Disclaimers:

I don't own Pokémon in any way!! I don't own Formula One!! I've never met them at all. It's all lies, lies, damnable lies! What do I own? Take a wild guess. It consists of one American, a Canadian father and daughter, a Frenchman, a drunk Russian and a new gun loving American chick. You probably know by now, but if you're new readers, just remember that.

Mario Alvarado's Notes:

Okay, I think I'm finally back on track here. I hope. I've been a busy with other fanfics of mine these days. After finally losing Gary and the entire Kanto and Johto regions, Ash found Brock and with the help of Duplica, who was disgusted as an Officer Jenny and former Formula One driver, Ralph Firman, made their escape. Now, Ash needs some new wheels and ditch his Toyota Celica for now. And what will happen when Ash accidentally meets up with Misty?

This chapter also reveals the moments leading up to Ash's meeting with Michael Schumacher when Ash and his friends arrived at Blackthorn City.

Ash Ketchum: Formula One Driver
Chapter 34: Everybody Changes, For Better Or Worse

"I made up my mind after our second encounter with the Pokémon league and Team Rocket, that I would stay here in Japan as F1's only warning scout. Meaning if Team Rocket does take off for Europe to attack the F1 guys, I can warn Bernie and the others before those bastards reach them."

"Warning scout? Have you ever lived in Japan before?"

"Yeah. I used to race in the Autobacs All Japan GT Championship, driving a Honda NSX with a team called Mobil 1 Nakajima Racing. I split my racing time with them and my British F3 Championship season. We almost won the 2002 title before I came to F1 and the team is interested in me returning with them in 2005. Besides, I want to beat up some Rocket all alone. And maybe run them over in my NSX."

Ralph Firman's interview with one of the big auto racing magazines 2 weeks after the 2004 Japanese GP, where he decided to stay in Japan rather than go back to Britain.

After his latest great escape from Gary, the Pokémon League and Team Rocket and doing a 4 hour long autograph session with the girls of the Ash Ketchum fan club, Ash decided that driving around in a Toyota Celica WRC car will surely give him away and draw plenty of hated attention to him. He didn't want that at all, since he can't even call the others in France for backup. Not wanting that, Ash hid his Celica inside Brock's garage as soon as they arrived back to his place. Now, Ash needs a new set of wheels and Pewter City has some great used car shops. Three hours have passed since the group retuned from the giant autograph session with Ash, they were at Brock's house, just waiting for everything to calm down. As for Richie, as soon as he dropped off Suzie at Brock's place, he went off in search of that jamming device that Silph Co. built to jam Ash's cell phone.

"I just hope those idiots don't check your place for my Celica." Ash said as he finished drinking another can of Red Bull. Since this whole deal started, he's been drinking nothing but that. His adrenalin high hasn't fully calmed down just yet.

"Probably not, Ash. The Jennys wouldn't dare looking here. But, what are you going to do without a ride?" Brock asked,

"I'll try to find a car that IS NOT a Toyota. If I drive around in a Toyota, the Jennys will come after me in force and I can't have that before I call the guys to bail me out." Ash answered,

"Well, Ash. Call me if you need help. At least your cell phone can still make calls in Kanto." Brock said and Ash just nodded. He had something else in mind for Brock and his girlfriend. And it involved Ralph Firman, who was busy waxing his NSX.

"Hey, Firman. Can you look after Brock and Suzie for me? I have a feeling that Lance may try something again." Ash asked, interrupting Firman from his car waxing.

"10-4, sergeant!!" Ralph Firman said mockingly as he did a quick, fake military salute and loaded the M-16 he stole from the cops earlier in the day,

"Ash, Brock and I don't need any protection. We can handle ourselves just fine." Suzie said, but Ash and Ralph weren't buying it.

"And I'm not leaving anything to chance. If Lance and the others are going to try something soon, I'd rather have an ex-F1 driver here to make the odds better. End of discussion." Ash said sternly. Knowing that trying to argue with Ash over this is a failing proposition, Brock and Suzie just agreed with Ash. "Anyway, I'm off to go car hunting. I'll be back soon." Ash said to the group. Just before he walked to town, Duplica came up to Ash.

"Say Ash... I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if I came along?" Duplica asks shyly. Immediately, Ash gave in. Anytime he has the chance to be with Duplica, he'll take it. He does have a secret crush on her.

"Sure, Duplica. I wouldn't mind." Ash said. As soon as he said that, Duplica clung onto his arm as the couple walked way from Brock's home. Firman went back to waxing his NSX while Brock and Suzie looked on.

"I knew she would try to ask Ash to take her along with him." Suzie said as she looked at the two walking to town,

"Why is that, Suzie? Do you think Duplica might have a crush on Ash? Are you sure she's not trying to get him for his money that he makes on the F1 circuit?" Brock asked,

"I just have this feeling that those two are going to hook up sooner or later, just like how we got together." Suzie answered,

"Like us? Ash said he doesn't want to have a girlfriend because it will distract him from his racing." Brock said, remembering what Ash said to him the last time he was in Kanto.

"Well, Brock. Certain girls can motivate a guy like Ash to try even harder to impress them. And Duplica is one of those girls. I think they would make a cute couple. I bet you're jealous of him having an all girl fanclub." Suzie said,

"Sometimes I am, but as long as I have you in my life, this is the only thing I want." Brock said as the two breeders gazed into each other's eyes lovingly. Firman just shook his head in disbelieve and continued to wax his car. The walk to the shopping center of Pewter wasn't long for Ash and Duplica. The two arrived at the main street where all of the car places were and Ash was looking at the many cars that were begging to be bought.

"Oh, I just love car hunting with a cute, F1 driver like you, Ashy. Is it going to be a fast car, like the one that American has?" Duplica asked flirtingly,

"No, Duplica. That's a Ferrari. I got to find something Japanese that is not a Toyota." Ash answered as he continued to look at the cars for sale. All of a sudden, this silver car parked in a car lot across the street, catches Ash's eye. "Like that one over there." Ash said as he crossed the street and saw the car. He and Duplica approached the car and looked at what it has. Ash was impressed but Duplica didn't think so.

"This car? What makes it so special?" Duplica asked, but Ash was too busy looking at all of the cool things about the car.

"A 1994 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II. Barely driven, 100 miles only, 300 HP inline 6 cylinder engine, turbo, AM/FM 12 CD/Cassette player, BBS wheels, Goodyear tires, power everything, Sparco steering wheel and safety belts, Recaro racing seats, Brembo F1 style brakes, giant canisters of NoS, plenty of extra parts from Nismo to increase performance and looks, yours for only... $5,000?!!! This is a bargain!!! They want to get rid of this!! This is more of a racing car than a street car!! It's a car tuner's dream!" Ash said excitedly,

"This car is loaded. But won't your team be pissed if you bought this instead of a Toyota?" Duplica asked,

"They won't know. This will be my car to use here in Kanto. I have another Toyota for myself back home in Germany." Ash said as he looked at the interior of the car,

"Like the car, son? Everybody was looking at this little beauty. And a lot of people want to buy it. So, are you and your girlfriend looking for a car like this?" The car salesman said as he appeared out of nowhere like all salesmen usually do,

"Hell, yeah!! I want it... NOW!!!" Ash said as he pointed to the Skyline. The guy looked at Ash and immediately knew who he was.

"Well, son. I can't. You're wanted by the Pokémon League because you're an F1 driver and I don't want to be in trouble with them." The guy said nervously. Ash decided to take another approach and fished out his prize money from the Italian GP. It was over $100,000 in cash!! He was supposed to get only 100 grand a race at the start of the season, but thanks to Ash's performance in the season, his pay per race has increased. Ash even had another $100,000 with him just in case. Ash took about 10 grand and slapped the cash in the man's hand. Immediately, that changed his mind.

"Um... okay, son. You got a deal, the car's yours. And I'll throw in these turbo kits for free." The sales guy said as he directed Ash and Duplica into the car office. 15 minutes later, Ash and Duplica came out of the office where Ash was tossing the keys to his new Nissan Skyline in the air. A few guys already slapped on a brand new license plate on Ash's Skyline.

"I got a Skyline. Man. Am I glad I got my license with David before I signed with Toyota." Ash said,

"I never thought I would see the day where I would be driving a Nissan instead of a Toyota." Duplica said,

"We all have to make sacrifices fore the good, Duplica. Just hope this gets the heat off me. Anyway, let's head back to Brock's place and show him my new car." Ash said as the two got into his new car, started up the turbo engine and sped out of the city to Brock's house.

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"A Skyline. Why did he buy a crappy Skyline? I have bad memories of this car when I was driving in the Autobacs All Japan GT Championship. Some damn ass made me crash in my NSX." Ralph Firman said as he and the girls watched Ash and Brock finally complete the turbo swap job. Firman really didn't like Skylines at all. He raced against them a lot during his days in the All Japan series. Ash slammed down the hood of the car and was now thinking of what to do next. Then, it hit him.

"I have to find that damn jammer that Team Rocket built to jam up my cell phone. I got to total that thing so I can call the others and tell them to bail me out." Ash said as he slammed down the hood of the car,

"But where are we going to start? We don't know where to look." Firman said,

"That's true. Richie called me last night and said that we'll try to look for the thing in his rally car, because that thing can go anywhere." Ash answered,

"Ash, it's getting late. Why don't you stay here for the night and you can go off and find that thing in the morning." Brock said,

"Yeah. I think you're right, Brock. We'll stay her for the night and in the morning, Firman and I are going off to find that thing. I don't know how long it will take, but I have to find it so I can call Bernie and the others and tell them that something night be up when they arrive here for the race." Ash said,

"What about me, Ash? I can go incognito at Silph to find out where that jammer is." Meowth said,

"I don't think so, Meowth. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on those two right there. If any Rockets, Pokémon league guys or Jennys come here to hassle Brock, take care of them!" Ash said as he pointed to both Brock and Suzie, who were not looking forward to being baby-sit. They want to help out Ash, but Ash knows what he's doing.

[Hey, Ash. What about me? I'm a part of this team too!!!] Pikachu said,

"Well, I need you to stay here with Meowth and help protect Brock and Suzie. If Meowth gets beat, you can go in there and shock them all to hell. Okay?" Ash asked his #1 Pokémon,

[Okay. Just as long as you have Espeon, Charizard and the others with you, I'm not worried. And besides, I was looking forward to getting another massage from Suzie. I haven't had one of those in years.] Pikachu said,

"Don't worry about that. I got them here with me at all times." Ash said as he patted his Poké Ball jean pocket, full of his Pokémon. Suzie bent down and picked up Pikachu and started scratching the Mouse Pokémon under her chin.

"Well, Pikachu. I've learned a few new techniques since that time. Once I'm down with you, nobody is going to be standing once you delivered the shock of a lifetime." Suzie said as she continued to pet Pikachu.

[You're right about that sister!] Pikachu said, enjoying Suzie's treatment. After having dinner at Brock's house, the group went to sleep without a hitch. All of the excitement made everybody tired as hell. Around 9 A.M. the next morning, Ash and Ralph Firman were ready to go off into Kanto to find that Silph jammer. Firman would check around Saffron, Vermilion and Fuchsia in his NSX while Ash would go to Cerulean City, Celadon City and Lavender Town with his Skyline. Since Ash can still call people inside Japan, he'll call up every once in a while to let everybody know what was up. Brock and Suzie will stay at Brock's house with Pikachu and Meowth guarding them from unwanted visitors, leaving Duplica to stay with them. But the Ditto trainer had other plans. She begged Ash to take her with him, making the argument that it would be better to have somebody with him to get him out of trouble with the law. Ash was against it, but Duplica was going to go with Ash even if he didn't want her to come.

Deciding he was going to lose, Ash let Duplica come with him and she seemed a little excited to be riding in a Nissan Skyline with Ash Ketchum, famed Formula One Driver. After saying goodbye to Brock and Suzie and the two Pokémon for now, Ash, Duplica and Firman took off in different directions. During the whole day, Ash and Duplica must have driven over 600 miles all over the place, just looking for that damn thing. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, a haystack the size of California is more like it. Firman called Ash every hour and he told him that he couldn't find the damn thing at all!! After 5 P.M. rolled around, Ash and Duplica decided to go back to Pewter. On the way back, Ash thought he saw something nearby and left Duplica and the car to check it out. He thought he saw something and when he realized that nothing was there, Ash walked about half a mile from his car. Deciding to retrace his steps back to the Skyline, Ash began to walk back, but he felt a strange presence near him. He turned around and his hunch was right. And he didn't like it.

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Ash was in a position that he really didn't want to be in right now. In front of him was his old friend, Misty Waterflower. The same Misty who tried to bash his head in with her mallet many times when he was back home in Pallet a few weeks ago. Right now, Misty right in front of him demanding answers and she was ready to whip out that mallet at a moment's notice.

"Why Ash? Why did you leave us?" Misty asked. Her tone of voice was full of than angry, but not for long.

"I was given a choice of a lifetime on that day 3 years ago. Go with Michael to become a Formula One driver or stay here with you and Brock and become a Pokémon Master. Overtime, I saw that being an F1 driver and racing against the world's best was more rewarding than winning Pokémon competitions fame and money wise." Ash answered. Apparently, Misty didn't like that answer.

"So, that's why you would leave me and Brock because of what, Ash Ketchum? Greed? Money?" Misty shot back. She was making it very clear that she didn't like the move Ash made in his life. She would have preferred Ash stay as a Pokémon trainer than be the world's most popular Formula One Driver. Now it was Ash's turn to fire back.

"I knew you never liked me, Misty. You just wanted that bike and you would destroy my hope of becoming a Pokémon Master. You thought that I was some loser like Gary thought of me." Ash said, trying his best to control his boiling over emotions.

"That's not true!! During those 3 years you were gone, I cried myself to sleep. I missed you, Ash. You were my best friend!!! How could you betray us, Ash?!!! We needed you, but you sided with them!!! I was in total shock when you attacked Prof. Oak!!" Misty yelled,

"The bastard accused me of siding with Team Rocket. Lucky for him, Jacques and Michael spared his life if he reinstated me as a Pokémon trainer and gave me back Pikachu and the others. It's his fault he or all of you didn't see the real truth." Ash answered calmly,

"What truth? Your "friends" as you call them, nearly brought the Pokémon League to its knees!! You and the rest of them are just big bullies!!" Misty said as she turned her back on Ash,

"Bullies?!! You still don't get it, Misty!!! Team Rocket killed 3 of our drivers!! The F1 driver community is very close these days because of that!! I had to side with Michael, Rubens and the others, because they accepted me as one of them!! We had to make Team Rocket pay for what they did and we had to make the Pokémon League pay for not being able to stop this. In the end, it's the League's fault for letting Team Rocket run wild." Ash yelled out,

"I'm not buying that, Ash Ketchum. What about all of the adventures we had when you were with us? All the struggles that we faced? Didn't you miss me or Brock?!! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!!" Misty argued,

"For a time, I did miss you, Misty. But... when I discovered how exciting F1 was, my memories of you drifted to the back of my mind until they were finally forced out after my first win with the Renault team." Ash answered. Misty just turned her back on Ash and he just had about enough of her and wanted to get this over with.

"Let me tell you one thing, Misty. The whole world enjoys watching the drivers and teams of Formula One, but they haven't even heard of the Pokémon League until I started talking about it every once in a while when I was interviewed. Gary may be the Pokémon Master here in Japan, but I, Ash Ketchum of the Toyota Formula One team, am more popular than him all over the world and in Japan!! If I die as a Pokémon Master, nobody will give a crap about me. If I die as a Formula One World Champion, my name will live on forever!!" Ash said harshly. Misty then turned back to look at him and she was glaring evilly at him.

"So, you turned our backs on the people who supported you, the people who cared about you... for a chance to play with those... fancy cars that you drive?!!!! Just to go around in circles with foreign egotistical morons and some German who don't have anything better to do with his time?!!" Misty yelled out,

"I am a driver in Formula One. That is what I am and always will be. I am no longer a Pokémon Trainer. My dream now is to become a Formula One World Driver's Champion, instead of trying to become a Pokémon Master. I'll never go back!" Ash said,

"I loved you, Ash!! I couldn't work up the courage to tell you back then, before you left us with that German. Every day I missed you!! I prayed that you would return home! I wished that you would return to me..." Misty said, trying her best not to break out in tears over this situation. She really did miss Ash a lot and for the first year he was gone, she would cry herself to sleep. She refused to understand that this isn't the Ash she once knew.

"Misty... I don't... have the same feelings for you. I did for a time, but when you arrived at my home a while back, ready to beat the shit out of me, everything changed. I saw you as my enemy, instead of my best friend. I'm not the same person I was when I wanted to be a Pokémon Master, Misty. I now see myself as a person who wants to win the Formula One World Driver's Championship before turning 24 years old. If we were to be together, I don't know if I could gain back those feelings for you. It won't work out. In fact, it would never work between us now that we're in different worlds." Ash said,

"Yes it can, Ash!! Let's just forget all of this happened and go back to the way it was!!! Everybody can change. You can change too!! I just want the old Ash back, the Ash who used to say that he can become the greatest Pokémon Master of all time." Misty pleaded with Ash. She just wanted the old Ash back, the Ash she loved. But for her, his heart was set on being in F1. He could never go back to what he was before.

"You're right, Misty. People can and will change. I changed when Team Rocket nearly killed me and I was introduced to F1. I changed for the better." Ash answered.

"Who gives a crap about Team Rocket and F1?!!! What about us?!! Didn't you care about what your mother went through when you disappeared?!!! She was worried sick about you!!! Didn't you care about our feelings?!! Brock and I were trying everything to find you every day for a year after you left!!" Misty yelled out, totally frustrated with the whole thing.

"Your feelings?!! I still remember that fight we had the night before I met Michael and changed my life forever!! You remember, the night where I gave you your fucking bike money and told me off for no reason!!!! And Brock!!! I wanted to kill him for what he did to me!!!" Ash yelled. He looked away at Misty and started to calm himself down. He had to make Misty remember what happened that night.

"Let me remind you, Misty. It all started just two days before the night that I battled for my life against Team Rocket and Michael Schumacher came to my rescue. You would probably remember. We arrived at Blackthorn City and I wanted to challenge Clair for the Rising Badge, the last badge I needed to enter the Johto League. I told you and Brock that I had a few things to do alone. Actually, I went to the bank to get out the money I saved for your bike." Ash said as he began the story.

[Flashback]

Ash walked out of a bank in Blackthorn City with a lot of money he won from previous Pokémon battles. He walked back to the Pokémon Center and counted his cash. Ash gained a ton of cash from his fights and now has more than enough for Misty's bike and to keep him training for at least 5 more years if he didn't win any more money.

"98, 99... $700 big ones. That should be plenty for Misty to buy a new bike. Hell, she could even get all kinds of stuff for it and still have plenty for some shopping. I told her that I would pay her back one of these days." Ash said as he placed the money into his pocket and headed for the Pokémon Center, which was near the bank he was at.

I just hope she does stay with me and Brock for a while longer after she gets the new bike. I would miss her a lot if she left. Ash thought to himself. When he entered the Pokémon Center, he spotted Misty and Brock in the lobby, reading some magazines when Ash walked up to both of them.

"There you are, Ash. I was getting ready to lead a search party to find you." Brock said,

"Sorry, Brocko. I had some business to take care of. Ready to see what this town has to offer us before I go face off with Clair?" Ash asked,

"Sure. I'm game." Brock said,

"Me too." Misty added as she grabbed hold of Togepi. Just before the three were about to leave the Pokémon Center and to check out the city, Brock remembered something he had to do.

"I have to go make a phone call to my Dad and my siblings in Pewter. So, wait here for a few minutes." Brock said and he went to the phones, leaving Ash and Misty alone.

"Say, Misty. Can I talk to you for a minute while Brock's gone?" Ash asked,

"Sure, Ash. What's on your mind?" Misty said,

"Do you remember all those times you said that you would leave me if I gave you the money to buy yourself a new bike? Well... I finally have enough cash to give to you so you can buy a new bike. It's your choice if you want to go home. I actually wouldn't mind if you stayed with me for a while longer." Ash said as he handed Misty the money he took from his account. Misty was in shock about finally having the money to buy a new bike, that she missed hearing the part about Ash wanted her to stay with him. In her mind, she was thinking that Ash wanted her to go. She didn't want to leave Ash, but she was being forced to!!

"You want me to leave you?!! Is that is, Ash Ketchum?" Misty yelled out angrily. Apparently, Misty missed hearing the part about Ash wanting her to stay with him after she bought the bike.

"What?!! That's not what I meant, Misty!!" Ash panicked. He was hoping he could get this straighten out before it got out of hand. He knew that both Brock and Misty were pissed off about a recent announcement handed down from the Pokémon league to all Gym Leaders in Kanto and Johto, telling them that the Gym Leaders had to go to the Orange Islands for a Gym Leader Summit in a few weeks. Brock and Misty didn't want to go, but they were being forced to. So, both of them were in a foul mood. When Brock came back from the call and saw Ash trying to calm Misty down, who was saying a lot Before Ash could try to save himself, Misty shut him up and told him. Apparently, this got the whole attention of the Pokémon Center and the next thing Ash knew, he was on the ground hard, around 10 feet from where he was standing with a giant bruise on his face. Brock gave him a haymaker punch for hurting Misty. Then, Nurse Joy tossed him out of the Pokémon Center, as Pikachu was ready to shock everybody in the place. Ash thought better of it and picked up Pikachu and walked away, ignoring everybody yell at him for being a cold-hearted bastard.

After the incident, Ash and Pikachu, along with Chikorita, were in the forest in the outskirts of the city. Ash was laying next to a tree wondering what went wrong in there. He knew that Misty was having a hard time dealing with going off to the Orange Islands and she really didn't want to leave Ash all by himself for 2 weeks. Actually, Ash was going to go to his Mom's house in Pallet and stay there and train for the 2 weeks. Then, he was off to compete in the Silver Conference. Those plans were now derailed as Ash cringed a bit as Chikorita was taking care of Ash's injury.

"Well, Pikachu. Looks like we're sleeping outside tonight. In the morning, it's just going to be you, me and the others from now on." Ash said as Chikorita did her best to patch up Ash's bruises with his first-aid kit.

[We're with you for the long run, Ash.] Pikachu said,

[Next time we see that jackoff, I'm Vine Whipping his ass!! Nobody hurts my Ash and gets away with it!!] Chikorita said,

"Take it easy, Chiko. Brock had his reasons. Let's not act so hasty. The last thing I want to do is to be anywhere near a Pokémon Center until I get that last badge. Then, we'll start training and catching new Pokémon for the Johto League." Ash said,

[Mind if I stay out of my ball for tonight, Ash? I really don't want anybody coming near you after all this.] Chikorita asked,

"Sure. Go ahead if it makes you feel better." Ash answered as he saw that Chikorita was done patching up Ash's bruise. He stood up to stretch out a bit. He just wished this day was all over, but it was going to get worse when Officer Jenny showed up.

"There you are! Come with me now, young man!! You're in a lot of trouble for causing a public disturbance in the Pokémon Center." Officer Jenny said as she grabbed hold of Ash's arm and was dragging him back to town. This whole thing is blown out of proportion!!! Now he's in trouble with the cops for a disturbance!!!

"NO!! Let me go!!!" Ash said as he struggled to get away from Jenny, but she had a tight grip on his arm. Suddenly, Chikorita was in her way and was ready to attack.

[Hold it right there, copper!!! You're in for it!!!] Chikorita yelled out as she fired multiple Vine Whip attacks on the Officer. Chikorita then used Tackle attack and slammed into Jenny's body hard, causing the Officer to break her hold on Ash's arm. Once Ash was safely away, Pikachu went into action!

[Back off!!] Pikachu yelled out as she let loose one hell of a thunderbolt attack on the Officer. Suddenly, Officer Jenny fell to the ground and was unconscious. Seeing what has happened, the trio ran for their lives, leaving the injured officer behind.

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"What?!! This incident all started when you shot your mouth off after giving you money for a new bike?!!" Nurse Joy asked in surprise after hearing what really happened with Ash, Misty and Brock today. This whole incident was blown way out of proportion. She remembered seeing Pikachu's angry eyes when he left with Ash. Hell, she wasn't really fair with Ash. "You got some nerve not listening to his reasons!! Even I should have been the calm one, but because of you, I had to throw a young man out of here!" Right now, Joy was letting Misty have it, just like what she did and everyone else did to Ash hours ago. She knew that Ash wasn't to blame for what happened. Hell, everybody in the whole place now knew it wasn't Ash's fault. It was a big mistake.

"I was angry that he didn't want me to follow him on his journey. I didn't know that Ash wanted me to stay with him if I wanted too." Misty said, trying to clean up the situation.

"After what you and Mr. Pervert Squinty Eyes did to him, I bet he's halfway to New Bark Town as we speak!" Joy said as she continued her tirade but then, the door to the Pokémon Center opened up and everybody was in for a shock.

"No, he's not." Officer Jenny said weakly as she painfully walked to the counter. Everybody, including Brock and Misty saw how the officer was badly injured. They realized that a Grass Pokémon beat the crap out of here, because there were razor leafs stuck in her hair and Vine Whip marks on her arms, legs and uniform.

"Jenny!! What the hell happened to you?!!! Looks like you've been thrown right into the path of a Mack truck." Joy said as she grabbed the beaten officer,

"Not really. Ketchum's Pikachu and Chikorita attacked me when I got close to Ash. He tried to call them back, but it was no use. They were protecting him from me. I'm going to pass out now. Have a nice day." Officer Jenny said before passing out in Joy's arms. Ash didn't return to the Pokémon Center later that day, nor did he return later that night. Misty and Brock were extremely worried that Ash did go to New Bark Town and left them behind. They decided to get some sleep and start looking for him in the morning to set this mess straight. The morning came around and Ash was up well before 8:30. After he, Pikachu and Chikorita had something to eat, they both decided to head back to Blackthorn City to buy some stuff before challenging Clair, the Blackthorn Gym Leader. Once that's done, Ash and Pikachu will head to the Johto League without Brock and Misty in hopes of becoming Champion.

"God. I hope we don't get busted for being back here." Ash said as Pikachu was riding on Ash's head while Chikorita was standing next to Ash's legs,

[Just keep a low profile. That will be the surest way of not being seen.] Pikachu said as he kept an eye out for anybody that would do harm to his trainer,

[Yeah. We'll go incognito. Nobody will know we were in town.] Chikorita added. The trio entered a Poké Mart and bought a lot of potions and medicines, as well as a book about how to make your own Pokémon potions. Then, Ash bought a new, bigger backpack and tossed his old, worn out green one inside the new backpack. Ash bought a lot Pokémon food that will last them for 2 months, as well some food for himself. Ash, Pikachu and Chikorita were about ready to go to the Gym when somebody called his name.

"ASH!!" It was Misty. She and Brock were running towards where he was right now and he didn't want to see them at all right now. And Pikachu and Chikorita knew it also.

"Aw, fuck. There goes our plan, Pikachu." Ash said discouraged,

[Rats.] Pikachu added. Chikorita was about to let loose a major Razor Leaf attack but Ash stopped her from doing it.

"Hold your fire, Chiko. Let's hear them out first." Ash said, calming down his feisty Grass Pokémon. Misty and Brock cornered Ash and after nearly half an hour of trying, they finally convinced him and Pikachu to stay at the Pokémon Center until everything was back to normal. Once Misty and Brock returned to the Center with Ash and Pikachu, all the people who witnessed the scene with Ash and Misty, saw Ash become stone cold with Pikachu ready to shock and Chikorita ready to open a can of whoop-ass. Misty explained why she yelled at Ash and apologized, but it went in Ash's ear and out the other. When Nurse Joy tried to check Ash's bruise, Pikachu shocked her for laying one hand on her master. The rest of the day went badly for Misty and Brock. Ash and Pikachu wouldn't even listen to them, nor did any of Ash's other Pokémon. In fact, Ash and Pikachu didn't even listen to anybody else. Around 4 P.M., Brock just gave up. Ash isn't going to lay this down for a long time.

"Misty. Let's just give Ash all the room he wants. He's not going to forget this moment for a long time." Brock said defeated. Misty didn't want to give up, but she knew he isn't going to talk until he felt like it. So, they went to talk to Nurse Joy about how to make it up to him. Ash saw that Misty and Brock were preoccupied with Nurse Joy that he decided to exit quietly to head to the Blackthorn Gym to battle Clair. He and Pikachu didn't make a sound until they were out the door, then they did a fast sprint until the two were out of the Center's sight.

"Well, that did it. Let's fight Clair!!" Ash said as he and Pikachu made their way to the Gym,

[10-4 sergeant!! Private Pikachu is ready for duty!!] Pikachu said. 10 minutes later, the two arrived at the Blackthorn City Gym only to discover that it was closed for the day.

"What? What do you mean she's not available for any gym battles?!!" Ash asked. The Gym assistant was busy cleaning around the gym when Ash came in.

"Clair is training some brand new Dragon Pokémon at this moment. She wants to be absolutely ready for any challengers tomorrow at noon, when she reopens the gym. And since you're so eager to fight her, show up here early and I'll let you be the first trainer to fight her." The gym assistant said as she stood outside the Blackthorn Gym. Since Ash was going to the first trainer to face Clair tomorrow, he should get training.

"Okay. You got a deal. This will give me some time to train my Pokémon as well." Ash said and he and Pikachu returned to the Pokémon Center. That night, Ash and Pikachu left the Pokémon Center to go out and do some night battling. Brock and Misty wanted to come along with Ash, but he didn't want anybody with him.

"Ash, please let us go with you. It's too dangerous for you to be alone at this time of night." Misty said, almost pleading with Ash not to go alone, but he was dead set on having some time to himself.

"I don't give a rat's ass, Misty. Just leave me alone. I didn't want to come back here at all. I just wanted to fight Clair and leave here." Ash said as he turned his back to Misty and started to exit the Pokémon Center.

"Misty, just give him space. That is the only thing we can do for him now. He'll be back in a few hours, complaining that he didn't have enough to eat." Brock said as he grabbed hold of Misty's shoulder to prevent her from chasing after Ash, who had now exited the Pokémon Center. Little did Misty and Brock know, that would be the last time they would see Ash Ketchum for a few years. And for Ash, that night would change his life forever.

+ + + + + + + + + +
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Ash didn't return to the Pokémon Center during the night, nor did he arrive back the next morning. So, the two decided to start looking for Ash after lunchtime, but the Blackthorn City's Officer Jenny ordered everybody to stay in town because there was a Team Rocket sighting and a shooting last night and she was investigating it. So, Misty and Brock couldn't go look for Ash that day. The news of the shooting hasn't been broadcasted yet. It was nearing 5 P.M. and Misty was very concerned about her friend and at the same time, Michael Schumacher, Ash, Pikachu and Meowth were now on a flight to Italy. She wanted to find Ash now and apologize to him, but this waiting in the Pokémon Center because Officer Jenny didn't want to let anybody out was making her more worried than before.

"Brock, where could Ash have gone to? I hope he didn't run away because of what we did to him?" Misty said worriedly,

"I think Ash just needs some time to himself. The last thing he and Pikachu needed was to see us again." Brock said. He started replaying the events of last night in his head. He was pissed off that night about something a girl did to him and punched Ash out. "I didn't mean to punch him like that. He shouldn't have been forced to leave the Center by Nurse Joy either. We should have listened to his side first." Brock added as the Center's Nurse Joy came up to them.

"Are you friends of Ash Ketchum?" Nurse Joy asked,

"Yes. What's wrong Nurse Joy?" Misty asked,

"The 5 o' clock news is on and your friend Ash is the top story." Joy answered,

"WHAT?!!!" The two asked surprised. Joy pointed to the TV in the trainer's lounge where it was turned onto the news broadcast where two reporters were delivering the top story.

"Today's top story. Around 2:33 A.M. last night, shots rang out in a remote location 20 miles from Blackthorn City. The victim was 13-year-old Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon trainer from Pallet Town. Apparently, Ketchum was shot in the body by an unknown shooter and was transferred to Mahogany Town by a visiting stranger. Blackthorn City and Mahogany Town police have told us that a sports car fled the city at dawn. One Blackthorn Officer at the Mahogany Town Hospital has given officials details about the kidnapper and Police artists have made a composite sketch. Suddenly, officials knew who the Ketchum kidnapper was after going to a certain sports website." The first news anchor said,

"The alleged kidnapper is the recently crowned 2001 FIA Formula One World Driver's Champion, Michael Schumacher. It could be that Ash did decide to go with the World Champion, but that is highly doubtful. He was last seen speeding to an airport. When police tried to chase the F1 driver, he outran the officers. So far, he has not asked for any ransom." The second news anchor said as they showed a recent photo of Ash and a picture of Michael Schumacher, celebrating with the Ferrari team in Japan. Right then and there, Misty fainted on the spot as Brock and a few others grabbed her just before she hit the floor. All Brock could do was look at the screen and pray to God that his friend did actually go with this man, but he wasn't so sure. Brock knew that.

[End Flashback]

"I forgave Brock for that haymaker he gave me a long time ago. Time heals all wounds, I always say." Ash said calmly,

"You're right, Ash. But I'll never forgive you for leaving us like that. And for attacking me with that baton of yours!!! Payback's a bitch, Ashy boy!!" Misty said evilly as she whipped out that dreaded mallet of hers. Ash was about to raise his arms in an futile attempt to block the hit when somebody else appeared.

"Hold it right there!!!" A female voice yelled out from behind Misty. It sounded like Officer Jenny. Ash looked to see who it was and he couldn't believe it!!! It was Duplica!! She imitated Officer Jenny's voice perfectly. Misty gasped and turned to see what she thought was Officer Jenny, only to find Duplica running towards her with a "Prepare to get your ass beat" look in her eyes. Suddenly, Duplica kicked Misty hard in the stomach and performed a near textbook Stone Cold Stunner on the Water Trainer!!!! This really shocked the hell out of Ash.

"Duplica?!!!!" Ash asked, surprised to see her come to his rescue. Usually it would be the other way around.

"Never mind. I'll tell you later!!! She might get back up, so let's run back to the Nissan and get the hell out of here!!!!!" Duplica said as eh grabbed Ash's arm and was dragging him away from Misty. Ash got the idea and ran with her to where he parked the Skyline. Duplica nearly leapt into the car through the open window while Ash slid across the hood of the Nissan Dukes of Hazzard style, got into the car, started it up and sped out of the area like a bat out of hell!!!!!

To Be Continued...

I know. I know. It took me forever to get this out. But, I think I've gotten a nick in the ass to motivate me to finally finish this fic.

Actually, I haven't worked on a long chapter in a while. So, this is kind of what I'm used to do. Anyway, sorry for the delay. If everything goes right, I might have Ash Ketchum: Formula One Driver completed before New Year's. Then, I can get to work with the sequel or prequel to this.

In the next chapter, Ash and Duplica are finally safe from Misty. What will happen next? The moment everybody has been waiting for!!!! Will Duplica tell Ash how much she cares about him? Will Ash tell Duplica that he secretly loves her? Chapter 35 will be all Ash/Duplica!!!!

Please read and review. Send any comments, questions, flames and whatnot to hornet19us@yahoo.com

Look for Chapter 35: Ash and Duplica: Together

Mario Alvarado
12/5/2003
I Hate The Racing Off Season!!!!!!