Pokemon Storm Gray

[EmeraldSky]

Episode 6a: The Trio's Triple Trouble! (part 1)


"Wow...this is Striaton City!" Ash gasped as he glanced at the various skyscrapers around him. "If getting our first Star Pins in the Pokemon Musical was easy, my first badge should be easy too!"

Something dawned on Ash as he looked down the maze of streets and buildings that branched out from the city square. "Okay...where are we supposed to find the Gym in all this?"

"There is such a thing as a map, Ash..." Misty sighed. "Ever tried that?"

As Ash and Misty angrily stared each other down, a young man with green hair in an elegant tuxedo-like outfit approached, intrigued in Tarina sitting on Brock's shoulder. "Oh, what have we here? A heroic Pichu on an epic journey alongside her master! Her attire is only a hint at her amazing power--a taste of magic any monster will not soon forget!"

[Um, thanks?] Tarina stammered, unnerved by the young man's exuberant praises.

The young man ignored Tarina's uncomfortable expression. "Judging from how much your Pichu hero trusts you, I can only imagine your bond with your other Pokemon! They have to be treated like royalty!"

"I don't know about the royal treatment, but I do my best to treat them well." Brock admitted, aware of Tarina's unnerved look.

[Um...] Tintri began, attempting to get the young man's attention.

"We are three travelers from the far away region of Kanto." Ash explained.

"Really, now? I am Cilan, a Pokémon Connoisseur--a pleasure to meet you three." the young man smiled with a little bow.

"What does a Conna-sure do?" Ash whispered to Brock, not wanting to offend Cilan.

Brock shrugged. I wish I knew the answer, but I'm drawing a blank myself...

Misty winced as she pictured Cilan eating various "cooked" Pokemon on platters in her mind. "I'm not sure I want to find out what Cilan does..." she shuddered.

Cilan smiled at Misty. "Oh no...I would never dream of harming a Pokemon without a very good reason. My line of work is not well known outside of Unova, so I can understand why you three would be confused."

"Okay, so what is it you actually do?" Misty asked.

"Pokémon Connoisseurs can judge the friendship between a trainer and their Pokémon, and teach trainers how to improve that bond." Cilan explained.

"That's cool!" Ash smiled. "Please, demonstrate your skill by evaluating my bond with Tintri."

Before Cilan could react, Misty reminded Ash "I love that you're interested in what Cilan here can do, but remember why we're here to begin with--the Gym."

"Ah yes, the Gym." Cilan smiled. "As a native of this city, I know the way to the Gym. May I escort you three there?"

"Please do." Misty smiled, now in a better mood. "It would beat getting lost!"

---------


"...around the corner, and we're here." Cilan made a grand gesture to an elegant white building with a red, blue, and green awning. "Welcome to Striaton Gym, better known as Chez Trois."

Ash gawked at the building. "I was expecting a Gym, not a restaurant..."

"If I'd known we were coming somewhere this nice, I would've told you two to bust out the suits." Misty agreed as Cilan led the group inside.

In the foyer, a red haired young man and a blue haired young man in similar attire to Cilan met the group. "Welcome back, Cilan...are these three guests?" the red haired young man asked.

Cilan nodded. "These three are travelers from Kanto. Please make sure they are given quality service."

"But we're not here for--!" Ash started to protest as he was whisked away to one of the exquisite tables overlooking a small stage in the dining room. Onstage, a chamber trio was performing a flute, violin, and harp rendition of the tune "Farewell to Unova".

"Just grin and bear it, okay?" Brock called after Ash as he was led to the beautifully decorated table.

Misty, meanwhile, was more interested in the trio performing on the stage. "That's a beautiful melody...wonder if they'd be nice enough to let me have a copy of the sheet music?"

"I bet it would sound really nice on tin whistle, fiddle and guitar..." Brock agreed, enamored by the song that seemed to be both wistful and prayerful. "While you're asking for the fiddle sheets, could you maybe ask for guitar chords, too?"

Misty nodded. "I'll see if they're willing to share their sheet music." With that, she made her way into the dining room from the leftmost door.

In the dining room, Ash reared back at the two waiters' onslaught of requests:

"What would you like this afternoon?"

"Fresh Unovan spring water?"

"Mint Tea, freshly brewed?"

"An Ice cold Fizzo?"

"Maybe a Midori Mist to relieve the jet lag for your travels?"

"Um, I'm not really thirsty right now..." Ash stammered before finding a complementary water glass behind a bouquet. "Just water is fine."

"All right..." the red haired young man smiled. "Today's specials are fresh roasted Shinouian Shellders, Unovan prime rib with fingerling potatoes and haricots verts..."

Whatever that means... Ash thought, a look of annoyance forming on his face as the waiters continued rattling off menu options he didn't want:

"Perhaps a four cheese flatbread? It's a more elegant take on pizza..."

"The blackened Goldeen?"

Ash winced at the thought of blackened Pokemon, more from annoyance than disgust. How long until I can tell these two that I'm in the mood for a battle, not lunch?

"Perhaps a Citrus Sorbet medley for dessert?" the red haired young man asked.

"Or a Kalosian chocolate silk pie?" the blue haired young man asked.

"FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME, I'M NOT HUNGRY!!!" Ash finally snapped, bringing the conversations and the music in the room to a halt. "ALL I WANT IS A BATTLE, NOT LUNCH!!!! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK????"

"Whoa..." Even Misty was surprised by Ash's outburst.

"Ash...what happened?" Brock asked as he knelt by his companion's side, aware of the tears of frustration and anger forming in Ash's eyes. "I'm not going to judge, I'm not going to offer advice...I only want to listen, and figure out why you exploded like that."

Ash took a deep breath to calm himself, then began. "All I wanted was a Gym Battle against the Leader--no more, no less. I felt frustrated and angry when I kept getting offers of food and drink that I didn't ask for or want."

The clack of a spotlight got the group's attention. "So it's a Gym battle you wanted?" Cilan smiled from the stage where the chamber trio had been playing moments before. "We are the Striaton Trio, your opponents--and we will give you a taste of the power of three!"

"Chili!"

"Cress!"

"Cilan!"

"It's showtime!"

Ash balked as the wall behind the brothers rumbled away to reveal a rocky field for battle. "Now then, Ash...who do you wish to battle?" Cilan asked as he shepherded a green monkey-like Pokemon to his side. "Will you battle me, and my companion Sage? Will you battle Chili, and his companion Brulee?" The red haired boy whistled for a red monkey Pokemon. "Or do you wish to battle Cress, and his companion Perrier?" The blue haired boy ushered a blue monkey Pokemon by his side.

A smile formed on Ash's face as Misty and Brock joined him. "Actually, I wanna take you on three on three! You guys vs. my friends and me!"

"Well, this has never happened before..." Cress mused.

"It could be an interesting match, so let's let them try together." Chili agreed.

Cilan addressed the group. "We accept your proposal for a three on three team battle. If you can defeat us--either by an outright defeat or best two out of three, a Badge is yours."

"Okay!" Ash smiled.

"Bring it on!" Misty agreed.

"Let's do this!" Brock was equally excited to see how a team Gym battle would unfold...

To Be Continued...