A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 78 - The Trouble with Snubbull

Note: You guys are probably gonna hate me for this one Lol.

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As Ash, Molly, Emma, Misty, Brock continued their journey to Ecruteak City, they found themselves stopping by the banks of a sparkling river for rest and refreshment. 

The Pikachu were drinking water while a bit away, Emma was looking around on her sitting spot next to Misty, when she glanced at her redhead friend to see she was looking at her already. "What is it?" she asked.

"Are you and Ash alright?" Misty asked, "You two been a bit off since the whole Gary thing."

Emma frowned sadly but quickly covered it up and smiled at her friend, "Yeah. I mean, I--I guess." Misty simply stared at her, and Emma sighed, dropping the smile. "I don't know, Mist." She hesitated for a second before speaking again, "I've started to have this thought that maybe... maybe it's better Ash and I will just stay friends."

Misty's eyes grew wide, and she frowned, "Huh?"

"Togy?" the Egg Pokémon said as it looked up at its mother, its smile had faded away. Emma rubbed the back of her head, frowning, "But maybe it's just because of me not telling Gary about me and Ash... I mean, he seems to know about us. Ash started to move away from me a little for two days, so... maybe it's better we--"

"Hold on," the redhead girl said, "You can't just break up because Gary likes you." Emma blushed and Misty continued, "Ash has to know that you have feelings for him, and he has feelings for you. You two will get through this!"

The Egg Pokémon waved its arms happily in Emma's arms, "Togy! Togy!"

Emma smiled softly as she glanced at Togepi and then looked at Misty, "I hope so..."

"Hey, guys?" Misty and Emma looked over at Molly when she called out. "What's the matter, Molly?" Ash asked. "What's that Pokémon?" Molly asked as she pointed at the other side of the river. The older kids all looked to where she was pointing to see a familiar looking Snubbull with ribbons.

"That's a Snubbull!" Brock said. "Hey, it's that..." Ash trailed off. "That looked like Madame Muchmoney's Snubbull!" Emma said. "Madame what?" Molly asked with a frown. "She's a nice rich lady that we've met before, and that looked like her Snubbull," Misty answered, "She had ribbons on."

"Should we go and get that Snubbull?" Emma asked, "If it really is Madame Muchmoney's Snubbull, then it will recognize us." Ash frowned sadly, "Yeah, but if it is her Snubbull, we'll have to go all the way back to Palm Hills and return it to her."

Emma rubbed the back of her head, "Well... maybe I should go back to Palm Hills with Snubbull, and you guys continue on to Ecruteak City, and I'll meet you guys there."

"No way," Ash said, "I'm not letting you go all the way back to Palm Hills all by yourself. Forget it."

They suddenly heard groaning and turned around to see a man collapsing on his hands and knees carrying a large backpack. They all quickly rushed to his side. "Are you okay?" Brock asked.

"What happened, sir?" Ash asked. "I... collapsed," the man answered. Brock held out his now full canteen, "How about some water?"

The man smiled softly as he took it, "Thank you, young man." The man drank from the canteen and looked at them, "Water is such a refreshing beverage. We've been in these woods for some time and unfortunately, my canteen is dry."

Emma, Ash, Brock and Misty frowned. "Hey, you look familiar," Brock said, "Haven't we met before?" The man seemed to have recognized them and smiled, "Ah, of course! You're the young trainers who rescued Madame's Snubbull!"