Ash, Brock, Misty and Serena have left New Bark Town earlier that day, and officially started their journey in Johto Region.
For most of the few hours they were on the road, Ash was felling down, because Amber decided to travel with her new friends and not him, like he had hoped for, but in the end, Misty and Serena managed to convince him to let it go, and that Amber was right when she said it is best for her to travel without him, and Ash knew that, but it was still not easy to let her go.
After several hours of traveling, Brock, who was looking at the map, asked. "Where are we going from here, Ash?"
Ash, Misty and Serena, looked at Brock, and Ash said. "Why are you asking that? Aren't we just going to the Violet City where the first gym is?"
"Well, that is usually how the trainers start in Johto Region, but Blackthorn City is closer to where we are now, and if we go there now, we won't have to go there later, and you and Serena will have more time to train for the Johto League tournament." Brock explained.
"Yeah, Blackthorn City is closer, but it is the toughest gym in Johto, and trainers go there last," Ash said.
"So was Viridian Gym, and that didn't stop you back then," Misty said.
"I'm not saying it because of me, but because of Serena, she is not ready to battle against the toughest gym right at the start of her journey," Ash said, and Serena dropped her head to look at the ground, thinking that Ash doesn't think she can be good trainer.
Ash noticed Serena's look, and said. "I'm not saying this because I think you are bad, Serena, it's just you had no training at all before, and you won't be able to defeat a Dragon Type gym."
"A Dragon Type gym?" Misty questioned surprised.
"Yeah, I heard that Blackthorn City gym leader uses Dragon Type Pokémon, and that she is good with battling with them," Ash explained, and then looked at Serena. "But, if you want to go there and try your luck, then we can go, I have no problem with that. It can be good training for you."
Serena then started thinking what to do, and where to go from here. She can go on the safe route, and go in Violet city first like every other trainer, but if she goes with Ash to Blackthorn City first, and manages to defeat gym leader there, then they won't have to go there later, and waste time they can use to prepare for the tournament.
After she thought for a few minutes, Serena voiced her decision. "I want to go in Blackthorn City first and try to win my first badge there."
Ash, Misty and Brock looked at Serena, who had determined look on her face, and Brock and Misty smiled, while Ash slightly smirked.
"Ok, if you want to go there first, it's no problem," Ash said, and Serena smiled. "But we have to prepare you for the challenge. Which means, from now, until we reach Blackthorn City, you will train every time we make a stop."
"Ok, Ash," Serena agreed, and then asked. "So, when are we going to start training?"
"We can travel for few more hours until launch, and then we can stop, and have a little spar while Brock makes launch," Ash said.
"Great, I can't wait!" Serena said, with determination as she didn't want to disappoint Ash, and instead wanted to prove to him she can be great trainer.
XXX
They continued to another two hours, and then finial decided to stop for lunch while they were passing through a forest, which seemed like a nice place to stop instead of some grass field they were passing before.
They then split up, and Brock and Misty started preparing lunch, while Ash and Serena went a little away from them, to have their spar.
"I hope you will go easier on me this time, and what happened in Tohjo Falls won't happen again," Serena said, while she was standing few dozen meters across from Ash!
"I'll try," Ash said with a smirk, and Serena gulped. "But I'll give you a slight advantage."
"What advantage?" Serena asked.
"You can use both of your Pokémon, and I'll only use one of mine," Ash said, and Serena raised her eyebrows.
"Are you sure about that," Serena asked? "I know your Pokémon are strong, but two against one doesn't seem fair."
"Don't worry about me and my Pokémon, we can handle a couple of starters," Ash said with a smirk, as he wanted to taunt Serena a little, and see how she will react.
Serena narrowed her eyes at him, and said. "Let's see if you can back up your claims!"
She then took both of her Poke Ball's and throw them in the air, after which they opened and her two Pokémon came out, and stood next to each other, ready to battle.
"Come on guys, let's show Ash what we can do!" Serena said to her Pokémon, who nodded at her, and took a stance, ready for battle.
Ash smiled at Serena's and her Pokémon's determination, and took a Poke Ball from his belt. "Come out, Tyrunt!" Ash called his Pokémon, which came out of his Poke Ball, and stood across from Fennekin and Totodile, ready for battle.
"Are you ready, Serena?" Ash asked.
"Ready, Ash!"
"Ok, then, let's begin." Ash said, and Serena called her first attack.
XXX
While the two of them were sparing, they didn't notice a Pokémon looking at them from behind one of the trees.
He was just minding his own business like every day, drinking sap from the trees, when he saw a bunch of people show up, and then two of then started battling with their Pokémon, and he got curious.
He saw the girl and her two Pokémon attack relentlessly trying to defeat their opponent, but it didn't go as they wanted it to go, since their opponent continued to dodge their attacks, and was countering with his own attacks, which did some damage to them, though not enough to defeat them.
On the other hand, the boy was completely calm, and looked like he's got this in the bag, as he used every opening his opponent left him, and told his Pokémon how, and where to attack.
This boy appeared to be so good, that he who never thought about having a trainer and leaving this forest, was now reconsidering that though.
He could become very powerful if he goes with this trainer, and he always wanted to be powerful, but if he leaves then would have to leave the sap he loves so much, and he never dared to make that step before.
But now, he thinks it might be a good time to make that step he never wanted to make before, and go out in the world with a trainer and become more powerful.
He then decided to stay and wait for the battle to end, so he can go there and challenge the boy to a battle, and see if he is really as good as he seems to be.
XXX
Sparing between Ash and Serena ended about 10 minutes later, with Tyrunt defeating Fennekin and Totodile.
"You did well, Serena," Ash said after they both returned their Pokémon in their Poke Balls, and he saw the look on her face. "There is no need to feel bad."
"You used one Pokémon against two of mine, and I still lost," Serena said! "How is that good?"
"I have been trainer for a long time, and you just started," Ash said. "You can't expect to defeat me with two starter Pokémon, and barely any training at all."
"I just wish I could have at least landed one hit on your Pokémon," Serena whined.
"We will continue to train every day from now on, and in no time, you'll be much better," Ash said. "Just have confidence in yourself, and you're Pokémon, and you will get far. Trust me!"
"Fine, Ash," Serena said, as they set down where Misty and Brock were preparing food. "I trust you."
"I see your sparing match is over," Brock commented after he saw the two set down, and Ash and Serena nodded. "I saw some of it, and Ash is right, you did ok for a starter trainer, Serena."
"I know, Brock," Serena said, and then Misty and Brock set down next to Ash and Serena to have launch, but were interrupted by the Pokémon who was watching Ash's and Serena's match.
"I want to fight against you, now!" Heracross said looking at Ash, and hoping he will realize what he wants.
Ash did understand him, and was surprised by the sudden challenge.
The others were also surprised, but not by the challenge as they didn't understand Heracross, but by the sudden appearance of a Pokémon none of them saw before.
"What Pokémon is that," Misty asked, while also suddenly hiding behind Ash, as she knew enough to realize this is a Bug Type Pokémon? "And what does it want?"
"That is Heracross, it's a Bug Type Pokémon," Ash said, and Misty shrieked, as her fear was confirmed. "And for some reason he wants to battle against me."
"That's surprising," Brock commented surprised. "Pokémon don't really challenge trainers just like that."
"You are right," Ash confirmed, and stood up from the ground and walked toward Heracross.
"So, why do you want to fight me?" Ash asked, much to Heracross's surprise, as he wasn't expecting Ash to figure it out this quickly.
"I wish to battle you and join you, IF you defeat me," Heracross said, and Ash raised his eyebrows.
"Is that so?" Ash asked, and Heracross just nodded with his head.
"What's he said, Ash?" Serena asked, with Misty now hiding behind her after Ash got up.
"He wants to battle me, and join my team if I win," Ash said, and the three were even more surprised, and Misty was even more scared, as there was going to be one more Bug Type Pokémon in Ash's team.
"Why do you want that?" Ash asked.
"I saw you battle against that girl and her Pokémon, and you won even if there were two of her Pokémon against one of yours," Heracross explained. "And I think you can train me to be more powerful."
"And why do you want to become more powerful," Ash decided to ask, and test Heracross a little?
"No particular reason," Heracross shrugged. "I just want to be stronger, and that's it."
"OK." Ash said, and took a Poke Ball from his belt. "If you want a battle, I'll give you battle."
Ash threw his Poke Ball, and out came his Eevee, who stood ready for battle, right across from Heracross, who was just as ready.
"Are you really going to battle him, Ash?" Brock asked.
"Yes!" Ash said, while looking at Heracross. "Are you ready?"
Heracross nodded, and Ash let him have first attack,
Heracross flew at Eevee trying to Tackle him, and Eevee stood and waited for Ash's order.
"Use, Tackle as well, Eevee," Ash said, and Eevee ran at Heracross, and the two collided with one another few seconds later, and threw each other backwards a little.
"No, use Swift, and then follow it up with, Iron Tail," Ash said.
Eevee jumps into the air and swished his tail, which released multiple yellow stars with golden sparkles around them at Heracross, who was flying around and dogging the stars.
Eevee then ran at Heracross, who was flying back with his horn glowing a little red, jumped in the air, and swished his glowing tail, which landed straight on the glowing horn.
The two attacks pushed a little at one another, and after about three seconds, they pushed each other back again, and both rolled on the ground, with Eevee reaching right in front of Ash where he managed to stop himself, and Heracross colliding with the tree a dozen meters behind him.
"Can you keep fighting, Eevee?" Ash asked, and Eevee stood up, not really hurt too much. "Great, now let's finish this. Use, Tackle!"
Eevee again ran at Heracross, who managed to stand up and was waiting for Eevee, not really moving at all.
When Eevee collided with Heracross, he and Ash were surprised because Heracross managed to catch him, and stop him with only being pushed back a little.
"That was Endure," Brock commented from behind, and Ash agreed.
Heracross then threw Eevee towards the sky, and his horn glowed again, and then he flew straight at the falling Eevee, thinking he's got him now.
"Iron Tail, Eevee," Ash said, and Eevee's tail glowed silver again, and he started spinning while falling down toward Heracross and his glowing horn.
Once they reach each other in midair, the two attacks collided, again, there was a small explosion, that sent Heracross flying backwards and hit the ground which raised dust and covered him completely, while Eevee was pushed back to the sky, and then started to fall back down.
"Hold it up, Eevee, and use Swift directly at the center of the dust cloud," Ash said.
Eevee started spinning while falling down, and sent a storm of yellow stars with golden sparkles at the center of the dust cloud, where he knew Heracross is.
The stars collided with Heracross who was down, and even though he was covered by dust, they knew the attack landed as they heard a small cry from him.
Eevee came back on the ground, where he managed to land with much trouble, and then waited along with Ash for the dust to clear out, and see if Heracross is down for the count.
A minute later, the dust cloud has cleared up, and Heracross was seen lying on the ground inside of a small crater.
"You did great, Eevee," Ash said, while he pated Eevee. "Now take a nice rest."
After Eevee returned in his Poke Ball, Ash went to check on Heracross.
Brock joined him with some medicine, which he gave to Heracross, who then woke up, and looked at Ash, waiting for him to catch him in a Poke Ball.
"Are you sure you want to come with me?" Ash asked one last time.
"Yes! I'm sure!" Heracross confirmed.
"OK, then," Ash said, took one empty Poke Ball, taped it on Heracross's head, who was then sucked inside it, and without any fight, the ball pinged, and Heracross was captured.
"Congratulation's, Ash," Serena said after she approached him, followed by Misty, who was mumbling under her breath.
"Thanks', Serena," Ash thanked, and looked at Misty. "What was that, Misty?"
"Did you have to catch another Bug Type Pokémon," Misty asked?
"Come on Misty, you have to get over this fear of Bug Type's one day," Ash said.
"You are afraid of Bug Type's," Serena said surprised, but Misty kept quiet, so Ash confirmed, which annoyed Misty. "But why?"
"I don't know, I'm just afraid of them, and I'll probably be afraid for the rest of my life, so let's just drop it, OK!" Misty blurred out a little louder than she wanted, and Ash, Serena and Brock raised their eyebrows, but decided to drop it as Misty wants.
The four then went back to have launch, before they continue their journey.
XXX
The group didn't travel for too long, when they came upon a bunch of Butterfree's sucking some sap from the trees.
"Wow, look at all those Butterfree's," said Serena in awe. "There must be dozens of them."
"Yeah, there sure is a lot of them," said Brock. "I wonder why, though? It rare to see so many Pokémon of the same species on the same place. Not impossible, but rare."
"There must be a lot of that sap in the trees here, and they apparently like it, so I guess that is why they are here," said Ash, with Misty hiding behind him.
"I don't like them," she mumbled, and the others rolled their eyes.
"You like my Butterfree's," Ash said with raised eyebrow, while looking at Misty.
"I tolerate your Butterfree's," Misty said from behind. "That's different then liking."
"Whatever," Ash said, and looked at Serena. "Why don't you try to catch one of them, Serena?"
"Hah, me," Serena said startled, and looked at Ash.
"Yeah, you only have Fennekin and Totodile, and you'll need more Pokémon to train, if you hope to win gym battle's," Ash said. "I think Butterfree would be an excellent Pokémon to begin with along with the two you already have."
Serena looked at Ash, and then at the Butterfree's, and got determined look on her face. "Ok, Ash, I'll do it," she said, took one Poke Ball, and threw it in the air. "Come out, Fennekin!"
Serena's starter Pokémon came out of her Poke Ball, and stood ready for battle.
Butterfree's saw this, and most of them run away, but one looked at Serena and her Pokémon, and saw determination on her face, so he decided to stay, and fight.
Butterfree thinks that by the time the battle is over, his friends would already be away, and safe, so if he wins those humans won't go after one of them, and if he loses, then he will get a trainer that he always wanted, and judging by the look on the girls face, she might be a good trainer for him.
"Hah, that Butterfree stayed to fight," Brock commented. "I'm surprised, since all the others run away."
"Maybe he's like Heracross I caught," said Ash. "He might want trainer to become stronger."
"Ready Fennekin?" Serena asked, and her Pokémon nodded, so she started a battle.
The battle lasted for a few minutes after which Serena managed to pull a win, and captured her first Pokémon.
"Welcome to the team, Butterfree," she said to the Butterfree in the Poke Ball, after she captured him.
"Congratulation's Serena," Ash said, as he and the other approached her. "That was a nice battle, but you still have a long way to go until you are ready to face the Gym Leader in Blackthorn City Gym."
"I know, Ash," Serena said as she returned Fennekin, and placed her and Butterfree's Poke Ball's with Totodile's. "And I promise to train as hard as I can to be ready when we get there."
"Well... It might take a bit more time than that," Ash said, and Serena, Brock and Misty looked at him with raised eyebrows. "We'll be there in a few days, you don't really think your Pokémon will become strong enough until we get there. Do you?"
"But then why are we going there now?" Serena asked.
"I remembered that Leaf told me she already went there and won her battle, so as you said before, if we go there now, we won't have to go later," Ash said. "I was only saying earlier that it might not be a good idea to go there now, because you are not ready, but I'm sure after some more training once we get there, you will be ready."
"So, you plan to help me train first once we get there, and then challenge the gym," Serena asked?
"Yes," Ash confirmed. "It might take us few more days of the journey, but since we won't go there later, it will save us time. And there is a place there I heard about, that has Ice Type Pokémon, so if you catch one, and then train it along with the other Pokémon you have, then you will have good chances to win."
"Ok, I guess you have a point there," Serena agreed. "It would be easier with Ice Type Pokémon in a Dragon Type gym. And with training, I'll sure be ready."
"Just don't become over confident, Ok." Ash said.
"I won't!" Serena said, and then the four of them left and continued their journey.
It's been a week since Ash caught Heracross and Serena caught Butterfree, and the group continued the journey toward Blackthorn City, where Ash and Serena are hoping to win their first gym badge in Johto Region.
After they caught the two Pokemon, and continued to travel, they came across Gary, two days later in some God forsaken forest where, if you end there during a night you can only pass if you have Hoothoot with you.
Not that the group had to travel during the night, but since they were in a very creepy forest, none of them, except Ash, who didn't care, wanted to stay to long, so they decided to go ahead, which ended up with them being lost, and were being followed and scared by Haunter's and Gengar's who live in that forest, and scare the travelers for fun.
They were only able to pass the forest, after they run into Gary, who has apparently rented Hoothoot from some old woman who lives in the middle of the forest, and is renting Hoothoot's to help trainers pass the forest, and Gary led them to her, where Ash rented one Hoothoot, which them helped them get out of the forest, only to come across an old woman that looks the same as the one they met before.
She introduced herself as sister to the other granny, and is living on the edge of the forest collecting Hoothoot's rented by her sister, and is sending them back to her.
After they got out of the forest, and left Hoothoot's behind, Gary and the group slit up, and Gary went his own way toward Violet City, while Ash and the others took a turn to the right, and headed to the North toward Blackthorn City.
Not long after they turned and headed north, the group run into Phanpy, who looked hyperactive, and was constantly challenging them.
Ash saw this a good opportunity for Serena to train her Pokemon against someone who won't hold back, so he told her to send her Pokemon to battle against Phanpy.
And she did, but it was a nightmare for her and her Pokemon since Ash didn't want to interfere, and he told Misty and Brock not to either since Serena wand her Pokemon wont advance if they help her.
It turned out, that on top of being hyperactive, Phanpy was for some reason very strong. At least stronger than he should have been for a wild Pokemon, and Ash assumed it must have been trained by a trainer, who either abandoned him, or he abandoned the trainer.
In the end, it took Serena to use all three of her Pokemon, one after the other to defeat Phanpy, and capture him.
Serena was both happy and angry with herself in the end, because it took all of her Pokemon to defeat one wild Pokemon even after all the training she received from Ash, as well as Brock and Misty who spared with her for the last few days, and were helping her prepare for her first gym battle.
But at least she caught a strong Pokemon which will definitely help her in the future.
Three days after Serena captured Phanpy, and the group continued their journey, they were now sitting at the edge of the lake.
Well, Serena and Misty were sitting at the edge of the lake, and fishing for some Pokemon, while Ash and Brock were preparing launch.
"So, what do you think, how is my training going, Misty?" Serena asked from right next to Misty.
"Well, I would say it is going very well," Misty replied. "I mean, considering that you only stared traveling few days ago, and have four Pokemon, you are good."
"Thanks' Misty," Serena said with a smile. "But do you think it would be enough to win a badge in Blackthorn City?"
"That's something I can't say for sure, as I don't know how good the gym leader there is," Misty replied. "But considering what Ash said, and that Blackthorn Gym is the toughest in Johto, then I would say you will still need some training."
"I hope the time I spend training in that Ice place Ash mentioned, and if I capture Ice Type Pokemon will be enough, because I don't want to lose, and disappoint Ash, as he has spent a lot of time training me and my Pokemon, and will spend even more until the gym battle." Serena said.
"I would worry about disappointing Ash, Serena," Misty said with a smile, and Serena looked at her. "He is not someone who is easily disappointed. The only way I think you can disappoint him, is if you don't try hard enough, or give up, but if you give it your all, he will be satisfied even if you lose, and will continue to help you."
"I see," Serena said, and then asked. "Did he ever help you train so you know this, or did you just figure it out?"
"Actually, Ash never really trained me and Brock that much," Misty said. "Brock was a gym leader, so he knows how to battle, and my sister are also gym leaders, so I also knew how to battle when we met, so the most he did is give me some pointers here and there, but that's about it. I never really asked him for training though, but I'm sure he would help me if I ask, and Brock decided to travel and become Pokemon Breather, so battling is not that interesting to him even thought he was Gym Leader."
As soon as she finished speaking, there were two pulls on their fishing rods, which brought Misty's and Serena's attention on them.
"It looks like we've got something," Misty said as she was struggling to pull out whatever Pokemon she caught.
"Yeah, and they must be some strong Pokemon because they are struggling a lot," Serena added, also struggling with her catch.
Brock and Ash, who were setting up a table with launch saw the two struggling, and decided to check and see what they caught, though they will not help them, that's the agreement they all have, not to help one another when one of them is trying to capture some Pokemon, as that is the best training any of them can get, besides high level battles.
"What did you get," Ash asked as he and Brock approached the two struggling girls?
"We don't know," replied Misty! "But it must be very big and powerful if they are struggling this much!"
Ash looked at the lake, and sensed with his Aura what the two girls caught with their bait, and then when he sensed what it was, he started laughing so hard he fell in the ground, and even had few tears in his eyes because of how much he was laughing.
"What the hell is so funny?" Misty yelled at him, while still struggling with whatever Pokemon she caught on her bait. The same goes for Serena.
Ash laughed for a few more seconds, before he managed to calm himself down, though he was still snickering a little every time he looked at struggling girls, and their inability to pull out Pokemon that caught themselves on the baits.
"You know how I feel about Pokemon and that I don't underestimate any of them, but what you caught, and are now struggling to pull out, is so ridiculous, it's laughable," said Ash with some snickers here and there, that were getting on Misty's and Serena's nerves.
"Just you laugh, Ash Ketchum, I'll show you!" Misty yelled, and with new found determination, she pulled as hard as she could, and from the lake, and Magicarp flew attacked to the bait.
At the same time, Serena also pulled as hard as she could, and also pulled Magikarp, which fell on the ground right next to Misty's Magikarp, and were both now flapping around on the ground.
Both girls looked at what they caught with slacked jaws, and Ash could handle it anymore, and again started laughing as hard as he could, though this time, Brock joined him in laughing, though his laugh was smaller and quieter than Ash's.
Misty and Serena pulled their jaws up, and looked at the two boys with narrowed eyes, and if one looked a little closer, there seemed to be fire in Misty's narrowed eyes, and she looked ready to murder both Ash and Brock.
"Of all the ridiculous," Misty yelled, and swing her rod along with Magikarp, and threw it back in the lake. "I already have Gyarados, why in the hell did I have to catch a Magikarp when there are so many other water Pokemon I could have caught?"
Ash stopped laughing, and wiped few tears from his eyes, and then looked at the fuming Misty, who was almost spiting fire in rage, and Serena who was angry at Ash for laughing at her, and angry at her luck for pulling Magicarp.
"I'm sorry Misty, but we don't always get what we want," Ash said, and Misty glared at him. "You need to learn that, and you also need to learn to control that anger of yours, because it won't do you any good."
Misty continued to glare at Ash, before she said. "You are really not the best person to tell me I should control my anger, Ash!"
Ash narrowed his eyes at Misty, and Brock almost looked like he wanted to run away as he didn't want to be caught in the middle of the fight between Ash and Misty.
Serena on the other hand was confused because in the few days she knew Misty, she didn't see her this angry, and also, she wandered what she meant about Ash not being the best person to tell her to control her anger.
"I'm telling you to control yourself because I don't want you to end up doing the same thing I did in a fit of rage," Ash said. "It took me some time to get of my mind what I did, and I had a lot of training to control my mind. But what do you think will happen to your mind if you do what I did?"
Misty's glare disappeared after she heard what Ash said, and asked her, and then she looked at the ground, ashamed of herself because she brought up one thing she was never supposed to.
Serena was looking at the two, and was wondering what they were talking about, but didn't dare to ask.
And Brock was just standing there quietly. He knew what Misty and Ash were talking about, and knew that Misty wouldn't be able to get over doing what Ash did.
"Ash, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up," Misty said, while looking at the ground, and even let some tears fall from her eyes.
Ash looked at Misty, saw her tears and sighed. He didn't mean to be this harsh toward her, but maybe it's for the best in the end. "Listen Misty, I'm not angry at you, I just want you to learn to not be as temperamental as you are, and learn to keep cool head," Ash said to Misty, who looked at him.
"You caught another Magikarp, I laughed, Brock laughed, it was funny, there was no reason at all to start spiting fire at me because of that," Ash said, and Misty pouted and wiped her tears away.
"You shouldn't have laughed," she said. "It wasn't that funny."
Ash sighed, then he approached to Misty, and hugged her, which caused her to relax in his embrace, and calm down completely.
"Laugh makes people happy," Ash said while hugging Misty. "It sometimes makes them forget some stuff, you should learn how to laugh more, and I'm sure it will help you control your temperament."
"I-I'll try, Ash," Misty said, and then she let go of Ash, and completely wiped her moist eyes, and then looked at Serena, whose Magikarp is still bouncing around in the ground, still caught in the bait.
Serena looked from Ash and Misty and at the Magikarp, and then took one of her empty Poke Ball's, and threw it at Magicarp, as she knew it was not one of the more powerful Pokemon, and there is no need to battle it before she catches it.
"Well, that was easy," Brock said, and the other nodded. "Let's eat, I'm starving."
Ash, Misty and Serena then followed after Brock, and they all set down to have launch, while mostly being quiet, and trying to not think about the almost huge fight Ash and Misty had.
As they were sitting, with Brock and Ash next to each other and with their backs toward the lake, while Misty and Serena set across from them, and were looking at the lake, Serena noticed something in the lake, which draw her attention.
"Hey, what is that?" Serena asked while looking at the lake with narrowed eyes trying to get better look, and the other looked at her, and then tall three looked toward the lake and were Serena was looking.
It didn't take them long to figure out what was that Serena was seeing, as right there on the edge of the lake, and with its head above the water, floated Dratini, who was looking at them all, just like they were looking at him.
"Is that what I think it is?" Misty asked in disbelief.
"If you are thinking that that is Dratini, then yes, that is Dratini," Ash said, and Misty's jaw almost dropped on the ground.
Even Serena was more than a little surprised at seeing such Pokemon just showing itself in front of them out of the blue.
"I wasn't expecting Dratini to live in this lake," Brock said, equally surprised as the others. "I wonder why it came out like that and showed itself? You'd think it would be scared of being captured, but its face is almost blank, and without fear at all."
"It's probably interested in us," Ash said. "Though it doesn't seem to be very young, and I'm sure it has seen humans before."
"How do you know if the Pokemon is young or not?" Misty asked.
"There is a difference in the look in the eyes between young Pokemon, and older, more experienced Pokemon," Ash said. "Younger Pokemon have more curious look, more innocent, compared to older ones who have shallower look without any or with very little curiosity, as they have seen a lot. It's the same like with humans."
"I see." Misty said. "But that makes it even more is strange that it would come out of the lake like that. If it is young then it would be curiosity that drove it out, but what drove this one?"
"I don't know," Ash said, and was about to stand up and go to check it out, but Serena stood first, and with some food in her hands went toward the lake, were Dratini was now looking at her as she was approaching it.
When she approached right next to the lake, a few feet from Dratini, Serena stopped, and looked at the blue snake like Pokemon, who was also looking at her.
Serena then kneeled on the ground in front of Dratini, and offered it food she brought in her hands. "Do you want some snacks," Serena asked?
Dratini looked at Serena, and then at some sandwiches she was offering it, and after few moments of thinking, it approached her hands and food, and started eating one sandwich after the other, until it ate all of them.
While Serena was feeding Dratini, Ash, Brock and Misty were standing behind and watching curiously.
"This Dratini is almost like mine used to be when I first saw him in Safari Zone, but with a difference that this one is much older," Ash said.
"We never saw how you befriended that Dratini," Brock commented while looking at Ash. "Did he approached you like this one showed up?"
"Similar," Ash said. "I was near the lake, and Dratini just showed up, he was very playful, and we became friends. But as I said, mine Dratini was young and playful, and happy, this one is not young, and definitely doesn't look happy."
"Maybe it has been alone its entire life, and is now showing interest in meeting someone," Brock said. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's something like that."
"It could be," Ash agreed, and then they continued to watch and see what will happen next.
After Dratini finished eating the food Serena gave it, it looked at her, and nodded its head in thanks, and then approached her and started nuzzling his head on her hands.
Serena smiled at this, and started patting Dratini, who relaxed at her touch, and looked like it fell asleep, with slight smile on its face.
Serena then picked it up, and carried it back to the others, where she set down on the ground, and placed Dratini's head on her lap.
"Hey, Serena, what's going on," Misty asked, while looking at Serena with Dratini sleeping on her lap.
"I don't know," Serena replied. "I just offered it some food, it ate it, and then nuzzled its head on my hands, and fell asleep."
"Curious," said Brock and then suggested. "Let's wait for it to wake up, and see what it will do."
The other three trainers agreed to Brock's suggestion, and stayed there resting for the next hour and a half until Dratini woke up, yawned and looked at them all, and then fixed his eyes on Serena.
"Hey Dratini, what's up," Serena asked with a smile, but then it turned into slightly panicked look. "Are you feeling ok, or are you sick. Do you need some help?"
Dratini looked at Serena's concerned look, and said. "I'm feeling fine. Thanks for asking!"
"He says he's feeling fine," Ash said, and Serena sighed in relief, while also patting Dratini, who looked at Ash.
"You can understand what I said!" Dratini questioned.
"Yes, I can." Ash replied, and Dratini was surprised.
"I thought humans can't understand Pokemon," Dratini said. "Then again, you are the first humans I ever saw, and what I know about your race is from some other Pokemon that live in the lake that had encounters with humans."
"Not many humans can understand Pokemon," Ash said. "I'm one of the few in the world who have advanced far enough in Aura training, so I can understand you."
"Is that so," Dratini questioned again. "Well, if you can understand me, tell this girl I would like to come and travel with her. I heard that some Pokemon train under human trainers, and I want to come with her."
Ash raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then asked. "Ok. But why her, and why now? You don't look like you are very young."
"Hey Ash, what's going on? What's Dratini saying?" Serena asked.
Ash and Dratini ignored Serena's question, and Dratini talked again.
"I have lived in this lake my whole life, and never had any contact with humans, as I wasn't interested, but recently I started growing bored, and have desire to go out, and see what' else there in the world," Dratini explained to Ash. "I like this friend of yours, and that's why I wish to come with her."
"Do you have a mother that lives with you," Ash asked. "I met Dratini like you, only younger, in Safari Zone, and he was living with his mother, and I wouldn't want her to start raging on us thinking we are taking you by force."
By now, Serena, Misty and Brock were starting to understand what's going on and what is it that Dratini wants, and were surprised as hell.
"I never met any family," Dratini replied without much problem or care. "I hatched alone, and was alone since then, with only some other Pokemon in the lake keeping me company. My mother, was apparently caught by some trainer, so I don't know where she is."
"You don't seem sad because of that." Ash said.
"Like I said, I was alone since hatching, I never met any family, and I can't miss what I never had." Dratini said, and then asked. "Now, will you tell her I want to come with her?"
Ash looked at Dratini for a few moments, and then nodded his head at Dratini, and looked at Serena. "Dratini wants to come with you and become one of your Pokemon," Ash said to Serena, whose jaw dropped on the ground.
"Are you sure," Serena asked after few moments? "Does it really want to come with me, and not you, Misty and Brock?"
"Yes Serena, HE, wants to come with you," Ash replied, and said HE a little louder to emphasize Dratini's gender.
"Why me?" Serena asked, this time looking at Dratini.
"I like you more than the others," Dratini said, and Ash translated. Dratini's reply, of course, made them all laugh.
"Well, if you are sure, then welcome to the team," Serena said, pulled out her last empty Poke Ball's, and Dratini taped his head on it after she showed him the ball.
"Congratulations, Serena," Misty said. "You caught yourself an amazing Pokemon."
"And a strong one at that." Ash added. "He will definitely help you in your first gym battle."
"Thanks guys," Serena said. "Now let's go, the faster we get to Blackthorn City, the more time we'll have to train for the gym battle."
Ash, Brock and Misty smiled at Serena's enthusiasm, and after they picked up their picnic equipment, they continued their journey.
Another week has passed in the journey of Ash and his friends, and now it has been over 2 weeks in total since they left New Bark Town, and went toward Blackthorn City.
Normally it doesn't really take that long to go from one place to the other since the two places are not that far from each other, but the group took their time because they were making several stops a day to eat, and they were also using the time before or after launch to train, so Ash and Serena, but mostly Serena would be ready for their first gym battle in Johto Region.
In the last week since Serna caught Magicarp and Dratini, and Phanpy few days before that, she was training with Ash like crazy every day so she will be ready for her first gym battle ever, and in her opinion, she was doing great.
Her starter Fennekin is doing great in her training and is progressing fast, and will most likely evolve in a couple of weeks. The same goes for the Totodile who is about the same age as Fennekin, and has pretty much the same amount of training.
Butterfree is fully evolved Pokemon, and is doing some battles mostly to increase his endurance, and has learned one or two new moves.
Phanpy, after he recovered from the battle against all of Serena's Pokemon, was back to his hyperactive self, and it took several battles every day for him to calm down, and relax.
Phanpy's behavior was confusing everyone as none of them, not even Ash has ever seen Pokemon with that much endurance and desire to battle.
That all changed three days ago when during a sparing battle between Ash's Tyrunt and Phanpy, Phanpy evolved in the middle of the battle, and actually managed to make Tyrunt sweat a little until Tyrunt was finally able to win in the end.
Everyone was surprised by the power newly evolved Donphan has, as this was the closest someone has come to defeating Ash in a long time, and that it was the beginner trainer makes it even worse.
It was even more surprising, that after Donphan awoke from unconsciousness after the battle, he was almost like a different Pokemon. He was very calm, and there appeared to be no trace of hyperactivity and desire to battle every time, which made the others realize that Phanpy apparently always wanted to evolve, and that is why he wished to battle so much.
It made Ash even feel a little bed for Phanpy, because it didn't cross his mind to just ask Phanpy why he was behaving like he did. But, in the end, he guessed he can't always remember or think about everything.
Magikarp that Serena fished out of that lake, didn't get much training, but that was mostly because it was not easy to train Magikarp, or Pokemon like it on the dry land and without at least a lake or a bigger pond. So, for now, Magikarp's training is on hold until they encounter an area with a lake.
Then again, even though Serena still didn't train Magikarp, she made sure to take good care of it, as she didn't want Magikarp to think she doesn't like it, and then one day after it evolves into Gyarados to turn on her and attack her.
As for Dratini, it was discovered the day after Serena caught him, that he is quite strong for a Pokemon who never had a trainer, but they all guessed it was because Dratini are always powerful Pokemon, and since he was already quite a few years old, it was believable.
As of right now, Dratini is Serena's second strongest Pokemon, right after overpowered Donphan.
Right now, Ash and company have just passed over Blackthorn City, and were heading few miles north toward a place called Ice Cave, where Ash plans to train Serena for a few days.
They did stop at the Blackthorn City Pokemon Center first to check in the Center, and to have Nurse Joy check all of their Pokemon, and that's where they found out that there is in fact Pokemon Center inside Ice Cave, and there is a Nurse Joy there like in every other Pokemon Center, so in the end they decided not to check in Blackthorn City Pokemon Center, instead in the one in the Ice Cave after they get there.
It took few more hours of walking, until the group was in front of the Pokemon Center in the Ice Cave.
"I can't believe there is a Pokemon Center in a place like this," Misty said while shaking from the cold. Even though she put on a winter jacket, it still didn't help much in the freezing place that Ice Cave is. "I wonder why they even built it here."
"I don't know," replied Ash, as they walked into the Pokemon Center. "But I guess we can ask."
As soon as they approached the reception desk, Nurse Joy was there waiting.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Center," Nurse Joy said politely. "How may I help you?"
"Hi, Nurse Joy, we are wondering if can check in a get two room to stay for a few days," Ash asked, while the others stood behind him?
"Certainly," Nurse Joy replied, but there was slight confusion on her face. "But can I ask why? I mean Blackthorn City is just few hours away from here, I'm sure you could make it there before the night, and there is a Pokemon Center there as well."
"We were already there, but our plan was to come to this cave a train for a few days here in preparation for the gym battle in Blackthorn Coty, and maybe catch some Ice Type Pokemon," replied Ash.
"Is that so," Nurse Joy questioned, but then shrugged, and started typing in her computer to get them two bedrooms. "Well, there is no problem, there are as much room here as you'd like since almost nobody stays here for more than one night, and that's only if trainers are too tired to walk few more hours until Blackthorn City, or they end up here during the night."
"I must be boring to be here all alone," Misty commented, and then sneezed because of the cold. She still didn't get warmed up even though it is warm inside Pokemon Center.
Nurse Joy smiled at Misty, and replied. "Sometimes it is, but I have responsibility just like any other Nurse Joy, and it is my job to take care of any trainer and their Pokemon when they pass through here, and to make sure the Pokemon that live here are taken care of, and the refrigerator is running well."
It confused the four trainers when she said refrigerator, so Serena asked. "What refrigerator?"
Nurse Joy just finished typing on her computer, and was to give them their keys when Serena asked her question, and she looked at her.
"This ice cave remains frozen and stable due to a large building acting as a refrigerator," Nurse Joy replied, and the others were stunned.
"You mean this entire cave is frozen because of refrigerator," Misty question in disbelief?
"Yes, but it's the entire building that acts as refrigerator, so it's not hard to believe that it can freeze this whole cave," Nurse Joy said, and gave Ash two room keys. "Most of the Pokemon only live here because it is so cold, and this place is their home. They are mostly Ice Type Pokemon, as there are not many places in Johto with this much cold where they can live."
"I knew this place is coved in Ice, but I must admit I always thought it was natural," Ash said. "But to learn that it is because of the refrigerator, I guess no matter how much one knows, there is always something new to learn."
"You are right about that, Ash." Brock agreed.
"Hey Ash, give me one key so I can go to the room and worm up, I'm freezing here," Misty said, as she came closer to Ash.
Ash and the others looked at her, and Ash gave her the key. "Are you ok, Misty?" Ash asked. "I know it's cold, but it's not that cold, and you should have wormed up by now."
"How can you say it's not cold," Misty asked in disbelief? Even Brock, Serena and Nurse Joy looked at Ash with raised eyebrows, as he didn't seem to be bothered by the cold, as even Serena and Brock are showing signs of being cold, though not as much as Misty. "It's freezing out there."
"Well, I guess I must have gotten used to the temperature changes during my training as Aura Guardian, and while I was on Mt. Silver for a few months," Ash said. "I must have built a tolerance."
"I swear to god, sometimes I think you are not human," Misty said, then turned around and walked toward the stairs that led upstairs to the next floor where there are rooms, while the others stayed back.
"So how about you two," Ash asked looking at Serena and Brock. "Do you want to rest for the rest of the day, or are you up for checking the cave?"
"I think we should all take some time off of training and traveling for the remaining of the day, and can explore the cave tomorrow, and you and Serena can do some training," Brock suggested, and Serena agreed, as even though she wanted to train and prepare for the gym battle, she was tired and wants a little rest.
"I guess we can take some time off," Ash said, and they then went to the rooms, after saying bye to Nurse Joy.
XXX
Brock and Ash then went into one of the rooms, while Serena went to the one she will share with Misty.
"Hey Misty, are you really all right," Serena asked while Misty was lying on the bed, wrapped up in blankets?
"I'm fine, Serena, don't worry about me," Misty said.
"Ok, if you say so," Serena said. "But I think you should let Nurse Joy at least take a look at you."
"I've always been doing badly with cold, and this is nothing new," Misty said. "This place is the coldest I've been on in all my travels with Ash, so it might take a few hours for me to warm up."
Serena then finished making her bad, and lied down for a little nap, but before that, she asked. "Hey, what happened between you and Ash that day on the lake? You said that he did something, but what was it."
Misty opened her eyes, and looked at Serena. "I…I don't know if I should be the one to tell you about that," Misty said. "It's Ash's thing, he should tell you."
"You make it sound like it's something terrible," Serena said.
"Well… It is," Misty replied, and Serena just looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes, but said nothing. "I mean, he didn't do it because he wanted, he just wanted to save someone, and it got out of hand because he was angry. That's why I told him he's not the best person to tell me to control my anger, as I am temperamental, but he has a problem to control himself when he gets angry."
Serena was quiet for a few minutes, thinking about what Misty said, and about Ash's problem with anger, which she didn't notice in the almost three weeks they were traveling together, but then again, Misty has been with Ash for almost two years, and she knows him better.
"Do you think he will tell me?" Serena asked.
"He will," Misty said. "But it might be better to let him decide when he wants to tell you, and not to question him. Trust me it's not easy for him, and it took him awhile to get over it even with all the training he had, and how strong his mind seems to be, he is still just almost 12-year-old kid."
Serena sighed, and turned around toward the wall to have some sleep. "Ok Misty, if you think I should wait, then I will." Serena said, before she closed her eyes, and fell asleep few minutes later.
XXX
All four of them took a nap for a few hours, and in the evening, they came down in cafeteria for dinner, after which they came in the same room, and played some games and talked for a few hours, before they went back to sleep for the rest of the night.
In the morning, they all woke up in about the same time, and, after they finished everything in the bathroom, they walked down to have breakfast.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Serena asked, while they were eating.
"Well, you and I are going outside in the cave to train, and see if we can catch some Pokemon," Ash said, after he swallowed the food he had in his mouth. "As for Brock and Misty, you can do whatever you want."
"I'll stay here, I don't think I want to spend more time in the freezer then necessary," Misty said, and the other three laughed.
"I'll stay here as well, and maybe ask Nurse Joy to show me how to better take care of Pokemon, as she is a Nurse, and it might do me good to know more than just about Pokemon Breathing." Brock said.
"It's fine by me," Ash said, and after 10 more minutes, they finished their breakfast, and then split up, with Misty going back to her room, Brock went to find Nurse Joy, and Ash and Serena left Pokemon Center, and went outside in the cave to train.
XXX
"Hey Ash, do you know which Pokemon live here," Serena asked?
"Well, there are probably Zubat and maybe some Golbat, like in every cave," Ash said. "Then there should be Jynx, Delibird, Swinub, Sneasel, maybe if we are lucky there are some of their evolved forms. Maybe some other, but those are that normally live in cold places like this."
"Should I try to find one special of them, or should I try to catch any of them that we run into?" Serena asked.
"It doesn't matter, any Pokemon is going to become strong if you train it right, so you shouldn't bother with going after specific Pokemon," Ash said. "In fact, it doesn't even matter even if you don't catch any Pokemon here, all you have to do is train the ones you have, even more."
"Yeah but Ice Type would give me some advantage, as most of my Pokemon are at big disadvantage against Dragon Type's." Serena said.
"It might give you slight advantage, but remember, even if you catch a Pokemon, you only have few days to make it strong enough to take on the strongest gym leader in Johto, and because of that, the Pokemon you already have would be better choice, as even though they might not have the advantage, they are better trained, and they know you, and you know them much better than you would know your new Pokemon," Ash explained, but added. "Of course, if you are lucky enough to manage to catch a Mamoswine, or Weavile, then you will have big chance to win."
"Would I even be able to defeat one of them?" Serena asked.
"You would," Ash said. "Probably."
Serena glared at him, as he had a smirk. "Donphan is good enough to face any gym leader, and Dratini is powerful, and I'm sure he is close to evolving, so all you need is one more Pokemon, and we will train one of the others you have to fill that spot, and if we run into Mamoswine or Weavile, then you can capture it." Ash said.
"Fine, lets then start training, and not roam around without any aim," Serena said, and Ash agreed.
"Are we only going to spar, or will we do something else?" Serena again asked.
"Sparing is the best way for Pokemon to gain power and experience, so it's the best option we have," Ash said, Serena nodded, and then they started their training.
XXX
After Ash and Serena started their sparing, they went on for several hours every day for the entire week.
Originally Ash planed for them to stay in the Ice Cave for about five days, but it changed on the third day because during training spar, the battle attracted the attention of one of many Pokemon in the Ice Cave, and he showed up right in their sight, which caused Serena to challenge him to a battle.
The Pokemon that showed up was Piloswine, and Serena wasn't going to let this chance slip her away, because just as Ash said, she would be lucky if she runs into an evolved form of one of the Pokemon that live in the Ice Cave.
"Dratini use Agility and then Thunder Wave," Serena said to her Pokemon as Piloswine was coming at Dratini with Take Down.
Dratini quickly slithered all over the Ice, which by the way, didn't affect him as much as it should have considering he is Dragon Type Pokemon, and used his snake like body to move away from Piloswine's Take Down. As soon as he saw he was at the safe distance from Piloswine, Dratini started glowing blue, and released a blue stream of electricity from all over his body, that then went at Piloswine, and managed to hit him right on, but except from slowing him down, it didn't do much damage.
"Remember, Serena, Piloswine, on top of being Ice Type, is also Ground Type, which makes him completely immune to Electric type attacks," Ash told her from few meters behind her, were he was standing and watching her fight.
"Yeah, I know, I just wanted to see if it will at least do something," Serena said.
"Dratini, watch out," she suddenly yelled, as she lost her focus, and Piloswine was on Dratini hitting him repeatedly with his tusks, which is Fury Attack.
The repeated hitting, caused a lot of damage to Dratini, and sent him sliding on the Ice floor, and toward the wall where he collided with the said wall, and stopped.
"Oh no, Dratini, are you ok," Serene yelled for her Pokemon, worried that he was seriously injured by Piloswine's attack.
Dratini slowly moved from the wall, but very slowly as he was pretty beat up, and was close to finished.
Piloswine saw Dratini trying to stand up, so he decided to finish this fight, and opened his mouth and released Blizzard at Dratini.
"Dratini, move, and use Dragon Rage," Serena yelled, and Dratini's eyes suddenly flew completely opened, and with all the speed he had left got away for the Blizzard, and then when he was close in front of Piloswine, who was surprised that Dratini got away as he thought he was done for, Dratini opened his mouth, and released a blue orb with electricity dancing over it and then sent it right at Piloswine's head, which collided and sent Piloswine bouncing dozens of meters backwards until he collided with the Cave wall, which then broke, and a bunch of ice shards fell on him and almost completely buried him.
"Now finish him off with Hyper Beam just to be sure," Serena said, and Dratini fired his last attack for that day, in a form of a yellow beam of energy that hit directly on the buried Piloswine, which caused another explosion and another small destruction of the cave wall.
After the beam cleared away, and the mist that was created from heated attack and cold place, was gone, Piloswine was shown lying on the floor, with a bunch of bruises, and some ice shards still covering him.
"Ahm," Serena muttered as she was feeling herself around the waist like she was searching for something that was not there.
Ash looked at her, and knew what was wrong, and he smirked. "You forgot you don't have another empty Poke Ball!"
Serena blushed a little red, which was not from the cold, and looked at him, with a pout on her face after she saw his smirking face. "I forgot to buy some when we were going through Blackthorn City," she admitted. "You, wouldn't happen to have one to land me, do you?"
Ash then took one empty Poke Ball, and gave it to her, which Serena then used to catch Piloswine, after which she apologized to Dratini for losing focus like that, and let him get hurt.
He said it was fine, and then she returned him in his Poke Ball, and then took him and Piloswine back to the Pokemon Center, for Nurse Joy to treat them both.
This capture of Piloswine, is what made Ash decide to extend the training for two more days, so Piloswine can get more than just two days of training with Serena, and even though another two days won't exactly make much difference, it is still better than nothing.
Right now, after a week of training, Ash and the others are saying goodbye to Nurse Joy, and her partner, Chansey.
"Bye, Nurse Joy, it was nice to spend so much time with you and learn so much from you," said Brock, who has spent a week learning from Nurse Joy to take medical care of Pokemon and not just breeding care.
"It was no problem Brock, it was my pleasure to help a young breeder who is interested in helping Pokemon," Nurse Joy said.
"Well, bye then, Nurse Joy, hope we meet again someday," said the other three, after which they left.
"Bye guys, drop by anytime you like," said Nurse Joy, as they were walking in the distance from her Pokemon Center.
"So, what do you think, Serena, are you ready for your first gym battle?" Brock asked, as they walked out of the Ice Cave.
"I don't know, I guess I'll see in a day or two, depending when I face the Gym leader," Serena replied.
"Don't worry Serena, you trained as hard as you could, and even if you lose it won't matter, because you will just train some more, and then you will win," said Ash. "Though if I have to say it, then I would say that you have a big chance to win the first time. You have become much better in this last few weeks, and all of your Pokemon are great."
This brought a smile on Serena's face. "Thanks, Ash, it means a lot to me when you say it." Serena thanked him.
"You are welcome," said Ash. "Now let's go, and have out first gym battle in Johto Region."
And so, the group of four continued down the road back to Blackthorn City.