'Our home is in our hearts. And we shall never give them up.'
Anabel closed the book.
A heavy feeling was in her heart. Strong, silent, yet compassionate.
Commander of Wartortles. A book Anabel had scoffed at when she looked at the overdramatic cover that desperately tried to depict a raging battle. A book she had made fun of at each turn of the page. And a book she found herself completely entranced by the time she reached the third chapter.
For the following three days since she had received the book, she had read it non-stop. Only stopping when she needed to shower.
She felt slightly ashamed when she had found herself wrong about the book. Originally she had been taught by her upbringing that these genres of books were far too barbaric and immature. Yet the hours she had spent reading it showed her not only subjects of bravery, but also camaraderie, inner-strength, passion, romance, and trust. Subjects that she didn't expect to find… Subjects she hadn't expected to be so deeply discussed for the audiences this genre attracted.
Was she wrong about thinking of Ash as a naïve boy? If this was a favorite book of his, he must understand what love is… Had she been going about it all wrong? Had Ash simply wanted a partner he could put all his trust on?
Maybe Angie was right. Maybe I am a bit too much of a… princess. Maybe if I just show Ash how dependable I am…
Dependable… A memory flashed before her eyes.
'Got a problem with dependable girls, princess?' she remembered Angie spitting at her…
Does Ash like tomboys?
Maybe not so much tomboys, but someone who could do the same he can…
I guess I can give it a shot.
Her memory sparked again, and her attention was suddenly moved to the cell beside hers.
"Hey, um… Angie?"
"Whut." The green-haired girl was chewing on something. Since the two had been locked up in here, Anabel had noticed that Angie always needed to chew on something while she was in her cell. A nervous habit?
"Are you done with that book?"
Angie sat up, staring up at Anabel with a knowing smirk. "I told you that you'd like the book."
"The book you have is the sequel, right?"
"Yup. And it's just as awesome as the first." She tapped on the book's cover, waving it around as a prize.
"Can I borrow it?"
"If you answer me something…"
"Sure."
"Favorite crew member in the Shell?"
"Davian, of course!"
Angie spit a strange substance out of her mouth and made a gagging sound. "Ewwwww! You like the pansy?"
"Why not? He's kind. Compassionate. He takes care of the rest of the crew and even sacrificed his life to save the Wartortles!"
"I guess, but he's way too whiny for me."
"It's not whining. He's just sensitive. You wouldn't understand."
"Whatever." Angie threw the book through the cell onto Anabel's bed.
"Let me guess, your favorite's Russ." Anabel scoffed.
"Ew no!" Angie stuck her tongue out in disgust.
"What? I thought you like tough guys."
"If I liked tough guys like that, you'd think I'd be going for Ash? He's scrawny!"
"He's not too bad… I mean, if you…" Anabel trailed off.
Angie on the other hand, seemed very curious for her to continue.
Anabel shook her head and went back to the topic, "Well, who do you like?"
"The Commander…" Angie's eyes softened into a dream-like state.
"Hey! That's not fair! You said a crew member of the Shell!"
"He IS a crew member!"
"No he isn't! He's the Commander!"
Angie thought for a minute.
Quoting from her mind, she replied, "The Shell has no captain, no commander, no leader, no champion, and no master… we are all its crew, and we are all family in here."
"That was a metaphor for their relationship! I thought you were asking for a literal crew member!"
"What is metaphor if we all intend what we speak?"
Anabel wanted to fight back, but she was far too impressed by her memory. "How many times did you read this book?"
"Probably ten times. I grew up on that book."
I wonder if Ash also grew up on this book… Anabel pondered curiously. "Well, if you get to pick the Commander. I choose the Commander too."
"He's literally the only choice you can go for once you get to know him."
"Yeah…" Anabel sighed. He kind of reminds me of Ash…
Her thoughts went back into reality. "Anyways, thanks for the book. I owe you."
"Yeah no prob. Water in."
"Water out." Anabel giggled at herself for responding with the 'Inner Shell' greeting.
She walked over to her bed and laid down, holding the new book above her head.
Angie's not a bad girl. Anabel thought to herself. Just a little confused with her reality and books.
She held the book tightly to her chest.
Because in this reality, the Commander's mine.
With an eager giggle, she opened the book and dove into the story.
Siiiip.
"Mmmm…" May grinned with satisfaction.
"Mm-hmm!" Ash responded happily.
"So what flavor is that one?" the Coordinator asked as she took another suck from her straw.
"Chocolate with Cake Batter!"
"That sounds weird."
"You should try it! It tastes like a chocolate cake in a drink."
"Alright, but you HAVE to try mine then."
"What flavor is that one?"
"Mint with white chocolate chunks."
"That sounds like it's too light!" He stuck his tongue out, showing his distaste for the flavor combination.
"And yours sounds like it'd taste too dark." May giggled.
"Then we'll trade."
May grabbed both shakes and rotated them across the table.
Both grabbed and sipped from the straws.
"Mmm!" both replied at the same time.
It really compliments the one I just had. May thought as she took another sip.
"I agree!" Ash smiled.
A purple-haired woman popped up from behind the counter, staring at them with dreamy eyes. "You two are so cute together. You're very lucky. I wish I could get a boyfriend like that."
The two pokémon enthusiasts blushed heavily.
"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone. Enjoy your shakes~!" And with a wink, the woman dove back behind the counter, playing around with the signal of her radio.
…
After what seemed like an hour, May rotated the drinks back to their former owners and began sipping nervously from her straw.
Ash was trying to figure out what to say, unsure how to respond. He looked towards May's emotions to find an answer.
He's more of my mentor if anything. Not saying he's a bad choice…
Ash blushed, even more at a loss for words than he had been before he checked.
Thankfully, May broke the ice.
"So where is Pikachu? I never see him around you these days."
"Oh! Pikachu." He laughed nervously, glad for the topic change. "N-No, he's still around. He's just hanging around with Anabel's Espeon these days."
Anabel… May wasn't sure why, but the mention of her suddenly made her feel bitter.
Oh no. Ash felt May's reaction to the name. Why her? … But… then again… I don't think I would really mind if she felt that way towards me, would I? … I… STOMP STOMP STOMP!
He shook off the idea completely, trying to continue the conversation, "H-He's just using this vacation to get a break from me. Glad he doesn't have to battle everywhere he goes, you know?"
"Yeah, especially now that Team Rocket doesn't magically appear everywhere you go nowadays."
"I know! It's nice to get a break from those goons too!"
"Oh, have you heard?" May's voice suddenly turned urgent.
"Heard what?"
"They actually got away with a heist recently!"
Ash stood up and gripped the sides of the table. "WHAT?"
"Yeah!" May continued, completely understanding his response. Almost too understanding – as if she was preparing for this. "They stole a lucario from a trainer and escaped from the police! It was all over the news!"
Ash's grip tightened. A fury building up inside.
…
"Let's stop them." May whispered.
"Huh?"
"I said let's stop them."
This response was completely unexpected from the Coordinator. But for some reason, it felt right. She had felt different these days, and this felt like the response she should have given as the new May. Ash wasn't sure why, it didn't make too much sense, but his Empathy told him he shouldn't be surprised.
"Well, okay, but…"
"Why?" May smiled as she stood. Her hand slapped Ash's arm and she responded with a tone of hopeful nostalgia, "I miss the old days… Those adventures we had and all the pokémon we helped. The people, the events, everything. I miss it all!"
She swung her arms wide to express the size of their experiences together. "We didn't just get badges and ribbons, we saved and affected people's lives!" Her arms swung in and held to her chest. "And face it, if we're not there to stop Team Rocket, who will?"
"The… authorities?"
BAP.
Ash held the side of his head. "Ow…"
"That's not the Ash I know. Quit hiding under that rock and tell me 'If we're not there to stop Team Rocket, who will?'"
"No one?"
BAP.
"Can't hear you!"
"Now you're acting like Misty."
BAP.
"And YOU'RE acting like Brock after getting dumped!"
BAP.
"Alright! Alright! No one!"
"No one what!"
"If we're not there to stop Team Rocket, no one will!"
May squealed as she wrapped her arms around Ash. "THAT'S the Ash I know! Let's go get 'em!"
"Yeah! Let's get 'em!" Ash responded and returned May's hug.
…
"You two are just so adorable together." admired the woman from behind the counter.
The two blushed.
The boy and girl stood outside, feeling the breeze hit their face as the warm sun hung in the sky. Bird and Bug Pokémon of all kinds chirped, hissed, and called their names into quiet air. Quiet traffic of joggers and cyclists passed, each passerby with their own schedules and ideas floating in their emotions. Time slowly passed, as the moment seemed to last forever.
It was a beautiful day.
"So…"
Ash adjusted his hair underneath his baseball cap and kicked at the ground beneath him.
So what? May thought in response.
"So how are we going to get there? We don't exactly have a blimp like they do."
"I've got it covered."
A growl in the distance. Growing in sound.
A… car?
The growl suddenly turned into a soft purr as the car slowed to a stop in front of them.
"Hey guys. Need a ride?" came a familiar voice.
"Tracey?"
"Got it on the first guess! I'm impressed, Ash. You're getting better with your ears." the Pokémon sketch-artist complimented as he exited the car.
"What are you doing here, Tracey? I thought you went to the conference with Professor Oak."
"I wish." Sigh. "I was stuck with monitor duty."
"Well that explains why you're still in Pallet town…" Ash tilted his head. "But what are you doing out here if you're supposed to be watching the lab?"
"Oh, the lab? Gary's watching it now. He'll keep it covered until I get back."
"Okay, but… what are you doing out here?"
"Oh! Right right. Well, May called me earlier and told me what you guys were planning to do. And I'm all for it!"
"I didn't think you were the type to stick your head into trouble."
"Actually, I'm just coming along because I heard Team Rocket stole a lucario. I'd love to get some new sketches of one in a battle." Tracey opened the backdoors of his car. "It will be nice to finally have some studies of one in an uncontrolled environment… kinda' like the old days."
"Same old Tracey…" Ash laughed as he felt for the entrance of the backseats.
"Oh wait!" Ash stopped halfway from sitting down. "How long will this take? Anabel and Angi–"
"Probably only two days, one there and one back." May answered quickly.
"So wait, they're near here?"
"Why do you think I even suggested it, Ash?" May calmly sat in the seat next to Ash, "You really think I was planning to take a month-long trip just to chase down Team Rocket?"
May buckled herself in. "I've got tournaments to compete in. No way I would have even mentioned it if they weren't close."
"And here I thought you were all just itching to go on another trip with me." Ash mentioned semi-sadly as he buckled himself in.
Closing the doors, Tracey walked around and entered the driver's seat. "Wait. Ash? Did you remember to bring any pokémon?"
"Oh, that's right!" With a clunk of the handle, Ash opened the door and let out a loud whistle.
May covered her ears. "Ow! Since when could you whistle like that, Ash?"
"Angie taught me." Ash mentioned dismissively as he half-stepped out of the car. Whistle.
"Piiiikaaa!" his best friend's voice echoed down the road.
"C'mon Pikachu! We've got a pokémon to save!"
"Pika!" Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder and patted his human friend's head to affirm that he was ready.
"Let's stop by Professor Oak's lab, I need to pick up a few more pokémon." Ash crashed back into his seat.
"Buckle up." Tracey reminded as he shifted gears.
"One question, guys." Ash buckled himself back in and adjusted his cap. "How do you know where they are?"
"What do you mean Ash is competing in a tournament?"
"Well Anabel dear, May told me that Ash was competing in a tournament in Cerulean City. The Tsunami Festival, I think it was." Delia adjusted the phone against her ear. "I thought it was crazy too, but you know how my boy is."
Click. "No way Ash would have signed up to a tournament this soon!"
"Why hello Angie! I didn't know you were on the phone as well."
"Angie! Get off the line!" Anabel hissed.
"Shush it!" Angie growled back. "Ms. Ketchum, are you sure Ash knows about this tournament?"
"Well, I wouldn't see why not." Delia now seemed concerned with the suspicion given by the girls. "Why wouldn't he know of a tournament he's signed up to?"
"I bet it was May's idea to put him in there. He wouldn't just leave us here while he goe–"
"Ms. Ketchum." Anabel sternly interrupted. "Do you know any specific reason why May would sign Ash up to a tournament?"
"I don't really know." She tapped her lip in thought. "Maybe just to get my boy back into Pokémon Battles?"
"That or to get attention…" the tomboy trainer pouted through the static of the line.
Attention… The female Empathic's eyes widened.
…
"That's it!" Anabel broke the silence. "They're trying to get attention through Ash!"
"Well now, Anabel dear, I don't think May is the type to use people for attention." Delia lectured.
"You never know…" Angie growled.
"No, I don't mean that kind of attention." Anabel countered. "I think they're after Team Rocket!"
"Now that explanation is just plain stupid." Angie returned. "How does that make sense?"
"Haven't you read the news?" the Empathic's voice lowered. "Team Rocket has been successful with several heists as of late. I… I haven't told Ash. He must have found out somehow." May… Anabel hissed in her mind. "…I didn't want him to know because I knew he'd try to do something stupid like this."
"So why in the world would he go through all the trouble of competing in a tournament just to get their attention?" Angie seemed irritated at not knowing how any of this made sense. "Why not just go after them?"
"Because no one knows where Team Rocket is now, Angie. Unless he was going to spend weeks wandering blindly," Angie stressed her last word before moving on, "throughout the regions, there's no way Ash could catch them, let alone find them."
"So… he's entering a tournament as a handicap contestant to get Team Rocket's attention?" Angie gave a low whistle. "That's a smart move, especially for Ash."
"Ash didn't plan this…" May… Anabel hissed again to herself. "No offense Ms. Ketchum, but your boy isn't exactly the sharpest scyther in a day care."
"None taken, dear. He was never good with his homework."
"So…" Angie sighed. "If Ash didn't come up with this, then who did?"
"You ready to beat 'em, Ash?" May giggled as she pushed the confused boy through the gate.
"Wh-What do you mean I'm in this tournament? I never agreed to this!" Ash panicked, trying to stop himself from falling over.
"Too late." Tracey laughed as he handed the tickets to a nearby vendor. "We booked you yesterday for this tournament. And the news spread quite quick!"
The female vendor glanced at the tickets and stared in shock at the blind boy. "Is this THE Ash Ketchum?" She quickly tore the tickets for them and grinned widely. "Oh Mr. Ketchum! We're all cheering for you!"
Ash blushed and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Oh th-thank you? Do I know you?"
"Oh how I wish! I'm Jill." The woman suddenly sounded younger as she giggled. "We all know you, though! The famous Ash Ketchum that travelled and competed in every tournament in almost every region! Kanto's number one Trainer of choice! You've even got a fan club!" with every exclamation, she struck a different pose to accent her words.
"W-What? Fan club? Number one Trainer? How come I don't know about any of this?"
"Because we knew it'd get to your already big head." May mumbled as she continued to drag him towards the contestants seating area.
"And now you're competing in this tournament blind? Oh you just keep getting cooler and cooler, Mr. Ketchum!" the vendor squealed in delight.
"Th-Thank you… I won't disappoint you guys!" Ash stood straight as he marched happily towards the seats, making May falter in her efforts of coaxing him.
"Well NOW he wants to compete. Geez. What a show-off." May huffed in irritation.
"Same old Ash." Tracey chuckled as he followed closely behind.
Yeah… same old Ash…
Ash stopped in his tracks and smiled in May's direction.
Oops. I forgot he could still hear me. May blushed in reaction. H-Hi, Ash! Eheh…
"OUT OF THE WAY!" Misty had shoved an intimate couple apart, rushing past them. Her feet moving faster than ever with her rage filling up to a boiling point.
"What does he think he's doing competing in this tournament?" she roared at the top of her lungs as she dashed down the long passageway. She was yelling at nothing, at herself, and at everything that decided to get in her way.
"Please excuse our delay, it seems that our guest judge has stepped out for the moment." the loudspeakers echoed through the hall.
"Oh give it a rest, Kate! Just stall this tournament as long as you can." Misty hissed in response.
"But without further ado…"
"No..." The Cerulean Gym leader's eyes widened.
"Let's start the Tsunami Festival!" Cheering voices followed this announcement.
"No! No! Darn it, Kate! I said stall it!" Her pace sped up considerably.
"On the white corner, we have Connie! A resident of our beautiful city, and a Trainer for three years!" Cheers and whistles followed.
Misty reached the end of the hall and slammed the double-doors wide open. Loud screams and cheers flooding her atmosphere.
"And on the blue corner…"
The cheers grew louder.
Misty grabbed onto the railing of the stairs and slid down it.
"The Lightning Master! Kanto region's number one Trainer of Choice! The Legend from Pallet Town!"
To Misty's right, a group of girls wearing Ash's old trademark black shirt, blue white-sleeved jacket, green fingerless gloves, and blue jeans combination stood and squeal-screamed his name.
To her left, a group of children wearing knock-off versions of his special League baseball cap waved around their arms in an attempt to get their idol's attention.
And on the far end of the stadium, she could see a large group of pikachu enthusiasts waving large banners with Pikachu's face expertly copied onto them.
"The one! The only! Ash Ketchum!"
Despite the sudden increase of volume with the speakers, the announcement was almost completely drowned out as a near-deafening roar of applause and screams came from all around.
Misty jumped off the railing, ready to climb over a safety fence to get onto the field… when she was suddenly stopped by the sight of her dearest friend walking through the gate.
His eyes unfocused, yet still determined. His smile, innocent and confident. He walks in here… like has nothing changed at all. He still has that same look… thinking he's ready for anything. That idiot…
Even from this distance, she could see him waving around to the crowd, turning and looking as if he could see them.
"Ash…" she whispered out to him.
As the cheers died down, the loudspeakers echoed once again. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not sure if you know this yet… but if you haven't heard it yet, get ready for a real shocker."
Misty snapped out of her trance and proceeded to leap over the safety fence.
"But our favorite boy from Pallet had recently been in an accident!"
A few pity-groans came from the crowd.
"And just to make it worse, Ash Ketchum was left blind from the incident!"
Concerned and confused murmurs roamed the stadium seats.
"Yes, you heard it right. Blind. In spite of this, Ash Ketchum refuses to let this stop him from achieving his goals… as he is now the first blind Pokémon Trainer to enter any tournament in the world!"
The crowd became uncomfortably quiet.
"Sure, tell everyone." Misty growled under her breath as she started running through the competitor sections.
"YOU CAN DO IT ASH!" several fangirls' cheers broke through the silence. A wave of encouraging cheers flowed sound back into the audience. Even Ash's opponent cheered from one side of the field.
Ash was scratching the back of his head as a flush of red covered his face.
"That's what we like to hear folks! And with that, let's get this tournament started!"
"WAIT!" Misty broke into the field, dodging the security that tried poorly to stop her.
Ash turned her way.
"I said wait…" Misty's voice turned tired as exhausted breaths escaped her lips.
"Misty, what are you –" Ash's question was silenced when her hand connected with his face.
SLAP.
The crowd gasped.
"What the heck do you think you're doing competing?"
"What the heck do you think you're doing competing?" Misty yelled with a furious tone.
"I–"
"NO! Don't make any excuses, Ash! You're not supposed to be here!"
"Says who?" Ash growled at her bitterly.
"Says me. Guest Judge. I have a right to kick you out of this tournament!" Misty folded her arms and leaned over him.
"Why? What did I do wrong?"
"Wh– We – I –" Misty stumbled for words. She gripped her hands into fists when she decided to stop thinking for words. "You're blind, Ash! BLIND! If you compete here, you're just going to make a darn fool out of yourself! You really want your last tournament to be a pathetic excuse for a battle?"
"You haven't even seen me in action! Besides, I can handle myself." Ash wasn't going to back down. If this would be his final tournament, he certainly wasn't going to be bullied out of it.
"I don't need to see –"
Misty's lecture was cut short as an EXPLOSION erupted from the center of the field.
Smoke surrounded the stadium. Coughs from contestants and audiences alike followed one after the other.
"Prepare for trouble. And we'll surely bring it to you." a woman's voice called out from the smoke.
"And make it double. This time we'll really nab Pikachu." responded a familiar man's voice.
"To denounce the evil of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
The smoke cleared, revealing a familiar trio standing dramatically in front of a large crater in the center of the arena.
"Jessie." The female with shocking-red hair looked up confidently.
"James." The male with cool-blue hair sniffed a rose from his hand.
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!" the talking cat pokémon chimed in as he appeared in the center of their pose.
"Wobbuffet!"
"Mime, mime, mime!"
As if on cue, the two spotlight-stealing pokémon appeared to finish the speech.
"Team Rocket!" Misty and Ash yelled in unison.
"Halt!" An Officer Jenny ran onto the field, originally there to stop Misty, now more concerned with the intruding trio.
"Oh, we don't think so." Jessie smirked as she snapped her fingers.
On signal, a blue ball of energy shot out of the crater and floated softly to the ground.
The energy dissipated, revealing a blue and black pokémon… A strange mechanical device was attached to its head. It twitched and turned, showing an obvious internal struggle.
"Officer, meet our new lucario. Lucario, show her how we greet authorities."
A red 'R' emblem light faded in brightly on the center of the device. In an instant, the lucario's body flashed a blue aura.
"Get out of the way!" Ash yelled.
"Ahh!" The female officer was lifted off the ground and thrown against a wall.
"Officer!"
Before he could run towards her, something was waving in front of Ash's face. He stopped in his tracks. He wasn't sure what it was until he focused his Empathy.
James was waving his hand in front Ash's eyes.
"Hmmm. I guess the twerp really is blind."
Jessie walked passed Misty and faced Ash. "Well this will be easier than stealing candy from a baby."
"More like a pikachu from a twerp!" the cat pokémon responded.
"Hey! Don't you ignore me!" A poké ball appeared in Misty's hand, she was readying to battle.
"Lucario, handle her for me." Jessie snapped her fingers again.
"Uh-whu… Whoah!" Misty was lifted off the ground by the blue energy and thrown across the arena. "Ahhh!"
"Misty!"
"Don't worry about her, twerp." Jessie said from behind him, "Now where's your Pikachu?"
Ash growled. "You think I'd tell you?"
Pikachu's tired head popped out from the backpack, peaking to see what was making all that noise that had disturbed his sleep.
"Well that solves the mystery." James approached the waking pokémon, only to be electrified. "Eeeee!"
"Lucario! Grab Pikachu!"
The irritated lightning mouse was suddenly awake and aware as he found himself floating off the ground.
Meowth pulled a strange device out from a bag. "And now wit' dis, the twerp's pikachu will be all ours!"
"And we'll get a real promotion!" James excitedly cheered.
"Once the boss sees how much pokémon we've nabbed, he'll have no choice but to give us promotions." Jessie daydreamed happily.
"YAAAA!" With one quick dive, Ash managed to snatch the device from Meowth's hands and rolled back into a stand.
"So you control pokémon with these now?" Ash threw the device to the ground and stomped on it several times.
"HEY! THAT'S EXPENSIVE!" roared Jessie.
"That cost me last week's lunch!" James cried out.
Meowth stood confused and surprised.
"Uh… guys?" the cat pokémon tried to get the attention of the duo.
"What?" Jessie asked aggravated.
"How'd a blind twerp grab dat out of my hands?"
"Because you got careless and clumsy!" she answered angrily.
"No wait. Meowth's right." James now realizing what was implied. "How did –"
Jessie growled. "It doesn't matter! Lucario! Take out the blind twerp!"
The 'R' shined bright red, the lucario's body twitching to follow its commands.
"GLACEON! ICE BEAM!"
The slaved lucario turned just in time for only its arm to get frozen by a chilling beam of light.
"Don't forget about me!" May jumped off the safety fence beside her glaceon.
"How many of the twerps are here?" James frantically looked around, fearing to find more familiar faces.
"So the twerpettes want to play?" Jessie smiled.
"May! Watch out!" Ash snatched Meowth by the tail and threw him towards May.
"W-W-What da? AHHHHHHH!" Meowth panicked as he flew through the air.
Jessie continued her assault. "Lucario! Dark Pulse!"
Ash turned quickly and grabbed Pikachu before running behind James.
"Hm?" James cocked his head in curiosity to the boy trainer's strange actions.
Lucario twitched as a black burst of energy spread throughout the field.
"Um… Jessie?"
"What is it James?" She refused to face him. "Can't you see I'm a bit busy here?"
"Well yes, but… shouldn't we be moving out of the way?"
"Hm?" Jessie's eyes widened in realization of the growing orb of blackness… expanding their way.
"L-Lucario! Don't hit us too!" Jessie begged as she took two steps back.
The undirected Dark Pulse continued to expand.
Meowth crashed onto May's feet. The Coordinator looked at Meowth curiously.
"MAY!" Ash shouted above the groans of the growing blast. "USE MEOWTH AS A SHIELD!"
"Wh-What?Why you doity lil' – huh?" Meowth was picked up by the young coordinator as she ran in front of Glaceon.
"Sorry about this!" May lifted the meowth above her head. "Well, not really." She winked as she threw the cat pokémon towards the blast.
"Shield?" James panicked as he realized that he was Ash's.
"Lucario! Stop!" Jessie pleaded desperately.
The Dark Pulse exploded, hitting everyone who was unlucky enough to be in its immediate vicinity.
DARKNESS. For a moment the world around Ash turned absolutely quiet. The dark energy absorbing all the sounds and emotions that used to soak up the atmosphere.
…
Like being vacuumed back to reality, noise and sensation returned with a sonic boom.
Audiences gasping and mumbling, some with premature cheers.
Security officers debating with each other when it was safe to interfere.
The loudspeaker crackling and revealing background conversations within the judge's booth.
Someone fell over. A strange man's voice creaking in pain. James.
A female's voice barely laughing at the bad luck of it all. Jessie.
A groaning grumble from a pokémon who's done this way too many times. Meowth.
Two pokémon playing in the distance, with barely a care in the world. Wobbuffet. Mime Jr.
A sigh of relief. May.
A tiny hand tapped his cheek twice. Pikachu.
Right… Ash thought as he slowly stood up. "Ready Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Pikachu! Aim for the device on Lucario's head! Volt Tackle!"
"Oh no you don't!" Jessie hissed as she pulled out a poké ball.
Poison… Ash felt Jessie's intentions. He tried feeling for Pikachu's emotions. … He's too focused! He won't be able to react fast enough!
"Go Sceptile!" Ash threw out the poké ball in Jessie's direction as Jessie threw hers in Pikachu's direction. "Seviper! Go!"
The two pokémon faced their targets in front of them.
"Seviper! Poison Tail!"
"Sceptile! Stop Seviper! Quick Attack!"
Seviper blocked Pikachu's way, ready to strike – only to be knocked away by the charging sceptile.
"Pika!" Pikachu thanked Sceptile as he passed him. Electric sparks surrounding his body as he got closer towards the floating lucario.
Lucario… Counter… Ash knew Jessie's next move.
"Lucario!" Jessie demanded. "Counter!"
"Sceptile! Quick Attack Lucario!"
"What?" Jessie watched in shock as Lucario countered the fast-moving sceptile's attack, leaving him open for the next attack. "Lucario! Do Cou –"
Before the command was complete, Pikachu's overcharged tackle slammed into the device on the lucario's head. With a pop and crackle, the device shorted and exploded.
The damaged pieces hit the floor in a rain of expensive electronics, sparks of electricity accenting the view for any spectators. As time passed, smoke slowly faded away from the blast zone.
…
A blue fury of emotions exploded from within the last remaining smoke clouds.
Looks like he's not under their control anymore. Ash smiled.
The lucario shook his head before glaring at Jessie.
"Uh oh." Jessie backed away. "Now now, Lucario."
The lucario's anger burst at the sound his name being used by the kidnapper. A bright fiery aura surrounding his body.
"Um… look at the time! Looks like we have to get out of here." Jessie said nervously as she quickly snatched Meowth and tried dragging James to his feet.
"Hrrrrryah!" With a cool, controlled fury, Lucario launched a ball of aura towards the trio.
"Wobbuffet! Seviper!" Jessie called.
"Mime Jr.!" James called.
The three pokémon stood in front of their trainers, ready to follow the next order.
"Sceptile! Stop 'em!" Ash called out, knowing Team Rocket's next move. Sceptile nodded immediately and charged towards the three.
"Wobbuffet! Counter. Seviper, Wrap!"
"Mime Jr., Mimic!"
Before the trio of pokémon could take advantage of their commands, Ash's voice rung out, "Quick Attack then Agility!" Sceptile smashed into all of them with a flurry of Quick Attacks and immediately dodged out of the way with Agility.
The disruption had caused Seviper to miss its target and Wrap around Wobbuffet, causing him to strike back at the Seviper with Counter, while Mime Jr. mimicked the Quick Attack right into Wobbuffet.
"Looks like we're doomed." Jessie groaned with dread in her voice, as she witnessed the chaos unfold in front of the incoming Aura Sphere.
"And we did so well this time." cried James.
"I told ya' we shoulda' given dat lucario to da' boss first." Meowth sighed in defeat.
The Aura Sphere hit the ground in the center of the six villains. An explosion was the familiar signal of their defeat as they flew into the sky.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaiiiiiiiin~!"
"Wooobuuuffet~!"
A shimmer in the clouds confirmed their disappearance.
"Hmph." Lucario smirked at his vengeance being fulfilled.
"Way to go, Lucario!" Ash called out.
The stadium boomed with thunderous cheers.
"And there we have it, folks! The famous Ash Ketchum defeating the elusive Team Rocket trio right in front of our very eyes! Any doubts you had of his condition when it comes to battling, get rid of them now, because you've just been made a believer!"
"You did pretty good, kid." Ash turned to the direction of Officer Jenny's voice.
"Heh… it was nothing really." He blushed as he scratched the back of his head.
"No need to be modest. You're famous here, especially after that show." She patted his shoulder in congratulations. "Oh, and don't worry about this lucario, we'll contact his owner immediately. He'll be more than happy to know his lucario is safe and sound."
"Thanks, Officer Jenny. I'm just glad that he'll be reunited with his trainer. I don't know what I'd do if I lost my pikachu to those goons."
"Pika pika." Pikachu slightly rubbed himself on Ash's leg as agreement to the comment.
"Good luck in the tournament, kid. I'll be rooting for you." Officer Jenny turned and faced the incoming security team in order to give out instructions of how to deal with Lucario.
…
"I guess I should have been rooting for you too, huh?"
It took Ash a few seconds to figure out whose voice that belonged to.
"Misty?"
Misty didn't feel right. Or rather, she didn't feel like her usual self. Ash could barely recognize the girl in front of him.
"Here I thought I was doing you a favor by trying to stop you. But…"
Her voice trailed off, uncertain emotions coming to bear. She wished to say something, but wasn't sure if that's what she truly felt.
Misty's… confused? Ash thought to himself.
"Hey Misty! Long time no see!" May's sunny personality distracted Ash's thoughts.
A wall of security shrouded Misty's sensitive emotions, making it impossible for Ash to read it anymore.