A Boy and his Cat:
AN: I think you guys deserve a heads-up about this chapter. I just want to say that... Well, it's not really pokemon until the second half. The first one is about Ash and Giselle. It's not romance, they're still ten, but I guess I want to build their relationship 'on screen' a little more. It won't happen often, but it will happen now.
Mr. SilverGuardian199200, Mr. Dante R Valle and Mr. Immortal Doctor Reid and Mr. sachin6291: Well... Here's the update! Thank you for waiting.
Mr. Vuurvlieg: Is Ash going to capture a pokemon for a reason other then it's potential for battle? No, he isn't. It's not that Ash doesn't value pokemon for anything else. It's just that he wants to create a powerful team for battle. It's actually a little unfair to catch a peaceful pokemon and force it to fight and fight and fight.
Mr. FrankieFine: I really never considered putting Clarice in that role. That doesn't mean it can't happen in the future, with her or some other girl. But right now, no. Not with ten year-olds.
Mr. moomoo: A lot of people have asked for scene breaks and I swear fanfic . net is getting rid of them when I upload the chapters... And you want comedy with Kitty? Wait until she realizes that Giselle has a crush on Ash. I'll give a new meaning to cat fight then.
Mr. McGeezel: I'm glad you like how I write battles, I was worried they might be over too fast for people's tastes.
Mr. noshadowone: I don't want to write a story where everything works perfectly from the start to the end. And I think Meowth's issues with evolving are a good example of the problems that will happen between my main characters. Neither she nor Ash are trying to hurt the other, but they disagree pretty badly in this one subject. But don't worry, eventually one of them will be proven wrong and they will move past the issue.
Mr. weathersageK: I do like your idea but there's a problem... I already have a pokemon for Ash to catch and Meowth to have a rivalry with. On the other hand, when you described the Sneasel I thought of another awesome relationship (not the obvious one) it could have with Meowth. I think you will like it.
Mr. Lerans: Thanks, but I can't answer your question. That would be telling.
Mr. Capito Celcior: I'm going to be honest with you, mate. I hate trade-evolutions too. They make a little sense in some cases but in this two, they're just ridiculous. So... Unless you guys shout out against it... I'm going to pretend there's no such thing. Forgive me? Here's an incentive: I like Pokémon: Eevee Chronicles by Chash123 and The Dragon Tamer by iggychan89. The second one is specially good, in my opinion.
Ms. Luna shadow: My Ash is going to be a competent trainer and he's not bad looking so... Yeah, every once in a while a girl will crush on him. But I won't make him a playboy and this isn't a harem fic.
Also, you guys have no idea how much I wanted to end this chapter in the middle of Ash's Gym battle. It would have been an awesome cliffhanger. I'm sure you guys will know when.
Chapter 5: What a place, Celadon City!
It was around midday when Ash and Giselle arrived in Celadon City. Both were in high spirits, Ash because he would have another gym battle here and Giselle because she had been like that for a while now.
It had been a week since they left the Pokecenter where they met Clarice, but Giselle still remembered those last few day.
While Ash and his Graveler pummeled Eric's team into the ground, the redhead had apologized to Giselle and they started talking. The pretty brunette quickly realized that she didn't get along with the other girl as well as she did with Ash, since Clarice had a lot less patience for her pride. But the girl still became the first female friend Giselle had in a long time. Maybe they wouldn't get along that well, but it was much better then nothing.
Plus, the brunette was really looking forward to Celadon City. She had been here before and was really anxious to do some shopping and enjoy the place.
As soon as they stepped inside the city, Ash spoke "I'm going to go look for a Pokecenter to get give my team a check up and some rest before my gym battle." he told her, before being surprised by her answer.
"No, you are not." the girl said, smiling and refusing to look at the other trainer.
The boy recovered from his shock and demanded an explanation "What? Why?"
Giselle smiled and finally met his eyes "We're not staying at a Pokemon Center this time! I know a great hotel here! I have been in it only once, but I miss it so much!"
Somewhat ashamed of admitting, and not really looking forward to busting her bubble, Ash mumbled "Giselle, I don't have money for that kind of thing..."
This confused the girl greatly before she shrugged and answered "It's ok, Ash! I will pay!"
But that only made him grimace, before he said "I-I don't really feel comfortable with that... It's probably going to be really expensive."
"Don't worry about it!" she said, waving her hand dismissively and continuing on her way.
Ash spent the next few minutes trying to change her mind and failed miserably. She seemed to really be looking forward to showing him this hotel. He stopped when they arrived at a huge skyscraper that left the boy's mouth hanging open.
"Here we are!" she announced happily and skipped inside, stopping only when she noticed that her friend didn't follow.
She walked out to find Ash standing at the same place, with an uncomfortable look on his face. His eyes met her and he took a beep breath, before speaking "Giselle... I can't let you spend this much money on me." he told her but while looking down "I'll stay at the Pokecenter and you can meet me there tomorrow morning to go to the gym, ok?"
The girl quickly protested, but he just grimaced, waved and ran off, after giving her bag back. She was left standing with a sad look on her face in front of the five star hotel.
Giselle walked inside and didn't give any of the expensive and beautiful decoration a second glance, she approached the counter and told the receptionist "I want the Sunset Suite." she told the woman, not in the mood to be polite.
Though a little put off by the girls tone, the woman was a professional and answered politely "I'm sorry, miss, but that room is really expensive. Are you sure you can afford it?" she asked calmly.
Though Giselle was dressed nicely, in a short sleeved pink blouse and designer jeans, she was still a ten year old. The girl reached into her purse and showed the woman a platinum credit card that made her eyes widen "If I could not, I would not have asked for it."
A few minutes later, the girl was sitting in the couch of the suite's living room frowning. She couldn't understand why Ash didn't want her to pay for him to stay here. The money wouldn't make a difference for her, her family had plenty and he was her first real friend in a long time! She just wanted him to like being her friend... Was it too much to ask?
The brunette sighed and did something she had done a lot more often then Ash, called her parents.
The television worked as a videophone so she dialed the number and sat down on the couch, it was a while before someone picked up.
"Hello?" asked an older man dressed in a tuxedo, he squinted his eyes and asked "Ms. Seyio? Is that you?"
Glad to see the her family's butler, Giselle smiled a little "Yes and hello, Thomas. Tell me, is my mother home?" she asked.
The butler shock his head and watched the girl's face drop in disappointment, which he quickly tried to get rid of "But your grandfather, Mr. Goodshow, is here for the day."
That brightened her mood considerably "Then, please, I would like to speak with him."
The old man nodded and left the room, after a minute another old man, this one dressed in shorts, a long sleeved red shirt and a blue cap greeted Giselle with a smile "Giselle! It's so good to see you, dear! How are you? Has your journey been going well?"
The girl really loved talking to her grandfather, so her previous bad mood disappeared almost completely "Yes, grandfather, it has been going very well. I have captured a Vulpix and a Dugtrio, also my whole team is growing a lot stronger."
The old man smiled brightly at this, though it was hard to see thanks to his ridiculously long beard, then turned serious and spoke "Then tell me what's wrong, child."
Giselle blinked twice in shock, before shaking her head and answering "Do not worry, there is nothing wrong."
"I might have believed that if Thomas hadn't warned of your mood before I saw you." he explained, before getting back on topic "Now tell me what's wrong."
Sighing and cursing the old butler, Giselle talked, despite wanting to have this conversation only with her mother "I have made a friend and traveled with him for the past few weeks." she explained "And I was looking forward to showing him this hotel, the one we stayed in when mother wanted to meet Erika because of her perfumes, but when we got here he wouldn't let me pay for his stay."
It didn't take long the older man to understand the problem, but he chose to help her understand it as well instead of giving her the answer "And did he say why?" he asked.
Giselle nodded and answered "Yes, Ash said he didn't want me to spend so too much money on him. But it makes no difference, we have plenty of money." she complained.
"Maybe not for you." Charles conceded "But I doubt Ash has ever seen the amount of money you have spent on that suite."
"But the money is not his! Why does he care how much I spend?"
Goodshow smiled warmly at his granddaughter now "Because he is a good friend." he explained "He doesn't want you to think he travels with you to stay at places like that."
While the girl processed that information, the grandfather chose to give her some advice "Give him time. Let him get used to the fact that you are a fortunate child, like he got used to your other qualities and flaws, ok?"
Giselle smiled warmly, looking positively radiant, and said "I understand, grandfather."
To that, the old man chuckled "And stop talking like that to me, girl! Loosen up! We're not at court here!"
She bit her lip, but a quiet chuckle escaped "Ok, grandpa." she told him, rolling her eyes.
Ash was feeding his pokemon, one by one like always, on the lot behind the Pokecenter but his mind was really back at what happened with Giselle. He had never realized just how rich she was and the massive five star hotel kind of caught him by surprise.
The boy could be honest and say that he really didn't care about how much money she had, or about the fact that she was staying at that hotel while he slept at the Pokecenter. But he wasn't happy with how he handled the situation. Ash was a little ashamed of just running off like that but he really wasn't used to that kind of place.
There was also the fact that, despite being pretty charismatic, he had never really had many friends. He got along with the other kids in Pallet just fine, but he had been raising Meowth for the past three years and only talked to Gary often. He didn't want Giselle to think he was some gold digger, she was his friend and he needed to find a way to prove that. But how?
The answer came when a nervous looking teen approached him. The girl had short spiky black hair and chalk white skin, she was a little older then Ash but was more focused on his large and well raised Graveler then on him.
"Hi!" she greeted with a small wave "My name is Mandy and I was wondering... Are you going to enter the Contest tomorrow?"
The boy nodded at her greeting and answered "Well, my name is Ash and what Contest?"
Still eying his Graveler with a awe and a bit of fear, she explained "The Pokemon Contest."
He frowned for a moment, before shaking his head "I don't know what that is, so no. But can you tell me?"
Looking relived, she nodded and smiled "Well, a Pokemon Contest is a competition for trainers. But unlike normal battles, Contests are more focused on showing off how skilled and beautiful your pokemon is than on winning a fight."
Since he wasn't completely sure he understood, Ash tried to confirm his thoughts "So it's a beauty contest for pokemon?" he asked.
Mandy shook her head and explained again "No, it's more then that. It's about showing how well raised and taken care of your pokemon is, more then being just beautiful."
'So that's why she was worried about Graveler, my Lady really is well raised.' then an idea hit him and he smiled a little "Do you think a girl, that's also a very serious trainer, would like to watch a Pokemon Contest?"
The teen was a little surprised by that question, but answered nonetheless "I think so. The aims might be different then in battling, but every trainer and every pokemon there is very serious about it and they all work really hard."
Ash then smiled brightly at her "Great! Do you know when and where it's going to be?"
She nodded and answered "Yes, I do. But you might just want to grab one of the fliers with Nurse Joy. You can even read a bit more about it there."
Nodding, more to himself then to the girl, the boy decided "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks!"
The pair exchanged goodbyes and Ash refiled his Graveler's plate. He should just buy some bigger ones, after all both her and Primeape needed multiple servings on this ones. Ash didn't notice the cold, and calculating glance Mandy gave him or the hungry one she sent his pokemon.
Giselle woke up the next day in a very good mood. The beds in each Pokecenter weren't bad, but camping was simply horrible for a girl like her. Of course, her good mood only lasted until she realized she had overslept. It was close to noon and she should have met Ash hours ago!
Since she was now wide awake, it took no effort for the girl to leave her comfortable bed and take a quick shower. She got dressed, while cursing her alarm clock and decided to just skip breakfast and have lunch with her traveling companion. She could only hope he wasn't angry with her for being late, but still took the time to look her best. Guys forgave pretty girls easier, after all.
When she left the hotel, Giselle realized that she had also made her pokemon miss breakfast and was wondering if they would be angry or just annoyed. Her worries where interrupted by someone calling her name and when the girl turned around, she found Ash.
"Wow! And I only had to call you three times!" he mocked playfully, trying to keep any awkwardness from appearing.
She blinked once, before defending herself "I-I just had much on my mind... I overslept a little."
The boy shrugged and said "Yeah, I did so too. But that's just because my alarm clock was in another building." then he laughed "Meowth was pretty pissed that I almost missed her breakfast but nobody else cared that much."
The brunette smiled a little at the mention of the Scratch Cat Pokemon, Ash really seemed to have accepted that she didn't want to evolve, and cared for her just the same. Then she got a little angry "I'm not an alarm clock!" the girl complained, crossing her arms and glaring a little.
Ash just smiled and changed the subject "Anyway, let's go grab some lunch! We have a busy day ahead of us!" he told the girl.
"Oh! So you are going to challenge the Gym today?" she asked, wondering how long they would stay in the city. There was so much to do in Celadon.
But the young trainer scratched his chin, he felt embarrassed for some reason so chose not to look at Giselle "That was the plan but..."
"But?" she asked, honestly confused and surprised. What could keep Ash away from a Gym battle?
"Well..." he tried again "You talked a lot about this city when we were on our way, so I figured we could enjoy it a little first."
Giselle blinked once, before asking "Enjoy it? How?"
Ash shrugged his shoulders and admitted "I don't really know the place, so you'll have to be the guide, but I've heard about something called a Pokemon Contest. It's going to happen today and doesn't really sound like something either of us would enter, but it could be fun to watch."
Now smiling, the girl spoke her mind "It has been a while since I have seen a Contest in person. Yes, I do want to go."
The boy shook his head but had a smile on his face "Then let's go eat something, it starts at two."
Lunch could have gone badly, but it didn't. Giselle remembered what her grandfather told her and chose a simple restaurant for them to eat at.
The restaurant could have been a bad one, but it wasn't. The service was nice and the food was good.
The tension could have lasted, but it didn't. The pair ate, fed their pokemon lunch and soon were lost in conversation. Though Giselle wasn't very pleased that, as soon as Ash was out of her eyesight, some older girl had approached him. But the brunette wasn't about to voice her displeasure and admit her crush on the battle maniac. So, she consoled herself with the fact that the 'cougar' had left just as quickly.
"I can see why she would have been afraid of your Graveler, even mine fears it a little." she commented "But it is somewhat disappointing that fear keeps her from feeling challenged, is it not?"
Only years later would Ash understand the why, but he agreed. Fearful of the pretty girl's small smile.
Quickly, the boy changed the subject "Hey, you said you've been to a Contest before, right? How was it?"
"It was really fun! Coordinators, the trainers who enter contests, raise their pokemon in a completely different way from us! My mother took me to plenty of them, I think she wanted me to be a coordinator like her..."
For most of the explanation, Ash had a pleasant smile on his face. With the last line it turned into a smirk "Oh? And you disappointed her just like that? Poor Giselle's mother!"
First the girl's eyes widened, then she caught the smirk and they narrowed "At least I let her know I'm alive more then once a month!" she said, but it didn't work.
"Alive and so far off the path she wanted you in!" he mocked, with the back of one of his hand covering his eyes and the other clutching his chest "Why do you torture her so!?"
"Oh, be quiet!"
Ash's eyes were wide and he had an incredulous smile on his face "Wow... This guys are really something else!"
The boy and his traveling companion had made it to the Pokemon Contest, and were now watching a Ponita spin around in it's hind legs. While spitting fire. Said fire split into two streams, three feet from the Fire type's head, and fell down like water from a fountain. Nobody seemed to mind that the Fire Type was ruining the floor around it.
"Most contests are not usually at this level." Giselle explained, her eyes never leaving the Ponita "The Celadon City contest gathers a lot of veterans, there are almost no rookies here."
Ash chuckled quietly to himself and commented "If I was into this kind of thing, I would have rushed here as soon as I started my journey!"
Oddly enough, Giselle smiled pleasantly and answered "Me too."
The moment was broken when the show-host announced the next contestant, Mandy. Giselle wasn't pleased at all when Ash shook her shoulder and happily pointed out "That's the girl I told you about!"
Still, she couldn't, unfortunately, deny the teen's skill. With a surprising choice in Muk, she really went all out. First came Poison Gas, a huge cloud of it that the Poison Type used to hide himself. Next, Mandy ordered "Muk, use Mud Bomb." not that anyone saw it happen, since the purple cloud still covered the stage, but the coordinator continued her speaking "And blow it dry!"
It was really easy to see the Sludge Pokemon's now, since it inflated himself to a ridiculous height by breathing in air. Which he blew out with surprising strength, along with the Poison Gas that disappeared just before it reached the audience.
"Use Fling, Muk!" Mandy shouted, to which her pokemon agreed and hurled the, now dry, round piece of rock upwards "And Focus Punch!"
With perfect timing, the poison type destroyed the rock and kept the shrapnel from hitting anyone. Though the largest piece fell just in front of Mandy, and the girl jumped on it before taking a bow. Her gestured was imitated by Muk while the audience cheered loudly.
"Wow!" was Ash said, but Giselle wasn't all that pleased.
"That was very dangerous." she told him, narrowing her eyes at the girl standing on the stage.
Ash blinked and finally realized that his friend wasn't as happy as everyone else on the stadium. In fact, not everyone was happy, it was just that the happy ones were pretty loud. Mostly the adults and parents with children, but there were, here and there, some people glaring at the stage "Huh?" was all the boy asked Giselle.
But she answered anyway "The Poison Gas and the pieces of rock, Ash! They could have seriously hurt someone!"
Now, to be honest, in Ash's opinion when you got involved with two, three feet high creatures that could spit fire, and the like, you should be ready to get hurt every once in a while. But even he could see how almost poisoning an entire audience was a bad thing. Though it seemed that Nurse Joy was the only judge that also realized that.
Still, nobody got hurt and the show went on.
A while later Ash was shaking at the edge of his seat, as he watched Mandy fight in the Celadon City Contest's final match.
After the appeal round, the the coordinators all changed their pokemon. Mandy choose a Tentacruel. The Water/Poison Type was an incredibly intimidating pokemon, and Ash wanted a crack at it. But that wouldn't happen right now.
"Weepinbell! Use Vine Whip!" her opponent shouted, pointing his index finger towards the target. And in a practiced maneuver, the Flycatcher Pokemon spun on itself and released it's attack. The momentum caused by the spin promised a nasty blow. But Mandy wouldn't allow that.
"Tentacruel, use Barrier to stop the blow!" her pokemon didn't even flinch at the super effective attack, it kept it's angry eyes focused on the opponent and refused to budge. Mandy's points dropped a little, but her opponent's really went down "Now, use use Wrap and Poison Jab!"
With speed that he shouldn't have, Tentacruel charged the Weepinbell. It was too fast for the Flycatcher to dodge "Dammit! Weepinbell, use Stun Spore!"
This time, the Jellyfish pokemon growled while Mandy shouted "Use Poison Jab again!" but her pokemon couldn't move no matter how much it tried.
Her opponent smirked then, and shouted "Weepinbell! Use Giga Drain!" the Grass/Poison Pokemon then planted his huge mouth on one of the Tentacruel's tentacles. Both shined green and the Jellyfish pokemon cried it's name in pain. It then fell down, defeated.
The crowd roared in cheers after watching the amazing battle. Giselle almost joined them, happy that the 'cougar' lost, but she wouldn't be Giselle if she started shouting for someone else.
Another thing that stopped her was that Ash remained on his seat, a confused expression on his face "Ash? What's wrong?" she asked, somehow being heard despite the crowd.
"I don't understand why they stopped fighting..." he explained, but that only confused her more.
"Because the Tentacruel was knocked out." the girl pointed out.
But her traveling companion shook his head "No, it wasn't... That Giga Drain wasn't strong enough..."
When Giselle turned back to the arena, she thought that Mandy looked more resigned then sad or angry. And now the pretty girl was confused too.
Since Ash wasn't the kind of person that worries too much, it wasn't long before he was back in a good mood. An infectious good mood that had quickly passed to Giselle. All was well while they talked about the battles they had seen and the strategies the coordinators had employed.
And all was still well, in Giselle's opinion, when they went shopping.
Ash didn't agree, specially with how hyper he was now. He wanted to battle someone, anyone! But if he could chose, it would be either the Celadon City's Gym Leader or Mandy. Still, a promise was a promise. He would wait until tomorrow.
"You know... Erika is a very respect and powerful Gym Leader." Giselle commented while she followed Ash.
And the boy grinned "Yeah! This is gonna be awesome!" he told her.
The pair were on their way to the Celadon Gym, so Ash could have his match. The raven haired trainer had been so pumped that he barely slept at night and woke up incredibly early. And obviously the gym wasn't open yet, not to mention Giselle hadn't even woken up yet.
So, while he waited for his friend to come join him in the Pokecenter, Ash challenged a fellow early riser to a match. The fight was quick, way to quick. The other trainers Pidgeotto managed to score a critical hit against Primeape in the first round, and the Fighting Type's Anger Point came to play.
Primeape demolished the rest of the other boy's first three pokemon by himself, which was enough to get him to quit. Still, the match lasted long enough for Giselle to arrive and they were off to the gym. Not noticing that Ash's victory had attracted someone's attention to them.
"Maybe." she allowed "But don't you think your pokemon should be well rested before you challenge her?" frowning at the carefree boy.
But Ash only shook his head "Don't worry! Primeape is fine and since she usually battles three on three, I'll use Abra and Meowth first. Then he might not have to fight."
Not pleased with the answer, the girl huffed and looked forward instead of at Ash "And if you have to use him? And he loses because he's too tired?" she asked, and the raven haired trained scratched his cheek.
"Well... I guess I'll have to train his stamina."
"Wow! This place is like a garden!"
Ash smiled warmly while looking at Giselle, it was really rare for him to see her so carefree. Of course, the pretty girl quickly realized that she was acting her age and stopped. Then she blushed and glared at him "Are you not going to go look for the Gym Leader?"
Before he could answer, a voice caught their attention "Erika is in the back, maybe I ask why do you want to speak with her?"
Both their heads turned and they found a young woman. She was wearing a kimono and was pretty enough, with long black hair and dark eyes.
Not that Ash really noticed, he just answered "I want to challenge her to a Gym Battle!" he declared, clenching a fist.
Though the woman looked surprised, she quickly lead them to the Gym leader. They found her sleeping under a tree, but their guide didn't seem surprised. So she quickly woke her up and Ash issued his challenge.
After clearing her throat, the the Gym Leader's aide announced "This will be a three on three battle, between Gym Leader Erika of Celadon City and Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. Are both trainers ready?" after receiving their nods, she shouted "Then, begin!"
With a slow and calm, almost asleep voice, Erica made the first move "I will start with my Tangela."
On the other hand, Ash shouted at the top of his lungs "Abra! I chose you!"
And suddenly, she was awake "Tangela, use Sleep Powder!"
The Grass Type quickly shook itself and displaced a white haze, which moved quickly towards Abra. At least until Ash gave his order "Teleport, close to the ceiling!" And just like that the Psi Pokemon was out of reach "Now pull it to yourself, Abra!"
It was almost like the Tangela had jumped, except that it was spinning out of control while it went and higher. Not that Erika would just allowed that "When you're close enough, use Bind to grab hold of it!"
The Vine Pokemon was quick to obey. Just like that, Abra was holding not only himself but Tangela with his mind.
Both trainers were quick to attack.
"Mega Drain/ Fire Punch!"
Tangela's attack began first, but it had almost no time to affect Abra. The Psy Pokemon quickly struck with a super effective blow that sent the Grass Type pummeling towards the ground. It was a nasty crash and Erika's pokemon didn't get up.
"Woah! Good job! You really mastered that move, buddy!" Ash congratulated his pokemon while the Gym Leader returned hers. He might have said more, but Abra turned towards him and opened a palm.
Everyone watched as the Psychic Type levitated Meowth's pokeball and released the Cat Scratch Pokemon outside of the arena. Then, staring straight into Meowth's eyes... Abra started glowing white. It took a few moments and then, Kadabra was ready for battle.
The Gym Leader frowned while watching the intimidating sight that was Kadabra "I wanted to save her for the last, but you left me no choice! Go, Gloom!"
Just as the battle was about to start, Ash felt... Something inside his head. It wasn't a voice or a phrase, but he somehow knew his pokemon was talking to him. He saw Kadabra defeating Gloom and then numerous other Grass Types 'You want to fight all of her team, buddy?' then he saw Meowth standing there, slack jawed at Kadabra's power 'Show kitty your power, huh?'
"Gloom, use Bullet Seed!" shouted Erika and her pokemon quickly obeyed.
As the attack flew towards his pokemon, Ash shouted "Dodge it like usual, buddy!" and Kadabra disappeared from where he was standing.
But Erika quickly shouted "To your right, Gloom!" and the second barrage of seeds also flew towards the Psychic Type. Ash's pokemon dodged the same way, and the Gym Leader gave the next order "Shoot at eight o'clock!"
This time, the challenger decided not to move "Send them back with Psychic!" Ash ordered and his pokemon obeyed. And just as he did, Kadabra fell down, his feet tied by the grass he was standing on while Gloom twirled away from the Bullet Seeds.
It took the boy a moment to recognize the Grass Knot attack, but not a second to do the same with the next move "Sunny Day..." he whispered.
"Gloom! Use Solar Beam!"
New images flooded Ash's mind. A new strategy. Straight from his pokemon, asking for permission. The young trainer smirked and gave the go ahead, knowing it was received.
The Psychic pokemon gathered himself and closed his eyes for moment. Just as the beam was about to hit him, Kadabra shouted his name at the top of his lungs and trusted his spoon forward. Nothing happened, and the Solar Beam struck true.
Meowth sat on her haunches while she watched Kadabra's defeat. She knew he wouldn't be getting up from that blow, it was stronger then anything she could produce and he had never been able to handle her.
She was so sure of that, that her eyes widened to twice their size when the smoke cleared and Kadabra was there, breathing deeply and covered in burns. The Psychic Type didn't even look shaken.
Meowth saw Ash's smirk and watched as Kadabra waved his spoon and nothing happened again.
Erika looked confused, but she had the advantage and wouldn't let that change "Gloom, use Solar Beam again!"
And this time, when the Grass Type pointed it's flower towards the Psi Pokemon... Nothing happened. Again.
"What?" she asked, now completely confused.
Then Ash smiled brightly and explained "That was Disable." then Kadabra was covered by a white aura, and the burn marks began to disappear "This is Recover."
But the Gym Leader wouldn't let him speak anymore "Gloom! Sludge Bomb!"
The Weed Pokemon's cheeks budged and just as it was about to spit the attack out, something hit it. Hard enough that it's entire body snapped back, as if punched in the face. Gloom fell down and didn't get up.
While Ash finished his explanation "And the first one was Future Sight." with a huge smile on his face.
Nobody noticed their hidden watcher. Nobody saw the person leaving, after glaring at Ash and watching Kadabra with greedy eyes.
Hours later, in the beginning of the evening, Ash was behind Celadon City's Pokecenter watching his Kadabra train. The Psi Pokemon was spinning the spoon in his hands so fast that it was almost a blur, while his eyes shined blue and focused.
The young trainer and his pokemon were alone, despite the early hour. Most trainers had chosen to stay inside after hearing the news. The coordinator who won the last Celadon City Contest had been attacked and had his pokemon stolen. Not that Ash knew. He and Kadabra had been here training for hours now.
The two of them were both excited and frustrated. After all, they had won. Clearly defeated Erika's first two pokemon but they hadn't fought a third one. The Gym Leader had given up after Gloom was defeated.
"No reason to hurt my pokemon in a battle he won't win. That would be simply cruel." she told them and gave Ash the Rainbow Badge.
Too busy complaining inside his head, Ash didn't notice the danger but Kadabra did. The Psi Pokemon used Psychic to pull his trainer towards him, then Teleported in front of Ash. When the raven haired trainer got up, he saw the place he had been standing at completely frozen.
He also saw a Jinx rushing his Kadabra, with it's mouth opened wide and ready for Lick.
Ash didn't think twice "Fire Punch!"
The super effective blow was enough to send Jinx flying, but it didn't pack the punch it should have. That's when Ash realized just how tired his pokemon was. Right on time for both him and Kadabra to be hit with a Silver Wind.
The wind toppled the boy and he grunted in pain, but Kadabra cried his name in suffering. Just as Ash managed to raise his head and look at his pokemon, a large Venomoth swooped down and grabbed hold of the Psychic type with it's legs. Then, a modulated voice shouted "Now, use Leech Life!"
And Kadabra cried once more, so loudly that Ash didn't think twice. He quickly returned his pokemon and turned to the voice. He found a woman, wearing a black Team Rocket uniform and a black ski mask. And he knew exactly what that meant.
"Graveler, Rock Throw! Meowth, hit Jixn with a Dark Pulse!"
But the Team Rocket member didn't let up "Venomoth, dodge and hit Meowth with a confusion! Jinx! Use Protect!"
"Graveler, get in front of Meowth and use Rock Blast! Meowth, fire again!"
All the pokemon obeyed their trainers and moved. Graveler took the blow meant for Meowth and barely flinched, though none of the rocks he threw hit the enemy. Jinx on the other hand, was hit by a second super effective attack and cried in anger and pain.
Ash made the next move "Meowth, hit Venomoth with a Thunderbolt! Graveler use Rock Polish!"
The Rocket Grunt growled and ordered, pointing at Graveler with her middle finger "Venomoth, use Poison Powder!"
The Bug/Poison flapped it's wings and created a strong wind that carried a purple powder, it started before Meowth could release his attack. But kept Venomoth from dodging the Thunderbolt. Not that Meowth could capitalize, since now both him and Graveler were poisoned and in pain.
"Now Venomoth, use Silver Wind on Meowth!"
Ash's mind was working as fast as it could, and it suddenly remembered Jinx.
"Meowth, use Aerial Ace and fly above the Silver Wind! Graveler, use Roll-"
When he finally turned his eyes to the Humanshape Pokemon, it was to see an Ice Beam heading straight for Graveler. It hit dead on and Ash's pokemon was thrown back by the super effective move.
That Rocket Grunt smiled this time and shouted "Go Jinx, hit it with another one! Venomoth, dodge that!"
His first order was a success. Graveler had just been hurt by the poison and couldn't get away in time. But Venomoth didn't even come close to dodging the fast flying Meowth.
Ash watched Graveler go unconscious, defeat for the first time since he was a Geodude. Gritting his teeth, the young trainer threw his next pokeball as close to Jinx as he could "Primeape! Hit it with Fire Punch!"
As if he could feel his trainer's anger, the Pig Monkey Pokemon came out of his pokeball screeching and unleashing his attack. Jinx didn't even see stars. The Ice/Psychic Type flew fast and crashed hard enough against the Pokecenter's wall that it almost broke through.
The woman didn't even think twice, she released her next pokemon while both she and Ash returned their defeated fighters.
In front of Primeape, stood a Machamp "Venomoth! Hit the pig with a Confusion! Machamp, use Cross Chop!"
Ash was absolutely sure Primeape was not going to dodge any of that "Champ, use Helping Hand! Meowth, Aerial Ace on the Machamp!"
Ash's Fighting Type did as he was told and then took both the super effective blow and Machamp's powerful strike. He only took a few steps back.
And Ash waited for the right moment "Now, Primeape! Use Low Kick!"
"Venomoth! Hit Primeape with a Psybeam!" shouted the other trainer.
While Meowth's super effective blow barely turned managed to turn Machamp's head to the side, the Low Kick did a wonderful job of knocking it down. Though the Rocket Fighting Type seemed more angry then hurt while it fell. Then, Primeape was hit by the Psybeam and he screeched in anger and pain.
Ash made another move "Champ, hit Venomoth with Assurance!"
The Bug Type was out like a light, but the Team Rock member wasn't done "Machamp, get up and use Seismic Toss!" then she released a Muk "And you use Sludge Bomb!"
Then Ash realized that his opponent had forgotten about Meowth. And although his kitty did look worse for wear, she wasn't out of the fight yet "Meowth, hit the Machamp in the head with a Return!" he whispered since she was close to him.
While Meowth ran forward with her tail shinning pink, Ash watched as his Fighting Type was crushed between the floor and the Machamp. His enemy's Muk fired the Sludge Bomb in the middle of the smoke cloud and somehow hit, since Primeape screeched in pain. Still, this time Meowth's blow was enough to send the enemy's Fighting Type spinning, though it quickly got to it's feet and glared at the Cat Scratch Pokemon.
"I wasn't planning on taking that Meowth, but after a hit like that..." Ash could almost see her smirk through the mark she was wearing "Both of you, hit Primeape with a Focus Blast!"
The Pig Monkey Pokemon was almost standing when the attacks hit, Ash didn't have time to cry more then "Primeape!" before his strongest pokemon was sent flying by the combined assault. The Champ didn't get up.
Loosing his nerves, Ash nevertheless continued fighting while returning his pokemon "Use Return again!" he told his only pokemon in fighting condition.
And Meowth obeyed, rushing Machamp again, until the other trainer shouted "Machamp, use Scary Face!" and when the Scratch Cat flinched, she also slowed down just a little "And now Cross Chop!"
Ash's Kitty went flying. She fell down in front of him battered, bruised and poisoned. But she got up. She got up and stared first at the Machamp, that she could barely damage, then at Muk that hadn't been hurt yet and finally at Ash.
She said her name once, she sounded defeat and it broke her trainer's heart. Until he realized where she was looking now. At his belt. At a pokeball. At Kadabra's pokeball. Then she started glowing and was quickly replaced by a very injured Persian. And then Kitty charged forward, her tail shinning a blinding pink.
This time, she didn't even notice the Scary Face. Ash's Persian jumped, spun and struck the top of Machamp's head. She sent the giant Fighting Type's chin straight to the ground, finally defeat.
But before Ash could celebrate, the Team Rocket Grunt released a Tentacruel. Big. Intimidating. Familiar... But Ash didn't have time for that "Hit it with a Thunderbolt!" he shouted.
And the other trainer answered "Tentacruel, use Protect! Muk, Sludge Bomb!"
Persian unleashed her attack and quickly dodged Muk's, appearing behind the Sludge Pokemon "Use Shadow Ball!" she heard Ash shout.
While Muk cried in pain, it's trainer gritter her teeth in anger. Then she had an idea "Muk, Harden! Tentacruel, Blizzard! Now!"
Her Poison Type groaned in pain, despite the Harden, when hit by the attack. There was no sign of Persian until she came out of the ground, having used Dig to dodge the wide attack. Just like Ash trained her to do.
"Again!" Ash shouted "Thunderbolt!"
Tentacruel cried in pain after the super effective blow, but it obeyed when it's trainer shouted "Tentacruel, use Poison Jab!"
Confident again, Ash countered "Dodge, Kitty! And Thunderbolt!"
In a huge light show, Persian did so and Tentacruel went down hard. Then, so did she.
With wide eyes, Ash remembered that his pokemon was poisoned. That she was hurt. Before anything else could happen, the young trainer returned Persian to the safety of her pokeball and clutched it to his chest.
"I really didn't expect you to put up this much of a fight, brat." the woman spit out "Now, give me your pokemon and I won't hurt you."
Staring at the woman,who was already angry with him, and her Muk... Ash didn't even hesitate "No." he told her. And took off running.
"Fine." she growled and instead of trying to chase him with a Muk, the woman released a Fearow "Aerial Ace. Send him flying this way." she told her pokemon.
It took only seconds for the Flying Type to overtake Ash and do as it had been told. The raven haired boy fell down with a bleeding arm and a concussion, but he still didn't let go of Persian's pokeball. And that seemed to anger his attacker more. Without any prompting from it's trainer, Fearow descended to attack the boy again.
And in a flash of white light, Kadabra broke free of his pokeball. Half dead and barely standing, Kadabra glared at the Flying Type with all the hate he could muster and pushed his spoon against his foe.
Fearow flew so far that if it had hit anything, there would have been broken bones. But the Flying Type was able to right itself in mid air, and took off against Kadabra this time. Not that the pokemon saw. Ash's Psychic Type had fallen unconscious after his last move.
But Fearow's flight was stopped again, this time by a Flamethrower.
But much like his pokemon, Ash didn't see that. He only had the strength to return Kadabra and hug all of his pokeballs. The boy finally passed out.
