A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 58 - Tricks of the Trade

Emma and her friends had reached to a seaside city that called Palmpona, which wasn't far from Azalea Town. Ash was holding Togepi in his arms while Emma was looking now at a map. "There's a Gym in Goldenrod City, which is not that very far from this City," she said, "We'll reach there in a few days if we won't get sidetrack"

"Awesome, I can't wait to get there to get my third badge," Ash said with a smile. "Pika-chu!" the male Pikachu said with a smile. "Togy, togy!" Togepi said happily. Misty looked at the ocean right next to them, "It's great to be back near the ocean again, right guys?"

"It sure is," Emma agreed.

"That's better." They looked to the left to see a boy speaking with a Pokémon they never seen before.

It is a tall, cyan Pokémon with a soft body. Its eyes appear scrunched, and it has a jagged upper lip. It has flat arms that are wider towards the tip and four stubby legs at the base of its body. There are two eyespots on its black tail.

The boy smiled at the Pokémon, "If you keep your back nice and straight, your shoulders won't look so sloppy. If you stand tall like that, people will see that you're a great Pokémon."

"What kind of Pokémon's that?" Ash asked as Emma pulled out her Dexter this time while they approached the boy and his Pokémon.

Wobbuffet, the Patient Pokémon. Wobbuffet like to live in dark areas so they can keep their pitch-black tails concealed.

Ash smiled at Wobbuffet, "Hello, Wobbuffet. You look like a great Pokémon to me." They turned to the boy and introduced themselves.

"My name's Ash."

"I'm Emma."

"And I'm Misty."

"Hi. My name's Brock."

"Hi, my name's Benny," the boy said, giving them all a smile. "What were you doing just now?" Ash asked. "I was just trying to get my Wobbuffet to look as good as it can look," Benny answered, "I'm taking it to the Pokémon Swap Meet."

"The Pokémon Swap Meet?" Ash repeated. "Yeah," Benny said, "Every year, trainers come here to the swap meet and if your Pokémon is in really good shape, you'll be able to make a really good trade."

"That makes sense," Ash said. "It's a great idea," Brock said. Misty leaned forward to look at Wobbuffet better, "I don't know, Benny. I wouldn't get my heart set on trading this Pokémon if I were you." Brock leaned closer to the redhead and whispered angrily, "Misty!"

Misty quickly covered her mouth with her hand before speaking quickly, "I mean it seems so well-trained. Why would you want to trade it away?" she asked, sheepishly chuckling. "I agree," Emma said after giving Misty a look for how she spoke a moment before, and smiled at Wobbuffet and Benny.

"Thanks," Benny said, "I really loved raising this Wobbuffet, but I can't wait to try raising a different Pokémon." Brock nodded, "Mmm-hmm. Then maybe trading is a good idea."

"I'd sure like to see what goes on at the Pokémon Swap Meet," Ash said. "Would you take us to see?" Emma asked. Benny nodded, "Sure. I'm heading over there right now."

Emma took Togepi into her arms and they followed Benny to the town square to see a huge crowd around. "Wow," Ash said, "It's like a big festival!" Misty gasped with a smile and linked her arm with Emma's as she pointed to the shops, "Emma, look! There are sales!"

Emma chuckled, "Maybe later we'll check it out," she said. A girl ran past them, "Here they come!" she called, running with a few others. "Here who come?" Ash asked and they looked forward to see a herd of Tauros charging in. "A Tauros stampede!" Ash said.