Chapter 2- The Urgent Message

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Fear washed over Ash, and he tried to grab onto the rope tighter, but felt a slash across his face, Meowth had its claws raised and was smirking. Ash hoped he'd be able to hold on 'til they landed, or Pikachu was able to free himself.

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Ever since Tracey had become Professor Oak's assistant, there had always been one thing he really wanted to ask him. Can a trainer ever be so linked to his pokémon, to receive their strengths and weaknesses? Well, Oak being the kind person he was, decided to follow up on the question, and drop all his other research (or most of it) to discover the answer. Of course, Tracey had been talking about Ash, who's party he had just recently left.

"It seems to me Professor, that Ash seems to have the strengths and weaknesses of one, or all of his pokémon at any one time. I've never seen anything else like it…" At a sincere look from Professor Oak, he continued, "Well, have you ever noticed how Pikachus attacks never seem to hurt him? Or attacks from any other pokémon, even when it's not his own?"

Professor Oak countered "But those aren't serious attacks Tracey. If he was to be truly attacked…" He stopped suddenly, and realized he was talking of Ash as if he was a pokémon, and would go into battle against one. "Hmm… I see your point young assistant…"

One of the pokémon Ash had recently sent in, a top quality Kingler, trotted out behind the Professor. At a small nod from Tracey, a Bubble Beam was aimed at Oak, and he stumbled forward with a cry. Kingler of course, caught the Professor in a claw, and righted him.

"See Professor? That hurt right?" Oak stopped moments before yelling at the Kingler.

He turned back to Tracey slowly "Why… yes… it did…"

"I've seen Ash take much worse. I think we should look into it, not just for the fun either, but for Ash's safety…"

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So it had come about that Professor Oak and Tracey had set to try and discover what was so different about Ash than all the other trainers in the world, and his pokémon. To do that, they needed a tiny piece of elemental power from everyone of Ash's pokémon he had ever caught. Now, that was not an easy task. Whenever Ash sent in one of his pokémon, Professor Oak would conduct a small experiment, get the pokémon to attack a metal wire with an elemental attack, and the wire would store the energy. This would take a long time, but after some years, they had most of the energy needed. Then, they had to begin with the right experiment of how to get what they needed from the energies.

Soon, they had worked it out, and the only pokémon power they needed was Pikachus, and of course, Ash's power. They'd work that out later. First, they had to get him here. Tracey looked at the Pidgey who fluffed up its feather importantly as the young man placed a rolled note onto its leg "I want you to take this to Ash Ketchum immediately. Last we heard, he was headed up to the Ice Caverns, so you may have to let the Delibirds do it, ok? Now go, Go!" With a ruffle of feathers the Pidgey darted out the window.

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Ivysaur sunk to the ground, looking up to Misty and Brock, who both grimaced "It wasn't your fault Ivysaur… Meowth bit you…"

[We have to go find Ash] Ivysaur said sternly and used its vines to grab any of Ash's things he had left behind, including the two Pichu and re-calling them to their pokéballs. Grunting in annoyance he headed to the cave entrance, Brock and Misty exchanged glances

"We can't just go out there. We should…" Brock didn't know what they should do. They couldn't stay here, leaving Ash to fend for himself… well… actually… they probably could. Ash'd most likely be fine. There was a flutter of wings and a Delibird landed, looking over the strange collection. Brocks Ninetails let out a small warning growl, but the Delibird reached behind it, plucking something from its sack. Ninetails jumped forward growling and the Delibird was startled as it held out the neatly folded letter

"Ninetails, return!" Brock said, looking at the Delibird. "I'm so sorry… I wasn't expecting her to do that…"

"Deli" [Yeah] It trotted over and looked around the cave [Are you Ash Ketchum? Where's your Pikachu?]

"Oh" Misty said "We're Ash's friends, Misty and Brock. Ash got… um… he went for a walk" She stuttered, and the Delibird gave her a queer look before looking at the note

[Brock, Misty… yeah, you're on here. Well, 'ere ya go. Please, next time a Delibird comes in here, check for the leg band before you attack] It held up its left leg, and a band on it said 'Ice Region Delibird Delivery Service'.

"Oh… yeah, I'm really sorry about that…" Brock muttered

[Just remember, or you'll get in trouble one day. Anyway. Message is pre-paid, have a good day] With a formal beat of its wings, the Delibird turned and ran from the cave, launching itself off the edge and disappearing from site.

Misty carefully unfolded the note and looked at it

{{Dear Ash, Pikachu, Misty and Brock, wherever you are,

Ash, Tracey and myself are currently working on an experiment, and we need you and Pikachu for a moment. I know it sounds strange, but trust me on this one, it's important. If you could come to Pallet Town soon, I'd be very much obliged.

Professor Oak. }}

Brock stared over the note, then looked at Misty. "We have to get him to Pallet, and fast! Once we're there, we might be able to get some help to find Ash, if he's not there waiting for us already"

"How are we going to get through the storm Brock?" Misty asked worriedly.

Ivysaur smiled slightly [You're lucky someone here has brains] He sniggered, and raised a vine, clutching a pokéball. There was a click, and Charizard appeared, giving a roar. Ivysaur talked to it for a moment, and it bent down. This Charizard was a little larger than some, due to its training time in the Charizific Valley. When Misty and Brock did nothing, Charizard rumbled faintly

[Get on, and hurry… It's too cramped and cold in here] The strong heated words split the silence and both Misty and Brock jumped up onto Charizards back.

"Ivysaur, you can ride on Crobat…" Brock pointed to the upside-down form the roof, wings folded, it looked almost frozen like a stalactite but awoke at Brocks call.

Ivysaur jumped up onto Crobat, and Brock and misty gripped tight onto Charizards back

"Ok, let's go!"

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::Meanwhile::

Ash and Pikachu stood on the icy ground, facing Team Rockets Jessie, James and Meowth. The balloon was behind them, smashed on a sharp cliff, and all of them had suffered a bit of a fall, and Ash was pretty beaten up, after taking more than half the ride with Meowth clawing at him cruelly, trying to get him to fall or let go of the rope.

"Pikachu, Thunder!" Pikachu jumped forward, looking at Jessie and James, sending off a Thunder Attack, yet he could barely stand. The cold was getting to him. Team Rocket grinned, sending out their own pokémon, who were as fit as a fiddle.

"Charbok! Wheeze" The two pokémon appeared and charged straight for Pikachu. Weezing tackled Pikachu, and flung the yellow mouse backwards. Ash jumped and ran over to the electric pokémon, picking him up into his grasp, and felt a strong pain sear through his left arm. Looking up to his shoulder, Ash saw Arbok with its long poisonous fangs embedded deep into the skin. Moaning Ash's vision blurred and he swayed, feeling the fangs removed, and looked up to see Arbok coming at him again, mouth open to clamp teeth around his neck.