189 Jhoto - Goldenrod City

Ash gave his group a break from morning training as he went to the air talk with some of the others who were awake at that time. He let Max sleep in, he was still having problems with nightmares not that Ash blamed him and looked like Chloe, Casey, Serena, Gou and Melody were sleeping in too. It was just him, Brock and Misty who were awake and heading towards the radio tower. Despite the early morning there were still many people going about, ranging from those changing shifts to those going to their shifts. The City life sure was a hectic one, soon they reached their destination, where they were met by DJ Mary and her crew.

Mary, "Hello there I'm DJ Mary and I will be interviewing you today."

Ash who had been squeezing Eevee and Abra nervously answered, "Hi, I'm Ash."

Mary observed him, "You are not used to interviews, huh?"

Ash shook his head, "I prefer privacy, though I suppose it's not possible all the time."

Mary nodded, "Understandable. Just relax okay, focus on your Pokemon. We will be talking about them mostly anyway.... Umm... "

Brock, "Miss Mary, I'm Brock and I must say you are beautiful and talented for holding something many talkertfgghhjk..... "

Misty was looking at Brock darkly, "One more word Brock and I'll tell Yellow, you are cheating on her."

Brock sweated profusely, "Ullp! Ow! I'm sorry Misty. I won't do that again."

Misty scowled, "You better not, Yellow is a kind woman and I won't let anyone take advantage of her kindness. That includes you, got it?"

Ash who was not paying attention, "Focus on my Pokemon? Yeah, I can do that."

Lucario ran his paw with a bit of aura on Ash's back, -Calm down Meema. I know this is not a normal occurrence but you can do it.-

Mary who had been watching Misty and Brock with amusement agreed with Lucario, "He is right, and may I say I'm very impressed by your Lucario. There is a rumour, about how Lucarios who talk are very powerful."

Lucario, -I don't know about that. Champion Red's Charizard still defeats me.-

Mary perked up, "You battled with Champion Red? Tell us more."

Ash, "Welllll, it was after the incident in Viridian City on my first day as a trainer. My friend Misty and I were deciding on what paths and career we want to choose, when we were attacked by Team Rocket."

Mary, "Oh my! That sounds terrifying."

Ash, "It was terrifying. I thought I would loose my Pokemon."

Mary, "May I ask for details? I understand if you don't want to talk about it however."

Ash, "Honestly I can only tell you my part. I'm not sure about the other trainers and you will have to ask Misty for hers."

Mary nodded, "That is fine by us."

Ash then proceeded to recount his first day as a trainer, how he met Lucario as a child and how Pikachu was a actually gift from Professor Oak. Ash then spoke about how he met Feebas as a child and finally his encounter with the Fearrow flock. To say Mary was shocked was an understatement, she was staring at Ash and wondering how could someone be so unlucky yet lucky. Most people aren't able to capture any Pokemon while being attacked by a flock of Spearow let alone a Fearrow. Ash then proceeded to talk about meeting Misty at Viridian and his night experience with Team Rocket with a bit of censorship. Mary looked at her director with a look and the director simply shrugged, they were keeping an eye out for this child.

Mary turned to Misty after Ash finished his recount, "Miss Waterflower, would you be willing to answer a few questions? Some of your fans sent us a few queries after they learned you travelled with Ash."

Misty looked conflicted but nodded, "I guess so."

Mary assured, "Nothing invasive I promise."

Misty, "Okay then. Please call me Misty."

Mary asked Misty about her first day and Misty gave a sheepish smile before telling her, she and her sister had a quarrel. The quarrel led to Misty going to Viridian City in a huff to collect a few things and that's when she met Ash. They started talking about what they wanted to do and while Ash decided to try his hand at contest and gym battles, she decided to stick to gym battles. Then she spoke about her own experience and encounter with Team Rocket and how her long time Pokemon had helped her.

Mary stopped the recording, "That's it for today. Thank you both for answering the questions as much as possible. I'm sorry about what happened on your first day."

Ash, "It's okay. I mean, it did open our eyes to how dangerous the world is. So we are able to prepare ourselves accordingly."

Misty nodded, "Yup, I agree with Ash, plus outside of Team Rocket. Journeying through the region is actually very fun."

Mary smiled, "Great, now if it's not too much to ask. Would you consider joining us tomorrow as well? I have a feeling there would be more questions coming from your fans."

Ash, "Ah well, as long as it's questions we are not allowed to answer because of the law, yes, we could."

Mary almost frowned but kept smiling as she turned to Brock, "I'll be announcing that you will be joining us tomorrow Mr Brock Slate that is if you wish to."

Brock perked up, "I would be honored."

Mary, "Wonderful, and it's already eight in the morning. Time sure flies fast when you are having fun. This interview will air in the evening after a few edits. Come with me I'll show you the cafeteria. Chef Ginko makes the best stuffed omurice."

Misty, "Nice, what about our Pokemon?"

Mary, "There is a separate pantry for Pokemon and my Houndoom loves and adores the berry pie. I recommend it."

Brock, "Sounds great."

After their breakfast the trio joined the others who had woken up by then at the Pokemon centre. Max had pouted a bit but let it go knowing get proper sleep was a lot more important, especially when his nightmares kept him awake most of the night. Ash tried his best to help him sleep but there was only so much they could do against nightmares honestly speaking. Serena and Gou were disappointed in themselves for over sleeping and being unable to support Ash but Ash told them it was fine. Chloe, Melody and Casey however didn't mind they missed out and were actually curious about listening to it later.

Casey, "I'll listen to it, after your Gym battle today."

Melody, "Me too."

Casey, "Yeah, I'm a little envious though."

Ash laughed, "Nothing to be envious about and if you want to join, then they want to do a follow up tomorrow."

Serena, "We'll go with you tomorrow."

Gou, "We won't oversleep this time."

Max, "Me too."

Ash pat Max's head, "Only if you are able to sleep on time okay Max. You health is way more important than an interview."

Max grinned, "I will be alright. You'll see, besides you have been helping me a lot. I want to support you in return."

Ash melted, "You are really sweet Max, never change that side of you."

Brock, "Let's get going, it's almost time for for Ash's battle."

Whitney grinned as she saw them, "Ready for your battle?"

Ash, "Hell yeah!"

Referee, "This is an official battle between challenger Ash Ketchum and Gym Leader Whitney for the Plain badge. The battle will be three on three battle. The first one to win two battles or the last Pokemon standing will be the winner. Choose your first Pokemon!"

Whitney, "Go Persian."

Ash, "Let's go Magby."

Referee, "Begin!"

Ash, "Use smog."

Whitney, "Persian work up."

Magby used smog to cover up the area as Persian used work up to power up.

Ash, "Fire punch!"

Whitney, "Be careful Persian, and prepare shadow ball."

Magby moved around the smog as she tried to get a clear shot but the clever cat kept turning towards where Magby was. The baby flame narrowed her eyes, this is her first battle and no way was she gonna loose. Magby jumped up and decided to use the move she had learned from Professor Blaine's Magmortar. Magby jumped up and focused on dividing her flames into multiple parts and heated them up.

Whitney, "There she is Persian. Hit her."

Ash, "Magby watch out for the shadow ball."

Magby nodded as Persian attacked her with a shadow ball and Magby attacked using the Will O Wisp. One of the fire balls hit the shadow ball while the rest of the balls of fire hit Persian in multiple places. Persian yowled in pain as she was hit by the fire attack and Magby hissed as she was hit by the shadow ball. The two fell to the ground, but both Pokemon didn't stay down long and got up growling at each other.

Ash, "Sunny day Magby."

Whitney, "Rain dance."

The two moves created an interesting effect this time compared to previous ones. The group's eyes widened as instead of the usual fog and mist there was a rainbow in the middle of the gym. The two respective Pokemon were soon standing ready for another round of battle.

Whitney gave a whistle, "Well would you look at that?"

Misty, "That was awesome."

Serena nodded as the rainbow faded, "It was almost like a contest move."

Gou, "Yeah, I think Magby is like Pikachu, able to battle and perform."

Brock, "That would be interesting."

Chloe, "You mean like all of Ash's Pokemon."

Melody, "Yeah, all of them can battle and perform, depending on their moods."

Casey, "I think it's cool. Only Meganium can perform among my Pokemon others just don't get it."

Max looked at her, "Not even your."

Casey gave am awkward laugh, "Not even my Cutiefly, he is a battle nut."

Max sweat dropped, "Ah!"

Ash, "Nice one Magby!"

Magby grinned, "Bibi!"

Whitney, "Pay day!"

Ash, "Ember!"

The pay day and ember cancelled each other and Persian used shadow ball again while Magby powered up Will O Wisp. The shadow ball hit the largest Will O Wisp but it didn't stop the other balls of fire from hitting the cat Pokemon. Magby followed it up with another ember attack which hit the cat Pokemon and knocked him out.

Referee, "Persian is unable to battle, Magby has won this match. Choose your next Pokemon."

Magby sat down exhausted, "Bi bi mag."

Ash smiled as Magby squealed when he picked her up, "Good job baby girl, you were awesome."

Magby nuzzled him back yawning, "Bi bi."

Ash, "Return for now. I will call you again if needed okay."

Magby nodded, "Bibi."

Ash returned Magby and picked his next Pokemon, "Let's go Cyndaquill!"

Whitney, "Come out Sentret!"

Referee, "Begin!"

Whitney, "Quick attack!"

Ash, "Swift and ember together."

Sentret used quick attack and Cyndaquill used swift and used ember on the swift to heat it up as it was shot in a circular pattern. The fire type starter followed after the normal type not letting up on the attack. Sentret tsked when she was unable to get a hit on her opponent but didn't stop trying to get a clear shot. She then saw an opening and attacked the fire type only for Cyndaquill to use defense curl and let her flames out. Sentret hissed as she waved her paws to cool them and licked the burns.

Ash, "Now flame thrower!"

Whitney, "Dig!"

Sentret dug and escaped from the attack and come out a bit further from where she had stood ready to attack. Cyndaquill tilted her head and grunted realizing it would not be easy to get a hit on her opponent. Sentret however kept using dig to avoid the attacks coming from Cyndaquill.

Ash, "Lava plume into the tunnel."

Cyndaquill grinned at her trainer before releasing the lava plume down the tunnel that the normal type dug up. Sentret hissed and cursed as she ran from the tunnels and glared at the fire type while trying to set her fur back to normal. Sentret was pissed and attacked the fire type using sucker punch which made Whitney wince as she remembers the first time she caught Sentret. Her Sentret took a lot of pride in her smooth shiny fur, and didn't have patience for any damage caused.

[A. N.: I can't believe half of the bs coming out of AH's mouth in the interview.

She actually said JD's lawyer convinced the world JD has siccorhands? Last I checked Edward Scissorhands is a fictional character.

WTF! I just don't know what to say.]