Chapter Text
Ash Badges 4 Pokemon 6/6 Total 9
On Hand: Pikachu, Krabby, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Psyduck
At Oak’s Lab: Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeotto
Chapter 2 Learning to Swim
Celadon City had a local pool where trainers can bring their Water Pokemon to come and play, even battle. Ash brought his Pokemon over to the little pool to help Psyduck learn to swim.
Charmander, Pikachu, and Bulbasaur were chilling, sunbathing and enjoying the warm sunshine. Misty was over at the big pool letting her Pokemon get some exercise. Brock was off chasing girls in bikinis.
Psyduck was a water type but he just couldn’t swim, once he submerged in water he freaked out. “Psyduck, it’s okay!” He scooped him up and the little duck monster calmed down. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
Krabby was doing laps in the pool, able to walk along the bottom of the tiny pool. Squirtle was doing laps as well. They were mostly just killing time as Ash worked with Psyduck.
The mon got submerged again. “Psy psy psypsy psy!” He freaked out again. A water type freaking out in the baby pool drew some attention. Misty was cracking up.
Ash held his paws. “Psyduck just breathe the water is shallow, you can stand.” He stopped freaking out, seemed dazed for a moment before he planted his webbed feet down and stood.
“Duck!” He said happily. The mon splished and splashed, wagging his tail in the water. He had some fun until he slipped, ending up on his back. “Psy psy psy psy psy!” Psyduck started freaking out again.
Ash picked him up and helped him calm down. “It’s okay buddy we gonna take it nice and slow.”
“If you keep wasting your time with that loser, Gary’s gonna get further away from you!” Misty teased.
Ketchum shook his head. That didn’t matter, he couldn’t call himself a trainer let alone a Pokemon Master ignoring a Pokemon in need. Psyduck hung his head, feeling bad for costing his trainer time. “Don’t listen to her Psyduck, I know you’re a great Pokemon, we’ll take it one day at a time.” He held his paws and walked with him.
They waved through the water, helping Psyduck get a balance. He built up confidence to stand alone in the water again. “Psy psy!” Psyduck splished and splashed. He got Krabby and Squirtle.
Krabby got him back with Bubble, and Squirtle splashed him back. “That’s it that’s the way.”
Misty rolled her eyes. ‘That’s just sad.’ She decided to ignore Ash and gush over the other cute water Pokemon at the pool.
There were some Squirtle, and a few Wartortle, a couple of Poliwag and Poliwhirl, quite a few Tentacool, some Seel, some Shellder, and a few Cloyster, Krabby of different sizes, her Horsea played with other Horsea and her Goldeen played with some other Goldeen. Her Staryu and Starmie played with other Staryu. There was even a couple of Magikarp and a Vaporeon. ‘These are real Water types, not dopey weaklings like Psyduck.’
They had fun playing in the water. “I’m gonna go get us some snacks.” He left Squirtle and Pikachu in charge, before he went over to the Snack Shack.
A Shellder came over to the little pool and ended up knocking Psyduck over, he was like a turtle on his back, he thrashed and thrashed unable to get up. “Psy psy psy psy!”
Squirtle came over and helped him calm down, he was fine he didn’t need to worry about drowning or anything.
Krabby helped sit him up, but the Shellder found the whole show amusing so he hit Psyduck with a Water Gun and knocked him back on his back. “Psy psy psy!” He tried to use Water Gun and it came out as a little spout.
It barely tickled the Shellder, the clam monster started laughing at him. “Psy…” The duck monster sulked.
“Kooky!” Krabby got annoyed, his claws flexing.
Squirtle tried to get him to calm down, his tail getting in clamping distance. “Shell!” Shellder clamped onto Squirtle’s tail.
“Squirtle!!!” The mon cried out. He shook the Shellder off and pulled out his glasses. The mon sweatdropped and soon got blasted by Squirtle’s much more powerful Water Gun.
It pushed the clam back and he got a little dazed. Ash came back, just as Shellder’s trainer came over. “What’s going on here?”
“Well it it isn’t Ashy boy!” Ketchum tensed at the familiar voice and nickname.
It was Gary Oak. He was wearing a colorful shirt, open showing off his body and was wearing some speedos, showing off his manly assets. “What are you doing here Gary?”
“Just doing some training with my Water Pokemon.” He shrugged. Gary’s larger Krabby came out, as did his Wartortle, and he had a Gyarados.
‘That must have been his Starter…’ Ash thought looking at the Wartortle.
Gary’s Wartortle glared at Ash’s Squirtle who wasn’t backing down, with his Squirtle Squad fighting spirit. Krabby were very territorial but it was looking like a David and Goliath situation between the two.
Ash’s other mons tried to step in as back up only for Gyarados to block their way. “Gya…” It roared.
“I already got my Sixth badge!” Oak bragged. “How many badges do you have?”
“Four…” He answered without thinking making Gary laugh at him more.
“At this rate you won’t even make it to the Pokemon League on time.”
“Yes I will!” Ash snapped. “Once I defeat Erica I’ll have five badges!”
Gary looked at Ash’s Pokemon, finding them to be pretty pathetic. “Are you planning to challenge Erica’s gym with Water Types?”
“No, I was just doing some training until the gym opened. I just caught this Psyduck.” The little guy hugged Ash’s leg.
“Looks like your Pokemon were ganging up on my Shellder, you should teach your Pokemon some manners!”
Ketchum’s Pokemon objected to the accusation. Squirtle even showed his tail where it still had Clamp marks. Psyduck spoke pointing at Shellder, before splashing his face and falling onto his back. “It looks more like your Shellder was picking on my Psyduck.”
Gary huffed. “What’s it doing in the baby pool anyway, what can’t it swim?”
Ash and Psyduck both blushed, and Gary burst out laughing. “That’s hilarious!” He wiped a tear from his eye. “It’s just as pathetic as you were!”
Psyduck was getting more and more frustrated at being mocked. “Your Pokemon won’t get any stronger with a loser trainer like you raising them.” Once Gary mocked his trained Psyduck snapped. His eyes glowed and he unleashed Disable!
Suddenly Gary was surrounded by Psychic power, and in front of everyone his speedos were yanked down showing off his ass, cock, and balls. “Gah!” He couldn’t even more to cover himself.
It was his turn to be laughed at as nearby trainers pointed at laughed at him. Ash’s mons got a couple of chuckles in, served him right for being a jerk. Psyduck’s power waned and Gary who’s face was now beet red, pulled up his speedos. “You’ll pay for that Ashy!” He stomped off, taking his Pokemon with him. “Tch, I’m out of here!”
Ash sighed and patted Psyduck’s head. “You did that for me, didn’t you Psyduck?” The mon tilted his head to the side in confusion. “Thanks!” He got head pats.
Ketchum dished out the snacks. “Believe it or not, I couldn’t swim when I was younger. I tended to sink like a stone so my mom got me floaties to help me out. The other kids made fun of me, so I took them off before I was ready. I sank like an anchor and the life guard had to help me.”
Now he could swim really well, even if it took him a bit more time. “So Psyduck don’t worry about what anyone says, get stronger at your own pace, as long as you try I’ll back you up.” He gave Psyduck a thumbs up.
“Psy!” His words touched all the mons. Pikachu had experienced this with Lt. Surge and Raichu, but it was nice for the other mons to hear.
Charmander was happy to see that Ash wasn’t the type to give up on his Pokemon, like Damian was.
Feeling a bit of confidence Psyduck waddled over to the pool to jump in and...he sank like a rock. “Bulbasaur!” The grass type fished him out using Vine Whip.
Ash hugged him and rubbed his back, the Water type sniffling.
They waited to digest their food before attempting the big pool again. Brock came back, he had struck out with girls one after another. “There, there!” Ash patted his back.
He got Psyduck some water wings to help him float before they got into the pool. Ash stayed with him. “Kick with your legs and try to move forward.” He did, it was a slow process.
Krabby showed how he swam, using his claws to zip through the water it was impressive. Squirtle was a torpedo in the water moving at such great speed.
Brock watched Ash work and play with his Pokemon, seeing it as a good experience for him. Ketchum got Psyduck to go from one end of the pool to the other. “You did great Psyduck!” Ash smiled warmly at him making the mon blush.
He took a break and Squirtle let Psyduck ride on his back, so he got to enjoy the feel of the pool with more speed. While he was resting he checked the Pokedex about Psyduck’s ability.
It was Swift Swim, granting a speed boost in the rain. ‘Each Pokemon will have their own pace, but they can get strong!’ Ash thought warmly.
To be continued...Battle At the Pool
Brock’s girl chasing causes trouble as an angry boyfriend picks a fight. Ash tries to help and things escalate. Psyduck isn’t the best in battle but it’s something they can work on.