Pokemon: Another Story
A little fanfic written by Nichole W.
Chapter 1: Perchance to Dream
Notes: First, believe it or not, this is my first fanfic.
Ever. Couldn't tell, could you? (Audience: oh, yes we could!)
Not to generate sympathy, but maybe at least leave the cusswords
out of the flame mail... Please?
Second, I did make up my own Pokémon for this. The name,
as far as I can tell, means either "spreading love" (ugh) or
"elegy of pain" (ouch!). If this is actually a functional Japanese
word, someone please tell me. As for the other names... try to figure
it out!
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It was just after sunrise when Aishiku woke up soaking wet. "Kuuu," said the little Pokémon, annoyed. It had left its family's den to live on its own just a few weeks before, and one thing it hadn't quite figured out was where to sleep so that it wouldn't get covered in dew. it seemed no matter where it tried, it always woke up with its chocolate brown fur drenched.
Shaking itself off as best as it could, it surveyed the area around it. The land was flat and covered with trees, not enough to make a forest, but enough to make the area more than a meadow. A flock of Pidgeys had converged on a nearby log to get bugs; behind them, the stream that cut through the land was just visible through the morning mist.
It turned its attention to the task at hand: finding food. That was another thing it hadn't gotten the hang of yet. Luckily, it had found an apple tree down by the stream the night before. It was just about to head down there when the flock of Pidgeys suddenly scattered. "Piiidgey!" Look out! one of them cried as the group took off.
Aishiku looked up just in time to see the rock before it hit it in the head, knocking it unconscious.
As soon as it woke up, Aishiku decided it hated its Pokeball. It was like floating in a dark, silent room. It could move, but it couldn't touch anything or go anywhere. It was frightening, and there didn't seem to be any way to escape. But I have to get out somehow, it thought. I can't stand it in here much longer!
As if in answer to its thoughts, the Pokéball suddenly opened, and Aishiku found itself standing on solid ground. "Aishiku!" it cried out of happiness. "Aishi Aishiku ku shiku!" They can see if I ever go in a Pokéball again!
Suddenly it realized it wasn't alone. It turned around to see a human holding a Pokéball.
The trainer, it realized. He was a young boy, about ten, and a little short for his age. He had bright yellow hair and very light skin, and unnatural looking black eyes. He was wearing a yellow shirt with a brown vest over it, and blue jeans.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then the boy kneeled down and reached toward Aishiku to pick it up. The Pokémon instinctively moved back.
"It's okay," the young trainer said. He had a high-pitched little boy’s voice, and spoke in a friendly tone. "I won't hurt you."
"Ku..." said the still-weary Pokémon, unknowingly rubbing the bump on its head.
"Oh, I'm sorry about the rock," the trainer said. "Dextria- that's my Pokédex- said you have to weaken Pokémon before you can capture them. But if you come with me, we'll go to the Pokécenter and they'll fix you right up."
The Pokémon stopped rubbing its head. It was pretty apparent that he was a beginner, and he probably really hadn't meant any harm. And besides, there was something strangely familiar about him, as if they'd met before....
"Shiku?" Why not? it said, and walked over to the boy, who grinned excitedly. "All right!" he said, picking up Aishiku. "I have a Pokémon!"
Aishiku climbed onto the boy's shoulder, which seemed the natural place to be, and the boy commenced to fish around in his pocket, finally pulling out a small red Pokédex. "Let's find out a little more about you," the boy opened the Pokédex and pointed it at Aishiku.
The Pokédex chimed. "Aishiku," an electronic female voice said. "The teddy bear Pokémon. It is often kept as a pet because of its gentle nature. Because of this, it is difficult to train for battles and is not recommended for beginners."
"Aishiku!" Difficult! Aishiku reeled and almost fell off of the trainer's shoulder. It climbed back up. Difficult!? I'll show you, it said, shaking its little fist at the Pokédex. I can train just as well as any Pokémon!
The boy laughed a little. "Sounds like someone disagrees with you, Dextria," he said, putting the Pokédex back into his pocket. "By the way, My name's Peter. Peter Chewe. Just one more thing, then we'll go on to Viridian City. You don't like Pokéballs, do you?"
Aishiku shook its head no. How, it wondered aloud, did he know?
"Well, that's what you said when you came out of your Pokéball."
Aishiku looked at him, surprised. You could understand what I said? How? Most trainers can't. There are Pokémon masters who can't understand their Pokémon!
Peter started walking, looking a little embarrassed. "My dad was a Pokémon doctor, so I spent a lot of time around Pokémon. I just sort of picked it up."
Wow, Aishiku said, you must be pretty smart.
"Oh, no," Peter said. "I've just had a lot of practice."
Aishiku, noticing how its trainer's face was turning beet red, changed the subject. So, it asked, where are your other Pokémon?
If anything, Peter seemed to get even more uncomfortable. "Actually...you're the first one I've caught."
Well then, who's your starter Pokémon? it asked. I'd like to meet it.
"No, I mean first as in...only."
But aren't beginning trainers supposed to start out with a Pokémon
given to them by someone else?
"For a Pokemon, you know a lot about Pokemon training," said Peter. He sighed. "See, my dad never caught any Pokémon, and we couldn't afford to buy one of the starter ones. But I told my dad that a friend gave me a Bulbasaur, and he let me go."
That probably wasn't a very good idea, Aishiku said. You could've gotten hurt if you were attacked by a wild Pokémon.
"Yeah, I kn-oof!"
Peter had been so busy talking he hadn't seen the other trainer
walking out of a stand of trees, and crashed into him. Aishiku fell off Peter's shoulder and hit the ground hard, getting the wind knocked out of it.
"Hey, watch where you're going, kid!" the trainer said angrily. He was an older kid with red hair and blue eyes, and a mean look.
He advanced toward Peter. Aishiku recovered from its fall and looked up to see the trainer's foot coming down...
Peter lunged suddenly, pushing down the other guy right before he stepped on Aishiku. "Watch where you're going yourself!" Peter said, scooping up Aishiku, who scrambled back onto Peter's shoulder. "You almost stepped on my Pokémon!"
"Ha! That's what Pokéballs are for," the boy said, getting up and walking over to Peter. "And besides," he said, grinning meanly, "a wimpy little Pokémon like that wouldn't be much of a loss!"
Wimpy! Aishiku exclaimed. I'll show you wimpy! It scratched the trainer on the face.
The other trainer stood stunned for a moment, then got angry. "That's it, kid!" he said, grabbing a Pokéball from his belt. "You're in for it! No one assaults Eric Ovens and gets away with it!"
"No, wait! It was a mistake! Aishiku didn't mean it," Peter said, trying to prevent the battle that was about to take place.
Yes I did, Aishiku said angrily, climbing down from the trainer's shoulder. Go ahead and try me!
Eric laughed. "Looks like your Pokémon thinks otherwise. Is the little teddy bear going to beat me?" he asked Aishiku mockingly. "We'll see. Nidorina, go!" He threw his Pokéball, and Nidorina popped out. "Niiiidooooriina!" she cried ferociously.
Peter knelt down. "Aishiku, are you sure you want to do this? That Nidorina looks pretty strong."
Don't worry about me, it said confidently.
"Okay then. Aishiku, go!" Aishiku marched bravely toward Nidorina.
"Nidorina, Growl attack!" Eric cried. Nidorina drew herself up to her full height, towering over Aishiku. "Nidorrrrina, Nido Nidorina," There's still time to quit, she growled, a ferocious look on her face.
"Aishi!" No way, Aishiku said, pretending not to be scared out of its mind.
"Aishiku! Uh, scratch attack!" called Peter.
Aishiku walked up to Nidorina and scratched her as hard as it could. Its tiny claws bounced off harmlessly.
Eric laughed. "Nidorina, show it a real scratch!" Nidorina reared up on her hind legs, then scratched Aishiku hard on the face as she came down.
"Aiiiii!" Aishiku cried, recoiling in pain. It covered its face with its paws.
"Good job, Nidorina!" it heard. "Now a tail whip!"
Tail? What tail? Aishiku lowered its paws to see Nidorina turning around...
*BAM!* Oh, that tail, Aishiku thought dazedly as it flew through the air. It hit the ground, and for the second time that day, all was darkness.
It awoke in a small bed in the Pokécenter. Peter was sitting next to the bed on one side, staring out the tiny window at the streets of Viridian City. A pink-haired nurse was changing a bandage on Aishiku's arm on the other side of the bed. "Oh, it looks like your Pokémon has regained consciousness," she said to Peter, who looked over, startled. "You two should be able to leave soon."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Peter said politely.
"No problem," Nurse Joy said, giving a little curtsey. "Tell your father hello for me next time you see him." She left the room.
Peter turned to Aishiku. "How do you feel?" he asked.
Pretty good, it replied. It was stiff from not moving, and its left arm, the one with the bandage on it, hurt a little, but otherwise it was fine. How long have I been asleep? it asked.
"About a day." Peter looked out the window again, almost like he was nervous about something.
Is something wrong? Aishiku asked.
"Nothing," Peter said slowly. "It's just.." He sighed. "Listen. You're probably feeling a little depressed after that battle. I know I am. But it really wasn't your fault. That Nidorina was strong, and, well, you just started training. I guess what I'm trying to say is... well, try not to get too discouraged. It's too soon to quit."
It thought about that. That trainer had pretty much proven Aishiku was weak. It had lost..badly. And now it had two options. It could prove Eric and Dextria right, stop battling and just tag along with Peter. Or it could keep training, keep battling, and get stronger. Strong enough to beat that
Nidorina. Strong enough to beat any Pokémon! Yeah! Someday, it would beat the Pokémon at the Pokémon league!
That's right! it declared out loud, sitting up in the little bed. I declare to the trainers of the world, that I will be the greatest trained Pokémon of all time!
"All right!" Peter said, smiling and carefully hugging the Pokémon. "That's the spirit!"
The next day, the two set out for the Viridian Forest. Aishiku was standing on Peter's backpack, leaning over his shoulder. "I've been wondering," Peter said. "What kind of Pokémon are you?"
What do you mean? Aishiku asked.
"I mean, are you an electric type, a fighting type, a plant type, what? It'd certainly help your training if we knew."
I really don't know, Aishiku admitted. I never really worried about it, I guess.
"Hmm," Peter said thoughtfully. "Hey! I know! We can ask Dextria!" He stopped walking, pulled his Pokédex out of his pocket and pushed a few buttons on it.
"Aishiku is usually considered a normal type," it said.
"Usually?" echoed Peter.
"With special training, this Pokémon has been known to be able to use many fire attacks."
"What kind of special training?"
"Most fire Pokémon have heat centers located in their throats, which is why they give the illusion of 'spitting' fire. Aishiku's heat centers are in its paws, requiring slightly different training. The main difference is the amount of time and effort that must be put into training such
a naturally weak Pokémon."
Why does everyone keep saying that? Aishiku wondered aloud.
Peter didn't seem to notice. "So, Aishiku, you want to give it a try?"
"Ku, Ku!" Sure, it replied, sliding off Peter's backpack to the ground. Where do I start?
Peter studied the screen of his Pokédex for a moment, then said, "Let's start off with Ember. It's the simplest fire attack. Aim at that big rock over there. Are you ready?" Aishiku nodded. "Okay. Aishiku, Ember attack!"
"Aishi..ku!" it said, pointing its arm towards the rock.
Nothing happened.
"Shi-ku!" it tried again, and again, nothing happened.
"SHI-KU!" it tried once more, willing the fire to come out of
its little paw. Still nothing happened.
"You're trying too hard," said Peter. "It's more of a concentration thing. Try this. Just think of all the power inside you, and pull your arm back. Then think about letting it out, and throw your arm forward, and that stored up energy just comes out, and you completely fry your opponent!" Peter said, closing his eyes and gesturing emphatically as if to demonstrate.
Aishiku looked at him blankly. How do you know? it asked.
Peter opened his eyes. "Oh, uh, just a suggestion," he said embarrassedly. "Go ahead and try it again."
Shaking off its trainer's weird behavior, it closed its eyes and tried Peter's advice, concentrating on letting a little bit of its inner power out. It drew back its arm. "Aishi...KU!" it said, thrusting its arm forward. Once again, nothing seemed to happen.
Disappointed, it opened its eyes to see Peter over by the rock it had been aiming at, stamping out some burning leaves. He looked over at Aishiku and grinned. "Next time, try aiming with your eyes open."
It stood amazed. Wow, did I do that? it asked. Let me try again! It pulled back its arm and thrust it forward, just like before, and watched as a tiny streak of fire flew from its paw, hitting the rock and leaving a black mark.
"Aishiku! You did it!" Peter ran over to his Pokémon and picked it up, hugging it.
I did it! I learned Ember attack! Aishiku was ecstatic. They all said I would never be able to battle, and now- It stopped in midsentence. Something in the bushes had caught its eye.
"What is it?" Peter asked.
There's something watching us, it said.
Still holding Aishiku, Peter slowly turned around. "It's a Weedle," Peter said in a hushed whisper. "If it sees us, it'll call Beedrill to protect it, and then we'll be in trouble. And, uh, not to alarm you, but it just saw us. We'd better leave quickly."
Wait, Aishiku said. Let me fight it.
"But if you lose, we'll be attacked," Peter pointed out.
Then I'll have to make sure I don't lose, Aishiku said determinedly.
Peter looked over at the Weedle. "Okay," he said, slowly putting down Aishiku. "When I say so, use your Ember. Ready....NOW!"
"Shi-KU!!!" The little Pokémon Embered with all its might. A ball of flame hit the Weedle before it had time to act, completely frying it.
"Pokéball, GO!" said Peter, throwing an empty Pokéball. It hit the Weedle and sucked it inside. The trainer held his breath as he watched the red light on the front of the Pokéball turn off, indicating the Pokémon inside had been captured.
Peter stared for a moment, as if in shock. He slowly walked over to the Pokéball and picked it up. He held it in his hand, just looking at it, then turned around to Aishiku. "Look!" he said. "I caught another one!"
"Ai Shi!" Aishiku said.
Peter threw the ball, letting Weedle out. Weedle, who was still rather charred, just sat, watching Peter as he walked forward to examine his new Pokémon.
"Weedle....Weedle..." Stay back... it said as Peter moved forward. "Weedle..Weedle..Weedle Weedle Weedle WeedleWeedleWeedle WEEDLE!" It jumped up and stung Peter.
And so they made a trip back to the Viridian City Pokémon center, this time for Weedle antivenom.
Their second attempt at the Viridian Forest was much less eventful. Aishiku learned new attacks, Weedle attacked Peter a few more times, and Peter caught a Rattata, which had a much better temperament than Weedle and was good friends with Aishiku.
It wasn't long before the small group reached Pewter City, "That Stone Gray Town of Renown," as Peter read off the sign.
Aishiku was excited. All right! it said. Next stop, the Pewter City gym!
"Whoa, slow down!" said Peter. "It's late already, and I don't know about you, but I didn't sleep too well in the forest. Let's check into the Pokécenter and get some sleep. We can go tomorrow, when you're all rested up."
Aishiku looked over at the quickly setting sun, feeling a little embarrassed. I guess that'd be a good idea, it said.
The two got to the Pokécenter just in time for dinner. Peter went to talk to some other trainers while he ate, leaving his three Pokémon to eat together.
You nervous about tomorrow? asked Rattata.
Not at all, replied Aishiku, inbetween bites of food.
You should be, said Weedle, who was out of its Pokéball only on the condition that it didn't sting anyone. You'll never win.
Says who? asked Aishiku indignantly.
Don't listen to it, Rattata said. It's just trying to scare you.
Am I? it said haughtily. Well, let me explain something to you nimbuses. The trainer here trains rock types. Rock types are excellent against fire and normal types. So unless Smokey the Fire Bear here is going to set off the sprinklers, you will never win.
Well, neither will you! Aishiku pointed out. And besides, I've got my special attack.
Weedle laughed. Yeah, I almost forgot about your special attack. The Cuteness Shock. I'm not even gonna mention all the problems with that!
Bristling, Aishiku looked like it was about to walk over to Weedle and show it what for, when Rattata intervened. Just forget it, it insisted. You know it's not true. We'll both win, no problem, even if conehead here doesn't.
Weedle scoffed. Sure you will, it said. Just don't come crying to me when you get beat.
Rattata was about to make a remark back when Peter came over. "Time for bed!" he said, apparently oblivious to the conversation that had taken place. "We have to be nice and rested up if we're going to that gym tomorrow." He pulled out Rattata and Weedle's Pokéballs.
Smell ya later, Weedle said, as he entered his Pokéball.
Rattata cast a dirty look toward Weedle's Pokéball, then looked at Aishiku. Don't let that creep bother you, it said. It's just jealous because we're so much stronger. There's more to a battle than type matching.
Thanks, said Aishiku, even though it wasn't very comforted by Rattata's words.
I'll see you tomorrow, Rattata said, as the red beam from its Pokéball hit it.
Good night, Aishiku said, as Rattata disappeared.
Peter carried Aishiku to the tiny room he had been assigned for the night. Laying down at the end of the bed, it said good night to Peter, who was asleep within minutes. Aishiku, though, stayed awake. What if Weedle was right? it thought. Weedle may be mean, but it has a bad tendency to be right about things like that. But I've trained hard, I can win..can't I?
It didn't get to sleep for a long time.
It felt a little better the next morning when it got up with Peter.
The rest had done it a lot of good, but there was still that lingering doubt: what if Weedle was right?
Peter, who was standing up and stretching, must have been able to tell something was wrong. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Yeah, it replied. Just kind of worried.
"What is it?" Peter asked. "Yesterday you couldn't wait to get to that gym."
Aishiku paused, then told him. It's what Weedle said yesterday, it replied. It said rock types are strong against fire types, and I probably won't win.
Hearing that, Peter got a strange look on his face. He sat down on the bed, and faced Aishiku. "Listen," he said, his expression turning dead serious. "I'm the one who trained you, not Weedle. And I know how strong you are. Rattata, too. It's true that fire types have the disadvantage versus rock types, but I think you and Rattata can handle it. I wouldn't make my Pokémon go out there if I thought it would lose. So it comes down to this: do you trust me?"
Of course I do, Aishiku replied.
"That's good, because I trust you, too. I trust you to go out there and win!"
Yeah! Aishiku said, its confidence renewed. I'm gonna make you proud!
A short time later, the two were standing outside the Pewter City Gym, a large, imposing building set in the middle of town and, ironically, right across the street from a hospital.
"So, this is it," said Peter.
Aishiku was too busy trying to read the sign in the front window to reply.
PEWTER CITY GYM, it read.
LEADER: FLINT
It could only make out a few names under the list of WINNING TRAINERS:
ANDERSON, AMY
ROCH, MICHAEL
OAK, GARY
O'FURNITURE, PATTI
KETCHUM, ASH
WAGON, CHUCK
VEETA, VAL
Somehow the sign strengthened Aishiku's resolve even more. It imagined Peter's name right up there with Ash Ketchum and Val Veeta. Let's go! it said.
The two entered the building slowly, passing the empty lobby and going straight into the darkened battle area. "Mr. Flint!" called Peter, a little bit of nervousness coming through in his voice. "I’ve come to challenge you to a battle for a Boulderbadge!"
The lights turned on suddenly, blinding Aishiku for a moment. When its vision cleared, it saw a man standing at the opposite end of the room. "I am Flint, leader of this gym, and I accept your challenge," he said in a deep, growly voice. "It will be a two-on-two battle with no time limit. Agreed?" Peter nodded. "Then let the battle begin!"
From somewhere, a bell chimed. "Go, Rhyhorn!" said Flint, throwing a Pokéball. "Rhyyyyyhorn!" came the ferocious-sounding cry as the Pokémon popped out.
"Go, Rattata!" said Peter, throwing his own Pokéball. Rattata's response wasn't nearly as confident. "Rattat-AAAAA!" it cried, as it caught sight if the large, rhinoceros-like Rhyhorn.
"Rattata, Tackle attack!" called Peter.
Rattata just stood there, shaking. I...can't... it said.
C'mon, Rattata! called Aishiku. Do you want Weedle to be right? You can do it! Tackle him!
Rattata stood for a moment longer, then reared back and jumped at Rhyhorn with a fierce battle cry. "RAAAATAAAATAAA!" It landed square on Rhyhorn's face, catching the behemoth off guard.
Flint, who had been standing on his end of the gym with an amused smile on his face, now almost seemed worried. "Rhyhorn! Shake it off!" he called.
"Good, Rattata! Now Super Fang attack!" called Peter. Rattata, who was hanging onto Rhyhorn's face for dear life, somehow managed to bite Rhyhorn with Super Fang, cracking its thick skull plate. As his opponent reared up, Rattata jumped off backward, flipping in midair and landing on its feet, facing the now-fainted Rhyhorn.
Rattata turned around, panting, as Flint called back Rhyhorn. Thanks for the encouragement, Aishiku, it said. I never could have done it without you.
Aishiku blushed. Uh, no problem, it said.
"Rattata, return!" said Peter. Rattata was sucked back into its
Pokéball. "Okay, Aishiku, it's your turn. Go!"
Aishiku was about to run out onto the battlefield, when Flint threw his next Pokéball. "Onyx, Go!" he said.
Aishiku's breath caught in its throat as the huge rock snake appeared. "Onix!" it rumbled, drawing itself up.
I can't go up against that thing! Aishiku cried, running back behind
its trainer and making Flint laugh.
Peter knelt down. "Hey, didn't we just have this talk?" he asked. "Don't worry. That thing's so big, it probably can't even find you. And you are going to use your special attack, then flame it down. Okay?" Aishiku nodded. It trusted Peter's judgement. "So let's try this again. Aishiku, Go!"
Aishiku tried to be brave as it marched out to meet Onix. From behind, it heard Peter's voice. "Aishiku, use the Cuteness Shock!"
Aishiku took a deep breath and put on a smile. Hey! So, you're Onix, huh? I've heard a lot about your kind.
Uh, yeah, that's me, said Onix, a little taken aback. What's it to ya?
Oh, nothing, Aishiku said. Just curious. I haven't seen a whole lot of other Pokémon.
Oh, said Onix. You pretty new at this?
Yeah, it replied. I met up with Peter over there just...oh, can't be more than three weeks ago. He's a good trainer, though. I've learned a lot.
That so? asked Onix. I wouldn't think a cute little guy like you could be too strong.
Yeah, Aishiku said, grinning even more. A lot of people say that.
As the two conversed, Flint stood confused at his end of the gym. "Onix!" he said angrily. "This is no time to chat! We're in a battle! Use your rock throw!"
Sorry, Onix said to Aishiku. Back to work. It lifted its tail, but hesitated. It's too cute to be very strong.... it muttered.
"It worked!" Peter said excitedly. "Now, Aishiku, give it a Flamethrower!"
"Aishi...KU!" It thrust its paws forward, sending a continuous stream of flame at Onix. Onix recoiled, hurt, but still didn't attack. It must've been a fluke, it muttered. That thing's too cute to be very strong.
"Hey!" Flint yelled. "What did you do to my Onix?"
"It's Aishiku's special attack, the Cuteness Shock," replied Peter.
"That can't be legal!" protested Flint, to which Peter pulled out his Pokédex and opened it.
It chimed. "Cuteness Shock," said Dextria's toneless voice. "A form of Confusion. The Pokémon using the attack convinces its opponent that it is too weak to be attacked."
"I've never heard of that!" protested Flint.
"When was the last time you saw a trained Aishiku?" Peter replied. "Aishiku, Fireball!"
Aishiku closed its eyes and concentrated. A ball of flame formed
between its paws, growing bigger. "Aishi...KU!" it cried, releasing the still-growing fireball. It engulfed Onix, roasting it. The rock snake fell down with a loud boom that shook the gym.
"Onix, return!" Flint said. The fainted Onix was zapped inside its Pokéball.
Aishiku sat down, dizzy and panting, as Flint walked over to Peter. Congratulations," Flint said. "You've really earned this." He handed Peter a shiny Boulderbadge.
Peter stared with amazement at his prize. "Aishiku, look! We got a- Aishiku!" he said, seeing his Pokémon. "Are you okay?"
I'm fine, it said, standing up. Just tired. It rubbed its eyes with its paws.
Suddenly, it sensed a bright light, like someone was shining a flashlight in its face. It opened its eyes, and saw the light was coming from its paws. Not just its paws, it realized. Its entire body was glowing with a strange white light.
It looked up at Peter and Flint. They were both staring with awed looks on their faces.
It could feel itself changing. Was the room getting smaller... or was it getting bigger?
When it finally stopped glowing it was obvious what had happened. Aishiku, or the Pokémon that had been Aishiku, was about a foot taller now, and its fur had turned a golden tan.
"Aishiku," said Peter in a hushed whisper. "You...evolved." He pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at the new Pokémon.
"Toneriko," it said. "The evolved form of Aishiku. This Pokémon is much stronger than its previous form. Its fire attacks can rival those of a Charizard."
Peter leaned down and hugged his Pokémon. "Toneriko," he said softly. Tears were running down his face.
Despite its elation at evolving, Toneriko was still exhausted. Without meaning to, it collapsed in Peter's arms.
"Oh, poor thing," said Peter, picking it up. "You must be exhausted. I'll take you back to the Pokémon center."
It fell asleep before Peter had left the gym.
Epilogue
Ash woke up in the hospital with a strange feeling of deja vu.
He opened his eyes to see his mom. "Mom," he said. "What are you
doing here?"
"Oh, Ash," she said, leaning over and hugging him. "You're
sick. Of course I'm going to come be with you."
Sick? Ash couldn't seem to remember anything happening. "What
is it?" he asked.
"The crimson fever," his mom replied. "You and your Pikachu
both got very sick and collapsed. Your friends, Misty and Brock,
brought you here and called me." Ash looked to the other side of
the bed, where Misty and Brock were standing soberly.
A thought occurred to him. "Where's Pikachu?" he asked.
Misty moved aside to reveal a small bed, like was normally
used for babies. Pikachu lay motionless on it.
Ash closed his eyes, suddenly remembering what had happened.
He and Pikachu had been having a terrible fight. He remembered
Pikachu yelling at him that he was a stupid person and a horrible
trainer. Ash had yelled back that if that was true, Pikachu should
leave and find a new trainer. Then he had turned his back on
Pikachu, and had suddenly realized just how badly his head hurt.
The next thing he remembered was a loud squeal from Pikachu and a
thump as it hit the ground. Ash had turned around and seen the
fainted Pikachu, then fainted himself.
And then there was that dream. That was very vivid. It had
seemed so real, but something like that was impossible....wasn't
it?
A noise startled Ash out of his reverie. "Pi...Pi..." Ash
looked over at Pikachu, who was waving its arms around in its
sleep. "Pi, Pi, Pika, PIKACHU!" It sat bolt upright for a second,
then flopped back down on the bed.
"Pikachu," said Ash, sitting up. "Are you okay?"
Pikachu looked over at Ash. "Pika Pi! Pikachu!" it said brightly.
Sitting up, it continued. "Pikachu! Pika, Pikachu Chu! Piikachu Pi
Pika-"
"Slow down," Ash said. "I can't understand you."
"Pikachu. Pika Pikachu."
"You had a weird dream."
Pikachu nodded and continued. "Chu, Piikachu Pika Pi."
"And in you dream, you were a trainer." Suddenly, Ash made the
connection. "And your name was Peter, and you had three Pokémon,
and your dad was a Pokémon doctor."
"Pika! Chu Pikachu?"
"How did I know?" repeated Ash. "I had the same dream, only I
was..."
Suddenly, both of them burst out laughing.
Misty looked at Brock. "Any clue what this is about?"
Brock shook his head. "None whatsoever."
Ash finally calmed down enough to talk. "Hey, Brock, what city
is this?"
"Pewter City," replied Brock. "It was just the town we were
closest to."
Ash and Pikachu gave each other a surprised look, then both of
them bolted from bed and went to the window.
Across the street , barely visible from the fourth floor
hospital room, was the sign on the front of the Pewter City Gym.
Both of them gasped as they read the last name on the list of
winning trainers: CHEWE, PETER._
***************************************************************************
So, there ya go. Cute, huh? I’m thinking of making a couple of
sequels, so anyone who would like to see more of my "amazing writing
talent", or anyone who wants to tell me what they thought, e-mail
me at cool_trainer@email.com (
geocities.com/tokyo/highrise) (
geocities.com/tokyo)