Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Pokegenie ❯ 11-20 ( Chapter 1 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Chapter 11

Team Rocket awoke in their sub. They felt that their craft had
came to rest against a solid object. Meowth made an idle comment.

"Maybe, we should have dived when that storm hit, instead of
using the periscope to keep an eye on the Professor's ship. Then we
wouldn't have been tossed around."

Jesse asked, "What are you saying? That if we had sunk to new
lows, we wouldn't have risen to new heights?"

Meowth looked on in horror as the female member of Team Rocket
approached.

"Me-ouch! That doesn't go that way!"
--------------
Onboard the 'Spitting Shellder', Professor Oak and his passengers
were looking out the cabin window. The storm had wedged the prow of
the ship into a cave that had a small strip of beach in front of it.
Hyram Oak grabbed up some equipment.

"Hurry! We've got to get inside the cave before the eye passes!"

Daisy asked, "But, like what about your ship?"

Professor Oak shook his head, "The ship can take the punishment.
We can't."

"You can't be serious. This ship is the only way off this rock,
and you're telling us to abandon it. What if it gets destroyed?" Bill
asked.

Snorting a bit, Professor Oak replied, "Doubtful. My ship was
made by a group of scientists to study tornadoes. Originally it
carried small probes that would be released as the ship was being
carried up by a waterspout. After they were done with the 'Shellder',
I purchased it. If I remember right, it has been sent into five
waterspouts."

The Sensational Sisters looked at each other and shrugged.

Agatha demanded, "Is that why this thing is so hideous? So they
could find it after it was dropped?"

Professor Oak didn't bother to reply. He opened the cabin door
and headed to the front of the boat. He attached a rope ladder end to
the rail and threw the other end towards the ground. Using the ladder,
Oak climbed down to the cave floor. He waited until the rest had
followed him, before heading further into the cave.

Professor Oak said, "By my calculations, we should be on
Greystice Island. That storm cut several minutes off our journey.
After the rest of the storm passes, we'll go find Ash and the others.
We're going to have to find Ash to free the ship. He's the only one
with Pokémon strong enough to pull the ship out of the cave."

"Like, what does he have?" Violet asked.

Hyram Oak replied, "A Lapras and a Charizard. Not to mention
Misty herself."

Snapping her fingers, Violet commented, "Oh that's right. I like
totally forgot that Misty is a genie as well as a Pokémon."

"Right," Oak said, while nodding. "All Ash has to do is to wish
for the 'Shellder' to be free and it will be. Well as I said before,
we'll find the others once the storm has passed. Who wants barbecued
tofu?"

"You leave the cooking to me, Hymie," Agatha stated. "I think we
could all pass on how many ways you can prepare tofu."

Oak shrugged and fiddled with a book sized computer.
-------------------------
Ash looked out the door of his gym and saw that the sky was
clear. He picked up his coat and headed out.

"Yo, Brock. I'm off. I'll be back later," Ash called.

Ash quickly headed towards where he saw the caves. He flushed a
bit as he recalled telling Pikachu what he was up to and what had
happened. Pikachu rolled on the floor laughing after it was all
explained. Putting that thought out of his head, Ash picked up the
pace a bit. He wanted to get five more Pokémon as fast as possible, so
he could switch Misty back out. About halfway there, Ash pulled out
Misty's Pokéball and threw it. It opened and bounced back to him,
leaving a glob of light behind. The glob shaped itself into a human
form and faded revealing Misty, in her genie costume.

After shaking off the effects of being in a Pokéball, Misty
looked at Ash. While doing so, she hugged herself and shivered.

"Wh-what d-do you want, Ash?" Misty said with teeth chattering.

"Er, I was going to ask you something, but I'll wait until
later."

Ash held up the Pokéball that he was using to carry Misty. He
hesitated and used the ball that Misty was linked to. Holding the
ball, he looked down at it.

*How do I ask her, why she is doing this?*

Ash sighed and continued on his way. He had just made it to the
caves when the eye of the storm left the island.
------------
Inside the Pokéball, Misty quickly changed her clothes to what
she normally wore, and threw a long heavy coat over her shoulder.

*That was dumb. I should have realized that I would be cold. I'd
better go check up on Togepi and the others.*

Misty walked to where she kept her Pokémon and made sure they
were all healthy and happy. She picked up Togepi and carried it to her
room, at the top of the Pokéball.

"Sorry, Togepi that I haven't been around much. I hope you
forgive me."

Misty smiled as her Egg Pokémon chirped at her. A frown crossed
her face as she thought of something.

"If I'm a Pokémon, why can't I understand other Pokémon?"

Misty bit her lip and stared at the floor. Feeling a slight
tugging sensation, she put on the coat, and set Togepi on the bed.

"I'll be back later, Togepi. See in you a bit," Misty said,
before she was converted into smoke and pulled outside her Pokéball.

After coalescing, she saw that she and Ash were in a cave. A
howling caught her attention, and she looked in the direction of the
sound. Through the entrance of the cave, she saw that the storm had
returned in full force.

"Ash, didn't you realize that we were in the eye of the storm?"
the genie demeaned.

"Er. Eye?"

Shaking her head, Misty said, "Never mind. By the way, what were
you going to ask me?"

"Oh, that," Ash replied. "Why don't you mind acting as my
Pokémon at times."

Misty smiled. "Because I can see what it's like from both sides.
I can figure out what works, by seeing how you train me and apply it to
my own Pokémon."

"Oh."

*I also have a bit of pride in seeing how strong I am as a
Pokémon, but I'm not telling you that.*

Misty's thoughts turned to her earlier musing. Tapping a button
on the belt, she had created earlier, she caused a Pokéball to appear
on it.

"Ash, I want you to wish for me to understand Pokémon speech. I
think I should be able to understand them."

*Now why didn't I wish for that?* Ash thought and nodded, "Misty,
I wish you were able to converse with Pokémon."

Misty blinked and felt a bit different. Throwing the ball, she
released Psyduck.

"Hello, Psyduck," she said.

"Hello," Psyduck quacked.

"IT WORKED!" Misty yelled, recalling Psyduck.

She turned to Ash and said, "This is great. Now, I can talk to
my Pokémon."

Ash just stood there and looked at Misty in confusion.

"Ash, didn't you hear me?"

Ash shook his head and said, "Misty, that's not funny."

"What's not funny?" Misty asked, and heard how her words sounded.
"No, this can't be happening."

Ash looked at Misty, *What happened? Why is she upset? Why is
she doing that?*

Misty spoke to Ash. "Genie-nie-genie-gen-genie-nie-genie."

Pulling his hat off, Ash scratched his head. "I wish you could
tell me what you want."

Misty sighed in relief as Ash made that wish. After she blinked,
she spoke.

"Okay, that was interesting. Apparently I can speak human or
Pokémon, not both," Misty mused aloud.

Ash replied, "So when I said, 'I wish you could speak to
Pokémon', you could only communicate with Pokémon."

"Tha-ie-genie," Misty said, blinking involuntarily.

Misty glared at Ash, when she realized that he had made that
wish. Ash backed up as Misty stalked closer to him. He pulled out
Misty's Pokéball and pointed it at her.

"Misty, return," He said as a red beam of light pulled Misty
back inside.

Holding the ball in his hand, Ash stared at the ceiling. "Oops."
------------------------------
Jesse stomped along the snow covered ground with James behind
her. Bouncing along behind them was a pale yellow round knotted
object. It was hopping along using a curled tail as a pogo stick.

"You know, I could really go for some pretzels and yogart right
about now," the ball said.

"Shut up, Meowth. I still haven't forgiven you, yet."

Meowth slipped and fell. The fall knocked him out of the ball
shape and back into his normal form.

"That's better. At least, I don't have my foot in my ear
anymore," Meowth said, while looking upward. "Uh, oh."

"Uh, oh?" James and Jess chorused.

Whatever Meowth was going to say was cut off as the storm hit
once more. Team Rocket was hit by the high winds and started skidding
across the ground.

Team Rocket chorused, "It looks like Team Rocket is sledding off
again."
--------------------
Ash carefully picked his way through the cave, hunting for
Pokémon. He listened as he heard something singing. The young boy
dropped to his stomach and crawled to a ledge that overlooked a large
cavern room. Pinpointing the source of the noise, he saw a female
looking Pokémon with long, yellow hair and huge lips.

*I'll find out what that is later,* Ash thought, as he pulled out
Misty's ball and started rubbing it.

The smoke that poured from the ball coalesced near the other
Pokémon. It soon formed into Misty, who was looking a bit irate. The
singing Pokémon gathered blue energy in its hand and prepared to slap
Misty with it.

"Misty, Ember attack!"

Sighing a bit, Misty fired off her fireball at the opposing
Pokémon. She was stunned when there attack sent her opponent against
the wall. Not waiting, Ash threw a Pokéball at the Pokémon. The ball
opened up and pull its target inside. The ball rocked a bit and
finally stopped. Misty grabbed the ball and threw it up to Ash, who
caught it. Seeing no other opponent, Misty flew up to where her
Trainer was. She noticed that Ash had pulled out his Pokédex.

"All right. I've caught me a Jynx," Ash said, while striking a
pose.

Misty rolled her eyes and looked around. Before she could get a
good look at things, she was picked up and spun around.

"That was great, Misty. One shot and you weakened Jynx enough
for me to capture it."

"Genie-genie-genie," Misty demanded.

Ash put Misty down and looked at her. "I forgot about that. Er.
Now what was that wish again?"

"Genie-nie-genie-nie-gen-genie-gen," Misty crossly said, with her
hands on her hips.

Ash shrugged and said, "I'm sorry Misty, but I can't understand you."

Misty growled a bit and then jabbed at Ash. Her finger touched
the ball that she was linked to. She converted to red light and was
pulled back inside her ball.

Ash mumbled to himself, "I think Misty's upset at me."

He sighed and released Jynx and used a potion on it to heal it
up. After recalling the Jynx, Ash continued on his way in search of
other Pokémon.
-----------------
Professor Oak stared outside the cave where his group was
staying. He saw that the eye had passed and the storm had returned.

"I hope Ash and his friends are okay," Oak muttered.

Bill walked up beside him. "From what I've seen and heard, they
can easily take care of themselves."

"You're right, Bill. But, I just can't help but wonder, now that
we're here."

Bill shook his head and returned to where Agatha and the other
women were. Agatha was cooking chili over an open fire. Seeing Bill
return, Agatha started asking questions about Misty's Pokémon nature,
which Bill tried to answer. Since he didn't know too much about
Misty's type, he couldn't answer all the questions.

Agatha bit her lower lip and said, "I'd probably have better luck
talking to Misty, herself. How much longer do you think the storm will
last?"

Joining the group, Oak said, "Probably several days, but the
storm will pass us by in about two hours. By the way, it is getting
worse."

Daisy asked, "Like what do you mean by that?"

"I think this storm will hit the northern part of our landmass in
a few days. Right now, it's building strength and heading southwards.
Pallet should be safe, since it's on the southern tip."

The Sensational Sisters glanced at each other.

"Like Cerulean City is on the northern coast," Violet slowly
said. "We like locked up and closed the wall shutters, but...."

"So is my sea cottage," Bill replied. "Let's just hope for the
best."

Agatha said, "I'm sure things will turn out for the best. It
might have been a good thing that you came here."

"Er. Like sure," Daisy responded. "I totally hope you're right."

The six people quietly got their helping of chili and watched as
the storm unleashed its fury.
---------------------
A bit scuffed up from his wandering around in the cave network,
Ash lay down and looked at the roof of the cavern.

"Jynx, Paras, Ekans, and Machop. I need one more," Ash said to
himself. "I'm probably going to have to use Misty again. The others
are too weak. Maybe I should have called her out, after I caught Jynx.
But, I think she's still angry at me."

He stood up and headed towards an opening that had light coming
from it. As he passed through the arching rocks, he squinted a bit at
the bright light. As his eyes adjusted, his breath was taken away.
Spread out before him was an underground forest. Looking up, he saw
that the light came from circular crystals imbedded in the ceiling.

"Misty has to see this," Ash said, as he pulled a Pokéball out.

As Ash rubbed the ball, smoke came pouring out. The smoke shaped
itself into Misty. The Pokégenie opened her mouth to say something,
but stopped as she caught sight of the forest.

"Ge-nie," Misty said in wonder.

"Come on, Misty. Let's take a closer look," Ash said, as he
grabbed his genie's hand.

Before she knew what was going on, Misty was pulled along behind
Ash, as he headed towards the forest.

Misty sighed and shook her head. "Genie-nie-genie."

Before they got into the forest, a Pokémon blocked their way.
Ash released Misty's hand and pulled out his Pokédex.

Dexter chimed, "Tangela: the vine Pokémon. This Pokémon is of
the Grass type. The vines that grow from its body shroud its real
form."

"All right. A Tangela. Misty, Nightshade."

The Pokégenie concentrated and waves of blackness hit the
Tangela. The vine Pokémon responded by vine whipping Misty. Misty
felt the vines hitting her, but she wasn't really bothered by them.

*That's right. I'm a fire Pokémon. Grass attacks aren't going
to bother me.*

Feeling emboldened by her realization, Misty stepped closer to
the Tangela and fired off another Nightshade. Misty's cockiness cost
her. The Grass Pokémon started shaking, releasing yellow powder into
the air. The yellow powder struck Misty, freezing her.

Dexter said, "Misty has now been paralyzed."

"I hope it's weak enough," Ash mumbled, as he threw a Pokéball.

The ball hit and pulled the Tangela inside. Ash rushed forward
and held onto the ball until the light went out.

"All right. I've caught Tangela. Great work, Misty."

He turned to Misty and saw that she was still standing as still
as a statue.

*She looks like an action figure,* Ash thought. "Misty, if you
can, try to teleport us back to the gym."

Misty tried her best to get her Teleport to work. After her
sixth try, she succeeded and the pair vanished from the cavern.
-----------------
Professor Oak and his companions gathered up supplies. They were
setting off, now that the storm had passed. As they left the cave,
they hoped that they would find Ash and his friends safe.

"How far is it to those other caves, Professor?" Bill asked.

"Not more than a three hour hike," Professor Oak replied.

The three sisters groaned and hoped they could walk that far.
Looking at them, Agatha smirked.

*They might have looks, but I have endurance.*

The small group continued on to the other caves. As they exited
a pass, they were blinded by a bright light. They squinted at the
light and saw an enormous crystalline structure reflecting the
sunlight.

"Like what is that thing?" Lily asked, shielding her eyes. "It's
bigger than Pallet Town."

"I have no idea," Oak replied.

They were taken aback as they caught the shilloutte of two people
appearing in front of the massive building. One of the figures pointed
at the other. After the taller figure vanished in a blip of red, the
smaller one entered the structure, leaving the group to stare in
disbelief.

"Like was that Ash and Misty?" Daisy asked.

Blinking the spots out of his eyes, Bill said, "I think we'd
better get down there and ask them what is going on. I'd like to know
where that building came from."

The group headed towards Ash's gym curious about the behemoth
building. They were able to catch sight of spires and minarets, every
time a cloud passed in front of the sun. They soon made it to the
front door of the gym. Seeing no doorbell or knocker, Professor Oak
tried rapping on the door with his fist. The muted sound that came
from his action, told him the sound wouldn't carry far enough.

"I think we'll just have to go in and talk to them," Bill said.

Bill opened the door and allowed the women to enter first. The
two men followed. As they entered the gym, they saw that all the walls
were made out of crystal.

"Like how did they do this?" Daisy wondered aloud.

Not answering, Oak walked down the hallway. The remainder of the
group shrugged and followed him. Professor Oak cocked his ear at
something. Hearing a slight humming sound, he headed off in that
direction. The group entered a room where Ash was putting balls into a
machine. Seeing that he was not alone, Ash looked up.

"Professor Oak! Bill! What are you doing here?" Ash asked, in
shock.

Bill replied, "We could ask you the same thing."

Brock entered from another room.

"Ash, I heard your shout. Why did you yell?"

Ash pointed at the group that had just arrived.

Brock rubbed his forehead. "I think we have some explaining to
do."
------------------------------------
Chapter 12

Looking at his new guest, Ash said, "Well you see, it's like
this. We were heading for those caves further inland, but I sort of
wished for this gym."

Agatha cocked her eyebrow and asked, "Sort of wished? How do you
sort of wish?"

Ash pulled his cap off and ran his hand through his hair. He
tried thinking of a way to explain what happened.

"Ash was staring at some plans for a gym he did up in his spare
time. Misty and I caught him looking at them. Ash wasn't watching
what he was saying and made a wish. I think he forgot that Misty has
to grant his wishes," Brock explained.

"Like, where's Misty now?" Daisy asked.

Ash stammered, "Well she got paralyzed by a Tangela and is being
healed right now."

Whatever was going to be said next was cut off as a pink shape
stormed into the room.

"Chansey-chansey chansey-sey-chan-chan-sey!!!" Chansey said as
it approached Ash.

Everyone but Ash and Chansey covered their mouths, stifling
laughter.

Recovering first, Brock said, "I think Chansey's mad at you for
taking Misty without taking her. As well as getting Misty paralyzed."

"Chansey," the egg Pokémon agreed.

Rubbing his forhead, Ash explained, "Misty wanted to. Besides, I
need you here to look after Sapphire."

Chansey looked at the machine where the six Pokéballs were, and
then shooed everyone out of the room. Deciding that Lily wasn't moving
fast enough, the pink creature picked her up and carried her outside.
After doing so, Chansey walked back into the room. Before closing the
door, Chansey looked at Ash and nodded.

"That is one determined Chansey," Professor Oak observed.

Ash nodded. "Well while we're waiting for Misty, let's go eat
and I'll try and explain everything over lunch."

"That might be a good idea," Bill said. "It's been a while since
we all ate. I hope my sea cottage is all right."

"Sea cottage?" Brock asked.

Bill shrugged. "I can have a summer and winter house. The
lighthouse is where I spend most of the year, and the cottage is where
I go in the winter."

Ash led the group to the cafeteria where Brock was making food.
The rescue party took a look at the huge dining hall and looked at Ash.
The young Pokémon Trainer from Pallet sighed and sat down. After
everyone else was seated, he started telling them of the adventures he
and his friends had since arriving here.
------------
Back at the 'Spitting Shellder', a coil of rope started moving.
Soon, it fell away revealing a small pink Pokémon. The creature was
round and had bright blue eyes. It was also holding a marker in one of
its flippers. It bounced out of the boat and started tracking the
people who left.

"Jigglypuff-jigglypuff-jiggly-jiggly-jiggly-jigglypuff."
--------------------
Trudging through the snow, Team Rocket was hunting for a cave
where Ash and his Pokémon would be holed up at. They came to a place
where the snow was completely removed and bare rock was visible. The
hole in the snow was almost perfectly circular, and the rock was
slightly indented.

Putting a paw on the rock, Meowth stated, "There was something
big and heavy here. It must have moved after the storm or during it."

James asked, "What can fly in that kind of weather?"

"Would you two forget about that. We have to get that kid's
Pokémon," Jesse stated.

"You don't have to get worked up about it," James said. "That
kid is stuck on this rock for a month. We'll have plenty of
opportunities to get Pikachu and that genie."

As Team rocket left the area, two forms started following them.
One of them was black and gold with purple eyes. An the other was
purple with blue eyes. The two creatures padded after them on all
fours.

Unaware of being followed, Jesse said, "That water-brat will make
sure we never have to be second-best again."

Meowth replied, "I'm not sure...."

"Something wrong Meowth?" James asked. "Not being as nervous as
a cat, are you?"

"It's not that," the feline Pokémon said. *I'm not telling them,
that this island disturbs me.*

The three found Ash's footprints and followed them. They were
soon blinded by sun reflecting off a crystal building.

"I guess we've seen the light," Jesse commented. "Those kids
must be in there."

James remarked, "That's as clear as crystal. Now, where did that
building come from?"

"Never mind that, let's just grab Pikachu and the girl and get
out of here," Meowth said.
--------------------------
Misty was released from the ball holding her. She looked around
and found that she could move freely again. After a second, she
noticed Ash's Chansey nearby.

*Better be polite,* Misty thought. "Thanks Chansey. I guess I
should go talk to Ash."

"Where do you think your going? You had better change into your
genie clothes. Ash has guests and there was that ruling," Chansey
said, while stepping in front of Misty.

Misty stopped in her tracks at understanding Chansey. *Great.
Just what I need a Chansey who thinks she's my mother.*

Misty tried getting around the pink Pokémon, but Chansey blocked
her. After a bit, Chansey picked her up and sat her on a table.

In a stern tone, Chansey said, "Listen, Misty. I know you want
to talk to Ash, but you are going to get him and yourself into trouble
if you don't follow that rule."

*I've found a downside in talking with Pokémon,* Misty thought.
"All right, you win. I'll go into the bathroom to change."

Chansey nodded and watched as Misty entered the bathroom
adjoining the healing station. A minute passed and the human Pokémon
exited the bathroom wearing her genie garb. Casting a quick glance
down at her clothes, Misty rolled her eyes and headed for the
cafeteria, since she sensed that was where Ash was at.
-----------
Sitting in the hangar-size lunch room, Ash was explaining what
had happened since he arrived. Before he began to tell of his descion
to train only one Pokémon, he spotted a shadow moving along the wall.

"What's that?" Ash asked.

Turning the group saw the shadow. Brock stood up and backed away
with a bit of fear on his face. Seeing his friend's reaction, Ash
started backing away as well.

"I hope that isn't what I think it is." Brock said.

Ash replied, "I'm afraid it is."

The rest of the group were looking at the pair strangeley when
what was casting the shadow jumped into the light.

"Oh! How cute," the Sensational Sisters chorused.

Professor Oak observed, "A Jigglypuff. I haven't seen one of
those in a while."

Ash said, "Trust me Professor. This is one Jigglypuff we've seen
a bit too much of."

Jigglypuff swelled to twice its size at Ash's comment. It
quickly deflated to its original size and started singing. The group
started fighting off the effects of sleep. The pink Pokémon kept
singing and soon Ash and company were asleep. Before Jigglypuff was
able to use her marker, she heard someone talking to her in Pokéspeech.
Spinning around, the balloon creature saw Misty holding a Pokéball.

"Well, it seems that my condition made me immune to your song
Jiggly," Misty said and threw the Pokéball.

Caught off guard that someone was still up, Jigglypuff was pulled
inside the Pokéball.

"Jigggggggggglyyyyy," Jigglypuff wailed as it was pulled inside.

The ball didn't even twitch as the light went out. Picking the
ball up, Misty stared at it.

*That's odd. Even a Caterpie would put up a struggle. I wonder
what's up. Oh well. I'd better wake up Ash.*

Misty walked over to Ash and started shaking him.

"Genie-nie-nie-nie!" Misty said. *Oh great. I forgot about
that.*

Ash shook off the effects of Jigglypuff's singing and saw Misty
kneeling beside him. He was a bit confused as to why she was in her
genie costume.

"Misty, why are you wearing that?"

The genie ground her teeth and replied, "gen-genie-nie-genie-nie-
genie."

A snicker interuputted Ash and Misty. Turning they saw that
Misty's sisters had woken up.

"Like totally, Misty. What happened?" Daisy asked.

Ash stammered, "Misty wanted to be able to talk to Pokémon, so
she had me wish for that ability. It worked, but Misty can only talk
in Pokéspeech right now. I was able to undo it once, but I forgot what
the wish is."

Misty just growled at that.

Ash looked around and saw that everyone else had woken up, and
had heard his explanation. Pikachu was rolling on the floor laughing,
and the others were holding back snickers of amusement. Spying
Professor Oak's pocket, an idea came to him. Ash grabbed the tablet of
paper and pen that Oak kept in his lab coat and handed the two to
Misty.

"Here, Misty. Write down what you want to tell us," Ash said.

*He's thinking for once," Misty thought, and started writing.

After she was done she handed the tablet back to Ash.

Ash read, "I wish that Misty could talk human."

Misty sighed in relief as she granted that wish.

"That's better," she said. "You and your swiss cheese memory,
Ash..."

Before she could continue, Daisy said, "Misty, I think you should
wait until Ash finishes his story. It promises to be good."

Wincing a bit, Ash resumed his story where he left off. He told
them of how Misty was the only Pokémon with him, when he went out. Oak
was surprised that there was an underground forest under the surface of
the island.

"At first, I thought the Gym was above the forest, but that can't
be right," Ash finished up. "The gym was just put up, and the forest
looked old."

Hyram Oak pursed his lips as he thought.

"I think that Bill and I will have to see this forest ourselves.
As to the side-effect from that wish, we will just have to figure out a
wish that will give Misty the ability to understand Pokéspeech without
hampering her communications."

"NO!"

Everyone turned and looked at the source of the outburst. Misty
was a bit uncomfortable, being stared at, but she took a deep breath
and told them what she meant.

"Listen, I know the idea sounds good. But, I've been giving the
idea some thought. I want to be a doctor of Pokémon someday and the
best way to learn is to experience what it is like to be a Pokémon,
with all the disadvantages. It should also help separate the times I'm
acting as a human and the times I'm acting as a Pokémon. Speaking of
which... Ash, your Chansey wouldn't let me leave the PokéCenter until I
changed into this costume."

Ash bowed his head and mumbled something.

Oak asked, "Are you sure about this, Misty?"

"About the Chansey? Yes. But, that isn't what your asking is
it?" Misty replied, with a sigh. "I'm not sure, but I want to do it
this way until you can find a way to change me back."

"Well Misty, if your going to do it that way, then you'd better
have Ash wish you back that way for a while," Daisy said with a
mischievous glint in her eye.

*Oh no. What's she planning?* the Pokégenie thought, but
couldn't find an argument against the suggestion. Especially with
multiple people watching her.

"Ash?"

Her Trainer nodded and made the wish that returned her to
Pokéspeech. Ash carefully folded the piece of paper that Misty had
written on and stuck it into his jacket's inner pocket.

"Pardon me, but could you have Misty speak normally for a while?"
Agatha asked. "I would like to talk to her."

Ash and Misty rolled their eyes and complied with Agatha. After
Misty was restored to human speech, she went off with Agatha to be
interviewed.

Before leaving, Misty said, "By the way, I caught Jigglypuff
while you were all asleep."

Ash shrugged and went to the Pokémon storage of his gym. Curious
about what Pokémon Ash had caught, Bill and Professor Oak followed him.
The Sensational Sisters decided to go with Agatha to hear what their
little sister was going to say. Brock was torn in going with the girls
or going with Ash. Deciding it would be safer, he went with Ash.
--------------------
Outside the structure, Team Rocket was trying to get into the
crystal building.

"Arbok, underground and burrow a hole for us," Jesse commanded.

The purple cobra dove into the ground and formed a tunnel in its
wake. A loud thunk was soon heard and Arbok returned to the surface,
sporting a huge bump.

James decided to give it a go. "Wheezing, Sludge attack."

The gas ball Pokémon fired its toxic spew at the wall. As the
sludge hit the wall, it slid down with no effect.

James and Jesse covered there ears as a loud screech split the
air. Looking to the source, they saw Meowth running his claws down the
wall.

"Wow, you guys. This rock building is as hard as diamond,"
Meowth commented.

James leaned against the door of the gym and said, "Well, that's
just great, Meowth. How are we supposed to get in?"

The door opened up and dropped James flat on his back.

"Well, that's one way," Meowth commented.

Jesse said, "Never mind. Let's just grab the girl and Pikachu
and get out of here."

After Team Rocket went into the gym, a purple and black streak
darted inside before the door had fully closed.
--------------------
In one of the smaller rooms, Agatha was sitting down looking at
Misty, who was also sitting. Standing out of the way were Misty's
sisters.

"Misty, I am one of the Elite Four. I train Ghost Pokémon. When
I saw that a new Ghost Pokémon had been 'found', I had to know about
it. I do realize that you were once human and that Hyram and Bill are
working on a way to change you back, but I do want to know about you.
I found out about your past from your sisters on the trip here."

Misty shrugged and said, "Beyond that, there isn't much to tell.
My attacks are Nightshade, Teleport, and Ember. I can physically
attack as well as grant wishes. And, the only reason I know Teleport
is that a TM accidentally discharged its skill into me."

"How did you become a Pokémon?"

Sighing, the genie answered, "I was caught in the middle of a
bunch of Fire and Thunder stones discharging by a combined electrical
and fire attack. They changed me into a Pokémon. Before I was fully
aware of what had happened, Ash was on the scene and threw his Pokéball
at me. Apparently, I was only an orange mist at the time. That's how
Ash caught me and became my Trainer."

Agatha held Misty's hands and slowly asked, "Misty, have you ever
considered that what has happened might be irreversible?"

"Yes," Misty whispered. "I'm scared of it and the chance that I
may be a Pokémon that can evolve."

"You said that you wanted to be a doctor of Pokémon. If it turns
out that your condition is permanent, I'm quite sure that we can
arrange for you to become one. After you have the proper skills, of
course."

"Of course," Misty replied with tears standing in her eyes.

Agatha stood up and stated, "Well, I'm quite sure we can talk
later. I look forward to see how you fare against other Ghosts. I'll
speak to your Trainer about having a match."

Misty nodded and just sat there as Agatha left. Concerned, Daisy
put her hand on Misty's shoulder.

"Misty? Are you all right?"

"Not really. But, I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Now
what are you three up to?"

Daisy responded innocently, "Nothing. Just concerned that Ash
isn't taking care of our little sister properly."

"Right. I guess I'll just have to wait and see."
----------------------------
Ash pulled out his Pokédex and started checking the Pokémon he
had caught and stored. Along the way, Chansey and Pikachu joined up.
Ash explained where each of the Pokémon had came from and what he was
planning.

"A gym dedicated to Mouse Pokémon? That seems to fall in the
Shock or Orange league categories. Or is it Jolt league? Never mind,"
Professor Oak said.

Bill pulled out a small device from the inside pocket of his
jacket. Holding up, he started punching numbers on it.

"I didn't know you had a cel phone," Ash said.

"There are times I need a Pokémon to be brought to a PokéCenter
as fast as possible. Or, when I'm out and want a take-out pizza to
arrive at my home as I get there. Shhh. The phone's ringing."

Ash and the others wondered who Bill was calling. They soon had
their answer.

"Ah. Mr. President. This is Bill. We have reached Ash, but our
ship is stuck. No. Don't send a rescue party. We're all fine. I'm
calling for a different reason. If we stay, will this affect Ash's
exile any? No? Good. Thank you. Thank you very much."

Switching the phone off and flipping another switch, Bill said,
"Now that that's taken care of, we can really study this island some
more."

"Err. Right," Ash replied.

A crackling voice came from Bill's device. "We have the latest
news on the hurricane. Cerulean City has suffered massive damages.
The Cerulean City gym has been totaled. Fortunately, no one was in it
at the time. And, the Pokémon have been transferred to the nearest
undamaged PokéCenter until the Gym Leaders can reclaim them. If any
one has any information on where they are, please call us or tell them
what has happened."

Bill shut the device down. "Ash, would you mind if Misty and her
sisters transferred their Pokémon here while their gym is being
rebuilt?"

"That's a silly question to ask me. Of course they can."

Bill nodded. "I'll call and set things up. Professor, could you
please tell them the news."

"Of course, Bill. I know they aren't going to like it."

Brock and Ash looked at each other. They nodded and tried to
figure out which three cabinets would be best for the Sensational
Sisters to store their Pokémon. After deciding that, they waited for
Bill to finish. Pikachu and Chansey watched as Ash was preparing to
help their teammate's sisters. Pikachu jumped up on Ash's shoulder
while Chansey waited.

After Bill finished talking, Ash asked, "Um. Bill, could you
take a look at a certain Pokémon? It's been severely injured and
although I have Chansey look in on it every so often, I'm worried."

"Well, we have time. I guess I can take a look, while we're
waiting for Misty and her sisters to be informed."

Ash gratefully led the way to where Sapphire was resting.
Chansey and Pikachu were frowning as the group headed in that
direction. Entering the room, ash quickly made his way over to
Sapphire and checked to see if it was okay. He was relieved to see the
bird was still breathing and was asleep. Before Bill and Brock could
make it to the baby bird, they were blocked by the head of Charizard.
The two men looked right into Charizard's eyes and swallowed nervously.

Turning, Ash saw the confrontation. "Charizard, No! Bill is here
to help Sapphire. He's a Pokémon researcher. He might be able to help
Sapphire recover."

Charizard looked at Ash and back at the two it had blocked.
Snorting a bit of fire, the Fire Pokémon let them pass. Brock and Bill
were very aware that Charizard was keeping a very close eye on them.

"Ash, why didn't you tell me you had Charizard out? I almost had
a heart attack," Brock said.

"It didn't seem to be important at the time," Ash replied, while
shrugging. "I put him in here to watch over Sapphire and to let him
have some time out of the Pokéball."

While examining the small bird, Bill commented, "That explains it
then. Your Charizard is thinking of this Pokémon as a little brother
that needs protecting. It was a good idea. Now as to Sapphire, I have
a tonic that should make him fit enough for battle."

Bill quickly explained why, after Charizard started roaring.

"Charizard, the more a Pokémon fights the stronger it will
become. It should be powerful enough for low level creatures, such as
Rattatas and Spearows."

Charizard grumbled a bit but settled down and waited. Bill
pulled a vial out of his pants pocket and opened it up. Seeing that
his patient was awake, Bill carefully fed the potion to Sapphire.
After drinking the contents the blue bird flapped its wings and flew
around the room. It landed on top of Charizard's nose, where it laid
down and went to sleep. Ash looked at Bill in alarm

Bill waved at Sapphire in a negligent manner. "Don't worry about
it, Ash. Sapphire is still a baby Pokémon and they sleep a lot."

Sighing in relief, Ash said, "Charizard, I hope you don't mind."

Charizard carefully lowered its head to the ground, so as not to
disturb the bird. After making sure, it didn't rattle the baby out of
its sleep, Charizard closed his eyes and followed Sapphire's example.

Ash muttered, "I guess he doesn't. I guess that Sapphire and
Charizard will always have to be paired up."

Rubbing his chest, Brock said, "Maybe. I think Bill should hear
how you got that bird. As matter of fact, I don't think you ever told
us how you got it. But please, not here. Tell us when we are somewhere
away from your Charizard."

"Okay," Ash replied, as he led the way back to the PokéCenter.
"I do seem to be a sucker for injured Pokémon, don't I?"

"Maybe, Ash," Bill replied. "But, I don't think you can change
that without losing who you are."

The small group walked on as a purple and a black shape followed
them.
----------------
Misty and the others were waiting in the PokéCenter for Bill and
Ash to return. The Cerulean sisters had just heard the report on what
had happened to their gym from Professor Oak.

Walking into the center, Ash held up his hand, "Sorry, but I
wanted Bill to take a look at Sapphire and see if anything can be done.
He had a potion on him that helped Sapphire out."

Oak chuckled a bit. "Still carrying a full first-aid kit in your
clothes, eh?"

Bill smiled and replied, "Well I always like to be prepared.
That along with my radio/phone allows me to handle most situations.
Now then. Ladies, with your help, I'm going to bring all your Pokémon
here. Ash has already said that he is willing to host your Pokémon
while the Cerulean Gym is being repaired. If you'll follow me, we'll
us my phone and your ID's to bring your Pokémon here."

Holding up her hand, Misty explained, "I'll pass. I've already
brought all of mine here."

Before anyone could do anything, three voices rang out.

"Prepare for trouble."

"And, make it double."

"To protect the world from devastation."

"To unite all peoples within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of Truth and Love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Jesse."

"James."

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now or prepare to fight."

"Meowth, that's right."

Misty, Ash, Brock, and Pikachu rolled their eyes as they saw that
Team Rocket had found their way in. Chansey had bounded out of the
room when the spiel was going on. Pikachu seeing that, nodded and
motioned to Ash.

"You want us to force them outside?" Ash asked.

"Pika!"

"All right, I really didn't want to fight them today. Misty,
Nightshade attack. Force them back out the front door.

Misty smiled as she blasted Team Rocket. *It is so much more
satisfying doing it personally."

While Team Rocket was recovering from that, Bill released his
Farfetch'd.

"Whirlwind attack, Far." Bill cried.

The bird Pokémon nodded and flapped its wings as it balanced its
onion on the tip of his nose. A powerful gust pushed Team Rocket out
the front door.

"Is that your best," Jesse asked. "You're not going to be able
to stop us that way. Nothing is going to stop us"

"Chansey-chansey-chansey!"

"Chaaarrrrrrrr!"

Chnasey and Charizard came from behind Team Rocket. The egg
Pokémon was riding on the back of Charizard waving a large hat around.
Charizard was jumping up and down, switching from fore legs to hind
legs. The pair quickly trampled Team Rocket.

James commented, "Except for a Chansey riding a bucking
Charizard."

Before passing out, the trio intoned, "It looks like Team Rocket
has been stomped flat again."

Ash scratched his chin. "Where did Chansey get the cowboy hat?"

"Never mind that," Misty said. "How did Charizard get out?"

Ash replied, "Oh, that's easy. Charizard and Sapphire are in one
of the rooms that can open to the outside. Pull a lever and the wall
opens up. Speaking of Sapphire... Chansey, Charizard, how is
Sapphire?"

The two Pokémon stopped having there fun with Team Rocket.
Chansey slid off of the orange dragon and looked up. In the pink
Pokémon's pocket, Sapphire was riding along. It was clear that it
enjoyed the ride as much as Ash's other two Pokémon did.

Patting Sapphire's head, Ash said, "All right. I see. Now, the
two of you head back and keep an eye on Sapphire. Misty, I wish that
Team Rocket was in Australia. I don't want to deal with them for a
while."

Misty nodded as she transported the unconscious villains to where
Ash had directed. They all watched as the three Pokémon went back
around the building and entered Charizard and Sapphire's room.

"Ash, that reminds me. I need to check up on Togepi."

Not bothering to answer, Ash held up a Pokéball and pointed it at
Misty. It emitted a red beam of light and pulled the genie inside.

Without turning around, Ash explained, "Misty has transported
most of her Pokémon inside her Pokéball. She said it is much larger
inside than a normal Pokéball."

Without waiting to hear if anyone had further questions, Ash
headed back inside his gym. *I need to have Misty create a lock for
this place. At least Team Rocket is gone for a little while.*
--------------
Chapter 13

As soon as the group re-entered the gym, Ash told how he acquired
Sapphire. They all listened with rapt attention as the young Trainer
from Pallet narrated his story. After he was done, Bill scratched his
chin.

"I don't know what kind of Pokémon Sapphire is, but it must be a
powerful one, considering the size of the mother."

Ash shook his head and pulled out a Pokéball. "I'm going to let
Misty out."

Before he could rub the ball, a purple shape darted in and
snagged the ball in its mouth.

"What?" everyone chorused.

The lavender creature stood on four legs and vaguely resembled a
Vaporeon, but had two tails. Its eyes twinkled as it took off down the
corridor leading outside.

"Oh no you don't," Ash said, as he chased after the strange
creature. "Chansey! Pikachu!"

Pikachu took off after the larger Pokémon, as Chansey stepped
into the room. Holding a Pokéball aloft, Ash recalled his Chansey.

"Bill, take care of Sapphire," Ash called over his shoulder.

Any answer that was forthcoming could not be heard, since Ash had
vanished after the thief.

Bill watched as Ash chased after the Pokémon. He sighed and went
inside the gym.

*I'd better go tell Daisy and the others what happened.*

The researcher found the three using a computer to transfer their
Pokémon to Ash's gym. While doing so, they were holding a
conversation.

"It's like awfully nice of Ash to let us use this place until our
gym is repaired," Lily said.

Violet replied, "Like totally. Maybe we can convince Ash to let
us use his Lapras and Marril for battles."

Daisy added, "Like maybe we could catch some new water Pokémon
while were here. We do need the practcie. Oh, hi Bill. What's up?"

Bill took a deep breath and said, "While Ash and I were talking,
a strange Pokémon grabbed Misty's ball and took off with it. Ash is in
pursuit right now."

""WHAT?!" the three sisters exclaimed.

"Like we have to go after them," Daisy said.

The other two nodded and followed the Daisy to the door.

Bill held up a hand to stop them. "Ash will bring Misty back.
He seems to have a knack for rescues. Besides, most, if not all, of
your Pokémon can't work outside of water."

"This is like a total bummer, but your right. We need to get one
that can."

Violet asked, "What can we do?"

Bill replied, "Hope for the best and have faith in Ash.
--
*I'd better bring in some help,* Ash thought as he pulled his
Pokédex on the run. *Jynx, Bulbasaur, Squirtle. Charizard needs to
stay back at the gym*

Ash snapped his deck closed, as four balls appeared on his belt.
He spotted the purple creature in the distance. It was joined by a
black and gold one. The two dog-like beings threw Misty's ball to each
other. Each time, they caught it in their jaws.

"Pikachu! Agility!"

The yellow mouse complied and shot forward, leaving a slight
after-image behind him. Just before he got to the ball, the purple
Pokémon's eyes started glowing. Pikachu was stunned as a flash of blue
light hit him.

"What?" Ash asked, as he pulled Dexter out.

Dexter intoned, "Psychic. A powerful attack used primarily by
Psychic Pokémon, such as Alakazam."

*They're Pokémon?" Ash thought as he pointed the red computer at
the two.

"Unknown Pokémon. No data on file."

"Great. I have no idea what I'm dealing with."

Ash slowed a bit on his mad dash, as he scooped up Pikachu. He
lost sight of them for a second, but soon spotted them again. As he
raced along, he noticed that the two slid a couple of times
deliberately, leaving a very clear trail for him.

*Something isn't right here. I think they want me to follow. I
wonder why.*

Panting, he stopped as he saw that the two strange Pokémon were
laying on the ground, nudging the Pokéball back and forth with their
snouts. Behind the line that the ball was making in the snow, was a
small cave.

Looking at the two, Ash asked, "There's something in the cave you
want me to see, isn't there?"

The black and gold Pokémon nudged the ball to Ash and nodded.

Looking in the cave, Ash saw six small brown and white balls of
fur. He noticed that the smell of rusty iron was very thick in the
air. Reaching down, Ash touched one of the balls. It whimpered a bit.
When Ash brought his hand back, he was shocked that it was covered in
blood.

"Chansey!" Ash cried, as he threw a Pokéball. "I need you to
heal up some injured Pokémon."

The egg Pokémon appeared and looked at the cave. Chansey
approached the entrance softly. Holding up his hand, Ash showed the
blood and then pointed at the small balls.

"Softboiled," he said.

Chansey nodded and pulled out eggs to heal the injured Pokémon.
Leaving Chansey to her work, Ash addressed the two strange Pokémon.

"Those are your children, aren't they? One of you is the mother
and the other is the father. That's why you grabbed Misty. You wanted
to bring me here to help your children."

Both of them nodded.

"You don't talk a lot, do you?"

The two Pokémon shook their heads.

"Pika?"

"We'll get you fixed back up back at the gym, Pikachu," Ash said.

"Chansey," the pink Pokémon said, sounding a bit worried.

"What's wrong? They're still alive aren't they?"

Chansey looked back at the cave and started gesturing.

Confused, Ash replied, "I don't understand. I'd better call
Misty out."

Ash rubbed the ball, causing smoke to issue forth. Misty soon
appeared holding Togepi. The human Pokémon was still wearing her
costume.

"Ash, it's cold out here. Couldn't you have warned me?"

"No time. Chansey is trying to tell me something, but I don't
understand. There are several injured Pokémon in that cave. Chansey
used Softboiled, but...."

"I'll take a look. Pikachu, watch Togepi for me."

The genie entered the cave and saw the injured Pokémon. She
breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that they were all still alive.
She soon discovered the reason for Chansey's reaction. Even though
they were alive and healed of wounds, they were very warm. Not the
warmth of a fur coat, but the warmth of a fever.

"Problems, Ash. They are very sick and need looking after."

Ash sighed and asked, "Can you teleport us all back? That does
include these two as well."

Misty looked at the two Pokémon who were the parents of the sick
cubs. "I don't know. I can try though."

"I'll recall Chansey, so it makes one less you have to deal
with," Ash said as he called Chansey back. *I feel like the Red Cross
of Pokémon."

Ash moved closer to the sick puppies, with Pikachu riding on his
shoulder. Misty stood right next to her Trainer and waited for the
parent Pokémon to join them. After they did so, Misty concentrated and
managed to transport the whole group back to the front door of the gym.

"That was exhausting," Misty commented, as she picked Togepi up.
"I'll go get Bill and Professor Oak to help bring them in."

Ash nodded as he re-released Chansey.

Pulling out his Pokédex, Ash mumbled, "You know, I don't know
what these creatures are."

Dexter chimed, "Eevee. The Evolution Pokémon. It can evolve in
one of three ways, depending on which kind of stone is used."

Ash snapped his Pokédex closed as he heard amused snorts
coming from the two Pokémon.

Pointing at the two of them, he asked, "You used to be Eevee?"

A nod was the only response.

Before he could ask any more questions, Ash heard Bill's shout.

"Ash! Misty told us what was going on and we've found a place to
keep an eye on the baby Pokémon. But as to these two..."

Ash shook his head. "I don't like what they did, but I
understand why they did it. By the way Bill, they claim they used to
be Eevee. Their children definitely are, but what are they?"

Bill's eyes bugged out, as he studied the two Pokémon. "I have
no idea. If they used to be Eevee, then the Pokédex needs to be
updated."

Hearing the conversation as she came out, the Pokégenie walked
over. "We can discuss this later. Right now I want to get these cubs
inside."

"Oh. Sorry," Bill replied.

Ash nodded, as he, Chansey, Bill, and Misty carried the baby
Eevee inside the gym. After doing so, the humans sat down and watched
as the parents sniffed their children.

Trying to break the tension, Ash quipped, "You know Misty, I wish
you had a white version of your costume for when you are acting as a
doctor."

"Ash, I told you to watch what you say," Misty replied.

She sighed as she had no choice but to grant that wish. A white
version of her genie costume appeared as the human Pokémon blinked.

"Err. Sorry, Misty. I was just trying to lighten the mood."

Grabbing the clothes, Misty headed for another room. "I know,
Ash. This wish was kind of silly, though. Oh well. Since I have
them, I might as well use them."

Holding up Misty's ball, Ash commented, "That little adventure
sure got the ball dirty. I'd better go clean it up. I guess you're on
your own, until Misty gets back."

Bill replied, "Don't worry about me. I have two new Pokémon to
study."

The researcher wathced as Ash left. Shortly after he did so, the
others that were at the Gym, save Misty came into the room.

Daisy took a look at the two adult Pokémon. "So, like you are
the two that kidnapped our little sister. I have some things to say to
you two."

The purple Pokémon cocked its head to one side and stared blankly
at Daisy and pointed its muzzle at its injured cubs.

Oak watched the charade and examined the Eevee cubs. He hissed
in sympathy as he saw how bad a shape the cubs were.

"My my. These Pokémon look like they have pneumonia. If they
hadn't been brought here, they would have died."

"What are you?" Agatha asked the black and gold Pokémon.

The addressed Pokémon locked eyes with Agatha for a moment and
looked away. It then started nuzzling its cubs.

*I think I've just been ignored.*

The Eevee puppies whined pitifully, drawing the Sensational
Sisters' attention to them. They forgot their anger at the two parent
Pokémon as they saw the sorry shape of their children.

Placing his left hand on the black Pokémon and his right hand on
the purple, Bill whispered to the two, "You two are not off the hook,
yet. The two of you are going to be registered as Ash's Pokémon and
when he comes back, you won't resist being pulled into one of his
Pokéballs. Do I make myself clear? Don't worry about your children.
Ash won't evolve a Pokémon, if it doesn't want to be evolved. He
leaves that choice to the Pokémon themselves."

The two Pokémon nodded and just nuzzled their cubs.

*At least that is one problem taken care of. Now all I need to
do is figure out what those two are.*
-------------------
Back in Pallet, Gary Oak had just learned of Ash's exile. Biting
his lower lip, he wandered around town, lost in thought. A couple of
voices broke his reverie. Looking up he saw his fellow Trainers: Jack
and John. The two were sitting on the ground with their backs to Gary.

"I really don't know how Ash gets into those situations," Jack
said. "I heard that that storm will hit where Ash is at."

"I hope the Professor is okay. After that old woman showed up,
he went out to rescue Ash."

*So that's where Gramps is at,* Gary thought with a bit of
jealousy. *Off to rescue the great Ash Ketchum. I wonder who the old
woman was.*

As if in answer to Gary's thoughts, John said, "I think that old
woman was Agatha of the Elite Four."

*Granma Agatha? Why would she... Oh. Ash's genie. Always
hunting for new Ghost Pokémon. Gramps probably didn't have a choice,
but still not to have even said hello.*

Gary clenched his fist and walked away. *I will prove that I'm
better than Ash.*

As he was walking away, Jack glanced over his shoulder and saw
Gary. Jack frowned, realizing that Gary had overheard their
conversation.

He whispered to John, "Get some of your Pokémon. We're going to
have to watch over Gary. I think he's going to try and reach Ash
himself."

John looked back, saw Gary and then groaned. He then proceeded
to beat his face in the ground.

"Jack, this isn't going to be fun. We'll probably be riding
Gyrados back all the way."

"I know."

A sudden thought came to John and he asked, "By the way, who's
been taking care of our Pokémon now that Professor Oak and Bill aren't
here?"

"Professor Oak's aides," Jack replied with a shrug. "People the
Professor has been training to take his role in other towns."

The two Trainers headed to Oak's lab and each chose six Pokémon
to accompany them on their self-imposed mission.
-------------------
Three pairs of eyes opened and stared up at the night sky.
Sitting up, the trio noticed they were on top of a large flat-topped
mountain.

"Where are we?" James of Team Rocket asked.

Meowth replied, "According to the constellations that I can see,
we are in the southern hemisphere. I can't see the North Star."

The feline Pokémon walked over to the edge of the montain and
looked down.

"Judging by the landscape, we are in Australia on top of the peak
known as Ayer's Rock."

Jesse exclaimed, "Australia?! There must be a mistake."

"I have not made an Ayer-or. We are down under."

James remarked, "Makes sense. We are supposed to be the lowest
of the low."

"Would you two stop it. I have the feeling that that water-brat
is behind this," Jesse replied.

Meowth said, "While we're trying to figure out how to get back
and steal Pikachu and the girl, we should see if we can get any rare
Pokémon from around here."

"Very well," Jesse said. "We need time to come up with a new
plan anyway."
-------------------
Thinking on the recent turn of events, Ash nodded as he went into
a room where he had stored some rags and wax that he bought a while
back. *Proper ball maintenance, Dexter said. Well, I'd better get to
it.*

He used a rag to dip out some wax and applied it to the ball.
After covering the entire surface, he used another rag to wipe the ball
off. When he was done the ball sparkled, like it was brand new.

"Ash! What are you doing?!" Misty yelled as she burst into the
room.

"I'm polishing your Pokéball," Ash replied, looking up.

What Ash saw surprised him. Misty's skin and hair was very
shiny, as if she was made out of plastic. Even her white genie costume
had the same sheen as her skin. For some reason, Misty was blushing.

Misty took a deep breath before explaining. "Ash, I am linked to
that Pokéball. When you were polishing my ball, you polished me."
------------------
Chapter 14

Ash looked at his human Pokémon and turned away, blushing.

"Err. Sorry Misty, I forgot all about that."

Misty clenched and unclenched her fists and breathed heavily as
she fought back her anger a bit more.

"Ash, sometimes I think you'd forget your head if it wasn't
attached," Misty ground out.

"I said I was sorry," Ash replied, still looking away. "It's
just that I'm still not used to this."

Blinking her eyes in confusion, Misty let the anger go and stared
at Ash. "What do you mean by that?"

Sitting down on a table, Ash stared at a wall and said, "Well,
having you for a Pokémon for one thing. I have no idea of what to do."

"That's never stopped you before," Misty countered. "Now about
my skin and hair..."

"Err. Oh right. I wish that your body was back to the way it
was before I started polishing your Pokéball," Ash said, still staring
at the wall and not looking at Misty.

"That's better," Misty said, ignoring the fact that her costume
was still shiny.

Misty sat down behind Ash, facing away from her trainer. The
genie and her Trainer said nothing for a few moment, while they sat
back to back. Biting his lower lip, Ash looked first down and then
back at the wall.

"Misty, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Yes."

"Why don't you mind staying in a Pokéball?"

The human Pokémon closed her eyes and recalled a scene from near
the beginning of her journey alongside Ash. Looking somber, she bowed
her head.

"I did it to myself, Ash. Remember Caterpie? I once told him
that if he's a Pokémon he should stay in a ball like all the others."

"Huh?" Ash asked, looking confused. "I don't get it."

"I believed that caught Pokémon should stay in their balls and I
guess I accepted that since I am one now, I should stay in a ball as
well."

"That's silly. You know that I wouldn't keep you in one, if you
didn't want to."

"I know that, Ash. But, that doesn't change anything," Misty
replied sadly. Shaking her head, she asked, "Now I have a question for
you. Why do act so dumb?"

"Who says it's an act?" Ash countered.

A long silence greeted him and he finally relented.

Sighing a bit, Ash explained, "If I act so silly, most people
will underestimate me."

"I see. Ash, I will forget about this incident on one
condition."

Feeling a bit wary, Ash asked, "And that is?"

The genie phased her body and leaned backwards through her
trainer. Looking up into Ash's face, the human Pokémon smiled.

"That you have me as one of your primary Pokémon team from now
on."

Feeling a bit unnerved that Misty was phased through his body,
Ash said, "Misty, the reason I haven't been using you that much was
because I wasn't sure you'd be able to change back if you became too
much stronger. But if you want me to, I'll use you."

Feeling touched by Ash's concern, Misty whispered, "Thank you,
Ash. I'm still going to hold you to that, but you did give me
something to think about. I'm going to look in on Togepi."

Misty straightened back up, phasing through Ash once more.
Getting off the table, the genie headed out the door.

Ash watched as Misty left and muttered under his breath, "Misty
sure is cute in that genie costume."
----------------------------------
In the ball storage room, Daisy was talking with Bill.

"You know, how are we supposed to handle this until our gym is
repaired?" Daisy asked.

Shrugging, Bill replied, "The Pokémon league understands
disasters like this happen. It won't be held against you. I'm
wondering how Cerulean and this place will be able to communicate."

"I'm not sure. I like totally want to be able to keep in contact
with my little sister, but there is no way for us to visit."

Entering the room carrying Togepi, Misty commented, "Actually
there is. Ash, Brock, and I encountered it a while back."

Misty said nothing more as she went to the cabinet that held her
Pokémon and put some balls in place.

Bill and Daisy looked at each other and then at Misty.

"Er. What way?" Bill asked.

The genie idly commented, "The person who built the current
Pokémon transporter also built something that could transport humans as
well. Unfortunately it was destroyed. He was thinking about making a
new one."

Bill bit his lower lip and muttered, "That could be useful. A
series of transporters linking here, Professor Oak's lab, my homes, and
Cerulean Gym would be of great benefit."

"We have at least another month to go, before we can even think
about leaving," Misty said.

Bill shook his head, "Maybe, but it's something to think about
doing once the exile is over. Team Rocket shouldn't be bothering you
for a little while also."

"True. They have to figure a way off of that mountain in
Australia, first."

Daisy laughed, "You like totally put them on top of Ayer's Rock?
That's rad Misty."

"I thought so. By the way, where is Violet and Lily?"

Daisy replied, "Oh, they're with Professor Oak. He's getting
blood and hair samples from them. I've already been through it, so I'm
free to wonder around."

Bowing her head, Misty mumbled, "Yeah. That's right. I'd better
go see how my cure is coming along."

Misty shuffled out of the room, leaving a confused Daisy behind.

"I like wonder what's her problem," Daisy muttered.

Bill speculated, "She probably doesn't want to be reminded that
she is a Pokémon or that there might not be a cure for her."

"Maybe. But I wonder..." Daisy mused, and then a thought struck
her. *Wait a second. How did Misty get Togepi outside of her
Pokéball? Last I saw of it, Ash was going to clean it up.*
--------------------------
After making sure that Misty's ball was with him, Ash headed off
to check up on Sapphire. On his way, he encountered Brock and Agatha.
A few seconds later, Pikachu rushed in and jumped on top of Ash's
shoulder.

"Hi, Brock," Ash called. "I'm checking up on Sapphire."

"You know, you never did tell us how you got him," Brock
commented.

"The next time we're all together, I'll go into that, if I don't
forget."

Brock just mumbled and dropped that subject. While he was
thinking of something to say, Agatha spoke up.

"Ash, I owe you an apology," Agatha said.

"An apology? For what?" Ash asked confused.

Sighing, she replied, "I made a mistake a while back and that
mistake cost you your friendship with my grandson Gary. I've heard how
he is always putting you down and trying to sap your self confidence.
I made a remark that he could learn what he needed to know from you.
I'm afraid he took it the wrong way."

Ash closed his eyes and thought back to when Gary first started
to verbally abuse him. Opening his eyes he looked straight at Agatha.

"This is about something other than who the best Pokémon trainer
is, isn't it?" Ash asked. "Gary changed almost overnight."

Nodding, the old Pokémon trainer said, "Yes, it is. When Gary
gets here, I'll explain it to both of you."

Ash absently asked, "Are you going to tell him that Karin is
going to be your successor to the Elite Four and not him?"

"How did you know that?" Agatha asked in a shocked voice.

Ash shrugged and replied, "Karin, Gary's sister Brock, babysat me
when my mom had to be elsewhere. She told me all about Pokémon and
once mentioned that she had several badges, but didn't tell Professor
Oak about it. She didn't want the pressure of trying to live up to
impossible expectations. One of the times she babysat me, I overheard
her talking to someone on the phone. She said that she would be glad
to take over for that person when they were ready to retire. Because
by that time, Gary will be drawing all the attention to himself."

"Who are you and what have you done with Ash?" Brock asked.
"There is no way Ash could have remembered all that."

"Jeez, Brock I had a crush on Karin when I was younger. It's
just something that stayed with me," Ash replied. *Had? I guess I
finally put that behind me. I wonder why.*

Shaking his head, the trainer from Pallet continued on his way to
where Sapphire and Charizard's quarters. Once he arrived, he made sure
that his bird Pokémon was doing all right and gave Charizard a friendly
pat on the nose.

"It's great having you back Charizard," Ash commented. "I have no
idea why you started obeying me again, but I am grateful for it.
Thanks for saving Misty and Pikachu from Team Rocket. I'll convey my
thanks to Chansey the next time I see her."

Charizard just grumbled a little bit and curled up to go to
sleep. Ash saw that and nodded.

"Right. See you in the morning, Charizard," he said, and turned
off the lights as he left.

Brock walked beside Ash and remarked, "Your caring for Sapphire
is probably what made Charizard turn around. Despite it all, you
refused to give up on saving that Pokémon. Charizard saw you do that
and understood that you really do have your Pokémon's best interests at
heart."

"Maybe, Brock," Ash replied. "I don't really care why. I'm just
glad that Charizard is listening to me again."

"That is what I wanted Gary to learn from you, Ash. The ability
to care for Pokémon even when they are stubborn and willful."

Ash paid no attention to Agatha as he went to his room to plan
tomorrow's expedition.
-----------------------------------------------
Somewhe re in the waters north of Cerulean City, three boys rode
Gyrados back northwards.

Spitting seawater out of his mouth, Jack called out, "How much
further is it to wherever Ash is at?"

Biting his lower lip, Gary replied, "I have no idea. I just know
it's north."

"What?!?!" Jack and John called together.

"Gary, it's going to be almost impossible to find that island,"
John loudly declared.

"I don't care."

Jack and John just looked at each other and sighed.
------------------------------------
Still in genie garb, Misty shuffled towards the lab where
Professor Oak was studying her DNA. She closed her eyes and a belt
appeared around her waist. The genie set her Togepi on the ground and
smiled softly down to it.

"Togepi, I'm going to send you back inside. Staryu and Rocky
should be able to take care of you while I'm busy," Misty said.

Tapping a few buttons on her belt, Misty watched as Togepi
flashed red and faded away as it was transferred to her Pokémon storage
area inside her ball. She pushed another button on the belt and it
shrank down to a gold cord lining the top of her pantaloons.

Sighing heavily, Misty mumbled, "Let's get to this. I need to
know."

The human Pokémon entered the lab and glanced around. She saw
Lily and Violet were rubbing the insides of their elbows. Professor
Oak was bent over a microscope and was busy switching slides. He
glanced up and caught sight of the genie.

"Ah, Misty. I'm glad you came. I've been busy comparing your
DNA and your sisters' DNA. I've isolated those things that all three
of you have in common. Now, I'm going to try to isolate things that
you have in common with only one or two of your sisters. Once that's
done, I should be able to figure out what was changed when you were
turned into a Pokémon."

"Err. Yeah," Misty muttered. "Professor Oak, there's something
I need to ask you in private."

Taking the hint, Violet and Lily quietly excused themselves from
the room. Misty waited until she was sure they were gone before saying
anything.

"Professor, can Pokémon tell where their trainers are at?"

Oak replied, "They can smell, see, or hear their trainers, but
beyond that they don't have much else. The Psychics, of course, can
form mental links with their trainers. Why do you ask?"

The genie took a deep breath and explained, "When I'm outside my
ball, I can tell exactly where Ash is."

"An internal compass linked to your trainer? Intriguing. That
is probably just a natural ability to pick up. Anything else?"

"Yes. I was used in a combat against Team Rocket and felt myself
get stronger. Is that going to have an effect?"

Professor Oak rubbed his hand through his hair and replied, "I
don't know."

Misty thought back to when she drank down those vials of
vitamins, belonging to Ash. She winced as she realized that she could
have fouled up her chances at returning to normal by doing so. Before
she could say anything she felt Professor Oak place a gentle hand on
her shoulder.

"Misty, if you are having second thoughts about becoming human,
talk to Ash. He's the one who'll be the most affected by whatever
decision you make. Answer this question to yourself, if no one else:
Am I happy being a Pokémon? Answer that, and you'll have your answer
on what you should do."

Misty bowed her head and left. Using her sense, she was easily
able to find Ash in his room. The genie knocked on her trainer's door
and waited.

"Come in."

The human Pokémon entered Ash's room and sat down on the bed.

"Ash," Misty began hesitantly. "I'm unsure if I want to go back
being a human."

Ash looked at his Pokémon and replied, "Misty, that is your
decision. If you choose to become human again, I won't hold it against
you. If you choose to remain a Pokémon, I will do my best to be your
trainer. I won't make it for you. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to
get some sleep. I want to explore that underground forest tomorrow."

Misty nodded and said, "Just recall me, and I'll gladly leave you
alone."

Ash blushed a bit as he pulled out a Pokéball with a badly
shaking hand.

He pointed the ball at his genie and said, "Misty, return."

Misty felt herself dissolve under the red beam emitted from the
Pokéball, as she was pulled inside. As soon as she reformed inside the
ball, Togepi came waddling up. Picking the egg Pokémon up, the genie
gazed upwards and sighed.

"Am I happy? I don't know," Misty mumbled. "Ash is leaving the
choice in my hands, but what do I do?"
----------------------
Chapter 15

While sitting at a desk, Bill rubbed the back of his neck and
went over the data that he and Professor Oak had collected on Misty and
her sister's DNA. He picked up the report, put it in a folder, and
pushed it away. He sighed and shook his head. A voice behind him
almost caused him to jump to his feet.

"Like are you giving up?" Daisy asked, as Bill turned his chair
towards the door.

Shaking his head, Bill replied, "No. We've been going at this
the wrong way. Misty was evolved using stones. Professor Oak and I
should be trying to figure out a way to reverse stone evolution, not
change a person back."

"I didn't think that it was possible to undo stone evolutions."

Bill stared at the ceiling and stated, "It's not and all research
in that direction was banned years ago. That type of research is cruel
to Pokémon and usually lethal."

"Lethal?"

Sadly, Bill explained, "The process of trying to de-evolve a
Pokémon is so stressful it causes that Pokémon to go into seizures and
die and at no time did any of them de-evolve."

"So like our little sister is going to remain...", Daisy's voice
trailed off.

Bill nodded. "Misty is a Pokémon and will remain so. Right now,
my main concern is the three of you."

"Us? Why?"

"You're related to the only known human Pokémon and people might
want to see if the three of you can become Pokémon as well."

Bill turned his chair back around and pulled out a blank sheet of
paper on it he drew a chart.

STONE FAERIE
Water Nix/Undine
Fire ???
Thunder Sylph
Leaf Dryad/Green Man
Moon Elf
Sun ???
Dark ???
Fr/Thn Genie

Tapping his pencil on the paper, Bill shook his head. Looking
over his shoulder Daisy saw the chart and her eyes widened in suprise.

"Like you can't be serious?" Daisy asked.

"Very. It would explain magical humans and their ability to
breed with humanity. As they mixed back into the bloodline, humanity
built up a resistance to the stones. Misty's resistance failed her
when she was blasted by the HUNDREDS of stones."

"Nix?"

"Male water nymph," Bill explained and bit his lower lip in
thought. "This is just idle specultion on my part. But, I think there
might be a way to bypass the human resistance and allow only one or
maybe two stones to do the job. An injection using Misty's or another
evolved human's blood as the base could drop the resistance down far
enough that a person can be forced evolved."

"Then don't like let any of my sister's blood samples and
donations go anywhere."

Bill shook his head. "I have no intention of doing so. By the
way, is Ash going to try to explore that cavern tomorrow?"

"I like have the feeling Misty will force him," Daisy replied
with a smirk.

Bill hummed and went back to work on his theories.
--------
As soon as Ash woke up, he mentally went over what Pokémon he was
going to take. Pikachu and Misty were given. He walked into the ball
storage area and spoke to Pikachu, who was perched on his shoulder.

"Let's see. Chansey? No. I need her here to watch over
Sapphire and the Eevee. Lapras? No place for him to swim. Jynx?
There's my third choice, because she knows the area and that makes
Tangela my next Pokémon. I want Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charizard to
stay here and keep an eye on my new Pokémon. I've got it. I'll take
those two new ones. The new Eevee evolutions."

Ash went down the shelves and sweatdropped.

"Err. I forgot. I haven't put them in a Pokéball yet."

Pikachu shook his head. "Pika-pi."

Ash headed off to where Chansey was looking after the Eevee. He
soon spotted the two Pokémon he was hunting for. Making sure that the
Eevee and Sapphire were doing fine, he addressed the newcommers.

"I'm going to explore an underground forest. I'd like for the
two of you to come along. Chansey can look after your cubs while we're
away."

"ChanSEY."

Kneeling down, Ash held out two Pokéballs. The two Pokémon
glanced at their cubs, looked at each other and nodded. They nuzzled
the Pokéballs and were drawn inside.

"I've caught...," Ash started to say and then stopped. "What
have I caught? Those two haven't said anything yet."

Ash shrugged and walked towards the front door of his gym. He
was stopped when he heard a voice.

"Ash, stop," Professor Oak called. "I'm glad I got to you before
you left. Here."

Ash took a red rectangular object from Oak. Glancing down at it,
he saw that it had a large black circle in the center and opened from
the center out.

"I already have a Pokédex, Professor," Ash said.

"That's true, Ash. But, this is a new Pokédex that has all the
information that has recently been gathered on Pokémon," Oak replied
and handed Ash a watch as well. "The new Pokédex will work in
conjunction with that watch to allow you to find certain types of
Pokémon in the wild."

Ash took the watch as well and said, "Thanks, Professor. I don't
know what to say."

"Don't say anything. New trainers will be recieving those as
well. I finally have had enough time, or should I say peace and quiet,
to finish them. Next time I see Gary, I'll give him his upgraded
equipment as well."

Biting his lower lip, Ash thought about something.

"Professor, what does it take to get a gym sanctioned? And what
is involved in running a gym?"

"You're thinking about making a gym out of this place?"
Professor Oak stated more than asked. "A theme for the gym is the
first requirement. But, there is going to be a major hindarance for
you. There is no one here and no reason for anyone to come here."

"I don't understand."

"The reason gyms are built in or near cities is because that's
where people are. Blaine got away with moving his gym, because he
scouts for trainers such as yourself and is still very much involved
with Cinnabar Island civic work."

"So, I need a city?" Ash asked.

"Not exactly. You need to find something that this place can
produce that would prove valuable to others that can be exported."

Ash scratched his head as he left his building. "Find something
valuable? I'll think on it."

The trainer from Pallet made his way to the cave leading to the
underground forest. He soon made his way back to the cavern holding
the forest. Ash looked up at the crystals and frowned. Pikachu,
riding on Ash's shoulder, was stunned by the place and remained quiet.

*We're too far away for those to be sections of my gym,* Ash
thought. *Although we might be close to it. Oh well, I have Pokémon
to catch.*

Ash carefully made his way to the forest's edge. Looking into
the interior of the woods, Ash put his hand in his jacket pocket and
felt the empty balls he had stored there.

"I hope forty is enough balls," Ash muttered.

A sound caught his attention as he spotted a large pink Pokémon.
Pulling out his new Pokédex, Ash pointed it at the creature.

"Milktank. The cow Pokémon. Milk from this Pokémon is very
nutritious and helps Pokémon heal faster."

"Okay, a new Pokémon. Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack."

The yellow mouse Pokémon shocked the cow. Shuddering the
Milktank fell onto its side a bit stunned. Ash didn't waste any time
and threw a Pokéball at the Milktank. The ball pulled the Pokémon
inside and flashed a couple of times before comming to a rest. Ash
picked up the Pokéball and went into his fammiliar pose.

"All right, I caught Milktank."

"Pi-pikachu."

After the ball flickered away, Ash called out Misty and the trio
explored the woods.
----
A couple hours after Ash had left the building, Brock had gone
outside and was walking around Ash's gym to clear his head. A small
group approaching caught his attention. Ash, Misty, Pikachu and the
two evolved Eevee were heading his way. As soon as Ash had reached the
gym, he started butting his head against the wall.

Addressing Misty, Brock asked, "What's his problem?"

Misty suppressed a smile and replied, "Oh, it's just that when he
was trying to catch a Pokémon with a Pokéball a Milktank got in the
way. Ash now has forty Milktanks."

"Oh. A Safari Zone redux," Brock commented. "Milktank? Hmmm?
Oh, that's right. The Milktank is the female version, while the Tauros
is the male version."

With his forhead against the wall, Ash turned his head to look at
Brock. "Huh? What was that Brock?"

"Well, you know how Nidoran has two Pokédex entries, not counting
their evolutions? One male, one female. Tauros and Milktank are the
same way. They don't look alike and have different attacks, but they
are the same species."

"Great. I have eighty of one species of Pokémon," Ash said as he
straightened up.

Misty teased, "Why don't you start a dairy farm with all your
Milktank?"

"A dairy farm?" Ash replied, and with sudden enthusiasm said,
"That's it. A dairy farm and maybe I can do something with the
Growlithe as well. I have to talk to Professor Oak."

Ash headed inside in a hurry, leaving everyone behind wondering
what was going on. Misty and Pikachu quickly chased after their
trainer. Looking confused, Brock glanced at the two Eevee evolutions.
They just glanced at him and padded inside.

"Bill talked to a Professor Elm, was it? And, he found out those
two are called Umbreon and Espeon," Brock muttered to himself. "I have
the feeling that we wouldn't have found out from that pair what they
were."

Brock headed inside and saw that Ash was standing in the healing
room in shock. Professor Oak, Agatha, the Sensational Sisters and Bill
were all standing around listing to Professor Oak's radio. The radio
was broadcasting dreadful news.

"The hurricane that hit Cerulean City has just entered Saffron
City. Damages are expected to be in the millions. It is believed that
Mt. Moon and the Rock Tunnel saved Pewter City and Lavender Twon
respectively."

Bill was busy with his cellular phone calling people. Clicking
the phone off, Bill turned to the group.

"Things are getting pretty bad. The Indigo Plateau has also been
wrecked. No casulaties, but it will be a while before it is fully
restored. By the way Ash, the banishment has been lifted. There's
more important things to worry about than what you are doing."

Ash blinked in suprise. "That's odd."

"Why is it odd?" Daisy asked. "I thought you'd be happy to have
the ban lifted."

Ash shook his head and replied, "I was wondering how a hurricane
can get that far inland."

Bill explained, "Um, Ash. We live on a very large island, not a
continent. And, the storm hit a narrower portion of the island. The
Johto regions weren't bothered at all."

"Oh. I wonder if we can do anything to help out."

Professor Oak scratched his head. "I'm not sure."

Grabbing Ash's ear, Misty pulled him close to her and said, "Ash,
I'm a genie. Or, have you forgotten? If you word your wishes
properly, I can get that mess cleaned up in a hurry."

"Ow! Misty, let go," Ash complained. After Misty released his
ear, Ash said, "Maybe your right, Misty. And, it would be good
practice for you."

Misty asked, "So besides myself and Pikachu, which Pokémon are
you going to take?"

"You're going to need a flyer, Ash," Oak advised.

Ash said, "Charizard and probably Sapphire as well. I think I'll
leave the last two slots open, just in case."

"Ash? Do you remember Porygon? Maybe we should swing by that
place and see if that inventor would be willing to set up a network of
teleport booths. That way, we can visit Pallet, Cerulean, or here
without a lot of travel time." Misty said.

"Hmmm. I guess we can. We'll swing over Grandpa Canyon to save
time."

Ash recalled Misty and switched his Pokémon around so that he
would have Charizard and Sapphire. Chansey bounded up and looked at
Ash quizzically.

Shaking his head, Ash spoke, "Sorry, Chansey. I need you here to
look after the Eevee. Don't worry. Charizard won't let anything
happen to Sapphire."

*And I won't let anything happen to Misty,* Ash contiued
mentally.

Walking out of the gym, Ash called Charizard. He mounted the
Fire Pokémon after it had been released. Hoping that Charizard would
obey, he gave the command to take flight. As the orange creature
passed over the shore line of Greystice Island, Ash spotted something
in the waves.

"Hey. Isn't that Gary? I guess Agatha was right," Ash mumbled.
"Charizard circle for a bit. There's something I want to see."

The firey dragon did as it was told, allowing Ash a better look
at what was happening below. What he saw frightend him. Gary, Jack,
and John were coughing and losing their grip on their Pokémon and their
skin had a slightly blusih tint to it. Ash quickly pressed some
buttons on his Pokédex and brought another Pokémon to him.

Throwing the ball straight downward, Ash called, "Go Lapras. Get
under those three and get them to shore. Charizard use your
flamethrower on the rocks to heat them up."

Doing as they were bid, the two monsters rescued the other three
Pallet Trainers from drowning and frostbite. Biting his lower lip, Ash
called Misty out and waited until she had formed. The genie formed in
mid air and wondered why her Tariner had called her so early.

Ash yelled, "Gary. You and the others stay on Lapras. Misty, I
wish for heavy blankets to be wrapped around those three."

Hearing the wish, Misty blinked and winced a bit, since she had
wrapped the three boys up like mummys with the blankets. Ash shook his
head and made no comment.

"Lapras, head back to the Gym. It's straight ahead of you.
After that, you can go play."

"Prass. Prass," the gentle dinosaur answered, as it quickly
hurried with its burden.

Sending Lapras' ball back to storage, Ash said, "I wish that a
note explaing what is going on would be taped to the inside of the
front door of my gym."

Blink-nodding as she granted the wish, Misty commented, "You're
getting a bit better at making wishes."

Ash shrugged as he held up a ball. "Misty, return."

After the genie was recalled, Ash patted his Fire Pokémon lightly
on the side of the neck. "Let's go, Charizard. We have a long way to
go to get back to Kanto. I hope Gary and the others are all right."

With a roar, Charizard launched himself Southwards.
-----------------------------------
Chapter 16

Gary sniffed and coughed as he was given some hot choclate by a
frowning Agatha. Shaking her head, she looked at down at her grandson
and sighed.

"Sometimes, I wonder if it would have been better for you to have
been raised by me," Agatha said.

"Grandma?"

"Sorry, Gary. I was thinking of your parents and your
grandfather. Much as I love him, he is still absent-minded and focuesd
on his research. When was the last time you saw your mom and dad?"

Gary looked away and mumbled something.

Agatha nodded, and said, "That's probably why Karin turned out so
much better. I spent time with her. And, a stupid mistake on my part
cost you your friendship with Ash."

Gary stared at his grandmother and said nothing.

"When I told you that you could learn something from Ash to
become a great Trainer, I didn't mean for you to constantly to put him
down."

Gary, in a choked voice, whispered, "But, you said that your
successor was him."

The ghost Trainer sighed and replied, "I said that my succesor
was in the house, and wasn't you. Yes, Ash was there at the time, but
so was Karin."

"Karin?" Gary asked in shock. "She's not a Trainer."

"Not a known one. She doesn't like fame and I've been keeping
her Pokémon, not Hyram. She has all the badges from Kanto, Johto, and
Orange Islands, plus a few other leagues. She just never competed in
the tournaments, thus no fame was attached to her name. When I step
down and my position in the Elite Four is opened up, she's going to
compete and win."

"She isn't that good, is she?"

Smiling with pride, Agatha answered, "Using only one Pokémon she
went through six of mine and six of Loreli Prima's."

Gary's mouth hung open in shock.

Sighing, Agatha shook her head and said, "But, we're getting off
topic. I didn't like your antics at the Pokémon League. I know that
you are jealous of Ash and his relationship with his mother, but that's
no excuse for trying to get him kicked out of the League."

Gary hung his head in shame.

"That's the main reason I came here, not because of a new Ghost
Pokémon. Although, she is interesting. It's time someone paid more
attention to you."

"Huh?"

"Pokémon need love and attention, but I think that people forget
that their children need it as well. What was that term? Latchkey
kid?"

Agatha watched as comprehension dawned in Gary's eyes. "We'll
talk more later, Gary. But for now, you need rest."
--------
Looking down from Charizard's back, Ash winced as he surveyed the
damgage to Cerulean City. The rubble of the Cerulean Gym looked like
nothing more than a pile of rocks. The Pokémon Center had one whole
wall gone. Pikachu shuddered as he watched from Ash's shoulder. The
rest of the city was in a simmilar shape. Ash didn't say a word as he
released Misty from her ball. The genie formed in mid-air and looked
at Ash.

"Ash, what...?" Misty began, but stopped as she saw the damage
to her home town. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said in a choked
whisper, "No."

Ash sighed and took a deep breath. "Misty, do you think you can
get the rubble stacked in neat piles?"

Sobbing softly, Misty asked, "Huh? What do you mean?"

"Seperate bricks, boards, and other things into reusable and
unusable piles."

"How can I do that?" the genie asked.

"By me making a wish."

Looking down, the human Pokémon hesitantly said, "I don't know."

"Well, you're always on me to make wishes, so you can practice,"
Ash idly commented. "I wish for the building materials in the rubble
to be seperated into neat piles of reusable and usuable piles."

Misty concentrated and blinked. The rubble started vanishing bit
by bit, as mulitple piles of wood, stone, metal, etc. started forming.
Buildings that were somewhat intact, like the Pokémon Center, were left
alone. After about half an hour, Misty finished the wish and shook her
head. Ash glanced at his Pokémon's face and quickly recalled her.

"I don't want to exhaust her," Ash mumbled.

Charizard just smirked and Pikachu just shook his head.

"Charizard, head further southwards. We'll be making a stop
soon."

The orange dragon nodded and winged his way towards Saffron City.
While waiting for Charizard to reach the next destination, Ash cheked
his pockets and pack.

"Some Mystery Berries, a few Elixers, some Full Restores, and a
couple of Max Potions. Hopefully, this is enough to keep Misty on her
feet," he said, as he looked ahead. "Charizard land. We want to make
a stop here."

The fire Pokémon wondered what was going on, but obeyed Ash. As
soon as Charizard had touched down, Ash slid off and recalled hit Fire
Pokémon. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder.

"This place has seen better days," Ash said, as he studied a
mansion.

All the glass in the building's windows was gone. Part of the
roof had collapsed and a tree was driven though one side of the house.

*I hope he's here,* Ash thought, as he approached the structure.

Flashes of light comming from the undamged portion of the
mansion, told him that the person he was hunting for was here. Ash
walked up to one of the windows and looked in.

"Hi, Professor Akihabra. Remember me?" Ash said, as he surveyed
the room.

The lab, other than the window, was virtually untouched by the
hurricane. The inch thick layered steel and lead walls had seen to
that. Strange electronic devices were scattered about and a giant
capsule shaped object was sitting in the middle of the floor. A man
wearing thick glasses and a labcoat was working on the capsule.

Looking up, the man saw Ash and replied, "I'm never going to get
this repaired with all these interuptions. Now, please be quiet."

Ash continued, "Actually Professor, that device is what I came to
see you about. Professor Oak and Pokémon Researcher Bill want to use
your device to link certain areas."

Putting his tools down, the professor looked interested,
"Professor Oak, himself? Interesting. Ash Ketchum, right? You're the
one with the human Pokémon."

Ash winced and nodded, "I'm also the one you sent into cyberspace
with your Porygon."

"Ah. Now I remember you. I guess I do owe you for getting that
mess straightened out. So what's the deal?"

"I'd rather let Bill or Professor Oak explain. Do you mind being
teleported with your equipment?"

"No."

The professor watched as Ash summoned Misty forth. As soon as
she formed, Misty looked curiously at Ash.

"What's going on, Ash?"

"I wish that the Professor, his Pokémon, and all of his equipment
would be teleported to one of the larger empty rooms of my gym."

Misty blink-nodded and sent the contents of the room far away to
Greystice Island. Ash checked his new Pokégear watch and noticed
something.

*So soon?*

Ash shook his head and studied his Pokémon.

"Misty, here have a Mysteryberry. It should restore some of your
strength," Ash said as he handed the genie a large berry.

Misty made a sour expression as she looked at the proffered food.
She took it and ate it. After doing so, a look of surprise crossed her
face.

"Something the matter, Misty?"

"No. The last time I tired eating a Mysteryberry, it was very
horrible. This one tastes great."

"They still are horrible. But, Pokémon love them."

Misty shut up, as she recalled her taste buds had changed along
with the rest of her. She sat down on a large rock and sighed sadly.

"My home gone," the genie muttered.

Sitting beside his Pokémon, Ash said, "You'll always have a home
back at my gym, if you want it."

Shaking her head, Misty replied, "No, Ash. My home is now a ball
that you carry around with you. I'm going to stay one of your
Pokémon."

"Why?" Ash asked in shock.

"I guess I enjoy it," Misty replied sadly. "Even if I was cured,
Team Rocket wouldn't stop trying for me. Besides, being one of your
Pokémon allows me a lot more freedom than if I was someone elses or
even a free Pokémon."

Pikachu offered a paw to Misty and the genie took it with one
hand. With a shake of paw and hand, Pikachu welcomed Misty to the
team. Ash remained silent, as he stuggled with the idea that Misty
was now a permanent part of his Pokémon crew. He examined Misty with
the new awareness.

"I see that you are still wearing that shiny genie costume," Ash
mumbled.

Misty blushed furiously as she recalled how she got her shiny
clothes.

"Ash, don't bring that up."

"Er. Sorry," Ash replied, also blushing.

Pikachu looked back and forth and wondered what was going on.

After a few moments of awkard silence, Misty asked, "Where are
you going now?"

"I'm going to cut across Grandpa Canyon to get to Saffron City
and see if Sabrina needs any help with her gym and hopefully use your
power to help out like we did in Cerulean."

"Yeah, fine," Misty replied, as she thought, *Is it me or are my
clothes getting tighter?*

That was the last thought Misty had, before getting recalled into
her Pokéball.
--------
Back on Greystice Island, Professor Akihabra appeared in a large
room with his equipment. Unfortunately, he and his stuff appeared
three feet in the air. Everything came down with a resounding crash.

"He's going to have to train her to use her powers better. Ouch,"
the professor said, as he lay on his back.

A small group of people came charging into the room and saw the
mess and the stunned inventor on the floor. The group consited of
three women, three boys, and two men. One of the boys was a bit older
than the other two. One of the men offered a hand to the professor.

"Professor Akihabra? My name is Bill. This is Professor Oak,"
the curly haired man said.

Taking the hand, Akihabra managed to get back on to his feet.

"That Ash kid said you wanted to use my device to link areas. Is
this true?" the professor asked, and pulled out a couple of Pokéballs.

"Yes," Bill replied and pointed to the older boy. "Brock, here,
has told us about the adventure he had while at your house."

Akihabra nodded. "Fine. Fine. I'll get back to work on this.
I want my invention to benefit mankind, or at least be useful. I'll
need some peace and quiet to finish it up."

"You'll have that," Professor Oak assured.

Looking at the group, Akihabra asked, "Is there anyone else
here?"

Brock shrugged, "Ash and Misty aren't here at the moment, and
this place does belong to Ash. Agatha of the Elite Four and Gary Oak
are elsewhere in this....building. He's sick with a cold and Agatha is
watching over him."

Akihabra looked at Brock, curious as to why he hesitated on the
word 'building'. He shrugged and went back to work on his transport
device. After a few seconds, he released his Pokémon to help him out.

"Porygon," the two artficial Pokémon chorused.

All but Brock and Bill, said in unison, "What are those?"

Looking back over his shoulder, the slightly overweight professor
said, "Those are Porygon. I created them to help me out. Now if you
wouldn't mind, could you please leave. I want to get back to work."

Everyone took a glance at the professor and filed out of the
room.

In a whisper, Daisy said to Bill, "Strange man."

"Dedicated to helping people out with his skills, actually. He
wasn't lying when he said he created Porygon. The first artifical
Pokémon."

Daisy sighed and asked softly, "Have you told Misty yet?"

"Misty left with Ash before I had a chance to tell her that she
can't be cured," Bill replied, in a low voice.

"I hope Misty can take it."
---------------------------------------
Back atop Charizard, Ash was flying over the rocky terrain where
his Charmeleon evolved into Charizard. He noticed that there were some
signs lying on the ground. Even from the air, Ash could see the
warning symbols on the signs.

"I wonder if that has anything to do with what happened here
earlier," Ash mumbled.

Looking down, the Pallet boy saw creatures that he didn't think
he'd see again. Four of the five fossil Pokémon were in the group:
Kabuto, Kabutpos, Omanyte, and Omastar. At first Ash dismissed them
from his mind, since he had more important things to do. He quickly
changed his mind when he saw some smashed up cars and motorcycles.

"Those things are on a rampage," Ash said, with a sigh. "Looks
like I'm going to have to clean up another of Team Rocket's messes."

Ash released Misty and pointed downwards.

"We have to take care of those Pokémon," Ash said, as he pulled
out his Pokédex.

Misty nodded as she perpared for combat.

Looking at his Pokédex, Ash said, "Misty, use Shadow Ball. It's
one of your other attacks."

The genie concentrated on forming the attack. A translucent blue
ball formed in each of her hands. Smirking she threw both the spheres
at the two Kabutops. They reeled from the attack and almost collapsed.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ash launched two Pokéballs at them.
After some blinking form the balls, the Kabutops were captured.

"Ash, what are my attacks?" Misty called.

Her Trainer replied, "The ones you know right now are Ember,
Shadow Ball, Night Shade, Rolling Kick, Teleport, and Lovely Kiss."

Looking at the last entry, Ash commented, "That's an odd one."

Misty smiled, as she started blowing kisses towards the remaining
Pokémon. Looking over her shoulder, she got annoyed. She saw Ash was
still studying the Pokédex.

"Ash! Hurry up and capture them!" the genie yelled.

Snapping his electronic guide shut, Ash looked up, "Oh. Right."

Shaking her head, the human Pokémon watched as her Trainer
captured the rest of the rampaging creatures.

*That's that,* Misty thought.

A sudden upheaval of rocks caught her off guard and knocked her
out. Seeing his friend was falling, Ash motioned for Charizard to
intercept Misty. While the orange dragon sped towards his teammate,
Ash hunted for the source of the attack. His throat went dry as he saw
an Aerodactyl flying towards Misty.

*Great,* Ash thought with dread. *This Aerodactyl knows a Rock
attack. I'll have to try something.*

Pulling out another Pokéball, Ash released Sapphire and placed
him atop of Charizard's head. With a quick jerk of his head, he
relayed to Pikachu to support Sapphire.

"Sapphire, you are an Ice Pokémon, try an Ice Beam and hit that
Aerodactyl."

The small, blue bird reared back a bit and shot forth an
blistering wind of ice and snow at the flying dinosaur. The shock of
the Ice attack staggered Aerodactyl. Ash threw a Pokéball at it, and
quickly ignored it, as he was concentrating on catching Misty's falling
form.

"Misty? Are you all right?" Ash asked, as he cradled his genie.

Getting no answer, Ash hurriedly pulled a vial from his pocket
and poured it down Misty's throat. Eyes fluttering open, Misty woke up
as the Revive took effect. The genie soon realized she was sitting in
Ash's lap, with one of his arms cradling the back of her neck. The
genie and her Trainer locked eyes for a long moment. Charizard and
Pikachu grinned.

Breaking the silence, Misty asked, "What happend?"

"An Aerodactyl knocked you out with a Rock attack. You're weak
against Rock, Water, and Ground attacks."

"Where is it now?"

Pikachu pointed towards a ball lying on the ground.

Seeing it, Ash answered his genie, "Probably in there. Charizard
land."

The firey dragon did so and Ash and Misty slid of his back.

"Sapphire. Charizard. Return."

After two flashes of red lights, Ash and Misty headed over
towards the ball. Ash grabbed up the Pokéball and struck a pose.

"I've caught an Aerodactyl."

"Pi-pikachu."

Misty shook her head. "You've caught a lot more than that."

Ash took one glance at the remaining balls and replied, "You take
some of them."

Misty and Pikachu stared at Ash in shock.

"Misty, I'm giving them to you," Ash said.

The genie bit her lower lip and asked, "Is this because you feel
guilty that I'm now one of your Pokémon?"

Ash said, "I've got an Aerodactyl. You're not going to have much
time to catch any new Pokémon, since you're going to be one of mine."

Misty mentally smiled to herself, as she saw through Ash's
transparent attempt to hide his real reason. She gathered up about
half of the Pokéballs and sent them to her storage shelf on Greystice
Island. Ash saw that she wasn't taking anymore balls and gathered the
rest of them up and also sent them on their way. Pikachu felt proud
that Ash was starting to grow up.
----------------------
Chapter 17

Temporarily shaking off the trance inducing effect of being
inside her alternate Pokéball, Misty thought, *Saffron City. Sabrina.
The last time I was there, I was turned into a doll. If it wasn't for
that Haunter, I'd still be one.*

Misty felt a sudden jolt of energy, but dismissed it as being
inside the Pokéball.

*I guess I should talk to Sabrina about having so much power.
Even though she isn't a Pokémon, she's the only one on who I could talk
to about something like this.*

The genie stopped struggling against the field and let her mind
go blank, as she waited for her Trainer to call her once more.
-------------------
From the back of his flying Charizard, Ash saw that the Trainers
from the Saffron Gym were busy cleaning up the streets with their
psychic powers. He nodded and looked towards the Gym. He spotted
Sabrina standing outside and looking up at him.

Addressing Pikachu, Ash said, "Sabrina's spotted us. I think we
should at least go say 'hi'. Besides, I want to greet Haunter while
we're here."

"Chu."

Tapping Charizard on the side of the neck, Ash directed his fiery
dragon to land near the Gym. After he and Pikachu slid off, Ash
recalled Charizard.

"Hi. Sabrina," Ash said. "How's Haunter doing?"

Sabrina, still a bit unused to it, smiled and replied, "He's
doing just fine, Ash. I heard what you and Misty did at Saffron and
sent my Junior Trainers to help out here."

Ash shrugged. "It was the least we could do."

Sabrina shook her head, "Actually, you didn't have to do
anything. After what happened at the tournament, I'm surprised that
you are still willing to help others out."

"Gary and I have had our differences. Damian is a creep. As far
as Team Rocket goes, I've had to deal with them for a while."

"I'm talking about the exile that was recently lifted, because of
the storm."

"Oh that," Ash replied, and made a dismissive gesture with his
hand. "It was only supposed to be a month. Besides, I got new Pokémon
because of it and I do own the island now."

Sabrina shook her head. "You amaze me. But anyway, I did hear
about Misty becoming a Pokémon and wish to see how she does against my
Pokémon."

"A battle?" Ash asked, eagerly.

Sabrina nodded and motioned for Ash to follow her inside. The
boy from Pallet followed the psychic into the building. They soon made
it to the Gym's main arena.

Sabrina addressed Ash, "You already have a Marsh Badge, so this
isn't for a badge. This is just two people practicing."

Ash nodded. "That suits me just fine."

"I have heard some rumors about how strong Misty is," Sabrina
said, as a Pokéball floated from a stand to hover over her shoulder.
"I've been looking for something that can challenge my Alakazam."

Ash threw a Pokéball and said, "Misty, I choose you."

"Go, Alakazam."
----------------
Misty looked confused for a second after she came out of her ball
and looked around. She noticed an Alakazam forming in front of her and
prepared for combat."

*Ash, you're using me in a battle,* Misty thought. *Finally.*

"Misty, use a Shadow Ball."

"Alakazam Psychic."

Misty felt a sudden stabbing pain in her head, She shrugged it
off and formed her sphere of ghostly energies. She launched the ball
at her opponent, who staggered a bit from the attack.

The genie heard Dexter chime, "The attack was super effective."

Misty bit her lower lip and thought, *Psychic is one of the
strongest attacks, and yet I can shrug it off. While a Rock attack
just knocks me right out.*

The Pokégenie shook her head in pain as she felt her Shadow Ball
rendered inoperable due to Alakazam's Disable attack. She gritted her
teeth and concentrated on punching the Psychic creature. She was a bit
surprised as her fist was engulfed in flames. The Alakazam stumbled
back as it took a flaming hit.

"Misty has now learned Fire Punch. Misty has now learned Thunder
Punch," Dexter said from Ash's pocket.

"Two attacks?" Ash wondered aloud. "Never mind. Misty, Thunder
Punch."

"Alakazam Recover."

Misty put on an extra bit of speed and slammed into her opponent
with a fist surrounded by crackling lightning. The electrical
discharge hung around Alakazam, seizing his muscles up. She sighed in
relief, as she saw that the opposing Pokémon was paralyzed from her
attack.

Just as Misty was about to launch another attack, she heard
Sabrina say, "Stop. You win."

Misty said to Sabrina, "Your Pokémon is very good. He put up a
great fight."

Sabrina looked at the genie. "My Alakazam is a girl. Are you
all right?"

Misty gritted her teeth and nodded. "I'll be fine when the
Disable wears off. It hurts."

Ash rushed over to Misty. "I didn't know. If I had...."

"If you had known, you wouldn't have used me. This is something
I have to get used to," Misty replied, and sighed as her Shadow Ball
was made available to her again.

"She is right," Sabrina said. "Misty will have to get used to
having her attacks denied to her at times."

Ash said uncertainly, "I guess."

Sabrina examined her two visitors and whispered, "You two have
grown since I last saw you."

Ash looked around and asked, "By the way, where's Haunter? I'd
like to see how he's doing."

Sabrina started and replied, "Haunter is in the back. Are you
here to pick him up?"

Ash thought he heard a pleading sound in Sabrina's voice at the
end.

Shaking his head, he replied, "Nah. He chose to stay here with
you. I'm just visiting a friend."

Sabrina nodded in relief. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you
too."

Ash put his hand behind his neck and laughed. "Besides, I never
really caught him. He just followed me back from Lavender Town."

Ash snapped his fingers as a sudden thought occurred to him.

"Sabrina, why don't you head up to Lavender Town and ask the
Gastly and Gengar at the tower to move in with you? They are lonely
for someone to play with. And I'm quite sure, those two would like to
be reunited with their friend."

Misty asked, "Ash, what are you talking about? Those three tried
to scare us."

Ash shook his head. "No. They were just having fun. They want
to make people laugh, but everyone is frightened of them, because they
are Ghost Pokémon. That's why I never bothered to catch any of them.
It wouldn't feel right."

"Thanks for telling me," Sabrina said. "I think I'll meet those
two soon."

Ash and Misty followed Sabrina into a back room, where some
broken psychic testing equipment was being stored. In the center of
the room, was what appeared to be a snowman made out of junk. A purple
shape faded into view and placed two small screens as eyes for the
junkman.

Misty whispered to Sabrina, "What's Haunter doing?"

"Haunter will animate that junk and send it running through the
various Esper study rooms. The last time it did this, the junkman was
doing the Russian Step dance all the way through the Gym," Sabrina
whispered back.

Ash walked up and said, "Hi, Haunter. It's good to see you
again."

"Haunter-haunter," the ghostly creature replied.

Misty bit her lower lip and stroked her chin. "Ash, while you
and Pikachu get reacquainted with Haunter, I'd like to talk to Sabrina
alone."

"Sure, Misty," Ash replied, slightly distracted as Haunter
started making funny faces.
--------------
Sabrina wondered what Misty wanted to talk about as the two girls
left Ash and the Pokémon.

Misty asked, "How do keep from going insane from being so
different from everyone?"

Pursing her lips, Sabrina replied, "I did go insane for a bit.
Remember being turned into a doll?"

Misty shuddered at the memory. "What about now?"

Shaking her head, the psychic gym leader said, "I'm sorry Misty,
but I can't tell you what it's like to be a human Pokémon. All I am is
a powerful psychic."

Misty sighed.

"Misty," Sabrina said, "If you want to talk about being more
powerful than other humans, I'll be here."

The genie blinked a bit and nodded. "Thanks."

"As Ash said, it is the least I could do."

The two girls started chatting about power and how they were
different from others. They were interrupted when Ash walked in.

"Sabrina?" Ash began, "I'd like to leave Misty here for a bit.
There are some things I want to do, that I don't want her to know
about."

Misty narrowed her eyes, while Sabrina stared at Ash and then at
a wall calendar.

"Ah. I see," Sabrina replied. "I'll have to take care of that
myself. Thanks for reminding me."

Misty glanced from Gym Leader to her Trainer and asked, "Did I
just miss something here?"

Sabrina put a hand on Misty's shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry,
Misty. This is something Ash has to take care of without you being
present. You'll find out soon enough."

Ash nodded his agreement.

"I'll be back soon. I'll also be leaving Pikachu here with you."

Misty shook her head in confusion as she tried to figure out what
Ash was up to. She noticed that her Trainer pulled a piece of paper
from his pocket.

"Misty, I wish you would speak Pokémon."

Misty mentally groaned as she granted the wish.

"Nie-genie-genie-gen!"

"If you're asking why, I think you need to talk with Pikachu for
a while."

"Nie?"

Ash shrugged and replied, "Just call it a hunch."

"Don't worry about talking with me," Sabrina added. "I have my
telepathy to communicate with. And, I also think that Ash's feelings
are correct in this matter."

Ash waved to Pikachu and Misty as he left the Saffron gym. "I'll
be back soon."

Misty turned to Pikachu and asked in Pokespeech, "What do you
think he's up to?"

Pikachu replied, "I have no idea."

"It is still a tad unnerving to hear words from Pokémon," the
genie whispered to herself.
----------------------------------
In Viridian City, Giovanni looked at the reports on the new human
Pokémon. Leaning back in his leather covered swivel chair, he
contemplated the possibilities of having such a Pokémon for himself.
He leaned forward and pressed a button on his desk.

"Get Butch and Cassidy. I have a job for them."

"Yes, sir."
--------------------------------
Chapter 18

Misty wandered around Sabrina's gym, waiting for Ash to come
back. As she walked around, she had conversations with the other
Pokémon. She did feel a bit odd that she had problems talking with
humans.

*Why did Ash want me like this, before he left?" Misty thought
to herself. A sudden thought came to her, causing her to wince.
*Oops. I did say I wanted to know how a Pokémon lives. So, Ash is
letting me learn to be a Pokémon. I guess I can't complain.*

Misty stopped her tracks for a second and concentrated.

*Let's see. Ash is there and moving in that direction. What is
he up to. Wait a second, he's now headed this way.*

Misty quickly made her way to the entry hall of the gym and
waited for Ash. After a few seconds, Ash walked into the gym carrying
some packages. They were boxes wrapped in red and green paper

"Nie-genie-genie!", Misty said, not noticing the packages at
first.

As soon as she saw the bag, her eyes darted over to a calendar
and read the month. It was December. Misty rubber her forehead in
exasperation and pointed to her throat.

"Oh. Sorry, Misty. I wish you could speak human."

After granting the wish, Misty placed her hands on her hips and
glared at Ash. "Why didn't you just say you were going to go Christmas
shopping?"

"I didn't want to bump into you at the store."

Rubbing her eyes, Misty commented, "You're hopeless."

Sabrina walked into the room and smiled a bit. "Come on, Misty.
I'll go with you as we go Christmas shopping."

Misty shook her head and directed a question at Ash. "Why did
you want me to speak like a Pokémon? "

Ash shook his head. "You said that she wanted to see what
Pokémon life was like. I just gave you the chance."

"Misty groaned, "Never mind. I've got to get my shopping done as
well."

The Pokégenie left with her fellow Gym Leader, still a little
upset at the subterfuge.

Before she left, she switched her clothing for some more normal
attire. As she walked, she muttered, "Christmas shopping. All this
just for some holiday shopping."

"Don't feel to angry at Ash. He was getting your presents while
doing it," Sabrina said, slightly amused

"I know that," Misty countered. "It's just that if he told me, I
would have tried to come up with something to get him and the others."

Sabrina tapped her lower lip thoughtfully. "Abra."

"What?"

"From what I have seen, Ash doesn't have a Psychic Pokémon."

Misty shook her head, and replied, "Actually he does. Espeon.
Long story. He also has another Pokémon called Umbreon."

Sabrina winced when she heard the name Umbreon.

"Sabrina, are you all right?" Misty asked, concerned about the
expression on her face.

"One Umbreon tore through six of my strongest Pokémon without
breaking a sweat. I'll have to get a Pokémon that can handle Dark
attacks now."

"Dark?"

"Two new types have been discovered. Dark and Steel. Dark types
are completely immune to Psychic attacks and their attacks are strong
against both Psychics and Ghosts. I think Steel is resistant to Dark,
I'm not sure."

"You're going after a Steel type?" Misty asked.

Sabrina nodded. "A Scizor, the evolved form of Scyther. Dark is
weak against Bug attacks."

Misty asked, "How do you evolve a Scyther."

"First you need a Metal Coat. I'll have to talk to Whitney in
Goldenrod and see if she can't get one for me. I think she has a
Porygon that needs evolved. I can easily get an Up-grade Kit."

Misty shook her head, and tried to think of something to get Ash.

*Pokémon? No. Pokéballs? No. Wait a sec. Professor Oak just
gave Ash a Pokégear. A map card, and the two radio card upgrades for
his new toy. Brock? A date with my sisters. Right, something else.
My sisters need some better trained Water Pokémon.*

Misty mentally checked off what she was going to get each person,
as she and Sabrina began their shopping.
--------------------------------------------------
Back at the Psychic Gym, Ash petted his Pikachu's head. He was
sitting in a chair facing out a window,

"I've got some Pokémon for everyone. I'm going to try and make
up with Gary. That's why I didn't want Misty with me. She'd probably
throw a fit if she knew what I was going to give him."

"Pika?"

"I want my friend back, Pikachu," Ash said. "The insults and
rivalry are just too hard for me to deal with now that I know why it
happened."

"Chu?" Pikachu asked, as he pointed at the packages.

"Sorry," Ash said with a smile. "You'll find out when Gary
does."

"Pikachu," the electric rodent said with a huff.

Ash just shook his head and kept patting his first Pokémon
-------------------------------------------------------- --------
On Greystice Island, Akihabra finished setting up the first
transport booth. He stood up and stretched. Looking around, he saw
Professor Oak nearby.

"Where do you want me to set the next one up at?" Akihabra
asked.

Oak replied, "My lab in Pallet Town and then Cerulean City Gym."

"Right. I'll leave a Porygon here to help maintain the booth,"
the scientist replied. "The second one should be easier. I'll use my
Pidgeot to get to Pallet."

"Won't you need your equipment?" Oak asked.

"Don't need it. There is enough spare parts kept at your ball
teleporter for me to make another transporter."

Professor Oak frowned and asked. "Are you sure?'

"Yes. The transporter is just a much larger version of the ball
transport device. The wiring is the same, just the power output is
different."

"Ah," Oak said, nodding his understanding.

"Well, I'm off," Akihabra said.

"Later."

After he left, Oak looked at the transporter and frowned.

"I know we're forgetting something, but what?"
------------------------------------------------
After Misty and Sabrina returned from Christmas shopping, Ash
brought out Aerodactyl and Charizard. The newest member of Ash's party
eyed Ash warily.

Ash bowed and said, "Welcome to the group, Aerodactyl. We need
your help. Misty and I have a lot of Christmas packages to take back
home. I was hoping on your help....."

"Aero," the fossil Pokémon said, and knelt down to allow the
packages to be strapped to his back.

After securing the packages, Ash turned to Sabrina. "Thanks for
the match and the help. I hope we meet again."

"I hope so to."

Sabrina waved good-bye as Ash, Misty and the Pokémon disappeared
into the air.

"I guess I should call Whitney."

Sabrina picked up a nearby phone and dialed a number.

"Whitney? This is Sabrina. I recently had a run in with a Dark
Pokémon. I have Scyther that I want to evolve into a Scizor, but I
need a Metal Coat. I can get an Up-Grade kit to trade. You will?
Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow. It is getting late. Bye."

Sabrina hung up the phone and headed to Silph Co. Once there,
she procured an Up-Grade kit and headed home.

"One Scizor should deal with any Dark Pokémon I encounter. That
Umbreon was a nasty surprise."
----------------------------------------------
Bill stared a dark rock and was getting frustrated. Daisy, who
was helping sort things, looked up.

"What's wrong?"

"This rock. It's a Dark Stone. I was thinking that it might
evolve a Pokémon, but so far no luck."

"Dark Stone? I've never heard of it."

"Well, where I got it from didn't speak the same language as we
do. I picked up evolve and stone. I think the word that described it
was dark, I'm not sure."

Professor Oak, frowning, walked in and heard the conversation.
He picked up the rock and studied it.

"It's an Everstone. It prevents evolution. A Pokémon that holds
this won't evolve, even if they are exposed to an Evolution stone.
Dark might have refereed to preventing. Funny thing about bad
translations: measurements get distorted, terms are misunderstood, and
who knows what else."

Taking the Everstone from the Professor, Daisy looked at it. "If
Misty was wearing this, when that blast happened....?"

Bill shrugged. "Unknown. There were a LOT of stones involved.
That is only one."

Daisy asked, "Do you mind if I kept this?"

Bill pulled out a box filled with twenty of the stones. "Go
ahead, I've got plenty of them. Now that I know what they do, I won't
need as many."
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----
Butch and Cassidy were using a pontoon boat they had swiped from
a junkyard to travel to Greystice Island.

"Cassidy, we just grab the girl and get out right?"

"Not exactly," Cassidy replied. "The boss wants any research
findings that Oak and Bill have made. If there is a way to make more
Human Pokémon, he wants that information."

"Why?"

"Because we can get not only the best Pokémon, but the best
Trainers as well."

"I see."

"Get ready, Jesse. We're going to be upstaging you soon,"
Cassidy said and started laughing.
------------------------------------------------------------- -----
Aerodactyl and Charizard winged their way to Greystice Island.
Ash kept checking to make sure the packages weren't going to fall into
the ocean. Fortunately, there were no incidents. The two flying
Pokémon touched down right outside Ash's building.

After getting the packages off, Ash lifted up two balls. "Thanks
guys. Aerodactyl, Charizard return."

Two beams of red light shone forth and recalled the two Pokémon

"Well, Ash what did you get your Mom?" Misty asked, as she
gathered her gifts up.

"If I told you, you'd have an idea on what I got you," Ash
replied.

Misty shook her head and followed her Trainer inside.

"Professor?" Ash called. "I'm back."

Professor Oak walked out of a side room. "Hi, Ash. I was just
walking through this place. I think the two of you need to do a little
bit of remodeling."

Ash and Misty looked at each other

"Why?" Misty asked.

"This huge building can hold lots of people and yet it only has
four bathrooms, and none of them has a bath or shower."

Ash blushed a deep red. "Oops."

Misty was also feeling a bit embarrassed by the situation.

Professor Oak pulled out Ash's blueprints and led the two into
another room. He placed the papers down on a table and pointed out the
changes.

"While you were gone, Agatha, Bill, and I went over these plans
and made the necessary changes that will have to be implemented for
this place."

Misty sighed and said, "As soon as we put our Christmas shopping
away, I'll be ready to do this."

"Same here, Professor."

Oak nodded and waited for the two to put up their gifts and
return. Ash and his genie returned quickly.

"Ready?" Oak asked.

The two teens nodded.

Ash took a deep breath and began, "Misty, I wish that the changes
that were made on the plans would be made to this building."

Misty's eyes glowed orange for a second, as she picked up the
plans.

"I'm going to be on this all night," Misty said.

"Maybe you can wait until tomorrow," Ash suggested.

Misty shook her head. "I said I was ready, and I don't have
anyone to blame but myself."

The Pokégenie walked off with the plans and went to work granting
her Trainer's wish.

Ash, after Misty had left, asked, "Professor? I was thinking
about starting a dairy farm and maybe use that underground forest as a
new Safari Zone to give a reason why people would come here."

"Bill and I will have to look over the forest, to see if what you
are suggesting is feasible. The dairy farm, you'll need some expert
advice I know nothing about setting one up."

"Suggestions?"

"There's a Milktank farm near Goldenrod City. The man who runs
it is a close relative of the Goldenrod City gym leader. He has been
complaining about there being too much demand for his one farm. He
might not be able to come, but Whitney should be able to."

"How will she get here?"

"Magnet Train to Saffron and then she can get over to Pallet easy
enough. Akihabra is setting up a transport booth."

"I see."

Professor Oak said, "I'll call her and see what she says. Have
you decided on a theme for your Gym yet?"

Sighing heavily, Ash replied, "Not yet. I want to get reasons to
come here in place first, then I'll decide."

"I see," Professor Oak said. "I'll see you later. I have a call
to make."
---------------------------------------------------------------- -------
Chapter 19

A girl wearing tight, white shorts and a white T-shirt, with an
orange triangle over her left breast, picked up two gray coats and
headed towards train station.

"Well, I guess I can drop Sabrina's off to her before I head to Pallet
Town."

Goldenrod City Gym leader Whitney boarded the train to Saffron
and stared at the coats. "At least those coats can be used as heavy
winter coats. I'm going to need it where I'm going."

The girl mused as the Magnet Train started up and shot towards
Goldenrod's twin. "Uncle has been overworked as of late. People do
need to eat. And, that place sounds like it would be the perfect place
to set up ice cream production."

After a while, the train stopped and Whitney disembarked. She
quickly made her way to Sabrina's Gym.

"Sabrina? Are you here?" Whitney called.

The Psychic Gym leader walked into the lobby, looking slightly
surprised. "Whitney? What are you doing here?"

Whitney shrugged and replied. "I'm on my way to Pallet Town.
Since I had to stop in Saffron first, I decided to give you your Metal
Coat now."

"Thanks," Sabrina replied, as she took one of the gray coats.
"Pallet Town? Why there?"

"There's supposed to be some sort of transport device there. I'm
going to be helping a person by the name of Ash Ketchum set up a dairy
farm. He's trying to get a Gym ready to be sanctioned, but he wants
other things in place first. Apparently he's got about forty Milktank
and he needs someone with experience with dairy farming."

Sabrina giggled a bit. "He was here yesterday. Christmas
shopping. Oh, here's the Up-grade Kit."

Whitney nodded as she took the small package from her fellow Gym
Leader.

"I guess I'll be heading off to Pallet Town," Whitney said, as
she walked away.

"Whitney, wait. I'd like to come with you. I'd like to see this
Gym that Ash is working on."

"Better hold off on evolving your Scyther. You're going to need
that Steel Coat. Greystice Island is cold. The coat will keep you
warm," Whitney said, as she stuffed the Up-grade Kit into a pocket of
the coat she was carrying.

"I think they'd at least set up near some warmth," Sabrina said.

"I'm just being safe. If so, we can remove the coats after we
arrive. No problem."

The two girls gathered up some supplies and headed off to Pallet
Town.
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------
Ash, with Pikachu, was leading Bill and Professor Oak through the
caves that led to the underground forest. He stopped and waved his
hand grandly.

"There it is. The forest I was telling you about."

Bill and Oak's mouths opened in shock as they stared at the
woods. Both looked up and saw the crystal providing light to the plant
life. Bill pulled a small telescope key-chain and peered through it.

"That's a Magikarp up there. That crystal must be part of the
reef surrounding the island. If there are more caves with crystals
like that, you might have multiple underground forests."

Professor Oak stroked his chin, as he surveyed the area. he
shook his head, and addressed Ash.

"I have a hunch, Bill might be right. This network of caves is
huge. If there are more forests, centers to study each forest should
be set up."

"What are you getting at, Professor?" Ash asked, slightly
confused.

"Gyms, Pokécenters, Labs," Oak said, as he counted with his
fingers. "It'll take some time to set up, but I think a new League
should be set up here."

"A new League?!" Ash asked, stunned. "I just wanted to set up a
Gym, not a whole League."

Bill shook his head and added his thoughts. "This place is too
big for just one Gym to handle. You own the island and its environs,
but your building is on the surface. Not down here."

"Your building can act as the central location and main contact
to the mainland, since it is on the surface," Oak said. "And, with
that Milktank farm you're setting up, you should be able to provide
food for the structures that we are suggesting."

Ash took his cap off and ran a hand through his hair.
"Professor? How are you going to build these buildings? Misty can't
handle it all. You can't bring building supplies down here without
damaging the cave."

"Er," Oak stammered. "I'll work on that."

Bill shook his head in amusement. "I'll handle it. I'll explain
it to my Pokémon and have them relate what we want built to the wild
Pokémon here. The wild Pokémon, if they are cooperative, will help in
the construction. My Lighthouse was built by wild Machoke, Diglets,
and Dugtrio."

"Why would they want to?" Ash asked.

Bill answered, "The Pokécenters. Injured or sick Pokémon can be
brought back to full health. The Gyms allow for organized combat that
usually doesn't get out of hand. The Labs will keep Pokémon that are
near extinction around, where if they weren't around those Pokémon
would die off. Like Aerodactyl, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, and
Kabutops."

"I see. By the way, those Pokémon aren't extinct," Ash said, as
he threw a Pokéball.

"Aero!" came the shrill cry of the dinosaur.

Ash continued, "As you can see, Aerodactyl is alive and well.
Misty and I have the others back at the...what are we going to call my
building?"

"Diamondshard," Bill said, as he gazed at Aerodactyl in wonder.
"And, the others are back there as well?"

"Yes."

Oak and Bill glanced at each other and nodded.

"We'll talk more about this back at...Diamondshard?" Bill said,
with a questioning glance at Ash.

Ash shrugged, "It's as good as name as any. Aerodactyl return."

A red beam of light hit the fossil Pokémon and sent it back into
its ball.

"You two want to study this one and the others as well," Ash
stated, more than asked. "Fine. I think I need to talk to Whitney
when I get back anyway."

Oak nodded, "Yes. Akihabra should have the teleporter up and
running in Pallet Town by now. Whitney will be coming via the
transporter."

"Great. Misty should be finished by the time we get back. We
can both talk to Whitney and see what sort of equipment we need."
-------------------------------------------------------------- In Pallet Town, Sabrina and Whitney asked for directions to Oak Labs.
After they got them, they made their way there. The two of them
entered the building and looked around.

"Is anyone here?" Whitney called.

A voice in another room rang out. "In here. Professor Oak said
that someone would be stopping by."

Whitney and Sabrina made their way to the voice and saw Akihabra
doing some final adjustments to the newly made transporter.

"That's it?" Whitney asked.

Akihabra replied, "Yep. I thought there was only supposed to be
one."

"I just want to visit Ash, and see his new home," Sabrina
replied.

"I see," Akihabra said, and looked at the way Whitney was
dressed. "That's not appropriate attire for that island."

Whitney smiled as she and Sabrina put on their coats. "We have
winter coats."

Akihabra waited until both were in the transporter before
throwing the switch. He watched in satisfaction as the two girls
vanished from Pallet Town to reappear on Greystice Island.

"Well those are the first two to actually use the teleporter,"
Akihabra muttered to himself.
-------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
Ash sat near the transporter and waited for Whitney's arrival,
with Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. Misty had finished granting the
wish and was in her ball, which was in the recharge unit. The
transporter hummed to life and two figures started to appear. Before
they had fully arrived, a white light emanated from each.

"What? That's a Pokémon's evolution light," Ash mumbled.
"Pikachu, get ready."

"Pi."

Ash pulled out two Pokéballs and waited for the light to fade.
He saw two humanoid forms. Mouth hanging open, he saw Sabrina and a
girl who he presumed to be Whitney form. Sabrina was dressed in a
silver version of the clothes she usually wore(tight pants and a
jacket) and Whitney was wearing silver shorts, T-shirt, and calf high
boots. Both of them had their arms held in an L shaped position.

"Sabrina? Whitney?"

The two girls looked at him and stiffly turned his way. They
slowly marched in a stiff gait towards Ash. Freaking a bit, Ash threw
a Pokéball at each one. He was shocked when the balls opened and
pulled the two inside. Watching the balls in fascination, Ash's mind
raced over what he had just seen.

"Two new human Pokémon? How?" Ash muttered, and winced as the
balls made a whooshing sound, as they completed their capture.

Picking the balls up, Ash released his two newest Pokémon. The
two of them shook their heads a bit stiffly and looked around.

Whitney addressed Ash, "Pokebot-bot-pokebot-poke?"

"Pokebot?" Ash asked Sabrina.

"Psybot-psy-psy-psybot."

The two girls blinked and looked at each other and themselves.
They frog marched towards the transporter and looked around. Whitney
patted her arms, her fingers held stiffly straight.

Ash sighed and went to get Misty's ball and his Pokédex.
"Somehow you have become Pokémon. I don't know how, though."

"I hope we can figure it out," Ash said, as he released Misty.

"Ash, what's going on?" the genie asked.

"We have to see Bill and Professor Oak. We have two new human
Pokémon to deal with."

Misty looked at the two girls and saw Sabrina's face. Wincing a
bit, Misty nodded. Ash recalled Sabrina and Whitney back into the
balls that had captured them.

"Let's go see Professor Oak," Ash said.
---------------------------------------------
In one of the larger rooms of Diamondshard, Bill and Professor Oak were
examining a Kabutops. Daisy was watching the two and shaking her head.

"Unbelievable," Bill commented. "The so-called extinct Pokémon
are still alive."

"Tops?"

Professor Oak patted the creature on the head. "It's a sad thing
when a species goes extinct, but a joyous occasion when we find out we
were wrong. Now, we can prevent you and your companions races from
going extinct."

"Kabu."

"Ash has got another attraction," Bill said, with a chuckle.

"True."

As if saying his name conjured him, Ash walked into the room with
Misty following close behind.

Oak smiled and said, "Ah, Ash. Has Whitney arrived yet?"

Wincing, Ash nodded and replied, "Yes, she arrived. Sabrina of
Saffron as well. But, something happened."

"What happened?" Bill asked, with a look of dread on his face.

Ash pulled out two Pokéballs and threw them. In a flash of
light, the two new human Pokémon appeared.

"Pokebot"

"Psybot"

Daisy, in shock, exclaimed, "How? I thought you said that it
wasn't possible, without creating an injection."

Bill rubbed his forehead frantically and replied, "I don't know.
Ash, what can you tell us?"

"Not much. The arrived via the teleporter and then an evolution
light shone from both of them."

"There is something about the teleporter I'm forgetting," Oak
said. "If we could understand them, we can find out what happened."

"I think I can handle that," Misty said. "I've worked out the
wish that allows me to understand Pokéspeech, but still talk normally."

The genie handed Ash a piece of paper .

Ash read the paper aloud, "Misty, I wish you could do
translations for Pokémon to humans."

Misty's eyes glowed orange, as she granted the wish. She quickly
conferred with her fellow Human Pokémon to find out what happened.

Misty shook here head and addressed the waiting people. "They
don't know what has happened. They made it to the teleporter and put
on some Steel Coats to keep warm and when they arrived, they were like
this. Somewhere along the way, they lost their coats. Whitney is a
bit upset, since she had an Up-grade Kit in the pocket of hers."

Bill and Oak groaned in unison.

Bill muttered, "The trade evolution items. Humans don't go
through a link cable or anything close to it. When they teleported
wearing Steel Coats, they evolved into Pokémon, like a Scyther would
evolve into Scizor."

Daisy eyed the two silver clad girls in sympathy. "So what type
are they?"

Bill took Ash's Pokédex and typed in it a bit.

"Whitney is a pure Steel type. A Pokebot. Sabrina is a
Steel/Psychic type. A Psybot."

"Psybot-psybot-psybot," Sabrina said.

"Pokebot," Whitney added, while nodding her head.

Ash asked, "Misty? What did they say?"

"They are getting hungry and need something to eat. They're
upset, but they do need food in a hurry."

"Your taste buds were changed when you were, theirs probably were
to," Ash said. "What do they eat?"

Silence was his only answer.
--------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Chapter 20

Ash scratched his head, as he looked at his two newest Pokémon.
He was still in a bit of shock from having two new human Pokémon. But
right now, his main concern was what food they could eat.

"Pikachu, get Chansey," Ash said.

"Pika," the yellow mouse replied, as it ran off.

Ash pulled out his Pokédex and brought a Pokéball from storage.

"Milktank, go," Ash cried.

The cow Pokémon appeared in a flash of light. Soon after,
Pikachu reappeared with Chansey.

Misty asked, "What are you up to?"

"I think I know," Bill said. "Even Magnemite and Magneton can
take Softboiled eggs and Milk Drink. Ash is probably go have Sabrina
and Whitney eat and drink that, while we try to figure out what they
normally eat."

"Psybot-bot?" Sabrina asked, as she looked at Ash.

Ash nodded.

Whitney gave an answering nod. "Pokebot."

The two steel humans allowed Milktank and Chansey to look after
them.

Daisy asked, "Like, do they have sunburn? They're moving so
stiffly."

"That's because they're Steel type Pokémon," Oak said. "Their
bodies are made out of metal ."

Daisy commented, "Like they are Pokémon robots. Shouldn't you
plug them in, instead of feeding them?"

"Daisy!" Misty said sharply. "That wasn't nice."

Bill shook his head. "No, it wasn't. But, she might have
something there."

The newly made Pokémon looked in Bill's direction, listening to
what he was saying.

Bill continued, "Both were wearing Steel Coats, but Whitney had
an Up-grade kit in the pocket of hers. An item that was designed
solely for the evolution of Porygon, an artificial Pokémon. Steel
Coats usually have to be found on wild Magnemite, an inorganic Pokémon.
They might need voltage as their source of food."

Ash looked at the Psybot and Pokebot dubiously. "What? I should
order Pikachu to Thundershock them to feed them?"

"No," Bill replied, shaking his head. "But, I think there might
be a way for Pikachu to feed them."

Sabrina brought her right hand slowly to right below the base of
the neck. With a bit of effort she pointed to an area just below the
base of the throat.

"Bot-psybot-psy-psybot-bot-psybot-psy-psybot-bot-psy."

Misty translated, "She has the feeling that you can feed them
electricity at where she is pointing."

"How does she know that?" Ash asked.

Professor Oak answered, "All life forms know instinctively what
they need to do to survive, Ash. Those that don't, die. And, Sabrina
is a powerful psychic, even before being turned into a Pokémon. She
probably sensed it."

Sabrina and Whitney managed to expose the area of the throat that
was in question. Set in each girl's body was a small semi-transparent
lens made of some dark green crystal.

Blushing heavily, Ash said, "Pikachu, very carefully throw some
of your electricity into those crystals."

Pikachu nodded, and let loose a very controlled and small
Thundershock at each girl's throat lens. The two Steel Pokémon
vibrated as energy poured into them. Pikachu stopped after a second
and waited. After covering their crystals, the two girls nodded their
thanks to Pikachu.

"Pokebot-pokebot-pokebot-bot."

"She thanked Pikachu and that she's full"

"Psybot," Sabrina added, nodding her head.

Looking at the two new Pokégirls, Ash mumbled, "Maybe I can make
a wish and the two of you will be back to normal."

"I wouldn't even know where to start," Misty objected. "I have
no idea on how to change them back. If I did, wouldn't you think that
I would have given you the wish to change me back long before now?"

"Like that idea totally went down," Daisy said.

"I have another problem," Ash said. "Pikachu is my only electric
Pokémon. If they need electricity to eat, Pikachu is the only one who
can provide it. What do we do if Pikachu is to tired to feed them."

"We'll work on that later," Bill said. "First, I have to call
Professor Akihabra and tell him to turn off the teleporter and not to
activate it anymore. We don't need any more Human Pokémon."

Professor Oak nodded. "You do that. After you do so, please
join me in the lab. I think I can come up with something that might
help these two out. Misty, I'm going to need your help."

"Mine? Why?"

"Heat and phasing," Oak replied. "Plus, you wanted to learn
about Pokémon care."

"What about me, Professor?" Ash asked.

"For right now, not much. I'll need you later. You might as
well give your new Pokémon a tour of the place."

Ash mumbled under his breath. "And, it might give me time to
figure out what I'm going to say to their families."

Ash nodded at Professor Oak and motioned for Psybot and Pokebot
to follow him. They marched after him in a toy soldier fashion.

"Like that must totally be a pain, walking like that." Daisy
commented.

Bill said, "Easier for them to walk like that."

"Like why?"

"They are made out of metal," Bill reiterated. "And, that
limits their flexibility."

Daisy nodded, shuddered, hugged herself, and whispered, "Too
close."
------------------------------------------------------ ----------
Ash took the girls to the ball storage room and showed them
around. He pointed out the cabinets and offered the girls a cabinet
each to hold their Pokémon. The girls nodded their acceptance.

Ash took off his cap and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm
sorry this happened to you. All I can promise is that I will be the
best Trainer that I can for you."

"Psybot."

"Pokebot."

Ash took out two balls from his pocket and held them up, with a
questioning glance at the Steel Pokémon. The girls nodded.

"Sabrina, Whitney return."

Ash recalled the two back into their Pokéballs and pocketed the
spheres.

"Well, Pikachu. It looks like I have four set slots on my team.
You, Misty, Sabrina, and Whitney. We're going to have to go to Saffron
and Goldenrod to explain this mess."

Ash winced as he realized that he was going to have to face
Sabrina's father and explain to a Psychic that his daughter was now a
Pokémon.

"What a mess."

"What are you talking about? What mess?"

Ash looked up and saw Brock walk in the room with Chansey.

"There was an accident with the teleporter," Ash began, then he
shook his head. "Never mind, you'll find out soon enough. I need your
advice on a Rock Pokémon."

"Sure, which one?"

Ash threw a Pokéball.

"Aero!"

"This one."

Brock looked up at the dinosaur, who smiled wickedly The Pewter
City gym leader leaned back and back and fell to the ground in a dead
faint.

"Brock?" Ash asked, as he knelt beside his friend. "I guess
seeing an extinct Pokémon was a bit much for him."

Pikachu shook his head. "Pika."

"Aero," Aerodactyl said, and laughed a bit.
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---
Misty looked down at the wand she helped make. Picking it up,
she turned it over in her hand and looked at it. It looked like a
stage magician's wand, but the white ends were gray and there were
buttons set near one end.. On the end opposite the buttons, a small
lens was set in the tip.

"All right Professor, what did we just make?"

Professor Oak took the wand from Misty and pointed it at the
wall. He pressed a button and a small spark of electricity shot out.

"This wand will allow Sabrina and Whitney to recharge, so to
speak, without relying on Pikachu. I use something similar, but in a
different shape, to feed Magnemite and Magneton."

"Clever," Misty commented.

"Thank you," Oak replied. He sighed heavily.

"Misty, what is going on? Before you were changed, Ash caught
very few Pokémon. Now, he's catching Pokémon that veteran trainers
have spent their lives searching for. Aerodactyl, Omanyte, Omastar,
Kabuto, Kabutops, Articuno."

"Well, he's never really been in the mood to catch Pokémon. When
he is, the Pokémon is usually somebody else's or we're on a no catching
zone. He once caught a whole forest of Exeggecutor when he was
hypnotized by Melvin. He could have used his Pokéballs to reclaim
them, but he didn't feel right about it."

"I see."

Misty curiously asked, "Professor, you said that Ash has
Articuno. None of his Pokémon are that big."

"Sapphire. It appears to be a baby Articuno. It throws the
entire idea of there only being one of each legendary bird onto the
scrap pile. I'm just not sure I should tell the world of that
discovery. I don't want unscrupulous Trainers trying to catch the trio
of birds in the Orange Islands."

Professor Oak laughed a bit. "Of course with the fossil Pokémon
he has, Ash is going to be hounded anyway. Ah well, let's get the wand
to Ash. I'll just conveniently forget about Sapphire in my excitement
over the extinct Pokémon."

Misty nodded.

"You know, Omanyte is my favorite Pokémon. A fossil of its shell
started my passion for Pokémon research."

Professor Oak reminisced about his childhood as they left to hunt
for Ash.
------------------------------------------------------------------ ----
Butch and Cassidy stood at the edge of the plain that held
Diamondshard. The two Team Rocket members stared in awe at the huge
crystalline structure.

"Big building," Butch said.

"Never mind that," Cassidy said. "What Pokémon do you have?"

"Raticate, Drowzee, Hitmonlee. You?"

"Poliwhirl, Sandslash, Rhydon. More than enough to knock out
that genie, since she is a Fire type."

"And my Pokémon can handle that Brock kid's Pokémon. Let's go.
We have some Pokémon to steal."

The two thieves found the simple door into the place and burst
in. They soon found Ash by himself, as he was walking out of another
room.

"Not your two!" Ash exclaimed, and brought out a Pokéball.

"Prepare for trouble and make it double!"

"To infect the world with devastation."

"To blight all peoples in every nation."

"To destroy the goodness of truth and love."

"To extend our wrath to the skies above."

"Cassidy."

"Butch."

"We're Team Rocket circling Earth all day and night."

"Surrender to us now, or you will surely lose the fight."

"That's right."

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Cassidy threw a ball out. It opened up and a Rhydon appeared,
right in the way of Pikachu's Thunderbolt."

"Electric attacks are worthless against Rock types."

Brock came rushing out of the room. "Ash?! What's going on?"

"The annoying Team Rocket is here," Ash replied, as he gripped a
ball in his hand.

"We came prepared for both of you. Surrender Pikachu, your Human
Pokémon, and any research to us now."

Ash muttered under his breath, "The ceiling is too low for
Aerodactyl and the only other Pokémon I have with me are Whitney and
Sabrina."

Brock tossed out a Pokéball. "Zubat, Supersonic."

The bat Pokémon let out a wail that confused Rhydon.

Butch cried out, "Drowzee, use Hypnosis on Zubat and Pikachu."

"Drowzee-drowzee-drowzee."

Pikachu and Zubat slowed down as they were slowly lulled into a
trance. After a moment, the two fell to the ground asleep.

"I have no choice," Ash said. "Whitney, go."

"Pokebot," the former human said, as she appeared in a flash of
light.

"What?" Brock, Cassidy, and Butch said in unison.

Quickly checking his Pokédex, Ash said "Whitney use Metal Claw on
Rhydon."

"Bot," the Pokebot said, as her right hand went into a claw
formation.

The steel Pokémon brought her hand against Rhydon's head. The
impact was tremendous and sent the rock Pokémon sprawling. It was
unconscious before it hit the ground.

Cassidy recovered and said, "So, there is more than one human
Pokémon. Hand over all your human Pokémon."

"Forget it," Ash said.

"Drowzee hypnotize the twerps. We'll take their Pokémon off them
when they are asleep," Butch ordered.

After a second, he realized Drowzee wasn't answering him.
Looking over, he saw that his Pokémon had been attacked by something.

"Who did that?" Butch demanded.

An answering nip on his butt told him that whoever did it was
behind him. He jumped away, turned around and looked directly into the
eyes of Umbreon.

Rubbing his backside, Butch commented, "We're supposed to be the
sneaky ones. Raticate, Hitmonlee take care of that Pokémon"

The two Team Rocket Pokémon appeared and charged at Umbreon. It
jumped back and fired off a Swift attack at both Pokémon. By the time
the Swift had faded, Umbreon had vanished.

"Where did that Pokémon go?" Cassidy demanded.

Ash and Brock started laughing, since they saw that Umbreon was
sitting on top of Cassidy's head. Umbreon dropped down and used
Cassidy's face to kick off from as it launched a Faint Attack at
Raticate. The rat creature went down under the Moonlight Pokémon's
attack.

"Hitmonlee," the kicking fiend said as it launched a Rolling Kick
at the black creature.

Umbreon barely dodged the attack.

Ash called out, "Whitney, Lock-On."

The Pokebot's eyes glowed for a second and Whitney's eyes tracked
Hitmonlee. Her body moving slightly to keep Hitmonlee centered.

"Tri-attack."

Whitney straightened her arms in front of her. Three spiraling
beams of light shot forth form the area between her hands. The attack
struck Hitmonlee perfectly and knocked him out.

"Great work you two," Ash said.

A sudden brown streak knocked Whitney and Umbreon out. The
streak stopped and a very large Sandslash stood there.

"Hah," Cassidy said. "My Sandslash was able to take out your
best shots."

Ash bit his lower lip and tossed a Pokéball.

"Psybot."

"Sabrina!?" Brock asked in shock.

"Sabrina use Lock-on."

"Psy."

Like Whitney, Sabrina's eyes and body tracked Sandslash.

"Dig, Sandslash and come up underneath that Pokémon," Cassidy
called.

"Slash," the mouse Pokémon said as it dug its way underground.

"Confusion attack."

"Psybot."

A wave of Psychic energy plowed into Sandslash, even though it
was underneath the floor. The mouse Pokémon was knocked out. Before
Sabrina could right herself and look at Team Rocket, a spray of water
from a released Poliwhirl knocked her out.

"Ash, what's going on? Why are they being knocked out so easy?"
Brock asked.

"Sabrina and Whitney were just turned into Pokémon. They are
only level five," Ash said, reluctantly.

"They might be, but I'm not," a new voice said.

All four turned around and saw Misty glowering angrily at Team
Rocket.

"How dare you use a Water Pokémon to steal," Misty said, as she
launched a punch at Poliwhirl.

Before it reached Poliwhirl, Misty's fist was surrounded by a
crackling field of energy. Poliwhirl took the full force of an enraged
genie's Thunderpunch and passed out.

"Ash, after we get rid of them," Misty growled. "We have to do
something about that door. It's too easy for thieves to break in."

A sudden stamping of feet alerted Team Rocket that they were
severely outnumbered. The sight of Agatha of the Elite Four caused
them to blanch in horror. Behind her were the other Pallet Trainers.
The Sensational Sisters, Bill, and Professor Oak came from another
direction.

Cassidy put on a brave front. "We might have underestimated you
this time, but its only a matter of time before Team Rocket gets your
Pokémon, including the human ones."

Ash sighed. "I wish that you and your Pokémon were teleported to
where Jesse and James are."

Misty's eyes glowed orange as she granted Ash's wish.

"Done. They won't be bothering us for a while."

Ash recalled all his knocked out Pokémon into their balls, save
Pikachu. He placed them on the healing machine and activated it.
Pikachu woke up and glance around.

"I don't know what to do," Ash said. "Butch and Cassidy will
tell their boss, and I will have to deal with more than just them or
Jesse and James."

Brock asked, "How did those two girls become Pokémon?"

The ones who didn't know, listened as Misty told them of the
events. All of them shuddered, realizing how close they came to being
changed.

Brock walked up to Ash. "Please, you got to let e date one of
them."

Misty grabbed him by the ear and dragged Brock off. "Ash has
more important things to worry about than letting you date one of his
Pokémon."

Professor Oak handed Ash the wand that he and Misty had prepared.
Bill handed over two elastic wristbands with a single stone sewn into
each one.

"What are these for?"

Professor Oak quickly explained how the wand worked. Ash nodded
as he put it away. Both looked at Bill, who handed Ash a piece of
paper.

"They might not be able to be turned back. But with that wish
and these stones, they will be able to talk normally while wearing
them."

"That's great," Ash said. "I'll just give them the bands and that
will solve that problem."

Bill held up a hand. "These modified stones can't be taken into
a Pokéball or worn when using a healing machine. Plus, I think they
can only be used for six hours in a twenty-four hour period"

Ash held the bands and sighed. He looked up and Professor Oak
was on the phone talking to someone. The scientist clicked off the
cell-phone and looked at his student.

"Since Team Rocket is aware of the situation and will probably
send more agents, I took the liberty to explain to the president of the
Pokémon League on what happened. I also told him about the League that
we were thinking about setting up here."

"And?" Ash asked.

"He wants you to go on a tour with your Human Pokémon. By doing
this, you should be able to squelch a lot of bad rumors that will soon
appear if you don't. He wants you to challenge a League and at each
gym you must use one of your Human Pokémon. If she is knocked out, you
can use a regular Pokémon."

"I see. Can it wait until the beginning of the year? I want to
celebrate Christmas."

Professor Oak nodded. "He did suggest that. The beginning of a
new year and the beginning of a new Pokémon Journey."
---------------------------------------------------
After making sure the teleporter was shut down, Oak had Ash bring
his mom and Professor Akihabra to Diamondshard. With the two new Human
Pokémon, Ash had his Milktank farm set up and was ready to go. In a
few days, Christmas rolled around and Ash gave out the gifts he had
bought. He got upgrade cards for his Pokégear from Misty. His mom had
bought him a few packages of clean underwear.

Misty asked, "So, Ash why did you want us to open the gifts we
got from you last?"

"They are all the same, yet different," Ash replied.

Humans and Human Pokémon alike opened the small boxes they had
received from Ash. All of them contained a single red and white ball.

"A Pokéball?" Misty asked in disbelief, as she threw it.

The ball opened up and a Tentacool appeared.

Ash scratched his head. "Not a Pokéball, a Pokémon. I know how
you like Tentacool."

Ash looked over to his new human Pokémon. "I was kind of in a
rush, when I had to get yours."

Sabrina robotically threw her Pokéball and an Exeggcute appeared.
Whitney had received a Tauros.

"A Machoke?" Mrs. Ketchum asked.

Ash smiled, "Sure. With all the work you put in your garden, I
figured a Machoke would be an excellent choice."

Misty whispered to her sisters, "She wanted us to pick up a ton
of fertilizer for her once."

The Sensational Sisters found that they had all received a
Poliwag.

Brock stared at the Steel Pokémon girls and mumbled something.

"Sorry, Brock. But, I'm the one responsible for their
predicament," Ash said, rolling his eyes

Brock received a Rhydon from Ash.

Looking at the three scientists, Ash rubbed the back of his neck.
"You three were really hard to get something for."

"Don't worry about it, Ash," Oak said. "Whatever you got us,
will be fine."

"Magnemite," the three released Pokémon chorused.

Agatha smiled as she saw hers. "Another Zubat."

"I couldn't find any Ghost Pokémon that I could capture."

Jack and John had each received a Mankey

Ash walked over to his old rival.

"Gary, I have never been after Agatha's position. I've always
known it was your sister that would take her place. I hope that what I
got you will go some way in restoring our friendship."

Gary looked up and saw the sincerity in Ash's eyes. He released
the Pokémon that was inside the ball and gasped in wonder. The other
people in the room gasped as well.

"A Dratini," Gary whispered. "I can't accept this."

"Yes, you can," Ash said. "I spent a lot of time hunting one
down, just to give to you."

Ash nodded at Agatha, who smiled back at him. The three human
Pokémon recalled their Pokémon and followed their Trainer out of the
room.

"So, that's what you were up to," Misty said. "I can't believe
you gave him a Dratini."

"That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want an argument about
it."

Ash entered the room where his Pokéball were kept and sighed. He
ran his fingers over the balls that held the fossil Pokémon. He gave a
short laugh as he looked at the number of Pokémon he had caught.

"My mom's staying here with my Pokémon. Agatha has stepped down
from the Elite Four and is going to handle running the Gym while I'm
away."

Misty asked, "Which Pokémon are you taking with you, when you
take us on that tour? Charizard?"

"Charizard stays here to protect my mom. I also want Chansey to
stay here as well. She's in charge of keeping all my Pokémon well.
Pikachu is definitely coming with us. The Growlithe, Umbreon, and
Espeon are now doing guard duty around Diamondshard."

Ash looked over the Pokéballs and pulled two off.

"Aerodactyl and Bulbasaur. I think Squirtle is having too much
fun with the Omanyte, Kabuto, Omastar, and Kabutops for me to take him
with us."

Speaking of guard duty, let's get that door taken care of."

Ash nodded and wished for a more secure door. Misty's eyes
glowed as the door to Diamondshard grew, became a double door and had
not only a lock, but a crystalline crossbar as well.

"That's that," Misty said

Ash looked at the new door and gave an amused chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Misty demanded."

"Nothing. I was just thinking that how I swore I would become
the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer when I started out."

"Yeah. So?" Misty said.

"It's just that I didn't think there was another way to read
that."

"What are you talking about?"

"Psybot?"

"Pokebot?"

"I'm the Trainer of the world's greatest Pokémon."

The three human Pokémon blushed a bit.

"In a week we start our journey," Ash said. "A new Pokémon
journey. Our first stop will be Saffron City. I've got to explain
this mess to Sabrina's parents. Same goes for Whitney's family."

The three Human Pokémon winced as they wondered what their
journey as Pokémon would be like.

To Be Continued