Whee!

Disclaimer/Notes: See chapter 1 please

I don’t own pokemon, it belongs to Nintendo. That is the most important note anyways.

Timeline: Right after last part…

Chapter 2: Fine-tuning

The group walked along, Brock and Misty in a much better mood after a few days of relaxed stay at a hotel.

Ash wasn’t sure why they were wasting money when the Pokemon Center provided free room and board, but… it was their choice, not his.

Pikachu looked around for danger. Satisfied that there was none, she took a small packet of raisins out of Ash’s backpack and began eating them.

“Just don’t get any bits on me.” Ash said.

Pikachu grinned. I won’t!

As per record, pokemon began appearing.

“Nice. Maybe I can actually catch something.” Ash said, eyes going golden for a second as he checked for trainer interference.

None? Might as well…

Lance had locked almost everything except for dream realm access, but that was enough for now.

“Flareon, let’s go!”

Flareon faced the strange pokemon and yawned.

It charged.

“Flamethrower…”

Hoppip fainted.

“Not enough, I suppose.” Ash sighed. * Hoppip aren’t easy to train, and melding would be too suspicious… *

He walked on.

Misty yawned as she smiled. Those crepes yesterday had been delicious! Maybe… no, was she actually developing feelings for Brock?!

Impossible!
But….

Why not?

They had been traveling for a while. And he was a responsible gym leader, unlike Ash… and he truly cared about family, maybe he would care about her too?

Maybe.

It couldn’t hurt to test the hypothesis, right? If she failed, then she would find someone else to snare, if it worked, then she’d know and repay the favor.

It seemed like a perfect plan from all angles and points of view.

Ash watched as another pokemon appeared.

“Interesting…”

Growlithe pounced at him, while Ash quickly swapped Flareon for Squirtle via Baton Pass and Squirtle used Surf.

“Done.” He said, tossing the poke ball.

Growlithe was caught!

It did not struggle much inside the ball, resigned to its fate. A philosopher? Well, all things were possible under the right circumstances.

He placed the ball inside of the healing box he carried.

Very useful, he couldn’t actually heal on his own, that power was still locked because he couldn’t meld yet, only summon from the realm, but he did have a box that could hold two poke balls at once for healing, and do it quickly. Kind of like a transportable pokemon center…

But it was better not to be greedy.

Ash still flushed as he remembered how he had taken advantage of the Unown before and twisted them to his ends.

Horrible.

Well, he had learned his lesson. That was why he did not resent the power drain. It made sense if it would protect him.

I don’t want to lose control again…

And since I’m still too young to use this power, it’s better that it stay locked.

I keep the memories though, to remind me of what I’ve done before and so history won’t repeat itself.

Yes… that’s the way things are.

Growlithe emerged healed five minutes later.

So you are my new master.

< That would be correct, > Ash said, not bothering to talk in human. After all, what the others didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them… much.

As long as they didn’t’ stand in his way of duty, everything was all right.

Friends or no…

Growlithe flipped an ear, feeling his fur ruffle in an unseen wind. You are!

< Yes. >

I…I am honored, but why choose me?

Ash picked up the little puppy, which immediately tried to lick his face. < Loyalty. Honor. You have qualities that are rare in humanity. >

Oh?

< Besides, I liked the strength you have also. Do not worry, you are not weak and I can always make you stronger. >

T-thank you!

Ash grinned. < No problem.>

Growlithe frolicked off with Ash’s other pokemon while he dropped a fishing rod into the stream.

He didn’t expect to catch anything. After all…

He was using Repel.

Only those who were gifted or were pressed by fate would come. That way, he could winnow out those unneeded without wasting time.

Thank Lugia.

The rod bobbed, and he fished up a… trout? Salmon? Well, it was some kind of fish and it looked edible.

Well then!

Ash lit a fire with some matches and then proceeded to fry the fish. It took several tries and Time Jump, but finally, it was cooked.

He still needed to work on his culinary skills. They had hardly improved. At least he was able to use cake mix and casserole mix.

That was not wholly reassuring.

It would be nice to cook. At least he had his mom, but what if something happened to her?

He shivered, but banished the unpleasant thought.

The aroma of roasted fish quickly called his pokemon back to him, and they all shared slices of a freshly caught meal.

To Ash’s relief, it was edible and didn’t taste too bad. He had used too much salt though.

But it could be worse… it could have exploded.

Ash made a mental note to take cooking lessons if he had time, and then focused his attention on the food.

In any case, it was free.

Another pokemon crept near, slinking towards the fire before jumping out with a screech. Growlithe noticed in time and spat out Ember, startling it for a second.

“Pikachu! Thunderwave.”

A paralyzed pokemon dropped to the ground. It wasn’t a meowth that much was certain. There were only so many types of cat pokemon.

Even with small variations in color, it was not a Meowth.

Interesting, Ash mused.

< Sneasal? >

The cat focused bright pink eyes on him. Who calls…

< By the Chosen of the thunder and the shadows… > Ash said, holding out a poke ball. < Accept your fate. >

Sneasal closed her eyes. Of course! It is my honor to be one of the Chosen’s pokemon. I shall do my best for you.

She faded into energy beams as well and into the ball she went.

Growlithe looked proud. My nose is foolproof!

< Indeed. > Ash smiled. < Good work. >

Yes, but why Sneasal?

< Ice and darkness… what does that ring a bell? > Ash said in a lilting tone.

Oh! Pikachu nodded, bobbing her head up and down. I get it!

Hmm?

Squirtle yawned as he smiled at Bulbasaur. Relationship issues.

Ah…

Yep!

Master seriously needs to get laid…

“Hey!” Ash said, hearing that line. “Cut that out!”

Just telling the truth!

Growlithe barked out a laugh. Of course! All pokemon know the tale of the two guardians…

“Is nothing private?” Ash sighed. “Oh well, the Unown tell, and I guess it’s justifiable….”

He did owe them a little bit…right?

After all, even if forgiven, guardians kept their scars. There was never perfect forgetting or healing.

You just played with the hand you were dealt. It was simple philosophy, really.

The end…

End Chapter

Started 4/19/04, completed 4/24/04