Pokemon: Shadow Island

Hello. Since it was suggested, I decided to post this fic up here. It's an OLD fic, though and I have a long author's note at the beginning. Hope it doesn't deter you guys from giving it a chance. Years ago when I had this fic originally up, many people liked it...but it was taken down years ago too, but never mind. Here it goes, though...
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Hello again everyone. This is the continuation of The Biggest Battle in the Life of Ash Ketchum. Just like with the previous story, I've decided to rewrite this one as well, and to be honest, this one will be much easier to do that with, mainly because I do have the entire story intact. I don't with the prequel. This story was originally started April 2000, so it's still following the dynamic of the first generation, Kanto series and even at that point, I still hadn't seen much of the anime and was still really behind compared to those elsewhere. I'd also like to point out that this was written before I'd ever had the opportunity to play Pokémon Gold/Silver, so by today's standards, the concepts originally presented and used in this story are pretty...outdated, but I do hope that you all will give it a chance anyway.

All of the above information aside, if you haven't read the previous story, you should still be able to follow this one, even though there are a few things that are referenced from the prequel to this fic, which I will share with your now, the first one being that Ash and Misty became a couple in the last fic.

For the last story - which was an alternate telling of how Ash received his Earth Badge - both Kenji (Tracey) and Todd became part of the group. Both were on their ways to Viridian. Todd was on his way there as he'd written Misty informing her of this. Kenji bumped into them coincidentally as I changed up the events of how Ash received the Volcano Badge from Blaine and how they'd met Kenji there, parted ways, and then met one another again while on the way to Viridian.

Team Rocket was disbanded, and both main Rocket teams (Jessie, James, and Meowth/ Butch and Cassidy) along with Mondo (Rocket assistant) pretty much go along on their own non-Rocket paths. They all worked together in the last story given the mission Giovanni gave them, and even they all felt that it was a bit out of line. They will appear in this story though.

Also, in the last story, you find out why Misty and her sisters are in charge of the gym and the whereabouts of their parents. Both were brutally killed by Giovanni and his henchmen when Misty was only four, and she was the only witness at the time. The incident was so traumatizing, she blocked it out. While traveling with Ash and Brock, though, the closer the group was getting to Viridian, the more her repressed memory of the forgotten incident started surfacing.

Another character who joined in the last story was a Growlithe, who Kenji befriended after finding him nearly beaten to death. The Growlithe had once belonged to Giovanni and disobeyed him. Giovanni had given orders to dispose of the Growlithe, as he had information that he was willing to pass along to the Officer Jenny in Viridian (who does understand the speech of Growlithe and Arcanine). He wanted Giovanni to pay for all of his past crimes and current ones and managed to sacrifice his own life to get that message out and Giovanni put away.

One last thing, Ash ended up battling against Giovanni, who unleashed a mind-controlled Mewtwo, who will appear in this story.

Now, as a reminder, if you see anything with an asterisk, there's an author's note about it at the end of the chapter. Also, anything using single quotation marks indicates that the character is thinking, unless being used in a grammatically correct fashion. If a Pokémon is speaking, and colons are present, it's indicating that the Pokémon is speaking in its native tongue, but translated for the readers.

Now, as always, I do not own anything dealing with the Pokémon franchise. Nintendo, 4Kids, Gamefreak, etc., have those rights, and here are the age reminders once again...

Ash: 13
Misty/Todd: 14
Kenji: 17 going on 18
Brock: 19​

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Shadow Island (2000.04.21)​

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Part 01: "Misty's Sick?" A Brand New Adventure!​

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It had been weeks since Ash received the Earth Badge in Viridian and had also finally registered to participate in the Indigo Pokémon League games. Unfortunately, he found out from Professor Oak that there was one more obstacle that he had to face before he could officially join the league. He must travel to a new place with a newly built gym and defeat the gym leader there. The area's location is a bit curious, though as it's on an island east of Cerulean City called, "Lost Kage Island". Will he manage to obtain this mysterious badge after such short notice?

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Ash Title: A Brand New Adventure!​

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"Too bad you couldn't stay in Pallet a little longer, Ash," a tan-haired boy wearing a striped shirt and khaki shorts by the name of Todd said in disappointment, his camera dangling loosely around his neck. "I really liked your mother's cooking."

A boy with messy, black hair, a white and blue button-down shirt, a black t-shirt underneath, and blue jeans, along with a small yellow rodent at his side (known as a Pikachu) nodded sadly. "Yeah, mom wasn't all that happy about me leaving again." Ash sighed as he fiddled with this Pokémon League cap. The sun was blazing down on them as the group made their way towards Pewter City, via the Viridian Forest, which they'd been traveling for about two days. "She looked so sad when she found out from Professor Oak that I'd be leaving again."

A boy wearing a red headband, an aqua blue t-shirt, tan shorts, and a giant backpack strapped to his back, spoke up next. This was the Pokémon watcher/researcher, Kenji, who also did art projects on the side to make extra money. "I've never heard of this place that we're headed towards," he answered dully. "Well, not much about it anyway," he added as an afterthought.

"Me neither, but when I mentioned it to the Times, they gave me the assignment right away!" Todd spoke up proudly. "They want as many photos as I can possibly take if rare Pokémon are inhabiting there."

Kenji placed a hand on his chin, his walk still remaining quite brisk. "Professor Oak, and Bill of the Lighthouse, asked me to study any Pokémon that I see there and give them a full report once I return."

Todd looked over at Kenji, noticing the perplexed look on his face. "What's wrong with that?"

"Well, Bill only left a message for Professor Oak relaying this. It's just strange to me...I don't know why, though..."

"What's Bill been up to?" Ash asked, stretching his arms.

"He's been on vacation for the past month or two...still strange..."

"Maybe he's involved in some kind of a project and just couldn't come back in time to give the message to you directly," Todd pointed out. "He does research Pokémon for a living. Sometimes I'm away for long periods of time when on assignment too."

Kenji shrugged nonchalantly, as he looked towards the hyper, cap-wearing boy who was on his right side.

"We're going to Pewter first to get Brock," Ash said while pumping a fist into the air, jumping slightly. The tall pale Pokémon beside Ash gave him a quizzical look, curious as to why the boy was acting in such a fashion. Not saying anything, the Psychic Pokémon, Mewtwo, ignored it and returned to staring straight ahead and continuing his walk. "I told him about that island place and he said that he'd never heard of it, and Brock usually always knows about stuff like that."

"I wonder why Professor Oak waited until two weeks before the league matches before actually mentioning that you needed some 'mysterious badge' from some gym we've never even heard of."

"I don't know, Kenji. He just told me that he forgot when I first got back to Pallet weeks ago. At first, he told me that the league games were going to be near the Seafoam Islands."

"I don't think the Professor has it all upstairs, Ash," Todd frowned, obliviously fanning himself. "Everyone knows that they're held at the Indigo Stadium for this region."

The Pokémon Trainer was growing anxious, and a bit bored with the walk through the forest, which was growing warmer by the moment. "When are we going to get to Pewter?"

"It shouldn't be too much longer." Todd looked over to Ash. "What does the map say?"

"Map?" Todd nodded as they all came to a halt. "I thought Kenji had the map!"

Hearing his name, Kenji turned his attention to the two younger boys. "Me? I thought Mis-"

":According to the map, we should get there in about 30 minutes.:" a certain yellow rodent interrupted. The others looked down at Pikachu, who was a few paces ahead of them, a folded up paper opened.

Ash nearly fell over the sight. "Pikachu, since when did you learn how to read a map?"

":Since you kept getting us lost,:" he answered back in slight annoyance.

The Pokémon Trainer was the only one, pretty much, who could understand Pikachu's speech, as well as his other Pokémon, although, some of the others could sometimes figure out the gist of what Pikachu was saying.

"What do you mean 'since you kept getting us lost'! I've never gotten us lost!"

The others began to look around, suddenly interested in their surroundings, and sweat-dropped from Ash's declaration.

":The only time I can think of where you didn't get us lost was when you took Misty's bike to get me to the Viridian City Pokémon Center!:"

Kenji lowered his head, sadness now overtaking him some. He was starting to understand Pikachu since he'd been around him for the past few weeks, including the extra month they all had to spend in Viridian for Giovanni's trial. He could pick up on the names Pikachu used as well as "Viridian City", but unfortunately, he couldn't figure out the rest of what he'd said.

"Damn Giovanni," Kenji cursed angrily under his breath. "He should've received death for all the crimes he committed and the lives he ruined, especially for what he did to Growlithe and Misty's parents!"

Mewtwo, who had remained practically silent, walked over to the Pokémon artist, stopping short in front of him. "I am sorry for what my master did," he apologized sympathetically, an emotion he had learned about just by "studying the humans" these past few weeks.

Kenji sighed over Mewtwo's words. Although he appreciated the gesture, he couldn't help but feel even more down. "It's not your fault, Mewtwo. You weren't responsible for neither Growlithe's death nor were you for Misty's parents. From what I've observed, Pokémon aren't bad, just their trainers. You're the perfect example of this, Mewtwo. You weren't bad, only Giovanni was. That's why you're allowed to walk around freely. No one blames you for what happened."

The others nodded in agreement as they started off again. About twenty minutes passed, the edge of the forest coming into view.

":Hey, there's Pewter!:" Pikachu announced while pointing ahead.

"Finally, let's go!"

With Todd's words, they all ran towards the Pewter City entrance. The city was quite a dry place, perfect for training, raising, or even breeding Rock or Ground Pokémon . The group went directly to the Pewter City Gym, excited on meeting up with their friend again.

The passionate, narrow-eyed Pokémon Breeder was currently the temporary leader as his father had fallen ill, so when heading back to Pallet, Brock returned to Pewter. To help with the workload, Brock and Flint took turns running the gym, while also preparing the next oldest of the clan to take over after Brock leaves.

Once arriving at the doors of the building, they entered, walking down a long, dimly lit hall. They arrived at another set of doors, but before going in, Ash motioned for everyone else to hang back a little once entering the battling arena, except for Pikachu. Confused, his traveling companions nodded quietly.

They entered the double doors, glad to find that no one was around or battling against their old friend. The gym was still the way he remembered it when he encountered Brock his first time. Rocks decorated the arena, giving Brock's Rock and Ground Pokémon the advantage. On the opposite side of the gym, there was a platform, and amongst it was a shadowy figure, sitting comfortably.

Ash took a deep breath, cupping his hands around his mouth, and shouting, "HEY, I CHALLENGE THE PEWTER CITY GYM LEADEER TO A MATCH!"

The person on the platform stood, stepping forward onto the podium directly in front of the platform, the shadows no longer hiding his face. His hair was a spiky brown, his eyes narrowed and slit-like, and he was currently wearing an orange shirt and dark-brown pants. Ash smirked, glad that it was definitely Brock there as opposed to his father or brother, as Brock had explained to him how the three of them had been switching off.

"I accept your challenge," Brock told the boy routinely, who he still hadn't recognized. "This will be a two-on-two battle, and all official gym rules apply. There will also be no time limit." He crossed his arms as he looked down at the trainer, but only partially paying attention to him, trying his best to intimidate his opponent. "I'm sure that I'll beat you. You don't look like you'll be a match for my Rock Pokémon ."

The boy didn't reply and Brock finally decided to examine his opponent, who had finally stepped forward to show himself better. This allowed Brock to notice two things about this challenger: he was wearing a Pokémon League cap and had a small Pikachu by his side.

"Ash? Wow, Ash!" Brock leapt from the podium and made his way over to Ash, and the group who were still a short ways behind Ash. "It's been a long time since I've seen you all. I forgot you guys were coming today!"

Everyone else greeted Brock with a typical "hi" and "glad to see you". After Brock's greetings towards Kenji, Todd, and Mewtwo, he started to look around curiously.

"What's wrong, Brock?"

"Where are Misty and Togepi? She's usually always by your side, even before the two of you became a couple."

Ash, as well as the others, turned around to notice that a certain red-haired Water Pokémon trainer was conspicuously absent, as well as the chirping and gleeing of Togepi.

"You know, I don't remember Misty saying much of anything on our way here," Kenji said while thinking back. "I don't recall saying much to her since breakfast."

"Same for me," Todd spoke up, feeling repulsed for not noticing his redheaded friend. "She was kind of quiet yesterday too, now that I think about it."

"I, too, have not heard the redheaded one speak much since her morning consumption of food."

Pikachu shook his head sadly, realizing that he, like Mewtwo, also hadn't noticed her much since that morning.

"I didn't notice her either, and I should have," Ash muttered in embarrassment. "I guess we were all so excited that we were finally getting close to Pewter that we kinda overlooked her and Togepi." He lowered his head. "I must've done something wrong and now she's probably so mad at me, she stormed off!"

Kenji patted the younger boy on the back. "Don't blame yourself, Ash. It's all our faults."

Not really listening, Ash became slightly hysterical, and was now very worried. Brock was definitely right. Misty usually stuck with him, and wouldn't usually take off unless she let someone know. She was quite considerate in that regard. "Waaaah, Misty! Where are you?! I'm sorry for whatever I did! Please forgive me!"

As if on cue, a slim girl, who kept her hair tied up in a single ponytail to the side, wore suspenders, short jean-shorts, and a yellow midriff, holding an egg-shaped Pokémon shuffling through the double doors. She forced on a weak smile, her face slightly pale, and quietly uttered, "I'm right here Ash." She looked to the temporary gymleader. "Hey Brock." She then turned her attention back to the confused, yet relieved trainer. "I forgive you, Ash," she lightly laughed.

Togepi chirped sadly.

Kenji and Todd rushed over to Misty. "Where were you?" the researcher questioned.

"I was just walking a little slower than you guys, that's all," she firmly insisted. "I was just feeling a bit...nauseous, and had to, erm...r-relieve myself."

"So, in other words, you went to the restroom to barf."

Misty frowned at Todd's usage of words and sweat dropped. "Y-yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Are you sure you're all right?" Ash asked.

"How long have you been like this?" Todd inquired.

"How come you didn't tell us that you weren't feeling well?" Kenji asked in a brotherly fashion.

"It's been a couple of days, but I'm fine. I didn't want to slow anyone down."

Kenji stared over at the girl. 'She did a good job of hiding that she wasn't feeling well, but that may explain why she's been so much quieter since leaving Pallet.'

"Misty," Brock began gently, "maybe you should go see a doctor if you've been sick lately. You also look a bit pale."

She shook her head assuredly.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Misty." Kenji gestured towards Brock. "He's right; if you're sick, you should see a doctor, and we shouldn't travel until you're 100% better."

"No, no, I'm fine!" She felt cold at the moment, but figured it was from the air-conditioning of the gym. "We should hurry and leave so that Ashie Boy here can get to that new island and get that badge."

"We should get to Cerulean in a few hours on foot with the route Kenji planned out for us, if," Todd looked over at Ash, "we don't get lost."

The look from Todd went unnoticed by the 13 year old, as he continued staring at his redheaded partner. "Misty, if you're feeling bad, you really shouldn't be traveling."

"Maybe I'm just hungry."

"I feel that the cap-bearer is correct," Mewtwo wisely interjected. "Maybe you should heed his advice."

Misty gave Mewtwo a look, which caused him to back down, and refrain from saying anything else further on the subject.

"If you're certain that you're all right, I guess we can leave," Ash said with loads of skepticism, but that soon changed, as he grew excited again, "but let's all eat lunch first or maybe a small snack so that we can pig out once we get to Cerulean this evening. It's only a little bit before noon now."

At the boy's casualness, everyone face-faulted from his reply. All three boys, after picking themselves up, shouted to the clueless one, "Misty's sick!"

Cowering down, Ash innocently responded, "Bu-but she said that she was hungry."

"I'm fine!" Misty insisted, punching a fist up into the air. "A big meal sounds wonderful! Let's have a small meal here and some drinks, and then head off to Cerulean. All I know is that I am really hungry." She lowered her arm and rested her index finger on her chin, as if in though. "My appetite's been odd these past few days too..."

Everyone looked at her in amazement. Ash, Kenji, and Todd knew that Misty's appetite had increased within the past few days, but didn't bother mentioning it or acknowledging it. Brock closed the gym and led them to his home and prepared some snacks with Kenji's help. Misty, however, shoveled all of the food down, and gulped down some green tea that Kenji had brewed.

After the meal, Brock let his father know that he was finally leaving and also gave his younger brother encouragement to help run the gym. Brock's family was sad to see him go again, but understood how his fate wasn't to remain there always as he had his own path to follow.

With that, they started off towards Ceruelan, in hopes of arriving in the early evening. During the walk, Misty would follow along, albeit slowly, but every time Ash or anyone else looked back to check on her, she put on a smile and would quicken her pace to that of a steady one.

They all arrived in Cerulean with no problems at all by the mid-evening, thanks to Kenji's alternate route, which didn't include having to go through Mt. Moon. Misty did grow slightly queasy, though and did stop a couple of times.

After their arrival in the beautiful city, they all headed directly to the gym and to meet up with Misty's three older sisters.

The trio greeted everyone, glad to see that they made it there safely, but found Misty to be a bit wan and grew concerned. Curious, they, of course, questioned Misty on her health, but she insisted that it was nothing, anxious to eat dinner at an all-you-can-eat place. Brock suggested that she rest for a while, but she wouldn't hear of it.

After the protests from Misty, realizing that there was no way of persuading the redhead otherwise, they all boarded a Rapidash drawn carriage, to dine at one of the best, yet casual-style, restaurants Cerulean had to offer...