Trying to write another chapter…

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me.

Notes: <> for telepathy, **for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

RECAP: In the last episode, kids beat Ash up and stole his money, and Lance kind of rescued him. He’s still broke though.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Ash opened his newest poke ball. His other three pokemon plus Magikarp were grouped around him for protection.

The ruby red glare died down, revealing…

A Snorlax?

“Oh, those are pretty rare.” Ash said. “However, due to budget constraints, I can’t afford to keep it. I wonder if someone would like to trade?”

Ash posted a message on the Universal Trading Board *Tm* via his pokedex and soon he had four replies.

A boy in Johto was offering him a Slowpoke. He wasn’t sure, since the picture had showed it missing a tail?

Another boy in Johto was offering him a Golbat.

A man in Celadon was willing to pay $600. Since Ash was low on cash at the moment, that sounded very appealing.

Finally, there was a girl in Cerulean who didn’t specify what she was going to trade. Ash decided that since he was heading to Cerulean anyways, he might as well check out Pansy’s offer.

Of course, first he had to go through Mount Moon.

For some reason, someone had put up electric lights. It was very handy. They had also put up neon green arrows marking the exit. Ash might be good at getting lost, but this time he had clear directions, so he was outside in half an hour.

He walked towards Cerulean, and soon spotted Pansy. She had put up her personal photo along with her offer.

“You’re Pansy, right?”

“Yes. You are…?”

“I’m Ash Ketchum. I have a Snorlax you said you were interested in.”

“Right,” Pansy nodded. “Well, come in.” She ushered him into a nearby kiosk and showed him several cages with pokemon in them.

“What pokemon did you want in return?”

Ash scanned the cages. Most contained rattata and pidgey, which he had no interest in. maybe that one over there?

“What’s that?”

“A Cubone. Ground-type pokemon.”

“It looks sad.”

Pansy sighed. “It’s mother died a week ago. It’s still mourning.”

“I’d better not take it then.” Ash moved on to the next row.

Near the back was a tank with several water pokemon in it. Ash spotted two Goldeen and also an Squirtle, although the Goldeen didn’t look too healthy. Hmm…

Another aisle held several Geodudes.

Ash would need rock or ground to beat Surge, but none of these were really his taste.

Pansy was at the front unloading a shipment when he walked out. “Find anything you want?”

“Not really.”

“Aw, man. I really want that Snorlax! Hold on, I just got a couple more pokemon from Johto. Take a look.”

Ash tossed the six poke balls she handed him forwards.

*Shoom*

An Ekans, a Sentret, a Tangela, a Marill, a Wooper, and a Hoothoot tumbled out.

“I like those two.” Ash pointed. They looked healthy enough.

“Oh, sure. I’ll trade you those two for Snorlax.” They recorded the deal in Pansy’s computer and Ash’s pokédex, and then bade each other farewell.

Marill was a cheerful girl; she had a little pink bow tied on her tail. And if his pokedex didn’t lie, Wooper was part ground.

Excellent!

At the doorway to the Cerulean City gym, Ash spotted a girl handing out badges. It seemed a bit unfair, but he took one anyways.

A badge is still a badge.

Forsooth, maybe it explained the many terrible trainers that tried Pokemon League each year somewhat.

The bike shop was brightly lit, but the ebullient surroundings failed to perk up the depressed child. Ash sighed. Even the cheapest bike was too much for him…

If only he hadn’t been robbed!

“What’s wrong, kid?” The owner asked.

“All my money got stolen in Pewter…”

“Aw man, that’s terrible! Tell you what,” The salesperson leaned forwards. “I’ll lend you a bike...”

“Really?”

“Sure. That one.” The man pointed to a yellow bike with handlebars and a placard advertising Cerulean’s Bikes. “You’d advertise for me, and then after a few months you’ll have earned enough to keep the bike.”

“It’s a deal!” Ash cheerily responded. * Lucky! So lucky! * He wheeled the bike outside, waved goodbye to the helpful owner, and began pedaling to Vermillion.

His outrageous yellow bike drew many stares from passerby, but many others thoughtfully decided to buy bicycles.

Advertising does work! It pays to advertise. Despite the stares, Ash was not deterred one bit. He didn’t really put much store by way of appearances.

So Ash continued on his way.

He called his mom to tell her the good news.

“Well, a bike will help you get around much faster.” Delia agreed. “What a kind man!” Privately though, she wondered.

Why didn’t Ash’s father contact her?

Was he dead?

Had he taken another mistress?

He ought to _care_ that his son was in trouble. She still wrote weekly letters to him, but never got a reply.

Maybe…

No, those were bad thoughts! She shouldn’t think them.

Diglett’s tunnel was near Vermillion. Ash took his two new pokemon there and spent the day training, plus the next.

Even leveling up was fairer. His other pokemon went to the beach while Ash was busy, but they didn’t mind. They liked a break.

“Marill, Water Gun! You too, Wooper!”

Two water guns knocked the Dugtrio out.

“Good work!”

The water pokemon smiled. So maybe Ash was on his way to Water Mastery. Who knew? Still, it was still Pokemon Mastery. He’d be a Master.

First though, there was the League…

End Chapter

Completed 10/26/04

Pika-chan: *eating a chocolate ice cream*

Phantomness: *sniffles* I have a cold. Yuck.

Lance: *sighs* If phantomness is on medication, who knows what she’ll write?