"Alright, everyone is all healed up, and we're ready to head out." Ash said, getting Pikachu along with Gligar and Charizard's Pokeballs back from the Nurse Joy.
"And all before lunch." Casey groaned.
"Relax, there's still plenty of time before lunch." Molly reassured.
"Not, my, point." Casey groaned.
"So Molly, you said your dad was looking into some ruins nearby?" Ash asked, as the trio left the Pokemon Center.
"Yeah, I figured since we're nearby we could see what he's researching if that's okay with you two." Molly said unsure of herself.
"Like I said, just be honest if you want to look into something, you don't need to lie about it." Ash said calmly. "Besides it sounds like fun to look into mysterious ruins of unknown origins." Ash said with a spooky voice.
"Will you knock it off!" Casey said angrily.
"What? Are you scared of ghosts?" Ash teased.
"No, but if you keep using that voice I'll knock out a couple of teeth!" Casey argued.
"Oh please, you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if it was right in front of you." Ash teased.
"Want to test that theory?!" Casey said, getting in Ash's face.
"Hey guys, are you seeing that?" Molly asked, seeing a yellow ball of fluff fluttering in the wind.
"Probably just some cotton that clumped together there's fields of it out here." Casey said.
"Does cotton normally produce electricity?" Ash asked, seeing sparks of electricity run across it.
"No it does not, there must be something trapped in there!" Molly exclaimed worridley.
"On it, Charizard we need your help!" Ash called out.
Charizard flew into the air, grabbing the ball of fluff with both arms before bringing it to the ground.
"What do you think it is?" Casey asked.
"Let's see." Ash said, pulling out his Pokedex.
'Mareep, the Wool Pokemon, an Electric Type. If static electricity builds in it's body, its fleece doubles in volume. Touching it will shock you.' The Pokedex explained, causing all three trainers to back up as Charizard was shocked.
"Charizard are you okay?" Ash asked worriedly.
Charizard gave a grunt and nod letting his trainer know he was okay.
"Okay, but we still have to get rid of the electricity and all the extra wool." Molly said, looking at the Mareep. "I can't even see it in there."
"Wait, I've got an idea!" Ash said, digging into his backpack.
"Ash, catching it solves none of it's problems!" Casey scolded.
"A, it could solve the transportation problem, but I'm not looking for a Pokeball, I'm looking for these!" Ash said, bringing out some rope and light blue elbow length gloves.
"We're going to tie it to a fence post while we wash dishes?" Casey asked.
"No, my mom gave me these back when I first started with Pikachu." Ash explained. "The gloves are rubber so, we won't get shocked by holding Mareep."
"And the rope would allow us to keep it nearby without other worries!" Molly said, pulling on the gloves before tying the rope around a patch of wool.
"I bet Nurse Joy would have the equipment or knowledge to clean up Mareep." Ash said.
Back at the Pokemon center
"Oh yes, there are many Mareep that roam around this city, and in it's surrounding farms, so I always make sure we have plenty of shearing equipment stocked up." Nurse Joy said. "I can take care of it if you'd like."
"Can I help?" Molly blurted out. "I mean, I just, I'm worried about them under all of this."
"Of course, come over here with me." Nurse Joy said.
As Nurse Joy and Molly left to shear the Mareep, Ash turned to Casey
"So tell me something." Ash said looking at his uneasy ally.
"You're dumb." Casey commented.
"Not what I meant. I'm here to deliver the GS Ball and then take on the gyms to become a Pokemon Master, and Molly wants to explore all the ruins in Johto, but what about you, what do you want in your journey?" Ash questioned.
"I don't know, I just wanted to go out on my own to prove myself, do I need a goal?" Casey asked.
"It never hurts, I mean you say you're a fan of the Electabuzz Baseball team, are you hoping to join them, cheer for them, what's your plan?" Ash asked.
"I guess I never thought about it. I mean there are lots of rare Pokemon here in Johto, and maybe making a super team of Electabuzz fans would be fun, you know all black and yellow or something like that." Casey said.
"See, now there's an idea!" Ash said excitedly.
"Hey, calm down, I'm not taking pity advice from you." Casey countered.
"It wasn't I was actually just trying to be helpful here." Ash admitted. "I get it, I'm thick headed, I don't always think things through, and sometimes I say things that I shouldn't, but when it comes to dreams and ambitions on a journey, you can't get much more up there than mine."
"What is yours, outside of delivering that ball and taking on the gyms?" Casey asked.
"I want to be a Pokemon Master!" Ash said.
"Like a champion?" Casey asked.
"That's part of it, but only one step on the path." Ash admitted.
"So what is the final step?" Casey asked.
"I'm not sure, but I know I'll see it when it." Ash said.
"That's really dumb, you know that right?" Casey laughed.
"Still better than being a fan of the worst baseball team in the league." Ash countered.
"Can't I leave you two alone for five minutes without you fighting each other?" Molly scolded, walking back over.
"Molly, how's that Mareep?" Casey asked.
"Take a look!" Molly said, as a now sheared down Mareep walked over. It had a pink ribbon with white polka dots on it's tail and a bell around it's neck.
"Cute, so is it a farm's Mareep?" Ash asked.
"Well, not from what they could tell." Molly said. "Apparently wild Mareep sometimes get like this."
"So I'm guessing the bow and bell aren't something it just had on when you found it then?" Casey questioned.
"No, but doesn't she look cute like this?" Molly asked expectantly.
"Looks like a new team member for you to me." Ash commented.
"I mean, I don't know." Molly admitted.
"Face it, you were the one who noticed it, held it and brought it here, and wanted to help with shearing it, you should be the one to catch it." Casey said confidently.
"Alright then Mareep, do you want to come with me?" Molly asked.
"Baaah." The Mareep cried, rubbing it's head against Molly's leg.
"Alright then!" Molly said excitedly, tapping a Pokeball on Mareep's head, catching it instantly. "Welcome to the team Mareep."
Molly's Current Team and their Moves
Cyndaquil: Ember - Tackle - Smokescreen
Mareep: