Pokemon: The Journey To Become A Master-Orange Islands Arc

Chapter-2: Bon-Voyage! To The Orange Islands!

Our heroes are soaring through the skies of Kanto. Their destination, already set to be Vermilion City, where they'll be picked up by the cruise to the Orange Archipelagoes.

Leading the group is Aero, who's carrying Ash, Serena, Pikachu and Togepi. The giant revitalized fossil had been adamant to only let his masters ride on his back, and his intimidating aura kept any wild flyers out of their way.

Right on their tail was Pidgeot, who was carrying the two gym leaders, Brock and Misty. She's a proud and affectionate bird, and that was clear from the smooth ride the two gym leaders were experiencing.

By her side was Drake's black Charizard, carrying the other Ketchum along with Diantha. The Kalosian was holding on to his waist, which made Drake feel nervous, and Charizard of course was snickering all to himself.

"You guys all doing good?" Ash asked, turning around, not letting go of Serena's waist.

"It's a smooth ride Ash. Pidgeot really knows to ride." Misty commented, to which the bird pokemon replied with a squak.

"She said Thank you." Ash replied with a smile, making the ginger-head to peat the giant bird.

"We're good too Ash." Diantha answered, while continuing to hug the boy in front of her. Ash looked at his brother's situation and gave a wink. "I'm sure you are."

Drake only looked towards his brother, he saw how Pikachu was daringly sitting on Ash's shoulders, and thought about how close the mouse was to his brother. "I wish I could bond with my pokemon like that." He sighed.

"Don't worry Drake. I'm sure that you will." Diantha whispered into his ears, and rested her head against his shoulders. The action sent chills down his spine, however he didn't show any trace of it on his face.

"AERRROOOO!" Aero suddenly screeched, as everyone gave Ash a confused look. Of course he and Serena were the only ones to understand pokemon, therefore he replied without any questions being asked. "Get ready guys. Vermilion City is right up ahead." And with that the three flying types started their descent, arriving on the beautiful scenery of the setting sun.

*               *               *

There was no smooth landing with Aero... Never. As soon as they made land-fall Ash and Serena jumped down, lucky that their Aura training gave them good physical strength. Togepi on the other hand seemed to enjoy the rough ride. And Pikachu, he was acting like the general of an army. "To war people!" He commanded.

Serena chuckled at the mouse's behavior, as they waited for the other two pokemon to descend. Drake's party was the next to land, while Pidgeot came in at the end, making sure her landing was smooth.

"Thanks you two." Ash said, as he returned the pokemon back to their pokeballs, not before giving the both of them a scratch under their chins.

Drake returned his starter wordlessly, of course there wasn't any in-gratitude on his part, but there was a wordless agreement among all his pokemon. Strength was all that mattered. While the girls gathered together, Ash walked up to him. Drake was about to shrink the device and latch it back to his belt.

"Come on Drake, you should thank Charizard for the ride shouldn't you?" He asked suggestively. "I noticed that in the entire league as well, you never gave them any thanks."

Drake looked back at him in wonder and puzzlement. "Huh? Why?"

"Come on Drake..." Ash sighed. His brother really had a hard time with emotions. "It's just like with us. When someone helps us, we thank them. That builds a bond of trust. The same for pokemon." He explained.