Giovanni Sakaki was in a video chat with Professor Samuel Oak. As Ash is under both their wings in a way, they have to synchronize who requires Ash's time when.

"You know, I won't demand Ash's time a lot. I only made him a OFTR so that Delia, his mother, worries less about him.", admitted Samuel. "The only thing I would need him for is for a project in Lavender, in case my employees chicken out of the haunted tower. That is, if the town gives us the permission to research the tower."

"Isn't the tower partly a cemetery?", asked Giovanni. He wasn't surprised that Oak's team needs a permission to do anything in that tower, more that Oak made Ash an OFTR to please the mother. The professor never struck him as someone to use his position to make advantages for his close ones. Looks like he was wrong.

"Well, that is why it will probably take weeks until we get an answer.", said Samuel. "Oh, the champion calls me. Can he join or do we continue this another day.
"Let him join.", said Giovanni.

So the champion joined the call. Samuel warned him, "I am in a call with Giovanni already. We talk about who requires Asher when. Now why are you calling, champion?"

"I want to talk about Asher, actually. When I met him in Pewter, I asked him if he would be interested to join the G-Men.", revealed Lance to the two. "I want to give Asher a Pokemon, too. I may already know the right Pokemon to give him."

Giovanni heard Oak's assistant yell in the background, "Oi, Ash should actually catch some himself, you know!"

Giovanni leaned back in his chair. He does not like that Lance's attention is on Ash. The champion then spoke in a more somber tone, "There is something else I want to talk about. With you, too, Giovanni. Sabrina came to me with a theory about the Mindless. She is sure that the Mindless phenomena has something to do with Viridian City. I told her we figured that already out, but she said she means someone in Viridian makes them."

"So no real progress in that department?", asked Giovanni.

"Looks like it. I honestly got the feeling Sabrina is sure you're behind this, Giovanni. Ha!" Lance laughed at that thought.

"Lance, Ash should go to Cerulean next.", informed him the professor.

"Thanks Samuel. Now if you excuse me, I need to get Ash's Pokemon." Lance ended his connection. Soon after that, Giovanni ended the call with Samuel.

As he was about to stand up from his desk, he got a message from Ash. A report on Ash's battle against Brock and apparently there is a rivalry between Rowlet and the Phantump going on.

Ash pushed his bike though the forest of Mt. Moon. It was night time, so he won't drive on it in this area at least. He and Rowlet, who was flying high and enjoying the darkness, kept their eyes open for a resting place. Albeit Ash is considering to take on the tunnel in the mountain this night. Cerulean City isn't far from it. Soon he arrived at the entrance of the cave system. Something just felt wrong, but Ash continued his way. When he was in, he heard someone coming in. Turning around, he saw people – similar to the weirdo's from the Viridian Center but in black uniforms – walk into the cave. Ash hid behind a boulder. His bike was left on a wall.

When he saw then passing his hiding spot, he called the emergency line of the police. He whispered the operator the situation, where he is, etc. He was told to either leave or wait where he is and hide. Ash kept an eye on the entrance, to see if he could sneak out, but criminals were either walking in or out, so could only hide and wait out that anyone comes.

One criminal passed his bike. "Huh, what is this?", she asked. Ash was worried that he would be found because of it. She activated a flash light. "The heck! A bike! Someone's in here!" She and others were looking around.

Ash tried to breath silently and to not be found, he just can hope that whoever the operator informed will come soon. He then was flashed in the face by a flash light. "Oi! I found someone!", yelled a guy. He dragged Ash out of his hiding spot. "I found a trainer." He then grabbed the badges. "Oh, a lil fancy one. On-Field Trainer and Researcher as well as a sponsored show pony. He must have nice Pokemon for us to sell." Ash tried to free himself and started to hit the criminals muscular arm. "Feisty, now stop that and give us your Pokes, maybe we let you go if you cooperate."

The woman from before came closer and took a closer look at his sponsor badge. She then took off his cap. "Oi, that's the kid the boss wants! The spooky boy!"
"Either way, the boss will be happy.", said the buff guy. He carried Ash over his shoulder, who started to hit his back. From all the things that could happen, Ash didn't even consider the possibility of being kidnapped. Is this it? Will he become a Mindless now? Not to mention, their boss wants him! Why him? His powers? Probably, it is always the powers.

"If this is the kid the boss wants, do we still take his Pokemon?", asked the muscle guy as they were walking deeper into the mountain.

The woman sighed, "Do you actually listen to our mission briefings? Or read the notifications? We don't, at least we don't sell them. Just taking them away so the kid can't flee. You're really the most stupid, Butch."

"Cassidy, doesn't the pipsqueak have powers or something?", asked Butch, tightening his grip on Ash.

Ash stopped to hit his back and instead focused on his powers. A force wave made Butch collapse. Ash freed himself from the man's grip and called out his Pokemon to attack the two. Only three Pokemon – one isn't even his – against who knows how many criminals are in here, it looks bleak for Ash, he just knows it. Butch and Cassidy also called out their Pokemon, a Muk and Grimer respectively. Phantump dug himself into the ground. Rowlet attacked the Muk's eyes with Peck, while Snorunt used Snow Powder. Butch and Cassidy were more bothered by the cold than their Pokemon. Ash then pushed them away with his ghostly aura. Something than snapped in him. His powers, it feels as if they would spark. He realized he now could see in the dark.

With that, he used his powers to destroy their flashlights. Rowlet could see in the dark, Phantump as a ghost as well, just Snorunt would struggle. He walked to her and picked her up. Butch and Cassidy were yelling for each other. Ash was sneaking past them, trying to find a way out. He was considering to walk back and get his bike, but he decided against it, as it would be a longer way with the risk to walk into more criminals.

But even that way, he walked into more grunts. Ash again used his ghostly energy to destroy or deactivate their flash lights. He didn't even really fight them, he just tried his best to get out of here. But then there were two big flashes of light, from both entrances. Then Ash saw champion Lance walking into the tunnel, followed by police men and his G-Men. Ash felt relief washing over him. But that feeling was short, when he was grabbed again by Butch. Butch carried him princess style and ran though the tunnels while other grunts were fighting the authorities. "At least I can bring you to the boss, pipsqueak.", said Butch out of breath.

A Dragonite then swooped in before Butch. He stopped and took steps back as the dragon came closer. Ash focused his magic on Butch's feet, so he fell and Ash could get away from him. But then he was taken from by the Dragonite and carried out of the tunnel. The Dragonite put him down and pet his head, as if to say now he is save.

Ash took a deep breath before recalling Phantump and Rowlet. Good thing that Pokeballs can recall Pokemon from crazy distances. The Dragonite stayed with Ash, until they saw Police men dragging out the criminals in hand cuffs out of the tunnels. Champion Lance followed them and said, "Team Rocket! Kidnapping a child is even under your level! I didn't think you could go any lower." He then walked to Ash. "Good job, Dragonite."

"This is your Dragonite?", asked Ash surprised when he realized whose Dragonite helped him. "Wait, why are you here? Not that I am happy, but aren't you busy?"
"I was busy with something in Cerulean... and I was looking for you, so when I saw that you send an SOS signal from Mt. Moon, I came here.", explained Lance. "Now how do you feel?"
"Mm, still shaken. Champion Lance, one of these criminal said something very worrisome.", told him Asher, "He said their boss was after me..."

"To be fair, your powers would make you interesting for criminal organizations like Team Rocket.", replied the champion. "Still, this isn't good."

"Now, you said you were looking for me?", reminded him Ash.

"Ah, yes. I wanted to give you something.", said Lance, before giving him a Pokeball. "I also wanted to ask if you thought about joining the G-Men?"

"I did.", said Ash, "I do not think this is a good idea. I felt so helpless until you came."
"Understandable. Albeit I am certain if you have some training under the belt, you're still young.", countered Lance. "There is a difference between being prepared and stumbling into confrontations like you just had."
"And if I simply don't want?", asked Ash. For him, Lance was quite pushy.

"Well, I can't force you.", he answered. "Now, It is more than late. Dragonite and I bring you to the Cerulean center, it isn't far. Go, climb onto Dragonite."

Ash did so, but before, he let Rowlet out. She'll enjoy a nice flight in the night sky.

Ash arrived at the center and thanked Lance. Getting a room there – it was so late, he didn't bother to find a hotel in Cerulean – he fell asleep fast. Then next morning, he still felt drained from yesterday. Ash then remembered he was given a Pokeball. After waking the team, he checked what it was, Out came a little, ghostly dragon with a head resembling an air plane.

His dex informed him of what Lance had given him the night before, "Dreepy, the Lingering Pokemon. A dragon and ghost type native to Galar and classified as a pseudo-legendary. After being reborn as a ghost Pokémon, Dreepy wanders the areas it used to inhabit back when it was alive in prehistoric seas. If this weak Pokémon is by itself, a mere child could defeat it. But if Dreepy has friends to help it train, it can evolve and become much stronger. This specimen is male, has the ability Infiltrator and knows the moves Quick Attack, Bite, Astonish and has the locked egg move Dragon Tail. Should I clarify something?"
"What is a pseudo-legendary?", asked Ash.

"A pseudo-legendary is a category of Pokemon that are very powerful, they – in theory – could be compared to legends. As for that, they have a slow grow rate and start out very weak and stay such for long. Many trainers dream of having one, but don't have the patience for caring for them. Adding on that most pseudo's are dragon types – by default harder to handle – and have temperamental personalities. Should I clarify something?"

"The ability Infiltrator."
"The ability infiltrator allows the Pokemon to ignore barriers and shields. Should I clarify something?'

"No.", said Ash. He whistled impressed. "Woah, Lance really gave me a potential power house. I... I can't believe it. But by Arceus, you're quite cute, Dreepy."

"I am not cute. Now, do you have any food?", replied the dragon.

"Sure."

"Wait, you understand me?", asked their newest member.

Phantump told him, "Ash has ghostly powers, he can understand us ghost types being one."

"Last night, I discovered that I can see in the dark.", chimed Ash in, before giving Dreepy some food. "We need to get new supplies today."

"You can understand me? Awesome! My dad's trainer couldn't.", said the Dreepy, "To be fair, he was an idiot. Dude even gets lost on a straight path, not smart, not smart."

Before Ash could scold him for shit talking his old trainer, his phone rang. Accepting it, he heard his mentor's voice ask, "Ash, Lance told me of what had happened yesterday, are you okay?"
"I am. Still a bit shaken, but.. I admittedly have something else on my plate.", answered Ash.

"Good that you can think of something else than being nearly kidnapped.", replied Giovanni, "Now what had happened?"
"Lance asked me again if I want to join the G-Men. After yesterday, I am sure I don't. But I don't think I can reject an offer from the champion himself... especially since he gave me a Pokemon, a Dreepy."

"Oh, really? You can always say no. Lance may be the champion, but he can't force you.", reassured him Giovanni. "Not to mention, the G-Men don't really accept recruits outside of their academy track. I think you're too old to join these anyway. Mind you, they may accept expectations, especially if Lance says so... but I should stop talking."

Asher then started. He was so overwhelmed with everything. Yesterday night, Lance's offer, just too much. Ash stopped when he sensed that Giovanni was stressed by something. "I-I am sorry for crying and bothering you with my problems."
"Not a problem, Ash.", said Giovanni, "Now, remember, you can reject Lance's offer. Farewell, Ash, I have to end the call."

"Okay, bye." Ending the call with Giovanni, he remembered he had to call his mother. New town, new call was the rule. Dialing her number, he was greeted by Delia. "I am now in Cerulean, mom."

"Ash, you don't sound good. Did you cry?", she asked. Mom instincts.

"Mm, yes. First of all, I met champion Lance again yesterday, he asked again if I am interested in joining the G-Men. I don't want to, not after yesterday... and he gave me a Pokemon."
"What happened yesterday? Asher?"
"I walked into Team Rocket grunts in Mt. Moon. They, um, nearly kidnapped me.", admitted Ash, worried how his mom would react, "Apparently their boss is after me. In addition to my Lance dilemma, I am overwhelmed."
"You nearly-what?! Asher, I think it would be better if you come home.", she said. "But I don't force you... but come home if everything is too much for you, be it temporarily for a break."
"Yes mom."

"Good. Now if you excuse me, the restaurant gets renovated."

"Really? How nice."

"Ash, something else seems to bother you. You normally don't want to talk about my work.", stated his mother. "What is it?"
"The Pokemon Lance gave me.", said Ash, "It feels weird to keep it if I decline his offer."

"Unless the champion wants it back after a definitive no, I would say you keep it.", she said, "Now what is it?"
"A Dreepy, a dragon and ghost type from Galar.", explained Ash to his mother, "A pseudo-legendary."
"I may not be a trainer, but I know this is good. Keep it! Unless the champion wants it back. Send me a picture, will you?"

"Of course, mom.", he answered. Ash then remembered something, "Mom, something else happened! A new power manifested. I can see in the dark."

"This is pretty handy. Wait, does that mean you're into dark types now?"

"Mom! Please no dad jokes!"

After calling his mother, Ash got the supplies. The next two days were spend training his team. Especially Dreepy, the newbie. Ash tried to get his mind from his encounter with Team Rocket. He was considering to dye his hair – even though that won't work well – and lay low. Nearly being kidnapped is quite the scare. After these two days of intense training, including doing some workout himself – mainly racing Dreepy and Rowlet – his mind was far enough of it that he was thinking about challenging the local gym here in Cerulean.

Started: 15th September 2023

Edited: 29th July

Finished: 16th September 2023

Uploaded: 24th October 2024