Chapter 14:
Calamity’s cat-astrophe, and a new journey

For a while now a mystery man had been watching Ash for some reason or another. “Ash, is the additional fighter I have been looking for. He has the right physical traits, emotional traits, and judging my his school test scores has the right mental traits, but there’s still one little problem about him that I must figure out.” The mystery man muttered to himself before looking at one of the monitors and saw Calamity working on something, and it was then that the idea hit him.

‘Man, this machine of mine certainly is harder to finish than I originally thought.’ The gray furred kid thought to himself as he was having trouble finishing this pet project of his. At that moment his computer beeped, meaning that he had an e-mail, so he went over there to read it. The message was everything that he needed to finish this project.

“This will do just fine.” The man on the other end muttered to himself after replying back to the young one’s great praise of helping him out. The mystery man then prayed that if this did work that Ash would forgive him.

‘There we go! Finished! I couldn’t have done it with that mystery e-mail.’ Calamity thought to himself and even though he should have tried to track the signal of that mysterious message the kid was just too excited to care of who it was from. ‘I can’t wait to show you to the guys.’ The young genius thought and was tempted to call them now, but since it was the middle of the night he chose against it. Several hours later the group was nearing school, but stopped when they saw Calamity standing in the doorway to the school.

“Hey, Calamity, what’s going on?” Ash asked as they got closer to their fellow student. In response he held up a sign that stated for them to follow him because he had something big to show them.

“I wonder what the kid genius has planned this time.” Buster said to the others since he had been a bit of a shut in for a while now, and they wanted to know why.

“I t must be something big for us to go into the science lab.” Hampton pointed out to them, and they realized that the one in overalls had a point. Ever since they made up the school the kid genius had declared permanent dibs on the science lab, and hardly let anyone in.

“Whatever it is I know that I’ll be able to make a fortune off of it.” Montana said to the others before glancing over and seeing Ash tap his Ultimatrix. Knowing the big cat that was inside the rich boy decided to quiet down. Once they got to his lab they all went inside and saw strange device in the center of the room with the name: Calamity’s changeling Chamber written on a plaque at the base.

“Color me: impressed, but what does it due?” Ketchum questioned as he looked at the machine with a completely baffled expression on his face.

‘This machine changes one species into another.’ The coyote’s sign informed them which confused them again.

“Sorry to break it to you, Calamity, but we have a class for that.” Babs informed even though she didn’t want to hurt her friend’s feelings too much.

‘I know that. The thing is that class’ transformation technique only lasts for 24 hours, but this machine will lock you in an animal form.’ The sign explained to them which caused them to get a little nervous for being a different species for the rest of their lives.

‘I don’t need a different look. A duck is the best animal to be.’ Plucky thought with a confident smile on his face before seeing his canine friend spin his sign to show a new statement.

‘Don’t worry. It is not permanent. All it would take is another blast of this machine and you will be back to your old self.’ The sign informed them which put some relief back in them. With nothing else to be said he began to activate the machine.

‘Everything seems to be working. Could it be that I overlooked someone while gazing at Ash.’ Fifi thought to herself as she watched him work and saw that the device was powering up nice and neatly.

‘Something’s wrong.’ Ash thought before seeing the machine shake violently. Out of instinct he went for the Ultimatrix.

“Fourarms!” The red skinned man shouted out before rushing to a wall that led to the outside and then smashed it down. “Go! Everyone out!” He shouted and the others followed his lead without any hesitation.

‘Sadly I must do the same.’ Calamity thought before leaving his station and ran to the doorway. Sadly before he made it the young one tripped on a exposed wire right near the machine.

“Calamity!” The alien with four limbs shouted out. Without a moment’s hesitation he ran to him, but halfway there the alien changed back to a human. Even with that he raced over, picked up his friend, and raced out the door; not knowing that he was struck in the back by a random blast from the machine.

“Guys, get to cover. I’ll deal with this.” Ash instructed them, and despite that they seemed to genuinely want to help he added. “Run, guys, that’s an order.” Unlike his team that disobeyed and stayed by his side these kids did flee fast.

‘I hate to do this, but we have to run.’ Buster thought as he led the others away. Once they were out of sight Ash faced the challenge again.

“Big Chill!” The rather large blue moth shouted before seeing that the machine was starting to glow red; which if what he recalled from cartoons was never a good sign. “Ultimate Big Chill!” The moth shouted out after slamming his dial again. After changing into a rad moth creature Ketchum shout blasts from his palms and mouth. At first it looked and smelled like fire, but in an instant it became ice. With the danger passed he powered all the way down to human form, and decided to see about the others.

‘My ear feels funny.’ Ash thought to himself before scratching it, and finding pleasure in his scratching. The next morning Ketchum could not help, but notice all of the staring at him. Ordinarily this was normal, and yet it seemed different somehow. “What?” He asked the crowd around him.

“Sorry, Ash, it’s just that you seem hairier than normal.” Melody informed causing Ash to vanish into the bathroom to get a better look at what he looked like, and they were right. His hair was longer and he was also developing sideburns.

“It’s nothing guys. I’m fine.” He said back to them which they somewhat believed since he genuinely seemed alright with whatever it was that was happening to him. As time went on Ash’s body continued to change either more fur or sharper claws.

‘Is he really all right? The students and teachers thought as one whenever they saw him walking around. Thankfully lunch was soon, so perhaps food is what was needed to ease their troubled mind.

“Man, am I starving.” Ash shouted out as he walked with the group of friends that he had made while being at this school.

“Me too.” Dizzy grumbled as his own response. They all made it to the cafeteria, but their ‘human’ friend wanted to try something new with the teeth that were slowly growing in his mouth.

“Come on, Ash. Let’s go grab our usual seat.” Buster commented once they made it to the room that they wanted. All of them rushed over there however their taller friend was having something else travel through his mind.

“Just give me a second, guys.” Ketchum shouted back before getting to work. Not too long ago the cafeteria crew allowed him back into the kitchen since he was a great help no matter what he did. ‘I fell like trying something new.’ The hero thought before grabbing a few things, and then headed out the door.

“Like, what on Earth is Ash carrying.” Shirley questioned the others.

“I have no idea.” Plucky stated back as he too saw what their friend was carrying. On a restaurant serving tray Ash was carrying: three bowls of milk and eggs, five rotisserie chickens, and what seemed to be ten smoothies - that seemed to be made of milk bones and kibble.

“Alright, guys. Let’s get to eating.” The raven…furred one said to the others before starting his feeding frenzy not knowing that he was somewhat putting his young friends on edge, and was also unleashing something primal within.

‘I’m sure that he’s okay.’ Concord thought to himself as he watched as the fur and fangs were slowly growing on him. Once the day ended the trainer was finding something wrong with his brain, but he still didn’t know what.

“Hey, Ash, how about a little touch football in the park?” The blue furred one questioned and tossed the piece of sports equipment at the human who caught it with no trouble.

“Sure…lead the way.” The transforming trainer said back with some strain in his response. The others decided to let that slide since he seemed to be under some sort of stress. With that said the group headed to the park, divided up into teams, and then started their game.

“Hut. Hut. Hike!” Plucky shouted out and with that the game began. Hampton counted down before charging at his old friend. Right before he was tackled the green feathered one spotted the pink furred comedian and tossed it to her.

“I got it!” The pink bunny cried out to the others before racing to their designated goal area. Ash was in hot pursuit, but there seemed to be something wrong. The more he chased the more the primal side slowly took hold.

‘Lunch.’ A primal voice spoke in Ketchum’s head as he was chasing the hare. At some point Ash abandoned racing on his hind legs, and gave chase on all fours. The others saw this and decided to chalk it up to him doing something new since that is usually what he did.

‘I don’t like the look in his eyes.’ Calamity thought as he caught a glimpse of his friend’s optics and they seemed to be feral in appearance. His fear was realized once they all saw their transforming friend take a predator-like claw slash at Babs. Fearing for her safety Buster tackled her to the ground.

“Quick give me the ball. Something's up with him, and I don't want you hurt.” The blue one muttered before taking the ball, standing up, waved it in the air, and then ran off with the ball in hand.

'I know that we always say no relation at the beginning of every episode, so maybe I should take that to heart.' The twin bowed girl thought while very moved by how he took this kind of hit for her.

'New meal.' The primal protector thought before going after Buster.

“Hey! Watch it, Ash! This is tackle Football not…” Buster shouted out, after dodging another claw strike, but stopped when Ash gave a positively fear inducing howl. With that the young bunny jumped up, turned his ears into a drill, and tunneled his way away. Not wanting to be deterred the canine Ketchum started to dig after him.

“Like, what’s gotten into Ash, or some junk.” Shirley stated to the others.

“It must have been that ray from Calamity. I suppose it got one last shot before Ultimate Big Chill took care of it.” Hampton offered to the others which they had to admit seemed legit.

“I got this.” Dizzy mumbled out to the others before pulling a Wakko stunt - pulling a propane grill out of his hat, and began to cook. Thanks to toon logic it didn’t take very long for a steak to cook thoroughly. When it was done everyone could smell it, and liked what they smelled.

“Must. Eat. Bunny.” Ash stated as he continued to fall into the mind set of the wolf. All of a sudden the canine sense of smell caught the scent that everyone else was smelling causing him to stop his pursuit, and turn to the source of the smell.

“Good. You now have his attention. Get rid of it before he comes after us.” Babs, who got out of her lovestruck state of mind, ordered causing the devil to pull out a food throwing canon from his back, stuff the steak inside, and then fired it far away.

‘Must go after tasty meat.’ The 'human' thought before he chased after the scent. Once the 'protector' was gone the female bunny tapped on the ground to signal to her male half that the coast was clear.

“What’s gotten into him?” The blue bunny said to the others in an obviously worried and angered tone. With nothing else to do other than wait for him to come back the others talked about what had just happened along with what must be done. After about thirty minutes of waiting the group saw Ash coming back with half of the steak hanging out of his mouth.

“Hey guys, can’t believe that someone would leave this perfectly made steak just lying around.” Ash informed them after taking the other half into his hand. It was about that time that Ketchum caught all of their eyes on him. “What?” He asked with a hint of a scared tone. “Is there something wrong?” He asked as he scanned around them for some kind of answer.

“Wrong?! I’ll tell you what’s wrong!” Buster shouted in anger before going right up to the hero, grabbed him by the collar, got into the human’s face, and then started shouting at him in anger. The others remained silent as their blue furred man railroaded him.

“I see. So, I almost tried to eat you. I am sorry.” Ketchum explained to before going for the Ultimatrix. “I have to go.” He explained to them before transforming into the speed factor and raced away.

“Gee, I hope we didn’t hurt his feelings.” Hampton said to the others, and they agreed that that would be bad if they had hurt their old friend’s feelings. Back in his home the monster tamer was staring at his reflection in the bathroom.

“What was that about back there?” Ash questioned his reflection, and was expecting an actual answer. Instead he got a very good look at himself, and saw that several of his features have been changed.

“Hey, Ash, do you want to come eat some food with us?” Flio, on a hover-board near the human's head, questioned. This caused the mere human to come out of his self staring contest.

“Sure thing, Flio. I'll be there in a minute...just start without me.” Ketchum said back before pointing to the door. With nothing else needed to be said the insect did as he was told while Ash took a closer look at his new set of teeth.

“So, where is our supplier, baby brother?” Itchiana questioned once she saw her brother hovering back to the doll house as she was setting the table.

“He said that he's coming and to go head and start without him.” The youngest of the Flea Family informed and that piece of news caught the attention of the musical ones since they knew that wasn't Ash's style.

'I know I've seen this style of teeth before, but I don't know where.' Ash thought to himself, but then looked down at the arm band that he got from Yakko. 'I don't think I can hold onto this anymore.' The hero of Pallet Town thought since he knew what was inside of it, and if he ever lost it then there would be nothing that could stop him.

“He's been in there an awfully long time.” The mother of the flea family pointed out since it had now been five minutes since her son has told him of the news.

“Leave him be, ma`am. I'm sure he's fine.” Maggie informed to the older insect even though that she was just as worried as she saw for his safety. Back inside the bathroom Ketchum decided to tend to food first and then the threat of his arm band.

'I just pray I don't have another episode like back at that open field.' Ash thought before flushing the toilet for effect before leaving. “Sorry, I'm late guys. Guess I had to go more badly than I first thought.” He explained to them as he was getting his single plate of food – which held the same stuff as from Lunch.

'Guess, he's not ready to tell us.' Terry thought to herself as she continued to eat with her lower arms, and drink with her upper arms.

“Seriously though guys. I'm happy that you all enjoy this new home.” Their human caretaker said to them in a very sincere tone of voice. The others smile and nod at what he said. Soon after Supper the insects call it a night while the human decided to get to work.

'Fasttrack. Good, but something is still off.' The black and blue alien thought before poking his teeth and realized that it was really starting to affect his transformations as well. 'Better make this quick.' The speedster thought and raced off to the dump, gathering what he needed, and raced back.

'Good. I made it back with no difficulty.' Ash thought after returning to his true form. The transformer than got to work on a containment device, and a high powered safe. Knowing that it was for the best he took the Ultimatrix off his wrist, and into the container before putting it in the safe.

“Lock code required.” The computer voice pointed out to the out of towner.

“It's hero time!” Ash shouted back and waited for confirmation beeping to occur, and for the life of him Ash had no idea why he chose that particular phrase. For one last piece of protection he smashed the lock code controls; sealing it for good.

“What was that noise.” Flio shouted out with great terror after waking up from that noise. His cries awoke the others as well. Already knowing about this outcome, since one form he used to make the container and the safe was Brainstorm, the 'mere man' took out a flash light and turned it on and off before walking into the Living Room where the doll house was.

“Sorry, guys. I accidentally went Rath when I went to get a snack, but I stubbed my toe, and took it out on the wall. Go back to bed now because I am too.” Ash said back to them while keeping his left arm in the shadows to cement his story. They all seemed to accept that since the lights in their homes were all clicked off.

'A small snack does sound nice.' A primal side of his mind thought causing the boy to lick his lips while looking at the home for bugs. The bipedal creature shook the thought out of his head, went to his bag and wolfed down an entire bag of beef jerky.

“I'm getting worse. I have to leave.” Ketchum muttered before jotting down a note, leaving it on the end table of the Living Room, and then silently left home; while also leaving his ID and backpack behind as well. The transforming teen made it to the bus stop unseen by friends, and waited.

“Going anywhere, kid?” The gruff looking bus driver questioned the boy on the bench. Said person got up, went inside, and paid with what loose cash he had in his back pocket.

“Away from Acme Acres.” The raven haired one explained bluntly.

“Sure thing, kid.” The driver said back and thumbed over to the back. Ash nodded and went to the very back of the vehicle, sat down, and began to doze off. As the human slept another man walked in at this hour of the night.

“Thanks for the lift, sir.” The man said as he decided to sit near the front of the vehicle. Once he had sat down the bus went rolling: continuing on his route. Several hours later the kids decided to stop by Ash's place.

“Hey, Ash, you up yet?” Plucky shouted out from outside and began banging on the door since they had been standing there for fifteen minutes without a single response. Tired of all of the banging ruining their Breakfast the Roches use a remote Ash built that controls a few things of his home – such as the locks, but kept it bug size.

“What do you want, duck?” Maggie questioned once the door was open, and the green feathered one fell in. The others got in and explained that they haven't seen or heard from Ash all day. The instrumental insect simply pointed at the note that both bug sets have already read.

“So, you're saying that note will have the answer?” Buster questioned before going over to it with the others close behind. He picked it up, unfolded it, and began to read the piece of paper:

Dear, Friends of Acme Acres,

Due to something strange happening to me I fear for everyone's safety. I decided to leave town to keep you safe. For an extra level of protection I took off the Ultimatrix, locked it a safe, and destroyed the voice activated lock. I have also decided to leave town just to make sure that I don't go feral on anyone. I am sorry, but this is for the best.


Your friend,
Ash Ketchum

“So, he's like, abandoning us?” The blonde haired girl questioned as a wave of fear hit her. Surprisingly it was a green feathered hand that grasped onto her shoulder.

“Relax, I'm sure that if anyone can bounce back from this – it's Ash.” Plucky said to her in a surprisingly sincere and compassionate tone. This actually touched the loon, and wandered if she should sway away from Ash and over to an old friend that she had known since kindergarten. At the lab Calamity discovered something very bad about his equipment.

'What the?!' The boy genius thought in great alarm as he realized that his transformation machine was completely fried, and all data about the device was purged from all of the computers in his possession.

“I'm sorry, Calamity, but I don't want Ash to have an easily accessible undo button.” Said the man watching the confused teen in the school science lab before deciding to go out and check on the progress personally. Back on the bus the man in the front had taken out a piece of a mirror from his lab coat to see the boy in the back by himself.

'Good. The transformation is almost done, but I don't think he's ready for my gift to him.' The older man in front thought to himself before putting the mirror shard back into his lab coat. The boy in the back was having his own troubles.

'Are these...dreams...or...Who is that?' The transforming teen, who was more wolf than man, thought as he was slowly loosing touch of who he really is. When the older man saw them pass a sign he pulled on the cord to stop the vehicle.

“I'm sorry driver, but I really need to go, but when you get into town I recommend letting that dog out.” The doctor clothed man informed as he tossed in an extra five dollars to make sure that this guy will keep the creature around.

“Whatever you say, mac.” The driver replied back before letting the man out, closing the door behind him, and continued to drive into the next town. Once they were in a signature city the bus driver did just that. “Hey, dog, wake up already.” He said calmly while trying not to sound angry since he didn't know how this beast would react to anger.

“What is that noise?” The dog muttered before waking up from his curled position. The four legged creature looked up, and saw the human above him. “I think this guy wants me off of this thing.” The canine muttered before walking off while leaving his 'blankets' behind.

“Wow. That was pretty easy.” The bus driver exclaimed in a surprised tone before getting back to his seat, and drove off. The canine, that raced out of the bus and into the alleyway did not get so much as a passing glance given the city he was in; the people just chalked it up to a daily occurrence.

“I'm out of there, but...” The wolf whispered before looking down at his reflection in a rain puddle. “Who am I?” He finished his whispering before hearing some sort of disturbance not to far away, and instinctively raced in that direction.

Copy Rights:
Ash Ketchum, and the others, are owned by Gamefreak/Nintendo and Cartoon Network.
Tiny Toon Adventures, and the others, are owned by WB.
Ultimatrix, and all forms, are owned by Man of Action and Cartoon Network (They also came up with the wolf transformation in this)