"Pikachu use Thunder and finish this with a Jump Kick Hitmonlee!" Ash shouted pointing to the blue turtle picking itself off of the ground. Pikachu jumped into the air and released a devastating lightning bolt at the Squirtle sending it flying into the air.
"Squirtle get yourself together and murder that thing!" A brunette teenager shouted angrily. The Thunder attack ended and Hitmonlee ran up and jumped into the air swinging a round house kick into the heavily damaged water type.
Hitmonlee connected and sent the Squirtle soaring past its Trainer and into the rusty wall of the circular room. A whistle blew and an announcement was made, "The winner of the finals and advancing to face The Under's Coliseums Master is Shay Flasoda!" a female voice announced.
"Great job you two, that was excellent team work, I couldn't be more proud of you both!" Ash said cheerfully walking over to the two tired Pokemon.
"Great job Hitmonlee I'll see you in a bit," he said recalling the faithful fighter to his Pokeball. Ash picked up Pikachu and held him in his arms as he walked over to his defeated opponent.
"Great battle, we haven't been in a tough one like that in a long time." Ash said extending out his hand.
The brunette scowled but took the offered hand, "Thanks, next time you won't be so lucky with that Totodile of yours. Good luck with the Master tho,"
Ash smiled, "Thanks a lot; I'll be seeing you around." Ash turned around and left the circular battlefield. He walked up to a rusty black door and shoved it open; on the other side was a computer, and two desks.
Ash walked up to the desk furthest away from where he entered, "I'd like to heal my Pokemon," Ash said to the burgundy haired woman behind the counter. She nodded and pulled out a tray.
"Alright place your Pokeballs on the tray and they should be done in a couple hours," Ash did as told and placed Pikachu next to it. As soon as Pikachu was on the desk he jumped back into Ashs arms.
"Chu ka pika pika Pikapi," Pikachu asked Ash desperately.
Ash pursed his lips as he thought about what Pikachu asked, "Alright, but if you don't want to stay you'll need to rest at least," Ash put Pikachu onto his shoulder and looked back at the nurse. "How long do you think it will take before they are ready for tomorrow?"
"A couple hours max, maybe four or five hours."
"Alright thanks," Ash said as he began to walk toward the computer.
"Oh and nice battle out there," The nurse winked at him and left into a room behind the counter with his Pokeballs. Ash shook his head and sat down at the computer; he typed something in and clicked a link.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked staring at the screen. Ash didn't answer immediately, but continued reading the text on the screen.
"Remember when we went to the bar down here?" Ash asked, Pikachu scowled but nodded. "Well the man I talked to gave me a bit of a history lesson on Orre and I learned about Cipher…" Ash trailed off as he clicked another link.
"So right now I'm looking to see if there was actually a train system that ran underneath the Coliseum, and if there is then we are going to go on a little field trip." Ash finished. Pikachu eyed Ash skeptically; he didn't necessarily like the mining city he was in. Nor did he really like Orre in general, he and Ash had already gotten into a bit of trouble when they arrived at old mining shaft that led to The Under.
Ash had decided to take a shortcut and skip Pyrite Town, and go straight through an abandoned mineshaft that led into the Coliseum itself. But that had been a few days ago. The previous day, Ash had gotten into a bar fight with a couple of goons who thought he looked like he could be worth a hefty amount of money.
So Ash stepped in and… Made sure that they wouldn't lay a hand on him, or try anything while they slept. He had been in Orre for almost four days, and he didn't like it at all, he now understood when Ash had said 'It's a changed world.'
"Pi chu Pikapi?" Pikachu asked, cautiously.
"Well… I was planning on going by myself while you were resting, but since you're coming with me we'll be going to the lab where Cipher tested, and… Manufactured Shadow Pokemon. So if you do not want to come let me know now, because once I get the directions we'll be heading out."
Pikachu tensed a little, going to a lab where Pokemon were tested on didn't seem like the safest idea. But he loved new things and new adventures, and Ash may need his help with this so he was obligated to go.
"Pi chukka chu Pika Pikapi?"
"Well since Cipher was said to be seen down here the only explanation I could come up with is that they have been using the old railway they had used years ago to transport Shadow Pokemon. But the Railway was destroyed, so we have to go to the lab to get in." Ash said as he closed the window on the computer and shut it off.
"Pi pi Pikapi," Pikachu shrugged. Ash smiled and got up from the chair and walked over to a rusty steel door with a button beside it. Pressing the button the steel door slid into the wall and inside was a rickety elevator.
Ash stepped inside, and pushed another button. The door slid shut and the elevator began to rise into the darkness. After a two minute ride they arrived at an open shaft and stepped off the elevator. Ash began walking through the dark, narrow mineshaft.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
After a couple minutes they appeared at the entrance of the mine shaft, and covered their eyes as the light blinded them. The sun glared down and hot air pelted them with the desert heats.
"Where'd we park the bike Pikachu?" Ash asked as his eyes adjusted. Pikachu mumbled something and pointed to the right of the mineshaft. Ashs gaze went to where Pikachu was pointing and saw a rock outcrop.
"Right thanks buddy," Ash said as he began to walk over to the outcrop fifteen meters away. Walking around back hidden in the shadows was Ashs newly purchased bike. He had a dreamy look wash over his face as he smiled at the bike.
Quickly he put his bag under the seat of the sidecar and placed Pikachu onto the seat. Putting his foot over the driver's seat he turned on the bike and it roared to life. Ash gave the bike a kick start and the bike was ready to roll.
"Ready Pikachu?" Ash asked cheerfully, he had grown a close bond with his new vehicle and looked forward to whenever he got to drive it. Pikachu gave Ash a thumbs up and slumped back into the seat. Pikachu and Growlithe had learned that it wasn't as scary driving if you just relaxed instead of holding on as tightly as possible.
Ash revved the engine and started off at an okay speed, nothing like when he had first driven. Ash picked up speed and looked at his companion, "Pikachu you should get some rest, you just battled and the lab is still some time away." Ash shouted over the noise of the motorbike.
Pikachu nodded and leaned against the side of the sidecar as a pillow and closed his eyes. Ash sped up and turned into a narrow canyon, he continued down the cursive path for an hour before it came to an end and he ended up back in the desert.
Ash banked right and looked toward the sun, the sun would be setting in a few hours and it would begin to get cold. The two continued driving for another hour until a rectangular white building came into view.
Around the building were gas tanks and a few generators, sticking out from the ground were short pillars around the perimeter of the building which at one point looked to be an electric fence. Ash slowed down and drove behind the building.
Ash got off the bike and shut off the gas but left the bike running. Gently Ash shook Pikachu awake, "We're here buddy, the sooner we start, the sooner we can get out of here…" Ash said picking the electric type up off of the seat.
Pikachu hopped out of Ashs arms and onto his shoulder. Ash took his bag and took out a flashlight and his Pokegear.
He put the Pokegear into his pocket and walked over to one of the two metallic doors of the building. Ash pushed buttons on the control panel next to the door but nothing happened. Ash nudged the door with his foot and sighed.
"Pikachu do you want to try an Iron Tail on this thing try and bust it open?" Ash suggested, Pikachu shrugged and hopped off of Ashs shoulder. Pikachus tail began to glow a bright white and he leapt at the door.
Pikachus tail impacted the door, and a clang rang throughout the desert. Ash sighed, the door was dented but it wouldn't be breaking anytime soon. "It was worth a shot buddy, let's try and find a vent or something…"
Pikachu nodded and began to search around for something to get through. After a couple minutes Ash heard another clang, followed by his name, "Pikapi!" Pikachu shouted.
Ash ran around to the side of the building and saw Pikachu on the roof of the building. "How'd you get up there?" Ash called up to Pikachu. Pikachu disappeared from sight, and a second later he reappeared around the corner of the building and next to Ash.
"Pikachu Pika chu," Pikachu said motioning for Ash to follow. Ash did as told and saw Pikachu standing on the bike, Pikachu leapt off of the bike and onto a very narrow ledge near the top of the building. He then went the length of the building and hopped up onto a slanted part of the roof.
Ash made a 'might as well' face and followed Pikachus example. He climbed onto the driver's seat and stood up; shakily he reached for the ledge and grasped it. He counted to three and kicked off the bike and swung one leg onto the ledge with the other dangling.
Ash pulled himself up so that he was standing, since Ash was taller than Pikachu he had no need to go down to the slanted part of the roof so he reached up and pulled him up onto the roof until he sat in front of Pikachu.
"So we go down there?" Ash asked, in front of him was a now destroyed vent that led into a pitch black room. Pikachu nodded, "Alright I'll go down first and tell you if it's safe."
Ash placed the flashlight into his back pocket and slid himself over the edge of the hole and lowered himself down as far as he could go. Once he was hanging on by his fingertips he let himself go and dropped to the ground.
Ash landed in a crouch and took out his flashlight and clicked it on. Ash shone the light around the dust coated walls, the room had chairs and a table lay against the walls. He walked over to the table and picked up something that was on it.
Ash blew on it and immediately regretted it as dust filled his lungs making him cough. The object Ash held was a very old magazine,Trainers Digest. Curious Ash flicked it open and saw that the magazine was all about which Pokemon would be a nice catch, or tough to beat. There were sections about recently discovered Pokemon…
Ash chuckled, 'On September 22 Explorer Jason Higgins discovered a new breed of species. The Pokemon is an apparent evolved form of the Eevee evolution line. The new species was found deep within Eterna Forest and-' Ashs thoughts were cut off by Pikachu.
"Chu ka pi Pikapi?" Ash walked over to the hole in the roof and looked up.
"Okay buddy hop down, I'll catch you."
Pikachu fell from the roof and landed in Ashs arms. Ash placed him on his shoulder and tossed the magazine back onto the table.
Ash getting back to business shone the light once around the room and stopped at a door. Ash slowly twisted the doorknob and slowly opened the door. The light illuminated the room and revealed a stair case leading downwards.
"Looks like we're going down…" Ash shone the light on the steps as they carefully climbed down the creaking staircase. After going down five levels Ash stopped at a door and read label, 'Research and Development.' "What do you say buddy?"
Pikachu nervously nodded, and watched as Ash opened the door. As soon as they stepped in they could feel the change in atmosphere, it was dark, chilling, and eerily quiet. Ash shone the light over the room.
The room was filled with cabinets and a table with CD's, papers, a computer, and pens scattered across the top. Ash quickly walked to the right and out the next door. "Buddy if you feel something isn't right tap me twice alright,and don't say anything…"
They were now in a hallway, the walls were originally white but now they were brown with age and dust. Ash silently walked down the hall and took a left; there was a door that read, Data and Samples. Ash was curious but decided against it, he was here to see if Cipher had indeed returned, not go snooping for old information
They continued searching for half an hour until they came to another staircase. Silently they made their way down and couldn't help but stop at the room that said Manufacturing and Storage. "What do you think buddy… should we go in?"
Ash knew Pikachu would be scared to go see where the Pokemon were tested, but this could lead to info about Cipher. Pikachu closed his eyes and nodded. Ash slowly pushed the door open and his heart stopped at what he saw. The room was from the ground up filled with rows of cages. But that's not what scared Ash.
The cages were full.
"Pikachu don't open your eyes!" Ash whispered quietly closing the door behind him. The Pokemon in the cages appeared to be sleeping. Ash stopped in front of a cage and looked at the Pokemon inside.
A Buneary looked nearly starved; its ribcage could be seen underneath its brown fur. Ash didn't like this one bit, not because of the Pokemon in the cages. But the fact that this lab was supposed to be abandoned.
Ash walked through the hundreds of cages in a crouch. He stopped when he saw a windowed off room with a light three rows of cages down. "Do not open your eyes Pikachu…" Ash whispered as he drew his knife. Ash moved with the shadows until he was beside the window to the room.
He could hear voices inside, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. Very slowly Ash inched his head in front of the window until he could see inside. Inside the room were cabinets, computers and one person sitting at a table talking into an intercom.
Ash took Pikachu and took him off his shoulder. "Pikachu I'll be back in two second… Do not move, keep your eyes closed, and cover your ears…" Ash whispered as he crouched down and silently moved under the window sill.
Ash gripped his knife tighter and went over to the door. The door made no noise as it was opened inch by inch. Ash could now hear the voices, "When do they need the next batch?" The person asked.
"Two hours, followed by a disposal of the older specimens." A female voice on the other end spoke. The person nodded.
"Alright, Tango 31 out." He finished sitting down in a chair and putting his feet up on the table. The person wore white, and that's all Ash could see. Luckily the person was facing away as Ash stepped into the room and approached the person from behind.
In a split second, Ash gripped the person around the neck into a choke hold and ripped him out of his seat. Ash brought the tip of the knife to the persons back and applied a little pressure to stop him from squirming. After a few seconds the person went limp and Ash dropped him onto the ground.
Quickly Ash left the room and went back out and picked up Pikachu and brought him into the room. "Alright Pikachu, it's safe to open your eyes, just don't look behind you." Ash said as he dragged the person behind the table and leaned him against the side of a cabinet.
Pikachu opened his eyes and looked at Ash who was searching the body, "Pichu Pika Pika?"
"No I didn't kill him Pikachu, he's just out cold." Ash stated as he looked over his victim. He wore dress pants, and a white lab coat.
Ash shrugged and went over to the cabinets; he slid one of the drawers open and took out a pile of files. Ash flicked one open and began to skim what was written. Pikachu watched intently as Ash moved on from file to file.
"Ciphers back Pikachu… All the documents are from pas-" Ash stopped when he read something. Ash quickly went over to a new cabinet and tore it open; skimming through the files he pulled one out and began to read.
"Pikapi?" Pikachu asked nervously. Ash was acting strange, and the fact that Cipher was back didn't sit well with him. He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. Ash ignored Pikachu and continued reading.
Ash looked up from the documents with a nervous look on his face. "Pikapi?" Pikachu asked again getting scared at Ashs actions.
Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out his Pokegear and flipped it open. He typed in a number and waited.
A second later he spoke. "Sierra 227 I repeat Sierra 227. Meet me at the Cabin Aly major breakthrough, I'm leaving Orre and heading straight there!" Ash stated as calmly as possible. Quickly he hung up and changed settings on the Pokegear.
Pikachu watched wide eyes as Ash began taking dozens of photos of the files. After fifteen minutes Ash finished and searched through the files once again and took out a stack. He replaced all the files he took out, except for the pile he just removed and turned to Pikachu.
"Come on buddy, we can't stay here, we're going to The Under to grab the others, then we leave Orre." Ash stated as he picked up Pikachu and opened the door to the room.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Ash silently jogged through the maze of captured Pokemon, and took out the flash light and turned it back on, he pushed the door he came through open and climbed the staircase as fast as he could. Ash sprinted through the building looking for the first staircase he came through. "Pichu Pika Pika Pikapi!" Pikachu asked worriedly, Pikachu could see Ash was scared, and that wasn't helping one bit.
"Which way Pikachu, do you reme-" Ash was cut off by a siren blaring throughout the building.
"We have an intruder in the building, I repeat we have an intruder in the building. Find and neutralize the target." The female voice from before spoke over the intercom.
"SHIT!" Ash shouted, he was close to getting out of there, but he was lost. Ash sprinted down the hallway and kicked open a door. "DAMMIT!" he was on the right floor, but there were too many doors. Ash sprinted back the way he came and took a left.
Ash kicked open another door, "Oh thank Go-" Ash was cut off by two voices.
"This way!"
"Head to the surface!"
Instead of running up the stairs Ash ran down one level and waited. Pikachu was shaking on his shoulder, and it wasn't helping calm his nerves. Ash heard footsteps overhead and waited as he heard a door open and close.
Ash sprinted back up the stairs as fast as he could, he stopped outside the door and quickly but silently opened it, and to his relief the room was empty and a door leading outside was open. Ash sprinted out the door and to the left, he ran around the building and to the back where his bike was.
Ash took Pikachu and dropped him into the sidecar along with the files he brought. Ash jumped onto the driver's seat and gave it a kick start before rocketing off.
They were a hundred meters away when they heard a shout, "Get him you two!"
Ash turned his gaze behind him and saw a large brown bird with a person in black riding on its back. "Pikachu Thunderbolt on that Fearow!" he shouted, as he picked up speed and headed for the canyon.
Pikachu nodded and turned to face his pursuers. "Pika-CHUUU!" Pikachu shouted as lighting arced from his cheeks and to the quickly approaching bird.
The Fearow dodged and came up beside the Motorbike. The person riding on top of the Fearow reached into his jacket, as soon as Ash saw that he leaned left toward the Fearow and drew his knife.
Ash drove underneath and slashed across the bird's chest. Blood spat from the wound and onto Ash and Pikachu as the Fearow flew off course and gained altitude to get away from the dangerous knife wielder.
"Pikachu get on my lap!" Ash shouted as he drove into the narrow canyon. Pikachu did as told and carefully jumped from the sidecar onto his lap. Ash drifted right and looked behind him, the Fearow was back on his trail; but this time the person on the back had a pistol gripped in his right hand.
Ash leaned over top of Pikachu to protect him from any incoming projectiles. Ash swerved around a corner and heard a loud crack, followed by a hiss go by his head. He looked back and saw the pursuers getting closer.
Ash slammed on the breaks and skidded to a halt as the Fearow and Trainer flew past them in surprise at the sudden stop. Ash gunned it and took off once again down the twisting canyon. Ash heard the gun go off multiple times and hisses go by his head.
'Shit, we got to get out of here before he hits the gas tank!' he thought angrily. Ash furiously turned right and looked behind him; the Fearow turned the corner and started gaining on them.
"Pikachu get ready you're driving this thing!" Ash shouted as he kept one hand on the handle bars and the other reached down to his shoe. Pikachu looked at him like he was crazy, how could he possibly drive a motorcycle!
"Pi chu Pikapi!"
"Yes you can just hold the handlebars when I tell you to dammit!" Ash shouted as another bullet hissed by his head and hit the canyon wall in front of him. Pikachu nodded, but was scared shitless.
Ash banked left and pulled a smaller knife out of his shoe. They were going down a straight path that went on for five hundred meters. "GRAB THE HANDLE BARS PIKACHU!"
Pikachu did as told and with tremendous effort held the bike steady. Ash spun around in his seat and drew his arm back. The Fearow came into view but was still too far from Ash, a bullet whizzed by his head, but he ignored it. The Fearow was almost close enough,
"PIKAPI!" Pikachu shouted hoarsely, they were going to need to turn in a few seconds and there was no possible way for him to do that.
Ash ignored Pikachu and kept focus on his pursuers. 'Come on…' Ash thought, 'A few more meters and…' Ash brought the knife back and threw it through the air spinning towards the Fearow, in the same action he spun around and gripped the handle bars and slammed on the breaks leaning left. The duo drifted the corner and drove away.
The throwing knife took the Fearow in the throat and sent it crashing into the wall of the canyon and onto the ground choking on its own blood. It landed on top of its trainer, and awkwardly onto its neck, snapping it.
"You alright Pikachu?" Ash shouted, as he continued down the canyon. Pikachu didn't answer, which made Ash panic thinking that Pikachu had been hit by a bullet. Turning his gaze to the yellow Pokemon he was relieved that he wasn't hit, but could see he was in shock.
Ash slowed the bike and brought it to a stop. Ash took Pikachu into his arms and held him tightly. Pikachu didn't reciprocate; Pikachu stared ahead of him with tears streaming down his face. Ash rocked him gently as if he were a baby.
"It's okay buddy… It's okay, just take deep breaths we're safe now…" Ash cooed softly to the terrified Pokemon. Pikachu looked at Ash trembling and still coated with the blood of the Fearow. Ash stepped off the bike with Pikachu in his arms and went around to the side car.
Ash took out his bag and grabbed a water bottle and a towel. Very gently he began to clean the blood off of Pikachu. After a couple minutes he was clean and Ash replaced the water bottle and towel and took out the jacket he had been sent.
Ash wrapped Pikachu into the jacket and placed him gently into the side car. "Your safe buddy, try and sleep, we'll be get the others and leave Orre tonight…" Ash said softly stroking the little Pokemons fur. Pikachu didn't respond but shut his eyes tightly.
Ash got back onto the driver's seat and took off slower than before, after a couple minutes he picked up speed and drove off into the night towards the mineshaft.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The steel door slid apart and Ash stepped back into the Coliseum hall, quickly he walked over to the front desk and pressed a button. A buzzer went off and a second later the woman with burgundy hair stepped out from the back room.
"Hello are you here to pi-" She stopped as she stared at his arm, "Are you alright, do you need any help?"
Ash stared at her with a blank face, "What do you mean?"
"Your arm is bleeding, and it looks like it has for a while!" She exclaimed looking that the dark red strained arm. Ash turned his gaze from the nurse to his arm.
He was taken aback by what he saw; he rolled up his short sleeve and raised an eyebrow, "Didn't even notice…" He mumbled as he touched where the bullet had gone through. Ash looked up, "I'll be fine, but I need to cancel my match with the Master, important business came up and I won't have time for the match."
"Does the important business have to deal with that?" She asked pointing to the bullet wound. Ashs eyes darkened, and he repositioned the sleeping Pikachu in his arms.
"Possibly, now I'd like to have my Pokemon returned so I may leave." Ash stated emotionlessly. The nurse nodded, and went into the back. A minute later she reappeared with a tray with five Pokeballs on top. Ash took them and placed them onto his belt.
"Thanks, I'll see ya around." Ash stated as he turned back to the elevator. The nurse nodded and watched as Ash stepped into the elevator and the door closed. After a quick ride Ash and Pikachu made it to the surface and left the mineshaft and returned to the bike.
Ash took out his bag from under the seat and opened it. He took out thread, a needle, gauze, a water bottle, tweezers, and disinfectant. Ash sat Pikachu into the sidecar, and sat down on the driver's seat.
Ash grabbed the gauze and took two pieces. He wrapped them around both sides of the wound to halt the bleeding; he then took the tweezers and looked at the wound. He hadn't noticed he had been hit due to the adrenaline pumping through him for the past few hours, and because his thoughts were elsewhere. The bullet hadn't passed cleanly through but instead was still lodged in his arm.
Taking the tweezers he very gently pushed it into the wound and gritted his teeth. Ash pushed a little deeper until he felt resistance, carefully he pinched down on the object and slowly pulled it out. As it came out more blood began to spew from the wound.
Ash took a third gauze and wrapped it tightly around the bullet wound, 'I'll get Aly to look at it later…' Ash thought as he tied it off. He took off the other gauze and placed them back into the bag along with the other things he had taken out.
He quickly put everything back into the bag and placed the bag under the seat. Giving the bike a kick start, Ash began the long drive back to Port Gateon. After a couple hours the duo arrived back at the sea Port.
They drove through the streets and over to the dock yard. Ash drove up to a terminal and came to a halt. He scanned the list of available trips, 'A three day trip from here to Kanto then a one day trip to Johto… Nah… Oh! A two day trip from here to Olivine, that's perfect!' Ash thought as he selected purchase on the machine.
Ash took out his wallet and took out a credit card and inserted it into the machine. A minute later the transaction was complete and a ticket was produced from the machine. Placing the ticket into his wallet Ash drove over to a small café on the dock.
Ash parked the bike and picked up the sleeping Pikachu and walked over to the café. He ordered a cheeseburger, and a plate of fries with ketchup. Once he had their order he walked over to a table and sat down.
Very gently Ash woke up Pikachu, "Pikachu… Hey buddy, I got you something to eat…" He cooed softly. Pikachus eyes slowly opened and looked around nervously. Ash gently stroked Pikachus fur, "It's alright buddy, we're safe and we'll be leaving in an hour."
Pikachu slowly stood up on the table and stretched before hopping onto Ashs lap, "Pikapi chu ka pika pika chukka pi!" Pikachu whispered nervously. Ash nodded, and gave Pikachu a sad smile.
"I know… But if I hadn't done it then we'd both be dead. Things are different now Pikachu, since we're leaving Orre we're going to go meet up with Alyssa and then we start training in Johto or Kanto."
Pikachu took a fry and dipped it into the ketchup and took a bite before turning to Ash. "Chukapi chu pika pika pi chu Pikapi?" Pikachu asked cocking his head to the side.
"Well the files I took pictures of were from Cipher. But then I kept reading and it turns out that…" Ash sighed, "It turns out that Team Rocket is going to be using Shadow Pokemon to take over the League. So basically what Cipher had years ago has now been improved upon to some degree, which means that you have a decision to make Pikachu."
Pikachu stopped putting a fry in his mouth and looked at Ash skeptically, "Chu ka?" Ash sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Since the Shadow Pokemon program is better than before, you need to decide if you want to battle. The reports I read said they'd fight to the death and have been… Enhanced to show no mercy." Ash stated.
Pikachu looked at Ash unsure of what he was saying, "Pikapi, chukka pi pikachu?"
"Well I'm not putting you into danger if you don't want to battle. If you want to return to Pallet I understand, I just don't want to see you doing something you don't want to." Pikachu stared at Ash blankly; did he want to continue this? He saw the cages filled with Pokemon; he saw the knife take the Fearow in the throat. Did he want to live like this?
Pikachu looked into Ashs eyes, "Pi ka pika chu Pikapi?" Ash shook his head.
"I can't promise you that you'll be fine, but I can promise you that I will do everything within my power to keep you all safe. It's only one match, but it will not be like something you've done before," Ash took his burger and took a bite.
"Pi Pikachu Pikapi…" Pikachu slowly nodded as he thought over what he said. Ash eyed Pikachu carefully; Pikachu was one of the key assets that he would need during the League if he was to even stand a chance.
"Are you sure? Once were back in Kanto and Johto we will be doing things like the lab back there. Except what we will be doing will be a lot tougher then back there," Ash stated seriously. What happened at the lab was just a smidge of what he went through the few months before hand.
Pikachu nodded and gave Ash a determined, not backing down smirk, "Pi Pikapi." Ash smiled down at his long-time friend.
"Thanks Pikachu, lets finish up here, the ship will be arriving in a few minutes,"
Pikachu nodded and the pair finished their meal and headed back to the bike as the ship came into Port.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
[Three Days Later]
"I should have thought this through better eh?" Ash asked as he wheeled the motorcycle through the shrubs of Ilex Forest.
Pika." Pikachu replied. Three days had passed and Ash, Pikachu, and Growlithe were very slowly travelling deep within Ilex forest to reach the cabin.
"Oh thank God!" Ash exclaimed exasperatedly, the trio had found their way onto the dirt path that led directly to the cabin. Ash switched the bike on and got onto the driver's seat, he had been wheeling the bike through the dense forest for the past ten hours and his muscles were like jelly.
Pikachu and Growlithe hopped into the side car and Ash slowly followed the trail up to the cabin. The first thing Ash noticed was that the front door was open, and that Alyssa was standing in the door frame dumbfounded.
Ash drove up to the front door and hopped off the bike, "What the hell is that?" Alyssa said blankly gesturing to the bike. Ash got off the bike and went to the sidecar where he picked up Pikachu, and Growlithe hopped out.
"I bought a toy, but Alyssa I'd like to introduce you to Pikachu, Pikachu this is Alyssa!" Ash introduced happily. Alyssa smiled when she saw the little electric type.
"Hello Pikachu, I've been dying to meet you. This big oaf has said nothing but good things about you," Alyssa greeted giving Pikachu a scratch behind the ear. Pikachu grinned and sighed contently at the soft touch.
Alyssa bent down and ruffled Growlithes head while looking up at Ash, "So what happened?" she asked seriously. Sierra 227 was a code they came up with in case of a major breakthrough and they needed to meet as soon as possible.
Ash shut off the bike and went into the side car and produced the files he had taken. "I'll tell you once we're inside," Ash said as Growlithe climbed the steps and entered the building. Ash and Alyssa sat down on the couch while Growlithe laid on the floor in front of the fireplace. Pikachu had taken a liking to Alyssa so he sat on her lap while Ash looked through the files.
"So about one week ago I arrived in Orre, I met up with Toby," Alyssa scoffed, but Ash ignored it. "And he told me that Cipher Agents had been seen down in The Under."
"The place where you were going to compete?" Ash nodded and handed her a file.
"After a few days we entered the Coliseum and my Pokemon were being taken care of when Pikachu and I went to go investigate where Cipher manufactured the Shadow Pokemon." Ash waited as Alyssa read the documents he handed to her.
"I, I don't quite understand what you're showing me Ash…" Alyssa replied slowly as she took out another sheet.
"Remember when we first met up and formed the plan on how we were going to stop Team Rocket?" Ash asked, Alyssa nodded. "Remember we couldn't figure out what Giovanni was building?" She nodded. "Well here's the summery of it, Gio is planning on taking Ciphers old research on Shadow Pokemon and turning it up a couple notches,"
" So what exactly is he building…" She asked hesitantly, she learned about other criminal organizations during her time at the Orange Island Academy. And she knew of the Shadow Pokemon program fairly well.
"From my understanding the funds from the League are being used to create Shadow Pokemon that are… more, more ruthless then twenty years ago…" Ash repositioned himself as he took out his Pokegear.
Alyssa wasn't sure of what to make of that, "So Research and Development?" She asked.
"Yes, and Manufacturing and Testing. Giovanni has already gotten the…Prototype Pokemon developed, and he'll be using those in the League for insurance so that the Grunt doesn't lose. But after the League Giovanni plans on doing what Team Rocket was created to do. Take over the world, and he's going to do it with Shadow Pokemon. But sure we can put up a fight to stop him, but not if he manages to get control of what he created…" Ash trailed off as he stared into the flames of the fireplace.
"What did he create?" Alyssa asked nervously, Ash had found out a ton of information without even trying and he may look calm but she knew him better than that.
"The Shadow Pokemon Giovanni is producing could be classified as killing machines, or technically Suicide Bombers. I say Suicide Bomber because the Pokemon have no remorse about killing, they will do their job and get it done even if it kills it in the progress."
"And to answer your question he created Mewtwo, he failed as you know, but combining Mewtwos power with the strength of a Shadow Pokemon and there'd be no stopping it…" Ash shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.
"What if Mewtwo turned on Giovanni while in its Shadow state?"
Ash didn't answer immediately, "It can't, this is where Giovanni is unfortunately clever, the new Research and Development is being used to make Pokemon single minded. Don't ask me how but that's what's happening."
"Pikachu pi pika Pikapi?" Pikachu asked who had been listening the entire time wide eyed. Alyssa stroked Pikachus back to help calm him while Ash answered.
"Well buddy, imagine you not being able to think for yourself. You have one goal, and one goal only. Say I asked you to never drink ketchup again would you do it?" Ash asked.
Pikachu shook his head, "Chu!" Ash smiled and reached over and scratched under his chin.
"Good, but if you were single minded you would never drink ketchup until I told you to. And say I am the smartest most manipulative person on this world,"
"Which you're not," Alyssa giggled with Pikachu joining in on; Ash raised an eyebrow at them but continued.
"Well if I was, it would be possible for me to manipulate your mind into doing my bidding, let it be baking me a cake or killing something." Pikachu stared in disbelief, coming over from the peaceful, sleepy town of Pallet, to being almost shot, and now they were discussing mind control? Life certainly is different, and he signed up for it…
"So Giovanni is going to use Shadow Pokemon to take over the Leagues, use the income to further his Research and Development, and Manufacturing. Then to top it all off he's going to take over the world by finding the only Mewtwo in existence and capture it to do his bidding no questions asked!" Alyssa exclaimed sinking deeper into the couch.
"Yeah basically…" Ash said nonchalantly. The trio drifted into silence at the info they had just learned. Ash perked up when he remembered something.
"Oh and Aly…" Alyssa was deep in thought but acknowledged him.
"Hmm, yeah Ash?"
"Team Rocket knew I was in Orre…"