WOOO! Viva la Pokémon!! ^.^ I never thought I'd get into it ever again! This feels really good, lemme tell ya!

*pouts* I'm not a dumbo! Are there any rules stating that fanfiction HAVE to equal the series? If so, please point them out to me! ^_^

ONWARD!

A TALE OF TWO RIVALS
by Ryuko DragonHalf


Gary Oak quietly sipped on his soda. He stared out through the café window at the thick fog accumulating in the early morning hours. Sleep had been quite distant from him ever since he lost in the Pokemon League. And above all, he had lost to that twerp Ash! Of all the humiliating...

He cradled his pounding head in his hands. These thoughts were quite familiar to him. He'd gone through hundreds of excuses, from "It was an off-day" to "I was Jynxed!" None seemed to work. They either didn't make sense or satisfy the nagging voice in the back of his head that said: Forget it. You lost big time. Even Ashy-Boy was better than you. What hope do you have of winning now?

"Gary! Good morning!" a familiar voice greeted. He looked up into the face of Katy, his newest cheerleader. Her dark brown hair was cut evenly at the shoulder, framing her lightly complexioned face. Her big blue eyes seemed to grin on their own as a hint of red touched her cheeks. She sat across from the young trainer, wearing her pink cheerleader's outfit, her favorite. "So Gary, how many trainers will you beat today?"

"None today," Gary replied quietly.

Katy's expression fell. "But you said that every day for the past week. Your Pokemon need the exercise and training!" Her brow creased with worry. "Are you feeling well?"

He couldn't hide a slight smile. There was a child-like quality to her voice, not to mention her appearance, which made her overall cuteness irresistable. "I'm fine. I just need a break."

"Please, Gary. You can tell me! I promise not to tell anyone else!" she pleaded. Unbeknownst to her fellow cheerleaders, she had secretly liked Gary ever since she had made the team. Now, his lack of enthusiasm fed her worry even more.

He was surprised at her insistence. Most people wouldn't push him out of politeness and respect. The thought that someone cared comforted him a bit. He guzzled the last of his soda and paid the passing waitress. "Maybe tomorrow, okay? Right now I have.. some things to work out. See ya." With that he got up and left for the hotel.

Katy watched him retreat into the enveloping fog from the window. "Poor Gary.."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Charizard, not knowing what else to do, raced over and dumped out the contents of the trainer's backpacks. He dug through the piles of food, clothes and other camping things until he had every PokeBall available. Grunting in panic every now and then, he hurriedly released all of the Pokemon.

Bulbasaur groaned. [I was napping..]

[Why're all of us out?] Lapras wondered, glancing about.

[Where's Misty? Only she releases us!] Staryu proclaimed.

Squirtle sweatdropped. [Maybe Ash and Misty are in trouble!]

Togepi awoke from among the piles of food at the sound of her name. [Mommy?]

[Misty Misty Misty Misty Misty Misty!!!!!] spluttered Psyduck, who ran in a hurried circle. Goldeen used her horn to pin him down.

[Everyone, listen!!] Charizard roared. Silence hovered over the Pokemon as the fire dragon spoke. [Pikachu, Ash and Misty are fine, I think. I don't exactly know what's happened to them, but you need to be here to see this.]

[See what??] the small crowd demanded.

[Look for yourselves.]

The Pokemon turned their gaze towards the shoreline, where their friends had once been. In their place was a single large ball of light, slowly rising into the air..

~*~*~*~*~*~

Where am I..?

Ash? Is that you?

Misty! Are you okay? Where'd you go, I can't see you!

I can't see you either.. AAAH! I can't even see myself!

Waaa! Me neither! But... I'm surrounded by lights.

Same here. What's happening to us?

A gentle, disembodied voice interrupted the conversation. [You're changing, kids. You're becoming the Pokemon you were meant to be.]

Pikachu! Ash "thought", surprised. Wait a second.. we're BECOMING Pokémon??

[Of course! Didn't you believe my story?] Pikachu's tone was accusing, but playful. Satisfied with the shocked and guilty silence that followed, she continued. [Well, either way, I'm sure you believe me now!]

Wait!! a panicked Misty cried. What if we don't want to become Pokémon? You can't expect us to give up our previous lives just like that!

Ash cut in, Yeah! This is too sudden! We need time--

[Oh, no, you'll have plenty of time to be human!]

Misty and Ash sent waves of confusion at Pikachu. What?! HOW??

There was a sigh. [You're becoming Mews! They can transform into just about any living thing, including humans. You have a permanent human form, thanks to yours truly,] she added smugly. [Now, I need the both of you to calm down. I'm going to help you transform, and it takes a LOT of energy to do this. Are you ready?]

Nervous, but curious, the young trainers allowed themselves to relax. The painless change began.

~*~*~*~*~*~

At that instant, a young trainer taking a walk in the fog felt something. A tickle, a brush in the back of his mind. He paused. The feeling became more powerful, more insistent. He couldn't ignore or get rid of it. It was becoming rather aggravating!

The boy whirled around, thinking someone was behind him. Nothing! So what was this?! His breath came short and quick, and his brow started to bead with cold sweat. The mind-feeling swelled suddenly; a searing pain tore through his head, scenes, visions, ghostly figures flooding his mind, all foreign, yet somehow familiar! He doubled over, clutching his aching cranium, and let out a scream of agony that could be heard for miles.

~*~*~*~*~*~

[I don't see what this has to do with Ash or Misty,] Bulbasaur grumbled impatiently. [What exactly is going on?] The light was several feet above their heads, and nothing had changed for the last five minutes.

[It's a long story, you'll find out soon enough,] replied Charizard. He was getting a bit anxious himself. What exactly was Pikachu up to?

Snorlax, who had emerged from his PokéBall in a deep sleep, began to wake up. His ears twitched and his face contorted; he could sense something. He eased himself to an upright position, just as his fellow Pokémon sensed the same thing. Everyone snapped to attention, looking everywhere for the source.

[Holey Miltank, what IS that??] Squirtle proclaimed.

[I'm scared!] a shivering Togepi wailed. He was lifted up by Charizard, who tried to comfort the little egg.

[It's okay... hey, everyone! It's coming from the light!] came the dragon's announcement. The Pokémon focused on the orb, which was glowing much brighter than before. For a few seconds, they were blinded and had to shield their eyes from the light. The brightness finally faded, leaving three figures floating downward to the group.

They looked the same, but were different colors. One had fur that seemed to shimmer and glow like Charizard's tail flame. Underneath the deep brown eyes were darker patches of the fur, in a zig-zag pattern. He looked about him, then at himself, and gasped sharply.

Next to this one was another, who had cerulean blue fur that literally flowed like water down its back. The only visible "oddity" was what appeared to be a ponytail jutting out just in front of the left ear. Her sea green eyes shimmered as she took in her new form, and noted the form of her companion.

The last one was also of the same species, but colored differently. She had the body of a rare Pokémon, and the faint colorings of an everyday Pikachu. Her long tail was bent slightly in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Absolute silence. Even the nearby surf seemed to quiet in reverence. The trio was now hovering at Charizard's eye level. The first to make any sort of noise was the firey one.

[I... I'm a... Mew.] he stammered, shocked at his new body and voice. He hadn't moved much, too surprised to do much of anything.

The Pika-Mew giggled, obviously elated. [Of course you're a Mew. You always were!]

The blue one spoke up. [Yeah... it's still kind of staggering..] She wagged her tail shakily.

The yellow Mew softened, picking up the waves of uncertainty from the two. [Have the memories come back?] she asked.

[Memories..?] the firey Mew mumbled. He tried to recall the story, but it was a blur...

[Mommy?] came a faint whisper. Attention was now turned to Togepi. He had stopped shivering, and was now staring at the blue one. She stared in return, trying her hardest not to cry. She hadn't realized that all of her Pokémon had fixed unblinking stares on her. Did they find her strange? Were they afraid? Did they even want to stay with her anymore?

However, all those doubts melted away when the little egg grinned, eyes sparkling. [You're really pretty, Mommy,] he said in awe.

She gaped. [Wha-- what?]

[Yeah..] Staryu cut in timidly. [You're very beautiful, Misty.] If he had a face, he would be grinning.

[You're always beautiful to us!] Goldeen chirped.

[Lovely Misty!] quacked Psyduck.

Misty began to smile, but stopped. [Guys, that's really sweet and all.. but I'm a Mew!]

Goldeen jumped into the air. [So what?? You're still Misty! You're our friend!]

[You're stuck with us for a good long time!] the starfish joked.

Feeling an immense weight lift off her shoulders, Misty grinned and started to laugh. She floated down to Togepi, who was only a bit smaller than her now, and wrapped him in a loving hug.

Ash watched the entire scene with a grin. He then turned to his Pokémon, who were all smiles. [Hey guys.. same goes for me..?] he queried shyly.

Bulbasaur laughed, [Well, DUH!] The others joined in, praising Ash's new look. The boy heaved a sigh of relief and chuckled. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad!

[Mommy Mommy Mommy!] he heard Togepi squeal.

Something clicked. He could remember the story now, through his own memories. He nervously floated towards the silent observer, the Pika-Mew. She smiled warmly at him. And he could only think of one thing to say.

[.. Mom?]

She nodded.

Mother and child reunited in a tearful embrace.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Katy pushed the door open and wandered down the same path as Gary. That scream she heard earlier sounded like a dangerous Pokémon or something.. but she wouldn't head for the hotel just yet. She had to find some way to help him! Simply because she admired him. His skills, his character, his confidence, his smile..

"Oh no," she snickered sadly. "I might be in deeper than I thought." She sighed and continued through the fog.

A light up ahead caught her gaze. At first she dismissed it as someone with a flashlight. Then it began to glow... purple. She stopped, staring at the glow. It was too intense to be a regular flashlight, heck, even a car headlight! What could it be?

Curiosity killed the cat, not the human. She jogged up for a closer look.

"What th.. GARY!!" Sure enough, there was her hero, curled into a ball and whimpering. The glow was coming from him! Katy rushed forward and knelt beside him. "Gary, I'm right here, I can call for help! Calm down, please--"

"NO!" he barked, pushing her away. She squeaked as she tumbled, righting herself as fast as she could.

"What's happening to you?!" she shouted in a panic. Then she gasped as the light intensified. She was forced to turn away and hear one more ear-splitting cry from the trainer. Then, all was silent.

As soon as the light faded, Katy looked up, and nearly screamed. In Gary's place was a creature, definitely not human! She couldn't really describe it.. it was big, almost majestic.. but it had a twisted, evil sense about it. The purple tail swished calmly back and forth as its amethyst eyes rested on her quivering form. It chuckled with a familiar smirk crossing its muzzle. *So. You saw the whole thing, didn't you?*

Katy couldn't reply. She recognized the yin-yang necklace dangling from the creature's neck. She fearfully met his gaze. "Gary?"

His eyes flashed for an instant, and the young girl was out cold.

~*~*~*~*~*~

*passes out* THAT was a mouthful. @.@ I hope this chapter keeps you happy tho! I might not be updating for a bit, depending on the feedback I get. ^^" HINT HINT! Thank you for reading! Ja ne!