Now
Ash broke the surface of the water with a choked gasp. He might've reached the surface but he was still being pushed along by the underground river's fierce current. Blindly, he flailed for something to hold onto in the total darkness. He kept flipping and rolling in the waves. As he turned onto his back once more, suddenly one hand caught hold of something firm and he clutched at it eagerly. Sputtering, Ash found the object grabbing back at him with its claws.
He recoiled but the grip was made of steel. Ash was hauled out of the water and got the distinct impression he was tucked under something's arm. He tried to reach for a Pokéball but his arms were pinned at his side by his captor's own. Water was still gushing and splashing around them.
Suddenly, light appeared ahead. A pair of Clefairys were using the Flash technique to light their own way through the cavern. Their combined illumination was more than enough for Ash's abductor to swiftly ride the current toward the Clefairys. As the two wild Pokémon looked on with big eyes, Ash was thrown onto dry land. The youth's mystery benefactor leapt clear of the river as well, landing next to him with a thud.
That was too much for the Clefairys. They broke and hopped off into the darkness, chirping "Clefairy! Clefairy!" and took their bioluminescence with them. Ash was too busy coughing up part of the river to see who'd rescued him before utter blackness fell again. But once he'd caught his breath, that was a problem easily rectified.
"Typhlosion! I choose you!"
The large flame shrew Pokémon appeared. Automatically, the flame jets running along his upper limbs and back blazed to life. And when they did, Typhlosion took an involuntary half-step backward, snarling, "Typho!" at the image thus revealed.
Nidoking was knocking some water out of his giant ears. Other than that, the formidable Pokémon didn't look bothered by his dunk in the least. And why should he? The way Nidoking had cut through that fierce torrent of water, he had to be very familiar with his Surf Attack. Recovery complete, Nidoking turned back toward the waters to continue his search.
Ash caught his elbow. "Hey, thanks for fishing us out, Nidoking."
Nidoking blinked; with surprise, Ash suspected. Then the Pokémon merely shrugged himself free before leaping into the river.
As the Poison-Type departed, Ash finally recalled exactly where they were. The main entrance to the Dragon Cave was in the hills behind Blackthorn Gym. But when Team Rocket had stolen an artifact from Clair and he'd helped her get it back, their pursuit had brought them into the cave. And Ash had been shocked to see just how much of it wormed through the hills back then. Come to think of it, he wasn't too surprised that the river had finally eaten its way beneath the gym itself too.
Too bad nobody inspecting the gym's battle room thought of checking, he reflected angrily. But Ash had to let the bitterness go. After all, he'd probably have only checked the building's floor and not what laid beneath it himself, now wouldn't he?
His musings were cut off as Typhlosion straightened up, eyes squinting. "What is it, Typhlosion?"
For a reply, the large shrew bounded forward several feet and barked, "Tyypho!" sharply. Ash joined him in a split second. There---a small light among the rocks, just at the edge of the river.
It was a Pokédex's screen shining in the blackness. A quick feel of his belt assured Ash it wasn't his. The jostled machine just happened to call up one of its entries on the screen when Ash picked it up. Ash no longer had to wonder whose Pokédex it was. Only one such device could possibly have that particular Pokémon registered to it as captured and not just observed.
Giovanni's Pokédex depicted a huge Pokémon, easily sixty feet in height, shaped sort of like a green Charizard without wings. Instead he had triple rows of mismatched, wickedly sharp spikes running down his back. The creature's neck was too short and thick for a Charizard's too. And the tail held no flame at its tip, but it was as long, sinuous, and muscular as any Arbok's serpentine coils.
Ash shut the Pokédex almost as quickly as he tried to shut out the memories. That creature's golden-hued gaze of hatred had haunted his dreams for months afterward. He wasn't eager to start it running through his mind again.
From somewhere in the darkness around him, Giovanni softly asked, "I always wondered. Whatever did you do with that Pokémon?"
Ash and Typhlosion alike jumped. Giovanni and Nidoking had appeared from nowhere. Although soaked to the skin, Giovanni still seemed far too well-groomed to have come through the cave collapse and a rough water ride. Nidoking, of course, was equally at ease, keeping his muscular arms crossed over his chest in a display of machismo.
If they hadn't looked so well, maybe Ash would've replied nicely. But they did, so he snapped, "He's safe from you! That's all that matters!"
Giovanni shrugged. "I should've put the answer to that one into my victory conditions for this battle. I must admit you've a nasty habit of making my incredibly powerful Pokémon disappear on me, Master Trainer. First Mewtwo, then our big green mutual friend."
Much of Ash's conflicting emotions were temporarily blasted away by shock. "Mewtwo! You mean—you remember!"
"I never forgot," Giovanni assured coldly, "not completely. It took time but my mind is my own once more. I am not some weak-willed fool. And even if I was; there were physical records of the beast's existence. Its Psychic-Type powers let it erase minds, not videotapes or computer data. The fool never bothered to check."
"Then," Ash stammered, "you just gave up on Mewtwo after that time at Mt. Quena?"
"Ahhh," Giovanni observed with an upraised hand, "I've said too much already. Unless you'd care to trade information on the King of the Pocket Monsters for it---?"
Ash's disgust returned and deepened. "Everything's a deal or a battle with you, isn't it? A contest."
"That's life, Master Trainer," Giovanni spread his hands mildly. He gave Ash a quick glance of assessment before changing the subject. "Well. Shall we trade property before continuing, at least?" One hand indicated his Pokédex still in Ash's grip; the other pointed toward a barely-conscious Pikachu revealed in Nidoking's arms.
"Pikachu!" Ash automatically called. Without another second's hesitation, Ash passed Giovanni back his Pokédex to reach for the electric mouse. Quickly Ash inspected his small friend. To Ash's relief, Pikachu's brown button eyes opened slightly at his touch. "Pikachu---" the Pokémon sighed.
Despite his friend's efforts at reassurance, Ash could see the beating from Nidoking had taken a real toll. He needed to get Pikachu to a Pokémon Center for immediate treatment.
And that, unfortunately, meant forfeiting the match.
Ash clenched his jaw as his eyes squeezed shut, shielding his face against Pikachu's belly for a moment as he worked up the courage to say it. Giovanni waited patiently, his face expressionless, but the hardness in his eyes saying he knew what was going through Ash's mind.
Ash felt a gentle tug at his belt and opened his eyes. Pikachu has his own little-used Pokéball in his tiny paws. Firmly, Pikachu pushed the device toward Ash as his little eyes drifted shut again.
"Pikachu---" Ash whispered, "I can't. Not even for this fight. You're more important than---than---anything!"
Pikachu's eyes became cross. In fact, it made the Pokémon look so much like Misty, Ash was sure he'd picked it up from his betrothed. And it reminded him of how much Ash had already left behind to pursue this course. The least Ash could do was accept Pikachu's offer to see it through.
Seconds later, Pikachu was safely tucked away inside the device he hated so much. Safe in a sort of stasis field the wondrous machines generated when their charges were badly hurt. Pikachu's sacrifice had bought Ash a few hours, at least. Plenty of time to see Nurse Joy.
Not to mention win this Pokémon battle, big time.
Ash put the Pokéball containing Pikachu on his belt with one hand, double-checking to make sure it locked into place securely. The other hand was busy adding some more water to his jacket's sleeve as Ash wiped his eyes clear.
It seemed the river had eroded some of Giovanni's self-control just as it had the walls of the Dragon Cave. He didn't bother to hide his contempt as he mused, "I can't believe those idiots spent years chasing that Pikachu. Why did they ever think I'd want such a weakling?" At Ash's hard stare, Giovanni straightened a little. "Well, Master Trainer," the elder male wondered, "Are you done 'bonding' with your ever-so-special little friend?"
The taxing day had done Ash's temper no good will either. "And what do you do for your Pokémon? They're just battle machines, I'll bet! It's a wonder they don't all leave you like Mewtwo did!"
Giovanni managed to drop the temperature several degrees by snapping, "People living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, Master Trainer. Do you recall abandoning your entire Johto region team at home just because you wanted some shiny new Hoenn region Pokémon a few years ago? I'd wager Typhlosion there can't forget." In a voice that held very little wonder at all, Giovanni added, "I wonder how that made them feel."
"Maybe," Ash returned quietly, "it made them feel just like Mom when you left."
Giovanni's face turned to stone, narrow eyes glittering. Nidoking started to move forward with an angry grunt, but Giovanni waved him back. Aloud, he observed carefully, "No substitutions. Are you ready to give Typhlosion a battle command now, or do you need a few moments of 'bonding' with that one too?"
Ash backed away a few paces, realizing the chamber wasn't nearly big enough to match a gym's battle floor anyway. As he did so, he snapped, "You know Typhlosion is out so I can see, not battle. If you're going to hold me to that, you'd better go back and get your Parasect. That would've been your first Pokémon then." Grimly, he smiled at Giovanni as he finished, "And that would mean you broke your own rules and have forfeited the match already. Now who's not thinking about their Pokémon battles?"
Giovanni didn't smile and he didn't frown either. But the stiffness in his movements as he backed up to an imitation trainer's floor mark of his own made Ash snap at him smugly, "That's what I thought." Nidoking took his own mark in front of Giovanni as both awaited whichever of Ash's Pokémon the youth would call to battle next.
Ash knew just the Pokémon for the job, too. He reached for his belt.
--Then--
Several days and a lot of grunt work at Delia's bidding later, Oak's fundraising party finally arrived.
Giovanni had gone over the guest list thoroughly. There were a few famous family names in the guest list, even a few out-of-towners, but nobody he'd actually met personally. So he was able to get dressed up and wander freely. Studying himself in the mirror, he sighed anew over having to live with this middle-class stuff for his disguise. He had so many superior offerings at home.
Giovanni picked his way to one side of the house. The party was in the main room, of course. He had to admit that Delia had done a nice job. The buffet was well-stocked and the tables were nicely arranged around a viewscreen for Oak's presentation later. Delia had also splurged on some new velvet curtains. One set screened the mostly work-inhabited lab's balcony above. Across the room, the other was pulled back to allow everyone to see the moonlight through the glass adorning the much larger main balcony, overlooking the ranch. One half of the view was lit by Pallet Town's nightlife; the other was darker as the Pokémon of the ranch went about their nocturnal business.
Less impressive in Giovanni's eyes were the guest themselves. He supposed their wardrobe marked them among Pallet's elite. These name brands were only a slight cut above what he had on, however. A very slight cut. If their clothing was any judge, they didn't have much money to donate. He shook his head.
Spotting Spencer and Delia in a knot of conversation, Giovanni wandered over. As he neared, Giovanni was suddenly aware of this group's attire. Each, including Spencer, was dressed in the very well-to-do style he expected back home. His fellow assistant was enjoying the chat immensely.
Delia stood out from those around her quite well. Not because of her beauty; her dress was just so much plainer than the women around her. Her hair, as elaborate as she'd dared make it, wasn't nearly as fancy as theirs either. Even Delia's best jewelry didn't shine as well.
As Giovanni neared, he caught Delia saying, "---No, I'm afraid I've never been to Greenfield at all, much less the Crystal Palisade. It must be a fantastic resort." She made a nervous little self-effacing gesture with her hands as she spoke.
Unfortunately, Delia's embarrassment wasn't picked up just by Giovanni. The beautiful blonde across from Delia observed snidely, "Well, dear! This must be your date arriving!"
Delia's face reddened. Spencer was quick to clasp her shoulder. Despite his support, Spencer's proximity only underscored the difference between his expensive tuxedo and her dress. Trying to keep the peace but coming off as a little cavalier, Spencer offered, "No, Delia is my companion for the evening. This is our friend, Vance Ketchum."
"How do you do," Giovanni nodded politely to them all.
The blonde couldn't let it go. "Oh. My, your clothes match so well. Spencer, dear, couldn't you bring something from home for your little woman tonight?" She leaned on her boyfriend's arm a little harder. If she was a cheerleader, her date had to be a football star. He laughed nastily right along with her, but a little dimly, as if he didn't really understand all the long words.
Delia was pursing her lips. Spencer slipped an arm around her shoulders, interjecting smoothly, "Delia was far too busy preparing this wonderful party for all of us, Sophie. You should be grateful that she's a very hard-working girl."
"I can see that," Sophie assured one and all, "When was the last time you had a proper manicure, dear?"
Oh boy. Delia was getting hot now. Spencer leaned into her hair, but he didn't really try to lower his voice when he purred in her ear, "Don't mind her, sweetheart. We'll go shopping for some new clothes tomorrow."
That failed to reassure her. Delia broke free of Spencer's grip to stalk, stiffly, away toward the balcony. With a quick "Excuse me, please," to the others, Spencer went off in pursuit.
Which left Giovanni alone with them.
"Sophie, was it? That's a nice dress," he observed casually.
Her demeanor grew a lot warmer as Sophie's gaze roved over Giovanni's chest and shoulders. Smiling, Sophie nodded, "Thank you."
Giovanni added nonchalantly, "For three seasons ago."
Sophie's face fell, then quickly tightened. Her boyfriend noticed the look but was still trying to decipher the words. Had he been insulted, or just her?
"Excuse me," Giovanni nodded to the group again. He left them in his wake in favor of the buffet.
Already Giovanni almost regretted his words. He'd probably cut off any support for Oak from that quarter. And for what? Sticking up for somebody else's girlfriend? A woman he had to constantly remind himself he wasn't very interested in the more he saw of her? Sighing to himself, he wondered if he could cajole Madam Boss into picking up a few tabs through a false front instead.
He realized he could hear voices. He was on the edge of the buffet table set up next to the curtains leading outside. The speakers were muffled by glass, velvet, and distance, but thanks to low background music Giovanni could just make it out. Giovanni suddenly got very picky with loading up his plate so he could catch it all.
Delia charged, "---Why did you say that?"
Spencer returned, "What? Come on, sweetie, I stuck up for you. Would you rather I didn't?"
A bit of pacing on her part nearly drowned out her words for Giovanni. "You agreed with them! 'We'll go shopping!' You didn't have to sound so condescending about my clothes. They didn't even know I was your date! Are you afraid to be seen with me in public or something?"
"No, no," Spencer was quick to say, "Of course not."
Giovanni could almost see the seriousness of her expression in his mind's eye as silence fell with a clang outside. "Then," she challenged, "Why don't we use this wonderful evening to announce our engagement?"
"Engagement?" Spencer repeated, astonished, "Why, Delia, sweetheart, be reasonable. I don't have a ring!"
"True, you don't," she said matter-of-factly, "Since you haven't even mentioned it to me. Not once, in all this time. We've been together since school, Spencer. Did you even think of getting me a ring?"
"I—I didn't think you were interested in going that far!" Spencer interjected, "Aren't you happy with things as is?"
A sudden quavering in Delia's voice warned that tears were threatening to break through. "No, I don't suppose you thought about that either."
"Delia, sweetheart," he cooed. Her sobs were really stifled now. Probably by Spencer's chest and shoulder as she leaned on him. Suddenly angry, he charged her seriously, "You just wait here while I give that witch a piece of my mind. For both of us, okay?"
Giovanni turned his back to the partition just as the glass opened. Spencer never noticed him. He just swept past, scanning the crowd for Sophie. For a split second, Giovanni considered joining him. Sophie's boy toy looked like he could probably take both of them simultaneously if push came to shove.
Instead, he left his full plate behind. Clutching only his drink, Giovanni slipped down to the balcony's middle before entering the night air. Casually, he strolled down the balcony, pretending to enjoy the view aimlessly (and honestly enjoying a breather from the party).
He almost missed her. She'd sat on a stone bench in the lee of the curtains, turning herself into little more than a shadow. In fact it was the glimmer of tears on her cheeks that let Giovanni know she hadn't escaped inside.
"Oh!" he said with actual surprise, "Forgive my intrusion---Delia, is that you?"
She quickly wiped her tears away and forced a smile. The moonlight bleached her fair skin into porcelain. Delia's hair and lips were dark shapes clinging to her softly. When she spoke, her clean white teeth flashed gently. "Yes, it's just me, Vance. Don't mind me, I have to go back in anyway." Delia stood quickly.
"No, wait," he took a half-step between her and the glass partition, cutting off her escape with polite firmness. "Here," Giovanni continued, "Have a little punch. Just catch your breath for a moment."
Her hands shook badly as she took his cup. Giovanni automatically reached out, steadying her grip with his own. At his touch, Delia grew quite still.
Slowly, he helped her drink. Delia was staring up at him like she'd never seen him before in her life. For his part, Giovanni found her face absolutely magnetic. Her look hadn't gotten any more expensive, of course, but somehow it was just so right for her. Her hair was pulled up just enough; the drying tears added just the proper glitter to her cheekbones; her lips had forsaken the cup to just sit there parted very slightly as she breathed.
Her lips.
He froze, remembering his mission, remembering all he'd lose, if he leaned forward just a few more inches to kiss those perfect lips.
Suddenly coming to herself, Delia stepped around him. "Thank you, Vance," she nearly dropped the glass as she pressed it back into his hands, "For the drink. You're a true friend, yes. A friend." Then she disappeared inside, just that quick.
Giovanni leaned on the balcony's rail, studying the lipstick smeared on his cup intently. He supposed Madam Boss would be proud of his renewed resolve. Better to turn back from blowing it, no matter how close you came, right?
His lack of solace in that thought was neatly reflected by hurling the glass off the balcony. The way it shattered below was much, much more satisfying.
Text, original characters, and events Copyright © 2006 Keith E. Kimball. This is a fan work and not for profit.
All other characters, events, and trademarks Copyright © their respective holders including but not limited to Nintendo Company Ltd., GameFreak, The Pokémon Company, Shogakukan Production Inc., 4Kids Entertainment, etc.