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It was hard to deny that Ash was a very rambunctious kid. He had energy that never seemed to run out, ate like there was no tomorrow, and had several teams full of Pokèmon that somehow seemed to be carbon copies of him. Different types, different preferred habitats, but they all found each other. Naturally, it could be difficult to keep up with a standard like that. And Ash knew that. He'd grown up with people telling him all his life that they didn't know what they were going to do with him, or that he had too much energy and needed to give some of it away. Even some of his traveling companions had mentioned it, that they didn't understand how he was able to do so much. So, in an attempt to get the comments to decrease and/or stop, six year old Ash developed his own strategy.
It was Gary who fell victim to it first. The boys had been walking home from school one day, mere feet from their houses when he said something. For as long as Ash can remember, Gary has always taunted him and brought his worth down to Pokèmon training.
“At least you’ll always be able to keep up with your team. You have so much energy you’d be an electric type! A bad one, but an electric type.” Gary had smirked, poking Ash in the shoulder. Their mothers had been talking to each other, between the yards as the conversation continued, so Ash decided now would be the best time to start it.
“You owe me 100 yen.” Ash held his hand out, watching as Gary’s eyes went wide. It also caught their mothers’ attention as the blond boy spluttered.
“What? What for!?” Gary yelled.
“Every time you talk about how much energy I have, or how I’m hard to keep up with, or anything like that, you owe me 100 yen.”
“That’s not fair! Adults do it all the time!”
“Oh, believe me, I’m about to start doing it to everyone. So fork it over, I know you get an allowance.”
Gary’s mom laughed. “Well, I do believe he’s very serious Gary! You might want to go ahead and give it to him. Delia, your son is very entertaining. I’m excited to see what will come of him!”
Delia sighed, a smile on her own face. It was very interesting to watch Gary hand over the money, however little it was. She’d have to be very careful with her words, at least until Ash forgot about this little fee.
—
Well, Ash did not forget about that little fee. Time and time again he charged people, most who seemed to act as if they were amusing a small child’s game. But as the months passed, Ash found himself in possession of a lot of coins. Delia had bought him a large Spoink bank, which he’d been filling up. It became very clear as time passed that the young boy had no apprehensions about demanding the yen and he was stubborn enough to keep demanding it if anyone (Gary) wouldn’t cough it up. From what his mother had told Delia, most of Gary’s allowance was being used to pay Ash because he wouldn’t learn to control his mouth.
Ash held the same standard to his traveling companions, with the most common victim being Misty. Of course, when they were going back and forth Ash was a little more lenient, but when Misty started the fight then he would impose it. It was very satisfying to see her get frustrated every time Ash demanded it, and sometimes he would demand double or triple depending on how much she tried to fight him.
Ash’s favorite memory of fining Misty was back when they were traveling through some of the Kantonian forests. It had been a calm few days, which should have been enough of an indicator for the entire group that something was going on. It was very late at night, and they’d stopped in a clearing to rest. Misty and Brock were resigned to lay by the fire, but Ash still had energy thrumming through his veins. His team was still feeling the same, so he’d decided to take a few of them out a a bit from the campsite for more training. The sun wouldn’t always be shining during a battle, so they needed to learn how to fight in minimal visibility.
They’d been at it for a while before Misty walked over, her arms crossed over her chest. “Ash, you need to go to sleep. Just because you can stay up all night doesn’t mean your team can.”
Ash grinned. “100 yen.”
“I’m not paying you 100 yen. Besides, it’s rude to charge a pretty lady.”
“Well, it’s a good thing there’s not one around. Now, I’ll be expected 100 yen either in my hand or on my pillow.”
“Oh, please. If I charged you every time you called me ugly, you’d be broke!”
“200 yen now. Besides, I’m not calling you ugly, I’m just saying you’re not pretty. You’re the one interpreting it as me saying you’re ugly.”
“You can’t say I’m not pretty and then say I’m not ugly as well!”
“300 yen. Besides, if that’s your argument, then you must be calling yourself ugly.”
The woods are silent for a moment, before Pikachu starts laughing. Misty just growled and stalked off, mumbling things to herself. Ash found 300 yen on his pillow that night.
—
One would think that Iris of all people wouldn’t get fined much. She had been told the same things as Ash for most of her life, especially as a “wild child,” but she got charged quite a lot. Turns out having your own well of energy means that others being able to match it apparently makes them challenging to work with. They both had their own goals, but their methods of reaching those goals differed enough that it somehow interrupted the other’s.
It had been a day of constant disagreements. Cilan had been stuck in the middle as an ineffective mediator, and it was even starting to get the Pokèmon evolved. Axew had been going head on with Oshawott and Tepig, and Pikachu had been tussling with Emolga for most of the afternoon. It finally exploded late in the afternoon, when Iris had nearly tripped over Ash.
She huffed. “You know, I don’t know how anyone managed to put up with you for so long! You’re such a pain.”
“100 yen.” Ash held his hand out.
Iris dug the coin out of her pocket, slapping it down on his hand. “Just stay out of my way.”
“Stay in the trees, and we’ll have no problem.”
Cilan sighed. “This is no way to resolve the argument.”
“We can figure it out through a Pokèmon battle.” Ash grinned.
“No, please. You two have caused more than enough destruction over the past few hours.”
“I agree with Ash. Let’s cause a little bit more.”
“I will take 100 yen from both of you.”
“Hey!”
“That’s my thing!”
—
Night in Kalos was always beautiful. It was also the best time for Ash to train his Pokèmon, when the others were resting and discussing the day. With Hawlucha being the newest addition, it needed a little extra help to catch up to Ash’s expectations.
Serena sipped tea out of a cup, watching as Hawlucha went toe to toe with Pikachu. “Wow. They all seem to have a lot of energy.” She grinned.
“Shh!” Bonnie shushed harshly, watching Ash closely to see if he heard.
“What? What’d I say?”
Clemont adjusted his glasses, whispering softly. “Ash has this thing where if you make certain comments, he fines you 100 yen. Anything about him being high energy or difficult to stay with, or about him being some sort of struggle. He apparently got it a lot in Kanto, so now he fines anyone who says anything. He’s already fined me 1500 yen.”
“Oh, wow. But he’s in the middle of a battle right now, I don’t think he would really care.”
“You think that now. I said it once to Dedenne when Ash was battling Team Rocket, saying he’d make a really good electric type Pokèmon, and he got me after the battle was done. Do you know how hard it is to make 100 yen at my age? He’s ruthless.” Bonnie shuddered.
Froakie hopped over to Serena, diving into her bag. “Hey! Froakie, what are you doing in there?” Serena cried, trying to dig the water type out. It rooted around for a few seconds before running over to Ash, something shiny in its mouth.
“That too. Froakie and Pikachu both find it hilarious, and will fine you for Ash. I’ve moved my money around in my bag three times and they still find it.” Clemont sighed.
Froakie hopped up onto Ash’s shoulders, waving the coin in his face. “Thanks, Keromatsu. Serena?” Ash smiled, pocketing the coin easily. Pikachu and Hawlucha had come to a stop, getting drinks of water before they went at it again.
Froakie nodded, croaking softly.
“You know, it works better coming from me. But I do appreciate the effort. Could’ve used you back in Kanto with Misty. Pretty sure she still owes me 2000 yen.”
Froakie croaked again.
“No, you cannot swim to Kanto. Besides, if she sees you she might try to keep you. She loves her water types.”
Serena called from over by the fire. “Ash! Tell Froakie it needs to stay out of my bag!”
“Don’t say the forbidden phrases, and it won’t need to go diving in it!” Ash called back, grinning as Serena yelped.
Bonnie rubbed the top of Dedenne’s head. “I’m telling you, he’s got super hearing. He’s too good.”
“Can’t hide anything from Ash. Come on, Bonnie, it’s time for bed.” Clemont shook his head.
Ash flipped the coin in his hand. “You know, maybe if Champion doesn’t work out, I’ll become a tax collector.” He smirked, chuckling as Froakie smacked his head. Ash would die if he ever had to do that, and he was far too stubborn to quit on being a trainer. The fines would just have to remain a side hobby.