"Aichi!" A voice called as Aichi was in his deep sleep.
"Aichi!" The voice repeated, bringing Aichi out of his sleeping state. A pair of hands shook him, trying to make him wake up.
"Aichi, wake up! You have to go to school."
Aichi woke up to see his mother in front of him. With his eight years old sister beside her. He got up and rubbed his eyes.
"Aichi get dressed. I need to finish making breakfast, I'll be back to treat your cuts." Shizuka said. Aichi nodded with a sad expression on his face as he touched his left cheek to find the band-aid that was still on from after he got punched by a couple of his classmates yesterday.
He hurried and got dressed. He waited on his bed for his mom to come back and retreat his wounds.
Emi was standing at his doorway with new band aids, alcohol swabs and medicine for the cut. He put it on Aichi's table behind his headboard and waited for Shizuka to come in to do the procedure.
"Aichi, does it hurt?" Emi asked. She held her hand out to try to touch his wound.
Aichi was a quiet person, he never said too much. "It hurts a little." He answered before he flinched when Emi touched it.
"I'm sorry." Emi apologized as he stood up in front of Aichi. "I will cast a magic spell to make it go away. 'Go. Go. Fly away!'"
Aichi smiled a little before giving his sister a hug. "Thank you, I feel better already."
Shizuka walked back upstairs and cleaned up the wounds on his legs, arms and face. "Aichi, you really need to make some friends."
"I know. But it is hard, mom." Aichi responded as his cut burned.
"All done! Come down and eat breakfast." Shizuka said. Both Emi and Aichi followed her down to the kitchen.
"Thank you for the food." They ate all their food and left to go to school. Aichi walked Emi to her school before saying good bye and walked to his. He kept his head down as he walked through the busy streets filled with people from his school.
He walked by a park and stopped there for a second. "That older boy was so nice to me… He gave me one of his cards, I want to be strong because of his kindness." Aichi thought as he continued walking trying to hold his head up higher.
"Hey look! It is Shichi Aichi. I thought he would've quit school by now!" There was a wall of boys blocking the entrance through the gate. Aichi tried to slip through with his head down, but this time, they didn't let him pass.
One of the boys punched him back to his previous spot. Aichi held onto his left cheek after the impact as the boys surrounded him.
"You don't belong here, Aichi. The only thing you can do is being a good punching bag." He braced himself for more punches and got it a couple few times until the gate guard stopped them.
"Hey! Get to class!" The guard shouted as the boys dispersed. He walked to Aichi, who was on the floor crying with newly formed bruises. "Come on, I'll get you to the infirmary."
Aichi wiped his tears as the guard pulled him up and helped him to the infirmary. The bell already rang. When the gate guard and Aichi passed some classrooms, he heard people talking about him inside their classrooms.
"He always wants attention, doesn't he?"
"That's why no one is friends with him."
They got to the infirmary and the nurse didn't seem surprised to see Aichi there with new bruises on his face. "Come in." The nurse said.
Aichi walked to the bed closest to her. He had been in the infirmary many times before, so he wasn't nervous about being there. "Aichi, if you need help then ask for it. I can't remember how many times I've taken care of these wounds of yours."
"I'm sorry." Aichi replied before he cried when she touched a bruise on his face.
"Do you need me to speak to the principal about this?" The nurse asked. "If the students that are bullying you are disciplined, then maybe they would stop."
Aichi shook his head. The nurse looked at him with worry. The announcements came on the speakers. "Good morning, teachers and students. Once again I've been informed of bullying. If you this doesn't stop then I will be forced to lean to suspension and ultimately, expulsion. The purpose of this school is to mold all of you to become responsible for your older years. That means to be kind to one another and help each other out. That is the only announcement that I had to make, please be good to one another."
By then, the nurse was done patching Aichi up and he walked to his classroom afterwards. There the boys from earlier smirked as he walks to his seat at the back. In the beginning, the teacher would ask Aichi 'Why are you late, Sendou?' But now she knows what was going on with him.
Fortunately, it was almost the last day of school until summer break. Tomorrow was going to be the end of elementary school and the graduation ceremony. Today, students were getting their report cards and having free time after that.
"Aichi Sendou." The teacher called. Aichi got up from his seat and walked to the front. A boy whispered something to the one beside him, the one closest to Aichi moved his leg to the walkway and tripped Aichi causing him to fall.
"Naoki!" The teacher shouted. Aichi got up from the floor and recover quite quickly. There was now a small bleeding cut on his face.
"I'm okay." Aichi assured as he wiped his face to find there was some blood. The teacher walked up to Aichi and put a band-aid over his already band-aid covered face before confronting Naoki.
"Go to the principal's office." The teacher demanded. The boy beside Naoki sent to glare to Aichi.
Aichi put his hand on the teacher's arm. "I'm alright. I think he was just stretching when I happened to walk past." He said. Naoki looked at Aichi with surprise, he was covering for him.
"Aichi, you have to do something when you are getting bullied." The teacher said while putting her hand on his shoulder.
Aichi shook his head. "I can tell he really didn't mean it." He assured.
"Okay, Aichi. You can tell me if you need help." The teacher replied before walking him to the front and giving him his report card. Aichi walked back to his table safely and opened the report to see his marks.
Right now, his marks were the least of his problems, but he took a look out of curiosity. All his marks were incredibly high; high 80s and 90s all around. That cheered him up a little, but anyone can see that he was still troubled.
During free time, Aichi sat alone on his desk, secretly looking at the card he was given by Kai. When he was approached by a group of boys he hid it in case they tried to steal it from him.
"After what we did to you outside, I thought that you would've run back home." The leader grinned as he slammed his hand into Aichi's table making him jump.
He turned to Naoki, who was in the back of the crowd. He didn't do a thing to help him as one of the boys in front of him walked behind him and snatched Blaster Blade from inside his desk.
Aichi tried to get it back. "Please, give that back. It means a lot to me." He pleaded as he tried to snatch it back, he was pushed to the wall. The boy that was carrying the card flipped it over to the side and threatened to rip it.
"Please… Don't…" Aichi cried. The teacher was outside talking to another teacher. When the boy was about to rip it, the teacher just walked in with the other teacher.
"Boys! All of you! Come outside!" The teacher shouted. The boy growled before threw the card back to Aichi. All of them stomped outside where the male teacher was watching them until their teacher finished checking on Aichi.
Aichi checked on the card to see that it was just fine. "Aichi, I'll call your parents to get you. I heard that you were going to a different middle school, it would be best if you go back him now so that they can't hurt you after school."
Aichi agreed as he packed up his stuff and waited for the teacher to finish speaking to his mom. It was a short conversation so that she can get to speaking to the boys. "You mom is going to pick you up in around 15 minutes. I wish that you weren't bullied so terribly that you have to change schools. I'm sorry, I couldn't do anything to help you."
They walked out of the classroom, Aichi kept his head down to try to pass through without bringing too much attention to himself. He safely got to the principal's office and waited for his mom to come pick him up.
"Aichi, I'm sorry about the experiences you faced with those boys." The principal apologized. Aichi kept his head down and was quiet. He seemed to be sad. "I heard that you were going to change schools for middle school. Please take care of yourself there."
That was when Shizuka ran through the office door and hugged Aichi the second she saw him. "Aichi!" She called. Aichi savoured the embrace. "I guess I would need to thank Ms. Nanase before we leave. Thank you for taking care of Aichi."
"Ms. Sendou, please be sure he is well at his new school." The principal replied.
"I will, thank you for your concern." Shizuka replied. She squatted down to Aichi. "How about let's thank Ms. Nanase before leaving?"
Aichi nodded slightly. "Take care, Aichi." The principal said. Aichi bowed in response and left with his mom. They walked down the hallway to his classroom and entered. Aichi took a breath before entering.
"Ms. Sendou! You can quicker than I expected." Nanase said.
"Thank you for calling me. Knowing Aichi, he would've kept quiet until the end of school and not burden me or anyone else about it." Shizuka replied. She patted Aichi's head while she was talking.
Nanase squatted down to Aichi's height. "Take care, Aichi. It was an honour teaching you this year."
"Thank you for always helping me." Aichi thanked as she patted his head.
"Aichi is really quiet, but he is really smart and kind. I'm sure he will become a great person when he grows up. One day, you will be strong and break out of your shell, Aichi. I'm sure of it." Nanase said.
"Well, I hope so. Maybe someday he can finally find some friends that will help him." Shizuka replied. "We should get going, you need to watch your class."
"Okay, I'm sure you still have things to do at home. Bye Aichi. It was nice to see you again, Ms. Sendou." Nanase replied.
Aichi bowed before leaving the classroom and going home.
"Aichi, your face is all bruised. They must've hit you again." Shizuka said.
"I'm okay. It doesn't hurt that much." Aichi replied.
As he was walking home, Aichi heard something. "Mew." Aichi ignored it thinking that he was just hallucinating, but then he started to feel extreme exhaustion.
"Mom, I'm really tired right now." Aichi said as his eyes got heavy.
"You must've got too less sleep last night. I'll carry you home, just sleep." Shizuka replied. Aichi fell asleep as Shizuka carried him back home.
~In the Pokemon World~
Little Mewtwo was in the water tank asleep. Its consciousness was inside a virtual reality with Charmander, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Amber.
"Where am I?"
"Who am I?"
"It's just like all the other clones. All their vitals are working, but it's not gaining consciousness." A scientist said.
"I sense others near me… What are those strange sounds I'm hearing?"
A light shone and Amber emerged from it. "Those are words. Their talking." She answered.
"What are you?"
"What do you mean? I'm a girl, a person." Amber giggled.
"A person? Am I a person too?"
"Well, you look like a Pokemon. I didn't know that a Pokemon can speak in person." Amber replied.
"So, which one am I?"
"It might matter to you which one you are, but to me, it doesn't matter. Here, you, I, all of us are the same." Amber answered as she twirled around before Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander appeared and stood around them.
The place they were in changed into a town. "Everyone here is a copy, that is why all of us have twos on the end of our names. For example, my name is Ambertwo, but I am still Amber." Amber explained as they were flying around.
They flew around, exploring the virtual world. "I call this my memory place, this is where I used to live!" Amber explained as the colour started to colour the world. A bright shining light in the sky caught Mewtwo's eye.
"What is that? In the sky?"
"It is the sun, it keeps our world bright and keeps us warm all day." Amber explained a gust of wind blew them. "And that is called wind, it helps us along, sometimes it is light, but sometimes it's really strong."
The sun started to set. "That is called a sunset, that is when the sun says goodbye."
The moon appeared. "Is that a sun too?"
"No, that is the moon. It reflects the sun's light. It is just like us, we are reflections of our original forms." Amber explained.
Mewtwo tried to reach for the stars in the sky. "Those are stars, they keep us company until the sun comes back."
Suddenly, Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur started to fade away. "Where did they go?"
"What's wrong, Amber? What is happening?" Mewtwo asked.
"I think, it's time for us to say goodbye." Amber replied as she started to fade.
"Goodbye?" The world started to darken as Mewtwo started to tear up. "Why do I feel strange? What are these?" It touched the tears on its face.
"Those are tears, that means you are crying. It happens when you are sad. I heard from my daddy, that when Pokemon cry, their tears are full of life." Amber explained as she was almost gone.
"I'm so sad…"
"I have to go." Amber said.
"But why?"
"I don't know, but it's alright. Thank you for caring for me. But you should be happy. You are alive and life is wonderful…" Amber answered as she was gone.
"Amber! Please! Come back! Please!" Mewtwo's aura escalated as it's brainwaves started to go out of control.
"Mewtwo is getting too flustered!"
"But why?!"
"Hurry, we need to wipe its memories! We can't afford to lose this one!" The head ordered. Everyone scrambled to do their jobs.
Meanwhile, Mewtwo was curled up in the black space. "Where am I? Who am I?"
A blue light shone and illuminated the space. "What is that? It is warm…"
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Aichi's voice asked as the light continued to shine brightly.
"Who are you?"
"So, there is someone here… My name is Aichi. I'm scared, where am I?" Aichi asked.
"What is scared?"
"It is when your heart pounds and when your breath starts to speed up. You never felt that way before? I feel it every day, I don't want to feel it anymore." Aichi explained.
"I feel like something is hurting in my heart. Is that scared?"
"Something must've made you upset. Here, I'll be your friend." Aichi said as his spirit emerged from the light and hugged Mewtwo.
"A friend?"
"It is a person that will stay by your side and play and talk to you. I never had one, have you?" Aichi asked. The warmth of his light made Mewtwo smile.
"No… A friend, it feels so warm."
Aichi smiled. "Yea, it does."
"Mewtwo's waves are stabling rapidly, but why?" The scientist asked.
"Aichi! Wake up for lunch." Shizuka called. Aichi was the only one that can hear her voice.
"I'm sorry, my mom is calling me." Aichi apologized as he let go of their embrace.
"Where are you going?"
"Thank you for being my friend. I'll be back some day, I promise." Aichi said with a smile.
"A promise? What is that?"
"It is a vow that can't be broken. That means that we will definitely see each other again. It might be days, weeks, months or years, but I promise that I will see you again." Aichi promised. "Even if we get older, I will see you again. I hope you remember me!"
"I will! My first friend… I promise that we will see each other too!"
Aichi nodded and smiled. "Bye!" His light disappeared and Mewtwo laid there waiting for the day that Aichi comes back.
~5 Years Later~
Aichi was finally back to his normal life after coming back from the seed chaos in the Moon Palace. It was finally the end of his first year of high school and he's seemed to have forgotten about his promise to Mewtwo because of all that has happened.
"Aichi, are you going to Card Capital to celebrate finishing the year?" Naoki asked from across the room. Aichi was packing up his stuff before turning to see him.
"Alright. Maybe, Kai and the others will be there too." Aichi answered.
"Sendou, did I hear that the club is going to Card Capital?" Shingo asked. When Aichi heard 'club' he turned behind him, remembering all the good memories and experiences they had together with Kourin. Naoki elbowed Shingo telling him that he shouldn't have brought back any memories of Kourin. "I'm sorry, Sendou."
"No, it's fine. I need to get over it, I guess…" Aichi replied with a forced smile. He stood up from his seat with his bag. "Come on, let's go get Misaki."
"Alright! I want a fight with Kai! Today will be the day I finally defeat him!" Naoki declared as the whole classroom looked at him. Aichi and Shingo were standing beside him awkwardly. Shingo pushed both Naoki and Aichi forward.
"Come on! We need to get Misaki and go." Shingo said. They walked to Misaki's classroom and she was just about to leave.
"Misaki! We are going to go to Card Capital for today's meeting." Aichi informed as she walked passed them so that they wouldn't block the doorway for everyone else.
They walked through the hallway to get to the front of the school and start heading to Card Capital. "Oh, Misaki. You are going to be a third year next year, right? That means that you will be graduating soon." Aichi pointed out.
"Come to think of it, Kai, Miwa and Ren are graduating next year too." Naoki added.
"I wonder what everyone is going to do once they are done high school." Aichi thought. "What are you thinking of doing, Misaki?"
"I'll try to get into a university. Miwa asked me to help him study since we are interested in going to the same one." Misaki answered.
"I know that Kai will be scouted, but I wonder if he is going to join a team or go to university." Aichi said.
"Sendou, it might be kind of early but, what are you planning on doing?" Shingo asked with a smile of curiosity.
"Me? Um… I don't know yet." Aichi answered. "I guess, I should start thinking about some plans for the future…"
"Are you kidding me, Aichi? Even if you don't think about it, you can always join one of the teams you get scouted by." Naoki responded.
"Yea, but… I never thought of joining a pro league before." Aichi replied.
"Think like that will leave you living on the streets, you delinquent!" Shingo scolded.
"Who are you calling a delinquent, Granny Glasses!?" Naoki responded.
"Don't worry about it right now, Aichi. You have plenty of time to think about it." Misaki assured.
"Thank you, Misaki." Aichi thanked as they got to Card Capital.
By the time they got there, the Hitsue High students were already there and card fighting. "Hey, Aichi! What took you so long to get here?" Miwa greeted.
"Hey, Miwa. Card fighting Kai, I see." Aichi responded as he looked at the game.
"Yea, this guy wanted a warm up game before he card fights you." Miwa replied as he smirked at Kai.
Aichi turned to Kai. "Miwa..." He replied as he saw Kai with an impatient expression.
Kai stood there crossed arms waiting for Miwa to take his turn. "Miwa, it's your turn."
"Yea, Yea." Miwa answered as he stood and drew.
"Naoki, how about we start our own match?" Aichi suggested. They walked to the table beside Kai and Miwa and set up.
"Mew"
Aichi looked around, it seemed like he was the only one that heard it. Every turned to him worried. "Is something wrong, Aichi?" Kai asked.
Aichi snapped out of it. "Um… I guess not." He answered, but that only added to the worry of his friends.
"Come on, Aichi. Let's card fight!" Naoki said. Aichi nodded and focused on the game.
"Stand up! Vanguard!"
Aichi and Kai won their card fights.
"That was a good card fight, Naoki." Aichi said.
"As expected, he lost." Shingo grinned as Naoki flared. Everyone's eyes were on Naoki and Shingo who were going at each other again. Aichi giggled after watching them.
"Mew!"
Aichi heard it again. His sudden stop of laughter drew the worries again. "Aichi, tell me what's wrong." Kai demanded softly. He knew that he was the one Aichi trusted the most.
"Hey, Miwa. Let's card fight." Naoki challenged.
"Bring it on!" Miwa accepted as they got on the card fight table. Everyone else watched the battle as Kai pulled Aichi out so that he can tell him what's wrong.
"Kai, I'm fine." Aichi assured.
"I can tell something is wrong. You can tell me anything." Kai responded.
Aichi shrugged. "You might think I am losing my mind if I tell you." He warned pausing to see what Kai was going to reply. Kai just stood there and waited for his explanation patiently. "I've been hearing something, I know it is crazy. It is saying 'Mew', but it feels like something is calling me. Strangely, I feel like I heard this before."
"You don't remember when?" Kai asked. Aichi shook his head. Kai thought for a moment. "Don't do anything on your own, Aichi. If anything happens, tell us."
Aichi smiled. "Alright."
"Come on, maybe a card fight can get your head straightened out." Kai suggested. Aichi agreed and they walked to one of the card fight tables.
Kai was transferring his cards and his hand didn't have a grade 2. On the other hand, Aichi's hand, was just fine.
"Stand up, Vanguard!"
"Advanced Party Seeker, File!"
"Dragon Knight, Sadegh!"
"Mew!"
"It sounds like whatever it is trying to get me to talk to it." Aichi thought.
"Aichi!" Kai called. Aichi snapped out of his thoughts once more. "Come on! Focus! Don't black out in the middle of our card fight!"
"I'm sorry. I draw." Aichi said. "I ride, Little Sage Marron. And File moves back. I end my turn."
"Get into the game, Aichi. If you aren't at your best, you're going to lose." Kai warned as he drew. "I ride, Embodiment of Armor, Bahr. Sadegh moves and I call Aermo."
"With a boost of Aermo, Bahr attacks." Kai declared.
"He must need to find a grade 2 or 3, but…" Aichi thought.
"Mew!"
"I don't guard."
Kai was surprised because he should've guarded. If he couldn't draw a grade 2, he couldn't ride. "Drive check." It was another Bahr. "Using Aermo's ability. With that attack successful, I discard one of the cards in my hand and I draw a new one." He dropped an Aermo and drew Tahr.
"Where are my grade 2?" Kai thought. "I end my turn. Come on, Aichi! Get your head in the game!"
"I stand and draw. Arise, my avatar! I ride, Blaster Blade!" Aichi suddenly felt something and his vision started to blur. "What… Is happening…?" He asked as he fell to the ground. Kai hurried over and caught him before he can completely fall on the ground.
"Aichi!" Kai called to see that Aichi had fainted. Everyone else abandoned their card fights and quickly checked on Aichi.
"Mew."
"Who are you?" Aichi asked as he opened his eyes and found that he was on a lakeside. He looked around and he definitely wasn't anywhere close to home. "Where am I?"
Suddenly, Mew appeared in front of him and made him jump. "Mew!" Mew flew around him.
"Your name is Mew right?" Aichi asked.
Mew nodded. "Mew"
"Why did you bring me here?" Aichi asked.
"Mew"
Aichi couldn't understand it, but he had a mutual understanding of what it was saying. "Do you want me to follow you?"
Mew nodded as it flew up a cliff side that led to a grass valley. Aichi got up and looked up at the steep cliff. Luckily, it wasn't really high. He climbed up step by step before losing his footing and falling down.
"Mew!" Mew used Psychic and carried him all the way up.
"If you can do that, why didn't you do it from the start, Mew?" Aichi asked. Mew whacked him with its tail. "Okay, I'm sorry." He kept walking, following Mew around.
When they met people, Mew teleported away, leaving Aichi to fend for himself. "Wait! Mew! Don't leave me!" Aichi shouted. He attracted the attention of the 3 people who were cooking. "Why are there people out in this valley cooking, shouldn't they be at home?"
"Hey! You over there! Are you lost?" The oldest one shouted.
Aichi walked closer to the group. "I guess being in a group is better than being alone." He thought as he reached the group.
"I'm not really sure where I am, right now. I just woke up on the lakeside." Aichi answered as he scratched his head. Aichi didn't know where he was, but he knew that he definitely isn't in the world that he knew.
Pikachu walked up to Aichi and he crouched down to pet him. "Hello." Aichi greeted as he kept petting him. He was petting all the right spots, spots where he wouldn't be electrocuted.
"You must know a lot about Pikachus." The youngest boy pointed out.
"So your name is Pikachu?" Aichi asked.
"You don't know what a Pikachu is?" The girl asked. Aichi shook his head.
"Wait, do you know what Pokemon are?" Brock asked. Aichi shook his head again.
"I don't really know anything here." Aichi answered as he got up. Togepi jumped into his arms. "But, they are really nice creatures, aren't they?" Aichi smiled as Togepi cheered. The three looked at each other.
"How do you live and not know what Pokemon are?" The girl asked.
"That is complicated." Aichi answered as he placed Togepi on the floor.
"Well, they are creatures that live with us on this planet. You can find them anywhere. Sometimes you see them battle in a Pokemon Battle with a trainer that they are partnered with." Brock explained.
"I see." Aichi responded. "It's kind of similar to Vanguard in some aspects." His stomach gurgled as he blushed.
"Are you hungry? We have enough to give you something to eat." The older boy suggested.
"No, I can't do that. I don't have anything to pay you back." Aichi responded.
"Come on, I insist." He replied. "All I ask for is to tell us your name."
"My name? It's Aichi Sendou." Aichi answered.
"Aichi? You don't hear that name every day. My name is Ash Ketchum and this is my partner Pikachu."
"My name is Misty, and this is Togepi."
"My name is Brock. I am a Pokemon Breeder. Now come on, let's eat." Brock said. Everyone hurried to get the food, but Aichi was hesitant. Brock handed Aichi a bowl. "Come on, take it. You're hungry and you don't know where you are."
Aichi smiled and took the bowl of stew. "Thank you, it smells really good." They ate together on the table.
"So, where did you come from Aichi?" Brock asked.
"Um… That is a complicated question to answer. But I can say for sure, I'm definitely not from here. Well, where ever I am right now." Aichi answered.
"You aren't from the Kanto Region. Are you from Johto, Hoenn or Sinnoh?" Misty asked. Aichi shook his head.
"I don't really know what happened, but I guess I'm from nowhere here." Aichi responded. He held out a Pokemon Food to Pikachu.
"You don't happen to have any Pokemon, do you?" Ash asked.
"No, I didn't even know what they were before you told me." Aichi answered.
"Weren't you with someone before? I think I heard you calling the name Mew?" Misty asked.
"Yea, that's its name. I think it was a Pokemon, it definitely wasn't human." Aichi answered. The group looked at each other.
"There isn't a Pokemon named Mew, is there?" Ash asked.
"I never seen or heard of one." Misty added.
"It must be a new or legendary Pokemon." Brock suggested.
~Meanwhile in an Unknown Location~
Mewtwo was watching them and recognized Aichi even though he looked older. It remembered the time when they met inside its consciousness and the promise they made to each other. "That's him…"
It watched as Aichi laughed with his new friends, something he didn't do long ago. Mewtwo sent a Dragonite with an invitation to Ash and the others. The Dragonite flew past the group and knocked the table down.
"Hey! Watch where you're flying!" Ash shouted. The Dragonite flew back a little since he'd passed them. Aichi petted him.
"What are you here for?" Aichi asked nicely. Dragonite smiled and handed an envelope to them. Ash opened it and a hollow device was in it. He opened it and a women hologram appeared.
"Greetings, Pokemon trainers. I'm here as an invitation."
"She is really pretty." Brock commented.
"You are chosen from a selected group of trainers to take part in a gathering. It will be hosted by my master; the world's greatest Pokemon trainer and his palace on New Island." The hologram changed into a map revealing the location. "A fiery will leave from the Old Shore Wharf to take you to the island this afternoon. Only the trainers that present this invitation are allowed to take part. If you decide to attend, please reply at once. Write your names on the bottom of the page and check one of the boxes. My master is waiting." The hologram closed.
"We should go!" Ash agreed.
"Ash, I don't know. It sounds fun, but I have a bad feeling." Aichi warned.
Brock put his arm around his shoulder. "Come on, Aichi. We can meet that beauty together."
"I don't know, Brock." Aichi replied.
"Come on, Aichi. Please come with us." Ash pleaded as he wrote his name down on the sheet of paper with the check mark as a yes.
"Okay, but I'm not a Pokemon trainer." Aichi replied.
"I don't think they would mind." Misty assured. Aichi wrote his name down on the sheet and handed it to Dragonite and he flew away.
"Come on, let's get to the wharf!" Ash said. Everyone got their stuff packed up and Aichi waited with Pikachu and Togepi.
Meanwhile, the Dragonite ran into Team Rocket, but they weren't much of a bother. The sheet soon arrived to Mewtwo and it looked at it. "So he kept his promise after all…"
Mewtwo stirred up the clouds with its Psychic powers and caused a storm.
Mew was inside a bubble in a pond relaxing when it sensed some abnormalities. It went to the surface and popped the bubble. "Mew" It started to fly to where Mewtwo was.
Aichi, Ash, Misty and Brock were running in the rain. It was starting to pour on them badly.
"Pikachu, come inside my jacket. It will keep you dry." Aichi suggested as he picked Pikachu off of the floor and kept Pikachu somewhat dry as they kept running. "This is strange, it was sunny when we were having our lunch. A storm like this couldn't have built up that quickly."
"That doesn't matter right now! We need to get to the wharf." Brock replied. Aichi continued to have a bad feeling.
Once they got to the wharf they ran inside. All four of them were soaked, Pikachu jumped out of Aichi's uniform jacket and Aichi brushed his fur. That was when, Aichi noticed that his tie wasn't around his neck, it must've been gone since he arrived in this world.
"Togepi is all soaked!" Misty exclaimed as she tried to dry Togepi up.
"It looks bad outside, I wouldn't be surprised if the ferry is cancelled." Aichi pointed out after seeing the heavy waves outside.
Many trainers were already gathered at the Pokemon Center part of the building waiting for the ferry or any news about what was going to happen.
A moment later, Officer Jenny and Miranda stood in front of the crowd of trainers to deliver the news. "The ferry has been cancelled." Officer Jenny informed bluntly.
"What?"
"But I have to get to New Island!"
"Me too!"
"Calm down! It is more than just rain, the currents are too hectic to move through the sea safely. The harbour manager also thinks that this can be the worst storm ever." Officer Jenny replied.
"Listen to me! The prophets have predicted the return of the Winds of Water. For years, people have prayed that humans never have to go through a deadly storm ever again." Miranda explained.
"But, wasn't that just a legend?" Officer Jenny asked.
"The ancient ruins tell that the storm wipes out everyone but a few Pokemon. Only their sorrow and their tears will be able to revive those lost in the storm. But there are no Pokemon tears today, just waters where no one can survive." Miranda explained.
"And that's why your ferry to New Island has been cancelled." Officer Jenny concluded.
"Well, I'm going to New Island anyway! All my Pokemon are water types. We'll just swim over to that island."
"The waves are savage! There is no way you'll make it." Miranda responded.
"If your Pokemon get injured, you'll be out of luck because the Pokemon Center on that Isn't was recently closed down." Jenny added.
"But why?" Ash asked as both him and Aichi got to the front.
"Because the Nurse Joy working there has been missing for a month and if anyone finds her, please contact me immediately. That's the picture of her on the wall." Jenny explained.
Brock looked at the picture. "She's cute." He commented.
"Isn't it strange that she went missing when the storm happens to appear a month afterwards? Isn't that a little much of a coincidence?" Aichi pointed out.
"What are you alluding to?" Jenny asked.
"I think someone is pulling the strings. I don't know how, but it is too much of a coincidence to say that it was just random chance." Aichi thought.
"So you understand why you can't go?" Jenny asked.
Aichi shook his head. "That is the reason why we need to go. To straighten this mess out and find out who is the one responsible. We can't run away from our problems forever." He answered.
"Yea! Exactly what he said!"
"Let's go!"
Some started to run outside and release their Pokemon and moved through the storm.
"Wait! If you don't stop, I'll place you all under arrest!" Jenny shouted as she Miranda and everyone else ran outside. "Come back!"
"Some trainers have no fear. Some feel that is just another challenge they need to face. They follow their hearts and only that. That is what will set them apart and make them Pokemon Masters." Miranda replied. "Good luck…"
Ash, Aichi, Misty and Brock were the last to run out. "Come on! We need to get to that island too." Ash said.
"But, Ash. Our Pokemon aren't strong enough to get through this." Misty replied.
"I guess you're right…" Ash said.
That was when strange looking people with a canoe came to the dock. "You want to cross maybe. Come on our boat, it will get you to the island."
Aichi, Ash, Brock and Misty looked at each other before getting on.
"Stroke!"
"Stroke!"
"Stroke!"
"I think I'm going to have one…"
"Something's not right. Are you sure this boat is safe?" Misty asked.
"The waves are far too strong." Aichi said.
"Don't worry. This ship won't let you down."
Togepi seemed worried. "It's okay, Togepi! We're going to be alright!" Misty assured.
"There is a wave coming up!" Aichi shouted as the wave hit them. Fortunately, they survived and the people that were on the boat with them were revealed to be Team Rocket.
"It's Team Rocket!" Brock, Misty and Ash exclaimed together.
"I should've known there was something fishy with them!" Brock shouted.
"Who is Team Rocket?" Aichi asked. He was soaked and he wondered how they survived that wave.
"They are bad guys who steal other people's Pokemon!" Ash explained. Suddenly another wave hit and the canoe broke.
Everyone screamed as they sank into the water. Aichi was falling deeper into the water, he never learned how to swim and he didn't have any Pokemon to help him.
"Is this the end…?" Aichi thought.
"Aichi!" Misty, Brock and Ash called from the top.
"Come on! We need to get to somewhere safe before we don't survive!" Brock shouted. Everyone looked back before Squirtle and Staryu swam away. Aichi continued to sink and lose his breath.
"Mew!" Mew use Psychic to pull him out. Aichi coughed as he was brought back up.
"Thank you for coming, Mew." Aichi thanked as he was teleported to an unusual safe spot in the middle of the storm. He was brought to the dock and dropped off there. "But, Ash, Misty and Brock… What if they're still out there?"
"Mew!" By then, Mew had already disappeared again. Aichi sighed as he wandered inside a cave. He heard footsteps in front of him and he ran to them.
There he saw Ash, Brock and Misty. "Guys!" Aichi called. They turned around and the women turned around too.
"Aichi! You made it! But how?" Ash asked.
"My friend got me here." Aichi answered.
"Where is your invitation?" The woman asked.
"I'm with them, we had a shared invitation." Aichi answered.
"Your name?"
"Aichi Sendou."
"Okay, please come this way." The woman said as they reached a door.
"She knows my name? It must be that response form, but she didn't even pause to think if my name was on the sheet or not…" Aichi thought.
"Now that you're here. All trainers worthy of an audience with my master is here." The woman said. Everyone seemed confused.
"How about the others?" Aichi thought.
"Only three! How about the others?" Misty asked.
"Only trainers capable of making it through the storm is worthy in my master's eyes." The woman answered.
Aichi's eyes changed into an intimidating one. "So, then. Your master was the one who created the storm. That is an awfully despicable thing to do, just to test trainers." He replied. The woman was quiet.
"Please release your Pokemon from your pokeballs. My master's intentions will be revealed momentarily." The woman said as the door closed behind them. Misty, Brock and Ash released their Pokemon and walked towards the other three trainers.
"Took you guys long enough." A boy in dark blue hair said.
"Hey! You made it too!" Ash greeted.
"Of course I got here. I decided to fly on Pidgeot's back. That was a breeze, there are the rest of my Pokemon. Oh, my name is Corey." Corey said as everyone turned to his Pokemon; Venusaur, Rhyhorn, Scyther, Hitmonlee and Sandslash.
Then they turned to the Pokemon near and in the fountain; Gyarados, Nidoqueen, Seadra, Golduck, Vaporeon and Tentacruel.
"Those are my Pokemon. I specialize in water types and my name is Fergus."
"Wow! You have a Gyarados! Aren't they suppose to be hard to train?" Ash asked.
"Yea, but once you train them, they can be the most faithful partners. Swimming here with Gyarados was easy sailing to get to here." Fergus answered.
"My name is Neesha. I got here with Dewgong. Those are my Pokemon over there."
Her Pokemon were Wigglytuff, Blastoise, Dewgong, Vileplume, Rapidash and Ninetales. Aichi wasn't sure what all their names were, but he was a warm presence for all of them. Wigglytuff ran to Aichi and he petted her in response.
"That is quite a trainer you have there." Neesha commented as Wigglytuff seemed comfortable around Aichi.
"I'm not a trainer. I have no Pokemon." Aichi responded. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and a light shone. Wigglytuff ran back to Neesha.
"It is time to meet my master. The greatest Pokemon master in the world." The woman announced. Aichi started to become alert as Mewtwo flew down. Aichi immediately recognized it and his memory played through his mind. His promise to Mewtwo replayed in his head.
"Hey!" Aichi called as everyone turned to him. He ran to the front. He looked closely at Mewtwo and it had a different presence than it had a long time ago. Aichi tried to continue his warm aura as he can reunite with his friend.
"You never told me your name, long ago." Aichi said.
"Please be quiet." The woman demanded. Aichi looked at her as Mewtwo floated down.
"Yes, the most powerful Pokemon trainer is also a Pokemon. This is the ruler of New Island and soon the entire world… Mewtwo." The woman announced.
"Mewtwo…? Ruler of the entire world? Mewtwo! What's the meaning of this!?" Aichi shouted.
"A Pokemon?! A Pokemon can't be a Pokemon Master!" Fergus exclaimed.
"Quiet, human. From now on, I'm the one who makes the rules." Mewtwo said.
"How's it talking?" Misty asked.
"It's Telepathy!" Brock answered. It used its Psychic on Fergus and lifted him up in the air squeezing him.
"No! Mewtwo! Don't do this! Don't you remember me?! I'm Aichi! Remember! The kid that you met 5 years ago! Remember our promise! Please! Let him go!" Aichi pleaded. Mewtwo laughed and threw Fergus into the fountain.
"Why are you doing this, Mewtwo?!" Aichi asked.
"I remember our promise-" Mewtwo responded before being cut off my Fergus.
"We'll show you! Gyarados, Hyper Beam!" Fergus commanded. Gyarados swam out of the fountain and shot a Hyper Beam towards Mewtwo.
Aichi ran in front of Mewtwo. "No!" He shouted as he was right in between the Hyper Beam and Mewtwo.
"Foolish, human." Mewtwo said as Psychic lifted Aichi out of the way and reflected the Hyper Beam right back to Fergus' Gyarados.
"Gyarados!"
"Child's play. I have no more use for you anymore." Mewtwo said as it released Nurse Joy from its control. He remained hold of Aichi with his Psychic as Brock caught Nurse Joy before she fell.
"Mewtwo! What are you planning?!" Aichi shouted.
"Aichi, you were my first friend. I want you to stay by my side when I confront my destiny, I will have you commanding my new Pokemon clones when it is time."
"What do you mean?" Aichi asked. Nurse Joy started to wake up as she looked around.
"Nurse Joy!" Brock called.
"Where am I? And how in the world did I get here?" Nurse Joy asked.
"You were under my control. I pulled you out of the Pokemon Center to here, your knowledge of Pokemon physiology proved useful for my plan. Now, I cleansed your memory of the past few weeks."
"Mewtwo!" Aichi called.
"Who are you?" Brock asked.
"I am the ruler of this world. The master of humans and Pokemon alike. Humans are dangerous species, you brought me into your world for no purpose but to be your slave. But now I have my own purpose. With my storm, I will create a new world by destroying yours."
"So you hate all humans and you are going to destroy us to save all our Pokemon." Brock said.
"No. Your Pokemon will not be spared. They've disgraced themselves by being slaves to you, humans."
"Mewtwo, please! They aren't slaves, they want to be partners with them as their equal." Aichi said. The squeeze on his got tighter as he screeched.
"Pikachu~!"
"So you both say that Pokemon and humans are equals. You are more pathetic than anyone else, I learned that Pokemon and humans cannot be friends."
Aichi's eyes widened as Pikachu was flung and Ash caught him before he can hit the ground. "Well, then. What makes us?" Aichi asked trying to ignore the pain Mewtwo was inflicting on him.
"I told you that you were my first friend. I no longer believe that fact, you lied to me. You were nothing more than someone they sent to brainwash me."
"That's not true! I never betrayed you, Mewtwo. I swear that I've never tried to do anything that will hurt you in any way. Also… If you truly believed that, why hadn't you gotten rid of me yet?!" Aichi asked as he was fighting the Psychic.
"You have proved to be useful. You're ability to solve problems, your sense of awareness and your incredible adaptability are qualities of a spectacular leader. You will be the one to guide the new world into a bright future."
"I can't! I won't! My friends are waiting for me! I need to get back to them! If you are truly going to destroy the world and create a new one, I will not assist you in any way!" Aichi shouted.
"I'm not giving you a choice, Aichi. You will stand alongside me whether you are willing to or not." Mewtwo started using his powers to penetrate Aichi's mind.
"No!" Aichi cried as he resisted.
"Aichi!" Ash called. Aichi was continued resisting being controlled.
"Mewtwo! Please!" Aichi shouted as he started losing control.
"That's enough! You are a Pokemon! That means I can still capture you! Rhyhorn!" Corey called. Rhyhorn charged at Mewtwo. Before, Rhyhorn can get close enough, Mewtwo stopped Rhyhorn with Psychic and threw him across the table.
Aichi was losing his strength to resist as he fainted. "Mewtwo…"
"Rhyhorn!" Corey called as he checked on Rhyhorn.
"Your Pokemon can't defeat me. My powers are too great, no trainer can conquer me."
"Then you won't mind competing in a real match!" Ash challenged.
"Is that a challenge?"
"You bet it is!" Ash responded. Mewtwo used its Psychic to call some of its clones in disposal to awaken and aid it. Blastoise, Charizard and Venusaur emerged from a rising platform from underground.
"As like most trainers, I too started with Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. But for their evolved form, I cloned them to be genetically modified more powerful copies."
"They're copied!"
"Clones!"
"Now, I suppose I'll test out the trainer that will assist me with my ambitions." Mewtwo turned to the unconscious Aichi, who it was holding up in the air with Psychic.
"Aichi!" Brock, Misty and Ash called. Mewtwo carefully let down Aichi on his feet as he opened his eyes with lifeless eyes replacing his previous kind eyes.
"What did you do to him?!" Ash asked.
"I am controlling him. I will take an advantage of his gifted abilities and make him defeat all of you. If he fails, I will toss him away just like every other useless, human."
"Aichi! Wake up! You can't be okay with this!" Brock called.
"It's futile. The Aichi you know… Is now gone." Aichi responded. A large door behind them opened revealing a battlefield with bleachers surrounding the field and the roof exposed. "Shall we commence our battle?"
"So, Mewtwo planned for this from the beginning." Brock said.
"Aichi didn't even know what Pokemon were when we found him, he can't already be a strong trainer." Misty pointed out.
"It doesn't matter if the Pokemon are clones! They can't be as strong as the originals! And that kid that it chose is obviously a beginner." Corey said. "We can defeat that Venusaur copy anytime can't we, Bruteroot!"
"Yea and we can also defeat that fake Blastoise can't we, Shellshocker!" Neesha agreed.
"I might not have a name, but I have my Charizard." Ash added as he released Charizard. Aichi looked at Charizard closely as Mewtwo was attacked by a Flamethrower. "I didn't say attack."
"Your Charizard is poorly trained." Mewtwo and Aichi commented together. Charizard shook off that comment. Ash watched Aichi in his lifeless state, before Aichi turned around and walked inside the stadium with Mewtwo and the three clones.
"They knew each other, so I don't think Mewtwo wants him to be destroyed by the storm like everyone else. I think Mewtwo is trying to keep Aichi safe because they are friends, Mewtwo just doesn't want to admit it." Brock guessed as they made their way into the stadium as well.
"How do you know, Brock?" Nurse Joy asked.
"It's because that is the only way this makes sense. Mewtwo sounds like it wants to control the world and be the strongest of that world, but then it takes control of Aichi and says that he was going to become the leader of the new world." Brock answered. Corey, Ash and Neesha stood at the other side of the battlefield from Aichi, Mewtwo and the clones.
"Now I see. He must mean a lot to Mewtwo." Nurse Joy said. "He might be different than he use to be, but Mewtwo internally thinks that that's the only way he can stay by its side."
"I'm going first." Corey decided as he stepped forward.
"Venusaur." Aichi said. Venusaur stepped up and the first move was Corey's.
"Bruteroot! Razor Leaf!" Corey ordered. Bruteroot followed the command and attacked.
Suddenly, Aichi's Psyqualia was triggered. "Vine Wipe, all those leaves." Aichi commanded.
"What? You're kidding right?" Corey replied. Mewtwo watched Aichi closely as Venusaur precisely cut through all of the leaves.
"Use Razor Leaf." Aichi ordered almost instantly after the last leaf was destroyed. They were in perfect sync.
"If you can do it, so can we. Bruteroot!" Bruteroot tried to destroy the leaves with Vine Whip, but it was soo strong and fast for him to handle.
"Finish with Vine Whip." Venusaur used Vine Whip and Bruteroot was knocked all the way to the wall and hit it hard causing him to faint.
"Bruteroot!"
"No way, Aichi can do that without any experience!" Misty exclaimed.
"Misty, there is something not right. They are in perfect sync without even battling with each other." Brock pointed out.
"We'll show them! Shellshocker!" Neesha said as Shellshocker stepped up. As Venusaur returned to Aichi's side, he petted Venusaur. His hand was shaking, Mewtwo turned to him in shock.
"You did well." Aichi struggled to say. For a second there, his eyes turned back to normal before changing back into the lifeless eyes.
"That was…" Misty pointed out.
"It definitely was Aichi. He is naturally kind, not even Mewtwo's control can stop him from praising and being kind to Pokemon." Brock said.
"I thought you were supposed to be lifeless. You just looked like your old self, are you finally snapping out of it?" Neesha grinned.
"My master is Mewtwo. If master doesn't wish for my old self to return, I will not allow it." Aichi replied. He sent out his Blastoise.
"Alright, but you just disobeyed your so called, 'master'." Neesha replied. "Shellshocker use Hydro Pump!"
"Dodge it using Rapid Spin." Aichi ordered. Blastoise spun and ran around the area, Blastoise took no damage and he got close enough to get a direct hit on Shellshocker. "Your pokemon don't get proper commands, there is no strategy involved in any of the two I've battled. Finish it with Hydro Pump!"
Mewtwo was caught by surprised. It didn't think Aichi will do that well even after analyzing him slightly. "Why am I caught surprised? I took control of him for this reason, didn't I?" Mewtwo thought.
"It's up to us, Charizard." Ash said. Blastoise walked by Aichi, this time, he didn't react because Charizard stepped up before Aichi can have a chance to praise Blastoise.
"Aichi wake up! Can't you tell that Mewtwo is controlling you?!" Brock called.
"If Ash loses, Mewtwo is going to take our Pokemon and clone them before destroying them. Do you want that?!" Misty added. They were starting to feel tease and anxious, they knew that Aichi was the only one that can stop this unless Ash miraculously won.
"Charizard, remember. Use focus on your speed, not power." Ash reminded. Charizard ignored him as he fired a Flamethrower.
"Up in the air, use your speed." Aichi commanded. Charizard Clone dodged the Flamethrower easily and fired it's own hitting Charizard.
The Flamethrower was very powerful and Charizard fell to the ground. "Charizard get up!" Ash shouted.
"Use Dragon Claw to finish this." Charizard Clone swooped in to attack as Charizard was recovering.
"Charizard fly!" Ash shouted. Charizard responded and was about to fly past Charizard Clone.
"He's going to fly past you to your right." Aichi informed as the Dragon Claw made contact with Charizard. Charizard was knocked to the far wall and almost fainted.
"No way he could've seen that, much less that quickly!" Nurse Joy exclaimed.
"Charizard!" Ash called. Charizard recovered quicker than Aichi expected and was quicker than before. "Charizard, Seismic Toss!" Charizard took Charizard Clone high up in the air and prepared to throw it back down.
Charizard Clone was faced backwards from Charizard, so it couldn't use Flamethrower. "Since, Charizard is behind you knock his off using Steel Wing." Aichi commanded. His Psyqualia intensified as the Charizard Clone flipped around while using Steel Wing knocking Charizard off. Charizard was falling in the air, injured by the Steel Wing.
"Finish this with Fire Blast." Charizard Clone shot it straight down and Ash's Charizard fainted on the ground.
"Charizard!" Ash called as he ran towards him. Charizard Clone flew down as Aichi pet it.
"You did well." Aichi praised sounding exhausted as his Psyqualia deactivated.
"Now that you've been defeated. I will take your pokemon." Mewtwo raised his hand as purpled pokeballs with eyes in the center started chasing all the pokemon. Aichi just stood there lifelessly as he watched his friends pokemon get taken. He was still exhausted after using his Psyqualia for the battle.
"Charizard!"
"Shellshocker!"
"Bruteroot!"
Pokemon were getting captured left and right as Aichi started fighting back against Mewtwo's control. "No! Don't do this!" Aichi shouted. He clenched his head.
"Aichi, you are under my control. There is nothing you can do to help them, so stand and watch."
"I don't want this!" Aichi responded. He was already pre-exhausted from his Psyqualia, the more he struggled, the more energy gets sucked away from him until he ultimately fell back into Mewtwo's control.
Pikachu was running and dodging the Mewtwo balls. "Pikachu! Keep running!" Ash shouted.
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu used Thunderbolt to knock some down, but they just kept coming. He was up on the edge of the platform and soon fell down.
"Pikachu!" Ash called as he jumped in hopes of getting Pikachu, but a Mewtwo ball got to him before Ash can get to him.
"Pikachu! I'm not letting you have Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed as he held onto the Mewtwo ball before falling into a pool of water. "Pikachu! Release him!"
Aichi watched helplessly, Mewtwo kept him by its side. His eyes followed Ash as he fell into the hole leading to the cloning room. "Ash…" Aichi said quietly and weakly. Mewtwo only slightly heard him.
Brock, Misty, Nurse Joy, Corey, Neesha and Fergus stood in front of Mewtwo and Aichi helpless because all their pokemon were stolen from them already.
"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to destroy us?" Fergus asked.
"My master is generous enough to let you leave here, but you will be destroyed by the storm in time. Your fate is already sealed, but you may leave and live longer." Aichi answered.
"Aichi, wake up already! You don't belong on that side!" Brock called.
"I… Belong wherever Mewtwo is…" Aichi responded hesitantly.
"It's no use Brock. Mewtwo is in control of him. No matter how much you call him, he doesn't have enough strength to fight back." Nurse Joy said. She saw Aichi's sweat and quickened breath, showing that he was still fighting but failing.
"I need to get back… I need to see Kai, Naoki, Misaki, Kamui, everyone once again. I want to play Vanguard with everyone again…" Aichi thought.
~Meanwhile: Vanguard World~
Everyone brought Aichi to his home, but he didn't wake up for a long time which made everyone worry.
"Bro…" Kamui called.
"There is nothing we can do. I wonder what happened to him." Misaki said.
"Yea…" Naoki agreed. Aichi seemed relaxed and looked like he was just sleeping.
"What do you think is wrong with Sendou?" Shingo asked.
"This is something more than exhaustion. He fell asleep right after riding Blaster Blade and he was hearing something call him. Something big is going on and once again he is doing this on his own." Kai explained.
"There's gotta be something we can do to help him." Naoki replied.
"First, we need to know what is happening." Misaki said.
Kai then had an idea. "Maybe Blaster Blade would know something." He took out his phone and searched through his contacts to find Ren.
"You're calling Ren…?" Kamui asked with doubt. Kai and Misaki understood why Kamui was doubtful.
"He's the closest Psyqualia user and we aren't sure if Leon or Chris is in Japan. It should be the right move." Misaki pointed out to relieve some of the doubt.
Kai dialled Ren's number and rethought about his decision before pressing the call button. The phone rang and they waited for Ren to pick up.
"Why are you so nervous in calling him? Does he not have your number?" Naoki asked. Kai nodded with a sigh.
"He doesn't have any of our phone numbers, except for bro's. Ren was begging him to give him his phone number and bro gave him because he felt bad for him." Kamui added.
"I can see the picture" Naoki replied.
Soon, Ren picked up his phone.
"Hello?"
"Ren, we need your help."
Ren seemed to have drank some water and spit it out. "Really?! Kai, I never thought you would ask me for a favour." Ren replied playfully.
Kai sighed. "Will you help us or will you play around?"
"Ren Suzugamori at your service!"
"Alright, come to Aichi's house. I'll text you the address." Ren seemed to have giggled quietly as he was about to finish. "Ren, what are you laughing about?"
"I finally have your phone number!" Ren hummed.
Kai sighed again as he turned to Aichi. "If you aren't going to be serious, I'll just call Leon or Chris."
"Leon and Chris, huh? Is it that you need Psyqualia?" Ren asked.
"Yes."
"How about Aichi? He will be happy to help you." Ren seemed like he was in his serious mode.
"Something happened to him and we don't know what happened. We were thinking that Blaster Blade would know something, but we need someone that can communicate with him."
"Alright, I'll be right there. Text me his address."
The call ended and Kai quickly texted him the address. Kai held onto Blaster Blade, nothing strange happened in Aichi's sleeping state yet, that kept their worries at bay.
Shizuka and Emi stood at the doorway. "I made snacks for all of you. I want to thank you for taking care of Aichi." Shizuka thanked.
"There is no need to thank us. Aichi is our precious friend and we don't want him to take on a burden by himself again." Misaki replied.
"Come downstairs. Maybe we should leave Aichi alone for a little bit." Emi said. The group of friends left Aichi's room and went downstairs to have some snacks. Shizuka stayed and brushed Aichi's hair while he was asleep.
"This had happened before, hasn't it?" Shizuka remembered. "When you were 12 years old. You completed grade 6 and you suddenly felt tired and slept for a while. Make sure to come back soon, Aichi." She kissed Aichi's forehead and left the room.
Soon, Ren made it to Aichi's house. Tetsu and Asaka were with him as always. They were at Aichi's doorsteps. "Tetsu, you gave Kai my phone number, but you didn't give me his?" Tetsu ignored him. "Tetsu!" Ren whined.
Tetsu rang the doorbell as Shizuka answered it. "Hello, Kai called me to come. He thought that maybe I would be able to help." Ren greeted.
"Thank you for coming, come in." Shizuka replied. Inside, everyone was eating refreshments, still waiting for Aichi to wake up.
"Hey! How about we chat in Aichi's room." Ren suggested.
"Alright. The sooner we find out what's happening the better." Misaki agreed.
"If you need us, just call us." Shizuka said as everyone walked up the stairs.
They all were gathers in Aichi's room surrounding Aichi's bed. "So he's been sleeping for a few hours because of an unknown reason?" Ren asked.
"Yes." Kai confirmed handing Blaster Blade to Ren.
"If anyone can figure this out, it would be Ren." Asaka said.
"Just use your Psyqualia, so that we know what is happening to bro." Kamui yaped.
"Alright! Stop nagging me and repeating that you have to know what's happening to Aichi." Ren replied with an annoyed tone. He activated his Psyqualia and made contact with Blaster Blade. His Psyqualia sent all of them to Cray. They were inside the walls of the United Sanctuary castle on Cray.
"Wow!" Naoki gasped as he looked around.
"Are we actually in Cray?" Shingo asked.
"We aren't completely at Cray. We are in our spirit forms in Cray, here you can ask your questions to Blaster Blade. I'm just going to sit back and rest. Sending so many people here is really exhausting." Ren jested as he sat down on the floor leaning on a wall of the United Sanctuary castle.
"So where is Blaster Blade?" Naoki asked.
"I called him to come… He should be here soon." Ren answered with a yawn. He closed his eyes and tried to take a nap.
"Ren already did all the work for you. You can handle the rest." Asaka said as she walked to Ren's side.
"These guys…" Naoki commented. Soon Blaster Blade arrived to the spot to see everyone there.
"Blaster Blade." Kai called. "We wanted to ask you what happened to Aichi. You must know something, you are always aware of everything of Aichi."
Blaster Blade impaled his white sword into the ground. "As far as I can look into this situation, it seems that someone or something called his spirit out of his body and took him somewhere." He explained.
"Was it…?" Kamui asked.
"This is not the Void's doing. If it was ever close to my vanguard, I would've sensed it almost instantly." Blaster Blade denied.
"Then who can it be?" Misaki asked.
"It is a being not from Earth, nor Cray. Even I am not certain what exactly it was." Blaster Blade explained.
"Then it must be the voice Aichi was hearing in his head." Kai guessed.
"Yes, it was. But back I remember when he was young, he heard himself being called and similar to this incident, he fell into a deep sleep." Blaster Blade informed.
"Wait! When?" Kamui asked.
"A few days after, Toshiki Kai gave me to Aichi Sendou." Blaster Blade answered. "I think that explanation can only be told by Shizuka Sendou."
"Aichi's mom?" Kai asked.
"Yes, she was with him when this first happened." Blaster Blade confirmed.
"Alright. I think that is all the answers he has. I guess we need to ask Ms. Sendou for what happened a few years ago." Misaki said.
"Thank you, Blaster Blade." Kai thanked.
"My vanguard should wake up in time. There is no need to worry." Blaster Blade assured.
"Ren! Take us back." Naoki called. Ren seemed to have fell asleep during the short conversation.
"Ren!" Kamui and Misaki shouted. Ren woke up, stretched and yawned.
"Is the chat over already? I wanted to sleep for a while longer." Ren said in the middle of his yawn.
"Take us back." Kai said.
"Alright. Alright. It was nice to see you Blaster Blade. I'm surprised you actually came this time. Last time I tried, you didn't show up." Ren joked. "I hope you and Blaster Dark hang out sometime. Maybe you can become best friends like Aichi and I!"
Ren used his Psyqualia to bring everyone back to earth. Blaster Blade sighed and walked back inside the main castle building. "That was exhausting!" Ren cried as he laid his head on Aichi's bed. They can see that it was starting to get dark and they noticed that Aichi was sweating and breathing harder than before.
"Aichi!" Misaki called.
"I need to get back… I need to see Kai, Naoki, Misaki, Kamui, everyone once again. I want to play Vanguard with everyone again…" Aichi mumbled in his sleep.
"I wish we can help him!" Naoki shouted frustrated.
"Blaster Blade told us he would wake up in time. I think we should just wait for that." Kai reminded.
"After all that work! That is all we got from it?!" Ren asked. He actually truly looked exhausted.
"Ren, we should get you back so you can rest." Asaka suggested with worry.
"Sorry about calling you out here, Ren. You must've had to use a lot of energy to fuel your Psyqualia." Misaki apologized.
"Thank you for the concern, Misa~ki and Asaka. I just want to get something to eat and sleep on my nice and comfy bed." Ren responded.
"We can go to a restaurant or I can make something for you, Ren." Asaka suggested.
"Actually, my mom made a lot to eat for all of you before you leave. So, how about eating here for tonight?" Emi asked.
"That sounds great." Ren replied. He stayed in the same position he was in before and took a nap with Aichi.
"Did something happen?" Emi asked.
"He used too much energy. Let's just let him sleep there for some rest." Naoki said.
"Alright…" Emi responded as she walked downstairs.
"You can go on without me. I'll take care of AIchi." Misaki said as she wiped off Aichi's sweat.
"I'll watch Ren." Asaka decided.
"Don't you need to eat?" Kamui asked.
"You can go on ahead and ask Ms. Sendou about a few years ago. I'll eat after you guys are done." Misaki replied.
"Alright, Tokura. Call us up if you need help." Kai responded as they all left to eat dinner.
"Ren likes to joke around most of the time, but he does get serious and helps us out when we need him." Misaki said. Asaka got a blanket for Ren and put it over him.
"Of course, Ren is caring and kind. Though Aichi is the one that he was always interested in, he didn't have a problem helping you guys because he think of you guys as his friends." Asaka responded.
"Aichi is special, danger always finds him. It if a good thing that all of us are with him." Misaki said.
Meanwhile downstairs, Shizuka was explained that day during dinner.
"There isn't much to explain, Aichi was getting bullied during the class of the last day of elementary school. I was called to take him back home by his teacher. When I got to the school, I saw that Aichi was covered with bruises and cuts so I took him home." Shizuka explained Naoki's face seemed to have darkened.
"Is something wrong?" Shingo asked.
"Remembering back, I was one of those people. I wasn't one of those guys that would beat him up regularly, but I watched him get beat up and bullied him a couple of times." Naoki admitted. "I'm sorry. Mrs. Sendou."
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm happy that you are Aichi's friend. Now, going back to what you all wanted to know. When we were walking home that was when he suddenly felt a surge of exhaustion and fell asleep. I carried him home and he was in a deep sleep until I called him for dinner." Shizuka explained.
"So you called for him and he woke up?" Kai asked.
"Yes, it seems that this time it's different." Shizuka answered.
"Kai, we can't stay at Aichi's house for the whole time until Aichi wakes up. I think we should just let him wake up by himself." Naoki said.
"That is all we can do now." Kai agreed.
"You can stay here if you would like, but we don't have nearly enough rooms for all of you." Shizuka suggested.
"No, it's fine. We'll just see him tomorrow." Kai responded. He and Tetsu finished dinner and called Misaki and Asaka down. They took their place watching over the two.
"Wake up soon, Aichi." Kai said.
~Pokemon World~
As all the clone pokemon walked out of the laboratory, Mewtwo was nearing the finish of its plan. "This is the beginning of the end. The world I am creating will only be populated by clones." Mewtwo said.
Suddenly, Ash walked outside with the originals. "What is this?" Aichi asked. The clones were on one side of the arena with Aichi and the other side was the originals and everyone else.
"My master will put an end to all the originals. After that, Mewtwo will confront its destiny." Aichi said.
"Mew~!"
Mew was flying around playfully in the air. "Can it be?" Mew thought.
"It's Mew…" Aichi muttered. Mew saw Aichi and flew to him.
"Mew"
"Mew, now we can have a serious showdown." Mewtwo knocked Mew away from Aichi with an energy ball. Mew hit the furthest wall and shook all the damage off. All the other pokemon started battling.
Aichi was about to help Mewtwo's side of the battle with his Psyqualia and commands for the pokemon, but Ash tackled him down and held him down. "Release me." Aichi demanded rather calmly. His arms struggled against him.
"Snap out of it!" Ash demanded. Aichi's eyes widened because he thought he heard Kai with Ash's words. Everyone was fighting around them. Aichi looked around as his eyes turned back to normal for a second.
"Ash…" Aichi mumbled.
Mewtwo turned towards Aichi's direction. "How is he resisting?" Mew took the time to attack Mewtwo and damage it a little. "So you do have fight in you."
Aichi kept struggling again Ash who was holding him down. "Let me go! I need to help my master!" Aichi shouted.
"No! Not until you turn back to your old self." Ash responded.
"Ash! Release me!" Aichi repeated as his struggling became more aggressive.
The trainers were watching the battle from afar. "This battle… All this fighting is unnecessary." Nurse Joy said.
"Yes, it is and yet. It is the only thing that can be done." Brock agreed as he watched Mew and Mewtwo before turning to the clones versus original battle, then finally to Aichi and Ash.
Pikachu was getting pushed around by the Pikachu clone. Pikachu refused to fight his clone, which in turn made him take a lot of damage. Aichi can see them at the side of his eye and the light returned to his eyes.
"Ash…" Aichi muttered as he turned to him in his original form. "What happened…? Why are pokemon fighting each other? What's going on?" He asked.
"You're back!" Ash cheered as he released Aichi. Mewtwo noticed Aichi stand up and gazing at it from his current spot.
"How did he break my control?"
"Mew!" Mew and Mewtwo collided again.
"Mewtwo took control of you and you fought for it in a battle to claim the world. You won the battle for Mewtwo and it has come down to this. Mewtwo wants to destroy the current world with everyone in it and create a world for clones." Brock explained as the trainer group ran to them.
"But, Mewtwo was going to spare me as the only human in a clone world. Why?" Aichi asked himself.
"Mewtwo thinks of you as its friend. It wanted to save you." Misty answered.
"Mewtwo, you must be stopped, but… I don't want to destroy you, I want you and I to become friends. I don't want you to be alone any longer." Aichi said loudly. Mewtwo heard him and the battle between Mew and Mewtwo continued in a lower elevation.
"All of you need to stop fighting! Fighting doesn't do any good! Only Pikachu can see that it is useless to fight!" Ash shouted. All the pokemon stopped fighting and looked at the Pikachu fight.
"You see! Fighting can only bring pain and suffering! Please! Stop fighting!" Aichi added. All the pokemon looked down. Ash and Aichi noticed that Mew and Mewtwo were just about to finish the battle of their own. The final attack would finish it.
"Mewtwo! Mew! Stop! Please!" Aichi and Ash shouted as they both ran in the middle of the attacks. Aichi blocked Mewtwo's attack and Ash blocked Mew's. They both ended as stones.
"Mew?"
"Aichi…?" Mewtwo slowly flew to Aichi's stoned body. Mew didn't attack because it sensed that Mewtwo lost all its fight.
"Pikachu~!" Pikachu ran to Ash and tried to Thunderbolt him awake. "Pikachu…?~" He cried beside Ash's body.
"Oh no! Ash… Aichi." Brock said. Mewtwo stood in front of Aichi, looking at him as a tear fell down its face.
"Tears… It hurts inside… I am sad…?" Mewtwo said. "Why does it hurt? You are nothing more than another disposable human…"
Suddenly, Aichi started glowing. "Don't keep telling yourself that… We are friends and you know it." He said. Only Mewtwo can see the aura and hear Aichi's inner voice. Mewtwo got closer to Aichi and hugged him.
"A hug. You taught me it. I will share my warmth this time." Mewtwo said. Aichi's spirit was released and Mewtwo's also did too. All the pokemon were crying and the tears were floating around Aichi's and Ash's bodies. Mewtwo saw the sight from its spirit's eyes.
"Look… It's pretty. Mewtwo, I still want to be your friend. I want to show you that human and pokemon can be friends, I can prove it now because we are friends. Otherwise, you shouldn't have cried." Aichi said. He smiled at Mewtwo. It looked around and saw that all the tears for changing their bodies back to normal.
Their souls returned to their bodies as Aichi started to disappear. By then, it was sunrise. "Aichi!"
"I guess, it is times up for me… Mewtwo, just like last time. I promise… We'll see each other again." Aichi promised as he completely disappeared.
"Aichi! It's a promise!"
Ash was back to normal and Pikachu jumped on him. "Pikachu~!"
"Aw! Pikachu. I'm alright." Ash responded. "So Mewtwo. What are you going to do now?"
"I am going to live with the clones for now. Until I am truly trusting with the humans. I'm afraid that I will have to erase the memory of today."
"What!? No!" Everyone shouted.
"You mustn't remember today. For your sake and my own."
A light shone and the process started. "Wait!"
Next thing they know, they don't remember a thing. Nothing related to yesterday's experience.
~Vanguard World~
Aichi started to wake up. He noticed that he was in his bed at home. He sat up in his bed and looked around. "I'm home?" Aichi asked. "That couldn't have been a dream, could it?"
He stood up and noticed the Kai was sleeping on his desk. "Kai?"
Kai was fast asleep, he looked like he was awake all night. "He must've been worried about me… I remember cardfighting him before Mew pulled me into the other world." Aichi thought. The sun was rising and sun light started to emerge through the window.
"I should let him sleep." Aichi said. He took a small blanket and put it on Kai before leaving his room quietly. He stretched his arms and legs as he walked into the washroom. He wiped the sweat on his face and washed his face.
"I hope Mewtwo no longer feels lonely. I'm sure Ash and the others will help it learn friendship. I also promised Mewtwo we would meet again too. But before that, I need to focus on my studies." Aichi thought as he took a towel to wipe his face. He turned around to see Kai standing there.
"Kai." Aichi said.
"I'm glad you are awake. You were sweating a lot and mumbling in your sleep. You made everyone worry." Kai replied.
"I should tell everyone I'm alright. Thank you for taking care of me Kai." Aichi thanked with a smile.
Kai scratched the back of his head. "It was nothing. Everyone was here until late at night making sure you were alright. Believe it or not, Ren was the one that kept everyone's worries at bay and helped us." He replied.
"Ren did?" Aichi asked in surprise.
"He used Psyqualia to contact Blaster Blade, so that we can talk to him. He was exhausted but we learned that something pulled your spirit into another world or something." Kai explained.
"Yea… I learned a lot about it. I think it is too much to explain, I've been through a lot the past few hours." Aichi replied.
"You don't have to explain it to us. I'm pretty sure as long as they know you're alright that is enough." Kai replied.
"Thank you again, Kai." Aichi repeated. "Maybe we can cardfight now to make up for the one that was interrupted."
"Okay, but aren't you hungry?" Kai asked.
"A little, but it's nothing." Aichi answered.
"Your mom made you dinner, but you didn't wake up so she saved it. You should eat it before we cardfight." Kai suggested.
"Okay, fine." Aichi responded. Kai heated the food back up and AIchi ate it. He seemed pretty hungry. Afterward, they started their cardfight.
"Stand up, Vanguard!"
Happy Birthday, LunaSoraYamiMoonlightCrystal!
Here is a special just for you! Someone that reviewed on XY Vanguard suggested that I wrote a story where Aichi met Mewtwo. I worked on it and here it is! A long one shot. Whoever you are, that suggested this idea. You know who you are. Thanks for the idea and here you go.
I may or may not do Mewtwo Strikes Back. I probably am so wait for that. Anyways, say your Happy Birthdays to LunaSoraYamiMoonlightCrystal and I'll probably write and post a continuation for another birthday later in the year. Bye!