Pokemon: The Power of Two

by DigiDestined of Courage

YES! My sequel to "The Best of the Best" is finally up. Ash and Misty are sent around Johto once more to find four extremely rare Pokemon and protect them from Giovanni, but it won't be so easy. AAMR in this, of course! Enjoy!

20. Chapter XIX: The Battle for Misty's Life

Me: (sighs) I can't stand schoolwork, but anytime I get to myself is a blessing in disguise-which isn't that much time! I don't own Pokemon.

Ash: So, what do you think? Is Giovanni gonna keep his word and only use 6 regular Pokemon?

Me: Think about it, Ash-if you were a successful CEO for a powerful organization dedicated to controlling all known Pokemon around the world, would you take advice from a highly experienced Pokemon trainer on his way to being a pretty powerful Pokemon Master?

Ash: Uh...probably not.

Me: (smirks) Good answer! Misty's finally starting to rub off on you.

Pokemon: The Power of Two

Chapter XIX-The Battle for Misty's Life

"I'd like to see how good you are in a Pokemon battle...with me!" -Ash Ketchum, "A Tent Situation

In the previous Pokemon adventure, while Misty was captured inside Giovanni's secret base outside of Viridian and Pallet Town, Ash was struggling with a decision that could cause the world itself to be in peril! Before he could decide, he and Misty were teleported back to Mewtwo and together, they found out the reason why Misty wasn't getting injured the same way that Ash was, and while up there, Ash finally came to a decision. Now, Ash may face the biggest battle of his life as he faces off against the head of Team Rocket for his girlfriend's life...

(Theme song; Fanfare starts as Ash says the name of the episode)

Ash: The Battle for Misty's Life!

"Go, Lugia. You deserve a rest." Ash responded calmly, motioning with his eyes for the Psychic/Flying Pokemon to leave as fast as possible. Within seconds, Lugia was merely a speck in the sky.

"Well? Are you gonna play by the rules, or what?" Ash demanded, his anger steadily increasing.

Smiling evilly, Giovanni nodded in agreement, making sure Ash didn't see what he was doing with his left hand behind his back.

"Of course. I may be the head of a very dangerous organization, but I always try to play fair with anyone who challenges me. 6-6 it is. To the Stadium!"

"Pika pi! Pikachu, pika." Ash nodded, narrowing his eyes as Giovanni and his Persian walked back inside the gates.

"Right, Pikachu. Even though he's given his word, we should keep an eye out."

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Gary asked Brock while inside Team Rocket's balloon in the sky, heading toward Team Rocket HQ.

"Simple-Giovanni has already captured Suicune and Raikou, which means that Ash would be in big trouble, if he hadn't smashed his own Pokeballs and released Lugia and Entei back into the wilds of Johto. He's probably put Misty's other Pokemon somewhere else, and he certainly wouldn't give them back to her if he knew she would try escaping. Here's the plan: While Ash keeps Giovanni occupied with their exciting Pokemon battle, Jessie, James and Meowth are going to bring us in and say that they captured us and they have rare Pokemon. Hopefully, he'll allow them to take us to where he's holding all the Pokemon. That way, we can sneak in, grab Misty's Pokemon and get out. Sounds like a decent plan, huh?"

Gary eyed Brock with a look of astonishment.

"I lost you on 'here's the plan.'"

"Hey, you! Get up-the Boss wants to see you!"

Misty sighed with anger bubbling up as she forced herself up from the cold, hard floor she had been sleeping on.

"If Ash was here, we'd both make you eat those words, buster!" Misty thought, but she kept it to herself. Reluctantly, Misty marched down the dank hall alongside the Team Rocket guard.

"Why does he want to see me now? Ever since he brought me here, I've been given nothing but bread and water and the only time he wanted to talk was when after he stole my Pokemon!"

Chuckling, the guard responded back to Misty's question. "He says he has a surprise for you, and he wants you to be 'present' during the entire thing."

Gritting her teeth, Misty angrily turned toward the guard and kicked him right where it counted! (A/N: All you guys out there reading this-you know where I mean...) A few seconds later, he dropped to the floor, dazed and half-conscious.

"That'll teach you a lesson that all women are weak, pal!" Misty growled as she quickly turned and ran as fast as possible down the hall, searching for a door or an exit sign.

"There's one!" Misty sighed while running toward it and wrenching it open to reveal...

"There it is-The Boss' headquarters. Are you ready for this, Jessie?" James asked.

"We've gone this far-we have no choice but to go all the way!" Jessie replied.

"That's the spirit! Let's get on with this plan, already!" Meowth said.

"Wobbuffet!"

"Ah, there you are, my dear. There's someone I want you to meet, but I believe you and he are already acquainted: the infamous Pokemon trainer from Pallet, Ash Ketchum."

Misty couldn't believe it! She'd run down that long hallway and seriously taken down one of Team Rocket's minions with just a single kick, and she ended up with Giovanni, but she also got to see Ash again!

"What-what are you doing here, Ash?" Misty had to keep her voice neutral. She couldn't let Giovanni see how happy she was, or the tears that threatened to spill.

"I wanted to battle him for your freedom. We've both agreed-it's a 6-6 battle, no Legendary Pokemon are to be used." Ash explained briefly.

"Ash, are you crazy?" Misty hissed. "You know he won't keep his word-he's the head of Team Rocket!"

"I've already promised him that I wouldn't use my Legendary Pokemon, and when it comes to battles, Team Rocket always keep their promises."

"Right..." Ash retorted sarcastically while plucking a Pokeball from his waist.

Two Roman guards chorused, "You will each use six Pokemon, no time limit! Let the battle begin!"

"We're in! Now, do you guys remember what you're supposed to say?"

"Uh...we forgot. Could you run it by us one more time?"

"Ahhh! Even Ash got it at the second try, at least! Here we go, from the top..."

"I choose Golem!" With a smile on his face, Giovanni expected this battle to end quickly.

"Hmm, Chikorita would be perfect for this, but...I choose you, Totodile!"

The Water Pokemon materialized on the Gym floor and instantly started dancing around, pleased to be back on Ash's starting roster.

"Go, Totodile! Show 'em that Water Pokemon are the best ever!" Misty called out bravely.

"I think not. Golem, Tackle attack!"

"Gooooool!" The Rock/Ground Pokemon curled up into a ball, then started rolling directly toward Totodile.

"Don't worry, Totodile. Cool Golem off with a Water Gun!" Ash advised.

"Toto-dillllle!" The powerful Water attack hit Golem, not only weakening him, but knocking him out at the same time!

"Totodile is the winner!"

"Great job, Totodile! We won-that's one down, five to go!" Ash responded.

"Totodile!"

"Pika!"

"Yay! Way to go, Ash-show this guy you're the #1 Pokemon Master of all time!" Misty cheered from the sidelines.

"Impressive. I can see how you prospered during the Johto League. You try to use the method called 'teamwork' to your advantage."

"Partially." Ash replied, keeping his face a mask, unreadable by anyone but Misty.

"Let's see how well you do against Cloyster!" Ash held back a growl, remembering his previous experience with that type of Pokemon-Pikachu had suffered a tremendous defeat to Prima's own Cloyster with a combination of attacks, ending with a tough Rage attack!

"I would send in Pikachu, but I think I'll save one of my two best Pokemon for last. Chikorita, GO!" Ash demanded, tossing a Pokeball into the air.

"Chiko!" The instant Chikorita rematerialized, she jumped into Ash's arms and did what she does best-cuddled against Ash's chest.

"Sweet, but let's save the lovefest after we've taken this Pokemon down." Ash suggested.

"Cloyster, end this with an Ice Beam." Ash, Pikachu and Misty gasped in utter surprise; Chikorita prepared herself for the worst. Seconds later, a beam of pure ice snaked out and made its way toward the Grass Pokemon.

"Waaaa! Chikorita, quick, use your Vines to shoot yourself up in the air!" Ash yelled worriedly.

"Chiko!" The Grass-type used her two Vines to propel herself above the Ice attack, missing it just in time, and everyone observed as the Ice Beam hit a wall and a part of it was encased in ice.

"Now, time to go on the offense! Razor Leaf!!" Nodding, Chikorita fired two razor-sharp leaves at a time, rounding out to about 6. The multiple attacks hit Cloyster directly in the face, causing him extensive damage!

"Try to confuse Cloyster with your Sweet Smell!" Quick and agile, Chikorita sent a good dosage of her Sweet Scent at the unsuspecting Water/Ice Pokemon.

"Withdraw!" Giovanni demanded, his impatience clearly starting to show. He hadn't expected Ash to be this good in training his Pokemon, especially if they weren't fully evolved.

Having Cloyster withdraw back into his shell was a disadvantage. The Sweet Scent attack seeped through the crack in Cloyster's shell. Seconds later, he was confused.

"Okay, Chikorita-use Tackle attack!" Ash cried, expecting victory.

"ChiKO!" The Grass Pokemon raced forward and struck Cloyster hard in the face, instantly knocking him out.

"Chikorita is the winner!"

"Chiko!" Ash laughed in victory, as did Pikachu when Chikorita jumped back into Ash's outstretched arms.

"Way to go, Ash..." Seeing that no one was looking, Misty allowed a few tears to trickle down her face, then she wiped them off as quickly as they'd come.

"Two down, four to go!" Ash counted off the numbers while recalling Chikorita.

"Now do you guys remember the way this is gonna go?" Brock asked impatiently.

"Yes, now let's get this over with." Jessie muttered.

"Good! Off we go!" Brock chanted. Rolling their eyes, Jessie, James and Meowth led Brock and Gary toward the front doors of Team Rocket HQ.

Giovanni attempted to maintain his composure, but after seeing two unevolved Pokemon take down two of his own fully evolved types, his anger was clearly shown on his face.

"Decent, if not provocative. Let's see how you deal with Kingler!"

Ash grinned, seeing a Water-type he was too familiar with on the opposing team for a change.

"Guess this is as good a time as any to try out an old friend. I choose-ESPEON!"

The Psychic Pokemon appeared in front of Ash, ready to fight for her trainer.

"Kingler, Crabhammer."

Kingler sent his massive claw directly toward Espeon's skull.

"Espeon, Teleport!"

Thanks to the Psychic connection between Ash and Espeon, Giovanni was surprised when it seemed that the Psychic-type simply disappeared and reappeared behind Kingler!

"Strike back with Psychic attack!"

Espeon's eyes glowed a dangerous color of red as Kingler was lifted above the ground and picked up, then tossed toward the wall. The instant he hit it, he landed on the ground, dazed and almost out.

"Finish Kingler off with a Psybeam!"

A ball of bright light appeared inside Espeon's mouth, then was launched at Kingler, striking him directly in the face and knocking him out!

"Espeon is the winner!"

"Way to go, Espeon! We've won! Half of your team's beaten." Ash responded, eyeing Giovanni with a calm visage.

Giovanni was seriously close to letting his anger loose when Jessie, James and Meowth entered in with Brock and Gary.

"What are you three doing here?!" Giovanni ranted, finally seeing some trainers he could invoke his wrath on.

"We, uh, found these trainers some miles away from your hideout, sir, so, we secured their Pokemon!" James stammered, holding up some Pokeballs.

"Excellent. For once you three have actually performed your job correctly. Take the Pokeballs where the others are stored and the hostages down below!"

"Yes, sir!" The three hustled Brock and Gary out of the Stadium as quick as inhumanly possible.

"Let's see how well your Psychic adapts to battling a Dark Pokemon. Houndoom, go!"

Ash felt sweat form on his brow when remembering his experiences with Houndoom and it's unevolved form, Houndour. Technically, Dark-type Pokemon had a special move that was supposed to be able to beat Psychic Pokemon, but he hadn't seen it in action.

"Give it your best shot. Try a Morning Sun attack!"

Espeon had to smile as she used the sun's rays to completely restore the power she'd used up while battling Kingler.

"Houndoom, Flamethrower."

Howling, the Dark/Fire type shot a quick blast of fire at Espeon that hit, causing definite damage to the Psychic-type!

"Espeon, use your-"

"Bite attack!" Houndoom raced forward and bit Espeon at a critical point in her leg, causing her to be knocked out almost immediately!

"Espeon, no!"

"Houndoom is the winner!"

Ash growled under his breath as he recalled Espeon.

"That was a cheap shot! All right, we'll play fire with fire. You wanna see true firepower? You'll regret this. I choose you...CHARIZARD!"

"This is where he holds all the Pokeballs, huh?" Brock whispered to Team Rocket, recognizing the many numbers of captured Pokeballs and taking notice of some security cameras above their heads, causing them all to duck.

"Yes, so let's find the twerp's Pokemon and get out of here!" James hissed frantically.

"So, where would Giovanni hide the Pokemon of a potential Water trainer?" Gary asked calmly.

"Near water?" Meowth spoke up, seeing four Pokeballs above a tank filled with water.

"Sounds good, but we should test it first." Brock picked up a Pokeball and prepared to throw it. "I didn't know they found a Pokeball for Togepi. Oh, well. I choose-"

A second later, an evolved Pokemon burst out of the Pokeball right next to the empty slot.

"Golduck!"

"These are them. Let's go!" As they prepared to leave, two Team Rocket guards burst through the door, holding out guns and aiming them at Brock and Gary.

"Hold it right there!"

"Close, but no cigar." Gary muttered.

"Oh, shut up."

"Houndoom, Smog attack!"

"Fly, Charizard!" Ash yelled, jumping onto his Pokemon's back and joining him in the air.

"Pika pi!"

"Ash, don't! This Gym's too narrow for both you and Charizard to fly in!" Misty warned.

"I'll never know that 'till I try, will I?" Ash replied.

Giovanni allowed a tiny grin to appear. "Houndoom, Faint attack!"

Ash was stunned when the Pokemon vanished. He pulled out Dexter and questioned it on the attack.

"Faint Attack: this Dark attack always hits opponents, especially if they're underground or up in the air."

"Waaa! Charizard, get ready for-"

WHAM! Houndoom struck Charizard from behind, hurting the two of them and sending them hurtling toward the Gym floor!

"Ash, say something!"

"Pika pi!"

Ash and Charizard growled angrily, both trainer and Pokemon's tempers steadily rising.

"Charizard, time to use Sunny Day."

The Fire/Flying type nodded, then focused on Houndoom, the flame on his tail bursting to extremity.

"Show 'em your Flamethrower!"

"CHARRRRR!" Charizard's Flamethrower was blasted directly toward Houndoom, who was dazed and burnt at the same time.

"Seismic Toss!" Ash demanded, eager and impatient with the fight. Nodding, Charizard picked Houndoom up and spun around in the air for a while then dive-bombing back to the ground, making sure to slam the Dark/Fire Pokemon into the ground, knocking him out!

"Charizard is the winner!"

"CHARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!" Charizard proudly fired a burst of flame up in the air.

"We've done it again, guys!"

"Pikachu!"

Even though he was down to his last two Pokemon, now Giovanni's anger had disappeared entirely, replaced with a smile of evil.

"You think that I'm beaten, is that it? To tell you the truth, this battle hasn't even started yet. I would use my Persian to give your Pokemon a taste of what I gave you when your 'soulmate' captured Raikou, but I'll save that for last. I choose-SUICUNE!!"

Ash gasped as the Water Pokemon appeared on the other side of the arena, ready for battle!

"Hey, you said we were only going to use six regular Pokemon!"

"I did-you never said I couldn't use any rare Pokemon, just not Legendary. And Suicune couldn't possibly be considered Legendary if no one's ever seen him. Hydro Pump!!"

Charizard roared in pain and anger as he was hit by two powerful blasts of water, seriously injuring him and almost knocking him out!

"Oh, no! Charizard, return!" Ash barely called his Fire/Flying Pokemon back inside his Pokeball in time, now contemplating what he was going to do next.

"There's no way I could use Cyndaquil now-if Charizard barely absorbed those Water attacks, Cyndaquil would get drenched! I've got only one choice to make here-and I was hoping to save him for last."

"Pikachu, it's your turn!"

"What are you two doing in here?"

"Oh, we were just, uh...trying to find the bathroom?" Brock explained meekly.

"Try my Scratch attack, pal!" Meowth yowled, striking both Team Rocket members in the face and knocking them down.

"Quick-out the front! Hurry!" Jessie screeched, hustling them all out the door.

"And I thought Jessie was bossy only to you, James." Brock murmured.

"Not now!"

"Pikachu, start off with a Quick Attack!" Agile as ever, the little Electric-type raced forward and made contact with his old friend, causing some damage, but not enough!

"Bubblebeam attack!" Multiple bubbles snaked out toward Pikachu, but he nimbly dodged them before they could hit.

"Let's end this, Pikachu-Thunderbolt!"

"Pika...CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!" Bolts of electricity shot out of Pikachu's cheeks and hit Suicune, hurting him even more, but still he wouldn't give up.

"Mirror Coat!"

Suddenly, a protective shield appeared around the Water Pokemon, then a powerful bolt of electricity was launched toward Pikachu, hitting him and sending him flying into the wall!

"Pikachu, no!" Ash cried out.

Despite the pain he'd just received from just one Mirror Coat attack, Pikachu was able to stand back up onto his feet.

"You can do it, Pikachu. We've gotta beat Suicune-it's our only way to save Misty!" Ash insisted. "Try a Thunder Attack!"

Eyeing Ash and seeing the trust he was placing in him, Pikachu powered up for one more blast of electric energy.

"Pika...CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!" Suicune was K.O.'d instantly and knocked over to the opposite wall!

"Pikachu is the winner!"

"Way to go, Pikachu!"

Pikachu cheered happily, only seconds before he dropped to the floor, unconscious and out of contention.

"That's two down, four more to go. Persian my pet, it's all up to you."

Ash gritted his teeth while Misty watched with a worried look on her face. Pikachu and Espeon had both been knocked out, leaving a barely conscious Charizard, Chikorita, Totodile and...

"That's it! Cyndaquil, I choose you!"

"Cyndaquil!"

"I really need you for this, Cyndaquil. Flamethrower!" Ash said.

"CyndaQUILLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!" The tiny, but powerful stream of flame hit Persian hard.

"Persian, Poison Slash."

"That's the same attack that almost killed me back in Goldenrod!" Ash thought.

"Quick Attack, Cyndaquil!"

"Cynda! Quil! Quil! Quil! Quil!" The Fire Pokemon dodged Persian's attack before striking him hard in the side.

Back with Brock, Gary and Jessie, James and Meowth, they were running back toward the front door quickly!

"Remember the plan-we've escaped while James found a penny on the ground and secured our Pokeballs, and you three are going to try and get us back, okay?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Bite attack, Persian!" The Cat Pokemon leaped forward and caused Cyndaquil definite damage!

"Cyndaquil, fight back! Use your Tackle attack!" Ash pleaded.

Cyndaquil forced himself away from Persian's grip and collided with his skull, causing the both of them damage.

"Finish Persian off with another Flamethrower!"

"CyndaQUILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!" The barrage of Flamethrower attacks had finally taken its toll on Persian, and he dropped to the arena, unconscious.

"Cyndaquil is the winner! The winner of this match is Ash Ketchum!"

"YEAAAAHHHHHHH!! WE WON!" Ash cheered successfully.

"Congratulations, Ash!" Misty cried happily.

"Pikachu!"

"Chiko, chiko!" Ash didn't care that Chikorita had exited her Pokeball at this time-he was just happy that they'd won a (somewhat) fair battle and got to bring Misty home for the time being.

That's when Brock and Gary burst into the doors, Jessie, James and Meowth behind them.

"They escaped while I found a penny, sir! We'll catch them!"

"Wobbuffet!"

Near the turning point of undescribable rage and calmness, Giovanni recalled Suicune and Persian, pointed toward Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary, and yelled out, "GUARDS! SEIZE THEM! THEY MUSTN'T LEAVE THIS PLACE ALIVE!"

"Just great..." Ash muttered.

And we thought it would be a fair battle! Now Ash and his friends must fight in the battle of their lives! Will Team Rocket join with them, or go up against them? Find out in the next adventure!