A/N:

:: Pidgey's to me!:: = Pokéspeech

(((I am a Pokédex))) = Pokédex speech

*BOOM* or *Boom*= Noises, and other effects. i.e facial expressions

"I am your partner"= Destiny speaking with Ash telepathically. (Only Ash and Destiny can hear this)

Well...it's been a VERY long time since my last update. I apologize for the long wait, but it just can't be helped.

Life as a student and life as a self employed... Let's just say they are completely different and as much as I'd love to say otherwise, writing this story just does not bring money into my pockets.

I will continue to write when I can as a hobby... but seriously, don't expect to see updates for long periods of time. That said, I hope you're happy with and enjoy my newest creation...

Happy Christmas!

VERY IMPORTANT:

Please note: Just like in the games, Red does not speak...instead he uses facial expressions and telepathy when 'speaking'. Whenever I write a conversation with Red involved, he won't be speaking. Instead he will either Twitch, Blink and answer silently: ("...")

In earlier versions of this chapter I only had him speak with "..." or with facial expressions: i.e.*Twitch* *Grin* *Nod* etc and nothing else. However, I quickly found that while it did improve the mystery/lore of Red, it became confusing when re-reading each chapter. So I ended up adding what was said after each expression as well.

Example 1: (Old way without words)

"...!"

"Hey look it's the twerp!"

"Wait!...That's not the twerp...that's..."

"RED!"

"...!"

"Shit...he's angry"

*Smirk*

*Glare!*

"Run away! Run away!"

*BOOM*

"Looks like we are blasting off...again!"

Example 2: (New version with words)

"...!" (Hey you!)

"Hey look it's the twerp!"

"Wait!...That's not the twerp...that's..."

"RED!"

"...!" (Your ass is grass)

"Shit...he's angry"

*Smirk* (And I'm the mower)

*Glare!* ( You may now proceed to run!)

"Run away! Run away!"

*BOOM!*

"Looks like we are blasting off...again!"

As you can see, in example 1 all of Red's words were left to the readers imagination and made Red a lot more mysterious, but it also made it far more difficult to know what's happening. In example 2 however, we, the readers know exactly what's being said... but it just doesn't seem right.

Please tell me if you feel I should continue with example 2 or if you would prefer the old example 1 way instead.

And now on with the story:

PARA( ｡‿‿｡)DOX

Introducing Master Red

Previously on Paradox

Destiny, Ash and Pikachu reappeared in a flash of light.

Instantly Destiny felt the sheer cold of the new place they had just been teleported to.

Attempting a cautious look around, but seeing little else but snow and a few bare trees, Destiny suddenly felt tired and dizzy. It seemed the last move had completely depleted her powers. Enough for her to faint...again.

Slowly her eyes started to drop as exhaustion caught up with her. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was a caped man with a red pokémon league cap...and two red eyes... before she fainted and all went dark.

And now the continuation:

'Pokémon Master!'

The ultimate title and the undisputed dream of all trainers!

It is a lofty goal to be sure and it is, without a doubt, the one title all trainers, young and old, big or small, male or female, all strive to achieve from the moment they first lay their eyes on a pokémon, to the moment they put their pokéballs to rest for the very last time.

All try... at least at first.

Of these many, most fail...to simply give up and be forgotten as the failures they once were.

Of those left over, while satisfactory as trainers, few have a chance to truly succeed.

And of these chosen few, only one, per region...

Prevails!

Only one can become 'The champion' and master of their region.

But even then...even then, when all is done...and all the battles have been lost and won...

Only one can truly proudly stand tall above all others and say:

'I' am...

The one 'True Master!'

...

...

*Chuckles*

Oh...please, don't misunderstand me.

Winning a league is simple.

Well, at least it's simple when compared to what comes next. If you have the courage...and skill to attempt it, that is.

'Luck?'

I don't believe in... luck!

Luck will do you no good there.

After all, someone always wins 'the league' every year. There is always a 'lucky' winner. Someone who get's the trophy, prestige and fame, only to lose it all again the next year.

Fact is, anyone can win a league if they trained hard enough and long enough for it. For some, it just takes a few attempts more, but in the end, everybody usually wins at least once in a lifetime. Even if it is not a major league and just a minor festival competition, or maybe just a friendly battle among friends. Unless you're an idiot...or cursed..or just plain useless, in which case I just pity you...and strongly advise you to search for a different profession.

But alas, that's life. And for the most, that is enough. However... it is not the end. Not even close.

Because, while beating a league is every trainer's goal, very few, could hope to win against an Elite Four. Even fewer, against 'all' elite four. And only one, every decade or so, would have the skills necessary enough to persevere against a champion. If at all.

Indeed, sometimes the champion in question would retire before another would take their place.

To be blunt: to be the very best, you have to beat the rest. Training your pokémon has to be your cause. To win battles...you have to make it your only ambition...and...to fight against and maybe, just maybe, to defy all odds and to beat the Kanto's Elite Four... and then...to challenge 'the legendary Champion' himself...

That had to be your dream! Your only dream and nothing but your dream.

Because, 'THAT' was the 'true' final test.

A dream named...

RED!

...

...

Challenge Red?...

Forget it, they would say!

No seriously... just forget it!

Even now the mere thought of challenging...'him'...makes me shiver in excitement and sweat in a little fear. Even now, many years later, as a legendary, 'he' scares me.

The mere idea of battling him, let us not even consider defeating him, was considered ludicrous to most, or just plain suicidal to the rest. Even to the very best the man was deemed invincible. And for a very good reason.

It was known far and wide as the 'impossible' ultimate challenge!

Red! The unbeatable!...well...at least not since his last defeat, against an elite four.

Red! The Grand Master! ...oh, he has definitely won it all.

Red! 'The Rocket Blaster' ...all Rockets fear him...all Rockets hate him. All, but the bravest -or most stupid - rockets flee at the mere sound of his name. Just ask - though I guess they would never admit it.

Red! The 'Oh KO' One Hit Knock Out wonder... a name he well and truly earned.

Red! 'The Professor'...of tactics and strategies. Yes, he is the real deal...believe me...I'd know.

Even...Red! The Bogeyman of naughty young trainers. The one who would come and take little children away if they misbehaved.

Oh, how he hated that title.

*Another chuckle*

Yes, yes...you may laugh, I know I did. Still do in fact. But that's what they called him.

SO! You may ask me:

Just how would you describe a legend the likes of Red? Just what is his story?

Well, growing up in the little seaside town of Pallet to two loving parents, one a powerful trainer, the other a gym leader - the former gym leader of Veridian City I might add before a certain Rocket took over - the young Red learned all about Pokémon from the then young assistant Samuel Oak. Red started his Pokémon journey like most other trainers, at the tender age of ten with his first Pokémon, a Poliwhirl, which Red had caught when it was still a poliwag. His goal: to compete in the Indigo league and one day become Kanto's Pokémon Champion.

So far so good and while somewhat different to the 'Red Adventures' which some of us may now about, it all sounds normal, doesn't it?

Well, consider this then:

At a mere eleven years old, the very same year he first set out on his first journey, he wins the Kanto league. Yes, that's right... he won his first league in his very first year as a trainer. In fact, the youngest trainer ever to do so.

He then tries to challenge the elite four, and, against all odds, manages to win against one, but was then defeated by the second in a very close battle.

..

..

Hmm... is that disappointment I see in your thoughts, dear reader? Don't deny it...you know it's true. You wanted him to win, didn't you? You expected him to, didn't you? Well, let me tell you, so did he. But don't despair. My story is not finished yet.

Yes, it was a major upset, to say the least. Not just for Red, who had never been defeated in an 'official' battle and quite arrogant up to that point, but more importantly, it was also an eye opener to the rest of the world. Up to that point, for a rookie to win against even one member of the elite four - even if it was the 'weakest' of the four - at the tender age of eleven for that matter, was thought to be an impossibility.

Now, if you thought that was impressive then read on as it only get's better:

His fame began to grow and spread. Hounded by the paparazzi, emboldened by his defeat, Red went away to train and prepare, to return at a later time and then try again. And return he did... only in a way no one could ever have imagined.

Winning league after league, until only one title remained. Red became champion of Johto at thirteen in a very close battle, then Heonn's Champion at fourteen, Sinnoh's champion fell to his might at fifteen, Unova's Champion surrendered to him at sixteen, throwing in a towel during the final battle -another first, for a champion. Then, Unova's capitulated at seventeen, Kalos's Champion joined the defeated at eighteen and Alola's champion literally waved a white flag at nineteen. No, I'm serious he really did wave a white flag, I'm not kidding.

And then, finally...only one title remained: Kanto... the only league to have ever defeated him.

And so it was, at the young age of twenty, the prodigal master returned, like an ancient godlike hero of old... to win. And win he did. Not just the league, but also against the reigning champion, his childhood rival the Blue Oak himself. The same Oak who had only just taken the title from the de-throned former champion Lance. Much to Blue's utmost horror I might add. It was the shortest reign as a champion in history. Humiliation at its finest.

That...in a pokéshell... was Red.

What took others a lifetime to just attempt...he did it all in a mere decade.

And... he made it look so easy too. He was unstoppable! No one could stand in his way. He was the mower, the others... the grass. He finally had it all. There was nothing left for him to win. No further challenge to attempt. Nothing further to achieve...

And I think it was this, above all else, which finally broke him.

He had won it all! There was nothing left for him to conquer.

And then...

One day... he just left.

He disappeared! Not to be seen or heard from since.

On that day, he just disappeared from society, to go to Mt. Sliver and wait in solitude, on the mountains highest peak, wishing - and privately fearing - for the one trainer powerful enough to finally give him a worthy challenge...and maybe, just maybe...to defeat him.

There he sat...and trained...and waited...prepared...and meditated. Only to repeat and do it all again, each day, in solitude, accompanied only by six of his very first, and most powerful pokémon.

Right until I and Ash suddenly appeared on 'his' mountain on that fateful day. Just after 'the fall of Pallet'.

And this is where our story continues...

Eleven months after the battle of Pallet Town. Not far away from the Indigo Plateau, Pokémon League HQ, Kanto.

It was the morning of the opening festival of the Indigo League festival. Hidden away in a small clearing, only a kilometer away from the Indigo League, a lone trainer was deeply immersed in some last minute training with one of her pokémon.

In just a few short hours, she, like many other trainers, would enter the Pokémon league stadium on the Indigo Plateau to compete in the annual Indigo Pokémon league. Her goal, the same as so many before her: to win the league and earn herself the right to challenge the Kanto's elite 4...and then...maybe...just maybe, the honour of battling the Champion himself and to 'attempt' to gain the title all trainers so coveted above all other titles.

When three mysterious figures therefore suddenly appeared, with a brief flash of white light as the only warning, the girl had no way of knowing just who it was that had suddenly appeared nearby. This, however, quickly changed when she suddenly recognised 'the legendary idol' a few seconds later. After all, one does not simply forget the idol and crush of your youth. The one you fantasized about in bed for all those many years when you thought no one was looking.

The glow of the teleport quickly dispersed, leaving behind the unmistakable shapes of two humans and one dragon like pokémon.

The two humans, both wearing official-looking red capes - their faces only partially covered by cowls which had partially fallen off while tele-porting - quickly glanced around for any bystanders who could have seen their flashy entrance.

Seeing that the girl was staring at them with wide open eyes - her expression slowly turning into the open unrestrained awe and worship of a fanatic fangirl as soon as she recognized the older of the two for who he was, the taller of the two trainers briefly nodded to the smaller younger trainer to proceed.

Understanding the silent order of the others request, the younger motioned towards the pokémon beside him, giving it a quiet command. Acknowledging the command the Pokémon's eyes suddenly briefly glowed a soft blue before returning back to normal.

The girl only had a split second to squeal in fan-girlish glee before she and her pokémon also briefly glowed, after which their eyes went out of focus, then both collapsed to the ground as they fell asleep.

A quick nod of approval from the taller trainer to the other trainer and his pokémon, the smaller of the two humans quickly held out a pokéball which he then quickly used to recall the pokémon.

That done, checking that their cowls were now firmly fastened in place once more, both silently proceeded to leave the area.

The whole encounter had only lasted a few brief seconds. The girl and her pokémon would wake up ten minutes later with no memory of the sudden arrival of the two trainers. She would then briefly scold herself for falling asleep when she should be training, before continuing, never for a second knowing that she had just met the legend himself...nor the apprentice who accompanied him.

Back inside her pokéball Destiny sighed happily as she settled down to relax.

It had been a very stressful and painful year and eleven months. But it had been well worth it. Indeed, what an incredible and successful twenty-three months they had been.

When Mew and herself had teleported Ash away from the fearow and spearow attacks, she would never have guessed that they would just happen to teleport to the one person in the whole world, who could heal them...train them...and then consequently make them into what they were today.

The legendary Grand Master himself...Red!

Yes! 'THE' Red! The hero of the first game. Although, it wasn't really a game now, but reality. Still, game or no game, it didn't matter, least of all to her at that moment, as that was what had happened. Against all odds, as if by the will of the gods -or maybe just one god, they had teleported to the one person who could help them. Probably, the one and only person who could have helped Ash. The only person who could change...everything.

She still clearly remembered meeting him for the first time...

Flashback - 1 year and Eleven Months ago, Mount Silver.

Destiny, Ash and Pikachu reappeared in a bright flash of light.

Her energy reserves depleted and at very dangerous levels, Destiny had just enough time for one last quick look around, before her body decided it finally had enough and that it was now, once again, time to faint into the sweet dreams of Morpheus.

The last thing she remembered before all went dark - unfortunately, a very common occurrence lately -, was a caped man with a heavily worn out red pokémon league cap...and two red eyes...walking towards them, then all went dark.

It was two days later, when she woke up once again. It took a few minutes for her dazed addled brain to reboot and realise that, yes, she was awake again and that, yes, she had survived once more to live for another day. She needed a few more minutes to command her still sore and recovering limbs to move once more but, in the end, she managed it.

The first thing she noticed was that she was in some sort of cavern. The second, was that she was currently resting on some sort of makeshift bed. A bed made out of some kind of fur, probably that of a mundane bear or similar animal.

Cautiously, looking around, she noticed Ash lying on another fur covered bed. He was bandaged up heavily, almost like a mummy, all the way from his head, right down to his legs and also held firmly in place tightly by several crude hand made splints, each made from bones, wood and some some sort of plant made ropes.

Destiny quickly realised that someone - most likely the red eyed stranger from before she had fainted -, had made very sure that Ash would not be moving any time soon. Not that Ash could have been able to move anyway, even if he and wanted to. Deciding that, due to his many injuries, it was probably a good thing, she looked around some more.

Destiny soon noticed decorations on the cavern walls and some crude handmade furniture placed at key areas around the cavern floor. By the looks of the place this was clearly someones home and this someone had quite clearly been living in the cave for a very long time. Especially if the fraying plant made carpet, the stained wooden hand made chairs and one large decorated flat stone table, were any indication. And then there was the open fire. Smoke traveled upwards from a happily crackling fire, towards a small hole in the ceiling.

It was then, at that moment, that she finally saw him.

Standing at the other end of the room, cooking something over the open fire, of wood and twigs, surrounded by rocks, was the same red caped man she remembered from before she had fainted. The man was stirring something in a large cauldron which was suspended a few inches above the flames, held in place by three ropes which were each fastened to three separate jutting out rocks in the ceiling above.

On a closer look it looked like some sort of soup made from roots and other indigenous plants which could clearly be seen near by, some chopped up, others still whole awaiting the same fate. At least she hoped it was soup. Deciding that she had been silent enough, realizing that she had not been tied up, and thus perceiving herself to not being a prisoner, Destiny made herself known. Or at least, she tried to. Being weak from her previous ordeal, Destiny only just managed to weakly raise her body to hover for a few seconds, before she collapsed again, knocking over a nearby clay vase in her effort, from another nearby table.

Startled by the fragile vase meeting the unforgiving hard floor, and unused to hearing the sudden load noise, the stranger jumped in surprise and quickly twirled around to face her, only to curse a second later when he noticed that, by doing so, a small part of his cape had suddenly fallen into the flames of the fire.

And so it happened... that in a weird act of fate, her eyes widening to the size of pokéballs, Destiny's next act of the day was to help her new host and savior as he struggled fanatically with a rapidly igniting cape. Something which was thankfully taken care off quite quickly.

Not the best way to start introducing oneself, to say the least.

A few minutes and one doomed cape later - the cape was now merrily fueling the fire - having quickly found out that the mysterious man meant her and Ash no harm, Destiny spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening doing her best, with her limited poké-vocabulary, to explain to the man what had happened to Ash and herself. Not an easy thing to do to say the least.

Luckily and much to her relief, the man seemed very knowledgeable in understanding poké-speak. Most likely a side effect gained from having had no human contact, but only Pokémon as conversational partners for the past decade. While he still lacked the ability to speak the poké language, he had seemingly no problems in understanding it. Not that it really would have made any difference. The man never seemed to speak anyway and Destiny wondered if he even could.

She didn't know how he did it, but somehow he had a very unique way of communication. Instead of speaking like everybody else would, he had not actually said a single word, nor had he used a single hand sign to communicate. Instead, he used a unique form of glares, eye twitches, facial expressions and an obscure form of body language to communicate. Destiny had no idea how it was that she had understood him, but she had. Easily at that.

It made communicating with him a very... interesting experience to say the least. Thankfully, in the end he soon understood most of what had happened.

Destiny had left out Mew and her visions, as well as any details of her former life, for obvious reasons, but other than that she had retold the story just as it had happened. At least the parts which she had been a part of and could remember.

She was sure he had seemed very interested and at times worried and sad in her and Ash's adventure and their encounter with the Fearows and spearows. It was only later that day that the stranger confirmed what Destiny already knew. The man was indeed the legendary Red, current champion of Kanto...and resigned x-champion of countless other regions.

For the next few days Destiny watched as Ash slowly recovered from his many injuries. Or at least most of them. One, was simply too much to heal without help.

Much to her, and Ash's dismay, it turned out that Ash was now completely paralyzed from the waste down due to their earlier scuffle with the Fearows and Spearows. It was so bad, it nearly broke Ash when he found out.

Luckily, not all was lost.

The good news was that there was a chance that Ash could still be healed and that he, in time, could relearn how to move like before.

The bad news: it would take him a long time to heal - 'if' he ever did - and for at least half of that time period, Ash would not be able to move correctly, if at all. His body needed to regrow several nerve pathways while it slowly reconnected one half of his body to the other. Even then, full recovery was uncertain and would only be possible with the help of a pokémon's heal pulse, daily, complimented by the intake of several expensive medicinal potions over the next few months.

Luckily, being who he was, Red just happened to have a pokémon which knew the heal pulse move and while he did not have the necessary potions, he knew how to make a substitute from wild medicinal herbs and plants. More importantly, he knew where to find and harvest the herbs needed to create it.

While the road of recovery would be a long one, Red was very optimistic about Ash's chances. That said, according to Red, Ash would have to be restricted to a bed for a minimum of three months, maybe more depending on potential complications and would be forbidden to move at all during that time period, while the heal pulse and the potions did their job. Ash would then have to spend the next months after that re-training his weakened atrophied muscles while they relearned how to walk, completely from scratch. He estimated this might take anything from 3 months right up to a year. Only after a minimum of eight months of strict intensive rehabilitation, minimum, would Ash finally be allowed to start training again. His injury was that bad.

Of course this really put a stop to any Pokémon league plans Ash may have had, much to his dismay. Ash nearly broke down completely when he heard the news, especially when he realised that he would not be able to participate in that years Indigo league due to his paralysis. Only later did he realise just how lucky he was that he might someday be able to regain the ability to walk at all and THAT was far more important than not just being able to participate in a league. After all, it would hopefully just be for one year and what was one lousy year compared to a lifetime. Things could have been a lot worse. A lot worse.

In the end, seeing no way around it, and with a heavy heart, Ash asked, then begged, Red to help him.

Red seemed unwilling to host Ash, at first, thinking it better for Ash to be in a hospital, instead of his cave. But in the end, he was forced to change his mind.

It seemed that - according to him - it was simply not safe for Ash to be teleported anywhere at this time. Not in the current state his body was in. The chances of further injury and permanent paralysis was simply too great. Red was also unwilling to travel down the mountain to get help, as it would mean leaving a paralyzed and helpless Ash alone on one of the most dangerous mountains of the Pokémon world, for the week it would take him to get help from the nearest hospital and come back again. Needless to say it was therefore decided that Ash would just have to stay on Mt. Silver until he was healed enough and strong enough that he could safely make the trip on his own.

Unfortunately this in turn also led to another conundrum. One which really vexed the master-in-exile. The annoying ugly fact was... that at his current skill level Ash would never actually be able to go by himself. Not unless he was 'a lot' stronger than he was now. The mountain was home to many dangerous pokémon. Pokémon, who loved the taste of Human flesh. It would have been suicide for Ash and his two pokémon to travel down the mountain as they were now.

For the next two weeks everybody settled into a routine. Some a lot more active than others. Destiny would assist Red around the cave and would help as best as she could to find the herbs and plants needed in order to heal Ash. While Ash would just lay confined to his bed, unable to move anything below the waste, staring blankly at the same wall, day in and day out, while being guarded by one of Red's six pokémon. All the while he would wait impatiently, bored out of his mind, for his meals and his daily treatment.

For someone who had always been very active and constantly looking for adventures, it was near unbearable.

It seemed the next year was going to be hell and kill Ash, or come close to it. Not from any injuries, but rather, due to the sheer mind killing boredom. It seemed it could not get any worse for poor Ash. Then suddenly, a few days later, just when Ash felt he was going to go stark raving crazy, a certain deity intervened and Red suddenly had a visit, in the form of a dream.

In his dream, Arceus called Red's spirit to the Hall of Origin where he was then asked to look after Ash and to train him and his pokémon until he 'Red' thought Ash would be ready to take on any opponent and win.

In short, Red was to make the brash and immature Ash...into Pokémon master material, Pikachu into a second Pika (Red's Pikachu) aka... a living lightening bolt... and the currently weak and useless Destiny, into a one Pokémon army battling machine. One that could withstand any attack with a smile...if not a grin.

A tall - maybe even impossible - order indeed. But...who better to do it than THE Pokémon Master himself.

Surprised, Red found himself so intrigued by the Pokémon gods challenge, that he found himself completely unable to refuse the challenge - or the god which issued it.

After all, how could he possibly refuse?

Not when he finally had a purpose again...

...and so Red agreed.

That next morning, filled with a sudden new sense of purpose, something which he hadn't felt in over a decade... and because Red secretly enjoyed the company - though he would never admit it - Red entered the makeshift infirmary where Ash was resting and walked right up to Ash. Making sure that Ash could clearly see him he motioned to him with a soft glare.

"...!" (Good morning Ash, how are you feeling today)

"Oh hello... Good morning Red. I'm fine thank you. Well...As fine as I can be I guess. Is it time for my medicine again?" Ash asked quietly, barely keeping the boredom he felt out of his voice.

*Twitch* (No, not yet.)

"It's not? What is it then? Do you need something? I mean...I'd love help but...well...it's not like I can," Ash answered, while looking morosely at his paralyzed lower half.

"...!" (No, that's fine. You just stay still and concentrate on getting yourself healed.)

"Yeah...well, it's not like I could have anyway," Ash answered, which a small subdued laugh while Red looked around the room.

*Blink!* (Where is Destiny?)

"Destiny? Oh she is out by the lake, searching for that weed you need for the potion"

*Strong glare!* (What! I told her not to go out there on her own.)

"I know..I know you told her not to. But you know how she is when it comes to healing me. I mean...it's about all she can do these days," Ash answered quickly, not wanting to get his pokémon into trouble. Especially not when all she was trying to do was to help him.

Red seemed to sigh, then answered:

*Softer glare* ( I know Ash, but it just isn't safe. What if a wild pokémon found her.) Red quickly takes out a pokéball and opens it, letting one of his pokémon, a female pikachu - according to it's tail, materialize.

"... ... ...!" (Pika...Go, look for Destiny. She has gone to the lake again. Bring her here, quickly.)

::Pika?:: (The lake...seriously?)

"Nods!" (Yes)

::Pi - Pika- chu!:: (Doesn't she know Scarlett lives there? She always get's grumpy this time of year.)

*Shrug* (She does...or at least she should. It's not the first time I've told her.)

::Pika-chu:: (Oh well... time to rescue the damsel, I guess), she said with a sigh.

::Pi:: (Back in a flash!)

Suddenly the Pikachu seemed to light up then it disappeared in a flash of light, followed almost instantly by a small clap of thunder.

Ash could only gape in astonishment. "Incredible, what amazing speed,' he mumbled to himself. 'Is this the difference of a master?' he wondered.

Seeing that his Pikachu was now searching for Ash's pokémon, Red turned back to Ash.

"...!" (Ash, I've been thinking...seeing as you will not be able to move for the next few months and have a lot of spare time... ) Red started to say.

"Oh, don't remind me. I know. It's about all I can think about these days," Ash mumbled sullenly.

*Blink and a smirk* (Well...it's about to change) Red continued.

"Oh!, Ash said, looking at Red. "Have you found a way for me to move?" Ash asked. Then, when Red shook his head he suddenly looked afraid. "You're not kicking me out...are you?" Ash asked worriedly. He didn't know what he would do it that was the case.

*Very strong glare* (No you idiot! I would never do that) Red nearly roared...non-verbally. How could he even think he'd do that.

"Oh, good! Thanks...you had be worried there for a second. So what is it then?" Ash asked very relieved that he would not be kicked out after all.

Red was just about to answer but then he paused. His eyes widening briefly, he quickly took a hurried step to the side. Just in time, as a second later two pokémon suddenly appeared in a flash of bright light, followed almost instantly by another small clap of thunder, right in the same spot were he had stood a mere second ago.

*Angry scowl* (Hey watch is Pika... How many times have I told you to check before you flash)

"::Pika:: (Opps...sorry) The same pikachu from before said meekly with a small sweat drop on her face, as she noticed what had nearly happened.

For a second Red continued to look vexed but then he sighed, his expression softening. He never could stay angry at his pokémon.

"...!" We'll work on that later," he said before turning to face Destiny.

The pikachu nodded, looking at the ground in shame. She knew she was supposed to be careful when she used her special version of extreme speed. But it had been so long since she had a good reason to use it, she had forgotten just how dangerous it could be if done carelessly. Well, at least for the mere mortals. In other words; the vast majority of all living creatures, great and small. After all, not everybody was as strong and as Red or his pokémon. Red would have survived it. A normal mortal however...well...let's just say it would not have been pretty.

Red frowned. For a second he thought about reprimanding Destiny as well, but then simply turned back to Ash. The black dragon was not his pokémon, but Ash's. As such it would be up to Ash to decide what to do with her and unless it was a life or death situation he would not intervene unless asked first.

Destiny, for her part, not wanting to anger the legendary master and be in any more trouble then she already was, kept silent, her head down. She knew she had done wrong and that she was forbidden from going to the lake alone...but...she just couldn't help herself. Not when Ash needed his potions so badly. It was all she could do these days to help.

*Blink, Twitch* (Listen Ash, you too Destiny. There has been a change of plans.)

::Paci?:: (Oh?) Destiny said looking at him.

"... ... ..." (Seeing as you need to be strong enough to defend yourself when going down the mountain...and let's face it... currently you are weak) Red started to say which caused Ash to look down depressed.

*Eye smile and a smirk* ( I have decided to change this)

Frowning Ash looked up at him with a questioning look on his face. What did Red mean, he wondered.

*A large grin and a twitch* (And so I have decided to train you and your pokémon myself)

Ash's and Destiny's eyes widened and nearly grew to pokéball sizes.

"..." (Congratulations... apprentice! ) Red said and smiled.

"A second later, open mouthed, Ash and Destiny fainted.

That very moment, far away on the other side of the mountain:

Gary Oak, pokémon trainer and rookie of the year of his graduating class, was not having a good day. Not at all. If anything, he was feeling rather 'depressed' and 'beaten' right about now.

Sadly, this was a feeling which was quickly becoming the norm to him, as depressing as it was. Ever since starting his journey things just didn't seem to go his way anymore. Never in a million years did he think he - the best of his class - would ever find himself in his current situation, scratched, tired and nearly poke-less. Yet, here he was.

First the weather had suddenly turned against him, turning into a huge storm, then he lost his first pokémon, a Pikachu and if that had not been enough already, he had even been forced to flee from a flock of angry Fearow and Spearow. While fleeing, he had then been forces to steal...er..borrow a bike from someone after which he had failed in catching not one but two legendary pokemon and one stubborn black dragon. All on the same day.

Oh, he really hoped the owner was ok... he thought as he looked at the bike. He really did not need man-slaughter via angry birds added to his list of all things, all because he took their bike. He'd give it back to them later...maybe... if he ever found out who the owner was.

In short...it was a day he wanted to forget about and see the end of, quickly.

Still, it had not been all bad, he mused as he remembered what else had happened that day. First of all, he still had a Pokémon. That had to count for something...right? But most of all he had also had the incredible luck of actually seeing the two legendary Pokémon as well.

Usually this was a feat only replicated by elite trainers after years of travelling and even then they usually only saw one legendary, never two and definitely not more. To see one was considered a rare honour and a once in a life time experience for most. To see two, on the same day even... inconceivable.

So yes, while close, it had not been as bad as it could have been and as long as he still had one Pokémon, even if it was not the one he had been given at first, he was not defeated. Not just yet. He still had a chance to show them all. And he would. Even if he had to do it handicapped, with one arm tied behind his back and a bag of rocks tied to each leg. He'd still win, somehow. He'd still become the next champion he swore to himself, or else his name would not be Gary Oak.

Blue Oak, his uncle, had. Ok...so it was only for a very short while. So what! He still had. So surely he could too...right? Even if all he had in terms of pokémon was just one measly weak little caterpie. He still could...somehow...right?

Nobody ever said it had to be easy, he reminded himself, trying his best to remove any self doubt he was feeling as he continued to walk down the road towards Veridian City.

Hmm, talking about a bag or rocks tied to his leg...

'If only I could find a way to stop my caterpie from trying to hump my leg every time I let it out of the pokéball, I'd already be feeling a lot better,' he thought to himself.

'I mean, I'm all for affectionate pokémon. It does make training them much easier if they listen to you and are eager to do whatever you want them to do. But this, this is quickly turning into a mockery,' he thought as he pondered about his only Pokémon's actions whenever he released it. At this rate he wouldn't be able to show himself in public. He'd be laughed out of every competition if that happened every time he released it from its pokéball. No one would ever take him seriously.

'Then again, maybe that isn't such a bad thing,' he mused. After all, if his opponents didn't take him seriously, it would give him the element of surprise. Still, it would only work once and it wasn't directly something he wanted to rely, if he could avoid it.

With a weary sigh, Gary decided to put it out of his mind for now. He'd take care of that issue later. For now he had a city to reach and thankfully he could already see it in the distance.

A few minutes later he finally reached the city gates and after a quick check in with the city guards, where he had to show his pokédex to a very paranoid officer Jenny, who nearly arrested him for no good reason other than the fact that he had looked suspicious.

Really? Him! Suspicious? The nerve of that woman, calling him suspicious.

After that, it didn't take much longer for Gary to reach the Veridian pokémon center. Once inside, Gary walked up to the queue in front of the reception desk and after a short wait he proceeded to hand his only pokémon to the nurse in charge.

Finally, allowing himself another tired sigh, Gary walked up to a poké-phone in order to make a quick call to his grandfather. Sadly, several tries later, he was forced to give up. For some reason he just wasn't able to get through.

'Hmm, that's strange. Usually he's always waiting for a call, any call, to distract him from his paper work. Gramps must be very busy today to miss a call, especially from me,' he grumbled to himself.

'It's either that, or he's too embarrassed to face me and tell me that ashy boy didn't manage to catch a single Pokémon today.' he thought with a smirk, choosing at that moment to conveniently forget that he too hadn't really done any better, as he too still only had one Pokémon. Well...technically two, but one didn't stay long.

'Yeah, that was probably it. Those one million poke's were his', he thought with a smirk. A nice way to finish an otherwise dreadful day. A nice way indeed. He never considered for a second that Ash actually have managed to catch a Pokémon. At least not without a Pokémon to catch it for him. The problem was...if that was the case, then why was it that it didn't feel like a winner at all?

Quickly, getting a key to one of the 'free' trainers rooms - if you were a trainer, which he thankfully still was - and collecting his now fully healed caterpie from nurse joy, Gary decided to call it a night. Tomorrow he would start training his caterpie. Hopefully it would evolve into a Butterfree quickly. Then he could finally get to some real training and catch a few more 'strong' pokémon.

He'd also try catching a few more water types by another lake near Viridian. Failing that, he could always try doing an Ash and try to catch a pidgy on his own with just a pokéball.

Nah! That would never work. He had seen Ash try that once. Only to fail, of course.

Better to set a trap. Then, once trapped, he'd pelt it with rocks until it fainted. 'Then' and only then once weakened, would he throw the ball. 'Yeah, that should do the trick. Much better than Ash's way,' he mused.

True, it was not the way he had been thought to do it in school, but... no where in Pokémon school did they ever say or tell you what to do if you did not have a partner to help you. He was desperate. And desperate people sometimes did things differently.

With those thoughts in his mind Gary settled down for the night. His intention was to sleep and forget about the day. At least for the next few ours until the next morning.

Unfortunately for Gary, it was not to be.

Just a mere hour after falling asleep, he was suddenly rudely woken by an extremely loud 'boom' which rocked the whole building, causing him to promptly fall out of his bed.

'OW'!

Right on the noggin.

It took a second for his dizzy sleep deprived mind to fully realise what had happened, but then, hearing another smaller bang, one accompanied briefly by yells, he groaned, then cursed loudly. It looked like, his bad day was not finished just yet and it was now turning into a bad night as well.

Loud noise's and loud bangs could only mean one thing... bad news. He really did not want more bad news. At best, it meant something had broken down or a sick and delirious pokémon had suddenly gone out of control. If so, it would hopefully soon be brought back under control and he could then go back to sleep. At worst... and as much as he hated to admit it, sadly this was usually the more likely possibility: there was an attack. Usually an attack by a wild or rogue pokémon.

Unfortunately, it was at that moment that Gary noticed something else:

Smoke!

And as everybody knows where there is smoke...there is fire... and fire, 'inside' a pokécenter, strongly supported the later option of a battle, rather than the former. Add fire to the already deadly mix of a rogue attack and the chances where very high that certain Tauros excrement was about to hit a very powerful wind attack and blow all over you. In other words things were about to get...troublesome. Very troublesome. And Garry really did not like troublesome.

With those daunting thoughts in his mind, Gary quickly jumped up and then proceeded to hastily put on his clothes, only to yelp, fall over and find himself face first, back on the ground, when, in his haste to get ready, one of his feet did not go down the right way of his pants. Groaning pitifully Gary cursed his rotten luck and wondered what ancient luck Pokémon he had angered to get such bad luck.

Shortly after, only taking enough time to grab his bag and clipping his lone Pokéball back to his belt, while also nursing a throbbing nose to compliment the bump on his head, Gary finally rushed out of the door. Several seconds later he entered the reception area intending to assist the nurse in any way he could.

Now, it's important to note: Pokémon centers were very valuable state funded buildings and strict non combat zones. Loved by all, each Pokécenter provided three very valuable services, completely free, to all trainers: to heal Pokémon, to provide a form of teleportation (for the Pokémon) to and from each regions Pokémon professor, as well as other certified Pokémon ranches and to provide a 'usually' all inclusive safe place to stay for the night for the pokémons trainer.

As such, it did not matter, at all, if all he had was a weak caterpie or a world class legendary. It wouldn't even have mattered if all he had was a magikarp which only knew splash, or didn't have any Pokémon on him at all. As a trainer, he was honour bound to assist in it's defense against any and all threats, should such a need arise. No trainer would ever dare to attack a pokémon center. It was a universal rule. It just wasn't done. Any trainer who did was universally treated like scum by all the other trainers and quickly lost their trainers licence.

Sadly, that did not stop the 'uglier' side of humanity, especially illegal 'bandit' organisations like team Rocket.

Gary was therefore quite horrified to see two people, a male and a female, dressed in what looked like white uniforms with a Red 'R" symbol on them, threatening the local nurse Joy at 'poke-point' and holding her hostage. While several other trainers who were also present, they where reluctant to battle them in case they did harm to her as well.

Outraged at what he was seeing, appalled that that anyone would dare hold a nurse Joy, of all people, hostage, or even thinking about hurting one in any way, Gary did the first thing that came to his mind, he cried out in anger.

"What the hell do you think you are doing? Leave her alone right now!" he roared.

Hearing him the two intruders looked his way and smirked.

"Hmm...let me think about this" the female of the duo started to say and paused.

"How about...no" the male finished.

"Why are you doing this? Who are you anyway?" Gary asked, stunned by the duos answers and their callous attitudes.

Hearing his question the duo began to smirk even more.

"Could it be that this one does not know who we are?" the first, a female, asked amused.

"Why, yes...yes I think it does," the second, a male, answered.

"In that case, let us introduce ourselves," the female said.

"What? Again?" the male asked, surprised.

"But of course, can't have someone not knowing who we are now, can we?," the female answered. It was more a statement than a question.

"Well, ok, why not. In that case...once more from the top," the male continued as he got into a pre-arranged position.

"And a one..a two..a one two three," both said.

"Prepare for trouble," the female said,

"And make it double," the male continued, in a posh voice.

"To protect the world from devastation!," the female said

"To unite all peoples within our nation!" the male continued, while slowly taking a red rose from his pocket then holding up it to his nose.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" the female said, trying to duplicate the posh look for her partner while she said her lines.

"Jessie" said the female,

"James", said the male.

"Team rocket, blast of at the speed of light" said Jessie,

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight," said James.

"Meowth, that's right" said a Meowth, which suddenly appeared as it out of thin air, but which in reality nobody had noticed until that moment.

Gary looked confused. He didn't know what to make of the strange couple. One thing was clear however. This odd couple meant...trouble and there was only one way to deal with trouble. Either you fought it. Or, if that didn't work... you ran. Finally, if even that failed, you...

"I don't get it," he said after a few seconds. "Are you trying to be some type of dumb super hero's or idiotic villains?" he asked.

"Because if you are trying to be the second then your not very good at it, are you?,'" he continued. "I mean...attacking and blowing a hole into a Pokémon centre will not protect us from devastation. It's more likely to attract the attention of every police officer in the area. I'm also fairly sure attacking Nurse joy and holding her hostage will not unite us...well..unless of course it's in order to unite us against you. In which case well done. You definitely achieved your goal." Gary added, a thoughtful look on his face.

Hearing this the rocket duo and a few of the other trainers face-falted. Was he serious?

"How can anyone be so stupid," James mumbled.

"Look who's talking," said nurse joy, who had been silent until that moment, which also caused the others in the room to nod in agreement.

"Pot, meet the kettle," said another trainer.

This caused Jessie to stand up and glare at her partner. "I told you our motto sounded strange," she said angrily.

"It does?" James asked, sounding surprised. "I thought it sounded cool. Much better than the one from Cassidy and Buck," he answered, now sounding depressed.

"We'll talk about this later," Jessie growled before she turned her attention back to Gary and the other trainers, all of who had large sweat-drops on their faces.

"Ahem," Jessie coughed in slight embarrassment. "As we were staying, we are team rocket and we want all of your pokémon,"

"Yeah, and we want you to hand them over right now," James added, a little red in the face from humiliation.

"Yeah...what he said," Meowth added, not wanting to be ignored any longer. He got his wish.

"Did that meowth just speak?" another trainer asked, which made everybody stare at Meowth in awe. He got several silent, but equally impressed nods in return.

Meowth, happy with the sudden attention, smiled happily at the crowd. "Yep, sure did."

"Incredible," another trainer said. "How is this possible," he asked.

"Well, it all started back when..., Meowth started to say," only to be rudely interrupted with a slap from Jessie.

"Will you shut up and concentrate on the task," She yelled, which caused Meowth to flinch.

"Yeah, we have a job to do," James added as he nodded his head to what his partner had said.

"But..." Meowth tried to say but was interrupted again by Jessie.

"There is plenty of time for that afterwards. Your fans can admire you after the job is done. Not before," she added.

"Aw, that's not fair. You never let me have any fun," Meowth answered.

"This is not about fun!" Jessie nearly screamed.

And on it went. For the next minute or two the rocket duo completely ignored the other trainers around them as they began to argue among themselves. An act which caused the sweatdrops on a few of the trainers around them to grow even larger, and caused others to face-palm and some to even look away completely in embarrassment at the stupidity they were seeing.

Meanwhile, unknown to Team Rocket, nurse joy, finding herself suddenly forgotten by the Rocket duo, seeing the opportunity for what is was, quickly snuck to the back of the room and made a short call to the local police station, alerting the police to the situation. It was therefore no surprise when a few short minutes later three officer Jenny's suddenly stormed into the pokécentre, followed closely by their faithful Growlites.

"Halt! In the name of the law. You are all under arrest," one of the Jenny's quickly stated before she even had a chance to look around and realise what was happening.

Team Rocket, quickly stopped arguing and looked at the sudden newcomers in surprise, like dears would an incoming car headlight.

"Your early!" both of the rockets said, surprised. For a second the Team Rocket duo looked at the Jenny trio and visa versa. Then both Rockets sighed and Jessie, looked at James.

"This never happened. You hear me... This never happened!" she all but snarled, scowling, her face now as red as her partners, a statement which caused James to frantically nod in agreement. Meowth was sulking and didn't feel the need to say anything at all at that moment.

Then, with what seemed as fast as lightening, before anybody could even blink, both Rockets quickly threw two small balls on the ground, causing the whole room to be suddenly covered in smoke.

By the time everybody had stopped coughing and could see again, the two Rockets were long gone followed by the police and their K9 squad.

Gary, for his part, let out a breath he was holding in. 'Phew!' 'That was close,' he thought with a sigh of relief. 'Thank Arceus that worked and they were as stupid as I thought they were. I would never have won against them in my current state,' he thought, thinking of the weak caterpie in his ball, very thankful that his gamble had paid off.

Happy that the danger had passed, at least for now, he quickly started to help the other trainers as they cleaned and repaired the centre. It was going to be another long night.

The next morning had come at last. Gary groaned as the first rays of light hit his face.

'Already?' he though as he checked the time on his Pokédex. 'I only just went to sleep,' he inwardly whined.

Indeed, after spending nearly the whole night, helping to clean up the mess the Rocket made, he had only just gone back to sleep a few short hours ago. Hardly enough time to rest, let's not even talk about sleep.

:To hell with this...I'm taking the day off," he mumbled and started to close his eyes once more.

Sadly, Gary was woken up again a mere few minutes later by the unwelcome sound of the rooms intercom system which connected each room with the reception desk.

*Ring Ring Ring*

'Oh what now!' Gary wondered dismally. 'Was it really too much to ask for some rest?' he asked himself.

*Ring Ring Ring*

"Yeah Yeah...hang on, I'm coming,' he nearly snarled as he threw the covers of himself and walked towards the rooms intercom system.

*Ring Ring Ring*

Oh, how he hated that noise. It was much to early for it, especially after what had happened the last night. Groaning to himself Gary got up and reached out to touch the communication device. Fumbling a small bit until he finally pressed the right button.

"Yes, Gary Oak here," he said.

"Nurse Joy here, sorry for waking up you so early, especially after last night but... a girl named Misty is here with an officer Joy..."

"What!" Gary asked, now very awake. 'Oh crap, could it be?' he thought.

"She says you stole her bike," the Nurse, continued.

'Shit!' Gary screamed in his head.

"Are you still there?" the nurse asked.

No answer.

"Sir?"

*sigh!*

'I'm coming," Gary answered and a second later he disconnected the call. Sighing to himself, he started to put on his clothes once more. 'The Taurus really got me real good this time,' he moaned. Things just got a lot worse.

Gary, now very worried, arrived at the reception area a few minutes later.

Worried because... well...technically, he did indeed steal the girls bike. Even if it was an emergency. Somehow he doubted though that the Officer would care that he only stole it to get away from a flock of angry birds. Especially not if it was the same one from the gate. That Officer Jenny already had it in for him and would probably have no problem arresting him. She wanted to then, so why would it be any different now.

Then Gary saw her. The officer, not the girl. Though the girl was obviously the one standing beside the policewoman. Seeing the girl he gulped.

"Oh crap!" he said to himself, quietly. This did not look good. Not good at all.

Her arm, clearly broken, was in a sling and her head did not look much better either. It too was covered with bandages. The red head sure got it bad from the birds. Thankfully, she survived. At least, he wouldn't be going away for murder. Thank Arceus for that small mercy.

Sadly, it didn't seem as if it would make much of a difference. Not for him. Not if the look on the girls face was any indication. Because, currently... she looked just about ready to kill 'him' instead.

For a second Gary considered turning around and making a run for it, but quickly changed his mind. Not for this. She wasn't dead... so all he could be blamed for was the bike...and maybe her injuries. No, not the injuries. He didn't do those to her...and as for the bike...well, he wanted to give that back to her anyway. He was after all no thief. Well...usually. Hopefully all it would take would be one call to his Grandpa and then all would be cleared up. Hopefully.

Ok...stay calm. Let's try the innocent path first. Maybe they got the wrong person.

Oh, who was he kidding.

'I'm doomed' he thought.

Slowly, walking up to the desk he turned to face the officer. "Sorry for the delay. I had to get ready first. My name is Oak, Gary Oak, how can I help you, officer?" he asked, in what he hoped was a calm voice. Well, calm enough considering the circumstances.

The officer held up her hand to stop him and turned to face the girl. "Is this the one" she asked. The girl nodded and answered with a strong, angry: "YES!"

After that, it all happened fast. Almost instantly after the words left his mouth, the officer grabbed him and put a pair of hand cuffs on his hands.

'What the hell!' Gary thought, his eyes widening to epic proportions.

"You are under arrest, for stealing this girls bike and for attempted murder."

"But..." Gary tried to speak, alarmed.

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?"

"But..." Gary tried to say but was interrupted again. This time by the girl.

"My bike. Give me back my bike!" she screamed at him.

'Is this for real?' Gary wondered, clearly panicking now.

Seeing what was happening the Nurse Joy decided to intervene. "Hold on! He may have a good explanation. For Arceus's sake, let the poor boy speak" she said loudly, a clear command in her voice.

Almost instantly everybody fell silent. Almost everybody.

"Well go on, what do you have to say for yourself," the officer asked, testily.

'Ok'...Gary thought. 'Stay calm... play it cool' he told himself as he tried to clam himself, though at that moment he felt anything but calm. "First of all can someone please tell me what directly I'm being charged for," he asked, trying to buy himself some time.

"You are being charged for stealing this girls bike and for attempted murder," the officer repeated herself.

'Ok...the bike I can understand...but I did not try to murder anybody,' Gary thought. Instead he said: "I'm sorry, there must be a misunderstanding. I did not murder anybody," he started to say.

"But you tried to," the officer interrupted.

"No I did not," Gary answered.

"So you did not send the fearows and spearows after her and you did not steal her bike?," the officer questioned quickly.

"Yes...er...no.. wait...I mean..." Gary started to say. 'Oh fuck me,' he thought.

"Aha, so you admit it," the officer cried out. A cry which was followed quickly by a loud scream of "Give me back my bike," from Misty.

"I did not order the damn birds to attack her," Gary said loudly, trying to match the screaming girls screams.

"SILENCE!' The Nurse joy roared. Almost instantly everybody fell quiet again and some bystanders gulped when they realised how angry the nurse looked. It was clear she was now very pissed off.

"The next person who speaks out of turn will get booted from this centre," she said speaking to all of them, before turning to face the officer.

"And you...she said pointing her Jenny, making the officer cringe. "Whatever happened to innocent until found guilty?" she scolded, which caused the officer to blush and look down in shame.

Turning to face Gary, making him flinch back in fear, she continued to speak in a much kinder voice.

"Gary, did you command the Fearows and Sperows to attack miss Misty?

"No I did not," Gary answered, strongly.

"Did you take her bike," she asked next, glaring at the boy, daring him to lie to her.

For a second Gary thought about denying it but then he sighed. Now was not the time to lie. No matter how much he wanted to.

"Yes I did, but...," he started to say but was immediately interrupted again by the red headed girl beside him.

"See, I told you he..."

That was as far as she got.

"I warned you...Out NOW!," Nurse joy ordered angrily, to the girl.

"But!, Misty tried to say,"

"Now!" the nurse repeated.

"My bike.." Misty tried to say again, but then stopped and nodded, leaving the center a second later with a small tear rolling down her face.

The moment she was gone, the nurse turned back to face Gary.

"Where is the bike now?" she asked.

"Where I put it last night, Gary said, turning to point towards the bicycle stand, only to freeze in horror. It was gone.

"Oh shit," he said quietly.

"Well? Where is it? Answer the question," the officer asked, impatiently.

Gary paused for a second. "Well...I...er... you see... I...I put it there last night...and now it's...er..well... gone'" he said with a strong stutter, becoming quieter with each word. He really was neck deep in Taurus crap now.

"What was that? the officer asked.

This time in a louder voice: "It's gone...stolen" he answered.

"No shit... stolen by you," the officer snarked.

"No...I mean...yes...I mean...oh damn it. What I'm trying to say is that I put it there, with the other bicycles last night, but now it's gone," he said angrily. This was already difficult enough without the bloody b...er... witch making it even more difficult.

'A likely story," the officer started to say, but paused when she saw the glare from the nurse. "Ahem...I mean...I see. So where is it now?" she asked a second later. Gary sighed. "I really wish I knew" he answered and he really did.

Nurse Joy frowned. "Maybe the security cameras will tell us more," she said pointing towards one on the wall, getting both of their attentions. "Excellent idea," said the officer Jenny as she reached out to grab Gary. "Your coming with me," she barked.

An hour later all four - Misty was allowed back in if she promised to be quiet - were staring at the footage of the security video. "There," Gary said, pointing towards his past self as it showed him put the bicycle to the others on the bicycle rack. "Hmm...so I see, but then, were is it now?" officer Jenny asked.

'Where indeed,' wondered Gary, as he ignored the angry stare from the red head beside him. A few minutes and several hours of fast-forwarded footage later, they finally had the answer. Or rather, they had a possibility of an answer.

Just several seconds before Team Rocket made their exist, the bicycle was still there. Then, directly after the smoke cleared, it and two other bicycles were missing.

Gary closed his eyes. Partially in relief, but also in defeat. Yes...this video proved without a doubt that he was telling the truth. Sadly, it also didn't help him much as he still was the first person to steal...NO! Not steal... 'borrow' the bicycle first. As much as he hated to admit it. Two wrongs did not make a right. As such he would still have to pay for the bike.

"My bike," moaned Misty, as she finally realised what had become of it.

"Yes...well," Officer Jenny started to say. "At least now be know what happened," she added.

Gary sighed. "I will of course pay you back for it," he said, defeated, inadvertently reminding officer Jenny to the fact that he was the original thief of the bike.

"Yes you will," she said as she grabbed him again. "Follow me to the station and we will get this all sorted out," she said, happy that she had at least managed to capture the original thief.

Gary simply nodded. What else could he do? He had after all done the original theft. No amount of lying could deny that.

"And then there is still the matter of the birds" Officer Jenny added a second later.

'OH, COME ON!'

AN:

That's it again...until next time. Whenever that will be.

Now...for all of those interested:

Red's conversations (without text) for those who want to see the difference. Please tell me which you prefer.

"...!"

"Oh, hello... Good morning Red. I'm fine thank you. Well...as fine as I can be, I guess. Is it time for my medicine again?" Ash asked quietly, barely keeping the boredom he felt out of his voice.

*Twitch*

"It's not? Do you need something then? I mean...I'd love to help out but...well...it's not like I can," Ash answered, looking morosely at his paralyzed lower half.

"...!"

"Yeah... well, it's not like I could have anyway," Ash answered in agreement, with a small subdued laugh while Red looked around the room.

*Blink!*

"Destiny? Oh she is out by the lake, searching for that weed you need for the potion"

*Strong glare!*

"I know! I know you told her not to. But you know how she is when it comes to healing me. I mean...it's about all she can do these days," Ash answered quickly, not wanting to get his Pokémon into trouble. Especially not when all she was trying to do was to help him.

Red sighed and glared. Quickly taking out a Pokémon he opens it, letting one of his Pokémon, a female pikachu - according to it's tail, materialize.

".. ... ...!"

::Pika?:: (The lake..seriously?)

*Nods*

::Pi - Pika- chu!:: (Doesn't she know Scarlett lives there? She always get's grumpy this time of year.)

*Shrug*

::Pika-chu:: (Oh well... time to rescue the damsel, I guess), she said with a sigh.

::Pi:: (Back in a flash!)

Suddenly the Pikachu seemed to light up, then it disappeared in a flash of light, followed almost instantly by a small clap of thunder.

Ash could only gape in astonishment. "Incredible, what amazing speed,' he mumbled to himself. 'Is this the power of a master?' he wondered.

Seeing that his Pikachu was now searching for Ash's Pokémon, Red turned back to Ash.

"...!"

"Oh, don't remind me. I know. It's about all I can think about these days," Ash mumbled sullenly.

*Blink and a smirk*

"Oh!, Ash looked at Red. "Have you found a way for me to move?" Ash asked. Then, when Red shook his head he suddenly looked afraid. "You're not kicking me out...are you?" Ash asked worriedly. He didn't know what he would do it that was the case.

*Very strong glare*

"Oh, good! Thanks...you had be worried there for a second. So what is it then?" Ash asked very relieved that he would not be kicked out after all.

Red was just about to answer but then he paused. His eyes widening briefly, he quickly took a step to the side. Just in time, as a second later two Pokémon suddenly appeared in a flash of bright light, followed almost instantly by another small clap of thunder, right in the same spot were he had stood a mere second ago.

*Angry scowl*

"::Pika:: (Opps...sorry) The same pikachu from before said meekly with a small sweat drop on her face, as she noticed what had nearly happened.

For a second Red continued to look vexed but then he sighed, his expression softening.

"...!" he said before turning to face Destiny.

The pikachu nodded, looking at the ground in shame. She knew she was supposed to be careful when she used her special version of extreme speed. But it had been so long since she had a good reason to use it, she had forgotten just how dangerous it could be if done carelessly. Well, at least for the mere mortals. In other words; the vast majority of all living creatures, great and small. After all, not everybody was as strong and as Red or his Pokémon. Red would have survived it. A normal mortal however...well...let's just say it would not have been pretty.

Red frowned. For a second he thought about reprimanding Destiny as well, but then simply turned back to Ash. The black dragon was not his Pokémon, but Ash's. As such it would be up to Ash to decide what to do with her and unless it was a life or death situation he would not intervene unless asked first.

Destiny, for her part, not wanting to anger the legendary master and be in any more trouble then she already was, kept silent, her head down. She knew she had done wrong and that she was forbidden from going to the lake alone...but...she just couldn't help herself. Not when Ash needed his potions so badly. It was all she could do these days to help.

*Blink, Twitch*

::Paci?:: (Oh?) Destiny said looking at him.

"... ... ..." Red started to say which caused Ash to look down depressed.

*Eye smile and a smirk*

Frowning Ash looked up at him with a questioning look on his face. What did Red mean, he wondered.

*A large grin and a twitch*

Ash's and Destiny's eyes widened and nearly grew to Pokéball sizes.

"..." Red said and smiled.

"A second later, open mouthed, Ash fainted.

Ash's team (pre training):

Pacifidox aka Destiny, lvl 8 (female)

Pikachu, lvl 10 (Male)

Gary's current team:

Caterpie, Lvl 4 (male)

Red's Pokémon (which we know about) so far:

Pikachu aka Pika aka The Living Lightening Bolt. Lvl...not telling...yet. (female)

Destiny's current moves:

(1)Teleport...teleports Destiny to a location

(2)Reflect... Reduces damage from physical attacks by about half

(3)Recover... recovers her own hit points...but not that of another

(4)Refresh... Heals poisoning or other status changers

(5) Agility... Allows her to increase her speed x2, x3...or even in rare situations to x4 her normal speed if it's used again and again. (at which point it might even look like to her as if time has temporarily stopped) Of course the faster she goes the more difficult it is to control this ability...which may result in a sudden crash.