A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 82 - A Ghost of a Chance

The morning sun peeked through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest clearing where Ash, Emma, Misty, Brock, and Molly had set up camp. The air was crisp and filled with the aroma of Brock's cooking mingling with the scent of Emma's specially prepared Pokémon food.

As Brock tended to a sizzling pan of eggs and bacon, Emma was carefully portioning out bowls of her homemade Pokémon food. Her female Pikachu and Togepi sat nearby, watching with eager eyes as they waited for their breakfast. Ash's male Pikachu was perched on his trainer's shoulder, its nose twitching at the delicious smells wafting through the campsite.

As everyone started to eat, a commotion broke out among the Pokémon. Ash's Totodile and Cyndaquil began squabbling over a particularly appetizing bowl of Emma's specially crafted Pokémon food. Totodile, with its ever-present enthusiasm, had snatched the bowl away just as Cyndaquil was about to take its first bite. The fire mouse Pokémon's back ignited in frustration, sending sparks flying dangerously close to the nearby trees.

"Hey, knock it off, you two!" Ash called out, his mouth full of Brock's fluffy scrambled eggs. But his words fell on deaf ears as Totodile danced away, the bowl clutched tightly in its jaws, while Cyndaquil gave chase, leaving a trail of smoldering grass in its wake.

Emma, who had been quietly enjoying her breakfast, set down her plate with a sigh. She stood up, her eyes narrowing as she watched the chaos unfold. With swift, purposeful strides, she made her way towards the feuding Pokémon.

"Totodile! Cyndaquil! That's enough!" Emma's voice rang out, clear and authoritative. The effect was immediate. Both Pokémon froze in their tracks, Totodile still clutching the bowl and Cyndaquil's flames sputtering out in surprise.

Emma knelt down, her expression stern but not unkind. "You know better than this. Fighting over food is not acceptable behavior." She gently pried the bowl from Totodile's jaws and set it on the ground between them. "There's plenty for everyone if you share."

The two Pokémon looked down, thoroughly chastised. Emma's stern gaze softened slightly as she watched their remorseful expressions.

"Now, I want you both to sit here quietly for five minutes and think about why fighting isn't the answer," Emma said, pointing to a nearby log. "After that, you can rejoin the others for breakfast."

Totodile and Cyndaquil trudged over to the log, their heads hanging low. They sat down, backs turned to each other, occasionally sneaking glances at the delicious food they were missing out on.

Meanwhile, Ash watched Emma with admiration, a smile growing on his face. He caught his Pokémon's eye, and he shook his head. "Sorry, guys, but if I'll try to help, I may end up in 'Time Out' myself."

"Pika-chu," his Pikachu agreed with a nod and took a bite from his own bowl of Pokémon food, clearly not wanting to become part of the mess.

Misty smirked. "You're probably right! Emma would have you cleaning up the campsite as punishment," she teased.

Emma nodded. "I would."

"Toto-dil!" Emma looked over to the pouting faces of Ash's Totodile and Cyndaquil.

She softened her stance and knelt down again, her eyes warm and reassuring. "Alright, you two. It's time to apologize to each other."

Totodile and Cyndaquil exchanged glances, both still looking a bit sheepish. Their heads bobbed in agreement, although their pride took a moment longer to catch up.

"I know sharing isn't always easy," Emma said, her voice gentle. "But friends have to work together, even when they don't want to." She motioned for them to come closer. "Now say you're sorry."