A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 76 - Beauty and the Breeder

Emma and her friends were taking a break at a local Pokémon Center, but it seemed only Emma, Ash, Molly and Misty were the only ones to relax. Misty frowned as she watched Brock on the computer with the Pikachu and Togepi, checking the boy's email while she, Molly, Emma and Ash were eating ice cream on the couch.

"Brock's at it again, guys," the redhead girl said, "Every time we get to a Pokémon Center, he rushes in to check his email."

"Think he's meeting someone?" Ash asked and Misty blinked. Molly smiled, "Maybe it's a special girl! Just like Emma is special to Ash!" Emma and Ash blushed as they exchanged a small smile while Misty froze as she stared at Brock's back.

She blinked then and shook her head as she closed her eyes, "Nah! There's no special girl in his life. He would have told us if he found someone who can get her to like him in that way." Emma smirked lightly while Ash blinked and then he raised an eyebrow, "You should really tell him how you feel."

Misty froze and blushed before glaring at him, "Who asked you?!" Ash rolled his eyes while Emma let out a soft giggle. 

"Yes!" They looked over at Brock. "I finally got a message from Suzie!"

"Suzie?" Misty repeated. "Who's Suzie?" Molly asked as she looked at Ash and Emma. "She's a Pokémon Breeder who gave Brock Vulpix," Emma explained, "She had her own Pokémon Beauty Salon."

"Woowww, really?" Molly asked with a smile. Ash nodded, "Yeah. She went away to learn more about Pokémon breeding." He looked between Misty and Emma, "I didn't know she and Brock have been writing each other."

Misty got up and walked toward the older boy. Emma and Ash exchanged a quick look and followed with Molly. "What does Suzie's email say, Brock?" Misty asked. "She's heading to a Pokémon contest in a place called Bonitaville," Brock answered, "And she is... trying to find a Pokémon she can enter with."

"A contest, huh?" Misty asked. "What kind of contest?" Molly asked as she tried to take a look at the screen. "Huh! It's a little bit out of our way, but... I've got to see Suzie!" Brock said. Emma rolled her eyes, "Why am I not surprised?" Brock closed his email while Misty frowned.

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

Upon reaching Bonitaville, Misty, Emma, Ash and Molly looked around at the large number of Pokémon and their trainers while Brock had released Vulpix and started to brush its fur.

"Wow!" Molly said, "Look at all the Pokémon!" 

"This is unbelievable," Misty said, "Everybody must be here for the contest. They're all so, stylish. Hey Brock? What kind of contest is this?"

"It's a Pokémon Beauty Contest," the older boy answered. "So that's why you've been grooming Vulpix," Misty said, "You're gonna enter the contest."

"I'm not gonna enter the contest, but Vulpix is," he said, "I'll explain later. Right now, I have to get Vulpix ready." Misty pouted as Brock continued to brush Vulpix's fur. "Vulpix, I have to make you look beautiful." He looked at his friends, "And speaking of beauty, you all could use a little sprucing up. You can't meet Suzie looking all scruffy and scuzzy."

"Excuse me?" Emma asked with a glare. Misty glared at the boy too, "You don't look so great yourself, Brock." Brock smirked and handed Vulpix and the brush to Molly, "Be right back!" He got up and ran off.

Emma, Ash and Misty exchanged a confused look and a shrug. "Vulpix, can I brush you?" Molly asked and the Pokémon called out happily. Molly smiled happily and sat down on the spot Brock sat and started to brush Vulpix on her lap.

"I don't think you need too much to brush your fur, I think you look really pretty," she complimented and Vulpix called out happily. The Pikachu, Misty, Ash and Emma smiled as they watched the little girl taking care of the Fox Pokémon.