This might be a long series… might not. Started 4/25/04

Disclaimer/Notes: See an earlier chapter. I don’t feel like typing them.

Chapter 8

Once Team Rocket’s strange radio signal was gone, Lake of Rage was back to normal. Ash and his four water-type pokemon swam in the water.

It was very refreshing.

Strangely enough, Friend ball really did do what it promised. Gyarados had been very tame, no anger.

That was good.

Well, that had been three days ago. Now, Ash and his pokemon were playing. A quick flight to Ecruteak had confirmed Morty was still absent.

What a pity.

At this rate, he’d get all his badges in the wrong order. Oh well, a badge was a badge.

Gyarados ate another mouthful of pondweed and roared happily.

I feel so free!

“Enjoy it while it lasts.” Ash advised.

I’m enjoying myself! Corsola giggled as she swam along next to squirtle, who kept an eye on her.

Kingler also munched on the tasty plant life.

On the riverbank, Pikachu and Charmander snoozed. Well, they could use a break in any case.

Pryce’s junior trainers had all demanded to battle Ash and he had complied. It was a good source of income.

… it was also quite annoying at times. But no matter.

He could deal with trainers and battles that was part of life after all. Ash belatedly realized something.

“Mom…”

She must be worried, he hadn’t called in two weeks!

Ash quickly made a phone call that night. Strangely enough, Delia was not at home. Oh well.

He left a message saying he was all right, and then hung up.

Then, it was off to Olivine.

Morty – where was he? Was he dead? No, that couldn’t be! He was a ghost trainer, but still!

Never mind.

Ash promptly sent that thought flying out of his head and turned his attention to something else.

Um… yes! Catching Gyarados hadn’t been too hard. Yay for Pikachu!
And then Team Rocket… maybe he’d see Lance again sometime? Ash had thought that the Elite Four stayed in Indigo Plateau, but he didn’t mind differences…

It was cool.

“We should get going.” Ash said, drying off with a green terrycloth towel as the pokemon shook them off.

Let’s go! Corsola cheered, waving her arms.

Bulbasaur laughed and lifted her up. Now, now, calm down, little one.

Are you my mommy?

Um… no. Bulbasaur said, surprised.

I should hope not. Squirtle muttered.

Ash blinked, then looked between the two of them. Ah! He should have noticed it sooner, but how cute…

He slipped his arms in the loops of his backpack and began walking. Then, he decided flying as faster and off he and Pidgeot went.

It was going smoothly, until a Bird Keeper on a Fearow spotted them. “Hey! Let’s battle!”

“Are you crazy? We’re in midair!” Ash called back.

“More to help me! I love this arena! Fearow, Drill peck!”

“PIKACHU!”

Fearow squawked, crispy and brown, while Ash sweatdropped. * I presume that works too… *

The Bird keeper managed to land his pokemon, but wasn’t happy. “I won’t forget this! I’ll have my revenge!”

“And so says the person who tried to ambush me in the first place.” The trainer sighed. * What schizophrenic personalities… *

Maybe that was how bipolar people worked? Nah…

Pidgeot landed in Olivine, luckily the Johto map he had gotten from the pokemon center was accurate, and they looked around.

“There’s the gym.”

But, as per usual, Jasmine was absent as well.

“You know, Pidgeot, this is getting highly annoying.”

I agree! It is a waste of time and energy to fly around looking for people. She nodded. Where do you think she is?

Could be anywhere. Charmander noted.

Pikachu coughed. I need a cough drop.

Charmander tossed him one. I want to battle her… steel’s weak against fire, I think. So I can win!

“Cool. But we can’t do that until we _find_ said gym leader.”

Mute acquiesces came in all directions.

Ash sighed, and went down to the beach to look.

There wasn’t much luck there either. None of the swimmers had seen Jasmine, and from her gym’s look there were no junior trainers.

Pity…

So while Bulbasaur went and attacked a Tentacruel who had the gall to flirt with Squirtle, Ash went fishing again.

He hooked up several Staryu, but didn’t catch them. They reminded him too much of misty, things best left forgotten.

Tossing the arthropods back in proved to be more difficult. Their suckers clung onto the hook strongly.

It was like trying to pry a leech off, only multiplied by five.

What a pain.

In any case, he developed a rip – gasp! In those black gloves his mother had given him. Ash began to grow anger sparks on his head while the pokemon watched in amusement.

What’s going to happen now?

I don’t know. Kingler said honestly as Corsola hid behind him.

There was a spectacular flash of light, and then Pikachu emerged from the smoke, cheeks sparking.

No Staryu were left.

I know I’m the best!

Modest, aren’t we? Pidgeot teased. Well, enjoy your moments of glory. We all appreciate those.

Isn’t that the truth?

End Chapter

Completed 6/6/04