And yet another chapter… I’ll see if I can add any more bugs to Ash’s collection.

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to yours truly. ^-^

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for the thinking process, italics for pokemon speech translated into English.

Recap: Ash’s Kakuna evolved to Beedrill, he already has Cascade and Boulder badges

Chapter 6

He was waiting in a long line to challenge the Vermillion city gym leader, when a Senior Trainer in army fatigues came out and announced their leader was missing!

“What?” Several angry voices in the crowd demanded.

“Lieutenant Surge has been called away to an important meeting.” The man sniffed. “So he has no time to bother with you children. Scram!”

“… Rude man.” Ash muttered, as he and his pokemon exited along with the rest of the crowd.

Where to now?

Do we wait?

Can we go play?

“Sure, you two have fun.” Ash went to the Mart and bought a few more healing items, he still had some empty poke balls…

“Say, kid, want to play a game?”

Dice rattled as the man dressed in an odd mixture of old-fashioned finery and leather leaned forwards. A Gambler!

“Er, are you talking to me?”

The Gambler nodded. “What say you we play a little game? It’ll only take a minute?”

Ash wasn’t sure. His mom had told him not to gamble…

But what harm could it be? “Okay.”

“I bet this.” The man put a poke ball forwards. “You, kid?”

“Um…” Ash carefully selected an empty poke ball and did the same. The man grinned. “Now, we roll the dice. If it’s an even number, you win. If it’s odd, I do!”

Tinkling, the dice he held landed.

A five looked up.

“Ahahaha! Looks like this is mine!” The man said. “Want to play again?”

“Just once more.” Ash said firmly.

“Then we’ll make it double or nothing.” He leered, showing yellow teeth. Chink. Rolling, spinning, and…

“Yay!”
Bruce cursed. A two. Well, a deal was a deal – right? He handed over both poke balls. “Here ya go, kid. Ya got lucky.”

“Thank you.” Ash said. Depressing the button, he looked to see what he had received.

A Venonat blinked up at him. You?

“Um… hi?”

You understand!

How was that possible? There wasn’t any poison ivy? Was it because he’d spent time with Butterfree and Beedrill?

That was probably it…

“Yes.” Ash finally blurted out. “I-I want to be a bug pokemon master.”

You do? Venonat looked excited. I always wanted a trainer, but… most only want Venonat for the pokédex.

“Sounds like what Beedrill and Butterfree said.”

You only train bugs?

He nodded.

I will join you then. This boy sounded understanding enough, and he’d never seen _anyone_ as a bug master before.

Bugs were too weak for competitive battling. Common knowledge.

Now, someone wanted to change that, and he wanted to be part of it! I will battle for you, Master…

“My name’s Ash.”

Nice to meet you, Ash.

“Likewise, I’m charmed.” They shook awkwardly then smiled. Then, Venonat bounded off into the tall grass, so Ash followed.

“Where are we going?”

Training of course!

Wild Rattata appeared!

“Venonat, use Disable!”

He nodded, large red eyes glowing brightly. A blue aura froze Rattata in place, rendering it unable to move.

“Now, use Tackle!”

A tackle attack sent Rattata flying a few feet away. Venonat used another Tackle.

Rattata shook off the attack and charged with Quick Attack.

“Quick! Supersonic!”

Suddenly, the rat stopped, confused. Why am I attacking?

Venonat grinned. Tackle again.

One down, more to go…

Two hours later, they took a break. Butterfree and Beedrill came back moments later, looking full.

It was so convenient to have flowers growing everywhere.

Who is he?

Beedrill buzzed next to Venonat. You are?

I’m new. He caught me today.

Oh!

That was very nice news, although unexpected. How had Master caught a pokemon without fighting it?

They would have to ask later.

Right now, the sun was starting to go down. It looked like they wouldn’t be getting the Thunder Badge any time soon.

While Butterfree and Beedrill were diurnal, Venonat seemed to be somewhat nocturnal. He went out hunting for bugs. Ants were preferable, crickets, moths…

This one was not a plant-eater.

McDonald’s provided Ash’s dinner. He returned to the Center afterwards, all pokemon already sleeping in their respective balls.

Ash showered, dressed in clean pajamas, and then remembered to call his mom.

“Hi mom.”

“Oh Ash, I’m glad you called. I heard you were captured by Team Rocket!”

“What?”

“It’s not true is it?”

“No, no!” He quickly defended. “I just forgot to call yesterday, that’s all! Don’t worry about me!”

Delia breathed a sigh of relief. “I was worried about you, dear. You’re supposed to call every week.”

“I forgot. I’m sorry.”

She was only happy to see him safe, in truth. That was all. “Did you remember to change your underwear?”

For what reason did she need to bring that topic up incessantly? “Yes, mom.”

“And brush your teeth two times a day?”

“Yes, mom.”

“Take care then, honey!”

Hanging up, Delia waved goodbye and good night.

Replacing the phone in the hook, Ash yawned. “Well, looks like I’ll turn in too.” Closing and locking the room he had been given, he pulled the blue blanket up to his chin, yawned, and went to sleep.

End Chapter

Completed 9/20/04