Chapter 4:
First day on the job

‘Hmm, strange why do I feel so warm?’ A familiar gray cat thought as she stirred from her slumber. Carefully the cat opened her green eyes and saw that the traveler was staring at her with a big smile.

“Morning Rita.” Ash said as he kept the smile going. She looked around and saw that she was in the bedroom of Ash Ketchum. The thought of ‘why she was inside’ crossed her mind, but at the moment the only thing she was thinking about was how warm his chest was.

“Morning yourself.” The stunning singer said back and then arched her back for a traditional stretching pose before standing at full height. This may have been the first time, but she did not mind waking up to the trainers face, it was a warm, welcoming sight.

“Uh, no offense Rita, but do you mind getting off so I can make us some breakfast.” The monster tamer stated to her while trying not to hurt the feline's feelings. She looking at him for a moment and then went back to lying down.

“No. I think I prefer it here. Besides I’m not even hungry.” Rita responded to him, but it was at that time her stomach disagreed with her. As soon as it went off the fur on her face became red with embarrassment.

“Could have fooled me. Come on let’s eat.” Ash said to her and with that said she did get off. The two went over to the kitchen, but Rita stopped and saw that her partner was also in the trainer's bedroom: sleeping. The gray furred one decided to let Runt sleep, and headed to the kitchen. When Rita got there she saw the new guy pull out a saucer and some cream. He then placed the saucer on the floor and carefully poured the cream into it. “This should tide you over for a while.” Ash said and went to work at making Breakfast for the three of them.

‘Runt was right, this guy would make a good pet owner.’ The female thought as she took a few licks of the cream. ‘But would he accept a creature that sort of may like him more than as a friend.’ She added to her other thought, but remembered the tale of Latias and Bayleef and realized that he didn’t have a problem with that sort of thing. It was about that time that the boy was cooking up some bacon and that is what brought the canine out of his dream.

“OH BOY! MEAT! Gotta find the meat, definitely, definitely gotta find the meat.” Runt said and began to run clumsily to the kitchen but slammed into the counter by accident. That caused several dishes and cups to fall from the shelves, but Ash was already on it. Using traditional cartoon saving dish maneuvers he grabbed them all, placed them on the counter, and stuck his right arm out; after a while the last of the cups fell right into his hand.
“That could have been very bad.” He said after putting the glass on the counter and went back to work. ’How did I do that, anyways?’ He thought and continued working on the food. After a few short moments he had a small Breakfast for the three of them.

“This looks really good, Ash.” Runt said after receiving his food. The boy smiled about that and decided an easy question, one that he really needed an answer to.

“After we eat maybe you two can properly show me around. If I’m going to be here a while, I’ll need a better understanding of this place.” He said to them, hoping that they would be all for it.

‘That does sound good.’ Rita thought before remembering that there was something else she had to do. “Sorry, Ash, Runt and I are need on set in about thirty minutes.” She answered him and thought, ’Sometimes I really wish that I had more days off.’

“It’s okay, Rita. I understand. I can look around by myself.” He said and after a small talk the cat and the dog left his apartment. “Come to think about it, how did I get these dishes: I thought Wakko ate them all.” Ash said to himself and then added, “ I guess this thing happens a lot to them.” He then cleaned the dishes, put away the extra food, and then headed out. ‘Still can’t believe that I am on a studio: it’s awesome.’ He thought and decided to visit Ralph first.

“Oh, uh, Hey Ash.” The large officer said when he saw the traveler standing outside his station. After saying the welcome the guard knew what his boss wanting to give to him. “Mr. Plotz gave me this to give to you.” He said and after moving some doughnut wrappers he found the package. “Here ya go.” He said and gave him an ordinary brown box.

“Thanks, Ralph.” He said and then opened the package and saw that it was a small black walkie-talkie. “I guess this is for anyone who needs my help?” He questioned to the cop who nodded as an answer. “Hmm, looks like I got a call already.” He said and by luck pressed the right button.

“Finally!!!” Slappy screamed into the device since she was on hold since dawn. “Ash, get that monster trainin butt of yours over here. Got a problem.” She added to him and hung up just as fast.

‘Good thing these guys told me where they lived.’ He thought and decided to get there the only way he knew how: by foot. He headed to Slappy’s house as fast as his feet could carry him, which he knew was a pretty fast speed since he traveled mainly by foot and hardly used any transportation. After about ten minutes or so he got to the squirrels front door.

“Good, bout time you showed up. Got a job for ya.” Slappy said after slamming her door wide open.

“What is it that you want?” He questioned while getting a bit nervous as she stormed over to him with an angry scowl on her face.

“There’s a big walnut at the top of my tree. Get it down here now.” She yelled back to him. He nodded and got to work. He leapt to the first branch he could grab onto, then became a monkey class as he climbed the tall tree so easily. ‘This isn’t so hard.’ He thought as he saw the walnut she was talking about and it really was big. Taking great care for a foot hold on the branch he was on he began to pull on it, and after a few tugs he was able to get it, but lost his footing in the process. ‘This might be bad.’ He thought as he fell, but he was surprised how calm that thought came out. Without trying he grabbed onto a branch that was a foot and a half from the ground and stayed there for a bit before letting go and landing on the ground.

“Thanks.” The elder said to him as she walked past him. “Next time take the stairs.” She added and then slammed the door shut. The trainer ignored her attitude and tried to figure out how he was able to do that so calmly. That question was put at the back of his head and he decided to head back to the lot, just in case someone needed an extra hand. When he got there he decided to try a road he didn’t try earlier and after a ways he heard a painful groan, and that was all he needed to check it out.

“I truly wish that those two would treat me a bit better.” A female giraffe said as she tried to rest in an armchair, but couldn’t due to the pain in her feet.

“Hello, is it alright if I come in?” Ash asked after knocking on the door. The long necked mammal had heard of there being a new member to the fold, but never met him, so she thought it best to meet him face to face.

“Yes, it is all right to enter.” She said and that is exactly what he did. The maid of two heavy weights saw the raven haired youth walk in and he saw the twinge of pain on her face.

“Is everything okay?” He questioned while walking over to her. She let out another short groan since the pain was a little much.

“I’ve had been on my feet since dawn and…HEY?” She said and was then alarmed when the trainer took off her shoes and saw what she meant.

“I see what you mean but, no problem, I can help.” He informed her and then began to massage her feet. As he dug his thumbs to her foot she found herself instantly relaxed. “Man, these knots are bad.” He said after a few tries. It took him almost an hour to get done with them both, and in that time she was enjoying herself. “This should do the trick. Good bye.” He said to her and left with her looking at the boy from behind.

‘This man I like.’ She thought and added another thought to that, ’My niece wrote to me of also liking a normal human.’ So she wondered if she was turning out to be like her family member. Through out the rest of the day he spent it doing small delivery chores along with drinking and eating. Near 5 o` clock he was at a set for a Minerva cartoon.

“So, why am I here again?” Ash questioned the director of the cartoon as he stood to his left. The bearded man engrossed in what was going on the set, but he was still able to answer the question.

“For now you’re a gopher.” He answered back and watched the beauty at work. This was one thing that could grind him the wrong way: waiting for something to happen, he was a man of action, and sitting around wasn’t his style. After thirteen minutes the work was almost done and the boy had to admit Minerva was good, but just as he closed his eyes, since he was getting hungry from hunger, he saw something blue swinging above the blue furred one followed by a snap.

“Everyone get off the set.” Ash yelled after opening his eyes and seeing that there really was something falling. Most of them were able to get out of the way, but Minerva stayed there: frozen with fear, watching as the row of lights were heading straight for her. The boy reacted out of his hero instinct and rescued her with a grab and roll maneuver.

“Is everyone alright over there.” The director said, fearing that he lost two people in the process. ‘That dork just had to get the crappiest support wiring.’ He thought in anger, but was soon relieved when he heard a voice.

“We’re fine Mr. Spielberg.” Ash said and slowly rose to his feet while holding the mink in his arms. A few of the workers came back with fire extinguishers to handle the blaze. When it died down the trainer and his friend rejoined the others.

“Thank goodness that you two are okay.” Steven said in relief when they met. The man had seen plenty of stunts before, but nothing that insane in a long time.

“Yes, Ash, thank you.” The mink said, grateful that her fur was okay. She also saw the way that he held her and thought, ‘Nice use of holding too.’ He had her right arm around the back of his neck and his left arm around the left side of her waist.

“I hope that you do not take this the wrong way, Mr. Spielberg, but I don’t really care what you say I think Minerva needs the rest of the day and maybe more off.” Ash said to the head man of the studio. At first the man in brown stared at him, but soon began to laugh.

“I hear ya Ash, but for toons this is usually when they stop for the day.” He said to the boy who became embarrassed for making a big deal over nothing. “You are right, she will need a few days to recover from that.” He said in a somewhat serious manner.

“If you don’t mind, I would like to take her to her home.” The monster tamer said and got the okay from Steven and headed out. Due to his strength of will Ash was able to journey to the lake beside the white furred one’s home, but stopped in front of the door.

“Thanks for taking me home.” Minerva said while trying to act as though this boy scout routine did not entice her; even though it did.

“Happy to do it.” He said to her and then surprised the female with a hug. “For what’s it’s worth, I’m thankful your still here.” He whispered to her in a serious fashion. He broke away and took a few extra steps back. “I’ll check up on you tomorrow to see if your okay.” He said and then headed back to his place.

‘So he was worried about me.’ She thought in awe. ‘That means he prefers me over the others.’ She added and then one last thought occurred, ‘I know this is selfish, but I kind of hope that he can’t go home.’ With those thoughts in mind she headed to sleep.


Copy Rights:
Ash Ketchum, and the others, are owned by Gamefreak/Nintendo and Cartoon Network.
Animaniacs, and the others, are owned by WB.