Pokemon Moonlight Silver (COMPLETE!!!)

[EmeraldSky]

@Scytherwolf;

Episode 37: Hearts of Fire (part 1)

"Hello?" the image of Prof. Oak asked as it blipped on the phone's screen.

"Hi, Professor...we're on our way to Goldenrod City now, but not without a few adventures..." Ash smiled.

"I heard about Venti's victory in the Pokemon Swap Meet--well done." Prof. Oak smiled. "Of course, then Cinque and Otto had to argue over who would beat Venti in a fight. Thankfully, Sette broke it up, but Venti assured his herd-mates that he was proud to represent the herd in the match."

"That's Sette for you--ever the peacemaker." Ash smiled. "What are some sights we can see in Goldenrod City and the surrounding areas?

"Well, there's the National Park, where a bug catching contest is held..." Prof. Oak began as Misty and Brock arrived, with Nurse Joy not far behind. "You may want to leave Misty at the mall if you plan to do that."

"Actually, professor, I've signed up to participate in the Pokethlon." Misty assured Prof. Oak.

"In that case, the stadium where that kicks off is by the park." Prof. Oak explained. "Then there's the Radio Tower, where many shows of both an informative and entertaining nature are broadcast across the region--the main station's call letters here are WJTO."

"I've always wanted to sing and tell stories on the radio!" Brock gasped. "I can see the show now: 'Live from the Fireside'...

Prof. Oak chuckled. "With your talent for storytelling and music, I believe you would make a fine radio star, Brock."

He looked at the clock out of the frame. "Speaking of radio shows, I have to prepare for this week's edition of 'Pokemon Talk'--so I must be going. Take care, and be safe!"

"We will." Ash smiled before the call ended.

"I must know what you do to keep your Pokemon so happy and healthy, Ash...they're all in tip top shape!" Nurse Joy smiled before allowing Ash to see his team on the gurney.

Before Ash could answer, Brock slipped before Nurse Joy, guitar in hand. "Maybe you could give me a little TLC and listen to this song I wrote telling of your kindness and beauty..."

"Uh, that's okay--I just remembered I have to inspect the competitors for the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix. Thank you, and see you!" Nurse Joy stammered before hurrying off back behind the counter, to Brock's shock.

"Sorry, Mr. Balladeer..." Misty smirked as she heard the DOING of Brock's G string breaking.

"That's okay--the song was a little rough around the edges, anyway." Brock assured his companions as he went to work fixing the broken string.

"If you're curious, the Grand Prix is a firefighting and rescue competition for Pokemon and their trainers." a girl explained as she settled on a couch, gesturing to a poster advertising the Grand Prix on a window.

"Sounds fun!" Ash gasped. "Where do I sign up?

"Tiny problem, hero--the only Water types you have are Brenna and River--are you sure a team of two would be enough?" Misty asked.

"One step ahead of you--I'll just borrow Michelle and Pearl to round out the team." Ash grinned confidently.

"Now wait a minute! When did I say you could use Michelle or Pearl for ANYTHING?" Misty demanded. "If you wanted to use them, you could've ASKED first!"

A pop of a Poke Ball got Misty's attention. [Actually, Misty, I wouldn't mind competing in this fire and rescue competition.] Michelle assured her master. [It actually sounds like fun!]

Misty sighed. "Okay...you can use Michelle and Pearl in the competition, but in return, I expect you to take extra good care of them." she told Ash.

"Got it!" Ash replied.

Just then, both Ash and Misty perked up at a familiar male voice calling them. "Is that..." Misty gasped as she saw a familiar man with tanned skin and orange work clothes leading a team of Wartortles in their direction.

"Captain Aidan!" Ash cried as he ran to embrace the man.

"It's good to see you and Misty again." Aidan smiled. "And who might your singer friend be?" he asked, noticing Brock putting the finishing touches on the repaired guitar string.

"That's Brock, the aspiring musician and storyteller and master archer we told you about." Misty replied. "Brock, this is Captain Aidan of Ascorbia Island--while Ash and I were with Tracey in the Orange Islands, we saw firsthand why he and his Wartortles are known as the best firefighters in the area!"

"Really?" Brock was intrigued.

"Not just that, he gave Brenna some training, and in return, she helped them put out a major fire!" Ash went on. "It'd be a perfect song!"

"You can tell me about it later--I'd call it 'The Ballad of Captain Aidan'". Brock grinned.

Aidan just chuckled. "Here's another idea for a verse in 'The Ballad of Captain Aidan'--the Wartortles and I defending our title in the Grand Prix."

"I can see why you've won a title--every one of your Wartortles looks championship worthy!" Brock raved as he observed the team of Wartortles.

"Thank you..." Aidan smiled before addressing the team. "All right, team! Report!"

[Captain Mist, standing by!] the lead Wartortle announced. One by one, the other Wartortle introduced themselves:

[Engineer Sleet, standing by!]

[First Lieutenant Rima, standing by!]

[Second Lieutenant Haley, standing by!]

[Third Lieutenant Dew, standing by!]

[We are Team Wartortle! No fire can stand against our big wave!] the five Wartortles chorused.

[You guys!] Brenna dashed out to meet the Wartortles. [I missed you!]

[We missed you too, Honorary Lieutenant Brenna.] Mist smiled as she and Brenna shook claws for the first time in a long time. [No one in the islands ever forgets what you did to help us.]

"Now I'm REALLY interested in hearing just what Brenna did..." Brock mused as Ash lead the way out of the Pokemon Center...

---------

"I've talked to the Grand Prix coordinators, and they have allowed Ash to compete even though he did not submit an entry form." Aidan explained as the group walked down a hallway and into the main practice room of the competition's workout center.

"Wow..." Ash gasped as a team of Azumarill practiced hosing down a replica of a burning house. A Greninja ordered its Froagie charges to rescue a Clefairy doll, and a team of Piplups hurried into position for their attempt at dousing the burning house.

"You were lucky to be entered because a good word from a friend--all these teams look like seasoned pros." Brock cautioned. "So bring your A game."

"I'll bring more than that--I'll bring my S game!" Ash grinned, unfazed at his competition.

Just then, Brenna spotted Officer Jenny and four familiar Squirtles. [Officer! It's me, Brenna!] she called, waving a claw in their direction.

"Hello there, Brenna..." Jenny knelt down and hugged Brenna. "Think you can spray some sense into your old squadmates?" she asked, gesturing to the four Squirtles, who were visibly shaking in fear at the other teams present.

Brenna stepped before the four Squirtles. [Eddy...Chill...Mellow...Tear...you guys still remember me, right?]

[Of course we do, Brenna.] Eddy replied. [We're just worried about what good us Squirtles can do against all these big and tough Pokemon.]

[We can do anything if we all work together as a team, gang.] Brenna replied. [As all the Sorin stories say, the small can overcome the big and tough not by strength, but by wits!]

[You've got a point there, Brenna...] Chill smiled as he woke up from a nap with a yawn.

"It's always nice to see you, Officer." Misty smiled as she and Ash watched Brenna converse with the other Squirtles, all the while watching and hoping Brock would not attempt to sing Jenny a sappy love song.

"Brenna seems happy to see her squad mates again." Ash agreed.

"It seems like only yesterday they were little rascals bringing terror on Vermilion City...and look at them now--the city's most famous, reliable, and cutest firefighters." Jenny smiled. "And I have you to thank for that, Ash."

"Aw, it was nothin.'" Ash smiled. "I bet they could even take down Team Wartortle, the returning champions!"

Brenna rolled her eyes as the other Squirtles gasped at the mention of Team Wartortle. Oh brother...I'm gonna have to remind them what it means to be a hero again...

To Be Continued...