"Professor I know he is playing mind tricks with us. Every time I pass a test he makes the next pokémon bigger and stronger or harder to find. Time is running out! Sabrina said that Gary and Ash have to be back in a month's time, it's been ten days. Pryce is hiding something Professor. I need your advice." Brock hadn't expected to give the story in such detail yet he blurted it all out.
"Well, Brock under normal circumstances I would condemn cheating but, as you've said time is against us. I can't believe I'm going to say this Brock but, cheating is the only option now." Prof. Oak looked so depressed to Brock.
"Thank you Prof. Oak. I need my Zubat traded for my Golbat then."
Brock hired a pidgey delivering service, with the bird on his shoulder and his Golbat on the other he set off toward Mahogany again. He would cheat, if he already owned any of the pokémon Pryce named he would use the pidgey service to collect that pokémon from the Prof. and send it to him.
Ace was spying on a group of Rockets. They were a day from Emerald. His excitement was well contained. He knew they would began the attacks on the castle soon.
Ace knew the Raiders reputation, if he Ash, James, Meowth and Pikachu made enough noise here in the Rocket's city the Radiers would come to their aide. He sent a pidgey several days ago with a message to FBI Headquarters but, he didn't know if they would get it in time.
He rolled onto his back and watched the stars for awhile. It had been such a long time since he just looked toward them. He and Angel would both sit outside watching the stars. Remembering to make a wish every time on fell. She was always there for him while they were so young.
His training took him far from home and he felt guilt for not being home when the attack came. He was nineteen and fighting in the best gyms around America. He fell in love with Amber. He didn't want to leave. He felt he belonged to the American way.
After Emerald fell and word was sent to him he was twenty on the verge of twenty-one. He returned to Emerald where he asked Koga to train him again. When Koga refused he pleaded. Koga trained him briefly but, he sensed the evil things Ace wanted to do to the Rockets he had him thrown out.
Wandering empty in his soul and heart Ace returned to Amber where he had the idea of training to be a FBI Agent. Eight long years brought him back to Emerald and now his mission was to take out Giovanni but, someone got the drop on the Rocket King. Now Ace had one mission left. The one he held in his heart, he would bring the Rockets to justice.
Gary saw the strangest thing, his grandfather met with Giovanni! They were fighting it seemed to him. Gramps was shouting and Giovanni was pointing his finger in his face. Gary was too far back to hear what was going on but, a few words drifted to him.
They were fighting over the fact that Giovanni left the gym to Gary. He wanted to hear what was being argued. He tried to get closer but, he would have to cross the street. He sighed.
Then as quickly as it started it ended Giovanni ran down an alley as Prof. Oak watched confused. Then Gary saw Officer Jenny walking down the street. Prof. Oak greeted her and went on his way.
"Why didn't he turn in Giovanni?" Gary couldn't believe what he saw.
Misty was getting worried, it was almost two weeks and neither Gary or Ash had made contact. She was glad that Sabrina's sight was slowly returning though helping cure her was taking up alot of Mewtwo and Melanie's powers.
She heard Brock was having some trouble finding Pryce. As for Will he sent word via Tracey that he was sure that the Amber Rod was somewhere near Mahogany. Melanie sent word quickly to Brock. Sabrina knew about Pryce's dirty little tricks he was up to. She sent her Kadabra to him by the means of the pidgey.
She told Brock in a letter to use Kadabra to locate the crystal rod. She was less irratiable these days now that her secret was out and she could see things upclose. Her sight was still bad when she tried to see something in the distance.
Misty was becoming quite close to Mewtwo. He was pained by his past but, he took comfort in the fact that he was changed. He decided this morning that he would help Misty link with Ash.
"We must know what's happening in Emerald. Don't get too distracted by Ash Misty." He smiled at her.
"Yes Mentor!" She laughed because she knew what he really meant, slow things down.
"Now close your eyes." He placed his finger tips on her temples. "Now think of him. Try to image him in that garden you always see."
"The one with the cherry trees, and the blossoms swirling about?" She asked.
"Yes, that's the one. Now think of yourself there as well." In his mind he could see the two in the garden. "You're doing good. Now call to him, call him and think of nothing else but calling him."
Ash was sharing an apple with Pikachu when he fell asleep. James thought very little about it then he remembered before that Ash just suddenly passed out each time Misty spoke with him.
"Meowth, find Ace keep an eye on him. We can't let him find out about our secret." He hoped for once Meowth would not argue.
"Alright but, you owe me some of that potted meat you've been hiding." He crossed his arms.
"Okay, Meow you can have a whole can! Just do what I tell you."
"Yes!" Meowth ran off.
"I don't know why this stiff taste so great!" He held up the can of food. "Everyone says it's made of Beef lips and chicken butts though."
Pikachu stuck out his tongue in disgust. James went ahead and ate it with some potato chips as he watched over Ash. Pikachu went ahead and finished his apple.
Misty found him there sitting against a tree. He saw her smiling he threw his arms around her. Laughing the two pulled away and dusted cherry blossoms from there shoulders.
"Ash why haven't you tried to contact me?" She had a worried look again.
"I have tried but, nothing would happen. I even used the crystal only every time I do that I call Gary instead. I need to know if Sabrina can sense if anything is wrong with me. Gary too! He can't contact Sabrina or Will." Ash's good mood darkened.
"I'll ask her." Misty seemed to be in high spirits still.
"Misty there's something I have to ask you." Ash held her hand.
"What is it?"
"Well...How do I ask this?" He thought it over. "Well, the time we linked together you, me, Sabrina and Gary....well did you kiss me or was that a dream?" He got that out now.
"Does this answer your question?" She kissed him again.
They stood in an almost endless kiss. Mewtwo shook his head. He told her to not get distracted. He waited till lips parted before he made a sound.
"Young love! How it makes us forget!" He had a fist under his chin as he leaned against a tree.
"Mewtwo!" They both shouted.
"So Ash you have your answer. Now let me have mine. What are have you been doing in Emerald?" He strode toward them.
"Well, I have been fighting the Rockets with a FBI agent. We plan to attack the Queens castle to draw the attention of the Forest Raiders."
"The Who? What is a Forest Raider?" Mewtwo was puzzled. He thought Emerald would be far more similar to their world.
"A long story I should begin now." Ash recounted his adventures so far.
"So this figure came to you offering help?" Mewtwo felt uneasy about it.
"Yes, I plan on doing it too! If I free him I'll be sent home in time to stop Team Rocket at the very begining of this trouble."
"But, Ash what if this thing is dangerous?" Misty looked him in the eye.
"I'm sorry but, I have to. I don't feel that this pokémon is dangerous." Ash wanted to trust this creature, it would take him home.
"Ash do what you have always done, follow your heart." Misty wrapped her arms around him.
"Though it has caused him some, well I should say a few, no rather I should say an occasional no! I will say the truth. Following your hear has caused you to make several big mistakes!" Mewtwo put a hand over his face. "Yet, you always seem to do the right thing."
"He has." Misty agreed.
"So when did this become bash Ash day!" He shouted.
"Sorry!" Mewtwo looked apologetic. "Yes! Ash follow your heart it has always lead you down the right path."
"Which path is life leading me?" Gary sat examining the crystal. "Giovanni leaves me his gym for unknown reasons, Gramps meets with Giovanni. They fight about the gym. Gramps does not report Giovanni to Officer Jenny."
Gary turned the crystal round and round in his hands. Questions never answered breed more question yet to be vaniquished. This was a puzzle, one that could be solved with the right pieces.
Gary sprang up, Giovanni did have something big planned. After he and Ash disappeared he remembered Ash mention that Koga was missing as well. So Koga, Giovanni, Grandfather all hid a secret amoung themselves. So what is that secret.
For Earth it was a simple task of having his geodude pretend to struggle against him. Brock was becoming quite the actor as his pokémon progressed as well. Now he owned a Magicarp, Cyndaquil, Fearow, and a Swinub. He was hoping Pryce wouldn't catch on to his trick. He was playing by Pryce's rules: Fight fire with fire.
To be continued.........
-JLB