Author's Note: In this chapter we'll see a reunion with an old traveling companion, some bad guys, references to the movies etc.
3: Vermillion Reunion
The day of the grand opening of Cerise's lab came very quick as Gary had returned to his research center, and Ash settled Tyranitar in with the rest of his Pokémon. Thankfully the giant of a Pokémon fit right in with the rest of his team, and was quickly befriended by the others. The two days leading up to the trip saw the large Tyranitar being on the receiving end of his Charizard's competitive side, however, the Fire type was pleasantly surprised to find that the once gentle little Pokémon was now a powerhouse that could give even him a challenge.
Ash's happiness at having his newest Pokémon getting along so well with the rest did nothing to ease his worries over what could happen with the new app for the Rotom Phones. Still, it was worth going with the professor just to keep an eye on him as Gary had wished.
When the day came, Ash was taking no chances with what could happen, equipping himself with several varieties of Poké Balls, including a G.S. Ball for good measure, while also taking three of his best Pokémon, not including Pikachu: Tyranitar, Charizard and Sceptile.
He was also carrying the Old Amber he had found during his excursion into Tyranitar's burrow. According the the professor, a museum in Pewter City had recently begun a de-extinction program that allowed trainers and paleontologists to bring extinct Pokémon back from their fossils. However, Ash was slightly apprehensive about reviving the Pokémon from the Old Amber because Professor Oak had confirmed what he feared: the Old Amber contained fossilized DNA from an Aerodactyl.
It was a little known fact that Ash had a history with Aerodactyl, given that during his first year of training, he had come across a living specimen that had been awakened from its long hibernation because of Team Rocket. To add insult to injury, the Pokémon had woken up cranky...and hungry. Ash had almost been its first real meal in millenia.
Still, the fossil was a very valuable prospect.
"Ash," his mother called out to him as he finished getting ready, "We should hurry up, it's not nice to keep Samuel waiting," she said as she met him while he came down the stairs, a picnic basket in hand.
Ash sniffed, "Something smells good," he said, reaching for the basket only to have his mother slap the back of his hand, "Ah, Mom!" The young man whined with his usual crooked grin.
Delia smiled indulgently, "There's a breakfast sandwich waiting for you on the table if Pikachu hasn't gotten to it, yet." She laughed as her son practically flew into the kitchen: knowing Pikachu's appetite, he was right to hurry. Thankfully, his breakfast was still intact because his partner was still munching on a tomato sandwich.
"You're the best, Mom," Ash said around a mouthful a moment after taking a bite.
Delia frowned at him, "Ash Ketchum, you do not come home after finally learning table manners and start acting like a wild Munchlax!" She admonished loudly, one hand on her hip, "Do not talk with your mouthful again! Or else you'll never impress a girl!"
Ash swallowed loudly, his thoughts turning to Serena. "Sorry."
Delia noticed the sudden change almost immediately, "Sweetie," he turned to her, "Do you have someone you're thinking of?"
Ash frowned for a second...right before gobbling down the remains of his sandwich. "Nope!" He mumbled, his mouth stuffed full.
"Ash Ketchum!" Delia shouted while her son bolted for the door with Pikachu bounding after him with his half-eaten sandwich. The woman shook her head in exasperation, "What am I going to do with that boy?" She wondered to herself while Mimey brought her favorite straw hat she wore for outings. "Thank you, Mimey." She said as the Psychic type smiled, "Be sure that the vegetable garden get's plenty of water, the tomatoes especially." She said, "After that, you're free to do whatever you want. Alright?"
"Mime Mime!" Mimey saluted happily before moving toward the back of the house.
Delia left the house then to catch up with her son, but found that he was still just outside the fence where the professor and Tracey had just parked a jeep. "Good morning, Delia, my dear," Professor Oak said fondly, "I hope this little excursion isn't going to interfere too much?"
Delia shook her head as she handed her son the basket while Tracey helped her into the jeep, "Not at all," she smiled at her father-figure, "This is actually quite a nice way to get away from it all." She said while the boys got settled, "I haven't really left the house since Ash's Championship match."
"True," Professor Oak said, "Those were quite some battles," he started up the jeep and pulled away from the house. "Though I dare say that this day won't be so exciting."
Ash sighed as he leaned back in the seat with Pikachu sitting next to him on the picnic basket, "I hope you're right." He said, Tracey giving him a look of concern, "I have that feeling I get whenever there's a tough battle coming up." He explained, "Something's definitely going to happen."
"Something to do with the app for the Rotom Phones?" Tracey guessed, "You were acting pretty weird about it when you heard that it could predict where and when a Legendary Pokémon would pop up."
Ash put his hand on his hat to keep it from being blown off by the wind, "Like I said, people lose their minds when Legendary or Mythical Pokémon are involved." He said while Professor Oak nodded from the front seat, "I can't tell you how many times I've seen trainers lose all of their common sense when something like a Moltres, Zapdos or Articuno is rumored to be in the area." He said, thinking back to his and Tracey's time in the Orange Islands once again, "Remember that guy that was after that Lugia that lived in the ocean around Shamuti Island?"
Tracey shivered, "Yeah, that was one hell of an adventure," he recalled with a look in his friend's direction, "You almost didn't make it."
"I really wish you wouldn't talk about that incident," Delia moaned, "It was all I could do not to bring Ash back home after everything was said and done!" The woman said while her son chuckled, "It's not at all funny, Ash!"
"I know it's not," Ash said, a small grin on his face, "I still have nightmares about it every now and then." He admitted, though he never let it bother him for very long, "Anyway, my point stands: trainers lose all sense of themselves when they're after a Pokémon like that."
Professor Oak nodded in agreement, "It is something that I've seen for myself, young man," he said with sad sigh, "True, throughout the years, there has been quite a lot of trouble with trainers whenever such rare specimens were within range, even some fatalities, but since there's been a ban on using Mythical Pokémon in official tournaments, the hunt for them has slowed down."
"There's a difference," Ash said, "Mythical Pokémon are harder to track down, but Legendary Pokémon have been seen all over the place." He pointed out, "Aside from the big one on Shamuti Island, I've come across a female Lugia and her baby, several Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno. Nolan from the Battle Factory made friends with an Articuno."
"Don't forget that Brandon King uses three Legendary Pokémon," Tracey put in giving Ash a light ribbing, "It was no surprise that you had trouble beating him of all people."
Professor Oak chuckled, "Yes, I can't dispute the fact that Legendary Pokémon do tend to be seen more often than Mythical Pokémon," he said, "Though, their habitats, and migration patterns are still unknown to most, this new app that Professor Cerise is introducing will help those of us in the research field in learning those patterns."
"And completely ignore the chaos that follows when trainers catch wind of it," Ash muttered as they passed into the Viridian Forest.
ポケモン
Viridian City Gym/Team Rocket Headquarters
"And you're certain that this app is capable of what this Professor Cerise claims?" Giovanni asked of his subordinates.
One of them stepped forward, "Yes, Sir, we've confirmed it via our best hackers," he said, "Once this app is released to the public, not only will it be able to scan areas for wild Pokémon, but it will be able to determine their species, rarity, and strength."
The head of Team Rocket chuckled as his Persian purred beside him, "Then these fools don't know just how dangerous this new app is," he grinned as he motioned for two of his men to come forward, "I want you to infiltrate the lab, and steal the program for this app. With any luck, my scientists will be able to copy the data and program our own app for finding only the rarest of Pokémon."
"Yes, Sir," the two grunts said, "But, Sir, there has been some chatter that seems to lead many trainers to believe that a rare Pokémon may appear during this presentation, which is why the professor has made the unveiling so public."
Giovanni looked at the man with interest, "Is there, now?" He laced his fingers together and leaned back in his chair, "And what, pray tell, would you do if such a Pokémon appeared?"
"Only what you ordered us to do during the situation, Sir," the same grunt said, "Besides, even if the Pokémon was captured by someone else, the app's program would be able to tell us where another would appear."
"Good answer," the man said with a narrow-eyed grin, "This technology is more important than the chance appearance of a rare Pokémon, however, if something does appear, then you are to call for backup. Depending on the Pokémon's rarity, it may be worth it to take the risk."
The grunts nodded in understanding, "Shall we be on our way, Sir?"
"At once," Giovanni said, "And make certain to keep me well informed of the situation." He looked toward his secretary, "And where are those bumbling idiots? Have you taken care of their termination?"
The woman nodded, "They have, Sir, however before they could be fully dealt with, they stole what Pokémon they had used in the past, and made a run for it," she sighed, "I understand that they have great experience in disguise and stealth, but I assure you that we have some of our best trackers on their tales."
"Were the Pokémon they stole of any substantial value?" Giovanni asked, though the woman could see that his knuckles had turned white.
She shook her head, "N-no, Sir, it was only Pokémon that they had used in the past," she said and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the man relax, "And we have reports from some of our field agents that they're back in Kanto."
Giovanni held up his hand, "Never mind them. They weren't privy to any of my more important enterprises." He frowned, "What about reports on my old friend, the Marauder?"
"Fortunately he's been released from prison," she said, "Apparently he's eager to get back at the trainer that put him there, too." She added with a small frown adorning her face, "However, from my time in Alola, I have it on good information that that particular trainer has recently been put in place as the Regional Champion of Alola, and he's quite powerful."
Giovanni frowned, "Just what I need, another trainer with a glorified title," he said, "At least he won't be able to do anything to interrupt my affairs." He frowned when his secretary looked a little uncomfortable. "You have something to add, Miss Matori?"
"Yes, Sir," she sighed, "The Champion in question is...he's the same young man that interfered with your plans in the Unova Region, and for the loss of the Genesect subjects, as well as the secondary Mewtwo project."
Giovanni's brow furrowed furiously, "You mean to tell me that that brat has become a Regional Champion?"
"So it would seem, Sir," she said, "And it seems that he's returned to his home here in Kanto rather than making a home for himself in Alola." The grunts and higher up members of Team Rocket began muttering among themselves while their leader contemplated.
Giovanni gave a small sigh, "What do we know of this trainer?"
Matori frowned as she checked something on her data pad, "At first glance, Sir, he doesn't seem like much," she said, "Though we know better by this point. Before their termination, Jessie and James had multiple encounters with him in their foolish attempts to steal his Pikachu, which is reported to be extremely powerful for one of its species."
"However, his achievements include competing in several League Conferences, including his first, unofficial Championship in the Orange Archipelago's League. To this date he remains the unchallenged Champion of that League, not that anyone hasn't tried, but because the trainers representing the League are extremely strong." Matori went on, "His Pokémon tend to have varying talents, though all of them tend to be extremely fast in combat. During his time in Kalos competing the League there, he was able to form a special bond with a Greninja, which resulted in a sort of pseudo Mega Evolution, and were it not for the talented trainer he was battling at the time, it was very likely that he would have continued on to take the Regional Championship title from Diantha."
Giovanni nodded, "I've heard of her," he said, "To think that he was a favorite to take her place is something I wouldn't even dream of."
"Indeed, Sir," Matori nodded, "I believe that he would have beaten her, however. His team consisted of Pokémon that he had caught locally, even though he could have called on some of his more senior Pokémon, which include one of the most powerful Charizards I've ever seen," she went on as she scrolled down, "Physically, his strength, speed and overall agility is near superhuman levels for someone his age. Reports have also stated that he has other...specialized abilities."
"Like what, Miss Matori?" One of the grunts asked, "Is he some sort of Esper, or something?"
"A good question," Giovanni said, "I recall trying to recruit Sabrina of Saffron City into our ranks, but I underestimated her psychic abilities, which nearly cost me greatly."
Matori frowned as she checked something on her pad, "No, Sir, he's not an Esper...but I don't recall ever hearing of something like this," she said and looked at the Team Rocket leader directly, "Have you ever heard of something called Aura, Sir?"
Now Giovanni looked extremely interested, "I have, and it is not an ability to take lightly," he said as he leaned on his fingers, "It is dangerous to anyone that it is used against, but also very dangerous to the one using it." He grinned, "If that boy uses his abilities too much, then his body will begin to crystalize, very effectively killing him."
"Sir?" A young woman with blonde hair stepped forward, "If you don't mind me saying, this sounds a lot less dangerous than dealing with an Esper?"
The man nodded, "It is equally dangerous on both ends," he said, "True, an Esper's power isn't as easily taxed as an Aura user's is, but both do have their weaknesses." He smiled, then waved his hand in dismissal, "Bah, enough of this. We will deal with this new Champion if, or when he becomes a problem." He said and looked to his two members for the infiltration team, "Make sure you get that program. Take only the strongest Pokémon in the vaults, and make certain that a rare Pokémon does appear, we are the ones that obtain it."
The two grunts saluted, "Yes, Sir!" The said in unison before hurrying out of the room.
ポケモン
Some hours later, Ash found that Vermillion had changed a great deal since his last visit. It looked similar to Lumiose City now. "Jeeze, you leave the region for a few years, and everything changes."
Delia giggled, "Oh, this happened not so long after you left for Sinnoh," she said while her eyes wandered over to the newest shopping center, "As a matter of fact, I think I'd like to look around a bit." She looked at her son with a hint of regret, "Do you mind, Sweetie? I know that - "
Ash just grinned at his mother, "Mom, don't even worry about it." He said before he placed Pikachu in her arms, "But just in case something goes South, I want Pikachu to go with you. You mind, buddy?" He asked of his partner.
"Pi!" Pikachu grinned at him.
Delia looked at him, "But what if - "
"I have some of my strongest fighters with me," Ash reminded her, "I'll be fine. But if something happens, I'll know that you're in good paws." He gestured to Pikachu before giving his mother a hug, and a gentle push, "Now go and enjoy yourself. I'm just going to see this app thingamajig, and be back before anything crazy happens."
Professor Oak just laughed, "Ash, my dear boy, Vermillion City, a city that is well-known for a very vicious Gym Leader, what on Earth could happen?"
This time both Ash and Tracey gave the man a look that spoke volumes. "Um, Professor, I think Ash's track record could speak for itself whenever trouble is involved." The young man said with a bit of sweat droping down his face.
"He's right," Ash said, "I'm openly expecting some kind of trouble today because of that silly app thing," he reminded his grandfather figure, "And let's not forget that a certain trio of idiots like making a mess of my life whenever I seem to let my guard down."
"Or the fact that - " Tracey started before the professor held up his hand to stop him.
"I take the point, boys," he chuckled, "And since there seems to be trouble on the horizon, then we should make haste in order to avoid it." He suggested as he headed in the direction of the lab. "Come along, boys."
Ash looked at the parked jeep, "Wouldn't it be better to take the jeep?" He asked, "Remember, you're not as spry as you used to be?"
The man just laughed at the boy, "Yes, I do remember that little ditty," he said, "However, I didn't get to be as old as I am by taking it easy." He looked back at the jeep, "Though the jeep does present a tempting target for some thieving ruffian should one pass by," he stepped up to the vehicle, and opened up a panel on the side. Ash wasn't sure what it was for while the man pressed a button, and stepped back.
A moment later, the jeep was gone in a puff of smoke, startling Ash clear out of his wits as a small pill-shaped capsule hit the ground, "What the hell was that?!" Ash demanded, thoroughly surprised by the sudden disappearance.
"Ash Ketchum, you watch your language!" Delia shouted angrily while Tracey just laughed at his friend.
Professor Oak knelt and pocketed the capsule, "I'm sorry for startling you, my boy," he chuckled as he righted himself, "What you just saw was one of the newer mechanical marvels that you've probably missed out on." He said before taking a case and the very same capsule from his pocket, "You see, in recent years, Silph Co. has come up with an ingeneus take on Poké Ball technology." He flipped the case open and showed him two more capsules inside before he replaced the one that now contained the jeep. "These little marvels are called Dyno Capsules, or Dyno Caps for short." He explained, "They take the technology that allows a Poké Ball to minimize a Pokémon's size down, and be captured, or in this case, a jeep, and store it inside these small capsules so that they can be easily carried by trainers."
Ash frowned, "So those little things have cars in them?" He said skeptically, finding it hard to believe even though he had seen it himself only moments ago.
"Any number of small to medium vehicles, including some small aircrafts," he said much to the boy's growing amazement before he plucked one of the larger capsules out of the case, "This one actually contains what Silph Co. is calling their Capsule House."
Ash was floored, "There's...a house...in that little thing?" Ash pointed to the capsule in the professor's hand, "Why would anyone - ?"
"To make it easier on trainers that are just starting out," Tracey said, though he had a small frown on his face, "Not a lot of trainers like camping, and spending the night at a Pokémon Center sometimes get a little crowded."
"And so the people working for the company found a way to make a device that will ensure that young trainers could not only travel, but rest in comfort as well." The professor said with a small smile on his face, "Though the houses aren't very large, they can house at least two people, and come with a multitude of - "
Ash held up his hands, "I think I've heard enough," he grumbled before turning on his heel and heading up the road, "Apps that can locate dangerous Pokémon, and now there's house-filled Poké Ball look-alikes! What next!?"
Delia giggled as the professor and Tracey looked after him, "I think my son's just a little bit overwhelmed at all of the changes that happened while he's been away," she said as the professor put the capsule case away, "Though I shouldn't be surprised: he's always preferred being outdoors rather than staying inside."
Professor Oak sighed, "Well, it should come as no surprise since these capsules haven't been made available worldwide, yet." He sighed, giving the younger woman a look of apology, "I'm sorry, Delia, I didn't mean to startle him."
"You didn't," she smiled at him while petting Pikachu, "He's just beginning to let the world catch up with him."
Tracey sighed, "More like he's come crashing back into the world before he went off to become a Regional Champion."
Meanwhile the young man in question was making his way toward the lab, feeling far more embarrassed for being caught off guard so badly. It wasn't that it bothered him that the world was becoming more technologically advanced, it was the fact that he hadn't noticed: just like he hadn't noticed other things, which was truly starting to bother him, now.
He slowed his pace, and started to think, "Maybe I can get some of those capsule things," he thought out loud, "At least then I would have a place of my own until I can figure out what to do about - "
"Ash!" Someone ahead of him shouted, "Ash Ketchum!" He looked up and saw a young boy running toward him waving frantically with a huge grin on his face.
Ash blinked before he saw something familiar: a pair of wide-rimmed glasses, and a green jacket not unlike the one he had worn in Kalos, "Max?" He started to grin, "Max Maple, is that really you?!" He ran charged ahead and crashed into the boy just as he lept at him in a huge hug, "Holy Mankey, you've grown!" He laughed boisterously as he swung his friend/little brother around.
"You bet I have!" The young trainer asked while Ash set him back on his feet, "I couldn't stay a runt forever, you know, not when I'm twelve, now!" He grinned while rubbing a finger under his nose.
Ash stepped back and took a better look at him. Indeed, Max Maple wasn't the short little boy he had been while he had traveled with him through Hoenn and Kanto together with his sister, May Maple, and his oldest friend, Brock. Max was not just a foot shorter than himself with a slim build, though he could tell that he was very fit for someone his age. He had the look of a well-traveled trainer.
"You look like a real trainer, now," He smiled at the boy before reaching out to ruffle his hair, making him laugh, "Your parents must be really proud!"
Max's grin faded slightly, "Yeah, they are, but..." his eyes lowered.
Ash saw a little hint of jealousy on his face, "But what?"
Max sighed, "I've gotten really good at battling, just the way you do," he said, but shook his head a moment later, "But everyone keeps comparing me to my sister."
Ash just gave him a crooked grin, "That's what's bothering you?" He laughed as the boy pouted at him, "Max, your sister is a great trainer, and a top Coordinator. I've seen some of her Contest battles." He told the boy, who was growing more depressed, "And if people are comparing you to her, then that means that they expect you to be a fantastic trainer."
"But I haven't even made to the top twenty-five in any of the League Conferences I've entered," he moaned, "I didn't even make it through the qualifiers back home in Hoenn."
"And why is that?" Ash asked, "Did you make a mistake as a trainer?"
Max shook his head, "Well, no, I - "
"Did your Pokémon not listen to you?" Ash pressed on, remembering his first League, "I know I've told you about what happened with Charizard during my first League Conference."
Max was surprised to have been asked that one, "No, no, it wasn't that," he said vehemently, "All of my Pokémon are really well-behaved, and - "
"Then the other trainer must have just been lucky," Ash surmised with a huge grin on his face, "After all that you've been through, the other trainer must've had a huge stroke of luck to - "
"He was using a Legendary Pokémon," Max blurted out, shivering, "I never stood a chance! I mean my Kirlia and Marshstomp are my best, and even they couldn't land a scratch on the only Pokémon he sent out!"
Ash stood back with a thin smile on his face, "Ah, you must've had a run-in with Tobias?" Max nodded his head slowly while Ash placed both hands on his shoulders, "Max, losing to a trainer that's skilled enough to capture and tame Pokémon like that is nothing to be ashamed off. Remember? I lost to him, too."
Max looked at him with a small hint of tears in his eyes, "Yeah, but you did way better than I did," he reminded him, "You managed to take out two of his Pokémon, and I couldn't even take out one."
"Yeah, but I had several years of traveling and training under my belt by then," Ash pointed out with a small laugh as he started walking toward the lab again, bringing Max along with him, "And I'd battled several Legendary Pokémon by then, too. I knew what to expect."
"So did I," Max said, "I've seen just as many as you have."
"But you never battled any of them," Ash pointed out, "I have, and believe me, Max, it's not an easy thing to do." He said, "Plus, it was your first year as a trainer, and you got put up against someone that uses Legendary Pokémon." He said with a little hint of bitterness in his voice, "I think that right there is cheating, thank goodness there's a ban on using Mythical Pokémon, or else that guy would be almost unbeatable."
Max smiled at him, "You really think so?"
Ash nodded, "Yup, I should know," he said, "I caught a Mythical Pokémon, and it lost during its League debut."
Max smiled at him, "I watched that match," he said, "I can't believe you're a League Champion now!"
Ash grinned and slung his arm over the younger trainer's shoulder, "And it only took me eight years to do it," he smiled at the boy, "Keep that in mind, Max. Being a decent trainer takes time." He sighed a moment later, "But do yourself a favor," he said and looked down at the boy, "Don't lose yourself in it so much that you let something important pass you by."
Max looked at him curiously, "Something important?" He blinked in confusion, "Like what?"
Ash just smiled and ruffled his hair again, "Nothing," he smiled, "Just me grousing, I guess." He said and looked ahead of them. The lab was insight, and he saw that there was a very large crowd gathered around it. "Anyway, it looks like a real circus is about to start." He sighed while the two young men headed toward the mob. "Let's see what trouble this app thing is gonna cause."
ポケモン
Author's Note: I know that I run on about this Pokémon finding app being dangerous a lot, but there's a reason for that, promise :p. Anywhoo, sorry that the reunion is with Max and not one of the chicas, but I always thought of Max as the little annoying brother type to Ash since the kid looked up to him so much. Next is the real chaos!
Wanna see that? Ya'll know to do!
Adios Pokéfans!
