Disclaimer: -writes on chalkboard- I don't own Pokemon; I don't own their characters. That good enough?

With the Wind at My Back

By: Saffire Persian

Part 1: The Ties that Bind

"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." – Lynda Berry

Chapter 4: River of Decision

"And see the rivers how they run
Through woods and meads, in shade and sun,
Sometimes swift, sometimes slow,
Wave succeeding wave, they go
A various journey to the deep,
Like human life to endless sleep!"

It all had happened so fast – so fast Ash could almost believe it was some mixed up dream. He had not been expecting a black canine creature to jump out at him out of the nearby bushes. But it happened, and Ash was half in shock as the black dog barreling forward, with a strange substance dripping of his fangs. Swellow had not been fast enough to escape the crushing teeth of the creature, and cried out in pain as the teeth tore deep into his wing, and pulled him downwards. Wounded, the Swellow couldn't even fly away as the canine teasingly let him go for a few seconds, before enveloping his blue body into his bone-crushing jaws again.

Ash, though in shock, did not stop to ponder to give Pikachu orders. This was not like the times when Team Rocket to capture his Pokemon, when he could blatantly order a Thunderbolt or Flamethrower with plenty of time to think. This was different – and the difference could indefinitely be between life and death.

The canine, prey captured, ran headlong into the bushes, and they went after it. The dog was swift, bolting through bush, and over tree longs. Pikachu jumped over a fallen log, quickly gaining on the canine, his cheeks were sparking in anger, and the dog growled in response, streaking to the left.

"Give him back!" yelled Ash, stumbling slightly as he moved over the log. "He didn't do anything to you."

"Pi. Caaah, kacpi!"

If only Pikachu could use his Thunderbolt, thought Ash, glumly.

But the problem was, he couldn't. He'd hit Swellow if he did so. And neither Ash nor Pikachu would dare to injure their friend anymore then he already was. Ash could see Swellow feebly trying to fight and escape the dog's grip, but each attack was weaker then the next, and Ash could only wonder if there was more to the Swellow's injury then he saw.

The mist was growing thick, and it was starting to get incredibly hazy, and hard to see. And Ash stumbled over a tree root, and fell hard onto the ground. The sound of the river was close, and he could hear what he guessed to be the roar of the waterfall up ahead.

Pikachu, hearing his fall, slowed, looking back at him and shouting, and he could see the torn look in the rodent's eyes, as Ash moved to get up. Pikachu didn't want to leave him, but he didn't want to leave Swellow to his captor either.

"Catch up with him, I don't care what you have to do. I'll be fine, I'll catch up."

Pikachu nodded, and with a fast burst of speed, raced ahead. Ash didn't need to hold Pikachu back anymore, he could easily hold his own in battle, any trained Pokemon could. Ash stood up, and felt pain surge through his leg. He put his weight down on it, and breathed a sigh of relief – it wasn't broken, but it still hurt.

But that mattered little to Ash, and he began to run again, trying to ignore the sharp, throbbing pain in his ankle. Ash mentally cursed himself as he ran. If only he had been smart enough to bring other Pokemon along with him. He was so stupid – and because of his carelessness, Swellow could be . . .

No, Swellow would be fine. Everything would be fine. Tomorrow would still be a great day. Everything would be fine. Everything would be fine . . .

I darted through a thick cluster of bushes, gaining on the Pokemon I knew to be called a Mightyena. I shouted at Kalani, hoping desperately to hear the bird answer. He didn't so much as twitch, and a feeling of dread coursed through my veins.

He can't be dead . . . I mused to myself, calling upon all the agility and speed I possessed to get closer to the dog enough to attack. For Ash's sake, more then anyone's, I prayed to whatever Legendary that could hear me, that Kalani would be spared. The bird's death would break Ash's heart in two, and that alone was more then I could bear to think about.

The foliage was becoming denser, I noticed and there was moisture in the air. I could hear the roaring of the waterfall up ahead, and knew it wouldn't be long before it would become difficult to see – it was already beginning to become so. I put on a burst of speed, paws pounding down the grassy path, the river running beside me to my left.

"Kalani!" I screamed out again, and I heard the Mightyena growl in amusement. Again, not so much as a twitch.

I growled in anger. If Kalani was dead, not even the great Lugia could stop me from inflicting vengeance upon the canine before me, no one could - well, except Ash, that is.

Ash would never allow vengeance to be taken upon any Pokemon, good or evil. That boy had a kinder heart then any human I had known. Too kind, some would say. But that, above all else, is why I respected him.

The dog was just inches in front of me, and I seized my chance, lunging forward. With all the energy I could muster, I Tackled the Mightyena in the side. He howled, and stumbled as it tried to regain its footing, toppling onto his side. However, it still refused to release Kalani from his jaws.

"Let him go . . ." I growled, electricity sparking from my cheeks in warning, the river at my back.

The dog growled in reply. He knew just as well as I that speech could cost him the loss of his prey. The Mightyena rolled, standing upon his legs again, fixing him with a stare from his blood-red eyes that made Pikachu shrink back despite himself. But the fear did not last long, and I sprang toward him. But the Mightyena was ready this time, and moved neatly out of the way. I cried aloud in frustration – if that Mightyena hadn't had Kalani in his jaws, I could be a little bolder in my attack.

The great dog grinned in his own savage way, before letting loose a loud (though muffled) howl. It froze my blood, but it seemed to invigorate the dog further. Electricity began to spark from my cheeks as anger and helplessness at what to do. Loud sounds of pursuit were coming to our left, and both the Mightyena and I turned. A body flew through the bushes, and I recognized it immediately. Ash!

I didn't know whether to be happy or frightened at his appearance, but nevertheless, he managed to hit the dog with more force then I did – and he took the dog by surprise, too, making it release Kalani before hitting the turf. I bet the Mightyena never expected a human to fight him.

Of course, I knew the attack was foolish on my companion's part. While intelligence humans had, strength to beat most Pokemon they did not have. I cried out to him to get out of the way and let me finish the work – of course, Ash never did quite listen to me, or anyone for that matter. He scrambled off the dog, and automatically reached towards Kalani, shock written upon his features as he noticed how still the form of the Swallow was. He had barely enough time to scoop up the bird into his arms when the dog, and I lunged.

Ash tried hard to defend himself from the oncoming attack from the very angry Mightyena, but with Kalani in his arms, all he could do really was stumble backwards and try to evade. I was already moving with a Quick Attack to come to his aid, but before I could hit the dog, it's fangs had already torn into the flesh of Ash's arm, and he cried out in pain, and the deep wound began to bleed.

I growled in rage as made contact with the dog's shoulder, and felt a deep pain of regret as the fangs were ripped away from Ash's arm, causing him pain, and tearing off his Jacket. But it had to be done.

Ash's Pokedex clattered to the ground, sparking as it landed hard on the rock, and Dexter's voice, static sounding and a bit blurred, spoke out, a picture of the black dog appeared.

'Mightyena, a Dark Type Pokemon. Mightyena travel and act as a pack in the wild. Mightyena gives obvious signals when it is preparing to attack. It starts to growl deeply and then flattens its body. This Pokemon will bite savagely with its sharply pointed fangs.'

Power surged outward from my body in the form of yellow electricity, and the dog howled long and loud, and was stumbling in his place as soon as the Thunderbolt attack had weakened.

Another howl, not from this Mightyena, but another, answered, and I cursed myself mentally. Why must they travel in packs!

I could handle one of these stupid canines without much trouble, but with two I would have a slight disadvantage.

"Ash, get out of here! I can handle it!" I yelled.

This time, it was Ash's gaze that was torn. I knew he didn't want to leave me, just as much as I wouldn't want to leave him. I dashed to the right as the Mightyena opened its pulsing black jaws, covered in Dark energy. Another stream of electricity crackled through my body, and the dog was covered in the faint, yellow light as I attacked. I glared at Ash. Why was he still standing there? He had to leave, the other Mightyena would . . . I paused, Ash was growing pale and wobbling on his two feet; and it couldn't be from the blood he was losing from his arm. He wouldn't grow pale as quickly as this . . .

With me distracted, it was only a few moments before I went skidding across the ground, thanks to a Take Down. However, Mightyena's attack was not without retribution. The muscles in the Mightyena's body stiffened, and he growled at the realization that the miniscule electric pulses surrounded my body had rendered him temporarily paralyzed. He wouldn't be able to move so fast now that the tiny electric pulses had taken effect.

Another Mightyena, this one a female, no doubt this one's mate, ran out of the nearby bushes moments later. She snarled, and immediately spotted Ash, Kalani, and me in a matter of moments. She wasted no time in attacking, and immediately aimed for Ash, pushing his body backwards with a hard Tackle to the chest, and onto the hard ground. Kalani's body went flying out of Ash' arms, landing a few inches away. Had the bird be thrown any farther, he would have been in the river.

This upset Ash more then anything, and he struggled to get away from the sharp teeth that were ready not to maim, but kill. Ash was trying to fend off the large dog as well as he was able, and I was trying to make my way over to him as quick as I could, but the other Mightyena still pursued his attack. I spun around to face the dog, electricity struck him again, and he howled in rage in pain. The attack ended, and I was surprised the Mightyena hadn't collapsed yet. The dog growled, and his fur began to flatten as he made to attack, but instead he stiffened: the full paralysis had kicked in for a short time; luck was on my side for a few moments at least. I then turned, and dashed towards Ash, but a weak battle cry stopped me in my tracks.

Kalani was fluttering inches off the ground on unsteady wings. He was in no shape to fight, or move for that matter. His elegant royal plumage was stained with blood, but Kalani had a determined look in his eyes, and the same love in them that I possessed for Ash, shown.

The will to live, I had been often told, was a force stronger then anything in the world.

Kalani flapped his wings, pushing himself up and backwards a few feet. Kalani closed his eyes in concentration and he was surrounded by a dark blue glow. Kalani's movements became steady, and he finally opened his eyes, the blue light dissipating. Then, using all the energy that he possessed, slam into the Mightyena with an Aerial Ace.

Not even I, and much less the Mightyena, had expected such a fierce attack from a bird in his visible condition. The force of the attack knocked the Mightyena backwards, making her lose her footing, and tumble into the fast flowing river. She was followed, seconds later, by Kalani, having overshot the distance he would travel when the Aerial Ace struck, and drained of his energy, he could fly no longer, and plummeted into the river.

Ash ran passed me, shouting aloud the bird's name, and I tried to stop him from doing what I knew he was going to do, but it was already too late: he had jumped into the river. He started swimming toward the bird, though it was hardly necessary, the current was taking him to the Kalani.

"Ash!" I shouted, immediately, dashing after them along the shore bank. The Mightyena, too, was fighting the current, paddling with her powerful paws to the opposite bank, and I saw with great disappointment she managed to scramble onto the nearby bank. I shook my head. Why did the enemy always manage to escape? The male Mightyena intercepted my path as I continued running. I was forced to stop, and I glared at him.

"Get out of my way!" I yelled, cheeks sparking in warning. I had no desire to waste what energy remained in me on him. Of course, telling this to a Mightyena whose mate has been swept away in the river's current was like telling me to stay where I was. And, as I expected, he lunged, but I was ready. Jumping high into the air, I spun around, tail glowing with a silvery white light . . . Iron Tail

I suppose the sight of a mouse Pokemon assuming a "kung-fu" stance, as Ash called it, would have struck most passers by as slightly comical, were it not for the gravity of the situation – but nevertheless, my Iron Tail connected with the Mightyena's lower jaw, and I heard a satisfying crack along with a body crumpling to the ground.

With my feet planted firmly on the ground again, I wasted no time in pursuing the river, trying to ignore the mist as it became thicker. My body began to tense – not just from the feeling of exhaustion that was starting to come over me. Something . . . different was here. It's like the feeling some people get when they feel like they're being watched. But whatever it was that was here was the least of my concern, and ignoring my protesting body, I ran faster through the foliage, finally spotting Ash trying to keep his head above the water, trying to reach for the floundering Kalani. It still amazed me the bird was even conscious.

How am I supposed to help them? I thought, trying to think of a way, any way, to save the both of them from a watery death or injury. But what could a small mouse like me do?

I sighed. If only they had a Pokeball to contain humans. Well, there was nothing for it. Breathing in deeply, holding my breath, I plunged into the river,

The first thing that I noticed was the water was chilly – very cold in fact, and I surfaced a few seconds later, carried quickly down the river by the current. I wasn't completely helpless when it came to swimming, and it wasn't long before I was just behind Ash, I called out to him, and he looked surprised.

Kalani was clutched protectively in the boy's arms, unconscious, while Ash didn't look too well himself. I was pushed under the water again, and had to fight hard to emerge at the surface again, taking a few deep gulps of air before speaking.

"Ash, use the Pokeball, recall him!

He understood my message, and his hands moved automatically to his belt where two Pokeballs rested. With a flash of red light, Kalani was recalled into the red and white orb. We both sighed in relief. I could hear Ash mumbling to himself, trying to make sense of the scenery around him, and keep afloat at the same time. No doubt he was trying to think of some way to get out of this – and he always seemed to think of one just in time.

Just in time . . . Only at the end of the thought did I realize, at the sound of a pounding roar, of what exactly was ahead of us, if we continued this adventure downriver. I had forgotten about the waterfall, at the realization, I began to panic, madly trying to swim upstream, only to be rejected, and pushed back farther then I had been. Ash's eyes showed concern as they looked at me, still looking resolute as they had been when he had jumped into the river. Holding aloft Kalani's Pokeball, he threw it toward the bank. It made impact with the safe ground, though whether Kalani dutifully emerged or not, we did not see.

It was just me and Ash now, and I was suddenly reminded of a time so very long ago when he and I had first met – when I had disliked him. We had plummeted down a waterfall that day, after he had foolishly attacked a Spearow, and angered its flock. I had been badly hurt at the time, and was fading in and out of unconsciousness when we had gone done that waterfall, and ran into Misty. My heart plummeted in my chest at the thought of her, and I wondered vaguely if Ash was thinking about her, too. The gift . . . if only we hadn't . . .

I heard a click, and I roused myself out of the trance I was sinking in to. My heart skipped a beat. Ash was holding another pokeball – my pokeball. It hadn't been used in years, and rightly so. I held a specific dislike for them, always had. I knew Ash's intentions: he was going to recall me and in order to keep me safe. I began to protest, swallowing a mouthful of water in the process.

He shook his head, and not far in the distance, I could see the river's end, where it met the waterfall.

"I know you don't like these," he said, sounding like he was in pain, "but you have to, Buddy. I'm sorry – but someone has to break out of here, and find Swellow and make sure he's okay if I . . ." He looked down toward the ever approaching waterfall. "If I can't."

"NO!" I shouted, trying to futilely escape the red beam of light as it surged out of the contraption.

It was strange being recalled into the Pokeball, and was the first time I had been since we met. I had forgotten how strange it feels to be once in a physical body, into a mass of energy trapped within the Pokeball. I suppose you could say we had a form, for we did still, but it was rather a spirit form. We were contained by an almost oppressing force, sealing our - spirit shall I say? – into the contraption.

I fought madly of course, and I could feel the orb shake with the amount of energy I was using to break the bonds that held me sealed in here. The seal was quite a bit weaker then, say, a Great Ball would have been, and that was why stronger, healthy Pokemon could so easily break the bonds at which the Pokeball held us if we so chose to – even after we were captured. And, since we were in a "spirit" form, physical limitations did not always apply – the pure strength of will and spirit, not just physical strength was used to break out of the Pokeballs. And that explained the reason why some Pokemon were able to break free of a Pokeball, even if they were physically weak. I would be lying, though, if I said that physical health and status did not play a big part, because it did.

If I had been at full health and energy it would have only taken me a few moments to break open the pokeball – and I certainly would have done so now. However, exhaustion had begun to set in the moment I began to fight with the Mightyena, and thus I was weaker. It was going to take some time to break out of the Pokeball, but not too long; I could already feel the bonds weakening – like elastic bands being cut.

I could hear the roar of the waterfall thundering in my ears, even from inside the Pokeball, and I guessed that we had reached the waterfall's end, and a few seconds later, we were probably plummeting downwards.

He had not thrown me away like he had done with Kalani, I realized, puzzled. I thought he surely would have . . .

Something hard collided with the bottom of my pokeball, and static energy flashed wildly around the inside of the sphere. It had been damaged, how bad, I couldn't quite be sure. Invigorated, I pursued my attacks on the bonds even harder, willing myself to be outside in the free air again. The final string broke, and I was free.

My physical form met with the cold water again as I emerged outward in a flash of brilliant white light. I was underwater again, but luckily, there wasn't much of a current so it was considerably easier to swim. I didn't know how far down we had been swept after we had gone down the waterfall. I was sure it couldn't be too far, because I could still hear the roar of the waterfall.

I coughed and spluttered as I broke the surface, hazy mist surrounding me. I looked around desperately for Ash, not seeing him anywhere on the surface, I couldn't see incredibly far ahead of me, anyways, with the mist and all. I took a deep breath, and dived below the water, opening my eyes to try to find Ash. I found him a few seconds later. He was trying to swim to the surface, just like I had, but instead of succeeding; he was falling towards the bottom.

I swam toward him as fast as I could. I didn't know how much longer he could last without oxygen. Blood was still flowing from his arm, I noticed, as I attempted to pull him up with my paws. Of course, I knew before I even tried that it wouldn't do anything, but I wasn't about to leave him, unaided. I couldn't let him drown here. I had to do something.

Suddenly, the water seemed to push upward at its own accord, like a large wave surging up from the bottom. Ash and I were pushed upwards by the water. I was confused. I didn't have the faintest idea what was going on. Within a few moments, we were washed up upon the shoreline by a crystalline blue wave. It broke over our heads, leaving us more soaked then before, but alive.

I let out a sigh of relief as my paws touched dry ground, breathing in the air greedily. I opened my eyes, trying to get a view of my new surroundings. The area was thick with mist, and I couldn't see very far in front of me. But that didn't matter too much, as I lay on the shore, feeling exhaustion begin to set it. It felt so good to just lie here, where it was so quiet and peaceful.

Ash began to cough, and I immediately picked myself up off the sandy bank. I ran to Ash's side, and nudged him with my nose. He groaned, and opened his eyes.

"Hey, buddy," he said, voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, though my ears flattened as I surveyed him. He was in pain. I could tell. He began to struggle to pull himself up off the ground, but he cried out in pain and fell back. His breathing was sparse and erratic, and his body was covered in nicks and bruises, probably from the fall down the waterfall. Normally, I would have thought nothing of it. Ash got hurt more times then I could think of, but he always came out of it in a jiffy. This time, though, something was different. I remembered the Mightyena's fangs that had sunk into his arm, and ran around to his right side.

The wound was still fresh, and bleeding rather heavily. His whole arm was swollen and red, and I thought I spotted a strange tinge to the wound. I moved closer, sniffing the injury, before recoiling.

You can always tell when someone's been poisoned from a Pokemon's attack. The Poison has a faint odor to it that you can smell, especially that of Toxic. Well, if you were a Pokemon anyway, gifted with a keen nose. I shivered, noticing the purplish color around the wound. That, above any indicator told me what I feared. Ash had been poisoned, and so probably had Kalani. The Swellow had been effected by the poison quite quickly, and I couldn't help but wonder if it had occurred so fast, and had such a devastating affect on Kalani's body, what it would do to Ash's.

I moved backwards, and circled around him again, trying to keep my head strait and think of something. What was I supposed to do? It would only be a matter of time before the poison fully kicked in and . . .

I shook my head, I couldn't think like that. Ash was always positive when things like this happened – why shouldn't I?

"Ash . . ."I whispered, nuzzling him. I could feel tears began to emerge from my eyes. I wouldn't let him die. I would find something. There had to be some of those berries that cured poison growing in this forest. There had to be!

I began to dash off through the mist, and into the forest ahead, but I stopped, glancing back at Ash, I couldn't possibly leave him. What if the Mightyena came back? Ash couldn't possibly fight even one of them off in his condition. I continued to stare at him, and he at me, before he attempted to pick himself up again. He managed to push himself up off the ground this time, arms trembling with exertion, before he slid back onto his stomach, breathing hard.

"I have to get up . . ." I heard him mutter. His eyes were fast becoming hazy, and his speech slurred. Seeing him deteriorating before my eyes, I made my decision. I could only hope I wouldn't regret it. I wasn't helping him by just standing here doing nothing. Even if I stayed with him, and a hostile Pokemon came our way, defending him from it would only delay the poison's inevitable course. So, I had to find the antidote for it.

I strode confidently forward, but his voice held me back.

"Pikachu . . ."

Tears welled up into my eyes, even if I was doing the right thing, I didn't want to leave him. What if I couldn't find the berries in time, or didn't find them at all? I didn't want him to die – if that was indeed his fate – alone.

"I'm sorry," I said slowly, looking back at him, seeing that he had raised himself slightly with the help of his elbows. He was looking at me with those eyes again, and I turned my face, a sickening feeling that I was abandoning him settling there, even though I wasn't. Or was I?

"Grrwl."

I spun around and at the cry, and I saw a black shape approaching us through the mist. Black and shaggy, I recognized the form immediately; it was a Mightyena. I couldn't yet tell if it was the same one from the river or not, but I had a sneaking suspicion that it was.

Sparks were flying from my cheeks, as I began to summon the energy and power that was required for a Thunder attack, as big of one as I could manage in my state. I wanted to make sure I could at least knock the Mightyena out cold.

It was the same one that had attacked us before. Her fur was still soggy and wet from the river. I smiled faintly, luck again was at my side for this, brief moment. Water conducted electricity, and that meant even more damage that meant for the Mightyena. Just as I was about to unleash Thunder on the Mightyena, I froze, and my fur began to rise.

The Mightyena, too, was frozen in place, a snarl imprinted on her muzzle as her red eyes stared behind me. I turned, and I heard her rough, sandpaper voice speak out. "Something's here . . ."

This time, it wasn't a solid black form of Mightyena, but something different. It was large, I could immediately tell that from the shadow and black outlines, but the mist had covered up its large form, making it hard to make out any distinguishing feature.

It halted, and its outline seemed to waver, like a reflection in a rippling pool of water. I growled threateningly as it began to step closer to Ash. The Thunder attack that had been stored up in my body was set loose, and several streams of electricity that surged outward from my body ran strait towards the unknown creature.

Each bolt of electricity hit its intended target, and the beast was surrounded in the clear yellow light. It groaned, but it didn't seem incredibly worse for the wear, though the Thunder attack had taken a lot out of me.

I was about to try another electric attack, but then a loud commanding growl, a Roar echoed through the air. It was as loud and as impressive like the sound of rolling thunder, and a chill made its way down my spine; and in the roar was the harsh word of Command; a Command to flee and run from its presence. The Mightyena howled and ran into the woodlands without a backwards glance, and I could already feel myself unconsciously begin to attempt to run, but I fought the overwhelming urge to run, trying to concentrate and stay rooted to where I stood.

Ash had already tried to scramble up onto his feet at the sound of the Roar, but his body was incapable of executing the task, and he collapsed back onto the ground. He, too, was driven by the same desire to run as I was, and something inside me hoped he would get up, and run away into the distance with me. His eyes then locked on with mine, and a single sentence that I was sure would trouble me for the rest of my life was uttered.

"Run, Pikachu! Get away – make sure Swellow's . . . all right. Don't worry about me! Run! Now!"

With Ash's command, coupled with another loud Roar that rattled the air, my legs finally obeyed, and I ran as fast and furious as I could, away from the terrible call, and from Ash. Tears streamed down my face as I dashed onwards. In my mind, I was calling myself a coward to be so easily cowed into running away into the forest.

With every step I took, the mist began to lift a little more, and I became more aware of the foresty surroundings. But I did not recognize this path of forest, and I wished that I had at least thought of which direction to run to. But I had not; all that had been on my mind was to run. I shivered as I remembered the haunting call, that Command that had resonated from that cry was driving me to run farther then any Roar that I had yet come against. What ever it had been, it had to be powerful.

I did not know how long I had ran before I forced myself to skid to a stop. I had to go back. I couldn't leave Ash to face that beast alone, but the poison was still flowing through his body, and I had nothing to cure it. I would have to look for the berry before I could return, even if I was met by a sight that could not be helped.

I dived through the nearest patch of bushes, searching relentlessly for the peach colored berry I so desired. Tiredness was once again seeping through my limbs, replacing the adrenaline that had once coursed through my body, giving me strength. And I was greatly tempted to stop curl up where I was, and sleep. But I continued to search the bushes as I headed back down the path where I felt I should be; where I needed to be.

My eyesight was getting glazed and hazy before I found what I believed to be a Pecha berry. Ecstatic, I grabbed a branch of it in my jaws, pulling it free from the bush. More berries of different kinds were also growing down the bush, and I could not resist grabbing a few of the other berries nearby, and stuffing them into my mouth. Only a few minutes after I had devoured them, and set upon the path the mist appeared again, this time so thick and voluminous I could barely see a foot in front of me. I stumbled over a large tree root, soon afterwards. My vision immediately began to swim before my eyes, a wave of dizziness surged through me, and before I knew it, everything went black.

A/n: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. The First-Person POV with Pikachu was rather unexpected; I had not planned it. And I don't know whether I should have done it that way or not. So, feedback on that would be appreciated.

And also note I'm making a few assumptions, as in Swellow's name. I would not expect Pokemon to call each other by their species name, so I made Swellow' up. And the whole pokeball thing is pure speculation, and is what I believe. The "Command" thing with Roar – just a weird little thing that came to my mind while writing this.

Oh, and in case you're curious on how Ash and Swellow got poisoned from the Mightyena, it's because of the move Poison Fang – while it can't be learned by leveling up, it is a breeding move. And I just had to take advantage of it.

Anyways, please review! I appreciate your feedback, no matter who you are. So if you're reading this and haven't reviewed yet, I'd love to hear from ya. Now onto reviewer replies.

Replies:

Jass Strawberry; Thanks. Yeah, "men in black" does make you think of the MIB. –Snickers- Anyway, we all have a fascination with Eevee, I know I do! It's such an awesome Pokemon. Although I can't really tell what it's evolutions are supposed to be exactly, since they're very fox-like, cat-like, and dog-like. Although I'm a firm believer Espeon is a cat – of course, this can be argued.

Sakura Moon: Thanks. Sorry if I updated too late.

Clara200: Umm, thanks for your review. And yeah, Absol are a little strange.

xSPiNx: Thanks for your input! I appreciate it. And, as you probably guessed, thing's aren't going to really turn out as planned.

Dark Fenikusu: Thanks for your.. correction. And I just made an error in writing down the verse, it's not 1st Peter, but Second Peter.

Misaki Cherry: Thanks for your support!

Alex Warlorn: First, can I say thank you for your great reviews? And yeah, the old chapter one, was split into two, thus chapter two was made. And changes were made, as in, stuff was added in, not a ton, I admit. But the changes that were made were stated at in chapter two. And April? You'll probably never see her in this story – she was just a character I made up to fit into the events.

Agatha is Gary's grandmother? XD I seriously didn't know that.. heh. Well, I suppose the scene would make even more sense with her as Gary's Grandma now that I think about it. But that's quite a revelation. And I agree with you, Sabrina is very far from a fake. I meant the other "psychics" that do "tarot readings" and so forth.

Ri2: To you, I apologize. I've read both of your new chapters (Go Persian!), but I haven't yet reviewed them, but I will very soon, you have my word on that. And yes, Richie has a Taillow, and it isn't made up, like Ralts is, but is in the anime. And, I dunno if I would even call it a Prophecy exactly, I'm still not sure what to call Agatha's little blab myself. Maybe a word of advice? Heh. And interesting guess, but like Brock stated, Absol don't' come out where they live for just anything.

Dannichu: The eons –grins- those little beasties hold a special place in my heart, and I'm sure you see the pattern, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to say yes, you will see all the Eons in this fic, in some form or another,

Hazy Aurora: As you can see, so far, Swellow's not dead. And will Suicune come soon... I think you can pretty much know the answer to that without me having to tell you.

Sapphire Plusle: Thanks for your review.