A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 55 - A Shadow of a Drought

The heat... Emma let out a sigh and wiped a sweat from her forehead as she and her friends were walking down the road. It was only a day after Cyndaquil was captured by Ash, and they were still on their way to Azalea Town.

But today, today was a hot day.

Too much for them.

Brock looked at the plants at the side, "Ugh, look at those plants, every single one of them is shriveled up from the heat."

"So am I," Ash complained, "I need water or I'm gonna shrivel up too..."

"Hey, I know," Misty said with a smile as she stopped. Everyone stopped to turn to her in confusion and she pulled out a Poké ball. "I'll use Staryu." She released Staryu. "Staryu, cool us off with your Water Gun."

Staryu fired its Water Gun into the sky like a sprinkler, wetting lightly the kids, the Pikachu and Togepi. "Now that feels better!" Emma said with a smile.

**

After refreshing up, the kids continued on the path which led to a bridge. As they walked along, Misty looked down at the riverbed, "The riverbed's all dried up. I bet it hasn't rained here in months."

Brock smiled as he stared forward, "Hey, guys, look! There's Azalea Town!" The kids smiled as they spotted the town. "Great!" Ash said, "Let's get to the gym right away!"

"Wait a second, Ash," Emma stopped him as Brock moved forward as he spotted a sign, "We have to deliver the GS Ball." Ash rubbed the back of his head, "That can wait till later."

"Well, I can't wait until later," Emma said, "I'm dying to know what inside that GS Ball."

"Hey guys," Brock started, making Emma, Ash and Misty look over at him. "There's a sign here." They walked closer as Brock read, 'Due to the continuing drought, water conservation measures must be taken. All schools, public buildings, and the Azalea Pokémon gym are closed until further notice.'"

Ash sighed with disappointment and looked down before he rubbed his hand on his face. "Well, like I said..." he trailed off, "The important thing is to get the GS Ball to Kurt right away." Emma rubbed his arm, "Sorry."

They started to walk into town and down the street. As they walked, they noticed a drawings on signs that look like Slowpoke. Ash frowned, "Hey, guys. What's the deal with all these signs? I keep seeing the same ones all over the place."

"And every one has the same pink drawing that looks like a Slowpoke," Misty added. "The Slowpoke aren't just on the signs," Brock pointed out. "Yeah, look at that," Emma said as she spotted Slowpoke here and there.

"Slowpoke," Ash muttered with confusion. "And another by that tree," Emma said. "Wow," Misty said, "They're all over the place. I've never seen this many Slowpoke."

"Neither have I," Ash said, "I wonder what they're all doing here." Ash accidentally stepped on a Slowpoke's tail and jumped above it, "Excuse me. I'm sorry I stepped on you, Slowpoke, but I didn't see ya lying there." Emma and her friends continued on.

"I wonder what's the story with this place?" Emma asked. "Yeah," Misty said, "And why are all the Slowpoke here?" They turned when they heard the Slowpoke Ash accidentally stepped on crying out softly as it was holding its tail. "Hey, what's the matter?" Ash asked.

"It always takes a Slowpoke a little while to do anything," Brock said. "I guess it just must've realized that its tail hurts," Misty said as a boy rushed closer to the Slowpoke. He then turned to Emma and her friends in anger, "Hey! That kid hurt a Slowpoke!"

"Oh, yeah? What'd he do?"

"Did he punch it?"

"Kick it?"