Chapter 4: The Burden

Later that night, Misty got out of the showers and check out what the others were doing. Her sisters were gone to do some sort of project in their rooms, and Brock slept in the guest room dreaming about tomorrow's date. Misty couldn't help but notice Ash sleeping on the bench right next to the frozen pool. His Pikachu was sleeping on top of him giving out a tiny "chu" every time in snores.

Ash had a blank expression on his face, but he was unbearably cute and sweet looking while he slept in that position. Misty s shook her head trying to take away the thought, it was a good thing no one was around to see her because her face was growing completely red with embarrassment. Tired of just standing around the gym for so long, she sat on the edge of bench where Ash was sleeping and went into deep thought.

His arm seems fine now, but she still couldn't shake the guilt of having him hurt. She could've just blamed Togepi for all this, but then again… it would only be casting her fault to someone else. Togepi was her responsibility as a Pokemon trainer, it wouldn't be right to blame her rather than herself. With all these thoughts in mind, she grew tired and fell asleep, placing her head on Ash's chest… and it felt great.

(Meanwhile… Somewhere along the road)

"You…? You want to challenge me?" said Gary, "You heard me! I was accepted to compete in the Valmarian League and I'm training to be better than all of them" said the traveling trainer "I see, so you're one of the competitors huh?" Gary wipes the smile off his face and called out his Umbreon to do battle. His opponent was using a Eevee, "Just because you got the evolution of Eevee, doesn't mean you're stronger than me!" In mere moments, the two wandering trainers battled it out at the forest, but after a few minutes… Eevee was knocked unconscious.

(Back in Cerulean City… the next morning)

Back at Cerulean city, our heroes wake up for their morning activities………. umm… well at least one of them was awake. Misty's sisters were all sleeping after they had completed Ash's suit, Brock didn't want to wake up from his sleep as well he was having a good dream, Pikachu, and Togepi were both sleeping peacefully on Ash's stomach making feel uncomfortable.

The young boy wakes up from nice peaceful nap. His sight was blurred from the morning glory but he could feel both Pikachu and Togepi on him. As he reached out for his friend, he felt something else lying on his stomach. It was Misty! His eyes widened in surprise to see her. She seemed to be sleeping so peacefully and her hair was undone… like she just came out of the showers. Ash blushed as he thought that if he moved just a little it would cause her to wake up.

The kid pinched himself just to make sure he wasn't sleeping, he felt relieved that no one was looking cuz no matter how you look at it, anyone would believe at first sight that we would be a couple. Ash shivered to the thought but still… he felt wonderful. The soft face of Misty was amazingly smooth and silky. She felt very relaxed and comfy sleeping there even though Ash's shirt was a little scrumpy. Since he couldn't move and stand up, Ash tried to make the best out of it and glided his hand through Misty's hair. It was still smooth from the shampoo she had last night and the aroma was a fruit kind. Feeling unusually comfortable, Misty wakes up from her long slumber.

Ash closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, cuz he might scare Misty and it would probably have. "Was I sleeping on him this whole time?" Misty thought "I hope I didn't give him nightmares" Ash opened his eyes just a little, seeing Misty's beautiful face already made him blush.

He then pretended to just have woken up and sat on the bench. Pikachu and Togepi fell on their stomach on Ash's lap… it's amazing how they could still sleep after that condition.

"Good morning sleepy head" Misty said giggling

"Good morning…" Ash yawned, which worked in his favor cuz it made him look like he just did wake up, "What time is it?" Ash looked at his Pokedex timer and it was exactly 11:00 AM almost afternoon.

"Why don't you go wake up Brock, I'll go wake my sisters" Misty took Togepi up to her arms "Wake up Togepi, its morning…" Togepi yawned out and let out a little "preee" causing Pikachu to wake up as well. "Hey there buddy did you sleep well?" the little mouse nodded its head and scratch its ear and said "Pi-ka-chu"

An hour past by until everyone finally got up from their naps. Ash did his usual stretches with Pikachu and his other Pokemons (Totodile, Cyndoquil and Bulbasaur) they run two laps around the gym and jump up and down to get a good morning feel. Just as he finished Brock, Misty and her sisters decided to have brunch in a nearby restaurant. It was a place called Ellie's Diner. When the gang walked in the restaurant, it was surprisingly empty. The very few people that were there looked as if they never existed, but the atmosphere was welcoming and the temperature was just perfect.

"Hi girls" said the waitress, "What can I get for you today?" Daisy, Lily, and Violet all said hi in sequence like they've done this kind of routine a hundred times or so.

"Hey Eillie how's business doing?" Violet asked,

"Just as it always have, quiet as usual. Oh is that Misty?" Eillie jumped up to her, "Oh my goodness, I can't believe I'm finally looking at the complete sisters of the Cerulean gym!" Misty gave out a confused smile because she didn't know if she was to take it as a compliment or an insult. "Anyway, do you girls want to have the usual?" said Eillie,

"Sure thing!" the three sisters said again in sequence. "How about you three?"

"Oh, I'll just have beacon and egg (Pika) and a bottle of ketchup please" Ash nodded, but then was pushed away by Brock

"I would like your phone number, beeper number and your e-mail address please" Misty pulled Brock's ear, leading him away from Eillie "We'll just have beacon and egg thank you!" said Misty

The six of them sat on corner overlooking the sea, Ash Brock and Misty sat on one side in that order and the three sisters sat on the other corner. Ash knew that Misty would to loved to look at the sea… she even wished she could stare at it forever. The food came in fast, since there weren't any other customers it was pretty quiet and peaceful. The food tasted great and the homemade drinks were to die for.

"I wonder why this place is so empty" said Ash as he chewed his food.

Daisy smiled and said "Well, since this place is like… isolated, nobody even know this place even exists." Pikachu smoddled up on his ketchup bottle, "It's a great place for us celebrities to come and eat without the fans and cameras buggin us all the time" said Violet "Oh by the way Ash, do you have a girlfriend yet?" Ash turned apple red, but he knew what to say, he just didn't know if they would believe him,

"Of course he doesn't have a girlfriend!" Misty slammed her hand on the table with a slight blush on her face, "He's much too busy training for the Valmarian league to start any relationship and besides… I don't think he's too chicken to even have a girlfriend" Ash, annoyed by Misty's inexcusable way of insulting him decided to fight back,

"Oh yeah, I bet all the guys run away from you because of your gross attitude!" The little bickering broke out into an all out war between the two, but luckily for them Brock manages to settle them down.

"Alright you too calm down, we're supposed to be having a good time here right?"

"She started it!"

Misty protested "I was only saying the truth!"

"How would you know the truth, you don't even know me!"

"Oh really? You're a slob who eats a lot, complains a lot, and who thinks only about his Pokemon! Do I need to add more?"

"Here's your desert." said Eillie who completely ignored the two of them. Brock avoided their barage of intelligable words and took the plate from her hand.

"Thank you kindly" Brock finally got tired of two fighting and decided to ignore them.

"Do they always fight like this?" Lily asked the boy as he looked strangely calm to be a in the middle of a fight

Brock simply shrugged and smiled "After traveling with these two for 2 ½ years, you kinda get used to it (much munch munch)

"This is the thanks I get for saving you from that monster?!"

"Well excuse me! I don't remember asking for your help! I was doing just fine on my own thank you very much!"

"Well why don't you just stay here and stay put!" Ash huffed and turned the other way not wanting to look at her

"No way! You still owe me that bike you destroyed and I'm still waiting for it!"

Since their fight was now attracting the attention of the few customers in the restaurant, Brock decided that he had enough, "Alright Enough!! For once can we have a normal peaceful meal like everyone else?"

The two teen sat back on their seats and ignored each other, poor Brock was dab right in between them and he sighed. Some how he knew that the peace wasn't gonna last forever. The meal took about thirty minutes, but after looking at the clock, the gang remembered that the grand party was going to start in only a few more hours!

Brock decided to split the task to each one of them: Ash will prepare the drinks and sodas, Misty and Daisy will go to the grocery store and buy all the necessary ingredients, Lily and Violet will help Brock in the kitchen. The gang split up and rush out at Brock's command, even though everyone else had no problems in getting the things Brock put on their list, Ash had the hard part. Most of the drinks in the list Brock gave him were practically unknown to him. The soft drinks and water were easy to find, but what the heck is a Jumundo Elcentar? At first Ash thought of it to be a whiskey or wine drink or something, but after going from store to store, nothing came close to it.

"We've been going around in circles Pikachu" Ash complained, "What could a Jumunto Elcentar be? I know I've never heard of it. Just as he walk through the last wine shop in the district, he caught sight of a poster add that was being on display at the side of the bus. "Jumundo Elcentar, Lovers Readers Choice!" Ash hung his head with a sweatdrop as he mentally smacked himself, "It's… a book…" Ash quickly headed to the nearest magazine stand and there it was, quick as a nickel earned. As Ash headed back to the gym to give his delivery, a familiar sound stopped him in his track. He couldn't see where the sound was coming from, but he could recognize those voices anywhere

"Well well well, if it isn't the twerp himself" said Jesse,

"And his Pikachu as well" said James,

"And look, there's no one with him, which means this will be a good time to swipe it!" said the talking Meowth but just before Team Rocket could get anywhere near Ash, a young woman in police uniform riding a scooter approach him with a bat on hand.

"Officer Jenny?" said Ash,

"Oh hi Ash, fancy meeting you here, I heard from my sisters that you're going to the Valamarian League, congratulations" replied Off. Jenny,

"Thank you, but my Pokemons deserve most of the credit" Pikachu nodded in agreement,

"Oh by the way, I also heard that you're attending the charity party tonight right? (Ash nodded) Well I'm going to be security there with my sister from Celadon city so don't you be breaking any laws now you hear?" Officer Jenny patted her police bat on her hand to give Ash a thought of what might he happen if he does break a law,

"Ahehehehe... don't worry officer Jenny, Pikachu and I will be just fine hehehe" After a quick goodbye, officer Jenny drove off keeping peace around the neighborhood.

"Did you hear that?!" James said, "You bet I did! The Charity party of the city! Everybody who is anybody are gonna be there!" said Meowth while scratching his whiskers,

"Well if that's the case then I guess we wouldn't want to disappoint the audience now would we?" Team Rocket laughed evilly as they concoct a plan to ruin the perfectly made party that was made to fund for the Pokemon center, what could their plot be?

Back at the Cerulean gym, the waiters and valets that Lily hired arrived on schedule to help with the catering and other tasks. Brock had already finished cooking all of his special meals, so went up and took a quick shower before the guests arrived. He wanted to give all the ladies the first good impression on him.

Misty was already dressed up in her lovely… well dress. It was a long aqua colored gown that reaches just above her feet, a black sash that ties around her waist and ends at her right hip and to top it all off a hand held fan to keep it cool when the crowd gets hot. She held Togepi on one arm and her hair was untied down almost reaching her shoulders. Daisy, Lily and Violet all looked at her with pride, "Oh my god like Misty, you like… totally look like one of us now!" Violet said shaking Misty's hand with excitement,

"Hehehehe… uh… thanks?" Misty said. As the guests start arriving, valets greet them with their polite manners, the crowd outside took pictures and the news was broadcasting a live feed to every TV in the city.

The ground reporter was giving her usual take out on the camera. "I'm here at the Cerulean city gym, where famous stars from around the country are gathering for the biggest party this night has ever seen and… now walking by through the red carpet is (the crowd yells out and screams) and her husband… (the crowd screams again) Even though a lot of names will be coming through later. However, we have also recently heard that the famous Ash Ketchum of Pallet town is actually attending the party?! Many young Pokemon fans and not to mention Ash fans are here to see the legendary trainer that had beaten the Elite 4 at the age of 14. This is… (crowd screams again) signing off"

Since there were so many people out at the front door, Ash decided to take the backdoor. Now he knows why nobody ever uses the backdoor of the gym… it was covered with vines barely visible to the naked eye, the area was dark and smelly with all the garbage the pedestrian would throw around the sidewalk. The doorknob was rusty and slimy, and it looks like it has never been used ever since this place was built.

Ash quickly rushed in and to his luck, Brock was standing right next to the exit sign. Ash pulled Brock in and handed him the drinks, "Ash! Where have you been, I was worried that you wouldn't show up… (sniff) Oh man what's that smell? Did you fall into the dump or something?"

Ash and Pikachu looked annoyed but were too tired to say anything. While Brock handed the drinks to the waiter at the food corner, Ash took the opportunity to sneak into the comfort room and took a nice refreshing shower. When all the dirty, icky and disgusting slime were off, he went into the guest room and changed. From there he found a nicely folded suit and a note on top of it.

The Note:

"Dear Ash, sorry it took so long but please wear this to the party ok? You will so like… wake up the crowd! Oh and don't forget to wet your hair before you put it on! HEY DON'T FORGET TO WEAR A BELT. I THINK I MADE THE PANTS A LITTLE TOO BIG FOR YOU."

Ash smiled at the note, it was nice of those sisters to make something for him. It was really something they wouldn't do all the time, but Ash didn't want to disappoint them by wearing his usual clothes.

(At the Party)

Misty was sitting with her Togepi around the corner eating some ham and cheese sandwich. She had already rejected several dance offers from famous actors and singers already, she felt like a guy magnet, but somehow she also felt like she was the opposite attraction to the magnet. She glared all the famous young couples that were already skating by the frozen pool… she envied them and sigh.

Brock was having a great time talking to Nurse Joy, but somehow he manages to find time to speak with the Jennies that were standing on guard. Just as the party went on with the songs shifted through the old selection of music, everything suddenly stopped with a screech sound. Daisy stood on stage dress neatly and exactly like Lily and Violet, she announced the arrival of a one special boy.

Ash was at the party hall, but he wasn't listening to Daisy's little speech. In fact he was having a hard time getting the bowtie the way he wanted, it was a little persistent and would some how it either turn crooked or another way around. As he finally got it right, Violet finished her little speech, "And now give it up for… (drum role) Ash Ketchum!" The spotlights all focused on Ash who was finished with his suit just in time.

Misty gazed upon her friend she traveled with and has never seen him in a handsome suit before in her life. It was a suit like any other but with several difference. The base color and secondary color were Blue and black, it had long sleeves and a comfortable collar that doesn't choke you around like the other suit does. The audience applause while Ash scratches his head in embarrassment, but luckily Pikachu was there to give him courage. The boy walks down the stairs as the spot lights return to their original positions. Some of Ash's fans congratulated him as he sees many wondrous Pokemon joining the fun, "Hey why should they all have the fun? Let's get everyone to play Piikachu!" Ash released all of his Pokemon and decided to let them have a good bit of fun. Misty thought of it to be a good idea and so she did the same. The party was perfect, and everything went according to exactly how Brock had planned, and he had more girls then he could handle himself.

While everyone was having their share of the excitement, Misty was still sitting on the corner with Togepi. She couldn't wait to get back on the road to Valmarian city even though she was the one who longed for a vacation from all that training. Ash suddenly noticed her grouching on a little chair and asked what was wrong,

"Hey Misty" said Ash, "aren't you gonna join in? There's lots of neat food on the table" Misty took a quick glance at him, her eyes widened and her words stuttered. "Or maybe you're just tired, I'll grab you something to drink" Ash quickly ran to the desert table as he browse through the selection of sodas that he bought from the stores.

Misty finally reacted on her actions, why did she stutter? Her heart pounded 3 times faster and was about to burst, her sweat gland was acting up and giving here an uneasy feeling. Before she could even explain to herself on what was happening, Ash came back with two glasses of sodas. To Misty's surprise, it was her favorite drink! It wasn't like any of those complicated sodas or wines but just plain orange juice.

Even though Ash was too busy looking at all his Pokemon having fun dancing around to notice the girl next to him… Misty was giving him a few short glances. She felt nervous being around Ash, but didn't know why. Though she was nervous she also felt right. She felt safe and secure, her sweat gland ceased to work and her heart beat returned to normal… yet she wasn't sure what could've caused her to react like that.

Pikachu then came by and danced with Togepi to the beat of the music, it was a popular hip hop song sang by one of the singers here at the party. Just before the next song played, Ash took the courage and asked Misty for a dance. She blushed and couldn't say a word to express herself,

"Well…" Ash said, "If you don't want to dance that's fine with me" Misty watch as her opportunity slowly walks away from her. Her mind threw in random ideas and thoughts it felt like it was gonna blow. Just before Ash could leave for the dance floor, Misty grabbed his hand and agreed… but in the end, that beautiful scene was interrupted by a good yell at a microphone on stage.

The long red head stepped onto the stage (Jessie duh!) "Sorry to interrupt you everyone! (everyone stop on what they were doing and lights dimmed)

James, the blue headed partner continued, "We heard that a charity party was going on so we just came in drop by to see if anyone would like to leave a donation for us"

"Team Rocket? Who'd want to donate anything to you?" Brock stepped out of the crowd and prepared to bring out his Pokemons for a battle. These three really had to show up at the worst possible time!

Jessie laughed at his pathetic hero attempt, "Oh and don't worry, we're not asking you to give us anything, we're taking it! Ohhohohohohohohoh! Prepare for trouble celebrities of all!"

"And make it double this is your curtain call"

"To protect the world from devas…"

"Umm like… excuse me! But this is a charity party, so can we ask you to like… not rob us?" Daisy suddenly appeared out of nowhere and asked them politely in a very unusual manner. I mean come on! Who asked people not to rob you?

Everyone falls down anime style!

"Excuse me! We're trying to say our motto here!" Jessie steamed out a tantrum. That little interuption ruined her entire motto

"Oh that old motto? Haven't you three been like… saying it for years now? Don't you get bored of it? I know I would"

"Grrr!! Anyway!! To protect the world from devas… Oh forget it just hand over all your money and your Pokemons!!"

In an instant a battalion of Team Rocket grunts burst in with their some sort of weapon. It wasn't anything lethal, but it could sure pack a punch! Ash thought of fighting back but Misty reminded him that there were people around and they could be caught in the cross fire. Just while everyone was being rob of money, jewelry and other valuables, everything stopped… literally. The sound disappeared, the clock stopped on its track, lights held its position as it flickered, all motions even water stopped as it splashed on the ground. Ash felt strangely confused until he noticed that everyone but him was frozen still. He could talk, walk and move around, but nothing made sense to him now!

On stage a familiar figure appeared near Jesse, James and Meowth, it was DA. He took up the microphone up to his mouth face still with that evil grin but he was also wearing the same thing Ash was. "See what I mean Ash?" said DA, "You can't waste your time on these losers, you have better things to do rather than fighting wimps who can't even tie their own shoe laces. There are plenty of Pokemon trainers along the road and if we leave now, we… I mean you… will become the strongest trainer ever to live! Isn't that what this trip was all about?" DA's proposal was very tempting, but Ash was too hard headed to listen,

"I can't leave now, my friends need me and I need to help them!" But when Ash looked around, he figured if he fought back he would be beaten, even he can't fight against a group this large and Team Rocket's Pokemon appeared to be much fiercer than before. "Grrrrr… I can't beat all of them, but I'll try, come on Pikachu!" but then Ash realized that even the Pokemons were frozen and Pikachu was no exceptions,

"You've got to be joking… you're actually gonna try and beat all these men with just a Pikachu, a Cyndoquil, a Totodile, and a Bulbasaur? Hahahaha… pathetic. And your skills in handling them are weak" Ash became annoyed with DA taunts and decided to give him a piece of his mind, "Well let me tell you that I'm a Pokemon trainer and I can handle any Pokemon you can throw at me! I bet you don't even know how to do a Pokemon battle!" Just before Ash could move, the room began to shake and the roof of the gym was about to crumble, "Looks like my time is up" said DA, "but if I leave you here, then our dreams won't come true now would it?" In an instant DA's eyes glowed and changed colors and with a single glance at Ash… everything changed.

When time resumed to the world, Misty noticed that Ash had a blank expression on his face which was quite unusual. His eyes were dark and his pupils were completely gone, "Ash? Ash?!" Misty shook him but there was no response, it was like he was put into a trance or something.

As team rocket looted the celebrities and the food table of all its delicacies, a giant balloon with Meow's face crashed through the ceiling making a whole on the roof top,

"Oh no they're ruining our gym!" said Lily

"Oh well… I always did want a sky liner…" said Daisy. Team Rocket grunts walked around the crowd gathering anything of valuable, they took from the biggest most expensive ring to the tiniest and cheapest necklaces.

Just when Brock couldn't stand doing nothing he saw one of the Team Rocket flirting with one of the Jennies his eyes turned to fire as he rushed in and punch the living daylights out of the guy! The aura around him clearly stated out "I'M GONNA HURT YOU IN SO MANY WAYS, YOU'D WISH THAT MY ONIX WOULD STRANGLE YOU INSTEAD IF YOU COME WITHIN TEN FEET NEAR JENNY!!!!" Brock was then tackled down by a dozen more of those thugs and since he's only human he didn't stand a chance.

"Hurry up you buffoons! (the grunts pack the last of the goods into the balloon) Well I must thank you all for your wonderful generosity and now we must bid you 'Ad diu' bye bye!" the balloon began to rise up from the stage

"And see ya" said James

"Wouldn't wanna be ya!... seriously" said Meowth

Just as Team Rocket glide out of the ceiling sky liner (that they made) a familiar voice came out from a single figure that stood out from the crowd.

"Hold it right there Team Rocket!" the trio turned to see who dared to stop them, and NOT to their surprise, it was none other than Ash himself.

"Hey isn't that the twerp?" they said in unison

"Well what daya know, he's actually in the party this time!" said James

Jessie smacked her partner with her mallet and scowled "No you idiot! Why is his Pikachu still there!? I told you to grab every Pokemon too!"

The entire group of fifty men and women of Team Rocket touched the ground and prepare to capture Ash's Pikachu. Usually at this time Ash would've commanded an attack, but he hesitated… it was unlike him to be thinking during battle!

(Somewhere along the streets of Goldenrod City)

Gary was walking down the streets with his Umbreon, he was trying to find more trainers along the way before he heads off to Valmarian city. He fed Umbreon with 'Pokechow' a famous snack for all types of Pokemon. But as he passes by a hardware store which was displaying some brand new TV flat screen, he noticed that the news channel was on at Cerulean city.

"… reporting live from Cerulean city gym where a bandit group known as Team Rocket has taken over a charity party earlier this evening. Police force are currently powerless as the bandit group are holding many famous actors and artists who are currently part of the funding this grand party hostages. (Explosion) Oh my goodness… there has just been an explosion on the out side of the gym and it seems… who is that? Get us a closer look! Switch back to the ground camera hurry!!! "

A boy ran through the broken wall with four Pokemons behind him and a whole company of Team Rocket goons and grunts. Gary was shocked to see the boy was actually his rival Ash! Gary glared at the TV closely as he listened to every word of the news. He couldn't hear what Ash was saying but he could lip read of some of the words. "Ash? What is that loser doing there?" Gary thought

(Back at Cerulean Gym)

Ash stood his ground at the front of Cerulean gym, he looked different now… almost everything about him has changed. The tone of his voice, the words he used, and even the actions he did… it was like looking at another Ash. Even though no one could really tell the difference, Misty knew something was wrong… this wasn't the Ash Ketchum she knew. "Well well well, Team Rocket… again you've come to bar my path" said Ash, "Haven't you already shame yourselves to the lowest of the low? Well anyway… I will give you only one fair warning… run now and I promise I won't hurt you… too much"

This was definitely not the Ash that they knew. He was covered with an aura of unending power and even his Pokemons felt it to, but they were loyal and would never abandon their master. The thugs and grunts summoned all their Pokemons to do battle and even Jesse and James sent Arbok and Weezing to join them.

Ash grinned, "I must thank you, I really hoped that you would decline my offer… now my Pokemons! Its time to show them that there is only one king on this planet!" With a wave of his arm, Ash's Pokemons engaged Team Rocket but for some reason, the aura round Ash gave them overwhelming power! "Cyndoquil use flame thrower and tackle, Bulbasaur use vine whip and razor leaf then dodge, Totodile use crush bite and water gun everyone one of them, Pikachu use your agility and aim your thunderbolt at the water gun! Now GO!"

With a single chain of command the other Pokemons where either stunned wounded or just plain unconscious. Everyone was amazed by the astounding maneuver of Ash and gave him a wonderful applause.

"Since when did that twerp get so strong?!" said James,

"Well at least we still got the goods so let's get out of here meowth!" With the Team Rocket balloon flying over the sea of the Cerulean beach, Ash chanted a few words that were unknown and mysterious to him. In a fraction of a second, a huge Gyrados jumped from the sea bed and bit the balloon which nearly escaped. Everyone thought that all the valuables were swallowed by Gyrados, but in just a brief moment, the giant sea dragon crawled through the sands of the beach even though Gyrados hated the earth.

The giant Pokemon opened its mouth to Ash revealing the sacks of stolen goods that Team Rocket stole. Again Ash was greeted with a full round of applause by the people's amazement, the Gyrados swam back into the ocean avoiding the people whenever it possibly could. The police force arrested the remaining members of Team Rocket that were left behind. With all the commotion hanging about, the dark aura lifted from Ash body and disappeared by the light. Ash dozed back in and was nearly confused on what all the commotion was about.

(Back at Goldenrod City)

After that brief incident that he saw, Gary smack at the window display as he was practically shaking in his boots! He never saw Ash so powerful before… after a brief demonstration on what he saw on TV he felt like Ash was already way ahead of him and he was 'as Ash said' eating his dust. Was this Ash's true ability? Gary felt so low than an ant would look down at him. After seeing such awesome might displayed by Ash's Pokemon, he could barely look at his Umbreon. Gary smacked the display window one more time before he left. His eyes were still burning with determination, and there was no one… absolutely no one who could stop him.