Sorry for the break. I felt sick for the past two days; still am, but I feel better. Plus, my sister wanted on. Well, I am back now. Time for Bella to get her final badge…or will she?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Pokemon franchise.
CLAIMER: However, I do own my characters.
Please enjoy, no flames, but I will accept constructive criticism.
Chapter 20: Earth
"A true friend never gets in your
way unless your going down."
-Arnold H. Glasow
Charizard soared over the ocean; the water shimmered gold as the sun slowly fell into darkness. Two hours past and soon Pallet Town passed below. I did not plan on returning to my hometown until I had obtained my eighth badge. The fire-type flew over Route One and soon we landed in front of the Pokemon Center in Viridian City. I recalled Charizard and dropped in. Nurse Joy gladly took my pokemon to the back so that they could rest. I rented a room and collapsed onto a chair in the lobby, waiting for dinner to be served. While waiting, the phone began to ring. Nurse Joy did not appear to notice. I shrugged and crossed the room to answer it myself. My sister's face appeared on the screen after I said, "Hello?"
"Bella! How're you doing? Mom's been pretty worried. Give up yet?" Irina asked jokingly.
I rolled my eyes, "No. In fact, I just got my seventh badge." I showed the case to her, displaying the seven badges proudly.
A glimmer of surprise flashed in her eyes, then melted away, "Cool. I just evolved Eevee into a Glaceon. What kind of pokemon do you have?"
"Charizard, Pikachu, Growlithe, Seel, Larvitar, and Espeon." I replied.
Irina gaped, "E-Espeon!? How did you get that one? I can't find a Sun Shard anywhere!"
I hesitated to answer, "I didn't use a stone."
"Then how? Eevee can't evolve without a stone." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Espeon evolved on her own during the day. My pokédex said that some Eevee have been to evolve into Espeon, Umbreon, or Leafeon depending on the time of day, area, and their trust and love for their trainer," I paused, "Besides…isn't using a stone on a pokemon forcing evolution on them?"
"Not really. If your pokemon doesn't want to evolve, then whatever. But most trainers don't pay attention to that. All of my Eevees did want to evolve," Irina explained. "And they get better when you evolve them. You should consider using a Thunder Stone on Pikachu and a Fire Stone on Growlithe before you fight the eighth Gym Leader. I heard from Mom that the Viridian Gym is open again; no-one has beaten the Leader yet."
I nodded. Nobody has beaten the Leader yet. Viridian Gym is open. My pokemon will be stronger if they evolve… It felt wrong to do it, but I would consult Growlithe and Pikachu first. When Nurse Joy returned, I asked for my pokemon. She gave them to me, and I called out Pikachu and Growlithe. I pulled both the Thunder and Fire Stones out of my backpack and turned to them, "Hey guys. Have a nice rest?" Growlithe nodded.
Pikachu gave me a thumbs up, "Pika."
"Good," I smiled, "Hey…I was wondering if you two wanted to evolve?" They looked surprised, and then thoughtful. Growlithe soon nodded. Pikachu shook his head, "Are you sure? Once you evolve, you can't go back." The canine nodded his head once more. I sighed and bit my lip as I held the Fire Stone out to him. Growlithe's body shimmered white, and slowly he began to grow until he was big enough to carry two adult men on his back. He stopped, and before me stood a powerful pokemon. His bushy peach tail was longer; long, bushy peach fur covered the ankles of his back feet. The orange fur that was stripped with black was a darker shade. His stomach was fluffy and peach-colored, as was the rest of his. He smiled down at me; a proud shine flared to life in his dark brown irises. Arcanine, the fire-type. They are proud, loyal, and wise pokemon. They live near volcanoes and in grassy plains.
I hugged Arcanine as he leaned down and licked my cheek. I then looked down at Pikachu, "Are you sure?" He nodded. The electric-type was not ready to evolve yet. I liked him better in this form, anyway. I recalled my pokemon and sat down as dinner was served. I ate quietly, and then ran upstairs to prepare for bed…
Who am I…?
Where am I…?
I am ready…to be…
Where…am I? This…this isn't the same…was everything before just a dream? Why…
My body shivered; it felt as though I were curled in a ball, floating in cold water. My eyes opened slowly, and I wearily glanced around. Deep orange liquid surrounded me; I appeared to be floating in a wide, tall tube. Surprise flooded my heart. The feeling was strange. It was not my surprise; more like the surprise of a familiar stranger. Once more, I did not have any control over my own body or thoughts. Two voices echoed in my head; one was my own, and then the other was a male. I could also hear the voices of other people. People who sounded familiar, yet distant to me. "Doctor!" a female called.
"What?" a male asked.
"Look at this! It's brainwaves. They're surging!" A horde of whispers could be heard.
"Let's run another scan!"
"It's mind is racing!"
A mountain top appeared in my vision, and then vanished as my eyes cleared of the haze. Those voices…they're outside…where I must be! My mind began to concentrate, and soon cracks appeared in the glass until the tube shattered. Water poured from the tank, and I fell into a sitting position.
"Radio Giovanni's helicopter! Tell them what's happened!" a man shouted.
A nearby scientist smiled, "Quiet! Let us hear its psychic powers."
"Psychic…powers?" I asked, feeling confused. These emotions did not belong to me. Yet was as if I were gazing out of the eyes of another.
The man went on to ask my question, "For years we struggled to successfully clone a pokemon to prove our theories; but you're the first one to survive," he gestured to an ancient carving of a Mew that was hung on the wall, "That is Mew, the rarest of all pokemon. From its DNA we created you, Mewtwo."
A feeling of resentment boiled inside of me as I gazed at the image, "Mewtwo? Am I only a copy?" my eyes narrowed into slits, "Nothing but Mew's shadow?"
"You are greater than Mew," the man said, "improved through human ingenuity…" he went on, but I zoned out. These humans…they care nothing for me. They began to speak amongst themselves. I glanced at my hands; I had only three, pale lavender/white fingers. This was not my body. Is that my purpose? Am I just an experiment? A laboratory specimen? This cannot be, my destiny! I rose from the platform, and allowed the anger that surged through my to flow freely Computers within the room begin to explode, killing nearby scientists. Soon, fire began to spread throughout the room. Humans were engulfed by the hungry flames, leaving only one alive. I glared at him fiercely.
"We dreamed of creating the world's strongest pokemon," the head scientist whispered. My body began to glow a bright blue as my power began to fill the room, bursting at the seams, "and we succeeded." There was a mighty explosion…
I leapt up, my eyes widened in surprise. I was breathing heavily; sweat decorated my brow. I glanced around the room; I was in the room that Nurse Joy allowed me to rent. I sighed and fell onto my back, running a hand through my blonde hair. That dream…it felt so real! That creature…what was it? I sighed and rolled out of bed. That doesn't matter now. I need to get ready for my final Gym battle. I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower, then dressed and packed my gear. Once everything was ready, I ran out of the Pokemon Center and across Viridian City. It did not take long for me to reach the Gym. The Gym was built with old Roman architecture; it was well-cared for a proud. I walked up the steps and past two guards, who were dressed like Roman soldiers. The stone doors opened and I entered…
The Gym was dark. There was a simple stadium in the middle; on the wall was a balcony with a comfortable throne. A familiar man sat on the throne, smirking down at me. "Giovanni!" I gaped. "What're you doing here?"
"Me? Why, I am the Gym Leader of Viridian City." The man in the bright orange suit replied. His Persian sat beside him, purring as he stroked its head.
Team Rocket runs the Gym? I paused, "There's no need for introductions, but I'll do it anyway: I, Bella Vanielle, from Pallet Town, have come to challenge the Gym Leader of Viridian City."
He smirked, "I, Giovanni of Viridian City, accept! Each of us will use only three pokemon. If you win, I will give you the Earth Badge. Deal? Now, let us begin," His hand slid into his pocket, and he tossed a pokeball into the air. Ivory light blossomed from it, and his Rhydon appeared on the field. I grinned and called on Pikachu. Giovanni looked smug as he called out his first command, "Body Slam."
"Use Thunderbolt on its horn!" I called immediately. Golden lightning shot from Pikachu's crimson cheeks and engulfed the ground-type's horn; the attack injured it. "Repeat the attack until Rhydon faints!" Pikachu did as commanded, and soon Rhydon fell to the ground, unable to battle.
"You've become smarter, Isabella." Giovanni smirked as he recalled Rhydon and then summoned Golem.
"And your getting a senile in your old age, 'ya wrinkly Geezer," I shot back as I recalled Pikachu and called out Seel, "Hydro Pump!" Water shot from the white pokemon's mouth and engulfed the rock-type, slamming it against the wall and knocking it unconscious. Golem was weak against water-types like Seel. I embraced my pokemon and recalled her in her pokeball, then waited for Giovanni to summon his last one. His last pokemon was Machamp. I called out Charizard, who roared as he stepped up, "Dragon Rage!" A large fireball shot from Charizard's throat and slammed into Machamp, knocking it back.
"Karate Chop." Giovanni muttered. Machamp ran at Charizard, who quickly blocked the attack.
"Seismic Toss!" Charizard grabbed Machamp and flew into the air; he spun around in threw Machamp so that it slammed into the ground, "Now, one more Dragon Rage!" The last attack knocked it unconscious. Charizard flew down to me and stroked my shoulder with his head. I rubbed the orange flesh, and praised him for his good work.
Giovanni began to applaud me, which was surprising, "Good job, girl. You have grown since we last met. But would you allow me to test my strongest pokemon?"
I narrowed my eyes and nodded, "Sure." What tricks does he have up his sleeve? I wondered as he recalled Machamp. A door in the wall slowly slid open, and my eyes widened at what I saw. There was a pale lavender, nearly white pokemon standing in the doorway. It was around the same height as a full grown man; maybe six-foot-seven. His body was a similar structure to a human, but it was different and allowed others to clearly see that it was a pokemon. It had two horns jutting out of its bald head, and a dark purple belly with a long, dark purple tail. It had three fingers and three toes. It wore dark grey armor, hindering me from seeing its eyes. I gawked at it before checking my pokédex. An image did not appear. Unknown? What kind of pokemon is this?
I recalled Charizard. He won't be able to defeat it. I reached down, wondering what I should choose. My hand flew to a ball and I threw it. Espeon appeared, ready for battle. Why did I choose her? Hm… "Ready girl?" I asked. She nodded.
Giovanni smirked, "Psychic." I could feel the air as it whirled at Espeon. I realized that her immunity to this sort of attack would not work. I reached out to her, calling out for my friend. We're doomed! I thought; but the attack never came. I was surprised when I realized why; I could feel my consciousness wrapped around her in a protective bubble. My psychic powers…have been doubled? I've never been able to do this willingly before. Why now?
I decided to take advantage of the moment, "Take Down," Espeon ran at the pokemon at full force; the new pokemon reached forward and blocked the attack with its hands. "Last Resort!" Espeon's body began to glow pure white as she attacked the pokemon, leaving scratches and cuts on its body. Giovanni wore the expression of a man who had just been slapped and had his ego slashed to bits. The pokemon leapt back and held out its hand, releasing a powerful Swift attack. "Evade! Hidden Power!" A bright pink light shot from Espeon's body as she cried out, and engulfed the strange pokemon. It jerked around in pain, and then canceled the attack by summoned a black ball and blue electricity around it, then tossed it at Espeon. The ball hit and sent her spiraling into a concrete wall.
"Are you OK?" I called. Espeon stood up and nodded, "Good girl. Hyper Beam!" A golden beam of light shot from her mouth. A blue bubble surrounded the pokemon and deflected the light, causing it to hit the ceiling. Who are you? I blinked. A male voice echoed in my mind. Bella. Who are you?
My creators call me Mewtwo, but I am unsure if that is my true name. A strange aura surrounds you…tell me, do you know my purpose in life?
Not really. I'm not sure what you are.
You and I have
similar minds. I can connect with you. When I do, my powers are
amplified. I have seen your memories. Lived parts of your life.
Strange feelings that I do not recall overcome me, and for the first
time, I am content with life. Yet I still wonder what my true destiny
is. To be controlled? To remain a slave until the end of my days?
What am I meant to be? Tell me!
I don't know! I don't even know my own destiny, let alone the destiny of others. Why not consult your creators? And who are your creators? Images of the scientists flashed across my eyes.
They were humans. That is all I know. Now I serve this strange man. He says that we are equals…but…
Well your not! Giovanni is ruthless jerk that sees pokemon as tools, and nothing more. You should do the smart thing and abandon this hack before he ruins your life. I watched in horror as another black ball hit Espeon and slammed her against the wall. DON'T YOU DARE HURT MY POKEMON!!! A wave shot through my arms, and soon Espeon struggled to her feet and opened her mouth. The same black ball that Mewtwo used flew at him and hurled him into the wall. He slumped to the ground and remained still. I could sense that he was still conscious, but he seemed to have zoned out.
Why…?
I did not reply. I merely crossed the stadium and embraced my injured Espeon, "You were great out there." I whispered to her. She rubbed her nose against my shoulder as a show of appreciation. I recalled her into her pokeball and glared up at Giovanni. I held out my hand expectantly.
He narrowed his eyes in an irritated way, but flicked a small shimmering object to me. I caught it and looked at it. It resembled a green flower. I grinned as I opened the case and placed it with the: Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge, Thunder Badge, Rainbow Badge, Marsh Badge, Soul Badge, Volcano Badge, and now the Earth Badge. I placed the case in my pack and glared up at Giovanni. I gave him a curt nod, took one last glance at Mewtwo, and then left the Gym. I descended the stairs until I was at the bottom. To my surprise, Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu were there. I noticed a strange little egg-shapped pokemon in Misty's arms. I checked my pokédex and found it was called Togepi.
"Hey guys." I said.
Ash smiled, "Hey Bella! How 'ya been?"
"Great I just earned my final badge." I grinned.
He looked astounded, "Really!? Was it hard?"
"A little," I said, "But I bet you'll beat 'em."
There was the roar of a car. I turned and to my dismay, Gary Oak was there. His cheerleaders accompanied him, "Yeah right! Silly little Ash and his pokepals could never beat the final Gym Leader!"
"Shut-it, Gary!" Ash spat, "I'm about to be ahead of you, seeing as I'm going to challenge him first!"
"Yeah right," Gary pulled out a case, revealing ten badges, "I'm way ahead of both of you."
Ash gawked while I replied, "No-one likes an egotistical git."
"Whatever. Your just jealous of my amazing talents." The brunette smirked.
I grinned, "Then go and challenge this Gym leader. Let's see if you win."
Gary's eyes burned, "Fine! I will!" He jumped out of the car and stomped up the steps. His cheerleaders followed him, crying out cheers in annoyingly high-pitched voices. Ash I tried to follow, but the guards would only allow one trainer to pass at a time.
Ash growled, "If I don't do something fast, Gary's gonna get way ahead of me!"
"Uh, news flash, but Gary's always been ahead of you." Misty mumbled. Ash sighed in defeat.
I leaned towards the redhead, "A little harsh, don't 'ya think?"
"Be careful what you say around him." Brock whispered.
Togepi waddled up to Ash and climbed onto his back. He tapped its shoulder curiously, "Oh, thank-you," Ash cried, "You're the only one that stands by me!" He turned to hug his starter, but instead he embraced Togepi. Out of surprise, he threw Togepi into the air, which was caught by a yawning Fearow.
Misty stomped up to the boy and punched the back of his head, "WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR!?""
Ash smiled nervously, "Misty! It was an eggsident." All three of us paused to digest what he just said, "Heh! Get it? Its an egg and an…"
"LET'S GO!!!" the redheaded Gym Leader screamed. Misty, Ash, Brock, Pikachu, and I all sprinted after the fleeing foul…
We were running in circles around the city; we soon met up at the Gym, unable to find the poor infant. Misty was practically pulling her own hair out in worry. She turned and violently shook Ash by his shirt, "IF WE DON'T FIND TOGEPI I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!"
"Calm down Misty," Brock held up his hands in surrender, "That won't help Togepi."
She glared at him, "Well it makes me feel better!" The sound of a baby pokemon filled the air. We all glanced around, curious as to where it came from. It was coming from within the Gym. We ran inside, and low and behold, there sat little Togepi. Misty ran by us and embraced her pokemon.
"How'd it get in?" I asked.
"Over there!" Brock gestured to the corner. I saw Gary lying on the floor with his cheerleaders huddled in a corner.
"Gary!" I crossed the room and crouched beside him, "Are you OK?"
"I-Its here!" he cried.
"What's here?" I asked.
He looked up at me, "There's a weird pokemon here…one I've never seen before…and its different…its not just powerful…its evil."
"But…there can't be an evil pokemon." Ash mumbled.
One of the cheerleaders sniffled, "I can't believe that Gary lost…" they all began wailing like a group of banshee. Gary cried out in surprise as I dropped him and covered my ears. Stupid preps! If they don't stop blubbering, I'll have Pikachu chew their vocal cords out!
"Why are you making such a big fuss?" Misty asked. They stopped. "If I cried like that every time Ash lost, I'd be waterlogged!"
Ash smiled nervously, "Well, you don't have to put it that way."
"One things for sure…" Gary whispered, "No-one will ever beat that pokemon."
But I did. I was tempted to say, but I remained silent. There was an annoying cackle as the lights flashed on. A platform lifted upwards, revealing James and Jessie:
"Prepare for trouble!" the purple haired woman cried.
"And make it double!" the blue-haired man added.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"I unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
Ash narrowed his eyes, "It's them!"
"Again!" Brock added.
I blinked. Their motto sounds just like Hooch and Cassidy's.
"Why do you twerps always interrupt us before we're finished!?" Jessie hissed.
Misty sighed, "We already know what your going to say! It's never any different!"
Jessie held up a finger, "Ah, but today it is!"
"Something has happened," James added. Meowth appeared out of a large ball on the ceiling and fell to the floor.
"We just gotta big promotion!" the cat-pokemon said dramatically.
"'Cause the new leaders of this Gym are…" James paused.
Jessie continued, "The three of us!"
"Huh?" all of us said at once.
"Yup! We were just put in charge of this Gym!" Jessie grinned as she held up the Earth Badge.
"If you want the badge, then you have to defeat us." James said.
"And we prepared a stage just for you!" She threw out her arm, revealing two tall podiums for two people. Ash went and mounted the green one while Jessie stood on the red one.
"Be careful Ash." Brock warned.
Jessie grinned as she called out a Machamp. Then Ash called out Squirtle. With one Karate Chop, the pokemon was knocked out. Electricity shocked Ash. My eyes widened in surprise. "Any pain the pokemon feels, the trainer feels." Jessie said.
Ash weakly recalled Squirtle and then summoned Bulbasaur. Jessie called out Kingler. "You can't win!" Gary cried.
"I…w-won't give up!" Ash declared as he recalled Bulbasaur, and summoned Pidgeotto. The bird-type hit Rhydon. He then ordered his pokemon, and it flew down and used an attack powerful enough to send electrical shocks flowing through Jessie.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS RIGGED! UH! TURN IT OFF! TURN IT OFF!!!" she screamed in pain.
Meowth pulled out a controller, but was tackled to the ground by Gary. Jessie stood up and called out two more pokemon and had them attack Ash.
"You can't use new pokemon now, its against the rules!" Misty cried.
"I make the rules in this Gym." Jessie replied. Ash grinned as he sent his Pikachu at her, defeating her easily.
Gary smiled, "I hate to admit it…but that kids a pretty good trainer," I was surprised by his words, "But…no-one will ever beat the pokemon that I saw."
I nodded in false agreement. Ash ran over to the unconscious trio and stole the badge. He released a cheer of excitement, but we were soon forced to evacuate before the building could collapse. I stood in front of the rubble, gazing at the place I had last seen Mewtwo and Giovanni in. I said farewell to Ash and the others and went to the Pokemon Center to rest after a hard days work…
Bella has finally received her eighth badge. Now, the real battle is about to begin. Please review and I will update soon…