Hello Fanfiction Readers! How have you been? Here's the sixth installment of the story. Read it, review it, et cetera et cetera. Here Ash Ketchum and Pikachu and Iris and Axew arrive at Accumula Town. Aside from that though, I have a special guest with me today!
"..." The Guest said.
"Yeah, they're a bit on the quiet side." TM24 said. Hey! I never noticed that but my name spells out Technical Machine Twenty-Four. Kind of appropriate given how, except in Gold, Silver, and Crystal - where it is for the move DragonBreath, that's the TM for Thunderbolt. Eh, I know that isn't important but, sometimes you just got to appreciate the little things.
Guest: "..."
TM24: "Okay, okay. Time to start the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. If I did, the anime wouldn't be inept when it came to what moves did and who could learn the moves.
Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Five
Normal Point of View
As Ash and Iris exited the forest, Ash became determined.
"Yes!" Ash exclaimed, rising a fist in enthusiasm. "We've finally reached Striaton City and it's time for a gym battle!"
"Uh, not quite, Ash." Iris said, walking next to and in front of him. "This is Accumula Town and Striaton City is the next town over."
Ash then simply gaped at the news.
"But of course you wouldn't know that." Iris continued. "You're a kid!"
"Hey! This is my first time in Unova so give me a break!" Ash exclaimed, but quickly became dejected. "Wow, it's a bummer though since I was so psyched to have a gym battle."
"Then why don't you go to the Pokémon Battle Club?" Iris said. "That's where I'm going right now!"
"Pokémon Battle Club, huh?" Ash asked. "So what's that?"
"'Course you wouldn't know that either." Iris said. "Just follow me and I'll show you."
XXXXXXX
"Here, this is the Pokémon Battle Club." Iris said as they walked into the building in front of them.
"That's the bulletin board. See?" Iris commented as they walked up to a machine and she pushed a button on it. "Each trainer enters their Pokémon's profile as well as the type of Pokémon they want to battle against and it's also an awesome place for trainers to sharpen their skills by battling as they see fit."
Ash and Pikachu simply listened before making a slight amazed reaction.
XXXXXXX
"Perfect timing!" Iris exclaimed as they walked through a door further in the building. "Looks like they're just about to start battling!"
"Wow, all right!" Ash commented before noticing an unfamiliar Pokémon and bringing out his Pokédex.
"Servine, the Grass Snake Pokémon, and the evolved form of Snivy. Servine whips its opponents with vines, and dodges their attacks by hiding in the shadows of thick foliage." The Pokédex uttered in a hushed whisper, as to avoid disrupting the battle.
"Whoa!" Ash commented. "Now what about the other Pokémon there?"
"Dewott, the Discipline Pokémon, and the evolved form of Oshawott. Through rigid training, Dewott uses the double Scalchop technique to accomplish its fluid swordsmanship." The Pokédex uttered its almost regular volume.
"Servine, use Leaf Blade!"
Servine's tail then glowed a light green as it jumped into the air to attack its target.
"Dewott, Water Gun!"
Dewott wounded backwards before unleashing a powerful torrent of water at the Grass Snake Pokémon. The attack hit and caused it to fly over to where Ash and Iris were.
"Okay, enough!" A gruff voice exclaimed. "Take your Servine to be healed."
Servine simply spoke its name, but it was clear from its voice that it was in a little pain.
The boy then picked up Servine and ran through the door.
"Well take care of all your battle needs." The man said, hands on his hips. "I welcome you to the Pokémon Battle Club. My name is Don George and I'm the battle manager."
"My name's Iris! I'd like to introduce you to Ash. Hi!"
"Iris was just finishing telling me a while ago that anyone could have a battle here if they want to."
"Right, that's correct!" Don George said in affirmation.
"I'm gonna challenge the Striaton Gym and I wanna get ready!" Ash said determinedly, Pikachu sharing in his enthusiasm.
"A Pikachu!" Don George said, taken aback by the electric mouse before patting his head. "How unusual to see one in the Unova region."
I have a feeling that people will stop becoming so fascinated with Pikachu here. At the very least if not now then eventually. Ash thought to himself with a small sweat-drop.
"Excuse me, is that Pikachu yours?" The boy with the Dewott inquired.
"Yeah!" Ash replied simply.
"Would you like to have a Pokémon battle with me?" He asked.
"I was just looking for someone to battle with." Ash responded before clenching a fist with determination. "You're on!"
"Ash's opponent used a Dewott last time, so if he uses another Water-type, an Electric-type like Pikachu will definitely have the advantage!" Iris said to herself.
"Ready, Pikachu?" Ash asked as Pikachu jumped off his shoulder onto the battlefield. But they were not alone as Oshawott emerged from his Poké Ball happily.
"Oshawott's out of its Poké Ball!" Iris commented.
"Why did you come out on your own like that?" Ash asked. Sort of reminds me of when a certain orange-haired water-trainer had to deal with a yellow Duck Pokémon and I guess when a magenta-haired woman used a certain blue Patient Pokémon.
As Pikachu and Oshawott conversed, the Sea Otter Pokémon pushed Pikachu down and stood up in front of him, more or less saying he wanted to battle.
"Dewott, let's go!"
Being a bit intimidated by its evolved form, Oshawott turned the fallen Pikachu's head towards the Discipline Pokémon and crossed his arms as he tapped his foot.
"Well, go figure." Iris commented with a sweat-drop.
"'Kay, now that that's settled." Ash said, preparing Oshawott's Poké Ball. "Oshawott, return!"
Pikachu then got to all fours again in anticipation for the battle.
"Begin!" Don George shouted as he crossed his arms in an "X" manner.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
As Pikachu launched the attack, his opponent was ready.
"Dodge it, Dewott!"
"Huh? Wow, that's fast!" Iris commented.
"All right, Iron Tail, let's go!
Dewott was unable to dodge the attack as it landed and sent it back spinning back to its trainer.
"Dewott, no!"
Dewott was not going down that easily though as it recovered.
"Now, Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!"
"Dodge it!"
Dewott then jumped out of the way, narrowly avoiding being hit by the attack as Pikachu missed and continued to run into the wall.
"All right, Razor Shell!"
Pikachu was then sent flying back as Dewott's twin scalchops glowed and it unleashed the Razor Shell attack.
"Pikachu!"
XXXXXXX
As the battle was going on, a certain trio were stalking out nearby warehouses.
"Good, we're all clear." Jessie said as she looked around the corner to look for anyone.
"Affording us the opportunity to stock up on supplies." James added.
"No locks?" Jessie said as they went through the door. "Careless."
"Huh?" James said as a shadowy figure jumped over him and Meowth and ran away, setting off the alarm.
"What's that?" Jessie asked as the alarm blared. "Not good."
"Exit, quick!" James exclaimed.
XXXXXXX
"Uh-oh!" Ash exclaimed as the alarm went through the building.
"Battle Manager, sir!" One of three people said as they walked in a door.
"It's the emergency alarm." Another added.
"Something's in the storage room!" One exclaimed.
"Probably that mystery Pokémon!" Another interjected.
"Right!" Don George said as he walked across the battlefield and stopped. "We'll have to suspend your battle for now."
"Oh, man." Ash said as Don George began to depart. "A mystery Pokémon?"
"How cool is that?" Iris commented as she ran up to Ash.
"Yeah!" Ash added. "Let's go check it out!"
"Right!" Iris said.
"It doesn't look like much was stolen." One of the three people that came into the battling room said.
"The security camera must have recorded something." Don George commented. "Let's review it."
"Sir." The three battle club people said simultaneously.
XXXXXXX
"So, what's going on?" Ash inquired as one of the battle club people were reviewing the camera footage.
"The food in the storage room has been stolen a lot lately," Don George replied. "and there have been unidentified Pokémon sightings, too. So we found it necessary to set up this security system, to get to the bottom of all this."
"Awesome!" Ash stated. "If it's a new kind of Pokémon, I wanna catch it!"
"Such a kid!" Iris commented, getting Ash's attention. "You can't find a new kind of Pokémon that easily."
"You're right." Ash said.
"But at the same time, that's why it's so exciting!" Don George interjected.
"Battle Manager, sir," The guy who was sitting in front of the computer said. "we're ready to go."
"Good. Let's just see what went on."
"Sir!" The man said before turning back to the computer. "Here it is."
"Two people!" The man exclaimed.
"I know them." Ash said. "Team Rocket."
"Pika Pikachu Pi Pika Chu." ("Those guys get on my nerves.") The Mouse Pokémon said as his ears shot straight up.
"Who's Team Rocket?" Don George inquired.
"They're a bunch of bad guys who steal Pokémon from people." Ash replied.
"Not them again!" Iris added.
"Well, the security system caught more than those guys." Don George said. "I'd like you to play that part of the security tape once more."
"Sir!"
As they rewound the tape and slowed it down, they saw it.
"A shadow." Ash commented. Reminds me of a Tepig, or an Umbreon I guess.
"Dark and skinny." Iris added. "What kind of Pokémon is that?"
"Here, let me see if my Pokédex can confirm it." Ash said, fiddling with his Pokédex before finding the image and showing it. "Looks to me like this Pokémon."
"Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. The rings on Umbreon's body glow faintly when exposed to the moon's aura and it gains a mysterious power." The Pokédex uttered.
Aura. Ash then shuddered a little, thankfully no one seemed to notice however. That usually always lead to something bad happening.
"Wow!" Iris commented, looking at the Pokédex. "That's so cool!"
"But Umbreon don't normally live in the Unova region." Don George added. "If we discovered one, it would be a huge find!"
"All right!" Don George exclaimed. "Let's keep our eyes open and find Umbreon!"
"Sir!" The three battle club people said at the same time before going in opposite directions.
"Ash, what do you say we go and help them out?" Iris said.
"Sure!" Ash replied. "Let's go!"
XXXXXXX
While the battle club members were looking for the hiding Pokémon, six eyes were curiously watching them.
"You know, they sure are persistent." Jessie said.
"Battle Mananger," Sub-Manager A said. "I find no evidence that Umbreon was in this area."
"Then look over there!" Don George exclaimed. "Search every inch of this place!"
"Sir!" The battle club members said.
Kneeling down in front of Meowth, they decided to converse on the matter.
"It sounds like the object of their search appears to be Umbreon and not us." James said.
"Which means our opportunity's still knocking." Jessie added.
"So, while they're looking for Umbreon, we'll stock up on supplies to our hearts' content!" Meowth interjected.
"There's just one thing." Jessie said before reaching into their open briefcase. "We'll need this!"
"What's paint got to do with supplies?" Meowth asked.
"This paint is going to allow Umbreon to lure them far, far away." Jessie replied.
"Sounds like a brilliant plan!" Meowth commented. "Getting rid of those guys with a can of paint. Now why didn't I think of that before?"
Then realization came over Meowth as his features skewed a bit.
"Uh..." Meowth began nervously.
XXXXXXX
"Find anything?" One of the battle members asked.
"Nothing!" Another one replied. "Where could that Umbreon have gone?"
"Okay, move it!" Jessie demanded.
Meowth then knocked on the building to attract attention.
"That's right, boys, it's me." Meowth said to himself.
"There it is!" Don George said as he dropped his broom and ran towards the Umbreon-disguised Meowth. "Umbreon!"
"Catch it, quick!" The closest battle member added before running after Don George.
"Right!" The other two said.
"Come back here!" Don George said.
XXXXXXX
"That should do it!" Iris said as she put down a bowl of Pokémon food.
"Hey Iris!" Ash shouted after coming out of the open warehouse. "I'm done setting up the Pokémon food, but now what?"
"Shh!" Iris said as she put her finger to her mouth. "I think the best thing we can do is split up so we can keep a sharp eye on this place. See, Umbreon's gotta be really hungry, so it'll definitely fall for this!"
"I'll be watching over there." Iris said, pointing to her left. "Now, if you see Umbreon, let me know." Before she disappeared though, she added one last thing. "I'm planning to catch it, if you don't mind."
"Of course, she would say that" Ash said with a small sweat-drop.
"Pika." ("Yeah.")
"Oshawott, Oshawott, Osha!" ("Okay, where's this Pokémon!") The Sea Otter Pokémon said as he played his scalchop like it was a drum as he came from his Poké Ball.
"Oshawott? What's going on?"
"Oshawott, Osha!" ("I'm here to help!")
"Oh!" Ash said. "You want to help out, huh? Sure, that's great!"
"Oshawott!" ("I know it is!")
"Now you and Pikachu guard this area, 'kay?" Ash said, kneeling and point a finger at Oshawott.
The two Pokémon then made a saluting gesture.
"Oshawott!" ("I'm on it!")
"Pika!" ("You got it!")
"While you're doing that," Ash began as he stood up. "I'm gonna get more Pokémon food, so I'll be over there."
"Pika, Pikachu!" ("Okay, good luck!")
"Osha!" ("Yep.")
XXXXXXX
"Hey Oshawott? What do you think you are doing over there?"
"Nothing, just investigating." The Sea Otter Pokémon said as he took a bit of Pokémon food.
"Yum, this stuff is delicious."
"Stop it! That's for the hungry Pokémon, not you." Pikachu then started to shake Oshawott. "You shouldn't be doing that."
Oshawott then flung Pikachu into a stack of boxes.
"Okay, that kind of hurt." He said as he rubbed his head.
"And that is just painful." He added as six boxes and a circular item fell on his head. "And good night."
After falling unconscious, an open box then proceeded to fall onto Pikachu.
"Huh, what happened?" Deciding to ignore it, Oshawott then began eating.
"Oh well, time to eat!"
After a few bites more, Oshawott decided to comment on the meal.
"This Pokémon food is delicious."
XXXXXXX
Man, this is getting boring. I wonder if Iris is hav-. Ash's thoughts were then cut off when he saw something approaching.
"Yes!" He whispered. "It's about time, Umbreon or Tepig. Whatever you may be." Ash then enlarged a Poké Ball. "All right."
Looking closer, he then realized what the Pokémon was...and a bit hurt to see the Pokémon in such a state.
"Hold on." Ash said. "Since I know that's not Umbreon, let's see what the Pokédex says about Tepig."
"Tepig, the Fire Pig Pokémon. Normally fire shoots out of Tepig's snout, but it shoots out smoke instead when it's feeling ill." The Pokédex uttered.
"A Tepig!" Ash said before putting away the Pokédex. "That's one of the three starter Pokémon a new trainer can choose! The Unova region's got amazing Pokémon."
After taking another look, he decided to add something. "So skinny and dirty. No wonder we thought it was an Umbreon."
Poor guy.
As Tepig tried to eat, it was scratching at its snout.
"What's that?" Ash said then figured it out. "Hey, that rope's tangled around its snout and that's making it hard for Tepig to eat!"
Tepig, freaking out that it was being approached, then started to back away.
"Hold on!" Ash pleaded.
"Ash, what are you doing?" Iris asked, coming up from next to the building.
"Wait up!" Ash exclaimed as he began to chase after Tepig before decided to respond to Iris. "I figured out who the mystery Pokémon is!"
"Huh, you did?" Iris asked as Ash began to give chase again and she followed soon after. "Slow down! I want to catch it!"
XXXXXXX
"Don't worry." Ash began as the Tepig had backed into a dead end. "It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you, really."
As Tepig began trembling, Ash got close and picked it up. "You don't have to be scared! See?"
Squirming in his arms for a while, Tepig then decided to calm down.
After Ash smiled at it though, it decided to catch him off-guard by blowing a puff of smoke into his face from his nostrils.
"Told you!" Ash said after he recovered from his fit of coughing. "I won't hurt you."
Tepig however, was confused at this.
"Tepig?" ("Huh?")
"I'll bet you'd like to eat some yummy Pokémon food, right?" Ash asked.
"Tepig!" ("Sounds good!")
"Okay, you sit here!" Ash said as he put Tepig in his lap before working the ropes around its snout. "I'll get that off of you."
"Tepig..." ("I don't know...")
"Be gentle." Iris commented. "It looks pretty tight!"
"It is." Ash confirmed. "Oh man. Who would do such a terrible thing?"
XXXXXXX
"Here!" Iris exclaimed as she set down a bowl of Pokémon food after Ash was done getting the rope off and cleaning Tepig with a cloth.
"There!" Ash said.
"Tepig!" ("Thanks!")
"Now you eat up!" Ash added as Tepig began to eat heartily at the food.
"Thank goodness!" Iris said.
"You must have been really hungry, Tepig!" Ash said as he put a hand on Tepig's back.
As Tepig ate a little faster, Ash commented on it.
"Hey, don't eat it too fast. Slow's the way to go!"
XXXXXXX
Meanwhile, someone else was being chased into a dead end.
I guess the jig is up. Meowth thought as he was cornered, but then looked up when he heard crying.
"To think we've found the first Umbreon, the very first Umbreon ever to be discovered in the Unova region!" Don George exclaimed as he had his arms behind his three other club members. "I'll never forget this moment!"
"Sir, this discovery will go down in history!" One of the club members added.
"If we catch that Umbreon, it will be written up in schoolbooks!" Another said.
"I'm begging you to go ahead and catch it, Battle Manager!" Another club member interjected.
"They're so happy, and now that's sending me on a serious guilt trip because I'm leading those poor guys on like this!" Meowth said after he sighed.
"Excuse me..." Meowth began as he walked up to the bawling club members, getting their attention. "I hate to take the wind out of your sails, but I'm not Umbreon."
"What do you mean?" Don George asked, confused.
To show what he was talking about, Meowth started to wipe the paint off his charm as it then gleamed in the sun.
"See my charm?" He continued. "That proves I'm just a Meowth, passing by."
"It...can't be!" Don George said incredulously before the four battle club members glanced at each other. "Let me get this straight. You're just a talking Meowth?"
"And I hope you guys have a nice day!" Meowth added before walking away.
"You think you found the first Umbreon in the Unova region when it was noting but a talking Meowth!" Don George said after falling on his knees.
"Excuse me, Battle Manager, wouldn't a talking Meowth be considered rare as well?" On battle club member asked.
"You're right!" Don George exclaimed. "Rare indeed!"
"No!" Don George cried as he saw the Meowth running away.
"What have we done, Battle Manager, what have we done?" The three battle club members said in unison.
XXXXXXX
"Man, my stomach is full from all that Pokémon food." Oshawott said as he laid on his back after eating so much.
"Good. There no one here." Jessie said as she peered into the Warehouse.
"Cutting the alarm-system wires helped." James added.
"James, I'll stay here and keep watch." Jessie said.
"Roger!" James said before walking into the warehouse. "Let's see...What about these?" He said as he picked up a box.
"It's empty! Next box. Empty again." James said before looking at a taller stack of boxes. "And what about those?"
"Let's see. Oh dear, only Pokémon food."
"Volia!" James exclaimed as he saw a box next to the stack and pulled it off but was shocked by what he saw.
"Shh!" Jessie said.
"It's...Pikachu!" James said, pointing at the Mouse Pokémon.
"There's no doubt!" Jessie said as she came in to investigate. "This is the twerp's Pikachu!"
"But what in the world is it doing inside a box?" James said as he put his hand to his chin thoughtfully.
"It doesn't matter, but catching Pikachu does." Jessie said. "Just think of how pleased the Boss will be with our hard work."
James merely nodded his head in agreement.
XXXXXXX
"I've got to do something." Oshawott said softly to himself as it looked at the scene unfolding.
"Tepig...Tepig...Tepig" ("That food...was just what...I needed.") It said as he was being cradled against Ash's shoulder.
"Tepig seems back to normal after all of that Pokémon food." Iris commented.
"Yeah!" Ash said. "Everything will be just fine."
"Hey, Ash!" Don George said as he saw him after walking out of the building.
"Hi there, Don George!" Ash said as Don George ran up to them, his three battle club members trailing him.
"Well, we thought we had found Umbreon and so we all went chasing after it, but it was a complete hoax." He said with his hand behind his head.
"Hey, look at this." Ash said.
"What's Tepig doing here?" Don George said as he removed his hand from where it was on his head.
"That shadow we thought was Umbreon actually turned out to be this Tepig instead." Ash replied before opening his hand. "And this rope was tangled around its snout so it couldn't eat and then it got really skinny. That's why I thought it was an Umbreon back when we saw it in the video."
"Well, what do you know." Don George said, then it appeared that he remembered something. "Say, I remember this Tepig now!"
"You know Tepig?" Ash asked.
"Yes." Don George answered, shaking his head. "A trainer who once visited our battle club simply abandoned Tepig. Tepig lost the battle and its trainer said he no use for a weak Pokémon, so he tied it to a stake and left. I wanted to untie Tepid, but it chewed itself loose and disappeared before I could get to it. Tepig must have been looking for its trainer, which would explain why it was wandering around town."
"Poor thing." Ash said, getting angry at the thought. "How could someone do something so terrible to a Pokémon they were traveling and battling with anyway?"
"If I ever meet that trainer, I'll teach him a lesson they'll never forget!" Iris exclaimed, more vocal about her anger than Ash was.
"Tepig?" ("Huh?")
"Sorry we woke you up Tepig." Ash said.
The attention of the group of people was then refocused as someone turned the corner.
"It's the twerp!" Jessie and James exclaimed.
"Team Rocket!" Ash shouted.
"Oh, not you guys again!" Iris added.
"What bad stuff are you to this time?" Ash asked.
"You and your assumptions!" James responded. "Ciao!"
Jessie simply huffed indignantly.
"Osha, Osha, Oshawott!" ("Quick guys, help!")
"Oshawott?" Ash inquired. "What's going on?"
His question was then answered when he heard something in the bag Jessie was carrying speak.
"That voice!" Ash exclaimed angrily. "Who's that? Pikachu!"
Jessie: "Who's that voice? So naïve indeed!"
James: "We'll answer you when we feel the need!"
Jessie: "Bringing the white light of evil into the future!"
James: "Thrusting the hammer of justice onto the black darkness of the universe!"
Just then, Meowth jump off of the nearby building.
Meowth: Carving our names in the rock of eternity!"
Jessie: "The fiery destroyer-Jessie!"
James: "And with thunderous emotion, I'm James!"
Meowth: "Wisest of the wise, I'm Meowth!"
Jessie, James, and Meowth: "Now gather! Under the name of Team Rocket!"
"It's that talking Meowth!" One of the battle club members said.
"Which means Meowth's one of the bad guys!" Don George added.
"Give me back Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
James merely laughed at that. "Not after you left it in a box!"
"How could you abandon your Pokémon?" Jessie added. "We just saved Pikachu from harm!" Jessie then took a more condescending tone. "From a trainer of the lowest order..."
"And that gives us owner's rights!" James interjected.
"Your wrong again!" Ash shouted again. "Oshawott. Use Water Gun!"
Before the attack could hit however, Meowth took out a remote that turned into a straight line that protected the trio inside a bubble. Which, after deflecting the attack, started to take off.
"Come back!" Ash said, chasing after them.
"We're booked up." James said. "Good-bye, twerp."
"Why you..." Ash began indignantly but fell when he slipped on some water.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled after he recovered.
"Oh no, Ash!" Iris commented.
"Tepig, Tepig, Tepig!" ("Let me take care of this!")
"Tepig, you want to help out?" Ash asked.
"Tepig!" ("Yep.")
"All right, Tepig!" Ash began. "Use Ember!"
Unleashing a trail of multiple sparks of fire, the attack collided with the bubble, causing an explosion and sending Pikachu flying.
"Pikachu, no!" Ash said as he ran to successfully catch Pikachu.
Happy that his friend was alright, Ash hugged him.
"Pikachu."
"Pika, Pika Pi Pikapi." ("Yeah, I'm fine Ash.")
As the smoke cleared however, if they looked up, they could see the Team Rocket Trio escaping on black hang-gliders.
"Team Rocket burns me up." Ash said angrily as he saw them depart.
"Tepig Tepig Tepig Tepig Tepig." ("Technically that would be me burning up.")
"Tepig, thanks a lot." Ash said as he released Pikachu. "You helped save Pikachu!"
"Tepig." ("It was nothing.")
"I've gotta say, Tepig, you're a cutie." Iris said as she walking over. "You're so pudgy-wudgy." She added as she started to pull on its cheeks.
"You know what?" Iris said, standing up with a Poké Ball in hand. "I think I'd like to catch you."
Tepig shook his head in disagreement. "Tepig, Tepig." ("Nope, not possible.")
Then, as Don George and the other three battle club members came up, Tepig was talking in front of Ash.
"Tepig, Tepig, Tepig, Tepig." ("I want you to be my trainer.")
Don George then laughed behind Iris. "It appears Tepig has chosen Ash as its trainer and after all its harpships, Tepig knows a great trainer when it sees one. Raise Tepig well, Ash."
"So, Tepig, wanna come with me?" Ash asked, looking down at the Fire Pig Pokémon.
"Tepig!" ("Sure do!")
"Awesome!" Ash began as he got a Poké Ball ready. "All right, Poké Ball, let's go!"
After going back three times, the Poké Ball clicked, signaling its capture.
"All right!" Ash exclaimed excitably as he picked up the Poké Ball and his Pokémon shared their enthusiasm. "I caught a Tepig!"
"So I think we should challenge the Striaton Gym with our new friend Tepig!"
Ash's Pokémon cheered in agreement.
"Pikachu, remember what Team Rocket told me?" Ash began, taking on a more serious yet questioning tone. "So what were you doing inside a box?"
As Pikachu tried to recollect what had happened and was moving his limbs and speaking to try and get the point across, Ash finally understood what he was saying.
"Oshawott!" Ash exclaimed exasperatedly. "What were you doing eating the Pokémon food and sending Pikachu to crash into a stack of boxes that ended up knocking Pikachu unconscious?"
"Oshawott Oshawott Oshawott Osha Osha!" ("Well I was hungry and Pikachu tried to stop me.") The Sea Otter said, a sweat-drop on his head.
Ash just sighed. "Oshawott you should've been more careful."
"Oshawott Oshawott, Osha Oshawott." ("I suppose your right, sorry Pikachu.") The Sea Otter Pokémon then extended its flipper for the Mouse Pokémon to accept, which he eventually did.
"Isn't that cute." Iris said, taking in the scene, but then she was distracted by something in the distance. "Hey Ash, what's that?"
"What's what?" Ash asked, returning Oshawott to his Poké Ball as Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder.
"Over there." Iris said, pointing in the direction which was next to the Pokémon Center.
"I don't know." Ash began. "But we should check it out."
"Right." Iris said.
XXXXXXX
As then got near the scene, they noticed a strange scene before them, and also some strange people there.
"Sounds like something's going on in the plaza!" One guy exclaimed.
"Well, let's have a little look-see." The guy he was talking to added.
They saw seven odd-looking people before them, each wearing the same bizarre outfit. They were wearing a gray cowl with a "X" on it, silver shoulder-pads and gauntlets, a white cloak with a symbol of a giant "P" emblazoned on it, looking like it was shot through with a thunderbolt, the left side of it being white and the other being black. They were also wearing black pants and silver boots.
"Who do you think these guys are?" Iris inquired.
"I'm not sure." Ash replied. "Let's see what they are up to."
The most interesting thing by far, was the man who appeared next as the guy in the middle of the line of seven moved for him to go through and return to where they were after he passed. Below his neck was something that appeared to be a crown, the center of it having the same emblazoned symbol with other blue squares going around the brown of it. On one side of the rest of his outfit was an eye that was yellow in the center and spread out into red and than purple; vein-esque lines coming from in on top, and almost connecting from the bottom. The rest of the side was reminiscent of sand. "The other side was purple, with the design repeating except the "veins" were sandy instead of purple and the eye started from purple going into red leading to sand.
"Well, he certainly has an interesting fashion sense." Iris said with a sweat-drop.
"No doubt." Ash added with a sweat-drop.
As the crowd in Accumula Town increased a little, the guy started speaking.
"My name is Ghetsis." The man - Ghetsis - began. "I am here representing Team Plasma and today ladies and gentlemen, I would to talk to you about Pokémon liberation."
"Huh?" Someone in crowd said confused.
"What?" Someone added, matching the confused tone.
"Pokémon...liberation?" Iris wondered aloud, scratching her head.
"I wonder what this guy is talking about." Ash said.
"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other." Ghetsis continued. "However...Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans...only assume that this is the truth? Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers...They get pushed around when they are our "partners" at work...Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?"
"Yikes." One person exclaimed with concern.
"No way." Another said, disbelievingly.
"I don't know..." Another person said, finding the ground especially interesting.
"This guy sounds crazy!" Iris exclaimed in a whispered tone. "Don't you agree Axew?"
"Ax Axew Axew Ax Axew Ax Ax." ("He sounds like he might have a few screws missing.")
"Yeah!" Ash agreed, matching Iris' tone. "Pokémon are our friends, isn't that right Pikachu?"
"Pikachu Pikapi Pika Pika Pi Pikachu. ("Right Ash, you're my best friend.")
"Thanks buddy." Ash responded, patting the Mouse Pokémon on the head.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?"
"What could it be?" Someone in the crowd wondered aloud.
"Liberation?" Another one said hesitatingly.
"This guy is getting into the heads of these people." Iris said worriedly, noticing the confused and thoughtful expressions on nearly everyone there.
"Yeah." Ash said. "He's making them doubt themselves and their relationships with their Pokémon."
"That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon!" Ghetsis exclaimed passionately. "Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon...and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention."
As the man had finished his speech, the people at the end of the line got up and took down the banners emblazoned with the symbol they wore on their outfits. Then the line dispersed and made room to escort Ghetsis away to wherever he would go next.
"About that speech..." An old man began. "What do you think we should do?"
"Liberate Pokémon?" A young man said. "That's not even possible!"
The people then quickly dispersed, most likely to think about what was said today. All but one anyway.
"So what do you think about that Ash?" Iris asked.
"I don't know Iris, I've never seen anyone try-" Ash was then caught off-guard when someone was staring at them. "Can I help you or have you never seen a Pikachu either?"
"It wasn't that." The guy began. "It's your Pokémon, just now it was saying..."
"Whoa, slow down please." Iris said. "You talk too fast and I can't keep up. And what do you mean about Pokémon...talking?" Iris then thought on it for a moment. "Are you talking about telepathy or do you mean to say you heard them speaking like a human. That's kind of an odd thing to say. You sound like a little kid."
"Yes, they're talking." The guy said, ignoring Iris' comment, then became a little disheartened. "Oh. Then, you two can't hear it either..."
"Not true...whatever your name is...I think that me and my Pikachu have been long enough together to-." Ash began but was cutoff as the guy continued.
"How sad. My name is N."
"Okay?" Iris said, a bit confused then composed herself. "My name is Iris."
"And my name's Ash Ketchum and I come from Pallet Town in the Kanto region." Ash said. "And this is my buddy Pikachu."
After Ash introduced himself, the guy - N - was imperceptibly affected but quickly recovered when he saw something lurking in Ash's pocket.
"The Pokédex, eh?" N asked. "So...You're going to confine many, many, Pokémon in Poké Balls for that, then?"
"What are you talking about?" Iris asked.
"Confine?" Ash wondered aloud. "No, I plan on making tons of friends as I travel through this region, after all, that is what a Pokémon Trainer does."
"I'm a Trainer, too, but I can't help wondering..." N said absently. "Are Pokémon really happy that way?"
"Of course they are!" Iris exclaimed. "You should've seen the way that he helped this poor Tepig earlier. It was quite something to be honest."
"Tepig?" Ash said as he held the Poké Ball and looked at it thoughtfully before putting it back. "Yeah, Iris is right, that Tepig was really happy to be with me and had no problem going into a Poké Ball."
"Regardless of that," N said making a step closer to Ash.. "you said your name was Ash right? I challenge you to a Pokémon battle. Let me hear your Pokémon's voice again!"
"Okay?" Ash said with a sweat-drop as N already had a Poké Ball in his hand. "I accept your challenge. Ready to go Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!" ("You know it.")
How strange. N though to himself as he threw his Pokémon out. I wonder if that deluded Pikachu is forced to act like that.
"Purrloin, use Hone Claws and then attack with Fury Swipes."
"Pikachu, Quick Attack."
As Purrloin raised its attack and accuracy by one stage, its claws glowed white as it prepared to attack.
"More!" N exclaimed. "Let me hear the voice of your Pokémon!"
Ash, Iris, and their Pokémon didn't say anything, but merely sweat-dropped.
The two attacks collided but Pikachu was able to stay on his feet while his opponent quickly fell down to all fours before recovering.
"Purrloin are you okay?"
"Purrloin purr loin." ("I'll be fine.")
"Okay, attack with Pursuit."
"Pikachu, use another Quick Attack."
As the attacks connected with their targets and they recovered, it became apparent who would win.
"Finish this up with Thunderbolt!"
Before Purrloin could react, the bolt of electricity made its mark, causing the Purrloin to faint.
"I never expected to hear Pokémon say such things..." N murmured before he picked up his Purrloin. "You did well friend, take a well-earned rest."
"Hey, you should take that little guy to the Pokémon Center." Iris suggested as she and Ash now stood in front of N.
"Yeah, Nurse Joy will heal your Pokémon." Ash added.
"I...suppose..." N said hesitatingly. "but, as long as Pokémon are confined in Poké Balls...Pokémon will never become perfect beings. I have to change the world for my Pokémon, because they're my friends."
"Yeah!" Iris exclaimed. "Axew is my friend."
"And Pikachu is my best friend." Ash added.
"Your...friends?" N said suspiciously but he agreed to go with them to the Pokémon Center.
XXXXXXX
While in the Pokémon Center, Ash picked up on N's anxiety.
"If you want I can take Purrloin up to Nurse Joy for you." Ash said. "Don't need to worry about a thing."
N didn't say anything but merely handed the Poké Ball to Ash.
"Take care of it." N said simply.
"No problem!" Ash said, a friendly smile on his face.
N merely turned around and stared out of the window.
Huh...strange guy. Ash thought to himself while he went to Nurse Joy. "Here are my Pokémon Nurse Joy and here is this other person's Pokémon."
"I'll get them healed right away." Nurse Joy said with a bow of her head before turning to talk to where she needed to go. Before she did though, she remembered something. "Oh and are you Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town?"
"Sure am!" Ash exclaimed proudly.
"Well, the Nurse Joy in Striaton City called me and said she had something for you."
"Really? What?"
"She didn't say," Nurse Joy began. "but she did say that the person who sent it said the only way they could get ahold of you was to send it to a town with a gym in it."
"Something for me huh?" Ash pondered aloud but then dismissed it. "Thanks though Nurse Joy, and treat that Purrloin carefully."
"No need to ask that of me," Nurse Joy said, walking away. "my job is after all to look after Pokémon."
I wonder what someone sent me and who it was. Ash thought to himself as he met up with Iris.
"Hey Iris, where's N?"
"He didn't say," Iris began. "but I think he is maintaining a close distance to Nurse Joy to retrieve his Pokémon."
XXXXXXX
After Ash, Iris, and N got back their Pokémon and went their separate ways, the two teens were unaware of two things. Where N was going, and what the Team Rocket Trio was up to after they made a return trip to spy on Accumula Town.
"That trainer." N said to himself as he released his Purrloin back to its home and remembered the person of whom he had battled. "never once before have I seen...no...it is pure nonsense. Only I can connect with Pokémon more deeply than any other human and only I and those of Team Plasma care about their Pokémon more than just simple tools to be used and tossed aside."
"You brood too much my king." A voice from within the trees said.
"It is not good for your health." Another voice added.
"After that battle, you must rest." Another voice said.
"Thank you Shadow Triad," N said as the three costumed males appeared and then kneeled in front of him. "my head is now clear."
"We wish only to help Lord N." The three said simultaneously.
"By the way," The middle shadow began. "Ghetsis says he's next speech will be soon, so you must prepare yourself for when the moment comes."
"Do not worry," N said assuredly. "it is my pleasure to help."
"One more thing though." The left shadow said. "Ghetsis also said that the next target will be the Nacrene City Museum."
"I will check it out immediately then." N replied.
XXXXXXX
"What?" Giovanni said as he listened intently.
"It is true." Jessie said. "It would appear that we have seen the people you would suspect being hidden in Unova."
"To be clear though," James added. "they haven't exactly done anything yet."
"Aside from giving a speech in Accumula Town that is." Meowth said.
"While they might've not have done anything, speeches can string along words that can manipulate the populace." Giovanni began. "be sure to keep a close eye on them."
"Yes sir!" The Rocket Trio exclaimed after saluting.
"Now, I have your next mission." Giovanni said. "In Striaton City. You will contact headquarters immediately upon your arrival. A certain area needs investigation."
Author's Notes: Yep, you read that right. It's N! And he has his motives from the games. Sadly though for some who like N to win, he by default loses the battle. Whether it be the player character in the games or Ash Ketchum from the anime. But I digress, N is awesome either way.
TM24: So N, what did you think?
N: I'm not sure, I don't think I would be that willing to hand over one of my friends to a total stranger.
TM24: But you can trust Ash!
N: And yet I have my doubts.
TM24: Whatever N. See all you guys next time.
N: Will a Pokémon Battle be involved?
TM24: Perhaps. You worry too much N. The Pokémon will be fine.
Anyway remember to review guys! Those are always good.