Chapter 5:
Free day

It had been six weeks since Ash Ketchum, an out of town monster catcher, came to Warner Brothers studio, and he has made several friends. In that time he had made catching the Warner Siblings into his own sport by using feet or the various sports gear that they gave him such as skateboards, bicycles(which he hardly uses), roller-blades, roller skates, pogo sticks, and even scooters. ‘I wonder if I’ll ever get home.’ The boy thought as he looked out of his window.

“Morning, Ash.” A familiar voice said from behind him. The raven haired youth turn away from the view of the studio to the person that was wanting his attention; it was Rita, yes in that time she and Runt have called Ash’s temporary apartment home. The feline, along with the others, have shown him much kindness since he first arrived in their studio which he was grateful for.

‘Even if they are able to help me get back home…would I want to.’ Ash thought since these guys were starting to feel like family to him. He then shook those thoughts out of his head and concentrated on making breakfast for him and two others. He fixed the usual: scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, Orange Juice, cream, and sausage.

“That was another great meal, Ash definitely, definitely great meal.” The big, brown dog said to him in an energetic tone, that he used in all of his sentences. The boy was happy that they were happy of being around him, and while the two were eating there was a tapping on the window.

“Guess it’s time to feed those three.” Ash said to Rita and Runt before politely leaving the table. Aside from feeding those two he often fed the creatures of Warner Brothers. He was glad that they refilled his stuff every night due to Wakko or the hippos visits. He opened up the window and three pigeons came in: the Girl-feathers.

“Hey, Ash, how’d ya sleep?” Lana questioned since she didn’t trust someone who had been looking for a home her whole life to be near the monster container. The person in question stretched his arms to the heavens for a bit, and then answered her.

“Just fine, Lana.” He answered while smiling at her. He then walked over to his closet so he can give them the usual. “Here are your guys’ food.” He told them while carrying a big bag of bird seed. He poured them into three individual bowls, one for each girl, and in an instant they chow down. “So, any special episode for you five this time?” Ash questioned the small group of actual intelligent conversation animals. Each of them looked at each other and then they all looked at him strangely as if he had said something that did not add up. “Is there something the matter?” He questioned, not liking that look.

“Ash, didn’t you hear? Plotz is giving everyone the day off, and I have a feeling that includes you.” Rita informed the boy. The monster tamer knew of the word, but back home he would have spent the time watching old Pokemon battling footage or at the least train his own creatures, but at the moment he had no idea what to do.

“Oh…a day off? Then I guess I’ll go for a walk then.” He said before washing and dying the dishes. “Well, I’ll see you guys around.” He said and then left on foot. He was a good helper, but aside from that he was unsure what else he could do at this lot. ‘Maybe I can see if Minerva is alright.’ He thought, and followed with that plan. He walked over to her home near a lake, a place that he went to ever since the lighting incident…to make sure that she was still safe. Like always he knocked first, he may have been on good speaking terms with them, but he never forgot his manners.

“Who is it?” The female within questioned softly, even though she had a feeling she knew who it was since it was around this morning hour that he had stopped by; she even had a clock on her make-up station.

“It’s me, Ash. Is it alright for me to come in?” He asked her in a gentleman fashion. Inside the mink looked around her place, which she usually kept pretty tidy, and saw that it was still spotless.

“Sure thing. Come on in.” She answered back, and he followed her advice. Taking a quick scan of her home, which he had seen since he checked up on her since that day, and saw her in her traditional purple bathrobe tending to her long blond hair. She saw him coming through his reflection, and decided to talk with him. “So, how was your sleep this time?” She was an expert of hiding jealousy when she spoke since she was trying to convince herself that she was not interested in him.

“Pretty much the same.” He said and added, “Except there was one moment that Runt needed to go to the bathroom.” She was not all that phased by that piece of information, she knew that the two canines were night whizzers anyway. “I just need to buy Rita a bed or something. I mean it’s okay that she’s sleeping on my chest and all, but I would like to turn in my sleep.” He said while scratching the back of his head in confusion.

‘Her again!’ The white furred one though angrily. She knew that the feline had an alternative reason of why she called that place home. She had nothing against her personally, but when ever it came to matters with Ash, she became a little protective.

“So, what are you planning on doing on this fine morning?” He questioned, effectively changing the subject since he sensed her getting angry.

“Planning on hitting the gym.” She said to him and added, “Do you mind?” He nodded, walked over to the end table by her bed, and stayed there. She got off of her chair and went to work on choosing the right outfit; which never took her long. “Ready to go.” She said to him, her traditional way of telling him to turn around, and he did so.

“Um…you look good.” He said a little off to her. The only things that he had seen her wear is her usual red outfit and her robe. This time however she was wearing a pair of jean shorts and a sleeveless red shirt ending with her hair tied in a ponytail with a purple hair-tie and a pair of slip on black shoes. “Care to join me? I bet I can beat you in on the treadmill.” She said with a happy smirk. That was one thing that she liked to do with anyone show off her competitive streak.

“You are on.” He said back to her. The two got out of the house, and as soon as the door was locked the two began jogging to the gym. The two didn’t hurry there since they wanted most of their energy at the gym, and while they were going there a few others were joining them. Buttons with Mindy on his back, the Warner siblings on a three person invisible bike, and Brain in his power suit, but as he used his suit he accidentally stepped on his partner.

“Brain, wait for me.” The tall one said after getting out of his hole and trying to chase after them. Ash stopped and got out of the way of the armored rat, He then trotted back at Pinky and decided to help him out.

“Mind if I gave you a hand?” He questioned after kneeling down to the fellow lab assistant.

“Zort, sure thing, Ash.” He answered back and saw the trainers offered arm, and after climbing it the shoulder the two carried on. As he did that the mink saw that and could only smile.

‘That’s Ash for ya, always helping.’ She thought, but continued to travel without him. Soon the group made it to the building that read ‘gymnasium’, and they were all set to work out. As agreed Ash and Minerva concentrated on the treadmill to see which of the two could go further while the others tried weights except for the Warners who just came to sample the bar that was installed a few weeks ago.

“This seems a little slow, Minerva.” Ash said as the two of them were at speed ten. It was an average number for the cast, but the monster tamer was a little different than them. Ash, with all the running away from angry, wild Pokemon along with chasing after Team Rocket when ever they were up to no good, gave his legs a high endurance for running around. While the white furred beauty was enjoying her run she saw that Ash was increasing the level up to twenty, and he wasn’t even breaking a sweat.

“Man, Ash, your goo…” The minks was about to say after two hours of running when she lost her footing and was about to fall, but once again Ash’s instincts took over. He jumped back, off of the machine, landed, and was able to catch her with ease.

“You, okay?” He questioned while holding her in his arms. She stared into his eyes, trying not to be captivated, and after a shake of the head she was able to answer him.

“Yes. I’m fine.” He carefully held her as the two stood up. “Guess I’m just a little thirsty.” She said to him, so she can get rid of the worry in his eyes. He let her go and she headed for the bar of the place. The trainer tried weight training with Brain by starting with a couple of 20 pound free weights. As he was training his upper body with Mink watched him work while downing a strawberry smoothie. ‘He really is quite good.’ She thought as she admired him working out.

“Hey Brain, do you mind spotting me.” Ash offered, and he accepted. The trainer knew that it was the suit that was getting the workout so he was making sure that the mouse saw what old fashioned muscle could do. He lied down on the necessary bench and went to work. He was still going after an hour and a half of that same object.

“Ash, perhaps you should stop.” The big headed mouse offered, and without putting up an argument he did just that. The boy sat up on the bench and could see that his shirts have sweat all the way through, so without thinking he took them both off.

“Whoa. Didn’t know I had it in me.” He said while rotating his shoulders. He decided to join them at the bar to replenish his strength. Wakko, who knew a guys stomach: especially one that was built like his, ordered an order that may give Ash a much needed boost.

“You okay, Ash?” Dot questioned while oozing into a puddle while staring at his glowing body. As she pulled off that stunt the other female took out a jar from behind the bar, poured her in, and screwed on the lid.

“I’m doing okay, Dot.” He said to the jar with floating eyes inside. As soon as his butt met the seat a TALL pile of food was placed before him. “Thanks, Wakko.” He said to the unknown creature while giving him a knuckle touch. They all watched as he ate, and ate it all. The corn-dogs, hotdogs, chili-dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, double cheese burgers, various chips, pretzels, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars, pork rinds, ham sandwiches, pickles, cucumbers, and BLT’s were all gone along with the drinks.

“Are you full?” Minx questioned him, surprised that he not a single piece was on his bare skin. She watched as he took a napkin and whipped off his mouth before answering.

“Yes.” He said and added a belch. “Sorry about that, but I really am.” He said to them in an apologetic tone. He then glanced over at the youngest of the siblings and wondered, ’How do they do that?’ That was one thing that he wondered while he was here; that these guys can do things that can defy the known laws of physics - not saying that some things that his world has to offer does not do the same: it was just weird.

“Something the matter, Ash, Point?” The taller mouse questioned after coming from his small station of equipment to his table. They all could tell when the boy was busy thinking due to a distant look in his eyes.

“I’m fine, Pinky.” He answered to him, and then decided it was best for him to get some air. “I better see if Rita is okay.” He said and then left with a wave from his right hand. As soon as he left the jar burst with a fully restored Dot Warner.

“If you think stuffing me in a jar will give you Ash then you’ve got another things coming.” Dot said angrily back to her.

“As if I should be scared of you.” Minerva said back to the Warner. In truth the only Warners that she feared would be Wakko - who often has a big bag of tricks and Yakko - is very vaguely close to Bugs Bunny’s mind of deception, but Dot - not so much.

“Don’t forget, I still have my Jerry Lewis pet.” Dot said and pulled out her trademark container. This freaked all of them out since they were as scared of him as they were of a certain red head.

“On second thought, I better go home as well.” She said and decided to high tail it. She left the gym, which the others did soon after, and she also knew that the young one could give a command to her pet to drag who’s ever in front of her into the box. The thought of being in the same room with a giant Jerry made her feel queasy. ‘I have a feeling that Ash is going to be there for a while, but I wonder if there’s another place the two of us can go…alone.’ She thought on her way back home.

“Hey guys, I’m back.” He shouted when he made it into his apartment. After closing the door and taking a few steps inside, the boy was soon body checked by something big and brown. “Good to see you too, Runt.” He strained to say while petting him. He strained because he got the wind knocked out of him.

“Hi Ash. Did you have a good day off. Did ya? Did ya? Did ya?” He questioned.

“Yes, I did. Do you mind getting off of me.” Ash said and then questioned. The happy canine got off of him. The trainer got up, and decided to head for the couch. ‘I’ll worry about a shower after a nap.’ He thought and then lied down. No sooner than his body lied there a voice was heard.

“Ash, I know that lately you’ve been going topless for sleep, but still where are your shirts?” Rita questioned him. She was right, lately he has abandoned the idea of using a pajama outfit at least for now, and just wore his pants to sleep.

“Oh man, I must have left it back at the gym, but don’t worry I am the only one with this out fit. So no worries.” He told her and then lied back down. She was not sure if he was right about the outfit, but she did trust his judgment, so she did her usual, sleep on chest routine, and they all stayed around the couch.

‘He may not have freshened up since then, and I’ll have to give myself a long tongue bath after when we wake up, but I don’t care. His warmth is so alluring.’ She thought and fell to sleep.

‘I guess this is how the guys felt while we stopped at Muscle Island.’ He thought and added, ‘I don’t know what they were talking about: it felt great to me.’ He soon fell to sleep while thinking of how to balance body building into helping them around here, oh, and…find a way home.

‘Someday you HAVE to find out how those guys do what they do.’ His inner thoughts thought to him since he wanted to do those sorts of stunts.


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