Greetings, everyone mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey and welcome to the halfway mark of the story and the third act. I hope you are ready for what I have planned for the upcoming chapters in the Whirl Islands and as the story continues. Let's get this chapter started, shall we?
Chapter 64: Reunions and Surprises
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as they were en route to the first Island of the Whirl Islands as per the request of Ash's Uncle. Ash was still curious about what was happening and why he was asked to come to the Whirl Islands.
Ash and the others arrived on the Island and saw his Uncle waiting for the group and waving toward them. Ash smiled and walked over to the group. "Hey, Uncle has been a while if we don't count our phone calls," Ash said as his Uncle patted Ash's head.
"Welcome to the Whirl Islands, nephew, and I have taken that these are your friends who are also gym leaders?" David said to Ash, who nodded.
"Yep, Misty from Cerulean City and Brock from Pewter City," Ash said to his Uncle, introducing Misty and Brock to his Uncle.
"Nice to meet you," Misty and Brock said to him, bowing.
"No need for that, you two. As you know, through Ash, I have retired from my gym leader duties but still have connections to the League regardless," David said to Misty and Brock before turning to Ash.
"You wanted me to come here for a gift or something, Uncle?" Ash asked David, who nodded.
"Come, follow me," David said as the group looked at each other and followed him. Ash was taking in the sites. While doing so, Ash noticed the school of Lapras before and knew he would see them after whatever his Uncle wanted.
This Island was the first time he'd been here as he was usually at his Uncle's villa on the second Island or Goldenrod City. The group arrived at a house where Ash was curious about what was happening. "Well, go ahead, Ash, open the door," David said. Ash nodded as he opened the door, only to be greeted by blasts of confetti.
"Surprise," was said as Ash noticed that his mother, Professor Oak, and a few of his friends/rivals like Ritchie, Casey, and Ash's Cousin Michael, who was a year older than Ash, who had blond hair, Drew, and surprisingly Gary were there. Ash stood there stunned as his Uncle chuckled.
"Come now, Ash, have you forgotten that today is your Birthday, or have you been on your Journey to time flies," David said to Ash, who was taken aback by this. Professor Oak and his mother chuckled. It was Ash's 13th birthday, and it was a big one.
"Ah, man, I been on this journey so long, and has it been that long since we left Kanto for here?" Ash asked. "You think that we can forget something this big, Ash? We've been planning this since our last call," David said to Ash.
"My sweetie is all grown up now," Delia said to Ash as Oak chuckled at this.
"Well, Ash, my boy, what do you have to say, or will you be a party pooper?" Oak said to Ash. Ash chuckled.
"Well, you got me, you guys. I was surprised to find out about this, and you are right. I forgot that my birthday was today, and I'm glad you told me," Ash said while scratching the back of his neck.
Misty and Brock were surprised that Ash had forgotten this, but they thought it was next week as everyone was having lunch and enjoying time with each other Casey explained that she had another battle with Paul recently during the P1 Grand Prix.
"Wait, he gave you a rematch after the fire-type Tournament, Casey?" Misty asked Casey, who nodded.
"Surprisingly, my team managed to get him down to his last Pokemon, but his team beat mine. But I have his respect even after I struggled with his team," Casey said to everyone. Ash was curious about this.
"Paul is still in Johto. It seems I thought he would return to Hoenn for the League?" Ash said, and Casey nodded.
"He's going to participate in the Whirl Cup, from what it sounds like, but that is in a week from now," Casey explained. Ash was curious about this as it looked like David knew about this, but let it go for now.
Everyone finished eating their meal, and Ash decided to leave for a breath of fresh air, which everyone was OK with. Ash was outside on the Island with Pikachu.
"So you know that the day we met is also coming soon, Ash?" Pikachu said to Ash, who nodded.
"That will be tomorrow, Pikachu, as I turned ten the day before you became my partner," Ash said to Pikachu, who nodded.
"To think that your Uncle planned this ahead of time? It might be a Pokemon again or something like that," Pikachu said to Ash, who shook his head.
"Remember, most of his Pokemon either released or is back home in Goldenrod, and Ursaring is his main partner who he was given to me," Ash said to Pikachu, who rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh, right, and your cousin seems nice as well. He looks like you a little bit," Pikachu said.
"Yeah, he's been on his journey and is taking part in Kanto, but glad to see that he's here as well," Ash said as he heard a voice call him.
"Ash, I thought that was you I saw," a female voice called out to Ash, who turned around to see Lapras, aka the one he had in the Orange Islands.
"I thought that was your school, coming when I was on the boat earlier, Lapras. LongLong time no see; what brings you out here?" Ash said as Pikachu hopped on Lapras's head. She had grown much more since the last time the two saw each other.
"These Islands are where I hatched and originally from Ash," Lapras said as Ash and Pikachu were surprised. "What brings you here as well, Ash? It's far from your hometown?" Lapras asked Ash. Ash was about to say something only to hear a male voice call out to Lapras.
"Is that your trainer I see there?" the leader of the Lapras asked Lapras, who nodded.
"Yeah, I'm here visiting family and taking part in the league here in Johto, sir, and you won't have issues with my friends or me," Ash said, showing respect as both Lapras noticed that Ash understood them. "I have a translator via a Slowbro, and I can understand you regardless," Ash said as the leader nodded.
"No need for that, Ash. You earned my herd's trust by saving us and taking care of my daughter here," the leader said as it was Ash and Pikachu's turn to be surprised. "Are you and your friends going to be here on these Islands for a while?" the leader asked, and Ash nodded.
"Yeah, today's my birthday, and we planned on taking part in the Whirl Cup on the fourth Island," Ash answered him, who nodded.
"I'll allow you to have Lapras here for the rest of the adventures on the Islands, whether for a battle or that competition. All water types know about it," the leader said before swimming away as Ash and Pikachu had sweatdrops on their faces about what had just happened.
"Well, that is awkward, so you are the daughter of the pack's leader? I guess he's protective towards you even if we leave each other?" Ash asked Lapras, who nodded.
"Yeah, but he wants me to run the group one day even though he's young," Lapras said. "But right now, I hope we can spend some time before you head back to your friends, and I will be fine with joining for this and the league, but until further notice, I can't permanently stay with the team."
Ash nodded. "I accept that and respect your decision to be with your family may be later down the road," Ash said to Lapras, who nuzzled Ash as Lapras thought of something.
"Hey, I have an idea; if you aren't busy, I have what you can say, my gift to you. As you humans can say, and it won't be too long," Lapras suggested to Ash, who was curious and nodded. "Hop on," Lapras said. Ash and Pikachu got on Lapras's back as she took off to a location on the Island.
Lapras suddenly stopped and dove her head into the water as she let out what looked like sonar to someone. Ash was curious about this as this was the first time that Lapras had done this, and she knew that she had something planned. Lapras head resurfaced.
"Huh? What was that about Lapras?" Ash asked Lapras, who giggled.
"Wait for it, Ash, you'll see," Lapras said to Ash as he was hit with what looked like a water gun from his left side.
"Hey, who did that," Ash asked as Ash looked around to see who did that.
"No need to yell. I'm here 'cause my friend asked me to come here," a male voice said. Ash turned to his left, and it was a Seadra Ash was surprised by this. "Lapras, long time no see, and you have grown a lot," Seadra said to Lapras, who nodded.
"This is my trainer, Ash. When I was separated from my family, he's the type of trainer you wanted when you were a Horsea," Lapras said to Seadra, who looked at Ash up and down and nodded.
"You sure, Lapras? Your trainer here looks friendly and caring, but can I trust him? Most Pokemon in these waters aren't trivial to humans, and most don't trust them?" Seadra said to Lapras Ash understood what he was saying, as Seadra noticed. "You can understand me, human?"
"Uh huh, I have a Slowbro who wanted to help me and my friends to understand Pokemon his way, not mine," Ash said. "But you mind giving me a proper introduction Lapras? Cause this was sudden?" Ash asked Lapras, who nodded.
"Seadra, this is Ash. I already told you that he's my trainer and helped my family," Lapras introduced Ash to Seadra, who nodded as Lapras turned to Ash. "Ash, this was my childhood best friend before I met you, Seadra. At the time, he wanted to find a trainer who saw him for what he was and not for personal gain. He has more of a judgemental personality and doesn't like those who mistreat Pokemon. You can say," Lapras said to Ash while introducing him to Ash. Seadra humphed.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ash, and you do seem nice, but what do you need for me to join your team? Or are one of those humans with the one condition to the Pokemon join their team?" Seadra asked, which Ash said.
"More like what you want in return for you joining the team, Seadra," Ash said to Seadra, surprised upon hearing this.
"W-what was that, Ash? Did I hear what I think you said?" Seadra asked as Ash nodded.
"Look, I may not be perfect and make mistakes. I even forgot my birthday was today. But I care about my Pokemon, and their needs are more important than mine. Whatever you want in return for joining the team, I will try my best to my extent," Ash said to Seadra, who thought about it.
"Before you ask, sadly, my dad wants me to stay with the pact whenever Ash leaves the Whirl Islands and at the end of the league if I run into him beforehand," Lapras said, knowing that Seadra might request that in return for joining as Seadra sighed and nodded.
"Treat me nicely, good battles, and don't release me unless I ask you to. I may be picky, but I am more friendly than we met earlier. Just help make me stronger and to my final stage," Seadra said to Ash, who was curious about the last part.
"But you are in the final stage of evolution," Ash questioned Seadra, and both Lapras and Seadra laughed. "Huh? What's funny?" Ash asked the two water types.
"Sorry, Ash, I forgot. Ash is from Kanto and not aware of your evolutionary line here," Lapras explained to Ash, and Seadra sighed.
"I have one more stage of evolution here in this region. You have something to look up. So it would help if you understood that," Seadra said to Ash, who did that and saw the Pokemon named Kingdra, a water/dragon type, which Ash was surprised. "My evolutionary line is fast and powerful, and I'm mainly faster than most of my family, so what do you say, Ash? You want to meet my demands?" Seadra asked Ash, who nodded.
"Sadly, my team is full at the moment, but I'll be happy for you to join the team," Ash said to Seadra, who nodded.
"I'm fine with that, but I want to participate in this tournament here from what Lapras told me as long as your team is fine with me," Seadra said, to which Ash nodded as well Pikachu. Ash pulled out a Lure ball.
"Welcome to the team Seadra," Ash said to Seadra, who nodded as Ash tossed it at him. The ball was returned to Ash, and Seadra was caught without hassle. Ash noticed that it was getting late. "Well, we better head back to the land. The party is still young," Ash said to Lapras, who nodded.
"I'll take you guys on the Island travels without issue, Ash, but I want you to make room for my ball while I can battle on land traveling on it isn't an option," Lapras said.
"So you'll be OK on land during battle if we have one happen, you got it, and sure, once the party is over, that is," Ash said, which Lapras nodded as they headed back to the first Island of the Whirl Islands.
Ash arrived at the house, and everyone awaited him as he explained his reunion with Lapras and a new Pokemon for the team. Everyone understood this as it was time for the gifts, while Ash's rivals were just there for the party, which Ash was fine with. He did have presents from his mom, Professor Oak, and his Uncle. As Gary decided it was time to leave. Ash sighs.
"Somethings never changed, but he is on his journey as well, so I think we can let it go," Ash said as Professor Oak said now that Gary was out of earshot.
"I wished you waited until you caught Seadra, as you have an expansion of two more Pokemon on your team, and I figure that Lapras wants to travel with you. So now you have 16 Pokemon, but that is the max I can give you from the League, Ash," Professor Oak said to Ash, who was surprised to hear this.
"So that's why you waited to tell me that because Gary might also be asking for that?" Ash said to Professor Oak, who nodded.
"Lately, he's been acting strange and less focused on his Journey as a trainer. I think that battle in the fire-type tournament had gotten to him hard," Oak said. As Paul got to Gary's pride hard, Ash and Drew knew what he meant.
"I think that we should move on, sweetie, and this was a present from both your Uncle and me now that you are growing up," Delia said to Ash, handing him a box. Ash opened it to see a Pokegear, which Ash was surprised he was given as it was expensive.
"Consider it a big gift from the League, your mother, and me. We also have our numbers on there, as it's updated with the apps of maps and news about events happening soon. I had to pull some strings for that, Ash, so you might not want to lose it," David said to Ash, who nodded.
"I will, Uncle, and thank you for this. I wasn't expecting this," Ash said to his Uncle and mother, who nodded.
"One last thing, Ash," David said to his Nephew as he handed Ash a note.
"Huh? Who's it from?" Ash asked.
"I'd say read it, Ash," David suggested when Ash opened the note.
"Dear Ash
I hope you are having a good birthday, but we should have a battle tomorrow day, a full battle if you are willing to face anyone with that attitude. Or are you as pathetic as you announced that I'd be waiting at your Uncle's villa?
Paul"
Ash read that out loud and was surprised by this. "Paul was at the P1 Grand Prix when I said that, huh?" Ash said.
"You know I have a stadium battlefield at my villa, Ash. He requested it heard that I be related to you. He's here with his brother Regi. Who also participates in the Whirl Cup has prepared a team for you. Are you going to back down from a challenge from him," David said to Ash, who looked determined.
"I will accept. I can't go in overconfident, though, and bluffing isn't going to work on him," Ash said.
"Paul's been through two leagues already, Kanto and Johto, and is planning on Hoenn next, so you two should be a good match," Drew said to Ash.
"I better recatch Lapras and then think of a team for tomorrow if that is OK with you all," Ash asked, and everyone nodded.
"We are all going to watch this fight, Ash minus Gary, it seems," Casey said to Ash.
"Sadly, we will have to return to Pallet Town soon, Ash, but you do your best," Oak said to Ash as Delia hugged Ash before they left. Ash went to where Lapras was. Ash explained what was going on and a battle tomorrow. Lapras nodded and smirked.
"I want to take part in this battle tomorrow to make up for my draw at the league, and I've learned a few new moves to show why I'm the leader's daughter," Lapras said to Ash, who nodded.
The next day came as Ash was en route to the second Island via boat heading that way as Ash knew he was about to face an adamant trainer in Paul.
With a new day and a new year for Ash. Ash is now challenged by Paul, who he has faced in the fire-type Tournament, this time without the Tournament limiting to what can be used Pokemon-wise. Who will come on top in this battle? The Journey continues.
Stay Tuned.
Done and done and on a new laptop as well. Man, this chapter took a while, but I got this done. Seadra was a request captured from True Master, who requested many Pokemon like Murkrow, Slowbro, and a few more in this story. And that personality was more of my doing because he asked me to do my personality and backstory. He will evolve into Kingdra when the Dragon's scale comes in. That will be later in this arc. I know Ash's official birthday technically is when the Anime was started, and I am late to this, but I felt that since Ash aged past ten in this story, I felt the big thirteen would be in this chapter even though he didn't have anything to say in this chapter. Ash's cousin will have a role in the sequel, so be prepared for that. It's a two-parter next as Ash squares off against Paul. See you next time.