A Trip to Kanto - A Pokemon Story

Chapter 4: Familiar Grass!

*Third person POV*

"Ouch, that hurts!", Ash yelped as Dawn ran a hand on his flame scars. "Sorry-, she giggled, as Piplup, clenched close to her chest, smiled and followed along.

The crew was now sitting inside a fairly large rickshaw, who slowly was taking them to their destination: Pallet Town, Ash's homeland.

"You didn't complain at all while we were on the plane.... You straight up jumped into the fire, Ash..", Dawn followed, a sweep of worry visible on her face. "I didn't complain because dire circumstances were present..", Ash replied. "But you need to take it easy, Ash. This was a life-threatening experience for you. I was really scared for you and Pikachu!", Cameron said. "Yeah but the life of those Pokemon were in more danger than I was. They needed help, and so I did what I had to.", he replied. "So much for Pokemon...", Iris commented. "Plus, trading a life to save that of two-hundreds is probably a better decision. In case I DIDN'T make it bac-", before Ash could continue, Dawn slapped a hand on his mouth. "Shut. Let's concentrate on the scenery now, Ash..", she said, Ash smiled back in return and began enjoying the gentle moving of the rickshaw and the passing of buildings and many Kantonian Pokemon and their trainers in the way. They were passing through a short route in a small town convened in the city of Viridian.

After ten more minutes of the noisy town, we were passing through a meadow with Pokemon of all different kinds running around and playing. "Where are we?", Stephan asked. "Well, we just passed Viridian City.. So we're on our way to Fuchsia City.", Ash said. "Hold it, I thought that the Cinnabar City comes before Fuchsia... Right?", Dawn asked. "Nope, since Cinnabar is firstly, not much of a city. I'd call it a town, a small one. Also, that town is situated on an island, off the coast of Kanto. So, we'll be making our way to Fuchsia City for now.", Ash explained. "Have you been to Cinnabar?", Iris asked. 

"Yeah. I went there to have a gym battle. The Gym Leader, Blaine, had a dominant hand in using Fire Types. Originally, the gym used to be on regular ground, like every other one I've come across. But due to some reason, that gym was destroyed and recreated on top of a volcano.", he continued. "Whoa, so you battled Blaine on a volcano? How many degrees was it?!", Stephan asked with a shocked expression. "I didn't calculate that- You see, it was a Fire Type gym. And due to Team Rocket, the gym was destroyed. So Charizard and I battled Blaine and Magmar over a volcano, winning the battle and the Volcano Badge, which was my seventh badge before I entered the Indigo League.", he finished. "You've got a Charizard?! Where is it?!", Cameron asked, excitedly. "Well, he's currently in the Charicific Valley in Johto, training with other Charizard and their caretaker and trainer, Liza. Though Charizard shows up on some important occasions, he mostly stays there, making himself stronger.", Ash elucidated. "He? Your Charizard's a male?", Stephan asked and Ash nodded.

After crossing Fuchsia City, the clan was then headed towards the next destination: Celadon City. "Hm.. Celadon City... Isn't this city famous for its perfumes?", Iris asked. "Yep. Though I personally dislike perfumes, a lot of my friends like them. It was hard time trying to win a gym battle here, since Team Rocket basically interrupted us again.", Ash told, disappointment roaming in his voice. "Hey Ash, what's that building? It's in the shape of a Pokemon I've never seen before...", Iris asked, pointing towards a building.

"Oh! It's the Celadon Gym! Uhm, driver, can we stop here for some minutes?", Ash asked, as the rickshaw driver nodded and applied the brakes to the vehicle, stopping it. "It's been long since I've come here. I wonder how Erika and Gloom are doing...", Ash said aloud to himself. While entering, he saw a picnicker who was watering the plants. "Uh, excuse me, lady?", he called. "Yes?", she replied, turning around. "Is Gym Leader Erika here in the gym?", he asked. "Oh, yeah, sure she is! Do you want me to call her?", she asked. "If you don't mind, then yes.", Ash replied. The picnicker went inside the gym and after about five minutes, came out with a lady with shoulder-length royal blue hair, dressed in a celadon green and white attire. "Mam, do you know this boy?", the picnicker asked the gym leader, who took a look at the trainer with the red hat.

"Oh my.. I recognize you! You're Ash Ketchum, right?", she exclaimed. "Yep, you got it!", Ash replied. "Oh! You were the one who saved Gloom after the gym caught fire... I can never be more grateful to you, Ash..", she bowed down to him, as Ash rubbed the back of his sheepishly. "Whoa, so the passengers weren't the only ones Ash rescued from a fire?", Iris wondered out loud. "Huh?", Erika asked, looking at the purple-haired girl. "Would you like to come inside and have some food, Ash? You can bring your friends along, too! And mind if I ask you about these marks on your face and arms?", Erika asked. "Oh these? Long story.. I'll tell you afterwards..", Ash answered. Erika nodded, and let them all in to the back-areas of the gym, where the children saw bunches of Kantonian Grass Type Pokemon. 

"So you're here to let your friends enjoy Kanto?", Erika asked, taking a sip of her herbal tea, followed by Ash nodding in agreement. "Great! I just realized I haven't even introduced myself yet... The name's Erika, and I'm the Gym Leader of the Celadon City gym, specializing in Grass Types. I'm very fond of perfumes and aromas!", Erika said, looking at Ash's friends from Unova, who, in turn, introduced themselves. "Grass Types... Hey Erika, can I show you something?", Cilan asked, taking out a PokeBall. He threw it in the air, and out of it, emerged a Pansage. "I'm one of the Gym Leaders of the Striaton City gym, along with my brothers, Cress and Chili. Pansage is my partner! I request you to have a look at him!", Cilan asked. "Sure!", Erika replied and stroked the Pokemon's head. "You've raised it well, Cilan. Pansage seems to be really happy with you! This shows that you're an amazing Pokemon trainer, since keeping your Pokemon happy is the first and foremost priority of a trainer.", Erika said, standing up. "Thank you, it was an honor to hear those words from you, Erika.", Cilan thanked. 

"Erika, will you have a look at these two Pokemon of mine?", Ash asked, taking out Snivy and Leavanny. "Whoa, a Snivy and a Leavanny! These two look in a great condition! Snivy's coat and Leavanny's 'clothes' signify that they're in great health, both mentally and physically. You've been taking good care of them, haven't you?", Erika complimented the trainer with the Pikachu on his shoulder. Ash blushed lightly at the kind words, saying, "Aw, well I trust my Pokemon and love 'em. They're my best friends! We live like family, so I make sure that they're all in a perfect condition, ready to face whatever challenge they cross paths with!", he finished. That was when driver called out Ash's name. He asked them to hurry back in because if they wanted to reach Pallet in ONE day, they shouldn't be wasting any more time. Ash called back Snivy and Leavanny into their PokeBalls.

As they were about to go, Erika stopped Ash. "Ash, come with me for a little bit. I think I have the cure to those burn marks.", she offered help, which Ash gladly took. The others meanwhile went to take their places back in the rickshaw. Erika used some herbs from her greenhouse and made a medicine out of them, which kind of smelled like smelling a marigold flower. Ash shuddered in pain as she applied the cure on the scars and bandaged them up securely. "Thanks, Erika..", Ash thanked her. "Tell Gloom to be in good shape. I'll see you!", he bid his goodbye, ran and sat in the rickshaw, ready to head back on the road to his home town, with a happy Erika waving to him back, the driver pressed the accelerator to cross the city of Celadon.

To be continued....