After arriving at New Bark Town, the gang were on the road for Violet City, where Ashlyn can earn her first Johto badge. Right now the gang were thinking about the starter Pokémon they saw.
"I'm glad we were able to see a Totodile." Ashlyn said, "I really liked that Cyndaquil."
"I thought that Totodile was really cute," Misty said, "I hope to get one for myself."
"Too bad we didn't get to see a Chikorita." Brock said.
"Rai? Raichu." Tesla pointed in a direction.
"What's the matter Tesla?" Ashlyn questioned her partner.
"We're going to train hard, hit hard enough, everybody out of the box." A girl said, "We're in the big league so were playing hard ball."
The girl was about ten years old, with half split blue hair and brown eyes, wearing a yellow striped jacket, blue shirt inside and a white striped short pants. Ashlyn recognized the girl as Casey, a rookie trainer from New Bark Town.
"Erm..." Ashlyn had no words.
In front of Casey was a Chikorita and around its head is a yellow and black striped headband.
"Hey look a Chikorita." Brock said.
Ashlyn took out her phone.
[Chikorita, the Leaf Pokémon. Chikorita uses the leaf on its head to scan for warmth and humidity in its surrounding, and loves to sunbathe. It also releases sweet relaxing fragrance from the leaf on its head.]
"That little head-band makes Chikorita really sporty, doesn't it?" Misty commented.
"Umm, looking at her age, my guess is that she must be one of the starting Pokémon trainers that received Chikorita from Professor Elm." Ashlyn said as she put her phone away, "Let's see how it battles."
The gang watched the battle begin for Casey's Chikorita and a wild Rattata, as the battle started, Casey was speaking like a baseball game area, 'playball' or 'home field' and other baseball-like words.
"Wow, she must be a huge baseball fan." Ashlyn sweat dropped.
"Yeah." Misty and Brock agreed.
They continued to watch and Chikorita used Tackle attack, knocking Rattata out and Casey caught it.
"Another win for Team Casey!" Casey cheered, as she high-five her Pokémon, "Will the fans rise and salute Casey and Chikorita by singing their victory song."
"Raaaiii..." Tesla said, unsure.
The gang sweat dropped at this scene as Casey and Chikorita continued to sing their song.
"Yeahhh! Chikorita return." Casey recalled back her leaf Pokémon into its Pokéball. She turned around and notice the gang, they flinched when they noticed her stare.
Suddenly she charged right towards them. Then stopped in front of Ashlyn.
"I don't believe it! An honest and good Raichu! Yay! Yay!" Casey cheered and then plucked Tesla off Ashlyn's shoulder, "I just love those powerful pin stripes and that shocking orange coat!" Then she hugged Tesla tightly while pressing her cheek against Tesla's, "Your Raichu is a grand slam!"
"Hey, please be careful. Tesla is very high voltage." Ashlyn warned Casey.
"You think it would really shock me!" She gasped happily, "What a blast, I've always wondered what that's like! Come on Raichu, turn on the juice! Give me a taste!"
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Ashlyn asked, uncertain.
"Come on you little rat!" Casey snapped, "Give me a jolt!"
Tesla, shocked and angry, Thunder Shocked Casey.
"Bad idea." Casey said weakly.
"Told you so." Ashlyn said and took Tesla from Casey's hands.
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A few minutes later, the gang were sitting on a fallen tree with Casey sitting on a stump across from them.
"My name's Casey Nanako. I'm a huge baseball fan and I just became a Pokémon trainer." Casey introduced herself.
Ashlyn, Misty and Brock introduced themselves as well.
Casey gushed at Tesla. "Oh I'm just crazy about yellow Pokémon especially with stripes that's why I think your Raichu is so adorable even though it has orange colored fur. But the Pokémon I want more than anything in the world is Electabuzz. Someday I might even have a whole team of beautiful yellow Pokémon. All of them with stripes!"
"Why do you like yellow and striped Pokémon, Casey?" Misty asked.
"Well you see, me and my family have been routing for the Electabuzz baseball team for three generations." Casey replied.
Ashlyn couldn't help but feel sorry for Casey. She had heard and read about the Electabuzz Baseball Team on tv or magazine, they always end up in last place. So she kept her mouth shut to prevent herself from saying anything offense to Casey.
"Hey Ashlyn, I would like to have a Pokémon battle with you." Casey said.
Ashlyn blinked, "Huh, are you sure? I mean I'm more experienced than you."
Casey nodded, "I'm 100% sure. Electabuzz always have a match against the strong baseball players. So I want to battle a trainer who is stronger than me." She answered.
"She's definitely a beginner's trainer." Misty whispered to Brock.
"Yeah she's got that cocky attitude that some rookie trainers have." Brock agreed.
"Ermm..." Ashlyn had no words, "Alright. How about a one-on-one Pokémon battle?" She asked.
Even though she had three Pokémon on her at the moment, she didn't want to use Talos or Poseidon. The less people who knew about them, the better.
Casey nodded, "Certainly."
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Ashlyn and Casey stood on opposite sides, ready for a battle.
Casey held her Pokéball, like a pitcher, "I choose you!" She threw it.
"Pidgey." The bird Pokémon said.
"Alright then, Tesla want to give it a shot?" Ashlyn asked Tesla.
Tesla nodded, "Rai!"
Tesla jumped off her shoulder and entered the field.
"Pidgey use Quick Attack!" Casey yelled out.
Pidgey charged towards Tesla.
"Tesla use Thunder Shock!" Ashlyn ordered.
Tesla launched her electric attack at Pidgey which zapped Pidgey and it fell to the ground in defeat with swirling eyes.
"No way!" Casey exclaimed.
Misty and Brock sweat dropped at the quick defeat.
"I want a rematch!" Casey demanded.
"Okay." Ashlyn sweat dropped
Casey sent out Chikorita to battle next, "I'm going to win this next battle Ashlyn!"
"Tesla, do you still want to battle?" Ashlyn asked.
Tesla nodded.
"Alright." Ashlyn said.
"Use Razor Leaf Chikorita!" Casey ordered.
Chikorita flung leaves at Tesla and Tesla got it by them.
"You okay Tesla?" Ashlyn asked.
Tesla was okay to still battle. She nodded, "Rai!"
"Okay use Swift."
Tesla shot stars, from her tail, straight at Chikorita, defeating it in the process and making Ashlyn the winner.
Ashlyn picked up Tesla and gave her a hug. "You were great, Tesla." She said. Tesla smiled happily.
"Chikorita!" Casey ran toward her starter Pokémon, "We lost..." She said, sadly and returned back her Pokémon.
"Casey you're a beginning Pokémon trainer and your Pokémon don't have enough experiences yet, to go up against Ashlyn who has been on her journey for two years now." Brock started, "But if you train your Pokémon, I'm sure that you'll be a strong trainer in the future."
Casey looked up, feeling a bit better, "You really think so?" She asked.
The gang nodded.
"Thanks everyone." Casey smiled.
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Soon it was time for the gang to continue on their way to Violet City.
"You may have beaten me Ashlyn but next time, I'll win the game." Casey declared.
Ashlyn laughed and nodded, "I look forward to it Casey." She said.
"Bye!" Casey waved and walked another way.
"Bye Casey!" Misty waved.
"Next time huh?" Ashlyn giggled.
"Next time Casey won't be a rookie anymore." Brock stated.
Ashlyn smiled, "That's right."
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Though they go their separate ways, their new friend Casey is headed towards the same goal as Casey, becoming the best Pokémon trainers they can be. With practice, patient and determination... Just may get there.
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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Type: Null (Talos)(Genderless), Lugia (Poseidon)(M)
*Marshadow is hiding in Ashlyn's shadow