Pokemon: The Wandering Guardian

this would make things only to be confronted by a group of people at the gate who were talking about random things.

Lan mumbled " So this is the crowd Gary brought" and then he went to the side of the gate to wait.

Lan then saw Gary come out and almost immediately everyone started to cheer. There was also a car that was parked and cheerleaders from the local school on it. Gary started giving a speech about becoming the greatest trainer while Lan noticed a boy in his pajamas trying to get through the crowd.

When the boy got through he talked to Gary. Lan recognized him he was Ash Ketchum. "Looks like he overslept" snickered Lan. He was not surprised because form the many times he had met Ash. Lan deemed his a forgetful boy who was just as stubborn as Gary.

Ash left and entered the Lab. Lan was not here wait on Ash but someone who always bailed that kid out of situations even if he did not know it.

He spotted her at the back of the crowd trying to look over the crown. Lan made his way to her and preceded to tap her on the shoulder.

"Hello, Mrs. Ketchum are you here for Ash?"

She jumped and turned and looked at Lan and let out a deep breath.

"Lan Douglas Birch don't you sneak up on me again. I could have fainted because of that." She then smiled and showed Lan the backpack and clothes in her hands. "Yeah Ash forgot everything this morning when he slept in so I had to pack his bags"

"Wow, what would he do without you?"

"I don't know. But I know it's going to be tough now that the house is going to be so empty." She said while sighing.

Lan nodded in agreement because their house was always lively when he came over to visit. Lan knew this would happen so he didn't want to miss a chance like this.

"Um, Mrs. Ketchum can I give you something real quick?"

She turned to look at Lan a little confused but nodded.

Lan then took a Pokeball from his waist while grabbing Ash's Clothes and backpack with the other. He then threw the Pokeball and a small Vulpix came out. It looked around then focused on Lan and backed away. It backed into Mrs. Ketchum who was surprised. She then bent down on her knees and stuck out her hand to approach it. Vulpix was startled and then looked at her eyes. It then sniffed her hand and started to rub its head against it enjoy the sensation from the petting.

"What a cutie. She is beautiful."

"Wow, she did take a liking to you. I wasn't sure about it but now it's certain. Deliah can you accept her as a gift from me for my sake and hers?"

She was startled but nodded and asked: "Why?"

Lan preceded to talk "Well, I wanted to get you a gift for always taking care of me here. Also, this Pokemon was abused by its last trainer so I have a tough time trusting people. Although Daisy seemed to be a bit better interacting with her while she was scared. I couldn't think of any better person to take care of it than you. Since you also said that your house will be empty maybe she could help fill it?"

She had tears in her eyes. She took the Pokeball from my hand and returned Vulpix. She smiled at Lan.

Suddenly we heard " Mom?"

The two of them turned around and saw Ash holding a yellow mouse Pokemon. It had two red cheeks that were sparking with electricity.

Lan thought ' Isn't that the Pikachu that Oak caught yesterday?'

"Ahh Ash, I came to bring you your clothes and bag for your journey. I packed a lunch in it also I put some extra clothes in there. You can also find a piece of paper with a checklist in case you forget anything"

"Mom come on I am not a kid anymore! I am a Pokemon Trainer and the next Pokemon Master!" He shouted the last part of his sentence and accidentally squeezed Pikachu. The pokemon sent a large amount of electricity and shocked him.

Lan laughed at the scene and Ash turned to Lan and questingly asked: "What's your name again?"

Lan almost tripped and fell. He didn't know why but Ash always forgot his name.

"Ash's Mom quickly told Ash. Ash this is Lan Birch. He has come over to our house many times and helped me cook and do things around the house. He is also a researcher here at the Lab"

Ash responded with an "Ohhhh" then nodded his head in understanding. He then preceded to take the clothes and backpack and with Pikachu still in his arms sprinted to the exit of town. "Bye, mom I will contact you when I can."

Mrs. Ketchum started to cry and wave at her son.

Lan just smiled and said "Mrs. Ketchum I am starting on my journey also. So I won't be around to help that much anymore. So take care, please."

"What?! You are leaving also?" She started to cry again pulled Lan into her embrace and hugged him. Lan hugged her also and they just stayed like that for a little while.

She broke off the hug first and had an extremely red face. Lan asks putting the back of his hand to her forehead " Are you alright? Are you sick now?"

She swatted his hand away and glared at him. "No." They waited in silence for a sec before she started to talk to him again.

Thank you, Lan, for Vulpix. It will help keep it more lively around here. I wanted to ask you to watch out for Ash and help him if he gets into trouble. Trouble seems to follow him around. "

She took a small piece of paper out of her pocket and scribbled something on it. "Here is my home number if you can call every once in a while" She then handed the piece of paper to him. A pink tinge very briefly showed on her face but it went away very fast.

Lan nodded and gave her a side hug while saying " I never knew my mother but I consider you as the closest thing I have to one. I will watch out for Ash. Okay, I will see you later I have to cover a lot of ground today.

Lan waved and turned around setting off out of town to begin his Pokemon Journey.