Worlds Away

[Casual Billy]

Just Checking

CHAPTER 1: MISTAKEN

After years of research and countless experiments, scientists at the Dimensional Research Laboratory have confirmed the existence of multiple dimensions. Having tested the waters with monkeys and other animals, they were finally ready to send a man to another dimension. His quest into the unknown would be broadcast on television around the world and everyone would watch in awe as Jack Tallihan wandered through the various distortions of this world.

Equipped with a protective suit to guard him against any possible threat present during the dimensional transfer and a robotic companion who would serve as a protection against any thing that he might face in the strange lands, Jack was already being strapped into the vortex generator. The robotic guardian was fashioned in the shape of a back pack and could unravel itself to become a six-foot tall, walking humanoid. Some assistants placed his helmet on and then stood back as operators began to activate the vortex. Encased in a white metal sphere, no one could see the look of horror on Jack?s face as he started to hear all manner of humming noises and began to feel as if he was being pulled in all directions at once. The white orb that he was inside of continued to gain power and the lights in the lab began to flicker. Moments later volts of electricity shot from all around the orb into the center creating a glowing mass of light.

?Step into the light, Jack,? urged a scientist.

?I always imagined hearing that at a different time but, here goes.? Jack took a step forward and then disintegrated and disappeared. The world was watching as this happened and everywhere people were anxious to hear what would happen next. Then, one of the head scientists at the D.R.L. stepped up to the camera.

?Our mission seems to have been a success. Jack Tallihan, the brave volunteer that you just saw disappear should be on his way to a pre-determined landing point in a world far different from our own. This landing point has been scouted out by a trained monkey and is very secluded. He won?t draw attention to himself and we will be able to bring him back if he returns to that same spot at the right time. Don?t worry, we told him when to return. Um, now all we can do is wait. He won?t be back until next week and then he will give us a full report on this other world that we?ve sent him to. We?ve provided him with a video recording device with which he can document his days exploring the unknown. That is all.?

Jack was still between the worlds traveling towards the end of the tunnel created by that machine. His body was being pulled in different directions by the force of him passing through a rift to another world. His face contorted with pain as he struggled not to cry.

?I?can?t imagine?how?bad this would?ve been without?this?suit,? he struggled to say, talking to himself. Then it stopped and Jack began to appear in the middle of a forest near a stream. As his individual particles began to rush together, some forest Pokemon began to stare at him curiously. Something was wrong though and Jack couldn?t tell what. It was a Raichu. A Raichu had been taking a drink at the spring in the precise spot where Jack was set to appear. The Raichu struggled as Jack?s physical presence revealed itself more and more even though it was occupying the same space as this unwitting Raichu. It let out an extremely powerful electrical charge freeing itself in the process. When Jack?s translation was complete, he hollered out with pain and then collapsed face-down in the grass unconscious. The Raichu, exhausted, slowly crawled away.

?Excuse me sir, but this is no place to take a nap.? Officer Jenny had been patrolling the forest searching for poachers that night and happened to come upon a strange man lying unconscious in the grass. Jack slowly became conscious and opened his eyes. He lifted himself off of the ground promptly and stood face to face with a blue-haired, brown eyed woman with a sapphire hue officer?s uniform on.

?Um, I?I?m sorry miss,? Jack stammered now remembering what had just happened to him. He looked down at his watch. It had not survived his dimensional transition and was no longer an accurate time piece.

?I?m going to have to take you in to the station, sir,? Jenny said as she pulled out a pair of handcuffs and motioned for him to turn around.

?That?s really not necessary, I was just feeding the ducks here and, well, um, I got kinda drowsy and just passed out right here on the edge of this lake. Isn?t that a funny story? I can?t wait to tell my?friends back in the town or city, place,? Jack said nervously. Jenny could see that he was lying by the way that his hazel eyes darted from side to side as he told his tale.

?That s?posed to be funny, punk?? she said becoming more forceful. ?What do you need this big metal back pack and all of this protective armor for if all you are doing is feeding the ?ducks? as you call them? What are these ducks? Are they here now?? Jenny grasped her Growlithe?s Pokeball and threw it to the ground in front of Jack.

?What the heck is that? Are you throwing some kind of bomb at me?? Jack said as the ball hit the ground. Beginning to open, Jack shielded his face and instinctively moved back as a small orange dog-like creature with a bushy white beard and a bushy white tail appeared. It was unlike anything he had ever seen and Jack reached in his pocket for his mini video recording device (m.v.r.d.). Growlithe leaped towards him and locked his jaws around Jack?s arm. Jack cringed and let go of the camera as Jenny tackled him to the ground finally hand cuffing him.

?Try to pull a fast one, eh? Well, you?re going with me to the station.? Jenny finished cuffing him and led him to the police car that was parked at the edge of the forest. She had taken his m.v.r.d. and was now examining it as they walked along. ?Is this a Pokemon egg that you stole?? She said not quite understanding such an odd little device. It was as small as the palm of her hand and had a metallic hue and sparkled brightly when sunlight struck it through the foliage of the forest. Its elliptical shape made it look similar to a very small Pokemon egg and this would be Jenny?s prime evidence against him. Having supposedly found one of the poachers she had been looking for, Jenny drove off towards Vermilion City. Jack sat in the back of the police car having been relieved of his robotic guardian back pack and metallic armor wondering where he be taken and how much trouble he was in.

That?s the end of chapter 1. How was it? Any feedback is welcome. Upcoming chapters will be more eventful.

 

[IceKing]

Good Things
Interesting Plot
You understand your subject
Great Transition
Portrayed the strangeness of the two worlds well

Bad Things
Not much detail/description
A few grammar mistakes
Very Short, it shuld be at least 4 pages


Its a pretty good fic you just need to work on length and description some more

 

[lilbluecorsola]

Billy! 8D *pounces*

(^.^) Glad to be reading this again. You've already gotten reviews from me for the early chapters, so I'll just say that I really like this fic because of the originality.

=) I can't wait to see the more recent chapters. You've certainly improved a lot since you began this story.

 

[Breezy]

Ooh, I like it so far billy. ^_^ An interesting way to have a human from another world come to the Pok?mon one (hell, I'm just glad no gameboys were involved). Jack's reaction to the new world around him had a nice tone to it especially when Officer Jenny spotted him.

Some minor mistakes in grammar but nothing too big to point out (plus I'm a lazy reviewer today! =P). Description was pretty good along with that of sentence structure (which are way different from each other but meh). But what really caught my interest was your plot.

So I hope ya update soon!

LaTeR dAyZ!

 

[Casual Billy]

Thank you all so much for reviewing! Thanks for the comments Iceking, the length of this chapter is appreciably more magnanimous (not really, but it does reach 4 pages) than the last one. Hopefully you all will enjoy this next chapter.

CHAPTER 2: INTERESTING CELL MATES

The police car slowly drove into a small coastal city. Jack looked out to see people standing on the sidewalk looking right in at him and making a spectacle of the newest criminal in town. He slumped down in his seat to avoid the humiliation of being seen by any of the other town?s people. It was a very small city and Jack judged it boring seeing as how a whole neighborhood had soon awaken to investigate what new criminal had been brought in to the local jail house.

?Not much happens around here, does it?? Jack asked Jenny who was now parking the police car.

?If you mean that the people of this town are not use to the presence of Pokemon poaching scum bags like you, then no.? Jenny walked around and opened his door.

?Listen lady, there has been a major misunderstanding. I don?t even know what a Poke man is! Please let me go. I have business to attend to.? Jacks pleas fell on deaf ears as Jenny walked into the station announcing that she had captured a Pokemon poacher in the
Viridian Forest.

?We?re gonna keep you here for an indefinite amount of time until we can review all of the evidence against you,? said Jenny confident that there was more than enough to convict him. Jack was shown to his cell where two other prisoners were already being confined.

?What are you in for?? asked a blue-haired man with a shady voice.

?I?m not even sure,? Jack said as he continued to look out of the bars and not behind him where the other convict sat.

?My name is James, and I?ve been wrongly apprehended too.?

?I?m Meowth, and I had jail time comin? to me ever since I joined up with this loser.?

?I am not a loser!? James said indignantly now standing up. Jack turned around to see a man in a white suit with a big red ?R? on it conversing with a talking cat that had three large whiskers on either side of its mouth and a golden coin in the center of its forehead. The sight was nearly unbearable and Jack moved backwards to the opposite corner of the jail cell.
?They told me it?d get interesting but I never imagined this kind of crazy,? Jack thought as he continued to look at his cell mates with awe.

?So, where ya from buddy,? the Meowth asked as he became uninterested in his bout with James.

?Um, well, I?m from a town up north,? Jack said stammering frequently because of his nervousness due to the peculiarity of the situation.

?What?s the name of this town? I?m sure we?ve robbed it once.? James and Meowth shared a prideful smile and awaited Jack?s answer. Jack pulled out from his coat pocket a small digital voice recorder and began to talk, planning to record the things he said from now one so that he might keep his story continuous and not have people become suspicious about his origin.

?Have you heard of Meridian Town?? Jack bellowed into his recorder more than at Meowth and James. The two looked at each other confused and then both began to speak at once.

?Yeah, we took loot from there all the time before we was captured,? was Meowth?s reply.

?I haven?t heard of that town before,? James replied looking confused and then changing his answer. ?Oh yes, Meowth?s right, we have stolen plenty from your hometown.?

?That?s nice, what about you two? Where are you from?? Jack asked this and then held out his voice recorder so that it might pick up the ensuing reply.

?None of your business! What?s with all the questions?! Are you some kind of under cover agent trying to tarnish?further tarnish my record?! Get that mike out of my face.? This was definitely not the reaction that Jack had hoped and he quickly put the recording device away. Jack finally sat down on a bench on the opposite side of the cell and propped his head up on his hands. Exhausted, he began to close his eyes. In moments he was fast asleep and he began to dream.

* * *

?What?s this, I?m back in that portal again.? Jack emerged from the portal and was back in that science laboratory in the middle of a medical room.

?Does it hurt when I do this?? a doctor questioned, punching him in the jaw.

?Yeah, gosh, was that necessary?? Jack tried to say as he held his jaw and rubbed it.

?We have to get you ready for the mission. You don?t want to be stranded in some crazy dimension and end up not being able to take a punch in the jaw do you?? The doctor asked this in such a professional tone that he had Jack reevaluating whether or not the test had been necessary.

?I guess I don?t,? was all he could reply before he found himself sitting at his home at the kitchen table. The light blue curtains calmed him and the sun?s rays came in through the window giving him a sense of warmth and coziness in what he immediately recognized as the house that he and his mother had lived in when he was only seven. Jack looked down at his hands which were propped up on the table. They had gotten considerably smaller and he felt as if he was much shorter than usual. He then examined his sleeves to find that he was wearing what had been his favorite shirt at the time: a blue and red Spider-man shirt.

?I didn?t know that I still had this,? Jack commented still peering at his old shirt and his odd transformation. The smell of peanut-butter cookies permeated the air as a woman turned around from facing the oven.

?Of course you still have it, you?re wearing it now,? his mother said holding an oven pan full of cookies that smiled and agreed with her.

?Great shirt,? one cookie nodded.

?Yeah, I?d get in your belly just to be next to that awesome shirt,? one cookie shouted as it jumped off of the cookie sheet and started to roll towards Jack. Jack stepped backwards and then started to run towards the door and out of his house. Upon exiting the door he found himself considerably taller and dressed in a cap and flowing gown. His name was called and he walked towards the center of the platform and accepted his bachelor?s degree in trans-dimensional science. He looked at the crowd only to see a sea of people shaking their heads in disapproval.

What kind of job are you gonna get with that degree? You should?ve gone into engineering. Boooooo,? his mother hissed from the front row and Jack slowly walked off stage and into a forest that led to a laboratory. Jack walked in, now clothed in a lab coat and wearing goggles on the top of his thick black hair. Trans-dimensional research had become quite proliferate and lucrative in the last few years and Jack picked up a phone to call his mom. It rung a few times and then the answering machine was activated.

?Leave a message after the beep and I will get back to you,? was the recording and Jack began to gloat about his scientific success. He had had a lot of success in his past few years of research. He had discovered the most effective energy source for a machine that was capable of trans- dimensional travel, he had discovered an equation for estimating the most opportune time for dimensional travel, and had gotten a few raises in pay only in his first two years of research.

?I really do enjoy this side of the work,? Jack said, still talking on the phone to the answering machine, ?but, I want to be more involved in the field work, I want to be the first one to experience trans-dimensional travel, I want to?

?I did not ask you all that!? The answering machine barked and the beeping tone signaled the end of the recording. Jack chuckled and when he looked up, he was inside of the fourteenth dimensional transfer machine. The machine powered up and electric volts gathered in front of him into a ball of light. Jack became very fearful and half of him wanted to just wriggle out of this responsibility and go back to his desk where he would only be using his mind. Field work was much more frightening than he had imagined.

?Hey, guy, you want to get out?? a whisper of a voice said to him.

?Yes, please, I?m not sure that I?m cut out for this dimensional transfer stuff,? Jack replied, relieved at a chance to shirk this amazing responsibility.

* * *

?Leave the nutcase, James!? was Meowth?s response to Jack?s ramblings in his dreaming state.

?No, I want to go with you.? Jack jumped up finally coming to his senses and not wanting to pass up his opportunity to escape from his wrongful imprisonment.

?Well get up then.? Meowth motioned for Jack to walk with him through a hole in the wall where a tall female stood outside behind a cloud of smoke. The prison guard sat outside the cell, sleeping with his hat over his face.

?Seems the criminals have found a way to escape and now I?m going to go with them so that I may be free to commence my research of this strange dimen?place,? Jack dictated into his digital voice recorder as Meowth and James stared at him. ?Okay, here I go.? So Jack escaped into the night with three criminals as the only way to get free from the clutches of the Vermilion city law force.

That?s the end of Chapter 2. Jack?s dream kind of revealed some of his history and elaborated on how he was chosen to test the trans-dimensional vehicle that the scientists at D.R.L. had developed. Any comments, questions or criticisms are welcome.

 

[Casual Billy]

Next Chapter

Here it is!

CHAPTER 3: ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE LAW

?Let?s hurry and get out of here before the police know what?s going on,? whispered the tall woman who had liberated them. The smoke cleared and she became completely visible. Her stiff red hair hung to her left, suspended in the air by some amazingly powerful hair gel.

?Thanks Jess.? Meowth and James said as they scurried through the hole in the wall. Jack followed apprehensively.

?Is she a partner of yours?? Jack asked. While waiting for a reply, Jack dictated the details of the situation into his digital voice recorder as he crawled on hands and knees through a hole in the prison wall.

?Yeah, James and Jessie are my underlings. We work for Team Rocket,? the Meowth said as all three of them emerged from the other side of the hole.

?Small town prison wall is nothing I can?t handle. Who?s this other guy? I don?t remember coming to rescue three losers,? Jessie said looking at Jack.

Having missed the comment, Jack spoke into his voice recorder as he looked up in awe. There, right behind the prison stood a giant hot-air balloon. It had the shape and look of Meowth?s head but was much larger. ?Now it seems that the criminals have prepared a hot-air balloon as a getaway from the prison. The balloon is shaped like?? Jack paused as he thought about his missing gear that was in the police station. ?This would be a lot easier to picture if I could actually take pictures.?

?Come on motor mouth, we need to go!? Jessie shouted. The band of criminals quickly jumped into the hot air balloon and lifted off as Jessie untied the ropes that held them to the ground. The four floated off into the night sky and Jack was caught up in more trouble than he had hoped for.

* * *

?Zzzzzzzz * snore * zzzzzzz.?

?Hey Ron, I?m here to take over. Your shift is up.? The prison guard who was on duty did not respond and the other security guard approached a cell near by. The cell?s interior was covered with dust and there were still a few particles of dust floating in the air. ?Wake up! I think these prisoners have escaped. Ron!? Ron jerked and then launched out of his chair as his hat fell to the ground.

?How does that Growlithe know water gun?!? Realizing where he was, Ron removed himself from the dream as the other prison guard struggled to get him to realize the emergency that had taken place. It was 2:00 a.m. and they were the only two officers in the jail. Ron ran to the phone and called in the alarm.

* * *

?That?s my stuff!? Jack shouted as he saw his armor and m.v.r.d. on the floor of the balloon basket. Jack moved towards his gear

?Your stuff? We stole this from that police station.? Jessie moved in front of Jack and hindered his progress towards his lost armor and robotic back pack.

?Robotic Armor Assistant, activate!? Jack?s metal back pack unfolded into a 6 foot tall metallic humanoid. Its shiny metal coat was impervious to most conventional weaponry and his back was equipped with two jet-propulsion systems. R.A.A. lifted its head and its eyes shined a bright yellow color. Its arms were about as thick as Jack?s, very strong although not exceptionally large, and its legs were two compact powerhouses as well.

?What is that thing?!? Jessie, James, and Meowth all exclaimed at once.

?I?ve never seen this Pokemon before!? James said this as he and the others scurried to the other side of the balloon basket.

?Online and operational?System check complete?Awaiting your command.? The robot stood motionless awaiting a word from Jack.

?Upload program 2345A.? At Jack?s request, scientists at D.R.L. had programmed the personality of Jack?s best friend into his robotic companion. When the program finished loading, the robot assumed the personality of Tom Hsusaki. Tom was a good friend of Jack?s. They had gone to the same college for the same degree and ended up working in the same lab. Tom was very intelligent and had a sense of humor that permeated everything he did.

?So Jack, how?s it going,? the robotic Tom said as Team Rocket still huddled motionless on the floor of the balloon.

?Pretty well, Tom. I?m just escaping from prison with some criminals,? Jack said calmly as he began to pick up the rest of his equipment.

?Whoa, that?s not the Jack I know. What do you mean? What did you do? I?ll pretend to be a hostage if they come after us!?

?Let?s get out of here.? With that the robotic Tom grabbed Jack under the arms and lifted him out of the basket. They flew away, heading towards the rising sun.

Team Rocket slowly got up. ?Stop right there you fiend!? yelled James a little too late.

?Don?t compliment this intruder!? Meowth yelled. ?It?s gone now anyway.?

?What a wondrous Pokemon that was!? Jessie?s eyes were glowing with covetous envy. She began to think of how the boss would react when they brought him a Pikachu and a new species of Pokemon that they had discovered. They must find Jack and that new Pokemon. Pikachu would come first though.

* * *

Three young adventurers strolled through the streets of Saffron City. One with a head full of unruly black hair covered by a red cap, one with orange hair and a pony tail on the left side of her head, and one with spiky black hair. A small yellow mouse followed them on all fours as they walked through the city. The mouse screeched and then pointed upwards.

?What is it, Pikachu?? Ash asked looking down at his Pokemon who was gesticulating frantically. Just then, a man being carried by a rocket propelled robot flew high over the city and towards the neighboring forest.

?What was that?!? Misty and Brock both followed the unidentified object with their eyes.

?I don?t know, but we?re going to find out!? So Ash, Misty and Brock all headed out of the city and towards the landing site of this strange object.

* * *

?Engaging landing protocol.? The robot made a series of turns as it spiraled closer and closer to the ground. A parachute was released and Jack and robot Tom slowly descended into yet another forest.

?I was afraid that I?d be trapped with those criminals for the rest of my stay here.? Jack was genuinely relieved that he had been able to escape from Team Rocket.

?Who were those guys?? Robotic Tom asked curiously.

?I?m not quite sure. All I know is that they helped me escape and reunited me with my equipment. Now I can commence my research. We?ve wasted two days and have only voice recordings to show for it. It?s time to get to work.?

?Right. I need to get some more fuel, Jack. We flew for quite a while after escaping from that balloon.? They landed in a tree and Jack and robotic Tom hopped down the branches and landed on the forest floor. Jack pulled out his m.v.r.d. and began to record his surroundings. Everything about this world was amazing to him. Caterpie were filmed squirming up tall trees, Pidgey were filmed as they tended to their eggs in nests high above the ground.

?I guess these creatures are kind of a parallel to the animals we have in our dimension,? Tom postulated as Jack continued to move his camera around in all directions making sure not to miss anything.

* * *

The three young trainers wandered through the forest as they searched for the unidentified flying object.

?I bet it was from outer space.? Ash looked at the others with eyes that perfectly portrayed his excitement about the idea.

?If it?s a new species of Pokemon that would be fascinating.? Brock smiled thinking of the new advances that could be made in Pokemon bio-research. He had become an expert on Pokemon species and this idea of possibly finding a new one or one from outer space thrilled him.

?Look over there!? Misty had spotted a man standing in the forest next to a strange looking creature.

* * *

Poaching activity had been reported by residents of Saffron City and Officer Jenny was sent to investigate. She walked through the forest occasionally reporting back to headquarters.

?Wait, I think I see something. It?s an odd man with some odd equipment scoping out the forest. I?m going to sneak up on him and apprehend him for questioning. I think I may have found our poacher.?

* * *

?I know the twerps were headed for Saffron City after our last encounter with them.? Jessie, James, and Meowth floated in the direction of Saffron City eventually landing their balloon in the forest adjacent to the city.

?We?ll ambush them as they leave the city and trap them in a hole. We better find the right spot to start digging.? Meowth and the others began to scout the forest for the perfect spot to set up their ambush.

* * *

?I?m getting some electrical interference with this recorder. Tom, scan the area for its source.?

?I?m picking up a lot of things on my radar. The electrical interference seems to be coming from only 30 yards east of this spot.? As he said this, Officer Jenny jumped out from behind a bush.

?You again?! I thought I arrested you back in Virmilion!?

Jack started to run in the opposite direction when after only a few steps he came face-to-face with Team Rocket.

?Prepare for trouble,? the red-haired one started off.

?Make it double,? James followed.

?To protect the world from devastation.?

?To unite all peoples within our nation.?

?To denounce the evils of truth and love.?

?To extend our reach to the stars above.?

?Jessie.?

?James.?

?Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light.?

?Surrender now or prepare to fight.?

?Meowth, that?s right!?

Jack quickly turned to his left and started to run when.

?Stop right there.?

?Pika Pika!?

Ash, Misty, and Brock confronted Jack intending to apprehend him and his strange Pokemon. Jack backed up and stood in the midst of these three groups and pulled out his voice recorder.

?It seems as if the various opposing forces of this place have cornered me and now I am unable to escape.?

------------------------------------------

Okay, that's it. Well, criticism is welcome as always! Oh, and I'm gonna start putting previews to the next chapter at the end of all my chapter posts. Here's the preview of chapter 4.

Water surge estimated an amount sufficient to douse flames?Flame heat sufficient for water phase change. Pressure of stream?potentially damaging. Heat of flame?potentially damaging. Force needed to support frame?Gravitational force?same as dimension of origin. Absolute fuel assessment?insufficient. Sources of potential energy?elastic. Plan of action confirmed.

 

[Casual Billy]

Wow, no reviews for the past couple of chapters? That's odd...Oh wait, no it isn't. I added music to this chapter. Tell me if you think that's a good idea. Or just read quietly and don't give me any reason to believe that anyone's reading at all. Both options are fine. Well, if anyone's really reading this, here's the next chapter.

CHAPTER 4: I?M NO TRAINER BUT WHAT THE HECK!

Officer Jenny released her Growlithe in front of Jack. ?This man is a poacher!? she said facing Ash and his friends.

?That?s terrible. He hurts Pokemon for personal gain. You?re sick.? Misty was genuinely enraged now and she released her Starmie.

?Alright, I didn?t want to put you all in danger but you leave me no choice. Robotic Assistant, load program 2345B!? Jack?s armored companion turned guardian shifted a few of its mechanisms into a position more suited for battle and its eyes turned from a friendly shade of yellow to a haunting shade of red as Tom?s personality faded and a strategic, calculating one took over.

?Battle protocol initiated,? the robot confirmed.

?Go, Onix!? Brock?s enormous boulder serpent emerged from its pokeball.

?What the?? Jack was interrupted.

?Go Pikachu!? Pikachu, not having been confined by a Pokeball scurried into battle position.

?Starmie, let?s teach this poacher a lesson he won?t soon forget!? Misty released her water-powered pokemon from its ball and it made a series of indecipherable noises.

?I don?t know about this. Maybe we should just leave.? Jack became very uncomfortable as he stared into the eyes of a large rock snake the likes of which he could compare to nothing in his own dimension. The unusually large purple starfish with the ruby in the middle of its body did nothing to calm Jack?s nerves either. Ash?s yellow electric rat now stood growling on all fours with its red cheeks surging with visible electric charge.

"Escape is an improbability at best. Fuel is low. We would not be able to escape a total distance of 14.978 meters before my fuel reserves would be depleted.? The robot?s grim but acutely accurate diagnosis of the situation provided Jack with no comfort at all.

?Well, go R.A.A.!? Jack called out to his guardian as he pulled out his mini video recorder and powered it up. ?This past time seems to be a focal point of this strange culture,? he said quietly as the m.v.r.d. began to record its surroundings. ?This game of fighting creatures, this all but ordinary line of creatures seems to be how the law is reinforced. Observe.?

* * *

?What?s he doing?? Jesse and James had remained undetected by Ash and Officer Jenny and now resolved to simply watch the ensuing battle.

?I say, when the twerps ain?t lookin?, we nab that Pikachu!?

?Why go for the Pikachu when we can steal that new trainer?s Pokemon. It looks much stronger.? Meowth and Jesse had no opposition to this new plan of action and they waited until the perfect time to strike.

* * *

Officer Jenny and her Growlithe stood on one side of Jack while Misty, Brock, and Ash stood on his other.

?Will you go quietly, or will we have to subdue you by force?? Silence followed the officer?s inquisition as Jack lowered the camera from his face.

?I will let you take me to jail if you all can defeat my?Pokey?Pokey man!? Jack said triumphantly as he finally remembered the name of these strange creatures.

?We accept!?

Accompanying music

?Onix, dig under the ground!? Brock?s Pokemon quickly obeyed and within seconds had disappeared under a layer of earth.

?Starmie, use your hydro pump attack!? Misty?s Pokemon shot forth a stream of water from its center with such force that the Pokemon itself was forced to jump backwards.

?Growlithe, use your flamethrower attack now!? The fiery dog loosed forth from its orifice a burning stream of energy.

Water surge estimated an amount sufficient to douse flames?Flame heat sufficient for water phase change. Pressure of stream?potentially damaging. Heat of flame?potentially damaging. Force needed to support frame?Gravitational force?same as dimension of origin. Absolute fuel assessment?insufficient. Sources of potential energy?elastic. Plan of action confirmed.

The robot?s lightning fast brain had made all of these assessments within fractions of a second and now it bended it?s legs at the knees, storing in their inner workings enough elastic potential energy to support his frame and propel him upwards with sufficient speed. R.A.A. launched himself upwards just in time to miss the two attacks of water and fire. The hydro pump and the flamethrower collided to produce an enormous and blinding cloud of steam.

?Oh my goodness. That robot is awesome,? Jack commented in awe of the blinding speed at which it had leapt out of the way.

Outcome expected. Advantage gained. Alternate methods of visibility active.

?What?s going on?! I can?t see anything,? Ash yelled as he and his friends struggled to peer through the dense fog that had been created. ?Pikachu, use thunder?? Ash was interrupted as Brock grabbed him by the collar.

?Don?t be crazy. With all of this water vapor in the air, you could harm all of us!?

Targeting heat signatures. Pokemon targets?three. Launching initiated.

The fog began to clear. But, as it became less dense, it revealed an unwelcome surprise for Jack?s opposition. A barrage of small pencil-size white missiles flew through the air, a visible trail of smoke behind these projectiles, towards their Pokemon. Each one hit its respective target with devastating impact. Pikachu was thrown backwards at an alarmingly high rate of speed and Ash dove to catch him. Misty?s water Pokemon was struck dead center by a missile and it flew backwards with a force that shook the tree which eventually interrupted its flight path. Growlithe had not been struck directly but the force of an exploding missile on the ground near him caused him to faint. Now the fog cleared completely to reveal Jack?s ?Pokey man.?

?My Pokey man rocks!? Jack shouted victoriously as the trainers seemed to be defeated.

?So does mine,? Brock said confidently. ?Onix, attack your enemy! Emerge from under ground!?

Seismic disturbance detected. Unable to completely evade attack. Current velocity of upward traveling foe is?potentially damaging. Minimize damage by?increasing contact time to make transfer of momentum less forceful?Plan of action confirmed.

The giant rock snake emerged upward from the ground head first right underneath R.A.A. At the same rate of speed that the giant rock snake emerged from the ground, R.A.A. leapt into the air. When Onix continued to move upward after acceleration due to gravity had already completely diminished R.A.A.?s initial upward velocity, the robot?s feet came in contact with the head of the snake and it bent its knees at the same speed as the snake traveled upwards. This almost completely diminished the force of Onix?s attack as the robot had effectively used the mechanisms in its legs as shock absorbers. At the apex of their flight, Onix fell back towards the earth with a devastating impact and R.A.A. did a backwards somersault off of the boulder snake?s head and onto the ground, a small puff of dust rising.

(Cut Music)

?Talk about a Kodak moment!? Jack smiled, his face still partially hidden by his video recording device. There, his ?Pokey man? stood having triumphed over its enemies.

?That Pokemon is amazing! We can?t defeat it Ash.? Misty?s pessimistic attitude only hit the brick wall of Ash?s perseverance.

?We can, and we will! Pikachu, use your thunder attack!? Ash?s exhortation met with a complete lack of action as the electrified mouse failed to comply. In fact, it was nowhere in sight. ?Pikachu?? he called. ?Pikachu! Where are you?!? Then, like an evil sun rising from the surface of an ocean of leaves, Team Rocket?s Meowth balloon rose slowly and broke away from the foliage of the forest?s canopy.

?So long suckers!? Meowth jeered.

?We?ve finally got your Pikachu and there?s no way you can stop us,? Jessie added as she held up a rubber-insulated bag that squirmed and wriggled from inside.

?Nooooooo. Pikachuuuuuuu!? Ash screamed as he began to try and run under the balloon. It was already too far up and too far away to be stopped though and Ash stopped running and fell on his knees.

* * *

?I thought we were going after that new species of Pokemon.? James only just now realized that he was disappointed with having captured a mere Pikachu.

?Are you crazy, James?! Did you see how powerful that Pokemon was? There?s no way we could subdue something like that.? Jessie?s words made sense and Team Rocket continued to float towards the Rocket base where they would present Pikachu to their boss.

* * *

?What will I do? My other Pokemon are in the town. There?s no time to stop Team Rocket!?

?I?ll help you,? Jack said as he approached the group of youngsters.

That?s the end of chapter 4. Hopefully somebody enjoyed it. Please reply; it?s why I keep writing this thing.

 

[Casual Billy]

CHAPTER 5

?Why would you help us? We don?t want help from any poacher!? Misty shouted, very upset by his proposition.

?I will help no opponent of officer Jenny!? As Brock said this he quickly began to walk towards Jenny. ?Are you okay my precious blue rose!? Just as he started to make his way to the startled officer, Misty grabbed him by the ear and he staggered and fell.

?Listen, I?M NOT A POACHER! Jenny just found me in the forest with armor on holding a round egg-like thing and assumed the worst.? Just after Jack said this he felt cold metal around his wrists.

?Gotcha!? Jenny said triumphantly.

?No, not this time.? Jack?s robot who had been standing still in the middle of the old battlefield, shined a bright orange focused beam of energy at the links connecting Jack?s handcuffs and the confinements fell to the ground smoking. ?Jenny, you have to understand that?? Jack was interrupted by the sound of a booming gunshot.

?What was that!? exclaimed the blue-haired officer. The whole gang rushed towards the spot where the sound had seemingly emanated. Jack lagged far behind the rest of them but still moved slowly towards their common destination.

* * *

?What are you tying to do?! That shot was way too loud! You?re going to get us caught!?

* * *

?I think I heard someone speaking! Come, this way!? Misty was now in front of the rest of the group and they quickly headed in the direction of the voice. They were extremely close now.

?Maybe we should just get out of here,? Jack said to his robot. ?I mean, they?re still trying to capture us and we have a lot of research to complete. We?ve already been here for two and a half days and all I have are voice recordings and a few minutes recording of you kicking some Pokey man butt!? Jack motioned for a high-five but the robot, still in battle mode did not respond to his gesture. ?Oh yeah, load program 2345A.? Some of the robot?s systems relaxed and its eyes turned a jovial shade of yellow. The robot then reached out his hand to complete Jack?s high five and ended up hitting him in the head because Jack had already lowered his hand, having given up on the whole thing. ?Smooth move robot,? Jack said now rubbing his head.

?Sorry. What are we going to do then Jack?? Jack and the robot stood still for a second.

?What do you think? You?re the robot. What?s the more logical decision??

?I really don?t know,? the robot shrugged.

?Great job scientists,? Jack said in a sarcastic tone. ?An accurate simulation of Tom?s indecisiveness was not a necessity for this mission.?

?Let?s just head back to the city. They probably won?t hesitate to try and apprehend us if we go back to see where they were headed.? Jack looked to the ground and then towards his friend who just shrugged again. Jack gave off a slight grin and then decided to head back to Saffron City in the opposite direction of the youngsters.

* * *

?Stop right there you poachers!? Officer Jenny confronted two poachers who stood next to a net full of baby Pokemon. They were very shady-looking characters, unshaved and very rough in appearance. They contrasted so sharply with the clean-shaven decent Jack whom Jenny had accused of being the criminal before.

?She?s so beautiful when she?s indignant!? Brock exclaimed as his eyes glimmered with the reflection of Jenny in all of her sapphire glory. Neither Ash nor Misty paid him any attention.

?Go, Starmie! Let?s take this criminal down.? Starmie emerged from its ball, still exhausted from its earlier battle.

?Help her out Growlithe! Come on out!? Officer Jenny?s Pokemon materialized looking just as exhausted as Misty?s starfish Pokemon.

* * *

Jack and the robot had not walked 5 feet before?

?I think we should go back and help them out.?

?What are you talking about??

Accompanying music

?My sonic detection nodes have picked up dialogue that seems to suggest the commencement of another Pokemon battle. Misty has called forth her Starmie and officer Jenny has brought out her Growlithe. Direct quote: ?Stop right there you poachers!?... ?Go, Starmie!?? ?Help her out Growlithe! Come on out!?

?If they found the real poacher then maybe they?ll believe that I?m no criminal. Let?s go back. I could really use their help in my research anyway.? Jack and the robotic simulation of his best friend headed in the direction that the youngsters had earlier.

?I hope you heard that right,? Jack commented as he pretended to check for wax around his robot?s hearing nodes.

* * *

?Is that all ya got?!? The poacher looked on the two pathetic Pokemon that officer Jenny and Misty had sent out. He reached for a red and white sphere that was attached to his belt. ?Go, Tyranitar!? A massive beast appeared its skin a lime shade, its back covered in piercingly sharp spikes. Its eyes were fiercely intimidating and its stare took full advantage of this fact. The monster stood high above Staryu and Misty and the top of its head obstructed the rays of the sun so that its form cast an incredibly ominous shadow.

?Oh no. I didn?t want to do this but?Go Onix!? Brock?s boulder snake appeared still fatigued from its previous battle. The snake tried to roar ferociously but ended up only emitting a shrill sound that accurately denoted his lack of energy.

?Tyranitar, use your hyper beam attack!? a small hollow orb of energy formed in the center of the beast?s jaws. Energy from the environment rapidly gathered into this orb, filling it with an energy so great that it emanated a fiery orange color.

* * *

"Woah! Massive energy spike detected."

"Alright, let's hurry up then." Jack and the robot began to run now.

* * *

Tyranitar released the hyper beam and made direct contact with Brock?s Onix. The gigantic boulder snake fell to the ground and Brock rushed to its side. Tyranitar stood immobile for a few seconds, catching its breath.

?Now?s our chance, Starmie. Use your hydro pump!? The purple starfish loosed forth a water stream of immense pressure directed towards the Tyranitar. Starmie?s accuracy had suffered due to her fatigue and the hydro pump only hit Tyranitar?s arm.

?Tyranitar, finish it.? Tyranitar stomped its foot and caused the earth under Starmie to shake violently and the water Pokemon collapsed, exhausted. Jenny?s Growlithe caught some of the intensity of Tyranitar?s focused earthquake attack and fainted as well. The two poachers jumped on their off-road vehicle that had all of the netted Pokemon attached to it.

?Tyranitar, return!?

?So long suckers!? the one without the Tyranitar shouted as the other one, without looking forward, started up the engine. He stepped on the gas and, instead of moving forward, only kicked up a cloud of dust.

?What the heck is going on?! Is that Tyranitar? Why aren?t we moving?? The poacher took his foot off of the gas pedal and the dust he had kicked up began to slowly settle. The silhouette of what looked to be an irregularly shaped human form became visible standing right in front of the vehicle.

?Just a routine stop. Hope you weren?t headed anywhere in a hurry,? the voice emanated from behind a wall of dust.

?2345B!? a voice whose source was indiscernible called out.

The silhouette?s eyes turned a crimson shade that shone through the still settling dust.

?What the heck is that thing?!? both poachers shouted. ?Tyranitar, go!? Once again the ferocious beast appeared. The dust was now completely settled and Jack stared up at what he perceived to be a giant dinosaur.

?What the?? Instinctively moving backwards away from the Tyranitar, Jack had slipped on a small rock. ?Oh man, no way!? His robotic guardian turned its head to reassure Jack.

?Don?t worry, I?ll get him.?

(Cut Music)

That?s the end of chapter 5. Hope you all enjoyed it. Criticism is welcome.

Note to Flaming Ruby- I'm sorry that Jack didn't get to witness Brock's infatuation with Jenny in this chapter but just you wait, in the next chapter he'll see it.

 

[Casual Billy]

Okay, this is one of my favorite chapters. If you haven't been reading so far, just read this one.

CHAPTER 6


Alright, here?s chapter six. I tried something new: music. Mainly because I thought it was the best way to heighten the emotion of the story *coughlilbluecorsolacough*

(Accompanying music https://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/gamecube/Like_a_glint_of_light2.mid)

R.A.A. rushed forward with a blinding speed so incredible that a streak of light seemed to be left behind him as his metallic hue glistened in the sun.

?Tyranitar, whip up a sandstorm,? one of the poachers called out. As if nature had begun to obey the olive beast?s command, winds began to howl, lifting sand from the ground and blurring R.A.A.?s sight.

Alternate mode of sight initiated

Even so, the robot was not prepared for Tyranitar?s next move. His thermal vision was activated only to catch sight of a quickly approaching dinosaur with its mouth wide open, its vicious teeth seemingly dripping with darkness. R.A.A. did a mini jet boost out of the way and then rolled back into a fighting stance position. The monstrous Pokemon slammed into a tree, not being able to stop after the robot moved out of the way. The trunk of the tree cracked as the woodwork of nature began to topple over.

?Oh crap!? Jack quickly moved out of the way of the falling tree as he had been sitting right beneath it.

?Tyranitar, turn around and thrash that other Pokemon!?

Tyranitar quickly turned around to where the robot had fled only to catch a quick glimpse of a metallic foot as R.A.A. had leapt into the air and landed a devastating kick to Tyranitar?s face. The monster almost lost its balance but it quickly re oriented itself and its mouth began to glow with the amber hue of pure energy focused.

Huge energy spike detected. Avoidance of ensuing attack?improbable?Speed of attack?too high to increase contact time?scanning area?

Tyranitar released its hyper beam aimed directly at R.A.A.?s center.

?That?s it for the competition!? laughed one of the poachers, counting his chickens before they hatched.

With impeccable timing, R.A.A. leapt upwards and grabbed onto a branch overhead. The height of his jump was not enough for him to completely escape the attack but R.A.A. knew that. The hyper beam hit the robot?s foot and sent it into a rapid spin around the tree branch like some kind of circus acrobat twirling high above the crowd. Tyranitar stood immobile for a couple of seconds after his massive attack had sent R.A.A. into a high velocity centripetal orbit around the tree branch he had latched onto. R.A.A. let go of the branch at the highest point of his swing, releasing himself up into the sky. He flew upward above the forest canopy, his speed was so great.

?Where?d that other Pokemon go?!?

The poacher?s inquisition met with the sight of a metallic warrior crashing through the forest canopy with its foot extended down towards an exhausted Tyranitar. R.A.A.?s foot made contact with the dinosaur?s head and left a burnt mark as the robot?s foot was still burning from contact with the hyper beam attack. Tyranitar wobbled back and forth a couple of times and then toppled over. The ground shook violently for a couple of seconds and the sandstorm ceased. Jack?s victorious ?Pokey man? stood right over the fainted dinosaur his figure becoming clearer as the sandstorm subsided.

(Cut Music)

?What in HO-OH?s name kind of Pokemon is that?!? the poachers shook as Jack's metallic guardian stood victoriously over the immobile frame of their most powerful Pokemon, its feet still smoking from the heat of Tyranitar?s hyper beam.

What in HO-0H?s name?HO-OH must be a deity in this world as it has replaced the name for earth?s deity in this common phrase?note taken.

?Okay poachers, the jig?s up!? Officer Jenny?s voice still had all the authority and confidence of one who had not been defeated.

?Even in the face of defeat, Jenny is still strong! Oh Jenny!? Misty grabbed Brock by the ear again and dragged him away. ?Oh Misty, why must you stand in the way of our love?!?

?Brock, you?re being ridiculous,? Misty replied, not even looking back on her pathetic baggage.

Jenny rushed towards the poachers and cuffed them as Ash took out a pocket knife and cut through the nets that bound the baby Pokemon.

(Accompanying music https://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/gamecube/TOS_Ossa_Trail.mid)

?Thank you for your help Jack. I was definitely wrong about you,? Jenny said as she secured the cuffs around one of the poachers.

???

?Jack,? she said, lifting her head to look at him. He sat immobile by a rock, staring intently at a bruise on his left leg. Until now, the whole thing seemed unreal; the funny creatures, the blue-haired officers, and the wacky criminals had all seemed like some kind of game. Now, as he stared at physical evidence of the effects of this strange world, he couldn?t help but acknowledge this as reality. It came as an unwelcome shock and all he could do was quietly contemplate what this meant. How dangerous these creatures were now that he knew they were real, how easy it would be for him to get hurt or even die in this crazy world, and how foolish he had been to live as if he were only trapped inside some kind of game.

?Jack,? Ash called out to him. ?I?m really sorry. We all thought you were a poacher but you ended up saving us and all of these baby Pokemon.? Ash had in his hand a baby Caterpie. When Jack didn?t respond, Ash began to walk towards him. Jack looked up into the Caterpie?s big black eyes and at its hideous form, a mockery of what a true worm should look like. Its green color and yellow under belly had, for some reason, become haunting symbols of this world?s reality and its danger.

?I think this Caterpie wants to thank you, Jack.? Ash set the Caterpie on the ground near Jack and it began to crawl towards him. Jack stood up quickly and moved backwards slowly. He stood a full 5 foot 11 inches above the small creature but its presence caused a chill to run down his spine. Jack ran his hands through his black hair as he struggled to cope with the realization of this world in his mind. His dark brown eyes moved back and forth quickly as if the answer to his questions lay somewhere in the visible spectrum.

?Don?t be afraid, Jack. It likes you!? Ash smiled, completely ignorant of what was going on inside of Jack?s head. How could he know? If he had known where Jack was from, if he had known how strange this all seemed to him, he would?ve known a mental breakdown like this was imminent.

?Get that thing away from me!? Jack shouted in a tone that would?ve seemed more hostile coming from someone who had not just saved the lives of these creatures for which he now seemed to hold great contempt. Jack turned around and ran in the opposite direction of the group of odd inhabitants of an odd world.

?I will follow him. Stay safe.? R.A.A. quickly began to run after his disturbed human companion.

(Cut Music)

* * *

(Accompanying music: https://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/gamecube/Viewtiful_Joe-Stage_2-2.mid)

Team Rocket?s balloon slowly touched down on an island off the southern coast of the region. Pikachu had stopped wriggling and Jessie and James grabbed the rubber sack that contained him. They touched down softly. Meowth kicked the door to their basket open and walked out ahead of Jessie and James who now wore black shades as they walked confidently into a big white building with a giant red ?R? in the center of it. They walked past other rockets who stopped to watch the three of them strut down the large corridor towards the boss?s office. Meowth walked right in front of them now also wearing dark shades that didn?t quite cover his huge white eyes. They confidently marched into the boss?s office.

?What do you losers want? I told you that you couldn?t get a raise until you captured that?? Team Rocket interrupted their boss by tossing a black rubber sack onto his desk. ?What?s this??

?Open it and see,? Jessie said as she and James stood back-to-back with their arms folded and Meowth stood in front of them also wearing black shades and folding his arms. Their boss slowly opened the bag with a letter opener and, to his surprise, there lay an unconscious Pikachu.

?Marvelous, just marvelous.? The boss was genuinely pleased with their accomplishment.

Jessie lowered her shades. ?Yes, marvelous. Now, our raise!?

?No problem.?

?What was so special about that twerp?s Pikachu anyway?? Jessie?s inquiry met with an uneasy silence as she, James, and Meowth awaited the answer, still posing.

?Well??

(Cut music)

* * *

?Where?d Jack go?? Misty and Brock had just returned.

?He ran off after I tried to introduce him to this little Caterpie.? The Caterpie looked up at Ash and he pet it on the head.

?Weird,? Misty replied in a contemplative tone. Jenny had already left with the criminals and their Tyranitar and Ash, Misty and Brock began to walk back to Saffron City.

?Now we need to get my Pokemon and stop Team Rocket! They?ve got my Pikachu.? The three youngsters began to run towards the city now.

Wow. I hope you all enjoyed reading that chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. There wasn?t a scene in here that I wasn?t totally excited about. Comments and criticisms are welcomed as always. What about music choice? I thought that the songs fit perfectly with the action and I especially liked how the song I put with Jessie and James? final scene sounded kind of cynical but at the same time accentuated the comedic tone of the scene. What did you all think?

 

[Lily]

Wow. Originality I can definitely see.

x_X w00t finally finished reading all the chapters. My apologies for the late, late, late review. >>;

Ok, first of, let me compliment you on this line:

Jack looked up into the Caterpie?s big black eyes and at its hideous form, a mockery of what a true worm should look like

I absolutely loved that part, for some strange reason.

Grammarwise, there were few mistakes, hardly worth noticing. The plot was extremely captivating, and I especially liked how you portrayed the characters. Very interesting part on the Ho-oh...particularly since I've read something like that in lilbluecorsola's one shot, considering she too tied in Ho-Oh with a religious thing. Transition and the comparison between the two worlds were done well.

Careful with your dialogues, however. When a new person speaks, indent. Just a tidbit of information.

The music *would* have helped me if it weren't for my broken speaker...so I felt no heightened emotion. >< So try putting some things in words, not only in sounds. Either way, your fic is noted for the originality. 8D For the first chapter- I would've advised you to not cram the beginning in two paragraphs or so.

G'luck with your next chapter. =)

 

[Casual Billy]

A review? On my thread? That's CRAZY!! Well, anyway thanks a lot for reviewing. I appreciate that you took the time to read it through.

And yeah, the setup in the first chapter does seem a little rushed now that I look over it. When I figure out how to fix it, I might revise the first chapter. But thank you very much for reviewing. The next chapter will be here by tomorrow. (It's already written)

 

[Casual Billy]

After a long time

CHAPTER 7: ???

(Accompanying music: https://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/gamecube/MP_Frigate2.mid)
Jack sat down near a tree to rest. Being afraid took more energy that it was worth.

?I need to get home now.? Then he heard the grass rustle near him and a couple of leaves fell to the ground. He hurriedly scurried to his feet and then fell back down again. ?What or who is there?? R.A.A., having been shrouded in foliage emerged into sight. The most normal thing in Jack?s life right now was a six-foot tall robotic armored guardian. As he studied the robot?s figure, he came to the realization that it looked a lot scarier than the Caterpie whom he?d just run away from. It stood immobile in front of him. Its entire body covered with a shimmering alloy, R.A.A.?s arms looked like those of a muscular human only much less round and more designed. They weren?t much thicker than Jack?s arms but they packed a lot more power. He had seen this in their last battle. R.A.A. had hung on to that branch even after his foot was hit by that powerful beam attack. Its legs were thicker at the top than at the bottom but were still slender. They were capable of much more power than could be surmised judging solely from their appearance. Jack had seen this. In his first battle with the children, R.A.A. had used his powerful legs to launch him out of the way of their attacks.

?2345A.? R.A.A.?s eyes turned a bright shade of yellow. His sleek and well designed head lifted and he greeted Jack jovially.

?Hey, Jack. Did you see me kick that monster?s butt? Man, they can?t come up with a creature awesome enough to take me out.?

?You?re right.? Suddenly Jack realized that R.A.A. was his greatest defense against the uncertainty of this world. ?I got a little shaken back there. But, I trust you. I?m still a little afraid of this??

?Battery low.? This warning message emanated from the robot automatically. ?That doesn?t sound good, Jack. I need a charge from somewhere?Fuel depleted. Oh, it looks like I?m going to need some more fuel too.? The robot shrugged as Jack tried to think of the best place to acquire these items of necessity.

(Cut Music)

* * *

?Let?s go Charizard!? Ash released his dragon-like fire Pokemon from its ball. Charizard let out a ferocious roar being fully aware of the situation. Its tail flared up and it clenched its fists as its wings stretched out and created a small gust of wind that caused Ash?s blue vest and rough black hair to sway. Ash, Misty, and Brock hopped on Charizard?s back and the set off to find Team Rocket?s base.

* * *

?Chuuuuuuu!? The confined yellow rat loosed forth an immense surge of electricity which outlets in the containment absorbed and rendered useless.

?Look at this.? Giovanni handed the rockets a small digital screen that had just lit up with multiple green numbers.

?Is that how much our raise is gonna be?? Meowth asked.

?No, that is how much electricity that that Pikachu just expended.?

?That?s unreal. Do you mean that we?ve been absorbing that many volts of electricity every time we had a run-in with the twerps?!? James said, genuinely concerned with his health.

?That doesn?t matter now, you numb skull. What matters is that this Pikachu is in our hands now. How did it get so much stronger than the other Pokemon though?"

"I do not know."

* * *

?It?s getting difficult for me to even walk,? Jack?s robotic friend commented.

?Hold on, we?ll be out of this forest soon. Then we?ll find a power source for you to recharge.? He was wrong. Jack and the robot wandered in the forest for about an hour. Finally, they emerged from the forest and onto a road that led to a large city. ?Alright, we?re almost there now. Look.? Jack and the robot looked ahead to see a group of towering buildings and a visible cloud of pollution separating the city from the forest. The fresh air began to fade and the smells of the city became more defined as the odd pair approached the entrance to Saffron city.

* * *

(Accompanying music: https://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/gamecube/SonicHeroes_TeamDark_ThisMachine.mid)

?Team Rocket!? The window in Giovanni?s office burst into a million shards of glass as Ash, Misty, and Brock flew in on the fiery beast that was Ash?s Charizard. Jessie, James, and Meowth shielded their faces with their arms while Giovanni stood confident.

?I don?t know how you found us, Ash. Let me assure you though, you?ll wish you hadn?t.? With this remark, Giovanni lobbed a Master Ball to the ground. Emerging from the purest of white lights was an evil-looking distortion of Ash?s Pikachu. Even as the Pikachu took form, Ash could tell that there was something different about it. Its eyes were extremely clear and vicious.

?Pikachu? I?m here to save you, buddy.? The Pikachu snarled and showed its teeth, distorting its face into one that accurately denoted its mental state of rage.

?Hyper-chu, Thunder!? Giovanni ordered.

?He wouldn?t,? Misty gasped. Pikachu lifted its small hands skyward as if he was calling forth the very legend of thunder itself and the air began to become visibly charged with Pikachu?s thunder attack. Pikachu focused its energy and released a compressed wave of electricity.

?Look out!? Brock tackled Ash out of the way and the lightning attack burst through the broken glass window in Giovanni?s office. ?He?s got Pikachu under some kind of mind control or something. Be careful Ash.? Ash got up off of the floor.

?Charizard, use fire spin!? Charizard flapped its wings once and, from its mouth released a ball of fire that trapped Pikachu in a vortex.

?Get out of it, Hyper-chu!? Pikachu formed and then caused to expand a spherical electric field of energy that completely dispersed the Charizard?s fire spin and shocked the fiery beast as well. ?Now, use spark attack!? Pikachu charged forward towards Charizard and leapt into the air.

?Charizard, move out of the way,? Ash commanded. The dragon beat its wings and lifted itself above Pikachu?s flight path. The Hyper-chu almost flew out of the open window.

?Grab its tail, Hyper-chu.? Pikachu, almost out of the window, turned and grabbed the end of Charizard?s tail. Charizard swung its tail around trying to free itself of the electrified rat?s grasp. ?Now, use spark attack!? The Pikachu began to sparkle with electric charge and so did Charizard who now winced and flailed helplessly. Pikachu hung onto its tail though and unleashed a great wave of electricity that paralyzed the Charizard, causing it to fall to the ground.

?Go, Onix!?

?Go, Starme!?

?Ha, this should be fun. Hyper-chu, destroy them!? Before the Pikachu could make a move?

?Hydro Pump!? The stream of water burst forth from Starmie?s center, aimed directly at Pikachu. The Pikachu dodged it and Jessie, James, and Meowth caught the full force of the blast.

?Keep it up Starmie.? Misty?s water Pokemon followed the Pikachu around the room with its high pressure water attack. Pikachu ran just in front of the attack as it threatened to engulf him. Coming to a corner in the room, Pikachu propelled himself off of the wall, into the air, and behind Misty?s Starmie. With lightning fast speed, Pikachu then grabbed the Starmie from behind and aimed its hydro pump attack at Brock?s Onix. The giant boulder snake thrashed with pain.

?Thunder!? Pikachu focused its energy and sent a massive electrical shock through the Starmie and through its water attack, hitting both the starfish and Onix. Both Pokemon fainted instantly.

(Cut Music)


?Ash, he?s too strong,? Misty said, looking at her injured Pokemon.

?Charizard, return.?

?Onix, return.?

?Starmie, return.?

The seemingly lifeless forms of their Pokemon were engulfed by a focused red light emanating from each trainer?s respective Pokeball.

?What have you done to my Pikachu?!? Ash demanded, enraged.

?I?ve simply awoken its true nature. Your Pikachu has in it power comparable to the legend of thunder, Zapdos. You?ve been holding it back with your sentiments of friendship and loyalty. The true nature of this pseudo-legendary is to be vicious and battle-prone. I?ve awakened that side of Pikachu by exciting his primal instincts with this specially designed Master Ball.?

?You?re insane!? Brock and the others were outraged. They now focused their attention towards Pikachu who was staring at them, seemingly awaiting the command to send them to oblivion.

?Pikachu, don?t you remember me?? Ash?s inquisition met with the brick wall of Pikachu?s mental state of rage.

?Hyper-chu, destroy them!?

Pikachu?s ruby cheeks began to charge and the air became excited with lightning that already began to shock Ash and his friends.

?Please don?t do it,? Ash pleaded as he shielded his face with his arm.

 

[Maiko]

Nice story ^^!
Continue your good job

 

[Casual Billy]

CHAPTER 8: NOT FROM AROUND HERE

Jack approached the city.

?Cargo mode.? R.A.A. reconfigured the placement of its limbs and head into the shape of the metal backpack that Jack had arrived with. Saffron city was in a bustling state of chaos. People were everywhere. It was much unlike Virmilion where Officer Jenny had taken him the night of his arrival. ?This reminds me of New York City.? Jack made this comparison remembering a summer he?d spent in New York as a youth. Large skyscrapers and other buildings made a clear view of the sun impossible and the smell of the city disturbed his senses as it contrasted so sharply with the forest air that he?d experienced only a day ago. He stood on a sidewalk, cars whizzing by him as they polluted the air. As he began to walk down the street, a peculiar scene caught his attention on the other side.

?I just bought this. You can?t have it!? Outside of what looked to be a mall was a young child struggling with an older man. The young child couldn?t have been more than 10 years of age and he wore a blue shirt that perfectly matched his blue jeans and blue baseball cap which was turned backwards, his brown hair protruding from the center. He was much smaller than Jack. The older man wasn?t much taller than the 10 year old and wore a flannel overcoat and a grey skull cap.

?Hey, leave him alone!? Jack called from the other side of the street. He ran across the street and towards the child in distress. The thief over-powered the child and took off running in the opposite direction as soon as Jack approached them. ?Don?t worry kid. I?ll get him.? Jack took off running after the thief. Jack was much taller than the thief and thus, his stride was greater. He caught up to him and tackled him to the ground. The mall bag flew to the pavement. ?What?s your problem? You like stealing toys from little kids??

?That ain?t no toy, man.? Jack let the criminal go and retrieved the bag from the pavement. The shady character quickly ran off. Jack peered inside the bag and saw a yellow stone that glowed periodically.

?Thanks mister.? The kid had caught up to him and now held out his hand for the bag.

?What is this, kid??

?Why, it?s a thunder-stone. I?m gonna use it on my Eevee so that I can get a Jolteon. My sister has a Vaporeon and I?m gonna surprise her in our next battle! Her winning streak is over!? the enthusiastic child rambled.

?Where?d you get it?? Jack questioned, an idea coming to his mind.

?At that mall right there.? The child pointed down the street to where the initial incident had taken place.

?Thanks.?

?No, thank you sir.? The kid started to walk down the street towards his home and Jack walked down the sidewalk towards the mall. He entered. It looked inside like any mall he?d seen in his own dimension. On the first floor was a wide array of clothing. Sweaters of all colors and sizes hung on the racks all around him some of them with four openings. Jack surmised that these were for those strange creatures to wear. He walked towards a customer service desk that lay in the far corner of the floor. He would have to make his way through a sea of clothing before he would reach his destination. He began to make his way towards the desk.

* * *

(Accompanying Music)

?Do it now!? Giovanni ordered. An electric field began to form around Pikachu and expand as it prepared to release a powerful thunder attack on the children.

?Pidgeottooooo!? Professor Oak flew by the burst window of Giovanni?s office riding on a massive brown-feathered bird who now hovered right outside the window behind the doomed party of friends; Ash, Misty, and Brock. Ash?s mom was also on Pidgeotto?s back and she lobbed a Pokeball right in front of Ash and his friends.

?Chuuuuuuuuuuuuu!? Pikachu finally, after having built up his electric attack for so long, released his powerful thunder attack. At the same time, a short clown emerged from Ash?s mom?s Pokeball.

?Mr. Mime, use Reflect now!? she ordered as both she and the professor landed inside the office. The barrier that the mime had conjured up now became visible as the thunder attack connected with it. It held firm.

?What say you we get out of here?? Professor Oak threw to the ground two more Pokeballs containing in them a Fearow and Noctowl respectively. Noctowl let out a hoot and Brock climbed on its back. Misty and Ash climbed on the Fearow?s back. Pikachu continued pounding Mr. Mime?s reflective barrier with jolts of electricity but Mr. Mime?s concentration could not be broken. When all were safely mounted on their respective flying Pokemon, Ash?s mom recalled her Pokemon and they all flew off speedily.

?Hyper-chu, return!? Giovanni ordered, aiming the evil Master Ball at Ash?s once friendly Pikachu. ?Don?t you worry, we?ll get them next time,? he said firmly grasping the Master Ball.

(Cut music)

* * *

?Chop!? a loud voice emanated from under one of the clothing racks. Jack stood still for a second as the pair of Machop jeans on the rack rustled a little bit. A little blue man then darted from under the jeans? rack and under another rack. A shiver ran down Jack?s spine.

?Excuse me, sir. Have you seen Machop?? A concerned woman approached Jack from his side and startled him. He looked at her and she awaited his answer. Her brown hair flowed down beyond her shoulders and her eyes were an intriguing shade of blue. They seemed to engulf Jack like the ocean whose hue they were reminiscent of. Jack hadn?t been confronted with such beauty for a long time and his instant infatuation with her angelic face shown clearly on his countenance. ?Have you seen him?? she said, breaking the silence of about ten seconds.

?Um?well?I?uh. I don?t know what your chop looks like,? Jack stammered. ?Are you a martial artist? You look too delicate to harm someone.? The woman smiled but only halfway as she wasn?t sure whether or not that was a complete compliment.

?Thanks, I guess. Machop is my Pokemon. He?s about this tall,? she said gesticulating with her hands to indicate her missing Pokemon?s appearance. ?He?s got??

??Three spiky waves of hair and is blue? I think he?s right there,? Jack said, pointing to a bulge under a rack of clothes. The woman kneeled down to where her Machop was hiding and swung open the layer of clothes that separated them.

?I wish you wouldn?t play so much. I was worried,? she said embracing the Machop. Jack watched as he thought about what he wouldn?t give to be a spiky-haired little blue man right about now. ?Thank you??

?Jack. My name is Jack Tallihan.? The woman got up and shook his hand as a display of gratitude.

?Nice to meet you Jack, my name is Sarah Wyatts. What an ugly name.?

?No, not at all. Did you know that Sarah means princess? You?ve been bestowed with quite a fitting name I might add.? Sarah?s cheeks turned from a calm and sandy shade to a mixture of that shade and a rosy pink.

?Thanks, Jack.?

?Hey, do you know where I can find a?Thunderstone??

?Yeah, follow me,? she said as Machop followed her and Jack towards an elevator that lay just beyond the service desk that Jack was trying to reach. ?So, what are you going to use the stone for??

?What do you mean??

?The Thunderstone, what Pokemon are you trying to evolve with it??

?Oh yes, the Thunder stone, well?

Why, it?s a thunder-stone. I?m gonna use it on my Eevee so that I can get a Jolteon

?I?m going to use it on my Eevee so that I can get a Jolteon,? Jack said as he repeated the words he had heard earlier from that kid, not quite understanding what he was talking about.

?That?s cool. What?s the big metal backpack for? Did you travel a long way to get here?? She had so many questions.

?What?s the name of this town? I?m sure we?ve robbed it once.?? ?Have you heard of Meridian Town??

?It?s called Meridian town. Have you heard of it? It?s way up north,? Jack said remembering his response to an earlier inquisition by some criminals.

?I?ve never heard of it. Sounds far away.?

?Yeah, I?m definitely not from around here,? Jack snickered a little bit.

?Would that be a bad thing? You being from ?around here?? I?m from ?around here? and I hope you?re not insulting my hometown,? Sarah replied misunderstanding where Jack?s laughter was rooted. They walked on towards the elevator in silence for a couple of seconds.

?I didn?t mean??

* * *

?Jessie, James, Meowth! I want you all to steal some Thunderstones,? Giovanni barked. The three Rockets got up slowly, still soaking wet from Starmie?s hydro pump attack. ?Did you see how powerful this Hyper-chu is? Imagine what will happen when he becomes a Raichu!?

?Alright boss. We?re on it.? The three rockets headed towards Saffron City where they would steal all of the evolution stones in stock at the mall.

* * *

?Oh, I forgot to get my currency exchanged. This money?s no good here.?

?Wow, you live that far up north?? Sarah asked. ?I?ll pay for the Thunderstone and you can pay me back later,? she said as she moved her hand back and forth through her purse to find enough change. Jack picked up the bag with the Thunderstone and he and Sarah walked back toward the elevator. ?I was going to go get something to eat. You wanna come? I can show you around the city on our way.?

?Sure, I?m kinda??

(Accompanying Music)

Before Jack could finish his sentence a loud explosion was heard. ?What?s that?? There, in the doorway of the mall, stood three shadowy figures behind a cloud of smoke. Jack peered down from the second floor of the mall through the smoke. As the cloud of dust dissipated, familiar voices began to emanate from three criminals who Jack recognized.

?Prepare for a shopping disaster,? the red headed one proclaimed.

?Move out of our way and we?ll make it faster,? the blue-haired man chimed in.

?To protect the world from dangerous prices.? Police men clamored around the trio as she said this.

?To steal evolution stones with the aid of our devices,? James said as he pulled out a net-launcher that he shot towards the police. The squad of mall security officers squirmed around in a net that bound them.

?Jessie.?

?James.?

?Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light.?

?Surrender now or prepare to fight.?

?Meowth, that?s right.?

?Not them again.? Jack pulled out the thunderstone from his bag and looked at it. ?I hope this works.?

?You hope what works? Jack, let?s get out of here. Now!? Sarah remarked as they both were crouching behind a large flower pot on the second floor. People were running towards the exits and in the general opposite direction of Team Rocket.

?You go ahead and run with the rest of the civilians. I will try my best to stop them.?

?Leave it to the police, you can?t do this on your own.?

?I?m not alone.? With this remark, Jack took off his backpack and pressed a button in its center. Slowly and methodically, his Robotic Armored Assistant unraveled itself.

?Oh geesh! What is that thing? I?ve never seen a Pokemon like that!?

?You probably never will see another Pokey man like this again either. Now,? he said turning to R.A.A., ?I?ll place this thunder stone in your energy compartment.? Jack did so and after a short pause, R.A.A.?s lights began to flicker on and then steadily glow as a wave of power seemed to rush through his body reanimating his limbs. He raised his head.

?2345B!?

?Battle protocol initiated.? R.A.A.?s eyes turned red and it leapt into the air off of the second floor mall balcony and landed right in front of Team Rocket.

?Well, it seems as if we have a battle on our hands,? Jessie remarked, grabbing a Pokeball from her waist.

?You sure do,? shouted Jack, still on the second floor of the store looking down.

(Cut music. Or jam to it while you write your review)

That?s the end of Chapter 8. I liked writing this one and I was much more inspired than when I wrote chapter 7. Hopefully it shows. This chapter was originally going to be all about Jack and Sarah?s friendship/whatevership development, but I couldn?t survive without throwing in some kind of battle related scene. Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter. I sure did. Any criticism is welcome as always.

 

[Casual Billy]

Billy: What'd you all think about that last chapter?!

Audience: We're un-affected.

Billy: Oh.

Audience: ...

Billy: Well, okay. Here's the next chapter though!

Audience (The audience starts to read other books)

Billy: That's cool, 'cause here it is anyway!

CHAPTER 9: A WALK IN THE PARK

(Accompanying music)

Jack quickly ran down the escalator to the floor on which the battle was about to take place.

?Go Arbok!? Jessie threw her Pokeball into the air. As she did so however, R.A.A. leapt into the air simultaneously and grabbed the Pokeball, forcing it to remain shut with his tight grasp.

?That?s not fair!? James now pulled a Pokeball from his belt and hurled it to the ground right in front of the robotic warrior. ?Go Victreebell!? A large yellow bell-shaped plant-like creature appeared having sharp teeth and large eyes just beneath its head from which protruded many leaves. On either of its sides, long vines emanated now quivering as the plant awaited instructions from its trainer.

?Be careful, robot. That thing looks dangerous!? Jack shouted to his robot.

?Vine whip attack now!? James commanded to his Pokemon. The brown vines that emanated from the plant?s sides now began to lengthen rapidly as they shot towards Jack?s guardian.

Vine speed?high?Upwards escape?extremely probable?Calculated range of vine attack based on current velocity?7 meters?Plan of action confirmed.

R.A.A. leapt into the air just missing the quickly moving vines. He then twirled his body so that he was watching the vines continue to move forward. Then, directly in their path, R.A.A. threw down Arbok?s Pokeball. When the purple snake emerged from its ball, it was caught by and entangled in Victreebell?s vine whips.

?Arbok, get yourself free!? Jessie commanded. Before the snake could wriggle free of its entanglement, R.A.A. landed on the ground and grabbed the vines that connected both Jessie and James? Pokemon.

Calculating tension in vine?Maximum centripetal velocity?Plan of action confirmed.

R.A.A. dug one of his feet into the tiled floor of the mall. He then began to slowly spin around, dragging the two opponents? Pokemon with him. As he picked up speed, Arbok and Victreebell began to lift off the ground as they were totally at R.A.A.?s mercy, still bound together by one of their own attacks. When R.A.A.?s speed reached a point so high that the vine was about to break, he released Arbok and Victreebell right into their trainers who flew back out of the mall entrance doors with blinding speed and landed in the middle of the street.

(Cut music)

?That was awesome!? R.A.A. began to slow down as he had been spinning at a very high rate of speed. Sarah looked on from the second floor of the mall.

?Jack!? The brown-haired woman now quickly made her way down the escalator towards Jack and the robot. ?Where?d you get such a strong Pokemon? In Meridian Town? I have to go there.? Jack smiled a little bit not really answering her questions. His lies, reiterated by someone whom he?d like to know better, were painful to hear.

?Actually?I just?This isn?t a?Meridian town Pokey man. It?s a one of a kind Pokey man that I got from a government agency to aid me in the commencement of a special mission, the details of which I am not at liberty to disclose.? There, he?d sorta told the truth. He felt better.

?Actually, it?s pronounced Pok-ee-mon,? she snickered, her sandy cheeks slightly contorting. ?But are you seriously a government agent? You look to innocent to harm anyone?? she said, repeating his earlier, slightly insulting words to her. Jack smirked a little bit as he replied.

?Yes, Yes I am.?

?We?re not done yet!? Jack and Sarah both quickly turned to face the mall entrance. There, dusty and bruised, stood Jessie, James, and Meowth. ?The boss only wanted us to steal some evolution stones. We can?t fail at such a meager task after succeeding at one so great!? Team Rocket clenched their respective fists in determination.

?Jack, they?re back,? Sarah shrieked as she quickly jumped behind Jack and grabbed onto his arm for security.

?Don?t worry Sarah. These jokers don?t stand a chance.? He looked at her with a bold and protective expression and she looked at him, her complete and utter trust placed in the promise he?d just made.

?Move out of our way, Jack!? Team Rocket started to walk forward and Jack stood in place with Sarah still tightly clenching his arm. He was prepared to protect the evolution stones, whatever they were, and this beautiful woman who seemed so in need of his safeguard.

?Team Rocket! You won?t be stealing anything today,? remarked a voice emanating from behind Jessie, James, and Meowth. With this remark, Team Rocket looked behind themselves.

?Woah! Who is that guy?!? Jack exclaimed as he looked on at an almost flawless mirror image of himself. They stood the same 5 feet 11 inches and had the same short black hair. Both of their eyes were the same shade of brown, and their complexion was identical as well.

?Jolteon, use Thunder!? the mysterious man exhorted. Jack stood in awe as even their voices sounded similar. The man?s Jolteon who had been following him released a burst of electric energy from its body that sent Team Rocket skyward.

?Team Rocket?s blasting off again!? the three criminals hollered as they flew off into the distance. A small crowd of people had gathered around the area and they let out a loud applause after Team Rocket disappeared from sight.

?That guy just stole my thunder. Heh, thunder,? Jack thought, amusing himself with the pun he?d just made.

Jack wanted to run up to this stranger and introduce himself but a certain yellow-haired quadruped with electric powers made him apprehensive about getting too close.

?Jack, that guy looks just like you,? Sarah said, whispering.

In order to not look frightened by a creature so common, Jack ran up to the man with the Jolteon. ?Hey, thanks.? The man turned towards Jack and then took a step back as he instantly realized their similarity.

?Who are you??

?My name?s Jack Tallihan. Thanks for your help.? Jack extended his hand to his image as a sign of friendship.

?Nice to meet you Jack, my name is John.? The two shook hands, still amazed at how similar they were in appearance.

?Wow Jack, I didn?t know you had a brother who was equally as handsome. I think I need to call my sister,? Sarah said pulling out her cell phone.

?Thanks Sarah but save your minutes. This guy isn?t my brother??

?Brother, cousin, it?s all the same,? she said as she began to dial. John then quickly walked away supposedly towards home.

?See ya, buddy. Thanks again!? Jack yelled after him. John didn?t even look back.

?He must know my sister,? Sarah said, turning her phone off.

------

?Jack, who was that guy back there? You said he wasn?t related to you. Why do you two look so similar?? Sarah and Jack were strolling through a park inside the city. They had come to this place as part of Jack?s tour of Saffron. His tour guide, Sarah, seemed to be asking all the questions though. The paved path that they walked on was surrounded on both sides by tall trees from which emanated an occasional chirp. The walkway lead to a fountain in the center of the park and Jack could hear the peaceful waters trickling into the basin of that fountain. It calmed him and he continued to walk on, not noticing that Sarah had asked him a question.

?Are you listening to me?? Sarah asked.

?Yes it is a beautiful day isn?t it??

?What??

?I feel the same way,? Jack said in an entranced tone.

?You act like you?ve never heard water trickling or seen lush green leaves protruding from tall and healthy trees. Tell me, Jack, do they have plants where you come from? I only brought you here because I like you and wanted to talk to you a little more. But it seems like I?ve been beat out by Mother Nature. That woman, always getting in my??

?That?s it!? Jack interrupted, ?I do have trees and leaves where I come from!? Suddenly more things made sense than they had before. ?So, it makes sense that you?d have them here and it also makes sense that there?d exist the possibility of a copy of myself existing here too! That makes perfect sense!?

?You?re right, it is a beautiful day,? Sarah said, giving up.

?What??

* * *

?It?s been about 4 days since we sent our researcher, Jack Tallihan, through this portal into another dimension,? a scientist at the D.R.L. spoke to a camera. ?In exactly?76 hours we will power up the portal again and, hopefully, he will be able to escape from whatever world he is in back into this one. He should have a timer with him that is actively counting down towards the appointed hour.?

?Do you have any direct communication with Jack?? the reporter asked.

?No, there is no way to transfer audio or visual signals from one dimension to the next. He does have a couple of recording devices with him though. Upon his arrival, we will review these recordings on live television. I, for one, am excited to see exactly what lies beyond this dimension,? the scientist remarked with the most dry and monotonous voice that anyone had ever heard. The idea of him actually being excited about what he had just said seemed absolutely absurd.

?There you have it folks. I?m Maria Walsh with channel 7 news. Back to you, Bob.?

* * *

Three trainers, a professor, and a pleasant mom flew through the sky on three bird Pokemon.

?Thanks for saving us mom.? Ash spoke up as there had been silence ever since the rescue.

?No problem, honey. I was glad to do it,? the sweet, blue-eyed woman replied as her auburn hair swayed in the wind.

?Yes, thank you.? Brock and Misty reiterated Ash?s utterance of gratitude and Ash?s mom smiled warmly as she gave them the same response.

?Why was Pikachu attacking you all though?? she asked, bewildered.

?I think that I?ll be the one that has to answer that question Delia,? the gray-haired professor chimed in. His tone denoted that it wasn?t something he was particularly anxious to discuss. Silence accompanied the party all the way until they reached home in Pallet Town.

------

Ash, Misty, and Brock stood in the professor?s laboratory waiting for an explanation. They sat at a small round metal table in the midst of a sea of research materials and computers. The professor had left them there as he had wandered off into a back room adjacent to the main lab. Delia had gone home to prepare a dinner and the three adventurers waited anxiously to hear Professor Oak?s tale. Finally, the Professor emerged from a back room and stood ominously before them.

?Ash, I haven?t always been the upstanding professor that I am today,? he began.


Well, that?s it. Hope you enjoyed chapter 9. There was only one short battle but I promise you later chapters will be more exciting

 

[Casual Billy]

CHAPTER 10

?Ahhhhh!? Jirachi?s eyes opened quickly, light from his surrounding environment flooding into his retina and causing his pupils to contract suddenly. ?What is this? I shouldn?t be awake now. It?s only been 756 years since the last time. What?s happening?? Thoughts rushed through his head as his limbs slowly were reanimated and his pale, steel skin was rejuvenated with life. The golden star around his head began to glow a luminous yellow and each green wish tag hanging from the corners of his star shone brightly as his power returned to him. The wish maker Pokemon gently lifted itself from its bed of destiny and blinked its pale eye lids rapidly trying to understand what was happening. Before him, in the void of space, lay the book. Its pages lay open and rustling back and forth as if a breeze were causing them to flutter about. There was no breeze though, only an anomaly from another dimension?

* * *

?Well, I remember about six years ago when I was in high school and I??

?Where?d you go to high school?? Sarah interrupted, her curious cerulean eyes staring intently in his direction. She wanted to know all about Jack.

?Well, you probably hadn?t heard of it before but it?s a school in Meridian town called?um, it was called?Marcolas Institute of Higher Education? They walked along the pavement of the park path side-by side and an old couple sitting on a park bench smiled warmly in their direction. ?It was a very advanced school for students wishing to go into fields of advanced scientific and mathematical research. I graduated early too.?

?That?s great. You know I never really was that great at math and stuff like that. I?m an artist, Jack.? Sarah?s face lit up brilliantly and she quickly turned her head to look in Jack?s direction. ?Hey, do you wanna see some of my work?? Jack looked over at her and smiled affirmatively as he shook his head positively.

?That?d be great. It?s only fair since you?ve already seen some of mine,? Jack winked referring to R.A.A. whom he had helped develop only slightly. They began to walk on through the park towards the entrance through which they had come at a slightly elevated pace. Sarah?s passion for her art shone in her quickened steps and her energy was contagious as Jack began to walk faster too and they both hurried towards the park?s entrance.

* * *

?As a young man, I too dreamed of becoming a Pokemon master. I had all the right intentions but the method I chose proved not to be the most virtuous.? Professor Oak tucked his hands in his lab coat and began to pace the linoleum floor in front of them.

* * *

?What do you think those Rockets were after back at the mall, Jack?? Sarah asked as they were now out of the park and strolling down the sidewalk.

?I don?t know. They said something about ?evolution stones.? Maybe they wanted to steal them to evolve some Pokemon.?

?Most likely,? Sarah sighed contemplatively as she thought about all the evil things Team Rocket had been responsible for. ?Team Rocket is always up to no good. You showed them though, Jack,? her face brightened, ?You and that robot are pretty impressive.?

?Thank you, thank you very much,? Jack said as he impersonated a star that didn?t exist in this dimension.

?You?re kinda goofy aren?t you?? Sarah said, slightly confused.

?Oh,? Jack sighed.

* * *

?I learned so much about Pokemon genetics while I was a researcher with them. So much. I was sure that this was the best way to learn about the creatures; conducting experiments on them. When a new Pokemon was discovered, I was overjoyed.?

?Professor, what new Pokemon was that?? Ash asked, totally caught up in Oak?s tale.

?Mew.?

?Wait a minute, professor,? Misty interrupted, ?Are you saying that you were involved in the Mewtwo project?!?

?No, I was gone before it got that far. It was my laboratory though that was eventually used to create that clone though. I left because it was revealed to me how inhumane our work was. Before I left though, I had carried out a private project. It was codenamed Hyper-Chu.?

* * *

?You three failed?!? Giovanni was outraged. Their failure made sense though. It had taken them almost five years to capture one Pikachu.

?That Jack guy we were tellin? ya about was there,? Meowth retorted in their defense. ?I wouldn?t be surprised if his Pokemon was as strong as that Hyper-chu!?

?No regular Pokemon is as powerful as Oak?s Hyper-chu! I will go to Saffron and secure the evolution stones myself. I want you two to go abduct Oak so that we can coerce him into helping us clone his wonderful creation.?

?Clone?!? The three Rockets looked up in shock at the mad face of a man greedy for power.

?Yes. The day will come when each Rocket will have a Hyper-chu. We will be an unstoppable force!? With this, Giovanni exited his office, leaving Jessie, James, and Meowth alone to contemplate what had just transpired.

?I?m glad he got distracted from us failin?? Meowth said, relieved.

?Now we have to kidnap that Professor. That?s the first step to each of us having our very own Hyper-chu!? Jessie smiled menacingly and the three Rockets filed out of the office.

?Next stop, Pallet Town!? James shouted in a sadistically excited tone.

* * *

Accompanying music

?So where have you been staying while you?ve been here, Jack?? Sarah had just thought of this.

?Um??

Man these pine cones are rough. Nothin? like Charmin back home.

?Well, I definitely haven?t been sleeping and bathing in the forest,? he replied, reaching his hand in back of his head and rustling his murky black hair as a grin spread across his face.

?What??

?I?ve been at the local hotel, where else?? Jack said as if it were obvious where he?d been staying.

?Oh, you mean the Pokemon center? That?s cool.? They walked up the concrete walkway. Where they were going, Jack did not know.

?The gallery is just up ahead. Not too far from the mall where I met you, stranger,? Sarah winked. Jack smiled and continued to follow her.

?Here it is!? Sarah jumped in front of the door and motioned with her sandy colored arms for Jack to enter. The gallery was nothing special on the outside but once Jack stepped into the door his eyes were met with a myriad of colors and textures carefully displayed on the white walls around him. Every painting was wonderfully displayed and the bright lighting accentuated the brilliant colors that were present.

?This is amazing.? Jack continued to look around in awe. Sarah then grabbed his hand and started to lead him to her own section of the display. Jack followed her willingly, being led like a little child.

?They should be just up ahead.? Sarah continued to lead Jack around. They soon left the main display room and entered a small hallway where Jack could see small paintings decorating the walls. They moved farther into the building into another passage way which was dimly lit and had few paintings on the wall.

?Are you sure we haven?t passed it already?? Jack asked, as he was now being led down a rickety flight of dimly lit stairs and spider webs could be seen hanging about the room into which they led.

?No, here it is.? Sarah let go of Jack?s hand and ran in front of him. Jack followed her around the corner, being careful not to trip over the many oddities lying carelessly strewn across the floor. The under-level that they were on was very dusty and looked more like a storage room than an actual display.

?So, what do you think?? Sarah stood in front of her artwork and motioned with her hands to direct Jack?s attention towards it just as she had done outside of the gallery. Jack stared on in utter dismay. He didn?t know much about art but one look at Sarah?s painting made him understand why it was in the basement of the art gallery.

(Cut Music)

* * *

?So Professor Oak, how do we stop it?? Oak paused from his narrative and thought deeply about Brock?s question.

?Well Brock?.?

Accompanying music

Oak was interrupted as the wall to his lab came crashing in with a deafening booming sound.

?Is everyone alright,? Professor Oak called out as he was now unable to see the children past all the dust that now filled the air.

?Everyone?ll be fine if you comply,? a shady male voice could be heard saying behind a wall of dust particles that filled the air.

?Who is there?!?

?Prepare for trouble,? the red-haired Rocket started off.

?Because story time?s over,? James spoke.

?To protect the world from boring orations.?

?To elicit the secrets of Hyper-chu?s creation.?

?Jessie?

?James?

?Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light?

?Surrender now or prepare to fight?

?Meowth, that?s right,? the cream colored cat said finally as the three rockets were now visible. Also visible were Ash, Misty, and Brock bound by a tight net.

?If you don?t come wit us quietly, we?ll press this button and electrify the net,? Meowth threatened holding up a control with one bright red button in the center of it.

?Okay, just don?t harm them.?

(Cut Music)

* * *

Accompanying music

Hyper-chu pounded the ground below with massive bursts of electrical energy as Giovanni urged it to demonstrate its power. The people below screamed in horror as they had not seen this coming.

?Yes, fear him!? Giovanni shouted as his Team Rocket helicopter lowered down to the ground and landed in the middle of a now devastated street.

In the basement of the art gallery, dust began to fall from the ceiling and the ground shook a little violently as Hyper-chu continued to release huge bursts of energy on the surface above.

?Jack, what?s happening?!? Sarah yelped in a confused and afraid tone.

?I don?t know, but we need to get to the surface.? With this, Jack grabbed Sarah?s arm and started for the staircase. She jerked away from his grasp and Jack, surprised, turned around to face her.

?I don?t want to go. It sounds dangerous. Maybe I should just stay here where it?s safe.?

?Good idea, I?ll be back for you.? Jack ran up the stairs and through the different hallways that they had traversed, the ground shaking periodically as Hyper-chu?s rampage continued. Jack reached back to press the center button on his metallic backpack and it propelled itself off of him and unraveled into his Robotic Armored Assistant and began to run right behind him. Jack and R.A.A. dash through the doors of the gallery to meet with a street full of people running in terror. They looked down towards the mall to see a Pikachu destroying things with massive electrical power.

?Alright, we can?t just let this happen. We have to stop him. R.A.A. get him.? Jack pointed out the threat to R.A.A. and the robot began to run against the crowd of people towards the disturbance. Jack followed apprehensively as to keep his distance from the outraged Pokemon.

?What is this?!? Giovanni diverted his attention from entering the mall to stare in the face of Jack and notice his robotic assistant running towards the scene.

?I?m Jack,? Jack replied, summoning up all the confidence that R.A.A.?s past victories had supplied him with.

?And I?m??

??About to be defeated. Yes, I know,? Jack finished his sentence.

?Hyper-chu, destroy them!? Giovanni had become mad with power and Hyper-chu turned its face towards the robot and human pair.

(Cut music)

* * *

?None of this was here before.? Jirachi frantically leafed through the pages of the book of destiny as he was astounded to find that the book had been changed by someone other than himself. ?How is this possible? I must correct this. This ?Jack? anomaly?s life is not bound by the Book of Destiny. He doesn?t even show up until?? Jirachi flipped the pages backwards, ??five days ago. That doesn?t make sense because he?s already grown. I must investigate.? Jirachi slowly began to move through space towards Kanto.

 

[Casual Billy]

CHAPTER 11: THE BOOK'S PURPOSE

A luminous film of multicolored light spread over the earth?s atmosphere as Jirachi approached the cerulean orb. From this rainbow aura was projected the image of a burning phoenix with crimson feathers and multi chromatic patterns on its two large wings. The bird?s eyes opened wide as its gaze fixed on the quickly advancing Pokemon of destiny.

?Why have you awaken?? the bird asked as its feathers continued to burn without being consumed.

?An anomaly in the Book has awakened me. I must investigate and possibly eradicate said abnormality,? the Pokemon of destiny stated firmly as he peered into Ho-oh?s deep brown eyes.

?What kind of anomaly??

?A human without origin in this world.?

?I see?.?

?May I have permission to investigate??

?Proceed if you wish.? The legendary guardian of earth moved aside and Jirachi moved towards earth.

* * *

The streets were now clear save a few cars parked along its edges. R.A.A. stood in the middle of it.

?Thunder now!? Giovanni ordered. Pikachu jumped into the middle of the street and charged its attack.

Massive energy spike detected?avoidance improbable but possible?strong magnetic force to overcome?

Hyper-chu released an enormous burst of silver lightning right down the middle of the road causing the cars on either side to be drawn towards the center of the road by the magnetic force of the attack. The assault was too fast for R.A.A. to react and just when the bolt of energy was about to destroy it...

?Volt absorb, Jolteon!? John shouted out from the other side of the street. The golden-mane electric Pokemon of his now leapt in front of R.A.A. and absorbed the entire electrical assault.

?Thanks.?

?No problem. Jolteon let?s dispose of this Rocket brand of evil!? With this, John?s electric quadruped sped forward towards Giovanni and his Hyper-chu. Jack, as if to mirror his twin?s actions also exhorted his armored guardian to advance upon the foe.

Accompanying Music

?Two against one, eh? Hardly seems fair that there?re only two of them. Hyper-chu, do what you will in order to dispose of these nuisances!? Hyper-chu raised his tiny hands towards the sky and the air became visibly charged with electrical energy.

Huge energy spike detected?

Hyper-chu slammed his small fists onto the ground and caused it to rip in half like paper. A giant gulf was being formed in the middle of the street and it quickly advanced towards R.A.A. and Jolteon. Both robot and Pokemon began to race frantically to escape from the rift that traveled rapidly up the street.

?Ahhh!? Jack stumbled and fell due to the violently shaking ground as he watched Jolteon and R.A.A. frantically trying to escape the pursuing void.

Finally, after they had run far past Jack and John, R.A.A. did a sideward somersault from the middle of the street onto the hood of a car along the side of the street to avoid being engulfed by the giant rift in the middle of the road. Jolteon did the same and the pair now ran concurrently towards their common enemy on opposite sides of the street, jumping from one car hood to the next in order to advance.

?Yes!? Jack still sat on the ground, having been floored by the excessive force of Pikachu?s ground-shattering electricity. ?Ouch,? he reached back and felt his back which responded with another impulse of pain. ?I must?ve landed pretty hard.?

?Jack, are you alright?? John stood on the other side of the street and looked over towards his injured twin.

?Chuuuuuuu!? The electric rat once again lifted its arms to the heavens and let out an immense electric charge. To halt their progression towards him, Hyper-chu used his electric powers to turn the parked cars near him upward so that they faced the clouds.

Angle of incline?considerably steep?current velocity?sufficient?

Jolteon, upon reaching the final hooded platform ceased to advance as it was turned upwards. R.A.A., however, continued to run forwards and effectively used the upward turned car at the end of his path as a ramp to launch himself into the air towards one of the many large buildings that lined the street.

?Hyper-chu, destroy that Pokemon!? Hyper-chu now began to release small jolts of electric energy in R.A.A.?s direction that were hardly as fast as his full-powered thunder attack.

Space between buildings?energy requirement?speed requirement?Plan of action confirmed?

R.A.A. hit the side of a building on one side of the street and, having compressed his legs upon contact, released the energy stored in their powerful inner workings and propelled himself to a building on the other side of the street effectively dodging Hyper-chu?s attacks.

?Now, attack him R.A.A.!? Jack shouted from far down the sidewalk.

R.A.A. propelled himself away from the second building and towards the other side of the street, releasing small white missiles as he flew across the span of road beneath him.

?Destroy those missiles, Hyper-chu!? The small rodent was unable to destroy them fast enough and two of them hit him. Hyper-chu flew backwards and Giovanni caught him. R.A.A. now stood on the sidewalk not more than five feet away from the evil pair.

?Stay back!? R.A.A. began to slowly walk towards them.

?It?s not over.? Giovanni rushed to his helicopter and jumped inside. In a few seconds, he and Hyper-chu were high above Jack?s robot.

(Cut Music)

* * *

?Sabrina, there?s been a disturbance in the town!? The gym trainer approached the psychic mistress of the future. Her dark sea green hair flowed down to her sides as she sat meditating in the dark arena.

?That?s impossible. I would?ve known about it beforehand,? Sabrina confidently stated, now opening her deep violet eyes and looking towards one of her underling psychic trainers.

* * *

?Um, I want to know if I can get a refund.?

?Why? Were our services not accurate and helpful?? the young receptionist asked. Colorful beads hung strung from ceiling to floor all around and small candles adorned the dimly lit fortune teller?s den.

?No. You were wrong. I didn?t end up getting the job. I was late to the interview earlier because of a big commotion outside of the mall. There was this un-traversable sea of people all watching a fight between what looked to be Team Rocket and some bold trainers. It took me 15 minutes just to get down the block. When I got to the office, someone else had already been hired. Now, I definitely need my money back.?

?Hold on, I?ll go get Siria.? The receptionist walked into a back room, clearing her path of entrancingly colored beads as she did so.

Siria sat in the back room calmly meditating. A multi-colored bandana covered most of her thick chestnut colored hair while some of it protruded out of the edges. Her pale skin was an accurate denotation of how long she?d been meditating in the absence of sunlight.

?Siria.? Siria jumped, genuinely shocked. This was a new experience to her; being a psychic usually is a safeguard against such surprises.

?You scared the Ho-oh out of me!?

?I?m sorry,? the receptionist apologized, quite confused. ?There is a man at the door who is unsatisfied with one of your readings. Shall I bring him in??

?That?s strange, I didn?t sense anyone come in. Maybe that adds validity to his claim,? she paused for a moment, ?bring him in.?

* * *

?Sarah!? Jack shouted, remembering his female friend whom he had told to stay in the basement of the art gallery. He stood up quickly and just as quickly regretted it. ?My back!? John called over to him in a voice that eerily resembled Jack?s.

?Are you okay over there?? John asked.

?I?ll be fine,? Jack replied as he hobbled back up the street in the direction of the art gallery. R.A.A. quickly caught up with him. The robot jumped in the air and, as it came down, reconfigured itself into the metallic backpack. The backpack landed on Jack?s shoulders much to his surprise.

?GAHhh! My back!? he hollered. Taking a minute to process the pain and then the immediate relief that followed, a countenance of content replaced his sour visage. ?Wait, I think that popped it back into place.? A small smile spread across Jack?s face. ?I didn?t know chiropractor was in your job description, robot.?

* * *

Accompanying Music

?Where are you from?? Jirachi thought to himself as he hovered above Saffron, intently observing Jack.

The small star-headed Pokemon lowered himself into the city near the gym. Surprisingly, which is ironic since he was a psychic, the doors were locked and a sign that said ?No Longer Accepting Challenges? hung over the main entrance.

?What does this mean? Ah!? A striking revelation revealed itself to the small wish maker. ?His presence has interfered with the Book of Destiny. This anomaly must have warped the destiny of this city so much that the psychics can no longer predict the future.? Jirachi slowly glided around the building until he had come to a small window. He peered inside to see Sabrina, exasperated, with her hands on her face as she shed a few tears. Jirachi touched the pane of glass in front of him in empathy. His psychic powers had waned as well. ?Action must be taken!? He clenched his small steel fists in genuine determination. ?I will isolate the anomaly, and the Book?s pages will slowly be re-written. With this, he flew up to the sky where he would consult the ruler of this earth, Ho-oh.

------------------------

Talk about tough to write?PHEW. Well, that was chapter 11. Not much in terms of action per say but I think that it was necessary to shed a little bit o? light on the Book?s Purpose. Feel free to criticize. Ho-oh knows I need it!

 

[TTYO]

Clap Clap Clap 9/10 mark for you billy

 

[Casual Billy]

CHAPTER 12: HARDER TO SAY GOODBYE

?What he doesn?t realize is that he has the power to change the future.?

?Change it?!? Ho-oh questioned, slightly disturbed. Jirachi widened his sharp emerald eyes and nodded affirmatively.

?His bond with the Book is growing stronger. Because his actions can change fate, he is a threat beyond any we?ve encountered before. We may have to destroy him.?

* * *

Jack grabbed the art gallery door and pulled it. It wouldn?t budge. The ground shaking Hyper-chu attack had damaged the building severely.

?Hold on Sarah.? Jack took off his metallic backpack and swung it into the glass door. The pane shattered and Jack ducked and walked in. The building had been more extensively damaged than was evident from the outside. ?Gosh, I can hardly see right in front of me,? Jack said as he slowly waved his hand in front of him to clear the wall of dust particles that occupied the first floor of the gallery. Most of the ceiling had caved in and the floor was run up and down by cracks which defaced the once beautiful hardwood finishing.

Scanning?

?There?s a person under that pile of rubble directly in front of you.? Jack moved forward and bent down next to a pile of plaster and wood that lay on the ground.

?Hey help me out.? Jack took his backpack off and it unraveled into his full-scale armored assistant. The two carefully lifted a couple of fallen boards from the spot.

?Ahhh!? Jack began to frantically remove debris as the form of a young woman was being revealed. Her familiar brown hair brought a tear to his eye and her angelic figure was reminiscent of one he?d seen before.

Vital assessment?

?She?s not dead, Jack. She?s not Sarah either.? Jack calmed down a little bit at both packets of information.

?Can you hear my voice?? Jack asked as he touched the woman?s shoulder.

?Sis, where?s this painting you told me about?? The woman coughed up the words and dust particles swirled around her as she was slowly reanimated. Jack gave her his hand as she opened her eyes and stared into his. ?You were right, he is handsome,? she remarked before completely regaining her consciousness.

?Are you okay?? Jack asked, concerned. The young woman struggled to stand up but ended up falling back down.

Internal bleeding detected

"Jack, this woman needs immediate medical attention," the robot grimly assessed.

"Well, can I trust you to get her to a hospital?"

"Yes you can. Upon entrance into the city I compiled a pin-point location map of every medical facility in town using the magnetic waves given off by certain hospital equipment as clues," the robot stated. R.A.A. carefully and methodically picked the woman up and headed towards the door.

"Wait." Jack caught the robot's attention and it paused. "Here," Jack took off his black wool over-shirt and put it around his robot's shoulders. He now sported only the thin dimensional transfer armor that he had arrived with. "I don't know, just try to look normal I guess." With this, the robot left out of the damaged building the same way that he and Jack had come in.

?Alright Sarah, here I come." Jack continued to walk further back into the damaged art gallery. Paintings were strewn across the floor and covered with fallen plaster and broken floor boards.

Carefully stepping through the doorways, he made his way down the now devastated corridors and extensive hallways that he had traversed before to reach Sarah?s corner of the gallery. He cleared the debris on the ground with his feet as he went along.

Finally, he reached the final hallway entrance. ?I think this is it.? Jack pushed a fallen board out of the way and walked into the entrance. Incorrectly assuming that the stairway that led down to Sarah?s display had remained in tact, Jack put his foot out and fell down the length that the stairs had once spanned. He landed with a thud and a few supporting boards fell after him causing the entrance that he had come through to be completely blocked. Jack was unconscious.

* * *

?Stand back, mom.? Delia had come to the professor?s lab with snacks only to find her child and his friends helplessly bound by a net.

?Go, Charizard!?

?Ash, are you crazy?? Misty barely had time to complain before Ash?s fire-red dragon expanded inside the net and squished the children against its edges.

?Expand your wings, Charizard!? The fiery beast tilted its head down and stretched its mighty wings against the net. Charizard?s wings pushed against the net sharply. ?Bite through it!? Ash commanded, his cheek firmly pressed against the net. Charizard now began to use its teeth to tear away at the binding contraption. Then, like an explosion of thread, the net dispersed and the children rolled over out of it exhausted.

?Ash, look what you did!? Misty shouted, pointing to the deep marks that the net had made on her face. ?That Charizard was way too big of a Pokemon for you to use!?

?Misty, don?t get so worked up. We?re out of the net now and we need to save Professor Oak!? Refocusing, Misty agreed. ?See ya, mom!? Ash, Brock, and Misty all ran out of the lab.

?Wait, Ash!? Delia came running after them waving her hands frantically as her auburn hair swayed behind her. The three youngsters looked back.

?What is it, mom??

?Take Mr. Mime with you. He was a big help before, and I hope he can be of service again.?

?Thanks.?

* * *

?Can you hear me?? Jack?s eyes slowly focused themselves on the one hovering above him. Her smile made him glad to be conscious again and a wide grin spread across his face. She lovingly moved her hand through his murky black hair.

?I don?t know what I would have done if you had died from that fall, Jack. Seems that this strange black armor may have saved you,? Sarah commented looking curiously at the armor that he wore around his upper-body. He moved his right arm and carefully tried to lift himself off of the ground.

?Ahhh!? Jack quickly fell back down as his right arm proved to be a flimsy support. ?I think it?s broken.?

?Just stay still. I?ll go find something down here to wrap it with.? Sarah rose from Jack?s side and briskly walked around a corner to find something for Jack?s arm.

Jack laid his head back on the dusty basement floor and stared up at the ceiling. He turned his head to the left and used his left hand to pull out his digital voice recorder from his black shirt which was now covered in dust.

?Man, I?m lying here on the ground floor of an art gallery with a broken arm. Looking up now, I can see how far I?ve fallen. The damage to this building seems to be quite extensive..." he paused to look around. "I don't think I've said this already but there is this powerful electric Pokemon that those kids from earlier footage have been trying to subdue. It caused all of this damage." Jack now pulled out his mini video recording device and began to pan the length of the wall that he could see, displaying the extent of the damage.

?Here, I?ll wrap your arm in this.? Jack used his legs to scoot up to a nearby cement wall where he could sit up straight while Sarah tended to him.

?Ya know, I came here to rescue you.? Sarah quietly continued wrapping her make-shift sling around Jack?s damaged limb. ?It?s kind of ironic, is all I?m sayin?? Jack noted. Sarah made a final tug on the cloth, tightening the knot so that it would serve as an effective sling. She stood up and stepped back.

?That should do until we get outta here.? Jack stared up into her eyes which still moved back and forth, studying her sling. He couldn?t seem to comprehend her beauty. Sarah had become even more attractive to him since the day they met in that shopping center. He had to fight this attraction though. His days in this world were numbered. Tomorrow, he?d have to find a way back to Vermilion Forest.

?Thank you.?

?No problem. After you found my Machop, rescued me from some Rockets, and graced me with your presence these past two days, it was the least I could do,? she remarked as a wide grin spread across her sandy face. This had indeed been a full two days with Sarah and as the sun had begun to set outside, so did the end of Jack?s stay in this strange dimension draw neigh.

?Jack, you do think we?ll get out of here alright, don?t you?? Sarah now crossed her legs and sat down next to Jack, leaning against the same, bare cement wall.

?Sure we will. I know that people will miss you," he reassured her.

?So basically, we just need to wait it out then.? A long sullen pause followed this statement. They both felt very helpless. ?Well, at least I?m in good company!? she remarked, trying in vein to lighten the mood.

?How long have you been an artist, Sarah?? Sarah looked over at Jack who now looked toward her in anticipation of an answer.

?Obviously not long enough: I mean, my work is down here in the basement.? Sarah tried to crack a smile but along with it came a small tear that welled up and flowed down her cheek slowly. ?I guess I?m just not cut out to be an artist, Jack.? While speaking, she used her sleeve to wipe away the tear that had escaped the grasp of her eyelid.

"Wrong question Jack,"he thought.

?Hey, don?t cry. Your art is important to you, I can tell. If it serves its purpose as an emotional outlet for you, then you shouldn?t worry about how much respect others give it. And besides, look at where being on the top floor got those other artists now.?

?Jack, you?re about the nicest man I?ve ever known.?

"Oh, here it comes. This is gonna make it harder to say goodbye in a day"Jack thought to himself.

?I think I?ve fallen in love, Jack. It?s strange, I?ve only known you for two days but already I can see spending many more with you.?

"Why don?t you try and make it harder for me to tell you that I have to leave in about 20 hours?"

?My line of work is too dangerous and too sporadic for me to have a stable life with you,? Jack explained in quite a cold and objective tone.

?I suppose it?s up to you to determine how much stability I need?? Sarah looked intently at Jack now. ?All I need is you.? A contemplative silence followed that could not be broken. Jack stared forward in deep thought.

She makes a good point?

It became later and no one had come to rescue them from their basement prison. Jack had fallen asleep, still sitting up against the wall and Sarah sat next to him.

* * *

?I won?t tell you anything!? Professor Oak shouted in rebellion.

?Oh, but you will. We?ll keep you here for as long as it takes.? Giovanni stood right in front of Oak who was strapped down to a chair in a small, padded room with one two-way pane of glass on its left side and a large metal table in the center of the room at which Oak sat.

?I should?ve never done what I did and I won?t allow you to copy my mistake!?

Giovanni slammed his fists on the table. ?We have ways of making you talk, professor. You passed up your most painless option. Tomorrow, we?ll see how much you feel like talking when a little more pressure is added.? Giovanni exited the room through an automatic sliding door and walked down the hallway.

Suddenly, red lights began to roar and flash and a warning message could be heard on the intercom system.

Intruder Alert.

Sector A, Arena Foyer has been breached.

Intruder Alert.

?Not those brats again.? Giovanni rushed up a flight of stares and into an elevator. The elevator door opened to reveal an ambitious young trainer and his two friends.

Accompanying music

Fiery haired and wide-eyed, Misty stared back at Giovanni as he stepped off of the elevator. Rocket grunts lay exhausted all about the three young trainers and a ruby encrusted starfish stood by Misty?s side. Ash?s mom?s Mr. Mime also stood with him as he now looked up at Giovanni too. They all stood on the top floor of the Rocket base, staring at each other until?

 

[Casual Billy]

The music for this first scene is the music that accompanied the last scene of the previous chapter.

CHAPTER 13: DESTINY'S CHILD

?Go Hyper-chu!? Giovanni shouted as he lobbed a black and purple Master Ball to the ground in front of him.

The vicious Pikachu emerged, snarling in a manner just as evil as before.

?Go Venusaur!? A teal shaded, four legged monster appeared with a large pink rose on its back and leafy protrusions jutting out from the base of its plant. Giovanni pulled out a small remote from his pocket and pressed a bright red button in its center. The walls of the building slowly moved outwards and then lay flat as the roof also changed its shape and configuration to reveal the slowly dawning of a new day. It was early in the morning, the beginning of a new day and also of the reclamation of Ash?s beloved Pokemon.

?Hyper-chu, use Thunder!? The rat, without hesitation this time released an enormous wave of compressed electrical energy directed straight at Venusaur. The shock connected with devastating impact and a cloud of dust was stirred up. Pikachu stood confidently. But then, like a smack in the face of Hyper-chu?s complacency, two leafy green vines shot forth from behind the smoke and hit Hyper-chu.

?Get up!? The rat had fallen backwards but now scurried back into position. The smoke cloud dissipated to reveal three confident trainers.

?Starmie, use a Hydro Pump!? The starfish acquiesced and loosed forth from its gem a highly pressurized stream of hydrogenous fluid.

?Dodge it, Hyper-chu!? Giovanni ordered. Hyper-chu used its tail as a spring and launched itself into the air. Staring mischievously at the still-flowing stream of water on the plane below him, the evil yellow rat began to sparkle with electrical energy in preparation for a counter attack.

?Do it!? Hyper-chu released a thunderbolt perpendicular to the flowing stream of water.

?Starmie, look out!? Misty shouted as the electrical burst of energy made contact with the stream and began to travel towards her Pokemon. Starmie discontinued the stream and flipped backwards onto Venusaur?s back. The blast still approaching, Venusaur stretched its vines forward and firmly planted its feet on the ground. The electrical energy traveled through him and to the roof of the building and eventually to the ground.

?Good work, Venusaur! Now Mr. Mime, show them what you can do!? Ash exclaimed as the clown now also jumped on Venusaur?s back. Hyper-chu landed on the roof top right in front of them, staring.

(Cut Music)

* * *

Accompanying Music

Golden beams of pure light burst through the rubble of the art gallery?s basement. The glistening rays caused Jack to suddenly awake as they illuminated his surroundings. Now greatly intensifying, the lustrous glow of Jirachi became even more apparent and Jack shielded his eyes. The light warmed him with its luminous glow but at the same time caused him to become terribly afraid. The voice of destiny began to speak to him in his mind.

?Your stay here has come to an end,? It said.

Suddenly the bones in Jack?s right arm felt strengthened and he arose from his resting place against the basement wall. The rubble above him now completely dispersed to reveal the radiant form of the destiny Pokemon, Jirachi. Its emerald eyes fixed their focus on Jack and it slowly descended to his level. Totally shocked and amazed, Jack stood silently.

?I must fix the mess you have caused. Your effect on the Book of Destiny has been one most un-beneficial to this world. Your link with the Book has become so strong that soon you will be able to purposely alter it?

?What does all this mean?? Jack said aloud with a quivering voice. Sarah?s eyes twitched a few times as she slowly awoke to the brilliant scene.

?I cannot allow someone with that kind of power or influence over fate to exist in this world?

Jirachi?s eyes now burned with the golden hue of psychic-steel energy and Jack became terribly afraid.

?What?s happening?!? Sarah wept.

I Desire that your life be extinguished. Doom Desire!

Brilliant beams of piercingly sharp steel rays formed around Jack and then rapidly shot forth ready to skewer his body. As the attack drew neigh, all of the sounds of Jack?s past in this world culminated into a jumbled noise of destruction and he squinted his eyes as his life was about to come to an end.

?I don?t want to die,? Jack thought just as the rays of doom were upon him. He covered his face with his arms and braced himself.

Jack did not die. The words appeared on the page of Jack?s fate, scribbled onto the Book of Destiny. His mental bond with the Book had already grown strong enough that he could rewrite it. His fulfilled request manifested itself in the form of an invisible barrier of energy that completely nullified Jirachi?s attack. Not aware of what he had done, Jack still stood motionless with his arms covering his face as the barrier remained amidst the destruction that the Doom Desire attack had caused. Jirachi was motionless in shock.

?It has already begun,? he thought. Jack lifted his head from his arms with his eyes still closed. A shining blue light bordered the rims of his eyelids as he raised them to meet Jirachi. He opened them and the shield dissipated and his eyes returned to their natural hazel hue.

?What just happened? Why did I not die?? Jack now boldly asked the Pokemon of destiny who now backed away from him slowly. Jack emboldened by his new power advanced towards him. ?Answer me! What does this mean??

?It means that you now have dominion over the happenings of this world?? Jirachi trailed off sadly.

?Fate and destiny are quite fickle here then, aren?t they?? Jack asked with a small smirk on his face. His newfound strength had changed his whole attitude in the presence of the now helpless Jirachi. Jirachi?s star-shaped head ceased to give off its golden aura and the light that once engulfed the basement of the art gallery vanished revealing the shattered roof through which Jirachi had descended and the violet morning sky.

?Don?t hurt me. I beg of you to use your newfound strength to set things right. Save Ash?s Pikachu.?

Jack suddenly remembered the boy and his rat.

?It is your fault that Giovanni captured it. Had you not been there to battle them in the forest, Team Rocket would never have had the opportunity that they had to snatch him. You must make it right before Giovanni realizes his plans of domination using an army of Hyper-chu-wielding Rockets.?

?I will make it right. Tell me where they are??

(Cut Music)

* * *

After an intensely fatiguing exchange of electrical attacks and psychic barriers and counters, both parties stood atop the Team Rocket base roof exhausted.

?I didn?t think it?d be necessary?? Giovanni said as he slowly reached into his white lab-coat pocket. ?But drastic times?? He pulled out his hand to reveal a thunder stone.

?Noooooooo!? Ash yelled. He could not let Pikachu be transformed into Raichu. Not only would it mean an immense power increase in the hands of evil but also the loss of the last remnant of his small electric friend.

?Now Hyper-chu, realize your potential. Become the ultimate Raichu!? Giovanni reached out his hand and motioned for Ash?s now evil Pikachu to grab the thunderstone. Hyper-chu quickly ran towards its master and leapt into the air preparing to grab hold of the thunderstone.

?Ash, what can we do?!? Misty yelped, exasperated. Suddenly a flash of brilliant golden light appeared above them and with a deafening boom the figure of a five foot eleven man appeared. His short black hair waved slightly in the morning breeze and his black pants rustled in the same manner. A metal backpack donned his shoulders and he now lifted his head to reveal eyes that glistened with an unnaturally luminous blue hue. The backpack unraveled and landed on the rooftop in the form of that silver guardian, R.A.A. The robot released a barrage of pencil-size white missiles that intercepted Hyper-chu?s reception of the thunderstone?s power. The thunderstone was sent flying and it landed in the space between Ash?s Pokemon and Hyper-chu. The effects of Jack?s re-write exhausted, he slowly touched down on the roof top as well, bending his knees upon contact with the surface.

?Thought that we could be of service,? he smiled to the children. They simply looked at him in awe, utterly speechless.

?What is this?!!? Giovanni shouted, alarmed at the scene which had just taken place before him. ?Hyper-chu, grab that stone now!? Hyper-chu quickly sprinted in the direction of the thunderstone.

?R.A.A., grab that thunderstone before the rat does!? Ash, Misty and Brock still stared at Jack in amazement, jaws dropped and eyes wide.

?I?m sure glad he?s on our side,? Misty remarked.

R.A.A. and Hyper-chu both quickly advanced towards the stone and when it looked as if Hyper-chu would grab it, the robot leapt forward with incredible speed and gripped it. At the same time though, Pikachu?s tiny hands already were fixed on the stone. The thunderstone now began to glow brightly. Sparkles of energy surrounded the two holders of the electrical rock.

?I don?t like the looks of this,? Brock remarked.

Electricity ran up and down R.A.A.?s body and also Hyper-chu?s. Both Pokemon and robot began to convulse violently. An immensely powerful electric field was created as the thunderstone which powered the robot and the thunderstone that it held onto with Hyper-chu reacted with each other. The field exploded in an immensely forceful blast that short circuited each individual thunderstone. However, each participant in the struggle was changed nevertheless.

Ash, Misty and Brock all lay on the ground having been pushed down by the force of the electrical explosion. Jack had also been floored by this unforeseen reaction.

?Is everyone okay?? he asked as he looked towards the children. The orange-haired girl looked back at him and nodded affirmatively. Ash?s hat had blown off revealing his unruly black hair but he also nodded affirmatively. Brock simply stood up.

The dust kicked up by the explosion slowly began to wane as it fell slowly to the ground. The silhouette of a humanoid figure standing amidst the smoke became even more visible now.

?Is that R.A.A.?? Misty questioned, now looking straight at the transformed robot.

?I think so,? Jack remarked.

Accompanying Music

All three of them stared on at the newly reconfigured robotic guardian. Its silvery metallic hue had taken on a burnt onyx tint that covered his middle and his arms were outlined with a golden yellow border of pure electrical energy. Its legs were slightly slimmer than they had been and were also tinted black with a yellow border of electricity spiraling down them. The robot?s eyes, now set in its charcoal colored head, opened to reveal the magnitude of their surging ferocity. In its center an emblem resembling a yellow lightning bolt had taken the place of the otherwise unadorned spot and even the robot?s fingers shone brightly as they had been transformed into electrically charged phalanges.

?Jack, I think your Pokemon just evolved,? Misty stated, still shocked by their arrival.

(Cut Music)

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Oh man! I loved writing that one, especially the last part. Well, tell me what you think!