o-----------------------o | | | Double Trouble | | for | | Ash and Pikachu | | | o-----------------------o by Chris ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter III: Back at Team Rocket's old headquarters, Jessie and James are caught in a pricker bush with Meowth sitting on the ground, watching them. "Well, this is a fine mess you've got us into James," Jessie snarled. "What did I do?" James said back to her. "Not only did my hair get ruined, but you let them get away!" she yelled at him. "How's it my fault?" he responded. "Who's idea was it to hide in this bush?" she growled. "Geez, the way you two fight, you'd think you were married or something," Meowth teased. "Besides, did you forget what we came here for?" he reminded them as they finally got out of the bush. "Oh yeah," James said, remembering. "I almost forgot about these." He reached in his pocket to take out the pictures he found earlier. "Look," he said, showing them the pictures. Meowth's eyes opened wide as he gasped. "That's... that's me!" Meowth stated, looking at the picture of a meowth laying on a table. "Are you sure?" James asked him. "Yeah, and look!" he said pointing to another picture, this one of a man in a lab coat. "That's who I saw in my dream!" Jessie and James just looked at each other. Later that day, back at the Ketchum residence, there was a knock at the door. Ms. Ketchum went over and opened the door to see Prof. Oak and Pikachu, both smiling. "Oh, Professor!" she exclaimed happily. "Hi Ms. Ketchum," he responded. "I have some news that might cheer you up. But first, I think you should go get the others." "Of course, right away!" she responded. After getting the others they all sat down on the couch, awaiting what Prof. Oak had to say. "Well, after going through everything," he started, "I've come to the conclusion that your son will be fine." "Oh, thank you, Professor," Ms. Ketchum sighed in relief. "Unfortunately, I still don't know how to remedy the problem," he stated. "But, what I really want to talk to you about is Pikachu, here." "What about him?" Brock asked. "Well, it seems that this machine you guys talked about," Prof. Oak explained, "is designed to combine the abilities of two pokemon. However, because the machine was not designed to be used on humans, the full effects of it are largely unknown." "So, what have you found out?" Misty queried. "It's rather interesting," he continued. "I guess the first sign of what's going on was when Pikachu started using only two feet to run. Now, it's not uncommon for smaller pokemon to use two feet when they walk, especially if they walk around a lot, like Pikachu does. But they'll still use all four too run because it helps them keep balance and run quicker, so that was pretty surprising. Another thing was when I went to feed Pikachu, he refused to eat the food I made for him. I actually had to give him some of my dinner for him to eat. Something else that I've found interesting is about his special abilities." "Really? What about them?" Brock broke in. "He can't do them," he answered. "It's like he just forgot how to do these things he's done all his life. It's very odd, because even if a pokemon doesn't use any of its special abilities for a long period of time, it would still be able to do them when it needed to. It's like riding a bike, once you learn how, you never forget. So, whatever happened, it effected his mind. Which brings me to the most amazing discovery of all." "What's that, Professor?" Ms. Ketchum finally said. "I believe Pikachu here," he said almost ecstaticly, "will soon learn how to speak." Everyone, just stared at Prof. Oak with their mouths open. "Yes, I know. It's a very exciting prospect indeed. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly when or how well, but it's a very good bet that he will." "Oh my," Ms. Ketchum remarked. "I have to get back to my lab and go over some more things," he continued, "Pikachu and the other pokemon can stay here with you guys for now." He stood up and handed Ash's pokeballs and pokedex to Ms. Ketchum. "If I find out anything more about Pikachu or your son, Ms. Ketchum, I'll let you know as soon as I can." "Okay, thank you again, Professor," she said as he left. Ms. Ketchum then walked into Ash's room and set his things on the table by his bed. 'My baby,' she thought as she looked at him. 'You're going to be okay...' Back over by the old headquarters, Jessie, James, and Meowth are still talking about what's going on. "So," Jessie thought aloud, "that book was talking about Meowth? I guess it kind of makes sense." "I wonder who the 'volunteer' is that it mentioned," James wondered. "I don't know," Meowth answeed. "But, I think it might have been soneone one of you knew." "Really? Who?" They asked. "I don't really know," Meowth responded. "I'm not even sure how I knew that." As Jessie and James looked at each other, someone came walking up to them. "What are you dolts doing here?!" a mysterious voice yelled. All three gasped as they turned and saw who it was. "Boss!!" they exclaimed. "Fancy meeting you here!" Jessie ran up and said with a forced smile. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?" James asked, also with a forced smile. "This place isn't as abandoned as it seems," he explained. "When I heard something was going on, I had to come down myself. So I'll ask again, what are you doing here?" "Well, uhh," Jessie said trying to think of an excuse. "We followed some kids and a pikachu here. They were snooping around over there." "What?!" he said, obviously very concerned. "They better not have found it..." he said under his breath. "Very well, go get them. And bring them back here unharmed!" "Yes sir!" the three said. Then they turned around and started running. Later, back at Ash's house, Brock is getting ready to prepare dinner when the phone rang. "Hello?" he said as he picked up the phone. It was Prof. Oak. "Hi Brock," he greeted. "Oh, hi Professor," Brock responded. "What's up?" "Well, I believe I just solved the mystery," he said. "But I want to talk to you all in person." "Okay, but I'm about to make dinner. You want to join us?" Brock offered. "No, I still have a few more things to look over," he said. "But, I'll be over later on, okay? Good-bye." "Alright, I'll see you later, then. Good-bye." Brock said. Then he hung-up the phone. While eating dinner, Misty, again, noticed something weird about Pikachu. "Hey Brock," she whispered. "Look at Pikachu. Is it just me or does he look like Ash when he eats?" "I don't know," he whispered back. "I don't see anything odd about him." "Oh..." she said quietly as she started eating again. When they finished, Misty abruptly walked out of the house. Ash noticed that she kind of looked upset and decided to follow her. Soon after, Ash came running back in. "Pikaa!!" Ash yelled, catching Brock's attention. "It's Team Rocket!" Misty said as she followed Ash to the door. "They're heading this way!" The others ran outside in time to see Team Rocket arriving at their house in their balloon. "Prepare for trouble!" Jessie said. "And make it doub--" James was cut off by Meowth slashing their faces. "Will you two cut that out? We did that already!" Meowth pointed out. "Hey! The motto is our pride and joy!" Jessie yelled back. "Can't we at least do the end of it?" James pleaded. "Very well..." Meowth said angrilly. "Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!" Jessie concluded. "Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" James finished. "Hmph, that's right," Meowth completed as the balloon landed. "Pikachu, go get into the house," Misty whispered into his ear. "You're in no condition to battle." He nodded and did as she said. "What do you want now?" Brock demanded to know, as they got out of the balloon. "We're under direct orders from the boss to get the pikachu and the brat," James said. "So don't expect this to be an easy fight!" "Go, Arbok, Lickitung!" Jessie yelled. "Go, Weezing, Victreebell!" James commanded. Immediately upon coming out, Victreebell latched onto James, trying to eat him. "Not me! Let go, let go!" James yelled, as he finally pulled out. Prof. Oak came walking up, and was surprised to see what's going on. "What's going on here?" he asked. "Arbok, Lickitung, make sure they don't get any closer!" Jessie exclaimed. "Victreebell, you too! Watch that old geezer!" James said. "Weezing, use your Smog Attack and fill the house with smoke!" "No! You can't!" Misty yelled as Jessie and James ran into the house. Inside the house, Ash noticed what was happening and ran into his room to warn his mother. "Pi-pika! Pika, pika pi!" he yelled to her. She turned around to see Pikachu pointing out the door. "Pikachu? What is it? Oh no!" she gasped as the smoke filled the room. "What's going on?" she asked, coughing, as Jessie and James stormed into the room. James ran forward and snatched Ash, throwing him into a cage. "No! What are you doing?" "Stay out of the way, little lady, and you won't get hurt," Jessie warned while walking towards Ash's body. "No, don't touch him!" she yelled back, grabbing Ash's body at the same time as Jessie. "You asked for it!" Jessie exclaimed before shoving Ms. Ketchum to the floor. As they ran out, Ms. Ketchum looked up and noticed Ash's pokeballs. Back outside, Jessie and James were about to set Ash and Pikachu in their balloon when they heard Ms. Ketchum from the house. "Stop right there!" she yelled in a very commanding voice. As the smoke cleared, everyone was surprised to see Ms. Ketchum in the doorway, with an angered expression, holding a pokeball. "Let my son go, now!" she said with with an intensity that no one had ever heard from her before. 'Is she going to...?' Ash heard in his head. 'She's crazy,' Ash thought in response. "Oh yeah? Or what?" Jessie said, trying to call her bluff. "Pokeball... go!" she said throwing the pokeball in retaliation. Everyone watched in disbelief as Charizard's form took shape. "Pika!" Ash yelled in surprise. "Chu, pi-pika pikachu pi!" he called to Charizard. Charizard nodded and looked up at Team Rocket. "Use your Flame Thrower and burn their balloon!" Ms. Ketchum ordered. Charizard obeyed and fried their balloon. "No! Not our balloon!" Jessie exclaimed. "You five, get over here!" she yelled to their four pokemon and Meowth. "Attack!" They all started running toward Charizard. "Do a Fire Spin! Now!" Ms. Ketchum yelled out. Charizard again obeyed and burned Meowth and the other pokemon, causing them to fall at Jessie and James's feet. "Now, knock them away!" Charizard ran forward and hit them with his Skull Bash, causing Jessie and James to drop Ash and Pikachu, as they flew back into the air. "I don't believe it," Jessie growled. "Beaten by an ametuer!" James whined. "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off yet again!!!" They yelled as they flew back out of sight. "Wow," Misty said in amazement. "Ms. Ketchum, how did you know how to do that?" "Well, Ash's father was a pokemon trainer," she explained. "He happened to show me a few things, that's all." "You handled that like a pro," Prof. Oak stated. "Have you ever considered training pokemon for a living?" "No, I'll just be happy here, knowing my baby is ok," she said as a frown returned to her face. "Pikachu, pi-pika," Ash said to his mother. "Pika pe alright Mom," he added in a voice that ended somewhere between Pikachu's and Ash's. Everyone just stared at him in amazement. "A- Ash?" Ms. Ketchum barely managed to say aloud before she fainted. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= If you want to know what happens with the Ash/Pikachu situation, just go ahead and read Chapter 4! As always, comments and (constructive)critiques welcome! crobin_99@yahoo.com