A Gift from the Grave
This took me quite a lot of time to write and re-write. I hope you like the story, if you do or don't please tell me why! Feedback is appreciated. In the last chapter the Mewtwo project has been revealed and delayed by Bill, angering Giovanni. Meanwhile, Bill still has Ryan, Raf and Mo to talk to in his office.
Dada walked out of Bill's office with a huge smile on her face. Her Charmander now had a little pink ribbon on its head.
"Hey," said Mo. "What's that?"
"It's a ribbon to make Charmander look cuter in contests. He uploaded a load of contest videos to my Pokedex so that I've got an idea of how they work, and gave me some tips. I can't wait to get started on practicing," she answered. "Ryan, he wants to see you next!"
Cool! It looks like he's giving us all some tips and is being extra-generous to us all. Bill's a class act, I hope I get something cool too! Mind you, I already have that charcoal for Houndour.
As Ryan walked to the office, Raf suggested that they go outside for some air and a bit of battle practice. Dada and Mo agreed.
The trio walked into Bill's garden and looked out into the sea.
"This is such a beautiful place. I can understand why Bill would like to live here," remarked Dada, dreamy-eyed. She shook her head, as if snapping out of a trance. "Raf! I challenge you to a battle!"
"I accept your challenge Dada! Mo, would you be so kind as to referee?"
Hey! I wanted to battle! Mo grumbled, but accepted. "Raf, since you are the challenged party in this match, you may choose your first Pokemon. This is a 3 on 3!"
"Alright! Rocky, show me what you can do!" shouted Raf excitedly. He was desperate to prove to Dada that he was the better trainer.
"Alright then! Mankey, it's show-time!"
Both Pokemon gave their respective growls. Raf was immediately worried: Rocky had a disadvantage against Mankey. "Rocky! Use magnitude!"
The Graveler punched the ground hard, sending a shockwave towards the waiting Mankey. It took the full brunt of the attack, getting thrown into the air and landing on its back.
"Mankey, get up and use a low kick." Mankey ran towards Graveler as fast as it could.
"Defense curl!"
The attack caused Rocky to fall over, but he managed to protect himself from most of the damage by rolling as he landed.
"Now Karate Chop!"
"Rock Throw!". Graveler reached for the nearest rock on the floor and threw it in Mankey's direction, who easily avoided them and landed a critical hit on top of Rocky's head. He was dizzy from the attack, and Dada used her opportunity.
"Use another low kick," she said. "He'll fall over!"
It worked, and Rocky stopped moving.
Mo pointed towards Rocky: "Graveler is unable to battle. Mankey wins this round."
"Go Peepee! Show me what you got!". The Butterfree burst out of its Pokeball and flew out with its battle cry.
"Mankey, Karate Chop!"
"Fly a bit higher and cover it with Sleep Powder!"
The Karate Chop missed, and Butterfree flew up high, releasing a spore that hit Mankey and caused it to fall into a deep slumber. Before Dada could make Mankey return, Raf shouted his next order.
"Gust!"
Mankey was hit by the powerful wind and landed several feet away, out for the count.
"Mankey is unable to battle. Butterfree wins this round". Mo was enjoying the match, as he could see that his traveling companions were taking this seriously.
"Two can play at that game," smirked Dada. "Jigglypuff! It's show-time! Sing for me!"
The ball-shaped Pokemon immediately sang as it came out of its Pokeball, but Raf was ready. "Stun Spore!"
Jigglypuff suddenly couldn't sing anymore. It was paralyzed, and Raf wasted no time in taking advantage out of the situation. "Confusion!"
Butterfree's eyes changed color and Jigglypuff was surrounded by a blue haze as it was thrown up into the air and smashed into the ground several times. It was enough to make the poor thing give up.
"Jigglypuff is unable to battle. Butterfree wins this round". Jigglypuff is still too weak to be battling a powerful Pokemon like Butterfree. But that's Damian's fault, not Dada's.
"Jigglypuff, you really did well. Have some rest, you'll get better. Okay then Raf! Charmander, it's show-time!"
Raf had been dreading this moment. He had nothing to counter fire Pokemon apart from Graveler, who couldn't fight anymore. "Peepee, use Confusion again!". As Butterfree charged its attack, Dada gave her order.
"Ember!". The flame darts flew towards an unprepared Butterfree and hit it, making the Pokemon erupt in a cloud of smoke. The Charmander smirked as Butterfree crashed into the ground.
"Peepee are you okay? Yes? Good. Use Gust!"
The violent wing-flapping caused another powerful gust of wind which hit Charmander, who was able to stay upright by digging into the ground with the claws on its back feet. "Scratch it, it's not even strong enough to fly properly anymore!"
True to Dada's words, Butterfree was in a sad state and could not avoid the attack, taking a vicious slash to the face that made it spin around twice before hitting the ground hard. It was down.
"Butterfree is unable to battle. Charmander wins the round."
"Well done Peepee, you took out two of her Pokemon. I couldn't possibly ask for more! Saurus, show them what you've got!". The Bulbasaur came out and immediately balked as it saw its opponent. "Don't worry, you've beaten one before, remember?". These words seemed to reassure the grass-type.
"Charmander, Ember!"
"Alright then, Razor Leaf!"
The two attacks met in the middle and canceled each other out, causing little puffs of smoke to appear wherever a sharp leaf hit a fire dart.
"Scratch!"
"Tackle!"
The two Pokemon met in the middle and started a vicious fight. Charmander scratched Bulbasaur again and again, who in turn knocked his attacker over repeatedly. A stalemate had been reached.
I need to find a way out of this, thought Raf. "Saurus, use Vine Whip!". Bulbasaur moved back several steps and extended two grass tentacles that took a hold of Charmander and lifted it up into the air.
"Oh no! Ember Charmander, Ember!" shouted a worried Dada.
"Razor Leaf again, don't let go of Charmander!" ordered Raf, as once again a cloud of smoke appeared, blocking his view of Charmander. Just then, Bulbasaur started to glow bright white for several seconds as it evolved into Ivysaur. "Awesome!" cried a gleeful Raf.
At the same time, Dada watched in horror as Charmander was suspended several feet in the air. She couldn't see Bulbasaur, so she assumed that he couldn't see her. Just then, Charmander began to glow brightly and evolved into Charmeleon. "I win," she declared.
I can't believe it! Both at the same time?, thought our referee. The smoke cleared and all three trainers stared at each other in astonishment. Dada was the first to get over her shock.
"Dragon Rage, Charmeleon!". The blue and white flames shot out of its mouth just as Ivysaur decided that it was time to slam its opponent into the ground, which it did with considerable force. It then got hit by the attack and fell over sideways, singed and knocked out. Charmeleon was in no better state however, and was lying on its stomach, face-down.
"Both Pokemon are unable to battle. I declare this match a draw!" cheered Mo. "You guys did an awesome job!"
Both trainers ran to their newly evolved Pokemon, and held them. "Well done Saurus, you were simply magnificent."
"You too Charmeleon. I'm sorry I let you down".
Ryan and Bill were clapping from above, having watched the match from a distance. "Ryan, you can start your studies by trying to take a look at these guys. You've got the tools now! Raf, leave your Pokemon with Ryan and come up here please!" said a smiling Bill. Raf did as he was told and jogged up to Bill's office, as he had gone on ahead.
"Hey Dada, that was a really cool battle. Let me have a look at your Pokemon and I'll sort them out. Bill gave me this scanner, it allows me to see what is wrong with a Pokemon in a couple of seconds. Genius". Ryan was clearly pleased after his chat with Bill.
"Ryan, do you fancy a battle with me?", asked a hopeful Mo. Ryan shook his head.
"I don't want to battle now Mo, I'm sorry. I need to take care of these guys and you'll need to have your talk with Bill when Raf comes back. I'm pretty sure he's got something pretty special lined up for you".
Oh man. I wanted to practice a little bit too, and I've never seen Ryan battle really. Another time I'm sure.
The three sat around talking about how generous Bill was and Mo watched as Ryan sprayed something on Graveler. "What is that stuff?" he asked.
"That's a potion developed specifically for rock-type Pokemon. It contains minerals that help its rocky skin get tougher again and fix faster," he answered. "I want to be able to perform perfect first aid on Pokemon. I think I'll be a traveling vet with you guys, helping people as we move along Kanto".
"That's a great idea Ryan, I'm sure you'll be a great help to all of us and others!".
Raf was back already. He was holding an odd-looking Pokeball.
"What's that?" asked Dada, interested.
"That, my dear friends," answered Raf. "Is a Masterball. Bill says it can capture any Pokemon alive!". The others stared in disbelief. "He says I'll know when the time is right to use it. Apparently, I probably won't even need it for a year or two, but when I do I'll be happy I've got it. Not many people get something like this!"
Everyone nodded, Mo burning up in jealousy. This was unfair. He'd received a piece of charcoal, and Raf got a Masterball? No way man.
"Mo, go up, Bill wants to speak to you before we leave too."
Mo was angry, but decided that he'd honor Bill's word. After all, the guy really had been generous to them all from the time they arrived.
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Giovanni picked up the phone, dialed a number and tapped his fingers on the table as he waited for an answer. After what seemed like an eternity, a strong woman's voice answered.
"Yes Sir, please excuse the delay in picking up. I had an... issue to deal with, but I'm all yours now".
"Good. I trust everything went to plan?". His deep voice had a menacing tone to it.
"Not exactly-" she answered, but was interrupted.
"What do you mean, not exactly?" boomed Giovanni.
"I had to teach an interfering Officer Jenny not to interfere in Team Rocket's plans again," she gave a slight pause. "Ever".
"My my, you are a ruthless soul aren't you, my dear Jane," he smirked. "Some day I'll probably have to watch out".
"You know that won't be necessary Sir". Jane was obviously enjoying that idea somewhat herself.
"Anyway, listen. I have a little hunt for you to go on. A very different kind than the usual, in that this time you're hunting for a leak. A leak in my organization that cannot be forgiven. I'll send you the details, I trust you won't let me down like my other useless agents".
"Of course, I'll take care of it right now Sir. About right now: I'll send the package through for your inspection in an hour, when I arrive back at our base here. Over and out".
Giovanni put the phone down again. She really was a piece of work, this Pokemon hunter. Jane looked distinctly like material for a promotion.
-----
Mo sat down on the chair, looking at Bill across the desk. He in turn was obviously scrutinizing him, looking for any sign of what Mo was thinking. I wish he would stop it and get on with it.
"Now Mo, as we discussed before, you said you wanted to become a Ranger, is that still your ambition?". Bill leaned forward on his desk, resting his elbows on it and putting fingertip to fingertip.
"Well yes," he replied. "I've always dreamed of protecting Pokemon from organizations like Team Rocket. They are vile groups that need to be fought against, and I don't just mean defended. I mean with strikes on their facilities. If we just sit there and take it they'll never stop".
Bill raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Mo, you're very intelligent for a boy your age, but you have to learn the virtue of patience. Rangers do not merely battle against criminal organizations. They help Pokemon in need, whatever that need happens to be. This is fundamentally different to what you are suggesting".
Mo wasn't really happy about this. He had not come here to be lectured, but he understood what Bill was saying. What he wanted was not being a Ranger. It was being something very different indeed. A sort of agent. "Well Rangers go on secret missions against organizations too! I've seen it. This guy once fought against an entire sub-marine of hunters!".
"There's your clue: hunters. But he was rescuing Pokemon from them who had already been abducted".
"Only because he failed to foil the hunters' plans before they were set into action!".
Bill sighed. "Okay Mo, maybe you just need time. What I will suggest, and I think you might agree, is that whenever you feel you're done in Kanto you go to Sinnoh before going to Hoenn or Johto," he said. Mo looked interested. "The reason for this is that I believe Sinnoh will offer you and especially your friends more chance to develop as trainers or whatever you want to be. Then maybe you will be able to decide what to do with your lives".
Mo didn't really know why this mattered, but he'd already basically decided to disregard this advice. Johto was clearly going to be the next place to go – after the Orange Islands even, perhaps. This was all too far away to think about. "I appreciate your advice Bill, really. Thanks a lot for all your help".
"I'm not done yet. There is one more matter I would like you to look into for me. It's about this Mewtwo thing. I am very worried. You constantly need to be on the lookout for signs of what Team Rocket is up to on this or anything else. If you find out anything – and I mean anything at all, because you may not know of its importance – send it to me. I may need your help in this one day, do you promise to help me?". The question came across as an honest one, and took Mo by surprise.
"Well, sure but why me? I am not a powerful trainer who could help much," he said. "What could I possibly do in the fight against elite Team Rocket agents?"
"Believe me, you'll have a role to play in this, just like someone will have a role to play in my search for the mysterious Pokemon that appeared here".
Mo frowned. "I think you have me mistaken for someone else".
Bill was getting a bit annoyed. "No, I know you are Mark and Janet's son and my god will you do them proud. They were top trainers, and so will you be".
At the mention of his parents Mo stiffened up. This guy knew his parents and was willing to say more than the others. He decided to chance it. "Bill, you said yesterday that my parents died in an ambush, and not a car crash. What did you mean by that?"
A big drop of sweat appeared on Bill's head as he remembered his faux-pas from the day before. "Mo, I think next time you're home you need to have a long chat with your adoptive parents and Professor Oak. That is all I have to say about that". Bill thought he had done pretty well to avoid the question, but as soon as he saw Mo's face he realized that it had re-opened an old wound. "Believe me, your parents were brave people. I was quite young when they were around, but I remember them clearly".
Mo's eyes started filling with tears. "I have no idea why people have kept this from me. Why hide the truth? Why do you still hide it?" he wept.
Bill got up and walked to a cabinet, which he opened. He reached inside, took out a dusty-looking Pokeball and sat back down at his desk. He looked at Mo intently. Finally, he spoke again.
"Mo, have you ever wondered what happens to peoples' Pokemon when they die?"
"Erm, no", answered Mo uncomfortably. "But I know what happens to dead Pokemon".
"Yes, dead Pokemon are buried in the Pokemon Tower, but it happens quite often that they outlive their owners. Normally what happens is that they are released back into the wild. Many of them visit their former owner's grave very often, but there are others who refuse to leave their trainer's side even after death. In this Pokeball lives exactly such a Pokemon. It belonged to your father".
Mo stared in disbelief. Was he really about to see a Pokemon that had actually been, and not just been the favorite type of, his father's? "Show me, please!"
"Bill smiled. You know, this little guy has been grieving the death of your parents for ten years. He has only ever come out of his Pokeball for food once a week and has not been outside since he is here". Bill threw the Pokeball into the air, and with a flash of light a Pokemon appeared. "Say hi to your new Pokemon Mo!"
What Pokemon is Mo about to receive from Bill? Tell me who you'd like to see there – it shouldn't be a Kanto Pokemon! Answers in the review section please :D Yes I know it's been moving along a bit slowly lately, but I want a good base to continue the story from. Any OC.s welcome for the role ;) Yes, the Jane Giovanni's been speaking to is in fact the one you all know as the Pokemon-hunter Jane of Sinnoh. I've decided to start a little back story for her on the side.
As always, reviews would be welcome! Thanks to those who are reading and keeping up with the story – I've got 500 hits now!