Pokemon

A Hero Lies in You

By Lucky_Ladybug

Notes: The characters are not mine (except the Pyros Pokemon species) and the story is! Father Joe Corelli is from an episode of the classic series The Invaders called Storm. My little Pokemon verse draws mostly from and takes place in a version of the classic era, although beyond the second season not everything is the same as canon. My reason for this is that I dislike how the "team-up" episodes consistently ended in betrayals starting with Johto, I dislike Team Rocket's characterization in general starting in Master Quest, and I'm also sad at the departure of some of the main Pokemon. Yet there are some things in Johto I really loved, so I like to picture those events, at least, as having happened. And while there are some definite influences from The Power of One and Pokemon 4Ever, this is an original tale.

Ash and his friends were relieved at the relative peace and quiet they had experienced for the last several days. But Ash was bored as well. He craved adventure and excitement, and so far, the towns they had been passing through seemed quite normal. Things had been business as usual for weeks now, ever since departing from the North and heading South. There had been a couple of the bizarre and awkward occasions where they had needed to form a truce with Team Rocket, but aside from that, nothing particularly odd or unusual had happened.

On the other hand, maybe forming alliances with Team Rocket was the oddest and most unusual event of all. What could be more odd than having to team up with one's enemies? And discovering that if necessary, they could actually work well together?

"You're awfully quiet, Ash," Misty observed.

Ash started back to the present. "Huh? Oh. I guess I'm just thinking about Team Rocket."

Misty sighed, heavily. "What do you want to think about them for? I'd rather forget about them when they're not actually around!"

"Yeah, same here," Ash said. "But I started thinking about them and then I couldn't stop. It's hard to figure them out, you know?"

Brock nodded. "I've been thinking about them too, especially after some of our last encounters. They always blow hot and cold. They say they're bad, and a lot of their actions show that, but then they throw something good into the mix. They've helped us in several jams."

"And a few times we've been able to call truces," Misty said. "Even though they are kind of rocky sometimes."

"And then other times they've come off fine," Brock said. "A couple of times they've even saved our lives."

"They really care about their Pokemon," Ash said.

"And sometimes James doesn't go along with Jessie in her ideas," Misty said. "Like when Jessie decided to attack us after she was healed from the stun spore. James and Meowth both refused to join in."

"And James was grateful when we saved him and the others from drowning in their Gyarados submarine," Ash said. "Jessie was just nasty about it."

"On the other hand, James helped when Jessie decided to try to capture all the injured Pokemon at the hospital," Brock frowned. "Even after theirs were helped too."

"I kind of wonder if he just went along because of Jessie," Misty frowned too. "And if he felt bad about it afterwards." She sighed. "Then again, maybe he's really just as nasty as she is. He sure acts like it sometimes."

"Yeah, and even though they care about their Pokemon, it doesn't stop them from trying to take other people's," Ash said. "They know they wouldn't want anyone trying to take theirs, but they don't care about how other people feel when they try to steal from them."

"They're crooks. What do you expect?" Misty retorted.

"I don't know what I expect," Ash shot back. "With them, sometimes it's hard to know what to expect. You think you have them all figured out and then suddenly they do something surprising."

"That's a good way to put it," Brock said.

"Like the time all three of them were willing to sacrifice themselves to save the world," Ash mused. "I just don't get them."

"We probably never will," Misty sighed. "But just as long as they don't get Pikachu, I don't really care."

"Same here," Ash said.

They were coming into the next town now, a small fishing village called St. Matthew Beach. This one seemed to have a stronger Pokemon presence than some they had seen up North. Oddish and Vileplume wandered up and down the streets. Several Meowths came out of an alley and meowed. A Growlithe guarded his trainer's front porch.

"There's something you don't see every day," Brock commented after a few minutes.

Everyone looked to where he was pointing. His attention was focused on a Catholic church they were approaching. Outside in the yard, a trio of Bellossom happily sang as they tended the garden. A Jynx housekeeper was emerging from the attached house with a tray of soup.

"Wow," said Ash.

"I wonder why we haven't seen a lot of Pokemon at churches before," Misty mused.

In her arms, Togepi trilled.

"Mainly because some people don't agree with the idea of Pokemon helpers at church."

Everyone turned at the voice. The church's pastor, a tall man with wavy black hair, was stepping out from the chapel.

"Why not?" Ash blinked. "Especially since God created Arceus and he created all the other Pokemon under God's direction. . . ."

"It's a legend not everyone believes," the pastor replied. "Some people feel that only humans should help at churches and that using Pokemon is sacrilegious. For my part, I feel that Pokemon are God's creatures too and that having them help out shows reverence for God's majesty. Pokemon are all born innocent and good. It's only some humans who corrupt them."

"Jynx," the housekeeper announced.

"That looks delicious," the pastor told her. "I'll be there in just a minute."

The Jynx vanished back into the house.

"I'm Father Corelli," the pastor said. "Or Father Joe, if you prefer. Father Corelli sounds so formal. And you're welcome to share my table for lunch, if you want."

"Really?" Ash beamed. "That would be great! Oh, I'm Ash Ketchum, by the way. And this is Misty and Brock."

"I'm happy to meet you," Father Joe said as introductions were exchanged all around. "Come on in."

"Thank you," Brock said.

"You really have a lovely place," Misty said.

"Yes, and both God and the Pokemon help make it so," Father Joe smiled.

None of them noticed Team Rocket watching them go inside. The trio approached the window, staring in at the feast on the dining room table. There was more than just soup, but even that alone would have looked delicious to the starving thieves.

"I'm so hungry I feel like knocking and seeing if the father will let us join them," James whimpered.

"As if we belong anywhere near a church," Jessie snorted.

"Yeah. We belong anywhere other than a church!" Meowth said.

"Well, in any case, we can't rob a church," James said. "There's no rare Pokemon here. Let's move on." He started to turn away from the window with a sigh.

"Why can't we rob a church?" Jessie retorted. "There's sure to be a collection plate!"

James cringed. "You can't be serious!"

"Why not?" Jessie folded her arms. "God robs us. Maybe we deserve to get a little of it back."

"Jessie, I don't know what you're talking about, but that's sacrilegious!" James hissed. "I won't be party to it." He sighed again. "But oh, to have some of that food. . . ."

"The fried chicken sure looks good," Meowth said longingly.

Then Father Joe was looking up and they had to swiftly dive beneath the window.

"I know you're out there," he commented. "If you want something to eat, you're welcome to join in too."

"Did you hear that?!" Meowth squealed. "I'm in!"

James couldn't resist following, but first he grabbed Jessie's arm and glowered at her. "No funny business," he ordered.

It wasn't usual for James to not be meek and submissive, and Jessie was taken aback. Still, she frowned and nodded. "Alright, James," she promised.

"I'm not so sure this is a good idea," Misty worried as they pushed the door open. "These characters are with Team Rocket."

"I know who they are," Father Joe said. "It's alright."

"Okay, but I sure hope you know what you're doing," Ash said.

"Ash, don't be disrespectful," Brock hissed.

"It's just that they're always trying to steal Pokemon," Ash defended.

"And sometimes other things as well," Misty added.

"Where else would thieves be more welcome than at a church?" Father Joe replied. "Anyway, they shouldn't be out right now. It's going to storm soon. You kids had better stay here today too."

"But it looks nice out there right now," Misty blinked in confusion as Team Rocket settled around the table.

"Yeah," Ash nodded. "How do you know it's going to storm?"

"After lunch, I'll take you to the bell tower and show you," Father Joe said.

xxxx

The meal was odd and uncomfortably awkward with Team Rocket there. They regarded Ash's group with suspicious glowers throughout. Ash and company, meanwhile, didn't look back with expressions that were much more pleasant.

Father Joe was determined to try to break the ice. "So, you've obviously known each other for a long time," he commented.

"Too long," Ash said.

"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.

"We would rather we didn't know each other," Jessie said haughtily.

"You must have had a lot of adventures together," Father Joe said.

"Well, not exactly 'together,'" Misty said. "Although sometimes it turned out that way. . . ."

"Oh?" said Father Joe. "And how did that work out?"

"Not bad, actually," James said. Jessie sharply elbowed him and he flinched. "Ow!" Looking down, he meekly added, "At least some of the time. . . ."

Ash looked at James in surprise. "Really, James?" he asked. "You think so?"

"I . . ." James glanced at Jessie's glare and his shoulders slumped. "Well, sometimes we really all came out alright," he half-snapped defensively. "Like when we had to work together to get all our Pokemon back from Butch and Cassidy."

"That was just a one-time thing because we had to," Jessie said brusquely. "And we didn't want any recognition for doing something good."

"Why was that?" Father Joe queried.

Jessie snorted. "Because that wouldn't look good if the boss ever found out about it, of course. And we wouldn't want that marring our criminal records."

"Oh. I thought maybe it was because you don't believe in receiving rewards for doing the right thing," Father Joe said mildly.

Jessie rolled her eyes. "If someone's going to be stupid enough to do 'the right thing,' they should get rewarded for it, in general," she said.

"It's old-fashioned, but I still believe that doing good is its own reward," Father Joe said.

"Well, they didn't get any recognition when they almost sacrificed themselves to save the world," Misty remarked.

Jessie shot her a look. "That's right," she retorted. "Not even from you twerps."

"It's not like we could stop and talk about it right then," Ash said. "And we couldn't find you afterwards."

"As if you even looked," Jessie snorted.

"We did!" Misty insisted. "But we thought you were all dead."

"And I'll bet that made you happy," Jessie said.

"Of course it didn't!" Ash shot back. "We didn't want you to be dead!"

"Alright, alright." Father Joe waved his hands at both groups. "It's obvious that there's a lot of heated feelings on both sides. I can't blame any of you. But I can ask that you try to be civil as long as you're seated around my table."

James looked relieved. "We can do that," he said firmly.

"That's right," Brock nodded.

"We're sorry, Father," Misty said in sad embarrassment. "Usually we have better manners than this when we're guests at someone's table. Of course, I can't speak for Team Rocket's manners . . ."

"We usually don't have any," Meowth volunteered. "But maybe that's 'cause we're usually starvin'."

"Oh, shut your meowth!" Jessie retorted.

"Yes, I don't imagine being thieves pays very well," Father Joe said.

"It does if you're a high-ranked agent," Meowth said. "Which we ain't."

Jessie glowered at him. "Are you going to go blabbing everything about us?!"

"Maybe you just don't have much of a talent for thievery," Father Joe said. "It sounds like a good reason to try something else."

"Being honest doesn't pay much either," Jessie grumbled.

"It all depends on what you try," Father Joe smiled.

"As if these guys would ever even give anything honest a fair chance," Ash muttered.

"Ash!" Misty hissed. The last thing they wanted was to start another argument around the table.

"It's not that we wouldn't give it a fair chance," Jessie said calmly. "It's that our boss puts a lot of faith in us and we don't want to let him down!"

"Oh, I see," Father Joe said. "You must respect him a great deal."

"He's the best boss ever," Meowth sniffled. "He don't fire us or nothin'."

That was definitely something Brock had wondered about. "Does he even know you personally?" he had to ask.

"Of course he does," Jessie retorted.

"We've been to his office multiple times," James said.

Togepi trilled. He had been there once himself . . . although Giovanni hadn't understood or appreciated Togepi's worth. But that was just fine with him; he didn't need that kind of recognition!

"And he knows about all the times you've failed?" Misty said with a raised eyebrow.

"Well . . ." The trio exchanged a furtive look.

"Let's just say . . ."

"We don't tell him everything!" Meowth finished. "What he doesn't know can't hurt us!"

"But even if he doesn't know about each individual incident, he does know you haven't brought him any Pokemon in all this time," Brock mused.

"That's true," James sighed, staring at his plate.

"He's so patient," Meowth said.

"His patience will run out someday," Jessie muttered.

Ash frowned a bit. It was puzzling. Team Rocket was a big organization. Giovanni could certainly afford to fire these three bunglers, but he kept them on. Why? He didn't seem the warm and fuzzy "You can do it!" type.

Oh well, Ash decided then, it probably wasn't important.

xxxx

The pondering on Giovanni allowed the rest of the meal to proceed without further incident and everyone had their fill. Afterwards, as promised, Father Joe took the group into the church and up the stairs to the bell tower.

"This is a beautiful old building," Misty said. "It's still in really good condition."

"Hmph," Jessie grunted.

"It is," Father Joe said. "I haven't been here that long, but shortly after I got here the building . . . needed some renovating. That was taken care of easily enough."

"That's good," Brock said. "It would be a shame if anything happened to this church."

"I rather like the view, too," Father Joe said.

Ash stared in awe when they arrived at the top. Through the windows in the tower, what looked like an island was visible in the distance. Three flying Pokemon circled the top of a mountain at one side of it.

"Wow," Ash breathed. "What are those?! From here, they kind of look like red Fearows."

"They're Pyros," Father Joe explained. "A fire-breathing bird that isn't as scrawny as a Fearow. They only live around here. Or at least, I suppose I should say, they've only been found around here."

Jessie's eyes suddenly gleamed. "Then they're very rare Pokemon!"

"Oh yes. Your Team Rocket would love them," Father Joe said. "But if you tried to take any of these Pyros away, you would disrupt the harmony of this area."

"How so?" James frowned.

"You see how close they're flying to the mountain?" Father Joe pointed.

"They are pretty close," Misty said in surprise. "What are they flying around?"

"A strange and powerful gem that's supposed to keep harmony and peace as long as it's there," Father Joe said. "If it's ever removed, the Pyros will go wild and start attacking anything or anyone. Likewise, if the Pyros are forcefully taken away, the gem will sense the imbalance and it will go wild. They're flying close because they can sense the oncoming storm in the air and they want to protect the gem from it."

"That's really awesome," Ash said. "But you probably shouldn't be telling this story around Team Rocket, Father. If the Pyros are so rare, and that gem's so powerful, they'll wanna steal them all, no matter what damage it would cause!"

"Why would we want all those Pokemon to start haphazardly attacking everything?" Jessie retorted. "Or the gem? We'd be harmed too!"

"That's a good point," James nodded.

"And probably before we'd even get away with the spoils," Meowth said.

"You're right," Father Joe said. "None of you would get away alive."

"They must really love that gem thing," Ash said.

"They do," Father Joe agreed. "And no one around here wants to incur nature's wrath, so the gem and the Pyros are left alone."

"I can think of some people who probably wouldn't care," Ash said.

Brock nodded. "If not these three, then probably other members of Team Rocket, like Tyson. Or Butch and Cassidy."

"Well," Father Joe said, "I'm sure these three won't tell them." He turned, giving them a stern warning look.

Meowth gulped. "I didn't know priests ever looked like that. Aren't they supposed to be all 'Love thy neighbor and thy enemy' and stuff?"

"I've always had a temper and I struggle with it when I see injustice," Father Joe said. "If anyone gets word back to the wrong people about our Pyros or our gem, I'm afraid they might see my temper firsthand."

"We won't say anything!" James exclaimed, waving his hands.

Brock frowned as he observed. Jessie wasn't promising anything, and her expression seemed dark and bitter. Brock silently vowed to keep a close eye on her. Even if they didn't take the gem themselves, just alerting Team Rocket as a whole to its presence could put them in line for a promotion, or so they might hope.

Father Joe said nothing more even if he noticed. "The storm clouds are coming in," he said. "Let's go back to the house before it gets worse."

The group headed down the stairs and into the chapel. They had left most of their Pokemon there to relax after the meal and they were sprawled on the pews, enjoying themselves or soaking up the atmosphere or both. They seemed to sense the holiness of the building; none of them were quarreling or fighting, despite Team Rocket's Pokemon being among those there.

"Hey, guys," Misty smiled. She patted Staryu and Starmie, who were sitting together on a pew.

They chirped in reply and waved their upper points.

"I'm glad I got you back from my sisters, Starmie," Misty said. "We were both lonely without you, weren't we, Staryu?"

Staryu answered in what sounded like an affirmative grunt.

Starmie sounded happy with a responding chirp.

"That's a handsome Staryu and a lovely Starmie," Father Joe said.

"Thank you," Misty beamed. "They're some of my favorite Pokemon."

"I had a Starmie as a child," Father Joe said. "She and I were the best of friends."

"Wait a minute. 'She'?" Ash blinked. "Starmies aren't supposed to have genders. Even though I know some people like to think of them that way. . . ."

"Ash and I had a long talk about that once," Misty said.

"We know so little about so many varieties of Pokemon," Father Joe said. "The starfish Pokemon have always been extremely mysterious. But some people who have very deep connections with Starmie or Staryu believe that they do have gender identities. I always have."

Misty smiled. "I told you, Ash. You've just never paid enough attention to starfish Pokemon."

"They just never seemed like something I could relate to," Ash said.

"And you want to be a Pokemon Master," Misty smirked. "My Staryu's a boy and my Starmie is a girl. If you had a deep connection with a starfish Pokemon, Ash, you could sense what gender it is."

"But you can't argue with science," Brock said.

"Okay, maybe scientifically they don't have genders, but hardly anybody actually really studies the starfish Pokemon or bonds with them!" Misty retorted. "They think of themselves with genders, at the very least!" She folded her arms.

"Well, there's no arguing with her," Ash remarked. "Even if it's really that she thinks of them with genders instead of them thinking it."

Father Joe smiled. "Who knows-there's some research being done that may prove both Misty and I correct someday."

"Wow," Ash said in surprise. "Really?"

"I'd love to meet the scientists who are doing that research!" Misty exclaimed.

"One of them lives right here in town," Father Joe said. "I could introduce you."

"That would be wonderful!" Misty gushed.

"Psy?" said Psyduck as he waddled over.

"Hey to you too," Misty said with a sigh. "I wish some scientist could do some research on you."

"Psy?" Psyduck tilted his head to the side.

"Nevermind," Misty scowled.

"You know, it's too bad there wasn't some water so Goldeen didn't have to stay in her Pokeball," Ash commented. He patted Bulbasaur and Squirtle.

"And there wasn't enough room in here for Charizard," Misty remarked.

"Or Onix," Brock said.

Jessie sat down with Arbok and Lickitung, looking deep in thought.

James went to Weezing and Victreebel, talking to them softly and patting them.

Meowth yawned and stretched, settling on a pew for a moment of relaxation.

Father Joe observed them all with thoughtfulness.