Vondrakenhof here. Do you have any idea how hard it is to have a chapter written and not post it because you've made a schedule? I've been wanting to post this all week. And now I'll have to wait another week before I post Chapter 3 next Friday. It's better this way because it gives me time to write ahead even though I should be studying. Ah well.

Not much to say this week, just that I'm trying to make every chapter like an episode of the anime. Hopefully it works. Please tell what I'm doing wrong and what I'm doing right. It can only help me. So review, please. Enjoy the story!

Back Around Again.

Ash sat at the kitchen table in his house, looking over a map of Kanto. Professor Oak had told him that badges could only ever be used once to enter into a Pokémon League competition. In order to do so again he'd have to retrace the steps of his original journey. Though Ash did want to do it more efficiently, it had taken over a year to get around Kanto the first time but he knew he would do it much sooner this time. That was as long as he didn't get lost.

Besides, he'd gotten around foreign regions in a shorter time since then. The deadline of next July would be ages away when he was done. So Ash was planning his path.

According to the map the best way would be follow his original journey to Cerulean city but from there head to Saffron instead of going around it to Vermillion. How he'd managed that as a child he didn't know. After Saffron he'd have to trek to Vermillion and back again before going to Celadon. After that Fuchsia and Cinnabar would be next.

Ash was getting excited. Not only was this a chance to better his performance in his home league he'd also get to visit his friends. He decided he'd go over his plans with both Brock and Misty to see if they had anything to add.

"This will be a great journey," he said to himself. He was roused from his thoughts when his mother called him for help with the shopping. She'd offered to cook him a big going away meal tonight. Ash quickly got up to help her and Mr. Mime.

"Thanks honey," she said when he relieved her of two large paper bags filled to the brim with food. For the last few weeks Delia Ketchum had been doting on her boy and now that he was leaving again she was going to make sure that he did so on a full stomach.

"What are we having tonight Mom?" asked Ash, who was trying to peek into the bags.

"That would spoil the surprise," she answered.

Dinner turned out to be a collection of some of Ash's favourite foods. There were cheeseburgers and chilli dishes and homemade ramen. There was also a bottle of ketchup for Pikachu. Of course the first thing Ash did was to pile chilli and ramen onto one of the burgers. He then inhaled it and went back for more.

Delia and Tracey looked on, amused at Ash's usual eating habits while Professor Oak tried his best not to look. He was afraid he'd lose his appetite. Conversation was sparse throughout the meal as all four of them focussed on their food. It was when Ash was the only one eating that it started up again.

"… so Professor Birch is getting him to investigate the possible causes for the stubbornness of Tailow," said Professor Oak hours later as he finished updating them of Gary's progress in Hoenn.

"Doesn't that sound delightful," said Delia.

"I don't see why he has to look into the causes," said Ash. "I mean it's just how they are. I know Swellow would never give up in a fight. That's all I need to know."

"And that is why you're not a researcher Ash," said Oak, not unkindly. "Oh, speaking of research I have something for you." He pulled something from the pocket of his lab coat and handed it to Ash. "It's the latest model."

Ash turned the device over in his hands. It was slim, with a red plastic back but the whole from was taken up by a screen. "It's a Pokédex?"

"With complete, up-to-date information," answered the Professor. "It's also equipped with a mobile phone, a camera and a Global Positioning System."

Ash slid his thumb over the screen, lighting up the display. It was just like a phone, the number pad taking up the bottom half of the screen but three symbols appeared at the top. A question mark, a camera and a compass covered the top. Ash pointed the device at Pikachu and pressed the question mark.

"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pichu," said the automated voice of Dexter. "This intelligent Pokémon roasts hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat."

Ash smiled. "Thanks Professor Oak."

"So are you all packed?" asked Delia. Ash nodded. "Changes of clothes? Food? First aid kit?" Ash nodded at each of these. "Spare underwear? Razor?"

"Mom!" exclaimed Ash. Why does she always have to do that? he thought.

"I just have to make sure," she said as if reading his thoughts. "I have something for you too," she added, getting up from the table. She rushed upstairs and was back before Ash could wonder what it could be.

"Here," said Delia, holding out a box. Ash took it, gently taking the lid off. Inside was a jacket. He pulled it out of the box. It was the same shade of blue he always wore but it had long sleeves and a large zip down the middle.

"Thanks Mom," Ash said before giving her a hug.

"Now head to bed," she ordered. "You've got an early start tomorrow and I'm not letting you sleep in. Again," she added with a smirk.

"I'm never living that down, am I?" muttered Ash as Professor Oak and Tracey chuckled. "Goodnight."

Picking up a sleeping Pikachu he headed up the stairs to his room. He wasn't really tired but he knew he'd have to get up early the next morning to set off. He didn't bother to turn on the light as he entered his room. He set Pikachu down on the end of the bed and his new jacket on his desk. From the light coming through the door he could see his old posters, showing the Kanto starters, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. He saw his gym badges from six regions and Battle Frontier symbols and the trophy from the Orange League.

And he saw his old official Pokémon League hat atop a shelf.

Reaching up Ash took it down. It had been through a lot. Seen a lot of things. It had taken him a million postcards to get. It was the envy of many and it had been lost or stolen a few times. Without knowing why Ash put the hat on.

Yeah, he thought, this works. He took it off again before putting it with his new jacket and climbing into bed.

"Now I've put in some food to tide you over until you reach Viridian City," said Delia, holding a backpack out to her son. Ash took it in hand but was confused when his mother didn't let it go. She continued in a stern voice. "Remember to shave. And to change your you-know-whats every day."

"Mom!" Ash exclaimed, his face burning. "I'm sixteen years old, do you have to remind to… do that… every chance you get?" He desperately tried to ignore Pikachu's chuckles.

"Yes I do," she answered. Delia released the bag and hugged Ash. "You're my baby and you always will be. No matter how big you get."

The young man returned his mother's hug before awkwardly extracting himself from it.

"Goodbye Mom," he said, turning away from her and their house, walking down the road. Delia waved after him. With each step Ash felt a strange feeling building within him. Every time he'd gone on a journey before he'd felt excited, eager with the tiniest bit of fear that he wouldn't admit to having. Now it was different. The excitement was there but it was muted. There was no fear, not even trepidation. This time Ash felt a quiet confidence and a sense of inner time Ash felt like a storybook hero, gone off to learn how to fight in foreign lands, now returning home to conquer all. To claim what was his. He smiled.

Ash removed his pokéballs from his belt as he reached the crest of the hill looking over his hometown. Five creatures materialised before him as he opened the balls. Gliscor took to the skies, swooping and diving. Bayleef and Tauros stretched their legs. Pikachu hopped down from Ash's shoulder, taking a place between Gible and Oshawott.

"We're heading to Viridian today," said Ash, getting the attention of his Pokémon. "It's the first step on our journey back to the Indigo Conference. So we're going to start off right." He took off down the track at a jog. "Keep pace with me, you guys!" he yelled.

Pikachu was the first to catch up, having half expected the workout. He knew his trainer's mind better than any of the others. Gliscor wasn't far behind but it had trouble slowing its glide to stay overhead. The other four joined shortly with Bayleef and Tauros having an easier time than the dragon and water type Pokémon.

Ash smiled widely. The first time he'd taken this path he had rubber gloves on and was dragging Pikachu behind him with a clothes line. He failed miserably at catching any Pokémon that day and managed to piss off an entire flock of Spearow so much the pair of them were nearly killed. If he hadn't stolen Misty's bike and Pikachu hadn't used that incredible attack they would have been torn apart. Of course if Misty hadn't fished them out of the river they would have been just as dead.

I never really thanked her for that, thought Ash. Misty had been his first human friend since Gary had turned into a rival. He'd never intended to repay her for the bike, just in case that debt was all that was keeping her around. It had taken until he was thirteen to learn that wasn't the case, when she was leaving anyway.

The sound of running water broke into Ash's thoughts. They'd reached a fast moving river. Ash knew exactly which one it was. It led to the waterfall he had jumped off years ago. He slowed down, walking next to the water until he reached the drop.

The waterfall looked exactly as he remembered it, much bigger than it really was. Ash had jumped and fallen from much greater heights since his first day but this one always stuck out in his mind.

"So how do we get down?" he asked himself. Oshawott heard him. The sea otter Pokémon leapt from the cliff and into the water below. A moment later he jumped out onto the bank. He looked very proud of himself.

"Yes, very good Oshawott," Ash called down, "but I am not eager to jump into that water. Again."

"Gible!" yelled Ash's little dragon type as it threw itself past the young man and off the cliff, causing him and Pikachu to cry out. It plummeted after Oshawott, straight into the ground. Instead of crashing painfully the land shark Pokémon used Dig to keep going, resurfacing not far away. Oshawott looked at it like it was crazy.

"That works too, I guess," muttered Ash. He held out two pokéballs. "Bayleef, Tauros, return." The two larger Pokémon disappeared in a flash of red light. Pikachu climbed onto Ash's shoulder. "Hang on buddy," he said before beginning his descent.

The climb down was slow. Ash placed his feet carefully, gripping what handholds he could find firmly and trying not to pay attention to the ground below. It went well until a rock he grabbed came loose. He fell.

All of three feet.

Ash tried to ignore the laughter of his Pokémon as he stood up. "Come on, let's go."

It took longer than he thought it would for Ash to reach the spot where he'd met Misty. The river had swept him pretty far before she'd hooked him. The place was exactly the same. Only the orange leaves on the trees indicated that any time had passed. Ash breathed deep.

"We're stopping here for a while," he announced. He released Bayleef and Tauros again. "You two spar together," he instructed. "Gible, Gliscor, you too." He turned to Oshawott, pokéball in hand. "You and I are going to work on something."

A minute later the water type stood on the opposite bank. Ash waved at him. Oshawott was in the water in a flash. Ash immediately tried to return him, aiming the pokéball at where he thought Oshawott would be. He missed and the sea otter Pokémon disappeared. Ash watched the water carefully for any sign of his friend. Twice he spotted Oshawott and twice Oshawott avoided being recalled. Ash was looking over the river when Oshawott burst from the water in front of him. Ash had to duck to avoid a Hydro Pump attack.

"That was good," he told the Pokémon. "Try to be stealthier. Use the water to your advantage. I shouldn't be able to see you at all." They did it a few more times until Ash caught Oshawott as he jumped out of the water to attack.

"Too predictable," he said. "I got you because you used the same spot to attack each time." Ash sighed, Oshawott looked crestfallen. "You did well though," said Ash trying to cheer his water type up. "Let's stop for now."

He gave each of his friends some Pokémon food Professor Oak had given him. It was an original recipe of Brock's. Delicious, nutritious and filling it was everything a Pokémon needed. Ash had a sandwich his mother had packed for him. When they were all finished Ash returned his Pokémon, setting off down the track once again.

Ash awoke slowly in the dawn light. He had made camp the night before, cooking a tin of baked beans on an open fire for dinner. He wormed his way deeper into his sleeping bag. His efforts to go back to sleep were interrupted by a loud squawk.

Ash's eyes shot open. Staring down at him from above was a large Fearow. Ash tensed.

"Pikachu!" he hissed. "Wake up!"

"Pikapi," the mouse Pokémon mumbled sleepily from beside his head.

"I need your help here bud," Ash whispered. He shifted a little away from the flying type. The Fearow's eyes narrowed. It lunged.

"Pika!" cried Pikachu, striking the bird on the beak with a shining metal tail. The Fearow backed away, screeching its name. Pikachu's cheeks sparked as he stood between his trainer and the attacker.

"Fearow!" yelled the beak Pokémon before it turned and flew away.

"Well done Pikachu," said Ash as he got out of his bag. He hurriedly donned his jeans and jacket before cleaning up the campsite. He was stuffing his sleeping bag into his backpack when he heard the Fearow's cry again. He turned his head towards it.

The Fearow was coming back, and it was bring friends. Four other Fearow and a host of Spearow were following it.

"Eh, run?" asked Ash. Pikachu's answer was to turn and dash into the trees. Ash was right on his tail, tearing through any bushes that got in his way. Thorns and branches scratched at him as he tried his best to keep the flash of yellow in front of him in sight. Ash yelled out as he caught his foot on a tree root, sending him crashing to the ground. A Fearow burst through the trees behind him.

"Thunderbolt Pikachu!" he ordered. The electric type spun on his paws and let loose a bolt of lightning. The Fearow cried out in pain as it was engulfed in the attack. It flew up through the canopy to escape. Ash scrambled to his feet, running before a group of Spearow could reach him.

Ash and Pikachu broke into a clearing, an idyllic little gap in the trees which, on any other day, might have been the perfect spot for a picnic. The scene was ruined by the small army of flying Pokémon hovering above the treeline.

The two friends stood back to back, glaring at the surrounding birds. "Get ready Pikachu," murmured Ash. Sparks flew from his faithful partners cheeks.

"Pidgeot!"

A flash of light sped through the army, striking the lead Fearow, sending it reeling in pain. A majestic plumed bird materialised high above, flapping its wings so hard a gale was stirred up below. Many of the Spearow were blown away by the sudden winds but though the Fearow struggled they stayed where they were.

"Now Pikachu!" Ash ordered. The mouse Pokémon let loose another Thunderbolt, striking the beak Pokémon, causing them to lose their control and be swept away by the wind. Ash and Pikachu both let out a sigh of relief. The Pidgeot swooped down over the clearing, alighting on the top of a tree. Ash and Pikachu clambered up after it. When they reached the top they saw that the Pokémon was looking off into the distance.

"Hey Pidgeot," greeted Ash. "It's been a long time." Pidgeot cooed and bobbed its head. Ash turned to see what it was looking at. In the distance a large flock of birds were flying as fast as possible. Ash and Pikachu watched as another flock, the Fearow and Spearow the trainer realised, chased what must have been the Pidgey and Pidgeotto back into the trees.

"I guess the war's not over," said Ash. Looking at Pidgeot he noticed that the sun was still rising on their left. "You're trying to fly south," he murmured, "but the Fearow won't let you." He put his hand on his old friend's wing. "Do you need help?"

"Yahoo!"

Flying on Pidgeot was exactly as Ash remembered: exhilarating. The feel of the wind on his face, the open air around him, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, Ash couldn't help but laugh at the sheer joy of it.

Pidgeot shot through the air at a speed rivalling that of a small aircraft. Ash could barely believe how soon they reached the offending flock. The Fearow and Spearow, still harassing the birds in the trees, were caught unaware as Pidgeot struck. They were slow to react, a fact Ash took full advantage of.

"Thunderbolt!" he roared. Pikachu leapt from Pidgeot's back, out into the empty air. He unleashed a short burst of lightning in all directions, knocking many Spearow out of the sky. As Ash caught his friend the Pokémon still airborne turned their murderous glares on the group.

"Well," said Ash, "now we have their attention." Pidgeot banked hard, nearly throwing its riders off, and fled. The angry flock followed. Ash had to shield Pikachu from a few Spearow who had reached them before Pidgeot could pull away. The majestic bird Pokémon had to swerve to avoid a spinning Fearow as it dove at them from above. Ash gripped his friends harder, silently urging Pidgeot to go faster. The landscape passed beneath them quickly until they reached a small, craggy hill.

"Now!" yelled Ash. Pidgeot pulled into a steep climb, flying straight up, its passengers hanging on for dear life. Below a small dragon type Pokémon leapt from behind a rock. Gible pointed its nose up towards the sky. It strained to gather power within itself, an orange glow growing at its centre.

"Gib, Gible!" it cried, launching a bright sphere of light upwards. It reached the flock of Fearow and Spearow, reaching the centre of their formation. For a moment there was silence. Then the Draco Meteor exploded.

Ash heard the explosion, followed by screeches of pain and panic. He tore a pokéball from his belt.

"Turn around," he ordered Pidgeot. The bird Pokémon obeyed, performing a neat loop in the air before diving down. Ash saw that the flock had been thinned, with only the Fearow and a few Spearow remaining. "Gliscor," he cried. "Stone Edge!" The flying ground type appeared in a flash of light, pelting the birds with rocks. Pikachu leapt from his perch after Gliscor, using another Thunderbolt. When Gliscor caught Pikachu the pair glided away. Ash saw then that only the lead Fearow remained in the air, the one that had attacked him first.

"Sky Attack!" he bellowed. Pidgeot seemed to fly even faster towards the dazed Fearow, a harsh white light surrounding it and Ash. It struck in a jarring impact, sending the beak Pokémon spiralling into the trees. Pidgeot spread its wings, slowing its decent. It landed heavily next to Gible, followed shortly by Gliscor and Pikachu.

"Good job guys," said Ash as he dismounted. He looked at his first flying type who was staring south, where its flock was making good on their escape. "Go on," he said. "Take care of them." Pidgeot bobbed its head gratefully before taking flight once more, soon catching up with its friends. Ash smiled. After a moment the smile faltered.

"Wait, how are we supposed to find our way down?"