Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Pokémon or the characters of course, but the plot line and any OC's I decide to throw in there are all me! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ENJOY!
Chapter 1
"C'mon, Pikachu! Don't be such a Slowpoke!"
Ash Ketchum ran down the forest path as fast as his legs would go. Not to far behind him was his faithful partner and best friend, Pikachu. "Pika pi!" Pikachu yelled to Ash.
It'd been at least a half hour since Ash had arrived in the Unova region. He'd taken a boat from Sinnoh with his mother and the world famous Professor Oak. After resting up overnight at the Pokémon Center, Ash had bid farewell to both his mother and the wise old professor, and Ash was off on yet another fantastic journey.
Now, we found our hero racing his Pokémon to the home of the first Unova Region gym. The first gym that Ash wished to challenge was the gym in Striaton City. Though Striaton City wasn't very far from where the boat had docked, Ash took his time. This was a whole new region with new Pokémon to see and befriend, and he didn't want a single second of his new journey to be wasted.
"Is that the best you've got?" Ash taunted his Pikachu. The little electric Pokémon seemed to smirk before he sped up significantly. Ash faltered. He'd almost forgotten about Pikachu's Quick Attack. The raven haired boy chuckled as his Pikachu shot past him in a yellow blur.
"Alright, you win," Ash yelled as he slowed to a walk. Ash was panting as Pikachu made his way back to his trainer. "I swear you get faster every time," Ash said, grinning as the cute yellow mouse hopped up onto his shoulder. Pikachu smiled and rubbed his head against Ash's cheek. "Chaaa."
Fifteen long minutes had passed when Ash finally caught sight of the outline of Striaton City. The fourteen year old's face lit up and he broke into a sprint. "Striaton City, here I come!"
The first place Ash went upon arriving in Striaton City was the Pokémon Center. "Here you go, Ash," the nurse with the pink hair said as she returned Pikachu to him. "Pikachu is rested up and ready to battle. Oh, and I also took the time to upgrade your Pokedex with Unova's Pokémon." Ash smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Nurse Joy!" Ash said standing up. "Oh, and Ash, before I forget, Professor Oak left a message for you, something about an old friend of yours in the Unova Region."
Ash gave Nurse Joy a puzzled look. "What? Who?" Nurse Joy fidgeted with the hem of her dress. "Well, you see-" But Nurse Joy didn't get to finish her sentence because just then, a brunette boy with sparkling emerald green eyes walked through the doors of the Pokémon Center.
"Well, well, if it isn't Ashy-boy. I've gotta say, I'm surprised you're here. I thought you'd still be stuck in Sinnoh," the boy said with a chuckle. Ash spun around, his face displaying endless shock. "No way. Gary? What the hell are you doing here?" Ash asked in pure shock. Nurse Joy cleared her throat. If you'll excuse me, I have some Pokémon to tend to in the back," she said, leaving the two boys alone.
Gary Oak smirked and crossed his arms. "What do you think I'm doing here, Ashy-boy?" he asked snidely. Ash scowled. "Please tell me you're not entering the Unova League," the raven-haired boy said groaning, only to be met by Gary grinning. "Look who's catching on," Gary said sarcastically. "And as always, I've already got my first badge while you goof off like an idiot."
Ash gaped at his friend-turned-rival once more. "What? There's no way you already got your badge!" Ash yelled at the brunette, but the badge that Gary pulled out of his pocket proved otherwise. "It was to terribly easy to beat that gym, so you should have a surprisingly good chance, Ash," Gary said smirking. "Even with your weakling Pikachu." Ash rolled his deep brown eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you, Gary, Pikachu is NOT weak," Ash said defensively. "Ka Chu," Pikachu said, nodding in agreement.
Gary's smirk remained as he crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. "Say it as much as you want, Ash, but I'll only believe it when I see it, which you and I both know there's a slim chance of that ever happening."
Ash clenched his fists but said nothing. No way in hell was he going to give Gary Oak the satisfaction of having an upper hand. Gary's smirk only widened. "What's the matter, Ashy-boy? Glameow got your tongue?" Gary taunted.
Ash's fists clenched and unclenched, anger swelling inside of him. "Pikachu, use Thunder." Both Gary and Pikachu looked at Ash like he'd completely lost it, which wasn't too small of a possibility. "Gimme a break, Ash. You don't have the balls to do that," Gary said matter-of-factly. "Pika Pikachu," Pikachu said gazing at Ash, concerned and confused. "Just do it, Pikachu," Ash said under his breath. Pikachu's pudgy yellow face stiffened as he turned to Professor Oak's grandson and obeyed his trainer.
Gary barely had enough time to dodge the slightly watered down attack, but just the simple fact that Ash had directly attacked Gary, the fact that he DID have the balls to do it was enough to leave the brunette in complete shock, especial considering all the times they'd fought, Ash had never once used a Pokémon attack on Gary before. Had he maybe pushed it too far? Nah, that couldn't be it, Gary thought to himself, pushing away the absurd idea that he was the one at fault.
Just then, Nurse Joy returned from the back of the Pokémon Center. She walked in to find Gary sitting on the tiled floor looking as if he'd seen a Ghastly. Ash was towering over Gary, fists clenched, with a rather troubled Pikachu standing next to him. Nurse Joy's expression was one of confusion, confusion that only deepened when she saw Gary's slightly charred complexion that was a result of Pikachu's close Thunder Attack. Gary knew he should've been pissed, but he had to admit, Ashy-boy's Pikachu was damn strong.
"What on Earth happened here?" Nurse Joy demanded. Ash and Gary shot each other looks. "It's a long story," Ash said. "Long story short, Ash and I are rivals," Gary said snidely. Nurse Joy sighed. She put her hands on her hips and frowned at the two teenage boys. "While that may be so, the inside of a Pokémon Center is certainly no place to have a Pokémon battle. If you want to battle, you'll have to do it elsewhere. Like OUTSIDE for instance," Nurse Joy said sternly. Both boys frowned and put on apologetic faces. "We're sorry, Nurse Joy," they said in unison. Nurse Joy huffed. "Well that's fine, and I appreciate the apology, but don't let it happen again."
Ash and Gary walked out of the Pokémon Center. Both boys were in a rather sour mood. "Well, I hate to cut this oh so wonderful reunion, but I have places to be and badges to win. You know how it is, Ashy-boy," Gary said winking at the brown eyed boy. "Believe me when I say we'll definitely be saying each other again. Tata for now, Ash," Gary said, an unmistakable gleam of wonder in his gorgeous emerald eyes. Gary smirked, and then he was off, heading for the next city with a gym to challenge. Ash scowled at the thought of running into Gary in the next city and him already having his second badge. Of course. Why shouldn't things be any different than they were four years ago, Ash thought sarcastically.
Ash looked up at the sky up at the sky that had been blue with only few white fluffy clouds just thirty minutes before. Now the sky was rather dark. Angry storm clouds threatened to drench Striaton City with a river of rain.
"Well, that was fun," Ash said sarcastically, looking at Pikachu out of the corner of his eye. Pikachu's ears twitched as he rested his head on Ash's shoulder. "Chaaa." Ash turned his head to the side a bit so that he was able to look at Pikachu. "Forget about Gary. Let's find some trainers to battle before we challenge the Striaton City Gym," Ash said feeling determination bubble inside of him and course through his veins.
"Mind if I battle you first?"
Ash's eyes widened a bit at the all too familiar voice. "No way..." The raven haired boy spun around to face a girl with orange hair and green twinkling eyes. She was wearing a yellow midriff t-shirt with suspenders and shorts.
Ash grinned at the perky girl and Pikachu's yellow face lit up. "Well fancy seeing you here." The girl smirked at Ash and then looked at the ecstatic Pikachu on his shoulder. Pikachu leaped off of his trainer's shoulder and ran over to the girl. The girl chuckled and picked up the electric mouse Pokémon. "Hey there, Pikachu. Haven't seen you in a while," she said scratching Pikachu under his chin. Pikachu gave a squeal of approval as Ash made his way over to the two.
"So, Misty, what're you doing in Unova?" Ash asked his old friend. Misty set Pikachu down and stretched her arms behind her head. "I'm here on business," she said, purposely trying to sound mysterious. Ash raised an eyebrow at the water trainer. "What kind of business?" Misty winked at Ash. "Sorry, Ash. That's classified." Ash chuckled at her response, but couldn't tell if Misty was being serious or not. Oh well. No sense in bugging her about it.
Pikachu returned to his favored spot on Ash's shoulder and Misty inhaled deeply, taking in the wonderful fresh air. "So, Ash, how long have you been in Unova?" Ash thought about it for a moment before answering, "About twenty-four hours. I've only been in Striaton City for about an hour, forty-five minutes at the least."
"Have you challenged the gym yet?" Misty asked. Ash sighed and sadly shook his head. "Unfortunately no, not yet anyways. I was to busy arguing with Gary Oak." Ash made a face at the mention of his rival. Misty frowned. "What? Gary's here?" Ash nodded slowly and solemnly. "Yeah. Apparently, Mister Cool already beat the Striaton City Gym," Ash grumbled. Misty chuckled. "It seems to me that Gary is always one step ahead of you, Ash." Ash shot Misty a look. "Don't remind me." Ash frowned but he had to admit, Misty had a damn good point.
"So, about that battle," Misty said grinning.
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"Are you ready, Buddy?" Pikachu grinned and nodded, releasing a bit of static from his red cheeks. "Pika!" Ash chuckled. "That's what I like to hear!"
It'd been about two years since Ash had last seen Misty. Now, here she was in the Unova region and Ash was going to get to see how much she'd grown as a trainer since then. Ash could feel adrenaline tinged with determination flood through him. Misty had always been one of Ash's favorite people to battle. Battling good friends was always such a rush.
About a million-and-one questions were circulating through Ash's busy head. What Pokémon would Misty use? Had she caught any new Pokémon since she and Ash had last seen each other? The first time Ash had battled Misty had been at the Cerulean City gym back in Kanto. Misty had battled him at the Cerulean City Gym Leader. Ash wondered if battling her now, four years later, would feel like what it had during that first battle.
"Of course I'll be using Pikachu," Ash said stating the obvious. Misty chuckled and grinned. "Well duh. I kind of figured that much, Ash. Especially since knowing you, Pikachu'll be the only Pokémon you have, right? All of your other Pokémon should be back with Professor Oak." Ash cracked a grin, running the back of his neck. "Uh, right. I knew that."
Misty ginned and took a poke ball out of her orange backpack. "Don't you dare think I'll go easy on you, Ash," she said with a mischievous grin. Ash nodded, but it took so much for him to not burst out laughing. Ash knew Misty typically only used water type Pokémon, and it didn't take a genius to know that water types had a disadvantage when going up against strong electric types like Pikachu. So, of course it would make sense that Misty would want to save her pride.
Misty pushed the button on the poke ball in her hand causing it to get bigger. Her grin never wavered, not for one second as she threw the poke ball into the air and confidently shouted, "Let's win this, Dragonair!" The poke ball opened and a Dragonair was beamed out. Ash faltered.
"Wait, Dragonair isn't a water type," he pointed out feeling rather confused. Misty rolled her green eyes. "Okay, your point? Ash, it doesn't matter that Dragonair isn't a water type. There're still some water type moves that Dragonair can use," Misty said grinning. Her grin widened. "Plus, Pikachu's electric attacks won't be as effective against Dragonair is a dragon type."
Ash's jaw dropped. Damn! Misty had planned this so that she'd have the advantage! Well, that wouldn't stop Ash. He'd show her he could work around the disadvantages. He'd win this battle without a hitch. He turned to Pikachu. "I know we can do this. You ready?" Pikachu nodded and jumped in front of Ash, facing Misty and her Dragonair. "Chu!"
"Ladies first," Misty said smirking a bit. Ash sighed, deciding to be a gentleman about it. "Fine. The first move is yours, Misty," Ash said with a slight smirk of his own.
"Alright, let's do this!" Misty shouted, a look of determination settling onto her face. "Dragonair, use Dragon Tail!" Ash couldn't believe how fast Misty's Dragonair was! The thing sped towards Pikachu, its tail glowing purple. "Pikachu, dodge it!" Ash yelled, but too late. Dragonair was to quick, and struck Pikachu with its tail before the move could be successfully dodged.
Pikachu yelped and tumbled backwards, rolling head over heels several feet. "Pikachu! Are you okay?" Ash asked his Pokémon. Pikachu stood upright and nodded. "Pi." Ash sighed a sigh of relief. "Good, now use Quick Attack with as much speed as you think you can manage." As soon as the command left Ash's mouth, Pikachu took off, becoming a rather speedy blur.
Misty opened her mouth to shout a command, but before she could say anything, Pikachu slammed into Dragonair with an amazing amount of force and power, not to mention incredible speed. Dragonair flew backwards and rolled across the ground several times before gaining enough control to push itself up.
Dragonair was panting and already seemed extremely worn out. Misty frowned, clenching her fists and teeth. "Hang in there, Dragonair. We can do this.
Ash looked at Pikachu. "Good job, buddy. Keep it up and this victory will be ours." Pikachu, who was also panting and rather worn, nodded. "Alright, now Iron Tail! Go!" Ash shouted. Pikachu got a running start, his tail beginning to turn silver.
"Dragonair, use Dragon Tail against Pikachu's Iron Tail," Misty yelled. Dragonair rushed Pikachu, its tail glowing purple once again. Pikachu's Iron Tail collided with Dragonair's Dragon Tail in a clash of power and strength. The two Pokémon strained against each other's attacks. It was maybe thirty seconds before the two Pokémon broke contact. Both Pokémon were panting and sweating. Both trainers were clenching their teeth nervously. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Pikachu, you hanging in there?" Ash asked. "Pika Pi," Pikachu said nodding and taking deep breaths. "How about you, Dragonair?" Misty asked the elegant ice-dragon. Dragonair nodded and Misty grinned.
"Alright, Dragonair, it's time to end this! Use Hyper Bean!" Dragonair's mouth opened and a ball of orange light began to form. Ash clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckled turned white. 'Think, Ash, think! Dragonair is hardly affected by Pikachu's electric attacks... but what if Pikachu combined an electric attack with one that wasn't?' Ash gasped. That was it! That was what he needed to do!
"Pikachu, quick, use Electro Ball and then use Iron Tail to reflect the light!" Pikachu looked at Ash for a moment as if to question this new strategy, but the electric Pokémon obeyed. A ball of electricity began to form around Pikachu's tail. "Pi..." Pikachu's tail turned silver and Ash crosses his fingers, praying to Arceus that his plan would be successful.
The light reflecting from Pikachu's Iron Tail shone brightly in Dragonair's eyes. Misty's Dragonair squeezed its eyes shut and lost its aim. Misty gasped. "No! Dragonair, you have to open your eyes!" The troubled ex-gym leader shouted. Dragonair thrashed about, refusing to open its eyes. "Dragonair, please! Wait... Dragonair, use your crystal! Focus your aura!"
Dragonair ceased thrashing and the jewel under its chin began glowing a beautiful blue. "Now, Pikachu!" Ash shouted. "Ka Chu!" Pikachu yelled as he hurled the Electro Ball at Misty's Dragonair. "Now, Dragonair! Hyper Beam, full blast!" Misty commanded.
The Dragonair roared with power as it released a massive incredibly powerful Hyper Beam. The Hyper Beam surged towards Pikachu. The attack consumed Pikachu's Electro Ball and continued rushing towards the scared yellow mouse.
The collision caused the field to be shrouded by a giant cloud of dirt and dust. Ash was thrown into a coughing fit as his irritated watering eyes scanned the dust for his partner. "Pikachu!" Ash called out, gagging on the filthy air.
When the aftermath of the battle cleared, Ash immediately dove for his Pokemon. "Pikachu!" he yelled once more, cradling his injured Pokemon. He looked up to congratulate Misty on her victory, only to find that the orange haired girl was nowhere in the vicinity. "Misty?" Ash called. No answer. Ash wanted to go look for her, but he needed to get Pikachu looked at before he could even consider it.
A/N: Hm… Why did Misty leave like that? And why has she shown up after all this time? And will Pikachu be okay? All of your questions shall be answered, but at a later time. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Deception!
~CC