Twenty-One

For the past several minutes, Steven, Misty, Zoey, and the Legendaries had been staring at the red stone in Misty's hand.

"So what does it do?" Zoey inquired finally.

Everyone looked to Latios, who seemed surprised to be put on the spot. "Well I don't know, it's an enigma, isn't it?" He rolled his eyes.

"I thought it was blue," Cresselia remarked. "Last time I saw it, it was blue."

Misty frowned. "Yeah, I remember it being blue when I first got it."

At this, Latios swallowed uncomfortably. "The… Enigma Stone," he began hesitantly, "has often been called the Soul Dew, because it always contains the soul of a Latios or Latias." He grimaced. "Currently, it contains… well, instead of my father, my—my sister." Again, he swallowed and looked away, turning transparently pale.

A horrible silence transcended the group. Misty instantly cupped the rock with both hands rather than just one, cradling it.

It was Cresselia who broke the quiet. "If that's true," she murmured, "then that stone holds immense power. More than any Pokemon has in its living body. Well, except perhaps Father Arceus."

Latios nodded, bowing his neck and wiping pitifully at his eyes with he short arms. "It should."

"Imagine what Latias is capable of! If she would just help us—!" Misty broke off abruptly when Latios met her eyes.

"Leave my sister in peace," he ordered. Without warning, the stone began to glow. Misty panicked and nearly dropped it. Suddenly Latios's neck became rigid, his arms hung at his sides, and he ceased to move. A bright glow started from his pupil and overtook his entire eye.

Steven dropped Zoey in surprise. Zoey was so entranced that she did not even yelp. "What's going on?" she whispered, completely mesmerized.

"Sight Sharing," Cresselia whispered. "Latios is sharing his mind with his sister."

For almost a minute, they could do nothing but stare at the floating bird, astounded and terrified by the phenomenon. Finally, he blinked several times and his eyes came out of the glow. He dropped several feet, but managed to catch himself. "You fool," he spat, scowling at the stone with distaste.

"What is it?" Misty wondered eagerly.

Latios spoke with bitterness. "My sister has a plan."

There was silence. Finally, Zoey said, "A good one?"

"A terrible one!" Latios replied immediately.

The Enigma Stone began to glow furiously in Misty's hand. She dropped the rock with a yelp, and was surprised to see the imprint of the stone burned into her palm.

Latios swooped down in time to catch the stone. He looked down as if to scold it, but when the glowing started up again, he swallowed his words. "Very well, you insolent child," he spat. "Do what you will."

"What? What's the matter?" inquired Misty.

In response, the great Pokemon dropped the stone in her hands. It shone a happy red and was warm in her palm. "She is going to help you."

When the Pokemon (if it could still be called that) landed, Ash himself was half-dead with terror and dizziness. Team Rocket was waiting for him. They helped him off the stinking beast, brushed off the rotting flesh that had stuck to him, shackled his hands behind his back with a pair of intense-looking handcuffs, and led him inside. He was so discombobulated that all he really noticed was the change in lighting. In his mind, he was still atop that terrible creature, senseless and ill from vertigo and fear.

Yes. Ash was terrified. He had no idea what he was facing, and he could not think straight enough to figure it out. All his thoughts swam sickeningly through his head, and he stumbled alongside his guides. Somewhere, in the balanced part of his mind, he told himself, get it together, you need your wits, focus, focus, focus…

The dizziness reminded him of the portal. His first time stepping through it, all alone. Don't come back until you have a specimen, they had told him.

A week later, Ash came back through with a dead Pidgey. Back home, only an hour had passed.

"Why me?" Ash wondered. "Why us? We're… we're kids!"

"It's a world of nomadic teenagers," Lance explained. His arms were folded cryptically across his chest, like he didn't trust his words either. "You'll fit right in."

Ash looked to his right. The girl leaned onto Lance's desk, furious. "I am a senior officer, and even I don't think I'm qualified for this," she stated in a voice contrary to her fiery expression. "And what's more, you're pairing me with the idiot who broke my bike!"

"Are you ever going to let that go?" Ash exclaimed.

"Stop!" Lance interrupted, and she closed her mouth. "You two are the most qualified agents we have available at this time. Once Alex and Koga can leave their missions, you two will be free. Until then, you're the alpha team. Explore this new world. Become a part of it. Document everything. And then come back."

Ash and his partner had no choice but to nod and salute. "Yes sir," they said in unison.

That was before. Before Ash and—what was her name?—that girl returned the first time. Before they were sent back. Before Pikachu, before words like Champion and Gym Leader, before Drew and Gary ever enlisted. They were the first ones. And now they were the last ones. Ash, his fogged memory of the redhead, and Pikachu.

Suddenly he was struck by a horrifying, sobering realization.

He did not have Pikachu.

Drew's wrists were bound tight enough to cut off his blood flow. His fingers prickled with needles, and he fought desperately to keep them awake. If his hands fell asleep, he was not sure he could break out of his bindings.

His legs were unbound, however. He could kick, stomp, and run. Yes. Running was good. If May jumped on his back, he could probably carry her, oh, a quarter mile at full speed before he fatigued and had to stop. As for Gary and Leaf…

Drew could not leave them. He began seeking the best opportunities to kick.

"Where are we going?" Daisy demanded.

"You know this place, Gym Leader," Jessie said with a smirk. "We're going to see the Champion."

Before, Daisy's face had been flushed with anger. Now it went pale as all the blood left her cheeks.

"No! You evil woman, how could you do this to them?" Professor Oak exclaimed. "They're just children!"

"Look, I don't give the orders, all right?" snapped Jessie. She paused. "Except to you. Now I order you to shut up!"

Drew's first thought was Cynthia, and his mood brightened at the prospect of exacting his revenge. Then he recalled the ice cream parlor, and Steven, and the waitress. And he realized who the Champion was.

The six of them were hauled through the main hall of the great Indigo League building, dragged across the artful marble floor until they were pulled through a door at the end. They entered a room less impressive, and apparently under construction. The floor, formerly sleek black tile, was halfway torn up. Stacks of the replacement flooring were up against the walls that used to be purple but were now being painted over with a burnt orange.

In the middle of the room was a battlefield. It too was being rearranged, though the new props were still in their packages.

Only one man was at work, and he was painting the walls. He had a roller, and methodically went up and down the wall with the wet orange paint. Drew stared at him. The man did not even look over.

They were pulled through the other door, into another room in similar disrepair. These walls were poisonous green and deep, dark violet. Like the other room, there was a battlefield, but this one had many plants and shrubs. Many had already been uprooted. A sheet had been dragged over a chair placed at the far edge of the field.

Drew happened to catch sight of Daisy's face. She looked around at the reconstruction, the obvious changes, and appeared sickened. Her resolve grew weaker with every step.

Next door, next room. This one had a narrow walkway towards a battlefield, with the floor sunken down about three feet on either side. Across the bottom were several metal rings, like jets or gas burners. Someone was idly pushing a broom across around in the pit.

Another door. This one was black, with golden sparkles thrown into the walls. Drew saw what looked like fog machines, but they were currently off. Construction had not touched this room yet.

There was no door at the end of this room, but an elevator. It was a large platform, though everyone had to squeeze together to avoid falling off. James pulled the lever, and they went up.

Drew watched Daisy and the professor as they ascended. Their fear was obvious, but then… they knew what was coming. Experimentally, Drew flexed his hands. He had nearly forgotten about them, and in that time they had gone numb. They prickled as he moved them.

All too soon, they arrived at the top of the lift. Their guides pulled them off, and then they were walking. It was a long, dramatic hall, with odd lighting and quaint music that didn't fit the scene playing too quietly through the speakers on the ceiling.

But despite how far the walk was, Drew could see Giovanni. He was at the end of the hall, atop a throne and some steps, with those black devil's eyes watching them. Waiting for them.

Paul had vomited after his ride on the dead Legendary. He was grateful Dawn had not been there to see it. He was also glad that he had done it on the first Rocket scum that had rushed up to him.

But Paul was not brave. He was sixteen years old, and had only recently gathered the courage to step out of Sinnoh and pursue his Pokemon dreams. Other boys left their region around thirteen. Paul had been too scared.

When he finally regained his senses, he worried he had signed his death sentence by throwing up on his captors. Perhaps, if he hadn't, they would be more merciful! He continued to panic and shake (he was still feeling nauseous) as the Rockets dragged him through the many rooms.

He wondered where Ash was. He wondered if Dawn was safe. He wondered what Team Rocket would do if he threw up again. Out of every possibility that crossed his hazy mind, that seemed the most likely to happen.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity of shapes and colors swimming before his eyes, Paul was dropped on the ground. He collapsed entirely, sprawling out on the cool marble floor and relishing in the way it felt against his clammy forehead. He desperately wanted some water.

Someone else was dropped beside him. Paul recognized black hair, but that was all. "Release the girls," ordered a deep, loud voice. "No, not her." Then, "Stand them up."

Surprisingly gentle hands picked Paul up by his arms and stood him upright. They allowed him to lean against him, but they did not speak.

Paul was now able to see without feeling sick. Ash had been dropped beside him, in a similar state. A girl in a short skirt was holding him upright. Paul did not know her or the girl holding him. He glanced over, seeing other people standing about. Three men and Gym Leader Daisy, all with their wrists bound behind them.

Finally, Paul looked up.

There was a man sitting on a throne—yes, a throne. Paul recognized him as Giovanni. He was well-dressed, Paul supposed, with a Persian curled up on his lap. The cat Pokemon detracted from his villainous smirk as he stroked it. However, the creature seemed to be watching him, its tail the only part of it that moved.

"There are some still missing," Giovanni stated. "We will wait a bit longer."

"Pika!" Pikachu stared up at the sky. It had fallen from Ash's shoulder when the Pokemon had taken off, and now, it was panicking.

Alex glanced down. He frowned. "Oh. A rat," he remarked coolly.

The Pokemon turned to him and sparked its cheeks menacingly. However, it was weak, and it soon shorted out and had to resort to growling.

Now Alex smirked. How satisfying would it be to stomp on Ketchum's mouse, and crush it underfoot? He tapped his foot eagerly. Just a little closer, he thought.

Suddenly Pikachu spun around and scampered away. It bolted through the city streets and disappeared in the gathering crowd of fearful and curious onlookers.

Alex scowled in confusion. Why would it run? Where did it have to run to?

Realization hit the man like a Hyper Beam attack. He even staggered a little. Without a moment more of hesitation Alex produced a pokeball from the inside of his shirt and opened it up. "Follow the Pikachu," he ordered swiftly as he mounted the Pokemon.

The Arcanine yipped in compliance and crouched down. The people before it started to panic, fearing a fire attack. They shuffled out of the way uselessly, desperately trying to create a path before the great beast launched itself on them. Alex smirked again. With a slight bend of the knees Arcanine flew into the air, over the wall of people, and landed in a full sprint on the other side. Alex held tight to its mane. He was going to get that Pikachu, and skin it in front of Ash Ketchum. It seemed a fair price for the murder of his daughter.

Dawn released her death grip on Deoxys. "Did you… did you see…" she panted as she curled up on the ground. She could not finish her sentence.

"I saw," Deoxys stated flatly.

The girl shuddered involuntarily and rubbed her arms as if cold. "I… I…" No words would come to her.

Deoxys watched her shiver and pale, either unsure of what to do or not seeing a need to do anything.

Dawn shook her head slowly, as if trying to rid herself of the memory. But the more she tried, the more it solidified itself in her mind. "What do I do?" she breathed, rocking. "They… Paul… Ash… where are they?"

"They have certainly been captivated." Deoxys blinked. "Captured," he corrected.

"Captured?" Dawn repeated fearfully. She stood up and began fretting and pacing. "Oh no. No, no, no, no. This is bad. So bad. What do I do? I… I can't do anything! I'm useless. I can't help them. And Paul! I have to save Paul." She stopped. "Which Paul?" she wondered. She clutched her forehead and groaned in frustration. "I don't know!"

Dawn could feel tears coming on. She did not cry easily, and she hated to do it, but she was alone. Crying seemed the only thing she was capable of now.

Her face grew warm and her vision blurred at that thought. She was ashamed to only be good for crying, and that only made her want to weep endlessly. Her situation seemed so desperate. She had Deoxys and Piplup, no experience with Pokemon, no physical skills, and very little courage. God, how she wished she'd stuck with the kung fu lessons her mother had put her in when she was little!

She needed to calm down. Her friends would not stumble about, panicking. They would form a plan and save her! (Or, in Misty's case, assault the enemy Leroy Jenkins style.)

Suddenly Deoxys stiffened. "Small human, something is coming. Very fast."

"What?" Dawn exclaimed, terrified.

And then it was there.

Dawn blinked. "Pikachu!" she cried. She scooped the little mouse up in her arms and hugged it. As she held it, Pikachu squeaked and struggled against her grip. "Oh my gosh I'm so glad to see you! You'll help me save everyone, won't you? Ow!"

Pikachu leapt from her arms, having escaped using a mild electric attack. "Pika!" it shouted urgently.

Deoxys stared at it. Without warning he lashed out a tentacle and wrapped it around Dawn. "We must—."

There was no sound save the rustling of branches as the great orange hound appeared, a rider on its back.

"Pi!" Pikachu growled. It crouched defensively, despite its wounds, and sparked its cheeks with malice.

Deoxys and Dawn froze. Neither knew what to think of the man on the orange dog. They stared at him for awhile, until, slowly, the man dismounted.

The two of them flinched when his feet hit the ground, the only noise other than Pikachu's electricity. He walked around his Arcanine, approaching them as if he had some dark purpose for doing so. He reached behind his back, and Dawn heard a click.

Suddenly, he stopped. Dropped whatever he had been reaching for. Staggered.

Pikachu rose from its crouch, still spitting sparks but a little less wary. The man fell to his knees. "By Arceus," he murmured.

Dawn did not know what to say, so she said nothing.

Hurriedly, the man got up again. He fumblingly grabbed what he had dropped and pointed it at them. Now Dawn knew for sure it was a gun. Trembling, the man drew nearer. Dawn quickly raised her hands in surrender. "Who are you?" the man demanded.

"My name is Dawn!" she squeaked, as if she could not say the words fast enough. Then, recognition lit up her eyes. "Oh my God, Alex!" She dropped her hands.

"Put them back up!" Alex ordered.

Dawn's hands shot back up.

Alex stopped when he was twenty feet away. His hand had steadied, and his gaze had hardened. "What's your last name?" he inquired.

"Berlitz," Dawn answered. Alex's eyes widened and the gun in his hand faltered. Dawn saw an opportunity and took it. "Alex, it's me. You used to come over for dinner every Tuesday. You always brought me stuffed animals. The penguin… it was my favorite."

Alex blinked several times. Slowly he raised the gun again. "No," he said with a swallow. "My Dawn is dead."

Dawn's breath left her like a punch in the gut. "I'm what?"

"You are not my daughter," Alex continued bitterly.

Dawn was not listening. She sank to her knees, new horror consuming her. "I'm dead here," she breathed. "There's one when there should be two." She paused. "Wait, did you say I'm your daughter?"

"You are not!" screamed Alex.

Dawn stared at him. "You married Johanna?"

Alex was caught off guard. "What? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Then what happened to Logan?" Her voice rose with each word.

"Logan?" Alex questioned. "How do you know about him? Answer me!"

Dawn squeaked with terror as he threatened with the gun, the words gushing out of her. "Logan Berlitz is my father," she gasped. "Johanna is my mother. My father died when I was little. I live with my mom. You used to come over for dinner on Tuesdays. You played Old Maid with me and you always let me win."

"Impossible!" cried Alex.

"I'm—I'm from another universe!" Dawn pleaded. Shockingly, Alex began to lower the gun. Seeing a result she wanted, Dawn plowed on desperately. "My friends are in danger! I need to help them or else we will never get home, and we have to get home. For Paul."

Out of breath, Dawn stopped. Her heart was ramming against her ribcage in panic.

Alex's shoulders slumped. Dawn exhaled with relief. He believed her! He was going to let her go!

"Vileplume."

There was a white flash, and a giant flower appeared before Dawn.

"Vine Whip."

Dawn was suddenly grasped by wet, sticky green vines. They were cold against her skin and made her cringe. Looking about, she saw Pikachu had also been caught, but of Deoxys there was no sign. Did he run off? She hoped so. She hoped he was safe.

Alex lifted his head, and his eyes were cold. "I'm taking you to Giovanni."

*AN: Twenty cool points to anyone who gets my reference up there.

Yeesh. Long time no see, eh? I've been super busy. Scholarships, poetry contests, school, Dostoevsky, swim, you know. I don't even do all my homework. For Christmas, I got a Shining Tyranitar (woo!), Just Dance 4, and Dalek socks. What about you?

Would you be interested in reading an OC Pokemon story by yours truly? I've got characters and an idea...*