Chapter 8
In a middle sized clearing that was not too far from the road, Ash was officially regretting the training Mewtwo offered as he laid face down in the grass in only a short sleeved shirt and shorts while his other clothes were packed in his bag, panting as if his life depended on it. He knew that his Pokémon needed trained up but Mewtwo said nothing about Ash himself joining until Ash summoned his team out. Mewtwo made him run a mile, do 30 jumping jacks, do 15 pushups, and do hand to hand combat with every single member of his team. Needless to say Ash was tired, irritable, and hungry by the end of the training and his Pokémon weren't much better. His Charizard, at first, lazed about but Mew then started to throw tiny attacks at him making him angry enough to chase Mew unknowingly doing the exercises Mewtwo set out for the Pokemon to do but twice the amount than the others. By the time Mew stopped her attacks, Charizard had collapsed to the ground sweaty, breathing hard, and straining just to keep his eyes open while the others were only half as bad and Mew was just snickering at them all.
Mewtwo had to smirk at the tired forms of Ash and his Pokémon while Brock and Misty just watched at a foldable table that Brock brought along, sipping some tea while fixing up some sandwiches for a late lunch. "You all are out of shape." Mewtwo taunted the exhausted group.
"Yeah…No…Kidding…" Ash panted out resting his head to the side with his eyes closed.
Mewtwo just kept smirking. He had done the exercises as well but didn't feel anything but some slight muscle strain but he remembered when Giavonni made him do this routine when he first arrived to the Team Rocket base but he had to do it with the armor on which added weight to his already heavy set mass. He wouldn't push Ash as hard as he, himself, had been pushed but he would make them do training every week while doing strategic battle training every day after the physical training though he will put a day of rest in just so that they wouldn't burn out.
He observed Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charizard during their training and while Charizard was able to outlast every Pokémon from Ash's team, Pikachu was the next closest followed by Squirtle and Bulbasaur. He looked at the insect Pokémon that had a purple body with two body segments, four light blue legs with the front two looking like three small fingered paws and the lower resembling long toeless feet, two pairs of wings that are white with black designs that follow the veins in the wings, two red eyes, a light blue mussel with two tiny fangs sticking out, and two black antennae sticking out of its head. He knew this to be a Butterfree and a very capable Pokémon when used properly.
The other Pokémon was a bird Pokémon that had brown feathers all over its body with cream colored feathers on its face, wing tips, and underside, a crest of long red feathers starting at the beak and ending at the mid neck, its tail had three red feathers with two cream feathers in between the red feathers, black angular markings around its eyes, and its beak was a light pink in color as well as its feet that had two very sharp clawed digits facing forward and one facing back. This was called a Pidgeotto from what he remembered and he knew it was a powerful avian Pokémon but it was not in its final form making some drawback of what it could do while succeeding in others.
He guessed that in a few short weeks the physical training will make Ash almost strong enough to take on Butterfree one on one without sustaining any great injury. "You'll be able to get better in time Ash." Mewtwo said as he relaxed by a tree. "As will your Pokémon."
"Tell me that when I actually get my limbs to stop screaming at me in agony." Ash mumbled as he slowly sat up in the grass after a few minutes.
"I will admit you have more stamina than the average human." Mewtwo looked at Ash as he huffed in stubbornness.
"Well I have been traveling and that requires a lot of exercise." Ash mumbled. "Not to mention running constantly because of Team Rocket encounters all along my journey."
Mewtwo grunted a bit. "While that certainly contributed," Mewtwo said. "You also have a large power reserve in you."
Before Ash could ask what he meant, Mew suddenly ran over to Mewtwo and showed him a shiny red apple that was in her hands. "For you!" She happily said as she smiled.
Mewtwo blinked at Mew in her Riolu form as she held out the apple. "Why?" He asked as he took the apple in his new paws.
Mew just smiled wider. "An apple a day keeps the frowns at bay!" She giggled before running to the table where Brock and Misty were and started to play with the Togepi that was sitting by Misty's side.
Mewtwo looked blankly at Mew for a bit before looking at the apple in his paws. "What does that mean?" He asked in confusion.
"What does what mean?" Ash asked and Mewtwo jumped when he saw Ash standing next to him.
Mewtwo narrowed his eyes. "You are certainly quiet when you want to be." He grumbled taking a bite out of the apple and secretly savored the juices that filled his mouth.
"I guess I can be." Ash said rubbing the back of his head. "So, what's with the apple?"
Mewtwo huffed. "Nothing."
"Aw come on," Ash said whining slightly. "I can help!"
Mewtwo glared at Ash before an mischievous glint entered his eye. "You know," he smirked. "If you have enough energy to sneak around then you have enough energy to run another mile around the clearing."
Ash froze. "Now I didn't mean…" he started to say but was interrupted by Mewtwo's growl.
"Start running Ash or I will make it two miles."
Ash instantly took off running like he was hit by a flamethrower making Mewtwo smirk even more. "I won't tolerate whining in training sessions." He said making his voice heard by Ash's Pokémon as they watched their trainer run like his life depended on it. "And that goes for you too, understood?" Mewtwo glanced at them, taking another bite out of his apple and they all gulped at his words before nodding. "Good."
He went back to watching Ash as he ran his ordered mile. He was watching the boy closely as he ran and took note that the boy, while sweating and breathing hard, never slowed down his constant pace during the run. Mewtwo used a power called Aura Sight to watch Ash's aura grow dim from its large bright reserves but almost immediately returning to the brightness it was at as soon as Ash collapsed on his back next to him causing Mewtwo to stop his Aura Sight due to how close the brightness was. It didn't make much sense for him to have such a large reserve of stamina as most humans had not even half of what Ash had. It was confusing for him to try and figure out so he instead focused on the time that Ash ran for. "Ten minutes." He said taking in the exhausted form of the boy beside him as he finished the apple. "Better than most humans your age."
"Thanks…" Ash grumbled. "I guess."
"I am speaking the truth Ash." Mewtwo huffed in annoyance. "You have an Aura that is the biggest I've seen next to an actual Pokémon's Aura."
Ash opened his eyes and looked at Mewtwo. "Is that a bad thing?"
Mewtwo shook his head. "I do not think so." He then stood. "Now," his voice echoed in the clearing making the resting Pokémon in front of him stand to attention. "I want some practice battles to commence. Charizard, you will be against Pikachu. Bulbasaur, you will battle Squirtle. And Pidgeotto, you will be with Butterfree. The rule is to start with base attacks first and slowly graduate to stronger attacks as the training becomes more intense. For now it is just base until one opponent or both is close to fainting. After a short rest period, you will switch opponents with one that is your type disadvantage. Everyone understand?"
"Pika pi pik chu cha pikapi pi chuka chupi?" Pikachu asked.
"Under normal circumstances yes, Ash would be the one giving you the orders in training but he is just as in need of it as you are. Ash will start his strategic training of you one he is able to start hand to hand combat and experience what Pokémon do on the battlefield in the first place. This way he can understand what to tell each Pokémon how to battle other Pokémon as if he was the one doing battle especially in his tournaments." By this time, Ash was sitting up once more and gulped as Mewtwo turned to him. "You, Ash, will start regular strength and endurance training until I determine you strong enough to take on Butterfree in hand to hand combat."
"Butterfree?" Ash asked almost sounding insulted. "I know I'm not exactly muscle man but don't you thing you are underestimating me a little bit?" Mewtwo just blinked at him with bored eyes. "I mean I did withstand being thrown psychically by you and survive the attacks that you and M threw at each other."
"Surviving on a whim and knowing tactful skills in order to survive in life are two very different things Ash." Mewtwo said intensely. "Pokémon from a young age have to learn to fight in order to become strong in the wild. You, however, have dumb luck that has been getting you through your battles and travels."
"I'm not a hopeless and helpless kid Mewtwo!" Ash raged standing up in an instant making his Pokémon uneasy. "I don't need special treatment from you just because you think I am weak!"
"I didn't say that!" Mewtwo said forcefully. "I just said you needed training before going-"
"I know what you said!" Ash yelled louder causing Brock and Misty to stand from their table while Mew ran over to Mewtwo and Ash.
"Then why can't you just do what I say?! I am trying to make you a better trainer!"
"Because I know I am stronger that just some stupid training regimen!" Ash yelled walking into Mewtwo's face.
"And I know you are not ready!" Mewtwo yelled back. "You agreed to me training you and your Pokémon and this is how I am training you!"
Mew then transformed back into her normal form and let out a loud screech making everyone fall to their knees and cover their ears in pain as the screech continued on for another minute before stopping and taking in the downed forms of Mewtwo and Ash. "You should be ashamed of yourselves!" She yelled telepathically aloud at the two below her getting their attention. "I know this is hard on both of you by trying to work on a new method of training but arguing is going to get you nowhere!"
"But he-" Ash started but Mew held up a paw in his face.
"Don't even start on trying to blame the other! This is both of your faults! You guys should be working together and trying to find new ways to battle and train not end in fights that get out to the point of yelling!" Mew's eyes were glowing slightly as her rage of seeing others fight pointlessly getting to her deeply. "No, I think you two need a break from one another. Ash, go eat and refresh yourself with Brock and Misty. Mewtwo, you will watch Ash's Pokémon train with each other. Until you two can get over this hurdle and apologize, don't bother one another." Mew then transformed back into her Riolu form and walked away to the other side of the clearing and sitting down with her back to everyone.
Ash glanced at Mewtwo only to see him turned away, heading towards the group of Pokémon that were still glancing nervously at both of them. Pikachu was the one to hop on over and stand in front on Ash with a curious tilt of the head as Ash knelt down and gave Pikachu an affectionate rub on the head. "Go on buddy." he said gently as he smiled. "I'm just going to take a break for a bit. You practice with Charizard okay?" He got up and walked to Brock and Misty grabbing a sandwich that was laid out for him.
Pikachu glanced back where his teammates were and then back to where Ash was, feeling incredibly conflicted about everything happening. He wanted to train and get better but he wanted to have Ash with him as he trained. Pikachu frowned and ran to Mewtwo quickly as he set things up to get ready for the one on one training battles. "Pi pikachu pika chu cha kachu pi." He said to Mewtwo making him sigh.
"You want to talk to Ash for a little bit huh? Very well." Mewtwo said. "Charizard!" Getting the dragon Pokémon's attention. "You will be doing exercises until Pikachu can get back." Pikachu then ran off towards the table where Ash, Brock, and Misty were.
Charizard grunted in annoyance but nodded and started to do some boxing moves against a thick tree. Mewtwo then put Squirtle and Bulbasaur in the middle of the clearing with Butterfree and Pidgeotto a few meters away and signaled the start of the practice to happen.
Pikachu hopped onto the table where Ash was standing at and grabbed a ketchup bottle that was there before popping open the lid and taking a swig, glancing at his dumbstruck trainer as a piece of sandwich hung from his lips as he stared at Pikachu. "What are you doing here?" Ash asked after swallowing the piece of sandwich.
"Pika pika." Pikachu said.
"I am not being unreasonable." He said making Brock and Misty blink at each other.
"Pi pika pikachu pi pi."
"I cant help but argue with him!"
"Pi chu chu pika cha chu cha pi."
"I know I agreed to do the training but I know I can last against at least Butterfree."
"Pi chu pika ka pi chu cha pi ka pi cha."
"I know I can! I've been withstanding your electric attacks so why can't I try with Butterfree?"
"Pi ka ka chu pi kapi."
Ash growled in frustration. "I want to join you. Believe me I do but I want to prove to Mewtwo that I don't need extra time just exercising away from you guys. I feel like I'm failing as a trainer as is so I just want to do something with you to show that I am the trainer that you deserve."
"You know Ash," Brock spoke up as he observed how down Ash looked. "You can do a preliminary trial battle against Butterfree to let Mewtwo observe what you can and can't do."
"A preliminary battle?" Ash asked.
"It's like a practice battle but it is more to help a trainer decide if the Pokémon he is choosing for the future gym or tournament is strong enough to withstand the opponents they will face." Misty said.
"He won't listen to me now so what is the point?" Ash grumbled tearing a bite out of his sandwich viciously.
"Like Mew said, give yourself both some time to cool off then just talk about doing that preliminary match in order for him to determine where your true strength lies." Brock said.
Ash just grumbled before Pikachu decided he had enough of his down and out attitude and squirted him with the ketchup bottle making Ash yell out in surprise. "Pikachu chi cha pika pi pik." Pikachu said before putting down the bottle and running back to his teammates to train up.
"I am not being a big baby!" Ash yelled wiping the ketchup off his face and getting ready to say more but Pikachu was already over by the others. So all he could do was huff and sit in a chair that was by the table.
"You know Ash," Misty said. "Your Pokémon all respect you. You show them how to never give up besides doing a few training sessions to build up strength doesn't mean they'll look at you any different."
"Yeah." Broke said. "You helped each and every Pokémon that you have caught in some way or another so I don't think they would see you as someone who is weak."
Ash ignored him as he observed Pikachu talking to Charizard before getting into their own stances for their practice battling. Charizard threw the first punch by swinging his powerful tail towards Pikachu and he quickly dodged before hopping onto the tail and running up Charizard's back and tackling him in the head lightly before jumping off and away from Charizard all the while, a smirk on his face showed how much he was enjoying this mock battle. Ash finished off his sandwich frowning and pouting at the whole scene in front of him before getting up once more and walking off. "Where are you going Ash?" Misty loudly asked as she picked up her Togepi.
"I'm going to take a walk." Ash shouted back to her while Mewtwo very discreetly watched him leave out of the corner of his eye.
He didn't mean to make the young trainer so angry and annoyed at him but he needed to understand that Pokémon were more powerful than humans and just one wrong move would be devastating and he did not want to end up hurting Ash any more than he already did. That day at the stadium was not one he had foreseen coming and if it had been any other attack, he knew that Ash would not have even survived and this journey would have not even been possible. Mewtwo turned his attention to the paired up Pokémon and had to silently applaud them for taking to the training to easily and hoped that once Ash came back from his little walk that he would see that as well. He silently sighed and resolved that he would apologize as soon as the young trainer returned from wherever he was going to clear his head.
Ash walked into the forest and kicked a stick or two while he walked thinking as he went through trees and past wild Pokémon for an hour or so. He understood that he wasn't the best trainer on the planet or the fittest but he knew enough to survive on his own against a Pokémon. He did it with the Spearrow on the beginning of his journey by protecting Pikachu and he did escape Team Rocket shenanigans several times so why did everyone think he needed extra training before hand to hand? Never before did he doubt himself so badly as he was right now. Maybe he was just overreacting but he felt like everything was being handled by Mewtwo and he was just left to the sidelines as the others listened to someone who was not their trainer. Then again, Mewtwo had even gotten Charizard to obey him with minimal effort, something of which Ash failed at the past several months since Charizard evolved.
He couldn't understand why he just didn't seem to be so irritated with everything lately. It was like his understanding and understanding nature just took a turn and went out the window just leaving the emotions of irritation, anger, and hopelessness to fester. He was tired of feeling this way and just wanted to go back to how he was feeling before today. It couldn't have just been from the conversations today nor could it be from just the work out so maybe it was just an off day from all the changes happening? Something going so fast and so abruptly that his emotions just have no idea on how to sort it all out? Nothing he seemed to think of as a possible explanation seemed to help his convictions though and he continued to walk.
Suddenly, Ash tripped over a tree root as it caught his left ankle and fell facedown into the grass groaning in pain as he slowly got to his knees and then turned to get in sitting position as he assessed his throbbing ankle. He winced at the reddened area and prodded it gently only to pull back as pain hit him like one of Pikachu's thunderbolts so he decided to keep from messing with it anymore.
He looked around and sighed as he saw nothing but forest around him and no sign of any Pokémon. "Great." He sighed scooting to a tree that is behind him slowly and leaned against it. "I guess now training is really out of the option." Ash grunted as he used his good leg to push his body against the tree to stand up. Once he got to an upright position he grabbed a branch and yanked it to try and tear it off only to lose his grip and fall to the ground sideways this time yelling slightly as the ground shifted below him causing him to fall even further down into the ground and he realized that he fell into a hole. "Now this is just wonderful!" Ash yelled in frustration as he sat up once again only this time knowing his ankle was worse than before because of the severe pain radiating from it due to the fall though thankfully there were no other injuries to add to the ankle.
Ash refrained from yelling as the tunnel he was in would probably attract who ever made it and he did not feel lucky enough to meet the Pokémon who did this handy work. He eyes the hole above him and sighed as he saw that it was way above his head and to reach it would need some kind of Pokémon help. He observed the fallen debris around him and found a stick that would help him walk so he grabbed it and pulled himself up painfully before looking down both sides of the tunnel. It was dark, almost achingly so but he needed to try and get out of this thing before he encountered any hostile Pokémon so he turned to go to the right and started hobbling down into the dark. He didn't go far unfortunately before things decided to take a turn for the worse and he bumped into something large and furry so decided to back up slowly and try the other way but encountered the same large and furry thing.
He gulped and decided to sit under the hole once more noting that it was past late afternoon and headed towards nighttime. Ash wanted desperately to be back with his friends and Pokémon. He wanted to say sorry to Mewtwo and discuss training plans for him to start on so that he could be the trainer that he wished he could be. He wanted to have Pikachu here by his side as he sat alone and in pain under the ground with nothing on but a shirt, shorts, and shoes. He looked at his ankle once more wincing internally at the swelling that was intensifying by the minute making him guess that it was more than just a slight sprain and more than likely a broken ankle.
Ash decided to lean against the dirt wall and try to ignore the growing pain, hoping that the others would find him before it got late and with both Mew and Mewtwo there, finding him should be easier than if they were not there with him. He just hoped they would arrive sooner rather than later so that he could just curl up in his sleeping bag and get to sleep.
