Started 12/9/03

Whee! *Waves*

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri. This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic written by me. ^-^

Don’t take my work!
Notes: ** for thoughts, italics for chattering pokemon, <> for telepathy

Lance: So when do I show up?
Phantomness: Probably not until Ash gets to Lake of Rage, I’d guess.

Ash: Oh.

Kairo: Angst! Hahahaha!
Shoyko: Joy, oh joy. More work for me…

Chapter 2

The next morning, Ash was off to the Azalea pokemon gym to challenge Bugsy. It actually wasn’t too bad, the trainer was good but Charmander was quite good as well, and type advantage helped immensely.

“Charmander, Flamethrower!”

Kakuna and Metapod were thus dispatched in one hit each. Scyther took a bit longer, but first Charmander used Smokescreen to lower accuracy, and then leered its defense down. Slash to distract before a charged Ember hit cinched the win.

Ash took his new Hive badge, thanked Bugsy for the battle, and then went out into the wild to pokemon-search. He didn’t expect much.

He found more than he expected though.

Now, a Geodude and Sentret joined his party. He had found them while picking PSNcureberries from a convenient bush.

Well, it was a good thing in any case. But he wasn’t quite sure if he wanted to add them to his party.

After all, both had been sent to Oak.

Ash didn’t’ know why he didn’t like rock-type pokemon as much. Maybe it was because of Pikachu?

Or maybe they weren’t cuddly.

Sentret was pretty cute though! It was kind of like a little raccoon, or a prairie dog. Very interesting.

Ash groomed Charmander while he waited for another pokemon to show up.

Soon, a Hoppip appeared. Another quick battle and the pokemon was his. Ash idly wondered why he could now catch pokemon freely.

Was it because Brock and Misty were gone? Strange.

Shrugging, he decided that was a problem for another day, forced the aforementioned two out of his mind, and went back to training.

By the time he turned in that night, both he and the pokemon were tired but happy.

See? You don’t need them.

“You’re right, Squirtle.”

I’m naturally talented. Squirtle said, a tad arrogantly as he adjusted his sunglasses.

Bulbasaur whacked him with a vine. Show-off!

You too, I mean, you knocked off three Geodude at once with vine whip. Squirtle stuck out his tongue at her.

Bulbasaur scowled, but it was true.

Pikachu helped himself to another packet of ketchup. Yum… tears of happiness streamed down his cheeks.

Ash smiled. * Same old pikachu. *

At least he still had his pokemon. They were loyal. Loyalty is different than friendship then, because loyalty is blind.

No, that wasn’t quite right, was it?

He wasn’t sure.

In either case, he could ponder later. Right now, he turned his attention to the pastrami sandwich he had bought from Subway and began devouring it.

First things first after all, and Ash’s priorities were clear. He slept well again, after a warm shower.

Bulbasaur and Squirtle began a water fight in the tub after Ash had gone to bed, Charmander and Pikachu tucked in the covers with him, while Pidgeot roosted on the empty top bunk.

Well, they were friends, and friends – true friends – were very rare things in any circumstance.

Still, real friends would stand the test of friendship and emerge shining with truth. Misty and Brock had failed.

… Either that, or their love for each other cancelled out their friendship to him. But it was no matter.

He didn’t need them anymore.

He could live for himself now.

Wait a minute… that meant…

“I don’t have to pay her bike back now.” Ash said with a vicious smile. * Good! She kept bitching about it, I’m glad that’s over! *

And that was unvarnished truth.

He slept deeply, and dreamed deeply.

It was all right. Good things take time to achieve. But maybe he could try the Johto League?

After all, he was collecting the badges and had two already.

He should head off to Violet.

The next morning, Ash and his pokemon headed towards Union Cave. Unfortunately, a hiker blocked the way. Hey, that rhymed!

Anthony grinned. “Hey kid, want to battle?”

“Be my guest.” Ash said, getting ready as Pikachu waved fans in encouragement.

“Go! Geodude!”

Squirtle yawned as he used Water Gun. One down, one left.

“Machop!”

This time, Pidgeot happily used Wing Attack to dispatch him. Good, Ash was letting her battle more now.

She didn’t like being cooped up in a poke ball any more than normal pokemon.

Of course, she didn’t like only being used to blast off Team Rocket either. Speaking of Team Rocket, they hadn’t shown up yet, but they averaged an attack every week, so it wasn’t that strange.

They would probably show up soon…

Ash shrugged, he’d deal with it later. _Much_ later.

Right now, it was on to the Wing badge!

End Chapter

Completed 1/17/04

Is it wing badge in English? I can’t remember… oh well, you know what badge I’m talking about.