New Island Beach

Pain. That was all the man could remember. That was all he could feel. Flashes of memory descended on him. A not so clean slice, fainting and being revived during the procedure, being thrown against walls, talking with a strange creature, or Pokemon, and darkness.

"Lance..."

Who is that? Where am I?

"Lance!"

That voice. I swear I've heard it before. Is that water I feel on my face? And I can hear—"

"LANCE!" screamed a now clearly feminine voice, jolting the man's senses. His eyes slowly opened; a dark blurry sky was the first thing he noticed. The sound of waves crashing and the feel of the sea spray on his face was the next. As his vision came into focus, he saw a ghostly purple Pokemon and the concerned face of…

"Delia?" blurted Lance, confused at the sight of the brown-haired spouse of his predecessor. Funny, she still wore the same pink sweater, yellow undershirt, and blue skirt after all these years.

Her loud and outgoing personality hasn't seemed to have changed either, mused Lance. He had seen her briefly back at Celadon City, but only in passing, and they hadn't even spoken with one another.

"Oh Lance, thank goodness you're awake," exclaimed Delia, trying to help the man to his feet. It took some effort, but eventually both stood, Lance panting from exertion at the simple exercise. His body was severely malnourished from the extended captivity. Now standing, Lance was able to pick up on a few other interesting things. First, there was that Pokemon again, which he now easily identified as a Gengar. Next, the two of them stood on the rocky beach of the same island he was on when his ordeal began. Third, there was a large palace like structure engulfing most of the island. He assumed he had been held up near the top tower when he held his discussion with that Pokemon, at least based on the small view he remembered. Finally, there was a helicopter with clearly identifiable Pokemon League regalia just twenty feet from him. Lance had a few ideas as to what was going on, but It was time to get some rock-solid answers.

"Delia, do you know who this Gengar belongs to?" She gave him a nod with a sad smile.

"Yes. It belongs to my son. I've visited Professor Oak's lab enough times to know that. Ashy must be nearby." Now things were starting to make a bit more sense. Ash's Gengar must have rescued the pair of them, and the boy's presence would certainly explain Delia's. She was likely a hostage, much like he had been.

"If it makes you feel better, I don't think he's alone. That helicopter is the property of the Indigo League, and it is one that has traditionally been used to escort myself and the Elite Four."

"The Elite Four? Lance, what's going on?" pressed the woman, a growing pit in her stomach due to her own suspicions.

"Delia, I have been held as a captive of Team Rocket for the past few weeks. I believe that their leader, a man by the name of Giovanni, is attempting to… eliminate his enemies in one fell swoop," gently answered the man.

"Then my baby is…"

"Likely inside yes," grimly confirmed Lance. A flurry of emotions passed through Delia's face, ending with something Lance did not expect to see, resolve.

"Then let's go!" the determined woman said, starting to march off towards the palace, Gengar following her with no hesitation.

"Delia it's dangerous! Please wait a moment," pleaded Lance, trying to keep up with her. Delia turned fast, pure righteous anger immersing her entire being.

"MY SON IS IN THERE AND A MAD MAN IS TRYING TO KILL HIM! I AM GOING TO SAVE HIM, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU!" screamed the woman, turning back to the path and heading towards a far-off cavern. With a sigh and wry grin, Lance cut his losses, opting to follow the woman.

Red, you were a brave man indeed, he thought with some amusement.

Viridian City Gym Bunker

Horror. Pure horror. That was the feeling that coursed through Silver's person, watching an esteemed member of the Elite Four fall like a puppet whose strings had been cut, the life gone from her eyes. The boy wanted to vomit. His father, the man he had worked so hard to gain approval from… he had ordered it, and from the manic glee on his face, now he reveled in it. Is this the price of power? The price to have a family. If so, Silver wasn't sure he wanted to pay it. Who would want to gain the whole world, if you had to lose your soul in the process? His father might, but not Silver.

New Island Palace

"This can't be happening," muttered Ash, falling to his knees, staring at the ground in front of him. The sight of Mewtwo snapping Agatha's neck and the revered woman falling to the floor had made the boy near catatonic.

Was that how my father looked when Giovanni killed him? Idly wondered the boy.

"GIOVANNI! DAMN YOU!" Will roared, losing all reason, and charging at Mewtwo, jumping in the air with his own enhanced psychic abilities. The foolish action saw him quickly repelled and blasted back to the floor with a mere glance from the creature. Bloodied, but not severely injured, Will glared at the screen with utter hatred.

Lorelei's mask of ice had completely shattered. Her heart broke at seeing the league's longest standing member of the Elite Four cut down so ruthlessly. An unending stream of tears fell from her face, her eyes never leaving Agatha's body.

Bruno, the stoic that he was, seemed to take it the best. Agatha's death was tragic, but this madman and his Pokemon needed to be stopped. Unfortunately, all the Pokemon were knocked out, and his colleagues and the boy were in no right state to do anything. His own injuries kept him on the floor as well. It just seemed so hopeless.

Giovanni soaked it in with unholy satisfaction. It had been so easy, and the feeling ecstasy. The best part about it wasn't even the hag's death. No, it was the look on the child's face. That defiance. The anger and contempt. It was all gone, replaced by a broken spirit. If Red could just see this now. The man couldn't help himself.

"HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" uproariously laughed the evil man.

"You've no idea of the elation I am experiencing from seeing you sit there broken Ketchum. If only your father died the same way. Ah well, I wonder how you might react after I finish killing the Elite Four, your two friends, and then your mother?" cruelly leered the man. Ash didn't react, still out of it.

"Mewtwo, pick that pathetic excuse of a psychic off the ground. He looks like he has some fight in him. Let's see how long that lasts when we kill him by breaking every bone in his body, one at a time," ordered Giovanni, a hint on insanity now in his eyes. Mewtwo's eyes glowed and Will was lifted into the air, being brought right in front of the Pokemon, while being made to face the screen.

"Perhaps if you beg I will allow you to share the easy death I gave to the hag?" mocked the man. Will spat blood, maintaining his insolence.

"So be it," answered Giovanni, his eyes hardening.

"Mewtwo, let's start with—"

"Stop," softly called Ash, looking up at Giovanni. It was not fear, defiance, or even hatred on his face. No, he was begging.

"Please… stop."

"Are you begging me Ash Red Ketchum?" the highly amused Rocket Boss asked.

"Just, kill me. Do whatever you want to me. Let these people live. It's me you hate. Please… I am begging you."

"Change of plans. Drop the psychic. Bring me the boy," snapped the man. Will hit the floor hard, falling from over 20 feet in the air, likely breaking something. Ash found himself in the same position as Will, facing down his father's killer.

"Let it be known that Team Rocket is merciful. I will grant you your request Ash. The Elite Four, your friends, and your mother will be allowed to live. Confined, but they will live, nonetheless. All you must do is one thing. One small price," offered Giovanni.

"What?" wearily asked Ash. Giovanni smirked.

"Denounce your father as the coward he is, admit to your own cowardice, and proclaim me as your superior!" demanded the boss hunger in his eyes.

"I…"

"Speak up boy. Nice and loud," ordered the man.

I… can I do this? My dad died trying to save Kanto. Can I die spitting on his grave? But, if I don't, my friends and family will pay the price. Is my pride worth it? I…"

"Times up boy!" snarled Giovanni, breaking Ash out of his internal thoughts.

"But wait—"

"Oh Ash, if it makes you feel better, I was lying. Nobody is going to leave New Island alive," chuckled Giovanni.

"YOU SNAKE!" spat Ash, finally recovering some level of emotion and defiance. That was more than enough for the Rocket Boss. His angered flared, he stood, and he roared!

"TELL YOUR FATHER HELLO AND THAT GIOVANNI SENDS HIS REGARDS! MEWTWO, KILL—"

An orb made of shadow flew through a wall, crashing into Mewtwo and sending the powerful creature flying. No longer held up by psychic powers, Ash began a fall of his own.

New Island Cavern Docks

"Come on Brock, you have to wake up," muttered the irritated, yet worried girl, splashing water into his face. After he had passed out, Misty quickly ordered the Golem from the Pokeball he had given her to destroy the Dark Balls. In an act of paranoia and partial revenge, she had then asked the Pokemon to secure Domino, ensuring the crafty spy did not wake up to inflict any other damage. Golem was happy to comply once he learned that the vile woman had caused the state of his trainer. Speaking of Brock, Misty found some gauze in the teen's pocket, doing her best to bind the wound, and then dragged him over to lean against a well. That boy would just not wake up though. Misty wanted to go check on Ash and the others, but leaving Brock just wasn't an option. She was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

Sitting down, next to her unconscious friend, Misty's thoughts turned to her journey.

I guess this is the second time one of the boy's has had to save my life. Even then, they had to save my Pokemon before that. Leaving Cerulean City was supposed to make me independent, strong, and just something more… but I feel like nothing more than a damsel in distress. Those boys are the best friends a girl can have. I just, I need to be better. I need to improve. Can I be the Water Pokemon Master I want to be with the way things are?

"Is that you Misty?" called a distinctive feminine voice that the girl recognized from a certain phone call. Looking up, she saw them right away.

"Misses Ketchum! And Lance too!" cried the relieved girl, happy to see that Gengar had gotten them out okay.

"How are you doing Misty? Is… oh my! What happened to poor Brock?" fussed Delia, kneeling down next to the boy to check him over. While that was going on, Lance approached Misty to gather more information.

"Misty Waterflower, as the Indigo League Champion I need you to tell me everything you know about the situation and fast! I am by no means trying to pull rank on you without care, but for the sake of Ash and the Elite Four, I need to know now!" urged the man.

Misty was momentarily caught off-guard, but the Champion, and the Elite Four for that matter, did have the right to command Gym Leaders in times of emergency, so it wasn't entirely unexpected. The fact that she was worried about Ash helped, so she wasted no further time, informing him about everything that had transpired.

"And then Golem destroyed the Dark Balls and secured that Rocket agent over there. I only hope we made it in time to save everyone," finished Misty. Lance gave the girl a reassuring smile and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"You and Brock did amazing! I need you to stay here, keep Brock safe, and keep 009 secured. She will be a valuable source of information in helping to shut down the Rockets here in Kanto."

"But Lance, what are you going to do? You have no Pokemon," pointed out Misty.

"It doesn't matter. Like you said, the Dark Balls were destroyed so everything should be fine right?" tightly smiled the champion, choosing to omit a piece of knowledge. Misty looked into his eyes for a moment but relented with a nod.

"Well, It looks like you did a good job with Brock young lady. I think he's going to be just fine, but he'll probably want that wound treated at a hospital," finished Delia, standing back up.

"Come Lance," ordered the woman, walking up the cavern steps. Misty shot Lance a look, but the man shook his head and just followed.

Up the steps they went, accompanied by Gengar, and keeping a good pace. In no time at all, they reached the pair or large metal doors, slightly cracked open from when Brock and Misty had left. Delia wanted to go straight in, but Lance held her back.

"Stop! We need to listen in first to see what's going on," whispered the man, physically holding her back and placing his ear at the crack. Delia squirmed, irritated, but relented since the struggle was useless, listening in as well.

"Oh Ash, if it makes you feel better, I was lying. Nobody is going to leave New Island alive," chuckled a malevolent voice.

"YOU SNAKE!" yelled the clear voice of one Ash Red Ketchum.

"Ashy!" loudly whispered Delia, renewing her struggle to break free.

"TELL YOUR FATHER HELLO AND THAT GIOVANNI SENDS HIS REGARDS! MEWTWO, KILL—"

"NOOOO!" screamed Delia, stomping on Lance's foot, and bursting into the room, followed by Gengar. At the same time, she saw a shadowy orb destroy a wall and slam into a Pokemon she had never seen before, sending it through the opposite wall. Then, her son began to fall.

"SAVE HIM GENGAR!" Ash heard the cry from across the room in mid-air. Whipping his head around, he saw his mom and Lance by the doorway. He also saw a broken leg in his future because he was about to—

"GAR!" cried the Ash's playful ghoul, popping out of the ground and catching the boy just in the nick of time.

"Gengar, I'm really glad you caught me this time without dropping me first," deadpanned the boy, making his Pokemon snigger. Getting himself out of Gengar's arms and into a standing position, Ash looked upward at the broken wall, where everyone, aside from Delia who was still running towards her son, was looking.

"WHO DARES TO INTERRUPT TEAM ROCKET!" thundered Giovanni, livid at the boy's stupid amount of luck to keep surviving at the very last second. He got his answer in the form of something that looked far too small and far too gentle, but there it was.

"Mew," cried the mythical Pokemon, gliding into the room.

"Mew," Ash said in awe, gazing at the creature that was his savior.

"IMPOSSIBLE!" raged Giovanni, disbelief clear on his face.

"More than possible!" interrupted Lance, walking further into the room.

"You may not understand this with your own twisted views on Pokemon, but they are more than tools Giovanni. Pokemon and smart, incredible, and passionate beings that we are honored to share this world with. Mew's presence is proof," smirked the man. Meanwhile, Delia had now reached her boy, tackling him into a hug that she refused to end.

"Is that right? Then what would you call that!" retorted Giovanni, a grin back on his features. Mewtwo glided back into the room, coated with blue energy, and he was angry.

"That actually hurt. So, you're the creature I am the mere copy of? Well, this copy isn't done yet!" telepathically yelled Mewtwo, firing his own Shadow Ball at Mew without Giovanni even needing to order it.

Mew dodged easy enough, its small body and the ease at which it moved, letting it do so.

"Mew! Mew! Mew! Mew!" cried the Pokemon, trying to reason with Mewtwo.

"Friendship? Equals? You are delusional. Even if I bought into your foolish dogma, I wouldn't be able to stop. I am a slave to humanity's greed!" spat Mewtwo, firing off another Shadow Ball, which this time Mew matched. The result was a powerful explosion overhead. The resulting energy sent everyone below to the ground in rough tumbles.

"The Dark Ball!" realized Lance.

"Everyone, Mewtwo, or that Pokemon, it's being controlled. We need to find the Dark Ball and destroy it!" yelled Lance, standing back up.

"Do you mean this Dark Ball Champion Lance?" laughed Giovanni, tossing the spherical ball in his hand into the air, over and over, through the screen.

"I'm afraid it is quite out of your reach." Turning his attention elsewhere, Giovanni barked new orders.

"Defeat Mew but try to keep it alive. It will make an excellent addition to my collection, and the experiments we could run are near endless. I COULD BUILD AN ENTIRE ARMY OF MEWTWO!" shouted the man with glee. Dark energy shrouded Mewtwo, shocking the creature and willing him to obey. Rapid Shadow Balls flew from the creature, aiming to take down Mew with haste.

"This is bad," muttered Lance.

"How so Champion?" asked Lorelei. Bruno was also nearby, now standing with a limp and supporting Will.

"There's no way to stop it, and we have no guarantee that Mew will succeed either. Even if it does, the resulting fight will likely take down this entire facility, and us with it," grimly finished the man, looking at his friends. The noted absence caught his attention.

"Where's Agatha?" Nobody wanted to look him in the eye, but Bruno gestured to the side, and Lance saw it.

"I-I see," said the man in a tight voice.

"We can and will mourn her later, but for now we need to take action. Everyone," started Lance, eying Ash, who broke free from his mother's grip to listen.

"Recall all of your fallen Pokemon at once. We are going to evacuate the island. It is no longer safe!" Nobody hesitated, moving with great speed to return their fallen friends, including Ash's still conscious Gengar.

"Uh Lance, what do we do about the twelve Pokemon that were help captive by the Dark Balls?" wondered Ash, wincing at another explosion from overhead.

"I can help with that," interjected Bruno, tossing a belt to Ash.

"On that belt rests the Pokeballs that belonged to your father. They should be able to call them back. It is only right that you have the honor," smiled Bruno.

"And Lance, take these," said Lorelei, tossing over six empty Pokeballs.

"These are some extras I brought from the Pokemon League. Even if Giovanni never destroyed your Pokeballs, I doubt you'll see them again." Giving her a grateful nod, Lance tossed the Pokeballs, capturing his fallen Pokemon with ease. It seemed like Giovanni had indeed destroyed his Pokeballs, otherwise recapturing them wouldn't have been so easy. On the other end, Ash recalled his father's Pokemon, causing them to disappear in a flash the moment they came into his ownership. They were safe back at the Pokemon Lab, and that was all that mattered.

"All right, let's move," ordered Lance, seeing that all the Pokemon were secure. Everyone made haste for the exit. Unfortunately, their efforts did not go unnoticed.

"SHADOW BALL AT THE HUMANS! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!" screamed Giovanni. Mewtwo and Mew had just clashed yet again, creating a wave of smoke in the air, and giving the creature time. Mewtwo fired and he did it fast. No doubt the attack would be weak and easily combatted by Mew, but Mew was a mythical Pokemon. The humans were anything but. Ash saw the attack coming first, and time slowed down for him, just as if he was in battle.

I can pull mom away now, and we can escape the attack unharmed, but if I do, Lance and the Elite Four are going to take the hit. They won't survive either. My journey started off about being the very best Pokemon Trainer. To make it to the top. To be a Pokemon Master! Somewhere along the way though, things just got a bit complicated. I made two great friends, battled some awesome rivals, I met the Elite Four and the Champion, and I had my life changed by the Pokemon I've met. To be a master may be my dream, but these things are more important. They are worth preserving. If Lance and the Elite Four die, then Team Rocket wins and all those things are in danger. Time sped back up, and Ash shoved his mom to he ground.

"Ash?"

"I love you." The boy sprinted forward towards Lance and the Elite Four, turning at the last moment and placing his hands in front of him to take the blow and shutting his eyes. Ash was ready to die, and that nobility awakened something deep inside him.

"ASH!" Delia screamed, causing Lance to turn with wide eyes. Shadow Ball connected, but no immediate explosion occurred. Opening his eyes, Ash noticed that his hands pulsed with a blue energy, capturing the attack between them. By instinct, the boy sent the attack back to where it had come from, though Mewtwo dodged with ease.

"What was…" Ash couldn't finish, falling to the floor in a heap. The blue energy spread, enveloping his entire body. All that was left in the end when it faded, was a boy made from stone.

"ASH! NO ASH!" cried Delia, running to her child's side. Lance stared at the boy that had saved his life. A mixture of dread and recognition in his features.

That power. I've seen it before.

"Is he dead? Truly? By Arceus yes! ASH RED KETCHUM IS DEAD! THE KETCHUM LEGACY IS DEAD!" screamed Giovanni, letting out another maniacal laugh. Something the evil man did not notice, caught up in his sadistic jubilation, was the noticeable free will and calmness his "slave" began to experience. Something happened in Mewtwo's very being, giving him control.

"That boy, he gave his life for others. He had no concerns of his own wellbeing," Mewtwo muttered, utterly baffled at what he had seen. Mew floated next to the being.

"Mew," cried the Pokemon, seeming to impart some form of wisdom.

"You were right. They are truly magnificent in their own way. Different, but not all bad. Given all that I have done, I may not have the right to ask, but ask I will. Can you set me free?" Mewtwo asked his floating companion. Mew nodded, tapping Mewtwo on the forehead with a single paw. A shockwave of psychic energy exploded from the duo, shattering all the cameras, microphones, and the screen showing Giovanni. Hundreds of miles away, a man saw the black spherical device he held in his hands explode.

Mewtwo felt the difference in an instant. He felt light, unburdened by the invisible chains that had long shackled him. Turning to the floating legend, he offered his first genuine smile.

"Thank you Mew. I have learned much this day, but I fear I will only bring more pain if I stay. Who am I? I intend to go and find out for myself out there in the wider world. Farewell," finished Mewtwo, flying away through a hole in the wall with his newfound freedom.

Nobody on the ground paid that any mind. They were all consumed with one boy. A special boy that had given everything he had.

"ASH! PLEASE ASH! WAKE UP!" wailed the woman, holding the stone body in her arms.

"Delia," Lance tried, reaching for her.

"NO! HE'S NOT GONE! He can't be…" whispered Delia, tears falling to the floor. Lance and the remaining members of the Elite Four had plenty of their own to shed as well. On their own, Ash's Pokeballs opened, releasing the creatures within. They were weak, tired beyond all reasonable doubt, but something called to them. Slowly, they all recognized what it was. Their trainer, friend, partner, and even daddy was in trouble. Joining Ash's mom, the seven Pokemon stood over their fallen compatriot, letting out tears of their own.

"Pika pi…"

"Gar…"

"Cookie…"

"Pidgeo…"

"Rogue…"

"Raaooo…"

"Daddy…"

Looking down on them all, still floating in the air was Mew. The human that could invoke tears of sorrow from other humans and Pokemon had a strong capacity for love. He was a person of destiny, something Mew could sense quite well. The world was not yet done with Ash Red Ketchum. Keeping this in mind, Mew floated down to the ground, placed its paw on the boy's forehead, and performed one final miracle.

Viridian City Hospital (1 Day Later)

The powerful smell of sterilization and the blurry sight of florescent lighting is what Ash experienced first.

This is kind of like Deja-vu, thought the boy, recalling the last time he experienced these senses. Indeed, as his vision became clear he could confirm that he was in the hospital. Then there was the other thing he noticed. A notable weight was on the bed. Lifting his head, he could see his mom in a chair, leaning forward and asleep on his bed.

"Ash?" whispered the familiar voice of Misty from the door. Relief coursed through his veins, looking up to see his friend unscathed.

"Misty, I'm so glad your okay. How's Brock?" whispered back the boy, keeping his voice low as to not wake his mother.

"Speak for yourself Ash, from what we were told, I thought you were a goner," chided the girl with a smile.

"As for Brock, he's doing okay. The crazy boy saved my life, taking two daggers in his shoulder from Domino," scowled the redhead. Seeing Ash's eyes widen with concern, she continued.

"Don't worry, the doctors patched him right up. He got the go ahead to head back to the Pokemon Center this morning. Even had the energy to flirt with Nurse Joy."

"That's a relief," sighed Ash.

"You know, your mom's been there by your side since we got here last night. We tried to get her to leave, but the best we could do was bring her food. She really loves you Ash. I think I'll give you two some privacy," smiled Misty, walking away and closing the door. The boy had a warm feeling, thinking about the dedication his mom had shown him.

Yeah, she really does. Might as well wake her up and put an end to her worrying.

"Mom, wake up. I'm ok," Ash said, gently shaking her. Blinking her eyes and stretching out, Delia took a moment to reacclimate herself to the world. Seeing her son up in the bed snapped her back quick, and she pulled him into a crushing hug.

"Oh Ash, thanks Arceus you're ok sweetie."

"No worries, I'm ok mom. Really, I am," said the boy, awkwardly patting her on the back.

"I thought I lost you," whispered his mom, not letting go.

"What do you mean lost me? I only fainted right?" asked the boy, pulling away. Delia looked at him with a serious expression.

"Ash, after you fainted, your body turned to stone. You had no heartbeat. You were gone baby," weakly finished the woman, tracing Ash's cheek with her hand.

"Gone… but how am I here?" wondered the boy, very troubled to learn that he had died, or at least came close to dying.

"Mew. I don't know how, but all it took was Mew tapping you on the head and your body went back to normal. Then you started to breath and you were back."

"Was Mew able to help Agatha too?" asked Ash with a hopeful expression. Delia shook her head.

"Lance asked immediately after you were saved, but Mew simply shook its head. I guess even a mythical Pokemon like Mew can't bring back the dead." The boy frowned hearing the disappointing news, but he was also guilty that he was happy that everyone else was ok, especially his mom and friends. Reaching for his belt, all his Pokeballs appeared to be attached as well.

"Wait, where is Lance and the Elite Four? Which hospital are we at anyway?"

"We're in Viridian City," answered Delia.

"Why Viridian of all places?" scrutinized the boy.

"That has to do with your other question…"

Viridian City Gym

Red and blue lights flashed, the sound of sirens blazing everywhere. Yellow tape surrounded the Gym, blocking all civilians from interfering. Squads of officers and league officials, including more than a few Jennies, stood in formation on all sides of the Gym, awaiting orders. Alongside them were their partners. Growlithes, Arcanines, and a few specialists like Machamp and Magnemite stood bye. Inspecting it all for any holes or deficiencies was a tall slender man with wavy black hair. He wore a brown trench coat, covering a suit with a purple tie. It had taken hours, but they were ready. No Rocket would be escaping this. Pulling out his walkie-talkie, the man spoke.

"This is Inspector Looker; we are ready sir!" The Champion flew down with his Dragonite, landing gracefully beside the man, and hopping off his Pokemon, already ready to go despite his long captivity and injuries. Well, not quite ready but the man was stubborn. At the very least, he was allowing Looker to take point.

"There are no holes in the formation? No cracks for the Rockets to slip through?" pried Lance.

"No sir! I checked three times myself," barked the inspector.

"Good, then we proceed. Giovanni will not get away!" Lance answered with steel. Looker nodded, walking towards the front door with a few officers and the Magnemite.

"Careful boys, the Rockets inside are experienced Pokemon trainers. Their boss will be far worse," warned the man.

"That is why I will be dealing with him personally," added Lance.

"This is Looker, we will be breaching in 10 seconds. Prepare your teams to go!" loudly whispered the man into the walkie-talkie. Putting it away, he nodded to the Magnemite.

"Magnemite," emotionlessly sounded the Pokemon, moving to the card scanner and jamming a magnet into it. The electronic scanner was immediately short-circuited, making the doors slide open.

"GO! GO! GO!" yelled Looker, charging in with Lance and the officers. On the sides of the building, a Machamp punched through a wall, while an Arcanine melted it away with Flamethrower. Dozens of officers and league officials stormed the Gym from all sides. Back in the front, Lance and Looker walked together, unease coursing through them at the silence and absence of personnel.

"I don't understand, the Viridian City Gym was completely closed off," muttered Looker.

"When was the perimeter established?" prodded Lance.

"As soon as you called in around midnight last night," immediately answered the man. The two shared a concerned look, but pushed forward, Dragonite walking by them. Soon enough, they stood before the doors to the Viridian City Battlefield.

"This is it. Ready?" Looker asked the Champion. Lance merely signaled to his Dragonite. The Dragon Pokemon stepped forward, delivering a powerful Dynamic Punch, and blasting the doors in, prompting the humans to sprint forward.

"An elevator?" questioned Looker. At the center of the battlefield, an elevator of all things stood open. The top of it had a pattern that matched the Viridian City Battlefield, which would have allowed it to easily blend in had it not been raised.

"He wanted us to find this," growled Lance, moving forward with his Pokemon.

"Are you sure it's safe then?" tried Looker, keeping pace with him.

"Don't worry, Dragonite will make sure we're fine," the man said nonchalantly, entering the open door, followed by his Pokemon and the apprehensive man. There were only two buttons. One for the top floor and the other for the ground. Lance clicked the appropriate one, and they were off. Down they want, travelling deep beneath Viridian City.

"If I had to guess, this is probably were Giovanni and some of his higher ups waited out the storm he inflicted on Kanto," mused Lance.

"Team Rocket was behind that?" blurted Looker.

"Yes. I will be disclosing the ordeal to the public in a press conference tomorrow," finished the Champion, just as the door opened. The duo and Dragonite walked into what looked like a reception. Plastered to the front desk was a big red arrow, pointing left.

"He's still leading us," muttered Looker. Not having much of a choice, they followed the trail, coming to a large metal door that was already open. The interior was richly designed and centered around a desk. There was also a screen on the wall. Two comfortable chairs sat on one side of the desk. A rather nice one that Lance recognized from the screen back on New Island was behind it.

"Sir, this was on the desk. I think this is for you," Looker said, catching his attention. The inspector handed him a note penned in Giovanni's handwriting.

"If you are reading this Lance, then I am long gone, far from the clutches of you and your precious league forces. It took a mythical being to stop me and my ambitions, so don't think of this as a victory. It is a tactical retreat and nothing more. I suppose I can console myself with the death of the Ketchum boy, which you will no doubt seek to avenge. I heartily invite you to try, though you will never find me. I will be in the shadows champion, rebuilding and watching. Waiting for the right time to strike. When the time comes, and believe me it will, I will bring Kanto to its knees! Until then, happy hunting.

Giovanni (Head of Team Rocket)

"This still doesn't explain how he got away," frowned Lance, disregarding the letter for a moment. He carefully observed the room, trying to find something he had missed, and then he saw it. The screen was slightly tilted.

"Dragonite, move that television screen away," calmly ordered the man. The Dragon Pokemon obliged, stepping forward, and grabbing it. There it was a large hole that would easily fit multiple human beings. Giovanni had escaped.

"DAMNIT!" yelled Lance, slamming a fist onto the table.

Viridian City Gym Bunker (1 day earlier)

Just when he had claimed his greatest victory, things began to go very wrong for Giovanni. The feed abruptly cutoff and the Dark Ball in his hand violently exploded. Pieces flew everywhere, some embedding themselves into the man's hand. Ariana and Silver were spared at the very least.

"ARGH!" cried the man, clutching his hand and staring at the screen in disbelief.

"What just happened? "WHAT JUST HAPPENED!"

"G-Giovanni, before the feed cut, I saw Mew touch the creature's forehead. After that, some kind of shockwave went out. I-I think it was responsible," stuttered Ariana, trying to soothe the man's rage.

"A mythical Pokemon not seen for centuries… That is what stopped me?" darkly chuckled the man, a hint of insanity in that laugh.

"I truly thought I had accounted for everything. It would appear not. No doubt they will come for me. The league forces and perhaps even the creature," mused the man. Pressing his com, Giovanni barked out an order.

"Get every executive on screen from their respective safe houses now!"

"Yes sir," snapped the grunt.

"What are you going to do Dad?" quietly asked Silver. Giovanni ignored him, keeping his eye on the screen. It only took a few moments for each face to flicker on.

"My friends, it pains me to say that our mission on New Island was a failure. Ash Red Ketchum and that hag from the Elite Four are dead, but the asset is no longer under Rocket control. With my identity exposed, operating as we have been in no longer viable," started the man.

"What are your orders sir?" asked Archer.

"Effective immediately, Team Rocket is to evacuate the Kanto Region. All key operatives are to migrate to the sights that have been prepared in Johto. Grunts can be replaced, so you need not bother with those of little importance," continued Giovanni, waving his hand away.

"In addition, we will be ceasing all activities while the migration is taking place. Archer, you are to resume Rocket activity six months from now. Start with our normal activities, stealing Pokemon, working through illicit businesses, and such.

"M-me sir? But what about you?" asked the clearly taken aback man.

"I will be going into hiding, completing my own objectives necessary for the success of Team Rocket. Until you hear from me again, Executive Archer is the acting head of Team Rocket. Am I understood?" warned Giovanni, his black eyes piercing those of every executive.

"Yes sir!" chorused the Executives.

"Good. You are all dismissed. Do not disappoint me," finished the man, powering over the screen with the nearby remote.

"Arianna, inform the rest of those stationed in the bunker that we are to evacuate in the next few minutes," ordered the man, pulling out a few pieces of paper and beginning to write. The girl didn't respond, simply walking away to fulfill the order, leaving Silver with Giovanni.

"So, you're leaving then? Running away because you lost?" Silver asked in a cold voice. Giovanni looked him in the eyes.

"You can't move forward if you are unable to accept defeat. For Team Rocket to thrive into a stronger organization, I need to be alone."

"YOU CAN ORDER AND CONTROL ALL THE GOONS YOU WANT! YOU STILL LOST! YOU CAN'T MATCH THE POWER OF A LEGENDARY POKEMON!" screamed Silver, staring at the man with contempt and hate. Giovanni ignored the tone, not rising to it. Instead, he looked down at his bloodied hand.

"I failed to use my men and resources to their potential. I failed to account for all possible scenarios. One day I will return, bringing Team Rocket back to the top!" vowed the man, squeezing his bloody hand into a fist.

"I DON'T GET IT! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IT ALL!" yelled the boy, tears pouring down his eyes.

"One day you will understand," responded Giovanni, going back to his writing.

"I DON'T WANT TO UNDERSTAND! I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYTHING LIKE YOU! I WILL BE STRONG ON MY OWN!" roared Silver, turning away and running out the metal door towards the elevator. Giovanni didn't chase him, nor did he bother informing Ariana when she looked for the boy. It wasn't important in the moment. His heir would return in due time. The letter now complete. Giovanni left it on the desk and moved towards the screen.

"I will return, and next time, not even a Legendary Pokemon will be able to get in my way."

END CHAPTER

We have come to a close on the events of the first movie. There is still a little bit that needs to be addressed, such as Ash's power, why he was turned to stone when he used it, and Lance's press conference. It will come in the next chapter. Speaking of stone, yeah I figured the power of love and friendship was nice, but a mythical Pokemon healing him made a bit more sense. Shout out to Jonathan-Mandrake, who inspired the Aura idea with his review! Finally, month end close at work is upon me once again, which means there will be little time for writing. The next chapter may not come until next weekend. We will see though.

Next Time – Ash and Lance have a talk, Misty gets some time with her idol and thinks about her future, we get Lance's press conference, and some special guests make an appearance at said conference. Who knows what else will happen?

Guest – Thank you for the review! Sorry but Giovanni escaped. He has a role to play in Johto. Maybe we will get him then? If it makes you feel better, Domino was captured!

Jonathan-Mandrake – Thanks for the review! Please keep them coming. Your last review really added to this story!

Espeon860 – Thanks for the review! Glad you liked the team selection. Yeah, someone had to die, and poor Agatha got the short end of the stick. You were right with Silver, though it was a bit obvious. We will see him in Johto.

CaptainSammyAngel – Thanks for the review! Next time you will find out what Ash wants to do with his father's Pokemon. Luckily, no one else had to die.

Reader2 – Thanks for the review! Good call on the Giovanni escape. I plan to alter the events slightly in Johto, just as I did with Kanto surrounding him. Silver will certainly play a role as well. As for Anabel, she is in the world, but she is not yet a Frontier Brain. Why couldn't some unknown character hold that title for now?

Reader – Thanks for the review! Your feelings tend to be spot on. As for her replacement, I have already hinted at who it is in earlier chapters. The teams are what they are, but maybe some will get switched around with time.

Today I would like to recommend a Twilight Princess Fanfiction. It is called The Strength of Courage, written by EquinoxWolf. The story features the narration of Twilight Princess with some twists and turns, including Midna/Link shipping. Give it a read if you want.

Remember to review with your thoughts and critique : )

Smell ya later!