Chapter 23:Back at Home
At first sight, the entirety of Pallet Town would seem more of a sprawled out colony than a town, considering how more than half of the zonal geography was occupied with forest land. To the north, there was the peak of Mount Hideaway, a place notorious for its rumours of savage pokémon that inhabited the grassy cliff. Beyond the hill, flowing downward along the banks of the little stream that flowed all the way to Viridian, was a vast gravelly land known as Pokemopolis, a ruin that had been unearthed some forty years ago after a massive earthquake nearly devastated the entire region. To the south, there was a massive plantation of Oran-berry, with half of the land belonging to the Oak family, who had their formal residence in the heart of the little colony somewhere in the centre of the entire region. Of course, there was also the famous Oak Ranch, the residence and workplace of the famous Samuel Oak, built at the top of a tiny plateau overlooking the Oran-berry plantation.
Pallet had a relatively sparse population, with most of the majority being involved in agriculture, or pokémon rearing. There was also the Xanadu Greenhouse located further east, almost in the outskirts of Pallet, which belonged to Erica, currently the Gym leader of Celadon city. With such limited exposure to the external world, the main motivation for the younger population was usually limited to the Oak family and its grand conquests, as well as the rare Elite-level trainer who would come in waltzing their way through the town to meet the Grand old man Oak.
The grassy path that led to the interiors of the residential colony was a lone one, with the occasional Pidgey chirping on the trees, or perhaps a pair of Rattata playing tag with each other. In short, it was just one of those bright, sunny and quiet days for Pallet town.
Crack!
Thud!
Alright. Not so quiet.
The sound of a cracking whip exploded out of nowhere, as Ash Ketchum appeared in mid-air, before waving his hand blindly, before he fell face-first, two feet down onto the somewhat hard, grassy floor.
"Oww!" he pushed his face up, rubbing his nose, staring at the disgustingly snide expression on Alakazam's face, who stood in front of him. "What was that for?"
I have no idea what you are talking about.
"Of course you don't." Ash grunted, picking himself up, brushing the dry earth off his clothes. At least it wasn't wet sand like the last time. "Let me guess, your teleportation was interrupted by super-powerful psychic defenses causing you to stop here?"
You have a hyper-active imagination. I simply did it because it was fun.
"And not… say, a way for you to make it even with me landing you on that island?"
… Well, that as well.
"I knew it." Ash muttered, before releasing Ninetales out of her pokeball, who let out a pitched woof before settling beside him, her golden fur gleaming in the bright sunlight, as she took in the entire scenery all around her.
It is a beautiful place.
Ash chuckled, nodding his head. "Come on. We are getting late. Alaka-"
But Alakazam had already teleported away, and if Ash was right, the psi pokémon would probably ruin his surprise as well in the next couple of seconds.
He wasn't sure if his mother was at Professor Oak's lab, or simply working at the house. Then again, she owned a little restaurant on the edges of the town, though it was run by the staff Delia had appointed. While the Ketchum's weren't exactly wealthy per se, they were more than comfortable enough. With Delia working as Professor Oak's assistant, and the restaurant bringing a reasonable amount, he had never quite seen his mom having trouble with finances. Between himself, her and the three pokémon she owned, it had been a comfortable life before he had begun his journey as a trainer.
"I guess we will start off with home." He told her, as the two fell in steps. "Either way, there will be Kirlia at home, and she'll inform Mom that I have arrived, if Alakazam hasn't already- this way, Aoi." He took a sharp turn from the main lane, leading towards the solitary house at the end of the lane, with the overtly decorated garden all around it.
"That's Alakazam's garden." He explained. "He hates it when anyone trespasses into his property without his express permission. Even Mom treads carefully when it comes to it."
Interesting. And the other pokémon?
"Well there is Kirlia. She's way too chummy, and loves to dance. Out of all three, she's my favourite." He paused, "and then there is Mr. Mime, and well, she kind of… freaks me out and hates me because of it."
Aoi looked a little surprised. From Ash's memories, she knew what he had gone through over the last couple of months. If this Mr. Mime freaked Him out, she wasn't sure what to think of the pokémon.
"- but don't take my word for it. For all we know, you might be best buddies with her." Ash was saying.
Somehow, Aoi wasn't sure if it would turn out that way. After all, Ninetales were extremely choosy, and by extension, extremely prejudiced as well. If this pokémon didn't go well with her trainer, chances were that her own interaction with her would be nothing short of a major debacle.
"And here we are." Ash smiled, as he opened the gate, and almost instantly, got himself tackled down to the ground, by a hyper-excited pokémon.
"Hey Kirlia." He chuckled, looking up at the green and white emotion pokémon who had tackled him just as soon as he had crossed the gate.
"Ash!" It was his mother, standing at the doorway, her face lit up as she walked down towards the gate. "I knew you'd be arriving today."
"I guess Alakazam informed you?" Ash scowled.
"Nah…" Delia laughed. "Kirlia has been dancing since morning."
Ah, right. Ash realized. The Ralts-line were blessed with the powers of clairvoyance, and while it is was almost dormant in Ralts, the ability showed itself in successive evolutions. A fully mature Gardevoir's ability at discerning the future was almost on par with that of a Xatu, who were literally prophetic by their very nature.
So this is Kirlia.
"Kirl?" Kirlia looked up, seeing the unfamiliar fox-pokémon standing at the gate. Something in the fox-pokémon's vermillion eyes told the emotion pokémon that this mystic wasn't the common Ninetales that she had met before at the coral. There was something… unprecedented about her, something that the emotion pokémon failed to fathom.
Your empathy cannot appraise through my mind, little one.
Kirlia gave her an indignant look. No one called her little. She turned her attention back to Ash, rubbing her face into his chest, something that for some reason, made Ninetales clench her jaw.
"Kirl!" She cooed, as Ash petted her.
"Yes, yes, now let us get in." Ash chuckled, holding his mother's hand to pull himself off the ground, only for Delia to embrace him a tight bear-hug.
"How are you?" she muttered, holding him close.
"You know…" Ash grinned, hugging her back.
"I missed you so much. Don't know why I had to let you become a trainer." Delia muttered, her voice faltering.
"Hah! You knew I'd never choose anything else." Ash pushed away, grinning at her. "How are you, mom?"
Delia just shrugged. "Just like always. My little boy's all grown up and left this old crone all alone to manage everything by herself."
"I don't see any old crone? You don't look a day over twenty." Ash teased.
"Ah, stop buttering me." Delia laughed, hugging him again.
"Can't breathe!" Ash whimpered, before Delia let him go, allowing himself to breathe again, much to his mom's grin. Chuckling at her antics, he turned towards Ninetales. "Mom, Kirlia… meet Aoi. Aoi, this is Mom, and you've already met Kirlia."
Aoi let out a cute woof, something that endeared her to Delia, who was already entranced by her gleaming beauty.
"Wow… I have never seen a Ninetales as beautiful as you… Aoi." Delia whispered, slowly petting Aoi's head, who, despite clearly showing discomfort and hesitation, allowed her to pet her head.
"Umm…" Ash intervened. "Aoi has issues with trusting people quickly, Mom."
"Oh," Delia pulled her fingers away. "I'm sorry, I suppose I just got carried away." She looked at Aoi hesitantly, who didn't react to it. "Anyway, come on, in. I made all your favourites today."
"All of that because Kirlia was dancing?" Ash arched an eyebrow.
"A mother always knows." Delia winked, before entering back into the house.
Ash shook his head, picking up Kirlia upon his shoulder, as he walked into the house, with a slightly inscrutable Ninetales following behind.
"Damn… it feels like an age that I've been at home." Ash realized, as he bit into the crispy coconut biscuit that Delia baked for him. She was a natural at baking, and often did so for the restaurant whenever she got a time off from the lab.
"You are the one who wanted to go ahead and embrace a life of adventure." Delia scoffed. "I always wanted you to be a researcher, or even better, manage the restaurant."
"Boo-ring!" Ash drawled, much to her chuckles. "You know I'd run away." He turned to Aoi. "Do you like it?"
Aoi, who had bitten into the crispy cookies on her plate, seemed to savour the taste, before giving him a nod. For whatever reason, she had avoided speaking to him, not even through her telepathic channels, though he hadn't really asked her the reason for it so far.
"What about the rest of your pokémon?" Delia asked, pulling out a scarf to wipe off the mess that Kirlia had created with her own share of cookies with a kerchief. "I never saw anyone after you sent them before boarding the…." Her voice suddenly turned a little frosty, "the cruise ship."
"I… well, you know what happened after that." Ash replied evasively. "It took me some time to get better, and then we went to the forest, and then… Where's Alakazam?" He asked, trying to digress away from the point.
Delia arched an eyebrow. "He's off to Samuel's lab to meet with his Alakazam. The two of them are comparing spoons or something."
Ash snorted at her choice of words. Talk about understated innuendos.
Delia however, wasn't done yet. "I cannot even begin to think what might have happened in Hoenn that you are asking for Kadab-Alakazam in the first place."
"Well, he's still a douchebag," Ash scowled, not liking her dig. "But at least, he's been a good ally and part of the team. Without him, it would be an entirely different story at the Forest."
Delia had a distinct feeling that she wasn't going to like hearing about it in detail. "I need you to tell me everything, but not right now. You have just arrived, so get some rest first. I suppose even Samuel would love to hear about your journey."
Of course he would. Ash sighed mentally, fearing the discussion he was going to have with the professor. Call it instinct, but he had a distinct feeling that Aoi was listening to each and every thought that was flitting through his mind. Wanting to disperse off the topic, he began, "About the rest of my pokémon, so I got a pretty good number of friends after boarding the ship. Aoi here, is simply the most recent addition to the team."
"Is that so?" Delia smiled at the Ninetales, who looked way too interested in biting into the biscuits.
"Yeah, well you know Bagon, he's a Shelgon now. Took upon himself to defeat a rather powerful Electabuzz in the cruise's contest, and evolved mid-battle. Without his timely evolution, I'd have gotten out of the contest pretty early." He paused for a moment. "Then Metang evolved into Metagross, and he's badass. Without him…. Things would have turned a lot worse than they were."
Delia's expression darkened.
"I already told you about Poliwhirl, Rhydon and my Lairon back then, so that's that. And Pidgeot, well—you know what happened to her."
"Samuel was sleepless over it." Delia muttered. "I couldn't believe it when he told me about it." She quietly noted her phone vibrate, but didn't pick it up.
"Yeah… pretty amazing. I should know." Ash muttered, speaking more to himself than to others. "I got myself a Gyarados-"
"What?" Delia literally sprang up from her chair.
"Uh… Mom?"
"Gya—Gyarados? But why? Don't you know how dangerous it is?"
"Hah!" Ash chuckled. "Gyarados is a big softie. You should've seen him around Misty, he's totally mush when she's around. Misty helped me a lot in the first couple of days when he evolved."
"I'll take your word for it." Delia replied, her voice dripping with scepticism, as she sat back down. Her phone vibrated again, but she didn't answer.
"Yeah…" Ash replied lamely, noticing the phone. "Who's calling?"
"It's Samuel. He's been obsessively waiting for your return for some reason. Told me to fetch you sooner if I could. He's wanting you to—never mind." She pressed. "So there's a Misty, is it? Did my Ashy get a girlfriend?"
Ash flushed, embarrassed by her teasing. "Um… no. Misty isn't my girlfriend."
"O-oh…" Delia drawled. "I'm listening."
The raven-haired trainer chagrined. "Well, that's that. So I won the third position, and that qualified me for a mystery pokémon, and she's-"
The phone vibrated again, making Delia scowl. "Wait. Don't tell me."
"Huh?"
Delia stood up from the chair, sighing. "Let's go to the ranch and release them out. Samuel will kill me if I delayed any longer."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Sure."
The elevated tableland that housed the Oak Ranch was perhaps the highest residential ground in all of Pallet, with only Mt. Hideaway being the only higher landmark around. Beyond that were the vast ruins filled with giant boulders and rock that led all the way to Pokemopolis. Professor Oak's ranch, which included his somewhat posh-residence, his surreal and extravagant laboratory and an enormous coral spanning over several acres of grassland. There was also a small pool in the middle of it, for the water-types to relax.
The trainer and his Ninetales followed Delia as she strode through the area, the card in her hand giving her instant access to the roadways and access systems built inside the ranch to guard against nuisances and trespassers. Kirlia had already teleported to the ranch ahead. Finally, reaching the main laboratory, she found Samuel Oak injecting something into a large, purple blob—
Was that a Muk?
"Uh… professor Oak, what are you doing to the Muk?" Ash couldn't help but utter aloud.
"Huh? Oh, Ash." Oak turned, instantly recognizing the voice, as he stood up, allowing the Muk to slowly push itself out of the chamber. "Nothing specific. Just one of my special ingredients to control its putrid smell. I cannot experiment with them with that smell destroying my nose-buds can I?"
Ninetales gave the man a rather questioning look from her vantage point.
"Either way, it is good that you've come here, and oh, a Nine-" Samuel's face was instantly vacated of color as he recognized the color frame on Aoi's tail. It was a good thing that Aoi's eyes glowed a bright vermillion just that moment, almost daring him to mention anything about her particular state out loud. Thankfully, Samuel Oak had enough sense of subtlety to understand her intentions. The sharp look on Ash's face helped matters too.
"—tales… Where did you catch her?"
"It's…. a long story, professor." Ash replied evasively. You know I think we need to reveal it to him, Aoi.
But why?
There are many out there who recognize that particular color scheme, Aoi. You cannot expect to hide it from everyone out there?
I can. Aoi's voice ringed in his mind, and almost instantly, the color-scheme on her tail-ends slightly shifted, turning into a mess of crimson and pink- something that denoted that she was capable of some mystic powers, but said nothing about her mastery over it.
A change that didn't go unnoticed by Samuel Oak.
Either way, we might need to tell him about it. He's… a good man, and I trust him. Well, more than other anyway. My mom works for him, and he has always helped me…
He gave you the Pikachu that nearly killed you.
Yeah, but it was an honest mistake. Besides, even my experience back at your island could have gotten me killed, but I don't hold it against you, do I?
Aoi frowned. You are a strange individual, Ash Ketchum.
I have heard that before. Ash mentally chuckled.
If you say so. The grumpy tone in her voice revealed her personal impression about his decision.
"I… see." Samuel replied. "Anyway, Ash, there is a lot we need to talk about later, you know… about stuff."
"Why are the two of you being so very evasive?" Delia pointed out.
"Is it about Bill?" Ash suggested, hoping that the professor would be able to catch the hint.
"Uh… yeah. It is about Bill. Speaking of which, let's go to the coral. I'm sure your pokémon need a thorough check-up." Saying that, he pulled up his glasses and walked out of the room towards the coral outside.
Ash rolled his eyes. "Sure thing, professor Oak."
Corals in general, served three general purposes. The first was to make sure that trainers were able to send their pokémon to a safe location, when they captured more than six (an understatement, considering that any self-respecting trainer would catch at least twelve pokémon in his first year. After all, there were contests out there, which had a minimum-pokémon requirement level as twelve in order to participate. The second reason was that it allowed pokémon to be vaccinated at proper intervals, and given timely health-check-ups. By extension, it was a security-check to ensure that the pokémon weren't being mistreated or abused by their trainer. The third reason was to ensure that the pokémon were given proper food at all times- a hardship to be faced if a trainer were to keep his pokémon with himself at all times, something Ash would have had to face, if not for the advancements and prize money he had received for his contribution at Commerce City and the prize money for St. Anne.
There was a fourth reason as well. Having a large number of tamed pokémon at a single place allowed the occupation of Pokémon breeders to increase in time. Pokémon breeders were highly knowledgeable, and often researchers themselves, their field of work limited to pokémon breeding. Also, several other industries were built around the concept of pokémon corals. The nutrient-industry for one, always sent its latest production to be tested at corals, and results noted. The dairy-farm industry was, in its own fashion, a coral for a limited set of pokémon species. Often pokémon from a coral would be rented out for some natural labour, which apart from aiding the company requesting their aid, would also provide some good physical development of the coral residents.
That was why almost every city in Kanto had a coral, most of them attached to the respective pokémon center responsible for the city, and while corals had their own breeders who took care of it, the local Gym was in charge of its protection. The coral at Oak Ranch was the largest in Kanto, if not for the Fuchsia Safari (which wasn't really a coral but had a separate wing for that as well). Besides, what self-respecting trainer would miss the chance to have his pokémon looked after by someone as legendary as the great Samuel Oak?
No matter how many times he had laid his eyes on it, the coral had always been a spectacular sight. On the one end, he could see the herds of Nidoran, their pink coloration forming a band as they were led around by giant, purple Nidoking or the bluish, and equally humongous Nidoqueen. Then there were the large mounds of earth, inhabited by dozens of Diglett colonies and their evolutions, with the occasional sand-shrew found running from one side to the other. Ash knew for a fact that the forests along the northern end hosted a great many birds and tree-dwelling grass and bug types (he had once had an episode with a horde of Beedril that had pursued them all the way through the forest. It had all started with the quest for a Poliwag where he had met a girl with a straw hat, during one of Oak's summer camps, but that was a story for another day) and then further east, was where most of the fire-dwellers lived, controlled and supervised by Professor Oak's powerful, battle-hardened Charizard, who happened to be the man's own starter. Oak's Dragonite was rarely seen in the coral, Ash had met him only thrice in his entire life, but the specimen was immense, and a testament to dragons and their legendary strength. He silently wondered what kinds of pokémon his friends Jonathan and Leaf (and Gary, he added reluctantly) had captured over the past couple of months, and how much they had progressed on their journey. With that came the realization that Gary, who had, to Ash's second-hand knowledge, had caught at least forty-five pokémon, and that was months ago.
Maybe he's made a century now or something? Wonder what… Paul would have commented on that. The thought flitted past his mind.
However, that was for later and Professor oak was speaking.
"-and importantly, that Arcanine you sent me has been a major help in looking after the junior herd."
Huh? Ash thought for a moment, before it hit him. Harrison's Arcanine. It was still there.
"Wait, let me call him," Oak took out a whistle, and blew it, producing a rather shrill sound that made Ash cringe. Looking at Aoi, she didn't seem too pleased either. However, for someone else, the whistle meant a lot. Someone, who was currently an orange blur in the air, rushing past the coral at breakneck speeds, as he arrived in front of Oak, with so much as panting. With a single glance at Ash, Arcanine realised who he was, and went ahead, licking his face, much to Ash's amusement, and Aoi's… frown.
"He has been really sick and tired of waiting here." Oak explained, rubbing his hand on the dense orange fur on Arcanine's back. "Ever since I told him that you'd be coming, he's become overly excited. Any news on when his trainer is going to take him back?"
Ash frowned, his fingers suddenly pausing over Arcanine's thick fur. "Yeah, about that…"
Samuel arched an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
"Actually…" Ash looked at Arcanine apologetically. "From what I know, Harrison left the sinking ship on his Blastoise the same night when it happened, though it was some time after I lost consciousness. From what Steven told me-"
"Steven?" Oak inquired.
"The former Hoenn Champion, or current Deputy Champion. Steven Stone."
"Right." Samuel interjected. "Go on." He knew that Ash knew Derrick Stone, and that Steven Stone had come into communication with the boy, but the details were still unclear. Maybe a detailed discussion with the boy would put things in order.
"So Steven told me, after I gained consciousness on Mirage Island—that Harrison was spotted going to Little Root town, though he never… reached there."
Oak arched an eyebrow. "You mean?"
Ash looked up. "I mean nothing. He just… disappeared. I asked Steven and Cynthia and they told me that they'd look into the-"
"Cynthia, as in the new Sinnoh Champion?"
Ash nodded.
"You seem to be making acquaintances with a good number of people way up there." Oak mused. "Bill, Steven, Cynthia, and then there is Derrick Stone."
Ash widened his eyes slightly, at his words but said nothing.
"We will be having words later, Ash, and I need the truth. The complete truth." He gave a sideward glance at Aoi. "And I hope you will confide in me with the details."
Ash thought for a moment. "Whatever I can, professor."
Oak stared at his countenance for a moment, as if judging his answer, before nodding. "Very well. You might want to release you pokémon out."
Ash caressed Arcanine's fur, said pokémon whining as it understood that its trainer was missing, and had not arrived yet. "Don't worry. I'm sure Harrison, wherever he is, is pretty fine. He must have… I don't know… got stuck in something, and gotten late. He'll be back before you know it."
It didn't satisfy Arcanine. Ash knew it wouldn't. However, the enormous fire-type would have to do with that consolation for now. His head drooped, Arcanine raced away towards the forests.
"He's going to be pretty silent for some days." Oak comprehended, having had an Arcanine of his own, and knowing her habits pretty well. He turned to Ash. "Release your team."
"Right." Ash held twelve pokeballs in his hand. "Come out, all of you."
Red light inundated the entire area as all the pokémon were liberated out of their respective pokeballs. Pidgeot, regal and powerful, had already taken to the skies by default. Shelgon, Poliwhirl, and Crawdaunt were huddled together, while Magnus was snorting out small amounts of draconic energy out of his nostrils. On the other side, Absol stood regally, with Gengar grinning beside her, a large shadow forming beneath her feet. There was also Zweilous, a little uncomfortable by the gathering around him, but somewhat silent. Behind them, stood Gyarados, ferocious and large, coiled around itself. Rhydon and Lairon had occupied the extreme left.
"A magnificent team." Oak whispered, staring at the rich diversity of pokémon in front of him. "Is this your entire team? I don't think I notice- Where's Metagross?"
Ash grinned. "He's with Steven for private training with his own Metagross. Speaking of which, I need to call him to let him know that I'm back. Metagross must be itching to get back."
"Uh-huh?" Oak silently wondered what kind of acquaintance he had managed to build with the former Champion to be allowed private training with their personal team.
"And then there are two more in the team, but it isn't really a good idea to release them here. Might cause… issues."
"And Ninetales?" Oak questioned.
"Aoi." Ash corrected.
"Aoi, right." Oak repeated.
"She joined me on my way home. Alakazam, Absol, Gengar and Magnus—they know about her." Ash answered, idly realizing that he had yet to introduce Aoi to the rest of his team, and from the way Absol was glaring at Aoi, he should do so as soon as possible to avoid further… complications.
I don't think she likes me a lot.
I'm pretty sure that's optimistic on your part.
"Right." Oak declared. "I need all your pokémon to be checked up first. We can deal with the other two of your team privately later on."
"Sure." Ash muttered. "Thanks professor."
Oak waved it away. "No worries. Just send them one by one when I call for you. Will that do?"
"Sure thing." Ash grinned, an expression that vanished instantly as he turned towards his team, a natural reaction considering that Gengar, Magnus, and importantly Absol were outright glaring at Aoi, who seemed one step away from flaring her tails outward to defend (or attack back) against any hostilities that might arise from Ash's team.
"Uh… guys?" Ash faltered. "Can we just talk this over?"
Magnus let out an enraged growl, while Gengar's eyes glowed ominously. However, that was nothing compared to Absol, who looked ready to tear Aoi into pieces, the horn on her head now concentrated with swirling, dark energy.
I guess not.
Sighing, he slowly walked sideward, standing in front of Aoi, much to the shock of either party. From the growls given to him by those standing in front, they were both befuddled and aggravated by his behaviour. As far as Aoi was concerned, she had already seen this particular attribute of her trainer, but to go against his own team to secure her protection…
It is almost like he has a fetish of proving me wrong every day. The Ninetales mused inwardly, her bond with her trainer strengthening.
"Guys, if you act like this, then I have nothing to say." The raven-haired trainer stated in a solemn voice. His stare stayed fixed at Gengar and Magnus for a second longer than Absol, who immediately fell silent, much to Absol's consternation.
"Absol, I know you care about me, but Aoi is part of the team now. Whatever she did, is in the past. She is a part of the team now, and I would request all of you to acknowledge her as well." He paused. "Can you do that? For me?"
Absol continued to glare at Aoi, who had stopped glaring back and was instead looking at Ash's back, an inscrutable stare in her eyes.
"Please?"
Absol let out a piteous whine, before looking away.
Ash chuckled and dropped to his knees. "Come here."
Almost in unison, Absol rushed in towards his person, her now softened horn rubbing against his shirt, as she rubbed her face against his chest, almost viciously. Her trainer chuckled as he caressed her pristine, white fur, whispering softly. "I'm glad you understand." Almost in reaction, Magnus walked forward, giving Ash a shoulder-hug, before snorting out loud.
Me and my crazy team. Ash mused.
After a couple of moments of staying together, he got up, as the others stepped away. "Anyway, time for a couple of notices. First, I am finally home."
That was met with a cacophony of agreeable voices from his team.
"This, is Professor Oak's coral. Some of you," he glanced at Poliwhirl, Shelgon and Pidgeot- "might remember it." A quick remembrance told him that even Rhyhorn had been sent here, though after his evolution to Rhydon, there was a good chance that he wouldn't remember it. Rhydon was more into action, developing his own strength and shaking the earth. He remembered who his trainer was, and who his friends were, and that was all that mattered to him.
"Anyway, so we are going to stay here for a while, and then continue on our journey. The professor will be checking you up and treating your injuries from now on, and well- he should be calling us in one by one any moment now. I expect you not to cause any trouble."
The facial expressions of Gengar and Poliwhirl didn't boost up his confidence about the statement. At all.
"I know we've trained quite a lot for a while, so for the next two days, there is only going to be relaxing and fun. No training."
Rhydon let out an earthquake at the announcement. Then again, creating earthquakes was more along the lines of fun for him anyway.
"Yeah…" Ash laughed at the excitement. "Speaking of which," he turned towards Gengar. "I know you had your talk with Trevenant, and well… Dusclops is… you know."
Gengar's grin deepened.
"I am going to release Trevenant and Dusclops, and talk to them on Mount Hideaway later, during the evening. I was wondering if you, and Absol would like to accompany me there."
Something pulled his shirt from behind.
It was Magnus and Shelgon.
"What is it, Magnus, Shelgon?"
Magnus began growling, and making all kinds of animated hand gestures, one that included multiple indications towards Gengar and the pokeball belt.
"You two want to join in as well?"
"Char!" "Gon!"
"Great." Ash chirped. "The more the merrier, but we do not want the whole group there. So it's going to be just the four of you."
I wish to be there as well.
Ash frowned. I think it would be better if you skipped this one, Aoi. We don't want to increase the barely calmed-down animosity. Give them a little time.
Aoi grumbled, but didn't voice any further disagreement.
Besides, you can use the time to interact with Kirlia. You know… an all psychic-party? Alakazam would probably join in.
Aoi rolled her eyes.
"Ash?" It was Professor Oak's voice.
"Yeah, professor?" he spun back, to see Oak standing at the door.
"You may send them in, one at a time now."
"Sure, professor." He paused. "Um… professor Oak, can I use your PC Console for a while?"
Oak arched an eyebrow. "Sure."
"Great." Ash muttered excitedly. "All right, Rhydon, you are first. And then onwards, you will be going in after the previous one is finished. Magnus? Pidgeot? You two are in charge. Make sure that no one creates a commotion. We want the coral to stay in one piece while I go make a phone call, alright?"
Magnus puffed his chest outward with pride, letting out a snort. Pidgeot simply rolled her eyes at his declaration.
Ash chagrined at her reaction, but didn't let it dampen his enthusiasm.
Where are you going?
To get one of my oldest friends back. He's been away for a while.
Aoi wondered if she should accompany him, but before she could voice her thoughts, her trainer had already sprinted away.
"All right, let's get this going." Ash mumbled to himself, and he selected Steven's contact number from his Pokenav and gave him a call. After four rings, the screen flashed as Steven's face was visible on the other side.
"Hey Ash, took quite some time to call." Steven replied from the other side. By the looks of it, the man seemed a little out of breath.
Ash grinned. "Just reached home today. You told me to call after I reach home."
"I did." Steven panted. By the sounds of it, he was walking ahead.
"Uh… what's going on?" Ash asked, a little worried.
"Nothing more than the usual" The silver-haired man chuckled. "Anyway, I presume you want Metagross back?"
Ash grinned in excitement. "Yeah, of course. How did the training go?"
Steven shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I dropped him off at the Beldum Colony in Rustburo City, with my oldest friend."
"Your oldest friend?"
"My starter Metagross. You haven't seen him yet."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said that the Metagross you had was your strongest."
"Strongest, yes. Not the most versatile. My oldest, mostly spends his time with the Beldum Colony, but you don't want to know all that. Anyway, it was nice that you called. Hang on. Let me connect to the Colony."
The screen blanked out for an entire minute before the audio and visual was back on. "Yeah, it is done. Your Metagross should be arriving any time now."
"So you do not know what Metagross did for all these days?" Ash asked, a little downcast.
"Not really." Steven answered in all honesty. "My oldest took over the training part. Between the two of us, I often worry who is the trainer and who's the pokémon."
Ash chuckled.
"Either way, I must say congratulations."
"Huh? What for?" Ash asked, befuddled.
Steven arched an eyebrow. "Don't say you've already forgotten. Cynthia would be devastated. She and I had a long conversation, after all." He wagged his eyebrows.
Ash flushed.
"Well done, kid. I knew you had it in you." Steven teased. "I suppose you deserve a gift for manning up."
Ash nearly choked on that. From what he remembered, it was Cynthia that took the initiative, not him.
"Do you have a PC Console nearby?"
"Uh—Yeah, I do." Ash stammered.
"Good. I'm sending you the incoming code. Set it ready for transfer."
Ash checked out the code and did as required. The transfer unit released a single item—a tiny metallic contraption, which he knew was a folded-space vessel, used for transferring multiple objects. He had a bigger one with him in his backpack.
Picking it up, and clicking on the release button, he waited as the contraption let out a tiny hiss, revealing the contents within. One was a red and white pokeball, which he had been expecting. The other, it seemed was a little gift-wrapped package.
"What's the other thing?" He asked, out of curiosity.
"101 things to try in bed." Steven replied, keeping a straight-face.
Ash nearly choked at that. "What?"
"Just kidding." Steven laughed uproariously. "It is a gift, well, from my Uncle really. As much as I would like to say that I sent it, it was my Uncle that asked me to deliver a copy to you."
"What's it about?"
"Check it yourself."
Without delay, Ash tore open the package, revealing the rather thick tome within.
A compendium on Metagross. By Derrick Stone.
"This is…" Ash mumbled.
"Written by my uncle. Widely acclaimed as the foremost expert on Metagross. He told me that you should have it. If I were you, I'd commit every line to memory. In fact," he grinned, "I already do."
"I will." Ash smiled warmly, holding the precious gift in his left hand, as he picked out the much more precious item- the pokeball that held his friend—with the other.
"I suppose this is goodbye for now. See you soon, I suppose, and take care."
Ash wanted to talk a little more, but he supposed that the Deputy Champion already had much to deal with, than to be bothered with his own, so he just nodded. The screen blanked out almost instantly, as he switched off the Pokedex, returning it to his pocket.
With a grin, he regarded the pokeball in his hand. Not wanting to wait any longer, he lifted it up, and clicked on the release button.
Red light inundated the area, as Metagross condensed into shape. The large, blackened-blue steel appendages on either end levitating in the air, with his dark red eyes peering past the large X in the middle of his face, Metagross let out a large, rumbling declaration.
"Meta….!"
Ash grinned.
It is nice to see you again, trainer Ash.
"Welcome back, buddy."
It turned out that he was simply worrying too much. The check-ups had gone without a hitch, and the professor had given him a green signal about the status of his pokémon, with all of them being perfectly fine and in top-condition. He had feared that there might have been some form of tampering with Zweilous, whom Cynthia had declared a pseudo-growlithe, but it turned out that his hostile nature had been somewhat dumbed down by being part of a pack before it was captured—a rare thing, but it was nonetheless true. Oak had taken up several blood samples for further analysis, but maintained his theory over it.
Even Aoi, who had literally trapped herself inside that hellhole for centuries seemed to be physically fine, though her mental state was obviously a question, and Ash was hardly going to question on it. For all intents and purposes, she was good to go.
"All right, Ash." Oak began softly. "It is clear that your pokémon are in top-condition. I think it is time we address the other two pokémon that you have been holding back. Are you going to release them here?"
"Uh… actually I was thinking of releasing them on Mount Hideaway. It's big and shady and they are both ghost-types."
"Mount Hideaway? That would take a long time. I'd rather do it somewhere in the forests over there."
Ash almost paled at the prospect. "No forest please. Not yet anyway."
Samuel Oak looked at him with a scrutinizing expression for a moment. "Very well." Raising his voice, he yelled. "Alakazam?"
Almost instantly, the man's Alakazam arrived on spot. Just from one look, the differences between him and his mom's Alakazam were distinct. For one, he was much taller, and his teleportation didn't accompany the sudden surge of light that Ash had become familiar with over the last couple of days. There was little to no reaction time as well, almost like he was doing it stealthily.
Guess that's what you expect from an Elite-level pokémon.
"All right. Are you ready?" Oak asked the raven-haired trainer, who made sure that he had all of his pokeballs with him.
Ash nodded.
"Take us to the peak." That was all that Oak needed to say.
And just like that, they appeared on Mount Hideaway. There was no sudden speed-movement, no flash of light, no feeling of being twisted around—it was like one moment he was there at the coral, and the other moment, the scenery in front of him had shifted without his knowledge.
"Release one of them first."
"There is something I should do first, Professor." Ash muttered, releasing Gengar and Absol out of their respective pokeballs. The Gengar drawled out her own name, while Absol simply stayed, poised and ready to attack at a moment's notice. After a pause, he released Magnus and Shelgon as well, remembering his promise. The two pokémon materialized, and realizing the situation, instantly developed a defensive stance.
"If this is about the ghost-type, then you do not need to worry about type-advantage, Ash." Oak informed him. "Alakazam is more than capable of taking on ghost-types, if that is what you are worried about."
"It's not exactly that, Professor, but I'll tell you about that later." Ash stated calmly, before plucking out Trevenant's pokeball out of his belt. "Please let me handle this."
Oak arched an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Instead, he calmly stepped back, allowing the trainer to handle his pokémon.
Ash took a deep breath. "All right. Trevenant. Come out."
The ultraball opened with an audible pop, releasing the elder tree pokémon, who let out a roar, as he stared at Ash a haunting expression on his face. Almost in reaction, Gengar's eyes began to glow a deep red, as ghostly energies began to swirl around her claws.
Ash breathed. So far so good.
"Trevenant," Ash spoke calmly. "I released you out so that you can get your vitals checked. I need your word that you will not be causing any form of damage to the professor's laboratory when I send you there."
Trevenant's expression didn't change.
Ash took a step forward. "We have already been past the initial murder-attempt twice, and both times you have been defeated."
Trevenant snorted at that, the lone, red eye on his head glowing ominously.
"Listen." Ash took another step forward. "I am not a part of Team Rocket. Yes, those are the ones who attacked the forests and captured all the Phantump, and the rest of the Trevenant. You know what will happen to them? They will be enslaved and be used for sinister purposes."
"I am, not like them. Me and my team helped Gengar and the rest to fight against Team Rocket."
Trevenant snorted at that. Fat lot of good this human and his team were, if they couldn't manage to save a single Phantump from those monsters.
"I know we failed." Ash spoke in a little lower tone. "But that doesn't mean that we aren't going to do anything about it. My team and I, and that includes Gengar- we are going to become stronger and rescue the Phantump back."
Trevenant raised his appendages up in the air in a threatening fashion, before slamming the two ends down on the ground. The statement was well-made and clearly received.
Beat it.
"Really?" Ash changed tracks. "And what do you think you'd do in my place? If I am weak, then what does that make you?"
Trevenant looked enraged.
"Back then on the forest, you tried to kill me. I can understand that, since I had been the one to step into your dominion and captured you against your will. We were in a forest, your own dominion, and then, one Draco meteor was enough to end your game."
He took another step forward. "Gengar here explained the situation to you, multiple times, and still you stay adamant over your pitiful pride."
Trevenant growled.
"I told you back then, that if you become a part of the team, then I will help you become much more powerful. You refused. Multiple times. From the way it looks, you are just awfully cocky for someone who got beaten over and over, by my team."
Trevenant roared, his appendages sinking deep into the ground, as they shot out, a few inches close to Ash, shooting to impale him, which they would, if not for the shadow claw and psycho cut—from Gengar and Absol respectively, had not sliced away the shaft from the ground, much to the elder tree's groan.
"You tried to kill me again?" Ash whispered in a cold voice, one that even surprised his fellow pokémon. "Listen here. I caught you. My team beat you. Multiple times. But you do not seem to grasp that fact, so I will make it easier for you." He sneered. "Today onwards, I am going to release you every single day. Every single day you will try to kill me, and every single day my team will wipe the floor with you. Either you can do that, or you can just stop being disagreeable and join me."
He sensed that Trevenant might attack him again, but some reason, the attack never came.
He waited for another minute, staring at the elder tree pokémon.
No attack came.
"I need you word, Trevenant, that you will n0t attack Professor Oak or cause any damage to him or his property. Mind you, if you do, I will unleash my entire team on you, beat you unconscious, return you into your pokeball, and then bury it inside the forest nearby. That way you can stay in your dominion, trapped forever,"
That did sound ominous, even for Trevenant.
"I need, your word."
Trevenant uttered out an unwilling growl.
Ash lifted the ultraball. "Return." A shaft of red light hit the elder tree from the ultraball, sucking him inside. Finally done, he let out a sigh, as he turned towards the professor.
"That was dramatic." Samuel commented, though considering the stare in his old, icy blue eyes, the man was hardly trying to be funny or sarcastic.
Ash shrugged. "Sometimes it's honey, sometimes its vinegar."
"True." The man, who had his elbows crossed, stared at him. "That was very well handled, Ash. I have seen more experienced trainers falter in this regard. If you can keep this attitude up, evolution shouldn't be a problem for you."
Ash arched an eyebrow. "What do you mean, professor?"
"Most pokémon, on evolution, are granted a significant rise in strength, physical, mental and spiritual. Once that happens, they are able to introspect their own lives so far, and by extension, their life with their trainer. Often, these fully-evolved pokémon find that their trainer has been hardly satisfactory enough."
"But the trainer has trained them enough to evolve, so shouldn't that count?" Ash challenged.
"Not necessarily. Your Metang evolved into Metagross just to win you a battle, from what you told me back on Mirage Island. You may find, on asking Metagr0ss, that in hindsight, it was an act of immaturity. However, from what I understand, you tried to return him mid-battle, and not coerce him to evolve. That is significant for Metagross, and that proves to him that you are mature enough for him to abide by your command."
"Oh." It was a humbling realization.
"This situation is often faced by trainers raising fire-types, with Charizard being the prime example. More than often, on evolution to Charizard, the pokémon declare their trainer as immature and unfit, going so far as to attack them back. I don't need to tell you the number of… unfortunate incidents that happen to trainers. Do I?"
Ash swallowed. "No, you don't, professor Oak."
Samuel nodded.
Ash looked away, wondering if Magnus would also decide along similar lines when he evolved into Charizard. So far, Metagross had been quite… content with having him as his trainer. Absol didn't evolve, and he had caught Crawdaunt, and Gengar in their fully-evolved forms. Gyarados… so far there had been no issues raised. But would it stay the same? That thought brought him to think about the other members of his team? Would Shelgon think that he had not paid enough attention on him?
"Ash?"
Oak's voice shook him from his reveries.
"… Yeah, Professor?"
"Stop second-guessing things. You are a good trainer, and if you realize that you are making mistakes, then simply address it now. It will smoothen things up in the future."
Ash mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath, when he felt something poke his shirt from behind.
It was Shelgon, and Magnus.
"Hey guys!"
Shelgon drawled out his name, before licking his face, much to his amusement, and to some extent, happiness. That one simple act, did wonders to boost up his confidence.
"I promise you all, I will try to be the best trainer ever."
Absol stepped forward and nudged him with her horn, while Gengar simply grinned from her position.
"Now the other pokémon if you please?" Oak requested. "I really need to get back to my lab."
"Right." Ash replied, a little embarrassed. "Well then, here goes." He plucked out the other ultraball. "Come out, Dusclops."
The red light condensed as the overly large specimen of the Dusclops-species manifested in front of them. Usually, a Dusclops was around five to six feet in height. The one in front of them stood a whooping seven feet, a rather large size for its own kin. Without a single sound, Dusclops just stood there, motionless.
"Well… that's one large Dusclops, I must say." Oak replied, his voice a little strained, as his mind wondered why in hell this specimen was so overly large in size.
"He's a bit taller than average." Ash mumbled, "But that's not the only thing about him."
"What do you mean?"
Ash took a deep breath as he reminisced the incident that had happened when he had released it out for the first time. It had been two days after Cynthia had left for Sinnoh.
Magnus had barely survived… He remembered the ominous situation, as he felt a shudder within him. Trevenant he could understand, but Dusclops was an entirely different thing altogether.
"I… caught him in the Forest of Illusions. He belonged to one of the Rocket Executives, and was very injured in the battle. That… man," Ash gritted his teeth, "had literally arranged a situation that could kill our side, including Dusclops… in a sacrificial attack."
Oak paled.
"However, Kadabra's timely evolution saved me and everyone else."
Oak didn't know what to say.
"Gengar and the others were about to kill her, but I captured Dusclops before it was too late."
A little further away, Gengar growled ominously. It was an odd sensation. Almost in unison, Magnus's claws had begun to extend outward.
"Anyway, when I released Dusclops for the first time… she's… she was just like this. All motionless and still. She even obeyed my commands, when I told her that I captured her and that she was a part of the team, she was still like this- almost like she's programmed to obey commands."
Oak arched an eyebrow. "And?" He was simply waiting for the bomb to drop.
"Well, even that was okay. The problem when she's… you know, battling. She just loses all sense of self, and gets this… murderous, with every single passing minute. Magnus would have been killed if not for Gengar and Absol."
"What happened after she was stopped?"
Ash drooped his shoulders. "Back to this state. All calm, robotic and motionless."
Oak considered it, a frown forming on his face. "A pokémon devoid of any emotional behaviour, that turns downright murderous in battle. Sounds like a tool for a psychopath."
"The Rocket Executive was using her, along with a Magmortar, who didn't seem to register pain, like… at all."
The frown deepened. "What happened to the Magmortar?"
Gengar grinned ominously.
"He was… killed, in the explosion. Alakazam redirected the explosion towards Magmortar, and trapped him with psychic shields. The pressure…" Ash drawled out, not really wanting to describe it any further.
Oak closed his eyes. "I can only wonder the strenuous condition that must have prompted him to go to that length." He opened his eyes. "Return him."
Without a word, Ash returned Dusclops back into the ultraball, before handing over the two ultraballs to Oak, who put them away safely into his robes. "Don't worry. I will make sure that we find out what makes Dusclops behave like that."
Ash nodded.
"It is time for us to return back." Oak declared.
"If you don't mind, professor. I'd like to stay back for a while."
"Here?" Oak arched an eyebrow.
"Need to take care of some… stuff." Ash muttered. He glanced at his belt, all of his pokeballs locked on it. It was not like he would have to worry about any of his pokémon causing trouble at the coral or anything.
"As you wish." Oak muttered, turning to Alakazam whose eyes glowed brightly, teleporting him away.
"Well…" Ash muttered to himself, "that went well. Now only if I-"
"Chuuuuuuu!"
An enormous web of lightning literally tore its way into the sky, followed by another, and then another. From his vantage point, Ash presumed that it was an electric-type battling with another pokémon, somewhere in the depths of the forests that lined Mt. Hideaway. He had hardly turned towards Magnus when a streak of lightning raced its way towards him from the depths of the forest, only for Magnus to jump in, and deflect the attack with a powerful dragon claw.
"What was that?" Ash yelled, poised defensively. Almost as if on cue, Gengar, and Absol literally teleported in front of him, while Shelgon came to him at his own speed.
"If it isn't the loser," an extremely familiar and hated voice drawled out, much to Ash's annoyance, as the person's visage was now visible, walking up to the hill. "No wonder even my Raichu could smell defeat in the air."
"Raa-ai!" Said Raichu in question sent out little sparks of electricity from the red pouches on his cheek.
"You remember him, don't you?" The hated rival of Ash Ketchum stood in front of him, a large Raichu standing beside, looking just as smug as its owner. "I'm told he nearly sent you off the bridge when you tried to convince him at the lab."
Raichu snorted.
Pika… Chu… Ash thought inwardly, staring at the evolved version of the electric mouse that he had once tried to make his starter.
"I caught him when I returned when I got home for my birthday gift. Grandpa told me all about your disastrous episode. My little buddy was laughing his ass off at that. Tried to shock me too, but I showed him what a real trainer was like. He's been my buddy since then."
"Rai!" Said buddy gloated.
"So… finally decided to quit, did ya Ash?" The grandson of Samuel Oak, and Ash's long-time rival taunted him, arching an eyebrow.
"Gary." Ash muttered slowly.