Ze Author's Note: GRRRRRRR...THE MASTER OF AGES SAGA CONTINUES!!! Big apologies for all action lovers in advance. A lot of story development is gonna happen in this installment of the Master of Ages, so don't expect a lot of pokemon fainting, mallet swinging, or whatever. But not to keep you bored, I threw in a big fire in somewhere, and a few quick fights here and there. This is all in preparation for the next episode, where the epic war against Team Rocket is waged, with the older more powerful Jesse, James, and Meowth facing off against the twerps, or the "un-twerps" in a battle of earth-shaking proportions with a surprising conclusion and turn of events to follow. Ash's life ain't gonna get any easier, I'll tell you. As always, ideas, questions, comments, and flames are welcome at edgeknght@earthlink.net. I need sleep...
CHAPTER 9: REVELATION
"I know you're all probably wondering why an absolute stranger like myself is gathering you for my journey. The truth of the matter is that I'm lost and I need to find my way home."
Misty, Brock, and Duplica had finished with the wonderful meal Brock had prepared. Pikachu had fallen asleep in Misty's arms and Ash had stood up, eager to explain what was going on.
"Getting home is a pretty simple job, Ash. I don't know why you need us." Brock said.
"Be quiet, Brock. Let Ash talk," Misty whispered.
Ash let out a sweatdrop before continuing, "Not so simple, Brock. My home is another timeline and another reality altogether, one where I traveled on a pokemon journey with you and Misty. We shared many adventures, learned a lot from each other, and were in constant battle with Team Rocket."
"Ash, is that what that Kid girl meant when she mentioned time falling on you?" Misty asked.
"I don't know how she knows about me, but she's definitely a piece of the puzzle. But for some reason, someone in this time kidnapped me before I ever set out on my pokemon journey. That's why none of you ever met me or remember me."
"This all sounds pretty far out. If all you're saying is true, then who took care of my gym if I left it to go with you on this journey you're talking about?" Brock questioned.
"Your father Flint took care of your gym and your family."
"But...Dad returned just last year. How could he have returned sooner?"
"In my timeline, he helped me power up Pikachu and defeat you. He wanted you to leave home so you can hone your breeding skills, so he took your place. Look, I don't want to get into particulars. I'm confused enough as it is."
"Is there any other way you can prove your story? I'm quite skeptical here," Duplica asked.
Ash grabbed a pokeball, "Go, Satoshi!!!"
Satoshi came out and hovered in front of Ash, the illumination of the fire bouncing off his body.
"Woof..."
"Whoa! I've never seen a pokemon like that before!" Brock exclaimed as he eyed Satoshi.
"This is Watchdawg. But you can call him Satoshi." Ash spoke.
"Where'd you find him?"
"Satoshi, maybe you should help. You'd be a lot more convincing."
Satoshi hovered above the four, sprinkling strange dust over the fire, causing it to grow into a huge flame which enveloped Ash, but he didn't burn. The sky darkened, and even the ground beneath them disappeared. Everyone was somewhat frightened, except Ash, who has seen even more incredible things before. He stood inside of the flame, which had become transparent, and his friends were able to see him.
"Ash, stand still and free your mind." Satoshi said telepathically. He did as he was told, and Satoshi floated to the other side of the fire, "Now, you three. Close your eyes and reach into the flame."
His friends slowly and reluctantly reached into the flame. Surprisingly, they weren't burned, but felt like they were touching thick air. In an instant, they all saw Ash's experiences and memories of them. Misty saw his first memories of her, and how they had become really good friends even if their relationship started off pretty rocky. Brock saw his memories of their travels and the countless gorgeous women they encountered along the way. Duplica, on the other hand, didn't see much, only when Ash and his friends helped her rescue her Ditto and rebuild the Imite House. Though Misty and Brock were touched and thrilled, Duplica wasn't enthusiastic at all. The fire dissipated into the darkness, and instantly, they were back at the campsite.
There was a silence for a few seconds until Misty muttered out, "We should get to bed."
Ash concurred, "Right, and if you guys still want to stick around, we'll discuss the plan tomorrow."
Brock, always accustomed to calling the shots without consulting Duplica, "Don't worry. Count us in!!!"
Duplica, this time however, was not in agreement, but didn't say a word and kept silent.
There were only two tents available and everyone quickly decided who was taking them.
"Duplica and I can sleep in the larger one. We're used to sleeping in close quarters," Brock said.
Ash and Misty looked at the smaller tent and before Misty could say anything, Ash responded, " I can sleep out tonight. You take the tent, Misty. If you don't mind, can Pikachu sleep in the tent with you?"
Misty, seeing the clouds from the drizzle still looming, says,"No I don't mind, but what if it rains, Ash?"
"Things can't get any worse for me than they already are. I'll take my chances. Good night."
Ash stepped away not too far and pulled out his sleeping bag as everyone went to their tents, pondering the events of the day, though they quickly found sleep much easier.
Three heavily armed, silent black duo-helicopters and a flock of Pidgeots painted black flew across the skies of Neon Town. They were known as the Freefall Gang, a band of small-time terrorists notorious for committing stealthy operations. Expedient arson, theft and kidnapping were their specialty. Their leader, known through the continent's underworld as the Raven, made the gang's living by contracts, and Team Rocket was a frequent client of their services whenever they had a quick and dirty job to get done.
Raven, always on one of the choppers, was having a private phone conversation, "So lemme get this straight. You want us to go into some small town, kidnap some old geezer, steal his pokeballs and research data, and torch his pad?"
"Hmm, you learn fast. Normally, we would undertake the task ourselves, but this job is what you would call an exercise in corporate restructuring. One of our associates needs a little incentive to work harder." Jesse said smilingly.
"I see. But I'll have to ask for 5 million this time, since you seem to know this...Professor Oak, and you probably want him rather safe. Think of it as an insurance fee."
"That's rather steep, but it can be done. But if you're gonna charge that much, then do torch some nearby houses, just to make it all look like just a little accident."
"Now, Jesse, about that date I proposed."
"Hmm, Raven...I'm rather flattered, but I'll take a rain check."
"Rain check?"
"Yes, just to give you some time to fondle that extra cash you asked for. See ya later!!!"
Jesse cut Raven off, just as he was about to pound the monitor. James was resting in the lounge of their office, looking at an old picture of himself, Jesse, and Meowth, when they used to be simple pokemon thieves.
"We looked so happy. Hmm, how time changes us all," James sighed to himself as he looked at Jesse, once a sight he had admired and respected, but over time he had come to pity and feel sorry for.
"James!!! Snap out of your trance and come here!"
"So what's the deal, Jess? Did Raven have second thoughts about our plan?"
"No, it's not about that. Gary Oak is what concerns me. I've heard from our mole in the research division that Gary's sister was the one who had discovered and applied the principles of space-time displacement."
"Huh?"
Persian-Meowth, sitting on one of the chairs interjects, " Time travel, James. The ability to traverse ages in an instant."
Jesse continues, "There were rumors about some pretty extraordinary breakthroughs in our top secret research division, so I hired a mole to supply us with information regarding such research. He's currently in the pokegenics division, working as a research assistant and part-time field watcher. His name is Tracey."
James sneers,"Aren't you the resourceful insider! But what if Gary finds out?"
"He won't, and if he did, he can't do anything about it. Team Rocket's partially funding his firm's research, so it's not unusual that we keep a close eye on his work."
"Then why this plan to kidnap his grandfather?"
"Because," Persian-Meowth snarled, " our agent also tells us he's seen Gary debating with his sister about cutting financial ties with Team Rocket and continuing their research with someone else. I figure the two of them need some convincing to stay with us, and perhaps their grandfather might like to contribute to the research as well. If our organization is able to walk across the sands of time, Team Rocket can easily rule this planet. Giovanni doesn't discuss it in so many words, but I know of a massive recruiting campaign in effect next month. I know he's plotting a takeover of epic proportions. Now, let's get on to other business. The Cerulean Gym leader's deed."
James sneered, "Meowth, we're talking about taking over the world by time travel. Why the big deal over a small deed?"
Jesse ended,"That deed and the gym that goes with it holds the final key to taking over the world."
A moderate gang of cops surrounded Brock's tent with Officer Jenny heading the pack. Oddly enough, Misty's tent, which was right next to his, wasn' t there. They had originally camped on top of a hill steep on one side, and Ash the night before, had decided to sleep down the hill on the steep side, hidden from the sight of the police. Misty awoke to the noise of sirens and cops yelling.
"You're all under arrest,!!!"Officer Jenny yelled as she stuck her flashlight into Brock and Duplica's tent.
"Ash, wake up!!!"Misty said, shaking Ash's shoulder. Pikachu, knowing Ash slept like a rock, touched Ash's hand with his tail and unleashed a light thundershock.
"Waaaahhh!!! Huh?" Ash woke up to see Misty next to him with Pikachu, "How'd I get in here?"
"You looked uncomfortable, so I...wiggled the tent over here, but that's not important. Officer Jenny found us. And there's a ton of cops everywhere!!! We gotta do something!!!"
"What can we do, Misty?"
"Maybe we should talk to them and clear everything up,"she suggested.
"That might not work. Brock and Duplica are on the run, and by the looks of the things, we might be thrown in jail too. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but in order to fight Team Rocket....I'm gonna have to become them, a criminal. I guess I don't have a choice now."
"Huh?" Misty exclaimed in shock.
"I'm gonna have to fight the cops or I'll be stuck in a jail cell and this timeline forever, but still, I don't want to ruin your reputation as a pokemon master..." Ash paused for a minute and, probably from Pikachu's thundershock, got a brilliant idea.
"I got it!!! Misty, disquise yourself, sneak into the jeep and get it ready. I'll disquise myself too and handle the cops,"
Misty snuck out, worried about Ash's decision, but mindful of how right he was in the matter. Fortunately, Ash chose a pretty concealed area to sleep, and even more fortunate, Misty's affections compelled her to move her tent over him.
Ash sighed, "Sorry to do this Officer Jenny, but we need our friends on the run just a bit longer,"
He jumped out the tent and snuck up the hill and yelled, "Go Bulbasaur!! Sleep Powder!!!"
The police were caught entirely by surprise, and all of them fell asleep, except for Officer Jenny, who oddly enough, had a gas mask on.
"You're gonna have to do better than that, kid. I'm always prepared," Officer Jenny smirked. She reached for a pokeball, "Go, Arcanine!!! Flamethrower!!!"
Arcanine came out and blasted a stream of fire at both Ash and his Bulbasaur. The two dodged the fire barely, but Ash, constantly mindful of the battle, commanded his Bulbasaur with ease.
"Bulbasaur, trip it with your Vine Whip!!!"
Bulbasaur flung his vines, but Officer Jenny retaliated rather quickly.
"Arcanine!!! Ember!!!"
Ash knew he was at a disadvantage, for Bulbasaur's vines reached too late, and were severely burned by the flurry of fire Arcanine blasted.
"Arcanine!!! Take Down!!!" Jenny commanded with conceit, "Kid, the judge is gonna throw the book at you for resisting arrest!!!
Ash, with thoughts of prison in an alternate reality pressing him on, commands, "Bulbasaur, Leech Seed!!!"
Bulbasaur unleashed Leech Seed, ensnaring Arcanine and quickly sapping away his strength. Knowing the mind of its trainer, Bulbasaur subdued both Arcanine and Officer Jenny with its vines.
"Good job, Bulbasaur. Now use your Sleep Powder and let's get outta here!!!"
Bulbasaur quickly put the two to sleep with its powder and returned to its pokeball. Misty drove up to the campsite while Ash called Brock and Duplica, telling them to hurry to Misty's jeep before anything else happened.
Brock thanked them, "Wow, I guess that means we're cool, huh? Let's go before the cops wakes up! We can talk about the plan on the way." Always the consummate gentleman, Brock threw a blanket on Officer Jenny before getting on the jeep.
"So where's our next stop?"Duplica asked.
"Pallet Town!!!" Misty exclaimed, putting the pedal to the floor and speeding out of the forest.
"Waaaaaahhhh!!!" Ash yelped, almost getting himself and Pikachu thrown out of the jeep.
Brock, letting out a major sweatdrop, whispered to Ash, "Is this how she usually drives?!"
"Yeah, Misty's a little twisty on the road," Ash muttered back, only to get one of Misty's fingers pulling one side of his mouth.
"What are you saying about my driving?!" she loudly asked.
"Wah..wah...wah...wah, err I basn't tawkin 'bout yer dwivin!!!"he blathered out as best he could with a finger in his mouth.
"Remind me to talk to your mother about where you got such a big mouth, Mr. Criminal!"Misty said with a lusty smirk as they rode down to Pallet.
CHAPTER 10: ASHES TO ASH
"CLEAR THE PATH!!!" yelled the Pallet Town volunteer fireman.
The attack was swift, precise and as stealthy as Raven's gang was infamous for. Professor Oak was gone and several nearby houses were ablaze, including one very familiar home. The only occupant of the home was trapped in her son's room surrounded by blazes. Ironically, she thought to herself, she was to die in the very room where her son was kidnapped so long ago.
"Did you call the Viridian City fire squad?"
"Yes, but by the time they get here, we won't have anything left to salvage!"
Our heroes drove down the path to Pallet, unbeknown to them the recent attack of Raven and his Freefall Gang. Brock and Duplica were asleep, and Ash was nodding off with Pikachu. Misty was hypnotized by the road, until the distant blazes caught her attention.
"Ash!!! Wake up!!!"
"Huh, what the?"
"Look! A fire in...Pallet Town?"
"No!!!"
"Pika!!!"
Misty, step on it!!!"
"Right!!!"
Misty put the pedal to the floor, as the shift in inertia awoke both Brock and Duplica.
"Hey what's the deal?!" Brock and Duplica shouted simultaneously.
Ash turned around and motioned his hand, "You guys!!! Pallet Town's on fire!!! We have to do something quick!!!"
The little blue jeep sped down the path as fast as it could, reaching the outskirts of the town, but was unable to go any further, as crowds of people were displaced in the streets, barricaded away by the local firemen. Misty stopped the jeep and quickly jumped out, while Ash wondered what she had in mind.
"Ash, we have to go to your house, quick!!!"
"Right!!! Come on!!!"
Pikachu held on to Ash's backpack, while he grabbed Misty's hand and told Brock and Duplica to handle the other fires.
"Will do, Ash!!!" Brock confirmed.
"You can count on us!" chimed Duplica.
Misty yelled, "We'll meet up at the jeep later!" as she was pulled by Ash into the crowd towards his house. They reached his home, to find the upper half consumed by fire. Ash, worried his mom might be trapped inside, attempted to run inside, but was stopped by Misty.
"Ash, you can't! It's too dangerous!"
"I didn't see my mom in the crowd we just passed. I have to make sure she's not in there!"
He shook her hand off his arm and ran into the house, only to get held back again.
"Here...take Fullfrog. He can help your Squirtle battle the blazes inside."
"Thanks!!! Pikachu, stay with Misty!!!"
"Pika!!! (Be careful!!!)
Ash ran into the house, immediately dodging a falling board that greeted him upon entry. He looked in the living room, the kitchen, and the den, with no sight of his mom. He had to run up the stairs, but half the staircase was destroyed by the fire, and there was no way up.
"Squirtle, Fullfrog!!! Go!!!"
He called out the two pokemon and told them to go ahead and look for survivors. Squirtle, an experienced and proud firefighter, took charge and, with Fullfrog's bouncy body and leaping skills, jumped on his back and hopped over the gap in the staircase.
"Don't worry about me, guys!!! Find my mom and protect her!!! I'll be up there soon!!!"
"Squirt!"
"Full!"
"I have to do something, " Misty thought to herself as she called out all her pokemon, all of which knew some kind of water based attack.
"Starmie, Dragonite, Grumpback, Seaking! Aim your Water Gun above the house!!!" Misty commanded, careful not to have them directly water the house, knowing the sheer force of any of their blasts could easily crumble it.
"Be okay, Ash..." she let out under her breath.
Ash remembered his mom's ladder, which she kept in the basement. He quickly found the basement, got the ladder, propped it up and climbed up to the second floor. Squirtle and Fullfrog had cleared the hallway of any fire, and Ash ran first to his mom's room, and then to his room. Both the pokemon found his mom and had put out most of the fire, but the roof was still ablaze and starting to crumble. Fullfrog was about to aim his water gun upwards until Squirtle stopped him.
"Squirtle-squirt-squirt!!! (No, you'll cave in the roof!!!)"
Fullfrog stopped as Ash ran towards them.
"Mom!!! Err...Ma'am!!! Are you okay?!"
Delia, Ash's mom responded,"Yes, thank you, but how are we gonna get out?"
"Squirtle, Fullfrog!!! Water gun the window!"
The two sprayed through the window, the shards melting into the patio roof.
"Fullfrog, carry her out!!! Squirtle and I will follow you!!!"
Ash's mom jumped on Fullfrog's back and with incredible ease, bounce out of the window, off the patio roof, and down in front of Misty and her entourage of pokemon.
"Fullfrog, you're here!!!, she said, helping Ash's mom off Fullfrog, "But where's Ash?!"
"Frrrog," Fullfrog said as it pointed its suction toe towards the house. Misty looked up to see Ash at the window recalling Squirtle.
"Ash, what're you waiting for?! Get outta there now!!!" she yelled.
"Pika!!! (Come on!)"
Mrs. Ketchum, stunned by the strange girl's words said to herself, "Ash?...no...it can't be..."
"Don't worry, Misty! I'm coming out!"
As soon as he was about to leave the window, the wall surrounding the window caved in, almost crushing Ash, but missing by an inch.
"ASH!!! NO!!!" Misty yelled heartbroken, for from her vantage point, it looked like Ash was caught by the cave-in. Tears started to form in her eyes as she crumpled down on her knees. Ash, a little shaken by the near-death experience he just had, quickly ran down the hall. He was able to easily jump down from the staircase and ran towards the front door where he came in, but it was completely obstructed by flaming debris. He then turned around and scrambled towards the back, dodging falling boards left and right, and made it to the back door. Locked. Fire was everywhere, and he was trapped.
"What now?" he thought to himself.
Unexpectedly, Satoshi jumped out of his pokeball.
"Woof. You know, you should use me more often."
Satoshi, with a wave of his paw, unlocked the door.
"Thanks, Satoshi!!! Next time!!!"
The Watchdawg ran back into its pokeball, as Ash quickly ran out the door before the rest of the house caved in. He ran around the house to the front, looking at all of Misty's pokemon and his mom trying to comfort Misty, still on the ground holding her tears back.
"Hey!!!" Ash yelled, "Is everyone alright?"
"Huh?" Misty looked up, seeing Ash running away from the blaze, "You're alive!"
Mrs. Ketchum let go as Misty ran towards Ash, hugging him and burying her head in his coat, wetting it with her tears. Ash, not knowing how to feel, but mindful of how she felt, hesitated but comforted her slowly and lovingly.
"I'm alright, Mist," he said as she rubbed away her tears and blushed a little, "I'll take my mom to the local clinic. You go and help Brock and Duplica put out the rest of the fires with your water pokemon."
"Right!" Misty smiled.
Brock and Duplica couldn't do much to stop the fires, but they excelled in getting people out of the blazes. His Steelix easily acted as a staircase, and was unique in that he trained it to resist fire. Duplica swiftly escorted people out of buildings. When there were too many people to fit on Steelix, she quickly called her Ditto to duplicate Steelix and provide a second staircase. They had finally reached Professor Oak's estate, which over the course of five years, had sprouted a few research buildings. Most of Oak's assistants were out, but some of their children, who liked to play on the roof, were trapped.
"Duplica, both my Steelix and your transformed Ditto combined can't reach up there. We have to figure something out!"
Duplica, being the resourceful one of the pair says, "Brock, I'll go up on my own. Just give me a boost. Stay here on the ledge and catch the kids as I drop them down. Got it?"
Brock, a little stunned, stood there, concerned for his friend, who was about to leap in the face of danger.
"Brock!!! Come on!!! Give me a boost!"
She put her hands on Brock's shoulders, while he boosted her upwards with his hands. She easily jumped in the air, grabbing onto the ledge and climbing up. Duplica ran towards the kids and motioned them to the ledge where Brock was waiting. His good physique was capable of handle the task of catching falling kids, and one by one jumped down, were caught by Brock, and ran down the pair of Steelixes. Duplica was about to leave, until one of the kids tugged at her leg.
"Miss, ya gotta listen to me!!!"
"We can talk later, kid. You have to get down now!" Duplica responded.
"No, the town was attacked by black Pidgeots with guys on their back. They started the fire!!!"
"What!!!"
"Me an' the other kids saw 'em. One of them fell off on this building. He's on the other side!!!"
Duplica knew who the kid was talking about from the his description. Her and Brock were familiar with many facets of the underworld, and no doubt, this was the work of the Freefall Gang. She and Brock had tangled with them before, once foiling one of their arson schemes by stealing and freeing their Pidgeots, but it seems that didn't stop them.
"Go ahead, kid. I'll find 'im," Duplica said as the kid left.
"Freefallers...it has to be them. This is just how they operate. Guess we can have ourselves a source of information if I capture one." she thought to herself as she ran along the edge of the building, avoiding the fires as she went.
"DUPLICA!!!" Brock yelled as the same kid tugged on Brock's pant leg.
"Mister, the ninja lady left to find the guy in black feathers," the kid said.
"Huh? What are you talkin' about?"
"Your friend!!! She's looking for the guy who rode one of the black Pidgeots!!!"
"Freefallers...," Brock muttered.
Duplica, ever the master of stealth and mystery, spotted the injured Freefaller, and ran to him. She noticed he was dazed, so she decided to play a trick. She grabbed some of the stray feathers that fell off his outfit and fitted it to her ninja-like clothing, imitating a Freefaller.
"Dude, like let's get outta here before the Jennies arrive!!!" she said using standard thug slang.
"Whoa!!! Right on, dude!!!" the dazed Freefaller responded.
Duplica knew Freefallers were very familial and watched out for each other, which is the reason why they were never caught. Fortunately for her, this one's brethren didn't pick him up just yet. She reached the ledge where Brock stood, still waiting for her.
"Hey, you're kinda short for a Freefaller. That and you have big breasts!!! You're a girl!!!" the Freefaller exclaimed, since no girls were assigned on tonight's mission.
"That's right!!! Thanks for noticing!!!" she blushed as she pushed him over the ledge towards Brock.
He fell into Brock's arms, passing out during the fall.
Brock looked at the Freefaller, smirking a little and thinking to himself, "I guess I'll have to handle the interrogation. What're you waiting for, Duplica? Jump down!!"
She stood at the ledge, "Move outta the way, Brock!!! I can make it down myself!!!"
Brock scaled down the Steelixes with the Freefaller in tow, as Duplica jumped down with the grace and agility of a cat. The firetrucks finally arrived, though Misty's pokemon had already squelched most of the fires. Ash's friends, along with their hostage Freefaller, reunited at Misty's jeep and sped up to the local clinic to meet up with him. They ran inside to find his mother and Pikachu, but there was no sign of Ash. Misty was quick to ask her what happened.
"Ma'am, what happened to the boy who brought you here?"
"He left. He...ran off to Oak's lab...in search of something he said."
"Huh? But it's destroyed. Why would he want to go back there?"Misty asked her.
"I don't know, but he seemed a little disturbed by what just happened."
Duplica placed the Freefaller into one of the rooms, joining the others later. Brock wondered why Ash had left so unexpectedly and volunteered to find him, but was cut off by Misty.
"I'll go. You stay here and keep her company until I get back."
"Right," her friends agreed as she ran off into the smoky night towards Oak's lab, but before leaving, Mrs. Ketchum called her name.
"Misty! Make sure...my son's okay..."
She gently smiled back to her as she ran out of the clinic, curious as to her companion's disappearance.
CHAPTER 11: DAWN OF THE DARK ONE
"It's all gone. He's gone."
Smoke draped across the rubble and broken walls, passing across his body at midwaist. He started approaching the charred steps of the lab, waxing nostalgic over a destroyed pokeball he picked up, reminiscing over the time he was given Pikachu and sent forth on his journey. But in the world he was in now, it never happened. It all seemed like a lost cause now. He was stuck in a nightmare of a world and probably his only chance of ever getting out of it, Professor Oak, was gone.
He started to walk away, until the smoke started to get thicker, obscuring his view and out of nowhere, someone called to him.
"Hello there."
"Huh? Who's out there?" Ash responded a little startled.
"Interesting question. Look into the smoke and see my form."
"What, you're not making any sense!"
"Just look, father..."
Ash became stunned by what the strange voice he was hearing called him, "Huh...father?!" He looked into the smoke, and slowly it began to take shape. It developed into a form his height, slowly morphing into something that looked exactly like him, though bearing distinctive features. Oddly enough, it was dressed almost like Ash when he was 10.
"Who...who are you?" Ash said, "You look just like me."
"It matters not who I am, but the destiny I hold for you. I know of your little problem with time. I know because I hold the answer to your problems."
"And what might that be?" Ash retorted, with heavy skepticism.
"I am a friend. I have been sent to guide you away from the lies of Chronine and his vile Watchdawgs. He is the one who is deceiving you. You are merely a tool in which he plans to bind the strings of space-time into one, enslaving all humans and pokemon into a timeless sphere, with him as your ruler."
"What? You can't be serious. He brought me here so I can save myself from being kidnapped!"
"That is untrue. You were thrown into this world as a slave to do his bidding. In this time and place, the enemies you know as Team Rocket have funded a time travel project, and in doing so, kidnapped you out of your bed before your journey, and are planning to rearrange time to rule the world unchallenged. Chronine, fearful of Team Rocket's imminent rise to power, is attempting to use you to wield the power of the machine for his own purposes."
"Waaaa!!! Why should I believe you?!"
The Ash-like shadow continued, "Chronine can't cross into human time, so he needs human hands to wield the machine. Your hands."
"Then what should I do? I want to go back home."
"Very simple. Just hand me the Watchdawg and it'll all be over."
"Satoshi..." Ash muttered, grabbing the ball, but pausing for a very long moment until the shadow talked.
"Come on, Ash...what fear do you have of handing me your Watchdawg? It is merely using you for Chronine's purposes."
Ash stretched his hand out to the shadow, but was interrupted by an approaching voice.
"Ash!!! Are you up here!!!" Misty called out exhaustedly.
The shadow attempted to snatch Satoshi's ball out of Ash's hand, but Ash proved too quick for it, and flicked his hand out of the way.
"You almost fooled me."
"GGGRRRRRRRR!!!!!" the shadow growled, morphing into a cavernous roar.
Misty ran into Ash, but he quickly pulled her behind him as he stared down the shadow, which had transformed into a darker mass, pushing away the smoke around them.
Misty gasped, too shocked for words to see the dark mass in the form of Ash.
"Aaaah...Misty. I see you came looking for father. But little do you know of his hatred. His evil. Still, before I leave you two, let me leave you with these words. Is the love that you seek before you or merely after you? Does it make any difference whether you knew him five days ago or five years ago? Is helping him regain his existence worth the erasure of your own? Heh..heh..heh...HAA!!! HAA!!! HAA!!! HAA!!! HAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"
The two of them stood there, not knowing what to make of what they just saw.
"Ash...I'm scared."
"Don't be. I don't know what or who that was, but it's gone now. We'll talk about it later. We should head back to the clinic. How is everyone? How's my mom?"
"Everyone's okay, but the doctors are giving your mom some oxygen. That and she knows who you are."
The pair ran into Misty's jeep and sped off towards the clinic, haunted by the strange apparition they saw in the ruins of Oak's lab.
"You're here! Great to have you back! Your mother's inside and doing okay." Brock said.
"Right. I'm going in. Come on, Pikachu!" Ash said, taking a few steps, "And you too, Misty. I want you to come along, too."
"Oh. Okay!" she paused, a little surprised Ash wanted her company now.
They walk in, the room half-lit as a small lamp shone on his mother's face. Ash steps lightly, noticing her eyes were wandering around the room, until they ultimately fixated themselves upon her visitors.
"Th...thank you...God. I knew you'd come back to me some day..."she said.
"Mom...how did you know it was me?"
"Ever since the day you disappeared...I thought of you everyday, and saw you grow in my mind. You look so much like your father. I'm so proud," Delia Ketchum said, noticing Misty behind him.
"Ash, I didn't think you'd find a girlfriend so quick!"
"No, she's my best friend. Her name's Misty."
"Hi, Mrs. Ketchum." Misty replied nervously.
"Nice to meet you, Misty. Ash, where were you all these years? What happened to you the night you were supposed to leave on your pokemon journey?"
He didn't know how to answer. Ash had a difficult enough time explaining his origins to his friends, and even found it hard to believe himself. He wasn't compelled to tell his mom his unbelievable story seeing her in her condition. He paused, thinking what to say next, until Misty interjected.
"Mrs. Ketchum, Ash, maybe I should leave. You and your mom need some time alone for you to straighten things out and explain what's been going on."
"Pika-pika-pi. (I'll go too.)"
"Right," Ash said reluctantly.
"I'll be outside. It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Ketchum."
Ash paused for a long moment, bowing his head while his mother strongly embraced him. He uncontrollably started weeping, letting out the details of his ordeal. Unbeknownst to them, Misty observed them from the window with concern, with Pikachu hanging on her shoulder equally concerned.
"Pika-pi (Ash.)"
Misty, in the back of her mind, was still haunted by what the shadow had said to her back at Oak's ruined lab. She pondered what the smoky figure had said to her before it vanished, " Is helping him regain his existence worth the erasure of your own?" Yes, she wanted to help Ash, but what would happen to her if she did? She was proud and happy with her life, her accomplishments, and her success. One would normally opt for their own well-being, but before her she saw a wounded and lost boy, someone that strangely inspired her compassion and anger, and by all means posed a threat to the life that she knows. How would she turn out if he returns to his place in the timeline? When Satoshi let her and Brock touch the flame of his mind, she saw the memories he had of her, but none of the sentiment or soul. In the end she was left still with the same question, one inspired by denial and fear, "Why were we together, Ash?"
Elsewhere, Brock and Duplica were having a session with the Freefaller they captured. Duplica and Brock had run into a janitor closet and had disquised themselves as police. Brock was in gruntish policeman clothes, Duplica in her Jenny uniform. They walked to the Freefaller's room, running into a Nurse Joy.
"We're here to interrogate the perpetrator, Nurse Joy!" Duplica said authoritatively.
Nurse Joy said, "Oh, you're here rather late, Officer Jenny. You're usually off duty at this hour."
The two unleashed big sweatdrops, but Duplica quickly responded, "Wherever there's crime, I have to be on duty regardless of the hour! Now leave us alone please, so we can continue."
"Okay, if you need me, I'll be at the reception area." Brock couldn't stop blushing and said to Duplica, "Gee, I didn't know Nurse Joys worked in human hospitals as well."
Duplica smacked Brock on the head, "Quit screwing around, Brock and let's grill the guy before the real authorities get here!"
"Right!" Brock agreed, reaching for some smelling salts and waking up the knocked out Freefaller. He awoke startled, noticing he was strapped to the hospital bed he was put in. Duplica paced back and forth until pausing and setting her eyes to her captive.
"I ain' tellin' ya a thing, Jenny!" he exclaimed.
Brock, always defensive of her literal partner-in-crime, grabbed the Freefaller by the collar and put a pair of tweezers in front of his nose, some feathers falling off as he was pulled up, "You talk to her like that again, and I start plucking, and I don't mean feathers."
"Okay!!! Okay!!! I'll talk!!!"
Duplica continued, " Now, let's start with your boss."
His mother fell asleep without him noticing, and he slowly withdrew his head from her embrace, resting her head onto the pillow. He got up and walked out of the room, looking back every second or so. Suddenly he felt a hand grab his and gently pull him away from the threshold.
"Ash, we need to talk," Misty said worriedly.
"Yeah. Pikachu, please stay with my mom until I get back."
"Pika!"
The pair stepped out onto the clinic's gardens, exhausted and distraught over the recent disaster that befell Pallet. They sat down on a small stump wearily, yet the full moon comforted them slightly as they conversed.
"It's kinda my fault your mom found out who you were. I yelled out your name during the fire, wondering if you were okay."
"Fault? Don't act as if it was a bad thing. She found out I'm still alive. That's what counts,"Ash sat straight up and looked at the moon, "But now, I don't know what to do. Professor Oak is dead, probably my only lead towards finding whoever was responsible for my kidnapping."
"Don't tell me you're giving up?! After pulling me and the others from our lives and finding your mom, you're telling me you're giving up?"
Ash flared up, "I didn't say I was giving up!!! I'm not stupid enough to give up! I'll get my life back and make it back to my time no matter what! I just have to think..."
"Hey, I got! Ask Satoshi!" Misty said, usually the one with the best ideas. Satoshi popped out the pokeball as soon as he heard its name, "I see why she's important to you, Ash. She compensates for what you lack in other qualities."
Ash groaned, "Satoshi, Professor Oak's dead. He was probably my only lead to find whoever kidnapped me from my time. What do I do now?"
"Nothing. The answer will come to you soon. I believe Misty has a more important question."
Misty was baffled, "How did you know I wanted to ask something?"
"I can read minds. Now, what is your question?"
"Who or what was that thing we saw at Oak's lab?"
Ash concurred, "Yeah Satoshi. What was that all about? And why did it call me father?"
Satoshi waved his paw, and small images formed on the clock on its belly,"The creature you saw, the being...is known as...Red. He is a terrifyingly powerful entity from a cold, distant mirror dimension. In his world, he became known as the Leader Red, the ultimate, legendary pokemon master, invincible in combat and feared throughout the world. He and his Pikachu were thought to be unstoppable. They had conquered the 8 gyms of Kanto, demolished the combined forces of the Elite Four, and put to ruins the organization you know as the vile Team Rocket."
"He's.....he's me?"
"Very much so, but he lacks something you have, Ash."
"What's that?"
"He lacked life. His was a world of data, of silicon. Love and friendship were non-existent there. He committed an awful sin in his dimension. He started to develop feelings, something no other beings in his dimension were capable of. It is unknown why or how he developed those feelings."
Misty stared at an image of Red, "That's...so sad."
"Then one day, he was challenged by a trainer from the lands of Johto. The battle was long and hard, and the mountain in which they battled shook to the foundations, and were felt from the far corners of the world. He lost the battle, and was dethroned by his young challenger. He had developed several feelings, but when he was defeated, he had developed a dark side. Failure, remorse, and hatred filled his heart, causing him to disappear like a ghost from his dimension. I don't have all the answers yet, but I have a feeling he may behind all this chaos. Believe me, Ash isn't the only one in danger. His plans may threaten this very world's existence!!!"
Ash asked, "Satoshi, why was it so interested in taking you from me?"
"I maintain your life force, Ash. If I were to fall into someone else's hands, your life essence would be transferred to another person. It is important that I alway remain in your possession. Enough talk, I wanna go to bed and you four have to develop a plan to save your existence and the world. Wooof!"
He ran back into his pokeball. The two stood there, frightened by the images of the one called Red.
Misty pulled Ash away towards the clinic,"We better talk to the others. All my doubts about you are gone, Ash. If we're going up against someone with power of that magnitude, we're gonna need all the help we can get."
CHAPTER 12: INTO THE THIEVES' DEN
Our heroes left Pallet Town, heading for Cinnabar Island region, and landing on a small neighboring island known as Rock of the Sea Ghost, with memories of recent events flashing back in their minds as they faced a small troupe of Team Rocket members.
"Ash, you have to do what's right. If you have to leave, I'll be waiting here. I love you!" Ash's mom said crying as they rode off.
"I'm with you 100%, Ash." Misty said one starry night.
"Professor Oak's still alive. He was kidnapped and taken to Cinnabar by Team Rocket!!!" Brock said outside the clinic.
"I don't trust you, Ash, but if Brock's with you, then I'm on your side!" Duplica said privately to Ash.
"Go Pikachu!!!"
"Go Starmie!!!"
"Go Steelix!!!"
"Go Ditto!!!"
Brock and Duplica were well aware of how and where Team Rocket operated, and how in their more secluded bases, the security was pretty loose. The Freefaller they interrogated mentioned a base near Cinnabar Island. Now all they had to do was get past a welcoming party. The Rocket leader bellowed, "Hmm, you kids are on the wrong island. Guess we're gonna have to clean youse out o' your pokemon as a penalty." He and his three partners unleashed their pokeballs.
"Go Electabuzz!"
"Go Quagsire!!!"
"Go Scizor!!!"
"Go Ditto!!!"
They looked at each others pokemon and at each other.
"Well this is gonna be challenging. There's no real type advantage or vice versa," Misty groaned.
"Hmm, that's easy for you to say. My opponent has the same thing I do!" Duplica exclaimed.
"Just great. After this battle is over, I'm gonna have to buy more steel polish!" Brock murmured.
"Umm, guys? We're skilled trainers so we shouldn't have a problem, right?!" Ash said, very leaderlike.
The four said simultaneously, "RIGHT!!!"
"Pikachu, Pinpoint and Body Slam!"
"Starmie, Psychic Attack!"
"Steelix, Iron Tail Attack!"
"Ditto...uhh...Transform!"
Pikachu, with nasty precision, body slammed Electabuzz in the breadbasket, while Starmie tore through Quagsire's little brain with Psychic. Steelix horribly dented Scizor's solid exterior with its Iron Tail, but well...Ditto wasn't as efficient in dealing with its own type. Everyone had finished defeating their opponent save for Duplica, who had, for the first time in her history as a Ditto master, been forced to realize the dilemma of facing another Ditto in combat. Misty nudged Ash in his ribs with her shoulder, "This is one's for the books, eh Ash?" He made a silly grin as Duplica and her opponent stood confounded.
Back in a warehouse in Cerulean, another pair and a talking cat are busy busting up a rival gang in Cerulean, in anticipation of any information regarding the fabled Pokemon Master and local gym legend, Misty.
"Weezing, Sludge Attack!!!"
"Misdreavus, Screech!!!"
Jesse's banshee-like pokemon let loose a high-pitched screech, tearing through the eardrums of the Anglers, a nasty band of sailing ruffians who based their operations in the ancient water town. All the Anglers and their pokemon were on the ground, with drips of blood coming out of some of their ears. Persian-Meowth, eager to interrogate, picks up the head Angler, who has a few connections to the local police.
"So, you're the one who can best give us some advice. You must know of Team Rocket, right?"
The Angler, eager to laugh at the talking Persian, made a snide remark, "Geez, Team Rocket must be on da straights if dey're picking on small timers like us. Even more so if dey's starting to hire talking pokemon."
Persian-Meowth's index claw quickly shot out, digging into the forehead of the Angler.
"See how that hurts. The less you cooperate, the further it goes into your skull." Meowth groaned.
"AAHHHH!!! Awright! Awright! Whaddya wanna know?"
Meowth continued,"We need to be able to bypass the curfew around here, and we just need your I.D's. That and a little information about the Cerulean Gym and the girls who run the place."
The Angler looks confused, "What's dere to know? Da Waterflower family runs da joint, real hotties dose girls. The head gym leader, Misty's also's a pokemon master. She ain't around, do'"
"What?" Persian-Meowth exclaims, almost letting go of the Angler, "Where is she then?"
"Dunno, but she ain't at da gym. One of our boys wanted to challenge her for her badge, but from what he heard from her sisters, she took off wit' some guy. Lucky stiff, whoever he is... Real dish, dat Misty."
"Well this was unexpected," James said, stealing some of the pokemon they knocked out during their fight with the Anglers, "Our target is gone."
"Strange. I'd expect a pokemon master to be in more control of her hormones," Jesse sneered, "Now we have to track her down."
Meowth, ever the perfectionist, continues, "Your helpfulness has expired. Good night."
SCRATCH!!! SCRATCH!!!
Brock whispered into Duplica's ear, "Did you ever think of just transforming Ditto into one of our pokemon? It would go a lot faster, I think."
"Butt out, Brock! This is about principle! Ditto is supposed to use its opponent' attacks against them!"
"But it only knows Transform."
"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT???!!!"Duplica yelled at Brock, her breath blowing away Ash and Misty as well, "I got it! Ditto, keep transforming!"
Ditto kept transforming until all its power points were exhausted. The proud Ditto master yelled, "Ditto! Struggle Attack!" Ditto swiped away at its opponent, knocking it out in just a few blows, "Hah! I heard of the legendary attack of desperation, Struggle." Duplica had almost a maniacal expression on her face, causing her friends to sweatdrop, while their opponents stood shaking in their boots.
"Guess I'll have to clean up. Go, Bulbasaur! Sleep Powder!" Ash commanded. The Rocket Grunts fell asleep on the rocky grounds at the mercy of our heroes.
Misty motioned to Duplica, "Now we can use your expertise."
A dark red sports car, sleek and shiny, barreled down the route leading to Vermilion City. Jesse drove while James was talking on a cellphone. Persian-Meowth was in the back, filing his claws to a razor-edge. James, as dumb as he might be sometimes, fostered many connections in several municipalities, easily able to bribe them with his wealth.
"Jesse, get this. Remember that little incident we staged in Pallet with the Freefallers?"
"Of course I do, James. I'm the one who hired those flapping goons."
"Well, from what my connections in the Viridian Fire Department tell me, when they went to put out the fires, most of them were already squelched. A young girl with powerful water pokemon was mentioned in Pallet's local paper just yesterday. It's being faxed to me by my contact."
"James, you've actually proven yourself useful for a change."
A micro-printer installed in the glove compartment chugged out some pages of the Pallet Town Cryer, the local rag of Pallet. On the front page was a small snapshot of Misty with her hand outstretched commanding her pokemon among the blazes.
"Bingo, I've found her." James said.
Jesse, jealous of his efficiency, put him down, "Sure but what makes you think she's still there?"
"She may not be, but you should at least be driving towards there! We're heading to Vermilion."
Persian-Meowth decided to enter the conversation, "The girl and her deed can wait. Our captive, Professor Oak is waiting for us on Cinnabar Island. There's a chopper waiting for us Vermilion. After we're done convincing Gary and his firm in continuing his research with us using his grandfather, we can easily pounce on Pallet and continue our search for the Misty girl."
"This Team Rocket suit is itchy. Couldn't we wear something else?" Ash whined.
"No!!! How do you expect for us to sneak in?" Duplica protested.
"For once I agree with Ash! I want to kick some butt!" Brock barked.
"Will you three be quiet? We're already dressed up and close to the base gate, so shut up!" Misty whispered with the most reason.
After searching for an hour, they finally found the Team Rocket sub-base. It was encrusted near the valley of an active volcano, where a jewel mining facility, also owned by Team Rocket, operated. Several guards surrounded the area, with rifles and pokeballs strapped to their waists. Our heroes nonchalantly walked down the valley, making their way towards the central gate.
"Hey, you!!! Hold it right, there!!!" a fat, female Rocket grunt yelled.
"Waaaah!!!" Ash yelped in nervousness.
"Ash, calm down!" Misty whispered.
All of them stood nervous as the fat lady walked towards them. She made her way towards a trembling Ash, with Pikachu doing likewise.
"That's such an adorable Pikachu! Mind if I hold it and pet it?" the fat lady Rocket said, quickly changing from the authoritative voice of a cow to one of a 10-year old little girl.
"Uhhh....sure?"
After the grunt had her way with a reluctant Pikachu, she gave him back to Ash and yelled, "Lunch is in 5 minutes for you rookies!!! Get a move on to the mess hall, straight ahead!!!"
With sighs of relief, they continued past the gate, using the cards they confiscated from their previous opponents to pass the security checkpoint. Once inside they ran inside a large utility closet and discussed their plans. Duplica, the master of stealthy operations, laid out the details.
"Take these," she said, handing them each a headset to stay in contact with each other, "We have to split in groups of two, one male and one female."
"Why can't we just stay together?" Misty asked.
Duplica answered, "We'll have more of a chance to find your Professor Oak if we split up. As for the boy-girl thing, Team Rocket operates that way, for some reason. They pair up a boy and a girl for their teams, usually accompanied by a mascot pokemon. I'll pair up with Ash and his Pikachu."
A disappointed Misty agreed, "Alright. Me an' Brock will go together. I'll call out Starmie for our mascot pokemon."
Brock, keeping himself from drooling, continued,"When either of us has found the professor, call on the headset to meet on the fourth floor."
"Why the 4th floor?" Ash asked.
"Before we left Pallet, I used my laptop to download some maps I stole from a job Brock and I did a long time ago for another client. Some of what I stole were schematics for a Team Rocket island base. There should be an underground dock full of boats where we can escape on the 4th floor, if I'm not mistaken."
"And what if you are?" Misty asked.
"Then we'll just have to resort to Brock's methods for escape."
"And what's that?" Ash asked with curiosity
"KICK BUTT!!!" Brock yelled in a whisper.
Ash and Misty sweatdropped and looked at each other with a glint in their eyes that said something along the lines of, "I see why they make such a great team..."
Out of nowhere, a voice echoed in the room not belonging to any of them. It sounded familiar to Ash.
"So now.........time for us to play........."
"What was that?" Ash asked with a startled glint.
Everyone looked around, quivering in fear of what they just heard. It echoed and seemed to surround them, as if it didn't have a source.
"......Time for us to play.......hee...hee..hee...."
The four heroes definitely heard something. It sounded at the same time, both a young woman and a little girl. It carried a dreadful monotone and childish giggle.
"Who's out there?" Misty growled, reaching for a pokeball.
"......Childish fools......why are you here?......You seek the professor........Well now, I am curious......Curious for the boy.........the boy and his Pikachu...........You both seem immune to my mind's powers..........For that you must pay..........................................infidel."
The room darkened, and in a flash of light, a girl appeared out of thin air. She had a rather deadly beauty, with green hair falling past her waist, wearing a black skirt with circuited laces draping down her legs. On both her arms were cybernetic augments, with a claw-like glove covering her right hand.
"Breathe your final breath, children....."
"Sabrina..."Ash said under his breath.
"I am the guardian of Giovanni's holy ground.....which you have desecrated.....Die.....slowly and painfully...hee...hee"
TO BE CONTINUED...