Chapter Twelve: Encouragement And you Can bring me to my knees -Staind Ash pulled out his poke'dexter. It was considerably smaller than the dexterial stander he started out with seven years ago. The new product was a small silver rectangle no bigger than an ID card, with a circular lens at the upper center. It had the basic components of a regular home computer- except as a handheld. Hard to believe how much data the smaller version could contain! Not only did it store up to 500 different types of pokemon, it also held information on every gym leader from here to Sinnoh, data on most pokemon trainers running the circuit, and also kept track of every pokemon ever encountered- when, where, and even under what circumstances. Secretly, Ash missed the droning robotic voice of his first dexter. But unfortunately, the upgrades were necessary if Ash were ever to hope to stay alive in this increasingly dangerous trade. Ash pointed the lens at the comatose pokemon. There was a beam of light that ran up and down the pokemon's body before transforming itself into a transparent screen and holographic wire frame in front of the young trainer Mew. Type: Psychic Height: 1'04" (0.4m) Weight: 8.8 lbs (4.0kg) Genderless. Useful Information: Mew is a legendary pokemon normally described as a pink cat-like creature. Mew is said to have the DNA of every single PokŽmon with abilities to transform endlessly into the various PokŽmon at will. It also vaguely resembles a fetus, as it's often depicted in a pink orb similar to an amniotic sac and its tail as an umbilical cord. Considering that no terrestrial animal resembles it, there is not a known diet for Mew. Legend has it that Mew is an intelligent sentinel being that will only appear to someone with a pure heart. It is also known to be quite childish and will play playful pranks when it can. Last Sighting: Cameran's Tree of the World's Beginning in Hoenn Region Ash took a sharp intake of air. Cameran. Hoenn. Oh mew, if he could just forget that place. "I knew it was familiar," said Ash as Pikachu climbed up onto his shoulder. "Remember, Pikachu? The pokemon that Lucario... helped." Ash blinked back stinging tears as he looked at the suspended creature, "But this isn't... this isn't the same pokemon." Pikachu cocked his head, "What do you mean?" "That Mew," said Ash lightly touching the glass where the pokemon's foot would be, "had a cross shaped scar from here... to here." His finger mapped the span of the pokemon's foot. Ash stepped back and frowned. "This one... doesn't have one. It's got to be a completely different pokemon." Pikachu lowered its ears in disbelief, "Just how many legendary mews do you think there are?" A slow and deliberate clop clop clop tickled at Ash's ears, interrupting pikachu's not yet translated question. Ash turned, startled to see that he and Pikachu were not as alone in the room as they originally thought. Both the uniformed White Ice brothers, Lewis and Clark, stood at rigid attention. They were placed at either side of an absolutely stunning blonde, who looked the cross between a biker chick and a nightclub bartender. She stood in knee high black leather boots with a sharp spiral pointed heels. A zipper cut up the side with buckles latching at the ankles and upper thigh. Trailing up the legs he could see the dark colored tights pressed seamlessly up to a mini skirt that accentuated her luscious curves. Her top was a satiny night black tie back halter, the fabric pulled down tight around the empire waist. She was clapping lightly- the source of the sound. Her fingers tapped against her palm as she approached. Then she moved them, resting her hands against her hips. Her lips parted into a small careful and calculated smile. As if every facial expression, every gesture, was as precise as a chess move. "Congratulations Mister Ketchum. I knew I could count on you to find her." Pikachu leapt down from Ash's shoulder, cheeks sparking and snarling. But the pokemon trainer was too stunned to react like his partner. Ash merely looked from the twin brothers back to the woman skeptically, "What is this?" "Just a friendly get together," said the woman flashing her french manicured nails his way. "Lewis and Clark you know. My name is Andromeda." She moved casually across the room towards the some counters and sinks stretched against the far wall. From the unremarkable plastic green cabinet, Andromeda withdrew a flask of wine and two crystal wine glasses. Both the twins remained like statues by the door, following with only their eyes. She set the crystal on one of the research tables and filled it to the brim with blood red wine. Ash watched her prepare the alcohol suspiciously. "Would you like something to drink, Mr. Ketchum?" said the woman, holding the filled glass to him. "I don't drink." "Hm. Pity," She smiled taking a sip of the wine offered. She then set herself down on the table next to the wine bottle, looking coy at the young trainer. "You know," she said with a smirk as she coquettishly sipped her from her glass, "you do look an awful lot like your father." "My father?" Andromeda set the glass down on the table next to her and stood back on her feet, "Before the accident of course." "Accident? What accident?" She walked smartly passed the poised pokemon. Even Pikachu seemed puzzled at her disregard, its composure temporarily lost. And in that moment of confusion, Andromeda had rounded on Ash. She lifted his chin up so that her eyes met his own. Her grip was too hard and too startling for Ash to pull free from. Ash felt terrified and yet curious all at once. "But you have your mother's eyes," Andromeda's eyebrows raised. "A shame, really. You might have been quite handsome." This woke Ash up at last. He jerked himself away, only making the woman laugh. It was the kind of shrilly laughter that just made people who heard it angry... and helpless. Because you knew that you'd never give her any reason to stop laughing at you. "How do you know my parents?" Ash demanded. "We were old friends," said Andromeda. Her smile only deepened at Pikachu's rush to protect his master again. She stepped back respectfully this time. But not before casually ticking the necklace around Ash's neck up with her pinky finger. She must have freed it when she was 'examining' me, Ash realized. Pikachu's pokeball. "So that's where you hid it." Ash quickly tucked the necklace back out of view. "What do you want from me?" Andromeda laughed as if he had made the funniest joke she had ever heard. "My dear boy! We want nothing from you. Why essentially you alone are worthless. But together with your parents and a few legendaries, you are something of a key." She returned to the table to down the rest of her wine. She turned, delicately placed the glass back into place, and flashed Ash a brilliant smile. "A key to a gate of many wondrous opportunities. Opportunities I intend to have. And a key I intend to use to get what I want." &&& &&& &&& &&& "Misty. We need to talk." Misty turned just as Gary shut the door after them. She looked at the young man skeptically. Surely they had already had the conversation of what had been and wasn't going to be. She turned back to the bedroom she had walked herself into. Hers and Delia's for the night, of course. Giovanni had generously provided them each acceptable accommodations in his living quarters of the gym. He had been prepared to lavish them with some of his more eloquent rooms but Delia would have none of it. So she scouted out some rather mediocre rooms in the lower floors of the gym where staff might sleep. Simple stark blue sheets over spring mattresses and wire frame with teal colored wallpaper wrapped the room up in sort of drowning mess of dullness. Even the two florescent lights in the ceiling could do little to brighten up the gloomy room. Misty made her way to one of the beds and cringed as she sat. They might have found more comfortable beds in a motel. Gary stood by the door, waiting patiently for her answer. His expression was grim so that meant it wasn't good- whatever he wanted to say. "What do we need to talk about Gary?" said Misty. "We've debated for hours against that horrible gym leader... And we haven't gotten anywhere except to know that we have to stick around here for another week. I'm exhausted of talking. I just want to go to bed. So please let Delia in..." "I've told her not to come. Not until I'm done talking to you." Misty flushed, "I swear Gary. If you try anything I'll scream." Gary looked startled. He stepped back away from the door, his cheeks going red once he realized the implication behind those words. "I'm not making you stay in here with me. And I'm not... going to do anything. I promise. You know I wouldn't." Misty's expression softened. She sighed and rested her face in her hands, "Yes, I know that. I'm sorry. I'm just... so... so overwhelmed. It's been too long a day." "It's about Ash." Misty looked up. At her stare, Gary faltered, "Well not exactly... about him. But it has to do with him. Actually it has to do with his father." "His father?" "Please Misty. Don't interrupt. It's hard for me to say this," Gary paused and then stared hard at the foot of her bed. "I don't think he even knows this." "Who?" "Ash. I mean... I know I told you... that Ash's father was dead." Misty nodded. "Well he's not. At least, I thought he was. I didn't realize at the time that he survived... Or if it was even him. But- the way Delia was today and... the way... Oh God. Ash must not have known... when he came to challenge-!" "Gary! What are you talking about?!" "He is Ash's father!" "Who?" "He is! Him!" shouted Gary, pointing wildly to the door. "Giovanni- the leader of Team Rocket... is Ash's father!" For a long moment, Misty said nothing. She simply stared wide eyed at Gary as if she believed that he'd suddenly shout "just kidding". Then Misty swallowed a dry swallow. She looked almost as pale as the sheets on the bed. "Oh God," she said breathless. &&& &&& &&& &&& "A key?" Ash repeated dryly. "What are you talking about?" Andromeda laughed as she refilled both glasses. The nearest she took in hand as she cautiously approached as close as the sparking pikachu would allow. Then took another casual sip before answering, "I know all about you, Mister Ketchum." Before Ash could open his mouth to protest, Andromeda held up her index finger. "All about you," She smiled. "About your training, your standing in the league, your so called heroics. And..." She paused to shake the raised finger knowingly to the young man. "A certain special little red head." Ash's cheeks flushed, but not just out of typical embarrassment. "If you hurt her... I swear." "I'm not insinuating idle threats, boy. I'm simply saying that I know about your... abilities." Ash cracked a wry smile. He could hardly keep the amusement out of his voice, "Wh-what? If you're talking about training, there are tons better trainers out-" "Not your training. Heavens no," She paused, eyeing him with those piercing dark eyes. It was if she were examining him, as if he were some sort of prize to obtain or a puzzle to deconstruct. Either or didn't make Ash feel anymore human. "I'm talking about your abilities as Chosen One." &&& &&& &&& &&& "Please tell you you're joking." Misty was close to tears. Gary could hardly meet her eye. Instead he glared at the floor- damning whatever Delia ever saw in John Giovanni that caused her to want to... do that. At least if Ash had known as a child, he'd have had more time to come to terms with the ugly fact. But now, even Gary himself had trouble thinking that Ash was related to the mastermind behind Team Rocket. Gary shook his head. "Oh God," Misty ducked her face into her hands. She began rocking herself on the edge of the bed as she chanted, "Oh God. Oh God. Oh God... Dammit!" She sat up, her face red but not tear stained. "That's why the ransom note was addressed to him. He's the leader of Team Rocket- of course they'd kidnap his son." "We're just lucky John has something of a conscience." Misty sent him a look that almost made Gary want to cower. "What conscience? That rat bastard only agreed to fill the ransom when Delia came here to kick his ass... Delia!" Misty went pale again. Cautiously Gary took a seat at her side. He put a gentle arm around her shoulders. "Try not to think about it." "Does Ash know?" "I... I'm not sure. Did he say why he was going back to all the Indigo League gyms?" "No," Misty rubbed her eyes even though Gary couldn't see if she had been crying. "He just... wanted to do it, I thought." Misty suddenly grabbed Gary's hand tight. "I just remembered! He said that he knew his mother had lied about what happened to his father. I mean, he didn't tell me that he knew his father was Giovanni but..." "Do you think that's why he visited Viridian gym? To confront him?" Misty frowned. "No. He did seem nervous but... I don't know. Outside the gym he said that he was searching for answers. I remember him mentioning a John in the pokemon center but..." At Gary's hopeful expression, Misty shook her head. "You didn't see him when I was being held hostage. He didn't treat Giovanni like he was his father." "If Giovanni were my father, I doubt I'd treat him very nice either." "No, Gary. That's not it at all. I'm sure if Ash knew... He'd want to protect Giovanni until he could get some straight answers," Misty closed her eyes and dreamed up that moment. The expression Ash had when he held the gun against Clark's head before he turned it upon Giovanni. She tried to visualize his eyes as he threateningly teased the trigger finger. Did he know he had just turned a gun on his father? "I just don't think Ash had any idea." "And I certainly don't want to be the one to tell him," said Gary humorlessly. &&& &&& &&& &&& Pikachu's cheeks had begun sparking at an even deadlier voltage but the expression on the raven haired boy's face remained neutral if not completely blank. His eyes briefly flirted over to where the twins stood guard of the only exit before falling back upon the woman before him. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Andromeda only smiled, undeterred. "Oh come now. Your heroic antics in the Orange Archipelago wasn't exactly a private affair, now was it? I also understand there was an incident in the Hoenn region... A little bit harder to get information about but- word is, you accidentally re-summoned a Lucario using wave energy, am I correct?" Ash frowned, unconsciously scratching his head. "If you're talking about using wave, I can't. I can barely see it, let alone use it." "No. I am not. Well, not wave exclusively." She paused again, gently outlining the rim of the glass with her finger. It might have hummed if she had it placed on a solid surface, but in her hands the glass stayed mute of vibration. Ash sucked in a daring breath, "Then what are you talking about... exclusively?" She gripped the base of the glass and balanced it precariously in her hands. Ash watched, wondering if perhaps she were teasing him somehow. "I'm talking about the power the Legendaries have blessed you with. The power to heal pokemon." Ash snorted. "Heal pokemon? Are you serious? I can't heal pokemon... Or why else would I need to visit a pokemon center? Pikachu here wouldn't ever need check ups." 'That would be nice,' responded the Pikachu. "Perhaps you are not aware of it. Or perhaps your present powers are only exclusive to the legendary types. Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos, Lugia, Celebi, Suicune, Entei, Lucario... and Mew. All of these legendary pokemon have been attracted to and inadvertently healed by your presence. Not physically or mentally- but by being there, things were set in motion that saved their existence in the universe." Ash wanted to say that he begged to differ. But said nothing. After all, he didn't want to bring up that it was his fault that Lucario died at the Tree of Beginning. If he hadn't agreed to take Lucario there... "So you are saying... I'm a good luck charm?" "Something like that, yes." "That's nothing like powers," snapped Ash. "That's not a power. That's pure coincidence!" "You may think so. The rest of the world may think so. But I know that something happened to you," Andromeda smirked, enjoying the pale expression appearing on Ash's face as she continued. "I don't know what it was. Maybe it started out a coincidence, but one day changed all that. And since that day, Legendary pokemon can't get enough of you. They swarm to you like beedrills to honey. You are attracting them." "How?" Ash muttered faintly. "I don't know! When did I become the expert?" Andromeda laughed cutting through the tension mercilessly. "But if I were to guess, you must seem different to them. Not human. Not pokemon... Different." "Different?" "Well, we can find out right now... now can't we?" Ash didn't even have to look to know what she was referencing the pokemon in the tank behind him. He turned, his eyes glazing over the sleeping pokemon's form and focusing instead on the reflection that stared back at him. He was a little dirty from his climb through the air ducts. His hair not the brilliant ebony it usual was, more of a dusty gray. The bandage hiding his injury was slightly frayed at the edges, and dark circles sunk beneath his eyelids. He was exhausted of playing this game, wasn't he? Getting dragged into these impossible situations and seeing things that most other trainers only dreamed of seeing once in their lifetime. Why did it seem to be following him? Not once or twice. But countless times he's seen things, done things, witnessed things that humans were not and had not experienced in over a millennium. Blessed? Ha. Maybe he would have thought of it that way the first or second time. It was more of a curse than a blessing. Constantly worrying for his friend's lives when they were on road. Worried about running into more disaster- another do or die situation. Of course, he kept his smile on. It was his game face, his way of making it through. But now, here he was, frowning at his reflection. Was it that first night when Pikachu's thunder attack coursed through his body and sent him rocketing backwards into a paralyzing pain? Because he had thrown the rock? Because he had inadvertently caused injury to his own pokemon? Or because he looked up after the clouds cleared and saw an amazing bird pokemon flying through the sky? What was it? Had he really died his first day as a pokemon trainer seven years ago? And had whatever beings toying with his fate let him remain in the world as some sort of attractant to trouble? Or perhaps some sort of throwaway hero that is destined to be cast at every single problem the world seems to be having at the moment? Ash let go a deep sigh of air that he hadn't realized he had been holding in. And what of this pokemon? Mew. Yes he had seen one when he was ten years old still romping around in the Kanto region thinking that he'd make pokemon master in a few weeks. Forced to inhabit a pokemon center for the entire afternoon to wait out a storm, he had seen this pokemon slip between the clouds. Was it there because he was? Or was Ash just more observant than most people? And then again, when he and Lucario traveled to the Tree of Beginning. Fifteen years old and still recovering from self loathing, he was actually revived because this pokemon or some other one similar to it decided to sacrifice itself for his own wellbeing. Why is that? How do they keep finding me? "How did you catch it?" "It's a remarkable story really. Mew usually only appear for children. Sometimes for distressed children. We just found a little girl, south of New Bark Town, who claimed to have seen the legendary. We followed her to where she spotted it... and then it was a simple matter to persuade the pokemon to rescue her." Ash gritted his teeth. "You tricked it." "Oh no. We really would have hurt the girl. No need to worry about that." Ash whipped around, unable to keep the anger in anymore, "What right do you have to do this to Mew?! Let it go!" "It's a her actually," said Andromeda unflinchingly, despite the pikachu's crouched approach. "Mew's are genderless," retorted Ash. "Generally yes. Mews have no reproductive organs. But they do have their own mental personas that they take. The one hiding in the Tree of Beginning was male. This one, telepathically, is a female." "That doesn't explain why you're keeping it hostage!" Andromeda shrugged playfully, "Because we can?" Ash was caught swallowing his own words. Frowning, he kept his eyes hard on the ground. He wanted somehow to rebuttal what had been said but somehow he knew there was little he could do. "I'll make a deal with you, boy," said Andromeda drawing dangerously closer. "You do this, and I'll let you go. I'll even overlook the fact that you brought your rat with you." Pikachu's cheeks sparked in warning but she continued undaunted, "The cards are on the table. Will you do it?" "Do what?" spat Ash. She put her arm around Ash's shoulder. He had to fight the urge to recoil at her touch, his eyes briefly glancing in Pikachu's direction. So long as she had her hand on him any electronic current would surge into Ash as well. Pikachu bit down on his power. Andromeda smirked and squeeze Ash's shoulder tight. "Why to speak to Mew of course," said she steering Ash to face the comatose pokemon once more. "Wake it up for me. I'm worried if it keeps this up that it will... well, I certainly don't want to lose her." "I can't speak to pokemon." "Can't you?" said Andromeda giving the boy a little shake. "Chosen one? Hero of Aura? Friend to human and pokemon alike? Come now, don't be modest." "I'm not being modest," Ash said plucking her hand from his shoulder. "I really can't. I've been with pikachu for the past seven years and all I've managed to get is that it calls me pika pii." Ash made a face, "Unless all pokemon really say is their name." "Funny," She turned to where the twins stood guard with nothing close to a smile on her face. "He's funny isn't he?" Clark stepped forward just as Andromeda turned back. Before either Ash or Pikachu knew was happening, the blonde forced a gun at Ash's face. Terror struck, Ash stumbled backwards- his back gracing the mew's tank. "Heal mew, Mister Ketchum. Or die," said Andromeda all the sweetness now gone from her voice. Pikachu stepped boldly out in front of his master, its body coursing with voltage. Ash's expression went from one of panic to that of calm. A smile peeked out from underneath his exhaustion. "You wouldn't shoot me. You have a ransom to fill." Andromeda let out an audible and disappointed sigh, "Unfortunately, the boy is right... Clark. Kill his pikachu." Immediately Ash paled. The gun was quickly pointed towards the sparking rodent. Although pikachu seemed fairly confident that it'd get its shot off before Clark would- Ash didn't want to place such bets. "No stop! Wait! I'll try, please!" said Ash slowly turning towards the tank with hands raised. "Look, I'm gonna try. Please! Just don't hurt, Pikachu." Clark loosened his grip but still kept his sights trained on the pokemon. Pikachu too did not lower its guard. Trying not to pay attention to the gun trained on both his and his pokemon's back, Ash stared into the tank. He gently laid a hand on the glass and tried to concentrate. Aura rippled in and out of his sight like invisible ribbons, snaking across the water. But none seemed to surround the floating creature. Mew. Mew, please wake up, Ash tried relaying his thoughts to the suspending pokemon. He outlined each word visually in his mind and tried to physically push them to the pokemon beyond the inch thick glass. He pushed them harder and harder- trying to relay the urgency. If you don't wake up, we'll die! Please! Wake up! The pokemon didn't stir. "Mew please!" Ash now shouted startling the people behind him. "Please! Its me..." The words fell distastefully on his tongue, unable to do anything but whisper now as he said, "It's the Chosen One. Ash Ketchum, remember?" He tried to squeeze back the tears forming in his eyes. "Don't you trust me, Mew? Please! Wake up!" Nothing. Not even a flicker on the brain wave readings. Fighting back his boiling frustration, Ash slammed his fist against the glass. For a second, Ash almost believed the pokemon's eyelids had fluttered. But it was just a trick of the light. He drew back from the tank, almost not willing to dare turning around. "Go ahead, Clark," Ash heard Andromeda say. Ash felt his heart constrict. Before the thought even became conscious in his mind, Ash had moved. The bullet slammed into the back of his leg at the same time the thunderbolt hit him in the chest. He heard the shriek of his pokemon at the same time the electric attack ceased. He fell forward to his knees, only just conscious. Andromeda was speaking loudly and quickly. When Ash managed to flick his eyes in her direction, her face was contorted with fury. Medic, Medic- spoke her lips. Ash fell forward again, only just missing his pokemon. On his hands and knees, Ash saw Pikachu- sobbing, splashed by his own blood. He crawled forward, ignoring the sweat beading down his face. He couldn't move his right leg anymore. He left a trail of thick warm blood in his wake as he pulled himself against Mew's water tank. And then something quite unusual happened. The pain vanished. Ash watched in astonishment as leg, a disgusting mess of blood and bone mended itself of its own accord. Magic? Healing powers? Mew? Ash turned his head so that his cheek now rested against the glass. Mew was still unconscious but a brief glance at the computers showed that its brain waves were racing. Ash blinked, blinked again. The aura was now tangled around its form like a giant yarn ball. Was it... Could it be... awake? A sudden jolt stabbed Ash directly in the chest. As if he had been hit with a sudden sharp pressure between his lungs that knocked the air right out of his body. His eyelids fell as he collapsed onto the tile floor next to his still shrieking pokemon. Pikachu gently knocked itself against Ash's shoulder- but he remained unmoved. And he was no longer breathing. To Be Continued... Please Read and Review!