The quiet glow of morning danced in over the horizon as Ash, Misty, and Brock trudged through the forrest towards Cyan City. They were tired, and hadn't had much sleep the night before. Ash groaned as he noticed Pikachu slept soundly, cuddled up on top of his hat. He wished he could be resting right now. But they had be to Cyan City by noon so they could visit the big Pokemon Parade that was happening there.
Finally, the group reached Cyan City. Pikachu's ears perked up when it heard the loud music and shouts from the parade. A procession of floats, a band, big Pokemon balloons, and even some real Pokemon with their trainers traveled down the streets of town as . Swarms of people lined the streets and many vendors had set up shop, ready to sell.
Each of the travelers found something that interested them. Ash gazed at a large balloon of an Articuno flying with Mew and Mewtwo on its back. Misty was busy looking at the merchandise of a small shop that sold Pokemon stuffed animals. Pikachu bounded happily over to a Raichu to talk while its trainer shopped. And Brock found a group of three girls huddled by a street light.
"Hey ladies." he smiled as he strutted over to them.
They giggled amongst each other, then looked at him. He shrunk back, aware of what would happen next.
BASH!
"I don't see Brock anywhere." Misty remarked as she and Ash searched for him. They slowly combed through the crowds as Pikachu was happily chomping on an apple.
"Ow...love hurts!" Brock trudged back over to Ash and Misty, rubbing his cheek.
"Rejected again? Poor Brock. You'll find the right girl someday." Ash nodded.
"Yeah, in a trash can somewhere in Guam." Misty laughed.
Brock pounded her on the head, then looked down. He sighed.
The parade carried on throughout the day and into the early evening hours. As the festivities wound dowm, Ash, Brock, and Misty sat in a small pizza shop. A woman stepped into the shop and caught Brock's eye as she approached the counter. She peered at an ad near the counter as a cashier approached her.
"Has anyone said anything about the ad yet?" she asked him.
"No. Sorry, ma'am." he replied.
"Aw. I was hoping to find someone." She stared up at the ad.
Brock looked at the ad as well. It was an ad for a babysitting job that day. He lept out of his seat and rushed to the woman, leaving Ash and Misty clueless. He talked to her, but Ash and Misty couldn't hear the conversation. The woman blushed once. A few minutes later, Brock returned to the table.
"Guess what guys!" Brock was still beet red. "We havea babysitting job tonight!!"
"We...wha-what do you MEAN WE!" Ash's eyes almost popped out of his head.
"Wait a minute Ash!" Misty held him back. "This could be good. We can earn extra money, even if it is all for the sake of one of Brock's crushes whom he'll never date." Brock looked hurt as Misty continued. "Besides, babies are sooooo cute!"
"Yeah.' Ash smirked. "Cute 'till they crap in their diapers! Besides, who knows. We could end up babysitting for some bratty kids who run around tying you up and screaming "Decapitate the Babysitter!"
Brock and Misty stared him awkwardly and he cowered into his seat. "Nevermind."
That night, the trio showed up at the address the lady had given Brock. It was a typical twostory home with a medium sized front yard. The backyard was littered with toys, but the front yard was clean and filled with flowers and plants. A few of the windows were lit up downstairs.
Brock trembled as he rang the doorbell. Three pairs of feet thundered down the stairs and the door flew open. A girl and a boy holding a baby stood in the doorway, smirking.
"Hi...we're uh, your babysitters." Ash smiled nervously.
TO BE CONTINUED...