Chapter 6: The Detour
Dawn was breaking over the mountains as the sun slowly showed its awesome ray towards the traveling ferry. Ash squint his closed eyes as the light dabbed right in front of him. He closed the curtains and tried to get back to sleep, but his mind refuses to go back. Brock slept like a log on the front row muttering about Officer Jenny. Togepi slept in Misty's bag to keep herself warm throughout the night. Pikachu was half awake until the captain suddenly spoke through the speaker.
"Good morning passengers we are now entering Goldenrod city. Please make sure you all your belongings with you because the crew members will not be responsible if anything should be missing or misplaced thank you and have a good time here in Goldenrod city" Misty woke up with a defining yawn. She felt a little stiff all over her body, but she felt warm and happy for some reason. She then noticed that she was sleeping on Ash's shoulders the whole trip. She laid there for awhile… she didn't want the feeling to go… she wanted to make it last just a little bit longer.
A few minutes later the ferry pulled into the docks. The captain took his hat off and slept right where he sat for the whole 8 hours during the trip. The gang finally woke up without any mishaps and immediately head out to the pier. Brock looked around nervously as he was looking for someone… or something.
"Hey Brock what ya looking for?" Ash said as he stretched his arms and legs from the stiffness,
"I'm waiting for out contact" Brock replied, "He was supposed to meet us here" Just then, a voice came in from the snack bar.
"Hey Ash, over here!" a boy just about Ash's age waved his hand with a Pikachu on top of his head.
"Richie? Hey it is you!" the gang rushed to the boy's side and made their greetings to each other. "Wow Richie I never thought I'd see you here!" Ash shook his distant friend's hand as their Pikachu's did the same.
"Brock called me a few days ago. He said you guys needed a ride to Valmarian city"
"Brock called you?" Misty interrupted.
"Yeah, you see my dad owns a ship that does a lot of traveling in these parts of the sea and he's gonna take us there right away!" the gang smiled as they realized they were about to reach their destination, "Come on, we can catch up on old times over breakfast. I know a café that have the best pancakes in the city!"
After traveling a few blocks down town the gang with a new member (Richie) sat in a small café called… uh… 'Coffee and Cream?' What a strange name for a café. The gang sat on corner after they had ordered their meals to the waitress. Brock however was ordering more than he could eat though and had a smack right on his face. Richie, Ash and Misty sighed and laughed at Brock's 100th rejection of his life time but who's counting.
"I guess he hasn't changed a bit" Richie said,
"Yeah but I guess that's the Brock we all know and love" the three giggled at Ash's little comment, but who could possibly ignore Brock's ability to be drawn by pretty women? While they talked about good old times, Ash's Pikachu tried to let Richie's Pikachu have a taste for ketchup. When Ash saw both their Pikachus he sweatdrop "Oh no this doesn't look good"
"What's wrong Ash?" Richie asked in confusion "It's only ketchup" Just when Richie's Pikachu had a little sip of that warm sauce in his mouth, he grabbed the nearest bottle of ketchup he could find and gulp all the way,
"I guess our Pikachus have another thing in common now" Ash sighed as he knew something like this would happen sooner or later if his Pikachu offered ketchup to one of his friends.
As they laughed and giggled about old times, a sudden silence came to them as their meal arrived… after that all the sound they made were 'chomps' and 'bites' and 'gulp' "So Ash I heard from Brock that you're competing in the Valmarian League in three months am I right?" Richie was the one who broke the silence.
Since Ash had food stuffed all over his mouth, all he could do was smile and nod. "That's great, I hope we get to battle each other like last time" Ash nearly choked at those words, he coughed up and breathed nervously before he could finally speak again.
"What? Don't tell me you're in the league too!" Ritchie smiled and held an invitation letter from the governor of Goldenrod City,
"That's right, and that's why I'm helping you get to the other side of the ocean. My dad owns a small ferry that travels between these two places and if we're lucky we'll be able to reach the city tonight!"
Misty gasped at the astonishing looked on Richie's face, "Wow that boat must travel really fast to get through the ocean so quickly like that"
Richie blushed at her comment, "Well my dad always loved to make his boat go faster and faster. He was called a slowpoke when he sailed with Jennifer back in his days" When they finally finished their little breakfast and Broke finally getting over his rejection the gang head towards the docks where they were about to see a magnificent sight.
The great wide ocean of Goldenrod city opened up to them with a great white light. It was a sight Misty never thought she would never see in a crowded city, but it was real and she was looking right at it. "Wow! I can't believe you can actually get a great view of the ocean from a city!" she glared out into the pier and let the ocean water splashed onto her face. It was a little cold in the morning but she didn't mind in fact it was just like how she wanted it. The smooth wave of the sea eased the mind and relaxes the body, like a paradise for the old and seniors.
While Misty was still on her fantasy rides an old growling voice creep up behind her. "What in the world are you doing young lady!" said the old man in a green coat. The man had a pipe on his lips and a news paper boy hat on his head. His fashion fits his age perfectly like those clothes were meant for him alone.
"Hey dad!" Richie shouted out,
"Oh hey Richie you're up early!" the two gave a hug and a smile, "So are these your friends that you wanted to bring along?"
Richie nodded with a smirk on his face, "These are my friends Misty, Brock and Ash the person I battled with in my first Pokemon league"
"Well it's mighty nice to see some of Richie's friends for a change. Why don't you come on in and I'll show you Jennifer" They all entered the small cruise boat that seemed to be well maintained and was still going under some constant upgrades, "Boys I like you to meet Jennifer" Brock immediately looked around for the lady, the name Jennifer already gave away her gender, but to Brock's demise there was no one there…
"Uh… where is she?" Ash asked in confusion,
"Why you're standing on her son!" said the old sea dog, "Welcome to the S.S Jennifer, the finest girl that ever sailed the seas!"
Brock head hung low below his shoulders like he was heart broken… again, but at least he wasn't rejected this time.
"So dad when can we set sail?" Richie said with excitement,
"Sorry boy but I won't be able to move this girl until the next clam truck gets here"
"Clam truck?" Ash didn't really know if that was a joke or not, but it did sound kinda funny.
"Yup, I move clams from place to place and since you guys are heading there too I might as well shoot two birds with one stone now right?" the old sea dog smiled as he let out a small smoke from his mouth.
"So when will it get here? Will it take long?" Misty said in almost in unison with Ash, but the sea dog just smiled again and said,
"I'm not even sure myself, but if we're lucky the truck might get here tonight and we can leave tomorrow early in the morning" the entire gang fell down anime style, I guess luck wasn't with them today.
"Sorry guys but I guess you'll have to stay in town for awhile" Richie sighed at his friends with great disappointment,
"That's alright Richie" Misty tried to comfort him, "We wanted to do some shopping before we left anyway" the word 'shopping' quickly rushed through Misty's mind as she just remembered that she needed new clothes for the trip. Without another word she quickly ran off to a shopping spree around the biggest mall in the city with her friends not far behind.
"Come on you guys we're not even half way through the mall and I need new shoes for… oh that looks cute!" Misty was immediately distracted by several new fashions that were on display at the fashion store.
Ash, Brock and Richie giggled at her child like expression. Misty may look like she bought the entire block but in truth she hasn't really bought anything. All she got was food supplies, a new set of shirts and shorts (pants included) and a cute little hat for her Togepi. The little Pokemon seems to like its new found fashion.
When Ash noticed how much shopping Misty was doing he thought "Why should she be the only one having all the fun?" he then turned to his Pikachu and said "Come on Pikachu lets go find us a new pair of sneakers!" Ash and his Pikachu dashed to the nearest sports shop.
Richie smiled for a little while until he agreed, "Heh… why not!? Come on Sparky let's go!" Richie followed his friend to the sports center leaving behind a very lonely Brock. "(sigh) I feel so ignored…" he felt like an outcast, a loser, an ant not even worth stepping on. Suddenly out of a coffee shop, a group of girls stood up as they walked around laughing at each other. Brock immediately took this as a sign of hope and took no second thoughts before asking each of those girls out.
(Back in Pallet town)
While the rest of the gang was around having fun in Goldenrod city, a worried mother seems to have nothing better to do but to do what she does best, cleaning. Delia was cleaning the dishes to relieve herself of her stress even though the plates were cleaned almost 4 times now. While she was too busy worrying about Ash and his friends she couldn't hear the knock on the door. Tracey walked in with professor Oak. They were still discussing about several theories of Pokemon evolution but still couldn't come up with a good answer.
"Oh professor I didn't hear you coming in!" Delia nearly jumping out of her cleaning routine came by with a coffee mug on hand. When the professor looked at her, it was obvious that she hasn't been sleeping much.
"You should really rest Delia, Ash wouldn't like it if he sees his mother in that condition" Delia knew that he was speaking the truth. Ash would immediately come home if he sees her like that. With or without a tournament, his mother would always come first no matter what.
"Yeah I guess you're right" she said with a tired tone, "Just let me finished the last of the dishes and I'll go straight to bed" the professor smiled back at her and decided to help her out.
Tracey gathered up the notes and was still thinking on a good thesis. While the professor and Delia were handling out the last of the plates, Delia smiled "Thank you professor, you're a great help today" the old Oak blushed at her praise. He didn't really get a direct contact from her and now he doesn't even know what to say.
As Mr. Mime placed all the mugs and cups into the holder and unimaginable moment accrued. Delia, having all her attention focused on the professor, accidentally taps the glass holder making it fall to the ground. Though most of the mugs and cups were intact one mug was all in pieces… it was Ash's favorite mug…
(Back at the Goldenrod city mall)
While Ash was looking for new shoes to try on, he found an unusual shop that sells clothes for Pokemons. The curious kid immediately went to check it out and was astonished by the sight of so many fashion designs. There were water proof shoes, fire proof tail covers (used especially for Charmanders) heck they even have a long oversized coats for giant Pokemons like Gyrados or Onix to keep them warm inside.
Pikachu tried on several cute mittens and shoes that suited to his liking and Sparky wore the same as well. As they finally got something for their Pokemons it was now time to get something for themselves. But as Ash walked by another clothing store, a particular set of fashion caught his eyes. He looked at the new caps and jacket that were on display on marionettes doing stylish poses. After a brief moment of staring at the human sized doll the store clerk (female) looked from the other side and gasped deeply, "OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!" the voice echoed through the mall like a parrot saying the word over and over again.
A few hours later the voice that echoed through the mall was all but forgotten. Misty looked at the clock that was nailed on the wall for everyone to see what time it was. "Oh it's almost 3:00 come on Togepi let's go find Ash (walks out of the store) I wonder where those two could be at this time?"
Brock came back carrying an ice pack on his face after coming from his whoopin back at the café. He was rejected by 12 girls and 7 clerks this morning til afternoon. His face was covered with red hand marks and some were hitting the same spot over and over again. Misty couldn't help but burst out a good laugh after looking at Brock's swollen face. Poor guy never did get a chance to get a date after he went out with Officer Jenny and the Cerulean sisters (not including Misty).
Right when they were about to go looking for Ash and Richie, they felt a sudden rumbling coming from the other side of the mall, "An earthquake?" Brock muttered. The rumbling grew louder and louder, and in moments the two figures approaching them, "Gang way! Move out! Coming through!" a familiar voice echoed through Misty's ear as the rumbling grew louder.
Just then Ash and Richie came by, but when they saw Brock and Misty, they grabbed them both and drag them all the way to the front gate.
"Ash what's going on put me down!" Misty yelled out as she was being carried bride style,
"Sorry but this isn't really the time to talk!" the orange haired girl took a peek behind Ash and saw a large mob of fans trying to catch up him at an amazing pace.
"Wha!!!!! What ever you do Ash, don't put me down!" she recollected her mind and held tightly on Ash's neck. Brock was being dragged by Richie but it seems like the love sick idiot just couldn't help but noticed so many girls that were chasing them. He couldn't believe it! It was his life long dream to be chased by obsessed women but now he's running away from them! The man couldn't believe his luck.
A few minutes later, the gang made a good distance between themselves and the crowd. "What happened back there?" Brock demanded an answer.
"What else do you expect?" Misty cut in his line, "Ash probably broke something and now he's being chased for it!" that was a complete and total lie from her. She knew why all those girls were after Ash, but she just wanted to make up a story to play a joke.
Ash was annoyed by her understatement, "Hey that's not what happened! It's because… because…"
Richie then interrupted, "Well it's kind of my fault actually hehehehe It happened like this…" Richie then began to tell the story, but it was hard for Brock to take it.
(Flashback)
The two trainers entered the shop when the store clerk yelled out "OH MY GOSH!!!!!" a thief was stealing an expensive looking pair of bags and plowed through the customers to get through to the exit. The security guard chased the man through the hall as carried a stick and blowing the whistle.
"Come on Richie let's get that thief!" the two boy and their Pikachus followed the guards to a small intersection at the east wing of the mall. Just when the thief was about to make a quick getaway, Ash took Bulbasaur out to and made a quick plan to stop the guy from escaping.
"Bulbasaur carry Pikachu with your vine whip!" the little plant like creature did exactly what his master ordered and Pikachu was now high above the crowd getting a clear view of the thief, "Now Pikachu use your thunder shock!" the little electrical mouse charged up the energy inside of him and let out a single bolt of lighting knocking the thief aside. "Ouch ouch! That hurts! Alright kid you wanna play rough I'll show you rough!" the low life criminal grabbed one of his Pokeballs and threw it into the air.
The ball opened and inside came out a Vulpix! "Just give it up! You can't escape!" Ash was furious that the criminal would use a Pokemon for such a mischievous act and now he was mad… really mad. "Alright Bulbasaur you're on!" the little frog jumped into the fray after dropping Pikachu down.
The thief laughed as he thought that the brat was still an inexperienced trainer. Plant Pokemon would be incinerated by fire types but Ash was confident about his Bulbasaur and so he didn't back down.
Vulpix charged in first with a tackle attack, but Bulbasaur dodged it. It used its razor leafs to draw the little fox's attack from the crowd. This went on for a little while until he the thief got impatient and quickly ordered it's Pokemon to use flamethrower.
Ash knew that this going to be bad, if the fire starts here then it will spread all over the mall. "Alright Bulbasaur let's finish this once and for all! Use your razor leaf attack now!" With a slight adjustment of accuracy, the leaf blended well with the fire of Vulpix power and flew right to the little fox and exploded upon impact. With a huge beating being taken, the thief's Pokemon fell unconscious on the ground.
While Ash was still busy celebrating, the thief took the opportunity to dash away, but the boy knew he would run and placed Totodile ahead of time. With a little splash of its water gun, the man was pushed by a power stream of water and fell into the fountain. The hero jumped with a good yell of victory over the scoundrel. He was proud of his Pokemons teamwork and congratulated them as well. The security guards walked off with the thief. The bag that the thief had stolen was full of diamonds and jewels that could set a man for life.
The two trainers returned the goods to the shop that had all missing accessories. It was a big accomplishment for Ash Ketchum.
"Oh thank you, thank you very much!" said the jewelry store manager. "Please, as a token of our gratitude: please pick any of the stones you see here!" the little midget manager opened up four beautifully colored gems which were bright, shiny and expensive looking. Ash had never seen such beautifully colored stones before. He used to see his mother with lots of accessories and jewelries before, but he could never tell a real crystal from a fake one. The old memories raced around his head like a tsunami, but it didn't bother him much… right now his thoughts were more focused on which to pick.
The garnet necklace showed signs of strength, the emerald bracelet showed signs of kindness, the Topaz ring showed signs of limitless energy, but one grabbed his attention. It was a blue aquamarine stone. It had nothing fancy, no rings or bracelet or any other attachments. It was just a stone sitting there. Like a frozen drop of water that would never melt.
"I'll take this one!" he said with a defining smile,
"Eh? Are you sure sir?" the manager looked absolutely confused with the boy's choice. Of all the nice things he could get he chose the cheapest of them all. The boy nodded and was even about to pay for it. The manager giggled and quickly wrapped the little stone the boy had chosen.
Just right when Ash left the store, Richie came by and gave his friend a good pat on the back. "That was some show Ash! You really showed him what you're made of" the word 'Ash' echoed through the ears of nearby customers as they past by. They stopped and took a good look on the boy.
"Hey it's him! Its Ash Ketchum of Pallet town!" just before they even realized it, Ash took a good look at the crowd that were coming after him and ran with all his might,
"Oh o… (the crowd begins to gather in large numbers) RUN Richie RUN!!!!" And the rest as they say is history.
(Back to reality)
"… and that's exactly what happened" Richie finally ended his story with a great sigh. Ash and the others were still exhausted from the freak panic run they'd just done. I guess this is the side effect of fame huh?
"Come on guys, let's find a place to stay for the night and we can find something to eat" Brock was definitely jealous of Ash. His life long dream was being carried out by someone much younger than him. He dropped to the ground deeply depressed but then he thought 'if a kid like him could do it, then I must be overqualified!' the mere thought of that sentence gave him a much needed boost of morale. He hopped around having happy thoughts of girls a thousand times more than what he just encountered.
"Well at least someone's having good day…" Ash sighed as he knew he couldn't stay in Goldenrod city. The shops and hotels had magazines and posters of his picture on them.
"I guess I forgot to tell you hehehehe. I didn't really notice it at first but your face has been popping up here and there nowadays"
"Thanks for warning us… too late" Ash replied annoyingly
Just as they moved around the city a reminder popped in the young trainer's head. "Oh that reminds me, I have to bring my Pokemons to the Pokemon center!" before he could take another step, Misty pulled his ear as the boy let out a soft scream of pain.
"Oh no you don't! You've caused enough trouble for one day, I'll take your Pokemons to the Pokemon center and you two just find us a place to sleep ok?! You can pick me up at the center after that" Ash knew that she was right. A visit to the Pokemon center would mean that there would be a lot of trainers who would recognize his face in an instant. Giving up the idea, he quickly handed her all his Pokeballs and left with Richie and Brock who was still hopping around like a kangaroo.
"Hey why don't you guys stay at my place?" Richie then remembered that his dad had built a guest room just recently. He wasn't finished decorating the place but it was good enough for three people.
"Hmm I think that would be a fine idea!" said Brock with a smile. Wouldn't it be better if they stayed in a nice comfortable hotel? Heck they even had enough money to get the most expensive hotel for two or three weeks. "Well if Ash is as famous as he is now, I have a feeling that we will be having the same crowd chasing us all over again. But… if we stay at Richie's place, no one will ever know that you're with him"
Richie sat on corner as he was hurt by Brock's comment, "I mean uh… he wouldn't be staying at a person less famous… oops" the comments brought Richie even lower.
"You're not really helping Brock. (walks to Richie) Don't worry Richie, I think what Brock is trying to say is: If I stay in your place I won't have to worry about crowd control" Richie sobbed until he was back on his feet with a full spirit again.
It was an hour walk to Richie's house. It wasn't the fanciest but it kinda reminded Ash of his home back in Pallet town. Richie sighed and took his hat as he entered "Well we're here" He took off his shoes and placed them in a rack. The other two did the same.
The house was beautiful. It was small, but spacious at the same time. There were two floors that were connected with stairs. A dining room was connected to the kitchen, a living room with a sofa and three comfy chairs facing the TV and a view of the wide golf course. This place was just like Ash's house except that it wasn't located in a city. "Dad I'm home!" Richie yelled out to the kitchen,
"Oh hi there son, oh I see you brought your friends along too" the old sea dog was wearing an apron and a hairnet. Something didn't look right about the old man's fashion. It more resembled Ash's mom in a male form. The mere thought gave him a slight chill in his body. The picture in his mind didn't look right at all. "Why don't you three wait in the living room I'll be with you in a minute (smoke begins to rise from the kitchen) Oh no my dinner!!!" the old man rushed towards the stove trying to turn it off. It seemed like the gas tank was about to blow until Brock switched it right into off mode. The entire group sighed heavily in relief until they could finally speak again.
Ash wiped the nervous sweat off his forehead, "That was a close one!" he stated but Richie just chuckled at him,
"Don't worry, this isn't the first time that dad nearly blew our house" Ash giggled slightly not knowing if he should take that as a joke or a warning.
Just as they sat down for dinner, they looked at the food that the old man had prepared. The old sea dog scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. The foods were unexplainable. There was a rib that was in a shape of a chicken and rice that seemed to have been over cooked and perhaps many more… unusual dishes.
"Ahehehehe… sorry about dinner I guess I'm not really cut out to be a cook" it was then Brock jumped into the spotlight, "Nonsense mister! You have great talent! The only you need is the motivation to drive you!"
"Yeah, you should let Brock teach you how to cook. He can make a few good mushrooms into a tasty treat with the right ingredients" the old man was tempted to accept Brock's free cooking lesson, but something kept telling him not to.
"Don't worry sir, take it as a repayment for taking us across the ocean!" with that aside the old man gave up and accepted Brock's tutoring.
"Oh well… why not, oh and call me Arthur, that's my name" Things were settling for awhile until Ash realized something he totally forgot!
"Oh man we forgot about Misty! How would she know we would be here?!" the three of them could already imagine what the short tempered girl would do if she found that they were in a nice cozy house while she was out there all alone in the cold. "I'll go get her you guys stay here!" Ash immediately took out his jacket and ran right towards the front door, "Wait Ash you might want (door slams)… to bring… an umb…rella" The young boy ran as quickly as he could through the darkness of the night. He didn't know which way to the Pokemon center so he had to rely on instinct.
(At the Pokemon center outside)
Misty sat on the waiting bench near a bus stop. The skies rumbled for awhile signaling that a storm would hit the city soon. "Where could they be?" Misty muttered to herself. She was beginning to think that her friends had forgotten about her, but they couldn't have… could they?
As she mumbled around with her egg like Pokemon, a few drops of rain began pouring down until a trickle became a flood… well not literally of course. "Well it's official, it can't get any worst than this" just as muttered those words out, a bus that was supposed to stop at the nearby post passed by incredibly fast splashing water all the way to the sidewalk. Misty was now soaked. She sighed heavily at the raining moment. She would be angry right about now but there was no one to yell at. "I just had to ask!" the girl was about to stomp on the ground until it breaks in half but she suddenly stopped when a familiar voice came ringing through the streets.
"Misty?! Misty! Hey Misty over here!" a lone figure came running through the pouring rain. His face was barely visible, but the voice determined that it was male. Misty would've welcomed him happily but instead he just gave him a good smack on the head.
"Where were you?!" her eyes sharpened and her voice grew much louder than a roaring Onix. "I was waiting here for hours and you guys didn't even bother to tell me where you were staying!!" Ash quickly bowed and apologize to her even though her fist was about to meet his head… again. "Alright I promise I won't hit if you can just get us to whatever place we're staying"
Ash smiled happily but when he looked back into the streets he remembered that he doesn't remember which way he came from. Without a second thought Misty placed a lump on his head. "Did you at least bring an umbrella?!" the boy once again shook his head with a smirk as the girl just placed another blow on his lump… OUCH! While they waited for a good place to find shelter without the fear of getting chased by Pokemon fans Misty noticed something was missing. She'd never seen Ash without his Pikachu clinging onto him or at least nearby somewhere.
(Back at Richie's house)
Brock was giving Arthur a little lesson about the three steps of cooking. He was surprisingly talented, but somewhat lacking in motivation to do anything but sailing. Usually by this time Arthur would've ordered a take out or something from the nearby food shops. Richie and his dad usually had instant meals and plain noodles. Brock then realized that it was getting kind of late. Usually Ash's mom would've already had his son to go to sleep, but it didn't seem like he had a curfew or anything.
"Those two are late" Richie said as he looked away from the TV.
Brock agreed to his statement, "Well Ash didn't have the best sense of direction back when we were traveling. Where's the Pokemon center anyway?" Richie then pointed to the back of the house. The Pokemon center was only a few minutes walk from here and yet Ash didn't stop to listen. Brock sighed and removes his apron, "I think I'd better go and get them, who knows how far Ash would've gone"
Immediately he took out two umbrellas and grabbed his rain coat from his bag. "Wait Brock, what am I gonna do with the (door slams)… stew?!" Richie couldn't help but giggle at his father's demise.
(In a fast food restaurant not far from the Pokemon center)
"I can't believe you forgot to bring an umbrella, uhg… I'm soaking wet" Misty was really angry now. She doesn't show it through her face, but her voice can really tell her inner feelings. It was good that there were no other customers hanging around, it was almost closing time, but the waiter thought that they had enough time for two good looking couples.
"So can I get you something sir?" said the waiter (guy) in a girlish tone,
"Uh… do you mind if we just have a few regular burgers and some orange juice please" Ash then sat on a soft bench that was nailed to the wall. Misty was still wiping herself with whatever dry towels she could get from the waiter.
"I still can't believe you forgot to bring your umbrella!" the orange haired girl frowned at him as she was still mad on how they abandoned her like that.
"Geeze I already said I'm sorry, I'm even buying you dinner already" but for some reason he knew it wasn't enough to make it up for her.
"Geeze you're so dense! You still owe me that bike and that's the only reason I'm following you!" Ash quickly noticed something else was behind her words. Something she wanted to say but didn't know how to express it, but just like she said Ash was too dense to realize it.
They took a bite out of their burgers until Misty finally calmed down a bit. She starred right through the window and gazed into the endless night. It felt like eternity passed by until she took another bite. Ash was halfway finishing his food but he just couldn't take the silence that went around the place. It's not like he didn't like it, it just felt strange. Usually by now Misty would be rambling about something or someone she knew long ago or perhaps even complaining about her sisters. But there was nothing, nothing absolute silence. Ash kept starring at her only to wonder what she might be thinking.
"What am I doing here?" that was the only question going through Misty's head. "I'm here to get my bike back! Yeah that's it, why else would I want to follow this creep? I saved his life so many times already… but I guess he did save me more than I could ever do. What am I thinking?! I just want my bike back that's it nothing more nothing less! I can't wait for him to pay me back already. Once I get my bike back, that's it I'm leaving! Yeah that's a good plan… but what do I do then? I can go and catch all the water Pokemons and become the best Water Pokemon Master!... That's right isn't it? It has to be… there's nothing else I can… (looks at Ash)" Misty deep thought was then rudely interrupted by a waving hand that snapped her back into reality.
"Hello… this is earth calling Misty, Misty are you there?" the girl immediately took out a mallet and whack her friend into his plate of French fries.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to think here!" she kept her cool as Togepi laughs at the boy's face. It was a hilarious scene of the day. Ash's hat flipped off into his glass of orange juice, his face was full of ketchup that made a perfect red nose and fries was sticking out of his hair like a circus clown.
Misty couldn't hold her funny bone anymore and burst into a loud stream of laugh. The waiters and waitress were also giggling at the boy's accidental joke. It was a laugh that would even make the dead jump and scream with delight. The laugh went on for minutes until the girl finally settled down. Ash removed the fries and other food products from his face.
"Feeling better now?" he muttered,
"As a matter of fact… I do" said the girl still giggling from the moment. They really didn't have anything to talk about. It was just pure dead silence again. The silence lasted for at least 2 minutes until Ash spoke up,
"Oh by the way, we're staying at Richie's house for tonight. Its kinda like my house except it's a little bigger" While Ash was still busy describing the minor details of the place, two badly disguised tourist eaves drop silently behind the seat next to them.
"Well what do you know, it's the twerp" said the middle aged man,
"That's strange, his Pikachu is usually next to him so where is he now?" said the cat like Pokemon
"Shhh! Quiet, if we want to know what they're doing then we have to be quiet!" said the red haired girl.
"Well from the looks of it I think they're having a date" suddenly a waitress came by with a polite manner,
"Um… can I get you something sir?"
"Oh we'd like two cheese burgers and two sodas please!" said the blue haired man,
"Don't forget a bowl of milk" said the Pokemon as he flinched his whiskers.
Before they knew it the short tempered girl with long red hair pulled them both back into hiding positions. "Listen you two, we have to get that Pikachu or the boss is gonna give us the…" she hesitated and gulp in her breath before saying a word only know to Team Rocker, "The Room…" the two of them paled as white as paper, whatever this 'room' maybe it was scary enough to frighten the bravest members of the gang.
"But Jessie we didn't even have diner yet and those burgers sure looks tasty!" Jesse looked back at him with a look that clearly says 'Are you that stupid?'
"You're the one who ate all that food we prepared!"
While the three of them were still arguing around, Ash and Misty were having the time of their lives. Neither of them thought of their dinner to be a date but no matter at which point you look at, they do look like young couples. After a few laughs and jokes and remembrance of how things went through their journeys, things became a little serious. Just when Ash was taking the last of the fried potatoes he looked at his side and believed that he heard Team Rocket's rambling. Suddenly he felt a slight warmth on his hand. Misty was also planning to get the last piece but instead they were pulling different sides of the potato (wow what a new beginning)
Ash blushed and quickly let go of the last snack potato (geeze). He felt tingly all over inside of him. Misty was blushing after taking the last piece. "Uh… thank you" she said quietly. Tension was building up. The cashiers, waiters/waitresses could not help but notice those two coming closer together. The air-con was strong but Ash was feeling all hot inside. Now realizing that they were both silent and quiet, the manager of the store told the security guard to catch all of this on the security camera… the moment was priceless!
Togepi was still muttering and wondering why they both look so red. It felt like an eternity had passed before they spoke up again. Just right after when Ash was about to say something (probably something stupid) a familiar squinty eyed face appeared on the window. The two of them gasped as they were caught by surprised by their friend. "Brock!?" said Ash after recovering from the shock.
"There you are! (walks into the restaurant) I've been looking for you all over the Pokemon center and to think you guys were here having a date"
Misty and Ash both shouted in unison, "We're not!"
After the little show back at the diner, our heroes walk back to the house of Richie and his father which was only a few blocks from where they were. Ash felt like the dumbest man on the planet after he walked right in. The rain had already stopped before Brock could find them and it seems like Arthur was able to cook a decent meal for once. Ash felt another rumbling in his stomach. Neither he nor Misty could believe it. He already had a burger, fries and fried potatoes and he's still hungry. Everyone then thought that his stomach was a portal to a black hole or something.
Misty was already way too full to see him eat any more so she quickly made herself at home in the guest room and went straight to bed. Ash on the other hand was desperately trying stuff himself with whatever was on the table. Brock got sick of eating just by watching at his friend squabble that entire chunk through his throat. Brock and Richie looked at their food for a moment and gave their share to him which he politely did NOT refuse. Arthur and his son were quite amazed that such a little boy like Ash could gobble down so much. Arthur felt proud that he could make such a delicious meal, but he then also felt nervous that the boy was about to finish everyone's plate.
It took about thirty minutes until Ash finally stopped. He didn't feel full, but he knew he just had to stop. He felt like there was some kind of hole in his stomach that was sending all of his energy away.
While all of them were still awed by the boy's incredible appetite, Arthur noticed the strange markings on Ash's right arm. He didn't say a word but it looked somewhat odd, not familiar just odd. "A boy of his age shouldn't be getting tattoos" Arthur thought to himself quietly. Just as the conversation went on through the night a familiar sound echoed through the living room. Pikapi… Pikapi… Pikapi… Pikapi! A Pokemon clock dangled from the wall. It had a Pikachu coming in and out saying the exact same words over and over again.
Arthur looked at the clock "Oh dear it's that late already? Well I guess its time for bed everyone. I only have two guest rooms so one of you will have to sleep in the living room tonight" Ash immediately volunteered as he was used to sleeping at uncomfortable places.
As they greeted each other good night, the lights were off and the noise fell silent. It was like the whole city fell into a trance. The street lights were still on and perhaps that was all the light this city ever needed during the night. The other fancy lightings from shops and department stores were just an eye sore for him. Things were quiet… peaceful and relaxing just like Ash wanted. He wished that this moment of silence could last forever, but it wouldn't as a dark figure rose next to him.
Ash quickly jumps out yelling in fear only to realize time had stopped… again. "Ohh… not again" he moaned. "What do you want now you… me… or whatever!"
DA was sitting on the table with one leg up on his chest. His cap continues to cover his eyes and his nose and mouth were visible but just barely. "Well Ash seems like you're up and ready" the boy gave his usual cold smirk that would freeze the hottest volcano a thousand times over.
"Listen, whoever you are, you're really starting to scare me. Just what do you want?!"
DA jumped down from the table and took a seat on the chair, "All I want to do Ash is to help you. That's really all" there was a scent of deceit behind the boy's words. It felt cold and empty yet he was smiling. "Since we don't have any interruptions I guess we can talk for awhile" the room darkened and everything was swallowed up into the night. Two chairs with handles appeared along with a two glasses of water standing on a small round table. "Come, have a seat" the two boys sat on the opposite sides waiting the other to make a move or something. "Have you made a decision yet? I mean we should leave for Valmarian city as soon as possible" DA grinned even wider as he said those words.
"What are you talking about? I'm going to reach the city by tomorrow!" DA shrug Ash's words aside as if they were nothing but lies. "That boat won't be leaving these shores. None of them will, but if you follow me Ash I can get you there before you even know it. The sooner the better" Ash was wondering why he was such in a hurry, in fact why was he in a hurry?
All these questions ran through his mind like a wave of ideas splashing down recklessly out of their categories. Pikapi… pikapi…pikapi…pikapi! The sound of the annoying clock rang through the darkness causing the place to become unstable, "I knew this would be too good to be true, but I guess I still have time. I'll see you again Ash Ketchum… oh and one piece of advice: Friends will only slow you down!" with those last words DA disappeared into the light and Ash awoke from his slumber.
The Pikachu clocked squealed over and over again, Ash was kind of grateful about it at the moment but he soon found it to be quite annoying. Richie woke up after hearing the sudden clock ramble. He went on and turned the alarm off the little clock as he rubbed his head. His eyes were barely focused and it looked like he could doze off standing at any moment. Ash tried to go back to sleep but his eyes remained opened. It felt like his other self was watching him.
"It's that dream again…" he muttered to himself, "What's happening to me. He held both his hand in front of him only to noticed small marks that were extending from the bite mark around his arm. What in the world is happening to him? Ash was now annoyed by the mark and quickly ran into the bathroom. He used the soap and whatever alcohol to rub away the stain on his arm but it was persistent. After a few minutes of rubbing and cleaning the boy finally reached the point to hurt himself. He let out a weak yell of pain and held his right arm. His arm was now decorated with a deep scar he made himself. The boy moaned and groaned on and on until he finally gave up and went back on the couch. He slammed a pillow on his face and took a loud scream off his mind. He didn't know why, but he was angry about something… something he couldn't do, but what was it?
By morning our little hero has had the rudest awakening. Pikachu shocked his master about a dozen times with no luck of waking up. The little mouse feared that his attacks might've killed him, but to his surprised Ash was still snoring like he just slept a few minutes ago.
Misty got annoyed with her friend's loud slumber and decided to give him a big whack in the head. The sound of the mallet smacking a head's skull was bone chilling and the memento it leaves behind was not pretty either. Lumps upon lumps upon lumps was all that would remain if you cross against Misty's magical mallet (I call it magical because it can come out of nowhere at any time)
"Just how long do you plan on sleeping there?" said Misty. Ash held his head in agony as he was still barely awake. "Hurry up and get ready! We're leaving for Valmarian city in two hours Ash!" Immediately the boy was pulled from his sleeping place and sent to the bathroom.
"Geeze... someone woke up on the wrong side of bed" he mumbled to himself.
The group arrived at the docks in exactly two hours, the clams were on board the ship already, but then something was wrong. It wasn't anything in particular it just felt wrong. "That boat won't be leaving these shores… none of them will" the words of his other self poke through Ash's head like a needle. He tried to succumb the feeling and ignore it but when his friends took a step inside he shouted out, "Wait guys!" everyone stopped and looked at him with confusion. "What's the matter Ash? Don't you want to go to Valmarian city already?" said Misty "I do… but something's not right" the group became more puzzled than before.
What's gotten into the boy? First he wants to go to the great city as quick as possible now he's hesitant to even step on the boat. Just when things were silent a familiar motto came into place.
"Prepare for battle and get ready for trouble!"
"If you don' like it then make it double"
"To protect the world from devastation"
"To unite all people within our nation"
"To denounce the evil of truth and………"
There little scene was cut short when Misty interrupted, "Yeah yeah yeah we heard it all before. Can we please get on with the fight already?!"
Jessie threw out a small steam from her nose, "Excuse me but we were already half way finished!"
"Can't you be more respectful to us? What happened to the noble hero-villain relationship?" James frowned
Meowth also had to agree, "Yeah that's right! We worked hard to make this slogan and we're not about to quit it!"
"Well that slogan of yours has been rambling for a long time now! four years to be exact! Listening to you makes me wanna wish that a Snorelax came up and sat on you guys!"
"Well someone's grumpy in the morning" James noticed
"Yeah, usually that twerp would be the one shouting by now"
"Grumpy?! Who's grumpy?! I'm not grumpy!!!"
"Whatever little lady, but back to business"
"Hand over that Pikachu or else!!" said Jessie as she pointed at the Pokemon in question. A long silence came by without notice
It was Ash who broke the silence, "Uh… or else what?" Team Rocket was still silent
Jessie continued to yell, "It doesn't matter just hand over the Pikachu quietly and no one gets hurt" The gang huddled together and whispered.
Richie stated first, "You know what I don't think these guys have any plans at all"
Ash nodded along with his Pikachu, "They must be getting desperate. Usually they'd have some sort of machine to suck up Pikachu or something"
Just before they knew it, Ash was right. A huge mechanical Gyrados surfaced from the sea hovering over the trainers. "Mwahahahaha you're trap now twerps!" said Jesse with an evil laugh. Brock, Ash and Richie fought back with almost every Pokemon they had but were still not enough. Brock's earth type was no match even to a mechanical machine. Richie and Ash's Pikachus thunder shock the giant iron beast but to no avail (it was iron duh!)
Brock summoned up his Onix and wrap itself around Gyrados trying to pull it onto shore where they can battle it out easily. Richie called out his Squirtle and fought equally with its water gun. Just when the mechanical Pokemon statue was on the surface it immediately launch two water torpedoes from its back and crushing Onix to the ground with swurly eyes. Brock called his stone giant back into his Pokeball knowing it fought well.
Things then went from bad to worst. As soon team rocket was done beating Brock, another mechanical Gyrados rose from the sea. "What the? You have back ups now?!" Ash yelled out. Team Rocket was just as confused as he was and they all gazed as to see if it was a new ally or enemy.
"Mwahahahaha! We must thank you Jesse for taking out Ash's little friends. We wouldn't be able to fight him on our own…" said the girl in black uniform. "But taking you out should be a snap!" the man continued for her. "Butch… Cassidy!"
"Oh no not these two again…"
Wobbuffet (correct spelling?): Woooobufet!
"Get lost losers this is our victory!" Jessie yelled at the two interuptors
The orange haired girl simply smugged, "Correct but we'll be the ones taking the glory! Butch, activate the water blaster!"
In a few moments the 2nd robot Gyrados fired a huge amount of water from its mouth blasting Jesse and James to a nearby building.
"You low lives! How much lower can you sink in your wickedness?!"
"Are you talking about them or us?" Meowth added
"Now we can finally deal with that little brat! (fires at the S.S Jennifer)
"NOOOO!!!!! Not my Jennifer!" Arthur pleaded as his boat sank to the bottom of the bay
"You idiot, I told you to blast the kid not the boat!"
The boat sank just below sea level. Since they hadn't reach out to sea the boat remained surfaced but just barely. With so much anger inside, Misty threw out Staryu and begins a battle against her enemies. Ash was still in shock of what was happening.
Staryu unleashed a deadly spinning attack, but it just bounced off Team Rocket's iron Gyrados. Staryu then tried a water blast attack but it too had no effect. The new Team Rocket laughed evilly on top of their victorious monster as it blast away Staryu to the pier. Before Butch was about to put the little star shaped Pokemon out of its misery, Misty ran over and held her Pokemon tightly. The power of the water cannon that the Gyrados had was incredible. If it could break a boat in two in just mere seconds how long will skin and bones last? The stream of water rushed through the robot Gyrados once again but Misty only held her Staryu tighter hoping to take in all the pain that she was about to receive.
Her body slammed against a board sign which shattered into pieces in an instant after contact. The orange haired girl fell to the ground wounded and barely conscious after the impact but Team Rocket wasn't done with her yet. They planned to take Staryu as a prize for their boss, but the Water trainer still refused to let go.
"Urrrrr…!!!! That idiot just won't let go of Staryu!" said Butch
"Fine then, just use the water cannon and blast her out of the way!" shouted Cassidy
Butch hesitated for a moment before initiating the water refill. Misty was bleeding all over from her face to her arms and it looked like she can't stand another blast like that. The water cannon may only be using water but there is a slight chance of it becoming a lethal weapon.
Just before Butch could activate the cannon an angry voice yelled out behind them. "NNNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!" Ash saw Misty's impeding disaster and leaped before even thinking of the consequences. He stood in front of mighty machine without fear as the blast of water flowed out from the mechanical mouth. The boy felt small drops of water on his skin until a sudden chill came upon Ash's mind which sent him to a place far away where no one could reach him (mentally). Everything was moving in slow motion like 'Matrix'. Misty slowly opened her eyes thinking either her or Ash would be blown away already, but it was neither.
As she looked closely to the attack, Brock's Onix was standing against the current. Brock barely noticed the incident until he realized that all his Pokemons were coming out even against his will.
However… his Pokemons weren't the only ones.
A silent out burst of a powerful wave struck throughout the city. All the Pokemons were attracted to the voice and were screaming in pain! Nurse Joy tried calming the wounded Pokemons that were in the nursery. Some of the creatures tried dragging themselves out of the Pokemon center to find out where the sound was coming from. Several trainers restrained their beloved Pokemons in anyway they can. After awhile it became total chaos all over the city. Officer Jenny called in for back up from the police department as she clobbered two or three rampaging Golems.
Ash's unexplainable aura returned to him once again this time it was stronger and could be felt anywhere within twenty miles. Birds and other creatures couldn't understand if they should run for safe haven or to follow the sound that rang clearly in their heads.
Ash swallowed up all his emotions before coming to his natural senses. He could hear voices coming from the Pokemons around him but couldn't quite make any word out of it. He could feel and see everything but it seemed like he wasn't in control of his own body. "Onix… squeeze attack… Staryu… water gun… Pikachu… thunderbolt… NOW!" all three Pokemons jumped into position and immediately obeyed his orders to the letter. Onix wrapped itself to the mechanical being holding it steadily into position while Pikachu used his electrical surge to Staryu's water attack which blended quite perfectly into the robot's mouth. The shock destroyed the upper half of the machine sending Onix down to the ground badly injured and both Team Rockets back into the blue sky. Ash quickly fell to his knees by the time the battle was over.
A few minutes later Misty was now able to stand up. Her body felt a little numb from the water blast but quickly her sights were now focused on the unconscious trainer. Just before our hero collapsed onto the ground Brock's Onix quickly leaped in and catch the boy even though he was heavily injured by the last blow. Brock quickly grabbed his friends and head towards the nearest safe haven they could find.
A few hours had past before things started to settle down. The Pokemons that went rampant caused considerable amount of damage before realizing what was going on. It was as if they were possessed by the sound that was barely heard by humans. The docks were a complete mess, the market districts and residential areas were in ruins and many others had seen better days. The police force which was lead by Officer Jenny had their hands full controlling the panicked crowd and catching Pokemons that were still on the loose. It would take months before things would run smoothly again in Goldenrod city.