Welcome to my new story inspired by the Spin-Off series, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. This series will be written and crafted in the similar vein as an actual Pokémon Mystery Dungeon video game but at the same time be my own thing.
Welcome to the world in which only Pokémon live. Here many Pokémon across the world have formed their own teams in hopes to travel to the eight corners of the world to complete trials to get a Kyurem Stone. Once all eight have been collected, the team can enter the realm where Kyurem resides. There, the team will challenge Kyurem to one final battle. If the battle is won then the team will win the title of the greatest Pokémon Team in the world. Many have tried but none of succeeded in defeating the legendary Pokémon. So many have failed that not lot of teams are left. But there is one. One little Pokémon who dreams of fulfilling his father's dream of leading the greatest Team in the world. His name is Son Goku the Riolu, son of Bardock the Lucario. After Bardock gave up on his dream, his son has become dedicated to gaining the courage to do what many have thought was impossible for his father.
Episode 1: A Visitor from Another World?
We go to meet our hero, Son Goku the Riolu, known as Goku for short, as he continued traveling the fields on a nice spring sunny day. He was searching for Pokémon that would join his team. His next stop was a small town called Wager Town.
"There it is." Goku said to himself as the town came into view, "Wager Town. I'd better find Pokémon that will join me here. If I don't then…."
Goku was silent for second. He's asked many Pokémon to join his team. But none would join because they thought he was a joke. They laughed at him because his dream was impossible they said. But Goku didn't give up. He kept traveling to new towns and places in hopes that one Pokémon would join him.
"I can't let my father down," Goku thought, "I promised him that I would be the leader of the greatest Pokémon Team of all. I need to keep that promise no matter what. So come on Wager Town. Just one, please just have one Pokémon that will join my team. Please."
So he ran quickly to the town. When he got there, there were tons of Pokémon. Big and small. He smiled at what kind of Pokémon were there. He just couldn't wait to see if there would finally be someone would join.
"This is Wager Town huh?" He said to himself as he looked around, "It's pretty crowded. And so many Pokémon. Surely one of them wants to join. If I've learned something from my travels is that the bigger the town, the bigger the chances."
As he headed for the center of town suddenly,
"Hello there." A Chansey suddenly appeared and said, giving Goku a scare.
"Gah!" Goku screamed and fell to the ground.
"Welcome to Wager Town!" The Chansey said in excitement, "Here any Pokémon can be anything. This town was built 20 years ago. At the time it was just land that was best suited for planting food and crops. When the first few buildings were built it was dubbed the Wager Town. Named after my great-great grandfather Wager Chan. The nickname he came up with himself. As time went by the town came more and more populated and the title of owner of the town was passed down from generation to generation. I am the current owner of this town. I'm Chansey, but I'm named myself Johana. What brings you here youngster?"
Goku got up and dusted himself off. He looked at Johana and answered, "I'm here to uh…. Find someone."
"Well you've done that already. For you have found me! Well technically I found you, but either way that checks that off your "To do List."
"I guess so." Goku replied as he looked to the ground not really knowing what to think or say at this time.
"Problem?" Johana asked.
"Oh uh," Goku began as he looked at her in the eyes, "No, no problem at all. I was just wondering, is there a place I could stay?"
"I can't quite guarantee we have much homes left for you to stay in." Johana replied, "But if we can't find one you could always get a roommate. After all, life's so much better when you share it with someone. Let's go see what we can do. Shall we?"
"Thanks." Goku praised as they began walking.
They checked around the houses and see what fitted Goku's liking as Johana described. A lot of them already had a Pokémon living in them. But after an hour of searching they had finally found a house without an owner.
"Well this is our last stop." Johana said with her cheerful smile, "And it appears that this house is left without someone to live in it. Luckily for this house, you're here to move in."
"Well I wouldn't quite say move in. More like stay for a while." Goku corrected.
"You can say for five minutes for all I care. As long as you stayed here."
So they went inside to take a look. It was a small house but was enough for Goku. He wasn't looking for something special. That and it was the only other house that was empty.
"I think it'll do." Goku said.
"Great!" Johana cheered, "I'm glad you're satisfied. Why don't you just get comfortable in your new home? If you need anything just call me and I'll be happy to help you."
"I will," Goku replied, "Thank you very much."
Goku was silent for a second and then thought of something to ask before Johana left.
"Actually," Goku began as he put his bag down, "I was wondering. Where do the citizens here usually hang out during the day?"
"If by "Hang Out" you mean "Get Together" then you best want to check the Azumarill House." Johana answered, "It's my most favorite place to go. It's a hotel and restaurant. It's the kind of place anyone would go to. The place to kick back, relax, and make some friends."
"Great. Maybe I'll go there later." Goku exclaimed, "I think I'll be fine from now on. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure. Enjoy our fare town." Johana said before she left.
Goku got through his bag, got out some berries he found along the way and got out his Red Scarf and put it on.
"That Chansey seem really nice." Goku thought as he ate some berries, "If she's nice, imagine what the town's people must be like. Maybe I'll finally get a team going here."
After getting settled in and eating some berries, Goku left his new home and headed straight to the Azumarill House. But little did Goku know that from behind his house, a little shy female Shinx had been following him on his travels for a long time now. She peered from behind Goku's house and saw him running.
"Riolu." The Shinx thought to herself, "I really want to join your team. I really do. If only I wasn't so scared. I followed you everywhere you went, hoping that I would get the courage to ask you if I could join. Why can't I do it? Why am I so scared to talk to you?"
Back to Goku, he finally arrived in front of the Azumarill House. And Johana was not kidding. There certainly were a lot of Pokémon there. Some were checking in, some checking out, and the rest doing other things. Could this be Goku's time? Could he finally form a team? Would these people actually believe he could do it? There was only one way to find out.
"This is it." Goku thought to himself with a face of determination, "This is my last chance. If I don't get a team here it's over. I have to get a team here. I just have to!"
So he drew a sharp breath and then entered the building. Stepping inside the building, Goku was stunned to discover how many Pokémon were in the building. So many than he could count. He was frozen with fear.
"What if," He thought to himself, "What if none of them join my team? There are so many of them here. I could just make a big fool of myself if I tell them why I'm here. ….no. No no! I've got to try."
He regained his courage and swallowed his fear. He then went straight to the front desk to find the Azumarill that owned the place.
"Welcome to the Azumarill House," The male Azumarill said with a smile, "How may I help you?"
Goku looked at the Azumariill in the eyes and asked, "Can you get everyone's attention for me?"
The Azumarill did exactly what he asked by getting a stool, stood up it and made an announcement.
"Excuse me everyone!" Azumarill politely asked, "Can I have everyone's attention please?!"
Everyone did what he said and stopped what they're doing to see what he had to say.
"We have a very special guest today who has something very important to ask all of you. His name is Goku the Riolu."
Azumarill then looked at Goku and whispered to him, "Alright go ahead."
Goku then stepped up and looked at all the Pokémon who were paying attention. But when he looked at them, he noticed how many of them there were. But this time they were staring at him. He began to shake. Shake a lot. He grew very nervous because of how many Pokémon were staring at him.
"Go ahead Goku." Azumarill whispered, "Don't be shy. Just ask them what you want."
"Well?!" One of the Pokémon screamed, "What'd ya want?! We've got a game we'd like to finish here if you don't mind!"
"D..d-d-d..d" Goku stuttered in great fear, "D-do a..a…a-an-"
Goku was so scared that he couldn't get the words out of his mouth. He didn't know what to do. Some of them were beginning to lose interest.
"Are you okay buddy?" One of the Pokémon asked.
"What is it?" More Pokémon asked.
"This is a waste of time." Another Pokémon scoffed, "If you aren't gonna say anything then get off the stool and stop embarrassing yourself."
The Pokémon were beginning to turn their attention back to what they were doing before.
"Come on Goku." Azmuraill said, "Better ask them now before they all lose interest."
Goku looked back at them again seeing them all turning back to their own business. Goku grew scared and thought to himself that it was now or never.
"Does anyone want to join my Pokémon Team?!" Goku shouted.
"There you go." Azmuarill praised.
Everyone then looked at Goku again. With confused faces. Goku just stood there, wondering what they were thinking. Wondering if any of them would join now that they know.
"What did you say kid?" A Sneasel asked with a chuckle in his voice.
Goku was nervous but he repeated his question, "Do any of you want to join my Pokémon Team?"
"A Pokémon Team?" A Heracross chuckled, "As in those teams that got blasted off from the Dragon Rage of Kyurem?!
Everyone then started laughing really hard at Goku for asking the question. Goku just stood then with a red face under his blue and black fur. He had a feeling that something like this would happen. It's happened in almost every other town he's been in.
"Kid," A Pokémon asked, "Do you know how many Pokémon Teams have failed to defeat such a dragon?! Kyurem is like an avalanche in the form of a dragon!"
"No Pokémon Team has every succeeded in coming out of there with the title of Greatest Team in the World! What makes you think you can do it?!"
Everyone continued laughing and Goku got so scared and depressed that tears began to appear under his eyes.
"Look at me!" One of the Pokémon teased, "I'm Geeko the Rioloser! I'm gonna defeat Kyurem with my cuteness!"
Everyone laughed at his impersonation of Goku, which was not a very nice one at that. Goku couldn't believe what had happened. He had made a fool of himself in front of a whole building of Pokémon. Again.
Goku then quickly ran out of the building with tears falling out of his eyes.
"That's enough everyone!" Azmuarill yelled, "How could you do that to a poor little guy like him?! He's been trying to form a team for such a long time and now because of what all of you did, he may give up on that dream because this town was his last chance!"
"Can you blame us?" A Linoone asked, "No one's every actually done it? What makes him special enough to do it?"
"Still," Azmuarill continued, "How could you be so cruel?!"
Goku was running through town crying really hard. Some Pokémon looked at him as he ran and cried. Those who looked were either worried or sorry for him. Even the shy Shinx spotted him running and crying and began to feel sad for him. She hated to see him depressed. Even though she doesn't know anything about him, she didn't want to see him like this.
"What happened?" Shinx asked herself, "Did something happen?"
Shinx saw him exit the town and head for the forest. She decided to follow him there.
When she got to where he stopped, he was in front of a giant lake. He was on his knees, looking at his reflection. Ripples appeared in the lake in front of him. Those ripples came from the tears that he cried.
"Poor Riolu," Shinx thought to herself as tears started to appear under her eyes, "Poor poor Riolu. Please don't be upset. Please don't cry. Because if you cry then I cry."
With Goku, he cried in front of the lake. Looking at his extremely depressed reflection.
"Why?" Goku cried to himself, "Why won't anyone join me? Why do they always doubt me?!"
Goku then got on his hands and cried even more.
"Father." Goku continued, "I'm sorry. I couldn't do it. This town was my last chance. How can I form a team if no one will give me a chance?"
Goku was dedicated to making the dream of his father come true by forming the Team himself. If he went back to his father without so much as having one member, Goku will feel like he let his father down.
"Maybe everyone's right." Goku said to himself as he calmed down, "Maybe this dream is impossible. Maybe I'd better live goals like this to more experienced and better Pokémon. I'm built for other things."
Goku got back on his knees and continued, "I guess I should go home now. But how can I face my dad knowing that I failed him? He'll probably never want me as his son ever again."
He looked at the sky and saw the beautiful blue and white that was the sky. The water's reflection and other water evaporated. He liked to up at the sky on a nice day like this sometimes because it helped calm him. It made him forget his troubles. But it didn't help much today. After all, he feels as though his dream is impossible. How can he forget that?
"All I wanted was just one member on my team." Goku said as though he was making a wish.
The Shinx couldn't watch this anymore. So she stood up straight and thought to herself, "That's it! No more being shy! He needs a team member on his team and I'll have to do! I can't just watch him like this anymore! Here we go!"
Shinx then began running toward him.
"I'm doing it!" Shinx thought, "I'm going toward him! I'm gonna join! I'm going to be with him! Finally Riolu will be my-"
But suddenly she stopped when she saw him standing up.
"Huh?" Goku said confused, "What's that?"
He looked at the sky and saw something flying by. The unknown flying object seemed rather shiny. Shiny like a star.
"A shooting star? In the middle of the day?" Goku asked himself, "How's that possible?"
Shinx looked up and saw the flying object as well.
"What the heck is that?" Shinx thought to herself, not wanting Goku to hear her from behind.
"Whatever it is it's….. Getting closer!"
The flying object was suddenly hurdling towards Goku. Shinx got scared and fled back into her hiding place from before.
"Woah!" Goku screamed, "It's heading straight down here!"
Goku then got out of the way before the object impacted. Thankfully Goku wasn't hurt, but he was worried what had fallen from the sky. There was dust flying everywhere from the impact. The dust caused Goku to cough a little.
"That was close." Goku said, "What just happened?"
As the dust started clearing, Goku started seeing a small figure in the spot where the object fell. Goku seemed worried for a second, worried that his figure would hurt him. But more dust cleared and it revealed that it was a poor little male Pikachu lying there on his side. Not moving.
"Hey," Goku said, "It's a Pikachu. Did he just fall from the sky? I wonder if he's okay."
Goku slowly walked toward the fallen Pikachu. When he got to him, Goku turned him over to make him lie on his back. His eyes were closed, making Goku worry that he may have….
"Pikachu!" Goku yelled in hopes he would wake up, "Pikachu wake up please! Open your eyes! Are you okay?!"
Suddenly, the Pikachu was slowly starting to breath.
"He's alive!" Goku cheered, "Thank goodness."
The Pikachu's eyes started opening as he began moaning.
"Ohhhhh," The Pikachu moaned, "What? What's going on?"
"You're awake!" Goku cheered again, "Thank goodness. I thought you were hurt badly."
"Ahhhh!" the Pikachu screamed as he accidently banged his head against Goku's really hard.
"Ow!" Goku whined as he put his hands on where the pain was, "Ow ow ow ow my head!"
Pikachu rubbed his head too and said, "You just talked! But that's impossible! You're a Riolu and Riolu can't talk!"
"Well this one can." Goku said as he continued rubbing his head.
Pikachu watched him rub his pain and began to feel sorry for him. So he got up on his feet, walked toward Goku and asked, "Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just surprised, that's all."
Goku looked at Pikachu and answered, "Yeah. Don't worry about it. This pain doesn't compare to what happen to me today."
"Huh?" Pikachu asked.
"Now then," Goku began, "Are you okay? That was a pretty rough fall you had there Pikachu."
Pikachu then looked confused and looked behind him one way and then the other.
"Are you talking to me?" Pikachu asked.
"Well," Goku answered, "I don't see any other Pikachu here. Unless you've got a name other than that."
"Pikachu?" Pikachu asked himself. He then walked over to the water to see his reflection.
Looking at his reflection, it seems that Goku was telling the truth. He was in fact a Pikachu.
"No." Pikachu worried, "No no no no no!"
He then got up and looked all around him. As he looked, he saw yellow fur, tiny feet and paws and looked up to see his long ears. He also saw his orange cheeks.
"No no!" Pikachu panicked, "This can't be!"
But right after he saw his lightning bolt-shaped tail, it happened.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Pikachu screamed from the top of his lungs. He screamed so loud that it echoed five miles from where they were.
Nearby in Wager Town, two of the Pokémon were walking together talking about something.
"And so then the Bidoof says," The Shieldon began before being interrupted by the sound of a loud noise, "What the heck is that?"
"I don't get it." The Lombre replied.
"That was not the joke." Shieldon said, "I meant did you hear that?"
"Not before," Lombre answered, "But now I feel that."
In one of the houses there, there lived a Machamp working out. After work out, he went inside to relax from the training he went through.
"Alright." The Machamp said, "That was a great work out. I'll be ready to take on my greatest rival pretty soon!"
He went to his bag and got out some berries to eat and some water to drink.
"Time for a healthy snack."
Before he began eating, he heard a really loud noise echoing.
"Huh?" Machamp said, "What the muscle is that?"
Somewhere else on a small cliff in the fields, there was a male Alakazam just standing there doing nothing.
His silence was interrupted by a loud noise that echoed to his location.
"What in the blue blazes is that noise?" Alakazam asked himself.
Back with Goku and Pikachu, Pikachu was running around screaming and panicking. Goku was trying to calm him down.
"Okay okay Pikachu!" Goku said as he tried to stop Pikachu from panicking, "Calm down! Pikachu!"
Unfortunately, Pikachu didn't listen and continued to panic.
"Oh boy." Goku said to himself, "This isn't going to work."
Goku then used Extreme Speed to grab Pikachu and said to him with a straight serious face, "Pikachu! It's alright! Calm down!"
"Please stop calling me that!" Pikachu asked.
"Stop calling you a Pikachu?" Goku asked confused, "Do you have a nickname?"
"No!" Pikachu answered, "I mean I'm not a Pikachu! I'm a human!"
"What?!" Goku shouted, "A human?!"
"Yeah." Pikachu answered as he started calming down, "I know it's hard to believe but I'm not supposed to be like this. I mean it when I say that I'm a human."
"A human?" Goku repeated, "I that humans were just myths."
"Myths?" Pikachu asked, "What're you talking about? Humans are everywhere. We live along side with Pokémon."
"Not here." Goku explained, "Humans only exist in stories. Or at least I thought so until you came along."
"Wait," Pikachu exclaimed, "Humans don't exist here?"
Goku nodded no.
"Then why do you believe me when I say that I'm a human." Pikachu asked.
"I remember reading the stories about humans." Goku explained, "What they do, what they look like. But there was one saying how a human can come to our world from their world. It's said when a Pokémon falls from the sky, that Pokémon is actually a human coming to our world."
"Your world?" Pikachu asked.
"Yep." Goku nodded, "In this world, only Pokémon live here. And since you fell from the sky, you must be telling the truth."
"Well I'm glad I don't have to convince you. That'd be a pain to do."
"I almost didn't believe in those stories." Goku said, "But now maybe they're not just stories after all."
Meanwhile, the Shinx was hearing their conversation from behind the tree.
"A human?" Shinx said to herself, "They're real? I thought those were just stories."
Shinx was really confused but at the same time relieved. Not the human part but for a whole different reason.
"That's Pikachu's tail is sharp, meaning that one's a boy." Shinx said, "Thank goodness for that."
"I'm sorry," Goku said, "I didn't introduce myself. My name is Son Goku the Riolu. But you can call me Goku. So what's your name?
"My name?" Pikachu asked back.
"Yeah your name. You're a human, so that means you have a name right?"
"Yeah of course." Pikachu answered, "My name is… uhh my name is…"
"Yeah?" Goku asked, "What is it?"
"My name is….." Pikachu was drawing a complete blank.
He tried to remember what his name was, but sadly nothing came up. He then started to panic again.
"Oh no!" Pikachu screamed, "What is my name?! I don't know! I can't remember!"
"What?!" Goku yelled, "You forgot who you are?"
"Not only that," Pikachu answered, "But I can't remember anything about me. Where I've been, what I've done. Nothing!"
"Oh no." Goku replied.
"All I remember is that I was in this strange colorful sparkly limbo and then I found myself falling from the sky and then WAM! Everything goes all white and then…. Well you know the rest."
"Did the impact make him lose his memory?" Goku thought.
"This is bad!" Pikachu said with a worried face, "I can't remember anything. What if that impact is just making think that I'm a human? I can't be sure now."
"Don't get so stressed." Goku said as he patted Pikachu on the back, "I'm sure your memory will come back. And I bet that you are human. If you believe that you are then you must be."
"I guess so." Pikachu said with his worried look.
Goku looked and him. He saw how worried Pikachu is. So then he decided to help him out a bit.
"Come on," Goku said, "There's a town that I'm staying at for a while. I'll take you there and get you something to eat."
"Okay." Pikachu said as they started walking.
Shinx watched them leave. She began feeling very curious about that Pikachu. Could it be true? Could that Pikachu be a human on the inside? Or was he just being delusional from the impact?
"I wonder." Shinx said to herself, "I'd like to know more about this Pikachu. If he's really human then I've got a lot of questions to ask him."
Goku and Pikachu arrived at the town and Pikachu saw what big town it was. He saw lots of Pokémon there. Both big and small. He was rather quite impressed by it.
"Wow!" Pikachu said, "This place is so huge!"
"You bet it is." Goku replied, "It's because before the town was built it was nothing but large land. There was enough room for all of this."
"Well all I can say is this place is just incredible!"
Suddenly Johana appeared in front of them.
"Woah!" Pikachu shouted surprised.
"Why hello there little guy!" Johana said in her normally excited voice, "Welcome welcome welcome to Wager Town! This place was once-"
"No no that's okay Johana!" Goku interrupted, "I'll explain it to him later."
"Are you sure?" Johana asked, "Because I know much more about this town's history than you do."
"Don't worry about it." Goku answered, "I'll know what to tell him."
"Alrighty then. You two just go back to what you were doing before. Enjoy our fare town little Pikachu."
"Man," Pikachu said, "She's rather enthusiastic."
"She has to be maybe." Goku replied, "She is the current owner of this town. Come on, let's go to my house."
So the two headed to Goku's house.
Meanwhile somewhere else in town…
There was a Torchic taking a walk through the town. As he was walking he was thinking about his goal. The goal he was getting ready to achieve, to form a team to face Kyurem. He said nothing the whole time on his walk, for he kept his focus on his goal.
"Did you hear about what happened at the Azumarill House earlier?" A Rattata said to an Aron.
"No," Aron replied, "What happened?"
"There was a Riolu there who was looking for Pokémon Team. He went there and asked the entire house if one of them would join."
"A Pokémon Team? Riolu?" Aron asked as he formed a smile, "That's kind of absurd don't you think?"
"I know," The Rattata said, "Who in the right mind would ask a whole house to do something that hasn't been done since the beginning of time?!"
"A Riolu?" Torchic thought to himself, "Searching for a team? Hmmm…. Seems to me I'm not the only one on a wild goose chase. Still if he actually does get a team he could be a little bit of problem for me. I'd better find the guy and make sure he understands the truth."
So he continued walking, but this time for a completely different reason.
Back with Goku and Pikachu, Goku gave Pikachu some berries for him to eat. Oran Berries to be exact.
"Oran Berries?" Pikachu asked with a funny look on him, "But isn't this what Pokémon eat?"
"Well you are a Pokémon remember?" Riolu asked.
"Oh yeah right. I forgot."
So Pikachu took a nibble of the Oran Berry and actually found a sweet taste in it.
"Hey," Pikachu said with a smile, "This isn't so bad."
So he ate more and started feeling much better. Before he knew it all the Oran Berries Goku put out for him were gone.
"Wow," Goku exclaimed, "You were hungry."
"I guess I was. Wasn't I?" Pikachu said before laughing.
Goku then laughed too. But after a little laugh Goku explained to Pikachu, "Do you feel better now? Those Organ Berries can heal any Pokémon."
"Yeah," Pikachu answered as he stood up from the little table, "One-Hundred Percent. Thanks Goku."
"No problem." Goku replied, "That was a really nasty fall. I'm actually really surprised you didn't break anything."
"Yeah. Me too."
Suddenly something came to Pikachu's head. Something that Goku said earlier that caught Pikachu's eye. He figured that now was the right time to ask.
"Hey Goku," Pikachu began, "You said earlier that the pain you were feeling couldn't compare to what happened to you today. What did you mean by that?"
"Oh," Goku said surprised, "Uhhh."
Goku didn't know what to say. After see all those Pokémon laughing at him, he seems to have grown a fear of telling anyone about it. But he's already asked, so what does Goku say? Does he tell the truth? Make something up? Avoid the question?
"Oh its uhhh," Goku continued trying to think of what to say, "It's not that important."
"Come on," Pikachu pleaded, "Please tell me. I wanna know. I already told you my story. Even though it's probably not exactly true since my memory's out of whack. Still I told you what I know, can't you do the same? Please?"
"Well," Goku said as he started to grow nervous, "Well you see-"
But then there was a knock on the door. Interrupting Goku's statement.
"Oh. I'll get that." Goku said feeling relieved.
"That was close." Goku thought, "I can't take another laugh from another Pokémon."
Goku answered the door and saw a Torchic standing there.
"Oh," Goku said with a smile, "Hello. How can I help you?"
"Are you the Riolu everyone's talking about?" The Torchic asked.
"Huh?"
"May I come in?" Torchic asked politely, or so it seemed.
Goku didn't want to let him in knowing that the Torchic knows the thing that Goku doesn't want Pikachu to find out. But he didn't want to be rude, so he had no choice.
"Please do." Goku answered as he moved to the side, allowing Torchic to enter.
"Hi there." Pikachu greeted nicely, "Are you a friend of Goku?"
"Hardly," Torchic answered, "We've only just met right now."
"W-w-w-would you please have a seat?" Goku politely asked, "I can get you a drink or something to eat."
"The seat will be enough thank you." Torchic answered as he took a seat in the table seat.
"So uh," Goku began has he was more nervous than before, "How did you know I was here?"
"I simply went to the ultimate source of all," Torchic explained, "The owner of the town. Who knows where everyone is living here."
"Oh right." Goku said, "Johana does certainly knows where to find someone, doesn't she?"
"Something's wrong with Goku." Pikachu thought, "Why does he look so uncomfortable? I understand that Fighting Type Pokémon don't do so well against Fire Types but still. Torchic doesn't look like he wants to hurt us."
"So," Torchic began, "I heard there was big stuff that happened at the Azumarill House today. Something that really got everyone's funny bones really going."
"Um uh well," Goku said as he grew even more nervous than before.
"Really?" Pikachu asked, "Well I just got here so I wasn't there when it happened. What happened?"
"No Pikachu!" Goku thought, "Don't ask him!"
Goku really wanted to say it out loud. But since he wanted to be a really nice Pokémon and not rude, he just couldn't do it.
"Well I wasn't there either," Torchic said as he gave Goku a look that made him even more uncomfortable, "But I heard that it involved something quite… silly."
"Silly?" Pikachu asked.
"Yeah," Torchic answered, "In fact it was so silly that everyone had laughed so hard they had tears flying right out of their eyes."
"Gosh," Pikachu said, "I don't know if I could laugh that hard."
"Oh you would. Because this particular silly thing is something that only a black mask wearing short stack could even dream of."
"Black mask wearing?" Pikachu thought to himself, "I haven't seen anyone here wearing a mask."
"This thing was so silly that it's something even your little friend here would think about doing."
"What're you saying?" Pikachu asked.
"Why don't we ask him shall we?" Torchic followed up.
So then they both looked at Goku, who started sweating now.
"No no no!" Goku yelled in his head, "Please don't tell him!"
"So let me ask you something Blue Boy," Torchic began, "Why are you pretending that you can accomplish something that only REAL Pokémon can do?"
"Uhhhhh," Goku moaned not knowing what to say.
"What's he talking about Goku?" Pikachu asked.
"Goku?" Torchic chuckled, "Hahahahaha! What kind of name is that? That's the kind of name you want everyone to remember in your little fantasy?!"
"Well uh," Goku said as he let Torchic up from the chair as leading him to the door, "It's been really nice to meet you and have a little talk but we're a little busy with something right now. Right Pikachu?"
"Busy?" Pikachu asked with a confused look.
"Your memory?" Goku whispered.
"Alrighty then." Torchic said as he got out the door, "But just remember something kid. You'd better stick to what you're really good at. Because this is the big leagues. You're not built for something like this. I'd say "come back to this when you're a Lucario", but even then you'd still be no match for me. Because that title and fame is mine! Face facts, no one wants to join your team. No one wants to help you. Why? Because you're nothing. Always have been and always will be. I, on the other hand, have everything it takes to defeat Kyurem. So do yourself a favor and stay out of this before you get hurt."
Pikachu couldn't believe what he was hearing. That Torchic seemed so nice. Now he's suddenly picking on Goku. He began to clinch his paws and feel a rage coming on. So he went up to the Torchic with an angry face.
"Leave him alone!" Pikachu shouted.
"Hahahahahaha!" Torchic laughed, "You're defending him?! You don't even know what we're talking about!"
"I don't care! That's no way to treat a Pokémon you've never met before! I think it's time for you to leave!"
"Alright then," Torchic replied, "But you defending him like that just proves my point. He can't stand up for himself. You might as well go home now Geeku! You're not gonna make it out here! It's a waste of time!"
Torchic then laughed as he walked away. Tears started forming under Goku's eyes and then he quickly went back inside.
"Pokémon like him!" Pikachu said in anger, "I'll tell you what. I can't stand Pokémon like that!"
Pikachu then went inside and saw Goku crying quietly. Pikachu felt extremely bad for him. So he went to Goku to comfort him.
"Don't cry Goku." Pikachu said with a smile as he patted Goku on the back, "Don't listen to what that jerk says. You know how Pokémon like him are like, they just act like that because they either don't want to express their true feelings or they're just jealous of you."
Goku looked at Pikachu with tears falling down on his face. Causing the fur on his cheeks to get wet.
"But he's right!" Goku cried, "Who would even care enough to help me out?! I might as well face facts like he said! I'm nothing!"
Seeing Goku cry like this really was upsetting for Pikachu. He didn't like seeing him like this.
"Poor Goku." Pikachu thought, "What's troubling him so much? I can't help him unless I know what's going on."
"Do you mind telling me what Torchic meant by "join your team"?"
Goku looked at Pikachu again with a face of uncertainty.
"I can't," Goku answered as he cried, "You'll laugh."
"No I won't," Pikachu argued, "I won't laugh."
"Yes you will. Everyone does. Soon as you hear it you won't be able to help it. My dreams are undoubtable impossible to make come true, let's just leave it at that."
"Goku," Pikachu said as he made Goku look at him in the eyes, "I want to help you. But I can't if I don't understand what's going on. Please tell me Goku. I promise I will not laugh. Trust me."
Goku was silent for a second. He didn't know what to think about what Pikachu said. Should he do it? Should he not? Suddenly Goku felt something inside telling him that he should tell the truth. He knows that Pikachu will just keep asking if he doesn't. He might even feel better if he talks about it after all.
"Okay," Goku said as he wiped away any tears he had left, "You might want to sit down. It's best that I start from the beginning."
So the two sat down and Goku told Pikachu the whole story. The Pokémon Teams, the Kyurem Stones, Kyurem himself, Goku's fathers dream. Pikachu listened to every single word that Goku said. He didn't miss a single word. As Goku explained, he began to ponder what he was saying. Why wouldn't anyone join his team? What was so different about Goku that made no one believe that he can do it? Pikachu then began to feel sad for Goku. The way that he explained how alone he was for a long time. How he left behind his father to pursue the dream that many have been unable to make a reality. Pikachu just hated hearing Goku say how he's failed to get a team in every town he's been to.
"So that's what's going on." Pikachu said, "You want to make your dad proud by surpassing all the other teams in the world by defeating Kyurem."
"Yes." Goku replied quietly, "But what's the use of going on? I'm just a joke."
Pikachu didn't say anything. He was so upset of Goku that he just didn't know what to say at this point. He felt his heart crack.
"You can go and laugh by the way." Goku said as he turned away from Pikachu.
"Laugh?!" Pikachu asked confusingly, "Why would I laugh?! Your dream is amazing!"
"It's okay. You don't need to lie to me."
"No I mean it!" Pikachu said as he got up and went over to look at Goku in the eyes again, "I don't think anyone can been more passionate about this goal than you! No matter how many Pokémon laughed at you, you just kept going! You never gave up and you can't start now! You've got to keep looking! I'm sure there's someone out there that wants to join you!"
Goku smiled at Pikachu despite still being upset. He was happy that Pikachu thought that way about him.
"Thanks," Goku finally praised, "But I think I've done enough. I'll never be as good as my dad. At least he got a team…."
He slowly stopped talking as he suddenly got an idea from the statement he just made.
"Hold on a second." Goku said with a smile with no more sadness in his voice.
So then he got out the map he's been following to find the towns he visited. He looked at it and smiled really big.
"Yes!" Goku cheered, "There's still hope! I still have a chance!"
"What is it?" Pikachu asked.
"My dad's friend!" Goku answered as he cheered, "Leaf the Torterra!"
"Leaf the Torterra?" Pikachu asked really quietly with a strange face.
"Yeah! He was part of my dad's Team back in the day! Once I explain that I'm his friend's son then maybe he'll join! All hope's not lost!"
Pikachu listened to Goku words, but at the same time he seemed rather lost. He felt a little sense of Déjà vu.
"Leaf the Torterra." Pikachu thought, "Have I heard that name before? Why does it sound so familiar? Come to think of it, Goku the Riolu. That sounds strangely familiar too. But I've never met those two. Did I?"
While Pikachu thought about his, Goku was packing up his things, put his Red Scarf on and headed to the door.
"He lives in a cottage in the west forest from here." Goku said, "I'll go there to find him!"
Pikachu then snapped out of what he was thinking and saw Goku heading out.
"Goku!" Pikachu said, stopping Goku from leaving, "Do you mind if I come along? I'm quite curious about the Torterra you mentioned."
"Sure," Goku answered with his excited smile, "I wouldn't mind having some company along the way. Let's go!"
Pikachu nodded and the two headed off to the cottage home of Leaf the Torterra. While they were leaving town, Torchic saw the two running out of town from the window of his house.
"It seems he finally gets it." Torchic said to himself, "He doesn't stand a chance. But why is that rodent going with him? He didn't actually get a teammate did he?!"
Torchic was quite annoyed about the idea. If it were true that Pikachu joined his team before Torchic even started then maybe, just maybe, Goku may actually have a chance.
"No!" Torchic thought, "He couldn't have made a partnership with that Pikachu! He can't! That means he's one step ahead of me and I haven't even started!"
Torchic growled in anger at the thought. He wasn't just going to let this happen. But how can he fix this?
"Why that little-"
Suddenly, a huge noise caught Torchic. He got out of the house to investigate, and outside of the town and in the forest he saw a large cloud of dust. Curious, Torchic wondered what happened.
"What's this?" Torchic wondered, "Something like this needs checking out."
So he ran to the scene of the loud noise and large cloud of dust.
Back with our heroes, they were running to the west forest like Goku had mentioned earlier. Goku was running really fast, wanting to get there quickly.
"Man," Pikachu commented, "You're going really fast. You must be really excited."
"I am!" Goku replied, "There's absolutely no way he can refuse my offer! He's my dad's best friend! My dream will come true after all! Really, I've got you to thank for this!"
"Me?"
"Yeah!" Goku answered, "If you hadn't made me talk about my problems earlier then I would've gotten that idea! So thanks!"
"You're welcome I guess." Pikachu said.
Then the two started laughing. Later, they found themselves in the cottage in the west forest. The home of Leaf the Torterra.
"This is it." Goku said, "This is my real final last chance. If he doesn't agree to join then I'm done."
"He'll join." Pikachu encouraged, "You'll see. How can he refuse the son of his best friend? Maybe he'll offer up if we explain what you're up to."
"Maybe." Goku replied, "Do me a favor though Pikachu."
"Sure. What?"
"Don't get him too excited." Goku explained, "Because he's a Torterra, if he gets too excited then he'll go out of control with his strength. This wouldn't be if he wasn't so big in such a little cottage."
"Okay." Pikachu agreed, "No problem."
"Alright then. Let's go see him."
So the two entered the cottage and saw what a nice place it is. I was a big place, big enough for a Pokémon like Torterra. It was filled with so many different things from around the world.
"Wow!" Pikachu said in amazement, "Look at this place! It's amazing!"
"You bet it is." Goku replied, "He's kept so many things from his travels with my dad. Call it his memory inventory."
"Look at this carpet." Pikachu said as he found the mentioned Red Carpet with a small picture in it, "It looks really old and ancient."
"Yeah. They went into a lot of old Dungeons back in the day. They were an explorer team, alongside with the team after Kyurem."
"Well, all I can is," Pikachu began, "Leaf sounds like a really incredible-"
"Hey!" A loud voice suddenly said, "Stop Thieves!"
Suddenly a big Torterra came right into the cottage.
"Woah!" Pikachu and Goku shouted.
"Now listen up!" the Torterra shouted, "I don't know what you think you are! But to me you two are nothing but little Rattatas running to their Rattata holes! Just get out of here, leave whatever you were thinking of taking, and no one will-"
"Leaf!" Goku interrupted, "Stop! Calm down!"
"Huh?" Leaf said as he got a good look at Goku, "Hmmm. You look remarkable familiar."
Leaf then put his face closer you Goku, making Goku a bit uncomfortable.
"Have we met before?" Torterra asked, "Because I get the feeling we have."
"We haven't met." Goku answered, "But I think you may know my dad, Bardock."
"Bardock?" Torterra repeated, "Bardock? As in the Lucario Bardock?!"
"That's him." Goku answered.
Leaf then took a good look at Goku. As though he was looking for a resemblance. Finally, he started smiling.
"Hahaha!" Leaf laughed, "Well what do you know?! My old pal had a son! Hahaha! I knew he'd make it! Now I see that you're Bardock's boy! He always said that if he ever had a son he would want to name him Goku. I had my doubts but I always knew he'd do it."
Leaf then looked over at Pikachu with a look in his eye.
"And I see that you momma's a Raichu?"
"Huh?" Goku asked with a confused look.
"Isn't that Pikachu right there your brother?" Leaf asked.
"Oh!" Goku and Pikachu both said at the same time.
"No no!" Pikachu answered, "We're not brothers. We're friends."
"Friends?" Leaf asked, "That I have an easier time believing. Because Raichu and Lucario as Mates, meh. Maybe in some other lifetime."
Goku replied, "I don't know. Maybe it's possible. You never know."
"Yeah." Pikachu said, "Just because you hadn't seen it doesn't mean it won't happen."
"Maybe so." Leaf replied, "Just out of curiosity, how long have you two been friends?"
"How long?" Pikachu asked.
"Not long at all." Goku answered, "We just met today actually."
"Just today?!" Leaf shouted, "Hahahaha! You're just like your old pop!"
"I am?" Goku asked.
"You sure are! Your pop's always been good at making friends fast! Like the time he and I became friends for the first time!"
Leaf then moved over to a table and explained the whole story.
"He was just a little Riolu just like you. And I was a little Turtwig. One day an apple fell out of the tree and the both of us had an eye on that apple. We argued about who saw it first and then eventually the arguing went to fighting. Suddenly while we were fighting, a Psyduck came out of nowhere and ate the apple we were fighting over. You'd think we'd continue fighting over what had happened and who started it."
"Did you?" Pikachu asked.
"Not at all!" Leaf yelled in excitement, "We ended up cracking up! We just laughed and laughed about what had happened for hours! I was like "Did you see how we kept getting each other like that?!"! Then he said, "Yeah! And what about how stupid we looked when that Psyduck ate the apple?!"! Oh, I'll never forget that day. Ever since that day, we became the best of friends. And we did everything together."
"Wow." Goku said, "Sounds like you have a fun history with my dad."
"I sure do." Leaf replied, "And I can't tell you how exciting it is to meet Bardock's son. It's an honor!"
"Gee thanks." Goku praised, "But you shouldn't make too big of a deal about it."
"But it really is an honor! It's almost like I'm seeing my old friend again."
"No I mean really don't make a big deal about it. You almost got too excited, so please calm down."
"Oh," Leaf said as he realized what Goku meant, "Sorry about that. I can't help it sometimes."
"Don't worry about it." Goku said, "Just be careful. You've only got one cottage after all."
"Man," Pikachu thought, "Goku wasn't kidding. He gets excited way too easily. I'm surprised he's been able to keep this place up for so long."
"So anyway," Leaf said, "What brings you and your dad here? On a little trip or something?"
"Well actually," Goku explained, "My dad's not here."
"What?!" Leaf yelled in worry, "You ran away?! Buddy, I know how dads can be. But you can't just run away from your troubles! You need to sit down and-"
"No I didn't run away!" Goku interrupted.
"He kicked you out?" Leaf asked coming to another idea. A stupid idea, "I'm very sorry to hear that. I didn't think he would be that kind of-"
"He didn't kick me out either!" Goku said.
"Then what's the story?" Leaf asked, "Why isn't your dad with you?"
"Oh boy." Goku thought, "Dad was right. He can be a bit irritating when it comes to this stuff. He never listens at times."
"Well," Goku began, "You see, it's kind of a long story."
"I've got nowhere to go."
"Alright then." Goku replied, "I'm on a journey."
"A journey?" Leaf said, "That's great! I've always loved going on journeys! In fact, back in my day there were very rare times I was in my cottage. You'd always find me outside going to find a journey to journey on. You know what they say: Adventure's Out There!"
"Who says that?" Pikachu asked.
"Why I do!" Leaf answered, "You like it?"
"It's a nice phrase actually." Pikachu replied, "I gotta use it sometime."
"You should." Leaf said, "Anyway. Goku, what kind of journey are you on?"
"That's actually why I'm here."
"You're here?!" Leak yelled.
"Yeah." Goku answered, "What's wrong?"
"You're here and not this Pikachu?!"
"Hmm?" Goku hummed as he looked over at Pikachu, "Oh! I mean "That's actually why WE'RE here."."
"That's better." Leaf said, "Don't ever exclude anyone with you. No exceptions!"
"He's right you know." Pikachu said with a giggle.
"Alright alright." Goku said with a giggle back, "Anyway, we're here because we need to ask you something."
"Whatever it is, ask away!" Leaf replied, "You've got a question and I've got an answer."
"Okay." Goku said as he sort of looked down, "Ummm. I was wondering that umm."
"What?" Leaf asked, "You're going to have to speak up pal. You're kind of quiet right now."
"I was wonder that…. That….. y-y-y-, " Goku stuttered.
For some reason, Goku couldn't get the words out of his mouth. He was scared for some reason. But why? He was certain beyond a doubt that Leaf would join his team. So why? Why is he scared?
"You okay little guy?" Leaf asked with a worried look, "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine," Goku answered with a strict voice, "I just uhhh…"
"Come on Goku!" Goku thought to himself. Trying to get himself to ask the question, "Just ask him! What's wrong with you?! Are you really that scared to ask any Pokémon to join now?! Come on Son Goku! Stop being a wuss! Be brave! Just ask him the-"
"I think he wants to ask you if you want to join his team." Pikachu suddenly told Leaf. Much to the surprise of both Leaf and Goku.
"Pikachu!" Goku whispered loudly.
"What?" Pikachu whispered back, "That's what you wanted to ask him."
"A-a-a team?" Leaf asked, suddenly looking uneasy, "A Pokémon Team?"
Goku and Pikachu were silent. Waiting for his response.
"Hahahahaha!" Leaf suddenly started laughing, "Oh little Pika! What joker you are! A Pokémon Team?! Hahahaha! Oh. That's just too much. I've got to remember that one."
"Well actually Leaf," Goku said, "He's not joking."
"What?" Leaf asked suddenly getting serious.
"I was wondering that you would join my team."
Leaf was silent for a moment. Which was quite unusual for Goku and Pikachu to see after seeing how exciting he was. Leaf just didn't know what to think about Goku's request. All that came to mind was a terrible tragedy that had happened to him.
"You see," Goku explained, "I've been traveling around the world for a long time looking for Pokémon to join my team. Together we would collect the eight Kyurem Stones to-"
"No!" Leaf suddenly said in a loud voice.
"W-what?" Goku asked with a slightly sadden voice.
"I said no!" Leaf said, "Listen to me when I say "Go home"!"
Leaf then turned away from Goku and Pikachu and headed to another room in the cottage.
"Wait!" Pikachu said as he and Goku followed Leaf into the room.
"How could you just say no to your best friend's son?!" Pikachu shouted, "You can't do this to him!"
"Go away now." Leaf said with an angry voice.
"Please Leaf!" Goku begged, "Please! You're my only hope left! No other Pokémon would join me! I thought maybe you'd join since….. Well since you and dad were a team before."
Leaf didn't move a muscle nor did he say a word.
"I want to make my dad's dream come true. The dream he gave up on. I want to make him proud. And I can't do it unless I get a team! Why?! Why won't you help me?!"
Leaf continued to be silent, but finally sighed. As though he was about to say something, but was not going to be proud of it.
"It wasn't just your father giving up." Leaf explained, "It was because of me that he gave up."
"Huh?" Goku asked.
"It was back when we were a team." Leaf continued, "We have just gotten the third Kyurem Stone. I was a Grotle at the time, your father was a Lucario, and our newest teammate was a Grovyle named Grass."
"There it is again." Pikachu thought, "More senses of déjà vu. Something really weird is going on."
"We were on our way to the next Trail Dungeon to attain the next Stone. But then suddenly, we were ambushed."
A tear started pouring down Leaf's eyes. He was not liking to tell this story.
"A rogue team came out of nowhere and attacked us. We fought back but they were too strong. They were after our Kyurem Stones. One of them had gotten all of our Stones, but at the same time Grass was cornered at the edge of the mountain. But I was so determined to defeat Kyurem that all I could think about was those Stones. Your father tried to save Grass but it was too late. The cliff couldn't handle the weight of so many Pokémon on the edge. I then realized what had happened but I only had enough time to save your father. I might've gotten the Stones back, but not our friend. He feel off the mountain along with the other Pokémon that attacked him. We never saw him again. After that, I just couldn't go on with the adventure knowing that I didn't put my friends first. So I left for home. Leaving your father behind with the Stones. He tried to convince me to continue forward but….."
There was a long silence. Goku and Pikachu listened to every single word he said. They couldn't believe what had happened. Goku was terrified about the thought. Could the same thing really happen to his team? Would the Pokémon he assemble not be any different than how Leaf was at the time?
"No." Goku thought to himself, "No, the same thing can't happen to my team. It mustn't. I'll always be there for my team. I would put my friends first. We wouldn't just be a team, we would be family."
"Leaf." Goku finally said, "That was the past. You can learn from that and do better. I'm just asking you to give it another chance. Please. You're my only hope."
"I'm sorry Goku." Leaf replied, "But I just can't. Not after what happened. I can't risk the life of another Pokémon. I can't ask you to do this to yourself."
"But Leaf-"
"Goku!" Leaf yelled, "Please understand. This isn't a game, this is real. What happens, happens forever. That includes the life of a fellow Pokémon. If you lose a friend, there's no getting them back. Please Goku, go home where it's safe."
"Please Leaf!" Goku shouted as tears had once again fell from his eyes, "You have to help me! I need to make my dad proud! Everyone just looks at him and sees him as a failure! I can't let him just live like that anymore! If I do this then maybe….. Maybe they'll respect him better!"
Leaf didn't say a word as he had already said enough.
"I'm begging you! Please! You can't just give up on your best friend! Don't you care about him?!"
Pikachu then touched Goku by the shoulder, causing Goku to look over at Pikachu. Pikachu had a serious look on his face and just shook his head slowly left to right. Goku got his message and stopped trying to convince Leaf.
The two then left the cottage and headed back to Wager Town. They didn't say anything about what happened. Goku was too upset about what happened, and Pikachu didn't want to bother him. Even though Pikachu knew what Goku was feeling right now he just didn't think it was the right time to talk. But maybe just a few words wouldn't hurt. Would it?
"Goku." Pikachu thought, "I really wish you wouldn't feel like this. I understand why, but there must be a bright side to this."
"Gee," Pikachu said with a smile, "That cottage was in such a beautiful looking forest. I admire Leaf for living in such a setting. Wouldn't be cool to live in a forest like that?"
Goku didn't say anything. He just looked really sad. Pikachu felt sorry for him, for Leaf was his only other chance.
"Goku." Pikachu said softly, "Don't let it get you down. Maybe….. Maybe someone else will…"
Goku walked a little further from Pikachu. Pikachu then knew for a fact that Goku didn't want to talk and he wanted to be alone. Pikachu respected that and decided to be quiet for the rest of the walk.
When they had arrived at Wager Town, Johana came up to them to talk.
"Why welcome back you two!" Johana shouted in excitement, "My my you've been going out a lot in just one day. You're a Pokémon that really likes to get out. Aren't you?"
Goku was silent. He didn't reply to Johana's statement, instead he just walked past her and headed for home.
"Huh?" Johana asked with a sad look, "Goku?"
She then looked over at Pikachu and asked, "Is he okay? He looked kind of…. Heart broken."
"Today has been quite a long day for him." Pikachu answered, "I think its best we let him be. I'm sure he'll be fine by tomorrow. I appreciate you concerning though."
"Of course I'm concerned." Johana replied, "He's a citizen here and I'm always wanting to make sure the citizens here are happy."
"Well," Pikachu said, "I'll go keep him company. See ya."
"Take care." Johana said as the two left to their own business.
When Pikachu arrived at the house, he saw Goku sitting in the table seat. Looking even more depressed than he was before. Pikachu felt his entire heart break from seeing him like this.
"I guess that's it." Goku said quietly, "There's no one left. I've been to every town known to my town. Not even my dad's best friend wants to help me. I've been abandoned."
Pikachu couldn't believe what he had just heard. The way he had said abandoned, it just made Pikachu just as upset as Goku was.
"Pikachu," Goku said as he looked over at Pikachu with his sad face, "I'm glad you came. So I wouldn't have to face that alone…. So thank you."
Goku then got up and headed for one of the nests in the house.
"What're you doing?" Pikachu asked.
"I'm going to sleep." Goku answered as he lied on the nest in his sleeping position.
"Sleep?!" Pikachu asked in confusion, "But the sun's just setting!"
"I'm just too tired."
Pikachu didn't bother continuing to talk as he could tell that Goku just wanted to sleep the whole day off. But he just wanted to end the conversation on a bright note at least.
"Okay. I get it." Pikachu said, "I'll let you get some rest. Good idea. I might go to sleep too soon. I'll check back with you in the morning."
Pikachu then looked out the window, watching the sunset from the house. He looked over at what had happened today. He fell from the sky, he lost his memories, he believes he's human, and he watched the dreams of a brave Pokémon get crushed.
"Well," Pikachu thought, "A whole day and I haven't gotten any of my memory back. Although I guess I can't expect to get them all back on the same day I lost them. I'm sure they'll come back at some point. Someday. Still though, I felt as those the names I've heard and the Pokémon I've met sort of triggered something for me. What do they mean? Could they be…. Well, maybe we'll see."
As Pikachu watched the sun set and the moon rise, he thought about poor little Goku. He thought how depressed and alone he must feel right now. Pikachu thought that no one should be that alone, especially when they leave family behind. What could he possibly do to make Goku feel any better? As he thought it all through, an idea came to his head. One idea. But was it a good idea? Would it actually work? The idea wasn't all the way through however. But he just couldn't shake it off. At long last, he felt tired enough to get some sleep. So Pikachu headed over to the other nest that was next to Goku's. He got on it and lied down. But before he closed his eyes, he took one more look at Goku for the day. He was fast asleep, in complete peace.
"Goku." Pikachu thought, "I'm really, really sorry."
And then Pikachu closed his eyes, and invited himself to sleep.
The next morning, Goku and Pikachu woke up, had some breakfast, and Goku packed up his things his bags and got ready to head for home. As for Pikachu, he still had the idea in his head. But he still wasn't sure if it was the right idea or a good one. What should he do?
"Are you sure you don't want to look a little more?" Pikachu asked, "If we keep looking I'm sure we'll…. You know. Find someone."
"There's no point in trying anymore Pikachu." Goku answered as he packed up, "I just can't keep trying anymore if even my dad's closest friend doesn't believe in me. There's only one other thing to do."
Goku paused for a moment. He took off he Red Scarf, took a long look at it, and then put it in the bag with his other belongings.
"That's to go home."
"Are you sure?" Pikachu asked.
"Well," Goku began, "I've got to face my dad sooner or later. He might not be happy for me, but still I can't run away from my troubles."
Pikachu was silent again. He didn't know what else to say to convince Goku to keep going. So that's when he decided to let Goku do as he decides. But what about himself? What should Pikachu do?
"Hey." Pikachu said, "Do you mind if I come along? I can take some of the blame if you want me to."
"I don't want you to take any false disappointment." Goku answered as he looked over at Pikachu, "But sure, you can come. If I'm gonna face my dad I don't want to do it alone."
"Thanks." Pikachu replied with a smile in hopes to cheer Goku up, "I mean it's not like I have anywhere else to go."
Goku nodded and then packed everything else up. The two then headed out of the house to find Johana, who seemed a little down.
"Everything's all packed?" Johana asked.
"Everything." Goku answered.
"Okay. I'm really sorry about what had happened yesterday. Believe me, if I could I would join your team. But sadly since this town needs me here, I can't"
"It's okay." Goku said, "I understand."
There was a silence for a minute or two. It seems as though no one else knew what to say at this point.
"Well," Johana finally said with a weak smile, "Thank you for staying here. I hope you come back to visit sometime."
"You're welcome." Goku said as he and Pikachu started walking out, "Bye."
As the two walked, Pikachu looked at Goku. His head was down, the kind of face that represents complete depression. Pikachu could tell from there that there was nothing he could say to make him better at this point. He then looked at all the Pokémon living or staying here, and the buildings in the town. He saw how they had all traveled behind them as they moved along. He hated to see Goku leave like this. Ending his journey on such a sour note. He hadn't known Goku for a long time, not long at all in fact. But he just couldn't stand him being like this. Just then, something hit him. Maybe, just maybe, there is something Pikachu could say to make things better for Goku. The idea he had. There was no doubt in Pikachu's mind that if there was a best time to use that idea, it was now!
"That's it!" Pikachu had thought, "I don't care what happens! I'm gonna do it! I have to try! For Goku!"
Pikachu suddenly stopped walking without Goku even noticing. When Pikachu stopped, he looked down at the ground with an extremely serious look on his face. He looked far down at the ground that there was shadow in his face.
"Stop!" Pikachu yelled to Goku. Causing Goku to stop, look up straight and turn his head over to Pikachu.
He saw the shadow that covered Pikachu's face. He could tell something was up. But what?
"What?" Goku asked, "Is something wrong Pikachu?"
"Yes!" Pikachu replied with a serious voice, "Something is very wrong. It's the way you're leaving."
Goku was confused and sort of scared at the same time. He didn't like how Pikachu looked or sounded.
"You're not going back to your dad! Not like this!"
"Huh?" Goku asked confused, "Then where else can I go? Home is where I belong you know."
"I'll tell you where to go!" Pikachu said, "You're going straight to Kyurem and show him what a great Team Leader you are!"
"But how?" Goku said with a sad look, "I don't have a team."
Pikachu was tired have hearing that. This is it. This is the time. This is the time Pikachu was waiting for. The idea he was thinking about all night. His mind was made up. There was not turning back now.
"You do now! Because…" Pikachu said as he raised his head up to look at Goku, "I'll join your team!"
"Huh?!" Goku said with a surprised look and a surprised voice.
"Goku!" Pikachu said, "I can't stand by and watch you do this to yourself anymore! You've worked so hard and traveled so far to achieve your dream! You can't quit now and I'm not gonna let you! You're wrong about yourself Goku! You're not a failure! You're not nothing! No! You're more of a something than any of the Pokémon here! You never gave up no matter how many Pokémon laughed at you! Most Pokémon would probably quit the first time it would happen to them! But not you! You just kept going and going and going! Always kept your sights on your dream not matter what happened! Goku, I'm joining you're team whether you want me to or not!"
"But why?!" Goku asked, "Why do you want to join?"
Pikachu was silent for a moment. He had to say something quick while he had his attention. But for just a moment, he had thought about what he was doing. The way he was encouraging Goku to not give up. To keep going. Why did it feel like he had done this before? Why did he feel like he felt this feeling before? But now was not the time to think about that.
"Because…." Pikachu began before taking a dramatic silence, "I won't abandon you! I want to be the friend that will be there for you when no one else will! I want to be your friend! Someone who cares for you! I don't want you to be alone anymore! Someone like you deserves to have a friend! And I want to be that friend to you! And Goku, I don't just want to be your Teammate. I want to be your Partner!"
Goku was so touched about Pikachu's words. It had finally happened. Someone had finally offered to join his team. No, not offered. Decided to join his team. And not just a friend or Teammate, but he wants to be his Partner. Goku then felt tears once again falling down. But his time, it was tears of joy. He was so overjoyed that he could help but cry. He thought that something like this would never happen to him.
"Pikachu," Goku said as he cried with tears of joy, "Thank you. Thank you very much."
"So what do you say?" Pikachu asked with a smile as he put out his hand in front of Goku, "Partners?"
Goku whipped the tears off his face and answered as he grapped Pikachu's hand, "Partners!"
The two looked at each other in the eyes and could tell that a beautiful friendship had been born between the two.
So when the two let go of each other's hands, Pikachu asked, "Alright then boss. What's our first assignment?"
"Huh?" Goku asked before he realized what he meant, "Oh right! Our assignment. Yes. Our first assignment is to get more members to join our team."
Pikachu nodded and replied, "Okay then. How many members do we need for our team?"
"Including you," Goku began, "I'm looking to have at least five members on my team."
"A six member team?" Pikachu asked, "I like it!"
"There's just one problem though."
"What's that?" Pikachu asked.
When they headed back to the house they had just left, Goku laid out the map he had in his bag on the table.
"I've already been to every town on the map." Goku began, "And no one there believes that this task can be done."
Pikachu took a good look at the map and noticed the checks on each town. Indicating that those were the towns Goku had already visited. This was surely a problem, as every town was checked.
"Hmmm," Pikachu hummed, "Well now that you have a Teammate, maybe we could try these towns again. Maybe if they see that you got someone on your team, maybe they'll change their minds."
"Maybe." Goku replied, "But what if nothing's change?"
"We'll have to just go and-"
Suddenly Pikachu noticed something about the map. There were only a few towns on the map. There was plenty of land to build more towns. This was a whole world inhabited only by Pokémon, surely there should be more than what was on the map.
"This doesn't seem right." Pikachu thought, "Why is there so much land? There's still a lot for more towns. Hey, wait a minute! What did Goku say last night?!"
Last night…
"I guess that's it." Goku said quietly, "There's no one left. I've been to every town known to my town"
Present day…
"Every town known to his town?" Pikachu continued thinking, "That's it!"
Pikachu then turned to Goku fast and asked, "Goku! What you said last night about that you visited every town known to your town! What did you mean by that?!"
"Oh." Goku began, "I meant that not every Pokémon in my hometown is from all around the world. So the map from my hometown only lists the ones that the Pokémon there came from."
After hearing that statement from his new leader, an idea popped into Pikachu's head.
"I've got it!" Pikachu shouted, "That's the answer! That means there are more towns than this map says!"
"Huh?" Goku asked with a confused look on his face.
"All we have to do is travel to these far lands on the map and maybe we'll find more towns to visit! And if we find new towns maybe we'll find Teammates!"
Goku thought about the idea for a second and started to like the idea. A lot. What didn't he think of that in the first place?
"That's actually not a bad idea!" Goku yelled in excitement, "It's worth a try! So let's do it!"
"Alright!" Pikachu replied.
Then immediately, the two got all of their things all packed up and ready to go. Goku put his Red Scarf back on and got another one out. For his new Teammate. No, his new Partner.
"Here." Goku said as he handed the other Red Scarf to Pikachu.
"Huh?" Pikachu asked as he looked at the scarf, "What's this?"
"It's a Team Scarf. All the members of a Pokémon Team wear them. Put it on and everyone will know that you're part of a team."
Pikachu smiled, nodded, and put the Red Scarf around his neck.
"It fits perfectly!" Pikachu said as he gave Goku a thumbs up, "Thanks."
"No problem." Goku replied, "Now let's get a move on!"
"Ready!"
The two then left the house. This time leaving it for good. The two headed off to the other exit on the other side of town. Johana followed them there to wish them luck.
"Oh I'm so happy that everything turned out well for you in the end Goku!" Johana said in her normal happy self, "I'm so glad that you two are Partners now!"
"Me too." Goku said, "I had almost given up on my dream until Pikachu joined in."
"Well," Pikachu replied, "I couldn't just let you quit. You're better than that."
"I know that now thanks to you."
Johana giggled and said, "Well I hope you two get the team members you're looking for. And…. I hope you make your dream come true Goku."
"Thank you." Goku replied, "That means a lot."
"No problem. Are you sure you don't need anything else? Because I could give you a little something to help you."
"Nah." Goku answered, "We should be good for now. Right Pikachu?"
"Yeah." Pikachu answered, "No problem. Your support is enough for us."
"Alright then." Johana said, "Goodbye you two. And good luck!"
"Thanks! Bye!" Pikachu and Goku shouted to Johana at the same time as they headed off on their journey.
Meanwhile from afar, the female Shinx watched as the two had left the town. Shinx had grown worried that now that Goku has a Partner, did she have any chance of joining now?
"What do I do now?" Shinx thought, "He has a partner now. Does that mean that my dream is gone now? Can I not…. Be with him? …. No! I can't give up! I overheard what they were talking about. He said he's looking for at least five members to join his team. Including Pikachu. Meaning I've got four more chances to join him!"
Shinx then began following them without being seen by them. Determined to be with Goku, the Pokémon of her dreams.
"I have to be one of those four members to join! I just have to!"
With Goku and Pikachu, they were walking together. Finally on the road to gather the other members of Goku's team. Goku was so happy that he finally had a Teammate and a Partner. He was on the way of fulfilling the dream his father never achieved.
"I'm doing it dad!" Goku thought, "I'm forming my team! I'm on the way to make you proud! Pikachu and I will do it! Somehow."
Something suddenly came to Goku. Something about Pikachu.
"Oh yeah!" Goku said as he turned to Pikachu, "I've just realized something."
"What's that?" Pikachu asked.
"Maybe if we travel together then maybe some of your memory will come back to you Thunder."
Pikachu was surprised about what Goku had called him. It seems that Goku gave Pikachu a nickname. Thunder.
"Thunder?" Pikachu asked with the strange look again.
"I've got to call you something. You know since you're human. You like it?"
"Thunder?" Pikachu thought to himself, "Thunder? Why have I heard that name before? Could it possibly be…"
"Hey." Goku said as he was trying to snap Pikachu back to reality, "Are you okay?"
"Huh?!" Pikachu said he awoke from his snooze cruise, "Oh. Yeah, I'm fine."
"If you don't like it then you can come up with something."
"No no!" Pikachu yelled as he waved his paws, "I like it. No, I love it! Thunder the Pikachu it is!"
"Alright then!" Goku yelled in excitement, "You ready Thunder?!"
"I'm ready Goku!" Thunder answered.
"Then let's go!"
The two then started running really fast. Now completely determined to get the team they're looking for. With nothing to stop them.
"I may not remember anything right now," Thunder thought, "But I'll get my memory back someday. I'll find the truth. Am I human or not? That's the question I want the answer to. But until then, I'm glad to be adventuring with my new Partner. Son Goku the Riolu."
And so the adventures of Thunder the Pikachu and Son Goku the Riolu had begun.
However, they're not the only team on the road. Because elsewhere, another team had been formed just today.
Torchic watched Thunder and Goku run together from a hill far from where those two were.
"Well what do you know?" Torchic said, "He actually did it. He got a teammate. There's more to his wimp than meets the eye I guess. But he doesn't stand a chance against us. Does he?"
He then turned over to his new Teammate and Partner. A male Eevee.
"Don't worry about it." Eevee replied with a cocky smile, "They won't be adventuring for long."
Will these two turn out to be a little trouble for our heroes? Will Shinx ever get the courage to join Goku's team? Find out next time!
To Be Continued…