Misty still couldn't believe it, especially because it had been Ash's idea. They had revealed their feelings of love to one another, and had become boyfriend and girlfriend. Daisy had even taken over the gym to allow Misty to leave. However, Misty was growing tired of the constant "Pokémon Master" babbling, and wanted to have fun with Pokémon in a way that didn't involve some grand goal for themselves. Remembering Kellyn, Ash suggested they become Pokémon Rangers. Misty loved the idea, and the two set off for the Ranger School.

Now, three years later, they're the only Area Rangers in Kanto. Misty wears a female version of Kellyn's outfit, but Ash prefers a version with long pants. One day, they walked into the Ranger Base in Pallet Town for a new Mission. They had decided to build Kanto's only Ranger Base in Pallet because they wanted the town to have something special other than Oak's musty old lab. "Morning Tracey, how are things going?" Ash asked. Tracey had become an Operator so he could do more than just help out Oak. "Well, things were fine until an hour ago. Remember those Team Rocket hostages you freed a few days ago?" Tracey asked. Ash and Misty nodded.

"Well, one of them came back yesterday, said he remembered something he thought we should know. He said he overheard a couple of execs talking about a project when he was being led to his cell. Apparently the project involves turning people into Pokémon. He also said he heard something about a base on a small island between here and Cinnabar. I searched the area via satellite, and I found the island. There's not much on it if you look directly down on it, but when I looked at it from an angle using a satellite over Cinnabar, I could see some manmade structures built into the island." Tracey said.

"We should probably investigate, a project like that has major potential." Misty said. "Give me your stylers and I'll put the island on your maps. I'll also charge them as usual." Tracey said. Ash and Misty nodded and handed over their Capture Stylers. Tracey updated their maps, and charged their stylers. "Alright, your maps are updated and you're all charged up. Now get out there and investigate!" Tracey said. Ash and Misty nodded, and left the base.

Ash and Misty walked down to the beach south of Pallet Town while mentally preparing for the mission ahead. "Put on your Micro Aqualung Ash, we're going under." Misty said. Ash nodded. The two put on the devices, and dove into the water. They swam roughly 300 meters offshore before finding a few Mantine. "CAPTURE, ON!" Ash exclaimed. He deftly began to capture a Mantine, constantly evading its Bubblebeam attacks.

After a few minutes' effort, Ash and Misty swam off on the backs of two Mantine. Moving faster now, the trip to the island went quickly. Ash and Misty released the Mantine and surfaced about 50 meters offshore. "I feel more like a spy than a ranger right now." Ash said. "Regardless of the title, it's our job." Misty replied. Ash nodded.

The two pulled some binoculars out of water proof bags, and studied the island. "tracey was right, Team Rocket's all over this place!" Ash remarked. "We have to find a way to sneak in." Misty said. The two seasoned Rangers scanned the island, trying to find some way to sneak in. Suddenly, Misty's Styler went off. It was Tracey using the voicemail feature. "Guys, I found a way you can sneak in. There's a beach on the south end of the island that's almost unguarded. A patrol goes by every 15 minutes, but you should be able to avoid them."

"Thanks Tracey, we'll give it a try." Misty replied. The two Rangers swam to the south side of the island, snuck onto the beach, and moved inland undetected. They snuck by some grunts patrolling the entrance area, and entered the base undetected. Misty also swiped a map from one of the grunts' pockets. Using the map, they easily found their target. Soon enough, they entered a large lab full of Pokémon, and found an odd machine. They silently moved towards the machine, but out of nowhere they were swarmed by grunts. Misty deftly captured a nearby Vaporeon, and started taking out someof the grunts and their Pokémon.

Ash tried to capture a Persian, but had difficulty in doing so. Before he could complete the capture, he was surrounded. He screamed as he was grabbed, and flailed around until he was finally thrown into the machine. One grunt turned it on, and Ash screamed in pain. Misty fought back tears as she began to rapidly take out more grunts in a fit of rage. "Die you assholes!" she exclaimed. Suddenly, sparks flew from the machine and it exploded, creating massive smoke cloud.

"Ash…" Misty said. She was now on the verge of sobbing uncontrollably, and believed Ash to be dead. Shockingly, lightning flew from inside the cloud and hit some grunts, knocking them out. Ash stepped out of the cloud and revealed the shocking effects of the machine. He was now blonde haired, covered in short fur, and sported red cheeks and a tail. "You guys are gonna pay for this!" he exclaimed. Misty was shocked and relieved to say the least, but continued defeating grunts just the same. As the smoke cloud slowly cleared, it became obvious to everyone that Ash had completely disintegrated the machine. All that remained was a pile of ashes.

With the machine destroyed, all that remained was the large number of grunts attacking them. Ash began taking them out in groups, unleashing electric hell. He released Pikachu, his partner Pokémon, from his ball. Pikachu had only been in the ball because they didn't have a micro aqualung for him, and Ash had forgotten to let him out upon arrival on the island. Pikachu stretched a bit at first, and then started zapping as many grunts as his trainer.

Misty then saw something out of the corner of her eyes. Whirling around, she saw a Rocket Executive running off towards a chopper. She and the Vaporeon dashed off towards it, hoping to stop the escape. "Vaporeon, use Water Gun on those rotors!" Misty commanded. "Vapo!" it cried in pokespeak. It unleashed a powerful Water Gun on the rotors, causing them to spark and explode. The chopper was grounded.

Misty cuffed the pilot, but the executive tried to run. Vaporeon tripped him with its tail. "Nice job Vaporeon!" Misty said as she cuffed the executive. "Nice job Misty." Ash said, appearing suddenly. "H-How did you just do that?" Misty exclaimed. "Agility and Quick Attack." Ash replied with a grin. "Ah, I see. Are the grunts taken care of?" Misty asked in response. "They're all unconscious. I called in some choppers to come arrest them all." Ash answered. Misty released the Vaporeon she had caught, but rather than run away, it glomped her. "I think that Vaporeon likes you Misty!" Ash said, chuckling. "Alright girl, you can stay with me." Misty said to the Vaporeon. It cooed happily.

The two hung around on the island until choppers from the Kanto police arrived and took all the Team Rocket members away. "Ready to head back home?" Ash asked once most of the prisoners were loaded up. "Sure, let's go." Misty replied. They walked towards the beach, but a red and gold helicopter landed in front of them, blocking their way. "Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower?" a man on the chopper asked. "That's us." Ash said. "Your presence is requested at the Ranger Union." the man said, "We're supposed to take you there." "Alright then, let's go." Ash replied. He and Misty climbed on board without any argument, and the chopper flew off towards Almia.

The flight lasted a few hours, but eventually the chopper touched down at the Ranger Union. Erma was standing near the helipad, obviously waiting for them. Ash and Misty disembarked and went with her. Meanwhile, the chopper was refueled. "You two have done the world a great service by stopping that Team Rocket plot. The Ranger Union wishes to bestow a special honor upon you as an expression of our gratitude." Erma said as she led Ash and Misty to the meeting room. Inside the room, there were twelve people. All had the same kind of styler as Kellyn, who happened to be one of them.

Ash exchanged subtle glances with Kellyn as Erma led him and Misty to the front of the room. "Welcome everyone. Today we have gathered for a rare event. Ash, Misty, standing before you are the only twelve Top Rangers in the world. I understand you're friends with Kellyn, so you know him already." Erma started. She went on to introduce the eleven other Top Rangers. "Now that we all know each other, it's time for the real event. Ash Ketchum and Misty Waterflower, in recognition of your skills, and to show our gratitude for your recent efforts…" Erma continued. Professor Hastings then handed Erma two Stylers that were just like Kellyn's, and then stepped back. "…we bestow upon you the title of Top Ranger." Erma finished. She handed Ash and Misty the stylers, and took their old ones.

Ash and Misty were ecstatic to say the least. "Thank you so much Ms. Chairperson!" Ash said. "Thank you all, I'm sure I speak for both of us when I say that it's an honor to receive this rank." Misty said. The other Top Rangers began shake hands with the new inductees. Once the ceremony ended, the crowd dispersed. However, Ash, Misty and Kellyn remained in the room.

"I still can't believe I'm a Top Ranger like you Kellyn!" Ash said. "It's nice to meet you Kellyn, I'm Misty." Misty said more calmly. "So you're Misty! Ash has told me a lot about you, it's nice to finally meet." Kellyn replied. Ash looked kind of shot-down. "Yes, it's cool that you're a Top Ranger Ash." Kellyn said nonchalantly. Ash grinned widely. "Anyways, I think we'd better head to Kanto, we can't leave it Rangerless for too long." Kellyn said. "We?" Ash said. His eyes then got wide. "YOU'RE COMING WITH US?" he exclaimed.

Kellyn chuckled. "Yeah, there are plenty of Rangers here, and I've been meaning to visit you anyway." he replied. "Sweet! This is gonna be awesome! " Ash said excitedly. The man from the chopper then walked in and said "The chopper's fueled up and ready to go. Let's get you two back to Kanto." "I'm coming too." Kellyn said. "Of course sir." The man said. The four then headed out to the chopper, and flew back to Kanto.