"Who are You, Really?" Chapter Three "Prof.Oak!That was the worst possible thing You could have ever done! You didn't solve anything!All You did was cause Ash pain!If You seem to think that taking away everything that Ash has worked hard for,was nessesary,then take these as well!"Ashly shouted,thrusting her Pokeballs,Pokedex,badges and Lisence at Prof.Oaks chest. "Ashly! Are You sure..." "I'm going to stick up for Ash, 'cause He's my friend. And I'm not going to need My Pokemon now anyway."Ashly turned and went into Ash's room. "What did She mean?" "She's got a job as a Pokemon Nurse on Velensia Island." "Oh." "I think You should leave now."Misty said in a hard voice. Prof.Oak, Gary, and Officer Jenny beat a hastey retreat. In Ash's room... "Ash,please.I can't do anything more.I'm powerless against the oaks.And I have to leave soon." "That's right.Your new job."Ash said bitterly. "Ash, it's not that...I..."Ashly cried out. "Hey!"Ash brightened slightly,"Why don't I go with You?" "Well...Do You have any idea of what You'd have to do? Any training?" Ashly didn't expect the answer she got. "Yep! Last year!" Ash said, and explained that He had worked for a day at Doctor Proctors hospital, after a big traffic accident involving Pokemon. "Good enough. Alright, You can come, too, I guess. But what should I tell the others? I mean, they'll wan't to know where you're going." "Nothing!" Ash snapped. Ashly looked up surprised. There was Such an edge to His voice! "But..." "But nothing! I don't want their sympathy,and I don't want them to follow them me anymore! I just need some time to think, away from My problems." "But Brock's there..." "That makes no difference if He doesn't recognise me..."Ash said, Grabbing His long,wild hair, pulling it into a ponytail with a rubber band. "Okay...I'm not going to tell them...but You have to figure out a way to leave without the others finding out." "Not a problem."Ash pushed his desk chair against the door.Then He grabbed his backpack,and put everything He needed into it.Then He pushed open the window and tossed the pack out.It landed with a thump in the hedge, soon followed by Ash. Ashly sighed and left the room,With great difficulty,of course. "How is He?" Misty Asked. "He wants to be left alone for a little while."Ashly answered,"And I've got to leave, or I'll miss the boat to Velensia!" "Bye!" Once outside, Ash and Ashly walked in scilence until they were at Ashly's house. "Ash, I Think that it would be better if You got a hair cut.No one would recognise You then!" "CUT MY HAIR?!?! ARE YOU INSANE?!?!" "No, Not really..."Ashly Grinned. "Why do I even bother?..."Ash sighed,"Are You ready?" "Yep! Let's go!" The boat was called the 'S.S Lapras', and it was about 1/2 the size the St.Anne was. Ash stood, with his eyes poping out of his head, while Ashly bought the tickets. "Let's board,Ash.I got us a good cabin!" "Cabin?' "Yeah! It'll take us 3 day's to get there!" After settling in, Ashly dragged Ash(Under Protest, of Course!) to the salon, for a hair cut.After a mad struggle, Ash gave in. "There! That wasn't so bad,was it?" "Yes!"Ash was miffed. He had loved His long hair! *But...This is even better!* He looked at His reflection. Short, wavy, with a centre part, and a reckless look to it. "Not bad! I look like Snap!" Ash exclaimed. "Mrs.Ketchum grabbed a handfull of Officer Jenny's uniform. "What do You mean there's nothing You can do?!?!" She yelled. "I'm sorry,Mrs.Ketchum!We've done everything possible to find your son..." Officer Jenny stammered,"We don't have any clue where to look next.We can't track Him, and I afraid We can do nothing more than wait until He shows up." "Wow! This place is as beautiful as I remember!" Ash exclaimed, as He steped down from the ship. "Yeah! Last time I was here, I was 6!" Both cracked up. "Hello? Aunt Joy?" Ashly called into the pokemon centre. "Ashly? Right on time!" Nurse Joy said, stepping out of the back room. "Yes, and I've brought a friend. He wants to volunteer, as well!" "Okay! We need all the help we can get! What's His name?" *Uh-Oh!* Ashly thought, panicking. "Matt Anderson." Ash said smoothly, and held out His hand. Nurse joy shook it happily. "Welcome aboard, Matt!" She said cheerfully. *'Matt Anderson'?* Ashly thought,rather amused that He had thought of a name. When Nurse Joy was out of earshot, Ashly Murmered to Ash" 'Matt Anderson'?" Ash blushed. Nurse Joy came back and gave them their uniforms and showed them around. "Misty, you need your sleep! C'mon, Ash is a surviver, and he might need time to find his feet. Please stop worrying." D.J pleaded, taking the redhead into his arms. "Oh, I can't sleep, D.J!"Misty sobbed,"I know I haven't been exactly the nicest person to Ash, but I want him back! I need him! I-I..." Misty continued to sob into D.J's shoulder. "Matt, will you take this delivery to Prof. Ivy's Lab?" Nurse Joy asked. "Sure! I'd love to!" Ash took the box's, and slipped them into his new flashy blue backpack, and slipped on his green rollerblades. Zipping down the road on his blades, Ash was clearly enjoying himself. Then a thought hit him. * Oh, S***!!! Brock works at Prof.Ivy's Lab!!! I'm in trouble!!!* He stopped suddenly.*Hey! Now's the perfect time to test my disguise! Brock won't know it's me, if my disguise is as good as I think it is!* Ash contineud to the Lab. When he got there, he rang the bell, rather nervously. Brock answered the door. "May I help you?" he asked, peering out the door at Ash. "I, ah, have a delivery to for Prof.Ivy." Ash stamered. "Oh! Please come in, and I'll get her." Ash looked around the room that Brock led him into. It was clean, neat as a pin, and must've been a parlour, or something, Ash decided. He sat the box's on the counter, and waited. Brock came in with Prof.Ivy. "Why, thank you, young man. You must be one of the new volunteers at the Pokemon Centre. Nurse Joy is thrilled that there are two of you. Do tell me your name." "Matt Anderson" Ash stamered. "Well Matt, can you help Brock take these Pokeballs to the Pokemon Centre? I'd really appreciate it." "Sure thing!" Ash grinned. When he turned aroung, he stopped grinning. There had to be at least 50 Million box's of Pokeballs! He sighed in mock defeat. Brock grinned at him, and began to put the box's into his backpack. Ash did the same. Then they loaded there arms and started towards the Pokemon Centre. As soon as they were far enough from the Lab, Ash shuddered and sighed. Brock grinned at him, and rolled his eyes. "I know. It takes some getting used to, doesn't it? To tell you the truth, I used to think the way she could twist you around her finger was cute, but now it's just annoying!" Brock said, disgusted. Ash laughed slightly. "The only things I like out here, are the Pokemon and the Climate." He replyed. Brock nodded in agreement. "The only reason I stayed here was to learn more about Pokemon, and maybe take care of them, cause they seemed to need my help. Sometimes I wish I'd never stayed here. I sometimes wish that I'd stayed with My friends..." Brock trailed off and looked down. Ash stared at him, and put his arm around the older boy, in a comforting gesture. "Hey, it's okay, um, Brock. I'm sure your friends are fine. Maybe it hurt them to leave you behind, but they did because they probably knew it's what you wanted. Besides, if they are good friends, they'll never forget you. Feel better?" "Yeah. Everything you said makes sense. I think I'll call them, if they're in Palette Town, as soon as I get to the Pokemon Centre." Ash nodded. "Pretty sound idea." "Thanks!" "Hello? Mrs.Ketchum? This is Brock. Is Ash there?" Mrs.Ketchum choaked back a sob. "N-no. H-he's not. But M-Misty is..." She ran off sobbing loudly. Misty picked up the phone. "Hello? Oh, hi Brock...Why'd you phone?" "To say hi and catch up with you and Ash. Why?" "Oh, Brock...I should have phoned and told you...Ash ran away.He was accused of Pokemon theft, and had his Pokedex, Badge, Lisence, and Pokemon taken away from him." "He had Pikachu taken away?! No wonder he ran away!!" "We've been trying to find him, but there's no place we haven't searched, and He's gone!" Misty was almost hysterical. "Misty, calm down! You checked everywhere? You're sure?" "Yes! Palette,Viridian,Pewter,Cerulian,Vermilion,Saffron,Celadon,Fusha, and even Cinnabar Island! And all the small villiges in between! He's gone!" "You didn't search the Orange Arcapelaco, did you?" "No.We didn't think of it." "Who's 'We'?" "Mrs.Ketchum,the Police, D.J, and I." "D.J? Is that my replacement?" "Well, actually, first it was a Pokemon watcher named Tracy, when Ash was in the Orange League. Then we went to Vermilion, and met D.J Thunderston. He's been a good friend, and has got us out of several situations more than twice." "Well, I'll check around in the Arcapelaco, and phone in often. Sound good?" "Yeah, but I'm coming with you!" Misty said firmly. "But..." Brock protested. "No buts! I want to find him too, and I want to find him now!" "Alright, then. Catch the next boat over, if you can, okay?" "Okay.I'll be on my way! 'Bye!"