. . . One Year Later . . .
Beep Beep.
Deep under the covers, Willow groaned, gripping the covers tightly over her head. All she wanted to do was sleep; could they at least understand that?
In the past year, it had felt like she had lived in the training room, with the likes of Jackie yelling at her, correcting her every move. The first three months had been rough; what with Jackie arriving at her dorm room at five in the morning, demanding that she get up for training. Then, until lunch they'd do field exercises and then they'd move onto reaction times.
Without a doubt, the blonde knew how to get under her skin.
After four months of eating and sleeping training, Jackie finally ended up being called upon by Misha. Not long after that, he ended up going to the Kanto Region to find some Underwater Temple or whatever. In replacement, she ended up with Breydon.
"Whoa, Willow, you're here early," Breydon said one morning, pushing the door open. "It's eight am . . . how long . . .?"
"Since five," she shrugged, pushing her bangs back.
Breydon blinked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he crossed the room. He watched as the red head grabbed her water bottle, sitting down on the tabletop, ponytail swaying behind her. "I'm guessing that you had the infamous Jackie Walker training you, huh?"
"How'd you guess?" Willow quipped, tightening her ponytail.
"He trained me like that too; he's like that with everyone. But, getting up at five when you don't have too," he let out a whistle. "Talk about dedication."
Willow nodded idly, a smirk on her features. "Well, I have to have some kind of edge, you know."
Breydon let out a laugh, leaning against the pole behind him. "I suppose that you're right though. Misha Varsa is one tough lady to try and impress. Now, tell me what have you and Jackie been up to in here?"
With a majority of field exercise routines and reaction times under her belt, Breydon had managed to convince Misha to let them head out to Fiore, twenty minutes away for some hands on training.
The first couple of days they made use of her Goldeen by doing some water exercises. Breydon wasn't surprised with her ability in the water as she worked seamlessly with her Goldeen. It was as if this was something she had done more then enough times . . .
After a few days, they moved on from Water Pokémon and onto the likes of Grass, Flying and Rock. She didn't do half bad with them, but she had a hard time communicating with the Rhyhorn. As for Fire and Psychic, they just didn't seem to mesh well with the red head.
"Morning Willow," Breydon called every morning, hardly surprised to see the red head already in the training room, waiting. "Come on, get over here," he said, months later, waving her over. "Misha wants to see you."
"Miss. Varsa?" Willow said, jogging over to the brunette, who ushered her quickly out the door. "What would she . . .?" she paused, noticing the slight smirk on Breydon's features. "Scratch that, what's on your mind?"
Breydon only shook his head, remaining quiet for once, as he led her down the winding corridors. She watched him warily out of the corner of her eye, taking in a breath as they stopped before Misha's door minutes later; her name and rank written on the door.
"Should we kno–"
Breydon shook his head, reaching past her and turning the doorknob. "Misha – I brought her."
The brunette glanced up over her glasses, nodding at the empty chairs opposite her desk. Breydon let out a muted laugh as he ushered Willow forward as Misha glanced back at her computer screen, fingers flying across the keyboard.
"I see what you mean. That does seem very strange, Officer Jenny. Yes, I'll contact you with the details shortly . . . yes, they just arrived. Yes, yes, I understand your predicament. Goodbye."
Willow raised an eyebrow at Misha's conversation – shouldn't she be holding a phone? – watching the brunette as she sat in one of the seats offered to her. She glanced at Breydon, who didn't seem concerned, before looking back at Misha. Narrowing her eyes, she watched as Misha pushed her long hair back, the silver of her Bluetooth catching the light overhead.
"Now then," Misha said loudly, swiveling her chair around to face Willow and Breydon. "I'm sure you're wondering why you were brought here. Since you've been here, I've been watching you closely, Willow Montgomery. From the reports that I've received from both Jackie and Breydon, I have come to the conclusion that you do indeed meet the set requirements. So, should you wish it, I would like to offer you a position within our ranks."
Willow blinked, taking in what Misha had just told her. She thought idly that she must have an odd expression on her face. Shaking her head after a moment, she glanced momentarily at Breydon, who had a look of knowing on his face, before glancing back to Misha. The brunette was glancing over her glasses at her as she leaned back in her chairs, waiting patiently.
"I would like that very much," Willow said slowly, nodding. "I . . . I don't know what to say."
"Yes will suffice," Misha said, turning back to her computer screen, a sound emitting from her speakers. "Now, you will have to make your way up to earning solo missions, you're not anywhere near that level. As you may have noticed, Officer Jenny just –"
"What's wrong?" Breydon interrupted, suddenly sitting up straight, looking alert or worried, Willow couldn't tell. "Is something –" he broke off as Misha held up her hand.
"That was Officer Jenny from Larousse Town in the Hoenn Region; it seems that something has gone wrong and the citizens have been evacuated and a force field has been erected around the town. Rumor has it that two Pokémon and a handful of citizens have been locked within. You and Breydon have actually arrived at the right moment, how would you like this to be your first mission? Breydon doesn't mind your company and you would get first hand experience immediately."
Willow nodded, overwhelmed. "Yes ma'am, I would be honored to go. Thank you."
Misha nodded, waving the comment aside. "Thank me when you return, Willow; you'll know if you like it then. Breydon, you know what to do. You will leave immediately, go and pack your things. I will inform Officer Jenny that you are on your way. Good luck and return soon."
Breydon and Willow nodded, sensing the dismissal.
"Oh and Breydon," she said as Willow disappeared out the door. "Keep an eye on her, alright? We don't want any accidents."
"Right," he replied, nodding. "We'll be seeing you then."
Pushing the covers back as the beeping got louder – and more irritating in her opinion – she glared at the item on her nightstand. Narrowing her eyes as she grumbled to herself, she snatched it up off the nightstand, silencing the alarm with the touch of a button. Sighing as silence engulfed the room, Willow pushed herself up into a sitting position, leaning against the headboard. She turned the communicator over in her hands, of course it would have an alarm on it, she propped it against her knees, frowning.
She remembered how happy she was when she had first received it and since then, it had lost its shine and the screen had a few nicks in it from previous run ins.
"I just got back three days ago with Marina, what could be wrong now?" she mumbled to herself.
Lately, it had seemed that there were so many incidents with either hurt or confused Pokémon and not enough Rangers to get the jobs done. She wished Solona had told her this at the beginning. In the last two months, if she had ten days off, she was doing well. As to date, her most interesting adventure was when she and Solona had been set to Almos Town in the Sinnoh Region to help solve the mystery of Darkrai only to end up with the town shrinking around them. That had been interesting.
"Now, what do we have here?" she mumbled, touching the flashing envelope in the top corner. "Breaks over, report to my office immediately. I have a new case for you." Willow read out, her voice monotone, her smile turning into a frown.
It was just like Misha Varsa to be blunt in her messages. Placing the communicator on her messy bed, she hurried over to the closet, pulling out her all too familiar Ranger outfit. "So much for a few days off," she said, tossing them on her bed.
###
"Ahh . . . I can't wait till tomorrow!" Duplica complained, pushing her textbook across the table, away from her. "Thank God we only have Professor's Poplar and Maple's tests left," she stretched out, a grin on her features. "They won't be too bad."
"You're lucky," Anabel said with a sigh, pushing her purple hair back. "I would do anything to redo Poplar's test. Having to survive that Pokémon course for an hour and a half with your Pokémon? Kadabra and I had no problem with that, although we did cream Giselle and her Cubone though . . ."
"You would," Cole said with a laugh, pushing the psychic trainer. "She's so . . ." he shook her head.
"I know why you targeted Giselle," Duplica stage whispered, a smirk on her lips. "It's because of the incident at Spring Fling, right?" she let out a giggle at Anabel's face went red.
"I have Maple too," Cole said, oblivious to Duplica's words. "It's a waste of time though, if you ask me. I don't need quadratic equations and algebra in real life."
"You have to pass!" Anabel spoke up loudly, glaring at them. "Or else you'll have to stay here all summer for the make up exams! Who wants to spend all summer doing that?" she grumbled, curling her nose up.
"You sound like Duplica, Ana," Cole chided, winking at her.
"Well, even I like my summer to be school free," Anabel said, tossing her math book in Cole's direction, scooting closer to him. "Who wants to stay here, anyway? I'll help you study, we've got all night."
"Well . . . Erika's coming at nine," he interrupted, sheepishly.
"We can just call her and tell her we're going to pull an all nighter!"
"You'd like that," Duplica smirked, earning a glare from Anabel. "Anyway, we'll have to head out and celebrate when the exams are all over."
"Yes, definitely," Anabel said, nodding rapidly, before glaring at Cole. "See, this is why you have to pass Maple's class. Otherwise, Duplica and I will just have to go without you. What do you want to do afterwards, anyway?" she asked, turning her attention to Duplica.
"I vote for the Arcade."
"Ugh, you're such a guy, Cole!" Duplica commented, rolling her eyes. "Let's go to the movies at the very least, it would be fun."
"Oh! That new Wigglytuff movie's out tomorrow, we should go!" Anabel said, grinning.
Cole wrinkled up his nose, glancing between the two girls, each talking at the same time. "If this is another one of those romantic movies . . . being the only guy in the theatre is not cool."
"You said you didn't mind it," Anabel laughed, nudging him. "Go and call Erika, there's an extra sleeping bag in the closet you can borrow."
Cole nodded, smiling at Anabel as she shooed him away with her hand. Shaking his head, he pushed himself up off of the floor, the floorboards creaking underfoot as he moved across the room. Duplica watched him go with narrowed eyes, before turning her attention to Anabel as she leaned across the table.
"You're starting to make me feel like a third wheel here, you know," she said with a laugh. "So, when can I come and visit you this summer? Make sure your sister knows I'm coming this time . . ."
The last time she had gone over to Anabel's home in Saffron City, her elder sister Sabrina had answered the door. Having never met the girl, she was intimidated by her haunted expression, the older girl barring her entrance, claiming that Anabel wasn't home. To which, she sat on the picturesque porch for the next two hours waiting for Anabel.
"Yeah . . . she never even told me you were out there. I was wondering where you were after a while. If only you had a Pokegear, it would have been much simpler," Anabel said dramatically, shaking her head. "But, Sabrina and I never see eye to eye about anything! She's been spending a lot of time at her Gym lately though, so it shouldn't be a problem."
Duplica nodded, flipping her pigtails back. "Can you imagine Cole meeting Sabrina? She'd probably scare the daylights out of him," she let out a small laugh. "Hey . . . what's with the face?"
Anabel frowned, placing her chin in her palms, staring blankly at the table. "He's not coming. Cole can't come and visit this summer."
"Why not?" Duplica demanded, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, you guys are dating – it's been eight months! Don't tell me he's chickening out, Erika would totally say yes! Unless," she shook her head. "Is there . . . someone else?"
Anabel shook her head, glaring at Duplica. "NO! No, there's no one else!" she said loudly, her expression fierce. "I asked him to come and visit me, but he doesn't think that he'll be back much before school restarts. See, he got really into Professor Pine and Blossom's classes about Pokémon knowledge and technology and he wants to spend the summer doing some field research watching and observing Pokémon."
Duplica shrugged, rolling her eyes. "So, he's going to spend the summer traipsing around Kanto, hello! Why don't you ask to go with him? Besides, if he's going through Kanto, that means he'll have to come close to Saffron City! Man, boys can be dense – he can come and see you then . . ."
Anabel shook her head, hiding her laughter behind her hands. "Don't you think I've thought of that? But, Erika agreed to send him to Hoenn for the summer; he wants to see the Regional Pokémon there. Apparently, Erika's already been in contact with Professor Birch. She's asked Birch to keep in contact with Cole throughout the summer, to see how he's doing. Erika really cares for him even though they're not related. I was talking to Erika a couple days ago; she thinks that this journey might actually help him. Well, you know that he has no memories of the past and Erika wonders if this might be beneficial to him, going off on his own like this. It might bring back some of his memories . . ." Anabel closed her eyes momentarily, biting down on her bottom lip. "I hate to say it, I worry about that, what if he remembers and leaves. Or, if there was another girl . . ."
"Stop that," Duplica said, leaning across the table, her eyes narrowed. "Cole loves you. That fact that he doesn't remember doesn't change who he is, Ana. Besides, honestly, can you see Cole with anyone else? It took him almost four months to ask you out, remembering him stumbling over his words? Come on, you even had to ask him 'are you asking me out? So yes, I doubt there is another girl in the picture. Your personality doesn't change if you don't remember something."
Anabel nodded slowly, smiling. "Just don't get him started on his journey – he'll talk forever about it!"
Duplica laughed, casting a sideways glance at Cole, his back to them as he talked into the phone. "Boys . . . they're all strange! I'm just going to stick to my Ditto and my soon-to-be Imitate House. I don't need some guy following me around."
Anabel laughed, that was Duplica for you. The blue haired girl wanted to do everything on her own. "Sometime, I honestly feel the same, Duplica." she mumbled quietly as Cole said his goodbye's, hanging up the phone. "Boys."
Duplica let out a laugh, flopping down to lie on the floor. "So Cole, what'd Erika say?"
"Ha, she said that I better make sure that I pass Maple's class with at least a B. I'm so dead, I really have to hit the books now . . ."
"See, I was right. But, no, you wouldn't listen to me. Keep slacking off on your homework and you'll be doomed at exams? But did you listen to me? Nope – so hit those books!" Duplica commanded, pointing at the books.
"Yeah, right," Cole said, bringing the textbook closer to him, motioning Anabel over. "And same goes for you, you're not much better then I am either."
Duplica scowled, bringing her textbooks closet to her. "Whatever Cole, you know that Ditto and I can take anyone down! We'll get an A for sure in Poplar's class, that'll make up for any screw up in Maple's. So you and your Aipom better watch out, you might be my target . . ."
Cole glared at her, rolling his eyes.
"Oh, you two better pass," Anabel threatened, playfully shoving Cole while narrowing her eyes at Duplica. "Celebrating passing on my own is going to be no fun!"
###
He was an instant hit.
Under the watchful eyes of Alvin – who constantly seemed to be looking for him to mess up – Brock had made his mark on the Alavanti Ship. He knew that Alvin scoffed and rejected his presence behind his back, claiming that the brown haired teen wouldn't make it past Johto.
Knowing this, Brock had picked out his two best recipes from his notebook and after two dishes, he had gained his passage. The customers adored the new dishes, glad for the change, giving it high praise.
Much to Alvin's dismay, the captain approached Brock three days into the journey to Johto, stating that Brock had gained his passage on the Alavanti. With the prestige chef's outfit that was given to him, Brock's old clothes, a majority from stores in Hutber Port, found themselves in the back of his closet. After a while, he forgot that they were there, picking up new clothes along the portside towns with his large paychecks.
The ship made good time to Olivine City in the Johto Region, spending a week in the city taking in the beach and the sights the city had to offer. A week after docking, the ship moved on through the rest of the Johto Region before returning to Kanto, the cruise ending in Cinnabar Island seven months later.
Given a two months vacation after seven months at sea, Brock had decided to spend his time sightseeing. The first thing he wanted to do was check out the Seafoam Islands – it was supposed to be the hotspot for the summer. He tried, and failed, to learn how to wind surf. He spent most of the time falling into the water, it seemed. After a while, he eventually gave up deciding to simply lounge on the beach, admiring the girls that walked by. After checking out the local tours the town had to offer, he found himself back in Cinnabar Island before he knew it. He'd heard nothing but great things about the Ancient Pokémon Museum.
Halfway through his vacation, while training his newly caught Lotad on the Islands' beach, he overheard the other trainers discussing this year's ongoing Pokémon League Championships, betting on who would be the winning trainer. He'd seen the events on television a couple times, but he wasn't much of a television junkie so he never paid it much attention.
"I'm telling you!" One girl said loudly, grooming her Clefairy on the boardwalk's ledge. "That Gary Oak, he's definitely going to win! Did you see his Nidoking in action? He's got his bases covered."
"Please," the boy beside her grumbled, rolling his eyes. "You're only saying that because you think he's cute."
The girl shrugged, patting her Clefairy's head, obviously done. "Say what you want, but he's going to be the Master," she said, grabbing her bag. "Can you imagine him battling with the likes of Lance and the others of the Elite Four? That would be so . . ." she shook her head, speechless.
That night, out of curiosity, Brock turned on his television in the four star hotel, tuning into the Pokémon Tournament at Indigo Plateau. He found himself intrigued in the battles waging on the four different fields, the video sparking some memories that he'd long forgotten . . .
"How on earth do you plan on becoming a Pokémon Master?" Brock asked, frowning as he unrolled his sleeping bag for the fifth night in a row. "You're the only trainer from - that only has three Pokémon to his name."
The teen opposite him scowled in his direction, his face blurred. "I know that I can do it, I've got it under control. You don't have to worry Brocko. All you need is a strategy to –"
"Please, and you have neither," a girls' voice said, glaring at the two. "Honestly, where would you be without us?"
Gary Oak . . . why did that name seem so familiar?
It wasn't long after that, that Gary lost in the matches, inches away from the semi-finals.
Brock couldn't explain it as he watched the regional tournament unfold on the small screen, but something was stirring in his memory.
The Pokémon League . . . Indigo Plateau . . .
There was something there, nagging in the back of his mind.
If only he could put his finger on it.
The next week, however, before he could sit down and figure out the thoughts chasing each other around in his head – and if it connected to his forgotten memories – he found himself boarding the Alavanti once again. Making his way down the familiar corridors, he pushed the thoughts away, having to concentrate on preparing the new delicacies for their journey through Sinnoh and the arrival of new passengers.
###
Three months later, Brock found himself in Canalave City, the cruise ship having decided to dock in the seaside town for a few days to take in historical sights. With daily cruises to the Iron Islands happening, tours of the Museum taking place every hour, the city had many things to offer.
When he wasn't scheduled to be in the ships' kitchen, Brock found himself in the large three story library situated in the middle of town; pen in hand, papers littering the desks' surface.
His notebook had been empty on the first day, a puzzled look on his face as he entered the massive library. Frowning slightly as he moved around, looking at everything, skimming through the immense index catalog the library had.
By the end of the first day, the first few pages had been filled with his scrawl, some lines completely scratched out. He had tried to describe the two figures from his memories, trying to recall as much detail as possible – besides their hair colour.
He wrote down what came to find while he was watching the Regional Pokémon Tournament on television, but he still couldn't make heads of tails of it all.
The next few days, he'd started looking through the books on the second and third floors. He looked through the Index Catalog for both floors, trying to locate any books written on current events of the past year. Hours later, he'd still come up with nothing, which annoyed him to no end.
On the fourth day, he never made it near the library, having been cornered and pressured by some of his colleagues on the cruise liner to join them on the local boat to the Iron Islands. He didn't let his annoyance show as they boarded the tourist book – the others making sure that he joined them – his friends' teasing him about his sudden change of personality, his nose always in a book nowadays.
The fifth day, Brock tossed his pen and notepad into his messenger bag – telling himself that today would be the day – that today he would find what he was looking for. Throwing on his windbreaker, he grabbed his bag as he went, locking his cabin door behind him.
He couldn't explain it, but he could feel that something was going to happen.
Lost in his own thoughts as he adjusted the strap on his messenger bag, he walked quickly down the familiar hallway, the carpet muting his footsteps. He was eager to get to the library, as he only had two more days left before the cruise liner pulled out, heading towards the ever-snowy Snowpoint City.
"So, tell me, are you off to the library again?"
Brock jumped out of his thoughts, the voice breaking through his concentration. Brown eyes glanced around the corridor, his hand automatically gripping his bag as he came to a stop a few feet away from the door leading to the pier.
His eyes fell on his quarry, a dark haired girl, her bangs falling into her eyes, was sitting on the bench beside the door, her sharp eyes staring intently at him. She grinned cheekily at him as she gave a small wave before pushing herself effortlessly off the bench. Crossing her arms over her chest without another word to him, she seemed to move towards him, coming to a stop in front of the open door. The sea breeze rustled her hair slightly and Brock couldn't miss the smirk apparent on her features.
Just who is this girl? he thought to himself, frowning inwardly.
"Lucy Harrison," she said bluntly as if she read his thoughts, holding her hand out. "And you are?"
Okay, so maybe she couldn't read his mind.
"Brock," he said, moving to one side, hoping to sidestep the girl. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Lucy nodded with a frown, her hand dropping back to her side. Shaking her head to dispel her thoughts, she clasped her hands behind her back, taking one step to the right as well. She forced down the smirk wanting to appear on her lips as Brock paused, narrowing his eyes at her.
"You didn't answer my question, Brock. Are you heading to the library again? You must be quiet the bookworm." She giggled as Brock moved around her.
Brock raised an eyebrow, pausing momentarily. Sighing slightly, he glanced over his shoulder, the dark girl's back to him. "How do you –"
"I've seen you," she said with a shrug, turning around on her heel. "You're not very friendly, I'll have you know. You seem to be so into your work, you forget to look at what's around you. So, I might have seen you a couple times around then, the City's not that big," she said, nonchalant. "You must be looking for something, this is the first time this entire trip that I've seen you on the ship. Tell me though, what are you looking for?"
Brock closed his eyes momentarily as the dark haired girl followed after him. Their footsteps echoed off the metallic ramp connecting the ship to the pier making Brock roll his eyes. Just who was she? Couldn't she bother someone else? Shifting his bag around slightly, hoping she might get the hint that he was busy.
"Fine," he eventually said, halfway across the pier, the black haired girl keeping pace with him. "I'm looking for something I forgot a long time ago."
"Oh?" Lucy said, stretching her arms out before her. "What did you forget then? It must be really important if you're looking this hard."
"It's everything," Brock said grudgingly, not wishing to discuss it with some random girl. "Everything from a year ago . . . it's just gone."
"Huh, a year ago . . ." she frowned, shoving her hands into her pockets, glancing at the cobbled street underfoot. "Well, where are you from then?" she asked after a moment, her expression slightly puzzled. "I'm from Kanto. I'm known as the Pike Queen. I'm part of the Battle Frontier."
"The Battle Frontier?"
"It's more-or-less exactly the same as the other Gym's in Kanto, but the Battle Frontier is invitation only. We only want the best trainers, Scott's really good at it and he can pick them a mile away."
Pokémon Gyms . . . badges . . . it was right on the tip of his tongue.
Brock nodded, his footsteps slowing as he felt Lucy's piercing stare. "I'm from . . ." he shook his head, the words' invading him. "Kanto," he eventually said.
Lucy rolled her eyes, punching him lightly in the arm. "Kanto, you say? Fine then, be all mysterious like that, Mr. Brock," she said, trying to keep her expression serious. "Did you hear about the sinking of the St. Anne a year ago?" she asked, racking her brain for something to say, the library just up ahead. "They're holding a ceremony in Vermillion City on the weekend, I wish I could be there, I can't believe what –" Lucy paused midsentence, glancing over her shoulder as Brock wasn't standing beside her anymore.
A worried expression appeared on her face as she took in his look, many different expressions running across his face. "Hey, are you alright?"
Brock had stopped in the middle of the road, his eyes wide, and his expression next to impossible to read. "That was a . . ."
"Yeah, a year ago," Lucy said slowly taking a step towards him. "What about –"
"I got to go," Brock said quickly, shaking his head. Picking up his pace again, he pushed past Lucy, leaving her standing in the middle of the road, confusion on her features. "Thanks though," he yelled, clutching his messenger bag closer to him.
"Oh wow, a cruise ship! Imagine lounging on the deck all day, travelling the world in style."
"Look at all the Pokémon Trainers here . . ."
"If they think that they can take our Pokémon, we have to fight back."
"I think the ships' turned upside down, so that means the decks are below us and the hull is up above our heads."
"This isn't good . . . that's Gyardos's Dragon Rage!"
One after another, images were popping into his mind, everything . . . falling . . . into . . . place . . .
###
Willow stretched her arms out before her, trying to stifle a yawn. She really needed some more sleep. Shaking her head, Willow moved with purpose down the empty hallway, her cerulean eyes staring straight ahead. She pursed her lips together, her mind jumbled with thoughts as she approached the closed door at the end of the hall. Her ponytail bobbed behind her with each step, her pace slowing as she knocked soundly on the CEO's door.
"Come in," came the voice from inside.
"Miss. Varsa," Willow said, entering the room, her expression unreadable, closing the door soundlessly behind her. "I arrived as quickly as possible."
"Yes, thank you Willow," she said tiredly, smiling warmly at the red head.
Willow smiled back, her footsteps muted by the plush carpet as she crossed the room, sinking into the chair opposite the desk. The brunette CEO sitting behind the desk had seen better days in her opinion. Holding back a yawn as she fixed the glasses perched on her nose, the computer speakers sounded off behind her, making Misha let out a groan.
"Another email," she mumbled under her breath, bags under her eyes as she glanced over at the computer screen. "What is going on out there?" she muttered, scanning the email. "Could this have something to do with the sudden appearances of Dialga, Palkia and Giritina?"
"Ma'am?"
Willow rolled her eyes, had Miss. Varsa forgotten about her that quickly? She knew that there were a lot of things of the Pokémon Ranger's CEO's plate, but to call her this early in the morning?
This had better be important, Willow thought idly.
"Oh right, sorry Willow." Misha said, shaking her head, turning away from her screens. "I'm at my wits end lately as there seem to be so many problems cropping up. If this keeps up for much longer, I'll have to hire more employees. But with this budget . . . well, that's for me to worry about," she frowned. "Willow, I need you head out to Kanto as soon as possible for me."
". . . Kanto . . ." Wasn't she found halfway between there and Sinnoh?
"Yes," Misha said, unaware of the red head's thoughts. "I received an urgent email from Bill Adams; he's a highly renowned scientist, currently residing in a lighthouse located just outside of Cerulean City."
"C – Cerulean City?"
Why did that sound so familiar? Like something from the past . . .
"He's been trying to locate a Dragonite inhabiting the coastline, but it seems that members of Team Rocket have also heard about it as well. They have been combing the coast all week and Bill is worried about the welfare of the hiding Pokémon. However, he is unable to do anything about it on his own, what with his research taking up a majority of his time. It's taken me a week to get around to even addressing this issue," she shook her head, frowning. "Now, I know you haven't done many missions on your own yet, but I cannot ignore this any longer. At the moment, I don't have any experienced Ranger that I could send to remedy this situation. However, since this mission seems relatively simple, it would be a good starting point for your career here. It is very sudden but I know that you can handle this. The small boat for Kanto is currently getting prepared, so please make your way down to Garage C as you will be leaving immediately."
Willow nodded, sensing the dismissal in Misha's words. Picking herself up out of the chair, Willow crossed the room, pushing the door open. Glancing back as she closed the door behind her, she noticed Misha had turned around in her chair, speaking to someone through her Bluetooth device, her fingers typing rapidly on her keyboard.
As the office door closed behind her, Willow frowned, running a hand across her face, eyes closing.
Cerulean City . . . the name felt so familiar on her tongue.
"What's going on?" she mumbled, starting down the corridor. "Just . . . who are you?"
The blonde haired woman had appeared in her mind, flanked by the black haired teen – now with a red hat – and another with spiky brown hair. However, their faces were still blurred.
"What do you want from me?" she screamed as she rounded the corner, hands balled into fists, her thoughts muddled.
###
A/N –
It was time to flash forward one year in order to really get this story moving.
So, Ash has made his new life in Celadon City, attending the prestigious Pokémon Academy located there. He has made close friends in both Duplica and Anabel, the latter eventually becoming his girlfriend. Happy there, he tried to forget that he had forgotten stuff, but when the Christmas Vacation started, he realized he must have a family out there somewhere. Afterwards, he debated about whether or not he wanted to find his past. That led him to the decision to travel to Hoenn over the summer holidays to think and try to work through his thoughts.
Brock has made his home aboard the cruise ship Alavanti, travelling the world. He wants to know where he was before hand and what he has forgotten. He tries to research things when he's on vacation and has some time when docked in the different cities. Brock is very close to figuring out the truth.
Misty, on the other hand, has completely forgotten about it because of her busy schedule. She is so wrapped up in her world, that she rarely knows what is going on in the outside world – except things in regards to her job. She is also the furthest away from Kanto, what with Almia being in the farthest Northeast corner of the map.
With the Pokémon Academy that Ash is currently attending, it is the most famous school in the Kanto region, with high tuition prices and a high grade point average. With all the Professors, I decided to name them after different types of trees/plants, as that seems to be a theme with all the previous professors in the seasons.
Professor Cedar – English
Professor Poplar – Gym
Professor Maple – Math
Professor Evergreen – Science
Professor Pine – Pokémon Knowledge
Professor Blossom – Pokémon and Technology
Knowing the Professors for each subject isn't that important, as they are only mentioned in passing. This is just some extra information.
Till next time!