Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Team Rocket Strikes Back! An AAML Story ❯ Chapter 13: Pallet Town Revisited ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 13: Pallet Town Revisited

 

8/31/2005- Went through the chapter and double-checked it. I hope to have the rest of these chapters reposted by tomorrow night.

 

This chapter has a lot of picture references in it, all taken from Pokemon Page 1, 2, and 3 of my website. Check my author page for the link to my site. Please R & R!

 

 

The freight train pulls into the Pallet Town station and comes to a complete halt. The conductor knocks on the door and the group gets up and heads towards the exit and out of the train. Ash is the first one to notice where they're at...

 

Ash: Hey, it looks like we're north of the town... (Looks around at the new houses that were not there 25 years ago) The town has really grown a lot... all of this was open field before...

 

Misty: (Also taking stock of their surroundings) Yeah... Ash is right.

 

Brock: Where should we go first?

 

Duplica: Why don't we go over to Professor Oak's place? Maybe he's still living here...

 

Misty: That's a good idea... let's go!

 

Ash leads the way south down the wide, paved road that had been half as large in the past. They pass a few small factories and notice that there is Team Rocket owned buildings everywhere. A feeling of uneasiness comes over the four as they continue down the road towards Professor Oak's lab.

 

Brock: (Looking off to the right side of the road) What's that?

 

A large metal radio tower rises up from the landscape in the middle of what was the range area out behind the lab. Numerous small buildings are clustered around the tower; they look like miniature military barracks...

 

Ash: I wonder what all of that stuff is for?

 

Duplica: (Bending her head to try and see the top of the tower) That tower must be really tall! I can barely see that top of it!

 

Misty: (Grabbing Ash's hand tightly) I have a bad feeling about this, Ash. That stuff doesn't look like something that Professor Oak would build...

 

Ash: Yeah...

 

A few a more minutes of walking, the group arrives in front of the path that leads up to Prof. Oak's lab. What they find is a rusty gate and a decrepit looking structure up at the top of the path. The area around the lab is ragged and wild looking. Only the tower area looks new and/or maintained.

 

Brock: It looks this lab hasn't been used in a long time...

 

Misty: Well, what should we do? Check out the lab or keep looking around town?

 

Duplica: Why don't we take a quick look inside and then we can check out the rest of the town.

 

Ash: Sure, why not?

 

Pikachu stays close to Ash as he leads the way up the path to the laboratory. Ash knocks on the front door several times before turning the handle and finding out that it's unlocked. He gently pushes the wooden door open and stares into the dimly lit room. Dust covers every shelf and table...

 

Misty: Looks like no one's been here for a long time, there's dust everywhere!

 

Brock: Let's check out the rest of the lab.

 

Brock takes the lead and the others follow him as they walk around the rest of the house. Besides the dust being everywhere, it looks like no one has been here for quite sometime, windows are damaged and there is glass on the floor. When they get to main lab, Brock pauses as his eyes behold what has happened to the lab in the last 25 years...

 

Brock: What the heck happened in here?

 

Debris is strewn all over the room; there are indications of various mini-explosions and also some bullet holes in various pieces of equipment. None of the computers appear to be working, either...

 

Duplica: (With a concerned tone) Looks like there was some fighting in here...

 

Misty: (Curiously) I wonder what happened?

 

Brock: I don't know... but I think we should go outside and take a look around in the back of the lab.

 

Ash: That's a good idea.

 

Ash and company head around to the back of the lab and find fields of corn and wheat, extending back to the mountains to the north of Pallet Town. The fields are spread out to all the way to the barracks and radio to the west and as far as the eye can see to the east... there is no trace of the fences or any other part of Prof. Oak's old Pokemon range area...

 

Ash: (Looking at the fields of corn and wheat) They really must have expanded the farming around here... I can't even see the end of these fields!

 

Brock: Hmm... looks like Pallet Town has become really important for Team Rocket. We should be careful around here.

 

Duplica: I agree. Let's go back down the hill and check out the rest of the town.

 

As they make their way around the building and out in front again, Misty notices something quite large in the grass...

 

Misty: It's the old windmill blades! (Looks up at the windmill) It looks like those blades fell off and landed over here. (Concerned) I'm really worried about Professor Oak... did he move out or something?

 

Ash moves next to Misty and gives her a reassuring hug. He is worried about Professor Oak as well, especially after all of the things he saw in the lab...

 

Brock and Duplica take a moment to survey the rest of the town from the hill that they are on. They notice several new houses and factories to the south, especially the area south of the old town, where the port is located. Brock also spots a familiar place in the distance...

 

Brock: (Excited) Hey, Ash, there's your old house! (Points at the house in the distance)

 

Ash: (Getting excited himself) Really? Let's go! (Takes Misty's hand and starts to run down the hill)

 

Brock: Come on, Duplica... let's see if we can find something good in this future town.

 

Duplica: Sounds good... but we'd better run. (Points at the running Ash and Misty who are already down the hill) Otherwise, we won't catch up to those two...

 

Brock and Duplica run down the hill after Ash and Misty. The townspeople that Ash and Misty pass look at them with curiosity and a little bit of fear. Ash and Misty don't notice that- Ash is focused on one thing only- reaching home ASAP. About a minute later, when Brock and Duplica pass by, some of the people begin to get concerned. Mumbles of 'Turning the youth against us' and 'Will they ever stop' are heard...

 

Ash arrives in front of his old house and stops. Unlike Prof. Oak's lab, it is in somewhat good condition. Ash notices that his mom's garden has gone wild. The grass is overgrown and there are leaves all over the place...

 

Misty: (Looking at the house and the outside of it) Doesn't look like anyone's living here, either.

 

Ash: Let's go inside!

 

Brock: (With a bit of concern in his voice) Ash, I think we should be careful...

 

Duplica: I'm with Brock on that one.

 

Ash: (Quietly) Okay, let's go inside.

 

After a quick look around, the four teens head inside the house. The inside is in good condition, and looks very similar to the way it was 25 years ago...

 

Ash: Looks the same to me... but no one is living here. I wonder what happened to my mother?

 

Ash sadly looks around the lower part of the house. The appearance of the kitchen and the front room really drive home the fact that Ash and his friends may be truly alone in this new time. Ash heads upstairs and heads into his mother's room. He finds a slightly different pattern of decoration there, and some new furnishing. The bed looks like it has been slept in, but the outside of the house indicates that it is not being used anymore. Feeling more confused then ever, Ash heads over to his old room. After gently opening the door, his jaw drops to the ground...

 

A makeshift memorial occupies what was once Ash's room. Plastic flowers are on his bed alongside photos and letters of condolence. His old outfit and league hat are together on a hanger next to the bed. Ash can't even begin to imagine what his mother went through when she thought that he died...

 

Ash: (Softly to himself) The friends and relatives of Misty, Brock, and Duplica's family must have felt the same way too...

 

Ash removes the flowers and photos from the lower bunk and stretches out on his old bed. The blanket and the sheets are the exact same ones that he used to have. Tears soon trickle down his face as he tries to come to grips with the current situation...

 

Misty comes upstairs a minute later and hears Ash crying. She enters the room and sits down on the bed next to him...

 

Misty: (Lovingly and in a comforting tone of voice) Ash, I'm here for you...

 

Ash: (Sits up on the bed and then tries to smile) Thanks, Mist. (Wipes the tears off of his face) I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you...

 

Misty: (Blushing) Ash...

 

Misty gently pulls Ash into a hug and continues to blush as Ash pulls her very close, he doesn't want to lose what he has left in his life. Misty regains her composure a moment later, wraps her arms around Ash, and begins to whisper in his ear to comfort him...

 

Misty: It'll be all right... I'm here for you now and forever, Ash.

 

Ash: (Very quietly) Thank you, Misty. I love you.

 

Misty: (Blushing again) I love you too, Ash.

 

Ash and Misty enjoy a moment of silence together, both are focusing on the warmth and the comfort that they are receiving from the other person. This is their closest and most intimate moment so far in their relationship, and both of them savor the moment. A little while later, Brock, Pikachu and Duplica come upstairs to Ash's room. Brock immediately notices what is going on and puts a finger over lips. Duplica and Brock peer inside and immediately realize what Brock meant. Ash and Misty gently let go of each other a few minutes later and Brock, Pikachu and Duplica step into the room...

 

Brock: Are you okay, Ash?

 

Pikachu: PIKA PI!

 

Ash: I'm fine now... Misty was able to help me...

 

Duplica: That's good. (Looks around the room) Your room looks like some kind of memorial...

 

Ash: My mom probably made it after that fire... it's kinda creepy in a way...

 

Misty: You said it!

 

Brock notices a photo album sitting on a table in Ash's room. He walks over to it and then brings it back over to the bed. He sits down next to Ash, who has Pikachu in his lap. Duplica sits down next to Brock, who opens the picture album...

 

Misty: (Looking at the photo album) Hey, where'd you get that from?

 

Brock: It was over on the table over there... I remember Ash's mom saying that she would make an album with all of our pictures it and have it ready for the Johto Championships. Since that never happened, she probably made it so she could keep all of our pictures together...

 

Ash: (Sighs) Yeah, I guess...

 

Brock: (Turns to the first page) Aha! Here's a picture of Duplica and I from the first time we met...

 

Duplica: Brock, we're wearing the same uniforms as we were wearing in that picture... must be a coincidence.

 

To see the picture of Brock and Duplica in their TR uniforms, go to the Pokemon Picture Page #1 link on my website and look at picture #1...

 

Brock: That's right... though you look a lot more beautiful in yours now...

 

Duplica: (Blushing) Brock, stop that! You're making me blush!

 

Misty: (Sighs) Okay, okay... let's look at the next picture. (Looks at picture #2) Now there's a picture!

 

Ash: You bet! Misty and I look great in the Team Rocket uniforms... (Points at the picture) Misty's even doing her wink and peace sign...

 

To see a picture of Ash and Misty in their TR uniforms, go to the Pokemon Picture Page #2 link on my website and look at picture #2...

 

Misty: (Nostalgically) I remember when Brock took that picture... that was just after the Ditto incident with Team Rocket.

 

Duplica: Yeah... that was a long time ago. (Looks at the next picture) I think I can tell who took these next two pictures...

 

Brock: (Blushing) Hmm... I wonder. What can I say... I must've really been attracted to you from that first meeting three years ago.

 

To see the three pictures of Duplica (One smiling, one with her Ditto's and one angry), go to Pokemon Picture Page #2 and look at pictures #3, #4, and #5...

 

Ash: Here's a good one! All of us in Team Rocket uniforms just after Team Rocket got sent away...

 

To see the group picture Ash is looking at, go to picture #6 on Pokemon Picture Page #2...

 

Brock: (Quickly turning the page) (Trying to place innocent) Let's skip that last one...

 

Duplica: Hey! What are you hiding? (Turns the page back and finds a picture of Officer Jenny on the bottom of the page) (Looks at Brock) Must be one of your pictures, huh?

 

Brock: (Nervously) Y-Yeah...

 

To see the picture Brock took of Officer Jenny, go to picture #7 on Pokemon Picture Page #2...

 

Duplica: (Smiling) It's okay... I'm not mad. Let's see what else we got here... (Turns the page) Ah! Another group photo of all of us in Team Rocket uniforms... and Pikachu in the center of it all!

 

Pikachu: (Looking at the picture) PIKA!

 

To see the group picture with Pikachu, go to picture #8 on Pokemon Picture Page #2...

 

As the teens continue to look at the picture album, two shadowy figures talk to each other inside nearby large bushes. They have been observing the group ever since they went inside Professor Oak's old place. A few words are passed back and forth as they observe the current situation...

 

Both people are dressed in camouflage and have walky-talkies on their belt. A mask covers the face of both agents...

 

Male Agent: I wonder what those kids are up to? No one has gone into the lab for years...

 

Female Agent: Yeah. And why are they here? Something is just not right with this situation. Maybe we should go inside and see what they're up to...

 

Male Agent: Let's wait here for a little while and see if they come out on their own. If they don't, we'll go in.

 

The female agent nods her head and both sit patiently and wait for the group to come outside.

 

Back in the house, the kids continue to look through the picture album and reminisce about the past...

 

Ash: (Pointing to a picture at the top of the current page, which shows Ash and Misty at the beach) There's a nice picture...

 

To see a picture of Ash and Misty at the beach, go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #9.

 

Duplica: I can see why you'd like it, it looks like you and Misty are getting along pretty well...

 

Misty blushes as a result of Duplica's comment. Brock starts to chuckle to himself...

 

Brock: (Pointing at the bottom of the picture) Even Pikachu and Togepi got in this picture... I didn't notice that when I took the picture.

 

Misty: (Pointing to the next picture) What about this one? I think I look pretty good in this one.

 

Ash looks at the picture Misty is talking about. He recalls the situation where the picture took place... it was right before Christmas, and Ash's mom had some costumes for them...

 

To see a picture of Ash in a reindeer costume and Misty in a Santa outfit, along with Pikachu and Togepi, go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #10.

 

Ash: You did, Misty... but I had to wear that reindeer costume!

 

Brock: (Looking closely at the picture) Ash, why are you blushing in this picture?

 

Ash: Um... um... I am not!

 

Brock: I think "someone" couldn't keep their eyes off of "someone" else...

 

Duplica: (Nudging Brock) Like you're one to talk, Brock...

 

Ash: (Looking at the next picture) Here is a picture of me and Misty from one of those photo booths about 9 months ago...

 

Misty: (Smiling) I could tell he really cared for me then... (Puts her head down on Ash's shoulder)

 

Ash: (Taking Misty's hand) (Softly) Misty...

 

To see the picture of Ash and Misty, (Once again, Pikachu and Togepi are in the photo with the couple); go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #11.

 

Brock turns the page and reads the caption below the next picture aloud...

 

Brock: My little boy is growing up... awww!

 

Ash: Give me that! (Takes the album away from Brock, then looks at the picture in question) Misty, it looks like my mom caught me in the act of giving you one of your Christmas presents...

 

Misty: I wasn't even expecting that kiss... but it was a nice surprise.

 

To see the picture of Ash kissing Misty, go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #12.

 

Brock: (Pointing at the next picture in the album, which features Misty and Delia Ketchum) I caught this next picture... the look on Misty's face was priceless!

 

Misty: (Getting angry) And just what does that mean?

 

Brock: Well, it doesn't look like you're enjoying that cooking lesson from Mrs. Ketchum...

 

Misty: I wasn't in a good mood... (Glares at Ash) Someone had gotten me angry earlier...

 

To see the picture of Misty getting a cooking lesson from Mrs. Ketchum, go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #14.

 

Ash has a sweat drop and then points at the next picture, which shows Ash splashing water onto Misty at the beach...

 

Ash: (Trying to cheer up Misty and calm her down) Umm... Misty... remember this one? You certainly look happy in this picture...

 

Misty: (Calming down) Yeah... that was fun. We should go down to the beach again...

 

Ash: Yeah.

 

After look through the rest of the pictures, Ash closes the album. He notices a piece of paper sticking out of the last page of the album. He opens the album up and takes the paper out. Misty looks at the paper and then Brock does too. Brock instantly knows what it is...

 

Brock: There's my drawing! I left that here by accident when we left to go and find Team Rocket...

 

Duplica: (Looking over Brock's shoulder) Oh, it's a drawing of Ash and Misty... in a Jacuzzi?

 

Brock: Ash told me he had "accidentally" hopped in there while Misty was in there. This was during our training session back here in Pallet Town. I drew this and added a few words to try and picture the scene... what do you think?

 

Ash and Misty both blush as they recall the incident. Misty breathes a sigh of relief as she looks closer at the picture- Ash had not given Brock the exact details of what happened.

 

Misty: (Pretending to laugh) Haha! Very funny, Brock.

 

To see the picture that Brock drew, go to Pokemon Picture Page 3, picture #13.

 

Duplica: That's a pretty good drawing... (Whispers in Brock's ear) Maybe you should draw a picture of us...

 

Brock: (Turning to look at Duplica) I will. (Winks at Duplica) I had taken some lessons from Tracy, that's how I learned how to draw.

 

Duplica: I see.

 

A noise downstairs catches Pikachu's attention. His ears perk up and he runs over to Ash...

 

Pikachu: PIKA-PI! (Points at the doorway)

 

Ash: What's wrong, Pikachu?

 

Pikachu: PIKA!!! (Electricity sparks from his cheeks)

 

Misty: Something must be wrong...

 

A moment later, the two agents step into the room, still wearing their camouflage gear but now wearing masks as well...

 

Female Agent: (Pulling out a tazer) Stop right there!

 

All four teens and Pikachu turn and look at the two agents. A scared Togepi retreats into its shell and digs into Misty's backpack, where it current is...

 

Ash: (Jumping to his feet) Who are you?!

 

Male Agent: (Pulling out a tazer as well) We'll ask the questions here... who are you and why are you visiting these old buildings in town?

 

Misty: (Realizing what he means) You've been following us?

 

Female Agent: (Nods her head) Ever since we saw you four go into the abandoned lab. Why are four teenagers who are part of Team Rocket poking around these abandoned buildings? (Loudly) Hasn't Team Rocket done enough already to this town?

 

Misty: We don't know anything about that...

 

Female Agent: You should, if you are part of the organization...

 

Brock thinks to himself for a moment and carefully weighs out the options. He decides that the truth may be the best way out of this situation...

 

Brock: (Boldly) We're not part of Team Rocket.

 

Male Agent: (Not convinced) Then why are you wearing those Team Rocket uniforms?

 

Ash: We just used the uniforms to get a train ride down here. I used to live here in Pallet Town...

 

Female Agent: (Starting to believe Ash but needing more before making a decision) Where in Pallet Town?

 

Ash: Right here... this is my old room.

 

Female Agent: (Shaking her head) It can't be... no one has lived here for fifteen years...

 

Duplica: I know you're not going to believe this, but we traveled through time into the future...

 

Male Agent: That's highly unlikely. Time travel has only been done by use of a pokemon... did a Celebi bring you here?

 

Ash: No, it was some kind of machine...

 

Male Agent: Hmm...

 

Misty: (Continuing Ash's thought) Over in the northern forests in Johto... all four of us were checking something out in a field and then we fell down to the ground, unconscious. After we woke up, everything looked different...

 

Male Agent: (Curious) Northern Johto? Did you happen to see a marker?

 

Duplica: Yeah! There was some memorial marker and it said that we were dead, burned up in some giant fire...

 

Female Agent: (Surprised) Then that would mean that you four are...

 

The female agent faints and falls to the floor. The male agent puts his tazer away and then picks up the other agent, carrying her towards the bed...

 

Male Agent: Can I put her down on the bed?

 

Ash: Um... sure.

 

Ash and the others move their stuff off of the bed and stand off to the side. They still don't know what to make of these two people...

 

Misty: Do you know why she fainted?

 

Male Agent: I think I do... it had something to with that last statement that she made... (Points at Duplica)

 

Duplica: All I said was that everyone must have thought we died in that fire...

 

Male Agent: (Sighs) I know that's what you said... lots of people thought you guys did die in that fire... including myself.

 

Ash: (Skeptically) You know who we are?

 

Male Agent: (Pauses and takes a deep breath) It's been a long time, Ash... (To himself) I think it's time to show these kids who I am...

 

Ash and the others watch as the male agent takes off his mask and then smoothes out his white hair. All four teens are frozen in place... and Pikachu is silent...

 

Ash: (Stuttering) P-P-Professor O-Oak?

 

Professor Oak: The one and only! I had you fooled there for a few minutes, didn't I?

 

Misty: Um... yeah. Your voice sounded different when you had that mask on...

 

Prof. Oak: Of course it did... (Flips over the mask and points at a very small metal wafer on the inside of the mask) This chip allows me to sound like someone else when I talk... that's why you didn't recognize me...

 

Brock: (Looking at the bed) Who's your partner?

 

Prof. Oak: That's my wife... we got married over twenty years ago. Ash, why don't you take off her mask? I don't want her to suffocate...

 

Ash: Sure... (Sits down on the bed) She looks familiar... (Notices a brown ponytail coming out of the mask, it has some gray streaks in it)... and that ponytail does too... (Pulls of the mask)

 

Ash nearly faints himself after he takes off the mask. Dizziness hits him as he realizes who he is looking at...

 

Ash: MOM!

 

Misty, Brock, and Duplica turn and look at the unconscious woman on the bed. All three simultaneously recognize her as well...

 

Misty, Brock, and Duplica: (Shocked) Mrs. Ketchum!

 

Prof. Oak: (Chuckling) It's Mrs. Oak now...

 

Ash: (Still shaking a little) So that's why she fainted... she realized it was me... (Gently shakes Delia) Wake up, mom, wake up!

 

Ash tries for several minutes to try and wake her up- when she does, Delia's eyes flutter and open up. A smile forms on her face and then tears begin to fall...

 

Delia: (Still feeling dizzy) Ash!

 

Ash is unable to hold his tears back any longer; he gives his mother a hug and begins to cry as well...

 

Ash: I missed you... I wasn't sure if I'd ever find you again...

 

Delia holds her son for two reasons- First; because she missed him and the second reason is that she is still has not recovered from her fainting. She then speaks softly to Ash...

 

Delia: I... I thought you and the others died. You don't know hard it was for me... my only son suddenly disappearing off the face of the earth. Samuel helped me through it and we eventually got married. That was all before the "Great War"...

 

Ash: (Very curious) "Great War?"

 

Delia: (Softly) I'll tell you about that later... I just want to hold you...

 

Ash and Delia continue to hold each other, enjoying the first hug they have had in 25 years. After a few moments of silence, Misty looks at Professor Oak and asks him a question that has been on her mind since she found out what year it was...

 

Misty: What happened in the last 25 years? How did Team Rocket get to be in control... and what is this "Great War?" I heard several people talk about it, but I don't know what it is...

 

Duplica: Tell us, Professor...

 

Professor Oak: (Grabs a nearby chair and sits down on it) It's a long story... a lot has happened since you guys disappeared... and most of it's not good...

 

To be continued in Chapter 14: A Quarter Century of Change