The Forgotten
Chapter 6: Reunions

Ash felt no need to go back to the time he came from, he also felt no need to bring the others into this.
"Ash, we don't need to leave! So we didn't become Masters, so what?" Sean asked, almost ready to punch Ash. "In the room, there were no other balls labeled Ketchum. They knew you wouldn't become Masters, because it wasn't meant to be." He answered, eyes erect on his direction. He had already dropped off most of the group, so only Sean and Johan were with him. "So what? Time can change! What should happen might not necessarily happen. We could go back to your time, and all that you love might have never existed, you may not be as famous as you say you are, and giant smelly apes with heads bigger then tree-trunks could the world!" Suddenly, Jeff whispered, 'Told ya' so!' under his breath. "Shut up, Jeff." Ash said, clearly annoyed by the beliefs of the Mew. Then, they were at the gate to Johan's time. "So long, Ash. It was nice knowing you." Johan said, smiling. He stepped into the portal, onto the podium, and Ash started time again for him. Suddenly, the cracking of a gun was heard, and Johan fell limp for the second time. "Johan!" Sean whispered, white with horror. "Now, it's time for you to go." Ash said, as he teleported them to Sean's portal. "I would have done that earlier, but I can't teleport more then four living things at once." Ash said, holding the portal open for Sean. "I won't go, you can't make me!" Sean said, backing up slowly. "I didn't want it to come to this." Ash said sadly, as he began glowing crimson. Suddenly, Sean couldn't move, or, on his own free will at least, he found, as he started walking to the portal without meaning to. Suddenly, black. The last thing he saw was red fire coming at him, and he heard a man scream as he was hit by lightning.
Now, Ash sat on the floor, needing rest. "Ash, I told you I wasn't the only person who thought the world could be run by smelly apes with heads bigger than tree-trunks." Jeff said, transforming back to Mew. "Yeah, but didn't you also try to save the world by challenging a power mad psychic pokemon to checkers?" Ash asked, studying the pokeballs at his fingers. Mew asked, looking at the pokeball like it was a poison. "No, but I was wondering if they could tell me about it." He said, pointing to the pokeballs. He said. "So, what's it like in there, Pikachu?" He asked, watching the small mouse slurp ketchup out of a bottle they got in 1652. *Well, imagine the sky, with no stars, at night. Then, take a picture of your Master, and imagine a small voice in your head coming from nowhere saying, 'this is your Master, your new friend. He will treat you with great respect, and share his glory with you.' But, I've been someone's pokemon before, and the pokeball lied to me. So, I refuse to see the face of that jerk, and here the voice of that moron tell me things I may or may not already know, and could be lies. * Pikachu said, finishing off the bottle and getting a new one. "Well, I never would have thought that. Tell me, do the others feel the same about pokeballs?" He asked, pulling out some bags of food, tossing one to Mew, and pulling a sandwich out of his. *I don't know. They never really tell. Some forget, others like keeping their pokeball lives to themselves, because you can also see what you want to see in there. But only what you imagine it to be. Like, I could go into one and see smelly apes... * "You say it and you won't be finding any ketchup in my bag for another year." Ash warned, tossing a small bag to Pikachu also. *Fine, but I could. * Pikachu said with finality. Mew said, staring at the wall with interest. Ash turned to see what was so interesting, and saw himself. "Poop. I knew this would happen." Ash said, standing up. "Hello me, I'm you." He said, extending his hand. The Ash from the past stared for a minute, and then took his hand. "Hey, me, what's that cloak you, or what will be me, is wearing?" Ash from the past asked. "You'll find out when your mission is complete." Ash said, and then started walking away, Pikachu and Mew right behind him.
Mew said, transforming to Jeff again. "But, where did you get that whole, 'You'll know when your mission is complete' junk?" He asked. "Don't know. I watch to many movies late at night." Ash said, quickening his pace. After a minute or so of walking, they made it. "Here we go, 2004. Prepare to see what has happened to the world after three years of no me." He said, starting to open the door. First, he decided he would morph himself into someone less suspicious. He thought, and when he was finished, he was a man in his twenties. He had black hair going down to the tip of his ears. His pants were blue Levis. He had an orange JerZees shirt. "Well, how do I look?" he asked Pikachu, who had busied himself with a pack of pokemon cards he had found. "I'll take that as it's not bad. Let's go." He said, as he opened the door to his fate.
A woman with red hair walked the streets of Cerulean aimlessly. She wore a blue shirt and pants, blue shoes to match. She had been looking for the same person for three years, after he disappeared. 'Ash, where are you?' she asked herself, for the billionth time that day. Her hair hung down to her shoulders, moving freely with the wind. "Misty, like, let it go. He's gone and that's that." A voice said from behind her. Misty turned, and was grabbed on the hands by Violet. "Now, we should, like, move it, or Team Rocket will tax us, or worse." She said, dragging her away. As she let herself be dragged away, they accidentally knocked over a man carrying a Pikachu. "I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." The man said, picking her up. "Um, I'm new here, so I was wondering, what's going on? Why is everybody going home?" He asked, dusting himself off. "Dang, you must be new to the world! Ever since, like, Ash Ketchum disappeared, Team Rocket, like, took over, doing what ever they want whenever they want. They own Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Archipelago." Violet said. "Well, we're from the other side of the world. We didn't know." He said, pointing to himself and his friend. "Well, I guess you don't have a place to stay, then?" Violet asked. "No, not really. Could you help us?" the other man said. "Yes. Come with us." Misty said, studying the man she knocked down. "Thanks. I'm Mike. This is Jeff." Ash said, pointing to himself and Jeff. "No time. Let's go. No telling what those creeps want today." Misty said, dragging Ash and Jeff with her and Violet.
After dodging many Team Rocket members (and having moved several telepathically) they finally made it to a gym. "You own the gym here?" Ash asked, staring at the remodeling that has happened. "Used to. After the Rockets took over, they closed down the gyms, not needing them." Misty said. "Everybody, like, get in here! We have some new guys!" Violet yelled. After a second, two more women were there. "These are Mike and Jeff. Mike, Jeff, these are our sisters, Daisy, and (I don't know the name of the other sister, so I'll say May) May. I'm Misty, and this is Violet." They all said hi in there own way, whether it is nod, smile, or wave. "Do I know you?" Misty finally asked, as she thought she saw Mike before. "No, not that I know of." Ash said, handing Pikachu a packet of ketchup. "So, was Ash a good trainer? I've heard stories that you traveled with him." Ash asked, seeing that Mike could ask the question without getting a corny lie. "Well, he was pretty good. During the Indigo League, I think his wins were by luck. But that's me. But when he got to the Orange Archipelago he started wising up to how life was. By Johto, he could have been the best, had there not been so many pokemon we never even heard of." Misty said, remembering. "Your pretty cute." Daisy said to a very un-easy Jeff. "It wouldn't work out. Believe me!" He said, trying to back up. "I'm just saying." She said, sliding more to him. "Mike, a little help would be nice!" Jeff said, being backed into a corner. 'Use you mind, dummy.' Ash thought to him. 'Forgot!' Jeff said, as he changed her mind quickly. She turned around and walked back to the group. "Daisy, don't scare the poor guy like that." Misty said, hitting her on the leg playfully. "What, a person can't have any fun?" Daisy said, an evil grin on her face. "I'll bet the Rockets might want to have some fun." Misty said, not thinking. "Well, they are too big of losers." Daisy said. "No, Ash was a loser." Came a voice from the shadows. "Oh, Gary, your still here?" Misty asked. "Gary, this is Mike and Jeff. Jeff, Mike, this is Gary." She said, as a man in a brown shirt and black pants came from the shadows. "Hello." He said. "Hi." "Hey." Are what followed. "Ash was supposed to battle me the day he disappeared. He was gone before I had the chance to show him I was better then what he thought I was. Now, I lost almost all my need for pokemon. I probably would have lost anyways. I was foolish and pig-headed back then." Gary said. "I'll battle you. I haven't fought anybody who might be good enough in years." Ash said. 'Now I'll get to see how strong you've gotten in the years.' He thought.
They were standing at the edge of the Cerulean battling pool. "One on one. No time limit. Go!" Misty said. Gary sent out a Vaporeon, and Ash sent out Cyndiquil. "I'll show you just like I showed all those others that types don't matter when it comes down to pokemon." Ash said. "Fire Blast!" He called. "Gary, weren't you Ash's friend when he left?" Ash asked. "Yeah. But it all changed when he went back on his deal." Gary said. "Cyndiquil, show him just how good you are! Jump into the water and show him a Fire Rain!" Ash called. The Cyndiquil jumped into the water, and the water exploded in flames. When they cleared, Vaporeon lay on the floor, unconscious, and Cyndiquil was unharmed. "Where did you learn that? That was crazy!" Gary yelled. "Mike is the winner! He wins three-hundred dollars!" Misty called.
Later, they ate some food, which mainly consisted of a few cans of Spaghetti O's. Then, the sleeping arrangements were made. They were all the same, except Jeff had the couch, and Ash and Pikachu took their sleeping bags. There was an advantage to that, as Ash could use his powers to heat himself up. If Jeff did, there would be a fire, and some explaining to do. 'So this is what the world has come to.' Ash thought. Jeff thought. 'Yeah, I suppose.' Ash thought. Suddenly, a creeping sound came from the stairs. When it got off the stairs, it silently made it's way over to Ash's direction. "Pikachu, when I say so, use Flash, then I'll interrogate." Ash whispered. The sound stopped one foot away from Ash, and the sound of metal leaving leather could be heard. "NOW!" Ash said, jumping up and kicking blindly, knocking the knife from the hand. Pikachu jumped in front of Ash, and used Flash. "Aaahhh!" a voice called, as a pair of hands covered his face. Jeff had also jumped up, and pulled the hands from the face and held them behind their back. "Gary? What are you doing?" Ash yelled, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "I wanted to know where your pokemon learned those attacks! Fire Rain, I know I've never heard of that." Gary said, trying to see again. "Oh. Let him go Jeff." Ash said, as Jeff reluctantly let go of Gary's hands, but not without grabbing the knife first. "Geez, Gary! If you wanted to know, you didn't have to pull a knife on me! I own a non-to-famous TM shop. Custom made, don't sell them to Dept. stores, lest they fall into the wrong hands." Ash said. He had actually made a small store back in 1770 to make a little money. "$500 a TM. I've brought the supplies to make plenty." Ash said. "I've got several ready. Fire Rain, Electro Bomb, Mega Ice, and Ultimo Shot. Electro Bomb always causes paralysis and never misses, Mega Ice always freezes the enemy, but has the accuracy of Zap Cannon, and Ultimo Shot is a normal type, instant KO." Ash said, grinning that he might finally get some business. "But, the TMs can't be taught to babies through breeding, unless you also buy TM DNA. Not really an attack, but all TMs are transferred to DNA, as if they learned it themselves, and is in their family all the time, through all breeds. I just made that one, so it's not sure to work, and it's double the price." Ash said while laying down his TMs. Gary bought two TM DNA, and one of each other of Ash's TMs. "We got nice business today, Pikachu." Ash said. "I'll probably challenge you tomorrow, Mike. Until then, I'll teach these to some pokemon. Thank you, for bringing back my love for pokemon. We could probably destroy Team Rocket with these!" Gary said, dancing up the stairs to bed. "Maybe I should have told him about Thunder Strike, eh?" Ash asked Pikachu, a smirk on his face. "Uh oh, I forgot to warn him about what happens with those after certain requirements!" Ash said, running up the stairs to Gary's room.
The next morning, after avoiding Gary for a few hours, Ash was making himself a breakfast from his own rations. 'Not the way I used to live, eh?' he thought to Pikachu, who was once again eating a bottle of ketchup. "You know, even when you know why it is someone likes something so much, it's still a kind of mystery as to why they like it." Ash said, watching Pikachu and eating toast at the same time. "Hey, Mike. Gary tells me you have some TMs custom built. May I see them?" Misty asked, walking into the room. "Yeah, sure. But I have some restrictions. The pokemon cannot exceed level ninety, unless the attacks are to kill. They should only be used once per battle each, as they take a lot of energy. And the pokemon should not be forced to learn them." He said, as he pulled a box from his bag. "Now, I know about Gary's type of person, so I didn't show him all of mine. There are still a few, like Steam Blow, and some that form swords of that element. They won't kill, unless directed to over level ninety. Now, what can I interest you in?" Ash asked. "Well, I'm looking for water attacks." She explained, but before she could go any further, Ash stopped her. "Now listen, I've made one special TM. I only made one copy, and I was looking for the right person to give it to. After the display of kindness you showed me, I'd like for you to have it. I call it Water Duplication. Your pokemon can make as many duplicates of itself it feels need for from any water, any where." Ash said, pulling a small safe from his backpack. After three failed attempts, he finally got it opened, and pulled out a very shiny TM. But, before he did, he put on some gloves. He didn't want to absorb the TM then give it to her. "This one's on me. Also, I just remembered, two years ago, a man named Satoshi came to me. He knew I was a wonder at TMs, and only the best were able to get to me for the TMs. Well, he saw one TM, and it was almost out of stock, and very rare there forth, and cost three times the regular price. Well, he saw it would only work for water types, and bought it. Then, he paid me a little extra for my delivery service. After I got no more customers, I set out on my journey. Misty, I've been looking for you, with my assistant and pokemon, for nine months. Do you know Mr. Satoshi?" Ash asked, pulling out another safe. "Ash." Was all Misty could say. "Ah, so that was Ash." He began, as he started on the safe combination. "He said that he was sorry, and he couldn't show his face anymore. For what reason is beyond me. He never told, and I don't expect you to. He worked with me for about three days. He said, 'Give this to a woman named Misty. Tell her, I'm sorry, and she knows why I can't show my face anymore. I've been used too long, and I'm going to stop the using.' Now, what he meant is beyond me, but I do know it wasn't a suicide note. I asked him, and I know when people lie. And he was a real bad liar when he tried to lie." He said, as he opened the safe. "Here. I kept it un-touched by any humans for the whole time. Put them to good use." He said. "Thanks for the message, and the TMs. Also, I'd like to look at your selection of TMs. I think I might need more than two special ones." She said. "Actually, what makes them special is that, only those two can be used up to six times each. Oh! I never told you what the one Satoshi gave you is! It's called Water Ultimatum. It is a very special technique. It causes the user to be able to control the waters, weather it be sea, ocean, or sink. It can make serpent-like creatures from water, and can do pretty much anything. I have several TMs like it, each representing each pokemon type. Like, Lightning Ultimatum, Ice Ultimatum, Poison Ultimatum, and so on. Each will only work for its pokemon type, respectively." Ash said. Misty just bought some of his regular TMs, and got a free discount on two more after she bought three.
"Wonderful business this week, Pikachu." Ash said after five days of selling his TMs on the street. *Aren't you worried that Team Rocket will get some of the TMs? If they do, we could die! * Pikachu said, slurping up another ketchup bottle. "Number one, they don't have pokemon over level ninety, so they can't kill, number two, why do you care? You're getting ten times more ketchup then ever!" Ash said, counting his earnings for the day. *I'm not pressing the point further, for possible lack of ketchup. * Pikachu said, finishing off the bottle. "Well, good for you. I'll be in the bathroom." Ash said, making his way up the stairs. When he was inside, go looked in the mirror. He didn't ever have any time before, as Gary called all of his friends and told them about his TMs. Ever since then, there was always a line in front of the house from 6 in the morning to 10 at night. He had brown eyes, as usual. His hair seemed to stop growing at his ears. His face seemed to be pretty skinny, and pale. 'No wonder people are always asking if I'm feeling good, or if I need a doctor.' Ash thought, stepping out again. "Mike, we got some more special orders!" Jeff called from the door. "Coming!" Ash said, walking down the stairs and to the door. "Hello, Mike. I'm Greg. I need a custom made TM. My daughter was looking for someone who could make her a TM for fire types. She needs one that makes a fireball and shoots it at the opponent. Can you make me one like that before four days?" Greg asked, pulling out a wallet. "Of course! And, with the purchase of a custom TM, you get one free TM of the same value for free. At the time, I have several fire-type TMs. Fire Rain and Hyper Flame is both very popular. Fire Rain causes the pokemon to jump into either the water pokemon or the pool of water your battling at. Upon collision, the water will burst into flames, or the pokemon will heat up and be knocked unconscious. Use only in pools or against water-type pokemon. Hyper Flame is a supped-up version of Flame Thrower. Or, there's our other selection." Ash said, writing down the order and what type of TM it should be. "Well, I'll take Fire Rain with it." Greg said, pulling out 1000 dollars. "Wonderful. Come back tomorrow for your order. Would you like it wrapped, or in a bag?" Ash asked, taking the money and handing him a receipt and a Fire Rain TM. "Yes please." Greg said. "Wait, sir! First, you need to read the rules of the TMs and accept them. Also, you may want TM DNA! Tomorrow come back with the receipt for your TM." Ash said, holding out a piece of paper and a pen. "Right, sorry." Greg said. Greg bought TM DNA and another person stepped up. "Hi, um, I need an electric-type custom TM. The pokemon creates a bomb of electricity and throws it at the pokemon for an instant KO." The man said. "Right. Would you like to have the complementary TM?" Ash said, making the receipt and writing down the order. "Yes, please. I'm Richie, by the way." The man said. 'Now I recognize him! I can't believe I didn't recognize that Pikachu's hair cut!' He said, looking down at the Pikachu, who seemed to remember Ash and his Pikachu pretty well. "So, these are for the Pikachu, eh? Nice choice! I originally made electric TMs for the Pikachu DNA structure. Would you like TM DNA with that?" he asked, as Richie chose an electric TM for Sparky. "Yeah, that would be wise." He said, pulling out the money. "Great. Say, I believe I saw you once in the Indigo League. Didn't you battle Ash? You beat him, to." Ash said, remembering that battle. "Yeah. So, I'll be back tomorrow for my TM?" Richie asked. "Yep. Until then." Ash said. "Don't forget to sign the agreement." Ash quickly added.
After a few hours, Ash closed shop for the day. He was walking down the street, looking for a good shop with traveling and pokemon supplies. After a few shops, he heard animalistic screams. He ran ahead of him to see what was making the sound, when he saw a Charizard being tortured by Team Rocket. "Let it go!" He yelled, walking to the front of the crowd. "Charizard, where have you been? I've been worried sick!" Ash said, stepping forward to Charizard, to be blocked by Team Rocket. "He's ours now, mister." He said, pushing him back. *Foolish human, I'll take care of these humans. * The Charizard snorted. 'Well, you've got my help anyways.' Ash thought to it. The Charizard stood, shocked. Ash's eyes started glowing crimson. "I must argue. Release this Charizard into my custody for the time being." Ash said, altering the Rocket's mind. "Fine, take it away." He said, stepping aside. "Come, Charizard. We must go home." Ash said, using psychic to get the large thing to follow him. When they were alone in an alley, Ash released it from psychic. "Who's your trainer?" Ash asked, holding the Charizard in place. *A man named Ash. He left me in the Charific Valley. * Charizard said. "Well, you've found him." Ash said, transforming back into himself. *Ash! Where did you get that truck? * Charizard asked, giving the smallest and lightest hug it could without crushing his friend. "I've learned lot's of new tricks. How were things in the Charific Valley?" He asked, making the gap between the buildings they were in look like it were blocked off, because it was by Ash's psychic abilities. *Wonderful! Now, I'm the strongest there! * Charizard said, flexing his muscles. "I knew you could do it! See what happens when you set your priorities straight." He said. After a while, it was dark, and Charizard had to fly them to the gym. "Pikachu, I found Charizard!" Ash called, walking into the house. *Really? How is the big guy? * Pikachu asked, running up to Ash to hug him. "He's the strongest in the Valley! He's decided to stay with us." Ash said, juggling Charizard's pokeball. *Great, another fire breathing pyromaniac. * Pikachu said, motioning to the Cerulean Pool, where Cyndiquil was being kept. It seems after his battle, he was intent on burning everything in the household. They were able to trick him into the pool, where he is currently trying to jump out. "Nah, he can't fit in the house." Ash said. *But he can stand outside and burn the whole house at once. * Pikachu playfully retaliated. "That won't happen." Ash said.