I’m not quite sure where this plot is going, to tell the truth.

Disclaimer: Phantomness does not own pokemon, only this piece of non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanwork and her own ideas. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, Shogakukan Comics, Game FREAK and a host of other companies.

Notes: ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking, and <> for telepathy is our key.

Timeline: 4 months later

Chapter 6: Shoot the Moon

“You’re going to do WHAT?!”

Marina’s angry voice reverberated through the house. Ash and Lance peeked out from behind a potted fern, as Misty cringed.

“I’m going to Whirl Islands.”

“No, no, and no! It’s too dangerous!”

“But if I want to be a water pokemon trainer I need more water pokemon!”

“Misty, you’re barely ten years old! You can’t do this.”

“But Ash was six when he came here!”

“So? He wasn’t alone. And he had pokemon.”

“I have pokemon too!”

Bruno interjected a sentence. “Why do you need more pokemon?”

“Goldeen’s too weak.” Misty scowled.

“Well… if you trained more, they wouldn’t be that way.”

“I’m not dedicating my life to training!” Several times, Misty had skipped out on practice so she could play with her friend Monica, who lived in what was once a fashion boutique. They spent lots of fun times trying on makeup and the fancy dresses. The store had been built with three underground layers, so it had not been damaged in the pokemon attacks.

“Then if you aren’t willing to put the work into something, don’t expect to be good at it.”

“You’re just angry because I’m not doing earth-types like brock!” misty yelled.

An anger spark began to grow on Bruno’s head.

“Now, dear.” Marina said, trying to placate him, or at least pacify him enough so they could think it over rationally.

“You aren’t going alone.” Bruno huffed. “There are gangs of vicious people out there.”

Misty scoffed. “I’m not a baby!”

“Yes, I’m afraid you are. In my day, pokemon trainers left home at age eleven or twelve, at the earliest.”

“So? I’m talented!”

Marina shook her head. “Your father is right, Misty. You need more practice.”

“That’s the point! How can I gain experience if there aren’t any trainers around here?”

“Well, Brock just trains against wild pokemon.”

“There aren’t enough of them, dad.”

Bruno sighed. “Well, if you are that dead set on going, your mother will accompany you.”

Marina spluttered. * WHAT!? And when did I agree to this? *

“Excuse us.” She said, dragging Bruno out by his ear.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the fresh sea air could do you some good.” Bruno said. “And I know you’ll keep an eye on her.”

“What about the other kids?”

“Well, Brock will stay, maybe Ash and Lance will go with you.”

Marina sighed.

True… she had Starmie, Tentacruel, and Psyduck, but there were supposed to be Seel and Horsea and maybe even dragon-types in Whirl Islands!
“All right then.”

Bruno immediately got out the camping gear.

2 days later…

“I’m glad you want to be a water trainer like me, Misty.” Marina said as they walked along.

“Really, mom?”

“Of course. Your father and I are just worried about you. Pokemon training now isn’t what it used to be.”

Marina began telling a nostalgic tale, while Ash and Lance had a telepathic conversation.

Actually, Lance was simply telling another story of the past, while Ash was listening and smiling.

So kakkoii…

A wild Rattata jumped out of the bush, baring its teeth.

Lance flicked his fingers, as Larvitar quickly KO’d it.

“Wow!”

“You know, Lance.” Marina said thoughtfully. “Larvitar is a dragon-type pokemon.”
“What? It’s ground/rock last time I checked.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s a dragon but not a dragon.”

Lance affected a fine show of confusion, while Marina tried to explain. Inwardly, he was trying not to laugh.

< Imagine, a human lecturing Lugia’s Chosen Dragon Master on dragon-types. The irony is just too sickening. >

< That’s funny! >

Ash grinned as he fed Pika-chan a strawberry candy.

< Yum! >

Pika-chan gulped down the treat and then flew off to look for berries. She would be back soon.

Good thing wings were hidden by illusion too.

But then, what was the difference between reality and fantasy anyways? Those things were always confounding.

She picked a few wild berries, careful to leave the rest for the wild pokemon that had chosen to stay on earth and not enter the dream realm.

Most were flawed, in one fault or another anyway.

Misty’s legs ached by the time they set up camp. “How far away is it?”

“Oh, a few more days of walking, and then we Surf across the ocean.”

“Ow…”

While Marina massaged Misty’s legs and gave her daughter Motrin to ease the pain, Lance made some quick calculations and Lugia nodded.

Marina was not perfect, but she was good enough to keep hers.

If only Misty could evolve to that level also…

A few water trainers never hurt.

End Chapter

Complete 4/15/04