Pokemon: Revelation – Part One

"…Well, Ash, here it is."

Sunlight streamed through the high, arching windows of Professor Oak's Pokemon lab. As dust motes circled the air above them ("Tracey, when was the last time you dusted in here?" Oak admonished), Ash Ketchum reached out and took the thin note from the Pokemon Professor's hand.

L.T. The handwriting danced across the leaflet before Ash's eyes. L.T.

"Ash, open it!" His friend Tracey Sketchit nudged him impatiently. "We can wonder who it's from later!"

"Okay, okay," chuckled Ash, carefully unfolding the note that Tracey and the Professor had been keeping for him.

Ash,

If you have received this note, you must seek out the Rockets and stop them. You cannot do it alone. You must combine forces with whomever you choose; I trust your judgment. I cannot reveal too much in case this letter should fall into the wrong hands, but I will tell you this: Go to the city where the power of the mind is greater than the power of the body. Good luck. I wish you well.

Do not go alone.

L.T.

There was silence for several drawn-out, tense seconds.

"Whoa," Tracey whispered. "It's like one of those notes you see in mystery stories."

"Whoa is right," muttered Professor Oak. "Ash Ketchum," he said, turning an about-face and looking the Trainer in the eye, "I think you've got some work to do."

"R-Right, Professor."

Whoever sent me this note is in for it! Ash angrily brushed through the thin pages of a phone book. How am I gonna find someone when all I've got to go by is "L.T.?"

Footsteps behind him made Ash jump, even though he was so busy grumbling that he almost missed them. It was the Professor. "For you," he said, thrusting a wireless phone at Ash. Ash mumbled something about stupid phone book, and ridiculous, and where's Brock when you need him, and then reluctantly took the receiver. "Hello?" he said, still half-muttering.

"Ash Ketchum! Is that how you talk to an old friend?"

Open-mouthed, Ash gaped a moment before exclaiming, "Misty?"

"Who else?" Despite her tone of general disdain, Ash could tell from years of experience that the youngest Cerulean Sister was pleased at his reaction.

"What's up? Why'd ya call me?"

"Silly! I didn't call you, Professor Oak called me!"

"What-?" said Ash, then bit his tongue. Misty already thought he was slow as it was. Of course the Professor would call her; he knew that Ash would want to make plans with her for the journey to the city where the mind is stronger than…

"Ash, did you hear me?"

"Uh…what?"

"Ugh!" Ash could hear a clatter in the background. "Um, Misty…what are you doing?" he said tentatively.

Big sigh from the other end of the line. "I'm trying to cook a decent meal for myself, but without Brock," she said, her tone filled with frustration and just a bit of soft sentimentality, "It just doesn't seem to work out."

"I know." Ash sighed even more heavily than his friend. "Nothing does."

"It's ridiculous," said Misty dryly. "We've only been apart a day, and yet…" she softened.
"Yeah. I know."

Mentally searching for a brighter subject amidst the silence, Ash said, "Y'know what? Today I got a note that the Professor was keeping -"

"He told me about it." Misty sounded thoughtful. "Something about a city were the mind is stronger than – than the body, right?"

"Right. And," Ash said in a small voice, broaching the subject that they had both been secretly waiting for him to bring up, "it said…not to go alone."

There was a long silence before Misty spoke. Then, finally, her voice came over the line. "If you go, I'll come," she said resolutely. There was a big crash on her end, and Ash guessed that she had slammed down a pot lid in a display of determination.

"Really, Misty? I-I'm not even sure if I'll go."

"Are you kidding, me, Ash Ketchum?" The boy flinched from the receiver. "We've been through tons of stuff, and you're telling me that you wouldn't want to team up and go on another adventure?"

"Well, if you really want to…"

"Of course I do! Now, who's coming to who?" she said briskly, as the sound of running water gurgled in the background.

"What d'you mean?" said Ash, mystified. He waited, but there was nothing on her end but clanking dishes. "MISTY!"

"Sorry…what? Oh, that. I meant something along the lines of Are you coming to Cerulean or Am I coming to Pallet?" That red-headed impatience surging forward again. Ash realized he had missed it.

"Wait a sec…" he said suddenly, realizing something. "Misty, who's gonna watch the Gym while you're gone?"

"Aw, I'll get someone to do it. Ash," she said with another bang from a pot for emphasis, "if the Rockets – Team Rocket – are up to something, this may be bigger than the Cerulean Gym – than any Gym."

"Misty, this is Jessie and James and Meowth we're talking about…"

"No, goofball! Not them, the entire Team Rocket Corporation! Don't you remember what they did to the Valley, and Mewtwo, and the clones, and the spring water? They could be doing that all over again!"

Ash remembered, all right. "Well, I guess I'll come to Cerulean…but wait!" he cried as sudden inspiration hit him.

"What?"

"If you come here, we can both go to Pewter and get Brock!"

"Ash, sometimes you're brilliant!" said Misty admiringly. Ash, slightly red in the face (and awfully glad that Misty couldn't see him because of it), said, stammering slightly, "S-so, are you coming up here then?"

"Sure."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

Ash huffed. "When tomorrow?"

"I dunno, morning I guess. Maybe nine, if I start early."

"See you then?"

"See you then," said Misty happily, and with that they both cut the connection, each feeling a little flustered – and extremely satisfied.

"Are you sure you have to leave again - so soon?" Delia was in an overstuffed chair, folding clothes. Her warm gaze was directed at her son (as usual), and it was filled with concern (also as usual).

Ash sighed. "Yeah, Mom. I told you, the note -"

"Yes, I know about the note, Professor Oak showed it to me."

"Well, then, you understand why I have to leave, and soon." Ash leaned forward earnestly in his chair, his hands clasped together. His eyes were determined and eager, the early morning light from the window glinting in them.

"I don't understand why it always has to be you who does these sorts of things, though." Delia, a little flustered by the prospect of her only son's rather sudden departure, looked down at the shirt she was folding. Pikachu was perched on the chair above her. "It's just so…dangerous."

Ash stifled a sigh of frustration. "Don't worry about me, Mom. Brock and Misty will be with me."

"Pikapi Pikachu!"

"…and Pikachu," added the Trainer, grinning.

"I know, but three young people – and a Pikachu" Delia added as Ash looked sidewise at his Pokemon, "are not much better than just one."

Ash frowned. "It's a whole lot better than nobody trying to stop the Rockets," he pointed out. "We've done it before; we can do it again."

"Well, I know there's no use stopping you…" Delia trailed off as a knock sounded on the door.

Ash's heart pounded. Was it her? He opened the door – and was nearly crushed by the force of Misty's hug.

"Ash! And Mrs. Ketchum! How are you?" The youngest Waterflower drew back and beamed at Ash's mother.

"Great, thanks, Misty." Delia stepped back thoughtfully as Ash and Misty began to talk, firing questions back and forth and talking of the journey ahead. She walked to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on a snack for the two Trainers, trying not to think of the danger they might well be facing. Glancing back into the living room, she saw them poring over a map on the floor, still talking earnestly. They sure are happy to see each other, she thought bemusedly as she fingered her chin, allowing an amusing thought to enter her mind. I wonder…

"Mom, we're ready to leave now. We'll stop by the Professor's before we go very far," said Ash, turning from Misty to hug his mother.

"Misty, watch over him for me, will you?" said Delia, her falsely stern tone rising over her son's head. "For goodness' sake, Ash, be careful for once!"

"Don't worry, Mrs. Ketchum. I'll watch him," said Misty haughtily. She ducked to avoid a thwack on the head from Ash.

"See you two around!" Delia laughed and waved as the two ran down the porch steps, across the lawn, along the path, down the road…

"…Good luck, Pokemon Master!…" Delia Ketchum's voice faded into sweet spring silence as Ash and Misty jogged down the path, then eventually slowed to a walk. Pikachu poked its head out of Ash's backpack, yawned, and popped it back in.

"Get a good rest, Pikachu," murmured Ash as they directed their course to Professor Oak's lab for some last-minute pointers. "You're gonna need it…"

Dusk was falling as Ash and Misty trooped down the muddy road. It was riddled with potholes, and occasionally one or both of them would trip over a concealed one, only to pick themselves up again wearily and keep on tramping, tramping, tramping to Pewter City.

"Almost there…?" Misty asked hopefully, glancing at the map held in Ash's slack hand.

He dragged the map to eye level and mumbled, "I think so." Neither of them had been this tired in a long while – the last few weeks of their journey had been spent solely at the Johto League Silver Conference, battling at the stadium, qualifying for the next round, preparing for the next match, or just hanging out. Now, their eyes scanned the terrain longingly. Several more painstaking minutes passed. Then…finally, a light! Then two, then several, and finally, unmistakable even in the mist, was Pewter City.

"This is it!" Misty dragged her feet through the bog-like road, the thought of a warm bed and a hot meal allowing her to run on afterburners. Ash, stumbling along slightly behind her, was equally hopeful.

The lights blinked softly at them, and rain gently fell on their heads (or hat, in Ash's case), but the Trainers' exhausted sights were set on the reddish glow of the Pokemon Center's main light, shining across the wet road and creating reflections on dripping windowpanes and slick cobblestones. They ran faster and faster, their feet slapping painfully on the road, and with a last burst of energy they fell through the Center's glass doors and began to shake some of the water from their clothing. Togepi, Misty's baby Pokemon, woke up from its cozy nest in its 'mother's' bag and began crying for food.

It was a very messy, rainy, muddy, sloppy, and (thanks to Togepi) loud cluster that met Nurse Joy as she entered the Center's main room.

"Can I help you?" the Nurse asked kindly. Before either of the Trainers could answer, she had evaluated their condition and was fluttering off to get some towels. While Ash and Misty stood dripping and shaking and trying to stay out of the way of the door, Nurse Joy started the showers and unlocked two rooms for them.

Misty glanced up and sighed with relief as she saw the Nurse hurrying toward them, thrusting towels into their limp hands and scooting them off to the showers.

"It's good to be back in Pewter," murmured Ash in Misty's ear, and his partner nodded emphatically as they walked towards their bathrooms.

"It sure is," she said lethargically after a moment, fully ready for a dip in the tub and a comfy bed.

After they were clean and dry, Ash and Misty said goodnight and began settling down in their separate rooms. Ash plopped down and instantly fell asleep, with Pikachu (also having had a bath) settled in the crook of his arm. Misty, however, couldn't sleep right away. She sat on the edge of her bed, listening to the rain. Startled, she blinked as the moon shone through a break in the clouds, and the light streaming through her window cast an eerie luminescence over everything. Togepi was curled up on her pillow, fast asleep.

Why, then, can't I sleep? Sighing softly, the redhead dragged her bag onto her lap and began rummaging through it. Like Ash had two nights before, she looked for something that reminded her of the beginning of her journey through two vast regions. Aha! Her fingers tightened around a burnt and twisted metal bar, a piece from her broken bicycle that she had kept for two years. Why had she kept it at all? She was always resenting that her beloved bike had been fried by Ash and Pikachu…wasn't she? What would've happened if they hadn't ruined it? Misty fingered the bar, tilting it, watching the moonlight flicker softly

on the patches of red paint that were still intact.

"Misty? Misty, wake up!" Ash knocked impatiently on her door.

"Mmhmm…what?"

"Misty! C'mon, let's go get Brock!"

In a flash, Misty jerked out of bed, remembering exactly where she was and why she was there. Pewter City, to get Brock, to stop Team Rocket. Right. She pulled on a sweatshirt, noting the chilly wind that blew outside her window. Her arm bumped against something hard and cold on the bed, and she hurriedly tucked the bicycle bar back into her bag, scooping up Togepi also. "Coming!" she called, her voice revealing her disgust. "Can't you wait for one second, Ash!?"

Boy, she's cross this morning. Shrugging his bag across his back, Ash stood outside the door in a huff until the redhead burst out the door, dragging a startled Ash with her.

"Hey! Wait – thanks, Nurse Joy!" Ash managed to give Nurse Joy an unsteady smile as they ran by and out the door, but his face turned dark as a storm cloud when he turned back to Misty, who was still pulling him along. "What was that -"

"Hey! Hey, no fighting, you two!" A familiar shape was leaning against the Pewter Gym's door. He was resting nonchalantly with his arms crossed, and his face was pleased as he called to them in his old "let's stop the arguing" tone.

"Brock!" Misty let go of Ash (much to his relief) and pelted towards their Gym Leader friend, embracing him as he met them halfway.

"Hey, Misty! Ash!" Brock high-fived Ash ("Do guys ever hug each other?" Misty wondered) and stepped back to look at them a moment. "The Professor called me up earlier to tell me about all the stuff that's been happening. So, what are we waiting for? Let's get -"

"Brock! Where are you going -? Oh." A girl about Misty's age with long brown hair and tanned skin popped her head out of the Gym door. As she jogged towards them, Ash and Misty realized that she was toting a much smaller version of Brock along with her. Only Brock seemed at ease as she stopped before the trio, gazing at them uncomfortably and glancing down at Brock Jr. every few seconds.

"Well, guys," said Brock finally, "this is my younger sister Ruby." When Ruby gestured towards Little Brock, her older brother smiled and added, "and this is little Markus."

"Aww! He's so cute, Brock!" Misty moved towards Markus, and he eyed her for a suspicious moment. But then he grinned (almost toothlessly) and held out his arms to her. After a moment's hesitation, Ruby let go of his pudgy hand and he clambered into Misty's arms.

"Are – are you leaving now, Brock?" Ruby glanced resentfully at him.

"Yes, I'm gonna have to, sis." Brock put an arm around her and squeezed her. "Jade can watch things here while I'm gone, so you won't have to worry -"

It was the wrong thing to say. "Worry? Who, me?" said Ruby sarcastically. She looked her brother full in the eye and said, "Don't leave us again so soon. The others may not mind so much, but…but I…I do mind." She seemed to think for a moment, then a small smile lit her face as another option came to mind. "Please take me with you, Brock. Please?"

Brock turned away. "Ruby, I…"

"Please, big brother?" She clasped his hand tightly.

"I don't know…what would the others think?…" Even Ash could see that Brock was weakening.

"Brock…please, take me with you."

A long, long sigh escaped the Gym Leader's lips. "Okay, Ruby. You always were my favorite -"

"Oh, thank you, Brock!" Ruby embraced him tightly. He smiled, pretending to gag behind her back. Ash laughed; Misty did not.

"Well, let me just put Brock Jr. – I mean, Markus," said Misty hurriedly to a slightly bewildered Ruby, "in the Gym -"

"I'll come with you," Ruby said. "I need to grab a couple of things first."

Brock turned on her suspiciously.

"Don't worry, Brock, I won't invite any of the others to come. I'm just telling Jade; she can break it to them later. I promise." Brock nodded reluctantly.

"She's really coming?" Ash stared after the dark girl as she reentered the Gym. "Is she a Pokemon Trainer? Can she battle well? Is she really your favorite sibling? Does she know what's going on? It's pretty dangerous -"

Brock laughed. "Yes, she's a Trainer. I'll let you decide for yourself whether or not she's 'good.' Gosh, I don't know if she's really my favorite; there are so many to choose from," he said, which garnered a laugh from Ash. "Ruby has a general idea of what's going on, but we can fill in the details later -"

"- not that we have many details to go on," interrupted Misty, who was followed closely by Ruby, carrying a heavy pack.

"Too much stuff, Rube." Brock frowned at his younger sister. Misty shot her an unforgiving frown, shrugging her own light bag across one shoulder.

"Okay." Ruby dragged herself back into the Gym, and several minutes later reappeared with a much lighter load.

"Good girl. Now, are we ready?" Brock clapped his hands decidedly. "great, then let's…" He trailed off, ending in a groan. "Oh no."

Ash had whipped out a Pokeball and Ruby had done the same.

Misty sat down, knowing that once Ash had his heart set on a match, there was really nothing anybody could do but wait it out. Also, almost despite herself, she wanted to see how Ruby measured up against Ash.

"Three-on-three. Knockout style." Ruby was all business.

"Deal." After a moment's thought, Ash selected a Pokeball and tossed it into the air. "Pokeball, GO!" In an instant, his Bayleef appeared before him and was pawing the ground eagerly.

"Go, Quilava!" The fiery little Pokemon appeared before its Trainer, blowing flames from its back. "Quilava, use Rollout!" cried Ruby.

"Bayleef, dodge!" The leafy Pokemon barely avoided the whirling mass of heat that struck out at it…

"Please, Ash, win this," Misty whispered.

Brock glanced at her reprovingly. The redhead sat, unrepentant.

How will this turn out? Both Brock and Misty wondered, neither knowing, but both sensing that their team had just expanded to include one more member…