73 Kanto - Celadon City

Ash and the gang entered Celadon city also known as the green city of Kanto, late in the evening almost around dinner time. Despite it turning almost dark Ash could see how the city won it's title. Almost every tall building had vines and plants growing out of balconies specifically built to grow them. He gave a small impressed whistle at what he saw in the dim evening light before going to the Pokemon centre. The Pokemon centre itself was very large and impressive and built to accommodate large Pokemon if the gigantic doors were anything to go by.

Jameson, "It's very impressive, isn't it? How far architecture has come!"

Brock, "Yeah, so many buildings and plants."

Misty, "Talk about a it being literal concrete jungle."

Jessilina, "We are here."

Ritchie, "Let's go, I need to call my parents and tell them I'm fine. Plus food!"

Gou, "Yeah, running all the way here made me hungry too."

Horace, "I'm down for some grub."

Phantump, "Phaaaaaa!"

Lucario, -Getting some food first sounds good.-

Ash, "Food first then."

Primeape, "Ape ape!"

Pikachu, "Pika chaaaa!"

They entered the lobby of the centre and talked to Nurse Joy about getting some rooms for a week or so. The Breeder Contest as it turns me out was in nine days and the registration would start four days before the contest starts. Brock visibly relaxed learning he still had a lot of time to prepare himself for the contest and after getting some rooms for themselves they went to get food from the cafeteria. It was not the same as when you made your own food, but it was not that terrible to eat either, although Ash had to coax Phantump to eat his dinner. The little one wanted food made by either Brock or Ash not some stranger, according to Lucario.

Ash smiled apologetically, "Sorry Brock, hush Phantump, I promise I'll make more food tomorrow okay. Please just for tonight eat it, tomorrow I'll make your favorite dish."

Brock just smiled at Ash holding his own fussy baby, "Don't apologize Ash, my Corsula's not exactly happy either. Come on baby girl, just for tonight okay?"

Misty sighed, "Speak for yourself, Dewpider you need to eat, please!"

The three baby Pokemon grumbled before taking a bite out of the bland Pokefood and eating it making a face. Phantump gave a pout at Ash and Ash rubbed his back in return promising to make more of his favorite food in the morning after they get some shopping done. Nurse Joy saw their predicament and passed them a brochure of Celadon city with all the available shops in the morning before breakfast hours.

Nurse Joy, "There is an open barbeque and kitchen stand outside for trainers to use to prepare their own food for the Pokemon."

Ash smiled, "That is most helpful."

Misty nodded, "Yeah, thanks Nurse Joy!"

Ritchie, "I hope I can get myself a new capsule while I am here. It'll be easier to carry food around then."

Jameson, "I'm sure you can win one tomorrow at the game centre."

Gou, "I'm done!"

Horace, "Me too!"

Ash chuckled, "Couldn't eat anymore? Well me neither."

Brock, "It's not the same as making your own food, isn't it?"

Jessilina, "No it's not."

They turned in for the night and Ash gave all of his Pokemon a very nice scrub, massage and wash, before taking a relaxing bath himself. Despite the excitement of the tournament, it had been very dusty to travel and all of their Pokemon except for the ones in their pokeballs were pretty dirty and stressed hence the massage. Phantump gave a content sound floating in the water next to him and he chuckled before getting out of the water that was starting to cool down. He dried himself up and got into his PJs before drying Phantump and joining the other Pokemon in his room that he shared with Ritchie. He couldn't get a single room this time as Celadon always has a large number of trainers, coordinators and breeders going in and out.

Ash, "Bathroom is empty, take a bath or a shower, it feels great."

Ritchie got up taking his PJs, "Yeah, I will, it has been a few days since my last bath. Come on Sparky, Spirit I'll give you a wash and I'll give you a massage Zippo."

Sparky rushed in, "Pi pikachu!"

Spirit looked curious, "Pri?"

Zippo rumbled at him amused before going inside after Ritchie, "Arrrrrr!"

Ash laid back as Ritchie and his Pokemon went inside, he had talked to his mother earlier as well as his aunt who was with his mom. The two of them had gushed about how terrifying yet heartbreaking his latest story was. Delia had told him she was very proud of him, not only was he doing well as a Pokemon trainer and a coordinator but also as a writer. Ash smiled as he talked to his mom and aunt wished them goodnight before calling the Professor and talking to him and Blue as well.

The Professor had asked him again if he wanted to publish his book under his real name and Ash had confirmed it. Blue had informed him Red had left for Celadon city earlier that day and would be meeting him soon and to meet him. The Professor had then informed him the book would be published in a month or so and Ash had nodded thanking him, before wishing them goodnight. He half wondered how much a horror story book would make as he fell asleep, being lulled by the warmth of the Pokemon around him.

Once Ritchie was done with his bath he entered the room only to see his friend out like a light sleeping with his Pokemon. The red head smiled to himself, despite acting mature most of the time, Ash had his moments of adorableness, this was or rather is one of them. Zippo, Sparky, and Spirit looked at him then looked at Ash then him and the bed before giving a demanding rumble and a bark making Ritchie sigh in amusement. He wondered if joining Ash had been a good idea, his Pokemon had picked up the habits of Ash's Pokemon, although they were not bad habits per say but it was not something that he was used to. Ritchie put the towel out in the balcony to dry next to the other towels and washed clothes before getting on his bed only to be cuddled by three enthusiastic Pokemon. He laughed as he cuddled them and went to sleep and curiously enough he did not have his usual nightmares that night.

The next day he woke up warm and cozy only to find his roommate's bed empty, he checked the time and it was 05:30 in the morning. He would have slept in more, he was very tempted to sleep in, but knowing they had made plans to go to the shopping centre later, Ritchie decided to wake up and get some training done. Ritchie saw Ash and Brock in one of the centre's designated training grounds, they were running side by side with their Pokemon. He shook his head as he watched them, he may be up for physical training but no way he would consider taking Pokemon attacks head on, then he noticed he was not the only one watching them.

Ritchie, "Aren't you Paul?"

Paul turned to him, "Who's asking?"

Ritchie raised his hands, "The name is Ritchie and I was asking because you were checking out my friends, while they are training."

Paul grunted, "I watched his, Ash was it? P1 matches, for a coordinator, I'll admit, he has raised some very powerful Pokemon."

Ritchie's lips twitched not to let out an amused laugh, "That's Ash for you. He never does things half way. Is there something you wanted though?"

Paul hummed, "I was thinking of battling him later."

Ritchie tilted his head, "I can tell him, if you want?"

Paul nodded, "Tomorrow afternoon, town square."

Ritchie grinned, "I can't guarantee he'll agree though."

Paul frowned, "I'm just curious. He doesn't have to agree."

Ritchie turned to the training ground and shouted, "Ash! Paul is challenging you to a match!"

Ash shouted back, "When? Where?"

Ritchie, "Tomorrow afternoon, Times Square!"

Ash, "Got it!"

Paul looked at Ritchie, "The hell boy?"

Ritchie gave a shit eating grin, "You got your match, now stop staring at him."

Paul sighed before shaking his head and walking away grumbling about crazy Kantonians. First he was beaten by the kid Gary and his ridiculous Pokemon that defied logic, next he finds out Gary's childhood friend? Lover? Rival? Who is a coordinator is also strong then he meets a crazy red head who went around announcing his intent to challenge said coordinator. Maybe coming to Kanto was a bad idea after all, or maybe not, as he gets to battle strong trainers, he would have to thank Reggie for his suggestion later.

Ash stopped training after two and half hours, "Okay guys, it's almost seven now. I think most of the grocery shops should be open, let's go get stuff for breakfast, yeah?"

Brock who had stopped a while back, "Yeah, Corsula's gonna be hungry after a while although she's still sleeping right now."

Phantump jumped into Ash's arms, "Phaaa!"

Lucario nodded, -Yes please! No more ready made food!-

Pikachu climbed on Ash's shoulder, "Pi pika!"

Fearrow nodded and flew up with Pidgeot while Primeape and Squirtle walked behind Ash and Lucario. They met up with Misty, Jessilina and Jameson at the entrance and left towards the main shopping district which was close to one of the adjoining towns known as Lily town. Ash had a fun time letting his Pokemon choose what they wanted to eat first and it filled up his crate completely. He sweatdropped seeing the cashiers dumbfounded expression and left the crate there after telling Lucario and Pikachu to keep an eye on the stuff.

Ash and Phantump went to get food, human food and went through three different bakeries for different types of bread before hitting the meat, vegetable and fruit stalls to get stuff for himself. It was another filled cart that reached the cashier who looked at him with an expression that asked if he was having a party or something. Ash just grinned as his bill was made which was a total of 5,500 pokedollars, which made Lucario grunt a bit.

Lucario, -We may have gone a bit overboard with the shopping.-

Ash calmed him down, "There is no such thing as overboard when it comes to good food, only overeating. Besides this way we don't have to depend on the food supplied by the Pokecentre. I have noticed most Pokemon don't enjoy it the same way humans don't after eating food made by their own hands."

Lucario grumbled playfully, -That's true. I can't believe I have become picky. You spoiled my tongue and stomach, Meema.-

Ash laughed, "I think I'm more flattered you prefer my food more than anyone else."

Pikachu was hugging the bag that held tomato sauce with pasta and noodles, "Pi Pikapi, pikachuuu."

Ash bend down and rubbed behind the mouse's ears, "Of course I'll make tomato pasta for you as a treat buddy. Do you have any requests Squirtle?"

Squirtle looked at the jam bottles, "Squi squir squirtle."

Ash got up and started walking pushing the two crates now holding bags filled with items in them, "Jam filled pastries?"

Squirtle nodded, "Squirtle!"

Ash smiled, "Okay buddy, what about you and Primeape, Lucario?"

Lucario looked at Primeape who shrugged, -Honey glazed donuts for me Meema and berry pancakes for Primeape. He really likes those.-

Ash smiled looking up, "Got it. Wonder what Pidgeot and Fearrow will have?"

Lucario, -They told me they enjoyed sweet grains a lot so maybe we can make some sweets out of the grains for them?-

Ash hummed, "Like mix, some honey into the grains and roll it into small balls? I can do that."

Misty was having a similar talk with her Pokemon while Jessilina was quietly talking to Jameson about what they would do in the next town or city. Brock looked up from where he was waiting outside only to sweatdrop at the number of bags Ash and the others were holding as they came out. Ash just gave a sheepish laugh as Primeape and Lucario both took two bags each and started to walk. While Pidgeot and Fearrow grabbed four between them before flying towards the centre to drop them in their room. Pikachu and Squirtle both grabbed one bag each which they held above their heads and walked and Ash held two bags in one hand and the other carried Phantump.

Horace sweatdropped seeing them, "You went all out huh?"

Ash laughed sheepishly, "Yeah, I did, but you know what they say, healthy food is wealthy life."

Ritchie, "Don't you mean health is wealth?"

Ash, "Details details!"

Misty heaved her own bags besides her Pokemon as they entered the Pokecentre, "Finally we are here, let's get cooking."

Gou, "Do you need help?"

Misty shook her head, "I'm good, my Pokemon are helping me carry most of the stuff."

Jessilina, "Yeah, let's start cooking then."

Ash turned to Ritchie, "You can store your food among mine till you get a capsule of your own."

Ritchie smiled, "Thanks Ash, I didn't buy much because I didn't have a capsule, just enough to make breakfast, lunch, dinner and some treats for my Pokemon and myself for today."

Jameson, "We are going to the game centre later, hopefully we will all get what we want, yeah?"

Ritchie turned to Ash, "You know something, you ruined the standard food available for trainers and Pokemon for me. Now I can't eat them without thinking about the food I ate with you guys."

Ash fluttered his eyes, "Why thank you Ritchie, I'll take that as a compliment."

They burst out laughing and got to work, by the time they finished preping the ingredients to be cooked it was already nine in the morning. They had their breakfast together and made quite a sight to see for those who walked by the open kitchen area of the Pokecentre. The three baby Pokemon of the group, Phantump, Corsula and Dewpider did not put up a fuss this time and ate their food happily making Ash, Brock and Misty sigh in relief. They looked at each other and laughed with Gou and Jameson making jokes about them becoming a parent already.

Once they had their food, they focused on cooking several dishes and pokefeed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was a bit of a gruelling job but with the Pokemon helping them they managed to cook and pack away most of the food by the time lunch came around. Aside from water and milk, there were many different types of sandwiches, milkshakes, fruit juice, curry with bread, rice with curry and fried vegetables and meat, fruit salads, treats, etc. There were still a few bags of ingredients left in their room, that needed to be cooked but they decided to make them after returning from the game centre.

[A. N.: I love the Pokemon journeys episodes and I'm honestly flabbergasted people hate it and their reasons for hate truly make my eyebrows raise up and say WTF?]