Disclaimers:

I think you all get the idea. But, to make sure the lawyers don't come after me... I do not own Pokémon. Nintendo and Game Freak own it.

Mario Alvarado's Notes:

Well, I feel a bit better after I finished up Part 4 with the fight between Misty and Duplica. Also, the many reviews I have gotten from all of you readers have helped me a lot too. I think nearly 20 readers have reviewed the 4 parts of this fic, so thanks to all you readers and reviewers for making this probably my most successful story ever! I actually wonder if I can get 30 reviews when I end this fic. Also, I had a little fun making up the towns for this fic. I blame Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2 and Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec.

Before I start... a reviewer named Gryphon Turboclaw wondered if I was going to put in some of the brand new Pokémon that are in the Ruby/Sapphire games. Well, Gryphon Turboclaw, read on and you'll find your answer!!

And finally, I want to thank Daniel Rodriguez yet again for letting me pick his brain for an idea for today's part. I maybe finally over Mt. Writer's Block, but as soon as I'm over one peak and on the way to writing goodness, I meet up with another mountain whose just as big. Hey, DJ, if you're reading this and need some help with your fics, maybe in the action department, just e-mail me!! I'm real good at making action fics!!

The Secret Admirer Mess Up
Part 5

It was still early in the morning when Ash Ketchum forced himself out of bed, got on his clothes and was ready to get the hell out of the Rockstar City area. He just wanted to get the hell away... NOW! The sooner, the better. He exited his room and approached the desk where Nurse Joy was finishing a cup of coffee to start her day of treating Pokémon.

"Nurse Joy... I want my Pokémon now, so I can get the hell away from Rockstar City as humanly possible!" Ash said as he stood at the desk with a ready to kill look on his face. Joy didn't argue with the young man and handed him his 5 Poké Balls and Pikachu.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay and watch the tournament?" Joy asked. All she got was another death look from Ash and he exited the Pokémon Center with Pikachu riding on his head.

As God as my witness, I swear that I will never, ever listen to rock music ever again until the day I die! Ash thought to himself as he exited Import Town and started his journey to Pallet Town. Pikachu was about to ask Ash where they were going, but decided to not bother Ash, who was still pissed about being kicked out of the tournament. The plan was to head north from Import Town to the major city of Corvetteville, restock on some much-needed items, head east to the towns of NSX town, Camarofield, St. Viper GTS and stop at the small burg called Supra RZ for the night. Early in the morning, Ash will make the 15-mile trek to the bay city of Trans Am, catch the Skyline ferry to Cinnabar Island and finally take a boat ride to Pallet. If nothing happened, Ash and his Pokémon would be back in Pallet with a few days to spare. And Ash hoped that nothing will happen until he got home. After making a long stopover at Corvetteville's many shops and stores to restock on Pokémon items, get something to eat and to briefly check up on the events in Rockstar City, Ash and Pikachu were off, heading east and still on time to make it to the town of Supra RZ by dusk.

"Pika pi? Pikachu, pika pika?" Pikachu asked, wondering where was Brock and Misty,

"I don't know where Brock is and I hope I never see Misty again after what happened." Ash answered, already angry at the mention of her name. Pikachu noticed Ash's anger and figured out they were going to get as far away from this place. And Pikachu figured that Ash would head off to Pallet, just for the hell of it. It took Ash until noon to arrive in Corvetteville to stock up on items, eat and take a break before heading east to the coast for the second part of the trip.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

At the same time Ash was doing his business in the city of Corvetteville, Duplica entered Import Town in hopes she could probably find Ash moping in the Pokémon Center or anyplace where she could find her love. She had a few bandages on her face to cover up the cuts and sported a couple bruises from Misty's beating. After nearly being hit by a Nissan 240 SX, a Honda Civic, two Mitsubishi Lancers and a Subaru Impreza, Duplica finally arrived at the Pokémon Center and to her surprise, found Brock lying next to the center's wall. He was still hurting from being kicked in the nuts by Misty and he showed it. He looked up and saw Duplica heading for him and was a bit surprised to see the Ditto trainer here in Import Town.

"Duplica? What are you doing here? I thought you should be back in Rockstar City." Brock asked, surprised to see Duplica in this small town and not in a hospital, recovering from the beating Misty gave her.

"I just asked Nurse Joy to take care of the cuts and I was off as soon as she was finished." Duplica answered. There was a few moments of silence between the two before Duplica spoke up. "Um... thanks for trying to save me from Misty, Brock. I really appreciate it." She said,

"It's no problem. I just wish I didn't did that and I wouldn't be in so much pain. Why are you here in Import Town, Duplica?" Brock asked. Duplica thought this would be the best time to tell him about her loves notes and her crush on Ash. After telling Brock all about her notes to Ash and the crush, Brock sympathized with her and wanted to get this all cleared up. He knew that Misty has a crush on Ash for a long time, but he also knew that Ash liked Misty as a friend, but would never consider her to be his girlfriend.

"But... where could he have gone to in such a short time?" Duplica asked. Brock thought about that for a moment.

"Well, if I were him, I would head back to Pallet Town for a few days to cool off from what happened. And the nearest port city is some place called Trans Am. There's a ferry that takes people to Cinnabar Island and another ferry that heads to Pallet. So, Ash might be heading for that ferry in Trans Am. We could probably catch up to him if we get going now." Brock answered,

"But, Brock. Ash has a head start. We'll never catch him." Duplica said, knowing that she'll never get the chance to tell Ash her feelings for him. Brock wasn't about to buy that, because he knows something important about the area.

"That's true, but I talked to some people in this town before you got here. They said that there's a well-known road that leads all the way to the city. I bet Ash went up to Corvetteville in the north and headed east to the city. So, if we get going now, we'll make it to Trans Am before Ash does." Brock said, already inspiring hope in Duplica's eyes. That was it. She was going to cut Ash off at Trans Am and spill the beans about her crush on him. And the sooner she did, the better because Misty would try to take Ash for herself if she didn't tell Ash now.

"Well, what are we waiting for?!! I want to see Ash!!" Duplica said as she grabbed hold of Brock's hand, determined to see Ash before he leaves for Pallet.

"Duplica!! I'm still hurting from the hit I took!!! I can't walk that fast!" Brock said as he gingerly started to walk towards the exit of the town. With each step, Brock cringed in pain. If you ever got hit in the nuts once in your life, you'd understand why he's walking so funny.

"I don't care if you got shot! We're going to find Ash! So, walk off the pain! No pain, no gain!!" Duplica said, her voice full of determination as she dragged poor Brock out of the town and headed for the road leading all the way to Trans Am. She wasn't going to let Brock slow her down now!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The sun was setting behind the horizon as Ash and Pikachu were only 3 miles from the town of Supra RZ, where they plan on staying at the town's Pokémon Center for the night. And remarkably, Ash and Pikachu finished the second leg of their trip to the Trans Am ferry without anything happening. After checking in, Ash went right to his room and got ready to go to sleep.

"Better get some sleep, Pikachu. Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Trans Am to get on that ferry and back home to Pallet for a few days. Prof. Oak is throwing a party and I promised Gary I would show up." Ash said as he looked at the ceiling for a second before turning to look at his Pokémon partner,

"Pika? Pikachu, pi?" Pikachu asked,

"Yep. That's the reason we're off to Pallet. I want to shock my Mom by just showing up. We've got a big day, so go to sleep Pikachu." Ash said as he let himself go right to sleep. After a whole day of traveling, he was out like a light. Pikachu wondered if he'll ever see Brock or Misty again after this whole deal. Deciding to take Ash's advice, Pikachu went to sleep as well. Early the following morning, Ash and Pikachu were wide-awake and left the Pokémon Center before the other trainers started their day. It would take Ash most of the morning before he would reach Trans Am and the Skyline ferry to Cinnabar and that prepares its trip at noon, so Ash wants to be there fast. Ash was in an unfamiliar good mood as he left the town and walked down the road to the port city.

"The hills are alive with the sounds of Team Rocket blasting off again!! Those guys will pay for knocking me out of that tourney! And I'm going to pay them back with interest!" Ash sang as he made his way down the road. As he was about to reach the top of yet another hill, he thought he heard the voice of Meowth yelling at bit down the road.

"Pika? Pikachu?" Pikachu asked,

"I heard it too. Let's head for a hiding spot." Ash said and he and Pikachu quietly entered the trees and slowly made their way to where the voices were being called out. At the base of the hill, there was Jessie, James, their Pokémon and Meowth trying their best to find something that Ash and Pikachu couldn't see.

"James, how hard is it for you to snag a Pokémon?!!" Jessie asked angrily as James leapt in the air and fell to the ground. Pikachu could have sworn he heard the cries of a few Pokémon that he or Ash haven't seen before.

"I'm sorry, Jessie. These Pokémon are just too quick." James said as he picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off,

"Quick? They are only little baby Pokémon!! How hard could it be to snag them?!!" Meowth yelled out. Ash's anger from two days ago was boiling over as he remembered what happened in Rockstar City. The only thing he could think of is to stop Team Rocket from snagging these Pokémon.

"I got this one, Jessie!" James said as he finally grabbed hold of a cute looking Steel Pokémon when Pikachu leapt from Ash's head and let loose a Thundershock attack at James. He cried out in pain and the Pokémon leapt out of James' arms and ran towards two Pokémon, covering in front of a big rock.

"What? The twerp's here!!!" Jessie said angrily as Ash stepped in front of the three baby Pokémon that Team Rocket were trying to get. And he was pissed!

"So, you three stooped so low that you're now trying to catch baby Pokémon?!! You make me sick!!" Ash yelled out at Team Rocket, his anger was evident.

"Those rare Pokémon belong to us! The Boss will pay us handsomely for bringing in those Pokémon to him! So, back off, twerp!" Jessie said sternly as she readied a Poké Ball,

"You back off!! I'll make you pay for getting me disqualified from the Rockstar Tournament!!" Ash yelled out as he and Pikachu were ready to rumble. Ash looked down at the scared Pokémon. They were three Pokémon that he has never seen before. The Steel type Pokémon, which is called Aron, walked on all fours, had a big steel head with cute big eyes, and a little hump on its back. The other could be a close relative of Dratini family and its called Bagon, but this small Dragon Pokémon had tiny fangs, no tail and what looks like a hard rock head. The last Pokémon in the group was protecting the other two Pokémon. Ash looked closely at the lead Pokémon and realized that this Pokémon was Groudon, a legendary Pokémon from the Hoenn region. Ash had heard about this Pokémon from Gary when they last talked before his trip to Rockstar City. But... this Groudon was the size of Pikachu, had none of the powerful claws and spikes the bigger version had, but it was willing to fight to protect its two little friends, who were now scared of what might happen to them.

"You're going to get it now, twerp! Go, Victreebel!" James yelled out as he threw his plant Pokémon into the battle to start it up. Instead of attacking Ash, it went right for James' head once again. "Stop it! Attack him, not eat me!!" James yelled as he tried to get Victreebel to stop eating him. Meowth leapt in the air and tried to Fury Swipe Ash in the face, but Pikachu saw this and used Thunderbolt to fry the talking cat.

"Ouch... I didn't see that one coming." Meowth muttered to itself before passing out. Jessie let loose her Wobbuffet and Pikachu went on the offensive.

"Pi... ka... CHU!!!!" Pikachu yelled out as it let loose a powerful thunderbolt attack, but Ash didn't want that.

"Pikachu!! Jessie has her Wobbuffet out!! Don't!!" Ash yelled out, but it was too late. Pikachu let loose the powerful attack.

"Wobbuffet, Counter!" Jessie ordered,

"Wobba!" Wobbuffet activated its Counter shield and Pikachu's thunderbolt hit it very hard, but the bolt bounced right back right at Ash and Pikachu. Ash was knocked back and nearly missed getting hit while Pikachu used its tail as a ground to miss the boot. The three Pokémon hid behind a rock for cover. Ash got up off the ground, took off his Pokémon league cap and reached for a Poké Ball.

"Go, Cyndaquil!!" Ash yelled out as he let his fire Pokémon out into the fray,

"Victreebel, use Sleep Powder!!" James ordered as soon as Victreebel was off his head. The Grass Pokémon let loose its sleeping spores, but Cyndaquil immediately used Flamethrower to burn away the spores.

"Cyndaquil, Tackle attack!!" Ash ordered. Cyndaquil charged at Victreebel, hitting it very hard, knocking the Grass Pokémon off the ground and slamming right into James. Jessie was yelling at James and Pikachu took the opportunity to tackle Wobbuffet before it had the chance to counter. Wobbuffet saw Pikachu coming right for it, but had no chance to avoid the attack. Instead, Pikachu tackled Wobbuffet and sent a Thunder attack for good measure.

"WOBBA!!!" Wobbuffet yelled out as it went flying off the ground and hit Jessie, who was preoccupied with yelling at James.

"OUCH!! What was that?!!" Jessie asked before seeing her Wobbuffet Kentucky fried and shocked. Jessie and James, along with a spaced out Meowth saw Pikachu grinning, while emitting sparks from its cheeks. Ash stood behind Pikachu with a giant smile on his face also as he recalled Cyndaquil. He was about to get his revenge.

"Pikachu... be my guest." Ash smirked as Pikachu charged up,

"CHU!!!!!" Pikachu yelled out and delivered a devastating Thunder attack. The Team Rocket group cried out in pain before Pikachu let loose another Thunderbolt to send them flying. The explosion of the two bolts of lightning sent Team Rocket blasting off.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!!!" Jessie, James and Meowth yelled out as they sailed into the sky,

"Wobba!!!" Wobbuffet added as the Rockets went over the horizon. It was over and Ash got his revenge on Team Rocket for getting him kicked out of the tournament in Rockstar City and prevented them from nabbing some innocent Pokémon at the same time.

"Ahh... that felt good. They should learn not to mess with me again." Ash said as he picked his cap of the ground and placed it back on his head and Pikachu leaped back onto Ash's head afterwards. He turned around to face the three defenseless Pokémon, Aron, Bagon and the baby Groudon he just saved. "You should be just fine now. Those losers won't bother you anymore." Ash said to them and started to walk down the road to Trans Am. After a few minutes of walking, Pikachu could have sworn that something was following them.

"Pika pi. Pika pika, Pikachu. Pi, Pikachu." Pikachu said, pulling on Ash's pant leg trying to get his attention.

"What is it, Pikachu?" Ash asked. Pikachu pointed to behind them and for some odd reason, the three Pokémon that Ash saved from Team Rocket, were following him down the road. Ash looked at Aron, Bagon and the baby Groudon for a minute before kneeling down to their level. Could it be that these Pokémon are attached to Ash after he saved them and don't want to leave their rescuer?

"Pikapi?" Pikachu asked, wondering what he was going to do with the three baby Pokémon. It looks like after Ash protected them from Team Rocket, they have taken a liking to him and now refused to go into the wild.

"So, you three want to come with me?" Ash asked. He got his answer when the three Pokémon rushed into Ash's arms and hugged Ash. He laughed a bit as the Pokémon smothered him with affection, but Pikachu was now jealous. How dare these Pokémon take its place as Ash's #1 Pokémon. Because of protecting them from Team Rocket, Ash now has a Legendary Ground, Steel and Dragon Pokémon to his team. Pikachu saw Ash's watch and noticed something important. This delay with Team Rocket has wasted enough time that Ash will miss the Skyline Ferry to Cinnabar Island.

"Pikapi!! Pikachu!! Pika, pika!!" Pikachu exclaimed as it interrupted the party between Ash's new Pokémon. Pikachu pointed to Ash's watch and he noticed the time as well.

"CRAP!!! We're gonna miss the ferry in Trans Am!!! It's going to leave in 30 minutes and we're still not there yet!!" Ash panicked as he tried to figure out a way to get to Trans Am before the ferry leaves. Luck was on his side today when a guy, driving a tuned up Firebird sped by Ash and his Pokémon and suddenly hit the brakes. The American car backed up and the driver looked out his passenger window.

"Hey, kid. Are you okay?" The guy asked, concerned that Ash was injured.

"I'm fine, Mister. Just sent some bad guys blasting off. This damn delay is going to make me miss the Skyline ferry to Cinnabar Island. That boat only makes one trip a day. I don't think I'll make it to Trans Am and the ferry on time." Ash said, knowing his plan was now useless after getting revenge on Team Rocket.

"The port city of Trans Am and the Skyline Ferry? Well, son. I'm heading to Trans Am right now for a Firebird/Trans Am owner's gathering. So, hop in kiddo. I'll get you and your little friends to that ferry in no time." The guy said as he opened up the passenger door,

"Gee, thanks sir." Ash said and he and his Pokémon got into the sports car and were off speeding down the road to the port city. Seems like he'll make it to Pallet on schedule instead of being delayed for another day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After a fast ride into Trans Am and stopping at the ferry building, Ash and his newly formed Poké Posse, exited the man's car.

"Hey, thanks for the lift, sir." Ash said as he carried the baby Groudon and Aron in his arms while his new Bagon was riding on Ash's head, leaving Pikachu to ride on Ash's right shoulder.

"No problem, kid. Take it easy." The guy said as he sped off to who knows where. The ferry was now starting to add people and cargo to it, meaning Ash made it with at least 10 minutes to spare. Ash and Pikachu gave a quick sigh of relief and walked over to the ticket counter, near the Ferry.

"Well, we made it with plenty of time left, guys. Let's buy our tickets and get the hell away from this... place!" Ash said and he bought the tickets for he and his Pokémon and got on the ferry. At the same time, Brock and Duplica were just entering Trans Am and she went into a mad sprint.

"Duplica! Wait for me!!" Brock called out to her, but she didn't hear him. They were going to meet Ash before he arrived in Trans Am, but Duplica overslept at the Pokémon Center in the town of 300ZX. She was dreaming about Ash and her confessing their feelings and she just got into the dream big time. When she didn't wake up, the two were not going to make it to Trans Am before Ash. When they left, the two nearly ran to the city, unaware of Ash's problems with Team Rocket. Duplica found the ferry about to leave and saw Ash and Pikachu, along with a few new Pokémon that Duplica has never seen before.

"ASH!! ASH!!" Duplica cries out in a vain attempt to get his attention, but he does not hear her and the Ferry begins the trip to Cinnabar Island. Duplica falls to her knees and tries to fight back some tears that were threatening to come out. Brock finally makes it and barely sees Ash on board, meaning they just missed him.

"Oh... Duplica, I'm sorry. Looks like we'll have to wait until tomorrow to go after Ash." Brock said as he tried to comfort Duplica, who was now crying. She was this close from telling Ash how she felt about him and all of this chasing is tearing her apart. Time seemed to go by slowly for Duplica, but luck was about to smile on her.

"Excuse me, young lady? Are you all right?" An old man asked. She stopped crying and saw this old man, wearing a captain's hat and a worried look on his aging face.

"I'm fine... just missed a friend who was going to Pallet. I needed to tell him something important." She answered as she wiped the tears from her eyes,

"Pallet Town, eh? I captain a ship that goes to Pallet Town every day to deliver many Pokémon supplies to the small town and Viridian City. Since you two are nice kids, I would take you, but our crew's Pokémon is fighting some seasickness problems. It's very unpleasant when a Pokémon is sick." The old captain said as he removed his cap to wipe away his forehead for a second.

"Well, sir. If your crew's Pokémon have a bad case of seasickness, I'm a Pokémon Breeder and I know just the remedy to cure it." Brock said,

"A Breeder, you say? Our Pokémon do get seasick a lot of times on our trips to Pallet. And it would be nice if we knew how to cure it. If you can show my Pokémon nut on board the way you get rid of seasickness, I'll gladly take you two kids to Pallet for no charge." The old sea captain offered,

"Sure thing, mister. My Pokémon medicine is easy to make and the Pokémon will be better in no time. If you want, I'll spruce up your crew's Pokémon for you as well." Brock added,

"Well, me crew would like that very much. And our Pokémon do like getting all spruced up every once in a while." The old captain said, taking Brock's offer. Duplica was crying out tears of happiness at this turn of events. She would get her chance to tell Ash how she feels about him after all.

"Oh, thank you sir!! Thank you!!" Duplica cried out, letting her tears flow from her eyes.

"Don't thank me, missy. I just enjoy helping out young people like you enjoy life to the fullest. Now, follow me to my ship next to the warehouses. My loyal crew is loading up Pokémon supplies as we speak." The old captain said and he led Brock and Duplica to the warehouse district, where a newly built cargo ship was docked and the crew of the ship was busy loading Pokémon supplies into the ship. 1 hour later, the ship's cargo is loaded and moves away from Trans Am on a course for Pallet.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later that night at the Rockstar City hospital, Misty was finally coming to after the beating she gave to Duplica two days ago. The right hook she got from Duplica knocked her out real good. When she awoke, Misty noticed that she was in a hospital room and she realized that she was still in Rockstar City.

"My head... damn rock music." Misty muttered to herself and reached for a bedside mirror to look at herself. She still had some bruises on her face and a few cuts.

Hmm... Looks like I lost the fight with Duplica. Oh, well. It's not a big loss. Just a minor inconvenience. Ash will still be mine in the end. Misty thought to herself as she got herself out of bed and got dressed. After picking up her backpack and Togepi, who was at its Mother's side the whole time, Misty carefully snuck out of her room and the hospital. She then hopped on a bus that takes people all the way to Trans Am. She also knew that Ash would head back to Pallet Town, because he remembered saying that he wanted to go home for a week or two before heading off on another journey. Looks like Round Two of Misty/Duplica will occur... in Pallet!!!

End Of Part 5

Well, seems like this fight isn't over yet!! Now that Misty is on her way to Trans Am to catch the next Ferry to Pallet and Brock and Duplica hitched a ride with a kind, old sea captain, who makes trips with his crew to Pallet to deliver lots of Pokémon supplies to Prof. Oak's lab from the warehouse in the city. Since The Ferry stops at Cinnabar Island and its passengers chill until the next day when the Pallet Ferry takes them to Ash's hometown, Brock and Duplica will reach Pallet before Ash does!!

Part 6 will have Brock and Duplica arrive in Pallet before Ash does and they get Ash's Mom, Delia Ketchum to help Duplica with her plan and she gets Gary and Prof. Oak to help her in her plan to get Ash also. When Ash returns to Pallet, he prepares for the party at Prof. Oak's lab and wants to make Gary jealous of his new Pokémon. But, Misty will be there as well!! And her battle with Duplica will start once again!!!

Please read and review, dear readers. I want to see if this fic can reach 30 reviews or more before I end this with Part 7. Have a question, can spare a chapter idea or want to flame me? E-mail me at Hornet19us@Yahoo.com

Mario Alvarado
7/28/2003