Um…yeah…about that 'update in one month' thing…my bad. Rinku588, you have every right to bitch me out. I seriously dropped the ball, but here's to trying to get back on track yet again. This chapter's a bit on the short side, but for good reason. Anyway, let's get to it.

…ON WITH THE FIC!

Pain. Pure, agonizing pain. There was no other way of describing it as bluntly as that.

How long has it been since he had felt anything else? Days? Weeks? Even longer? He didn't know, and he certainly did not care. As much as he could handle, as much as he resisted, he just wanted the pain to end.

As if hearing his thoughts, the machine booted up once more, sending a searing bolt through his small body. He screeched as the unwanted sensation lifted him up, coursed to his very core and steal his power.

If he were able to think at the moment, he would have found it ironic. Sending massive volts of electricity just to steal it back? A bit counter-productive, but apparently his kind was potent enough to keep a metropolitan city up and running for a long time, so all the more reason to…'harvest' his.

Finally, the horrible jolts stopped, and Pikachu slumped down to the bottom of the incubator he was kept in. He kept back his tears as memories raced through his, as they always did when 'they' began to use him as a power source…

"B-Big bro?"

Pikachu turned around from his perch on the moonlit balcony to see his pre-evolutionary form shuffling up to him. Pichu had quickly latched on during the Melee Tourney, as he arrived late and had no one to talk to (Most of the humans did not understand him, the giant ape was usually sleeping, Yoshi and Kirby only talked about food, and Mewtwo and Jigglypuff scared him silly, the former because…he's Mewtwo, and the latter because she get a little slap-happy when someone falls asleep around her…)

"Ah, Chu-chu!"Pikachu exclaimed as the smaller mouse blushed at the nickname. "How's it going? Did you get enough to eat before Yoshi and Kirby devoured everything?" He chuckled lightly. They both had to rush since the two eaters concurred to go all out before Captain Falcon's big speech.

"U-uh-huh," nodded Pichu as he looked down at his feet. After a few seconds of an uneasy silence, he spoke up again. "I…I don't think I will be coming back…"

Pikachu's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Why not? I know that you're not exactly the strongest fighter, but you were doing great in your lasts few matches. For Mew's sake, you got Bowser's respect, and that guy is as stubborn as a Primape!"Pikachu boasted as he watched his friend let out a small giggle before continuing. "Chu-chu, I won't ask you stay. It isn't my right to make you, but I at least want to know why you don't want to in the first place."

Pichu fidgeted for a while before answering. "I want to strong like you," he confessed, his little voice still soft, but holding a sense of budding confidence. "I know I still have a long way to go, but being here has taught me that I can do it." He waddled towards his 'brother' and jumped up to his side and plopped down. "I remember the stories that you told me about your travels and you trainer. They sounded so wonderful, and you two got along so well, even if you didn't like him at first.

"Do you remember what you said about the first day with him, about the storm and flock of Spearow?"Pikachu stayed silent as the little mouse continued. "You said that when you looked into his eyes, you saw fire: fire that would never blind others but instead be a beacon of hope; A fire that would never burn but instead bring the warmth of care and comfort. You said…that it was the fire of a strong soul" Pichu lifted his head up to stare up at the crescent moon, his eyes shining with tears and determination. "What you didn't know was that I saw that same fire in your eyes, too, big bro. I don't want to come back until I am strong enough, and to do that, I'm gonna work hard and find a trainer like your Pika-Pi, and then I'll on a lot of adventures!" Pichu shouted childishly, his shy nature leaving for a while to act like the kid he really is.

Pikachu sighed. "Pichu," he started, making the younger one pause with the use of his actual name. "I'm glad that you want to be like me, but that will only take you so far." He, too, looked up at the moon and gazed at it. "To be strong, you must believe."

"Huh?" Pichu tilted his head in confusion.

"You must believe," the older mouse repeated as he stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. "I am strong because Pika-Pi believed in me. Pika-Pi is strong because I believe in him. However, that's not the main reason. We are strong because we believe in ourselves as only we can."

"…huh?" Pichu repeated.

Pikachu rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Chu-chu," he started as he patted the baby Pokemon's crown, "you need to believe, not like how you believe in me, nor how I believe in you. You must believe in yourself. That is the first true sign of a strong soul. Do you understand now, silly?" he inquired as he pressed his finger against the other's chest.

Pichu paused in thought, then, as if the metaphorical light bulb flicked on, he perked up in glee. "O-oh! Yeah, yeah! You're saying that while it's fine that we use each other to get strong, I need to believe in myself and never give up my belief to get even stronger?"

"Close enough, but you get the gist of it," said the bigger mouse as he jumped off the ledge and waddled his way back into the manor. Pichu quickly followed suit as they made their way back to their room. Pikachu looked down at the newest member of his personal family and could not help but smile. 'Chu-chu…I look forward to your future.'

"Big bro?"

"Hmm?"

"Why does Jigglypuff seem upset around you all the time?"

Pikachu slightly blanched and laughed sheepishly, quickly rubbing the back of his head as they continued their way. "Well, it involves myself, her, Pika-Pi and his friends, and that insufferable marker of hers…"

Tears slowly made their way down the mouse's cheeks, sizzling as they passed his swollen and abused pouches. Pikachu missed his little brother; of that, there no question, but he was damn glad that Pichu was not here. The pain was enough by himself. He could not bear to think if the little mouse was subjected to this torture as well. He slowly got on all fours once more despite knowing that he will wind up at the bottom of the container again. He would not give up. He would persevere and get out of this one way or another.

With the impending whirring of ignition, the machine once more sent him in a realm of newfound agony as it absorbed more of his energy. This time, Pikachu stood his ground, gnashing his fangs together as he tried to overcome the abrasive flow of green voltage. "Pi…ka…CHUUUUUUUUUUU!" With a roar of determination, he pushed his own bolts of blue and gold outward, halting the flow and stopping the procedure.

It did not last long, however, as the machine whirred to the point that it had begun to buzz and crackle. With one nasty, overpowered surge, the opposing electricity of Pikachu was taken once more and absorbed, sending the Pokemon to yet another level of pain as he was lifted to the center of the canister.

He did not notice that while he was being sucked dry yet again, the entrance to the chamber they were keeping him in opened to let someone in. He did not notice the flash of red crashing into and shattering his glass prison. He did, however, notice the slender arms holding him in a familiar embrace, along with the potent scent of Moon Stones. He wearily looked up to see not only the impassive face of a stranger, but the clearly concerned eyes of Samus Aran.

"Pikachu? Pikachu, can you hear me?" cried the huntress. Pikachu nodded his head slowly. Now that he was out of the canister, the pain had stopped, but was quickly replaced with the overwhelming sensation of heavy fatigue.

"Pi…kaaa…"

"It's okay. They won't hurt you anymore. We'll get out of here together." As soon as the words left her mouth, the mouse noticed a deep blue glow that surrounded them both, along with the white chain that appeared from thin air and connected to them like a life-line. The glow left the two Smashers and gathered into a ball as the chain separated in half and encircled the sphere, leaving what looked like miniature, majestic blue orb with white rings.

The pair stared at it until Pikachu decided to forgo all caution and pick it up. The orb suddenly broke apart once more into a glow that embraced only the Pokemon as it quickly seeped into his body. He could feel it recovering his energy, removing his injuries, and giving him such a rush that he felt as good as new! "Pika!" squeaked Pikachu as jumped in joy. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Samus sigh in relief.

The sound of a siren brought them back to reality as the entrance was overtaken by large robots. Pikachu crouched down in anger as he watched the optical sensors of his new enemies lock on to him and his new partner.

"Are you okay to fight?" he heard Samus shout as she readied a silver weapon in her hand.

Pikachu answered by charging forward. "…!" Fresh bolts of his natural electricity surrounded him in a golden shroud. He had held on like he said he would. He would not disappoint himself by not getting even with these mechanical nuisances. With a powerful pounce, he shot straight at the mechanical blockade, knowing that he and Samus would get out of here and find everyone else. He had a feeling that there was something even bigger going on, but with everyone working together and giving it their all, they could take on everything.

Just as he had believed.

"PIKAAAA….CHUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

I…did not like writing this chapter, but it had to be done. Pikachu is one of those characters that have enough of a personality that you don't have to come up with almost everything from scratch (unlike, say, Capt. Falcon, or Olimar), but is also able to be played with enough that you can add some more depth. It wasn't that it was hard to add depth to the little guy, though. It was that it was hard to describe him in the situation he was in. Negative scenarios with characters like Pikachu are best if there is heartbreak and loss, like when Ash 'died' in 'Pokemon: The First Movie' *sniff!*. Stuff like inducing pain and pseudo-torture? Some fans don't even like seeing or even hearing about their favorite characters hurt. How do you think I felt when I was writing it?

Again, I am deeply sorry that this came out so late (at least it wasn't ten months…), but I do hope that you enjoy this chapter. Now time to answer some reviews!

Rinku588: 1.) The sunglasses are inspired by the Blues Brothers, not by Douche Nukem (yes, you read that right) and the sword from Legend of Zelda. 2.) I'm glad you have the guts to get mad at me. It shows that I still have a ways to go as an author (at least in time-management). 3.) On how Samus knew…I can't describe it myself. It was the only thing I could put in that didn't halt the flow of the chapter. If you have any suggestions or better ideas, feel free to share them, I don't mind. 4.) OoT Link is TP's Hero's Shade? And it's CANON? You, good reader, made my whole dame month. 5.) To answer your question from your previous review…I do like cupcakes…especially with a 'Dash' of something special…^^

UK-Underworld King: Thanks for all the support. If I need help with any fight scenes like last time, I know who to turn to. Also, TP Link will be pretty different, seeing as he doesn't know Samus.

Linira: Trust me, you haven't seen nothing yet when it comes to Peach. If you want to find out just how far she might go, I leave you with these two words; Acero Tiburon.

XRahkZorzX and Link the Jew: Close, but no cigar. Yes, the polar bear is white, but that's not the whole answer, nice try, though!

Tune4Toons: I'm glad you liked the prologue. Game mechanics, huh? …you just gave me an idea for a scene in my next Intermission. Thank you!

TX17: I would expect Snake to be an asshole sometimes. He's not a villain, but he's not exactly the best hero role-model, either. I'm also making him 4th-wall aware like Crazy Hand, but in a way that others might believe him. If he was aware that he was in a videogame while he was in the videogame, he can be aware of this story…somewhat.

Dark Lord Link: Dude, you're my bud, but this must be done *puts on shiny glove and smacks you upside the head* NO MIZ! EVER! *hands you an ice-pack* there is only one character that can say that they are awesome that many times and get away with it. His name is Gilbert Beilschmidt and he is a country (yes, you read that right as well).

NightwingxTroia: Need not worry, for I will finish this story…later on. I'm glad that you like my portrayal of Samus.

Now that that's done with, I have a question: Since this chapter is pretty short compared to what I usually write, and the next chapter will *SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT* mostly feature an old scaly foe, should I just come back and combine the chapter or leave them as separate? Please leave an answer, along with what you think of the chapter, in a review.

Okay, now I need to get ready for work. I got a new job, too. I now work nights at Walmart doing remodeling in the city of Emporia. If I have any readers in that area, that would be awesome. Once again, I thank you for reading and supporting my story.

Until next time…

P.S. Whoever's the first to get where the whole 'believe' angle came from gets...um...something? Eh, they get whatever they ask for (if it's reasonable)...