Me: I don't own Pokemon, nor do I own "Do You Really Want To Play?" from one of the many Pokemon soundtracks! I figured this song would fit with the chapter, and in a way, it does!
Ash: What's going on, anyway?
Me: (grins) I told you I'd take this story up to the 20th chapter if I had to-and I have! Prepare for one of the toughest Pokemon battles ever!
Ash: Am I gonna live?
Me: Of course! I think...As for me, I'm not too sure. Sorry this was postponed, but I'll have more time to get stuff posted now that I'm on Spring Break!
Ash: Hopefully.
Pokemon: The Power of Two
Chapter XX-The Best against the Best
"You did a great job, Ash!" -Gary Oak, The Rivalry Revival
"We gotta do something to end this fast!" -Ash Ketchum, Enter The Dragonite!
Last time, Ash was in what he considered to be one of his most dangerous matches ever, when he
finally was forced to battle in a 6-6 Pokemon battle against Giovanni, the head of Team Rocket
for Misty's freedom. Even though Totodile and Chikorita helped Ash out tremendously, Espeon
was taken out by Houndoom's Bite attack. Charizard ended up successfully beating Houndoom,
but Suicune nearly took the Fire Pokemon out for the count! Pikachu ended up using all of his
energy by besting an old friend who'd been forced to ally against them. Then, in a final battle
against Cyndaquil and Persian, Ash's instincts proved true as Cyndaquil took Persian out of the
match. While all this was transpiring, Brock, Gary and Team Rocket snuck downstairs and
swiped Misty's Pokeballs, but they narrowly avoided capture themselves. Now, Ash and his
friends must team up with Ash's rival and sworn enemies against the head of Team Rocket...
(Theme song; Fanfare starts as Ash and Misty say the name of the episode)
Ash/Misty: The Best against the Best!
Ash quickly turned and locked eyes with Misty, seeing the same expression on her face as clearly as was on his own-they could not surrender to Giovanni. He bent down and picked up Pikachu, cradling him in his arms.
"If you're gonna try to capture us, you'll have to do it in one final Pokemon battle!" Ash declared confidently. Almost as if they'd heard him, Ash's Pokeballs popped open, releasing Charizard, Cyndaquil, Espeon and Totodile, all of them standing by Ash and Chikorita. Pikachu forced himself to wake up and got onto Ash's shoulder.
"Don't even bother lying to me, boy! None of your Pokemon are strong enough to withstand Team Rocket's legion of Pokemon." With a snap of his fingers, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Gary were surrounded by thirty Team Rocket members, excluding Jessie, James and Meowth.
"Victory was a mere step away for you, but I hold all the cards and you can't pass 'Go' or collect $200."
Ash groaned impatiently while Misty, Brock and Gary ran over to stand by his side.
"Then we'll all go down as the Pokemon trainers who stood up to your tyranny!" Misty growled, grabbing her Pokeballs from Brock and releasing Golduck, Poliwrath, Staryu and even Togepi.
Ash looked over at Jessie, James and Meowth before motioning toward the door. He didn't want them to have to choose which side to join-if Ash and his friends lost, they'd be revealed as traitors, but if they won, Ash could say that they'd helped them out and that they deserved a fair trial.
"You three-stop!" With reluctance, Jessie, James and Meowth stopped and waited.
"Just to be sure your loyalty hasn't swayed, you shall send out the first Pokemon." Giovanni declared, an evil grin on his face. He was sure they would refuse and he could label them as traitors of Team Rocket. To his surprise, they turned and each pulled out a Pokeball.
"Forgive us for this, twerp." James hissed under his breath. Ash heard him and nodded. No matter what they had done to him or to any of his friends in the past, Ash always tried to look toward the future and remember the past when necessary.
"Go, Victreebel!"
"Wobbuffet, GO!"
Just look in my eyes, tell me you've got all that it takes and much more-all you gotta do is say...
Stop telling me lies, show me with every move that you make you can score-tell me that you want to play
You can feel it, but can't steal it, 'cause boy, I got the magic touch!
"Charizard, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Espeon, GO!" Ash yelled out.
"Golduck, Poliwrath, go!" Misty demanded.
"Onix, Geodude, Pineco, go!" Brock yelled.
"Umbreon, go!"
Instantly, five of Ash's Pokemon, two of Misty's, three of Brock's and one of Gary's Pokemon all got in front of their respective trainers, ready for battle! Pikachu squirmed within Ash's arms, but the trainer didn't want his first Pokemon to get any more hurt than he already was.
"Hmm. So be it. GO!" Giovanni released his Pokemon, rejuvenated and ready for battle. Ash growled deep in his throat as he jumped onto Charizard's back.
"Give it your best shot, everybody!"
At that command, Ash's Pokemon all raced forward, as did Misty's and Brock's.
"Suicune, Hydro Pump attack!" Ash held in his breath as the powerful Water attack was blasted in his direction. Under normal circumstances, Pikachu could stop it with a simple Thunderbolt attack, but this wasn't a normal circumstance.
"Charizard, go up!" Quickly, the Fire/Flying type flew up, saving himself, Ash and Pikachu from the water barrage. Jessie, James and Meowth turned and saw the water attack headed straight for them! Seconds later, they were sent flying out of Team Rocket HQ.
"Hey-we didn't get to help the twerps out!" James ranted.
"Yes, we did James-we helped the twerps get that redheaded twerp her Pokemon back." Jessie replied.
"So, that's our good deed for now, folks. Until next time..." Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!"
"We're blasting off again..."
"Wobbuffet!" (ping!)
Misty had to smile. Team Rocket showed that they did have a good side during this debacle.
"Golduck, Hyper Beam attack! Poliwrath, use Submission! Staryu, Double Edge!"
All three of Misty's Pokemon instantly used their attacks on Team Rocket's Pokemon. Togepi, who'd been placed in Misty's backpack, looked up and saw Pikachu in his battered state. Unshed tears grazed the baby Pokemon's eyes as he unconsciously waved his arms back and forth.
"Toge-toge-toge-toge-toge-toge!" Instantly, Togepi's arms glowed a bright bluish color as the
energy used to perform that attack completely restored Pikachu of any fatalities he would have!
Chorus: Can you be the best with the power you possess? Will you step up to the fight?
Can you pass the test? Are you frightened to confess that you just can't get it right?
You can win or lose, but you gotta pay your dues-step up or step away!
Do you really wanna play?
"Pika pi!" Fully restored, the Electric-type forced himself out of Ash's arms and reclaimed his position on Ash's right shoulder.
"Pikachu? How'd you-? I haven't even taken you to a Pokemon Center, and you're okay?" Ash was at a loss, as was Pikachu. That didn't matter at the moment. What mattered was protecting his best friend from any harm. Pikachu relayed this information to Ash, who was pleased that his Pokemon wanted to help.
"Think you can handle this challenge? It's a lot of Pokemon down there, and even with the added help, it might not be enough." Ash cautioned.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, his tiny paws clenched into fists. Charizard roared in agreement. Ash gulped while looking back down and he realized that Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile and Espeon were still down at the Gym!
"Charizard, go back down! Hang on you guys-I'm coming!"
Ash didn't need to worry-his Pokemon were so well trained that even if he wasn't there, they could handle anything that came their way! (A/N: Remember that episode with the Aipom? Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile came through that ordeal in one piece!)
"Are you guys okay? Sorry about leaving you down here-Pikachu suddenly got better without us going to a Pokemon Center." Ash's Pokemon nodded, insisting that they were all fine.
"So-it seems your Pokemon are truly obedient to your every word. They come through the toughest of battles, and only one of them evolved to his highest form-your Charizard. We can't include Espeon because you never raised it from an Eevee, did you? Your friend, on the other hand, raised his Umbreon from an Eevee, right? Can you truly claim to be the #1 Pokemon Master of the entire leagues when you haven't even mastered the Indigo League? When you haven't even completely annihilated the organization known as Team Rocket?"
Ash's anger was boiling over to the point of eruption, but Misty quickly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't fall for it, Ash. He's trying to lure you into a trap!"
Amazed, Ash turned around and saw all the remaining Team Rocket members recalling their Pokemon from the Gym floor.
"When'd you guys-?"
"Teamwork." Brock explained. "While Gary had Umbreon take on the Psychic Pokemon, I had Pineco, Geodude and Onix take care of the Electric-types, Misty had Golduck, Poliwrath and Staryu handle the Steel Pokemon that were out there, and your own Pokemon mingled with ours, helping out where they were needed."
Ash grinned at his Pokemon, offering them a thumbs-up for a job well done! The only one who wasn't only pleased, but highly embarrassed that Ash had complimented them on taking care of Team Rocket was his Chikorita. She hopped up onto Ash's left shoulder and nuzzled his cheek.
"An interesting display of Pokemon affection, but the question still remains: can you truly call yourself a Master, when you truly haven't defeated me?"
Not even Misty could calm Ash down at that second! He'd beaten Giovanni in battle moments ago, and he had to do it again? Fine! He'd show the leader of Team Rocket who was the best!
"Okay! You want another battle? I'll show you who's the best out of the both of us!"
The challenge is yours-take it! You've backed down before, now prove to me you control your destiny
Keep it steady, get ready-show me that you got the stuff!
"A one-on-one battle! Pikachu, I CHOOSE YOU!" With narrowed eyes, Ash watched Pikachu hop from his shoulder and land gracefully back on the Gym floor.
"Electric against Electric? I should've guessed. Raikou, go!"
Ash and Pikachu growled as the Legendary Electric Pokemon exited a Heavy Ball and appeared opposite Pikachu.
"Let the battle begin!" Brock and Gary chorused.
Chorus: Can you be the best with the power you possess? Will you step up to the fight?
Can you pass the test? Are you frightened to confess that you just can't get it right?
You can win or lose, but you gotta pay your dues-step up or step away!
"Pikachu, start this battle off with your Agility!"
"Pika! Pi! Pi! Pi!" The little Electric Pokemon was a blur around the floor, and for a moment, Raikou was confused.
"Raikou, use your Crunch attack!"
"'Crunch attack?'" Ash quickly whipped out Dexter a second later.
"Crunch: This is rumored to be one of the most powerful attacks a Dark Pokemon, such as Umbreon or Houndoom, can have, alongside Bite."
Ash gasped and forced his attention back up as Raikou literally leaped toward Pikachu, his mouth wide open in preparation for the attack!
"Pikachu, use your Quick Attack!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu vanished from his spot, then reappeared and struck Raikou in his stomach, causing some damage, but not enough.
"Now we've got him! Hyper Beam attack!"
Raikou opened his mouth wide as he collected energy, then sent it flying toward Pikachu in a gigantic beam of pure energy!
WHAM! Pikachu cried out as the Hyper Beam struck it's target, sending him flying toward the back wall!
"PIKACHU, NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" Ash cried out, jumping off Charizard's back and running toward Pikachu's prostrate form.
Pikachu opened his eyes and gazed up at his best friend's face, a worried look crossing over Ash's own eyes.
"Are you hurt? Say something, buddy!"
"Pika pi...pika!"
Ash felt tears come to his eyes, but not out of sorrow-out of joy! Even after being hit by a devastating Hyper Beam attack, Pikachu was still willing to go on fighting.
"Let's save our friends from Giovanni's tyranny!" Ash said confidently.
"Pikachu!"
Let yourself go...this is my show-watch me when I play! (watch me when I play...)
Change your mind set, and you'll get better every day!
"Pikachu, give Raikou a Thunderbolt!"
"Pika...CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!" Pikachu aimed for the precise spot he'd hit when he'd hurt him earlier. The Electric attack made contact, not hurting Raikou that badly, but hurting him enough so that he couldn't fully recharge from using the Hyper Beam attack.
"Grr...Raikou, use another Hyper Beam attack!"
"That's not gonna work this time!" Ash retorted, a smirk appearing on his face. "Pikachu, Agility, then Quick Attack!"
Nodding, Pikachu first popped around the Gym a few times, then hit Raikou once more in the stomach. The Legendary Pokemon howled in agony as he was forced to his knees.
"Now-Thunder Attack!" Ash growled.
"Hit the deck!" Brock yelled out, recalling his Pokemon at the same time Misty and Gary recalled theirs; Ash quickly recalled Cyndaquil, Totodile, Charizard and Espeon, knowing that Chikorita would be safe on his shoulder.
"Pika...CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Focusing all his energy built up inside his cheeks for one big burst, Pikachu fired an intense blast of Electric power aimed directly at the spot he'd repeatedly hit earlier, making contact and weakening Raikou to defeat! Howling weakly, Raikou dropped to the Gym floor for good, knocked out and out of the battle.
"This match is over! Pikachu's the winner!"
"YEAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WE WON!" Ash picked Pikachu up and, along with Misty
and Chikorita, started dancing around-at least until Giovanni's voice boomed out over their
cheers, "DESTROY THEM ALL!"
Chorus: Can you be the best with the power you possess? Will you step up to the fight?
Can you pass the test? Are you frightened to confess that you just can't get it right?
You can win or lose, but you gotta pay your dues-step up or step away!
Can you be the best with the power you possess? Will you step up to the fight?
Can you pass the test? Are you frightened to confess that you just can't get it right? (repeats
until fade out)
Ash held Misty's hand tightly and with his other arm hugged Pikachu and Chikorita as best he could.
"Either we find a way to pull a miracle out of one of our hats, or it's been swell." Ash declared in a whisper.
"Ash, I just wanted you to know-I'll always love you, no matter what happens. Whatever these guys do to us-that can't change the way how I feel about you."
Ash held back his tears as the Team Rocket members surrounded him, Misty, Brock and Gary, Giovanni was approaching Ash and his Pokemon with a menacing smile plastered on his face.
"Misty-I know we're not even adults yet, but I was kinda hoping, after this whole Chosen Ones ordeal was over with...would you marry me on the day you turn 18, or even 21? I could wait a few years for you-I've done pretty good so far; I could wait a while longer!"
Misty didn't care that at that moment about her Pokemon, or about her life. Ash had basically pledged himself to her during one of the toughest battles in their lives. Tears streamed down her face as she leaned forward and kissed Ash with all the passion built up in her body.
"I will, Ash...I'll wait until we both turn 18 for our wedding."
"Freeze! All of you Team Rocket members are under arrest!" Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary all turned to see a number of Officer Jennies at the front door, led in by Jessie, James and Meowth!
Growling, Giovanni recalled Raikou, then tossed the two Heavy Balls at Ash's feet.
"Make no mistake, Pokemon Master in Training-this is far from over!" Pulling out a pellet, the leader of Team Rocket tossed it to the ground! The smoke covered everything and everybody inside the entire place!
"Charizard, quick-use your wings to get rid of this smoke!"
The Fire/Flying Pokemon used his powerful wings and successfully cleared the smoke from the building. When it was gone, so were all the Team Rocket members, including Jessie, James and Meowth.
"Are you kids okay? We were all approached during a convention of outstanding police officers by two Team Rocket members and a Meowth who claimed they knew four amazing Pokemon trainers who were being held by the leader of the Viridian City Gym." Officer Jenny asked. Brock instantly went into his love struck phase.
"Ahh...you're the Officer Jenny from New Bark Town, aren't you? Ooh, and you're the one we helped out during the Black Arachnid scandal! Remember me-oww!"
"Hey-we just got out of one of the most deadliest battles of our lives! We don't have time for you to gawk over the multitudes of Officer Jennies that are here, okay?" Misty grumbled impatiently.
"Thanks for your help, Officer Jenny-and to all your relatives, distant and uh...what's opposite of distant?" Ash asked with a confused look on his face.
"I think the word you're looking for is 'close by,' Ash, but you're welcome!"
The following day, Ash, Misty, Brock, Gary and all of their Pokemon watched as Raikou and Suicune vanished into the skies near Pallet Town, heading back toward Johto once again.
"Thanks for your help, Gary. We couldn't have done it without you." Ash replied calmly.
"You're wrong, Ash-you could've won easily without me there. Just ask any of your Pokemon. You're a truly awesome trainer, and I'll be waiting for our battle at the Indigo Stadium." That said, Gary turned, with Umbreon by his side, and left. Ash eyed Misty, Brock, and all of their Pokemon before pointing toward the outskirts of Pallet Town.
"Guys...it's time we headed home."
Now that Ash and his friends have, for the moment, defeated Team Rocket, our heroes are on their way back to Pallet Town once again. Can they finally relax after all this adventure? We'll see!