Poke-genetics: Celadon City's gym
«What are you doing here? » Genno asked.
«I could ask you the same. We've been looking for you ever since those wanted poster of you were printed. » Brock replied.
«Wanted posters…? » he said with an incredulous tone.
«They have been placed everywhere ever since that attack you launched against Team Blast. » his friend calmly explained.
That ticked him off.
«Not you too? Seriously, will people stop believing whatever Team Blast says? They're bad guys! How come anyone actually believes I'm responsible for that attack? » he resentfully said.
Brock stayed silent for a second, ashamed. When he spoke again, he was a little bit quieter.
«If it's not you, who it is? »
Genno looked away and blushed. He would have preferred not to admit it as his little rant made a lot less sense when the truth was out.
«It was me. I'm just having trouble with the fact that everyone accepts what they say as an undeniable truth. »
«I can understand what you mean; it's like believing Team Rocket if they say they had lost interest in Pikachu. »
Having but a vague memory of a conversation about Team Rocket with Ash, Genno pretended to laugh. It was not exactly… convincing.
Brock looked at him as if he had two heads.
«Is there something wrong, Brock? » Genno asked, trying to sound normal.
His friend had a puzzled look on his face.
«You sound a bit different… »
Genno's heartbeat accelerated drastically. Oh Mew! He controlled his voice as well as he could, so it didn't sound so shaky.
«It's… probably because of the lake. The water was cold… maybe I caught something... » he tried to explain.
Brock frowned, then put his palm against Genno's forehead.
«Hum… it doesn't look like you have a fever. » he stated.
Genno was feeling his fatigue mess up with his brain. He intensively wished for a five minute break, just to get a little bit of rest and the time to come up with a plausible excuse.
«Is there any place we could go to rest. I'm exhausted. » the teen stated, still on his back.
Brock smiled at who he taught was his old friend.
«If you really want to take a nap, go ahead, I'll keep an eye on you. »
«Thanks Brock. » he gratefully said.
Genno closed his eyes and fell asleep in a matter of minutes.
«I think there's no danger here. » Pikachu stated after a careful observation of the street.
«Okay, let's go then. » Ash decided.
Both pikachus got out of the dark alley and ran through the street.
As they remembered, Celadon City was huge, even more for Ash. There were just a few problems. They were pokemon without any trainer, which would instantly bring peoples' curiosity over them. Even without counting the trainers that would like electric pokemon, they were good targets for general attention. Adding to that the fact that they were actually wanted for being, ironically, Ash's pokemon, scouting the streets of the city was much more dangerous than it looked.
After realizing this, they decided not to lose time to get to their destination. This was why they were currently sprinting toward Celadon City's gym.
Ash shot a glance at the gloom shaped building which reminded him of a few bad memories… including some cross-dressing and an «X» in the face.
Not letting himself slow down, the pikachu followed his friend until they reached the entrance of the gym. Both pikachus noticed immediately that something was wrong with the gym. Every light was out and it seemed completely deserted!
Ash and Pikachu looked at each other.
«What should we do? » Pikachu asked.
«Hum…I doubt this is a good sign, it probably has something to do with Team Blast. The thing is, Celadon City didn't rebel or anything so it would hardly make sense… We should try to look inside of the gym, but if there really is no one… we'll have to try in another city. »
The two mouse pokemon looked around. Was there anything that they could use to get inside? Preferably, it wouldn't involve them breaking the glass door.
Fortunately for them, Pikachu spotted an air vent on the side of the gym.
«You're thinking what I think you're thinking, right Ash? » Pikachu said as he pointed at the hole.
«I'm thinking that climbing with Alex clinging to me might be hard. Was that what you had in mind? » Ash replied maliciously.
«Okay, maybe not… » Pikachu admitted.
Ash chuckled. He just passed a paw on his son's head before turning back to Pikachu.
«Let's go. »
«Wow, I guess Genno was right saying that vents are never big enough for a human. We were really cramped in those. » Ash stated as he jumped to the floor.
«They sure were, Ash. » Pikachu answer.
«I bet you didn't even realize it, eh, sleepyhead? » Ash tenderly said as he stroke Alexchu's fur again.
«Chu… » the small pichu said in its sleep, a small smile on his face.
«Okay, Ash, less disturbing Alexchu's sleep and more finding Erika. »
Ash nodded and both pikachus began their search through the facility. The first thing that stroke them was the perfume.
«Hey… Pikachu… » Ash began, noticing something weird. «Isn't this place…? »
«Yeah, I've noticed, Ash. This place wasn't used to produce perfume for a long time. The scent is not nearly as strong as the first time we got here. »
«Then, maybe something happened here after all. » Ash stated.
Without answering, Pikachu urged him to continue their research. Ash agreed, but this gym was giving him a weird feeling. The darkness the rooms were filled with wasn't the kind of darkness to frighten. It was just like something was… hidden here.
Pikachu and Ash looked through the whole gym, though their search in the perfume storage room was much shorter than the other rooms. Ash actually ran away from the room as soon as the strong scent invaded his nose and made him crazy… not to mention that Alexchu showed the dislike of perfume he inherited from his father. Pikachu only stayed long enough to quickly look around the storage until he had enough and closed the door of the isolated storage.
Ash had finally managed to calm his son when Pikachu returned.
«Sorry for running away. I just can't stand perfume… nor can Alex. » Ash explained sheepishly.
«That's okay. I doubt there was anything important in that room anyway. »
Alex, perfectly awake now, wanted to get down but his father's firm grip kept him in place.
«Alex, it's not the time to play. » Ash scolded.
«Chu! » he pouted.
Not influenced by his son's display of character, Ash put him on his shoulder and got on all four again. Alexchu cooperating, Ash turned to Pikachu.
«Still… we've look for the whole gym and there's not a single trainer or pokemon here. »
«It is strange. It's not like this place has been invaded by Team Blast. Nothing's out of place, there's just… no one. »
The two pikachus looked at each other. Of all the room, if they'd try to hide, it would be…
«There was something wrong with the greenhouse, right? » Ash asked with a grin.
«There definitely was. » Pikachu agreed.
Both friends ran through the gym to get to the greenhouse, the one that had been rebuilt after the incident with Team Rocket.
They were standing in the middle of the grass field, trying to see something that they could have missed on their first visit.
As Ash was staring at the small indoor forest, he heard a whisper coming from the woods.
«Pikachu… » he whispered himself.
«I heard it. »
They turned at the same time toward the trees. A brushing noise had come out and it was followed by a pair of vine heading straight toward them.
«Pikachu, dodge and use Thunderwave. »
Pikachu, confused by the command, barely dodge the hit. As the vines hit the floor, Pikachu counterattacked.
Waves of lightning scourge through the woods and they heard a feminine voice yell.
«I knew it! » Ash said in triumph. «Follow me, Pikachu. »
Ash led them through the woods straight toward the girl who screamed. They immediately recognized her.
«Erika! So you really did hide here after all! » Ash said.
The gym leader looked at the pokemon with uncertain eyes. Beside her was her victreebell. Both were covered with the small electric currents caused by the paralysis from Thunderwave. Even so, there was still a fierce strength in her eyes.
«Stay back! I don't know who your trainer is, but you won't get anything from me. »
«Wow, calm down. » Ash tried to explain, raising his arms in front of him. «We just want to talk to you. »
«I said: STAY BACK! »
Pikachu, looking biased, turned to his trainer.
«So, how do we explain to her that we don't want to harm her if she can't understand us? »
«Err… maybe she could recognize you… »
«I look like every other pikachu in the world, you know? »
«Victreebell, vinewhip now! »
Despite its paralysis, the grass type executed his trainer's orders.
«Pikachu, jump! » Ash yelled.
«Ash, careful! It's coming for you too! »
Ash dodged just in time… but Alexchu began to cry in terror.
«Alex! »
Ash ran to put some distance between them and the victreebell. When he was sure to be far enough, he put Alex down and hid him behind a tree.
«Alex, stay there. Dad will be back in a minute, okay? »
«Chu. » he nodded, still sobbing.
Ash hugged him and had all the difficulties in the world to put an end to their hug.
«You're going to get it for making Alex cry! » he yelled. «Pikachu, Thunderbolt! »
Both pikachus were charging their electricity in their cheeks when something unexpected happened.
One of Erika's pokeball opened by itself.
After a flash of light, it turned out to be a bellosom.
«Bellosom? What are you doing? » its trainer wondered.
The grass type pokemon was staring confusedly at Ash.
Unsure of what to do, all pokemon stopped fighting and looked at the bellosom.
Comprehension suddenly lit the its eyes and it jumped to hug Ash.
«I knew it! It's really is you! » it said.
«Bellosom, what are you doing? » Erika repeated with round eyes.
«Yeah, we're kind of in the dark right now. Care to explain? » Ash said, almost strangled.
«Don't you recognize me? » it said after giving him a little bit of personal space.
Ash stared at the bellosom. There was something familiar about it, but…
It sighted in despite.
«I guess we both changed a little bit too much. Though in your case, it was not supposed to be possible. »
«Change…? You're that gloom I rescued from the fire! » Ash said as he was struck by comprehension.
It nodded happily.
They both turned around when they heard yet another sight.
«I suppose that if Bellosom likes you, you're probably not pokemon from Team Blast. »
A smile spread across Pikachu and Ash's face as they vigorously nodded in approval.
«In that case… I should probably bring you to the others. » Erika said.
«The others? » they asked.
«Follow me. » the gym leader said.
Genno yawned as he woke up.
«Wow, you slept even more than usual. You had to be deadly tired. » Brock said.
«Yeah… I was. » he admitted while blushing.
It was then that he realized that they were standing on moving rocks.
«Huh? Where are we? »
«We're on steelix's back. He's taking us to Celadon City. »
«Celadon City? Why there? »
Brock stayed silent for a second. He looked as if he was thinking of revealing something.
«Listen, Ash. There are a few things I need to tell you. The first is a message from Misty. »
«Misty? »
He didn't see it coming. Brock punched him on top of the head.
«She said you were an idiot for trying to take on Team Blast by yourself and not telling us anything. I agree with her on that. »
«Err… I'm… sorry. » Genno said while rubbing the bump on his head.
«Aren't we friends? Can't you just believe in us a bit more? » Brock asked, insisting.
«Brock… »
What could he say to that? He was making a mess of Ash's relationships… and he had no idea of how he could make things better.
«As for the second thing I wanted to say… » Brock continued.
Genno was smacked once more.
«This is for you recklessly attacking Team Blast and causing them to turn children into pokemon!»
«I deserved that…» Genno muttered, a little sore about the hit.
«Honestly, did you not realize that's what they'd do? »
Okay, Brock may had a point, but he was sick of being told the same damn thing every time he met someone.
«Of course not, I'm just one big idiot that thinks only about himself and that wanted to play the hero. I could have not possibly considered the consequences of my actions. » he claimed ironically.
«My little brother's one of the captured kid, you know? »
That shut Genno's mouth.
«…I'm… »
«Sorry? Yeah, I guessed that much. » Brock said with a calm voice.
But Genno could see his arms shaking.
«A part of you hates Ash, right? Even if you try to understand. » Genno stated.
It was not a question. Genno knew it. It was crystal clear. How much more was he going to mess with Ash's life?
Not anymore.
«Brock… that hatred is not justified. You should not hate Ash, you should hate me. »
«Now, you're not making any sense. »
«I am. You just don't realize… » he paused and took a deep breath. «Do you remember Ashchu?»
«Your new pikachu that looks like you when Lily turned you into one? Yeah, why do you ask? »
«Think for a second, Brock. What are the odds that I caught a pikachu that looks exactly like Ash transformed? »
Brock finally noticed how weird Ash was talking.
«Why do you keep talking at the third person? »
«I'm NOT Ash Ketchum! »
«What? »
«Ash was turned into a pikachu… while I was turned into a ditto. The name's Genno Avery and I'm trying to bring down Team Blast. »
«That's… impossible. » Brock said, trying to rationalize.
«Brock, you SAW kids get turned into pokemon… and if you need a proof… »
Genno morphed into him.
«Do you believe me now? » A copy of Brock said to the original.
«I… do. »
A heavy silence fell between them. Embarrassed, Genno changed back into Ash.
«I was the one that attacked Team Blast. While I'm sure he would have wanted to… he did not take part in that. »
Brock didn't answer.
«Though there is one thing you would like to hear. Ash didn't take part in the fighting. Pikachu worked on gathering the transformed kids and brought them back to a hiding place where Ash was. Even if he was turned into a pokemon, your brother is safe. »
He could see Brock shaking again, but this time, it felt different. Brock was crying out of happiness.
Having no idea on how to react, Genno stayed silent until the gym leader's emotion faded.
«…you did not say why we were going to Celadon City… » Genno remarked.
«…that was the third thing I needed to tell you. A few days before you attacked Team Blast, I received an unexpected visit. Two persons came at the gym and said that they wanted to fight Team Blast. They asked me to join them. They said they were recruiting all the gym leaders to form a group of fighters. »
Genno was stunned. «That's exactly what Ash wanted to do! »
«I accepted, but your attack against Team Blast may have made things more difficult. They are more on their toes, so we chose to move to another place and make it our headquarters. This is why we're heading toward Celadon City. »
«Who… was the one that recruited you? »
«You'll never guess who. » Brock stated with a smile.
Pikachu and Ash, which was carrying Alex, closed their eyes. The sudden light was hurting their sensible eyes and they put their paws in front of them. After a few second of this, they could finally see correctly and they realized there were many humans in the secret room.
It was then that they heard a familiar voice:
«Pikachu? Ashchu? »
Both Pikachu and Ash's jaws dropped to the floor, literally.
«MISTY! »