Broken Spirit But Not Broken Bond by Wyldclaw

Plot: first new WCverse one-shot in ages

Naomi: it's about time you mouse-brained prat!

Hey... I'm not a mouse-brained prat.

Naomi (fake coughs): yeah right!

Oh stuff it . I'd like to see you come up with one shots about the WCverse . They're not that easy to write . Anyways this oneshot tells of Ash's feeling after the events of my fanfic Pokémon the Movie 2000 II : Lawrence's Revenge so beware of major spoiler for that fanfic. Ash's perspective . I own zero Pokémon characters mentioned- Lawrence is the name i've give the antagonist of Pokémon the movie 2000 and one of the two main villains of Pokémon the Movie 2000 II : Lawrence's Revenge. There are a few pieces of profanity in this fic . ". ". Indicates humans talking , ( ) is translated Pokemon speech and italics are thoughts. I've borrowed some lines from that fanfic- which are in bold - and a line from the third movie. Warning you may need tissues nearby.

Last Edited July 30 2023

XXX

It was early evening somewhere in Johto and I was jumpy like i was walking into an area full of Beedril nests or tons of Ariados I kept looking around at the slightest sound - even the sound of Ledian made me jumpy as I walked with my new girlfriend Misty and my partner Pokémon Pikachu . It wasn't due to the growing presence of nocturnal Pokemon like Houndours, the Zubat line , Vileplumes and the like why i was so dammed nervous.

I suppose my jumpiness and nerves were working overtime due to what the three of us had gone through the past few days. First there had been the major fight in the forest between Misty and I. She got me so mad I gave her an old expired bike coupon saying it was a voucher for a new bike and she ran off- leadin to her running off and Jessie, Meowth and James kidnapping her. That led to name trying to deal with my growing feelings for her as i attempted a rescue at the Cerulean City Gym . During that that rescue mission- in which Duplicate imitated me while i sunk in through the back , Jessie's Arbok poisoned Pikachu - and although I healed him. the poisoning sent his whole body out of whack. In fact after we rescued Misty and he electroculed James and Jessie in the pool, he nearly fainted right as we went to go tell Officer Jenny. It hurt to leave him there with the gym's Pokemon and them -especially when I heard the duo tried to snag again. After we left the Gym and Misty discovered my trick she had caught up to me and was about to pummel me when Pikachu got dizzy and blacked out for a few minutes. Despite Misty giving him water, he was still woozy so Misty had him rest up at the gym and we spent the night there.

I shivered when i thought of what happened next. After a fight with Misty's sisters at dinner I tried to apologize to her-with the full intent of telling her my feelings when she yelled at me her words wounding me greatly. I fell asleep in the gym's goes room and wok up on a heavily fortified airship. I was shocked to learn that the man who tried to capture the Shamus Island Lugia two years ago : Lawrence Juardian Le Villiyon II was alive. He had rebuilt his airship with the aide of Giovanni , the Team rocket leader-who abducted me from the gym and was on his way to the airship - in an elaborate plot for Lawrence to get Togepi and Giovanni to get his greedy hands on Pikachu. Pikachu Misty- who made a truce with Mouth Jessie and James to free me- came to my rescue but Lawrence knew they were planing on betraying him to rescue me and threatened to kill Misty if Pikachu attacked him. He gave them one last chance to prove there loyalty and Meowthe majorly injured Pikchu's tail. When it seemed all was lost , Psyduck popped out and attacked Lawrence and saved Misty's life before evolving. But Lawrence struck Golduck unconscious and threatened to kill him if we disobeyed. while he was getting cages and rope to tie us up I told Pikachu to either find a place to hide or a way to escape. When I refused to lure him back, Lawrence destroyed my lucky hat and then made me scream by hacking into my arms and cheeks. I was surprised when he came back and Lawrence caged him but then he vanished from the cage.

Then Giovanni came into the picture. he changed absolutely everything from the moment the real Pikachu- who had used a rare move called Substitute to trick Lawrence- tried to escape his iron like grip. Giovanni threatened my life in order to get the mouse to surrender and threatened my Pokemon with harsh beating sessions and starvation sessions. I shivered thinking of everything that came after..

I bit my lip- a bad habit i did when i was nervous or anxious as i nervously gazed around Is Giovanni around here ? is h-he kidding somewhere ? I thought as I nervously looked around, my heart racing fearful of the man along with Lawrence made our lives- particularly mine- beyond hell in the past few days .. I shivered, my heart pounding hearing His cold voice threateniing echo in my head as i paused as to not trip or stumbled on the path :

"All I see when I look at you is a soft plain Pikachu, I can tell there is power within you and I know the perfect way to get it out of you- it will also harden you up at the same time When we get back to my headquarters, I'll make you go through a long, harsh beating session. then days without food and chained to a wall with powerful chains and shock collars in isolation will remind you about the order of things. I'm your master now and you will obey me ."

"I have waited nearly four years to get this Pikachu. I don't care if its front paw is twisted It's mine now and I'll do whatever I want to it. "

Why don't you and I pay a little visit to Pallet Town, Ashton? I can't wait to see Delia's face again. She loves visits from her baby" Giovanni said in a low voice only I heard, "and if she tries to contact the authorities."

"stupid boy. You're its Achilles' heel. Didn't you see how it didn't want to shock me once I threatened to have Lawrence cut you up? How it risked its own safety to get you free? How it tried to beat Persian even after it had been it that cage and injured. It proved it will do anything to keep you from harm so I'll use you to break its spirit and bend it to my will. What amazing incredible power, I can't wait to tap into it for my own personal gain. But even if my-" he stressed the word," Raichu had energy, that net is completely unshockable. If it disobeys me I'll take it out on you. If it continues to rebel… …I'll kill you."

"You can have a plethora of money and rare Pokémon. I can help you become the Johto League champ or rule the world if you join Team Rocket now."

"I have a deal for you, boy. I let your girlfriend here go free and you give me that very powerful mouse of yours in return " He now looked at Raichu, who was shaking with fear behind Ash, with an evil look in his eye," I'll take very good care of it."

I paused , shivered and shook my head. trying to rid myself of his voice and the memories, my hands clenched into fists. . That power -hungry greed malicious psychotic coldhearted son of a she-Arcanine-.

Misty and Pikachu looked over at me , their voices seeming far awayas they broke into my thoughts . ( Ash? Earth to Ash? )

"What's the matter?"

"H h-huh?" I blinked , returning to reality.

"You stopped suddenly and had a far-way look in your eyes .. Is everything alright?" Misty asked-she'd put Togepi in his Pokeball for safety.

(I saw you sh-shiver.) Pikachu added in a small voice. ( Is it .. h-him?) he asked in a very small voice. He didn't want to even say Giovanni's name. I didn't blame him at all. .

I sighed and nodded . "Th-the threats h-he t-told to you and I a-are in my head." I stated, not wanting to say his name out loud myself and I didn't want to elaborate. - The facts I had been threatened with severe beatings and possible death by Giovanni if then-Raichu didn't obey him was my own burden to bear.

Misty nodded at this-understanding what had occured on the airship was still fresh in my memory and I didn't want to make it worse. "..Oh."

( That make sense.) Pikachu said, .

...

We walked in silence for a while, which suited me fine. I was trying to distance myself from all that had happened recently and get the of my then Raichu lying still on the Pokemon Center bed for that brief time out of my head. The breeze and the growing nighttime sounds were a welcome distraction.

Soon we came to a little wooded clearing that had two fallen old logs and and a few old tree stumps in it. It wasn't unlike the clearing we had been in a few days ago when Misty and I had that big fight. Holy Mew was that fight just a few days ago? It seems like a lifetime since then . So many things have happened since then ...

Misty sat on one of the logs and I did the same as she looked around . Pikachu flopped on the ground next to my feet, panting . and winced. She and I looked down at him. "What's the matter Pikachu ?" I asked as i bit my lip concerned. He's been through enough hell .

He saw my concerned facial expression . (I'm fine Ash.. it's just.. my wounds and I'm slowly .. recovering my . strength back . ) he glanced at the hospital bandage on his body .

"I don't blame you. I think.. we should stop here for the night. It's getting late and dark. We should probably cook dinner ."

My stomach let out an enormous roar at the word 'dinner' and my companions smiled. "Guess someone's starving."

(I'd know that hunger pang yowl from anywhere.) Pikachu gazed up at me.. On the outside the small yellow Pokemon looked the same as he did before the incident asides from the few scars on his body , the white hospital bandage around his cracked rib . But just like me he'd been forever changed-mentally and physically . I could tell he was really exhausted from everything that had happened to him recently from his poisoning at the Cerulean City Gym to everything that had happened the other day. Staring at his wounds made my heart break- he'd suffered worse than me . The image of him - well Raichu-him lying lifeless and cold in that Pokemon Center bed came to my mind, Tears threatened to leave my eyes at the thought of the image but I somehow held them back and brushed away that horrible image .

That was easy since my stomach let out two enormous growls that echoed in the still air. My new girlfriend grinned. " I guess things are back to normal if your stomach's growling like that."

"Yeah .." I agreed. I'd been too wound-up to notice what i had eaten for breakfast and lunch. I hadn't had the heart to eat much dinner last night even though all Lawrence had given me a stale piece of bread to eat. I was too concerned about Pikachu- well then he'd been a Raichu - fate after he'd taken the bullet Giovanni shot at me. I practically wolfed down the crackers she'd given after dinner. Surprised I'm not totally passed out from the lack of food. " I guess i'm running on empty from the past few days."

" There's the food loving dense boy i know."

"Hey.. I am not that dense most of the times." I replied.

Misty just sighed and rolled her eyes. "Riiiiight… I'll go get firewood for the fire."

I plucked Cyndaquil's Pokéball off my belt, maximized and raised my right arm in mid air .. " I'll help you out Mist.." I reached back to turn my hat around for my twisting-myhat-backwards- Pokeball throwing pose but only touched my naked messy black hair. "That's weird. Where 's my -oh.. yeah ." I remembered Lawrence destroyed it when I wouldn't scream to lure Pikachu back . "I forgot that psychopath destroyed it " . I don't feel like myself without it.

Misty smiled. "We'll get you a new one eventually ... You look weird without a hat. Your hair looks even more unmanageabl.e "

"I definitely don't feel like myself." I admitted. "Cyndaquil I-"

I stoped as I glimpsed at the multiple deep indentations where the ropes had been and the countless cuts on my arm . The painful memories of being tortured and threatened while I was tied up on the airship came rushing at me like a charging Rhyhorn. All the threats made at me came back like a Bonemarang attack . I lowered my arm which suddenly felt as heavy as an Onix, . I can't do it .. I just can't do it . I just can't look at any of my or Pikachu's injuries- no matter how briefly without the memories coming memories are just too fresh in my mind . The p Even seeing the injuries on my arm is reminding of ..those two coldhearted maliucious psychopaths or what they did. I thought as my body shook.

"Ashy ? Are you alright? You just froze up " my friends' voices seemed far away as Misty came over to my side and knelt down besides me . She held my hands in her own hands u.

(Ash? What's wrong? You're shaking.) Pikachu remarked as he carefully leapt up into my lap, wincing slightly as he did.

I numbly shook my head. "It's just.. just ... It''s -" I tried to say that was was bothering me was the immense burden of what beyond hell i'd gone through in the past few days changing my life forever but the words just wouldn't come out of my throat. It felt like an enormous evolutionary stone was lodged in my throat . It's everything…I just wanted to be a regular boy on a Pokemon journey. I didn't ask to be 'The Chosen One"- I never asked for any of this. .I felt my eyes going from the slightly faded slap mark on her face to Pikachu's injuries to my own hand.

(E-Everything that h-happened is .. finally hitting you.. and me. A-all of us.) Pikachu took the words right out of my mouth. He licked my arm until i stopped shaking. I and I numbly nodded.

" No wonder you were so quiet and solemn today.. but I don't blame you .. L-Lawrence and … h-him- they're beyond psychotic, coldhearted and cruel.. an-and th-that's being nice about it . You've been through hell." I nodded again at Misty's words. "We all have.. "

(Even Togepi. .. ) Pikachu gestured to his Pokeball on Misty's belt.

"Yeah... " she agreed and then saw my face. "I'll let him out during dinner. I think his cheerful personality will cheer you up ... he'll want to hug his 'daddy" and try to cheer you up.'"

I smiled very briefly. The little baby Pokemon had imprinted on the two of us-mainly Misty- when he hatched- so he believed we were his parents. Since we didn't know if there were any other Togepis that existed in the world, she'd become his adopted mother and I'd obviously was his adopted father. "I suppose so.. but -" I shuddered and lowered my voice, tripping over my words. "L-Lawrence planned to take him from you Y-You didn't hear wh-what h-he wanted with him.. when I asked wh-what he wanted with him . H-he said there was a ..myth around Togepi saying if he's presented to a worthy person.. it will give that person enteral good luck and fortune.."

Her eyes went wide. "What the hell? "

I continued "he al-also said we only escaped him the last time out of pure luck. He .. wanted Togepi as a Legendary bird finding radar."

"He thought that? But how is that possible? ... Togepi's just a baby Pokemon. He's never shown any kind of power like that. That explains why Lawrence tried to take from me after-"

(H-H-He took us under the helicopter.) Pikachu ended and she nodded.

A lump appeared in my throat as the tears welling up in my eyes threatened ever so closer to bursting . Everyone's been hurt or nearly hurt in the past few days because of me . It's all my fault.. everything that's happened recently. The Rocket dolt trio's blackmail attempt, Pikachu getting poisoned by Arbok . Him getting injured massively on the airship. Lawrence using Misty as a hostage, Golduck getting struck. The threats - . Everything that happened recently..it all comes back to being my fault. It's my fault this happened

I felt my girlfriend squeeze my hand with her free hand as I numbly put Cyndaquil's Pokemon into her right hand. . i looked up and saw myself in her eyes as she shook her head, giving me the impression she knew what I was thinking. "No. it's not your fault.. well to be honest and fair , the argument and my kidnapping by the dolt Team Rocket trio in the forest was your fault. " I felt my face go Fire Blast- attack-red hot for a few seconds. "But everything else ... no. Was it your fault Lawrence made me fall outside of the cage and use me as a shield?"

"Well-" I started to say.

"Was it your fault that .. h-he kidnapped you? "

"I ..guess not."

( Was it your fault Jessie James and Mouth double crossed Misty and I and Meowth injured my tail greatly?) Pikachu asked.

"Well.. no." I replied.

(Did you have anything to deal with ... him coming or) The yellow mouse Pokemon shivered. (-briefly capturing and threatening me? Did you have anything to do with that heartless brutal Persian's attack on me?).

"I-I-"

(No you didn't have anything to do with any of that. It's not your fault at all what happened on the airship. Listen.. Sometimes.. things just happen and it's nobody's fault. ) Pikachu added.

" He's right. Don't beat yourself up for what happened. You're feeling really down and terrified. But that's making you doubt yourself." I must have still looked upset so Misty's eyes' brightened . . This might cheer you up. Was the ring your fault ? The kiss? Or how about this? "

She kissed me repeated on the cheeks and on the lips for a few minutes. I was totally caught off guard but I embraced it. . A sense of warmth spread through my body and it stopped shaking . I felt like I was being lifted a few feet off the ground . When she stopped the kiss a few minutes later and parted her lips , I felt like I was in a daze. " wow.. just wow.. Holy freaking Mew .. that was beyond incredible."

"Feel a bit better?" I nodded " I'll go get the firewood with Cyndquil and Golduck's help. You both ..just need time to rest and p-process what happened." She said, her gaze sweeping my first Pokemon and i with understanding. While she'd just been threatened, it was our hearts and spirits that had been majorly broken allong with our bodies . She didn't know what had happened in that small room-but she knew something major occurred. I wasn't ready to tell her just yet.

I looked around- remembering all too clearly what happened the last time she went off into a dark forest by herself. That fight was what started this whole mess. . "I don't wanna lose you again Mist. W-wh-what if h-he has grunts and -"

"Charizard sent him and the three Rocket idiots packing remember? He's probably chewing them out. Besides they don't come after us right away remember? they usually have to recuperate for a day or two before they come back after us again. "

"Oh yeah.. I forgot."

( but also keep in mind those three dolts saved us twice that day . Once with the pill that taught me Substitute.) Pikachu pointed out.

" I figured that was their doing. "

He nodded. ( Yup.. Plus-)

"When Meowth bit Persian's tail and slashed it in h-his helicopter." Misty finished. "they wanted to help us .."

"I didn't r-really n-notice that . I was too scared and worried a-about - " My gazed drifted down to Pikachu, who shivered.

( M-Me.. well Raichu-me ) The yellow mouse Pokemon ended quietly.

I remembered what they'd said in Greenfield at that strange crystal tower when they helped save me from falling ."Those three have helped us out before , like when we were on the sunken S.S Anne and had to make that truce to get to the surface. Or when we were in that forest with the Ursaring and got seperated. Th-They also helped out getting me to Ice Island in Shamuti. Plus remember what they said at that crystal tower in Greenfield when they helped you save me, Pikachu and Charizard from from falling? if anything happened to me they'd be out of show business. They need me alive son they can continue pursuing us " .

She smiled. "That's a fair point. but I don't think we have to worry about them tonight. I'll leave Corsola with you. Besides if someone unwanted shows up . you can always send Noctowl or Phanpy for help… "She said as she took off her Water/Rock Pokémon's minimized Pokéball and place it next to the log . I looked at my new girlfriend wanting to say something. "I won't be gone long… I promise "

She kissed my cheeks and i blushed totally tomato-red. " I love you." she said at then went up to her full height.

"L-l-love you too." I tripped over the word, my face hot..

..

Pikachu gazed up at me as we saw her walk away and disappear into the forest a minute or two later . (You're tomato red and blushing. )

I felt my face burn for a few seconds . " Only a little." I sighed as my face went back to normal . " I just didn't think she'd leave so soon after.."

(She's just going to get firewood . )

" I know but still.. after what happened the last time we left her in a forest… "

The Electric type yellow Pokemon grinned. ( oh you mean ...when you blew up at her, gave her the fake coupon and wouldn't admit that you liked as more than a friend ? Then you got a guilt train trip when Togepi and Psyduck brought that ransom note from the dolt trio?)

I nervously chuckled. "…Yeah... that. "

(She'll be fine.. She's a strong Trainer in her own right and she has Golduck now.) He reassured me and I hugged him and carefully as I could , careful of his injuries.

"I know pal but after everything.. I can't help it.. Lawrence was terrible enough when she used her as a hostage…"

( I know what you mean. I was too petrified to make a move after he threatened her life.)

"H-He threatened her life before he th-threatened m-me." The mouse gasped. " He w-was gonna slap her again but Togepi tried to ram his cage open and told Lawrence n-not to hurt her. She told that he saved her life and that's how .."

( He got the idea to threaten you to lure me back.) Pikachu ended.

" but he became second f-fiddle when Giovanni entered the whole situation…" I gulped as i stroked the mouse's soft fur. I brushed my hand against a scar from Persian and he flinched. "Sorry pal. "

(it's okay…) He was silent for a few minute, then looked up, his black eyes wet with tears. He must have been holding back his tears too (H-He was beyond deplorable.) he said softly. (I.. never ever want to be in his clutches again.. no matter how briefly. He was absolutely brutal .) he shook for a few minutes and i calmly stroked him and said soothing words until he stopped . I didn't blame my starter Pokemon for being absolutely terrified of the Team Rocket leader .

(when h-he talked about Lawrence h-hurting you and then b-beating me I felt .,. broken.) I felt tears run from his face to my arms. (I f-felt… like i failed in my duty to protect you. I was utterly defeated and helpless...)

I shook my head , feeling tears run down my own face. "Don't say that buddy. Y-you didn't fail and you weren't helpless . . Y-you did everything you possibly could to save me from that savage heartless demon. You stood up to him and the despicable wretched Persian and fought your very best about that cat."

(He was merciless.. you saw what- h-he did to me. He called me weak and pathetic and c-called you a p-pathetic weakling. That's when i knew I'd had way more than enough and .. did what i had to. )

"I saw everything. Good reply spitting in his face. " The mouse smiled. " For what its worth you made an astounding incredible Raichu. That speech was truly heartfelt , moving and beautiful. its not your fault at all . If anything... it was I who couldn't protect you. I couldn't keep that .. demon from taking us after you fainted. I ran over to you and I th-thought- .. I thought you were .. You weren't breathing " I tripped over my words .

He shook his head. ( Stupid Stun Spore speckles , blood and energy loss , It would take a lot more than a pinch of Stun Spore to take.. me out. You did try to save Y-you told me to find a way to get everyone off the ship and tried to warn me about Lawrence's plan. I h-heard your encouraging words b-before those Persians started screeching. Th-they gave me the strength to get up.)

" I'm proud of what you did that day.. All of it "

( E-even taking the -) He couldn't say the rest of the sentence: gunshot would to the heart.

I nodded, the words stummbling in my throat and hot tears rolled down my face. . " E-e-even th-th-that. That psycho m-may have br-broken our spirits and our hearts th-that day but.." I wiped my teary eyes with my sleeve. " but he'll n-never break our powerful friendship bond..N-nothing can."

(N-not even my.. my …) he looked away and I knew he didn't want to mention his brief death and mysterious resurection and de-evolution. It went too deep in our broken souls .

Eventually- I didn't know how- I was going to have to tell my girlfriend and the rest of my Pokemon what happened in that small room. But the heart wrenching memory - that my own first Pokemon had sacrificed himself for me and died for a short time -were still too fresh in my mind. I nodded . "No…N-Not even th-that could tear us apart. "

The two of us just cried and hugged each other for a while- losing all track of time. Nothing existed aside from the two of us . "Y-You're the strongest , most strong willed , st-strong hearted Pokemon I -I know.."

(I second that. ) Golduck said, eyes glowing as he , Cyndaquil- her back flame up- and Misty emerged to the clearing , a huge pile of firewood floating in mid-air next to them.

"I agree ." Misty said as i wiped my face with my sleeve again,.

( Same here. You're really strong Pikachu. both in power and in heart.) Cyndaquil remarked.

"You guys feel much better now?" Misty asked , seeing our tear streaked faces. Honestly , I felt lighter than I had earlier. all that i really needed was a much needed cry and talk.

I nodded as Golduck mentally put the firewood down in a safe dry spot and his eyes went back to normal. Cyndaquil turned it into a campfire with two Ember attacks. . " Yes. All we needed was a good cry.. " My stomach yowled loudly again. " Now when's dinner gonna be ready?"

Everyone groaned.

The End