The Ketchum Family

Filling Out the Team

Ash's time with his students is coming to an end. It's time for him to return to Pallet town and for them to travel on their own. What will happen once Terence, Gwyn and Cyril have to forge their own path?

This chapter takes place a little while after the previous one.

Now that Gwyn has successfully defeated the Celadon gym and earned her first badge, our trio have taken their first step on the road to the Pokémon League. Sadly, the time has come for our heroes to part ways with Ash and continue north to Cerulean City.

Gwyn grinned from ear-to-ear as she stepped out of the Celadon gym, into the afternoon sunlight. She happily held her brand new rainbow badge, cupped in the palms of her hands. Terence and Cyril were two paces behind her, absolutely giddy with their friend's success.

"I told you winning is great!!" Terence loudly proclaimed. "Way better than those boring contests!"

Gwyn scowled and glanced to the side. "Spoken like an uncultured knucklehead," she glowered.

Turtee, riding atop Gwyn's back, nodded in agreement.

Terence's eyes widened in indignation while Cyril's shoulders slumped.

"Not again," the third member of the trio whined.

Terence clinched a fist and turned toward his female friend. "Hey, who came up with the battle strategy you used?!"

Gwyn scoffed and turned to face Terence. "Ash..." she said flatly.

Terence hesitated for a moment before barking out a reply. "Uh, no, I came up with that one!"

Gwyn rolled her eyes and spoke in a condescending manner. "After Ash gave you the strategy for your gym battle... You just reused like ninety percent of the idea."

"No, it was like fifty percent my idea!"

"Twenty five, max!" Gwyn said sarcastically.

Terence gritted his teeth and shook a fist. "You know, if you weren't a girl, I'd give you a knuckle sandwich!!"

Gwyn laughed harshly. "Sounds about right, coming from a knucklehead..."

A worrying Cyril rocked from side-to-side on his feet, his face pinched in angst. "Come on, guys..." he whined. "Ash said he'd just be a minute, and..."

"HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON!!" sounded the voice of authority, behind them.

Cyril cringed, Gwyn swallowed and Terence grimaced. All three turned to look at a glaring Ash Ketchum, with crossed arms, standing a few steps away. Pikachu sat upon his right shoulder, arms also crossed and brow furrowed. Gwyn and Terence made uncertain sounds, but before either of them could say anything, Ash spoke up.

"You shouldn't call each other names," he said sternly. "Even if you're mad, find a better way to deal with it."

Both of the rowdy children looked dejected and stared down at the ground.

"Sorry," Gwyn murmured.

"Sorry," Terence replied.

Ash watched them for a few moments and then his expression softened. "Look, I know it's been a tough couple of days. I'm sure you're tired, but that's no excuse to get angry over nothing."

Terence glanced to the side at Gwyn and spoke up in a defensive tone. "Yeah, but she called me a knucklehead!"

Gwyn's face twisted up in indignation. "Cause you said contests were boring and gym battles are better!"