Summary: Ash, Misty, and Brock, during their travels through the Safari Zone, run into an unusual young man who seems to have a flair for capturing pokemon in an unusual way, and perhaps one young red-haired lady.

The Gentleman Wrangler

By Mr. Grass

It’s another beautiful day in the Safari Zone. Ash, accompanied by his friends Brock, Misty, and of course Pikachu, heads down a long stretch of dirt road towards a forest.

Ash: (holding his stomach, mumbling) How much further do we have to walk? I’m starving!

Misty: Well if you would’ve bothered to wake up in time for breakfast this morning you wouldn’t be so hungry.

Ash: It’s not my fault! Brock was snoring last night and I couldn’t get any sleep.

Brock: What are you talking about? I don’t snore!

Ash: Do to!

Brock: Do not!

Pikachu: Pika! Pikapik!

Everyone stopped to look at Pikachu. It was standing alongside Ash, waving its arms frantically.

Ash: What’s the matter, Pikachu?

Pikachu pointed its tail down the road. A cloud of dust was headed right for them. Suddenly Ash got very excited.

Ash: I bet it’s a pokémon! I’m gonna catch it.

Misty: (whispering to Brock) It’s probably just another Tauros…

Ash: Huh?

Ash turned his head, not quite catching what Misty said, but he didn’t have time to ask. Sure enough, the pokémon that was heading for them was a lone Tauros. It apparently had gotten separated from its heard.

Ash: (throwing pokeball) Go Charmander!

The pokeball flew through the air and out popped Charmander.

Charmander: Char! Charmander!

Ash: All right, Charmander, stop that Tauros! Use Leer!

Charmander: Char!

The Charmander stood it’s ground as the Tauros barreled towards it. Suddenly, it’s eyes started glowing yellow. The Tauros, distracted momentarily by the glowing, stumbled and tripped, sliding along the ground.

Ash: Now Ember!

Charmander spat flames out at the Tauros, unfortunately the bull pokémon was able to roll to its feet and dodge the attack. It reared up on its hind legs and stamped down hard, shaking the nearby earth. The Tauros scratched the ground with its hoof and fixed its eyes on Charmander.

Misty: Look out! It’s going to charge!

As if on cue, the Tauros burst forward, fully galloping at Charmander.

Ash: Charmander, roll out of its way!

Obediently, the small fire lizard jumped to its side, barely evading one of the Tauros’ hooves.

Ash: Good work, Charmander. Now, trap it with Fire Spin.

Charmander: Char! Char!

Charmander opened its mouth wide and sprayed a stream of flame towards the Tauros, which was turning around to charge again. The flame bent and coiled upwards, trapping the Tauros inside. The Tauros stamped its hooves angrily, trying to find a way to escape. After a short time, the coils collapsed to a pillar of fire around the pokémon. Abruptly, the flames went out and the Tauros fell to the ground, exhausted and slightly burned.

Ash: Pokeball go!

Ash threw a pokeball at the Tauros. It hit the pokémon and pulled it inside. The ball wiggled a few times and finally came to a rest, the Tauros held safely within. Ash ran over to the pokeball and raised it triumphantly in the air.

Ash: I got Tauros!

Misty: Oh great, another one.

Ash: (putting the pokeball away) You’re just jealous because I’ve caught more pokémon than you.

Misty: Jealous!?

Brock, sensing another fight coming on, decided to butt in early and try to change the subject.

Brock: Hey, I’m feeling hungry too. How about we have a picnic over there? It looks nice and shady.

Brock pointed to a wide stream that was coming out of the forest ahead. With the shade coming from the trees, it looked like a perfect place to rest for a while.

Ash: Sounds great to me. Charmander, return!

Ash held out a pokeball and Charmander was pulled back inside.

Ash: What do you think, Pikachu?

Pikachu: (happily) Pika!

Misty: (still a bit angry) Well, okay.

The company set up a blanket underneath a tree at the edge of the forest, just along the stream. The area was very beautiful. The open plains gave way to a relatively thick forest. There was also a rocky field nearby, and Ash could have sworn he saw a Sandshrew duck behind the cover of a rock, but he figured his hunger was just making him see things.

Ash: So, Brock, What’s for lunch today?

Brock: Well, today’s menu includes exotic items that we picked up from the supermarket last week. We’ll start off with-

Pikachu: Pikapi! Pikachu!

The small yellow pokémon’s ears perked up and pointed towards the forest. It had a concerned look on its face.

Ash: What’s wrong, Pikachu? Hear something?

The group listened quietly. There was only science.

Misty: I don’t hear anything.

Brock: Me neither.

Ash: (smiling and patting Pikachu on the head) Don’t worry, Pikachu. I’m sure it’s nothing.

*CRASH* Suddenly, something came crashing out of the thick of the forest. Everyone sprang back away from it, screaming. It was another Tauros. But this one was different. It was bigger. There was a person hanging onto it by its neck, dragging his feet on the ground, slowing the massive bull down.

Person: Yee haw!!!!

The Tauros bucked and kicked, trying to shake the person off. It managed to free itself of the persons grasp, but fell to the ground at the sudden change in balance. The person got to his feet and charged at the Tauros before it fully righted itself. Before the Tauros could react, it was pinned against the ground, its legs trapped under its own body. The person pulled a pokeball from his belt and tapped it against the Tauros’ forehead. He rolled away and stood as the pokémon was pulled into the ball. The ball wiggled a few times and came to a rest on the grassy ground.

Person: (whipping his brow) Whew!

He walked over to the ball and picked it up, re-attaching it to his belt. He sighed happily and turned to walk away, but stopped when he spotted the gang with their picnic all set up.

Person: Oh, I’m sorry, did I ruin your picnic?

He looked to be a pretty young man, probably in his early teens. His hair was a light brown, but was full of dust and dirt and looked only slightly out of place. His blue eyes stood out from the rest of him. His clothes, which consisted of a pair of gray pants tucked into black boots, a forest green t-shirt, and gray vest were freckled with dirt and dried mud.

Ash: Wow! That was amazing!

Person: (puzzled) What?

Ash: (pointing to the pokeball that the stranger had on his belt) The way you caught that Tauros.

Person: (smiling) Thank you. I strive for excellence. Pleased to meet you (extending his hand to Ash). I’m Jayce.

Ash: (shaking his hand) I’m Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town.

Jayce: Ah, the Oak Research Lab is there. I’ve never been there, but I heard the professor is a great scientist.

Ash: Yeah, he’s the one who gave me Pikachu.

Pikachu: (hopping onto Ash’s head) Pika!

Jayce: Hey there, little fella.

Jayce extended his hand to Pikachu and tickled underneath its “chin”. Pikachu laughed and nuzzled its face against his hand. Jayce smiled and petted it.

Jayce: Very cute. (noticing Brock) Who might you be?

Brock: I’m Brock, from the Pewter City Gym.

Jayce: The Gym Leader, right?

Jayce shook his hand as well.

Brock: Well, I used to be, but my dream is to become a great pokémon breeder.

Jayce: Good luck. If you’ve had a hand in raising this Pikachu I’d say you’ll do great.

Pikachu: (very happily doing Ash’s victory pose) Pika!

Misty: I’m Misty, from Cerulean City.

Jayce suddenly stood up a little straighter and dusted some of the dirt from his shoulders. It looked almost as if he was blushing a bit, but the dirt on his cheeks made it hard to tell.

Jayce: Oh, I apologize for my appearance. I didn’t realize there was a lady nearby. It’s just that I’ve been out here for quite a while. I haven’t seen any people for about a week. Two weeks since I’ve seen any ladies.

Misty: (blushing slightly) Oh, it’s all right.

Jayce: It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Jayce extended his hand to Misty. Misty took it expecting a shake. Jayce, however, held her hand gently and lightly bowed. Misty couldn’t keep from blushing a bit. After standing straight up again, Jayce released her hand.

Jayce: Cerulean, huh? You wouldn’t by chance be related to the Sensational Sister Gym Leaders, would you?

Misty: Well, actually, I’m their little sister.

Jayce: I thought so. I see that their runs in the family. Though I must confess, you bring it to a whole new level.

Misty’s cheeks turned to a brighter red than Ash had ever seen. Brock and Ash sweat-dropped. There was, for a moment, an awkward pause.

Jayce: Well, I guess I better leave you three to your picnic.

He turned and started to walk away but Misty stopped him.

Misty: Do you want to join us?

A small scowl crossed Brock’s face. He had only prepared meals for the three of them. This would be stretching their rations a bit.

Jayce: I wouldn’t want to impose.

Misty: It’s no problem.

Brock: Well, actually, Misty-

Misty turned to Brock and gave him a look that would have killed a lesser man.

Brock: (timidly) I’m not sure if we have enough food.

Jayce: It’s all right. I have my own food. I’ll just sit along with you guys, if that’d be okay.

Ash: I guess that’d be okay.

Jayce: Good, just give me a second to get cleaned up.

Jayce disappeared back into the forest. Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu sat back down on the blanket, spreading out the rest of the food. Ash and Brock were about to dig in, but Misty stopped them.

Misty: Shouldn’t we wait until Jayce gets back?

Ash and Brock paused with their jaws open, each about to bite into a rice ball.

Jayce: (shouting from in the forest) Don’t wait for me, I’ll just be another second!

Ash and Brock immediately dug into the food. Misty sweat-dropped but decided to wait for Jayce anyways. She watched Pikachu as he opened up a ketchup packet and started to drink up the contents. Jayce stepped out of the woods, carrying a brown sack that obviously contained his lunch.

Jayce: All right, lunch time.

Misty’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Jayce. He had somehow managed to clear the dust off of his clothes and took the time to wash out his hair, which turned out to be a darker brown than it had first looked. It was still damp from the washing and almost seemed to glow in the sun. He was a handsome young man. A very handsome young man.

Jayce: (sitting on the ground next to Misty) Is this seat taken?

Misty: (blushing) No…

Misty picked up her own lunch and began to eat. She always took care to not spill any on herself or on the blanket. Ash, Brock, and Pikachu rarely took such precautions at meal times. They just went right to stuffing their faces.

Misty watched Jayce while he ate his lunch. He was very careful not to spill anything on the nearby blanket as well. His hands, which had been caked in dirt and pinning down the Tauros a few minutes ago, seemed graceful as he unwrapped and ate his sandwich, apple, and a jello cup.

Jayce: (holding a jello cup to Misty) Want one?

Misty: (a bit surprised) Huh?

Jayce: Well, you’re done eating and you were staring like you were still hungry.

Misty barely managed to keep from blushing.

Misty: No thanks.

They all finished their lunch and quickly packed up. They all decided to lay in the shade to take a little break.

Jayce: (playing with a small piece of grass) So, Ash, what brings you out here to the Safari Zone?

Ash: I want to be a pokémon master, and I need to catch more pokémon.

Jayce: Ambitious dream. I hope you succeed.

Brock: What are you doing out here, Jayce?

Ash: Yeah, and how come you fought that Tauros without using another pokémon?

Jayce: I’m a pokémon wrangler.

Ash/Brock: Pokémon wrangler?

Misty: What’s that?

Jayce: Well, it’s sort of like being a pokémon trainer, but a bit different. You see, instead of battling pokémon with other pokémon, I battle them myself.

Brock: That sounds pretty tough.

Jayce: It’s a lot of work. My goal is to defeat one of every pokémon. Of course, I also participate in regular pokémon battles, but I don’t do that too often. I want to complete my dex.

Ash: You have a pokedex?

Jayce: Yeah.

Jayce reached into his vest pocket and withdrew a pokedex that was similar to Ash’s, only it was green instead of red.

Jayce: This is my pokedex. I record all the pokémon I defeat in here. So far I’ve gotten to 42 pokémon. But some of the one’s I haven’t beat are just unevolved forms of one’s I’ve already beaten, like Charmander.

Ash: (excited) I have a Charmander!

Jayce: Oh, would you like to battle? I’d like to add another 1 to my pokedex.

Ash stands and smiles arrogantly.

Ash: If you can beat me.

Jayce stood up and mirrored Ash’s grin.

Jayce: Don’t worry, if your Charmander’s not too challenging I’ll go easy on it.

This remark made Ash very upset and he pulled Charmander’s pokeball from his belt. Brock, Misty, and Pikachu quickly got out of the way, making room for the combatants.

Misty: Be careful, Ash. Charmander might be tired from the last battle.

Ash: Don’t worry, Misty, I know what I’m doing. Go, Charmander!

Ash threw the pokeball and Charmander emerged.

Charmander: Charmander! Mander!

Ash: All right, Charmander, this may seem strange, but you’re battling him.

Ash pointed to Jayce. Charmander nodded. It did seem unusual, but he trusted his master. Jayce walked over to Misty and handed her his pokedex.

Jayce: Could you hold onto this for me?

Misty: Um…sure.

Jayce: Thanks. Just keep it pointed toward the battle, no matter where it goes. I need to have recordings of all my victories.

Ash: Then you won’t need to bother recording this one.

Jayce, his back toward Ash, smiled at Misty and gave her a little wink. Misty’s cheeks once again lit up with pink. Jayce slide off his vest and tossed it where the rest of the gear was. He walked back to his position, facing Charmander, taking a fighting stance.

Jayce: Brock, would you be so kind as to referee?

Brock: I’ve never really monitored any battles like this, but okay.

Brock stood between Jayce and Charmander and gave a little opening speech.

Brock: This is a one on one match between Jayce and Charmander. No time limit. The battle ends when one combatant submits or is no longer to battle.

Ash: That won’t take long will it Charmander?

Charmander: Char!

Jayce: (smiling slyly) Let’s rock.

Brock: Begin!

Ash: Charmander, Ember!

Charmander quickly spat small sparks of fire at Jayce. Jayce just hopped backwards, letting the shower of flames fall to the ground. Jayce stamped out the small sparks.

Jayce: Only you can prevent forest fires.

Ash got very upset at the taunt. His cheeks flared red with anger and he shouted out another command.

Ash: Charmander, hit him with Flamethrower.

Charmander took a deep breath and yelled out, sending a thick burst of fire at Jayce. He took an almost inhumanly fast leap to dodge the flames. As soon as he landed he pushed off with his feet again, charging forward at Charmander. The small lizard didn’t have time to think before Jayce’s fist struck him.

Ash: No!

Charmander landed a few feet away but managed to rise to its feet.

Char: Char!!!

The flame on Charmander’s tail began to grow. Ash recognized that it was getting angry.

Ash: Charmander, Rage attack!

Charmander bolted forward like a small orange bullet. It almost looked like a blur as it charged at Jayce. Ash was sure that Charmander was going to connect this time, but Jayce lowered his head and met Charmander with a Skull Bash. Charmander cried out in pain and once again flew through the air. When it landed again it was clutching its belly where Jayce had struck him.

Ash: Charmander!

The small lizard tried to struggle to its feet, but its strength gave out and it fainted to the ground.

Brock: The match is over. The winner is Jayce.

Ash ran over to Charmander and returned him to his pokeball. Ash slowly stood up and turned to face Jayce, expecting a tongue lashing that he rightfully deserved after all that bragging.

Jayce: Good battle. We’ll have to have a rematch sometime.

Ash just stood there dumbfounded. He finally shook it off and walked with Jayce back to Misty, Brock, and Pikachu.

Misty: Where’d you learn to fight pokémon like that?

Jayce: (sliding his vest back on) My family owns I pokémon ranch. I grew up playing with all kinds of pokémon. I wrestled all sorts and learned how I could take advantage of their weaknesses.

Ash: But you didn’t take advantage of any of Charmander’s weaknesses.

Jayce: Yes I did.

Ash: How?

Jayce smiled and quickly shook his head, sending tiny droplets of water in all directions, though not hitting anyone with them.

Misty: Oh, so since your head was still wet from rinsing, it hurt Charmander that much more because it’s weak to water.

Jayce: (winking) That’s right. I see you got both the brains and the beauty of your family.

Misty blushed once gain. Ash didn’t like it. Almost everything that Jayce said to Misty made her blush. He didn’t know why, but Ash really didn’t like that. He just felt that it wasn’t right. Jayce shook his hair out a bit more and Ash noticed just how much Misty was watching him.

Ash: Do you want to battle one of my other pokémon?

Jayce: Well, I’d actually like to give one of Misty’s pokémon a try. It’d be an honor to face the pokémon of a gym leader from Cerulean City.

Brock: Hey, what about-

Misty: (looking pumped to battle) Wait your turn, Brock.

Misty had that look in her eye when she saw a water pokémon. Ash could tell she wanted to win this battle. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Jayce: Very well, what pokémon do you have?

Misty: I have Starmie, Staryu, Horsea, Goldeen, and…well…Psyduck.

Jayce: A Psyduck, huh? I’m impressed. I like them. But would you mind using Starmie? I haven’t beaten one of them yet.

Misty: Sure. Here, Ash, take care of his pokedex.

Misty thrust the green pokedex into Ash’s hands and squared off to face Jayce.

Misty: Go Starmie!

Starmie popped out of its pokeball and shook itself a little bit.

Starmie: Hya!

Brock: Well, I guess I’m going to have to referee again.

Jayce took his vest off again and took his fighting stance where he was before.

Brock: You know the rules. Are you both ready?

Jayce and Misty both nodded.

Brock: Then begin!

Misty: I hope your ready to lose.

Jayce: Only if someone will kiss all my boo-boos afterwards.

Misty gasped and blushed slightly, but shook it off and looked at Jayce determined to win.

Ash: Come on, get him, Misty!

Misty: Starmie, tackle him!

Starmie: Hya!

Starmie leaped forward at Jayce. Rather than dodge, Jayce took the impact head on, rolling along the ground. After rolling for a bit, Jayce and Starmie started trading punches. Although Starmie had more limbs to hit with, Jayce seemed to be getting the upper hand.

Misty: Starmie, push off of him with water gun!

Starmie lowered one of its limbs and shot Jayce point blank with a jet of water. Jayce was pressed against the ground and Starmie recoiled, flying through the air. Jayce quickly hopped to his feet.

Jayce: Not bad. That’s one tough little starfish.

Misty: You haven’t seen anything yet! Starmie, get into the water where you’ll have the advantage and use Bubble Beam!

Misty’s pokémon rolled quickly into the edge of the stream where it would have an unlimited supply of water to work with. It pointed three of its legs at Jayce and sprayed out a blast of glowing bubbles. Jayce was quick enough to dodge the attack, but he knew he couldn’t keep it up for long.

Jayce: I guess it’s time for a swim.

He ran straight for the edge of the river, one step ahead of the Bubble Beam. Jayce took a flying leap and dove straight into the river, disappearing beneath the surface. Brock and Ash cried out, concerned about their new friend’s sanity, but Misty just considered it a desperate, stupid mistake. Starmie would certainly be able to take him in the water.

Misty: Starmie, tackle him underwater. He’s no match for your swimming capability.

Starmie: Hya!

Starmie vanished underneath the water. Beneath the surface, Jayce was swimming backwards facing down stream, where he knew Starmie would be coming from. The water was a little murky, but it was just clear enough for him to see Starmie coming. Jayce braced him self when the spinning star hurtled toward him. As soon as the pokémon collided with him he pushed down on the bottom of the river with all his strength. The force of the tackle and push sent both Jayce and Starmie flying out of the water.

Brock/Misty/Ash: Wah!?

Starmie and Jayce shot of the river and were spinning in the air. Jayce managed to take control of the fall and wound up on Starmie’s back. Starmie landed on the field of rocks with Jayce on top of it, cracking the jewel at its center. Starmie struggled a bit and finally fainted. Jayce climbed off of the pokémon and rolled it onto its back. Checking to make sure it wasn’t damaged to badly.

Jayce: Nothing a trip to the pokémon center won’t fix.

Misty: Starmie, return.

In a flash, the knocked out pokémon was returned to its pokeball.

Brock: And the winner is Jayce.

Ash: I think we could tell, Brock.

Brock: Just trying to be official.

Jayce walked back to the gang, still dripping wet from being in the river.

Jayce: That was invigorating. Thanks, Misty.

Misty: You just got lucky.

Jayce: With you, I only wish I could get lucky.

Jayce winked again and Misty’s cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.

Jayce: But I’m still in a fighting mood. You wanna give it a shot, Brock?

Brock: If you really think you’re up for it. I’ve got Vulpix, Zubat, Geodude, and Onix.

Jayce: Well, I’ve already beaten those first three, so how about Onix?

Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu all sweat-dropped.

Brock: Are you really sure?

Jayce: (smiling smugly, one eyebrow curling very slightly) Just bring it.

Brock: Okay, if you say so. Who’ll referee?

Misty: I will!

Ash: Why not me?

Misty: Cause you’re not a gym leader.

Ash: So?

Jayce: She’s right, Ash. It would be a bit better if a Gym Leader would referee my battles. More official.

Ash: Oh. Okay.

Misty: This is a one on one match between Jayce and Onix.

Jayce and Brock each took their positions. Brock pulled out Onix’s pokeball and threw it out.

Brock: Onix, go!

The giant rock pokémon materialized in front of Jayce, towering over him.

Onix: Groarghhhh!!!

Jayce: That’s one big pokémon. Dex, data on Onix?

From Ash’s hand, Jayce’s pokedex beeped and spoke.

Dex: Onix, the rock snake pokémon. It’s long stony body is strong enough to crush cars.

Jayce: Fighting advice?

Dex: Run away.

Jayce: Hm, that’s not good.

Brock: You can still change your mind.

Jayce: No thanks. Let’s roll.

Misty: Are you both ready?

Brock and Jayce nodded.

Misty: Then begin!

Brock: Onix, Bind that guy!

Onix was a bit confused, but he trusted his master. It swung its tail at Jayce, trying to wrap it around him. Jayce, however, jumped onto it’s tail and rapidly climbed up its body.

Brock: Onix, shake him off and try again!

The Onix shook its entire body. Jayce tried to find a place to grab, but he fell off anyways. He hit the ground hard, but rolled back onto his feet. Onix tried to bind him again. Jayce was to quick, though and slipped out of the rocky coils before they contracted enough to trap him.

Jayce: I’m afraid your Onix won’t win any lassoing contests.

Brock’s cheeks grew a bit red at the insult.

Brock: Onix, Dig!

The massive snake leapt into the air and came down to the earth, drilling into it and disappearing into a big hole. Jayce’s eyes grew wide and he started to run away from where he was standing. Despite his attempt to get away, Jayce got caught as Onix shot upward from under ground.

Jayce: Waaahhhh!!!!!!

Jayce clung tightly to the Onix’s face. He looked as if he were hanging on fro his life. The Onix angrily shook its head, trying to clear its vision. Jayce’s arms were blocking its eyes.

Onix: Groargh!!!

The roar nearly deafened Jayce, but he still hung on. Suddenly Jayce saw something out of the corner of his eye and got an idea. When Onix swung its head low enough he pushed off of its face and flipped in mid air. He landed on his feet, inches from the stream. Onix, its vision now freed, reared up and screamed angrily.

Brock: Onix, no!

The rock snake was in too much of a rage to listen to Brock’s warning. It dove forward, trying to smash Jayce with a tackle. Jayce dove back to his side, landing in the water. Onix, seeing to late that its tackle carried it into the river, hit the water with a tremendous splash. It writhed a bit, but came to a rest surrounded by water. Jayce swam to it and climbed onto its head, leaning against its “horn”, with a triumphant grin on his face.

Jayce: Surrender?

Brock: (sulking) Yes.

Misty: And Jayce is the winner.

Jayce: Thank you, Misty. You were an excellent referee.

Jayce and Misty both smiled.

Brock: Onix return.

Onix returned to its pokeball, leaving Jayce hanging in mid air.

Jayce: Wagh! *splash*

Everyone laughed as Jayce surfaced, spitting some water out of his mouth. By the time he swam to shore everyone had stopped laughing. Misty helped him out of the water.

Jayce: Thanks. I’d better go get into some dry clothes. I’d hate to catch a cold.

Jayce went back into the woods and came back a few minutes later. His new clothes were identical to his old ones, accept he changed from a green t-shirt to a blue one. He had a backpack with him that had several pockets.

Jayce: Alright, good as new. So, you guys want to heal your pokémon at a pokémon center?

Ash: Is there one nearby?

Jayce: Yeah, there’s one in the center of this forest. I left some of my pokémon with the Nurse Joy there this morning.

Brock: Oh boy, Nurse Joy.

Ash and Misty sweat-dropped.

Ash: Sorry, Brock’s a little weird like that.

Misty: Yeah, he’s girl crazy.

Jayce kept a serious expression on his face as he said casually, staring straight at Misty.

Jayce: I have that problem sometimes, but only if the right girl comes along.

Misty brought a hand to her blushing cheek, trying miserably to hide it. Ash got a bit mad and butted in.

Ash: So, are we going to the pokémon center or what?

Misty looked a bit annoyed, but Jayce smiled.

Jayce: Just follow me.

The gang followed Jayce into the forest. The trail was fairly narrow, so they had to walk two-by-two. Jayce was in the lead, talking with Misty. Ash was following close behind with Brock. He still felt a bit annoyed with just how comfy Jayce was making himself with Misty. He seemed like a nice guy, but Ash didn’t trust him.

Brock: Yo! Ash!! Hello?

Ash: Huh?

Brock: I said, what’s bugging you? You seem to be a little distracted.

Ash: (a bit nervous) Oh, it’s nothing. Just thinking about…stuff…

Pikachu: (comfortingly) Chu.

Brock nodded. He could tell Ash was concerned about something, but he didn’t want to press his good friend. After a while, Jayce’s and Misty’s conversation turned to water pokémon.

Jayce: My favorite? Hm…I’d have to say Psyduck.

Misty: (shocked) How could you like such a dopey pokémon?

Jayce: I don’t know. I guess I just think they look cool. So cute and silly. Plus I do have an irresistible attraction to the color.

As Jayce said this he tapped the shoulder of Misty’s yellow top. She blushed and giggled lightly. Jayce smiled and changed the subject of conversation.

Jayce: So, how’d you three get together?

Brock: Well, after I awarded Ash the Earthbadge, my father came home to take care of the kids and told me to go out and fulfill my dream of becoming a pokémon breeder.

Ash: Misty was just following me around for a while before then.

Jayce: Oh (a bit surprised). So you to are like-

Misty: That’s because you owe me a bike, Ash Ketchum!

Jayce: Do I even want to know?

Ash: Probably not.

Jayce nodded and looked between Ash and Misty. He smiled. The group came to a fork in the path and Jayce pulled out a compass. He checked it and led the group down the trail on the left.

Brock: What’s with the compass?

Jayce: Well, I’ve found that even the most experienced travelers can get lost every now and then.

Ash, Misty, and Brock all sweat-dropped, embarrassed.

Jayce: Um…okay, well anyways, I just use a compass to keep my bearings straight wherever I go. I also pick up maps of whatever places I go to. It never hurts to be prepared for trouble. And in a place as dangerous as the Safari Zone, I make it double.

Suddenly, what appeared to be a bush further down the path moved out and collapsed. And, of course, out popped Team Rocket.

Jessie: To protect the world from devastation!

James: To unite all peoples within our nation.

Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love!

James: To extend our reach to the stars above!

Jessie: Jessie!

James: James!

Jessie: Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!

James: Surrender nor or prepare to fight!

Meowth: Meowth, that’s right!

Brock: Oh know, it’s Team Rocket!

Misty: What are you up to now?

Ash: What do you want?

Jayce: Excuse me, what’s your phone number?

Everyone except for Jayce and Jessie sweat-dropped.

Misty: Don’t you know who that is? That’s Team Rocket! They’re pokémon thieves.

Jayce: (eyeing Jessie) Well, I must say, I’ve never been shanghaied by such stylish bandits.

Jessie: Ha, flattery will get you nowhere.

Jayce: I don’t need to be anywhere else, as long as you’re here.

Jessie’s cheeks turned a shade of pink. James’ jaw dropped. He’d never seen anyone have such an effect on Jessie.

Meowth: This guy’s smooth. A little too smooth if you ask me.

Jessie punched Meowth on top of the head.

Jessie: Be quiet.

She looked Jayce over. He wasn’t that bad looking. A little young but still not bad.

Jessie: Alright, now listen, twerps, hand over your pokémon and no one gets hurt.

Meowth: Otherwise there’s gonna be some pain handed out here.

Jayce grinned the same grin he had at the beginning of all his fights.

Jayce: I always like a good challenge.

Jessie: Then you’ll like this. Arbok go!

Jessie threw out her pokeball and out popped Arbok.

Jessie: Arbok, freeze them with Glare!

Arbok: Charbbokkkk!

The long snake pokémon narrowed its eyes at the group. All of them stiffened and shivered.

Misty: Ah! I can’t move!

Ash: What’s going on?

Brock: Aaaahhhh!!!!

Jessie: (smirking) Ha, none of you can stand Arbok’s paralyzing Glare.

Jayce: Wanna bet?

Jayce’s fist flew through the air, catching Arbok right between its beady eyes. It flew back to its trainer’s feet, quivering in pain, a huge bruise already forming on its face. Jessie gasped.

Jessie: Arbok!

James: Let’s see how you handle this. Weezing, go!

James’ threw his on pokeball, his two headed Weezing appearing before Jayce.

James: Weezing, Smog attack.

Weezing: Wheeze!

Weezing opened both its mouths and spewed out a dark cloud of gas. Ash, Misty, and Brock all fell to the ground coughing as the gas pushed into their lungs. Jayce inhaled a deep breath just before the cloud reached him. He charged forward and disappeared into the cloud with Weezing. Ash managed to crawl out of the smog and released Pidgeotto.

Ash: Pidgeotto, blow this smog away with a gust!

Pidgeotto: Pidgeoooo!!!

The bird pokémon flapped its wings quickly, dispersing the horrid smog. When it all cleared, Jayce was seen standing beside a horribly bruised Weezing, dusting his hands off.

James: Weezing, go down fighting! Explosion!

Ash, Misty, and Brock gasped.

Misty: Jayce, look out!

With reflexes that seemed almost inhuman, Jayce launched himself at Weezing, drop kicking it back at Jessie and James. Just as it collided with them, it exploded, launching Team Rocket into the sky.

Jessie/James/Meowth: It looks like Team Rocket’s blasting off again!

Jayce stood up from the ground and smiled, brushing a bit of dust off of his shoulder.

Jayce: My, that was exciting, wasn’t it? Are you all okay?

Ash: Yeah, we’re fine.

Brock: A little jittery, but still okay.

Misty: Those jerks never know when to give up.

Jayce walked over to Misty and helped her up off the ground. Helped wasn’t quite the right description. He lifted her up and set her back down on her feet.

Jayce: Well, if we’re all set then, the pokémon center is just a few minutes away.

After a few minutes, as Jayce had said, they reached the pokémon center. As soon as they were inside, Brock ran over to the attending Nurse Joy.

Brock: Hello Nurse Joy, you’re looking beautiful this afternoon. That hat really does wonders for you. I’ve never seen any Nurse Joy look so beautiful in her uniform in my entire life.

Jayce: (to Misty and Ash) Is he always like this?

Ash: Yep.

Misty: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Jayce: Poor guy.

Brock: I was wondering, if perhaps you’d like to go out with me this evening for dinner?

Nurse Joy: I’m sorry, young man, but I already have plans.

Jayce: Sorry Brock, me and Joy are going out to see a movie tonight.

Brock’s face sulked as if his entire world had just collapsed. Everyone else sweat-dropped.

Nurse Joy: Oh, Jayce, here are your pokémon.

Jayce: Thanks, cutie. (winking)

Nurse Joy blushed slightly and smiled. Ash walked up beside him and placed his pokeballs on the counter.

Ash: Could you recharge my pokémon?

Misty: Mine too.

Brock: Oh Nurse Joy, please recharge my pokémon.

Nurse Joy was a bit flustered, but she managed to get everyone’s pokeballs the charging stations. As she finished a Chansey came in and ran over to Jayce, hugging his leg.

Chansey: (happily) Chansey!

Jayce: Oh, hey there. I missed you too.

Ash: Is that your Chansey?

Jayce: Well, not really. She came from the ranch that my family owned. I drop by here to visit from time to time, but it’s been a while since I’ve been around.

Jayce petted the Chansey on its “head” and the pokémon giggled happily.

Jayce: So, are you guys going to stay in the Safari Zone long?

Ash: Actually, we’re just passing through. I’m on my way to becoming a pokémon master and I need all the badges I can get.

Jayce: Yeah, I know what you mean. I’m going to be heading out towards Mount Moon tomorrow so I can maybe get a Clefairy on my dex.

Misty: If you run into a scientist named Seymour, say hi to him for us.

Jayce: Whatever you say. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for him.

The group sat down and talked for a while. After a few minutes, Nurse Joy called out to them.

Nurse Joy: Your pokémon are all done recharging.

Ash, Misty, and Brock all got their pokémon back. Jayce also retrieved his new Tauros, which he had Nurse Joy recharge.

Jayce: Thanks, beautiful.

Misty, who had only now noticed just how much attention Jayce had been paying Nurse Joy, turned a bit red out of anger, rather then flattery.

Ash: Come on guys, let’s go.

Jayce: Well, I guess this is good-bye.

Jayce extended his hand to Brock.

Brock: Maybe we’ll see you around somewhere. If we have extra food, I’ll cook you some of my tastiest recipes.

Jayce: I look forward to it.

Jayce turned to Ash and shook his hand.

Ash: Too bad you can’t come with us. I could teach you a thing or two about training pokémon.

Jayce: (grinning) Maybe next time, Ash.

Jayce then turned to Misty. She reached her hand out to him, expecting him to take it and bow as he had before. Jayce surprised everyone, though, by bringing the back of her hand to his lips and gently kissing it.

Jayce: I certainly I hope see you some where down the road.

Misty blushed and pulled her hand back. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, so Ash gently took hold of her arm and pulled her towards the door.

Ash: Well, goodbye, Jayce.

Jayce: See you around, guys.

Just as the group passed through the door, Misty managed to squeak out a fare well.

Misty: Bye!

A few minutes later, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu were headed down the dirt road leading out of the forest. Everyone was silent for a little bit, but eventually Misty broke the silence.

Misty: I hope we meet Jayce again. He’s such a gentleman, unlike you, Ash.

Ash: What’s that supposed to mean?

Misty: It means he knows how to treat a lady. You could learn something from him.

Ash: I don’t see what was so special about him.

Brock: Look guys, how about we just-

Ash/Misty: Shut up!

The trio, and Pikachu riding on Ash’s head, walked down the road, towards new pokémon and new adventures.

To be continued…