So hopefully a 10k chapter will make up for me not posting in forever. School and life has just got me in a Bind Attack. Hahaha, I'm funny. So this chapter is like snippets kind of of Ash's Journey through the Orange Islands. It is not as detailed as my other chapters because I did not want to spend that much time on the Orange Island arc. But I did include how he got each of his new Pokemon in this chapter. I hope yall enjoy.
Thanks everyone who has stuck through this long with this story. Hopefully this chapter will be enough to douse the pitchforks and sate yall for a while.
As always, this writer lives on positive reviews.
Picking tomatoes from his mother's garden has never seemed like such a peaceful and relaxing task before, but Ash figures that is because he hasn't done it in over a year. As Ash continues to pluck the ripe red tomatoes from their vines the methodical rhythm lulls his mind into a sense of ease.
Ash tugs another tomato off the vine, his amber eyes gazing down at the red reflective surface of the fruit. He can't lie, even if just to himself. He is kind of disappointed that he missed his chance of getting his eighth Gym Badge and competing in the Pokémon League this year. He figures that all of the extra training he put his Pokémon through was the cause of him missing his chance. He wonders what set Gary so far back though, from what he knows about the brown haired trainer he is a very devoted and passionate person about things that hold his interest and he is very stout in proving himself the best.
Sighing, Ash rubs the ripened fruit against his shirt making sure the dirt is off before taking a bite. Juice immediately begins to trail down scarred cheeks causing a tan hand to wipe the seeds away. Ash doesn't quite know what he will do with the rest of his year yet, possibly travel the Orange Islands. It's very up in the air for him at the moment.
"Hey Ashy. You There?"
Ash startles slightly, dropping his snack, not used to hearing Sabrina's voice so suddenly. They usually have set times for their mental talks.
"Hello Sabrina. Whatsup?"
Sabrina's mental chuckle crosses their link, her obviously seeing his startled behavior at her unannounced entry.
"I'm out of my Gym at the moment, I had business I had to take care of in Johto. But I heard some fishy stuff involving Team Rocket is going on. If you go check out my city I will give you a present when I get back."
Ash rolls his eyes. He doesn't know what it is with Sabrina always trying to spoil him.
"Bri, we both know you would give me a present anyways."
Sabrina sends a mental pout towards Ash, her usual stoic demeanor gone. "Yeah, you're right. But it's more fun this way. Can you please check it out for me, Ashy?"
"Of course Sabrina, anything for my only human friend."
Ash can practically feel the eye roll Sabrina sends him. "Haha. Just head over there soon brat."
Charizard landsdown on the edge of Saffron City, dust kicking up around the feet of the large orange lizard. The flight had only taken the fire starter three hours.
Sliding down from between Charizard's wings, Ash lands lightly on his feet. Scratching the underside of Charizard's jaw, rubbing the spot right below the jaw bone, Ash leans into Charizard. "Thanks Charizard. I appreciate the ride."
Charizard leans his head down and nuzzles his snout into Ash's chest. "Of course."
Smiling up at his orange friend, Ash gives the lizard one more good scratch before recalling him back into his pokeball.
He and his team had discussed their plan previously. They knew that they had to remain inconspicuous, so Ash could not have his Pokémon out with him. He could only have Pikachu, who remained on his shoulder due to his claustrophobia.
"Okay Pikachu. Let's see what Sabrina was talking about.
Ash had not even been walking around Saffron City for thirty minutes before he knew the problem. Sabrina was not wrong when she said that there was an infestation of Team Rocket members.
They were walking the streets freely, the citizens cowering away, not able to do anything. The few Rattata that he had talked to had told him that Team Rocket had taken over the casino as a secret base and had taken over Silph Co completely, taking the workers hostage and performing experiments on Pokémon.
Ash continues to mentally send Sabrina pictures of the town, the Physic Type Gym Leader's anger simmering over their mental link. Even the calming waves the aura user sends is not enough to soothe Sabrina's anger.
"If I was there. I swear. I would level them." She seethes.
Ash shivers. He knows that Sabrina's anger isn't directed at him, but it is still terrifying. "I know Sabrina. Trust me, I know."
Please just get them out of my city Ash. What they are doing to my people and the wild Pokémon there is atrocious." Sabrina's voice has turned pleading. And Sabrina never pleads.
Ash's eyes set in hard determination. "I agree completely."
Throwing open the door to the president's office, Ash's glare lands on an older well-dressed man in a grey suit with a stylized red R on the right pocket.
Narrowing his eyes, Ash sneers at the grey haired man. "You're the boss of Team Rocket."
The grey haired man turns towards Ash, his slate grey eyes cold as granite. "You're the little runt causing all of this chaos. So I have you to thank."
Pikachu's small yellow feet grip tight to Ash's jacket; his red cheeks sparking. "Bet you won't say that to my face you little bitch." The yellow mouse threatens.
The Team Rocket Boss looks at the small electric type, his steel eyes remaining impassive, before dismissing him. "You are interrupting a very important business proposition between me and the president. You really need to learn to mind your own business."
The stout man sitting at the desk in the middle of the room grunts. "You forced your way in here!"
Pikachu sends out a Thunderbolt to the Rocket Leader's feet. The yellow mouse will put up with a lot. Gengar's pranks. Jigglypuff and Clefairy thinking they are funny when they draw obscene pictures on people when they sleep. But not with people messing with his trainer.
Ash has to hide a smile at his over protective starter.
Somehow you managed to sneak your way past the guards and make your way here. That is quit the accomplishment. And now my plans are all for nothing." The Rocket Leader's eyes flash with hidden malice before a smirk spreads across his face. A small chuckle passes through his lips. "Team Rocket's fantastic plans ruined by a scrawny little kid like you."
Before Ash can reply a green haired grunt steps up from behind the Rocket Boss, holding a suitcase. "Mr. Giovanni, we need to leave now."
Giovanni says nothing, merely giving the room a cool look of disregard before he starts to make his way out, his grunt following behind him. However he only makes it a few steps before Ash cuts him off.
"I don't care what I have to do or what it takes. I will tear down and destroy each and every one of your plans each and every time." Ash hisses, emphasizes his point by hitting his hand against the wall, causing a painting hanging to shake in its' place. Dangerously close to falling.
Giovanni has to suppress a snarl, instead he narrows his eyes. "You arrogant child. I was going to let this go. But now it appears you need to be put thoroughly in your place."
The green haired grunt steps forward next to his boss, lifting the suitcase onto his arm and unclasping it with his other hand, revealing four pokeballs.
"Mr. Giovanni, why bother? He's just a boy. Do you really think this is all necessary?" The grunt questions, confusion evident in his voice.
Giovanni grabs a pokeball, sticking one hand casually in his suit pocket as he turns back to Ash, humming. "Trust me, he's not just a boy. He's an insolent punk who grates on my every nerve." The Team Rocket leaders casually tosses his pokeball, revealing a Nidoqueen.
"Go, Pikachu!" Ash calls, sending out his trusty starter.
"Double Kick." Giovanni monotones.
Nidoqueen surges forward with a speed unexpected of a Pokémon her size. Pikachu, who is caught off guard, barely dodges the first kick. The second kick, which Nidoqueen uses her tail for, drags across the wall causing a deep rupture and hits Pikachu square in the stomach. The hit sends the electric mouse flying into the wall, creating a large crater.
"Pikachu!" Ash yells in concern, his brows wrinkling in worry.
"Please tell me why I thought you would be more of a challenge." Giovanni questions, snapping his fingers.
Nidoqueen fires up a Sucker Punch, charging straight at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash calls out in desperation.
The two attacks meet head on and a large explosion knocks out the lights in the building, causing smoke to blow out the windows. Ash coughs slightly, waving his hand in front of his face to clear his eyes.
As Ash steps forward to find his starter and make sure he is okay, the bond with Pikachu snaps, causing Ash to pitch backwards. The feinting of Pikachu causing Ash to temporarily pass out as well.
"I guess that Thunderbolt wasn't that electrifying." Giovanni looks down at the dust covered trainer in apathy. "I wonder why you would send out such a weak Pokémon as a Pikachu. Was that the best you could offer? What a pitiful waste of such gifts."
Ash, who quickly recovers thanks to his aura, squints open his eyes, propping himself up on his arm, and he glares at the Rocket Leader. "Why are you doing this? Why are you making Pokémon suffer?"
Giovanni looks down his nose at the baseball cap wearing trainer. "Because Pokémon are nothing but a business. And what is needed to succeed? Sacrifice. That's why we must not fail. The business must succeed at all cost."
Ash jumps to his feet, fueled by a new found energy, enraged. "Are you serious?" He sneers. "Pokémon aren't tools to be used for business! They are our friends!"
Giovanni smirks down at Ash. "Yet at the end of the day you let your friends feel the pains of battling and suffer and defeat." He glances towards Pikachu's sprawled out and passed out form. "A child like you could not even begin to understand what I want to achieve."
As Giovanni boards his helicopter without a backwards glance, just the distance noise of his mocking laughter, Ash vows that he will do anything in his power to end Team Rocket.
Sabrina arrives in Saffron City the next day. She should have arrived earlier. The waves of depression of self-resentment that Ash and Pikachu were letting off is almost stifling.
Sitting down next to the ebony haired trainer Sabrina gently nudges him with her elbow. "Thank you for getting Team Rocket out of my city and rescuing all of those Pokémon Ash."
Ash shrugs, petting Pikachu between his ears. "We didn't beat Giovanni though. He dominated us so easily."
Sabrina puts a pale hand on Ash's shoulder, concern written on her face. "You might not have beaten him, but now you can learn from your mistakes and work better for next time. Plus you got a Master Ball for saving the president of Silph."
Ash releases a soft breath oh air. What Sabrina said was true. He can better prepare for next time and he did get a Master Ball. However, he is not used to his Pokémon being so easily dominated. Was he too cocky going into the battle? Was the difference between his and Giovanni's strength just too great? Ash doesn't know. But he does know that he is going to find out. It is why he has been in Sabrina's Gym training all night with his other Pokémon, letting Pikachu rest. Though his spunky starter wouldn't allow that. The electric mouse training just as hard.
Sabrina feels her lips tilt down. Ash's melancholy face was not one she enjoyed. The young eleven year old was her first friend, and she was his. She would do anything to change the expression on his face. Biting her lip slightly Sabrina ponders on the thought, before a thought pops into her head. "Oh! But remember? I promised you a present if you could check out the problem here."
Sabrina jumps up and quickly makes her way out of the main battling room and into a side room, Ash's eyes trailing after her in confusion.
She quickly returns with a small yellow and brown cat like Pokémon in her arms.
"Alakazam had an egg and it just hatched. I don't have time to raise a baby. But I know you wanted to travel while you waited for the next League. Maybe you can train him up."
The baby Abra tilts its' head towards head towards Ash and mumbles out, "Ahhh..."
Arriving in the Orange Islands was refreshing for Ash. The salty air brushing against his face, the sun beating down against his skin, and Pikachu riding faithfully along atop his shoulder.
Walking along the dirt path, Ash stretches his arms above his head, enjoying the sun soaking into his skin.
"This feels nice, doesn't it Pikachu?"
Pikachu mewls slightly; sweat pouring off his fur. "No."
Chuckling, Ash glances around the landscape before spotting an oddly shaped Pokémon Center up ahead.
"Well there is a Pokémon Center. Maybe we can go inside so that you can get some rest."
Pikachu sinks even further into Ash's shoulder. "Great."
Ash smiles at the Nurse Joy at the counter as he enters the Center.
"Aren't you the second cousin of the sister in law of the Joy in Saffron City?" Ash questions, genuinely curious. Ash spends a lot of time in Saffron City due to his friendship with Sabrina, and that has caused him to get to know the locals there. Nurse Joy in Saffron City likes to brag about her cousin. She comes and visits her when she has vacation time.
"Yes I am. How did you know that?"
Ash shrugs slightly, suddenly embarrassed. "Your cousin talks about you. She said I should come visit you when I got here."
Nurse Joy smiles more genuinely; so this was the trainer that all her family was bragging about. He was special.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Pikachu here was just tired and hot. I was wondering if we could sit in here while we waited for him to cool down." Ash questions.
Nurse Joy beams. "Of course. I will get you a cool rag and some water."
Walking into the big white building that is Professor Ivy's lab, Ash calls out for the professor. "Professor Ivy? Hello?"
The cool blue toned walls of the lab remain quiet however as the young Palette Town native glances around.
Pikachu cocks his head to the side and his ears twitch. He narrowly avoids getting hit by a trap door opening from the floor by jumping to the side.
Three bespectacled girls pop out of the floor.
"Hello." Says the one wearing a yellow shirt.
"What are you doing here?" Questions the second girl, who is wearing a green and pink floral shirt.
"Who are you?" Asks the third girl, dressed in a green and pink floral shirt.
"Professor Oak from Palette Town sent me here to pick something up from Professor Ivy."
Comprehension dawns on the three girls faces.
"If you want Professor Ivy."
"She is in the bay."
Working with Pokémon."
"We will take you to her." The three finish together.
Walking down to the beach Ash subtly glances around him. He expects Professor Ivy to be working on the shoreline with Horsea or Krabby. So imagine his surprise when a Gyarados breaks from the water with a mighty roar, a dark violet haired woman surfacing after it.
"Good job." The woman praises. "You just keep getting better and stronger."
"Professor Ivy! You have a visitor from Professor Oak!"
Professor Ivy looks over towards the shore before hoisting herself atop the sea serpent. She rides the giant water type to shore, jumping off of Gyarados' head, one of the girls tossing her a white lab coat.
As she lands in front of Ash and Pikachu she is standing in nothing more than a white lab coat and a strappy blue one piece bathing suit. "Hello. I am Professor Ivy."
"So this is the pokeball?" Ash questions. He can feel a strange energy coming from the ball. Almost a trapped feeling. Something keening for help from the inside. Trapped and hurt. Scared.
"Yes, but we can't figure anything out about it. Why it is the color it is. Why it has that design. Why it won't open. Nothing." Professor Ivy explains, her hand underneath her chin as her eyes inspect the pokeball.
Ash leans in closer to the golden pokeball, noticing the pattern on the surface. "It looks like writing."
Nodding, Professor Ivy gestures towards the lettering on the ball. "If you look closely enough you will notice it says the letters GS. We have decided to call it the GS Ball."
Ash makes an understanding noise in the back of his throat. "I heard that you couldn't transport it."
Nodding, Professor Ivy turns to her assistants. "True. Would you please demonstrate?"
One of the assistants presses a button on a machine and a white light flashes down towards the ball. However instead of transporting it like it should have, it causes flashes to flash off of the ball. Pikachu hides his face in Ash's shirt. Once the lights go off the ball is still sitting in the same spot.
"We have tried everything to open it, but sadly it won't open. However I know if anyone can it is your friend Professor Oak." Professor Ivy says, handing the GS Ball over to Ash.
"Hello Professor Oak! Remember me?"
Samuel Oak swivels around in his chair, almost falling off in shock.
"Oh! Hello Ash. Are you there already? That was fast."
Ash grins over the monitor causing Samuel to let out a smile of his own. Ash really was like his own grandchild.
"Professor Ivy just gave me the GS ball." Ash says, holding out the ball to the monitor for Samuel to see.
Samuel's eyes go wide as he looks at the ball. It was not what he was expecting. "Is that it?" He questions, his eyes wide in shock. "Did you say GS?"
"I came up with the name Professor."
Samuel notices as Professor Ivy makes her way onto the monitor, the younger professor smiling at her older colleague. The two become lost in conversation. Ash sits and smiles, listening to the two as the talk halfway through the rest of the evening.
Ash leaves Professor Ivy's the next day. He finds her dedication and love towards the Pokémon on the island beautiful. Especially when he hears the praises that the Pokémon sing of her.
Ash rides atop of Charizard, the giant orange lizard casually cruising the airwaves. The two enjoying the casual time spent together. However their time is interrupted when they hear a cry of pain.
Looking down they see a Lapras beached on the shore, three male trainers crowded around her; one with a stick in his hand beating the female water type across the face.
"Charizard." Ash hisses.
"I already know." Charizard growls.
Swooping down out of the sky Charizard lands with a great bang in front of the group. His wings flaring in a display of dominance and aggression.
The three men jump slightly.
"Leave that Lapras alone! I bet she never did anything to you!" Ash yells, sliding off of Charizard's back.
The three men gain back their composure quickly when they realize the person interrupting them is just a kid and begin glaring down at the younger trainer. "Don't tell us how to treat our Pokémon!"
"Yeah, we're training to take on the Orange Crew!"
The man in a red floral shirt sends a nasty smirk towards Ash, enlarging the pokeball in his hand. "Yeah, and this will teach you not to mess with us! Go!"
The other two men also throw out their Pokémon sensing power in numbers, "Go!"
A Spearow, Hitmonchan, and Beedrill pop out of the balls.
"Let's show this punk what a real battle is like." The leader of the group jeers, his Spearow flapping its' wings in a display of aggression.
"We aren't scared of them, are we Charizard?"
Charizard roars, fire coming out of his snout. Ash opens his mouth to call out his first attack, but he is stopped by a male voice.
"Hold on. This will only take a minute."
A man wearing an orange headband that holds back his black hair, a green shirt, red shorts, an orange backpack, and a sketchbook in his hand steps in front of the rival Pokémon and begins to examine them.
He holds up rulers, tape measures, and color charts. Nodding and shaking his head every now and then. The rival trainers are just as confused as their Pokémon and do not stop the man's inspection.
"Just as I thought. This Beedrill's yellow coloring is too light. This Hitmonchan obviously does not get enough exercise, and this Spearow's feathers show that it is not getting enough vitamins and can gain to lose a few pounds. All in all, these Pokémon are very underdeveloped."
The spikey green haired trainer of Hitmonchan sneers, obviously insulted. "Who made you the expert?"
The green shirted male turns his attention towards Ash, ignoring the inquiry of the other trainer all together, not deeming him worthy of his time. "But these two Pokémon are in tip top shape."
The male walks around Charizard, lifting each wing and stretching it out. He begins to run his fingers of Charizard's scales, both forward and back, checking the texture. "You can tell by the smoothness of the scales."
He then turns towards Ash, walking over to the black haired trainer and picks up Pikachu from his shoulder. "And you can tell that this Pikachu is healthy from the glow to its coat." He says sitting Pikachu down on a log, leaning in closer to inspect the electric mouse. "Your Pikachu's electric sacks are in tip top shape."
His hand moves furiously in sketching motions, running his pencil back and forth across his sketch pad before pausing. "Hey, why don't I measure Pikachu's power level with my voltage meter right now?" He then sticks little electric meters up against Pikachu's cheeks. "Now give me a Thunderbolt."
"We can't let these kids ignore us!" The three men shout, their annoyance and impatience finally winning out over their bewilderment, sending their Pokémon after Ash and his team.
Pikachu, noticing this, complies with both the strange man and Ash's unasked request by giving a Thunderbolt.
The three men run off.
"Good job Pikachu." Ash praises, the yellow mouse twitching his ears in response.
The strange man runs over to Lapras, who had been temporarily forgotten in the scuffle. "This Lapras is really sick. Here." He tosses Ash a bottle. "This is medicine. Get Lapras to take it while I get Nurse Joy." He then runs off.
Ash looks down at the Lapras. The aura coming off of Lapras was depression and loneliness and despair. Ash knew that he wouldn't be able to get Lapras to take the medicine. They would be lucky to get Lapras back to the Pokémon Center.
"Luckily Lapras has no serious injuries." Nurse Joy tells them from her spot behind the counter, Chansey at her side. "However that Lapras absolutely hates human contact."
The other black haired male sighs despondently. "That's depressing. Especially because that Lapras is just an infant."
Ash doesn't say anything, he just silently frowns. Gazing out of the Pokémon Center window, watching the sleeping Lapras. The depression is so thick on her that it coats her body like a second skin.
"Oh, my name is Tracy. I'm a Pokémon Watcher." The black haired male introduces himself, suddenly realizing he had not yet done that.
"My name is Ash. I'm a Pokémon Trainer." Ash replies back. He quit likes the positive green aura surrounding Tracy. It is calming in a way and reminds him of nature. It is possible that that is because Tracy spends so much time in nature documenting Pokémon.
Tracy beams at Ash, oblivious of Ash's observation of him. "Thanks for helping me with Lapras Ash, a lot of other people wouldn't have."
Ash waves Tracy off, embarrassed at receiving praise from a stranger. "It was the right thing to do."
Nurse Joy smiles at the two.
It is midnight when Ash makes his way out to the pool that Lapras is in. The infant has her head turned towards the moon, her doe eyes pleading with the sphere for things that it can't grant.
"It's a beautiful night out." Ash says, sitting at the end of the pool, putting his bare feet into the water.
Lapras turns her head towards Ash, her eyes full of tears.
"I want my family." She whines, knowing the black haired human can't understand her, but hoping anyways. Hope is all she has anymore.
"I know." Ash replies.
Lapras jerks her head back in surprise. Her mother told her that humans could not understand Pokémon. "You can understand me?"
Ash only nods, slowly kicking his feet back and forth in the water. He figures it will be easier to let Lapras come to him. To let her do the talking.
"Humans hurt me." She finally whispers. Like it is a dirty secret. Like she should not let anyone know. Like she should be embarrassed about it.
"There are good humans and bad humans. Just like there are good Pokémon and bad Pokémon."
The two sit in silence for a while, the only noise is the silent sound of water lapping against the edge of the pool. Ash lets Lapras take in his words. To ponder over them.
"Will you help me find my family?" Lapras finally breaks the silence.
"If that is what you want from me."
"It is."
"Then I will." Ash vows.
Ash sits on the small chair in the Pokémon Center, waiting for Professor Oak to answer his phone. He knows he made a promise to the Professor to return the GS ball to him, but he also made a promise to Lapras.
When the Professor finally picks up the phone, Ash feels knots in his stomach. He has never let the Professor down before.
"Hello Ash."
"Hello Professor. I was calling to ask a favor of you."
Professor Oak cocks a greyed eyebrow. "And what is that?"
Ash takes a deep breath before letting it out. "I caught a Lapras last night, you probably saw it on my Pokedex. But it wasn't an actual catch. Lapras is only a couple of months old. She got separated from her family. I promised to help her find her family. They are somewhere around the islands. Is that okay professor?"
Professor Oak has to hold back a smile. Ash really does have a heart of gold. "Of course Ash. While I would really like to study that GS Ball, I think helping reunite Lapras with her family is even more important." Professor Oak scratches his cheek in thought. "And while you are doing that you should take on the Orange Island League."
Ash smiles, breathing out a deep sigh of relief. "Of course Professor, thank you."
"Bye Ash." Professor Oak says, waving towards the young trainer.
"I'll call you later Professor."
As Ash disconnects the call with Professor Oak, Tracy yells from behind him, causing Ash to startle. He did not even sense Tracy. "That's it! You got a traveling partner! You know my idol! If I travel with you I might get to meet him!"
Ash blinks in confusion. "Wait. What?"
Pikachu is just as confused, but he finds the look on Ash's face funny.
"So the Mikan Island Gym Leader is one of the toughest?" Ash questions Tracy from his spot on Lapras' back.
Tracy, who is busy sketching the various water type Pokémon they pass, nods absentmindedly. "Yes, her name is Cissy. She uses water type Pokemon in her Gym."
Ash stares down at the badge he earned from Cissy. His first Orange Island Badge. A pink seashell with an almost silver eye bead surrounded by yellow.
"Your pokemon fought hard for you Ash. Your Wartortle and Lapras did an excellent job in this battle. You should be very proud of them." Cissy congratulates Ash, a smile on her face.
Ash gives Cissy a serious nod. "I am very proud of them. Thank you for the Gym Battle."
"Congratulations on your Coral Eye Badge Ash." Tracy compliments, patting Ash on the back.
"I didn't do it by myself." Ash says, smiling towards Lapras and Wartortle.
Ash and Tracy have set up camp, Tracy preparing food when they hear it. A rustle in the bush.
"You hear that too?" Pikachu questions.
Ash nods, his amber eyes slanting towards the noise.
The bush shakes a couple of more times before a small bipedal pokemon with an off white shaggy coat and a round body comes out.
"Ash, that's a Mankey." Tracy whispers.
"Something smells good." The monkey pokemon states. "And I'm starving."
Ash grabs one of the rice balls from the table, before holding it out to the fighting type pokemon. "Would you like a rice ball?"
Mankey's pointed ears twitch. Before his light brown paw reaches out and swiftly snatches the food from Ash.
"This is delicious. Give me more and I won't steal your hat." Mankey threatens.
Ash giggles.
"This is a Bug Catching Competition?" Ash skeptically questions Tracy, the younger trainer awkwardly holding his net over his shoulder.
Tracy laughs. The two have been traveling together for a few weeks together and Tracy has come to look at Ash as a younger brother. He was shocked when he learned Ash hadn't done a lot of things normal kids would his age and younger.
Tracy's heart hurt even more for Ash when he learned Ash only had one friend, a Gym Leader in Kanto notoriously known for her cold disposition.
Tracy decided to make it his mission to introduce Ash to as many fun kid sports and games as he could. Ash might even catch another pokemon. Arceus knows that Mankey has an attitude problem a Gyarados long. The only person it listens to is Ash, for some strange reason.
"Yes Ash. And you are going to have fun and catch a pokemon if it kills me."
Ash sticks his tongue out in a childish display of emotion. His eyes are twinkling with delight however and give his joy away.
"Whatever you say Tracy."
"The Bug Catching Competition is now beginning. Trainers have one hour to catch their Pokémon."
"Let's go Ash!"
The younger trainer grumbles but follows anyways. Having trouble keeping up with Tracy due to his shorter legs.
"Please tell me how you managed to catch that Scyther?" Tracy questions at the end of the competition, gob smacked.
Ash only smiles and shrugs. The green bug type Pokémon cuddling close to Ash, nibbling on his hat.
Lapras beaches on the white sand of Navel Island.
"Thanks Lapras." Ash praises, recalling the water type pokemon for a nice rest after her long swim across the waters from their last island.
"You're welcome Ash."
Ash and Tracy stretch as they look across the sandy beach, only seeing pine trees and rocks.
Just as Tracy is about to say something, a crashing sound comes from the water. Turning towards the ocean, the two black haired males see a figure on a sail boat coming their way.
The sail boat docks on the beach and a man jumps off. He is wearing a red on darker red Geodude button up shirt and he has spiky red hair.
"If you're looking for a Gym Battle then you have come to the right place. It's nice to meet you, I'm Danny." Danny smiles, his white teeth sparkling in the sun.
"Hi, I'm Ash."
"My name's Tracy."
"I'm Pikachu. We've come to destroy your Gym and get a Badge."
Ash covers his laugh at Pikachu's nonchalant words with a smile.
"Are you here to earn a badge too?" Tracy questions.
Danny smiles. "I am here to compete in the Gym Battle."
"A Sea Ruby Badge is your reward for winning. Your Pokemon did great and you won two out of three battles here." Danny leans down and opens up his hand, revealing a light pink seashell with a green pearl surrounded with a dark pink.
Ash beams, bending down to rub Wartortle and Ivysaur gently on their heads. "Thanks you guys. I couldn't have done it without you!"
Danny smiles. It has been such a long time since he has seen a trainer so dedicated to their pokemon. The trust and love between them is obvious. He knows that they will go far.
"Good luck on the rest of your journey Ash."
It's as their traveling on Lapras' back, the midday sun beating down on them that Tracy finally speaks what has been on his mind.
"Ash, can I ask a favor?"
Ash tilts his head back, using his cap to shield his eyes from the sun. "Of course Tracy. Whatsup?"
"There's an island only a couple of minutes away called Grapefruit Island. It has a bunch of large grapefruits on the island. They have a variety of pokemon on that island because of it." Tracy bites the cap of his pen. "I was wondering if we could stop by that island for a bit."
Ash smiles at Tracy, "Of course Tracy."
Turning towards Lapras, Ash lays a hand against her neck, scratching it gently and enjoying the humming noise she gives off in response. "Full speed ahead to Grapefruit Island, Lapras!"
"Oh wow, look at the size of those grapefruit." Ash exclaims, pointing towards the basketball sized grapefruit hanging from the trees.
Tracy reaches up to examine one, but is immediately stopped by a female voice.
"Stop! Thief!" The brunette shouts, jumping from behind a tree and hitting Tracy across the head with a stick.
Ash sprawls his hands wide open in a universal sign of peace. "Wait! We aren't thieves. My friend here is a pokemon Watcher and wanted to come study the grapefruit on this island."
The woman's eyes become downcast, her posture slumping in defeat. "I'm sorry we have had a thief stealing a large amount of grapefruits."
Ash and Tracy share a look.
Ash rolls his new pokeball around in his hand. He has never caught a pokemon like a regular trainer before. All of the pokemon he has have decided to come along with him on his journey.
But he caught Snorlax because the normal type pokemon was wreaking havoc on the Grapefruit Islands and causing trouble for the people who put so much time and dedication into all of the grapefruit growing there.
Sighing, Ash clips the pokeball onto his belt and resolves to have a talk with the large pokemon later, when he finally wakes up from his nap.
They were approaching Trovita Island when they heard it.
"Help! Help me! Please! Someone get my brother!" A small voice pleads.
Ash's eyes widen when he spots a little girl and a Seel being sucked into a whirlpool, the Seel fighting with all its' might to stay afloat against the raging currents.
"Wartortle, go!" The Turtle pokemon pops out of his pokeball and lands in the water with a splash.
"Wartortle, we need to save that little girl and her Seel!"
"I gotcha."
Handing his hat and jacket to Tracy, Ash jumps into the water with Wartortle, the two swimming out towards the little girl.
As they approach the duo, a strong current cuts them off, sweeping them to the side. Wartortle struggles with the currents, his smaller body not able to push through the harsh tides.
Just as Ash thought they would be pushed out to sea themselves, Wartortle begins to glow white, evolving into Blastoise.
The now fully evolved water type is able to fully make his way towards the little red haired girl. Ash grabs her and Seel, and they make their way back to Lapras, Tracy helping lift the two onto her back.
"Congratulations, Blastoise."
"Thanks Ash. I feel like a million Squirtles."
Ash laughs, the adrenaline pumping through his body.
Arriving at the dock they are met with a red headed male wearing all black besides a white vest. "Maura! Thank you for saving my little sister." The male says, gripping Ash's hands between his own.
Ash rubs the back of his head in embarrassment. "It was no big deal really. Anyone would have done it."
"Still. Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I did come to challenge to Trovita Gym, if you could tell us where that is?" Ash questions.
The red headed male beams. "My name is Rudy and I am the Trovita Gym Leader. I would be happy to accept your challenge. Choose one pokemon of any type and I will choose the same type pokemon."
"I choose grass then." Ash says.
"Grass it is." Rudy nods. "We will head to the battlefield now."
"Ivysaur, I choose you!"
"Exeggutor, I choose you!"
"A little music please." Rudy says, snapping his fingers.
Music begins playing and Exeggutor starts dancing, his large and thick body oddly nimble.
"Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"
Exeggutor dances out of the way of the attack. The leaves atop of its' head dancing in a mocking wave.
"Exeggutor, show them some fancy footwork." The other grass type picks up the speed of its dancing.
"Ivysaur use Vine Whip." Again, the other grass type dances out of the way. Ash growls in irritation.
"Use Egg Bomb, Exeggutor."
The move is a direct hit, knocking Ivysaur near the edge of the cliff.
"Ivysaur, I believe in you!" Ash calls out to his grass type.
The green skinned pokemon glances back at his trainer and sees the open honesty, love, and trust in his eyes.
A white light surrounds Ivysaur, Venusaur emerging.
Ash smiles in pride. "Okay Venusaur, lets finish this. Solar Beam!"
The move is a direct hit. Exeggutor feints.
"Here's your Spike Shell Badge Ash." Rudy says, handing over a yellow spikey shell.
"Thanks Rudy." Ash says, accepting the Badge and clipping it to the inside of his jacket, next to his other two Badges.
"Thank you again for saving my sister."
"Anytime. It really was no big deal. I am sure anyone would have done it."
Rudy doesn't argue with Ash, but he knows not everyone would risk their lives for someone they have never met. And that makes Ash special.
"Is a two on two match okay with you?" A trainer with shaggy dark blue hair pulled back with a light blue bandana questions. His cutoff jean jacket thrown over a red shirt with matching red fingerless gloves.
"Sounds good to me. You're up first Pikachu. Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready Ash." Pikachu states, jumping in front of Ash and onto the battle field.
"Okay, an electric type, then I'll choose you, Poliwrath!"
"Let's battle!" The water type pokemon exclaims, flexing his dark blue muscles and showing off his golden Championship Belt.
Ash narrows his eyes. "Pikachu Thunderbolt!"
"Poliwrath, use Double Team!" The dark blue water type splits into six different pokemon, and Pikachu's move misses.
"Pikachu, use quick attack! Get rid of the fakes!"
Pikachu jumps through each illusion, until his tail lands on the real one, and he releases an electric attack.
Poliwrath seems unfazed, easily shaking off the electric type attack.
"Okay Poliwrath, Hypnosis!" Tad calls out, seeing his opening.
The attack lands and Pikachu falls asleep.
"Now, Poliwrath, use Hydro Pump!"
The move hits Pikachu and knocks the electric mouse into a rock, causing it to splinter and break. Pikachu is still asleep, but obviously can no longer battle.
Ash runs to Pikachu, picking up his starter.
"Fine. You want a power battle?" Ash reaches behind him and unclips a pokeball. "Go! Charizard!"
The Kanto fire type starter pokemon releases from his ball with a mighty roar, flaring his wings and letting loose a powerful Flamethrower.
"Are you ready to show these people how to battle, Charizard?"
"Anytime, Ash." Charizard replies, roaring again at their opponents in an attempt to intimidate them.
Their opponent smirks. "I guess we will have to show you how a real power battle goes. Poliwrath, Water Gun!"
The attack hits Charizard in the chest before he can dodge, but it does nothing more than enrage the orange lizard.
"Test out the waters with a Flamethrower Charizard."
Charizard fires a Flamethrower at Poliwrath but it does nothing to the water type, its' skin hard as steel.
"Counter that with water gun!"
"Dodge it!"
Charizard barely manages to dodge. "Charizard try a Mega Punch!"
Charizard's fist fires up with a Mega Punch, but Poliwrath counters his attack with a Water Gun, which hits the flame on Charizard's tail and throws the lizard off balance.
"Now! Why he's off kilter, Ice Beam!"
Charizard doesn't have time to dodge and he is frozen solid.
Ash immediately rushes towards Charizard, using a rock to break the ice around Charizard's neck.
"That was a nice match Ash. I'm looking forward to a rematch in the future when Charizard is better."
Eevee, Pikachu, Venusaur, Blastoise, Dratini, Mankey, Scyther, and Ash are all gathered around Charizard, ferociously rubbing the fire type pokemon.
"Don't worry big brother, we will make you better." Dratini promises, rubbing her slender body against her frozen family member.
Venusaur rubs Charizard's wings with both his front paws and his vines. "Yes you will be fine. We will make sure of it."
"You're one of the sane ones. You wouldn't leave us alone with Gengar and his two knew pink menace apprentices would you?" Blastoise complains, using heated wet rocks on the bottom of Charizard's feet.
"Yeah, could you imagine how Vulpix, Pidgey, Zubat, and Butterfree would feel?" Eevee complains, rubbing his silken fur against his brother's face. "Vulpix would be upset they you weren't there to see her evolve."
"I might not know ya that well yet," Mankey says, rubbing his shaggy body against Charizard's back. "But cha always manage to share your food with me. I aint willing to lose that. My family kicked me out and I've always had to fight for what I have. But youse guys have given me a family. I aint letting that go anytime soon."
Scyther vigorously rubs a blanket with Ash. "We shall do all we can to save you, my new friend."
Pikachu rubs Charizard's knee. "We are all here for you brother. We are not going anywhere. And we will not let you go anywhere."
Ash, whose hands are bleeding and raw, smiles gently at the love in his family. "We all love you Charizard. We will stay here as long as it takes to make your flame stronger."
Charizard doesn't say anything. He only enjoys the warm feelings flowing through his body.
It was halfway through the night, when Charizard's flame started dimming again, that Dratini evolved. She did it out of love. Her small body not covering enough skin on Charizard's flesh.
The white light signaling her evolution into Dragonair seemed to give the rest of the team the spark of endurance and willpower to continue on through the night.
It also sparked Mankey's competitive streak, leading the monkey type pokemon to evolve into Primeape.
With the evolution of the two pokemon, it was easier to keep Charizard warm throughout the night.
Charizard wakes up before anyone else the next morning. He stretches his long neck, looking back towards his family. They had all fallen asleep against his body in their attempt to keep him warm last night.
He closes his eyes slightly, in an attempt to keep in his tears, and looks off towards the side where he spots Tracy. The Pokemon Watcher had fallen asleep with several logs of wood in his arms.
Charizard snorts in amusement.
Ash has his rematch the next day.
"We will go with a one on one match today, how does that sound?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Go Poliwrath!"
"Go Charizard!"
"Poliwrath use water gun!" The water type unleashes a harsh jet of water.
"Charizard, fly up!" Charizard flies up, just barely missing the water attack.
"Poliwrath, knock it out of the air with a Hydro Pump!"
"Charizard, dodge it!" Charizard flies to the side, where he spirals into a dive towards the water type Pokemon.
"Charizard grab it and use Seismic Toss!"
Charizard grabs Poliwrath and twirls him up in the air before throwing the dark blue water type pokemon on the ground, rendering him unconscious.
"I can't believe we lost."
Arriving on their next island was a test for Ash. There were people everywhere. So far they had been able to avoid highly populated places, but this island was crawling with people, and Ash could feel his skin crawling in response. His heart rate was already increasing.
Tracy, who Ash had explained his social anxiety to, notices the sweat gathering on Ash's brow right away.
"Hey Ash, how about we go down to the beach? I want to see if there are any pokemon down there I can sketch."
Ash shoots Tracy a grateful look and the two males plus Pikachu make their way down to the beach.
However they are interrupted when a woman clad in a blue dress barrels into Ash and squeezes him into her chest.
"My little sonny boy. Mommy wommy missed you so much." The woman exclaims, waving Ash side to side.
"Um ma'am, I think you have my friend Ash mixed up with someone else."
The woman takes a closer look at Ash and sighs. "I guess so. My son looks exactly like you. He even had a Pikachu. I thought he had returned from his journey to his mommy wommy."
Ash awkwardly laughs. "He must want to be a Pokemon Master like me."
"Oh yes. Are you here to take on the Gym?"
Ash nods. "Yes ma'am. I am here to earn my fourth Gym Badge."
"Fourth? That's impressive. Well, I am the Gym Leader here!" The red headed lady answers, a grin playing across her painted lips.
"Can I challenge you to a Gym Battle?" Ash questions.
"Sure! Just follow me back to the Gym."
The 'Gym' was not what Ash was expecting. It was actually inside of a giant hotel. And upon their entrance to the hotel they were greeted with rows of bowing concierges.
Luana walks to her end of the battle field. "We will have a double battle. Once both of one person's Pokemon has feinted, the other trainer wins."
Ash nods. "Sounds fair."
Luana beams. "Let's get started then. These are my Pokemon. Alakazam, Marowak!"
"I choose Charizard and Pikachu." Ash calls, tossing out Charizard's pokeball. "With Charizard's Flamethrower and Pikachu's electric attacks we can't lose."
"Let's see how well they work together."
Ash only smirks.
"As Kumquat Island Gym Leader and a member of the Orange Crew I am happy to give you this token of your victory. The Jade Star Badge." Luana hands Ash a purple shell with a small yellow bead in the middle of it.
"Wow Ash. You got all four badges from the Orange Crew." Tracy says, admiring the badges in Ash's coat.
Luana beams. "And that means you can battle with other qualified members in the Orange League Competition."
"And to win the Orange League Trophy, right?" Tracy asks.
"Yes, but to get that Ash has to beat the Orange League Champion. And he is super tough. You will have to battle with your Pokemon and have trust in them."
"Always." Ash vows.
Ash runs his fingers up and down the scales along Magikarp's dorsal fins. The orange fish Pokemon making content bubbly noises every now and then.
"That, uh, Magikarp really likes you."
"You think so, Doctor Quakenpoker?" Ash questions, pausing in his ministrations, until Magikarp makes an unhappy noise.
"If he disliked you he wouldn't let you rub his dorsal fin like that. That's uh, a sign of trust." The Pokemon Watcher says. "You should catch him."
Ash looks down at Magikarp, the fish nibbling on his toes. "How would you like that Magikarp? Joining my family?"
Magikarp looks up at Ash, a blush somehow appearing on his scales.
Ash takes out a pokeball.
Tracy tries to hold in his laugh by biting the inside of his cheek. He had convinced Ash to come with his to the Safari Zone, and that it was required to wear a camo outfit. Tracy even got Pikachu to dress up in a little camo vest and hat.
"You look great Ash." Tracy says.
Ash glares, a small pout forming on his lips. "I look stupid."
"I feel like this is a trick." Pikachu grouches, pulling at his tiny vest with his paw.
"You too look awesome. Now, we have thirty Safari Balls. Let's catch some awesome Pokemon!"
When Tracy finally finds Ash, a Scyther securely tucked in his Safari Ball, Tracy almost trips and falls on his face.
Ash is cuddled up next to a Tauros underneath a large shaded tree taking a nap. The petite trainer's head resting right next to the dangerous horns of the bull pokemon, Pikachu curled up on his chest.
Tracy doesn't know whether to feel exasperated or shocked.
He settles for apathy and takes out his sketch pad. He might as well get as much black mail on his adorable little brother as he can. And Ash looking absolutely adorable with a dangerous bull pokemon?
He could probably sell this picture to future lovers for a lot of money.
"Hello Pumelo Island Residents! I am happy to introduce the first match of the season! Introducing Drake, the undefeated Orange Island Champion!"
A spiky black haired man walks out onto the battlefield. He is wearing a red and black jacket with dark colored jeans, and a pokeball on a chain around his neck.
"Opposing him from Palette Town is Ash Ketchum who is hoping to break Drake's winning streak and earn himself the coveted Winner's Trophy and a permanent place in the Orange League Hall of Fame."
Ash approaches his end of the field.
"The Battle will begin on a Rock and Battle Field."
"I hope this one leaves a good impression." Drake says, throwing his pokeball to reveal a Ditto.
"The Challenger Wins the Match! THE CHALLENGER WINS THE MATCH!"
"Pikachu, you're the best." Ash says." Picking up his starter Pokemon.
Drake hands Ash over a rusted bronze trophy with white wings. "Congratulations Ash. You deserve it."
"Thanks Drake, but I couldn't have done it without my Pokemon." Ash replies, smiling towards Pikachu, Eevee, Blastoise, Venusaur, Charizard, and Lapras.
Ash sits on Lapras' back, the water type Pokemon idly making her way through the waters, Magikarp and Blastoise enjoying a nice swim alongside her, Tracy sleeping on her shell.
"Ash." Lapras says, her voice hesitant.
"Yes Lapras?" Ash hums, running his fingers through the cool water.
"I know I asked you to help me find my family. And I think you did."
Ash glances up, the sun catching his eyes and making them glow gold. "What do you mean?"
"You guys have become my family. You have taught me how to take care of myself. How to be strong. How to have faith in myself." Lapras explains, her silver eyes trailing after Magikarp, his body splashing in indistinct patterns in his attempt to keep up with her lazy pace.
"Are you sure about this Lapras? I don't want you to make a choice you will regret." Ash says, running a soothing hand down Lapras' neck.
"I could never regret family."
"Then I guess you're staying with us."
Ash doesn't say it, but a warm feeling fills his heart.
Ash and Tracy decide to have one final picnic in the Orange Islands before they head back to Kanto. They each have all of their Pokemon out of their pokeballs, Tracy sketching Ash's variety of Pokemon while Ash cooks.
The group laughs at each other's antics, enjoying the time spent together. The two months spent in the Orange Islands was not like their year traveling Kanto. While in Kanto they took their time to train and explore, here they rushed through getting badges and challenging the Champion.
It is nice for the group to have a full day of relaxation to just enjoy each other's company without having to do anything else.
It is as they are setting down to eat that they have two guests.
A Nidoking and a Nidoqueen.
Ash stretches his arms above his head, breathing in the air in great lungful's. "It's great to be home.
"It sure is." Eevee says from his spot in Ash's arms, the Pokémon's silver fur dancing in the breeze.
Pikachu purrs his agreement, snuggling into Ash's shoulder, his black tipped ears twitching in Ash's hair.
"We can head straight to Professor Oak's Lab so that I can give him the GS ball and you can show him your sketches and then we can head to my house."
Tracy, who has been in a state of awe since setting foot on Kanto soil, squeals and starts digging out his sketch books. "Which sketch book do you think I should show him first?"
Laughing, Ash pats Tracy on the shoulder. "I think that you should show him the one you feel the most connection with. Because that will be the one that has the most meaning to you."
"You're right Ash."
Handing over the GS Ball to Professor Oak was a huge weight off of Ash's shoulders.
"Thank you Ash." Professor Oak says, taking the yellow ball. "And you must be Tracy. The Pokemon Watcher Ash talks about."
Tracy's face turns red and he nods frantically, temporarily losing his ability to speak. "Did you want me to look at some of your sketches?"
Without a word, Tracy hands Oak a pale pink folder, his hand shaking the entire time.
Professor Oak flips through the portfolio, humming every now and then. His eyes skimming over certain pictures. He stops and stares at some pages longer than others. After about an eternity to Tracy, but what is actually ten minutes, Professor Oak hands Tracy back his folder. "These are really good. How would you two feel about coming to an archeologist dig with me? We would be leaving tomorrow. I could use a good Pokemon Watcher with me."
Tracy feints.
Arriving at the dig site is a strenuous task. It is hot, the equipment is heavy, and the multitude of people around them are rude.
Ash feels uncomfortable immediately. "Hey guys, I am going to go take a walk."
"Okay, but be careful." Professor Oak says distractedly, directing Tracy with certain equipment.
Nodding, Ash makes his way up the dirt path and out of way of the archeologists. Walking down a winding path, Ash finds himself in a small cave. Sighing, Ash sits down on a rock, not expecting the floor to give out underneath him.
"So," Professor Oak repeats, rubbing his temples. "You're saying that you walked down that walkway over there, set down inside a cave, the floor gave out under you. You and Pikachu woke up to find yourself in an Aerodactyl's nest that had somehow survived the test of time, it chased you out. You ran into a Sandshrew who saw what was happening and decided to help you out. In the in Aerodactyl realized it was a big misunderstanding, felt bad, so both Sandshrew and Aerodactyl have decided to become your Pokemon?"
Ash shrugs. "Basically."
"Only you Ash. Only you."
"I forgot to tell you, I am expecting visitors today from Johto." Professor Oak tells Ash and Tracy.
"Oh, who's that?" Tracy questions.
"A lady named Liza and her Charizard Charla."
When Charizard was nothing more than a baby Charmander in Professor Oak's Lab, he was part of a rare set of twins born.
He had a twin sister. Her nickname was Charla between the two of them. She was the more ambitious one. The fighter. She was the one desperate to prove herself. Constantly throwing attacks left and right.
However, Charla was also a girly girl. So one day Charmander found her a large pink ribbon and Professor Oak fashioned a bow out of it and tied it around her neck.
The two twins were as thick as thieves. Where one twin was strong the other was weak, where one was quiet the other was loud. The two complimented each other well.
Until the day a green haired trained came to pick out her starter Pokemon. Charmander could hear her explaining to Professor Oak that she was moving to Johto soon, but that she lived in Kanto all her life.
Professor Oak let her choose a starter from his lab.
She chose Charla.
Charmander could hear a small squeaky voice from the other room telling Charla's new trainer her new name. That her name wasn't just Charmander that she went by Charla. Charmander was thankful for that.
He was sad though. He would never get to see his twin again.
"Professor Oak! We're here!" Liz shouts throughout the lab, Charla standing at her side.
Not getting an answer, she walks through the lab and out to the field, expecting the exuberant professor to be out working with the Pokemon.
Walking through the field with Charla, Liz smiles at all the Pokemon they pass. The various Pokemon greeting her back.
As they approach a large lake that a Lapras and Magikarp are splashing around in, Charla is suddenly tackled from behind.
Liz whips around, her body dropping into attack mode, years of living in Charicific Valley ingraining the response into her.
However what she does not expect to see is another Charizard nuzzling Charla and Charla returning its' affection.
"Apparently our Charizards are twins." A black haired boy tells her, coming up from the shadow of a tree.
Liz can only gap.
Ash arrives in Charicific Valley a week later, all of his Pokemon in tow.
"This is where we will spend the next nine months training for the Pokemon League." Ash states, his newly caught Growlithe and Krabby looking scared but determined.
The vast amounts of Charizard flying around the Valley greatly out number and outsize all of his Pokemon. Ash cannot think of a better place to train. With the power levels of the Charizard in this Valley even his weakest Pokemon are bound to grow by leaps and bounds in the next nine months.
Plus it will give Charla and Charizard time to catch up.
"Let's do this guys.
So as yall saw, no Mewtwo in this chapter. I plan on giving him his own special chapter. Which will be the next chapter. And that will also give more background on what all we went through so that we are completely caught up. I will also give Pokemon 2000 some chapter play. By the next 1-3 chapters I am wanting to hopefully be starting the Johto Arc. Fingers Crossed. :)
Until next time!