Tale of a Trainer, as Related to me by Pikachu

by Mystic Vaporeon

(a lost fic)

Oh! It's you! I didn't expect you here so early! Oh, you're right on time aren't you? I'm sorry I must have lost track of the time. But anyway, I'm really glad you're here, I've been wanting to tell someone this story and you're the lucky winner! Sit down! Please! And do have some tea, it's going to be a long story.

Ah yes, where to begin? There's really no beginning nor end to the tale of a pokemon. I'll try to explain, I guess it all began when I was first captured from my peaceful home in the wild. I was happy and carefree, and thought nothing of the human world, until that professor Oak came along with his accursed Pokeballs! Oh, how I hated staying in that thing day after day! But the worst part came when he discovered I hated being inside my pokeball, he sealed me in it and I didn't see the light of day until I was finally released. It began to get quite monotonous, until finally I found a trainer that fully understood my feelings. His name was Ash, I was his very first pokemon and at first, I thought he was just another trainer to selfishly use me as his personal conflict solution and keep me cooped up in those dreaded Pokeballs until it was time to battle. But soon I found out I was horribly wrong.

I discovered he was different when he was about to sacrifice his own life to a flock of angry Spearows to save mine. He wasn't like other trainers, especially like that Professor Oak! I was able to save us both with a powerful electric attack, and Ash became my best friend. We had many adventures on the road to the Pokemon league championships, but one in particular stands out in my mind, but you wouldn't want to hear it. Really? You do? Well, I shall elaborate for you then, let me know if you get bored. Oh I'm quite sure you will, but then again, maybe you won't.

It had started out just like any normal day travelling along the dirt road we had always traveled. Ash was walking in his usual place between my other friends, the Pokemon trainers from Pewter City and Cerulean City, Brock and Misty, and me riding on his shoulders. It was a miserable day I remember dark clouds had blotted out the sun all morning and into the afternoon. Quite unusual for an island, Cinnabar Island to be exact, we had arrived there via the SS Anne a few hours before and we were on our way into town.

I looked up at the sky, I could tell it was going to rain. I tugged on Ash's shirt collar and pointed at the sky. "What's the matter Pikachu?" he asked. I tried to tell him as best I could it was going to rain, but being a Pokemon I couldn't say anything but my name. Ash was trying his best to learn my language, but we still had a while before we would be able to completely understand each other. I pointed at the sky again and repeated what I had said before. Ash seemed to understand this time. "I agree, it does look like rain," he said Looking upwards. I smiled, he was learning quickly. Ash turned to Brock and Misty. "Are we anywhere near town? It's going to rain," he said. Brock unfolded a small map. "We should be almost there," he said motioning towards the horizon. "I hope we get there soon, we've been walking for forever!" said Misty exasperated.

I shielded my eyes from what little sunlight there was and began searching for the first glimpse of the town. Overhead, a small clap of thunder sounded and a light sprinkle of rain had begun to fall. I shook the droplets of water out of my fur deliberately trying to get Ash wet. He laughed and took me into his arms. "What are you trying to do? Huh?" he asked smiling broadly and shook the rain from his hair onto me. I laughed and licked his cheek affectionately. He gave me a small hug and I settled down into his arms staring out at the horizon, where the tips of the buildings of the town were visible. "Look!" shouted Misty pointing at the town.

We arrived at the Pokemon Center just before it started to really rain hard. Nurse Joy greeted us at the front desk as usual, and as usual again Brock went into a series of red-faced comments on how pretty Joy was. "I don't think he'll ever learn," Ash laughed. "Pikachu and I are going to get some lunch, wanna come Misty? I don't think we're going to get Brock to join us," he said. Misty laughed in spite of herself. "Yeah I'm coming," she said and followed Ash to the cafeteria leaving Brock behind. "I think you're friends are leaving without you," said Joy pointing to the door. "Huh? Hey guys! Wait for me!" yelled Brock dashing out the door. I giggled at him as he rushed up. He didn't have much to say right then.

We walked briskly to the counter and picked up a few items. We ate lunch happily chatting and looking at the rain soaked scenery. By the time we had finished, the sun had poked out from behind the clouds and the rain had stopped completely. We exited the building and began exploring around town. I wasn't paying close attention when Ash yelled practically in my ear. "Whoa! Look at that!" He was pointing in the direction of an abandoned building that looked like it had been destroyed in a fire. "How awful!" I thought to myself and jumped off Ash's shoulder. "Pikachu! Where are you going?" he called after me. "Pi! Pika Pikachu!" I yelled which translates to follow me Ash. I wanted to explore, and I was trying to get Ash to follow me. My clever plan worked, he ran to catch up, Misty and Brock followed. "I wonder what happened here," said Brock. "You don't want to know," said a voice from behind us.

We all turned around to see an old man in a singed lab coat. I regarded him as no threat and turned my attention back to the wreckage of the lab. "Who are you?" asked Ash. I resumed my usual spot on the ground next to his feet. "I am Professor Stein," he said. "I used to work in this lab, until he destroyed it." Misty looked at him timidly. "Who destroyed it?" He sighed and looked off into the distance, clearly reliving the atrocity that had befallen him not too long before. "Our genetically engineered Pokemon, Mewtwo," he said. "We worked for months even years on him!" he said sadly. "Now they're all gone, Mewtwo, Mew, all the rest of the Pokemon escaped and my partners were all killed," he said squeezing his eyes shut. "Piiikaachu," I muttered softly feeling sorry for this old man, what was it he said his name was? Oh yes! Prof. Stein.

"Mewtwo?" asked Ash bewildered, "a new Pokemon?" Prof. Stein nodded. "We created it," he added. Ash pulled out an empty Pokeball excitedly. "Oh! I've gotta capture it!" he exclaimed. "No! Don't!" Prof. Stein yelled in a painfully obvious panic. "What? Why?" asked Ash visibly disappointed. "That Pokemon is deadly! Stay away from it at all costs! If you find it, it will kill you all! And that cute little Pikachu of yours will be first to go!" he yelled with a wild look in his eye exactly like that of a terrified Rapidash about to meet its miserable end. "Pika?" I managed to croak.

Me? Die first? How could I? Why would Mewtwo whatever he was attack a fellow Pokemon? If he was this scared, it had to be true, which scared me more than words can accurately describe. Ash continued in his feeble attempt to calm the professor down while I had my own battle with my own psyche. I was scared, more afraid of that Pokemon than of death. Why I had no clue, I just knew that fear had taken hold of my heart and it wouldn't be releasing its icy grip of terror for quite some time. "I've said too much already!" I looked up as the professor's shrill scream broke the white noise that had hummed in my ears. "I must go!" he yelled and dashed off towards the Pokemon center.

"Chuuu," I moaned and sat down heavily on the ground. "What's wrong Pikachu?" asked Ash scooping me up in his arms. "I think that professor must have scared poor Pikachu. He did after all say he would die first if we saw Mewtwo," said Misty. "Yeah, that has to be it," added Brock reassuringly. "Well, we had best be moving on, I don't think it's good for any of us to be here anymore," said Ash putting me up on his shoulder. I felt sick, sick with fear, sick with a feeling this Mewtwo was waiting just around the corner.

Later that day, we continued through the forest. It was deathly silent, as if every Pokemon was mourning the death of a loved one. Not a sound could be heard except the soft rhythmic thumping of Ash, Misty, and Brock's shoes, and the wild beating of my own heart. "This is spooky. Where are all the Pokemon?" asked Ash. Suddenly, the bushes seemed to explode as a blur of brown and orange feathers zipped past my head. "Speeeeerow!" it cried. Misty shrieked as a wild Spearow burst from the bushes shattering the thick silence. I didn't like the looks of it, that Spearow looked really scared. "Ash are you all right?" asked Misty visibly frightened. "I'm fine. What are you talking about?" asked Ash. "You've got blood all over your shirt!" cried Misty pointing at Ash. Ash cried out in surprise when he looked where Misty was pointing. I looked too, indeed there was quite a large stain of blood on Ash's shoulder. "Must've been from that Spearow, it was probably hurt. "Yes, but what injured the Spearow? And why would it still fly away so quickly like that, even though it was bleeding so much?" asked Brock thoughtfully fingering his chin.

Then, it happened, the bushes exploded again this time tearing them to shreds. A fearsome gray catlike beast loomed before us. It stood almost as tall as Ash, and it had blood dripping from deadly looking claws, the Spearow"s blood, and it was spitting out the once proud glossy feathers it had obviously ripped from the helpless bird. "Ash, what is it?" asked Misty clutching in terror to his arm. "I don't know," said Ash and pulled out Dexter from his pocket. Pointing it at the strange Pokemon, the blue light flashed on and the red compartment clicked open. "Mewtwo, this Pokemon was created at Cinnabar Island labs. It is considered to be hostile and extremely dangerous. No more information available," Dexter droned. "That's Mewtwo?" shouted Brock. "Mewtwo!" it hissed in a raspy voice. Misty turned around to flee, but Ash grabbed her by the wrist. "Don't run," he whispered through clenched teeth. He slowly reached down to his belt to pull out his last remaining Pokeball.

Something strange came over me, he just couldn't try to capture it! No this Pokemon was different, it was, evil. "Pikachu pi chu!" I screamed snatching the Pokeball in my paws. "Pikachu! Give that to me," he shouted angrily and grabbed it from my nearly useless front paws. "Pokeball! Go!" Ash yelled and hurled it at Mewtwo. Mewtwo stood unfazed as the Pokeball struck him in the skull. He melted into pure energy and was sucked with a loud zap inside. The small button on the front glowed red for only a split second. Mewtwo, being so much stronger than any normal Pokemon burst out shattering the Pokeball into thousands of tiny fragments.

I gasped, not even the strongest Pokemon I'd even seen had broken a Pokeball! Misty screamed and backed away and Brock shrunk back in fear along with her. "A Pokeball?" to my utter amazement Mewtwo spoke. "It can talk!" breathed Ash. "How dare you try to capture me you bastard!" Mewtwo hissed. "Ash, get back here!" whispered Misty. Mewtwo narrowed his eyes in rage and prepared for the attack.

Something sounded a knoll in the back of my mind. "No! Don't let him hurt Ash! He's your best friend!" I stared blankly at the fierce creature before Ash and myself. Time seemed to move in slow motion as I leapt off of Ash's shoulder and onto the ground. "Pikachu no!" screamed Ash. I looked back at him to assure him I'd be fine. Big mistake. Seeing his chance Mewtwo hissed and lunged at me digging his sharp claws into my vulnerable flesh. The pain was utterly unbearable, it felt like a thousand razors biting into my skin at once. I felt him slashing away at my body and I just closed my eyes. I couldn't move, the white-hot pain was burning all over. "Piiiikaaachuuu!!" I cried in pure agony. I couldn't die now, I had so much I hadn't done, I was so young, I had my whole life to live. I stopped struggling and lay still, feeling the warm blood trickle down my cheek and drip onto the ground. "Nooo! Pikachu!" Ash cried advancing. "Come no closer human!" hissed Mewtwo over my seemingly lifeless body. "Please don't kill him," said Ash solemnly. There were definitely tears in his voice. "I'll kill you then human," said Mewtwo spitting out the word human like bad food. "Pika!" I cried sparks flying from my blood-drenched cheeks. I wouldn't let this freak of nature hurt Ash, no, I'd rather die first. "Piikaachuuu!" I screeched electricity pouring from my body. I knew the exertion of the attack would save Ash, but probably kill me. I was weak and losing my electricity wouldn't help. "Pikachu don't! You'll kill yourself!" screamed Ash panicking. He knew too, as well as I that we would have to say goodbye. Mewtwo howled in pain as the electric attack did its work. Soon, I felt the awful realization, my attack was gone and Mewtwo still hadn't been stopped. "You'll pay for that human!" Said Mewtwo angrily. "Mewtwo stop!" came a strange, yet soothing distinctly female voice. I heard only Mewtwo's scream of agony and then the female voice cried out as well. "Be gone..." I heard the female voice yell. There was more but I was drifting farther into the dark reaches of death as this annihilation went on.

Then there was silence, I guessed that Mewtwo was gone, but I was so close to death I didn't care. I was delirious with pain and loss of blood, but I knew that Ash was by my side, weeping, it bothered me to hear him cry. "Don't die Pikachu, please," sobbed Ash. "It's too late Ash, he's gone," said Brock. I so desperately wanted to move, I wanted to show him I it wasn't too late yet, but I couldn't. I could hear Ash sobbing uncontrollably as he gently picked me up in his arms. "No, Pikachu...Pikachu," he whimpered letting his tears fall upon my blood stained fur. I struggled to open my eyes, and eventually managed to open them a small slit. "Chu," I croaked almost inaudibly. "Pikachu?" muttered Ash looking at me intently. "Pika," I croaked again weakly. "He's still alive," said Ash. "Let me see him," said the female voice again. "Who?" started Ash, "There's not much time that Pikachu is nearly gone. Put him down here," I heard her instruct. I felt my body being gently laid down on a soft patch of moss. "You'll be okay, Pikachu," I heard Ash say.

It was then I slipped into the light. It was bright and inviting, warm yet happy. I jumped up, my wounds forgotten as well as my life on Earth. There was beauty and eternal happiness beyond that light and I knew it. Forgetting Ash, I sprinted to that place. "Pikachu!" I cried Happily. "No wait!" I heard the voice say. Then I felt two small delicately pink paws grip my tail and drag me back through what seemed like miles of tunnel. Then I felt the sun heat my exhausted muscles and dry the blood on my fur. I felt the strength returning to my body, I was alive and I could tell I would be fine.

I opened my eyes to see Ash bent over my still form, still sobbing his face buried in his hands. "Pikachu," I said trying to console him. "Pikachu?" he asked. "Pikachu!" I said with more vibrancy than before to show I was fine. "Pikachu!" Ash cried clutching me in his arms and sobbing even harder. "Oh, I thought I'd never see you again," said Ash putting me down. I could hear something breathing with short, labored raspy breaths behind me. I turned around to see another catlike creature, but this one was much smaller, pink with large blue eyes. "Pikachu pika Chu Chu Pikachu!" (That Pokemon saved me) I yelled. "What is it though?" Ash asked himself and pointed Dexter at her. "Mew, said to be the rarest Pokemon in the world. No more information available," Dexter chirped. I looked closer at her, she looked tired, and there was blood oozing from a deep wound in her leg and side. I put my hand on her shoulder; her fur was unlike anything I had ever felt. It was like silk and something else, but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Oh, she's hurt," said Misty. "Brock carry Pikachu, I'll get Mew, they both need to get to a Pokemon center right away!" Yelled Ash and scooped up Mew in his arms. I felt Brock lift me gently into his arms. Then he followed Ash and Misty to the Pokemon center.

"Nurse Joy!" Ash yelled as he burst through the door of the center. "What is it?" she asked concerned. "An emergency!" yelled Ash. "Please help her," he said Handing Mew to Joy. "What is it?" asked Joy bewildered. "It's name is Mew and it's badly hurt please help her," said Ash. "And this Pikachu," said Brock holding me out to Joy. "We need two stretchers, one for a small electric Pokemon the other for a, uh, well just bring one STAT!" she yelled into the PA. "Chansey!" it cried happily as it wheeled two stretchers out into the lobby. Nurse Joy placed me on one of the stretchers and Mew on the other. From where I was, it didn't look like she was breathing. The Chansey wheeled me off to one of the regular rooms while Nurse Joy whisked Mew to the emergency room. Then my world went black as I was put under for my treatment.

"Pikachu?" the words echoed through the back of my mind, they sounded thick, like my ears were stuffed with cotton. "Come on pal, wake up," I heard it again. I felt a hand pressing a cloth onto my forehead. It was icy, and that took the edge off my grogginess. "Look, he's coming around," I heard a girl say. "Wow, she sounds just like Misty!" I remember thinking. Then it hit me, it was Misty! And Ash was the concerned voice that was pressing the cloth on my head.

I wanted to see him, I missed him and I was scared. Was I in the Pokemon center? I couldn't remember; all I knew was Ash was there and I'd be fine. Struggling to open my eyes, I pricked my ears up. "Pika?" was the only utterance I could manage at the time. "Pikachu! I thought I'd never see you again," said Ash stroking my head. I opened my eyes, blinked at the brightness of the room and made a feeble effort to sit up. My head pounded and colors swam in a dizzying array of patterns in my own personal theatrical performance before my glazed eyes. I had a long way to go before I would be better. Ash smiled at me. "Just rest Pikachu, Nurse Joy says you'll be fine in a couple of days," said Ash and stood up putting the cap he had been absent mindedly fingering in his lap back on his head. "Pika Chu Pi Chu?" I asked him. (Ash? Where are you going?) "Huh?" he asked puzzled. I sighed and repeated the perfectly understandable question. "Oh! I'm going to check on Mew, she saved your life you know," said Ash. Heh, he thinks I don't know that? "Well anyway, she's in bad shape, that Mewtwo got her with a good attack," said Ash and left for the ICU ward.

Hold on a second! I realized I was worried about Mew also, I couldn't just lie here and watch the noble Pokemon who had save both me and my best friends die. If I could just get up and limp two doors down. I sat up cautiously, and a wave of nausea tore through my stomach. Okay that wouldn't work. I lay back down with a loud sigh of frustration. At least my wounds didn't ache, they were heavily bandaged with some sort of a cool soothing ointment on them. Nurse Joy had really gotten good at this. I regained my composure and sat up again, this time to be rudely welcomed by nothing. I felt surprisingly fine, so I gently lowered myself from the bed and limped over to the door. Ash was sitting in a chair outside the ICU ward staring into the distance. His expressionless face told me of fear, and worry for the delicate little Pokemon that had been so savagely beaten earlier that day. I limped over to him and tugged gently on the edge of his jeans. "Who? Oh Pikachu," he said looking down at me. I scrambled painfully up his leg and curled up in his lap. "Glad to see you're feeling better, but Mew," he said his train of thought resuming its previous course. I looked in the direction Ash had been staring off to for so long.

There was a window, with a large room on the other side. Nurse Joy was in there with several Chanseys working on a Pokemon. Mew? I couldn't tell, but from the way Ash was looking in like that, it had to be. Nurse Joy moved out of the way and I looked closer, Mew was there, her lifeless body sprawled out on the table. I could see the wound clearly now, and drew back at the sight of it. It went all the way to the bone in a few places and was a clean slit. "Chuuu," I moaned mournfully. Nurse Joy had cleaned the wound and had begun to stitch it up. "I can't watch this, let's go Pikachu," said Ash his face turning white. I nodded, I didn't want to watch either and Ash carried me back to my bed. "Want me to stay with you awhile?" Ash asked me. I nodded and pulled the sheets over my overly fatigued body. "You know Pikachu, I never thanked you," he said scratching me affectionately behind the ear. (Which I had grown to adore) "Chu?" I inquired. "For saving my life, if you hadn't distracted Mewtwo until Mew got there, he would have torn me to shreds. And you risked your life and almost lost it, thank you," he said giving me a hug. "Ash?" came a voice from behind us. Ash looked behind him to see Misty and Brock standing in the doorway. "Nurse Joy is finished with Mew, and she wants to talk to you," said Brock. "Okay, wanna come Pikachu?" he asked. "Pika!" I said happily. I was feeling better by the minute. Ash picked me up and carried me to the front desk where Nurse Joy stood waiting.

"You wanted to see me?" he asked. "Yes I did," she replied. "Well?" asked Ash impatiently. Nurse Joy turned to the computer and typed something in. She wasn't in the Pokemon center anymore, she was totally absorbed in a different world. This Mew had had a strange effect on her, she was almost obsessed with finding its origin. I could tell from when we first brought Mew in. "Pikachu!" I squawked to get her attention. "Huh? Oh yes! I wanted to know where you found that Pokemon. People have searched their whole lives and never even caught a glimpse of it!" she exclaimed. "That doesn't matter! Will she be okay?" said Ash. "She's resting right now, but she should be fine in a week or so," said Joy. "Pika pi Pikachu?" I asked. "What?" Nurse Joy asked me. Huh, some Pokemon Nurse she was, couldn't even understand me. It's obvious I asked if could we see Mew, right? Anyway, Ash repeated my question and a little warily, Nurse Joy led us to Mew's room. "Don't be long, she needs her rest," said Nurse Joy and closed the door behind her.

I hopped from Ash's arms to the soft bed where Mew now lay, motionless. "Pikachu," I muttered putting my paw on her forehead. She stirred and opened her eyes, sending me reeling back in surprise. "Oh, it's that Pikachu, are you okay?" she asked me. "I'm fine, I'll be back to normal really soon," I said to her. "That's good, I'm glad I was able to help you," she replied instantaneously. "Wait, you...you understood me?" I asked her. "Of course, I am fluent in every dialect of every Pokemon language known in this world today," she said in Pikachu. 'Wait, you were speaking English before," Ash interrupted. "Yes, I know your language," replied Mew matter-of-factly. I laughed, Ash was my best friend and I loved him dearly but he could be very slow at times. "There's so much I want to know about you," said Ash. "There will be plenty of time to explain later, you're going to have to leave soon," said Mew. "That's right," said an annoyed voice behind us. I peered over Ash's shoulder and spotted Nurse Joy standing in the doorway tapping her foot. "It's time you all got to bed, lack of sleep causes you to be irritable!" she yelled at us. Ash sighed and picked me up. I yawned, it was after all late and I had had a very long day.

When we reached my room, Ash laid me gently in the bed and like a mother would do, tucked the covers around me. "I'll see you in the morning Pikachu," he said and flicked the light switch. I yawned again and turned over on my side letting the beeping of some monitor in the room next to mine lull me to sleep. Little did I know what terrors awaited me the next day.

That night, I was completely oblivious in my deep sleep of three figures that watched like owls outside my room. "Is he asleep yet?" "No not yet I can tell" "How could you tell? He looks asleep to me." "You guys are both numbskulls, if we don't wait until Pikachu and everyone else is asleep we'll all be in trouble" "Trouble? Did someone say trouble?"

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double."

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James."

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth! That's right!"

"So what's the plan now Jessie?" asked James. He was answered by Jessie's hand swiftly decking him. "If you had been listening before you would have known! Here!" she yelled shoving a cage into his arms. "You wait by the window and when I shove the electric rat in, we bolt for it, got it?" Jessie asked. James nodded. "Right." Jessie began fiddling with the lock on the window. Me, being asleep didn't hear a thing you'll know later how I found out what happened. After the tedious job of picking the lock, with some assistance from Meowth, Jessie crept silently into my room. Cold, I awoke, and it was cold. I turned over and opened my eyes, what I saw made me scream, or try to, Jessie clamped her hand firmly over my mouth.

Picking me up she hurried over to the window, where I saw James waiting a devious almost childish grin on his face. Jessie roughly tossed me into the, unfortunately for me, rubber coated cage. I didn't even try to escape, Team Rocket was more organized this time. "We finally got him!" shouted James triumphantly as they made their getaway on the Meowth balloon. "As soon as he's healed we'll hand him over to the boss!" shouted Jessie gleefully. "And I'll be top cat again!" shouted Meowth. Oh no, had they really succeeded this time? Had Team Rocket finally done something right? I could only hope Ash could find me before "The Boss" did.

After what seemed like hours of flying over wild woodland and forest, they finally landed the balloon. "Here's your home away from home Pikachu!" Jessie said sneering. "Chuu," I groaned as James sat the cage down on the floor. "Don't go anywhere now," he said and left the room with Jessie laughing. Meowth stayed to guard me while the two humans went to sleep. I was hoping Meowth would fall asleep too, so I could attempt to escape, but I had no such luck and his watchful vigil continued until morning. I slept, and by morning I was feeling like my old self again, which was not a good thing at the moment. "It looks like you're feeling better," said James as I attempted to zap my way out of the cage. "You know what comes next," said Jessie in an annoying singsong voice. "Let's go right now! I can't believe I'm finally going to be top cat again! That Persian will rue the day!" said Meowth excitedly. He picked up my cage and dashed out the door. "Let's call first, you never know if he'll be in a bad mood or not," said James on the way. "You're right Jessie should call," said Meowth. "Wait me? Why me?" she demanded angrily. "Because he likes you better," said James. "Just do it Jessie or we all might be in for it," said Meowth. "Fine!" said Jessie and marched off to the nearest payphone in a huff. "What a bitch," I remember thinking.

I certainly felt sorry for James having to live with her, even if he was evil, Jessie was more so. James dawdled slowly behind Jessie and Meowth my cage in tow. "Come on James! We've got to have Pikachu here as proof!" shouted Meowth. "Hurry up it's ringing!" Jessie added. James jogged briskly the rest of the way to the phone and reached it just as someone picked up on the other line. I didn't appreciate that jog much, it gave me quite a ride inside that little cage. "Pikachu!" I protested loudly. "Quiet little rat," hissed Meowth. "Hello Boss?" Jessie said into the phone. "Yes, uh huh, no we didn't screw up this time, yes actually look," she said stepping aside to let James display my cage to the videophone. I hid my face, I wasn't about to let some criminal boss use me as his Pokemon. As soon as I could get free, I wasn't going to be around much longer. "Very good, sooo, you three finally managed to get something right," he mused.

Jessie, James, and Meowth cackled with glee at their accomplishment. I didn't consider it a real victory stealing an injured Pokemon from the Pokemon center, bad measure if you ask for my opinion. "Let's see if you can get something else right, there's a trainer that's been causing, lets just say a lot of trouble out in Viridian forest. I need you to beat hi m, and if that Pikachu is half as good as you say, it should be no trouble," said whoever that was on the phone in that freaky voice of his! Ugh, his voice was terrible, and I could hear the arrogant purr of a Persian in the background. Despicable creatures Persians, some were nice enough but most were just plain rude. "Right," said Jessie and hung up the phone. "This is our chance to really show the Boss we can do it!" shouted James happily. "Let's get going!" Meowth added and so began the longest day of my entire life.

When we finally reached Viridian forest, it was well past noon and I was starving and dying of thirst, I wouldn't be able to battle if I tried, which of course for Team Rocket I wouldn't have anyway. "Where are we supposed to be going, I'm tired of walking," James complained. "Pikachu pi Chu pika!" I added (Meaning I too was tired and hungry) "Give the Pikachu something to eat James, we want it in top condition for it's first battle as an official Team Rocket Pokemon," said Jessie looking into my cage. Wow, Team Rocket was actually showing me some kindness. James smiled, pulled out a bit of food and handed it to me. I took it gratefully and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. To my utter astonishment it was delicious! I couldn't believe it but Team Rocket was treating me like their best friend. Then came the biggest surprise, James reached inside the cage and scratched me behind the ears. "Pika!" I cried happily. "Oh! I think it likes me Jessie," said James. "Too bad we have to hand him over to the boss, I'm getting kind of attached to it," he added. "I have to admit, it is rather cute," said Jessie reaching in to pet me. I licked her finger hoping she would have more of what James had given me before. "Oh, are you still hungry? Here," she said handing me more. I snatched it away, but this time took my time eating it. "Come you idiots! We've got a job to do!" said Meowth tapping his foot impatiently on the ground. "You're right, let's go," said Jessie. Fortunately, James had time to slip me some water before moving on behind Jessie. "You know little Pikachu, I really like you, I think you're better than any Pokemon I've ever seen. Oh of course I like my Weezing, but you're a winner, I've never had that," James said to me. I smiled, good to know he wasn't only after me for my powers. "I wish I could keep you, but Jessie and Meowth would kill me if I did," he added. "Hmmm," I thought to myself, James isn't half-bad. Suddenly, he stopped walking. Startled by his abrupt stop, I looked forward, Jessie was standing in the shadow of a large two story house. That was odd, we were out in the middle of the forest, who would want to live here? I was about to get the horrifying answer. "Is this it?" asked James. "It has to be, it's too weird not to be. So let's get going!" said Jessie and sprinted to the front door. "I don't like the looks of this," said James his eyes glued to the house. "Piika," I said in agreement and James reluctantly trudged towards the house after Jessie. Jessie waited impatiently for James to get to the front door and slowly opened it. "Hello?" called Meowth as we stepped into the deathly silent house. The room spoke to me of pain, suffering, even of death. There was the presence of extreme fear, I could tell this was a place where people had lost their lives, completely in vain. I suddenly really wanted to be anywhere but here and I panicked thrashing about in the small cage. I startled the tense James so he put the cage down. "What? What is it?" he asked kneeling by the cage. "Pika pi Pikachu!" I yelled frantically along with a few other words I'd rather not repeat. "It's okay, trust me, I don't like this place any more than you do, but just use on of those great attacks you've got and it'll be over with in no time flat!" he said reassuringly. I wanted to believe him, I even tried to believe him, but I just couldn't trust Team Rocket. "I can't wait, we're going to be promoted for sure!" Said James picking up the cage again. "Oh great he's back to his usual self," I thought to myself. "I think it's this way," said Jessie pointing to a staircase. I looked in that direction and instantly wished I hadn't, there was a trail of blood leading down the stairs, as if someone had been murdered and dragged down. "Look! There's blood!" shouted James terrified. "Ugh! You're right!" shouted Jessie reeling back in disgust. "We can't let that bother us, we've got a promotion to earn!" said Meowth and headed up the stairs. Jessie took James's hand and led him up following Meowth.

Upon reaching the top, we discovered there was only one room. Jessie released James's hand and stepped forward, James following close behind her. I looked around Jessie into the room. It was lavishly decorated with lanterns and scarves hanging from various spots on the ceiling. But what caught my eye the most was the high-backed chair facing away from us on the far end of the room. It was bright gold and encrusted with ornate patterns of jewels. Whoever lived here lived lavishly. "Have you come to challenge me?" an eerie monotone voice said. Startled, James nearly dropped the cage. I didn't get why, it sounded like just a little girl, what kind of problem could she cause? Boy, I sure was naive when I was young. "Well?" asked the voice and the chair slowly, very slowly turned around. Sitting in it, was a young girl, she had to be no more than ten! "You?" said Jessie staring blankly at her. "Team Rocket again? You guys sure are easy to beat!" the girl mused. "Well we won't be!" shouted Jessie. "Let me give Arbok a try, then Pikachu," she whispered to James. "Right," he said nodding. "You're really sure you want to challenge me?" the girl asked again. "Absolutely," said Jessie with a tone of arrogance to her voice. I heard a loud slam behind me and I whirled around to see that the door had shut. James reached over and tried to open it, to no avail, it wouldn't budge. It was then that the fear sank in, a choking fear, like the one I had for Mewtwo. I was paralyzed with it and I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, it was as if Mewtwo was here.

"I almost forgot! If you lose to me, I get to kill whoever lost!" she said gleefully. "Jessie! No! Please don't do this!" said James. "I have no choice now," she said reaching down to her belt for her Pokemon. "Two on two?" asked the girl. "Sounds fair to me," said Jessie. "All right chose yours!" said the girl clapping her hands in pure relish. She was counting on killing Jessie I could tell. I could also tell she would have a ton of fun doing it. "Arbok go!" Jessie yelled tossing her Pokeball to the floor. It opened, a flash of light energy erupted from it and Jessie's giant snake Pokemon revealed itself hissing loudly. "Arrbok!" it screeched. "An Arbok? No contest, go Alakazam!" she said tossing her Pokeball. Oh no, the evolved form of Kadabra, and I couldn't beat Sabrina's! Jessie's loser Arbok had no chance. "Arbok poison sting!" shouted Jessie. I looked on as Arbok reared back and spouted a stream of needles from its gaping mouth. Alakazam barely flinched as they buried themselves in its' skin. "You think that pathetic excuse for an attack is going to hurt Alakazam? Alakazam, recover then psychic attack!" she yelled happily as if the attack was her favorite. Or maybe she was so happy because she was one step closer to victory, and getting her way. Alakazam shut its' eyes and was surrounded by a blue aura. When it had fully healed, it opened its' eyes and narrowed them bitterly at Arbok. Then it released pent up psychic energy from its' powerful brain causing Arbok to screech in pain and fall over, completely unconscious. I gasped in terror, Arbok had lost, and it was now me, who held Jessie's life in my paws. "Arbok return!" shouted Jessie calling it back. "James let Pikachu out," said Jessie. He nodded and put his face up to the cage. "Please win Pikachu, I'm begging you, Jessie is the only friend I've got, don't let that girl kill her. I don't know what I'd do if she died," he whispered. Boost my confidence why don't you? "Pika," I replied unsure of my voice. James put the cage down and opened the door. I removed any non-essential bandages and stepped out into the ring. "Alakazam return!" the girl said calling the creepy psychic Pokemon back. "Now I'll chose Hypno!" she said tossing another Pokeball. The Hypno emerged wielding a pendulum. "Hypno, hypnosis attack," said the girl. The Hypno nodded, stared right into my eyes and began to swing the pendulum. I felt dizzy and tired and my knees began to weaken. Sleep was the only thing I wanted to do at that point so I laid down on the floor with a large yawn. "No Pikachu! Don't go to sleep!" I heard James yell. Wait! He was right, I couldn't give up! Even though I hated them both for capturing me I couldn't let a human being die for no reason. I shook the sleep off and jumped up violently. "Pika...Pika...PIKACHU!" I yelled sending my strongest bolt of electricity through the Hypno's body. Caught off guard by my sudden attack the Hypno crashed to the ground howling in pain. "Oh no! My poor Hypno!" cried the little girl calling him back. "All right! Great Job Pikachu!" shouted Jessie. Jessie picked up my cage and put me back in it, much to my dismay. I didn't think I could stand being in that tiny cramped cage much longer. Jessie walked over to the door and tried the knob, to her surprise, it didn't turn, and she gasped in horror, it was still locked. "We've won now let us go," said James in a somewhat panicky voice. "I'm not letting you go, you hurt my precious Hypno and for that you must pay!" the girl yelled her eyes literally turning a fiery red. She raised her hand and a long black glossy bow drifted into the air following it, matching arrow loaded. "You will burn in Hell!" the enraged girl screeched and aimed the bow at Jessie. Jessie took a step and pressed her back into the door. "See ya!" she yelled and fired the bow. "Jessie no!" was the only thing I heard yelled and a blur flashed in front of my eyes. "James? Wha...?" Jessie choked. "Jessie Meowth run!" shouted James shoving them to the door. Jessie turned the doorknob and this time the door opened. This was happening way too fast for me! My head was spinning and for all I knew, we were running down the blood soaked stairs. After what seemed like hours of running, I felt the warm afternoon sun beat down on my back and I knew we were safe. Jessie sat the cage down on the ground and bent over breathing heavily. I looked around her, Meowth had flung himself down on the ground and was panting with his tongue lolling out of his mouth. James was bent over, much the same as Jessie, but something was wrong, I could tell. He was clutching his side and I couldn't tell from that distance but it looked like he was in pain. "James? Are you all right?" asked Jessie. James slowly sunk to his knees, and then I noticed a small pool of red under him. Blood? Was he hurt? I shook the bars of the cage violently trying to see as Jessie rushed to James's side. "James?" she asked again and James pulled his hand away from his stomach. I instantly wished he hadn't, because the black arrow the girl had fired was lodged deep in his side. "No," Jessie breathed cupping her hands around her mouth. "What? What happened?" asked Meowth finally getting up and walking over. The sight of James was explanation enough for him. "Come on," said Jessie putting James's arm around her shoulders. "We've got to get you out of here. Meowth, carry Pikachu," she added and helped James up. Meowth picked up my cage and followed them. I had so many emotions about this whole thing. James had shown me kindness and he'd even said he liked me, but still, he was part of Team Rocket. I tried to sort out these feelings as Jessie helped James lie on the down in the Meowth balloon as we took off for their hideout, which I had no idea where it was. I guessed it changed frequently.

Meanwhile, back at the Pokemon center.

I feel free to tell you this part, since after this horrific experience Ash told me everything he did to save me. Ash woke up that morning and figuring I was okay stepped into Mew's room, where she slept soundly. Ash walked over and gently pulled back the covers wanting to check on her wound, but to his surprise, there was no wound, only the silky pink fur. Mew stirred and opened her eyes. "Oh, it's you," she said sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "What did...I mean how did you...I mean," Ash stammered. Mew smiled smugly. "I have a lot of powers you don't know about Ash," she said. "Can I get you anything?" asked Ash. "No thank you, Nurse Joy has been giving me anything I want. She's really fascinated with my species," said Mew. "Well, I'm going to check on Pikachu," said Ash heading for the door. "There's no need, you Pikachu is fully healed and it won't even have any scars thanks to me," said Mew. "I never did thank you for saving his life," said Ash. Mew held up her hand. "Again there is no need, bringing me here is thanks enough for me," she replied. "Well, I'll get going," said Ash. "Actually, I'd like to come with you," said mew jumping down to the floor. Ash left the room followed by the little Pokemon and he couldn't help but laugh. "She's so cute!" he thought to himself. Little did he know what awaited him in my room. Ash stepped inside and let Mew follow before closing the door. "It's cold in here, why did Pikachu have the window open?" he asked noting that my window was indeed open. "Your Pikachu's not here," said Mew who had perched herself on my bed. "What?" asked Ash alarmed. "Look," said Mew pointing. Ash looked over at my empty bed then to the window. "No, Pikachu," he said. "Perhaps he ran away?" suggested Mew. "No Pikachu would never do that, he wouldn't betray me," said Ash walking over to the window and leaning over. "Ah ha!" shouted Ash. "What?" asked Mew hopping over. "See those footprints? Pikachu was kidnapped and I bet I know who did it," he said running out of the room to retrieve his friends. In his excitement he ran out into the lobby and right in to Officer Jenny who was standing at the desk talking to Nurse Joy, knocking them both to the ground. "Hey! Watch where you're going!" she shouted picking herself up off the floor. "Oh sorry Officer Jenny," said Ash rubbing his forehead. "Hey Ash!" he heard someone call. He looked over Jenny's shoulder to see Misty and Brock coming toward him. "Where are you guys going in such a hurry?" asked Jenny suspiciously. "My Pikachu's been kidnapped, we've got to save him," said Ash. "Mind if I ask you some questions first?" asked Jenny. "You can ask me anything!" said Brock taking Jenny's hand. "Right," she said pulling it away. She then pulled out a small book and handed it to Ash. "Have you seen anyone in this book?" she asked him. Ash opened the book to find the pictures of many different people. He quickly flipped through looking at each one, and didn't find anyone who looked familiar. He shook his head and handed the book back to Jenny. "Why do you ask?" asked Misty. "All these people have mysteriously disappeared, around the Viridian forest area," replied Jenny. Mew thought for a moment. "Mewtwo? Could it be? He did say...No it couldn't be," she said to herself. Ash bent down and picked the little Pokemon up off the floor. "What did you say?" he asked her. "Oh nothing, I was just thinking," she answered climbing up on his shoulder. Ash didn't appreciate that but he let her, that was where I usually sat. "We suspect they've either been kidnapped or murdered, and we fear the worst," said Jenny. "Murdered?" asked Misty wide-eyed. Jenny nodded and her walkie-talkie barked something. She picked it up and put it to her ear. "This is unit 324 what's wrong?" she said and listened while whoever it was on the other explained. "I'll be right there," she said switching the unit off. "I'm going to have to go, keep out of trouble now!" she said walking out and starting her motorcycle. "Murdered?" Misty repeated obviously distressed. "We've got worse things to worry about now! Team Rocket has Pikachu!" shouted Ash. "What?" said Brock in disbelief. "You mean they finally did something right?" asked Misty. Ash nodded, and Mew stood up on her hind legs waving her arms excitedly in the air. "I did it! I did it! I actually did it! I know where Pikachu is!" she yelled triumphantly. Ash gave her one of his looks and she calmed down. "I'm sorry, allow me to explain, my kind has very acute psychic powers, one who is very experienced can move objects with their mind and teleport wherever they chose! I am a very young very inexperienced Mew and I know only the basic skills, such as healing and occasionally I can bring someone back to life, like I did for your Pikachu, it was a miracle it worked that one time. Eventually we can do all I said before and we can trace people and Pokemon. It would be as if I was here and you were out in the woods somewhere, I would be able to find you no matter where you were, because I could go places with my mind. Do you understand?" said Mew. Ash nodded and so did Misty and Brock, speechless at the powers these tiny fragile looking Pokemon possessed. "I have been trying so hard to learn how to trace with my mind and I finally did it!" she exclaimed again. "You traced Pikachu?" asked Ash. "Yes, I know exactly where he is!" said Mew hopping up and down with sheer joy. "Is he okay?" asked Ash. "Let me see," said Mew closing her eyes. "He's...very upset, but physically, he's never been better!" exclaimed Mew excited at her accomplishment. "We've got to go get him," said Ash heading for the door and Brock and Misty followed.

I felt depressed and just stared blankly out at the horizon the whole trip. "Oh, why did this have to happen!" I thought bitterly to myself. "I don't want him to die, oh please don't let him die, but it would mean no more pestering from Team Rocket, but still! Oh, just...just don't let him die!" my mind yelled at myself. My train of thought was broken by the thud of the balloon as it landed on the ground. My cage was quickly swept up by Meowth and taken inside. When we got inside I gasped, a flood of unpleasant memories entered my brain, this was an all too familiar place. I never thought I'd have to see this place ever again and it somewhat disturbed me being there. Meowth put my cage on a nearby desk and went to assist Jessie. She helped James inside and he laid down heavily on a bed. "Ugh, why did they have to pick here to tend to him? I've got a perfect view!" I mused to myself. And I did too, I could see that Jessie's shirt was soaked with James's blood, and I could see that they hadn't removed the arrow yet and it was still protruding grotesquely from James's side. "Jessie," James whispered. Jessie took his hand in hers and put her other hand on his forehead. "Shhh, hold still," Jessie whispered. "Jessie we've got to get that out," said Meowth pointing to the arrow. Jessie nodded. "There'll be a lot more blood, get something to put on the wound," she said still not releasing her hold on James's hand. Meowth nodded and left the room. I sat down, feeling ill, this was just too much. I admit, I was a bit squeamish and all this blood and arrows and wounds just creeped me out. I looked over at James which depressed me even more, his face was as white as the pillow on which he now lay and beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face. "He...He isn't going to make it," I said to no one in particular because I could tell, his end wasn't far away.

Meowth returned with something white, I couldn't tell exactly what it was but I knew what it was for. "Now, gently pull it out," said Meowth. Jessie reached over and slowly wrapped her fingers around the glossy black arrow. "I can't do it, I don't want to hurt him," said Jessie hesitating. "It has to be done sooner or later so just do it!" shouted Meowth. Jessie pulled slightly on the arrow again and James winced in pain. "I just can't!" said Jessie letting go and turning her head away. "I'm sorry James," she said stroking his hair. James opened his eyes and looked up at Jessie. "Do it Jessie," he said weakly. "What?" she asked bewildered. "Just do it, please," said James. Jessie nodded and gripped the arrow again. Tightening her grip on his hand, Jessie grabbed the arrow and pulled it out. She threw the bloody arrow vengefully behind her and James cried out in pain, a sound that I'll never forget. It sounded like true agony and it shattered the general blanket of quiet which had enveloped all of us. Jessie pressed the cloth against his side. "I'm sorry," she said in a quiet voice. "Don't be, it's not your fault," said James putting his hand on top of Jessie's. "I...I was a coward, it should be me here bleeding not you," said Jessie. "Can I ask a favor of you?" asked James. "Anything," said Jessie. James took his hand off of Jessie's and reached down to his belt. What I saw nearly brought tears to my eyes, James took out his Pokeball. "Please take care of my Weezing, it's all I ask of you," said James slowly, weakly. Jessie nodded solemnly, but made no move to take it from him. "And please take care of Pikachu, he's a great Pokemon," James added. He had mentioned me, I knew he liked me for what I was and not just to help out Team Rocket. A tear rolled down my cheek, James knew what I had suspected all along, what Jessie was denying, what Meowth feared, but what was inevitable. It was a well known fact among Pokemon that trainers always give their Pokemon to whom they trust the most when they, shall we say pass on. I couldn't stand it, I had hated him even feared him and now I was almost sobbing my eyes out because he was dying. "Never forget Jessie, never forget...us," said James and his green eyes slowly slid shut. Jessie let his hand fall to the blood stained bed. His limp fingers opened slightly and the Pokeball rolled out. Then, I could see the inevitable, yet feared had happened and he was gone. I let the tears flow freely now unabashed and Jessie wasn't afraid to show her emotions either. She sat there for at least ten minutes, sobbing, clutching the only memory she had, James's Pokeball. Meowth sat down on the ground blinking in utter disbelief. "He's really gone," he muttered under his breath. Jessie, hearing his words, stood and attached James's Pokeball next to hers on her belt. "No matter how upset we are, being members of Team Rocket, we have a duty to perform," she said. "What do you mean?" asked Meowth. "We have to report James's death to the boss," she said staring blankly at the door. Meowth nodded. "But, looking like that? You've got blood all over you!" he said pointing to Jessie's shirt. "We have no time to waste let's go," she said walking to the door. Meowth followed and in their grief for their friend, what remained of Team Rocket neglected to take me along.

"Pi...Ka...Chu," I said tears still rolling down my cheeks, for I knew James still lay dead behind me. "Pikachu?" I heard someone yell. It sounded like Ash, but he couldn't have found me way out here, could he? "Pikachu!" I heard the voice yell again, but it was closer. "Pika!" I yelled and saw Ash himself run into the room. "Oh Pikachu!" he cried coming over to the cage. "Pikachu!" I cried overjoyed to see him again. "I'll get you out of there, just hold on," said Ash turning around. He shut his eyes and turned back to face me again. Then I remembered. "Pikachu, what happened? Wait, don't tell me I don't want to know," he said. "Chuuu," I whispered. "Ash? Did you find Pikachu?" I heard Misty yell. "Yes, and I'll bring him out, you don't want to come in here," Ash yelled. "And why n..." said Misty coming in but stopped herself when she saw James. Brock followed and stopped right behind Misty. "Oh, Ash," Misty cried burying her face in his shoulder. "Is he?" Brock ventured out to say. "I...I don't know," Ash choked. Brock was the only one brave enough to probe under James's jaw for a pulse, feeling nothing he shook his head sadly. "You mean he's?" asked Misty and Brock nodded "Mew! Help me find the key!" shouted Ash wanting to change the subject. "I've got it!" she shouted waddling into the room holding the key. Ash took it and unlocked the cage. I sprang out and into Ash's arms, he hugged me, but I could tell he was deeply disturbed. He put me down on the desk and I wiped my eyes. Suddenly I remembered Jessie, I had to say goodbye to her, James had wanted her to take care of me and I would make sure she saw me again. "Pikachu!" I yelled motioning for Ash to follow me. He did and Mew, Brock, and Misty followed him. When I got outside I sniffed the ground. Good, my acute sense of smell had picked up Jessie's scent and I took off running.

Soon, we came to a large building where Jessie's trail ended, Team Rocket headquarters I guessed. I sneaked around it trying to find a window I could look in. "Pikachu! What are you doing?" yelled Ash. I turned around and glared harshly at him, indicating I wanted him to shut his mouth and be quiet. He got the message and Mew jumped off his shoulder. "What exactly are you doing?" she asked me. "It's Jessie, I...I have to see her again," I explained. "Jessie," Mew mused closing her eyes. "I know her now, yes, she's horribly upset. The one I saw dead, he was murdered. His name was, James I think, and she has strong feelings for him," said Mew in a quavering voice. "What's wrong?" I asked her. "I...I can't believe it," said Mew, a single tear rolling down her silky cheek. She wiped it off with the back of her hand and looked at me. "I could feel her pain, her suffering, I actually felt the grief for her friend," she said. I couldn't help but get misty-eyed too, but I certainly didn't want to show it so I wiped the tears away quickly. "Come on, I want to find Jessie," I said. I glanced to the left, and noticed something I hadn't before, on the wall near the ground almost completely hidden was a small window that looked like it led to a basement. "Interesting," I said to myself as I bounded over. Crouching on all fours, I peered down through it. Inside was a huge lavishly decorated room, actually more like an office with an expensive looking desk and a high-backed chair behind it. Only, it was strange, there were pictures of Pokemon put up all over the walls. A sudden movement startled me and I looked at the desk just in time to see a Persian deftly leap onto the desk. A gloved hand reached out and scratched it underneath the chin. "There's someone here who really needs to speak with you," someone said from behind the door. "Send them in," the person in the chair said. It was the same voice I heard when Jessie had used the phone before! This had to be Team Rocket headquarters! I looked to the door as Jessie and Meowth were roughly shoved into the room. "Hey watch it pal!" she yelled her voice cracking. I could tell she hadn't really stopped crying. "State your business and be gone," said the man in the chair still not turning to face Jessie. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but my partner, he's...uh," said Jessie not wanting to say the word. "James is dead isn't he?" the man said finally turning around to face Jessie and she squirmed under the pressure. "Did you kill him?" he asked. Jessie's mouth hung open in disbelief. "How could you think I killed him? He was my partner, my friend," said Jessie closing her eyes. "Simple, you've got his blood all over you," the man said pointing. "I tried to save him," said Jessie with difficulty. "Any competent agent would have abandoned their partner if it meant getting Pokemon for the benefit of Team Rocket as a whole. In your case it would have so you obviously were fed up with James's inferiority as an agent and decided to get rid of him," the man explained. Jessie shook her head. "If you have his Pokemon, you're obviously lying, check her belt!" the man barked putting the Persian in his lap. Jessie gasped in horror as well as I, for we both knew she did in fact have the Weezing. Another agent marched over and pulled the Pokeballs from Jessie's belt. "Two sir," he said. "And this one belonged to James," he added holding up the Pokeball. "Arrest her, and the mangy Meowth," the man in the chair said waving his hand. "No! I didn't kill him! You can't do this!" yelled Jessie as she and Meowth were dragged out of the room. "What should we do with her?" asked another agent. "Oh, the usual, kill her in the morning," said the man in the chair petting the Persian intently. "Charged with murder of a fellow agent or Team Rocket betrayal?" the agent asked. "Let's charge her with both, to make it interesting, and make sure she dies in the worst way possible," he said with too much relish to be anywhere near human. The Rocket bowed and left the room grinning. "Oh no!" I yelled and dashed off to see if I could find Jessie. Unfortunately I did, I found the small room or jail cell whatever you want to call it where they had locked her. She was lying on the floor holding her nose, which was dripping blood. "Pika! Pikachu!" I yelled to her. "Pikachu? What are you doing here?" she asked through her hand. I reached my hand through what little window there was and Jessie touched it. "Piii, Pika Pikachu chu," I said and surprisingly Jessie seemed to understand. I told her I would save her and I wouldn't let them kill her in the morning. I looked at her face and I could tell she'd been savagely beaten, and so had Meowth who sat in the corner nursing a cut on his tail. "Go Pikachu, before they find you. I won't be able to avenge James's death but maybe you can. Go! I hear them coming!" she said shoving my hand back through. I nodded and ran off Mew following close behind. I winced as I heard Jessie scream in pain behind me. "Oh Mew," I groaned. "What?" she asked as if she was completely oblivious as to what was happening. "I wish that none of this had happened, I wish James were still here and I wish Mewtwo didn't exist," I said venting some of my pent up anger. "I'm sorry, I can't help. I can bring Pokemon back to life sometimes, and only sometimes. In fact, bringing you back was a miracle. But, I can't do humans, I tried once and the emotional scars still remain," said Mew looking at the ground. "Wait! You can bring Pokemon back to life?" I asked getting excited. "Yes, but I already told you, I'm really bad at it and I've never been able to bring a human back," said Mew. "Please, you have to try," I begged. "I'll try once, simply to make you feel better, but it'll just be a waste of time," said Mew folding her arms across her chest angrily.. I nodded and grabbed her arm dragging her back to Ash. "Pika! Pika Pikachu!" I yelled pointing in the direction from which we came. "What is it?" asked Ash. "I'm going to try and make him feel better," said Mew. "Tell him to follow, I'm going to run ahead," I told Mew and sprinted towards either victory or defeat. If Mew could help James, he could help Jessie. I couldn't help but wonder on the way back, who was that little girl? Not even Sabrina possessed that much power! Suddenly I stopped, what was I doing? Why was I helping Team Rocket? They hadn't been that nice to me, it was something else. Being with them for as long as I was I realized they weren't really bad people, they just had a bad purpose. I would continue on for their sake! So I ran the rest of the way and into the dreaded room. I stared blankly and the still form of James lying on the bed until Mew and the rest arrived. "Please Mew, try your best," I said helping her up. "I just can't do it," she muttered and looked intently at James. She sighed and put her small paws on his forehead. I jumped up and stood next to her watching with curiosity. It was the timid woodland creature part of me kicking in. "Here goes nothing," she said and closed her eyes. A deep blue aura of light surrounded her and she closed her eyes harder. "Please Mew, please," I prayed. Suddenly the light faded and Mew sighed in frustration. "I just can't do it!" she cried sitting down and cupping her face in her paws. Suddenly, I was enraged at her giving up. "One try?" I asked angrily. "That's all you can manage!? Some Mew you are!" I barked furious she hadn't been able to do it. "As I told Ash before, I'm very young and I know only the basic skills," explained Mew. "So how the hell are you supposed to learn the advanced ones?! Do they just pop into your head one day? I think not! You have to practice! And this is a perfect chance!" I yelled at her. "I...I think I'm just to young," said Mew sadly. I snarled and decked her in the head. "Pikachu don't!" yelled Ash advancing to stop me but Brock held him back. "Let them work this out on their own," he said. "That's a load of crap, you just don' t want to try," I said turning my back to her. Mew, enraged, stood. "You think I don't want to try? I did try!" she yelled. "You just don't have the stamina to do it, you're weak and a disgrace to your species. But I won't like you any less for it," I said grinning mischievously with an air of cockiness to my voice. "Disgrace? I'll show you a disgrace!" Mew said and firmly planted her paws on James's forehead again. The blue aura flared up around her with an intensity that was out of place in such a delicate looking Pokemon. I jumped back in surprise, she was really angry! I'd never seen a Pokemon get that angry. She was obviously very proud of being a Mew and I had deeply hurt her feelings. Suddenly it stopped flaring and Mew dropped to the bed. "Are you all right?" I asked rushing to help her up but she slapped my hand away angrily. "Are you happy now? I gave it my best shot!" she snarled. "Yes, and I'm sorry for yelling at you, I just wanted to change the past and I now know you can't do that. I just wanted him to live again so badly I would have done anything. I really hate to admit it, but I sort of made friends with him," I explained. "I'm sorry I failed, if only...if only Grey hadn't," she whispered. "If only what?" I asked. "It's not important, let's go, I've depressed myself," said Mew turning to leave. I nodded and turned around to look at James. "I'm sorry James, not only did I fail for you, I failed for Jessie as well," I said looking up at the ceiling. "Pikachu? Is that you?' I heard a strange, yet frighteningly familiar voice. "Great now I'm so upset I'm hearing things," I said recognizing the voice. It was James, and I cursed myself for missing him so much. "Pikachu, it is you!" he said again. I averted my eyes from the ceiling down to the bed where James sat, alive. I gasped and lowered my ears in utter disbelief. "Pikachu!" I cried leaping to into his arms. He was alive! I couldn't believe it Mew had done it! Being so mad must have given her an edge and she had done it. "Where's Jessie?" he asked me, but I couldn't answer right then, Mew had to see her accomplishment. "Pi! Pika Pikachu!" I cried and Mew came bounding into the room. "Mew you did it! He's alive!" I shouted. "I did it?" Mew asked flatly not believing it herself. I nodded and she leapt with pure joy off the ground. "I did it! I did it! I really did it!" she exclaimed. "Ash! Brock! Misty! Come here I did it!" she cried and they all dashed into the room. I jumped out of James's arms and ran over to Mew. "Tell him what happened to Jessie," I said and looked up at Ash who was standing in astonishment along with the rest of my friends. Mew stepped forward solemnly among the general lapse of excitement. "It's your friend Jessie," she said not wanting to say the rest. "Something's happened to her hasn't it?" asked James warily. Mew nodded. "She went to report your death to your Boss and they've arrested her for murder and betrayal," said Mew. James closed his eyes and swallowed hard, I think he knew what the consequences were for such crimes. "And...They plan to kill her in the morning," said Mew looking at the ground. "No!" shouted James standing up, but immediately sat back down clutching his side. The arrow wound still lay open. "Can you heal him?" I asked Mew. "Are you kidding me? Healing is the easiest part of being a Mew!" she said happily and walked over to James. "Let me see the wound," she said and James slowly removed his hand. Mew put her hand on it. "It's very deep, fatal. I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did," she mused. "Just heal it please, it's hurts like nothing you would believe," said James. Mew concentrated and healed the wound leaving no scar, just like my injuries. "We've got to go now, Jessie needs our help, and if we don't get to her by morning, well, I don't want to think about it," I said. "Pikachu's right, we've gotta go," said Ash. "You? You're helping me?" asked James surprised by Ash's reaction. "Why wouldn't we? You might be evil but you're still a person with feelings," said Misty and Brock nodded in agreement. "Thank you, I won't forget this," said James. "Get ready and let's go, we've got a rescue to execute!" I said. Rescue, I liked the idea of it, of course it would mean reuniting Team Rocket and that would have its disadvantages but I would do it anyway.

Later I looked outside, it was dark and we would have the element of hiding on our side. James had changed from his blood stained uniform to a clean one and quickly disposed of the old one. I didn't blame him, I wouldn't want that hanging around either. We had come up with a devious plan to rescue Jessie. It would be dangerous, but we were willing to take the risk. What? You want me to tell you what our plan was now? I think not! You amuse me with you anxiousness, you'll find out as the story unravels. Oh and do have some more tea I really have made too much.

Anyway, with everything we needed in hand, we set off for Team Rocket headquarters. "There it is!" whispered Misty as the building came into view. "All right, you guys go ahead with your part of the plan, I'll wait until it's clear, go," James whispered gently pushing Ash, Misty, and Brock towards the building. James, Mew and I followed in the shadows. "Hey! You kids! What are you doing here?" barked the guard. "We've come to join Team Rocket," said Ash. The guard looked surprised. "Really? We're always welcoming new members, in fact we just got rid of two of them so we'll need someone to take their places," said the Rocket. I shuddered, as did James, we both knew who they meant. "Where do we sign up?" asked Misty grinning broadly. I never knew what a good actress she was. I actually began to believe she wanted to join. "Right this way," said the Rocket and led them inside, just what we had been waiting for. "Now's our chance, let's go," said James and darted from the bushes. I followed him and we squeezed through the door just as it was about to close. "That was close," said James who had nearly gotten crushed, the door only opened from the inside. "Piika," said in agreement. "Do you remember where Jessie was?" asked James. I nodded, I thought I had a pretty good idea and I wouldn't need Mew's help. I sniffed the air for any sign of Jessie. There was a small bit of scent, but not much. Fortunately for me, it was enough. I followed the scent down a corridor with several halls branching out from it. Jessie's scent came from the very back one, where the cells were the smallest and most secure. "Pikachu!" I cried bounding down to the very end of the hall James and Mew followed me. I pointed to a nearby door, which was heavily locked. "That one?" asked James. I nodded hopping up and down with excitement. "Jessie?" he asked knocking lightly on the door. "Who?" I heard a voice ask from the other side. Only it wasn't Jessie, it was Meowth. "Meowth? Where's Jessie?" asked James. "Who are you? And what do you want with Jessie? Haven't you done enough!?" Meowth yelled angrily. "Pikachu, get the lock open," said James. "Pika," I said nodding and zapped the huge lock with my strongest electricity. I heard a loud snap from inside the lock and it opened and dropped to the floor. James flung the door open and we all stepped inside. Jessie was lying motionless on a low bunk in the corner of the room. She looked terrible, I could tell the torture hadn't ended with the bloody nose she had before. Her eye was now severely bruised and swollen shut along with numerous other cuts and bruises. "Oh, Jessie," James whispered and knelt by her side. "Who could have done this to you?" he asked stroking her long red hair. Poor Jessie, she might have been evil but no one deserved this. "Meowth?" called James. Meowth was nowhere in sight. Suddenly a movement caught my eye and Meowth jumped out from the shadows, claws outstretched. "Leave her alone!" he yelled raking his claws across James's face. He jumped back in surprise. "Meowth! It's me!" he yelled. "It can't be, you're not...You might look like James but he's dead," said Meowth still in the position to defend Jessie. "It is me! Trust me Meowth we've got to get you and Jessie out of here otherwise they'll kill you in the morning!" shouted James. "You can't be James, I watched him die right in front of me!" said Meowth. "It is me, do you remember what I did right before I died?" asked James. "Yes," replied Meowth warily. "I gave Jessie my Weezing and asked her to take care of it," said James. Meowth retracted his claws and stepped forward. "James? It's really you?" he asked in a quavering voice. James nodded and Meowth sprang forward into his arms. "You're alive! I can't believe it! I thought..." cried Meowth. "There'll be plenty of time later, but right now, we've got to get Jessie out of here," said James. Meowth nodded and stepped out of the cell door. James put Jessie's arm around his shoulders and helped her up. "Who? What's going on?" she asked sleepily. "It's okay, we're going to get you out of here," said James helping her out of the cell. She hadn't bothered to open her one good eye and was relying completely on James to lead her. "And here is the...Hey! What are you doing here?" I heard an angry voice yell. I whirled around to see the Rocket lead Ash, Misty, and Brock into the hall. "Pikachu! Run!" Ash yelled and shoved the guard into the wall. I followed them as they ran and so did Mew. "Which way now?" asked Misty as we came to the door where we had entered. Ash tried it but an alarm had gone off and it was locked. "There they are! Get 'em!" said the Rocket pointing in our direction. I panicked as I heard gunfire and shocked the lock as I had done with Jessie's. It popped open and James helped Jessie outside, but the Rockets with guns followed. I hadn't noticed it before but not far from the building, a river sparkled in the moonlight. "Mew! Tell everyone to follow me, I've got an idea!" I said taking off running for the river. "Follow Pikachu!" she yelled and dashed after me. I could hear the gunfire increasing behind me and had the sinking feeling someone wasn't going to make it back. No! I banished the thought, everything would be fine. Suddenly I stopped, the ground ended and there was a rocky cliff. Below that, the river. Everyone else stopped behind me. "Damn it!" I yelled. My plan wouldn't work now. "What do we do now?" asked James ducking as a bullet whizzed over his head. "Let's just get out of here fast!" said Brock. What should I do? I held my head in my paws, this was going way to fast to even begin to think. My ears rung with more gunfire and suddenly Ash screamed and dropped to the ground. "Pika!" I cried rushing over to him. "Ash!" yelled Misty and Brock and hurried with me. He sat up painfully clutching his shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers. They'd gone too far now, they'd shot him. "Chu," I said touching his hand. "Pikachu," moaned Ash putting his other hand on top of my head. Suddenly my world gave away as another well-aimed bullet ricocheted off a rock. The cliff, being composed of loose rocks, crumbled and fell along with all of us into the river. The current was strong and it carried me swiftly. I couldn't see anyone else, where were my friends? I opened my mouth as my body was roughly bounced along the river floor. My lungs were full of water and colors swirled before my eyes. I thought for sure I would drown, until I felt someone grab my tail and pull me to the surface. I coughed and sputtered, water pouring from my mouth and looked toward my rescuer. It was Ash! "Pikachu!" I cried holding on to him as tightly as I could. "Just hold on...Pikachu, we're almost there!" yelled Ash. I could see a small waterfall up ahead, and closed my eyes, this wasn't going to be fun. "Hold on!" Ash yelled and I screamed at the top of my lungs as we plummeted to the calmer waters below. Ash quickly swam to the surface and crawled out to the bank. He let me go and I sat down spitting out what remained of the water in my mouth. "Misty!" Ash yelled as she flew over the top of the waterfall screaming louder than I had. She disappeared under the surface for only an instant before bursting to the top with a loud gasp. "Misty! Over here!" Ash yelled. She waded over and crawled onto the ground next to Ash. "Ash, you're..." she said gasping. "I'm fine for now, but this can't be good," said Ash putting his hand back over the bullet hole. "Where is Brock and Team Rocket?" asked Misty. "And Mew!" added Ash. "They must have gone farther upstream," said Ash standing up. I nodded, if any of them hadn't...Ugh, I didn't want to think about that. We walked farther up following the river, until we came upon someone lying on the ground. I ran over and recognized him as none other than Brock. "Pikachu!" I yelled sending a bolt of electricity through him. He sat up dazed. "Where am I?" he asked. "Brock you're all right!" shouted Misty kneeling by him. "But what about Mew? And Team Rocket?" asked Ash. I looked off into the distance. Nothing. I was really worried, Jessie was in really bad shape and if James wasn't able to help her, she was done for. Suddenly I saw a figure clad in white crawl onto the bank, carrying something in one arm. I gasped, it had to be James, but where was Jessie? I sprinted to him as fast as I possibly could. It was James and he was carrying Mew in his arms. "Pikachu Pika Pika Chu!" I yelled. "Pikachu? Oh Mew, she's all right, just unconscious," said James carefully lying her down. "Where's Jessie?" he asked scanning for any sign of her. "No! Jessie!" he said suddenly and crawled on his hands and knees to a limp form almost completely hidden behind a rock. I followed him and met with an awful scene. Jessie had washed up on shore, but her eyes remained closed and she wasn't moving. Meowth lay next to her, unconscious. James held Jessie in his arms kneeling on the ground. "Jessie? Come on, don't give up on me," he whispered. She wasn't breathing, I could tell. "Jessie please, don't die," he begged. I inched closer and James hugged Jessie's limp form close to him. "No, I just got you back" he groaned a single tear rolling down his cheek. He laid her gently on the bank and smoothed her soaking wet hair. No, not Jessie, how could this happen? We'd worked so hard to save her and she'd died anyway. Those Rockets! If they hadn't hurt her she would have been able to survive that. I shut my eyes, were Jessie and James the only members of Team Rocket with any feelings at all? Suddenly she pitched forward coughing and spitting water. "Jessie!" James exclaimed catching her as she fell back down. She turned over still coughing in James's arms. "Jessie? Can you hear me?" he asked running his fingers through her hair again. "Who? Where am I?" she asked her uninjured eye sliding open. "Oh Jessie, I thought I'd lost you," said James helping her up. She sat on the ground and rested against James's shoulder. "You...You saved my life. Who are you?" asked Jessie. James smiled. "Jessie, it's me," he said. Jessie looked up at him. "J...James?" she asked her voice quavering with tears. "Yes, it's me. I'm so glad you're okay," said James on the verge of tears himself. "James!" cried Jessie wrapping her arms around him. James let the tears welling in his eyes fall, as did Jessie. "I thought you were dead!" she sobbed. "So did I," said James. I turned around, Ash, Misty, and Brock were standing smiling at Jessie and James. "They finally got each other back," said Misty. Ash had a bit of cloth pressed against his shoulder, but the blood had soaked through it already. "Pikachu?" I inquired walking over to him. My stomach turned itself into a knot. Ash's face was the same color as James's had been before he died. "We've got to get Ash to a hospital and fast," said Brock noticing his paleness as well. Misty nodded and put Ash's good arm around her shoulders. Brock picked up the unconscious Mew and followed them. " Should we help them?" asked Jessie. James nodded and helped Jessie to her feet. "Feeling better?" he asked her. "Just having you back makes me feel better," said Jessie. "Hey! Wait up!" James called after us. "We'll get you there a lot faster," said Jessie smiling. "How?" asked Misty. Jessie picked up Meowth and grinned again. "Follow us," she said and James followed her. We all shrugged and trudged on.

A few moments later I leaned over the edge of the Meowth balloon feeling the wind whistle through my fur. I looked down at the scenery rush past up below, thanks to Team Rocket, we'd have Ash to a hospital in no time. "Pika! Pika Pika!" I yelled pointing to the town below. James nodded and started the balloon downward. "Look! There's the hospital!" shouted Misty. I looked down, indeed there was a medical facility in the town below. James landed the balloon in front of the entrance and Misty helped Ash out. "Thank you, now we won't forget this," said Misty and helped Ash through the door.

I hesitated, and looked over my shoulder at Team Rocket. "See ya Pikachu," said James. "Pikachu!" I said turning completely around and waving. "Come on Pikachu!" shouted Brock from inside. I turned back and dashed inside the door that Brock held open for me. "Don't worry your friend should be fine," the nurse said and lead Ash out of the waiting room. "I guess all we have to do now is wait," said Misty and sat down in a nearby chair. Brock sat next to her still cradling Mew in his arms. I wanted to say goodbye properly to Team Rocket, so I pushed the door open and stepped out into the cool night. The Meowth balloon wasn't on the ground. I looked up, it was slowly floating away in the midnight breeze. But I could have sworn I saw Jessie and James, their lips together in a kiss. But I can't be sure of that, they were after all far away. But I don't doubt for a second they were. I smiled. Jessie and James? A couple? I couldn't help but laugh, the thought of it was just too weird for me.

Suddenly my thoughts turned to Ash, and I was depressed. "I need to go for a walk," I said to myself and proceeded to the edge of the forest. "Pikachu! Hey wait up!" I heard someone yell. I turned around to see Mew running to catch up with me. "What's the matter?" she asked me. "Oh nothing, I'm just a little worried about Ash that's all," I lied. "You're lying, your thoughts run deeper than that," said Mew. I couldn't help but laugh at myself. What was I thinking trying to lie to a psychic Pokemon? "It's just that, do you think we did the right thing helping our arch enemies?" I asked her. "I don't know, all I know is they're not really bad people, they just work for a bad organization. You've restored a sense of happiness that seemed would never return to Jessie and saved James's life. How could that not be the right thing?" said Mew. "I guess I did do the right thing, even if it means more pestering than ever from Team Rocket," I said smiling and changing the mood to a bit more lighthearted one. "Besides he loves her," said Mew almost so I wouldn't hear. "He what?" I asked astonished. "James, he loves Jessie, but he's too afraid to show it. But I can sense it, she knows now," said Mew grinning like a small child. I looked up at the stars, which glittered like a thousand diamonds in the sky behind a bright full moon. It had to have been the most beautiful night I'd seen in ages. "You couldn't have picked a better night James," I whispered to no one in particular. "This reminds me of that night," said Mew looking sadly at the ground. "Huh? Which night?" I asked her. "It's a long story," said Mew looking up at me. "I like long stories," I said to her. "Besides, it'll make you feel better to tell someone," I added. "I've never told anyone, it's so painful," said Mew. "Let's walk a bit and you can tell me," I said. Mew sighed and nodded. "It all started when I was just a tiny baby," started Mew. I could feel the flashback sequence coming, uh oh! Here it comes. "When I was little my mother told me that all humans were bad and I should stay away from them. That's what most Mews believed and still do to this day. I believed it too and thought nothing of the human world until one day. I was walking with my mother trying to find something suitable to eat for lunch when a human leapt out of the bushes. My mother and I tried to hide, but they surrounded us and they had guns. They said they had finally found what they were looking for and that we would make them rich. I cowered behind my mother and she spoke to them. She said that they had better leave us alone or they'd be sorry. They didn't listen and attempted to capture us. My mother fought bravely to save me, but as she was attacking one of the men, I heard a gun go off and both my mother and the man she had been attacking were shot. Neither one of them survived," said Mew suddenly stopping tears streaming down her face. I listened on in horror, how could someone shoot such a gentle creature? Probably the same ones who had shot my best friend. "Well, anyway," said Mew wiping her eyes. "They wanted to capture me, and I was afraid. I crouched on the ground with my hands over my head. I could hear them laughing at me. Suddenly I heard another voice. It was kind, and it told the other men to leave me alone. I don't know what happened then, but I felt someone pick me up. They told me it was okay and since they sounded kind so I believed them. I opened my eyes and looked at my rescuer. He took pity on me that my mother was dead and sort of adopted me. I loved him dearly, his name was Grey and he became my trainer and my best friend. But our happiness was to be short lived. Other trainers in our town were jealous and offered to trade him numerous extremely powerful Pokemon for me. Each time he refused and one night as we were walking home from a battle, we were mobbed. They were all the trainers from the town and they wanted me. I tried to escape, but Grey was getting the beating of his life so I stayed to help him. He wouldn't have any of it, he told me to run and like an idiot I did. When I had hidden long enough to satisfy my pursuers I was gone, I crept out to find Grey. I found him, he had been beaten so savagely over me, he couldn't get up and me being so little couldn't help him. He died on that street that night, a night just like this one all over my powers. That's why I didn't want to help James, I tried to save him but because of my incompetence I wasn't able to. That's when I vowed to become a solitary Pokemon and I haven't belonged to anyone since," said Mew. "Mew had really had a rough past I wonder why she's following us?" I thought to myself. "I guess we should go back and get some sleep," I said. Mew nodded and we walked back to the hospital. "Pikachu? Mew? Where did you guys go?" asked Brock. "Just for a walk, Pikachu is worried about Ash," said Mew. "You can go see him if you want," said Misty. I perked up immediately and followed Misty to Ash's room. "Ash?" Misty asked opening the door. I heard Ash groan softly and I hopped up on the bed. "Chu?" I said softly. "Pikachu?" he asked. "Pika!" I said louder. Ash opened his eyes and sat up a little. "Are you all right?" he asked Me. I nodded and curled up on the bed next to him. Misty smiled and left the room. "Let's get some sleep Pikachu," said Ash using the arm that wasn't bandaged to scratch me behind the ears. "Don't worry Pikachu, I'll be fine," said Ash. I knew he would be and we both quickly fell asleep.

The next morning I awoke before Ash to see Mew staring out the window. "What's the matter Mew?" I asked her. "It's him," she said keeping her vigil stare. "Who?" I asked. "Mewtwo, he's near here somewhere. I can sense his presence," said Mew closing her eyes. "I have to find him and settle this once and for all," said Mew jumping down off the windowsill. "I'm coming with you," I said carefully getting off the bed as not to wake Ash. "No, it's too dangerous," said Mew. "No, it's not and I won't let you go alone," I said gripping Mew's arm. "Fine, but if you get yourself killed, don't blame me," said Mew tearing her arm away from my grip and marching out the door. "I'll come back Ash, I promise," I said following Mew. "I was wondering, how was James killed? It looked like a strange wound," said Mew. "Oh, there was a trainer, out in the woods, she was mad I hurt her Pokemon so she shot him with an arrow. He saved Jessie's life," I explained. "I knew it, how could he!" exclaimed Mew. "What do you mean? It was a little girl," I said. "I hate to break it to you, but that was no little girl! Come on! There's not much time!" said Mew. "Wait! Pikachu!" I heard someone yell. I turned around to see Misty and Brock standing a few feet away. "Where are you two going in such as hurry?" asked Misty. "We're trying to save all human kind," said Mew. Brock and Misty looked at each other as confused and bewildered as I was, but definitely willing to help. "We'll need all the help we can get, you do have Pokemon right?" asked Mew. Misty and Brock nodded. "Come with me," Mew said and started for the forest. "Wait! I don't care what anyone says I'm coming too," I heard a voice say behind me. Oh no, anything but that. I turned around to see just who I expected, Ash. "Ash, you're in no condition to do anything," said Misty. "As long as I've got one arm to throw a Pokeball I'll be fine," said Ash. Same old Ash, too stubborn for his own good. "And don't forget us either!" I heard another familiar voice say. "Pikachu!" I cried happily as Jessie, James, and Meowth made themselves visible from their hiding spot. "Team Rocket?" asked Ash. "We told you we wouldn't forget what you did for us," said James. "And now we're back to repay the favor," said Jessie. I smiled, her eye looked a lot better this morning, still bruised but she could open it. "We wanna get that girl back for killin' James, Meowth!" said Meowth. "Like I said before, that's not a little girl! He'll do anything he has to to get rid of all Pokemon trainers!" shouted Mew fearfully. "All right! Let's go!" shouted Ash and all of us proceeded as one group into the forest. I never thought I'd live to see the day team Rocket helped us. It was pleasing to know they kept their word, though they'd probably try to capture me tomorrow. But I didn't care, they wouldn't succeed anyway they never did. That afternoon, dark clouds blotted out the sun, as they had the day we'd come face to face with Mewtwo. It was a dramatic atmosphere for a dramatic climax to our adventure.

I felt no fear as we stepped into the shadow of the two-story house. Sparks already flaring at my cheeks, that girl was as good as beaten. "Ready?" asked Mew. "Ready," replied Team Rocket Jessie and James' hands intertwined. "Ready," said my friends and Mew lead the way to the house. I felt reserved, I didn't want to go back where such a horrific experience had happened. But I would, mew hadn't told anyone why we were doing this, but I could feel it, we all trusted her and were willing to give our all for this cause. Slowly, the door creaked open and I was greeted by the same stairs, still coated with disgusting amounts of blood. "Welcome, I've been expecting you," said the little girl followed by insane laughter. "It's her," said James holding Jessie's hand even tighter. Jessie quickly leaned over and kissed James on the cheek. Ah ha! I had seen them kissing last night. "In case we don't make it," said Jessie. "Don't worry, we will, we have too," said James. "I know what you're here for," said the girl and the doors slammed shut, just as they had before. "If you've come to stop me, you'll just end up part of my collection!" said a strange voice and a door inside the house flung open. I gasped and turned away, as did everyone else. Inside the room were people, all with the glossy black arrows right through their chests. That's why the stairs had been bloody, they had been murdered by the girl and dragged down to this room.

"Pikachu!" I yelled up to the voice. "Come on up! And lose again!" said the girl giggling. "Let's go," said Mew going up the steps. We arrived in the room I remembered so well and the little girl was in the chair as usual. "So Mother, you decided to give in to me?" she said. "Mother?" we all said simultaneously. "Like I said before, this is no little girl, show your true form coward!" shouted Mew vengefully. "Gladly!" said the girl cheerfully and slowly began to mutate. I literally screamed in terror as the girl finished her transformation and Mewtwo stood before us. "You mean you were Mewtwo all along?" I asked. "Simple minded little Pokemon, of course it was me. My plan is just about to become a reality," said Mewtwo. "Your plan will fail, we're going to stop you," said Mew. "I doubt it Mommy dearest, I'm more powerful than all of you combined! And when I've killed you all, I'll be powerful enough to kill every god-damned Pokemon trainer in the world!" shouted Mewtwo. "He keeps calling you Mother are you his...?" asked Ash, but Mew cut him off. "Yes, it's all true, Mewtwo is my son," said Mew. I gasped, this freak? Son of Mew? The kind gentle caring creature? How could this be? "Now, I'm afraid it's time to die," said Mewtwo. "But why?" asked Misty fearfully. "You're all Pokemon trainers, they all deserve to die. I could have had a happy life, I could have been a normal Pokemon. But now look at me, I'm a freak, all because trainers like you had to have more power! The normal Pokemon just aren't good enough! No one cares anymore! They all want power, did the scientists who created me think about my feelings? No! Therefore, once the world is rid of all trainers, I'll begin a new age. The world will be ruled by Pokemon and the words trainer, Pokeball and master won't exist," said Mewtwo. We all stepped boldly forward. "We won't let you do that. Not all Pokemon trainers are bad, we know you've had a hard life. But please, just give us a chance," said Ash getting in to his noble mode. "I know, I guess I will give you a chance," said Mewtwo lowering his head. Ash softened. "Come with us, we'll show you how great it is to be trained," said Ash. "I'll give you a chance, a chance to die painfully or not!" shrieked Mewtwo firing a bolt of energy at Ash. "No! Stop!" screamed Mew lunging for Mewtwo's neck. He fired a bolt of energy at her sending her flying into a wall. "That's it! Arbok! Go!" shouted Jessie followed by James yelling. "Go! Weezing!" Ash pointed to Mewtwo. "Get him Pikachu!" he yelled. I charged into the all out offensive followed by Misty's Starmie and Brock's Vulpix. "Pikachu! Thunder shock now!" yelled Ash and I sent my strongest bolt of electricity coursing through Mewtwo's body. "Arbok! Bind it now!" yelled Jessie and the giant purple snake coiled itself around his body. "Starmie! Water gun!" shouted Misty and the star shaped Pokemon fired a powerful blast of water into Mewtwo's face. He reeled back in pain and James's Weezing spat a stream of sludge across his eyes blinding him. Arbok tossed Mewtwo forcefully into the wall as Vulpix burnt it to a crisp with its' fire spin attack. "Yeah! We did it!" yelled Ash jumping triumphantly into the air as the others called back their Pokemon. Mewtwo lay motionless against the wall, he certainly looked beaten, but one couldn't be sure. "Mew? Are you all right?" asked James picking her up. "Here," he said giving her to Ash. Mew opened her eyes slowly. "Are you okay?" he asked her. "Put me down," she said sternly. "But you're hurt," said Jessie stroking her forehead. "Only I have the power to stop him, put me down now," she said with anger in her voice I hadn't heard before. Ash reluctantly put her down. "You think such weak attacks can hurt me?" I heard Mewtwo say. I turned around to see him rise off the ground laughing. I'll never forget the sound of that laugh, not ever as long as I live. It was pure evil and demonic, enough to send a shiver down my spine. Outside an enormous bolt of lightning ripped the sky in half and all the lights in the house went off, leaving us in total darkness. Mewtwo advanced forward. "No one can beat me, I'm invincible," he said lowering his eyes at Mew another huge clap of thunder sounding. "Now!" I heard someone yell and Jessie and James dashed forward each of them grabbing one of his arms. Caught off guard Mewtwo was pinned to the wall hissing loudly. "Now Mew! Do whatever it takes!" yelled James. "Run, and don't stop, you've got to get out of here," said Mew and shoved me towards the door. Mew nodded to James and lunged for Mewtwo's throat. Wrapping her small paws around as much of his neck as possible she unleashed her true power, a bright beam of energy pouring from her body into Mewtwo. We watched in terror as Mewtwo wrestled Mew and Team Rocket to the floor. "Ash! We've got to run!" shouted Misty. "What about...?" he started but Misty grabbed his good arm and dragged him down the stairs. It was pouring rain outside and we kept running until we heard a loud explosion from behind us. The force knocked me flat on my stomach knocking the wind out of me. "No!" I yelled. A few moments later all there was, was silence. I got up and surveyed the burning wreck of the house behind me. Oh no, Mew, Meowth, Jessie and James were nowhere in sight. They were still in the burning building. "Mew! Jessie! James! Meowth!" called Ash. No answer came from the gloom that lay beyond us. The building's smoke had turned white as the heavy downpour of rain extinguished the flames. "It's no good, they're gone," said Brock. "They sacrificed their lives to save all Pokemon trainers everywhere. I thought Jessie and James were terrible people, now I know the truth," said Ash. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said about us!" I heard someone say. "Team Rocket? Is that you?" Ash called. "It isn't anybody else!" said Meowth as he, Jessie, and James emerged from the thick smoke. "You're alive! We thought..." started Ash. "No we're fine, but I'm not so sure about Mew," said Jessie. "We've got to find her!" said Ash running towards the debris. I rushed in as well looking for any sign of life. "Mew!" I called. "Please answer! You can't be dead!" I yelled tears welling in my eyes. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I saw a plank of charred wood move. "Pikachu? Help...me," it was Mew. "I'm coming Mew!" I said running over and ripping the plank up. Mew crawled out painfully and lay breathing hard letting the rain sooth her bruised body. "I have to find my son," she said getting up. I nodded, I would help her find him if he was still alive. I heard a yell and a piece of wood broke into thousands of small shards and Mewtwo stood nobly, then crumpled to the ground. "Noooo!" yelled Mew and rushed to his side. "Mother? Is that you?" he said weakly. He sounded like a scared young child. "I'm here my son, and I'm so sorry," said Mew tears mingling with the rain as it dripped down her cheeks. Everyone came rushing over and knelt to watch the awful scene. "I...I didn't mean to cause a problem, and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for killing you two, but I'm glad my Mother could save you," he said pointing to James and me. "That's all right, you'll be better now," said James. "Yeah, you'll be fine," I said. "At least, I'll finally be at peace. I won't have to roam the earth a freak anymore," said Mewtwo looking up at the sky. "Don't you dare try to help me mother, I've been waiting for this for a long time. Just know this, I...have no regrets and neither should you. You...You did...the right thing," said Mewtwo taking his Mother's head gingerly in his hand. "Goodbye, my son," said Mew sobbing. "We'll meet again, Mother," said Mewtwo and shut his eyes for the last time. "He's finally at peace," said Ash. I nodded, Mewtwo hadn't been the freak I had once believed. He had a heart and feelings, I had learned a very deep lesson. I had thought Jessie and James were terrible, but they weren't same with Mewtwo. You just can't stereotype people or Pokemon like that. "Goodbye, Mewtwo," I whispered under my breath as the rain continued to pour into the afternoon. A knoll of quiet, mournful thunder sounded up above, signaling the death of a noble Pokemon.

Epilogue

The next day, we buried Mewtwo's body on a hill that was especially beautiful about the time he had died. Even Jessie, James, and Meowth showed up to say goodbye. "Pikachu, you're one in a million, thanks pal," said James bending down to scratch me behind the ears. "I never thanked you either, I'm eternally grateful to you for convincing Mew to save James," said Jessie scooping me up in her arms to give me a hug. "And, we've planned a little ceremony of our own, come with us!" said Meowth. Jessie and James laughed and ran off following their Pokemon. "What are they planning?" asked Ash. Misty and Brock shrugged and we all followed, including Mew. Team Rocket stopped at the nearest phone. "Well?" asked Misty. "You'll see," said Jessie picking up the receiver. "Hello? Boss?" she said. "Well, we've got some great news for you. Well, one, we defeated that trainer you wanted us too. Yes. And two James is still alive, and three," said Jessie holding the phone in the air. "We quit!" Jessie, James, and Meowth yelled into the phone as loud as they possibly could. "So screw you!" said James sticking his tongue out into the video part and Jessie hung up. "We did it! We finally did it!" shouted Jessie wrapping her arms around James. "It feels so good not to be part of team Rocket anymore!" Said James hugging Jessie back. "Well, what are you going to do now that's you're ex-Team Rocket?" asked Ash. "I think we'll go on a long deserved vacation," said James. "Excellent idea," said Jessie. "We'll see you guys around," said Meowth. "Looks like team Rocket won't be blasting off this time," said Jessie as they walked away down the road. I watched them until they were only small points of black on the horizon. "What are you going to do?" Ash asked Mew. "I really like you guys, and though I vowed to become solitary, I'd like to go with you on your journey," said Mew. "Well, I have one thing to say about that," said Ash. I looked up at him, could he be refusing Mew? I certainly hoped not. "Welcome to the team Mew!" said Ash bending down and scooping her up in his good arm. As we walked back to the Pokemon center. I couldn't help but laugh, this adventure may have had a bittersweet ending, but Mew had never been happier in her life and that was satisfying enough for me.

Giovanni sat in his office angrily tapping a pen on the table. "So they think they can quit can they? Well, I've got a surprise for those two!" he said laughing evily.

Oh my goodness! Look at the time, you'd best be going! I must've bored you to death! I certainly hope I didn't though. Well, if you like my story that much, there is a bit more to it, come back tomorrow and I'll relate to you more!