The vast market place of Pewter amazed Ash. Exotic and rare merchandise were sold all over its massive market. Different types of poke-balls, rare gems and stones, sweets and candies from far away regions, body armor, weapons, TM's, and even a few HM's. Clothing of the finest silks, garments for every occasion, foot-ware made of the thickest hide, and cloaks of heat insulated cloth hanged on dozens of clothes hangar. Just the mere amount of merchandise impressed Ash. Pewter City wasn't known for being one of the most economic city of Kanto, but yet it held thousands of choices of merchandise.
As Ash explored the aisle of items, he noticed that most of the employees and shoppers were looking at him weirdly. Maybe it was his knight-like armor? The more people he passed the more they looked at him, the same type of look people use when they try to remember someone.
He continued to looking for the cloak section, when he noticed that people were whispering as he walked by. Was his armor that weird? He knew that his armor was rare. but gees they could just look at him and tell their family.
However as Ash continued to search for the cloak area, a News team was broadcasting about the recent Rocket invasion and the unknown creature attack.
Officer Jenny had told him that the Rocket grunts had no information on the unknown creatures. In fact several grunts were killed because of them. However, the mere fact that Team Rocket attacked the same time the creature did was not a coincidence. Someone else was guiding their hands, like a puppet master and its puppet. Whoever it was, wasn't ready to make its appearance.
As he made his way past the broadcast crew he caught some of their words.
"The death toll of Team Rockets' latest raid is about 18 deaths with dozens of citizens and police officers injured." she continued as Ash walked by, wondering what Pallet was thinking. Professor Oak would probably have Pallet's defense raised to unparalleled heights. Mrs. Ketchum wouldn't even bat an eye if he was there in the attack zone, but instead would be caring about where Gary would be. Even though Ash cared nothing for the woman, it did interest him what she did while he was away.
Pallet Town: Ketchum House
Delia Ketchum sat at her kitchen table, a sickening grin plastered on her face. She slowly packed poke-balls into a large box, neatly in rows, before she closed it and posted a stamp on it and an address.
Hopefully all the pokemon she had caught with her hoax of a safe haven would appease Giovanni and acquire his love again. She didn't even know what she was thinking when she ran away from him to chase that Ketchum Man and when she gave birth to the that miserable piece of trash 'Dragon Master'.
All she wanted was the perfect children and only Gary and Violet Oak could fill that roll. They were always better than Ash and always will be. They exceeded in everything he did. Education, popularity, athletics, pokemon mastery, and just being a plain human being.
The perfect family. Her, Giovanni, Violet and Gary. All the power, money and fame joined into one giant bundle. One Delia couldn't ignore. She was meant more than this. More than this scrubby life she had. She wanted more. No! She deserved more.
As she made her way to the door, she suddenly dropped to her knees and began laughing manically. She looked up, her eyes blood shot, her mouth wide open laughing like a maniac, and she pulled her hair. All the money, the fame, the power. It was all hers. It was all hers! She collapsed onto the ground and began laughing hysterically as the images of wealth filled her mind.
After inspecting types of cloaks; their sizes, their comfort, and their price. After a while Ash picked out a nice, brown cloak. It was cheap, robust, and quite comfortable. He took it to the cashier, who ringed it up. After paying for it, Ash quickly and neatly folded it and placed it into his satchel before leaving for the supply area.
The supply area was lined with thousands of vendors, supplying hundreds of foods, potions, and first aid kits.
Ash made his way to a relatively popular stand, with a moderately sized line of trainers, all with their various armors and weapons. The other popular stands were boasting fake healing serums and energy boosters. All the desperate trainers, the ones who didn't take care of their pokemon and just wanted them them grow more powerful easier.
When it was his turn, and surprisingly no one was behind him, he quickly put in his order of potions Ash patiently waited for the required amount of potions.
When the owner of the stand came back with his order, he looked at Ash, his eyes squinting at him before he gasped in shock.
"Young man, is your name, by any chance, Ash?" inquired the man.
Ash nodded an affirmative, before the man smiled and held out his hand. Ash looked on shocked, before them man spoke again.
"I'm Smaurai's father, Phillip Samurai. And I have to thank you for risking your life for my son. He's going to be sticking with us for a while after those...things attacked." he said
"Well anyway I just wanted to thank you for what you did. Here take your order. Its on the house" Phillip said with a smile.
Ash thanked Phillip before packing his newly bought items and swiftly exit the market place, heading directly to Mt. Moon
Ash had to admit, the winding passages of Mt. Moon, the constant moisture, and the eternal darkness that crept behind them unsettled him. The only thing that kept him from running around everywhere, was the little red-head girl, holding his hand as he led them through the cave.
Misty, the little girl that was abused and beaten by her family. She had run away from them and had taken the long route from Cerulean to Pewter only to pass out before she got there.
Ash still remembered how he met her.
Ash slowly trekked through the muddy, beaten path to Mt. Moon, the down pour of rain creating a huge muddy mess of the usual dry road. The down pour of rain pattered on his armor as he trekked on, pushing through the element.
Then out of nowhere a small stream of water bristled against his helmet, catching his attention.
A small starfish-like creature with a red gem in the middle of its body began flashing rapidly, beeping and flailing around, before dashing of into the woods.
Ash quickly followed to find the Staryu nudging a small red head girl, who was wrapped in a shredded blanket. She was unconscious and her body was littered in bruises and large lacerations. Ash gingerly picked her up before running to the Pokemon Center near the entrance of Mt. Moon.
After about 15 minutes of running in the rain, Ash finally made it to the Pokemon Center, where Nurse Joy took custody of the young girl. While Nurse Joy tended to the girls injuries, Ash had Smaug dry of his armor with his firey breath. When Misty awoke, she told Nurse Joy all the horrors of her life. The merciless beatings, the constant put downs of her parents, and the utter horror of her young life.
Nurse Joy had given Misty back to Ash where he swore he would look after her. Misty had instantly enjoyed the thought of having another family and agreed with Ash to travel with him on his journey.
As the two trekked through the tunnel, their steps echoing through out the entire mountain. Misty gripped Ash's hand harder the more they delved into the eternal darkness of the mountain, only his torch keeping them away from total darkness.
He was already way better than her old family, they never comforted her or let her touch them. She was always the outcast of the family. She never went to any restaurants, outside events, and she wasn't even allowed to go outside of their gym.
When Ash came to an abrupt stop, she almost tripped over his foot. She looked up at him wondering why he stopped. He turned and said,
"We should stop here for the night. A little girl need her rest." Ash said, smiling down on her. Misty nodded before looking around the area, warily.
"Don't worry, my dragons will keep us safe." Ash said, noticing her anxiety. Suddenly, Smaug, Mael, and Tyrunt were released from their poke-balls.
"Were setting camp here, Smaug help me make some fire. Mael get the water out of our spot. And Tyrunt could you scout the area. Its berry stew tonight." Ash said while unpacking some wood that he had picked up earlier. Once the fire was lit and blazing, Ash unpacked a large container of berries and began chopping them up with a small plastic knife. Then he poured the berries into a small pot, where their juices escaped and a mushy substance began forming. Soon a oatmeal-like substance was cooked, the mixed colors of the berries were thrown together to create a dark purple coloring.
After putting down the pot to cool, Ash began moving rocks around and clearing a space out,before putting down his cloak to make a make-shift bed for Misty.
"Misty come over here." Ash said as he sat down on the flat area he had made. The little four-year old came over to Ash, followed by her loyal Staryu and sat by Ash, before he gave her a small container of berry stew. Misty happily accepted it, it was much better than the dinner scraps her parents fed her. After she finished her small meal, she yawned and curled up on the cloak, snuggling with Staryu.
While Misty slept by his side, Ash took out his sword and began sharpening his sword while his pokemon enjoyed the meal he had made for them. It had been awhile since he could sharpen his sword. Ever since the creature attacks, his sword had been dulled and needed sharpening for awhile.
As he rubbed the sword against the stone, sparks flew every where as the blade was reduced to its former glory. Once the blade was sharpened and gleamed in the fire's light, Ash sheathed it and leaned back, tired. He finally closed his eyes for a well deserved nap.
Lordofire here and just to tell you I HATE Misty in the anime, she is a whinny, bratty, and over emotional bitch. But I needed some one to help with Ash's evil side and a little sister fit the role perfectly. Review or Pm me if you have anything to say. No flames.