The scene shifts back to Ash and Misty. We see Misty, who is now walking along a path. On either side of her are crops considerably taller than she is. She looks around her, and cannot see Ash. Misty: Ash? Ash! ASH! (Ash comes into sight, and Misty sighs in relief.) I thought I'd lost you. Ash: What are you talking about? Misty: It's just something Samuel said. Ash: What did he say? Misty: (stuttering a bit) He... he said, "Don't you lose him, Misty Waterflower." And I don't mean to. (quetly) Not that I'm your bodyguard or anything like that. Ash: Misty, we're still in Pallet Town. What could possibly happen? Just then, Todd, Brock and Kenji come out from the bushes, and fall onto Ash and Misty. Kenji: Ash! Todd - It's Ash Ketchum! Todd: Hello, Ash. Brock: Yo! Misty: (heaves Kenji off Ash). Get off him! Come on, Ash. Ash: What's the meaning of this? Todd: (To Misty) Hold these. Misty: You've been into Farmer Mango's crop! Farmer Mango: (Barking noises are heard) Oi! You get back here! Get out of my fields! You know what's gonna happen when I catch up with you? Misty: (Stands holding the cabbages and carrots) Ooooh. Misty drops them on the ground and follows the others into the cover of Farmer Mango's crop. Todd: I don't know why he's so upset. It's only a couple of carrots Kenji: And some cabbages. And then those three bags of potatoes we lifted last week, and, and, the mushrooms, the week before! Brock: Yes, Kenji, my point is, he's clearly overreacting! Run! They run, but come to the edge of a steep slope. Kenji, Brock Todd, and Ash try to keep their balance, and almost manage, but then Misty hits into the back of Ash, causing them all to fall down the slope. Kenji: (Falls near a pile of animal manure.) Oh. That was close. Todd: Ahhh. Ohhh. I think I've broken something. (Pulls out a broken carrot from underneath him) Misty: Ugh... ick... trust a Sketchit, a Slate and a Snap. Ugh... I'm gonna need a bath. Todd: What? It was just a detour. A shortcut. Misty: A shortcut to what? Brock: (Spots something on the ground) Mushrooms! Brock, Kenji, and Todd and whispering, as they put some mushrooms into a bag. Todd: Take that one... Kenji: That's mine... Mmmm... That's nice, Todd. Here's a nice one, Brock. Ash: I think we should get off the road. Misty: Why? The sound of a horse neighing is heard, and the leaves rustle on the ground. Ash: Get off the road! QUICK! The trainers hurry off the road, and find a hiding place under the roots of a tree. Todd, Brock and Kenji fight over the bag of mushrooms. Misty: (Whispers) Be quiet! A rider in black comes and dismounts, and comes towards their hiding place. Ash closes his eyes, and takes out the Game Shark, and as he does so, the rider turns his face towards him. Ash holds the Game Shark near to his palm, preparing to switch it on, but Misty notices, and taps him on the shoulder. Ash opens his eyes, and puts the Game Shark away, and as he does, the Rider looks away. Todd throws the bag of mushrooms off into the distance, and the rider moves towards it. The Trainers leave their hiding place and run. Brock: What was that? Ash does not answer, but takes out the Game Shark, holding it in the palm of his hand. The Trainers are shown running through the woods in the Crime. At least one rider is nearby. Todd: Anything? Ash: Nothing! Kenji: What is going on? Misty: That Black Rider was looking for something. Or someone... Ash? Ash turns around to face Misty. Kenji: Get down! The Trainers get down, and a Rider is seen nearby. Ash: I have to leave Pallet Town. Misty and I must get to Pewter. Todd: Right... Blackberry Ferry. Follow me. They follow Todd, but a black rider sees and chases them. Todd: Run! Ash, this way! Follow me! Ash! Hurry! Run! Ash! They run, and come to the river. Misty, Todd, Brock and Kenji are there, but Ash is still being chased by a black rider. Brock: Get the rope, Misty! Misty: Ash! The Trainers: Run, Ash! Go! Hurry! Come on! Faster! Jump! The others have untied the boat, and it is drifting off. Ash runs, and manages to jump onto the boat. The rider stops at the riverbank and turns around. Ash: How far to the nearest crossing? Todd: The Route 2 Bridge. Twenty miles. The rider is seen riding off, and is joined by at two other Riders in black. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Trainers are seen approaching the gate into Pewter. Ash: Come on. They knock on the gate. The gatekeeper opens a shutter, but it is too high up to see the Trainers, and opens a slightly lower one. Gatekeeper: What do you want? Ash: We're heading for the Prancing Ponyta. Gatekeeper: (Opens gate). Trainers. Four Trainers! What business bring you to Pewter? Ash: We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our own. Gatekeeper: Alright, young sir, I meant no offence. It's my job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can't be too careful. The gatekeeper lets them in. Pewter is full of men, or 'big folk', as the Trainers call them, and it is a rough area. One of the Trainers bumps into one of the men. Man: Out of the way! Watch where you're walking. Eventually, they find the inn of the 'Prancing Ponyta', and enter it. Ash: (walks up to the counter) Excuse me. Innkeeper: Good evening, little masters. If you're seeking accommodation, we've got some nice cozy, good-sized rooms available... Mister... er... Ash: Ketchup. My name's Ketchup. Misty, Kenji, Brock and Todd facefault. Innkeeper: Ketchup, yes... Ash: We're friends of Samuel Oak. Can you tell him we've arrived? Innkeeper: Samuel? Samuel... Oh... yes! I remember. Elderly chap. Big, gray beard, and pointy hat. Ash smiles and nods. Innkeeper: Not seen him for 6 months. Ash turns around to face Misty, Todd, Brock and Kenji. Misty: What do we do now? The scene skips to the Trainers sitting at a table Ash: Misty - he'll be here. He'll come. Todd makes his way to the table, with a large mug of drink, but bumps into a man. Man: Get out of my way! Kenji: What's that? Todd: This, my friend, is a pint. Brock: A pint?! Kenji: It comes in pints? I'm getting one. (walks off) Brock: Same here. Misty: You both have a whole half already! (To Ash). That fellow's done nothing but stare at you since we arrived. Ash: (To innkeeper, as he walks past) Excuse me. That man in the corner. Who is he? Innkeeper: (Looks at the man) He's one of them Growlithes. Dangerous folk, they are, wandering in the Wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but around here, he's known as Piro. (He walks off) Ash: Piro... Ash fingers his Game Shark. Voice of the Game Shark: Ketchum. Ketchum. Ketchum... Ketchum... Kenji: Ketchum? Sure I know a Ketchum. He's over there (Kenji is talking to some men, as well as Brock, and points to Ash). Ash Ketchum. He's my second cousin once removed on his mother's side and my third cousin, twice removed... (The voices of the other people in the room drown out his voice) Ash: (Anxiously makes his way towards Kenji to stop him) Kenji! (He grabs him, causing him to spill some of his drink) Brock: Steady on Ash! Ash trips on the foot of one of the men, falling backwards. As he hits the ground, his Game Shark flies upward and it falls back down onto his palm, switching it on and causing him to disappear. The black riders are seen coming closer to the inn: they are drawn to its power. Ash sees the world in darkness when he puts on the Game Shark. There are many shadows, and he hears a voice. Voice: You cannot hide. I see you. There is no life in the void. Only death. Ash sees a great red eye and pulls the Game Shark and switches it off. Just as he is recovering, he finds a hand on his shoulder. The man, Piro pulls him up the stairs into his room. Piro: You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Ketchup. Ash: What do you want? Piro: A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry. Ash: I carry nothing. Piro: Indeed. I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift. (He pinches the candles in the room to put them out, and takes off his hood) Ash: Who are you? Piro: Are you frightened? Ash: Yes. Piro: Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you. The door is opened, and Piro draws his sword. Todd, Kenji, and Misty are seen standing in the doorway. Misty has his fists held forward. Misty: Let him go, or I'll have you, Longshanks! Piro: You have a stout heart little Trainer (Puts his sword away) But that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the professor, Ash. They're coming. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- The scene switches to the Black riders. The gatekeeper hears them coming to the gate, and walks towards it. The Black riders knock down the gate, as the gatekeeper is trampled, and enter Pewter. The scene switches back to the trainers, who are sleeping. Then we see the Black riders approach, and enter their rooms. There is a rider standing over each bed, and in unison, they thrust their swords into them. They do this several times, but when they take the blankets off, they find that there was no one sleeping in the beds. They turn over the beds, and ride off. The scene switches back to Piro, who is sitting by the window with the trainers, who have awoken. Ash: What are they? Piro: They were once Men. Great kings of Men. Then Giovanni the Deceiver gave to them 9 rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one, falling to darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Vazgul - Sharkwraits- neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Game Shark. Drawn to the Power of the One. They will never stop hunting you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------ The next day, Piro is seen leading a Ponyta into the countryside, with the Trainers following him. Ash: Where are you taking us? Piro: Into the Wild. Brock: How do we know this Piro is a friend of Samuel? Ash: We have no choice but to trust him. Misty: But where is he leading us? Piro: To Pichuka, Master Kachu, to the House of Kapikapi. Misty: Did you hear that? Pichuka. We're going to see the Pikachus. They walk on for some time. At one point, Piro hears four of the Trainers whispering behind him, and realizes that they have stopped. Piro: (turns around) Gentlemen. We do not stop 'till nightfall. Kenji: What about breakfast? Piro: You've already had it. Kenji: We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast? Piro turns around, and continues on. Todd: Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Ken. Kenji: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he? Brock: I wouldn't count on it. Piro throws an apple back, and Todd catches it. He hands it to Kenji, pats him on the back. Then Piro throws another apple, which hits Kenji on the head. Kenji looks up, and around him, bewildered. Todd: Kenji... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In Goldenrod: Elm is using the Palantir Elm: The power of Goldenrod is at your command, Giovanni, Lord of the Earth. Voice of Giovanni: Build me an army worthy of Johto. The scene switches to a room in Elm's tower. Rocket 1: What orders from Johto, my lord? Rocket 2: What does the Eye command? Elm: We have work to do. The Rockets outside Goldenrod are uprooting all the trees. We see Samuel on top of the tower of Goldenrod. Then we see the Rockets working down below, pulling down the trees. Rocket: The trees are strong, my lord. Their roots go deep. Elm: Rip them all down. Once again, we see Samuel at the top of the tower of Goldenrod. It is raining, and there is no shelter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- The scene goes back to Piro and the Trainers. Piro: This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We shall rest here tonight. (The Trainers settle down in a corner. Piro takes out four short swords, and passes one to each Trainer) Piro: These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here. (Some time later, when it is dark, Ash wakes up suddenly. Todd, Kenji, and Misty are cooking something around a fire) Todd: My tomato's burst. Kenji: Could I have some bacon? Todd: Ok. Want a tomatoes, Misty? Ash gets up, and walks over to his friends) Ash: (In an urgent voice) What are you doing?! Brock: Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon. Misty: We saved some for you, Mr. Ketchum. Ash: (Stamps onto the fire, putting it out with his bare feet). Put it out, you fools! Put it out! Kenji: Oh, that's nice! Todd: Ash on my tomatoes... The cry of the Vazgul is heard. The Trainers draw their swords, and see the Vazgul encircling Amon Sul Ash: (Gesturing for the others to go up to the top of the watchtower) Go!!! The Vazgul follow the Trainers to the top, and face them. Misty: Back you devils!!! The Riders draw their swords, and swipe Todd, Kenji, and Misty out the way. Ash falls backwards. The riders stand over him with their swords, and Ash puts on the ring. He sees the faces of the riders in bright light. The Witch-King steps forward and speak to Ash in the Black Language. Horrified, Ash pulls his hand (with the Ring on it), away from the Witch-King, who then stabs Ash in the shoulder. Ash: Ahhhh Piro: Ahhhh! Piro appears behind the Witch-King, with a torch in one hand, and a sword in the other. He takes on the Vazgul Ash takes the ring off. Misty: Ash! (He runs over to Ash). Ash: Oh, Misty. Piro manages to set the Vazgul alight, and they flee from the watchtower. We see Misty, Todd, and Kenji crowded around Ash. Misty: Piro! Help him Piro! Piro: He has been stabbed by a Morgul blade. This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Pikish medicine. (He picks Ash up over his shoulder, and they head off into the night.) Hurry! Misty: We're 6 days from Pichuka! He'll never make it! Piro: Hold on, Ash Ash: Samuel!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We see shots of the caverns of Goldenrod. A moth flies up to the tower of Goldenrod, where Samuel is imprisoned. Samuel catches the moth in his hand, and begins to speak to it in Pikish. Samuel: (something in Pikish to moth) … Fetch Pidgelir, fetch Pidgelir... Go... We see Rockets cutting down trees near Goldenrod, then more footage in the caverns of Goldenrod. Elm watches, as a Tyranitar comes out from mud. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The camera goes back to the Rockets and zooms into three of them. Rocket 3: (whining) Jessie, I don’t see why we have to do this… Jessie: Well James, if you had remembered, you would’ve known that it was for the Pokémon. James: Really? Meowth: Dat and money. James: Ah. Other Rockets sing “Hi Ho!” Jessie: SHUT-UP! The Rockets go back to work, mumbling. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Piro and the Trainers have stopped walking. Misty: Ash? He's going cold! Kenji: Is he going to die? Piro: He's passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon become a Wraith like them. Todd:(Hears the Riders) They're close! Piro: Brock, do you know the Athelas plant? Brock: Athelas? Piro: Kingsfoil. Brock: Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed. Piro: It may help to slow the poisoning. Hurry! (He gives Brock a torch, and then goes off to look for the weed. He finds some, and takes out a knife to cut it, but finds a blade at his throat.) Arjen: What's this, a Growlithe, caught off his guard? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arjen: Ash... I'm Arjen. Pi'pi chuu kachu chu piii pi-i. Pika pi pikaa. piii Kapi ka kaa chuuu.. (Translation into English:) I've have come to help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light. Todd: Who is she? Arjen: Ash Brock: She's a Pikachu…. And a hottie! (Misty mallets him) Arjen: He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to my father. I've been looking for you for 2 days. Misty: Where are you taking him?! Arjen: There are 5 Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are I do not know. Piro: kachu kaaa chu Pi-kaaa-chu. pi chuu kachu chu-pikachu-pi Chu chu.. (Translation:) Stay with the Trainers. I will send Rapidashes for you Arjen: Pi'pi pi-i pikachu chuuu. pi'Chu piii kaa. (Translation:) I'm the faster rider. I'll take him. Piro: Pi-i Pika pi Kaa pika-chu-ka . (Translation:) The road is too dangerous Kenji: What are they saying? Arjen: Ash chu pikaa. ka Pi chu pii pika-pi Pii chuuu, kaa chuuu pi chu Pika-pi piii Pikachu chu.(Translation:) Ash is dying. If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him. I do not fear them. Piro: Piikaa-pi-i Pi piii Chuu. (Translation: According to your wish) Arjen, ride hard. Don't look back! Arjen: Kaaa ka, Asfaloth, piii Chuu!! (Translation:) Ride on, Asfaloth, ride fast! Arjen rides off with Ash. Todd: What are you doing! Those Wraiths are still out there!!