Divided we Stand

by CidGregor and Dragonshadow

Chapter Two: A Strange New World

"Hello? Mom?"

Knock knock knock.

"You home? Mom?"

Knock knock knock.

"Mom? Mr. Mime? Anyone?!"

Ash and Brock stood on the front porch of the Ketchum residence, a simple and modest home that only really stood out because of an exceptionally beautiful flower garden. Well, that, and the fact that it seemed to radiate a pleasant, inviting warmth, like anyone who passed by could stop in for a chat, or a meal, or a good night's sleep. It always seemed to be a cheery, lively and welcoming place.

Most of the time, anyway.

Right now, though, if Ash's frustrated and unanswered knocking was any indication, the house was dark, empty, and locked up. There was no sign of either his mother or her household helper Mr. Mime, a fact that Ash found rather unusual. One of them was usually home; either his mother would send Mr. Mime on an errand while she did various other chores around the house, or she would go somewhere herself and leave Mr. Mime to watch over things. Finding it empty was definitely odd, especially today; his mom knew he was on his way home, and so did Professor Oak and Misty, and they wouldn't miss his homecoming. Even May and Gary had said they might stop by for a visit. Why weren't any of them here?

"Strange…" Brock murmured, seeming to notice the same thing. "I wonder where they could have gone…"

"Maybe we're early…?" Ash wondered. "Maybe mom's shopping for everyone and she needed Mr. Mime to help carry it all…?"

Brock frowned slightly. "I'm not sure about that…your mom is usually better prepared than to wait until the last minute to shop for today, isn't she? And it doesn't explain where the others are, either…"

"Hmm…" Ash frowned as well, thinking hard.

"Do you have a key? Maybe we can look around inside."

"Oh!" Ash brightened slightly, looking over to one side of the porch. "Yeah, we keep a key hidden!"

"Perfect! Maybe there's some kind of clue to where everyone went!"

Ash nodded as he knelt down beside the door, his fingers working their way between two of the polished wooden boards making up the front porch. As he expected, one of them was loose, and moved easily as Ash got his fingers under it and lifted it out of the way. What he wasn't expecting, however, was to find not a key hiding underneath but a tightly-folded but rather new-looking slip of paper.

"What the…?" Ash marveled, pulling it out. "What's this?"

"Is something wrong?" Brock probed.

"The key's gone…and someone left this piece of paper in its place," Ash explained, starting to unfold it. "There's writing on it, too…"

"What does it say?"

Ash peered at the paper, reading it out loud. "Ash, if you've found this letter, then you're probably wondering where we are. Professor Oak feels that Mimey might not be safe at home because of the new laws, so we're staying with him for the time being. Meet us there. Love, Mom." He paused for a moment. "PS, you better be changing your--" Ash suddenly stopped, reddening. "Uh-…I mean, that's all it says! Whoops, guess she ran out of room!"

Brock paid it no mind. "Professor Oak, huh…that makes sense, the professor keeps a lot of Pokémon there. It wouldn't be very easy for anyone to just come and take away an entire ranch full of them. But one woman and her lone Mr. Mime by themselves would be a much easier target for someone trying to confiscate people's Pokémon. They're definitely safer at Oak's lab for now."

"Wait, what do you mean, 'safer'?!" Ash demanded. "My mom isn't a trainer, and she doesn't use Mr. Mime to fight! Why would anyone come after her?!"

"Call it a hunch…something tells me this new law situation is a lot worse than we think…"

"Then we better get over to Oak's lab on the double! C'mon!"

Brock nodded. "Right. Let's go."

The pair hurried on down the road, and a few short minutes later they were at the front gate to Professor Oak's laboratory. Just beyond it was a hillside path leading up to the lab compound itself, a small, modest building surrounded by wide-open plains for Pokémon to roam freely. Ash peered up the path, trying to see the ranch, but he couldn't see anything over the hillcrest, so instead he turned to the intercom mounted on the front gate and impatiently jabbed the buzzer several times.

"Hello?" Ash called into the speaker. "Anyone there? Professor Oak? Mom?"

The answer came almost immediately. "Ash? Is that you, my boy?"

"Yeah, it's me, Professor Oak!" Ash confirmed. "What's going on? Things are really weird around here…"

"I take it you haven't heard, then…" the voice of Professor Oak came back through the intercom. "Well, it's a long story, so you better come inside. I'll open the gate for you…"

"Is that my baby?" a new voice came through. "Let me talk to him!"

"Augh…no, be careful with that, Delia!"

"Let me have it!"

"He'll be right up, just wait one mom—NO, don't touch tha--"

The line cut off a second later, leaving Ash staring embarrassedly at the speaker. "Jeez, mom…"

"Come on, Ash, looks like they're pretty impatient to see us," Brock urged, walking through the now-open gate. "And once we get inside it should be okay to let Pikachu out again."

"Oh, yeah!" Ash realized, jolting into action at those words and rushing through the gate, making a beeline for the lab and pulling out the special lightning-bolt Poké Ball. The moment he grabbed it, though, he felt something rather odd that made him stop still for a moment: the ball was vibrating. No, that wasn't right…it was outright shaking. Like the ball was struggling to hold together while something viciously fought with it.

"Ash?" Brock said as he caught up. "What's wrong? Why'd you stop?"

"Pikachu…" Ash murmured, feeling a jab of guilt. "It's been longer than we said it would…"

Brock noticed the ball now as well. "Hmm…well, we're inside the professor's ranch…I guess it should be okay to let Pikachu out."

Ash nodded thankfully and hurried to press the release button on the ball. A flash of light and energy burst out from within, quickly forming into the shape of his Pikachu, who to Ash's further guilt looked very scared and upset for a moment.

"Piiiii Pikachu, chuuuu…!" Pikachu cried out, looking around wildly for a moment before seeming to realize the confines of the Poké Ball was gone, and the real world had returned.

"Hey, buddy…you okay…?" Ash asked, smiling apologetically.

Pikachu took several deep breaths, slowly relaxing and calming down before nodding. "Pikapi…"

"Sorry it took so long," Ash said, kneeling down on the ground beside his friend. "No one was home, so we had to come to Professor Oak's lab before it was safe to let you out…I hope you're not mad at me…"

"Chuu, pikapi…" Pikachu responded, and jumped up into Ash's arms to nuzzle his neck, clearly thrilled to be free.

"Heh…good…" Ash said with a smile and patted Pikachu's back.

"Well, well, Ash and Pikachu! Now there's a sight for sore eyes!"

Ash blinked in surprise, turning toward the voice. "Huh? Is that…? I know that voice…"

Indeed, a familiar brunette boy in purple clothes and a brown traveling cloak stood just outside the door to the lab, grinning at them. "Long time no see, Ash."

"Gary!" Ash exclaimed, breaking out into a grin at the sight of his friendly rival. "Wow, you made it!"

"Of course I made it," Gary Oak said with a smile. "I live here too, y'know."

"He arrived just before you did, Ash," came Professor Oak's voice, the elderly man walking outside as well and up behind his grandson. "And he's not the only one eager to see you…"

"Huh…?" Ash trailed off, looking past Professor Oak to see a taller woman with reddish-brown hair step outside next, a woman he immediately recognized as his mother. "Mom!" he shouted with a smile.

"ASH!" the excited Delia Ketchum squealed, rushing up to give him a suffocating hug. "Oh, it's so GOOD to have you home, honey!"

"Heh…glad to be home, mom…"

"And there's little Pikachu, the cutie!" she added cheerfully, patting Pikachu's head. "And Brock, it's lovely to see you again too!"

Brock gave her a smile and a friendly wave. "Thanks, I've been looking forward to coming back here again."

"You happened to come at a rather unusual time," Professor Oak said. "Even so, I'm glad you all got home safe."

"Ah, it was no trouble, gramps!" Gary assured him, and turned back to Ash with a teasing grin. "I always was a step ahead of Ash."

"Hah, as if! Don't forget who beat you in the Johto conference!" Ash threw back with a smirk.

"You beat me once after a string of crushing defeats and suddenly you're the tough guy, are you, Ashy boy?" Gary smirked back.

"You want to see if that 'once' holds up?!" Ash clenched his fists, the old nickname getting his blood pumping. "Come on, one more!"

"Er, I don't think that's such a good idea…" Oak tried to get between them, but neither of the boys paid him any mind.

"I'd love to, Ashy boy," Gary grinned.

"Really boys, this is—" Professor Oak was interrupted again.

"Fine! Just let me make some adjustments and I'll meet you out back in the research field!" Ash shouted vigorously.

"You're on!" Gary shouted back, and without another word the two boys had vanished into Oak's laboratory.

"Oh my…" Delia smiled nervously.

Professor Oak hung his head. "Ah, youth…"

A few minutes later, Ash stood in the middle of a small field behind Professor Oak's laboratory, where the professor's Pokémon all roamed. A few of the wild ones stopped at the edge of the dense forests behind the lab to watch the two humans with curious gazes, but most of the Pokémon actually belonged to the two trainers, and soon Ash caught sight of his Bulbasaur in particular, peeking out of the brush with a surprised and gleeful expression on his face.

"Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur burst from the foliage and bounded up the hill.

"Bulbasaur, hey!" Ash shouted as his old friend came rushing up to him. Even Pikachu let out a delighted squeal as one of their very first companions bounded up to them. Ash got down on one knee to pat the thick green bulb on his back. "It's been a while! You look good!" Bulbasaur smiled and nuzzled his cheek against Ash's hand. "Professor Oak tells me you've been a great help around the lab."

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur beamed with pride.

"Is this reunion day or something?" Gary quipped, though his voice lacked the venom that it had back in his dedicated trainer days. "I thought we were going to have a battle here."

"Bulb?" Bulbasaur looked back at Gary in surprise, then looked up into Ash's face. His bright red eyes gleamed for a moment before he nodded and dropped away from Ash, turning to face Gary.

"You want to battle with me? All right!" Ash stood up straight and faced Gary with a proud, powerful pose. "Just like the old days!"

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur dropped into a low stance on all four legs.

"Well this should be interesting," Gary said, and reached into his belt to retrieve a Poké Ball, which rapidly expanded in his palm. "Let's see if this seed can beat my steel! Go Scizor!" Gary threw his ball onto the field, where it exploded into a flash of light that coalesced in the air in front of him. It soon solidified into a form taller than either of the two trainers, its sleek red hide shining in the powerful afternoon sun like solid steel. Its wings made a sharp buzzing sound against its back while a pair of pincer-like claws snapped together at its sides with metallic clangs.

"Hmm…your Scizor looks pretty tough, Gary…but Bulbasaur and I can take him!"

"I'll make you eat those words, Ash!"

Professor Oak, Ash's mother and Brock, meanwhile, emerged from the back of Oak's laboratory as the two Pokémon stared each other down. Delia gasped and put one hand over her mouth. "Shouldn't we stop this? What if someone sees?"

"I don't think we COULD stop them," Brock answered, crossing his arms over his chest. "They've always been at each others' throats, and I think they like it that way."

"I suppose if they must there's really no safer place," Professor Oak added as he shoved his hands into the deep pockets of his lab coat. "Still…it's a risk…especially now…"

"You mean with that temporary ban on battling?" Brock queried.

"I'm afraid it's much worse than that…" Oak said darkly. "Come inside…I'll explain everything…"

"So just how bad HAVE things gotten?" Brock asked, taking a seat in the professor's living room.

"It may very well change the lives of everyone living in Kanto, and perhaps beyond that border as well," Oak began. "You have heard some of it, yes?"

Brock nodded. "There were news reports on the ferry between here and Sinnoh, about a rise in criminal activity involving Pokémon…"

"Yes indeed. It's been quite the epidemic. Cities all over the region have been affected. Panic and paranoia was starting to set in. People demanded that something be done. Then, like an answer to their prayers, the Indigo League met with the Kanto government in Saffron City, and agreed to temporarily ban all Pokémon battles until a proper solution could be formed. They dubbed this motion the Saffron Legislation."

"Like the sign," Brock nodded along. "But it also mentioned something called the Silph Act."

"Mmm, yes. The Silph Act is the solution that was reached. The biggest summit meeting in Kanto's history was held at the Silph Co. building in Saffron City a few days ago. Between the Indigo League board of directors, the individual city mayors, and the Kanto central government, they decided that the only way to ensure that the Pokémon crime wave was halted…was to make the ban permanent."

Brock let out a surprised gasp. "Permanent?!"

"I'm afraid so. The Silph Act was written as a result of that decision. By its wording, not only would all Pokémon battles become outlawed, but the very act of keeping and training Pokémon would be illegal as well. A special task force would be established to patrol the cities and travel routes across Kanto to confiscate all Pokémon kept by registered trainers. They would be forced to turn over their Pokémon to the task force, and anyone who refused would be arrested. Even the Pokémon Gyms would be targeted."

Brock froze at that, standing up quickly. "What do you mean the Gyms would be targeted?!"

"Unfortunately, the summit believed that if the Gyms were allowed to remain, even if they were closed, they would somehow encourage trainers to defy the ban. So to prevent that from happening, the Silph Act also says that all Pokémon Gyms are to be shut down and demolished, immediately."

Brock felt a jolt of horror. "De…demolished?!"

"Yes…" Oak admitted. "And with pressure from the media and the citizens to come to a quick conclusion, the Silph Act has already been put to a vote…"

Brock's jaw dropped. "They didn't…?!"

"……" Oak nodded. "Yes. I'm afraid the Silph Act passed just yesterday."

"No…" Brock said with a clenched fist. "That's insane…they can't do this!"

"I'm afraid it's already being done, my boy. The demolishing of Gyms began today."

A pang of fear hit Brock at that. "Where?"

"Cerulean City."

"Misty's Gym?!"

Oak nodded. "It was on the morning news. I'm afraid that is why she couldn't be here today. I imagine she's quite distraught over the loss of her home. Word is they're moving west from there…"

"Oh no…that means Pewter City's next in line! I have to get there and stop it!"

"Now wait just a moment, Brock!" Oak insisted. "I'm sure you're worried about your family and their Gym, but you can't just run around freely anymore! It's dangerous to be a Pokémon trainer now! Every police officer in the region is looking for them, and since you're all registered trainers, they know exactly what to look for! If they see you…"

"I have to risk it…my family's going to be in danger, and I have to be there to help them!"

"You still shouldn't go alone--"

BOOOOOOOM!

An explosion somewhere outside suddenly rocked the compound, nearly sending both men tumbling off their feet and knocking more than a few photos and knick-knacks from their shelves.

"Ahhnn…" Brock grunted, looking wildly around. "What…what was that?!"

"No…I was afraid of this…!" Oak muttered, stumbling quickly toward the window.

"What? What's happening?!" Brock demanded, hurrying up beside him, but all they could make out were think clouds of smoke and curls of flame.

Oak, however, seemed to know exactly what was happening. "The ranch…" he said, pointing out the window. "They're attacking the ranch…"

"Okay Bulbasaur, let's do this! Razor Leaf!" Ash pointed toward his opponent with a swing of his finger. Bulbasaur shouted acceptance and a pair of long, green vines whipped out of the bulb on his back. They snapped back to the base of the bulb and ripped a string of leaves from the bulb, sending them spinning through the air toward the opposing Pokémon like a series of shuriken.

Scizor didn't even flinch as the blades struck its tough metal skin, shattering on impact without leaving so much as a scratch. Its fierce yellow eyes glinted as it moved into a low position, then threw itself forward, charging across the grass with a fast, light step. A powerful light surged through its right claw, which it brought forward in a massive overhand blow. Bulbasaur narrowly leapt out of the way in time before the claw came down, ripping into the ground so harshly that a wave of dirt was tossed into the air around them.

Bulbasaur twisted in mid-air, the bulb on his back pulsing for a moment before it erupted into a powerful string of shots. The seeds fired from the bulb like bullets, slamming full-force into Scizor's metal backside, to no great effect. The seeds sent sparks flying with every impact, yet left no lasting mark on the smooth metal hide. Scizor turned to face Bulbasaur again, taking the Bullet Seeds straight in the chest.

"Nothing's working…" Ash grunted in surprise as the attack faded away.

"Come on Ash, you've got to realize this is possibly the worst mismatch of all time," Gary pointed out. "Both Bug Pokémon and Steel Pokémon are strong against grass attacks, and that's all Bulbasaur specializes in. Just give it up."

Ash growled, those key words only making his blood boil even hotter. "We don't give up!"

"Bulbaaaa!" Bulbasaur shouted in agreement and launched himself into battle again. A vine lashed out from the bulb on his back, cracking sharply against Scizor's shoulder. The bug Pokémon barely jerked back before righting itself, but it barely had a moment to strike before Bulbasaur's second whip slammed into its chest, forcing it to take a step back. Emboldened by his minor victory Bulbasaur pressed on with another crack of his whip, but one of Scizor's pincers lashed out to intercept it. It knocked the whip away and spun in closer to Bulbasaur, one claw lashing out to slam into his head.

Bulbasaur hurled back through the air, but landed right side up on all four feet nearby. He shook his head clear, and then raised the bulb on his back to point the opening at his opponent. Without warning a single massive seed exploded from the bulb, hurtling through the air. On impact the seed's explosion engulfed Scizor in a cloud of smoke and fire, accompanied by a bang loud enough to momentarily deafen trainer and Pokémon alike.

Bulbasaur shouted in victory, baring his vines to the watching trainers, but his victory cry grew silent as the smoke cleared. Scizor was standing up straight in the middle of the smoke cloud, its arms folded across its chest. Its metallic skin was shimmering, reflecting the light of the sun like a statue crafted out of pure polished metal. Bulbasaur dropped back into a combat stance as Scizor once again began to move, its claws snapping at the air in preparation.

A soft growl emanated from Bulbasaur's throat as his bulb began to glow softly from the inside, the light from the air around it drawing into the leafy enclosure like dirt into a vacuum cleaner. Before he could unleash the blast, however, Scizor suddenly darted forward, its narrow legs bringing it within striking distance only seconds later. Its arms flew up, and then down again in a flash of glittering metallic light, slamming one after the other into the immobile grass-type.

Bulbasaur's feet clawed at the dirt as he slid back from the force of the impact, struggling to keep on his feet against the brutality of the blow while the light continued to build inside his bulb. Scizor continued after Bulbasaur, but it didn't reach the grass-type Pokémon before the bulb seemed to explode with energy. The energy surged out of the bulb like a massive wave of pure light, slamming into Scizor in mid-slash, exploding around it as it struggled to keep its ground.

For a few moments Scizor fought against the powerful SolarBeam, resisting the light that burned into its solid steel chest. The beam looked like it was working for a moment, but a blast so powerful couldn't be maintained for long, and soon it began to weaken until it faded from sight. Panting and exhausted, Bulbasaur lifted his head to look up at his opponent. Scizor's chest was blackened and smoking from the force of the beam, but its strength remained intact.

"Maybe Gary's right…" Ash shook his head.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur howled and hurled himself up toward Scizor's chest without being issued a command, surprising everybody, especially his opponent. The blow sent Scizor reeling back off-balance, but Bulbasaur rebounded off of its steel chest like a ping pong ball, reeling back a bit himself.

"Bulbasaur! I didn't tell you to use Double-Edge! Stop it!" Ash shouted in surprise.

"Bulbasaaaauuur!" Bulbasaur ignored his trainer and threw himself again into Scizor's chest with an almost sickening crunch, sending the bug Pokémon reeling back and sending himself rebounding into the dirt. Bulbasaur picked himself up one more time on four shaking legs, letting loose another yell as he hurled his body into Scizor's. The blow barely made Scizor take a step back, but Bulbasaur bounced off of its metal frame and slammed into the ground on his side, twitching in pain.

"Scizor! Return!" Gary finally shouted as he raised his Poké Ball, and a beam of ruby light caught his Scizor in its grip. The bug Pokémon was looking down at Bulbasaur with a surprised, worried gaze before it vanished into the crimson stream and went back inside its Poké Ball.

"Pika-chaa-pika!" Pikachu leapt off of Ash's shoulder and ran ahead of him to skid to a stop at Bulbasaur's side, reaching out with one hand to pat his head. "Pikachu?"

"Bul… ba…" Bulbasaur grunted and turned to face away from Pikachu, his voice low.

"Bulbasaur, what got into you? You didn't have to do that." Ash knelt down beside his old friend and picked him up in his arms.

"Is he okay, Ash?" Gary asked worriedly.

"He'll be okay." Ash stood up, looking down at his Pokémon. "Don't worry about it Bulbasaur, it was just a bad matchup. You did great." Ash gave him a smile, but Bulbasaur refused to look at him. With a sigh Ash reached into his belt with one hand, withdrawing a small Poké Ball, which rapidly expanded. "Look, I grabbed your old Poké Ball. Why don't you take a rest for a while?" When Bulbasaur didn't respond Ash gently touched the ball to his foot, opening the ball, and drawing Bulbasaur into it in a stream of crimson light.

"Maybe I should have used a different Pokémon…" Gary rubbed the back of his neck.

"No way, that was a great tactical decision on your part," Ash assured him. "Bulbasaur will be fine. For now we still have a battle to finish."

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks," Gary grinned again.

"Okay, Pikachu, you're up," Ash nodded to his constant partner.

"Pika!" Pikachu leapt in front of Ash with a nimble spin, landing on all four legs and letting sparks of lightning surge into the ground.

"Your first Pokémon, huh? I bet Pikachu has seen a lot of action by now. Nothing like this, though…" Gary smirked and pulled out one of his Poké Balls. "I caught this one a long time ago myself. Now we'll see who's really the better trainer. AshTwo, go!" Gary hurled his Poké Ball in front of him, where it burst open with a flash of powerful, blinding light. The light settled on the ground a moment later and formed into the small yellow-furred form of a second Pikachu.

"Pikapichu!?" Pikachu squeaked in surprise.

"A… AshTwo?" Ash twitched.

"Because he reminded me of you," Gary replied.

"I'm…honored?" Ash rubbed his head in embarrassment, then blinked and shook his head clear. "Augh, it doesn't matter, a Pikachu by any other name still won't beat my Pikachu! Right buddy?"

"Pikaaaa!" Pikachu surged with lightning and fighting spirit.

"Pikachu!" AshTwo shouted back, shooting his own lightning into the air.

"Okay AshTwo, let's keep this nice and peaceful! Show your stuff!" Gary pointed toward Pikachu.

AshTwo stared at Pikachu, slowly marching forward. Pikachu growled and moved lower to the ground, sparking with electricity that faded into the air. AshTwo just approached at a slow walk, staring into Pikachu's deep, black eyes with his own. He approached until he was less than a tail's length away, then stood up on his hind legs and put his hands over his chest. His eyelashes fluttered up and down and it spoke in a deep, smooth voice. "Pikachu."

"Pi?" Pikachu blinked in surprise.

"Pikachu chu?" AshTwo winked.

"…Pihihi…" Pikachu giggled behind cupped hands and suddenly blushing cheeks.

"…Pi…Pikachu? What are you doing?" Ash blushed. "…Are you falling for that guy?! Wh-wh-why?" Ash stuttered in surprise.

"She's obviously fallen for AshTwo's Attract attack!" Gary pointed out victoriously.

"Sh… she? But…wait a second…" Ash blinked, going silent for a long moment before his eyes surged wide open in shock. "Pikachu's a GIRL?!"

Time seemed to suspend itself for a moment as all present, including the two Pikachu, turned to stare incredulously at Ash.

"…You're kidding, right?" Gary asked.

"……" Ash said nothing, staring at his own Pikachu, dumbfounded.

Gary stared at him for a moment, then rubbed his head and stared at him like he was slightly crazy. "Don't tell me you never knew your Pikachu was a girl?! Didn't your mother ever teach you anatomy?!"

Ash glared back at him, feeling his face blush hotly. "H-hey, shut up, it's not like I ever CHECKED!"

"Geeze, you really ARE thick…" Gary grumbled and shook his head. "Alright, AshTwo, let's--"

Gary was cut off suddenly by a burst of flame that shot across the field and exploded in the center of it, engulfing the two Pikachu, who screamed and scattered away from the flames, each of them rapidly rolling across the field in an attempt to put the flames out.

"Halt where you are!" A voice demanded from the edge of the forest.

Ash turned toward the voice, and gulped. "Uh-oh…"

Just in front of the tree line were a small row of men and women in dark uniforms, their faces all masked and their outfits unmarked by any sort of identification except for a small badge on one shoulder. And just in from of them, was a second row, this one consisting of several Pokémon, the large majority of them snarling and pawing the ground as though itching to attack.

"…I think…we're in trouble…"

And indeed, at that moment, the figure in the center of the line stepped forward. "In the name of the law…you AND your Pokémon are all under arrest!"

Comments and critiques are welcomed and appreciated, as always. Though we would be thankful if you didn't waste our time telling us that Pikachu is actually a boy. It remains unconfirmed to this day exactly what gender Pikachu is, and in the end it really, really doesn't matter, so we thank you in advance for NOT arguing about it.

-Cid and DS