A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 74 - Hassle in the Castle

Emma and her friends were still on the road to Ecruteak City. It was a nice sunny in the late afternoon until they felt drops of water falling on their heads, "Huh?"

They all looked above on the sky and watched as the grey clouds gathering up there. "Oh, great," Emma muttered and it started to pour rain. 

"It looks like it's gonna be a big one!" Misty said as they started to run down the path, "Better find someplace that's safe!" 

"But we're out in the middle of the woods!" Emma said before spotting a tall tree, "Quick under that large tree!" The kids rushed closer and hid under the large leaves that covered the tree, suddenly there was a lighting in the sky, startling the kids. 

"This is bad," Brock said, "We've gotta get inside."

"But where?" Ash asked as Molly grabbed into his hand, and he pulled her between his side and Emma's. The Pikachu spotted something up ahead and called out to the kids to see. They turned to spot a castle up ahead near a cliff. 

"That looks like a good place to get dry," Emma said. "Can we take a look?" Molly asked as she looked up at Ash. Ash nodded, "Yeah, let's go, and hid there."

The kids ran to the castle and exchanged a glance before Brock used the Zubat knocker to knock. "Hello?" Brock called, "Is anybody here?! We just want to get out of the storm!"

"Must be empty," Ash said. The double doors opened by themselves, and the kids exchanged a look before peering inside. The entire room was lighted up by candles but there was no one around. 

"Hello?" Ash asked, and his voice echoed through the foyer. "This looks like a palace," Misty said as Ash let Molly get in first. The little girl grabbed his hand again as they all walked inside and looked around.

"Well, whatever it is, we're safe," Brock said. "Yeah," Ash said. Suddenly, a lightning flashed from outside, startling them, and then they heard a male scream echoing, making Molly quickly to wrap her little arms around Ash and he pulled her close to his side. "Did, you just hear that?" Misty asked nervously as she grabbed into Emma's arm.

"It sounded like somebody screaming," Brock said, and the scream was heard again. They looked at the open double doors. "It's coming from down there!"

"Come on!" Ash said, and he, Molly, Brock and Emma ran to the doors. Misty blinked and quickly followed, "Wait for me!"

The kids rushed down the dark hall, but the scream coming in the front behind the door made them freeze in their tracks in terror. "It must be a torture chamber," Brock said. "We gotta save that guy before it's too late," Ash said, and looked at Misty, "All right, Misty, you stay behind the door with Molly and Togepi."

"O--Okay," the redhead girl said in hesitated and took Togepi off of Emma's arms and wrapped an arm around Molly. Emma, Ash and Brock rushed to the door as there was another scream.  Ash opened the door, "Okay, hold it right--"

The kids blinked in surprise when they saw people receiving medical care from Pokémon, including Machoke's Strength used for chiropractic massages, Spinarak's web used as a bandage, and Mareep's electricity running through someone like a low-voltage muscle stimulant machine.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Ash asked as Misty and Molly peered inside. A pretty young woman turned to them, dressed in a doctor outfit, "Oh?" She smiled at the kids as they walked closer, "You must be here for a treatment session. We're pretty busy today. Do you have an appointment?"

"An appointment?" Misty asked. "No, we don't," Ash said, "We came to get outta the storm." Misty handed Togepi back to Emma as Brock stepped forward, smiling in flirtion, "I'm so glad we did. Hi, pleased to meetcha! My name's Brock, but you may prefer to call me by an affectionate nickname that matches my most endearing personality trait!"