Let's continue the adventures of Ash Ketchum and Starfire, shall we? And for those asking about Misty... don't worry, you'll see her soon enough...
Early the next morning, both Ash and Starfire had gotten up around the same time, and after getting their Pokemon up and about, and joining with Jenny and Joy for breakfast (which both nurse and officer had thankfully ordered in for the both of them, on the house) as Ash had just finished his meal. Starfire could only poke at the meal, looking at it in curiosity. Upon noting Star's unsureness about the food before her, Ash put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.
"It's okay, Starfire, there's nothing wrong with the food here. It tastes pretty good." Ash smiled as he motioned over to the miso soup before her. "Just give it a small taste."
"A-all right..." Starfire nodded as she took the bowl and put it near her lips, letting the liquid get near her mouth. Once it reached her tongue, she paused as she felt the taste getting used to her alien tongue. Her eyes lit up in delight as she took a bit of rice and ate it.
The next thing she knew, the young teenage girl was trying to eat everything on her plate, including the dish herself, much to Jenny and Joy's astonishment. Ash looked at her, equally in shock as he chuckled nervously. "Guess you were... pretty hungry, huh?"
Starfire stopped as she noted the stares being given towards her. She just smiled nervously as she closed her eyes, blushing a bit in embarrassment. "I apologize... I guess I was... the more hungry than I perceived."
After a moment, Joy smiled as she turned to Ash. "You have a very unique friend, Ash. I suggest sticking close to her..."
Ash gave a nod as he looked over towards the two. "Sooo... what's your plan now?"
"Well, with the Pokemon Center temporarily out of commission, I suppose the Chanseys and I can do a little work here at the police station. Just a temporary thing, until the Pokemon Center is rebuilt." Joy explained.
"Don't worry, Ash. I'll make sure Nurse Joy and her nursing Pokemon feel right at home." Officer Jenny smiled. "I'm guessing you two will be on your way, then?"
"Yeah, we might as well." Ash nodded. "After all, I just started on my Pokemon journey, and I don't want to let a Spearow chase OR a Team Rocket encounter bother me from that!"
"And I'm more curious about this world than I ever was." Starfire said as she gave a sigh. "I want to explore and see if I can befriend any and all Pokemon I come across..."
Joy and Jenny blinked twice, before Jenny gave a small smile. "A noble gesture, I'm sure..." She turned to Ash as she gave a smile. "Anyway, Ash, I'd like to give you a little something as thanks for saving both Joy and I..."
Ash looked up in confusion before Jenny pulled out a stack of bills, giving it to Ash. "This is eighty Poke dollars. You often win money after battling, so make sure you do a lot of battles, if you want to get paid."
"And try not to spend it all in one place either." Joy smiled as she walked over and pulled out a purple and white spray bottle and gave it to the young man. "This is also a gift from me."
"Oh, a potion!" Ash smiled as he pocketed it in his bag. "Thank you."
Joy giggled a bit as she looked at the young man. "This one is on me, but you'll have to buy potions if you want to get more... although there are a few items people drop on the ground that are left behind that nobody notices. If you find something like that, it's yours to keep. I'm sure the Poke Mart in the town can tell you more about it."
"I'll take note of it. Thank you." Ash nodded.
"Uh, Ash, what is this... potion that the nurse of the joy was giving you?" Starfire asked in curiosity.
"Nurse of the joy?" Joy asked, looking a bit confused.
"Oh... well, I've heard of this from the others... but items like Potions and Antidotes are what you give your Pokemon if they're hurt, and you don't have a nearby Pokemon center to go to to heal the wounds." Ash explained. "Professor Oak explained a lot about items... like Burn Heals heal burns, Paralyze Heals heal paralyzation, and many more. You often spray these around the Pokemon or feed them, and they'd be better."
"I've heard about how trainers often give Potions and Super Potions to their Pokemon during battle whenever they switch..." Pikachu said as he lowered his ears. "Sounds like an annoying tactic to me..."
"Not that I would know, but I hear Potions often taste bitter at times. They do heal bruises pretty good though." Clefairy pointed out.
"Anyway, thank you for the-" Ash started before Joy bent over and pecked him on the lips, causing the young boy to freeze in shock.
"Don't mention it." Joy said with a smirk as she walked over. Starfire couldn't help but note the cheeky smirk as something stirred... up inside her... she didn't know what it was, though.
Jenny, on the other hand, frowned a bit as she glared at Jenny, before giving a smirk herself as she walked over to Ash and bent down. "Well, Ash, I wish you good luck on your journey, and take care of each other. You, your friend and your Pokemon look pretty strong already."
"Wh- oh, uh, thank you, Offi-" Ash started before Jenny pulled him close and pecked him on the lips, though Joy could swear Jenny was holding him at least for a couple seconds longer.
"You're welcome." Jenny laughed a bit, winking before getting up, with Starfire lowering her eyelids a bit, narrowing them at Officer Jenny, as Ash stood there and stammered.
Clefairy and Pikachu just looked over in surprise as they turned to each other. Pikachu then gave a sigh, "That was certainly strange, wasn't it?"
"I wonder what that was all about." Clefairy asked the yellow mouse Pokemon.
Ash quickly recovered from the quick kisses he recieved as he looked over towards both the officer and the nurse in confusion, with Jenny saying, "Keep an eye out for my extended family if you have any troubles. You may see them around the area..."
"And be sure to stop by every Pokemon Center you come to after a long journey." Nurse Joy grinned. "Believe me, you're going to need all the help you can get."
"Uh... y-yeah, I'll consider it." Ash said as he chuckled nervously. "All right, Starfire, are you ready?"
Starfire shook her head as she turned to Ash and smiled sweetly towards him. "I am the excited to go, Ash."
Ash laughed a bit as he got up and adjusted his hat. "Then let's go! Hop on, Pikachu!"
Pikachu chirped before hopping on Ash's shoulder, feeling more comfortable riding on there for a bit as Starfire picked up Clefairy, who gave a smirk of determination. Both nurse and officer waved good-bye to the departing foursome as Joy paused. "I hope they can get through safely to the Viridian Forest..."
"From what I've seen, those four can take care of themselves." Jenny said.
"Well, I certainly hope you're right." Joy said... before giving a small glare. "You're really playing like that, huh?!"
"Let's just say... us Jennys AREN'T backing down so easily." Jenny smirked.
"Well, we JOYS are going to beat you at your game." Joy laughed as she crossed her arms. "I bet by the time he meets another of you, we Joys will be WELL in the lead!"
"You're on." Jenny laughed a bit.
As Ash and Starfire were walking around Viridian City, wondering where to go from here, Ash paused as he felt his lips. "I wonder... why did Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy kiss me like that? I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised since my first kiss was with you... but it feels... strange, yet... exciting?"
Starfire groaned as she held her head. "I do not know the answer, Ash, and quite frankly, I would rather not know." She sighed as she started to float up in the air, going a bit ahead of him. Ash quickly noted this as he gave a yelp.
"Uh, Starfire, you're... um... floating?" Ash asked.
"Hm?" Starfire blinked twice, as she looked down to see she was indeed floating. "Yes, I am. Is that wrong?"
"Uh... well..." Ash blushed furiously as he had noted that Starfire was notably flying high, giving him a peek from under her skirt. "...it may be easier for you, but..." He tried to form the words as he looked away a bit, trying to keep his eye on Starfire's cute, curious green filled eyes. "But people might freak out if they saw you flying around the city like this."
"O-oh..." The beautiful red-haired princess said as she went back down to the ground.
"Uh, don't worry, when we get to somewhere isolated, you can... uh..." Ash paused as he shut his eyes. "You can fly all you want!"
Starfire's eyes lit up a bit as she gave a grin. "Thank you, Ash. I don't mind the walking, but I more prefer the flying."
"We'll get that chance soon..." Ash said as he looked over his backpack. "Anyway, before we get going, we'll need to stack up on supplies for our journey. Let's stop at the Poke Mart before we do anything else."
"I think I saw it as I was exploring last night." Starfire smiled as she held Ash's hand. "Come on, I'll show you."
It wasn't too far of a walk, but after a few turns, they managed to arrive as they entered inside the area. The mart was a bit small, with a few locals looking around, and a shopkeeper holding down the fort. Of course, as soon as both Ash and Starfire entered the place, the shopkeeper turned towards the two as her eyes lit up, seemingly recognizing the girl that entered.
"Oh, it's you!" The shopkeeper grinned as Starfire's eyes lit up.
"Oh, Hinata! I didn't know you worked here." Starfire asked as she clasped her hands together.
"Yeah, when I'm not taking care of my grandfather, I usually go over and run a shift in the Poke Mart." Hinata explained. "Of course, it's to help raise money. Oh, and don't worry if you run into Grandpa. He's had his coffee, and he's more calmer now."
"Well, that's good to know." Starfire smiled as she and Ash went up towards the counter.
It was then Hinata noted the boy next to her. "Oh, and who's this?"
"Uh, hi. I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, and-" Ash started.
"Oh, you're from Pallet Town?" Hinata asked in surprise. "You know, just this morning, someone else from Pallet Town came by here earlier, and I had to give them a package to return to Professor Oak. Seemed a bit disappointed, though, but considering he said he was related to him, he had to oblige."
"Related?" Ash said in surprise, before frowning. "Did he have a purple shirt, blue pants, brown boots, spiky brown hair, acted all cocky, had a car and cheerleaders following him around?"
"Yeah, why?" Hinata asked in confusion.
"Gary..." Ash frowned as he adjusted his hat... before his eyes widened. "B-but you said he left this morning to do an errand in Pallet?"
"In a way, yes. But he said with his car, he'd make a quick stop to Pallet and back... I also sort of gave him a Town Map, and he specifically said not to give anyone named Ash Ketchum a map." Hinata explained.
"WHAT?!" Ash narrowed his eyes in outrage. "I can't believe Gary would- ugh, I'm going to-"
Hinata chuckled as she pulled out a map. "Don't worry, though, I don't usually take complaints seriously. He seemed a bit arrogant in the head... though, from your looks, you have a bit of an ego yourself."
"What do you mean an ego?" Ash frowned as he looked at Hinata with a frown.
Starfire giggled as she put a hand on Ash's shoulder, the young boy looking at her. "Calm down, Ash. I'm sure Hinata is only joking..."
"O-ohhh..." Ash said as he calmed down slightly.
Hinata looked between Starfire and Ash in pure curiosity before giving a smile. "Seems to me you two must have some sort of strong connection..."
Both boy and girl turned towards Hinata in confusion as Ash asked, "What do you mean?"
"Ohhhh... nothing." Hinata giggled before giving a cough. "Anyway, are you here to buy something, or maybe you would like to sell something?"
"We're here to shop." Ash confirmed.
"Okay, then!" Hinata smiled as she got up and walked over to the shelves. "Now, we have Poke Balls at a fair price... 200 dollars each. However, if you buy ten Poke Balls, we also throw in a free Premier Ball, a new type of Poke Ball created in the Hoenn region." Hinata then opened up another cabinet underneath the Poke Ball shelf and showed them an all-white Poke Ball with a red center around the button. "It works about the same as a Poke Ball, but it's more for people who'd like to collect Pokemon or just want to give a Pokemon somebody likes that special touch."
"Ooooohhhh..." Starfire said as she stared in interest, with Ash, Pikachu and Clefairy looking at the Poke Ball in curiosity.
"We also have Potions, Antidotes and Paralyze Heals all at fair prices." Hinata explained as she pointed to the price tags of each item. "Keep in mind, that's how much you get for ONE of those items respectively."
Clefairy winced as she looked at the prices. "300 for a potion? That's a little outrageous!"
"Okay, so how much do we have right now?" Starfire asked.
"Well, we just got eighty dollars from Nurse Joy for helping her out..." Ash said as he tried to think. "Then there's the money Mom gave me to start my journey... I don't suppose you have anything to spend?"
"I do not quite understand the concept of... 'money'?... in this world..." Starfire scratched his head.
"All right, all right, let's see... I started with 3000 Poke Dollars... so 80 and 3000 is..." Ash tried to think a bit, before giving a nod. "Ah ha! 3,080 Poke Dollars. And since we started out with a few Poke Balls, it wouldn't hurt to get a few more... although, I did waste one Poke Ball trying to capture a Pidgey yesterday... so I'm down to five empty Poke Balls..."
"Well, Professor Oak also gave me five..." Starfire said as she checked the small bag she got.
"All right, well, great! That leaves us at least ten Poke Balls to work with, although it wouldn't hurt if we get a few more." Ash said. "I suppose, I could buy ten Pokeballs and get the free Premier Ball, but then that just leaves us with 1080 dollars. Not enough to buy a lot of Potions and what-not. And since Pikachu is an Electric type, I'm not sure I want Paralyze Heals right now..."
"There are a couple Pokemon that might know Stun Spore..." Hinata said. "And if you plan on heading through Viridian Forest to get to Pewter City, there are some rare instances of Pikachu being seen around the area, and they could paralyze your Pokemon..."
"Well, I only have the ONE right now..." Ash pointed out as he looked down.
"I say don't worry about Paralyze Heals for now." Pikachu explained, with Starfire translating. "They'd be useful for later, but from what I hear, poisoning can be a BIG issue. I say get a couple Antidotes."
Ash looked over towards Pikachu, then to Starfire as he gave a nod. "All right, I guess that works. Since we're going to be making a long journey ahead to Pewter City, we'll need at least a couple of potions too."
"I think that sounds fair." Starfire nodded.
"All right then. Ten Poke Balls, with the free Premier Ball, two potions, and two antidotes." Ash said as he laid down the money and put it in front of Hinata as she collected the items and punched it up.
"The total will be 2800 Poke Dollars." Hinata said as she handed Ash the items, along with the Town Map. "And as an added bonus, you can take the Town Map for free. It shows the entirety of the Kanto region, as long as you know where you're going..."
"Thank you very much." Starfire smiled.
"No problem." Hinata grinned as Ash gathered up the items and put them in his bag, before taking the receipt and stuffing it in his pocket, with Hinata putting the money in the register.
A few moments later, Ash and Starfire were leaving the store, as Ash was sitting at a nearby bench and pulling out the various Poke Balls, with Clefairy and Pikachu laying down on their sides and snoozing off as the two had split through the Poke Balls evenly. Of course, there was still the question on who would get the Premier Ball as Ash was looking at it in curiosity.
"Okay, so how are we going to decide who gets this?" Ash asked Starfire as he looked up.
"Well... since I'm pretty new to this whole thing, I wouldn't mind just sticking to the regular Poke Balls for now." Starfire explained. "You did earn this one."
"Yeah, but... I'm not really sure what I'd use a Premier Ball on... no, why don't you take it, Star?" Ash said as he handed Starfire the Premier Ball.
"But-" Starfire started, but before she could protest, Ash put the ball in her hands and closed it around her, making the young girl blush.
"Think nothing of it. The next time we get Poke Balls in a Poke Mart, I'll be sure to get some. Besides, we got enough for now." Ash smiled. "I think it's fair you have it. You can use it to catch something special, if need be."
"Oh... well... thank you, Ash. That's so sweet of you." Starfire smiled as she looked over at Ash.
Ash blushed a bit as he gave a nervous chuckle. "Heh, you're welcome..."
Starfire giggled a bit as she looked over towards the sky, with Ash looking upwards. Then, as the two got up, Ash turned his head in curiosity as he noted a poster hung by a nearby lamppost. Ash's eyes widened in curiosity as he walked over towards the poster and looked it over in interest. Pikachu lifted his head as he bounded over to his master. "What are you looking at, Ash?"
Ash looked over the poster as he read it. "'Pokemon League Regional Championships. Enter the Competition! Today's winners are tomorrow's Pokemon Masters!' Heh, that's going to be me!"
Starfire looked over towards the poster in curiosity as she bent her head. "Championships?"
"I've watched a lot of them on TV. Usually, trainers from all over Kanto go to the Pokemon League and compete in various rounds to see who will go up against the most powerful trainers in the Kanto region... the Elite Four." Ash smirked. "Lorelei with her Ice Types... Bruno with his magnificent Fighting Types... Agatha with her scary and powerful Ghost Types... and then there's Lance..." Ash gave a small and happy sigh. "He's my favorite of the Elite Four... with Dragon types at his beck and call... although some say he's a glorified Flying Type trainer, which... yes, but he's mostly known for his Dragon taming abilities!"
"Dragons?" Starfire asked in surprise.
"Oh sure, you'd be surprised." Ash explained as he gave a grin. "About every few months, the Pokemon League has these little championships, and the ones who win the championships has a chance to face the Elite Four and be named the Champion of the region."
The young boy gave a small sigh as he looked up at the poster with a smile. "Can you imagine... me, the Champion of the Kanto region? It would not only be an honor, but it'd be a good step to becoming the world's greatest Pokemon master!"
"World's greatest Pokemon master? Keep dreaming, Ashy boy!"
Ash stood stunned at the familiar voice as he slowly turned his head. "Gary..."
Starfire raised an eyebrow as she, Clefairy and Pikachu turned their heads to see a boy about the same age as Ash. Purple shirt, blue pants, brown boots, brown spiky hair, cocky-like face. It was definitely how Ash described him earlier...
"Oh boy..." Clefairy sighed as she held her head, with Gary and Ash looking at each other, the former holding a cocky smirk, and the latter glaring. Starfire didn't quite know what was going on, but she knew one thing...
Things were about to take a turn...
And we're done here for now! Next time, more moments with Gary, Starfire's first battle... and not to mention, Viridian Forest! And before you ask, yes, I'm also going to be covering it like the games as well, not just the anime. So, how will things differ? You'll see. Until next time.