V.C.: Welcome back

Phoenix: Hey

V.C.: today is a long chapter as a sorry for the wait.

Phoenix: today's quote is:

"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing."

― William Shakespeare, Macbeth

V.C.: Disclaimer in previous chapter.

Chapter 9

On the route back to Vermilion City Ash saw an interesting pokemon. It was a small purple snake like pokemon. Suddenly Meowth appeared. "Ey ain't you Jessie's old Ekans?" He questioned. "Ekkkannnsssss" the Ekans hissed. "Whaddya mean ya don' know what I'm talkin bout?" Meowth drew his claws and jumped only to fall back anime style from a Poison Tail. May frowned. "Meowth are you okay?" She asked worriedly. Ash growled angered slightly that this Ekans worried May. "Pikachu let's show this guy that you don't mess with us." Pikachu nodded in agreement jumping off Ash's shoulder. Ekans hissed at Pikachu. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu ran forward it's tail steel gray. Ekans countered with Poison Tail. The two moves met in a deadlock which sparked an explosion. Both pokemon were blown back. "Pikachu you okay?" Pikachu groaned tired from last night's training and the stinging sensation in his tail. Ekans slowly got up. Ash growled. "Come back." He called. Pikachu limped over to May to rest. "Okay Elekid I choose you." Ash said. In a flash Elekid appeared energized and ready to fight. "Thunder Wave." Ash said. Elekid sent a small shockwave through Ekans paralyzing it. "Now Go Pokeball" The device hit the Ekans in the head enveloping it in a red light the pokeball hit the ground and shook until it made a ding sound. Ash smiled about to pick up the pokeball when he noticed Elekid glowing white. When the light died down it revealed a tall yellow pokemon with many black stripes all over it's body. "Electabuzz." The new Electabuzz shouted. Ash marvelled over the newly evolved pokemon then shook his head and picked up the pokeball which contained the newly caught Ekans. He then returned Electabuzz. With that the quartet continued to Vermilion. Until they were stopped in the outskirts of Vermilion City. "Eh what're ya'll doin' back in mah town? Here ta re-fight me?" Lt. Surge smirked Ash smiled "No but it's nice to see you again Surge' he said. Paul shrugged. "Well it's good you're here cause these goons stole pokemon from the pokecenter." all four stiffened. "Any idea where they are?" May asked hopefully. "Yes actually out in the ol' warehouse an' since ya'll are tough I need ya help." Surge sighed. Ash looked at everyone who nodded. They followed Lt. Surge to an old rundown warehouse. They entered to find Jessie James and a sack of pokeballs. They noticed their unwanted company and acted quickly. "Dragonite go." James said. "You too Manectric." Jessie added. Ash gulped at the sight of a large orange dragon and nimble blue and yellow dog pokemon. "Jolteon help out." Lt. Surge said. Ash called out Gastly Paul called out Q May called out Torchic and Yellow called out her Mankey. "Dragonite use Hyper Beam." "Intercept with Shadow Ball." Ash said. Quickly Gastly sent a Shadow Ball at the Hyper Beam the move cancelled the Dragonite's attack however Jessie's Manectric quickly used Thunderbolt. Q jumped in front of Gastly despite being wet from water resistance training enveloping both pokemon in electricity. They both yelled in pain. "C'mon Buddy I know you can do it" Paul encouraged. "Gastly show them your just as strong." Both pokemons closed eyes snapped open they broke from the electric current and began to glow white the light faded to reveal a floating purple head with two hands floating below it and a brown pokemon with a skull covering it's face and a club in its right hand the duo scan the pokemon with their pokedexes and learned the pokemon were Haunter and Marowak "Q use Bone Rush." Paul smirked 'Haunter use Destiny Bond." Ash added noticing Dragonite rushing toward Haunter with Dragon Claw. The move hit knocking out Haunter but Dragonite was knocked out as a result of Destiny Bond. Ash returned Haunter in time for him to be tied up. By the Ariados's String Shot Marowak went to hit Manectric but it jumped causing Marowak to hit Jolteon by accident knocking it out. Lt. Surge returned Jolteon and he also was tied by the Ariados Paul glared as James called out a Zangoose "EARTHQUAKE!" He shouted. May and Yellow quickly returned their pokemon in time for the attack to knock out both pokemon Paul returned Marowak feeling the battle was over the Ariados shot String Shot and got both Paul and Yellow. Suddenly Meowth appeared very upset. "You two are hurtin' mah friends and I've had enough o' it" He looked at May who smiled at him "Oh you again" James scoffed "Listen it's you against us and since you've forgotten what you're up against we'll refresh your memory." James exclaimed "So prepare for trouble." 'Make it double." "To protect the world from devastation." "To,unite all people within our nation." "Jessie" "and it's James" "Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light" "Surrender now or prepare to fight" Meowth had to bite his tongue to resist saying his line then glared "Meowth I'll Fight" He said taking a spin on his old line. James glared at Meowth "Ariados use Poison Sting" Ariados shot a barrage of small purple stings at Meowth "Dodge then use Swift" May said Meowth jumped then swiped his tail forward sending several stars at the Ariados hitting hard. "Get up now" James demanded Ariados growled then got up "Good now use Signal Beam" Ariados sent a beam of green energy at Meowth too fast to avoid Meowth fell to one knee Jessie and James laughed "Ariados String Shot on his feet" Ariados complied then used the move on May James smiled deviously "Use Poison Sting on the girl." "NO!" Ash and Meowth screamed as Ariados hit May with the attack Meowth felt something snap then he went into a frenzy freeing himself and Ash accidentally. Meowth roared then suddenly a sphere of orange energy shot a beam of the energy from Meowth's mouth hitting Ariados hard knocking it out. James returned Ariados then he and Jessie used a smoke bomb to escape forgetting the stolen pokemon "Good job Meowth I'm so proud of you." May smiled Meowth blinked "Hey you're right I feel fuzzy inside I could just..." he cut himself off as he began to glow the light faded to reveal a large four legged cat pokemon with a ruby on his forehead "burst?" he blinked then smiled "I evolved" Persian exclaimed. Ash started to untie the others as May returned the happy Persian after everyone was untied Ash and friends returned the stolen pokemon to the Pokecenter and went to the Gym where Lt. Surge offered to let them stay for the night. "Yellow ya got some good pals" He told her she smiled "Thanks Daddy" she said. They hugged and the others smiled at the family moment. Ash and Paul looked at each other nodding the next morning the quartet and Surge were in front of the dock "Ya'll best be safe an' Paul take care o' mah daughta'" Paul nodded "We'll be careful and I'll take very good care of the girl I love" Surge nodded "That's all I wanna hear." A foghorn is heard. "I'll miss ya Baby Girl" Lt. Surge smiled at Yellow "You two Daddy" the horn is louder "Gotta go love you." she ran after her friends and boarded the boat which sailed off for Cinnabar Island

The Next Day.

Ash was worried about May after the attack from Team Rocket he sighed. "Everything okay Ashy Boy?" a familiar arrogant voice asked. He turned to see his old childhood rival Gary Oak he shrugged "Not really my girlfriend got hit by a Poison Sting yesterday and I'm worried" Gary nodded "I see she must be very important to you" he observed "Yeah I love her more than life itself." Ash responded. Gary smiled "Well tell ya what I know how you feel" Ash blinked "really?" Gary nodded "yup Leaf my girlfriend means the world to me and if she got hurt even a little scratch I'd go nuts over her health" "wow Gary that's exactly how I feel" he smiled "good cause that means you really care for her" he then looked off into the expanse of the sea "y'know Ash I think we're not that different so" he offered Ash his hand "friends?" Ash shook his hand smiling "friends" eventually the boat docked and everyone got off Ash looked at Gary "see you at the Pokemon League?" Gary grinned "Count on it Ashy Boy" before they could part ways Paul, May, Yellow, Pikachu, and a girl with long brown hair and bright green eyes approached them them the girl smiled at Gary "hey Gary" he smiled "hello Beautiful" he looked at Ash "Leaf this is my old pal Ash" he then noticed May and smiled "and what have we here? Ash's girlfriend perhaps?" May smiled "Yeah that's me May by the way" "I'm Paul Ash's brother" Gary blinked "hold it since when does Ash Ketchum have a brother?" Paul sighed "That is a long story" Yellow decided to change the subject "I'm Yellow Paul's girlfriend" Leaf smiled "it's nice to meet you all" they all nodded then the groups headed to the Pokecenter and checked in for the night. Paul noticed Yellow glancing out the window to the sandy area and water Paul got an idea "Hey Ash" he whispered. "yeah?" "I'm gonna take Yellow out to swim mind if we wait to challenge the gym?" Ash nodded "yeah then I can take May out" Paul smiled before calling "Yellow?" "yeah?" "wanna go swimming?" Yellow squealed "yes" he smiled "okay let's go" the couple changed into their swimsuits and left Ash and May alone she smiled at Ash "so Ashy what are you thinking about doing?" Ash smirked "hm how about this" he leaned forward and kissed May passionately she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer deepening the kiss after a few minutes they parted for air May smirked "I like the way,you think Ketchum" he grinned "then let's watch a movie." May grinned "yes"

Meanwhile

Paul could not take his eyes off Yellow she was enjoying herself in the waters near Cinnabar Island's shore she noticed Paul staring and smirked "enjoying the view?" Paul jumped five feet in the air out of surprise he gulped "oh h-hey Yellow" he stuttered her smirk grew as she got out of the water and walked over to Paul she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him he instantly wrapped his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss when they separated Paul smiled "I love you" she smiled "I love you too" they returned to the Pokecenter and entered to find Ash and May cuddled up on the couch fast asleep with a movie playing. Paul grabbed a blanket and covered them 'night bro' he whispered then took, Yellow into his arms and led her to the bedroom he laid her down gently and kissed her head "night Yellow love you" "night Paul love you too"

The Next Day Cinnabar Gym

The quartet entered and were in awe of the pool of lava below the battlefield an elderly man walked out onto the field "I'm Blaine and this is my gym where fire burns brightly no matter what shall we begin?" Ash and Paul nodded "very well I shall battle you both one at a time one pokemon each" they nodded "alright let the battles begin"

Paul looked at Ash "I'll go first" Ash frowned "why?" Paul sighed "think about it you need more time to develop a strategy than I do" Paul explained Ash groaned "I hate when you're right" Paul smirked "then it's settled I shall battle Paul of Pallet Town one pokemon each" Paul and Blaine took their spots on the battlefield "Arcanine I choose you" Blaine chose in a flash a large red canine with a white mane and black stripes going down it's body Paul bit his lip "take your time and choose wisely for it will decide your fate" he smirked "Marowak can't go out he may know Close Combat Shuppet isn't ready for a gym leader but maybe…" Paul thought then nodded "Dratini let's rock 'n' roll" Blaine blinked in confusion "a...Dratini? Not say a ground type?" Paul shook his head "I trust the might of a dragon like Dratini" Blaine sighed "You have made your decision now we shall fight" "Ok." Paul shouted Blaine sweat dropped "alright Arcanine Flamethrower" "Dratini dodge then use Dragon Rush" Dratini barely slithered out of the attacks range then charged forward it's tail glowing bright purple "Arcanine intercept with Crunch" Arcanine's fangs glowed dark purple and went down on Dratini's tail just before Dratini was about to hit Arcanine Dratini screamed in pain "Dratini" Paul called worriedly Dratini opened its eyes and ignored the pain and swung its tail while inside Arcanine's mouth hitting the original attack Arcanine let go and howled in pain allowing Dratini to slither back to Paul "atta boy Dratini" Paul smiled Dratini nodded then growled lowly at Arcanine Dratini then lunged at Arcanine it's tail emerged in water Ash blinked "that's Aqua Tail wow Paul trained Dratini well" he thought meanwhile the Aqua Tail made direct contact with Arcanine's head Dratini then jumped back Arcanine took a shaky step before fainting "Arcanine" Blaine ran over to his friend then looked at Paul "I underestimated you Paul therefore you win the Volcano Badge" Paul smiled as Blaine handed him his badge Ash May and Yellow walked over to them Paul smiled "well you should never underestimate the power within a dragon" Dratini smiled at that comment overjoyed with Paul's trust in it Dratini began to glow a bright white catching the attention of Paul,and friends "Dratini…" Paul looked in awe as Dratini grew into a long snake like creature the light faded to reveal a long purple snake like pokemon with a gray underside "Dragonair?' Dragonair asked Paul grinned "one step closer to Dragonite" he thought excited Ash smiled "great job I'm next" Blaine laughed nervously "yeah about that...I kinda can't battle you until tomorrow" Ash frowned "look at it like this Ash now you have more time to train" May said optimistically Ash nodded "right" Yellow hugged Paul and the duo kissed

Later that Evening

Ash had all of his pokemon out "okay listen up guys I can only use one of you Pikachu you're strong but fire types are neutral to electric moves" he looked at Electabuzz "same for you buddy" he then looked at Butterfree and shook his head "bug types are weak to fire sorry Butterfree" he sighed then looked at Ekans and haunter "you guys need a bit more time before you enter the gym field" he then looked at Pidgey he sighed "I feel bad for forgetting I caught you but you're really not ready for battle" unlike the others who understood where he was coming from Pidgey glared and flew over to a native pokemon and began to peck it harshly Ash gasped in horror "Pidgey calm down I promise to train you soon please stop" Pikachu saw enough it released a low voltage Thunderbolt knocking out Pidgey and harming the native red crab pokemon Krabby Ash then had an idea he searched his bag and pulled out a pokeball "go" he simply exclaimed throwing it at the water type pokemon it captured the Krabby and then disappeared Ash returned his pokemon and went to the Pokemon Center and went to the PC he swapped Pidgey for Krabby and sighed before heading back out to begin training.

Later that night

Ash sighed as he returned the tired pokemon to their pokeballs and went to bed excited for tomorrow.

To Be Continued...