The Power of One : The Continuation

Chapter Two - Overseas

By Crow Skywalker

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Disclaimer – I do not own Pokemon. It belongs to its original creators, and I am in no way making any money off of this fanfic.

June 6^th, 2004 – Finally, another update with a rewritten chapter. Exciting, huh? :P And hey, this chapter is 1500 words longer than the original, so that’s a plus. I added an extra scene at the beginning that I hadn’t written in the original, and I changed dialogue, description, and lots of other stuff. I tried to add in Misty and Tracey (it was just the Ash and Melody conversation in the original), but the most they say is a line each, lol. Melody kind of took over…and I’m sure I’ll get stuff thrown at me for it, but I had to include some of it. Melody is a new addition to the group and she desperately needs more fic time, considering we know little about her from the movie. And yes, I gave her Pokemon…I don’t think she actually has any in the movie, but oh well. I chose a few that I thought she might have, and she’ll have other ones later on…but shh, those are secrets, lol. Anyway, read and enjoy.

Other Notes – This fic takes place after the second movie, Pokemon 2000, or whatever you want to call it. I’ve changed some things to fit the fic (Ash is older, for one), and so its AU starting at the end of the movie. No new Pokemon (until he reaches Johto, anyway), no new characters…that kind of AU. And this fic will have Ash/Misty and may or may not have Melody/Tracey and Jessie/James.

Summary – After the second movie, Ash and the gang start off again on a totally new journey – but just what awaits them?

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A cool ocean breeze blew through the air, smelling of salt and seaweed. Above, the sun was shining brightly and a lone seagull flew overhead. The soft sound if waves could be heard, lapping against a large boat docked at the shore. The St. Anne II stood in all its glory, awaiting its passengers.

"Got everything, Melody?" Misty questioned as the group walked towards the large boat. It had taken them less than an hour to pack, considering they had to rush to catch the boat. Now, holding Togepi in her arms, Misty was walking beside the girl that she was slowly considering a friend.

Melody shifted the bag on her back, staring at the boat that was about to carry her off. She’d longed to leave the island for years, and now her chance had finally come. She would finally be able to see the world, travelling with her newfound friends. "I think so," she answered. "My sister gave me money, so if there’s anything I need I can pick it up if we ever stop off at a city."

A loud horn sounded, causing seagulls to take to the air as it warned that the boat was soon going to be leaving. The group picked up their pace, running down the hill to the docks. A man was standing outside the loading platform, checking his watch as he waited for the passengers. Ash was the first to greet him.

"Sorry we’re late," Ash said sheepishly, handing the man his ticket. The man only stared dumbly at the Pikachu on the boy’s shoulder, motioning the group onto the platform as they handed over their tickets.

The deck of the St. Anne II was much like the original St. Anne’s deck, made for people with lots of money, even though this boat didn’t cost as much to ride as the original had. Looking around, Ash met Misty’s troubled gaze as they both remembered the last time they’d ridden such a boat. It had sunk, and they’d been trapped inside. If it weren’t for their Pokemon, they would have drowned.

Ash forced a smile, hoping that it would comfort her somewhat. "Don’t worry Misty, I’m sure this boat is sturdy enough to get us to our destination."

Tracey blinked, looking at them from where he was leaning on a rail, looking down at the water. "Misty’s afraid of ships?" He asked, confused. Misty wanted to be a water Pokemon Master – he had thought that Misty would have loved traveling by boat.

"It’s a long story," Misty mumbled as she passed by him, heading to the front of the deck, "And I’m only afraid of this boat."

There was another blast of the horn, much louder now and obviously the last before they set out. The man they’d given their tickets to was busy taking away the platform now, and below them the sound of the engines hummed. They’d be leaving any minute now.

Setting his pack down away from the rails of the ship, Ash watched as Pikachu jumped down from his shoulder and scurried over to Misty, chirping excitedly. He was glad that Pikachu was enjoying the experience, and grabbing the Pokeballs on his belt, he decided to let his other Pokemon out for a while to enjoy the ride.

"Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Lapras, Snorlax!" He called, throwing all five Pokeballs at once. The Pokeballs snapped open, five figures appearing from the red glow inside.

"Bulba!" The small plant Pokemon grinned happily, taking in its surroundings and wandering off to lie down, letting the sun warm it. Charizard said nothing, just grumbled and blew fire out of its nose before moving into the shade. Squirtle and Lapras made their way towards the pool off to the side, and Snorlax continued to sleep, oblivious to everything going on.

"Wow Ash, you have some neat Pokemon!" Melody commented from where she stood, watching as the Pokemon played and enjoyed the ride.

"Do you have any Pokemon?" Ash asked, suddenly realizing he’d never seen her with any. In the short time he’d known her, he hadn’t seen her use a Pokemon once.

Melody smiled and nodded. "Of course. What? You expected me to be Pokemonless? If it weren’t for Pokemon, I would have been driven crazy on that island long ago!"

"Really?" Ash was beginning to look a lot more like his normal self, momentarily snapping out of his depressing mood that he’d been in for the past few days. "What ones do you have?"

"I have a Ninetails, Cubone, Jolteon…and a few others," she trailed off secretively with a wink.

"Think we could battle sometime?" Ash asked.

"Sure, all you have to do is ask."

"I’ll remember that," Ash smirked, and he left Melody to go talk to Tracey, who was still leaning against the rail, watching the island disappear as the ship moved.

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Ash stared out over the ocean as the St. Anne II moved smoothly through the water. They’d been sailing for a long time now, the afternoon sun now setting in the horizon, casting a red glow across the darkening waters. The others had retreated to their rooms, growing tired of looking at nothing but water, plus Misty and Melody had been tired and had decided to take a nap. Tracey had retreated with them, giving Ash his space for a while and insisting that he wanted to use the computer in their room while he could.

Ash had let them go, shrugging, as he had recalled his Pokemon for the evening. He didn’t feel like lying down right now, especially when they were so close to their destination. The cool air and the sound of the ocean were refreshing beyond belief, and Ash had stayed to let his mind wander.

Soon, he would be back in his hometown of Pallet, back where he’d grown up and where his mother still lived. She would be happy to see him, he knew, and would probably hug him and embarrass him to death in front of his friends, but that was normal. It wouldn’t be the same if she didn’t do those things. And with his mother, many other things would be there to welcome him home. His room, his things, the memories.

Ash shook his head, clearing those thoughts. He’d dwelled in the past for far too long. It would always be there haunting him – the questions, the events – his father. Why had those six small words hit him so hard? His mother had said them, but it was if his father was standing beside him, saying those words he had said so many years ago.

Ash lay his head in his arms, staring down at the moving water. They were a murky black now, and Ash wondered what swam beneath those depths.

More questions, more unexplained events. He was a normal teenage boy, yet trouble seemed to find him wherever he went. He had seen more, had heard more than most Pokemon researchers had. No one in the world, besides he and his friends, could ever say they had seen the legendary Mew. No one else could say that they saw all three legendary birds together at once, fighting each other. No one else had seen Lugia. And no one, including his friends, had ever ridden on the Pokemon’s back. What was so special about him?

Oh yeah, Ash frowned, watching as a Goldeen jump out of the water close to the boat. Somehow, I was chosen to be this ‘Chosen One’. He stood up straight, watching as the Goldeen disappeared back into the dark waters. But why was I chosen, out of all the people in the world?

"Pika?"

Ash looked over his shoulder to see Pikachu walking slowly towards him on all fours, ears lowered. The Pokemon could sense Ash’s current mood, and was gazing up at Ash questioningly. With one jump, it managed to latch onto Ash’s shoulder and sat there, gazing at its master as if to ask, ‘what are you thinking? What’s wrong?’

Ash shook his head, forcing a smile. "It’s nothing, Pikachu."

A flash of movement to his right caught his attention, and he turned his gaze away from his Pokemon. Melody was now leaning back on against the rail next to him as she stared across the deck at the setting sun. She didn’t speak for a few minutes, and Ash began to wonder if she even knew he was there.

"You and Pikachu are pretty close, huh?" She finally spoke, her voice soft. She finally looked up at him, smiling at him and Pikachu.

Ash nodded, looking back at the water. "Pikachu was my first Pokemon. We’ve been together since the start, and we’re the best of friends.."

"What about you and Misty?" Melody suddenly asked, interrupting him.

Ash’s gaze turned back to her, and he gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

Melody noted his confusion, but also the startled look he’d first had when she’d asked. "Are you guys just friends or what?"

"Just friends, nothing more." He shrugged, once again looking away.

Melody looked slightly amused. Was Ash uncomfortable with this topic? Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "You sure about that?"

Ash decided it was time to change the subject, instead, asking her, "What about you?"

Melody looked surprised for a moment, the tables being turned. Finally, she waved a hand with a small smile. "Nah, I’ve never really had anyone like that. I’ve never had a boyfriend. The island folks just…didn’t suit me, you know?"

Ash nodded. He could understand that. He’d grown up in Pallet Town knowing all the kids there, and he could never picture going out with any of the girls he had known there. They were more like sisters to him and just weren’t girlfriend material. Growing up in small places was like that. "You grew up with them, so you probably knew them too well. I have that problem at home."

"What about Misty?" The conversation suddenly turned back to him again, "How well do you know her?"

Ash shrugged. "We’ve known each other for a long time, but I feel like we don’t really know each other. We both never talk about the past, our families, or anything like that. It’s usually always about Pokemon, that damn bike I owe her…or we just argue about something stupid." He sighed and shook his head, careful of Pikachu, "We argue way too much."

"So that’s the problem?" Melody asked, turning around so that she could look at the water below.

"I…don’t know," He admitted, and he suddenly looked at her, "But if you’re trying to hook us up or something, you can forget it. We argue too much, Misty would never go for it, and I don’t lik-" He was interrupted when Melody pointed across the ocean.

"Isn’t that Pallet Town?"

Looking at what she was pointing at, Ash narrowed his eyes to see better. It was a distance away, but he could see the familiar houses and buildings, especially the Research Center. "I’d better go get the others.."

Melody grabbed his arm, pulling him back before he could go. "Nah, let me do it. You stay here." And before he could protest, she was already skipping off to find Misty and Tracey.

Ash sighed again, looking back at the familiar land glowing in the evening sun.

Home…I’m finally home…

He smiled to himself, thinking of his mother who was awaiting his arrival. He had phoned her earlier, telling her that he was returning home for a while to take a break. The break wouldn’t be long, maybe a few days to a week, but none the less, it would be a visit home. The only problem he could see with it was Gary. His mother had spoken Gary’s name during the small amount of time they were talking, and it turned out that Gary was also home for a while. No matter, Ash wasn’t about to let Gary get in his way. Nothing was going to ruin his time at home.

At the sound of footsteps, Ash turned to face his awaiting friends. "Ready to hit the water?"

To Be Continued…