" Tracey?" Ash yelled as he cupped his hands.

" Oh Traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaceeeeeeeeeeeeey?" Misty called.

Ash sighed. " TRACEY WHERE ARE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU?!"

Misty winced. " Ash, please tone it down."

" I think Misty's right, Ash." Brock said. " Look."

Ash looked to where Brock was pointing and gasped.

" Ho- Oh!"

" What?! Where?!" Misty exclaimed as she grabbed Ash's arm.

Ash pointed to the sky, and Misty gasped as she fumbled with her phone. " Ash, we have to get this."

" No need." A voice said from behind them. " I already did."

Ash turned. "Todd!"

Todd grinned. " Hiya Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu and Togepi. How ya doin'?"

" Great! How about you?"

" I'm doing good, thanks for asking. Who are you looking for?"

Ash cleared his throat. " By any chance did you see a black haired boy with a pinkish reddish bandana and green shirt with red shorts and blue and white sneakers?"

Todd tapped his chin with his finger. " That's oddly specific..... But no. Sorry. Why?*

" Because we're looking for our friend."

" What's his name?" Todd sounded interested.

" Toge Priii!" Togapi suddenly said as Pikachu carried it on his back for a piggy back ride.

Todd snapped a picture. " That's so cute!"

Ash laughed and nodded. " Yeah. Anyway, what are you doing here?"

" I wanted to see Professor Oak, so he could see some of my photos."

Ash nodded. " I think he'll love them."

" You think so?"

" I know so."

Todd nodded. " Okay! And while we're walking back, you can tell me about this friend of yours!"

" Wow! This Tracey of yours sounds amazing!"

" He is." Brock said. " He was the one who traveled with them in the Orange Islands."

" Where were you?" Todd asked.

" He was with Professor Ivy." Misty said nonchalantly.

Todd's eyes widened. " THE professor Ivy? How was i- wait where's Brock?"

He looked around, and sighed in relief. " Oh. There he is."

Ash gasped. Misty groaned.

Brock was on the grass, facing away from them. " That name ....."

A sweatdrop appeared on Todd's head. " Uh... Is he okay?"

Misty nodded and sighed. " Yep. He'll be okay. Just give him a few minutes."

" What happened?"

" Uh... Y V I kinda sorta... Dumped him."

" Oh. That's too bad. She's a nice person, really. Brock woulda loved her."

" He did like her. But..... It didn't work out." Misty said.

" Brock, come on! We have to go see Professor Oak!"

Brock snapped out of his transe. " Oh yeah! Let's go!"

" Professor Oak we're baaaaack!" Ash called as he stepped into the lab.

" And Todd's here to show you his pictures!" Misty added.

Silence.

" Uh.... Professor Oak?" Brock called.

" Gary?" Ash added. " Gary? Gary! Where are you, Gary?!"

Misty scratched her head. " They're not here."

" Oh no!" Ash exclaimed. " What if they were kidnapped! All of them! Professor Oak, Gary, Tracey, and the Pokemon! Oh no oh no oh no!"

He dropped to the floor and pulled his feet up to his face and started to panic.

Footsteps approached. " Was someone calling us?" Oak asked as he and Gary walked out of a room.

Gary's eyes drifted to Ash, and he gasped. " What happened to him?!" He exclaimed as he ran and dropped to his side.

" He thought you were kidnapped." Todd said.

" Oh hello Todd. Nice of you to stop by." The professor said.

" Uh... It's that time of year. I come every year, remember?"

Oak snapped his fingers. " I remember! What have you to show me today?"

Todd took his Camera from around his neck and handed it to the professor. " Here you go."

Meanwhile, Misty and Gary were trying to snap Ash out of his daze.

Ash sat on the floor, still hugging his knees, his mind racing with visions of worst-case scenarios. Misty sighed, gently patting his shoulder. "Ash, they’re right here. Snap out of it!”

Gary leaned closer, giving Ash a small nudge. "Come on, Ash. I'm not gonna let anything happen to Gramps or the lab. You know that, right?"

Ash blinked, slowly snapping back to reality as he noticed Gary’s concerned face in front of him. "Y-You’re really here?"

Gary chuckled. "Yeah, genius, I’m really here. No one’s kidnapped us."

Ash’s face flushed, and he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Guess I kinda… overreacted, huh?"

Brock crossed his arms with a smirk. "What else is new?"

Everyone shared a laugh as Ash stood up, brushing himself off. "Alright, alright, I get it! But I was just worried, okay?"

Todd handed Professor Oak the camera, interrupting the moment. "Here you go, Professor. I got some shots I think you’ll like."

Oak’s eyes sparkled as he took the camera. “Wonderful, Todd! Let’s take a look.” He eagerly scrolled through the pictures, marveling at the close-ups of wild Pokémon, scenic shots, and, of course, a few candid photos of Ash and the gang.

“These are fantastic, Todd,” Oak praised. “You have such a talent for capturing Pokémon in their natural element.”

Todd beamed. “Thanks, Professor! I just try to capture them as they are. I’m glad you like them.”

Ash, now more relaxed, stepped over to look at the pictures too. “Wow, Todd, you really got an eye for this! Look at this one!” He pointed at a shot of Pikachu leaping from one rock to another, sparks flying as it did. “Pikachu, you look so cool!”

“Pika-chuu!” Pikachu chirped, blushing with pride.

Gary rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide a smirk. “You’re lucky to have such a photogenic partner, Ash.”

Todd took back his camera and glanced around. "Hey, where’s Tracey? You said he works here now, right?"

Professor Oak looked thoughtful. “Oh yes, Tracey went out to sketch a flock of Pidgeotto that he spotted near the forest. He’ll be back soon, I’m sure.”

Gary nodded. “Knowing Tracey, he’s probably out there capturing every detail.”

Misty chuckled. "That sounds like him. Always so focused on his sketches."

Just then, the door swung open, and Tracey entered, covered in leaves and looking a bit disheveled. “Sorry, I got a little carried away!” He grinned sheepishly as he brushed the leaves off his shirt.

Ash’s face lit up. “Tracey! We’ve been looking all over for you!”

Tracey looked around at everyone and laughed. “Didn’t mean to worry you all. I just wanted to make sure I captured everything perfectly. You know how it is.”

Todd walked over, extending a hand. “Hi, I’m Todd. Heard a lot about you, Tracey.”

Tracey shook his hand, smiling. “Good to meet you! I’ve heard about your photography too.”

They quickly launched into a conversation about their techniques, sharing tips and comparing notes. Ash, watching them, felt a surge of happiness as everyone gathered around, enjoying each other's company.

"Well," Ash said with a grin, "Now that everyone’s here, how about we go outside? Pikachu and I could use some fresh air after all that excitement.”

“Great idea, Ash!” Misty agreed. “And I’ll bet Togepi wants to stretch its legs too.”

They all headed outside, with Professor Oak following close behind, his eyes gleaming as he admired the camaraderie between everyone. Out in the yard, Pokémon of all types roamed freely, enjoying the sunshine and the open space.

Gary nudged Ash as they walked. “Next time, try not to panic so much, okay? We’re not going anywhere.”

Ash laughed, giving Gary a friendly shove. “I’ll try, but no promises!”