Author's Note: It's been a while since I have seen the Johto series. Please forgive me if I had made some mistakes. Do inform me so I can fix this. Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. ***** "Only a few more badges to go and then the Johto League will be mine!" Ash happily stated as he and Pikachu danced around. Misty sighed. "His head is getting bigger..." "And bigger..." Brock added. "I have to say he has improved a lot." "A little, but not with his head." "Are you Ash Ketchum?" a voice challenged. Ash quickly stopped dancing and looked up. Before him stood a girl about his age wearing a similar outfit. The only differences were that she tied her long black hair into two pigtails and instead of a Pikachu she had a Meowth. Misty gasped. "She looks almost like Ash!" Brock nodded in response. "She even seems to have the same determination, yet there's something about her eyes..." "I noticed that, but I was afraid to say something about that," Misty whispered. Ash opened his mouth and quickly shut it. Next to him Pikachu stared up at the Meowth with a determination. "I'm Ash," he finally stated. "My name is Aura and I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!" Ash grinned. "A Pokemon battle? You're on, and be prepared to loose!" "I hope you're as good as you boast and what those other trainers have stated," Aura stated. Adjusting her hat, she flexed her gloved hands. "Alright this is going to be a one on one battle! I'll let you choose you're Pokemon." "This will be easy. Pikachu, I choose you!" Happily Pikachu hurried up to stand in front of its master. "I thought you would choose that Pikachu! I choose Meowth!" Aura stated. "Those other trainers commented about it." The Meowth yawned and the stretched as it confidently walked over to stand before its master. "I never seen a Meowth in battle besides the one that Jessie and James have. I wonder how well this one fights," Brock commented as he watched the battle with interest. ***** "Hmmf I wonder how well this Meowth will fight. I'll show you a furry swipe," Meowth muttered to himself. "That Meowth can't even speak." "Oh quite you're complaining. That Meowth more then likely knows how to use payday," Jessie stated. "Which could be more useful then you're talking," James added as he grabbed for the binoculars. Jessie kept her grip on them. "I'm looking to see if that brat as any good Pokemon to steal." "But I want to see who wins," James said. "It's always the same. The Pikachu always wins," Jessie replied a she rolled her eyes. "Which is why we have to capture it," Meowth added. "We know what we are doing," Jessie stated getting thoroughly annoyed with Meowth. "And if you don't shut your trap we might just switch you with that other Meowth!" ***** "Alright, Pikachu, let's start this off with a quick attack!" Ash ordered. Aura smiled. "A good strategy, but I think we should counter that attack with the same maneuver!" "This seems to be a promising battle," Brock commented. The battle quickly ended as it began. Meowth's payday had ended the battle, much to Ash's and Pikachu's surprise. "You did a good job," Ash said as he picked up the limp Pikachu. Ash couldn't believe it. He lost, when he had been winning just about every battle with in the week. Not only that he lost to a Meowth. "That was a wonderful battle," Aura commented holding out her gloved hand, smiling all the time. "It was. You really surprised me," Ash replied accepting the handshake. "I surprise a lot of people. I hope to see you at the Johto League," Aura said, her gaze fixed on Ash's face. "I'll be there, and maybe then we can have a rematch!" Aura waved as she headed down the path with Meowth in the front. "There's something about her," Misty said as they watched the trainer walk off. "The way she seemed to stare at us was eerie." "What are you talking about, Misty?" Ash asked. "I didn't see anything wrong." "Misty was right, there was something wrong. Aura is blind," Brock stated. "Blind?" Ash said. "That means you can't see and you have to see to be a Pokemon trainer." "That explains everything," Misty said. "Only you wouldn't notice anything wrong." "Show's how much you know. You didn't even know, Brock is the one who pointed it out!" Ash retorted. "Did you know notice the way she battled? She wasn't relying on sight. She relied on what you said at the same time on what Meowth saw. Aura rarely gave out the orders; she let her Meowth make its own judgments. Another thing that stood out was that she kept Meowth out of its Poke Ball. Unlike Pikachu, Meowths don't mind being in a confided place. Meowth must be her eyes," Brock explained. "She must be a really good trainer to allow her Meowth to make its own judgments," Misty said in an impressed tone. "I certainly hope she makes it to the Johto League," Ash said with renewed respect. "She did teach me a few things." Brock nodded his head. "It shows that people can do what they want if they choose to follow through." ***** Familiar laughter filled the area. Ash, Misty, and Brock quickly searched around trying to find the source. They looked up to find Jessie and James standing upon a branch that hung above them. Meowth seemed to be sulking. Ash sighed. He wasn't in the mood to be battling against Team Rocket. "Prepare for trouble And make that double. To protect the world from devastation. To denounce the evils of truth and love, Jessie, James! Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light! Surrender now or prepare to fight! Meowth, that's right!" Meowth said after a slight nudge. The trio then jumped down from the tree branch in which they were spying on. Ash, Brock, and Misty looked up at the three Team Rocket members, their expressions full of boredom. "Exactly what does all that mean? You guys never did explain to us what it meant," Ash questioned. Jessie's and James's face faltered. "It just goes to show how much you really know," Jessie replied in an irritated tone, while James had a smug expression. "Don't you guys ever give up?" Misty asked, her hands on her hips. "Surely there must be other Pokemon to chase after," Brock suggested. "We were assigned to retrieve this Pikachu!" James stated. "Which we shall do!" Meowth added with a mischievous grin. He was going to prove to Jessie and James that he was no push over like that other Meowth. "I'll like to see you try!" Ash said, still holding the fainted Pikachu in his arms. Freeing one of his arms, Ash reached for one of his Poke Balls. Jessie smiled as she tossed out a Poke Ball. "Arbok, attack with poison sting!" Instead of the large purple snake she was expecting a Wobbuffet appeared in its place. Jessie glared at the Pokemon. "I didn't call you, you stupid Pokemon! Get back in your Poke Ball!" Irritated she struggled to recall the Pokemon. Meowth howled with laughter, while rolling around on the ground. "You can't even do a thing!" Jessie exasperated. Misty just shook her head, she knew exactly what Jessie was going through, but at least her Psyduck had attacks that did reasonable damage, where Jessie's Wobbuffet did nothing. Or course, that was only when her Psyduck had a headache. Ash smiled, he could already sense a victory. No matter what kind of tricks that Team Rocket pulled he always managed to win. "Noctowl, I choose you!" he ordered. A large owl flew out and landed on Ash's shoulder. "Hypnosis attack!" Ash wasn't about to let Jessie or James have any kind of chance. "That's what you think!" James cried, "Victreebel, vine wrap that bird!" The large plant screamed and attacked its owner instead. "Why me?" James asked, his voice muffled as he struggled to free himself. "Those two never give up," Brock commented as he watched in amusement. It seemed to be the usual pattern any more. Jessie would try to call out her Pokemon and the Wobbuffet would appear. James's Victreebel would turn around and attack him. Unfortunately James's attempt to help only backfired and the hypnosis attack struck the Wobbuffet, which instantly feel asleep. At the same time Jessie was also struck and she feel asleep, resting against her Pokemon. "Jessie!" James cried, once he managed to free himself, "Now's not the time to sleep!" "Ha, and you can't do a thing!" Meowth stated with a smirk. "Shut up, cat!" James shot back, as he tossed out another Poke Ball. He wasn't about to chance Victreebel again. "Go Weezing!" he yelled. "Smog attack!" "Weezing!" the Pokemon replied and quickly the air around them was thick with smog. "Noctowl, send the smog away!" Ash ordered, coughing in between. Easily the large owl flew up into sky, away from all the smog and began to rapidly beat its wings, quickly sending the smog away. Having achieved its command it then swooped down back to its masters orders. "It's not over yet," Jessie stated, the hypnosis spell having worn off. Laughing evilly she sent out for Arbok once again. This time the loyal snake appeared. "Poison sting attack!" "Fly and dodge them!" Ash ordered as an array of needles came toward them. Unfortunately the Pokemon was unable to dodge them all; one of the poisonous needles struck its wing. The Noctowl fell limply into Ash's out stretched arms. "Noctowl!" he cried and glared up at Jessie. Quickly he handed the Pokemon to Misty. "Give Noctowl and antidote quick!" Misty nodded her head. "Everything will be ok," she said to the Pokemon as she rummaged around for an antidote. ***** "Meowth, use pay day!" a familiar voice cried. "Aura?" Ash called, turning around to the trainer beside him. "Who is this?" Jessie asked, with a frown. Aura smiled. "It's not fair to have two people against one, is it? I figured I could even up the odds." With a furious blow, Aura's Meowth sent a handful of coins that struck the Arbok in the face. The Pokemon slithered around in a daze. Meowth then continued to charge at the snake and bite the Pokemon with its sharp teeth. Behind James, Meowth glared up at the rival Pokemon. With out hesitating Meowth charged into the battle. "This battle is mine!" he cried. "Meowth, get back here!" Jessie and James ordered. "Did your Pokemon just talk?" Aura asked, in an awed tone. "The one and only," Meowth stated with a smug expression. "Not only can I talk, but I can do this!" Meowth finished as he furry swiped the other cat. The cat growled and struck back, sending Meowth tumbling. Easily Meowth picked himself up and charged. The other sensing the attack jumped up and landed behind Meowth. "I'll show you who's better," Meowth commented. The other Meowth laughed as it taunted Meowth in its own tongue. Silently Ash watched Aura, trying to see what Brock had pointed out. And it was true. She wasn't seeing a thing, but depending on her other senses. She hardly took control of her Meowth. She let Meowth use its own judgments. Ash wondered what her other Pokemon were like. In fact, he never saw her use any other Pokemon expect for Meowth. Meowth must have been her first Pokemon. "Meowth, finish that Pokemon off!" Jessie ordered. "Show that cat who's better!" James said. "Oh so now you're going to cheer me on," Meowth stated. Once again he charged, using furry swipes. This time he had a strategy. He hoped to wear his opponent out. From the looks the Pokemon appeared to be tired anyway. Ash couldn't believe that Team Rocket's Meowth was lasting this long. He never had any problem with Meowth before; save for the time when they were trying to decide whom got to keep Togepi. Worn out Aura's Meowth collapsed. "Ha, and I don't have pay day!" Meowth gloated. "The battle's not over yet!" Aura stated and tossed out another Poke Ball. From the Poke Ball came out a small strange looking bird. The bird was green and had large eyes and small wings. It hopped around Aura happily. "What kind of Pokemon is that?" Ash asked and out of habitat resorted to Dexter. "Natu, a psychic, flying Pokemon, is also known as little bird. Because its wings aren't yet fully grown, it has to hop to get around. It is always staring at something. It usually forages for food on the ground but may, on rare occasions, hop onto branches to peck at shoots. It is extremely good at climbing tree trunks and likes to eat the new sprouts on the trees," Dexter stated in a matter of fact tone. "Wow another Johto Pokemon!" Ash said with excitement. "It's so adorable!" Misty commented. Meowth gave one look at it and laughed. "That puny thing is going to stop me?" Meowth rolled about on the ground laughing. Jessie and James also joined in on the laughter. "Look, brat, I think you should hand in the towel. That thing can't do a thing to any of our Pokemon," Jessie stated with a smug smile. Aura smiled. "That's what you think. Natu, let's give them a little night shade." The little bird immediately stopped hopping about and gazed into Meowth's eyes. The beautiful day suddenly became dark and cloudy. Meowth couldn't move a muscle all he could do was look into the bird's eyes. Just as the clouds came they disappeared and Meowth could finally move only to be felt like all his energy was drained from him. "What was that attack?" Ash asked. "Night shade, a powerful move that is used mainly by ghost type Pokemon," Dexter answered. "Alright, Natu, let's send these creeps out of here!" Aura stated. "Hit them with a psychic blast!" Meowth gulped as the bird turned and once again looked at them. He didn't like this one bit. "Natu!" the Pokemon cried and strong blast hit them sending them up in the air. "Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!" Jessie and James cried as they were flung out up into the sky. ***** "Thank you for your help, Aura," Ash stated. "Although I could have handled them easily." Aura smiled. "I wasn't too far when I could hear a battle going on. From what I could hear it didn't sound too fair so I thought I could help. It just happened to be you." She then bent down to pet the small bird before she recalled it to its Poke Ball. "So is it true that you can't see?" Ash asked, which he couldn't resist from asking. "Ash, that's rude!" Misty hissed, surprised by his comment. "No it's ok. I'm asked that all the time, and yes is your answer. I was born blind, but that didn't stop me from what I wanted to do. I have always had a fondness for Pokemon. When I reached the age of ten I wanted to train to be a Pokemon master, but my parents were reluctant, they didn't trust me out in such a huge world with the handicap I had. Then one day a visitor came by and happened to notice me as I helped take care of my parents' Pokemon at the farm. He noted how the Pokemon could easily trust me. He had also watched the way I had healed a wild Pokemon. It was because of him that I came to be a Pokemon trainer." "Who was that person?" Brock asked. "His name was Professor Oak. He happened to be visiting Johto for a bit," Aura answered. Ash fell. "You know Professor Oak too? He's our professor down in Kanto." Misty smiled. "Professor Oak does seem to know the right people to choose to train. He must have really believed that you could do this." Aura nodded. "It's because of him that I am here, which I am very grateful, but now my parents are able to trust me seeing that I have come this far. They are rooting for me all the way." "Is that Pokemon that you healed by any chance that Meowth?" Brock asked. "No. I had Meowth since the day I was born. It was Natu that I had healed." "Would you like to join us in the rest of my journey?" Ash asked. Aura smiled. "I would like to but I want to do this myself. There aren't that many people like you that believe I can do this. I want to prove to them that I can and also prove myself." Ash sighed. "Very well. I'll see you at the Johto League!" "You bet I will!" Waving, Aura headed down the path with Meowth leading the way. "Looks like you have some tough competition," Misty commented. Ash scoffed. "It's nothing that I can't achieve, right Pikachu?" "Pika!" Pikachu stated, having revived fully and was standing beside his master. "On to the next gym!" Ash stated and hurried down the same path.