Part XIV: Pokémon and Preparations
Ash practically dragged Misty out to the back of the ranch as they left Togekiss with Professor Oak. When they got there, Misty just marveled at the sight. It was a Pokémon paradise as far as the eye could see. She noted multiple different areas with different terrains and climates so that all types of Pokémon could live here in peace and happiness in as close to their natural habitats as possible.
"It's amazing." Misty muttered as they heading into it. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Yeah it is a special sanctuary for Pokémon." Ash said with a smile. "Professor Oak has dedicated his life to Pokémon and here he has made it so that all Pokémon could live in as close to their natural environments as possible while the Professor studies them. Seeing as I tend to collect various types it really helps."
"I can tell." Misty said still trying to take it all in. "So, who is first on the list?"
"Oh, that is easy." Ash said pointing towards a large tree casting a nice patch of shade beneath it. "That's Snorlax's favorite place so he should be sleeping there."
Misty looked and was amazed when she saw the giant form of Ash's Snorlax sleeping under the tree he was pointing at. It was peacefully enjoying the shade but given the fact that Snorlax slept most of the day it was not a surprise that it had chosen such a location.
"Hey Snorlax!" Ash called out as they reached the large green and white Pokémon. "Wake up and say hello."
"Snore?" Snorlax said lazily as it looked up and saw Ash and smiled at its trainer. "Snorlax!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said happily jumping up onto the Pokémon's belly before the Sleeping Pokémon picked him up and licked Pikachu.
"Alright guys, come on out!" Ash said throwing up the three Poke Balls he had on him. "We're home!"
The balls flew into the air before bursting revealing Charizard, Oshawott and Scraggy. Charizard belched flames into the air to signal he was finally home and calling over the other Pokémon to their location. Oshawott and Scraggy just looked around as amazed at the ranch as Misty. As Professor Juniper's lab had been used to store Ash's reserves while in Unova they had never been here and as such were both a little nervous at the new area.
"What now?" Misty asked as she looked around. "Do we go further in?"
"No need." Ash said with a smile as he heard a commotion a ways away. "Charizard effectively summoned them all here with that Flamethrower. We just wait and they will be here."
"Guys, Ash is home!" Bulbasaur yelled running as fast as its little legs could, though being chased by Heracross at the same time might have also been driving the Seed Pokémon. "He's finally home."
"How can you tell?" Corphish asked excitedly.
"That flame." Bulbasaur replied as it ran past. "It could only be Charizard who made it. If he is here then so must Ash."
The other Pokémon all knew that it was either true or at least worth checking out as it might be a new friend so they all began to head to where they had seen the flame as fast as possible. They were all spread out so it would take a while but they began running towards their trainer. Not all did so at once, a few held back for a moment.
"So, the legend has returned it sees." Sceptile said as he sat up from his spot against a tree, twig still in his mouth. "The ace who has been doing a lot of special training to become as powerful as possible. The one who the oldest talk about with reverence."
"I hear he's the most powerful of all of Ash's Pokémon." Infernape grunted as he dropped out of the tree. "Never met him though so can't say."
"Well let's see." Torterra added, slowly making his way over to where Ash was. "We're all the same status as him, can't be that big a deal can he?"
The other two fully evolved starters nodded in agreement. They had all heard tale of Charizard, Ash's ace and were keen to meet him. He had apparently gone toe to toe with and Entei and beaten an Articuno once. If true then the Flame Pokémon might just live up to his hype. They all intended to test that hype for themselves. It was time to meet a legend.
"They're coming!" Ash said with a smile as a large group of Pokémon charged them, kicking up dust as they ran.
Misty just waited for the inevitable. They were Ash's Pokémon so it was a race to see who was the first to leap on him in greeting, well second after Muk. After that it would be a pile on. At least that was what Misty thought until she felt the ground tremble and the group of Pokémon stopped in their tracks.
Misty turned and looked to see Ash's herd of 30 Tauros all barreling down on Ash from wherever they had been grazing, whipping themselves with their tails to push themselves to go faster. They weren't as fast as a few of Ash's Pokémon, though there were pretty quick, and they were running en mass and that was enough to startle the other Pokémon.
"Hold on!" Ash ordered holding out his hands in a stopping motion as the herd reached them but it was in vain. "Not again guys."
Misty had to shield her eyes from the dust cloud the Wild Bull Pokémon kicked up with their hooves. When it settled she was standing there with about 2 dozen Pokémon nearby from 5 different regions all looking around confused. Ash was nowhere to be seen. That was until Misty heard Ash yelling and spotted him on the back of the lead Tauros being carried away into the distance. Clearly the herd had no intention of stopping.
"Over there!" Misty called to the other Pokémon and she began running in that direction, pulling a Poke Ball from her waist as Pikachu leapt onto her shoulder as she ran. "Mamoswine, I need your aid!"
Misty threw the ball before her and the giant Twin Tusk Pokémon burst forth looking around confused at the new place he was in. Misty ran to his side.
"Can one of you give me a lift?" Misty asked the other Pokémon and before she knew it she felt talons grab her shoulders and haul her up and onto Mamoswine's back.
"Thanks, Staraptor." Misty said as the bird cawed and flew after Ash followed by his Swellow, Noctowl, and Unphezant in what Misty had a feeling was both a flight to rescue Ash and a race between the flying types. "Alright Mamoswine, after Ash, full speed. We need to save him."
"Mamo!" Mamoswine roared and set off at high speed, thundering after Ash running faster than his bulk implied he could.
Misty was forced to press herself against his back and hold onto his fur for dear life as he charged. Pikachu and Piplup where holding onto her as tightly as they could as they ran after Ash. Apparently the Tauros had no real destination and were just running for the sake of it with Ash in the center of them though Misty had a feeling that the herd had whipped itself into a frenzy when they heard Ash was here and likely couldn't stop.
Misty and the bird Pokémon weren't the only ones in hot pursuit of Ash. Glalie flew past her as it floated towards Ash as fast as it could. Donphan was rolling at full speed, keeping pace with Mamoswine. Bayleef was screaming as she tore after Ash though she was slower that Mamoswine and was getting left behind. The others were far behind them as they all ran trying to catch up with Ash.
"Slow down!" Ash called out, his voice traveling back to Misty. "I am glad to see you too but you need to slow down and let me off!"
"We have to get that herd to calm down." Misty called to the Pokémon around her. "I don't know your moves but I am sure you can do it for Ash. Please, help me."
"Glalie." Glalie roared as it sent an ice beam out the froze several of the Tauros on one edge in their tracks. It was a start but the needed to do more.
That was when the 4 flying Pokémon got in front of the herd and all began to use various wind based attacks to slow the herd down and try to funnel it in a particular direction that Misty assumed would help. It was working in so much as it was at least getting the herd to slow but they were still moving and the birds couldn't keep up the attacks and maintain their position in front of the herd.
Misty was starting to wonder what would work when a String Shot attack shot out of a nearby tree and hit Ash in the back as he was carried past the tree. It pulled taught and Ash was yanked from the back of the Tauros and into the air, yelling in surprise at the sudden change. He swung like a pendulum for a few moments before finally coming to a rest a few feet off the ground, still attached to the tree by the bug type attack.
"Leavanny." A song like voice said and as Misty approach a bipedal bug and grass looking Pokémon jumped out of the tree and looked at Ash dangling there. "Leavanny."
"Hey Leavanny, thanks for the save." Ash said with a pant as the Pokémon nuzzled him.
"She must be from Unova." Misty said as she reached them and leapt off Mamoswine and rushed to Ash, Pikachu and Piplup at her heels. "Thank you for saving him."
"Leavanny." Leavanny said with a smile before noticing Piplup and Pikachu and smiling before heading to a nearby tree with large leaves.
"Er what is she doing?" Misty asked confused.
"He's likely making some clothes for them." Ash guess causing Misty to blush in embarrassment at her gender assumption based on the feminine voice and appearance while Piplup looked a little worried at what that could mean for him. "It's what Leavanny like to do. Not sure why but most Leavanny will make leaf clothes for any small Pokémon they see, I think it has something to do with their first form, Sewaddle. The only other Leavanny I have met did it for mine back when Leavanny was a Sewaddle and got his leaves damaged."
"That is pretty cute." Misty said as she came up to Ash smiling, the other Pokémon arriving in their own time and panting from the run. "You know, I kinda like you dangling like this."
"Funny, can you get me down?" Ash asked his girlfriend. "It's not the most comfortable thing dangling here, especially after all that swinging after riding a galloping Tauros."
"In a moment." Misty said mischievously before she took Ash's face in her hands and gave him a deep, passionate kiss.
"Bayleef!" Bayleef yelled in jealous anger though Misty and Ash were too engrossed in the moment to hear the Leaf Pokémon.
She saw the human female, she recognized her from when Ash had called her to see him a few years back in that region to the far north. However this time Bayleef smelt a distinctive scent coming off her, on that she hadn't smelt the last time they had met though admittedly Bayleef had been more focused on her trainer than his newest friend.
Now Bayleef could smell clearly, the human female was in heat and she was after her Ash. Bayleef was not going to let that happen, while she couldn't have Ash in that way, she was at least going to make sure that no one else could while she had access to her Ash. When Ash set off again, the his mate could have him but until then he was Bayleef's. Of course Misty was too busy with Ash to notice any of this.
Misty was really enjoying the heavy make out session, it had been a while since they had had one. She would end it soon and then she would cut Ash down and meet all of his Pokémon and thank Leavanny for his help. That unfortunately did not happen.
As Misty was sinking into the kiss, she felt a pair of vines wrap tightly around her waist. Before Misty could react, she was yanked back, her Poke Balls falling and opening in the process introducing a startled Buneary, Pachirisu and Typhlosion to Ash's gathered Pokémon.
Misty was then raised high in the air and saw that it was Ash's Bayleef who had hold of her, a look of pure jealousy on her face. Misty had heard that Bayleef really liked Ash and had seen how affectioned the Pokémon was with Ash with her own eyes but she had a feeling that this was a little different.
This was confirmed when Bayleef swung Misty away from a now startled and confused Ash and then dropped her. That would have been fine except she dropped Misty right onto the back of one of the Tauros that had finally been brought under control by the birds, Glalie and Donphan and was now peacefully grazing having finally calmed down.
Misty met Bayleef's eyes and the Pokémon gave her what Misty was certain was a triumphant smirk. Then she used a vine to slap the Tauros hard on the ass. That was not what Misty was expecting and it was not a good omen.
"Fuck!" Misty yelled as the startled Tauros instantly bolted, Misty still on its back and hanging on now just like Ash had done moments earlier. "Help!"
"Bayleef!" Bayleef said happily as Misty was whisked away, cutting Ash free with a razor leaf and leaping on him to nuzzle him before he realized what she had done. "Bayleef."
"Hey Bayleef." Ash said rubbing her head affectionately "Good to see you again, I missed you too. Where's Misty?"
"Bayleef." Bayleef said contentedly, not bothering to point out where her rival was.
"Mamo!" Mamoswine roared in frustration as he charged after his trainer, these damned bulls were fast and that grass type was going to pay, no one messed with Misty on his watch.
Misty was too busy screaming to notice that her own Pokémon were now following her. Typhlosion had joined Mamoswine in running after her while Staraptor at least flew overhead knowing her and carrying Buneary and Pachirisu on his back.
They were all calling out for help from the other Pokémon. Fortunately for Misty, a few of the slower Pokémon were making their way to Ash heard Staraptor and came to help her out when they heard Staraptor's call.
"Terra!" A deep voice yelled almost right in front of her.
Misty looked up and swore again as the Tauros she was on charged into the side of Ash's Torterra. The Continent Pokémon didn't even budge as it stopped the Tauros dead in its tracks, stunning the normal type but not doing it any harm. The same couldn't be said for Misty.
She was thrown off the Pokémon's back and into the air, still cursing Ash's Bayleef in a way that would have made any sailor proud. Misty was sure that she would hit the ground hard but suddenly a fast green blur shot up and caught her as she was falling. It then laid her on the ground, though not too gently as it pretty much just dropped her on the dusty earth.
Misty groaned as she looked up to see that she had been caught by Ash's Sceptile. The Forest Pokémon was standing a few feet away, nonchalantly looking towards where Ash was with a trig in his mouth. Before Misty could thank it she was hit by a worried Mamoswine and Typhlosion who had caught up to her and proceeded to flatten her to the ground with their concern.
"Thanks, Sceptile." Misty got out as the fully evolved grass type just nodded before he, Torterra and Infernape who was also apparently with them set off to find Ash.
"Mamo?" Mamoswine asked still nuzzling her and keeping her on the ground.
"I'm fine." Misty said from the ground as Typhlosion licked her while she patted her large Pokémon.
"Mamo!" Mamoswine said happily as Misty used one of his tusks to get to her feet.
"Why do I get the feeling I am being mean girled by a damned Bayleef." Misty grumbled as she brushed herself off and went to find her boyfriend and apparently a new rival for his affection.
"Delia, I think that that is a great idea." Professor Oak said over tea with Tracey and Delia in the lab that afternoon. "I will get in it right away."
Delia had come over for tea as she often did and pitched the idea to Professor Oak and Tracy. Ash and Misty were both outside playing with the Pokémon and introducing Misty's to the Pokémon she had not yet met. Togekiss had gone out to join them for a while after a little initial research with her so it was just them.
Delia had just finished explaining her plan for Ash's birthday to Oak and Tracey. They had both liked it and agreed that the hardest part of her plan would be keeping Ash in Pallet Town for a week but with Misty on board they felt they could do it.
"I have already called Brock and Dawn." Delia said as she took a sip of tea. "They both agreed to help at once and are very excited. They are already reaching out to many on the list. They know many of the people though the more recent ones are going to harder seeing as Ash was alone when he first began his Unova journey."
"I can have Professor Juniper help out there." Professor Oak said with a nod. "As well as Elm, Birch and Rowan for their regions should Brock, Dawn and Misty need help locating people. They all have better contacts anyway and I want to invite them here to discuss what is happening with Togekiss so it works out well."
"Professor Juniper did say that many of them, at least the ones who competed in the Vertress Conference, were in Kanto now." Tracey said remembering the message the Unova region professor had sent the lab a few days ago. "Or at least heading here. Apparently Ash made a real impression on them while he was there and they all want to challenge the Indigo League now. A few of the more specific ones will be harder but I am sure they can be tracked down."
"And Ash said that Iris and Cilan are already in Johto so they aren't too far off." Professor Oak said. "The only issue is transport. Between Pokémon and planes they should be able to get here in time, I think."
"There is an airport nearby and we can drive them when they arrive." Delia said, she had already thought about this part as the idea had been in her mind for a while. "That shouldn't be too hard so long as they can get to an airport wherever they are. Fortunately, this is a down time as most Conferences and Grand Festivals have wrapped up and gym leaders are taking a break so people tend to head home. I don't expect all to make it but a good few should be able to."
"That is the important thing." Professor Oak agreed. "Gathering as many as possible."
"It is amazing how many people Ash has had an impact on over the years." Tracey said as he looked over the list that Delia had given them. "And this isn't the full list is it?"
"I don't think so." Delia said shaking her head. "A lot of it was from my memories of Ash's stories of his adventures so there are bound to be a few missing. I am sure the Professors will know more and the Conference records will help, I hope. Already the ones we know how to reach have been contacted and all but one have agreed to come. Those closest to Ash will get here the day before to help set up, the others should get here by the day of."
"Can we prevent Ash from seeing them until it is time?" Tracey asked a little concerned. "Many will have experience camping out so they can stay in Viridian Forest or on the ranch but Ash may notice."
"Most won't get here until the day of because of travel." Delia said. "But if they are early they will be told to stay away from Ash until its time. Misty has agreed to help though Ash interrupted me before I could fully tell her the plan. I will talk with her tonight about it all if I get a moment alone with her. She will be key in keeping Ash busy so that he doesn't find out what is planned."
"Well they are a new couple." Professor Oak said with a smile. "That shouldn't be too hard."
"It won't be." Delia agreed with a nod. "And with the ranch and all his Pokémon, Ash will be too busy to notice anything going on around him so we can plan."
"What about setup?" Tracey asked. "That will take a whole day."
"Between everyone and the Pokémon we can manage it." Professor Oak said looking over what Delia wanted to set up. "Gary is already on his way from Sinnoh and should arrive tomorrow. He has many Pokémon here who can help out with the larger items. We should be able to do everything in time."
"Then the last thing will be for Misty to keep Ash busy the day of." Tracey said. "Can she do it?"
"I know she can." Delia said with a smile. "This is for Ash; she can do it."
"Well this is going to be a major task." Professor Oak said taking another sip of tea. "I suggest we start preparing now."
The other two nodded and began planning. They had to divvy up the list for who to contact, what they needed, what preparations had to be made, and who to reach out to first regarding various things.
It was going to be a tall order but Delia knew that they could pull it off. This was for Ash, they would come through for him. He deserved it. His birthday was going to be truly special, Delia promised that. All they had to do was make sure he didn't find out, there was no need to worry.
