The First Awakening

Chapter 9

Togepi stood on the emerald float and glanced upward uncertainly. It trilled softly, peering at its foster mother. She looked like herself, except for the coffee-toned eyes of course, but she seemed...different...somehow. It looked at her quizzically. Misty, understanding, jumped down to the orange float next to Togepi's.

"You must understand, Togepi," she said encouragingly, holding Togepi's little arms in her hands. "The fate of Ash, Pikachu, and Misty's Pokémon rests in your capable hands. Misty believes in you, Ash believes in you, Pikachu believes in you, I believe in you, but none of that will matter unless you believe in you. Believe in yourself, and I know you can win." With that, she jumped back onto the platform.

Jessie smirked, her azure eyes narrowing slightly. "Well? You wanted to get this thing started, didn't you? Let's go."

Brock stepped back to the center of the room. "This is a Pokémon battle between Togepi and Wobbuffet. Let the match begin!"

Misty's eyebrows lowered, the coffee brilliance of her eyes hidden slightly. Jessie's eyes squinted to match Misty's, and she raised her arm. "Use—" she faltered, unable to call for an attack.

Misty took over where she left off. "Use Metronome!" Togepi began waving its stubby little arms back and forth, to Jessie's dismay.

"Wobbuffet! Counter!" Wobbuffet shimmered with a blue light similar to that of Togepi arms. A blast of blue-silver light shot out of the sky, rendering Wobbuffet's Counter useless. The Ice Beam quickly froze the blue blobby Pokémon. "No!" Jessie cried out.

Misty smiled. Her theory had been proven correct—if Jessie didn't know what attack to prepare for, Wobbuffet could still be critically hit. "Finish it off with another Metronome!" Togepi's arms swayed from side to side as Jessie watched in horror, her immobile Pokémon a sitting duck to the attack...her look of horror turned to one of delight as the attack turned out to be a Flamethrower, melting the ice away. Misty's face remained impartial as she commanded another Metronome. This time, Jessie instructed Wobbuffet to use Mirror Coat. It shined white-silver as a stream of flame swept towards it. The Heat Wave bounced off the Mirror Coat and back towards Togepi with twice the power.

"Quick, Togepi! Dive into the pool!" Misty cried, pointing at the water. Togepi jumped in just as the flames passed over its side of the field. When the fire had dissipated, Togepi jumped out of the pool, only slightly singed on its top spike. Misty smiled, once again proud of Togepi. "Metronome!" The waving came to an end quickly; the attack was a Hydro Pump, which only made Jessie worry more.

Panicked, she shouted out, hoping Wobbuffet would react fast enough to survive the attack. "Counter!" The attack was partially deflected by the battlefield's effects, and Wobbuffet successfully rebounded the rest of the attack towards Togepi.

Max adjusted his glasses so that the lights above reflected against the lenses; his eyes couldn't be seen behind them, and he seemed deep in thought. May gasped, worried for the Pokémon she had protected like a mother since she caught it; surely Togepi couldn't survive a Hydro Pump if it couldn't withstand Double Kick and Sand Attack! Brock remained straight-faced. These attack patterns looked familiar, and if he knew what he thought he knew about the actual battler here, there would be a sudden turn-around quite soon.

He was right.

"Follow Me!" Togepi glowed with a silver-white tinge as it rebounded the Hydro Pump back against Wobbuffet. Jessie cried out shortly; she hadn't expected a copying attack, and Wobbuffet had no energy left to move, let alone counter the water attack headed towards it. Wobbuffet was blasted backwards; when the mist cleared, it was obvious who the victor was.

"Togepi is the winner!" Brock announced happily. May and Pikachu jumped, fists pumping the air and cheers echoing in their show of how proud they were of Misty and Togepi. "Choose your next Pokémon, Jessie."

Jessie scratched her head and frowned sharply; she couldn't think of a Pokémon she hadn't used yet. She was now almost worried, and she wasn't alone.

"What'll we do if Jessie actually loses, Meowth?" James asked from the control room, afraid. "We never planned for something like that."

Meowth rubbed its chin. "Meowth's run outta ideas, Jimmy boy."

A static-crackled voice echoed through their headphones. "Don't forget, the brains around here haven't run out of ideas. James, press the big red button above the highest screen."

Meowth paled (though it was hard to notice through its fur), then scratched James to stop him from pressing the button. It was too late, as the blue-haired Rocket agent pushed the button. Meowth felt a sinking feeling, both literally and physically. It looked down under its chair and sure enough, the floor had disappeared beneath it. As the Normal type fell down the tunnel, James was able to hear an accented wail:

"You said dat ting was only a precaution, Jessie! I can't battle dat Togepi!"

In the battle arena, Pikachu sat in May's arms, comfortable for the moment, if a bit confused. All Jessie had done was shout into her headphones, which didn't seem to make anything happen. The electric mouse suddenly noticed a door open in the ceiling. Its supersensitive ears picked up caterwauling echoing from within the chute shortly, and, soon enough, all watchers-on of the battle could tell what was coming. Momentarily, a pale cream-colored feline Pokémon landed with a plop in the middle of the ground area.

Brock attempted to conceal a chuckle and failed. "The final battle will be Togepi vs. Meowth. Let the battle begin!"

Meowth, though it had been forced into this battle, was determined to do as good as it possibly could (mainly to save its battered and bruised body from more "blasting off"). "I'll start off with my Scratch Attack!" The cat cried out, unsheathing its claws. Misty called for no attack; she knew what would happen. Meowth, about to strike, looked for a moment at Togepi. Its beady little eyes were watering up, and it appeared ready to burst into tears. Meowth stopped, and thought for a moment. This was that little egg it had taken such loving care of—the egg it had bathed with, sung to, slept with, and kept warm at night. And it was about to hurt that little egg? Meowth's face fell.

"I can't do it," the feline said sadly. "I just can't hoit that Togepi. I cared for it like a mother...and ya can't fight your own child!" May's eyes watered unconsciously; she hadn't known Meowth could be so sentimental. Usually it was yelling at them to hand over Pikachu or some other Pokémon. Misty remained impassive, wiping away a fake tear.

"How touching," she said coldly. "Togepi, use Sweet Kiss." Togepi jumped into the air and gave Meowth a big hug and kissed its cheek. Meowth had sweatdrops running down its back, similar to how Pikachu had reacted when it last faced Togepi. The cat Pokémon swayed, and almost fell over from the effects of the Sweet Kiss. Meowth shook off the kiss and got into a fighting position.

"Well, if Togepi can fight me, I guess I can fight back!" Meowth jumped into the air and ignored Togepi's saddened face. "I tink I'll try sometin' new: Faint Attack!" Misty could do nothing; Faint Attack always hit. Fortunately for Togepi, the attack wasn't very strong, as Meowth had only just perfected it.

Jessie was furious. "Use something that'll actually work, Meowth!" Meowth turned to her hand stuck out its tongue while pulling one of its lower eyelids down.

"I'll do what I want, Jessie! And I want to use Slash!" Meowth jumped into the air one again, releasing its claws.

Misty was ready this time. "Safeguard!" A blinding white light surrounded Togepi, and the sphere of protection was soon around everyone in the room but Meowth and Jessie. Brock heard Misty cry shortly, and he rushed over to the platform. As the Safeguard cleared up, he found Misty to be sitting on the ground, rubbing her head and groaning slightly. When she opened her eyes, they were their normal blue-green shade.

Brock asked, unsure who he was talking to, "Misty?"

She looked up at him, confused. "Yeah...who else would I be? And," she looked around her, obviously baffled, "what's going on?"

Now Brock was confused. "Don't you remember anything?"

"I remember thinking everything seemed hopeless, right after Psyduck lost to Wobbuffet...then everything went blank...it's so strange..." Misty summarized. Then she really began noticing what was around her, and she got mad. "Okay, which one of you numbskulls put Togepi into battle? You know I only let it battle against Pikachu and my own Pokémon; it's not strong enough to battle anyone, even Team Rocket!"

Upon hearing their team name used in such a derogative way, Jessie and Meowth stood tall, looked scorned, and acted as such. "What do you mean, 'even Team Rocket'?" Jessie shouted, flames coming out of her mouth.

"We're of a class light-years above any little twoips like youse!" Meowth cried out, ignoring quickly stifled coughs coming from the crowd. It leapt into the air and unsheathed its claws, ready for a couple of Fury Swipes, when Togepi suddenly started glowing.

Everyone watching the battle gasped simultaneously and breathed a silent "Oh..." (Pikachu added a breathy "Pika..." for good measure.)

Soon enough, Togepi began to take a new shape—its shell disappeared, a neck grew, and small wings grew from its back. The white glow faded, and before the anxious, small crowd appeared a Togetic, flawless in its graceful beauty. May brought out her Pokédex, which droned the following commentary on the flying Pokémon: Togetic—the happiness Pokémon. They say that it will appear before kindhearted, caring people and shower them with happiness. It can float in midair without moving its wings.

"Wow..." May said. Ash, Max, and Brock were equally amazed. Misty's eyes were watering with happiness and pride, as were Pikachu's. Jessie and Meowth were enraged. This was definitely not part of the plan.

Meowth ran through its options rather quickly. There wasn't much it could do right now; it was very weak, thanks to attacking the Safeguard moments ago. All it could do was: "Growl Attack! Gr..."

Everyone sweatdropped, and Misty muttered, "Well, we might as well battle..." She then cried out to her newly evolved Pokémon. "Use Encore, Togetic!" Togetic stuck out its arms and waved them around.

Meowth looked around anxiously. No explosions. No glowing. Nothing. Meowth smirked. "Let's try a Scratch now! Gr..." Meowth was confused as its scratch became a growl. Misty smiled.

Jessie growled to herself. Extremely ticked off, she shouted, "Encore makes you repeat your attacks, idiot!"

Meowth sweatdropped and rubbed the back of its head. "Heh heh heh...whaddya know..."

Togetic charged up a Metronome without Misty telling it; frankly, it was obvious how they should end this match. Meowth's eyes widened considerably as an electric current appeared from between Togetic's arms then shot out towards Meowth.

Brock chuckled. "How ironic, that Misty would defeat Team Rocket thanks to a Thunderbolt." May, Max, and Pikachu nodded simultaneously. Jessie and James winced as Meowth shook erratically because of the shock to its body. They knew that pain all too well.

Meowth finally collapsed, the Thunderbolt having completed its job.

Brock lifted his arms in the air, barely containing his smile. "Meowth is unable to battle. Togetic wins the match!" Max, May, and Pikachu cheered and shouted their congratulations, while Brock just smiled proudly. Misty, however, ran onto the field, jumping from float to float until she reached Togetic, whom she wrapped in a large hug.

"I had no idea you could do it, Togetic, but you did," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so proud of you. You saved Ash, and Pikachu, and all of my Pokémon. Thank you so much." Then she straightened, wiping her tears away, and turned to look at Jessie. "Now, if you'll be so kind, hand over the keys to Ash's room."

Jessie, panicking, whispered into her headset. "James, what do we do? I don't have the keys to the twerp's room!"

Jessie could picture James shrugging as he responded. "I don't even know where the room is, Jessie. Meowth's the one who locked the twerp in, and it's out cold at the moment." Jessie growled, grinding her teeth as she concentrated on finding an idea.

"Well?" Misty asked, Togetic floating near her shoulder. "Where's Ash's key?"

"Misty won fair and square!" Max shouted out, noticing Jessie's hesitation. "Now give her the key!"

"Yeah!" May added for good measure.

"That's right!" Brock said encouragingly.

Jessie sweatdropped. "Could you three be any more annoyingly supportive?"

Misty looked down at Pikachu for a moment, then smiled. "If you want, Jessie, we can do this the old-fashioned way." Pikachu's cheeks began to spark, and Jessie backed away, her arms held out in front of her to form a feeble protection from the attack.

"No, that's fine, twerpette!" She said quickly. "It's just...there's no key!" Jessie straightened under Misty's glare, hoping Pikachu wouldn't be let lose on her.

Misty lightened her frown slightly. "Fine, then." Jessie breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly sucked it back in as Misty added, "Take us to him." The red head stared at her counterpart, then began to walk out of the room.

"This way," she called out in a singsong voice. Brock, Max, May, Pikachu, and Misty followed after her.

James began muttering in her ear. "Jessie, you don't know where the twerp's room is...do you?"

Jessie frowned in irritation. Sometimes she could just whack her partner over his head with a newspaper for being so dense. "No, I don't. I'm stalling so you can remove all traces of us from the building. The cops might find their way down here soon, and I dunno about you, but I don't want to go to jail. Did you remember to turn off the twerp's screen?"

James stuttered. "No...yes...um...was I supposed to? 'Cause if I was, then yes. If not, the screen is still on."

Jessie sighed, getting seriously annoyed. "Just turn it off. Now."

Jessie's tone was enough to quiet James. "Okay."

Jessie stopped in front of a door and opened it up. The room was full of instant noodles. "...James..." she asked into her headphone. "What is this?"

"...what...?"

"All the noodles?"

"What about them?"

"…gee, I don't know…maybe how many of them there are?" The mound of packages in all sorts of sizes and shapes (cups, square wrappers, shallow bowls, and more) might have amassed to the weight of a Charizard, at Jessie's guess. Considering how feather-light each package usually was…Jessie had reason to question the number.

"Well...there was a sale, and I—I was really hungry, Jessie!"

Jessie winced at the decibel levels of her teammates whining. A hand tapped her shoulder. When she turned around, the cooking twerp was right in her face.

"You'd better not be trying to fool us," Brock warned, narrowing his eyes. "We're not stupid; we know Ash isn't a bunch of instant noodle packages. Take us to his room already."

Jessie sweatdropped, and quickly found an excuse. "I was just...taking inventory on our food. You always have to make sure none of it is taken, right?"

Max peered past Jessie's side and his jaw dropped. "That is the second largest amount of instant noodles I have seen in my entire life." Misty, Jessie, Pikachu, and Brock looked back at him, wondering briefly where he could have possibly seen more. May rubbed the back of her head and sweatdropped before pulling Max away from the others and talking to him sternly about "his promise to never talk about that time ever again."

Jessie closed the door and started walking down the hall again. Then she noticed how long the hall was. And how many doors there were. She sighed.

This was going to be one long night.

Ash stared in front of him. Static. He glanced away a moment, then quickly looked back. Static. He did a triple-quadruple-double take at the screen. Static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, static, and he couldn't dream of not noticing the last one: static.

So, his mind began to wander. It did that a lot. Like when he was supposed to be doing things he didn't consider important, like watching the road for pitfalls, or reading a map...anyway, today the topic traveled around quite a bit before landing on one of Ash's least favorite topics: the Orange Islands.

Of course, not all of it was bad; the Orange League trophy he had won was nothing to dislike, and Snorlax was an awesome Pokémon...when it woke up, at least...and Tracey was a good friend, but there was just something about the Orange Islands he had hated.

Namely, that it seemed like every single living breathing entity that every met Ash was convinced he and Misty were either (a) a couple, or (b) in love. It was ridiculous! He had been, what—12, 13 at most during his travels there, and people expected him to be in love? Or dating?

Anyway, back to Ash's thoughts...

At the moment, they were naming every time someone in the Orange Islands had said something about Ash and Misty being together, and finding logical (to his mind, at least) ways such accusations were complete fabrications of said people's twisted imaginations.

"That's just like you and Ash..."

'Misty and I were right...Tracey was crazy sometimes...'

"What's that saying—you hurt the ones you love?" Laughter.

'Ah, what did he know? He didn't think I could beat him either, but I proved that wrong…"

Suddenly, a voice came to Ash that, for some reason, he couldn't recall...well, one he didn't remember when he'd heard the words they spoke, anyway...but he knew the speaker immediately. Ash's hands curled into fists, and his teeth ground against each other as this scene ran through his head.

"I know Marie would love it if you stayed...and our Pokémon could use your expertise training...please think about staying, Misty..."

'Rudy! That no good, show-offy, Misty stealer, trying to make her stay on Trovita...' Ash fumed for a moment, ranting in his head. His body went slack for a moment as he registered what he had just thought. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Where did that come from—"Misty-stealer?"'

Ash would've scratched his head, if he could reach. Then he mumbled to himself, trying to make sense of his thought. "It's not like I own her or anything...but when did Rudy say that? I don't remember..." Ash's head began to ache, and he stopped his muttering as voices he knew said things he hadn't known they'd ever said...

"Love's not easy, huh, Misty...?"

"That boy out there is my burden...and this is yours..."

"Why won't you go out with me? Do you like someone else...?"

"There is someone else, isn't there...?"

"Well, Ash Ketchum...now I know how you feel about me..."

Ash's eyes snapped open, then immediately shut against the annoying buzz of the static. Where were these voices coming from? And who was that guy near the end? He didn't recognize that voice at all. The sudden burst of questions, combined with his headache overwhelmed him, and he started groaning.

It wasn't a very loud groan. Not very loud at all, but loud enough.

May was growing impatient. Jessie had opened up 18 doors now, and Ash was behind none of them. It was almost like she had no idea which door opened into the room Ash was in. May turned to Misty, to see what she thought. To May's surprise, Misty was on her knees, legs spread out to either side, holding her head. Togetic was floating next to her, trying to comfort her, as was Pikachu, but to no avail.

May glanced at the others. They hadn't noticed Misty's condition at all. Then she noticed Pikachu's cheeks sparked as it decided to take drastic measures, and she decided it might be best to move out of the direct path between the Electric type and her companions.

"Pi...ka...chu!" Brock, Max, and Jessie were shocked—literally. May had moved out of the Thunderbolt's range just in time, so she was unharmed. The other humans landed on the ground, slightly charred. They recovered quickly enough, and turned on Pikachu.

"I know where I'm going, alright?" Jessie shouted angrily. The others looked over at her with a suspicious eyes; she sweatdropped and waved her hands in front of her face. "Not that any of you would think that, right?" The Team Rocket agent panicked when she got no answer, and asked again, tense. "Right?" The others just shook their heads at her, then looked back at Pikachu. The electric type pointed to Misty, whose condition seemed to be growing worse.

"Get out of my head..." The Water type trainer muttered. Her eyes widened, and she sat up to look at Jessie. "You were there when Ash saved our Pokémon after they were cloned? How..." She broke off, and shook her head again. Brock was more concerned about Misty's health, as was Max, but May noticed Jessie's eyes widen when Misty mentioned a lab. The red-head's legs fell out beneath her, and she landed on the ground, her hands to either side as a means of balance, and her legs sprawled.

"What's wrong, Misty?" Brock asked. Misty stood up, swayed, regained her balance, and started walking down the hall. Brock and Max followed her closely, ready to catch her if she fell again. Pikachu scampered behind them, while Togetic floated along, almost completely calm.

"Ash?" She called out, opening doors along the hall. "Ash? Where are you?"

May gently prodded Jessie's shoulder, making the blue-eyed girl sway slightly. The girl hadn't moved since collapsing to the floor. Jessie turned sharply, glanced at May, and frowned.

She snapped at the Coordinator. "What do you want?" May forced Jessie to reveal every detail of the moment Misty had somehow known. Jessie half-laughed when she was done. "I don't know why I was so surprised she knew; the twerp would have told his little girlfriend everything, wouldn't he?"

"Girlfriend?" May asked, confused. Jessie's eyes had glazed over as she began to daydream of her own perfect boyfriend, and was lost to May and the real world. May sighed, annoyed. She swore to herself there and then that she would never like a boy like that; it was a disgusting and annoying habit.

"Hey, May," a high-pitched voice shouted. Jessie and May glanced to their left, Jessie disappointed at being woken up from her paradise, while May smiled as she noticed the small figure in the distance (man, was that hallway long) waving to her. "Mind hurrying up a bit?"

Brock waved to them as well. "Max is right...hurry up!" Jessie got up and rushed down the hall, but May paused a moment. Pikachu, who had come behind May during her discussion with Jessie, climbed onto May's shoulder—a favorite resting spot on any friend for the electric-charged rodent—and twitched an ear. May stood up, wondering what her little pal was doing…then she almost thought she heard a sound.

There it was again. A low groan coming from the opposite direction the others were headed. And it sounded like—

"Pikapi!" Pikachu jumped off May's shoulder and rushed off. Misty froze, about 15 doorways down the hall. If Pikachu called out Ash's name, it could only mean that it had seen him or heard him. And—she looked behind her—Pikachu was headed away from them. That meant—

"C'mon, guys!" Misty spun 180 degrees and dashed between the others, pushing Jessie and Brock to either side. "Ash's this way!" Max, Brock, Togetic, and Jessie chased after Misty and May (who had taken chase the moment Pikachu leapt off her shoulder). The teenage girls were chasing after Pikachu, and all of the group rushed after Pikachu, putting all their faith in the Pokémon and hoping it would lead them to their friend—hoping Pikachu would lead them to Ash.

It kept popping up. That one day...one of the saddest in all of Ash's life; the day Misty and Brock had had to leave him behind, to assist their families at home. But it wasn't even all of the day that played before Ash's closed eyes. Like some odd sort of montage, it was just a small number of scenes that seemed so...unconnected...and he didn't know how he knew half of them.

"...I'm fine, just leave me alone!"

"...he's not even upset that we have to split up..."

"...and a handkerchief to wrap it up in."

"...now I know how you feel about me..."

Soon enough, there were only one scene flashing before his eyes, and Ash had a good idea of what it meant. This certainty only grew stronger as the moment repeated again and again, and again…

"...and a handkerchief to wrap it up in..."

"...a handkerchief to wrap it up in..."

"...a handkerchief..."

An entirely different scene came to mind as this scene began to fade…a moment from the Orange Islands. When he closed his eyes, Ash could see everything perfectly. There was Melody, standing next to wherever Ash was seeing things. Tracey and Slowking were behind them. In front of Ash was extreme dejá vu: Lugia had fallen; in that pool of ice-freezing water that stood out clearly against the ice, Ash was floating, and was close to drowning.

Melody was impatient and worried. "I'm going out there. Chosen One or not, Ash can't do this alone."

The figure Ash was viewing the scene from shook their head from side to side and spoke. "Uh-uh. That boy out there is my burden—and this is yours."

Ash recognized that voice—it was Misty. And she said...he was her burden? Like, her responsibility? But...wouldn't that mean...?

Ash could have slapped himself. "I've been thinking way too hard. That stupid handkerchief mean what it would have meant if any other girl gave it to me..." The Pokémon Trainer smiled. "Well, I now can talk to her, according to the promise I made to myself. The only problem now—" he frowned, puzzled once more "—is what I'll say to her."

Behind Ash, the door burst open.

How odd this has been lately.

I'm glad some people liked my story...thing.

I dun' care about the rules they have made for reviews; those are for people who have, like, five hundred reviews a chapter, and who ask their reviewers all sorts of questions and stuff like that. Last I checked, I don't do that.

Fanfic reading suggestion of the chapter:

"Closure" and its sequel, "Possibilities," by Warlordess.

Official descriptions:

Ash's stupidity gains him a visit to Misty's Gym after his finish in the Hoenn League and there, things between them get a little hasty.

After his week at Misty's gym, Ash returns home, becoming aware of his feelings for her. Given the chance to tell her, he makes his leave to Cerulean City. How will it end?

Very good story. Doesn't involve many characters, but an excellent story, as is to be expected of Warlordess. (I shall stop the utter flattery now.)

Reviews!

annoyed person: Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you like the story; I must admit, the shippy-ness has been little-to-no as of yet…and my slapstick-type humor has not really faded out as the story should have gotten serious. -sweatdrops- Yeah. Well, I'm glad you liked the story, and I hope you enjoy the rest.

Soft Flame Matthias: It's quite alright that the review was "late"…better late than never, no? I presume you don't like Florida much? Elvis could be added in, at a some point in the sequel…I suppose. But it's not likely. Sorry. -frowns-

You are a very polite man; the world sobs for the loss of more men like you. I suppose chivalry still exists…I'm glad it's there in you.

Jessie? Fair? Don't we wish. It does seem a bit pathetic at times, but they are the sort of villains you watch episodes anxiously for, wondering just what their plot repeat of the day is, and trying to predict who will blast them off this time. I'm afraid the seriousness is lost on myself…I rather think I went around far too light hearted…it might just be that the next sequence of events is much more serious…and the fact that this is Team Rocket we're talking about here. Are Jessie, James, and Meowth really so much of a threat in the day and age that is Hoenn?

I think Brock would be happy to get recognition. Like the class clown; it doesn't matter what they specifically, or their attitude towards the clown. All the clown cares about is getting attention, being noticed. That, and the fact that I wanted the end of chapter to be dramatic. And not reveal a single clue as to who had just burst through the doors. Something like a dramatic ending to a final episode in a season of a TV show. I dunno…I guess "Lost" might be a decent example of that.

Brock's version of chivalry is one that says "EVERY ATTRACTIVE WOMAN IN THE WORLD NEEDS BROCK TO SAVE THEM! AND SOME OF BROCK'S FRIENDS COUNT, TOO." -chuckles- He is overly hormonal…but if there be chivalry nowhere else, we can be grateful for Brock's unending devotion to the female race.

Once again, I realize this is lighthearted. I also recognize that you are right; a darker mood would be more appropriate. I hope you enjoy this chapter, even if the story continues to be lighthearted. (I tried to change it…and you could always say that "It's Team Rocket—big stinkin' deal" is the attitude our heroes have.)

What happened? That's a mystery that shall remain unanswered…for now.

It becomes vitally important later on…as does an earlier moment, originally considered insignificant by most. -smirks- Some of my SPPf readers still don't know what that other scene is.

For the loyal readers, a chapter! Also, an answer to your question, isn't it? Thanks once again for reviewing!

Ri2: What's this? You're logged in? -gasps- What a great surprise! ;P

I'm glad you found that funny. A devolution? -chuckles- I suppose you could say that. I was originally thinking of having Jessie say "Typical James…" but decided against it. Your thoughts? And no, that was unintended. This chapter's lousy puns, however…I'm also glad you liked that match-up; as you know, something similar comes up later. Yes, Psyduck's claws are totally too lame. I remember the first time it used the attack: Psyduck raises a webbed wing; the three points one assumes to be feathers or fingers sparkle briefly, and Psyduck "slaps" its opponent's face twice. (I don't remember who it was attacking…) Thin red lines appear.

Yes, they are quite incompetent, but they are too proud to say they are equals on the cognitive front…well, Meowth and Jessie are, anyway. Misty always has a defeatist tone when Psyduck comes out, then it saves the day; I figured it was time for a swap: Misty has hope, and Psyduck loses. Why not? What's up with her? Well…-looks from side to side- Chapter 6 might answer that question…or it might just raise some more. ;P

Yes, I really liked it that much. Uh…which character is this? Oh! The "mysterious character" who returns, or what…? -confused- I'm not including Sakura in this…or do you mean Mizuna…? -very confused- The promise from those episodes…oh, right. You can deduce what you want to deduce from all that…

Three Togetics? -tries to remember- Uh…not sure about that number there, but you can assume such assumptions pretty safely, methinks. In hindsight, you didn't guess too much, as no one else reading this story has any idea of what you're speaking.

Your Wallace pwns. Thanks for reviewing!

RoseRosa: Aw, thanks. Here's your chapter; I hope it's as good as the last one! Thanks again!

What—I finished editing this chapter in, um…how many days, Ri2? ;P Boy, did that month go by fast.

Laters, y'all! I hope you enjoy the chapter, and the next one to come!