Adventures Series, Episode 22 (Version 1.3), "A New Pokémon at Last!" ** From the previous revision: One of my readers has brought it to my attention of a couple of errors on my part in some of my most recent releases. For example, here's a mistake that he spotted in Chapter 8 of "Misty's Travels to the Pokémon League." Jane: Not now, Pidgeo! Venusaur, hydro pump! As many of you already know, Venusaur can't perform that move. The mistake has been corrected, and the revised version will be posted both on my website and the archive soon. Unfortunately, this chapter of "Dreams Do Come True" was riddled with numerous mistakes, some which really affected the continuity that I had created. Therefore, an absolute re-posting of the whole chapter was required. If anyone does want to see the numerous mistakes that caused this repost (hopefully you don't), let me know. Now on with the revised version of Chapter 3. ** ************************************************************************ This chapter has a special relationship with "Pokémon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back." A couple of things readers should note before tackling this chapter. With the exception of Gary's battle against Mewtwo ("The Battle of the Badge") and the introduction of Mewtwo from the movie, everything else from the movie should be ignored. Now that that's settled, I'd like to push a request. I'm in desperate need of comments, suggestions, or even constructive criticism! Please! I'm begging on my knees here! Disclaimer: TJ Smith, Ron Smith, and Sally Highsaw, please report to the disclaimer's office so the lawyers will stay away from me. Thank you! Author's Warning: Turn away if you don't like to see blood towards the end of this chapter. It's rated PG, but just barely. ************************************************************************ Saturday, March 5, Seaside Route 5 Narrator: Our story today starts along Seaside Route 5, as Ash, Pikachu, Brock, TJ, and Sally get ever closer to Charger City. TJ: According to this map, we should be in Charger City in a little bit. Brock: Charger City? Ash: Sounds like a place that will be crawling with electric Pokémon. Sally: I think you're right, Ash. A lot of electric types make their homes near this giant city by the sea. Who knows, maybe we'll find a pack of Pikachu around here somewhere. Pikachu: (starts to run ahead) Pika pika! Brock: Pikachu must've heard you, Sally. There must be a lot of Pikachu nearby. Ash: Then let's go! The four kids take off after Pikachu, and catch up with the mouse at a hill overlooking the city. TJ: (pointing towards the city) That must be Charger City down there. Sally: It sure is, TJ. Just look at all the lights! And it's the middle of the day, even! Brock: But where are the Pikachu? Ash: (kneeling down next to Pikachu) What's up, Pikachu? Did you spot some wild Pikachu around? Pikachu: (shakes head in disagreement, then points to the sky) Piiii! Pika pi! The four of them look to the sky, and Ash gets the shock of his life. Ash: It can't be! [1] Ash, TJ, and Sally reach for their Pokédexes, but Sally is the first to reach hers. She opens it, points it at the Pokémon in the sky, and gets this response. Pokédex: Zapdos, an electric type bird. This Pokémon is so rare that it is rumored that only one of these ever exists at any one time. Ash: A Zapdos! A very rare Pokémon that I'm going to catch! Come on, Pikachu! Ash takes off towards the city, with Pikachu by his side. TJ: Ash, wait! Sally: Does he always jump unexpectedly into situations without looking? Brock: Yeah. It's a habit of his. The three have no choice but to run after Ash and make sure he isn't hurt... ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Season 1 [Episode 22] "Dreams Do Come True" Chapter Three: "A New Pokémon at Last!" (Revised Version # 2) Story written by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Many people watch as Ash and Pikachu run through downtown. Ash: The next time I see that Zapdos, I'm going to capture it, Pikachu. Pikachu: Pika pika... (shouts) Pikachu! Ash had turned his attention away from what was in front of him, and he was about to run into a busy intersection of cars... busy because the road was the main route through the city. At the last second, Officer Jenny comes out of nowhere on her motorcycle and pulls Ash out of harm's way. In addition, she manages to do so without impeding traffic. She drives up onto the sidewalk, where a bunch of people have now gathered, and stops the motorcycle, then pulls Ash off. Brock, TJ, Sally, and Pikachu had pushed their way through the crowd and up to Ash, who was at the moment being scolded by Jenny. Jenny: Young man, why don't you watch where you're going! Ash: Sorry, Officer Jenny, I wasn't paying attention. Jenny: You weren't paying attention? If I wasn't on the side of the street managing traffic, you'd probably be in the hospital right now, if you weren't already killed by an oncoming car. Brock cuts in, not only to stop Jenny from hassling Ash any more (and avoid from him being arrested for jaywalking), but also to do a little flirting... Brock: I'm sorry about my friend here. He gets carried away when he gets to a city with a Pokémon Center. Speaking of which, I get carried away when I see someone as beautiful as you. TJ: (pulling alongside Brock) I agree with you, Brock. This is fun! Jenny: At first, I was about to bring your friend in here for jaywalking. But I think I'll bring you two in for attempted sexual harassment on a police officer! Brock: What? TJ: No way! Sally walks up behind Brock and TJ, who expect to be on the receiving end on some type of weapon. But Sally just pushes them out of the way and walks up to Officer Jenny. She opens her Pokédex and shows it to her. Sally: I'm Sally Highsaw, and I apologize for these three. They're from the mainland, and they don't know how much things are different on the islands. Jenny: Sally? Is that you? Sally: (pushing aside a strand of her brown hair) Yes. Jenny: Long time no see, Sally! How have things been? Sally: Very busy. Being a second year League member isn't as easy as being a first year, and to prove it, I've gotta drag along these three boys, which only one of them is even a League member... first year, to be exact. Jenny: If anyone can control them, I know you can. You guys can go on ahead. Sally manages to pull the three away before Jenny decides to press charges. Pikachu follows, shaking its head in embarrassment. Brock: I don't know what's worse... getting hit by a girl, or being a carried off by a girl who doesn't have a weapon, but knows how to control a guy. TJ: That's a scary thought. Sally: Oh, will you two give it a rest! Just outside of the city, in a secret house near the beach, Jessie, James, and Persian stand before the great Giovanni (or so he claims). Giovanni: I'm glad that you three made it here so fast. Jessie: We're here to please, boss! Persian: Just point us in the right track, and we'll get the job done! Giovanni: I've heard that you've done well in capturing Articuno on the Seafoam Islands and capturing Moltres from its trainer at the Indigo Plateau without getting caught. For once, you guys have been able to do something right. James: Thank you, sir! Giovanni: Silence! James jumps into Jessie's arms, cowering in fear. Jessie just drops James to the floor, as he hits with a loud thump. Giovanni: Do you still have the last Master Ball? James: (pulling it out) Yes, sir. Giovanni: Good. Zapdos has been seen all over the place, just flying around the city. That Master Ball should hold it, no problem. But first, you need to lure it to the beach so you can catch it. That can be done by using this special new technology that we stole from the Silph Company. He throws Jessie a strange little box; similar to those that hold a TM. Jessie: You mean this thing? Giovanni: Trust me, it'll serve its purpose when it needs to. Now get going. In the meantime, I'm on my way back to the Seafoam Islands to help in that investigation on what blew up Team Rocket HQ there four months ago. Jessie: You can count on us, boss! James: We won't fail you! Persian: And they won't fail with me, the top cat around! Giovanni: Just make sure you don't end up like Cassidy and Butch, or like Jane and Calamity. Those guys haven't had as much luck as you, and I'm beginning to doubt their usefulness... With that, Giovanni disappears from the room, leaving the Rockets to their task. Back in Charger City, Sally finds herself having to pull away Brock from another woman... Brock: Hey, by any chance are you related to the Peddler Judy in Seaside City? Yep, she's talking to Peddler Judy in the Poké-Mart, who wears the same green dress and looks exactly like her equal in Seaside City. Judy: Yes. I'm her older sister. Brock: You know you're much prettier than her... Sally: Brock, you're hopeless! (pushes Brock away from the counter) Anyway, I'd like to buy some Great Balls, please? Ash: Great Balls? What are those? Sally: (rolls her eyes) You mean you're in the Pokémon League and you don't know what a Great Ball is? TJ: I'm surprised, Ash. I'm not even in the League and I know what a Great Ball is. Ash: You don't have to rub it in. Pikachu jumps up to the corner, and spots Judy's Slowpoke... who's absolutely impossible to start a conversation with. Ash: Well, since we're here, I might as well stock up on potions. Um, Peddler Judy... A little bit later, the group finally makes it down to the beach. TJ: We finally made it to the beach. Brock: (begins to cry) An empty beach! Sally: (shaking her head) Don't you think about anything else besides girls? Ash: (not paying attention) That Zapdos has got to be around here somewhere. Pikachu: Pika pika. On another part of the beach, Jessie, James, and Persian prepare to capture Zapdos themselves. James: So all we have to do is use this thing and Zapdos is as good as ours? Persian: Exactly! Jessie: Then we'll have all three legendary birds and finally be able to capture that brat's little Pikachu! James: Who cares about Pikachu? We could be the heads of Team Rocket! Persian: Purr! We'll be on top of da world! Suddenly, Zapdos appears in the sky. James: There it is! Jessie: Let's get it! The trio runs towards Zapdos' location. And at the other end... Ash: There's Zapdos! Sally: The legendary bird of thunder! TJ: Let's capture it. Brock: Let's go! Pikachu: Pika! Zapdos watches as the teams converge on the beach to capture it... then the two teams recognize each other. Ash: It can't be! Jessie: It's the little brat! Brock: Team Rocket! You're after Zapdos too? Persian: Of course! TJ: You're going to pay for what you did at the Indigo Plateau, you goons! James: I'm flattered. Unfortunately, insulting me won't earn you any brownie points. Jessie: Hey, look! (pointing to Sally) There's a different girl with him. James: (to Ash) What's with you kid? Travel with one girl, kiss her, and then dump her for one that doesn't look any prettier? Ash: I didn't dump Misty! Sally: (to James) Hey! Where I came from, that's an insult that can't go without retribution. I challenge you to a Pokémon battle! James: So be it. But don't go crying home to your mom when I'm through with you. Brock: Sally, be careful. They may be dumb, but sometimes they pull a sneaky trick out of their hat. James: (throwing a Pokéball) Weezing, go! Weezing: Weezing! Sally: A poison type, huh? Then I choose (throwing a Pokéball) Dugtrio, go! Dugtrio: Trio! James: Weezing, sludge attack! Sally: Dugtrio, slash! Weezing's sludge slows down Dugtrio slightly, but the ground Pokémon manages to connect. Meanwhile, Jessie and Ash go at it. Jessie: (throwing out Arbok's Pokéball) Arbok, go! Arbok: Charrrrr-bok! Ash: (throwing out Bulbasaur's Pokéball) Bulbasaur, I choose you! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Jessie: Arbok, poison sting attack! Ash: Bulbasaur, vine whip! Arbok, as luck would have it, misses Bulbasaur, and for it, gets a couple lashes in the eye for good measure. Ash: Good work, Bulbasaur! Jessie: I've had enough of your shenanigans, brat! Arbok, glare! Arbok's glare attack paralyzes Bulbasaur. Ash: Bulbasaur! Brock: Don't worry, Ash, I'll take of this. Brock throws a Pokéball on the ground, revealing his fire Pokémon, Vulpix. Vulpix: Vulpix! Brock: Ready, Vulpix? Confusion ray! Ash: Confusion ray? Vulpix: Pix pix vulpix! Jessie: Stand up to that Vulpix, Arbok! Use your glare attack again! Arbok: Charrrr! Vulpix's confusion ray hits first, causing Arbok to direct the glare back at Jessie. Jessie: (frozen in place) Arbok! How dare you! Brock: Now Vulpix, fire spin! Vulpix: Vullll! The fire spin burns Arbok and causes him to faint. Meanwhile, Persian prepares to throw the box at Zapdos. Persian: Well, whatever dis thing is, here goes! He throws it at Zapdos... TJ: Not so fast, Persian! (throwing a Pokéball) Butterfree, intercept it! Butterfree: Freeeeee! Butterfree uses its gust attack to blow the device into the ocean. It also succeeds in warning Zapdos, who flies off to avoid capture. Persian: No! I was so close! TJ: Butterfree, use your whirlwind attack to blow Team Rocket away! Butterfree is stopped in mid-transition by a giant explosion a mile offshore, which grabs everyone's attention. Ash: What was that? Sally: Something exploded in the ocean! Wait, there's something emerging from the smoke! Ash, Pikachu, Sally, Brock, TJ, Jessie, James, Persian, Vulpix, Butterfree, Weezing, and Dugtrio look towards the sky and see a purple and white Pokémon flying towards them. Ash: Bulbasaur, return! Sally: You too, Dugtrio. James: Weezing, let's wait a minute. TJ: Butterfree, stand by. Jessie: Somebody please recall Arbok for me! James takes Arbok's Pokéball from Jessie and then recalls the snake back. Brock: Vulpix, hold on. Let's see what this is, first. Jenny runs onto the beach, yelling Sally's name. Jenny: Sally! Sally: What's up, Jenny? Jenny: I need two people to come with me and help rescue the people stranded in the water by the sinking ship. Sally: Why don't you take TJ and Brock? They turn to see TJ and Brock drooling all over her body. Jenny: Do I have to? Can I least take the one with the League hat? At least he's got some manners. Sally: Actually, I need Ash here for another task. She winks her left eye twice, leaving everyone else except Jenny puzzled. Jenny: (winking back) You got it. (to TJ and Brock) Come on, you two. Those shipmates won't be floating out there for long. TJ: (starting to run) Let's go, Butterfree! Brock: (recalls Vulpix) Vulpix, return! TJ and Brock then follow Jenny down to the docks, where she unties a police boat from the pier, and then starts the engine. She then slips on a life vest easily, while TJ and Brock struggle to put theirs on. TJ: Um, Officer Jenny? Can you help us put these life vests on? Jenny: (putting the boat into drive) No time! We've got to rescue those seamen out there! The boat takes off at an alarming speed from the pier, throwing TJ and Brock on their backs, but luckily still in the boat. At the boat's fast speed, they arrive on the scene of the explosion, where two fire boats were already putting out the fire and rescuing some of the passengers. Jenny pulled the boat to a stop, and without thinking, dives into the water to pull an old man to safety. TJ: Officer Jenny! Brock: (putting on his life vest) Forget about her right now, TJ. She's doing her job, and we should be helping. You stay in the boat and help pull them in. I'll jump in the water to rescue a few of the shipmates. TJ: No! Brock, let me go. I can swim faster, and plus we need your strength to pull them into the boat. Before Brock can object, TJ puts his vest on and then dives into the water. Luckily for him and Jenny, most of the shipmates had already been rescued, and besides the one Jenny was rescuing, there was only one other person in the water. It was a man in his twenties, struggling to stay afloat. TJ: Hang on! I'm coming! TJ reached the man and struggled to keep him afloat. Nevertheless, he managed to reach the boat. Brock and a very wet Officer Jenny pulled the man in first, and placed him next to the old man, who is lying down. They then pulled TJ up into the boat. TJ: Thanks guys! Brock: You're welcome, TJ. Jenny: (attempting to wring her hair dry) Looks like they'll both be alright. Brock: (staring at Jenny again) Jenny, do you know you look hot when you're wet? Jenny glares at Brock, and begins to motion to throw him off the boat. At the last moment, she pulls back and turns her attention towards the two waterlogged shipmates. Jenny: I wonder what caused the explosion in the first place? TJ: (stares at the man he rescued) Hey, wait, I know this guy! TJ moves in for a closer look. His eyes then light up in surprise. TJ: Ron? Is that you? ************************************************************************ The young man on the boat opens his eyes and also brightens up at the face in front of him. Ron: TJ? Brother, is that you? Brock: Brother? TJ: Yeah, Ron here is my older brother. Ron: What are you doing out here? TJ: I think a more important question is what exactly happened? Jenny: Oh, and talk slow. I have to get this all in the police report. Ron: Well, I'll tell you what I saw. You see, I'm part of a research group that studies the living habitat of water Pokémon. We were watching a group of Shellder in the water, when all of a sudden, this Pokémon jumps out of water and flies straight through the engine room, causing the explosion. I'm glad no one was down there at the moment; they wouldn't have survived. Brock: But what type of Pokémon was it? Ron: I didn't exactly get a clear look, but if I remember my Pokémon right, I believe it was... He then paused, drawing in Brock, TJ, and Jenny's attention. Ron: ... Mewtwo. Back at the beach, Ash and the others were about to experience the truth first hand. Jessie: What is that thing? James: Is it a Pokémon? Persian: If it is, then it's one I've never seen before. Sally tries to pull out her Pokédex, but this time around, Ash beats her to it. He points the Pokédex at Mewtwo and gets this. Pokédex: No data is available on this specific Pokémon. Ash: No data available? Sally: That's a bad sign. We don't know what this Pokémon is capable of. Mewtwo begins to talk telepathically, which literally spooks the whole group. Mewtwo: I am Mewtwo. Ash: Mewtwo? Sally: You mean like Mew? Could this be the evolutionary form of the legendary Mew? Mewtwo: I am no evolution. I am a clone. The group gasps in horror. Jessie and James try to swallow their fear and try to attack. Jessie: Evolution form or clone, you're still a Pokémon! And we're going to capture you! James: So prepare to put up your dukes! Mewtwo: (turns to them) Foolish mortals. You have yet to feel the true power of Mewtwo, the ultimate Pokémon! Mewtwo then unleashes psychic, a great attack that sends Team Rocket... Jessie, James, and Persian (with Weezing): ...blasting off again! Sally: Ash, I don't like this one bit. Ash: I agree. But we may have to stand up to it to save the city. Mewtwo: Consider those guys lucky. They get to live, for the time being. But you two, you've reached the pinnacle of your pitiful lives. Today, Mewtwo gets his revenge on the world! Pikachu: Pika pika! Pikachu kachu! Mewtwo: And what's this? A scrawny Pikachu, right? This is pathetic. Ash: Hey! Pikachu's not scrawny or pathetic! Mewtwo: Any Pokémon that's owned by a human must be evil. Sally: And where do you get off saying something like that? Mewtwo: I am one-of-a-kind. Therefore, I can control my own destiny. I can also say whatever I want. So, I'm going to complete my mission to destroy all humans by taking of you two! Ash: Unlikely! (throws a Pokéball) Squirtle, I choose you! Sally: (throws a Pokéball) Tauros, go! Ash: Squirtle, water gun! Sally: Tauros, take down! Mewtwo: Really? Do you think that these two pathetic Pokémon can stop me? He puts one paw in the air and automatically knocks out both Squirtle and Tauros. Ash: Squirtle! Return! Sally: Tauros! No way! Ash: Okay then, you asked for it! It's time to go hardcore! (throws a Pokéball) Charizard, I choose you! Charizard: Rrrrrrroooooaaaaarrrrrr! Sally: (pulls out Tauros' Pokéball while throwing another to the ground) Tauros, return! Gyarados, go! Ash: I'm counting on you, Charizard! Use your seismic toss! Sally: Gyarados, you're a natural in the water, so use dragon rage! Charizard prepared to pick up Mewtwo, while Gyarados began to form his dangerous water spout to take out the psychic Pokémon. Sally then pulls Ash and Pikachu to the side. Ash: Sally? What are you doing? Sally: Don't tell me you don't know how powerful Dragon Rage is? Ash: Oh yeah. I remember now. [2] The three duck behind a giant rock. But before things can get any more dangerous, Mewtwo uses his psychic powers to stop the two Pokémon in place. He then used psychic again, this time to turn the two Pokémon against each other. Ash and Sally watch in horror as their Pokémon try to rip each other apart. Ash: Charizard, go after Mewtwo, not Gyarados! Sally: Gyarados! Mewtwo's your enemy! Stop fighting Charizard! But the two fail to obey orders, and it doesn't take long for the two to knock each other out. Ash: Charizard, return! Sally: Gyarados, return! Mewtwo: Come on! Send as many Pokémon as you want. There won't be anyone that'll beat me. Back on shore, the old man is put in a stretcher and taken to the hospital. Ron, though, refuses to go. Ron: I'm not going to the hospital. I'm fine. TJ: But Ron, you have to go! You were just involved in a shipwreck. At least have the doctors take a look at you. Ron: Sorry, TJ, but I wouldn't miss the chance to document a rare Pokémon! Ron runs off to the shore where the battle is taking place. TJ: Ron! Wait! Brock: TJ, no! It's too dangerous! Jenny: Tell Ron to come back here, or I'll personally make sure he does end up in the hospital! The three of them follow Ron down to the shore. Catching up with him, they are surprised to see Mewtwo easily taking care of everything Ash and Sally can throw at him. Brock: We've got to help! TJ: Yeah! They'll need all the help they can get. The two run to join Ash and Sally, while Ron and Jenny take shelter hide behind a rock. Ron: Wait until the boys at the laboratory see this! Jenny: I don't think this would be a good time to do research, Ron. Ron: Oh, nonsense. The best time to document a Pokémon is when they're in the middle of a battle. On the field, Ash and Sally are exhausted, as Ash's Bulbasaur, Muk, and Krabby, as well as Sally's Dugtrio, Chansey, and Gengar, are lying dead (not literally) on the field. Sally: I'm down to Nidoqueen, Ash. How about you? Ash: Just Pikachu. Pikachu: Pika pika pika! Ash: No, Pikachu, I don't want you to get hurt. They then here two voices from out of nowhere, who throw their Pokémon into the fray. Brock: Onix, Geodude, Zubat, Vulpix, go! TJ: Kangaskhan, Exeggcute, Sandshrew, Butterfree, Flareon, Vulpix, let's go! Ash: It's Brock and TJ! Sally: Thank goodness! Mewtwo: More challengers? This is unbelievable. Still, they're no match for me. Dark clouds begin to form overhead, as Mewtwo begins to charge up. Brock: Onix, rock slide! Geodude, rock throw! Zubat, wing attack! Vulpix, fire spin! TJ: Kangaskhan, dizzy punch! Exeggcute, solar beam! Sandshrew, fury swipes! Butterfree, psybeam! Flareon, rage! Vulpix, flame thrower! Mewtwo: Confusion! In one flash of light... mostly in part to the lightning that was forming... all of the Pokémon forgot what attack they were doing. Brock: Oh no! TJ: Why won't our Pokémon attack? Sally: Not so fast, Mewtwo! (throws her last Pokéball) Nidoqueen, go! Body slam! Nidoqueen lunges at Mewtwo, but the psychic Pokémon uses confusion once again. Sally: Oh no! Not you too, Nidoqueen! Mewtwo: Now it's my turn to play. Mewtwo turns all of the Pokémon against their trainers, while enabling all of their abilities in the process. Brock was burned and then nearly buried under tons of rock thanks to his Pokémon. Sally nearly becomes a pincushion for Nidoqueen, while Gengar, Chansey, and Dugtrio begin to add their two bits to her injured body. Ash is lucky that Charizard is back in its Pokéball, because Bulbasaur, Muk, and Krabby are attacking him unmercifully. Pikachu tries to hold them off, and is succeeding somewhat. TJ is overwhelmed by his Pokémon and hits the ground hard, bleeding all over. Ron: (coming out of his hiding place to check on TJ) TJ! Jenny: No! Don't go out there! Mewtwo spots Ron, and telekinetically slams his back into hard rock, knocking him unconscious. Jenny tries to make a run for it... Mewtwo: Ah, another one. You're not getting off that easily! He uses swift to cut off Jenny's escape path. Jenny tries to turn around and escape, but her high heeled shoes trip over a small piece of glass in the sand. Mewtwo uses mist to freeze Jenny in place. Mewtwo: Pathetic human. I'll deal with you later. He then turns to see Pikachu succeeding in defeating Bulbasaur and Kingler, but still struggling a little bit with Muk. But even Muk soon falls to Pikachu, who's now pika pooped. Pikachu: Cha! Ash: Pikachu? Are you okay? Pikachu: Pi... Mewtwo: Well, human, since you and your Pikachu fought so bravely, I'm going to give you a reward. You're going to die first. Ash: I won't let you defeat me, no matter what it takes. Suddenly, a Lapras swims onto shore, which attracts Mewtwo's attention. Mewtwo: Now a Lapras? Why do you turn against me? I only wish to destroy those Pokémon who associate themselves with humans. Lapras: I'm here to stop you, Mewtwo. These humans have done nothing wrong to deserve the punishment you are giving them. Mewtwo: Liar! You don't know what I've been through. The humans that I've seen don't deserve to live. Lapras: Even if that's true, you have no right to harm these humans. Mewtwo: I'm sorry, but if I can't trust one human, I can't trust any humans. Mewtwo began to charge up for a psychic attack that would instantly kill Ash and Pikachu on contact. Lapras begins to sing her heart out in order to distract him, and it works. Mewtwo's attack just misses wide left. Angered by his miss, Mewtwo turns towards Lapras. Mewtwo: You dare interfere in my plans? Lapras: Mewtwo, I will do whatever it takes to stop you from harming these humans. Mewtwo: So be it! Mewtwo fires the confusion attack, but Lapras dodges out of the way. She Responds by attempting a body slam, which Mewtwo uses swift to slip through her paws. Mewtwo then tries mist, which Lapras cancels out with her ice beam. Mewtwo: Surprisingly, we find ourselves evenly matched. Lapras: So it seems, Mewtwo. Mewtwo: (sighs) I have no choice but to withdraw my mission... for now. Lapras: So you'll leave these humans alone? Mewtwo: For the moment. But mark my words, Lapras. The next human I see is dead meat! Get it! With that, Mewtwo begins to concentrate some energy, which he then fires at all of our heroes. Lapras, thinking that this is a last ditch effort to kill them all, fires her hydro pump at Mewtwo, who telekinetically waves the attack off. Mewtwo: Don't bother me with your attacks, Lapras. Besides, all I'm doing is healing their wounds. (throws the last bit of energy) Now that I'm done, I will depart. But remember, Lapras, the next human I see, even if it's these guys, won't see the sunrise ever again. Mewtwo then flies off to do some exploring, promising to execute his plans soon enough. Ash, who wasn't hurt much, recovers first, walks up to Lapras and pets her head. (Note: For the remainder of the fic, remember that Lapras is talking using telekinesis, and is understandable to Ash's mind.) Ash: Thanks, Lapras. But why did you decide to help us? Lapras: I decided to help you because Mewtwo is not in his right mind right now. He needs to be alone. Maybe with some time over the ocean, he might get out of his current state of anger. Ash: But why is he angry? Lapras: As he mentioned, he was a clone of Mew. Scientists created Mewtwo as an experiment to produce the world's most powerful Pokémon. They succeeded. But then they also failed, as Mewtwo himself sentenced his creators to a fiery death. He then disappeared until today, in a quest to destroy all of the humans as well as those Pokémon trained by humans. Ash: So how can we stop him? Lapras: There's no way to do so as of right now. Maybe one day, Mewtwo will calm down and use his powers for good. But if worse comes to worst, I won't mind stepping in to defeat him. Ash: Hey! Lapras, do you want come with me? Lapras: Come with you? I'd love to. Especially because it gets real boring around here when nothing's going on. Ash: Okay then. (throws a Pokéball) Pokéball, go! The Pokéball snaps and captures Lapras. Being Lapras' eighth Pokémon, it was automatically transported to Professor Oak's laboratory back in Pallet Town. Ash: Whoops. I guess I've got to go to the Pokémon Center and get her out. About two hours later, after everyone (humans and Pokémon) are checked for injuries, Ash switches in Lapras and Pidgeotto for Kingler and Muk at the Pokémon Center, and Ash answers a call from Professor Oak, Ash, Pikachu, Brock, TJ, Sally, and Ron gather at the city limits to say their farewells. TJ: Well guys, here's where I say good-bye. Ash: Good-bye? But why? TJ: I'm going back to Viridian City to help out my brother here, and to pick up some final pointers before I head back to the Indigo Plateau in May. Ron: He has to make sure that all of his entry forms are in order so he can focus on more important things... like getting into the League! Brock: We're going to miss you, TJ! Sally: Even though I haven't known you long, TJ, you seem like a good boy, so I have only one thing to say. (hugs TJ) Good luck! TJ: Thanks, Sally. Ash steps forward and shakes hands with TJ and Ron. Ash: TJ, I want to see you here in the League one of these days battling me! TJ: Ash, it'll be sooner than you think. TJ and Ron wave goodbye as Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Sally head towards the airport. Sally: So where are we heading to, Ash? Ash: We're going to Cerulean City to attend a wedding. Brock: But not just any wedding. The wedding of the great Professor Oak and Ash's mom! Sally: Your mom's getting married to the great Professor Oak? Ash: (begins to blush) Well, yeah. Sally: That's cool! (grabs Ash's and Brock's hands) Let's get going already! I don't want to miss this! Narrator: And so Sally leads Ash, Brock, and Pikachu towards the airport and towards Cerulean City. But what about this wedding? Will it truly go through? Stay tuned for the answer. To be continued... Author's Note: [1] This line originally included this excerpt: Ash: That's the same Pokémon I saw the first day I left Pallet Town! (Flashback: The famous "lost" Pokémon by the rainbow scene, "Pokémon, I Choose You," so you guys know what I'm referring to here.) That Pokémon in fact happens to be Ho-oh and not Zapdos, as originally stated. [2] "Pokémon Shipwreck" was the anime episode when Ash first encountered Gyarados's dragon rage attack. Copyright Date: 1/27/00, Revised 1/31/00, Second Revision: 12/19/01, courtesy of Matt Lenz, Third Revision: 1/12/02 Revisions from the Original Release Include: - A small number of grammatical corrections. - A line change correcting a reference to the first episode of the anime (see Author's Note # 1 above). Second Release's Revision: - Mewtwo's attack changed from Amnesia to Confusion, for obvious reasons. Next episode... it's another edition of "Three Short Stories." Misty recalls her journey to date as you help her pick out which one of four uncut scenes is false. In the meantime, where has Gary been since the tournament? You'll find out. And it all ends with the marriage of Professor Oak and Mrs. Ketchum! It's Episode 23, "Three Short Stories: Master Ball Edition."