It's nearly killing me to keep churning out these chapters with my tighter schedule, but I can't help it. I'm almost as eager to post new chapters as you all are to read them.

On with the fic!

-Pikachu and the Ancient Minister-

Trust

A Pikachu darted through the grass, its tiny legs going a mile a minute. Darting up trees, across branches, leaping across gaps, the Pikachu continued at top speed, powered by a seemingly unquenchable well of energy.

A strange shape flashed before its eyes. The Pikachu stopped, then sprinted back. It came to a stop when it saw the shape again; a robed figure with its back to the Pikachu.

The Pikachu bounded over, giving a wide smile. "Pika pi!" it chirped happily. "Pikachu!"

The figure slowly turned to look at the Pikachu, staring at it with sad yellow eyes. "Oh. Hello there."

"Pika pikachu!" the Pikachu replied, waving a front leg.

"What brings you here?" the figure asked, turning back to the horizon.

The Pikachu shrugged. "Chu."

"A drifter, are you?" The figure's tone grew wistful. "I used to envy drifters. All alone on my island…with only my own creations for company. Then I was forced to drift…and I didn't like what I had to do."

"Pika?" the Pikachu questioned, scratching behind an ear confusedly.

"It's okay. You're not expected to understand me. I'm rather…complex. I just needed someone to talk to," the figure said sadly, lowering its gaze.

"Pika. Chu chu," the Pikachu said consolingly, pawing the figure's robes in a sympathetic way.

The figure turned back to the Pikachu. "Thank you. You've been more help than you know."

With that, the figure turned to leave, almost seeming to float over the landscape.

The Pikachu stared after it for awhile, then sprinted after it. "Pi pi! Chu chu pikachu!"

The figure turned around, surprised. "You want to come along with me? Are you sure?"

The Pikachu nodded, beaming.

"I'm not sure you'd like my company," the figure cautioned. "What I have to do here…you may not like it. You still want to come?"

"Pi," the Pikachu said insistently, crossing its front legs.

"Well, if you insist," the figure said reluctantly.

And with that, the Pikachu fell into a steady trot alongside the figure.

"You're a very likable person, Pikachu," the figure remarked, looking over at its companion. "I'm glad you came – really, I am."

"Pika pi," the Pikachu said insistently, pointing to itself and then back to the figure.

The figure's yellow eyes widened in surprise. "You think I'm likable, too?"

"Pika," the Pikachu agreed, nodding.

The figure stopped, closing its eyes. "No one's ever said that to me before, either. You're a good friend, Pikachu, the first I've had in a long time." A metallic sigh was heard, muffled by the robes. "That's why I'm sorry for this. I truly am."

"Do it," the figure called out, turning away in shame.

From out of nowhere, a laser blast hit Pikachu square in the back. It fell to the ground, unconscious.

A R.O.B. Sentry emerged from the woods, its eyes smoking. It stiffly picked up Pikachu and followed the saddened Ancient Minister back to their island.

Pikachu slowly regained consciousness. Looking around, it discovered itself trapped in a small tube hooked up to a console. As it tapped the glass in confusion, the console began to turn on. Pikachu screamed in agony as it felt the electricity begin to drain from its body.

From a two-way mirror, the Minister turned his head away, unable to look. He stared at the floor, overcome with shame and guilt. Oh, Pikachu, my friend, I wish I could be deserving of your trust.

I put the Ancient Minister because his basic story was something I'd already covered - twice - in Smash Mind 2, and this also gave me a way to stick Pikachu in there. Some characters are near impossible to think up unique back stories for, Pokemon especially.

Sorry about the length, it's late, I'm tired, and I'm a succint guy.

Next Time: No idea. I'll know when I write it.

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