A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 52 - Foul Weather Friends

It was another sunny day as Emma and her friends continued on their way to Azalea Town for Ash's next Gym battle. They smiled as they spotted a couple of Bellsprout enjoying the sun and playing on the grass. "Hey! Look at the Bellsprout!" Ash said.

Misty looked to the side, "And there are some Vileplume, too," she said. "We have to be careful not to breath in their Stun Spore," Emma said as she looked at Togepi in her arms, "Don't we, Togepi?"

Togepi smiled happily, "Togy!" They spotted a couple of Gloom around. "Wow! There's a couple of Gloom over there!" Ash said. "Sure are a lot of grass type Pokémon living around here, aren't there?" Brock asked. They stopped walking as they saw a small pink Pokémon happily hopping towards them.

It is a round, pink plant Pokémon with long green leaves growing on top of its head. The leaves on its head have ragged edges, similar to a dandelion. It has big, triangular ears with dark insides and beady yellow eyes that lack pupils. Its arms and legs are stubby, and it has a short tail with a rounded tip. There is a circular yellow pad on the underside of each foot.

"Cutie!" Misty said. "What is it?" Emma asked. "I think it's called a... Hoppip," Brock said. "I can see why it's called that," Ash said. "It's a sweetie!" Misty said, as Ash held his Dexter, "Let's see what Dexter has to say."

Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon. This hopping Pokémon is light as a feather, and can be lifted by the gentlest breeze.

They felt the breeze and suddenly, Hoppip floated off the ground. "We can't let it blow away," Misty said. "Well, after it," Emma said and they started to ran after Hoppip. It looked like it was dancing happily in the air, making the kids smile in amusement.

"Wait up!" Emma called. "We're with you, Hoppip!" Misty said. "Don't worry!" Ash called. "We'll catch ya!" Brock called. They saw a pretty young girl standing there, using a butterfly net to catch another Hoppip. "Who's that girl?" Misty asked.

The girl smiled, "One down, and one to go." She kneeled down and released the Hoppip she caught. The one Emma and her friends were after landed gently on the girl's head. She chuckled and took it into her arms, "Well, it's a good thing I didn't lose my head while I was chasing you, or you wouldn't have had a place to land."

Emma and her friends stopped behind her. "Excuse me," Ash said. The girl turned to them and smiled, "Oh, hi. You surprised me."

"Sorry, we were--" Emma started but Brock stepped in, "Pardon me, miss. My name is Brock. You demonstrated such dexterity that I couldn't help wondering about the identity of such an agile angel?"

The girl placed the Hoppip down next to the other and stood up, "Ahhhh, my name is Mariah." Misty looked annoyed as Brock flirted with her, "Oh, Mariah! I have a confession to make, you've captured my heart just like you captured that little Hoppip!"

Misty grabbed him by the ear and pulled him back, "Return, Brock!" Emma and Ash ignored him and smiled at Mariah. "Sorry," Emma said, "My name's Emma, and those are my friends, Ash, Brock and Misty."

"Are those wild Hoppip or do they belong to you?" Ash asked. Mariah smiled at them, "They're mine." Ash and Emma smiled at the Hoppip. "Aw, they cute," Emma said. "Thanks," Mariah said and looked down at the Pokémon, "It's time to go back to the others, okay?"

"Hoppip!" the Hoppip said happily. "Others?" Ash repeated. "Yes, I have more Hoppip back at my house," Mariah explained, "Will you like to see?" Emma, Misty and Ash smiled while Brock tried to get away from Misty's death grip, "Yes please!"

Mariah leaded the four to her cabin, which outside around the fence were five more Hoppip waiting. "We're back," Mariah said and the Pokémon all jumped up and down happily. The two others jumped up and down with them. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven," Misty counted, "Wow."