The Great War and the GS ball of prophecy
Chapter 1
It was around midday as the warm sun shone through the windows of the Ketchum household. Serena had herself nestled against Ash's shoulder, while Bonnie and Clement were sitting at the opposite end of the dining room table, as Delia Ketchum brought in the day's lunch which was a collection of tea, cakes, and cheese and lettuce sandwiches. "Thank you so much Ms Ketchum, it looks lovely" Serena exclaimed.
"Actually, food can't be lovely", Clement interjected. Serena gave him a piercing stare in return.
"Ok, Mr Science man, the food looks delicious" she responded, turning in Delia's direction.
"That's ok Serena and thank you" Delia responded pleasantly, "but Clement does make a good point, when I was growing up people were very particular about how food was described." Serena began to blush.
"Don't worry about it Serena, no one's perfect!" exclaimed Ash with his usual enthusiasm, as he patted Serena on the back, "but one of the great things about Serena is that you know she always means well, even if she does get a little bit overenthusiastic."
"That's what makes you such a good couple" Clement observed.
"Oh big brother, what's with you and the insults today, a kind word or two wouldn't go astray" Bonnie noted.
"I'm sorry you guys" Clement giggled. "I'm just having a bout of knowitallism. You get it, knowitallism isn't a real word", he laughed loudly. The others were unsure of how to respond to his bad humour. "Nice one Clement", Ash responded, with a wry smile.
"Stop trying so hard big brother, you're fine just the way you are", Bonnie exclaimed. Clement began to blush with embarrassment.
Delia now brought out a large, vanilla sponge cake. This was to celebrate Ash's 13th birthday. "Happy birthday Ash", Serena said warmly, as she gave Ash a peck on the cheek. "Remember you have another special day coming up soon."
"Oh yeah, our 2nd anniversary."
"That's Right!" She cried, giggling with excitement."
"I love hearing the story of how you two got together", Delia interjected. "It sounded so romantic." This story took place just after Serena had won the Kalos master class tournament and been crowned Kalos Queen. She was so filled with joy that she publicly declared her love for Ash and asked him to be her boyfriend in front of the whole arena. After a long pause and some intense blushing, he wearily nodded in agreement. Later on, he was quite ecstatic to be Serena's boyfriend, but the experience still sends shivers down his spine to this day.
"I thought that it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen", said Bonnie with a tear in her eye.
"Well I do admit, I was perhaps a little unfair putting poor Ash through that, but at least it worked out well."
"I wish Ash had won that last battle and being Kalos champion, then you two would really be a power couple", Clement noted.
"Oh well", Ash lamented, "at least I made the final. But I'm not giving up, one day I will be a pokemon master, and one thing I learned in Kalos is that I am good enough, I just need to improve a few things , and get a little bit of good fortune."
"Speaking of that Ash", Clement continued, "It's been two years since you competed in a pokemon league, do you think maybe it's time to start thinking about going on another journey?" Ash pondered Clement's words: "Yes, I think the time is close, but it has been important for me to get away these last two years and reflect on my journey so far and focus on my relationship with Serena, as well as think about what direction I want to head in from this point on. Actually, that's part of the reason I'm travelling to Johto to see Brock, aside from celebrating his 18th birthday of course."
"I'm so excited about this trip", Serena declared, "I've never been to Johto before, and I've being waiting so long to meet this Brock guy you're always talking about."
"I'm excited to see if he's really as good a cook as me", Clement joked. The others laughed at that.
Only moments later, they were interrupted by loud footsteps, as May and Misty trundled through the door, with a number of Pokemon, including Ash's Pikachu, May's Beautifly and venusaur, and Misty's Azurill and Psyduck. All appeared to be having a jolly good time as they entered the dining room for some lunch of their own. "Happy birthday Ash"! both the girls exclaimed as they ran up and hugged him, one on either side.
"Thanks guys…I mean girls." They both giggled at that gaff, as they took their seats.
"Oh, Ash", Misty began, "Professor Oak says he would like to see you before you leave, he says it's important."
"Sure I will, but I will have to be quick, we need to be at the harbour by 6:00 tonight, our plane leaves from there at 6:15."
"I know, but I don't think it will take long."
"Do you have any idea what it's about Misty?"
"Something to do with that GS ball we picked up from Professor Ivy in the Orange Islands." Ash was startled. "Don't tell me he's finally discovered the secret?"
"No, I don't think so, but according to Professor Oak it is doing something strange. I don't know the exact details." Ash was suddenly scoffing his food down, in a rush to finish and get over to Professor Oak's laboratory, however, his efforts were needless as only moments later there was a knock on the door. Delia answered: "Oh hello Professor, come in and have some tea and cake, it's Ash's 13th birthday you know?"
"I'm well aware, as you know. The whole town knows. Ash is fast becoming Palet's favourite son after making the final of the Kalos League." He then approached Ash, "Ash my boy, happy birthday" as he learnt in and gave him a big hug. "You're certainly taller than I remember you being."
"Now Professor" Ash began, "I must know what news you have about the GS ball."
"Very well. According to Kurt, for the past week or so, the ball has been glowing a blueish colour, intermittently. It usually only lasts a few seconds or so, but it still won't open." So I'm afraid it's still just as much of a mystery as ever, except now there's one more mystery to solve."
"Don't worry Profosser" Ash responded cheerfully, "I think we're closer than ever to solving the mystery of the GS ball, and I feel like this could be its way of telling us it wants us to solve that mystery."
"Perhaps Ash, but I'm not getting anywhere yet. I don't have a clue why it would glow and then just stop, and neither does Kurt. If only we could open it somehow. Sometimes I feel like telling Kurt to get a hammer and just break it open! At least then we'll know." Ash put his hand on his shoulder: "Don't lose heart Professor, the mystery will be solved, and I'm not just saying that. I know what it's like to work hard at something for so long and still fall short, but I believe that in the end perseverance will be rewarded, as long as we have a little bit of faith to go with it." Oak smiled brightly at his pupil: "you sure are quite different from Gary, but I love you both just as you are." Ash had tears in his eyes now, "you will always be dear to me too Professor, and thank you for all you've taught me."
"Sorry to spoil the moment" Clement interjected, "But I believe I might have a way to solve your problem." Everyone in the room was staring intently at him now. "What if you first contact researcher's from around the World and see if any of them have heard of a GS ball glowing blue, and if that doesn't work, I think you should consult historical archives for any mention, including ancient legends and folklore. And if that doesn't work, I'm as baffled as you are. It may be that the ball is associated with a certain species of pokemon, so if it were to come into the hands of a pokemon of that species, the ball might react in a certain way."
"Well" Oak responded, looking deep in thought, "that's the best suggestion anyone has had so far. I have been in touch with a few friends of mine who are researchers, and they know no more than I do, but there are many more I could get in contact with, thank you young man."
About half an hour later, they all said their farewells to Delia and Professor Oak, as they left the green meadows of Palet behind them and headed south towards the coast, where they would be boarding their flight for Johto. Ash was sad to be leaving Palet behind so soon (he had only been home for 3 days, after travelling around Kanto with Clement, Bonnie and Serena for Serena's showcase journey which ended with a top four finish at the Kanto master class. It was also Bonnie's first journey as a Trainer, and although she didn't make it past the first round at the Pokemon League, it was still a big step forward for her as a trainer), but also excited to be on another journey of sorts, and to be seeing his old friend Brock once more. Serena looked quite glum: "Such a shame" she spoke softly, "to be leaving Ash's mom and sunny Palet behind us already, I was feeling quite at home there."
"Don't get too comfortable Miss Serena" Misty quipped, "You're still only thirteen." Serena was slightly offended at that remark but took it in good humour as she began to skip merrily with Ash beside her.
"Oh, by the way" she began, "would anyone like some of my Macarons when we stop for afternoon tea." Most of them nodded in agreement and Braixen excitedly barked his approval. "Ok little guy" she said, patting his tail, "not too long now." Ash smiled at his girlfriend, realising he was one of the luckiest guys alive.
They made good progress as the afternoon wore on, and were only a few miles from their destination when they stopped for afternoon tea a little after 3:00. They stopped on the edge of a clearing in the middle of the forest through which they were travelling. Serena brought out her macorons to the excitement of people and pokemon alike, while Ash sat down under a large oak tree on the edge of the forest. Not long afterward he had company: "So how you doing Ash?" a soft voice spoke; without even looking up, Ash immediately knew it belonged to May.
"I'm doing good May, although I do wish I could've been with my Mom and Professor Oak a little longer, how about you?"
"I'm good thanks, but I know what you mean about parents. I've been travelling for so long in Unova, and I only had two days at home with my parents before I had to come here…no offense" she smiled sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it" Ash laughed, "and by the way, congratulations on winning your first grand festival, that's quite an achievement".
"Thanks Ash, but I must admit I've had a lot of help along the way, including from you" she finished, staring at Ash with that beautiful smile of hers. She continued to stare for some time, with Ash nervously looking to and fro, before she regained her composure: "Oh, by the way, did I tell you about Max?"
"No, what's going on?"
"He's gone on his first journey as a trainer, in Hoenn, which is great but I didn't get to see him when I came back home. It must be more than a year since I've seen him last."
"That sucks huh. But that's great he's going on his own journey, how's he doing?"
"Well he's got seven badges so far, so one more and he will be able to compete in the Hoenn league, and it's still three months away, so he shouldn't have too much trouble."
"That's great!"
"It's not is it Ash?" She responded sarcastically. They both began to laugh, "Ok, I know I've got to get a bit better at conversation" Ash replied, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm only kidding Ashie boy" May responded cheerfully, as she playfully nudged her ribs into Ash's side, and pinched his cheek. The gesture didn't escape Serena's attention, who was sitting some distance away in the clearing. May looked just in time to catch her piercing stare. Ash couldn't help but smirk. He then caught site of his girlfriend whispering something into Braixen's ear.
Not long after, they were on their way again. It was a little after 5:30 when they came out of the forest, and saw the harbour and a long pier in front of them, just to their left; at the side of the pier, about half way down, they saw the medium sized plane that would be taking them on their long trip to Johto. It looked like it would hold somewhere between 50-70 passengers, by Ash's estimate. He also had a fair amount of experience with these types of aircraft, having travelled on them several times before. There was already a small group of people walking down the pier towards the aircraft. "Picka-Picka-Picka-Picka!" Pickachu exclaimed happily, standing upright on Ash's shoulder. "Hey, you excited aren't you buddy?" Pickachu always reacted that way when he was excited, and he had been on several flights with Ash in the past, so he knew what the plane meant. In Ash's experience, Pikachu enjoyed flying, especially across the sea, where he could look at the vast blue ocean, and the sea pokemon who sometimes travelled above the sea surface (much like Ash himself). A number of the other pokemon looked excited also. "I think Psyduck is really excited" Misty giggled.
"How can you tell?" Clement asked.
"Because he always starts to repeat himself and he gets louder as well."
"Have you had much success with him in battle?" asked Ash.
"Well, he's no superstar, but he's certainly gotten a lot better than he used to be, but the truth is it doesn't bother me too much, I just like him for the companionship."
"That's great Misty. He was always one of your favourite pokemon wasn't he?" Misty blushed, before giving an innocent nod.
They stood around, basking in the late afternoon sun for ten minutes or so, before walking down the pier. They revelled in the cool afternoon breeze, and the beautiful horizon, as they strolled down the pier; Bonnie was riding on Clement's shoulders; Pikachu and Braixen were doing the same with Ash and Serena respectively, who were walking hand in hand with one another; while Misty and May were bringing up the rear, with May skipping along happily and her beautifly hovering just above her.
When they reached the entrance to the craft, on the right hand side of the pier, they were asked by a middle aged man for their tickets, which they each presented in turn. Moments later, they were all on the craft, where most of the other passengers had now taken their seats. Serena took her seat next to Ash, squealing with excitement. Minutes later the plane began to move down the runway, which was over a strip of land at right angles with the pier. It was little bit of a rough take off, partly due to the relatively small size of the aircraft, but they were soon safely in the air, as Ash savoured in the rush of adrenaline he got from the take off, and the knowledge that he was on another adventure, with his best friends by his side.
