Evolution
By Jaxxon
Part Nine – Love TM #45
Winter has come and the first snow has fallen over the little town of Pallet, and in the cold weather, things are heating up for a former Pokémon Master.
~§~
"No, Ash, it's a -190," Gary sighed as he threw down his pencil. "For being so smart in history and science, I thought you would be better in math."
"Calculus isn't math," Ash replied. "It's cruel and unusual punishment."
"Maybe," Gary said as he flipped through the pages of his book, "but you really need to study for this test."
"Right," Ash groaned as he picked up his math book. "All right, let's go over that problem again."
The bell rung, signaling the end of study hall.
"Well, maybe we can work on this after school," Gary suggested as they packed their bags.
"Sorry," Ash replied, "but I have to work at the lab this afternoon. How about tonight?"
"Not good for me then," Gary sighed. "I promised to help May move some new furniture into her apartment."
"Well, tomorrow afternoon," Ash replied.
"Yeah, hopefully we won't have another bomb dropped on us," Gary sadly laughed.
~§~
Ken had that amused look on his face while the rest of the class napped through biology. Often during the period, he corrected the teacher about minor points, which fell on deaf ears. Ash wondered how much about pokémon the new guy knew.
"You sure know a lot about pokémon," Ash greeted after class.
"I was a pokémon watcher for a little while," Ken explained. "I studied most the species in Kanto and some of the more common ones in Johto. The rest, I picked up from some of my friends back home."
"And where exactly is that?" a girl who eavesdropping asked.
"I'm from Cinnabar Island," he replied.
"Then you must know Blaine," Ash interrupted.
"Blaine?" Ken replied. "What about him?"
The bell then rung.
"I better get to class," Ken said as he closed his locker. "Later, fire boy."
"My name is Ash!" Ash shouted.
"Then you're a burnt-up fire boy," Ken laughed as he headed towards his class. "Later!"
"Grr," Ash growled as he ran off to his class.
~§~
"You're way too touchy, Ash," Gary said as they walked down the street. "You shouldn't let this Ken guy get under your skin."
"Like you did for three years?" Ash replied.
"Well, look at the time," Gary quickly responded looking at his watch. "I bet May is already waiting for me home. Smell ya later, Ash!"
Ash shook his head as Gary ran off down a side street.
"I better get to Prof. Oak's," he sighed as he ran down the street.
~§~
When Ash arrived at the lab, three boxes, each from the Silph Co., were by the front door.
"Good afternoon, Ash," Prof. Oak greeted as he opened the door. "Would you mind helping me carry this to the store room?"
"No problem," Ash replied as he picked up two of the boxes. "What's in them?"
"Some Gen-2 TM's," Prof. Oak explained. "We were hired to test their effectiveness."
After putting away the boxes, Ash sat down and worked some more on his calculus. Prof. Oak need about an hour to set up for the experiments and did not need Ash for a while. Once everything was set up, Ash brought one of the boxes to the lab.
"Let's start with a normal TM first," Prof. Oak said as he released a Rattata. "Hand me one out of that box."
"Sure," Ash replied as he pulled it out the box. Once Ash had a firm grip on it, a strange sensation flowed from his hand. Ignoring it, Ash handed the TM to Prof. Oak.
"First, let's confirm it," Prof. Oak said as he placed it in an analyzer. Prof. Oak frowned as he looked at the screen. "Great, they sent me a blank. I better call them about it. Ash, since you have a lot of work to do in calculus, you can go home while I call Silph Co. about this."
"Why not just go ahead with the rest?" Ash asked.
"It might slip my mind if I do it later," Prof. Oak replied, "and it's going to be awhile before this mess can be straighten out. They'll claim I just want more money or some nonsense if I don't jump on this right away."
"Whatever, Professor," Ash sighed as he gathered his books. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good bye, Ash," Prof. Oak said as he picked up the telephone.
~§~
"Mom, I'm home!" Ash cried as he slammed the door shut.
"You're early," Mrs. Ketchum replied. "Did something happen at the lab?"
"Nothing like last time," Ash quickly answered. "Just a dud TM. Prof. Oak said he would have to go through a lot of red tape in order to get it replaced."
Mrs. Ketchum sighed with relief. "Well, we can have dinner a bit earlier than usual. Does lasagna sound okay?"
"Sure," Ash replied. "I'll go train until then."
"Aren't you forgetting about your homework?" Mrs. Ketchum corrected him.
"No, I just wasn't planning on doing it just yet," he mumbled under his breathe.
"What did you say?" Mrs. Ketchum called from the kitchen.
"Nothing, Mom!" Ash replied as he ran up the stairs to his room.
Ash sat down at his desk and pulled out his calculus book. He was still having problems with some of the proofs. It felt like trying to fix a German car with a French owner's manual. After the initial staring blankly at the page for a few minutes, Ash gave up and pulled out his biology book. This was much more interesting than integrals and limits. They were currently going over non-pokémon birds.
Since pokémon were the dominant animals in Kanto as well as Johto, most the other animal were found only in zoos or farms. He had seen seagulls on a vacation to the Seafoam Islands and tried to capture them in a pokéball. His mother had laughed at him and explained they were not pokémon. After that, Ash became interested in biology. It was his favorite subject in school, with math tying with physics for dead last.
"Pikapi!" a voice cried from the door.
"Hi, Pikachu," Ash reply as Pikachu leapt onto his desktop. "Just doing some homework."
"Pi pikachu?"
"No, I'm not doing my calculus," Ash replied.
"Pika pi chu," Pikachu scowled.
"I know I should be working on it," Ash whined, "but it's so boring."
"Chu pika pi," Pikachu replied.
"I doubt that will work," Ash sighed. "I'll just get Gary to help me in study hall tomorrow."
"Ash, dinner's ready," Mrs. Ketchum called.
"Let's go, Pikachu," Ash said as he ran out the door.
~§~
The next morning, Ash yawned as he rolled out of bed. He glanced over at Pikachu sleeping on a pile of his dirty laundry. Ash thought now would be the best time to make up for all of those electric wake-up calls. He sneaked up on the sleeping pokémon.
"Rise and shine," Ash shouted as he watergunned Pikachu.
"PIKA!" he screamed as the cold water hit him. He glared at Ash and thundershocked in reply.
"Ouch," Ash groaned as he collapsed in front of the wet pokémon.
Pikachu walked up to Ash's face and shook the water out of his fur.
"Okay, okay," Ash complained as he moved his hands to shield his face. "I promise I won't do that again."
"Pi," Pikachu snapped as he ran downstairs.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, Ash walked into the kitchen and saw Pikachu greedily eating a bowl of his food.
"Good morning, honey," Mrs. Ketchum greeted. "I'll your pancakes ready in a second."
"Thanks, Mom," Ash replied as he got a cup of orange juice from Mimi.
As Mrs. Ketchum placed the plate in front of him, she sniffed the air.
"Ash, were did you get that cologne?"
"What cologne?" he asked as he stuffed a full pancake in his mouth.
"The one your wearing," she replied. "It's very nice."
"But I'm not wearing any," he replied. "You're probably just smelling these pancakes. They're delicious."
"Thanks, Ash," she smiled as she sat down with her cup of coffee and pancakes.
In the den, the pidgey clock chimed.
"I better go before I miss homeroom," Ash said as he finished off his orange juice. "I'll be studying with Gary this afternoon, so I won't be home until tonight."
"See you later, Ash," his mother called as he ran out the door.
~§~
Ash was getting nervous as he ate his lunch. All day long, several of the girls had been complimenting him about his new cologne, but he did not remember putting any on that morning. He let out a sigh of relief and Gary joined him at the table.
"You should hear those girl talk," Gary said as he placed his tray down. "I can't believe the number that have been asking about you."
"Asking about me?" Ash replied. "What about me?"
"If you're seeing anyone or thinking about seeing anyone," Gary answered. "I told them you had a thing for some girl in Cerulean, but I don't think they believed me."
"And you would be wrong even if they did," Ash snapped.
"Ashy boy," Gary smirked. "You can't lie to me about that. I've known you too long to believe that line."
Gary took a bit out of sandwich before continuing. "Besides, I still have good money riding on you two, and you know how I hate to lose."
Ash sighed. He heard from the Nurse Joy in Cerulean about the bet among the Joys, but he did not know it had spread to his friends.
"Has anybody actually lost the bet?" he asked.
"Let's see," Gary said as he thought about it. "Brock had you both at fourteen, and Snap had you at fifteen. Tracey lost it this summer."
"Next your going to tell me Team Rocket is even in on it," Ash sighed.
"Oh, they're still in," Gary replied, "but I'm going to bet them."
Ash fell to the ground in frustration.
"You okay?" Gary asked innocently.
"Just fine," Ash replied.
~§~
Ash kept feeling the stares of most of the girls during the rest of his classes, but he was more annoyed at Ken snickering at him during biology.
"Some guys just have all the luck," he laughed, "or maybe there's just some weird bug going around."
Ash was grateful when school finally ended. Gary said they would meet at his house around five to study for the calculus test. Ash thought he would kill time by getting in some training with Charizard as Pikachu.
"Mind going easy on me this time?" Ash asked he took his position.
*They won't in any battle* Charizard grunted. *Besides, you haven't leveled up in weeks*
Ash grimaced at this. For the past eight months, he regularly reached a higher level until he made nineteen. Prof. Oak just attributed to his growth pattern, so Ash trained as often as he could. He may not like being a pokémon, but he always had to be the best.
*Let's see what you got, twerp* Charizard shouted as he took to the air.
Ash tried taking him down with a thunderbolt barrage, but Charizard easily dodged all the attacks.
*My turn* Charizard sneered as he flamed the ground in front of Ash.
While Ash jumping around to miss the flames, another Pikachu knocked him down.
*Leave him alone, you big meanie* she cried.
*Hasn't anyone taught you not to interfere in a battle* Charizard snorted as he landed in front of the two Pikachu. *And he challenged me*
*Oh* she blushed. *All I saw was a large Charizard attacking a cute piece of Pika-hunk*
"What!?" both Ash and Charizard yelled.
*You speak human?* she replied. *Smart and handsome, I like that in a mate*
"Maybe I should tell her I'm really a human," Ash whispered to Charizard.
*Do you thank that will help?* Charizard snorted.
Before Ash could reply, the Pikachu was snuggling next to him.
*Do you think I'm beautiful?* she whispered in his ear.
"Uh… uh…" Ash replied looking to Charizard for help.
*You must excuse my friend, miss* Charizard said to the lovesick pokémon. *He's very shy around the ladies*
*Oh?* she replied. She blushed as she continued, *I must seem awfully forward then*
"Pikapi," a voice called off in the distance.
"Over here, Pikachu," Ash called hoping his friend could clear the matter.
*Ash* the female Pikachu smiled. *Even your name is enchanting*
Ash heard Charizard chuckled at that comment and was tempted to jump start his afternoon with 1000 V.
*Ash, who's she?* Pikachu asked.
*I'm his mate* she replied.
"WHAT!?" both Ash and Pikachu shouted while Charizard fell to the ground laughing.
*This is too much* Charizard laughed.
"I'll say," Ash sighed. "Listen, I'm not your mate. In fact, I'm not even a pikachu!"
*You look like one* she replied. *And sure smell like one*
*Smell?* Pikachu said as he sniffed the air. *Ash, mind if I speak to you for a minute?*
"Sure," Ash replied as they left the female pokémon with the laughing dragon. "What is it?"
*Ash, you're producing a lot of pheromones* Pikachu informed him. *I'm surprised there is only one female here and not a dozen*
"Pheromones?" Ash replied. "What are they?"
*A scent used in attracting a mate* Pikachu said as he eyed the female. *I didn't think you could produce pikachu pheromones. Guess I was wrong*
"Let's get to Prof. Oak's and talk to him about it," Ash suggested as they rejoined Charizard.
*Are you ready to begin our life together?* the female asked.
"Sorry, but I doubt my girlfriend would like that," Ash lied.
*Then I'll challenge her for you, my sweet little Ash* she declared.
*Hey, I'm available* Pikachu interrupted.
*What would I won't with a twerp like you?* she snapped. *Go back to your human, runt*
*RUNT!?* Pikachu shouted. *I was using Thunder after only a few hours of training.*
*Whoop dee doo* the female sneered.
"Come on, guys," Ash told the angry Pikachu and laughing Charizard.
*Wait for me, love* the female cried when she noticed she was being left behind.
"Guess there's no way avoiding this," Ash sighed as he transformed back into a human.
"PIKA!?" the female screamed.
"See," Ash shouted at her. "Now leave me alone."
The female did not have to be told twice. She ran back into the bushes and disappeared.
"Come on," Ash repeated. "I want to see what's wrong this time."
~§~
"Well, I think I know what's wrong," Prof. Oak told Ash after running a few tests. "You learned Attract which would explained what happened to that TM the other day. You absorbed the technique."
"Great," Ash sighed. "Another problem to deal with."
"But this one is easily fixed," Prof. Oak smiled. "All you have to do is drink some amnesia formula. You should unlearn the ability."
"All right, where is it?" Ash asked.
"I don't have any," Prof. Oak replied. Ash fell to the ground in frustration. "But a store in Lavender Town sells some."
"I can be there and back by ten if I fly," Ash replied. "I better call Mom and tell her."
~§~
"I think I should land," Ash suggested as another Scyther appeared behind him.
*No kidding* Pikachu replied. *Let's see if Charizard is willing to carry us the rest of the way*
"I think we have a better chance with Tauros," Ash said as he ducked beneath the treetops. He quickly reverted back into a human and waited for the swarm of Scythers to pass by.
"Is there anyway to control this attack?" Ash sighed.
*Most pokémon have difficulty when in adolescence* Pikachu shrugged. *And by human terms, you're still one*
"I'm just grateful it doesn't affect humans," Ash sighed as he released Charizard.
Charizard grunted a yawn as Ash explained why he needed to get to Lavender Town. Ash became annoyed when Charizard began snickering about his problem.
*Can't have my trainer in heat* he laughed as he motioned for Ash and Pikachu to get on his back. *Hang on*
Both Ash and Pikachu screamed as Charizard began flying in crazy patterns. For Charizard, both of them were providing lots of entertainment.
"Charizard!" Ash screamed as the dragon nose-dived toward the ground.
~§~
Ash and Pikachu groaned as they rolled of Charizard's back. Ash recalled the dragon and began to think of his revenge.
"Let's find that shop," Ash sighed as he looked down at his watch. "It's almost 8, so it shouldn't be closed yet."
"Pika," Pikachu replied as he followed as into the gloomy city.
After walking through several of the shops, they finally found the one they had been looking for.
"Look at all this money, Jess," Ash heard as walked in.
"Quiet, you moron," he heard another voice snap. "Welcome to the Potion Shack. How may I help you?"
Ash turned around and saw a woman in a dress similar to Nurse Joy's outfit.
"Don't I know you from some place?" he asked.
"Uh, I have a cousin how runs a shop in Pewter," she replied. "I'm told we look just alike, but I really don't see the resemblance."
"Right," Ash replied as he looked at the shelves. "I'm looking for a potion that makes pokémon forget attacks."
"The amnesia formula?" she asked. "Why would you want a silly thing like that?"
"None of your business," Ash snapped. "Do you have any or not?"
"Why you little…" the clerk started. "I'll have to check in the back."
Ash watched as she disappeared into the doorway behind the counter.
"Weird lady," Ash commented.
"Pi," Pikachu agreed.
Ash began browsing through the shelves of various potions when the clerk returned.
"Here you go, twer…young man," she called. "That will be $14.75."
"Thanks," Ash replied as he handed her the money. "Let's go, Pikachu."
As soon as the door closed, a man in a white outfit with a red R on his chest walked out of the back room.
"Why didn't why try to scam the twerp?" he asked.
"'Cause de boss wants use to leave him alone," Meowth replied. "Says he gots plans for de twerp."
"Besides," Jessie replied as she pocketed the money. "Amnesia formula is dirt cheap. We still made a nice profit."
"Oh, soon we'll be rich," James squealed with dollar signs in his eyes.
"Not if you keep scaring away the customers," Jessie snapped as she slapped him. "Now get back there and finish making that batch of hyper potions."
~§~
"I want to try something," Ash said as he and Pikachu walked out of town. "How about I teleport back to Pallet?"
"Pikachu?" Pikachu replied nervously.
"Hey, I really should practice with my abilities," Ash defended. "I can teleport anywhere across town with pinpoint accuracy."
"Pi pikachu," Pikachu smirked.
"All right," Ash sighed. "So I landed in that Magikarp pond five times before I got it right. I'm still going to try."
"Pika," Pikachu sighed as he hoped on Ash's shoulder.
"Here we go!" Ash cried as he teleported…eight feet above the ground in front of Prof. Oak's lab.
"Whaaa…." Ash cried as he fell to the ground.
"Pika," Pikachu sighed as Ash took most of his fall.
"Mind getting off?" Ash sighed.
"Would you mind getting off me?" a muffled voice said beneath Ash.
Ash looked down and saw he was on top of Prof. Oak.
"Sorry, Professor," Ash apologized as he picked himself up. "Guess, I need a little more practice with teleporting."
"We can discuss that later," Prof. Oak replied. "Did you get the potion?"
"Right here," Ash said as he pulled the vial out of his pocket. He handed it over to the professor.
"I just run a test or two and then we'll fix you up good as new," Prof. Oak said as he walked inside.
~§~
"All right, Ash," Prof. Oak said as he handed the vial back to Ash. "I've reconfigured this potion to nullify that attract ability."
"Thanks, Professor," Ash said as he started at the purple liquid. "Well, down the hatch."
Ash gulped down the liquid and made a funny face.
"Something wrong?" Prof. Oak asked.
"Stuff…taste…terrible," Ash squeaked. He gagged and ran into the bathroom.
"Guess that attack is not the only thing Ash is losing," Prof. Oak commented.
"Pika," Pikachu sighed.
~§~
"Some of the rumors about you are dying down," Gary said as they ate lunch the next week. "Guess you're no longer the flavor of the week."
"I can live with that," Ash said as he took a bite out of his sandwich.
"Yeah, I would be just like that if I had a hot chick pining after me too," Gary commented.
"And who's that?" Ash said with his mouth full.
"That Cerulean girl," Gary replied.
Ash nearly choked on his food.
"Quit it," Ash shouted as he jumped out of his seat. "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!!"
"Not so loud, please," Gary suggested.
Ash looked around and saw everybody staring at him.
"Good one, fire boy," an annoying voiced called. "Keep this up, and she'll know too."
Ash gritted his teeth when he heard Ken.
"I really hate that guy," Ash sighed.
To Be Continued…
~§~
A/N: I really need to resist peer pressure better. I'll be making another sequel to Pokémon: Destiny soon, but it will be the last one I write. After that, if someone else wants to continue it, they're welcome to it. Also, this is about the halfway point in Evolution. Now I begin the fun stuff. Here's a little preview of what's to come (btw, the next one is in Ash's POV):
Just when I think I'm beginning to get a handle on things, something else pops up. It all started when a pack of wild dog pokémon terrorized the streets of Pallet, and it was up to Gary and me to stop them. So, read the next episode of Evolution, Who Let The Dogs Out.
