A man stood on the edge of the cliff as he gazed at a building from afar, next to him was a huge fire dragon with it's emerald eyes glowing in the dark, it's wings were large and strong.
"You know charizard, its been a long time since we haven't seen Ash... I hope Delia finds it in her heart to forgive me." The man spoke in a somber voice as he stared at his charizard that he has since it was a little charmander. His charizard looked at his trainer and smiled.
"Char-charziard-char."
"Huh, you think?" The man chuckled as he petted charizard's head, he stopped smiling and looked at the building before he mounted on top of his charizard.
"Remember charizard, leave no evidence behind." Charzard nodded and it flew towards the sky, as it reached a high attitude the charizard unleashed a streaming heat of flames at the building, burning everything inside the building, and outside. Screams of terror and fear were heard, but the man did not care, it was his job, a job that he hated it, but it was still a job that must be completed.
Meanwhile Ash and his co were on their way to Cinnabar island though to get there, the 4 trainers must head back to Vermilion city and take a ferry to Cinnabar.
"Man how much further?" Ash took his hat down and ran a hand through his hair. Brock read his map and sighed.
"Well it will take at least 3 more days on foot." Ash groaned and kicked the dirt beneath his shoes. That's when Erika decided to bring a topic up, she was getting bored too.
"Hey Ash, what are you going to do after you become a pokemon master." Erika asked as her bellossom was playing with her female nidoran. Ash blinked his eyes, he actually never thought about that, he actually don't know the reason why he wants to become a pokemon master, it was his dream but for what purpose?
"I don't know, maybe I'll be fighting evil organizations like now." Brock listened intently and nodded, the responsible of a pokemon master is huge, if only Ash knew the true meaning to become a pokemon master.
"Ash if and that is IF you defeat Lance, who would you choose for your elite 4?" Misty asked as she raised her eyebrow, Ash looked at Misty and sighed, why does everyone today have to ask him so many questions that he couldn't answer.
"Well...I guess I won't replace the current elite 4, or else they'll be jobless." Misty grumbled and nodded, it's true though, what else would they do if they lose their position as the elite 4-
"Actually Ash, Lorelei is also a teacher, she teaches the new generation about pokemon, plus she can always be a model *giggles lustfully*. *Cough* As for Agatha, *clears throat* she is getting old Ash, she won't be a elite 4 for much longer. Lance though is also the Johto champion, so if you do become the Kanto champion, I think Lance will prefer to become solely the Johto champion plus with Karen there hehe who wants to leave? Bruno though... he might be working for the g-men, with all of the elite 4 leaving, I think Bruno will leave too." Ash looked at Brock with a weird look, why was he giggling when he mentioned Lorelei and Karen?
'Really, I guess it does make sense... but can I ever become the Kanto champion? Lance is so so powerful, could I even defeat his weakest pokemon?' Doubt was slowly rising in Ash's mind, something never happened often.
"Ash?" Erika shook Ash's shoulder causing him to snap back to reality.
"Huh?" He looked at his friends who looking at him with their worried eyes.
"You okay?"
"Yeah I'm fine." Ash looked at pikachu and patted his head. Brock looked at Ash for a moment and smiled.
"Ash there is a festival that will be held not far from here at night, what do you say we all go there, and have a great time?"
"Really? A festival does sounds fun, what do you say pikachu?" Pikachu looked at its trainer and nodded.
"Pika-pika."
"It does sounds fun Brock, how far is it?" Erika asked as she carried her bellossom and nidoran, she giggled when the 2 were trying their best to get their trainer's attention. Brock rubbed his chin and snap his fingers.
"Well it is next to the Crimson lake."
"Crimson lake? Sounds kinda creepy." Misty was trying her best to ward off her psyduck who kept giving her bouquets of flowers.
"Well according to the map, it is called Crimson lake because during a full moon, the lake mysterious glow red."
"Whoa, that sounds cool!" Ash said in excitement, a lake that glows red during a full moon? Count me in!
"Yeah it is, and the town host a special event whenever that night is the night with the full moon."
"What kind of event Brock?" Erika recalled her nidoran and petted it's pokeball before putting inside her pocket.
"Well it host a dancing event, where all of the pretty ladies come out and dance." Brock said with a goofy grin. Erika and Misty looked at Brock in disgust before they looked at Ash, who was err, playing with dratini who curled on his neck affectionately.
"So Ash you up for it?" Misty asked, trying her best not to steal dratini away from Ash.
'I still can't believe Ash caught dratini.' Misty thought jealously.
"Yeah sure, we could go relax and-"
"GREAT!" Brock the dragged his companions hands to-
"To Ballach town!" Brock shouted in anticipation.
"Brocko slow down!" Ash shouted as pikachu cling to Ash's for his dear life. As soon as Brock reached the town, his sighed in happiness.
'Imagine the girls, dancing with me and swaying their hips and body...' Brock's imagination is definitely not a place for a kid. While Brock was busy 'imagining', Ash looked at the town, it was really beautiful, flowers were everywhere, kids were playing with pokemon and adults were -arguing?
"I told you, we all are in grave danger! With team Rocket's hideout exploited, they will roamed around the towns of Kanto to kidnap, hurt and abuse pokemon and perhaps hurt innocents! You all must heed my warning and formed together to remove this dangerous threat!" A mysterious man with turquoise hair said while talking to the mayor of Ballach town.
"You're crazy, I don't want you to spread false rumors and cause panic to my town or any town of Kanto, or else I'll have the police to arrest you, do you understand?" The mayor spoke in a gruff and angry voice. Having enough with the 2 people arguing Ash stepped in.
"What's going on?" The 2 adults looked at Ash and widened their eyes, recognizing him.
"You! You're the boy who took out team Rocket's hideout in Celadon city!" The mysterious man said in shock.
"Err yes?" The man glared at Ash coldly.
"Do you have any idea what terror is about come before us!? Team Rocket now grows restless, losing it's main source of income and place to plan their heinous plans would make them angry, with no place to hide they will target peaceful citizens alike, not caring if they got caught since they're only place of their hideout is gone, chaos and destruction will be everywhere. Have you not thought about your actions boy? Have you ever though what will be consequences of your actions? To your friends, your family!? You should have not done anything about it and leave it as it be!" Brock who has enough of the man's lecture glared at the old man, he wanted to give him a punch to his face so bad.
"You don't know anything! Team Rocket was already targeting innocents and pokemon from the start, who do you think you are old man? Do you have any right to judge us? What would you do in Ash's situation huh?! Stand there do nothing knowing that you know where is team Rocket's hideout? Innocents in the future that are hurt and scarred will be the guilt of your life, could you live with that? Could you sleep at night knowing that you could have prevented this!? Who the hell you think you are?!" The man stared at Brock before he huffed and walked off, but not before looking back.
"I've wasted my time here, you all are foolish, major crime organization like team Rocket shouldn't be meddled with, especially by a 10 years old who knows nothing about the world. But if one of you does foolishly exploit a crime organization, then we all should ban together and deal with this threat, permanently!" The man called his alakazam out and the duo teleported out. The mayor mouth a cursed word before he looked at Ash and his co. Erika though looked at Ash worriedly, his dratini eyes turned sad and nuzzled Ash's cheek as she whimpers.
"Ash? Are you okay?" Ash tipped his cap down and walked to the pokemon center wordlessly, pikachu then jumped off Ash's shoulder and dratini got off Ash's neck as she slithered on the ground looking at it's trainer as he walked off.
"Pikapi." Pikachu comforted little dratini and glared at the direction the man left.
"That bastard." Brock cursed under his breath and looked at the pokemon center that Ash entered.
'I hope Ash is okay, just when he was his normal self again that bastard has to mess it all up.'
"Who was that guy?" Misty asked angrily, her mallet was ready to hit anything.
"I don't know Misty, but if I see that guy again..." Brock said in a cold voice.
'That man... who is he, his alakazam looks strong but who is he?' Brock pondered a bit, and how does he know that the game corner in Celadon city was their only hideout?
"Brock maybe we should go comfort Ash, he needs our support now." Erika said in a soft yet worried tone, Brock broke his train of thoughts and looked at Erika.
"Good idea Erika, maybe you should go and comfort him, after all he seems open up to you than us." Erika looked at Brock with a slight blush but agreed nonetheless, she placed Bellossom down and walked inside the pokemon center with her heart beating slightly for some strange reason. The pokemon center doors opened as Erika stepped in the pokemon center, she looked around her and saw nurse Joy tending some baby pokemon.
"Excuse me nurse Joy." Nurse Joy turned to Erika and smiled.
"Yes can I help you?"
"Did a boy who is wearing a cap pass by?" Nurse Joy smiled sadly and nodded.
"Yes, but he seems very sad. He is at the pokemon battlefield, poor boy I wish I can comfort him." Erika frowned and went to the pokemon center's battlefield. She opened the doors and saw Ash who is sitting on a bench while looking at his hands. Thinking of what kind of approach she is going to use, she slowly walked towards Ash and put her hands on her chest.
"Ash?" Erika whispered softly as she stood in front of him, Ash raised his head slowly only to find Erika gazing at him with those green worried eyes. Seeing those sweet, innocent eyes, he couldn't help but to smile slightly.
"H-hey Erika." Erika winced after hearing Ash's cracking voice, the old man's words must have really hurt him. Erika sat down next to him and put her hands on her lap.
"Ash don't believe a word that man says, you did what was right, that man was clearly crazy."
"I know, it just that... what if that guy was right? What if I should leave it as it be, I mean if I leave it as it be then maybe they won't cause that much trouble." Ash lowered his head in despair causing Erika to sigh and to sit closer to him.
"Didn't you hear what Brock said Ash?" Erika spoke softly, Ash raised his head and nodded.
"I did but... do you think the old man was right? I mean I am putting my friends and family in danger... and without a place to hide, team Rocket will cause chaos and destruction to the people and pokemon of Kanto..."
'Ash team Rocket has been doing that from the start.' Erika thought to herself.
"Ash, that man is clearly crazy, don't you think is weird that he told people not to mess with organizations like team Rocket, but tell us to band together and destroy the organization permanently if someone exploit them?" Ash turned his head to the smiling Erika which unknowingly causing him to blush.
'She's right! That man is kinda like a hypocrite, but then again...'
"I-I don't know Erika, I'm not sure I'm ready to become a g-men." Erika knew that this is not the Ash she knew for a short time, the strong willed, determine and energetic Ash. she looked at him and smiled again.
"Ash, I may not know what the future holds, but I know that perhaps this is your destiny, your fate to become g-men. Ash I know you have great potential, you have the power and the traits to become a g-men, don't ever doubt yourself okay? You are an amazing person, you're brave, strong and you love pokemon, I'm glad that I have you as a friend Ash, and to be honest you are the first male friend I ever had, and that means that you are really special Ash...at least to me." Ash looked at Erika and felt his heart raced slightly, no one other than his mom have ever said such beautiful things to him.
"T-thanks Erika, I-I guess you're right, I'm not who I am right now, I can't let the words of that crazy man get the best of me!" Ash said in a more confident tone, making Erika to sigh in relief, glad that her approach worked. She blushed when she thought of another way to make Ash feel better.
"Ash" Ash turned his attention to Erika again.
"Hmm?"
"I never got to really thank you for saving bellossom." Erika said a bit shyly with her cheeks blushing slightly.
"Hey you're welcome." Ash said with his trademark grin. Erika then surprise Ash by giving him a hearty hug, which causing him to blush furiously for some unknown reason.
'Her hair smells kinda nice.' They smell like flowers, hehe of course they do.
Erika continued to hug Ash for a few more seconds before she let go of Ash and looked at the other direction.
"That's for saving bellossom." Erika brushed her kimono in a fidgeting kind of way, Ash blinked his eyes and smiled.
'Erika sure is nice, up until now only mom gave me a hug like that, I wished she can hug me longer though.'
"Brock and the others are worried for you too Ash, we should let them know that you're okay." Ash nodded and the 2 started to walked out of the pokemon center.
'This is awkward' Ash looked at Erika before looking straight in front of him.
'Maybe she wasn't used to hugging someone, but why do I feel so awkward?'
'I hope Ash doesn't think I'm weird, gosh what was I thinking' Erika was starting to regret her decision to hug Ash. They opened the pokemon center door causing Brock and Misty to look at them.
"Ash!" The duo ran to them.
"You okay?" Ash merely nodded, he was still thinking of why did he feel awkward just now.
"Ash?" Brock shook the raven hair boy's shoulders.
"Huh? Oh I'm fine guys, really I am, c'mon we still have to check in the pokemon center." Ash said in a chivalrous tone. Misty looked at Erika and wondered what she said or did to Ash to make him feel himself again, as soon Ash and Brock both entered the pokemon center with pikachu and dratini clinging close to Ash, Misty stood next to Erika.
"So Erika, what did you say to Ash?" Misty raised her eyebrow, Erika who picked bellossom up looked at Misty.
"I just told Ash what he needed to hear." Misty grumbled slightly, she stopped before the doors of the pokemon center.
"And what exactly he needed to hear?" Erika sighed inwardly, she really doesn't want to deal with Misty right now, knowing that Misty likes Ash. She looked at Misty for a sec before she entered the pokemon center.
'She ignored me, she ignored me!' Misty thought bitterly, NO ONE has ignored her before, not even Ash who once chose to groom his pokemon than to help Misty who is surrounded by creepy bug type pokemon, yeah no one has ignored her! Misty huffed and entered the pokemon center, as usual Brock is doing what he does best, failing at flirting. Ash was hugging dratini like a father hugging a daughter, Erika was petting dratini's head, she was too attached to the cute baby dragon pokemon with those huge and black eyes carrying innocents of a baby.
"Hey nurse Joy do you have any room left?" Nurse Joy shifted her attention from Brock who was looking at her with his creepy squint eyes, those eyes of desperation and desire! She looked at Ash and gasped slightly, remembering him.
"Oh there is, but are you alright young man? Are you okay, you were pretty sad just now." Ash nodded as he tried his best to avert his attention from dratini, she is just so cute!
"Yeah I'm fine nurse Joy, thanks for asking." Nurse Joy smiled sweetly and nodded.
"My pleasure, yes we have rooms but we only have one but it is big enough for the 3 of you." Nurse Joy said as she gave Ash the room key.
"4!" Misty shouted as she held Brock by his ear, nurse Joy sweatdropped and nodded.
'Wow 4 of us in one room? I guess Brock and I will be sleeping on the floor.' Ash sighed, he wanted to sleep on a soft and warm bed so badly. Nurse Joy then looked at her watch 7:09 PM, she put her hands on her face when she realized what time was it.
"Oh dear I'm late, it starts at 8:30." Nurse Joy quickly got out of the counter and went to the changing room making Ash confused.
"Late for what?"
"I think she is referring to the festival Ash, I think we should get ready too." Erika said as she took her red hairband off.
"Right." Brock who regained his senses went to their one room along with Misty, and their(or Misty's) reaction wasn't pretty.
"How are we supposed to sleep here? There are 4 of us!?" Misty whined, they were 2 beds that are separated, one bathroom and 2 cabinets. The space of the room of fortunately ideal for 2 sleeping bags, but why was Misty complaining?
"I'm not going to share a room with this pervert!" Brock raised his hands in defense.
"Hey Misty I'm not a pervert I'm just a sophisticated guy who admires the beauty and grace of a woman." Brock said in a poetic tone, Misty rolled her eyes and looked at Ash who kept nodding his head while glancing at the room.
"C'mon guys we have to get ready for the dance, we have a hour and quarter time left to prepare, we don't have time to argue so Misty why don't you go first?" Ash said in a surprisingly gentlemen and calm tone, Misty looked at Ash with a shocked look, wow he really done it this time.
'I bet Misty will take an eternity to get ready' Ash thought to himself.
"But we don't have the formal clothing for the dance." Erika put her hands on her hips.
"Don't worry guys, I got it all covered up!" Brock then quickly exited the room and went to the back of the pokemon center's room to 'take' a few clothes.
"These clothes were meant for visitors like us to wear for the special event." Brock how did he know where the clothes is? Unless he followed nurse Joy into the changing room...
"Great! Thanks Brock." Ash said as he placed his all too familiar cap down.
They then quickly changed their clothes, Misty took the longest, not surprising, she was using that perfume that she bought from Celadon city. They took turns and all of them finally wore their formal clothing. Brock wore a purple tuxedo with a purple bow tie, Ash wore a dark blue suit that with a white collar shirt beneath it, Erika wore a green dress with dark green lines that has lines patterns that suited her well, she also did not wore her red hairband. Misty was err... she looks great that's all you need to know!
"Ack! Where is my hairbrush?!" Pikachu sweatdropped as he watch Misty digging through her backpack to find her hairbrush. Brock sighed and looked at the wall clock with a lazy eye.
"What! it's 8:20 already!" Brock shouted comically, he knocked Misty down as he went into the bathroom to look at the mirror. He open the faucet and wet his hands to comb his hair. He adjusted his bow tie tighter and goggled his mouth with a mouth wash called listerine.
'The ladies would love a fresh and clean man like me.' Brock grin at his reflection and snapped his fingers multiple times while walking back.
"Huh guess we better go down then." Ash let pikachu climbed onto his shoulder, he recalled dratini wanting her to get much rest. The co went to the town hall and man Brock looked like he was in paradise, girls in dresses that show off their figure.
'Wow is that nurse Joy! She looked absolutely beautiful!' Indeed she did, she had a red rose in her pink bubblegum hair while wearing long crimson dress that perfectly suited her. Brock eyes were out of its sockets and he immediately rushed towards her.
'There goes Brock.' Ash chuckled mentally, he looked around him, the festival was kinda nice. The people were having a great time, so are the pokemon.
'But the best thing here is... the food.' Oh yes food, where men try to get partners for their dance Ash only thinks about food, of course if you are the shy, antisocial, quiet, doesn't like social events, hates being around crowded people, wishing that you can stay at home instead of being there, and the type of guy to not flirt with girls and look from afar then you probably be the guy who is hogging the empty tables and eating all the food.
"Ash!" Misty took Ash's arms and you guessed it, she wanted to dance with him.
"Misty what are you doing!" Ash shouted in despair as he watched pikachu jumped to the table fill with food, leaving him alone with Misty.
"C'mon Ash let's dance!" Ash flailed his arms wildly, the food were so close! Yet so far. Misty pulled Ash to the center of the town and looked at him with what Ash's believe is a face of pure evil. Erika watched form afar and can't help but to feel jealous, she sighed when she noticed Misty's psyduck came out from it's pokeball. As soon as psyduck saw Misty he immediately have hearts in its eyes and went to hug Misty's leg, causing her to fall, yeah because being hugged by a love struck pokemon on the leg tightly while dancing in the same time would have some difficulties.
"Psyduck!" Misty roared, her dress was covered by dirt now. She got up and chased her psyduck who is surprisingly running away from her, why won't he take his chance and hug an angry, pissed off and enraged Misty?
'Hmm talk about luck, maybe... I could dance with Ash?' Erika was still a girl after all, sure she is mature and understanding but she is still a young girl at heart. She blushed slightly and slowly walked towards a confused looking Ash.
"Ash." Ash turned around and saw Erika who's eyes sparkled in the radiant moonlight.
"Hey Erika." Erika went closer to him and talked in a soft voice.
"Would you like to dance?" Ash blinked his eyes, first Misty now Erika.
"But I don't know how to dance!" Erika put her hand on her mouth while giggling slightly.
"Is okay, just go with the flow of the music." Erika hesitantly put her hands on Ash's neck and slowly closing the distant between them, Ash on instinct place his hands on Erika's waist, not knowing where this is going.
"So how do I?-" Erika didn't reply as she took another step forward and slowly danced with him, Ash just kept quiet and studied Erika's movements
"Okay so I put my food forward and you put your foot backward, vice versa and we keep repeating the process." Ash mumbled to himself, Erika giggled as she watched Ash try his best to dance with her.
"You're doing great Ash." Erika continued to dance with Ash who is looking around him.
'Why is everyone looking at us?' He was receiving a lot of looks, and the one from Brock's was the most disturbing of them all, a very cocky smirk. The music stopped and Erika let go of Ash.
'Is it over already? Aww man dancing with Erika was so fun.' Ash thought to himself, it was kinda nice dancing with her. Erika ushered Ash to the sides as the mayor of the town started to give a speech. Ash sat next to Erika and as he listen the annual speech, he glanced at Brock who was flirting with a group of girls, nothing unusual. Misty was uh... she was behind Brock with a mallet, ready to hit him.
"Hey Erika, thanks for the dance." Erika looked at Ash and smiled, glad that he enjoyed it.
"Your welcome Ash." As soon as the festival ended, the co went straight back to their room.
"I'm beat." Ash said as he flopped onto the bed.
"Eh hmm." Ash looked at Misty who is looking at him sternly.
"This is my bed Ash, yours is right there!" Misty pointed at the floor, Ash grumbled as he got off the bed reluctantly and went to his sleeping bag.
10:49 PM
Ash looked at his pokedex with his eyes wide opened, he was still thinking of the man's words.
'That man maybe right... what if I'm really just causing trouble, what do I know about the world. All I know is pokemon, pokemon and pokemon!' Ash tossed and turned and decided to make a walk to clear his mind. He got dressed and carefully exited the room without waking anyone up. He got to the center of town and looked around him.
'Was Erika right? Am I really suitable to become a G-men?' Ash clenched his fists as walked around the town.
"Greetings boy." Ash turned and saw the same man looking at him, he tensed slightly and reached for his pokeballs, only to realized that he didn't bring his pokeballs with him.
"You're that man!" The man nodded as he looked at him with a softer look.
"I'm here to apologize my actions for before, I mean not to cause you distress or discomfort." Ash stared at him and nodded slowly.
"You see I grew a hatred against team Rocket, and I don't want anyone to get involved with them, especially a 10 year old like you. My goal in life was to create an organization that will destroy all evil crime organizations."
"Wait then why won't you let me take team Rocket down?" The man started to laugh callously, making Ash unease.
"Boy you cannot handle it ALONE, you are just a 10 year old who have not seen the world yet. Things like these should be handled by us adults, and more importantly me. Do you know why I hate team Rocket? I was actually once a member of team Rocket, until I realized my wrong doings. I was actually Giovanni's right hand man, yes the man you defeated was actually my colleague. I rebelled against him when I realized my actions and so I decided set things right. The police of Kanto wouldn't do a thing, they are all cowards and all are useless. In all honesty I was impressed, you are a boy who is filled with great potential, but if you do wish to take out evil organization groups, join me and together we ensure peace to the pokemon and us humans alike, my 'people' will welcome you to join our cause." Ash looked at this man, this man wants him to join an organization to defeat another organization.
'This man wants to stop all evil organization by creating a group of its own, and he wants me to join his group?'
"So you are offering me?" The man nodded.
"Yes but it is your choice afterall, however I do wish you consider it." Ash got a bad feeling in his gut, something tells him this man's intentions were good, but his actions wouldn't be.
"Sorry but no." The man's face dropped slightly, he nodded.
"I see, well I wish that you do reconsider. Together we can create a better world in the future, farewell Ash." The man started to walk off.
"Wait! What's your name?" The man turned around and smiled at Ash.
"Proton." The man left the place leaving Ash to ponder alone, Ash walked back to his room and slipped back to his sleeping bag.
"Ash?" Ash looked at Erika.
"You're awake?" Erika nodded.
"You went out?"
"Yeah I went to have a walk to clear my head." Ash whispered, careful not to wake the his companions up.
"You comfortable on the floor?" Ash nodded, it was no big deal.
"Yeah I'm used to it, well good night Erika." Erika smiled at Ash as she watched Ash closing his eyes.
"Good night Ash." She spoke in a soft voice before she laid down on her bed.