I'M ALIIIIIIVE.
*Clears throat* Yeah, hi everyone. I know, I know. It's been forever since an update. I'm sorry! But school was absolutely insane this year (here's your warning, kids: junior year of college is just as intense as junior year of high school) and I had zero time to make any progress on this story. It is what it is.
But the school year is officially over, and I am free of school until the end of August! Sort of. I work there. But there's no homework!
Now, with that out of the way, we can finally get back to action on this little story! I know you've all been waiting, so I'm not going to keep you any longer. Please enjoy the next installment of A New Era!
LAST TIME: Through a flashback, it's revealed that ten years ago, Lance had invited Ash to become a member of the G-Men. Ash had accepted and begun intense training to be part of it. Ash realized he wasn't only endangering himself, but also his wife and unborn children. As a result, he quits in order to protect all of them. It's something he's always regretted, however, and with this second chance, he won't let this matter slip out from beneath his fingers. The twins ask what the mission is, but Ash refuses to tell them.
Chapter 51: A Pallet of Discovery
"You two sure are booking it!"
"Because we can't wait to get there!"
"Yeah, I bet he's going to be so excited to see us!"
Brandon was trying his best to keep up with the twins, who were already several feet in front of him. All three were running, but Aiden and Michelle were putting in a lot more effort than Brandon was. He hadn't seen the two so full of energy in quite a while, and really hadn't been expecting it after the night before.
"I wonder if he knows what's been going on with Dad," Michelle murmured, turning her head towards Aiden.
"Probably," Aiden shrugged it off. "I bet Grammy knows about it, and she tells Professor Oak everything."
Michelle grimaced and looked back ahead. She realized the familiar building was in sight, and that's when she stopped running, Aiden halting right alongside her.
"Good, we're here!" Aiden breathed.
"Yeah, it wasn't gonna take that long," Michelle laughed.
They had all slept in that morning, and by the time they'd woken up, Ash was already gone to train for the day. To get away from the unusually quiet house, Misty had suggested that they all pay a visit to Pallet Town in order to distract themselves. She and Elizabeth had stayed back at Delia's house, but Misty had urged the three young trainers to go pay Professor Oak a visit at his lab.
So, that's what they were doing.
"How come you two stopped all of a sudden?"
Aiden and Michelle looked over their shoulders and realized that Brandon was staring at them. He had stopped as well, but really only because the two of them had stopped first.
"No reason," Aiden replied. "It's just been a while since we've been here. It's kind of strange."
"Yeah, the last time we were here was when we were just starting our journey," Michelle continued. "It was the day we got our starter Pokémon…well, Aiden did….and we got out pokedexes and had our first battle against one another!"
"Things sure were a lot different then," Aiden mused. "Team Rocket wasn't trying to abduct us for some strange reason, and Dad wasn't running around in secret with the G-Men."
"Yeah, good times," Michelle snickered.
"Well then, maybe you two will feel a little better if you go back inside," Brandon tried. "I'm sure Professor Oak will be able to distract you from all of that!"
"Brandon's got a point," Michelle murmured, glancing over at Aiden.
"Yeah, he does," Aiden agreed. "Let's keep going!"
The trio made their way up the steep hill, eyes locked firmly on the lab. As soon as they reached the door, Aiden heartily began to knock before stepping back and waiting for access to be granted. They waited and waited, for several minutes, in fact, but the door never opened.
"Huh, that's weird," Aiden muttered. "Grammy said she knew Professor Oak was here!"
"Think he's okay?" Michelle asked.
"I don't know," Aiden grumbled. "You knock this time."
Michelle groaned, but rapped her knuckles against the door. The trio continued to wait, but still no one answered the door.
"That's strange," Brandon noted.
Aiden reached out and grabbed the door handle, pushing the front door to the lab back. He was expecting resistance, but instead, was able to swing the door back with ease, opening up the professor's foyer to the young trainers.
"Huh, could've just done that from the beginning," Aiden murmured.
"I don't think we should just be walking into Professor Oak's lab," Michelle grumbled, watching shiftily as Aiden stepped inside.
"Well, we have to make sure the professor is okay," Aiden tried. "Besides, he knows us. So it's fine."
Brandon shrugged and followed after Aiden, causing Michelle's eyebrows to shoot up.
"You're both crazy!" She yelped, following after them. "We have to stop just walking into places like this!"
"Pi-chu…" the baby mouse on her shoulder muttered.
"I'm only following them because I don't have a choice," Michelle insisted. "They were the ones who walked in first."
"Pi," Pichu squeaked.
The trio continued down the hallway, peeking into every door along the way. Professor Oak, however, was in none of them, and the building itself was surprisingly quiet.
"Is it possible he just went out for a little while?" Brandon asked.
"If that's the truth then I say we get out of here as soon as possible and pretend that nothing ever happened," Michelle blurted, looking nervously over her shoulder.
"I doubt it," Aiden grumbled.
Suddenly, the sound of muffled struggling came out of nowhere, causing the three young trainers to jump.
"What was that?!" Michelle demanded.
"It didn't sound too good," Brandon murmured.
"I think it's Professor Oak!" Aiden gasped, charging down the hallway. "Come on!"
Brandon and Michelle ran after Aiden, the group dashing up the staircase that was present at the end of the hall. This brought them up to the actual lab portion of the building. When they looked over the side of the railing, they saw Professor Oak trapped beneath a large purple blob, pounding his fists against the floor.
"Professor Oak!" They all gasped.
"Ah, hello, kids!" Professor Oak greeted from his uncomfortable position. "Your grandmother did say you were coming over! How nice to see you three!"
"Well, you can't really see us…" Michelle murmured.
"Come on, Muk, get off of the professor!" Aiden groaned, running over to the two and pulling at the poison type. "Get off! You know you're not supposed to do this!"
Muk removed himself from Professor Oak and turned to see who had been pulling at him. Once he saw it was Aiden, the poison type roared excitedly and threw himself on top of the boy, dragging him down to the floor with a stunned yelp.
"There goes Aiden," Brandon commented through a wince.
"I can't believe after all these years Muk still hasn't learned his lesson," Michelle groaned.
"Hasn't your dad ever tried?" Brandon asked.
"Of course," Michelle replied. "But Muk's too stubborn to listen."
"Not to worry, it looks a lot more painful than it really is," Professor Oak assured, getting back to his feet. "I think it's wonderful that Muk has such a big personality!"
"Yeah, but I think we'd all appreciate it if he'd stop jumping on us," Aiden groaned, finally wiggling his way out from beneath Muk.
"I think the only person who doesn't mind it is Elizabeth," Michelle mused. "Then again, Muk's never actually succeeded in jumping on her. Mom and Dad get her out of the way too fast!"
"I wish they'd been around to save me," Aiden grumbled, dusting off his shirt.
"How are your parents doing?" Professor Oak inquired, holding his hands behind his back.
"Uh…well…Mom's okay, I guess," Aiden began.
"She's still worried about your father, isn't she?" Professor Oak asked knowingly.
"Yeah, a whole lot," Michelle chimed in.
"I know all about his mission," Professor Oak assured. "Well…not what he's doing, but that he's a part of it. It's been driving your mother and grandmother mad. I certainly can't blame them."
"Do you think he'll be okay, Professor Oak?" Michelle asked worriedly.
"I do!" Professor Oak confirmed with a laugh. "Your father is a tough one. He's able to fight for himself quite proficiently. I think he'll be able to fare just fine."
Michelle smiled at the professor and nodded her head. She knew that professor Oak knew her father very well, and that he'd be honest about the situation. If the professor had confidence in her father, and believed that he'd be able to stay safe, then Michelle certainly felt a little better about the situation.
"Why don't we go sit inside for a little while?" Professor Oak suggested. "Your grandmother brought me the most wonderful cookies yesterday! I'd be happy to share them with you three and discuss your journey so far."
"That sounds great!" Aiden cheered.
"Yeah, because there's food involved," Michelle snickered.
"Excellent! He follows right after Ash," Professor Oak remarked. "Come on, now. I'll show you all downstairs to the living room!"
XXX
"So Aiden, how's the badge collecting been going?"
"Great!" Aiden chirped after swallowing the large bite of cookie he'd just taken. "I've got seven badges right now! I just need one more!"
"Let me guess," Professor Oak countered with a smile. "From your mother?"
"Yeah," Aiden mumbled, looking down at his feet for a moment before picking his head back up and grinning. "But I'm excited! I know it's gonna be an awesome battle. And I'm going to win it!"
"You're certainly confident," Professor Oak chuckled. "Speaking of which, have you happened to run into Sam at all during your travels?"
"A few times, yeah," Aiden grumbled.
"Did he give you a hard time?" Professor Oak asked sympathetically.
"Nothing I couldn't handle," Aiden assured the older man.
"I know he can be quite the handful," Professor Oak laughed. "But he's really been enjoying his own journey and doing quite well himself. He's already got all eight of his badges."
"What?!" Aiden gasped dramatically. "He's already got all eight?!"
"Indeed," Professor Oak confirmed before taking a sip of his tea. "Now he's busy preparing himself for the Indigo League."
"Ugh…" Aiden huffed, his entire face turning bright red. "Great. Now I'm never gonna hear the end of it."
Professor Oak turned his attention to the redheaded girl sitting across from him. "How about you, Michelle? How are your contests going?"
"They've been going really well!" Michelle answered. "I kind of hit a rough patch for a little while, but Dad was able to snap me out of it. I'm only one ribbon away from the Grand Festival!"
"That's excellent!" Professor Oak lauded. "And how is Pichu doing?"
"She's great," Michelle giggled. "Right, Pichu?"
"Pi! Pichu!" Pichu squeaked, taking a break from the berry she'd been nibbling on.
"She's really starting to be able to deliver attacks and not get weak afterwards," Michelle explained. "That's making her a whole lot stronger!"
"I see! That's quite rare for a baby Pokémon, especially a Pichu," Professor Oak commented. "I'm impressed!"
"Thanks!" Michelle giggled.
"And you, Brandon?" Professor Oak questioned. "How is the breeding coming along? Have you learned anything new?"
"Oh yeah, lots of new things!" Brandon replied. "I've met so many people travelling, and they all had really great advice. Everyone kind of does things a different way, and I liked seeing that. It's helping me figure out what I want my own style to be."
"That's a very wise way to look at things," Professor Oak noted. "I bet your uncle would be very proud to hear that!"
"Yeah, he always told me that's kind of what he did, too," Brandon continued. "He may not have become a breeder in the end, but he still uses everything that he learned from that as a Pokémon doctor. So, no matter what, I'm always paying attention and learning from everyone! It'll always be beneficial."
Professor Oak hummed knowingly and smiled, much to the young trainers' confusion.
"Yes, it would seem that all three of you have grown tremendously since leaving on this journey," Professor Oak commented. "I'm impressed! You're all working steadily towards your goals and growing not only as trainers, but as people. That's clear as day."
"Really?" Michelle breathed. She'd known Professor Oak her whole life, but she knew that a comment like that from a man such as himself was a very big deal. After all, Professor Oak knew talent and potential when he saw it.
"Of course!" Professor Oak chuckled. "I'm not surprised, of course. I expected a lot out of the three of you! I'm very happy to see you all succeeding."
"That's so cool!" Aiden laughed. "Thanks, Professor!"
"Don't mention it, my boy," Professor Oak snickered as he got up off the couch. "Now that we've had our little talk, why don't we head outside for some fresh air?"
"That sounds good to me," Aiden said, jumping up himself and racing towards the door. "Come on, guys!"
"Aiden, slow down!" Michelle groaned, hopping up and running after her brother. "Why are you always in such a hurry?!"
Brandon sighed and hung his head, shaking it. Once he heard Professor Oak chuckling, however, he picked it right back up.
"Those two are just the same as they ever were," Professor Oak noted. "They certainly are growing as trainers, and as people, but that relationship is completely the same."
"Yeah, they're definitely still Aiden and Michelle," Brandon muttered.
"Do they give you a lot of trouble?"
Brandon smirked and shook his head. "Nothing that I can't handle."
"Interesting. Do they argue often?"
"Not as much as they used to, actually," Brandon replied. "But they still do. To be honest, I think it'd be kind of weird if they didn't. It'd be like they weren't Aiden and Michelle. Sometimes I get concerned if they're getting along too well. I kind of get the feeling they're plotting something."
"That's the same thing their parents always say," Professor Oak laughed.
"Sometimes I have to break it up," Brandon continued. "But, like I said, it's nothing I can't handle."
"Well, perhaps we should head outside and make sure those two aren't wrestling one another into the ground," Professor Oak chuckled. "They might just need you to break them up!"
"Good point," Brandon agreed, smirking at the Pokémon expert.
XXX
"Bulba! Bulbasaur!"
"Hey, Bulbasaur!" Michelle giggled as she knelt before the grass type, petting his head. "Long time no see!"
"Bul!" Bulbasaur chirped, unleashing his twin vines and gently stroking Michelle's arm with them.
"You're so good," Michelle laughed.
"Bay! Bay!"
Michelle let out a puff of air as something collided with her back. Looking over her shoulder, she smirked once she realized it was Bayleef's head that had made the contact. The grass type looked up with a definitive pout, causing Michelle to giggle once again.
"Don't worry, Bayleef. I'm happy to see you too!" Michelle assured, scratching beneath the Pokémon's chin.
"Bay…" Bayleef purred, smiling at the girl.
Just a few feet away from the three, 30 Taurus came rushing by, partaking in their daily stampede. Michelle got out of her squatting position and properly sat down in the grass, watching with intent emerald eyes as the bull Pokémon raced across the grass.
Aiden stood against the fence towards Michelle's right side, laughing excitedly as he was surrounded by several of his father's Pokémon, including Infernape, Glalie, Sceptile, Gliscor, and Krookodile.
"It's so great to see you guys!" Aiden greeted. "Did you all really miss us this much?"
The small group all cried out in the affirmative, causing Aiden to grin widely. "Cool!"
"Well, I see the Pokémon are excited that you two are back!"
Aiden grinned and spun around, looking over the fence to find Professor Oak walking towards him, Brandon at his side. "Yeah! We're all having a lot of fun!"
"I could tell that they've missed having their usual playmates around," Professor Oak chuckled. "Elizabeth still keeps them on their toes, of course, but that doesn't mean that they don't miss you."
"Yeah, and I bet it's hard since Dad hasn't been around lately," Aiden added solemnly.
"Yes, that too," Professor Oak confirmed.
"You guys don't have to worry about Dad!" Aiden assured the small group before him. "You all know how brave and tough and strong he is! No one's gonna hurt Dad, because they'd never be able to get to him. He'd fight 'em off before they even have a chance!"
All of the Pokémon smiled and nodded in agreement, knowing Aiden was right. While they all continued to converse in their own little way, Brandon began to look around the ranch. He saw so many different Pokémon: Snorlax napping beneath a tree (which Heracross was sucking sap out of), Noctowl and Swellow chasing one another in the sky, Donphan practicing his rollout attack further out, Torkoal quietly observing a patch of flowers by the lake.
"There are so many Pokémon here," Brandon murmured. "I can't believe they all belong to Ash!"
"Yeah, isn't it cool?" Aiden chirped. "I hope that one day I have as many Pokémon as Dad!"
"Is it hard to look after all of them?" Brandon asked Professor Oak.
"No, not at all," Professor Oak replied. "I'm lucky enough to have Tracey as my assistant, and he's very good at helping out and knowing what all of the Pokémon need. Not to mention a few of the Pokémon have taken on leadership roles, especially Bulbasaur! He's very good at getting the other Pokémon in line and making sure that they're not causing too much trouble."
"That's really awesome!" Brandon laughed. "Pokémon sure are smart."
Professor Oak hummed and smirked at the boy. "You really love learning everything about Pokémon, don't you, Brandon?"
"Oh yeah," Brandon replied. "Absolutely everything! I'm always learning something new!"
"Well then, I think I have something very fitting for you," Professor Oak mused. "Give me a moment!"
Brandon and Aiden both watched Professor Oak walk away, confusedly blinking their eyes. Once he was nearly out of sight, the two instead exchanged glances with one another, just as confused as they had been moments before.
"Hey, where'd Professor Oak go?" Michelle called.
"We don't know," Aiden replied. "He just said he had something to give to Brandon."
"But you don't know what?" Michelle asked.
Aiden shook his head. "Nope. What do you think it is, Brandon?"
"I don't have any idea," Brandon answered. "I couldn't possibly imagine what the most accomplished Pokémon researcher in the world would want to give me. It's not like I was expecting this or anything."
"Maybe it's a book of his poems!" Michelle gasped.
"What?" Aiden blurted. "Michelle, anyone could buy those! They're not anything special."
"Professor Oak's poetry is very special," Michelle argued. "And who knows! Maybe it's a book full of new poetry he's come up with that no one has read yet."
"You would like that, not Brandon," Aiden argued.
"I'd enjoy it," Brandon refuted with a shrug.
"Nah, it's gotta be something different," Aiden huffed. "Maybe it's like some kind of top secret recipe for the world's most delicious Pokémon food! That sure seems fitting for someone trying to become a Pokémon breeder, right?"
"Maybe," Brandon hummed.
"Here we are!"
The three young trainers all looked in the direction from which they'd heard Professor Oak's booming voice. In his hands, he held a pale pink oval covered in white stars.
"Whoa, is that what I think it is?" Michelle asked, rushing over to the fence.
"Indeed, it's a Pokémon egg!" Professor Oak chuckled.
"Awesome!" Aiden cheered. "What kind of Pokémon is inside?"
"I've got no idea!" Professor Oak replied cheerfully, causing Aiden to nearly fall over. "But that's part of the fun. Waiting to find out what will come from it!"
"Yeah, just like with Riolu!" Michelle giggled.
"Brandon, I want to give this egg to you," Professor Oak continued, holding the oval out towards Brandon.
"Me?!" Brandon gasped. "Why me?"
"Because of your goal, of course!" Professor Oak chuckled. "If you want to be the world's best Pokémon breeder, you need to keep picking up all different kinds of experiences. From everything you've told me today, I can tell that you've really learned a lot on your journey, and you've grown not only as a breeder, but as a person as well. And that's just as important as furthering yourself towards your goal."
"That's a good point," Michelle agreed with a smile.
"There's always room to grow and learn more," Professor Oak continued. "Taking care of a Pokémon egg and raising and caring for whatever hatches from it is a whole new experience that will be highly valuable for you! So please, take this egg and continue to learn. It would fill me with great pride to know that I've helped you continue to grow as an aspiring young breeder!"
Brandon stood motionless for a short while before grinning from ear to ear and accepting the egg. "Thank you so much, Professor Oak! I promise that I will take the very best care of this egg, and then the Pokémon that hatches from it!"
"I know you will, Brandon," Professor Oak assured, clapping his hand on top of the boy's shoulder. "I have just as much faith in you as I do Aiden and Michelle! The three of you are all wonderful. Never give up on your dreams; I know that all three of you will realize them one day."
XXX
"…and that's when Professor Oak came back and gave Brandon a Pokémon egg!"
"Oh wow, Professor Oak gave you a Pokémon egg, Brandon?" Delia asked the young boy sitting across from her.
"Yeah!" Brandon replied. "I was so surprised! I think it's really cool, though."
"What kinda Pokémon is it?" Elizabeth demanded, pushing herself up on the table with her hands.
"Elizabeth, stay in your seat," Misty sighed, gently pushing the child down by her head.
"I don't know," Brandon chuckled. "I have to wait until it hatches to find out!"
"That's part of what makes it fun, Lizzie," Misty giggled. "Because it's a big surprise!"
"I guess," Elizabeth grumbled. "But it takes forever!"
"Not that long, sweetheart," Misty assured. "It feels longer than it actually is!"
"I'm gonna play with it when it hatches," Elizabeth announced, staring intently at her mother.
"Well, you'll have to ask Brandon if that's okay," Misty countered. "It is his Pokémon, after all."
"Can I, Brandon?" Elizabeth squeaked.
"Sure thing!" Brandon laughed.
"Yay!" Elizabeth cheered. "Hear that, Mommy? I can!"
"Yes, that was very nice of Brandon to let you!" Misty agreed, smirking at the amused Brandon.
Delia giggled and placed the last bowl of food in the middle of the table. It had been hard for her, with Ash running around on this life-or-death mission that was full of danger. She'd done her best to be strong for the remaining family, especially Misty. Delia could tell plain as day that Ash's absence, and the fact that it was due to something quite dangerous, was really taking its toll on her.
On the other hand, however, it was just as clear to Misty that Delia was suffering. She could tell that the older woman was trying to stay strong for her sake, and Misty really appreciated it. So, she tried not to bring Ash up all that much.
"So, it sounds like the three of you had a lot of fun at the lab today," Misty continued, spooning some buttered noodles into a plastic bowl for Elizabeth.
"Yeah, it was really nice to see Professor Oak," Michelle commented. "He had lots of great advice for the three of us!"
"And he was really impressed with how our journey has gone so far," Aiden added.
"Professor Oak asks me about the three of you all the time," Delia piped up, taking her own seat at the head of the table. "He always wants to make sure that you're all feeling confident and doing well! I always assure him that you are, but I suppose he just wanted to check for himself."
"That would make sense," Brandon chuckled. "Professor Oak is definitely thorough!"
Everyone sat in comfortable silence for a little while, gathering their food and enjoying their first few bites. After a few minutes of this, however, Aiden looked across the table at his mother and decided to break the silence.
"Mom?"
Misty looked up from her salad and blinked her eyes. "What is it, Aiden?"
"I've been thinking about this a lot, especially since I got home, and I've decided that I'm ready to challenge you now."
"Are you?" Misty asked quite seriously.
"Yeah," Aiden breathed. "I am."
"Alright then," Misty sighed, smirking at her son. "And when exactly would you like to battle me?"
"Tomorrow."
Delia's eyes widened, and she turned her head to look at Misty. Elizabeth's jaw dropped, and her gaze fell in the same direction as her grandmother's. Misty, however, was unaffected by their stares. She just let out one sly giggle and stabbed some more of her salad with her fork, bringing it close to her lips.
"Sounds good to me," Misty calmly replied. "Tomorrow it is."
"Great!" Aiden cheered. "Now I've gotta fill up and store energy for tomorrow!"
He began stuffing his face with food, Misty watching on with a mischievous smirk.
He acts so much like Ash…let's see if he battles like him, too.
Yeah, you had to wait one more chapter for the battle. Sorry, but I've got a plan (and by that I mean an outline) and I'm sticking to it! But you get the battle next, soooo no complaints ;)
My job starts tomorrow, but like I said, there's no homework or projects or meetings now, which was the main reason I couldn't write during the year. Once I'm home from work, I'm totally free, so you won't be waiting six months for another update! GET EXCITED!
Aaaand you can also feel free to put your guesses as to how this battle is gonna go in a review, if you'd like. I wanna see what everyone is expecting! Spoiler alert: it's gonna get a little wild.