Me: As usual, I don't own Pokemon, and I don't own "Never too far from home" from the Totally Pokemon CD. So I won't have to keep doing this, most-or better yet, almost all the songs I use-of the songs will be from that CD.
Ash: There's a CD named after all the Pokemon out there?
Chikorita: (ecstatic) Chikori! (Ash!)
(Chikorita hops up, pushes Pikachu off of Ash's shoulder and nuzzles against his cheek)
Ash: (sighs) I see Chikorita's been making herself at home?
Pikachu: Pika…? (Why me?)
Me: I've nearly been killed on several occasions alone! I'm finally about to add in some more AAMR, in case nobody caught it in the prologue.
Ash: WHAT?!
Chikorita: Chiko?! (What?!)
Pikachu: Pikachu! (Finally!)
Pokemon: The Best of the Best
Chapter II-Victory over Defeat
"I'm having a major hat crisis; could you try to steal Pikachu some other time?" –Ash
"Totodile, I'm gonna teach you how to be successful in love just like me!" –Brock
Last time, Ash and his friends discovered, thanks to Charizard and Pikachu, that the Entei they were really facing was really a hologram. But Gary Oak sure wasn't one! He challenged Ash to a 3-3 Pokemon battle, which completed a little bit of the ancient prophecy Mewtwo mentioned. Chikorita had the strength to defeat Gary's top Water Pokemon Feraligatr, but when faced off with Typhlosion, Ash quickly decided to use Charizard. They were matched in speed and skill and both weakened each other tremendously! Now that they've hit each other with a full-on Dragon Rage attack, both spectators, Misty, Pikachu and Brock are all waiting, wondering which Pokemon has won this fired-up battle…
(Theme song; Fanfare starts as Ash says the name of the show)
Ash: Victory over Defeat!
Ash waited with gritted teeth, hoping beyond hope that Charizard had survived the powerful Dragon Rage attack, and he knew Gary was thinking the same thing about Typhlosion. The smoke faded away, and to their surprise, both Pokemon were struggling to stand up!
"Way to go, Charizard! Let's show 'em we never give up!" Ash yelled out confidently. The Fire Pokemon nodded briefly before turning back to face his opponent.
"Don't back down, Typhlosion!" Gary insisted. Typhlosion growled weakly before falling to the ground.
"CHAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!" Charizard roared in victory before collapsing to the ground as well, which surprised Ash, Misty, Pikachu, Brock and Gary!
"Uh…Charizard and Typhlosion are unable to continue battling. This match is a draw!" Brock spoke up.
"Well, it may not be a win for our side, but good work, Charizard! Return!" Smiling, Ash recalled his Pokemon and turned to eye one of his most powerful Pokemon, who was hopping off his shoulder and bounding out onto the field.
"Are you ready to battle, Pikachu?"
"Pika!" Pikachu imitated Ash, holding up two fingers in a victory pose before focusing his attention back on the upcoming battle.
"Go, Umbreon!" Gary's most powerful Pokemon, raised from an Eevee, ran from his position under a shady tree, to face Pikachu for a second battle.
"Pikachu V.S. Umbreon, no time limit! Start the battle now!" Brock said.
"This is for defeating us back home in Pallet! Pikachu-start things off with a Quick Attack!" Ash growled angrily.
"Pika! Chu! Chu! Chu! Chu!"
As Misty pulled Togepi out of her backpack, she asked, "Isn't that what Ash had Pikachu start off with back in Pallet Town?"
"Yeah, but if you look at Ash's face, you can tell he's got something up his sleeve." Brock explained.
"Umbreon, Reflect attack!" Gary demanded. The second Pikachu was an inch away from hitting Umbreon, a powerful force field surrounded him and protected him from Pikachu's attack entirely.
"Try your Thunderbolt attack, Pikachu!" Ash said. Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity as he powered up for his 2nd most powerful attack.
"Pikaaaa…"
"Now, Umbreon-use your Agility!"
"CHUUUUUUUUUU!!!!" Pikachu's attack hit nothing but either air or the ground as Umbreon moved too quickly for Pikachu to hit!
"Fight Agility with Agility, Pikachu!" Ash retaliated.
"Pi-KA!"
The two ended up moving swiftly across the field of battle, Pikachu matching Umbreon's attack move for move!
"Okay, Umbreon-finish Pikachu off with Take Down!" Ash hissed defiantly as Umbreon started heading straight for Pikachu.
"Quick, Pikachu-use your Thunder Attack!"
"Pika…CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!" Just as Pikachu lashed out at Umbreon with his most powerful Electric attack, Umbreon struck Pikachu with a terrifying blow! They both went down, but struggled to get back up onto their feet.
Ash and Gary held their breath, waiting to see which Pokemon would fall first.
"Come on, Pikachu-show Gary that you're a determined Pokemon that'll never give up!"
Pikachu tried his best to stay up, but Umbreon's Take Down, combined with using his own Thunder Attack, had been too much for the little Electric-type. He collapsed back down on the ground and didn't rise again.
:"This round is over! Umbreon's the winner." Ash gasped as he ran out and picked up Pikachu.
"Pikachu, pika pi."
"You don't have to be sorry, Pikachu. That was a great match, and I'm really proud of you for giving it your all. You deserve a rest." Ash carefully put Pikachu down before turning back to face Gary and Umbreon.
"I've only got one chance to win this match-and that's all I'll need. Go-CHIKORITA!" The tiny Grass Pokemon exited her Pokeball within seconds. The instant she eyed Umbreon and Gary, she narrowed her eyes, remembering what Pikachu had explained to her about those two.
"The final battle-Chikorita against Umbreon! Begin!"
"Chikorita, start it off with a Tackle attack!"
"Chiko!"
"Quick, Umbreon-another Reflect attack!" Gary said. The same thing happened to Chikorita that had happened to Pikachu-Umbreon wasn't affected at all!
"Don't give up, Chikorita! Try your Vine Whip!" Ash yelled out. Nodding, Chikorita shot out two of her vines toward Umbreon.
"Use Agility to confuse her!" Gary retorted. Chikorita was slightly confused as Umbreon appeared and disappeared around the field!
"Oh, yeah? Chikorita-use Sweet Scent on Umbreon!" The Grass-type sent out her intensifying attack, which stopped Umbreon dead in its tracks.
"Finish this off with a Razor Leaf!"
"Chi-KO!" Chikorita fired off three razor-sharp leaves toward Umbreon who was fighting off the Sweet Scent's effects.
"Show Ashy boy what a Dark Pokemon can do! Use Flamethrower!" Finally shaking off the aromatic attack, Umbreon fired a powerful blast of fire at Chikorita, hitting her and knocking her out almost instantly!
"CHIKORITA, NOOOOO!" Ash cried out as he barely caught the Grass Pokemon in his outstretched arms.
"This match is over! Umbreon's the winner." Brock's tone had a defeated nature as he spoke up.
"Nice work, Umbreon. Ash, I have to admit-you're getting better! You came this close to defeating me, and with Pikachu and Chikorita! Keep it up, Ash." Gary said as he and Umbreon turned and left. Ash held back his tears of defeat. He didn't want Misty, Pikachu, Brock or Chikorita-who had woken up-to see how he felt. He'd lost again to Gary only two days before the Johto League Championship.
A trainer's life is hard
You traveled so far away from friends and family
You've learned to sacrifice, always ready to pay the price
But what you have to understand, even heroes need a helping hand…
Ash cried silently in the solitude of his room in the Pokemon Center. With all the experience he'd gained, he was sure he'd be able to defeat Gary, but as usual, Gary managed to come up one step ahead of him.
"Ash? I've got your Pokemon right here and…" Misty came in but stopped when she saw the forlorn look on his face.
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu jumped off Misty's shoulder and ran over to Ash.
"What's wrong, Ash? You don't have a reason to be upset, even Gary said so this time." Misty said as she placed Ash's Pokeballs on a table and headed toward him.
"Maybe so, but you weren't defeated by the same trainer who used the same Pokemon he used back in Pallet twice." Ash choked out sadly. Pikachu consoled Ash as best he could, but nothing he tried would work. Getting an idea, he bounded over to the table and eyed Ash's Pokeballs.
"No matter what happens, Ash-whether you win or lose against Gary, I'll always be here for you. You can count on me, Brock, Pikachu, Chikorita, Charizard, anyone of us." Misty said calmly.
Through his tears, Ash gave Misty a smile, knowing she was right and that even though he had left home, being with Misty felt like home to him. He leaned forward toward Misty with his eyes closed, anxiously wondering if he could tell her how he truly felt, whereas Misty also leaned forward, closing her eyes and thinking that her dreams were finally coming true. At that moment, Charizard, Chikorita, Noctowl, Totodile and Cyndaquil exited Ash's Pokeballs.
Chorus: Whatever you want, whatever you need, you know you can always count on me
There will always be someone waiting 'cause you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you know we'll be there to pull you through
You know there'll be someone waiting 'cause you're never too far from home…
2nd Verse: We never had a doubt you'd always figure out which way you're going
Be proud of what you've done and the person you've become, but if you ever feel afraid, we're going to help you find your way
"Guys, what are you doing out?!" Ash exclaimed in surprise as he broke his gaze from Misty and turned to eye his Pokemon.
"I think they let themselves out." Misty stammered. Almost immediately, Chikorita raced forward and jumped into Ash's lap, covering both him and Misty with her Sweet Scent attack. Totodile, as usual, started up his dance, but sprinkled Ash and Misty with a Water Gun. Charizard, Cyndaquil and Noctowl offered kind smiles of support toward Ash.
"Pikachu, pika pi. Pikachu pichu, Pikachu!"
"Charrrr."
"Cynda!"
"Chikori…" Ash felt tears come to his eyes again, but they were happy and not sad as they'd been earlier.
Misty turned to Ash with a confused look on her face.
"They said that they still believe in me, and that I shouldn't even think of giving up my dreams, because they'll all be right by my side, encouraging me to go on. Thanks, you guys! Thanks, Mist!" Ash pulled Misty and most of his Pokemon into a hug. Misty felt a blush creeping up to her face, since the last time Ash had called her 'Mist' was back in the Indigo League.
"Anytime, Ash…" Brock, from his position outside the door, smiled to himself.
"You came so close to admitting the truth, guys. I know it, Tracey knows it, Ash's Mom probably knows, Richie, Casey, Duplica, and Todd, heck, even Gary and Team Rocket probably know! You two are the only ones who just don't realize the truth yet." Brock said quietly, not wanting to spoil the moment between Ash, his Pokemon and Misty.
"Now, where's Nurse Joy gone to?"
Chorus: Whatever you want, whatever you need, all of our love will set you free
There will always be someone waiting 'cause you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do, all of your dreams will soon come true
There will always be someone waiting, you're never too far from home…
Bridge: You're never too far, you're never too far, you're never too far from home
You're never too far, you're never too far, you're never too far from home…
(You're never too far from home…)
As Ash held Misty in his arms, surrounded by his Pokemon, his thoughts were his own. "Even though Gary beat me, it doesn't make me any less of a Pokemon trainer. My Pokemon believe in me, and so does Misty! Brock does, too, but he's not here to show support right now. Probably with Nurse Joy. And it doesn't matter if I lost against him now. What does matter is that I need to come up with a strategy to beat him. The problem is coming up with one."
Chorus: Whatever you want, whatever you need, you know you can always count on me
There will always be someone waiting, you're never too far from home
Wherever you go, whatever you do, you know we'll be there to pull you through
There will always be someone waiting, never too far from home
Whatever you want, whatever you need, all of our love will set you free
There will always be someone waiting, never too far from home…
Mewtwo was calm as he observed Ash and Misty by use of his psychic powers. He was so immersed with that, he didn't see Lawrence III behind him with a remote control in his hand. The second he pressed the red button, Mewtwo roared in pain as an outside influence entered inside his mind! Moments later, he stopped his struggling and turned toward the collector, his eyes a dark red.
"What is thy bidding, Master?"
"Excellent-the controller works perfectly. Now, there's something I'd like for you to do…"
With Mewtwo under Lawrence III's power, what's in store for Ash, Misty and Brock? Find out next time!
