-Chapter Six-


(Fuchsia Ferry)

It was a dreary day. The sun was dim, and frequently hidden behind gray storm clouds. A light drizzle fell from the sky onto the sea. Koga stood by the ferry's railing, his eyes closed in deep concentration.
"Koga. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Hello Sabrina," Koga greeted her, without opening his eyes.
Sabrina stood beside him, leaning slightly towards the railing.
"So. This meeting Blaine called us all here for…do you know anything about it?"
Koga smirked at her.
"What? You mean, you couldn't find out?"
Sabrina turned her face from him, a tiny bit offended.
"I wouldn't use my powers on something like that. I have more dignity than that," she muttered.
Koga chuckled and looked back at the sea. A few minutes passed by in silence until Sabrina reminded him of her question. Koga raised an eyebrow.
"Do I know anything about it? No…no, I don't."
Sabrina started to say something else, but Daisy tapped her on her shoulder.
"Like, Sabrina? What do you want us to like, do with that thing?"
Sabrina looked over at her Alakazam that was trying to hand the unconscious demon to Lily or Violet.
"Eww! Like, we don't want that!"
Sabrina sighed, and noticed Koga staring at the creature. His eyes were wide and a bead of cold sweat was falling down his face. Sabrina walked over to Alakazam and grabbed the demon by its neck. Walking back to him, she held it up.
"Have you seen this before, Koga?"
Koga drew his eyes away from it and looked away.
"No. Never before in my life."
Sabrina frowned at him and he knew she could see right through him. It was worthless to lie to her.
"Maybe…maybe I have."
"And you know why Blaine called us all?"
Koga shrugged.
"I'm sure Blaine has his reasons…"
He looked straight at her.
"And I have mine."
He walked around her and went down the stairs to the lower level. Sabrina sighed and leaned her back onto the railing. She held her hand out and watched the small drops of rain land on it. The Cerulean sisters stood beside her and looked out at the sea.
"I can like, see the island!"
Sabrina turned her head and watched silently as Cinnabar Island slowly came into view.

(Ketchum Residence, Pallet Town)

Pikachu grinned over at Togepi as it stuffed some of Brock's pokémon food into its mouth.
"Togi! Togi-pree!" It trilled happily.
Brock smiled.
"It sure is great to see the little guy again…"
He looked across the table at Misty.
"And it's even better to see you."
Misty returned the smile.
"Likewise, Brock!"
She turned to Ash, her eyes sparkling.
"And it's good to see you, Ash!"
Ash nodded, grinning. May picked at her food distractedly, eyeing Ash.
I've never seen him so happy…
"So, Misty dear," Ms. Ketchum started, "you came about the barrier?"
"Yes. I saw it on the news."
"Professor Oak left earlier today to Valencia Island. He's meeting some other professors there to discuss the issue. I do hope they find out what's going on."
"Oh, I see… Ash? Do you think…that maybe Team Rocket has something to do with it? It's the first thing that came to my mind."
Max spoke up.
"We KNOW Team Rocket has something do with it. We saw the letters TR in the smoke on the mountain."
Delia glanced outside where Oakley was standing, talking on his communicator. She looked away, somewhat sadly, but made no comment.
"But it's not just them," Brock said. "At least, that's what Professor Oak said."
Ash frowned.
"But the professor wouldn't tell me anything else. He knows something, Misty!"
Misty gave Ash a confused look.
"Why wouldn't he tell you, Ash?"
"He said it was too dangerous for me to get involved in…" Ash muttered.
She smiled alittle.
"And since when has that ever stopped you? Now, the Ash I know wouldn't stand around here."
Ash looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"The Ash I know would've followed Professor Oak, despite what he said."
His eyes widened.
"No, I wouldn't!"
"Yes, you would! You know how stubborn you are, Ash!" She giggled.
Ash opened his mouth to make a comeback, but a small slowly spread across his face.
"You know what, Misty? You're right."
He stood up, hands clenched into fists.
"I'm going to Valencia Island. And I'm going to find out what the professor knows."
Misty's eyes sparkled again.
"And I'm going with you, Ash. All the way."
May looked back and forth between them, then stood up beside Ash.
"I-I'm going too!"
Ash looked at her and smiled.
"Thanks, May!"
She smiled back. Max jumped up.
"Me too!"
They all looked at Brock.
"Valencia Island…"
A shadow fell across his face for a moment, but he recovered quickly.
"Count me in, too."
Ms. Ketchum got up and started walking into the kitchen.
"I'll pack you kids something to eat for the trip!"
After she left, Ash went over to Max and knelt down beside him.
"Max…I need you to do me a favor."
"Okay, Ash! What is it?" He asked eagerly.
"I need you to stay here."
His smile fell.
"What?"
Ash placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I need you to stay. You know that Oakley guy? He's in Team Rocket. I don't want him alone with my mom, especially now. I need you to keep an eye on him."
Max considered this for a moment, and nodded slowly.
"Sure thing, Ash."
"Thank you, Max. It means a lot to me…"
Then, getting to his feet, Ash turned to the others and grinned.
"All right! To Valencia Island!"
Misty held up a hand.
"Not so fast, Ash."
"Huh?"
May looked at her.
"What do you mean? This was your idea in the first place!"
"Yes. But how are we going to get there?"
Ash facefaulted and almost fell over.
"Ohhh, I didn't think about that…"
He thought for a moment, and then got an expression that could almost be considered wicked.

(Oak Laboratory, Pallet Town)


Tracey smiled and hummed to himself as he straightened the books in Professor Oak's bookcase. His humming slowly faded as he sensed someone coming up behind him. His eyes widened as he turned around…
"Ahh!" He yelled as Ash grabbed his shoulders tightly and pressed him against the bookcase.
"Ash! Don't do that, you almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry, Tracey, but I have something very important to ask you!"
Tracey blinked.
"Uh, okay, sure, ask away."
"Do you the number of the guy who flies Professor Oak's helicopter?"
"Umm…" he muttered as his eyes drifted behind Ash.
He smiled suddenly.
"Hey, Misty! Is that you?"
"Nevermind Misty, Tracey!" May snapped at the artist.
"Just answer the question!"
Tracey looked from Ash to May.
"Oh! Sure, I know his number, Ash. Why do you ask?"

(Blaine's Residence, Cinnabar Island)

Gary and Whitney nodded at the magmar that held the door open for them. They set their bags down beside the other luggage and looked around.
"Whitney?"
"Yeah, Gary?"
"Do you think Blaine and the others will mind that I'm here?"
Whitney smiled at him.
"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind. Besides, this is just some gym leader conference."
"Oh, it's much more than that."
Whitney and Gary turned around to see Blaine standing before them, his glasses hiding his eyes…and his long wig hiding his head. They stared at each other in an awkward silence for several minutes, until Blaine's face cracked into a grin.
"Ha! Welcome gym leader Whitney, to my humble abode!"
Whitney and Gary exchanged glances and nervous smiles. Blaine smiled down at Gary.
"And you…I've seen you before!"
Gary nodded.
"I've competed in your gym before. My name's Gary. Gary Oak."
Blaine snapped his fingers.
"Ah! Professor Oak's grandson! I remember now! Welcome!"
He draped his arms around their shoulders and led them into his living room where Koga, Sabrina, and the Cerulean sisters were seated. Blaine faced them all and waited for Gary and Whitney to sit down. He removed his sunglasses and fixed them all with a serious expression.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I brought you here. This is no ordinary gym leader conference."
Sabrina looked at Koga; his hands were clamped tightly in his lap.
"I don't know if any of you saw the news the other day, but there's something going on in Pallet Town. Something very, very strange," Blaine continued. "But what you may find even stranger…is that this is not the first time it's happened."

(Ivy's Laboratory, Valencia Island)

"What ARE you talking about, Samuel?"
Professor Oak looked away from his colleagues for a moment and sighed.
"I wish there was some way to explain this to make it sound more believable…but you're just going to have to trust me here, all right?"
Professors Ivy and Elm looked at each other before looking back at Samuel.
"All right, Professor. You have our trust."
"Professor!!"
The three turned to the door as Ash marched in, Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. Professor Oak stood.
"Ash! What are you…"
He stopped and watched May, Brock, and Misty trail in behind him. Ash turned to Ivy and Elm.
"I'm sorry for barging in like this…"
Elm nodded. Ivy looked past Ash at Brock, her eyes widening. He looked away from her.
"Ash, I told you before, I…"
"Professor! I know what you said. But I also know that I can't stand by and not do anything while something weird is happening to my home. I NEED to know what's going on, Professor. You can't keep it from me!"
Professor Oak stared at him for quite some time, Ash staring back. No one said a word…until Samuel finally broke the silence.
"Very well then… Have a seat, kids. I'll have to tell you all."

End of Chapter Six