Now
As they fell down the waterfall, the unbalanced group pitched forward. Blastoise's biocannons reappeared, once more spewing a furious Hydro Pump to slow their fall. For most of their plunge, it worked. With only six feet to go, Typhlosion lost his grip on Blastoise's smooth, wet shell. Everyone fell apart and into a small lake fed by the same waterfall they'd plunged down.
Blastoise was back to the surface in an instant, securing his master and Typhlosion, before powering toward shore. The beefy Water-Type put his charges down quickly and raced back into the waves for Giovanni and Persian.
Ash moaned and sat up. Mom was gonna kill him. His tux was a total loss. At least a quick check of his inner lapel and belt revealed all his stuff had miraculously stayed with him again.
A series of resounding screeches drew Ash's attention. Blastoise had stomped back onto the narrow beach, clutching Giovanni and Persian under each arm. Persian was absolutely beside himself. The soaked slash cat was spitting and shrieking; twisting and turning; only Blastoise's thick shell was preventing him from being mauled to pieces. Blastoise set them both down.
Instantly Persian was on the opposite side of Giovanni from Blastoise. With a last disdainful flick of his tail for his rescuer, Persian began trying to lick his clumpy, dripping fur back into place. Giovanni was trying to pull himself together too, coughing out bits of the Dragon Cave and smoothing his badly damaged suit. It was hard to say which horribly disheveled personage was clinging to their tattered dignity more.
Ash ignored them in favor of turning to his own Pokémon. Typhlosion was soaked through and through, but no trace of anger showed this time. Instead he and Blastoise gripped each other's forelimbs firmly, eyes shining with mutual respect and brotherly love at their near escape. Then Typhlosion broke the clench, giving Blastoise a good-natured slap on the shoulder.
Relieved that his friends had buried the hatchet so fast, Ash glanced back to their erstwhile opponents. Giovanni had moved off across the grassy field, accompanied by the still-preening Persian. Ash turned back to his Pokémon to observe, very loudly, "Thanks for saving us, guys!" Then he glared over his shoulder, waiting to see if Giovanni could at least be polite.
Very carefully, Giovanni refastened his suit's lapels as he observed, "I do see the most interesting places whenever you're around, Master Trainer. First a volcano, now a cavernous waterfall. What beautiful, exotic locale do you intend us to fall off next?"
"You and Nidoking started it this time," Ash returned hotly.
Giovanni almost shrugged. "Then if you're ready, it's time to finish it."
Ash waved Typhlosion to the rear. The Fire-Type could use the extra time outside of his Pokéball to finish drying off. Blastoise, of course, stepped ahead of his master and into position. Ash could only grit his teeth with frustration at not being allowed substitutions as he watched Blastoise move. Between battling earlier and saving all their bacon a few minutes ago, Blastoise was exhausted.
Yet Ash didn't need to see the Pokémon's eyes behind his sunglasses to know Blastoise would rather go down fighting. Belying his shaking limbs, Blastoise reared back and bellowed a challenge so loud he sent the lake's surface skipping. Ash added, "Body Slam, Blastoise!"
In an off-hand manner, Giovanni commanded, "Persian, Thunderbolt, please."
Persian's unblinking gaze focused on Ash. Ash gulped as the image of the vengeful Normal-Type cutting him to ribbons leapt to mind.
But Persian was too professional to attack the opposing trainer directly; in a Gym Match at least. Luckily for Ash. The Thunderbolt snapped and cracked; Blastoise collapsed onto his broad back. As Ash ran to comfort his friend, Persian went back to licking his fur straight in a highly contemptuous fashion.
It was Ash's turn to clasp Blastoise's clawed hand firmly. "I can't thank you enough, old buddy," Ash stooped a little more to pick up the dislodged sunglasses. "No matter what else happens today, I'll be around to see tomorrow thanks to you. Again." Gently, he pushed the sunglasses back into their rightful place as Blastoise's eyes shone.
His Pokéball scooped up Blastoise and his eyewear alike for a very well-deserved rest. For a couple of seconds, Ash considered which remaining team member to send in. Typhlosion eagerly stepped up, barking, "Typhlosion!" and puffing up his chest. The shrew's impressive body heat had dried him out completely already.
Ash bit his lip. "Sorry, buddy, I can't. Ground-Types, remember?"
Typhlosion visibly deflated. With big eyes, the Fire-Type whined a couple of times, too quietly for Giovanni to hear from there. Firmly, Ash reminded, "There's been enough sacrifices today, remember? Let's make sure none of them were in vain." Evidently Typhlosion couldn't argue with that logic. He quit begging and returned to his Pokéball meekly.
Facing his opponent once more, Ash called out, "Venusaur, I choose you!"
The large, flat quadruped reptile appeared in a menacing crouch, growling low in his throat as he shook himself angrily. The large palm tree growing from his back rattled with the sound of dead leaves stirring in the fall breeze. Venusaur's huge eyes were narrowed with the intensity of a laser.
"Venusaur, Razor Leaf!" Ash commanded.
For his part, Giovanni responded, "Persian, use Slash."
Venusaur's upper ring of palm fronds parted to reveal rows of half-formed yet razor-edged leaves. With a flick of his tree, the half Grass-Type sent a barrage of them soaring across the field. The attack cut deeply---into the ground where Persian had been. In one smooth leap, Persian evaded the Razor Leaf and closed the distance on his opponent. Persian's forepaws cut twice, drawing large symmetrical gashes in Venusaur's side.
"Venusaur!" Ash's Pokémon groaned in pain.
"Try Body Slam!" Ash ordered.
For once, Persian wasn't fast enough. Leafy tentacles snaked out from Venusaur's branches to ensnare Persian's wrists like a cowboy tying up his young Tauros. A quick snap of the tentacles later and Persian was halfway back to Giovanni before the Normal-Type slammed back to earth. Persian yowled piteously.
"Free yourself, Persian. Bite Attack," Giovanni prompted.
Here Ash had thought nothing could be sharper than Persian's claws. But judging by how fast Venusaur let go, Persian's maw was no place to find part of yourself. Thinking he had a second while Persian got his paws under him again, Venusaur sucked his tentacles back to kiss their wounds gently.
He didn't have the second. Persian was up and moving at Giovanni's cry of, "Slash Attack, now!"
Venusaur's tentacles snapped out, trying to form a barrier between them, but Persian's dancing blades cut through. Persian lit into Venusaur in a spray of sap-like blood and shredded leaves. Venusaur actually backed up from the furious assault, moaning. His hindquarters fell to their knees and Venusaur found himself looking through his non-blackened eye at his gloating opponent.
Sensing victory as well, Giovanni permitted a tiny smile to grace his cold visage. "Finish it, Persian. Another Slash, if you please."
But Ash could only smile back, sure that his ace would play well in this particular hole. "Venusaur, use Giga Drain!"
As Venusaur's tentacles closed in, Persian got to work slashing them out of the way once more. Yet his earlier effort were catching up with the Normal-Type; his furious strokes slowed. Suddenly Venusaur had Persian firmly ensnared in an iron grip. Little barbs in the tentacles slid out and beneath Persian's skin. The cat yowled once more as the Giga Drain literally sapped his strength to replenish Venusaur's own.
"Bite Attack!" Giovanni reminded.
One good chomp later and Persian had his freedom once more. Venusaur backed up, giving his unsteady foe an one-eyed appraisal. Persian hissed once; a menacing promise. Then the cat, with the highest degree of disdain possible, turned his back to Venusaur and curled up for a nap.
"Venusaur!" the Grass-Type bellowed angrily. Without waiting for a command, he reached out swiftly for a little revenge.
Giovanni returned his beaten Pokémon to his Pokéball in a flash of light.
Denied, Venusaur snorted.
Ash got in a jibe of his own by saying, "Two for two, dear ol' Dad. Which Ground-Type are you going to send out now?" He stepped forward a little, laying his hand on Venusaur's side. As if Giovanni needed a reminder of the power Grass-Types had over his preferred choice of Pokémon.
Giovanni had reined in his earlier exuberance to restore his cold mask to its place. "Truly," Giovanni observed, "Your arrogance knows no bounds, Master Trainer. If I wasn't used to facing elemental types strong against Ground, then my Pokémon wouldn't know moves like Thunderbolt and Surf, would they? Or even…" He paused as he pulled his next Pokéball out.
The female counterpart to his Nidoking appeared in a blaze of glory. Nidoqueen was slightly smaller overall, blue instead of purple, and her horns were only half her boyfriend's size. But her frame was packed just as tight with muscle, culminating in legs and a tail each thicker than Ash's whole body. She didn't bother with a macho display like her teammates did. She didn't need to. Nidoqueen simply loomed ominously across the battlefield at her foes.
Ash started to sweat. Yes, Nidoqueen was a Ground-Type. But only half. Like Venusaur, she was also half-Poison. The complex elemental combinations possible from two dual-type Pokémon on the field added up to one thing right now: Venusaur's Grass moves would be severely weakened. And if Nidoqueen had an attack of another type that beat Grass yet was neutral to Poison, like, say…
Giovanni finally finished, "…Ice Beam, now!"
"Nidoqueen!" she snapped and lowered her head. Energy focused in her central horn, then blasted out from her forehead with a bone-cold crackle.
And Ash saw his chance. If Venusaur could only survive long enough to exploit it. "Dodge it, Venusaur!"
Desperately, Venusaur tucked limbs and palm tree alike against his body to roll sideways. Nidoqueen's Ice Beam chased him for a few yards before she paused to catch her breath. Venusaur stood and bellowed, sure by the glint in his master's eye that Ash was onto something.
He was. "Venusaur, use Mimic! Ice Beam, now!"
Venusaur reached within and centered himself. For an instant, the Grass-Type used his deeply rooted connection to the world around him. His mind flowed over the grass quick-frozen by Nidoqueen's assault. He studied it, analyzed it, and in the devastation saw how it was done. No to mention how to do it himself, for a time at least.
The green behemoth leaned forward, allowing the bole of his tree to become a cannon's barrel. No cries of rage or battle; Venusaur held onto his eerie calm even as the Ice Beam burst forth from his fronds.
"Nidoqueen, Ice Beam!" Giovanni roared.
Both Pokémon were fresh (thanks to Giga Drain, at least) and determined to end the battle at last. Their blasts met in the middle. Sprays of ice sawed off the competing beams, chewing angrily at each other for dominance. Each trainer egged their partner on, and the battling titans poured on the juice. Fog quickly formed to spread from the center of their assault across the battlefield.
Ash couldn't see the beams, but he trusted Venusaur to keep the fight going. His faith was not misplaced. Still calm, still assured, Venusaur's chin was resting against his curled forelimbs to save his energy. He allowed his tree to whip back and forth instead, parrying Nidoqueen's efforts steadily.
Meanwhile, both Nidoqueen and her trainer's composure was starting to fade. "Nidoqueen!" Giovanni snapped, "Quit fooling around and end this!" Between blasts, Nidoqueen threw a glance to her master. Was it just the fog between them clouding his view, or did Ash see fear in her eyes? Not of himself or Venusaur; of her own master.
Giovanni saw him looking. And the look of pity in Ash's eyes inflamed Giovanni's own.
Together, the humans cried, "Ice Beam, now!"
The Pokémons' beams stabbed out, one last time.
Nidoqueen's shaky assault went wild.
Venusaur smoothly, calmly coated Nidoqueen with ice from heel to chin.
The ice froze solid near instantly. "Nidoqueen, break free," Giovanni snapped, "Body Slam!"
Nidoqueen's massive bulk strained and heaved, but the ice enclosing her was relentless in its grip. She turned her head, wide-eyed, to her master.
Giovanni's anger smoldered in his eyes, in his swift and angry steps toward her. "Break free, I said!" he roared, his hands raised into clawed fists as if he would shatter the ice with his own bare hands if she couldn't. Maybe break Nidoqueen's face too.
The huge, mighty Nidoqueen whimpered before Giovanni's familiar rage. She turned away from him now, eyes squeezed tightly shut.
Through the drifting fog, Ash's voice cut firmly. "Leave her alone. It's over. Recall your Pokémon." His own Pokémon echoed him firmly, "Venus!"
Giovanni tried to pull himself together, but there was something manic and fierce in his gaze. "Oh, no, Master Trainer," his voice was oddly strained, "You'll never get anywhere in life doing things halfway. Finish it, if you've got the guts!"
Ash's jaw dropped.
Venusaur, maintaining his Mimic-induced calm once more, rustled his leaves as he waited for his friend's orders.
Impatiently, Giovanni prompted, "Go ahead! Prove yourself a Pokémon Master! You've already left behind your bride, your mother, everything you value most to face me today! For both our sakes', finish it!"
For a second Ash's anger flared again. "I'm not like you! I didn't just leave them! I left Mom and Misty behind because I love them! Because I'd do anything rather than see you hurt them!" Realizing he was gasping for breath, Ash paused to catch it. But he couldn't resist one last jab. "That's right! I care what happens to them! Besides, Misty was sick!"
Surprise chased away Giovanni's rage momentarily. "Sick?" he echoed, "Like what? Vomiting?"
"Yeah," Ash confirmed.
Giovanni continued, "But no fever?"
"No fever," Ash said.
Giovanni added, "No chills either?"
"No, none of that," Ash responded, feeling like he'd had this conversation before, "It's just teleport sickness."
Giovanni actually laughed. It was a cold, mocking sound; somehow angry and desperate at the same time. Wiping a tear from his eye, Giovanni managed to say, "No it isn't! It's morning sickness! She's pregnant, you moron! Pregnant! And you left! Just like I did, all those years ago! You…you think you're better than me! And you did the same bloody thing! Oh, ha-ha, that is truly rich!"
Suddenly, in that instant, Ash saw the man facing him. Truly saw him. Or, rather, saw himself standing across the field. And that realization made him rock back on his heels.
"I'm just like you," Ash whispered to himself in his astonishment, "It's too late already…I'm just like you…selfish…"
In an instant Venusaur leaned on him, Typhlosion on his other side. Sneasel wound gently around his feet, purring softly and making it hard to stay up. He couldn't speak their language, but he knew each and every Pokémon was cooing soft comfort. And it sent his mind back.
Remembering. How many days of his life had been spent with them? Rainy days, sunny days. Sometimes training hard for battle, sometimes just kickin' back for some fun together. They'd tasted victory and defeat alike more times than he could hope to count. And each time, he'd thanked them for working with him. He'd praised them, and said this would be the last time he'd ask so much of them. Until the next time, and the time after that.
Not to mention his human friends. Just one more trip, guys, just one more place to see. One more adventure, just bear with me again, Misty---Brock---May---Tracey---
Because I do love you all in the end.
His jaw clenched. "Venusaur, let's finish it."
Surprised, Venusaur choked, "Venus?"
Ash smiled to add, "My way."
Venusaur nodded and stepped away.
"Venusaur, Body Slam!---Gently!" Ash commanded.
Softly, Venusaur reached out to lightly tip Nidoqueen onto her side.
Giovanni was beside himself. "She's still conscious! I said finish it! Or do you forfeit the match!"
Quietly, Ash began recalling his Pokémon to their respective Pokéballs. "I won, fair and square, and you know it. That's the best you're gonna get." Done with his task, he faced Giovanni's rage squarely with calm pity. "I don't care if you don't live up to your end of the bargain. I didn't really expect you to, anyway. You're a liar through and through."
Giovanni sputtered, trying to come up with the best expression of hate for the situation.
Smoothly, Ash intercepted him with, "You've been right about a lot of things today. I'll never be perfect, but I'll try my best to be better to everybody I love from now on. And I'll always be a sight better than you. At least I have people and Pokémon who love me back; despite myself, sometimes."
Astounded, Giovanni turned to Nidoqueen for support. Still she refused to face him, still she whimpered slightly in anticipation of his punishment. And it wasn't the slowly melting ice making watery tracks down her usually-fierce visage. It was her tears.
Ash, shaking his head slowly, said, "You've earned everything you've got in your life today. I hope you're happy with it. I really do." A light wind began lifting the fog away as Ash turned his back on his father. Smoothly, he walked away and without a backward glance.
--Then--
A few hours later, Giovanni and Oak were on the beach of Sternbreak Island.
A quick radio call ahead to Shell Rock Town on the mainland had confirmed that the hurricane had kept going out to sea after hitting the island. Emergency services had things pretty well in hand on shore, so Oak was convinced that Mew had moved on too. Sternbreak was a fairly active volcanic site which left it uninhabited; by humans at least. The professor hoped Mew might still be on the isle, helping out wild Pokémon who had found themselves victims of the hurricane's fury.
Privately, Giovanni was still convinced that any humans who'd encountered Mew were still breathing just because they hadn't tried to capture it. Not liking the idea of confronting a furious Pokémon over open ocean if Mew was still riding the hurricane's coattails, Giovanni had gone along with Oak's theory.
Now he was eyeing their rented boat and wondering if a change in plans wasn't in order. Naturally, there wasn't any airstrip to land Madam Boss' jet on the island, so they'd had to get the boat. Perhaps he should suggest to Oak that the professor remain while he go back for the jet and a little aerial reconnaissance. Sternbreak was bigger than he'd thought and time was wasting.
This plan in mind, Giovanni began picking his way along the rocky shore, looking for the older man. This side of the island was rough-hewn to start with; full of rocky little inlets and sharp hills. The hurricane's passage had only made it worse. A few mini-rockslides and downed palm trees obstructing his path slowed Giovanni greatly as he searched for his companion.
He picked the wrong bit of fallen rocks to try and cross. They gave under his weight. His flashlight went flying from his grip. Giovanni slipped onto his butt, then rode the slope right down into the water. Hitting the bottom, Giovanni yelped with pain; the waves were only inches deep. And loaded with sharp coral. Giovanni felt the back of his legs and his rear gingerly. He could feel blood there, but not much.
Satisfied that the incident was more a blow to his pride than his body, Giovanni glanced around as he stood up. He'd fallen into a little cul-de-sac looking out onto the water. There was his flashlight. Good thing the waves weren't very deep here after all. Giovanni walked over and reached down for it.
The flashlight flew into the air on strings of pink energy. Giovanni blinked. Like a puppeteer with her marionette, the small Pokémon drew the flashlight into her grip overhead. Intent on the device, the creature floated nonchalantly in midair as he stared.
It had to be Mew, was all he could think of. Repeatedly the thought chased through his mind as he watched her. Yes, her. Somehow he knew that too. She was so tiny. How could something barely a foot tall be known for her strength? And she was so…so…cute. That was the only word that fit. Pink and fuzzy and just so cuddly. Big blue eyes on a catlike face, staring down into the flashlight clutched in her short forepaws. Her legs were longer and capped with little white pads on the backs of her toes. Mew swished her thin, sinuous tail as she clicked the flashlight on and off a few times. "Mew! Mew!" she chuckled happily at her new toy. Even her voice was sweet.
Ah, Giovanni suddenly knew what he was looking at. This was a young creature. Yes, yes, that had to be it. Surely the legendary Pokémon grew much bigger than that. This was a wonderful chance to capture a vulnerable, immature Mew and study her lifecycle as she grew. And who knew what more powerful form (or, dare he think it, forms?) Mew could evolve into?
The vision of his future danced before him. Hands trembling, Giovanni slowly reached for the Pokéballs at his waist.
As he did, Mew seemed to really notice him for the first time. Halfway to his Pokéball, Giovanni's hand froze. His eyes widened as Mew's gaze flickered between Giovanni and the flashlight. Mew flew right up into his face.
Giovanni gasped and fell backwards, both hands raised in a futile attempt to ward off her attack. He'd been too slow, he cursed himself, now he'd die at Mew's feet just like Jane had long ago; fools both!
But all he heard was an inquisitive, "Mew?" Instead of an attack, all he felt was his flashlight gently pressed back into his hands. Giovanni dared open his eyes.
Mew was studying the wounds on his legs now. Her tiny brow furrowed; waves of energy rippled out from her small body. Wherever they touched on Giovanni's form, the cuts and bruises vanished as if they'd never been.
The longer he stared at Mew, the bigger Giovanni's eyes got and the whiter his face became. "No, it can't be," he whispered more to himself than to her, "It can't be---the most powerful Pokémon of them all---cannot also be the kindest, the gentlest---"
"Mew?" she put tiny paws on tiny hips, as if she'd really said, Why not?
Giovanni cried, "Get away from me!" as he splashed to his feet. Mew backed up a few feet, casting him a reproachful look at his way of thanking her. Giovanni felt a deep stab of guilt at that. He shoved it away, trying to drum up his earlier determination. "You're my one-way ticket to the top of the world, Mew!" Actually saying it helped.
The wheels began turning. Once again, the vision of the future he wanted so desperately appeared before him. Himself once more, Giovanni smiled brittlely at the Pokémon. "If you think I'm wasting this chance, you're sadly mistaken."
Mew did indeed seem to grow very sad at his words.
Giovanni cried, "Go, Scyther! Fury Cutter!" as he pulled the Pokéball from his belt.
Or tried to, anyway. Giovanni tugged at the Pokéball, but it must've gotten jammed into the belt's holder when he fell. It just wouldn't come loose. Switching Pokéballs, Giovanni yelled, "Gengar, I choose you!" He couldn't get that one free either. In fact, judging by how firmly his Pokémon team was stuck to his side, Giovanni doubted he could pry them loose with a crowbar.
Realizing what was happening, Giovanni turned his helpless rage toward the cause of it. "You!" he charged Mew fiercely, "You're doing this, aren't you!"
"Mew," she assured him firmly and quite unnecessarily. Then she spun around to float slowly away, completely untouched, toward the open ocean.
The wheels of his mind thrust the vision of his future back to him. Giovanni couldn't give up, he was so close! A different strategy was called for. Yes, yes, if it had worked on Madam Boss' heart of stone, surely this goody-goody Pokémon would soften.
For the second time in his life, not to mention that evening, Giovanni fell to his knees. "Please, Mew," he begged. Begged even harder than he had with Madam Boss. "Please come back with me."
Surprised, Mew paused and looked back. Now it was her turn to have wide eyes.
Giovanni tried to pour it on. But the false pathos wouldn't come. Instead, after months and months of constant pretending, he found the truth breaking forth through the mighty dam of his self-control. "Please! My wife, my son! For their sakes, I need this!"
Mew cocked her head to one side, pondering.
Hope rose in Giovanni's chest. "You'll do it, won't you? For them? Please?"
The vision of his future grew painfully bright in his mind. Never before had it been so close, so detailed, so real---
And it was, he realized, tainted pink.
Mew was not a fool. The telepathic Pokémon was testing the truth of his words. And he had left the doorway to his mind wide open with his earnest plea. He remained rooted to the spot, the curious feeling of Mew rifling through his consciousness transfixing him. It didn't hurt at all, she was so gentle; but it certainly felt strange.
For an instant the vision of his future warbled in his mind's eye. Giovanni turned his attention back to it. At first glance, it remained the same as always. He still smiled to legions of Team Rocket members at his beck and call. Madam Boss still passed the torch proudly at one side. And on the other---
No one.
"What!" he barked in reality, "Why!"
Mew's face only grew sadder. She started floating backwards swiftly, and Giovanni knew she only wished to spare him more pain. His rage returned; deep, black, and full. "No! I have been honest with you! Finish it!"
Mew did so. She was not predicting the future so much, Giovanni realized, as merely stripping away his fantasies. Mew projected the truth into his mind and he knew it was so, even as he saw it written there.
He was guilty of the same thing Spencer had been. He knew Delia, knew her quite well. And had ignored the obvious facts about what she could and could not do.
He could probably get Delia to appreciate a rich, fancy lifestyle, yes. Everyone had a little greed, a little pride. But she would never stand for anything Team Rocket did. Her inner strength, her clarity of purpose, her honesty, and her love for everything in all the world; these were the things that set her apart from every other woman Giovanni had ever known.
And these very things that had attracted him to her meant she had no more evil in her soul than Mew did.
In fact, if Delia knew what he was, she would be horrified. Repulsed! Disgusted!
She might even openly oppose Team Rocket. Report him to the cops, the feds, somebody. Or, perhaps, Delia would fight him directly. Herself.
Perhaps the best he could hope for would be that Delia might try to turn him away to a new life on the straight and narrow path. For real this time.
And a path he simply did not want to take.
Madam Boss was dying. He couldn't leave his mother, let her dreams perish with her, give up all his riches and glory!
The wheels turned, offering one last defense. But no. He couldn't just keep fooling Delia. The truth would come out at some point; it had to. They were married; they had a son. It wasn't like fooling Oak. And his fears would be made real on the day Delia learned the truth.
If he couldn't have Delia, then he might as well have Team Rocket.
For whatever cold comfort it would provide.
Somewhere in the darkest depths of himself, Giovanni filed away the second reason he wouldn't continue the charade with Delia. She had always been honest with him. She deserved it in return.
Jane had been right. Her life, and death, had provided Giovanni with an example of what not to do. Yet he'd made the same mistakes she had. The best he could do now was follow her last example; he too would have to give his child up. Start fresh.
Silent tears traced their way down the cheeks of human and Pokémon alike.
Oak's voice above broke the silence. "Vance! Where are you! The hurricane has circled back, we've got to go! Vance!"
Mew looked up sharply. Not toward Oak's distant call, but toward the whirling storm clouds that had appeared overhead in seconds. Before even the Pokémon could react, the hurricane's fury roared across the beach. The winds, funneled by the narrow cul-de-sac, dashed Giovanni back and forth against the walls. His scream was snatched away by the howling storm.
Mew blasted into the skies, throwing herself headlong into the hurricane. For a moment the tiny pink spark danced, nearly smothered by the roiling blackness. Then the racing winds slowed; the rain dribbled away; the lightning stopped its dance. Swiftly, firmly, the hurricane became a lesser tropical storm. Then a rainshower, then a mere sprinkle. Finally the last remnants of the storm gently blew those final clouds away.
The stars glittered overhead, crisp and clear to the horizon now. Mew floated back down, but not toward Giovanni. Over further on the beach. Despite his wounds, Giovanni clambered up and over the rock wall to follow her.
As he'd suspected, Oak lay on the sand in a heap. Mew tended his wounds gently. She didn't even seem to be exerting herself yet, Giovanni noted with awe. As for Oak, he remained unconscious. That didn't surprise Giovanni. He'd been badly battered by the storm. Combined with the sudden reversal of his wounds, not matter how gently Mew did it, the old man would probably need awhile to recover from the trauma.
Even as she worked on Oak, Mew spared a little psychic energy to see to Giovanni's treatment. He considered physically grabbing her and trying to stuff her in an empty Pokéball after all. Mew threw him a warning glance. Remembering the hurricane's demise, he took her seriously.
Soon Giovanni lifted Oak into the boat. Mew had even pulled it up from the bottom of the bay for him, before she left. Giovanni piloted it far to the side of Shell Rock Town. There, the lights of the little town would guide Oak to safety when he awakened. Giovanni left the professor on the beach and not the boat, lest the tide take him out after all.
With that, Vance Ketchum died. And with him, the vision of his future.
As for himself, Giovanni picked his way to the modest little airstrip. The jet and her crew waited patiently for him. Soon he would stop in Pallet Town, but only to pick up his mother. Then it was on to Viridian City and the future waiting for him there.
Madam Boss had been right too. The choice had always been his, and it was very final indeed. She kept her word. She honored it by never asking him about what had happened that day. Not once, up through the day she died almost a month later.
The first thing Giovanni did after her funeral was assign some of his brokers to permanently monitor Vance Ketchum's trust fund. It was in Delia's name now, of course. It wasn't a huge portfolio or a flashy one. He ordered them to make only modest, solid investments so as not to waste it. The money earned should be just enough that she might not have to work again unless she wanted to. Certainly, enough to take care of her and her son, until perhaps he went to college.
The next task Giovanni set himself was contacting certain researchers on Cinnabar Island. Their work was very interesting. They were attempting to bring back extinct species of Pokémon via cloning. Perhaps, if Mew society made them all such good-hearted busybodies, Giovanni could one day have a Mew he could mold and shape to his own heart's desires from its birth forward. If the continued attempts to capture a wild one, or any other infamous Pokémon, kept failing, anyway.
His final order on his first day was something of a whim. If pressed, Giovanni would be at a loss to say exactly what sparked the idea. Nevertheless, he sent a large team off to investigate the last known coordinates of Jane Miyamoto, high in the frozen Andes Mountains of South America.
After all, her body had never been recovered.
Now
A single black helicopter appeared some distance away.
Curious, Ash found he could only increase his walking speed a little. The day had exhausted him. Not to mention how he was a little reluctant to present himself just then. He had to look like a pile of Miltank dung. Tux ripped to shreds, hair disheveled, filthy down to his pores, and striding out of a mixture of icy fog with rocky cave dust.
The helicopter settled and disgorged a pair of burly dudes in black. Swiftly, they set a red-haired burden down between them. A medium-sized cage was placed beside their captive. Then, to Ash's astonishment, the copter reclaimed its charges before vanishing over the treetops.
Ash found the strength to run over after all. On his knees, he took Misty's shoulders to his chest to begin untying her hands. "Misty!" he cried, "Say something! Are you okay?" She'd been tied up, but wasn't gagged. Strange. Ash sniffed as he tugged her out of her restraints. No sign of a Spore Attack; perhaps Misty had fallen victim to a Hypnosis assault. He paused in freeing her to pull her eyelid open. Misty's pupil dilated at him sluggishly. Yeah, Hypnosis had to be it.
By the time he had her hands unbound, Misty was woozily trying to straighten up and tug her feet free herself. "Ash," she slurred at him, "Where's everybody? Togetic?"
From the cage nearby, Togetic chirped reassuringly. Ash didn't notice Mimey slumped, still unconscious, in the cage behind him.
Ash glanced at Misty's waist. Her captors had clamped a police-issue restraint collar around her belt and the Pokéballs clipped to it. No unauthorized Pokémon appearances, even without their trainer to order them, please. He couldn't actually see them to count their number for certain, but the care taken to leave her in good health made Ash say firmly, "They're all here, Misty, all your Pokémon are here. Everything's just fine."
And looking at her waist reminded him of Giovanni's words.
His reassuring grin at her suddenly grew very silly. "Wow---I don't believe it! We're going to have a baby! I just can't believe it! But you're okay, everything's gonna be okay now---"
Misty gently clasped the sides of Ash's face with both hands. "Ash," she said, her own cheeks flushing a little, "Ash, listen to me."
"What?" he paused in working on her feet.
"I'm not pregnant," she responded firmly, "It really is just teleport sickness. I tested myself at Delia's house." He looked so crestfallen that tears appeared in her eyes as Misty added, "Oh, I knew you'd think that! Don't worry, don't worry!" Now her warm smile belied her tears. "We'll just have to keep trying, won't we?"
Reassured, Ash piped up, "Yeah. Yeah, I guess we will." She was free, and Ash took her in his arms for a passionate kiss.
But when they separated, Ash looked a little cross. "Hey, you mean Mom had a pregnancy test handy? What did she have that for?"
Misty was spared replying as a loud thud sounded nearby and the couple jumped.
It was Giovanni's Parasect, throw onto its back, quite unconscious. It looked like somebody had beaten it so with their bare hands. No, her hands. Right behind the Pokémon was Clair, astride her freshly-landed Dragonite, looking like she was going to spit a Dragonbreath Attack herself. "So!" the warrior woman snarled, "Think you can demolish the Dragon Cave and everything around it, do you? Think again!"
The wave of her arm took in the countryside, which was still belching smoke into the air as other parts of the cave crumbled. The last of the Ice Beam fog swirled around her, casting strange highlights on her sharply angled face. Doubtless the disturbance had led Clair here just as it had the mysterious helicopter. She continued roaring, "Your little friends might've escaped, but this is it for you! Dragonite, let's go! Dragonbreath, now!"
Ash jumped to his feet, crying, "Wait, Clair! It's me! Ash! Wait!"
Clair's blue eyes narrowed, "Ash? Ash Ketchum?" Realization dawning, she swung off her mount. "Misty Williams? What in the world of Pokémon happened to you! Are you two all right?" Clair leaned down from her imposing height to help Misty to her feet. She found herself holding Ash up somewhat too.
Instead of Ash, another male voice answered Clair's query softly. "I believe this is for you, Master Trainer." And this time, perhaps forever more, the title was bereft of any irony.
Giovanni passed over a holocard recorder he'd plucked from the grass without another word. Togetic, released from his cage by Giovanni as well, flapped up to peer over Ash and Misty's shoulders as the young man activated it.
Lawrence III appeared in miniature atop the card. He bowed as deeply and graciously as his cane would allow. "Mr. Ketchum, Ms. Williams," he said politely, "I hope this message finds you in good health, despite the sizable hole in the battle room's floor. Perhaps you'll grace me with an explanation for your actions when next we meet. Provided that Gym Leader Clair doesn't execute you outright for damaging her gym, of course. She can be rather severe." Lawrence III gave his death's head grin again.
"At least," Lawrence III continued, "I am assured of your good health, Ms. Williams. Several handy sport drinks should have restored some hydration to your system. May I suggest you make a stop at the nearest hospital for your own safety? I do apologize to you; it was quite unseemly to take a prisoner in such ill health. Thus you have been freed to make amends."
Ash got a sinking feeling in his gut that said where this was going.
Lawrence III didn't disappoint him. "Alas, your companion was in far better condition. I do believe Delia Ketchum will be keeping me company for some time. Really, my gain for certain; she seems to be quite a delightful woman." The scope of the recording changed; Lawrence III's face overshadowed the rest of him as it grew to life-size proportions. "Consider this an invitation, Mr. Ketchum. I'll see you soon, I'm sure."
Ash's fist automatically went through the hologram. Essentially harmless, but it did disperse the nasty smile on Lawrence III's face. Ash got some satisfaction from that.
Clair maintained her firm grip on the couple's waists. "Let me get you two over to the hospital," she ordered gravely.
"No time," Ash automatically countered.
For a response, Clair simply let go of Ash. He tumbled into an exhausted heap at her feet. Eyebrow raising, the Dragon Lady promptly pulled him back up. "Really? Are you sure?" she said without sarcasm.
Ash sighed through gritted teeth, "You're right, Clair, you're right. Let's go."
"Besides," Misty prompted, "We don't know where Lawrence III set up shop after Sternbreak Island. We'll have to track him down first anyway."
Very quietly, Giovanni offered, "I may be able to help with that."
All three of his fellow humans really noticed he was there for the first time.
A bit self-consciously, Giovanni straightened his shoulders. "I still have some…connections." After making sure a revived Mimey was steady at his side, Giovanni dared look into Ash's eyes squarely. "I will help. If you'll let me."
Misty and Clair alike held their breath, although the older woman wasn't sure why.
"For Mom's sake," Ash held out his hand.
Giovanni shook it firmly.
The deal done and with Nidoqueen and Parasect already returned to their Pokéballs, the men waited as Clair helped Misty onto Dragonite. Clair glanced at Giovanni, observing, "Didn't you used to be the Viridian Gym Leader? Giovanni, right? I don't think I ever caught your full name." At his nod, she offered a quick handshake of her own. Still, Clair wondered, "What brought you here?"
Without blinking a eyelash, Giovanni began lying. "Master Ketchum and I were tracking agents of Lawrence's Army---"
Ash stepped inbetween them. "Clair, I'll tell you what really went down, once Misty's safe, I swear. Okay?"
"Okay," she responded, her steely eyes flicking back and forth between Ash and Giovanni's faces, "But don't you try to weasel out of it, Ash Ketchum." Her words were meant as a very real warning, but the look in Ash's eyes let Clair know she shouldn't have bothered. She softened, at least as much as Clair ever did. Ash would tell her, no matter how painful it might be for him.
Or, Giovanni winced as he saddled up, for him. The former Gym Leader had plenty of time to study Clair's muscular back morosely as Dragonite winged his way toward Blackthorn City.
Wait a minute! It can't be over already! Oh, no, I shouldn't have used my omniscient powers as the Narrator to let you all see Giovanni's past yet! I've jumped the gun and used up too much of our time together. Oh, Raticates! Curse my curiosity!
Before even Ash and Misty know all the details, too. My, my, my! I am rusty, I must pull myself together!
Ahem! What could Lawrence III have up his sleeve for our heroes? Where could he possibly be holding Delia? Can Giovanni really be trusted when the chips are down?
Let's not forget our other friends! What's going on with the Harrison family? Will Brock and Duplica be all right? How about the Morgans? Are they hitting off work in their gym swimmingly or just going down for the third time?
Or could Lawrence III merely be drawing each and every one of them into the tangled web he's weaving? Oooo….
I hope you've enjoyed this second trip into the future world of Pokémon!
Thanks for reading!
To Be Continued…
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.