The Power of One : The Continuation
By Crow Skywalker
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Disclaimer – Don't own Pokemon or its characters. I'm only borrowing them for my own amusement.
Author's Notes – Another chapter up and done...and a first battle scene, although only a small one. Notice how the story line is starting to change from the anime, *a lot*...because instead of just three in the group, there's going to be five, maybe more later on. Another thing, the characters may be ooc, but just remember, they went from being like, 12-13 to 15-16 in the fic ^^;
Chapter Summary – Professor Oak wants to know more about Ash's experience, and the question comes up – Will Brock join them in their journey?
Warnings/Pairings – Contains spoilers for the movie. Ash/Misty, Tracey/Melody.
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Chapter Five – Old Friends
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"Gary? Is that you?"
After walking in silence, Ash and Gary had arrived at Professor Oak's laboratory, and Ash wasn't surprised to find anyone up. Professor Oak was a scientist, so he, too, was probably up at the crack of dawn, working on some new studies.
"Yeah Gramps, it's me. Brought the loser here with me." Gary answered, casually walking into the room where the voice had come from, Ash following behind.
The room was rather large, with Pokemon stuff scattered around. Just glancing around the room, Ash could see Pokeballs of different colors, rejuvenation machines, paperwork of all sorts of things related to Pokemon. What caught his eye was a large clock on a nearby table, which seemed to be built into a Pokeball. Reading the time, Ash blinked. 8:23...have I really been gone all that long? He shrugged. Must have lost track of time.
Professor Oak, who had been busily working on something at what seemed to be a desk – Ash wasn't sure, due to the amount of paper and books stacked high on it, turned to great them. "Ash! I've been wondering when you'd get here! I need to ask you some things," He looked at Gary, who seemed slightly interested, and then back to Ash, as if it were a secret. "Things only you would know."
"Ash – know something? Now that's fairly funny." Gary smirked, losing interest right away. "But I have to go. There's more Pokemon out there for me to see and catch." With a slight wave, he was off, leaving the two together.
"Arrogant, my grandson is, isn't he?" Said Oak, turning full attention to Ash.
Ash could only nod. "Why did you want to see me Professor?"
"Well Ash..."
"Professor? How would you like your eggs done?" Called a voice, and Ash turned to soon see Brock walk into the room, holding a steaming pan. "Scrambled, I hope?"
"Brock!" The younger boy smiled in recognition. It seemed Brock hadn't changed at all. Same messy brown hair, squinty eyes, outfit – and a love for cooking.
"Ash?" Brock noticed their visitor and smiled as well. "Good to see you man!"
"Same."
"So how have you been? I heard bits and pieces of..." Brock dumped the pile of eggs on a plate that was on Oak's desk.
"Fine." Ash answered quickly.
"I see. I just thought the whole thing that went on with the birds would –"
"That's one of the reasons Ash is here, Brock." Professor Oak spoke up. "Ash," He turned to the younger boy, "I need you to tell me more about your experience – the three titans have never been studied, never mind this – what did you call it? Lugia? You're the only one who has witnessed all of this up close and personal."
Ash hesitated for a moment. The whole experience – it had been rather great – and sure, he was willing to share it – but for some reason he felt that he shouldn't. If any information of this ever got out, then people from all over would be trying to catch the magnificent birds. "Professor Oak – I'm not sure.."
"Don't worry Ash, this will all be confidential – between us and the more trusted scientists." He seemed to read Ash's mind.
Ash nodded at this, satisfied. "Sure."
Brock was a bit shocked at Ash's hesitance. Ash had always been big headed when it came to Pokemon – and he didn't seem to want anyone to know about his little experience. He had thought that Ash would have been overly willing to tell what had happened, but perhaps he was wrong. Maybe Ash had grown up a bit since Brock had last seen him – or maybe Ash had changed.
He watched as the conversation continued, and Ash took a seat in one of the more cleaner chairs. He shrugged to himself. Maybe Ash had changed after all.
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"Ash Ketchum!" A voice yelled, and a angry redhead charged towards him, "Where have you been??"
From behind her, two people also emerged from the Ketchum house, confused looks on their faces. At the sight of Ash, they both realized what all the commotion was about.
Ash had left earlier that morning, not telling anyone where he had gone – not even his own trusted Pokemon, Pikachu. They had all awoken to find that he had disappeared, which was very strange, because he would never leave Pikachu behind for any length of time, no matter what. Shrugging this off, although Misty had been very worried, they had went about their day – but their worry increased every hour that Ash did not show. Now, it was very late in the afternoon, and a beautiful sunset painted the horizon – and Ash had finally showed up, only to be greeted by a very angry Misty meeting him halfway up the walk.
"Well?" She demanded, hands on her hips, "Do you think you can just wander off for the day without telling anyone, and expect us not to worry?"
"Well..uhh..." Ash started, but was interrupted by Melody.
"Awww! How cute! Ash's girlfriend is worried about him!" She laughed, causing Misty to turn to red.
"I'm not his girlfriend!"
"You aren't?" Melody asked, then looked thoughtful. "Then maybe Ash snuck out to meet his girlfriend from Pallet."
"Girlfriend...from Pallet?" Misty asked, blinking. "Who'd go out with him?"
"Well," Tracey pointed out, "He's a very good Pokemon trainer – he treats his Pokemon with a lot of respect, which girls like in a guy, and he's been top trainer in the last two leagues..."
"He's fairly generous," Melody started to point out, "A good friends, always willing to help others.."
Ash just stood there, sweatdropping – it was like he wasn't even there.
"Okay, okay...he's a okay guy...so what?" Misty muttered, outnumbered.
"And he's not bad looking either," Melody pointed out, winking.
"...And he's saved the world a few times." Came a voice, and Misty spun around to see Brock, who seemed to just arrive. "Chicks seem to go for that kind of thing."
"Brock!" She gasped, "When did you get here?"
"Just then – Ash asked me over for supper, and I had a few things to do before I left to come here." He answered.
"I'm so glad to see you again!" She pulled him into a small hug. "It's been so long since we've really talked!"
He nodded, glancing over her shoulder at the two unfamiliar figures.
Ash was the first to notice his confusion. "Oh! Brock, this is Melody and Tracey. I don't think you've met them. Melody, Tracey – this is the one and only Brock."
Both teens shook hands, and after the "Nice to meet you's", Ash continued, "We met Tracey shortly after we left Professor Ivy's – he draws Pokemon – and Melody here, we met on Shamouti Island [A/N: Hope this is right...if not, this is what it'll be called from now on ^^; ]. She helped a lot, since she knew her way around the islands, and knew more about the legend and prophecy."
"So Misty," Melody grinned evilly after all introductions were made, and grabbing hold of Ash's arm, "Since Ash isn't your boyfriend, then can I have him?"
"Wahh..." Ash blinked, confused, before he was pulled off towards the house.
"Hey!" Misty shouted after them ,"Come back here – I'm not done yelling at Ash!"
She ran after them, Melody laughing the whole way.
Brock just shook his head, sighing. "Nothing's changed."
"I take it you've seen those two fawning over each other as well?" Asked Tracey, staring after them.
Brock nodded. "They've been at it for years – if only they knew they were actually doing it."
Tracey nodded as well, before they both headed into the house for supper.
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"So you were at Professor Oak's?" Questioned Misty as she poked another mouthful of spaghetti into her mouth.
After finally settling down, Mrs. Ketchum had announced that supper was just about cooked, and Ash had helped his mother set the table for their guests. He was glad to get away from everyone – with all the chat and laughter. Now, they were all seated once again around the kitchen table, eating their supper happily.
Ash nodded, twirling the spaghetti around his fork. "Professor Oak wanted to see me about the Lugia business – for research studies and such. I guess we kind of lost time...I didn't think it was so late until I saw the sun setting."
The conversation continued, and Ash and Misty explained to Brock everything that had happened since they had last seen him. Then, finally, Ash brought up the Johto League.
"The Johto League?" He asked as he finished off the last of his supper, "I think I've heard of it – it's a fair way away from here, I believe. Its a nice boat ride, and as far from what I heard, the only way to get there would be to catch the St. Annabelle at Vermillion City. Its a long journey, but it will definitely be worth your while Ash – there's all kinds of new Pokemon over there, and many more being discovered. I know I'd go if I had the chance."
Ash looked up at his other friends, who nodded and smiled in support, and then back to Brock. "That's why I brought it up –" He paused slightly, "We were wondering if you'd like to come with us – I mean, you want to be a Pokemon breeder...and this would be a awesome experience for you.."
Brock jumped up, almost knocking his seat over. "Would I ever!" He grinned, "Just imagine the different kinds of Pokemon to see – and all the girls! I wonder if they have Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny over there..."
Ash and Misty sweatdropped. It was the same old girl crazy Brock they had always known.
"So that's a yes?" Asked Misty, who already knew the answer.
"Of course! I've missed travelling around with you guys – how ever did you manage without my cooking?"
"Er..." Ash started, "I'm not sure, really. Take out, mainly – Tracey here knows all the greatest places."
Tracey could only smile and blush slightly. "Hey – I've been around."
Melody blinked and stared at him, a thought coming to her mind. "Hey Trace," She started, using the nickname she had started calling him, "Heading over to the Johto must be a great experience for you as well – I mean, you get to draw all these new Pokemon..."
He nodded, smiling at her, "I can't wait – but I want to meet Professor Oak before we leave.."
"When are you guys leaving anyway?" Brock asked suddenly, and all eyes turned to Ash.
"Well...uhm...I was thinking maybe a week?" He looked at the others, who seemed happy enough with that.
"A week it is then." He finished, smiling.
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"Butch! Cassidy!" A voice boomed through the darkened room, and over the intercom, "Get in here!"
It didn't take long for the two Rockets to arrive, ready to serve their Boss.
"I know you must be really busy with my new assignment, but I want you to do a little side quest –" The voice coming from the shadow covered man sitting behind the large desk, "There has been a strange finding – a Pokeball. An old friend of mine named Professor Oak has it at the moment – but I want that Pokeball in Team Rocket's clutches as soon as possible."
Both Rockets bowed in respect of their Boss' orders. "Yes Boss. Its a privilege to have such a task – even if it is a mere easy one."
"All you have to do is steal this Pokeball." The Boss, Geovanni, stated, "By any means. Don't let anyone get in your way – and if they do, you have my permission to do away with them."
The both nodded.
"This Pokeball may bring the uprising of Team Rocket – even more, when we have the birds."
"Don't worry Boss." Cassidy smirked, "We will not fail. We can be trusted, unlike some other Rockets we all know."
"Good. Now you may leave."
Bowing slightly once more, they took leave. They had a job to do.
To Be Continued...