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"I can't believe we're doing this."
Brock was forced to agree with Misty's statement. The whole situation had been strange and disturbing to him. He shifted slightly on the clover-covered ground, converting his legs to a lotus position. He was getting tired of sitting here.
The clothes Robin had sold them really weren't that bad. They were more like robes that a monk would wear. They were thin and light - comfortable in the cool spring air. The fabric was a very high quality and Brock felt he could get along with wearing them year round, if not for one slight draw back.
They were green. Very, very green. Bright green. Ash had insisted that this was necessary to keep the mysterious pokémon from running away when they were finally able to see it. To top it all off, they were forced to paint their faces and hands green with a body paint also sold to them by Robin at a "very reasonable price." Luckily, their robes had hoods. Misty had not been fond of the idea of dying her hair green. Brock sighed and shifted again, laying on his stomach and watching Ash. This was just too weird, even for the bizarre little group they'd formed.
Ash clapped his hands together to begin the ceremony. Reading from a small paperback book in his hands (also courtesy of Robin), he began to raise his voice in song:
"Shing shaa-la, Shing shaa-la, Shing, Shing, SHING!
Cry of the Sprits, Rose covered Ring!
Rod of Power, Man's Mighty Glow,
Large living Mecha, Magic Girl's Bow!
Tricky schemer, twice, twice paid!
Evil laugher drifts through the glade!
Here me now, my mirthful call,
Servant's freed. Goodwill to All!"
Brock groaned and allowed his head to collapse in his hands. He heard a similar action from Misty. This really was too much. Ash clapped his hands to complete the ritual, uttering the sacred chant:
"Spirit of Greatness.
Power of Dios.
Awaken within me.
Crack the World's Shell,
Free the mind.
In the name of the Moon,
I will raise my mallet high,
Cry the call of the ages,
Free the soul.
With Alphonse, Majeré,
Charlotte & Flower,
With a song to banish
The Darkness away,
Come to my call,
Listen to my song.
Free All."
Brock briefly considered digging a whole in the ground and burying his head in it. He thanked every deity he could imagine that nobody he knew was around to see this. Slowly, almost against his will, he looked up at Ash.
The pokémon trainer in training had completed the ritual and waited expectantly. In his hand he clutched a green-painted pokéball. The green robes he wore fluttered around him. All in all, Brock was forced to admit that it did look very dramatic. He found himself holding his breath. After all they had gone through, this pokémon would definitely be something.
The trio gasped suddenly as a cold wind blew across the field. Pikachu, (also dressed in a green outfit), clutched to Ash's leg, trying not to be blown away. A bright light filled the field and Brock could have sworn heard Misty crying out. Brock buried his head in his hands. The light was so intense! A voice spoke, so soft, Brock wondered how he could have heard it over the howling wind. Yet, it broke through the noise, piercing his very soul.
"Well, well, well," it whispered, a great deal of merriment in its voice. "What have we here?"
"Bull's eye!"
James smiled smugly, gave the small hand gun he held a 540 degree spin, and thrust it into an imaginary holster at his side. Jessie laughed lightly and clapped her hands. After delivering a thumbs up sign to his partner, he handed the toy gun back to the carnie. The man smiled brightly, little yen and dollar signs flashing in his eyes. This sharp-shooting boy with the bluish-purple hair had put on quite a show and a large group of people had started to gather around his booth. He smiled a warm, oily smile at the young couple.
"Well, young man, that's some fancy shootin'. Tell me now, where did you learn to do that? I don't think I've ever seen someone your age hit a target with such deadly accuracy as yourself."
James just shrugged. "Life experience?"
"Uhh..." the game carnie felt a sweat drop fall down the back of his head. He swallowed hard and forced the smile to come back. He laughed lightly. "Good joke, kid. Good joke. Now, why don't you pick out a prize for your young, beautiful lady friend, hmmm?"
James exchanged glances with Jessie, who shrugged in return. James looked at the prizes. He immediately saw what to get and gestured at it. As the oily carnie pulled it off the shelf, Jessie began to shake with laughter, covering her hand with her mouth and turning from the sight. The carnie looked at her strangely for a moment and handed the prize to James.
"Uhh, one large prize for the winner," he said, gazing at Jessie's form. She looked like she might fall over in hysterics. The carnie wondered if maybe he missed out on some kind of joke. James held the toy close to his chest with one arm, put the other one around Jessie's waist, and led her away from the fair ground. The both sat down on a hard bench at the edge of a park. Jessie had pulled herself together, still snickering slightly.
"Well, we caught one, eh?" said James, grinning from ear to ear. He held the prize out to Jessie. She took it from him and mirrored his grin.
"Yes, we did," she laughed, hugging the stuffed toy pikachu to her chest. "Thank you." She leaned over and kissed James on the cheek, a gesture he was obviously not expecting from the surprised expression on his face. He put his hand behind his head and laughed again, blushing slightly.
The two criminals looked over the fair ground. It was noisy and bustling - and it was only early afternoon! Jessie sighed. She and James had been all over the fair and had a small, but expensive, lunch at one of the booths. They had played a few games and went on a few of the rides. The day had been very busy. She looked with a longing gaze at the quiet sheltered woods of the park. The day had warmed up to a pleasant 72 degrees, the sun was shinning, and the pidgies were singing. She nodded happily. Standing up, she grabbed James' arm, pulling him to his feet. He looked at her curiously.
"Come on," she said, jerking a thumb at the park. "Let's go for a walk."
He smiled and nodded in response, taking her arm in his. Jessie continued to hold the toy pikachu and she leaned against James' shoulder. He looked at her fondly, happy for this vacation beyond belief. Together, they walked onto the trail and made their way into the park. A cold wind blew through James' hair.
"You're... not a pokémon, are you?" he asked swallowing hard, watching the thing as it hovered lightly above the ground. Ash had to turn his head to watch it as it made a lazy circle in the air above his head. It smiled at him - an evil, twisted, knowing kind of smile that Ash immediately did not like.
"Not exactly, Sherlock," it said, rubbing a sore spot on it's head where Ash had thrown a pokéball at it. Ash winced as it began to hover not two inches from the tip of his nose. "Well?" it asked, slightly irritated.
"Well, what?" asked Ash, starting to feel uncomfortable. It was an odd looking creature. At first glance, anybody could have mistaken it for a normal human child. It was small - two inches or so shorter than Ash - and had all human characteristics. Well, almost. It had pointed ears, ice-blue eyes, and very, very green hair. It was long and straight, held up in a topknot by a golden band. Its clothes were mostly green with gold accents, except for the soft brown leather boots it wore. Plus the fact that it was hovering three inches above the floor may have been a dead give away that this was, in fact, not a human at all. (Of course, with psychics around, it was kinda hard to tell - but let's not get technical).
"Well," answered the thing, slightly frustrated, "what do you want? You summoned me after all. I'm a very busy fairy, you know. I don't have time to float around here all day. Either make some wishes or let me go."
"You really do grant wishes?" Ash asked excitedly. He paused for a moment. "A Fairy? Let you go?"
The thing sighed and rubbed its temples with its fingers. "Didn't you read that book you have in your hand?" Ash looked down at the small paperback he had bought from Robin. He shrugged helplessly and looked back at the fairy.
"Uhh... no?"
The fairy sighed and did a backflip in the air, mumbling something to itself in a language that Ash couldn't understand. It sighed again and looked at the boy.
"All, right, my young illiterate friend, I will sum-up for you." It crossed its legs and leaned back on his hands against an invisible table. "I am a fairy. My name... well, let's not worry about that. I will grant you three wishes. I am tied to you for today - in other words, I will go where you go and do what you wish, but only for today. However, if you want, you can let me go reading the incantation on page 42 of the manual in your hands. Said manual will disappear once I am freed. If you make a wish and want to take it back, you can, but it will be one wish total used."
Ash smiled a greedy look coming into his eyes. He turned around a faced Misty, a big smile on his face. "HA! See, I told you this was a good idea! I'm gonna get wishes!"
Misty crossed her arms a look of concern crossing her face. The fairy behind Ash was smiling a little too much. It had a strange gleam in its eyes. "I don't know, Ash. You better be careful what you wish for," she said softly, dread eking its way into her system.
Ash just scoffed at her and turned around. She's just jealous because I'm getting wishes and she isn't, he thought. He looked at the fairy and smiled, the first wish already coming to mind.
"I wish to be the greatest pokémon trainer in the world!" he cried. Only one thought permeated the mortal minds of the field at that time. Was there ever any doubt that would be Ash's first wish? The fairy smiled evilly again. Misty felt a chill go up her back and wondered if Ash saw it, too. He was too wrapped up about getting his wish to notice.
"Granted."
Misty looked up suddenly as the fairy looked in her direction. It winked once. Then, Misty felt nothing at all.
"Pika! Pika, pika chuu!" Ash looked down at Pikachu, its frantic cries echoing across the field. Ash looked around. Misty and Brock were gone! He looked at the fairy, who had a very innocent look on its face.
"What happened to Misty and Brock?" demanded Ash, fear collecting in the pit of his belly. The fairy floated in a circle, whistling softly. It stopped abruptly and got right in Ash's face.
"You're the best pokémon trainer in the world now," it said simply. Ash blinked twice, confused. Suddenly, his face got contorted in the most unusual of expressions as the impact of what the imp said sunk in.
"NOT AT THE LOSS OF MY FRIENDS! I WANTED TO BE THE BEST OF ALL OF THEM, NOT THE ONLY ONE IN EXISTANCE!!! TAKE IT BACK!!" yelled Ash, grabbing front of the fairy's shirt. The fairy just sighed.
"Details, details, details," it murmured.
"Detnarg."
After it said that strange word, Misty and Brock reappeared, both looking slightly confused. Brock shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Now, that was really disturbing," he said quietly. Misty nodded in agreement.
"I'm really sorry guys," said Ash, looking at his friends. "I guess it take more than a wish to become a great pokémon master. It's something I should work hard at and be proud of. I can't take the easy way out. I'm sorry." Brock just patted Ash on the shoulder. Misty smiled at him. The fairy looked positively sick.
"Gag," it said. "So, do your last two wishes or what?" Ash looked at his friends. Suddenly Misty had an idea. Pulling Ash and Brock over to her, they huddled in a circle, Misty whispering her plan. Smiles inched across all of their faces. Nodding in agreement, Ash turned to the fairy.
"I wish Team Rocket wouldn't bother us anymore."
The fairy looked thoughtful for a moment. Then it smiled. The trio stepped back, quickly learning to detest that smile.
"Granted."
James looked down at Jessie as she tightened her grip on his arm. He knew Jessie had been concerned when she found out about his arranged marriage. Jess had never asked him about his past and he had been grateful for it. He didn't want to hurt her. But, she was a tough woman - smart, too. It didn't take long for her to realize how much he disliked his fiancé. Jessie had a spunk that he really admired - she wasn't afraid to say what she thought or act according to how she felt. He gave Jessie's arm a reassuring squeeze. He loved her more than anything.
Suddenly, a strange light cascaded around them. James felt oddly light-headed and dizzy. He looked over at Jessie. She didn't seem to be in any better condition. The light suddenly faded.
"Woah," was all Jessie could say as she slumped to the ground. James collapsed next to her. Yet, seconds later, the dizziness was gone, just leaving an odd feeling.
"What the heck was that?" asked Jessie, allowing James to help her stand. He shook his head and leaned on her for comfort. Jessie clutched the pikachu close to her body. James smiled and leaned on her head.
"I don't think we should eat at that food stand again." Jessie nodded in agreement. They started to continue their walk, but paused, both of them hearing something. James opened his mouth to speak, but was shushed as Jessie put her fingers to his lips. Together, they snuck quietly towards the large open field on the opposite side of the path.
"Did it work?" Misty asked the fairy nervously. Brock and Ash held their breaths, waiting for the answer. Pikachu just sat there, one of his ears cocked in confusion.
"The infamous 'Team Rocket' is no more, I assure you," answered the fairy, smiling again. Misty couldn't believe it. Neither could Brock. Ash let out a cry of joy. Pikachu leaped into Ash's arms and together they waltzed around the field. Misty and Brock joined in on Ash and Pikachu's impromptu celebration, cheering wildly. Team Rocket wasn't going to bother them anymore!
"TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM DEVISTATION!"
Ash stopped suddenly, nearly dropping Pikachu.
"TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE WITHIN OUR NATION!"
"But you said..." cried Ash, turning to look at the fairy.
"TO DENOUCE THE EVILS OF TRUTH AND LOVE."
The fairy just smiled again.
"TO EXTEND OUR REACH TO THE STARS ABOVE."
Misty got a terrible sinking feeling in her stomach as she turned and saw Team Rocket posing on the edge of the clearing.
"JESSIE!"
"JAMES!"
Ash tried to say more, but the fairy shushed him, gesturing for him to listen carefully.
"ROCKET GANG, BLAST OFF AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT!"
"SURRENDER NOW OR PREPARE TO FIGHT!"
Brock, Ash, Misty and Pikachu face faulted as they realized the fairy's newest pun.
"Uh... Meowth, that's right," finished James off-handedly.
"Let me guess," began Misty, pointing an accusing finger at the fairy. "'Team Rocket' is no more because you changed their name to 'Rocket Gang,' right?"
The fairy shrugged. "Well, 'Team Rocket' won't be bothering you anymore."
Ash looked about ready to tear his hair out of his head. Jessie and James looked the floating... thing with green hair, looked at each other, than looked back at it.
"What...?" They asked simultaneously, pointing at the fairy. Ash just sighed.
"Just take the wish back, okay? 'Team Rocket' sounds better in the motto." Ash found himself developing a very bad headache. The fairy chuckled.
"Detnarg."
Jessie and James felt the strange light come over them again. Jessie stood up to enter the field, her mind grasping for someway to snatch the pikachu and find out what that floating kid was. She very nearly tripped on something. Looking down, she saw the stuffed pikachu James had won for her at the carnival. She knelt in the grass and picked it up. She looked over at James. He nodded slowly, instantly understanding her plan. Jessie stood up.
"Screw it." Jessie took James' hand, gave her toy pikachu a hug, and walked with him out of the field. It was their day off, dammit.
"Pikaaa..."
Misty, Brock, Ash, Pikachu, and the fairy all stood in stunned silence watching their departure. Slowly, the trio and the pokémon turned to look at the fairy. It looked no less shocked than them.
"Did you do that?" asked Ash. Team Rocket just giving up on them was really weird. The fairy shook his head.
"Wasn't me," it answered. For whatever reason, Team Rocket wasn't going to figure into this situation. It didn't care. "So kiddos," it began, rubbing its hands together, "You have one more wish to go." The Fairy floated upside down and looked into Ash's eyes. "What's it gonna be?"