Hi everyone : ) I really don't know what happened with this chapter. One minute I'm really struggling to get started, and the next I'm getting out a couple of thousand words in one night : )
And oh my god! I can't believe it - we hit 500 reviews in the last chapter : ) I never dreamed when I started this that it would get so much support, so please keep it up everyone : )
Anyway, thank you for all the reviews the last chapter got, and please remember that Pokemon is not mine : )
I hope you enjoy this chapter : )
The League's New Decree
Misty swayed on the spot, furiously blinking back tears as her heart felt like it was turning to ice in her chest. Part of her was relieved when Ash hastily wiped at his eyes.
It meant she wasn't the only one finding this hard to deal with.
"He left..." Ash croaked in disbelief.
"He did what he thought was best" Misty reminded both Ash and herself of that important detail, "He had to do this. We both know that".
"I know... but..." Ash trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Misty shook her head.
"There's nothing we can do except what Brock would want us to do" she said grimly.
"And what's that?" Ash asked curiously.
"Carry on" was all Misty had to say.
Hours later, Ash and Misty were still crossing through the forest between Viridian City and Pallet Town. They trudged on in silence, neither really in the mood to talk considering they were both still trying to come to terms with Brock's abrupt departure.
Eventually though, the trees thinned out, and Misty was finally able to smile again when her best friend's face lit up with excitement.
That was one of the things she loved the most about Ash.
He might have a talent for annoying the life out of her, but he always had a way of making Misty smile. Seeing him getting excited about something was enough to take her mind of her troubles, and Misty was extremely grateful to him for that right now.
It wasn't a rare wild pokemon that was exciting Ash though.
It wasn't even the prospect of a tough battle to be had.
No - it was simply because they had arrived at the edge of the forest, and were looking down at the quaint little settlement known as Pallet Town.
"Home..." Ash sighed, happy for a distraction, before turning to his faithful partner, "Almost there Pikachu. We'll stop by and say hi to Mom, and then we'll go to Professor Oak's lab to see all our other pokemon friends. Sound good?"
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered excitedly.
"Misty?" he turned to his human friend for her agreement.
"Sounds like a plan" Misty forced the cheer into her voice.
"Toge" Togepi chirped happily from her arms.
They quickly resumed their walking, albeit with a faster pace now that their destination was in sight, and within twenty minutes the two humans and two pokemon were crossing the border into Pallet Town.
Misty looked around fondly at the small town she had visited many times over the past couple of years. Whilst it didn't hold as many memories for her as it did for Ash, she had still grown attached to the place, and felt almost a sense of relief to be back again.
Soon enough, the group arrived at the Ketchum Residence.
It looked the same as ever - well cared for and homely, with its beautiful garden which Mrs Ketchum and Mimey, her Mr Mime, had so lovingly nurtured.
With a huge grin on his face, Ash raced up the garden path, and knocked on the door.
Misty joined him on the front porch, waiting patiently for the door to be answered. Ash was hopping from foot to foot anxiously, eager to see his mother again.
"Coming!" a familiar female voice called from inside the house.
There was the sound of a key in the lock, and the door suddenly opened, revealing Mrs Ketchum standing in the doorway.
Her face lit up with excitement and she beamed when she took in who her visitors were.
"Ash!" she cried delightedly, "You're back! Welcome home!"
"Hi Mom" Ash couldn't help but grin.
Mrs Ketchum pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly.
Misty couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at this. In all the time she had known both Ash and his mother, she had never once seen them hug. Sometimes she had even wondered if Mrs Ketchum even missed her son when he wasn't at home, but it was obvious now that she did indeed miss Ash when he was gone.
Very much in fact by the looks of it.
"I'm glad to see you too Mom" Ash's muffled voice caught Misty's attention, "But you're suffocating me!"
"Oops!" Mrs Ketchum giggled as she pulled away, releasing Ash from the embrace, "Sorry about that. I'm just so glad you're back, Ash. And it's wonderful to see you too Misty, how's everything been going? Have you been keeping my little Ash in line?"
"Of course, you know me" Misty winked, whilst Ash looked somewhat put out by his mother's words, "Everything's been great Mrs Ketchum. How about you?"
"Oh I'm just fine dear, thank you for asking" Mrs Ketchum smiled, "And how are Pikachu and Togepi?"
"Pika!" Pikachu waved at her happily from Ash's shoulder.
"Toge!" Togepi smiled widely.
Mrs Ketchum smiled at the two pokemon, before she frowned thoughtfully, "Is Brock not with you?"
Both Ash's and Misty's smiles fell away immediately.
Misty closed her eyes, forcing some tears away before they could fall.
It had only been a matter of hours, but already the pain of losing one third of their travelling trio hurt them deeply to think about.
But Misty refused to cry over it. This was Brock's decision, and she had to respect that.
Mrs Ketchum caught the shift in their demeanours and looked concerned.
"Has something happened to Brock?" she asked worriedly, "Is he alright?"
"Yeah... he's okay Mom" Ash nodded solemnly, "He's gone".
"Gone?" Mrs Ketchum blinked.
"Home" Misty elaborated sadly, "It's kind of a long story".
"Oh, well in that case, come on in. I'll put the kettle on, and you can tell me the whole story over a nice cup of tea" Mrs Ketchum suggested, stepping aside to let them in.
Both nodding, Ash and Misty followed her into the house, and Mrs Ketchum shut the door.
Five minutes later, the three of them were sitting in Mrs Ketchum's charming living room, each holding a cup of tea, Mrs Ketchum listening intently whilst the two teenagers explained about Brock's reasoning for returning home to Pewter City.
"Oh, I see" Mrs Ketchum sighed once Ash and Misty had finished their story, "Well, it's a shame that the three of you won't get to travel together anymore, but it's good of Brock to help his younger brother out like that. He is an awfully kind and caring boy".
"Yeah... we've both going to miss him" Ash said sadly.
"Chin up, dear" Mrs Ketchum said bracingly, "Don't forget, you've still got one really good friend with you, one you cares about you deeply".
She gestured at Misty, who couldn't help but blush slightly.
"Of course" Ash chuckled, smiling at his best female friend, "I would never get anywhere without Misty".
"Too right" Misty grinned playfully.
Truth be told though, she really believed it to be the other way around. She simply couldn't imagine life without Ash anymore, and to be perfectly honest, she really didn't want to.
"And I've got Pikachu with me too. And all my other pokemon" Ash continued, his spirits brightening up again immediately, "So I'm never lonely".
"Good" Mrs Ketchum smiled upon hearing that, before a thoughtful expression overtook her face, "Speaking of your pokemon, I'm sort of surprised you came here first Ash. I thought you'd have rushed off straight to Professor Oak's laboratory to go see them all".
Ash gave her a sheepish smile.
"To tell you the truth Mom, I AM actually planning on doing that soon" he told her, "But I really wanted to come say hi to you first".
"Well I'm glad you did" Mrs Ketchum nodded, smiling, "It's so nice to have you both here again. Tell me, are you planning on staying for a while?"
"Sure am" Ash nodded, "I'm not sure for how long, but at least a couple of days".
"Good" Mrs Ketchum beamed, before turning to Misty, "And you're more than welcome to stay here too Misty. You can use the guest bedroom you stayed in last time".
"Thank you very much, Mrs Ketchum" Misty politely smiled, "I really appreciate it".
"Oh my, think nothing of it dear" Mrs Ketchum waved her gratitude aside, "It's lovely having you here".
"Thanks Mom" Ash smiled, pleased that his mother was always so welcoming towards his friends, "Do you want to come to the lab with us?"
"I'd love to" Mrs Ketchum nodded, eager to spend some more time with her son, "Let me just go tell Mimey. He's picking vegetables out in the back garden".
Mrs Ketchum left the living room to go tell Mimey that she was going out.
Two minutes later, Ash, Misty, and Mrs Ketchum were heading out the front door, and making their way towards Professor Oak's laboratory.
When they arrived at Professor Oak's laboratory, Professor Oak and Tracey greeted them in much the same way that Mrs Ketchum had; warmly and pleased to see them again. Immediately the Professor ushered his guests into the living quarters of the laboratory, and they were soon supplied with another cup of tea.
Misty was barely able to sit still from all the caffeine.
Like Mrs Ketchum, the Professor had quickly picked up on the fact that Brock was absent from their gathering, so once again Ash and Misty were forced to explain about his decision to become a mentor to his younger brother.
Misty really wished that it would stop coming up now.
It hadn't even been a day, yet the pain of losing Brock already felt so raw.
It was like a scab that was constantly being picked at.
Thankfully though, the Professor only nodded his understanding, and Tracey didn't really have much of an opinion on the matter, since he barely even knew Brock, having only met him the once.
The conversation then moved on to happier topics, such as Ash's performance at the Silver Conference, as well as some of their adventures in the Johto region.
Professor Oak in particular was eager to hear all about the pokemon they had encountered there. Some of them were rarely ever spotted in the Kanto region, so his excitement to hear more about them was quite understandable.
"Splendid, simply splendid" the Professor smiled as Misty finished telling him all about their encounter with a frozen Sunkern, and its eventual evolution into a Sunflora, "It's simply fascinating to hear about all this. I could listen to you both for hours. Sadly though, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about, and it isn't about pokemon".
"What is it Professor?" Misty said, a little surprised.
"I'm sorry to change the subject without much warning" Professor Oak apologised, "But there's a little matter that we need to attend to".
"There is?" Ash blinked.
"Yes" the Professor nodded, "No need to look so worried my boy, it's nothing bad. Tell me, have you heard anything about the new decree that the Pokemon League is imposing on all trainers, with immediate effect?"
"No I haven't" Ash shook his head, "What's a decee?"
"It's like a law" Misty explained to him, "You know, like a rule you have to follow. If the Pokemon League's issued one, we'll have to follow it or they could revoke our licenses to train pokemon".
"Can they really do that?!" Ash exclaimed, shocked.
"Yes, I'm afraid they do have the authority to remove a trainer's license" Professor Oak nodded.
"But why now?" Misty wanted to know.
"Well, one League season has just ended and another to due to begin" the Professor shrugged, "It makes sense for the League to impose this new law now before the new seasons starts".
Misty nodded, seeing the logic in that.
"So what is this new decree, Professor?" Mrs Ketchum asked, sipping her tea calmly, "I haven't heard about it either".
"I'll explain" Professor Oak assured them, before turning to Tracey, who sat up straighter in his seat, "But first, I'd appreciate it Tracey if you could go fetch that parcel that arrived this morning. I'll need it to do this properly".
"Of course Professor" Tracey nodded, standing up before leaving the room.
The others patiently waited in silence.
Several minutes later, Tracey returned, now carrying a large metal box that almost looked like a briefcase in his hands.
"Here it is Professor" Tracey placed the box on the table in the middle of the room.
"Thank you my boy" Professor Oak nodded gratefully.
The Professor then proceeded to clear his throat, before launching into his explanation.
"First, I'd like to ask you all a question" The Professor said, and Misty surpressed a smile at how 'teacher-like' he sounded, "Which of you can explain to me how travelling trainers currently make their money for supplies, food, and medicine and other essentials under the Pokemon League's regime?" he asked.
When none of the others spoke, Misty piped up.
"By doing odd jobs for either other trainers or citizens that live out in remote areas. By trading goods for money, although that's a little rarer. Gambling with other trainers on the outcome of pokemon battles..." she ticked off on her fingers.
"And would it be fair to say that all of those methods are rather unstable means of income?" Professor Oak probed.
"Sure" Ash agreed, nodding.
Misty could see the Professor's point as well. More times than she could count she and her friends had needed something from a Pokemart, only to have no money or not enough.
"Sometimes we've ran out of money, yeah" Misty slowly nodded.
"You and probably every other trainer that travels in not only this region, but all the other ones too" Professor Oak nodded importantly.
"So... the new decree had something to do with how trainers make their money?" Mrs Ketchum piped up.
"It does" Professor Oak nodded, "The Pokemon League has had numerous reports of... trainers meeting unpleasant... ends... due to not have the basic equipment they'd have if a proper currency system was in place".
"You mean they... died?" Tracey looked horrified.
"Unfortunately that is the case, yes" Professor Oak nodded grimly, "Some from accidents that could have been avoided. Some from starvation. Some from other means too".
"Oh, how dreadful" Mrs Ketchum looked aghast.
Ash eyed his mother nervously, worried that she might want him to give up his training now that she knew just how complicated and potentially dangerous it could be.
She didn't say anything else though, so Ash took that as a good sign.
Misty was thinking hard about what the Professor was telling them.
She knew how true his words were.
More than once she and her friends had gone without a meal for several more days than was healthy. Not to mention they'd ran out of pokeballs or potions and other essential equipment needed to be a Pokemon Trainer.
It was about time the League did more to support its trainers whilst out on the road.
"And so the League has been placed under enormous scrutiny from the media and the general public to do something about this problem" Professor Oak continued, "So for the past few months, the League Union had been making plans to introduce a new system that will hopefully ensure nothing so tragic happens again. About a week ago, the system was finally finished and it's now being implemented worldwide".
"A little too late if you ask me" Ash grumbled darkly.
Mrs Ketchum nodded in agreement.
She knew that she could never ask her son to stop travelling now that he'd already had a taste for the adventure of it, but she wished she'd known just how hard it could be for trainers some times.
If she had, she would have done more to help her son and his friends whilst they were out on the road.
"Can you tell us what this new system means for travelling trainers, Professor Oak?" Tracey politely requested.
"Of course" the Professor replied, "The Pokemon League issued a notice to every Regional Professor that they are to inform all their trainers of within the first two weeks of the new system being announced, i.e, two weeks from today".
"Your trainers?" Ash frowned in confusion.
"It means the trainers that I issued with their starter pokemon" Professor Oak elaborated, "You and Gary for example".
"But what about trainers like me?" Misty piped up, confused, "I never got a pokemon from a professor like most trainers. What about us?"
"For any trainer that wasn't started off on their journey by a professor, the Pokemon League will be sending emails and letters out to their last known addresses informing them of the change" Professor Oak assured her, "But since you're here, that won't be necessary in your case".
Misty nodded her understanding.
"So what does the notice say?" Tracey inquired.
Professor Oak took a slip of paper from the pocket of his lab coat and unfolded it. He cleared his throat before reading it aloud.
'Greetings all Pokemon Trainers.
This message comes directly from the Pokemon League. It is of vital importance and is not to be ignored.
Due to a number of incidents that have just recently been reported to us regarding the financial situations of travelling trainers, the Pokemon League has deployed its every resource into finding a solution that will benefit every pokemon trainer regardless of age, colour, gender, religion or class.
We are very pleased to report that we have finished setting up this new system that we hope will boost the economy within the training community.
From the date of receiving this notification, (You will be required to sign an acknowledgement form that will be kept in our achives in both paper and electronic format), it will be a crime not to wear your Balance Bracelet whilst conducting a Pokemon Battle'
"Balance Bracelet?" Misty interrupted, "What's a Balance Bracelet?"
"I don't wanna wear no bracelet" Ash exclaimed, looking embarrassed, "They're far too girly".
Misty could honestly agree with that.
She was hardly the girly type after all, and bracelets weren't really her thing.
"You won't have a choice Ash" Professor Oak regarded the boy sternly, "Not if you want to continue being a pokemon trainer. And in answer to your question Misty, the Balance Bracelet is the next item on the notice to be explained".
Misty nodded and fell silent, and Professor Oak continued reading.
'Your Balance Bracelet is a piece of hi-tech equipment developed by the Pokemon League's highly trained technicians that you will receive, free of charge, from the Regional Professor that is currently reading this announcement to you. Trainers may request to have their Balance Bracelet sent to their last known address but they must contact their local branch of the Pokemon League's Trainer Service Office for this service.
These bracelets are required by law to enter any Pokemon Tournament or Contest. If you cannot produce your Balance Bracelet on demand to an Officer Jenny whilst travelling, your Trainer License will be revoked and your pokemon will be taken into care until you either register for a Balance Bracelet or produce your own. You may also have to pay a fine. Those over the age of eighteen may also be arrested on charges of fraud and theft, as you will be stealing from any trainer that defeats you in battle.
We are sure by this point that you are confused as to how a bracelet ties into your financial situation. Simply, the Balance Bracelet acts as a security monitor that is linked to the new online banking system that the League has recently launched. When worn to a pokemon battle, or Contest Battle for Pokemon Co-Ordinators, the Balance Bracelet monitors which trainer wins and which trainer loses. Then, the winner's account, (which the professor reading you this announcement will help you set up, or alternatively instructions on how to set up your account can be found on the Pokemon League's official website), is credited with an amount the bracelet itself determines the value of, whilst the loser's account has money taken out of it. Any account with less than £1000 in it will not have any funds withdrawn, and the League itself shall pay the winner.
We understand that this rule may seem harsh to those that lose the battle, however we believe that this system will provide additional motivation for trainers to sharpen their perform and skill level, as nobody wishes to lose money due to being a poor battler. Also, we've implemented the minimum £1000 rule to ensure that nobody is left bankrupt, as it was that situation which lead to the development of this entire system in the first place'
"Wow" Mrs Ketchum was very impressed, "It sure sounds as if they've thought of everything".
She was relieved to know things would be made easier on the children with this new decree in place.
"With all the bad press this must of stirred up, they probably had too" Tracey stated bluntly.
Professor Oak continued reading the memo.
'We at the League also wish to assure you that all the personal details needed to open your account, along with the contents of each individual account as well, are protected by the best cyber-defences of modern times. There is a less than zero percentage of chance that an account can be hacked, and we have teams of specially trained Porygon and Porygon2 defending your accounts. We take cyber-security very seriously where your money is concerned.
Next on the agenda is your account. As previously stated, the professor reading you this announcement will set you up with your new account, and as an induction gift to all our trainers, every account will be credited with £2000, no strings attached, other than you are expected, as always, to follow the laws of your country, and the restrictions of the Pokemon League'
"They're just going to give everyone free money?!" Ash gasped in shocked.
"Compared to how much the League makes every year based on working taxes alone, £2000 isn't really that much per trainer. Plus the more trainers that get into the League Tournaments every year, the more money the League will pull back in with tourism and trade" Misty quickly explained to him.
Professor Oak resumed his monologue.
'This £2000 is only to be used for the purchase of pokemon based or traveling based equipment such as potions, pokeballs, and medicine and food needed for basic survival. It is NOT to be used for luxuries such as non survival-clothes or recreational activities. Any money earned through battle may however be used for such things.
Finally, you need to know how and where you can actually spend your hard earned money. As this entire system is computer based, you will not be able to make cash withdrawals from Cash-Machines. Instead, you will be issued with a New Trainer Licence that comes with the added benefit of doubling up as a credit card. These cards will be accepted in every Pokemart, and more and more department stores and other shops around the world are converting to this new system.
We at the League are very hopeful that this new economical system will benefit everyone and will reduce the tragic loss of trainers to zero with immediate effect. Whilst it is difficult to ensure that everyone previously registered as a trainer receives this notification, from this point onwards, every rookie trainer will be issued their Balance Bracelet and account when they receive their Trainer Licence, Pokedex and Starter Pokemon. We wish you all a pleasant day and we will happily answer any queries submitted in writing to our Correspondence Department'
"It's signed by the director of the Pokemon League himself if you want to read it yourselves" Professor Oak stated as he finished the memo.
A reflective silence was all that answered him.
Yay!
I cannot tell you all just how happy I am to finally have this written. The whole money aspect of this story had my writing tied up in knots for MONTHS. It was part of the reason I ended up with writer's block for so long, so to finally have it posted is a great relief : )
Now it's time to play the game : )
Firstly - congratulations to Pokesean, Breakawayfan, Reppad98, Pokemon Trainer Tom, FireEmblemMaster101, RHatch89, Magic135, Kurakuma, AtomicGeneral25, KuramaFTW, OmniDragon10, Guest, and UltimateCCC - the correct answer was indeed Stantler.
Better luck next time to SPeCTeR-117 and Sesshoru, who both guessed Corsola, NaturoMagi17 and LovingGinger30, who both guessed Smeargle, and Deant33, who guessed Gastrodon.
WHO'S THAT POKEMON?
This pokemon is rumoured to nest where lightning has struck. It's beautiful mane can discharge lightning, which accidently starts forest fires. Thunderclouds are created over its diamond shaped head, and it has already evolved into its final form. However it recently gained the ability to Mega-Evolve.
And there we go : )
I hope that you all enjoyed this extra long chapter, and please leave a review : )
Until the next time, keep on reading : )