Another chapter!
ARGH! STUPID COMPUTER!!! *kicks computer* Excuse me, but it’s really being a major pain… and I have the Pirates of the Caribbean theme playing in my mind… out!!

Disclaimer/Notes: See an earlier chapter

Chapter 11

The news of human pokemon spread quickly. A few more cases popped up. The records from the last time the Surge had happened, hundreds of years ago, said that eventually, all the humans changed would be drawn to an island, known only as Mirage Island, located in Houen. It also said the Surge would not last more than five years since the first change… however, much would change in those five years.

Giovanni turned off his T.V. set. He hoped the part about human pokemon being taken over by their pokemon instincts wasn’t true. God… they’d backslide, almost as if it were backwards evolution.

But he was a ground/dark type, and he would keep it a secret! He’d stay sane too. _He_ looked human, but he held power.

His scientists were working on creating more. So far, two lay in tanks. One, was a fire type girl, the second, a water type girl.

It seemed females were more prone to changing. So far all the reports stated the ones who changed were pokemon.

Misty was able to reveal herself, but she didn’t want to. It was too embarrassing… so Oak kept her hidden.

Her sisters didn’t mind…

Meanwhile…

“You won’t tell, will you?”
Lance shook her head. < I won’t backslide! I won’t! >

“No, you’ve retained human intelligence. Plus, you’re a genie too. So I can wish for you not to devolve…”

< Arigato, Ash. You know, you could use me in battle if you wanted. After all, I’m your pokemon. >

“But I’m also your friend and I won’t force you into it.”
< That’s why I chose you as my trainer. >

Ash reached the rock field for his third match. “I’m ready whenever you are!”

Brianna looked at her pokemon nervously, but nodded. She had already won two rounds, she wouldn’t lose now. “Go! Cyndaquil!”

“… Another Johto pokemon.” Ash murmured. At least this one was a visible fire-type, from the flames sprouting out of its back. So…

“Squirtle, Surf!” One-hit KO, that one…

Brianna frowned. * I know he has a Charmander and an Squirtle, what else? Oh yes, a Pidgeot. Okay then… *

“I choose you, Elekid!”

< Pre-evolved form of Electabuzz. > Lance transmitted to Ash. She was invisible, standing next to him in the box.

“My Squirtle does know dig… Squirtle, Withdraw!”
“That’s not going to help you much!” His opponent cried. “Elekid, use Thunderpunch!” A small globe of lightning formed around the little pokemon’s fist as it waddled forwards.

No speed to charge…

Squirtle prepared for Headbutt while Elekid slowly came towards him. Its legs were not made for running.

By the time Thunderpunch was about to hit, Squirtle’s head came out with already charged force… and sent Elekid flying.

It didn’t have particularly good defense… two down.

Brianna gaped. * Better not use my baby pokemon. But I thought grown up pokemon wouldn’t attack babies… guess I calculated wrong… *

She passed over Smoochum in its poke ball, and selected her last pokemon. “Krabby! Use guillotine!”

Squirtle had no protection against that move… Guillotine hit! It’s a one-hit KO. Cheap? Possibly, but oh well…

Ash sighed. * Now what? Speed… or… *

“Sunny! Thunderwave!” The jolteon nodded as she was released, paralyzing bolts freezing Krabby temporarily.

“Ack! Krabby, protect!”

Too late, the lightning had hit. Then, Sunny causally charged up a Thunder attack, took good aim, and fired. There…

“Brianna is out of pokemon! This match goes to Red trainer Ash Ketchum!”

Sunny wagged her tail as Ash ran down to the field and hugged her carefully. Then, he headed to the Center and healed all his pokemon.

Nurse Joy was grateful, since he didn’t bring in anything seriously injured. It cut down on the workload for her, yes…

Ash was brushing Lance’s hair for her, as a favor, since he had accidentally wished for a Master Ball. Well, now he had one, sitting innocuously next to him.

“Master Ball causes instant capture, but only once.” Said Dragon Master was lying propped up on some pillows.

“I know.”

“Are you going after Articuno then, Ash?” Lance asked. “Hey! That was only ninety-eight strokes. You promised one hundred on each side.”

Ash obligingly picked up the hairbrush and kept brushing. Lance had sparkly red hair, it looked nice against the dark blue of her outfit.

It was odd, but he had no crush on Lance, at least not as of now. Well, it was safer that way…

Misty liked him?
He wasn’t sure, but he had sensed… maybe a little. They hadn’t even known each other that well!

Hmm….

Pikachu was fast asleep on another pillow. Ash wondered why, since she hadn’t even battled… confusing, that.

Sunny was also sleeping.

Charmander and Squirtle were sharing an apple. Bulbasaur was eating another apple. Pidgeot… Ash looked out the window for that one. There the bird was, scooping up fish from a stream about half a mile away. He had to use his binoculars to spot her.

“So what are you planning to catch?”

“I’m not sure…” Ash winced. “Moltres is in Victory road, but I’d have to go back through it…”

“Yes, that could be a problem. All the cool trainers, ne?”

“Hai!”

Lance laced her fingers together, leaning forward in thought. “Well… there are always ways around that… which pokemon do you want?”

“Which pokemon? She’s right here with me.” Ash said. Then, he blushed. * Oops. Didn’t mean to say that out loud. * “I-I mean, I’d rather have you than a legendary bird, since you’re...um…”

“That’s very sweet of you, Ash.” Lance smiled. It was so cute, the way he was stammering. Ah, she was glad she had chosen him. looks like her instincts had proven correct yet again. Score one for me!

“H-hai! I… well, you’re not mean.”

Lance raised an eyebrow.

“What if… oh, well. Misty’s a bug pokemon. I’d hate to have to train her.”

“Didn’t you get along?”

“The only reason she traveled with me was for a bike.” Ash sighed morosely. “Least I paid her back – er, wished her a bike back. I can’t thank you enough for that. It was a real pain with her tagging along. She nearly killed my Butterfree.”

Lance’s eyebrows shot up. Said Butterfree was… not anywhere close. Ash had left him at Oak’s lab. There were plenty of flowers and nectar _there_.

“Well, it was once a Caterpie, and she tried to mallet it into the ground.”

“Divine justice she’s a bug now?”

“Maybe!”

Ash finished brushing her hair and studied the master ball. Yes… maybe Zapdos… after the League was over…

End Chapter

Completed 9/7/04

OW!!! Sprained my thumb in karate, now it’s hard to type. ;.; Least it’s not my entire hand in trouble…