A/N: Yes, I know I ripped this chapter title off of an English episode of Pokémon. I had too. I kind of ran out of a title idea for this chapter. You'll see why this chapter is called this at the end. This particularly explains every answer that that started in the last chapter with the flashback. Oh and here's the bad thing. This flashback of Misty's is really long, so this whole chapter is a flashback but an interesting flashback. So I decided to make it more in depth and more detailed then most of the flashbacks.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Reviewer's Comments:

Poke-gurl::: Yeah! A new reviewer! :happy: Err… the Gyarados… right? What happened to the Gyarados? Err… I never thought about that when I was writing. Right the Gyarados. Err… no Misty doesn't have it. The guy was put into jail and executed for killing a gym leader. Right! The Gyarados, it was set free… yeah. That's it. It was set free. Thanks for the review, and I hope you continue to review.

Shock-a-lot::: Wow! Another new reviewer! :grins: Whoa! :eyes bug out: You must really like this fic to say so many I love it. And I'm so happy. :grins: Really you'll join my group of frequent reviewers? Me happy! Me very happy. Thanks for the review.

Shockwave::: Yay! A new reviewer! Me get a lot of new reviewers for this chapter. Erm? :tilts head: What do you mean off topic? I never thought I was on topic. Err… yeah. :people give weird stares: I know that's sad, but hey. I write whatever comes to mind. I have the ending all worked out just not the middle. What do you mean? I could use pointers. Really I could. It may help me organize my train of thoughts. :whimpers: You don't want Ashy back? :cries: You don't! :brightens up: Wow! You're the first one to tell me that! Really! :smiles: You really think it's that good! I'm going to change the cataloging around when I get to the half-way point though. It'll be first action/adventure then romance. This first part is more romance then adventure… kind of. I do research? Really? I hate doing research. It was more for fun then for my fics. I just decided to add what I found out on sites to my fics that's all. :smiles: Thanks for the review, and I hope that you will continue to review and read this fic.

Crystalstorm21::: Really? :grins: You like. Me so happy. Wow! We have so many things in common. I can't wait to read the next chapter either. :bonks head: Uh oh! I'm the authoress. If I haven't seen the next chapter, then who has? Uh oh. Any ways. :grins: Me happy you like. Thanks for the review.

Joy-girl::: Err… I'll try, but to tell the truth I haven't even written the next chapter yet. I keep writing chapters in advance to at least update once every week, but this time I haven't even finished the next chapter. I have the beginning and the ending written but not the middle plus I have tons of research to do. So I'll true really I will. I tried updating this chapter sooner, but well I didn't have any time to write. Yep, I'm not even half way done. Originally this fic was only going to be 15 chapters did you know that? Well now you. But… I got all these good ideas… so change of plans now it's going to be over thirty chapters. :cringe: Maybe I shouldn't have said that about Ash. :shrug: Any ways. I'm still debating… no… okay that's a lie. I almost have the answer down… only problem is how to explain it. Thanks for the review.

Avenger10::: Really! :grins: You can't wait. :grins: Me happy. Me very happy about that. Yeah! Cliffhangers. ^. ^ Me like writing them. Thanks for the review.

Hopestar::: YAY!! A new reviewer, me very happy! You like my fic. I'm soo happy. Thanks you. Yes. I know. You want Ash back. Most people do. So… I'm debating on it now. Thanks for the review, and I hope you continue to review.

Labannya::: Err… why Ash didn't save Misty from Gyarados is explained in this chapter. It's actually implied in this chapter. Interesting theory. You know what's ionic? I though of that exact same theory at first too. You weren't expecting James and Jessie to pull something like that? Didn't I say that they changed? They got smarter too. I said James was going to get his revenge. I just never expected it to be this far from when Misty and Haruka pulled their plank. Hmm…. Good question. What is Misty going to do? I don't know… wait! I do know… kind of but I won't say cause I'll probably change it. You're actually interested in the flashback? Good cause this whole chapter is based on a flashback. Really you like to read more? Good. Cause this fic is going to be really, really long. Thanks for the review.

SulliMike23::: What's wrong with my cliffhangers? See! See! I'm not the only one who likes writing cliffhangers. You do too. So YAY!! I have more reasons to write cliffhangers which I love to write about. Thanks for the review.

Nightswift::: No problem. You probably have to do stuff and didn't have time. I'm not hurt since you came back and review this chapter. Me happy. :grins: It is? Really… I didn't know it hit that weird spot yet. It gets strange and kind of confusing later. What trick? You mean Misty and Haruka's plank, or Jessie and James's plank? I've done a lot of tricks in this fics so far, and I'm not sure which one you're talking about. Thanks for the review.

Chapter 17

The sun was more fully in the sky by now. A small shadow was cast into the tent awaking the boy and his Pikachu. The boy yawned as he got up. The Pokémon's ears wiggled before jumping up and landing on the boy's shoulder. A sound was heard outside as the flap on the tent opened revealing an older boy. In his hands was a sweat filled blanket and a canteen of water. "Morning."

"Yeah, 'morning Brock," said the boy before giving out a loud yawn. Brock shook his head. He knew his friend was hopeless. Brock tucked the blanket back in his backpack before facing his ebony hair friend.

"Hey Ash! Do you know where Misty went? I haven't seen her for hours."

Ash shrugged his shoulders. "Don't kn…"

"Pikapi," shouted the Pokémon. Ash slapped his forehead.

"Wait!" Ash mentally cursed at himself before continuing. "I forgot. Misty was screaming about some Gyarados."

A light must have lit up in Brock's brain. "Oh yeah. I remember now. Misty screamed and all. She interrupted my morning session." Ash rolled his eyes.

"You still doing those?"

"Yeah," Brock replied simply annoyed. "Course I still am. It's working can't you tell?"

Ash bit his lip before scoffing. "Uh… no."

Brock sighed. "Children."

"Huh?"

"Never mind."

"No really, what you say?" asked Ash. He was actually interested in the conversation now.

"Pikapi."

"Larvitar."

"Huh?" Ash walked passed Brock to the gap on the tent. Pikachu was holding it open as Larvitar held a simply adorable look. It looked so worried, yet it was so cute. Ash bent out and wrapped his arms around the baby Pokémon. "What's wrong Lavy? Did one of the other Pokémon scare you again?"

Ash could hear a scoff behind his back. Misty and Brock had a tendency to laugh at him whenever he spoke in his kind, softhearted tone. Misty even called him a perfect fatherly figure to Larvitar. Ash didn't have a clue if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Ash decided to ignore Brock's snickering this time. "Lar," whimpered the Pokémon.

"Pikapi, Pikachupi pi chu pi ka," shouted the Pokémon.

Ash immediately got up. He had understood exactly what Pikachu told him. "Brock come on!" shouted Ash demandingly. Brock knew Ash meant serious business. He never spoke in that kind of a tone unless he was serious. Brock decided to ask questions later and ran out the tent with Ash. There, outside both Ash and Brock stood dumb stuck. A gigantic robot stood in their way. A huge mechanical Gyarados was hovering over them. It was blue like a regular Gyarados only not the same color. It camouflaged so well with the water that it looked like a wave itself.

"Pik!" shouted the rodent.

"Huh?" Ash looked down and immediately cringed. Two robotic bug Pokémon were crawling over them. "What's the big idea?"

"Yeah!" shouted Brock.

A familiar Team Rocket motto rang into their ears. Ash was steaming as he could feel Larvitar trembling in his arms. This was not right, scaring poor Larvitar like this. The Pokémon was just starting to trust all of his Pokémon. Now this was happening. "Pikachu!" shouted the rodent.

"Team Rocket! What do you want?" shouted Ash.

A little chuckle was heard. The hood of the Gyarados popped open revealing a screen. On top of it was Team Rocket's feline Pokémon Meowth. "It's just me, this time twerps."

"What? Jessie and James abandon you?" asked Brock jokingly.

"No. Actually." The Pokémon chuckled. "Why don't I show you."

"Show me what?" asked Ash. He was getting very annoyed at Team Rocket. He still had to find Misty.

"Temper, temper, twerp." The Pokémon pulled out a remote. He pointed it down and from the screen revealed a scene. It was a picture of the woods. There was trees everywhere… no it wasn't a picture it was a movie. A scream could be heard. The scene changed revealing Jessie and James… but behind them was…

"NO!" shouted Ash. Ash bit his lip. He was angry, dead angry. He clenched and unclenched his empty hand. "MEOWTH!" shouted Ash. He placed Larvitar down and pulled out a pokéball. The Pokémon chuckled.

"You stupid! You won't get anywhere saving your girlfriend by beating me up," chuckled the Pokémon.

"Err…"

"Ash." Brock stepped forward and placed a hand on Ash. "Meowth's right Ash. We won't save her by beating Meowth up."

Ash sighed. "Fine." He immediately turned around.

"Where you going? I'm not done playing with you yet," said Meowth teasingly.

Ash looked up and sighed. He turned around with an angry look on his face. "Meowth! I don't have time to play!" shouted Ash.

Meowth chuckled as he pulled out another remote. "As if I gave you a choice." The Pokémon pushed another button. From the Gyarados's mouth came two long claws and a net. Ash looked stern as the net came down. "Brock r…"

It was too late. Ash ran out of the way just in time, Pikachu on his shoulders and Larvitar in his arms. The net caught Brock. Ash immediately turned around. "Brock," shouted Ash. He moved his feet to go back.

"Ash don't!" shouted the boy.

"But!"

"No! Go! I'll figure some way to get out." Ash nodded and ran on. In the back of his head he could hear Meowth mumbling. He thought of her in danger caused Ash to run on. "Pik!" screamed rodent on Ash's shoulder. Ash looked around just in time to see a hand reaching to grab him. It was hovering and gaining speed quickly. Ash immediately dogged it.

"Pikachu!" screamed the Pokémon. Pikachu's warning came too late. The other hand had already tripped Ash. Ash fell face flat in the mud. His clothes were ruined, but still he held tightly to his Pokémon.

"Larvitar," cried the rock Pokémon. Ash looked down. He could tell that Larvitar was terrified. The poor Pokémon was terrified of everything. Who could blame it after having the experiences the Pokémon had so far? Larvitar was a baby, a defenseless baby wanting love and caring. Togepi and Phanpy hadn't turn out like this. They both had trainers to guide them, but poor Larvitar didn't. Ash wasn't its trainer. Ash was just taking care of it for the time being.

Ash didn't dare put it in a pokeball. If he did, then he would have no choice, but to capture Larvitar. Misty and Brock had suggested that he should keep Larvitar, but somehow Ash knew it wasn't his place. He couldn't keep Larvitar. It was his job to teach it to be brave, not to battle.

Ash immediately turned around. He gulped. The hands were zigzagging in front of him. "Pikachu," shouted the Pokémon. It leaped from Ash's shoulder. Ash knew Pikachu was going to do a thundershock, but something didn't seem right. Ash looked up, pass the hands to the scene. Something was wrong. Something didn't make sense then it hit him. "Pikachu… NO!" screamed Ash. But it was too late then; Pikachu had already powered up for a mighty thunderbolt. The gloves deflected the attack. Ash looked up at the scene before the binding lights blinded him. He was right.

Pikachu was knocked back by the attack. "Pikachu!" shouted Ash. He got up and ran to Pikachu's side. Just as he reached to grab the Pokémon, the hand came and took Pikachu away. Another came from behind and pulled off the Ash's pokébelt. Ash gasped as he watched Pikachu and all his Pokémon go back to Meowth. The feline was grinning from ear to ear.

Brock looked from Ash to Meowth. He saw something glisten in the mouth of the Gyarados. "Ash RUN!" screamed Brock. Ash nodded and took off into the forest with Larvitar still with him. He knew Brock could take care of himself. He would find some way to beat Team Rocket at their own game. Ash knew he was placed in a tough spot. He didn't have any of his Pokémon with him only Larvitar. The rock/ ground Pokémon wasn't fit for battling. It could never battle even though when it does. It packs a powerful blow. Ash ran and ran though the woods. "Hold on Misty. I'm coming," thought Ash. Ash knew where Misty was. He had seen exactly how to get to her. It was almost as if Team Rocket wanted him to find her.

*******

A light chuckle was heard ahead. Ash knew he had found the spot. Team Rocket was up ahead. Ash stopped at a near by tree. His blood boiled as he looked on. There was Team Rocket, but not only Jessie and James but that other duo too. Ash hadn't seen them since the incident with Lugia. All four Rockets that he was familiar with were there. Ash gulped as he looked by the tree almost directly to the side of him. His blood boiled. There she was. What she was doing surprised and frightened Ash. She looked as if she was twitching badly. She was screaming and throwing a fit at nothing but air. "Misty," mumbled Ash.

Why was she screaming at nothing? She only did that when she saw bug Pokémon, and there weren't any Pokémon anywhere. "Lar," mumbled the rock Pokémon in Ash's hands. Larvitar had sense that Ash didn't want to be heard and quietly cried out. Ash looked down and saw that Larvitar was pointing to something. Ash looked up at the tree. There was a bug Pokémon. There was one on two of the trees, but there was something wrong with them. They looked immobile. A beam of light struck on of them. Ash gasped. They weren't real Pokémon. They were robots just like the others back at camp. "Larvitar, stay here," ordered Ash. The Pokémon nodded. Ash placed Larvitar on his jacket. He saw that the Rockets weren't looking their direction before climbing up the tree. He got to the level that the bug Pokémon was, but there was something wrong. A light picture was being projected at the top. Ash looked up and at the bug Pokémon across the tree from them. It too was projecting an image. Ash mentally calculated the angle of projection and just as he expected, it was being shone right in front of Misty. But how was it working? How did Misty fall for a projection?

Ash traced all four trees around them. The tree that was directly across from Misty held another robot. This one was a Gyarados… a Gyarados? This wasn't the time to wonder about the Gyarados. A faint chant was heard. Ash looked to the side of him. There was a Hypno… a HYPNO! What was a Hypno doing in the trees? Ash watched the Pokémon. It was the one doing the weird chants. The little pendulum in its hands was moving. It was moving to the same rhythm that the lights were being projected by. But… but what did it have to do with Misty being petrified like that? What did anything have to do with anything?

Ash didn't know. He looked down and saw that Larvitar was still there. The Pokémon hadn't moved an inch. Ash looked down at the rockets. They were there and so was Misty. Suddenly it hit him. He figured it out. Everything made sense now. Ash looked up. All he had to do with get to that Hypno. Ash stood up. One hand on the branch the other on the ground. It would be risky. The space in between was wide. Ash heard Misty's screams. That was all he needed. That was all the encouragement that he needed. Ash leaped from one tree to the other. He managed to land gracefully on the other side. Hypno still had his back to him. What luck! "All I have to do now is get to it," thought Ash. Just as he moved a step forward Ash felt a touch on his shoulder.

He turned around and immediately went white.

A/N: How was it? I know it turned out to be a big clump of a really long flashback. It wasn't supposed to have been this long. I kind of elaborated a little too much and made Team Rocket a little too smart… huh?

I wanted to give Team Rocket some kind of glory, and I thought this would be the best time to do it. What did Ash see? I don't know… yet. But you and I will both find out after I write it. Oh yeah I forgot. I better explain the Larvitar thing to you all.

**SPOILER** Later in the Johto League after the eight badge Ash acquires another egg. This time it's for Prof. Elm. While going back to New Bark Town, Ash picks up an egg. The egg later hatches and reveals a Larvitar. Larvitar is really, really shy, nervous, and gets scared all the time. Larvitar only trusts Ash. I won't explain why cause I don't want to spoil any more of the episode for you all. Any ways Prof. Elm decides to let Ash keep the Pokémon to take care of. Ash takes care of it without catching Larvitar, so that's why Ash has seven Pokémon with him. Larvitar doesn't belong, belong to him. Well that's a short summary. I don't want to say too much cause I don't want to ruin the episode for anyone who hasn't seen it. **SPOILER **