A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 71 - A Dairy Tale Ending

Emma and her friends were back at the Goldenrod's Pokémon Center, and as the sun had set down, Nurse Joy approached them with the male Pikachu, Cyndaquil and Totodile, who all called out to their trainer before running toward him.

"Hey guys," Ash said as he kneeled down and his Pokémon stopped in front of him, "You guys feeling better now?" They all nodded as Nurse Joy stood behind them, smiling at the boy, "Don't worry, Ash. All they need is a goodnight's sleep and they'll be fine tomorrow."

The male Pikachu and Cyndaquil jumped on Ash's shoulders as he took Totodile in his arms and stood up. "Thank you, Nurse Joy," he said. "A lot of Whitney's challengers wind up here with me," she said, "You should be very happy. Cyndaquil, Totodile and Pikachu are in better shape than most of our other patients."

"I'm happy about that, but I'm not happy about Miltank," Ash muttered. "You gave it your best shot today, Ash," Emma said and smiled, "But it isn't over yet, isn't it? You and your Pokémon can figure out how to beat her. But tonight, just relax with your Pokémon."

"She's right," Nurse joy said, "Sometimes Pokémon aren't the only ones who need time to recover from an especially tough match. Trainers need time to recover, too." Brock nodded with a smile, "Right. After a good meal and a goodnight's sleep, you might feel different tomorrow." Ash smiled and nodded.

...................

In the morning, the kids were going to have breakfast when they heard a little girl's voice shouted happily, "Ash!"

The kids turned and saw Molly and Delia stepping into the building with the little girl waving to them happily. "Hey, Molly!" Ash said as they smiled, "Mom!"

"Pika-chu!" the male Pikachu said happily as he hopped down from his trainer's shoulder and ran forward toward the little girl. Molly smiled as she picked the male mouse up, "Pikachu!"

Ash, Emma, Misty and Brock walked closer. "You made it," Emma said with a smile. Delia smiled, "Your brother's friend got us here faster than I thought we will."

Ash bend down as he looked at Molly, "You ready to travel around Johto with us?" Molly smiled happily and nodded, "Yes!"

"I was told there's a Gym here, have you won a badge already?" Delia asked. Ash's smile disappeared as he stood straight, and he rubbed the back of his head, "Uh, no. I didn't this time."

"But, Ash is going to have a rematch soon, so he will win in the second time," Emma said as she gave him a smile. Ash smiled and nodded, "Yeah." Delia smiled, "Of course you will. I just know it."

"Thanks, Mom," Ash said. Whitney walked in and approached them. "Good morning!" she said with a smile, and they turned to her.

"Hi, Whitney," Brock said with a smile. "I came to see how all the Pokémon are doing after yesterday's big battle," Whitney said. "That's nice of you, thanks," Emma said. The male Pikachu waved in Molly's arms, "Pika-chu!"

"Oh, uh, Whitney, that's my Mom, Delia, and this is Molly, she's well, you can say sort of a little sister?" Ash said as he looked at his Mom, who nodded lightly. "Nice to meet you two!" Whitney said. "Likewise," Delia said. 

"Whitney is the Gym leader of the Goldenrod Gym," Emma explained. Molly looked up at her, "Really? You a real Gym Leader?" Whitney smiled as she nodded, "That's right." She bend down lightly and touched the blue ribbon on Molly's hair, "I really like your ribbon, it's really pretty on you."

Molly smiled, "Thank you," she said. Whitney gently petted her hair as she smiled and stood straight as she spoke to Emma and her friends, "I have a special place I want to show you that I think you're gonna love. You can eat breakfast there if you want to."