Hey readers : ) I just wanted to say thank you to you all. I know that restarting this story AGAIN was a pain for everyone, but I didn't get a single word of annoyance, I just got support for me as a writer and for this story. Thank you, it really does mean a lot to me : )
I don't really have too much to say, other than thank you to everyone that reviewed the last chapter, and this story in general, and to please keep up the phenomenal support you always show : )
Anyway, please remember that Pokemon is not mine, and I hope you enjoy this chapter : )
Headed For Hoenn
When Misty headed downstairs and entered the living room, she wasn't surprised to see Professor Oak, Tracey, and Gary sitting with Mrs Ketchum, whilst Mr Mime served them all tea and coffee.
"Morning" she greeted them all.
"Toge" Togepi waved at them all too.
"Good morning Misty and Togepi" Mrs Ketchum chirped, whilst the others all greeted her as well.
Misty took one of the remaining seats, and Mr Mime hurried over to her.
"Mime?" the psychic type asked, holding up the tea set.
"None for me, thank you Mr Mime" she said.
"Mime, mime" he nodded, before rushing off into the kitchen.
"So Misty, have you any idea about what you and Ash are going to do first when you arrive in the Hoenn Region?" Professor Oak asked politely, before taking a sip of his tea.
"Well, our ferry docks in Littleroot Town, but we looked it up online, and Ash needs to go to the Pokemon Centre in Oldale Town to register for the Hoenn League. I suppose that's the first thing we'll need to do" Misty explained.
"Well, if you're goint to Littleroot Town, before leaving, perhaps you should go meet Professor Birch and introduce yourselves to him" Professor Oak suggested.
"Professor Birch?" Tracey frowned in deep thought, "Isn't he the guy that's famous for the way he conducts his research out in the field?"
"Yeah" Gary nodded before Professor Oak could reply, "He's also in charge of giving out the Hoenn starters to new trainers over there. Kinda like Grampa does here".
"Harrison told us about him" Misty informed them, "I guess that means that he got that Blaziken of his from this Professor Birch guy. Or at least whatever that Blaziken evolved from".
"Most likely" Professor Oak nodded.
"Well, before you do leave..." Mrs Ketchum smiled, and picked up two gift bags that Misty hadn't noticed from their spot next to the older woman's chair, "I have a present each for you and Ash".
"Oh Mrs Ketchum" Misty said, rather touched, "You didn't need to do anything like that".
"I know I didn't 'need to', but I wanted to, dear" Mrs Ketchum's smile widened.
She then handed Misty one of the gift bags.
Misty pushed some tissue paper aside, and saw to her surprise that Mrs Ketchum's gift to her was a brand new outfit. Gasping in delight, Misty pulled it out of the bag to examine it properly.
The new outfit consisted of burgendy tight-fitting T-shirt and a short, pale yellow sleeveless jacket. It's collar, and the button to close it, were a deep indigo colour. A pair of shorts that matched the jacket in colour accompanied the rest of the outfit, as did a pair of darker yellow trainers.
Misty instantly fell in love with it, and had no problem in sharing that fact.
"I love it, I love it" she said in delight, hugging the outfit tightly to her chest, "Thank you so much Mrs Ketchum. You really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble".
"Oh, it was no trouble putting that together for you dear" Mrs Ketchum giggled.
"'Putting it together'... wait, you mean... you made this?" Misty said, her jaw hanging open.
"Sure" Mrs Ketchum shrugged.
"Thank you" Misty said again, nothing but gratitude shining through her voice, "I really appreciate it and everything else you've done for me over the past week".
"Oh it was my pleasure dear" Mrs Ketchum laughed again.
At that moment, they all heard thundering footsteps, and looking towards the stairs, they saw Ash charging into the room with Pikachu not too far behind him.
"Hi everybody" Ash greeted them all.
"Morning sweetie" Mrs Ketchum beamed at her son.
The others all greeted him too.
"Last to the party as usual, huh Ash?" Gary playfully smirked, "I guess some things will never change".
Ash stuck his tongue out at him before laughing.
Again, Misty couldn't help but smile at how well those two were finally getting along. They hadn't fought at all over the last week.
It was a testiment to how much they had all grown up.
"Perfect timing actually" Mrs Ketchum said, before handing Ash the second gift bag.
"Huh? What's this?" he asked.
"A present from me for your new journey" Mrs Ketchum beamed at him.
Ash curiously pushed aside the tissue paper, and exactly as Misty had predicted, pulled out a brand new outfit of his own. His consisted of new black T-shirt, a new pair of black and green fingerless gloves, new jeans, a dark blue hoodie with the pattern of a pokeball in lighter blue, as well as dark blue trainers, and a new red and black hat.
"Whoa... thanks a lot Mom" Ash said, giving his mother a small hug of gratitude.
Mrs Ketchum gladly returned it.
"You're more than welcome dear" she said, "There's not an awful lot I can do to help you when you're out travelling, so a new outfit's no trouble at all".
"You're a huge help" Ash shook his head as they broke apart, "You constantly offer support, and I know you're always here for me when I come back home".
Mrs Ketchum beamed at him.
"Enough of this" she shook her head, "Go try those outfits on you two. I want to see if they fit properly".
"Okay" Ash and Misty nodded together.
They both turned and left the room, and hurried back upstairs. In just under five minutes, the duo returned, their old outfits gone, and they were sporting their brand new ones.
Misty had no problem with telling Mrs Ketchum just how great of a job she'd done.
She really loved the new outfit, how comfortable it was, and how it seemed to be designed for maximum mobility. It really was a great gift, and Misty was extremely grateful to Mrs Ketchum for putting such thought and effort into taking care of both her and Ash.
"Ah" Professor Oak smiled, "You both look great".
"Yeah, really cool" Tracey agreed.
"Definitely a good job Mrs Ketchum" Gary nodded in agreement.
"It was nothing" Mrs Ketchum shrugged again modestly.
"Anyway, whilst we're on the suject of gifts, myself and Tracey have prepared a little something for the two of you as well" Professor Oak spoke up.
Turning, Mist watched as the professor pulled two small rectangular boxes from the pockets of his lab coat. They were both wrapped up artistically, so she guessed that was Tracey's doing.
"Here you go" Professor Oak smiled, handing one of the presents to Misty, whilst handing the other to Ash.
Simultaneously, the due tore into their respective present.
Misty felt her mouth drop open in shock when she realised exactly what it was Professor Oak had gifted her with.
The device was very familiar to her after all.
It was a Pokedex.
But not just any old Pokedex.
No.
This Pokedex was a beautiful aqua in colour.
In the simplest of terms, Professor Oak had made this in her favourite colour.
Next to her, Ash's eyes widened in delight when he realised that he too had been given a brand new Pokedex, although his was the usual red colour. But since red was Ash's favourite colour, that made him extremely happy too.
"Wow! New Pokedexes" Ash exclaimed in delight, "Thanks Professor".
"Thank you so much Professor Oak" Misty said earnestly, "And you made it my favourite colour!"
"Haha" the Professor laughed, "Well, I assumed since you like water so much that blue was a safe bet. I've registered them to each of you respectively, and they work exactly the same way as Ash's original Pokedex did, although now they contain much more information. These such help you both out since they contain information about all the known pokemon in the Hoenn Region".
"That's great Professor" Misty beamed, "That'll come in really helpful".
"Yeah, especially when we start catching some of those new Hoenn pokemon" Ash grinned.
"I also know that this is your first Pokedex Misty, so I taped a small booklet of instructions to the back of yours, just in case you need them" the Professor informed her.
Turning her new Pokedex over, Misty saw them.
"Thanks Professor, and you too Tracey, this was really thoughtful of you guys" Misty beamed at them both.
"Yeah, we both really appreciate it" Ash nodded his gratitude as well.
"Think nothing of it" Professor Oak waved their thanks aside, "Now, is there anything else you need to attend too before we get going for the Seaform Islands? We're beginning to run a little short on time".
"I'm ready" Misty said, tucking her new Pokedex into the pocket of her new outfit.
"I'm nearly ready Professor" Ash told the older man, "But first I need to stop by the lab. I've finally finished making my choices about which pokemon I'm taking with me to the Hoenn Region".
"Did you settle on your sixth pokemon?" Misty asked him.
"Yeah, and I decided to take your advice" Ash nodded in response.
Misty smiled, glad she'd been able to help.
"Excellent, then why don't you and I head to the lab? You can gather those you are taking to Hoenn, and say goodbye to those you're leaving here with me" Professor Oak suggested, "Then we'll be back here in say... twenty minutes?"
"Sounds good" Ash nodded.
"Okay, but you'd better be quick" Mrs Ketchum warned, eyeing the clock on the wall, "You can't be late because the ship won't wait for you. Do you each have your ticket?"
"I've got them both here" Misty said, holding their tickets up.
"Just as well" Gary smiled, "Ash would probably lose his if you left him in charge of it".
"Ha. Ha" Ash glowered at him sarcastically.
Gary just smiled sweetly back at him.
Shaking his head in fond annoyance, Ash headed to the front door with Professor Oak behind him.
Misty and the others remained where they were in the living room, those with drinks finishing them whilst they all made polite small-talk.
Soon enough however, Ash and Professor Oak returned, Ash beaming happily.
"Got them all?" Misty asked.
"Yep" Ash grinned, "And I promised my other pokemon that I'd see them soon, since I plan on switching my team around a lot more than I have been doing".
"Good" Misty nodded.
"Right" Gary said, catching everyone's attention, "I think this is my cue. Alakazam, I choose you!"
In a flash of scarlet light, Gary's Alakazam appeared in Mrs Ketchum's living room.
"Alakazam!" the psychic type cried, holding his spoons tightly.
"Okay Alakazam, it's time to do just what we talked about" Gary told his pokemon, "You remember the Seaform Islands?"
"Ala" Alakazam nodded.
"Well we're aiming for a pier there, got it?" Gary asked.
"Kazam" Alakazam nodded again.
"Okay Alakazam, use Teleport!" Gary cried.
Alakazam's eyes glowed in a multitude of rainbow colours, and Misty felt a sharp tug behind her navel before the world seemed to fade around her. All the others experienced that same uncomfortable feeling.
There was a flash of white light.
And Mrs Ketchum's living room was suddenly empty.
Misty was slammed back into reality with a jolt.
She swayed on the spot and quickly put a hand to her aching head.
Teleportation wasn't exactly the most comfortable means of travelling.
Still, at least the bizarre sensation of spinning through the fabric of reality was over quick, and it was convenient for making long distant trips in short periods of time.
When she eventually stopped feeling nauseous, Misty took the time to look around at her new surroundings.
Exactly as expected, Alakazam had transported them to a pier situated on one of the Seaform Islands. Many people were bustling about - some boarding the St. Valerie, the ship Ash and Misty would be taking - whilst others stood at the edge of the pier, waiting to wave the ferry and its passengers off.
Misty turned to look at her companions, and saw that they were all looking around in wonderment.
"Thanks a lot Alakazam" Gary was saying to his psychic type pokemon, "I'll put you back into your pokeball for now. I know you don't like crowded places".
"Kazam" Alakazam nodded at him gratefully.
Gary returned Alakazam to his pokeball.
They were all startled as the sound of a tremendous claxon echoed out across the pier. It was probably enough to disturb the entire island.
Whipping around, Misty looked up at the ship.
"Attention please. Can I have your attention please" a male voice - no doubt the harbour manager's - boomed out through a speaker system situated at various points along the pier, "The St. Valerie will be departing for the Hoenn Region in exactly fifteen minutes. All passengers must board within the next five minutes. Thank you".
Misty couldn't help the little bubble of excitement in her stomach.
Even though she had enjoyed their little break in Pallet Town, and would miss being around Mrs Ketchum, Mr Mime, Professor Oak, Tracey and Gary terribly, Misty couldn't deny that she was glad to be going.
The last week had been awfully boring, not just for her, but for Ash too.
Sitting around in a house just wasn't for either of them.
The only downside that came from the Harbour Manager's announcement was that the time had finally come.
It was time to say goodbye.
Misty allowed a sigh to slip her lips.
She honestly hated this part of travelling.
However upsetting it could be at times though, farewells simply came with the territory.
Misty and Ash both turned to the others, all of whom look back at them with sad smiles on their faces.
"I guess we'd better hurry and get on board" Ash said, looking at his mother dejectedly.
Mrs Ketchum looked like she was holding back tears, although the smile she had plastered over her face was pretty convincing.
Misty arched an eyebrow.
Again, she was a little surprised by how emotional Mrs Ketchum was being when it usually was so unlike her. Misty knew she was a very kind and caring woman, but when it came to goodbyes she wasn't usually one to tear-up.
Perhaps that whole thing with Molly and Entei in Greenfield had had more of an effect on her than Ash and Misty had first assumed.
"I'm going to miss you so much Ash" Mrs Ketchum said softly, pulling her son into her arms for a hug, "But I hope you have a wonderful time in the Hoenn Region".
"Thanks Mom" Ash smiled as they broke apart.
Mrs Ketchum looked at him thoughtfully for a moment.
"You know, you've grown up so much in the past three years" she shook her head with a small smile, "And you're growing more and more as a person with each journey you go on. I kinda wish I could be around you more to see it happening".
"Don't worry Mom" Ash smiled up at her, "I'll call you every time I get to a Pokemon Centre, and you can see me over the videophone. I know it's not the same as seeing each other in person, but..."
"But it's the best we can do" Mrs Ketchum nodded sadly, before brightening up slightly, "And hey! Maybe I could take a vacation out to the Hoenn Region at some point, and we could all meet up with each other".
"I'd like that" Ash grinned.
"Take care of yourself Ash, and take care of Misty too" Mrs Ketchum said, before turning to the girl in question, "Thank you for always being there for my son Misty. Please keep him safe for me".
"I will, I promise" Misty nodded.
Mrs Ketchum then surprised her by giving her a tight hug too.
Misty wasn't exactly used to receiving hugs from people, so it took her a few awkward moments to be comfortable enough to return it. If she noticed, Mrs Ketchum didn't comment on it.
Misty was certainly grateful for that.
Saying goodbye was awkward enough without throwing something as personal as that into the mix.
"It's really sad to see you guys leave again" Tracey smiled at his two former travelling companions, "If I didn't love working as Professor Oak's assistant so much, I'd be begging you to let me come too. I bet you're going to meet all kinds of new pokemon in Hoenn that none of us have ever seen before".
"You wouldn't have to beg" Misty chuckled, "You know you're always welcome to come with us again any time you want".
"Thanks, but I couldn't leave the lab now" Tracey shook his head, "I love looking after all the pokemon there too much".
"I'm glad to hear that" Professor Oak piped up, "Assistants as dedicated as Tracey are hard to come by".
"Guys" Gary caught their attention, holding up a device Misty recognised as a Pokegear, "You've only got two minutes left".
"Okay, okay" Ash nodded, "Err... thanks for everything all of you have done for us over the past week".
"Yeah" Misty agreed, a grateful expression on her face, "We both really appreciate all you've done for us".
"It was nothing" Mrs Ketchum waved their thanks aside.
"Good luck you guys" Tracey grinned at them.
"Just do your best and I'm confident you'll both go far" Professor Oak added.
"And we'll be back in Pallet Town, cheering you both on" Mrs Ketchum smiled.
"But remember this, Ashy-Boy - you'd better make the most of this head start I'm giving you" Gary grinned teasingly at the raven-haired boy, "Because when I get to the Hoenn Region too, I'm not going to be messing about. It'll be a race to the Hoenn League".
"Yeah?" Ash grinned mischievously, "Aw... thanks Gary. I didn't know you were in such a hurry to see me win".
They all laughed.
"It's me that's going to win" Gary shook his head at his friend fondly.
"Okay, now you've really got to hurry" Mrs Ketchum reminded them that they were on a countdown here, "You'd better get on board".
"Right... bye again" Ash said sadly.
"Thanks for everything" Misty said one last time.
They then both turned on their heels, and sprinted towards the boarding ramp.
Misty couldn't help the massive grin etching its way across her face.
This was it.
After a painfully long week of waiting, the time had finally arrived.
They were going to Hoenn.
And Hoenn had better be ready for them.
Yay!
They are finally on their way to the Hoenn Region!
Sorry that this chapter is a little shorter than I'd have liked. This just seemed the best place to cut this chapter off, but there's some important stuff in this chapter. For starters, Ash and Misty are now wearing their Advanced Generation outfits, and Misty has her own Pokedex. I really wanted her to have one of her own and this felt like the best time to give her one : )
Anyway, now it's time to play the game : )
Firstly, congratulations to – Mewmaster89, Pokesean, Magic135, Jeet Granger, SPeCTeR-117, Azure Dragon of the East, Anthonypasq, Guest, Breakawayfan, Kagedoragon, Sesshoru, Kurakuma, FireEmblemMaster 101, Siggimondo, OmniDragon10, Lugiaman14, Fog Repair Ship Akashi, Jamesharold13, JZuCuadra, QUEENSPELLER67, Disruptor, jg13145, UltimateCCC, LovingGiner30, and Pokemon Trainer Tom – the answer is indeed Frogadier.
Better luck next time too - Oliver W.K Twist and Flamelily274 who both guessed Marshtomp, and to StallionWolf and Teddi 8347 who both thought it was Froakie.
WHO's THAT POKEMON?
This pokemon can be found near the mouth of a volcano, in which they are born. It can breathe fire and its body temperature is nearly 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. It has evolved from its baby form but can still evolve once more with assistance from an item. Its body burns brightly and shimmers like the sun.
And there we are : )
Again, I just wanted to thank you all for how fantastically supportive you've all been with this project. I really do appreciate it, so thank you.
Until the next time, keep on reading : )