Chapter Three

Ash collapsed on his knees.

"Why," Ash thought," Why didn't he take my pokemon?"

"Ash, are you okay?" shouted a familiar voice from behind him.

Ash turned around and saw running towards him were Misty and Brock. He stood up.

"I lost, Team Rocket-," started Ash but was interrupted by Misty.

"We know," said Misty," We saw the helicopter, we better go back to Viridian City and let the.. Officer Jenny know that Team Rocket stole your pokemon!"

"..Officer.. Jenny ," said Brock in a trance," Always standing up.. For Justice."

"Wait, guys!" said Ash," Team Rocket didn't steal my pokemon, that's why I am so confused."

"What!?" shouted Misty and Brock.

"That's right, and I didn't battle any Rocket," said Ash," But the leader of the whole organisation. And what's even more confusing is, he knew my name.."

Brock and Misty looked at each other.

"Wow, that is weird," agreed Misty," Why did you even battle him in the first place?"

Images of seeing Ho-Oh on his very first day of training filled Ash's mind.

"Ho-Oh!" shouted Ash," He's going to try and capture Ho-Oh, the legendary pokemon! We've got to stop him."

Ash started running.

Brock ran and caught up to him and grabbed his arm to stop him," Wait Ash,' said Brock," We've got to go and notify the authorities, they'll handle it. Besides, there's nothing we can do!"

Ash struggled against Brock's strong grip but eventually gave in and fell to the ground.

"Ho-Oh?" asked a confused Officer Jenny.

They were at the Police Station in Viridian City, which was the biggest Police Station in the whole Kanto region; this was because Viridian City had the highest crime rate in all of Kanto. Crime caused by Team Rocket. Why Viridian City, because this is where the evil organisation's leader, Giovanni resides.

"Ho-Oh is a legendary pokemon," said Misty.

Officer Jenny shook her head.

"Look, I have no time for jokes kids, we are so close to finally ending Team Rocket once and for all," she said.

"It isn't a joke!" shouted Ash.

"Well I haven't ever heard of Ho-Oh before, or seen it, how do I know you're not making it up?" asked Officer Jenny, with a hint of anger in her voice," I mean you's haven't even seen 'Ho-Oh' before."

Ash gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"It's true," said Ash quietly," I... I've seen Ho-Oh before.. On my very first day of training."

Pikachu jumped up and down nodding," Pika, Pika!"

"Pikachu saw Ho-Oh too," said Ash.

Officer Jenny sighed.

"Look, like I said there's not enough evidence to prove anything," she said," I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do."

She walked away. Ash again defeated looked down at the ground and held back his tears.

"Don't worry Ash," said Misty patting him on the back," Hey, we believe you."

Ash still didn't look up.

'Yeah," agreed Brock," And I'm sure someone out there will believe us."

Ash looked up," Wait, I know someone that will believe us! And what's more, we already know them!"

"Who!" asked Brock and Misty.

"Professor Oak," said Ash, knocking at the Professor's front door," Open up, it's an emergency."

Soon the door opened. Standing in the doorway was Professor Oak. He was wearing his usual red T-Shirt with light brown pants. Over them both was his white lab coat.

"What's wrong Ash?" asked Professor Oak," No need to knock my door down and shout, it's not like I'm deaf."

"Sorry sir," said Ash tuning his head to the side and blushing a bit.

"Now why are you here?" asked Prof. Oak again.

"Ho-Oh is in danger." said Ash.

"Ho-Oh?" asked Prof. Oak," Wait, before you go out blurting the story here come inside."

They soon found themselves standing in Prof. Oak's cosy living room. This room was full of little Pokemon ornaments, and bookshelves full of books on Pokemon. On the left there was a large television against the wall. On the opposite wall there was a fireplace. On the shelf above the fireplace were photographs of Professor Oak and his friends. Ash was in most of the photos.

Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu all sat down on one couch while Prof. Oak sat down on the opposite them.

"Ash," started Prof. Oak," You must have been mistaken; Team Rocket must have been talking about another pokemon."

"No I wasn't Professor!" shouted Ash," I know what I heard, and he said that 'Before midnight, Ho-Oh will be his'."

"Who is he?" asked Prof. Oak.

"The leader of Team Rocket," said Ash gritting his teeth.

"Did he see you?" asked Prof. Oak with a slight tone of boredom in his voice.

"Yes," said Ash, he looked at the floor," And he battled me and... I lost."

"C'mon Ash," shouted Misty," There are more important things right now then you losing a match!"

"I never said that it was more important then anything!" shouted Ash back, he stood up.

"Misty stood up," True you didn't but I know you were thinking it!" she said.

"Oh yeah?" shouted Ash.

"Yeah!" yelled Misty.

"That's enough!" shouted Brock, but the ignored him.

"It's always got to be about you hasn't it Ash?" yelled Misty.

"Ash, Misty," said Prof. Oak," That's enough, I'm sure you can work something-"

But he was cut off by Ash.

"Me?" shouted Ash," No, don't you mean you."

Pikachu looked back and forth at both of them fighting and zapped them both with a thunder shock. However Pikachu accidentally also got Prof. Oak and Brock.

"Not...us..too!" managed Prof. Oak while being electrocuted.

Pikachu immediately stopped when it heard this and blushed.

"Look," said Prof. Oak," I just, am.. finding it hard to get my head around things.. But if this was true, the person who wants to catch Ho-Oh must have the three Legendary Dogs in their possession. They are Suicune, Raikou and Entei.

"Now Team Rocket said that by Midnight, Ho-Oh will be theirs right?"

Ash, Misty, Brock and even Pikachu nodded.

"Well," said Prof. Oak," If they already had the three Legendary Dogs, they would of already got Ho-oh but.."

Prof. Oak looked at Ash. Ash understood and nodded.

"They don't have all three Legendary Dogs," said Ash," They're missing one, and we are gonna beat Team Rocket to it!"