S3 Ep2: Midnight Madness
(DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN POKÉMON OR BEN 10! POKÉMON BELONGS TO GAMEFREAK/NINTENDO! BEN 10 BELONGS TO MAN OF ACTION STUDIOS/CARTOON NETWORK STUDIOS/WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY).
(The Ketchum's have just finished shopping at "Mega-mall-opolis". Ash, Pikachu, Iris, and Axew are both enthusiastic, with Iris and Axew continuing to read the mall booklet as they head back to the Northern Star with their shopping).
Iris: Five-hundred stores, seventy-two-restaurants, Forty-eight movie screens, an indoor rollercoaster!
Axew: Best Mall I have ever been to.
Ash: We could just spend the whole Summer here. This mall has everything. (Dramatically falling to the ground expressing his joy. A burglar alarm sounds, and the mall security comes running out to take the shadowy robbers down).
Mall Cop #1: Halt in the name of mall security!
Mohn: ...Including their own police force.
Zoroark: Likely we Can give them a hand.
Ash: (Cracking knuckles). Looks like the police officers could use a little help. Eugh, a Hero's work is never over. (Ash cycles through silhouettes before transforming into Stoutland. While in pursuit of the two robbers, masked in shadow, they can get onto a higher level in the parking structure by using a nearby streetlamp as something to kick off. The police are in a state of puzzlement by their method of escaping, and are shocked to see Stoutland too, swinging up to follow. Stoutland Growling. Stoutland catches up and knocks the figures to the ground, scattering the jewels, but, to his surprise, finds that the two robbers were two normal-looking senior citizens. But they are not as they seem when they start doing gymnastics and are in Shape enough to land a kick directly onto Stoutland's face).
🎵 It started when an alien device did what it did 🎵
🎵 And stuck itself upon his wrist with secrets that it hid 🎵
🎵 Now he has superpowers, he is no ordinary kid 🎵
🎵 He's Ash 150! (Ash 150!). 🎵
🎵 So if you see him, you might be in for a shocking surprise 🎵
🎵 He'll turn into a Pokémon before your very eyes 🎵
🎵 He's slimy, freaky, fast, and strong, he is every shape and size 🎵
🎵 He's Ash 150! (Ash 150!). 🎵
🎵 Armed with Abilities, he is on the case 🎵
🎵 Fighting off evil from Earth or Ultra Space 🎵
🎵 He'll never stop 'till he Beats them in Battle🎵
🎵 'Cause he is the baddest kid to ever save the day 🎵
🎵 Ash 150! 🎵
(The elderly citizens dominated their fight against Stoutland, while Stoutland has difficulty even laying a scratch on them. As nothing he does seems to work in stopping them. The situation is complicated as the police arrive. When Stoutland looks back the two senior citizens were gone).
Mall Cop #2: They let loose some kind of rabid dog to cover their tracks. Get him. (Siren blare as Stoutland makes a run for it while Grandpa Mohn brings the RV round the parking lot so that he gets in). They must be trying to escape in that RV. (The police set off after the Northern Star and take pursuit of it). Cut him off. (Mohn sees the police in front of them. He tries to avoid them, but he ends up crashing into a pole. The police come in the RV to locate Stoutland. Instead of finding the beast, he finds the Ketchum's, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark perfectly calm and Cooperative).
Ash: Uh, looking for something officer? (Confusing the police officer as he looks for Stoutland).
(The Next Morning the group is walking the Mall with Iris Chastising Ash over his inability to stop the robbers from the night before).
Iris: Nice going last night, "Hero". Not only did you let the robbers get away, but because they thought your furry-butt was inside, they played demolition-derby with the Northern Star.
Pikachu: It was not Ash's fault.
Ash: (Mimicking Iris' whining mockingly). Hey, the mall's gonna pay for all the repairs, and it bought us A Couple of more days here while Grandpa waits for the parts. You should be thanking me. (Continuing to sip his drink).
Iris: I suppose you are right, Nice Job, Stoutland. (Iris happily gives him a slap on the back, causing him to spit his drink out. They continue walk through the mall and then Iris and Axew find a bulletin board that catches her attention. Reading the sign). Huh! "The amazing Xerosic, Master of Hypnosis", "last day"? Cool! Let us check it out!
Ash: (Sarcastically). Gee, and to think we almost missed him. (An audience forms on the set-out chairs in front of the stage).
Xerosic: (Over the speakers). Ladies and Gentlemen, Presenting Xerosic, the Master of hypnosis. (A pale man, who has orange, oddly cut hair, with a goatee comes out through purple smoke. He wears orange goggles, with a small microphone on his right ear. He wears an orange tie with his orange suit and a pair of shoes. He also wears a rubber glove on his left hand, while his other glove is sticking out of his left pocket on the suit. Coughing). Behold Xerosic, I am about to take you on a journey through that mysterious realm known as... the mind. First, I shall require A Couple of volunteers. (To a mostly silent audience).
Ash: Ugh. Give me a break. Only somebody with half a brain can undergo hypnosis. (Iris has an idea, she grabs Ash's hand and puts its up).
Iris: Hey, here is a volunteer for you!
Ash: Me? Forget it!
Axew: Iris what are you doing?
Pikachu: Are you sure about this?
Iris: What is the matter? Afraid you do not have half a brain? (Ash reluctantly gets on the stage after Pikachu climbs off and goes into Iris' Arms, with two others, a short elderly woman and an old man).
Xerosic: Now... clear your minds. Focus only on this pocket watch as it swings back and forth. (He first starts out by swinging the pocket watch back and forth, telling his volunteers to focus on it closely). Your eyelids are feeling heavy. You are falling into a de-ee-ep sleep! (He sees that it is not affecting them at all, and he reaches out for another watch, but this time, he presses a button to activate a sort of wave, which makes them fall asleep. Ash and the Volunteers Snoring. Iris reaches out for a video camcorder and seems to be enjoying herself).
Iris: Major Extortion time.
Xerosic: Now. You are in my power when you open your eyes, you will all become newborn babies. (In an instant, Ash and the two other volunteers at once start crying, and the audience breaks out into laughter, even Pikachu is enjoying it. Ash and the Volunteers are Sobbing). Now! You are all Combusken's in a barnyard. (Afterwards, Ash and the two-start squawking and waving their arms. Ash and Volunteers are Clucking).
Mohn: (Walking into the giggling audience with Zoroark). Why is Ash acting like a Combusken?
Zoroark: Iris? What is going on?
Iris: It is my early Christmas present.
Axew: Mine too.
Pikachu: I am enjoying it a bit.
Xerosic: You are a ballet dancer. (The man springs into a dance). You are a ferocious Ursaring. (The woman roars).
Female Volunteer: Arrr!
Iris: This is so funny!
Axew: Its hilarious.
Pikachu: Definitely.
Zoroark: I am enjoying.
Xerosic: (To Ash). And you, my lad, you are a Pokémon.
Mohn: Joke is over. (Iris tosses the camcorder into the air as Mohn catches it. Iris runs to save Ash with Pikachu and Axew. Ash begins to activate the Pokétrix. Iris runs up to the stage as Ash is about to activate it and tackles him behind the curtain as he transforms).
Iris: Ash, no! (Xerosic is now angry and confronts Iris, Axew, and Pikachu behind the curtain).
Xerosic: You are ruining the performance!
Iris: Sorry my cousin had to run to the little Pokémon' room.
Axew: My Apologies.
Pikachu: We are sorry. (Xerosic scowls at them at goes back at the other side of the curtain. They look and see that Ash has become Elgyem and says still under Xerosic's Hypnosis).
Elgyem: Uh. Take me to your leader. Your will is my command. (Iris smirks at this, getting ideas of what she could do with him like this. While Axew and Pikachu look on at Iris, wondering what was going on in her mind).
(Later that night, Mohn is busy doing the tune-ups for the RV with Zoroark's help, while Iris, Axew, Ash, and Pikachu are inside looking at Ash's performance while he was under hypnosis with Axew and Pikachu watching).
Ash: Ugh, this is so embarrassing. (The video shows Ash feeding the relaxing Iris grapes. Then Elgyem combs her hair).
Iris: Wait. Wait. Here is my favorite part.
Elgyem: (On the video). More grapes, Master?
Ash: Aw, man. (Then the Film continues showing Elgyem combing Iris' Hair from the edge of the sofa).
Iris: (Recorded). Hey, take it easy. You are gonna give me split ends. (Before he reverts into Ash, falling off the edge of the sofa, and snapping out of the trance and back to normal).
Ash: (Confused). What? What just happened?
Iris: Too bad you snapped out of it when the Pokétrix timed out i was going to have you do a hot oil conditioning treatment next.
Ash: Yes? (Ash grabs the video camera away from her and tries to erase the content). Well, that is why they created erase buttons.
Iris: Give that back! (They fight for it, and Mohn catches the camera as it flies).
Mohn: All right that is a wrap on the video. It has been a long day, and we could all use a little shut eye. Lights out.
Zoroark: Go to bed.
Ash: Why can't you just leave me alone?
Iris: Doofus.
Ash: Ugh.
Pikachu: Good night, everyone.
Axew: I am beat.
(The next day, the Ketchum's are inside the mall again, as the clocktower rings and it looks that Ash is a little out of it and can barely keep up with the others).
Mohn: Hey, you okay, Ash? You do not seem as peppy as usual.
Zoroark: Everything okay.
Ash: Just a little tired, that is all.
Pikachu: Likely an Afternoon Nap will be benefitting to you.
Iris: Whoa. What happened?
Axew: What is going on here?
Mall Cop #1: Somebody stole the motor from the sea dragon ride by chance a prank by a couple of punk kids. (The mall police officers find what looks to be one of Aggron's Claws, which at once catches their attention).
Mall Cop #2: What do you make of this? (The others all shoot Ash suspicious look, he at once knows what they are undoubtedly thinking and defends himself saying).
Ash: What? I did not do it, I swear. (Mohn, Zoroark, Iris, Axew, and Pikachu are very suspicious considering his fatigue). Hey, I am not the only Pokémon in the galaxy, you know. (They ease on their suspicious looks a little).
(Later that night, when the clock tower strikes twelve, the same psychic waves are set free through the mall area, and Ash wakes up, jumping down from the bunk bed, getting Pikachu. Axew, and Iris' attention).
Iris: Uh, Ash, where are you going at this time of night? (As Ash activates the faceplate of the Pokétrix). Hello. Earth to doofus, I asked you a question. (Iris, Axew, and Pikachu catch him transforming into Rotom). Wait! You cannot go out like that. (Following Ash out of the RV are Iris, Axew, Pikachu, Mohn, and Zoroark. They see him navigate through the buildings).
Mohn: He must be sleepwalking.
Zoroark: While in Pokémon form? (Rotom heads out to the mall. Jumping through telegraph poles and electricity lines. Mohn, Zoroark, Iris, Axew, and Pikachu follow Ash, but the mall security has come to take him down. A helicopter points weapon at him).
Mall Cop #1: Halt in the name of mall security! (While the helicopters surround Rotom as he clambers up the clocktower, more police officers come in the ground. Rotom is under attack by the helicopters, causing him to "melt", although he easily reverts to normal).
Iris: Ash, wake up! You are sleepwalking!
Axew: Stop Please!
Mohn: It is no use, Iris, he cannot hear you he may have no idea what he is doing.
Zoroark: There is nothing we can do about it.
Iris: So, what else is new?
Pikachu: I know.
Mohn: (Seeing the police arrive), I had better get up there. (In his blob form he launches himself merges with one of the helicopters to shoot down the others and the ground forces with green energy).
Mall Cop: Look! (Rotom pilots the helicopter besides, then merges with the clock in the tower to escape by turning its arms into propellers).
Iris: Time sure flies when you go Pokémon. (The group Ducks as Ash flies overhead and away from the scene).
(As Rotom un-merges, Xerosic walks out an Open warehouse and questions Rotom).
Xerosic: Who are you? What happened to the guy that looked like a walking chandelier? (Rotom gives no form of a response. Xerosic shrugs his shoulders). Oh, well who cares, so long as you do what I say? Now get out of here before the police officers see you! (Rotom merges with a nearby bulldozer. He then drives off as Xerosic Watches).
(The next day, Ash wakes up in the bulldozer's digger, and...
Ash: Aw man, what a weird dream. Whoa! (He topples off in confusion while looking out, to his surprise, he finds that it was next to the RV, only falling A Couple of feet). Oh, man!
(The next day, the mall manager is in an interview on the TV).
Newscaster: Despite last night's bizarre attack and other burglaries. The mall representative had this to say.
Mall Official: This was an isolated incident. The mall is open for business. Shopper safety is our number one priority.
(Inside the RV, Mohn, Zoroark, Iris, Axew, and Pikachu question a sleepy Ash).
Ash: So why would I go Pokémon and then steal bizarre stuff like a rollercoaster motor and a big clock?
Mohn: Well, sleepwalkers are in a hyper dream state, nothing makes sense in a dream.
Zoroark: Which is quite unfortunate.
Iris: Yes, but most sleepwalkers do not have a watch full of Pokémon Heroes at their control.
Mohn: Well, Iris' got a point. We are gonna need to keep you awake and away from people until we can figure out how to stop your midnight strolls. (Iris throws water at Ash as he dozes off, as is seeming to be enjoying herself).
Ash: Hey! Why would you do that?
Iris: Just doing my job.
Pikachu: Sorry Ash. But you will need to stay awake. (Later, when Ash is asleep when Iris pinches Ash's nose as he sleeps waking him up).
Ash: Aah! (Then Iris pours ice cubes down Ash's shirt as he sleeps). Aah! (As Ash flops onto a bed, Iris yanks the covers out from under him). Ahh! (Later when Ash tries to fall asleep once again. Iris and Pikachu see it. Pikachu looks over at Iris who nods at him, snaps her fingers and points to Ash. Pikachu sighs feeling bad for Ash before using Thunderbolt to wake Ash up and making him fall out of the bed again). Hey, you are enjoying this, aren't you?
Iris: (Blowing an air horn in his face). Now, why would you say that?
(Later that night, the three and their Pokémon are too tired to keep themselves awake, Iris walks over to get Mohn and Zoroark to get them take over keeping Ash awake).
Iris: Grandpa, Zoroark, wake up, it is your shift. (Falling to sleep before she could wake Mohn and Mohn and Zoroark up. Ash who was sleeping with his Head on hand slams his head down on the table.
(Not far away in the now Clockless Clock Building hole, is Xerosic. He takes his watch out).
Xerosic: Awake, my slaves. Awake and serve your master Xerosic. (Activating his watch sending waves outward. Until it hits Ash and in an instant. Ash wakes up, and he transforms into a Pokémon. Feeling the increased heat in the RV. Iris, Mohn, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark wake up a little bit).
Mohn: Iris, Axew, turn down the heat, will you? (He begins poking Iris on the head). Because I am cooking over here. (They hear the RV door close and they all at once awaken). Ash! (They run outside to find Magmortar outside. Magmortar shoots off into the air).
(At the nearby hardware store, Magmortar helps with the robbery, using the elderly, by melting the steel chains into a cable with his Flamethrower Before Blowing a Hole in the Wall for the Criminals to escape from on Forklifts with Cables attached to them. The Ketchum's arrive).
Mohn: Ash! Listen to me. You need to snap out of this.
Zoroark: It is us. (But Magmortar does not respond to them firing a Fire Blast at them. But Iris gets them all to safety before the Fire Blast Can hit them. They all hide somewhere safe).
Iris: You are under some kind of hypnotic Spell or something. (The police officers come in to get him, though they fire a couple of Smoke Bombs at him. In response he fires Flamethrowers in all directions).
Swat Cop: You two, get away from that thing. (They get the Ketchum's and their Pokémon to safety. Until one of the Cops Sees the propane tanks behind them). Everybody out. Move! Move! Move! (They run out, fortunately with everyone getting to a safe distance before Magmortar created an explosion, though debris goes flying everywhere. They were just hoping that Ash was okay after that Explosion).
Mall Official: (Being videoed). This was an isolated incident. The mall is open for business. Shopper safety is our number one priority.
(In the RV, Iris shows the video of Xerosic's show on her camcorder).
Mohn: So Xerosic plants post- hypnotic suggestions in his volunteers, turning them into his army of thieves.
Zoroark: I hate to say it, but that is quite smart and brilliant of him.
Iris: But the sound of the Pokétrix timing out snaps Ash out of the trance.
Axew: Which is the only good thing we have now. (Then they see that Ash is asleep again. Before Having an Air horn activated by his ear to wake him up).
Ash: Aah! But why have me steal all that weird stuff?
Pikachu: I Wish I knew.
Mohn: I do not know, but Xerosic sure does. We need to find him, and fast.
(Now at the mall manager's office, Mohn and Zoroark were with the Mall Official).
Mall Official: This was an isolated incident. The mall is open for business. Shopper safety is our number one priority.
Mohn: Yes, yes, you said that already. But I am saying your shoppers are in danger.
Zoroark: Please believe us.
Mall Official: This was an isolated incident. The mall is open for business. Shopper safety is our number one priority. (Hearing the message again, Mohn and Zoroark knew this was not working).
Mohn: Okay, this is getting us nowhere. (Mohn gives up and heads out with Zoroark. Xerosic comes in, revealing that he had hypnotized the mall manager).
Xerosic: Well, done all the preparations are complete. It is showtime! (Xerosic Knocks something over in his theatrical gesture).
(Mohn and Zoroark find Ash at a water fountain, sleeping with Pikachu trying to wake him up).
Mohn: Hey, Ash, wake up. (The Water Splashes on him as Mohn puts a Hand to his shoulder pulling him away). Where's Iris? (Due to his own tiredness, Ash completely misinterprets Mohn's Question. Instead responding with).
Ash: Oh, mom, I am too tired to go to school. (Just then Iris and Axew arrive with Iris carrying a Brown Shopping bag).
Iris: I have the perfect solution to your sleepwalking problem! (She reaches into the bag and holds up a Pair of handcuffs). If you cannot touch the Pokétrix, you cannot go Pokémon.
Ash: Where did you get those?
Iris: "Survivalists "R" Us". They have a very extensive Selection. (Iris handcuffs his arms behind his back so that Ash will be unable to activate the Pokétrix).
Mohn: I do not know about this Iris.
Zoroark: Me neither Iris.
Iris: What could go wrong?
Axew: Relax, I am Quite confident in this Idea of hers.
Pikachu: Somehow, I doubt Iris here. (Then they see a giant clock drop from a ceiling tile with Xerosic on the big screen).
Xerosic: Greetings, mallrats. (He uses the clock tower's giant clock to use as his instrument), I am Xerosic, Master of hypnosis. You are all about to take a journey through that mysterious realm known as the mind. No need to volunteer, now all of you will obey me forever!
(The Giant Clock begins swinging back and forth).
Xerosic: Your eyelids are getting very heavy. You are falling into a deep sleep.
Ash: Huh? A giant hypno-watch? Ha! No way that will ever work. (As the giant watch continues to swing, Xerosic activates his watch to release the hypnotic waves, this time, affecting all the shoppers. Seeing people fall over). Or- looks like it will. (Ash, Pikachu, Iris, Axew, Mohn, and Zoroark begin to run away from the Hypnotic waves). Do not look at the clock. Do not look at the clock. (Ash Dodges behind a Pilar hiding, preventing the hypno waves from affecting him. Once it was safe, he looked behind him to see Mohn, Zoroark, Iris, Axew, and Pikachu there. While he was able to avoid it, Iris, Mohn, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark were not so Lucky, lying unconscious on the floor. They were all Snoring. Ash goes to Iris' bag and rifles through the shopping bag to find the key for the handcuffs). Iris, wake up. Where is the key? (Xerosic, through the monitor, orders them).
Xerosic: All arise and obey my every command every minute of every day. (Everyone's eyes widen, and they rise now under Xerosic's control). Now, bring me all the riches of this place. (Everyone walks off to do as Xerosic said. Including Mohn, Zoroark, Iris, Axew, and Pikachu. Ash upon seeing Iris start to walk off with the bag and away with Axew and Pikachu while he is still handcuffed).
Ash: Wait, Iris, come back. (Various shoppers begin looting expensive items. Including Cash Registers, cars, ATMs, and prize money in jars. With Iris, Axew and Pikachu breaking open an ATM full of Coins and Dollar Bills. While Mohn and Zoroark were pushing a Cart with Money in it for a Lottery Spin board. Xerosic was watching all this through various monitors feeling quite pleased).
Xerosic: Yes, yes! First the mall, then all the world! There will be no stopping me.
(Ash needs to find a solution fast before the situation gets worse. Luckily, Ash finds a nearby key maker's booth, and the metal grinder was on. He uses it to grind down the chain metal from his cuffs).
Ash: You may control every single person and Pokémon... (Ash transforms into Trevenant. And climbs up the mall floors).
Trevenant: ...but what about a Kodama? (He stretches his arm upward and swings there as Xerosic appears on a Giant Screen watching him).
Xerosic: You there! "Plant guy". Stop! Obey me. (While an unresponsive Ash blinks), I command you, obey me! (Addressing shoppers). Do not just stand there. Stop that plant thing. (Trevenant finds that someone is driving a car into him, driving down the escalators with him on board).
Trevenant: (Seeing it about to crash). Emergency brake! (Stopping the car before it crashes but goes flying into a display). Uh! Uh! (Iris, Mohn, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark then come in another car, and Trevenant was successful in dodging them). Hey... How come Iris gets to drive? (Seeing the car hit the guard rails). Grandpa! Iris! (He finds Iris, Mohn, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark driving off the floor, and Trevenant comes to the rescue perching himself beneath him, before grabbing another ledge before they fall to their doom). Hang on... (Losing grip and landing on the floor but having saved Iris, Mohn, Pikachu, Axew, and Zoroark). Whoa! Oof. Going up! (Grabbing the elevator as it ascends. Entering the office through the broken window). Show's over. (Trevenant uses the elevator to come up to the security control center where Xerosic is).
Xerosic: Trim that hedge! (Xerosic orders four elderly citizens armed with chainsaws to take him down. Trevenant jumps and hangs from the Ceiling. Before using Confuse to confuse them into dropping their Chainsaws. Then he drops back to the floor, before Xerosic tries to run away to escape. But Trevenant gives chase to him, before extending his arms to catch and constrain Xerosic, holding him over a bannister in victory. But then the Pokétrix Logo begins beeping and Trevenant changes back into Ash, and they fall to the giant clock).
Ash and Xerosic: Aah! (Luckily, they land and hold onto the hands of the Clock).
Xerosic: You! Now I will put you in a trance from which you will never recover! (He takes his watch out).
Ash: (But then the Clock hands begin to Spin around the clock). Aah! (Ash grabs onto the second hand, and he luckily manages to take the watch away from Xerosic).
Xerosic: Give that back you brat! (Ash activates the watch and snaps everyone out of Xerosic's trance saying into the watch).
Ash: Everyone, wake up! You are all free!
Xerosic: (As everyone comes to their senses). No! No, no! It is not fair.
Ash: Now who is the baby? (Xerosic reaches out to get Ash but loses his grip from the clock's hand, falling down and onto a bouncy castle, though still hitting the hard floor in rebound, he quickly makes a run for it, although Mohn was fast enough to open the display car door and have him run into it, knocking him out).
Mohn: Looks like your time's up!
Zoroark: But you are in for a bit of time, hard. (Zoroark chuckles at his joke).
Iris: Nice Job, Ash... Ash? (However, when Iris tells her cousin what a Nice Job he did, Ash fell asleep on top of the clock because of the lack of sleep he had while under Xerosic's control).
(They finally hit the road the next day, and Ash seems to have taken Xerosic's watch as a souvenir. And he was much clearly more refreshed then before. And hoped to have fun with his newest souvenir).
Ash: Your eyelids are feeling heavy. You are falling into a deep sleep.
Mohn: Hey, Ash, what are you doing back there?
Zoroark: Something fun?
Ash: Uh, nothing! (Swinging the watch in front of Iris as Pikachu and Axew watch). You are now completely under my power. (Using its power out on Iris).
Iris: Yes, Master. Your wish is my command. (Axew is amazed that the watch really works here).
Axew: No way.
Pikachu: Amazing.
Ash: Oh, cool! It worked! Now, get me and Pikachu a little ice cream.
Iris: Yes, Master. (She heads to the freezer to take a Can out).
Ash: This Summer just got a whole lot better. (As he puts the Swinging watch away). Now, give it to me.
Iris: Yes, Master. (She gives it to him but landing it on his head instead).
Ash: Hey!
Iris: Ha! Psych! Do you want anything else, "Master"?
Ash: Just a different cousin. (Iris, Axew, and Pikachu Laugh at this).
-To be continued-
Next time on ... Ash 150
A Change of Face