I'm back and I need to point out some changes. Don't groan, it's not like I did anything bad or did I? Never mind, I haven't an idea why I'm talking like this! Anyways, Raven's hat is going to be similar to Riley's hat but not exactly like it. I wanna be original here and Raven's character is going to play a huge part later on in the story. As for what he wears under that cloak of his, that's gonna have to wait…
A/N: Revised again. Believe me, I hate repeating this but this is for heads up to those who're reading this cuz they've forgotten what's happened.
Disclaimer: Jeez you Nintendo jerks! (Gomenasai Tajiri-sensei and Miyamoto-sensei; everyone else, leave me alone!) I don't own Pokemon, although I wish I did… -has a look of greed on his face- But I don't. Only the character's you've never seen in the Pokemon episodes that appear in here are rightfully mine. I came up with the ideas (some were inspired) and the others were originally mine. Wait, didn't I just say that? Bah, onto the story!
Viridian Fall
Chapter 3: Oak's Admonishment
The three entered the city of Viridian, as Ash and Misty stopped to take a rest. Raven just walked by them, not seeming tired, as he had walked all the way over here. But the pace at which he walked, it seemed like he was running almost.
"Okay, now we need to find Tracey."
"Tracey?" the man asked, turning to the boy. Misty explained to him.
"Tracey's a friend of ours. He's Prof. Oak's assistant and Prof. Oak asked us to come here to check up on him to see if he's okay."
Raven tipped his hat down, the brim hiding the left side of his face. "Well then, where is your friend?"
"He should be at a Pokemon Center nearby. If not then--"
Before Ash could finish his sentence, a man wearing a white suit and tie and black shirt bumped into him, knocking the boy down. The well-dressed man had blonde hair slightly longer that was tied down in a ponytail. His blue eyes looked down to see Ash, as he got down to his level. "I'm sorry, young man. Do you need a hand?"
"Nah, that's okay." Ash said, getting up. He stood back on his feet, dusting his clothes. The blonde haired gentleman appeared to be about Raven's age, he held a white suitcase in his right hand.
"Aah, yes, I have a meeting to attend. Hmm, what have we here?" he said, walking past Ash, towards Misty. "Hello, aren't you a charming lady? May I ask for your name?" he asked, kissing her hand the gentlemanly way. Misty felt the kiss and she felt really abashed by his gentleness.
"U-Umm…M-Misty!" she stammered. The blonde man felt someone tapping his shoulder.
"Eh hem. Just who do you think you are?" Ash spoke up from behind. The man turned to look at him with a sheepish grin.
"Oh, I didn't know she was your sweetheart?" he said, referring to the two teens as they completely reddened. Raven, whom was new to the two still, looked at them stoically.
"What's wrong?" he asked, looking as if he were more interested in the fly buzzing around than their truly embarrassed faces.
They laughed off what the blonde man said nervously. "Ahahahaha, no, w-we're just best friends, r-right M-Misty?"
"Y-Yeah, th-the best of f-f-friends!" she exclaimed bashfully.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry. It's just you both seemed like you were already going steady?"
This only served to deepen their embarrassment. Raven was getting sick and tired of this man. He never did like him at all, not one bit. "If you're done humiliating people then I suggest you leave. After all, don't you have a meeting to get to?" he said in a cold tone.
The man looked at him suspiciously. Raven returned it with a glare. He turned to the teens. "I must leave now. Until we meet again, my young friends." he spoke, bowing gentlemanly. They didn't know what to think of him then.
When he walked past Raven, the dark haired cloaked man gave him dark narrow glare while the blonde man walked by, a dark smirk on his face. "……"
After that incident the three walked towards the Center. Ash turned to look at Raven, who seemed to be deep in thought while looking at Misty, the girl seemed somewhat perturbed from what had just happened. "Hey, Misty."
"Huh?"
"Something wrong?" he asked, worried about her expression. She nodded.
"Yeah. That man… There was something about him I didn't like when he kissed my hand."
"You mean other than his manners towards you?" Raven asked. The girl nodded. "We don't have time to stand around here. Aren't you both going to see your friend or not?"
The two teens quickly looked at each other then back at him. "You're right!"
When they arrived at the Center, they walked through the automatic doors to search for their friend. Ash went over to Nurse Joy. "Nurse Joy, have you seen our friend Tracey here?"
"Oh, Tracey? I think he's in his room sleeping?"
Ash and Misty's jaws dropped wide open. "HE'S WHAT!?" Raven closed them back up without even looking.
"Sleeping huh?"
Suddenly, footsteps came down as a more awake Tracey Sketchit appeared from the hallways. "Afternoon guys."
Ash walked over to him, Misty following him. The boy too was curious as to why the assistant never called back. "We thought something happened to you? Why didn't you call Prof. Oak?"
"Oh, uh…well, I guess, I kind of got tired and decided to rest here until Prof. Flowen came." as Misty's ears perked.
"Did you say Prof. Flowen…?"
"Oh, you're a fan of his, huh?" Ash asked, wondering what this person looks like?
"Prof. Flowen is a renowned Pokemon Professor of Water Pokemon. He gained recognition at the age of 11 for his unsurpassed scientific mind and is the son of the late scientific mind and renown explorer." Raven concluded. Tracey gave the man a confused look. Ash rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. Misty had stars in her eyes.
"Oh yeah, this is Raven. He saved us from Cassidy and Butch while we were on our way here." as the man took no notice of the thanks the boy was trying to convey to him. Tracey held out his hand.
"It's nice to meet you Raven."
"……"
Tracey pulled his hand away. "…Okay." He turned to his two friends. "I take it Prof. Oak was worried sick about me huh? Better go and call him back at the Lab."
The screen showed a view of the lab but the professor in question was no where to be found, instead, a boy with walnut colored hair answered it. "Uh…hello?"
"Eh? Wh-Who is this? What did you do with Prof. Oak!?" Tracey nearly shouted. The raven haired boy was looking at Ash with wide eyes.
"Y-You're--"
"Vincent, who is it?"
Prof. Oak walked onto the screen as the four watched him turn to the boy. "I'll handle it, Vincent."
"Prof. Oak, who's that?" Ash asked.
"Eh hem! It's me, remember? Jackson from New Bark Town in the Johto region."
"Oh yeah," as Ash moved Tracey out of the way. "How's it goin' Jackson?!" he said. The two boys were quickly becoming reacquainted while Raven rolled his eyes. Prof. Oak had enough of the two as he shoved Jackson aside.
"So Tracey," the Prof. said, getting his assistant's attention. "Have you delivered the package to Prof. Flowen?" he asked. The assistant suddenly froze. He had forgotten.
"Uh…you see, about that Prof. Oak…I uh…"
"Hmm? Oh hold on, I got another call, wait a moment now, Tracey." as the screen blacked out. The assistant had a look that seemed like he's dead-meat. Ash and Misty exchanged looks while Raven appeared to look bored.
"You don't think he'll find out…do you?" he asked his two friends. Ash grinned.
"Well, even if he did, I doubt Prof. Oak would be mad at you--"
"Provided if he didn't know that you were sleeping on the job!" Misty finished, giggling.
"How mad can the Prof. get at you for sleeping on the job? Hmm, quite mad I'm guessing." Raven said, joining in on the friendly bashing. The watcher looked at his two friends and the man.
"H-Hey! A little backup here!"
Suddenly the screen went back up, as Prof. Oak was now holding a book in his hand. This caused Tracey to pale. Ash and Misty wondered what was wrong. Tracey then muttered something about book, Oak, mad, disappointment, and scolding.
"P-P-Prof. Oak!"
The old researcher closed his book after marking the page. He looked at Tracey. "Now Tracey, do you remember why I said that this package was…urgent?"
"Aahahaha! R-Really Prof., I didn't mean to forget! See, I got to Viridian City but when I came to where Prof. Flowen was staying, I found out that he had not come yet. So I went back to the Center, waiting for a call but…"
"You got tired and fell asleep, resulting in your missing to meet him and deliver him the package?" the expert authority on Pokemon said, shocking the three teens.
"P-P-Prof. I-I-I can explain!"
"Listen Tracey! It is very vital that you deliver the package to Prof. Flowen. Only he can tell us the real meaning behind it."
"What's he talking about Tracey?" Ash asked.
"What's the it Prof. Oak is mentioning?" Misty asked.
"Actually, I don't know…" Tracey answered them.
"You will know once you've delivered the package to him. Now, may I speak to Ash for a minute?"
The Watcher turned to Ash and let him in front of the screen. "What is it Prof. Oak?"
"I've already let your mother know that you're already going on another journey."
"But…I'm still in Kanto and there's been no news about a League or Tournament at all since I've come back?"
Hearing this gave Misty hope. Normally Ash would go to another new region or something other related to his dream of becoming the Pokemon Master.
Ash then became confused. "What do you mean another journey?"
"Well, seeing as how my assistant, failed to deliver the package and Prof. Flowen loves to travel from place to place in the blink of an eye, I've taken the liberty of seeing to it that you, Misty, and…"
"Raven."
The old man nodded. "Escort Tracey to Saffron City. That is where Prof. Flowen is presently."
"Y-You mean, I still have to go!?" Tracey asked. Ash chuckled.
"Well whaddya know? Our next stop's Saffron City!"
"Be careful now. Things in Kanto have been quite hectic lately." the Prof. warned. Misty looked at him quizzically.
"Hectic?"
"Team Rocket are becoming more vicious and darker by the second. Raven," as the man looked at the old researcher. "As you are the oldest here now, can I trust that you will watch over the three of them? I've heard of your battling repertoire so I am asking you to protect them from Team Rocket should they attack you."
Raven, seeing no other option as he joined up with Ash on his own to observe the growing Master-to-be, nodded. "Very well then. Consider it granted. But since I will be babysitting…" as Ash gave him an annoyed look. "I demand payment on my part once I am done." he said, making a motion of a single finger waving back and forth. Misty gave him a suspicious look.
"Yes, I know what you are, Raven. I will have the money ready when you're done." as Raven pulled his hat over his eyes and allowed the three teens to see him.
"Now, I've spoken with Prof. Flowen recently and he will wait three weeks. Twenty-one days only, no more, no less. If you miss him, he will be in Lavender Town for a whole month though I'd rather you get to him in Saffron City. Should you miss him then…he will be in Sootopolis City in Hoenn."
Ash looked at the old professor. "Prof. Oak, what is it that's so important we deliver the package to Prof. Flowen?"
"¡ ES MUY IMPORTANTE! Ahem, excuse my Spanish. Now, quickly! It takes fifteen days to travel to Saffron City, provided you rest once a while on the road.
"Okay Prof. Oak, you can count on us!" Ash said excitedly. Misty stood behind him and patted his shoulder.
"Tell Mrs. Ketchum not to worry and that I'll take good care of Ashy here!" she said.
"Yes and I promise Prof. Oak, I'll come back as soon as I'm done to help you at the Lab."
The old man nodded, appreciating his promise, as the screen finally blacked out, not without some loud crashes and bangs from inside the lab. "MUK! STOP THAT THIS INSTANT!"
The three teens smiled nervously as Tracey put the phone down. He turned to his three companions. "Well, next stop--"
"Saffron City!" Ash said, jumping up in the air.
"Shssssssssh!"
"Ow!" he said, rubbing his head. The old mallet has returned.
"You heard Nurse Joy, keep your voice down!" she hissed.
The two teens started to argue, while Tracey did his best to play the mediator in Brock's place. Raven sighed. "How did I get into this mess again?"
"PIKACHUUUUUUUUUUU!"
The next second, Ash and Misty were fried to a crisp, as Azurill squealed happily from the floor. "(Cool! Cool!)"
"( Chaaa! I guess some things NEVER change?)"
In walked the elite Rocket Duo, Cassidy and Butch. They stood in the office of the notorious Team Rocket Leader, Giovanni. He was sitting in his usual chair, his back to them. "Let me guess…you both were done in by those two twerps as you call them?" he asked, not facing them still. Cassidy walked over to the desk, staying about a foot away, Butch too.
"It's not like that Boss. Someone else meddled in our affairs." as this caught Giovanni's attention but he did not turn still.
"Humor me, Cassidy."
"Well, I… You see…"
"This man wearing a black cloak and crimson hat appeared and defeated us!" Butch exclaimed. Giovanni quickly spun his chair to face them.
"What did you say?" he asked, interested now. "Black cloak, crimson hat…?" as the thought struck him. "Crimson hat… Hmm…" as he began to chuckle to himself.
"Uh, Boss, are you feeling well?"
Giovanni petted his pet Pokemon Persian as he placed his elbows on the table, his chin resting on top of his interlocked fingers while looking up at them. He ceased his soon-to-be diabolical laughter before looking back up at them. "I want you to continue following those two. Study them, find out what Pokemon they have, and find out their one weakness…"
That was when the two turned to each other with a knowing grin. "Well…we do know something about those two…something very…amusing…" they said in a pleased manner.
Giovanni grinned darkly. "I trust it has something to do with more than their…friendship?" he said, as the two nodded. Giovanni grinned. They had told him evidence, which he trusted because the never lied to him being his most loyal subjects, that the two had something going on between them than just friendship. But then Giovanni's thoughts went to Ash. Ash, the boy that had always stood in the way of Team Rocket's dreams from the day he had begun his journey.
"This boy is truly a gifted, skilled, and courageous Trainer." as he looked up at them. "He must be eliminated at all costs."
They understood, bowing to him before leaving the room. When the doors were closed, and Giovanni was certain they were gone, he stood up and had his back to the door. He was petting his Persian with a grace that seemed befitting of a good-hearted king but this was no good-hearted king. "Purrrrr…"
"Yes Persian, we will get him. That boy…he is unlike any I have ever seen yet I have not to meet him. He would make a fine Team Rocket member," as he continued petting the huge mountain lion-like Pokemon. His eyes twinkled with malice.
"But should he refuse to join me…" as his expression grew into an evil grin. He didn't need to finish. He soon began to laugh darkly, which soon became a bellow and the bellow became a malevolent laughter that echoed throughout the building and the area surrounding it…
---
Okay, so I might've went a little nuts on Giovanni's character but he was the perfect villain for my story. Now if you ask me, I tried to keep Giovanni into character but in the end, this came up.
That's right! Ash, Misty, and Tracey are back (the Orange Islands group!) with a new companion, Raven. Some of you may think Raven may seem harsh but every character has a story as to why they're like that (Funny how we've never known about Tracey's story?) and I made Raven like that for a reason. He'll develop in time and is my main OC character whom will develop a kind of bond with Ash as the chapters roll. As for Ash and Misty, I want to keep those two in their usual way but have their relationship develop slowly, like a flower that blossoms beautifully in the spring.
I promise that chapter 4 will be good, I'm working on it right now as you're reading it! It might be long, as the ideas I've put for the summary of it are numerous.
A/N: Revisions, revisions, revisions. It was just after reading this again, I realized that they're going to have to travel to Saffron City in twenty-one days! XD; Well, here's what I finally realized: I had nothing to keep track of the days so starting from the next chapter, I will mark the days until arrival. This isn't going to be some 24 with the timer ticking every time though --; And I don't even know if it takes fifteen days to get to Saffron City from Viridian City but this is fan fiction, I just come up with stuff as I go. Oh, I've edited out a part in the dialogue about Flowen's brief history. I have a reason. Interesting, I've repeated revisions twice? And I've just noticed this too?