"Adam!" Ash said in surprise, seeing on of his friends here.
"Its nice to see you too." He answered with his usual goofy smile. "You ready to take on the Cerulean Gym? I sure am."
Just then his starter, now a newly evolved Luxio, strode beside his trainer,it feline features now more prominent. His muscle mass was forming in his legs, making them strong, yet slender, and and his body had become leaner and stronger. He was larger, reaching Adam's waist, and had an aura of static that made the hairs on his neck stand up.
"When did he evolve?" Ash asked, scratching Luxio's head, which earned him a purr and an affectionate rub on his palm.
"While walking through Mt. Moon we got involved with a horde of angry Zubats and Shinx gave them one nasty surprise when he evolved."
"Where's Julia?" asked Ash.
"Don't tell her, but I'm getting her something for being my girl friend." Adam whispered, looking around. Ash quirked his eyebrow at that statement. He would definitely have to ask her about this.
"Yeah, I asked her yesterday and she said yes!" he said, happiness covering his features.
"Where are you guys staying?" asked Ash.
"The Pokemon Center. We got a room with three beds, so you can stay with us." Adam offered.
"I'm traveling with someone already." Ash said pointing to the dressing room.
"Well she can stay with us if you want, she must be real pretty to catch your eye." Adam said, teasingly.
"She's four." Ash deadpanned.
"Wow, Ash that's just sick." Adam said, with sarcastic mockery in his voice. Ash brought his palm to his helmet and a tick mark formed on it.
"Gees, Ash I was just kidding." Adam said, seeing his friend's annoyed state. Just then Misty came out, carrying a small pile of clothes.
"Hey, Misty! Come here and meet a good friend of mine." Ash said pointing to Adam. The small red-head, hesitantly, edged her way to them, wary of Adam's spear and the electric, panther-like pokemon that stalked by.
Luxio, seemingly noticing her distress and shyness, began mewling cutely and began rubbing her gently with his fur, and soon he was purring loudly as Misty began scratching his head.
"Seems Luxio likes her." Adam said, watching his starter purr like there was no tomorrow.
"Well, can you bring her outside while I buy these." Asked Ash, pointing to the pile of the clothes.
"Sure!" Adam said, grabbing Misty's small hand and gently lead her out the door, followed by Luxio.
After buying all of Misty's clothes and a small backpack to carry it all, Ash headed outside, to find Adam and Misty each have a ice cream cone, licking away at the sweet dessert.
"Here, Ash." Adam said, giving him a Pecha Berry cone. Ash looked at the one of dairy goodness, questioning its mere existence.
"Oh come on Ash, I know you love this stuff. "Adam said, taking another lick from his red ice cream.
"Thanks." Ash said, taking a lick from the peach colored sweet. Its unique flavor and sweetness filled his taste buds.
The trio stood there for a moment, savoring their frozen treats, watching as the citizens of Cerulean did their daily activities. Once they were all done, Adam said,
"Lets get Misty to the Pokemon Center and let her pack up her stuff, then lets have a battle. Luxio is itching to fight that Charmander of yours." Adam said, showing as much enthusiasm as his starter, who growled playfully electricity sparking of his fur.
"Fine. Just prepare to lose." Ash joked while wiping some cream of his helmet and armor.
Adam lead them to the Pokemon Center, which was located in the richer part of the city. It was surrounded by towering skyscrapers that made the relatively small building look out of place, but in fact it was just as and to others more important than the business that happened in the larger buildings around it.
It was bigger than Pewter's, but it still had the same layout. The first floor contained all the medical treatment and supplies for any pokemon injury, while the second housed all the rooms the trainers rented. The front desk and lobby had the same decorations the other Centers and the local Nurse Joy had the same cheerful and kind attitude as the rest of her sisters.
After walking in the comforting heat of the Center, Adam finally opened the door to Julia's and his room. It was indeed much larger than their last ones in Pewter and Viridian. It boasted three, separate beds, each having a cozy blanket and a set of pillows.
Even though Ash was considered by much of the town a blunt, temperamental loner, he was indeed excited to spend some time with his friends, but the dread caused by having to go through the awkwardness of speaking to someone he had a brief relationship with was eating him up.
Julia was on her bed reading silently, while Eevee and a Metapod, the evolved form of Caterpie, run away from a large Beedrill, its constant flapping wings creating a buzzing sound.
"Julia, guess who I found!" Adam said excitedly.
Julia looked up from her book, only to nearly fall out of her bed when she who was next to her boyfriend.
"Ash!" she said in an mockery of a happy voice, that made Ash feel even more awkward.
"And...Adam who's that?" Julia said, while pointing at Misty, who was now hiding behind Luxio, eyeing the buzzing Beedrill.
"Oh, Ash found her on the way to Mt. Moon and he's been taking care of her." Adam explained.
A couple seconds of awkward silence passed before, "Hey Misty do you want to see my other pokemon?" asked Adam, trying to disrupt the awkwardness.
"Sure!" she said, excitedly. The two soon bolted out the door, leaving Ash and Julia in the most awkward of situations. The two stayed there silent before, Julia finally spoke.
"I'm guessing he told you we're a couple now?" Julia asked hesitantly. Ash just nodded in answer.
"Look Ash, I'm sorry but I couldn't just say no to him." Julia pleaded, but before she could say anything else Ash just raised his armored hand and cut her off.
"Stop, I understand." Ash said calmly, " Your right, I haven't seen Adam this happy since we were chosen to become trainers."
"Ash, you know as much as I do, that he's had a crush on me for a long time, but when we started our journey, I just..just."
"Fell in love with my charms." Ash said in a mockery of an arrogant voice ,that truly didn't fit with his normal personality, that closely matched Gary's and Violet's voice.
"Yeah, you could stay that. But when it was just Adam and I, I just developed a crush on him." she said truthfully. "I'm so sorry Ash I lead you on, I just I just.." Julia stuttered before Ash cut her off again.
"I understand, you gave me a night where I actually felt loved and I will always be grateful for it." he said. Julia sighed in relief the exact same time Ash's dread vanished.
"However, there is a price for this." Ash said, in his famous dark voice. It was so scary that he once scared off a Fearow that had attacked Adam and her. Julia physically and mentally prepared for the punishment that Ash would bestow one her. This was Ash after all.
"When you get married, I demand that I get a front row seat." Ash joked, his dark voice gone to the wind.
After a moment of silence Julia responded back with her own joke. "I'll do you one better. I'll force Adam to make you his best man." she said.
A couple seconds passed before the two began laughing uncontrollably, all the dread and awkwardness vanishing.
Julia stopped laughing before looking over to Ash, who was on his knees holding his sides as he continued laughing.
"You used to be so calloused." she said, wiping the tears in her eyes.
"I still am." Ash replied, trying to regain his composure.
"Yes, you still are, but your opening up more. The Professor would be so proud of you" she said, before sitting up. Instantly Ash's joking demeanor vanished and a worried expression befell him. Without warning Ash bolted out the door at a speed that even he didn't know he possessed.
Ash dashed through the halls of the Pokemon Center, running to the lobby to find one particular electronic device located near the entrance of the healing facility.
After sprinting at full speed for a couple of minutes, Ash finally reached the phone. Ash raced to a free one and began rapidly punching the correct buttons before selecting the call button.
The phone ringed for a couple of seconds before the person of interest picked up.
"Oak Residence, this is the Professor speaking."
"Umm, hey Professor." Ash said hesitantly. He had totally forgotten to call the Professor since the incident in Viridian Forest, despite the Professor telling him to do so.
A few moments of silence passed before the Professor spoke again.
"And, your the third one to remember to call me."
"You keep tabs on us?" Ash said, sweat dropping a bit.
"Well, of course! You five were my pupils for six years. Of course I worried of your self being!" exclaimed the elderly Oak.
"And from the last I heard Gary and Violet beat the Cerulean Gym and are on their way to Vermillion."
"Great." Ash said sarcastically, his animosity for Gary and Violet fully shown.
"Now listen Ash, Gary and Violet have a reason to despise you." Professor Oak said, using some of his famous authority in his voice.
"And what did I do to deserve their wrath?" Ash said, leaning his ear closer to the the phone, wanting to learn why his two worst enemies hated him.
The Professor stayed silent for awhile before he spoke again. "I can't tell you now, maybe when you all receive all your badges and head back to Pallet Town. However, I can tell you that the citizens of Pallet don't treat you like a human being because of Gary's supposed gossiping. It was your Father's doing. That's all I can tell you for now. Safe travels." The other end of the phone buzzed with static, meaning that the Professor had ended the call.
Ash brought his gauntlet to his head, trying to relieve some discomfort from the arising headache forming in his head. What exactly had he done to deserve Gary's and Violet's dislike for him? And what did his father do for the entire town to hate him?
Lordofire here, sorry for long wait, but thinking of plot and vacation. Promise for gym battle next chapter.