Me: I don't mean to be enthusiastically happy, but while everyone else has to go back to school today, I have no school until Wednesday. Yay!
Ash: That's "enthusiastically" happy?
Me: (glares at Ash) Hey, at least I didn't hurt Chikorita's feelings when a certain Teddiursa framed her for eating the link of sausages out of Brock's backpack! I don't own Pokemon, by the way.
Ash: Wait a minute, I apologized to Chikorita, and she forgave me for what happened, remember that?
Me: Yeah, but that's only 'cause of two reasons-one, the bond you've got with all your Pokemon, and two, the crush that's somewhat mellowed down since you first claimed her as your new Pokemon. Now, on to the story before I get mobbed by a lot of people who'll kill me for talking to you for this long!
Ash: (confused) What people?
Me: (groans) Never mind!
Pokemon: The Power of Two
Chapter III-Ash's condition: Stable, or Critical?
Last time, Ash was only moments away from battling Whitney, the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City, when her Miltank was blasted by a single bolt of lightning from deep inside a cave! Being the suspicious-and sometimes stubborn-person that he is, Ash and Pikachu decided to investigate. When Misty and Brock finally caught up with them, the Legendary Pokemon, Raikou, the Pokemon of Lightning interrupted them! Realizing that Electric Pokemon were strong against Water, Ash sent in Chikorita and Charizard, hoping that they could work together, but just like Pikachu and Charizard had trouble working as a team against Luanne in the Orange Islands, Chikorita and Charizard are both seconds from attacking each other! Can Ash convince his friends to work as a team before Giovanni and the collector Lawrence III intervenes?
(Theme song; Fanfare starts as Misty says the name of the episode)
Misty: Ash's condition-Stable, or Critical?
Charizard and Chikorita glared at each other, both intent on defeating the other! True, in one battle, it had been a draw, but this one wouldn't be stopped…that is, until Raikou stepped in. Tired of prolonging the fight, he growled and fired a powerful beam of electricity!
"Charizard, Chikorita-LOOK OUT!" Ash cried out, jumping in between the both of them and taking the attack head-on!
"Ash!"/ "Pika-pi!"/ "Chikori!"
Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Chikorita and Charizard watched as Ash sank to his knees in agony, barely managing to stay awake. Misty shoved Charizard out of the way and kneeled down to see if Ash had been hurt even worse by Raikou.
"I'm fine, Misty. Don't forget who I have as my first Pokemon, huh?" Pleased that Ash wasn't hurt badly, Misty let Charizard and Chikorita see her anger before unleashing it.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU TWO?! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING TOGETHER, NOT LETTING ASH GET HURT BECAUSE OF SOME STUPID ARGUMENT!" At this point, Misty forced herself to calm down and attempted to figure out why Ash would choose a Fire/Flying type and a Grass-type to join in a battle.
"The reason why Ash sent you two out to fight against Raikou can be explained in two reasons: One, because Grass is potentially good against Electric attacks, which means Chikorita could have an advantage in this match. Two, Even though Flying-types are weak against Electricity, Charizard's proven he can handle the energy. Remember what happened against Electabuzz during the Orange League? Plus, with Chikorita on Charizard's back, the both of you could swoop up and avoid those deadly lightning bolts. So, do you two wanna give this teamwork another shot?"
Ash couldn't help but smile-Misty had done what he couldn't do-get Charizard and Chikorita to listen, basically because they both resembled him so much-stubborn as a Tauros and determined to win, no matter what the cost.
"Char!"
"Chiko!"
Before they headed into battle, Chikorita, Pikachu and even Charizard headed over to see that Ash was okay.
"Trust me, guys-I'm fine! Now get in there and win Misty a Pokemon!" Nodding, Chikorita hopped onto Charizard's back and the two of them flew toward Raikou.
"What do you mean, 'win Misty a Pokemon,' Ash?" Brock asked.
"Simple-Misty convinced Charizard and Chikorita to work together just now, didn't they?"
"But you took that Electric attack straight to the head, Ash! You deserve Raikou, and I didn't even send out any of my Pokemon." Ash placed a comforting hand on Misty's shoulder.
"You do deserve Raikou, Misty! Besides, I've already got an Electric-type on my team, and one's enough." Ash said.
"Pika!"
Misty smiled at Ash, allowing her tears to be shown fully. Ash wiped her tears away with three, quick moves.
"Thanks, Ash."
As for Charizard and Chikorita, the battle had gotten destructive! Raikou immediately used his Thunder attack, but Charizard avoided it and fired his Flamethrower. That alone had caused the Legendary Pokemon definite damage! Then, Chikorita used her Razor Leaf attack, which weakened Raikou even more. Roaring in rage, Raikou took careful aim, then fired a full burst of Electric energy! This attack, Charizard couldn't avoid, and both he and Chikorita spiraled to the ground.
"Waaaa! Charizard-Chikorita! Are you guys all right?" Ash yelled worriedly.
"Pika, pika!"
Weakened extremely by the extra power Raikou had used against them, Charizard and Chikorita barely managed to get back up.
"Come on, guys-I know you can do it. The two of you are the most stubborn Pokemon I've got, next to Pikachu! You aren't gonna get beaten by an Electric-type, are you-especially a Legendary Pokemon?" Ash insisted, knowing that would be the icing on the cake.
"Chi-KO!"
"CHARRRRRRRRRR!!!!" The two were able to get into battle position, determined and ready for action.
"He's persistent-an admirable ability. But, when I'm done with him, he'll wish Raikou had done him in. Persian-get ready…"
"Chikorita-distract Raikou with your Vine Whip!" Ash demanded.
"Chiko!" The Grass Pokemon secured Raikou tightly with her vines, digging her feet into the ground and making sure she stayed secure.
"Okay, Charizard, weaken him with Fire Spin! Chikorita, let Raikou go."
"CHARRRRRRR!!!" Smirking, the Fire Pokemon sent a spiral of flame that surrounded Raikou the second Chikorita released him from her Vines.
"Misty-use that Heavy Ball!" Ash said. Misty grinned, eyeing her boyfriend with a mocking look of irritation.
"I'm not one of your Pokemon, Ash! Heavy Ball, GO!" Misty threw the Heavy Ball with swiftness and watched it collide with Raikou, instantly pulling him in. Ash and the others waited with patience as it shook and rattled. Finally, it pinged and stopped.
"I DID IT! I CAUGHT RAIKOU!" Misty exclaimed, using Ash's pose.
"Toge-toge-prrrrri!"
"Hey-that's my trademark move! Go get your own!" Ash said.
"Do you even have it copyrighted, or have a patent/pending on it?" Ash eyed his girlfriend with a look that asked, "are you crazy?"
"What's 'patent/pending?'" Before Misty could start what I see as a pointless argument, they all heard a voice yell out:
"Persian, Poison Slash!"
"Poison-what?" Ash was about to grab Dexter, but Giovanni's main Pokemon flew in and struck Ash's right arm with his claws, immediately drawing blood and allowing the poison that was on the tips of the Cat Pokemon's claws to enter into Ash's bloodstream!
"ASH!"/"PIKA-PI!"/"CHIKORI!"
Worried for Ash's safety, and angered that someone would try to hurt him, Pikachu, Chikorita and Charizard fired their best attacks directly at Persian, knocking him out the second they all collided!
"Who's over there, and what have you done to Ash?" Brock growled heatedly. Giovanni stepped out and picked Persian up, his face a mask, but Ash saw the anger that radiated within his eyes. He was truly mad that three Pokemon, such as Pikachu, Chikorita and Charizard could be that powerful.
"I believe you to be an admirable trainer. If you survive my Persian's latest attack, we shall meet again. But, make no mistake-the Legendary Pokemon you seek will be mine, by any means necessary!" That said, Giovanni and Lawrence-who'd appeared by him a moment ago-turned and left the cave as quickly as possible.
"Are you okay, Ash?" Misty asked, turning toward him with a worried look.
"I think so, except for this cut. It really hurts!" Brock headed over to Ash and examined him.
"When that Persian stabbed you, it must've injected you with some sort of poison. We've gotta get you to a hospital, and fast!" Brock explained.
"Right, but are there any hospitals in Goldenrod?" Ash asked, already beginning to feel weak in his entire body.
"There should be. Let's go!" Brock said.
"Wait-Charizard, carry me to the nearest hospital as fast as possible!" Ash yelled. Nodding, Charizard grabbed Ash and placed him on his back and flew off, taking notice that Chikorita and Pikachu had both jumped on as well.
"How are we gonna get there, Brock?" Misty said, the worry steadily increasing.
"This-GO, Onix!" Brock yelled, throwing a PokeBall toward the cave opening as fast as he could. Seconds later, Brock, Misty and Togepi heard a bellowing from outside and could only assume Onix's PokeBall had made it outside.
"Onix, follow Charizard to the hospital, and don't spare the whip!" Onix responded by heading in Charizard's direction as fast as he could.
"Hold on, Ash-I'm coming!" Misty whispered, holding onto Togepi as tightly as she could.
Ash staggered into the hospital with Chikorita and Pikachu behind him, having recalled Charizard a few minutes ago.
"Hey, is there a doctor in the house?! I'm really not feeling so hot!"
Nurse Joy came out with a Chansey trailing behind her.
"Oh, no! Don't tell me I came to the Pokemon Center!" Ash wailed, still holding himself up by sheer will alone.
"No, this is a hospital, but I just work here during the afternoon and evening shifts. What's the matter?" Pikachu and Chikorita explained what had happened to Chansey and Ash told Nurse Joy what had just occurred.
"A Persian that can learn Poison-type attacks? Chansey, get an emergency room prepped up and ready now! Hopefully, the poison hasn't gotten too far into your bloodstream."
"Yeah-hopefully…" Ash suddenly dropped to the floor, unconscious and drained of energy. Chikorita was barely able to use her Vine Whip attack to keep Ash's head from slamming on the tiled floor in time!
"Oh, no! He's gone into a coma. Chansey, get the stretcher!"
"Pika…"
"No, Pikachu!" Nurse Joy managed to stop Pikachu from using his Thunderbolt attack. "If you use an Electric attack, that could hurt Ash more than help him."
Pikachu reluctantly powered down, eyeing Chikorita with the same look that she was giving Pikachu-worry, sadness and fear.
"Pika-pi…"
"Chikori…"
It took Misty and Brock until nightfall to get to the hospital, but when they did, what they saw wasn't good. All of Ash's Pokemon-Pikachu, Chikorita, Charizard and Espeon-were in the waiting room, saddened looks on their faces.
"No! He's not…is he?" Misty gasped. Before Misty could break out into tears, Nurse Joy came out.
"Oh, I remember you! You were all with Ash when he battled Whitney for the Plain Badge, weren't you?"
"Yes. What's wrong with Ash?" Misty demanded, keeping Brock away from Nurse Joy; she had no reason to worry this time, though. Brock was wondering if Ash would pull through from his latest dilemma.
"He lapsed into a coma just moments after he came in here! Chansey and I got him onto a stretcher-with Chikorita's help-and he's resting comfortably." For once, Chikorita wasn't pleased to be complimented for helping out.
"He is okay, though-right?" Brock spoke up.
"He should be. The poison didn't get that far into his bloodstream and we were able to get it all out, but there's a problem."
"What? What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY ASH?!" Misty yelled angrily, shaking Nurse Joy until Brock pulled them apart.
"Stop it, Misty! Nurse Joy's trying her best to help Ash, and you shaking her won't help matters get any better." Brock scolded his friend. Misty sighed, dropping her head in agreement.
"I'm sorry, Nurse Joy. I'm just worried that this time, Ash might leave for good…"
Nurse Joy smiled with patience and handed Misty a tissue.
"Don't worry, Misty. He won't come out of the coma, but I'm sure he'll come through when he needs to."
Outside the hospital, Team Rocket-Jessie, James and Meowth-had finally caught up with our heroes and were listening in.
"Can you believe the boss went through with the plan?" Jessie asked in shock.
"I just thought he'd scare the twerp! I didn't think he'd actually hurt him!" James added.
"We all thought the twerp would just back off and not get hurt." Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!" Jessie eyed Wobbuffet and just sat there.
"I don't have the time to get mad at Wobbuffet here, and I think you all know why."
"It's the same reason we all have, Jessie-and we need to help the twerp get better!" James declared.
"What for? Nurse Joy said she got the poison out!" James turned to Meowth with a grim look on his face.
"Maybe so, but this isn't the first time the boss has used Persian's Poison Slash attack, remember? The poison was drained out, but there was still some left dwindling near the victim's heart. If they'd had an antidote, that little girl might've lived!" That memory was fresh in their minds, even if it wasn't that recent ago.
"Do we have an antidote, James?" Jessie asked.
"No, but we have the ingredients needed to make one-let's just hope we're not too late!"
Will Team Rocket save Ash in time with the antidote before it's too late? Let's hope so!