Pikachu definitely had to make a mental note he needed to keep forever throughout his days in the Pokémon world to not fall asleep while Victini was talking because if you did, well, it meant certain disrespect which the Master would his psychic powers to bang the head everywhere on the walls until promising to never fall asleep when hearing him speak of his stories ever again. And that is the exact situation where he and Axew were in. Axew tried to talk his way out of it by suggesting he could write his stories on paper but Victini ignored him and kept it going. Fortunately Arcanine came in (Pikachu wondered why the errand took so long for him to come back) with another here-we-go-again face and stopped the madness.
Victini gave out a huge sigh before Pikachu and Axew felt themselves dropping to the ground. "Next time you two are not going to sleep before my presence. Got it?"
Team Unknown nodded very slowly as if in slow motion.
"Oh, and if you are thinking why I got angry over why you fell asleep, it's what I call training." A grin formed on the Victory Pokémon.
"Master Victini, that is my job to train the Pokémon Teams, not yours," stated Arcanine, rubbing his eyes with a paw. "You get to relax in this very room of luxury and manage the Base at the same time. That is, if you want to switch roles, I would be very glad to do so if you allow it," he added as a joke.
Victini raised his ears straight and narrowed his eyes at the Pokémon in a playful matter. "I would rather stay as the master here. I want to sleep in front of the warm fireplace and eat my snacks here, thank you very much."
"How long have you been the master here?" asked Axew curiously, head tilted. "Since Legendary Pokémon live forever, I heard you were the first Master from hundreds of years ago when the Hero Base was built to the present Master."
"Actually . . . this is my second year," admitted Victini. "The Master before me was Slowking, then Marowak, and so on for generations far back."
Victini turned to Pikachu. "And the very first Master was a Pikachu, who looks exactly like our friend here because a very small mark on one of the ears."
Pikachu flinched as he allowed Victini to pull down an ear and the others came over to see what the mark was. Axew gasped; Arcanine twitched his tail stiffly. Pikachu wondered what the mark looked like and why it was so fascinating to them for Victini to show as an important thing. Then an agonizing headache Pikachu knew it was more than normal stung him, making Pikachu drop to the floor with this paws clutching his head.
"Pikachu! What's the matter?" asked Axew worriedly, kneeling beside his partner.
The pain was restraining Pikachu to not utter a word. He saw a silhouette of a strange Pokémon in front of him talking to him in an outraged voice.
"That mark you have . . . is dangerous," said the silhouette, "because of it the Dragon League cannot let you allow to live . . . and I agree, for the King needs to succeed his plans for the world."
"Why, is it because I am the link to the legends?" challenged Pikachu automatically.
This was strange to Pikachu as thoughts kept on streaming throughout his head. What was he saying about himself? The link to the legends? Who was this king who has plans that must succeed for the world? Why is he not able to control his own body? It didn't seem like a normal thing, and Pikachu sensed from within himself that he had met this Pokémon strongly before even before when he lost his whole memories, just like when Arcanine spoke of the name Arceus. If this is more than a mere vision, it could remind Pikachu of who he was, where he was supposed to be, and why the amnesia happened to him.
The silhouette of the Pokémon continued, "I was once soft-hearted, but the King has formed me into a more stronger, iron-willed, and intelligent Pokémon! Without the cruel training he had brought me upon, I could have been my weak self." It paused before finishing. "I would have . . . disappeared if I had turned on the Dragon League's power."
"Think back to the time we almost won," reminded Pikachu automatically once again, "it was the two of us who got that far to beating the King, and we can do it with one more try. So please stop this and be with us."
"No! And there is no stopping me!"
A blast of violet energy was sent toward Pikachu, and before he braced himself for it to come, the vision ended. Pikachu no longer saw the Pokémon but Axew, Victini, and Arcanine crowding around him with anxious faces.
"A vision . . . I had a vision . . ." murmured Pikachu, still thinking about it.
"What vision?" said Axew.
Pikachu explained to them about the vision he had, about the mysterious Pokémon, his mark, everything. After hearing the explanation, Victini's and Arcanine's face turned very darkly, while Axew was hung over about his vision.
"What is the Dragon League and this King?" asked Axew.
"That's what I wonder too," said Pikachu, "but I have a feeling it isn't good."
Arcanine spit out a stream of fire. "The Dragon League is the most feared evil organization of Pokémon that is made up of Dragon-type Pokémon only. The King founded the Dragon League because of his amazing powerful moves no Pokémon could match. No one knows what the identity of the king is. But we know the King is no ordinary Pokémon but could be one of the Legendary Pokémon."
"Arcanine is right," said Victini in the most serious tone Pikachu never heard in his voice. "Speaking about the King makes me wonder what he is always up to. But I will say this: the King wants to conquer this world for his evil purposes by controlling the Dragon League."
"Aren't Legendary Pokémon supposed to be good?" asked Axew. "I mean, Master Victini is a good Legendary Pokémon and so is the Four."
"Legendary Pokémon are the same as the others," said Arcanine. "Legendary or not, every Pokémon has a heart that chooses between good or evil. And the choices of good or evil is what they can affect the world. Not to mention Darkrai who was gone forever thanks to the famous team who defeated him."
Then a sound of a ringing bell and a shout could be heard from the outside. "Dinner is all set! Come and get it!"
Axew smiled absently at the thought of food. "What are we waiting for?" he asked Pikachu, grabbing his paw and running for the door following the warm, pleasant scent wafting in the air to taunt them. "Let's go eat!"
It was nothing Pikachu and Axew ever saw when they were in the Grand Dining: Pokémon Teams either sitting on tables eating or lining up for the food they were given by Servine, loud, delightful talking, and some Pokémon showing off their moves on the spot in the middle for all to see. It was truly grand for dining. Pikachu and Axew joined behind the line and could see all of the dishes and bowls of soup that was waiting for them.
"Why hello boys," said Servine, grabbing two plates with her vines. "I suppose you two are really hungry. So take a look on Oran Sunset; Scorched Berries Blend; Rainbow Berries; Rainbow Gummis; Crying Berries; Fiery Berry Explosion; Sweet Luvdisk Berries; Honey-covered Berries Surprise; Honey-covered Gummis Surprise; Original Honey Soup with a leaf of a herb or not; Liechi Burst; Vanilluxe's and Combee's Honey Ice Cream or plain; Gummi-filled Sitrus Berries; Honey Popsicle; and the Customized Dish, which you can make a dish yourself by putting random Berries or Gummis on your plate or cooking it. So take your pick with only a limit of four."
"I can't put it in words," said Axew, looking over the colorful dishes. "All I can say is it's incredible."
Pikachu was lost in thought in the words of food and the plates of luscious food his eyes were gazing upon. And come to think of it, he only ate a Gummi that gave him overflowing energy that wasn't enough to fill his stomach to the top.
"I will have the Oran Sunset, Rainbow Gummis, Original Honey Soup with a herb, Crying Berries, and a Honey Popsicle," ordered Axew. "Oh boy, it is going to be a feast for my stomach!"
"Right on it. Lilligant! Another order of Oran Sunset, Rainbow Gummis, Original Honey Soup with a herb, Crying Berries, and a Honey Popsicle!" shouted Servine over the loud noise of the talking, and slid the plate over to Lilligant, who caught it and swiftly used Berries or Gummis to make a dish, poured honey into a bowl, and getting ice cream out from a cool container.
"Roger that!"
"Axew, move to the end and wait to retrieve your dinner. Pikachu, make your orders."
"Uh . . . Fiery Berry Explosion, Rainbow Berries, Vanilluxe's and Combee's Honey Ice Cream plain, and Scorched Berries Blend."
"You hear that Lilligant? Fiery Berry Explosion, Rainbow Berries, Vanilluxe's and Combee's Honey Ice Cream plain and Scorched Berries Blend!" Servine told Lilligant. "Pikachu go to the end and wait for the finished order. Why hello, Snorunt. What would you like?"
Pikachu did what Servine said, and joined Axew in the other line.
"Axew order's on!" announced Lilligant loudly, presenting a plate of the food Axew wanted. "Have a nice feast!" Then she went to work again to finish Pikachu's order.
"Pikachu, just look at all of this!" exclaimed Axew excitedly, pointing at one dish that is a rainbow made of Gummis. "This isn't what I eat at Musketeers Town, just plain Apples and Berries by itself. Don't you agree the cooking crew makes the food here a piece of art?"
"I would have to give it a rating of ten for it," agreed Pikachu, "nothing like Berry or Gummi art that satisfies the hunger."
"Pikachu, order's on!" Lilligant brought the food-filled plate to Pikachu.
"Thank you," said Pikachu politely before he walked with Axew to find a table.
Lilligant smiled brightly. "Ah, you are welcome. Enjoy!"
The team sat down at an empty table, setting down their plates and dug into their meal. As soon as Pikachu put a plump, spiky Berry of red into his mouth and chewed on it, he felt his taste buds on fire immediately. It was burning, but Pikachu liked it somewhat, the pure spiciness of the Berry; Axew was sipping his bowl of Original Honey Soup enjoyably until not a single drop of it could be found. They traded a portion of their food to try how the other's dish is.
"Why, isn't it Axew and his 'friend' Pikachu," whispered a well-known voice tauntingly right beside Pikachu. "I'm surprised you two passed the entrance test and became a Pokémon Team."
"Krokorok!" Axew turned fast to see Krokorok with his two buddies, Rhyhorn and Donphan. "What do you want this time?"
Krokorok flexed his paws in a tough way with his dark eyes on Axew's bronze armband. "How did you two weaklings passed the test?"
"What test?" asked Axew. "As far as I know, we were brought here by General Arcanine and were given a tour around the Hero Base. Plus, we met Victini and formed a rescue and exploration team!"
A face of shock was put on Krokorok's face. "What! You can't be a Pokémon Team unless you pass the test! How and why were you able to skip it?"
"Cheating perhaps?" suggested Rhyhorn, shrugging.
"Yeah, and got away with it," said Donphan. "Nobody could ever do that!"
Suddenly Pikachu lost his appetite because of Krokorok's appearance. Pikachu stood and glared deep into Krokorok's eyes, which glared back, saying that it was a matter of who has the better willpower. Axew nudged Pikachu on the arm, wanting to say something, but finally gave up and waited for the staring showdown to be over, hoping that it wouldn't turn into a fight.
Unfortunately, tension between Pikachu and Krokorok started to rise as many Pokémon started to chant "Team Earthbound!" or "Fight! Fight!" and crowded around to see what was happening. Many of these Pokémon knew Krokorok and his silver-ranked team, for they were famous in the Base for having a winning streak in every battle.
"Stop!" ordered a stern voice.
When Pikachu turned to see whose voice it was, he saw Arcanine standing by the entrance. All Pokémon parted into two lines and saluted to the General, who, every step he took toward Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon felt guilty about what he was doing.
"Every Pokémon go to bed," announced Arcanine. "Team Unknown . . . follow me to your dormitory."
"Yes General," said every Pokémon as casually as they can, because the team name was about to send a signal to them to laugh about. And Pikachu could see through that literally.
The lines broke into clusters of Pokémon as they made their way to bed, whispering quietly so Team Unknown could not hear about it. Among the clusters was Team Earthbound, and Krokorok gave a final glare of the day saying, You want to be my rival? Bring it on because I am always going to win weakling! Pikachu also returned the look, retorting, Go ahead. Pokémon like you will never win in the end.
The team led by Arcanine walked up the stairs and entered the Bronze-rank Team Dormitory that had three narrow paths with a sign each describing the paths. The one on the left said, RESCUE TEAMS, which according to the explanation Arcanine gave them, it was only for Rescue Teams who are Bronze-ranked, of course. The signs on the middle and right said, RESCUE AND EXPLORATION TEAMS, and EXPLORATION TEAMS.
"We go to the second path," guessed Axew, and received an approved nod from the General.
Entering the path (Arcanine had a hard time squeezing through the narrow passage and got stuck for awhile, which both Pikachu and Axew had to pull him), the group found themselves paths of six. An engraving of names were above, and there were no engravings on the second to the right.
"Come." Arcanine compressed himself through the passageway and fortunately, he didn't have any trouble.
"Wow!" said Axew, which made Pikachu wonder.
It was wondrous all right. The team sunk into each of two circular beds made of pure fluff were sitting in the two corners of the room, allowing water to leak through a hole in the middle that fell to a tiny spring of water to drink. Each baskets of freshly picked Apples were next to the beds for the Pokémon who was sleeping during the night and woke in the morning would take one or two and eat it for breakfast. On the walls were torches for light and windows to see the crescent moon floating in the beautiful midnight-blue night.
"We have a curfew everyday, and when you see the torches no longer blazing a fire, then you will know. Good night," said Arcanine with a toothed smile. "Don't forget to come to the Training Arena on the same floor you are on and oh, did I mention the bad part? If you are oversleeping tomorrow morning, then you are subscribed for detention after the training sessions."
The flame lit by the torches did. Arcanine left the two alone for the two to have a talk in the darkness with Axew starting it.
"Hey Pikachu . . ." Axew whispered, "why did you call our team name Team Unknown?"
For a minute Pikachu didn't answer until saying, "I thought of it from the top of my head. I suppose that name will refer to us being unknown and all. Are you . . . okay with the name?"
"I really don't care about names to be honest. Names are just . . . names."
The darkness contributed to the silence that taped their mouths.
"Pikachu, about the time we first met, you fell from the sky . . ." began Axew. "And when you said you had no memories but you were a human."
"Very true," answered Pikachu, "and I will take back my memories, put them into the puzzle picture, and see who I am."
"I hope you do, Pikachu." Axew yawned and shuffled in his bed. "Anyway, good night, friend."
Friend. He called me a . . . no, his friend?
Pikachu thought that over before the soft snoring rung throughout the room.
Is that really . . . true? The word really is distant from me until . . . now.
Pikachu closed his eyes.
No, Axew is never the type to say empty comments. Axew . . . good night.
Sleepiness overtook him and drifting to sleep under the soft silver moonlight in his bed, Pikachu smiled.
The team made some stumbles and trips as they ran for the Training Arena. They were probably late, but hey, time has a weakness, and it was the slowness. Opening the doors to a gigantic grassy battlefield of spotlights hanging from every a foot from each other on the ceiling with tons of Pokémon in long lines of four not even budging a bit to turn to see them, Axew cried, "Look, Pikachu! Arcanine still isn't there! We might have time after all!"
Joining the back of the lines, every Pokémon gave a salute to Arcanine when he entered the arena and saluted back to them and front of them. He had heaps of small boxes in a net tied around one of his back paw. Pikachu joined the saluting, which felt awkward doing it. It really wasn't what you do every day, saluting to your superiors in respect every time you see them.
"Today's training session is what most of you are familiar with. It is called 'Battling Destiny'." Arcanine opened up the net. "These boxes in the net contain the psychology of the mind created by the best researcher and professor Reuniclus and chooses who your partner will be in this very battlefield to battle for the limit of five minutes. So everyone who aren't in the first line please wait to receive your box! Oh, and when you have a partner destiny has chosen for you, please wait until further instructions."
The first line came forward and received each a box the General gave them. Then the second line accepted their box, and so on.
"I hope I get to battle you Pikachu," said Axew wishfully as he opened his box, and out came a hologram of . . . "Krokorok! Why of all Pokémon I have to battle him? He would just pound me into pulp!"
Axew threw his box at the ground and looked at Krokorok across the arena, who just sneered about him being his partner.
"Axew, see him as just a normal Pokémon, and that's all," advised Pikachu, "if you keep on thinking about the things he had done to you, you won't be able to get over it."
"Thanks Pikachu, but . . ." Axew sighed. "We both had a lot of history personally. Go and open your box."
Pikachu could hardly believe what he saw when he opened the box. The hologram was exactly of Arcanine.
"General Arcanine is your partner?" said Axew in disbelief.
"So you are battling me, Pikachu. I'm looking forward to this."
Pikachu turned. "I don't know why I'm battling you Arcanine. Is this some part of psychic powers?"
Arcanine laughed. "Oh no, Pikachu. It's what I call destiny. I am surprised the box has chosen me to battle you. Does everyone have a partner?" he added, calling to everyone.
"Yes!"
"Stay at a distance from each other, and let the training . . . begin!"
Axew gave a good luck pat on Pikachu's shoulder before meeting up with Krokorok.
With Arcanine as his battle partner, Pikachu started it with a Thunderbolt. Arcanine dodged it with rapid speed Pikachu couldn't keep up with his eyes. Then the General multiplied himself, which Pikachu identified the move as Double Team, and the group of Arcanine charged at him. The copies and the real Arcanine look exactly alike, but there was one tactic that was exposed. Pikachu's eyes were looking on the ground under every Arcanine, and he found what he was looking for, a shadow.
Using Thunderbolt on the Arcanine with the shadow, Pikachu thought he got him as the Pokémon took on the attack and fell on the ground; however Arcanine was long gone from being defeated.
"Nice detection," complimented Arcanine, "you detected a shadow that points to the real me."
He let out a breath of enormous fire that was sent straight at Pikachu. It was huge for Pikachu to block it but he decided to dodge to the side and circle around so he could get a closer reach. Successfully dodging the attack that could have knocked him out, Pikachu ran in a circle around Arcanine. The speed got quicker when Pikachu used Quick Attack, and felt his instincts tugging him to use Double Team. Multiplying himself rapidly of many copies, Pikachu closed in on the thinking Arcanine, continuing to run in a circle.
"Speed that is fast enough for the opponent to not see the shadow is well done. But don't forget every Pokémon has a technique for this thing." Arcanine once again let out a blast of fire and this time, spun and spun followed by his Flamethrower attack.
One by one the copies began to dissolve. Pikachu was hit by the blazing fire, and it was stinging him like . . . fire. He was pretty sure he had never touched or hit by fire before he became a Pokémon. This was different being a Pokémon. Pain is what he felt, no death or anything.
Then an alarm rang, saying that the training session was over, and all Pokémon were free to go to work on their missions.
"Good work, everyone! It's time for missions to do!" barked Arcanine cheerfully before walking off.
Pikachu, who had no clue what to do next since it was time to finish many missions, stood where he was. He guessed he and Axew were to go to the Mission Post that was on the same floor as the Training Arena to receive their first mission.
"Hey Pikachu! How did your battle with Arcanine go?" Axew walked over to him, and together, they exited the empty Training Arena and
"It wasn't so bad. Arcanine was really good at attacking and defending at the same time." Pikachu stretched his arms.
"I couldn't think straight when I battled Krokorok," began Axew, rubbing one of his tusks, "that Pokémon is a one strong Krokorok. I could hardly dodge his quick moves."
"Arcanine is better in all ways but Krokorok . . . well, let's not talk about him and talk about our first mission from the Mission Post over there," said Pikachu, changing the subject and pointing to a stand belonging to a Lucario sitting on a chair who was shuffling papers in its paws.
"I hope it's an easy one," stated Axew wishfully.
As soon the team neared the stand, Lucario took no notice of them.
"Excuse me," spoke Axew, "do you have a ―"
"Mission?" finished the Lucario in a female-like tone, still not looking up. "Of course I do. You must be new around here. For starters, here is an easy one. So shoo, shoo, shoo! A female like me really needs some rest here!"
Saying "Thank you" to the female, Axew accepted a paper Lucario has given him.
Peering over Axew's shoulders, Pikachu read the inscription written on the paper.
"'To my fellow rescuers,
I have sent this letter to you for a request for a rescue. I am deeply in trouble, for I am the dream of thieves and rogues hidden in the shadows waiting for me to look for a great treasure I always keep in my bag. In Metallic Cave, Floor Two is where I have wandered for days looking for a way out, but with such no luck, I have stayed to write this letter. If you are reading this, then I might either be alive or unconscious from hunger and exhaustion.
- Excadrill, the Treasure Digger
"Excadrill!" exclaimed Axew excitedly, close to shouting. "The greatest Treasure Digger in the world is whom we are going to rescue! Oh wow! This is going to be my best and first mission yet!"
"Who is this Pokémon Excadrill?" Pikachu frowned. "And what's this about him being the greatest Treasure Digger?"
Instead of answering Pikachu's question, Axew jumped onto the upstairs staircase and followed the steps' path to the way up blinded by excitement Pikachu could never understand about Axew. Pikachu followed closely behind Axew until they were outside of the Hero Base in the brisk morning of whooshing breezes rustling the trees of red, orange, yellow, and a tinge of green. The sun warmed the trees, earth, and atmosphere feebly.
"Off we go!" said Axew, and before he could wander off, Pikachu intercepted him.
"Wait, do you know where we are even going?" he asked. "We need a map to find Metallic Cave."
Axew pulled out a scroll of parchment from his belt pack and waved it. "I got the Mystery Map, so we don't have to worry about getting lost." He unrolled it and repeated, "Metallic Cave, Metallic Cave, Metallic Cave . . . ah hah!"
On the map was Axew's finger pointing to a picture of a small cave.
"See, this is Metallic Cave, home to most of Steel-type Pokémon in this world," explained Axew quickly, obviously wanting to rescue and meet the Treasure Hunter Excadrill. "We are going to walk seven miles northwest of here, so let's go!"
Off the team went walking determinedly under the watchful sun and following the guiding wind, not knowing what lies ahead of them is far dangerous what they had expected . . .
It was a long but worthwhile travel to the destination with hunger mumbling out loudly and exhaustion stumbling in their way. Pikachu clasped onto a rocky ledge of the entrance of a particular cave and heaved himself up and helped Axew.
"What a weary journey," sighed Axew in the burden of every joint of his body throbbing with pain, lying down on the ground after gaining the help of his partner.
Pikachu stared profoundly into the blank, gaping mouth of the darkness in the cave that welcomed them in an odd way somehow. The walls were of pure metals greedy eyes could see, mostly precious silver or steel.
"Let's hurry," he said, "I don't want to get back to the Hero Base at sunset."
Metallic Cave, Floor One
After a short break of rest, the two entered the cave what it called itself the Metallic Cave. The darkness didn't help much with the path, but as they walked more into the depths of the cave, the more it became brighter, which was bizarre to them. There were no torches on the walls to light the path.
It was then Pikachu felt a sudden switch from being relaxed to cautious around his surroundings as if it had activated itself.
"Axew, don't you feel . . . aware right now?" Pikachu asked Axew.
Axew gulped. "I do. T-this is what Victini told us: They are places you feel instantly and switch to battle mode the moment you step into. But beware: Pokémon with evil and twisted hearts dwell there forever, waiting for any explorers to drop in by so they could loot their precious money of Poké and items. But we don't have any Poké with us and oh no . . ."
Before Pikachu could ask what was wrong, he hesitated on held on to the thought. There were two twin pairs of flashes shining above on the roof of the cave, which, Pikachu knew for an instant, was danger.
A spear of electricity Pikachu sent headed for it, and a boom could be heard. Two Pokémon that was identified as Pawniard fell from the cave's ceiling, unconscious from Pikachu's attack.
"Whoa." Axew shivered unsteadily as he saw this. "That was close. Thanks Pikachu. Let's hurry before we could be in any more danger.
So off they went into the dungeon of peculiar dangers awaiting for them hidden safely in the darkness. They found a sleeping Durant close by an item that looked like bundles of small but razor-sharp thorns Pikachu had an urge to grab during their search for a stairway to the next floor.
"Better not risk it," whispered Axew quietly to Pikachu, "if we were to make one mistake, the Durant would wake up. Worse, I heard Durant could call out for its other friends when they detect danger."
Pikachu shook his head. "I'm going to take the risk."
"Oh, alright. But be careful!"
Pikachu slowly went for the item. Step by step, heartbeat by heartbeat, Pikachu held his breath; Axew was already freaking out, looking devastated by the thought of getting overrun by a group of Durant.
Then a misfortune came upon him, as Pikachu felt a breeze tickling his nose.
"Ah . . . Achoo!"
Red eyes opened instantly, and slowly but surely, it stared directly at Pikachu.
Axew was now at the level at panicking.
"Pikachu! Grab the item and run!" yelled Axew.
With no hesitation, Pikachu grabbed and stuffed the small thorns in his Item Pack, which hurt a lot no doubt at a rush but at the same time, the Durant let out a sound of buzzing that sounded like metal. Pikachu, behind Axew who lead the way to random directions, looked over his shoulder to see dozens of Durant scuttling their direction and were about to catch up to them.
"Look! A staircase!" Axew headed toward a staircase leading them to the next floor, and Pikachu followed.
The Durant stopped to where they escaped to the next floor, and closed and opened their pincers back and forth, angry and confused.
Metallic Cave, Floor Two
After they surfaced to a new floor, they saw an unconscious dark-colored Pokémon with drill-like claws on the ground before them. The sparkle in Axew's eyes that once sparked with excitement was now gone, replaced by worry.
"Excadrill!" said Axew.
"I think we need to get Excadrill out of here before giving him medical attention," suggested Pikachu, supporting the big Pokémon to stand but fell from the overpowering weight.
"We can touch our armband and focus all of our mentality into it." Axew touched his armband with his free hand and closed his eyes.
Pikachu was about to copy Axew but a voice in his head hissed, distracting him. It was a voice with anger concealing very well, Pikachu observed about the voice.
If you want to know why you became a Pokémon, then listen . . . to me.
Who are you? How do you know about this? Pikachu thought commandingly. No one knows about this except for specific ones.
He never noticed Axew and Excadrill have disappeared.
Ah, Pikachu, if only you knew what your name is. That would be the key to unlock your whole memory of the past. I could give you your name if you do me a favor I want. Battle me. Fight me. If I win, you do my favor. If you win, you get your name.
The voice sounded confident of winning, and Pikachu detected something very wrong in the deal.
It can't be trusted.
It can't be right.
It could be a trick.
But he could not resist it.
He have decided what to do.
Fine, answered Pikachu, battle me, and I will get my memory back.