Pokemon Fusion: Master League
A rising sun starts a new day for Ash and Misty... now with a much stronger bond after the return of Togekiss. And yesterday´s many events that ocurred didn´t just touch Misty´s heart...
With Misty beating Daisy when it comes to true love, Daisy became even more determined to win Tracey´s heart after Princess Sara, during the visit got far too close to Mr Sketchit ...
Even though Misty originally planned to get back home, her new relationship with Ash along with Tracey becoming vurnable to other women has forced Daisy to remain longer in Pallet Town...
With Misty´s secret revealed by Togekiss, Ash decides to put her much painful past and his own melancolic thoughts behind, and focus only on the future, his future with Misty and the future both are shaping for him for the upcoming new it´s getting closer for each day.
The rising sun gives Misty a new day to resume with Ash´s Pokemon training since yesterday didn´t go as planned. To compensate, Misty has in mind a little drastic, but surely effective plan.
But what no one didn´t count on, is that Ash´s Pokemon having made their own training plan...
Chapter 4: A Daisy Day And A Misty Fusion!
Delia, as always, woke up before anyone else, attending her garden and picking vegetables ready to be used for breakfast or lunch, as she told Mr Mime what they should start gathering for the day.
Pikachu had also woken up, getting up from bed with Ash still sleeping heavily. And with the door opened by Delia, Pikachu was about to leave and go outside when suddenly Togekiss woke up.
Gently getting lose from Misty´s arms, it flew over to Pikachu silently so neither Misty or Ash would wake up, as Pikachu led the way to the kitchen so that they both can get an early breakfast.
Meeting Mr Mime in the kitchen, Pikachu told it that they could eat some breakfast before Ash and Misty wake up. Not minding at all, Mr Mime told them to wait at the table, as it put the basket of vegetables on the kitchen counter. Opening a cupboard, Mr Mime took out some food bowls to use.
Putting them onto the table, it then took from under the kitchen sink an opened package of food especially for electric Pokemon. With Pikachu served food, all that was left is Togekiss´s breakfast.
But with Mr Mime clueless to what it should make next, Togekiss used it´s useful powers and teleported a small jar from Misty´s backpack in Ash´s room and onto the table. Containing food for baby Pokemon, Togekiss started to eat, since the food was its favorite food when it still a Togepi.
With both of them enjoying their meals, Mr Mime then excused itself and went back to help Delia with another load of vegetable baskets, picking more since Daisy is likely to join them for lunch.
Not feeling Pikachu or Togekiss in their arms, Ash and Misty started to wake up. Having wanted to wake up earlier to prepare training, Misty sleept like a baby now with Togekiss with her, and with Ash finally having no nightmares of himself or Misty, he could practically oversleep all day long.
With both having a light stretch and yawn at the same time, they knew that they were both awake, and it didn´t take long before Ash jumped out of bed like a Mankey while Misty stayed awhile.
Misty: Morning Ash! Hey slow down, otherwise you´ll end up exhausted after jumping around like that!
Ash: Morning Misty! And you´re the one to talk, usually you´d wake up earlier than me at this hour!
Misty: Well training grounds aren´t made in 60 seconds... besides, I must´ve slept like a baby last night.
Ash: Yeah me too, maybe it´s due to Togekiss... speaking of it, they seem to have woken up already.
Misty: You´re right, but they must have left just awhile ago... I still can feel it´s warmth here in the bed...
Ash: Sounds like you´re still abit tired... you sure you don´t want to sleep atleast half an hour more?
Misty: Nice try Ash, but when you´re up, so am I. We have serious training to do today, remember?
Ash: Hey I was being sincere, you look tired! And since when has an extra snooze hurt anyone?
Misty: Once we´re all done for the day with training, then we can sleep as long as we want afterwards!
Ash: Good point I guess...well, I´m gonna get up then and see if mom can fix up some breakfeast for us!
Putting on some slippers, Ash left his room and went outside. Despite the sun still not fully up, the strong and fresh wind was enough to get Ash in good shape, as he then saw Delia and Mr Mime.
Greeting Mr Mime, Ash then asked Delia if she could prepare breakfast for him and Misty. Almost done, Delia told Mr Mime to clean the vegetables to prepare a healthy start for her big little boy.
Mr Mime nodded and went with the last basket into the kitchen, as Ash went at the back of the house and to his window to tell Misty that bit won´t be long before breakfeast would be done for them both.
With his room door closed, Ash saw Misty. Out of bed, Misty had taken off her pyjamas and began getting dressed into her clothing. Seeing that her back is all bruised along with small cuts in several places, Ash knew it must have happened when she made the training grounds in the mountains.
Despite the back nearly healed, Ash was worried that Misty might have pushed herself too far for him, but he then decided to let it go, that he would probably do the same for her had it been him instead.
Going back into the house, Ash went to the kitchen where Pikachu and Togekiss were sitting at the table, all done with their breakfeast and about to play together when they then saw Ash come in.
With Misty also coming from Ash´s room, Ash took forth a seat for Misty to sit down on, as he then took a seat between her and Pikachu. Mr Mime had cleaned the vegetables when Delia entered.
Delia: Good morning everyone! I´m just about to make a nice breakfeast... Honey! You´re not dressed?
Ash: You didn´t mind me being in my pyjamas before? What´s suddenly wrong with it now mom?
Delia: First of all, you´re not alone at the table, and second, Misty´s already dressed up and you´re not!
Misty: Don´t worry Miss Ketchum, I´ll be sure to get Ash to change all of his bad habits eventually!
Ash: Hey, you´re supposed to be on my side! Ok I´ll go change, but breakfeast better be done then!
Getting up from the table, Ash left the kitchen and entered his room to get a change of clothes. Putting on a clean outfit incase he needs to make some more running again, Ash suddenly noticed something.
With Misty´s packback opened after she changed her clothes, a kind of package had suddenly fallen out. Wanting to put it back in so that Misty doesn´t miss it and leaves it behind, Ash kneeled down to pick it up and put it in her backpack. But then the front of the package suddenly caught his attention.
With big red letters spelling out ´´ CONFIDENCIAL´´ , it took awhile for Ash to know it´s something secret, and saw that it was even signed by Lance himself. Ash then read an attached note to the package:
´´ With your mission in Shinnoh now over, the information you have managed to collect from various sources must be delived to me directly and by you or someone you trust completely. A possible date and location has been arranged at the Pokemon Stadium during the Fusion League´´.
Not sure what connection Shinnoh has, Ash was curious to see what kind of information it was and why it was so secret. Hesitating abit, he knew that Misty otherwise probably would never show it to him.
Deciding to check it out after training, Ash wanted to make sure that he could get his hands on it later, as he put the package inside a drawer in his desk and locked it, putting the key in his jacket pocket.
With the smell of breakfast reaching into his room, Ash took off like a rocket and sat down again on the table, ready to devour it all as if he needs all the energy to do what Misty has planned for the day.
Misty: It´s delicious Miss Ketchum, I´m almost sure Violet and Lily might want to try this at home too!
Delia: Too bad Daisy isn´t joining us for breakfast, but atleast Professor Oak and Tracey won´t be alone.
Ash: Strange, Daisy knows that there is a guestroom here, why didn´t she stay here instead Misty?
Misty: Let´s just say that breakfast isn´t the only thing my sister wants to sink her teeth in over there...
Delia understood what Misty was trying to say while Ash, being the Mankey he is, didn´t truly get it or his brain was still half asleep. Eventually finishing breakfast, Misty helped Ash to clean up the table.
Once they were done with the table, Ash and Misty put on their shoes, and together with Pikachu and Togekiss left to Proffesor Oak´s lab to gather Ash´s Pokemon and tell them about the new training.
Ash: So Misty, while we´re on our way, want to fill me in on what training we´re going to do today?
Misty: Despite me still not being able to say much yet... what I can will strengthen mostly what I have already said. Besides, all of your Pokemon probably know by now that we´re totally up to something...
Ash: Now that you mention it.. Bayleef sure acted strange yesterday, even ran off right into the forest...
Misty: Hmm Bulbasaur and Bayleef probably know. Well, what you will do soon enough will be ...
Ash: I´m sure whatever it is, with your help, I´ll have the perfect solution to any training problem!
Misty: Unfortunatly Ash... what you will do is make a choice. One you can´t regret, it´s a choice I can´t interfere with, and there is no right and wrong. It´s a kind of choice you make based on your heart.
Ash: Somehow that´s a relief, make me use my brain and I´ll be sure to make stupid choices right?
Giggling at how true that statement might be, Misty took Ash´s hand to show that even if she might not always be of help in the future, she will still be there for him wether she really is needed or not.
Giving Misty a smile back, Ash could see Togekiss fly all around them, not sad or burdened anymore by what Ash and Misty previously felt the other day, and was happy to see them both finally together.
Misty: I was so used to have Togepi right in my arms, and now Togekiss is moving around all by itself.
Ash: Well Togekiss is quite bigger and heavier for you to walk around with in your arms all the time.
Misty: No matter how big or heavy, anyone that I truly love will always have a place in my arms.
Looking back abit towards Pikachu and Togekiss, Misty then looked at Ash and saw that something was on his mind, but he quickly got onto other thoughts, as they finally reached Proffesor Oak´s lab.
Not wanting Tracey to get up from the table just to open the door, Misty tried open the door to get in, but with it still locked, Misty took forth her backpack, wanting to use an extra spare key that she has.
Ash however suddenly remembered that she might notice that the package is gone, but with sheer luck the door suddenly got unlocked in time, as Misty then opened it, seeing Tracey just behind the door.
Tracey: Oh morning you two, we just finished breakfast and thought it was Delia coming for a visit.
Misty: Morning Tracey! Thanks for unlocking the door, didn´t need to use the spare key... How´s Daisy?
Tracey: She´s taking a third shower, afraid she might still have some small dirt after yesterday´s scene...
Misty: Proffessor Oak is not gonna like his water bill this month... have all the Pokemon woken up yet?
Tracey: Are you kidding? They woke up even before we did! And call me crazy, but something´s up...
Misty: Yeah Ash told me, the Pokemon probably know about training, and even Bayleef acted strange...
Tracey: Wait... Bayleef isn´t at the house? Cause she hasn´t returned to the ranch since yesterday!
Getting slightly concerned that Bayleef is apparently missing, Misty knew it would be a good idea to gather the Pokemon first, as she and Ash first entered the house to greet Professor Oak and Daisy.
Ash: Well I guess you got to start your assignments Tracey... so where are Professor Oak and Daisy?
Tracey: Yeah soon... oh Professor Oak is at his desk upstairs, and I think Daisy´s gone to the guestroom.
Ash: Thanks, and if we find Bayleef, we´ll be sure to send her in time for her scheduled examination.
With Tracey going to the lab to start his daily check on Pokeball storage, Misty told Ash she would need a few minutes to check something with Daisy, and that he should go wait upstairs meanwhile.
Wanting to ask him about some things, Ash didn´t mind and went upstairs, eventually reaching Oak´s workroom. Having learnt a lesson the hard way, Ash knocking first, and once Oak said he can come in, Ash entered the room and saw him, sitting at his desk and looking through a peculiar microscope.
Having atleast some manners, Ash sat down and didn´t say anything until Proffessor Oak was done. A few seconds later he shut down the microscope and then turned to Ash, asking what he can do for him.
Ash: Morning Professor Oak... I hope I´m bothering you in your work, I can come back later...
Proffessor Oak: Don´t worry, I´m just getting started. Besides, you know I am always here for you .
Ash: I appreciate it. Well I wanted you to ask about how my Pokemon can learn some new abilities...
Proffessor Oak: Hmm, even though training is the best method Ash, you can always put them at a specialist daycare center or leave them here with me and Tracey to perhaps learn certain moves faster.
Ash: I don´t mean any known ones... is it possible for a Pokemon to learn a whole new ability?
Proffessor Oak: You mean something that hasn´t existed yet? Sounds like you have too high hopes Ash.
Ash: Let´s say that it theoretically happened... how could it have happened and what should I do now?
Proffessor Oak: Seems you´re quite serious and put some great thought in this Ash... if theoretically Pikachu learned a new unknown ability that no other Pokemon has, my best explanation would like this:
Practically every trainer follow the same general pattern, to battle and practice with their Pokemon. Very few have questioned this pattern since it has proved the most practical and safest way to get to a certain goal, be it to help the Pokemon evolve or for the Pokemon to level up and manage to learn a new ability.
But once someone go their own path and start something entirely unknown, be it new battle rules or new kind of training, the results may not always be what they expect, since there is no telling what can happen based on previous research. However, there are very few exceptions to my explanation.
One in this case would be Pikachu. We both know that Pikachu´s main strength is it´s characteristic electric attacks, that even a mere Thundershock might if done right get to the level of a Thunderbolt.
While at the same time it has learned moves that we didn´t know about until we found out about new kind of evolutions and abilities that were discovered and revealed in the Johto and Hoenn regions.
What I am trying to say Ash, is that there is no denying that any Pokemon is capable of mastering the evolution of its species, in this case Pikachu maybe learning Hyperbeam despite not having evolved into a Raichu, or as you said, something entirely new, be it unique for it or something for its main species.
As a proffesor, I am very interested how the progress of these kind of things go, but as a friend, I must tell you to be cautious. Because there is always a risk that whatever training you think might give you these kind of great results, it can do more harm than good to your Pokemon. Understand Ash?
Ash nodded, having got a fairly good explantion, but still didn´t want yet to mention to Professor Oak that Pikachu has actually managed to learn an unknown new ability just days ago thanks to Misty.
Misty knocked on the guestroom door and entered, seeing Daisy putting on her normal clothes after yesterdays incident with the mud. Greeting her good morning, Misty asked what Daisy wanted.
Daisy: A quick little chat sis... I didn´t want to bring it up yesterday, so I decided to wait until today.
Misty: Well Ash is upstairs with Professor Oak, so we have some time to talk. So what´s on your mind?
Daisy: I really don´t want to say this... but... we might need you to come back home to the gym soon.
Misty: Daisy, you know I do almost everything around there all the time, you gotta stand up for me too!
Daisy: I know, but the planned watershow is is pure hell, me and the others keep screwing it all up!
Misty: You want me to clean up the mess you three caused this time? I can´t do it everytime it happens!
Daisy: We´re sorry but you know you are lightyears ahead of us, I admit it ok, just do it this one time!
Misty: Even if I would help you out again this one time Daisy, I can´t. For many reasons. You three can´t keep on depending on me, you have to start what I´ve been doing all the time, taking responsibility!
The second, most important reason, is Ash. He needs my help right now. I didn´t wake up early in the morning and make an improvised training ground up in the mountains with my bare hands just for fun, I did everything because that´s what I always will do for Ash. Anything and everything that I can for him.
I can´t be there for him and for you three at the same time... and I have made my choice Daisy. So instead of crying and getting worried on what you three are going to do, turn it all into something productive, otherwise Tracey will have to dedicate all his free time just to clean up your mess!
Daisy: Misty... we´re sorry... I know we never told you that we are really sorry... not only for us putting all the workload on you... but we´re practically the main reason you and Ash got apart in the first place...
Misty: I admit that you three going on a world tour, knowing I´m headed home with Ash, was the worst timing I ever experienced... but that´s the past Daisy, what matters now is the future we all can shape.
Daisy: If I could go back in time and change what happened I would Misty! We didn´t do it out of spite or to take too much advantage of you! It was simply really bad luck... I understand if you´re still angry...
Misty: You´re not alone thinking like that...but I´m angry that you don´t learn from your past mistakes, not the mistakes you´ve done in the past. You´re after all the biggest sister of all of us Daisy...
Daisy: And still it´s the little sister than keeps the family going. Tthank you... for all you´ve done Misty.
Misty: Hey don´t get too soft now big sis, or you´ll ruin your act of playing hard to get with Tracey.
Daisy: I´m not playing hard to get! Unlike you and Ash, we haven´t gone together on adventures, had personal conversations and situations that bond us together. We´re just friends, if even barely that...
Misty: It´s true that it all has made our relationship stronger... but trust me when I say that certain things I would never want you to experience what we have been through, it´s not all just happy times...
Daisy: What I´m trying to say Misty, is that now that you´re with Ash, it feels like if I don´t act soon I´m going to lose Tracey somehow, be it to that Princess Sara or some other girl coming over for a visit!
Misty: Doing nothing isn´t the solution either , you just have to rebuild your friendship together.
Daisy: I know I already asked you one favour, but is there any way you can also help me with Tracey?
Misty: I really shouldn´t, that´s your own personal lovebattle. Besides, what would you want me to do?
Daisy: Well Team Rocket always follow Ash around, so maybe ask them a favour, like kidnap me so that Tracey can sweep in and save me! He has already experience being a knight in shining armour...
Misty: Real life is way different from acting Daisy, or have you forgot when Team Rocket hijacked our show last time? Besides, even if they seem to have turned a new leaf, I´m still cautious with them...
Daisy: I don´t say you´ll completely trust them, but god knows I am desperate when I´m even ready to ask Team Rocket for help! If you won´t do it for me then I´ll take responsability and do it myself!
Misty: Fine do it, but if you come screaming for help that they tricked you or something goes wrong...
Daisy: If they blow my chances with Tracey, I´ll definetly put that team on a real rocket for a blastoff!
Misty: Atleast involve Violet and Lily just to be on the safe side... so, anything else you need from me ?
Daisy: Not yet atleast... oh right, so what are you going to do with Ash today? Stay in his room all day?
Misty: Daisy! I´m actually gathering his Pokemon first, we got to find Bayleef, she´s gone missing.
Daisy: Hey chill out, was just a little friendly thought! So you´re all going to search all day for Bayleef?
Misty: Just awhile, afterwards we´re going back to the training grounds for some more special training.
Daisy: Ok... anything I can do to help, me and Tracey can perhaps go help look for Bayleef with you?
Misty: And end up in mud again? No thanks. Plus Tracey has work to do, so don´t bother him right now.
Daisy: Or I can help him out in the lab with whatever he does, or just be there for emotional support!
Misty: Emotional support... good one sis, sounds more that you´re the one wanting emotional support!
Daisy: Hey I may not be the best in handling the gym, but atleast I can handle some small stuff.
Misty: Good luck then, just don´t do anything stupid. I gotta go now, we´ll talk more when I get back...
Leaving the guestroom, Misty got into the living room and saw Tracey sitting down, waiting for her.
Tracey: Ah you´re finally done... so what is Daisy going to do today, help you and Ash with stuff?
Misty: No we´re better off without her help... actually Daisy´s kinda free today, so she asked me if she could stay with you at the lab for the day. I´m sure she won´t bother you while you work Tracey...
Tracey: I don´t mind , I almost feel bad not thinking of it myself, leaving her alone in the guestroom...
Misty: Hey don´t worry, Daisy can spend a whole day infront of a mirror and have a sucessful day, so you don´t have to do much to keep her occupied, just give her some attention from time to time ok?
Tracey: I´ll do my best. The Pokemon have eaten breakfast and are outside, so I guess you´re gonna...
Misty: Yeah we´re going after Bayleef, and afterwards we´re training again. So it´s a rough new day.
Tracey: Good luck Misty, I´ll tell Ash that you´re done and then I´ll go get Daisy with me to the lab.
Misty: Thanks. If Daisy is bothering you in any way Tracey... kick her immediately out of the lab ok?
Having a good laugh, Tracey went for the stairs to go get Ash while Misty shaked her head, somehow knowing that Daisy is sure to cause something no matter how unlikely the odds might possibly be.
Outside the house, Misty saw all of Ash´s Pokemon, gathered after hearing that Bayleef was missing.
Misty: Morning everyone! As you heard, Bayleef disappeared yesterday, so let´s team up and find her!
Ash then went out of the house with Pikachu, all done with the little talk they had with Proffesor Oak.
Ash: Morning guys! Well you heard Misty, so spread out and check everywhere for Bayleef! If you find Team Rocket then keep them in place until we come. Maybe they are innocent this time actually...
Understanding that something might have happened, the Pokemon quickly left to look for Bayleef, and only ones that remained were Togekiss and Pikachu, as Ash asked where they should start looking.
Misty: I´ll go to the training grounds and start looking from there, Togekiss and Pikachu can go with you to cover a wider area much faster, you three can start looking around the marshes in that direction.
Having given Ash his orders, Misty gave him a good luck kiss and left. Ash remained and looked down at Pikachu, expecting a kissy face, but Pikachu was all serious with looking for Bayleef, while it was Togekiss that had a small kissy face. Ash then left towards the marshes with them.
Oak had continued with his usual work, but a thought lingered at the back of his head, regarding Ash´s cryptic talk about getting a new unknown power. It didn´t take too long for Oak to put his work aside.
Too distracted due to what Ash had said, Oak wanted to check if it really was scientifically possible to prove it to be true, he got up from his workdesk and went to a small medical freezed closeby.
Taking out a bloodsample and some preserved tissue from Pikachu, from the day Ash had returned home, Oak also used previous medical data as he then took out the tissue and compared it to the tissue he took from Pikachu when Ash asked for a little checkup. And he couldn´t believe what he then saw.
As if the expensive computer and microscope were totally faulty, Oak checked every possible setting on the micriscope while doing a complete computer scan incase some data was was corrupted. With the results still the same, Oak went to his door and when opening it, he put on a ´´ Do not disturb sign´´.
Wanting to be certain at what he was seeing, Oak got connected to the Pokemon Online Institute so that he could compare and share his finding, and even contacted several other professors for additional help.
Tracey suddenly arrived at the door, but seeing the sign, he decided to ask Oak later some things about lab samples. But while on his way back to the lab downstairs, got a feeling that Misty´s warning is somehow justified and quickly open the lab door, expecting to see the worst.
Back inside the lab, Tracey saw Daisy sit on a chair all innocently, and her friendly face revealed that she definetely took Misty´s strong words to heart and so far hasn´t done anything stupid... yet.
Tracey: Oak seems to be quite busy... so I guess I have to ask him later about the scheduled lab sample analasys for tomorrow... glad to have the previous tasks done and out of the way sooner than later...
Daisy: Well I atleast think you did a great job Tracey, you´re really a true master at what you do here!
Tracey: Please Daisy stop, its embaressing, I just checked the Pokeballs electronically that´s all!
Daisy: It may sound easy for you, let me do that and I´ll do everything wrong... I´m not kidding !
Tracey: Hey don´t be too harsh on yourself Daisy. Besides, having you company here sure was uplifting.
Daisy: That´s the problem Tracey, I gotta start being harsh or else both you and Misty will suffer for it...
Tracey: Don´t say things like that, I´m just happy to be of help to you! And I doubt Misty feels that way.
Daisy: If you only knew...so what you´ve done is a normal start for your usual work here at the lab?
Tracey: That´s right, everytime we begin checking the hardware and software of the Pokeballs so that there isn´t a malfunction that can cause problems for the trainers when they come to collect them.
Daisy: Like glitches and similar stuff? That has happened before with some of our Pokeballs at the gym.
Tracey: Sounds like they might need a complete checkup, so next time you´re visiting, bring them over.
Daisy: Misty comes by here more often, she can... ah I´m doing it again! I gotta straighten myself out!
Tracey: Look on the bright side, we can help keep each other company while I´m working right Daisy?
Daisy: Yeah that´s a good enough reason to come over more... so what are you going to do now Tracey?
Tracey: With the Pokeballs checked, it´s time for me to get to this side, where we store some canisters that contain several interesting samples. From spores to live samples of fungus and flowers. On their own they aren´t too interesting, but what we can learn can be of very important medical use.
Tracey took one of the canisters from a shelf and asked Daisy to close the lights. With the lights closed, it was totally drank, when suddenly some blue lights were seen inside the canister.
Daisy: They´re glowing, and so brightly! But how is it possible? Is it some kind of chemical reaction?
Tracey: Heh pretty close Daisy, it´s an optical reaction. These are rare seeds from a new kind of flower.
Daisy: Like wow, so they take in light naturally? I can´t imagine what the flowers must look like!
Tracey: That´s the problem... the seeds have been radiated long ago and don´t bloom for some reason...
Daisy: Still, even just like that, they would be cool to use in a show, where can I find these seeds?
Tracey: That´s another problem... they were extracted from a windbreeze, the flower type is unknown...
Daisy: So why do you have them then if you can´t find the flowers or know how to make them grow?
Tracey: That´s the beauty of research Daisy... you keep on going even if you never find the answer...
Daisy: Sounds like a waste of time, but hey who am I to talk, I spend half my day looking in the mirror!
Meanwhile outside, Ash had searched the marches but found no sign of Bayleef, while Pikachu and Togekiss didn´t see it anywhere either futher into the marches. Likely that Bayleef isn´t around, Ash decided to check the less dense forest areas where it might be a chance to find Bayleef if it´s there at all.
Finally reaching the forest area after several minutes, Ash suddenly noticed something. The peculiar smell. The very same that is unique to Bayleef, likely indicating that Bayleef would be closeby.
Continuing forward for awhile, Ash was shocked, seeing that a large area had been damaged somehow, as he then saw Bayleef. Exhausted and laying on the ground, Bayleef then rose its head and saw Ash.
Ash: Bayleef! Thank god you´re ok, why did you run away yesterday, what happened here?
Giving Ash the best possible response, Bayleef sprung forth it´s vines and left Ash amazed. Despite being quite strong before, the vines have grown longer, more durable, and even more powerful.
Understanding that Bayleef must have practiced on the surrounding area by knocking down the trees, Ash got worried that Bayleef clearly used far too much of it´s energy under a very long period of time.
Having shown Ash it´s new strength, Bayleef retracted the vines and then walked over towards Ash.
Ash: Bayleef, why did you do something like this... don´t tell me it´s because of the training you heard?
Seeing into it´s eyes, Ash already knew the answer to that. The jealousy Bayleef has always had over Pikachu´s bond with Ash, sparking the sheer desire to prove itself to Ash by also training hard, but completely alone and without any help. To show that she will do whatever it takes to join him again.
Given Bayleef´s Pokeball from Professor Oak previously, Ash took it forth and recalled her. Beginning to think about what Professor Oak mentioned earlier, Ash was unsure if he should listen to him or Misty.
Ash: Professor Oak usually is right... but still, Misty showed that what she is doing is working too...
Remembering that Misty would look for Bayleef at the training grounds and at the same time also plan for the next training course, Ash began walking, hoping to find her and the other Pokemon there.
Not finding Bayleef, Misty decided to prepare for training until there are some news, when suddenly she heard something behind her. Turning around, Misty was quite surprised to see Professor Oak there.
Misty: Professor Oak, I didn´t expect you to be up here. Did Ash manage to find Bayleef around here?
Proffessor Oak: I didn´t come here about Bayleef Misty... I came here to talk about something else...
Misty: Oh, well sure I guess, we can take a seat here. So what do you want to talk to me about?
Seeing the serious face he had, Misty got abit concerned, not sure what to expect or if she did something wrong somehow. Oak then took forth some papers from his pocket and gave them to her.
Proffessor Oak: You might not be highly educated like me... but tell me what you think of this Misty...
Misty: It seems to show how the an electrical output has drastically enhanced, and that the maximum capacity for electric charges has increased... and... Professor Oak, why are you showing me this?
Proffessor Oak: What you are seeing is the test results from Pikachu´s recent evaluation... Misty...
Understanding that Professor Oak propably put the pieces together and realised that Misty, despite promising not to reveal any tactics to Ash, still used methods she isn´t allowed to teach him yet.
Misty: You told me I couldn´t teach Ash... you didn´t mention anything about teaching his Pokemon...
Proffessor Oak: Maybe I didn´t...but whatever you actually did with Pikachu actually worked...Misty...
Misty: What I did is something I would not do unless I had absolute confidence in myself and Pikachu...
Proffessor Oak: Would you be that confident if Pikachu had ended up paralized for life due to you?
Misty: Please don´t. You wouldn´t know... because I know these Fusion tactics Professor Oak... not you.
Proffessor Oak: Knowing doesn´t give you the right to use it Misty! I thought you knew boundaries!
Misty: What I do know is that Ash trusts in me and what I am cabable of. So please have faith in me too.
Proffessor Oak: You found an loophole in my warning to use Pikachu as your first test subject without consulting me first... my faith already disappeared there... but then you convinced Ash to keep on going
Misty: That´s were you´re wrong... Professor Oak... Pikachu wasn´t the first that I trained for Fusion...
Taking forth her Pokeball, Misty released a Pokemon no one has seen yet. Keeping it a secret, until the Fusion League would start. But with Professor Oak pushing her, Misty really had no other choice.
The Pokemon got called out, as the species was no stranger to Oak. But this unique specimen left Oak speechless, almost making Misty wish she had a camera to capture his face on celluloid forever.
The magnificent Pokemon was a Milotic. Near perfect beauty, combined with it´s remarkable size and powerful body, leaving previous Milotic that Oak has seen before in the past look like a total mockup.
Proffessor Oak: It can´t be... Milotic don´t grow that large... Gyarados maybe, but certainly not these...
Misty: I originally caught it in Shinnoh for Daisy... but once I learned Fusion... I needed to put it to the test... and I suceeded... sometimes even the rules must be broken to achieve something like this...
Suddenly a slap was heard, as Misty covered her chin while Professor Oak retracted his hand from her.
Proffessor Oak: Listen to yourself! What you are saying! You don´t seem to understand, but what you are doing, until Fusion is officially announced and endorsed, is practically close to Pokemon cruelty!
You told me long ago how you often have become so angry and sad at how certain trainers trained their Pokemon to enhance their power for profit and not for the welfare of their Pokemon... yet now you do the exact same thing, be it with your Milotic, Ash´s Pikachu or any other Pokemon! Misty!
Pokemon have to decide themselves, but by pressuring them to the extreme you risk destroying the power they already have! What would Ash think of you if Pikachu had got permanently hurt?
Before Misty could even shed some tears due to what Professor Oak had told her, suddenly he was knocked over. Sensing Misty´s feelings, Togekiss had come to her defence and Headbutted Oak.
Misty quickly grabbed Togekiss and told it to stop, but it then began to yell at Oak in sadness, knowing at heart that Misty doesn´t need more reasons to get sad over. Back on his feet, Oak wanted to continue until he was done talking, but then Pikachu arrived, following Togekiss after it suddenly took off.
Misty: I´m sorry, Togekiss is too protective of me lately... it was wrong of it to do that to you Professor...
Proffessor Oak: Perhaps I deserved it ...eitherway, I want you to stop the training with Ash´s Pokemon...
Misty: If that is what you wish... then this will be the last. But then it´s your responsibility Professor.
Proffessor Oak: I don´t mean that you should stop all training... Misty, just don´t try out anything else that you have made on your own... once the Fusion League starts, that responsibility will go to Ash...
Misty: Wrong. It´s not Ash´s responsibility anymore. It´s ours. Because I will be there with him.
Proffessor Oak: For good or worse... we´ll talk about this more at the lab once Bayleef is found, alright?
Misty: If my suspicions are correct... Bayleef will soon prove you wrong. I just know it will...
Done arguing, Professor Oak was about to leave when Togekiss returned the favour, teleporting him back to the lab. Pikachu then asked what happened, as Togekiss went to it and explained everything.
Previously having absolute faith in herself, Misty began to think about what Oak said and if she really should continue to take the risks, despite now knowing that something can go very wrong.
While understanding Professor Oak´s concern, Pikachu suddenly jumped onto Misty´s shoulder to show her that it still stands on her side and wants to continue, as Togekiss also joined in to cheer Misty up.
Misty: You two are the best... thank you... but I have to talk to Ash first. Before I make any decisions...
Not taking a no for an answer, Pikachu jumped off Misty´s shoulder and onto the training ground, wanting to quickly summon Ash and the other Pokemon over there, and prepared for a Thunder attack.
With Misty too late to stop it, Pikachu unleashed a Thunder attack towards the sky, powerful enough to be seen even in raw daylight, enough to get Ash´s attention to come over as fast as possible.
Misty: Guess I don´t have much of a choice... but today I was thinking of training another one of Ash´s Pokemon... and if I´m right, then Bayleef certainly won´t need any training from me today at all...
Pikachu´s Thunder worked, as Swellow was the first to arrive. Told by Pikachu to gather everyone to the training grounds, Swellow understood and took off in search for Heracross and Noctowl, and with their help find the other Pokemon three times faster by spreading out and search in several different places.
With good experience in looking for missing Pokemon before, Ash´s Pokemon gathered within several minutes, enough time for Misty to think over what she is going to tell Ash once he arrives aswell.
Misty: Okay everyone, gathed around! Ash isn´t here yet, so I´m going to explain what is going on...
Having seen Pikachu´s Thunder due to Bayleef having knocked down some taller trees, Ash knew he had to take Bayleef first to Professor Oak to get well before heading towards Pikachu and the others.
Ash: Oh Bayleef... I know you´d do anything to impress me, but to push yourself like this... it´s not so...
Ash suddenly shrieked. Not being weary, he managed to step right into a pit of quicksand tjat wasn´t visible at alldue to surrounding vegetation, as Ash fell deep enough to be submerged up to his shoulders.
With the quicksand being very thick, Ash knew he couldn´t get out on his own, and attempted to grab hold of Bayleef´s Pokeball so it could pull him up, but due to the quicksand he couldn´t get hold of it properly or risk it slipping out of his hands and go even further down into the deep and deadly pit.
Somehow managing to get an arm out, Ash tried to grab hold of solid ground or a closeby treelog to pull himself up, but despite him getting hold of a strong treelog, he did not have the strength to get out.
Ash: HEY! Anyone! Over here, help! I´m stuck in quicksand, I can´t get out of here! Please hurry!
Ash remained still so he wouldn´t sink lower, but for each second he slowly got further and further down, in which he would be totally submerged in less than a minute, as he hoped someone heard him.
Half a minute passed as Ash began to lose hope, when suddenly he could hear something approach him. Ash continued to shout out for help to who´s coming, with only his head and one arm sticking out.
It was Team Rocket. Having heard Ash, they hurried to get to him in time incase no one else did.
Jessie: There you are! You sure are lucky that me, James and Meowth were around and heard you!
Not wasting any time, Jessie released Seviper to help, as the trio grabbed hold of the treelog and put it into the pit for Ash to stop sinking any further. Suddenly the treelog began to start sinking aswell.
Jessie: It´s way deeper than our old pits... Seviper you´re next, grab hold of him and pull him out fast!
Seviper coiled around a nearby tree and then got submerged for a second to coil around Ash, as the trio helped Seviper pull Ash out. But the pit was so thick that now even Seviper got stuck aswell.
But then Ash got the opportunity he needed: With Seviper having losened the quicksand around Ash´s arm, he grabbed hold of Bayleef´s Pokeball and got his second arm out, and then called out for Bayleef.
Despite it´s weak state, Bayleef immediately saw the danger and used Vine Whip to pull Ash and Seviper out. In one swift pull, Ash and Seviper flew up high and landed back on solid ground again.
Misunderstanding the situation, Bayleef used Vinewhip again and quickly slapped Seviper aside, and then used Vinewhip to immobilise Team Rocket by coiling the vinewhips around them.
Ash: No Bayleef stop! It´s all okay! Team Rocket aren´t guilty, they tried to help me out of the pit!
Realising it´s all a big mistake, Bayleef released Team Rocket, but the sudden adrenaline had made it even more exhausted, as Ash then recalled Bayleef, then put the Pokeball back onto his belt.
James: Thanks twerp, for once we were the good guys in a situation and didn´t get punished for it...
Ash: Sorry about that James... but hey wait a minute, what are you guys back here in Pallet Town?
Meowth: It´s our own business, but I swear nad promise on my 9 lives that it isn´t anything bad at all...
Ash: I´ll let you mind your own then... but thank you all for helping me... how can I return the favor...
Jessie: If you can give us free passage to Professor Oak´s lab without a blastoff, that would be great!
Ash: Proffessor Oak´s lab? Why would you want to go there Jessie, but to steal the Pokemon inside?
James: Relax! Incase you haven´t noticed... Jess, Meowth and I haven´t exactly bothered you anymore...
Jessie: And it´s because we´ve talked it over... me, James and Meowth are going to quit Team Rocket!
Ash: No way, I can´t believe it, you´re actually serious? What made you suddenly change your mind?
The trio made a kissy face, making Ash almost wish Bayleef was released to slap them silly.
Jessie: As a romantic, I can´t believe you two actually ended up together, while I´m still chasing dreams!
James: We realised that with the redhead around, it would be impossible get any of your Pokemon!
Meowth: So instead of wasting more years and regions all over again, we did the next best thing!
Jessie: Besides, being a romantic, I couldn´t bear to jeopardise your relationship, with us around...
James: And instead of getting a new assignment, we decided to start all over from the lowest bottom!
Seeing that they were sincere, Ash was glad that they turned their life around and that now there would be one less problem to worry about for the future. But suddenly Ash got very concerned for them.
Ash: But even if you leave...then the police will still catch you, unless your boss gets to you first...
James: Me and Jess actually thought about that kind of possibility... so that´s why we have a plan!
Meowth: Usually our plans fail as always, but with alittle help from outsiders we´re sure to succeed.
Not sure what plan they had in mind or what Meowth meant with outsiders, Ash decided to stay true to his debt and have faith in the trio, as he led the way out of the marsh towards Professor Oak´s lab.
With Tracey done with his assignment, he decided to take a small break and suggested that he and Daisy should get a snack from the kitchen. Wanting to help in any way possible, Daisy offered to go to the kitchen, as she left the lab and walked up the stairs. Reaching the kitchen, she then saw Professor Oak.
Clearly not in the best mood, Daisy had wanted to ask him if he could make some coffee but instead kept her mouth shut. Once he went back into his workroom, Daisy went to the fridge and opened it.
Not going overboard with food, Daisy took out two cans of soda and then went to a fruitbasket to pick up some fruit onto a plate. Closing the fridge, Daisy gently went down the stairs and back to the lab.
Happy to have the chance for some great bonding, Daisy suddenly got scared, seeing Tracey on the floor. Walking up to him, she could see that he was totally knocked out, deeply sleeping.
As if she knew that she made a boo-boo, Daisy looked at a canister next to a desk, and saw that she forgot to close the lid, resulting in sleeping powder coming out and spreading throughout the room.
Starting to feel the effects of the exposure, Daisy quickly grabbed hold of Tracey and pulled him out of the lab and into the living room. Closing the door to the lab, Daisy then began to get very sleepy.
Daisy: No, I have to stay awake... I got to wake up Tracey... come on wake up... you got to... wake up...
About to get knocked out, Daisy remembered what Misty told her before, as she then gently kissed Tracey. Fainting, Daisy rolled over next to his body on the floor, but Tracey still did´t wake up.
Having been exposed before and enhanced his abillity to quickly recover, Tracey began to wake up after a few minutes. Slowly sitting down, Tracey noticed that he had ended up in the livingroom somehow.
Knowing it must have been some sleeping powder, Tracey then saw Daisy next to him. Seeing that she must have got affected too, Tracey suspected he couldn´t go into the lab to get an antidote since the entire air was probably filled with the sleeping powder, so instead he stood up and picked up Daisy.
Wanting to carry her outside so that they both can breathe in fresh clean air to clear the powder, Tracey barely had enough strength to carry Daisy, as he decided to put her gently down on the livingroom sofa
With Daisy safe on the sofa, Tracey sat down next to her and took deep breaths to get more air into his lungs in order to weaken the drowsy effect. Some minutes passed as Tracey finally felt that he recovered enough. With the sleeping powder risking getting contaminating other things in the lab if the air is not cleared, Tracey ran back into the lab and went to a control panel next to the door.
A short alarm was heard, indicating that the ventilation system would be set to clear the room of any particles in the air. Getting back to the living room, Tracey was relieved that the lab would in awhile be safe to enter again once. Getting back on the sofa, Tracey tried to wake up Daisy once again.
With her still asleep, Tracey knew Daisy´s atleast safe from any complications, and once the lab is clear he would get the antidote. Waiting on the sofa, suddenly Tracey took notice of something.
Being so worried about Daisy and the lab, Tracey noticed a strange taste on his lips, of something he seems to have sensed before but doesn´t quite remember where he encountered it before. Oak was suddenly heard, running down the stairs after hearing that the vent alarm had been activated.
Tracey: Don´t worry Proffessor, it was just a minor incident with some sleeping powder as you can see...
Proffessor Oak: Indeed... now despite if it was her or your vault, just to be safe, keep her outside alright?
Tracey: Maybe you´re right... so have you had any progress on the research you got stuck at yesterday?
Proffessor Oak: Sadly no, I had to take a break to see Ash and Misty about something I discovered ...
Tracey: They´re still looking for Bayleef? Perhaps it´s time for Daisy to help find Bayleef with them...
Proffessor Oak: I´m going back to continue my work, then I´ll help check the lab samples abit later...
Tracey: I´ll resume once Daisy wakes up, I´ll get the antidote in a few minutes, I´ll see you later then.
Having talked with Ash´s Pokemon, Misty returned with them back to the ranch, having wanted to take a short break before going to help look for Bayleef when she then saw Ash together with Team Rocket.
Misty: Ash! You´re dirty everywhere, what happened to you? Team Rocket, are you involved in this?
Jessie: Hey don´t point at us good guys, my Seviper was trying to get him out of a quicksand pit!
James: Even if we did get to him in time, in the end his Bayleef was the one that saved his twerp ass.
Ash gave James a little glare, as he nodded to Misty that he´s ok and that they´re all innocent.
Misty: So you found Bayleef, thank godness... is it ok? Your Pokemon searched everywhere for it...
Ash: Yeah don´t worry Bayleef´s all ok. I found her quite deep in the forest area close to the marshes...
Not wanting to get too involved, Team Rocket waved peacefully at Ash´s Pokemon before in a flash getting into the house. Understanding that Team Rocket won´t be a problem, Ash´s Pokemon let them get in, having enough on their mind after Misty´s talk and hearing what happened to Ash awhile ago.
Misty: I guess you should hand her over to Tracey. In the meantime, you should wait outside while I get you a pair of new clothes... you don´t want to make Oak angry by spreading it all over the house...
Ash: Hey Bulbasaur, I have some spare clothes in the wardrobe in the guestroom, can you get it for me?
Not minding it, Bulbasaur left while Ash went to his other Pokemon and thanked them for looking after Bayleef so hard. Giving Misty Bayleef´s Pokeball, Ash then left to a small toolshed at the back of Oak´s house to get his dirty clothes changed once Bulbasaur returns with some clean clothes.
With Ash gone for the moment, all his Pokemon next to Misty suddenly surrounded her and wanted to get her to choose one of them to start training on. Misty quickly calmed all of them down
Misty: Everyone, I already told you that I have to talk to Ash first. Even if he´d say yes, there is still more training to prepare for each one of you before I can determine who is the next possible candidate.
Wanting to take a break, Oak was about to get a light meal in the kitchen when suddenly the door knocked. Believing it was Tracey coming to get him to the lab, Oak said that the door was open and that he would be done in a few seconds. Turning around, Oak didn´t see Tracey, but Team Rocket.
Proffessor Oak: You... I thought Tracey managed to keep you out of here, but I guess I have to ...
Jessie: Timeout! We´re not here to steal or cause any trouble! We´re here to ask a small favour!
James: Me, Jess and Meowth are ready to leave Team Rocket if we get to work for you instead.
Meowth: We´re not experienced in this, but we´re fast learners so teaching us shouldn´t be too hard.
Proffessor Oak: You all can´t just walk in here and expect everything to be all ok just by switching sides. You still are responsible for your criminal acts in the past and by the law you must be accountable for it!
James: We´d actually prefer a fresh start without jailbars. Now we are willing to help abit with some secret information, but if we reveal too much then the boss is sure to come after our heads !
Proffessor Oak: I can´t promise anything regarding if you will remain free... but I will do what I can for you three as long as you keep your end of the deal. But something tells me that it´s not all you want...
Jessie: Old age shows it´s wisdom! Once we got our freedom, we would very much want to work for you Professor Oak ! We´re willing to adapt and learn any job you might need us three for, promise!
Seeing that they actually were sincere, Professor Oak decided to put his old grudge aside, truly wondering if they really turned a new leaf and can reveal some useful secrets about Team Rocket.
With fresh new clothes put on, Ash got out of the small toolshed and expected to see Misty to talk about Bayleef and the planned training. With Misty gone, Ash had a good idea where she was.
Entering the house and walking towards the lab, Ash then got a little surprise, seeing Tracey sitting on the smaller livingroom sofa, while a still knocked out Daisy laying on the larger sofa. With Tracey having a clear ´´ dont ask its a long story´´ face, Ash asked Tracey if he had seen Misty.
Tracey told Ash that Misty was in the lab checking out Bayleef since the air was now clear inside, and that once Misty heard abit what happened in the lab she decided to give her troublesome sister the antidote after Tracey and Oak would be done for the day to avoid any further incident.
Despite Misty having good intentions with Daisy being asleep longer, Tracey asked Ash to bring out an antidote for sleeping powder without Misty knowing it to wake up Daisy Slightly laughing at Tracey, Ash decided to do him the favour of getting the antidote in secret, and went inside the lab.
Misty was at a desk and through a machine checked Bayleef by gathering data from the Pokeball.
Ash: Hey I´m back... how´s Bayleef? I was so worried after I found her out there deep in the forest...
Misty: Bayleef is atleast out of danger, but she´ll definetly need a more different meal today to replenish the energy she has used up... but what made her do something like this, did you see anything Ash?
Ash: Yeah... I found her totally exhausted, and then she showed me what she was doing... Misty...
Misty: Let me guess... judging by the data I have viewed, Bayleef has used Vine Whip very heavily...
Ash: She knocked down every surrounding tree, and her vines... I just couldn´t believe it at first!
Misty: I was afraid of this, that Pikachu´s success would spread to your other Pokemon, and what you told me pretty much confirms it. This is sure to become a problem with the future training...
Ash: Well that´s something we´ll deal with later right? So is everything ready to train some today?
Misty: We´re actually done, your Pokemon gathered and showed some moves to begin with. We might train more tomorrow, though you have to decide which of your Pokemon you would want to focus on.
Ash: Oh, then it´s pretty obvious... I can´t let Bayleef´s hard work be in vain... I chose her to focus on!
Misty: From a point of view, Bayleef has a great advantage over the others, but by choosing her, you don´t give the other Pokemon a chance to show what they´re capable of with this kind of training. Plus Bayleef did this for you, when the meaning of this is for the Pokemon to want to grow stronger...
I watched all of your Pokemon, from Snorlax using it´s bodyweight to further pack more power into it´s punches, to Cyndaquil really showing off a very effective Flamethrower. No matter when or where you caught some of your Pokemon Ash, now what matters is how far they will be trained.
Ash: You might be right... but I´ll stand by my choice until I see what my other Pokemon are capable off. I called Liza to send Charizard, thought maybe it´s time for it to return back to our old team again.
Misty: You need every Pokemon you can come up with, even Squirtle can mean the difference between success and failure... how about Pidgeot? Has it´s flock returned yet to Viridian Forrest?
Ash: Tracey mentioned that the flock returns around this time each year before migrating to other regions... I´d be lucky if by sheer luck be able to meet it again, it´s been so long ago since we left...
Misty: I´m sure that by now most of Pidgeot´s flock has grown very strong and many might even have evolved. The Fearow and Spearrow certainly won´t forget so easy what we did to them in the past.
Ash: Otherwise we´ll teach them all once again not to mess with my Pokemon... I´m sure that Fearow would be scared enough to move to another region after Pidgeot goes through one week of training.
Misty then lowered her head and sat down, telling Ash she needed to ask him something important. Asking what was wrong, Ash was then told to take a seat, and knew it had to be quite serious.
Misty: Something happened today, that made me think abit more about the training I have begun here...
I know that you trust me Ash... but lets say that something happens during training... and Pikachu or any other of your Pokemon gets injured or worse... would you regret letting me convince you to do the training? I am mentally ready incase something happens... but I´m not sure that you are... Ash...
Ash: If something happens... then the blame is on me Misty. Because you may have talked me into this, but it was my choice to make. You never forced me, this was my decision, and I am the only one responsible. I would never regret it, because that would not be fair to you, after all you´ve done...
Misty: I only kept you out of this abit because that way I won´t break the promise that I made to Professor Oak, to not reveal anything about the training or tactics until the new league is official.
Ash: This isn´t like you to suddenly have doubts... did Oak say or do anything to change your mind?
Despite Misty not responding, Ash saw in her gloomy eyes that it was true. Ash then took her hand.
Misty: Ash, I just hope that you really mean what you said... as if it isn´t enough that if Pikachu is hurt because of me, but for you to also be mad at me...I don´t want to go through something like that...
Ash: I could never be mad at you over something like that, because we´re a team... you have to trust in my judgement just as much as I have to trust you in doing the best you can to keep my Pokemon safe...
Giving Misty a friendly hug, Ash then looked at the antidote shelf but saw that the specific antidote was gone. Suddenly Misty held it infront of Ash, as if she somehow knew that he would go after it in secret.
Misty: Looking for this? I suspected abit that Tracey would send you to get the antidote in secret...
Ash: Guess I´m busted... but do the guy a favour, the sooner he gets it the sooner he can work again.
Misty: Well, Ash Ketchum made a more intelligent conclusion than I did... I surrender, here take it.
Given the antidote, Ash then took Bayleef´s Pokeball aswell and walked out the lab with Misty. Giving Tracey the antidote, Ash then asking Misty to wait for him on the sofa, and suddenly went up the stairs.
Knowing Ash would confront Oak, Misty did not want to interfere since it was something Ash had to do on his own. Having the antidote, Tracey then opened the antidote capsule and used it infront of Daisy.
Within seconds Daisy woke up from the antidote, looking around as if she had slept for months.
Tracey: Welcome back Daisy... don´t worry everything is alright with me, it was just a normal accident...
Daisy: Normal? I´m just so damn clumsy, I should have been more careful, please forgive me Tracey...
Seeing Misty on the sofa next to her, Daisy knew she was busted from her confession she just did, and instead tried to get Misty to other thoughts, asking her how the training went with the Pokemon.
Misty: Oh no Daisy, don´t even try it big sister... I may be the youngest sister of all, but now you better stay the whole time in the guestroom until Tracey is done working for the day or else I´m gonna...
Not even competing with Misty, Daisy quickly acknowledged and left in a hurry to the guestroom.
Tracey: Sometimes I think you just might have a natural Nightmare ability even for those awake.. but don´t worry, it´s thanks to Daisy that it didn´t get any worse, she apparently pulled me out of the lab.
Misty: You may forgive her my I won´t... I know she´s just trying to spend some time with you and help you, but sometimes even I am surprised at what she can come up with. What´s next, stun spore?
Tracey: That´s just too mean... oh Misty... can I ask you something... but don´t tell Daisy I asked ok?
Misty: Your secret is safe with me Tracey, it´s you and Daisy that have a history or revealing secrets...
Tracey: Oh right hehe... well... here goes... what kind of lipstick does Daisy have with her today?
Misty: Lipstick? Well I think Daisy usually has Cherry Cerulean during a normal day... why do you ask?
Tracey: Ah... well... you see... a friend of mine wanted to know... so it´s cherry flavoured right?...hm...
Despite Tracey managing to make up a believable story, Misty somehow knew that there was more to him asking than he had told her, and would keep his promise not to tell Daisy about him asking her.
Meanwhile Ash got upstairs and entered the office, and saw James and Meowth patiently waiting on a sofa. Ash then asked what was going on, while Professor Oak and Jessie were in a nearby room.
James: Jess is in the other room with the Proffessor, he´s calling some people to make a deal for us .
Meowth: We told ya that we´re good guys now, in exchange for info we´ll gain 100% pure freedom!
Ash: So this was your plan... well for what it´s worth... I hope you´ll get a fair deal... and if I´ll have something to say to affect the deal... I consider what you three did in the past as forgiven... for many reasons... everyone deserves a second chance. So you can definetly count on me helping you three.
James: I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you... but now it all depends on Professor Oak...
The door opened, as Professor Oak and Jessie got outside. James and Meowth expected to see Jessie jumping of joy, but instead she kept her head down. Oak then sat down on his office chair.
Proffessor Oak: I spoke to Lance, and even if there´s a good chance we can make a deal, he has to first gather the covert intel from all his sources, and that takes at most a month... until then, I´m sorry...
Jessie: It´s alright, you did what you could Professor Oak... we´ll leave meanwhile, don´t want to be the cause of any trouble anymore. We´re creative enough to find a place to stay at. James, Meowth, let´s go.
Team Rocket walked down the stairs, leaving Ash surprised that Professor Oak didn´t stop them at all.
Proffessor Oak: I know what´s on your mind... but they´re right, it´s too dangerous for them to stay...
Ash: They saved my life not too long ago... I can´t just stand and let them leave like this...
Proffessor Oak: Sometimes you have to let certain things happen... if the police get here and find them then they would get arrested immediately... atleast outside they can handle themselves perfectly fine.
Ash: I´ll help them somehow, soon... I actually came to talk to you about something Professor Oak.
Proffessor Oak: Go ahead Ash, the recent events sure have disrupted my work concentration abit...
Ash took forth Bayleef´s Pokeball and called forth it. Glad to see that he found Bayleef, Proffessor Oak noticed that it was in quite an exhausting state than normal, and asked Ash what happened to it.
Ash: I found it deep in the forest close to the marsh, training to become stronger on it´s own...
Proffessor Oak: It was as I feared... Ash, there is something I need to tell you... about what Misty ...
Ash: You don´t need to say anything Professor Oak... Misty didn´t even tell me, I realised it myself...
Knowing now that Ash knew about him having confronted Misty, Professor Oak was prepared for Ash to be mad. Suddenly a slap was heard, as Oak backed away, surprised at what Ash had actually done.
Ash had slapped Bayleef, which shed a few tears but knew it acted without permission at all from Ash.
Proffessor Oak: Ash, Bayleef´s already tired and probably hurt mentally, don´t do something like this...
Ash: Bayleef and my other Pokemon are my own responsibility, if they act wrong then they need to be taught a lesson, and what Bayleef did is something I will take responsibility for. No one else but me.
Another slap was heard, as then Oak put his hand on his check, and saw Ash glare at him with furious eyes. After hearing what Ash had said, Bayleef didn´t do anything to intervene between the two.
Proffessor Oak: Easy Ash! You´re young and strong while I´m an weak old man... that one really hurt!
Ash: That one is for Misty... I could tell just by seeing her face and looking into her eyes... had I been there when you slapped her... I´d give you a punch you´ll keep for the rest of your life... you say you´re just an old weak man, yet you still didn´t mind and managed to hurt her, emotionally and physically...
Never hurt her again. You may have had good intentions... but never use Misty to get to me. If you have something to say or someone to slap, you come to me. Not mom, Misty or any of my friends.
I´m not the 10 year old little boy from Pallet Town anymore... I don´t need anyone to cover for me at all, not even Misty. We´re together now, but we still somewhat take full responsibility for what we do individually. So go ahead. Slap me for the sin that Misty did, I will take responsibility for it all.
Proffessor Oak: No Ash... I won´t do that to you ... because I understand now that what I did might have been wrong, and I´m sorry... I´ll go down and apologise to Misty too when she want me too.
Satisfied, Ash recalled Bayleef and went downstairs, leaving Oak to think of what just happened.
Reaching the living room, Ash saw that Misty and Tracey were gone. Hearing Tracey in his room, Ash looked around for Misty and heard her voice in an adjacent room. About to enter, suddenly Ash overheard something that made him eavesdrop on the conversation she had through her PokeNavi.
Misty: I understand... I´ll deliver the package immediately then if it is that urgent to gather necessary information. I´ll come up with an excuse and meet you at the location we arranged previously...
Not sure what was going on, Ash took off towards his house, wanting to see what was inside the package and then put it back in Misty´s backpack before she got there. Oblivious that Ash heard her, Misty finished the mysterious conversation and left the room. Not seeing Ash, Misty decided to go to Delia´s house to get he package before telling everyone she would be going away for awhile.
Ash arrived home and immediately went inside his room. Locking the door incase Misty would rush in, Ash took forth the key and opened the drawer. And there it was. The mysterious package.
Having the best of luck that it was not sealed in any way, Ash carefully opened the lid, only to see several sheets of handwritten paper. Ash quickly took the first page and skimmed through it all.
Within seconds Ash got a very disturbing and worried look on his face, and as a whole minute passed, the content got worse the more he read from the other pages. Another minute passed as Ash finished reading most of the content, enough to give him a very clear picture of what it was about.
Not letting anyone apprehend Misty with the papers he just read, Ash took the papers and locked them back into his drawer, while taking empty sheets and putting them inside the package to give it weight. Putting it back in Misty´s backpack, Ash unlocked the door and layed down on his bed.
Seconds later Misty went through the door, surprised to see Ash and asked what he was doing.
Ash: I´m just abit tired after the conversation I had with Professor Oak, so I wanted to snooze abit...
Misty: I knew you would confront him about what happened, but I didn´t want to be in your way...
Ash: You did the right thing Misty...now that´s hey why did you get back to the house?
Seeing that Misty was too focused on checking the package and getting her backpack to question Ash´s excuse, Ash wanted to confront Misty but instead wanted to see where she was actually going.
Misty: Oh... you see, I just got a call from one of my gym investors, and was asked to meet up as soon as possible to discuss some financial oppertunities about the gym. So I have to go for awhile Ash...
Ash: Oh I understand... but can´t Daisy go instead. And if not then I´m coming with you right?
Misty: Ah no, it´s something I have been in charge of that´s why, and I need you to stay and train Ash...
Ash was at a loss for words to say without sounding suspicious, giving Misty the window of opportunity to leave. Before leaving, Ash gave her a goodluck kiss, leaving her abit surprised and asked him why.
Ash: Hey, no harm in wishing you good luck... so where will you be meeting the gym investor.
Misty: You´re right, thanks Ash... and well, I´m meeting him at the gym, so I got to go, bye!
Misty left the room and went outside, while Ash could see from his window that even if it hurt him that she had lied straight in his face, the look on Misty´s face showed that it was far more painful to her to lie despite the promise they made not to keep any secrets from one another from then on.
With Misty going to take the bus from Pallet Town , Ash went back to Proffesor Oak´s house to get Daisy, hoping she could drive him to the planned meeting before Misty would. Reaching the house, Ash quickly knocked on the guestroom and was let in by Daisy, which asked where Misty had gone.
Ash: She had some things to do so she left for awhile... Daisy, can you drive me to a certain place?
Daisy: Yeah sure, no problem, I gotta go back home eitherway, so I´ll say bye to Tracey and then I´ll...
Not wasting any time, Ash dragged Daisy in an instant to her car, and within a minute they were already on the road. Ash then realised that Misty might notice them from the bus station.
Ash: Oh right, can you take the road out of town towards the west instead? It´s abit more convenient...
Not minding, Daisy got abit confused as to why Ash was so desperate, but suspecting it has to do with Misty, she didn´t any other possible reasons to why Ash behaved more abnormal than usual.
Having taken the road to the west, suddenly disaster striked. With Ash pushing Daisy to leave as soon as posssible, she forgot to put fuel, as the fuel indicater showed that it only had little fuel left.
Daisy: Ah I´m sorry to say this Ash, but we have to go back to Pallet Town and refuel the car...
Thinking Misty would beat him to the arranged location, Ash then saw Team Rocket further away. Jumping out the car, Ash ran up to them and asked if they have any means of transportation.
Jessie: We always have our baloon... but if you want to be dropped in the city, there´s a little problem...
James: We´re still legally criminals, so showing our face like that is something we´d rather avoid...
Ash: Please, I wouldn´t ask you of this if it wasn´t important, you´re my only chance right now!
Seeing that Ash was dead serious, the infamous trio mustered up the courge and willpower to go through with it, and led Ash abit off the road to where the baloon was hidden among some overgrown trees.
Also seeing Team Rocket, Daisy saw the chance of a lifetime and drove the car into a bush to hide it. With it hidden, she took out the carkeys and jumped out, walking towards Team Rocket and Ash.
Meowth: Here it is... okay Jesse and Jimmie, push it out while Meowth fire up the torch. Destination?
Ash: Pokemon Stadium... as fast as you can. Hey Daisy, what are you doing... wait you´re coming too ?
Daisy: I´m coming along for the ride Ash, this is an opportunity I really can´t miss taking advantage of...
Old Heroes, New Villains! Chapter 4 Preview:
´´ Hoping to get to the location before Misty does, Ash has no idea that what he has done will affect his future drastically, enough to even risk separating him from Misty... and what is Daisy up to?