Chapter 4: Cerulean Reception!
They finally arrived at Cerulean, as Brock and Daisy took out the luggage while Max and May were greeted by Violet and Lily. Preparations had already been initiated to make sure that nothing could and should go wrong. Brock and Daisy went to the house to drop off their luggage, as May and Max were given a quick tour of the gym.
After the quick tour, they arrived at the pool area, as May and Max took notice that the Pokemon weren't in the pool, and asked if they could call them forth.
- Misty all of them with her in order to impress the investors, but if you look at this poster we have prepared to put up in the hallway, you can see all of the Pokemon that we have here in the gym.
- Wow you all have so adorable Pokemon, it's a shame they aren't indigenous to Hoenn!
- Its thanks to Misty, no way I would let my nails go through all that hard work, and Lily is to lazy to do any work at all, The Pokemon wouldn't have become so strong if Misty hadn't battled so many challengers. She's really dedicated to the gym, and we're really proud of our little sister.
- Watching her battle when she came to Hoenn was awesome; did she take Gyarados with her?
- Well she needs it to be able to show off her skills and Pokemon to the investors, with some more money flowing into the place our life would be a lot more easier, Tracey wouldn't need to come so often to help, not that I think that Daisy wouldn't mind a visit from Mr Sketchit right Violet?
- Yeah, Ash told me and Max of him, can't wait to meet him and Miss Ketchum at Pallet Town.
Brock and Daisy then came, along with some carts filled with decorative pieces and lights.
- Delia just called, everything is in motion in Pallet Town as well, so all we need to do is do our part. Daisy is giving me a ride to Pewter so that I can check on my family; you two can stay behind with Lily and Violet and prepare most of the easy stuff until I come back ok?
Brock left with Daisy, as Max checked out cool Pokemon masks while May adored the elegant costumes, as Lily and Violet let them goof around until they really needed to help them with stuff.
Unaware, they were being watched, three sinister shadows were seen on the dome.
- So Miss Ponytails is away and her sisters are planning a party… well we'd love to crash it…
Tracey was at the corral, managing some last minute paperwork before going back to Delia, as the doorbell rang. Opening the door, Sparky jumped onto Tracey, as Ritchie greeted him.
- Hey you made it, I guess getting a train wasn't too easy huh?
- Indeed, the train was full of people wanting to see Professor Elm in Saffron, luckily some guy
Got sick, probably bad trainfood, so I managed to get his seat, and the bus ride was alright.
- Well just sit back, I'm finishing up for the day, afterwards we'll grab these boxes and take them to Delia, I thought I'd spare Professor Oak the trouble of carrying them all by himself.
Ritchie entered, as Sparky sat on a sofa while Tracey continued to store the paper away in their respective place, Ritchie entered the small room with Oak's older books, wanting to see some of his previous work. A book caught his eye, as he took it out and checked it out.
- Its amazing how skilled Oak was at drawing when he was young, he could have been an artist.
- Most of the pieces in the hallway is his work, he's already an artist in my eyes, just not world famous or so. I've seen some of his older ones and I'm amazing that they still look new.
- Looks here are an old picture of him. Seems he's there with Miss Ketchum and someone else.
- Oh yeah, I think I saw that one, I think it's at a wedding reception, I suspect Delia got married.
- Even back then they seemed to have a blast. But wait; did she marry this guy next to Oak?
- I think that is Oak's son, Michael. Never saw who Delia married that day, doesn't seem to be a picture of them, guess they're privately stored somewhere else. Guess it's kinda personal to him...
Ritchie put the book back, as he went to Sparky, apparently hungry due to all the travelling.
- Well, seems my powerpack needs some chow, I'll go to the kitchen to check for leftovers.
Tracey was almost done, when suddenly Ritchie shrieked and fell onto the floor. Tracey immediate ran to kitchen, only to see Muk giving Ritchie a hug bigger than he can handle.
- Muk get off right now, don't mess up his only pair of travelling clothes!
- Its ok, I need to be more aware, thankfully it was Muk and not a shelf full of books.
Muk backed off, as Ritchie opened the fridge, seeing nothing but empty packages and bottles. Suspecting Muk to be the one responsible, Tracey went to the lab and took the Pokeball, as he recalled Muk and stored him in the lab. Apologising, Tracey locked the place up and left with Ritchie to Delia, as Sparky checked out the glass and delicate plates inside the boxes.
Delia left the door open, as she picked fresh vegetables from the garden while Oak set up the decorative pieces from wall to wall, as Mr Mime took the boxes and nicely put the content onto a table. Sparky entered the kitchen, as it snatched a brownie without anyone noticing.
- Ok everything is prepared over here, so what did you get for Misty?
-It's a secret; really want to make it a big surprise for everyone, and you?
- I'm going to make a portrait, so do look your best because the moment will last forever.
Delia went inside with a basket full of fruit and vegetables, as Oak told her that his lumbago thanks her for not doing work that is below the waist. Delia chuckled, as she told Mr Mime to clean the content of the basket and begin to work on the fruit salad.
Getting there in time, Daisy parked beside the house, as Brock invited her in. Shocked by what he saw, Brock ran up to the top floor, only to see his worst nightmare: Pink walls and flower decals,
- I always thought you were a ladies man Brock, but this seems to totally prove me wrong…
- Nono, it's just my mom, probably having one of her very unwelcome obsessions once again.
Brock shouted out for Forest, as he then heard footsteps in the kitchen. Brock sledded down the stairrail, took a giant leap and grabbed someone, as burning fury was seen in Brock's eyes.
- Oh, hi bro… I just came by the kitchen to get something to eat… and… um… well…
- You were to take care of things while I was away… WHAT HAPPENED TO MY ROOM?!
- Yeah, mom is into feng-shui lately, it's better if you close your eyes and walk around blind.
- Easy Brock, I'm sure your brother did his best, besides it ain´t all too bad, the floor is awesome.
Suddenly a soft whisper was heard, as Brock opened the kitchen door and looked out, as he saw a young girl outside, apparently waiting for Forrest. Embarrassed, Forrest explained himself.
- I thought that while mom, dad and you weren't home, I'd invite one of my friends over.
- So my little bro finally has taken the step to become solid as a Brockman!
- Schsh, doesn't embarrass him more than he already is. Let's go see your other brothers and sisters.
Telling him some rules, Brock let the girl in and wished him good luck, as he then told Daisy to follow him to the gym. Opening the gate, Brock's reaction was really not of the happy kind.
Even worse decoration than the interior of the house, Brock reluctantly entered; as he saw his brothers and sisters spend time with the gym Pokemon. Daisy entered as well, greeting everyone.
- Hey all, Big Brother is back for awhile, hope you have been good while I was away in Hoenn.
- Hey, you finally got a girl, are we going to have a wedding, now that you found your angel?
Blushing, Daisy explained that she's not his type and that she's Misty´s sister. Brock handed out some gifts from Hoenn to everyone, and checked out Golem and Steelix, crying in embarrassment over the ridiculous decals and decorations of the gym they once were proud to have as a home.
- Guess you can never beat this gym; you'll faint of laughter before you call out your Pokemon!
Brock's cellphone rang, as he answered the call. It was Lola. Excusing him, Brock entered a storage room, only to a second later scream his lungs out at his mother. Daisy chuckled, as she checked out the structure of the gym while checking out the Pokemon as well.
Brock then came out, exhausted from whatever brief discussion he managed to squeeze in among his screams of fury. Brock went back to the house and entered the kitchen to prepare some food for the family, as everyone went back to the house to await his culinary delights, even Daisy was eager to try out his food, hearing from Misty how any bad day would fade away with a taste of his food.
Misty approached Felix, as the pilot called for their flight. Felix was ready to leave when Misty then stopped him, as she took out Ash's ticket and demanded that Felix told her the whole truth.
- I don't know what to say, it was Ashton that you saw earlier with the magazine, not this Ketchum guy you're referring to, never meet this Ash. Come on, let's go aboard now ok?
Wanting to believe his story, Misty was still uneasy should her suspicions prove to be right, as she saw Giovanni's private jet take off, she then took out her ticket and was ready to pass the gate.
James, Jessie and Meowth were aboard the jet, hoping for a free snack and some luxuries, as they freaked out that the plane suddenly took off, indicating that Giovanni was on it.
- What do we do, food doesn't magically reappear in the fridge with wishful thinking!
- Oh Jess, if the boss finds out then we'll never get a promotion until the next ice age…
- Once again our dreams for a free meal get obliterated, and we too if we don't think fast!
They peaked through the curtains, as they saw Giovanni and his men, but couldn't see Ash as his seat was facing towards them. Curious, they decided to eavesdrop on the conversation.
- Enjoy yourself, do eat something or see a movie, I have some fresh food and The Path of…
- It's alright; I'll just sit here and read the magazines, thanks anyway for your offer…
Keeping his face hidden as much as he could, Ash didn't want to risk triggering Giovanni's memory. Suddenly Giovanni noticed that Ash's backpack moved slightly, as he picked it up from the floor and opened it up, as Pikachu jumped out. Now seen, Pikachu had to play along like Ash.
- Oh poor thing, why would you put it in there, don't you have it with you or in its Pokeball?
- Pikachu is… a bit afraid of flights, so it feels safe when it's in my packback, want in again pal?
Nodding, Pikachu jumped back in, as Giovanni closed it and put it back next to Ash.
- Oh my god… the twerp is next to the boss! It doesn't get any better than this!
- The yellow rodent, served on a flying plate to the boss, it's a dream come true!
- Jess, Jimmie, we got one problem though: We didn't catch it, so we won't get the credit…
Sobbing in despair, they decided not to intervene and ruin their prize and pride, as they thought about how come Giovanni didn't remember the events in Johto nor Ash's face.
- So you got any family in Kanto, any friends that support you during your journeys?
- Yeah I got some, they're great. I'm meeting my mom later today to celebrate something...
Misty sat next to Felix, trying to think of anything else than what happened earlier, as the stewardess came with the food cart and handed out the meals. Suddenly someone shrieked.
Several passengers noticed Misty, as they threw themselves over one another in an attempt to get an autograph and talk to her. Glad for a change, Misty thanked them and fulfilled their requests.
- Seems you're more popular than you think, even in the Hoenn region you got some great fans.
- Guess so, now I know how my sisters had it when they were on their world tour.
- So what's the deal with the Ketchum guy seems you were really concerned about him.
- I travelled a lot with him these past years, but he had to go without me because I had to be in charge of the gym. I visited him once in Hoenn, and thankfully he's the same as he has always.
- I don't have many friends in my line of work; my friends are usually my business associates.
- Speaking of business, I'd love for you to check in with me at the hotel, no need to sleep over at the Pokemon Center or camp outside; it's the least I can do for you accompanying me.
- Don't worry, as soon as I got the request from Professor Oak I immediately rented a room for my visit in Shinnoh, so I'll only be a few doors away should you ever need something from me.
Some younger fans then gathered and wanted to talk to Misty, as Felix got off his aisle seat and took a walk. Misty then sat on his seat and chattered with her loyal fans and lovely admirers.
- Hey one at a time, I can't her ya if you keep talking over each other ok? Ok, one at a time!
- What's your favourite Pokemon?
- Where are you going to?
- You got a boyfriend?
Overwhelmed with questions, Misty answered as best she could, as Felix watched over her.
Tracey helped Mr Mime follow the recipes, as Delia shrieked. Everyone rushed out, as they saw Delia, almost crushing the delivery man to death with her vicegrip hug, as another guy opened the truck. Several Machoke came out with exclusive flowers, chocolate and candy, loads of them.
- This must have cost a mild fortune; do you think Ash managed to save up for all of this?
- I don't think so Professor, as we know Ash he isn't really the flower kind of guy.
- Help me put these on the ground Ritchie; gosh the flowers are so adorable that I wanna hug them!
Checking the sender, Tracey saw that it's from Mary and Rudy from Trobida, as Tracey gave the delivery guys and the Machoke a generous tip. The crew Pokemon got back in the truck and left.
Delia then saw a pearl necklace among the candy, as she admired its sparkle and quality.
- If I didn't know any better you'd think that it's Miss Ketchum´s birthday and not Misty´s.
- That's the thing Ritchie; every chick will react to an awesome gift like that pearl necklace.
Mr Mime ran out, as it came out with samples on how the food tasted. Tasting, Delia approved it all, as Tracey and Ritchie took the candy and chocolate, putting them into the freezer in case the sun would get too strong and melt them if left outside. Delia still remained in an overjoyed state.
- Oh this Rudy must really have a soft spot on Misty; she is going to freak out even more than me!
- Well Ash did battle him for the badge, but somehow it seems Rudy battled for something else…
The phone rang, as Delia ran in to answer. Talking for awhile, she then hang up and went out.
- Brock just called, he's about to leave back to Cerulean City from Pewter City, and he told me that Ash didn't manage to get a plane ticket! How could this have happened, I have to call him!
- It's probably overbooked due to Professor Elm's lecture at Saffron, I'm sure Ash has found another way of getting here in time, he wouldn't miss this for the whole world.
-There, I sent him a message on his beeper. Still Tracey, I won't just stand here and do nothing, if he doesn't call me in 1 hour I'm even prepared to ask the Kanto militia to go get him in time!
