Part2Chapter7
"Looks like this guy is really popular." Said Jessie to her two cohorts. James nodded.
"Eh! He'll just be a flash in the pan. You know what though. I would bet three of my nine lives that Ash will show up now."
"Why is that Meowth?" Asked James dumbly. Meowth got a vein throb on his head.
"If this champ is anything like Gary; the twerp will show up to challenge him."
"And what if he doesn't?" Asked James. James was hit over the head with a mallet.
"Then we steal their pokemon instead of Ash's Mew! Idiot!" Growled Jessie. "Now back to work! We can get some money out of this crowd yet!" The trio went back to their posts and began to work.
"Here we are champ." Announced Darrel. Ash couldn't believe what was happening! No sooner had they gone down one street, the crowd had picked up again. Ash was still in the head of the line behind his pokemon but, the fans had followed in behind him.
"This is the stadium?" Ash asked Darrel. Darrel nodded and picked up the pace.
"Make way! The D district champ had been beaten. Here comes the new champ." Ash heard from the crowd behind him. Ash wanted to hide. Just then, Ash and the group passed a certain trio of trouble.
"I must be seeing things!" exclaimed Jessie.
"Why?" Asked James.
"Tell me that he doesn't look like Ash Ketchum."
"Who doesn't look like Ash Ketchum?" Asked James densely, Jessie gave him a well-deserved smack alongside the head.
"Keep up with current events you dimwit! The new D whatever champ!" James recovered from the brutality of Jessie's attack and took a look at the champ as he passed by.
"If Ash was a blonde and had better taste in cloths that could be him." Sneered Meowth. "but since we all know Ash, that snobbish champ couldn't be him." Ash heard a familiar voice as he passed by the refreshment stands. When he looked he thought he saw Jessie, James and Meowth.
'If they're here, that means I had better prepare for the worst. I wouldn't be surprised if they crashed this party.' Ash thought. Then Ash was lifted down so he could register into the tournament. Darrel lead the way through the doors into the registration area.
"Make way! We have a district champ here." Ash was not comfortable with the fuss that Darrel was making over his arrival. What surprised him even more was that people were making way for him. Ash had a clear path to the registration desk. Darrel gave him a pen and he signed himself in as Ash. When he was done. Darrel took the piece of paper and held it up to Ash's newfound fans. "Bring it on!" Yelled Darrel.
"And here I thought I was the one who had one of the biggest ego's in the tournament." Ash froze as he recognized Gary's voice.
'Oh, Please, Please, PLEASE, don't let him recognize me.' Ash thought as he turned to face his rival. Before Ash could say a word though, Darrel butted in.
"The ego is deserved. This kid beat me in a fair battle of two against two and didn't have to use a second pokemon. He's a district champ. You can't say the same can you kid." Gary was shut up for an instant. Ash glared into Gary's eyes and almost betrayed who he was by opening his mouth. "Thought not! See you at the winners circle."
"We'll settle this in the tournament." Growled Gary as he stalked off with his cheerleaders. Before they left though there was a exchange of cheers.
"Gary, he's a true champ.
On your pokemon will he stamp.
Gary is the best, yeah! Gary!
Ash was startled by a pair picking him up by the arms and being hoisted onto a pair of shoulders. Also , to Ash's surprise, the mob yelled back a cheer.
"District D is rough,
We'll leave you crying enough,
Cause our champ is so tough,
D!D! District D!
Out on the field you shall see!
District D! Go Ash!"
Ash didn't see how Gary reacted to his name being called out because, he was being carried away by the district D people. Ash didn't look back as he was carried out to the sunshine again. This time, Ash concentrated on the refreshment stands and saw what he was looking for; a Meowth selling hotdogs.
'Did I ever mess up this time. I wonder where Richie is. I could sure use his help.' Ash thought as he was carried back to the park for his victory party. Meanwhile, a very stunned Gary was still at the tournament area.
'It- They couldn't have been cheering for Ash Ketchum. That couldn't of been Ash. He's too chicken to do anything like that. Besides, Ash had black hair and always wears his hat. That kid looked nothing like him.' Gary stood silent for a moment. 'There was something in his eyes that was familiar..'
At the District D lab
"So Sparky is alright?" asked Richie to an emerald haired lady with matching eyes. Doc Pine as she was called smiled at the trainer.
"Yes, in fact, I don't see anything wrong with Sparky." The boy looked preoccupied for a moment. "Something wrong?"
"Sparky had swollen cheeks a little while ago and couldn't do anything more than a thundershock. It doesn't make any sense." Pine shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe he needed a break so he could gather electricity again. That sometimes happens.. What is that racket outside?!" Pine went to the window and looked out to see a group, nay, a mob of children headed to the park. When she moved he glasses closer to her face, she saw one above the rest.
"What is going on?" Asked Richie. Then Richie remembered Ash. What had happened was one of the two goons that were with Darrel stopped Richie from following Ash and brought him to the lab. When Richie asked what was going on the goon said.
"A test, nothing more. You'll see your friend either back here or some other time if he's a champ."
"Looks like District D has a party going on." Said Pine. Pine remembered growing up in district D as a child. The parties were for people who challenged the district champ and won.
"District D?" Richie asked. Pine came back to reality to explain to the pokemon trainer what was going on outside.
"There are four districts in Kolbind. A, B, C, and D. We're in the D district right now. Every district has a champion. If a person defeats the standing champion; they become a candidate for district champion. If the champion is defeated twice by the same person; then they become the new district champ. I think our Darrel had been dethroned once today."
"That reminds me! I have a friend who just got challenged by a group of three big guys. One of the big goons lead me here. I hope he's alright." Richie's face faulted and he looked out the window down the street.
"If he's still out there, he'll be pushed towards the party at the park. We can probably see him there. Besides, it is a tradition that one of my standard to join the party to show my support. I'll take you with me if you don't mind," Richie smiled a little.
"Thanks!" Sparky was then released from the doctors grasp and leapt back to it's trainer. "Ready to party Sparky?"
"Pikachu!" was the pokemon's answer. Then with minimal hopes to find Ash, Richie followed Doc Pine out of her clinic. Before she left the clinic she put up a closed sign but didn't put up a time when she would be back. Richie noticed this.
"Why didn't you give a time when you would be back?" Richie asked the pokemon doctor.
"Because if it is truly a champion party, I honestly don't know when the party will stop."
The Park
Ash was shocked out of his mind. Never before had he seen so many people. There were more people in the park then there were in the entire town of Pallet. Still being carried around like a trophy, Ash was paraded to the middle of the park.
"We're here." Darrel announced as he stopped the crowd. "SO LET THE PARTY COMMENCE!" The signal was given and people split in every direction. Ash was carried up a rock that overlooked the park and was set down.
"Giggle!" Ash looked behind him to see Pikachu and Abra in the arms of two girls. Ash blushed a bit as they sat down beside him and began a conversation concerning Ash like he wasn't even there.
"He has such well behaved pokemon."
"And they're so cute." Pikachu gave a Pika of approval as the yellow haired, blue-eyed girl began to scratch behind his ears.
"Not to mention their trainer as well." Darrel slapped Ash on the back before he had a chance to blush at the brunettes comment.
"Lucky punk! Already have the girls chasing you." Ash could feel his ears growing hot. To add to Ash's embarrassment, his stomach growled. The girls looked at him and laughed.
"I think our champ is hungry." Said the girl holding Abra. Darrel was laughing too.
"What gave you that idea?" Darrel let out a shrill whistle and Ash watched the crowd scurry faster. Then, several plates of food appeared out of nowhere.
"Pika!" Ash turned to see Pikachu in the same predicament as him; he didn't know where to start. The food spanned out for what seemed like forever.
"Dig in." said Darrel in a chagrined voice. Before Ash could oblige a familiar voice rang through the crowd.
"Ash!" Ash turned to see Richie running towards him.
"Richie!" Darrel took notice of the new champs attitude and looked in the direction of Ash's gaze.
"Oh, your little friend's here. He should join the party! Let that kid through!" yelled Darrel to the crowd.
"Whoah!" yelled Richie as he was picked up by the crowd.
"Pass him on." yelled a voice. Richie and Sparky were passed up to the rock. Once Richie was sat beside Ash, it became clear who was the new district D champ.
"No way." Said Richie. Ash grinned.
"Way." Ash gave Richie a high five and turned back to the food. "Hungry?" Waterfall tears went down Richie's face.
"Famished." Darrel slapped Richie's back.
"Eat! I never thought that I would have to tell a kid your age that." Ash didn't have much of an appetite but Richie ate with a vengeance. Ash wasn't hungry because, something was bothering him. After eating, Darrel tried to pick up a conversation with Ash. "So, where ya from?" Ash almost choked on his drink. Richie saved him.
"He's from the indigo league area. We're traveling through this league right now and were lucky enough to come when we did."
"I get it. You're here for the gyms. Well you two are in luck. I spotted both gym leaders here. Maybe you can get your badges right now. Hey Carl." A boy with sandy brown hair and deep aqua eyes came forward. "Find Grendel and K. The champ wants to challenge them for a badge."
"Yes sir!" Ash watched as Carl left through the crowd. Ash didn't know what to think. The power Darrel wielded was almost scary.
"You haven't been very talkative champ."
"Huh?" Ash turned to the voice that addressed him. The girl who was holding Pikachu had spoken.
"I think it's because he's shy." Said the girl holding Abra.
"It's not that, I just have a lot on my mind lately." Started Ash. Darrel was curious so he pressed the matter.
"What sort of things?" To Ash's relief, Richie came to his aid.
"He just broke up with some friends of his." Said Richie. Darrel snorted at the new information.
"Must have been blind to let this cutie go." Said an unfamiliar voice. Ash looked up to see a girl with curled, deep maroon hair in a matching body suit. A cape billowed out behind her as she talked to Ash. Ash was praying that she wouldn't notice that he blushed at her first comment. "I'm Grendel, I heard that you want a match?"
"Careful, he's good." Warned Darrel. "He took out both of my pokemon with that Pikachu of his."
"Didn't you use Sandshrew?" asked the blue eyed gym leader. "You know that the pokemon wouldn't have had a chance against it. You did use Jolteon and Kingler didn't you?" Darrel shook his head.
"Umbreon and Growlithe are the ones I used." That made Grendel's eyes pop out.
"Umbreon and Growlithe- Then how am I supposed to beat him! I've already lost before the battles even begun. I might as well hand over the badge right now." Ash wasn't about to be left out of the conversation.
"How do you now unless you try whether or not you've been beaten? I want a chance to earn a badge, not be given one out of a reputation." Grendel looked into the eyes of Ash Ketchum and saw what everyone saw when they looked into his eyes; pure determination. Grendel shook her head at the boy's words and laughed.
"With an attitude like that, no wonder you beat Darrel. Let's battle!" Ash was lead down onto the grass and a large group of people gathered to watch.
"Go get'er Ash!" yelled Richie from the crowd. Ash didn't hear him though. Ash didn't realize what was happening to him but the pond of pokemon was working it's effects on him. Ash was in a world of his own. A place where his opponent and pokemon were. The crowd, the encouragement and sounds stopped.
"Three on three battle. No time limit. The Kolbind badge Fushialeaf badge is on the line. I call out Golem." Ash watched as the pokemon popped out of it's pokeball. Ash grabbed a pokeball off of his belt.
"Blubasaur! I choose you!" Yelled Ash in his usual declarative voice. The plant pokemon jumped out of it's ball.
"Ready!" called out Bulbasaur.
"Alright Golem, tackle that small fry." Ash wasn't goaded into doing something rash.
"Bulbasaur! Power up and dodge that Golems attack."
"Right!" said the Bulbasaur as it watched the mountain of mass start it's charge. The Golem was moving at a slow pace Ash thought. It didn't matter to Ash though.
"Duck to your right now!" Ash yelled as soon as the Golem neared Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur did as it was told and ducked to his right and the surprised Golem smashed into the ground behind Bulbasaur.
"Golem get back up!" Yelled Grendel to her pokemon.
'Too late.' Ash thought as he saw Bulbasaur turn to it's opponent.
"Now! Solarbeam!" Ash roared. A stream of condensed light seared Golems thick skin and made it faint. Grendel recalled her pokemon.
"Golem return. Let's see your plant type handle this fire type. Go Ninetails!" Ash recognized the Ninetails as the evolved form of Vulpix. Ash winced as the memory of Brock and his friends tried to assault his judgment. Ash gathered a deep breath and pushed the thoughts aside.
"Bulbasaur don't get near it. Try to take him out from afar. Use Poison Powder." Ash ordered his pokemon.
"Fire Blast now! Take it out before it has a chance to poison you!" Yelled Grendel. To Ash's surprise, the Fire Blast didn't work! Bulbasaur had acted more quickly and when the pokemon gathered a deep breath for the attack. It got a lungful of poison powder.
"Nine-coff-coff- tail.!" The pokemon sputtered.
"Bulbasaur. Get it with a razor leaf attack!" ordered Ash quickly. The plant pokemon was already way ahead of him and two razor leaf attacks were on their way to the fire pokemon.
"Nine!" growled the fire pokemon as it fainted. The Razor Leaf attack wasn't very effective but, the poison had already run it's course and the pokemon was out of HP points.
"I don't believe this! Return! This is my best pokemon. Lets see if you can handle it. Go Machamp!" Ash saw the bruiser as it appeared out of the pokeball. It was at a very high level and was being well taken care of.
'Bulbasaur is going to have a tough time with this one.' Thought Ash as the pokemon stretched it's muscles for Ash.
"Blubasaur. Poison Powder!" Ash ordered to the very intimidated plant pokemon. Bulbasaur shook off the fear in time to get ready for it's attack.
"Take this guy out with a devastating Submission attack!" Yelled Grendel
"Yes ma'm/" said the pokemon as it began to charge the pokemon.
'Don't use the poison powder until you see the white in his eyes.' Ash thought silently. If Ash was paying closer attention to his pokemon, he would have seen a bit of a nod come from Bulbasaur. The Machamp neared and prepared to use it's attack. Ash saw the opportunity.
"Now!" Bulbasaur unleashed the poison powder in Machamps face and the pokemon was poisoned. However, Bulbasaur couldn't move out of the way of the pokemon's attack.
"Blubasaur!" Yelled Ash in worry as his pokemon was lifted over the Machamps head. Ash then had an idea. "Bulbasaur! Use Vinewhip from being tossed!"
"I hope this works." Ash heard his pokemon whisper. Bulbasaurs vines wrapped around Machamps wrists and the plant pokemon couldn't be thrown.
"Wha?" gasped the gym leader in surprise. Ash put a smile on his face and ordered Bulbasaur to attack.
"Leech seed!" Ash roared out to his pokemon. The pokemon spit out a seed right onto the Machamps face and let go of it's vinewhip. Bulbasaur jumped from the frustrated fighting pokemon's grasp.
'Now for the coup de grace.' Ash thought happily. The Machamp was badly poisoned and leech seed was sapping it of it's strength.
"Machamp! Try using Recover!" Yelled Grendel. Ash knew he had to act fast because that meant that it would regain HP points.
"Bulbasaur! Take it out with Solarbeam before it has a chance to recover." Yelled the pokemon's trainer. Bulbasaur was tired of the fight and obliged Ash so it could take a rest.
"Here it goes!" Sneered the Bulbasaur as it powered up for a powerful Solarbeam attack. The Machamp was fighting against the leech seed when the pokemon started to glow. It was Recovering!
"Now!" Ash roared. On the signal from Ash, devastating Solarbeam that could have easily taken out two Machamps, hit Grendel's pokemon.
"No!" Yelled Grendel as soon as her pokemon had fainted. She recalled her pokemon and smiled. "You were right Darrel. This kid is good." Ash then came out of his trance and noticed the cheer from around him.
"D, D, district D
On the battlefield you shall see.
Go Ash!"
"Way to go Bulbasaur! You did great!" Ash said as his pokemon scurried back to his trainer. Bulbasaur chuckled a bit as Ash picked him up. "What's so funny?"
"Your hair!" smirked Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur unleashed his vines and ran it through his hair. "It looks funny." Ash grinned at his pokemon. This was going to be great being able to understand his pokemon all the time.
"You did it Ash!" called Richie as soon as he was let through the crowd.
"Was there any doubt that he would lose?" Darrel said as he walked toward the pair.
"That was amazing! How did you think of that move to counter the submission attack? That was awesome! I've never seen pokemon react that fast to their trainers commands before." Commented Richie. Ash looked at him with a blank expression on his face.
"It just popped into my head." Said Ash with a smile. Ash then saw Grendel move in their direction.
"Congratulations! You've earned the Fushialeaf badge." Ash held out his hand and a badge was placed in it. Before Ash could do his famed pose for collecting badges, another person appeared out of nowhere and handed Ash another badge.
"What?" Ash asked as he turned to see an older male in his thirties smiling down at Ash.
"K, don't tell me your going to forfeit the match before it's already begun!" Exclaimed Grendel.
"I just want the kid to hold onto it for now." Ash looked at both badges. The Fushialeaf badge was just that; a leaf that was coloured fuchsia. The other badge was shaped into a teardrop and was also fuchsia. "If he wins the tournament, he can keep the badge, if not, then I'll battle him." Without saying anymore, the strange man left Ash's presence. Ash was dumbstruck.
"Two badges in one day!" laughed Darrel. "You certainly making a name for yourself. The competition doesn't stand a chance against you!" Darrel slapped Ash on the back and he almost dropped Bulbasaur.
Next day.
Ash was the guest of the D district hotel. Darrel had set him up in a deluxe sweet after the party, which didn't end until three in the morning. Ash had collapsed on the big hotel bed and had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Pikachu, Abra/Mew and Bulbasaur were in better shape then Ash as they were allowed to sleep in the arms of Clowie and Tara, the two that teased Ash earlier. Ash had to stay up and converse with the crowd. They were asleep beside Ash on the gigantic bed. Richie and his pokemon were in the bed besides Ash's.
"Ring! Ring!" Ash groaned at the phone. Still asleep, Ash answered it.
"Hello?" Ash greeted groggily.
"Wake up call! Reminder that you battle at one this afternoon." Ash yawned as he put the receiver down and looked at the clock. It was eleven o'clock. Time to get motivated.
"Richie time to get up." Ash said sleepily. Ash was usually the one to sleep the latest but Richie beat him this time.
"Just five more minutes." Was his reply. Ash shook his shoulder and pulled the pillow from his face.
"I have two hours to get to the tournament. Lets go and find something to eat before then." At the mention of food, Richie was up. Ash was ready before him and was switching through the channels on T.V. when he came across his old persona of himself on a news channel.
"In other news, the trainer Ash Ketchum is still missing. Sources suspect that the trainer who caught Mew was in fact-" Ash changed the channel fast as Richie walked back into the room.
"Anything good on?" Richie asked. Ash nervously sweatdropped and almost let the remote fall.
"Nothing of interest." Ash laughed and decided to change the subject. "So, where do we want to eat?" Richie shrugged.
"Don't know and don't care." Ash smiled. As long as it was good, Ash didn't care either. "I wonder where the D district champion eats anyway." Ash groaned at the memory of what happened yesterday.
"What did I get myself into?" Ash wondered out loud.
"Don't worry. Once you leave to go on your pokemon journey, the buzz'll die down." Ash smiled. Richie was probably right. Once his fans learned that he was going to leave, they'd drop him.
"Now how about that breakfast?" Ash asked. Richie and Ash collected their pokemon and left the hotel room. Ash had Pikachu and Abra out while Richie had Sparky. They got to the lobby and were struck with another surprise. Ash saw Darrel, Grendel, Clowie, Tara, and a bunch of kids Ash didn't recognize. They were waiting for Ash to come down.
"There he is!" Ash heard as soon as he stepped out of the elevator. When Ash turned to see who said that, he saw another sight. There were reporters and camera people to the elevators right and they were all headed Ash's way.
"Uh oh!" said Richie. "Um Ash? RUN!" said Richie as calmly as he could. Ash didn't run but was mobbed by the district D people.
"No interviews!" Yelled Darrel as he had a arm outstretched as he protected Ash. Before Ash could protest. The small crowd lifted him up on shoulders again. Richie decided to help this time and was the right bearer. Pikachu and Abra went to the girls. Outside a car was waiting. It looked like Gary's corvette except it was black with a fiery design on the hood.
"Meet you at the stadium Ash." Said Richie as he lowered him into the passenger side. Darrel hopped into the drivers and Clowie and Tara were in the back already. Before Ash could buckle up, Darrel was off.
"Nice to see you awake. You already know Clowie and my sister Tara." Darrel motioned to the girls in the back. "Now, where do you want to go first? You have an hour before you have to battle so I suggest a quick lunch."
"Lunch would be great." Said Ash over the roar of the engine.
'I can see that I'll have no peace while I'm in town." Ash thought grimly as he speed down the road towards an unknown destination.
Later
"No sign of the brat anywhere." Growled Meowth. It was going to be one of those weeks where nothing went right for team rocket. They ha been at the stadium from dawn until dusk for two days and not a glimpse of a red hat or Pikachu.
"Guess we move to plan B." said Jessie as she passed their stall.
"Gotcha." Said Meowth. Meowth then put up a closed sign and began to dig a hole underneath their stall.
"There isn't a trace of that kid. Jessie what do we do if Butch and Cassidy get to him first?" asked James.
"Then we steal Ash from them and take Mew as out reward." Said Jessie. Meowth, still not over all the years of trying to catch Pikachu butted in.
"Why not take Pikachu as well? It might sweeten the deal."
"Speaking of Pikachu, did you notice what that champion kid had as pokemon? It looked like he had an Abra and Pikachu." Said James
"How do you know that?" asked Meowth in shock that James used his brains for once.
"I saw them as they passed by. I have to admit that Pikachu looked like it was in good shape." Said James.
"Since we have to make this job worthwhile, lets steal all the pokemon we can from the champs." Said Jessie with an evil smile on her face. The trio grasped hands and smiled.
"And just think! The twerp or his friends won't be around to stop us this time."
Meanwhile
"You battle in ten minutes Ash." Darrel said cheerfully. Ash was in the tenth battle of the afternoon. The trainers in the tournament were of such high caliber that the one on one matches lasted for no more than ten minutes. It lasted for one minute if the trainer was up against a more experienced trainer. Ash had never seen such competition.
"That means that I have to get going now." Ash said to Richie. "Wish me luck." Richie laughed.
"You won't need it." Ash went out to the stadium and went to his appointed spot. The tournament was unusual to Ash. It was held for three days and each day a person battled three trainers. How well you did in the battle decided where you went next. On the first day it was a one on one battle, tomorrow it would be a three on three battle and the day after it would be the finalists fighting it out in the last fights.
"Go Vileplume!" shouted the trainer across the field. The battle had started. Ash defeated all of his opponents that day without a scratch to his pokemon. As he left the stadium with Darrel and Richie he was hounded once again by reporters.
"Give us something!" begged a reporter in a red hat. Ash didn't answer him and pushed his way through the crowd.
"Ash!" Ash looked to see Tara and Clowie in the back of the corvette again. Tara was the one that warned Ash of the rock. Ash saw it coming in slow motion. The rock was the size of an orange and was hurled at a startling pace for Ash's head. Ash reacted without thinking. Ash caught the rock in the palm of his right hand and deflected it to his right.
"Who threw that!" Ash demanded. The crowd pushed a kid Ash had not seen before to Ash's circle. The boy was afraid of course but, had a look of defiance in his eyes that Ash knew all too well.
"What's the meaning of this!" Barked Darrel. The boy shivered and backed away from Darrel.
"Darrel, I'll handle this!" Ash growled. "Why did you throw this rock at me?" Ash demanded at the boy. Holding the rock so that the boy could see it.
"I was told to." The boy whimpered. That got Ash's interest.
"Who told you to?" Ash asked softly.
"I don't know his name but he's really mean! He said he would beat me up if I didn't do it." Ash got angry.
"What did he look like?" Ash asked quietly.
"I didn't see him but he had black shoes on and an weird outfit with a R on it and I think he had a girl with him." Ash almost went pale. The only people who would be mean enough to do this to a kid was Butch and Cassidy of team rocket and Ash wasn't ready to go up against team rocket right now.
"You can go now." Ash said quietly and the kid dashed through the crowd as quickly as he could.
"You know them?" Darrel asked.
"I think so." Ash muttered. This was not good news at all. Things were about to get complicated fast.
On the road to Kolbind
"You know, I miss Ash." Said Misty to Brock. They had traveled all night on the road to Kolbind as soon as they got the call from Ash.
"I miss him too." Said Brock in a downed voice. "He always brightened up a trip with his antics and bouts with team rocket."
"Not to mention the way he went on about pokemon training. Do you think Ash left to protect us?" Misty asked suddenly. Brock put a hand under his chin.
"I wouldn't put it past Ash. He could have left because he thought it was too dangerous for us to be around him anymore."
"Brock?"
"Yeah?"
"What if we can't find him?" Brock stopped and grabbed Misty by the shoulders.
"Don't think like that! We'll find him! It's not his fault that team rocket is after him. We'll look until we find him. Ash would do the same for us." Misty's eye softened and she wiped away a tear.
"You're right Brock. We'll find him and when we do…." Brock could see what was coming.
'I pity poor Ash.' Thought Brock. 'She's gonna dig her claws in so tight that he'll never get lose.'
"…I'll hit him into next week and then shake him until enough money for my bike comes out. Then I'll get nasty!"
"Hitting him in the face and his pocketbook isn't nasty enough?!" said Brock in horror.
"Oh what I have in mind he'll wish he never been born!"
'I thought so.' Brock thought to himself. 'Poor Ash. He doesn't have a chance!'
Ash doesn't know how right he is does he folks? (Insert evil author laugh here).
Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or anything related to pokemon. Pokemon and its associated characters are copyrighted by Nintendo/Game Freak. This is a pokemon fanfic created by my mind only.
"Looks like this guy is really popular." Said Jessie to her two cohorts. James nodded.
"Eh! He'll just be a flash in the pan. You know what though. I would bet three of my nine lives that Ash will show up now."
"Why is that Meowth?" Asked James dumbly. Meowth got a vein throb on his head.
"If this champ is anything like Gary; the twerp will show up to challenge him."
"And what if he doesn't?" Asked James. James was hit over the head with a mallet.
"Then we steal their pokemon instead of Ash's Mew! Idiot!" Growled Jessie. "Now back to work! We can get some money out of this crowd yet!" The trio went back to their posts and began to work.
"Here we are champ." Announced Darrel. Ash couldn't believe what was happening! No sooner had they gone down one street, the crowd had picked up again. Ash was still in the head of the line behind his pokemon but, the fans had followed in behind him.
"This is the stadium?" Ash asked Darrel. Darrel nodded and picked up the pace.
"Make way! The D district champ had been beaten. Here comes the new champ." Ash heard from the crowd behind him. Ash wanted to hide. Just then, Ash and the group passed a certain trio of trouble.
"I must be seeing things!" exclaimed Jessie.
"Why?" Asked James.
"Tell me that he doesn't look like Ash Ketchum."
"Who doesn't look like Ash Ketchum?" Asked James densely, Jessie gave him a well-deserved smack alongside the head.
"Keep up with current events you dimwit! The new D whatever champ!" James recovered from the brutality of Jessie's attack and took a look at the champ as he passed by.
"If Ash was a blonde and had better taste in cloths that could be him." Sneered Meowth. "but since we all know Ash, that snobbish champ couldn't be him." Ash heard a familiar voice as he passed by the refreshment stands. When he looked he thought he saw Jessie, James and Meowth.
'If they're here, that means I had better prepare for the worst. I wouldn't be surprised if they crashed this party.' Ash thought. Then Ash was lifted down so he could register into the tournament. Darrel lead the way through the doors into the registration area.
"Make way! We have a district champ here." Ash was not comfortable with the fuss that Darrel was making over his arrival. What surprised him even more was that people were making way for him. Ash had a clear path to the registration desk. Darrel gave him a pen and he signed himself in as Ash. When he was done. Darrel took the piece of paper and held it up to Ash's newfound fans. "Bring it on!" Yelled Darrel.
"And here I thought I was the one who had one of the biggest ego's in the tournament." Ash froze as he recognized Gary's voice.
'Oh, Please, Please, PLEASE, don't let him recognize me.' Ash thought as he turned to face his rival. Before Ash could say a word though, Darrel butted in.
"The ego is deserved. This kid beat me in a fair battle of two against two and didn't have to use a second pokemon. He's a district champ. You can't say the same can you kid." Gary was shut up for an instant. Ash glared into Gary's eyes and almost betrayed who he was by opening his mouth. "Thought not! See you at the winners circle."
"We'll settle this in the tournament." Growled Gary as he stalked off with his cheerleaders. Before they left though there was a exchange of cheers.
"Gary, he's a true champ.
On your pokemon will he stamp.
Gary is the best, yeah! Gary!
Ash was startled by a pair picking him up by the arms and being hoisted onto a pair of shoulders. Also , to Ash's surprise, the mob yelled back a cheer.
"District D is rough,
We'll leave you crying enough,
Cause our champ is so tough,
D!D! District D!
Out on the field you shall see!
District D! Go Ash!"
Ash didn't see how Gary reacted to his name being called out because, he was being carried away by the district D people. Ash didn't look back as he was carried out to the sunshine again. This time, Ash concentrated on the refreshment stands and saw what he was looking for; a Meowth selling hotdogs.
'Did I ever mess up this time. I wonder where Richie is. I could sure use his help.' Ash thought as he was carried back to the park for his victory party. Meanwhile, a very stunned Gary was still at the tournament area.
'It- They couldn't have been cheering for Ash Ketchum. That couldn't of been Ash. He's too chicken to do anything like that. Besides, Ash had black hair and always wears his hat. That kid looked nothing like him.' Gary stood silent for a moment. 'There was something in his eyes that was familiar..'
At the District D lab
"So Sparky is alright?" asked Richie to an emerald haired lady with matching eyes. Doc Pine as she was called smiled at the trainer.
"Yes, in fact, I don't see anything wrong with Sparky." The boy looked preoccupied for a moment. "Something wrong?"
"Sparky had swollen cheeks a little while ago and couldn't do anything more than a thundershock. It doesn't make any sense." Pine shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe he needed a break so he could gather electricity again. That sometimes happens.. What is that racket outside?!" Pine went to the window and looked out to see a group, nay, a mob of children headed to the park. When she moved he glasses closer to her face, she saw one above the rest.
"What is going on?" Asked Richie. Then Richie remembered Ash. What had happened was one of the two goons that were with Darrel stopped Richie from following Ash and brought him to the lab. When Richie asked what was going on the goon said.
"A test, nothing more. You'll see your friend either back here or some other time if he's a champ."
"Looks like District D has a party going on." Said Pine. Pine remembered growing up in district D as a child. The parties were for people who challenged the district champ and won.
"District D?" Richie asked. Pine came back to reality to explain to the pokemon trainer what was going on outside.
"There are four districts in Kolbind. A, B, C, and D. We're in the D district right now. Every district has a champion. If a person defeats the standing champion; they become a candidate for district champion. If the champion is defeated twice by the same person; then they become the new district champ. I think our Darrel had been dethroned once today."
"That reminds me! I have a friend who just got challenged by a group of three big guys. One of the big goons lead me here. I hope he's alright." Richie's face faulted and he looked out the window down the street.
"If he's still out there, he'll be pushed towards the party at the park. We can probably see him there. Besides, it is a tradition that one of my standard to join the party to show my support. I'll take you with me if you don't mind," Richie smiled a little.
"Thanks!" Sparky was then released from the doctors grasp and leapt back to it's trainer. "Ready to party Sparky?"
"Pikachu!" was the pokemon's answer. Then with minimal hopes to find Ash, Richie followed Doc Pine out of her clinic. Before she left the clinic she put up a closed sign but didn't put up a time when she would be back. Richie noticed this.
"Why didn't you give a time when you would be back?" Richie asked the pokemon doctor.
"Because if it is truly a champion party, I honestly don't know when the party will stop."
The Park
Ash was shocked out of his mind. Never before had he seen so many people. There were more people in the park then there were in the entire town of Pallet. Still being carried around like a trophy, Ash was paraded to the middle of the park.
"We're here." Darrel announced as he stopped the crowd. "SO LET THE PARTY COMMENCE!" The signal was given and people split in every direction. Ash was carried up a rock that overlooked the park and was set down.
"Giggle!" Ash looked behind him to see Pikachu and Abra in the arms of two girls. Ash blushed a bit as they sat down beside him and began a conversation concerning Ash like he wasn't even there.
"He has such well behaved pokemon."
"And they're so cute." Pikachu gave a Pika of approval as the yellow haired, blue-eyed girl began to scratch behind his ears.
"Not to mention their trainer as well." Darrel slapped Ash on the back before he had a chance to blush at the brunettes comment.
"Lucky punk! Already have the girls chasing you." Ash could feel his ears growing hot. To add to Ash's embarrassment, his stomach growled. The girls looked at him and laughed.
"I think our champ is hungry." Said the girl holding Abra. Darrel was laughing too.
"What gave you that idea?" Darrel let out a shrill whistle and Ash watched the crowd scurry faster. Then, several plates of food appeared out of nowhere.
"Pika!" Ash turned to see Pikachu in the same predicament as him; he didn't know where to start. The food spanned out for what seemed like forever.
"Dig in." said Darrel in a chagrined voice. Before Ash could oblige a familiar voice rang through the crowd.
"Ash!" Ash turned to see Richie running towards him.
"Richie!" Darrel took notice of the new champs attitude and looked in the direction of Ash's gaze.
"Oh, your little friend's here. He should join the party! Let that kid through!" yelled Darrel to the crowd.
"Whoah!" yelled Richie as he was picked up by the crowd.
"Pass him on." yelled a voice. Richie and Sparky were passed up to the rock. Once Richie was sat beside Ash, it became clear who was the new district D champ.
"No way." Said Richie. Ash grinned.
"Way." Ash gave Richie a high five and turned back to the food. "Hungry?" Waterfall tears went down Richie's face.
"Famished." Darrel slapped Richie's back.
"Eat! I never thought that I would have to tell a kid your age that." Ash didn't have much of an appetite but Richie ate with a vengeance. Ash wasn't hungry because, something was bothering him. After eating, Darrel tried to pick up a conversation with Ash. "So, where ya from?" Ash almost choked on his drink. Richie saved him.
"He's from the indigo league area. We're traveling through this league right now and were lucky enough to come when we did."
"I get it. You're here for the gyms. Well you two are in luck. I spotted both gym leaders here. Maybe you can get your badges right now. Hey Carl." A boy with sandy brown hair and deep aqua eyes came forward. "Find Grendel and K. The champ wants to challenge them for a badge."
"Yes sir!" Ash watched as Carl left through the crowd. Ash didn't know what to think. The power Darrel wielded was almost scary.
"You haven't been very talkative champ."
"Huh?" Ash turned to the voice that addressed him. The girl who was holding Pikachu had spoken.
"I think it's because he's shy." Said the girl holding Abra.
"It's not that, I just have a lot on my mind lately." Started Ash. Darrel was curious so he pressed the matter.
"What sort of things?" To Ash's relief, Richie came to his aid.
"He just broke up with some friends of his." Said Richie. Darrel snorted at the new information.
"Must have been blind to let this cutie go." Said an unfamiliar voice. Ash looked up to see a girl with curled, deep maroon hair in a matching body suit. A cape billowed out behind her as she talked to Ash. Ash was praying that she wouldn't notice that he blushed at her first comment. "I'm Grendel, I heard that you want a match?"
"Careful, he's good." Warned Darrel. "He took out both of my pokemon with that Pikachu of his."
"Didn't you use Sandshrew?" asked the blue eyed gym leader. "You know that the pokemon wouldn't have had a chance against it. You did use Jolteon and Kingler didn't you?" Darrel shook his head.
"Umbreon and Growlithe are the ones I used." That made Grendel's eyes pop out.
"Umbreon and Growlithe- Then how am I supposed to beat him! I've already lost before the battles even begun. I might as well hand over the badge right now." Ash wasn't about to be left out of the conversation.
"How do you now unless you try whether or not you've been beaten? I want a chance to earn a badge, not be given one out of a reputation." Grendel looked into the eyes of Ash Ketchum and saw what everyone saw when they looked into his eyes; pure determination. Grendel shook her head at the boy's words and laughed.
"With an attitude like that, no wonder you beat Darrel. Let's battle!" Ash was lead down onto the grass and a large group of people gathered to watch.
"Go get'er Ash!" yelled Richie from the crowd. Ash didn't hear him though. Ash didn't realize what was happening to him but the pond of pokemon was working it's effects on him. Ash was in a world of his own. A place where his opponent and pokemon were. The crowd, the encouragement and sounds stopped.
"Three on three battle. No time limit. The Kolbind badge Fushialeaf badge is on the line. I call out Golem." Ash watched as the pokemon popped out of it's pokeball. Ash grabbed a pokeball off of his belt.
"Blubasaur! I choose you!" Yelled Ash in his usual declarative voice. The plant pokemon jumped out of it's ball.
"Ready!" called out Bulbasaur.
"Alright Golem, tackle that small fry." Ash wasn't goaded into doing something rash.
"Bulbasaur! Power up and dodge that Golems attack."
"Right!" said the Bulbasaur as it watched the mountain of mass start it's charge. The Golem was moving at a slow pace Ash thought. It didn't matter to Ash though.
"Duck to your right now!" Ash yelled as soon as the Golem neared Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur did as it was told and ducked to his right and the surprised Golem smashed into the ground behind Bulbasaur.
"Golem get back up!" Yelled Grendel to her pokemon.
'Too late.' Ash thought as he saw Bulbasaur turn to it's opponent.
"Now! Solarbeam!" Ash roared. A stream of condensed light seared Golems thick skin and made it faint. Grendel recalled her pokemon.
"Golem return. Let's see your plant type handle this fire type. Go Ninetails!" Ash recognized the Ninetails as the evolved form of Vulpix. Ash winced as the memory of Brock and his friends tried to assault his judgment. Ash gathered a deep breath and pushed the thoughts aside.
"Bulbasaur don't get near it. Try to take him out from afar. Use Poison Powder." Ash ordered his pokemon.
"Fire Blast now! Take it out before it has a chance to poison you!" Yelled Grendel. To Ash's surprise, the Fire Blast didn't work! Bulbasaur had acted more quickly and when the pokemon gathered a deep breath for the attack. It got a lungful of poison powder.
"Nine-coff-coff- tail.!" The pokemon sputtered.
"Bulbasaur. Get it with a razor leaf attack!" ordered Ash quickly. The plant pokemon was already way ahead of him and two razor leaf attacks were on their way to the fire pokemon.
"Nine!" growled the fire pokemon as it fainted. The Razor Leaf attack wasn't very effective but, the poison had already run it's course and the pokemon was out of HP points.
"I don't believe this! Return! This is my best pokemon. Lets see if you can handle it. Go Machamp!" Ash saw the bruiser as it appeared out of the pokeball. It was at a very high level and was being well taken care of.
'Bulbasaur is going to have a tough time with this one.' Thought Ash as the pokemon stretched it's muscles for Ash.
"Blubasaur. Poison Powder!" Ash ordered to the very intimidated plant pokemon. Bulbasaur shook off the fear in time to get ready for it's attack.
"Take this guy out with a devastating Submission attack!" Yelled Grendel
"Yes ma'm/" said the pokemon as it began to charge the pokemon.
'Don't use the poison powder until you see the white in his eyes.' Ash thought silently. If Ash was paying closer attention to his pokemon, he would have seen a bit of a nod come from Bulbasaur. The Machamp neared and prepared to use it's attack. Ash saw the opportunity.
"Now!" Bulbasaur unleashed the poison powder in Machamps face and the pokemon was poisoned. However, Bulbasaur couldn't move out of the way of the pokemon's attack.
"Blubasaur!" Yelled Ash in worry as his pokemon was lifted over the Machamps head. Ash then had an idea. "Bulbasaur! Use Vinewhip from being tossed!"
"I hope this works." Ash heard his pokemon whisper. Bulbasaurs vines wrapped around Machamps wrists and the plant pokemon couldn't be thrown.
"Wha?" gasped the gym leader in surprise. Ash put a smile on his face and ordered Bulbasaur to attack.
"Leech seed!" Ash roared out to his pokemon. The pokemon spit out a seed right onto the Machamps face and let go of it's vinewhip. Bulbasaur jumped from the frustrated fighting pokemon's grasp.
'Now for the coup de grace.' Ash thought happily. The Machamp was badly poisoned and leech seed was sapping it of it's strength.
"Machamp! Try using Recover!" Yelled Grendel. Ash knew he had to act fast because that meant that it would regain HP points.
"Bulbasaur! Take it out with Solarbeam before it has a chance to recover." Yelled the pokemon's trainer. Bulbasaur was tired of the fight and obliged Ash so it could take a rest.
"Here it goes!" Sneered the Bulbasaur as it powered up for a powerful Solarbeam attack. The Machamp was fighting against the leech seed when the pokemon started to glow. It was Recovering!
"Now!" Ash roared. On the signal from Ash, devastating Solarbeam that could have easily taken out two Machamps, hit Grendel's pokemon.
"No!" Yelled Grendel as soon as her pokemon had fainted. She recalled her pokemon and smiled. "You were right Darrel. This kid is good." Ash then came out of his trance and noticed the cheer from around him.
"D, D, district D
On the battlefield you shall see.
Go Ash!"
"Way to go Bulbasaur! You did great!" Ash said as his pokemon scurried back to his trainer. Bulbasaur chuckled a bit as Ash picked him up. "What's so funny?"
"Your hair!" smirked Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur unleashed his vines and ran it through his hair. "It looks funny." Ash grinned at his pokemon. This was going to be great being able to understand his pokemon all the time.
"You did it Ash!" called Richie as soon as he was let through the crowd.
"Was there any doubt that he would lose?" Darrel said as he walked toward the pair.
"That was amazing! How did you think of that move to counter the submission attack? That was awesome! I've never seen pokemon react that fast to their trainers commands before." Commented Richie. Ash looked at him with a blank expression on his face.
"It just popped into my head." Said Ash with a smile. Ash then saw Grendel move in their direction.
"Congratulations! You've earned the Fushialeaf badge." Ash held out his hand and a badge was placed in it. Before Ash could do his famed pose for collecting badges, another person appeared out of nowhere and handed Ash another badge.
"What?" Ash asked as he turned to see an older male in his thirties smiling down at Ash.
"K, don't tell me your going to forfeit the match before it's already begun!" Exclaimed Grendel.
"I just want the kid to hold onto it for now." Ash looked at both badges. The Fushialeaf badge was just that; a leaf that was coloured fuchsia. The other badge was shaped into a teardrop and was also fuchsia. "If he wins the tournament, he can keep the badge, if not, then I'll battle him." Without saying anymore, the strange man left Ash's presence. Ash was dumbstruck.
"Two badges in one day!" laughed Darrel. "You certainly making a name for yourself. The competition doesn't stand a chance against you!" Darrel slapped Ash on the back and he almost dropped Bulbasaur.
Next day.
Ash was the guest of the D district hotel. Darrel had set him up in a deluxe sweet after the party, which didn't end until three in the morning. Ash had collapsed on the big hotel bed and had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Pikachu, Abra/Mew and Bulbasaur were in better shape then Ash as they were allowed to sleep in the arms of Clowie and Tara, the two that teased Ash earlier. Ash had to stay up and converse with the crowd. They were asleep beside Ash on the gigantic bed. Richie and his pokemon were in the bed besides Ash's.
"Ring! Ring!" Ash groaned at the phone. Still asleep, Ash answered it.
"Hello?" Ash greeted groggily.
"Wake up call! Reminder that you battle at one this afternoon." Ash yawned as he put the receiver down and looked at the clock. It was eleven o'clock. Time to get motivated.
"Richie time to get up." Ash said sleepily. Ash was usually the one to sleep the latest but Richie beat him this time.
"Just five more minutes." Was his reply. Ash shook his shoulder and pulled the pillow from his face.
"I have two hours to get to the tournament. Lets go and find something to eat before then." At the mention of food, Richie was up. Ash was ready before him and was switching through the channels on T.V. when he came across his old persona of himself on a news channel.
"In other news, the trainer Ash Ketchum is still missing. Sources suspect that the trainer who caught Mew was in fact-" Ash changed the channel fast as Richie walked back into the room.
"Anything good on?" Richie asked. Ash nervously sweatdropped and almost let the remote fall.
"Nothing of interest." Ash laughed and decided to change the subject. "So, where do we want to eat?" Richie shrugged.
"Don't know and don't care." Ash smiled. As long as it was good, Ash didn't care either. "I wonder where the D district champion eats anyway." Ash groaned at the memory of what happened yesterday.
"What did I get myself into?" Ash wondered out loud.
"Don't worry. Once you leave to go on your pokemon journey, the buzz'll die down." Ash smiled. Richie was probably right. Once his fans learned that he was going to leave, they'd drop him.
"Now how about that breakfast?" Ash asked. Richie and Ash collected their pokemon and left the hotel room. Ash had Pikachu and Abra out while Richie had Sparky. They got to the lobby and were struck with another surprise. Ash saw Darrel, Grendel, Clowie, Tara, and a bunch of kids Ash didn't recognize. They were waiting for Ash to come down.
"There he is!" Ash heard as soon as he stepped out of the elevator. When Ash turned to see who said that, he saw another sight. There were reporters and camera people to the elevators right and they were all headed Ash's way.
"Uh oh!" said Richie. "Um Ash? RUN!" said Richie as calmly as he could. Ash didn't run but was mobbed by the district D people.
"No interviews!" Yelled Darrel as he had a arm outstretched as he protected Ash. Before Ash could protest. The small crowd lifted him up on shoulders again. Richie decided to help this time and was the right bearer. Pikachu and Abra went to the girls. Outside a car was waiting. It looked like Gary's corvette except it was black with a fiery design on the hood.
"Meet you at the stadium Ash." Said Richie as he lowered him into the passenger side. Darrel hopped into the drivers and Clowie and Tara were in the back already. Before Ash could buckle up, Darrel was off.
"Nice to see you awake. You already know Clowie and my sister Tara." Darrel motioned to the girls in the back. "Now, where do you want to go first? You have an hour before you have to battle so I suggest a quick lunch."
"Lunch would be great." Said Ash over the roar of the engine.
'I can see that I'll have no peace while I'm in town." Ash thought grimly as he speed down the road towards an unknown destination.
Later
"No sign of the brat anywhere." Growled Meowth. It was going to be one of those weeks where nothing went right for team rocket. They ha been at the stadium from dawn until dusk for two days and not a glimpse of a red hat or Pikachu.
"Guess we move to plan B." said Jessie as she passed their stall.
"Gotcha." Said Meowth. Meowth then put up a closed sign and began to dig a hole underneath their stall.
"There isn't a trace of that kid. Jessie what do we do if Butch and Cassidy get to him first?" asked James.
"Then we steal Ash from them and take Mew as out reward." Said Jessie. Meowth, still not over all the years of trying to catch Pikachu butted in.
"Why not take Pikachu as well? It might sweeten the deal."
"Speaking of Pikachu, did you notice what that champion kid had as pokemon? It looked like he had an Abra and Pikachu." Said James
"How do you know that?" asked Meowth in shock that James used his brains for once.
"I saw them as they passed by. I have to admit that Pikachu looked like it was in good shape." Said James.
"Since we have to make this job worthwhile, lets steal all the pokemon we can from the champs." Said Jessie with an evil smile on her face. The trio grasped hands and smiled.
"And just think! The twerp or his friends won't be around to stop us this time."
Meanwhile
"You battle in ten minutes Ash." Darrel said cheerfully. Ash was in the tenth battle of the afternoon. The trainers in the tournament were of such high caliber that the one on one matches lasted for no more than ten minutes. It lasted for one minute if the trainer was up against a more experienced trainer. Ash had never seen such competition.
"That means that I have to get going now." Ash said to Richie. "Wish me luck." Richie laughed.
"You won't need it." Ash went out to the stadium and went to his appointed spot. The tournament was unusual to Ash. It was held for three days and each day a person battled three trainers. How well you did in the battle decided where you went next. On the first day it was a one on one battle, tomorrow it would be a three on three battle and the day after it would be the finalists fighting it out in the last fights.
"Go Vileplume!" shouted the trainer across the field. The battle had started. Ash defeated all of his opponents that day without a scratch to his pokemon. As he left the stadium with Darrel and Richie he was hounded once again by reporters.
"Give us something!" begged a reporter in a red hat. Ash didn't answer him and pushed his way through the crowd.
"Ash!" Ash looked to see Tara and Clowie in the back of the corvette again. Tara was the one that warned Ash of the rock. Ash saw it coming in slow motion. The rock was the size of an orange and was hurled at a startling pace for Ash's head. Ash reacted without thinking. Ash caught the rock in the palm of his right hand and deflected it to his right.
"Who threw that!" Ash demanded. The crowd pushed a kid Ash had not seen before to Ash's circle. The boy was afraid of course but, had a look of defiance in his eyes that Ash knew all too well.
"What's the meaning of this!" Barked Darrel. The boy shivered and backed away from Darrel.
"Darrel, I'll handle this!" Ash growled. "Why did you throw this rock at me?" Ash demanded at the boy. Holding the rock so that the boy could see it.
"I was told to." The boy whimpered. That got Ash's interest.
"Who told you to?" Ash asked softly.
"I don't know his name but he's really mean! He said he would beat me up if I didn't do it." Ash got angry.
"What did he look like?" Ash asked quietly.
"I didn't see him but he had black shoes on and an weird outfit with a R on it and I think he had a girl with him." Ash almost went pale. The only people who would be mean enough to do this to a kid was Butch and Cassidy of team rocket and Ash wasn't ready to go up against team rocket right now.
"You can go now." Ash said quietly and the kid dashed through the crowd as quickly as he could.
"You know them?" Darrel asked.
"I think so." Ash muttered. This was not good news at all. Things were about to get complicated fast.
On the road to Kolbind
"You know, I miss Ash." Said Misty to Brock. They had traveled all night on the road to Kolbind as soon as they got the call from Ash.
"I miss him too." Said Brock in a downed voice. "He always brightened up a trip with his antics and bouts with team rocket."
"Not to mention the way he went on about pokemon training. Do you think Ash left to protect us?" Misty asked suddenly. Brock put a hand under his chin.
"I wouldn't put it past Ash. He could have left because he thought it was too dangerous for us to be around him anymore."
"Brock?"
"Yeah?"
"What if we can't find him?" Brock stopped and grabbed Misty by the shoulders.
"Don't think like that! We'll find him! It's not his fault that team rocket is after him. We'll look until we find him. Ash would do the same for us." Misty's eye softened and she wiped away a tear.
"You're right Brock. We'll find him and when we do…." Brock could see what was coming.
'I pity poor Ash.' Thought Brock. 'She's gonna dig her claws in so tight that he'll never get lose.'
"…I'll hit him into next week and then shake him until enough money for my bike comes out. Then I'll get nasty!"
"Hitting him in the face and his pocketbook isn't nasty enough?!" said Brock in horror.
"Oh what I have in mind he'll wish he never been born!"
'I thought so.' Brock thought to himself. 'Poor Ash. He doesn't have a chance!'
Ash doesn't know how right he is does he folks? (Insert evil author laugh here).
Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or anything related to pokemon. Pokemon and its associated characters are copyrighted by Nintendo/Game Freak. This is a pokemon fanfic created by my mind only.