PoKéMoN
Avenger by Ben Russell-Gough
Legal Disclaimer
Pokémon, the Pocket Monsters and their human friends and enemies are all the sole copyright and trademark property of Nintendo Entertainment. No breach of any copyright or legal property is intended.
Author's Notes
This is my first Pokémon fic. I don't know all the monsters or all the moves. I base my story purely on what I've seen of the cartoon. I thank all the other Pokémon writers on this board for providing plenty of inspiration.
Text in [squared-off brackets] indicates the translation of a Pokémon's language into English.
Text in Italics but not in quotes indicates thoughts.
Ages: Ash is 16, nearly 17; Misty is 18; Brock is 24; Jessie and James are both 23.
Book 1 – The Last Hope
What has gone before…
It is a time when history is made, and a time when destinies are revealed. Five young people, Ash Ketchum, Misty Waterflower, James Weston, Jessie Scarlet and Brock Slate have launched the first strike in a war, one not of their choosing, against the forces of Team Rocket, a mighty terrorist organisation led by Ash's father, Giovanni diRocketti.
Now, with the fire and immediacy of battle over, the five young heroes, and the whole world, must come to terms with the fact that they have a new group of champions…
***
"Ring, ring! Ring, ring! Phone Call! Phone Call!"
"Viridian City Police Department, Officer Jenny speaking, how can I help?"
"Hello, Officer Jenny, I'm calling because I think I can help you."
Jenny frowned. She realised that this wasn't a natural voice. It had no real tone. The caller was using an electronic voice distorter. "Who is this?" she asked angrily.
"That isn't important. If you and an arrest squad go to map reference 23-33-07 north, 18-77-82 east, I think that you will find something of greatest interest to you."
"Who is this? What are you talking about?"
"Aren't you interested in a Team Rocket staging area with about 200 members of that organisation all wrapped up and ready to go?"
"What are you talking about? You are saying you have information about Team Rocket?"
*Laughs* "Yes, that's one way to look at it. Just come along to that map reference and bring plenty of prison vans. There are an awful lot of prisoners to move."
"I can't just put together an operation like this on your say so… Who is this?"
"Just call me a concerned law-abiding citizen, Officer." *click*
"Hello? Hello, are you still there? Oh, blast." Jenny put down her handset and sat in her chair for a moment, thinking furiously. She would be rich if she had a dollar for every crank call she had taken but… But in this case, something told her this was for real. Even if it was just a very convincing hoax, she couldn't just disregard a tip-off about Team Rocket activities. After only a moment's hesitation, she reached for her internal 'phone and began to make the preparations.
And now the continuation…
Chapter 6 – When the guns fall silent…
In the semi-gloom of his inner sanctum, Giovanni watched the live INN (Indigo News Network) transmission with interest.
He was furious when he learnt of the obliteration of Viridian Base before the critical operation against Ash Ketchum could begin. However, he was far more interested in just who could pull off such a coup. He watched as a field reporter repeated the pitifully few confirmed facts of the incident to anyone who had just tuned in. Behind the reporter, the viewer could see dozens of Security Policemen and women leading away battered and disoriented Team Rocket agents.
"Once again, we are reporting live from the site of an amazing battle," the reporter almost shouted. "Early this morning, an unknown group of Pokémon Trainers attacked and destroyed a facility controlled by the terrorist organisation Team Rocket.
"Over 200 members of this shadowy organisation have been arrested by officers of the Viridian City Security Police, acting in response to an anonymous tip-off, presumed to have been 'phoned in by the same group responsible for destroying this base.
"In news just in, I can confirm that the Security Police have also taken charge of several hundred hollow rear lower molar teeth containing a lethal poison derived from the venom of an Arbok. I understand that these were removed from the members of Team Rocket, probably by the unknown forces that destroyed this base, before the arrival of the police. A police source, who asked not to be named, added that if they had not removed them then 'most of the Team Rocket agents would have been dead before we arrived.'"
Giovanni raised his eyebrows at this news. Then he saw something else behind the reporter and frowned in disappointment. Lois and Clark, the uniform of the latter reduced to scarlet rags, walked past in handcuffs. Clark shot a resentful look at the camera, but Lois seemed totally broken, her head bowed and tears streaming down her cheeks.
"We are now going live to the Security Police mobile incident room," the reporter continued, "where I understand that the officer in charge of this operation, Captain Jennifer Black, is about to give a press conference."
The scene switched to a mobile control vehicle somewhere near the base. Officer Jenny stood at the steps, her loyal Growlithe at her side. "Acting on information received," she said, reading from her notes, "Viridian City Security Police forces proceeded to this location and found a large paramilitary training and storage facility apparently controlled by the banned organisation known as 'Team Rocket.'
"Prior to our arrival, the facility had been attacked and seriously damaged, apparently by someone highly skilled in the handling of powerful Pokémon. Over 200 individuals have been arrested and will be charged with membership of an illegal organisation. Several of these suspects will also face further questioning regarding this incident and other criminal activity in the Viridian City area.
"The Security Police ask that any member of the public with information regarding this incident contact us immediately. We are especially interested in anyone who can offer any information regarding the perpetrators of this incident."
"Officer Jenny," one reporter shouted. "Does this mean you are looking for the people who destroyed this base?"
"We are investigating multiple offences connected with this incident, including criminal damage, affray and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, that is correct."
"But they destroyed a Team Rocket base," another reporter shouted. "Doesn't that make them heroes?"
"It most certainly does not," Jenny snapped. She continued in a calmer voice. "Enforcement of the law is the sole responsibility of the Security Police. Ordinary citizens do not have the right to commit criminal acts, even against criminals. If someone knows something that could damage Team Rocket, then they should make a statement to the police, not commit acts of vigilante violence."
"Isn't this manhunt really about the embarrassment to the Security Police?" one reporter asked. "Team Rocket has been in action for decades and the Security Police have only won the smallest of victories against them. These 'vigilantes' have achieved more in a morning than the SPs have in decades!"
Jenny's face flamed red and she scowled at the unseen speaker. "Listen, mister," she snapped. "You might think this is nothing more than a great story, but you will change your mind if this little civil war between renegade Trainers spills onto the streets of our towns and cities. People who do these things are not 'good citizens.' They are certainly not heroes. They are as much terrorists as Team Rocket." There was quiet as the reporters absorbed Jenny's impassioned fury. "Are there any more questions?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
"Does the Security Police have any clue to the identities of those responsible?" someone asked.
"A few," Jenny admitted. "We have a recording of the initial tip-off, which appears to have been electronically modulated but may yet yield some data. We also have an intriguing symbol that the attackers used some kind of high powered laser to cut into the side of the Team Rocket facility."
Jenny lifted up a large poster-sized photograph and showed it to the cameras. It showed the side of the base buildings. On the side, someone had cut a symbol. A circle with two jagged near-vertical right-to-left thunderbolts cutting through the circumference. The symbol of a thunderbolt, Giovanni thought to himself.
Giovanni flicked off the monitor and turned to look at Mondo. Mondo flinched under his commander's intense gaze. "Well?" Giovanni snapped when he decided his lieutenant had been silent for too long.
"If I hadn't seen it, I would never have believed it," Mondo admitted. "But there it is, beyond doubt. Someone has formed another group of non-League Trainers and is using them against us."
"The question is who?" Giovanni muttered.
"Some organisation opposed to Team Rocket, perhaps," Mondo suggested. "You have many enemies, sir." Mondo thought for a moment. "That Security Police officer's outrage was so clichéd, I wonder if this is the work of some new special branch of the SPs."
"What of my son?" Giovanni asked, leaning forward slightly.
Mondo stifled a laugh. "Sir, with all due respect, Ash is just a boy," Mondo replied. "He has less than a half-dozen allies. He can't be behind this… carnage."
"Do you really believe that?" Giovanni asked, gently surprised. He shook his head. There was no cause to confuse poor, faithful Mondo. "Never mind. Have every field agent report in. I want every hint of clandestine activity followed up and every possible lead about a new militant group of Trainers checked out."
"Yes sir," Mondo replied. He turned and walked out, leaving Giovanni alone. Is it really so impossible, my son? he asked himself. Have I truly so underestimated you?
***
"Tough words from Officer Jenny," Ash said nervously, hugging his legs. He leaned forward and switched off the small portable TV that Brock had produced from his bottomless backpack.
"She's just jealous," Jessie snapped in a snide tone. "That reporter had it right. The cops are jealous because, in a morning, we have dealt Team Rocket a blow that they haven't been able to achieve in decades."
"It's more than that," Misty contradicted in a firm tone. "Jenny has a right to be angry, Jessie. We've caused a lot of physical damage today. Not only does it make her look bad, but she is worried about what may happen if we become as… callous as Team Rocket."
James nodded. "She isn't looking forward to our first three-figure body count," he commented with a slight smirk.
"Well that isn't going to happen James," Ash replied immediately. James rolled his eyes at Ash's vehemence and received a pinch from Jessie for his pains.
The five friends (for that is what they were now) were sitting in a circle around their campfire as the sun began its long dive down to the western horizon. Ash was suffering the burden of leaders throughout the centuries. With the last shot fired and all the wounded tidied away, he was worrying about his performance. Should I have planned more carefully? He asked himself. What should I do next? Have I taken a wrong turning, maybe doomed my friends? What if I fall like my father?
Brock was silent for a long moment before he finally replied. "I wonder how much of what Jenny said was just the 'official line,'" he said thoughtfully. "She has never struck me as the type who is overly worried about official procedure or niceties like the letter of the law. I think we may have an unofficial ally. If she creates enough of a fuss, it may distract Giovanni from us and make him look for bigger enemies. He will ignore us, at least until it is too late."
Ash nodded and smiled at Brock. "Right as usual, Brock," he finally admitted. "Still, we'd better be cautious for a while. I think we should stick to the woods and keep a low profile before we make our next move."
"What is that, Ash?" Misty asked.
Ash leaned back against his pack. "By now," he predicted, "my father will have every White and Black Rocket in Kanto looking for those responsible for today's little party. We just wait for them to cruise by and pick them off, one-by-one. If we can get information about compromised Pokémon Gyms and other equipment dumps, we'll move against them as soon as we can."
James nodded. "Yeah, stay on the offensive," he agreed. "It's the only way.
"I'm so glad my plan meets your approval," Ash commented in a slightly snide tone.
James snorted angrily. "Don't expect an easy ride with me, Ash," he snapped. "If you are ever wrong, I will be sure to tell you."
"And you are qualified to give me advice?" Ash responded, his brows going up. He half rose to remonstrate with James when Misty suddenly jumped up. She had spied the electric sparks flaring around Raichu's cheek pads and Meowth's claws suddenly coming out of their sheathes.
"Oh, darn I forgot," she suddenly said too loudly. "Ash, I really have to give Horsee and Goldeen their exercise tonight." Ash turned to look at her with a slight frown and Misty played her trump cards. She moved very close to him and gave him a 'little lost girl' look that triggered all of his instinctive 'hero' responses. "Is there big body of water near here nice and safe for me to use?" she asked in a gentle tone of voice.
Ash was totally distracted by Misty's sudden nearness and her question. He looked at Misty, then turned back to James and tried to remember what he was going to say. Finally he shook his head and turned back to Misty. "Safe? No, but there is a lake just little way away in that direction," he said, gesturing to the east. "It is as good as it gets, but I'd better come so Gyarados and Wartortle can cover for you." He turned to lead the way.
James was about to pursue Ash and continue the argument when Jessie suddenly got up and grabbed James by the arm. "James, I think that we should check over Arbok and Victreebell," she suddenly announced. She cocked her hips seductively, instantly short-circuiting most of James' higher brain functions. "They both took quite a bit of punishment today," she continued in an all-too-reasonable voice. "We should get out a medical kit and give them both some 'tender loving care.'"
As the two young men tamely left to assist their partners, Misty and Jessie shot each other a look of amazement and mutual respect. Men, their looks seemed to say. What would they do without us? The two pairs made off, leaving a puzzled Brock sitting in the clearing. He thought for a while about what had just seen, then he began to laugh.
***
Brock was more than a little concerned about how long Ash and Misty had been gone. The sun was going down and they had still not come back yet. Jessie and James had already returned and were tucking into the 'Pika-chow,' which is what they called his potluck stew for some reason.
He pushed through the brush towards the small lake. He emerged from the trees and froze, totally amazed by what he saw. As expected, Horsee and Goldeen were enjoying a relaxing swim around the lake while the huge forms of both Trainers' Gyarados and Wartortles patrolled the deeper waters protectively. What Brock hadn't expected to see was Ash and Misty's clothes neatly folded up on the lakeshore.
Brock decided that he now knew how Misty had distracted Ash from his argument with James. His two friends were about five yards off shore. Both were totally naked and locked into an amazing passionate clinch. Misty had wrapped herself around Ash and appeared to be trying to find out where his tongue was attached to his throat. Both were also engaged in a detailed tactile investigation of the other's body. Brock stood for a long frozen second in absolute amazement. My god, he thought. No one could possibly get into that position without breaking their arms and legs!
Brock shook his head, breaking his self-induced trance. Mama Slate did not bring him up to be a voyeur. He turned, wiped the cold sweat from his brow and virtually ran for camp, his face flaming in embarrassment.
"Hi Brock," Meowth commented from the tree where he was guarding the camp perimeter. "Meowth! Hey, did you find the Tw… er… Ash and Misty?"
"No!" Brock shouted. "I mean yes, I mean they're a bit busy… We'll have to keep their dinners warm for later."
Humans, Meowth thought to himself. Who understands them?
***
Just after sunset, at the edge of the camp, Misty was helping Jessie finish off first aid on Arbok by torchlight. She rubbed in the anti-infection cream and made sure the pro-skin dressings were smoothly attached to Jessie's poison-type. "Thanks for your help with Arbok's scratches, Misty," Jessie said.
"Don't mention it Jessie," Misty replied. She stroked a sensitive hand along the huge cobra's flanks. "Are you feeling more comfortable now Arbok?"
"Chaaarrrrr-bok," Arbok replied in a positive tone of voice. She turned and nudged Misty's shoulder in a gesture of gratitude, then looked at Jessie with that special devotion that only a first Pokémon feels for her Trainer. Jessie smiled and recalled her friend to her Pokéball.
Jessie holstered the Pokéball and turned to Misty. "Look, Misty," she suddenly said in a discreet tone. "I just want to thank you… you know for the kindness you've shown us since what happened to James' folks. You really are a good person."
"So are you," Misty said. Jessie blushed and looked down. "I know you don't believe it, but look at all the times you helped us, even when we were enemies."
"You did the same for us," Jessie said with a nervous smile.
"Yes, we did," Misty said with a smile. "Maybe we always knew we'd end up on the same side. Maybe there is something like destiny after all."
Jessie nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, maybe," she admitted. She cocked her head and smiled slightly. "Thank you for distracting Ash earlier. James is easy to confuse, but how in the world did you so completely overwhelm Ash? And where were you two for most of the evening anyway?" To Jessie's delight, Misty's only reply was to turn a bright red and look away in embarrassment.
"Don't be so silly, dear," Jessie advised, touching Misty on the arm. "What you two have is wonderful. You are doing nothing to be ashamed about. That is destiny if I've ever seen it." Jessie cleared her throat nervously before continuing in a more hesitant tone. "You… er… you are being… careful aren't you?"
To Jessie's relief, Misty turned back with a slight smile rather than with an explosion of anger. "I bought some refills for my implant before leaving Viridian City," she explained. "Ash is doing his part as well."
Jessie nodded, pleased to hear that news. "I'm glad that you two have found some kind of happiness in this cold world," Jessie replied with a warm smile.
"So," Misty continued after a moment while she got her composure back. "What is the deal between you and James?" To Misty's surprise, Jessie blushed even redder than she did.
"Well," Jessie said in a hoarse tone. "That is… complex…"
***
Ash ran his hand through his recently dried hair. Someone should have warned me leadership isn't easy, he thought. "Uh, James," he began. "Look I'm sorry about nearly blowing my top today. I shouldn't have snapped at you for just making a fair comment."
James paused from where he was loading more wood onto the campfire. He smiled slightly, but not in a nasty way. "That's all right, Ash," he replied. "I shouldn't have baited you. You are very good you know. What you did this morning was nothing short of a miracle."
Ash was young enough to blush at the older man's compliment. "So, uh," he said, trying to change the subject. "Um, did Brock talk to you too?"
"Yes," James replied. "But actually, it was Jessie who convinced me of the error of my ways. She told me that, quote, 'You should buck your ideas up, James. Ash has enough on his plate without you baiting him at every turn,' unquote."
Ash laughed. "It was Misty who got to me first. She told me to stop acting like a sixteen-year-old and start acting like an adult."
James paused in his task. "Ash," he said in a puzzled tone. "You are sixteen years old. Seventeen in a couple of weeks or so if I remember."
"Yeah I know," Ash said. "That is what worries me now. It didn't even come into my head for an hour after she said it. Damn, how did she learn what buttons to press so quickly?"
"That's women for you, Ash-boy," James admitted wryly. "They might be pretty, but underneath, they all have the heart of a true-born politician."
***
"Meowth, so, how was it for you?"
[Kind of like a Pokémon Arena battle, but with fewer interruptions.] Raichu and Meowth perched in a tree watching the camp perimeter.
"It was the first time for me," Meowth admitted. "A full scale battle I mean."
[I found it totally terrifying, Meowth, and I've been in big productions before. I was so on edge!] Raichu replied. He shivered and moved to another branch. [Still, we beat the bad guys. That's what counts.]
"Meowth! He is a good one your Trainer," Meowth said thoughtfully. "We'll do well as long as he is around."
[Believe me, he isn't going anywhere!] Both Pokémon grinned smugly at each other. Nothing was quite so good for their kind than a successful battle. With luck, there would be many more ahead.
"Raichu!" Ash called.
"Meowth!" James shouted. "Come on you two, it's time to hit the sack!" Without another word, the two Pokémon left their position, heading back for the camp, their Trainers and their friends.
***
In the still darkness of night, the only motion was the occasional silent moving shadow as Brock's Golbat and Ash's Venomoth and Haunter moved about on their 'night shift' patrol. Their acute senses were on the watch for a possible night ambush, human or Pokémon.
There was one intruder, however, that they never saw, indeed they were never aware of. This was despite the fact that he materialised in a tree immediately above the five sleeping Trainers. This was so because this most powerful of intruders willed it thus. To him, reality itself was clay to be moulded as he saw fit. What were the senses of a bug/psychic, a flying/sonic and a ghost Pokémon compared to that?
He looked down at them with his expressive violet eyes. It was they! He realised. The five who had come to his island and shown him the error of his path of murder and conquest in that possible, error-strewn past that he had removed forever. Did they remember? The watcher wondered. Despite all of his precautions, might some ghost of a memory endure?
The watcher leaned forward, shifting his powerful grey body. His small mouth twisted up into a rare smile. "You are the ones marked by destiny," he murmured to himself in a gentle psychic voice. "Such a powerful one too… You reached all the way to my home in Brazil and drew me here."
He stood up straight and considered the incredible energies flowing around this clearing. Such convergences of power were rare enough for him to know of no previous incident. Yet should this be a surprise to him? "When the boy was caught between me and mother," the watcher recalled. "As he fell, I felt the universe itself cry out in denial. I should have known then he was meant for greatness."
For eight long hours, the watcher sat in that tree, drinking in the power of these five heroes' destiny. It amazed him that history could depend on such a strange grouping. He smiled again, this time bitterly. If he had learnt one thing in his short life, it was that history never trod the easy path.
The sun began to rise and Raichu began to stir, always an early riser. The watcher jerked back, as if snapping out of a trance. He steadied himself by grabbing the tree trunk with one of his three-fingered hands. He looked down at the five and their friends one more time. Then, with a smile and a flare of icy blue psychic energy, he was gone.
Raichu looked up at the tree. He could have sworn that something had been up there. Something powerful that had been watching them all. There was nothing there now. Nothing more substantial than a forgotten dream, a lost nightmare or a breath of the wind whispering a name: Mewtwo.
The End
Of The Last Hope.
But the story of Avenger will continue in Team Rocket Strikes Back
Coming soon…!
Do You Know?
As an extra to keep you happy…
What were Mewtwo's thoughts as he looked down on our heroes that dark still night? I welcome feedback to BenRG@rgflat.freeserve.co.uk. I am no poet. This was written freestyle (i.e. I couldn't make it rhyme to save my life) during a lunch break at work. Although much of it is based on the last section of my story, a scene in the end credits of Pokémon – The First Movie is its' primary inspiration. You know the bit, with our three heroes asleep in their sleeping bags.
Do You Know?
A Pokémon poem by Ben Russell-Gough
I stand amongst the trees,
Looking down on the five touched by destiny.
I wonder, do they know I am here?
In their dreams do they sense me?
I will never know.
They are five who have become one.
They have made a choice, become instruments of destiny,
Determined their future, Cut their own path.
The power of their destiny is so great,
That it drew me from my distant Andean home,
To marvel at what I see.
I remember the first time I saw them.
A boy, a girl, a man, two thieves.
Even then, I could feel the power of their future.
When the boy fell, I heard the universe itself cry out.
Now the future has become the present.
I wonder, do they know what they have become?
Do they know what destiny awaits them on the path ahead?
They sleep, secure in their victory.
And I watch over that sleep.
Do they sense my protection?
Is that why they sleep so peacefully?
Do you know of my interest, my friends?
Jessie and James.
Once you were villains, thieves, agents of chaos.
Now you walk the path of light.
You have faced the darkness and made the choice.
Do you know what you have done?
You are now on the side of angels,
And are ready to fight for a cause, while just, not truly your own.
This is the true nature of heroism.
The man and woman sleep peacefully.
The man's hand has escaped his sleeping bag
And touches her face.
In her sleep, she smiles, aware of his presence,
Reassured by his touch.
It is a sign of love, far more demonstrative
Than any overt physical act.
Between them lies Meowth.
His long body is stretched to touch them both.
Do you know what you are, little Meowth?
You are the third cord that binds their hearts
You are a friend and a wise counsellor.
If the two are mighty, the three are unbreakable.
Such is the nature of family.
Brock Slate lies alone, as is his choice.
Do you know what you are, oh Gym Leader?
I doubt it. You are full of uncertainty.
Self-doubt is your hidden demon.
Why else would you need to pursue the ladies so?
Yet, it is you who are the keystone of this group.
You are the wisdom, the knowledge and the rock.
Without you, they would be far less.
You are friend, counsellor and strength.
I wonder, do you know?
Misty Waterflower sleeps, her face a light in the darkness.
Her face is free of the stress of consciousness.
Now I can see clearly the beauty that all can see, save her.
Her Togepi sleeps beside her, not fearing the night.
For his mistress of kindness remains beside him.
Hers is the power of love, and it affects them all.
Yours is a soul of kindness and beauty, Misty.
You are the light that prevents the five from falling,
Into the darkness that awaits all who make their own history.
Do you know what you mean to them?
To all of them? Especially Ash?
Ash Ketchum, the Last Hope.
He sleeps, his forehead wrinkled with concern.
Even in his dreams, he cannot escape the burden of his destiny.
Do you know what you are? What you will do? Perhaps.
If Brock is the keystone, you are the builder.
You give the dreams of the five direction and shape.
You are the Chosen One.
Your Raichu sleeps at your side. Secure in your company.
Yours is a brotherhood that transcends that which other Trainers know.
How did I miss that all those years ago?
This is not about Trainer and Pokémon.
This is about friendship and striving for a common goal.
Do you two realise the hard example you set lesser souls?
Do you know what you have begun?
Ash turns in his sleeping bag. His face turns towards Misty.
Do you know what you are to each other?
I wonder, do you really know?
You are the light, inspiration and strength to each other.
Without the other, you would be less than what you are.
Yours is a love that goes beyond the heart.
It was written in the very rhythms of the cosmos.
Both Ash and Misty smile and their sleep grows more peaceful.
Perhaps in their sleep, they can feel the other's soul.
Her heart reaches for his; she comforts him, and reassures him.
She is his light and his hope for a future free of the darkness.
His heart reaches for hers; he is her strength and foundation.
He is her reason for being in this dark world.
Together there is a powerful bond that I can see.
Heart, mind and soul. They are one.
Together they walk towards a tomorrow that they will build.
Woe to the man who dares to interfere in such things.
I wonder, does Giovanni know?
Can he understand what he has made?
The wonderful thing that he now fights?
He made me as a weapon. He failed.
He made Ash as his destiny. And his success will be his end.
Now the sun begins to rise.
Raichu stirs in his sleep, soon the five will be awake.
I must away, less my presence alarm them,
And disturb their path, the destiny that they must pursue.
As I teleport away, I wonder again if they knew I was there.
My young friends, I wonder… do you know?