflower. Now that we're all here, I think it's time to pay tribute to this fine young man,'' the mayor exclaimed, turning his attention to Ash.
''Ash Ketchum, you and your pokemon have performed an act of courage and righteousness, saving a lot of pokemon from team Rocket in the process. On behalf of everybody in Cerulean city, I'd like to thank you profusely. Please, accept this medal and these ribbons as your reward.''
Misty walked forward, holding a cushion with a medal and three ribbons on it. The mayor first grabbed the ribbons, and put them on Eevee, Pikachu and Meloetta in that order. The three pokemon were beaming, proud of their feat. Lastly, the mayor put the medal on Ash, and shook his hand.
''Congratulations, son. You're a true hero. You're going to be a very strong trainer in no time,'' the mayor praised.
Ash blushed shyly, unable to come up with a reply. His pokemon however, let themselves be heard, though. Each giving a loud cry of their name in response.
''Then finally,'' the mayor went on, ''this is a gift from all the people who were so grateful that you saved their pokemon. Please take good care of it.''
A gasp escaped from Ash's throat when the mayor handed him a small incubator with a pokemon egg inside. ''This is for me?'' he muttered, unable to believe it.
''It is, son. I heard the pokemon inside will hatch into a water type. You just have to wait and see which one.''
Ash nodded joyfully, and showed the egg to his pokemon. ''Look, guys. This is our new team member,'' he whispered.
Eevee was ecstatic. ''Am I getting a sibling?''
''Yes, honey,'' Meloetta cooed. ''So when it hatches, we have to take good care of your sibling.''
''Oh, I am so happy,'' Eevee gushed while pressing her muzzle tightly against the incubator to look with awe at the unmoving egg.
''Easy there, pipsqueak,'' Pikachu commented playfully. ''You're almost falling out of your chair.''
''Oops. Sorry, Uncle Pika,'' she apologised. She reluctantly sat down and tried to keep herself in place, but failed horribly.
''Ash,'' Misty spoke up once the raven haired trainer had put away his egg. ''If you're ready, then let's have our battle right now.''
The second gym was as Ash expected, a swimming pool. The field in front of him was mostly water, while here and there a couple of flat structures rose out of it so that pokemon could stand.
'This would've been ideal for Meloetta, since she can float,' Ash thought, but quickly shook his head. 'No. I want to use Eevee, and Pikachu has a major advantage here as well.'
''Melo!'' the small legendary next to Ash chirped, giving him a quick nuzzle to wish him good luck. This was the first time she wouldn't be used in a battle, and she was curious how Ash would fare.
Ash smiled at his partner, gave her a peck on the nose which made her blush, and got into a battling stance while facing Misty.
''All right, I am ready, Misty. Let's have an amazing battle!'' Ash stated, his fist pumped up high in enthusiasm. The young trainer was more than ready for a great match.
''You too, Ash. Give me everything that you've got,'' she responded in kind.
Seeing that both parties were ready, the referee raised his flags. ''This will be an official two versus two league battle for the cascade badge; the gym leader Misty Waterflower, against the challenger Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. Substitutions are allowed only from the challenger's side. The match is over when both pokemon from a side are unable to battle. Begin!''
Misty smiled, and threw her first pokemon on the field. ''Go, Goldeen.''
The water type, which resembled a goldfish, materialized inside the pool. She gave a low cry of her name, and waited patiently for her opponent.
Said opponent—being Eevee—had a determined expression on her face. Ash could feel all of her muscles tense on his shoulder where she was sitting, and her tail was raised high in the air. He knew she was nervous, this being her first official battle after all, so he gave her an affectionate nuzzle.
''It's going to be fine, okay? Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter. Go out there, and give it your all,'' he reassured the young fox pokemon.
''Your pops is right, Pipsqueak,'' Pikachu added warmly. ''Remember, this will be your uncle's first official battle as well. So we're going to do this together.''
This made Eevee relax tremendously. Ash's soothing words, and his smooth skin against her own furry cheek felt comforting. Coupled with Pikachu's gentle words of encouragement, she was now all too eager to show off her full power.
''Okay uncle, daddy!'' She yipped back happily. Though Ash didn't understand her, he got what she tried to say. He could feel her muscles relaxing, and her tail lowering. This was her moment to shine.
Meloetta watched the spectacle with a fuzzy feeling inside. Love and adoration for her trainer, a growing appreciation and friendship for Pikachu for showing his mature side, and a special kind of feeling for the young and adorable Eevee, who still had so much to learn.
It then began to dawn on Meloetta, that this was her family. A weird sense of realization hit her, making her gasp as tears threatened to dampen her eyes. Meloetta never had a real family before, but now, so suddenly, she realized that these three were something very precious to her. She cherished those thoughts deeply, and it made her heart flutter with excitement.
At that moment, she knew, that her decision to help Ash wasn't a spur of the moment thing. Her heart had yearned for this, and honestly, she couldn't think of another moment when she had felt so happy as she did right now.
Did you guys like it, love it, hate it? A review does wonders for my motivation :D Next chapter will be very battle orientated, so look forward to that. Until next time ^^
~Syrup-Waffle