Ash's Return: A Pokémon Story

Chapter Two: Reunion

Ash woke early, and his first feeling was excitement about his plan for the day. Pikachu was already awake and bouncing around the room.

"Pika, Pika!" he squeaked. He nudged Ash's leg to get him up.

"Okay, okay, let's go," Ash said, rubbing his eyes. He rose and they headed downstairs.

Ash's mother was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for them.

"Morning boys!" she sang as they entered the room.

"Morning Mum," Ash replied. He crossed the kitchen and kissed his mother on the cheek.

"What's your plan for today?" she asked as she turned some pancakes over in a pan. Ash was packing his bag and she motioned towards wrapped-up food she had prepared for him to take.

"Thanks. We're going to visit some old friends. I'm hoping they'll help me prepare for the competition.

"How lovely! Will I get to see you compete at all?"

"If I make it through the qualifiers, I'm allowed a few free tickets to give to people, for the final rounds. I'll keep in touch."

"Be sure that you do, dear. Breakfast before you go." She placed some pancakes on the table.

With his bags full of food from his mother and his goodbyes said, Ash stood outside in the middle of the Pallet Town square. Pikachu was playing with some children in a nearby garden, running around them as they giggled. Ash looked to the sky and, filling his lungs with air, called out as loud as he could.

"Charizard!" He scanned the far-reaching blue for a sign of orange. After a few seconds, a huge shape arose from behind some trees in the distance and headed towards the town. Charizard's shape became clearer, and as she flew over the edge of the square, the wind from her wings created a wave. Dirt swept up from the ground and spread to the surrounding trees. She landed on the ground a few feet from Ash and folded her wings over her back. The children had stopped running and stood dumbstruck at the spectacle of the huge Pokémon in front of them. Ash walked over to Charizard's head and ran his hand over her scaly neck. Pikachu bounded over and, with a leap, landed on Charizard's back. Charizard crouched down so Ash could climb up. He sat himself behind Pikachu and, with a final wave to his mother and the awed children, he patted Charizard's neck and she took off, rising quickly into the sky. They turned towards Cerulean City.

After an hour or so, the tall buildings of Cerulean revealed themselves on the horizon. Ash didn't want to land with Charizard inside the city, so they set down in a field in sight of the outer suburbs. Some Pidgeys scattered out of the grass and squawked angrily at Charizard as she dropped into the exact spot where they had been foraging. A small growl from her quickly silenced them, and they flew away in a tight flock. They landed on a nearby tree and sat glaring at her. Ash and Pikachu climbed off.

"I'm going to need you with me this time, girl," Ash said to Charizard. She nodded slowly. He took a Pokéball from his belt and pointed it at Charizard. He pushed the central button, causing a red light to erupt from the Pokéball and engulf her. Within seconds, she had disappeared along with the red light. Ash reattached the Pokéball to his belt and began walking towards the city, with Pikachu trotting along beside him.

The city was full of people walking in all directions. Cars sped along the wide roads and in the midst of the organised chaos, Ash walked towards the wide, rounded building with the word 'GYM' printed in huge letters on the front. Pikachu once again sat on his shoulders, his small, sharp eyes taking in the busy metropolis.