Chapter 3 "What is THAT!?!" Brock squeaked nervously pointing at the now shimmering air in front of Ash. Ash felt a grin creep over his face. This was going to be fun! "Welcome to my world Brock. Remember I said I went through some pretty extensive training? Part of that was magic training. You are looking at the power of Ash Ketchum level one sorcerer." Ash said with an obvious sense of pride. Misty timidly walked up to the shimmering air and tried to touch it. When he hand got close, the shimmering began to glow. "What's going on?" Misty whispered. Ash walked up behind her and had a mischievous grin on his face. Pikachu saw what was about to happen and sighed. Ash would never grow up. "Ash what-" Brock began to ask. Brock realized what was about to happen too late to help Misty. "Don't you want to see it a little closer Misty?" Misty felt the push and she let out a yelp of surprise as she was forced into the shimmering air. Misty felt-felt something indescribable. It was like a pressure of tingling rain was forced strait through her body. The sensation lasted for two or three second before it stopped. Misty gasped and took a few steps to regain her balance. "ASH! I'M GOING TO-to-to?" Misty had turned around to see-nothing? The shimmering air was there but Brock and Ash had vanished. "This isn't funny guys! Guys?" Then there was a bright flash of light and Misty stepped back. "Yeowch! ASH!" When Misty opened her eyes, she saw Brock! Brock had a more undignified landing as he was sprawled on his butt. Brock was also muttering about killing a certain Ketchum boy. Misty lended a helping hand to Brock and helped him up. "What happened to you?" Before Brock could answer her, another bright light interrupted them. "Pikachu! I know you don't like to travel magic but come on!" Brock and Misty saw a hilarious sight as soon as Ash stepped through the portal. Ash was bent over like he was trying to lift something and he grunted. "PIKACHU! I'M ORDERING YOU TO LET GO OF THAT BUSH!" "Need some help Ash?" Brock sniggered. "Oh shut up Brock." Ash groaned as he finally got a good grip on Pikachu's hind body. "Tickle, tickle, tickle!" (scene fades to other side of portal) Pikachu has a bush between his teeth and is desperately trying not to be pulled into the portal. "Pika!" A muffled growl came from the pokemon. We see Ash's hands on Pikachu's midriff and then the fingers begin to tickle. Pikachu has sweatdrops form all along his body. The tickling continues and Pikachu's face turns blue. More sweatdrops form and Pikachu finally can't take it anymore. 'I'll get you for this Ketchum!' Pikachu laughed letting the pokemon being drawn through the portal. Ash suddenly falls on his rear with a pokemon in hand. "Pikaaaa!" Ash closed his eyes waiting for the shock. "CHUUUUUUU!" Ash sighed and set Pikachu on the ground. Misty and Brock stared wide-eyed at a smoldering Ash. "Serves you right!" Snickered Misty. Brock took in the size of the bolt Ash had been struck with and was concerned. Ash then turned to Pikachu. "Don't telegraph your bolts that way. I shouldn't have expected that." Brock looked faintly surprised. "You're not hurt are you?" Brock asked surprised. Ash gave them a warm smile and shook his head. "Nope. Now shall we see about that nasty business in Goldenrod? I would like to get this over with." Ash said turning toward a road that wasn't there a second ago. "WHAT?" Misty recognized the country that they were now in. Ash, Misty and Brock had traveled this way before on Ash's journey. It was Goldenrod city limits. The trio walked into town and two of the trio was totally amazed. "It's deserted!" Brock said in awe. Misty woke up from her befuddlement to finally get excited at Ash. "Ash. How did we? How did you? WHATS GOING ON!?" Misty demanded. Ash backed up at the tone Misty used and smiled nervously. Brock watched in fascination as took in his surroundings. Brock had been to Goldenrod many times in the past on business trip but never-ever expected to see the city so soon! "Simmer down Misty!" Ash managed to croak out. "It's just another one of my tricks remember?" Ash said nervously. Misty was still angry. Brock recognized the Goldenrod tower and marveled. They were indeed in Goldenrod! They were in front of the magnet train! "Trick my butt! You haven't explained how you defeated Team Rocket either! You had better start talking and I mean fast Ketchum!" Brock then decided to get in on the conversation. "Ash? Why did you bring us here so fast? Why are we in front of the Goldenrod tower?" Brock asked saving him from Misty's wraith. Then, they noticed the commotion. "Put those fire out!" Officer Jenny growled. People were scurrying everywhere trying to stop rockets, putting out fires, saving people from the falling debris and pokemon battles ensued everywhere. "Ash! Those people weren't there a second ago!" Misty squeaked in alarm. Suddenly someone ran towards Misty and she turned to them, expecting to be crashed into. Then, like a ghost, the person passed right through her. "I haven't fully brought us back in phase with the rest of the world yet." Ash said at a stunned Misty. "They can't see or hear us yet. I want to see what's happening around here before we phase in." Ash finished. Misty turned at Ash so suddenly that Ash nearly fell over. "Alright! Spill! How are you doing this? There's something you left out of your past events that's allowing you to do this. Don't tell me it's because you're the Ultimate Trainer, I won't buy it." Brock watched as Ash's expression turned from shocked to serious. "It's something that will take a long time to get used to Misty and I can guarantee that you won't like it one bit." Ash put a hand behind his head trying to find the words. "OH! For crying out loud! Just tell her already!" Pikachu quipped in. Ash scowled at his pokemon's interruption. "Pikachu! It's not like I can just tell them! This is a very delicate matter and complicated." The pokemon rolled his eyes and jumped off of his shoulder. "What's there to tell? Hi! I'm Ash, chosen one, ultimate trainer, level one sorcerer, keeper of all the magiks stones and fighting master." "Ha-ha. Very funny." Ash said sarcastically. Brock and Misty were staring at the obvious conversation between Ash and his pokemon pal. They could only understand one side of the conversation though. "Just tell them! I'll use telepathy if you don't!" "Fine! I'll tell them!" Ash raised his arms in defeat and shouted. The pokemon grinned and jumped in Misty's arms. "Ready when you are." Pikachu said with a grin. Ash gave his pokemon a scowl and began to explain. "The truth is, in the other world, I was put through extensive training for two things. I have just finished both training and the tricks I have been using I have learned from Garnick." Ash took in a deep breath. "He taught me magic. I am officially a level one sorcerer. " The looks he got from Misty and Brock were unreadable. "You're kidding!" Misty said in wonder. "Nope! My power as a sorcerer was absolutely necessary for my survival. A lot of assassins know magic as well as fighting. I had to master both of them to protect myself." Ash waited for their reactions. "Remind me never to piss you off." Brock grumbled. Misty didn't say anything. "Misty? You look a bit pale." Ash started to say. Misty was totally dumbstruck. Ash waved a hand in front of her face to get her attention. "Waaa?" Misty jumped back in surprise and then caught herself. "How? Why?" Misty began to ask. When Ash gave her a confused look, she realized that she was babbling. "Did you really have that hard of a time in the other world?" Ash grimly nodded. "Being the Chosen One isn't as easy as it was here. All I had to do here is save the world once. I did that nearly everyday in the other world. It really gets tiring after a while." Brock stared at his friend in silence. "You really can say that can't you? You really saved the other world time and time again?" Brock received a nod. "Now I see why you don't want to announce your return back into the pokemon leagues and to the world in general." "This, everything I've been doing, has seemed like a vacation." Misty rolled back to the events at the café; the blasting off of team rocket again and the battle with Gary afterwards. That was a vacation? "What about this?" Misty pointed to the carnage around them. Ash sighed and mumbled something she didn't quite catch. "What? I didn't hear you." "I said this is routine." Ash growled. Misty stepped back. "I think it's time we lent a helping hand. I'm going to phase us back into reality soon so stand over here." Ash backed up against a wall. Misty and Brock followed suit. "Look out!" Officer Jenny watched as a rocket Blastoise took out most of her Growlithe squad. "Damn! Fall-" "Go Dragonite!" A voice yelled. Officer Jenny was nearly blown over by the rushing wind from the pokemon. "Thunder that Blastiose!" Jenny had barely enough time to look up as the flash enveloped the water pokemon. "Now put out the fires with hydro pump!" "You help too Gyarados." A female voice shouted. "Help them out Vaporeon!" Another gruff male voice cut in. "Since when did you have a Gyarados and what's with Vaporeon? I thought you were a rock trainer Brock!" The first voice asked shocked. "We do have lives of our own Ash. I caught Gyarados after you left." The female voice cut in. "And what about Vaporeon?" Ash asked the other male voice. "Um-" Stuttered the voice clearly showing his discomfort. "A gift from Suzie." "Should have known." Officer Jenny turned around to see the famous Misty Waterflower and Brock Flint! What were they doing here! Then she noticed the fires had been put out. "Dragonite, return!" "Who are you?" Officer Jenny gasped. The man who had the Dragonite was oddly familiar. The Dragonite was a high level pokemon, she was sure of that but she had never heard of anyone other than the top trainers in the entire world having Dragonites. It was her job as an Officer to recognize these trainers and she didn't recognize this trainer. The black haired man noticed Officer Jenny and got nervous. "Uhhh…" He started to say. "Great going! You got their attention Ash." The trainer whirled to the rockets heading their way and smiled. Officer Jenny gasped as she recognized that smile. 'It can't be! The posters, the world wide search, it just can't be Ash Ketchum!' Ash took out another pokemon. "I choose you, go Charizard!" A flash of red enveloped the field and an enormous Charizard came out. Officer Jenny gasped, she had never seen a Charizard that large before. Unnoticed by everyone at the scene, Misty and Brock where thinking the exact same thing. Then, the group of rockets charged at the lone pokemon. "Uh, Ash? Are you sure it's wise for Charizard to take on that many people at once?" Misty asked nervous. Ash looked at her strangely. "What are you saying Misty?" Ash asked confused. Misty didn't know how to put it into words without hurting Ash's feelings. "Is it smart to let Charizard fight that many people on his own?" Brock asked not paying attention to Misty's earlier situation. "Smooth Brock." Misty muttered. Ash looked stunned for a minute and laughed. Misty and Brock backed off at Ash's laugh. "Ash! This is serious!" Misty growled. Ash stopped and snapped his fingers. Charizard nodded and waited for the fun to begin. "I'm not worried about Charizard. I'm worried about what he's going to do to those poor people." Ash said with a chuckle. "I pride myself at training Charizard-" Ash sighed when he heard the familiar intimidating roar that the pokemon blasted out. "-But there's still an area that we need to work on still." Misty, Brock and all the other trainers in the area that heard the roar went weak in the knees. "And what area would that be?" Misty squeaked out in a terrified voice. Ash let out another sigh and sweatdropped when his fiery pokemon launched itself to battle. "He enjoys battle too much." Misty and Brock saw what he meant when Charizard began to fight. Instead of a full out assault, Charizard began to -play- with them. Brock winced when Charizard picked a rocket up and took off with him still in his clutches. Brock winced because of how Charizard picked him up and subconsciously crossed his legs. Then, Misty gasped in absolute shock when Charizard suddenly line drived his capture into a group off rockets, knocking them all down like they were bowling pins. "Ash." Pikachu warned. Ash looked out of the corner of his eye to see a lone rocket headed his way. "Want me to take him out?" Pikachu said cheeks sparking. Ash looked at the playful look on Pikachu's face and moaned. "Your getting as bad as Charizard. Fine, go get him." Pikachu bounded from Ash's shoulder and lazily walked over to the rocket. Misty and Brock didn't notice because they were transfixed by Charizard. "God Ash! How do you teach a pokemon to do that?" Brock squeaked as Charizard roughly took out ten guys by hitting low. Ash sweatdropped and flushed. "Trust me, you don't wanna know." Misty noticed Ash's flushed cheeks and got curious. Misty would drag it out of Ash latter but what had happened is Charizard watched Ash take out a guy like that. Like trainer, like pokemon some would say. Then, Pikachu was back with an evil look on his face. "Rocket taken care of." Pikachu reported. Curious, Ash looked to where Pikachu had battled and turned a nice shade of blue. The rocket had been stuck on a piece of debris, probably the remains of a railing, upside down and, not naked, but pantless. "Pikachu!" Ash said a bit shocked. Pikachu snickered and began to laugh at the look on Ash's face. Ash shook his head. "I did it to see Misty's reaction but I think I got a better one out of you." Pikachu said grinning. Ash gave Pikachu a sideways glance. "That reminds me." Ash started to say. Pikachu went pale in remembrance of not too long ago before the war ended. Pikachu smiled a nervous laugh and tried to back off a bit. "I still owe you don't I?" Ash said in a roguish voice. Pikachu went pale (this will be explained later). Then, Ash's attention was adverted for a moment when a victory roar was heard from Charizard. 'Already?' Mew sent telepathically. 'Not much for fighters in this world.' Mew commented. Ash whistled and Charizard came back to Ash. "Did you see my strike? I thought being back home would be boring but this might actually turn out to be fun after all." Charizard said to Ash. Ash smiled and stroked Charizards head. "Yes, I saw. You did good Charizard. Return." Ash held up his pokeball and the pokemon was sucked back into the ball. Once the demon of destruction was recalled, Officer Jenny came out of her daze. "You there!" Ash's group turned to see Officer Jenny heading their way and Ash got nervous once again. "Ummm. I think it's time we left." Ash said in a small voice. Misty now was really curious. Whenever Ash got near an Officer Jenny, he got super nervous. Then again, the look on her face showing was not one you would take lightly. Misty was about to agree when she heard the pistol click from behind her head. "Ash!" Misty yelled. Ash turned to see two people he never thought he would see again. Cassidy and Butch both had guns pointed at Misty and Brock's head. Ash tensed. 'Teleport!' Ash thought with a hiss. Ash hated teleport. It was the move that let your enemies get the drop on you and also let them escape rather easily. Ash then thought three steps ahead of the rockets and made it look like he teleported himself. "Looks like your friend ditched you." Cassidy laughed into Misty's ear. Misty clenched her fist, barely able to control her temper. Then, she heard a soft whisper in her mind. 'Let them take you, and then we can get to the bottom of this mess. I'm here but invisible, I'll follow.' Ash sent telepathically to Misty and Brock. Both pokemon trainers lifted their arms in surrender and were marched through the debris to the building in front. "Inside!" Ordered Butch harshly. Misty, Brock and an invisible Ash went inside to the goldenrod radio tower. Ash followed behind quietly as they were led up the stair to the main directors office. There, seated in the director's chair, was Giovonni de Rockette. Ash recognized the mastermind behind team rocket instantly for he knew this man well. When Ash was troubled or in doubt, in the other world Giovonni or Gio would council him on what to do. Giovonni was his most trusted general in the lower ranks but in this world, he was a bitter enemy. "Welcome." Giovonni said warmly. "It has been a long time. How has your friend Ash doing? It must be terrible to be in hiding for so long. I want to visit with the lad. I thought to give him a break and wanted to know where I should send this message? Kanto? Johto? Somewhere else perhaps?" "What do you want with Ash you monster!?!" Misty yelled at Giovonni. The rocket sighed and then smiled. "After we broadcast your plea for him to come out of hiding young one. I think we can ask all we want over this radio but I don't think we'll get an answer. With his friends here, I think that may be another matter." Without Brock or Misty knowing, Giovonni was broadcasting this conversation over the air. Ash knew though because from where he was standing, he could clearly see the on air sign. "We won't do anything for you creep." Brock snarled in response. Ash was actually surprised at Brock's acting ability, his demeanor made it seem like he was a rock, immovable in his decisions. To this, Giovonni let out a laugh. "Oh, but you have." Giovonni said in an amused voice. "You just confirmed your presence here by speaking, both of you." Giovonni turned off the radio microphone. "If that doesn't work, I'll eat my tie." Misty and Brock put shocked looks on their faces and Ash blinked in astonishment. 'You guys are pretty good actors.' Ash complimented telepathically. Misty and Brock both looked around trying to find where Ash was. Giovonni noticed their glances and laughed. "You're wondering what I have in store for your precious Ash don't you. Very well then, I'll show you." Giovonni snapped his fingers and the group was lead downstairs. Ash memorized every floor that he could see in his mind. It was an old habit that came in handy sometimes. Then Ash gawked as they were taken down a secret set of stairways under the goldenrod tower. 'How long has he been planning this?' Ash wondered. Ash cursed himself as he nearly bumped into a rocket guard. They had reached their destination. Ash had seen a lab like this only once before, it had been the lab that started him on his Ultimate Trainer journey so long ago. "Behold the drainer." Giovonni said in a loud voice. "It took team rocket years to build this device. The pond of pokemon gave your friend's power over pokemon to him. This device is designed to suck that power out of a human being and store it until it can be…switched with someone else." Ash slapped himself in the head. 'Idiot.' Mew sent telepathically to Ash. Ash nodded. 'Not only does he not understand that your power is your own, he thinks he can drain you of it.' 'Shall we prove him wrong?' Ash sent back with a wicked grin on his face. 'Should I just appear or should I do the dark and mysterious thing?' 'Just appear, we don't want anything to happen to your friends in the others fear.' Giovonni heard a crackle of energy behind him and turned to see a stranger. This stranger had deep sapphire eyes and burnt black pan hair that was tied up in a ponytail. He was of a regular height but an abnormal body type. This teen also had an air around him that Giovonni couldn't describe. Whatever it was, it was alien and frightening. "If it was that easy to get rid of my power that easily, I wouldn't be standing here right now." Ash said with a chuckle. Misty and Brock knocked out the stunned rocket guards and turned their own weapons on them. "What?" Giovonni gasped in surprise. "How did you get in!?! This entire building is protected from psychic attacks like teleport!" Ash let a lopsided grin envelope his face. "Wouldn't you like to know? I hate to tell you this Gio, but this plan of your wouldn't have worked even if you did get the drop on me." Giovonni seethed with rage. "You see, my INBORN ability to control pokemon has been drastically altered since I disappeared. So any data you think you have on me can just be thrown out a window. Besides having power over pokemon, I have another thing up my sleeve." "I think it would be wise to act now and gloat later." Brock growled to Ash. Ash looked to see about fifty rocket members enter the room and Ash sighed. "Why do they always want to do this the hard way? Mew, take care of them." Ash pushed the button on his pokeball and a pink pokemon popped out. "Mew!" It said playfully. All the rockets in the room froze at the sight of a real live Mew. Ash grinned at their awe and snapped his fingers. Men dodged left and right to avoid the blasts from the pokemon. Pikachu was on alert for stragglers but didn't worry about it. During the confusion, Giovonni ran over to the control panel and turned on the machine. "ASH!" Ash turned to the rocket with the gun and smiled his battle grin. Ash effortlessly kicked the gun out of his hands and jumped back. Giovonni smiled at this because he was right in his line of fire. When Ash suddenly let out a groan and lost his balance, all party members expected the worst. "Ash!" Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Mew went to his side. Ash shook his head and tried to think clearly. When it registered on what was going on he froze. 'No! It's too soon! I can go back! Not now!' Ash thought in a yelp. "Your mine!" Giovonni yelled in triumph. Ash and company turned to see a bright flash coming their way. 'I did it! I won!' Giovonni looked at the readings on the monitors and smiled evilly. The smile soon turned into one of surprise. 'What?' The readings were all wrong! It didn't register any power being drained! With nothing being drained into the system, the machines began to short circuit. "Yargh!" Giovonni barely had enough time to jump back as the control counsel in front of him exploded. Inside the room, it was a massive fireball that seemed to engulf everything. 'How could this have gone so wrong?' Giovonni thought as he escaped in the tunnels. 'I must not fail! I cannot let this ruin team rocket! There has to be a way of getting the power to rule pokemon!' "What was that?" Officer Jenny gasped when the ground started to shake. She gripped the railing on the stairs tightly and waited for it to pass. When the ground finally stopped shaking, the officer looked to see the entire base of the tower cracked and shaking. "What happened?" She gasped in awe. Misty was wandering around someplace she knew she wasn't supposed to be. It was white and seemingly endless. It frightened her. Was this death? Hello? Hello. Misty relaxed a bit when she heard the voice. Who are you? Misty asked out into the brightness. Suddenly, a flash occurred and a mirror was presented in front of her. Misty's image stared right back at her and she stopped. I am you. The image suddenly began to change. Misty's hair grew long and luxurious that grew well past her waist. Misty's clothes changed from her normal street cloths to something Misty imagined a princess in a fairy tale would wear. Misty's body shape changed as well. Misty thought she was athletic in build so it didn't matter that her chest was smaller than average. Her image in the mirror had the same athletic build but her cleavage was something to be stared at. Misty backed up in surprise. What's going on? Misty yelped in surprise. The mirror reflection came out of the mirror and Misty felt fear seize her body. Misty's stomach froze from the bottom up, her knees buckled together and her jaw clenched. He loves you. Misty backed up when her double came closer. What? Who loves me? What are you talking about? When Misty's double suddenly began to cry, Misty was dumbstruck. It's not fair! You were there first! I never had a chance. I never expected that he was already in love. How was I supposed to know? Misty's double sank to her knee and began to sob. Misty was unsure of what to do so she knelt down to her clone and held her. I may not understand what you mean but whatever it is I did, I'm sorry. Misty's double stopped crying and looked up at her. Do you love Ash? Misty's double asked. Misty was caught off guard by the question and blushed deeply. Ash? Misty asked weakly. Do you love him? Misty looked down avoiding her eyes. I do. How do you know that? How do you know Ash? Misty demanded standing. Misty's double stood up as well and a smile glistened on her face. I love Ash too. Misty stopped dead. There was no way that this woman in front of her could love Ash! Ash was hers and she would be damned if she was going to let any other woman near him; especially if that other woman confessed her love for him. Now see here! Misty barked. Before Misty could say another word, her double put a finger to her lips silencing her. Do you love Ash so much that you would do anything for him? Misty looked startled but nodded. Misty's doppelganger smiled. Do you want to be with him? Again Misty nodded. Then I have a solution to both of our problems. Brock wandered in what seemed an endless white realm. Brock didn't know what to do so he just started to walk, wandering into the white. Who are you? Barked a rough voice. Brock was totally taken off guard and jumped. Who wants to know? Brock said in a rougher voice than normal. Brock turned to see a mirror had been placed behind him. Brock studied himself in it. Was it the mirror talking or his imagination? I do Brock's image suddenly changed from the top pokemon breeder into someone else. Brock turned blue in surprise and fear when the image also walked out of the mirror. The man was dressed in fine armor and elegant robes. Brock's doppelgangers chest grew out and his biceps bulged with bone crushing muscles. The hair was a bit spikier and his eyes seemed older if that was possible. Brock immediately went into a defense position. This guy may have had upper body strength but Brock had speed on his side from the years of walking and traveling. My name is Brock and who are you? Brock asked. The copy smiled at his position and shook his head making the spikes move. You're doing it wrong. What? Your defense had an opening in it. I could easily take you out you know. Brock backed off and a small bead of sweat dripped down his cheek Oh man Ash, Where are you? Brock blurted out unintentionally. Brock's double looked at him cross-eyed. So, you know Ash do you? That changes everything then. What do you think of him? Who Ash? I think he's in for a major lecture when I see him next. Brock's doppelganger shifted his head on a tilt let out a cloud sigh. I wouldn't if I were you. Mysterious is around to do that. That's not what I mean. What are your feelings for Ash? Taken by surprise, Brock didn't answer right away and let down his defense. Ash is like one of my little brothers. Brock chuckled a laugh. Ash, there's no way to describe him is there? My feeling for him can be described as a big brother love but I think it is mostly because of my feelings as an overprotective sibling that drew me to him. Then, it became something more, something like a lasting love as friends. So you wish to protect him? Brock looked up out of memories I want to take care of him. The mirror image of Brock nodded and smiled. It seems that we are compatible after all. Are you prepared to deal with anything that comes your way? Are you willing to protect Ash with your life? I am. What does that have to do with anything? Listen very closely to what I have to say. Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or anything related to pokemon. Pokemon and its associated characters are copyrighted by Nintendo/Game Freak. This is a pokemon fanfic created by my warped and insane mind. Author note. I am so evil for leaving you here I know. I'll get to the explanations in the next chapter. I'm having quite a time trying to write as many stories as I am at once. Next chapter will be shorter so expect it soon.