Reggie: So, this chapter kinda focuses on Ash's childhood?
QUEENSPELLER67: Yeah, pretty much.
Reggie: Don't you have a-
Author's note: I don't own Pokémon in any way. However, I own my OCs!
Chapter 2: Ash, Gary, & the other 2 trainers
Ages:
Ash Ketchum-6
Gary Oak-6
Alyssa Juniper-6
Cody Sycamore-6
Delia Ketchum-24
Spencer Hale-25
Andrew Juniper-23
Carla Sycamore-25
Joseph Oak-29
May Oak-27
Daisy Oak-10
(Tuesday. Under a tree, not too far from Professor Oak's lab)
It was a quiet spring day in Pallet Town. Four kids have stopped to relax under the shade. The tallest of the 4 is Alyssa Juniper; her looks are beautiful & deceiving. She's the same age as the boys, but, they don't know that. Ash said, "So, Alyssa, what do you see yourself doing in 3 years from now?" This caught her attention. Cody said, "You're kidding," to the Pallet Town native. It hasn't even been an hour since they first met, but already, they were becoming friends.
(Pallet Town Airport, 10:00am)
A girl was sitting, bored beyond belief. She was about to fall asleep when a man said, "Alyssa, there you are," & approached his young niece. His hair is dark brown, he's got green eyes, & is wearing a white lab coat. Alyssa said, "I feel like I'm still in Nuvema Town. Hi, Uncle Andrew," stood up, & embraced her uncle, Andrew Juniper. Andrew has an apartment in Pallet Town, & is taking a class at the prestigious Celadon University, trying to catch up to his older sister, Professor Aurea Juniper. On the other side of the small town's airport, a little boy wearing jeans & a white T-shirt said, "They said Pallet Town was small. I think it's smaller than Vaniville Town. One thing's for sure, it's smaller than," A woman shouted, "Cody! Stay right where you are, young man," & ran up to him. The woman is Carla Sycamore & pretty much is in the same situation as Andrew. The differences: Carla is from Lumiose City & she's trying to catch up with her brother, Professor Augustine Sycamore. Standing there as he's told, Cody made an observation & thought, "Aunt Carla's in a white lab coat, wearing a blue blouse, a black skirt, & heels? How is she," his train of thought is interrupted by an embrace. Andrew had his niece's luggage, Carla her nephew's. Andrew said, "Hey, Carla," greeting his fellow student. Alyssa said, "Who are they?" & pointed to 4 figures outside. Carla looked in the same direction & said, "A couple of our classmates, & their kids, I'm sure," & they went outside. A woman wearing a pink top & a denim skirt said, "Carla, Andrew, for," but before the woman can continue her rant, the man who has tannish hair next to her said, "Delia, please settle down. Try not to make a scene in front of the kids!" This managed to catch the attention of Andrew, who said, "Spencer Hale, you lucky boy, when did you have a son?" referring to Gary, who happened to be standing right in front of him. Spencer stretched out his left hand & said, "Not yet. Come to think of it, never mind. Anyway, this little rascal is our teacher's grandson, Gary Oak," referring to the young boy with auburn hair. Delia trilled, "This is my pride & joy, Ash Ketchum," gesturing to the boy with messy hair. She was quick to say, "I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind leading your kids to the lab; we've got to go!" Carla said, "Delia, Spencer, I don't see what the rush is!" Andrew let go of Alyssa's hand, face palmed & said, "I do. It's Tuesday & class starts in an hour!" Carla finally let go of Cody's hand & said, "Divide to conquer: Delia, you're closer to the apartments than we are, plus you can run & drive faster. Spencer, you're never late to class, so please tell the Professor we're coming!" Spencer put his helmet back on, got on his motorcycle & drove off. Mrs. Ketchum said, "Ash, Gary, can we count on you to get the kids back to Professor Oak's lab?" Gary said, "Sure thing, Mrs. K! Just go & do your adult stuff!" Delia rustled the hair of her young neighbor, Andrew & Carla kissed the cheek & forehead of their niece & nephew, before placing their luggage into Delia's convertible. They then drove off, leaving the kids. It gets quiet. Alyssa thought, "Hm. Ash, Gary, & judging by that shout, I'd guess that this kid next to me is Cody. Ash. Ash. Nice name, but is it short for Ashton?" Ash said, "So, can you talk?" Alyssa & Cody nodded. Gary said, "We've got quite the walk. So, we'll do both. C'mon Ashy-boy," & began to lead. Ash said, "So, where are you 2 from?" Alyssa said, "Cody, are you," Cody cut her off yelling, "How do you know my name?" Alyssa thought, "Must be in the family. This is gonna be a long walk!" Alyssa calmly said, "I could hear your mom from like, the other side of the airport. Anyway, the name's Alyssa Juniper. I'm from Nuvema Town. You see," Gary said, "Don't you mean Neon Town?" She said, "No, I don't even know where that is! You see," Ash said, "So Cody, where are you from?" Cody said, "I'm from Lumiose City, in," Gary said, "Are you sure you don't mean Vermilion City?" Cody snapped, "NO, I don't. Where is that, anyway?" Ash said, "Wait. Neither of you know the cities & towns in Kanto?" Gary said, "Then that must mean you're not from here!" Cody (irate) said, "Duh! Geez, it's easier to decode the locker room level in my computer game. For the record, that lady who shouted wasn't my mom. She's my aunt," & shoved his hands into his pockets. Alyssa thought, "Well, they're not the brightest Lampent on the streets, but, they're kinda cute. Maybe I can tell them," Ash said, "So, where are you from?" Cody said, "Oh, good, some shade. Can we rest at this tree?" pointing to a tall tree. They all do. Alyssa said, "Nuvema Town is in another region, called the Unova region," a tone of pride in her voice. She looked & thought, "Gary's hair reminds me of a Lillipup, mostly due to color. Cody's hair reminds me of a Luxio or Luxray. As for Ashy, what, did he have an Emolga get to it?" Cody said, "Lumiose City is in another region as well; however, it's in the Kalos region." Alyssa suddenly bursted out in laughter, unable to contain her excitement. The boys stared at her, & she managed to calm down. She said, "Gary, your hair looks like a Lillipup's fur. Cody, yours looks like a Luxio or Luxray. As for you, Ash, did an Emolga hit your hair?" All 3 were stunned at this, & she said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to insult you. See, Lillipup & Emolga are Pokémon back home. As for Luxio & its evolution, Luxray, they're not Unova Pokémon, but I've seen pictures of them in books." The boys smiled, accepting the compliment.
(Present time)
Ash said, "You heard me. Where," Alyssa said, "Honestly, Ashy, I don't know. I can't," she's cut off by growls, but rolled her eyes at the sources. Ash & Cody said, "Man, I'm hungry," the latter & Gary stood up. Ash stood up, extended his hand & said, "C'mon, Leaf, I think it's lunchtime!" Alyssa thought, "Did he just call me Leaf? Then again, I just called him Ashy," & took his hand. She thought, "Why Leaf?" Gary said, "That's a good one. You're wearing a green shirt, your earrings are green, & you've got a green belt on your black skirt!" Shocked, she said, "What are you, a mind reader?" Cody said, "Are you? Because that was gonna be my question!" Ash said, "Nope, he's not. Although," Gary said, "It'd be cool. The only reason I knew what Ashy said, Coder, Leaf, is because we've known each other for, well, all our lives!" Gary opened the door, placed his arm out & says, "Ladies first," ushering Alyssa in. "Growl? Lithe? Grr!" as a small Pokémon comes in. Its trainer said, "Growlithe, must you? I'm sorry," & a man that looks like Gary (but taller) said, "Hello, son, hello Ash. New friends I see?" Gary says, "This is Leaf, & this is Coder!" Mr. Oak said, "Those are unique first names. I'm Joseph Oak," & extended his hand. Alyssa said, "My name's actually Alyssa. Alyssa," a woman trilled, "This'll be the first time it's actually lunch for 4. Honey, I'm glad I caught you, because you forgot your suitcase," & handed it to him. Alyssa gave a full introduction, as did Cody. Mr. Oak said, "Growlithe seems to like you, Alyssa," & reached into his pocket, but found it empty; he checked the other pocket & said, "That's peculiar. I thought," Gary said, "Here it is, Dad. Plus, this," & handed his father a Poké Ball, along with a golden necklace that's half green & half purple. Mr. Oak said, "Atta boy, Gary. Growlithe, return," & recalled his partner. Mrs. Oak said, "Joseph, be careful. Anyway, I'm May Oak, Gary's mom," & served the kids lunch before seeing her husband off. Ash begins to inhale his food & said, "Tanks or lunch, Mrs. O! A, ere's lazy?" Alyssa stretched out her leg & Ash said, "Ow! What was that for?" Embarrassed, Alyssa said, "I'm sorry, Ash. My legs are longer than yours. While both topics are on my mind, stop talking with your mouth full & is Ash short for Ashton?" Ash drank some lemonade & said, "Yes, Mom," before digging in some more. He said, "No, Ash is just Ash. Not Ashton, Ash. Thanks for lunch Mrs. O! Hey, where's Daisy?" translating what he said when he had his mouth full. Mrs. Oak said, "Had you come in half an hour ago, you could've seen her training. However, she left for Cerulean City. Those water trainers aren't just dancers, they're the Gym Leaders. Well, their mom is, but, still."
(The Juniper & Sycamore apartments)
Andrew said, "Ok, Alyssa, open your eyes," giving his niece permission to look at her room. She said, "Thank you, Uncle Andrew. Now, I really don't feel homesick," as she gazed around her small room, including 3 posters. She said, "These are the, oh wow! On that one, it's Oshawott, Dewott, & Samurott! The one next to it is Tepig, Pignite, & Emboar! And this last one, Snivy, Servine & Serperior! Uncle Andrew, can you," he took down the Unova grass starter poster & taped it onto her door. Meanwhile, 3 doors down, Cody said, "Aunt Carla! I wanna take it off!" referring to his blindfold. She took it off & said, "Well, what do you think?" Cody's eyes adjusted to the bright light & he began to soak it in. He said, "There's Chespin, Quilladin, & Chesnaught! Then next to it, it's Froakie, Frogadier, & Greninja!" He turned, & on his door, he said, "Fennekin, Braixen, & Delphox. Thanks, Aunt Carla." As the 2 out-of-towners stared at their relatives & respective door posters, they said, "Now, I don't feel so homesick. Maybe Pallet Town won't be so bad."
Reggie: Hey, why'd you cut me off at the beginning?
QUEENSPELLER67: Because it wasn't up yet.
Paul: Yeah, but is it up now?
QUEENSPELLER67: Yes, yes it is. Like I planned, take it away.
Reggie: Alright! There's a new poll. Although chapters 3-9 haven't been written, QUEENSPELLER67 wants you to vote. I'm pretty excited about chapters 3 & 4. There isn't a specific date, but the poll's up.
Paul: Also, please know that chapter 2 of "Why Should I Go?" is on its way, but unfortunately, not today. Hey, is Ash's nickname really Ashy-boy?
QUEENSPELLER67: Yes, but for the most part, Gary is the only one who calls him that.
Paul: I see. Hey, can I close?
Reggie: Can he?
QUEENSPELLER67: Just a quick notification & then yeah, he can. If this is the first time reading chapter 2, then in the words of a Frontier Brain & a certain coordinator: no need to worry! For those of you who have read this chapter, there'll be an explanation as to why I redid this chapter in chapter 7. Okay, Paul, the closing is yours!
Paul: Until next time I'm in a chapter, readers.