A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 53 - Mild 'n Wooly

Emma and her friends had taken a lunch break and sat on the grass next to a lake. "What a view," Emma said with a smile as she looked at the sparkling water. "And the weather is just perfect," Misty said.

"Yeah, and this fresh mountain air sure helps you work up an appetite," Brock said. "Mine doesn't need any help," Ash said as he took a bite from his sandwich. "Pika-Pika," the male Pikachu agreed.

"Of course," Emma said with a chuckle. "Pika-chu," the female Pikachu said with a smile and took a bite from her sandwich. Ash took another one and ate it but then he started choking. "What's wrong?!" Misty asked as they noticed.

"Hey! Are you alright?!" Brock asked. "Quick, have some water!" Emma said as she handed him her canteen. Ash took and drank, but it wasn't working. His Pikachu was watching worriedly until he decided to use Thunder Shock. Ash finally swallowed and he panted, "I guess I got, a little, choked up."

"Funny," Emma muttered sarcastically, "Are you okay now?"

"Yeah," Ash answered. They all looked around in confusion when they started to hear bells ringing. They spotted a Pokémon standing not that very far from them, watching them.

It is an ovine Pokémon with fluffy cream-colored wool covering its entire body, as well as a curly tuft of wool in the middle of its head. Its head is blue, and it has black eyes. Its four feet are blue and have two digits on each foot, and it appears to be on tiptoe at all times. Its conical ears and tail have a yellow-and-black striped pattern. It has an orange sphere at the end of its tail, which acts like a small light bulb. It also has a bell and ribbon around its neck.

"What a cutie!" Emma said as she, Misty and Brock smiled. "What's that?" Misty asked. "I've never seen one in person before, but I think it's a Mareep," Brock answered. "A Mareep?" Ash repeated as he got out his Dexter.

Mareep, the Wool Pokémon. Mareep store static electricity in their wooly coats. They avoid battles and have mild dispositions.

Misty chuckled, "But Dexter didn't say how cute they are." Suddenly, the Mareep dashed for the kids, making them startle. "This Mareep doesn't look too mild to me!" Ash said.

The kids got out of the way but the Pikachu got caught by the exciting Mareep. "Pikachu!" Ash and Emma said. Frightened, both of Pikachu let out a Thunder Shock that caused the Mareep's fluffy wool to get larger and larger.

"It got bigger," Ash said. "So that's what that Mareep was looking for," Emma said, "A quick jolt of electricity." They all continued to stare as it got bigger. "It used Pikachu's electricity to puff up its fleece," Emma said.

"Like a hairdryer?" Misty asked. They all heard the thundering of hooves, and turned in surprise to see a whole herd of Mareep heading toward them. The kids moved out of the way, and the herd crowded around the Pikachu.

"Oh no, Pikachu," Emma said. "Hey, get off of them!" Ash said. The Pikachu let out another Thunder Shock, causing the Mareeps' fleece to puff, and the kids moved back. "Now they're all getting puffed up," Ash said.

"Stop!" Emma and her friends turned to see a little girl running closer. "Leave those Pikachu alone! You all know better than to gang up on another Pokémon like that! Now stop it!" One of the Mareep, the one with the bell around its neck, looked over and moved away, clearly it was listening to her, but the others didn't. The little girl reached over and tried to push her way in, "Leave the Pikachu alone, I said! That electricity's not for you, now get away! Somebody's gonna get hurt, now, come on! Get away, I said!"

The little girl was pushed back by one of the Mareep's tail and she fell on the grass. "Are you okay?" Ash asked. The girl nodded and looked sadly at the Mareep that came to check on her, "Fluffy, why won't they listen?"