Yet another chapter

Don’t die plotbunny! *Setting out carrots and gumballs to keep it happy*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own pokemon. I do own this non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics!

Chapter 7

 

            It had been two months and still no replacement had been found for the Yellow Flute holder. True, nothing serious had happened in that time, but…

            Deoxys was inconsolable. Brendan had been her Chosen after all.

            Raikou and Zapdos searched vigilantly, but no prodigy passed before their eyes. It was quite disappointing…

            What could they do?

 

            Then, a week later, Lugia found an answer for them. Apparently, the yellow flute also meant psychic, not just electric.

            Deoxys was quite pleased with Sabrina, and it helped her ease the transition from Brendan to a new Chosen.

            Plus, it also evened out the powers, as they now had a Chosen in Kanto.

            That was good.

 

            < So why are we here? > Sabrina asked Deoxys as they levitated together in the Saffron City Gym.

            Deoxys sighed. < Preparation for future problems. >

            < So we are a ‘safety valve’? >

            < In a sense, yes. >

            Sabrina wasn’t sure she liked that, but she understood why, so she nodded. After all, without a safety valve any power was dangerous!

            < Will we die? >

            < Not if we can help it. > Deoxys reassured her. Sabrina relaxed slightly at the statement, and nodded.

            Oh well… duty she could understand well enough.

           

            Ash continued going to school, as he added surreptiously to his pokemon collection. With a pokédex no one knew for sure how many he had…

            Besides, pets didn’t count!

            In any case, he was happy when he passed the sixth-grade curriculum in fourth grade, thus knocking two years off school – extra years for him to go journeying! However, he took seventh and eight grades before he started his journey.

            It would even out when he went to high school after.

 

            On the day of his journey’s beginning, Ash woke up bright and early and ran to Oak’s lab.

            The man was still _asleep_, so he cautiously opened the door, spotted a pile of poke balls, for new trainers, and nodded. Chimecho scanned them from her invisible perch on Ash’s head.

            < That one. >

            Ash nodded, took the pokeball and the pre-labeled package with his name on it, before exiting.

            Sure enough, pokédex, 5 poke balls, and a potion were inside. Ash went home and collected his pokemon and pre-packed camping gear, before waving goodbye to his mother and taking off.

            It was so easy… until he got to Saffron.

 

            It was supposed to be easy. His opponent was an Abra. It was nothing special, so he was perfectly within his rights to use Mysdreavus.

            Except Mysdreavus’s attacks hadn’t done _anything_ at all…

            Then, Chimecho had failed to make a dent. Something was up then. Even if psychics were evenly matched, this was…

            Falling.

            Ash cried out as his Bulbasaur collapsed. Poor girl, she shouldn’t have attacked before he could choose another pokemon but what could he do?

            Everything went dark after that.

 

            < That was going too far. > Deoxys protested as Sabrina left the fainted teen outside. Sabrina shrugged.

            < He needed to be put down in his place. >

            < I suppose… >

            Still…

 

            Ash woke up blearily. * What happened? *

            Chimecho stopped fussing over him. < Oh, you’re awake! >

            “What happened?”

            < She knocked you out after you lost. >

            “What? Why?”

            < No idea. Are you all right? >

            “Yes, just tired…” A mottled purple bump was forming with ire on his forehead. “Ow…” Why had she clonked him over the head?

            Gym leader behavior that most certainly was not! He should report her!
            < Don’t even think about it. >

            ‘EEEK!” So she was a psychic. Ash quickly had Chimecho teleport them far, far away from that gym.

            So much for a Marsh badge…

            Now what was he going to do?

 

            Lance shut down his viewing mirror and frowned. < Father… >

            < I know. That was unnecessary. >

            < Are you planning to interfere? > Lance asked politely as he reached for his dragon blades. If Father were, he should go along as well.

            Lugia shook his head. < No. This is their folly. Our place is not to intrude. >

            < As you will… >

 

            “What in the world…” Ash was still looking around dazed. Chimecho hopped up and down on his head, trying to wake him.

            Wooper sprayed him with Water Gun, but there was no change.

            With a sigh, Chimecho released Ash’s Elekid from his poke ball. Elekid sized up the situation and zapped Ash.

            “YEOW!”

            At least a reaction was obtained!

 

            “I can’t believe I lost!”

            < Me neither! I had the type advantage! > The newly rejuvenated Mysdreavus complained, her fog shaking angrily.

            < I felt… something odd in there. Like a shield… > Chimecho mused.

            < A shield? > Mysdreavus queried.

            “A shield? Wouldn’t that be cheating?”

            Elekid nodded. Yes, yes!

            < I believe so. > Chimecho said slowly. < However, we should not attempt Saffron again unless you have a plan to win… >

            Brown eyes looked angry, but Ash nodded.

            There had to be a way! What to do?

            Hmm…

 

            < This could be dangerous. >

            Koga looked up at Latios in surprise. < Yes, Latios-san? >

            < If the yellow flute holder drops into insanity, there is a chance that the rest of you could follow… >

            Aya looked worried, while Koga grit his teeth. * Don’t worry, sister, I will protect you to the best of my ability! *

            Bells tolled.

 

End Chapter

Completed 10/19/04

Sabrina’s wound up a bit psycho, so much for the Psychoshipping option…

Lance: Oh well

Ash: *shrugs*

Phantomness: *pours herself another cup of hot chocolate* so I severely twisted my leg in karate. Do you think it’ll heal in a week so I can still go to the tournament?