The Preparations

Mewtwo stood in all his power, irradiating a dark purple Aura, mixed with psychic energy. His eyes were narrowed to slits, and his Aura Sphere started to grow in size. His purple tail flicked back and forth, as if in irritation. His grey body was still floating in front of Misty, as she was on the ground in shock. I ran and pick her up off the ground, and she grasped my shirt as she looked at the two Combatants.

"Mewtwo," said the electronic pad on the floor. "Why are you here? This is a matter where you should not be in." The cloaked Trainer returned his Hydreigon and Electrivire. "This is between me and Ash."

I ran next to Mewtwo, and yelled to the cloaked figure. "Who the hell are you? What do you want?" Mewtwo put his paw on my chest. I looked at his face, but his look said Stay back.

"As I was saying," said the pad, "Ash Ketchum, you have three days to summit Mt. Silver and pass its tests. IF not, I will destroy everyone you hold dear." The stranger picked up the pad, and pocketed it. As he threw out his Hydreigon again, and hoed on its back, he looked at my mother. The stranger spoke, his voice deep and baritone: "It is nice to see you again, Delia." He then flew towards Johto, towards Mt. Silver.

Mewtwo gave chase, flying after the Hydreigon and its master. As he left, I looked at my mother. She had gone deathly pale, and started to sink to the ground, muttering "No, no, no, no, no."

As I was about to go over, everyone started to crowd around me. "Ash," said Misty, "Do you know that man?" She went came over and touched my hand, but as though I was a shock victim. I shook my head.

My new Lucario and Garchomp came over as well, and I returned them to my Pokéballs. Pikachu came by side, saying a worried "Pika."

Lance came over, and took me to a corner while Cynthia attended to anyone hurt. WE were lucky no one was killed.

"Ash," he said to me, "You can't summit Mt. Silver." I was about to argue, but h held his hand up for silence. "Have you heard the story of Trainer Red?"

I shook my head, and he sat in a seat. Pikachu perched on the shoulder of my ruined tux, and looked ready to listen.

"Well, around 25 years ago, there was this kid from Pallet Town, like you. He was extremely strong, and managed to have an excellent team, including a Pikachu. His name was Red, and he was the strongest Trainer I ever say. He completed both Johto and Kanto Pokedexes. After defeating me, the Champion, he summited Mt. Silver, the harshest mountain on the entire planet." He paused to take a breath. "8 years later, a severely injured Charizard landed at Oak's lab, holding an egg. From its DNA, we determined that Charizard was Red's. Sadly, it died after it landed, its last bit of strength giving Oak the egg."

"That egg hatched a Pichu, which quickly evolved into Pikachu." He pointed towards my Pikachu. "That one, to be more precise. Apparently, somehow, Red's Pikachu obtained an egg. Your Pikachu is the son of Red's."

I couldn't believe it. The yellow mouse on my shoulder was the son of the Pikachu of the greatest Trainer ever. Pikachu looked at me, as surprised as I was.

"After that, we sent a search team up," he continued. "All they could find was this."

He pulled a hat out of his pocket, a red one, with a little button on the right side. It seemed to glow, and then I realized that the hat contained some Aura somehow. The aura was red mixed with white…

I took the hat in my hand, and carefully turned it over, as though it was a sacred relic. I couldn't believe it… This was so unreal.

"That was not all we found," he continued. "We also found Hyper Beam marks on the cave. I think this man may be connected to Red's disappearance."

We both stood up, as Misty, May, Max, Dawn, and Brock came over. I quickly stuffed the hat in a tux pocket inside my jacket. I felt bad doing that, but they could not know about the connection. This is awkward as it is, my birthday party being interrupted to say the least. I don't need to explain genetic of my Pokémon as well.

"Are you guys ok?" I asked. Besides a few bumps and scratches, they seemed ok.

"Ash," asked Brock. "You aren't seriously considering going to Mt. Silver, right?"

I spoke. "I have to, or else he may hurt the people I care about." I gave a sidelong glance at Misty, but looked back at Lance. "Is there a quick way we can get back to Pallet Town fast?"

He nodded his head, and his Aerodactyl and Dragonite's came out. "Two max on each please."

Dawn and Brock got on one Dragonite, May and Max on the Aerodactyl, and me and Misty on the last one.

"Lance," I told the Champion, "Look after my mother please, if I don't come back." The Dragonite flew towards the direction of Pallet Town, leading the pack of fliers.

"Looks like you got to save everyone again Ash." Said Misty from behind. She was holding me tight, as though she was afraid. "You may not come back this time… Let me go with you."

I felt some blood rush to my face, but it was a faint blush. "Misty… It is too dangerous."

"Ash, I don't care." She gripped me tighter, and I felt drops of tears splashing against my back. "It has been to long… Besides, we have been in worse. Remember Lugia and the Bird Trio? I stayed with you then, and I will stay with you now. That is what… what friends do."

"Misty…" I started, but the Dragonite suddenly dived towards Pallet Town. They landed in front of my house, and we went in.

Somehow, they must have been an after party, less formal, because the place was decorated. It seemed horrible, after what happened. Everyone's bags where there as well.

"Ash." Came Brocks voice. "We are all coming with you." I turned to argue, but all my friends had fire in their eyes that told them I was not going to win this.

"Fine." I muttered. "Get ready in different rooms, and then we will go to Oak's to grab our Pokémon for the journey. Get fliers if you have them." I handed each of them their bags, and they rushed to different rooms of the house, except Misty. She started to slowly go upstairs to the bathroom next to my room, and gave one last glance before she closed the door.

I went into my room, and changed out of my ruined tux, and started to put on jeans. As I got buttoned, I turned and saw Misty's Aura, a display of green and blue reach the door. I was about to go lock it, but I tripped and crashed just in front of the door.

"Misty, wait-" the door opened, and Misty got a look of shock as I got up. She gathered a slight blush in her cheeks again, and started to turn. She changed into her normal journey clothes, a yellow tanks top that was to short and didn't cover her stomach, with shorts on and attached to blue overall straps. I grabbed her shoulder, and said "Ummmmm…."

Ok, she may have looked good then, when I was ten, but now she is 17, and she was a gorgeous woman. Somehow, I never noticed this before, and I was speechless. "You have… changed a lot."

She chuckled a bit, and pocked my abs. "You have to. Since when did you get muscle?"

"Hey!" I said, and ran to put my white T-shirt on. I was blushing fiercely as I put on my red jacket with white accents. I looked for a hat, but couldn't find any.

"Ash, are you looking for a hat?" she asked. She knew me so well. Then it hit me. I know little to nothing about her! I felt a knot in my stomach. Why am I worrying about this now? I never had these feelings before, right? Ugh, I really hate not knowing a thing.

"Yes." I replied, but before I could stop her, she plucked Red's hat from my tux jacket pocket. "Misty… I can't wear that hat…"

She gave me a questioning look, and sat down next to me on the bed. I had to tell her. If I couldn't trust Misty, I couldn't trust anyone… I told her what Lance told me, about Red, and his ties with the attacker. She looked stun as I finished, and I carefully took the hat from her hand, and put it in my bag I was bringing.

"Ash, I didn't know. I am sorry." She was about to continue, when we heard a guttural grunt from the door way. We looked up, but then looked down to where Meowth was standing.

"Looks like yous love twerps are needed downstairs. I, Jessie, and James are goin to watch da house for you." Misty and I blushed fiercely, as we went down stairs.

Everyone was ready downstairs. They were wearing clothes that they were wearing when I ventured with them. They already had their Pokémon, and now they were waiting on me. We walked out the house, and walked to the lab. It felt like a funeral march, like a body being driven in a hearse. People watched from their windows and looked melancholy. As we arrived at the lab, the sun was just above the horizon. We discussed what we were going to do if such and such happens. As I got my Charizard, Sceptile, and Staraptor, we were ready to go. I decided to keep the Lucario and Garchomp. If I beat this dude, it was going to be with irony.

As I stepped out of the lab, I saw all my Pokémon and friends looking at me. They looked as though I was a hero from Arceus, and I clenched my fists. There was no way I was going to lose to is bastard.

I looked up, and felt the wind go through my hair, and it ripple my clothes. Pikachu was perched on my shoulder, looking as serious as I felt.

"Let's go."