A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 45 - Once in a Blue Moon

Emma and her friends were taking a rest in a town called Cherrygrove City before they will continue on their way. While Emma and Misty were preparing the table, Brock was making lunch and Ash was polishing his Poké balls with Togepi and the Pikachu next to him.

Misty looked at Emma, "Are you sure you feeling better? Maybe you should take a break." Emma smiled, "Nah, I'm fine. I promise."

"As good as new," Ash said as he stared at one of his Poké balls in his hand. Togepi was holding the GS Ball happily, "Togy!" Ash placed his Poké ball down next to the Pokémon and took the GS Ball to polish, "Gotta take extra good care of this one." Misty looked impressed, "I have to admit it, Ash. You've been acting like a much more responsible trainer lately."

"As a future Pokémon Master, I feel that Poké ball maintenance is quite important," Ash said. "Oh, I quite agree," Misty said. Emma smirked, "And I didn't teach him that." She and the redhead giggled.

"Hey! Lunch time!" Brock called. Ash smiled as he stood up, "Alright, I'm starving." Emma chuckled, "That sounds like the old Ash." Ash took Togepi into his arms and rushed to join the others, leaving his Poké balls and the GS ball by the river.

The Pikachu took a step to follow but stopped and turned to the water. Suddenly, a strange Pokémon appeared from it. "Pika," the male Pikachu said. Ash looked over, "What? Something the matter, Pikachu? Look!"

Emma, Misty and Brock followed his gaze to see the Pokémon. It stared, "Quag..." Ash handed Togepi to Emma and the kids rushed to the river. "What's that?" Emma asked as Ash pulled out his Dexter and the picture of the Pokémon appeared.

It is a light blue, bipedal, amphibious Pokémon. Its head is broad and round, having little neck to distinguish it from the rest of its body. It has a wide mouth and tiny, black eyes. A wavy, purple stripe runs down its back. Along its spine is a dark blue fin, which is larger on the male than on the female. Its hands and feet both have three digits.

Quagsire, the Water Fish Pokémon. The Quagsire makes its home in clean freshwater lakes. The Quagsire is covered by a slippery layer of skin, making this Pokémon especially difficult to handle.

Emma and her friends smiled. "Wow. Sounds really slick," Ash said. "Quagsire's gotta be one of the cutest Pokémon ever!" Misty said happily. "Quagsire," it said. Misty suddenly had an idea and she pulled out a Poké ball, "Hey! I'm gonna catch it!"

Suddenly, Psyduck popped out from its Poké ball inside Misty's backpack, making the kids groan in annoyance. Psyduck and Quagsire then stared at each other for a long moment until Misty ran closer and picked the duck up, "You can't just stand here all day."

Without noticing, she accidentally touched the GS Ball with her foot, making it roll toward the river, allowing the Quagsire to snatch it. "Ash, Quagsire's just took the GS ball!" Emma said as Quagsire started to swim away. "Come back!" Ash called.

He picked up a Poké ball and ran after the Pokémon with his Pikachu following, "Hey, wait! Squirtle, bring back that GS Ball before Quagsire gets away!" He threw the Poke ball, releasing Squirtle. The Tiny Turtle Pokémon immediately went into the water and swam after Quagsire. He leaped onto it and Ash smiled, "Nice work, Squirtle! Now just don't let it slip away!"

Suddenly, Squirtle started slipping on Quagsire's slippery skin. "Hey, look out!" the boy called as Squirtle landed shell-first into the water while Quagsire escaped. "Squirtle!" Ash called, "Squirtle, are you okay?!"

Squirtle surfaced and speed up in pursuit of Quagsire. "Squirtle!" Ash called. Squirtle tried to jump onto Quagsire, but Quagsire used its tail to smack him away. "Hurry, Squirtle! Hit it with your Water Gun!"