Chapter 11: Professor Ketchum
The new morning… Sci-Twi woke to find Pikachu near a device which resembled an audio tape recorder. He used his fingers to tighten a screw in a piece. "Trying to finish the invention?" she yawned. Pikachu flipped a switch which started up and he greeted Sci-Twi with some squeaks.
"GOOD MORNING, SCI-TWI!" the device translated. "I WAS JUST FIXING A WIRE BENEATH." Sci-Twi gasped to the device translating Pikachu. She leaped out of bed, causing the blankets to fall onto Spike. She dashed and hugged Pikachu.
"Thank you!" she repeatedly cheered. "Thank you so much, Pikachu!" She gave Pikachu a huge kiss to the forehead. Pikachu squealed in delight.
"He fixes a panel and she smothers him?" he groaned. "Meanwhile, I'm barking at her to watch where she's going while on the streets. Can I get some love here?" Sci-Twi sighed to Spike's complaint.
"Don't be like that, Spike," she advised. "You get a lot from the rest, including Fluttershy." Pikachu squeaked to Spike as well.
"WHEN ASH AND I RETURN TO OUR WORLD," the device translated. "SCI-TWI WILL BE ALL YOURS." Spike heard the translation but scoffed.
"You don't need to tell me," he groaned. At Sunset's place, Twilight woke to Sunset's door opening. Sunset emerged and entered the bathroom to change. Ash soon staggered out, his hand over his neck.
"Man, she doesn't let up," he groaned. Twilight helped Ash steady himself and discovered a discolored spot on his neck, under the chin.
"What in Equestria is that?" she wondered. Unable to see, Ash wasn't aware of Twilight's findings.
"What, it's on my neck?"
"Yeah, and I don't know what to do with it." Sunset came out, dressed for the day.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked. Twilight jerked Ash's neck to reveal the mark. This irked Sunset. "A hickey… Oops… Got a little rough." Ash and Twilight gulped.
"A hickey?" she repeated.
"It's easy to hide with a bandage. Hold on…" Sunset ran back to the bathroom and retrieved a gauze to tape over the hickey. After sticking the gauze onto the hickey, they left for Canterlot High. While the students attended classes, Ash made his rounds. With Pikachu, Ash wondered about his soon-to-be moment as teacher to the students about Pokémon. Pikachu squeaked to the gauze on his neck.
"DID SOMEONE CUT YOU UNDER THE CHIN, ASH?" the device translated.
"No, Pikachu," Ash shook. "Sunset had a lot of fun enjoying my neck." Pikachu irked to the activity. "You know, I appreciate Sci-Twi making this translating device but do I need something like this to understand you?" Pikachu squeaked to the comment.
"WELL, WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU STRUGGLED AGAINST ELESA AND HER EMOLGA? I HAD TO THUNDERBOLT YOU IN ORDER TO GET YOUR ATTENTION WHEN YOU RAN OFF TO EXCHANGE ONE OF US FOR SNIVY AND THAT DIDN'T WORK."
"Okay, that I overlooked what Elesa had. Of course, I learned better not to try any strategy before a Gym Battle. I'm much more comfortable on my feet anyway." Pikachu squeaked in confirmation.
"YOU'VE ALSO NEVER BEEN ONE TO RELY ON TYPE ADVANTAGES. YOUR VISION'S MORE ON BATTLEFIELD AWARENESS LIKE HOW WE FORCED PRYCE TO SURRENDER OR HOW YOU USED WALREIN'S ICE BEAM TO YOUR FAVOR." Ash chuckled to the memories. That's when he stopped when he spotted movement ahead. Pikachu looked from the abrupt stop. "WHAT IS IT?" Ahead came a small alligator with violet eyes. Pikachu growled to the alligator. "BE CAREFUL, ASH…" Seeing the alligator running up, Ash timed himself and grabbed it before it could pass.
"Gotcha!" He now held the alligator who snapped and bit at Ash. He expected pain but… Ash didn't feel anything from the alligator's bite. It bit a few more times but nothing occurred. "It's biting but I felt more pain from Kingler when it was a Krabby." Pikachu became curious. He offered his tail and the alligator accepted the bait, biting into the extended body part. Pikachu expected to feel something but blinked to the lack of pain.
"SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT." As they tried to figure out the reason, Pinkie spotted Ash with the alligator.
"There you are!" she cheered. She picked up the alligator from Pikachu's tail. "You know better to run off like that, Gummy." Ash and Pikachu looked befuddled to the connection.
"Pinkie, what's going on?" the trainer asked.
"Oh, Gummy got spooked after I brought him to school," Pinkie explained. She pried Gummy's jaws open, no teeth visible. "Here's why: no teeth. I mainly brought it for Fluttershy to see about altering his diet." Pikachu seemed disturbed and squeaked his displeasure.
"HOW DOES SOMETHING SURVIVE WITH NO TEETH?" the device translated.
"Keep in mind, there are Pokémon who have no mouth, let alone teeth, who are alive," Ash pointed out. Pikachu smacked his face.
"He forgot," Pinkie figured. About an hour later, Luna spotted Ash in the hall with a nearly empty cart.
"Finishing your rounds?" she asked.
"I am," Ash replied.
"Good. Now, about your class…" Ash pondered the thought.
"What about it?"
"Would it be alright to do it on the pitch?" Ash blinked to the suggestion. "We don't have soccer practice today so you can use the pitch and the stands to your liking." Ash got the idea and recalled seeing the soccer field with the large nets.
"That would be perfect." Luna nodded and palmed Ash's head. Lunchtime began to where Ash joined the friends. Applejack saw the gauze still on his neck.
"Now what do you suppose happened there?" she sneered. "Sunset dawning on a promise land?" Ash unclothed the gauze, showing the hickey. The other girls gulped at the size.
"Yeah, that's something I don't see Fluttershy doing to you," Rainbow scoffed. "Let alone me." Fluttershy irked to Rainbow's word, believing some of what's been said.
"I mean, sure I could give you as much love as I do the animals around," she stammered.
"Oh, don't get so melodramatic," Rarity scoffed. "A little foundation should cover the mark up in just five minutes." Ash nodded to Rarity's offer. "Speaking of drama, I have finished the suit you'll be wearing during your classroom scene. I know we should stick with the maroon color since that's what Indy wore." Ash giggled to the added item.
"I don't think my mom would've imagined me being in a play, let alone have the lead role," he hushed. Everyone blinked to who Ash spoke of.
"Your mom?" repeated Sci-Twi. Pikachu squeaked to explain her, knowing that the translation device was working.
"ASH'S MOM IS THE KIND OF HUMAN MOM I COULD WANT,"it computed. "SHE RUNS A DINER AND CAN MAKE ALL SORTS OF MEALS. OF COURSE, SHE DOES PAY SOME ATTENTION TO ME A LITTLE MORE THAN ASH." The trainer sighed to Pikachu's boasting.
"You didn't need to go that far," he murmured. Pikachu sighed to the ramble.
"I DID GET CARRIED AWAY A LITTLE…" That's when he remembered something else. "YOU HAVE HER PHOTO IN YOUR POCKET, RIGHT?" Ash heard the translation and fetched a photo of a grown brunette woman with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a lime green swimsuit while holding a trophy. The girls saw the photo, shocked at her appearance.
"That's your mom?" gawked Twilight.
"She's pretty!" awed Pinkie.
"Not to mention rather young," Sunset snickered.
"I wonder what kind of beauty products she uses?" asked Rarity.
"If that's the mom, I can only imagine the stud that's your dad," Rainbow imagined. That made Ash frown. "What? Is… something wrong?" Ash shook his head.
"It's that…" a hesitant Ash balked. Twilight placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't necessarily need to tell us," she assured.
"Twilight's right," Sci-Twi supported. "If he's done anything you don't wanna talk about, we won't force you." Ash smiled to the relief.
"You eight are more supportive than Iris would ever be," he muttered. "She constantly calls me a 'little kid,' even when I do everything right or when she's the one in the wrong. I mean… I'm not perfect but…" Applejack patted Ash on the back.
"You're gonna be the lead role of the play we're doing," she praised. "She can't nag you for that, can she?" Ash sighed to the question.
"It doesn't matter." To the rest, this Iris didn't see Ash as who he was or could be.
"Well, someone may need to teach her a thing or two about respect!" sneered Rainbow as she punched her palm.
"Rainbow, there's no fighting outside Pokémon battles," Rarity assured. "You'll have to direct your anger elsewhere." Ash huffed a sigh to the girls. "My apologies. These girls can be rather wild at times. By the way, you also mentioned Cilan. Care to enlighten us about this one?" Ash nodded to the suggestion.
"Cilan is one of three brothers and Gym Leaders of the Striaton Gym, alongside Cress and Chili," he started. "Aside from that, Cilan is also a Pokémon Connoisseur… and a Food Connoisseur… and a Movie Connoisseur… and a Train Connoisseur…"
"How many Connoisseur jobs are there?" a disturbed Sunset asked.
"I don't know," Ash shrugged. "I do know he's got one heck of a resume."
"I bet," Fluttershy hushed. After lunch, Celestia guided Ash to the soccer pitch and unlocked the gate.
"Will you have everything you need?" she asked.
"I'll be fine," Ash believed. He entered the pitch as Celestia returned to the building. On the pitch was a table with baseballs. Ash picked up the baseball examined it as he brought out his Pokémon. "Ready to help out?" The Pokémon cheered. The classes proceeded as normal when Celestia got on the speakers.
"Hello, Canterlot students," she addressed. "After classes today, feel free to attend the Pokémon Class held on the soccer pitch." The brief announcement allowed students and teachers to plan.
"I'd like to see those little guys myself," Cheerilee smiled. The bell rang to signal the day's end. Everyone gathered at the soccer pitch and sat in the bleachers. Ash gawked to the sight.
"Did everyone want Pokémon lessons?" he gasped. The Pokémon sighed to the crowd attending. Ash recalled a scene in the movie and became somewhat flustered. Leavanny buzzed to Ash, advising calm. Finally, Ash reached the table, interlocked his fingers and bowed his head. He felt ready to begin. Some of the students continued to talk before others pointed out his stance. Hearing nothing more than a pin drop, Ash stood up.
"Here we go," Sunset whispered. Scraggy and Pikachu observed the crowd closely.
"Pikachu," he started with a determined grin. "Oshawott, Tepig, Snivy, Scraggy and Leavanny… They're only a part of a world where a Pokémon can be near you for friendship or training. My world is chock-full of Pokémon. My goal, as many of you have known, is to become a Pokémon Master. However, to achieve, I battle to help my Pokémon gain confidence. From what I've been told, there are around 600 different Pokémon species and I have six with me. However, battling isn't for everyone. Some would have Pokémon as pets around the house like Twilight's dog, Spike." Sci-Twi's Spike laughed at his role.
"Suddenly, he's giving more of a praise than my owner," he quietly barked. "Feels pretty good." Ash continued.
"Now, Pokémon don't always become friends!" he rambled on as he picked up one of his balls. "Sometimes, you use this: a Pokéball. Not only are they light and durable, they can carry just about anything in here. It can be as small as a Magnemite to something as huge as a Golem. However, you can only carry up to six Pokémon at a time." Ash placed the Pokéball down on the table. "Not to mention, the different types of Pokéballs… Some that can catch quick Pokémon, some that can easily carry heavy Pokémon, some that can help find a friend in the opposite gender. Now, sometimes you have to battle them but for the luck of me, you can capture them on the spot or you can help out to gain their trust. I've had plenty of success around that but everyone has different methods." A random male student rose his hand. The blond wore a beige t-shirt and denim shorts.
"You said there are over 600 Pokémon," he brought up. "Can they be categorized?" Ash heard the question.
"They can," he replied. "There are 17 known types they're under: Normal, Water, Fire, Grass, Flying, Bug, Electric, Ground, Rock, Poison, Fighting, Psychic, Ghost, Ice, Dragon, Steel and Dark. Some Pokémon are dual types. Scraggy is listed as a Fighting and Dark-Type while Leavanny is known as a Bug and Grass. In battle, one type would back up another. For example, Scraggy, being part Fighting-Type, is weak to Psychic and Ghost-Type attacks. If Scraggy had a Dark-Type attack, Psychic and Ghost-Type may have a problem." Another student rose her hand. It was Sweetie Drops.
"Can Pokémon know moves outside their types?" she asked.
"They can," Ash replied. "In fact, some of the Pokémon start with Normal attacks like Tackle and Scratch. With training, they can learn numerous attacks, though they can use only four abilities during battle." Trixie scoffed as she came onto the pitch.
"Maybe you should put that training to good use, dear teacher," she challenged. "I'd like to see you battle me." Buzz filled the pitch as Ash had been challenged by Trixie.
"Thanks for getting to the next subject," he sneered. "And thanks for volunteering to do this with me. Here's how we'll do this: you pick a Pokémon to use. I have their moves memorized so I'll tell you on your choice." Trixie studied the six Pokémon on hand."
"I'll go with Snivy for this." Snivy blinked to the choice. Ash knelt to the Grass Snake Pokémon.
"I know it's sudden but I'll need you to trust me on this," he urged. Snivy nodded, though still seemed reluctant. "In that case, I'll go with Oshawott." The otter jumped and cheered. Ash pulled a card from his pocket. "Here's the list of Snivy's moves." Trixie took the card and read the list.
"Let's see… Attract? That's… something. Vine Whip, Leaf Blade and Leaf Tornado." Pikachu squeaked to warn Ash about Trixie.
"Don't worry," he assured. "I'll be fine." Sunset and Apple Bloom ran out to make sure Pikachu and Tepig were safe. Ash and Trixie arrived at midfield but Oshawott and Snivy entered the circle.
"I sure hope Snivy and Oshawott will be okay," Fluttershy gulped.
"Trixie, you get to go first!" he shouted. Trixie nodded to the offer.
"Much obliged!" she replied. "Snivy, use Leaf Tornado!" Snivy spun her body around as leaves surrounded her like a tornado. Ash made his move.
"Okay, Oshawott… use Aqua Jet!" Oshawott spun himself into Aqua Jet before charging at Snivy and her Leaf Tornado. The two attacks collided and both dispersed. "Now, use Water Gun!" Oshawott sprayed water at Snivy.
"Fine, we'll use Leaf Blade!" Snivy spun around with the leaf on her tail glowing. The tail swipe cut the Water Gun through. "Like a hot knife through butter. Now, let's see that Attract!" Snivy blew a kiss which summoned pink hearts that came to Oshawott.
"Attract as an attack?" gulped Sunset. "That's new." Ash sneered to the move.
"Another Aqua Jet!" he chose. "Let's wrap that Attract up!" Oshawott bobbed a nod as he performed Aqua Jet again. This time, the Aqua Jet spun upward as the Attract hearts gathered. However, Oshawott charged but fell short, landing on his body. Getting up, Oshawott had hearts for eyes.
"Now, I see how Attract works," Trixie sneered. "Let's get a little closer and Vine Whip that otter!" Snivy summoned vines from her neck and flung them at Oshawott, but he danced around the vines while in a daze. This irritated Trixie. "Get closer to whip that otter senseless!" Snivy listened and raced at Oshawott.
"Now, use Razor Shell!" Oshawott snapped out of his gaze and removed his seashell before passing Snivy. The seashell had a glowing blue blade protruding out. Snivy fell in defeat. "That's it!" Ash ran to Snivy, checking to see if she's hurt. "You alright?" Snivy squealed weakly but smiled. Ash turned to the students."Now, technically, Oshawott shouldn't have beaten Snivy. Grass-Type Pokémon have an advantage against Water-Type Pokémon." Trixie came to Ash with a grin.
"That was a good lesson, Professor Ketchum." she cooed. "For that, I can give you a lesson in love without the Mane 7 interfering!" She gripped Ash's head.
"Trixie, don't!" shouted Rainbow. She and the other seven began to race out of the stands. The crowd hindered their advancements. Trixie had her mouth open, Ash eyeing her uvula. She inched her head closer to his face, distance between lips closing and her tongue rolling wildly, willing to get a feel of what's inside his cheeks. She was within less than an inch… Out of nowhere and bashing Trixie's head was a brown collie. Trixie fell to the pitch, her clothes now with grass stains.
"It's Winona!" awed Applejack. Winona swung around and tackled Ash before giving him a tongue bath.
"Wow, stop!" he laughed. "That tickles! Cut it out!" Apple Bloom and Fluttershy reached Ash and Winona first before settling her down.
"Get that mangy mutt back to its farm!" screamed Trixie. Winona growled at Trixie for the insult.
"You're just jealous that you don't have a pet or Pokémon to speak of!" snapped Apple Bloom.
"The nerve!" Teachers came to the girls who escorted them back to the stands as Fluttershy treated Snivy. Ash continued his lectures for the hour. Some of these lectures included treatment of Pokémon with injuries and proper nutrition. Someone with a horn sounded the end of the session and allowed the students to leave. Ash finally sighed in relief, knowing the class ended.
"Anyone having more questions to Pokémon, don't be afraid to find me!" he informed. Everyone waived and applauded to Ash who breathed easily. "That went better than I thought." Gloriosa and Fluttershy reached Ash to applaud his class.
"That was rather informative from you," Gloriosa praised. "The Pokémon World's a lot more exciting than we'd wish for it."
"Knowing that there are a lot of Pokémon, I want to see this world more than ever," Fluttershy wished. Sci-Twi watched from a distance. Midnight's voice began to infect her mind.
"My powers are still weak," she spoke out with Sci-Twi clutching her head. "But, I can take control of your body. Take a rest while I do this!" Suddenly, Sci-Twi's eyes were aglow. Gloriosa and Fluttershy waived farewell to Ash with the pink-haired taking Snivy. Ash turned to Sci-Twi with her hand over her head.
"Sci-Twi?" he called. Reaching her, Ash came to Sci-Twi's aid. "You okay?" With the glowing eyes, she found Ash near her and in a flash, kissed her with an open mouth. Her lips covered his and her tongue slapped around the insides of his cheeks. He began to lose air. That's when his eyes began to glow blue. The light started to go from Ash to Sci-Twi. The inner being inside Sci-Twi felt the energy.
"This…" awed Midnight. "This is precious! I cannot have enough of this energy!" Sci-Twi soon regained consciousness and pushed herself away from Ash. She became frightened from the moment and back-peddled.
"I'm sorry!" she cried before running off. Ash looked puzzled to the kiss to go with a slightly pale look.
"What was that about?" he wondered. "And why did she take my aura?" Pikachu reached Ash and saw the expression. Ash turned to the squeaking Pokémon. "I'm alright. It's… nothing to worry about." Pikachu didn't seem to believe Ash. "Look, it's been an exhausting day, and I didn't mean to get into a Pokémon battle, but I'm not exactly one to turn down a challenge." Still, Pikachu sensed a problem with his words. They headed out for Sunset's home as Sci-Twi shivered to what occurred.
"My love belongs to Timber Spruce!" she whined.
"Twilight Sparkle, it's not that I don't approve of that relationship," Midnight pondered. "You can have your boy-toy all you want… as long as I have the energy the young human has." Sci-Twi feared about the reasoning with Midnight. At Sunset's home, Ash explained the ordeal of him and Sci-Twi to Twilight and Sunset.
"That's what occurred," Ash finished. Twilight and Sunset shuttered to the moment.
"Midnight's power is growing," Twilight figured. "And we can't do anything about it."
"Not yet, anyway," Sunset murmured. "What we could do is keep Ash away from Sci-Twi as much as possible. Might be a little difficult with him working at the school." Ash shuttered in thought as Pikachu became concerned. Sunset reached the phone before turning to the rest.
"I'm gonna order a pizza," she announced. "I'll be right back." Petting Pikachu as Sunset left for the kitchen, Twilight faced Ash.
"This sounds a lot like Nightmare Moon," she figured. "It isn't that I understand her motive, it's more that I worry about your livelihood." Pikachu squeaked to the same concern.
"I DON'T THINK TWILIGHT AND SUNSET ARE ALONE," Sci-Twi's device translated. "THE MANE 8 IN A WHOLE WANT ALL OF US BACK HOME SAFE AND TO IRIS AND CILAN." Ash took a deep breath.
"I almost want this trip to end, but not before fulfilling this role," Ash grumbled. Twilight palmed Ash's shoulder.
"Don't let it bother you now," she assured. "Let us take care of Midnight and you worry about Indy." She gave Ash a kiss to the cheek which made Ash blush. "Don't get the wrong idea. My heart still yearns for Flash." Pikachu laughed to the reminder.
"It's not that. I've never been kissed by a princess."
"Really?!" The two enjoyed the laugh before Sunset returned and proceeded with the rest of the night. Midnight's power has started to grow. Ash will need to focus on his role as Indiana Jones to help the students.
TO BE CONTINUED…