|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Taran's Beginning
By: Des O
Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu were headed out into the edge of
the country. Not many people had gone this far out into the fringes of
the land on their Pokemon journeys, but our heroes wanted to be extra careful
that they didn't miss anything along the way.
"Brock, check the map. Where are we?" Ash asked.
"Hmmm... the map says 'Kalinda City' is just ahead. I've never
been here myself, so it should be an adventure," he answered.
"Wow... I wonder what we'll find out here!" Misty commented.
"Kachu..." Pikachu said. (I'm hungry...) He hadn't eaten in a
while.
"You said it, Pikachu. Come on, maybe we can find some food in
Kalinda."
Pikachu brightened. "Pi chu kapika?" (Can we get some Ketchup?)
They all laughed when Ash translated. "Sure, Pikachu," Ash said.
They walked for the rest of the day before finally making it
to Kalinda. When there, they looked around for a Pokemon Mart, but, there
were none to be found. They checked into a hotel for the night, and the
owner gave them directions to the nearest Mart.
The next day they went exploring in the town to find it.
**
"Taran, there's a list on the table. I want you to pick up the
stuff on the list from the Mart today. We're going to have company over
tonight!"
Taran shrugged at her mom. "Aww, man..."
She was not a small girl, and she was reclining on the couch
watching her favorite TV show, The X Files. Amazingly enough, it had started
showing on Channel 35 on Saturday mornings.
"My friends will be here at 3:00. You can bring a few of your...
uh... "friends" if you like. Bye, dear!" Taran's mom left for work.
She sighed and returned to the TV, but the show was over.
Might as well get the stuff now, she thought.
****
The group finally found the Mart on the other side of the city.
It wasn't as big as the ones in other cities, but at least it had one.
Ash needed some Potions, and Pikachu's ketchup.
"Pi! Pikapi! Chu!" (Here! Ash! Ketchup!) Pikachu grabbed a bottle
and hugged it tightly. Misty laughed, and Ash grabbed another bottle to
go with the one Pikachu held. He got his Potions, paid for everything,
and they all went to leave. Brock opened the door--
And slammed it into Taran. She fell onto her butt.
"What the... Watch it, kid!" She wore wide-leg blue jeans, a
yellow shirt, and a black jacket with a school letter on it. Her brown
hair was cut to earlobe length, and you could just barely see the gold
studs in her ears. Her hazel eyes blazed... yellow?
Electric yellow.
"I'm sorry, miss..." Brock trailed off.
"Taran," she snapped.
"Taran, I didn't mean to bump into you. I'm sorry."
Pikachu tugged on her pant leg. "Pikachu! Pika-pikaa..." (It
was an accident! Don't you hurt him or I'll...)
"Huh?" She looked down at Pikachu and shook her head. "Oh, I'm
sorry, I shouldn't have snapped like that." Her voice gained a slight southern
drawl. She smiled. "You almost got me goin'! Just... be careful next time.
Otherwise, I might actually fight you!" Her eyes flashed again, but a lighter
yellow. She turned away and entered the Mart.
Of course, Brock was going gaga over her by now. "Wow..."
Misty smacked him. "Stop it! She's only a girl! You go nuts over
every single one that crosses your path!"
"Oww..." He rubbed his cheek and winced.
Ash laughed. "Come on, we've gotta find the gym in this place.
I need another badge!" He led them back into the town.
****
Taran purchased the items and left the Mart as quickly as she could. Like her mom, she had places to be today. She had been Challenged yesterday, and had an appointment to keep. She ran the rest of the way home, placed the foods into the cupboard, and grabbed her bike so she could ride to the gym.
****
Ash, Brock, and Misty arrived at the gym to find only people there.
No pokemon. And most of the people were training with barbells and other
equipment.
"What kind of Gym doesn't have any pokemon?" Ash asked loudly.
He had been hoping to get a badge here, too.
A boy reading nearby looked up from his book. "A Gym for people,
that's what. I've never been to a Gym that wasn't for people." He shrugged
at them and returned to his book.
"And I've never been to a Gym that was," Ash muttered.
Pikachu looked around to see no Pokemon, and was as confused
as Ash.
Suddenly, the doors were thrown open with a large SLAM! Everyone
in the Gym turned to see a boy about Brock's age strut in like he owned
the place.
"Wow... is he the Gym Leader?" Misty asked.
The boy with the book looked up again, and answered Misty's question.
"No, that's just Ryan. He challenged the Leader yesterday, but she was
unable to fight him right then and was forced to reschedule for today."
He resumed his reading as if he had never spoken.
"Well, then, who's the Le--" She was cut off by Ryan's yelling.
"She isn't here? Hey everyone! If the Leader isn't here in five
minutes, she forfeits the match to me! You all are my witnesses!" He grinned,
but his happiness was to be short-lived. The doors opened again, and a
figure on a bike appeared.
"Pi! Pikachu?" (Hey! Who is that?)
"Sorry I'm late, Ryan. Had to run some errands for my mother.
You ready?" The figure dismounted her bike and stepped into the light.
It was Taran.
She entered the room, and everyone but Ryan scattered to get
out of her way. They filled the bleachers in the stadium. The group was
no exception.
"Chu... pika-pika, Pikapi?" (Wow... Do you think she'll win,
Ash?)
"I dunno, Pikachu. We'll have to watch and see!"
****
A large skylight was opened in the middle of the room to reveal
an arena, and the announcer formally began the battle. The sun shone brightly
onto the combatants.
"Ryan, of Gelar Town, has Challenged Taran, Leader of Kalinda
City Gym. Each will use only special attacks, no items allowed. No time
limit. This battle will begin!" People began to cheer for Ryan and Taran.
"Go, Taran!" Brock was yelling enthusiastically. Misty rolled
her eyes and concentrated on the battle.
****
Ryan was ready for battle, and got in the first attack. He raised
his arms in the air, and began to glow. Then a large amount of water gushed
from his mouth and soaked Taran. She blocked with her arm, but still ended
up soaked. Ryan looked pleased.
They began to circle each other, until Ryan was inside the puddle
of water where Taran used to be. Taran then quickly shot her arm toward
the sky, and before you could blink, a bolt of lightning shot through her
and into Ryan. Since he had been standing in the puddle, it was doubly
effective. He was sent flying, and he hit the other side of the Arena hard.
He got up, and seemed all right. He concentrated... and a rumbling
was heard. Taran looked around, but was quite surprised when the ground
under her collapsed and a gush of water sent her flying. She was disoriented
for a second, but recovered in midair. She shot a ball of energy at him
and sent a bolt through the water to make it flow back towards him. He
dodged the ball, but was hit by the electrified water.
Taran used her electric aura to float down gently.
On the other hand, Ryan hit the ground with a smack. He got up,
and shook himself off, but was still reeling from the attack. Taran used
the opportunity to jump high into the air and send a ball of glowing energy
at him. It connected, and he was knocked down. He didn't get up after that.
The battle was over, and the announcer said it officially.
Taran then did a strange thing. She picked up the fainted boy
and passed her hand over his face. Sparks shot from her fingers, and some
of the color in her face drained away. It seemed to go into the boy...
Who opened his eyes. He blinked, and saw Taran holding him. He
struggled to get away, so she stood him up on his feet. He wobbled a bit,
but stood on his own.
She offered him a hand. "Nice match, Ryan. Try again when you've
gotten some more experience."
"Whatever." He shook her hand angrily and stalked out.
"The Healing Center is just down the street," she called after
him.
"I don't need your help!" He snapped. He didn't look back as
he slammed the Gym doors.
Taran sighed. It's to be expected of a lesser trainer, she thought.
People came up and congratulated her on her victory, and she
gladly shook their hands and talked with them for a while.
Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu still hadn't gotten over their
shock.
"Chu, kapika-pika!" (A human that's better that me!)
****
Once everyone had gotten over their shock and all the rest of
the kids had finished talking to Taran, Ash's group approached her.
She recognized them. "Hey, you're the kids from the store! Need
anything?"
"How do you do that?" Misty was the first to blurt.
"Do what?"
"That...?" she started, "with the electricity... and him with
the water... how?"
"Don't you know how?" Taran was confused.
"No, I'm afraid we don't," Brock answered for the stuttering
Misty. "We'd appreciate it if you'd tell us how..."
"You're not from around here, are you." Everyone shook their
heads. "Well, it's like this: Everyone born here has the power of an Element
locked inside him or her, much like a pokemon. We use these powers to fight
and protect ourselves from wild Pokemon. No one knows why we have the power,
we just do. Not many people without an Element come around here..." she
trailed off. " Why are you here?"
"Actually," Ash began, "we were hoping that this was a Pokemon
Gym, and that I could win a badge from you, but since you're not a Pokemon,
I can't fight you. We all are Pokemon trainers. I'm from Pallet Town, Brock
is from Pewter City, and Misty is from Cerulean City."
"I've heard of them. It's nice to see some new faces around here!
I can show you around if you want. In fact, my mom's holding a party tonight.
She said I could bring some friends... would you four like to come?"
"Pi, pikachu!" (Yeah, let's go!) Pikachu said, delighted to have
been included in the invitation.
"Okay, Pikachu, we'll go. Count us in, Taran!"
"Good. I'll get my bike and we can go to my place after we pick
up a few more people for y'all to meet." Taran smiled and headed for the
door where she'd left the bike. "C'mon!"
****
They followed her to a blue house.
"Bea! C'mon! You're gonna be late!" Taran yelled.
"Just a minute!"
A girl came out the front door in jeans and a light blue T-shirt.
She ran towards Taran, but stopped when she saw the group standing with
her.
"Who are they?" she asked.
"Beatrice, this is Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu," Taran said,
pointing to each in turn. "They're not from around here, so I invited them,
too."
"Oh. Okay!" Beatrice laughed. "Let's go get Jess!"
They came to a pink house at the end of the road.
"Jess!" both Bea and Taran yelled at the same time.
"I'm coming, dammit!" An "oof" and some muffled sounds were heard
from the house. The door flew open, and a redhead ran out onto the lawn.
"Harry an' Bill at it again?" Bea asked.
"Yup. Let's --" she stopped when she saw the group.
Taran interrupted her before she said anything. Introductions
were made, questions were asked, and stories were shared on their way to
Taran's home.
****
They arrived at a blue mansion on the outskirts of Kalinda City.
Taran chained her bike to a tree, and they all went inside.
"Mom! I'm home! I brought friends!" she yelled.
Ash's group was impressed. "You live here?" he asked, astonished.
"Okay, Taran. Take them outside! On the deck!" her mom yelled
back.
"Yeah. C'mon, guys, let's go." She led them through the house
to the backyard. It was decorated, and tables were set up.
Taran, Bea, Jess, and Misty all sat at one table and began to
jabber away at each other. Brock was going gaga again, Pikachu was enjoying
some ketchup, and Ash was rapidly getting bored. He brought out all his
pokemon, and they had fun being outside for a while. They visited with
everyone, and had a great time...
That is, before the adult guests arrived.
****
A group of about fifteen rich, snooty adults entered the backyard
at the same time. They immediately headed for the refreshment table, and
became rapidly annoying.
"Sarah, darling, what are these... creatures... doing in your
backyard?" One of the snooty adults shooed away Pidgeotto, who was mesmerized
by her perfume. Pidgeotto was a little miffed, and flew back to Ash's side.
"Aww... she didn't mean it, Pidgeotto...." Pidgeotto sighed a
"pidgeaww..." and Ash hugged it. It perked up.
"Go away. This is people food, not Pokemon food!" a lady cried
when Charmander got a little too curious about the items on her plate.
Charmander shrugged and went back to Ash.
"AAH! Get away from me! Dirty Pokemon!" Another woman smacked
Bulbasaur, who was just exploring the backyard and had accidentally come
too close to a lady.
"Hey!" the kids all yelled.
"Don't hurt bulbasaur! he didn't do anything to you!" Taran yelled.
She obviously didn't like the way her mother's friends were acting.
"Pika, pika, pikaaaaa..." Pikachu warned.
"Hmph! it's only Taran," another rude woman snarled, "the 'Gym
Leader'... HAH! You couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag!"
Taran stood up. "What did you say?" she asked icily.
"I said, you couldn't fight your way out of a paper bag. What
will you do about it?" The woman assumed a fighting stance. Everyone backed
away from the pair, including Ash's pokemon.
"Let's see if you're right," Taran smirked.
"All right, you make the rules, dearie. I just want to defeat
you before your mom comes out with the food."
"Okay... Only special attacks, no items, and no time limit. We
fight until someone faints. Got it?"
"Perfectly!"
****
The rich woman started with an impressive fireball, which Taran
easily dodged. Taran turned, called down a thunderbolt, and hurled it at
the woman. It connected, and she was slammed into a nearby tree.
"How dare you!" The lady began to spout fire from her throat,
and some sparks hit Taran. She put up an electric shield to block most
of it, though.
"Pika! Pika! Pi pikachu kachu!" (Yay! Yay! Keep it up, Taran!)
Pikachu did not like the way he and his friends had been treated that night.
When it was over, Taran raised both hands and began to glow.
She concentrated...
The lady took the opportunity to hit her with a fireball. Everyone
gasped as Taran was engulfed in flames.
She didn't even flinch!
She merely outstretched her arms... opened her hands...
A loud rumble of thunder rolled overhead. All the rest of the
guests backed away farther from the combatants. The lady looked afraid.
CLAP! BZZZZZZZT! BOOM!
A large bolt of lightning, like none had ever seen before, rushed
from the sky and hit Taran square in the chest. She glowed, and opened
her eyes. They blazed with pure electricity. In three quick shocks, the
lady was out cold at Taran's feet.
"No. How dare you," Taran hissed. She raised her arm, and was
no longer glowing or blazing or supercharged. She picked up the fainted
woman and handed her to a man standing nearby. "Take her to the Healing
Center, please." Then she went over to the refreshment table, got a drink,
and the party resumed as normal amongst the kids.
****
"Nice one, Taran!" Bea high-fived her when she sat down.
"It was no problem, really." She grinned. "Been waiting to that
to the witch for a while now. I just couldn't challenge her myself. I'm
already probably gonna get chewed out by my mom as is." She sobered at
that thought, but laughed again. "I hate her son, too, and I beat him today!
This is great!" Bea and Jess laughed along with her at that.
"Thank you for fighting that lady. She deserved it, Taran," Ash
commented.
"You said it. Did you see the way the other one treated poor
Bulbasaur?" Brock asked.
"Why do you not like that family?" Misty asked.
"You see, Ryan is my main rival, and everyone knows that Kalinda
Gym is the best. We both went for control of it, and I won. He keeps on
Challenging me for control of the gym, and losing. I remember when we used
to be such great friends..."
Ash remembered how good of friends he used to be with Gary until
not long ago...
"Taran!" He mother stalked up to her. She wore a black dress
and snazzy make-up, but didn't look too different from Ryan's mom. "How
dare you? You knew this was a party, not an arena for your amusement! Now
I have to go and patch up my friendship with Madame Mitchell!"
"Hey," Taran answered, "she Challenged me!" Taran tried to defend
herself.
Her mom smacked her. "Don't you back talk me!"
She blinked back tears. "But mom, as a Gym leader, I have no
choice but to battle, and if I back down, my honor and my Leadership is
in question!"
I was only too happy to kick her scrawny butt...
"Don't take that tone with me, young lady!" Taran's mom slapped
her across the face again. Hard. Tears sprang to her eyes again, and one
escaped. She nearly fell out of her chair, and bolted to her room before
anyone else could say anything. All the adults laughed.
"Ooh... that girl!" her mom growled. "Come down here this instant!
I wasn't finished with you!"
"No! Leave me alone!" Taran screamed. "You don't even know me!
You don't care!"
Someone else butted into the quarrel. "Leave her up there to
rot if she likes, Genari. She'll see it your way soon enough. She should
never have fought Madame Mitchell!" All the adults agreed, laughed again,
and Taran's mom rejoined them.
****
The kids rushed into the house and made their way to Taran's room.
Ash opened the door slowly to hear her sobbing.
"Taran?" Bea ventured.
"Please go away," a small voice begged.
"Uh-uh. we want to help you about your mom," Ash said.
"No."
"Pikachu?" (Are you okay?) Pikachu toddled over to Taran and
cuddled against her cheek.
"But why does she treat you like this?" Misty began to ask, but
was stopped by Jessica.
"Her mother has never liked her because she's the only Electric
kid in a family of Waters. When her dad died, she even beat her, and then
paid off the authorities to keep quiet about it. When she started hanging
out with the "Richies," she had no more time to hurt Taran, but still managed
to make her life a living hell. That's the reason Taran became the youngest
person to become a Gym Leader here: she thought her mom would like her
better. But it only ticked off some of the Richies, like Madame Mitchell,
and they torment her to try to get her to resign her position." she whispered.
"Thanks for spilling my life's story, Jess," Taran choked on
the words, because she was trying to stop crying. Pikachu continued to
nuzzle her.
"No prob, Tar. You'd have done the same for me."
"In a heartbeat!" She laughed and wiped her face off. Pikachu
sat on her lap as she rubbed his stomach. She grew sober. "I've made up
my mind. I want to go away from here. And I mean far away."
Misty, Brock, and Ash huddled to talk for a moment while Beatrice
and Jessica tried to reason with her. It was of no use.
"Who will lead the gym, then?" Jessica asked.
"I was thinking... could you? Your skills are almost as good
as mine... Would you take over for me?"
"I..." Jessica blinked. "I don't know what to say!"
"Of course she will!" Beatrice answered for her. Jessica nodded
in agreement.
"But what about your mother?" Beatrice asked.
"She probably won't even realize I'm gone until she wants to
ridicule me again. I should be safe for an hour or two, so I'd better leave
fast. I'll go tomorrow, after I've filled out the proper papers transferring
the Leader status to Jessica." Taran sighed. "But where will I go?"
"Uh, Taran...?" Ash interrupted her train of thought. "We could
take you to where we live! I can introduce you to Dr. Oak, you can take
the test, and become a pokemon trainer! You wouldn't have to return here,
ever!"
"That's right! We can teach you what we know about training and
taking care of Pokemon, and you can travel with us!" Brock said enthusiastically...
Almost too enthusiastically... Misty looked over at him, and he was drooling.
She rolled her eyes. "Cool it, Brock. Will you come with us,
Taran?"
"I'd love to!" she said without any hesitation.
She hugged them each in turn, and Brock nearly fell over. When
she reached Bea and Jess, their energies crackled against each other's.
Bea was a Water, and Jess turned out to be a Psychic.
Taran looked out her window. It was getting dark rapidly.
Bea and Jess noticed, said their good-byes, and went home.
"You guys can stay here for the night," Taran said.
"If it's not too much trouble..." Misty began.
"Nonsense. I insist." She handed Pikachu to Ash, because he was
asleep. "We have some guest rooms that you guys can use." She led them
each to their room, and then got ready for bed.
They all slept soundly that night.
****
Taran finished her papers in the Gym and then they were on their way. She brought a backpack with her clothes and a few necessities with her, but that was all. She had left her bike at home, and the group set out for Ash's home, Pallet Town.
****
They arrived after a few days, and went straight to Dr. Oak's
house. He listened to Taran's story, and she stayed with him to answer
some questions. Ash decided to go visit his mother while Misty and Brock
helped Taran out.
"Ash! Honey! Oh, I've missed you so!" She hugged him tightly,
and he squirmed.
"Mom, I've missed you too. Where's dad?"
"He's out right now, but should be back later. How come you're
back so soon?"
"Well, we kinda got lost, and ran onto the fringes of the country.
We ran into this place called Kalinda City, and we met a friend. They had
no Pokemon Centers or trainers out there, and Taran wanted to become one,
so we decided to take her with us to Dr. Oak because we were headed out
here anyway."
"Where is she? I'd like to meet her. I've never met anyone from
Kalinda before..."
"You can meet her tonight. She's taking the test now. Hopefully
she'll pass it, and be allowed to Train! I gotta go see how she's doing
now... Bye mom!"
"Bye Ash!"
****
"Hmmm..."
If a Water Pokemon appears, what will be most effective to use
against it? A: Ground; B: Fire; C: Electric.
Electric!
"There, I finished... I hope..." Taran sighed. There had been
a lot of questions to answer from Dr. Oak, but he seemed like a nice enough
guy. The test wasn't too bad, either, because she already had experience
with battle strategies and attacks.
"Done already? I'll take it to the Doc. You stay here, Taran,"
Brock said.
Taran got up and stretched her legs. "I am so tired... and all
those questions... I hope he can grade the test soon."
Probably failed it with flying colors.
"Don't be nervous. He can grade it quickly enough. I'm sure you
passed it," Misty assured.
"I can't help but be nervous, Misty... I'm just a bit paranoid
like that." She giggled. "Besides, I believe in RTP."
"RTP?" Misty was curious.
"Reverse Test Psychology. If I honestly believe I'll do bad on
a test, I'll end up doing okay on it. My friend Soni came up with it, and
it really works!" She laughed, and then sighed.
Dr. Oak walked into the room briskly, closely followed by Brock.
Taran looked up, and he inspected her face closely.
"Did you have any help with these answers from Brock and/or Misty?"
he asked quickly.
"No, of course not. Why?" she asked guardedly.
"Because I've never seen anything like it! You scored a perfect
on it! Not a single answer wrong!" He shook his head. "If only we had more
actual Pokemon trainers with half the knowledge you are just starting with.
How old did you say you were again?" he asked.
"I'm just turning fifteen," Taran answered softly. She was so
happy she could barely speak.
"I'll need to see some ID before I can give you your Pokemon
and equipment, though."
"Is this okay? I was the Gym Leader at Kalinda City..." She held
out a small badge in the shape of an eight-pointed star. It was golden,
and shone with a fire all its own.
"D...Did you s...say Kalinda? Gym Leader?" Dr. Oak was quite
surprised and impressed. "Your own skills will certainly be more than those
of your Pokemon. The badge shows you're an... Electric?"
"Yes..."
"Then I would suggest that you start out with a pokemon to round
out your element. Try Squirtle. It should also help you get past the Gym
leader at Pewter City. But be warned. I know you're used to taking on attackers
by yourself, but that cannot happen here. You must use your Pokemon to
protect yourself if you want it to gain experience. If you want to keep
your own attacks sharp, practice on wild pokemon."
Taran absorbed the information quickly. "Okay, Doc. Thanks for
the advice. I'll keep it in mind. And, actually, I had been thinking about
starting my journey off with Squirtle."
"Okay. I'll get him for you, Taran. Meanwhile, here's your Pokedex
and some Pokeballs to catch more Pokemon with." He pulled a Pokedex out
of his pocket and some Pokeballs out of another. "Ask this Pokedex a question,
and it'll answer you the best it can." Oak handed her the stuff and left
the room to get Squirtle.
"Wow... a Pokedex..." Taran fiddled with it until it was open,
and asked it a question. "What does a Pokedex do?"
{{A Pokedex gives information on any Pokemon it is pointed at.
I am your Pokedex, Taran Blinaa. Please give me a name.}}
"Uh... I guess I'll call you Marina."
{{I am Marina. I am programmed for Pokemon Trainer Taran Blinaa.
If lost or stolen, I cannot be replaced.}}
"Okay... What does this orange button do, Marina?"
Taran and her newly named Pokedex spent the next ten minutes
talking to each other. Then Oak came back with her Squirtle.
"Here, Taran. This is the last Squirtle I had. I'll warn you,
it has been owned before, so it has a slight... attitude problem..."
He shook his head when Taran told him that she did not care.
"I'd like to see you let it out of the Pokeball."
"Okay... Squirtle, come out!" Taran tossed the ball onto the
floor, and in a beam of red electricity, Squirtle appeared in front of
them all as the ball returned to Taran's hand.
Oak introduced them formally. "Squirtle, this is Taran, your
new Trainer. Taran, meet your Squirtle."
Taran cautiously knelt in front of her new Pokemon. "Hello. Nice
to meet you, Squirtle!" She took a chance and hugged it. "I'm sure we'll
get to be the best of friends."
Ash walked into the room during their introduction, with Pikachu
trailing.
"Squirtle, squirt!" (That's what the last one said!) Squirtle's
eyes narrowed as it Water-Gunned her, and then jumped back into its Pokeball.
A soaked Taran sighed as everyone laughed. "I don't think it
likes me very much..."
"Pi, pikachu!" (Give it time!) Pikachu patted Taran on her back.
"Yeah. Don't worry," Ash said. "I remember when I first met Pikachu...
It was quite a shocking experience!" He, Pikachu, and Dr. Oak all laughed.
"Okay, I won't worry." But she was.
Will Squirtle and I ever get along?
****
Taran was now all set for her own Journey. She had her Pokeballs,
she and Squirtle were well-rested, and she had Marina, her Pokedex, to
help her out along the way. Now all she had to do was begin.
Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu had escorted her as far as Viridian
City, but now they had to part ways.
They stood at the entrance to Viridian Forest to say their good-byes.
"Thanks, you guys. You have no idea how much you've helped me
within the past few weeks. I really appreciate everything you've done for
me."
"You're welcome," Ash said, a bit embarrassed. "Now it's time
for us to part ways."
"I hope we meet again, soon," Misty added.
"Good luck, Taran," was all Brock said.
A chorus of "Good-bye!" rang out as each party went their separate
ways.
****
This story is © Des O 1998. Taran is MY character and may
not be used without express written permission from the author (me).
If you would like to re post my story on your page, please E-mail
me at "TaranGryph@aol.com" with your URL. Title the mail "FanFic Posting"
so I know what it is. Thank you.
{{ Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, etc. are all the property of Nintendo,
Creatures, and Game Freak. I'm just... ah... borrowing them for the time
being.}}