...

Ash, Misty, and Brock were continuing their journey when it began to rain. While looking for shelter, they stumble across an old house. Believing it to be deserted, they go inside. To their surprise, Ash's Pikachu is playing with another Pikachu. However, this Pikachu's face is weird, which leads to Brock thinking it is a new kind of Pikachu. Ash tries to capture it but a girl dressed as Ash appears and stops him. The girl introduces herself as Duplica and reveals that the Pikachu is her Ditto. Upon hearing Ditto can't learn any other attacks besides Transform, Ash becomes unconvinced of its usefulness in a battle.

After had said that, Duplica challenges him to a battle. Ash chooses Bulbasaur and tries to attack using Razor Leaf, but Duplica's Ditto Transforms and wins using a Vine Whip attack. Later, Duplica explains that she wants to be a Ditto Master and a star, but she cannot because her Ditto is unable to mirror other Pokémon's faces for a strange reason. Whenever it transforms it still has the face of a Ditto, much to the disappointment of her audiences. Then Team Rocket appear and try to steal Ditto, in the hope that they can get it to transform into Dratini and present it to their boss as a legendary Pokémon.

Using Weezing's SmokeScreen, they are able to escape with Ditto. Once they are away from the house, Jessie and James try to test Ditto's power by having it turn into a Dratini from a picture in a book that they have. But then, Jessie stops James and says that they should have a little bit of fun before handing Ditto over. She asks Ditto to transform into what a certain boy would look like if he were an adult, and pulls out a photo frame. James and Meowth then try to get Jessie to show the picture to them, but she refuses. Ditto agrees, and then a picture of a man with blue hair shows up with a Ditto's face.

Now angry, Jessie commands Ditto to once again become a Dratini; she points to the picture of the Pokémon in the book. Instead, Ditto transforms into a book. Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Misty, Brock, and Ash are trying to cheer Duplica up. Ash then states about how a Trainer decides how a Ditto would transform. Pidgeotto and Zubat, who were on guard, return with news that they saw Ditto. Ash and friends decide to go and save Ditto. Team Rocket, still trying to get the Ditto to transform correctly, try to get it to change into Meowth. They yell at Ditto because its face doesn't look like Meowth's.

They are angered when it is unable to change its face from its own. Eventually, they are able to threaten it into transforming correctly. Team Rocket is happy that Ditto can now transform correctly, and Meowth then asks Ditto to transform into Dratini, but they are then interrupted by Ash's voice. When Jessie and James hear this and turn around, spotlights appear over Ash, Brock, Misty and Duplica, dressed in Team Rocket uniforms. The four of them then say their variation of the Team Rocket's motto, much to the irritation of the real Team Rocket. Misty notes it was great to do the whole thing.

Ash notes he had figured out that the reason why Team Rocket say their motto a lot was because it's fun. Duplica suggests they should all become actors and when they have a good laugh at this, Jessie and James become even more angry at this. Jessie states that their organization is not something to be made fun of, and also tells them that if they are going to imitate them, they should do it right. James then states to Duplica she got one part of the motto wrong saying that it is ignite not incite. The group of trainers demands Ditto back, but they are surprised when they see two identical Meowth.

However, Duplica is happy that Team Rocket was able to get her Ditto to transform correctly. Team Rocket try to trick them by giving them the real Meowth and escaping in their balloon with Ditto. But Duplica says she can tell that Meowth isn't her Ditto, even though it looks identical to the other Meowth. She throws Meowth at the balloon, causing Team Rocket to drop Ditto. Duplica tells it to transform into a cannon and fire Pikachu at the balloon. After being hit by Pikachu's Thunder Shock, the balloon bursts and Team Rocket are blasted off again...

...


Nuvema Town, Unova Region

Duplica smiled at those memories as she saw Ash's face yet again on her Pokegear. Bianca looked over her shoulder to see who Duplica was talking to and smiled, in a teasing way.

Bianca teased, "Is that your boyfriend?"

Duplica turned red from the accusation and replied, "No, this is my friend, Ash Ketchum!"

Ash chuckled as he asked, "Friend of yours?"

Duplica answered, "Sorta. This is Bianca, she lives here in Nuvema Town. I'm all the way in the Unova Region!"

Ash stated, "Oh wow, really? That's awesome! Thinking about going to Kalos after that?"

Duplica shrugged and replied, "I don't know, probably if there is gonna be some Ditto there."

Bianca responded, "I still think you need more Pokémon than just a Ditto."

Duplica started to argue, "Oh yeah well you..."

Ash got in the middle of the two girls and commented, "Duplica, Bianca! I usually don't break up cat fights but we do need help!"

Duplica and Bianca perked up as they both asked, "With what?"

Ash chuckled a bit as he explained what was going on, remembering that Duplica was REALLY good with disguises. She was just as good as Team Rocket (Jessie, James, and Meowth respectfully). Bianca turned to Duplica.

The blonde stated, "You should go, sounds like a real adventure."

The blue head replied, "I would like to go but your father put me in charge of you."

Bianca frown but then smiled as she pointed out, "Well, you don't want to leave me alone do you?"

Duplica groaned as Ash laughed. Suddenly, there was a shadow above of Duplica and Bianca's head, forcing Duplica to hang up on Ash. It was a long lizard with a flame on its tail. Duplica and Bianca perked up as the Pokémon landed in front of them and they saw two Pokémon like that. One had a pink ribbon on it while the other seemed to protect it. There was a girl on the Pokémon with the pink ribbon on it. Duplica looked at the mysterious girl. She had messy green hair pulled back in a ponytail, blue eyes, wearing red earrings, a red short sleeved shirt showing her bare midriff, short red shorts and red boots.

Duplica asked, "Who are you?"

The girl answered, "My name is Liza, I'm from the Charicific Valley and I'm a friend of Ash's."

Bianca questioned, bringing out her Pokedex, "And those Pokémon?"

Her Dexter chirped, "Charizard, the Flame Pokémon. It is said that Charizard's fire burns hotter if it has experienced harsh battles."

Liza stated, "The one with the pink ribbon is my Charizard. The one without...is Ash's."


Viridian City, Kanto Region

Ash got panic when he and Duplica got cut off but went to the library with his friends. Ranee seemed pretty determined to find out about the legend of Orre and more about Wes and his partner, Rui. Erika obliviously shivered from hearing the word "Orre" again after so long. Even though the Pallet Town residents knew about the legend, they refused to tell their friends, to preserve Erika's feelings. Since her brother was killed over there by the Shadow Pokémon, she vowed that she would go to Orre once enough time passed and once she was strong enough to face the Shadow Pokémon.

Erika thought, 'Looks like that time has come.' With that, she got out her Pokegear and scrolled down to a special number. Once she saw the contact that said "Professor Kane, Orre Region", she pressed the button. It ringed, it ringed, and it ringed. Finally, someone answered. It was the voice of a girl.

She said, "Hello, big sister! Jovi, I mean, I missed you!"

Erika giggled as she replied, "Hey, Jovi. Been a long time. Guess old habits die hard, huh?"

Jovi giggled herself and confessed, "I really do it in Michael's honor, Erika. I know we were separated when we were kids since our dad left and Michael and I sent to Orre with our mom..."

Erika cut her off, "Jovi, I know. I told everyone that my parents were still together and that Michael went over there to help out. It was to help my own breaking heart. Dad was in really bad shape when he returned to raise only me."

Jovi sighed sadly, "Erika, I don't know why you feel sorry for the man let alone find a way to lie about him and mom."

Erika confessed, "I guess it makes it easier for me since the Shadow Lugia incident. I still can't believe that thing killed Michael."

Jovi replied, "Believe it and Jovi had to wait five whole years before trying to do something and Jovi failed!"

Erika responded, "Which leads me to this call, Jovi. In the honor of Michael and to get vengeance for you and him, I want to take that snag machine for myself. It's time I do the Jones legacy like I was supposed to."


AK1028: A little confusing with Erika's story? Well, things will be cleared up soon, count on it! Happy 56th birthday to my inspiration to keep fighting, no matter what. She's always been there for me before she got sick and I'm damn proud to call her one word: mom! Happy birthday mom! I love you! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!