The Journey Never Ends
Chapter 51: Respite at Last
The Story So Far: Rocket Nation has fallen. Its base has been captured and its army disbanded. Although Director Tadashi Hanamizuki, once known as Professor Xander Dogwood, remains at large with some of his more loyal cronies, Kanto is safe for the time being. The victims of Mewtwo, who have spent several weeks recovering in Cerulean City's hospital, have finally been given clearance to leave and reenter the normal world. Among them is Allie Dogwood, and her companion Ash Ketchum has made special arrangements to celebrate their victory.
On the first morning Allie was allowed to leave the hospital, Ash was waiting for her outside. He had a canvas bag over his shoulder, filled to the brim with towels. Allie didn't know why he was carrying it; all he had said was that they were going to celebrate her recovery and the fall of Rocket Nation. He wouldn't tell her their intended destination, even though she had pleaded with him excitedly.
"No, Allie. It's a surprise," he grinned at her impatience, denying her request once more. Although he was being stubborn and secretive, Allie had never seen him in a better mood. There was little doubt that he was relieved to have finally allowed the guilt of three years ago to be lifted from his shoulders.
Just as they left the rotating hospital doors together, they heard a voice from behind them. They thought someone was shouting for them to wait up, but no one was there. Then Ash realized that it wasn't someone physically present, but rather a telepathic projection. The voice's owner appeared several minutes later.
"Were you going to leave without saying goodbye to me?" Sabrina wondered, acting offended by the slight. She seemed to be recovering well from being stuck in the stasis tube for so many days, apart from an IV bag which she carried with her on a rolling hanger.
"No, no," Ash assured her. "We're just going on a little trip to get Allie some fresh air. We'll be back soon, but you're welcome to join us."
"I fear not," Sabrina replied apologetically. "I can't go too far from the hospital right now. I plan to conduct some psychic tests on myself to see if I can sense Mewtwo's location since I have now been linked with him twice. I just wanted to give something to Allie before she leaves."
She pulled out a small, round object that Allie recognized immediately as a badge. "For your incredible efforts in helping to end the Rocket Uprising, I award you this Marsh Badge. Congratulations and thank you for all of your help."
"Is it really okay?" Allie asked, worried that Sabrina was just being kind since she hadn't really earned it.
"A badge can be bestowed upon any worthy trainer; a battle isn't required. If memory serves – which it does – Ash didn't defeat me in battle either."
"We still need a rematch," Ash commented as Allie took the badge from Sabrina's hand and pinned it on her jacket's collar with the other five.
"I don't see one in the near future," Sabrina smiled. It was a sad, omniscient expression that unnerved Allie.
"Really?" Ash frowned, oblivious to her prophetic tone. "I was hoping you'd be up for it, but if you're not interested, I understand. You've got a lot of work to do right now. We all do."
Sabrina didn't respond.
"Well, the work will have to wait for another day," Ash announced. "I've got a surprise set up that we're going to be late for if we don't hurry. Thank you for helping us fight off Rocket Nation. We really couldn't have done it without you."
"It was my duty," Sabrina told him simply. "But remember, Ash. They aren't gone. Not for good, anyway. Stay alert and be prepared for the worst at any time."
"I always am," the champion grinned in response. At his heels, Pikachu squeaked his approval. "See you around." He turned around, anxious to get to their destination, but Allie hung back for a moment. When the young man was out of hearing range, she turned to Sabrina with a concern that had been bothering her for a while.
"I needed to talk to you about something," Allie started, her voice anxious.
"You had a vision while within Mewtwo's realm of collective consciousness," Sabrina instinctively knew. Her psychic powers were functioning like normal now that Mewtwo had withdrawn his psychic cloud from Kanto.
"Yes," Allie confirmed. Although the vision had first appeared while she was in Mewtwo's possession, the image had been filling her head every time she closed her eyes. Several times a day, she had to watch as Ash vanished into the shadows. No matter how fast her dream-self ran to him, he left her. "Will it come true?" she asked apprehensively.
"I cannot know," the psychic admitted. "You have not been gifted with the sight, so it is very likely that it was just a dream. A manifestation of your fears. You don't want to lose him. Do not fear. He will not leave you."
"Hey Allie," Ash shouted from a distance. "Everyone's waiting for us! Hurry up!"
Pikachu hopped up and down eagerly next to him. Ash clearly had told the little Pokémon of their plans, even though they were still a secret to Allie. "Pika pi!"
Allie looked back to Sabrina, still doubtful.
"If you needed proof, let his enthusiasm provide it," Sabrina recommended. "He cares about you, even if it isn't in the way you desire. Do not fear him leaving you."
Allie knew that was the case, but she didn't care as long as he didn't leave her. "Thank you," she told Sabrina. The two young women bid each other farewell, and then Allie began to walk over to where Ash was waiting impatiently.
When she reached him, Ash clapped her on the shoulder. "Let's get this beach party started!" he exclaimed.
Sabrina watched them disappear into the distance. She sighed. If only they knew what was coming. But sometimes it was more kind not to tell the truth when it came to foresight.
When Ash had first told her that they would be soon going to the beach, Allie had looked at him like he was crazy. The champion reminded her that it was nearly spring, and that the weather had been getting nicer ever since the end of the Rocket Uprising. Even then she remained skeptical that a day at the beach this early in the year could be anything but cold and uncomfortable. But the weather turned out to be beautiful, and as long as they stayed in the sun, it was perfectly warm. After all, Kanto was known for its generally temperate climate.
Allie's concerns were further allayed once they reached the amazing site that Ash and Misty had selected for the day's festivities. It was quite a hike to get there, but Cerulean Secret Pond was one of the most beautiful locations Allie had visited on her journey thus far.
Best of all, the water was warm enough to swim in. Even the sand at Cerulean Secret Pond was already warm enough to lie on comfortably. According to Ash, the pond was fed by an underground spring. Although there wasn't enough heat in the spring to create a hot spring, it was the perfect site for year-round swimming fun.
When they arrived, Janine, Lucian, Samantha, and Misty were already there, gathered around a set of beach supplies, including large umbrellas and towels. Misty already had her mermaid tail on and she was lying on a towel smiling at the newcomers. The scene reminded Allie of a painting she had once seen, entitled "The Mermaid and the Dewgong."
As soon as she saw them all together, Allie ran ahead of Ash and greeted them. Apparently, she had been the only one not to know what the plan was for today. Ash had deliberately kept it a secret from her as a surprise. She would have hugged him excitedly, but she knew the friendship between the champion and the mermaid was still recovering and decided not to make anything uncomfortable.
Ash immediately went about introducing everyone to each other, then turned to Samantha to make sure that she had recovered adequately enough to join them in the pond.
"I'm still a little shaken," Sam admitted. Throwing a glance at Lucian, she added, "But I didn't want to miss hanging out with all of you."
"Here Allie," Ash said, handing her the canvas bag he had carried from the city. "Your suit's at the bottom. Sorry for going through your things, but I needed to since I wanted to surprise you." Allie didn't mind, even though the thought of Ash going through her laundry seemed a bit absurd. "There's a clump of trees just over there for you to change behind."
Allie nodded and left the group. She watched them talk through the leaves as she pulled her shirt off. It was funny to see so many of her friends all together; for so long, different groups had been stuck in different places. Now, at last, they were able to all get together just to enjoy themselves.
As she pulled her bra off, her hand stopped momentarily on a spot just above her left breast, where a tube had been stuck into her skin during her brief captivity in the Rocket lair. She knew it was wrong to feel ashamed of it, but she was also aware that her bathing suit would not cover the unsightly bump. Allie sighed. It wasn't like her to be self-conscious or focus on her looks, but the injury was a very visible reminder of the horrible experience which she and the others had been subjected to. But then, watching as Lucian put his arm over Sam's shoulder, Allie remembered that it wasn't just her who had been a victim. The spot, though a reminder of horrible things, was also like a badge of courage representing what she had been through and overcome. Once she decided on this philosophy, she was no longer troubled by the wound.
She rejoined the others once she finished changing into the swimsuit she had purchased on the Seagallop Emperor.
"I guess we're not the last ones here after all," Ash observed once she'd returned. He had been looking around as if trying to figure out who was missing.
"Who else is coming?" Allie was surprised. They already had quite a cast assembled. Nearly every companion from her journey was assembled there. All except for…
"Wait for us!" a girl's high-pitched voice cut through the trees. "Mush!"
The voice's owner suddenly appeared, taller than she would have been otherwise, for she was riding on Forrest's shoulders. Mina, clad in a black bikini top and swim skirt, was laughing, while the gym leader panted and groaned. Although he looked tired from carrying her all the way up to the hidden spring, he didn't seem to object to being so close to the girl.
When they reached the spot where the forest floor became sand, Mina hopped down and beamed at the others.
"Long time no see," said Mina, looking around at all the faces. "In the flesh, I mean," she added with a knowing glance at Allie and Sam.
Allie stepped forward to hug her old companion. "It's so good to see you," the blonde girl whispered into the brunette's ear.
"Now if the two of you started kissing, that would be good," Forrest snickered. His face suddenly went blank as Mina turned and floored him with a mighty kick to the groin. "I was only joking," he assured her from the ground, although his mind had indeed been envisioning the platonic hug going much farther. Now that the dark times were over, he was back to his usual perverted self.
"Be happy I didn't kick harder," Mina chided him as she helped him to his feet. "I just haven't decided if we're going to have kids yet."
The group laughed. Mina had also regained her original personality: vivacious and indomitable, especially where her favorite boy was concerned.
The champion rolled his eyes. "What are you guys waiting for?" Ash asked, pulling his shirt off to the unspoken delight of the girls present. Even Mina and Sam, who already had other love-interests present, ogled for a little before pulling their eyes away. Allie, despite knowing that she had seen Ash shirtless countless times, was still impressed by his well-trained muscles. Usually she would control herself enough not to stare, but given how depressing everything had been for so long, she was glad to be lighthearted about something so trivial. Ash, gentleman that he was, pretended not to notice the staring, and instead cannonballed into the pond. The rest soon followed.
They spent a solid hour in the water, swimming across the narrow pond, splashing each other, and having an all-around great time for the first time since Rocket Nation first attacked on Cinnabar Island.
After a while, the group slowly drifted apart, each to their own activities. Lucian and Sam were the first to return to the beach, where they set up towels in the sun. They lay next to each other, talking quietly while getting a perfect tan like all coordinators desire.
Forrest and Mina climbed out of the water a few minutes later and sat together under an umbrella. A few minutes later, Mina was curled up against Forrest's bronze chest and he was kissing her forehead. Their relationship had officially evolved, it seemed.
Allie, Janine, Misty, and Ash kept playing in the water for a while, but Ash and Misty eventually drew closer together and started floating farther away from the other two girls. Taking this as her cue to let them talk, Allie climbed out of the pond and grabbed a towel from Ash's bag. She laid it out near the edge of the water, sat on it, and stared across the beautiful hidden clearing. Janine joined her a minute later, where she sat gazing around at all the other groups.
"Everyone is pairing up," Janine observed. She laid down next to Allie and put on a pair of sunglasses. "I guess that makes us a pair."
"Yeah," Allie agreed, though distractedly.
"So what's going to happen next?" Janine wondered. "Now that Rocket Nation is defeated, I mean."
"Well, once we get rested, I guess we'll all continue on our journeys," Allie supposed. It seemed the only reasonable thing to do, given that their journeys would never truly end as long as they had dreams to pursue.
They looked behind them two where Mina was laying on top of Forrest and they were passionately making out. Janine sighed and threw a towel at them. "I believe the phrase is, 'Get a room,'" she told them playfully.
The happy couple laughed but they toned it down just a little bit for the sake of those around them.
"But will we all remain together, or will we go our separate ways?" Janine continued, turning her attention back to Allie.
"I think all of our goals are too different right now for us all to travel together as one large group," she said sadly. "I wish we could stay together; I love you guys. But we all need to take our own paths."
"I see."
Then Allie realized why the ninja was talking about pairs and paths and the future. Lucian, her companion while Allie was away, was too happy with Samantha. Janine would have felt like a third wheel. She didn't know Forrest very well, and she didn't know Mina at all. The ninja girl had begun her journey to experience the world with friends, with Allie's friends, but now they were all splitting up and following their own paths. "You can come with us," Allie offered. "I assume Ash and I will be moving on again soon. It's not like him to stay in one place for long. Then again, he seems to be enjoying himself here."
"Thank you," the ninja girl said, clearly relieved to know what she would do now that the Rocket invasion was over. Her eyes followed Allie's line of sight out to the middle of the pond, to the champion and the mermaid. "Are you jealous?" Janine asked, her voice hushed so that only Allie could hear.
"I'm not, actually," Allie replied sincerely. Even she was surprised. When she had walked in on May and Ash, she had been crushed. But now that she looked back at it, her reaction seemed silly and overdramatic. "They're friends. Ash is allowed to spend time with whoever he wants. And it's not like it's going to change anything about my friendship with him. If anything, he's been a lot nicer since she forgave him." She paused, watching the two floating in the water together, talking about what had happened during the long interruption in their friendship. "And to be honest, look at them. They just look right together."
She wasn't just saying it. They really did look so happy together.
"Don't worry," Janine intoned. "He looks at her the same way he looks at you. He cares about both of you, deeply."
Allie smiled, thankful for her friend's encouragement. But she really didn't need it. Whatever happens should happen on its own. She didn't care if Ash had romantic feelings, as long as they continued to travel together. If a sibling-like relationship was what it took to stay with her best friend, Allie had no problem with it. But if some day it became something more, some day when he no longer had the responsibilities of champion and she wasn't too young, Allie would hardly complain.
"I know he does," the girl murmured. Misty would not replace Allie, just as Allie could never replace Misty.
Just then, Misty and Ash both looked over at Allie. The young girl froze, afraid they had realized that she had been watching them. Misty nodded to Ash and began swimming closer to shore. When she reached the edge, she beckoned Allie over to her.
As Allie walked past Mina and Forrest's umbrella, she tried not to stare at their cuddling, which had again devolved into an aggressive and passionate make-out session. She ignored it; her focus was on the two twenty year-olds awaiting her at the water's edge.
"Ash tells me you need a couple more badges," Misty said kindly. "I suppose you'd like to battle me, then. If you win, I'll give you the Cascade Badge."
"Okay," Allie accepted. "Now?"
"We might as well."
"What will the battlefield be?"
"I don't see any reason not to use the entire clearing," Ash suggested as he helped Misty back into her wheelchair. "Everything on the beach and in the water is valid space."
As the audience stepped off to the sides of the battlefield, Allie considered her battle strategy. She wasn't used to three-on-three battles, which would probably require her to adjust her strategy. And she knew that the fact that the battlefield was half water would benefit the water-type expert more than herself, who was unused to battling on such a field.
Carefully selecting her first Pokémon, Allie threw the Pokéball forward. It erupted with a blinding white light, and from it emerged the mighty war hawk Braviary.
"Alright," Allie said. "Let's do this."
During the first two thirds of the battle, the advantage alternated between the two sides. Braviary had come close to taking down Misty's Staryu, but the starfish Pokémon had the advantage because it hid deep in the water so that the hawk could not hit it. It soon knocked out Braviary with a stealthy hydro pump attack. Knowing that she had already fallen at a distinct disadvantage, Allie sent out another of her most powerful Pokémon next: Vigoroth. The wild sloth was no more out of control than usual, but at least today he seemed focused on crushing his opponents. Perhaps he hadn't seen enough action for a while and was antsy for a victory, just like his trainer.
Vigoroth managed to defeat Staryu, so Misty next sent out Corsola. The coral Pokémon's hard skin made it harder for the sloth to defeat it with brute force, so Allie ordered him to use uproar. Misty countered with bubble beam, and the attack collided in midair. Unfortunately for the Pokémon battling, the attacks did not neutralize each other, but rather bounced off of each other back toward their points of origin. And so both Pokémon were felled by their own attacks. The trainers returned their Pokémon, preparing for the final matchup.
Allie knew that she should let Misty choose her Pokémon first, since that would allow her to adapt her strategy accordingly, but she really only had one Pokémon left who could be used against a water-type gym leader. And so she sent out Wartortle, who took the field eagerly and ready to fight.
Next, Misty sent out her final Pokémon. As soon as the Psyduck appeared, Ash suddenly started laughing hysterically. All the trainers turned to look at him, bewildered and confused as to what had made him laugh so hard that tears appeared in his eyes. Turning to Misty, the master grinned, "You meant to send out Politoed, didn't you?"
The gym leader nodded her head, frustrated. "After all these years, I still can't get him to stay in his Pokéball. But I have trained him to hone his powers, thanks to some help from Sabrina."
Misty turned back to face Allie and commanded Psyduck to begin attacking. Allie had expected a water attack, but, to her surprise, Wartortle was lifted off the ground and levitated several feet above Psyduck's head.
"Aqua tail," Allie ordered. Wartortle dropped out of the air, crashing down on Psyduck's head. This proved to be a mistake, for the duck's eyes began glowing brighter as his headache worsened.
"Watch out!" the girl yelled, but it was too late. Wartortle was again lifted from the ground, and this time hurled against a nearby tree.
Allie realized that physical attacks would once again not be ideal, so she came up with another plan. By now, Wartortle was confused. It wouldn't be able to attack in a straight line. And so, Allie returned to a reliable old strategy that had often worked in her favor.
"Hydro pump!"
Although she did not order him to spin, the confusion caused Wartortle to anyway. When he realized Allie's plan, he withdrew into his Pokéball and created a spinning torrent of water. Psyduck tried to repel it with psychic energy, but there was just too much water coming from too many directions.
The attack also soaked all of the bystanders, who luckily had not yet changed out of their bathing suits. Forrest and Janine chuckled as Mina, Sam, and Lucian squealed when they got wet. The towels got soaked and the beach umbrellas were knocked over, but it was worth it. Psyduck toppled over. Allie had won.
"Congratulations Allie," Misty said, holding a blue water drop-shaped badge in the palm of her hand. "You've earned this. And I can tell why Ash has such confidence in your abilities."
The girl beamed. "So that's seven badges," Allie recounted for good measure as the spectators returned to the beach. Earning two badges in one day wasn't too shabby.
"One more and you'll be able to challenge the Pokémon League," Janine smiled at her.
"There's a gym in Viridian City, right?" Allie asked, remembering the decrepit old building where she had chosen Squirtle as her starter. "But it doesn't have gym leader."
"Right," Ash confirmed. "Giovanni used to be the gym leader until disappeared to focus more on Team Rocket. A former Elite Four member named Agatha took over, but she retired after a couple of years. After Team Rocket fell, a bunch of horrible experiments were found sealed away in a hidden basement. It seems like Giovanni had used it as a base at some point."
"So where can I get my last badge?" Allie inquired.
Before Ash could give her a recommendation, they heard footsteps coming from behind him. A man appeared, dressed in the blue uniform of a Pokémon League official. The Indigo Conference crest shone on the brim of his hat. The champion grimaced.
"Excuse me for just one moment," Ash said, hoping to avoid a scene. If the Pokémon League was finally seeking him out, something big was going on. He didn't want to trouble the others. He stepped forward, expecting the official to greet him and give him an important piece of news. He wasn't expecting what happened next. No one was.
"Ash Ketchum, by order of the Pokémon League, I place you under arrest. Please put your arms behind your back and come with me peacefully."
What? Allie thought, shocked by the man's devastating message. How could Ash be under arrest? For what?
"What are you talking about?" the champion growled. His dangerous tone should have been a warning to the newcomer, but the man did not waver from the task he had been assigned.
"You have been declared an enemy of Kanto and will therefore be tried in a court of law. If you resist, I will have no choice but to use to use force to place you in my custody."
Allie, without thinking, stepped in front of him. "No," she said obstinately. "I don't know who you are, but Ash has done nothing wrong." Well, nothing illegal, anyway.The champion was far from felt the other members of the group move behind her, so that Ash had seven young trainers and Pikachu standing around him, ready to help him fight off this mysterious figure.
"Don't be stupid." Allie turned around, surprised that it was Ash who had condemned her plan to defend him. He faced his accuser with steely resolve. Without breaking eye contact, he spoke to his friends. "Pikachu, keep everyone safe. Misty, get the word out to everyone. Allie, be strong. I'll see you all again once this mess is cleared up." I hope. He stepped toward the official and held out his hands.
And then the official put him in handcuffs and marched him back down the trail leading to Cerulean City, leaving the stunned and disheartened group wondering what had just happened.
Author's Note: Thanks for your overwhelming response to Chapter 50. I'm glad you all enjoyed it and I promise there's more to come of Rocket Nation. So this isn't one of my favorite chapters, but there were parts I had fun with, especially Mina's return, Sabrina's foresight, and Allie's wound. Additionally, it serves to set up Ash's conflict with the Pokémon League, which will result in the return of many powerful trainers and the revelation of many secrets.
Now that school is starting again, my schedule will be a bit harder to predict. I'll be working three jobs in September plus completing the workload of a full-time student. At some point, I expect to run out of pre-prepared chapters, and at that point, I'll probably put the story on a hiatus until December. Sorry about that, but I want to make sure this story is as good as it can be, especially the exciting conclusion I have planned.
Next time: Trial of the Champion!
