Author's Note: Psychic talk is indicated like ()this().


You two again? Houndour asked, an exasperated note in her voice. Don't you ever give up?

"Nope," Ash said with a light smile. "I won't give up until you at least stop hating me."

Looks like you'll be visiting me every day for the rest of your life, then.

Ash didn't reply to that. He took a sudden interest in his hands, instead. He hesitated before he spoke, not wanting to upset the Dark Pokémon with his curiosity. "How did you come to be in Professor Oak's care?"

He was right in that his question was somewhat upsetting to Houndour, but at least this time she didn't look like she wanted to murder him as badly. For years I was ruthlessly trained by that monstrous human you call your father...Every battle I lost I was punished for...He kept training me and training me, waiting for me to evolve, but I never did. Finally, he had so many other strong Pokémon that a Pokémon which refused to evolve was more of a hassle than it was worth. He dumped me out into the streets of Viridian City, where I tried to wreak some vengeance on a pair of wretched humans before a bunch of trainers stopped me. I fought their Pokémon and would have won if it hadn't been for a blasted Drowzee's Hypnosis attack. From there, I assume I was passed directly on to Professor Oak, who has confined me to this accursed place.

The young trainer picked at one of his fingernails absent-mindedly. He wanted to ask more about his father,...wanted to know where he was...But even as he felt the desire, he didn't think he really wanted to know the answer...Didn't want to know more about the monster his father had become.

He looked at Houndour, at her raised fur, her tensed back, the seemingly permanent snarl etched onto her face...Her eyes glinted fiercely, warning him to leave. But Ash knew he couldn't. He owed her more than that.

The trainer continued staring. He had to look past the monstrous canine on the outside, looking in at the hurt puppy on the inside. It was there, he knew. Hiding inside, in some dark corner, sat Houndour's fear. Like a frightened child, the fear hid itself away, praying to be left alone, to not be found.

But Ash wanted to find that fear, soothe it, let Houndour know humans could be trusted.

What did he have to do to prove it to the canine? What magic words could Ash say to make the pain go away?

Suddenly, an idea came up to Ash and tugged on his figurative sleeve. He tried to push it aside, but it kept tugging and whimpering. Finally, with a sigh, Ash prepared to voice it aloud. "Houndour?"

"Houn?" the dour Pokémon inquired reluctantly after a moment's pause.

"What if..." Ash began slowly, "what if we found my father and beat him in a Pokémon battle?"

The Dark- and Fire-Type started laughing hoarsely, a sound that made Ash jump. You do not look as if you could beat up a tired Magikarp, much less your father.

"Hey!" Ash said defensively, standing up. "Bulbasaur beat you, didn't he?"

The canine's eyes narrowed. Only by luck.

Ash's got a lot of luck, observed a somewhat amused voice from behind Ash.

The startled trainer swiveled around to face his Squirtle. "Squirtle!" he exclaimed. "Why are you here?"

The Water-Type shrugged, looking up at Starmie. Why didn't you think about having me protect you? he asked, sounding somewhat hurt. I could do a lot better than that psycho star could hope to do.

The so-called "psycho star" began to change colors at its core, and Ash whispered a soft, "Uh oh."

A strange voice came from the star and said something eerie-sounding, and Starmie let loose a powerful Hydro Pump that threw Squirtle onto the ground.

"Squirt!" cried the surprised turtle's voice.

Houndour snorted. If your slaves can be beat by that Psychic-Type, then you're an even worse trainer than I thought.

"Hey!" Ash shouted as Squirtle cried out: I'm not his slave!

Ash growled under his breath. "I'll show you." He turned to the floating Water- and Psychic-Type. "Hey, Starmie, you up for a Pokémon battle?"

The purple Pokémon's strange voice shot back a loud affirmative. Starmie was eager to prove its strength.

"Squirtle, what about you?" Ash asked the Tinyturtle Pokémon.

"Squirtle!" the blue creature replied, eyes flashing. He was ready.

Houndour sat down, crossed her forepaws, and got comfortable. An evil grin played on her face...Professor Oak was not going to like this if he found out.

"All right, Squirtle," said Ash, preparing to give the turtle orders.

Squirtle looked at him. Is it fair for me to have a trainer and Starmie not to?

Houndour barked in laughter. Are you kidding? Starmie will probably win more easily without that joke of a trainer giving it orders. However, if you're that concerned, I can give the star orders.

Squirtle glared at her. As if you even know Starmie's attacks.

Yawning, Houndour rattled off, Tackle, Harden, Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Recover, Swift, Bubblebeam, Minimize, Light Screen, Hydro Pump. Of course, those are the attacks without the benefit of TMs or HMs, some of which have probably been taught to Starmie by its trainer.

Ash stared. "How did you...?"

I learned some things from my time with that brute you call your father, Houndour answered tightly. You ready for a battle?

Ash looked at the floating purple star. "That okay with you, Starmie?"

()Perfectly fine,() the Water- and Psychic-Type said in all of their minds.

The trainer struck his battle pose. "Then you're on!"

The thought didn't even occur to Ash that tiring out the two Pokémon that could save him if Houndour tried to pull any tricks might not be the wisest idea. Instead, his mind was on the battle and on proving to Houndour that he was a worthy trainer.

"You ready, Squirtle?" Ash asked, grinning.

"Squirtle!" the Water-Type cried in confirmation.

Without hesitation, Houndour began the battle. Starmie, Harden.

The purple Pokémon glistened as it performed the defensive move.

"Squirtle, whip it with your tail!" Ash cried.

"Squirtle!" the blue turtle cried out as he jumped up and slapped Starmie with his tail.

The Psychic star wasn't even fazed. It rose up a little, awaiting a command from Houndour.

Minimize, the Fire- and Dark-Type said simply.

Starmie's core glowed, and it began to shrink, increasing its chance of avoiding attacks.

"Watch out, Squirtle. It's going to be harder to hit it now. Try Bubble to lower its speed!" Ash said to his Pokémon.

"Squirtle!" the foot and a half tall Pokémon cried, opening its mouth and letting loose a barrage of bubbles.

Houndour laughed, her voice raspy. It's going to take a lot more than that puny Water move to take down Starmie...Starmie, Light Screen.

A shield appeared to screen the star from Special Attacks.

"Squirtle, Bite!"

Psychic! Houndour inserted quickly with an evil grin.

The Squirtle leapt up to chomp on the glowing Starmie, but he was thrown backwards by the angered Psychic- and Water-Type's powerful Psychic attack. "Squir!" he cried, landing at Ash's feet.

Ash leaned over his Pokémon. "Squirtle, you all right?"

The Squirtle shook of his dazed state, leaping to his feet. "Squirtle!" he yelled an affirmative.

Starmie, Swift, Houndour said, taking advantage of her extra time.

"Squirtle, Withdraw!" Ash said hurriedly.

The Tinyturtle Pokémon quickly did as he was told, pulling his head inside his shell. The stars thrown at him by Starmie buffeted his shell, but inside he was doing just fine.

The Starmie came closer, and Ash shouted, "Skull Bash, now!"

"Squirtle!" the Water Pokémon yelled as it ejected its head and rammed it into the purple star.

With a loud thud, the Starmie fell to the ground. Its core shone faintly, changing colors sporadically. Ash began grinning, sure that the battle was won.

Ash could just barely hear Houndour's order. Recover.

The Starmie glowed as it used the recovery move.

"No fair!" Ash shouted.

Welcome to my world, muttered Houndour.

"Tackle it!" commanded Ash.

Counter it, Houndour said while the Squirtle leapt up into the air.

The two crashed together with a horrendous noise. Both fell on the ground in a faint.

"Squirtle!...Starmie!" Ash yelled as he ran forward to the two unconscious Pokémon.

Squirtle's shell was slightly cracked, as was Starmie's core. Both looked like they had taken a heavy beating.

Houndour said something, but Ash was unable to understand it completely. It was almost like he was on the verge of understanding the Dark Pokémon on his own, but he was not quite there. Without Starmie to help with communications, all Ash got was: ...it...have...tie.

"Yeah, a tie," Ash mumbled. He closed his eyes tightly. Professor Oak was not going to like this.


Professor Oak stared directly at Ash, who was pointedly avoiding his gaze. At last, the youth looked up to meet the older man's eyes. That was when Samuel Oak began to speak. "Ash, I don't even know what to say to you. I send Starmie out with you to serve as protection, and then you go and do this..." A note of what could have been awe mixed with confusion was in his voice as he said, "I cannot believe you had a Pokémon battle against...a Pokémon!"

Ash wasn't quite sure what to say to that. "I...I was just trying to earn Houndour's respect!"

The Pokémon Professor sternly continued to stare at the trainer in front of him. At last, he averted his eyes with a sigh. "I believe you, Ash. Just, the next time you're in a battle, be more careful. You don't need to let your Pokémon fight until it gets in such a terrible condition."

"Yes, Professor," Ash mumbled. After a moment, he asked, "Are they going to be okay?"

"Squirtle and Starmie will be fine," Professor Oak answered. "They just need some rest. Meanwhile, you'd probably better go back home. You don't anyone becoming suspicious and coming out here and finding out what happened."

Ash nodded, somewhat relieved he'd gotten off as easily as he had. "Thanks. Bye, Professor."

The older man stood in the same place in silence for a while afterward, thinking.

If this were a normal situation, I would have done more than scolded him, Professor Oak sighed to himself. But I think this business with Houndour is helping Ash...And it may even help Houndour. Yes, though it was foolish to have the two Water-Types battling quite so long, it might have been one of the best ways for Ash to break the ice with Houndour. The Professor frowned. Of course, how Ash got into a Pokémon battle is beyond me. I wonder what he said that got everyone all riled up?

Samuel Oak blinked. He hoped that this was the best way for Ash to work matters out...If anything happened to Ash, Delia would have Professor Oak's head.

After checking on Starmie and Squirtle, Professor Oak decided he would go make some rice balls. They seemed like a perfect end to this somewhat unorthodox day. A Pokémon battle against a Pokémon indeed.