Before the start of the chapter I have an announcement. While I appreciate the suggestions some of you have made for this story I'd appreciate it even more if you would send me those suggestions using either PMs or e-mail. Leaving them as reviews just clutters things up, so from now on keep that in mind. Thank you.
Chapter 3: The Call of Adventure
Pallet Town hadn't changed in the seven years since Ash first started his Pokémon journey, and yet that didn't matter to him one bit. Each return home was just as welcome as the previous.
"So, how long was this one?" Misty asked. Ash brought a hand to his chin.
"Let me think… this one was about a year and a half," he guessed.
"That would make this one of your longer ones, wouldn't it," Misty commented.
"It does," Ash agreed. "Of course looking back it didn't really seem that long."
"You know what they say… 'Time flies when you're having fun'," Misty quoted.
"That it does," Ash agreed. A sudden outburst from Pikachu and Marill brought their attention to a house they were approaching. Looking at the house Ash smiled.
"It's good to be back home again," he commented. As they approached the Ketchum house the smell of food began to fill the air, something that didn't go unnoticed by Ash. In fact the closer they got the faster Ash seemed to walk.
"Can't wait to get home, can you," Misty joked.
"What do you think?" Ash asked.
"I think you're thinking with your stomach again," she told him.
"What can I say… there's nothing like a good, home cooked meal," Ash admitted. Misty just sighed and shook her head as she watched Ash and Pikachu arrive well ahead of her and Marill.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same," she said. The eager duo thankfully waited for her and Marill to catch up before entering the house.
"Mom, we're home!" Ash announced.
"(Hello!)" Pikachu called. Moments later Ash mother Delia walked in from the kitchen.
"Welcome home, sweetie," she greeted. She then pulled Ash into a motherly hug, which Ash was more than eager to return.
"I missed you," she told him.
"I missed you too, Mom," Ash said.
"(Don't forget about me!)" Pikachu called. Delia scooped him up in her arms and hugged him.
"I could never forget about you, Pikachu," she cooed. After showering Ash and Pikachu with affection she looked up and saw Misty.
"I didn't know you were coming, Misty," she said.
"I didn't know I would be either," Misty admitted. "I was in the forest north of Pallet Town when I ran into Ash and we just decided to hang out. I hope that won't be a problem."
"Of course not, dear," Delia exclaimed. "In fact I just finished preparing a feast for Ash's return. Would you like to join us?"
"I'd love to," Misty said with a smile.
"Alright, let's eat!" Ash cheered. In the blink of an eye he had made his way to the kitchen.
"That's my Ash," Delia laughed before she and Misty went to join Ash in the kitchen.
After eating their fill at the Ketchum home Ash and Misty decided to head to Professor Oak's lab to check in on Ash's Pokémon. With Pikachu and Marill walking ahead of them the two trainers took this time to share stories of their recent exploits.
"… so the kid comes at my Gyarados with an Ariados of all things! Can you believe that?!" Misty complained as she told Ash about one of her recent Gym battles.
"You think he knew about your dislike of Bug Pokémon?" Ash questioned.
"I don't know, but one Flamethrower took care of that thing," she spat. "Thankfully that was his last Pokémon. I swear if he would have come at me with another Bug type I don't know what I would have done."
"It would have been funny to find out," Ash joked.
"You know, Ash, I still have my mallet," Misty warned. Suddenly Ash didn't find Misty's phobia of Bug Pokémon that humorous. Thankfully Professor Oak's lab was in sight, and with it came a change of focus.
"I can't wait to see all my Pokémon again," Ash said.
"I'm sure they feel the same way," Misty added. With the lab so close they picked up the pace, reaching the front door a few minutes later. Ash knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer.
"Coming!" someone said from the other side. Seconds later the door opened, revealing their friend from the Orange Islands, and Professor Oak's assistant.
"Welcome back, Ash! Hi, Misty! It's great to see you again!" Tracey greeted.
"It's great to see you too, Tracey," Misty replied.
"Is Professor Oak around?" Ash asked.
"He's in the fields checking on the Pokémon," Tracey answered. "He wanted me to let you know that the Pokémon you sent over are getting along with everyone else."
"That's good. I don't know what I'd do if there were problems between my Pokémon," Ash admitted.
"If you want I can let the Professor know you're here," Tracey offered.
"No thanks. We were about to head back there ourselves," Ash informed him.
"Mind if I join you?" Tracey inquired.
"Not at all," Ash said. The three trainers and two Pokémon walked out back where the fields that held all the Pokémon Professor Oak looked after were. Almost immediately Ash spotted which Pokémon were his.
"You were right. They are all getting along," Ash said. His Sinnoh team was getting along very well with the rest of his Pokémon. Torterra and Infernape were speaking with Bulbasaur, one of Ash's oldest Pokémon. Staraptor was perched on a tree resting alongside Swellow and Noctowl. Buizel was sparring with Sceptile, and surprisingly holding his own. Even Gible was enjoying himself as he played with Ash's most playful Pokémon Totodile. As they looked over all the Pokémon one was noticeably missing.
"Hey Ash, where's…"
"(Ash! You're back!)" Before Misty could finish her question Ash was tackled to the ground by an very excited Bayleef.
"(Oh Ash, I missed you so much!)" she cried, nuzzling her head against him.
"I missed you too, Bayleef… but could you please get off me," he groaned. Realizing she was crushing him Bayleef stepped off Ash so he could get back to his feet.
"Just be glad she's not a Meganium," Misty joked as Ash got to his feet.
"You're telling me, but I know Bayleef would never do anything to hurt me, right?" Ash retorted.
"(Of course not. I'd never try to hurt you,)" Bayleef swore.
"Say, Bayleef… you wouldn't happen to know where Professor Oak is, would you?" Ash questioned.
"(I think I saw him with…)"
"Ack! Muk, get off!" It didn't take a genius to figure out who that was. Following the distressed voice the trainers found the good professor being smothered by Ash's over-affectionate Poison type.
"And Muk strikes again," Tracey sighed. Upon hearing his voice Professor Oak looked up and saw the trio.
"Ash, thank goodness you're here! Could you please get your Muk off me!" he begged.
"Muk, let the Professor up," Ash politely instructed. Muk smiled and, with an obedient grunt, removed his large bulk from atop the Professor, allowing him to get up.
"Thank you. If you hadn't shown up I didn't know how I was going to get Muk off me," he graciously said.
"That's Muk for you. He's never been shy about showing his affection," Ash admitted.
"(That he has not,)" Pikachu agreed.
"Well, that little mishap aside all of your Pokémon are doing exceptionally well, Ash," Professor Oak reported. "I'm mostly impressed with the condition of the team you caught in Sinnoh."
"They were all amazing while I was in Sinnoh," Ash bragged. "I just wished we could have won the Sinnoh Championship."
"We all did," Tracey said. "None of us believed that Paul had a chance against you."
"I just don't get it. I faced him countless times in the Sinnoh region and every time he managed to beat me. No matter what I did or what training methods I used he was always stronger," Ash groaned. "What is his secret? How can his Pokémon be so strong?"
"I hate to say it, but maybe it's the way he trains his Pokémon," Misty suggested. "It may be harsh in your opinion but it obviously works for him." Ash didn't want to admit it but Misty was right. Even if Ash didn't agree with Paul's training methods in the end his Pokémon were stronger because of it. But that didn't mean he had to accept the fact that Paul would always be stronger than him.
"My Pokémon are just as strong, and I'm going to prove it!" Ash declared.
"That's a bold declaration. How do you plan on proving that?" Tracey asked.
"I… I don't know," Ash admitted.
"Perhaps I can help you with that," Professor Oak announced.
"How?" Tracey inquired.
"It just so happens that I recently spoke with an old colleague of mine from my days as a Pokémon trainer. Her name is Lydia Redwood, a Pokémon Professor in the Legenda region," Professor Oak explained.
"The Legenda region? Where's that?" Ash asked.
"It's a region southeast of Sinnoh, and from what Professor Redwood told me the League there is much different and far more difficult than anywhere else," he explained.
"Just how difficult is it?" Tracey inquired.
"I don't know. Lydia didn't go into any details," Professor Oak told him. While listening Misty glanced at Ash. There was a look in his eyes, a look Misty knew all too well.
"I know that look. You're thinking about going to the Legenda region and competing in the League there," she guessed.
"You know me too well," Ash commented.
"(Alright! A new adventure!)" Pikachu cheered.
"I had a feeling you'd want to go once you heard about it," Professor Oak said. "That's why I took the liberty of finding out what ships leave for the Legenda region."
"What did you find?" Ash asked.
"There are a few heading there, but the closest one is currently docked in Cerulean City," Professor Oak reported. "I can acquire a ticket for you by tomorrow and you can leave then."
"Great. Thanks, Professor," Ash said. "Look out, Legenda! We're coming to win!" Pikachu echoed his trainer's enthusiasm.
"So I take it you two will be heading out first thing in the morning?" Tracey guessed. Ash didn't immediately answer, taking a bit of time to think on the subject.
"Something wrong, Ash?" Tracey asked.
"I was just thinking about what you said… and I've decided to bring some of my other Pokémon with me," he answered.
"That's certainly a change. Normally you'd want to start off with just Pikachu. Why the sudden change?" Professor Oak inquired.
"Well, I thought about it and realized that I wasn't being fair to all the Pokémon I've caught over the years. They've all battled so hard for me… for each other… and whenever I go to a new region I just leave them behind. That's not fair to them," Ash explained. "That's why for this region I'm not going to just use Pokémon I catch there. I'm going to use all of my Pokémon, new and old."
"That's good. I'm sure your Pokémon will be happy with your decision," Professor Oak commended. "So, who are you bringing?" Ash paused to think again before answering.
"Firstly I want to bring Gible with me. I hadn't had him for that long and I want to train him a bit more," Ash decided. "Secondly I want to bring a good Fire type, so Cyndaquil's coming along too. Finally I'm bringing Bayleef as a strong Grass type."
"So you're just bringing four?" Tracey asked.
"Yeah. I want to leave some room for any new Pokémon I Catch along the way," Ash explained.
"In that case I'll have them ready to leave in the morning," Professor Oak said.
"Thanks, Professor," Ash said.
"Say Ash, you wouldn't mind if I tagged along, would you?" Misty asked. "At least until we get to Cerulean City, that is."
"You're heading back already?" Tracey inquired.
"Yeah. I got a call from Nurse Joy and she said some of the Pokémon are starting to get a bit restless without me there," Misty explained. "So, did you mind, Ash?"
"Of course not. It'll be like old times," Ash told her. She smiled, showing her gratitude for allowing her to travel with him.
"Seeing the two of you traveling together again really takes me back," Professor Oak reminisced.
"I know… reminds me of when I first started. Back then it was just me, Misty and our Pokémon," Ash agreed.
"Let's just hope we don't get lost like we used to," Misty joked.
"Hey, I'm better at finding my way than I used to be," Ash bragged.
"I'll believe it when I see it," Misty commented.
"In any case I'm sure you two want to be well rested for your trip tomorrow. Might I suggest taking it easy for the rest of the day," Professor Oak said. The two agreed and, after saying their goodbyes to Tracey and Professor Oak, made their way back to the Ketchum house.
That night Ash could hardly sleep, thoughts of what awaited him in the Legenda region filling his mind. He sat up in his bed and stared out the window. Tomorrow he'd start off on a new journey, filled with unknown challenges. It was enough to make him wish he could fast-forward time.
"I can't wait for tomorrow to get here," he excitedly said.
"(Too excited to sleep, huh.)" Ash looked down towards the foot of his bed and saw Pikachu staring back at him.
"Sorry if I woke you up," Ash apologized.
"(No need. I couldn't sleep either,)" Pikachu admitted.
"Thinking about tomorrow like me?" Ash questioned.
"(Yup,)" Pikachu answered. "(What do you think we'll find there?)"
"I don't know, but that's what makes it so exciting. Going off into the unknown without knowing what lies around the corner," Ash said.
"(You got that right,)" Pikachu agreed.
"But… if we're going to be ready for tomorrow we've got to get some sleep," Ash suggested. As soon as he said that Pikachu let out a yawn, curled up and laid back down.
"(Goodnight… Ash…)" he yawned before falling back to sleep. Ash reached over and gentle stroked Pikachu's fur.
"Goodnight, buddy," he whispered. Seconds later a yawn escaped his mouth. With sleep slowly taking over Ash laid his head back down and drifted off to sleep himself.
Morning came, and with it the anticipation of a new journey. Everyone had gathered in front of Professor Oak's lab in preparation for Ash and Misty's departure. Ash, his mom, Misty, Professor Oak and Tracey were all standing on front of the lab, and standing with them were the Pokémon Ash was bringing with him.
"Okay, you guys ready to hit the road?" Ash asked.
"(Yeah! I love traveling!)" Bayleef cheered.
"(Sure, I'm up for it,)" Cyndaquil said, though not as excitedly as Bayleef.
"(Yeah, yeah! Let's go!)" Gible cheered, clearly the most excited of the three. With his team eager to get going he recalled the three of them. Pikachu then jumped onto his usual spot on Ash's shoulder just as Misty was picking up Marill.
"Looks like we're ready," he announced.
"I'll call Professor Redwood and let her know you're coming," Professor Oak said.
"Thanks," Ash said. His mother then approached him and pulled him into a hug.
"I'm going to miss you," she said.
"I'll miss you too, Mom," Ash told her ad he hugged her. Eventually they ended their hug.
"Watch after him for me, Pikachu," Delia instructed.
"(Yes ma'am,)" Pikachu replied.
"Now Ash, the ship you'll be departing on will dock at the port in Pinegrove Town in the Legenda region. Professor Redwood's lab will be just outside of town," Professor Oak explained. "Remember, she'll be expecting you so head straight there once you arrive."
"Okay," Ash said.
"Take care of yourself," Delia said. "And remember to change your…"
"Mom!" Ash whined, knowing what was coming next. This got a laugh out of everyone except Ash.
"I think we should get going, if only to spare Ash any more embarrassment," Misty joked. The trainer in question quickly agreed as the two of them started down the road leading out of Pallet Town.
"So long, everyone!" Ash called.
"(Bye-bye!)" Pikachu shouted.
"Goodbye!" Misty shouted.
"So long, guys!" Tracey called.
"Good luck in Legenda, Ash!" Professor Oak shouted.
"Make sure to call when you get to Pinegrove Town!" Delia instructed.
"I will, Mom!" Ash said. With their farewells said Ash, Misty and their Pokémon continued on out of Pallet Town on their way to Cerulean City, where Ash would embark on his latest journey.
Ash didn't stay in Pallet Town very long before the call of a new adventure put him on the road again. With a new region in his future how will Ash fare? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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