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Part 4 : Titan of Ice

Written by Neongene

It was a dark dismal day in Johto. The sun hadn't shone in three days, nothing but huge gray depressing clouds filled the sky. Also with it raining off and on during the day, it makes it that much harder while traveling on foot. "It's cold….it's wet….and I blame you Brock." Misty said coldly. Brock defended himself. "What did I do?" Misty stopped and in a mocking voice did an impression of Brock. "Oh… lets leave Goldenrod city, it's only 2 days to azalea town….well I would like to remind you that we've been out here for 4 days!" In deed they were, it's seems Brock misread the map…again. They had spent four days sleeping on the wet ground and haven't even made it to the entrance of Ilex forest. Misty continued to rant about everything imaginable. Ash looked up and Pikachu who was clinging to his shoulder. "We better get there soon before Misty has a fit." Misty bopped him on the back of his head. "I heard that!" Just then the Pokegear on Ash's wrist starting ringing. "What the?"

He poked at the dozens of buttons on the Pokegear trying to stop what ever that annoying sound was. As chance would have it he pressed the right button, the ringing stop but her heard something else. "Brock…did you hear a voice?"

~"Ash"~

Ash spun around to locate the individual who spoke. "Hello? Who's there?"

~"Ash!"~

Ash was getting more and more confused. "How did you know my name?"

~"Ash it's me Prof. Oak!"~

Ash searched all over but couldn't find him. "Prof. Oak where are you, what are you doing here?!"
Misty whacked him in the head. "Look at your Pokegear DumbAsh!" Ash followed Misty's finger to the blinking image of the professor on his wrist. "Oh…."

~"How's the Pokegear handling?"~

"Uh...Just fine, it's come in real handy."

The image showed that Prof.Oak was in his pokeball storage room.

~"I have a favor to ask you"~

"Sure name it Professor"

~"But first I must ask you what town are you currently traveling to?"~

Ash looked a few miles ahead at the vast stretch of forest, presumably ilex forest.

"Where heading for Azalea town…why Prof?"

~"Oh Good! What incredible luck! Remember back when you gave me the GS ball, well truth be told I have been unable to decipher anything from it. I had my lab assistant travel to azalea town to give it to the pokeball expert, Kurt."~

"What do you want me to do?"

~"It seems he has news about the GS ball, he believes that the GS ball contains no pokemon and will act like any other pokeball when used properly. And he asked me to get someone to test it for him. He needs to know what type of pokemon it works on if any. Are you up for it?"~

"Just tell me where Kurt lives!"

~"Excellent, call me when you get into azalea town, I'll give you further instructions then, but for now just worry about getting there…. How's the weather anyway?"~
At that very moment a torrential down pour exploded around them. Ash wiped a few raindrops from the screen. "Just fine Prof…..just fine…goodbye." The screen flickered and went to black.

Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu all ran for cover under the canopy of a tree. Misty stuck Togepi in her jacket so not to get wet. "You stay in there, ugh…this day keeps getting better and better doesn't it." She said sarcastically. Ash wrapped his arms around Misty's waist. "I don't think it's that bad, we have some time to ourselves now." They both leaned in to share a passionate kiss. Brock huffed. "Do you have to that around me all the time?" Ash and Misty ignored him as they continued to make out under the huge oak tree. Brock turned his attention to the ongoing storm. He watched the rain fall from the sky and hit the dirty path creating a plot of mud. He saw how the rain dropped from leaf to leaf and trickled down the side of the tree, like a small ballet. Everything began to glisten and shine as if all the trees and plants had wax on them. Even in the dismal and dark weather, Brock could find beauty. Brock could find beauty in everything. This is why he thought that all women were beautiful to his eye. "Is it a curse…….or a gift?"
"what you say Brock?" asked Ash

He had a million sweatdrops as he stammered to find an answer. "Um…um…I said…I meant…you….know….nothing!"

Ash and Misty stared at each other confused, but soon resumed their make-out session.

("Sigh…..this sucks") His attention was diverted to Pikachu who was staring at the sky.

"wha'cha looking at Pikachu?" Brock gazed up in the general direction to where Pikachu's eyes where currently fixed. "I don't see anything……..hey since pokemon are so in tuned to nature, maybe you can tell me when it'll stop raining?" A few seconds passed before Pikachu's ears twitched. "Pika" And as soon as Pikachu said that the rain let up and slowly stopped. Brock stared at Pikachu with awe. "Whoa…..cool"

Brock picked up a pebble and threw it Ash and Misty. "Hey suck faces! Come on lets move out, the rain stopped."

Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu all made their way to the muddy trail.
Ash peered ahead of him. "I'd say Ilex forest is just 2 km away, won't take long."

Suddenly the heavens opened up and spewed forth marble sized hail. Ash looked up to the sky and got pelted in the face. " Ow! What the OW! How could it be hailing! Ow!" Misty used one hand to shield Togepi and used her other to wring Brocks neck. "We should have stayed under the tree! But nooo…let's MOVE out you said!"

Ash pointed to the forest about 1 km ahead of them. "Come on it's not far, we can make it!" They made a mad dash down the trail as the mud slopped under their feet. Brock lifted his vest around his head. "It's not even cold out! How could it be .. OWCH! …..ergh…that was a big one."

After running for over 10 minutes, they made it to the safely of the massive canopy of the Ilex forest. As they caught their breath and shook the hail out of their hair, they looked out into the open plains, the clouds where gone and the sun peeked through the tops of the hills. Ash stared dumbly "okay…that was a bit strange." Ash looked at his Pokegear. "It's noon already, I think we can get to azalea before dark." Brock wiped the mud of his pants. "If the weather holds that is." Ash, Brock and Pikachu made their way into the forest but Misty was hesitant. "Do you guys know where you're going?" Ash waved her off. "Of course we do! Come on!" Misty sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this."

The trio dredged deep into the forest, coming across many forks in the trail. It was incredibly dark as the canopy stopped whatever ray of sunshine from coming in. They could hear the sounds of many different pokemon, but never saw one. It was as if they were hiding, and in a forest so dense they had a lot of good places to keep hidden. They continued to push through the brush until they came to a clearing. They came upon a small gorge, about 25 feet wide and who knows how deep. Ash gazed down the side of the cliff and could only see a blanket of mist. They looked up and down the gorge but could see no bridge or fallen tree to cross. Misty sighed. "Great…now what?" Brock consulted his map. "There seems to be a divide going down the forest, the bridge is……..7 km away." Misty pulled out her mallet. "WHAT! You said you knew where you were going!" Brock placed his hands up in front of him to ward off any attacks. "Hey it's not my fault it's so dark in there!"

Ash bent down and picked up a large stone, he turned to the ledge and hurled it over the side. He stuck his ear out to listen as he heard a crack, then a clatter and then nothing. "Man that's deep……" Misty was getting angry. "Ash this is just as much your fault as Brocks and all you can think of is throwing stuff?!" Ash tried to calm her down. "Like we've never been lost before, let's just go that way." Ash pointed to the northeast section of the forest. "We should get to the bridge in half and hour." He confidently marched into the thicket and beckoned for Misty, Brock and Pikachu to follow him. "Again…I have a bad feeling about this." Misty shrugged. "Pika"

"TOGE PRIIII!"

***********

Miles away from where out three heroes where, Team Rocket was stirring up trouble.

James poked his head from out of the bushes "did you say trouble!" Jessie slammed him in the faced. "SSSH! Not now…. be quiet" Team Rocket huddle in their camouflage and sneaked along the ground. Meowth popped his head out of the front. "Okay!...I heard that they live right along these parts…..keep your eyes peeled." They snuck behind trees and into ditches but found no trace of their target pokemon. Jessie held her pokeball, ready to throw. "Are you sure we should capture a pokemon…I mean it's not Team Rocket style, why don't we just steal one." Meowth huffed. "Because we only have a week left to do it! We'll just tell him we stole one, he doesn't have to know." They kept searching and after 4 hours of finding nothing but Pidgys and Rattatas, needless to say they were getting annoyed. "Are you sure Meowth that they can be found here!" screamed Jessie.

"Of course! I'm a pokemon aren't I!"

"I'm beginning to suspect otherwise!"
"Yous take that back!"
"Make me!"

"That's it! It's on now!"

"BRING IT!!"
Meowth and Jessie lunged at each other and disappeared in a cloud of smoke filled with kicks, punches and claws. "Take this and that you flea bitten ally cat!"

James reached in and pulled them apart and forced them to the ground. "James what the HELL oomph!" James quickly placed his hand over her mouth and pointed over to a nervy clearing. "SHH! I think that's it over there"

Meowth struggled to get out under James who had accidentally laid on him. "Yeah! That's it! Come on go get it!"
Jessie leapt into the fray and threw her pokeball at the ground. "Go Arbok! Get that pokemon!"

"CHARRRRRRBOKKKK!"

*********

"Okay guess the bridge is right through on the other side of this brush." Ash said triumphantly. They broke threw the thicket and sweat dropped at what they saw. The gorge…..and their original footprints…..

"Oops, I think we went in a circle." Misty was fed up. "WE ARE GOING TO BE LOST IN THIS FOREST FOREVER WITH YOU TWO IDIOTS LEADING!" Ash and Brock backed away cautiously. "Calm down honey I…….who's that?" Ash pointed behind Misty. Misty chuckled "OH no….you can't trick me!" Ash spun Misty around. "No really there's someone there at the edge of the cliff." Truth be told there was a guy dressed in a brown cloak staring down the side of the gorge. "Maybe he can help us find the way out of this forest." Ash stated. He ran up behind him and tapped his shoulder. "Hey buddy, do you know the way out of here?" The man turned around and removed the cloak covering his face. Ash gasped and his jaw dropped. "It's….YOU!"

The stranger laughed. "Well, well if it isn't Ashy, never thought I'd run into you."
"…….Gary!?"

**********

The pokeball shook on the dirty ground as Team Rocket excitedly locked their eyes on it. The reddish glow on the front of the ball disappeared as the shaking subsided. Jessie reached down and picked it up, she stared at it with a sense of pride and depredation. "We did it!" They all embraced each other in a huge victory hug. "We won't lose our jobs! We won't lose our jobs!" . James snagged the ball from Jessie. "He'll be pleased when I bring it to him." Jessie grabbed the ball from his hand. "You mean when I bring it to the boss." Meowth stood between and swiped the ball form Jessie grip. "I'll be the one since it was my idea. Jessie abruptly slammed Meowth into a tree. "I caught it" James intervened. "But I found it!" They all began fighting for the right to bring the news and the pokemon to Giovanni.

"It's MINE I tell you!" creamed Meowth

"Let go James!" protested Jessie

"OW that's my EYE!" squealed James.
They continued to squirm and roll on the forest floor. Drawing attention from neighboring pokemon.

**********

"……..Gary?"

Gary smugly poked him in the forehead. "That's right Ash in the flesh."

It took Ash several seconds before he could compile the information he was getting. "What are you doing here?!"

Gary brushed past him and sat on a nearby boulder. "Well, they same reason you're here."

Ash scratched his head. "Your lost?" Gary fell over in stupidity.

Misty clenched her fists. "Ah HA! You admit you're lost!" Ash rolled his eyes. "Not now Misty…why are you here?"
Gary propped himself up on the rock and polished his nails on his cloak. "Well Ashy after two weeks when you paid a visit to my grandpa, I happened to swing by for an informational visit. I, like you, am here for the Johto league."
Ash's eyes went wide. "What do you want with the Johto league, you couldn't even get past your second round in the Pokemon league!"

Gary scoffed. "Pah! Pokemon league. What a joke, such a trivial contest of skill. Now the Johto league that's where someone like me will make such an impact. Skilled trainers such as I going against other skilled trainers." Gary smirked. "Can't see why you're going." Ash began to get really angry. "You take that back GARY!" Gary got to his feet and faced opposite of Ash. "To think that I caught up with you, when you had a 2 week head start! That's pathetic. Your as stupid and ugly as ever." Ash was steaming mad but before he could retaliate they both turned to see Misty standing beside Gary. "Huh?"

Misty raised her spread out hand and brought it to Gary's face with tremendous force. *WHACK*

Gary had stars in his eyes as he fell over holding his cheek. "THAT"S MY MAN YOUR TALKING ABOUT JERK!"

Misty gasped as she realized what she just did. Everybody stared at Misty, mostly Ash.

"Um….sorry." Ash couldn't help it as a small smile crept across his face. "That was awesome." Brock walked over to them and looked down at Gary. "Yeah and who'd ever think he have such a glass jaw." Gary groaned and painfully stood up. "Why you scrawny little…." Ash protectively stepped in front of Misty. "Don't even think about it." Gary moved his tongue around in his mouth and spat out a spot of blood. "You'll pay for that."

Ash narrowed his eyes at Gary. A gust a wind blew past our rivals as they continued to stare each other down. "Gary, there's only one way to solve this….a pokemon battle."

Gary took out his pokeball containing his prize pokemon. "Lets do it." He hurled his pokeball at the ground and the shape of a Nidoqueen materialized in front of them. Ash looked up to his trusted pokemon and friend, Pikachu. "Alright Pikachu, your up." Pikachu flared his cheeks as streaks electricity flew off in different directions. The two pokemon faced each other near the gorge. "Alright Ash 1 on 1 pokemon battle, the winner decides who is the better trainer."

Brock raised his hand. "Um...what is it Brock?"

Brock whipped out his address book. "Hey Gary where are those girls your always hanging around with?" Gary stared dumbly at Brock

"I got rid of them, they were weighing me down. Now can be battle?"

Brock sadly put away his little black book.

Ash flipped his hat around. "Come on let's go!"

Gary narrowed his eyes at Ash. "Ladies first"

Ash's temper flared. "That was a mistake Gary! Little do you know your looking at the newest orange league champion!" Although Gary was taken off guard by that news, he tried to show no change in his demeanor. ("How can he be a Hall of Famer! This isn't fair! I'll show him, I'll show everybody!")

They both continued to stare each other down. Brock walk out to the side of them and raised his arm. "This will be a 1 on 1 pokemon battle, no time limit, no items." Brock dropped his arm. "GO!"

Pikachu ran towards Nidoqueen with blinding speed. "Pikachu…Agility!"

"Pika!"
Pikachu quickly ran circles around Nidoqueen, making it confused. It was having a hard time figuring out where Pikachu was.

"Come on Nidoqueen shake it off! Body Slam!"
Nidoqueen charged at Pikachu but was to confused and missed its target. Pikachu whipped around and jumped at its head. "Pikachu thunder!" As Pikachu sailed through the air it let loose a massive thunderbolt that hit Nidoqueen right between the eyes. "NIIIDOOO!!" it fell over but slowly got back to its feet

"Nidoqueen use slash!"

It reared back its massive claws and brought them down on Pikachu's head, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Pikachu! You alright buddy?"

Pikachu, covered in dirt, got up to all four as faced off to Nidoqueen.

"Pikachu…Thank you…now use your quick attack!"

"PIKAchu!"

It leapt at incredible speed as this little electric rodent slammed into Nidoqueen's sternum. It was sent back reeling as it tried to regain it's footing. Nidoqueen let out a low bellow as it charged at Pikachu.

"Alright Nidoqueen finish it off with a Poison Sting!" screamed Gary.

It charged at Pikachu and lowered its head. It's horn glistened as poison secreted from it. The exhausted Pikachu was barely able to escape the attack as it jump up and away as Nidoqueen charged past. Suddenly Nidoqueen whipped its tail around and caught Pikachu in mid air. He sailed through the air and over the side of the cliff. "NO! PIKACHU!" Ash ran and dove to save his pokemon. He just managed to snag Pikachu but it was to late. Ash's momentum sent them both careening farther over the edge of the gorge. Misty watched in horror as he and Pikachu plummeted towards the blanket of Mist. "NOOOOO! AAAAAASSSSSSHHH!!" She went to grab them but was held back by Brock for fear she would be tossed over as well. "Don't do it Misty!" Ash and Pikachu continued to fall down the side of the gorge, momentarily slamming into the Cliffside as he went. "Ergh!…Ow!, hold on Pikachu!" Ash and Pikachu entered the blinding mist while continuing to free-fall. Ash could feel is head slam into an outcrop of hard rock. Everything went black as he continued to hold onto his friend. "Hold…on…." He passed out as he bounced off the rocks.

Back on the ledge Gary Misty and Brock failed to see or hear any trace of Ash. Misty broke down and cried as Togepi squirmed in her grasp. Brock continued to stare down into the Mist, suddenly something caught in the corner of his eye. It streaked across at amazing speed as it entered the mist. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes in shock. Soon Brock could feel the anger build inside him. He grabbed Gary by the collar and hoisted him off his feet. "Look what you did!" Gary wagged his feet in mind air as he stumbled with his words. "But I….I….didn't.." Brock could feel a hand touch his shoulder; he turned to see Misty, crying. "It's not his fault Brock…. it was an accident!" Brock glared at Gary and then down at the gorge. He released his grip and Gary was sent crashing to the ground. "By the by, did you guys see that thing that fell into the Mist." Misty rummaged through Brocks backpack. "You mean Ash!?" Brock waved his hands. "No, no, no…it was something else….it was fast……it was big……and it was……blue."
"Blue?" Gary stated.

Misty continued to rummage through Brocks bag until she found what she was looking for. She pulled out a large length of rope and a dozen carabineers. Brock stared dumbly at Misty. "What are you doing?" Misty turned back to the Cliffside. "What do you think! I'm going to find Ash!" Brock quickly held her back from climbing down the ledge. "No Misty don't! It's to dangerous!" Misty fell to her knees and began to cry again. "BUT HE NEEDS ME!" Brock embraced Misty in a comforting hug. "You won't do him any good if you get hurt and fall." He helped her to her feet and walked her to a tree stump to sit down on. "We got to get help. Gary do you have a phone?" Gary shook his head. "Sorry I don't" Brock brought his hand to his chin as he contemplated what to do. His eyes then focused something lying in the dirt, Ash's Pokegear. Brock excitedly ran to fetch it, as he brushed off the dirt he managed to turn the radio on. "Stupid thing, turn OFF!" He fiddled with the buttons until he found the phone again. "I'll call officer Jenny!" He then began to stare off into space as a drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. Misty quickly grabbed the Pokegear from brocks grasp. "I'll do it"

*************

Ash felt is head swimming as he attempted to get up from the cold hard floor. He looked around as his eyes adjusted to the low light. He felt something lying next to him. It was Pikachu.

"PIKACHU!!" He gently shook Pikachu as he inspected him for injuries. Pikachu fluttered his eyes and stared up to Ash. Ash happily embraced his friend. "WE"RE ALIVE!!! But how?" They both heard a sound coming from around them. They sounded like footsteps, large heavy feet striking the ground with minimal force. The ground shook slightly as the sound grew nearer. Ash and Pikachu looked ahead of them and saw nothing. The shacking abruptly stopped and they both sat their more confused and scared then ever. Pikachu turned around and froze. Pikachu gently started tugging on Ash pants. "PI!!" Ash continued to stare in front of him as Pikachu desperately tried to get his attention. "WHAT!" Ash looked behind him, his eyes bulged out of his head as he stared at……Articuno. "oh….my….God….." Articuno stood before them in all it's splendor and incredible beauty. Ice particles floated off its tail as it spread out its massive wings. It cocked its head and let out a loud chirp. It's beautiful ice colored coat shined in even the darkest places. Ash could not take his eyes away from it. He had seen Articuno before at shimoutee, but was never only a few feet away. Truth be told he thought he would never get another chance to see the legendary Pokemon since that fateful day at Shimoutee. "Art…icuno…."

Ash slowly got up as his eyes were still locked on the legendary Bird. Articuno walked up to Ash and pushed him back onto a rock. "You...you want me to rest?" Articuno nodded its head. Ash stared in disbelief at the size of Articuno. "What are you doing here…why aren't you back at Ice Island?" Articuno continued to look at Ash, ruffling its feathers and scratching the ground with its feet. "Prof…Professor Oak said you might be looking for something……..what are you looking for?" Articuno spread out one of its wing and pointed behind Ash. Ash looked in the direction where Articuno was motioning but there was nothing but rock and water. "I don't see anything…..I OW!" Ash looked down at his arm, which was torn open and bloody. "I didn't notice that until now…….I need something to wrap it in." Ash limped over to his backpack and took out an old shirt and wrapped his arm around it, applying pressure to stop the bleeding. "That should do it." Ash gazed towards the sky and could only see the dense blanket of Mist obstructing his view. He looked over and Pikachu inquiringly. "We fell didn't we?"

Pikachu nodded. "Pika" Ash glanced back at Articuno. "You saved me didn't you?" Articuno nodded and let out a soft chirp. He moved over to the legendary Bird and put his hand on its chest feathers. "Thank you." As he rubbed the cold soft feather he could feel its stomach rumble. "Hey, you hungry? Want some food?" Articuno's eyes perked up from the word 'food'. It excitedly wiggled its wings and stamped its feet. Ash laughed and walked over to his backpack. "Let's see I have some pokemon food in here somewhere." Ash withdrew a plastic can labeled 'poké fud' and unscrewed the top. He took out a few pieces and gave it to Pikachu, who eat it happily. He held out a morsel in front of Articuno. "Go on, it's good." Articuno leaned in and took the food in its mouth. It swallowed and happily flapped it's wings. Ash dumped the can on a leaf and laid it in front of Articuno. As Articuno ate, Ash limped back to the rock to rest his arm and bruised legs. "How did he get here?" When Pikachu was done eating Ash grabbed his backpack and moved towards Articuno again. "Thank you for saving me but I should go now, I need to get back." Articuno stop eating and raised it's head at Ash and looked at him in confusion. Ash turned and walked away, looking back momentarily to wave good-bye. Pikachu looked at Articuno and back at Ash. "Come on PIKAchu." Pikachu ran to its master and jumped on his head. Articuno stared at Ash while food crumbs fell from its beak. It flapped it's wings as it heaved itself into the air, flew towards Ash and landed right in front of him with a loud thud, Knocking Ash off his feet. "Waa!" Articuno poked at Ash's waist with the tip of its wing. "I don't have any more food!" Pikachu flailed its arms and pointed at Articuno. "What is it Pikachu, we don't have time we have to get back to Misty!" He tired to get up but Articuno held him down with its foot. "ERGH! What do you want!" Articuno let out a loud shrill as it continued to poke at Ash's waist. "Stop it!" Pikachu was tired of not being able to communicate with its trainer properly and climbed onto his waist and rummaged around his poke belt. "Pikachu what are you doing!" Pikachu jumped up on Ash's chest holding an empty pokeball. "PIKA PIKA CHU!" He pointed up at Articuno and jumped off to the side of Ash. Ash looked at the pokeball then up to Articuno. "You want me to try and capture it?" Pikachu nodded and Articuno chirped. "Yeah right……this is Articuno…..a legendary pokemon…..how could I capture it?" Articuno bent down and rubbed its head soothingly on Ash's shoulder. "Waa?" Ash picked himself up and dusted off the dirt. He smirked. "There's no way someone like me could get a pokemon like you" He sadly turned around and lobbed the pokeball over his shoulder. Articuno watched as the pokeball sailed through the air and hit him in the chest. The ball bounced off and opened. Ash stood a few feet away as he heard a strange sound. He turned to see that Articuno was gone and his pokeball remained in its placed. He stared in shock as the ball was shaking slightly. After a few seconds the shaking stopped and the red dot on the front of the ball dispersed. Minutes passed by as Ash stared blankly at the pokeball, which he now knew contained Articuno, one of the legendary Birds of Shimoutee. Ash picked it up. His eyes sank back in his head as he passed out and fell to the ground from shock. Pikachu rolled its eyes and let loose a thundershock on Ash to jolt him awake. "WAAAAAA!!" Ash dropped the pokeball, which burst open releasing a huge blast of white light. There're before him the beautiful and powerful Articuno appeared. "It wasn't a dream! I CAUGHT ARTICUNO!!!!!!!" the canyon walls shook as Ash whooped for joy and hugged Articuno around its neck. The Mist above them slowly disappeared and Ash got the first glance at how high the gorge was. "That's so high up, what will I do?" Articuno then sank to one knee and arched its back as it spread out its wings motioning to the sky. Ash pointed at himself. "You want me to ride you?" Articuno nodded. Ash smiled ear to ear as he beckoned to Pikachu to hop on as well. Ash gingerly propped his arm against his chest and held on to Articuno with the other, Pikachu sat in his lap and cheerfully laughed as Articuno brought down its massive wings and took flight. "wait'll Misty sees this!"

***********

The scene above the gorge was a scene of pandemonium. Misty had practically called in the National Guard in hopes of rescuing Ash. Most of the rescue team got lost in the forest but where able to make it out from the help of Misty talking them through on the Pokegear. There were helicopters ready to airlift Ash out, paramedics to treat the injuries, policemen everywhere you look and a Channel 6 News crew. And in every other emergency scene, Officer Jenny was there keeping everything in tune. Brock was leaning on a police All-Terrain vehicle, Gary was being questioned by the police and Misty was freaking out. She ran over to Officer Jenny. "WHY AREN'T YOU GOING DOWN TO RESCUE HIM!" Officer Jenny held Misty back and tried to calm her down. "Where doing the best we can Misty but the helicopter can get down canyon, it's to narrow. We are assembling a team to climb down and retrieve the body." Misty almost dropped Togepi. "THE BODY! BUT HE COULD STILL BE ALIVE!!" She cried

Officer Jenny regretted her words. "NO, no. We use that term to describe anybody who is injured, dead or alive, I never said he was dead." Misty turned back to the gorge and walked over to Brock. Brock had his hand against his chin and obvious he was in deep thought. "Brock?" Brock didn't respond at first, but slowly brought himself back to the real world. "Hmm?" Misty leaned against the car next to Brock. "Do you think Ash is alright?" Brock looked in her tear stained face, he didn't have the heart to tell her that Ash might be dead.

"He should be fine" he lied. Brock then asked her a different question. "Are you sure you didn't see that thing besides Ash enter the Mist, I swore I saw something that………what's the sound?"
The rescue crews all stop and looked around aimlessly searching for the sound. It was a dull sound, and it was getting louder. Misty stopped leaning on the car and walked towards the edge of the gorge slowly. As she tiptoed to the edge they all heard loud shrill noises. Misty moved closer to the ledge and shifted her feet as she leaned over. Suddenly a great blue object flew upright and went screaming into the sky, Giving off a large gust of wind which lifted Misty off her feet and threw her to the ground. "WHA…WHAT WAS THAT?!" Everyone looked up but were blinded by the intense sunlight. "ERGH can't see a thing!" Policemen were running everywhere trying to locate the object. "Lost it in the sunlight!" A jittery policeman withdrew his gun and readied himself for anything. Dull whapping sounds could be heard circling above the frightened crew. Just then the frightened policeman heard a loud shrill above him. He instinctively raised his gun and fired at the unknown creature. Everyone stared in shock as a huge blast of cold ice and wind surrounded the bullet literality freezing it in mid air. The blast of cold energy continued to spiral down until it hit the policeman who froze instantly in his position. The whapping sound grew louder as the large blue creature came into sight. The sun shone of its bright blue feathers and ice particles. Everyone stared in awe as they knew they where looking at, Articuno. The sound of shattering glass could be heard as Officer Jenny dropped her coffee cup and the hard rocky ground. The channel 6-camera guy almost lost the grip of his camera as he pointed it at the legendary Bird. Misty, who had gotten a face full of dirt, finally shook it off and saw Articuno, but what was even better, Ash was riding Articuno. "ASH!!……….ASH!?" Ash smiled and waved meekly. "It's a long story."
Suddenly the Channel 6 News crew ran up to Ash. "Excuse me! Why, who and how are you riding the legendary pokemon Articuno." As she shoved a microphone in front of Ash's face, Gary pushed his way through the crowd. His eyes sparkled as he looked upon the beauty of Articuno. "So rare…….that pokemon belongs to me!!" Gary whipped a pokeball at Articuno but it was able to quickly spot it and flick it away with its wing. The pokeball flew back to Gary as Articuno took flight and hovered above the ground. Ash narrowed his eyes at Gary. "You won't be able to capture Articuno because I already did!" Gasps and cries of amazement passed throughout the crowd. Brock almost passed out as Misty held her hand to her mouth in shock. "Ash….you captured Articuno!" Ash happily nodded and jumped of its back. Misty ran to Ash and accidentally bumped into his arm. "OWW!!" Misty noticed the bloody tea shirt that adorned his arm. "Honey what happened!" Ash fell over in stupidity. "I did fall off a cliff you know" Misty giggled and leaned in for a kiss, but before they could Gary released Nidoqueen from it's pokeball. "I will capture Articuno anyway!!" Ash smirked and looked up at Articuno. "Ice beam!" As Nidoqueen charged to attack, Articuno effortlessly released a massive blast of ice beam which froze Nidoqueen instantly. "ARGH! NO! This isn't over yet!" Gary held two more pokeballs between his fingers. Before he could throw them Ash grabbed Misty and Brock and helped them onto Articuno's back. "Hold on! Articuno fly us out of here!"

Articuno lifted its massive wings and released a huge gust of wind, which knocked Gary back into the rescuer workers. Everyone watched as the trio flew off and out of the forest on the back of the legendary Pokemon.

Gary dusted himself off and angrily glared into the sky. "What makes Ash so darn special!" He looked to see the News crew run to their news van. "What a story! Let's get back to the station!"

************

Misty sat behind Ash, who had wrapped his arms around his waist for dear life as they ripped through the sky. Brock was hanging on by Articuno's feathers as the beating of its wings was constantly shaking him. "Hold on Brocko, we're not that far from Azalea town!" The wind whipped by them as it howled in their ears. Ash leaned into Articuno's ear. "Slow down and land somewhere outside of the city!" It acknowledged Ash's command with a nod. It folded in its wings and dove to the earth below them with incredible speed. "EEEERGGGGGGHHHHHH! SSSSLLLOWWW DDDDOOOOWWWNNN!!" Ash screamed

With only feet to go before slamming into the ground Articuno spread out it's wings and immediately slowed down, like a parachute. They effortlessly touched down 5 kilometers outside Azalea town. Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu slumped over and fell to the ground. Brock slowly got up and ran a hand through his badly wind swept hair. "I think I soiled myself…" Misty let go of Togepi, who enjoyed the ride thoroughly. Articuno nudged its new master, wanting him to wake up.

Ash slowly raised his head, spitting out a few blades grass. "Well……..we made it…" Misty took out her compact mirror and tired to fix her hair. " Thankfully all in one piece…." They all gazed up to Articuno. They all marveled at its beauty and immense power. Ash proudly held out his pokeball. "Thanks for the ride Articuno, you deserve a rest." With that the legendary pokemon disappeared into the confines of the pokeball. Ash excitedly jumped up and grabbed Misty by the hands. He dragged her into the field and happily twirled her around. "Isn't this amazing Misty? I have Articuno!" Misty giggled happily and passionately kissed Ash. They held onto each other close and breathed in each other scent. At that moment Ash remembered how much his Arm hurt. "OOWWWW!!" Ash carefully held onto his arm as he bit his lip to help the pain. Misty soothingly rubbed it and unwrapped the old t-shirt to take a better look. Misty had a look of concern as she inspected the wound. "Well…what's the verdict doc?" Ash said jokingly. Misty rewrapped the shirt around his bloody arm. "It'll need stitches, ya big baby." Ash sighed and looked towards Azalea town, at the same time Brock had his binoculars out and was scanning the horizon. "Why did you land us so far from the town?" Brock asked.

"I didn't want to fly Articuno into the town, what if somebody saw us?"

Misty picked up Togepi who was playing peek-a-boo with Pikachu. "We had better get to the town fast and get you to a doctor." As soon as Misty finished her sentence, it started raining again. They all sighed and trudged through the cold wet dirt path on route to azalea town the next stop in the Johto league. Ash pondered in his head thousands of reasons Articuno was captured in the pokeball. By all means it should of broken out, but it seems that Articuno decided to be captured. But why him of all people, what was going on here? Ash knew until the time came when the answers would be reveled he was glad he had Articuno on his team. ("Can't wait to use it in a battle!")

*********

Giovanni was sitting at his desk and stroking his pet Persian. He was slouched over reading the quota of stolen pokemon for the week. "Hmmm…….398 pokemon……not bad……but I need more." He reached over and pressed a button on the intercom resting on his desk

"Lorie……tell the research team to up the quota to 500 pokemon a week. Oh, and get that coffee stain out my carpet too." He released the button and went back to reviewing the flow charts. The intercom beeped and the angelic voice of Lorie emitted form the device. "Um sir, 2 team members and a Meowth are here to see you………they say it's urgent."

Giovanni narrowed his eyes and rubbed his temples. "What do those idiots want now……bring them to me." After a few minutes the door to Giovanni's office opened, the bright light from the hallway landed on they're backs, leaving them in dark mysterious shroud. "Prepare for trouble!"
A stapler flew across the room and smacked James in the mouth.

Giovanni raised form his desk. "You don't have to say it here! What do you want, I am very busy."

Jessie proudly held out a pokeball. "Sir we have captured a VERY rare pokemon for you."

Giovanni was surprised as he looked upon the pokeball protruding from Jessie palm. "Is that so?" he said sarcastically. Meowth hopped onto his desk and shoved the Persian aside. "Prepare to be dazzled, James, after you" James stared blankly at Meowth. "After I what?" Jessie creamed in the head and then threw the pokeball. "He it is!"
The pokemon popped out of the ball and landed with a dull thud on the desk. Giovanni raised his eyebrow. "Umm………what is that?"

To be continued

Part 5 – The Generation Gap

Proposed finishing date – July 1st

Thank you for reading, please review.