Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. I hope you are enjoying the story so far, and remember that Hoenn captures are still open about five more left, and I am taking some Sinnoh Pokemon for the captures as well. That said, let's get this going.
Chapter 67: Migration
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
We joined our heroes as they were on the third Island of the Whirl Islands. Ash's Uncle offered the group to stay at the Villa on the second Island, given that the Farry to the fourth Island is only direct from the Second one, which they accepted.
Ash and his friends arrived on the Third Island of the Whirl Islands. "Well, here we are, and we should try to look around and site the sites," Brock said to Misty and Ash, who nodded.
"If I remember correctly, this is the largest Island of the Whirl Islands, with the Island that the Whirl Cup being the second largest," Ash said to Brock. Misty noticed a group of trainers with what looked to be Pokemon.
"Huh? Wonder what is going on over there?" Misty said to Brock and Ash, who looked over, and Ash looked up the Pokemon which was Chinchou. "Cuties they look like, and they are water types, not just electric types," Misty said.
"Yes, they are, Misty," a familiar voice called out to the group, who turned around to see it was Sakura. "Been a while since the Fire-type tournament, I believe," Sakura said to Misty and everyone.
"Yeah, it has been a while. I guess you're taking part in the Whirl Cup as well?" Misty asked Sakura, who nodded. "My sister was invited to take part in it, but they had a theater show, a big one during that time, so I was asked to take part in it," Sakura explained.
"If I remember correctly, you also owned a Chinchou as well, Sakura, and maybe you might know what is going on here as well," Brock asked Sakura, who nodded at both questions.
"So, the Chinchou Migration is going on now, it seems," Sakura said, which the group was curious about. A pair of Chinchou's looked at the group and were curious about the group though one was shy about it. The Chinchous were leaving on their way through the Island, and everyone was waving goodbye for the time being.
"Wanna see what is going on?" Sakura asked Ash and the others, who nodded. "I can explain what I do know along the way, as I was also asked to make sure that they made it across the Island," Sakura said as they left, following the group. "So, what is going on is that most Chinchou on the Island plan to leave every year. From what I know, most either went to find their trainers like mine or for breeding. Most are either wild ones or trainer-owned Chinchou," Sakura said, knowing that Misty and the others would ask her.
"Is one of them your Sakura? I mean, given that you are here, your's must've also been involved in this?" Ash asked Sakura, who shook her head.
"No, he doesn't want to participate in this but is willing to help them, and he has evolved now," Sakura answered Ash's question.
"I see they can choose if they want to leave their owners or not must be hard on most trainers," Misty said to Sakura which Ash piped in.
"It's similar to Butterfree. Remember Misty, most of them either didn't know that they can choose not to, or their Pokemon is willing to do this," Ash said to Misty. The latter nodded and hadn't forgotten about that as Sakura was hearing this and understood that Ash would have experience with this situation.
The group was resting around halfway through the mountains. As the Chinchou took a break from their hike, Sakura let out her Pokemon so they could play or relax since they hadn't been out much. The group saw her team again from her Houndoom, Lanturn, who was in the water area near the other Chinchou, Noctowl, Espeon, and her newly evolved Bayleef.
"Wow, you have gotten a good team, and it seems like Houndoom and Espeon had gotten stronger the last time we saw them," Ash said to Sakura, who nodded as she saw her Lanturn talking to the other Lanturn. Ash and his friends also let out their Pokemon as both Seadra and Lapras were in the water where Lanturn was.
"It seems like they are well trained and taken care of right, not bad for a first-time trainer who just started her Journey," Brock said to Sakura, who nodded.
"Thanks, Brock. I won't lie. It was tough to train them before my sisters let me go on this Journey, not to mention let them out to have fun," Sakura said Seadra was listening to this as he was curious about her.
"Right now, I've been using Slowbro's gift to get to know them well and try to compromise on battle strategies and let them have fun outside of battle, just having trouble finding time," Sakura said.
"So the Whirl Islands is the best time for that, huh?" Misty said to Sakura, who nodded, but everyone could tell she was trying her best.
"What do you think, Seadra? She seems nice enough?" Lapras asked Seadra, given what they'd heard, as he looked around and saw the other Pokemon who were also having fun with each other.
"Won't lie, Lapras, she seems like a good trainer. Not since I joined Ash has someone shown me that not all humans are that bad. And if I had met her before, we would run into each other again. I might have given her a chance to be my trainer. As for her methods with her Pokemon, I don't blame her and wonder how long she has been one?" Seadra questioned as Sakura heard this.
"About four months, as that was how long ago my sisters let me go on my Journey after Misty and the others helped convince them to go on my Journey, even though they had planned on letting me go on my Journey," Sakura explained to Seadra. Seadra forgot that she mentioned that Slowbro had given her the ability to understand Pokemon, but Seadra could see what she was talking about.
"So, how many gym badges do you have now, Sakura, since we last saw each other," Misty asked Sakura, who pulled out her badge case and showed that she had four gym badges and the hive badge now. "I was in Olivine City and about to head to Cianwood City before I was asked to participate in both the Migration and the Whirl Cup," Sakura explained.
Sakura was talking more as the two Chinchou from before were now more interested in Ash and Misty as they could see that they were very nice though the one who was interested in Ash was scared to do something.
"Come on, sis; you want a trainer, don't you? We need not be scared around them," the older of the two Chinchou said to her little sister, who nodded as the two walked over to the two of them.
"Ah, looks like these two are coming over to meet you guys," Sakura said to Ash and Misty, who turned around to see the two were looking at Misty and Ash. One of the two Chinchous was hiding behind one of the two.
"Hey, it's okay, we won't hurt you," Misty said to the two Pokemon, who smiled at her as the youngest walked over to Ash rubbing her leg on Ash cutely. Ash petted her head as she leaned in on her right side, letting Ash pet her.
"That feel's good," Chinchou said to Ash, and Ash chuckled at this as Misty treated the same to the sister of Chinchou with Ash.
Sadly the fun was short-lived as the group of Chinchou was done resting, and Ash and Sakura returned their Pokemon to their balls. Little did they know as they continued their Journey, a certain fly-type under Team Rocket's control was watching this. One of the Chinchou noticed him as Noctowl used Hypnosis on it.
"One down, many more to go," Noctowl said with a snicker. "To think this Migration might bring more Pokemon for the team."
Later, the group was at a second rest stop as they were now across the mountain. However, during that time, more and more Chinchou had gone missing since the last rest stop. Sakura noticed that most were missing, and many were wild. Misty and Ash remembered her saying she was there to protect them and ensure they arrived safely.
"Ugh, this is bad. I promised the town that everyone would make it safe, and I should've checked before we left," Sakura said aloud.
"You think that they ran off or anything, Sakura? I mean, you have tasked a challenging responsibility for them?" Misty asked Sakura, who shook her head.
"No, from what Lanturn told me, this path they take is always the same every year, and venturing off isn't a safe idea given that the other path is full of nasty weather and unsafe conditions," Sakura explained to the group. "Huh, and the two Chinchou from before are also missing. You know the one's that you two got along with," Sakura said to Ash and Misty.
"Huh? Hey, you are right. Hey, you two, where did you go," Ash said out loud as many of the Chinchou was looking around, only to fall prey to Noctowl's Hypnosis as a few walked in his direction, which Ash and the others noticed. "Hey, stop," Ash said, running towards the Pokemon, which snapped them out of it as Ash noticed the wing he was given in Eckruteak City was glowing, indicating that it was indeed Noctowl who was there.
"Huh? Ash that wing of Ho-oh?" Pikachu said to Ash, who nodded.
"Yeah, I think I know who is behind this, Noctowl and Team Rocket," Ash said, who sighed, knowing that he would run into him again, hoping originally that he would've been freed from their control doesn't seem that way as Ash explained what is going on to Sakura who was surprised. But understood as the group ran towards where the Chinchou was initially walking towards. Ash and the others saw the rest of the Chinchous that went missing heading towards Noctowl, who was smirking, seeing that many of them were now about to join his cause.
"Noctowl," Ash said, running towards the group, snapping out many of the Chinchou of his Hypnosis which Noctowl sighed.
"You again, stay out of this twerps," Noctowl said. Ash noticed that Noctowl's Hypnosis has weakened the more he's under Team Rocket's control lately. Brock, Misty, and Sakura also arrived where Ash was. "Great more twerps. Why do you have to ruin things," Noctowl said.
"Humph, it seems like the Noctowl I know had lost how strong his Hypnosis has been since he was a Hoothoot. The more you are using it under Team Rocket's control," Ash said, making Noctowl growl at him.
"What did you say? You're mistaken. My Hypnosis is the best of the best for Team Rocket. Take that back," Noctowl snarled, given that what he is known for was being called out.
"You are losing your touch. The last time we fought you, it took a Thunderbolt to snap the Ghost types out of your control, and we couldn't break the Miltanks free before that. Are you sure that you are the best when your best feature, known for, is being weakened," Ash said to Noctowl, trying to get to his old self.
"Shut it," Noctowl said.
"If you are under hypnosis, you might as well be breaking free from their manipulation of your mind," Ash thought. "I bet even Sakura's Noctowl probably has more power than you do," Ash said as Noctowl used Extrasensory on him, now even madder than before as Ash was sent to the wall of rocks, luckily not hurt.
"You shut your mouth, Ash. I may have my Hypnosis be weaker lately, but I still have plenty of power to fight you," Noctowl said to Ash, and Ash smiled, realizing that what he was saying was getting to the old Noctowl in his mind.
"What happened to call me twerp, huh? Noctowl," Ash said, and Noctowl was shaking his head.
"Ash, you think that the more he's using hypnosis outside of battle, their grip on his mind is fading as well," Brock said to Ash, who nodded.
"I don't care if he hurts me with his attacks this time, Team Rocket isn't here to protect him, and he'll be back to his strong Hypnosis again when he's freed from their control. Noctowl, please snap out of it," Ash said to Noctowl, who was holding his head with his wing.
Ash was walking towards Noctowl, who was letting out more Extrasensory attacks during the pain in his head, which Ash was taking but not letting get to him. Ash managed to get to Noctowl.
"Hoothoot, look at me and remember who I am and forget whatever Team Rocket did to you," Ash said to his old friend. Ash reached out to his head as it managed to stop the attack the Noctowl was doing on him.
Noctowl's eyes were starting to return to normal.
"A, Ash?" Noctowl said to Ash as Ash smiled at this.
"Noctowl, please fight your Hypnosis. You are stronger than that," Ash said to Noctowl. Noctowl's eyes were freed from Hypnosis as he passed out in Ash's arms. Ash sighed and pulled out a Pokeball, and caught him.
"I'll talk to him once we head back to the checkpoint, figuring that they won't leave without us," Ash said as the group nodded and headed to the checkpoint. As Ash lets out Noctowl of his ball. Noctowl was shaking his head as he had recovered from all that.
"Easy, boy, your mind is still recovering from all you went through," Ash said to Noctowl, who was in tears. He may be under Hypnosis, but he knew what he was doing while under it.
"Ash, I'm sorry for everything. I have been under my own Hypnosis, and I was aware of everything that happened during that state of mind," Noctowl said to Ash and the others, who nodded.
"It's fine. At least we got to you before you could do more damage. Team Rocket wasn't bright on thinking that Hypnosis doesn't work all the time or that it has its limits," Ash said to Noctowl, who nodded. "But, what happened when we last saw each other? Before you were under Team Rocket's control, what did they do to you?" Ash asked him. Noctowl looked down.
"My memory of that day was fuzzy. All I remember was I was playing pranks on humans, nothing too harmful, just enough to ensure that you would be the one who caught me, Ash. I saw those three, and I thought it would be fun to use Hypnosis, and the last thing I know, something shiny was shown, and things went blank," Noctowl said.
"You were the Noctowl that often used Hypnosis in Ilex Forest?" Sakura said Noctowl, who nodded as Ash remembered that Slowbro said the same thing but knew it was him.
"Ash, this was a few weeks before you saw me in that state of mind," Noctowl said.
"This was before we arrived in Azalea Town to help stop the drought, so they were in the area beforehand," Brock said. "Do you know what Team Rocket is up to, or is your mind still fuzzy?" Brock asked him, who shook his head.
"Only thing I know is that they are using my Hypnosis powers to strengthen whatever project they have here in the Islands and a lake somewhere here in Johto," Noctowl's head throbs.
"Easy, you don't need to continue, Noctowl, and I know what lake you are referring to. It's outside Mahogany Town," Ash said.
"But he said they are currently here in the Whirl Islands. That must mean that they are after something big," Misty said.
"I think that I might know what they might be after here in the Islands, the guardian of the sea and the Islands according to the legend of the Whirl Islands," Sakura said.
"I do know one thing is for sure they are waiting until after the so-called Tournament is over to start their plans. Knowing them, they probably know I am free from their control and probably knew that I was going to be free soon enough hence why they sent me by myself, knowing that this would fail," Noctowl said and turned to Ash as what Ash said earlier when he was hypnotized.
"Ash, if you don't mind me asking, you think I'm weak during all that? And that another Noctowl could do a better job than me?" Noctowl said to Ash, who shook his head, and Noctowl smiled. "I see it was to get me free from their control. You haven't changed since we were young," Noctowl told Ash, who nodded but looked concerned.
"Right now, I don't think you are in a good mental state to stay on the team. Who knows what else they did to your mind? I will send you to Professor Oaks' lab," Ash said as this took Noctowl aback.
"But, Ash, our promise to be with each other during our Journey here," Noctowl said to Ash, who nodded but knew that right now wasn't the best time to do so.
"I have a Pokemon named Kanghaskan who is meant to help with Pokemon therapy, and keeping you here in the Whirl Islands might try to get you back under their control. Once we are out of the Islands, we will rejoin again. Please, my friend, let me help you like earlier," Ash said to Noctowl, who nodded and sighed. "I've already caught you, so you don't have to worry about a thing, and once this is all over, we can go on a better Journey," Ash said to him, who smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Ash, and I don't want to be released. I spent the past few years joining your team. I can wait until things are better, just be careful because they are planning on using my powers for something, and that is probably where all my Hypnosis went to whatever project they are planning," Noctowl said. Ash nodded, pulled out the Pokeball he had caught, returned him to the ball, and sent him to Professor Oaks' lab. Ash sighed at this.
"That capture was a long time coming, and boy, Team Rocket won't be happy when they find out that he's freed from their control, but we should continue," Brock said to Ash, who nodded as the group continued their Journey.
The group finally arrived at the end of the Migration to the other side of the Island. Many of the Chinchou headed into the sea. Only the two Chinchou interested in Misty and Ash was walking towards the two.
"Ah, don't want to say goodbye, or are you two planning on what I think you are?" Misty said to the two Pokemon, who nodded.
"We want to join your team, both of you," the two sisters said as the youngest approached Ash, showing she wanted to join Ash's team. Misty and Ash were surprised by this but nodded.
"Any demands or want in return for joining the team?" Ash said to the young one as Misty asked the same.
"I just wanted to get over my shyness and get stronger. I don't care about strong trainers or good battles as long as I have fun doing so," the youngest said to Ash.
"I want to see my sister be stronger and be stronger myself," The oldest said.
"You know we won't stay together one day, right?" Misty said to the two Pokemon, who nodded and understood, knowing that might happen one day.
Ash pulled out a Lure Ball, and Misty pulled out a regular one and caught them as they were caught without hassle. The day was coming to a close. Ash, Misty, and Brock were heading to the Pokemon center on the Island as Sakura was taking her leave.
"You leaving Sakura?" Misty said to Sakura, who nodded.
"Yeah, I need to get ready for the Tournament, so I will be heading back to the second Island and the Fourth one to get Lanturn ready, and hopefully, my sister's Vaporeon will be ready to participate in this. What about you all?' Sakura said to Misty.
"We'll be exploring the Island a bit longer before we head back to Ash's Uncle's Villa on the Second Island before leaving for the Whirl Cup. We will probably find some new Pokemon for the team," Brock said to Sakura, who nodded.
"I hope I will face either of you in the Tournament. Until then, see you all," Sakura said as she took her leave. Misty and Ash nodded as they were glad that Sakura would participate in the Tournament and that things were going well.
With the Migration now over, Noctowl is freed from Team Rocket's control. Ash and his friends now set their sites on exploring the Third Island of the Whirl Islands. What else is in store for our heroes? As the Journey continues.
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. Man, this chapter was challenging, mainly on the Noctowl part. I initially planned on him being freed during the Lugia arc and was the reason behind Lugia's rage and more, but I don't think Team Rocket's usage of him will happen anyway, without him. Let me know what you guys think. As for Chinchou, this was a request, and ironically I had initially planned on them joining Misty and Ash's team. We are staying on the Third Island for the following two chapters as we are tackling the Corsola episode next. See you next time.