After catching both Beedrill and Scyther, Ash walked back to Misty, a subtle but satisfied smile playing on his lips. The forest had quieted as the afternoon wore on, and the sense of achievement filled him as he neared her.
Misty looked up from where she was seated, a relaxed curiosity in her eyes. "Did you manage to catch the Scyther?" she asked, her voice light but interested.
Ash nodded confidently. "Yeah, I caught the Scyther. And picked up a Beedrill along the way too."
Misty's eyebrows lifted in mild surprise. "Two in one trip? You're really stepping it up, Ash."
She smiled, then gestured toward a small blanket where she had laid out some food. "By the way, lunch is ready.
Ash grinned and sat down across from her. "Perfect timing. I'm starving."
They finished lunch quietly and continued their journey toward Pewter City. As they reached the entrance, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the rocky terrain. The rugged scenery reminded Ash of how the city looked in the anime.
As Ash stepped into Pewter City, he took a moment to take in the sight before him. So, this is Pewter City, he thought, observing the rocky landscape with a sense of anticipation. The first Gym... Brock... This is where things really start.
The quiet excitement stirred inside him as he and Misty continued walking. Suddenly, a man stepped in front of them, waving his hands urgently. "Watch your step!" he called out.
Startled, Ash glanced down and noticed some odd, jagged stones scattered across the path. His eyes then shifted to the man, and recognition dawned. Flint... Brock's dad, Ash recalled from his memories of the anime. He left Brock to take care of his family.
Without missing a beat, Ash gently pulled Misty back. "Sorry about that!" he apologized politely, his voice calm but respectful.
Flint chuckled, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "No harm done, no harm at all. These stones are part of my collection. I sell them to trainers passing through. You'd be surprised how rare they are around here."
Ash nodded, understanding. "I see. We'll be more careful."
After exchanging brief pleasantries, Ash and Misty continued toward the Pokémon Center. Inside, he handed over their Pokémon to Nurse Joy, who smiled warmly and assured them it would take a little time for the Pokémon to be fully healed.
As they waited, Ash thought it was a good opportunity to check in with Professor Oak. He approached the video phone, dialed the lab's number, and after a few moments, the familiar face of Professor Oak appeared on the screen.
"Ah, Ash! You've made it to Pewter City, I see," Professor Oak greeted with his usual warmth, his face lighting up on the screen.
"Yeah," Ash replied in his calm, collected tone. "I just wanted to check in and see how things were going. I caught a couple of new Pokémon. Did Scyther make it to the lab safely?"
Oak's smile widened with approval. "Yes, Scyther arrived in perfect condition. It's settling in nicely here. You're really putting together quite a formidable team, Ash."
Ash gave a small, satisfied nod, his expression thoughtful but determined. "That's the plan. Each one brings something different to the table."
Professor Oak chuckled. "That's exactly the mindset you need. Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to seeing how your team develops."
After hanging up, Ash turned to Misty, who was standing by the door. "Hey, I should call my mom and introduce you," he said with a smile.
Misty looked a bit surprised but smiled. "Sure, that sounds nice!"
Ash dialed his mom's number, and after a few rings, Delia's cheerful voice came through. "Hello, Ash! How are you doing, sweetheart?"
"Hey, Mom! I'm great! I just wanted to let you know I'm in Pewter City now," Ash said, his excitement bubbling over.
"That's wonderful! Have you caught any new Pokémon?" Delia asked eagerly.
"Yeah! I caught a Scyther, Beedrill, metapod, and a pidgeotto" he replied proudly.
"Oh, that's fantastic, Ash! I knew you could do it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pride. "And who is this with you?"
Ash turned to Misty, who waved a little sheepishly. "This is Misty. She's traveling with me."
"Nice to meet you, Misty!" Delia said warmly. "Take good care of my son, okay?"
Misty nodded earnestly. "Of course, Mrs. Ketchum. I promise I'll make sure he takes care of himself."
Ash chimed in, grinning. "And I'll treat her better, too! She's been a great traveling companion."
Delia laughed softly. "Good! Just remember to look out for each other. And Ash, don't forget to eat well and get enough rest!"
"I will, Mom," he assured her, feeling comforted by her words.
"Alright, you two! Have fun in Pewter City and let me know how it goes!" Delia said, her voice brimming with encouragement.
"Thanks, Mom!" Ash replied, feeling a renewed sense of determination as he ended the call. Misty smiled at him
After a brief chat with his mom about his journey and progress, Ash ended the call and headed to retrieve his Pokémon from Nurse Joy. As he stepped out of the healing area.
He spotted Misty waiting for him, casually leaning against the wall, her expression a mix of curiosity and impatience.
"Did Nurse Joy say how they were doing?" she asked, her eyes bright with interest.
"Yeah, they're all doing fine," Ash replied.
Misty tilted her head slightly. "Are you planning to challenge the Pewter Gym tomorrow?" Her tone was light, but there was an underlying curiosity.
Ash shook his head, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Not yet. I want to take a few days to train first. I want to make sure I'm ready."
Misty raised an eyebrow, considering his answer. "That sounds smart. You don't want to rush into your first Gym battle. So, what's your strategy? You've seen how tough Brock's Rock-types can be."
Ash nodded, recalling the fierce battles he had seen before. "Yeah, I know I need to come up with a solid plan. I can't take this Gym lightly."
Misty smirked playfully. "And don't forget to treat your Pokémon well. They need to be in top shape too!"
"Absolutely," Ash agreed with a grin. "I'll make sure to take care of them
With that resolution in mind, they both headed to their room at the Pokémon Center for the night. The day had been long, and the peaceful quiet of the evening wrapped around them like a comforting blanket, providing a serene end to their travels.
As Ash settled into bed, his mind wandered to the upcoming days—focused training, the looming Gym battle, and the steps that lay ahead on his journey.
Tomorrow, it's time to focus, he thought, feeling calm and collected as sleep gently overtook him, carrying him into dreams filled with adventures yet to come.
The next morning, Ash woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. After getting dressed and organizing his gear, he headed to the common area of the Pokémon Center, where the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air.
As he entered the dining area, he spotted Misty seated at a table, enjoying her breakfast alongside her Pokémon. He made his way over, and Misty looked up, her face brightening when she saw him.
"Good morning, Ash!" she greeted, her voice cheerful. "Want to join me?"
"Sure!" Ash replied, settling down at the table with his own Pokémon. They shared a relaxed breakfast, filled with laughter and the occasional playful banter as their Pokémon enjoyed their meals as well.
After finishing up, Ash turned to Misty, his curiosity piqued. "So, what are your plans for the next few days?"
Misty thought for a moment, then replied, "I'm thinking about exploring Pewter City. There's a lot to see! I might even check out the museum. It's supposed to have some fascinating exhibits."
"That sounds fun!" Ash said enthusiastically. "I'm planning to train near the entrance of Viridian Forest. I want to make sure I'm prepared for the Gym battle."
"Smart choice," Misty nodded, impressed. "Let me know if you want some company later. I could use a good training session too."
"Absolutely," Ash agreed. "We can meet up afterward and share what we learned."
With their plans set, they both finished their breakfast and stood up from the table. "Well, I guess it's time to do our own thing," Ash said, a determined smile on his face.
"Yeah! Good luck, Ash," Misty replied, waving as she headed off toward the museum. Ash waved back, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as he set out for the entrance of Viridian Forest, ready to dive into his training and strengthen his bond with his Pokémon.