A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 54 - Good 'Quil Hunting

Emma and her friends were still on the way to Azalea Town, however they took a stop in the middle of the forest, waiting for Brock to say which way to go. "I thought you know the way," Emma said to the older boy.

Brock looked at the guide book, "I know the way..." Emma sighed, "Just can't find it, huh?"

"Togy," the Egg Pokémon said in her arms. Misty looked at Brock, "Is there anything the matter, Brock?"

"There's nothing the matter with me, but there's definitely something the matter with this map," Brock said. Emma hummed, "Sure..."

"Who needs a map, when all we have to do is cut through the woods until we run into the road?" Ash asked. "Pika!" the male Pikachu agreed. Misty rolled her eyes, "We'd be better off leaving a trail of bread crumbs."

"No thanks, I don't want to end up like Hansel and Gretel," Emma joked lightly. "Togy," Togepi said. "Pika-chu," the female Pikachu said.

"Hey, you!"

Emma and her friends looked to where they heard the male voice and saw a boy walking closer. "Have the four of you seen any Cyndaquil around here?" he asked. "Cyndaquil?" Emma asked. Ash smiled, "What Cyndaquil?! Where?!" He looked around with his Pikachu, "I don't see 'em."

"Beats me," the boy said, "I heard there are supposed to be wild ones all over the place." He noticed Ash wasn't paying attention and frowned, "Listen here! You better stay away from the Cyndaquil if you know what's good for you."

Emma rolled her eyes while Ash choose to ignore him and continued on. "I said to stay away!" the boy snapped. Emma, Brock and Misty looked at him in annoyance. "Look, kid," Brock said, "What makes you think you have the right to tell them what they can and can't do?"

"Whoever finds the Cyndaquil first, gets to catch it," Emma said. "Says who?" the boy asked. "Says me!" Emma snapped and Misty placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just stay out of my way and keep away from the Cyndaquil," the boy snapped and walked away.

"What a moron," Emma muttered. "What an attitude," Misty said, "I feel sorry for any Cyndaquil he catches."

"You can say that again. Right, Ash?" Brock asked and they looked around, realizing Ash wasn't around. "Ash?" Emma asked and then sighed, "Oh great. Let's go find him."

Emma, Misty and Brock started to search for him. "Ash!" Emma called. "How far away did he get?" Misty asked with a small frown. "Couldn't be that far," Emma muttered. They heard rustling in the bushes and they stopped to look, "Huh?"

"Lost in the woods? Prepare for trouble!"

"Hand over the goods, or we'll make it double!"

Emma, her Pikachu, Misty and Brock looked annoyed. "Not them again," Misty muttered. "Team Rocket," Brock said. "What's new?" Emma muttered as she rolled her eyes. Suddenly, the ground shook and a robot landed in front of them.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

Jessie and James appeared on top of the robot.

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

Meowth jumped up, "Meowth! That's right!"

"Team Rocket," Emma said and rolled her eyes again, "Great. Now what do you want?" Jessie laughed, "What else? You, of course."