Kanto - Saffron City

Ash was now relaxing with his Pokemon while watching Misty train with hers. She had become pumped up to win the next badge after watching the contest. Ash had taken to babying Phantump a lot the last few days and the little ghost type enjoyed the attention he got from the dark haired human. Banette was also enjoying his time together with the group and had taken to following Lucario around and following his lead while training, the same way Krabby followed Milotic's lead.

Brock was sat next to Ash, "I heard there is going to be another breeder's competition in Celadon city."

Ash turned to his friend curiously, "Are you taking part?"

Brock scratched his chin, "I was planning on it, in fact admission will start in two weeks, so I hope I get enough time to prepare."

Ash, "Do you want to practice on my Pokemon or Misty's for that matter? I'm sure she wouldn't mind and would love to have an extra hand. I certainly wouldn't mind the extra help and care."

Brock brightened up, "Really? Ash? You don't mind?"

Ash nodded, "I'll ask my Pokemon and I have no doubt most of them would agree to it."

Brock grinned, "Thanks Ash, I'll help you take care of them while getting in some practice."

Phantump yawned, "Phaaaaaa!"

Ash cooed, "Sleepy? Get some sleep little one!"

Brock watched as Ash hummed, "You know I just noticed it.... Phantump's sleeping posture, it's like a baby's sleeping posture."

Ash was quite for a bit, "Yeah, it really brings it home, doesn't it?"

Brock gave Ash a one armed hug, "Yes, it does, but hey don't worry about it anymore yeah? Phantump is here and safe, that's what matters now."

Ash smiled softly looking at the young ghost type, "You are right."

Brock, "Um, actually I have a request..."

Ash blinked, "A request? What is it Brock?"

Brock scratched his nose, "Well I have been observing you, actually I have been observing how you use aura to take care of your Pokemon. I was wondering if you could teach me too."

Ash stared at Brock, "Brock you do realize it takes a lot of time and patience to learn how to do, what I do, right?"

Brock nodded, "I know, Lucario mentioned, he had been training you for five years give or take."

Ash nodded, "Yes, you can't just learn it in a few months or even a year. It'll take time, hell I was only able to learn how to support my Pokemon using my aura under pressure. Not exactly a great way to access it, I could have been in a coma right now but I got lucky because I had Lucario to make sure I didn't go into danger zone."

Brock winced remembering how pale Ash had looked after exiting Mt Moon, "I know and I don't plan on learning the stronger stuff just enough to know what the Pokemon are feeling and to be able to calm them down. I have not forgotten what Jessilina said happened to those that have these special ability."

Ash sighed, "At least you are clear about the dangers learning this will put you in. I was warned by Lucario, Red and Professor Oak about it. In fact they were against me telling you guys about it in the beginning. Mostly because it's not exactly safe to even know about it but I trust you to be able to take care of yourself."

Brock nodded, "Thanks, so is that a yes?"

Ash grinned mischievously, "I don't have the qualifications to teach you, but you are welcome to join us in training early in the morning."

Brock gave a wry smile, "No more late sleep ins for me, huh?"

Ash, "Nope!"

Misty joined them, "I'm famished, want to go get something to eat?"

Ash grinned, "Sure let's go!"

Misty, "Thanks for letting me borrow Milotic to train my Pokemon Ash."

Ash smiled, "No problem Misty and Milotic looked like she enjoyed it too."

Brock, "I wonder how Jessilina and Jameson are doing. They left pretty early today after getting a phone call."

Ash nodded frowning, "Jessilina's smile was pretty strained."

Misty hummed, "We could help them relax once they return?"

Brock, "How though?"

Misty, "Well I saw a really good spa yesterday, we could offer to take care of the Pokemon and get them a reservation at the spa so they can relax. I think I saw a buy one get one free offer."

Ash, "Are you talking about the silver spa offer? I guess if all three of us pitch in we could get them a reservation. Plus who knows Meowth might tell us somethin....."

Before Ash could finish his sentence he saw smoke going up in the sky, "What in the world?"

Misty turned to where he was looking, "What are you talking a....? What the?"

They heard the city siren go, "Gym leader, trainers, coordinators and people who have registered Pokemon are requested to help out at Building 254 on Saffron street 11. I repeat, gym leader, trainers, coordinators and people who have registered Pokemon are requested to help out at Building 254 on Saffron street 11."

Misty's breath hitched and she paled, "That's where Jessilina and Jameson went."

Brock, "Fuck, Misty go to the centre with Ash quickly to get your Pokemon checked! Then meet me there. I'll go ahead and volunteer."

Ash, "Be careful Brock, no heroics!"

Brock nodded before rushing off towards Saffron street 11 and Ash and Misty rushed to the Pokemon centre. Nurse Joy did not ask or give her customary greeting, instead she did her check up and gave the Pokemon the all clear before pointing them in the direction of the building. The two teens nodded before rushing towards the building where they met up with Brock and thankfully, a still alive but smoked Jessilina and Jameson.

Jameson was talking to Brock, "We already gave our testimonies."

Jessilina, "What are you all doing here?"

Misty, "We volunteered to help out."

Ash, "Yeah, damn look at the fire."

Brock, "According to the firefighters it was caused by malfunctioning of electrical equipment."

Ash, "So water moves are out of the question, what about mud and dirt?"

Brock, "The electricity has been cut off but..."

Jameson, "They have an automatic back up generator in there."

Misty, "Mud then, come out everyone, Butterfree use gust to blow sand into the fire, Poliwhirl, Cloyster use mudshot and Squirtle, Starmie icy wind."

Ash, "Fearrow use gust to blow sand into the fire, Krabby use mud shot, Squirtle, Jigglypuff and Milotic use icy wind."

Ash turned to Lucario, "Luc?"

Lucario, -No one inside.-

Brock was watching his Pokemon, "That's good, what happened?"

Jessilina sighed, "Let's take care of the fire first."

Ash wanted to say something but shook his head and focused on getting the fire under control. Banette and Phantump watched from where they were behind Ash's legs and arms as the inferno blazed. It was not as bad as the Vermillion fire and was brought under control soon with the help of Sabrina and a lot of ice and sand moves. To say Sabrina was furious would be an understatement, but luckily for everyone she directed her fury into putting the fire out.

Sabrina, "Jessilina, we need to talk!"

Jessilina nodded, "We will."

After the fire was under control it came to light some of the workers were missing and unaccounted for. It was a little suspicious but Ash did not think much about it, his Pokemon were exhausted after a grueling four hours of using their moves continuously. Ash followed Sabrina to her gym when she offered to heal their Pokemon using the gym facilities.

Sabrina rounded on Jessilina while the Pokemon were being cared for, "Explain!"

Jessilina gave a small exhale, "We went to the office just like we normally did and started to go through the same routine. Checking things out, making sure everything was working fine and not getting suspected by the others over the fact we went there for inspection. It went smoothly till there was a call for a delivery and a large truck came holding a huge box or rather a cage."

Jameson took over, "We were told to make sure everything was in good order..... I was curious and went to check on what was being brought in. You can imagine my surprise when I realized it was a Moltres of all things."

Brock, "Moltress? They captured a Moltress? What the fuck?"

Misty, "How?"

Ash, "More importantly from where and when."

Jessilina, "We didn't find out the how, where and when, but we knew we had to help them escape. Also they have been arrested for illegal poaching and experimenting on Pokemon and Human children, although some of them escaped the moment things went fubar using psychic Pokemon."

Sabrina was furious but held her temper in, "I suppose you are suggesting they are the reason why children went missing in my city?"

Jessilina nodded, "Sorry Bri, I know it's not what you want to hear but yes. Luckily they didn't go too far in their experiment, they are still alive."

Ash looked at them warily holding Phantump close, "Are you suggesting that they killed kids before for the experiment?"

Misty, "That can't be right?"

Jameson, "I'm not suggesting it, I got proof of it, they have been doing it for a while now."

Ash breathed in, "I'm guessing that's why Red was not here like he was at Vermillion city last time. He's trying to get Moltress under control?"

Jessilina nodded, "With Articuno's help yes, they left after Moltress set the building on fire. I don't know where they are currently however, I'm sure they are alright."

Ash looked down biting his lip, "Yeah I hope so too."

Phantump, "Phaaa?"

Ash smiled, "I'm fine, just worried, how did they even capture Moltress and how did no one notice a thing?"

Jessilina gave a wry smile, "I wish I could answer that."

Sabrina looked at Misty, "Our battle schedule for tomorrow is still on, however if you want it at a different time, I understand."

Misty shook her head, "I'll be here tomorrow, I'm training to be a Water type Master and Gym Leader so I have to get used to things like this happening out of the blue."

Sabrina nodded, "Very well, your Pokemon are all healed. I'll see you tomorrow."

The group left the gym once their Pokemon were cleared and checked up. Misty was a bit envious of the facilities at the Saffron gym and made a little promise to herself to get similar facilities for the Cerulean gym. It would take time she knew but she would work hard to fulfil her dreams. The next day Misty woke up bright and early and prepared for her battle with Sabrina for the Marsh badge.

Harvey, "This is an official three on three battle for the Marsh badge. The first battler to win two battles is the winner. Choose your Pokemon!"

Sabrina, "Abra go!"

Misty, "Let's go Squirtle!"

Harvey, "Let the match begin!"

Sabrina, "Teleport!"

Misty, "Ready your water gun Squirtle and wait for it."

Abra appeared around the battle field and Misty noticed a pattern, "Now tomorrow your left, feint!"

Squirtle pretended to attack left before she abruptly turned to the front and shot a water gun at the surprised Abra. Abra spluttered before getting back up again ready to fight.

Sabrina, "Ice punch!"

Misty, "Protect followed by ice beam!"

Squirtle attacked the psychic Pokemon at point blank range freezing him in place.

Harvey, "Abra is unable to battle, choose your next Pokemon!"

Sabrina, "Return Abra, let's go Kadabra!"

Misty cheered, "Great job Squirtle, you were amazing. Now let's go Butterfree!"

Harvey, "Let the second battle begin!"

Sabrina, "Psybeam!"

Misty, "Hyperbeam!"

The attacks missed the other Pokemon

Misty, "Sleep powder!"

Sabrina, "Teleport!"

Kadabra teleported away but Butterfree flew after him spreading his sleep powder.

Sabrina, "Disable followed by fire punch!"

Misty, "Use protect then gust in the ground!"

Butterfree protected himself from the punch before blowing the sleep powder that had fallen to the floor to Kadabra's face. Kadabra moved back from the hustle before teleporting further away but anyone could tell he was feeling the effects.

Misty, "Giga drain followed by sleep powder!"

Sabrina, "Teleport quick!"

However because of being under the affect of sleep powder Kadabra was unable to move away quickly and Butterfree drained his energy a lot before hitting him with another sleepl powder.

Harvey, "Kadabra is unable to battle, Misty and Butterfree are the winners."

Misty cheered, "We did it! Squirtle Butterfree we won."

Sabrina smiled, "Congratulations Misty, I proudly present to you the Marsh badge, you have earned it."

Misty grinned, "That makes four badges now, I just need another four. Yes!"

Ash grinned, "Congratulations Misty, that's another step closer to becoming a Water Type Master."

Brock, "Yeah! That was well done."

Jessilina, "Butterfree and Squirtle did wonderfully."

Jameson, "Let's go celebrate."

Misty grinned as they left the gym after saying farewell to Sabrina, they had to prepare for the road. They had planned on staying longer in Saffron but Jessilina had insisted their business was over. The two of them had busted the people they needed to expose and the law would take care of them. Ash was a bit suspicious they were not telling them something important but decided to drop the subject and trust them instead. They had a Butterfree migration to check out in the meantime.

[A. N.: Happy New Year everyone!]