A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 75 - Hook, Line, and Stinker

Emma and her friends have stopped to rest at a mountain stream. The Water Pokémon (except for Psyduck) were in the water, while the rest were all resting on the grass, having a good time, while Brock brushing Vulpix's tail, and Emma and Ash watched Togepi splashing in the lake.

"How does the water feel, Togepi?" Ash asked. "Toge, Toge, Togepri!" the egg Pokémon said happily.

Poliwhirl drifted by, and the redhead girl looked at it, "Don't drift too far away, okay, Poliwhirl?" Poliwhirl waved okay, "Poli."

All of a sudden, a Poliwrath peered out of the water behind it, "Poliwrath!" Everyone looked at it, and the kids got up. "Poliwrath?" Emma asked. "That's a tough looking Poliwrath," Misty said. "Yeah, just like Emma's, but this one doesn't seem too friendly," Brock said.

Poliwrath lifted its arm in the air and smacked Poliwhirl really hard on the head, "Poliwrath, Poli!" The kids gasped, "Ah!" they said as the Pokémon all stared, surprised.

Poliwrath then punched Poliwhirl into the air, sending it crashing in front of the kids. "Poliwhirl!" Misty said as she kneeled down to check it. "Poliwhirl, are you okay?" Molly asked.

Misty huffed and then glared at Poliwrath as it seemed to be laughing, "Poliwrath, Poliwrath, Poliwrath, wrath!"

"Sneasel!" Sneasel hissed as he showed his claws, glaring at Poliwrath. "That Poliwrath's nothing but a big bully!" Misty said. "That was uncalled for!" Emma said.

"Your Pokémon's a pipsqueak!"

They looked over and saw a boy with blue-green hair, carrying a fishing rod. Misty stood up, "So that's your Poliwrath! Why did it attack my Poliwhirl?"

"I made a mistake," the boy said, "I didn't know it was a Poliwhirl, I thought it was a Poliwimp." Misty glared angrily, "You take that back!"

"Why should I?" the boy asked smugly, "After one little tap, your Poliwhirl is so scared, it's trying to hide behind that Sneasel." They all glanced over at Sneasel and saw Poliwhirl hiding behind the Sharp Claw Pokémon.

"Poliwhirl..."

"But I guess that's what you hafta expect from a plain old Poliwhirl," the boy said, "If it was any good, it would've evolved already."

Emma glared, "Hey! Lots of great Pokémon aren't fully evolved yet, and Misty's Poliwhirl here is a great Pokémon!" she snapped. "You bet it is!" Ash agreed.

"Maybe that's true, but look at her Psyduck...and that Staryu and Goldeen!" the boy said, "They look like wimps, too! It's pretty obvious they could use a good trainer."

Misty glared, "I'll show you what kind of trainer I am! Let's battle!" The boy smirked, "Hey, I'd love to battle, but I've got other plans for today, red. Let's go, Poliwrath." The boy held the Poké ball up and recalled his Poliwrath, "Better work on your Poliwhirl, kid." The kids glared as the boy walked away. "Work on your attitude!" Misty snapped.

**

Emma and her friends continued on their way down the path. Misty was clearly still in a bad mood after meeting that rude boy with his Poliwrath, "That kid had a lot of nerve insulting my Poliwhirl!"

"He didn't know what he was talking about," Brock said. Ash looked to the side on another path with a frown, "Hey, look." Molly, Emma, Misty and Brock followed his gaze and saw on the other path a bunch of people with fishing rods and tackle boxes.

"Everybody's got a rod and reel," Ash said. "Maybe there's a good fishing hole some place nearby," Emma said, "Or a contest."

Ash approached one of the fishers, who seemed to be in the same age as they were, "Hey. Is there good fishing somewhere around here?" he asked.