INTRODUCTION
Pokemon. A world of colourful monsters, raised by trainers, and fighting for badges. A world of trainers facing the evil organisation Team Rocket. Sound familiar? If not, please watch the cartoon/play the game before reading anymore. This world is familiar to millions. But maybe it could have been different. Maybe the main trainers had acted differently. Maybe there is a world where this all happened. Maybe it can be reached…and conquered…
This is the world of Pokemon: Alternate.
This takes place before Ash entered the Pokemon League Regional Championships.
CHAPTER 1
The other world, 5 years ago
It was a dark, stormy night. Thunder roared and the wind howled.
Well, not really. It was actually quite a quiet night. There were only normal sounds; the sound of the Zubats, the sound of the gentle wind, the sound of crickets…
The sound of panicked running.
The boy ran as if hellhounds were after him. Behind him ran a small Growlithe, trying to keep up with him. Tears were streaking down the boy's cheeks. His purple hair blew in the wind.
His name was James. And he was a tortured being.
I'm not gonna turn back! I won't! I am through living with them! Trying to get me married to Jessebelle…I hate them! I hate her! Always following me, telling me what to do, trying to turn me into a " gentlemen ". What, aren't I good enough as I am?! Why should I just live as a carbon copy of my parents? I never wanna see them again. The only memories I'm taking are of the Pokemon Tech school, and Jessie…My only real friend, until Jeesebelle drove her away…
James screamed at the memory. The image of Jessie, being beaten up by Jessebelle's Oddish, of her terror, was burned in his mind. At this memory, all subconscious sorrows of leaving were destroyed.
I'll show them! I'll show them all! Me, Growlie and Koffing will make a name as Pokemon trainers, and then I'll find Jessie and marry her, and I'll watch as my parents wish they'd been nice to me, and I'll laugh at them!
And so he ran away into the night.
The other world, 1 month ago
James walked down the road towards the Viridian Pokemon Centre. Growlie trotted beside him, barking at nearby Rattata's. In the 5 years since he'd left home, James had become a brilliant Pokemon trainer. In addition to Koffing and Growlie, he also had a Squirtle, Pidgeot and a Sandslash. He already had 6 badges and was planning to get an Earth Badge. He had early on decided not to " catch 'em all " and just to train the small group he had. He wore a torn old green T-shirt with matching jeans. He grinned to himself at the anger his parents would feel if they saw him now.
He was dimly aware of an Officer Jenny patrolling the streets, warning about Team Rocket activity. Team Rocket weren't that much of a threat and anyway, what were the chances of him seeing a Rocketeer?
He entered the Pokemon Centre and sat down on the sofa. It was then he noticed the boy.
He was about 10, with spiky black hair. He wore a blue jacket, a green shirt, blue jeans and a red-and-white baseball cap. He was looking at the floor, crying. James walked over to him.
" Hey kid, are you OK? "
Sniff. " No. My Pikachu got injured in a fight with some Spearows, and they think he's in a critical condition. He's my first Pokemon a-and he might die, and I've only j-just s-tarted to get along with him… "
The boy started wailing.
" I should have known this would happen! Gary was right, I'm a loser! I can't even look after one Pokemon. I'm no good at this. I don't see why I don't just quit being a trainer… "
" Kid, " said James softly, " don't give up so easily. Your Pikachu will pull through! What's your name, anyway? "
" A-Ash Ketchum. "
" Now Ash, just because you make one mistake doesn't mean you should give up your dreams! You learn just as much from losing as from winning. Hell, when I first started, I was always losing! I couldn't even beat a flipping Magikarp! But I learnt more about my Pokemon and I eventually started to win. I've been training for 5 years now, so I know what I'm talking about! "
" You really think I can make it? "
" Sure! You seem to care a lot about your Pokemon and that is a key factor! I've known trainers that didn't give a crap about their Pokemon and they never got anywhere. You, Ash, could be a Master someday! "
" Are you a Master yet, mister? You have been training for 5 years. "
" Me? Nah. I still need 2 more badges. And the name's James. This here is Growlie.
" Growlithe! " cried Growlie.
" Hey cool! "
" You think he's good now, then you shoulda seen him win me the Rainbow Badge! "
" Cool! Hope Pikachu can do that when he gets better! Bet he could take on Team Rocket! "
" Hah! Doubt we'll ever see them! "
This, of course, was the precise moment that Team Rocket attacked. God has a very ironic sense of humour.
KABOOOOM!
The entire ceiling was blown apart! A Geodude and an Ekans leapt through the hole, ready to fight. Growlie snarled in rage. And, visible through all the dust, were the attackers.
" Prepare for trouble!
And make it double!
To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all peoples within our nation!
To denounce the evils of truth and love!
To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie!
Brock!
Team Rocket! Blast off at the speed of light!
Surrender now, or prepare to fight!
MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOWTH! That's right! "
James jerked round. He felt his insides freeze.
No, it can't be her! She wouldn't!
He took a closer look at the Rockets. He saw the boy, Brock, who had spiky hair and for some reason his eyes were shut. He saw a grinning Meowth, who was wearing an " I'm with Stupid " T-shirt. He saw a girl with blue eyes and a long plume of red hair…
He felt sick. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. Jessie, his Jessie, was trying to steal Pokemon. She had sold her soul.
" What do you want? " snarled Ash.
" We want your Pokemon, twerp! " yelled Jessie. " And the other guy's… "
She trailed off. She stared at James. She started to tremble. Then she pulled herself together.
" Ekans, go! "
" Ekanssssssss! "
" Squirtle, Growlie, go! " cried James.
" Squirtle! "
" Growlllll! "
The battle was joined. The combat raged. And, in its path, it destroyed a friendship.
Chapter 2
The normal world, now
Ash ran down the streets of Pallet Town towards Professor Oak's laboratory. Behind him walked Misty, Brock and Pikachu. They walked a long way behind, so as not to prompt Ash's bragging. Ever since he won his 8th badge he'd talked about nothing else. Except maybe the swearing he did at Team Rocket.
Misty looked at her watch. " 4 minutes, 57 seconds, " she murmured.
Ash turned round. " Hey, remember when I won that Earth Badge! Pikachu blew Team Rocket outta there! Like they could have beaten
me anyway! "" Gahhhh! " screamed Misty. " Damn it! There was only 1 second to go! "
" Alright! Pay up, Misty! " cried Brock triumphantly.
" Huh? " said Ash. " What the heck are you guys talking about? "
" Brock betted me £5 that you couldn't go 5 minutes without bragging about that stupid Earth Badge, " said Misty disgustedly. " You only had 1 more second to go and you blew it! "
" Hey! Are you guys saying I brag? "
" I'm not gonna dignify that with an answer. "
" Pika, " agreed Pikachu.
" Hey! Pikachu! Whose side are you on? "
Now peeved beyond belief, Ash stormed off in a furious rage. This meant he didn't look where he was going and therefore didn't see the huge obvious pit directly in front of him. After living with Team Rocket's constant attacks, you'd think he'd have wised up by now. And you'd be wrong.
" Whoaaaa! Where'd that hole come from?! "
" Hahahaha! You fell into our trap! " cried a voice.
" Aw, crap! Not them again! "
A flash bomb went off, blinding everyone in the area. Through the dust 3 shadowy figures were available.
" Hahaha! You should have watched out and prepared for trouble!
Watched your step for we've made it double!
To protect the world from devastation!
To unite all peoples within our nation! "
Jessie and James stood triumphantly by the pit, reciting the motto.
" Oh, not you two again! " moaned Misty.
Jessie screamed and started to tear her hair out. " Ahhhh! Why do you twerps always interrupt us when we're doing the motto?! "
" We know what you're gonna say, it's never any different! " called Ash.
" Ah, but today it's very different, " sniggered James, " 'cause today we're winning. Now hand over your Charizard! "
" OK, " said Ash. " You can have it! It never listens to me anyway. "
" Will you take Pysduck too? " pleaded Misty.
Team Rocket looked at her oddly.
" Dream on! " jeered Jessie. " How dumb do you think we are? "
" How dumb they
think you are? They know how dumb you are! " laughed Meowth.WHAAAACK!!
" Shut your Me-outh! " snarled Jessie.
Ash sighed. " Look, we all know what's gonna happen, so why don't we do it now? Pikachu, Thundershock! "
" Piiiiiiiiiiiiiii-chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!! "
Pikachu unleashed a 1000-volt blast, fuelled by a weird sense of enjoyment. As they had many times before, Team Rocket saw this coming and began to swear really badly. Then they became unconscious and dreamt of swearing.
Ash climbed out of the pit. " D'you think those guys will ever get the message and just get lost? "
" Them? Learn? " snorted Brock. " That implies they actually are capable of thinking. "
" Oh yeah, good point. "
Misty sighed.
Another day, another battle, she thought. All we ever seem to do is battle and save towns from Team Rocket or gang wars or drought. I feel like I'm in a dumb cartoon show! Every town we go to has a weird problem that only we can sort out and it is freaking BORING! Aren't there any normal places around here? It would be nice for once just to relax and look after Togepi. But nooo, we have to stop Team Rocket from stealing the rare Whatchacallit in Wherever Town!For weeks now, she'd been feeling unhappy with the training life. More and more it seemed like she was burning out on the road and not spending time on what she really wanted. She became increasingly worried that Togepi was becoming neglected. And despite all they'd been through, despite their friendship, she would sometimes look at Ash and feel like he was reducing her to an accessory, a source of reinforcements during a battle.
" OK! " cried Ash. " First we betta see Professor Oak about the Pokemon League. We still need to find out where it is. And then I need to catch some more Pokemon! I hear they have a Tangela around here and a- "
" Do we have to? " complained Misty.
Ash stared it her in surprise.
" What do ya mean by that? We do it all the time and you never have a problem then. "
" Yeah, but we've been doing that for a whole year now. Can't we just spend one day relaxing? Can't we just forget about training for a while? "
" Misty does have a point, Ash, " pointed out Brock. " You've been practising for a whole week and you do need a break. "
" We had a break! We went to the Seafoam Islands, didn't we? "
" And while there, we battled Team Rocket twice, got involved in evolving a Slowpoke and got involved with that surfer Victor, " argued Misty.
" Oh, Ok. We'll take a break. But I bet you as soon as we do, we'll get involved in something and save Pallet from destruction or whatever. It happens all the time! "
" I'll take that chance, " said Misty. " Anyway, you've wanted to try that new arcade for ages now. Well, now you can! "
Ash's eyes light up. " Oh yeah, didn't think of that! Well, what're we waiting for? Let's go! "
The team walked off towards relaxation. Misty, while feeding Togepi, made a silent prayer.
Please, please, please let it be normal! I just want a normal day for once. Just once. That's all I'm asking. Surely THAT is not too much of a problem? Just a normal day…
Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be.
The gang walked along the streets. It was night now and it seemed as though Misty's prayers had been answered.
But the night is still young.
" Man, that was fun! " cried Ash ecstatically. " We ought to do it again. Right Pikachu? "
" Pika pi! " agreed Pikachu, beaming with joy. Then it tensed.
" Huh? Hey, buddy, what's the matter? "
Pikachu just stood there, tense and alert. It started to growl angrily, the sort of growl made by a wolf when it knows it will be killed.
Ash, worried, tried to pick Pikachu up. All that happened was that he got shocked.
" Yaaaaiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!! "
" Holy £$%^! " exclaimed Brock. " Pikachu is growing an electric shield! "
" What the hell?! "
" It's an invisible shield, created from stored energy, that a Pikachu creates when it's scared or threatened. "
" But there's nothing here! "
" Studies have shown that Pokemon tend to sense disasters like earthquakes or volcanoes a while before they happen. "
" Earthquake! But that only happens on tectonic plate boundaries! " argued Ash.
" What?! " cried Misty. " You mean you actually listened in school! "
" Oh ha ha. Bet you don't know what's going on either. "
" Actually, " mused Brock worriedly, " if he's sensing something dangerous that we can't, then we might want to hide before we find out the hard way what it is! "
" I like the way you think! "
Suddenly a huge streak of lightning tore open the sky!
KRA-KOOOOOOOM!
" Yaaaah! Run for it! "
The whole sky was lit up by bursts of energy. Electricity streamed through the streets and engulfed the trio.
" Crap! " screamed Ash. " There's no way out! "
" Chu! "
" Huh? What's that mean? "
Pikachu didn't answer in words. It answered in action. All the energy it had building up was released in one Thunder attack. Pikachu's eyes glowed bright red!
" CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! "
Instantly the gang was engulfed in Pikachu's electric field, which was an identical charge to the weird lightning. And 2 identically charged objects will naturally repel each other…
One minute, Ash was staring at pure energy. 2 seconds later, he found himself being slammed into a wall!
" Owww! "
" Don't complain Ash! " said Misty through gritted teeth. " Pikachu… just saved…our lives… "
" Yeah, but could he have found a less painful way to do it? "
" 'Tis better to be injured than to be dead ', " quoted Brock.
" Do you really believe that? "
" No. "
The energy tore apart the street. It streaked around buildings, causing them to crack and burn. The light hurt their eyes and caused plants to explode into flame.
" God, that thing's gonna destroy the town! " screamed Ash.
" There's nothing we can do! " cried Brock. " We can hardly survive ourselves, let alone helping other people survive. "
" Pikachu! " snarled Pikachu. "
And then it stopped.
The energy, the destruction, the noise, all stopped. Electricity continued to crackle on the buildings, which had been burnt into solid ash. Ash tried not to think about the people inside those buildings. And in the middle of the street lay a small girl.
" Oh God, that poor girl! " cried Misty. " She had been stuck in that storm! "
" Didn't see her before, " mused Ash. " Where'd she come from? "
" You know, I really don't care! Pikachu, hold Togepi for a 'sec. We've gotta help her! "
The three of them, minus Pikachu, ran into the burnt street. They saw the girl looking around confused. She had red hair and green eyes. In fact…
" Hey Misty! " cried Ash. " She looks like you! "
" No way! She's at least 3 years younger than me! And she's wearing a… "
She trailed off at the girl's T-shirt. It had a huge picture of James on it. The most remarkable thing about it was that he wasn't in his Team Rocket gear.
" What the-? Since when did Team Rocket license their own T-shirts? "
" Something's wrong here… " observed Brock.
" Oh, gee, ya think so?! " said Misty sarcastically.
The girl's eyes opened. " Huh? W-where am I? "
" Hey, kid, " said Ash, " you OK? "
" I-I think so, " muttered the girl. " Who are you anyway? "
" I'm Ash. Who are you? "
" Misty Waterflower. "
Misty stared in horror. A cold chill went down her spine.
" No way… "
" What is it? "
" Th-that's MY name! "
" Ooooooooo eeeeeeeeee ooooooooo, " said Ash in a low voice. " Misty did not know it, but she had entered… the Toilet Zone… deedle deedle deedle deedle… "
THWAAAACK!
" Shut up! "
" Ow! That hurt! "
" Good. "
Misty Waterflower just sat quietly. She did not understand any of this. All she knew was that she was in a strange place and in the company of weirdo's.
It was then she noticed Brock.
" YOU! "
" Huh? " said Brock " Me? "
" S-stay away! " she cried. " Go away! I don't any Pokemon on me, so leave me alone! "
" Look, ' Misty ', I've never seen you before and why would I be angry if you had Pokemon? "
" Y-you stole my Starmie, " sobbed the girl. " I don't have any others, so leave me alone! Go away! I hate you I hate you I hate you! "
She collapsed screaming and crying, while Brock looked on in bewilderment.
" But I've never even seen her before… "
" Let me get this straight, " said Officer Jenny testily, " an electrical storm wrecked this street, nearly killed you and made a weird younger version of Misty appear from nowhere who seems to have a grudge against Brock, who's never seen her before. Am I right? "
" Yeah, that's right, " said Ash.
" Well, if we didn't have physical evidence you'd be in the nuthouse right now. The government is sending some men down to test this area, so we have to put it off limits. We have Misty 2 in police HQ, so we might be able to get more information outta her. Meanwhile, you better get out of here. We can't let anyone in until we are sure there's no danger. "
" How do you know if it's safe or not? "
Jenny grinned. " We managed to get someone to test it for £3. "
"What! Who could possibly be that dumb? "
" Jigglypuff! " cried a voice.
" Ah, " said Jessie, looking at the Jigglypuff, " our testing guy has arrived. "
" Hiring Jigglypuff! " cried Misty. " How low can you go? "
" Well, at least no one's gonna mind if it dies, " said Ash.
" Ash! Don't be so pig-headed! And that Officer Jenny is a real *&$%! I prefer the Viridian City Jenny. "
" I think this one is the cutest one I've ever seen, " sighed Brock pathetically, his face turning red.
" Oh brother! Do we ALWAYS have to go through this with you?! "
And why do we have to go through this weird mystery? I now have a younger me walking around! Why does this always happen when I'm around Ash? Maybe I should leave…
So engrossed in her thoughts, she was the only one who didn't notice Jigglypuff walk into the street and disappear in a blast of energy.
" Yaiiiiiii! " screamed Ash. " What was that?! "
" Oh, man! " snarled Jenny. " It vaporises people?! Things just can't get any worse… "
Very few people have been to Pallet's Team Rocket HQ. No non-members made it out alive.
It is a large, camouflaged building, coated in cold steel with the red " R " emblazoned on it. Sniper rifles are mounted on the roof, watching all newcomers arrive life a hawk watching its prey. In the basement lay the Pokemon experiment labs. It was hidden so no one could here the screams.
It stank of death. It stood still as a guillotine blade. It felt like Death Row. All these thoughts went through Jessie's head as she walked down the hall.
Beside her crept James and Meowth, looking around as if waiting for an attack. She couldn't blame them; she felt like running around screaming like a baby. But she had learnt early on that if you want to go far, you must ignore your emotions, you must become a remorseless, terrifying machine. Jessebelle at Pokemon Tech had shown her that.
" W-what do you think the boss wants? " whispered James.
" Maybe he wants to give us a pay-rise? " said Meowth hopefully.
" Dream on! " snorted Jessie. " When was the last time
we had a pay-rise? "" Dunno. I can't remember when we last got paid! "
" Quiet! We're at the communications room. If the boss hears you bad-mouthing him, he'll feed you to the Gyarados! "
" At least he doesn't lock us in a room fulla Pikachu. I'd go mad in a week! "
He fell unnaturally silent as the trio walked into the room. At the far end was a huge TV screen, showing an irritated Giovanni.
" Well? " he snarled. " Why did it take you so long to get here?! "
" Uh, sir? We're on time. "
" You are? Oh. Sorry, it's a habit. Besides, this new assignment is of vital importance and I can't afford you being late or screwing it up! "
" W-what do we have to do? "
" Our Pallet agents have reported a strange ' electrical storm ' in Squirtle Street. Anyone who now goes into that area disappears. Our computers are picking up high levels of interdimensional energy emitting from it. "
" Say what?! " said Meowth.
Giovanni sighed. " It means that it is a portal to another dimension. Now, Team Rocket is very interested in parallel universes. They represent good imperialism targets. Oh, and so you don't tax your pea-brain, that means we want to conquer them. "
" This is fascinating, but what's it got to do with us? "
" Well, we need someone to study this parallel dimension. You got the job. "
" WHAT?! " screamed James. " But there could be anything there! Like living Aerodactyl's or monsters or…uh…the Planet of the Primeapes! "
" You three have the best qualifications for the job. "
" Meanin' we're expendable, so he's sendin' us in to ta check it's safe before he sends in the important guys, " whispered Meowth.
" Quiet furball! This is an important mission! Screw this up and I'll screw up your job contracts! Is that understood? "
" Y-yes, sir. "
Giovanni hung up. He turned to face the armoured figure standing in the cage behind him.
" Those incompetent fools will be our front line of attack. And when they fall, you shall take their place. " He grinned.
" And the other world shall fall. "
The figure's eyes glowed a cold blue, and it snarled in bloodlust.
Chapter 3
The other world, now
James and Ash wandered through Pallet Town, heading for Professor Oak's laboratory. Ash was also hoping to win a Bug Badge in the local gym. James already had one. He had another reason for coming to Pallet: Team Rocket activity. Specifically, Jessie. Ash didn't know about James's past with Jessie, or his desire to rescue her from Team Rocket, and James planned to keep it that way.
Suddenly they came across a wrecked street. It was crawling with cops. Everyone seemed to be in a state of panic.
" What d'ya think the problem is? " asked Ash.
" No idea. Can't be good. "
Growlithe snarled at the street angrily.
" Hey! What's up with you? "
" Growl! "
" What? Something unnatural? What does that mean? "
Ash went up to Officer Jenny. " Hey, what's going on? "
" Don't ask. This street was recently hit by a freak electrical storm and our computers are going haywire whenever we go near there! We've also had a Jigglypuff appear 5 minutes ago from thin air! "
James was worried. " If it's making Jigglypuff's, then it can't be good. "
" That's not all, " said Jenny grimly. " It made a girl disappear; someone called Misty Waterflower. "
James was shocked. He had met her 2 weeks ago, in Cerulean City. She was a perky 7 year-old with a pet Starmie. Or rather, she had had a Starmie. Brock of Team Rocket had taken it. James and Ash had tried to catch him, but it was in vain. Misty had never got over it.
" We could find her! " said Ash.
" Oh, no! No one is going into that street! It's too dangerous. "
" Dangerous, huh? " cried a voice. " Suits us then! "
" Prepare for trouble!
And make it double! "
It was Team Rocket.
Jenny swore. " Damn it! What do they want? "
" Da boss sent us ta capture all of ya Pokemon! What else? " said Meowth. " What would we want with a busted street? It's messier than my room! "
" Meowth, nothing is messier than your room. " said Jessie coldly. " And you keep leaving the toilet seat up! "
" Will you two shut up and just fight? " snarled Brock. " We'll be demoted unless we win this fight! "
" Oh, yeah? " cried Ash defiantly. " Then you better start looking for a new job! "
" Pika! "
The street flashed! Being thrown out of it were three beings.
" Owww! Dat hurt! "
" Stop whining Meowth! You get hurt playing cards! "
" That's because of paper-cuts! "
James was shocked. It looked like Jessie and Meowth… and himself?
Then the strangers threw a flashbomb and everything went black.
The real world, 2 minutes ago
Team Rocket had turned up, and they were fiercer than ever. They hadn't even let Ash summon his Pokemon; they'd just knocked him out. Then they'd walked into the wrecked street and disappeared. And now Ash and co. were being recruited to go after them.
" Why us? " cried Misty.
" Because you have had experience in fighting Team Rocket, " replied Jenny, " and because no one else wants to go. "
" Why am I not surprised? " muttered Misty.
" C'mon Misty, it'll be a snap! " said Ash. " What's the big deal? "
" If it's that easy, then why do you need me? "
" Back-up. If something goes wrong, me and Brock will need your help. "
" So you just need me to get myself killed so you can stay completely safe?! Well you can get someone else, 'cause I'm not going! "
" Misty, we need you, " he pleaded. " What's the problem? "
Misty snapped. All the anger that had been building up was released.
" ' What's the problem'? WHAT'S THE FREAKIN' PROBLEM?! Where do you want me to start? Oh, how about when you stole my bike and got it trashed, and you just swept it under the rug like it's no big deal? How about the fact that I joined with you to get the money you owe me, and you act like I owe YOU for letting me hang around? How about having my entire LIFE screwed up by being with you? THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU?! "
Ash was speechless with shock. He had no idea about what to do.
Misty continued: " I'm taking a look around, and I don't see anything that makes me wanna stay. You want back up? Then get someone else, because I quit this stupid group. For good. "
She walked off, quickly, not looking back. She knew something would make her stop leaving if she looked back.
The other world, now
Team Rocket ran through the streets of the other universe. They had no idea where they where and they didn't care. All that mattered was the mission. Or in James' case, the mission and lunch.
" OK, be prepared for anything, " warned Jessie. " An attack could come from anywhere… "
" Like behind you. "
" Wha-?"
They spun round to see a shadowy figure behind them. It was Brock in Team Rocket garb.
" Oh, nuts! " screamed Meowth. " The twerps followed us, and they're taking the pee outta our unifoim! "
" I don't know what you're talking about, freak, " snarled Brock, " but know I resent having strangers impersonating colleagues and my worst enemy. "
" And he's not alone. "
Team Rocket turned to see a new threat… another Jessie and Meowth.
" Holy crap on a stick! " swore the real Meowth. " Two Jessie's! My worst nightmares have come true! "
" I know how ya feel, " agreed Meowth 2.
" Quiet! " ordered the Jessie's. They looked at each other in agreement.
" OK, will someone tell me what is going on? " said Brock 2.
" Where do you want us to start? "
Ash was bewildered. Misty had been around for so long, he just couldn't comprehend her leaving.
It's all your fault, whispered an inner voice. You wrecked her bike. You never gave her any consideration. All you cared about was your stupid fantasies. And where have they got you? You just lost yourself one of your few friends…
NO!
he thought fiercely. She'll come back! She will! She can't have meant what she said… She can't…Pikachu stared up at him, and to his astonishment Ash was crying. He was crying and he didn't even realise it. Pikachu had no idea of what to do. Brock came over and knelt by Ash.
" Hey, bud, " he said, " you're taking this hard, huh? "
" N-no, what gives you that idea? "
Sigh. " You're transparent. You're not gonna get any better by denying your pain. You must acknowledge it, and only then can you find a way to beat it. The important thing here is not to get too mad. If you decide to go after Misty and insult her, bad-mouth her or anything like that, it's your choice. But it won't help you. It'll only make you enemies. "
Ash wiped his eyes. " Th-thanks Brock, I needed that. "
" Yeah, I know. Y'know, we don't have to do the mission if you don't won't to… "
" No. We made a commitment, and we're gonna follow it through. We're gonna solve this mystery once and for all. "
Pikachu knew his master was recovering. He gave his thanks to Brock.
" Pi. "
And the three of them walked into the street of the unknown…
They found themselves in another wrecked street. And Ash was staring at himself.
Chapter 4
The other world
In his young life, Ash Ketchum had experienced many weird things. He had seen people ride tidal wives, been on a sunken ship, seen a ghost and had once been a ghost. Even people around him had seen weird things, like Gary's claim of a strange, evil Pokemon in armour.
But nothing can prepare you for seeing yourself.
Ash stared at Ash. Pikachu stared at Pikachu.
The other Ash broke the silence.
" What the hell are you?! "
" I'm Ash. And why are you wearing my face? "
" What? You're the impostor here! If you're gonna trick me, then you shouldn't have a Team Rocket member standing in plain view! "
" Who? Me? " asked Brock. " You're the one with the felon! That's James of Team Rocket! "
" Hey! " yelled James. " I would never join Team Rocket. And how did you get here anyway? "
" We went through that portal in the street back there, " said Ash.
" It's a portal? " marvelled Ash 2. " That explains those Team Rocket-wannabe's that came outta there a second ago. "
" What?! How long ago was that? "
" I dunno. They knocked us out with a flashbomb. "
" This is confusing, " moaned Brock. " Isn't there anything familiar here… Hey waitaminute! That's an Officer Jenny over there! Those looks are very familiar… "
His face grew red, his voice went goofy, and he started to float over to the Jenny.
" Hi, I'm Brock! You're a policewoman, huh? Well you can arrest ME anytime…"
Jenny sweat-dropped. " Okaaay…"
Just stay calm, Jenny. Just try and ignore the weirdo…" Heheh… I apologise for my friend Brock, "said Ash, embarrassed. " He's just a little mental. "
" This is very strange, " said James 2. " I think I have a theory for all of this. "
" What? "
" Parallel universes. "
" What?! "
Jessie sighed. " Look, Brock 2, we've gone over this 15 TIMES now! Me, James and Meowth are from a parallel universe. Look, maybe this will make it easier… "
She pulled out a pair of Arbok-and-Weezing finger puppets.
" Why, mister Arbok, where did you come from, " she mimicked. " I came from a parallel dimension. That means -"
" I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS! What I want to know is why I have to be called Brock 2? "
" Yeah, and why am I Jessie 2? " complained Jessie 2. " It undermines my originality and style. "
" What?! ' Original style '? You look the same as me! How's that original? "
" Yeah, well you're the doubles, so why aren't you Jessie 2? "
"Because we are the superior ones! "
" Are not! "
" Oh yeah? Hands up all those who've been to a parallel universe. Not putting your hand up? Then shut up! "
" Yeesh, deese guys bicker a lot, " said Meowth. " I thought only my world's J+J were this annoying. "
" Mine always leave there old socks lying about, " complained Meowth 2. "Muks everywhere make pilgrimages under dere beds. "
" Mine too! "
" Even our Meowths are against us, " moaned Jessie 2. " What are you guys doing here anyway? "
" We're here, " said Jessie proudly, " to pave the way for our Team Rocket to conquer this world! "
" Really? I thought the boss dumped us here to get rid of us. " said James.
" Well, that too… but mostly what I said! "
Brock 2 stared at the strangers. He had always been a mercenary sort, and didn't have many feelings of loyalty towards Team Rocket. He also liked to be on the side of the victors. If the other world could breach dimensional barriers, and could even consider talking over other universes… well, then he had found new masters.
" So how can we help? "
Everyone looked at him. " Uh, Brock 2, what about our boss? " asked Jessie 2.
" Screw him! These guys are the winners. I'm joining them. "
" Me too, " said Meowth 2.
" Fine! I'll come too. But don't blame me if you get killed or something… "
" Well then, " said Meowth, " let's get back to our world! When da boss sees this he'll make me Top Cat again! "
His eyes watered and he made pathetic whining noises.
" Dream on! " snorted Brock 2. " If you're anything like our Meowth, then you can't find your way outta a paper bag if you had a map and the bottom was cut out! "
" That's not true! It was a plastic bag. "
The ill-matched team made their way through the dark alleys, hoping to find the portal street unguarded. Each of them harboured their own private thoughts. Jessie was primarily worried that the boss would like her double more than her. Jessie 2 had more personal things to think about. She turned to talk to James.
" Hey, er, James 1! " she called.
James blanched. He'd been dreading this. He fancied Jessie and knew that he wouldn't love anyone else, but that is hard to do when there are 2 Jessies.
OK James, you can get through this, just stay calm… think unsexy thoughts, think unsexy thoughts…D'OH! Too late!
" So, you joined Team Rocket, " stated Jessie 2.
" Huh? " That wasn't what he was expected. " What does that mean? "
" Well, er, you joined Team Rocket. Why? "
" Well, I didn't plan it originally. I actually wanted to be a real trainer, but I couldn't cut it. I flunked outta Pokemon Tech University, then ended up running away and joined a bike gang. Jessie had already joined, so we started hanging out again. Then we saw a Team Rocket ad. We'd got tired of the gang, so we joined TR. We haven't been doing well. "
" What he means is, " called Meowth, " that he is crap at his job an' he can't beat a 10-year-old twerp even when he has a freakin' tank ta back him up! "
James went red with shame. " He's lying really… What's the big deal anyway?"
Jessie 2 sighed. " Well, my James ran away too. But he made something of himself. He's now hanging around with that weird kid Ash. "
" No way! I'm/he's a twerp?! "
" Worse. He's an enemy. And that's what bugs me. "
" Because you have feelings for him? "
She was shocked. " How did you know? "
" Well, I was gonna say that it was because he owed you money, but that didn't make any sense. "
She smiled sadly. " I just never thought of him/you being in Team Rocket. It just never would've worked. I was wrong. I know you've already got too tangled up in this to leave TR. It's just…I don't want you to turn out like Brock 2. "
" Why not? " he said confused. " He's better than my world's Brock. He chases women half the day and gets beaten up by their boyfriends for the other half. This one is cool. "
" Oh, yeah? Well, you know there are some Rockets who have never killed? Brock isn't one of them. "
" You're kidding me, right? "
" No. And he didn't even have to do it. He wanted to. Don't be like him; you'll lose everything good about you. "
She walked off, leaving James to feel confused. He stared at Brock 2, and tried to imagine him as a murderer. His mind created an image so powerful that he turned ghostly white. He was afraid.
Back at Team Rocket headquarters, an armour-clad figure paced in its cage. Cold blue eyes glowed through its visor. A low growl came from its throat.
Giovanni will spend all his forces on this new dimension. And in the chaos I will be able to escape. He claims we are equals… Hah! He is trying to trick me. He treats me like he would any other Pokemon. But I'll show him. I SHALL be free. And when I am, the human race shall fall…
And the creature laughed long into the night.
To be continued in Part 2.
Please write in with any comments. Flames shall be fed to my pet Charmander. Part 2 will be up whenever. I'm gonna wait until I get 3 good reviews first so I know I'm doing a good job before I write Part 2.