It's Nobody's Fault

by WyldClaw

first published under the title 'Blame'. short WCverse one-shot set in Pikachu's Point of View.. It is set before Cyndaquil sees ash and pikachu in her room in Devon's despicable plan'. Ash and Pikachu have a little talk after Ash has a nightmare involving Devon and Giovanni

it's Nobody's Faul by WyldClaw

Plot: first published under the title 'Blame'. short WCverse one-shot set in Pikachu's Point of View.. It is set before Cyndaquil sees ash and pikachu in her room in Devon's despicable plan'. Ash and Pikachu have a little talk after Ash has a nightmare involving Devon and Giovanni. I only own Devon and the hybrid's - nada else. There is a spine tingling part that i took from my Pokemon the movie 2000 II: Lawrence's Revenge fic. () Is translated Pokéspeech and italics indicate thoughts. Enjoy.

last modified : April 2020

XxX

It was the middle of the night. It was the time when every guest in the Mahogany Town Pokémon Center should be comfortably fast asleep in their beds and dreaming while nocturnal Pokémon like Glooms , Zubats and Golbats are going about their business . But there was one guest in that Pokémon Center totally awake, unable to sleep or be comfortable . A single Electric Type Pokemon wearing a hard cast on their paw and bearing scars of a recent horrendous battle.

Me.

I was on top of the bed covers in my trainer's guest room- unable to fall asleep thanks to my injuries sustained in. I looked down at the hard cast covering my right front paw and sighed as i heard the wind blow gently outside. (This sucks.) I muttered under my breath. i tried to move my paw even just a little but it was really painful. ( ow.)

Sleeping was really hard due the agonizing pain in my paw and the deep wounds devon and his cruel Espreon and Teriados gave me during the the brutal battle. For all the battles I'd taken part in the only one that I could think of that came even close to that amount of brutality was the awful fight with Giovanni's vicious Persian. I knew that it wasn't just the injuries that were causing my sleeplessness though that was a huge part of it. I did have a peaceful rest after Chansey used Sing to knock me out so that it was a lot easier for her to tend to my injuries.

but the real reason I couldn't get a decent night's sleep was that..each time i tried I kept on having to relive either being abused by Devon or the horrendous brutal battle with his malicious Teriados - a terrifying blend of Sandslash and Ariados with near transparent razor sharp wings and equally sharp claws . The Teriados had injured me and beaten me down to near exhaustion which wasn't hard for it to do- for i had used up half my energy defeating its fellow hybrid Espreon- a vicious umbreon/espeon mix- with electric attacks and Substitute. I shuddered as i recalled how that beast of a Pokémon subdued me. it had placed one of its arms with a bloodied scyther-blade-sharp claws tightly around my neck nearly cutting off my breathing as i weakly struggled to get free, red lines appearing on my throat . If that weren't enough the creature had raised one of its powerful wings into the air ready to slice into my flesh for i had called it a monstrosity. if Ash hadn't forfeited the match to save my life...i shivered again not wanting to end that thought.

If that wasn't awful enough i was still having dreams about his power hungry malicious boss Giovanni who we'd just barely escaped from a few months ago though with some mental scars that just refused to heal. I - along with my trainer and his girlfriend - had been through so much in just a few months I was surprised Ash and I weren't jumpy all the time.

. cold-hearted power hungry despicable villains. i felt the utter hatred I had for both Giovanni and Devon running through my body like my electric powers .I would never forget the the anger coursing through my body when the malicious Team Rocket crime boss had looked at me – like I was an ultra-rare Legendary Pokémon-on Lawrence's airship. This was after he briefly trapped me in a cage , beat me then threatened me with starvation and whippings if i didn't co-operate with him and right before his heartless Persian had attacked. The tension between the two of us had been as thick as a double Smog attack. he was beyond vicious and cold hearted going so far as to threaten Ash's own life if raichu-me rebelled and shoot a bullet right at his heart which i intercepted. Devon was in another class of viciousness. He kidnapped Cyndaquil and used her as a hostage, nearly killed Corsola and i with his hybrids and trapped Misty , Ash and i and massively injured and poisoned Cyndaquil. he even revealed that he had Ditto DNA within him and nearly poisoned me plus made my trainer have a near fatal delayed poisoning.

(By the Pokegods i hate them both.) I muttered silently under my breath.

It's not enough that the memories of those events still haunt me but now I have to deal with them in my nightmares. Why can't he leave us alone? ... Oh right. Apparently I'm some super powerful Pikachu that Giovanni wants to slave for him and he wants to torture my trainer to break me. I'll never join him. Why would I do that? After the brutality his Persian showed me? I'd rather die –again- than be forced into his enslavement. I felt a chill go down my body yet again again. I knew that my brief death truly affected my trainer. i would catch him looking at me at times with a pained look in his eyes. Another reason for him and I to absolutely abhor that despicable Team Rocket leader with every muscle in our bodies.

I sighed. …I wish I knew how I came back to life. Ash won't say much about it . i don't blame him for not wanting to talk about it .it must bring up painful memories of that terrible-. (Huh?) I was jolted out of my thoughts as I felt my best friend and trainer toss and turn under the soft bed cover, sweat glistening off his forehead.

He was muttering things like.. "No i won't help you... " "Leave her alone" and "They're not a part of this..."

I felt sympathetic for my young trainer- whose life- like mine-had forever changed drastically a few months ago with the whole ordeal on Lawrence's airship . i can take a guess at two possibly three heartless cruel men involved in whatever terrible dream he's having.

i couldn't blame the black haired human for having a bad night's sleep. He' had a tough past few days : Jumping into the gym's ice cold pool and saving Cyndaquil, Jessie's Arbok nearly crushing his ribs and that horrendous battle with Devon. plus he'd gotten a near fatal delayed poisoning when we arrived back at the Center last night. Twisted hybrid! I couldn't battle for a few weeks until my paw properly healed.

Within a few minutes His shaking got worse and he started sweating really badly like he was in a humid environment instead of a pleasantly air conditioned room. I could hear his heartbeat beating fast . His breathing became rapid.. Poor Ash.. Whatever kind of horrid dream he's having must be an awful one.( I need to wake him up.)

I got up and slowly inched the few feet trying to ignore the harsh pain in my right paw as I went up to his right arm and nosed it . He bolted up in the bed, breathing heavily, his dark brown eyes wide with fright. "Pika-". He looked around and then became more relaxed as he saw me. " it wasn't real. it wasn't real. Thank Mew it was just a terrible dream . you're here and safe and okay . "

i had a bad feeling when he said that. ( I'm okay...) I glanced at the cast around my paw . ( well .. kind of okay.) I licked his arm for a minute or two until i heard his heartbeat and breathing go back to normal.

He seemed to get comfort from that little gesture of kindness, "Did I wake you up buddy?"

(I couldn't sleep due to my injures and the stupid cast. you were tossing and turning badly.) I lowered my voice . ( Another nightmare?)

He nodded. "…Yeah. I hate having them what seems like every night. It was bad enough when it was just that evil psychopathic monster and Lawrence. But now... "He gulped as the color got back into his face.

(I know what you mean. Join the club... Do... you want to tell me about it?) I saw the pain in his eyes as he bit his lip- a habit he did when he was nervous or scared. His eyes showed a flicker of fear. . 'it must have involved that malevolent soulless boss of Team Rocket- no one else gets him looking this utterly terrified. I nosed his right hand. (Or if you just want to tell me a part of it you can.)

He lowered his voice and tripped over his words. "It started off as a great dream- we were all playing and laughing. Phanpy accidently threw me a few feet away into a big mud puddle with her Tackle." we both briefly smiled- the little Ground type was so playful and strong she didnt always know her own strength. " But then... " The smile left his face replaced by a frown. "This deep thick fog appeared and it- it changed n-not for the better."

Fear prickled at my fur - I had a feeling what interrupted it. (H-h-him?) I sputtered.

He nodded. "We were running from some...creatures of Devon and a thunder j-jolt hit my legs and a super strong tranquilizer dart struck me. Next thing I knew when I woke up I w-was tightly tied up in you-know-who' office. my arms and legs felt sore and Cassidy and Butch were holding my arms behind my back . H-h-he took my chin in one hand and studied me closely .H-he said I acted and looked extremely similar to someone he -" he gulped- "took c-care of a long t-time ago when his mother was still ruling the organization. Th-that it was like going back in time and l-looking in a mirror."

I felt my insides twist into a knot at those words. If he said Ash looked just like that person he 'took care of' then it had to have been his dad..

(You mean to say -) my voice was barely more than a dry whisper. (G-Giovanni k-kiil- took care of your -) I couldn't finish and his nod confirmed it. That beyond soulless human! It wasn't enough for him to be threatened and nearly get killed by that power hungry villain - he's responsible for his dad's death! (I hope that didn't happen to your dad in real life.)

" thanks bud. I don't k-know if he r-really did that or not. He's truly beyond evil and i… wouldn't put it past him." he shuddered then continued on about the nightmare. "A-After that he s-said that he brought a knife and said you weren't cooperating and w-wanted to test out a theory about our 'psychic link.'"

My fur bristled at the last two words. (What 'psychic link'? Is he insane? That's beyond crazy-) my electrical pouches on my cheeks started sputtering for a few seconds in agitation. Even that little spurt Hurt like heck. One of the places Teriados' Fury Slash had intentionally struck- and left a deep scar-was my right electrical pouch. (Oww) I winced.

"easy pal. what's the matter ?" Ash said as he noticed my pain and my sparks sputtering to a stop.

(It's that stupid deep cut Teriados gave me on my right electric pouch. It stings like mad when I try to attack or spark up. I swear to Mew it did that on purpose.)

"oh Pikachu..." he looked worried.

(it's .. okay) I told him. ( Chansey told me that it .. will heal on his own. but she also put some kind of cream on it to speed up the healing process. whatever she put on it must have worn off. she.. said.. she'd give us some when we left. I just can't use any electrical attacks til it does heal .)

My best human friend sighed with relief. "That's good to hear. at least you can stil use your other attacks."

I looked down at the cast covered paw. (at least some of them. I doubt i'd be able to mange Quick Attack, Double-Edge or Agility with this stupid thing on .. it would look pretty bad. now...Wh-What about the rest of your dream? a-after the deranged psycho told you that?)

"I-I tried to tell him exactly what you said but Cassidy slugged me hard. H-he made two video monitors appear. One showed Injured and bound Misty and Cyndaquil with D-Devon and his ... creations guarding them. Th-th other showed you bound to the floor with shockproof bonds and chained to the wall. That loathsome P-Persian of his had its claws over you. You looked very beat up and there were red lines all over you. He said he wanted to find out where that power came from and I was g-going help him. O-o-or..." he gulped.

I guessed where the nightmare was headed. That heartless evil monster! (R-remember what y-you said he told you when I was unconscious?)

We both shivered recalling what he'd told me-well Raichu-me-when we'd been trapped beneath the helicopter: I was his Achilles' heel. The coldhearted leader noticed My trainer would do anything to keep me from harm. He Told Ash he was going to use me to break his spirit. He also said he was planning on to taking it out on him if i disobeyed.

i gulped.

(You don't have to tell me the rest if you don't want To.)

He exhaled with relief as he lay back on the pillow and my fur fell back to normal. "Thank Mew. I don't want to recall it. I hate seeing that savage cruel barbarian in my dreams."

(I utterly and completely despise him.) I shuddered.

"Same here. Come here buddy, I think we both need a hug." He tried to stand up against the bedpost but winced.

I looked at him worriedly. (Ash? Are you okay?)

"Yeah. It's just that stupid delayed poisoning."

I licked his left hand- Misty told me about his delayed poisoning and how Joy had to give him a new plain white shirt and light pants- which is what he was wearing. (Getting poisoned throws your system out of whack.) I stated then gulped. (Trust me from experience. Remember how fast my temperature rose after Jessie's Arbok poisoned me in Cerulean?)

"You were a mess. Getting thrown into that locker and then wrapped in his coils probably didn't help."

I shook my head. (Not one bit.)

"I didn't know he was going to do that to you."

(This is Arbok we're talking about. He's a snake and unfortunately snakes' main sources of food are eggs and m-mice like me -) I shuddered. (.All those times when I battled him and i could have been majorly poisoned but wasn't. my body didn't know what to do. That's why I collapsed on the gym floor, as we were about to leave to get the police.)

"Yeah. And you looked out of sorts even though I gave you the Antidote. "

I nodded, (I was still a bit woozy when I fainted on the ground when Misty was about to clobber you.) I paused to catch my breath. (I… shouldn't have used Thunder on Jessie and James. It really Hurt). I paused to get my breath. (Didn't you say she was concerned and that's why she insisted on us staying the night?)

He nodded but I could feel his face blush. "But that rest along with the Hyper Potion and the water seemed to help you recover."

(It did.) I changed the subject as I noticed a deep ring-shaped indentation on his arms. (Is that where Devon's shock rings were?)

He nodded. "Yeah... demented sick hybrid." He muttered as he took in my cast and scars. I shivered again thinking of fighting Devon's Teriados and Espreon. My trainer looked down at me. "I know pal. I know."

He started to brush my fur with his left hand as he scratched under my chin with the other. It brushed against a deep scar on my side and I pulled away at the touch. (Oww.) I flinched.

"Sorry. I didn't realize that wound was there." He said as he gazed upon the ugly jagged scar showing partly through my yellow fur-a souvenir of the brutal battle with Teriados. He turned his gaze from the scar and stared rubbing behind my ears with his left hand instead. "They weren't able to heal it?"

I shook my head. (They did their best but Chansey told me it was a pretty deep scar but it will fade away in time. She healed most of my wounds but…) I dropped my gaze to the cast. (I can't really move without my paw hurting. The cut near my electrical sack doesn't help either.)

"I shouldn't have made you battle him." he sighed and was quiet for a minute. "It was my fault that you got injured again."

(What in the world are you talking about?) I asked.

"I should've sent out Totodile, Phanpy Bayleef or Noctowl to fight instead. Then maybe..."

(Those two nefarious hybrids would have creamed them as easily as they beat Corsola and I. Don't forget that Noctowl is a Shiny Pokemon. Devon would have snagged her without a moment's hesitation. ) I pointed out.

"That's a fair point." he sighed as he scratched behind my ears for a few minutes. "Why is it always my fault? It's almost like fate hates me."

I looked up at him. (That's crazy talk Ash. You've just had a string of bad luck that's all. It's not your fault. its nobody's fault )

"Is it pal? It seems like ever since the airship fiasco we're constantly getting injured or hunted after or..."

(It's just bad luck nothing more than that. ) I insisted. (B-besides some good things came out of that horrible event. Like Golduck and-and me evolv-) I stopped seeing the distant hurt look in his eyes for a few seconds. He'd told me what briefly happened after the bullet hit me and after he'd shown Misty's ring. It still pained him and honestly I couldn't blame him. (Sorry I mentioned ...that)

He rubbed behind my ears. "It's like you just said-some good things came out of...that. You saved my life. " He lowered his voice, "For what it's worth, taking on that horrendous cat by yourself and evolving without a stone was extremely incredible. And you made one awesome hell of a Raichu."

(Yeah...) I mumbled, averting my eyes from his to look down at my injured paw. . I knew that seeing getting shot and my brief death-along with getting beaten to a bloody pulp by the Persian and nearly being suffocated by Devon's Teriados- nearly tore him apart. I could tell that those things really changed him and i felt bad for the pain he had to endure in such a short time. I shivered. Stupid evil heartless Giovanni and demonic Devon. It's their fault- not his .we went through such a harsh hellish time.

He followed my gaze as stroked my fur. "Hey, it's okay Pikachu." As if sensing what i was thinking he thankfully changed the topic. "No matter what we went through with Giovanni it must have been even harder on Cyndaquil."

I nodded, thinking of the torturous hell she'd been through in the past few days with Devon. (She was truly courageous facing him like that despite her injuries and what she'd been put through. I-is she going to be all right?)

A downcast expression appeared on Ash's face. "I dunno. Misty told me Joy said it's taking a long time to heal her injuries. I-i couldn't bear if-if she-"

(Ended up like i did a few months ago after you know whom... shot me. Well minus the evolution and getting shot parts) I finished and he nodded. I don't blame him for being worried. (Why don't we go check on her?)

A smile appeared on his face. "Great idea pal. I'll just tell Mist where we're going so she doesn't kill me. Said she wasn't gonna let me out of her sight."

(Can't say I don't blame her .) I watched him as he clumsily put on his dirt caked sneakers in the dark wincing a lot. I lit up my body a little so he could see what he was doing . At first he put them on the wrong feet until i pointed it out and then he switched them. . He picked me up gingerly with his hand then got out of the bed.

Bayleef-who had been sleeping on the floor next to his bed- heard the noise. She opened one eye as she raised her head and sleepily looked up from her spot next to the floor. (Hmmm. Ash Wh-what's going on?)

"Hey Bayleef. Did I wake you?"

( a little. wh-What's going on?)

(Neither of us could sleep so we're gonna check on Cyndaquil) I told her.

(Ahh. That's understandable ) She used her Vine Whip to get Noctowl's pokéball from the table and tuck it into the pants pocket of his pajamas. (Take her with you …Just in case. You should probably tell Misty what you're doing so she doesn't clobber you.)

"Fair point. That's what I'm gonna tell her.."

"T- Tell me wh-what?" His girlfriend yawned as she got out of her bed on the other side of the room and walked over to us. Her own full length nightclothes looked a bit came up to us and looked us over , taking in the the look on his face. " nightmares?" she whispered.

We nodded. Ash looked down at the marks on his arms. "I-it was a bad one Mist. we were talking and we got concerned for cyndaquil and how she's doing."

Ash gave her a short explanation of what we were doing. When he was done she kissed him on the cheek.

"I don't blame you for wanting to check on her."

(That's what I told him.) I replied.

She nudged him towards the door. "Go. If anything comes up..."

(We can send Noctowl if anything goes amiss. We'll be fine- I may not be able to use my electricity much but I can still bite, yell, run and scratch-) I gazed down at my cast. (Well sort of run and scratch.)

A smile lit across her face as she walked him to the door and opened it. "I'm not worried. If anything comes up send him. I love you." She gave him a quick kiss before we left the right room and the door closed.

…

Even in the darkened hallway I could feel my trainer's face blush hotly for a few minutes. I knew it was still new to him to be actually dating his longtime crush. She'd stuck by his side through the whole airship disaster and the increased attacks. She'd been strong during the ordeal with Devon- even getting him back to reality after Devon had taunted him. (Hello? Earth to Ash) I waved a paw on front of him. (Hello? Anyone in there?)

"Huh? Sorry pal. Just thinking about how supportive and strong Mist's been.

(She has. I don't think anyone else could have stood up to Devon like that. _)

" You got that right. I love having a girlfriend."

(It only took you forever. Who was the 'Mon who kept on saying you should tell her your feelings?)

"Ummm, so it took me a while…" I rolled my eyes. "But it was really that whole horrendous fiasco w-with Lawrence a-a-and." he shivered and I knew he couldn't mention Giovanni's name or finish it without remembering his nightmare

I lowered my voice. (You know who that put things into perspective?) I finished and he nodded.

"Y-yeah." He changed the subject. "Which room do you think Cyndaquil's in?"

(No clue. Look! There's something coming toward us. )

We saw a figure with a light come toward us, which turned out to be a Chansey on the night shift. She approached us, carrying a small flashlight in one hand- that was the source of the light. (Hello young man. Can I help you with something?)

"Umm. There was an extremely injured p-poisoned Cyndaquil that came in. I-i couldn't sleep so I want to check on her. "

(Oh yes I know exactly who you are talking about. You must be the trainer who brought her in and got badly poisoned.) He nodded. (How are you feeling?)

"Much b-better, thank you. Do you know if she i-is going to be okay?"

The pink Pokémon nodded and I felt his muscles relax as he sighed with relief. (Yes. You got her here just in time. She's had quite the ordeal but she's quite the strong willed one. She's just sleeping it off. She has IVs in her and her paw seems to be broken so it's in a cast. Other than that she's fine. Would you like me to show you where she is?)

We nodded. "Y-yes please."

We were both silent as she led us down two hallways to where Cyndaquil was. We didn't know how bad her injuries were. A few minutes later she brought us to a door. (We use this room for Pokémon who need extra quiet space to recover.)

"Th-thanks."

She nodded as she quietly opened the door for us and we walked inside. The small room had a tiny bed next to a bunch of IV poles on wells on it and two chairs next to the bed on the opposite side. There was a window and a small computer monitor above the bed. (Look.) I pointed to my sleeping friend in the bed, who smelled of medical salve. Apart from the IVs attached to her, the cast over her paw, and the few scars left on her body she looked pretty good considering what she'd been through. (She doesn't look too horrible.)

He breathed with relief and flopped into one of the chairs. "Thank goodness." he gazed at the cast on her paw. The scars and the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she slept. " hey girl. I know you're asleep but I-I w-want you to know. I'm so sorry you're in this state Cyndaquil. You truly saved our lives and-and"- he tripped over his next few words. "I-I was so worried after you g-got p-poisoned Th-that I never really got to thank you. Standing up to that repulsive abomination like that after he t-tormented you took tons of courage. You might be one of the bravest Pokémon I -" he yawned. "I-I know."

(Well put.) I saw his eyes start to droop. (You look totally beat. I'll keep watch until I fall asleep myself. )

"But your injuries..."

(Don't hurt that much. Besides...) I lowered my voice. (I don't think he will come back. That cloaked figure said it and the hybrids would take care of Devon once and for. )

He sighed with relief. "Oh right... I forgot."

(If anything does come up I'll get Noctowl out of Her Pokéball) I nuzzled his hand. (Yo just have to tell yourself that none of this is your fault at all. If you need to blame something blame that ancient Shamuti legend inscription. That's where all the trouble.)

I looked up and saw a slight smile split across his face. "Y-y-yeah... you're r-right p-pal..." he yawned. "I said it back on the Shamuti Sh-Shrine years and I'll s-" he yawned , "s-say it again: I wish m-my mom had named me Bob instead of A-Ash. Night buddy."

(Night.)

He closed his eyes and was asleep in a few minutes.

.

I sighed. I felt sympathetic towards the young human. It wasn't fair that poor Cyndaquil was in this condition so soon after he watched me evolve, take the bullet, briefly die then be somehow resurrected. It must have been tearing him apart to know that he nearly lost two Pokémon to the likes of Team Rocket. A few months and our lives had changed for the worst.

I yawned starting to feel the exhaustion hit myself. Even with the snooze after Chansey healed me I still felt beat up. Probably due to all the deep injuries. I yawned and closed my eyes- luckily the brutal battle hadn't affected my hearing.

I also thought about the dream he described. I shuddered recalling what Giovanni told him in the dream about his dad. That's disturbing and sick. Having met the power hungry malicious Team Rocket leader and his equally evil Persian -and been beat up by both him and his loathsome cat Pokemon I wouldn't put it past the villain to do just that without batting an eye It made my stomach curl-even more so than hearing my trainer describe my bindings. I nuzzled his hand as if to reassure him everything would turn out for the best. I could understand how much the nightmare terrified him. He'd endured so much pain in the pain in the past month. Poor Ash. He shouldn't have to endure these horrendous nightmares.

I let my mind wander away from that horrendous nightmare and onto happier times such as winning all the battles, playing with my teammates. As I was about to nod off into dream land myself my ears twitched as I heard a light voice calling Cyndaquil's name.

Huh? That's strange. I sleepily opened one eye to see the source of the voice. Instead of seeing the source of the noise I saw Cyndaquil slowly look up and smile at me . (Hi.)

(Hi) I yawned. (A-are you feeling better?)

(I think so. I'm still a bit light headed and tired. ) She nodded and I saw her gaze over at the cast over my right paw. (Was that the one Devon yanked?)

I sighed. (Yeah. Apparently it was worse than we thought. I can't battle until it heals. It hurts badly but it's better than what happened the last time...) I trailed off not wanting to finish the sentence . She knew I referred to a few months ago when everything changed.

She changed the subject. (W-what happened after I fainted?)

(The cloaked figure helped us get you here. Apparently-) I yawned again. (apparently after Ash gave you to Joy and the Chanseys were taking care of my injuries he got massively poisoned.)

(But. how?) Her eyes widened.

(Noctowl thinks it was some kind of delayed fast acting poison from Devon's Toxic/Poison Fury.) I explained

(Oh my! So it was my fault?)

I noticed her downcast expression and shook my head. (Not at all. It's Devon's fault. We're not blaming you whatsoever. ) Her expression turned to one of great relief (He's fine. That' why he smells different and has that shirt on. )

(Oh. I was w-wondering about that) she yawned as well as I struggled to keep awake. (You look wiped out from the battle with Devon. )

I smiled- still feeling the effects of the fight with Espreon and Teriados. (I am. But you look really spent after the hell you went through. You might want to get some sleep-I'm going to do the same.) I suggested before closing my eye and falling back asleep.

The end