Chapter 8 – The Ketchum Family (2)
"COME ON DAD! YOU'RE SO SLOW!" Sora called out to the exhausted Ash who is walking up the hill. Kari who is beside her sister who are closer to the top was giggling and Misty was shaking her head.
"I'm coming! I haven't walked on a hill for a long time!" Ash called out.
"Pika pi…" Pikachu who is on Ash's head called out worriedly.
"Don't worry pal, I'm alright" Ash reassured Pikachu.
When the Ketchum family finally reached to Petalburg city they first went to the Pokemon Center to heal their pokemons and take a break. "Nurse Joy, is by any chance Max Maple at the gym today?" Kari asked.
"No, I'm sorry Kari, Max isn't at the gym today. I believe he will be back tomorrow." Nurse Joy replied
"But then who is taking over the gym?" Sora asked
"No one is, Max is taking a break from his gym battles, his wife is travelling in the Jhoto region at the moment and will return tomorrow, Norman and Caroline are on a vacation that May and Max prepared just for the two of them" Sora pouted and Kari thanked Nurse Joy and the two went back to their rooms.
"So? Did you find out about who is taking care of the gym now?" Misty asked as her two daughters walked in.
Kari and Sora nodded and Sora told them what Nurse Joy said.
"Well you know what that means right?" Ash asked as he walked out of the bathroom.
"What?" Sora and Kari asked in unison while Misty rolled her eyes.
"It means… TRAINING TIME!" Ash exclaimed happily.
"PIKAAA!" Pikachu jumped happily on one of the bunk bed.
"ALRIGHT!" Sora exclaimed happily and Kari just did a small action showing that she is ready to train as well.
Misty sighed and glanced outside of the window. "Well then you better go and train, I'll go and restock on the things that we might need before we head out of Petalburg City" Misty said as she got up from the chair at the desk holding a small piece of paper.
"Are you sure Mist? I can go with you" Ash asked
Misty smiled and waved at him saying that she will be fine. Ash gave a small smile and nod at Misty and left with Sora and Kari who are both dragging him out.
Misty sighed as she walked out of a grocery store with two shopping bags filled with the all the things that her family need to continue their journey.
"Aren't you Misty?" A voice called out. Misty span around and faced a woman in her mid-30s to early 40s with a few wrinkles on her face, pink hair and sapphire blue eyes.
"Hello Caroline, it's such a surprise to see you here" Misty greeted, Caroline giggled and greeted her properly.
"Wait, Caroline, I thought you and Norman went on a vacation"
"Oh, we did, we just came back today and I'm out for some grocery shoppig"
"It sure is, do you any help?"
"Oh! No, thank you, it's not heavy please don't worry about it" Misty kindly declined.
Caroline pouted and said "Why are you being so formal? Oh! All well… anyways do you and your family want to join us for dinner? Max is coming back tonight"
"Can we?" Misty asked
"Of course! Any friends of May and Max's are the friends of mine" Caroline chimed
Misty smiled and thanked her and said that they will be there for sure.
When Misty returned she saw her two daughters giggling at the sleeping Ash on the bed. "What's so funny sweeties?" Misty asked as she placed her shopping bags down.
Kari and Sora turned around and grinned at her and moved aside to show that Ash have his face drawn. Misty let out a small smile and shook her head, "Really now? The two of you are childish" Misty walked to them and sat in between them holding a black marker and also started drawing on Ash's sleeping face.
"MOM! YOU'RE ALSO CHILDISH!" Kari and Sora exclaimed and the three girls laughed.
Ash stirred and slowly open his eyes. There he saw his lovely ladies looking at them with funny faces as if they are trying to hold in their laugh.
"What's so funny girls?" Ash asked as he sat up with Pikachu getting up and the both of them yawned.
"Ahem… nothing Ash… nothing at all" Misty mustering up her courage to reply him.
"?" Ash cocked his head as Kari and Sora span around holding in their laughs.
"Ahem… anyways, Caroline told me that Max is coming back tonight and we have been invited to their place to have dinner at their place" Misty said.
"ALRIGHT! THEN THAT MEANS WE GET TO BATTLE HIM TOMORROW!" Sora exclaimed, Kari laughed and Misty giggled.
Later at night, the Ketchum family left the pokemon center and headed to the Petalburg City gym and had dinner with the Maple family (excluding May and Titus who went out with his mother).
"It's been so long Ash, how is everything going on for you?" Norman asked.
"It's going great Norman, just a bit tired haha" Ash replied.
"Have you been in contact with May?" Misty asked
"Oh yes, as well as Ryan and Sara and Drew as well" Caroline said excitedly
"Don't talk about that kid Caroline" Norman rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Drew has been a great father and has been taking good care of them"
"Don't worry dad, it seems like Drew really did regret leaving May" Max commented.
"That's right, man once Drew and May broke up, Drew changed. He was in despair and was working extra hard" Ash said. Norman sighed and shook his head not wanting to hear another thing about Drew.
"So uncle Max!" Sora exclaimed
"Yes Sora?" Max asked
"When can we battle you!?"
"Haha, let's see now… how about the first thing after breakfast tomorrow for you Sora and as for Kari in the afternoon alright?"
Sora jumped up and put her fist in the air "YES!"
"It's perfect, thank you Uncle Max" Kari said. It was a joyful dinner between the two families. As they went back to pokecenter, Sora was just too excited and didn't get enough sleep but still got lot of energy in her body in the next morning for her gym battle.
Suariel: I am so sorry! I've been having a writerblock but it would be nice if my dear readers can help me with some new story line for all the families that they would like to see.
Sora: Yeah, but before that always to leave a review
Kari: And we'll see you next time
Sora: Suariel… you are drawing us right?
Suariel: Hahahahahaha…. Of course, it just might take a while XDDD