Chapter 5: The Battle...And...Something Else?
In the morning, I insisted on getting an early start. No use giving them any more opportunity to remove their destructive machines than neccessary.
Everyone, except Ash, got up easily.
But even Ash became convinced that awake was good when I lifted him into the air as he flailed his limbs.
"Mew!" I chuckled. This Ash fellow was certainly going to be interesting to fool around with.
Grumbling, he got up and ready, but his complaining was easily quelched when a plate of food was placed in front of him. He scarfed down his breakfast so quickly that even I, with my strong vision, had a hard time seeing the food go from the plate to being ingested.
Can we go now? I was impatient.
"Don't be mad at me, I'm the one who's dropping everything to go help *you*," came Ash's haughty reply.
I gave him my perfected glare, and he gulped, and turned away to escape its intensity.
"Mew," I was satisfied.
Everyone finally got ready, although it took too long for my taste.
With a deep breath, I cautioned them of my intention, then Teleported us all to a spot just outside of my home.
The wrecked bulldozers were still there, in pieces, although some people were working on making a clear path, so they could start destroying my birthplace again.
Misty gasped, "Look! They *are* members of Team Rocket!"
They had big red R's on their chest. I'd noticed it before, but put it off as unimportant.
I take it you've ran into them before?
Ash turned, and grinned at me, "Yeah. Maybe once or twice..."
Brock spoke up, "We're happy to help and all...But why do you need us?"
I sighed. Because the Evil Man has a Master Ball.
"What's that?" Misty asked.
A Pokéball that will automatically capture *any* Pokémon...Without having to weaken it...
"Do you know where the 'Evil Man' is?" Ash asked. I could sense his thoughts. He wouldn't mind having a Master Ball. But the boy was too young to understand the dangers of such a ball...
Yes. I nodded, and spun around, hovering above the ground. "Mew."
"Where?"
Viridian City.
They all sweat-dropped. "Pika," the yellow creature was exasperated.
"That's where we were going..." Ash whined.
I wanted to show you what *I* had to lose before I took you there.
With a flash of light, I Teleported us all to Viridian City, in front of the Gym.
"The Gym?" Ash was confused.
Pikachu echoed his bewilderment, "Ka?"
This is the Evil Man's HQ, I explained like it was obvious.
"Do we just go in?" Brock asked.
No. There's a back door.
"Oh."
'Leave! Leave now!' my body cried out. I didn't want to get caught...If I stayed I would for sure...But I had gotten them into this mess, and might as well help as much as possible.
"Which way?"
I pointed with my tail, and started to float over there, but as I began to speak, I was interrupted by three beings in front of us.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie," a woman with big hair, wearing a Rocket shirt, was illuminated.
"James," the blue-haired male had a big "R" on his chest as well, and a red rose clenched in his teeth.
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight."
"Meowth," the cat jumped in front of them. "That's right!"
"Not you again!" Misty shouted in frustration.
"Hand over your Pokémon!" Jessie ordered.
"Never!" Ash stated.
"Arbok! Weezing!" the two let out their Poison-Type Pokémon.
"Char-bok!" the giant purple snake spit.
"Weeze-ing," its oddly-shaped purple agreed.
"Pikachu, go!" Ash ordered.
I wasn't in the mood to mess with these amateurs. Step aside, I told Pikachu.
Confused, the electric mouse backed up, its zig-zag tail flapping.
My eyes started glowing, and with a powerful and colorful Psybeam I sent the trio flying.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again-" they disappeared into the sky with a twinkle of light.
"Wow," Brock said. "You'll have to teach me that sometime."
"Mew," I laughed.
[Anytime.]
Only slightly annoyed at being interrupted, I lead them quietly around to the back
I closed my bright blue eyes in frustration when Ash tripped over his own two feet with a loud clang, but managed to hold back any derrogative comments.
I made do with shooting a dark look at him, and he mumbled an apology.
Using my Pyschic powers, I opened the door. We entered, and it shut with a slam behind us. I shot a puzzled glance towards it because it had closed on its own accord.
It was dark and eery inside...But that darkness would soon be diminished.
With a thump, several bright lights came on, illuminating where we were...
A big empty room...
At least, it was empty, until an evil man in dark clothes appeared out of nowhere to stand in front of us...holding proudly his Master Ball.
His eyes seemed to communicate to me, 'This is for you...'
"Mew!" I disappeared in fright, then popped up behind Ash, confusing him momentarily.
"I have been expecting you, Mew." The man was mostly hidden in shadows, his face masked by the darkness.
"But I have to admit, that you brought others with you is quite an amusing surprise..."
Ash never knew when to keep his mouth shut, "You leave Mew alone!"
The man laughed, and stepped forward into the light. "Or what? Giovanni does not take orders from anyone. Especially minute brats like you."
Ash reiterated himself commandingly, "Leave Mew alone. He never did anything to you!"
"Let me explain. Mew is a strong Pokémon. And I catch strong Pokémon...I'm sure you know all about that." He laughed evilly, then corrected himself, "No, wait. I take that back. You would not know anything about catching *strong* Pokémon."
"I do too have strong Pokémon!" Ash yelled, despite of the restraining hand that Misty placed on his arm.
"Then why didn't you catch the Mew?"
Ash paused, looking back at me. Panic flashed in my eyes and my breath became haggard as I wondered what he was pondering, and he answered, "Uh...I...I didn't want to. Mew wanted to remain free."
I let out a mental sigh of relief.
Giovanni scoffed at the boy, "Then I challenge you to a six-on-six Pokémon battle. If I win, I get the Pyschic cat."
"What happens if I win?"
Giovanni inspected him for a moment, "Then *you* get it."
Ash looked at me, as if for permission. I trusted him, but I wasn't sure if he could win on his own.
I spoke in his mind alone, You can battle, as long as I get to be your sixth Pokémon.
He started to speak, but I gave him a warning look. He thought to me, But you're not *my* Pokémon, what if he doesn't let me fight with you?
Since when does *he* play by the rules?
Good point.
Ash asked, "Will you stop bulldozing Mew's home, too?"
Giovanni thought for a second, "I will stop, and I'll let you have Mew if you win. But if *I* win, then I get *all* your Pokémon, *plus* Mew."
Ash swallowed. I could almost hear the gears in his brain turning. What if he didn't win? He just now realized that when he'd accepted my bringing him into this, he had to be willing to give it all.
And it looked like he was prepared to do just that.
My opinion of humans went up several notches.
He was going to do it, for me.
*Me*.
A Pokémon that had just appeared into his life the other day, and wouldn't let him capture me, instead asking for him to help.
And he would give away all that he had worked hard for on the *chance* that I might be left alone.
With no real gain to himself.
A tear trickled down my white cheek. I lifted a fuzzy paw to wipe it away before anyone could see it, and crossed my legs, trying to block out the emotion that was threatening to overcome me.
Ash held out his hand, "Deal."
Giovanni shook it, and the floor opened to reveal a Gym bottom. The walls also slided up, revealing torches and an elaborate setting.
It appeared to be a second Gym of his, a private one.
A Gym within a Gym. If our situation wasn't so devastating I might consider it amusing.
After he prepared himself for battle on his side, and Ash got ready as well, he threw a Pokéball. "Nidoqueen, go!"
Ash threw a ball, too. "Squirtle!"
Brock and Misty were sitting on the sidelines. I went over and hovered beside them, my eyes on the battle.
"Queen!" the big Pokémon yelled at Ash's shelled, blue Squirtle.
"Focus Energy!" Giovanni shouted. Nidoqueen started glowing a yellow-orange color.
"Squirtle, Hydro Pump!"
Squirtle complied, sending a big burst of water at Nidoqueen. It knocked her heavily to the side, sending a vibration throughout the Gym floor, and she looked a little dizzy.
But it wasn't enough.
She was still ready to fight.
"Submission!"
"Squirtle, Withdraw!" Ash hurried.
Squirtle quickly withdrew into its light brown shell, as Nidoqueen used Submission to give it quite a beating.
Squirtle came out, dazed, and Ash ordered, "Skull Bash!"
The water Pokémon lowered its head as Giovanni yelled, "Tail whip!"
Nidoqueen started turning to hit the Water Pokémon with her blue-green tail, but was bashed in the stomach by Squirtle's head before she could turn completely. She fell onto her back, and started squirming and kicking her feet on the floor, making lots of noise, but was unable to get to her feet.
"Nidoqueen, return!" Giovanni smirked, "Not bad for a kid."
This steamed Ash up quite a bit. The Team Rocket leader threw a red and white ball, and out popped Bellossom.
Ash's Pokédex pinged, "Bellossom. A newly discovered grass-type Pokémon that evolves from Gloom. Little else is known at this time."
"Bell!" it cooed. It danced mockingly.
"Prepare your Solarbeam!" Giovanni boomed.
"Squirtle, Tackle attack!" Ash called out.
Squirtle got into its shell, and, spinning, hit the glowing grass-type, but barely phased it.
"Lossom!" it cried out, and hit Squirtle with a massive green beam.
"Squirt," it cried weakly. It was splayed out on the ground.
"Squirtle, return!" Ash called after him. He threw another Pokéball, crossing his fingers. Please work... I could hear him think.
"Charizard!" Ash exclaimed, hopefully.
"Looks like Ash is actually considering weaknesses," Brock whispered to Misty.
"Prrii!" Togepi clapped.
"Yeah, but will Charizard actually listen to him this time?" Misty looked worried.
Brock shrugged, and turned back to the battle.
"Mew," I muttered good luck towards Ash.
"Zard," the winged orange dragon looked bored.
"Bellossom, poison powder!"
The cheerful Pokémon sent a large shower of poisonous dust towards Charizard, but with a slight snort of fire, it caused it to flame up and fall to the ground as ashes.
"Charizard, please! Fire Blast!" Ash pleaded.
Charizard glanced at its nails, "Chari..."
[Hmm, looks like I need a manicure...]
If I wanted Ash to win, maybe I should step in...
I spoke in the lizard's mind, Charizard...
"Char?" It looked up from scratching its ear, quizzically.
Bellossom was still receiving orders from Giovanni, and tried many tactics, but, as strong as the Grass-type was, nothing bothered him.
He threw off all the cute dancing Pokémon's attacks easily.
Isn't that little fly getting annoying? Why don't you swat it so you can go back in your ball... I suggested.
Charizard, after a minute of deciding, let loose a Fire Blast that left Bellossom charred. "Bell?" it whimpered as it collapsed.
Giovanni called it back, and let out Rhydon. "Rock throw!"
Charizard started to stretch its wings, but when it was hit by the rocks it cried out in pain.
"Don!" the horned Rhydon exclaimed happily.
Misty whispered to Brock, "Oh no! Charizard has a double weakness against Rock-type Pokémon..."
"I coulda told ya that!" Misty elbowed Brock for his unneeded comment. "Ow!"
I merely watched the battle with wide blue eyes, my pink feet dangling below me.
"Charizard, Slash!"
Charizard ignored Ash's order, and instead tried Fire Blast.
It barely made a mark on it.
Giovanni laughed, "You haven't done a very good job in training that one. It is way too powerful for a naive trainer like you! If I had a strong Pokémon like that, I would be sure to train it right!" That set Ash's blood to boiling.
Next, on Giovanni's instruction, Rhydon did a Horn Drill.
Charizard tried to avoid it, but was too late. The Rhydon hit it dead-center. Charizard roared, then slowly and painfully collapsed to the ground.
"Oh no! Horn Drill's a one-hit KO!" Misty moaned.
"Chu..." whispered Pikachu from Ash's side.
"Charizard! Return!" Charizard went back into the ball as a beam of red light. After a moment's hesitation Ash sent out Bulbasaur, a Grass- and Poison-type that Rhydon had a weakness against.
"Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!"
"Bulb!" it cried, then it lashed out with its green vines at the gray Rhydon, who rumbled in pain.
"Horn Drill!"
With a swirling horn, it came at Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur! Watch out!" The green quadruped dodged the big gray beast. "Leech seed!"
It let out some seeds through the bulb on its back, which popped open over Rhydon, and engulfed it in hair-fine roots.
"Don," it mumbled, then crumbled to the ground, all tied up.
"Persian! Go!"
"Perr..." the lean cat prowled.
"Slash!"
Persian raised its clawed paw, and left a big red mark on Bulbasaur, who cried out in pain.
"Bulbasaur! Sleep Powder!"
"Saur..." it growled as it let loose a sparkling powder all over Persian.
"Sian..." Persian tried to fight it, its tail lashing out, but fell asleep.
"Persian," Giovanni held out a ball, "Return!"
"Go, Arcanine!"
The legendary Fire-type growled a challenge to Bulbasaur, who looked frightened.
"Bulbasaur, Poison Powder!" Ash told him.
"Fire Spin!"
"Arc!" Arcanine replied.
Bulbasaur attempted to poison Arcanine, but failed miserably. Instead it got caught in a circle of fire. "Saur!" it cried out.
Reluctantly, Ash ordered Bulbasaur to come back.
"I choose you! Pidgeotto!"
"Pidgey-oh!" The bird swirled upward, then came back down a bit, a sparkle gleaming in its sharp eye.
"Arcanine, Double-Edge!"
"Nine!" It jumped into the air to ram into Pidgeotto, but Ash warned his Pokémon to dodge just in time, and the dog slammed nose-first onto the ground.
"Pidgeotto! Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto smacked the fiery canine with its wings, but that just angered it, and, on order from Giovanni, it used Bite on the bird's wing nearest its mouth.
Pidgeotto squawked. "Sand-Attack!" Ash ordered.
Pidgeotto attempted to do Sand-Attack, but Giovanni yelled, "Dragon Rage!"
Arcanine let loose the bright blue dragon move, causing Pidgeotto to fall to the ground, flapping about like a beached Magikarp.
"Pidgeotto! Return!"
Ash looked down at his side.
"Pika?" the electric rat asked hopefully.
Ash nodded, "Pikachu, go!"
"Pi-pikachu!"
Pikachu rushed out onto the battlefield.
"Agility!"
Pikachu started running circles around Arcanine, dizzying it. "Close your eyes, Arcanine!" Giovanni yelled.
But it was too late.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu complied, letting loose a powerful electric attack.
"Aaaaar!" it yelped, then collapsed on the ground.
The Team Rocket boss brought back its fallen canine, and sent out Alakazam, shouting an order.
"Zaam," its eyes glowed eerily blue.
"Pikachu, hurry! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu let loose a powerful electric attack, but was lifted up psychically by Alakazam so that only part of the lightning bolt hit it.
"Drop it!" Giovanni ordered.
Alakazam let Pikachu fall, and it hit the ground. "Pikachu!" Ash cried out.
"Pika..." it said weakly.
"Alakazam, Psychic!" Giovanni screamed.
Alakazam hit it with a powerful purple blast. It tried to dodge, but was still trying to recover from the last attack.
"Chu!" it oomphed.
Ash yelled out, "Thunder!"
Pikachu managed to hit the Alakazam this time, and its concentration was momentarily broken. On order from Ash, Pikachu hit it with a quick attack.
"Confusion!" Giovanni instructed.
The Psychic Pokémon's eyes flashed, and Pikachu fell to the ground, confused.
"Psybeam!"
"Kaaa-zaaaaam!" Alakazam managed to pick Ash's Pokémon up and drop it again.
"Chu!" it called out in pain.
Ash rushed over to the yellow mouse, and picked it up. "Are you okay, Pikachu?"
It nodded.
"Ha! Your pathetic pipsqueak can never beat my Alakazam!" Giovanni gloated.
Ash backed up to his spot, with Pikachu cradled in his arms. "I choose...Mew!"
I zipped over there, mewing. I could beat that Alakazam in a heartbeat.
Giovanni spoke, "So it has decided to side with you. Then I shall hold nothing back in this last battle."
"Mew!" I challenged.
"Zaam..." it returned, eyes glowing.
"Alakazam, Psybeam!"
"Mew...Barrier!"
Poor Ash was guessing: he didn't know what moves I knew. I gave a quick imprint of the possibilities on his mind. His eyes widened.
I made a pink bubble to surround me and protect me from any moves Alakazam made. Its attack merely bounced off, and hit itself lightly.
"Metronome!" Ash shouted.
I shook from side to side, then sent out a Twin-Needle attack at the other Pyschic Pokémon.
Ha!
It was weak against Bug attacks!
It groaned in pain.
"Pound!"
I complied, hitting the dazed Pokémon on the head.
"Alakazam, Recover!" Giovanni instructed.
It floated into the air, and glowed as it restored its energy.
"Mew, Psychic!" Ash knew Psychic attacks didn't hurt Psychic Pokémon much, but he also knew that at my high level it was likely to do some considerable damage.
I complied, and it was a critical hit! The Alakazam moaned, and tried to remain upright, but tumbled to the ground.
Giovanni looked down at his Pokémon, shocked. "...I lost?..."
Ash gloated, "Yeah you did!" He then demanded, "So stop your bulldozers!"
Giovanni spoke, "...Fine. But that's not the last you'll see of me."
We were outside Giovanni's Gym, happy, but tired. The long grueling battle was over, and we had won.
I had gained it all...
And Ash had gained nothing.
Yet...
After a battle like that, I felt kind of empty at the thought of going back to my quiet, peaceful, and...boring, home.
"Mew..." I whispered.
Ash looked at me, "We did it, Mew!"
I nodded. Shyly, I twirled my tail around.
"What is it, Mew?" Misty asked.
I smiled, and a small pin floated out from behind my back.
"What's that?" Brock questioned.
Giovanni *is* a Gym Leader...And you *did* defeat him...
Ash grabbed it excitedly, and held it up. "Thanks! I now have the Viridian Gym Badge!"
"That's great, Ash!" Misty congratulated him. "Now you can go to the Pokémon League!"
I nodded, still bashfully twitching my tail.
"Is there something else, Mew?" Brock questioned me.
I smiled gently. Well...I hate to admit it...But...That was kind of fun back there...
"What? The battle?" Brock questioned.
Yeah... I replied.
Ash broke out into a smile, knowing what I was wanting. "So, Mew...Would you like to be my Pokémon?"
I thought you'd never ask...
"By the way, Mew...How do you know so many attacks?" Ash questioned me.
I gave a sheepish grin, Well...One day I was out above a city and spied a boy in a red convertible with a bunch of girls cheering him on. He appeared to be a Pokémon trainer, so when they got out and he left his backpack in there, I went to check it out...He had about five of every TM you can possibly get...I can learn any TM or HM available...I figured he wouldn't miss them if I only used one of each...
They laughed. Pikachu spoke, "Pika. Chu-pika?"
[Do you know the trainer's name?]
Amused, I answered. ...I believe it was Gary Oak...
Needless to say, Ash laughed much harder at that.
And so, I found myself a new home.
A home with people I loved, and who loved me in return. People who would have risked it all for me, and ask for nothing in return.
Yes.
I was finally complete inside.
Now...I had a *real* home.
In the morning, I insisted on getting an early start. No use giving them any more opportunity to remove their destructive machines than neccessary.
Everyone, except Ash, got up easily.
But even Ash became convinced that awake was good when I lifted him into the air as he flailed his limbs.
"Mew!" I chuckled. This Ash fellow was certainly going to be interesting to fool around with.
Grumbling, he got up and ready, but his complaining was easily quelched when a plate of food was placed in front of him. He scarfed down his breakfast so quickly that even I, with my strong vision, had a hard time seeing the food go from the plate to being ingested.
Can we go now? I was impatient.
"Don't be mad at me, I'm the one who's dropping everything to go help *you*," came Ash's haughty reply.
I gave him my perfected glare, and he gulped, and turned away to escape its intensity.
"Mew," I was satisfied.
Everyone finally got ready, although it took too long for my taste.
With a deep breath, I cautioned them of my intention, then Teleported us all to a spot just outside of my home.
The wrecked bulldozers were still there, in pieces, although some people were working on making a clear path, so they could start destroying my birthplace again.
Misty gasped, "Look! They *are* members of Team Rocket!"
They had big red R's on their chest. I'd noticed it before, but put it off as unimportant.
I take it you've ran into them before?
Ash turned, and grinned at me, "Yeah. Maybe once or twice..."
Brock spoke up, "We're happy to help and all...But why do you need us?"
I sighed. Because the Evil Man has a Master Ball.
"What's that?" Misty asked.
A Pokéball that will automatically capture *any* Pokémon...Without having to weaken it...
"Do you know where the 'Evil Man' is?" Ash asked. I could sense his thoughts. He wouldn't mind having a Master Ball. But the boy was too young to understand the dangers of such a ball...
Yes. I nodded, and spun around, hovering above the ground. "Mew."
"Where?"
Viridian City.
They all sweat-dropped. "Pika," the yellow creature was exasperated.
"That's where we were going..." Ash whined.
I wanted to show you what *I* had to lose before I took you there.
With a flash of light, I Teleported us all to Viridian City, in front of the Gym.
"The Gym?" Ash was confused.
Pikachu echoed his bewilderment, "Ka?"
This is the Evil Man's HQ, I explained like it was obvious.
"Do we just go in?" Brock asked.
No. There's a back door.
"Oh."
'Leave! Leave now!' my body cried out. I didn't want to get caught...If I stayed I would for sure...But I had gotten them into this mess, and might as well help as much as possible.
"Which way?"
I pointed with my tail, and started to float over there, but as I began to speak, I was interrupted by three beings in front of us.
"To protect the world from devastation."
"To unite all people within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
"Jessie," a woman with big hair, wearing a Rocket shirt, was illuminated.
"James," the blue-haired male had a big "R" on his chest as well, and a red rose clenched in his teeth.
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight."
"Meowth," the cat jumped in front of them. "That's right!"
"Not you again!" Misty shouted in frustration.
"Hand over your Pokémon!" Jessie ordered.
"Never!" Ash stated.
"Arbok! Weezing!" the two let out their Poison-Type Pokémon.
"Char-bok!" the giant purple snake spit.
"Weeze-ing," its oddly-shaped purple agreed.
"Pikachu, go!" Ash ordered.
I wasn't in the mood to mess with these amateurs. Step aside, I told Pikachu.
Confused, the electric mouse backed up, its zig-zag tail flapping.
My eyes started glowing, and with a powerful and colorful Psybeam I sent the trio flying.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again-" they disappeared into the sky with a twinkle of light.
"Wow," Brock said. "You'll have to teach me that sometime."
"Mew," I laughed.
[Anytime.]
Only slightly annoyed at being interrupted, I lead them quietly around to the back
I closed my bright blue eyes in frustration when Ash tripped over his own two feet with a loud clang, but managed to hold back any derrogative comments.
I made do with shooting a dark look at him, and he mumbled an apology.
Using my Pyschic powers, I opened the door. We entered, and it shut with a slam behind us. I shot a puzzled glance towards it because it had closed on its own accord.
It was dark and eery inside...But that darkness would soon be diminished.
With a thump, several bright lights came on, illuminating where we were...
A big empty room...
At least, it was empty, until an evil man in dark clothes appeared out of nowhere to stand in front of us...holding proudly his Master Ball.
His eyes seemed to communicate to me, 'This is for you...'
"Mew!" I disappeared in fright, then popped up behind Ash, confusing him momentarily.
"I have been expecting you, Mew." The man was mostly hidden in shadows, his face masked by the darkness.
"But I have to admit, that you brought others with you is quite an amusing surprise..."
Ash never knew when to keep his mouth shut, "You leave Mew alone!"
The man laughed, and stepped forward into the light. "Or what? Giovanni does not take orders from anyone. Especially minute brats like you."
Ash reiterated himself commandingly, "Leave Mew alone. He never did anything to you!"
"Let me explain. Mew is a strong Pokémon. And I catch strong Pokémon...I'm sure you know all about that." He laughed evilly, then corrected himself, "No, wait. I take that back. You would not know anything about catching *strong* Pokémon."
"I do too have strong Pokémon!" Ash yelled, despite of the restraining hand that Misty placed on his arm.
"Then why didn't you catch the Mew?"
Ash paused, looking back at me. Panic flashed in my eyes and my breath became haggard as I wondered what he was pondering, and he answered, "Uh...I...I didn't want to. Mew wanted to remain free."
I let out a mental sigh of relief.
Giovanni scoffed at the boy, "Then I challenge you to a six-on-six Pokémon battle. If I win, I get the Pyschic cat."
"What happens if I win?"
Giovanni inspected him for a moment, "Then *you* get it."
Ash looked at me, as if for permission. I trusted him, but I wasn't sure if he could win on his own.
I spoke in his mind alone, You can battle, as long as I get to be your sixth Pokémon.
He started to speak, but I gave him a warning look. He thought to me, But you're not *my* Pokémon, what if he doesn't let me fight with you?
Since when does *he* play by the rules?
Good point.
Ash asked, "Will you stop bulldozing Mew's home, too?"
Giovanni thought for a second, "I will stop, and I'll let you have Mew if you win. But if *I* win, then I get *all* your Pokémon, *plus* Mew."
Ash swallowed. I could almost hear the gears in his brain turning. What if he didn't win? He just now realized that when he'd accepted my bringing him into this, he had to be willing to give it all.
And it looked like he was prepared to do just that.
My opinion of humans went up several notches.
He was going to do it, for me.
*Me*.
A Pokémon that had just appeared into his life the other day, and wouldn't let him capture me, instead asking for him to help.
And he would give away all that he had worked hard for on the *chance* that I might be left alone.
With no real gain to himself.
A tear trickled down my white cheek. I lifted a fuzzy paw to wipe it away before anyone could see it, and crossed my legs, trying to block out the emotion that was threatening to overcome me.
Ash held out his hand, "Deal."
Giovanni shook it, and the floor opened to reveal a Gym bottom. The walls also slided up, revealing torches and an elaborate setting.
It appeared to be a second Gym of his, a private one.
A Gym within a Gym. If our situation wasn't so devastating I might consider it amusing.
After he prepared himself for battle on his side, and Ash got ready as well, he threw a Pokéball. "Nidoqueen, go!"
Ash threw a ball, too. "Squirtle!"
Brock and Misty were sitting on the sidelines. I went over and hovered beside them, my eyes on the battle.
"Queen!" the big Pokémon yelled at Ash's shelled, blue Squirtle.
"Focus Energy!" Giovanni shouted. Nidoqueen started glowing a yellow-orange color.
"Squirtle, Hydro Pump!"
Squirtle complied, sending a big burst of water at Nidoqueen. It knocked her heavily to the side, sending a vibration throughout the Gym floor, and she looked a little dizzy.
But it wasn't enough.
She was still ready to fight.
"Submission!"
"Squirtle, Withdraw!" Ash hurried.
Squirtle quickly withdrew into its light brown shell, as Nidoqueen used Submission to give it quite a beating.
Squirtle came out, dazed, and Ash ordered, "Skull Bash!"
The water Pokémon lowered its head as Giovanni yelled, "Tail whip!"
Nidoqueen started turning to hit the Water Pokémon with her blue-green tail, but was bashed in the stomach by Squirtle's head before she could turn completely. She fell onto her back, and started squirming and kicking her feet on the floor, making lots of noise, but was unable to get to her feet.
"Nidoqueen, return!" Giovanni smirked, "Not bad for a kid."
This steamed Ash up quite a bit. The Team Rocket leader threw a red and white ball, and out popped Bellossom.
Ash's Pokédex pinged, "Bellossom. A newly discovered grass-type Pokémon that evolves from Gloom. Little else is known at this time."
"Bell!" it cooed. It danced mockingly.
"Prepare your Solarbeam!" Giovanni boomed.
"Squirtle, Tackle attack!" Ash called out.
Squirtle got into its shell, and, spinning, hit the glowing grass-type, but barely phased it.
"Lossom!" it cried out, and hit Squirtle with a massive green beam.
"Squirt," it cried weakly. It was splayed out on the ground.
"Squirtle, return!" Ash called after him. He threw another Pokéball, crossing his fingers. Please work... I could hear him think.
"Charizard!" Ash exclaimed, hopefully.
"Looks like Ash is actually considering weaknesses," Brock whispered to Misty.
"Prrii!" Togepi clapped.
"Yeah, but will Charizard actually listen to him this time?" Misty looked worried.
Brock shrugged, and turned back to the battle.
"Mew," I muttered good luck towards Ash.
"Zard," the winged orange dragon looked bored.
"Bellossom, poison powder!"
The cheerful Pokémon sent a large shower of poisonous dust towards Charizard, but with a slight snort of fire, it caused it to flame up and fall to the ground as ashes.
"Charizard, please! Fire Blast!" Ash pleaded.
Charizard glanced at its nails, "Chari..."
[Hmm, looks like I need a manicure...]
If I wanted Ash to win, maybe I should step in...
I spoke in the lizard's mind, Charizard...
"Char?" It looked up from scratching its ear, quizzically.
Bellossom was still receiving orders from Giovanni, and tried many tactics, but, as strong as the Grass-type was, nothing bothered him.
He threw off all the cute dancing Pokémon's attacks easily.
Isn't that little fly getting annoying? Why don't you swat it so you can go back in your ball... I suggested.
Charizard, after a minute of deciding, let loose a Fire Blast that left Bellossom charred. "Bell?" it whimpered as it collapsed.
Giovanni called it back, and let out Rhydon. "Rock throw!"
Charizard started to stretch its wings, but when it was hit by the rocks it cried out in pain.
"Don!" the horned Rhydon exclaimed happily.
Misty whispered to Brock, "Oh no! Charizard has a double weakness against Rock-type Pokémon..."
"I coulda told ya that!" Misty elbowed Brock for his unneeded comment. "Ow!"
I merely watched the battle with wide blue eyes, my pink feet dangling below me.
"Charizard, Slash!"
Charizard ignored Ash's order, and instead tried Fire Blast.
It barely made a mark on it.
Giovanni laughed, "You haven't done a very good job in training that one. It is way too powerful for a naive trainer like you! If I had a strong Pokémon like that, I would be sure to train it right!" That set Ash's blood to boiling.
Next, on Giovanni's instruction, Rhydon did a Horn Drill.
Charizard tried to avoid it, but was too late. The Rhydon hit it dead-center. Charizard roared, then slowly and painfully collapsed to the ground.
"Oh no! Horn Drill's a one-hit KO!" Misty moaned.
"Chu..." whispered Pikachu from Ash's side.
"Charizard! Return!" Charizard went back into the ball as a beam of red light. After a moment's hesitation Ash sent out Bulbasaur, a Grass- and Poison-type that Rhydon had a weakness against.
"Bulbasaur! Vine Whip!"
"Bulb!" it cried, then it lashed out with its green vines at the gray Rhydon, who rumbled in pain.
"Horn Drill!"
With a swirling horn, it came at Bulbasaur.
"Bulbasaur! Watch out!" The green quadruped dodged the big gray beast. "Leech seed!"
It let out some seeds through the bulb on its back, which popped open over Rhydon, and engulfed it in hair-fine roots.
"Don," it mumbled, then crumbled to the ground, all tied up.
"Persian! Go!"
"Perr..." the lean cat prowled.
"Slash!"
Persian raised its clawed paw, and left a big red mark on Bulbasaur, who cried out in pain.
"Bulbasaur! Sleep Powder!"
"Saur..." it growled as it let loose a sparkling powder all over Persian.
"Sian..." Persian tried to fight it, its tail lashing out, but fell asleep.
"Persian," Giovanni held out a ball, "Return!"
"Go, Arcanine!"
The legendary Fire-type growled a challenge to Bulbasaur, who looked frightened.
"Bulbasaur, Poison Powder!" Ash told him.
"Fire Spin!"
"Arc!" Arcanine replied.
Bulbasaur attempted to poison Arcanine, but failed miserably. Instead it got caught in a circle of fire. "Saur!" it cried out.
Reluctantly, Ash ordered Bulbasaur to come back.
"I choose you! Pidgeotto!"
"Pidgey-oh!" The bird swirled upward, then came back down a bit, a sparkle gleaming in its sharp eye.
"Arcanine, Double-Edge!"
"Nine!" It jumped into the air to ram into Pidgeotto, but Ash warned his Pokémon to dodge just in time, and the dog slammed nose-first onto the ground.
"Pidgeotto! Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto smacked the fiery canine with its wings, but that just angered it, and, on order from Giovanni, it used Bite on the bird's wing nearest its mouth.
Pidgeotto squawked. "Sand-Attack!" Ash ordered.
Pidgeotto attempted to do Sand-Attack, but Giovanni yelled, "Dragon Rage!"
Arcanine let loose the bright blue dragon move, causing Pidgeotto to fall to the ground, flapping about like a beached Magikarp.
"Pidgeotto! Return!"
Ash looked down at his side.
"Pika?" the electric rat asked hopefully.
Ash nodded, "Pikachu, go!"
"Pi-pikachu!"
Pikachu rushed out onto the battlefield.
"Agility!"
Pikachu started running circles around Arcanine, dizzying it. "Close your eyes, Arcanine!" Giovanni yelled.
But it was too late.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu complied, letting loose a powerful electric attack.
"Aaaaar!" it yelped, then collapsed on the ground.
The Team Rocket boss brought back its fallen canine, and sent out Alakazam, shouting an order.
"Zaam," its eyes glowed eerily blue.
"Pikachu, hurry! Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu let loose a powerful electric attack, but was lifted up psychically by Alakazam so that only part of the lightning bolt hit it.
"Drop it!" Giovanni ordered.
Alakazam let Pikachu fall, and it hit the ground. "Pikachu!" Ash cried out.
"Pika..." it said weakly.
"Alakazam, Psychic!" Giovanni screamed.
Alakazam hit it with a powerful purple blast. It tried to dodge, but was still trying to recover from the last attack.
"Chu!" it oomphed.
Ash yelled out, "Thunder!"
Pikachu managed to hit the Alakazam this time, and its concentration was momentarily broken. On order from Ash, Pikachu hit it with a quick attack.
"Confusion!" Giovanni instructed.
The Psychic Pokémon's eyes flashed, and Pikachu fell to the ground, confused.
"Psybeam!"
"Kaaa-zaaaaam!" Alakazam managed to pick Ash's Pokémon up and drop it again.
"Chu!" it called out in pain.
Ash rushed over to the yellow mouse, and picked it up. "Are you okay, Pikachu?"
It nodded.
"Ha! Your pathetic pipsqueak can never beat my Alakazam!" Giovanni gloated.
Ash backed up to his spot, with Pikachu cradled in his arms. "I choose...Mew!"
I zipped over there, mewing. I could beat that Alakazam in a heartbeat.
Giovanni spoke, "So it has decided to side with you. Then I shall hold nothing back in this last battle."
"Mew!" I challenged.
"Zaam..." it returned, eyes glowing.
"Alakazam, Psybeam!"
"Mew...Barrier!"
Poor Ash was guessing: he didn't know what moves I knew. I gave a quick imprint of the possibilities on his mind. His eyes widened.
I made a pink bubble to surround me and protect me from any moves Alakazam made. Its attack merely bounced off, and hit itself lightly.
"Metronome!" Ash shouted.
I shook from side to side, then sent out a Twin-Needle attack at the other Pyschic Pokémon.
Ha!
It was weak against Bug attacks!
It groaned in pain.
"Pound!"
I complied, hitting the dazed Pokémon on the head.
"Alakazam, Recover!" Giovanni instructed.
It floated into the air, and glowed as it restored its energy.
"Mew, Psychic!" Ash knew Psychic attacks didn't hurt Psychic Pokémon much, but he also knew that at my high level it was likely to do some considerable damage.
I complied, and it was a critical hit! The Alakazam moaned, and tried to remain upright, but tumbled to the ground.
Giovanni looked down at his Pokémon, shocked. "...I lost?..."
Ash gloated, "Yeah you did!" He then demanded, "So stop your bulldozers!"
Giovanni spoke, "...Fine. But that's not the last you'll see of me."
We were outside Giovanni's Gym, happy, but tired. The long grueling battle was over, and we had won.
I had gained it all...
And Ash had gained nothing.
Yet...
After a battle like that, I felt kind of empty at the thought of going back to my quiet, peaceful, and...boring, home.
"Mew..." I whispered.
Ash looked at me, "We did it, Mew!"
I nodded. Shyly, I twirled my tail around.
"What is it, Mew?" Misty asked.
I smiled, and a small pin floated out from behind my back.
"What's that?" Brock questioned.
Giovanni *is* a Gym Leader...And you *did* defeat him...
Ash grabbed it excitedly, and held it up. "Thanks! I now have the Viridian Gym Badge!"
"That's great, Ash!" Misty congratulated him. "Now you can go to the Pokémon League!"
I nodded, still bashfully twitching my tail.
"Is there something else, Mew?" Brock questioned me.
I smiled gently. Well...I hate to admit it...But...That was kind of fun back there...
"What? The battle?" Brock questioned.
Yeah... I replied.
Ash broke out into a smile, knowing what I was wanting. "So, Mew...Would you like to be my Pokémon?"
I thought you'd never ask...
"By the way, Mew...How do you know so many attacks?" Ash questioned me.
I gave a sheepish grin, Well...One day I was out above a city and spied a boy in a red convertible with a bunch of girls cheering him on. He appeared to be a Pokémon trainer, so when they got out and he left his backpack in there, I went to check it out...He had about five of every TM you can possibly get...I can learn any TM or HM available...I figured he wouldn't miss them if I only used one of each...
They laughed. Pikachu spoke, "Pika. Chu-pika?"
[Do you know the trainer's name?]
Amused, I answered. ...I believe it was Gary Oak...
Needless to say, Ash laughed much harder at that.
And so, I found myself a new home.
A home with people I loved, and who loved me in return. People who would have risked it all for me, and ask for nothing in return.
Yes.
I was finally complete inside.
Now...I had a *real* home.