The Mourning After
A lone rattata scampered along the path at the bottom of Tojo Falls. It was looking for a quick meal and there were usually some stupid travelers who left their bags unattended. Speaking of unattended bags a pack could be seen in the brush not far away. The little mouse pokemon went up to it and sniffed it cautiously. The bag suddenly began to shake and in a flash of red light a monstrous Nidoqueen stood poised for attack. The rattata thinking it was most likely a wise idea to run shot off at full speed in the opposite direction.
Nidoqueen looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. She was at the bottom of a waterfall, thankfully not in the water, and standing near Gary's bag. She remembered the last orders he'd given her: "If I don't call you out of your ball in time for breakfast pop out and do whatever you can to find me." Is what he'd said. Nidoqueen jumped when she saw another flash from the bag. Out cam Umbreon who stretched tiredly. He looked pretty tired and considering Gary had been making him attack Titanium reinforced steel door the evening before it was understandable.
("Where are we Nidoqueen?") Yawned Umbreon
("Don't know") Answered Nidoqueen ("All I know is that we're at the bottom of a water fall and I see no sign of Gary.")
("Where do you think he could be?") Asked Umbreon. It was a rhetorical question because Umbreon knew she had no Idea. He began to concentrate letting his senses flow around the surroundings searching for the familiar presence of his master. He felt several unfamiliar human presences around the area and he finally found Gary. ("He's not to far away from here. Should be right on the other side of the bank. Now if you'll excuse me it is past my bed time and I am really tired.")
("It's just after sunrise how can you…?") She trailed off remembering Umbreon was a nocturnal pokemon. Umbreon crept back to his ball and went inside. Nidoqueen returned the ball to the pack and fished out another one. She hit the release button and out came a very beaten up Blastoise. ("What happened to you!") She asked astonished at the many bruises that adorned Blastoise's body.
("Nidoqueen, Thunder") He muttered dejectedly ("Where's Gary?")
("He should be on the other side of the river.") Said Nidoqueen ("Or at least that's what Umbreon said.")
("I suppose you want me to carry you and the others across?") Asked Blastoise. Nidoqueen nodded and returned to her pokeball. Blastoise sighed ("All I ask is a little rest after a hard battle, but can I get it? NO!") He picked up the bag holding it by the handle since the straps were broken and began to make a trek across the river."
…
Gary had been awake for some time. After falling from Scizor's grasp and riding the falls to the bottom he had to swim himself and a very heavy Scizor to shore. Right after he'd done that fatigue had overcame him and he collapsed. Now he just lay by an unconscious Scizor staring at the burning sun. He couldn't see it but he could smell a faint sent of smoke on the air. He didn't know how he knew but he did. The smoke was most likely drifting from whatever remained of Pallet Town. He'd been unable to make it home and warn everyone of the impending danger they where in so to believe that his hometown was destroyed seemed very plausible to him. Damn that fucking bird. He thought aiming every bit of hate and contempt he had toward the Fearow who had knocked Scizor out of the sky. If Team Rocket hadn't attacked the lab he most likely would've had a better flying pokemon. Scizor was good for battles, but for transport something like a Pidgeot or even a well trained Gyrados was more effective. Gary suddenly stopped thinking when he heard voices not far from his position.
"How does the boss know that kid is even down here?" Asked one
"Tracker he had slipped on one of his pokemon during the battle." Said the other. "Arcanine I believe it was."
Gary's breath caught in his throat. He knew the voices belonged to some Rockets and according to them somehow Giovoni had managed to get a tracker on Arcanine. Had to have been right after that Horn Drill when his Nidoking slammed Arcy. Thought Gary. I'd better get up and try to get out of here before they find me. He pushed himself up ignoring the pain in his joints and walked over to Scizor's sleeping form. "Hey Scizor its time to go!" Whispered Gary urgently. His pokemon groaned but opened its eyes and shakily stood. "You're ball's back in my pack so we need to find that and I can let you have a proper rest."
"Sciz" ("Yeah") Said Scizor weakly. The Sky Attack had taken a lot out of him. He was on his last reserves of strength and along with several of Gary's other pokemon he needed to get to a pokemon center badly.
Gary slowly crept around the area trying to get a glimpse of his pursuers. He had heard more than just the two voices but he couldn't discern what the others where saying. Gary could see several black silhouettes in the distance and decided to turn the other way. As soon as he turned around he almost wished he hadn't. Now standing in front of him where four armed Rockets each with a sub-machinegun aimed at him.
"Looks like the game's up little boy." Smirked what seem to Gary to be the leader of the group. It was hard to tell they all looked the same with their shades and caps on. "The boss said he wants you alive, but if you make any sudden moves we will not hesitate to shoot."
"You guys are bastards you know that." Groaned Gary. "What do you want from me anyway?"
"Good question." Said the grunt "I don't really know we just have orders to bring you in."
Only Gary seemed to notice the shadow the suddenly fell over the Rockets but he didn't show any reaction to it. "What makes you think I'm going with you?" He asked indignantly
"You don't really have a choice in the matter you little punk!" Snapped one of the other grunts. "If you refuse we're gonna turn you into Swiss cheese!"
"Well I am kinda hungry." Taunted Gary
"That's it!" Said the first grunt "Any last words punk?"
"Take Down!" Said Gary
The grunts looked confused. That is until they where suddenly trampled by a raging Nidoqueen and a not so raging but still very pissed Blastoise. Gary quickly ran over to the grunts and grabbed one of their discarded guns. He wasn't adept at using a firearm but now was as good a time as any to learn. He took his bag from Blastoise's mouth and took out Scizor's pokeball. After returning Scizor and convincing Blastoise it was fine if he rested Gary and Nidoqueen set off to find an escape from the Rockets surrounding the area
…
Cianwood was a very beautiful Island and was home to a nice subtropical climate. Under normal circumstances Misty would have greatly enjoyed the weather. Right now however, it was the last thing on her mind. She'd seen the news report that morning about the destruction of Pallet and the fact that no survivors were found. She had liked Pallet town it was a very peaceful place great for taking breaks from a long journey or just a nice place to visit period. The people were usually friendly and Misty had never had a quarrel with anyone in the town. She'd usually visit Delia often to get away from her sisters once they'd returned from their trip around the world. She'd grown to look at the woman as if she were her own mother and to find out that there were no survivors in the town hurt almost as bad as when her own parents had died. The difference between then and now was that then she hadn't really understood and now she knew all too well what death was all about. In addition to the new found grief she was in turmoil over her own thoughts. When she'd entered that last room in her mind it had started out like a dream. Then it had ended in a total nightmare. Every time Misty thought of Delia she would think of Ash and thinking of Ash would make her think of the scene that had played in her mind. She tried to put it off as something her negative feelings had manifested much like the room with Togetic, but it just wouldn't go away. Seeing the scorn in his gaze and hearing the hurtful words he'd said. It was almost too much to bear. She had to keep telling herself that Ash was a good friend and that he'd never say anything like that even if he didn't reciprocate the feelings she had for him. She finally resolved to put Ash out of her mind and focus on the here and now. She was in the pokemon center to check on Gyrados.
"Hello and welcome to the Cianwood City Pokemon Center." Said Nurse Joy cheerfully. "Do your pokemon need healing?"
"No, I'm here to check on one that's already here." Said Misty "A Gyrados?"
"You mean that beast belongs to you!" Asked Joy astonished. She couldn't understand how such a young girl could be the trainer of such a fearsome pokemon. "He's in the containment pool out back. I have to warn you that he has been acting very violent since he regained his strength. The Chansey have to use Sing every time we administer antibiotics or even a simple Potion!"
"Gyrados doesn't like needles." Misty said quietly. She was glad her pokemon was okay but she was a little embarrassed at how many problems he's caused.
She followed Nurse Joy through the back doors of the center and into what looked like a large swimming pool with a double reinforced steel alloy gate surrounding it. In the middle of the pool Gyrados floated peacefully. As soon as Nurse Joy came within two feet of the gate Gyrados awoke and started to tackle the gate in hopes of getting to the annoying human who kept putting him to sleep.
Misty took immediate action. Strolling right up to the gate she let out an ear piercing whistle that got the blue serpent's attention. "Gyrados! Calm down and stop giving Joy a hard time!" Misty yelled at her rampaging pokemon. Gyrados was thoroughly cowed by Misty's order and sank back down into the pool. "Now what do you have to say for yourself?"
("Sorry') Said Gyrados
"And?" Said Misty. Gyrados could detect the danger hidden in Misty's voice so thought of the appropriate response quickly.
("I was just worried about you, they wouldn't tell me anything!") It wasn't a whole lie. He was worried about his trainer, but that wasn't the reason he was trying to attack Joy. He swore if he ever got those Chansey of hers alone
Misty noticed the far away look in her pokemon's eyes and the drool coming from his mouth. "Whatever you're thinking you'd better forget it right now." She said her voice carrying an unspoken threat that once again left Gyrados thoroughly cowed.
"You really have him well trained." Commented Joy "He should be ready to leave by now his injuries are basically healed. Although he does have what looks like a permanent scar on his underbelly."
Misty studied Gyrados closely and saw a large white gash just a few feet under what would be his neck. Thinking back she realized that the gash must have come about from the collision of the Return and Frustration attacks. In addition to the death of Starmie that scar would serve as a constant reminder of those horrid events of that day.
After returning Gyrados to his pokeball Misty headed back to where she was staying for the time being. After hearing her situation the nurse at the hospital, whose name Misty learned was Dianne, told her that after her release she could stay with her for a while until she figured out what to do about her predicament anyway. Misty stopped by a shop window where a TV was broadcasting a news bulletin of particular interest.
"Kanto authorities are investigating the mysterious attack on Pallet Town as we speak. The number one suspect seems to be a former pokemon trainer said to have gone off the deep end after loosing to his rival at the Johto Silver Conference a few years ago. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Shigeru Oak they are asked to contact authorities immediately."
…
Far away from Cianwood in the pokemon center in Sootopolis City, Ash Ketchum watched the same news ad with utter disgust. After finally getting word that the submerge system was repaired and then having to deal with the receptionist who seemed to have eternal PMS Ash had managed to make it into Sootopolis the night before. For some reason the storm outside hadn't lessened much and if anything it seemed to have intensified after he'd arrived inside the city. As soon as Ash got into the Pokemon Center he'd flipped tried to call home again and received no answer. He then found a TV and caught the story about Pallet on an international news channel. Two phrases from the news caster kept repeating themselves over and over again inside of his head. …completely destroyed…No survivors… His mother was gone, Professor Oak was gone. Misty and Brock were most likely gone too. The news tried to say that Gary had attacked Pallet, Ash couldn't believe that. He and Gary had been friends for the last couple years after the Silver Conference and Ash knew that Gary loved Pallet town just as much, or if not more, as much as Ash did. There was no doubt in Ash's mind that those responsible for the attack were the same ones responsible for destroying the Gyms and killing the Elite Four. Team Rocket.
Ash walked quietly from the lobby into the room he had checked into for his stay in the city. Gym battles didn't seem to important right now. Nothing did. He had little reason to go home now. Home was gone.
…
Brock sat in his quarters inside the Team Rocket headquarters. His accommodations were only marginally better than his cell. About the only difference was that instead of having to sleep on the rock-hard floor he could sleep on an iron-hard cot. Also instead of one rotten meal a day now he got 3 half-rotten meals a day. Life was really looking up!
His current living situation was the last thing on his mind however. He was busy drowning himself with his own sorrow. How could he have let Delia die? How could he have ordered his pokemon to attack innocent people? How could he ever face Ash again knowing that he was partially responsible for killing his mother?
The only comforting thought in all of his sorrow was thinking of Misty. They had told all the other captives that she had died during an accident in a battle. Brock thought differently. He'd overheard a few Rockets talking about having to search for the escapee. At least someone had managed to get away from all this. She didn't have to be forced into committing deplorable acts nor demean herself as a human in general. Brock let his thoughts drift to his friends and all the good times they'd had. These were the thoughts that finally allowed him to get some much needed rest.
…
Gary had managed to eventually loose the Rockets and he was now at the edge of New Bark Town. He remembered that there was a pokemon rejuvenator in Professor Elm's lab so that was where he'd head. Elm was a long time friend of his grandfather so Gary was sure that he'd let him use the machine to heal his pokemon. Arcanine still needed to get to a proper pokemon center but rejuvenation would help. He reached the door of Elm's lab and knocked on it loudly.
Inside the lab Elm had fallen asleep at his computer. This wasn't an unusual occurrence for the professor since he often overworked himself and rarely ever slept in his bed. He groggily made his way to the door muttering a quick "Coming" to whoever it was. When he opened the door he gasped when he saw a very bedraggled looking Gary Oak. He didn't realize it was Gary of course since he hadn't seen him in over three years. "May I help you?" Yawned Elm
"Professor I need to use your rejuvenator." Said Gary "And if you have a minute my Arcanine's in bad shape."
The urgency in Gary's voice was enough to fully wake the professor and he ushered Gay inside. If Elm wasn't awake he was when Gary pulled out nine pokeballs! "Why are you carrying more then six pokemon young man?" Asked Elm "You do know that it's illegal don't you?"
"Long story professor, I'll tell you later." Said Gary
Elm nodded and took six of the nine balls and put them in the rejuvenator. "It will take about an hour for the Machine to finish so why don't you explain to me why you're carrying so many pokemon and why you look like you've just climbed out of a river." Said Elm
…
Misty knew that once she did what she was about to do there was no turning back. Dianne had said that if she expected to travel around she needed to do this and few more things. Holding the scissors in one hand and the better part of her long red hair in the other she made three quick cuts and it was off. Now her once back length red hair barely brushed past her neckline. Now for step two. She took the hair dye and began rubbing into her now short red hair making sure to let it penetrate to the roots. After finishing the application process she let the dye sink in and dry. Looking in the mirror she could barely recognize herself. Her skin was slightly tanned and her hair was now almost as dark as Ash's. The only thing that could be recognized as being hers was her eyes.
"Well don't you look different?" Said Diane from the bathroom doorway. "I know how much you liked your long hair but trust me this is necessary. I do wish you'd go to the police about this but it's your decision."
"Thanks Diane." Said Misty "You know you didn't have to help me like this I would've been alright. Not that I don't appreciate it or anything it's just that you're going through so much trouble and-"
"Nonsense Misty." Said Diane "You may have gotten a few miles but you and I both know that Team Rocket has members in Johto. And if what you told me is true, and I'm sure it is, you need all the help you can get. Now we need to do something about your eyes."
'Huh?" Said Misty "I figured I'd just wear a pair of sunglasses or something."
"Those won't do." Said Diane "These will work a lot better." She pulled out a small box with purple contact lenses inside. "Their the kind you only need to change once a week. They're supposed to be gently on the eyes and allow plenty of moisture in, so comfort shouldn't be a problem."
Misty took the contacts and put a pair into her eyes. They didn't really bother her because like Diane had said they were made to be comfortable. She looked in the mirror and no longer saw Misty Waterflower this person looked almost nothing like her aside from the facial similarities.
"What do I call myself?" Wondered Misty aloud
"Up to you dear." Said Diane "My advice is to make it something you can remember easily."
"Well in that case…" Misty thought for a moment on a name. She wanted something that still described her but didn't rightly give herself away. After a moment she had it. "Aquaria Tsunami."
"Well that's original." Said Diane "Now that you have a name where are you going to go Aquaria."
"I think I'll head to Goldenrod." Said Aquaria
"Why Goldenrod?" Asked Diane
"That's where the Magnet Train station is, and it's the only way back into Kanto." Said Aquaria
"Why would you want to go back into Kanto?" Asked Diane astonished
"I need to see for myself." Said Aquaria sadly "I knew quite a few people in Pallet. I have to see it with my own eyes."
"I understand dear." Said Diane "I know you probably didn't want me to but I took the liberty of getting you a pack. I put a few days food in it along with a change of clothes. I know it isn't much but I want you to take the bike beside the house."
"You have a bike?" Asked Aquaria. She remembered the last bike she'd had and that brought up memories of it getting destroyed shortly after she'd gotten it.
"Yes I used to use it when I lived in Olivine City." Said Diane "I don't really need it on this small island so I want you to take it. It'll make your trip a lot easier especially since you won't be taking to many main paths. You may look different now Misty but it's still better if you have the least amount of contact with people as possible. Someone might recognize you even now.'
"Yeah, you're probably right." Said Aquaria "Diane I really appreciate this and I swear I will pay you back for this someday."
"I told you it's not a problem." Protested Diane "You don't need to worry about paying me back. Keeping yourself safe is payment enough."
"Yeah but-" Started Aquaria
"The ferry to Olivine leaves in half an hour I suggest you hurry up unless you want to spend another night here." Said Diane
Aquaria hugged the woman and thanked her again for helping her. She went outside and got the bike from beside the house. It was a very well built mountain bike, good for rugged terrain and able to get good speed. Aquaria got on the bike and headed north toward the city's dock. It would be different traveling alone but she knew where she was going and there was no Ash to get her lost. She could only hope that when she got to Kanto she'd find something that would help ease the pain she felt.
…
("You can't just lay in here all day Ash!") Yelled Pikachu ("I know you're sad and probably really mad too, but it's been almost two days!")
He got no response from Ash who just lay there thinking about how he'd never see his mother's smiling face again or how she'd never scold him or remind him to wear clean underwear everyday. The little things he'd taken for granted about his mother seemed to be all the things he thought about now. How it felt when she would hug him or hearing her words of praise whenever she'd watch one of his battles. Pikachu and the other pokemon had been trying to get him out of his depression, but they weren't doing a very good job.
"Leave the twoip alone Pikachu." Said Meowth "He'll stop moping when he's ready."
Ash still didn't respond even to being called a 'twoip'.
("He hasn't eaten in two days Meowth he needs to get up and do something!") Pikachu thought for a minute and than came up with a sure fire way to get Ash up. ("Ash if you don't get up right now I am letting Onix out of his pokeball!")
Ash didn't respond but he did get up and walk over to his bag. He took out an Ultra Ball and his poke'dex and hit a few buttons. The Ultra Ball disappeared and was replaced by a Lure Ball. "Fine Pikachu I'll eat something if you win the Gym battle."
("You're gonna battle?") Asked Pikachu amazed ("I thought you said the badges were worthless.")
"They still are, but since you seem to have so much energy and won't leave me alone about doing something I think it's the only thing I can do in a situation like this." Said Ash.
("We get to see the Gym?") Asked Mune who until the topic of the Gym came up had been playing a game of tag with Dawn.
"If you come with me now then yes." Said Ash
("Ash I'll come if you promise that you're going to give it your all in the battle and not just have us do whatever.") Said Pikachu ("Promise Ash?")
"Pikachu why do you have to make everything so hard?" Asked Ash
"Pikapi…" Said Pikachu his cheeks sparking a bit
"Okay I promise." Said Ash "Happy now?"
("Very.") Said Pikachu
"Well yous guys have fun Meowth's gonna get a cat nap in." Said Meowth with a yawn.
"No you're coming to." Said Ash
"But why?" Asked Meowth incredulously. Ash pointed to Dawn and Mune who were scampering back and forth in front of the room door. "Right I have to baby sit while you battle."
"Yep." Said Ash
Thinking about the upcoming battle put the sorrow in the back of Ash's mind. He didn't need to think much about Pallet or the people who'd died there. All he needed to think about was getting a Rain Badge. They made their way out of the pokemon center and headed to the Gym.
…
A/N: Well that's it for this chapter. The next chapter will probably be up very soon and will mostly be about Ash's Gym battle. Keep your eyes out for it and as always please leave all questions and comments in a review.
Until Next Time…
