Hello, I know you've been anxious for two weeks since the last chapter that I've updated, but I barely fit in as much time within that to write and type this chapter! I've read some of the reviews, and I'd like to say I'm not changing around this story just for one person just because I mentioned that Angelina's father is Giovanni and her original mother is Delia Ketchum, whom is the same mother for Ash Ketchum. I know Giovanni is not Ash's father, but then if anyone has heard of "Pokemon Live", Ash's mother had a dark past with Giovanni, so yeah, I'm going with that! Enjoy!
Chapter 44: The Evolution Solution
"Angel honey, wake up." said the soothing voice of Angelina's step-aunt Vicky. The raven haired pregnant woman was standing in the opened door entrance of Angelina's room. She felt something brush passed her from the left and saw Jeremy creeping toward the bed where Angelina was sleeping underneath the covers. "No need for that, come back here."
From underneath the covers of Angelina's bed, the strawberry-blonde girl opened one hazel eye and closed it quickly. Smiling to herself that Jeremy was attempting another of his many tricks to scare her, which hasn't even gone well once.
Jeremy was standing beside Angelina's bed, staring down at the sleeping girl. He smiled and yanked off the covers; Angelina didn't flinch or shiver from the cold air that contacted with her skin.
"Time to get up." Jeremy singsonged.
Angelina's hazel eyes shot open, she grinned and jumped at Jeremy unexpectedly, knocking them both to the floor.
"Morning, Jer." Angelina giggled, she pinned the boy's arms and she straddled the rest of his body with her own.
"Honestly, you two." Aunt Vicky sighed. "There's no time to Horsea-play around. Get dressed and be downstairs in 15 minutes for breakfast, we're leaving at ten."
"Why?" Angelina asked once standing up, then helping Jeremy to his feet. "What're we doing today?"
"The neighborhood has been offered a little trip to Sea Foam Islands, and we're invited along." Aunt Vicky informed. "Marcus and April are coming, as is Christina. You and Jeremy can come down and train for the Pokemon League. Don't worry about Marina, she went with April's parents and Garett for the weekend."
"So I'll have to keep an eye on Christina?" Angelina questioned.
"Yes, of course." Aunt Vicky replied. "I signed myself, April, and Marcus up for a spa treatment later today. You'll have help from Jeremy."
"I better." Angelina warned, her eyes narrowed at her best friend.
Jeremy laughed nervously, placing his hand behind his head. "Ah…. I did have plans for windsurfing, but I'll see if it can be arranged to watch Christina too."
Aunt Vicky nodded. "Downstairs in fifteen minutes for breakfast." She turned and left the room.
"Get going, Jer." Angelina pointed in the same direction. "I wanna look my best today."
"Who you trying to impress?" Jeremy smirked.
"OUT!" Angelina yelled.
Jeremy snickered and closed the door behind him when leaving.
Angelina changed from her pajamas and into her black two-piece swimsuit underneath a mini button down purple tank top and a blue-jean mini skirt. She placed a black ribbon in her hair and slipped on black sandals, applied makeup and adjusted on her favorite jewelry. She grabbed her backpack and carefully picked up her sleeping Pichu; heading out and down the stairs into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Hi Lina!" Christina squealed. The three-year-old was seated at the table eating cut-up waffles in syrup. Her dark brown hair was up in pigtails, she wore a yellow shirt with a pink flower on the front, dark purple shorts, and brown sandals.
"Hello Tina!" Angelina kissed her little sister's cheek. "Excited bout today?"
"Pway at beach!" Christina cheered.
"Yep, you're right!" Angelina laughed, sitting at the table as a plate of fried eggs and bacon was placed in front of her. "We'll have lots of fun!"
After a nutritious breakfast, Angelina was ready for a relaxing vacation. She hoped it didn't side-track her much from training for the Pokemon League Tournament. She walked down the street with Jeremy, her Aunt Vicky carried Christina, and Marcus and April walking alongside them.
"We're meeting here?" Angelina asked, spotting a small group standing not far from a white house that belonged to Ash and his mother Delia.
Jeremy chuckled. "Guess we won't be alone. Look who's joining us?" he nudged his companion and nodded towards two people standing by Ash's mother. Angelina smiled at the sight of Ash's best friends; Misty holding her Togepi, and Brock.
"So is Ash coming too?" Angelina wondered aloud as the young boy ran out of the house.
"Hey, Mom! What's going on? Where's everybody going?" Ash called curiously.
"Ash, I thought I told you. A bunch of us from the neighborhood are taking a little trip to Sea Foam Island!" Mrs. Ketchum reminded.
"You are?"
"It's got a cool beach." Misty said. "I'll bring you back a seashell!"
"Don't goof off while we're gone!" Brock added.
"You're going to the beach, too?" Ash was shocked.
"He didn't know?" Angelina whispered to Jeremy, whom shrugged unsurely.
"Great! I'll come with you!" Ash insisted.
"Uh uh." Mrs. Ketchum pulled her son back by his collar. "You have to start your Pokemon League training- at home!"
"This way everybody!" the tour guide called, walking ahead as the group followed. "Let's get going!"
"It's a shame that Ash couldn't come," Angelina sighed, knowing she'd make sure her brother would be training way before they relaxed on the beach.
"Maybe it's a good idea he stayed home." Jeremy assured the girl. "You should also since you are- oomph!"
"Not so loud!" Angelina hissed, elbowing her best friend hard in the stomach. She didn't want anyone knowing she was Ash's sister just yet, but their voices were a little too loud as Misty looked slightly over her shoulder and her eyes widened happily.
"Oh I knew it was you, Angelina! Now we'll definitely have fun today!"
Brock's face turned bright red at the sight of the strawberry-blonde haired trainer, although he was ashamed for doing that when Jeremy was nearby. He remembered they had a close friendship, especially after Angelina was given a Dratini prior to the problems with Gaiva Dam.
"Hey guys!" Angelina smiled, greeting her brother's friends. "I have to keep an eye on my baby sister, but I'll see what we can do later."
"Depending on how much training you get in, too." Jeremy added.
Misty stared curiously, "I think I saw you somewhere before. What's your name?"
"This is Jeremy Cretonne, three year Champion of the Indigo League Tournament." Angelina introduced. "He traveled with me on my first Pokemon journey in Johto. I also found out a few days ago that his cousin April is engaged to my step-cousin Marcus Trainum."
"Must be a small world, I didn't know you guys were related," Brock said.
"Well its a very complicated story," Angelina said. "Ya see…."
Jeremy rolled his eyes, "Nice going about keeping that a secret." he laughed while Angelina narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
"What's going on exactly?" Misty was confused, looking from Jeremy to Angelina.
Angelina sighed. "If you have to know…."
While the small group from Pallet Town was traveling to Seafoam Island by ferry, Misty and Brock listened to Angelina explain what her Aunt Vicky told her a couple days ago. Only half-related to the Trainum family, Angelina was raised by Clarissa and is paternally related to Christina through her father, Giovanni. She knew he was a strong Ground-type trainer and owned the Viridian City Gym but was also the Boss of Team Rocket. She found out through her birth certificate that her real mother is Delia Ketchum, whom had been Giovanni's secretary in the Rocket organization after Angelina was born. Fed up with their criminal ways, Delia fled to Pallet Town to raise their second child in a peaceful and criminal-free environment.
"So you're Ash's sister? Wow, I'm surprised your aunt never told you this entire time." Brock said, shocked by the realization but he was also looked mildly happy and relieved.
Angelina looked away as her cheeks tinged pink, "Yeah, they thought everything would interfere with my Pokemon journey. I've remained strong and very protective around Ash on his journey so far."
"I've noticed quite alot about that." Misty agreed, smiling as she gave Angelina an assuring hug. "Bet Ash would be thrilled that you're his sister."
Angelina smiled, "Maybe, but he probably won't be if he finds out about Giovanni," she replied, looking slightly disturbed. "You would've never guessed that he owns Team Rocket."
"To be honest, that has never crossed our minds," Brock said. "I don't think anything should be mentioned to Ash, he's too young."
"Exactly, it's just between us three for now." Angelina nodded, then she felt a lite nudge from Jeremy and laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, I mean the four of us."
"What are you kids hushing over?" Delia asked.
"It's ah... nothing important," Misty replied hesitantly for everyone, whom looked guilty about what they were talking about.
Delia's doubtful stare knew what the young teenagers were doing. "Well if that's so, then I agree a hundred percent that now isn't the best time."
Now the young teenagers looked very shocked. There was so much that Angelina wanted to say to Delia, but she remained calm and steadied her voice that would've had volumes. "You knew after all these years while you were raising Ash. I was brought up by Clarissa, but you're my real mother, and Christina can't rely on Aunt Vicky all the time if I'm not around."
"Yeah I understand completely, but let's discuss about everything later." Delia assured with a gentle smile. "Today we're relaxing at the beach, and don't let your sister get sunburnt."
The boat horn sounded, announcing it's arrival to Sea Foam Island. Angelina looked out the glass window at the sparkling blue ocean and its waves splashing against the sandy shore. She thought this island was paradise as the sun in the cloudless sky shined its rays down on the tanners, speedboaters, and windsurfers.
"I can imagine why my father needs to gets away from home," Angelina said in awe.
"We're still meeting him?" Jeremy asked incredulously but lowering his voice. "Everyone would've gone ballistic if they knew what you were doing."
Angelina rolled her eyes, "How could they not?" she sighed, then shrugged. "They have plans already, long as they know we're just babysitting, they won't catch on.."
Angelina and Jeremy stood in front of an affordable hotel with the remaining group from Pallet Town after they road a shuttle bus from the ferry port. They were relieved to have other arrangements to stay during their vacation, and Jeremy knew that Aunt Vicky was not going to be thrilled about the visitation with Giovanni.
"Keep a close eye on Christina, and make sure she's wearing her little floaties." Aunt Vicky reminded the young teenagers after their short discussion.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine." Angelina assures, smiling as she held her baby step-sister, who was sucking on a pacifier.
Aunt Vicky smiles in relief, "All right, I don't want to keep Marcus and April waiting on their spa treatment. Say hello to your father and stay out of trouble." she hugged her step-niece and walked through lobby to their hotel room.
"Bye, have fun!" Angelina waved to her step-aunt and waited for her to disappear, then turned around to find a limousine parked outside the hotel.
Angelina and Jeremy climbed inside the limo after their luggage was loaded into the trunk. They had been very thirsty during their travel and were contently sipping on sparkling white grape juice. They enjoyed being driven down a coastal road through the island that was more reserved for the rich and famous that consisted of a shopping village with the latest designer clothes and fancy restaurants. The limousine entered a driveway line with palm trees and a perfectly manicured front lawn.
Angelina noticed the heli-pad and knew her father was coming to the island via helicopter, and the large mansion itself brought back many summer memories from her childhood. It was three stories high with Romanistic-style pillars and archways, hundreds of windows and many walkways leading out onto the pristine ocean. She knew her father was wealthy and powerful not only as the Boss of Team Rocket, but also the owner of large businesses such as the Pokemon Land and the Viridian City Gym. Her excitement grew as the limosine pulled up to the front entrance where she and Jeremy were greeted by the caretakers, an elderly couple that was treated more like family than servants. She loved hearing their stories of Pokemon journies many years before they got married, she had been away for three years and couldn't wait to tell them of her many adventures. Alfred was a bit over the hill with black hair that had traces of gray and gentle amber-colored eyes; he wore a professional black suit with white gloves and black dress shoes. Sandra was the same age as her husband but very pretty with her polite manners; she had olive green hair with some gray shades, bright violet eyes, and wore a burgundy dress to her ankles.
"Miss Angelina," Alfred greeted kindly, bowing to the young girl. "Your father is on his way shortly, please make yourself comfortable."
"Thank you," Angelina said, smiling as she watched Sandra take hold of her step-sister. "My best friend Jeremy, will also be joining us for the week."
"It's quite a shame your mother refused to come, she would've loved these accomodations but your father is meeting her later this evening for dinner." Sandra said, her voice in slight disappointment, then cooing over Christina. "We shall have quite the fun today!"
Although Angelina had been to her father's summer manor throughout her childhood, she didn't mind going on another tour with Jeremy. She knew everything was made of mable; the floors, pillars, and the winding starcase with thick banisters. She also loved the bedroom she was given, it was bigger than the one at her Aunt Vicky's and the one back at her father's regular residence. There was a king-size canopy bed that stood near a window with a patch-work quilt in pastel colors, a writing desk, and on the other side was a balcony that lets you view the entire ocean. Like the bedrooms back at the other houses; there was a TV with video games, a large walk-in wardrobe for her clothes and accessories, and her own marble-encased bathroom with a glass shower and bath-tub with necessities provided.
Angelina couldn't wait to go swimming and sun-bathe on the beach as she was unpacking her suitcase. She knew her father was not arriving until the afternoon, which meant they had a few hours to kill. She quickly changed into her favorite bikini and headed downstairs to meet Jeremy and Christina for a quick snack. It wasn't long until they settled their lounge chairs underneath a large beach umbrella not far from the shoreline.
"You better have sunscreen on or you'll turn red like a Krabby!" Angelina sets down Christina in front of a shovel and pail, and takes out a bottle of sunblock to apply on her face and body.
"No I won't," Jeremy said, sitting up and eyes the girl through his sunglasses. "I have a natural tan, so I won't even burn."
Angelina stared doubtfully, but nodded to agree. "Wanna get my back for me? I can't reach it."
"Sure Angel," Jeremy smiled.
Almost asleep by the ocean waves gently against the shoreline, they didn't notice an hour flew by as they were greeted by Giovanni. He was decked out in white board shorts, an orange Hawaiian shirt, and black sunglasses. His lounge chair was already set up with a small table for drinks incase they got thirsty, and Alfred stood nearby awaiting their every demand. Even Persian settled next to its master's side, lapping at a saucer of milk.
After taking some stretches, Angelina suggested taking Christina for a walk and collect seashells.
"You take her. I'll chill here with your father." Jeremy yawned and was about to turn over on the lounge chair until he was pulled abruptly to his feet.
"You're coming, too!" Angelina said, shoving a bucket into the boy's hand. "Hold that while I help Christina get the shells." Jeremy sighed and followed the girls close behind with Cocoa perched on his shoulder.
Giovanni chuckled at the scene, content that his eldest daughter had perfect qualities not only as a Pokemon trainer but also as an elite member of his organization. He was proud to reward her the Earth badge, but disappointed he couldn't battle his son at the Viridian Gym.
"Chu, pichu!" the Pichu pointed its tiny paws some distance away. (Look there!)
Angelina and Jeremy noticed something as well. Two people dressed in white Team Rocket uniforms and a cat-like creature standing on its hind legs; it was Jessie, James, and Meowth.
"Oh wow!" Angelina giggled as she gathered Christina into her arms. "Bet I know why they're here."
"What happened?" Jeremy asked, feeling left out.
"They weren't capable enough to look after the Viridian Gym and ended up destroying it when they challenged Ash for the Earth Badge." Angelina explained in slight sympathy.
Jeremy laughed, "Well I'm not surprised. I heard Head Quarters was destroyed too. Marcus said it had something to do with this mysteriously strong Pokemon that Giovanni was using."
Angelina gasped. "The same Pokemon that Gary said he tried to battle for the Earth Badge?! No way! You think it got away?"
"It did actually." Jeremy replied in a serious tone. "I'd like to find the Pokemon myself, it could be anywhere. Marcus and April said they'd help me."
"So will I, but let's wait on that." Angelina suggested, placed a calm hand on her friend's shoulder.
Jeremy nodded in return, then he called out, "Hey Team Rocket! Digging for clams?"
The trio was startled as the young trainers approached. Jessie had just successfully captured a Shellder that James weakened with his Weezing. James blushed as he stared at Angelina's figure in a black two-piece bikini with white diamonds in the shape of a Butterfree on the top's right side and the same design behind the bottoms. Jessie glared enviously.
"What's it to yous kids?" Meowth growled.
"Just wondering if that's the only thing the Boss assigned you?" Jeremy grinned.
"Get lost!" Jessie snarled.
"Well it makes sense you're not incompetant to even capture one little Pikachu," Angelina taunted in a sweet voice, then sneered. "Guess I was right, you're nothing but slackers!"
Jessie growled and smacked James out of his dazed expression. "Help me!"
"Oomph! Jess!" James cried and rubbed the spot on his head, he quickly straightened when his partner glared him down. "Right!" he turned to the young teenagers. "Um-uh…. M-maybe you should leave, not for Jessie's sake, but for the Boss too." he stammered as his face burned red.
"Really now?" Jeremy raised an eyebrow, completely confused.
Angelina giggled, she knew what was going on, and Jessie was clearly annoyed by it. "I'm sure he won't mind, it was nice seeing you anyway." she motions to Jeremy and they depart down the beach where they noticed Alfred walking in the direction they just came. After they settled into their lounge chairs, Alfred returned and was accompanied by the Rocket trio. They stood in a straight line with their arms at their sides.
Giovanni stood a sip of his fruity drink before addressing them directly. "I'm getting sick and tired of watching you three blundering fools." He placed his glass back down on the table. "Don't fail me again or else." his tone was dangerous and clearly annoyed, Jeremy and Angelina were very amused and also noticed Meowth trying to taste some of Persian's milk with a long straw. "Would you like to find out what 'or else' means?"
"Ahaha!" Jessie giggles nervously, snatching a long straw from Meowth and smacked him on the head. "No, we can figure it out! Thanks!"
Giovanni did not look convinced, but settled with the reply. "I want you simpletons to break into the laboratory of the famous Professor Westwood!" he ordered. "It may prove very useful to me."
Jessie jumped back to attention, clasping her hands together in eager anticipation. "Oh! Looting laboratories is one of our specialties!"
"We'll crack the joint right away!" Meowth chimed in.
Giovanni glowered. "Don't mess this one up."
The three straightened into a salute. "Right!"
Angelina and Jeremy watched the Rockets take off to their assignment. They knew Professor Westwood was world-reknown for programming the Pokedex, but they weren't going to let his valuables get stolen. They gathered their towels and got up from their lounge chairs.
"And where are you two going?" Giovanni's stern voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Would you mind if we explored the shopping village?" Angelina asked, hoping her father does not grow suspicious of their real whereabouts. "We had a light snack so that will hold us over until supper, and Christina is due for her mid-afternoon nap."
"Sleepy," the three-year old girl yawned, rubbing her bright blue eyes.
Giovanni's hardened scowl turned upside down, there was no way he could refuse his daughter's love for fashion. "I suppose a few hours won't hurt, this is your vacation after all." he smiled, which assured Angelina that she had nothing to worry.
"Thank you, Daddy!" Angelina said, then shared a smile with Jeremy as they made there way back to the mansion. They quickly changed their clothes and made sure Christina was sound asleep so they could travel to Professor Westwood's Laboratory by means of Jeremy's Dragonite.
They arrived at a white house with a weather vane on top, but the front door was unlocked, so they walked through many rooms filled with shelves of books and machines in search for the Poke-ologist.
"Professor? Where are you?" Angelina called out, now holding her Pichu.
"Hey I found him!" Jeremy's voice rang from another room. Angelina stepped inside and saw the boy staring up at several portraits of a gray-haired man wearing a white lab-coat, and there was a different and more handsome one holding a rose in his mouth. "Sorry, just not in person yet!"
Angelina sweatdropped and smacked her forehead in disappointment. "Quit fooling around, Jeremy! We have to find Professor Westwood!"
Suddenly as the name was spoken, a man with balding gray hair rushed into the lab and over to the portraits. "They want my superior intellect to help them rule the planet! Please the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth; you've got to help save me, all you Westwoods!" then he pauses at the fifth picture. "Oh I forgot again- that's me!"
"Professor, thank goodness!" Angelina stepped forward in relief.
"Now who are you?" Westwood asked.
"There's no time to introduce, you're in trouble and we're here to help!" Jeremy said.
"Don't even tink about it, 'cause we're stealing all the Pokemon we can get our paws on!" Meowth interrupts, standing with Jessie and James in the opened doorway.
"You'll have to get passed us to get through to the professor!" Angelina challenged, she and Jeremy stood in front of Westwood protectively.
"Please, not professor, call me Westwood the fifth!" Westwood insists.
"I'll call you Henry the 8th, just give us the Pokemon!" Jessie yelled.
"But that Slowpoke is the only Pokemon I've got in my lab!" Westwood replied.
Everyone watches a pink sloth-like Pokemon waddle inside; it had with curly ears, a light tan face, and had white tips white at the end of its tail and feet. Jeremy and Angelina stare dull-fully while Team Rocket sweatdrops.
"Are you sure you don't have anything a little smarter?" James asked.
"You're right, it ain't too bright, but when we get through with it, da Boss will be in for a big surprise!" Meowth explained happily.
Jessie laughs and brings out a Pokeball. "We've been conducting our own research. And we've got something which will make Slowpoke evolve with just one bite!"
"What're they talking about?" Angelina uttered in confusion.
"Something's not right." Jeremy said suspiciously.
"Our Shellder chomps down on Slowpoke's tail, we get a Slowbro to bring back to da Boss, and I get my saucer of milk!" Meowth announced.
"Slowpoke, quick! Get out of here!" Westwood panics, grabbing the Pokemon and running outside.
"Come back here!" Team Rocket follows right behind.
"We have to stop them!" Angelina cried out.
"Is there anything we can do?" Jeremy asked.
Angelina bit her lip thoughtfully, she didn't want Team Rocket interfering, but she knew some way or another that Ash would stop them. "C'mon!" she grabbed Jeremy's arm, they both ran through the backdoor; right in time to see a Slowbro use it's Mega Punch on Team Rocket and blast them out of sight's distance. "So I wasn't right?"
"Westwood and his newly evolved Slowbro saved themselves from Team Rocket without help from Ash or us." Jeremy explained with a grin. "That's awesome teamwork!"
Angelina smiled. "Right, and we also learned why a Shellder clamps onto a Slowpoke's tail."
"It helps them both. Shellder clamps onto Slowbro's tail which helps Slowbro balance when it stands on two feet." Jeremy explained.
"So it can use attacks like Mega Punch, and Shellder may travel on land since its clamped to Slowbro's tail!" Angelina nodded.
"Guess today really wasn't a waste of time, we've got in relaxation and training." Jeremy said, now walking down the beach with Angelina back to Giovanni's summer manor as the sun starts to set.
"Yeah, I know I've learned a lot." Angelina agreed.
And so, while Angelina and her friends' vacation is just beginning, they also learned the mystery of Slowbro's evolution. What new mysteries will they uncover? Tune in next time and find out!
§To Be Continued§
*Based off the episode "The Evolution Solution"
*Jessie catches a Shellder, but it merges with a Slowpoke and evolves into Slowbro.
*Jeremy says Shellder clamps onto Slowbro's tail, when it actually clamps onto Slowpoke's tail and then evolves into Slowbro.
*Angelina, Jeremy, and Christina join Giovanni at his summer manor for vacation.
*Angelina has been to Sea Foam Island every summer during her childhood, except for the first two years as a Pokemon trainer.
*Misty and Brock are finally introduced to Jeremy.
*Angelina and Jeremy attempt to save Professor Westwood from being robbed by Team Rocket. They witness a Slowpoke evolving into a Slowbro.
Thanks for reading, there's a lot more surprises you've found out, and I hope you didn't mind the long author note in the beginning! :blushes from embarrassment: Well, next chapter will be up whenever possible!