Not Truly Broken by Wyldclaw

Plot: my 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 . Ash and Misty Love- AAML 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. I've borrowed some lines from that fanfic- which are in bold - and a line from the third Pokemon movie. Warning: There are a few swears and you may need tissues for some parts nearby. . ". ". Indicates humans talking , ( ) is translated Pokemon speech and italics are thoughts.

Last Edited : early March 2024

XXX

It was early evening somewhere in Johto and I was was feeling really 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 jump 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 to why i was so dammed nervous and my nerves were working over time.

I suppose my jumpy mood 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 snuck 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 utter hell in the past few days .. I shivered, my heart pounding hearing His dispicable threats 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 " Helooked at Raichu, who was shaking with fear behind me 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 my hands clenched into fists. . That power -hungry greed malicious psychotic coldhearted son of a bi-. Misty and Pikachu looked over at me , their voices seeming far away as 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 . (Psychotic greedy son of a bitch..)

"That's p-putting it generously, Th-the threats h-he m-made a-a-are b-bouncing in m-my head." I stated, not wanting to say his name out loud myself. I didn't want to elaborate. - The fact I had been threatened with beatings and death by Giovanni if the then-Raichu didn't obey his orders 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 new girlfriend 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 louder 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 slightlyy dense boy i know."

"Hey.. I am not dense ...most of the time." I replied.

Misty just sighed and rolled her eyes as did Pikachu . " Sure you're not... And there's a Dragon Type Eevee evolution.. which there isn't. … 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 hat? ... " the reality hit me "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 unmanageable with out one. "

"I definitely don't feel like myself." I admitted. "Cyndaquil I-" I stopped 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 . Even seeing the injuries on my arms is reminding of those two coldhearted malicious psychotic bastards 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 in her own.

(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 utter nightmare-ish hell i'd gone through in the past few days and how my life was forever changed. 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 kid on a Pokemon journey. I didn't ask to be 'The Chosen One" or anything of the like. I never asked for any of this. .I felt my eyes going from the faded slap mark on her face to Pikachu's injuries to my own hand. Damm you Lawrence and Giovanni .. damm you both to blazes.

Pikachu took one look at my face and knew what i couldn't seem to be able to say (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 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 absolute hell." I nodded again at Misty's words. "We all have.. "

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

"Yeah even him ... " she agreed and looked down at the Pokeball. " My poor little baby Pokemon. "

I remembered the look of terror on his face when Lawrence had her at knife point. " He was terrified out of his wits when L-Lawrence had you. W-we were all too scared to move but.. he somehow got the courage to tell Psy-" I corrected myself . "Err I mean Golduck that his was up to him to save you since he was the one one who could. "

" That did take a lot of guts.. and stopping L-Lawrence before he slapped me again was pure bravado." She added 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. No one can really stay sad or down trodden looking at his face."

"No. " She replied.

(He has that affect..) Pikachu put in

" yeah. he does." I paused and then continued. "But -" I shuddered and lowered my voice, tripping over my words. "L-Lawrence planned to take him from you."

" What the hell ?" She looked up at me stunned as her and Pikachu's eyes went wide. "What the absolute hell would that revenge driven son of an Arcane bitch want with him? "

(It can't be good whatever he has planned. ) Pikachu added.

I shuddered- remembering what Lawrence had told me and nodded . "You've got that right right on the Tarous - bulls-eye . when i

I shuddered-remembering what Lawrence told me and nodded . "You've got that right on the bulls-eye. Wh-when i woke up and found myself on his airship. H-he turned around and r-reintroduced himself to me. though I recognized him right away. He s-said- " I had to resist stumbling on my words as i spoke.-"- he was gonna use me as bait to get the world's most powerful Pokemon w-th the b-b-best bait of all…": I gulped. "Me."

Pikachu shivered. (Great .. someone else who wants me.) he muttered.

I shook my head. "No pal.. Not you.. When I cried out to keep his hands off you .. he called you a.. " I gulped. "A f-filthy r-runt and .. w-weak. he said he d-desired T-Togepi. "

" What the hell?" Misty's eyes flashed.

( What in the name of Mew?) his fur spiked up and I saw a few sparks coming out of his electrical sacks on his cheeks. ( That bas-owww.) He winced in pain and his sparks stopped.

Misty and I looked at him . " You okay Pikachu?"

"Easy pal.."

we asked at the same time.

He nodded. (I th-think so. My electrical sacks still hurt like made after that major jerk of a Persian punctured the left one. The other one hurts from the scars that heartless cat gave me. )

"Oh buddy…" My heart broke for the yellow mouse Pokemon.

" What the hell?" Misty's jaw dropped. " That psycho isn't even a trainer .. "

( What in the name of Mew?) my partner' Pokemon's fur spiked up . (I'm not a runt or weak. how dare ) I saw a few sparks coming out of his electrical sacks on his cheeks. ( That bas-ahhhh!.) He winced in pain

Misty and I looked at him and asked at the same time. . " What's wrong Pikachu?"

He nodded and his sparks stopped.. (I th-think so. My electrical sack still hurt like mad after that major jerk of a Persian punctured the left one. The other one hurts from the scars that heartless cat gave me. )

"Oh great Mew.. …" My heart broke for the yellow mouse Pokemon. "Take it easy pal. You've been through total hell and your body is gonna need a lot of time to recover."

"Nurse Joy gave us some healing cream that's going to help heal your scars. " Misty added.

"Yeah.. I think you're right." I agreed.

"Wh- Why did he want Togepi ?" She asked. I could tell she was anxious to hear why that crazy aristocrat wanted the baby Pokemon.

"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.."

"Holy Ho-Oh!"

I nodded and continued. "It's true. He al-also said we only escaped him the last time out of pure luck. He .. wanted Togepi as a .. L- 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 c-cornered me and t-tried to take from me after... " she trailed off.

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

A lump appeared in my throat as the tears welling up in my eyes threatened to burst even more . 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 - Pikachu's injuries … Everything that happened recently..it all comes back to being my fault. It's my fault this happened.

I felt my girlfriend squeeze my handwith 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 a-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. ) He 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 Golduck saving my life and evolving your fault? What about the ring and your big reveal ? " My face burned red-hot. "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 what just yet- though I'm sure she had her suspicions.

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 terrified and worried a-about - " My gazed drifted down to Pikachu, who shivered.

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

I remembered what Jessie Meowth and James had 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? It was really quite simple.. 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 mouse grinned. ( oh you mean ...when you blew up at her, with that major fight gave her the fake coupon and she ran off and the idiots took her? Any you wouldn't admit that you liked her way 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 and calming 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 against that cat."

(He was beyond 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 .. I 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.. A-A-All of it " I try to keep my voice steady.

( E-even taking the -) He stops himself from say the rest of the sentence: bullet to the heart .

I nodded-a lump forming in my throat knowing what he didn't say. ,

the words stumbling in my throat as tears flooded down my face. . " E-e-even th-th-that."

I tried to clean my tear streaked face with my sleeve- trying to stop the tears running down my face but it got soaking wet. The yellow mouse Pokemon nudges my hand and I looked down at him. He shook his head. (Don't fight it Ash .. J-Just l-let the tears come out ) He said his own voice breaking. (that p-power hungry psychotic s-son of a bitch. made us endure things no young trainer and Pokemon should have go through … ) we both shudder-remembering the threats, Persian's merciless attack, the gun shot and what happened briefly in that small room in the Center. I hugged him mindful of his injuries and he licked me hand (L-L-Lawrence and h-him .. they tried to break us….)

"I know pal…" I stroked his soft fur as i spoke . "They may have wounded us physically but they didn't break our spirits . We're both really determined, courageous and loyal . Think about it Pikachu.. When Lawrence was taunting you .. what were you thinking?"

(I… was thinking you sounded less confident and panicked. I .. knew I i had to save you at any cost . I thought about what James said when ne gave me the pill that taught Substitute. When I saw you.. I nearly cried out but I knew i had to maintain the illusion i was the one.. in the cage.I tried my best to get h-his knife away..)

"Determination and courageous. I didn't know how I managed to get the courage tell that.. monstrous coldhearted son of a bitch off after he gagged, bound, caged and struck you. S-same with telling you to Th-Thundershock that cat -"

(And with your encouraging strong words in g-getting me to get up after Persian's brutal attack. ) He added.

I nodded. "Th-They e'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 souls .

I shook my head. "N-Not even th-that could tear us apart. That cruel psychopath m-may have br-broken our spirits and our hearts th-that day but not our spirits .."

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.

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;s voice spoke from a few few in front of us. We looked up and saw Golduck, eyes glowing as he Cyndaquil- her back flame up- and Misty emerged into the clearing, a enormous pile of firewood floating in mid-air next to them. I saw my girlfriend's eyes and face were a bit red like she'd been crying in the forest

"I agree ." Misty said as they came up to us. 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. We nodded.

"Mist.. Your face" I gaze up to her streaked face concerned.

She turns to Golduck and Cyndaquil. "Uh can you two set up the campfire and then check around the perimeter of the clearing?"

They both look at us and nodded. ( Sure thing. ) Cyndaquil says.

(No problem ) adds Golduck and the two Pokemon walk away. Misty sits next to us.

After a few seconds I say, "It h-hit you too… while you were in the forest."

She nods. "Yeah.." she said quietly. "I.. nearly lost you twice and … I couldn't bear it if - if.."

(You never saw him again and you never told each other how much you love each other?) Pikachu grinned as our faces turn bright tomato-red.

" .. Yeah. " she admitted. "I felt terrified on the airship . "

" We all were but.. the fact that you got through to Psy-err Golduck and got him to believe in himself was amazing. " I pointed out. "

She wipes her face with her sleeve. "It was, wasn't it?" she wipes my face with her tee shirt and gives me a huge kiss which fills me with hope.

"Wow.. just wow.." I said in a daze a few minutes later.

"Feel better?"

I nodded. I felt lighter than I had earlier. all that i really needed was a much needed cry and talk. " Yes. All we needed was a good cry.. " My stomach yowled loud. " Now when's dinner gonna be ready? Pikachu and Misty groaned.

The End