Chapter Two [Kat]

Ash fell backwards in shock. Misty and Brock ran forward to catch him, and when he went unconscious, Misty slapped him to wake him up.

"Ow," Ash muttered as he wrenched himself from their grasp. At least this time they had caught him before he'd fainted from shock. It was a habit he'd evidentally picked up from his father, Sean Davis Ketchum, although he'd only actually fainted once before, when he'd met his long lost twin sister, Jadena, about six years back.

"Ash, how did this happen?" Misty asked.

"Uh."

At that precise moment, a small, whitish-pink figure zipped past, knocking Aido's hat off. Darkflame caught it with her mouth, and gave it back to him. Just as he was putting it back on, another, taller figure leapt from some bushes on the side of the road.

"MEW! GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"

The Mew stopped instantly and giggled, then sped off again as the figure swiped at her.

"Oh, great," Ash muttered. Aido had both eyebrows raised.

"Who is that?"

"That would b_"

"Erin Morgan Sullivan," The woman said as she levitated in midair. "Unfortunately, I'm trying to catch my Mew, so, if you'll excuse me." Erin dove for her Mew, catching her, and then tumbling onto the ground. Mew struggled to wrench herself free from Erin's grasp, but to no avail. Erin recalled her, sighed, then stood up. "I must apologize for my Mew's behavior. She doesn't mean to be this way, she just. is."

"What?" Ash said. "Can't you control your Pokémon anymore?"

Erin scowled. "Shove it, Ash."

"Is she your rival?" Aido asked.

"No, actually, I'm his best friend and traveling companion," Erin said, smirking.

"You should see the way she treats her enemies," Misty said, smiling.

Erin turned to Ash. "What's been taking so long? We expected you back by now."

"I know, but. we ran into trouble, as you can see."

"I'm Aido," Aido said. "At least, that's."

"I know."

Aido looked shocked. "But, how.?"

"I was listening in on your conversation. Then Mew Teleported off and decided to play a trick on you guys." Erin shrugged. "Should we just go ahead and Teleport back to Pallet?"

"Yeah, maybe. Hey, Aido, wanna come?"

"I suppose. But can you Teleport Darkflame? She is a Dark Type."

"Of course." She winked, and, in an instant, they were standing on Ash's front porch. Erin opened the door. The five of them (six if you counted Darkflame) stepped over the threshold. "Hey, Ash's back," Erin called. Out. No response. From anyone. She turned to Ash. "I think your parents are upstairs. And Lance isn't here yet. Jadena said she was going out." She frowned. [I know you're here,] She called out to her favorite Pokémon. Mewtwo floated out into the living room, with a papaya in hand. His eyes widened as he spotted Aido.

[YOU?!]