Haven’t Got A Clue

By: Salt*N*Pepper (Adrienne and Christine)


Chapter 1

The sun shone brightly through the tent’s small window. The yellow beams hit Misty’s face, causing her closed eyes to squint a little. She smiled in her sleep as she felt the warm morning sunlight on her skin. Misty slowly opened one eye, and then other; blinking several times to let her view come into focus. She sighed softly as she turned over in her sleeping bag, hoping to catch a little more sleep. Suddenly Ash’s face popped up, only two inches away from her own.

"Guess what today is!!" he shouted happily as his wild black hair bounced up and down.

"Wha-?? Huh?!?!" Misty cried as she jumped back, startled. She blinked again, then began to frown.

"Ash!" she cried angrily. "It’s too early!"

Ash smiled. "But you were getting up!" He protested, unzipping her sleeping bag open.

"Ash! Stop it!" Misty growled, zipping it back .

"But it’s time to get up!" he said pulling the zipper down again.

"It’s freezing! I’m not getting up until at least eleven!!" Misty screamed yanking the zipper towards her direction. Ash glared at Misty while he pulled the zipper even harder away from her.

“No you’re not!" zip

"Yes I am!" zip

"No you’re not!" zip

"Yes I am!" zip
 
"No you’re..." Ash suddenly stopped as the zipper he was pulling on ripped off of the sleeping bag and flew to the other side of the tent. A sharp yelp was heard.

"My eye!!!! What the hell was that!!!" screamed Brock kicking away his sleeping bag and quickly standing up. He fell back down again, from still being half-asleep.

Misty glared at Ash. "Look what you did! You hurt Brock!"

"Me! What are you talking about?! It was your stupid zipper!" Ash shot back.
Brock sighed.

"Look, I don’t care what it was…." He stopped as he eyed the scene more closely -- Misty trying to cover herself in a torn sleeping bag, and Ash clutching a piece of the material in his hand.

"….Or what you were doing…" he continued his eyebrows raised. "All I know is that it’s ten in the morning and I’m going back to sleep.”
 
"But Brock!!!" Ash cried, grabbing onto his friend’s arm. "You can’t go back to sleep! Don’t you know what today is?!!?"

Brock sighed again. "Yea, it’s Friday, whoo-hoo," he replied sarcastically.

"No! Well…yea, but it’s also something else!" Ash cried.

"The twenty-sixth," Brock mumbled.

"Uh-huh….." Ash said eagerly.

"Of October," Brock looked at Ash strangely.

Ash smiled widely. "Yes?…"

"2001?" Brock asked.

Ash fell over anime style. "How could you guys forget!!!" Ash yelled. Pikachu shook it’s own little sleeping bag off and gazed up at Ash, smiling from cheek to cheek.

"You know what today, don’t ya buddy?" Ash asked happily as he gave Pikachu his arm. Pikachu gave a loud "Pika! Pi!" as he ran up to Ash’s shoulder, nuzzling his Trainer’s head. Ash made a victory pose and screamed out:

"Today’s the day we visit Pallet Town!"

Ash smiled as he sat down next to Brock and Misty, who were both giving confused looks at each other.

"Don’t you guys remember I said I wanted to take a break from Johto, even if it was just for a couple of days?" he asked.

"Yea, but you said that in the summer time Ash…" Brock replied.

"Uh-huh, like sometime in August when you were really stressed out about some battle…" Misty said, yawning.

Ash frowned. " Well then don’t you two remember I said today would be a good day to visit…last night!?!?!"

"Oh…I guess we just weren’t paying attention…" Misty said casually.
Ash looked hurt.

"But…I thought you guys loved Pallet Town…"

"We do!" Brock said. "We’ll go okay, it’s just that we have to take care of some things first, before we go Ash…important things."

"Oh, okay!" Ash beamed. "Like what?"

"Like sleep…" Brock replied jumping into his sleeping bag.

"I second that!" Misty said happily, lying back down.

Ash fell over anime style once again.

     Ash skipped along happily, as his two friends followed behind him.

"Better enjoy this warm weather while it lasts, Misty," Brock said to her.

"What do you mean Brock?" Misty asked turning her head towards him.

"Well, right now we’re west of Pallet Town, in the Johto region. The geological area of Johto is much warmer than Pallet’s climate, so here it seems like summer to us when it’s really fall, and in Pallet it’ll feel like fall because it really is."

Misty stared at him. "Gar-ga gag gag glicka ga," she said smiling.

Brock gave her a confused look.

"What!?" he asked scratching his head.

"Now you know how I feel…" Misty replied, laughing.

Brock rolled his eyes.

"Hey! Slow down!" he called out to Ash, who was miles ahead of them.

Misty sighed, pulling her sweat jacket out of her red shoulder bag.

"Togepi! Good-morning!…well afternoon…" she said happily as the baby Pokémon yawned. "We’re going back to Pallet Town for a visit!"

“Togeprrii!!!" Togepi cried happily before falling back asleep.

    Ash took a sharp breath in. The air was definitely getting colder. A sure sign Pallet town wasn’t too far away. He looked at the trees on either side of the dirt road, the leaves many different shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown. The soft green palm trees and warm sandy beaches of Johto were always a sight to look at, but nothing could compare to the beauty of autumn in his home town. Ash suddenly spotted a green videophone on the side of the road.

"Oh man, in all my excitement, I forgot to call mom and tell her we were visiting!" Ash ran up to the phone and quickly dialed his number. He listened to the rings, and then his face began to light up when the screen revealed his mother’s auburn hair.

"Mom!" Ash cried, not even bothering to wait until the image came into focus.

"Ash! Honey, how are you!!" Delia cried.

"Hi mom! I’m doing great! Guess what?!" Ash asked excitedly. He paused for dramatics and then cried: "I’m coming home today!!!"

Delia looked shocked.

"Ash, are you sure? I mean I’d love to see you honey, but this is all so…sudden, is everything all right? Where’s Brock and Misty?"

Ash laughed.

"What’s the matter, can’t a son visit his mother just because? And Brock and Misty are lagging behind, don’t worry I can see them now…" Ash waved his hand to Brock and Misty in the distance who returned the wave.

Delia smiled.

"Well, just as long as you’re with someone…and everything’s alright?"

"Everything’s great mom!" Ash replied.

"When do you think you’ll get here?" Delia asked.

"Well right now I think we’re near Cerulean City so maybe like another two hours?" Ash answered.

"You’re sure you can handle another two hours of traveling? How long have you traveled so far?" Delia asked, worry starting to creep into her face.

"Oh only about three..." Ash said, scratching the back of his head.

"Three hours?!" Delia shrieked. "Ash! There’s no need to get here that fast! Take your time, Pallet Town isn’t going anywhere!"

Ash smiled.

"And you know, if we ALL would run, we could get there in one hour!"
Delia frowned.

"Just promise me you won’t over exert yourself, and think about Brock and Misty! I know you want to get here as soon as possible, but traveling for five hours…I don’t know how you can still be standing!"

"I really miss you…" Ash said softly.

"Oh sweetie, I really miss you too…" Delia replied. "I just don’t want to find you dead from exhaustion on my front steps!"

Ash laughed.

"Okay mom, I understand."

Delia smiled.

"Oh, Ash you’ll be home just in time for Halloween! Gee, I can’t even remember the last time you were here on Halloween…" she said. "I decorated the house and everything!"

"Aw, mom…" Ash sighed. "Halloween is SO boring in Pallet town! I wasn’t even thinking of it…"

Delia frowned slightly.

"So I guess this means you won’t be dressing up…"

"Nah…" Ash replied. "I liked Halloween when I was five and thought it was scary…now it’s just stupid…"

Delia sighed.

"I guess my little boy really is growing up…" she said softly.

"Yea.." Ash agreed. "Sorry mom, but nothing scares me anymore…nothing except losing a Pokémon battle!"

Delia laughed.

"I understand…I have to go out now, so I’ll see you soon, okay honey? I love you!"

"I love you too mom!" Ash said.

"And remember to wear clean you-know-what everyday!"

"Mom!"

"Okay, okay! Bye now!"

"Bye!!"

Ash hung up the phone just as Brock and Misty were approaching.

"Hey, what did you’re mom say?" Brock asked.

"Oh just that she was surprised we were coming for no reason, and that walking for five hours is an unhealthy way to travel… but she didn’t really mean that…" Ash replied. "I think that’s her way of telling me to get there faster!"

Brock and Misty sighed.

"Hey Misty, we’re on the outskirts of Cerulean City, you feel like visiting your sisters?" Brock asked.

"Nah, I can visit them on the way back, I wouldn’t want to delay Ash . . . Boy here another minute," Misty said patting Ash’s shoulder.

"Great! Then let’s go!" Ash cried, running ahead as usual.

"C’mon Ash, wait up!" Brock and Misty called from behind him.

Behind a bush, Jesse, James and Meowth, who had been following Ash, heard the entire conversation.

"Awww, he misses his mommy!" Jesse said turning to James.

"I love you…" she imitated Ash’s voice.

"I love you too honey!" James replied imitating Delia’s voice. The two Rockets burst out into fits of laughter.

"The twerps are comin home for da holidays!" Meowth said suddenly. Jesse and James blinked.

"But Meowth, Christmas is in December! It’s only October now!" Jesse protested.

"Who said I was talkin about Christmas! Halloween is just around da corner…and ya know what dat means…" Meowth smiled.

"CANDY!!!" Jesse and James shouted at the same time.

"We’ll never go hungry again!" James exclaimed.

"Of course, why didn’t I think of that!! We can go trick-or-treating in Pallet Town, then when we take everyone’s candy, we follow the twerps back to Johto with it and have almost an unlimited supply!!” Jesse cried.
 
"Uh, aren’t ya a little too old ta go trick or treatin?" Meowth asked. "I was thinkin more along da lines of an opportunity ta capture Pikachu."

"No one is ever too old to eat candy, right James?" Jesse asked, bringing her hand up into the air.

"You said it Jess!" James replied slapping her hand.

"Twizzlers, Rolos, Milkyways, Krackels!” Jesse began chanting.

“Reeses, M&M’s, Kit Kats, Skittles!!!” James answered joyfully.

Meowth gave in and smiled.

"Dis plan will be like taking candy from a baby!!! Hahahahahaha!!!"

    Nighttime had finally come and Ash, Brock, and Misty where ready to collapse.

"I thought I would have had enough energy to at least enter Pallet," Ash said sadly.

"Don’t worry Ash, we wouldn’t have been able to see anything anyway, look at this fog!" Misty said softly. "We’ll rest here tonight…and I’ll tell ya what, you can wake me up anytime you want tomorrow morning, and I’ll get up okay?"

"Okay…." Ash mumbled. "But I still don’t understand! We should at least be able to see Professor Oak’s Windmill by now!!"

"Misty’s right Ash, the fog is pretty thick, and if we don’t stop now we might get lost. Now come on and help me set up the tent," Brock replied.

Just then Ash felt a small raindrop on his nose.

"Oh-no…" he groaned. Suddenly the rain came crashing down hard, soaking everything in sight.

"You gotta be kidding me!!" Brock cried.

Misty tucked Togepi into her shoulder bag and pulled her hood up over her wet red hair.

"What are we going to do?!?!" she cried.

Brock and Ash quickly folded the tent back up into his backpack.

"We’re going to have to find shelter somewhere!" Brock called to her over the loud wind.

"Pi pikachu pi!!" Pikachu cried. Ash looked at Pikachu, then to where it was pointing. Ash squinted hard, and then his eyes widened.

"Guys! Professor Oak’s Windmill is right over there! And there’s my house!! It’s been right in front of our faces all along!"

"Then let’s go!" cried Brock running towards Ash’s house.

Even though Ash was getting soaked, he smiled happily as the familiar white house with red shutters came into view. Oh how he missed Pallet town so much! Just thinking about being in his warm house and in his mother’s arms once again pushed him to run faster. He blew past Brock, and slipped on one of the gray stones leading to his front door. Ash fell in a puddle, but quickly scrambled up before Misty could help him. He pushed the front door open and ran in. Brock and Misty followed close behind, and slammed the door shut once they made it inside. Ash took off his blue vest, squeezed it out, and hung it on the coat hanger near the door. Brock did the same with his green vest, while Misty hung up her red sweat jacket.

"Mom!?" Ash yelled. "Mom, we’re here! We made it!" he cried, searching through his house for any signs of his mother. "Mom?" Ash’s wet sneakers screeched against the floor as he ran from room to room.

Misty looked at Brock concerned.

"Where do you think Mrs. Ketchum is?"

"Hmm...I don’t know… Ash called her so she knew we were coming, I don’t understand why she wouldn’t be here," Brock replied.

"Hey guys, look at this!" Ash said from the kitchen. Misty and Brock ran towards him. "It’s a note from my mom!"

Dear Misty, Brock, and My Little Boy,

           
Brock and Misty snickered, while Ash glared at them as they read the first line.

How are all of you?! I can’t believe you got to Pallet in just one day!!! Well I’m so glad that you made it here, because Professor Oak is having a party at his Laboratory tonight! I didn’t tell you on the phone Ash because I didn’t think you’d be here in time for it but if you’re reading this tonight I guess you are! It’s a VERY FANCY party, and since you came unexpectedly I got all three of you out fits to wear. (I hope black is okay with you, Misty.) Meet us at the Laboratory after you’re ready and we hope to see you there!

With Love,
Delia
P.S. I know you three must be starved, but don’t eat anything at the house because there’s a whole banquet of food at Professors Oak’s!!
P.P.S - Remember to change you-know-what Ash before you come!
 
Ash fell over.
"My mom had got to stop doing that!" he cried.

Misty grabbed the note from Ash.

"A party?! Professor Oak is having a party tonight? What’s it for?" she asked.
Ash then noticed the decorations his mom was telling him about before.

"Maybe it’s a… Halloween party?" Ash asked to no one in particular.

"But then why would we have to dress up for it?" Brock asked pointing towards the fancy garb.

"You’re right," Ash replied. "And besides, all Pallet Town ever does for Halloween is trick-or-treat, no one ever has an exciting party!"

"Maybe the party is for us!" Misty squealed. "For coming back home!"

"No, we only have parties when I win something….not just for visiting," Ash said quickly.
 
"Who cares what it’s for, let’s just go!" Brock said happily. "Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny could be there!!" He tossed Ash a tux with "Ash" labeled on it, while he started putting on his own.

"Oh here you go Misty," Brock said handing her a dress.

"Excuse me!" Misty suddenly cried. "I walked for practically five hours, and just ran in the rain! I’m going to take a shower before I go anywhere!" Misty stormed off towards the bathroom and slammed the door. An hour later, a hair dryer could be heard. Ash looked up from the TV.

"Hey Misty are you done yet?! It’s almost seven!" he cried.

"Almost! Calm down!" Misty replied. She looked in the mirror one last time and opened the door. Brock and Ash both turned their heads and awed at Misty. She had her hair down and a white glistening clip was attached to the left side oh her head. The black sparkling dress Delia had picked out for her fit her small shapely frame perfectly and she had worn a pair of black heels, which she already had.

"Wow Misty you look….different.." Brock said.

"Yea, she actually looks like a girl!" Ash laughed, only to be slapped.

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Brock asked, standing up. Ash and Misty nodded, and headed for the door.

"Oh, it’s still raining…" Misty said sadly as soon as Ash opened the front door. "…and I just straightened my hair!" she groaned.

"Don’t worry guys, look what I found!" Ash beamed. He held up a large pink, Jigglypuff shaped umbrella in his hand.

"Works for me…" Brock said, getting under it. Misty smiled.

"So, Ash was this pink umbrella yours?" she asked, walking out the door. Ash blushed.

"You should just be so lucky that I’m letting you share it!" he snapped back.

Suddenly a large lightning bolt struck a tree branch and it came crashing to the ground a few feet away from the three trainers.

"Come-on let’s get to Professor Oak’s!" Brock cried, beginning to quicken his pace.

Ash and Misty willingly followed.

To Be Continued…