I don't own any of the copyrighted characters in this tale. I'm just borrowing them to help entertain you all and to give them a nice adventure.
A big Thank You goes to Ri2 for editing this chapter for me.
- - -
Norman floated high above his former hometown, content in his new life as a Mew. He'd once been a leader of men. However, the responsibility of his former job paled in comparison to his current one.
There's so much good I could do. But what if something goes wrong? Where do I intervene?
The people below seemed so small and vulnerable. Norman had temptations just like everyone else. He knew that the temptation to use his abilities for selfish purposes could overwhelm him if he wasn't constantly vigilant.
Norman considered the benefits of turning a criminal or two into a Rattata before teleporting them into the woods. He could wipe their memory as well, but didn't plan to, since he felt that would be like murder. In any case, while that would prevent criminals from committing any further offence (or causing one in the first place); Norman knew it would also prevent them from ever reforming. If Norman turned people into Pokemon, they'd lose any potential for accomplishment they might have had as humans if they ever got past what made them criminals in the first place.
When he had been a leader, there had been employees that Norman felt weren't working out that he'd considering letting go. He knew however that they'd lose any potential they could contribute to the company if he did. He'd given second and even third chances to several employees. Some had gone on to become great assets as a result, though others had not. While there had been employees that Norman had given second chances to that failed, he understood that there was always risk involved. It was a matter of weighing the risks and benefits case by case for each problem employee.
Perhaps, Norman pondered; it was too risky to leave some criminals or so-called bad kids human. He wondered if those criminals would do well with a lesson rather than just more or less being fired from life as a human.
Such thoughts are why we need you, Norman. You must complete tasks that only you can do.
Norman blinked and looked around, wondering where that strange voice came from. Was he going insane?
You're not hearing things, the voice said again.
Norman started as a wisp of light appeared in front of him. The wisp grew and filled out to take the form of a Mew, much like himself. Or rather, he was a Mew, much like her. "My God…it's…you're THE mew!" Norman cried in astonishment.
Mew giggled and waved. "Hi, howya doing?"
"I-I'm fine, I…it's you," Norman said again, dumbstruck that he was meeting the origin of all life on Earth.
Mew smiled and nodded. "Yes, it's me. Who else would I be?"
"This is so cool! I mean, it's an honor to meet you Ma'am," Norman said, bowing his head in submission.
Mew smiled and nodded back. "Thanks. So, do you know why I came here?"
"You need me to do something?" Norman guessed.
Mew beamed, and the world seemed like a brighter place for it. "Yep. There are some people special to me I need you to change. It's almost time for something…important to happen. We'll need them for another purpose soon. Certain balances depend on it."
Norman cocked his head. He could sense Mew was up to something. However, she was blocking it from his mind. Norman shrugged; he knew not to prod further. "Okay, what do I need to do?"
- - -
Ash Ketchum walked through the woods with Jean-Luc the Pikachu sleeping on his shoulder. His friend Misty walked beside him with their companions Max, May and Brock following behind. It was a few hours after dawn on what was turning out to be a rather humid day. The view of the sky through the trees was bright blue and sunny, without a cloud in sight. Ash was thankful for the shade the forest provided.
It had been a quiet day so far, with not as much as peep from Team Rocket or any other hint of a crisis. However, Ash couldn't shake the feeling that something important was about to happen. His heart skipped a beat with every twig he or one of his companions stepped on.
When the fur on Jean-Luc's back and neck ruffled and he bolted awake, Ash was certain something was up. "Pikachu, what's wrong?" Ash asked. Instead of answering, Jean-Luc leapt off Ash's shoulders, ran over to a nearby tree and climbed up it.
"Pikachu, what are you doing? What's wrong?" Ash called out in concern. He ran under the tree and looked up to see Jean-Luc standing on a branch looking at something Ash hadn't sure he'd ever see again. Floating before Jean-Luc was a pink Mew! "Whoa!"
The Mew floated down and hovered in front of Ash at eye level. Jean-Luc followed it down and resumed his position on Ash's shoulders, chattering excitedly. Misty and the others stood beside Ash, looking at the Mew in awe. "Wow!" Misty said in amazement.
"Look, it's Mew!" May cried, pointing out the obvious.
"Incredible!" said Max.
"What's it doing here?" wondered Brock.
"Greetings Ash, Jean-Luc, Misty, May, Max and Brock. I am here to impart something important to you," the Mew said.
"It knows our names!" May cried.
"Duh, it's psychic," said Max.
"Oh, right."
"Who are you?" Ash asked, unafraid.
"My name is Norman. I used to be human until a remarkable event changed my life completely," Norman explained.
"A human becoming a Mew?!" Max said in disbelief. "That's impossible!"
Norman circled around Max with a smile. "Ah but if it were impossible young one—friend--Max; er, whatever you want me to call you, I wouldn't be floating here right now; would I?"
"Well, no, you wouldn't," Max said. "Unless you're just saying you were a human once to trick us." Norman frowned at him.
"Ash became a Pikachu once," Brock pointed out. "So I guess becoming a Mew is possible too."
"You really didn't stay a Pikachu long enough," Misty complained to Ash, who looked at her in confusion. Jean-Luc scratched his head.
"Ash was a Pikachu?" asked a confused May.
"Indeed," Norman said, resuming his position in front of Ash. "I'd be happy to tell you my story, but there is something I need to do first. Ash…all of you, something is going to happen but I don't know what. The Mew told me that I need to turn Ash and Misty into Mew like me. She said that…"
"Whoa, whoa," Misty started, backing up while holding her hands out. "You want to turn Ash and me into Mews? You can do that?"
"Yes, indeed I can. I wouldn't tell you that I needed to do it if I couldn't do it. I mean, it'd be mean of me to kid you like that," Norman said.
"Yes, it would," Max agreed.
"I have no idea what's going on," May whined.
Ash frowned and crossed his arms. "If you're serious and Mew, as in the Mew, needs Misty and me to become Mews, then we gotta do what we gotta do!"
Norman smiled. "You're quite noble for someone so young. I can understand why she chose you."
Ash blushed. "Thanks, I, um," he said with an embarrassed look on his face.
Misty tugged at Ash's shirt. "Ash, I can understand another quest but this is serious. How long is this going to last?"
Ash looked at Norman and then at Misty. "Misty, I think that…"
"We won't be able to change you back," Norman said apologetically. The others looked startled at this.
Misty swallowed. "I, this is, I don't know if I'm ready for something like this. But, if you're going to do it, then I'm going to do it too. I won't leave you behind."
Ash smiled at this, and Norman nodded. "Excellent. I wish we had more time to get ready for this, but Mew said she needed me to do this right away. Once you guys are done, she said that she'd meet you in person. She wanted me to do this because she's busy and…"
Misty grinned. "You think she likes you?"
Norman blushed. "No--I mean, it'd never work. I mean, I…she's special. I'm just, well maybe I…that is…it was probably a test."
Misty grinned and folded her arms. "It's okay. I won't embarrass you." Norman flushed.
Brock shook his head. "She's way out of your league." The others looked at him. "What? She is! He's way too young for her!"
"Says the guy who hits on women nearly twice his age," Max muttered under his breath, causing Brock to get all flustered and the others to laugh.
"I'd say I'm ready, but I doubt I can ever really be ready for something like this. But what about the others?" Ash asked.
"Your friends will have other destinies ahead that require them to become Pokemon as well. I assure the rest of you that the world needs you to fulfill these roles as my friends and I have fulfilled roles of our own. We wouldn't be doing this if the situation didn't demand it," Norman said.
Ash nodded, although the others looked somewhat uneasy about losing their humanity. "I understand. What do I need to do?"
Norman smiled. "Enjoy it. Everyone but Ash stand back. Ash, I assure you that this will not hurt. Misty, after Ash is done, it's your turn."
She nodded. "Okay."
"Wait, what if Team Rocket shows up? They always have a way of showing up at the worst possible time," May said desperately, trying to delay the inevitable.
Norman grinned. "Let's just say that the local Rattata population has been temporarily increased by two. Now, if you'll all stand back, we can begin."
Brock, May, Max, Misty and Jean-Luc took several steps backward at Norman's request. "This is gonna be so cool!" Max said eagerly.
"I hope I become a Pokemon that's attractive to women, if I have to be one at all," Brock commented.
Norman began to fly around Ash in circles; mystic forces raising the lad a foot off the ground. Energy crackled around Ash in tones of blue, green, white and orange. As white fur sprouted on his face and arms, the entire world grew around him. Instead of a sensation of falling or panic, Ash felt clarity as he was reduced in size. He began to perceive his companions in a new light. Their thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and desires were as clear to him as their faces.
One sensation in particular drew Ash in like a Venomoth to flame. He felt a wave of deep, pure love from Misty. He knew how she felt; she didn't need to say it, nor did he. Finally, there was nothing to interrupt them, not even Team Rocket (or Brock).
The world around Ash grew bigger and bigger. He floated higher off the ground. His pants slid down to his ankles and fell off as his shoes and socks burst due to his feet elongating. Ash closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensations flowing through him. He felt something pull his jacket and backpack off, and knew it had to be Misty. He sensed that she found him cute as a human, but the Mew he was becoming was utterly adorable.
"Oh, wow," whispered May.
"Incredible!" said Max.
White fur enveloped Ash's entire body like a warm blanket. He lay on his back, now able to float on his own. When he opened his eyes, Misty was standing in front of him, Ash's feet level with her face. Ash looked at his newly grown tail, something that he became aware of with a rush of sensations as it made contact with Misty's nose, causing her to sneeze and giggle. She wasn't offended. On the contrary, she found it cute!
Ash's shirt was next to go. Norman pulled it off Ash from behind him. Ash didn't feel naked or exposed without it, for there was nothing to reveal but fur. Norman removing Ash's shirt caused his hat to fall off. Jean-Luc leapt up and caught it, placing it on his furry yellow head. Ash couldn't suppress his giggle (why he'd want do, he had no idea) as he looked at his longtime friend. Jean-Luc looked much like Ash had when he'd temporarily become a Pikachu. It seemed like it had been long ago!
"Hair's still messy, I see," Misty observed.
Ash wondered what she was talking about. When Misty produced a small mirror and allowed Ash to see his reflection, he saw that his head fur, while white, still resembled his human hair. It gave him a distinctive appearance.
"Here, Ash," Jean-Luc said, Ash understanding him perfectly due to his new form. He sensed that Jean-Luc wanted to give his hat back. As the thought went through Ash's mind, the hat flew up, guided by an unseen force, and landed on Ash's head.
"Nice trick," said Brock. "Wish I could do that with my clothes."
"Amazing, not only a human becoming a Pokemon but showing telekinesis!" Max said eagerly.
Norman levitated in front of Max. "And that's not all." Flying over to Misty, Norman beamed. "Your turn. I'll let Ash do the honors this time."
Ash and Misty blinked, realizing that Norman wanted Ash to change Misty. "You mean that you're going to do it?" Misty asked him, looking rather nervous.
Ash frowned, realizing that he did indeed have the power to change her. Before he did anything else, though, there was something he'd wanted to do for the longest time that he needed to take care of first. He flipped upright and floated over to Misty's face. Misty ran her right hand down the side of Ash's face, staring unblinking into his big brown eyes. Her touch was warm, soft and inviting against his skin. Had it not been for the others' presence and the emotions she was unknowingly projecting coupled with his own feelings, he might have lost control and ravished her then and there.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you for the longest time," Misty said softly.
"It's all right…I already know," Ash whispered back.
Misty smiled. "Heck, I won't tell you, I'll show you!" The duo closed their eyes and embraced each other, kissing passionately. A wave of incredible pure emotion assaulted Ash, nearly blacking him out. He knew that here and now was the perfect time to do this. Focusing all his will on Misty, he used his new powers to allow her to transcend mortality and humanity to achieve the same godhood he had just obtained.
Ash felt Misty's body levitate and shrink as pink fur enveloped it. Her clothes melted away as her human features gave way to the characteristics of the Mew that she was becoming. Her skull reshaped and her newly developed tail touched Ash's tail, high above their entwined bodies. May and Max gasped in astonishment, while Brock fumed enviously.
When they released the kiss, Ash opened his eyes to see Misty, now in Mew form, floating before him. If Misty had been beautiful to him before, now she was drop dead gorgeous. Letting each other know how they felt at long last was a great release for them. "I feel you - it's like I feel your emotions as easily as I can see you," Misty said. "Norman, I can feel you too. I can sense your experience in life. It's like I know--have known you for years. What do we do now?" Misty asked.
Norman circled around the duo, a grin on his face. "You have fun and help others have fun! Well, that's part of if it. We also need to do important things. But, we have the ability to make a lot of people happy."
"If I had a friend that loved water types to the point where she wanted to be one, I could make that happen!" Misty realized.
Norman nodded. "It's tempting, but we must be careful, lest we accidentally condemn someone."
Brock, who stood a few meters from the others, looked impatient. "So, um, is it my turn yet? You said that Ash and Misty were going to become Mews. You meant first right? So, is it our turn now?"
May, who'd been folding her arms, nodded. "Yeah, just think of how beautiful I'll be as a Mew!"
"It would be an excellent opportunity to learn. But, you did say Ash and Misty; what about the rest of us?" Max asked.
"You will have the opportunity to learn," Norman told the boy. Norman sensed quantities in Max that reminded him of his young nephew. I'll have to visit him once I'm done here. But while I'm here, this kid would love being a Mew!
Norman could tell Ash and Misty agreed. They knew Max far better then Norman did. Their agreement was the incentive Norman needed. Perhaps Norman was just seeing Max as his nephew but he felt the need to do this change himself. Sensing this, Ash nodded and floated aside. "Be my guest."
"Your guest for what?" May asked.
"What are you going to do next?" Max asked impatiently.
Norman moved over toward Max. "So, I see you enjoyed our show."
"Yes, it was fascinating!" Max said happily.
"Would you like to experience it first hand?" Norman asked.
Max beamed hopefully. "Are you serious?!"
"You bet I am big guy!" Norman said excitedly.
"I … of course, I'd love to become a Mew!" Max cried.
"And so it is a Mew you shall become," Norman said, exerting his power.
Max began shrinking as light blue fur sprouted on his face and arms. A blue mist formed around him, shooting into the air and dissipating as he shrunk. "Fascinating, I feel my body expelling mass to encounter for the lower mass of a Mew!" Max said. Norman chose not to make any inappropriate jokes. Shorts became far too big for Max as he reclined back in the air. His sprouting tail pushed his shorts and underwear off, where they fell to the ground in a heap. Max looked at the clothes, they were something he'd never need again. Norman sensed some embarrassment from the boy. However, Max's shirt covered most of his body now.
"A tail, I have a tail. Perhaps a typical response, but this in not a typical situation. Nevertheless, it is fascinating to experience having this extra appendage," Max said. Max's hair was next as it took on a lighter blue hue. Its texture changed to fur; however, it maintained a distinctive look, leaving no doubt as to who the soon-to-be-Mew before the group was. As his hips and feet shifted into the position and shape of his new form, Max's expression changed. He looked at his shirt. Norman sensed that Max wanted to rid himself of the garment.
With their new abilities, they didn't need to say the words. Max lifted his arms and Misty floated by and pulled Max's shirt off, throwing it to the ground beside his discarded pants. Max's shoes, which were falling off his feet, were next to go, Ash took care of them. Max's facial changes were the last leg of this particular journey. His human ears vanished into his skull as new pointed ears appeared on top of his skull, poking out from his head fur. His glasses fell off and a blunt muzzle formed from Max's mouth and nose, completing his transformation.
Norman sensed Max feeling exposed, although the light blue fur had now covered his body. That exposure gave way to a sense of release. Norman felt Max's emotional state change almost as quickly as the snapping of a twig. "Amazing, growing accustomed to not wearing clothes should take weeks if not months, and yet I feel as comfortable with it as if I've always been this way," Max said.
Norman nodded. "The same thing happened when I changed my friend. I sense that you're worried about that. Do not fret; think of it as upgrading your computer's operating system while retaining the same look and feel."
Max nodded. "I sense your emotions, I understand! This is…will be an amazing opportunity to learn!"
May sobbed as Brock shook his head in astonishment. "Max isn't my baby brother anymore…" the girl moaned.
Max floated beside Misty as Ash looked at Jean-Luc. "Don't worry buddy, I'll never leave you behind!"
"But I like being a Pikachu! So, what am I going to do?" Jean-Luc asked. Ash floated around his buddy in thought. Jean-Luc was like a brother to Ash, so he knew that he needed to give Jean-Luc something special.
Misty floated around Brock and May, a stream of pink and white energy trailing behind her and circling the duo. "You know Brock, you always did like girls. I bet you'd like to be around them all the time," Misty said.
Brock gasped. "Are you gonna give me a wife? Two wives, no, ten wives?" His eyes would have turned to hearts it if were possible, and if he had eyes. "As long as none of them are May. Or ugly."
"Hey!" May said angrily.
Misty grinned, looking very forward to what she was about to do…and then hesitated. Perhaps what she was considering was too cruel after all. However, Norman and Ash's thoughts encouraged her to go ahead. Having others in her mind, while intimidating at first, gave her a sense of companionship. She was glad that it didn't seem to diminish her sense of individuality.
Ash joined Misty, blue and white energy streaming from him around the duo as Norman floated down to Jean-Luc's side and petted him, beckoning him to watch. "You two make a cute couple," Ash said.
Neither Brock nor May appeared to notice the red dots that would soon mark them as true members of their new species forming on their cheeks. Both started shrinking as a blue haze appeared around Brock while a pink haze formed around May, mass the duo no longer needed streaming from their bodies. While initially imperceptible, the reversal of years of aging soon became evident on the duo.
Brock's clothes were now several sizes too large for him and he looked as though he were no older than Ash was when he had begun his journey years before. May's chest deflated and her figure lost its curves. "Wait a second, what's happening?" Brock asked. His voice was an octave or two higher.
May looked down at her chest, her pride and joy no longer there. "Hey, no fair, what did you do?"
Ash and Misty continued to circle the duo for a moment longer before floating a short distance in front of them. Norman saw Brock and May's clothing, now far too big for them, as a potential hazard. He flew around and made their clothing turn to sparkling dust. However, to preserve the duo's dignity, he also placed censored signs over the appropriate spots on their bodies.
"Why did you make us younger and take away our clothing?" Brock asked unhappily.
"My chest! But wait, Mew don't have those, so that's okay," May said desperately in an attempt to rationalize what was happening to her. Ash and Misty giggled.
Brock looked at May. "How come you have red dots on your cheeks?" May felt her cheeks, the dots sparking, and she cringing from the discharge.
Yellow fur sprouted all over their bodies, with the exception of black around their necks. The duo continued to shrink, aging reversing itself as they regressed from 10 years old to 8 and from there to 6. Brock's expression changed as he looked down at his body. "Now, what's happening to me?" he asked, his voice sounding tinny and very high-pitched.
The two continued to change, their human ears absorbed into their heads as new larger black-outlined ears sprouted in their place. Proportions changed as each gained a black-furred tail. May's cheeks sparked in annoyance and Brock looked at his midsection with embarrassment. "I'm a girl, you made me a girl!" Brock cried in horror.
"I thought we were gonna be Mew!" May wailed.
The duo's voices devolved from human speech to the language of Pichu as their hands and feet became paws and their jaws became blunt muzzles. Ash circled around the shrinking duo, who were only twice Jean-Luc's height at this point. "You'll like this a lot more!" Ash said, even though he knew they probably wouldn't.
As the need for modesty vanished, the signs covering May and Brock did as well. Brock's cheeks sparked and he looked like he was going to run off in a panic. "Why am I girl?" he asked.
"You like girls, Brock? Now you can be with one all the time and she'll never reject you," Misty said with a giggle.
Now Brock and May were smaller then Jean-Luc. "Now what do we do?!" May cried.
Misty hovered over the duo and levitated them up to eye level. "You two make adorable Pichu. I want to hug both of you. In fact, I think I will!" Bringing the duo toward her, Misty embraced them in a warm hug, despite their protests.
When Misty placed the duo beside Jean-Luc, they looked themselves over. "Well, as long as I'm still cute," May said with a reluctant sigh.
"You're a girl. You still think I'm cute. Right?" Brock asked desperately.
May playfully elbowed Brock. "Of course I do. Any girl would. Guy's too." Brock gulped in terror.
Norman floated over the three mice and circled them. "Well guys, where would you like to go? I can think of lots of places where a pair of Pichu could get into all sorts of trouble. In fact--yes, I have just the idea." An image of a pair of male Pichu entered Norman's mind. They would love two girlfriends to get into trouble with.
"Why don't you do the honors?" Ash said to Norman.
"What are you gonna do with us?" Brock asked fearfully.
Norman beamed at them. "Fear not, my friends. We have something in mind that will provide you with countless days of entertainment. I believe there are two brothers just waiting for a pair of girlfriends."
Brock gulped. "G…girlfriends? But I wanted to have a girlfriend, not become one!"
Norman grinned. "Don't worry big guy, you'll grow to love this so much that you won't want to go back."
May looked at Brock and then at Norman. "What brothers want a pair of sisters ?"
"But I'm a girl! Now I'll never get any girls!" Brock cried. "Unless I become lesbian…"
"We could always make you forget being a guy--no, that would be too cruel," Norman admitted.
May hugged Brock. The former human girl seemed more comfortable with their new situation for some reason. "You know what boys like. You'll be the perfect girl. Boys aren't so bad." Norman did his best to avoid getting a particular song stuck in his head.
Brock blinked. Norman sensed the lads' mind was making moderate adjustments to match his new form. He was adjusting to pursuing males and fellow Pichu (perhaps later Pikachu or Raichu) rather then human females. Norman's mind had also adjusted when he'd become a mew. Thinking back, Norman knew that it had seemed like a drastic change at the time, but it was for the better in the end.
"I could do what I'd want a girl to do," Brock said reluctantly. "Boys aren't so bad. Wait a sec, I don't think I want a girlfriend any more. Boys will come to me! This will be so much easier then before! I know what boys like, so I'll be the perfect girlfriend!"
May nodded. "And I'll be the cutest." Brock frowned at that. She looked at Jean-Luc. "We're too young for you. You're like a big brother or uncle to us now."
Brock grinned. "But if you weren't, if you're looking for trouble, we'd make it double!" Jean-Luc cringed at the similarity to a logo another team used to say.
Norman smiled. "Excellent. Now my friends, it's off to meet your new husbands." In a flash, Norman, Brock and May vanished, leaving the trio of Mews and Jean-Luc alone. Jean-Luc looked at Ash and Misty, who were floating around each other a short distance in front of and above him. "Ash, I still want to stay a Pikachu," he said.
Misty levitated Jean-Luc up to her level. "Would you like a girlfriend?"
"Well, um, maybe. But who?" Jean-Luc asked, trying not to get airsick.
Ash floated beside the duo. "I have someone in mind."
A tingling sensation went through Ash's body as he concentrated on the memory of Casey the girl he'd met that loved yellow and black Pokemon. For a few short seconds, it felt as though Ash were holding onto something. He could hear Casey's thoughts and feel what she felt. Their minds were one. Then, as soon as it had started, it was over.
"What happened?" Misty asked, noticing that nothing had happened.
"Perhaps in thinking of Casey, you were trying to teleport her?" Max suggested.
"I think so. What if she's too far away?" Ash asked.
"Maybe we should all try together?" Max proposed.
"Yeah Ash, if we work as a team, I know we can get Casey here!" Misty said.
"It's worth a try!" Jean-Luc said.
The three Mews formed a circle by holding hands, all closing their eyes as they focused on Casey and tried to speak to her. Ash again felt a psychic connection to Casey. This time it was much stronger. He could feel Misty and Max in there as well. Momentarily, their minds functioned as one, and it was difficult at first to tell which thoughts belonged to each person. But soon enough, the group grew accustomed to linking their minds.
Casey, are you there?
Yes, I am. Am I hearing things? Casey's thoughts echoed in their minds.
No, you're not.
Who are you? Where are you?
It's me, Ash. I've changed since we met. I have something in mind for you and want to know if you're interested.
Casey's mind sounded interested. What do you mean? How have you changed? Ash concentrated on the most recent events. He wasn't sure how, but he could sense Casey's understanding. You want me to be a companion for your Pikachu, Jean-Luc?
Yes. We - I know that you love the Pikachu species. Would you be interested in becoming one for real?
You're joking, right? I… it would be so cool! I mean, it would be an honor to become a Pikachu, especially for someone like you. But, how do I know you're not playing games?
Let me show you.
With that, the trio concentrated on Casey being beside them. Sure enough, moments later, there was a flash of light which formed into the yellow-jacketed purple-haired young Casey. She started, and looked around in disbelief. "I…how did I…"
Ash let go of Misty and Max and floated over to Casey. "We teleported you!"
The girl gasped. "Ash, is that you? You're really a mew?! That's impossible, but…I remember you changing now!"
"Yep, it's me!" Ash said, pointing to himself while reclining in the air.
Casey reached a hand forward only to jerk it away. "I won't bite," Ash assured her.
He floated over to Casey, lying on his belly in the air. Casey repeated her earlier motion but this time ran the hand down Ash's back. "It's so soft," she whispered.
"Hi, future girlfriend!" Jean-Luc said.
Casey knelt down and petted Jean-Luc's head. "Hey big guy. Do they really want me to become a Pikachu?" Jean-Luc nodded. Casey frowned and looked up. "I dunno Ash, I mean, a Pokemon? I love them, especially Pikachu. But, to become one?"
Ash, Misty and Max circled around Casey as she stood up. "You really are Mew. That's so cool! But…I want to say yes, but I'm kinda scared. How would I explain it to my family?" Casey asked.
"We can take you to them," Ash said.
"Will I remember who I am?" Casey asked.
"Yes, you'll still be you," Ash said.
Casey knelt down and petted Jean-Luc. "Is this allowed? Won't we get into trouble if I do this?"
Ash shook his head. "Not if you agree to it."
"Well, if we're allowed to do it…if I don't, I might always I wish I had. Okay, you can make me a Pikachu." Casey stood up and stood before Jean-Luc. "What do I need to do?"
"Max, why don't you do the honors?" Ash asked.
"I dunno, what if I mess up and give her blue fur or something?" Max asked.
"Blue fur?" Casey asked, looking at her arms. It was hard for her to imagine seeing fur rather than skin there.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine," Misty said.
Max floated in front of Casey. "Well, all right then. Just stay calm and this will go fine."
Casey stood, waiting for the first signs of change. While she wanted to believe this was all possible and happening for real, a part of her still thought this was a dream. "Um, is there a specific way I need to do this? Is it like a program where I have to do things just right?" Max asked.
Ash shook his head. "No, just do it however you want. Be creative, have fun!"
"Casey, how do you want to do this?" Max asked.
"Can I start with the tail? I've always wondered what it's like to have a tail," Casey said.
Max flew around Casey. White and yellow intertwining energy with sparkles streamed from his body. Casey's body absorbed the energy, which then formed into a lightning-bolt shaped form growing from her rear end. Casey gasped and looked back to see a Pikachu tail sticking out behind her, solid, organic and a part of her body. A short gust of wind blew through the area, ruffling the yellow fur on her tail. She felt every sensation on its length as though the tail were as much as part of her as her arms or legs. Casey's perception of the world shattered. She grabbed a hold of her tail, her eyes wide with wonder. "It's real! I'm going to be a Pikachu for real! This is so cool. Do more!"
"Okay," Max said.
This time, Max flew around Casey in a spiral motion with the same white and yellow energy streaming behind him. Casey's clothes seemed too big for her and she felt as though she were falling. Too big became cavernous as she shrunk into them, reducing to the size of a Pikachu. Casey made her way out of her clothes, covering her midsection with her hands. She looked down at her body. She was the size of a Pikachu but still didn't have fur (with the exception of her tail) and had the same proportions of her human form. "You guys all look so much bigger now," she said in amazement.
"Almost done," Max said. Casey felt warmth all of a sudden. Yellow fur sprouted all over her skin, with the exception of brown lines on her back distinctive of what would soon be her species.
"Okay, now comes the interesting part," Max said. Casey wasn't sure what Max meant by interesting part. However, she learned soon enough when she felt as though someone were picking her up. She found herself hovering above her clothes. Any sense of exposure took a backseat to the bizarre sensation that someone was molding her body like putty. Casey had always wondered what it felt like for Pokemon to evolve. Now, she had an idea. She watched her torso go from a slender form to oblong. Hips changed in configuration as her legs moved to the sides of her torso, giving her a quadrupedal stance. Her human ears vanished into her skull only to re-appear on top of her head in the black tipped pointed form of a Pikachu. Casey's mouth and nose re-shaped into the blunt muzzle of a Pikachu while red dots appeared on her cheeks. Her arms shortened as her hands became paws.
And then it was complete. Max lowered Casey, now a Pikachu, to the ground on top of her clothing. From the point of view of an outsider, Casey looked more or less like a natural Pikachu. However, she retained her human eyes and had longer head fur where her human hair had been. Casey stood on what were now hind legs and looked at herself. "I'm a Pikachu! This is so cool!" She grabbed her mouth when she realized she'd spoken in the language of the Pikachus. "I'm speaking your language!"
Jean-Luc nodded. "Then you can understand me!" Casey released her mouth and looked at Jean-Luc, who was approaching her. "You're cute."
"I am?" Casey asked. Casey looked at the others and then at Jean-Luc before she realized something important. "Ack, I won't be able to wear clothes anymore! I'll be naked!" she cried as she did her best to cover herself with her shirt.
"We don't wear clothes anymore, except for Ash's hat, and we're okay," Max said.
"I don't wear clothes, I don't need to," Jean-Luc said.
Casey blushed. "But I…people can see everything!"
"Ash, what do I do?" Max asked.
"There's a way to fix that," Ash said, floating over Casey. "You'd get used to it in a while but we can help you along a bit with our abilities."
Casey cocked her head. "But isn't that like brainwashing?"
Ash shook his head. "It would only work if you'd do it on your own."
"So, this won't bother me? Well, if I'm gonna be a Pikachu, I'd better get used to being naked. Okay, let's try it," Casey said.
Ash nodded and his eyes glowed. For a few seconds, Casey felt dizzy. She underwent a paradigm shift that under normal circumstances would have taken her days, weeks or perhaps months (if not years) to complete. Her nudity was no longer an issue. In fact, she didn't feel naked. This was normal and not something to consider anymore. Casey found that this way of thinking was not something she wouldn't have eventually but something she'd normally need time to get into. If anything, she was glad it was happening now, as she might have gone insane otherwise. "Thanks guys, I feel better now."
"You're welcome," Ash said.
Casey wanted to try out her newfound abilities. She felt sparks shooting from her cheeks her cheeks. Looking around, she saw a rock and tried to shoot it, only to end up shocking herself, which knocked her into Jean-Luc, knocking both to the ground. "Whoa," Jean-Luc said.
Casey managed to pick herself up, then turned around and helped Jean-Luc up. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to try out my abilities," Casey said apologetically, hanging her head. "Maybe I shouldn't be a Pikachu if that sort of thing is going to happen."
"It was an accident. You just need to learn to control your abilities," Jean-Luc said, placing a comforting paw on Casey's shoulder. "If you want, I can teach you."
"Sounds like fun," Casey replied. "But, we need to tell my family about this."
"Max, why don't you take her and Jean-Luc to Casey's family? It'll be easier if one of us is there to explain," Ash said.
Max nodded, circled the Pikachu duo, forming a bubble around them, and in a flash of light, they disappeared. Ash floated upright in front of Misty, looking her in the eyes. "So, we're alone," Ash said.
Misty grinned. "I can read your thoughts, Ash. I know what you want."
Ash blushed. "No, I wouldn't want to. That is, when we're older it'll be okay, but not now."
Misty floated close to Ash and took his hands into her own. She closed her eyes. "Think the happiest thoughts you can think. That's all kinds of happy. Imagine those emotions and things flowing into me."
Closing his eyes, Ash pictured the first and easiest thing that came to mind, his feelings for Misty. It was difficult for him not to imagine expressing those thoughts physically, even if by human standards he was a little too young. As a Mew the standard was different if not non-existent. From what he assumed what Misty, Ash received feelings of acceptance. It was okay for him to think these thoughts. Ash saw an image of a barrier, something preventing him from understanding. With his mind, he shattered that barrier.
It was as though he had busted a dam. However, instead of water, a torrent of thought, memory, and understanding flowed into Ash. He felt Misty's thoughts and feelings as though they were his own. Ash knew what it felt like to be female. He remembered events from Misty's life as clearly as he could remember events from his own life. For a few seconds, their minds were one and Misty and Ash existed as a single entity. Imaginings felt as real as reality. Ash knew just how Misty wanted him to embrace her. He only needed to imagine it for her to feel as if he were doing it for real.
And then, it ended as a suddenly as it had began. An unseen force blew both backwards. Ash blinked and opened his eyes. He needed a few moments to remember who he was and see that he was in the right body.
"Wow," Ash said.
"That was…amazing," Misty said.
Ash looked at his hands and then at Misty. "I, it's like for a moment, I was you. I knew what it was like to be you. I mean, not just like you told me. It was like…I was you."
"Makes things easier doesn't it?" Misty asked.
"I know how annoying it was when my--your sisters kept making fun of me--argh, you!" Ash said.
Misty floated closer to Ash and patted him on the shoulder. "I remember that time Lily accidentally turned you into a Pikachu. Before, I'd only seen it from my point of view. Now I remember looking up at everyone and not knowing what was going on. I mean, I'd never suspect turning into a Pikachu was what happened to me. Then when I saw myself as a Pikachu, I was scared! I mean, I couldn't continue being a trainer as a Pikachu! Then when I found out I was going to turn back, I knew I could relax. I just wanted to play and have fun."
Ash giggled. "You mean me right? She turned me into a Pikachu, not you!"
Misty blushed. "Yes, of course. I-I know what it feels like to be a boy. I never understood how you guys walked around with…"
"Misty!" Ash cried.
"Well, it's true," Misty said, sticking out her tongue.
"So, what do we do now?" Ash asked.
"First, we need to show our families. I'm sure my sisters would love to get a load of me. I wonder if I should turn them into Seel?" Misty asked. Ash watched in amazement as Misty's body turned into light and changed into the shape of a Seel. "Nah, Seel are sweet. Though maybe I should be nice and make them something fun?" Misty said. Ash watched with fascination as Misty assumed the tongue of the seel. Misty's form changed once again, this time to a Vaporeon. "I know, how about a …"
"Vaporeon?" Ash asked.
"You read my mind," Misty said in surprise.
"No, I--when you mentioned those Pokemon, you turned into them!" Ash said.
Misty blinked. "What do you mean?" Ash watched Misty looked back at her body and notice that it had changed. "I just thought of it and it happened. I guess I have to be careful." She resumed her Mew form in a flash of light.
"We both have to be careful," Ash agreed. Why don't we both see our families? I need to talk to my Mom and Oak."
"And I need to talk to my sisters. But I promise I won't turn them into anything out of revenge. I need to be better than that now," Misty said.
"I hope my Mom notices this," Ash said.
Misty nodded, and they shared a long kiss before both vanished in a flash of light.