Chapter Four: Training and Talk of a Father

The glow of the egg was blinding for a minute. The man rubbed his eyes while Ashlyn covered hers with one arm and wrapped the other around the egg. It took a few seconds after the light died down for Ashlyn to realize that the hard shell had been replaced by warm skin.

Opening her eyes, she was met with the sight of a purple serpent-like body. It wiggled a bit before its eyes opened and looked at Ashlyn.

Momma… Momma, said the little, shiny dragon Pokemon.(A shiny Eevee may come later in the story, Mustly becase I want a Leafeon in the story)

Smiling, Ashlyn let Dratini wrap around her neck before getting up and turning to the man.

"Tell the trainer to treat Rattata well." was all she said before leaving the stunned man in the room. Walking out of the room, she saw James, Jessie, Misty, and Meowth's jaws all drop.

"Don't ask, okay? Not right now," Ash said before pulling out her Pokedex and looking up two Pokemon.

Dratini: The Dragon Pokemon. This Pokemon is full of life energy. It continually sheds its skin and grows steadily larger.

Scyther: The Mantis Pokemon. When it moves it leaves only a blur. If it hides in grass its protective coloration makes it invisible.

"Wait… you have another bug Pokemon?" Misty said slowly, backing up a bit.

"Misty, just stop, okay? Your fear of bugs is childish and stalls the growth of your skills as a trainer. Now let's see…" Ash said, pushing some buttons on her Pokedex. "Scyther knows Quick Attack, Leer, Pursuit, Agility, and some move called Silver Wind.

"Dratini knows Wrap, Leer, and… Dragon Breath. Woah, definitely egg moves. Better be careful with those."

"'Scuse me, but what are egg moves? And why would you need ta be careful with 'em?" Meowth asked.

"Egg moves are moves that may be inherited by a Pokemon from its parents. But the thing is the one who gained it mostly doesn't know how to control it from a young age or without guidance. Not all Pokemon have egg moves or won't get them without a lot of experience."

"Oh."

"Yeah, I plan to check for egg moves for the whole group after they gain experience. But I have a full load of work to do today. Jessie, James, I want you to have a practice battle with Koal vs. Elle. Keep your eyes open for where you can improve. Jessie, have Wen practice String Shot at a tree. I'll practice my own battling on my own.

WHAAA! Dratini's cry snapped Ashlyn's attention back to the baby Pokemon wrapped around her neck.

Ungry, Ungry, foo, foo!

"After I feed Ini of course," she said, a little embarrassed at first. Then she worriedly called out to Nurse Joy, "Nurse Joy! I need Poke-baby formula!" she called while running to the nurse.

The others of the group just giggled at the scene Ash was making.

-Open Field, After Baby Pokemon Feeding-

Ini was asleep in her Diveball.

"Okay everyone, come on out!" Ash said, calling out Blu and Scyther. Meowth and Pikachu stood in front of her.

Scyther was pretty normal-looking, but it had a scar across its eye. He took one look at Ash then *humph*ed and looked away. This caused Ashlyn to sweat drop.

"Alright Meowth, I want you to practice running on four legs. Blu, you just practice Harden. Bolt, I want you to use Thundershock on those rocks. I'm gonna talk with Scyther for a few minutes."

Got it, Boss!

Hm, simple enough, Bolt said.

Ah, alright, Blu said from his place near a tree.

Ashlyn walked over to Scyther. "Hi, my name's Ashlyn. I'm your new trainer, I guess. Nice to meet you. What's your name?"

Hmph. It's just Scyther, and just because you're my trainer doesn't mean I'm gonna listen to you.

*sigh* "I knew it… you don't like me at all… but I'm not giving up." Scyther looked at Ash in shock. "I'll earn your respect eventually, you'll see. Then we can become friends. On the battlefield, one who was given everything will not match one who has earned his strength, for he has ones he wishes to protect. I hope I'll be the one you'll want to protect in time, Scyther," Ash said before turning away. She carried Blu over to a tree and placed the Metapod in the shade.

"Okay, Blu. You do the best you possibly can. I know you're nervous, but you'll be fine.

O-okay.

-Nighttime, Pokemon Center Entrance-

Ashlyn went out of the Pokemon Center, tired after a long day. After training she got her Pokemon healed, fed Ini, ate with the group, and let Ini swim in the bath tub, but she still had something she needed to do.

After walking a while she saw who she was looking for. "Hello, Flint. Nice night, isn't it?" she said, sitting down by him.

"H-how-?"

"I asked Nurse Joy what you looked like. I've already researched information on the Gyms before getting my first Pokemon… why don't you talk to Brock?"

"…He probably hates me. I just walked out to try to become a stronger trainer. Truth is, I'm too worried about my kids to even leave, yet I'm too ashamed of what I did to show my face."

"You really have nothing to be ashamed of. You're more of a father to your children than my dad was to me. He left our home to continue trying to become a great Pokemon trainer. That was when I was one and a half to two years old. There are only two things I remember about the guy. He has a Lucario. And when I would sit by the window wondering when he was going to come home. It's been eight or nine years since I last saw him, and to tell you the truth, I don't even remember anything else about the man, not even his face. I guess you could say I hate the man. In all those years he never even sent one letter or called. But mom still loves him… so I never told this to her."

"That must have been rough for you."

"A little," she said before getting up and starting to leave but stopped after a few steps. "I kinda envy Brock… at least he has a dad that's worried enough to stay around and watch over him and his little siblings," she said before running off.

-Pewter City Gym, Next Day-

The group walked into the Gym. Brock looked at the grove.

"Hello, red-haired maiden. Did you come here for a battle?" Brock said, grabbing Misty's hand. "Well, you have my hear-"

Jessie whacked Brock on the back of the head. "She's not the one here for a Gym battle! Ash is!" Jessie said, annoyed at the brown-haired boy. She pointed to the dark-haired girl with Bolt on her shoulder.

Brock rubbed his head while looking at Ash. He stared at her for a few minutes before smiling at her.

"That's a strange outfit for a girl to be wearing, but I'm sure that under that black sheep-boy getup is a very cute little girl."

This caused Ashlyn to blush, feeling awkward. The others had their jaws dropped. One thought was in their heads: How the hell could he TELL?

Both trainers were now on opposite sides of the field with James taking the referee spot.

"This is a battle between Brock, the Gym leader, and Ashlyn Ketchum, the challenger. We'll have a one on one battle. Each will only use two Pokemon each. Only the challenger will be allowed to switch in between battles. Begin!"

"Geodude, come out!"

"Meowth, show them your will!"

Both Pokemon appeared on the field.

"Geodude, Rock Throw!"

Geodude threw a big rock at Meowth.

"Dodge and use Water Pulse!"

"What!" Brock shouted in surprise.

Meowth dodged and got close enough to Geodude to hit it with a water-type move.

"This really shouldn't be a surprise. I am traveling with a trainer who loves water types! It only makes sense that I'd ask for a TM," Ash called.

Misty smirked.

Meowth and Geodude continued to battle each other until Geodude fainted.

"You did well; take a long rest," Brock said, recalling Geodude. "Let's rock, Onix!"

"Meowth, can you keep going a little longer?" Ashlyn asked Meowth. Meowth took a bit of damage but nodded, wanting to continue.

-TO BE CONTINUED-

Review please! Neither of us own Pokemon.

Note: I plan to have Ashlyn dress up girly.

More polls!

What hobby should Ashlyn have?

1-Acting

2-Yoga

3-Drawing

4-Gymnast

I want to have Ashlyn have some pen pals… Which top three will they be?

1-Harley

2-Flannery

3-Liza( The one at Charicific Vally, not the twin of Tate)

4-Max

5-Ericka

6-Tracy