Categories > Anime/Manga > Pokemon > A Trainer's Journey
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: Writer's block...computer problems, you name it I've had it but hey I'm back... Sorry ^_^. A little note, I saw a Johto episode the other day with Todd in it, so the whole interview Ash about the Orange Island win thing nearly went out the window, but I just danced around the issue. I hate finding out about something after you've started writing about it lol.
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Josie stared at the Marowak. Bill? Na it couldn't be? Surely it was impossible...wasn't it?
"Err no offence...Bill," Josie began sceptically. "I'm having a hard time believing this."
The Marowak's shoulders sagged. "I suppose it is a little absurd, but I am really human. You see this machine here," he pointed at the two tubes and control panel. "Allows me to infuse myself with Pokemon DNA, in the case right now a Marowak's."
"Why would anyone want to try such a thing?" Todd questioned, more curious than anything else.
"Imagine how much research could be gotten out of actually experiencing what it's like to be a Pokemon," Bill started. "That's one instance...in my case it boils down to the fact that I'm such a Pokemaniac that I actually wanted to try being a Pokemon, if only to experience it for a short while."
"Wow talk about obsessive..." Josie murmured quietly to herself, before grinning widely. "Well Bill you beat my obsession any day of the week."
"So you believe me now?" he said almost hopefully.
"Well I...err," Josie scratched the back of her head, thinking. "...Don't really know what to believe now." She looked to Charmeleon, as her only effective form of actually knowing. Charmeleon nodded, indicating his nose. The nose knows it seemed, Josie smiled, if there was one she could actually trust... "Well if my partner believes you, that's good enough for me."
Todd laughed a little; they were like foils to each other those two. "So you've been trying to reverse this?"
Bill's Marowak form nodded. "Unfortunately I didn't put much thought into how hard the reversal procedure would be for a Pokemon to perform, especially when the console is human height...I should have chose a larger Pokemon to be really...."
Josie shook her head, a sweat drop falling down her features as she smiled. "Well, could we help?"
Bill's eyes lit up. "Of course, you'd be able to do it! Would you? I'll give you something cool in return for your help."
"A good deed is its own reward," Josie stated smiling, as did Todd. "What do we need to do?"
Bill jumped up and down a little, obviously excited. "Its simple really, all you have to do is flip that switch." He pointed to the console in front of the two tubes. "...And hey presto I should be human again."
"Should...?" Todd questioned.
"Well there's always the possibility I could change into something else a few times first..." Bill sweat dropped. "We'll get there though."
"Ok..." Todd smiled, a little strange but whatever floats the guy's boat he guessed.
Josie had taken up a position by the console ready to pull the switch while a curious Todd and Charmeleon watched the Pokemon form enter the tube on the right.
"Ok," Bill signalled. "Flip the switch."
Josie did so and they were all amazed as he instantly disappeared.
"Wha...?" Josie said in wide-eyed amazement, approaching the now empty tube along with Charmeleon and Todd.
"Was that supposed to happen?" Todd asked her.
"Don't look at me," Josie shrugged, starting to panic a little.
"Char..." Charmeleon had a puzzled look on his face.
"What'cha looking at?" an enquiring voice asked from behind them.
"Ahh!" Josie yelped falling over in surprise while a more composed Todd and Charmeleon turned round to see the young man in casual clothing now standing before them.
"Please say you're Bill..." Todd said.
"Absolutely, thanks to you guys," he grinned. "Bill the Pokemaniac at your service!"
Josie groaned as she picked herself up. "Where'd you come from?"
"Why, the other tube of course," he laughed.
"Oh...never thought of that," Josie grinned sheepishly as did Todd and Charmeleon...well it was so obvious now.
"I guess I should have told you more about the procedure before we did it," he laughed, stretching a little. "Well its good to be back to normal, now how about a bit of lunch and you guys can tell me what brought you all the way out here, but I could probably take a good guess."
"Yay lunch!" Josie practically squealed, jumping up and down.
"I thought you were skipping lunch..." Todd said, folding his arms, as did Charmeleon.
Josie stopped. "I was...but I think I can manage a light one..."
"Char..." Charmeleon sweat dropped. He didn't want to guess what a light lunch actually was.
"Ok then," Bill smirked. "Light it is, lets get to it, and we can eat outside."
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If this was Bill's idea of a light lunch at least Josie was in heaven Todd thought to himself as he surveyed the food laid before him on the table. Josie was feeding her Pokemon and Bill making some last minute preparations. He observed Josie as she poured the food out, she obviously knew which Pokemon liked which. Well until she stopped at Mankey...what was she doing? He watched as he showed Mankey all five containers and Mankey pick the orange one. Ahh he saw it now, she got the Pokemon to tell her which one they wanted and kept track of it in that notebook of hers...speaking of which she then got that out of her pocket, and after having a short word with Mankey that seemed to make the Pokemon happy, she rose, telling them all to enjoy their lunch, beginning to make her way back to the table, head in the book.
"Hmm, you use that book a lot," Todd said, as she sat down, putting the book away. "Tying a knot in a handkerchief is good too you know."
"Ha-ha," she said sticking her tongue out, but still smiling. "It suits my style, the Pokedex is a good start and I do use it in planning but I'm gonna need to remember this stuff somehow...writing it down works for me. Besides how am I supposed to remember what a knot is for?"
"Ahh good point," he smirked, agreeing with her.
"You don't have to agree with everything I say you know," she laughed, shaking her head.
"Anything for an easy life," he laughed back.
"Well, are you ready to dig in?" Bill said bringing out a bowl of salad and sitting down opposite Todd and Josie.
"Well I don't know about you guys," Josie said. "But I certainly am."
"Then go for it, while I often have visitors, they rarely stay long, it's a nice change," he piled a bit of the salad and some sandwiches on his plate. "So what brings you here?"
Josie smiled. "Professor Oak suggested I visit you, I didn't know the guy who developed the Pokemon transportation technology only lived outside of Cerulean...if I'd known I'd have come sooner."
Bill laughed. "You're welcome anytime of course. I get a lot of people coming to see me because of Professor Oak, how is he by the way?"
"He was well when I spoke to him yesterday," Josie said. "Well a little snowed under with a Muk but ok."
"Was Tracey not there or something?" Bill enquired.
"No, he's visiting Misty over here in Cerulean," Josie shrugged. "They must know each other quite well."
"Yes I often find Tracey helping out Misty at the gym, they met in the Orange Islands I believe," Bill said.
"Yay Orange Islands I guess," Josie laughed, as did Todd.
"Oh and Snap...I would like to say that picture of Articuno you took a little way back...that was an excellent find, well done."
Josie nearly spat out her water. "You've seen Articuno!"
"Yep," Todd said. "Ash and I found her."
"Wait a minute...when was this?"
"Just over a year ago I believe," Bill said.
"You know your Pokemon shots," Todd nodded that he was right.
"Why didn't you interview Ash then, you said you wanted too?" Josie questioned.
"I was too pumped up about Articuno at the time, afterwards I resolved to never get too into any one job ever again."
"Learning from past mistakes, a good lesson," Bill said laughing. "I should know I've done it enough times."
"Tell me about it," Josie said. "I bet I'll make a few myself along the way but I'll learn."
"Sometimes it's the only way to do so," Bill said, in a sagely voice, laughing.
"I'll keep that in mind," Josie said.
"Well she means in her notebook," Todd laughed.
"I'm sitting right next to you Todd, don't make me hit you," she smirked.
Bill shook his head laughing. "You two are funny, I'll have to have dinner guests more often."
With that they got down to the serious business of eating, well serious in Josie's case at least.
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Wow Bill had a lot of Pokemon. Josie was quite content to watch them play with her Pokemon, and scan them with her Pokedex while Todd and Bill chatted about something or other. Bill had a fair few Johto and Hoenn Pokemon really, handy data for a future date she guessed, especially the League championships, there was no telling what she'd be up against there and it certainly wouldn't just be Kanto Pokemon...of that she was certain thanks to Casey.
"Wow, look at the time!" she heard Todd exclaim in the background. "Josie we should get going if we want to be back in Cerulean before nightfall."
Really...oh well. "Sure Todd, won't be a minute," she called, before turning towards the Pokemon. "C'mon guys, we're getting going in a few minutes."
She watched as her Pokemon began to say their goodbyes and Bill and Todd approached.
"Your Pokemon seem well," Bill said. "That's good, but obviously you'll need to learn more by the time the League championships come around, they'll need to be in tip top shape for that."
Josie laughed. "From those I've battled already I'm under no illusion that my team and I have to be at any form other than our best."
"Good, because I expect everyone who uses my system to try their hardest, always," he smiled.
"Absolutely, I can tell you now we will be and we'll know a lot more by then too."
"Oh I almost forgot," Bill said, fumbling in his pockets. "I have something for you for helping me before."
"But I said..." Josie began, as even Todd wanted to interject.
"...A good deed is its own reward," Bill smiled, interrupting. "I know that one, but one good deed also deserves another." He handed her a piece of paper. "Besides I don't go to stuff like this."
Josie looked at the paper, a ticket of some kind. "What exactly is it?"
"That ticket allows the holder and two others aboard the new SS Anne at any time while its docked in Vermillion City, and its there for a week from tomorrow so you've got plenty of time. There will be Pokemon trainers, traders, breeders...you name them they'll probably be there."
"Wow," Josie beamed. "You're really sure about this?"
"Sure as I'll ever be, I hate fancy parties and things like that and they'll be going on all over that ship."
"Full of food too I'd imagine, so you'll love it won't you Josie," Todd smirked.
"You're never going to stop ribbing me are you," she laughed, even as her stomach made a noise seemingly in agreement with him as she blushed.
Bill laughed out loud. "There's nothing wrong with liking your food, especially if you're a trainer who travels a lot. You need the energy after all."
"Yay someone agrees with me," Josie smiled.
"Just remember to eat lady-like and you're set." he finished.
Josie scratched the back of her head. "Errr easier said than done..."
Even her approaching Pokemon chorused their agreement with that line.
"...You guys can disagree with my statements anytime you like you know," she laughed.
"Anything for an easy life like me eh guys?" Todd laughed, as did everyone else, even Josie, she could take a joke as well as the next trainer.
"Well then," Bill said shaking Josie's hand, and then Todd's. "This is goodbye for now, however here's my Pokegear number, you can contact me by phone anytime for advice or a chat...whatever."
"Thanks," Josie smiled, slotting the number in her pocket to be written into her notebook later.
"Thank you for the interview too," Todd nodded. "Watch the magazines for it, I bet someone will snap it up. In fact I'll call you and let you know."
"Ahhh so that's what you were doing," Josie laughed.
"Always happy to help people out," Bill said. "Especially those who help me."
Josie turned to her Pokemon. "Well guys, ready?" They chorused their readiness as she called them all back to their poke balls except, of course, for Charmeleon.
"See ya again sometime," Bill waved as they got on their way.
See ya," both Todd and Josie shouted out as they finished crossing the small bridge at the front of his house and turned right, back towards Cerulean city, Charmeleon at their side.
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The sky was beginning to glow a faint shade of red as the early evening sun began to sink in the sky on their approach to Nugget Bridge, they'd make it back easily before nightfall, there was a good hour and a half of daylight still remaining.
"At least we'll be back in time for dinner..." Josie found herself saying.
"You should enter eating contests Josie honestly," Todd grinned, laughing a little.
Josie shrugged, laughing. "Maybe I should, what do you think Charmeleon?"
"Char!" the Pokemon grinned, giving a kind of thumbs up.
Josie rested her hands on the back of her head and laughed. "I'll take that to mean yes then."
Suddenly though, rustling in a grassy area to their right grabbed the groups attention.
"Isn't that the same patch we searched on the way to Bill's?" Todd asked out loud, trying to remember.
"I think so," Josie murmured.
This time however there was no need to search as a small Abra, walking precariously upon its two legs, came out of the grass.
"Oh wow," Josie whispered, smiling a little. "I'd love to catch an Abra."
"You'll have to be quick..." Todd whispered back. "They have a tendency to teleport away from danger."
"Well I'll just have to reduce the chances of it doing that..." she unhitched a poke ball ready. She released Pikachu quietly, none of her usual excited flourish, actually amazed that the Abra seemed to be paying the group no heed. "Ok Pikachu...you ready to go?"
Upon seeing her potential opponent, the yellow mouse-like Pokemon nodded.
"You need to paralyse it first, so surprise it with your thunder wave," Josie ordered.
Pikachu pounced quietly and quickly towards the Abra, who was seemingly lost in his own world. She unleashed her thunder wave once she was pretty near it, only to have him teleport away at the last second.
"Awww no way," Josie grunted looking around, as did everyone else, especially Pikachu as she readied herself in case of attack. It seemed the Abra had been all too aware; appearances really were deceiving. In all likelihood the Abra was well away from the area by now, but there was always the possibility it was still around somewhere. A rustling from the grass indicated just that.
"Go Pikachu," Josie said even as the Pokemon bounded that way on instinct. "Thunder wave!"
A kind of whooshing sound told them it was too late though as the thunder wave dissipated harmlessly, earthing itself through the grass.
"Ever get the feeling the Abra is toying with us?" Josie said turning to Todd and Charmeleon.
"Guess it isn't just the ghost types that like having a little fun," Todd shrugged, looking around one hand on his camera.
"Pikachu come on back it's probably left by now," Josie shouted.
Pikachu started bounding over to her from the grassy area, till her ears twitched, and she stopped suddenly.
"Something up Pikachu?" Josie asked as Charmeleon sniffed the air warily...seemed he thought something was up too.
Then it appeared again, right in front of Pikachu.
"Thunder wave again Pikachu!" Josie shouted.
Still though the Abra disappeared, appearing then to Pikachu's right.
"Carry on Pikachu," Josie ordered. "Let's get it!"
The Abra continued disappearing and disappearing though...behind, left, front, right, behind. Josie noticed this.
"Pikachu, quick attack to your left now!"
Sure enough the Abra had just appeared there and Pikachu made contact with it, sending the Abra sprawling backwards.
"Now hit it with your Thunder wave quick!"
This time the Thunder wave connected sending sparks of electricity jolting through the stunned Abra, paralysing it, Josie was going to move quickly now.
"Pikachu, tackle that Abra," Josie ordered even as she reached for a ball to capture it in. "Finish it!"
"Pika!" the Pikachu growled as she connected with the stunned Abra, making sure it went down before bounding away.
"Right poke ball go!" Josie shouted as the ball flew from her hand connecting with the Abra a few seconds later, engulfing it in the customary red light before sucking it in.
The ball was shaking even as it hit the ground, seemed the Abra wanted to still fight. Everyone watched it uncertainly as it continued to wobble, Josie hoped the paralysis was enough to help the ball contain the psychic Pokemon, at least she hoped the condition would hold it long enough. She had visions of it teleporting out of the ball itself, she wondered if that was even possible. Evidently not though as the ball pinged, teleporting away an instant later.
"Phew," Josie wiped her brow. "Nice work Pikachu," she gave her Pokemon a thumbs up. "I was about to give up on that capture too."
"Pi-pikachu!" the Pokemon's ear twitched as it smiled.
"Come on back Pikachu," she recalled the triumphant Pokemon back to its ball. She turned to her companions. "Lets get back to the centre, I'm sure everyone needs a good rest."
"Char!" Charmeleon agreed as they carried on walking towards the bridge.
"What a strange Abra that was though," Todd mused. "With them generally knowing only teleport I'd imagined it had gone the first time."
"Me too, maybe it was young or curious," Josie shrugged. "Either way I caught myself a psychic Pokemon, and ten in total now."
"That's cool," Todd smiled. "Hopefully you'll have a new badge tomorrow too."
"What do you mean hopefully...I don't mean to correct you but I WILL have a new badge tomorrow," she grinned widely as Todd laughed.
"I sincerely apologise," he grinned back. "Still, hope to get some good shots at tomorrows battle, I wonder which Pokemon Misty will use," he thought about the ones he knew she had.
"Duh...water Pokemon of course," Josie laughed.
"Well thank you miss obvious," he laughed as they reached the bridge. "After you..." he mock bowed.
Charmeleon watched the display with a sweat drop forming on his bemused features...still at least they didn't fight like cat and dog, imagine how embarrassing that would be for him.
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Later after dinner back at the centre, Josie flopped on her bed ready for an early night. She had to wonder which Pokemon Misty would use tomorrow, aside from the whole they'd be water-type. Still her plan was set at least, Spearow first, then Pikachu. It was going to be interesting, she'd heard that sometimes spectators watched the gym battles if there were no shows on at the gym, could she perform under the possible scrutiny of a whole crowd? She'd have to, or lose. Still at least some should cheer her she hoped, even if Todd...or Tracey she reminded herself, didn't, Charmeleon would, and he was all the support she needed. She shut her eyes, it was a big day tomorrow.
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Sorry again for the big delay, but I promise come wind, hail, computer viruses, whatever the gym battle chapter will be up before midnight on the 31st December (GMT of course ^-^).
A/N: Writer's block...computer problems, you name it I've had it but hey I'm back... Sorry ^_^. A little note, I saw a Johto episode the other day with Todd in it, so the whole interview Ash about the Orange Island win thing nearly went out the window, but I just danced around the issue. I hate finding out about something after you've started writing about it lol.
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Josie stared at the Marowak. Bill? Na it couldn't be? Surely it was impossible...wasn't it?
"Err no offence...Bill," Josie began sceptically. "I'm having a hard time believing this."
The Marowak's shoulders sagged. "I suppose it is a little absurd, but I am really human. You see this machine here," he pointed at the two tubes and control panel. "Allows me to infuse myself with Pokemon DNA, in the case right now a Marowak's."
"Why would anyone want to try such a thing?" Todd questioned, more curious than anything else.
"Imagine how much research could be gotten out of actually experiencing what it's like to be a Pokemon," Bill started. "That's one instance...in my case it boils down to the fact that I'm such a Pokemaniac that I actually wanted to try being a Pokemon, if only to experience it for a short while."
"Wow talk about obsessive..." Josie murmured quietly to herself, before grinning widely. "Well Bill you beat my obsession any day of the week."
"So you believe me now?" he said almost hopefully.
"Well I...err," Josie scratched the back of her head, thinking. "...Don't really know what to believe now." She looked to Charmeleon, as her only effective form of actually knowing. Charmeleon nodded, indicating his nose. The nose knows it seemed, Josie smiled, if there was one she could actually trust... "Well if my partner believes you, that's good enough for me."
Todd laughed a little; they were like foils to each other those two. "So you've been trying to reverse this?"
Bill's Marowak form nodded. "Unfortunately I didn't put much thought into how hard the reversal procedure would be for a Pokemon to perform, especially when the console is human height...I should have chose a larger Pokemon to be really...."
Josie shook her head, a sweat drop falling down her features as she smiled. "Well, could we help?"
Bill's eyes lit up. "Of course, you'd be able to do it! Would you? I'll give you something cool in return for your help."
"A good deed is its own reward," Josie stated smiling, as did Todd. "What do we need to do?"
Bill jumped up and down a little, obviously excited. "Its simple really, all you have to do is flip that switch." He pointed to the console in front of the two tubes. "...And hey presto I should be human again."
"Should...?" Todd questioned.
"Well there's always the possibility I could change into something else a few times first..." Bill sweat dropped. "We'll get there though."
"Ok..." Todd smiled, a little strange but whatever floats the guy's boat he guessed.
Josie had taken up a position by the console ready to pull the switch while a curious Todd and Charmeleon watched the Pokemon form enter the tube on the right.
"Ok," Bill signalled. "Flip the switch."
Josie did so and they were all amazed as he instantly disappeared.
"Wha...?" Josie said in wide-eyed amazement, approaching the now empty tube along with Charmeleon and Todd.
"Was that supposed to happen?" Todd asked her.
"Don't look at me," Josie shrugged, starting to panic a little.
"Char..." Charmeleon had a puzzled look on his face.
"What'cha looking at?" an enquiring voice asked from behind them.
"Ahh!" Josie yelped falling over in surprise while a more composed Todd and Charmeleon turned round to see the young man in casual clothing now standing before them.
"Please say you're Bill..." Todd said.
"Absolutely, thanks to you guys," he grinned. "Bill the Pokemaniac at your service!"
Josie groaned as she picked herself up. "Where'd you come from?"
"Why, the other tube of course," he laughed.
"Oh...never thought of that," Josie grinned sheepishly as did Todd and Charmeleon...well it was so obvious now.
"I guess I should have told you more about the procedure before we did it," he laughed, stretching a little. "Well its good to be back to normal, now how about a bit of lunch and you guys can tell me what brought you all the way out here, but I could probably take a good guess."
"Yay lunch!" Josie practically squealed, jumping up and down.
"I thought you were skipping lunch..." Todd said, folding his arms, as did Charmeleon.
Josie stopped. "I was...but I think I can manage a light one..."
"Char..." Charmeleon sweat dropped. He didn't want to guess what a light lunch actually was.
"Ok then," Bill smirked. "Light it is, lets get to it, and we can eat outside."
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If this was Bill's idea of a light lunch at least Josie was in heaven Todd thought to himself as he surveyed the food laid before him on the table. Josie was feeding her Pokemon and Bill making some last minute preparations. He observed Josie as she poured the food out, she obviously knew which Pokemon liked which. Well until she stopped at Mankey...what was she doing? He watched as he showed Mankey all five containers and Mankey pick the orange one. Ahh he saw it now, she got the Pokemon to tell her which one they wanted and kept track of it in that notebook of hers...speaking of which she then got that out of her pocket, and after having a short word with Mankey that seemed to make the Pokemon happy, she rose, telling them all to enjoy their lunch, beginning to make her way back to the table, head in the book.
"Hmm, you use that book a lot," Todd said, as she sat down, putting the book away. "Tying a knot in a handkerchief is good too you know."
"Ha-ha," she said sticking her tongue out, but still smiling. "It suits my style, the Pokedex is a good start and I do use it in planning but I'm gonna need to remember this stuff somehow...writing it down works for me. Besides how am I supposed to remember what a knot is for?"
"Ahh good point," he smirked, agreeing with her.
"You don't have to agree with everything I say you know," she laughed, shaking her head.
"Anything for an easy life," he laughed back.
"Well, are you ready to dig in?" Bill said bringing out a bowl of salad and sitting down opposite Todd and Josie.
"Well I don't know about you guys," Josie said. "But I certainly am."
"Then go for it, while I often have visitors, they rarely stay long, it's a nice change," he piled a bit of the salad and some sandwiches on his plate. "So what brings you here?"
Josie smiled. "Professor Oak suggested I visit you, I didn't know the guy who developed the Pokemon transportation technology only lived outside of Cerulean...if I'd known I'd have come sooner."
Bill laughed. "You're welcome anytime of course. I get a lot of people coming to see me because of Professor Oak, how is he by the way?"
"He was well when I spoke to him yesterday," Josie said. "Well a little snowed under with a Muk but ok."
"Was Tracey not there or something?" Bill enquired.
"No, he's visiting Misty over here in Cerulean," Josie shrugged. "They must know each other quite well."
"Yes I often find Tracey helping out Misty at the gym, they met in the Orange Islands I believe," Bill said.
"Yay Orange Islands I guess," Josie laughed, as did Todd.
"Oh and Snap...I would like to say that picture of Articuno you took a little way back...that was an excellent find, well done."
Josie nearly spat out her water. "You've seen Articuno!"
"Yep," Todd said. "Ash and I found her."
"Wait a minute...when was this?"
"Just over a year ago I believe," Bill said.
"You know your Pokemon shots," Todd nodded that he was right.
"Why didn't you interview Ash then, you said you wanted too?" Josie questioned.
"I was too pumped up about Articuno at the time, afterwards I resolved to never get too into any one job ever again."
"Learning from past mistakes, a good lesson," Bill said laughing. "I should know I've done it enough times."
"Tell me about it," Josie said. "I bet I'll make a few myself along the way but I'll learn."
"Sometimes it's the only way to do so," Bill said, in a sagely voice, laughing.
"I'll keep that in mind," Josie said.
"Well she means in her notebook," Todd laughed.
"I'm sitting right next to you Todd, don't make me hit you," she smirked.
Bill shook his head laughing. "You two are funny, I'll have to have dinner guests more often."
With that they got down to the serious business of eating, well serious in Josie's case at least.
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Wow Bill had a lot of Pokemon. Josie was quite content to watch them play with her Pokemon, and scan them with her Pokedex while Todd and Bill chatted about something or other. Bill had a fair few Johto and Hoenn Pokemon really, handy data for a future date she guessed, especially the League championships, there was no telling what she'd be up against there and it certainly wouldn't just be Kanto Pokemon...of that she was certain thanks to Casey.
"Wow, look at the time!" she heard Todd exclaim in the background. "Josie we should get going if we want to be back in Cerulean before nightfall."
Really...oh well. "Sure Todd, won't be a minute," she called, before turning towards the Pokemon. "C'mon guys, we're getting going in a few minutes."
She watched as her Pokemon began to say their goodbyes and Bill and Todd approached.
"Your Pokemon seem well," Bill said. "That's good, but obviously you'll need to learn more by the time the League championships come around, they'll need to be in tip top shape for that."
Josie laughed. "From those I've battled already I'm under no illusion that my team and I have to be at any form other than our best."
"Good, because I expect everyone who uses my system to try their hardest, always," he smiled.
"Absolutely, I can tell you now we will be and we'll know a lot more by then too."
"Oh I almost forgot," Bill said, fumbling in his pockets. "I have something for you for helping me before."
"But I said..." Josie began, as even Todd wanted to interject.
"...A good deed is its own reward," Bill smiled, interrupting. "I know that one, but one good deed also deserves another." He handed her a piece of paper. "Besides I don't go to stuff like this."
Josie looked at the paper, a ticket of some kind. "What exactly is it?"
"That ticket allows the holder and two others aboard the new SS Anne at any time while its docked in Vermillion City, and its there for a week from tomorrow so you've got plenty of time. There will be Pokemon trainers, traders, breeders...you name them they'll probably be there."
"Wow," Josie beamed. "You're really sure about this?"
"Sure as I'll ever be, I hate fancy parties and things like that and they'll be going on all over that ship."
"Full of food too I'd imagine, so you'll love it won't you Josie," Todd smirked.
"You're never going to stop ribbing me are you," she laughed, even as her stomach made a noise seemingly in agreement with him as she blushed.
Bill laughed out loud. "There's nothing wrong with liking your food, especially if you're a trainer who travels a lot. You need the energy after all."
"Yay someone agrees with me," Josie smiled.
"Just remember to eat lady-like and you're set." he finished.
Josie scratched the back of her head. "Errr easier said than done..."
Even her approaching Pokemon chorused their agreement with that line.
"...You guys can disagree with my statements anytime you like you know," she laughed.
"Anything for an easy life like me eh guys?" Todd laughed, as did everyone else, even Josie, she could take a joke as well as the next trainer.
"Well then," Bill said shaking Josie's hand, and then Todd's. "This is goodbye for now, however here's my Pokegear number, you can contact me by phone anytime for advice or a chat...whatever."
"Thanks," Josie smiled, slotting the number in her pocket to be written into her notebook later.
"Thank you for the interview too," Todd nodded. "Watch the magazines for it, I bet someone will snap it up. In fact I'll call you and let you know."
"Ahhh so that's what you were doing," Josie laughed.
"Always happy to help people out," Bill said. "Especially those who help me."
Josie turned to her Pokemon. "Well guys, ready?" They chorused their readiness as she called them all back to their poke balls except, of course, for Charmeleon.
"See ya again sometime," Bill waved as they got on their way.
See ya," both Todd and Josie shouted out as they finished crossing the small bridge at the front of his house and turned right, back towards Cerulean city, Charmeleon at their side.
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The sky was beginning to glow a faint shade of red as the early evening sun began to sink in the sky on their approach to Nugget Bridge, they'd make it back easily before nightfall, there was a good hour and a half of daylight still remaining.
"At least we'll be back in time for dinner..." Josie found herself saying.
"You should enter eating contests Josie honestly," Todd grinned, laughing a little.
Josie shrugged, laughing. "Maybe I should, what do you think Charmeleon?"
"Char!" the Pokemon grinned, giving a kind of thumbs up.
Josie rested her hands on the back of her head and laughed. "I'll take that to mean yes then."
Suddenly though, rustling in a grassy area to their right grabbed the groups attention.
"Isn't that the same patch we searched on the way to Bill's?" Todd asked out loud, trying to remember.
"I think so," Josie murmured.
This time however there was no need to search as a small Abra, walking precariously upon its two legs, came out of the grass.
"Oh wow," Josie whispered, smiling a little. "I'd love to catch an Abra."
"You'll have to be quick..." Todd whispered back. "They have a tendency to teleport away from danger."
"Well I'll just have to reduce the chances of it doing that..." she unhitched a poke ball ready. She released Pikachu quietly, none of her usual excited flourish, actually amazed that the Abra seemed to be paying the group no heed. "Ok Pikachu...you ready to go?"
Upon seeing her potential opponent, the yellow mouse-like Pokemon nodded.
"You need to paralyse it first, so surprise it with your thunder wave," Josie ordered.
Pikachu pounced quietly and quickly towards the Abra, who was seemingly lost in his own world. She unleashed her thunder wave once she was pretty near it, only to have him teleport away at the last second.
"Awww no way," Josie grunted looking around, as did everyone else, especially Pikachu as she readied herself in case of attack. It seemed the Abra had been all too aware; appearances really were deceiving. In all likelihood the Abra was well away from the area by now, but there was always the possibility it was still around somewhere. A rustling from the grass indicated just that.
"Go Pikachu," Josie said even as the Pokemon bounded that way on instinct. "Thunder wave!"
A kind of whooshing sound told them it was too late though as the thunder wave dissipated harmlessly, earthing itself through the grass.
"Ever get the feeling the Abra is toying with us?" Josie said turning to Todd and Charmeleon.
"Guess it isn't just the ghost types that like having a little fun," Todd shrugged, looking around one hand on his camera.
"Pikachu come on back it's probably left by now," Josie shouted.
Pikachu started bounding over to her from the grassy area, till her ears twitched, and she stopped suddenly.
"Something up Pikachu?" Josie asked as Charmeleon sniffed the air warily...seemed he thought something was up too.
Then it appeared again, right in front of Pikachu.
"Thunder wave again Pikachu!" Josie shouted.
Still though the Abra disappeared, appearing then to Pikachu's right.
"Carry on Pikachu," Josie ordered. "Let's get it!"
The Abra continued disappearing and disappearing though...behind, left, front, right, behind. Josie noticed this.
"Pikachu, quick attack to your left now!"
Sure enough the Abra had just appeared there and Pikachu made contact with it, sending the Abra sprawling backwards.
"Now hit it with your Thunder wave quick!"
This time the Thunder wave connected sending sparks of electricity jolting through the stunned Abra, paralysing it, Josie was going to move quickly now.
"Pikachu, tackle that Abra," Josie ordered even as she reached for a ball to capture it in. "Finish it!"
"Pika!" the Pikachu growled as she connected with the stunned Abra, making sure it went down before bounding away.
"Right poke ball go!" Josie shouted as the ball flew from her hand connecting with the Abra a few seconds later, engulfing it in the customary red light before sucking it in.
The ball was shaking even as it hit the ground, seemed the Abra wanted to still fight. Everyone watched it uncertainly as it continued to wobble, Josie hoped the paralysis was enough to help the ball contain the psychic Pokemon, at least she hoped the condition would hold it long enough. She had visions of it teleporting out of the ball itself, she wondered if that was even possible. Evidently not though as the ball pinged, teleporting away an instant later.
"Phew," Josie wiped her brow. "Nice work Pikachu," she gave her Pokemon a thumbs up. "I was about to give up on that capture too."
"Pi-pikachu!" the Pokemon's ear twitched as it smiled.
"Come on back Pikachu," she recalled the triumphant Pokemon back to its ball. She turned to her companions. "Lets get back to the centre, I'm sure everyone needs a good rest."
"Char!" Charmeleon agreed as they carried on walking towards the bridge.
"What a strange Abra that was though," Todd mused. "With them generally knowing only teleport I'd imagined it had gone the first time."
"Me too, maybe it was young or curious," Josie shrugged. "Either way I caught myself a psychic Pokemon, and ten in total now."
"That's cool," Todd smiled. "Hopefully you'll have a new badge tomorrow too."
"What do you mean hopefully...I don't mean to correct you but I WILL have a new badge tomorrow," she grinned widely as Todd laughed.
"I sincerely apologise," he grinned back. "Still, hope to get some good shots at tomorrows battle, I wonder which Pokemon Misty will use," he thought about the ones he knew she had.
"Duh...water Pokemon of course," Josie laughed.
"Well thank you miss obvious," he laughed as they reached the bridge. "After you..." he mock bowed.
Charmeleon watched the display with a sweat drop forming on his bemused features...still at least they didn't fight like cat and dog, imagine how embarrassing that would be for him.
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Later after dinner back at the centre, Josie flopped on her bed ready for an early night. She had to wonder which Pokemon Misty would use tomorrow, aside from the whole they'd be water-type. Still her plan was set at least, Spearow first, then Pikachu. It was going to be interesting, she'd heard that sometimes spectators watched the gym battles if there were no shows on at the gym, could she perform under the possible scrutiny of a whole crowd? She'd have to, or lose. Still at least some should cheer her she hoped, even if Todd...or Tracey she reminded herself, didn't, Charmeleon would, and he was all the support she needed. She shut her eyes, it was a big day tomorrow.
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Sorry again for the big delay, but I promise come wind, hail, computer viruses, whatever the gym battle chapter will be up before midnight on the 31st December (GMT of course ^-^).
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