Girl i choose you part 2
It was a quiet and unusually uneventful night in the Viridian city pokemon center. One Doctor Victoria Joy, is enjoying reading a trashy romance novel. Her eyes widened, seeing how spicy it was getting and she giggled to herself. She allowed her mind to wander, the image of her girlfriend handcuffing her to the bed instead making her let out a sigh of desire.
"...I wonder if she's off work yet…" Victoria mused to herself. "...I should really call the station, it's been way too long since…"
She smacked herself, she had to be on call at all times! She couldn't let herself be so unprofessional, even when it came to matters of the heart! Her Chansy was taking a quick break, fast asleep on a nearby chair, letting out cute little snores.
Suddenly, she heard the loud roar of a motorbike engine, and saw the local Officer Jenny burst in through the doors.
"Speak of the devil and she shall appear… Isn't that the saying?" Victoria wondered aloud.
Her bike slid along the floor, with a screech sound with two people on the back of the bike. One, she recognized, as Celadon City's gym leader. The other, well she wasn't familiar with at all.
"Now really, was all of that necessary?" Victoria asked, raising an eyebrow at her girlfriend. "I know you're the dramatic type Jane, but-"
"Nurse Joy, we need help!" Erika said, trying not to be sick all over the waiting room floor.
The other trainer, Victoria let out a gasp at the sight of him. His arms and face were covered in cuts, only now just beginning to heal. And in his arms, a very badly battered Pikachu. She rose up to chide the young boy, but stopped at the look on his face.
"PLEASE HELP MY PIKACHU! SHE'S HURT AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT SHE'S HURT BECAUSE I'M A FAILURE!" the boy said, trying not to cry.
In her arms, she took the battered little mouse Pokemon, and sighed knowing it was going to be a long night. Especially when she saw the five other Pokeballs the boy had brought with him. "Alright, I'll do what I can, but what happened?"
"The Spearow flock," Jane said, and at this Victoria's eyes widened. "I've been telling the Rangers for years that they've been a problem and this is only further proof of it!"
"The Spearow, they need help too," Erika said. "The rest of them, they've been caught as well, and Professor Oak's taking care of them as best as he can."
"You mean you caught all of those damn birds?" Jane said, looking relieved.
"No, I didn't have anything to do with it," Erika said. "Ash, he caught all of them."
"Impressive…" Jane said, tipping her hat to the young boy. "Now don't worry, my girlfriend… she'll make sure all of them get the best care they can."
"Please take a seat out in the waiting room," Victoria said. "I'll do everything I can."
"Oh my goodness, I left my bike parked at the front desk," Jane said, sweat-dropping and Victoria giggled.
"Next time, use the driveway~!" the Doctor said, sweetly before rushing off with Pikachu.
She swallowed, wondering if she was making a promise she couldn't even keep.
Line break
Dialing Professor Oak on the center's videophone, Ash gave a sigh of relief when he picked up.
"Ah, Ash! I'm so glad to hear from you! Can you see me?"
"Well, I can certainly see the back of your head," Ash snarked, given Oak was facing the wrong way.
"Oops, wrong camera, here just let me…" Oak said, pressing a button and the screen flickered before he was facing the proper way. "I see you made it to Viridian City, you know I had a bet going on with Gary that you wouldn't catch a single Pokemon and now I'm several hundred Pokedollars richer because look at you! You captured that entire flock that's been plaguing beginning trainers for years!"
"Well, I'm glad you see the bright side," Ash snarked. "I feel like I messed up my life, how do I start a new account? I used up all of my pokeballs on the first day!"
"You're in Viridian, you should be able to pick up a whole new set," Oak said. "And hey, maybe you can capture another flying type or two. There's nothing wrong with specializing, like look at Falkner in the Johto region. He built his entire career around flying types. There really is no wrong way to be a trainer."
"I suppose…" Ash sighed. "It's just that right now, Pikachu's in the emergency room and I feel like I'm doing all of this all wrong."
"Now I'll say this, and I know your mother would say the same, but everyone stumbles and falls at first. It's how you pick yourself out of the dirt that matters."
Ash smiled weakly, feeling a little better. "Thanks Professor…"
"Anytime Ash," Oak said. "For what it's worth, I think you're doing just fine."
Now if only he could believe that. Ash, for his part, was a nervous wreck. Once he'd hung up the phone, he'd started pacing back and forth.
Erika frowned. "You know, if you keep pacing back and forth like that you'll just dig a hole in the floor and I doubt you have the money to fix it."
Despite himself, Ash managed a smile at the joke. Gently sitting down, he nodded and let out a sigh.
"Don't worry," Erika soothed. "Like Doctor Joy said, she'll give your Pokemon the best of care."
"But what if…?"
"No what ifs, don't invite trouble. She knows what she's doing," Erika said. "So then why don't you tell me more about… well, you know. How long have you wanted to be a girl?"
Ash stared in shock, completely in disbelief. It was like Erika was just treating this as something completely normal. Like something she saw everyday, actually. "Uh as long as I can remember honestly I just like it, the feeling of the clothing it makes me feel like I'm as strong as Cynthia or beautiful as Diantha…" he trailed off with a wistful sigh.
Erika smiled, and again nodded in understanding. "I understand, they're two of the most powerful trainers in the world. I admire them too, they're an idol for women everywhere. Now Ash, I'm going to ask you a question, and I want you to think about it long and hard. How long have you wanted to be a girl?"
"...that's possible? I… I didn't even know it was, like I just thought I…"
Erika smiled again, giving a nurturing look to the young 14-year-old. "You're a fan of Diantha, clearly. Do you remember she was born a boy?"
Ash blinked, a vague memory of a controversy of when he was just a toddler resurfacing. "I… I think so?"
"It's perfectly normal, while it's not as common as some idiots say it is, there is a certain percentage of the population who believe they were born in the wrong body. Have you heard of the terms Transgender or Nonbinary before?"
"I… I… but I can't be a girl… can I? It's not… Like it's not supposed to be that way. I was born a boy, and I'm a boy?"
"Boys don't have breakdowns about their gender, and questioning if they're really meant to be boys," Erika said, soothingly, and gently grasping his(?) hands. They were warm, soft. Ash wondered if this was what having a sister was like. "It's okay to question all of these things, it's part of growing up."
He felt lost in his own mind, like he was spiraling downwards. His entire world felt like a dream all of a sudden and the world was beckoning him to wake up. Reality wanted him to join it, and the entire world was dark even as a light led him forwards. In his(?) soul, he saw it. A plant, nothing more than a wilted bulb closed firmly gently, he kneels before hesitating to even touch it. He knew if he did, everything would change forever.
He wasn't sure if he even wanted it to. Should he even be thinking about this right now, he wondered. His starter, Pikachu… She was struggling for her life and that's when he heard it.
"Pika chu pi!" his starter said, walking towards him except he didn't hear her usual pokespeech. Instead, he heard: "Well, what are you waiting for, you idiot? Are you going to pack your shit together, or are you going to run away from who you really are like a coward? Don't make me get out of my bed and shock you again!"
He… no, she knew the answer.
"Nah, buddy, I think I finally figured it out."
She smiled, bumping fists with her partner. Back in reality, she introduced herself.
"Hello, Miss Erika, My name is Ashley Ketchum and I am a girl."
Ashley felt like crying, it felt like she'd just been born all over again.
Erika pulled the crying girl into a hug, she made a really beautiful young woman actually. "It's okay, I'm pleased to finally meet the real you. And please, don't call me Miss. It makes me feel old, I'm only 17 after all!"
Ashley gave a wet snort. "Sorry…"
That's when the alarm rang, disrupting the tender moment.
"Wait a minute… what the…?" Erika said, looking up before they heard Jane's voice over a loudspeaker.
"This is an emergency, please keep all of your doors locked and your Pokemon inside their balls. We have detected two members of the dangerous criminal organization Team Rocket within Viridian City's airspace," Jane's voice crackled. "I repeat, this is not a drill, two members of Team Rocket have been detected over our airspace, I repeat keep your doors locked at all time!"
"Team Rocket?" Erika's eyes widened as she and Ashley looked at one another.
Ash's heart raced, everyone in Kanto and Johto had heard of the infamous mafia. But he… no she'd -She really had to stop thinking of herself as a boy from now on- never thought she'd run into them on her first day as a trainer!
"We're going to be alright," Erika said as massive metal shutters came down locking them inside. Soothingly, reassuringly, she said: "There's no way they're getting inside now."
Ashley started to nod, her nerves starting to relax themselves before her eyes widened.
"LOOK OUT!"
She pulled Erika out of the way even as a pokeball, but much larger fell through the skylight.
"Billy, Explosion!" a female voice called out and smoke filled the room even as alarms blared.
"Who the hell…?" Ashley asked, coughing from the smoke.
"Listen, is that a youthful voice I hear?" the same female voice asked.
"It's speaking to me rather loud and clear!" a male voice joined in. "Now how does it go again…? Oh yes…"
"Prepare for Trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!" the female voice said as a woman with fiery red hair stepped out of the smoke.
"To unite all peoples within our nation!" her compatriot said, with violet hair framing the sides of his face.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" the redhead said, even as her partner in crime threw roses everywhere.
"To extend our reach to the stars above!" the male said, stretching out his arm as if to grasp said stars.
"Jessie!"
"And James!" the duo introduced themselves, even as a Meowth flipped into view.
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!" Jessie proclaimed.
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" James added.
"Meowth! That's right!" the Meowth spoke, flashing a peace sign.
Ashley blinked, and before she was unable to stop herself, she said: "...so what, are you guys actors or something? Because I think you still need a few more lessons."
"Excuse you, you little brat, but the motto just has to be done! Truly dashing rogues always announce themselves before a caper!" Jessie said, eyebrow twitching and doing the 'must control fist of death' motion.
"Oh wait, I know!" Ashley snarked. "You're just a couple of fans! The costumes, the motto, they're all homages! Well, I suppose if you're going to be weird, just be confident about it."
"What's the motto with you, kid?" the Meowth said. "Can't youse see we're members of Team Rocket here? Like prepare for trouble, and make it double!"
Being able to respond within seconds to a stupid question, Ashley liked to think, was the sign of a healthy functioning brain.
"There's no need for you to repeat yourself, I ignored you just fine the first time," Ashley said. "I know, I don't need to be so sarcastic but the world has given me plenty to work with and I'd hate to be wasteful."
To Ashley's shock, Erika's eyes lit up. "Oh my a talking Meowth!"
Rushing up to him, she acted about half her age looking at him with her eyes still shining. Ashley swore there were stars in her eyes. "Please tell me how you are able to talk, no wait can I please hug you?"
The Meowth rubs the back of his head. "Well gosh lady you're makin' me blush. Well, the how I learned to talk is, well the thing is it's a long story but sure I can always give a hug to a fan."
The grass type gym leader squeed and hugged Meowth while his two partners in crime whispered amongst themselves. "...we are never letting him live this one down are we Jessie?"
"Never, and you know it James." Jessie whispered back.
After a few minutes of the talking Scratch Cat Pokemon basking in the attention of a pretty girl, the Rocket member named Jessie clears her throat. "Nyasu, if you're done showing off and falling in love with another girl, we have business to do! The evil, dirty kind!"
The talking feline let out a nervous laugh. "Uh, now I'm real sorry about this I am but I'm gonna have to tie yas up now thanks for the affection though doll!" He scratched at Erika's face though she rather quickly and gracefully evaded it.
"Ahem yes sorry about that but I'm afraid I can't let you three continue whatever evil scheme it is you have tonight. By the invested authority of the Celadon City gym leader and the Pokemon League, I'm placing you under arrest."
To emphasize her point, she flashed her trainer card and the Rainbow Badge.
"Oh snap, you didn't tell me that she'd be here!" Meowth said, backflipping to his partners. "Talk about great intel, youse guys!"
"Whatever, we'll just nab her Pokemon too!" James said. "Think of the possibilities, oh man the boss will pay us big bucks if we bring him a gym leader's Pokemon! Imagine, him enjoying the sweet aromas of her Pokemon's scents while he takes his afternoon siesta!"
"Focus James!" Jessie barked, gently dope slapping her male partner. "Her perfidious poison Pokemon though, they'll be perfect for dashing charming rogues like us! Now, grab all of them and all of the ones in this Center in the name of Team Rocket!"
"I'm sorry, but I really can't let you do that! You two are truly twisted and vile people, all of the Pokemon here are sick or injured!" Erika said, gesturing to Ashley. "Ashley, go get Nurse Joy and tell her what's going on! I'll handle these clowns! Meadow, let's go!"
But even as she tossed her Pokeball, Jessie tossed a smaller ball which flew towards a confused Erika.
"Uh thanks for the ball but…." before Erika could finish her sentence, the small metal ball exploded, wrapping her and her Leafeon in a sticky pink goo of some sort.
"Hey what is this gunk?" she struggled to get out of it as the trio just strode forward. "Meadow, try to break free with Razor Leaf!"
The Leafeon let out a yelp and tried to rip herself free, but no such luck.
"Sorry Milady, but we don't have time to play with you tonight. As much as I love a good battle, we just don't have the time right now. I do have to say though, your kimono is looking very fine. I too enjoy wearing Lokix brand kimonos as they're always so comfy." James said. "I apologize for any unnecessary roughness, but we have a job to do. Us dashing rogues have to make ends meet in this economy too you know!"
Erika blinked in confusion, a terrorist complimenting her sense of fashion but smiled just the same.
"HEY, LEAVE MY FRIEND ALONE!" Ashley shouted, and James, being as distracted as he was, didn't see her coming. He was thrown to the ground, almost as if Ashley was a pro linebacker for a Unova football team.
James moaned in pain. "Now listen here, young man, it's very rude to shove someone while they are distracted. Now I'm a criminal but have no such excuse so could you please conduct yourself properly like a proper young gentleman?"
Ashley growled at him. "I AM NOT A YOUNG MAN! I'M A GIRL!"
James' eyes widened as he let out a little gasp. "My apologies, I'm sorry truly I am. I didn't realize, but what would a person of my standing be if I didn't respect your pronouns? I myself, am genderfluid so you would make a hypocrite out of moi!"
Jessie grabbed her partner by the ear. "Yes, James is truly sorry but they also have work to do! Get her Pokemon as well, before I have to do it myself!"
Ashley blinked, if she got out of this there was another concept she'd have to ask Erika about. "Not on your life! You're not taking even one Weedle!"
The older woman sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look i really don't like hurting kids so would you kindly please move aside? I'm asking you nicely, understand?"
Ashley just kicked her in the shin.
"Why you little BRAT!"
Ashley still wouldn't let go, grabbing onto Jessie and she had a plan, a very stupid plan but a plan all the same. Biting down onto Jessie's hand, she said: "I'm not letting you get away!"
Ashley had used Bite, and it was apparently Super Effective.
Jessie's eyes bulged out of their sockets, even as Erika yelled at Ashley to run. "She bit me! I can't believe it! The little brat actually bit me, okay no more playing around. I'll kill her myself!"
She pulled out a Pokeball, and tossed it. "Go get her, Hemlock!"
"Ekaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanns!" the snake let out a cry as he was revealed.
Ashley gulped and ran for it, and she'd never been much of a thinker and more a doer but she knew she was outmatched without a Pokemon to fight back with. So the only thing she could do was run!
She felt the Ekans slam into her, and she clutched her side in pain. Cursing under her breath, she ran towards Victoria's office.
"Doctor Joy!" she called out, hearing the Ekans slither behind her. "It's Team Rocket, they've busted in!"
"I heard the explosion," Victoria said, pressing buttons on a computer. "Help me get these pokeballs transferred to the center in Pewter City!
Lining the walls were Pokeballs, and Ashley gasped. There had to be at least a hundred of them!
"I'll hold off these thugs, you just keep those Pokeballs going!"
"EKKKKKKKKAAAAAAANNNNS!" the Snake Pokémon said as he burst into the room.
"This is a hospital!" Victoria said, pulling out a Pokeball of her own. "It's a good thing it is too, because you're going to need it by the time my partner and I are done with you. Let's go, Paddington! Use Scary Face!"
A massive ursine form filled the room. Ashley gasped to see the big bear roar as it appeared out of Victoria's thrown Pokeball.
"URSSSSSSAALUNA!" Paddington snarled, and made a terrifying expression.
Jessie's Ekans was scared stiff, even as Victoria said: "Paddington, slash it with your claws!"
"URSA!" the Peat Pokémon said, striking the snake. Ashley just kept loading in Pokeballs, watching them be transported away with electrical zaps.
"Ugh, what's taking you so long?" Jessie said, as she and James ran into the room. "James, take care of this nuisance."
"Alright then, he asked for it! Blight, give him a sludge makeover!" James said, tossing a Pokeball.
"Koffing!" the ball of poison gas said, spewing toxic sludge onto Victoria's Ursaluna.
The bear roared in pain and staggered, clearly poisoned.
"So what are you going to do now, huh little girl?" Jessie asked. "We've got you cornered, and there's no way you can get all of those Pokeballs out in time. Not before we nab every last one of them, anyways."
Ashley even as Team Rocket closed in, swallowed, wishing she knew.
Line break
Ashley slowly rose to her feet, still clutching her side even after a tail whipping from Hemlock.
"I'm getting really tired of getting smacked into things today… " she groans, gripping her ribs. Her eye twitched and she turned to yell at Jessie. "Hey, you old hag! I guess you're too afraid to face the world's greatest Pokemon trainer yourself! Instead, you're sicking your Pokemon on a doctor instead, like a coward!"
James and Nyasu turned to look at each other, and backed away in unison. Hemlock looked at his trainer, who looked like a volcano ready to explode. And explode, she did.
Jessie lunged at Ashley, attempting to strangle the brat. Ashley kicked her in the stomach, shouting: "Let go of me, you banana-haired witch!"
"HOW YOU DARE INSULT MY BEAUTIFUL HAIR!" Jessie in a pure rage threw a punch at the girl. Ashley just grabbed her by the arm and bit her again on the hand. Jessie's eyes bulged out once more
"Okay, that's it, let's see how you like it!" Jessie snapped, biting down on Ashley's arm. Ashley just kneed her in the stomach.
"...I thought Pokemon were supposed to be the ones doing the battling, not their trainers. Meowth!" Nyasu snarked.
Ashley pulled on Jessie's hair, even as they rolled around on the floor trying to clobber one another.
Erika, having finally freed herself from the gunk, walked in having heard all the commotion. Her beloved kimono was still covered in bits and pieces of the sludge. She felt rather furious and wanted to kill the red head but keeping her fury under check prepared to calmly chide the older woman instead. Of course, when she got there, she saw her new friend along with Jessie rolling around on the ground like a pair of children.
She stumbled, gaping and unable to take her eyes off the sight.
"...how old are you two anyways?"
James sweatdropped. "...well, my partner claims she's 26 but it's entirely possible she's lying…"
"...And Ashley's supposed to be 14…" Erika said.
"Shut up! Team Rocket always puts beauty before duty!" Jessie hissed out, rather like her partner Pokemon. "How dare this sniveling brat insult my beautiful hair!"
"Well, would you like me to insult your face instead?" Ashley snarked, getting in another kick to the side. "Because there's not much to compliment there either!"
"Now Ashley, a lady always conducts herself with grace and elegance," Erika said, with her Leafeon by her side.
"Who are you talking to? Me, or Jessie?" Ashley said, before snarking. "Because all I see is an old hag!"
"HOW DARE YOU, YOU LITTLE BRAT! Hemlock, tackle her!"
"I should think not," Erika said. "Meadow, please use your Energy Ball!"
The Leafeon fired an orb of green energy at the lunging Ekans, knocking it into a wall.
"So a 14-year-old who acts more like she's 4 and a 26-year-old who acts more like she's only two." Erika snarked.
Jessie let out another angry hiss. "Are you saying I'm more immature than this biting brat here?"
"Well, if the shoe fits…" Erika said.
"James, get her!" Jessie snapped.
"Blight, another sludge makeover for the pretty lady!" James said. "Apologies in advance for ruining your kimono, but between facing you and facing Jessie… I'd rather face you."
"You may find yourself regretting that," Erika said. "Meadow, return! Ichigo, switch out!"
A locust-like Pokemon, in a lime green color stood in place of the Leafeon.
"Ichigo, Double Kick!" Erika ordered, pointing at the Koffing.
The Lokix leaped into the air, kicking Koffing once sending it flying. Then he pushed himself off the ball of gas, before leaping into another kick smashing the Pokemon into the ground.
"Blind him with Smokescreen!" James said, even as Blight released a cloud of thick heavy smoke. "Now, switch out with Kisame!"
Another pokemon took the field, a tiny little arthropod known as a Wimpod. True to its name, it was shuddering, and shaking and looked rather cowardly in general.
"Kisame, Mud Shot!" James said, the Wimpod spitting out mud from his mouth.
Lokix leaped into the air to dodge the attack, and leaped into a diving kick.
Kisame trembled before switching out with Blight letting it take the kick. Blight slammed into the wall, almost unconscious.
"...why does this always happen?" James asked, hanging his head and sulking.
Jessie had quickly realized that things were going south. Growling out her words, she said: "...okay, fine then… I guess you win this time, you little brats. James, Nyasu, we're forced to use it. It's time for Plan R!"
James and the talking Meowth shared a look. "Not Plan R, you know how much I hate that plan! It's so undignifying for master criminals like us!"
"...oh, so you mean some other members of Team Rocket then?" Ashley snarked.
"SHUT IT BRAT!" Jessie yelled back at her.
"Well, it's a good thing we're named Team Rocket, because in a moment we're probably going to be blasting off!" Nyasu said.
"It's the only way," Jessie said, seriously, looking to James' barely conscious Koffing. "Blight, use Smokescreen in combination with Explosion!"
The Koffing slowly rose up, saying: "Koff, koffing!"
"Everyone, get down!" Victoria said, running into the room.
Ashley and Erika both hit the floor, while Victoria took cover.
The room was covered in smoke and ash as Blight spewed his toxic gasses, and when the dust cleared Team Rocket was gone.
Jane pulled up outside the Pokemon Center, seeing smoke rising from the Pokemon Center.
"Looks like I'm too late to help, but not too late for the fireworks!"
Line break
Team Rocket were hidden in an alleyway, panting and sweating.
"I can't believe that we, members of the great Team Rocket, got defeated by two teenage brats!" Jessie growled. "At least the fake out worked!
"I know, but this is so humiliating! If we tell the boss about thi-"
Jessie grabbed him by the lips. "We are not telling the boss about any of this! We'll just say that the police department arrived, and we were forced to flee!"
"Still, if that girl Erika is really traveling with that snot-nosed brat, we should do the same," James said, after Jessie let go. "We should follow, a gym leader's Pokemon will be extra powerful, and she has a few you can't even find in this region! That Lokix alone would net us a promotion!"
"James, I can't believe I'm saying this but you may actually have a good idea within that tiny brain of yours," Jessie said. "Besides, nobody calls me an old hag and gets away with it! I'm going to steal every one of that Ashley girl's Pokemon and watch her cry! Maybe tomorrow, we'll be on top of the heap!"
The threesome laughed, as they formed a plan…
Line break
Back in the Pokemon center, our heroes were still coughing. Ashley groaned, crossing her arms. "I cant believe the old hag and the other two got away!"
Erika straightened her kimono. "What's important is we saved all of the Pokemon here. Catching vicious wanted criminals is a job for the police, not us."
"Yes, she's quite right," Joy said before curtsying. "We here in Viridian City are forever in your debt. If there's anything we can ever do for you, please just ask."
Ashley grinned, feeling rather proud of herself. "Yeah, well ya know it was nothing but I am pretty awesome right? Did you see how I handed that bitchy old hag?"
Erika took out a paper fan and gently whacked Ashley on the head. "A lady must remain poised and humble at all times. Besides I'm the one who took care of the old hags pokemon."
"Oh yes, by the way…" Victoria said as an Audino wheeled out Pikachu on a stretcher.
"PIKACHU!" Ashley said, running up to pull her Pokemon into a hug.
"Pika pi!" the mouse said, excitedly.
"Wow, look at you, you look all fresh and recharged!" Ashley said, praisingly. Pikachu shocked her, almost as if on cue. "See? You're back to your old self again! It doesn't even hurt this time!"
"...you know, I wonder if I should be concerned about that…" Erika said to herself, as her Leafeon nuzzled into her leg.
The Joy also handed over five other Pokeballs. "And your Spearow are right as rain again as well."
Ashley took the Pokeballs before smiling at her, still cuddling her beloved Starter. "Thank you so much!"
The doctor smiled back. "It was my pleasure, I became a doctor for this very reason after all."
"...now I just have to figure out what to do with 25 Spearow…" Ashley said to herself, in thought as she tapped her foot against the tiled floor.
Erika smiled again. "I actually had an idea about that, if I may."
"Go ahead."
"You should donate the extras to the PFDT," she said.
"The PDFT?" Ashley blinked.
Her companion giggled. "It's a charity. It stands for Pokemon For Disabled Trainers. It helps get Pokemon out to trainers with mobility issues who can't catch them the regular way."
Ashley said: "Wow, that's awesome! Can you help me set that up?"
Erika nodded. "You decide which Spearow you want to keep. Call Professor Oak while I make a few calls to the charity alright?"
Ashley didn't even have to think about it for even a moment. She knew exactly which one she wanted with her, by her side.
"...you're okay with this little buddy, right?" Ashley looked towards her Pikachu.
"Pika pi," the mouse said, as she rolled her eyes. She was clearly saying: "If that little menace tries to act up, I'll show him just how weak he really is!"
Line break
After explaining the situation to Oak, Ashley sat in front of the videophone. She swallowed, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. There was one more call she had to make tonight.
Her fingers hovered over the buttons slowly she hit 2, and even slower she hit 7. Her heart thumped even loudly as she hit 4. She didn't know if it was just her imagination but the buttons felt like they were getting harder to push.
She felt short on breath even as she hit another 4. 8, 0. Was it getting hotter in here? Her finger hovered over the final 0, and a part of her just wanted to turn and run.
Pikachu pressed it for her, and Ashley felt like she'd rather face Team Rocket again than come out to her mom.
"Oh hi honey!" her mom said, dressed in a pink bathrobe with her hair done up in a towel. She'd clearly just gotten out of the shower. "You're in Viridian City already, Ash?"
Ashley flinched at the name.
"You are changing your underwear every day, right?"
Ashley swallowed. Well nothing ventured, nothing gained right? "...actually mom, I do need new underwear. It's just that… it may not be the kind I normally need?"
"M-M-M-Mom I uh have something to tell you but I'm honestly terrified here," Ashley said, tears falling down her face. "...Please don't treat me like some sort of freak, I-I-I…"
"Ash, I could never treat you like a freak. Even if the whole world hated you, I would still love you, son."
"Mom, I'm not your son. I'm a girl, my name is Ashley Leaf Ketchum and I'm your daughter and I-"
Delia smiled. "I knew all along honey, and I'm so proud of you for blossoming into your real self. Who do you think's been folding and cleaning your clothes?"
Stunned, Ashley finally broke and fell into sobs. "...you, you know all this time?"
"A mother always knows, dearie. And I'm so happy you chose my mom's name as your middle name!"
"So you're the one who's been cleaning my girl clothes?"
Deila giggled. "Well it certainly wasn't Mimey doing it. Young lady you're right you do need new underwear and not just that, you're going to need twice as much! So now I'll get to nag twice as much now!"
Ashley just moaned even as Erika walked up behind her. "Hello Ms Ketchum, I'm Erika from Celadon City. Your daughter, she's had a bit of an exciting day, especially for her first day as a trainer!"
As Erika recapped, Ashley took the time to compose herself a bit more. Her mother listened to every word, and had this to say: "Young lady you better have brushed your teeth again after biting that evil witch. I don't want you to get sick, and more importantly you stole your new friend's bike and even more importantly you've yet to even apologize for it."
Ashley let out a loud 'gaaaaaaaaaaah!' sound. "Your right, yes sorry Mom sorry Erika! I'll find a way to replace the bike, I don't know how but I will.
Erika thought back to her sick mother giving her the bike and shook her head. "It's fine, after all… it was only a bike in the end…. What's more important is Pikachu being okay."
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Ashley, in her room, stared herself in the mirror as she dressed herself. She'd looked herself in the mirror plenty of times before, but never like this.
First she pulled on the skirt, and giggled as she spun in place. Pulling on her tank top, she smiled sadly. She wished she had the hat to go with it, but oh well. Looking at her old baseball cap, she said: "New clothes… new me."
Even if she still felt a little wrong, it felt like she was moving in the right direction now. "Hello world, my name's Ashley Ketchum."
Erika gently knocked on the door, and Ashley let her in. Erika handed her a new shoulder bag, before saying: "You look very beautiful, Ashley."
And Ashley beamed.
"I notice you don't have the hat to complete the outfit," Erika said. "Why not?"
Ashley just let out a groan at the reminder.
"Because GF designs are super dumb with how they handle this stuff. You can buy the full outfit but how they handle the hat…" she sighed. "You had to go to special events to get the damn thing. You had to smell perfume and I hate perfume because it stinks and… ohhhhhhhh."
She trailed off, suddenly remembering just who she was talking to. And just what Erika did for a living, besides battling trainers. Her mom had some of Erika's perfume around the house!
Erika sighed. "It's fine, although I think we should get to bed. We've had quite the exciting day, after all!"
Ash wanted to argue but yawned and decided to concede the point. She felt wiped now that she thought about it.
As she tucked herself into bed in a guest room, she smiled and turned to Pikachu. "You know, I think I finally have a good name for you, eh little buddy? Wanna hear it?"
"Pika-pi?" Pikachu asked, bracing herself.
"Hope. Because that's what you gave me."
"Cha…" the newly christened Hope said, happily.
The next morning, the threesome were deep within the tall oaks and pines of Viridian Forest.
Erika, for her part, honestly didn't intend to stay with Ashley for long as she really had to check up on her store back in Celadon. But then again, she thought with a fond smile, this girl had a way of growing on you. She was like an ivy vine that way.
Maybe she'd stick around, plus if she was being honest Ashley could use all the help she could get!
That's when they heard it, the ruffle of grass ahead of them. A gorgeous butterfly-like Pokemon with vibrant violet wings rose up out of the tall grasses and flowers, letting out a cry.
"Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" the Pokemon said, and Ashley grinned. She'd picked up some new Pokeballs before they'd left Viridian and now was the perfect time to test them out!
Enlarging a Net Ball, she tossed it and a net launched out at the Pokemon…
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AN:
And that is chapter 2. Next time we have a chapter that does not adapt anything from the anime actually, so we hope to see you there!
Find out what happens next in Clear Cutting in Viridian Forest!