Note: I do not own Pokémon or any of the famous characters mentioned.

This is my Pokémon fanfic. I hope Pokémon fans will enjoy it because this can be looked at as a HUGE series which won't end any time soon. This fanfic can basically be seen as an alternate reality of events which take place after the second movie. ENJOY!

An Unfortunate Separation

Announcer: With the travel arrangements completed and Duplica tagging along with Ash and Misty, our heroes arrive in Viridian by ferry and are now in the local Pokémon Center.

"In here seems busier than usual, Ash." Misty said, as she looked at the multitude of people and Pokémon in the center.

"You're right, Misty." Ash replied. "It's the biggest center of them all but I don't think it's ever been full."

"Well, maybe something's wrong." Duplica suggested.

"Pika!' ("Hey!") cried Pikachu as it pointed out something about the Pokémon in the center.

They immediately realised that the majority of the Pokémon being treated were Snorlax.

"Hey, they're a lot of Snorlax trainers filling the place up." Duplica stated with a start. "Think there's an epidemic?"

"I hope not." Ash answered as he grabbed Snorlax's ball and looked at it with concern.

Just then, Nurse Joy approached the group. "Are you here to have your Snorlax checked out?" she asked with a smile on her face.

"Checked out?" inquired Ash.

"Is there a problem with them?" Misty asked.

"No, not at all. There's a tournament coming up." Nurse Joy replied. "All of the Snorlax trainers are here to make sure their Snorlax are in tip top shape."

"A Tournament, huh?" Ash said with a smile on his face.

"Yup. In fact, Professor Oak is on a video phone. He said he had a feeling you were here and asked to speak with you." said Nurse Joy.

"Oh?" replied Ash.

"Pika?" ("Really?")

--

"It's nice to see your face again, Ash." the Professor remarked as Ash sat down in front of the phone.

"It's nice to see you again too, Professor." Ash replied. "What's all this about a Snorlax tournament?"

"Well Ash, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all Snorlax trainers to see how good each of them are in battle. I personally bought you a ticket and entered you into the tournament."

"Thanks Professor. I know I can count on you." Ash exclaimed. "So when is this tournament?"

"Well it's next week." responded the Professor. "I also have a plane ticket for you."

"Plane ticket?" Ash asked.

"Well... the tournament is in Switzerland." the Professor was reluctant to say this.

"SWITZERLAND??" Ash shouted to the top of his lungs. The entire center was silenced and all eyes were on Ash.

Misty's heart, however, sank.

"How long will this tournament last, Professor?" Duplica asked.

"Four months!" answered the Professor.

Misty immediately walked off and Ash was at a loss for words.

--

"Well would you look at that." Butch said as he and Cassidy spied on the unsuspecting group.

"Seems the head brat of the group is leaving Japan." Cassidy chimed in.

"This is perfect. Let's give him a going away present." Butch suggested. "I have a plan I was saving for if they got way too difficult to handle but I think this is a special occasion." His smile was as evil as his idea.

--

Misty was standing right outside the door of the Pokémon Center looking up at the blue sky.

"It's not fair." she said to herself.

"Misty?" Ash exited the center and walked up to her. "I know this is sudden, but I have to go."

"I know Ash," Misty replied. "It's just that I finally let you know how I feel about you and now you have to go all the way to Switzerland... for four whole months." her voice was starting to break.

"Hey..." Ash started as he turned her around so she would face him. "I love you, Misty. It doesn't even matter how far I travel I'll always be thinking of you. I hope the same goes for you."

Misty instantly smiled. "It does, Ash. I love you too."

"Good!" Ash said. "Think of it this way. When I get back, imagine just how happy we'll both be when we see each other."

"Yeah, it'll be nice." Misty chuckled.

"All right then, let's get back inside and get our Pokémon checked out... especially Snorlax." Ash joked.

Misty then laughed as they both made their way back into the center.

--

"Well, there you have it." Butch said with a smirk. He was looking at a gigantic Raticate robot. "Introducing the Raticate R-1."

"I like it." commented Cassidy. "But, didn't Jessie and James use robots as well?" Cassidy had a good point.

"Oh ye of little faith. This incredible robot has amazing durability." Butch responded. "Every single physical Pokémon attack in existance has no effect on it. It's invincible."

Cassidy's face brightened. "Excellent!!"

"Those brats won't even know what hit them." Butch smiled.

--

"My baby's going to Switzerland?" Delia Ketchum was on the video phone with her beloved son, Ash.

"Yes, it's going to be for four months." Ash responded.

"Well, this is quite sudden, honey." Delia replied. "I know you'll do well. What time do you leave Viridian Airport?"

"Well I leave in about two hours." Ash answered.

"Oh no!" Delia seemed distressed. "You're not going to believe this but a huge flock of Spearow are eating up my crops. Mimey is using psychic to get rid of them but it'll take all afternoon. I'm sorry honey but I can't see you off."

"It's ok,mom. I'll see you when I get back." Ash said as he gave a loving smile to his mother.

"Pika chu!" ("Me too!") added Pikachu.

"Of course I can't wait to see you too, Pikachu." Delia said "Good luck son. Have a safe trip. I love you."

"I love you too, mom." Ash replied as the video call ended.

"Well that went well." Misty said as she immediately approached Ash as the call ended.

"Yeah. I know she'll miss me so I just had to let her know my plans." Ash replied.

"That's good. I..." Misty started. However, a loud scream was heard outside.

"What was that?" Ash exclaimed. He and Misty quickly ran outside to see what all the noise was about.

When they ran outside the center, they saw a young female trainer in distress.

"Give me back my Pokémon, you theives." the poor trainer cried. Her cries were directed towards the Raticate R-1, which was slowly making its way towards the Pokémon Center.

"As if we'd give them back after how easy it was to steal them." Butch replied.

"TEAM ROCKET!" Ash cried.

"Pi Pikachu! (Not again!)"

"A sneak attack on a Pokémon Center?" Duplica just exited the center to join Ash and Misty. "That's a new low."

"You're really new to the operations of Team Rocket, aren't you little girl?" Cassidy inquired.

"It doesn't matter." Misty called. "Get that thing outta here before we give it a good trashing."

"Give it your best shot." Cassidy replied.

"Gladly!" Misty was fired up. "Shellder, Staryu, come on out!" Misty threw two Pokéballs at the robot and Shellder and Staryu appeared in brilliant flashes of light.

"Shell der!" ("I'm here!")

"Shellder, drench that thing with a water gun. Staryu, smash it with a Double Edge attack." Misty called to her Pokémon companions.

The two attacks bombarded the robot with full force.

"YEAH!" Misty celebrated. "That's how you get rid of pests."

However, the Raticate R-1 pushed the current stream of Water Gun right off of itself, also proving that the Double Edge was useless.

"Uh... what?" asked a baffled Misty with a look on her face which spelt humiliation.

"Meet the indestructable Raticate R-1." Cassidy said with an evil smile.

"It can withstand any... and I mean ANY physical Pokémon attack." Butch snickered.

"How is that possible?" Ash asked in shock.

"We're Team Rocket... that's how." Cassidy responded.

"Well there's gotta be a way to get rid of it." Ash said to himself. "Pikachu, see if you can get around it and try to find any wires or circuits."

"Pika! (Okay!)"

"Ditto, see if you can transform into that thing." suggested Duplica.

"Ditto! (Okay!)"

However, at that moment the arms of the Raticate R-1 extended to great lengths and snatched up both Pikachu and Ditto.

"Oh no you don't." Cassidy smirked as the R-1 placed both Pokémon into a small compartment by its stomach along with the other snatched Pokémon.

"That was our best chance!" exclaimed Misty.

"What do we do now?" Ash asked. "I doubt even Spearow would leave a dent in that thing."

Just then, the signature mini rocket punching bags appeared and bombarded the Raticate R-1. Team Rock 'Em Sock 'Em had appeared. They landed, on foot, next to Ash and company.

"You guys made it." Ash said with a determined smiled.

"Oh please!" Butch said, as the smoke around the R-1 cleared. "If powerful Pokémon attacks do nothing, what makes you think your gloves will even scratch this baby?"

"Well it was worth a try." Jessie responded.

"I'm sure we could tink o' someting..." added Meowth.

"Well then, Jessie, let's try everything we've got." James suggested, as he threw all of his Pokéballs and Jessie followed suit. "Let's get the ball rolling." James added as he fired his Roadster, full force, at the R-1.

The blast harmlessly bounced right off.

"Weezing, use a Tackle attack. Victreebell, use Vine Whip." James commanded.

"Arbok, use Poison Sting. Likatung use a Confusion blast." Jessie commanded.

Author's note: This is different from how Confusion is usually used in the show where the receiver of the technique moves according to the will of the user. A Confusion blast, like in the video game, is a small psychic burst of energy which hits the opponent.

Weezing and Victreebell responded immediately, even though the Vine Whip was executed while Victreebell was on James' head. The attacks just bounced off.

Arbok then came in closer and unleashed a wave of Poison Sting on the R-1. There was still no positive result.

"Let's finish this." Cassidy said confidently as the Raticate R-1 raced forward at top speed and struck each Pokémon in it's path. The only one left between the R-1 and the humans who would be potentially hurt by it was Likatung.

"It's gonna hit us!" shouted Ash.

"Run!" screamed both Misty and Duplica.

"Likatung!" Jessie cried out for her Pokémon.

At the last second, Likatung raised its hands in fear and fired the Confusion blast which actually stopped the R-1's momentum and sent it flying a small distance backwards. However, there was still no damage done to it.

"What just happened?" Butch asked.

"That was pretty strange." replied Cassidy. "No matter. I'll just go after them again." Cassidy then attempted to go forward again, but to no avail.

"What's wrong, Cass?" Butch inquired.

"The controls aren't working." Cassidy replied in a panic.

At that moment, a small siren sounded as the words 'SYSTEM ERROR!' appeared on the screen in front of them.

"What's going on?" Cassidy screamed as the controls started to hiss and spark.

"What happened to that thing?" Ash asked the others.

Jessie thought for a second. "HEY!" she exclaimed. "Likatung's Confusion blast must have 'confused' the R-1."

"Hey, great!" Duplica smiled.

"Now it may be defeated from the inside out." Misty suggested.

"Priiii! (Yay!)" Togepi cheered.

Meanwhile, on the inside, many messages and commands were being executed even when Cassidy and Butch did not input any of them. The most important of these messages was, 'STORAGE UNIT: OPEN'

Instantly, the Pokémon that Team Rocket had abducted were released.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried, as Pikachu ran and jumped into its trainer's arms.

"Pikapi! (Ash!)"

"Ditto!" Duplica and Ditto followed suit.

"Ditto! (Master!)"

"This thing is going crazy." Butch cried.

"Yeah, and the Pokémon are back with their trainers." Cassidy added. "Could this get any worse?"

A new message then appeared. 'SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE: ACTIVATED'

"You had to ask?" Butch glared at her as the Raticate R-1 exploded in what was a brilliant display to all on the outside.

"I'm guessing that's their auto destruct." giggled Jessie as TRS collectively laughed.

"We're blasting off again!" Team Rocket cried. (SFX: Ding!)

--

Later, at the Vermillion Airport, Ash was just about to leave for Switzerland. Professor Oak was also there to see him off.

"I'll see you all in four months." Ash said.

"Thanks for teleporting me here to allow me to be on time, Duplica." Ash said.

"Well, you're just lucky Ditto and I witnessed a Kadabra in our travels." smirked Duplica in response.

Misty uncomfortably looked off.

"Misty," Ash started as he walked up to her. "I'll be back before you know it. I promise."

"I know..." Misty replied. "Just, don't forget me." she added. They then kissed for a brief period and then stared into each other's eyes.

"That's new!" said the Professor.

Instantly realising their goof, Ash and Misty shyly broke apart.

"Do NOT tell my mom, Professor." Ash said.

"Alright, I won't. But you gotta get going, Ash." Professor Oak responded.

"Ok." Ash replied as he took one last look at Misty and then waved at everyone while he walked through the gate. "I'll miss you all."

"We'll hold Team Rocket off while you're gone." Meowth cried as Ash went through the gate. At that, everyone laughed.

--

Minutes later, outside the airport, Misty and company watched the plane take off as a lone tear ran down Misty's cheek.

Announcer: Words can not explain what Misty is feeling as her true love flies away. What will the aftermath of this separation be? Tune in next time...

That's chapter 11. Ash's return will come next chapter. Keep the reviews comin'.