The Mightyena Project, Part 2

Pikachu was suddenly stuck with Inspiration! Why didn't he think about asking this before?

[Why is Brock coming with our ‘pack’?]

This left Mightyena ♂ speechless. Why DID Might stay with the pack?

[Because he's the only one who can cook.] Said the Alpha female.

Pikachu smirked, [But then why doesn’t he try to capture you? He is a trainer.]

The phrase came right out of Mightyena ♂'s mouth without even thinking. [Some pokemon aren't meant to be captured.]

Pikachu sighed. Pikapi and Pikachupi are making him want to pull his fur out! This is the most infuriating day of my life... NOTHING can make this worse...

“Prepare for Trouble, Wherever you are!”
“And Make it Double, we’ll be the stars!”

...Then again....

“To protect the world from devistation!”
“To unite all people within our nation!”
“To denounce the Evils of truth and love!”
“To extend our reach to the Stars Above!”
“Jessie!”, shouted the Purplish-Red Haired Rocket.
“James!”, added the Blue haired Rocket.
“Team Rocket! Bla--"

Suddenly, Team Rocket noticed something wrong with this picture...

"What's going on here? Where's the twerp?" Jessie blinked in confusion.

"It does seem a little odd Jess'," James said

"Oh, who cares let's just grab'em all before he comes back!" With that, the rockets pulled out their butterfly nets.

Pikachu snarled. [You moron, have caught me in a very bad mood! I'm not in the mood to play anymore with you today . . . so say . .. GOOD-BYE!] "PIKAAAA!"

Team Rocket screamed like little girls as the mother of all thunder bolts blasted them.

The blast strikes them and the rockets are sent flying into the sky from the force of the attack as ussual.

"We didn't even finish!"

"Looks like team rocket is blasting off again!"

"Wabbaaa . . ."

Meowth whinned, "THIS IS MY ONLY LIIIIIINE!"

The gang twinkled as they were shot over the horizon.

"Chu . . ." Pika breathed out. He needed that.

[You think they'd give up by now.] The alpha male moaned. [Now they're making a grab at you, Pikachu, twice a day!]

Brock FINALLY came out of the building. As expected, he had a large red handprint on his face.

[I should have known he really went in there because of a girl...], Mightyena ♂ thought aloud

“Hey Ash. I’ll get you and your friends something to eat now,” Brock stated.

Pikachu’s jaw dropped. Brock knows that’s Ash, and he’s acting like.. he... expected.. it.... WHY THAT DIRTY--- </B></U>!!!!

Neither Pikachu NOR any of Ash nor Misty’s Pokémon could believe it. Brock KNEW this would happen!?

Brock noticed the other Pokémon glaring at him, “Um... Ash, Misty... get your Pokémon to stop glaring at me like that?”

Corphish wasn’t pleased, and looked like he was about to bubble beam Brock into next Thursday.

The only one of the Pokémon who didn’t seem to mind was Phanpy, who was cuddling up to his “Daddy” and “Mommy”

[Daddy, why is everyone mad at Uncle Brock?], Asked Phanpy.

[I’m... not sure...]

Pikachu looked at the rest of the team. [We attack him together on three!]

[Wait!] Mightyena ♀ said. [We can beat him senseless after we eat!]

Poochyena thought that was a very good point.

Brock poured out some pokemon chow and Mightyena ♀ and Mightyena ♂ along with Poochyena instantly began to dig in. Pikachu sweatdropped. He was never that bad. Was he?

The pokemon had already eaten er . . . the OTHER pokemon had already eaten so it was just the dark types chowing down at the moment. Pikachu knew enough to let wait it out at this point.

Looking at Brock, Pikachu STILL couldn't comprehend how such a close friend had betrayed Ash and Misty like this! Abused their trust and stabbed them in the back!

Pikachu wanted so badly to deep fry him then and there. But he wanted to know what was up first. Could Brock have really been so selfish as to do this to his best friends?! At least they still had an ally in May. Once she saw what happened to her little brother she was bound to react!

Pikachu then remembered what she had said earlier...

“I forgot about the Pokémon Contest! I have to go get prepared for it. I’ll meet you all at the Pokémon Center, okay?”, she had said...

There wasn’t even a contest PLANNED for today. Especially not here.

Pikachu shook his head. He had to be imagining things. Nobody could be cruel enough to do that to their own brother, right? And she wasn’t mad about the Bike anymore so she wouldn’t want to do that to Ash, right? Right, of course. No reason what-so-ever....

Mightyena ♂ too has started to get doubts. What did he mean “your pokémon”? And why was he calling him Ash if he hadn’t captured him? Ash was a HUMAN name, after all...

No. He had to be imagining things. There was no way Pikachu could be right. He knew his own mind, he knew who he was. Besides, Mightyena ♀ and Poochyena knew it was true. And he trusted his mate more than anyone else.

"Well Ash." Said Brock after they were done eating. "We better meet May at the pokemon center before she gets to worried."

Brock though personally was surprised Ash hadn't freaked out, nor had demanded why (in English or in pokemon speak) what had happened to him again. Or why Max wasn't looking himself over again and again. Or why Misty wasn't complaing about the loss of her good looks. Maybe they were just perfectly calm that the spell was going to eventually wear off and that would be that.

That reminded Brock. He didn't get an answer for -exactly- how long the spell would last. Oops, oh well, no problem, he would just go back inside and ask again, after all, she had already given her rejection, she wouldn't mind answering a simple question. Brock flashed back to the resurant.

May and Brock were wondering what the heck they were gonna do about the problem with Ash, Misty, and Max not having any food...

May soon brought up what Ash was talking about Earlier. His time as a Pokémon.

Brock explained what happened, and someone had overheard their discussion. She walked up to them and introduced herself as Carrie, a Pokémon Magician. This gave Brock an idea...

Brock flashed out of his flashback...

Brock told the he really would be right back this time ran back inside the house. Knowing that Ash and Misty could keep care of Max and themselves at the moment Pikachu darted in after the traitor. The rotten no good sceaming rat, Pikachu wanted an explaination to what was going on and he wanted it now. He ignored the other pokemon's calls. The place was just as spooky on the inside as on the outside, if a bit more lavish. He followed right behind the rock trainer.

Brock knocked on a door slowly opened it. A female voice on the other side said. "Didn't I tell you to go already? I've done what you wanted now get out!"

"Er  . . . I know Madam but . . . I forgot to ask an important question."

"Which was?" The voice snapped.

"When does the spell wear off? I know I asked for an extension but I forgot to ask for how long . . ."

"You . . .  you meant . . . you pathetic fool . . . your friends are destine to be pokemon in mind, body and soul for the remainder of their lives."

In Kanto, Pallet... Deliah pruned some flowers in her garden when she heard a faint "WHAT!?" . . . somewhere to the south west of her .  . . naw . . . had to be her imagination.

Pikachu's ear were never going to stop ringing, he was sure of it. A family of Zubat and Crobat, scattered from the house's attic.

Carrie shook her head. She didn’t mean to sound so bitchy, but Brock should have specified what she wanted. She explained that to Brock, but he refused to listen, blaming HER for HIS mistake. Carrie understood that part of the blame was hers, but she didn’t think she deserved ALL of it.

After all, isn’t telling a guy two times enough? , she thought.

Brock continued to blame Carrie for the mistake, even though she had explained to him the spell TWICE before casting it.

Carrie’s temper was rising, “Look, I’d help you if I could, but there’s no such thing as a reversal spell. What do you think this is, Harry Potter?”

Brock had ticked her off too much tho by this time. As he left, she looked through her spellbook for something that would at least work as an apology to his friends, and a punishment for Brock...

Pikachu's world inverted, turned upside down, and blurred together.  Ash. His Ash. Was gone forever? Well, this Mightyena seemed to have Ash's relationship . . . but . . . could he really say he was the same person? And even if Ash's memories could be restored  . . . would it be the kinder thing to do? Trapped in a body that wasn't his? Till the day he died? Would it be kinder instead to just let the Mightyena to remain instead? Rather then as Ash and Misty who would suffer?

Was the truth really the final liberator? Or would it just weight down Ash and Misty? Sentenced never to be their true selves again . . . Pikachu shuddered. This had to be a nightmare! Why couldn't he wake up!?

Pikapi, his Pikapi . . . no he wouldn't accept it, he wouldn't believe it! Reason tilted on it's side and Pikahu having not been noticed by Brock bolted through the ajar door. The woman didn't look as ugly as she should have. Witch as a rule should always be ugly. [You! You took Pikapi away from me! I want him back! Give him back right now!!!]

“...I’m sorry, from what your squinty eyed friend was telling me before, I thought that he had done some great wrong. And I had warned him twice before I actually cast the spell that it would be permanant. I wish he would have listened to me. I can probably get one of your friends to recover their memory automatically, and make it easier to do so for another. But, the little boy, I’m afraid, is going to be stuck thinking he’s a Pokémon forever. I’m the neice of a good friend of Professor Oak’s, so he should believe me when I tell him what’s happened,” Carrie explained to the Pikachu.

Pikachu thought about this... Even if she was lying about knowing Proffessor Oak, they COULD AT LEAST get help from Mewtwo. Pikachu decided that Ash and Misty regaining their memories would probably be the best thing right now. They could still act as Max’s parents, after all, they acted As Togepi’s parents for years.

Pikachu sighed. Not really thinking how this witch could understand him to begin with . . . [What do you want me to do?]

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

Brock to say the least was frantic, what would he tell Mrs. Deliah Ketchem? What would he tell Misty and Max's families?! Eccentric guy's traveling compainions just vanish, who'd believe that they had been turned into pokémon? May was going to kill him. If Ash's mom or Misty sisters (okay, scratch the shallow sisters) didn't kill him first! He was dead! Dead! He had as good murdered three of his friends. It would have served him right if he had stayed at Ivy's lab . . .

What would all his brothers and sisters and parents think when they found out what their elder brother/son had become? He'd be homeless, no girl would ever want to go out with him again! Oh the waste upon women everywhere! Suzie would never look him in the eye again! He was doomed! Doomed! This was his end! And the worest part was what would happen to his friends afterwards. What kind of life would they be able to live? Maybe it was kinder they didn't remember what they had lost. But what would become of them? May barely handed her squad of performers, she couldn't handle two teams of fighters, they would either be captured, or reduced to the lives of petty animals, like any wild pokemon where death was a daily companion. Ash and Misty's team would want his blood, along with others. And once he was dead, they would be killed to as 'rabid' Pokémon. He had destroyed everything around him that he cared about in an attempted to remove a temporary problem! Even all the emotion damage aside, would May even be able to travel on her own?

"Gee  . . . what's taking them so long? I know Ash probably freaked out but I thought he'd have calmed down enough to have been here by now!" May look at the public TV, too bad it wasn't a soap opera like Deep Clafairy Nine. Looked like they were running re-runs of the last Orange Tournament . .  the station must have been out of money.

Mightyena ♂ wondered where Might was . . .  he wanted to get moving. Traveling and meeting new pokemon and aquiring new pack members was his passion, Might understood that, as did his Alpha Female and his pup. A slight breeze, and something blocked Mightyena ♂'s eyes.

[What’s this in my eyes... Mightyena ♀, could you get it off, so I can see it?], asked Mightyena ♂ to his Alpha Female.

She grabbed the offending object with her teeth, and layed it down in front of him.

It was his cap... Wait-- if caps are made by humans, how is it HIS cap? He tried to think up a logical answer, like he had to all of Pikachu’s questions, but there were none. [Pikachu was... right?]

Memories flooded Mightyena ♂’s mind...

Recieving Pikachu, Dexter, and the Pokéballs from Proffessor Oak...

Being saved by the flock of Spearow by Misty...

The gym battles, Brock’s reasons for following, everything...

He also remembered Max, who his newly sharpened sights allowed him to tell was the Poochyena...

He was Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, son of Deliah and Giovanni Ketchum, Chosen One, and Champion of the Orange League.

Smiling to himself, Ash asked Mightyena ♀, who he now knew was Misty, to put the cap back on his head. She was confused, but did so anyway.

Mightyena ♀ looked at Mightyena ♂... What was he smiling about? One thing she was sure of was that she didn't like the look in her mate's eyes. ꥀ

"Mightyena ♂ ? .. .  are you okay?" He had that hat since she had first met him, she had never bothered to ask where he got it. But he had looked at it like he had never seen it before in his life. Maybe the smoke was starting to drive him crazy now after all. She drew Poochyena closer to her for protection.

[Mightyena ♀, what’s wrong?], asked Mightyena ♂

[You . . .  you're .  . . are . . . just the look on your face . . . you didn't seem yourself there.]

[What? I was smiling. Can’t I do that every now and then?]

[I guess . . . but your hat . . . the look in your eyes. You looked like you had never seen it before. You've always had that hat.]

[But how did I get it?]

[You never told me.]

Poochyena looked at his two parents, not sure what was going on just knowing he was confused.

[No I haven't always had it. I used to have a different one. Remember? When we seperated for a while?]

[ . . . I . . . I remember, just before we had Poochyena . . . ]

A voice in the back of Ash's head asked. Do you really want her to remember? Do you really want to remember? Isn't it better to just march foreword with nothing holding you back?

Ash thought of his mother, he'd never be able to hug her again and Misty's sisters, he'd never able to prove herself to them and . . . if they forgot . .  they'd never be able to say good-bye.

Ash decided to continue, as he really didn’t want to be this way alone, [Think, how old is Poochyena?]

[About 8, why?]

[We haven’t even known each other that long, we only met 4 years ago.]

Mightyena ♀ thought about it... He’s right. They only met four years ago, in Route 1.

Mightyena ♀ could vaguely remember years where 3 girls were treating her terribly... Sisters?

But . . . those girls . . .  were they Mightyena . . . or were they . . .  what else could they be?! But . . . Mightyena ♂  shook he head, her own her own mind but . . . no! There were no buts! She knew she was Poochyena's mother! If she wasn't then who was she?! As a mother pokémon her life was defined by her child and her mate. Her future lay in her offspring. Hald her memories told her everything was all right, the other half told her nothing was alright.

Mightyena ♀ shook her head

The other pokemon who had just been looking at each other and wondering how they could get back their nests (for some whom were on the other side of the ocean) or just settle down where they were, or maybe get May to send to Prof. Oak and settle in there, saw the change in Ash's behavor and saw the look of confusion being born on Mightyena ♀'s face.

Treeko and Horsea looked at each other, from the way Ash was asking questions, they knew at least their Ash was back . . . now they had to do the same for Misty. Horsea moved the best she could (she was a water monster after all, being on the ground was missery to her) she told Misty's other monsters to bombard her with as many questions as they could think of. And they came at an invading army at the castle of Mightyena ♀ to rescue Princess Misty who still dwelled within.

[How'd we first meet?], Corsela chirped.

[Why did I have to use picture to tell you about Tentacruel when we first met?], Horsea questioned.

[Why were you scared to death of me at first? Why'd you decide to face your fears and tame me Mistress?], growled Gyarados.

[Er . . . whatever they said . . .], added Psyduck.

The heroes invaded the castle walls, the enemy troops falling down before their heroic assualt. The princess in her pitch black cell began to hear the faint sounds of battle.

To Mightyena ♀ the house of mirror twisted . . . wrapped . . .until . . . they shattered . . . !

Mightyena ♀, or rather, Misty, was starting to become aware again, [A-Ash? What happened?]

Ash smiled at Misty, [Welcome back, Misty.]

Poochyena looked baffled, [What are you talking about, Dad?]

D’oh! , Ash had forgotten about Max. And it seems that Max may be too far gone to even remember his former life. He was, after all, exposed to the smoke for a longer period of time than either Ash or Misty.

Looking at each other, Ash & Misty decided that, even if it was possible to return Max’s mind to normal, he’s a bit too young to handle being stuck as a Pokémon. The two nodded at each other simultaniously, and then Ash turned to Poochyena.

[Nothing, Son. It’s nothing.] Ash suddenly realized something, [Say, where did Pikachu go, anyway?]

Treecko spoke up, [Pikachu was chasing Brock back into that creepy house]

Misty wondered why Brock’d go back in... Suddenly, it hit her like a ton of bricks. Why that! He’s behind what happened to us!

Ash had realized this too, but put a paw on his “mate’s” shoulder, and shook his head. He decided to give Brock time to explain his actions, so, they waited.

[Better question . . .  ] Said Poochyena. [What's taking him so long? This time he promised that he'd come right out . . .
It's not like Pooch to overestimate things, he knows how to be precise and effective!]

Ash and Misty looked at each other. That was Max, he was have been painted by numbers colored a Poochyena . . . but the kid who was too smart for his age was still there. At least that was one good compensation . . . now that just needed to figure out how to explain this disaster to May. And May's family.

-----------

Earlier...

“This will only work if the subject is willing.”
Pikachu looked past current trespasses, and rememebered the Brock he knew to be the real one. [He’ll be willing.] He said to the witch.

“Alright then .  . . Gastly, Misdrevious, Unown, Absol . . . leaned me your attention . . . you, those who stand between the two worlds, this place that exists in transit, and the one that has always been, I ask upon you this favor, in exchange I offer that of equal value . . . hear my bargain, and carry my message, so the transaction may be complete . . .  “

Brock stopped in his tracks, before he even had a chance to leave the building... Something was holding him in place!

Suddenly, wind seemed to surround Brock. So much, in fact, that it became opaque... Brock did the one thing that anyone would do in this situation. Scream.

And the scream simply turned off. Brock had lost the power to even work his lungs. His legs and arms all hupted to, all straight at his sides, he felt like a pencil. Great. Now what was going to happen?

There was no logic when it came to magic.
Calculating of propabilities was even more impossible since the were so many branches of it.
Therfore making any sort of prediction or preset action for the resolution of the situation was pointless and a waste of run time ;

Logically: the only course of action was = idle until the situation involving magic was run to it's conclusion ;  
Secondary check of motor functions
        Leg (r) : no connection
        Leg (l) : no connection
        arm (r) : no connection
        arm (l) : no connection
If no connection in motor fuction is made go to idle ;
10:  idle  ;
20:  set time to 0 ;
30:   
40:  add one to time
50: if time is greater than 60 go to 30 ;
60:  if time = 60 go to motor functions check
70: go to 30 ;

time = 60
go to motor functions check

00: Motor fucntions check
10: tail = connected
20: leg (r) = connected
30: leg (l) = connected
40: head = connected
50: If connected = greater than 4 go to 00 ;
60: if connected = 4 end idle

end idle ;

run bootup2.exe

Porygon ver. 2.0
Copyright Syphco. Inc 2038
Run time: Y 18 Mon 7 D 01 H 14 Min Sec 2 M.S. .47
memory load . . . wait . . .
Memory loaded.
Operating System BrSl Ver. 18.7 loading . . .
OS Loaded
:\>

If 'Magic'  = [1% go to Idle ;
If 'Owner' is not input range Run ownerlocate.exe ;
loading ownerlocate.exe ;
Owner Perameters loaded determine location and project most direct rough at less than .50 poke dollars worth of any property damage.

Pikachu bid farewell to Carrie, and ran through the house. He could tell Brock had already made his exit... Hoo-boy... I’m gonna have some explaining to do, aren’t I? , he thought bitterly.

Pikachu ran out the door, and found Brock, now Porygon2.exe , making his way towards Ash & the rest of the gang. Pikachu swiftly ran out in front, and smiled as he saw what seemed to be a mentally revitalized Ash & Misty.

Pikachu was extremely happy, as the spell seemed to have worked. Running up to Ash, he immedately tackled him.

[WHOA! Pikachu, what was that for?], Ash said, smiling.

[You’re BACK Pikapi! You’re BACK!]

[Yeah, Misty too... We decided to let Max stay the way he is mentally - because he’s only 8, so it would really be hard for him to take.]

Pikachu remained silent at that. Should he tell Ash & Misty that the Max Ruby they knew was gone for good?

[Who’s that?], Ash Barked as he saw the Porygon2 show up.

Pikachu grinned [Brock.]

Ash noticed Brock’s belt of Pokéballs, were still on him... Maybe they should be released into “the Pack” too?

Brock’s now digital voice asked, [What is your command?]

Everyone blinked for a moment, taking this in...

[Umm... Release your Pokémon], Ash barked, somewhat unsure himself of what was going on.

Foretress, Mudkip, and Lotad were all released.

The two water and one steel/bug pokémon took one at their trainer and all had one thing to say. [What the flipping heck is going on?] [Yikes!] [Ayé Carumba!] Okay, not exactly the same thing, but the same feeling. Wanting to know exactly what was going on!

[Pikachu . . . what's going on?]

Pikachu decided to leave out some details . . . [When Brock found out the spell was perminant-] Everyone gasped at this, except Porygon2.exe. [Brock volenteered to give up his human self and form, to give you two back your real memories . . . ]

Poochyena couldn't fathom what was going on the slightest, and he didn't like that, period. [What?]

Misty thought fast. [Son . . . go play with Phanpy.]

[Mom?]

[Please.]

The puppy reluctantly did as he was told.

Misty looked back at Pikachu . . . [But it was Ash's cap and our friends who snapped us out of it . . .]

[Ash's hat and the rest of us wouldn't have been able to without Carrie's spell . . . that was the witch who lives here who Brock dealed with .  . . he didn't pay full attention on her words when she told him the conditions that the spell would have.]

[Brock . . .] Misty said to herself. Porygon2.exe didn' react to the name at all.

[So what do we do now?] Corphish muttered.

[May.] Misty breathed. [Someone needs to tell her about Max . . . she'll be heart broken.] Misty couldn't stand her sisters . . . but she still couldn't bear the idea of them being . . . snuffed out.

Everyone looked at each other. No one wanted this job.

[Uh . . . how are we going to get into town without being caught by trainers?] Ash asked the obviou question that had illuded everyone else.

[I wanna have a word with this witch . . . if she helped Brock cause all of this . . . ] Treeko muttered. [Then she can at least help us get out of it . . .]

Ash's team (minus Phanpy who was still playing with his 'big brother' ) unamiously agreed. Misty's team followed suit. Brock's team was still mourning over the loss of their leader.

The group of Pokémon entered the creepy house, knowing now that it’s safe at least.

Pikachu knocked on Carrie’s door, [Miss Carrie, we umm... Need just a LITTLE More help.]

The Woman opened the door, “What is it you need?”

[We need a way to get to the Pokémon center without being caught by trainers.]

“Oh, I forgot about that. I’ll let Espeon join you as a parting gift. She’ll be able to get you there with her ‘teleport’ move.”

"Espion!" Carrie called, a violet fur eevee evolution appeared in a white silolite out of nowhere.

~Yes my lady?~ She said with telepathy.

"You have served me without question since I found you half dead at my door step after your evolve at dawn a few second before you did and turned on you . . . "

~My life belongs to you.~

“These are the final commands you are to obey from. Good with Ash’s team. You are to serve him as part of that team. Teleport him and his pack safely to the roof top of the nearest pokemon center. Do this, and you are no longer within my service.”

Espio bowed. ~I'll do as you command my lady . . . ~ Everything went white for everyone.  

"Location error: Resetting perameters." Said Porygon2.exe as the teleportation ended. Ash did see indeed they were back at the pokemon center.

Poochyena and Phanpy who had been outside the window playing were stunned at the sudden turn of venues.

[So whose gonna do it?] Misty asked the ultimate question again.

Pikachu sighed. [Hey Espion. Teleport May to the roof with us.]

Espio read the rodent's mind for a mental imprint of the girl he was thinking out and ~As you ask.~ In a white silolit May found herself on the roof top. She screamed and quickly put her top shirt back on. She had just begun undressing for a shower.  

"Wha?! What's going on~! . . . Pikachu? Gyrados?! Fortress?! What's going on!"

Espio looked at Poochyena and used Hypnosis . . . strange how it worked on a dark type, the puppy was out, he didn't need to hear this.

Espion translated Misty's words. [May . . . ]

"M-Misty? I know you're mad maybe but it's just-"

[It isn't, we're stuck like this forever.]

May paled and took a dangerous step towards the edge of the roof. "I didn't know . . . it's not possible . . . I didn't know . . .  Brock said it was . . . Max!"

"He's gone . . . he doesn't remember anything about who he used to be . . ."

May's eyes became saucers and she blinked away tears. "No . . . no!!!"

May fell to her knees. "No . . ." She began to sob. "I . . . I . . . no!" She pounded a first on the roof top. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for any of this to happen!! I didn't mean it! I'm sorry! Make it all go away! Jirachi! Celebi! Mew! Make it all go away!" She ranted or prayed depending on your point of view.

May began to hiccup.

Any low thoughts Misty had for May were buried under an avalance of pity . . . this girl . . . she had walked in the dark . . . not knowing what was really there . . . she might have written this book too . . . but it had been forced writing in it's own way . . .

Misty found herself nuzzling the suffering child

"Dad didn't want me before . . . . now that Max is gone he won't want me again . . . I'm not his pokemon trainer . . .  I'm not his gym leader . . . "

May was breaking down and her person demons were coming to the surface.

"I'm not his heir . . . I'm not his anything . . . "

"Max .  . . I'm just so sorry . . . " May couldn't bring herself to say good-bye.

Ash decided it was his turn to speak, again translated by Espion...

[As... a friend of mine once learned, May, It’s better to say goodbye, than to never be.]

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

[It means that no matter what happens, you should continue on with your life. And from what I saw, your father, Norman, doesn’t hate you. He cares for you greatly.]

“You don’t KNOW what it’s like to have a father that you can’t relate to!”, May shouted.

That stung Ash. In fact, he does know. After all, how could the Chosen One relate to the leader of Team Rocket, to Giovanni Ketchum? But, he had buried the memories of what his father had done to him deep in his mind... Do I dare say anything?

+A voice from no where and everywhere+

To dare is to live.

[May . . . ] At least? No, for once Ash thought ahead. [Your father was there for you. He's always been there for you. I know what it's like to have a father you've always looked up to, yet seems like you can never touch him, so you try your hardest, yet it never seems to be enough.]

"That's just it . . . I never tried . . . I just went along with being a trainer so I wouldn't make a big fuss .  . . I figured since the contests involved pokemon, and seems to have more a calling to me . . . I thought that would satisfy dad . . . but he's always wanted an heir. Someone to carry on the name. Someone to carry on in -his- shoes since mom it was always assumed had the inside track with me . . . but I just wanted to see the world . . . pokemon always scared me to pieces before my journey . . . even the ones my dad trained . . . "

[Regardless of anything else May. Your family does love you. They supported you when you chose to be an entertainer rather than a fighter . . . and they'll support you now . . . ]

"What I've done to Max, there is no comparison . . . I can't lie to my own family . . . no matter how easy that would be . . . "

[You still love them.]

"Did you ever stop loving that impossible to reach dad of yours?"

[No . . . in spite of everything, no matter how hard I tried . . . I couldn't stop loving him . . . maybe that love turn from what it used to be . . . but it never goes away.]

"And this guilt, this crime I've commited . . . will never go away . . . Maybe I should just get rid of the person who was so stupid and selfish she murdered her own brother by accident!"

May looked at the roof top.

[May no! Don't you dare give up! There are other ways for that person to away than killing yourself . . . you can change . . . just ask yourself this one question. Whose life are you leading? Your dad's? Or your own?]

. . . Maybe . . . May thought. I can live the life I've robbed the world of . . . Max . . . you wanted to learn as much as you could . . . and become a Master . . . maybe I can walk that path . . . contests . . . what the point of winnign of there's no one there to cheer for you at the end?

May clenched her hands. May then turned to the others and said, “I’m... I’m gonna try to become a Pokémon Master, or at least a Gym Leader like my dad. Being a Coordinator is no good without your friends and family. And now I’ve lost both.”

Everyone looked at her like she lost her mind... Wait... Did she have one before?

[You sure this is what you want to do?]

“Positive!”

[If that's your own choice . . .] Misty said to herself.

May knew there was something else she had to say. "Ash . . you knew all along right? . . . I did . . . I really did . . . I honestly do love you."

Ash fell over. [GAH!]

May made the smallest laugh possible . . . that was indeed the Ash she had fallen in love with.

Misty said nothing, but inched closer to Ash, that spoke volumes to May. She knew her chances with Ash had dropped to zero . . . but she had to say it . . . at least let him know . . .

After a few uncomfortable seconds of silence, Pikachu spoke up, [You think you can survive without us?]

May rolled her eyes. Well, it’s now obvious why Pokémon and humans can’t normally communicate.

May's pokeballs burst open on their own, Skitty, Beautifly, Torchic.

They all looked at her in disbelief at what she had just said.

[May . . . you really mean that?] Said Torchic.

"I'm sorry guys . . . the performance is over . . . now the fighting starts."

The three entertainers looked at each other at this new road their team leader was taking them. Beautifly and Skitty looked at each other . . . the idea of giving up show biz just didn't feel right to them . . . Toruchick on the other hand, was already ready to follow May to the ends of the earth, regardless of the road.

Misty smiled, [Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a guy out there.]

"Maybe . . ." May replied.

---------
Meanwhile, in New Bark Town...

"Whoa!"

"You okay Brendon, dear?"

"I'm just fine, mom. I felt a chill for a second."
---------

“I have just ONE more question...”

[Yeah?]

“How are we gonna get down?”

[Leave that to Espion.]
The telepath pokemon nodded.

I'll just tell dad the truth . . . Max, Brock, Ash, Misty . . . are gone because of my stupidty . . . I spent our food money on clothes . . . . and they made the sacrifice for me . . . , May thought. She didn't know what wrath her father would inflict upon her, but she would take it like a woman.

Ash & Misty looked at each other. Yes, it was pretty much all her fault, but they had to take pity on her. She lost her dream so she could continue with Ash & Max’s Dream of being the best. Part of them told them that she deserved it for what she had caused to happen, but the other part of them told them that it was more Brock’s fault than hers, so she should get off lighter than that. Knowing Ash and May’s Families, she’d get off with much worse.

May looked at the others. "So where do you guys go from here? Back home to your families? Ash? Misty?"

Ash thought for a bit and smiled as only he could, [I’ve got something in mind.]

Misty blinked for a moment before realizing what Ash is talking about, [You mean...?]

Ash nodded, [First stops, we pick up our Pokémon, then we go somewhere where you’ll probably never hear from us again May.]

"Where?" She had to ask.

['He' would probably kill you if I told you.]

That was all May needed to be told about the subject.

[May.] She looked at Skitty and Beutifly. [We've talked it over and .  .. we want to join Drew's team.]

It was a knife though the heart. "What!"

[We're sorry, but I don't think we can just start fighting for it's own sake.]

May fought back the tears this time. "All of you think this .  . . "

[I'm staying by your side May . . . one of us has to . . . we're partners or aren't we?]

"Yea .  . . we are," May whispered, "Thanks Torchic."

Ash winced, HE had felt that blow and it wasn't even directed towards him.

[If you guys really think he's going to stop dotting over Rosella long enough to notice you go ahead.] Said Treeko just because he felt fools deserved a little warning.

May’s Pokémon were quite sure he would eventually, I mean, nobody can do anything with just ONE pokémon, right?

Treeko shrugged. Their loss.

Espion was about to teleport everyone away, but May stopped him, “Stop!”

[What?]

“Couldn’t you at first get me off this thing?”

The esper pokemon nodded at the request and teleported May and Torchie back to the pokemon center below them. "Skitty, my Wrumple, Ash . . . Max . . . good-bye."

Because Ash and Misty were darkness monster now, Espion has to read Pikachu's mind to teleport where they wanted to go . .  or rather, as far as they could go . . . they ended up at the city limits.

[Espion what happened?]

~I am sorry Master . . . I am not a Legendary . . . I have limits on my power and range . .~ Ash guessed that made sense, otherwise Espion and other phyic pokemon would have completely undermined the entire travel industry.

To be Concluded...