"Bad day?" Sabrina asked, reclining back on one of her couch's armrests as she read yet more documents.
"Yes," Atsushi groaned as he dropped his snow dusted coat and bag in the entryway leading to the living room. "Half of the departments were late with their reports and we had a big deadline coming up. I had to process six reports in three hours and then rush the results over to the other side of town to get it sent in time."
"Oh, you poor thing," Sabrina crooned, sitting up properly. "Come here," she told him, patting her lap.
Atsushi lay down on the couch, head in her lap. "Thanks," he said.
"You know, you could have asked me for a lift," Sabrina said, gently stroking his hair. "I could have teleported you there."
"I don't want to bother you," Atsushi told her, snuggling into her. "Especially since you've been so busy lately."
"That's considerate, but given how this investigation has been going, I'd like to do something simple," Sabrina said. "At least then I can feel like I'm actually accomplishing something."
"I'll keep that in mind next time," Atsushi replied.
"You know, you might as well tell me the rest," Sabrina said with a smirk. "You're not doing a very good job of hiding your thoughts."
"What? All my thoughts should be about how comfortable I am right now."
"Oh, I know exactly how comfortable you are right now," Sabrina said, her smirk growing. "But I know you had other reasons for not asking me for a lift."
"I don't want to get more shit about how I'm sleeping with the boss," Atsushi said with a sigh. "It's silly, I know. You're in charge of the gym, but not my department, so you're not actually my boss. It's just that… I don't know, maybe my coworkers are starting to hate me or something."
"I haven't picked up on any resentment towards you, so they're just teasing you," Sabrina told him. "Besides they're just jealous."
"I mean, you are a very-"
"No, I just mean of you in general," the nature of Sabrina's smirk changed. "Well, if they weren't jealous of you, they're jealous of me. I caught quite a few interested thoughts when people were looking at you in that dress that you wore to the festival dance."
"When did you have time to peep on people's thoughts? If I recall your attention, and your hands, were quite occupied that night."
"Well, I found a few seconds to spare," Sabrina said, her smirk becoming self-congratulatory, before a more normal expression reasserted itself. "How come you haven't worn something like that again?"
"Dresses fitted for men are too expensive," Atsushi said. "I'll follow your lead and stick with suits and tuxestuxes."
"Well, I can't complain about that either," Sabrina said, predatory smirk returning, walking her fingers down his chest and stomach. "It's nice to look at your-
"Th-Thanks," Atsushi stuttered, turning red. "Anyway, what are you reading?"
"A report on an incident that happened a few days ago, on the southern coast by Fuchsia," Sabrina answered, sighing and removing her hand from Atsushi to pick up the papers. "There were some poachers who attempted a mass capture of a flock of butterfrees. It might be related to the investigation I'm working on."
"Really? The one with the scientist and the caterpies?"
"Ye- Wait, how do you know about that?" Sabrina asked, eyes narrow as she leaned over his head.
"Love, you talk in your sleep," Atsushi answered, with a smirk of his own. And then his expression grew sheepish. "And, after hearing you talk, I got curious and looked up the publicly available information. I only know that there was a violent incident in the southern forests of Saffron and that Team Rocket poached some caterpies."
"Yes," Sabrina said. She tapped a finger on the couch's armrest for a moment and then spoke again. "Do you know the reason why caterpies are sometimes targeted?"
"Let's see, caterpies…. Uh don't they evolve quickly?" Atsushi said, starting up at Sabrina from his position in her lap. "And, uh, don't they become butterfrees?"
"Correct."
"And butterfrees have mild psychic potential. Not enough to be a psychic-type, but enough to work with?"
"Again, correct," Sabrina said, nodding. "If you need a bunch of cheap psychic muscle on the quick, it's easy to grab a bunch of caterpies and evolve them."
"So that's why you think the butterfree poaching incident is related to your investigation?" Atsushi asked. "Because they already tried going after the caterpies?"
"Once more you're right," Sabrina said to her lover. "Unfortunately, I don't think this incident is going to be of much use to me. If Team Rocket's involved, they contracted the job out to an independent group of poachers." She sighed and looked at the documents again. "And I cannot believe who was responsible for stopping them. When will that kid learn to stay out of danger?"
"What kid?"
"Nevermind," Sabrina shook her head, strands of black-green hair waving with the motion. "Just a kid that should have listened to a Jenny."
"Something I'm not allowed to know about?" Atsushi asked.
"Four for four," Sabrina said, smiling, fingers stroking his face again. And then she sighed. "But it's just- Well, reading about that, the kid and the incident, it doesn't help with this bad feeling I'm getting."
"What sort of bad feeling?"
"Not an actual premonition, if that's what you're worried about," Sabrina said with a small, wry smile. "Though I can't say that foresight has been of much help lately. Ever since that incident in Johto with the Legendary Beasts the future has been too chaotic to read."
"So, good old-fashioned human instinct then?"
"You're getting so many things right tonight," Sabrina said, gently pressing her finger down on the tip of Atsushi's nose. "Aren't I supposed to be the mind reader here?"
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Cheater," Sabrina said, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. When she lifted her head, her expression was pensive. "Something's coming. I've heard some of the news from the other regions. The most zealous cults of Kyogre and Gourdon have become criminal teams in Honnen. Johto's still reeling from their disaster. Team Galactic has been making more trouble in Sinnoh. And then there's whatever Team Rocket's up to, which is going to be big and it's going to be dangerous."
"I'm not particularly worried about that," Atsushi said, snuggling into Sabrina.
"Why not?"
"Because I know you'll be there to protect us," Atsushi said, a wide soft smile on his face. "You're not going to let anything happen to us."
He said it with such conviction that Sabrina didn't need telepathy to see his honesty. She coughed and turned away from his face, fighting to keep a blush off her own face. She didn't know what to say to such a thing.
She only hoped that she could live up to his faith in her.
I'm sorry, could you repeat that? Ash asked, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
I said that I'll stay with you, the magikarp said, expression calm and neutral, speaking from his position on the floor.
Ash and his friends had checked into a nearby pokémon center after the business with the butterfree flock had concluded. Ash had given his pokémon, plus the magikarp, over to the on-duty nurse, a pretty man who looked like he might be related to the Joys but who didn't seem to have their last name. While his pokémon were getting a check-up, he hit the cafeteria with Brock and Misty.
After that Misty had found some movies that she wanted to watch on the lobby televisions, Brock left to go meet up with a breeder that he had made previous arrangements with, and Ash took the opportunity to collect his pokémon and sneak off to their room to have a private conversation.
After releasing the magikarp, Ash had sat down on one of the beds and then asked the water-type where it wanted to be released. And then the water-type had gone off-script.
Didn't Primeape say the exact same thing? Pikachu asked, peering down at the water-type from his perch on Ash's shoulder.
I think so, Ash replied, glancing at the pokéballs on his belt.
You really-
Shouldn't say that, Ash rolled his eyes. You've used that joke before. Anyway, uhh… What's your name?
It's Magikarp, Magikarp said.
Wow, that is an unfortunate name, Pikachu said.
I think it's common for magikarps to have names like that, Ash told his starter. Anyway, Magikarp, why do you want to join my team? I don't know if you've noticed, but it's sort of dangerous and you're not... well, built to handle danger.
The danger is exactly why I want to join! Magikarp exclaimed.
Uh, so you're seeking a thrill then? Ash said, head tilting.
No, Magikarp replied.
To prove yourself? Ash guessed.
No.
Uh, you decided to get stronger? Ash said for his next guess.
No.
What is it then? Ash asked, sharing a look with Pikachu.
I'm just done, Magikarp said, matter-of-factly.
Done with?
Life. I'm just done with life, Magikarp said as calmly as if he was explaining why he was switching from one branch of a bank to another branch office.
Ash and Pikachu shared another look, one of horrified confusion. They slowly turned back to look at Magikarp, who's expression was as calm as it had been at the start.
Um… Ash rubbed the back of his head, trying to figure out the proper response to what Magikarp had said, or if there even was a proper response to that sort of statement. Uh… I… I try very hard to keep my team safe! No dying's allowed!
Okay, Magikarp said. But you still get into danger-
Life's dangerous, Pikachu interrupted. It's not like you can only find danger with Ash! There's plenty of danger in the wild too!
I know, Magikarp said, and this time there was a sad undercurrent to his calmness. But it hasn't been enough to kill me.
Well, you could have just let a predator eat you instead of bothering my trainer! Pikachu exclaimed, getting between Magikarp and Ash.
That would bring back too many bad memories, Magikarp told them. I'd like to die outside the ocean, doing something other than being hunted. I'd like to try and be useful for once.
Well, do that on your own, Pikachu growled. You don't need to get Ash involved in your-
If you join my team, Ash spoke up, will you promise to not try and die?
What? Magikarp and Pikachu asked at the same time.
If you want to come with me, then you can't try and get yourself killed, Ash repeated. That's my condition.
I can do that, Magikarp said. It's not like it will slow things down much anyway. It's easy to kill a magikarp.
Well, it's going to be hard to kill a member of my team, Ash said. You have to accept that if you want to come with us.
Okay, Magikarp replied. Does that mean I can come?
Yes, Ash nodded. We'll start training you tomorrow. Is that okay?
It's fine, Magikarp said.
Welcome to the team then, Ash said, getting up and crouching down so that he could look Magikarp in the eye. It's good to have you. I look forward to getting to know you.
I hope not to be a burden, Magikarp said.
According to Primeape you've already been a big help, Ash said, rubbing the top of Magikarp's head. Rest now and I'll talk to you tomorrow during training.
Okay, Magikarp replied before Ash recalled him, the water-type vanishing in a flash of red light.
You're fine with having him with us? Pikachu asked when Ash turned back to him, standing on the bed with his forelimbs crossed and an eyebrow raised.
Yeah, Ash nodded. You have an objection?
I've got a few, Pikachu said.
I've got some ideas for things he can do that shouldn't make it harder for the rest of the team-
That's not one of them, Pikachu said, cutting Ash off. I'm worried about what he might do to you.
Ash shrugged. I doubt he wants to hurt me.
He just doesn't care if what he wants hurts you, Pikachu said.
And I want to help him, Ash replied. Even if all I can do is help him get a bit stronger.
Pikachu sighed. This isn't going to be good for you.
Eh, Ash shrugged again. Neither is a lot of other stuff I do. Come on, let's go see what's going on outside.
The pokémon center was quiet for the most part. There were a few other trainers staying and most of them were in the lobby watching TV. There was a pair out back in the practice arena having a battle. Ash and Pikachu observed them for a while, leaning forward against a fence as a seel and a krabby exchanged water and ice attacks.
Eventually they were joined by another trainer who leaned against the fence next to them. Ash glanced over to see that it was a girl with brown hair-
"Leaf?" Ash asked, surprised. "Is that you?"
"Aaron?" Leaf asked, turning to look at the boy. "Wow! I didn't expect to see you here."
"Same!" Ash exclaimed.
Oh, it's that person we met in Cerulean, Pikachu said. Who used to go to that prison camp you humans call 'school' with you.
"It's good to see you," Leaf went on. "What you been up to?"
"Well, uh….." Ash rubbed the back of his head while he thought of what to tell her. "A buncha stuff…. I was in the Fuchsia Free For All!"
"The big race?" Leaf asked, raising her eyebrows. "Wasn't there an accident this year where a pokémon went on a rampage and started an avalanche?"
"Yep," Ash nodded. "It was fun!"
"Uh…. I hope you're talking about the race and not the accident…."
"Hehehe….. of course," Ash lied, closing his eyes and continuing to rub the back of his head.
"Oh no," Leaf let out a small groan, massing her temple. "I hate to ask, but what else have you done since Cerulean City?"
"Uh…." Ash figured that she probably didn't want to hear about his fights with Team Rocket or the poachers. "I got the Thunder Badge and the Rainbow Badge!"
"Congrats!" Leaf said with a smile that swiftly turned into a smirk. "I'm missing the Rainbow Badge, but I'm one ahead of you. I got the Marsh Badge and Soul Badge."
"That's great!" Ash exclaimed with a wide smile. "I can't wait to get them too!"
"You're no fun," Leaf said with a little laugh. "You could at least pretend to be jealous."
"Why?" Ash asked, brow furrowing.
'Cause it's more fun to tease you that way, Pikachu said, jumping off the fence and onto his trainer's shoulder.
"Oh, hi there little guy," Leaf said. "Can I pet you?"
Yes, you may pay tribute to my adorableness, human, Pikachu said, crossing his forelimbs, closing his eyes, and nodding.
"Awwww, thanks," Leaf said as she reached out and gently scratched the top of his head.
Ahhh… That's the spot, Pikachu crooned, leaning into her touch.
"Didn't you have him out back in Cerulean too?" Leaf asked as she caressed Pikachu.
"He doesn't like being in a pokéball," Ash said.
"Oh," Leaf cooed at Pikachu, scratching under his chin. "Do you like spending time with your trainer? Is that why you stay out? Aren't you just adorable? You're just a cute pikachu, did you know that?"
Ahhh… Yes, praise my cuteness human! Praise it!
"Oh, he knows people find him cute," Ash said, rolling his eyes. "He knows alright."
"Well, that's because everyone must tell him that he's cute," Leaf said as she quit petting Pikachu and stepped away. "Anyway, do you have anywhere to be tonight? If not, I'm calling Gary soon, if you want to talk to him too."
"Sure!" Ash exclaimed. "Should we go now?"
"We've got a few minutes and I want to see how this battle turns out," Leaf said, turning to watch the two battling pokémon. "I want to see if I can't pick up on some tricks for water types."
Later Ash and Leaf pulled up a pair of chairs in front of a video phone. Leaf punched in a number, there was a ringing sound, and then Gary's face appeared on the screen.
"Well, well, well, Leaf- Oh, Aaron's here too," Gary smirked. "Ha! I-"
"Hi Gary!" Ash said waving and smiling. "How you been? I hope things have been great!" Gary just sighed.
"Hi Aaron," he said. "I take it that you still don't know what it means to be a rival."
"Yeah, it means we have fun together!"
I can't tell if you're being this stupid on purpose or not.
"I like his definition," Leaf said, pointing at Ash with her thumb. "So whatcha been up to?"
"Not only have I gotten my sixth badge, the Marsh Badge," Gary said, puffing up and smirking, "I've also been invited on a special tour of the Silph Corporation's facilities in downtown Saffron!"
"Nepotism. One of the perks of being Professor's Oak's grandson," Leaf muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Gramps had nothing to do with this," Gary said, glaring at Leaf. "Someone from Silph was visiting the Saffron Gym when I got my badge and offered me the special tour after seeing me battle."
"You mean they offered it to you after they learned your last name," Leaf muttered, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes again.
"It's obvious that you're just jealous," Gary crossing his arms and rolling his own eyes, in an unconscious imitation of Leaf. "Say what you will, but I was cool enough to get offered the tour, while you-"
"So, what will you be seeing on this tour?" Ash asked, leaning between Leaf and the video screen displaying Gary.
"I'll get to see their R&D labs-" Gary began, his hands falling into his lap as he turned his attention to Ash, but was interrupted by the other boy.
"R and D?" Ash asked.
"Research and Development," Gary sighed. "You know, coming up with new products and tech. They'll show me some of that and then they'll show me some of their upcoming products, the ones that aren't in stores or have even been announced yet."
"That sounds fun!" Ash said, turn to look at Leaf. "Doesn't it?"
"Sure, if you don't mind being used for advertising," Leaf said, looking to the side.
"I'm an awesome trainer," Gary said, smirking again. "There will be lots of advertising deals in my future."
"But now they're just doing it because you're the professor's grandkid."
"No, they're doing it because-"
"How was the Saffron Gym you two?" Ash interrupted again. "Was it hard?"
"Yes," Leaf and Gary said in unison and then shot a glare at each other.
"I had a gym trainer," Leaf told Ash. "But it was a tough two on two fight."
"I also had to go up against a gym trainer," Gary said. "Sabrina's been busy with something so she hasn't been able to do matches herself. I had to do three one on ones, and I was able to get a tie because Eevee was able to knock out an abra right as Foresight hit."
"Those psychic-types have really strong special attacks," Leaf went on. "And they have a lot of defensive moves too. But Koga's gym was worse."
"Don't remind me," Gary said with a shudder for dramatic effect. "I hate that obstacle course. And just finding it was a nightmare! We're in Kanto, our gyms aren't supposed to do trials!"
"Koga disagrees I guess," Leaf said with a shrug. "He thinks that it's important to educate trainers on tactics and survival too."
"Ugh, can't we save that for if we become League trainers?" Gary groaned. "Oh, and that reminds me, Aaron, I heard about your latest stunt."
"Already," Ash said, blinking in surprise. "That was quick. We only caught the poachers a couple days ago!"
"Poachers? I was talking about your little stunt in the forest!" Gary said and then groaned, letting his face fall into his hands. "How did you manage to get into more trouble since then?"
"Isn't that old news?" Leaf asked. "Your grandpa told me about that months ago."
"No, that was the Viridian Forest," Gary informed her. "This was in the forests between Saffron and Viridian. Aaron evidently got into another fight with Team Rocket, a big one this time."
"What?" Leaf shouted, whirling around to look at Ash. "When? How? Why?"
"Uhh…." Ash tried to think of how to explain it. "There was this village where a woman took care of pokémon and some guy that Team Rocket was trying to kill accidently went there and then they were going to kill everyone and take the pokémon, so we decided to help out, and then Brock and Misty decided to fight while I took everyone else away to a pokémon center, but some of Team Rocket slipped past them, so they attacked us on the way and there was this big fight, and we nearly burned down the forest."
"According to what gramps told me, you were also hurt badly," Gary said, clutching at the hair on the sides of his forehead. "Aaron, do you just go looking for danger? Because that's twice now that gramps has had to tell me to sit down before giving me news about you?"
"No!" Ash protested. "It's just, well, I guess I'm a trouble magnet?" He finished with a shrug.
"Aaron," Leaf groaned, massing her brow and the bridge of her nose. "You- You….." She sighed. "Look, just be careful in the future? Maybe you should travel with- wait, are you traveling with those people you mentioned, Brock and Misty?"
"Brock's the former gym leader from Pewter City," Gary told her. "And Misty's a gym trainer from Cerulean that he ran into in the Viridian Forest. Gramps asked them to go with him. They're supposed to be keeping him safe and out of trouble."
"Doesn't sound like they're doing a very good job of it," Leaf said, giving Ash an angry look.
"Hey!" Ash exclaimed. "I'm the one who finds the stuff. They're the ones who try to tell me to get to safety while they do stuff. It's not their fault! Besides, I can handle myself, they don't need to protect me!"
"I'm not sure where to begin with that," Gary said, also massaging his forehead with one hand.
"Please tell me you're at least staying out of the news," Leaf asked, letting her forehead rest against her hand.
"I think so," Ash said, scratching his cheek with one finger. "I don't watch the news though, so I'm not sure. I know I haven't talked with any reporters at least."
"Well, that makes you smarter than another boy I could think of," Leaf said, giving Gary a glare.
"Hey! Those reporters were just looking to talk to local kids who wanted to be trainers!"
"Suuuuureee," Leaf drawled. "And I'm also sure that they were overjoyed to get some info from the family of a former League Champion."
"That had nothing to do with it! You're just jealous that they didn't talk about your math award!"
Ash sighed as the two began to bicker. He really didn't get why those two acted the way they did with each other.
After Gary and Leaf were done bickering, Ash talked with Gary a bit more and the two of them agreed to meet up in Saffron City for a pokémon battle, once Ash had gotten the Soul Badge. The three of them chatted for a little while and then they said their goodbyes.
Leaf and Ash talked briefly and then went out back to have a quick one on one pokémon battle, Squirtle against her spearow. It was a casual match that ended in a tie when both trainers agreed that their pokémon were getting tired. The two trainers discussed the battle for a bit while the pokémon traded jokes. And Leaf said her goodbyes, saying that she needed to hit the road early the next day.
"It was great seeing you!" Ash said waving his goodbyes.
"It was nice seeing you too Aaron!" Leaf replied, looking over her shoulder as she went back to the pokémon center. "Hurry up and get your badges, you hear me? I want to face you in the new conference in two years!"
"I'll be there!" Ash told her. Beside him Pikachu sighed as Leaf entered the center.
Oh, why couldn't she have been my trainer? He lamented, eyes seeking answers in the starry heavens above. She seems nice, smart, sane, and most importantly of all, she appreciates how cute I am!
That's because she can't understand what you're saying, Ash said to his starter. Trust me, she'd have a lot different opinion of you then.
Pffft! I'm sure other humans would appreciate me more if they could understand me, Pikachu said, crossing his arms and looking down his nose at the boy.
Keeping telling yourself that buddy, Ash said crouching down and holding out his arm. Pikachu scurried up the offered limb and onto Ash's shoulder.
Oh, well, at least I'll get to fight Eevee again, Pikachu said as the two of them went back into the pokémon center.
Oh, you picked up her name? Ash said, closing the door behind him. When did you have time for that?
We talked a bit during the battle, Pikachu shrugged. She was a fun fight.
Well, we might have a rematch when we get to Saffron, Ash said.
They walked back to their room in the pokémon center, only to find that Misty and Brock were turning in for the night.
"Aaron!" Brock said, a broad grin on his face. "You'll never guess what I got!"
"Uh….. some brushes?" Ash guessed, remembering that he had been to see a breeder about something.
"Nope!" Brock shook his head.
"Uh…. some books?"
"Guess again!"
"Ummm… I don't know," Ash said, getting out his hiking backpack and pulling out his sleepwear. Pikachu scampered off his shoulder and claimed a spot on the top bunk. "What else do you breeders need?"
"I got a pokémon!" Brock said, beaming with pride and excitement. "Suzie, the breeder I met, had found a great specimen of a vulpix when she was in the west part of Kanto and decided to give her to me!"
"I still think that what you really wanted was Suzie's number," Misty said, smirking and sniggering at Brock.
"Sh- Shut up you!" Brock managed to stammer out, before turning back to Ash. "Ignore her-"
"Why would you- oh, right!" Ash said, pounding his fist into the palm of his other hand. "Romance! You want to do romantic stuff with this Suzie!"
"Shut up!" Brock said, blushing and shooting a glare at Misty and then looking at Ash again. "You don't need to follow her example!"
"I thought you wanted to-"
"Do you want to see my new pokémon or not?" Brock said. "Because if you'd rather tease me, then I can just go to bed now."
"Oh, fine," Misty said, rolling her eyes. "Show us the goods."
"Yeah!" Ash said, eager to meet the new pokémon.
"Sure! Go Vulpix!" Brock said, gently tossing a pokéball onto the floor.
White light blazed and formed a pokémon, a small red pokémon with a fluffy tail that brought back a lot of memories for Ash. In fact, looking at Brock's new vulpix, it had a lighter, almost silver tinted, shade to its fur, a shade that brought back more memories than Ash thought it should. It was almost like- But, no, the odds of that happening-
The vulpix turned to him. Ash and the vulpix's jaws dropped at the same time.
Ash? Fire of the Forest Moonrise asked, standing before him as Brock's new pokémon. Is that you?
AN:I'd like to thank Amationary for beta reading.
Alright, so there's going to be another week off of releasing, so the next chapter will come out on November 11th, 2020. Between life and the next arc being a bit hard to write, my buffer isn't looking so hot. I may have to resort to a more permanent every other week release schedule, but I don't think it will come to that yet.
Anyway, things are finally in place and coming to a head, so the end of the first story is almost in sight! (And then of course there's the sequels... this is one area where Ao3 beats FFN for sure, with it's ability to create series)
For fans of the old story, yes, Magikarp is back! Though I will have a slightly different take on the concept this time around.
Don't forget to review!