FicWad

Disclaimer: Don't own Pokemon or any intellectual properties tied to its name and franchise, but I own Josie Sheridan and miscellaneous characters I make up for her to battle...except gym leaders :D.

A/N: I'm sorry I haven't uploaded in ages but I've been ill a lot as of late and this fell by the wayside. I'm just getting back into it now though and I hope to begin uploading regular chapters again very soon.

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Damn that Todd, he'd managed to out run her and get into his room before she could get her hands on him. It was at this point she laughed. She was only going to give him a noogie...maybe an atomic wedgie. It was a pity that she skidded and slid on her back into his door, who cleaned the floor in this place anyway? Probably Nurse Joy, from what she'd gathered from her encounters with the Joy's so far, they didn't seem to sleep! Casey seemed to find it funny that she was in a heap on the floor though, pointing out the, admittedly obvious, wet floor sign.

She lay on the bed in her room, looking at her Boulderbadge; she couldn't believe she was on her way to competing in the Pokemon league. She briefly though of her parents, home, but the memories of the earlier phone call, still embarrassingly fresh in her memory, reassured her that home was never too far away. Not that there was really all that much for her to personally miss about Pallet Town. Back home, there weren't really that many people her age. Those that were were into things besides Pokemon, whereas she was completely gaga over them, and food. She laughed at how her mother was always calling her a pig. She was a little bit of an outsider by her own fault, preferring to help out at the store and study her parents Pokemon than play whatever games the rest of the village kids were up too. Even if she was a cheerful outgoing person, willing to help with anything and play along with jokes should the opportunity have arose, not playing all the time made her a strange girl in the eyes of most others she guessed. Todd, whilst not a trainer, was definitely into Pokemon and that helped her get along with him fine, even if he was older than her. This journey was teaching her a lot, helping her make new friends, well friendly rivalries anyway...and enemies, not that she was going to dwell on Kendo.

She took out her pokedex, looking at it with wonder. She hadn't used it yet in favour of writing things down in her notebook. Maybe she should look at it now, wouldn't hurt for some useful information on her Pokemon. She flipped it open and because it was the first time she'd activated it, a rather annoying voice announced:

"This pokedex is the property of Josie Sheridan of Pallet Town," a picture of herself popped up. Hmm not a bad pic, wonder where Oak got it from?

"Query," she said. "Complete natural move set for Charmander, including evolutions."

"Move set for Charmander," the pokedex complied. "Scratch, leer, ember, smokescreen, metal claw, possibility of Charmeleon evolution from level 16 onwards, rage, scary face, flamethrower, possibility of Charizard evolution from level 36 onward, slash, dragon rage, fire spin. The ability to cut are natural to all evolutions, strength possible from Charmeleon and fly is possible upon evolution to Charizard."

"Query, possibility of evolution?" Josie said, confused by that.

"There are many possible factors effecting evolution," the pokedex droned. " The Pokemon's desire to, or not to evolve, the holding of an everstone or an extreme surge of emotion causing sudden evolution being the main reasons. Otherwise, Pokemon tend to evolve upon reaching the prerequisite level."

Maybe that's why Charmander evolved? Because of that Zubat's attack? Still its cool he knows flamethrower, Celadon Gym will be a piece of pie. She scolded herself there; never assume that type will win it for you, she reminded herself. Still, that wasn't gonna stop her using her Pikachu in the Cerulean city gym battle when the time came. She already had her first Pokemon set too, Spearow. He'd shown his strength to her from a very early stage, since the day she caught him in fact! He had no advantage, nor disadvantage so he'd probably be best to couple with Pikachu for the battle. She got her notebook out and began copying out move sets, thinking of ways around the water types and for her new challenge tomorrow...Mount Moon. She still hadn't given Derek and Diane their victory meal/party yet, she theorised that they could do that at lunch tomorrow, there had been a plateau built on Mount Moon a couple of years back, a nice rest spot, and where that lunch could take place safely. She nodded; her mind set, and got to work.



"Well, well," Todd laughed the next morning. "Look who's late...again!?"

Josie just stuck her tongue out as she sat beside him, setting her toast down whilst still rubbing sleep out of her eyes. "I was up late thinking."

"Thinking? What strategies? You think ahead way too much, keep doing that and you'll do yourself in," Todd said.

"If I do it now I won't have to do it when we get to Cerulean," she replied.

"True I guess, but in Cerulean you'll do it for Vermillion," he smirked, whilst stretching.

"Oh...well poop then," she said, sticking her tongue out a little.

"Had a late night myself, sent off some pictures to newspapers to print of yesterday's escapades."

Josie groaned. "Bet I'm in at least one aren't I?"

"Sorry, but I got your good side, honest," he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Mum's gonna go spare," she sighed. "I'm supposed to ring them too...maybe I'll put it off till we get to Cerulean..."

"Why would she go spare, you were the heroine Josie?" Todd had to ask.

"You haven't met my mother," she sighed, biting into her breakfast. "She warned me not to get involved, but hey I did anyway, that's why she's going to go spare. Ok, maybe she won't because my Pokemon protected me but...mum's unpredictable let's leave it at that."

"This I've gotta see," he smirked. "Besides, you haven't introduced me."

"With my mum, I'm not sure I want to," she sweat dropped at the thought. "She can get...carried away."

"Ohhh I see," he looked thoughtful for a second before smiling evilly at her. "I don't mind!"

Josie nearly choked on her toast. Todd having to take a second to pat her back hard...that soon sorted it.

"Geez Josie I was only joking," he laughed.

"Never joke where my mother is concerned, her mood swings are more legendary than all the legendary Pokemon put together"

"Must be something in the water I swear, all Pallet Towner's seem atypical of each other," he smiled.

"Maybe, only my mother is from Trovida remember?" she laughed.

"Oh yeah..." Todd thought aloud, snapping his fingers. "Damn there goes my theory!"

Josie pushed away her toast; strangely for her she didn't feel like eating anymore after that choking incident, didn't stop her from pouring a large glass of milk from the table pitcher though. It was at this point she looked around.

"Hey where is everyone?" she wondered out loud. "It was packed in here yesterday."

"They all wanted an early start I guess," Todd shrugged. "I don't know what the big rush is, there's no prestige in being the first to get eight badges and travel these days is pretty easy. I think people have forgotten that the journey is part of the adventure."

Josie had felt like she wanted to cry a waterfall when she found out people had left early but...the journey, part of the adventure? That was something to think about. Still she was technically behind, she sighed.

"What's up?" Todd asked.

"I don't know, what you said makes sense, but all the same, I am behind."

"Well if it makes sense, don't worry about it," he smiled. "The only time you have to worry is if you don't have 8 badges in about ohhh we'll say 10 months if you want to factor in a bit of training. Then, and only then should you worry."

"Its true," a voice behind them said. They turned around to be faced with Casey, with her tray, smiling. She walked around the table, sitting opposite them, placing her tray down lightly. "Don't worry about it, I know I have more experienced Pokemon than you Josie, heck I've participated in my home league competition already but I worried just like you at first. Yet I managed to keep up along the road with an experienced trainer like Ash. Heck he got held up a lot and still managed to get where he was going so don't worry and enjoy it. I'd say to learn it now, took me till my 5th badge to realise it."

She digested that...yeah she shouldn't worry, the longer she was on the road, the more friends she'd meet, the more Pokemon she'd catch, and most importantly of all, the better she'd get to know her Pokemon. "Thanks guys," she smiled. "I more than likely needed that."

"Heck you ever want a kick up the backside you know who to call," Casey laughed, biting into her toast, before looking at hers, then Josie's untouched slice. "...you going to eat that?"

Todd sweat dropped. "Ok, its not just Pallet Town..."



"Ahh hello girls," Nurse Joy smiled as Casey and Josie arrived at the reception desk. She pulled out two trays, one with six balls, and one with five. "Josie, your Charmeleon seems to want to travel out of his ball."

"That's fine Nurse Joy," she smiled. As if on command, Charmeleon immediately ran round the counter, tackling her to the ground.

"Char!" he seemed to smirk.

Josie laughed, damn evolving had put a bit weight on him, actually that seemed an understatement right now. "Hey Charmeleon," she smiled, if rather dazed for a second. She rubbed his head affectionately. "Ermm, can I get up now?"

Charmeleon, climbed off her rather sheepishly, it seemed even he didn't know his own strength yet. He even made his own attempts to help her up. She smiled at him reassuringly, that wasn't his fault, he obviously wasn't used to it yet.

Everyone else had been strangely silent during the whole thing, watching, not doing anything. It sorted itself out after all. Still Todd couldn't help himself eventually. "Man I so should've got a picture of that!"

"Char-me-leon!" he looked a little miffed at the suggestion.

"Seems Charmeleon's got the idea that you don't like camera's too much Josie," Casey laughed, attaching her poke balls to her belt. "You've got a good bodyguard there."

"Charmeleon!" he nodded at Casey smiling.

"I'm never going to win am I," Todd sighed heavily laughing all the same. "Oh well at least Charmeleon likes having his photo taken, right Charmeleon?"

He nodded, almost cockily at that.

"Well some things won't change no matter how much you do on the outside eh buddy?" Josie said, again patting his head, before retrieving her other Pokemon in their balls and attaching them to her belt.

"Char," he smiled.

Nurse Joy smiled at them all. "Well I hope you all continue to have a great journey, have a good day now. Oh and Gary Oak and the Jenny of Pewter City have managed to disperse the press. You're lucky to be among the last to leave though, a lot of other trainers were getting mobbed"

"We will Nurse Joy," they all smiled, waving as they left the centre.

"And tell Gary and Officer Jenny thanks," Josie added as a particularly grateful afterthought.



As they stood outside saying their goodbyes. Todd was cheekily photographing Casey and taking notes in case he could make an article about trainers from other continents or something, whilst they both berated him about how much time he'd actually had to do this. Todd just wrote, sweat dropped and dropped in the occasional remark about girls so they laughed and he could breathe a little. It would have probably been they type of scene to create a crowd, if everyone hadn't left already anyway. As it was they only attracted the attention of an overhead flock of wild Spearow, who seemed more bemused than anything else as they headed to their nearby feeding spot.

"Ha," Casey said as the situation finally calmed down somewhat. "Well it's been an experience guys I'll give you that. You keep that number Josie, I can be got on my Pokegear anytime. I know they're not a big thing in Kanto, but if you get one let me know. Then I can motivate you 24/7."

"I'll be sure to keep my eye out," she smiled. "They look and sound cool."

Todd just shook his head. "I'll never get girls, still it was nice meeting you Casey."

"You too," she waved, finally starting to walk off. "Don't forget to visit the plateau, its cool!"

"We won't," Josie shouted as she got further away. "Don't forget to say hi to Carrie, that girl I mentioned just now, if you see her. Or my mum and dad, stop by the store and tell them I sent you, you'll get a discount!"

"I won't, see you at the league!"

With that Casey disappeared around the corner at the bottom of the road leading up to the centre. Another friendly rivalry formed, Josie's desire for herself, and everyone else to reach the league was growing by the day, she'd be fit to burst at this rate.

"Well then Josie, Charmeleon," Todd said, thumbing to the entrance of Mount Moon. "Shall we?"

"Well after you seems as you're such a gentleman," she mock curtseyed.

"Well ok then," Todd grinned.

Charmeleon rolled his eyes a little at the display, smiling though.

"Not getting on my back Charmeleon?" Josie asked.

Charmeleon shook his head vigorously, looking a little wide-eyed at the thought of it.

"Errr Josie," Todd began to point out. "Do you think Charmeleon might not be a little too well..."

It suddenly hit Josie. "Oh yeah...eh-heh guess you're not the only one who'll never really change Charmeleon," she scratched the back of her head embarrassed.

Charmeleon did exactly the same. "Char!" he agreed.

Todd snapped the moment to both their surprises. "Guess who else isn't changing," he smirked, running into Mount Moon, swiftly followed by Josie and Charmeleon, though only Josie really had the 'I'm going to kill you' look on her face.



"Pikachu, thundershock!" Josie yelled out the command as Pikachu zapped her umpteenth Zubat that day and they were only just about to reach the plateau...if her map reading skills had gotten better anyway, she doubted they had, still it was at Todd's reassurance. To be honest, he was the one in charge of map reading right now. Much easier on her.

"Well done Pikachu," Josie smiled. "Your thundershock is really coming along."

"Pika," the Pokemon smiled at her, scratching behind her ear, like she seemed to do every time she won.

"Hey guys," Todd called over to them, as he looked at the map with a little help from Charmeleon's tail flame. "We're almost at the plateau. Its just over there." He pointed to a flight of steps.

Josie had to scratch the back of her head a little, she couldn't really say she'd noticed, she recovered quickly though, smiling. "Great I'm starving!"

Both Pikachu and Charmeleon voiced their agreement at this statement.

"Then lets get going!" Todd enthused running towards the steps. Heaven knows how but Josie still beat him despite the fact he was closer.

"Yeesh you can tell she's hungry," he laughed as Pikachu followed closely behind her. Charmeleon just laughed in agreement with him.



Upon reaching the top of the steps Josie immediately set to work. The plateau wasn't really all that busy, it seemed to be mostly families having a day out, admiring the view. If all the serious trainers had a head start they'd either gone all the way through, or not stopped for long. Still at least that meant a nice quiet lunch. She spied some vidphones too as Pikachu joined her on the blanket she'd laid out, maybe she should face the music with her mother, over the whole Team Rocket thing...and not calling back last night. She winced inwardly, she was probably in trouble either way. Unhitching her backpack, she brought out six bowls and the containers of Pokemon food as Charmeleon and Todd, still laughing to themselves joined them. Josie rolled her eyes, no doubt she'd done something. Quickly performing the food ritual with Pikachu, who liked the green one. Finally all the foods now had someone who liked them, she was pleased. She poured everyone's servings before calling out the rest of her team, for once remembering to look away as it happened, she'd learn yet!

"Ok everyone, grubs up," she smiled, turning to Derek and Diane. "Sorry it's a little late guys," she stroked them. "But I've poured you extra big servings, well done yesterday guys, our first step to the league has been made because of you."

"Nido!" they both smiled, briefly nudging her back affectionately, before setting into their food with relish, to cries of what Josie could only consider congratulations from the other Pokemon, including Pikachu, who didn't even really probably know what they were on about. Josie watched them all briefly, eating and chatting amongst themselves happily, before her own stomach reminded her she herself was hungry.

"Here," Todd laughed, throwing a package containing rice balls and a bottle of water at her, from his own bag.

"Todd its ok I've go..."

"Ah," he cut her off. "I do owe you for letting me travel with you to Cerulean, seems lunch is the least I can do."

"Well...if you put it that way," she opened the water and took a big gulp out of it, it was warm up here. "Thanks."

Josie looked thoughtful. "Say Todd, what are you going to do in Cerulean anyway?" she asked, biting into the rice balls with relish by now.

"Well there are a few good Pokemon magazines that have offices in Cerulean, its one of the bigger towns thanks to the shows and stuff the gym puts on sometimes. Hopefully I'll get another assignment there."

"I'm sure you will," she smiled.

"Probably, new trainer season brings a lot of work with it," he nodded. "Then of course there's the league. To be honest there's only ever a lull between league time and the start of the new trainer season, and that isn't long."

"Must be a busy life," she laughed.

"And being a trainer isn't?" Todd laughed back.

"Touché I guess," she smirked, getting more into her food now, as did Todd.



It didn't take everyone long to finish their food. Josie, as it seemed was becoming custom, finished first. She didn't know whether to be proud or embarrassed. A quick belch sorted out that short 'emotional crisis' for her though...embarrassed it was then! Most of her Pokemon it seemed, decided that a short nap was in order, it was only fair she supposed, especially for Pikachu, she should rest in her poke ball as much as possible through the rest of the short trip through the mountain. Seeming as the Zubat in particular seemed quite inexperienced she thought a little practice for Spearow and the others wouldn't go amiss. She eyed the vidphones warily again...she'd best get the trouble over with she supposed.

"Just going to give my parents a ring," she said, rising from her lazing position on the blanket, indicating to the phones for everyone's benefit.

As she walked over to the phone though, everyone became very animated all of a sudden. In fact, as she lifted the receiver to make the call, everyone, Pokemon and human were jostling for position behind her. She sighed...please let them be easy on me. She dialled the number and waited.

Well wait wasn't really the word. It seemed her mother had been camped out by the phone or something, she swore she never even heard it ring!

"Josie!" her mother practically screamed in a strange mixture of anger and concern. "Where are you? Why didn't you ring back? What happened? Why did you go after those horrible Rocket people? Do you have any idea how...?"

Josie had never been so glad to hear her father's voice in her entire life, her face must have been a picture, still in a fleeting glance, her 'audience' seemed pretty taken aback too. "Diane...calm down, I'm sure Josie has a perfectly reasonable explanation...don't you Josie?"

As his face came into view, a stern, paternal expression etched upon his face, maybe she wasn't quite so glad. "I errr, yeah of course I urm..." She could feel the sweat drop falling freely down her face as her usual embarrassed pose of head scratching came into play.

Todd could only look in open-mouthed awe, wow Josie really wasn't kidding about her mother. Still he was sure he could talk her out of this. "I'll field that Mr Sheridan if I may..." he started in the most confident voice he could muster in the given situation, stepping forward.

"Who are you young man?" Josie's father asked.

"Oh, I'm Todd, a friend of your daughter's sir. I'm travelling to Cerulean City with her. You see, these Rocket guys were after fossils from a dig in Mount Moon, manned by Gary Oak and some others tried to steal Pokemon from the centre at the same time, Josie and her Pokemon stopped them and helped get the fossils back."

"I see..." her father nodded. "Let me guess, Josie was hiding from the cameras?"

Josie laughed nervously in the background as if to affirm that statement. By now her Pokemon had recovered from her mothers initial anger and were rallying around her, Spearow on her right shoulder, Pikachu hanging off her other shoulder, Derek, Diane and Rattata standing all around her, as Charmeleon stood protectively, and seriously to her right.

"Yes," her father nodded. "I guess that covers it, fair enough young man. That would have taken about an hour to get out of Josie. There, see Diane...nothing to worry about."

Her mother obviously calmed considerably by Todd's explanation turned back into her usual self. "Oh I knew you wouldn't get into trouble on purpose honey, I was just concerned..." It was then she noticed. "Oh how cute, look Derek, she's got her whole team around her. Awww the adorable Nidoran, and Rattata, and a darling Pikachu, look at the feathers on her Spearow...and just look at Charmander, I mean Charmeleon now...wow how cute."

She waxed lyrical for about five minutes, even the Pokemon being praised were embarrassed by the end of it, but she did finally finish. "I hope you're all taking care of my baby girl."

As all the Pokemon sounded the affirmative with their various actions and cries, both Josie and Todd felt like they could just fall over, that woman's mood changed quicker than the wind! Charmeleon too had a quick chuckle in his own way, after obviously pandering to the mother's affection; he wasn't going to miss an opportunity for attention.

"Yeah mum," Josie said, more composed now. "They're all taking great care of me."

"Oh and you...Todd was it?" her mother started again. "I hope you're treating my daughter right..."

Todd smirked, slightly embarrassed even as Josie began to panic. "Ahhh mum stop right there," Josie practically screamed, trying not to die of embarrassment as those words even began to flow out of her mothers mouth.

"Oh of course honey..." her mother winked. "Wouldn't want to embarrass you now..."

Josie's eye twitched as her Pokemon seemed to snigger in the back ground as she thought that that her mother's 'reassurance' had come just a little bit too late. "Anyway mum, dad, we'd better get going, we want to make Cerulean today so...oh yeah, before I forget, a girl may show up soon. You can't miss her, an Electabuzz fan, jacket and everything. I told her you'd 'look after' her if she passed through Pallet..."

"Of course," her father nodded. "A friend of our girl's is welcome here anytime."

"Thanks guys," she smiled. "I'll call back soon, ok?"

"Bye everyone," her mum waved franticly. "Make sure my girl takes care of herself!"

Josie hung up quickly before her mother could start again, sighing with relief. She turned to look at everyone, sniggering quietly. "What...?"

"Oh nothing..." Todd whistled innocently, as her Pokemon also took on innocent expressions.

Josie just put her head in her hands, holding back laughter herself a little. "Note to self...in future, make phone calls home private affairs."

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A/N: So, chapter 9 done. I know I've only gone to the plateau, but I wrote this just to get back in the habit. The next chapter should be up soon. I'm currently deciding whether to keep Todd or bring in another travelling companion, I do want Josie travelling with someone. Should it be Todd? Or should I change it, let me know when you review.