30. When Dreams Come True

"Do you smell that, we're getting closer to the sea again," Danny said to Krabby. Krabby nodded enthusiastically. As a Water type, he loved to be near the sea.

"Don't prepare for a swim Danny, the weather has become a lot colder since we were in Vermillion City." Janine claimed.

"Duh. I can see the leaves fall as well, I know swimming in Autumn isn't the best idea." Danny responded snappy.

"I'm just saying." Janine grinned.

While those two were talking, Richard was walking silently next to them. Squirtle had noticed the sad expression on his trainer's face but couldn't find a way to cheer him up.

Another someone who wasn't too enthusiastic was Bellsprout. Seeing Victreebel made him realize he was still 'just a Bellsprout'. Three of his friends had already evolved but he was still in his first stage. It made him feel weak.

So, even though the sun was shining and it wasn't too cold, the group carried two slightly depressed individuals with them. Something that didn't go unnoticed.

"Howdy, everyone. What's with the tall faces?" A strange person shouted.

The gang looked up, from the direction they were heading a man came walking towards them. He had a red afro on his head and his head was colored in all kinds of different colors. A blue color surrounded his eyes while his lips were a strong red. His ears were colored in green and his cheeks were purple. His clothes were also a little off. Big Chester shoes and a loose suit, that also had all kinds of different colors. All together the man before them looked like a fusion between a Mr. Mime and a Ho-Oh.

"Who are you?" Danny asked insecurely. Charmeleon was standing ready for battle.

"The name's Martin. I'm a clown." He said with a big smile. "And those two seem like they could use some happiness. Tell me, buddy, what's wrong?"

Richard looked up, he hadn't even realized the clown had appeared in front of them.

"I'm sorry?"

The clown started to laugh. "There's nothing to be sorry about! What's troubling you son?"

Richard scratched his neck. "I had to release one of my Pokémon cause he didn't like to be with me."

The clown's smile disappeared. "Well, that is never a fun thing to do." Martin was visibly shocked, but suddenly a smile burst through again.

"I know what, how about I give you all free cards for my All Day Fun House!"

The three trainers looked at each other, neither one of them had ever heard of the All Day Fun House.

"I'm sorry, but what is the All Day Fun House?" Janine asked.

"You don't know what that is?" Martin shouted on purpose. "Well, let me explain! In my Fun House, you will have the best time of your lives. Your dreams will come true!"

"Well, that doesn't sound like a bad thing," Danny responded.

"There you go." Martin gave the three trainers a small ticket. "If you go straight up ahead the Fun House will be on your right side. Can't miss it!"

"Wait, so you won't come with us?" Janine asked.

"I'm afraid not child. There are many more people out there that I need to cheer up." Martin responded. "Life's too short to be sad!" Was the last thing they heard before he ran away.

"We can take a look," Danny suggested.

"Yeah, why not," Richard said. He was quite curious how a fun house could bring him more joy.

A little further down the road, a big building with the words 'Martin's All Day Fun House' on it appeared. The words wherein a bright yellow neon, which really didn't look that nice in the daylight. Overall, the building had the same colors as Martin had, so all of them.

Seeing the building made Danny and Janine already a little happier, just because it was super ridiculous. Richard still thought about Machoke.

The Pokémon felt the same cheer as their trainers did. Grimer, who was always happy, seemed to burst with excitement and even the more serious Pidgey smiled. Bellsprout had his own troubles but couldn't suppress a small sense of joy when he saw the strange but funny building.

"I guess this must be it," Danny said.

"Not to ruin your joy, but if this is Martin's, the same Martin that just ran off, how do we get in?" Richard asked.

"Maybe he has employees?" Danny responded.

Janine knocked on the door. No response.

"Maybe Richard is right," Janine suggested.

Danny sighed. A fun house, dreams coming true. It was all too good to be real.

Suddenly, the door opened. The lights jumped on and revealed that the outside of the building wasn't half as silly as the inside was: Balloons drifted around, drawings of Pokémon in strange colors on the walls and crazy music was playing.

The three decided to return their Pokémon and walked into the house.

"Wow, this really bizarre," Janine replied.

"Yeah, I know," Danny said while looking at the walls. "A green Diglett and a Golden Eevee, that looks ridiculous."

"Welcome!" The voice of Martin shouted through the hall.

The three trainers looked at each other.

"Is Martin here?" Janine asked.

"That would be weird," Richard responded.

"I see you made it. Since you hear this recording, it means I'm not here. But don't worry, you will have fun nonetheless. There are two rooms, one will show you what your life would be like if your dream came true, the other one will show you your dreams." The voice told him.

"Well, I'm going left," Danny said, as he ran into the nearest opening.

"Danny wait!" Richard ran after him, shortly followed by Janine.

'Dream's coming true' could be read above the small room, the letters were in green neon, but the three youngsters had no time or interest to read it.

When Danny entered the room, he suddenly found himself in a gigantic room. Stone pillars kept the ceiling up. A big throne with red cloths on it and a red carpet went down from the chair towards the door. The walls were colored red and gold.

"Champion, how are you today?" The Elite 4 member Lorelei came walking in.

Danny watched her stunned.

"Wait, I'm the champion here?"

"I'm doing okay. Thanks!" Danny responded, testing it.

"Well, that is good to hear. There will be a challenger around 11 a.m., I hope you are looking forward to a battle." Lorelei said with a smile.

"So I am the champion."

"Yeah, that should be fun," Danny said.

Lorelei waved goodbye and left the room through the two gigantic red doors.

Danny felt his belt, six Pokéballs were on it.

He took one and threw it.

With a loud growl and a burst of fire, a Charizard came out. Not just a Charizard, his.

Charizard looked around and seemed to be shocked, even more by his new appearance.

"Wait, this must be your dream come true," Danny said and Charizard nodded. Danny ran forward and both did a kind of greeting where both hands clasped. Danny looked in the eyes of his starter and realized that they were together until the end, no matter if this dream would be fulfilled or not.

He took another ball and opened it. Out came a Kingler.

Just as Charizard had before, Kingler looked around amazed. He almost fell when he realized he was no longer a Krabby.

The other four Pokéballs contained Alakazam, Victreebel, Pidgeot and Muk.

Alakazam was weighing the second spoon while Pidgeot was making flights around the room. Muk was just happy to be there but Victreebel was ecstatic. He jumped around and felt alive. He had finally evolved.

Danny himself finally realized something to: He was bigger and older. He felt his chin. While he never had the need to shave, he now had a full beard. He also had more muscles in his arms and legs. Not that he didn't have any muscle development up to this point, but not that much.

He looked back at his team. All of them looked so healthy and strong. It was a perfect dream.

"Apparently we are champions," Danny said with a wide grin and his team responded with laughter and bursts of cheer.

Meanwhile, Richard found himself in a hospital. He had directly realized he was older. His long black hair was now shortened and he had a goatee.

"Remind me to never grow such a thing." He said to no-one in particular."

"Welcome doctor Richard. How was your flight?" a nurse asked him.

"Good I guess," Richard responded.

"Good to hear. We have all been looking forward to your lecture. After all, you are the most successful doctor in Kanto." The nurse said pleasingly.

Richard scratched the back of his head, which was feeling empty without his longer hair.

Then he realized something too: His Pokéballs were gone.

The nurse saw it. "I guess you still miss them. Giving up your Pokémon for your dream is quite brutal if you ask me."

"What!" Richard responded. "It isn't my dream to give up my Pokémon."

"Every doctor had to give them up, most trainers just choose not to become a doctor. But you know all of that, you tried to keep them but choose to follow your dream career instead."

Richard sacked to the ground. "What is this? It has always been my dream to become a doctor, but I can't give up my friends."

Janine was having a better time than Richard, she was standing on a mountain, backed up an Arbok, a Weezing and her Venonat.

She was facing the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo.

"I've come here to show to the world that the Poison type is the strongest type. And to do that, I will beat you!" She shouted.

"Foolish trainer. You can't beat me." Mewtwo responded by using Telepathy.

"Arbok, use Crunch!" Janine commanded. The cobra Pokémon moved past her to face the Legendary Mewtwo.

"Are you really ready to do this?" Mewtwo asked Arbok. The cobra nodded.

"Your funeral." Mewtwo didn't move, but his eyes grew blue. Arbok's eyes showed fear as the blue surrounded the snake as well. It was lifted up in the sky and eventually thrown down the mountain.

"What!" Janine screamed. She tried to reach for its Pokéball, but there weren't any.

"You didn't come prepared and it will kill you." Mewtwo noticed.

"Shut up!" Janine felt a tear coming up. "Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!"

Weezing floated towards the Psychic type, but once again Mewtwo wasn't the one to allow even one hit. His eyes started to glow blue again and Weezing too was thrown off the mountain.

"No…." Janine fell to her knees. "What am I doing?"

"You are losing." Mewtwo reminded her.

Tears fell down from her eyes. "How could I let them …. die?"

Back to Danny, who was still standing in the Champions Room.

The gigantic red doors opened and a young guy came walking in. His head was tilted down.

"Hi, there challenger. My name is Danny, and I am the champion." Danny felt a shiver going down his spine when he got to say that sentence.

"Not for long you are." He lifted his head and revealed his identity.

"Marcel….?"

"Guessed right. Let's get one with this, shouldn't we?"

"Pidgeot, you can start," Danny said. Pidgeot nodded and flew towards Marcel, screeching loudly.

"Not that impressive. Go Venusaur."

Danny was surprised. "A Grass type against a Pidgeot? I wonder how you got through the Elite 4."

"Easy, like this. Venusaur, use Thunder!" Marcel grinned.

A gigantic bolt of lighting broke the ceiling and stroke Pidgeot. The Flying type had no time to anticipate and was unconscious before he hit the ground.

"That's insane, Venusaur can by no means learn Thunder," Danny said angry.

"Well, mine can. Mine can do so much more, continue battling." Marcel forced.

"Alakazam, use Psychic. That will stop him in his tracks." Danny ordered. Alakazam walked forward, spoons in his hands.

"Venusaur, Sucker Punch."

Venusaur shot forward, faster than any Venusaur had ever moved. It struck Alakazam with so much force that the Psychic type blasted away into one of the pillars. Alakazam sled down, spoons falling to the ground.

Danny had no words. "This is impossible." He murmured.

"Next please," Marcel said uninterested.

Seeing Pidgeot and Alakazam being defeated with only one move made Danny stop battling.

"This is supposed to be my dream, how is it possible that it turns out into a nightmare?"

Janine wasn't doing better, with Arbok and Weezing gone, all she had left to fight against Mewtwo was her Venonat. And Venonat hated to battle.

"It seems like you have been defeated," Mewtwo said with an evil grin.

"I still have Venonat," Janine responded in defense.

"You and I both know that if I can toss away two fully evolved Pokémon I will have no trouble doing the same with a Venonat."

Janine knew he was right.

"You still killed two of my Pokémon." She growled.

"I killed them? You killed them by bringing them here. Be glad I won't kill your Venonat." Mewtwo reacted.

Janine had no idea what to do, until a clown appeared on the side of Mewtwo.

"Wait, what?" Janine asked.

It wasn't Martin. This clown was more like a Pokémon. She suddenly realized something.

"You are a Mr. Mime, you are trolling with us, aren't you?"

All of a sudden, Mewtwo and the entire mountain disappeared. Janine was standing in a large room, filled with posters, balloons and all kinds of decorations in all kinds of strange colors. Mr. Mime was standing right in front of her.

Next to her, she saw Danny. He looked troubled and Kadabra and Pidgey laid on the ground, while Charmeleon, Krabby, Bellsprout and Grimer were still standing.

Richard was on the other side of the room, kneeling on the ground with his hands in his hair.

"How is it not?" The nurse asked Richard. "You gave up your Machoke and from that point on all of them went easily."

"I – I didn't give up Machoke, he just didn't like being with me," Richard responded.

"Yeah sure. Like you had time enough to find that out."

"Why are you suddenly like this?" Richard asked angry.

"Because you are a stupid trainer, that never gave Machoke the chance to show he wanted to stay with you or not."

Next to the nurse, a clown-like Pokémon appeared: Mr. Mime. Richard saw him too and the moment he realized it, the nurse, the hospital and the goatee were gone. Instead, there was the large room where Janine was also standing in.

"Richard!" Janine screamed.

"Janine?" Richard crawled up. He felt his belt: four Pokéballs were still there. He sighed relieved.

"What is this?" He asked Janine, but the latter shook her head.

"I have no idea, but it has something to do with that Mr. Mime.

Mr. Mime started waving and smiling, but its eyes weren't smiling, they were cold.

"So you also had a terrible fantasy I assume?" Janine asked.

"I had become a doctor but at the cost of my Pokémon," Richard answered.

"I was battling Mewtwo but he killed two of my Pokémon," Janine added.

"I wonder what kind of bad fantasy he's having," Richard said while pointing at Danny.

Little did they know Danny was having a terrible fantasy.

"Come on Danny, send the next one. I want to win." Marcel commented.

"No, I won't send any more of my friends out against you." Danny reacted. He knew that there was no way his Pokémon could beat that Venusaur.

Victreebel looked up shocked and jumped forward to fight next.

"Victreebel, no!"

"Fire Blast Venusaur"

Venusaur opened his mouth let out such a big amount of fire that Danny started to sweat from the heat alone.

The fire started to shape until it looked like a vague silhouette of a man. It moved forward and hit Victreebel face on. Needless to say, the Grass type didn't survive the hit and laid unconscious when the smoke cleared.

"This is enough, I forfeit," Danny said angry.

"That's not a fun way to become champion." Marcel reacted angry.

"And why do you think I care about that one bit?" Danny became angry as well. This was not how it was supposed to be.

"I quit this battle. You can be champion since this is already not my dream anymore." Danny stepped down after returning Victreebel to his Pokéball. His three remaining Pokémon followed him.

"Well, you surprise me," Marcel said, but it didn't sound like Marcel.

A clown appeared next to the trainer.

"Who are you?" Danny responded.

And suddenly, he, just as Richard and Janine earlier, found himself in a big, cheerful room. Marcel, the Champions room were gone and all of his Pokémon were their usual stage.

"You are all sloppy trainers." They heard. The Mr. Mime was using Telepathy to speak.

"That is why I interfered with your fantasies. You don't deserve those dreams."

"That is enough." From behind the three trainers, Martin came walking in. His usual cheerful look had changed and he looked angry. He was followed by another Mr. Mime.

"This is not the way we do things. We make people happier." Martin said.

"Boss, everyone who comes here is a sinner, they need to know they are." Mr. Mime responded.

"Maybe they do, but that is not our task. We too are sinners, we have no right to tell people that they are good or bad."

Suddenly, Bellsprout released himself from his Pokéball. It was surprised and disappointed that he was a Bellsprout again, until he saw the Mr. Mime. For some reason, it had something to do with him not being a Victreebel anymore, Bellsprout thought and he ran towards it.

"Bellsprout, what are you doing?" Danny asked shocked.

Bellsprout released two vines and used them to slap Mr. Mime into the ground.

"What?" Danny and Martin asked at the same time.

Bellsprout just kept slapping his vines into the Psychic type, not caring for reasoning or type advantages.

"What are you doing?" Mr. Mime managed to get out in between slaps.

Bellsprout didn't react, but rather kept going. He finally was an evolved Pokémon and this stupid Pokémon took that away.

While he continued slapping the Mr. Mime, he started to glow white.

"Is this real?" Martin commented. "A Pokémon evolving under my roof?"

Danny was flabbergasted.

Bellsprout's head grew larger and two leaves grew from the sides. Overall, he grew bigger.

When the light faded, Bellsprout was gone and instead, a Weepinbell had appeared. Where Kadabra became less lazy after he evolved, Weepinbell didn't seem to show any signs of stopping.

"Bell… I mean, Weepinbell. Stop it!" Danny commanded.

Weepinbell looked around and suddenly realized he had evolved, but for real this time. He got off Mr. Mime and started to jump around, which was a little bit more difficult now his legs were gone. Instead, he stood on what used to be his head.

Danny ran forward and kneeled down to his Pokémon.

"I'm so proud of you! Congratulations." He hugged with the Flycatcher Pokémon and the latter happily hugged back.

"That explains why Weepinbell got so angry." Martin started. "I assume he was evolved in your fantasy?"

Danny nodded.

"Well, Weepinbell just wanted to evolve really bad. When he realized my Mr. Mime took that from him, he became angry." Martin explained. "But that doesn't solve our problem Mime."

The Mr. Mime on the other side of the room had been looking at Weepinbell but now realized that it was still in trouble.

"Promise me you will never pull shenanigans like this again," Martin said. Mr. Mime had no choice but to nod.

"Great!" Martin's facial expression went from serious to cheerful within seconds. "Now that is solved. Can I treat you all with your dreams, but this time for real?"

Danny, Richard and Janine looked at each other.

"I'm sorry, but we've had enough fantasy for the day," Richard said.

Martin nodded. "I completely understand. But come back whenever you feel like you could use some magic."

As they walked out of the crazy funhouse, Weepinbell was once again in the middle of all attention, because all Pokémon wanted to see what happened to Bellsprout.

Charmeleon pat Weepinbell on his head. The latter couldn't be happier: It had finally evolved.

A few hours later

Martin was back on the road, looking for people and Pokémon to cheer up. What caught his eye made him quite happy.

"Hello there." He said happily to a Machoke wandering by. "How about I show you your dreams?"