The Lost Charmander
Once the Halloween party ended life went back on track for almost everyone. Misty, Chloe, Gou and Ritchie went back home to their families to talk to them about finishing Junior school early. Gou and Ritchie wanted to do so because it'll give them more free time to spend with Pokemon, while Misty wanted to spend it learning the ropes of running a gym and Chloe wanted to finish Junior High and see what was open for her. Chloe could admit, even though she loved Pokemon, going on a journey and battling was just not that interesting to her. Even though some of the battles she saw was admittedly amazing, it just wasn't for her. She loved books more, and she was as Gary said the bookworm of the group and that was okay.
Flashback:
Misty, "Hey, Chloe."
Chloe, "What is it, Misty?"
Misty looked at the battle training going on between Ritchie and Gary, "I was just wondering.... Why don't you battle with us?"
Chloe put her pencil down looking up, "What do you mean?"
Misty looked at her, "I mean whenever we want to do some battle training, you don't seem to be interested in it.... I guess you could say."
Chloe sighed, "I'm just not into battling, yeah it can be fun and some battles are amazing but..... It's just not me."
Misty, "Ah! I think I get that a little."
Chloe, "Really? Cause my classmates don't."
Misty grinned, "Yeah, just a bit though! I mean between my sisters and I, I could be considered the odd one out. Not because they are triplets, no nothing like that. But well compared to them who are interested in their looks, I don't really care much about it. So I understand a little."
Gary spoke up, "You are the bookworm of the group and that is fine, you know? We don't mind, it makes you, you."
Misty startled, "Gary! You surprised me. It's finished?"
Ritchie grinned rubbing Sparky, "Yup, Ash and Gou are battling now. And Gary's right Chloe, you are who you are. You don't need to change that. If your classmates can't understand that, too bad for them. They don't know what they are missing."
Gary, "Yeah, we love you, because Chloe is Chloe. Not because you are trying to be someone you are not."
Chloe smiled, "Thank you."
Flashback end!
Chloe smiled thinking about her best friend circle which grew bigger since last month. Mairin was a real sweetheart to have around though she was younger than them, she was smart and fit in with them like a nice puzzle piece. She giggled thinking about Alain, his crush on the older siblings and at times Ash was really cute and sweet, Misty would squeal everytime there is a moment between the three. Her best friend was a romantic through and through, no questions asked.
Yamper, -Happy?-
Chloe pat his head, 'I wonder what the others are up to.'
Meanwhile Alain was following Red around the Kingdom of Rota. When Red had told him about the aura and the bond he was able to share with his Pokemon, he had been fascinated. It sounded really familiar to the mega evolution bond phenomenon and his research mode as Mairin liked to call it, had awakened. Professor Sycamore was understandably reluctant to let him go but after many reassurances he had allowed Alain to go with the Aura users. Riley had insisted on Alain being aura active and the trip would help him. It was mainly because of this point the Professor had agreed to the visit. Ash and Gary on the other hand had decided to go with Green when he returned to Saffron. They were very curious about the mandrakes growing there. They had a different colouring compared to the ones they grew and wanted to see if they could get a batch to figure out why.
Ash, "Green, is it really okay for us to stay at the gym?"
Green, "What do you mean kiddo?"
Ash fiddled his fingers, "Welllllllllll, I heard that mostly the gym leader and their apprentices stay at the gym."
Gary scratched his neck as well, "He has a point big bro. Will it really be okay for us to actually stay there?"
Green huffed, "Relax you two. Saffron gym is more than a normal gym. It is also a home for psychic users. You two are able to use psychic moves and abilities, so you are welcome here just like anyone else."
Ash smiled, "Is that so?"
Green ruffled his hair affectionately, "Yup definitely. Even if you didn't, I would have found a way. No way, I'm letting you stay on your own. You two are like trouble magnets."
Gary pouted, "But we don't go looking for trouble intentionally."
Green cooed at the adorable pouty face, "I know, you don't but that doesn't mean trouble doesn't find you."
Ash grumbled incoherently while Pikachu snickered and ran forward with Eevee. Charmander and Litten were resting inside the pokeballs and so was rest of Green's Pokemon except Drowzee who was walking/floating beside them. Wartotle, Alakazam and Delphox were resting after teleporting a large group between cities, his newest addition a shiny Magikarp was inside her pokeball as well. She was a spunky little one, despite her small size and wouldn't stop following Green around till he caught her.
Pikachu, -Ash! Ash! Over here! Look look!-
Eevee, -Come quick Gary!-
Ash went towards the display case the Pokemon were standing against, "Ah! Those are.. I can't believe it."
Gary stood beside him, "The storybooks are becoming very popular."
Green laughed, "They sure are ~"
The three of them walked together towards the Vermillion Pokemon centre. As they entered they noticed many trainers were present and the atmosphere was very excited. Green walked up to Nurse Joy to book a room as well as get their Pokemon checked over. They had been travelling on foot for a while.
Ash, "Excuse me, Nurse Joy?"
Nurse Joy smiled gently, "Yes dear?"
Ash smiled, "Is there some event going on? Everyone looks excited."
Nurse Joy grinned, "Why yes! The S. S. Anne is hosting tournaments for trainers and Lt Surge, our gym leader is offering free tickets to anyone who defeats him. However..... "
A familiar trainer rushed in with a Raichu, "Nurse Joy, please help!"
Nurse Joy sighed, "Coming dear. Looks like you won! Congratulations!"
Lisa grinned, "Yep. My darling Raichu beat him and won not just the badge but also the ticket."
Ash brightened, "Lisa!"
Gary, "You got your seventh badge!"
Green smirked, "Congratulations!"
Lisa turned, "Ash, Gary, Green. What are you guys doing here? It's great to see you three of course but man this is a surprise."
Ash smiled, "We are on our way to Saffron city. We thought we would spend the night before taking the ship there."
Lisa, "Ah... Any chance are you going on the S. S. Anne? I would love to have a match with you Green."
Green laughed, "Yes actually. My dear tutor Sabrina gave us tickets for that ship."
Lisa brightened, "Cool! Hey Ash, will you and Gary be taking part in the Junior competition?"
Ash tilted his head to the left, "Junior?"
Gary tilted his head to the right, "Competition?"
Lisa bit back a squeal, "Yes. It's for those who are not trainers yet."
Green looked at the two, "Do you want to sign up? It'll be good experience if you ask me!"
Nurse Joy returned with another Nurse Joy, "Green, Ash and Gary. Your Pokemon are all okay. They just had minor exhaustion from traveling."
The other Nurse Joy, "Lisa, Raichu is suffering from exhaustion and burns but aside from that, she's okay. The rest of your Pokemon are alright as well."
Lisa breathed out in relief, "I'm so glad."
Ash pulled her hand, "Wanna join us for lunch? I heard the Vermillion steak here is really delicious ~"
Lisa rubbed Raichu who had come out to greet her old friends, "I would love to. Besides my girl here deserves a really good treat. She did all the work after all."
Raichu, -We worked together. We both deserve a treat.-
Ash grinned, "Raichu is right. You both deserve a party for winning."
Lisa laughed, "Well if a Pokemon empath is saying that it must be true."
Nurse Joy, "Excuse me? Did you say one of you is an empath?"
Lisa looked sheepish before looking around noticing there were not many trainers near the desk, "Sorry Ash, Gary. Yes Nurse Joy. These two young friends of mine."
Ash sighed, "It's okay. We can trust Nurse Joy."
Gary nodded, "Uh huh."
Green, "My two younger brothers can, Nurse Joy. Is something the matter?"
Nurse Joy sighed, "Yes, a few days ago one of our Pokemon brought in a Charmander. We thought it was wild but looking at the collar, I don't think she is."
Green gave a sympathetic look, "She was abandoned, wasn't she?"
Nurse Joy gave a sad look, "I'm afraid so.... But she still insists on waiting for her trainer. I don't know what to do."
Ash looked at Green who nodded before turning back to the Nurse, "I will try to help her. Maybe my Charmander can help too."
Gary nodded, "Leave it to us Nurse Joy."
Nurse Joy smiled in relief, "Somehow, I know you will be able to help her more than we ever did."
Nurse Joy turned to her sister, "I'll be back in a bit Anna."
Nurse Joy Anna smiled, "Good luck Rose."
Lisa was giddy, "I knew it! Nurse Joy is just a title, isn't it? Your outfit is also a uniform that makes you look similar."
Nurse Joy sweatdrops, "Of course. We are not even from the same family although there are Nurse Joys in other regions. Yet everyone seems to think we are."
Green snickered, "Bet it is fun to fool an entire region though."
Nurse Joy sighed, "In the beginning yes, but as time flies it gets old."
Gary smiled, "I can imagine. Would you mind if I let Litten out? I think, he might be able to help as well."
Nurse Joy hummed, "Litten is a fire type, right? I don't see why not."
Nurse Joy led the group through the corridor as Ash and Gary called Charmander and Litten and explained the situation to them. The two Fire types growled when they heard their fellow starter's situation and nodded their heads. Gary entered the room first followed by Ash when Nurse Joy opened the door to the room Charmander was in. The Charmander had perked up when the door opened only to become sad again when she realized it was not her trainer but someone else.
Gary walked up to the Charmander and started to talk softly, "Hello there, pretty girl. How are you doing? Nurse Joy told us you were not doing well."
Charmander sighed, -I'm fine. I'm just waiting for Damien. He said, he'll pick me up.-
Gary nodded, "So Damien is your trainer. Alright got it. If we see him, we'll tell him you are waiting."
Charmander turned to him with a flabbergasted face, -Wha..... How did you?-
Litten, -My partner is awesome that's how.-
Ash's Charmander climbed the bed, -Do you mind, if we stay here? Our ship does not leave till day after tomorrow. We can keep you company.-
Charmender smiled a little, -If it's not much trouble. I would love some company.-
Ash spoke up cooing, "You are no trouble at all, beautiful. We would love to know you better."
Charmander startled, -Ah! You can understand me as well. I had no idea there were humans capable of understanding Pokemon speak.-
Ash's Charmander grinned, -They can, yes.-
Ash pat his Charmander, "We'll be here don't worry."
Green however was having quite conversation with Nurse Joy and Lisa, "You are saying, her trainer had not returned at all."
Nurse Joy nodded, "We found her near the beach when we went to do our rounds to help wild Pokemon around here. Imagine my surprise when we saw her sitting on one of the boulders by the beach of all places. I at first thought she was a wild Pokemon but after observing her behavior I realized she may not be."
Lisa frowned, "Has she been properly released?"
Nurse Joy sighed shaking her head, "I do not know. Unless we ask the trainer or check their pokedex it's a bit difficult."
Lisa looked at the bed with pursed lips, "I won't accept this. How long has it been since you found Charmander?"
Nurse Joy looked sad, "Three days ago, but I fear she may have been there longer."
Green hummed, "Let me ask."
Before Lisa could stop him, Green was already at the bed and talking to the young fire starter softly. Charmander perked up after a while making Nurse Joy and Lisa sigh in relief. They were a bit worried the young starter would not want to answer. Ash was talking to Green getting a strained smile from the older boy. Ash gave a sympathetic smile before the older boy got up and turned around only for his smile to fall.