Primo

The gang had finally arrived in Violet City.

"Finally we can relax." Misty said. "I'm tired from traveling today."

"I need to gather up our supplies." Brock said.

"Come on Tomo." Ash said. "Let's get some training done."

Tomo agreed and he and Ash went to an open area in Violet City to train their Pokemon. Ash was happy with his new Johto Pokemon Heracross, Sentret and Chikorita. He got along well with his newest Pokemon Chikorita. The funny thing was that Chikorita was a female and she really liked Ash. In fact it seemed like she had a crush on him, even though she was a Pokemon and he was a dragon in human form.

"Okay guys." Ash said to his Pokemon. "We are going to be training for our first gym battle in the Johto Region."

"We are going to train too." Tomo said to his Pokemon.

Even though Tomo didn't participate in Pokemon battles, he still liked to train his Pokemon because he wanted to be a strong trainer like his brother Ash.

Ash found out on the computer that the Violet City gym leader uses flying type Pokemon. So he figured he would use his Sentret, but he had yet to decide on his second one. Sentret had a practice battle with his Lugia; tackling each other and throwing attacks at each other while trying not to hurt anyone else. Heracross was weight training by lifting up some rocks with his horn. Chikorita was practicing her Tackle, Razor Leaf and Vine Whip while also learning a new move; Secret Power. Lugia was learning how to fly with Ash's Corviknight; Ash got him from Prof. Oak earlier to help Lugia learn how to fly. Ash's baby Lugia may be a bit young, but it was eager to learn how to fly. Tomo was training with his Growlithe, Pikachu and Farfetch'd; his other Pokemon were with Prof. Oak. When lunch came around, Ash decided to put a end to the training for the day.

"Okay everyone." He said. "We've done enough for now. Let's go to the Pokemon Center for some rest and food."

Tomo and all the Pokemon agreed with that plan.

At the Pokemon Center, Misty and Brock waited for Ash and Tomo.

"How did the training go?" Misty asked.

"It was good." Ash said. "And I think my Pokemon and I will be ready for the Violet City gym."

Brock was looking at a paper.

"Look at this." He said. "A man named Primo says that he has a new Pokemon left at his adoption center."

"Pokemon adoption center?" Misty asked. "I've never heard of that."

"He's not selling the Pokemon for money, is he?" Ash asked, hoping that wasn't the case.

"Oh no." Brock stated. "You don't have to worry about that sort of thing. See Primo hatches Pokemon from eggs, raises them for a while and then gives them to trainers who can take care of them."

Ash was relieved that he wasn't buying and selling Pokemon.

"Let's go over there and see." Misty said. "Maybe there are Pokemon we want there."

Ash, Tomo and Brock agreed.

After lunch, the gang went to Primo's Pokemon adoption center. It was like a Pokemon nursery. The gang introduced themselves to Primo. Primo was a muscular young man.

"Glad to see more trainers here to adopt Pokemon." Primo said.

"I must ask." Brock stated. "What made you decide to run a Pokemon adoption center?"

"Well, when I was a kid I discovered some baby Pokemon that had been abandoned in an alleyway." Primo explained. "As no one else had claimed them I raised them myself. Then while growing up I kept on seeing Pokemon that had been abandoned, lost and thrown out. So I decided that instead of leaving Pokemon like that, I should build a shelter for them and give them to trainers who would care for them."

"So that means in addition to giving baby Pokemon up for adoption, you also put up ones that had been deserted too." Misty said.

"That's correct." Primo nodded.

Ash noticed a document on the wall.

"What is that?" He asked.

"That is a special license I received from Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny." Primo said. "You see, when you decide to run a Pokemon adoption center like me you have to get special permission from Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy. Otherwise people would think you're one of those crazy people who sold Pokemon for money."

The gang nodded in understanding.

Primo introduced the gang to three Pokemon; one that looked like a sheep, a blue Pokemon with a big tail and big head and a red Pokemon that resembled a slug.

"These three are the only Pokemon I have left." Primo said.

"Those are Mareep, Wooper and Slugma." Brock explained.

Ash looked all three up on the Pokedex.

"Mareep, the Wool Pokemon. If static electricity builds in it's body, it's fleece doubles in volume. Touching it will shock you."

"Wooper, the Water Fish Pokemon. This Pokemon lives in cold water. It will leave the water to search for food when it gets cold outside."

"Slugma, the Lava Pokemon. It never sleeps. It has to keep moving because if it stopped, it's magma body would cool and harden."

"These are cool Pokemon." Tomo said.

"Hey guys, what do you think of us adopting them?" Ash asked.

"I like that idea." Misty said. "Oh, but what should we do? I mean there are three Pokemon and four of us."

"You, Ash and Tomo can have them Misty." Brock said.

"Huh, are you sure Brock?" Misty asked.

"Of course." Brock replied. "Besides I can get my own Pokemon later."

So it was settled. Since Wooper was a water type Pokemon, Misty took it. Tomo thought Slugma was cool, so he took it. And Ash took Mareep. Ash used his Pokedex to check out their attacks.

"It says my Mareep is female." He said. "And she knows Thunder Shock, Thunder Wave, Take Down, Headbutt and Swift. Misty's Wooper is male and he knows Water Gun, Mud Shot, Iron Tail, Ice Beam and Body Slam. Tomo's Slugma is male and knows Ember, Rock Throw, Ancient Power, Recover and Acid Armor."

"Wow that's impressive." Brock said.

The gang thanked Primo and then left with their new Pokemon.

Ash, Misty and Tomo liked their new Pokemon. Mareep liked Ash very much and would keep headbutting him to show affection. Misty kept describing how cute her Wooper was and Tomo liked his new Slugma right away. For the rest of the day, Ash got to know his new Mareep and trained her for the Violet Gym tomorrow. As Mareep was an electric type Pokemon Ash decided she would be his third Pokemon. With Raichu's help Mareep learned Iron Tail and Thunderbolt. That evening Ash felt he was ready to battle the Violet Gym leader tomorrow.

"Are you ready to face the gym leader tomorrow Ash?" Misty asked him.

"Yep." Ash said. "Mareep, Lugia and Sentret are all ready for the gym. And the gym badge will be mine."

Ash couldn't wait for tomorrow.