Last Hope by Lord Kadabra Part 2 Note: I do not own Pokemon, etc. But I have created several Pokemon for the purposes of this fanfic. Gigabyte is a virtual Pokemon, name derived (obviously) from the phrase of computer memory. The * symbol around text indicates Poke-ese, translated for comprehension and space purposes. *** Professor Oak snuck into the room, and forced Ash's mouth open. His mother had declared that Ash wasn't stable enough to leave, so Oak took matters into his own hands. A small dosage of certain herbs would keep him out for several hours. Enough time to reach Viridian City. Oak lowered the body from the second-story window to the Sandslash below. The creature had spent the last two hours digging a hole to Viridian City, because no one ever wanted to have to travel through Victory Road if they could help it. Rumors were that strange demons, monsters, and powerful Pokemon lived there, angry at humanity and Pokemonity alike. Oak pulled the sleeping body into the entrance to the tunnel. He hoped he was in as good a shape as he used to be. *** Misty collapsed, several evolution stones scattering from her collection basket. Slavery was not what it was made out to be. She was slowly going blind from the lack of light, and her back was sore from all the beatings. Gary was passing by, and stooped over, picking up the stones and helping her up. "Don't worry, I'm sure they'll get the message, and he'll come charging in here like an idiot, trying to be the conquering hero." Misty smiled, but it fled her face quickly. "But there's no indication that he can save save us. Oh, Gary, I wish I just had a sign, a signal that everything's going to be all right." At this moment, she fell backwards, pushed by an unseen hand. A tall Kadabra looked angrily from behind her. "Stop talking! You are supposed to be working, foolish girl." She lifted off the ground and glided to Misty. Lowering to the ground, she bent her head and spoke to Misty for an instant. She then lifted again, lashing her short tail angrily. "Let that be a lesson to you," she snapped, floating over to the next lazy worker. Misty looked up to Gary and smiled. "We just got our sign, Gary." *** Jessy was standing impatiently at the front entrance, aware for any sign of offensive or reconnisance manouvres by the Pokemon. She reached to her walkie-talkie. "All clear, James. I'll be heading in soon." The crackling voice came back. "Roger, Jesse. I'll be looking out for you." She turned to the outside for a last look and saw a small tunneling motion about a meter in front of her. A Sandslash pulled itself from the ground, and turned to her. "Slash," it said, pointing to the ground. Jesse fumbled for her gun, and pulled it out. She pulled off three shots before she dropped the gun. The Sandslash was looking inquisitively at her, and Jesse looked down. She had dropped her walkie-talkie, and three bullet holes were drilled through the speaking mechanism. Jesse panicked, but then saw a body being pushed from the tunnel. A medium-height man with graying hair was shoving a taller, comatose man with black hair. In an instant, she recognized both of them. "Professor Oak?" she asked, astonished. He looked up, breathing hard. "Yes," he gasped. "And don't make me talk anymore; I'm exhausted." But she couldn't help it. "Is that-?" Professor Oak nodded. "But he's-" Oak shook his head. By now, his breath was back, and he turned to Jessy. "He's been in an insane asylum for the past five years, and he's still out from the sedatives I gave him." She looked confused at the man, and turned to Oak. "What, you know-?" Oak stopped her. "It was the double loss of his friends that did it. When his friend betrayed him, he was cracked, but when she died-" "Died?" Jessy was incredulous. "She didn't die. She's one of our contacts in Stone Town. As of three hours ago, she was alive and well, tired, but perfectly fine." Oak smiled. "Then it looks like we have our work cut down. Now let's get him inside." *** "Died? She didn't die. She's one of our contacts in Stone Town. As of three hours ago, she was alive and well, tired, but perfectly fine." I heard the voice say it, and I knew they were talking about her. And something that I avoided thinking about was put into the spotlight. Neurons not used for years fused together, and something I had said a few days ago came to my mind. "-Mewtwo's wrong in hurting people, but the League-they...they shouldn't want to put it back the way it was. The Pokemon won't like it. People and Pokemon should be equal. Equal partners." Equal partners. That would help me. That was what the world needed to become. Equal partners. I would have to remember that when I woke up. And she was alive, and in Stone Town. Mewtwo would know what I could do soon. He would feel my wrath. *** Giovanni looked down on the prostrate body. He turned to Sabrina. "And you're sure he's the only one who can do it?" She nodded. "He's it. And the away team is ready. Lieutenant Strauss has them all prepared. We only need to wake him up, and hope he's ready." At these words, the man sat up. His hand quested to the side of his bed, where a red hat sat, with a symbol resembling an "l" in the center. He placed it on his head, and twisted it backwards. He tightened the green fingerless gloves on his hands, and turned to Giovanni. "Hello, old enemy," he said calmly. "I understand the nature of this temporary truce, and accept them. And-" He turned to Sabrina. "I'm ready to leave right away, as soon as I release my Pokemon. And tell Richie that he should be happy; we're going to kick some psychic butt." He stood up and headed outside, reaching to his Pokebelt. He suddenly turned. "Don't wait up for me; I'll be a while." A silent glace traveled around the room, and Sabrina shrugged. "He's completely sane," was all she said, baffled. *** "Now listen, all of you, I'm giving you a choice. You can stay here with me, only restricted to the Pokeball when needed, and treated as an equal, or you can leave and never have to answer to me again. I'll destroy your Pokeballs and you can do what you want. So choose." Some Pokemon left, some stayed. At the end, only ____ Pokemon remained. Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Lapras, and a Ghastly he had caught remained. The Ghastly in particular was special, named Ellie, and quite powerful when creating illusions, particularly useful against psychic types. Ash nodded. "Then, go your own ways, but try to stay close. We're traveling, and when we get where we're going, I'd like you to be nearby." The Pokemon nodded, and all left in their various ways, except Lapras, who indicated she wished to be in her Pokeball. Ash smiled, and recalled her. It was going perfectly. *** Pikachu 25-0725 stared at the forest, and answered to his head-comm. *All clear out here, 73-0098,* he said, turning back to the complex wall. *-0725, confirmed. 30 minutes until next check-in.* Pikachu shut off the headset, and looked back to the forest. A Bulbasaur stumbled into the clearing, and Pikachu stepped back. It was an umimpressive Bulbasaur, except for a small scar on its forehead. Something about that scar was familiar-Pikachu suddenly remembered, and stepped back. He charged up his cheeks, preparing for a Thunder attack. *** *25-0725, where are you?* the nosy Tentacruel demanded. She was sick and tired of that Pikachu's attitude. She angrily turned to another keyboard, and typed in a few numbers. She then spoke again. *25-0725, this is your last warning. Respond, or you will be declared AWOL.* *Of course, 73,* Pikachu said, standing at the back of the control room. The Tentacruel switched off the comm, and turned to Pikachu. *What are you doing? Get back to your position!* Pikachu smiled. *I'm coming here to turn in my resignation, Tenty.* She felt angry. She hated that name, and glared at Pikachu. *Why would you quit?* *I'm joining the opposition, Tenty.* Pikachu raised his right hand, where a red-colored 'X' was painted on his wrist, the symbol of the Rebellion. Tentacruel growled, and powered up for a Hydro Pump. *What could possibly make you join those hooligans?* Tentacruel demanded. Pikachu spoke, but the words were best heard in his natural tongue, the words he learned years ago, and had uttered in his sleep, calling out...and hoping. Tentacruel stepped back at these words, fearful and furious. For Pikachu's words were the most feared among the Pokemon. "Pika-pi." One phrase in Pikachese, one word in English. Enraged and terrified, Tentacruel let loose a Hydro Pump. Everything in the control room was soaked. But Pikachu aren't affected by water unless they're in danger of drowning. In fact, it made his intention essier to accomplish. It was unfortunate that most of the Watchers were electric Pokemon, and that the controler was chosen for her number of arms, because water Pokemon are extremely weak against electric types. The Thunder attack killed the jellyfish instantly, and destroyed the equipment, with the exception of the comm to Central. Walking among the smoking remains, Pikachu turned on the comm. *Power surge in CC-5, moniter was killed. Request clean-up crew.* With a shout, Pikachu destroyed the last communication equipment, and left the room into the corridor. *** *150-0x, there's a problem in CC-5!* the Ninetales gasped, resting quickly on the floor. Mewtwo turned to him. *A problem, 38-7723? What is it?* The Ninetails glanced up at the psychic Pokemon. *CC-5 was allegedly destroyed in an electrical failure, Mewtwo, but two pieces of information contradict that story. First, 73-0098 had spent the last twenty minutes searching for 25-0725, who had stopped responding. He had just found the Pikachu and turned off his communicator. And...all Growlithe and Vulpix in the area report that a stong human scent pervades the area. We believe that 25-0725 has revolted, sir.* *Revolted? But he's loyal to the core, my little friend, unless...* Mewtwo turned angrily to the Vulpix. *Seal all entrances to the building and conduct a massive search for 0725. Retrieve his scent from 1/3-0725 storage and track him. And-release 252/3 on tracking protocol 05, mark 0725. And Vulpix- make sure he's really dead this time.* The fox nodded, and bounded from the room. *** Ash peeked into the large room, and, seeing it empty, motioned to the away team. Twenty-odd members of the Rebellion entered the room, each with their hands cautiously on their weapons or Pokeballs. Ash's own Pokemon were walking with the group, and Gastly abruptly let out a terrified shout. "Gast-ly!" it cried, and the lights flared on. Mewtwo was sitting with his back to them, in a large swiveling chair. "How lovely to see you, Ash. It's unfortunate that you can't choose allies to keep sevrets better." Ash's eyes flickered to the left, where Sabrina's Kadabra was bound hand and foot, and-Ash's Alakazam kept his eyes on her. Ash growled, and turned to Mewtwo. "Mewtwo, I know I can defeat you, and I'll prove it! Pikachu, go!" Mewtwo chuckled lightly. Over three thousand Pokemon slipped from the shadows, every type from Abra to Zubat, to coin the old phrase. And all flexed their muscles, tentacles, or other apparatus, ready to kill. Ash stared in shock at the crowd. It was an awe-inspiring sight, but only one thing was in his mind. A phrase from ancient Rome. Nos mortui te salutamus-We who are about to die salute you. He turned to Mewtwo, and spat violently. "I will never give up, never beg for mercy, or die a poor, pathetic figure, Mewtwo. I am fighting for what is right, and I will die bravely for it. For Mewtwo, I want to see people and Pokemon living in harmony and peace, neither imposing captivity on the other. And I will fight you for the chance at that world." And Mewtwo smiled. "Poor, misguided soul. Pokemon are the most powerful, and so we should rule. It is that simple. Kill him." *** Continued...in part 3-Round 1!