A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 59 - The Fire-ing Squad!

Emma and her friends were still at Palmpona City. They were getting ready to leave the city and head to Goldenrod City, but before that, Ash wanted to return his Tauros to Professor Oak. Emma was with her Pikachu and Togepi in the guest room she and her friends were staying the night at, while Ash was returning Tauros, and Misty and Brock were at the waiting room to wait for Ash's Pokémon.

Emma had finished packing her backpack when Ash returned to the room. "Did you return Tauros?" she asked. "Yeah," Ash answered, "And I've let Heracross stay with Professor Oak for now. Did you call home?"

"Yeah, I did but no one's home," Emma answered. "You can call at another Pokémon Center when we reach one," he said, and she nodded. "Yeah," she said before she frowned as she looked at his hair.

She took off his hat, to his surprise and then brushed her fingers through his hair a little before putting his hat back on. "Better," she said with a small smile. Ash scoffed and smiled at her as he fixed his hat on his head.

"Thanks," he said. They left the room and went to the lobby where they heard Misty calling, "Hey Ash!" They saw her and Brock walking closer with Nurse Joy and Ash's Pokémon. "Your Pokémon are finally finished with their physical exams."

Ash gave Nurse Joy a smile, "Well, Nurse Joy, my Pokémon are in pretty good shape, aren't they?"

Nurse Joy smiled, "Yes, they're in excellent condition, Ash. You've obviously been taking very good care of them all." Ash opened his mouth but Brock stepped in and took Nurse Joy's hand, "I sure have. Now that you've examined the Pokémon, maybe you could examine me, too, Nurse Joy. I've suddenly been overcome by a feeling in my heart that only you can cure."

Nurse Joy backed away and pulled her hand away, "Oh, that reminds me! I have to examine the Pokémon competing in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix! See ya!" She turned around and quickly left.

"Wait, don't go," Brock begged her desperately. Ash looked at him and raised an eyebrow, "Wasn't Emma the one who helps me take care of my Pokémon?"

"He tried to impress her," Misty said as she rolled her eyes, "And as always, nothing he says works." Emma looked between her friends, "What's Fire and Rescue Grand Prix?" Misty shrugged, "I don't know."

**

Emma and her friends walked to a stadium and looked at the posters on the outside walls advertising the competition. "Wow!" Misty said with a smile, "The Grand Prix must be some kind of firefighting competition for Pokémon."

"Yeah, and all those Pokémon we saw going into the stadium must be the teams that are here to battle it out," Brock said. Ash grinned, "I'm gonna sign up my Pokémon team!" Emma, Misty and Brock looked at him.

"But you don't have a team, Ash," Emma reminded him, "The only water Pokémon you have is Squirtle."

"Squirtle," his Pokémon said. Ash looked at Emma, "Right. That's why I'm gonna have to use Misty's Psyduck and Staryu, too, and your Poliwrath, Emma."

Emma raised an eyebrow while Misty gave him an angry look. "Don't you think you could at least ask us first?" the redhead girl asked. Her Psyduck suddenly was released, and she sighed. "Oh, now look!"

"You see?" Ash asked, smiling down at the Pokémon, "Psyduck's trying to tell ya it's psyched to be on my team." Psyduck nodded, "Psy." Misty sighed, "Oh, great."

"Well, if it isn't my old friend."

They all looked over to see none other than Captain Aiden, "Aiden!" Emma, Misty and Ash said.

Captain Aiden and Team Wartortle saluted. "At your service, kids," Captain Aiden said, "It's great to see you again." Ash, Emma, their Pokémon and Misty saluted back, "Yes, sir!"