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Chapter Text

Sonic was walking down the street lost in his thoughts. His father's words echoed in his mind.

"Could you please take this envelope to my old friend professor Oak? I would send it but since you're heading off to Kanto, I'd be grateful if you could help me out son".

Sonic had agreed though he was a bit mad that he had to come to Kanto in the first place. His parents had decided without asking him that he should visit the region to escape from everything for a while. Though he did want to escape, not asking him had greatly annoyed him.

He looked around as he entered pallet town. He saw several Pokemon some of which he recognized from encounters he had while heading there. Several wild pidgeys, a couple of weedles and a pidgeotto. He also noticed a young trainer boy petting his vulpix, as well as a young woman holding grocery bags and walking down the street with her mr mime. The mr mime was also carrying bags.

"Domesticated pokemon" he thought to himself "good idea if you can trust the pokemon you're befriending".

He kept walking down until he heard a voice call out to him.

"Excuse me young man" it was the lady with the groceries "could you please help me a moment?"

Sonic approached her.

"How may I help ma'am?"

"Could you please help me take my bags home it's just a bit own the street from here? I wouldn't ask but mr mime here has been working hard lately around the house and is tired, he deserves a break".

Sonic contemplated for a moment saying that he was actually on his way to professor oak's lab and was in a hurry but realized he didn't know where the lab was. Perhaps this lady could help him back.

"Of course ma'am" he said and got the bags off mr mime who sighed in relief.

They started walking towards her home".

"Ma'am if I may ask do you know where the lab of one professor oak is?"

"Of course? Just a little bit more down the street after my house".

"That's great. Thank you" Sonic answered.

"What is your name young man?"

"Sonic the hedgehog".

"Good to meet you Sonic. I assume you're heading to the lab to receive a pokemon?"

"Actually my father asked me to deliver an envelope to professor oak since I'm here".

"I understand. Well here we are" she said as mr mime got the bags off Sonic's hands "Walk down the street and you will find the entrance to the professor's lab on your left hand".

"Thank you ms.."

"Delia. Delia ketchum. Thank you again Sonic. Good luck" she said and walked in her house as Sonic went on his way.

After a few more seconds he found the entrance to the lab. He saw 2 kids walk out with 2 pokemon, a charmander and a bulbasaur. He knocked on the door and noticing it was open entered slowly.

"Hello? Professor oak?" he called out.

"I am right here" a voice responded.

Sonic walked in and found the professor tending to a sad squirtle.

"Hello professor. I'm Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog".

"Oh yeah. Your father must be sending you".

"Yeah. I have your file right here".

"Good. Don't go yet I would like to verify all the files are here so in case any are missing you can let your father know for me".

"Sure" Sonic said as he looked around at the machinery and eventually his eyes met with squirtle's.

"Hey there" he said casually.

The squirtle cried out its name and blasted Sonic with water gun while smiling in joy. Sonic who was left dumbfounded, shook his head to get the water off him.

"You're a mischievous one aren't you?" he joked approaching the squirtle.

Squirlte cried out its name again and jumped on Sonic hugging him unexpectedly.

"Woah" Sonic said in surprise.

"Well the squirtle has taken a liking to you".

"Yeah I can tell" Sonic said not knowing what to do "are the files ok?"

"Yes everything is fine".

"Good I'll be on my way then. Take care little one" he said as he put squirtle back on the workbench and went to leave.

"Say, before you go, tell me a bit about yourself. Why are you here in Kanto?"

Sonic hesitated for a moment.

"Just on a small trip. The envelope business was just a favor for my dad".

"I see. And do you have pokemon in your hometown?"

"Yeah".

"Have you considered becoming a trainer?"

"Not really. To be honest my brother wished to become a trainer for a long while but I never gave it serious thought".

"Squirtle. Squirlte!" the squirtle cried out as it hugged Sonic's leg.

"Woah. There it goes again" Sonic said clearly not knowing again how to get it off.

"Don't worry about it. The little fellow is just sad and clings onto you in hope. He wasn't picked by the two kids that were here earlier".

"Oh I see sorry to hear that".

"Hmm.. I was thinking, since it has taken a liking to you, why don't you take it with you?"

"W-with me?"

"Yeah".

"I… I don't.. I don't know professor. I haven't ever thought of training pokemon. I'm not sure I can do a lot for this little squirtle".

"You don't have to train it. Not all pokemon need to be trained. It can just be your friend and stay as it is".

"Stay as it is?" Sonic asked confused. He looked at the little squirtle at his feet. Yes it was very adorable but he had blastoises battle before. They were very powerful. Who would choose to remain as they are? To not grow?

"Ok professor. I will take this squirtle with me".

"Splendid. Just let me bring you its pokeball" Oak said as he headed to the workbench. Sonic kneeled to meet squirtle's eyes.

"Are sure you want to come with me?"

"Squirtle!"

"Very well then" he said smiling.

"Here it is. Here is also a pokedex in case you ever meet any more wild pokemon and need info on them or wish to record some info. And some pokeballs too. In case you want to catch any wild pokemon".

"Oh.. um.. thanks. Come on squirtle" he said as squirlte followed him happily.

They started walking down the street passing by delia's house again. She could be seen from the window sitting on the sofa with a boy.

"You will see mom" the boy said enthusiastically "one day I will become a pokemon master!"

"A pokemon master?" Sonic wondered as he and squirtle walked down the road past the house "what even is a pokemon master?"

Heading to the outskirts of town he happened to run into the 2 kids who had picked charmander and bulbasaur with the kid who picked charmander winning a battle between them.

"Huh! See? I told you charmander is the best!"

"Come on please that's enough! Bulbasaur can barely stand!"

"No! I need to train! That's what friends at for! So get your pokemon up and help me evolve charmander!"

The kid with the bulbasaur seemed ready to cry. Sonic knew he couldn't let it continue.

"Hey" he yelled to the kid with the charmander "not cool you know!"

"Hah! Says the guy who picked the squirtle!"

"Says the guy who doesn't know water beats fire!"

"Maybe on equal power! But I have already trained a lot! I can even crash you and that failure at your feet!"

Squirtle seemed ready to tear up. Sonic decided enough was enough.

"Looks like we need to teach you a lesson don't we squirtle?!"

Squirtle looked at him in disbelief.

"You may be just cute now. But you can also be powerful!"

Squirtle's face was filled with determination. It cried out its name in pride and stoop opposite of charmander.

"I'll wipe that smile off your face! Charmander use scratch!"

Charmander charged at squirtle fangs first.

"Squirtle withdraw!" Sonic ordered it.

Squirtle retreated into its shell, reducing the damage from scratch greatly.

"See! Too weak. Retreat into the shell to escape! Not gonna happen! Charmander scratch inside the shell!"

Charmander looked confused for a moment and hesitant to attack like that.

"Do it!"

Charmander tried to use scratch and hurt squirtle from the hole on the shell when…

"Water gun!" Sonic ordered.

Water came rushing out of the hole blasting charmander in the face and some of it even hitting the flame on its tail causing it to reduce in size.

"Oh no!" Sonic said in shock.

The charmander tried to get up but was very weak due to its flame.

"Get up you stupid pokemon! I didn't train you so much to lose!"

"Its tail!" Sonic said worried "I accidentally hit it with the water gun from squirtle! If the flame dies out it could die!"

"What?"

"We have to get it to a pokemon center!"

The young kid was hesitant.

"But.. the battle.."

"Is a battle worth more to you than your pokemon's life?!"

The trainer grunted and picked up his charmander followed by his friend and Sonic who recalled squirtle and rushed to the pokemon center. While nurse joy took care of the damaged pokemon Sonic explained to the 2 kids in detail how charmander's life as well as its evolutions' lives were tied to its flame.

"I got so carried away, insulted both of you and almost killed my pokemon. I'm so sorry charmander. And I am so sorry" he said to his friend.

"It's ok. I forgive you".

They had a handshake of acknowledgement and then charmander's trainer turned to Sonic.

"Now that I remember that was one sweet strategy you used. Waiting for me to get in position and then damaging me while lowering the damage to squirtle so much all in one move? So cool".

"Thanks" Sonic responded.

"Are you going to do the gym challenge?" bulbasaur's trainer asked.

"I haven't really thought of anything so far. An hour ago I was just going to deliver an envelope to professor oak and now I am the trainer of a squirtle. It's all happening so fast".

"You totally should" charmander's trainer added as charmander's pokeball was returned to him.

After the pokemon were healed the 2 kids left to go home while Sonic lied on the grass outside the town with squirtle and looked at the sky.

"Hey squirtle" Sonic said "did you enjoy battling that charmander?"

Squirtle let out a cry of joy and satisfaction.

"So… what if we were to tackle the gym challenge?"

"Squirtle?"

"Would you like us to go on that journey together?"

"Squirtle!"

Sonic smiled and got back up.

"Alright then. Let's find a place to buy resources for the journey. It's gonna be a long walk".

They walked back to town and after buying a backpack and food for the journey as well as fresh water they visited oak once again who informed them of how the gym challenge worked and that the first gym was 2 towns away in pewter town. Then after informing his parents and a jealous Jet who could believe in the span of an hour his brother had become a trainer and was beginning the gym challenge but wished him good luck nonetheless, Sonic and squirtle then set out together towards their first destination ready to begin this adventure together.

Chapter Text

Sonic and squirtle finished their training session and continued heading towards viridian city which was between pallet town and pewter city. Both of them seemed very satisfied.

"Good job squirtle".

"Squirtle" it cried out in happiness as it hugged his leg.

"Hehe. Come on let's go" he said as they both continued down the road.

Eventually they arrived at the entrance of viridian city and while looking for a pokemon center for squirtle to be healed, they walked past the viridian gym.

"This will be our final stop in the challenge before the league squirtle".

"Squirtle" squirtle cried out in excitement.

On the wall of the gym they saw posters of 2 wanted people a young boy and a young girl. They were wearing white tops with the letter R on them.

"Who are those 2?" Sonic wondered.

After a short walk they arrived at the pokemon center and squirtle was healed. After gathering more supplies they moved to enter viridian forest and make their way to pewter city. However on the outskirts of town Sonic heard the sound scratch made when the attack launched.

"Squirtle withdraw!"

Squirtle immediately withdrew into its shell and the scratch attack launched my meowth send it rolling a bit but leaving it mostly unharmed. As it came back out of its shell, Sonic turned around and saw nobody but the meowth but heard the laugh of a boy and a girl.

"Hahaha" the female voice was heard "prepare for trouble".

"Make it double" the male voice added.

Sonic looked up in confusion and saw the 2 young wanted people from the posters on the roof of a one floor building standing in front of the sun to cover their faces.

"To protect the world from devastation" the female voice continued.

"To unite all peoples within our nation" the male voice added once again.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love" again the female voice.

"To extend our reach to the stars above" the male voice said as they jumped off and landed by meowth allowing Sonic to see their faces.

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth that's wight!" the meowth said at the end causing Sonic's mouth to hang open in shock. He was left staring at them but quickly regained his composure.

"Who are you 3 clowns?"

His adversaries were now the ones with hanging open mouths in shock.

"We just told you! We are team rocket!"

"And what are you supposed to be? Street performers?"

"Oh the nerve!" Jessie said in anger.

"Nobody has ever insulted us this way!"

"Alwight kid! Hand over that squirtle and we won't hurt you much!"

"A talking pokemon?!" Sonic thought in shock but kept his cool.

"Oh yeah? Or else what?"

"This!" James said as he pulled a gun from behind his back which launched a net towards squirtle catching it and dragging it closer to them. Sonic to everyone's surprise however was calm. He merely took out squirtle's pokeball, pressed the button and squirtle was recalled escaping the net.

"Is that all?" he said clearly bored.

Team rocket was left fuming and worried that that boy wasn't even worried let alone afraid of them.

"Fine! We gave you a chance now we will use force! Come on out ekans!"

"Come out koffing!" James said though to Sonic's laughter koffing immediately got to cuddle against him making the poison fume coming out of its ores poison him slightly.

"No not me! Him!" he yelled as koffing turned its attention to Sonic.

"Suwwender kid! 3 against one you can't win!" Meowth said threatening Sonic. He kept his cool as always.

"Yeah sure! Let's do this Squirtle!" he said as he sent it out.

"Ekans use poison sting!"

"You too koffing!"

Ekans and koffing launched their attacks as squirtle withdrew on its own in its shell to block them, though Sonic knew those attacks would eventually poison Squirtle.

"Water gun!"

Squirtle released water gun but instead of launching it towards the 2 opponents launched it on the ground causing it to fly through the air like a thrown rock and hit ekans hard knocking it out. Meowth attempted to scratch squirtle but it repeated the process, dodging the attack and causing meowth's attack to hit koffing, landing a critical hit and knocking it out.

"Alwight that's it!" he yelled launching itself towards Squirtle which had rolled back at Sonic's feet and had just come out of its shell. Just before it hit squirtle however, Meowth was stopped midair by Sonic who had grabbed it from the back of its neck and lifted it up to look it in the eye.

"Please. Is that your great attack?" Sonic asked it clearly disappointed.

Meowth attempted to scratch Sonic but he was faster. He threw it back at Jessie and James causing meowth to accidentally scratch them. The moment all 3 of them dropped to the ground defeated a female officer turned the corner and saw the commotion.

"What is going on here?" she asked in a serious tone.

"No idea" Sonic answered "those 3 clowns jumped me and tried to steal my squirtle. They weren't really a threat to be honest".

The officer checked the defeated thugs and gasped in shock.

"These are Jessie and James of team rocket! You took them out on your own?!"

"I saw posters of them declaring them wanted by the law" Sonic said remembering the posters and not understanding why it was such a big deal he beat them "what are they wanted for?"

"You don't know?"

"No I'm new here. Got the little guy here earlier today".

Officer Jenny looked at him in disbelief but explained.

"They are part of team rocket, a criminal organization that catches pokemon to use them in crimes, most commonly pokemon trafficking".

"These guys are doing pokemon trafficking?" he said in disgust yet surprised "they have got to be the most incompetent traffickers I have ever seen".

"Have you seen a lot of traffickers?"

"Well…no. At least team rocket is done".

"Oh but no. They are a huge organization. These 3 are just some of their most wanted members".

"These 3 idiots are some of their most wanted? I find it hard to respect this team".

Officer Jenny couldn't believe her ears but remained calm.

"If you see any more of them let me know. They need to be brought down".

"I'll keep an eye out officer. Come on squirtle let's go" he said as squirtle eagerly followed him into the viridian forest.

The duo traversed through the woods as they encountered and battled pokemon training at the same time. Sonic thought back to his battle with team rocket and the chance it could have ended differently if squirtle had been poisoned by the poison stings.

"Squirtle?" he said

"Squirt?"

"I hope you don't get what I'm about to say the wrong way… but that battle showed that despite our very fast growth… we need allies. You handled it perfectly but… if we keep going alone we will eventually get overpowered. Would you be ok if we added more pokemon to our team?"

"Squirtle" it cried out nodding its head agreeing.

"Thank you pal" Sonic said smiling "thanks for understanding. Plus we could learn a lot if we have more on our team".

They kept going through the woods looking for a pokemon to catch but all they encountered were weedles, caterpies, their evolved forms as well as rattatas.

"Damn" Sonic said as he and squirtle sat on a log to rest "do only bugs live in these woods? I mean a beedrill doesn't sound bad but…." But at that moment he heard many cries at the same time. Both Sonic and squirtle looked at each other in question and followed the cries. Eventually Sonic started making them out.

"Pika pika. Pikachu! Pika!"

"Are those Pikachu cries?" he wondered aloud.

Hiding behind a bush they looked through and saw the source of the cries; a whole herd of pikachus.

"Woah. Now that would be a good catch don't you think?" he asked squirtle who seemed worried as electricity countered water.

"Shoot right. Would be risky for you to fight them. I doubt withdraw would block a thunder shock" Sonic said in deep thought.

However the next moment he was brought out of it as he noticed the pikachus were all looking at a specific Pikachu which seemed displeased with them.

"Pika pika!" it cried out as it waved its tiny hands around as if it was trying to get them to understand.

"Pika!" the whole heard cried out in response clearly showing their disapproval.

"Why are they acting this way? So strange" Sonic wondered again aloud.

At that moment the pikachus' ears all moved towards the rustling of the grass behind them and a huge net came out of nowhere catching most of them excluding a few, among of which was the Pikachu that was disagreeing with them. Sonic and squirtle watched in horror as team rocket grunts arrived and started dragging the net while 2 of them tried to catch the defiant Pikachu. The duo nodded and jumped out of the bush.

"Hey you creeps! Let them go!" Sonic shouted.

The grunts turned around and laughed.

"A mere squirtle will stop us? Go rattata!"

"Squirtle water gun!"

Squirtle used his launching attack to knock out the rattata while Sonic rushed the grunt who witnessed in shock as rattata was knocked out and punched him knocking him out. He then turned to the rest of the grunts who sent out their own pokemon, 1 sandshrew, 2 ekans and a geodude.

"Squirtle aim for the ground types! Water gun!"

Squirtle caught them by surprise by using water gun normally knocking the geodude out and damaging one of the ekans.

"Ekans bind!"

Ekans binded its body around squirtle and soon the damaged ekans followed suit.

"Squirtle withdraw!" Sonic ordered it.

Squirtle withdrew in its shell but the bind attacks still damaged it as its shell was part of its body and the continued pressure was applied normally.

"Damn. Now what?" Sonic thought racking his brain.

At that moment a thunder shock came out of the defiant Pikachu and struck one of the ekans causing it to release squirtle before the attack spread to squirtle. Sonic and the grunts looked as the defiant Pikachu jumped in front of Sonic and let out a cry of pride and anger. It then looked back at Sonic who momentarily gazed into its eyes and saw something very familiar. The 2 then nodded in understanding.

"Pikachu use quick attack on the ekans that is on the ground! Squirtle knock that ekans off of you! Rapid spin!"

Pikachu charged the ekans that wasn't binding squirtle while squirtle spinned finally achieving rapid spin which they had practiced before reaching viridian city and ekans was thrown onto the sandshrew.

"Sandshrew mud slap!" the grunt who had the sandshrew ordered.

Sandshrew threw mud at squirtle who was knocked onto Sonic's feet and tried to stand up but the damage had begun piling up. Pikachu in the meantime had knocked out the first ekans and using quick attack on its own knocked the other one out as well. Now it was just Pikachu and sandshrew.

"Heh. Looks like I win kid! You can't beat a ground type with a Pikachu!"

"We'll see about that! Pikachu tail whip!"

Pikachu whipped its tail lowering the defense of sandshrew.

"Now quick attack!"

Pikachu charged at sandshrew knocking it back but not out.

"Use mud slap!"

Pikachu was struck by the mud slap taking heavy damage. It got up with a lot of effort and stood strong.

"It's over kid! Hand over your pokemon before we use force!" the grunt said as his still standing colleagues took a step forward.

Sonic knew it was almost hopeless but looked at Pikachu and squirtle having taken so much damage to save the other pikachus who had in the meantime been freed by the net and hid away. Knowing he couldn't let them be taken without a fight he stood in front of Pikachu and raised his fists.

"No! You want them? Come and get them!"

"As you wish kid! Sandshrew! Sand tomb!"

Sandshrew started using sand tomb as Sonic was trapped in a sand whirlwind taking damage by every bit of sand hitting him all at once. He tried to breathe but sand entered his lungs. Coughing he dropped on his knee.

"Is this the end?" he thought in horror.

At that moment a giant bolt of lightning fell on the sandshrew. Sonic turned his head back and saw Pikachu striking the sandshrew with all its might. And all of a sudden the sand tomb stopped and sandshrew was knocked down as if it had taken damage.

"What?! How is this possible?!" the grunt said in shock.

Sonic looked at Pikachu in awe and squirtle who also had begun getting back on its feet used water gun launch to strike sandshrew knocking it out cold. The grunts backed up in horror and fled in fear of the Pikachu that had damaged a ground type.

"Squirtle! Are you ok?!" Sonic rushed to its side.

"Squirt" it let out a weak cry.

"I'll get you help don't worry!" Sonic said as he picked it up and rushed back to town to the pokemon center with squirtle in its pokeball and the knocked out grunt on his back. Once he got to town he left the knocked out grunt with officer jenny and rushed to the center where squirtle was healed. Sonic then let it rest before deciding they would head back to the woods to make sure the pikachus were safe and thank the defiant Pikachu. On the way however Sonic heard a familiar scratch coming his way. Raising his right hand he grabbed meowth by the throat who unsuccessfully tried to scratch him until squirtle blasted him with water gun.

"You stalking me now?"

"Ok ok I give! Yes on behalf of my fwiends!"

"Hmph. You do know that I and squirtle here just beat 5 of your team's grunts at once right?"

"Yeah. The one you caught was put in the same cell as Jessie and James. He told them evewything".

"And they sent you to spy on me".

"Yes".

"You do know that I can easily find a powerful wild pokemon and let it tear you apart right?"

Meowth gulped.

"But… I will let you go on one condition".

"Anything!"

"I don't know how you can talk like a human but you will translate something for me. Do it and I will let you go. Capeesh?"

"Yes."

"Good" he said as they continued their way with meowth still in his grasp.

Eventually they reached the Pikachu who immediately recognized their savior and rushed at his feet thanking him. Sonic noticed the defiant Pikachu and made its way to it.

"Ask it why they were fighting earlier" he ordered meowth.

Meowth obliged and Pikachu explained in his language.

"He said they were fighting because it evolved only 1 week ago fwom pichu and desires to evolve again into Waichu soon".

"Is that a reason to fight?"

"These pikachus believe turning into Waichus turns them into snobs who only care about power" Meowth explained.

Sonic again was hit with the same question inside his head he was hit with in Oak's lab. Who wouldn't want to grow? He himself desired to grow. Especially after what had happened in his hometown. He looked at Pikachu again meeting its eyes. He felt it was like looking in a mirror.

"I see" he said as let meowth drop and knelt to meet Pikachu face to face.

"You desire to evolve right?"

"Pika pika!" it cried out in agreement.

"You desire to grow stronger?"

"Pika!"

"Why do you desire that?"

Pikachu didn't cry its name this time. Instead it looked confused. Sonic immediately though it was destiny. This Pikachu was exactly like him. Desiring to grow but didn't know why.

"Pikachu" he said in a serious tone "I feel the same way. I understand how you feel perfectly. Would you like to come with us? Translate!" he ordered meowth once he finished asking his question who obliged as he had no way out surrounded by the other pikachus. Pikachu heard meowth's translation and immediately jumped in excitement agreeing.

"Squirtle would you be ok with Pikachu joining us?"

Squirtle cried out its name in agreement and went to do a handshake with Pikachu. Sonic smiled and took out a pokeball which Pikachu headbutted turning into red energy as it went into the pokeball which shook in Sonic's hand 3 times before small stars came out of it confirming the catch. Sonic sent out Pikachu again to allow it to say goodbye to its herd. A smaller Pikachu came out and they communicated for a bit while an older looking one approached as well. Sonic ordered meowth to translate and he told him the smaller Pikachu was wishing his Pikachu good luck while the older looking one said that it would be missed despite their differences and in the end hoped Sonic's Pikachu found the answers it sought if it ever evolved. Sonic, squirtle and Pikachu who jumped on his shoulder then left the herd and continued heading towards pewter city preparing themselves for the first gym battle.

Chapter Text

Sonic was lying on the ground in his sleeping bag stargazing while Pikachu and squirtle were sleeping next to the fire they had made to keep warm at night. It had been a rough day for all 3 of them.

They had spent a total of 2 days in the forest training to prepare for their first gym battle. Sonic had decided they would go to pewter city tomorrow. The time had come and he was sure their training would pay off.

His phone rang silently as he had put on sleep mode. He was receiving a face time call from his brother. He decided since he was not sleepy yet to pick up.

"Hey bro where have you been these last 2 days?"

"Shh! They're sleeping!"

"Oh sorry. Wait they?"

Sonic turned the phone and showed him squirtle and Pikachu.

"No way!" Jet yelled silently "you caught a Pikachu?!"

"Yes. Mind if we talk tomorrow? I'm challenging the first gym first thing in the morning".

"Already? It usually takes trainers weeks before they're ready".

"Maybe. But I believe in them. I'm sure we'll emerge victorious".

"Hope so too bro. Before you go one more thing. Is it true you beat 5 team rocket grunts all on your own".

"No. I wasn't on my own. Squirtle helped me a lot. And that battle was the reason Pikachu joined us. I'll explain in greater detail tomorrow".

"Cool. Talk tomorrow then goodnight" Jet said and hang up. Sonic put his phone away and returned to his thoughts.

"Who could have guessed 2 days ago that all of a sudden I would have pokemon and take on the gyms" he wondered as he looked at his 2 sleeping pokemon. His gaze remained on Pikachu for a while.

"Damaging a ground type. Was it a one-time thing or is this Pikachu special?" he wondered again as he let himself drift asleep.

Minutes turned into hours as the sun rose and its bright rays hit Sonic in the eye waking him up. He decided to get up and stretch to put himself in the mood for battle. Pikachu and squirtle woke up as well but were still sleepy.

"Morning guys ready?"

They both tried to answer crying out their names but eventually just fell back to sleep. Sonic knew they needed more sleep so he recalled them to let them rest in their balls. He then started walking to pewter city.

Once he arrived he sat at a café to grab some coffee and a good breakfast. He called out his pokemon to make sure they would be ready and well fed. While eating he noticed people gazing at him.

"What's with them? Is there something on me?" he wondered as he continued enjoying his breakfast.

After all 3 were done eating, Pikachu and squirtle were recalled in their balls and Sonic made his way to the gym. To his surprise no one was around. He slowly walked in opening one of the two doors to the building.

"Hello? Anybody here?" he asked walking in carefully.

Suddenly the lights turned on. The door slammed shut behind him. As Sonic looked at it in surprised he heard a voice.

"Welcome challenger".

Sonic turned around and saw a young man sitting on the floor ankles crossed.

"Are you the gym leader?" Sonic asked him.

"Yes. The name's Brock".

"I'm Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog".

"I see. The young trainer who foiled the plans of those team rocket thugs in the forest 2 days ago".

"News travels fast I see".

"2 days of training and you feel ready to challenge a gym? Even for someone with your accomplishment I think you're biting more than you can chew".

"We'll see about that" Sonic answered.

The floor between him and brock opened and a rocky arena was lifted from underground. Brock jumped up and revealed his first pokeball.

"Are you aware of the rules?"

"Rules?"

"We can only use 2 pokemon each. Once both lose their trainer loses. Also the pokemon cannot leave the arena or it is considered as surrendering".

"I see" Sonic said calmly taking out squirtle's pokeball.

"We send our pokemon out at the same time. Three, two, one!"

"Go! Geodude, squirtle!" Both of them said at the same time.

"Squirtle huh? You figured I use rock types?"

"Your arena was kind of a giveaway that you use either ground or rock types".

"Very perceptive. Very well then let the battle begin! Geodude use mud slap!"

"Squirtle rapid spin!"

Squirtle spinned very fast erasing the mud slap from existence.

"Impressive. Canceling out my move in the blink of an eye".

"Let's keep the momentum squirtle! Water gun!"

Squirtle unleashed its water gun attack.

"Geodude take cover behind the rock!"

Geodude hid behind the rock which blocked the water gun.

"Now use rock throw and throw that rock!"

Geodude grabbed the rock and threw it at squirtle.

"Withdraw then water gun again!"

Squirtle withdrew in its shell then unleashed its water gun launching itself dodging the rock and stopping right next to the geodude.

"Blast it with water gun!"

Geodude was unable to react fast enough and was hit straight in the face getting knocked out instantly. Brock recalled it.

"Thank you geodude. Take a rest" he said as he took out the next pokeball "You impress me Sonic. That was one quick reaction and an even more impressive move".

"Thanks. Now bring out your 2nd pokemon!"

"Onix go!"

"Onix?!" Sonic said realizing what he was up against.

The pokeball opened and the giant rock snake emerged staring down at squirtle. Both it and Sonic looked in awe and anxiety at their opponent.

"Onix use rock throw!"

Onix grabbed a rock with its tails and threw it.

"Squirtle, rapid spin!"

Squirtle used the move trying to deflect the rock but it knocked it back. It managed to get back up after a moment.

"Water gun!"

Squirtle fired water gun but Onix, moving quicker than Sonic expected moved the part of its body that would get hit by the water gun out of the way.

"Onix use rock throw again!"

"Squirtle withdraw then water gun twice!"

Squirtle used its launching water gun withdraw combo to propel itself on Onix and immediately blasted it with water. However to both their momentary shock Onix managed to take the hit.

"How is this possible?!" Sonic wondered aloud in shock.

"Onix bind!"

Squirtle's body was binded by onix's tail and unlike the ekans' bind it was much harder.

"Squirtle use water gun to escape!"

"Don't let it Onix! Slam!"

Squirtle tried to fire water gun but the pressure of bind didn't let it. Onix lifted its tail and slammed it to the ground causing squirtle to take all the impact and fainting.

"No!" Sonic shouted in despair dropping on his knees.

"Why the despair? You have one pokemon left right?"

Sonic gritted his teeth. He did have Pikachu still. But his confidence had now dropped. Could Pikachu replicate that way of victory against Onix.

"I can't risk it yet" he thought "there is another way".

"Go Pikachu!"

Pikachu came out of its pokeball determined despite facing a ground type.

"I see. Your 2nd pokemon is Pikachu. You're in a disadvantage indeed. But you shouldn't despair. There is always a chance at victory" Brock encouraged them.

Sonic looked at Pikachu's eyes and nodded still not entirely sure though.

"Pikachu use tail whip!"

Pikachu whipped its tail causing Onix to lower its guard.

"Onix use rock polish!"

Onix's body shined as its speed was increased a lot.

"Onix use rock throw!"

Onix moving faster than before grabbed a rock with its tail and threw it at pikachu.

"Pikachu quick attack!" Sonic shouted betting it all on this move.

Pikachu disappeared in the blink of an eye dodging the thrown rock and tackled Onix head on with quick attack knocking it back close the edge of the arena but not outside it or knocking it out.

"No!" Sonic said realizing Onix didn't faint.

"Onix bind!"

Onix grabbed Pikachu with its tail just like with squirtle before.

"You fought valiantly Sonic. But now I end it! Onix slam!"

Onix raised its tail preparing to slam it down hard. Pikachu looked at Sonic.

"Pika pika!" it cried out as Sonic realized it had not given up.

"Thunder shock!" he screamed in pure instinct.

"That won't work Brock managed to say before the attack was discharged.

Pikachu's thunder shock was fired causing Onix to stop moving Pikachu toward the ground. It let out a deep cry as it was taking damage.

"Oooooniiix".

"What?!" Brock said caught off guard.

Onix in an attempt to end the attack threw Pikachu upward. Pikachu then looked at Sonic once again.

"Pika!"

"That move?!" Sonic said knowing what Pikachu was referring to but during their training it had never been used successfully. However if Pikachu just landed on Onix again it could be bound again and they would lose.

"You're right Pikachu! Now or never! Slam!"

Pikachu curled in itself and landed on Onix's head who managed to see it coming at the last moment and took a shocked expression, resulting in the hit being critical. The impact of Onix falling to the ground caused dust to rise around them. When the dust settled Pikachu was standing on the defeated Onix.

"We did it" Sonic whispered as he dropped on his back in relief "we did Pikachu!" he yelled in happiness.

Pikachu ran back to him and climbed on his as he laid to the ground. Squirtle albeit heavily damaged came out of its pokeball to celebrate with them. Sonic looked at his two pokemon as he petted them on the head.

"Amazing work both of you".

Brock recalled Onix not saying a word as he looked at Sonic in a calm yet surprised manner. He slowly approached him as Sonic stood up again.

"Congratulations. You beat me".

"That was a tough battle" Sonic admitted.

"In all my time as a gym leader I have seen a lot of types of battles. But never something like what you pulled here. How did you do it?" he asked.

"You asking about…?"

"How your pikachu was able to damage my Onix with an electric move. That shouldn't be possible".

"I have no idea. The same thing happened when I was defending it from those thugs in the woods. I was inside a sand tomb and…"

"Inside? You let yourself get hit by sand tomb?!"

"Yes. Squirtle was almost knocked out and Pikachu was at a disadvantage against a sandshrew those thugs had so I stepped in myself".

Brock looked at pikachu.

"Maybe… it was you who awakened that power in Pikachu. Only knowing its other for 2 days and achieving something like this? It's just unheard of".

"Me?" Sonic asked in confusion.

"Yes. Clearly that kind of power could only be achieved through a deep bond. To think something like this could come out of such a short amount of time of bonding".

Sonic didn't know what to say.

"In any case you beat me. So here" he said taking out a badge from his pocket "the boulderbadge is yours".

"Thanks" Sonic said sincerely.

"And if you'd like I can treat your pokemon for their injuries in battle. And on top if you'd like I can teach your squirtle the move rock tomb".

"Rock tomb?" Sonic said clearly interested. He knew for the ealy stages of a pokemon's life especially one like squirtle who was meant to mostly grow and into a tanky attacker pokemon or a pure tank it would prove a useful move.

"I'd love to if that's not an issue for you".

"Sure. Bring them out".

Sonic and Brock exited the gym and Brock treated squirtle and Pikachu. After they were fully healed, he brought out Onix and started teaching squirtle to use rock tomb.

"How come you didn't use rock tomb in the battle?" Sonic wondered.

"Onix has not yet mastered the move. It's not an easy one to pull without a lot of practice".

"Then how come you don't practice the move to master it?"

Brock stopped for a moment and instructed Onix to keep showing squirtle. He looked to the sky as Onix continued.

"I don't like to battle much".

"A gym leader who doesn't like battling?" Sonic asked in surprise.

"I don't do it because I like it. I need to do it. To provide for my siblings" he said as he motioned to his siblings who were looking from inside the gym. Sonic noticed them.

"They closed the door when I entered right?" Sonic said with a smile.

"Yeah".

"Forgive me if I get into personal territory or look like insensitive… but why aren't your parents helping?"

Brock looked down uncomfortable.

"I'm so sorry" Sonic apologized realizing he goofed up "it was really insensitive of me I don't know why I asked".

"It's ok. You're not insensitive. My parents kind of are."

"What?"

"They have both left. To pursue their own dreams".

"They left you and 9 children to fend for yourselves?!" Sonic said in shock.

"Yes. You see my dream was to become the world greatest pokemon breeder. But I can't do it because I have to care for my siblings".

"Oh man" Sonic said "I'm sorry".

"What about you Sonic? What is your dream?"

"My dream?" he said not expecting the question "i… I don't know. I don't even think I have a dream".

"You don't? Then why did you start this journey?"

It was Sonic's turn to look down for a moment.

"I… I don't know. I just did".

Brock remained silent for a moment.

"I see. Figuring it out".

"Kind of" Sonic said.

"Looks like squirtle picked up the move" Brock commented.

They had squirtle showcase the move to them to make sure he picked it up and as a result Onix was able to also learn to use the move successfully. Sonic and brought then shared a handshake.

"Thanks for everything Brock. Hope you get a shot at your dream".

"Thanks Sonic. I'm sure we'll meet again. And when we do I will ask you what your dream is again".

Sonic smiled and then turned to leave with his 2 pokemon.

"Wait. Where is the next gym exactly?"

"Cerulean city" Brock said from afar "east of here! When you get there tell misty I said hi"

"Ok!" Sonic shouted as he walked further away.

They stopped at a market to get supplies for the trip. While leaving squirtle retreated into its ball to rest while Pikachu stood this time on top of Sonic's head and curled its tail close to its body relaxing. Sonic smiled at this but then took out the badge and looked at it remembering Brock's question of why he started the journey.

"I don't know" he thought to himself.

"You do" a voice echoed in his mind "you just won't admit it to yourself".

Sonic gritted his teeth as he silenced the voice and kept going. The road to cerulean city was long and he needed to pick up the pace.

Chapter Text

Sonic with Pikachu on his head was walking through a valley heading towards cerulean city. It had been an exhausting walk.

They had encountered over 10 trainers on their way there already and all of them had challenged them especially after realizing he already had a badge. Both squirtle and Pikachu had become much more adept to battling by now and Sonic felt squirtle's evolution was nearing. He wondered how squirtle felt about it or even if it would evolve when the time came.

"Why wouldn't it want to though?" he wondered again to himself.

Soon after that the path ended in the entrance of a cave. Sonic cursed at the fact that he had forgotten a flashlight and promised himself he would buy one in cerulean city. Deciding to rest before entering the cave he put Pikachu gently on the ground, sent out squirtle to stretch and face-timed Jet.

"Hey bro".

"Yo how did the battle go?" Jet asked him anxiously.

Sonic revealed the boulderbadge.

"No way! You beat the gym leader?!"

"Yeah. But it was very close. And to be honest under normal circumstances I would have lost".

"What do you mean normal circumstances?"

"Pikachu somehow has the ability to damage ground types with electric moves. It damaged Brock's Onix long enough to escape its grasp and beat it".

Jet was dumbfounded.

"What are you saying? That you have an omnipotent Pikachu?"

"Of course not. But I can't explain how this happened. Brock said it could be the result of our bond but we met literally 2 days ago".

"Weird indeed. Wait who's Brock?"

"The gym leader".

"How come you got to a first name basis?"

The next few minutes went by as Pikachu and squirtle were playing and Sonic told Jet what transpired and what Brock told him about himself.

"Man. I gotta start appreciating mom and dad more. We might fight with them sometimes but… I can't even say it. Abandon your kid?"

"I just wish Brock gets a chance at his dream on day".

"Same here. Where are you now?"

"Heading to cerulean city for the 2nd badge though I'm sure after the battle with Brock we will need much training. And maybe a third member for the team".

"That would be cool. Anyway gotta go catch you son brother".

"Hehe. Talk to you later" Sonic laughed and hang up.

Walking to tell Pikachu and squirtle it was time to go, the shadow of something big covered them. Sonic looked up and saw a huge bird pokemon looking at them from a higher ground. The sun was behind it making it hard to figure what species it was.

"What is this?" Sonic wondered.

The bird then let a loud screech and unleashed a flamethrower attack. Sonic dodged but the bird attacked again. Squirtle tried to use water gun but it was too weak to fight the fire move. Sonic tried to cover squirtle from the flames causing his right hand to get burned.

"AAAAH!" he screamed in pain.

Unexpectedly the attack stopped. Sonic tried to look up but Pikachu who had ducked to avoid the flamethrower released a thunder shock causing the bird to flee. As it flew away and squirtle used water gun on Sonic's arm to chill it down a bit, Sonic was able to notice the bird's skin being an open yellow as well as its wings covered in flames.

"What the… was that… a moltres?"

"Pika pika" Pikachu got in his face worried.

"Argh. Don't worry guys I'm fine. But we should traverse the cave and reach cerulean city. If that was a moltres it could attack us again in the valley. We shouldn't take this chance" he said as he picked up he ventured into the cave. Squirtle and Pikachu looked at each other and followed him in.

The cave was very dark. Immediately upon entering they began being harassed by wild zubats and geodudes. Pikachu used his electricity to scare away the zubats while squirtle fired water gun on the geodudes knocking many of them out and sending the rest running.

"Damnit I can't see anything" Sonic said barely able to see after his eyesight was adjusted to the darkness "if only Pikachu knew flash".

Suddenly they saw a torch in the distance. Slowly they walked towards it. It belonged to a hiker. The hiker heard Sonic's footsteps and turned around seeing him.

"Hello there stranger. Are you ok?"

"Yeah" Sonic said not convincing him.

"What with your arm?"

"Just had a small incident with a fire type earlier".

"I see" the hiker said as he watched it "we need to get you to cerulean city fast so that the burn can be treated".

"That's where I'm headed problem is I can't see in here without a pokemon knowing the move flash".

"Do not worry I know this cave quite well. Follow me" he said as he took the lead. Sonic followed.

While walking the hiker noticed Sonic's small bag around his chest.

"If you don't mind me asking what's that bag for? Seems too small to carry pokeballs".

"It's not for pokeballs it's for the gym badges".

"Oh so you're going for the league".

"Yeah. Eventually".

"But wait a minute. Why are you heading to cerulean city? You should be challenging Brock. He lives in pewter from where you came".

"I know. I beat Brock earlier today".

"Nice" the hiker said.

At that moment they were jumped by zubats and geodudes again. Sonic's pokemon came out on their own and drove them off.

"You beat brock with these 2 alone?"

"Yeah. Close battle but yeah".

For a second Sonic felt like he saw a shine of greed in the hiker's eyes, but the next moment he was sure he had imagined it.

"I see. Very nice" he said without any color in his voice.

Sonic and the hiker continued forward. Eventually Sonic started noticing the path heading downwards as if they were going deeper underground.

"Are you sure we're going in the right way?" Sonic asked.

"Yes. Cerulean city is lower in altitude compared to pewter city, don't you worry".

Sonic immediately felt unnerved. While he believed he wasn't lying about the altitude difference, the cold and chill don't you worry made him suspicious.

They kept walking for a little while until they found themselves in a huge room. Sonic noticed on the other side the opening that continued the path towards cerulean but before he could walk towards it a huge boulder moved in the way.

"What the…" he managed to say before feeling a rumbling.

Out of nowhere 3 Onix appeared and surrounded them. Sonic looked around trying to figure what to do when he noticed people behind the onix.

"I'm afraid this the end of the line my friend" the hiker said in a calm yet threatening manner "if you could manage to beat brock with only a squirtle then it must be very strong. So we will be taking it".

"Do you really think I will let you?" Sonic fired back.

"Oh I don't think you will. But whether you do or not won't matter. We can't have you get out of the cave and contact the authorities".

Sonic's eyes bulged in shock realizing that this was not just about his pokemon.

"What are you gonna do exactly? Kill me? Don't you think they will look for me and find you?"

"No. As they didn't look for the other 5 unfortunate fools we found".

"You're sick. Sicker than team rocket!"

"Watch how you speak about our customers, boy" one of the hiker's allies said.

"You're on their payroll! Damn you all!" Sonic said in anger.

"Enough! Onix bury him!"

"Squirtle, Pikachu come on out!"

The 2 pokemon came out, ready to fight.

"A pikachu against 3 onix? How stupid! Rock tomb!"

"Squirtle fire rock tomb back!" Sonic said he and Pikachu dodged the other 2 rock tombs together. Squirtle fired rock tomb back nullifying the effect of the first one.

"Now withdraw and water gun!"

Squirtle launched itself onto onix damaging it.

"So you think you're a smartass! Onix! Take out that squirtle! Sand tomb!"

"Use water gun again!"

Squirtle launched itself above the first onix causing the two sand tombs to strike it along with the water gun that hit directily. The onix fainted as squirtle found itself falling onto the 2nd onix.

"Onix move! Other onix use rock tomb!"

"No! Pikachu thunder shock!"

Pikachu unleashed thunder shock not damaging the onix a lot but causing it to lose balance and miss the attack.

"How is that possible?!" the hiker said realizing in shock Pikachu had affected onix.

Squirtle thinking on its feet used water gun to propel itself away from the 2nd onix hitting it directily and landing next to Pikachu.

"Yeah!" Sonic said.

"That's it!" the hiker yelled in anger "Onix! Bury that squirtle! Sand tomb! You two idiots get the Pikachu and the kid!"

Sonic saw the two goons charging towards him and Pikachu as squirtle was caught in the sand tomb.

"Squirtle withdraw!" Sonic was able to say before being grabbed by one of the goons and getting into a headlock. Pikachu too was caught and struggled to escape.

"A Pikachu that can hit ground types. The boss will pay dearly for that" the hiker rubbed his hands together.

"Thunder…" Sonic tried to say before having his mouth covered by the goon holding him. Sonic pushed his burned hand on the goon's face but the goon grabbed a rock and hit the burn spot with it causing Sonic to moan in pain. Squirtle looked from inside its shell and came out angry.

"Squirtle! Squirtle! Wartu.." it said its body began shining in a bright blue color that lighted the whole room. Everyone in the room looked in awe as the form of squirtle changed inside the glow. Suddenly the glow stopped.

"Warturtle!" a loud deeper cry echoed in the room.

"You evolved!" Sonic thought in awe and inspired managed to bite his captor's hand causing him to release his mouth.

"Warturtle! Use water gun to free Pikachu!"

Warturtle however charged the goon holding Pikachu and bit him in the leg causing him to yell in pain and release Pikachu. Sonic immediately realized.

"Pikachu use quick attack!"

Pikachu charged the goon holding Sonic as he tried to use Sonic as cover. Pikachu however with remarkable speed and precision tackled the goon's face head on causing him to let Sonic go who stumbled but got back up.

"Warturtle use water gun! Pikachu slam that creep!"

Warturtle released water with even greater speed and precision than when it was squirtle. Onix was unable to dodge fast enough and was knocked out. Pikachu slammed the hiker in the belly causing him to fly back towards the wall. The 2 goons retreated to his side overwhelmed by the barrage.

"What are you doing you idiots?" he said getting back up "they're tired don't retreat!"

The 2 goons looked at each other and helped their boss up as Sonic walked back until his back hit the wall. He looked to his right seeing the path towards cerulean city open but realized that if he recalled warturtle the hiker and his goons would rush him and it clearly couldn't outrun them. They were boxed in.

At that moment something big flew in from an opening on the wall. Orange light shined bright in the darkness as the hiker and the goons averted their gaze due to the sudden appearance of the light. Sonic was able to look at it and saw it more clearly.

"Moltres" he murmured.

Moltres let out the same loud screech as before and unleashed flamethrower against the three criminals who tried to run towards the other side of the cave to avoid the flames but found the way towards pewter city blocked by a thrown rock from the rock tomb. Moltres then unleashed a powerful gust of wind causing the ceiling above the goons to destabilize. Before the 3 criminals could react they were buried under the boulders.

Sonic, Pikachu and warturtle saw it all unfold in utter shock. Moltres landed before its accomplishment and then its gaze turned to Sonic and his pokemon. Sonic gulped but noticed Moltres was sizing him with its eyes not moving at all.

"Move… very slowly… to the exit" Sonic whispered.

Both him and his 2 pokemon slowly walked towards the way to cerulean city. They entered the path and Pikachu and warturtle went ahead as fast as they could. Before Sonic followed suit he turned around and met Moltres' eyes one more time.

"Thank you" he said and followed his pokemon.

They ran through the dark tunnel until they could see light. Once they made it out they stopped to catch their breath. To their pleasant surprise they were 5 minutes away from the city.

"Let's go guys" Sonic said intending to find a hospital for humans to get his arm healed. Pikachu and warturtle walked ahead as they exchanged cries of joy towards each other. Sonic walked behind them smiling that they had survived that nightmare then his gaze turned back to the mountain.

"Moltres" he thought "I will find you again when we're strong enough" he completed his thought as he continued walking towards the city.

Chapter Text

Doctor Joe Rudd put his mug of coffee down and sat at his desk looking outside the window of his office at the river of Cerulean city. The day was beautiful and a couple of pidgeys flew by the window.

"What a good day" he thought to himself.

He went to pick up the coffee to drink a bit but his hand didn't find it. Confused he turned only to find it gone from his desk. He looked around in surprise as he couldn't explain how the mug disappeared. At that moment his office phone rang. He answered.

"Doctor Rudd here".

"Doctor we have a patient in need of treatment for his arm".

"Understood be right there".

He got up forgetting about the coffee and headed to the room they had the patient in.

"Where's the patient nurse?" he asked the nurse waiting.

"In here doctor" she said pointing his towards the door next to her.

Rudd entered and saw a young trainer petting his Pikachu as they were waiting.

"Good evening" he said "what seems to be the problem?"

Sonic stopped petting Pikachu and answered.

"I had some misadventures in mount moon doctor".

Rudd examined his arm carefully which still hurt.

"Nothing major. A bit of a burn and if I'm not mistaken hit by a hard object?"

"Yes a rock".

"Hm. I see. You got lucky" he said as he was putting a cream on Sonic's arm to treat the burn "it must have not been with a lot of force. Your hand could have easily been broken. If I may ask though, how did the burn happen?"

Sonic contemplated revealing his encounter with Moltres.

"It was a wild charmeleon" he lied in the end.

"I see. Tried to catch it I assume?"

"Yes".

"Did you?"

"No".

"Pity. Anyway almost done here. Just need to bandage the arm" he said turning to pick up the bandage from the bench behind him.

Only to find the bandage he had on the bench entering the room missing.

"What the…" he said in confusion.

"Everything ok doc?" Sonic asked.

"Oh um… it's nothing. Nurse just probably forgot to bring a bandage. Nurse. Nurse! I need a bandage here!"

The nurse brought in the bandage confused.

"I brought you one already doctor".

"No you didn't there was nothing there".

"I'm sure I did".

"Would you be sure if the patient had severer injuries?"

"Please let's calm down" Sonic intervened "Just please bandage my arm so I can pay and be on my way ok?"

"Yes" doctor Rudd agreed and got to work.

5 minutes later Sonic was at the front desk about to pay when he heard doctor Rudd's angry voice from the room he was in.

"Where the heck is it?!" his yell echoed across the room.

The nurse from before went to check on him and Sonic followed suit after paying for his treatment. They found the room looking like it had been raided and doctor Rudd looking sitting on the ground taking deep breaths.

"Doctor is everything ok?" the nurse asked.

"No! My phone's gone! What else is gonna disappear today?!" he asked enraged.

Sonic pondered whether to offer his assistance but decided that since it was evening and he would probably not get much training done to challenge the next gym leader stepped up.

"I can help search if you'd like me to" he said.

"Don't bother kid this is inexplicable. My mug of coffee disappeared earlier to when I was alone in my office".

"Strange" Sonic murmured.

At that moment an angry woman barged into the room pushing Sonic out of the way ungently and got to Rudd's face.

"Stealing from me you bastard?!"

"What?! Amelia what are you…?"

He didn't manage to complete his phrase and was slapped loudly. Sonic fought the urge to laugh with intense willpower.

"Next time you try to steal something you shouldn't leave your phone behind!" she screamed.

"What?" he said in shock as she revealed the phone.

"Amelia… I just lost my phone. How did you get it?"

"Oh stop lying and give me back my ring!"

Sonic scratched his heard trying to figure out what was happening when he noticed with the side of his eye something yellow floating. Thinking quick he took out the pokedex and managed to push the record button catching a glimpse of the pokemon before it disappeared in a purple flash dropping something golden at the floor. Along with the pokemon a wheelchair that was nearby also disappeared.

"I think I found the thief" he said as everyone else turned in surprise.

"What?" the woman said in shock as she exited the room and saw her ring on the floor.

"Wha.. that's… how?" she asked in surprise.

Sonic showed the recording he made. The blurry figure of a pokemon could be made out disappearing, taking the wheelchair with it and dropping the ring.

"A pokemon that steals?" doctor Rudd said surprised.

"I don't think it does it on purpose. It would seem more like its powers whatever they are, run rampant".

Amelia immediately got to apologizing. Sonic and the nurse immediately left both realizing separately what would follow. Sonic exited the hospital with Pikachu on his head again sleeping peacefully.

"What kind of pokemon can just disappear like that out of thin air? As it's…"

"Teleport!" a voice was heard.

Sonic and Pikachu who woke up from the loud voice both turned and saw a trainer and a pokemon greatly resembling the blurry pokemon in the recording. The pokemon unleashed a purple glow but remained there.

"Oh my gosh, you can't even use this move?! Just how dumb are you?!" the trainer screamed at the pokemon which didn't react.

Sonic took out the dex again and took a picture of the pokemon. The pokedex recorded the picture and a voice came from it as the pokemon's picture appeared on screen.

"Abra. The psi pokemon. Abra is incredibly aware of its surroundings by the use of a telepathic radar. Abra sleeps 18 hours a day and can teleport whenever it feels danger".

"18 hours a day?" Sonic commented as he pressed the button for the dex to explain more.

"When abra teleports, it goes to a safe area. The deeper abra sleeps the farther it teleports. The contents of abra's dream affect its powers including but not limited to: failure to teleport, teleport to a non-safe area and teleport inanimate objects too".

"That's what happened" Sonic said in realization "it was abra and it must be having a bad sleep. Maybe we should find it and help it" he said talking to Pikachu.

"Pika pika" it cried out in agreement.

"Glad you agree pal. Alright let's get something to eat and think our next move" he said and passed by the trainer who was yelling at his abra.

"Hey buddy! You might wanna let your abra sleep! Bad sleep means bad use of its power!" Sonic said without hearing the trainer's response.

They went to a sandwich stand and Sonic got one for himself and one for his 2 pokemon to share promising to get them a second one if they were still hungry. While eating he started thinking how he would find abra.

"Ok so abras live in urban areas like here. So it can't be teleporting outside the city. Dex said it teleports to a safe location. So it must have a failsafe option in case things go very bad for it. But where?" he wondered as he chewed.

A couple of minutes later he noticed a young couple pass by complaining about their stuff going missing. Sonic overheard them saying the girl saw a purple flash. They then entered their house which was next to the river.

"That's it!" Sonic said in realization taking out the map and taking out his phone facetime calling someone.

"Hey Sonic" the call was answered.

"Hey Tails got a minute?"

"Sure? Where are you at?"

Pikachu at that moment rubbed its face on Sonic's cheek obviously still hungry.

"Woah a Pikachu?"

"Yeah. I'm in Kanto".

"When did you become a trainer?"

"2 days ago. I'll tell you another time in greater detail. I'll need your help with something in a bit. Are you free?"

"Yeah".

"Thanks. I'll call you in about an hour. I'll explain then. Talk soon" Sonic said and got up.

After buying Pikachu and wartortle another sandwich, the three started walking through town making a big circle asking around gently if people's stuff were going missing lately. Though some people answered rudely and even one called him a creep, Sonic kept going eventually completing the circle and looking at his map of the town. He then called Tails again.

"Still up to help?" he asked.

"Anytime. What do we have?"

"There is an abra in town that accidentally steals people's stuff with its teleport ability. I walked around town and got several locations that have had cases of items going missing. Can you triangulate and find the possible location the abra teleports at?"

"You got way more data than I need" Tails joked "but sure. Give me a minute".

Sonic waited patiently as Tails run the formula.

"Alright. Got an address. Note it".

Sonic noted the address and started walking towards it as Pikachu and wartortle run around having fun while following him. In the meantime Sonic narrated the events of the last 3 days to Tails who was especially impressed by Sonic's encounter with Moltres.

"That all sounds so cool. Maybe I'll visit soon to see how you doing".

"That would be good" Sonic agreed.

"When do you think you'll come home though? I mean not in between your travel? I mean what is the goal you hope to reach by making this journey?"

Sonic hesitated to answer.

"Don't know yet. Oh look I'm here" he said showing Tails an abandoned garage.

"Yup that's the spot. Good luck".

"Thanks. Talk soon" Sonic said hanging up.

They quietly walked around the building trying to find a way in but all entrances were either locked or barred. Sonic then got the idea to climb a pipe on the side of a nearby building and enter through an open window. Recalling wartortle and with Pikachu on his shoulder, he climbed the pipe and quietly entered the building. They made their way to the ground floor.

Reaching the ground floor they found exactly what Sonic expected. A huge pile of items.

"These don't seem to have been stolen recently" he said picking up a wrapped toy which had a lot of dust on it "how long has that abra been having sleep problems?"

While exploring more a purple flash lighted the room and abra appeared with its back turned to them. Sonic managed not to gasp as he knew it was their chance to figure out the problem. However abra sensed his presence and the purple glow began again.

"Pika pika! Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out at abra and the glow stopped.

The abra slowly turned to face Pikachu who climbed off Sonic and walked closer to abra.

"Pika pi Pikachu! Pika pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu cried out calmly.

The abra let out a calm hum. Sonic guessed that was its way of communicating. Pikachu kept making cries and even took abra's hand. Abra let out another hum which sounded sadder than before. Sonic then noticed something on its neck. He tried to approach but abra floated a bit back in fear.

"Pika pi" Pikachu calmed it down.

Abra looked at it and let Sonic approach. Sonic knelt down and saw it was a small metal collar barely visible at the same color as abra's chest's color. He saw a small R carved on the metal.

"Team Rocket!" he said in anger "what monsters!" he said as he looked around and found a small knife. Abra hummed in fear as Sonic brought the knife closer, but Pikachu again calmed it down and so did wartortle who came out to vouch for Sonic. Sonic carefully placed the knife inside the lock of the collar and turned it for a bit unsuccessfully at first but eventually opening the lock and causing the collar to drop to the floor. Abra touched its neck and realizing it was free hummed in joy. It then floated to Sonic's face and placed its small 3 fingered hand on Sonic's forehead. Sonic's mind was flooded with memories of pain and suffering as he saw around through the bars of a cage at many pokemon crying in pain and sadness. He also noticed that he was in the hug of an Alakazam. And of course outside the cage were team rocket grunts wearing creepy smiles and making mean jokes about their prizes. Sonic then saw the door to their cage being opened then a purple glow and he was inside the garage he stood in but it was empty. He blinked and found himself in the same garage with the pile of times and the 3 pokemon inside.

"Oh my god" he said as he laid on his back overwhelmed "you were captured… and you got separated by your mother because your teleport kicked in for the first time. You have been inadvertently stealing from people in town cause of your nightmares of that night".

Abra hummed.

"Those creeps! Next time I see them I'll make them pay!" he said in anger getting up.

"I promise you little abra! I will avenge what they did to you! And if your mother is kept with them I will find her!"

Abra hummed again. Pikachu looked at it, let out a cry of excitement and climbed back on Sonic stuffing its head into his backpack and taking out a pokeball with its teeth before handing it to Sonic.

"Wha… you want to join us?" he asked in surprise.

The abra hummed again. Pikachu cried out again in excitement. Sonic smiled.

"Welcome then" he said as he threw the pokeball which hit abra turning it into red energy. It wiggled 3 times and the beep signaling the catch was heard. Sonic smiling picked up the pokeball and exited the building the same way they got in.

They decided to look for a place to rest for the night and thought to try the pokemon center first. Luckily they had rooms. Sonic left an anonymous note about the location of the missing items and went to their room where his pokemon came out of their balls and made themselves comfy. Sonic laid on the bed after brushing his teeth and saw his pokemon being soundly asleep. He noticed abra in particular making a hum that resonated like a silent song, as much sense as that made. Sonic smiled as he felt happy helping his new teammate get a good night's sleep for the first time in a long while probably. He let himself fall asleep looking outside the window at the stars wondering what adventure awaited them tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Pikachu's ears jolted up as he heard a tap on the window of the room. It was a spearow looking at the sleeping abra. Pikachu jumped at the perch blocking the view and scaring spearow off. It then saw Sonic stretching outside the pokemon center, as if he was just finishing working out. He noticed Pikachu and motioned it to come down. Pikachu awoke the other 2 pokemon and abra teleported them outside impressing Sonic.

"Wow that was so cool abra" he said.

Abra hummed in satisfaction.

"Alright team let's get to work. We have a lot of training before being truly ready for the second gym battle" Sonic said as his pokemon agreed crying out in unison.

They made their way to the outskirts of the town so they could find wild pokemon to fight but close enough to town so abra would feel safe. As Sonic was about to give instructions to the team on which moves to practice he immediately stumbled upon a problem.

"I totally forgot" he said in deep thought looking at abra" you don't know any aggressive moves nor do you learn any before you evolve".

Abra hummed.

"Hm… I guess the only way to train for the time being is by observing Pikachu and Wartortle. I'll think of something to get you to start getting stronger. Wartortle I want you practice withdrawing and using water gun as before. I suspect you will not be able to propel yourself anymore cause of your increased weight due to evolving. If that's the case we will need to find a new strategy. Pikachu practice your thunder shock and try to increase the voltage. Hopefully that will turn thunder shock into thunderbolt. And take care of Abra ok? Let him observe but don't let it fight for now".

His pokemon all cried out in agreement and got to work as Sonic sat on a rock nearby and observed as they practiced their moves and challenged any wild pokemon passing. As Pikachu was practicing thunder shock with Abra observing in curiosity, Sonic's theory came true. Wartortle was now too heavy to propel itself with water gun. Maybe the strategy could later be replicated another way but for now they would need to improvise again.

"Alright let me think for a moment" Sonic said as he revised Wartortle's moveset consisting of withdraw, rock tomb, water gun and bite. Now that 4 moves had been successfully achieved they would have to continuously adjust their battle plan as by learning new moves they would have to forget old ones.

"Hm… ok. Try using water gun in combination with rapid spin".

Wartortle immediately attempted it but the moves were not perfectly combined causing water gun to go off after the rapid spin ended.

"Hm…" he grunted as he thought "even if we achieve this combo it will not have the same effect. Wonder when wartortles usually learn water pulse" Sonic wondered.

At that moment his phone started ringing and once again someone was face-timing him. Curious as it was an unknown number he answered the call. It was professor Oak.

"Good morning Sonic my boy".

"P-professor? How? Where did you get my number?"

"From your father of course. I called to thank him for the file and he told me you already have earned a gym badge. I am rather impressed".

"Hey gramps I'm here" a voice was heard from the background.

"Be right there Gary just a moment. As I was saying congratulations for the badge. And if I'm not mistaken by what I see behind you, you're already in cerulean city.

"Yeah".

"If you get a chance you should visit Bill. He is a pokemon researcher and his incredible work in pokemon knowledge almost rivals my work if I do say so myself. Anyway got to go. Kids are here to get their first pokemon, my grandson included. Hey maybe you two will meet in during your journeys. Take care" he said as he hang up.

Sonic looked again at his Wartortle getting a bit better at using rapid spin and water gun in unison but all this achieved was just firing water at feet level.

"Researcher bill" Sonic said to himself "maybe he could know something" he got up from the rock.

"Alright guys wrap it up!" he shouted calling his pokemon to him.

"Good progress Wartortle. We will soon figure something out. Pikachu next time we should try making some static electricity to try and empower your thunder shock. Abra hope you watched carefully your time will come soon I'm sure" he said encouraging his pokemon. They all smiled crying out their names and abra humming in a joyful way.

"Alright. Let's go have a good breakfast" he said as he recalled wartortle and abra and Pikachu climbed on his head.

They enjoyed a good breakfast consisting of mostly sandwiches again with Sonic thinking he should learn to cook something so they could eat healthy as much as possible.

"Maybe I should also try to collect some berries on the way to the third gym when that time comes" he thought while chewing as he aimlessly observed the magikarps splashing in the river.

After breakfast they asked the sandwich stand owner if he knew where bill lived and was instructed to cross the bridge to the woods and make for a cliff in the cape north of the city. Bill's house was close to the end of the cliff overlooking the sea.

As they crossed the bridge Sonic suddenly got a bad feeling. As if they were being watched.

At the end of the bridge was a stranger with a fishing rod. Once Sonic came into his optical view he pulled the rod and got up.

"Heading into the woods?"

"Yeah" Sonic answered.

"You know it's not safe right?"

"Not safe?"

"A powerful pokemon has been causing havoc lately. Someone said it was a magneton, but with more than 3 eyes".

"Really now?" Sonic asked pretending to be curious but knowing something was up. His father was a big pokemon lover and had showed many pokemon to him and Jet growing up. He knew a magneton consisting of more than 3 magnemites was a huge improbability.

"Thankfully I have a way you can get past it. A small magnet that emits a magnetic force opposite to that of magneton. If you help me by fishing me a magikarp I will give you the magnet for free. What do you say?"

Sonic now was fully suspicious but decided to play along to see what was the deal, confident that if things went south they could easily escape.

"Alright" he said as he took the rod and cast the line.

Minutes went by silently as no magikarp was caught. Sonic kept waiting but noticed with the side of his eyes the supposed fisherman answering his phone and talking silently. At one moment the camera was turned to Sonic. Fully suspicious that he had had a photo taken he tried to get up but something took the bait. Sonic pulled up with all his strength bringing up a big magikarp. The fisherman was ecstatic.

"Oh thank you! As I promised the magnet" he said giving it to Sonic.

"By the way how would be interested in joining team rocket?"

"What?!" Sonic said in shock.

"You obviously have a talent at catching pokemon. Come on this is opportunity knocking".

"Me join team rocket?!" Sonic said angry as he felt blood rushing to his face.

"Hard to get huh? Ok I will make you an offer you can't deny! Go zubat!"

"Pikachu you're up!" Sonic shouted as Pikachu lept of its head into battle.

"I don't think I like this matchup! Zubat use whirlwind!"

Zubat flapped its wings really fast causing Pikachu to lose its balance and be pulled up by the whirlwind being sent back to its ball. Out of the ball then came abra.

"Damn it not you!" Sonic said in fear it would get hurt.

"Wait a minute!" the rocket grunt said in realization "I recognize that little guy! He got away from us a month ago!"

"You are the one who put that collar around its neck?!"

"Yeah! How else could I keep tabs on it? But the little nuisance got away! But not this time!" he yelled as he recalled zubat and took out a remote pressing the button on it. Instantly the magnet transformed into another collar leaving Sonic's hand and attaching itself onto abra's neck.

"Abra return!" Sonic shouted trying to recall it but instead abra was zapped by the collar. The abra hummed in horror and started teleporting however because of the collar it could teleport less far and the destination was outside its control causing it to teleport deep into the forest.

The grunt attempted to run after it only to be tackled to the ground by Sonic.

"You dare hurt my friend again!" he said in anger punching the grunt hard.

"You dare torture innocent pokemon!" he said punching him again in anger as Pikachu looked worried.

"You dare separate a baby from its mother!" Sonic screamed as he punched a third time. The grunt laughed instead.

"What's a few feelings in the face of money?"

Sonic was about to punch him again but decided he deserved more.

"Pikachu zap him!"

Pikachu looked at him hesitating.

"Do it!"

Pikachu obeyed zapping the grunt with thunder shock as he screamed in pain for 5 seconds.

"Again!" Sonic screamed in rage.

Pikachu looked at it with its eyes tearing up obviously not wanting to.

"I said again!"

Pikachu obeyed again causing the grunt more pain.

"Again!" Sonic screamed again.

Pikachu then turned to Sonic and cried out in sadness. Wartortle also emerged from its ball and grabbed Sonic's leg.

"War. war. wartortle".

Sonic looked at the eyes of his two partners and his anger left him. He knelt down in shame.

"What have I done?" he said as he looked at the unconscious grunt. His chest was thankfully moving so he was alive.

"Sorry Pikachu. I… I'm so ashamed. Let's make things right. Let's go find our friend".

Pikachu and wartortle cried out agreeing. Sonic recalled wartortle and rushed into the woods as Pikachu climbed on his shoulder.

"Abra?! Abra where are you?!" he shouted.

Pikachu's ears started twitching.

"Pika pika!" it cried out as it lept off Sonic's shoulder and started running towards a fallen log in the distance. Sonic followed.

Once they reached the log they looked inside and saw the abra for the first time not in its usual ankles crossed form but instead tucked in a ball trembling. Sonic teared up.

"Abra?" he said softly "it's us".

Abra looked at the direction the voice came from afraid and came out running hugging Sonic's face as best as it could.

"I'm sorry about this little buddy. Let me get this off you" he said reaching to pick up a rock to break the collar.

At that moment he felt a net constricting him and throwing him away from the log. Before he could process it same with Pikachu.

"Blasting me with electricity was your last mistake kid!" the grunt said in anger "now I will give you a taste of your own medicine first before bringing you before the boss!" he said sinisterly as he sent out an ekans whoch started slithering towards Sonic, fangs out.

"Damnit!" Sonic thought as he tried to free himself.

"Don't bother kid you're stuck. Now you will feel…" but before he could finish his sentence he saw abra coming out of the log and humming in anger.

"You too will be taught a lesson! Zubat!" he said sending it out "leech its life!"

Zubat charged flying, fangs out to bite abra but right before its fangs sank into abra it got stopped for a moment then flew off, crashing into a tree and fainting. Sonic and the grunt observed the spectacle in shock as they heard the humming starting to make sense.

"UUUUUmbra… uuabra… abra… kadabra!" the humming slowly turned into a cry as abra was immersed in a blue glow.

"No way. You too?!" Sonic whispered from inside the net.

The glow continued as abra's form changed and the collar broke and fell off as its neck grew bigger. Eventually the glow stopped and its new form was revealed.

"Kadabra!" it cried out in anger.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out in excitement.

"No! Not now! Ekans bite!"

Ekans lunged at kadabra but it was again stopped mid-air. This time though after taking some damage the ekans was softly left on the ground and looked around confused for a moment before lunging itself at the grunt.

"What?! No, not me, him! No!" he screamed as he made a run for it with ekans in hot pursuit. Sonic and Pikachu burst out laughing despite still being entrapped. Kadabra then made its way to them and used its psychic to untangle the nets freeing its trainer and its pokemon friend.

"Thank you kadabra. I'm so proud of you" Sonic said pulling it into a hug which unexpectedly kadabra took a moment before hugging back. Sonic then laid back for a moment to take a deep breath.

"Huh?" he said looking up and seeing berries on the trees.

"Hungry?" he asked his 2 pokemon.

They both cried out in agreeing.

"Guess the sandwich and the battle whet your appetite. Ok then. Pikachu slam the tree".

Pikachu slammed the tree as hard as it could causing several berries to drop as well as a beedrill which wasn't very pleased. Kadabra once again showed off its new move by damaging the beedrill and causing it to flee while flying into trees from confusion. Sonic and all 3 of his team members laughed as the pokemon ate. After the victory feast they continued towards Bill's house.

Chapter Text

Sonic observed the sea of the northeast shore of Kanto, taking deep breaths and feeling the sea air. Nearby Pikachu and Wartortle were playing while Kadabra was sitting in a meditating stance, eyes closed. Sonic looked at them proud.

"We've achieved so much in such a short amount of time" he thought as his gaze turned towards the house close to the top of the cliff "and so much more await".

"Alright guys let's go" he said as he recalled kadabra and wartortle as Pikachu climbed on his head.

"You sure have found your spot" Sonic joked as they went on their way.

"Piiika" Pikachu was heard in a relaxed tone, enjoying the sea air itself.

After a short walk they made it to the house and knocked on the door. There was no response. He knocked again.

"Hm. Guess he's not here" Sonic thought.

But turning to leave he heard the sound of a computer coming from inside the house. Realizing something was wrong Sonic entered the house and looked around seeing no one inside apart from a clefairy. The next things he noticed was a huge machine consisting of 2 big cylinder tubes connected by a pipe. He also noticed the computer screen bearing a message.

"Program end".

"Who leaves his computer open?" he wondered aloud.

"Someone who's home maybe" another voice was heard causing Sonic to jump in surprise as Pikachu was ejected from his head and fell to the floor unpleasantly.

"Who said that?" Sonic said looking around confused.

"I did" the voice spoke again.

"Where are you? Are you a ghost?"

"Down here you dummy".

Sonic looked down and only saw the clefairy.

"Yes that's right it's me".

Sonic's face froze in shock while his right eye started twitching.

"Yup that's it" he thought to himself "I'm going insane. First the talking meowth and now this".

"Calm down. You came here looking for Bill right?"

"Y-Yeah…"

"You found him then. I am Bill".

Sonic felt the urge to go dive from the cliff.

"You're.. a clefairy?"

"Of course not. I was just making an experiment and didn't prepare well enough to reverse the effects. And if you believe it your timing is just perfect. Could you help me?"

"Uh sure".

"Good go to the computer, click on the screen to exit the program end window, then select on the menu the p2h option and press go".

"O-ok" Sonic said doing exactly what the clefairy asked. The clefairy then walked into the left tube and when Sonic pressed go the chamber inside which the clefairy was started emitting a strong light. The light then made its way through the pipe connecting the 2 chambers and once it entered the 2nd chamber it stopped. The door of the chamber opened and smoke came outside. Sonic gulped wondering what he had done. But to his surprise and relief a man walked out of the chamber.

"Ah much better" he said stretching. Sonic couldn't believe his eyes.

"You're… you're really bill?"

"Yes".

"What the… you turned yourself into a clefairy?"

"Yeah. Researching pokemon includes finding out how it feels to be a pokemon. So I developed a machine to do just that".

Sonic wished he could snap his fingers next to his ear to make sure he was hearing right but refrained as he knew it would be impolite.

"Wow" he said "that actually sounds cool".

"Why thank you. But what about you? Who are you?"

"Oh right. Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog".

"Nice to meet you Sonic. What brings you here?"

"I was wondering if you could help me with my battle strategies. My Wartortle evolved recently and our strategy of propelling itself with water gun while being withdrawn in its shell no longer works due to its weight".

"Propel itself? While withdrawn? I've never heard that strategy before" Bill said impressed "unfortunately though Sonic, I can't help you much. I research mostly Pokemon species, biology and behavior".

"Oh damn I see. Thanks anyway. I should be going then. Come Pikachu" Sonic said heading for the door.

"Wait" Bill stopped him "why don't you show me what moves you have so far? Maybe I will notice something you could change or an area you can better at".

"Sure. Let's go outside" Sonic said eager to see if there was something to learn.

They went outside and Sonic sent out his pokemon and had them use their moves. So far the one with the most strategy made before battle was wartortle as kadabra had just evolved and only knew one offensive move so its battle plan was pretty straightforward and Pikachu had immense speed which allowed for a powerful style of improvised attacks.

"So essentially what you seek is a way to compensate for wartortle's mobility reduction".

"Yeah".

"Hm… I think you need to look at battling from another angle. You've been using mostly agility so far but sometimes you will not have fast pokemon and will need to adjust to that".

"Adjust to the circumstances" Sonic repeated in deep thought.

"And also you will need to really think about using a single move in multiple ways. Not all moves can combine".

"More than one use huh? Ok I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the help".

"I should be thanking you. If you didn't come along I would be stuck on the floor of my cottage trying to climb to the computer to turn myself back to normal".

"Haha that would be funny, no offense. Anyway I should go now. See you around" Sonic said as he they waved each other and he started walking down the cliff.

"Adjust to my circumstances and try to find more than one use huh?" Sonic thought as they shopped some stuff, Sonic deciding not to eat sandwiches again. He ended up buying a bigger backpack to stash resources in and a small cauldron to try and cook for his pokemon from time to time, asking his mother at the same time via text to send him an easy recipe that would be liked by pokemon. His mother texted him the recipe for a curry made by mostly berries from the woods, which she always liked to collect and make into that very curry to feed random pokemon passing through their backyard in his hometown, as well as wishing him luck in his battle and asking him to take care. As Sonic also bought a cooking spoon and a knife to cut and mix the berries he fondly remembered one occasion when he and Jet found an eevee in their backyard and ended up feeding it that curry. However before he could return to the present his mind drifted to his latest bad memory, the reason he made this journey to escape. Pikachu noticed the change in his attitude.

After buying all the resources they returned to the woods and after Pikachu slammed a few trees to get berries, Sonic who at the same time facetimed his mother to make sure he got the curry right, got to work as his pokemon relaxed, played or in Kadabra's case meditated. After the curry was ready Sonic served the curry to his pokemon and made a sandwich for himself with ingredients bought at the store. Throughout the whole process he kept trying to figure out how wartortle could get faster.

"Maybe if rapid spin could be used as an ice hockey ball… no too heavy for that. What if… argh" he thought in frustration after food while his pokemon were relaxing. Pikachu noticed again his trainer's attitude and approached him.

"Pika pika?"

"Not now Pikachu. I'm thinking".

"Pika pi?"

"I said no".

"Pikachu!"

"Pikachu I told you I'm thinking!"

"Pika?"

"Grrr fine! I'll go think somewhere else! Don't stray off I'll be right back" Sonic burst out needing some time alone.

It was all happening so fast he could barely process it. He walked back to the edge of the cliff and took in the air again trying to calm down.

"Damnit. Unless I find a way for wartortle to be faster there's a good chance it will lose in battle next time" he thought to himself "but how?"

He racked his brain but eventually just brought his hands to his face, grunted in anger and just laid back looking at the sky. He looked at the endless blue and the sporadic clouds finding it chilling despite his frustration.

"How can I possibly prevent the scenario of defeat?" he wondered to himself again.

His mind drifted back to his hometown. How only 2 weeks ago he had asked the girl he liked out only to have him be called the good guy and her choosing his enemy instead. He had spent the next week closed off at home only contacting Tails and his other friend Knuckles through facetiming. His trip here was the first time he had left the house in a while. He remembered Tails' words clearly after that.

"Sonic I know you don't wanna hear it but the only thing you can do is move on when you're ready".

"Move on when I'm ready. Grow when I'm ready" he repeated looking at the sky.

He recalled his enemy again. He couldn't even speak the name. The very same person who dared bully his brother. Sonic got in the way and ever since then the guy had been making fun of him, knowing full well Sonic could be easily triggered.

"And he was damn right. I ordered Pikachu to fry that creep alive earlier" he thought to himself again.

He closed his eyes trying to relax. He had let his feelings of frustration and rage lead him down a dark path. He recalled the incident at mount moon. How those 3 pokemon thiefs paid by team rocket had died horribly at the hands of Moltres.

"How has this possibly not affected me? I feel no sadness for them".

He then remembered the girl again. Amy. How she broke his heart in the most cruel way possible. Choosing his enemy over him all because he, in her words, knew how to assert his dominance.

"Bullying someone is asserting dominance?" he thought in disgust.

All the incidents flooded his mind at the same time and he couldn't help but feel they could have been avoided.

"What could I have done different?" Sonic wondered in sadness.

At that moment he noticed the sky had started becoming slightly darker. His thoughts had actually lasted an hour, maybe more. And at that moment it hit him. He was repeating the mistake that had led to him running away from home. Sitting down, doing nothing trying to figure out what he could have changed if he had the chance and letting his emotions run rampant just like kadabra did when it was abra.

Sonic jumped up and run back to the camp, fearing his pokemon would have strayed off. In all the darkness he felt during these last few days they were the only source of light, apart from his family.

"If I had done anything differently I wouldn't have met them" he thought as he ran as fast as he could.

There was no way to change the past or to control the future. All he could control was the present. And Sonic feared he had just messed it up irreparably.

"Don't tell me they left" he thought in fear.

To his relief however they were all there sitting around the fire, kadabra not meditating this time. Once they saw him they run to him who knelt down in shame.

"I'm so sorry guys. It was so insensitive of me to run. Again" he added though all he achieved was confusing his pokemon.

"But that is in the past now. All we can do is move on. Wartortle" he said looking at it "you might not have your old mobility anymore… but I'm sure there is potential in you. We will find it together as a team all of us".

"tortle!" the wartortle cried out and then looked at kadabra "wartortle".

Kadabra nodded in silence and used its psychic powers to lift a few rocks and toss them at wartortle. Before Sonic could intervene thinking they had started fighting for no reason, wartortle started using rapid spin causing the rocks to bounce off leaving it unharmed.

"Oh my god!" Sonic yelled in realization "of course! Your species are tanky pokemon! How could I forget? Your defenses grew with your evolution! Rapid spin should now allow you to deflect attacks better!" he explained in realization as he understood both of Bill's advice.

"Adjust to circumstances. Adjust to your new form. Look for more uses. I kept seeing rapid spin as a launching attack. And with the right circumstances it can be. But now it has become a powerful defense too".

His pokemon all cried out in excitement. Sonic feeling peace for the first time in a while decided to be bold.

"Tomorrow morning we will face the gym" he declared leaving his pokemon speechless. Pikachu approached him.

"Pika pi?"

"You think we could lose?" Sonic asked it.

"Pikachu".

Sonic slowly smiled.

"Then… we will just try again later" he said confidently.

Pikachu looked inspired and took a determined smile.

"Pika pika!"

Wartortle and Kadabra also cried out in determination. Sonic smiled feeling confident again.

They all decided to spend the night in the wilderness as they would have to do it again during long travels so they would better get adjusted to it sooner than earlier. Sonic looked at his pokemon as they slept near the campfire with peaceful looks on their faces. Before he knew it he was also asleep.

The next morning after everyone had woken up and after a few berries and an apple for Sonic, they headed to the gym. Once Sonic entered he saw a huge pool inside with an arena in the middle.

"Huh. Guess I won't be able to tell the type I'm fighting before the battle starts he joked knowing full well they stood a good chance at winning.

At that moment 3 girls emerged from under the water.

"What are you doing here?" one of them said catching Sonic off guard.

"I.. I'm looking for the gym leader" he said.

"That would be our little sister" the second of the girls said.

"Ok…" Sonic said "so where is she?"

"Behind you?"

Sonic turned around and saw an orange haired girl enter the gym with a staryu by her side confirming his suspicions.

"You're the gym leader?"

"Yes. I'm misty. I assume you want to battle?"

"Yes".

"Wait a minute" one of misty's sisters said interrupting "shouldn't you first prove you could stand up to her?"

"Like how?" Sonic asked.

"Proving you beat the first gym leader?"

"Gladly. Brock told me to tell you hi by the way" Sonic said as he revealed the boulderbadge.

"Well then guess you can try" misty's sister said as she and the other 2 exited the water.

"I either will win or lose" Sonic declared "there is no try miss…"

"Violet".

Sonic dashed and jumped onto the arena Pikachu hanging onto him. Misty followed suit but instead swam to the arena.

"You aware of the rules?"

"2 pokemon each?" Sonic asked "and I assume if they fall into the water they are disqualified and I have to use the other or lose?"

"Nope that was just brock's rule. Here the pool is part of the arena".

"I see" Sonic said understanding Misty would have a big advantage.

"Send out your pokemon on 3" Violet declared.

Sonic took out Wartortle's pokeball. Misty didn't take out any ball.

"1,2,3!"

"Go Wartortle! Staryu" the two voices echoed in the gym.

"Water type match huh? Amusing" Misty said.

"Begin!" Violet declared.

"Wartortle! Rock tomb!" Sonic went immediately on the offensive.

Staryu got hit by the rock tomb as its speed was reduced.

"Staryu confuse ray!"

Staryu sent out a small ball of light which flew at wartortle and started spinning around it counter-clockwise. Wartortle became transfixed at it following it as it span around until it became confused and started hitting itself trying to use rock tomb again.

"Now staryu minimize!"

Staryu started shrinking in size.

"Oh no" Sonic thought remaining as calm as he could "if it gets to small it will be too hard to hit".

"Wartortle use bite!"

Wartortle however wasn't able to successfully use its move, hurting itself in confusion again.

"Staryu minimize again!"

Staryu shrank again.

"No!" Sonic thought in fear.

"I guess Misty's got this" one of her 2 other sisters said.

Sonic felt for a moment they were right but then remembered what he went through yesterday. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Not yet" he declared in determination "Wartortle" he said as he opened his eyes at the same time as ordering the move" use rapid spin!"

Wartortle managed to perform the move and spinning clockwise allowed it to regain its composure.

"Use rock tomb!"

Wartortle use the move successfully landing it with precision. Staryu being smaller than before took greater damage.

"Wait it's not confused anymore?" Misty said in confusion.

"Nope. Having it spin around the opposite way it did following your confuse ray helped it get over it!"

"That was rather impressive" Misty's third sister said sounding serious"

"Well no matter! I will confuse it again! Staryu use confuse ray!"

"Wartortle! Bite!"

Wartortle despite becoming again transfixed in the confuse ray used bite eating the ball of light.

"Quick before it moves again! Use rock tomb!"

Rock tomb landed. Staryu was knocked out regaining its original size. Misty was out of words.

"That was cool but let's you deal with this! Go starmie!"

"Starmie?!" Sonic thought in surprise as the purple starfish emerged from underwater.

"The evolved form" he thought "let's see what it does".

"Starmie use confusion!"

Starmie unleashed its attack greatly damaging wartortle who stepped back and fell in the pool.

"After it Starmie!"

Starmie dived in as well and chased after wartortle.

"Use water pulse!"

Starmie fired with all its might which was empowered by the pool and the same type bonus but wartortle managed to withstand it being a water type too.

"Grr" Sonic grunted "this is her arena. Starmie practically lives down there. Maybe if..".

"Starmie use Water pulse again!"

Starmie unleashed its attack again as Wartortle looked at it coming worried waiting for Sonic's order. As the water pulse approached fast…

"Now! Rapid spin!"

Wartortle started spinning causing the pool water to start spinning with it. The attack missed its target as Starmie was caught off guard and by the waves. It was sent to the wall of the pool on which it crashed.

"Now's our chance! Bite!"

Wartortle swam very fast and managed to bite the Starmie. However it was not over yet.

"You're not the only one who can improvise! Starmie rapid spin!"

Starmie with wartortle still hooked on to it thanks to the bite started spinning fast causing wartortle to repeatedly hit the wall of the pool.

"Now water pulse!"

The water pulse hit the wartortle head on causing it to be sent flying out of the pool and fainting. Starmie emerged from the pool as well.

"Wartortle return" Sonic said as he recalled it "you were amazing. Pikachu you ready to finish what wartortle started?"

"Pika pika!" it cried out in determination.

"Go get them!" Sonic said as he pointed his hand forward. Pikachu jumped from it onto the arena.

"An electric type is to be expected here" Misty said "which is why I am prepared. Starmie recover!"

"Recover?!" Sonic said in shock realizing all of wartorle's hard work had just been countered by a single move.

"So we either knock it out in one strike or that's it?" he thought.

"Starmie confusion!"

"Not this time! Pikachu quick attack!"

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out as it dodged the confusion and hit the starmie head on merely causing it to be knocked back a bit.

"Not enough! Starmie water pulse!"

"Pikachu quick attack again!"

"Not this time! Rapid spin!"

Pikachu's attack landed the moment the spinning began sending it flying into the pool.

Sonic observed as he now knew they were in a very questionable position. If starmie entered the pool Pikachu could go off with thunder shock and the current would spread through the whole pool. But would it be damaged as well?

"Think Sonic think" he thought to himself.

"Starmie follow Pikachu!" Misty ordered it.

Starmie dived after Pikachu.

"Rapid spin!"

Starmie started spinning catching Pikachu in the whirlpool.

"Wait a minute" Sonic said remembering Pikachu also had an ability. It had never gone off before and didn't know if it was the one he needed it to have for this scenario but decided it was worth a shot "Pikachu surrender to the flow! Use slam!"

Pikachu let itself be taken by the whirlpool which sooner than expected led it to the center where it slammed into the spinning Starmie. Pikachu was sent out of the pool landing roughly on the arena with Starmie jumping out as well.

"You fought well Sonic but now it's over! Starmie use water pulse!"

Starmie prepared its attack but suddenly static emerged from its body and the attack was left to dissipate.

"Yes! You have static! It worked!"

"He let Pikachu get slammed by Starmie hoping Static would go off".

"Fortune favors the bold" Sonic said knowing it was their chance "and now your Starmie is head to toe… or should I say edge to edge completely soaked! Pikachu! thunder shock!"

"Pika… chuu!" Pikachu cried out as its attack went off hitting Starmie. Starmie let out a cry of pain and the attack stopped. Starmie toppled fainting.

"Yeah!" Sonic screamed in victorious joy as Pikachu followed suit jumping up and down.

Misty recalled her Starmie and jumped in the water to get out of the pool as her sisters pulled the arena closer to the edge of the pool so Sonic could get off. She then approached Sonic holding something small in her arm.

"Congratulations. That was one risky move you pulled just following the flow. Here. The cascade badge is yours".

"Thanks" Sonic said sincerely.

"I assume now you will head to vermillion city for the third badge?"

Sonic looked at Pikachu smiling.

"If the road leads us there straight away".

"Following the flow huh? I see good luck".

"Thanks. See ya" Sonic said exiting the gym as he and pikachu headed to the south exit of the city, ready to follow the path wherever it would take them.

Chapter Text

Sonic was walking south towards vermillion city. Pikachu was running around playing in the grass and occasionally battling any wild pokemon it saw still in adrenaline from their battle with Misty. Sonic showed it to Jet whom he was facetiming.

"Man. 2 badges already?" Jet said in awe "you are rocking Kanto".

"Appreciated bro but this is just the beginning. We have still a lot to learn and I have also a lot of work to do with myself".

"You still thinking about her?"

"Not easy not to. But Tails was right. When I'm ready I must move on. Meeting Pikachu who also desires to grow and evolve again" he said as they saw Pikachu knock out a wild pidgeotto with a thundershock "and my other pokemon too of course, has made me see there is more out there. I guess I did run away by starting this journey. But now I want to complete it".

"And what happens after the league conference tournament? Will you come home?"

"Don't know yet. And to be honest… I don't want to think about it right now. I just want to forget the past and the future. I spent a week locked in my room not talking to anyone mourning something I never had and wondering what I could have done to not end up like that. I don't want to think about what ifs anymore. I want to stay in the present".

"Finally speaking rationally" Jet said teasing him though Sonic could tell he was genuinely happy for his brother "so you're going straight for the 3rd… wait wait. What you said. No predictions. Live in the moment".

"Exactly" Sonic said smiling "though yeah the 3rd badge battle is in my near future. How near I can't tell yet. Anyway got to go I think I can see the city".

"Awesome. Ok talk later bro" Sonic said as Jet hang up. He noticed Pikachu had gotten in way over its head challenging a random passing pidgeot.

"Wartortle go!" Sonic said as he sent it out "rock tomb!"

Wartortle attacked the pidgeot hitting it head on but only causing it to flee. Sonic recalled Wartortle as Pikachu climbed on his head grumpy.

"One step at a time buddy" Sonic said patting it on the head as best as he could while smiling sincerely "one step at a time" he whispered to himself.

They continued their walk reaching the city. Sonic decided to first locate the gym. The map said that it was located by the sea at the south of the city but Sonic couldn't find the sea let alone the gym. While walking through town he noticed very few people were walking on the street and they were being rather hasty.

"What is with them?" Sonic wondered.

Passing outside what looked like an old closed shop, the door to his right was suddenly opened. A couple of hands appeared and pulled him in causing Pikachu once again to land roughly on the ground.

"Hey what gives…" Sonic tried to say.

"Shhhhh!" the teenage boy who had grabbed him said as he looked outside the dusty storefront.

A couple of men wearing familiar uniforms passed by laughing while talking about something. Sonic approached the window too and saw the iconic R on their backs.

"Rockets? In broad daylight in the middle of town?" he asked in surprise.

"What were you thinking, walking around town like that?" the boy asked him.

Sonic knew if they continued asking each other rhetorical questions they would never get anywhere.

"Ok how about we don't play 20 questions? Just tell me what's going on?"

The boy looked at him as if he was crazy.

"The city is essentially under the control of team Rocket. Unless you're a very strong trainer, if you have pokemon with you it's like having a target on your back… or in your case your head".

"I don't fear them" Sonic said "we I have already fought them 3 times and mopped the floor with them".

"I find that hard to believe. But even if it's the truth picking a fight with them like that is suicide".

"Aren't you giving them a little too much respect?"

"….you're not from around here are you?"

"Nope".

The boy sighed.

"Ok… first of all what's your name?"

"Sonic".

"Sonic. I am Mike. You see that tower?" he said pointing outside the window to the tower about 5 blocks away.

"Tower? I'm pretty sure the map didn't show it" he said taking out his map in confusion. Mike looked at it as well.

"Why are you looking at a map of vermillion city?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we're in Saffron city?"

"Excuse me?"

"Let me guess. You bought a map of vermillion city cause you're doing the badge quest?"

"That's right".

"You should have bought a map of the region. Between Cerulean city and Vermillion city is saffron city".

"Oh. That explains a lot I guess. I'm not meant to be here yet".

"Duh you think?"

Sonic looked at Mike who had a sassy look on his face.

"Ok but what are YOU doing here?"

Mike refrained from answering.

"Oook. Can you at least get me out of here so I can be on my way?"

"I can. But only if you do something for me in return. After all I did save you from encountering those 2 before and then having the entirety of team rocket on your tail everywhere you go".

Sonic considered it.

"Ok" he said "what do you need?"

"I need you to help me release the pokemon in the warehouse on the south exit of the city. We strike 2 pidgeys with one stone. I get you to out and you help me get the pokemon out".

Kadabra came out of its pokeball upon hearing for captured pokemon.

"Kada?"

"I know kadabra" Sonic said to it "maybe your mother is amongst those pokemon. We will help you" he said referring to Mike.

"You got this kadabra out of team rocket's clutches?"

"No it escaped accidentally by using teleport. I promised I would help it try to find its mother when the time came. When we got stronger".

"Well whether you've grown stronger or not, the time has come" Mike said as he took the stairs to the roof of the building. Sonic followed.

They went to the roof and Mikes showed Sonic through a pair of binoculars the location of the warehouse.

"We will go from roof to roof. It's safer like this".

"Wouldn't it be safer if I just recalled my Pikachu as well and we went by foot?"

"No. Those thugs stop anyone they find alone".

"Would the 2 of us being alone count as alone?"

"Enough questions. Time is of the essence. Follow me" Mike said as he jumped to the roof of the building right next to the one they were standing. Sonic deciding he wasn't just as reckless yet, sent out kadabra and had it use its psychic abilities to levitate him to the other side, after which Sonic recalled it. This process was repeated to Mike's frustration for the entire journey to the warehouse. After reaching on the roof of the building which stood directily opposite to the warehouse, they peered down to see a couple of grunts watching guard on the entrance.

"Ok here's the plan" Mike said "we enter through the vents, knock out the guard with the keys, free the pokemon and escape in the chaos".

"Or" Sonic suggested still not understanding why they needed to go stealth "we just beat and maybe beat up the grunts on the entrance, storm the warehouse and free the pokemon".

Mike was now looking at him in total shock.

"Do you have a death wish?"

"Don't give them too much credit?"

At that moment the door of the warehouse opened. The 2 guards stood attention as 3 people and a pokemon exited the warehouse. Sonic recognized 2 of them and the pokemon.

"What the.. what are those 3 idiots doing here?"

"What?" Mike said confused.

"Shhhh!" Sonic shushed him trying to listen. For the first time he felt thankful that no one else was around.

"You 3 have disappointed the boss greatly. First you lose to a trainer with a mere squirtle and not only that you get arrested. The boss in its infinite mercy breaks you out and sends you here on guard duty to lose the heat and what do you do repay it? Let a mere magnemite mess up the comms!"

"Let us explain…" a familiar male voice was heard.

"Stop ridiculing yourself James! It's not our fault the guard decided to drop the keys".

"And whose job was it to make sure everything was running smoothly Jessie?" the 3rd person, a woman said to her.

"It's not our fault we are dealing with incompetent morons like you!"

"Oh man" Mike said worried "things just got a lot harder. If Jessie and James are here and if I'm not mistaken that's their meowth partner things could go south very fast".

"You're worried about these 3 idiots?"

"What?! These 3 are team rocket's best enforcers!"

Sonic was sure Mike was joking.

"They tried to catch my squirtle, now wartortle, in a net".

"And how did you free it?!"

"I recalled it".

Mike was looking at Sonic as if he had broken the laws of nature.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Didn't they use any actual tech?"

"No".

"I guess it was because you were a new trainer then. They don't expect new trainers to react calmly".

"How can you possibly lose your cool with them? Have you seen a lot of villains doing intros before initiating their evil plan?"

"…ok you got a point there. Still now that they know you are an experienced trainer they will use tech that prevents recalling the pokemon. I'm not sure how it works but it jams the pokeball's signal I think".

"Wait I think they stopped fighting" Sonic brought him back to their goal.

"I refuse to lose my patience with you any further. A new squad will come to guard the base. You go back to being useful and bring in pokemon".

"Fine!" Jessie screamed "James, meowth! To Viridian city!"

"At least we will have something easy to do for a while. That guy with the squirtle must have been the exception. Next one should be an easy one".

"If we can bwing a stwong pokemon to the boss, he will forget let's go!" Meowth said excited.

"I hope that was the last we saw of them" Sonic commented "it will be annoying to fight them again. Hopefully they will find someone to stalk so that we won't waste time with them".

"They said a new squad is coming. Once they leave we go into the vents".

"You kidding me? Decreased security and we go into the vents and waste time? We go from the front".

"From the front we…"

"What they're coming back?" Sonic said confused pointing at the way Jessie, James and Meowth left from.

Mike turned to look but saw no one. Turning back to Sonic he found him gone. Looking at the side of the building he saw Sonic sliding down a pipe.

"No Sonic don't be hasty come back!" he whispered loud enough for Sonic to hear him.

Sonic however sent out Pikachu and charged at the entrance of the warehouse. The grunts saw him.

"Hey hold it right there!"

"Pikachu thunder shock!"

Pikachu blasted the grunt on the left while Sonic tackled the one to the right causing him to crash on the wall behind him and faint. Pikachu's electricity also knocked the other grunt out and short circuited the electric lock to the door.

"You coming or what?" he called out to Mike.

Mike frowned and followed suit. Sonic sent out his kadabra as well as Pikachu climbed on his shoulder.

"Call out your partner" he suggested to Mike.

Mike sent out his pokemon. It was a jolteon.

"Better bring out another one just in case".

"I don't have another one. Jolteon is my only pokemon".

"One pokemon? You're fighting team rocket with one pokemon?"

"Not a whole lot I can do about it".

"Why don't you try catching some more and train them?"

"I can't. That will take too much time".

Sonic could tell Mike didn't ask him to free the pokemon here just to annoy team Rocket.

"This is personal to you isn't it?"

"Time's a-wastin. Let's go before the new squad comes!"

They found themselves on the inside of the warehouse. Cages everywhere. Pokemon either curled up in fear or raising their heads to look at them in hope.

"Man just like the vision" Sonic thought in disgust.

"Ok you take the right side I go left. You find the guard with the keys you call me so we can start freeing the pokemon got it?"

"Ok" Mike said.

They split up and Sonic started walking down the corridors made by the cages. While walking both himself, Pikachu and kadabra where looking in the cages hoping to see Alakazam. Eventually they did see one. Kadabra grabbed the bars of the cage and so did alakazam. They started crying out to one another with kadabra lowering its head. Sonic could tell that Alakazam was not his kadabra's mother. He also saw another collar around alakazam's throat.

"These must be inhibiting their psychic powers" he thought.

Suddenly a grunt turned the corner.

"Hey intruder!" he yelled as he sent out an ekans.

"Confusion!" Sonic ordered.

Kadabra moved in the blink of an eye blasting ekans with its power and knocking it out. However the grunt's yell had called for backup. 3 more appeared behind Sonic.

"Got you now!" one of them said greedily.

"Wait a minute" another of them said "that's the guy who defeated my sandshrew with an electric move".

"So we meet again" Sonic said smiling in determination causing the grunts to take a step back in fear.

"T-this time its different! All of you attack him at once!"

The grunts sent out ekans, koffing and a male nidoran. Sonic saw the defeated grunt from before charge him. Pikachu climbing of him, Sonic stopped the grunt resulting in the two aggressively holding hands pushing each other.

"Kadabra, pikachu! Deal with those 3!"

Before Pikachu could make a move however kadabra turned around and sent a beam of psychic energy which hit all 3 of its opponents in a straight line knocking them out simultaneously.

"Woah. Was that psy-beam?" Sonic asked in pleasant surprise.

"Kadabra!" Kadabra cried out as if it was roaring sending the 3 grunts running.

"Good job kadabra! Let's go" he said.

At that moment a scream was heard on the other side of the warehouse.

"Mike?!" Sonic called out but only got another scream in response.

"Oh no!" he thought.

"Kadabra lift me on the cages!"

Kadabra obliged and then levitated taking Pikachu with it. Sonic started jumping from cage to cage as fast as he could just like he had seen Mike do on the rooftops as a third scream was heard.

"Hang in there Mike I'm coming!" he thought.

To be continued

Chapter Text

Sonic kept jumping from cage to cage racing to the other side of the warehouse followed by his pikachu and kadabra.

"What went wrong?" he thought in terror as another ear piercing scream echoed in the warehouse.

He eventually reached the source of the screams and what he witnessed made him feel sick. 2 grunts defeated but 3 more standing, 1 of them holding down Mike's Jolteon and the other 2 having locked a collar around Mike's neck electrocuting him with every press of the button. Jolteon was watching its trainer suffering as tears were streaming from its eyes. He also momentarily noticed a few cages had been moved as if someone was roughly shoved into them.

"Hey there's the other one!" the grunt holding down Jolteon said as the other 2 got their attention off Mike momentarily. Mike full of anger tackled the grunt holding the controller to the ground. Sonic wasting no time jumped on the other grunt.

"Pikachu! Kadabra! Help Jolteon!"

Pikachu used quick attack tackling the grunt, causing him to release Jolteon who zapped him and Pikachu.

"Again Jolteon let him have it!" Mike ordered as he and the grunt were reaching for the controller while fighting.

"Wait no! Pikachu get out of there!"

Pikachu however was grabbed by its tail before it could escape receiving another thunderbolt from Jolteon while the grunt was launched back towards the wall. Pikachu was freed though weakened as Kadabra rushed to its side.

"Kadabra get Pikachu out of here! Teleport!" Sonic ordered them as he dodged an attack from the grunt he was fighting, while calling out wartortle to assist him.

Kadabra however didn't obey. It instead used psybeam sending all of them apart from Sonic who managed to hold on to the bars of a cage. The grunt who was fighting Mike over the remote was knocked out cold, giving Mike the opportunity to grab the remote and press the unlock button removing the collar.

"What is wrong with you!" he yelled to Kadabra "you hit me too!"

"Hey don't pin this on Kadabra! Not after hitting Pikachu with thunderbolt!" Sonic said getting up obviously pissed.

"I had to ok?"

"No you didn't! Duck!"

Mike ducked avoiding a hit from the grunt Sonic was fighting who also happened to have the keys to the cages. He delivered a devastating kick to the stomach and pushed his head down under his shoe. Jolteon rushed to his side.

"Blast him" he ordered Jolteon.

"Wait no!" Sonic intervened "he's beaten. Let's just get the key to the cages and free the pokemon before reinforcements arrive".

Mike hesitated but punched the grunt knocking him out so he wouldn't intervene and grabbed the keys. Turning to leave however they saw the woman who was talking to Jessie and James earlier blocking their way.

"Ariana!" Mike said sounding genuinely pissed off.

"You have made a mess for the last time Michael! This time you won't get off easy! I will deliver you to the boss myself!"

"Who's this?" Sonic asked quietly.

"An admin of Team Rocket!" Mike said as Jolteon growled angry.

"This time you won't win Michael! I brought something from the boss specifically for this! Go Nidoking!"

A Nidoking came out of the pokeball roaring, causing Jolteon to grown angry again but Sonic to flinch.

"A Nidoking? From the boss? We're in serious trouble" he thought.

"Listen" he whispered to Mike "we've bit more than we can chew. We need to tactically retreat".

Mike however shoved him aside.

"You can run if you want! Jolteon use double kick!"

Jolteon rushed Nidoking kicking it 2 times barely hurting it.

"Nidoking mud slap!"

Nidoking threw a small amount of mud sending Jolteon crashing into a cage, heavily injured.

"As I told you. Too easy! Finish it off Nidoking! Sludge bomb!"

Nidoking threw a huge ball of sludge out of its mouth heading straight for Jolteon.

"No!" he screamed.

"Wartortle rapid spin!" Sonic yelled sending it out.

Wartortle emerged in front of Jolteon and span really fast sending most of the sludge in all directions.

"Wait your turn brat!" Ariana threatened him smiling.

"My turn is now!" Sonic declared "you won't lay another finger on my friends!"

Mike's eyes bulged as he heard Sonic's words.

"We're not friends Sonic! And I don't need your help!"

"Your Jolteon thinks otherwise" Sonic's answer came as Jolteon curled in the corner with Pikachu sharing some electricity with it to heal via its ability, volt absorb.

"Fine. If you wanna lose that badly" Ariana said waving her hands as if she was saying your choice "Nidoking mud slap!"

Nidoking launched the projectile only for Wartortle to deflect it with rapid spin.

"Wartortle water gun!"

Wartortle's attack connected but didn't do more than double kick did despite being super effective.

"Nidoking use horn attack!"

Nidoking charged forward horn first.

"Bite!" Sonic ordered.

Wartortle bit Nidoking right before the attack could harm it causing it to roar in pain and shake around trying to throw Wartortle off. Wartortle was thrown off but the desired effect was achieved; bite had caused Nidoking to flinch.

"Yeah!" Sonic yelled but then saw purple bubbles emerge from wartortle.

"Damnit no! I forgot! Nidoking can have poison point!"

"Too late now kid! Nidoking double kick!"

Nidoking rushed Wartortle delivering 2 devastating kicks and knocking it out while sending it flying towards the wall. Pikachu and Jolteon rushed to its side, to Mike's surprise.

"Damnit! Kadabra you're up!" Sonic said as kadabra floated in front of him.

"Psybeam!"

Kadabra unleashed its attack catching Nidoking off guard with its power. Nidoking shook its head trying to get it together.

"Confusion!" Sonic said keeping up the momentum.

Once again the attack connected even causing confusion however the nidoking still looked able to fight.

"Sludge bomb!"

The attack was launched and connected causing kadabra to also be sent back towards the wall crashing into wartortle. Jolteon was rushed to its side as well.

"Jolteon come here" Mike said not understanding why his Jolteon was becoming soft all of a sudden.

"Want more kid?" Ariana taunted Sonic.

Sonic gritted his teeth. But he knew it was time for their secret weapon.

"Pikachu you're up!"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out as it jumped on Sonic's shoulder then onto the battlefield in style.

"A mere Pikachu is all that's left between me and victory? Pf. Let's end their misery Nidoking! Mud-slap!"

"Quick attack!" Sonic said as Pikachu dodged the mud slap before hitting the Nidoking with little effect.

"Now tail whip!" Sonic said hoping to reduce nidoking's defense enough to end it without revealing their trick.

"Sludge bomb!"

"Quick attack again then slam it!"

Pikachu did as Sonic ordered, causing Nidoking to be pushed back but not fall. Additionally, Pikachu was poisoned as well.

"Looks like the end of the line! Nidoking double kick!"

Sonic knew they were out of options decided it was all or nothing.

"Thunder shock!"

"What are you thinking?!" Mike screamed in anger and confusion.

Pikachu charged its cheeks to unleash the thundershock when Jolteon suddenly also used thunderbolt striking Pikachu's tail. Sonic for a moment thought it was attacking him but then realized what the plan was.

"Thanks Jolteon" he said behind his shoulder.

"What did it do?" Mike asked, now totally confused.

"Charged up Pikachu more! Now to end it!"

"It won't matter! Ground has immunity!" Ariana said calmly.

Pikachu discharged its attack causing to Mike and Ariana's shock Nidoking to roar in pain and topple, knocked out.

"Wha… No! Noooo! This can't be happening!"

Sonic knowing it was their chance rushed past Nidoking to tackle Ariana to the ground. Ariana however reacting faster, recalled Nidoking and fled.

"Reinforcements won't be long!" Sonic said as he rushed to the door to barricade it. Now that the controls were fried it would be opened manually.

While barricading it a lot of locks started being fried from the inside. The cage doors were opened and several pokemon came out running in all directions. Mike came out of the corner helping Sonic keep the door shut.

"How did the doors…?" Sonic went to ask.

"Jolteon fried the circuit. The locks are electronic".

"Smart" Sonic commented as all the locks were soon open and chaos was reigning in the warehouse.

A bang on the door was heard.

"Open up! There's no escape!"

Sonic however had one final trick up his sleeve even though it was a longshot.

"Do you have any healing potions or something on you?"

"Only one. A super potion".

"Give it to Kadabra quick".

"One psychic type can't beat an army of poison types".

"We're not gonna fight" Sonic said with a mischievous smile.

Mike guessed through the plan and knowing there were no other alternatives, he took out the super potion.

Outside the warehouse a total of 10 grunts were preparing a makeshift battering ram to bring the door down under Ariana's command.

"Ram ready ma'am!" a grunt said.

"On 3!" Ariana said "1,2,3!"

The grunts charged at the door which opened with no resistance causing them to crash into the empty cages. Getting back up the only saw the empty warehouse. No trainers, no pokemon.

"Ho… How?!" was all Ariana was able to yell in terror knowing the boss wouldn't be happy.

Meanwhile Sonic and Mike were outside the city, having teleported with Kadabra's teleport along with all the captive pokemon, at the cost of a lot of Kadabra's stamina. Sonic immediately recalled it, deciding it would stay in the pokeball until he could get it to a pokemon center. Meanwhile all the captive pokemon fled upon Pikachu telling them to, with one rattata bringing it a pecha berry to heal the poison. Afterwards the captive pokemon fled, leaving only the 2 boys and their pokemon taking deep breaths.

"I can't believe that worked" Mike said in relief.

Sonic however didn't answer. Mike looked around and saw where they were.

"Well. Got you out as you wanted".

"You got some explaining to do".

"Me?"

"Yeah. First you suggest a stealth plan and then not only do you get captured but after I had to save you, you almost kill them".

"They deserve it".

"Your Jolteon was almost beat to death because we wasted so much time with those guards".

"Yes but it would be ok. It has experienced so many hardships already it would get better! Now look at it!" he said angry as Jolteon was cuddling with Pikachu to relax "you turned it soft!"

"How did I turn it soft?"

"Your pikachu shared its electricity with it. And afterwards Jolteon returned it to supercharge your Pikachu in that attack!"

"Yes. It's called teamwork".

"Teamwork is for the foolish" Mike said begrudgingly.

"Why do you say that?" Sonic asked him "and how can you say that? In that case your Jolteon is a fool because it works with you".

"It's not the same".

"Now you know you're caught. It is the same".

Mike grunted and turned his back.

"Why were you in the city?"

"What?"

"When I met you" Sonic continued "you were in the city before I arrived. Why?"

"….."

"This is personal isn't it?"

"Yes. You see the tower?" Mike said showing Sonic the tower again.

"Yeah you showed me earlier".

"There are rumors they have taken it over and use the company located there, Silph co. to produce pokeballs".

Sonic's eyes widened momentarily knowing that indeed a big problem.

"Ok but that doesn't explain your violent assault".

Mike had a tear stream across his cheek

"They took my original partner! My beedrill! They also took Jolteon's sibling! They were both eevees when I met it!"

Sonic sighed silently understanding.

"Still. That doesn't explain the stealth plan".

"I wanted to only see if my beedrill or Jolteon's sibling were here trapped. They were not".

Sonic sighed silently again.

"If you want to call me a manipulator go ahead. I only wanted to save my pokemon".

"That is not a wrong feeling" Sonic said in a serious tone "but going as far as to try and kill those grunts is wrong. I know".

"How?"

Sonic contemplated revealing his own dark moment in cerulean city but refrained.

"That is a story for another time. Also what you said about Jolteon becoming soft isn't true. It's just remembering compassion. Pikachu shared its electricity because of compassion".

"I…."

"Look. I too want to go –and plan to go eventually - after team Rocket. But we are not strong enough yet. Me and my pokemon. And neither are you and Jolteon. We – my pokemon and I – need to grow stronger. And if you want to be able to stand up to them and maybe save your beedrill one day, you will need to get a bigger team".

"It's not as easy as you make it sound".

"It's not. But it's something I would do for any of my pokemon or my friends if I had to. You can do it too".

Mike looked at him in obvious conflict.

"Even if I get more pokemon how do I get stronger?"

"Challenging the gyms is one way. But an even greater source of power comes from the bonds you have with your pokemon".

"Is that why your Pikachu beat a nidoking with thunder shock?"

"Still working that one out. But yes. I'm starting to believe it was fate I met it" Sonic said.

Mike looked down trying to decide what to do. Jolteon approached him and stood on its 2 back legs as it put its front 2 legs on Mike's chest and licked his face.

"You think so too partner?"

"Jolt!"

Mike smiled.

"Then it's decided. We're going to grow stronger! Sonic! Thank you! And next time we meet if we have time let's have a battle!"

"You bet!" Sonic said smiling determined.

The two newly formed rival nodded at each other in approval and Mike rushed back to Saffron city.

"Pika pika?" Pikachu cried out looking up at Sonic.

"He's gonna make it across just fine. Let's go to Vermillion. You guys need healing asap" Sonic said as Pikachu climbed on his shoulder holding on as best as it could as they made their way to Vermillion city.

Chapter Text

Sonic rushed to the pokemon center of Vermillion city to heal his pokemon after his intense battle with team Rocket admin Ariana. He burst in through the doors of the pokemon center causing a couple of trainers, two girls, already inside to jump in surprise.

"Is nurse joy here?!" he asked them not seeing her behind the counter.

"No. We're also waiting to heal our pokemon. She was asked to the nearby farm to heal the pokemon of a grumpy old man who won't come here himself" one of the 2 girls answered him who was petting her jigglypuff.

"Damn. Is that farm far from here?"

"No but you shouldn't bother going. He doesn't take kindly to strangers".

"Great. Guess all we can do is wait" Sonic murmured and sat down on the couch opposite of the two girls. Pikachu jumped off of Sonic's shoulder and laid on the table to rest. Jigglypuff soon joined it singing silently in Pikachu's ear to soothe it but not put the trainers to sleep as well.

"Those are some injuries your Pikachu has" the 2nd girl commented "what did them?"

"A Nidoking" Sonic answered while looking at the ceiling trying to relax from the adrenaline.

"A wild Nidoking around here?" the first girl said in surprise.

"We should go look for it Valerie" her friend said.

Sonic thought about revealing it was a trainer's pokemon and not a wild one but refrained.

"Yeah. It could still be around" he said as he looked back at the ceiling.

"That was one tough battle" he thought not talking "did it really belong to the boss of team rocket? I wonder how they will react when they find out".

Meanwhile at team Rocket's base

Ariana was walking towards the boss' office trembling in fear. Losing a battle against a teenager with one of the boss' pokemon too? It was basically a death sentence.

She knocked the door to the office and a woman opened the door.

"He is expecting you" she told Ariana.

Ariana stepped into the shadowy room. In front of her behind his desk was him. The big boss.

"Matori leave us" he said in a calm voice.

"Yes sir" she said and walked out the door.

"I must say" he said in a serious tone "I confess myself deeply disappointed admin Ariana. Your one job was making sure that kid didn't interfere with our work again".

"Giovanni sir, please let me explain…"

"And not only did you have a total of 7 grunts in your disposal to keep our profits safe, you also had my Nidoking to use in case of emergency. And what do I find out? You lose a battle to a teenager with second class pokemon AND both him and that kid Michael as well as ALL our profits are gone. I am terribly disappointed. You know what the punishment is for your failure".

"Giovanni sir please! I couldn't have expected what occurred there".

"What could possibly have occurred that you couldn't expect? You are a member of team Rocket. You have been trained to expect everything".

"That kid that beat me sir. It had a special Pikachu!"

"Just as special as the one the two incompetent fools and their Meowth lost too after we broke them out? The one belonging to that kid from pallet town?"

"No sir. The one I'm talking about… it did something impossible. It knocked out your Nidoking… by using thunder shock!"

Giovanni had his back turned to Ariana the whole time. Hearing her last phrase caused his eyes to widen in shock momentarily though she didn't it. He slowly turned around.

"Are you certain that's what happened? Or is this a desperate attempt to escape punishment?"

"It's not sir! I'm telling you the truth!"

Giovanni looked at her eyes. They contained pure terror in them. But they also seemed genuine.

"Very well. I believe you. If what you told me is true, that could cause a big problem long term. Thankfully we're ahead of schedule on the plan" he got up "since you brought some valuable information, I will be lenient this time – this time only – and spare you the punishment".

"Thank you sir! Thank you. You won't regret this!"

"I know" he thought sinisterly "I know".

Back at Vermillion city pokemon center

Minutes turned to one and a half hour before nurse joy returned with her chansey. After Valerie and her friend healed their pokemon, Sonic took his turn waiting for his pokemon to be healed. After they were fully healed he decided they would head out to get something to eat. While eating at a sandwich stand – "Need some resources asap" Sonic thought chewing – he was considering what came next apart from the 3rd gym badge.

"Guys" he said talking to his 3 pokemon "we should train after we're done eating. We are progressing too fast and not grow enough"

They all agreed. When they were all done they headed to a beach east of the city. They immediately got to work each one working their hardest. Wartortle was the first to make progress learning water pulse on its own. Kadabra switched between meditating and practicing psybeam. Pikachu on the other hand had started reaching a dead end. Sonic was sitting in the sand observing it using thunder shock over and over but the attack never seemed to do more damage. Eventually they decided to stop training for the day and just go to sleep, Sonic sleeping in a sleeping bag while his pokemon except for Pikachu were sleeping. Pikachu observed the stars as if it was lost in deep thought.

The next day Sonic went into town to get supplies to cook for his pokemon on the beach while their training continued when he happened to come across a battle. The two trainers, both dressed in what seemed like military clothes looked like they were training as well.

"You have not won yet Visquez! Go Raichu!"

The pokeball was tossed in the air and the evolved form of Pikachu came out of it. Sonic and his Pikachu became transfixed in it but didn't approach the two. They witnessed Raichu first use slam to damage its opponent, a voltorb and then thunderbolt which knocked out voltorb while also leaving the two observers in awe with Sonic wondering how he could help Pikachu learn that move faster.

"Amazing as ever, friend" the man named Visquez said.

Sonic not wanting to be noticed at that moment left with Pikachu still on his shoulder, its eyes fixated on Raichu.

After buying supplies enough to last them a few days as well as a bigger backpack, Sonic took the way back to the beach. On the way he and Pikachu heard a scream. Following it to its source they saw one of the two girls they had met at the pokemon center, more specifically Valerie outside a cave. When they approached she noticed them.

"Oh thank god, I need help. Someone attacked me and stole my bag! My partner's pokeball was inside!"

"Did he go into the cave?" Sonic asked.

"Yes".

"Don't worry I'll go get it" he said rushing in before even Valerie could respond.

After about 30 second however they came across a weird scene; the robber knocked out and holes around him.

"Wait a minute" Sonic said remembering once reading about a specific pokemon "this can't be diglett tunnel, can it?!"

The moment he completed his phrase about 5 digletts appeared around them as well as a dugtrio in front of them. Cursing at the fact that he left Wartortle back at the beach, he decided to try and scare them off with light.

"Pikachu use thunder shock on the wall".

Pikachu obeyed confused and the result was just what Sonic expected. Digletts being pokemon that lived underground, in other words in darkness, wouldn't react well to sudden strong light. They all immediately darted underground. Quickly grabbing Valerie's bag he turned to leave but saw something shining inside one of the holes the digletts left. He faintly recognized the shape of a lightning bolt.

"No" he said in disbelief "it can't be".

He put his hand in the hole and pulled out a small green stone with a yellow lightning bolt on it.

"A thunder stone" he said in awe. Pikachu looked at it in excitement.

"Pika pi! Pikachu!" it cried out and tried to touch the thunderstone. Sonic pulled it away.

"No Pikachu! Not yet!"

"Pika?"

"If you evolve you won't learn any other move. We need you to learn thunderbolt first".

"Pika pi!"

"Look just patience ok? We're close".

Pikachu looked grumpy as it climbed back on Sonic's head and they exited the cave returning Valerie her bag. They then returned to the beach where Sonic cooked the same curry he did in Cerulean City and afterwards they continued their training. During their training Sonic had to stop Pikachu from sneaking over to his backpack to get the thunderstone a total of five times.

"Pikachu this is getting out of hand!" he said losing his cool after a while "you need to learn thunderbolt first!"

"Pika pi!" it cried out in anger.

"I said no! You will evolve when ready not earlier!"

"Pikaaa! Pikachuuuu!" it cried out as it used thundershock zapping Sonic who fell back in surprise as Wartortle and Kadabra rushed to defuse the situation.

"Alright that's it" he said disappointed at Pikachu who looked conflicted, partially regretting blasting its trainer and partially thinking its desire was within its grasp.

"You need some time off" Sonic said pressing the button on Pikachu's pokeball forcibly recalling it. Wartortle and Kadabra looked at him in question.

"Rest for the day ok?" he told them as he laid on the sand and watched the sunset, trying to calm down.

Five minutes later he sensed his phone vibrating. It was Tails facetiming him.

"Hey Sonic! Where are you right now?!"

"On a beach close to Vermillion city. Why?"

"Seriously? Awesome! I'm visiting a cousin of mine in two days who lives there and wondered where you are! What do you say I come early?"

"That would be great" Sonic said smiling "hey is it possible you can bring a voltmeter along?"

"Easy but why you asking?"

"I need your help with something again if that's ok".

"Anytime. I'll be there first thing in the morning".

"Haha. I didn't know you meant this early" Sonic joked as Tails hang up.

The rest of the evening was tense for the team as Pikachu who eventually came out to have dinner, was grumpy and even once again tried to sneak to the thunder stone, causing Sonic to put it in his pocket for safekeeping. After dinner they all went to sleep as Pikachu sat close to the seawater and looked at the stars, observed by Sonic.

"Just a little more buddy" he thought "please understand" he hoped as he closed his eyes, the thunder stone still inside his pocket out of pikachu's reach.

Sonic had a weird dream that night. He saw Pikachu in a field chasing the thunderstone around. Suddenly both it and the thunderstone were engulfed in giant bolts of electricity. Sonic tried to rush to save it but was knocked back and then suddenly splashed by water both in the dream and in real life.

"Gotcha!" a familiar voice was heard.

"Damn" Sonic said smiling despite being wet top to bottom "hell of a way to make an entry Tails".

After getting out of the wet sleeping bag the two friends sat in the sand so Sonic could dry as he didn't have a change of clothes and thought he would ask his mother to send him some with Jet when he got a chance to visit.

"You've been busy" Tails said seeing Sonic's 3 pokemon playing.

"That's true" Sonic said smiling.

"Are you um.. still thinking of Amy?"

"Every day. It's not easy to let go. Maybe it's not even possible. Currently I am focusing on this journey. Hopefully this will lessen the impact of her words on me later on".

"Only so much you can do" Tails commented "by the way what did you need a voltmeter for?"

"You brought it?"

"Yes".

"Good. Let's get started" Sonic said getting back up.

They approached the 3 pokemon and Sonic let Tails get close to them so that they would be acclimated to his presence. After a bit of bonding Sonic asked Tails to stick the voltmeter's cord edges on Pikachu's cheeks so that they could see the voltage it released, Sonic's theory being it would learn thunderbolt if it could increase its voltage output.

"Ok. I'm ready" Tails said.

"Thunder shock" Sonic told Pikachu.

Pikachu used its move as Tails checked the voltmeter.

"25.000 volts. Honesty that's quite high for a Pikachu. Usually it's around 10.000 volts with that move".

"Maybe but thunderbolt creates 100.000 volts" Sonic commented "so we need to increase its power output 4 times somehow".

"Hm… you said that kid's Jolteon blasted Pikachu and empowered it right? Maybe if we find another pokemon to replicate this it could increase it".

"That was a one-time thing" Sonic said thinking "we need something more permanent. A more stable source of electricity".

Tails rubbed his chin for a few seconds before getting a mischievous smile.

"I have an idea".

"Uh oh".

"What?"

"Every time you get that face your idea is crazy and we get into trouble".

"I won't deny that but those ideas usually work. So I didn't tell you this but my cousin is working at the local power plant".

"No. No. No. No. You're not thinking what I'm thinking".

"Yes I am".

"Breaking and entering into the power plant? You know that could get us arrested right?"

"I know. But it's either that or we go looking for the legendary bird of thunder, Zapdos. Take your pick".

Sonic weighed their options as Tails was looking something up in his phone.

"Power plant it is. But make sure they won't find us".

"Way ahead of you. Already downloaded the layout of the power plant. All I need now is to borrow my cousin's entry card for a while to replicate it so that he won't get in trouble" he explained getting up.

"I'll go meet up with him and swipe the card for a while. Meet you later for lunch? My treat".

"Ok".

Tails left and Sonic and his pokemon returned to training, Pikachu having overheard everything deciding to be patient for one more day.

They later met with Tails who revealed the replicated entry swipecard.

"We need to go there tonight. The card is one use and untraceable only if used before the original. My cousin's vacation time is ending tomorrow so it's our only chance".

"Got it".

"I'll tell you the plan when we get there. Now can I see the two badges?"

The rest of the evening went by pretty smoothly with the two friends actually catching up while the pokemon ate. In the afternoon Sonic returned to his beach base and Tails to his cousin's house telling Sonic to be at the power plant at 10pm sharp. Sonic and his pokemon immediately got back to training so that they could pass the time not knowing they were being watched from above by 2 large birds.

Chapter Text

Night was falling fast in Vermillion city as people and pokemon walked the streets. Everything looked perfectly normal. So normal that no one noticed 2 shadowy figures walking outside of the city in the darkness heading for the power plant separately.

Sonic with Pikachu on his shoulder walked stealthily through the woods careful not to be seen despite no one being around. Once the fence of the power plant was in view he noticed his friend waiting there with his hood on.

"Finally" Tails joked.

"Are we ready?" Sonic asked him.

"Only one way to find out" Tails said as he took out the copy card and scanned it. The lock accepted the card and was opened.

"Are you sure your cousin won't be under suspicion?"

"They won't be able to trace the card to anyone. So they won't be able to blame anyone. Most likely they will just hire a security guard or something" Tails said.

"Put this on" Sonic said giving him a face cloth "just in case".

"Ok but you're being paranoid you know that?" Tails complained putting it on "there's no one here but us. Why would anyone go to a power plant in the middle of the night?"

The two friends made their way to the central building intending to find the main generator and connect Pikachu to it so it could absorb some of the electricity and hopefully grow in power. Using the key card again they silently opened the door.

"See? Easy peasy" Tails gloated.

They started walking silently through the dark corridors heading for the main reactor room. While turning on a narrow corridor with what seemed like a storage room, they saw the light of a flashlight waving up and down at the other end.

"A guard!" Sonic whispered in panic.

"How? They shouldn't have guards!" Tails whispered in silence as well.

They turned to leave but saw another flashlight light shining on the other end of the hall.

"Damn! We're trapped!" Tails whispered in terror.

Sonic however already had an idea.

"Not yet!" he whispered grabbing Tails and dragging him to the storage room.

They silently opened the door but cleaning equipment came out crashing on the floor. Panicking they looked inside but it was too narrow for them to fit in there.

"Now what?" Tails asked Sonic.

The 2 guards turned the hallway and saw each other's flashlight in the distance as well as the mess on the floor. They slowly approached and looked at it and then inside the storage room.

"The cleaner was too bored to store them properly again" one of them said in disappointment.

"No way I'm cleaning them up this time" the second one said "let's just report to the boss tomorrow and have him reprimanded".

"Boss will just say that it was our job since it's our shift".

"Argh. Fine. Let's finish the round and come back later".

The two passed by each other and left the hallway. Sonic and Tails who were floating in the air thanks to Kadabra's psychic powers were slowly placed on the floor, while Kadabra who was hiding behind the door in the storage room came out floating and was recalled.

"Quick thinking" Tails said taking silent deep breaths to shake the adrenaline off.

"Ready to admit this was a bad idea?" Sonic asked.

"A bad one no. But it was crazy" Tails admitted "anyway let's go. We're almost there".

They continued and found the door to the main generator room which Tails opened with the key card. The room was huge and the generator massive.

"Hm… I'll need a while to set everything up" he said taking out equipment from his backpack while Sonic went to the door to keep guard.

10 minutes went by incredibly nervously for the duo as Tails worked as hard as possible while Sonic prayed they wouldn't check the room. Eventually he heard Tails' victorious silent screech.

"Everything's set!" he whispered in excitement "let's do it".

Sonic nodded and sent out Pikachu whom he had recalled earlier as to make Kadabra's job of lifting them easier. Tails got to work connecting the ends of the cords to Pikachu's cheeks and then went back to his console.

"Alright. The voltmeter is connected to Pikachu's voltage. Once the current starts flowing through him he should start becoming empowered. If all goes well his thunder shock will release enough power to transform into thunderbolt" Tails explained.

"Ready Pikachu?" Sonic asked it.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out excited in the prospect of learning a powerful move and finally evolving.

"All right. Connecting the circuit… now!" Tails said.

The reactor started roaring.

"Don't worry" he screamed at Sonic over the sound of the reactor "the room is soundproof! They won't hear a thing!"

The power started flowing through the cords entering Pikachu's body and leaving the same way form the other side.

"Pikachu thunder shock!"

Pikachu fired one thunder shock for test purposes.

"40.000 volts! It's working! Let's give it some more juice!" he said cranking the switch up sending more current through Pikachu which started glowing.

"Are you sure this won't hurt Pikachu?!" Sonic asked over the sound of the reactor.

"Positive! Fire again!"

"Thunder shock!"

Thunder shock was discharged once again.

"70.000! We're almost there!" Tails screamed cranking up the juice even more.

Pikachu however finally running out of patience started firing thunder shocks over and over, some of them hitting the generator.

"80.000! 82! 88!"

Uh Tails?!"

"Almost there! 93! 95! 97!"

"Tails! The generator!"

Tails reacted a second too late. The thunder shocks from Pikachu had weakened the generator's wall. The explosion occurred the moment Tails' finger was pressing the button to stop the current. Debris was sent all over the room. Sonic dived to grab Pikachu and shield it with his body as Tails also took cover. Once the dust settled they saw the result of their actions.

"Oh no!" Tails screamed accidentally as he got used to it over the roaring of the reactor.

The next moment the lights coming from the city entering from the ceiling windows as well as a window on the side of the room disappeared.

"No, no, no, no!" Sonic muttered as he run to that window.

"Damnit!" he screamed "we caused a blackout!"

"What? This shouldn't happen! This facility has a backup generator why isn't it on?!"

Suddenly the duo saw flashlight lights flickering from the main door's windows. Thinking fast, Sonic recalled Pikachu and grabbed a piece of debris and broke the side window as he and Tails jumped out and made a run for it.

To their luck all the guards –"they shouldn't have guards huh?" Sonic said to Tails as they run away while seeing them abandoning their posts and enter the power plant. The outside door was unlocked due to the luck of electricity. They got out and run into the woods as fast as they could not stopping even when they started running out of breath.

Eventually they got out of the woods and onto a hill with view of the darkened city. Dropping on the grass they both coughed trying to catch their breath. After finally breathing normally they laid on the grass with Pikachu coming out of its pokeball on its own and seeing the darkened city in curiosity.

"Go ahead" Tails said in disappointment "say that my idea was crazy".

"Your idea was crazy" Sonic said "but it was working. What were you thinking Pikachu?!" he snapped yelling at his pokemon.

"Pika pika! Pikachu!" it cried back at him.

"This is your fault for not letting me evolve!" a voice came out of Tails' voltmeter.

"What the..?!" Sonic and Tails said at the same time.

"Did Pikachu's voice come out of the voltmeter?" Sonic asked him confused.

"I think so" Tails said rubbing his chin "we're talking about a living creature here. A creature with electricity in its very DNA. Maybe it can communicate through the voltage readings. As to how it becomes a voice I do not know. But hey maybe you two can finally talk things out" he concluded.

Sonic was dumbfounded but wasted no time.

"What were you thinking? We were so close to finally having you learn thunderbolt!"

"I don't care about thunderbolt!" the voice came out of the voltmeter as Pikachu kept crying out its name "I want to evolve! I joined you because you said you understood me!"

"I do understand you! But we promised to take it one step at a time!"

"Yes to wherever the path leads us! And it lead us to the thunderstone! And you won't let me use it!"

"Don't you understand?! This is bigger than just evolving! You saw what that Nidoking did to our friends! Next time maybe we won't be so lucky!"

Pikachu was looking at him in rage.

"I hate you!"

Sonic's eyes widened in shock. He looked down in sadness, not seeing Pikachu in shock as well after realizing what it said.

"Maybe this was a mistake" Sonic murmured "maybe you joining me was a mistake"

"No. I'm sorry I didn't mean that".

"You did" Sonic said taking out Pikachu's pokeball intending to forcibly recall it.

"No!"

Before Sonic could press the button though a large lightning bolt landed between him and Pikachu as something bright and yellow lighted the night. Looking up they saw none other than…

"ZAPDOS!" Tails screamed in terror.

Zapdos let out a cry and unleashed another lightning bolt aimed at Sonic. He dived to dodge sending out Kadabra to fight back.

"Psybeam!"

Kadabra unleashed the psybeam but Zapdos dodged and flew closer fast as its peck shined white. Kadabra reacted before it could think creating a defensive barrier that blocked the move.

"It tried to use drill peck!" Tails said identifying the move.

"And Kadabra learned and used reflect!" Sonic said in awe.

Zapdos however continued on undeterred creating rocks out of nowhere and throwing them at the reflect breaking it and knocking out Kadabra.

"That was ancient power!" Tails said in shock "this Zapdos is too strong! We need to run!"

They attempted to run for the woods but Zapdos blocked their escape by firing another lightning bolt almost causing a fire. They were really boxed in.

"We can't risk entering the forest! A lightning bolt can easily start a fire!" Sonic said.

"Then what do we do?!" Tails asked him as Zapdos prepared another attack.

"Wartortle!" Sonic yelled as he called it out "rock tomb!"

Rock tomb connected before Zapdos could finish its attack knocking it down.

"Pikachu get out of here!" Sonic said over his shoulder to Pikachu.

Pikachu was just frozen there. Its conflicted feelings kept it from firing thunder shock to help.

Zapdos soared back up without a scratch and fired a massive lightning bolt at Wartortle knocking it back towards Sonic. It landed on top of him causing the thunder stone to roll out of his backpack and on the grass. Pikachu saw it raced for it. Zapdos used ancient power again not aimed at Sonic but at Pikachu. Pikachu dodged the attack with ease using quick attack and dived for the thunder stone.

But it was too slow.

One of the boulders fired by ancient power landed on the thunder stone and rolled away leaving behind only shards.

"Noooo!" the voice came out of the voltmeter as Pikachu cried out into the night in despair.

Zapdos observed this for a moment then got ready to launch another thunderbolt. Sonic realizing he was about to relive his dream in real life dived in front of Pikachu.

"Sonic no!" Tails screamed knowing that he wouldn't survive it.

The thunderbolt was discharged and struck Sonic head on who screamed and writhed on the ground in pain. Pikachu saw it occur with its paws on the thunder stone shards.

"Pika pi!" it cried out into the night as Tails also heard the voltmeter "not my friend!"

Pikachu used thunder shock at Zapdos who barely didn't flinch. To Tails's shock who picked up the voltmeter he saw at the screen the reading of 50000 volts in that attack. Pikachu fired thunder shock again this time causing Zapdos to stop its attack on Sonic and turn back to it. The reading this time showed 77525 volts.

"What the….?" Tails said confused as Pikachu fired a more powerful electric attack surpassing the 100000 volt mark and rising, resulting in the voltmeter breaking. Sonic who was slightly twitching from the attack saw it and painfully took out his pokedex and recorded the attack as it was fired again.

"Last move…?" He asked weakly.

"Last recorded move…. Thunderbolt".

"You did it" Sonic whispered proud.

Pikachu who had realized what happened looked in confidence at Zapdos and cried out its name again.

"Pika pi! Pikachu! Rai!" it cried out as the stone shards were absorbed into its body which started glowing causing both Sonic and Tails' eyes to widen.

They witnessed the spectacle as the ears' shape changed, the tail grew longer its body became larger. And in a moment's notice the glowing stopped.

"Raaaiiiii!" the cry echoed into the night.

"No way" Tails said "it evolved… with a broken stone!"

"Raichu" Sonic whispered as a tear left his eye.

Raichu fired a thunderbolt at Zapdos. It fired back. The thunderbolts collided and miraculously Raichu's thunderbolt broke throught damaging Zadpos. The two electric types stared at each other and, with Sonic and Tails observing wondering, exchanged small electric surges as if they were communicating. Zapdos then cried out one last time and flew towards the power plant where it fired a thunderbolt into one of the rooms causing the lights at the power plant as well as the city to be restored.

"Woah. The backup generator must have not been running. Zapdos actually powered it up for everyone. And I think Pika – I mean Raichu asked that of it".

Sonic looked at his pokemon in pride.

"Good job buddy" he whispered as his eyes closed.

When he opened his eyes he was in an apartment room lying on a bed. On his side was Raichu sleeping peacefully.

Tails came in right after.

"Oh finally you're awake. I was so worried".

"Where… where are we?"

"My cousin's place. He will be staying at his girlfriend's for today so we're good. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a train running at the speed of a plane in flight" Sonic said half joking half serious.

"How is this possible?" Tails asked rhetorically "you got struck by a thunderbolt from a legendary pokemon of lightning and survived just with feeling like that?"

"Maybe I got lucky and the current didn't go through my heart" Sonic guessed.

"Doubt it. But anyway. We should stay low for today so you can heal and the whole ordeal with the plan be forgotten".

"I agree" Sonic said in pain "hey um… did you happen to buy another voltmeter since yours broke?"

"You want me to test Raichu's power so you can break this one too?"

"I mean…"

"Relax I'm kidding. This one is better that the last one. Honestly I think I will have the time of my life here. The amount of electricity that can run through the electrical devices here is out of the charts. Anyway give me a moment" he said going to bring the voltmeter as Sonic got up.

"Hey Raichu?" he began speaking "do you forgive me for saying our encounter was a mistake?"

"Rai" it cried out in happiness as it rubbed its face on Sonic's leg accidentally zapping him again.

"Ouch. Wow that is some power" he said joking.

After Tails prepared Raichu it instructed it to strike at an electrically insulated screwdriver he also bought so that the power could be tested safely. Raichu fired the thunderbolt. A huge number appeared on the screen of the voltmeter.

"200000 VOLTS?!" Tails yelled in shock.

"Is that high?!" Sonic asked him.

"Ask your pokedex" Tails replied before falling back on an armchair in shock.

Sonic intrigued took out his pokedex and took a photo of Raichu,

"Raichu, the electric mouse pokemon. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. Raichu's tail is used as a ground to protect it from its own high voltage power. Raichu can store more than 100000 volts of electricity in its body".

"Wait" Sonic said in realization "so… if the dex says this… and the meter's reading is accurate…"

"Your Raichu is twice as strong as most others of its kind" Tails completed his phrase "it was strong enough to rival Zapdos!"

"Woah" Sonic said looking at Raichu in awe again "how can this be?" he asked Tails.

"I don't know. But it must be something about you two. Striking a ground type with electric moves and harming them, surviving a thunderbolt from Zapdos, Raichu being twice as strong… something about you two makes you a unique duo".

Sonic contemplated this thought.

"It really was destiny we met Raichu" he said kneeling down to meet it in the eyes "I'm sure of it now. Our common path is just beginning. Would you walk it with me… partner?"

Raichu hugged Sonic in joyful tears as Tails looked on.

"Yes buddy" Sonic thought "this is only the start of our adventures".

Chapter Text

Sonic and his pokemon were training at the beach as hard as they could. The time to continue their journey was upon them.

Wartortle had now mastered water pulse while it had started working together with Kadabra to make a shield and sword duo with each acting as either the shield or the sword depending on the circumstances. As for Raichu, now that it had evolved it had become much more patient and willing to try. Its speed was off the charts and the amount of electricity it released with every thunderbolt was unbelievably strong. And to Sonic's surprise, Tails' cousin whom he had hung out with twice in the days they took to rest after their adventure at the power plant and get back in shape, was also a trainer specializing in steel types. Him and Sonic had a battle which Sonic won with ease, though discovering Raichu had lost the ability to strike ground types. Tails theorized that this unique ability was a result of their bond and had now taken the form of Raichu's greater power compared to others of its kind. After his defeat, Tails' cousin offered to teach Raichu how to use iron tail to which Sonic immediately agreed. After all they would now need to reinvent themselves for when they encountered team Rocket again.

And the results were finally starting to show. Raichu had become faster and stronger than it could ever become as a Pikachu in Sonic's eyes. Iron tail would prove very useful if used consecutively while moving fast with a move like quick attack.

"Amazing work team" Sonic said as they wrapped up their training "nothing will stop us tomorrow".

They returned to Tails' cousin's home who had offered to let them stay while he stayed at his girlfriend's until Sonic would continue his journey and Tails would return to their hometown. Sonic entered the house followed by Raichu just as Tails was about to watch a movie with some chips.

"Oh there you are. How'd the training go?"

"We're ready" Sonic declared confidently "the gym leader won't know what hit them".

"You seem more than ready" Tails agreed as Sonic and Raichu joined him watching the movie.

"So what comes after defeating this gym leader?" Tails asked him while chewing a chip.

"Well" Sonic said reaching for his map "the 4th gym, in the row I'm supposed to battle them at least, is in Celadon City. Problem is, it's west of Saffron City. I don't know how safe it would be to go through Saffron city now. Team Rocket will be on high alert for me or Mike. Wonder how he's doing" he said to himself.

"Hm…" Tails said as he browsed through his phone "there is another way to Celadon but it's a long way. You see while the city was being developed long ago, wild pokemon would attack the travelers on all corners of the city for their homes had been taken to develop the city. So the people built tunnels under the city to get to or from it as well as to either lavender town at the east of Saffron or Celadon at the west. Same goes for north and south with Cerulean City and Vermillion City respectively. The parts of the tunnels that connect them to Saffron became inaccessible after an earthquake so I doubt team Rocket would be in control of them. Furthermore there is a slight issue. The tunnels don't cross. So to get to Celadon safely you will need to go to Lavender town first and go west from there through the tunnel and reach Celadon".

"I see. Well at least it's a simple walk to Lavender town. East of Vermillion then once I reach the seaside go north. How hard could it be? Anyway let's watch the movie now" Sonic said putting the chips in the middle so they could all eat. Raichu tasted one and spit it out in disgust due to the salt.

"Yeah sorry buddy should have warned you they're salty" Sonic said laughing.

"Rai" Raichu let out a cry of disgust and rolled over to rest.

The next day Sonic, Raichu and the rest of their team woke up very early, eager to go to the gym. After they had breakfast with Tails, he informed them he would come to watch their battle and bid them goodbye as he had to leave in the afternoon. Sonic felt sad at their separating as despite having a blast already on this journey missed him and Knuckles. However it was what it was.

They made their way to the gym. Sonic entered and came face to face with the gym leader.

"Well, well. Are you a challenger?" he said. Sonic thought he looked familiar.

"Are you the gym leader?"

"Yes. I'm lt surge".

"Wait really? I saw you battle the other day with someone you called Visquez".

"Ah yes the kid that walked past us. I noticed you. Finally ready to challenge me?"

"Yes I am!" Sonic declared.

"Very well. We use one pokemon each! Go Raichu!"

Raichu came out of its pokeball looking ready for battle.

"Yes" Sonic said smiling "I remember this Raichu. You used it to beat that voltorb. Very well! Come on out partner!"

Sonic's Raichu came out of its pokeball as well and stared down the other pokemon of its kind. The two stood opposite each other crying out their names, eager to attack.

"A mirror match huh? Well then. The lesson begins now!"

"Yeah" Sonic smiled in confidence "your lesson" he thought.

"Raichu mega kick!"

Surge's raichu jumped towards Sonic's raichu preparing a devastating kick.

"Quick attack" Sonic said calmly smiling.

Raichu disappeared in a blur as started running around the field to the confusion of Surge's raichu.

"Wha… how is it so fast?"

"Iron tail back to back!"

Sonic's raichu run towards Surge's raichu and used its move lowering its defense despite the low effectiveness. It then kept using quick attack and repeated the process with Surge's raichu being unable to react fast enough.

"How is this possible?"

"What's wrong surge?" Sonic said confidently and to Tails' surprise in an almost mocking way "did you evolve your raichu too fast?"

"Raichu shut that fool down! Thunderbolt!"

Surge's raichu unleashed the thunderbolt causing Sonic's Raichu to stop in its tracks as it was struck by the move. However to both surge and his raichu's shock it remained undeterred.

"Raichu!" Sonic said deciding playtime was over "show them what a real thunderbolt is!"

Raichu unleashed its full power on surge's raichu which was a stranger to being on the back pedal. That combined with Sonic's raichu's higher voltage sent surge's raichu flying out of the arena and crashing into the wall, getting knocked out in the process. Surge was at a loss for words.

"YEAH!" Sonic screamed in joy "who's the best? We're the best!"

"Rai!" Raichu cried out in symphony with its trainer.

Surge recalled Raichu and approached his opponents.

"I have lost. Congratulations. The thunder badge is yours".

"Thanks" Sonic said with a huge smile on his face.

"How did your Raichu get so strong?" Surge asked him.

Sonic and Raichu looked at its other and smiled.

"Our bond is strong".

"A riddle huh? As you wish. I don't fear tests. Good luck on your challenge" Surge said as Sonic, raichu and Tails walked out of the gym.

"Ha. A riddle. Can you believe that guy?" Sonic said "he thinks I was being cryptic".

"I mean… that is all anyone would assume" Tails said not as joyful as his friend.

"Something wrong pal?"

"No. It's just…"

"Hey cheer up. Everything's going perfectly!" Sonic said without letting Tails finish his phrase.

While taking a walk through the city before splitting up for Tails to go to the airport and Sonic to go east, they came across a guy wearing a purple shirt, spiky brown hair and girls following him around. He radiated with a sense of arrogance.

"Wow" Sonic said barely holding a laugh "look at this guy. All high and mighty".

"Not the only one" Tails murmured.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing. Was just making a note to self, Sonic".

"Sonic?" the boy that walked past them said loudly turning around.

"You're the one my grandpa was talking to the day I got my first pokemon".

Sonic looked at him confused for a moment before remembering a talk he had with professor Oak the day after he had caught abra.

"You're Gary right?"

"Yes I am. The one and only. Future best trainer in the whole world".

Sonic was disgusted by his overconfidence thinking of his enemy back home. He managed to stay calm and smiling.

"I see. Well nice meeting you. See you around" Sonic said to Tails' surprise and turned to leave.

"Hey don't turn your back on me!"

"I'm not turning my back on anyone. We were just hanging out me and I stopped because you called out to me" Sonic answered calmly angering Gary.

"Heh, You're not fooling me. You're a trainer as well. You're afraid of battling with me".

"Me? Afraid of you? Please" Sonic answered back causing Gary's fans to gasp.

"All right spikehead! You have it coming now! Go growlithe!"

Growlithe emerged from Gary's pokeball and roared a small cry.

"Oh how cute. My turn. Go Wartortle!"

Wartortle emerged and stood opposite growlithe.

"Growlithe use bite!"

Growlithe jumped towards Wartortle.

"Wait" Sonic said apparently to himself "wait… now! Water pulse!"

Wartortle's move launched right before growlithe's fangs sank into Wartortle's skin. It was blasted back and knocked out.

"Had enough?" Sonic asked in a now mocking tone.

"Why you! Go eevee!"

"Fine by me. Rock tomb!"

"Eevee! Use swift!"

Eevee released a barrage of stars that countered the rock tomb.

"Now quick attack!"

Eevee dashed at Wartortle and headbutted it causing minimal damage.

"Predictable" Sonic said "bite!"

Wartortle bit eevee and caused it to cry out in pain before throwing it back at Gary's side knocked out as well.

"Last chance to spare yourself" Sonic taunted Gary.

"Grrr. You're pay for this! Eye for an eye! Go wartortle!"

Sonic, who was at first amused by Gary's overconfidence now had started getting bored.

"Wartortle return" he said returning it "go Raichu!"

"A raichu?! You coward! Bring that Wartortle back out and fight like a man!"

"I'm no coward. I'm simply saving my time".

"Saving your time?"

"Yeah. Cause you're a waste of it".

Tails gasped along with Gary's fans this time.

"What's gotten into him?" he wondered silently but already knew the answer.

"I had enough of you!" Gary yelled angry "wartortle use water gun!"

Wartortle fired water at Raichu which dodged.

"Iron tail" Sonic ordered.

Raichu attacked but Wartortle retreated into its shell rolling to the side causing the attack to miss. Sonic, not expecting this was unable to react fast enough as Gary ordered Wartortle to bite Raichu. Raichu cried out in pain angering Sonic.

"Raichu! Playtime is over! Use thunderbolt! Blow that piece of trash OUT OF THE FIGHT!"

Raichu's electricity discharged sending Wartortle flying into Gary, resulting in his defeat and making him feel embarrassed. Sonic walked past raichu and slowly approached him. Gary who was looking at his Wartortle in shock looked at Sonic in anger.

"Next time, think twice before picking a fight" Sonic said calmly yet in a somewhat menacing tone. He then turned around and walked back to Tails as raichu followed.

"Am I the best or am I the best?" he asked Tails with his hands behind his head as if he was stretching.

Tails however didn't respond.

"You ok?"

"Sonic what's wrong with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look into my eyes and tell me you knew you were fighting a random kid you just met and not Shadow".

Sonic's eyes widened in anger.

"Why did you say that name?!" he asked in anger.

"Because you're becoming like him!"

"Me?!"

"Yes you! You trash-talked Gary like there was no tomorrow!"

"He brought this on himself".

Tails almost averted his gaze from his friend.

"Look Sonic. I know you started this journey as a way to grow as a person. But you're growing for the wrong reasons".

Sonic didn't answer.

"Look I have to go soon, my flight will leave soon and the airport is not close. Please promise me you will try to restrain yourself. Don't take Amy's words to heart. You don't need to assert your dominance. Shadow will never be as great as you are, even in a hundred years. Amy will realize it one day too".

Sonic's eyes were filled with a spark Tails had seen before.

"You mean…"

"No Sonic. I'm not saying you should grab the opportunity then. Regardless of whether she understands how much you're really worth, you shouldn't go for her. At least not as long as she is the person she is".

Sonic remained silent.

"Do you promise Sonic?"

"I… I will.. I will try".

Tails knew he didn't mean it yet but forced a smile.

"Try your hardest ok?"

The two then walked around town for a while longer until finally it was time for Tails to leave. As the duo hugged Tails asked his friend not to forget his promise. Sonic again didn't convince him but Tails pretended not to notice. After the two bid goodbye, Sonic headed east towards the shoreline so he would then turn north towards lavender town. However after turning to the north he saw a small crowd blocking the way forward. As the path was becoming narrower, Sonic passed through them trying to get to the front. When he got to the front he finally saw what was causing the problem; a Snorlax had fallen asleep on the path blocking it. An officer turned to the crowd and used a megaphone to address them.

"The road will remain closed until we can safely remove the Snorlax. Please go back to town. This will could take a long time".

"Damnit" Sonic thought "now what?"

"Rai?" raichu looked at him.

After going back to open space behind the crowd Sonic took out the map to see if there was another way.

"Hm… there is another path through the mountains. But we will have to go back to Cerulean city and then east from there. And there is also a tunnel" he said thinking.

"Rai?"

"I know. Not the best choice. But this Snorlax could take days to move. With the path being this narrow any wrong move could send it, the officers and anyone else close tumbling down into the ocean. Well not a lot to consider. Come on partner. Who knows. Maybe we will encounter that Moltres again".

"Rai rai!" Raichu cried out in excitement eager for a proper match with that bird.

After returning to Vermillion and buying resources for their journey they headed north and this time used the tunnel to go under Saffron city. After exiting the tunnel they reached Cerulean city and immediately headed east. As they approached the entry of the valley, they were oblivious to the sharp glare of something –was it a human or a pokemon? - watching them from afar.

Chapter Text

Sonic and raichu were walking through the valley heading towards the rock tunnel at the end, both in high spirits.

They had encountered several trainers along the way defeating them all with ease. Several wild pokemon also blocked their path from time to time including a couple of onix but with an iron tail from raichu and a water pulse from wartortle they had fled in fear. Sonic felt powerful at the sight of the two gigantic rock snakes fleeing.

"Nothing can stop us" he thought to himself.

While walking through the valley he heard an explosion behind him far away. Turning in surprise he saw a hot air balloon in the shape of a meowth head fly fast towards the valley. Its side had been pierced and the hot air was leaving fast. The balloon crash landed in front of him and raichu blocking the path. Out of the wreckage rolled 3 familiar faces.

"That certainly was a strong blast off" a male voice was heard.

"You!" Sonic said in anger.

Jessie and James, who was holding an almost fainted meowth looked at the direction the voice came from and saw a very angry Sonic and his raichu next to him. Horrified they crouched back.

"Please don't!" Jessie said in fear.

"We're beaten already. Please, I can't take any more electricity today!" James begged Sonic.

"Yes please!" meowth also begged "that pikachu was too much already!"

Sonic contemplated making sure they would be out of commission for a while so they wouldn't try to steal more pokemon but sighed, deeming them not a real threat.

"Raichu. Thunderbolt"

"Nooooo!" Jessie and James screamed covering their faces.

Raichu discharged its thunderbolt sending it towards the sky. Team Rocket looked confused as Sonic walked past them calm. After a few steps Sonic heard sirens behind him as well as the 3 criminals panicking.

"Hopefully the police will contain them this time, if they catch them of course" he thought to himself.

Raichu looked up to him.

"Rai"

"Man" Sonic thought "that voltmeter was useful in understanding raichu. Unless the situation is obvious, it's going to take a long time before I start realizing what it means.

"Rai" raichu cried out again as it mimicked a pikachu's movements.

"Wait. Are you wondering about the Pikachu those 3 idiots mentioned?"

"Rai" raichu cried out shaking its head positively.

"Yes. Kind of reminds me of us a few days ago. Who knows. Maybe we will meet that Pikachu and its trainer on our journey" Sonic said.

After about another hour of walking they came across a river. Stopping to rest for a while, Sonic sent out Wartortle and Kadabra to rest as well as he laid on the grass and looked at the clouds. One of the clouds reminded him of Amy.

"No damnit. Stop thinking about her" he thought angry "Tails is right. Shadow will never be as awesome as me. When she sees it her heart will break. I'm sure of it" he said as he daydreamed of it.

He came out of his daydream hearing a wild pokemon cry. His pokemon also heard the cry. Sonic followed the river towards the cry. Hiding behind a rock, both him and his pokemon saw a blue colored pokemon drinking from the river.

"Woah is that a nidorina? That must be a powerful one. Wild evolved forms are usually strong" he thought as he recalled how he had lied to that doctor about encountering a wild charmeleon.

"Maybe I should catch it" he thought to himself taking out a pokeball and looking at his team.

"Ok guys here's the plan. I will try to catch it without battling first. There's a good chance it won't get caught. Kadabra, if it breaks out, I want you to confuse it so it won't flee and we won't have to chase it. Wartortle get in the water. If things go south, come out and begin the battle. Raichu with me if it comes to it. Am I clear?" Sonic asked them.

They all nodded positively. Sonic aimed at the pokemon and threw the ball striking it in the back and catching it by surprise. The ball wiggled 3 times. Sonic was about to order Kadabra to confuse the poison type pokemon so as to prevent it from realizing the pickle it was in. Instead however the ball stopped wiggling and the successful catch sound was heard.

"Huh that was easy" Sonic said smiling.

Him and raichu as well as wartortle and kadabra approached the pokeball. Sonic sent out the pokemon, intending on having his team approach it first to make it feel safe. The pokemon came out and looked at Sonic and his team in fear and took a defensive stance. As raichu and the 2 other pokemon started talking to it, Sonic couldn't help but notice something quirky about it.

"Huh. That's strange. I thought nidorina didn't have a horn. And… why is it on 4 legs? I'm pretty sure nidorinas prefer to sit on 2 legs most of the time" he said slowly rubbing his chin.

Nidorina having finished conversing with Sonic's pokemon slowly approached Sonic. Sonic knelt to meet its eyes. Nidorina looked at it and cried out its name.

"Nido. Nido. Nidorino".

Sonic's eyes widened in shock.

"Did it just cry out Nidorino?!"

He composed himself again and smiled as he pet the pokemon who continued staring at him despite resisting closing its eyes to the touch.

"Good to have you on my team little one" Sonic said calmly as he decided they would set camp next to the river for the night before heading to the tunnel.

After making a campfire and deciding to roast some marshmallows for the night, Sonic looked at his pokemon playing with their new friend. Sonic wanted to think they were playing with nidorino but decided to call his brother not only to catch up but also to tell him about this strange encounter. He took out his phone and facetimed.

"Good evening champion in the making" Jet joked.

"Hehe. Hey there bro" Sonic said.

"Tails arrived a few minutes ago. Run into him while jogging. He told me about your battle. And about your raichu. So sick I'm jealous" Jet said.

"Yeah I'm proud of it" Sonic answered "so um, I caught another pokemon earlier today"

"Yo! Slow down there" Jet joked "the tournament is still a long time from now".

"I know. But there is something strange about it".

"What do you mean?"

"Well I thought it was a nidorina. I mean I've seen it in pictures so I thought I identified it. But when I got close and personal with it… it cried out nidorino".

Sonic saw Jet's eyes widen in shock and a moment later the camera became blurry and then black as Jet dropped the phone. Picking it back up, Sonic was surprised to see his brother borderlining on a panic attack.

"Woah, woah. You ok?" Sonic asked.

"Do me… do me a favor" Jet said trying to be calm.

"Tell me".

"Scan it.. with your dex… it can't be…" he said to himself in the end.

Sonic still not understanding what the big deal was took out his dex and scanned his new pokemon as he took a bite from his marshmallow. The dex analyzed the pokemon and started speaking.

"Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon. The evolved form of the male Nidoran. Its highly developed horn is extremely powerful".

A picture of nidorino was also shown on the pokedex's screen. Unlike Sonic's nidorino the picture showed a purple one. Sonic and Jet, through the phone call, saw it at the same time. Jet exclaimed in shock and tripped on the side of his bed falling to the ground causing Sonic to almost choke on his marshmallow.

"Dude you ok?" Sonic asked him now totally confused.

"Sonic!" he screamed in a combination of excitement, shock and disbelief "you found a shiny!"

"A what?"

"A shiny! A different colored version of a pokemon!"

"Different colored?" Sonic said intrigued.

"Yes! They're extremely rare! Analysts say the odds of actually encountering a shiny pokemon is 1 in 8192!"

"What?!"

"You possess one of the rarest nidorinos in the world!"

Sonic looked at his nidorino in awe.

"A shiny…"

"Yeah! Tell me you will raise it to a nidoking!"

"Of course I will. That's what I caught it for. And plus. It would be cool to give team rocket a taste of their own medicine. Nidoking's part ground. So their poison types will fall even easier".

The rest of the phone call was about the two brothers commenting on the rarity of the newly caught Nidorino as well as Sonic learning about shinies from Jet, being very intrigued by the concept. After about 2 hours, Jet hang up to go to bed as Sonic laid by the campfire while his pokemon curled and also fell asleep. Sonic looked at the blue nidorino still taking in how cool the idea of a shiny pokemon was.

The next morning after both Sonic and his team woke up he decided to test nidorino's strength and moves to see what he could learn to become an even more versatile pokemon. After a few rounds of moves Sonic witnessed his new shiny team member knowing poison sting, horn attack, double kick and leer. Though double kick would now give them an advantage over steel and ice types, the face that it didn't know any ground moves worried Sonic a bit but decided to remember his rule of one step at a time. After that they continued their way reaching the rock tunnel after a while.

"Hm…" Sonic said as he sat near the entrance of the tunnel "too dark. Not this time" he said as he took out a flashlight. Opening it to illuminate the path he proceeded forward.

The results of the flashlight were imminent. They started getting jumped by wild pokemon. Sonic deciding he didn't have the patience to battle them all one by one, sent out all of his pokemon and ordered them to cover him as they proceeded forward. Raichu took the lead, kadabra the rear, and nidorino and wartortle the sides. Sonic was pleased to see them repelling the wild pokemon so efficiently. Nidorino was also proving to be quite strong. Just like the pokedex explained, its horn attack was very strong.

After a lot of battles with wild pokemon and a couple of battles with lost trainers who Sonic was kind enough to allow them to follow him towards the exit, they all reached the end of the tunnel. The bright light once again blinded Sonic for a while. The trainers thanked him and went on their way. Sonic recalled his team apart from raichu and kept going for a while more finally reaching lavender town. He immediately got an feeling of uneasiness just by being in the town, especially by the big tower at the mountain foot. While sitting to get some lunch with his team with him getting a burger and his pokemon some pokemon food, he asked the waiter what that tower was.

"Oh that. Well… it's a pokemon graveyard. Trainers from all around the region come here to put their pokemon to rest. I hope you never have to visit" he said after bringing Sonic his burger.

Sonic regretted asking. He looked at the tower.

"I hope that too" he thought chewing.

After lunch, while heading to the west exit of the city, Sonic heard voices from a run-down building. Recalling raichu and approaching slowly, crouching at the same time to not be seen he saw 2 team Rocket grunts discussing.

"Are you sure this a good idea?"

"I don't know if it's a good idea all I know is that boss wants us to catch ghost type pokemon that live in the tower".

"What's with him desiring ghost types all of a sudden?"

"How exactly will we take over saffron city completely you moron? If team Rocket attempts it as we are there is a high chance the city gym leader will come to the city's aid. And you know she wields psychic types".

"Yeah. They are one major weakness".

"Exactly. Boss needs powerful ghost types to even the odds".

"But we still can't execute the plan. Not without the scope".

"Boss said he will examine it first. After he gives the ok, the silph co will mass produce them for us".

"I see. But how long will that take? I get the chills just by being here".

"As long as we need. Boss is multitasking right now. Overseeing the completion of the new base in Celadon city" –Sonic almost gasped hearing this but covered his mouth to stop himself – "and awaiting the prototype. Probably by the end of this week will have the ok".

"A week here?" the grunt complained. Sonic crouched away and run outside the town. He had heard everything he needed to hear. The hideout was in Celadon. He wished he had exchanged phone numbers with Mike to let him know.

"Best thing we can do is train and then invade the base. But I need nidorino to learn something good first".

Thinking quickly he called Tails.

"Hey Sonic" Tails answered without any color in his voice. He seemed distant.

"Hey Tails. Quick question. Does you cousin know of any pokemon move tutors in Celadon city?"

"You already there?" still no color in his voice.

"Not yet. But team Rocket has a base there. I'm planning to raid it but I will need the new addition to my team to learn a good move. More specifically a ground move" he said unveiling his new shiny nidorino.

"Fascinating" Tails said somewhat intrigued "I'll call my cousin to see if he knows anyone, after he is the one who lives there".

"Tails why are you this cold?"

"Have you considered my words?"

"Is that what this is about?"

"Did you?"

"Tails I'm telling you…"

"Did you?"

Sonic sighed.

"I did".

"And?"

"Look I'm not like Shadow ok? I'm just becoming more confident that's all".

"Real confidence doesn't need flaunting Sonic. Neither does it require to show off. I hope you realize it soon. I'll call you back in a while" Tails said hanging up. Sonic clenched his fist in frustration.

"I'll show you" he thought as he sent raichu back out so they could go on their way to Celadon city.

Chapter Text

Sonic and raichu exited the tunnel passing underneath Saffron city and continued on their way, Celadon city now within their reach. Tails' words echoed in his head.

"Confidence doesn't need flaunting" Sonic thought "way to contradict yourself buddy".

They reached the top of the hill and as the path took a decline Celadon city appeared before their eyes. As the duo of partners made their way down, Sonic continued to fight with his rampant thoughts.

"If you can't show your awesomeness, how do you even show your confidence? Tails is wrong. He has to be. When I go home Amy will regret choosing Shadow. He will never be as awesome as me. We will train hard, crash team Rocket and just for fun take home the league tournament trophy" he thought to himself imagining returning to his hometown, winner of the tournament, Amy's face full of admiration and Shadow's face full of jealousy.

"They'll see. I'll show them".

While entering the town they received a message from Tails.

"Head to address at the end of this message. There you will find one mr Fuji. He was a pokemon researcher in the past. Nowdays he tutors pokemon and trainers. He doesn't do it for free. You will be tested".

At the end of the message was the address. Tails usually joked in his messages. Not in this one.

"I'll show you too. I'm nothing like Shadow" Sonic thought as he and raichu who had started to notice his trainer's bad attitude.

Reaching the address he rang the bell but no one answered the door. Walking to the back of the house he saw an old man giving food to pokemon in small dishes. Turning around he saw Sonic and smiled gently.

"Good evening young man. What can I help you with?"

"Are you mr Fuji?"

"That would be correct. Am I to assume your pokemon need tutoring?"

"Yes".

"Very well then. Send them out".

Sonic sent out kadabra, wartortle and his shiny nidorino which to his surprise sparkled when coming out of its ball. Mr fuji observed them and raichu.

"Yes. They seem happy with you… and strong for their time as partners to a trainer. This one seems distant" he said pointing at nidorino.

"Caught it yesterday" Sonic explained.

"I see. Do you need some specific tutoring?"

"I was wondering if there is a way to teach a ground move to nidorino".

"Hm… usually the nidoran species and their evolutions learn ground moves by observing pokemon who learn them naturally. Like rhydon. However only 3 ground moves have been recorded so far. Mud slap, dig and earthquake. Now unfortunately for you earthquake is a very powerful move. At this point even if your nidorino was to learn it, the attack wouldn't do much. So that leaves only mud slap and dig".

"I see" Sonic said in deep thought "well I'll need a moment to think about it. Is it possible in the meantime that kadabra can learn any move other than its typing?"

"It can learn a plethora of moves".

"Hm…" Sonic hummed thinking of possibilities. He recalled the discussion the rocket grunts had in lavender town and remembered the weakness of psychic types.

"How about a ghost move?"

"Yes. It can learn shadow ball".

"That's one good attack. So um… how does this work now? Do I pay you for it? or…?"

"I don't take money from trainers for this. But before I teach any moves to either of your pokemon you will need to pass a trial for each move you want to learn".

Sonic realized what Tails meant when he said he would be tested.

"What sort of trial?"

"That depends on the kind of moves you want your pokemon to learn. For example you want your nidorino to learn a ground move. I want you to…" he began saying until a girl run past Sonic and to mr Fuji holding a cubone in her hands.

"Reina you found him! Where did the little guy go this time?"

"He tried to get to Lavender mr Fuji. But he got lost and instead run into a snorlax blocking the road on the west of the city. Had I not calmed it and brought it back, the snorlax could have possibly woken up and attacked".

"I see" mr Fuji said in a serious tone "there is not point keeping him here any longer. Take him to my house in Lavender for the time being".

"But sir while he stayed there he was agitated".

"I know. I'll join you soon. In fact your timing of bringing the news about the snorlax is spot on" he said turning back to Sonic, whom Reina only then realized was there.

"Pardon me young man my manners have completely eluded me this whole time. This is Reina. She helps me in the pokemon shelter I have in Lavender town".

Sonic's green eyes turned to Reina who blushed.

"I'm Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog".

"R-Reina" she said offering her slightly trembling hand to a handshake.

"Sonic, while I know I said you would need to pass one trial per move you wanted to learn I think I will give you a grand trial instead. Rid the road off snorlax and I will help tutor your pokemon to any moves you need now and anytime you need me to".

Sonic was caught off guard by this proposal. Free move tutoring for his pokemon? "Don't mind if I do" he thought.

"Consider it done sir" he said smiling and recalled his pokemon motioning raichu to follow him.

"Let's get this done quick" he said in excitement "new moves are calling for us!"

"Rai!" raichu cried out in excitement as well.

Just 20 steps outside of town Sonic saw it. The snorlax blocking the path. While it was not as bad as the snorlax from the seaside he had encountered the day before, it was still a problem. While people could walk around it through the trees, vehicles couldn't. Deciding to take action before the authorities came and woke it up themselves, he sent out kadabra.

"Alright kadabra. Confuse this chungus so he gets off the path! Confusion!"

Kadabra used its move but it had little effect on Snorlax.

"Hm… maybe you can't confuse it because it's sleeping? Ok then let's wake it up! Raichu blast it with thunderbolt!"

Raichu discharged but the electricity looked like it barely tickled the snorlax as it merely moved a bit probably cause of reflex reaction and continued sleeping. Sonic was dumbfounded.

"Ok. This could be a bigger problem than I expected" he said as he went to the foot of a tree and sat in the shade to think.

"Snorlax has great defenses. More specifically its special defense is sky high. Us being special attackers won't help much. Wait a minute not all of us!" he said remembering his new shiny catch.

"Nidorino come on out! Double kick!"

Nidorino kicked snorlax twice but it barely damaged it.

"Damnit of course. You're not very strong yet. Ok. Use poison sting. Maybe the poison will wake it up".

Nidorino used its move resulting in a big fat nothing as the fur was thick and no poison could be administered.

"Scratch that too" Sonic said hitting the ground in frustration "ok new plan. Kadabra lift nidorino above snorlax. Nidorino use double kick while falling. The impact will be greater if we add your weight to the total power of the move".

They executed the plan and Snorlax let out a small roar in its sleep, as Nidorino landed on its side.

"We're getting there" Sonic said smiling.

His smile was short lived however as Snorlax turned in its sleep to a face down position resulting in Nidorino being stuck underneath it. Raichu and Kadabra rushed to help it, pulling with all of raichu's strength and kadabra's growing psychic power, freeing it after a while as Sonic hit the ground again in frustration.

"Does nothing work on this thing?!"

An hour later having tried all the combos he could think, both him and his pokemon were lying on the ground almost ready to give up. Sonic was just lying there feeling defeated. His pokemon on the other hand were ready to faint. Snorlax had used sleep talk a couple of times and headbutted them roughly.

"We have tried everything and nothing works" Sonic said slowly while looking at the clouds as the sky began turning dark" what now?"

"You ok there?" a voice was heard.

Sonic lifted his head and saw Reina approach.

"Oh it's you. Reina right?" he said lying back down.

"Yeah. Everything ok?"

"Do we look ok? And worst of all I went and said consider it done".

Reina laughed. Sonic felt embarrassed not realizing Reina was not laughing because she found it funny but rather cute.

"Yeah yeah, go ahead laugh it up" he said "after what I said" he got up stretching as he had begun feeling numb from laying down for so long "I totally deserve it".

Reina laughed for a little bit more.

"Ok I'm sorry. It was a little funny though".

"How come you're here?"

"Well mr Fuji actually sent me to check on you".

"I see. Go ahead and tell him I failed. This thing will not budge".

Reina knew that was what she had to do but something told her not to do it just yet.

"How about you and your pokemon just take a break instead? I mean… mr Fuji never gave you a deadline".

"He didn't. But soon someone will contact the authorities and they will move the snorlax themselves".

"Oh no they won't. They've tried. It's been there for a few weeks".

"Woah what? This is serious trouble" Sonic said remembering the other Snorlax "there is another Snorlax blocking the way on the east coast. It's on a very narrow path. With Saffron city being kind of unsafe due to team Rocket, rock tunnel is the only actual way to get to this city… and it's not for vehicles".

"Yeah it's been like that for a while. How about you join me for dinner? You can try again tomorrow for the Snorlax. That way I can tell you also why the Snorlax has been there".

"…ok".

After recalling his pokemon and healing them in the pokemon center, Reina took Sonic to a local hot dog stand. She got a normal hot dog but Sonic asked for chilli sauce on his own – "hot dogs are nice but chilli dogs are a no brainer for me" he explained with a smile – sat down at a park bench to eat them.

"Isn't it hot?" she asked him.

"It is. But I like spicy" he said enjoying the familiar taste "so why hasn't anyone moved the Snorlax already? I was in Vermillion recently and attempted to travel to Lavender town by going north following the coastline but a Snorlax was blocking a narrow path so I had to find another way. The authorities were already there preventing people from proceeding".

"There have been sightings of strange activity in town lately. Some say it's connected to team Rocket. So the authorities are working tirelessly to find any lead to make sure it's not team Rocket and if it is, stop them before their plans reach completion".

"I see. Makes some sense actually. Snorlax can be quite dangerous. I doubt they would not make it their priority to move it if there wasn't something bigger in play. Come to think of it I didn't even try to catch it instead of forcibly moving it. Though it could prove to be more of a liability than an asset if all it does is sleep".

"You could try it tomorrow. You don't have to keep it if you don't want to. Speaking of which…what will your pokemon eat for the night?" Reina asked Sonic.

"I guess food from the market. I have some in my backpack".

Reina contemplated for a moment.

"Maybe um… they would prefer some home-made food for once?"

"Home-made?" Sonic asked in surprise.

"I mean… if you of course want to… you're their trainer… I'm just making a lot of homemade pokemon food with my mom for mr Fuji's shelter in Lavender town… just saying".

Sonic kept his face calm but on the inside he was racking his brain.

"Team Rocket is literally in town and she is just willing to open her house to a random stranger she met a few hours ago?" he wondered but in the end relented.

"If I'm no burden to you or your mother… I'd be honored".

"Great" Reina said as her face lit up "follow me".

Sonic couldn't comprehend why all that kindness and excitement but followed her regardless.

A few hours later after meeting Reina's parents, making himself comfortable and feeding his pokemon, he decided it was time to go to sleep. Lying in the guests room he kept contemplating how to move the Snorlax, whether trying to catch it would work and if he caught it what he'd do with it.

"Snorlax is indeed powerful" Sonic thought "but it sleeps a lot. Imagine sending it in battle and it just goes down cause it won't wake up. It does have the sleep talk move but it still didn't always work when we were attacking it".

His phone suddenly began ringing. Jolting up as to not wake Reina or her parents he grabbed it and accepted the facetime call before even reading the name on the screen.

"Hey Sonic".

"What the… Knuckles? Why are you calling so late? Is something wrong?"

"Does something have to be wrong to check on my friend?"

"Ok you make a fair point. I'm ok. Just resting".

"Spoke to Tails earlier".

"Are you gonna lecture me about my growing confidence too?"

He could tell Knuckles was caught off guard. Sonic usually was a calmer person.

"No. I'm happy your confidence is building up. Tails is too. But I think his concerns are not without good reason".

"You said this is not a lecture but it sounds like one".

"Ok ok I'm stopping. So how did it go with the tutor?"

Sonic hated how Knuckles had changed the subject like nothing had happened. He didn't like leaving jobs half finished. He sighed.

"Haven't gotten around to it yet. My payment for his services as a tutor is to move a Snorlax that is blocking the street outside of town. I have been trying all evening and it didn't budge. More than that it knocked almost everyone on my team out cold".

Knuckles listened to his friend rumble on about all he tried remaining calm. Sonic could also swear he heard typing from Knuckles' end of the line. After Sonic was done explaining all of his efforts, Knuckles started talking again.

"So this path didn't work. Try another one then".

"You serious?" Sonic said trying as hard as he could not to rage "I told you I tried so many combos already nothing worked".

"Yes. The path of battling didn't work. So try another path".

Sonic realized what Knuckles meant and relaxed but still remained confused.

"If battling is not the answer… what is?"

"This is where me and Tails come in".

"Knuckles no. This is my trial. The question was rhetorical".

At that moment Tails joined the facetime call.

"So now you won't accept help from us?" he asked.

"T-Tails?" Sonic said in confusion.

"I had joined the facetime for a while, just not activated my mic or my camera" he explained still cold. Sonic felt a bit saddened that Tails was still like it.

"Knuckles texted me the problem. While you were rumbling about what you tried and didn't work, I researched Snorlax. I found and downloaded this melody".

A message was received by Sonic on their chat screen.

"Do NOT play it right now. It's a pokeflute melody. I don't guarantee it will work but it's a pointer towards the right direction".

"You see pokeflutes are used to soothe pokemon's souls. And they also can awaken a sleeping pokemon like Snorlax. Play it close to Snorlax and it should wake up. Though as Tails said because it won't be a real pokeflute it may not work and you will have to find a real one".

Sonic was engulfed in a barrage of emotions. He felt grateful for his friends, stupid that he didn't get to find the answer on his own, weak, that he had to rely on his friends for that, excited at the prospect of his pokemon learning new moves and worried that mr Fuji wouldn't accept the completion of the trial because it wasn't the proper way all at the same time.

"Why are you helping me?" he asked them.

"Why else?" Knuckles said.

"Maybe because we're your friends and care about you?" Tails said, a bit of frustration towards Sonic in his voice which Sonic noticed. He felt that Tails being not cold but rather a bit of mad at him was better than being totally cold.

"We have to go. It's really late. Don't lose yourself in your growth Sonic" Knuckles said and both he and Tails hang up at the same time. Sonic wanted to call them back and ask them what they meant but decided it against it resorting to sleep, hoping it would calm the raging sea of emotions inside him. He looked at raichu sleeping peacefully next to the bed.

"Not lose myself in my growth" he repeated in his head as he remembered Amy's words.

"Shadow knows how to assert his dominance. And you? Anything but that. You really didn't know me if you thought I would like you".

"Myself was a loser" Sonic thought despite knowing his friends wouldn't approve of this thought "what would be so bad about losing him if it meant growing into something better?" he wondered as he let himself drift to sleep.

Chapter Text

Sonic woke up to the rays of the sun hitting his face. Blinking he looked around and remembered where he was and what had transpired last night. He checked his phone. The melody sent by Tails was still there, ready to be put to good use.

"Hopefully they're awake already" Sonic thought as he got up.

Checking his outfit he noticed it was washed, dried and ironed. Next to it was a message.

"I asked mom to make your outfit brand new. I'll be on the shelter in Lavender so if I don't see you good luck with the Snorlax. Wink".

"Wink?" Sonic thought confused "Nah. Either she's just being nice and I'm paranoid, or she just joking".

Walking downstairs he encountered Reina's mom who greeted him warmly. Refusing to let him go without treating him and his team to a good breakfast, Sonic agreed. After eating so much that he thought the Snorlax would think him to be one of its kind, Sonic thanked Reina's mom and headed back to the east exit of the town. Just as he expected, the Snorlax was still there.

"Hope this works" he murmured playing the melody in his phone. It worked better than he expected. The Snorlax unexpectedly woke up and started attacking him and raichu in a grumpy rage.

"Shit!" he thought as he dodged the headbutts causing Snorlax to knock berries of the trees "raichu iron tail!"

Raichu attacked exactly as Snorlax charged causing heavy damage to the Snorlax but also sending raichu flying and crashing into a tree. Snorlax waved its head around in pain and rushed off, each step causing a small rumbling on the ground. Sonic approached Raichu in fear it was injured. Thankfully it was nothing a visit to the pokemon center couldn't heal. As he turned to leave he saw several wild pokemon coming slowly out of the woods to feast on the berries. The happy faces brought a smile to his face.

After healing his pokemon at the local center he went to report his success to mr Fuji. His backyward was empty so Sonic decided to sent out his pokemon to train on their own as they waited. Mr Fuji arrived about 15 minutes later.

"Oh Sonic my boy. Am I to assume you have successfully freed the road from the snorlax?"

"Yes sir. Road's clear".

"From what I hear though you had outside help in achieving this" he said as his face turned serious.

Sonic did his best to remain calm but on the inside he was filled with shock and a bit of anger thinking Reina had heard of his chat with his friends and told mr Fuji.

"Though you did do what I asked, you used the melody of a pokeflute from your phone. What I was hoping you would do is to find out you needed a pokeflute to wake it up, then come borrow mine".

"I.. I didn't know you had one sir".

"But Reina did tell me" – Sonic was expecting to hear that she told mr Fuji his friends had helped him – "that you tried really hard with your pokemon. Your bond with them is obviously strong. You may have a lot to learn but I think you're worth my help".

"Thank you sir" Sonic said with a smile in the end, relieved he hadn't screwed his chance up.

"So what would you like your pokemon to learn?"

They spend the next few minutes with Sonic deciding what his pokemon would need for his upcoming mission in dealing with team Rocket, though he didn't reveal his plan to mr Fuji, and resulted in the following moves; raichu would learn brick break as Sonic thought its speed would put it in a unique position to land that move unexpectedly with devastating consequences, wartortle would learn ice beam which Sonic believed would be a good attack no one would expect, kadabra would be taught to use its psychic powers to launch the attack psychic early as mr Fuji deemed it strong enough to learn the move as it was a well as shadow ball for future use and last but not least Sonic decided his shiny nidorino would learn mud-slap which wasn't as strong as dig but Sonic knowing team Rocket would play by the rules didn't want to leave himself open to a direct attack from a pokemon until nidorino was done digging the tunnel and attack from below. While his pokemon were learning their moves, Sonic decided to walk around town for a while in an effort to locate the base of team Rocket.

After an hour of walking around he had only achieved in locating the 4th gym which he had told himself he would tackle after kicking team Rocket out of town. However apart from that there was no sign of unusual activity. Before returning to mr Fuji's house however Sonic remembered something he saw close to the city's game corner which in all actuality was a smaller scale casino with slot machines. Deciding to return there one more time before going to pick up his pokemon from their training, he climbed a pipe up to the top of the building opposite the game corner and waited. And as if on cue he saw a familiar woman come out of the game corner.

"Ariana!" he thought in terror "so this place is their base".

Rushing back to mr Fuji's house he found his pokemon having picked up their moves perfectly. Reina was also there. Sonic took back the pokeballs and recalled the pokemon, thanking mr Fuji. Before he could leave however Reina approached him.

"Hey wait. Why the rush?"

"I don't have time" Sonic said rather rudely but she insisted.

"Come on what is it?"

"The less you know the safer you'll be" Sonic warned her and attempted to rush to the game corner but finding his way blocked by Reina.

"What do you mean safer?"

"I told you I can't tell you Reina. Get out of my way".

"After literally opening my house to you it's the least you can do".

Sonic was about to relent but decided against it.

"Give me a couple of hours ok? I'll explain after. I promise" he said putting his hand on her shoulder causing her to blush. She nodded letting him go.

Sonic rushed to the game corner. Knowing that the entrance was inside he put on an improvised disguise of a hat wore reversely and sunglasses to pass of as a supposed cool guy. Walking inside he was deafened by the blasting music and discomforted by the low lighting. Walking through the slot machines he approached the bar and sat down asking for a drink. The bartender passing him off for an adult brought him a drink. Sonic pretended to drink as he let it sip to the floor knowing no one would see due to the lighting.

Looking around as best as he could through his sunglasses he noticed a staff door. Knowing he had to be sure, he took out an ice cube from his drink and after making sure no one was watching threw it at the staff door. No one noticed or heard but the result was the desired one; a staff member opened the door slightly to check what had hit it before being dragged back inside forcibly. Sonic noticed the staff member was wearing a hat with an R on it.

"Got you" he whispered in determination getting off his seat.

Approaching the staff door slowly he realized he needed a distraction first. Going up to the bar again he picked up his drink and threw it towards one of the men sitting in front of him. He then hid behind one of the nearby slot machines as the man turned around and thinking a second man sitting behind him had thrown the glass started arguing loudly with him. Sonic watched as the bartender took out a walkie talkie from his pocket and spoke to it. On cue the staff door opened and 3 men came out to stop the fight. Seizing the chance, Sonic dashed to the closing door and entered.

Following the flight of stairs he saw upon entering he took out raichu's pokeball ready to battle if need arose. And sure enough turning corner at the bottom of the stairs he crashed into a rocket grunt.

"INTRUDER!" he screamed as he sent out a zubat. Sonic immediately sent out raichu and ordered it to use thunderbolt as he rushed the grunt knocking him to the wall and out.

"I'd make a terrible ninja. Let's go raichu!" he said as he started running through the halls of the base, raichu running beside him.

The alarm echoed throughout the entire base. Sonic saw the red alarm lights go off as he looked at his back being chased by 2 grunts. Turning around he ordered raichu to blast the one as he sent kadabra out to deal with the 2nd one. Just like the previous grunt one sent out a zubat and the other an ekans. Raichu made quick work of the zubat while kadabra used its psychic power on ekans to throw it to the grunts, giving Sonic and the 2 pokemon the chance to rush off.

Turning to their right they saw a team of 5 sending out their pokemon at once. Minor pokemon like sandshrew, zubat, ekans, drowzee and a golbat. Sonic sent out wartortle and nidorino as well as they charged the grunts, raichu charging forward with its quick attack before landing a devastating iron tail on sandshrew, wartortle using its new ice beam to knock zubat out and freeze its grunt captor solid. Kadabra and nidorino on the other hand had combined their powers, nidorino firing multiple mud slaps as a smokescreen while kadabra used its psy-beam attack to strike them all at once knocking out ekans and drowzee but the golbat remained standing and used leech life on kadabra damaging it greatly. Raichu witnessed it and discharged a thunderbolt knocking it out. Sonic in the meantime had knocked out 2 of the 4 remaining grunts who to his surprise were not even bothering to attack him thinking the pokemon winning the battle would somehow cause him to surrender.

"And I thought if nidorino had dig they would attack me" he thought to himself as wartortle used rapid spin while being thrown by raichu with iron tail knocking out the 3rd grunt and knocking the 4th down. Sonic wasting no time, got on top of the last grunt and held him down.

"Where is your boss?!" he demanded.

"If I talk…"

"Let me guess. There will be consequences. Raichu get this gentleman to talk" Sonic said getting off of him as Raichu nailed its tail to the ground, the grunt's neck caught between it and the floor as raichu prepared to discharge its electricity.

"I'll… I'll never talk".

Sonic merely snapped his fingers. Raichu discharged its electricity causing the grunt to scream in pain as his comrades appeared on either side of the hallway.

"Kadabra use psybeam on the ones behind us! Wartortle, nidorino with me! Raichu keep it up until he talks".

The grunt begged for mercy while kadabra held the grunts behind them at bay. The grunts in front of them sent out and arbok and a koffing. The arbok glared at Sonic's 2 pokemon using its intimidate ability.

"Wartortle use ice beam on the koffing! Nidorino mud slap on the arbok!"

Koffing was knocked out. Though arbok was still standing the mud-slap covered its eyes blurring its vision.

"Nidorino leer! Wartortle bite!"

Nidorino using its leer move weakened the arbok's defense allowing wartortle to knock out the arbok. As the grunts fled in fear, Sonic turned back to the interrogation as the grunt's hair were now pointing upwards.

"Ready to spill it?"

"N-no".

"Fine then you're useless to me. Raichu finish him off".

The grunt was consumed by fear and relented.

"W-wait! Ok the boss is on the floor below".

"Any captured pokemon?" Sonic asked as kadabra approached hearing the question.

"…N-no".

"Are you sure?" Sonic asked as raichu cried out in a threatening manner.

"Gulp. Ok, ok. At the end of this hallway. The keycard on my belt opens the door".

"Good. Let's go guys. Raichu brick break!"

Raichu smacked the grunt on the head knocking him out so as to not interfere. Rushing to the end of the hallway, Sonic used the keycard and opened the door, finding tens of cages with pokemon. Knowing he didn't have time to free them all, he once again had raichu fry the circuit to open the cages knowing there a high chance it would lock doors around the complex making their raid harder. As the pokemon fled, Sonic saw an Alakazam. Kadabra approached it and both hummed for a while before Kadabra lowered its head in sadness. As the Alakazam fled Sonic approached the kadabra.

"Hey buddy it's ok. We're still here with you. We will find her one day" Sonic comforted it as raichu rubbed its head on kadabra causing it to spur back into the fight with determination.

After all the pokemon had fled, Sonic and his pokemon battled their way to the lower level before finding a double door. Taking a deep breath he kicked the door open but there was no one inside. Cursing at his supposed lost chance to capture team Rocket's boss he turned to leave, before raichu grabbed his leg with its paw.

"What is it?" Sonic asked as raichu pointed at the end of the hallway at a half opened door.

"Sneaky bastard! He had an escape route!" Sonic said in anger as he recalled his pokemon except raichu and the duo rushed to the door and up the stairs. Reaching ground level again they exited through a door finding themselves on a helipad. Sonic saw a black haired man giving instructions to a woman as she was taking notes.

"Hey you!" he yelled getting the man's attention.

The man turned around and saw Sonic, his eyes widening momentarily. Smiling maliciously the next moment he turned to his secretary.

"Matori take off and return to the main base. I will take care of this nuisance".

As the chopper took off, Sonic and the boss started circling each other not talking.

"So… I finally get to meet you. The kid that screwed our storage in Saffron".

"Your base is finished. You should have fled on that chopped when you had the chance".

"Hahaha. You think you are a match for me, the great Giovanni?"

"I don't care who you are! You're going down!"

"Very well then! I will make you and your pokemon experience a world of pain!" he said as he sent out a persian.

"Go nidorino!" Sonic screamed sending out his nidorino which sparkled.

"My that's a nice pokemon. Maybe once I beat you I will add it to my team!"

"Shut up you monster! Nidorino mud slap!"

Nidorino threw mud at persian who dodged.

"Slash" Giovanni said calm and confident.

Persian slashed at nidorino at such great speed that Sonic only saw a white blur. Nidorino was sent flying to the wall behind him and knocked out. Persian growled in determination though poison bubbles started coming out of it.

"Fascinating. Your luck has given you a lifeline. Too bad that against me it won't suffice".

"Nidorino return! Wartortle go!"

Wartortle was sent out.

"Ice beam!"

"Pay day!"

Persian threw a copy of the coin on its forehead towards wartortle canceling out most of its ice beam, though a small part of it landed on Persian pushing it back a bit, The pay day attack however hit the spot as wartortle was knocked down but managed to get back up with a lot of effort.

"Fury swipes" Giovanni ordered unrelenting.

"Rapid spin!" Sonic shouted.

Wartortle span really fast, causing the attack to fizzle and slightly hurting Persian while the poison also took its toll on it.

"Slash!" Giovanni ordered a bit impatiently.

Persian slashed at Wartortle as it came out greatly injuring it and even scratching its face. Sonic watched in horror as Wartortle tried to get back up but fainted.

"So weak" Giovanni said maliciously.

Sonic gritted his teeth in anger.

"Kadabra! Lend me your power! Psychic!"

Kadabra emerged and lifted Persian off the ground damaging it in the process. To their great shock however Persian broke out of the psychic and slashed at kadabra knocking it out.

"How is this possible?!" Sonic said in horror.

"Such a novice" Giovanni laughed "your will is not as strong as mine! Strong enough will can overpower psychic! Now it's over!"

"Not yet! Raichu it's all up to you!" Sonic said looking at his partner.

"A mere raichu won't stop me!"

"Quick attack!"

Raichu moved faster than Persian expected landing a good blow.

"Now brick break!"

Raichu used the momentum of its attack to spin and land the brick break greatly damaging Persian.

"You have spirit I'll give you that. But your efforts are futile! Persian fury swipes!"

Persian recovered from the brick break and lunged at raichu, pinning it to the ground and slashing at it over and over. Sonic attempted to rush to it only to be kicked back by Persian who continued to scratch at his partner.

"NO! STOP!" Sonic screamed as tears began streaming down his face "PLEASE STOP!"

"There it is" Giovanni said with a sadistic pleasure "there's the world of pain. Persian. Playtime is over. Put them to sleep. Slash".

Persian raised its paw and prepared the attack as raichu and Sonic looked at each other. Raichu attempted to discharge electricity but its wounds were too severe. Persian brought down the slash attack but it landed right next to raichu's head as the poison finally drained Persian completely which toppled to the floor fainting. Giovanni looked in shock as he didn't expect it.

"How can this be?! How dare you humiliate me like this?!"

Sonic wasting no time attempted to tackle Giovanni to the ground. A flying machine resembling a fusion between a fox trot with a boosted underneath came out of nowhere slamming him to the face and sending him flying, landing besides his now fainted raichu, harming his leg in the process. Giovanni recalled Persian, rode his flying device and took one last look at Sonic.

"I will not forget this humiliation. Till next time" he said before leaving on it.

Sonic crawled over to raichu's pokeball, recalling it fast. He then got up and limping, he managed to avoid the authorities who were now investigating the game center. Hoping the rockets had no security cameras, he limped his way to Reina's house knocking on the door before losing consciousness just as the door opened.

Sonic felt he was floating in a dark empty space. Giovanni's twisted evil words echoed in his mind.

"I'll show you a world of pain. There it is. There's the world of pain".

Raichu then could be heard crying out in pain. The shock of it was so strong Sonic jolted awake screaming.

"NOOO!"

His scream of terror cause Reina who was sleeping on the bedside to jolt awake in terror as well.

"R-Reina?"

She looked into his eyes ready to tear up and smacked him as hard as she could.

"What was that for?"

"For scaring me! Twice!"

"Twice?"

"I opened the door and you fell right on top of me without your senses! Don't you remember?"

"No" Sonic said as he tried to get up, his right leg now bandaged up but still hurting a bit.

"What happened to you? And don't try to dodge the question this time".

"I… I raided team Rocket's base".

"You did WHAT?!"

"I found their base. At the game corner. I sneaked in and raided it. Freed the pokemon inside, beat up as many grunts as I found. But their boss roughed us up. So strong… Oh my god! Raichu! Where's Raichu?!"

"Relax. Your pokemon are already healed. My mom's taking care of them. Though I think the scratch on you wartortle is now permanent".

Sonic took in the info as he looked down.

"Please take me to them".

Reina helped him up and escorted him to her backyard where he fully healed pokemon team was waiting. They all rushed at Sonic rubbing against him.

"I'm so glad you're all ok" he admitted.

After explaining in full detail what had happened and asking Reina and her mother not to reveal any of it to anyone, Sonic got up to leave. The battle with Giovanni was a wake-up call. Tails had been right. He had let his arrogance get in his head and his pokemon had been badly injured. Wartortle would now be scarred. They needed to train hard. And Sonic needed to process some stuff. Though he considered Giovanni a monster, he had noticed how calm and confident he looked as he took on 4 pokemon with his one Persian.

"Is that what Tails meant when he said confidence does not need flaunting?" Sonic wondered as he headed outside of town, his pokemon ready for some hard training.

Chapter Text

Sonic completed his run around the clearing he and his pokemon were training at. Checking the timer he set he smiled.

"Another second off. Awesome".

After their raid in team Rocket's base and their brutal battle with Giovanni they decided it was time to get serious with their training. Their enemies were no child's play so they had to be ready. They immediately got to training with Sonic also training to become faster and stronger so as to be ready for possible physical confrontations in the future. Having asked Jet to ask Knuckles in his stead about possible exercises he could do to improve his strength pretending it was for himself, he had received a lot of good advice and got to work immediately. And finally the results had started to show.

After 2 weeks of hard work he and his pokemon had tackled the 4th gym securing an easy win. The gym leader, Erika, was severely overwhelmed by Sonic's kadabra whose will to get stronger and tackle team Rocket again when they had the chance to hopefully save its mother had resulted in its psychic attack becoming so strong it had knocked out Erika's Vileplume before it got the chance to move. Wartortle also had gotten stronger in the defense department with Sonic eventually having it take hits from its team members, the final opponent being Raichu. Though Wartortle wasn't able to take the thunder punch head on and stay up, its physical defense had increased immensely, tanking a brick break from Raichu as well as all of Nidorino's physical moves with immense ease. Nidorino too had learnt a new move in the form of sludge bomb to deal massive damage to any pokemon whose typing wouldn't resist it, also adding the higher chance of poisoning their target into the mix. Sonic also had the idea of stalling their opponents by having nidorino and wartortle learn protect with mr Fuji's help, with wartortle forgetting bite as Sonic deemed it unnecessary now, as well as nidorino forgetting to use double kick, deeming Raichu was strong enough to deal with anything weak to fighting moves, as well as forming the strategy of mud-slapping his opponents to lower their accuracy, dodging, using protect to stall and sludge bombing to deal heavy damage and hopefully inflict poison or even lowering their defense with leer while dodging and avoiding the opponent's attacks before launching a finisher against the heavily defense lowered opponent. Lastly raichu's battle with Persian had pushed it to train heavily in hand to hand fighting forgetting thunderbolt and picking up thunder punch instead, learning to channel its electricity into the thunder punch.

Their team was slowly growing into an unstoppable force. Reina was also there to witness the gym battle as well as hang out with them when she wasn't volunteering at mr Fuji's shelter in Lavender. Sonic had told her about his previous encounters with team Rocket and his ally and rival Mike who had a score to settle with them as well.

"If I had remembered to exchange numbers with him, he could have helped in the raid. But I think it's for the best that it went the way it went. It was just the wake-up call I needed" he had commented.

All of the memories of the last two weeks and their growth flooded his mind as he took deep breaths to calm his heartbeat and call his pokemon to him for lunch. After he ate the omelet he made – having asked his mother once again to teach him via the phone to cook more staff in order to not eat at fast food stands or the same dish over and over – he decided he owed himself to take responsibility for the way things had gone with Tails and Knuckles –to whom he hadn't talked during their two weeks of training as he felt he had to first redeem himself in his eyes. While his pokemon were digging in to their food he facetimed his friends in their common chat. As if on cue both of them entered the call at the same time.

"Look who finally decided to show their face" Tails joked.

Sonic felt joy in his soul as Tails was finally back to how he knew him to be.

"Yeah. I had to rethink some stuff. And finally start getting myself together".

"You sure have" Knuckles said "you think I believed Jet when he said he wanted that advice for himself?"

"Hehe. I suspected you didn't".

"What caused this change?" Tails asked him "last time we talked you were adamant on being…"

"Just like Shadow" Sonic said before Tails completed his phrase, catching him in surprise "you were right. I was becoming like him".

"Woah. I was not expecting that. You really are getting it now. How come?"

At that moment wartortle approached Sonic with its plate, asking for more food. On its left cheek the scratch from Persian could be seen.

"What the…? What's that on wartortle?" Tails asked in shock.

"I have a lot to tell you guys" Sonic said adding food to wartortle's plate before rejoining the call.

He spent the next 1 hour explaining to his friends everything that had transpired in the raid and their encounter with Giovanni. Both Tails and Knuckles couldn't believe it.

"Are you sure you're still not overconfident? I mean saving pokemon from them in the wild is one thing but raiding their base? That was straight-up reckless".

"I know" Sonic admitted "but I couldn't sit back and let them take over the city. But I also know now that taking them on head-on on my own is suicide. They say that strength is in numbers for a reason. Next time I will find Mike first and we will tackle the rockets together.

"At least that's safer" Tails commented "you can have each other's back like in that warehouse in Saffron".

"Exactly" Sonic agreed.

"So what's next for you now that you're halfway there?" Knuckles asked Sonic.

"Haven't thought of that actually. But a little planning never hurt anyone" he said taking out his map.

"So the next gym is in Fuchsia city".

"Before you continue" Tails interrupted him "I just need to ask this. Why are all the cities there named after colors?" he asked laughing.

"No idea" Sonic answered laughing as well.

"And one of the towns is even named Pallet" Knuckles laughed as well.

The three friends laughed at the funny situation for a while before Sonic looked back at the map.

"As I was saying" he began speaking resisting the temptation to laugh again "there are 2 ways to Fuchsia city. One is through the highway on the west of Celadon. I don't have a vehicle not even a bike so that's out of the question. The other route is by going back to Lavender and follow the coastline. It's a long way maybe even 3 days long. But I think I will take that route. I want to do something calm for a while".

"Agreed. The gym challenge is supposed to be a fun experience but you have started a war with the pokemon mafia during your challenge. And it won't stop before one of you goes down. So yeah a little calm is what you'll need".

"True".

"Sonic" Tails said in a serious tone "I'm not joking about the war part. If you need us we'll be there on the first flight to Kanto. This is a serious matter. Don't tackle it alone ok?"

Sonic felt gratitude for his 2 friends.

"Thank you" he said sincerely.

"Anytime Sonic" Knuckles answered "I got to leave now. Talk soon".

"Bye Knucks. Bye Tails".

"Talk soon Blue" Tails joked before hanging up as well.

Sonic smiled feeling totally grateful for having friends like them. Turning to his pokemon in order to continue their training he noticed raichu had strayed off. Worried Sonic told his other pokemon to not stray off and rushed into the woods to find his partner.

Raichu in the meantime had strayed off in search of a wild spearow that had annoyed it for far too long. After chasing it for a while and losing it, it broke a stone with brick break in frustration and was about to return to camp before a Pikachu dashed in front of it, challenging it.

"Pika pika!"

"Rai!"

The two mouse pokemon circled each other for a moment before a voice was heard calling out to Pikachu.

"Pikachu!"

A young boy with a blue jacket, blue jeans and a red and white hat approached the two mouse pokemon as Pikachu jumped on his shoulder.

"Woah a raichu. Hey guys over here".

The boy's two companions approached and witnessed the raichu.

"Brock you should totally catch it".

Brock however felt a sense of familiarity looking at Raichu.

"How strange" he commented "I have a feeling I have met this raichu before".

"Catch it regardless" his friend insisted.

"If you say so" Brock said taking out a pokeball and throwing it at raichu. A forcefield however was activated around it preventing the pokeball from hitting it and knocking it back at Brock's hand.

Sonic felt raichu's pokeball buzz in his pocket fearing the worst.

"Raichu where are you?!" he started calling out to it.

Meanwhile raichu was staring at the 3 trainers and the Pikachu who had witnessed the pokeball hit the forcefield.

"It must belong to a trainer" Brock explained knowing why the ball didn't touch Raichu.

"But who?" his friend wondered.

"Raichu can you hear me?" they all heard a voice, raichu included.

"Rai!" it cried out as Sonic dashed to it having heard the cry.

"Oh my there you are buddy! Why did you stray off?" Sonic asked kneeling before raichu to make sure it was ok.

"Sonic?" he heard a familiar voice.

Lifting his eyes from raichu he saw the 3 trainers.

"Brock?!" he said in surprise not believing his eyes "and Misty too? What are you guys doing here?"

"Long story" Brock said as approached and shook his hand. Sonic then met the eyes of the boy with the jacket.

"Brock you know this spikehead?" he asked in surprise. Sonic didn't expect being called a spikehead and considered answering back but decided against it.

"Yeah, He challenged me for my badge a while before you".

The boy smiled and offer his hand as well.

"I'm Ash. Ash Ketchum".

Sonic thought immediately that was the son of that lady he had helped in pallet town before he got squirtle and began his journey. He couldn't explain it at that moment but as he shook Ash's hand he felt a sensation as if he was standing in front of someone with unlimited potential of greatness. He shook the sensation off.

"I'm Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog".

While the two met, Pikachu was staring at Raichu, its eyes flaring for a confrontation.

"How have you been Sonic?" Brock asked "it's been so long since I last saw you. Your partner is now all grown up, a raichu already".

"Yeah. It was a rollercoaster of adventures. Are you guys headed to Celadon?"

"As a matter of fact we are".

"Great! I saw just about to return there to bid farewell to a friend and go off towards Fuchsia. How about we return to my camp so I can pick up my other pokemon and my stuff and we go together?"

"Sounds great. Let's go".

As the 4 trainers headed back to Sonic's camp. Pikachu kept staring at Raichu, at one point even getting off Ash's shoulder and walking besides it. The two exchanged cries of their names with the tones becoming more and more tense.

"Hey Ash do you mind if you calm you Pikachu down? It's becoming annoying" Sonic said.

"What's annoying about it?"

"Can't you see it's bothering my Raichu?"

"If you call a challenge bothering it" Ash said causing Sonic to gasp on the inside.

"What the…" he thought in surprise "is that what I sounded like? It's not like that other kid but still… savage" he thought to himself.

As they reached Sonic's camp to his relief, his other pokemon had listened to him and stayed there. Raichu reunited with its teammates as Sonic packed up his stuff while Ash, Misty and Brock observed his team.

"You've been busy" Misty commented.

"I have been" Sonic said finishing the packing process.

"Wow a blue nidorino. That is cool" Ash commented as he approached it.

"Wait don't!" Sonic screamed in terror but was too late.

Nidorino being relatively new to interaction with trainers having spent most of its time with Sonic defended itself by showering Ash with its sludge bomb.

"Ew gross!" Ash said in disgust.

"Should have warned you" Sonic said resisting the urge to laugh "wartortle clean him up will you?"

Wartortle obliged and fired water pulse at Ash removing the sludge from him but leaving him and Pikachu completely wet.

"Don't you dare bring out a fire type and try to dry me spike" Ash roasted him again. Sonic closed his eyes without anyone seeing him.

"Happy place. Happy place. Don't fall for it" he thought to himself.

After he packed all of his stuff up and put the backpack on his shoulders the 4 started heading towards Celadon. Sonic narrated the stories of how he caught Abra and Nidorino to the 3 friends who were mostly oblivious as to how he had come to meet them. Brock and Misty also told him how they had met Ash and joined him on his own journey. Ash himself told Sonic of having Pikachu as his first pokemon, of his dream of becoming a pokemon master, as well as his encounters with team Rocket, though contrary to what Sonic thought it turned out he meant Jessie, James and Meowth. He thought to himself that Ash was the trainer with the Pikachu team Rocket had mentioned when they crashed in front of him with their hot air balloon. Pikachu in the meantime was once again trying to goad Raichu into a fight. Raichu resisted the temptation until Pikachu used thunderbolt, angering Raichu causing Sonic to step in between them.

"Hey that's enough" he said "no need raichu".

"Rai" raichu cried out grumpy.

Pikachu however wasn't ready to give up the challenge.

"Pika pika!" it said as it used quick attack trying to hit raichu but ended up hitting Sonic instead who decided he had enough.

"Seriously now" he said getting up trying his best to stay calm "recall your Pikachu this getting annoying".

"Uh actually Pikachu refuses to go into its pokeball" Brock commented.

Sonic found it strange but sighed.

"Fine. Raichu I'm sorry but I'll bring you out later" he said raising his pokeball to recall it.

"Why recall it? Let them fight" Ash said clearly desiring this battle as well.

"There's no need ok? Besides it's not exactly a fair fight. Pikachu is well… just a Pikachu. I don't think it can stand up to Raichu".

Brock and Misty didn't expect this answer and looked at Sonic in disbelief while Ash was beaming with confidence.

"It beat surge's raichu when I battled it. It can stand up to yours".

"Big deal" Sonic said "surge's raichu evolved too early and was merely a slow brute. My raichu is nothing like it" he contemplated revealing his and raichu's bond power increase but decided against it.

"I see. Ok I understand. It's alright if you're a total chicken" Ash said looking away with a mischievous smile.

Sonic at that moment felt his patience running out.

"Who are you calling a chicken?"

"You spike".

"My name is Sonic! Not Spike!"

"Whatever you say spikehead".

Sonic did his best to restrain himself and keep his cool.

"Ash I think you're going too far again" Brock tried to stop his friend.

"I'm not going far Brock. I just think spiky here is scared" he said with a slightly teasing tone.

"Look buddy you don't want this fight" Sonic said revealing his 4 badges "and don't call me spike".

"Ok I won't. Quillhead" Ash said still smiling with a confident look.

Sonic reached his limit at that moment.

"Alright ashy. You want a fight? Give him one raichu!"

"Rai!" raichu cried out as it stood opposite Pikachu.

"Pika pika!"

"Shouldn't we try to stop them?" Misty asked Brock.

"I don't think there's anything we can do to prevent this fight. Pikachu wants to prove his point again. After all the fight with surge was recent. It still burns with pride for its kind. As for Ash you know how eager he is to battle" Brock said crossing his arms in front of his chest serious.

"Ready Pikachu?" Ash said confidently "quick attack!"

Pikachu dashed at Raichu slamming into it. Raichu however remained unfazed not making a move.

"Pikachu use your agility quick" Ash said taking advantage of Raichu's immobility.

Pikachu started running around as fast as it could increasing its speed. Raichu's eyes followed it for a while but Sonic knew they couldn't keep up with it forever.

"Raichu don't try to keep your eyes on it. Relax".

Raichu closed its eyes greatly confusing Ash and Pikachu who continued using agility.

"If you won't attack we will! Pikachu use thunder!"

Sonic didn't expect Pikachu to know thunder as a giant bolt fell out of the sky striking raichu. While it visibly damaged it raichu remained sturdy. It looked at Pikachu and cried out its name threateningly scaring it.

"Don't be afraid Pikachu! Agility again!"

Pikachu once again started running but Sonic knew the battle was won. They had made Pikachu momentarily doubt itself. It was time to make their move.

"Raichu use iron tail on the ground!"

Raichu jumped and slammed its glowing tail hard into the ground causing it to crack and become uneven on certain parts. Pikachu tripped into a cracked part and rolled on the ground giving Sonic and raichu just the window they needed.

"Thunder punch!"

Raichu charged its punch with its electricity and before Pikachu could move out of the way, the attack landed with devastating effects. Pikachu was sent flying into a tree, crashing hard and being knocked out cold. Ash, Brock and Misty were at a loss for words.

"I told you Ash. You didn't want this fight. Next time you may want to be less savage. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be going cause I have a long way ahead of me later. Brock, Misty. It was nice seeing you. Bye" Sonic said calmly and after waving goodbye went ahead as Ash went to check on Pikachu. While Sonic and raichu were walking down the street heading to Celadon, Sonic recalled what Brock said about Pikachu fighting out of pride for its species.

"Does that mean it wishes to stay as a Pikachu forever? What a dumb decision" Sonic thought as they approached Reina's house. After a small chat with her, he revealed it was time for him to continue his journey. Reina was genuinely saddened but wished him luck and mentioned if he ever passed by Celadon or Lavender except right afterwards as he was planning to follow the coastline, he should visit. She also suggested Sonic visited the safari zone in Fuchsia city as it was home to many powerful pokemon species that could be a fine addition to his team. Sonic agreed with a smile and after bidding Reina farewell, healing his pokemon, buying supplies for the journey and verifying that the authorities had removed that Snorlax from the street leading from Vermillion to Lavender, left town and headed back to Lavender to prepare for the way to Fuchsia.

Chapter Text

The waves crashed into the sharp rocks of the coastline as Sonic and his partner raichu followed the narrow path heading from Lavender town south. Sonic was proceeding carefully so as to make sure he wouldn't trip. As the fresh air of the sea flooded his nose, he let his spirit relax.

"Such a wonderful day isn't it buddy?" he asked his raichu.

"Rai rai" it cried out in agreement.

As they walked forward, Sonic thought of that kid he had met, earlier that day, Ash. He remembered the feeling he got when he shook his hand. He was flooded by an inexplicable feeling of infinite potential coming out of Ash.

"He said he wanted to be a pokemon master, whatever that means" Sonic said to himself "if what I felt back there was real, I think he will be one day. Though I don't know how possible this is with his Pikachu remaining a Pikachu".

As they got to the point where the Snorlax was once blocking the path, they found it had been moved. Sonic sighed in relief as a small part of himself had feared they would be forced to go back north through the rock tunnel or even worse through Saffron city just to go around the Snorlax.

"Would it really be that bad if I went through Saffron city this time around after my raid? I doubt they would try to attack me. The grunts at least" he thought to himself remembering Giovanni's terrifying power as well as the fact that Ariana and possibly more admins were still out there and having only fought Ariana wielding Giovanni's nidoking, he had no idea how strong their teams were.

"We will need to become a lot stronger to be ready for them next time".

As the sun had started disappearing behind the mountains, Sonic decided once they got to more level ground, they would set camp. Reaching the crossroads leading to either Fuchsia city or Vermillion city, Sonic and raichu proceeded a little more then set camp near the beach on their left. As Sonic sent out his pokemon so they could all relax and hang out together, just hang out and not train, he got a call from Jet.

"Hey bro. Heard from Tails and Knuckles. Good work".

"Thanks bro" he said as he laid on the grass and gazed on the sky turning dark "it was a long 2 weeks but I finally feel more at peace than I've had in a long time".

"Any more encounters with the rockets?"

"None. Ruining their base must have set the plans back a lot. Which is good cause it gives me more time to get stronger to tackle them again when the time comes. And Mike too. Guy began with a jolteon so he would have to catch and train more pokemon which would undoubtedly take more time".

"I'm sure you'll run into him again soon".

"Hope so. Oh just remembered. You'll never guess who I met before leaving Celadon".

"Who?"

"Brock and Misty".

"The gym leaders?"

"Yeah. They embarked on their own journey as well following a friend of theirs. His name was Ash".

"After what you told me about Brock back then, that he was stuck at the gym, I only feel happy for him. How come he has left though?"

"Beats me. Didn't get to ask him. Ash started savaging out on me. The dude called me spike, spikehead and quillhead to get me to battle him because his Pikachu wanted to beat raichu".

"Woah really? And?"

"Utterly crashed his Pikachu" Sonic said with a hint of pride for his raichu.

"Utterly? How utterly?"

"One thunder punch to the face knocked it out cold".

"Wait you had raichu forget thunderbolt?"

"Yeah. I noticed it had become adept at using iron tail and the attack had great effects. And plus after that beating Giovanni gave us… pinning raichu down immobilizing it…" Sonic said as he felt a chill running down his spine remembering that night "so I decided raichu should train as physical attacker. With its immense speed and quick attack getting to the opponents is the easiest part. So by training in physical combat and sharpening the reflexes I aim for it to be an unstoppable force. Giovanni won't pin us down next time".

"What do you plan to do about ground types?"

"Wartortle will be the main player against them. It's not like I aim to use raichu to solo team rocket. We're a team, me and my pokemon. Only together we will prevail against team rocket. And besides… it's not that raichu won't be able to land any hits on ground types. Iron tail can be a devastating attack if used correctly".

"I look forward to seeing it in action" Jet said "in the league tournament".

"We'll give a good show then. Too bad TV will make us look less awesome that we will look in real life".

"Who said anything about TV? I'll be there live".

"You will?"

"Tails and Knuckles too. My idea. No way we'd miss that".

Sonic felt filled by gratitude.

"Thanks bro".

"Don't mention it. Anyway I should hang up now. Friends waiting for me to log in".

"Gonna play more games online?" Sonic asked him jokingly.

"Gotta be me. Since I can't join you in the adventure yet".

"Hopefully soon bro. Good night".

"Good night".

As they hang up Sonic fantasized about the tournament. He was so focused on team Rocket and his own problems that he hadn't even given it a thought.

"I wonder who I will get to face in that tournament" he thought to himself as he read the proceedings of the tournament online "5 rounds huh, 32 trainers. Should be interesting" he said as he got into his sleeping bag and closed his eyes while his pokemon followed suit and curled up to sleep.

While sleeping Sonic had another weird dream. Him and raichu were up against a huge flame. The flame kept sending fire lashes and fire balls at them which they either dodged or tried to tank as best they could and counterattack any chance they had. The battle was so fierce that it woke Sonic up in the middle of the night. He laid back down to sleep, looking at his pokemon sleeping peacefully which let him also sleep peacefully.

In the morning after waking up Sonic decided to allow his pokemon to sleep some more as their hard training meant always waking up early. While sitting on the sand and observing the sea he heard raichu cry out its name. Approaching it with haste to verify if it was ok, he witnessed in surprise as it ran towards the road only to be met halfway by a jolteon. As the two electric types cuddled and played in joy, the jolteon's trainer soon appeared.

"Finally found you" he said to Sonic.

"Mike?!"

"Yup new and improved".

He really was new and improved. When Sonic had met him Mike was dressed with dark clothes and a hoodie to cover his face. Now he had a more casual and open colored outfit consisting of a simple shirt and a set of jeans while he was also brandishing sunglasses. As the two trainers shook hands Mike brought up the obvious.

"Daring thing you pulled. Raiding an entire base on your own. Why didn't you call me for backup?"

"I wanted to. But we hadn't exchanged numbers. And also I had little time. Team rocket was planning to invade the tower in lavender town to catch ghost types to use against the Saffron city gym leader if she went against them".

"Makes sense. They are preparing something in the silph co headquarters. But without taking full control of the city their plan can only progress so much. And Sabrina's psychic pokemon are powerful opponents".

"Giovanni mentioned willpower being a key to getting out of a psychic lock. He must be training to fight her if the time comes".

"Giovanni? Who's that?"

"The big boss".

Mike was at a loss for words.

"You battled the big boss of team rocket?! And you're still here not disappeared?!"

"Yeah. I didn't win thought. At least not in my eyes. He only used his Persian but it got poisoned when it attacked my nidorino. The battle lasted long enough for the poison to knock it out. One more attack and he would have won".

"Man…." Mike said in shock " I could only dream of confronting him. And you did. And more importantly you live to tell the tale".

"Tell me about it" Sonic admitted.

Mike immediately raised a pokeball in front of Sonic's face.

"Battle me!"

"What?!"

"Battle me. I need to see your power! And I need to test my own power".

Sonic nodded after a moment of processing the sudden challenge.

"As you wish. I shall warn you me and my team are a lot stronger than what you might remember".

"I think you will find my new team members to be interesting too".

Returning to the beach, Sonic woke his pokemon up and after a quick but good breakfast they got into positions.

"How many pokemon?" Sonic asked.

"All of them. It needs to be all of our power".

"How many do you have?"

"Three".

"I have 4. It will be hard for you".

"Don't worry about us. Just show me the power you used against the boss!" Mike said temper flared.

Sonic took out the ball of his now recalled nidorino.

"On three"

"Sure" Mike said also holding his hand straight with a pokeball in his palm.

"One, two, three!"

"Go nidorino!"

"Go haunter!"

The pokemon appeared and stared down at each other.

"A haunter? You went into that tower?"

"Yeah. There were rockets inside. Using some sort of night vision goggles but for ghosts".

"Let me guess. Called the silph scope?"

"You knew?"

"Yeah but I thought they wouldn't go through with the plan after the hit I dealt them. Thank goodness you were there to stop them".

"We really need to coordinate after this. Anyway come at me!"

"Yeah I think not. Nidorino return".

"Retreating? That's not like you" Mike said in surprise.

"Tactical withdrawal. Go kadabra!"

"There it is. I remember this one. Let's see what it's made of!"

"Psychic!"

"Shadow ball!"

The 2 pokemon unleashed their attacks with kadabra taking the most damage being knocked out immediately.

"What the…" Sonic said in shock "in one hit?!"

"We trained hard! Team rocket will strike hard so we will strike harder! Now come on! Show me the power you used to go toe to toe with Giovanni!"

Sonic gritted his teeth. That haunter was a strong foe and due to its poison typing as well as Sonic remembering it had the ability levitate, Nidorino was not gonna be good enough. He also didn't want to bring out raichu just yet.

"Wartortle your turn!" Sonic decided sending out his starter pokemon. Mike noticed the cut on its cheek.

"Woah. Is that…?"

"A scar. From the battle with Giovanni".

Mike looked at it in awe and took a hyped look.

"Yes that's it! Show me your might!"

"Water pulse!"

"Hypnosis!"

"Hypnosis?!"

The attack connected though haunter was struck by the water pulse becoming confused. Wartortle however fell asleep.

"No, no, no! Wake up wartortle!"

"Dream eater!"

Sonic watched helplessly as wartortle's energy was absorbed though it looked still healthy.

"Again!"

Haunter attempted to use its move again but the confusion started taking its toll as it missed its attack and started hitting itself in its confusion.

"Oh come on!"

The haunter's cries of pain woke up wartortle who looked at its foe confused as to why it was beating itself up.

"Haunter listen to my voice! Hypnosis!"

"Not this time! Protect!"

It was Mike's turn to be shocked.

"Protect?!"

Wartortle shielded itself as hypnosis crashed into the protect shield being nullified.

"Now ice beam!"

"Ice beam?!"

The ice beam connected with haunter freezing it to Mike's frustration.

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Now's our chance wartortle! Water pulse!"

The water pulse landed smashing the ice due to the might of the impact knocking out the haunter. Mike recalled it.

"You have improved as well. But how does your wartortle know ice beam? It can't learn it naturally".

"I'll explain after the battle. Now bring forth the next pokemon".

"Go Jolteon!"

"Ah yes your jolteon".

"Thunderbolt!"

"Protect!"

The thunderbolt was nullified but Mike smiled at this turn of events.

"Perfect! Thunder wave!"

"No!"

Jolteon used its move paralyzing wartortle.

"Wartortle finish it before it's too late! Ice beam!"

Sparks crawled all over Wartortle's body as the paralyzing effects of thunder wave kicked in.

"Now to end this! Thunder!"

Contrary to the previous time Sonic saw the attack there was not tanking it or shielding from it; the bolt of lightning came crashing down on wartortle sending it flying into a rock as it fell face down on the sand knocked out.

"Two down and two to go" Mike said raising his hands clenched together in a victory pose. Sonic recalled wartortle knowing it was time to implement the stall strategy.

"Go nidorino!"

"Still won't bring out raichu will you? Fine I'll force it out! Thunderbolt!"

"Protect!"

The attack was once again cancelled to Mike's frustration.

"Now mud slap!"

The attack landed hard on Jolteon causing it minor wounds but lowering its accuracy as its eyes were covered in mud.

"Now sludge bomb!"

The barrage of attacks sent Jolteon into the sea water which cleared the mud of its face but left it exhausted. Mike noticed its exhaustion.

"Take a break partner" he said recalling it "you really are something else Sonic. But let's see how you do against this!" he shouted sending out a lapras.

"Woah where did you get that? It's said to be very rare".

"I've been busy too. Saved a couple of scientists from rocket control. They were the ones who told me about team Rocket's plan at silph co. One of them entrusted me with this rare pokemon. So… let's see how well you nidorino does against this! Ice beam!"

The ice beam coming from lapras was proven stronger striking nidorino but not knocking it out.

"Mud slap!"

"Not this time! Use water pulse on yourself!"

Nidorino's attack landed on lapras dealing slight damage and partially blinding it as water pulse was landed vertically upwards. It then fell back on lapras clearing its eyesight from the mud-slap but restoring its health instead of damaging it.

"Wha… how?"

"Water absorb" Mike said smiling mischievously "taking a water attack healed it".

"Damnit! Use sludge bomb!"

The sludge bomb connected damaging lapras but only barely.

"Ice beam!"

The attack landed. Nidorino was knocked out cold, leaving Sonic with just one pokemon.

"No other choice now. Send it out!"

Sonic was backed into a corner. But then again raichu was prepared to deal with an ice and water type.

"Raichu! You're up!"

"Rai!" raichu cried out as it stood opposite lapras.

"Ice beam!"

"Quick attack!"

Raichu dodged the ice beam as it was too fast to hit. Before Mike could react it had reached lapras.

"Thunder punch!"

Raichu jumped and punched lapras in the face as hard as it could. However that left it open for an attack.

"Ice beam!"

Ice beam hit at point blank range. Raichu rolled into the sand hurt but stood strong again as it cried out "Rai!" in pride. Lapras was now looking ready to faint. Mike however was not ready to throw in the towel.

"Water pulse on yourself!"

Lapras fired the water pulse once again vertically up. Sonic however had already predicted it.

"Quick attack, then spin and use iron tail!"

Raichu dashed at lapras and then jumped as the attack was fast approaching lapras. Curling into itself and with its tail glowing, the water pulse was cancelled out as the iron tail struck it, evaporating it completely. Raichu then completed the spin as iron tail smacked lapras on the head knocking it out. Mike was at a loss for words.

"Such speed. Such power. On a raichu of all things. How?"

Sonic and raichu smiled at the same time.

"Bond power! And hard training!"

Mike smiled.

"Is this all your power?! Or do you have more? After all, my jolteon is still standing!"

"Then bring it out!"

"You do know you're at a disadvantage right? Jolteon has volt absorb. Thunder punch won't work on it".

"Maybe not. But that doesn't mean we will back down".

"Fine then! Jolteon help me again!"

Jolteon came out not in prime condition but still standing nonetheless.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Quick attack!"

The thunderbolt was dodged by raichu who slammed into Jolteon pushing it back.

"Not yet! Jolteon double kick!"

"Iron tail!"

Jolteon kicked raichu twice easily overpowering iron tail which was not very effective against it. Raichu was knocked down but got back up. The two electric types stated at each other, visibly struggling to stand.

"Jolteon let's finish this! Thunder!"

"Raichu use iron tail to tank the thunder!"

Raichu raised its tail above its head as it started glowing. The thunder came crashing down but the tail caused it to split in two one part of it striking raichu and the other being redirected to the sand. Raichu almost lost its balance but regained it.

"Now before they move again! Brick break!"

Raichu jumped up and brought the attack hard down on Jolteon. Jolteon dropped to the ground and attempted to stand up again. After a few moments of standing up, it dropped again this time knocked out. Mike fell to his knees.

"Dude. After all this training… We lose".

Sonic fell back to the sand as he looked at the clouds exhausted.

"Honestly" he said panting "this was probably my first real pokemon battle. All my other battles so far were not this close or this serious with the exception of Giovanni. You pushed me to exhaustion… and I didn't even fight myself".

"I noticed that too. When I fought a kid with a Pikachu. As Jolteon and Pikachu clashed hard… I came to feel all the hits Jolteon took. Like if I was battling myself".

"I felt this in a bad way. When Giovanni had us pinned down and used fury swipes on raichu… it felt like I was receiving every scratch every ounce of pain raichu was receiving. Now I feel it again. But it feels good".

"Yeah. Pokemon battling is an amazing thing. I still aim to go for team rocket and stop them… and if possible find my beedrill. But I now want to battle more".

"Haha. You're crazy" Sonic joked.

As the two helped each other up and headed for Vermillion city to heal their pokemon as it was not very far, Sonic had an idea.

"Hey just realized we both have a pokemon that requires trading to evolve. What do you say we evolve them? If of course both of them desire it as well.

"Huh. Didn't even consider that. Yeah let's do it. Trade them to each other, evolve, trade them back. 5 minute business".

Sonic smiled at the prospect of having another fully evolved pokemon. Kadabra also desired to evolve as it wanted to grow stronger to save its mother from team rocket. Haunter didn't seem to object because as Mike put it "it likes to pull pranks on me, jolteon and lapras so evolving will only make it easier for it". As they approached the pokemon center Sonic also remembered the comment Mike made about the kid with the Pikachu.

"Hey what was the name of the kid you fought that had a Pikachu?"

"Don't know. Didn't trade names. It was back when I only had Jolteon and had just beaten the substitute gym leader of pewter. After that and becoming lost in mount moon, I met it while training with jolteon to tackle the 2nd gym. Again a substitute, the actual one left with that kid and the actual 1st gym leader".

"Ash" Sonic said in realization.

"You know him?"

"Fought him yesterday. He fought my raichu with Pikachu. I mopped the floor with it".

"Damn. And I lost to him?"

"Hey that was then and this is now. No looking back. There's a war ahead of us".

"Right. Keep our eyes on the prize".

After this exchange, they traded pokemon and observed as kadabra and haunter evolved into alakazam and gengar respectively. After trading them back, Sonic informed Mike of mr Fuji so that Mike could adjust his current and future team members' moves if he so desired, though skipped the part of the trial that Mike would have to go through as his was kind of situational cause of the snorlax. Afterwards the two were ready to go on their separate ways again as Mike still had to take on Erika in Celadon. As he was heading back to Saffron to go the hard way he remembered something.

"Hey Sonic! Catch!" he shouted as he tossed his rival and ally a grey weirdly shaped rock. Sonic observed it momentarily and knew what it was.

"Where did you get that?" he shouted back.

"Mt moon! I was lost in there remember? Give it to nidorino when it's ready! Next time I'll beat you so make sure you use it by then!"

"Not if I can help it" Sonic shouted jokingly as he observed the moon stone. Once he felt nidorino was ready he would let it evolve as well. And little did Sonic know that time was upon them as he returned to the road following the coastline while being observed from above by a pair of wild eyes.

Chapter Text

Raichu was running on the sand as it enjoyed the sensation of it as well as the heat of the sun while Sonic was slowly walking on the path next to the beach observing his partner playing and running in the sand. The image of his happy partner put a smile on his face. As his gaze shifted towards the endless blue of the sea as well as the path ahead he started going down memory lane as to all his adventures in Kanto so far. It had been a wild ride already and they were only halfway there through the gym challenge.

His mind drifted back to viridian forest as he remembered his raichu as a Pikachu defiantly going against its own tribe desiring to reach greater heights compared to the rest of its tribe which was shunning it because of said desire.

"I wonder if Ash's Pikachu is from the tribe as well" Sonic wondered as he kept walking forward "maybe it knew my raichu and they had a falling out or something. Well who cares. We are who we are" he thought as he observed a flock of pidgeys led by a pidgeotto flying across the sky in a v-shaped formation.

The world was so vast and Sonic felt free to experience it. Little did he know that his peace was about to be interrupted.

While raichu rejoined him on the path as the beach turned to rocks bringing a shell it happened to find along the way which Sonic thought was nice of it, he received a facetime call from Jet.

"Hey bro. You're not going to believe who dropped by earlier".

"Who?"

"Amy".

"What?!"

"Yes. She asked where you were. I told her you were in Kanto, on a journey and all".

Sonic was left dumbfounded by the news. Amy was looking for him?"

"What um… what did she want?"

"I don't know. For all I know she could be just asking. You know just …"

"Just asking as a friend? I don't buy it" Sonic said, the heartache returning but this time he was determined not to make the same mistake "she's up to something".

"I know it sounds suspicious but… why would she come by the house? No reason not even in her way to well… anywhere".

"Look" Sonic said not wanting to think it over, feeling he would end up overthinking it and drive himself nuts "forget it happened ok? I will. I don't need that girl in my life. She's bad news".

"Yeah. Well that's all I had to say. Take care bro".

"Thanks for letting me know bro. Talk later" Sonic said as he hang up, his gaze turning back to the horizon.

"Amy" he thought "what are you up to now?"

His mind drifted again back to how he, Tails, Knuckles and Amy used to be friends until Shadow moved in town. Sonic and Amy were hanging out when he came across them. He immediately started hitting on Amy with Sonic trying to gently get him to leave them alone as back then he had begun falling for Amy only for Shadow to punch him hard. Amy of course didn't immediately take Shadow's side and at first thought him to be a bully as well or at least that was what it seemed back then to Sonic.

As time progressed Shadow kept trying to goad Sonic into fighting while flirting with Amy any chance he got. Of course, them being teenagers only, Amy fell for the bad boy. Tails and Knuckles had met with her after her rejecting Sonic in the cruelest way possible, not to try and vouch for him but to stand up for him as back then he was too ashamed to come out of his room, not even talking to Jet. He remembered the conversation he had with the 2 of them later that night.

"That girl is a damn bitch" Tails said mad unable to refrain from cursing "after all we have been through the 4 of us she ends up getting together with a bully? Calls you a loser who can't assert his dominance? And us your little nerd friends?!"

Sonic was not talking, just listening as he wanted to agree with Tails but the heartache was making him think he was the problem.

"Like wow" Knuckles agreed with Tails calmer but just as angry "and like both of us? I mean a mean person could argue Tails is a tech nerd but me a nerd? I literally go looking for abandoned ruins on my own. If anything I'm a young adventurer. Tails is right she is a bitch".

"But what if she's right?" Sonic asked them "what if I am a nerd and thinking she and I could be together was the stupidest idea ever?"

"Wow so you're a nerd just cause you're a tad bit shy and a house cat? No I mean hedgehog. No I mean… you get the idea" Knuckles said mixing his words a bit.

"What if I had been anything but that?"

Tails seemed offended at what Sonic had just said.

"Sonic. You know I'm your friend now and forever. But I will not. I repeat, I will NOT! Tolerate hearing you wishing you were someone else!"

"But that's what she's into" Sonic insisted.

Tails looked ready to exit the call when Knuckles once again took over the speaking.

"Yes Sonic. She's into that. So what? There's plenty of fish in the ocean".

"No" Sonic said "not one like her".

"Amen!" Tails yelled in frustration "may there never be another one like her!"

Sonic didn't answer just stuffed his face in his pillow.

"I can't watch you do that to yourself" Tails said and hang up.

Knuckles sighed with his eyes closed.

"I'll let you to calm down Sonic. Don't get lost ok? We're here for you, me and Tails".

Sonic saw as Knuckles also hang up and he was left alone in the dark.

"So what? She's not here. She's with that bully" Sonic thought in sadness.

"Wow" present day Sonic thought to himself as he recalled all of that "I can't believe what a sore loser I was. Literally cutting my friends off over a rejection?"

As he spoke those words he noticed the sun had begun setting. Having reached the south coast, Sonic decided to stop there for the night. As he unpacked his stuff to make his pokemon something to eat, he observed the setting sun. He felt like it was the first time he experienced this.

"My feelings were valid" Sonic thought "but that time has come and gone. Never again. I won't let myself lose another second".

As he unpacked his sleeping bag he noticed something on the center setting sun. While the sun was slowly turning into a reddish color as it fled to the horizon, something orange could be seen in the middle of it heading their way. Sonic managed to notice what looked like a flapping of wings as well as flying flames before he blinked and the thing whatever it was disappeared.

"Yeah" he thought to himself also remembering the other promise he had made when he reached Cerulean city "soon enough I will find you again".

As he looked down to get the food ingredients out of his backpack he heard a pokemon cry pierce his ear drums as well as raichu's. The slightly darkened location was lighted by a set of flaming wings flapping up and down as Sonic and raichu realized what it was.

"Moltres!" Sonic said in shock.

The moltres stopped roaring its cry and just looked into Sonic's eyes in determination as it let another cry. Raichu took a battle stance and cried out as well.

"Wait. It's challenging us?"

"RAI!" raichu cried out at Moltres who responded with its own cry.

Sonic couldn't believe the turn of events. However he smiled at the prospect.

"Challenge accepted Moltres! Raichu not yet! Nidorino come on out!"

Nidorino came out of its pokeball with sparkles and cried out in battle excitmenet. Moltres cried out and dived as its wings glowed.

"Wing attack! Nidorino protect!"

Nidorino created the protect shield but Moltres was leagues stronger partially breaking through the shield and knocking it back a bit.

"Damnit. Poison touch didn't activate. No matter! Sludge bomb!"

Nidorino fired the sludge bomb but Moltres dodged and unleashed a fire blast attack that struck nidorino head on knocking it out. Sonic was impressed and surprised by the power of the legendary bird.

"Man even after all that training. Nidorino return! Valiant effort pal. Rest for now. Raichu no not yet" he told his partner who was ready to stand opposite of Moltres "you're our best chance. Let us weaken it first. Alakazam you're next!"

Alakazam emerged and hummed as Moltres cried out and dived again.

"Reflect!"

Alakazam's reflect was powerful enough to deflect Moltres' wing attack giving them an opening.

"Psychic!"

Moltres was caught off guard as Alakazam being even more powerful than when it was a Kadabra managed to knock it down. Sonic then acting on an impulse toot out a pokeball and threw it at Moltres. It turned into red energy and was absorbed into the pokeball. It wiggled once. Then twice.

"Come on!" Sonic said anxiously.

A huge flash appeared as Moltres broke out and cried out in what seemed like anger, unleashing a powerful flamethrower attack. Alakazam tried to contain the flames with psychic but it proved too much as the flames engulfed it. Sonic knew it wouldn't be able to battle after this so to save he withdrew it.

"You did your best Alakazam. Rest for now. We will handle the rest" Sonic said determined as he looked at Moltres, now with the eyes of a trainer.

"Moltres! I am a trainer! And I wish you to join my team! If I have to beat you to earn your respect so be it! Wartortle come on out!"

Wartortle appeared. Moltres unleashed another flamethrower attack.

"Rapid spin!"

Wartortle span fast deflecting the already not very effective on it attack with relative ease. Moltres screeched and dived for the wing attack.

"Water pulse!"

The two attacks both connected but wartortle being tankier than Moltres took the attack better. Moltres crash landed and Sonic managed to throw a second pokeball. It wiggled once. It wiggled twice. It wiggled thrice.

"We got it?!" Sonic thought in excitement.

Moltres broke out again and screeched in clear anger this time, using its final move, ancient power. Wartortle rushed in front of Sonic and started using protect to shield its trainer from the boulders.

"Wartorlte! Wartortle! Blas" it cried out as it started glowing to Sonic and raichu's shock.

The body of the turtle pokemon became massive as 2 water cannons seeming emerged from the huge shell. Once the glowing stopped the duo were standing behind a tall blue shield.

"Blastoise!" it let out a deep cry.

"Blastoise! Oh my you're so cool!"

"Blastoise" it cried out looking back with a smile.

Moltres cried out again and used wing attack to strike at blastoise. Blastoise took the attack stopping Moltres in its tracks.

"Ice beam!" Sonic said realizing the potential.

Ice beam hit bullseye, as Moltres was frozen solid. Before Sonic could throw a pokeball however, it used flamethrower breaking through the ice and melting it before it hit blastoise head on with the flamethrower. With blastoise shielding Sonic from the fire Moltres flew above and unleashed a powerful fire blast, which blastoise saw too late resulting in a critical hit. After the dust settled, blastoise toppled fainting making a huge noise. Sonic was now almost trembling from the adrenaline of fighting a legendary pokemon.

"Blastoise return" he said "you were awesome. Raichu your time has come. You ready?"

"Rai rai!" raichu cried out, temper flared, desiring nothing more than to teach a lesson to the pokemon that had knocked out its teammates.

Moltres cried out and unleashed a flamethrower.

"Raichu quick attack!"

Raichu dashed around dodging the attack. Moltres then fired an ancient power that raichu also dodged.

"That's it buddy" Sonic thought "let it come down first".

Moltres cried out once again and dived for a wing attack.

"Now's our chance! Use thunder punch!"

Raichu jumped and punched Moltres in the neck while being struck by the wing attack. Having trained for physical moves however it rolled on the sand a bit but used its tail to regain its balance. Moltres crashed on the ground. Sonic knew it was now or never. Throwing one more pokeball at Moltres he prayed. It wiggled once. Twice. Thrice.

But it wasn't meant to be.

A powerful fire pillar destroyed the pokeball as Moltres emerged again and attacked Sonic this time with flamethrower.

"Rai rai!" raichu cried out as it dashed in front of Sonic and following blastoise's example used its iron tail to deflect the attack, separating into 2 jets of fire that went on their left and right. Sonic was in awe but could tell raichu was hurting bad.

"Moltres stop!" he yelled as he got to one knee "I forfeit the fight. Just no more hurt ok?"

Moltres looked at Sonic tilting its head to the side as if in confusion and intrigue. Raichu dropped down from exhaustion as Sonic got to its side.

"Rai" it cried out weakly.

"You did great partner. I'm proud of you".

At that moment a brighter light lighted the night. Sonic, raichu and moltres saw another flying pokemon greatly resembling a flying turkey but a lot more majestic than Sonic could ever describe descended. As Moltres cowered before it, Sonic took out his pokedex in puzzlement as he didn't recognize that pokemon. The pokedex scanned the newly arrived pokemon.

"Data not found. Species unknown".

"Species unknown?!" Sonic said in surprise.

The pokemon let out a powerful cry. Sonic roughly heard the cry coming out as Ho-oh. A sparkling dust then started falling from the wings of the pokemon as raichu as well as Sonic's other pokemon who came out to observe the flying type were miraculously healed and all their injuries from the battle restored. Sonic also noticed that the ash falling out of the flying type also healed Moltres. The two flying types then exchanged a cry, Moltres took one last glaring gaze at Sonic and flew away above him disappearing before Sonic could turn his head to see it leave. As the area around them became dark again, Sonic noticed something faintly glowing in the sunlight at the direction Moltres left from. Approaching with raichu and his pokemon in tow, he saw a feather on the ground. He noticed it was orange and the edge was red and in shape of fire.

"Moltres" he said in realization with a smile "thank you".

The crew then returned to their stuff and after a quick dinner fell asleep due to the exhaustion from the battle.

The next day when they woke up at first, Sonic thought the whole battle the previous night was a dream. That was until he saw the moltres feather on raichu's curled up body. As he picked it up again he noticed it was hot. Furthermore when they were picking up the stuff, when nidorino accidentally stepped on the feather it didn't break. Sonic was intrigued by the feather's endurance and decided it deserved a place of honor as a trophy of his acknowledgement by Moltres. Tying it to the side of his backpack so that he could see it just by looking down, the crew picked up their stuff, blastoise, nidorino and alakazam retreated into their pokeballs for the journey as Sonic and raichu started following the path again.

Ten minutes later Sonic received a facetime call from an unknown number. Confused he accepted the call.

"Good morning Sonic" a familiar female voice was heard. Sonic felt anxiety creeping up on him. Temptation was knocking on his door again.

"Amy" he said trying to sound calm.

"Where did you disappear at?"

"None of your business".

"Oh come. I'm just asking as a friend".

She purposefully spoke the word friend a bit deeper so that it sank in. Sonic felt a small heartbreak but fought to remain calm.

"Ok then. You asked and you got an answer. If you don't mind I'm busy".

"Wow. You're still such a sore loser. You're too scared to face reality. That's why you became a trainer right?"

"The past is behind me Amy. And so are you".

"Dream on".

"I will. I dream of fighting in the league conference tournament. So make like a tree and leave so I can focus on that dream".

Amy was visibly shook that he didn't fall for her taunts.

"I can tell you're lying Sonic. Don't try to act cool on me. You're not cool not now not ever! You will never be as cool as Shadow".

Sonic felt he was at a breaking point. Up until now he really was just acting cool. Before he could break however his eyes met raichu's. They then fell on the Moltres feather. And then his mind was invaded by Tails' voice reminding him of what he had become when he was acting like Shadow. Remembering all that and smiling, he turned back to Amy on his screen.

"You know what. You're right".

"Huh?"

"I agree with you. Being as cool as Shadow is impossible. And you know why?"

"Let me guess? Because you're a softy who can't assert his dominance".

Sonic laughed.

"Of course not silly. How can you be as cool as someone when you're already way cooler than them?"

Amy wasn't expecting this answer and before she could speak again Sonic took the liberty.

"I'll let that sink in. Ciao" he said winking as he hang up on her.

The way he had managed to speak to her made him feel powerful and confident. He also felt gratitude at his partner raichu for just being his partner, for the Moltres wing that reminded him of his progress ever since his journey began and for Tails, Knuckles and Jet for being there for him in his hour of need and during his journey up to this point. Looking at the road stretching straight ahead west he turned to his partner.

"Come on raichu! A new day awaits!"

Chapter Text

"Raichu thunder punch!"

Raichu delivered its attack flawlessly knocking out its opponent, a charizard with ease. Charizard's trainer stomped his foot on the ground frustrated.

"This can't be! I raised charizard so well why couldn't it beat you?"

"Defeat doesn't mean the end kid" Sonic said smiling "just learn from it and keep going".

"Learn what? I lost".

"First of all. Both of you lost. Both you and charizard. There is no I in a team. Second. See what you did wrong in this battle and don't repeat it next time" Sonic said and motioned to leave.

"Easy for you to say. You didn't fail".

Sonic smiled with his back turned to the trainer.

"You shouldn't make assumptions without knowing the full story kid. Just heed my words, toss aside your pride and learn. Come raichu" he said as they went on their way.

On their slow progression towards Fuchsia city which both agreed they should enjoy and not rush it, they had battle a total of 9 trainers and overpowered all of them with relative ease. The only one of those 9 who had given him a challenge was Mike.

"3 against 4 and we almost lost. I can't wait for the rematch" Sonic said as he remembered the moon stone in his backpack.

"I guess if we manage to beat the 5th gym nidorino will be able to evolve. Holy! I forgot" he thought in excitement "if nidorino evolves it will be strong enough to learn earthquake properly. That will be such a useful move" he spoke the last phrase smiling.

As they stopped for a while to rest and just take in the sunlight and the view of the ocean Sonic once again laughed at his conversation with Amy he had just that morning.

"Now she'll think twice before bothering me again".

His phone buzzed as he received a facetime call. Same number.

"Spoke too soon" he said annoyed "mind your business" he commented as he rejected the call.

Not 1 minute later though he received a text.

"Really now? Text too?" he thought as read it.

"Answer your damn phone!" was written on the screen.

Sonic texted a response immediately.

"Mind your own business little girl" no exclamation mark so it would seem he was calm. And he was.

The effect was greater than expected though. His phone began ringing again. Rejecting the call again and choosing to put it in silence mode for now, he sat down and observed raichu playing in the grass as he took in the fresh air.

Around 30 minutes later deciding they should continue on their way Sonic found his phone bombarded with texts from Amy as well as missed calls. Most of them were from Amy but one of them was from Tails who was asking if Sonic knew what had gotten into her. Sonic burst out laughing as he opened the conversation with Tails and saw the screenshot Tails had sent him from the texts Amy had sent Tails. She was ballistic. And that could be seen from her texts to Sonic.

"EXCUSE ME? Who are you calling a little girl! You softie loser! Don't ignore me! Who do you think you are?! Answer your goddamn phone! I'm talking to you!"

Sonic thought he could read the texts and laugh all day but giving Amy the time of his day was not something he would do any longer. Typing and sending a quick LOL, he silenced the contact, placing a bet with himself there would be about a hundred texts next time he checked. As he got up to leave he heard a voice call out to him.

"Hey Sonic!"

Turning to see he saw 3 familiar phases. Brock Misty and Ash.

"Oh great" he thought hoping this time that Pikachu would behave.

"Hey Brock. What are you all doing here?"

"Heading to Fuchsia city of course. Well at least at the Fuchsia gym?" Ash answered for Brock.

"Isn't the gym inside the city?"

"No. Koga, the gym leader has built it outside the city. Poison type trainer you see. And trained in ninja arts. He avoids the city mostly".

"Oh I see" Sonic said not seeing it though "a ninja? Seriously?" he thought holding a laugh.

"You're gonna challenge him too right?" Misty asked Sonic.

"That's the plan" Sonic answered.

"Well then why don't we all travel there together? After all we're on the same path" Brock suggested.

Sonic considered it but having not travelled with companions yet, not including Tails as they had mostly hung out in Vermillion instead of actually travelling, he agreed.

"Sure".

They all started walking towards the city which was still about a day away, as Sonic got into a conversation with the trio about their dreams.

"So Brock how come you can travel now? I thought you had to stay home to care for your siblings".

"My father returned. After Ash challenged me for my badge my father returned. Ash had met him in disguise but he revealed himself after I gave my badge to Ash".

"I see. What other pokemon did you use to beat Brock?" Sonic asked Ash.

"My pidgeotto" Ash said with a small amount of pride in his voice.

"A pidgeotto and a Pikachu against 2 rock and ground types?"

"Technically he didn't win" Misty added.

"Hey I would have won ok? I just had to resign because of circumstances" Ash fired back.

"Yeah let's forget the technicality" Brock said to defuse the situation "point is my father revealed himself, apologized and encouraged me to follow my own dream".

"I was so surprised when I learn someone I had come to know as a nobody was my friend's good for nothing father who left home and never came back" Ash added with his hands on the back of his head. Sonic looked at him in shock.

"Yup still as savage" he thought "but now you're free. That's great".

"Yeah. There's no ill will towards either of my parents. I'm just glad I can make my choice".

Sonic smiled remembering that conversation with Brock.

Pikachu in the meantime was again challenging raichu even fiercer than before.

"Ash. I already asked that of you last time. Discipline your Pikachu. Or I will have to again".

"We're not afraid of you. Question is are you still a chicken? Spike?"

Sonic raised his hands with the sudden urge to lunge at Ash but refrained with a forced smile.

"No,no,no,no. Not this time" he said smiling eyes closed "I'm not losing my cool".

Brock and Misty looked at their friend disappointed that he was still thinking with his pokeballs.

"What about you Misty? What's your dream?"

"To become the world's greatest pokemon master".

"Same as Ash's but for water types?" Sonic asked "could you both be more specific? What does it mean for you to be a pokemon master?"

Ash went to answer but instead got into a deep thought.

"Honestly I have not considered what it means. I started thinking I would catch all the pokemon in the world but now I desire to battle the strongest trainers in the world".

"Like the elite 4 of the region?"

"Yeah. And any other powerful opponents. Like that pokemon I saw when I started my journey".

"What pokemon?"

"I don't know. It was a flying pokemon. The dex had no info on it".

Sonic's eyes widened momentarily.

"Did he see the same pokemon I saw yesterday?" he wondered.

"That was the same day I met Misty too. Had it not been for her bike we would have been swarmed by those spearows" Ash said.

"You still owe me a new bike!" she said in a threatening way.

"I know. I'll get you one. Eventually".

Sonic held in a laugh.

"Eventually means most certainly never" he thought.

"And what about you Sonic?" Brock asked "when I asked you the first time you were just figuring it out? Did you?"

"Not really. For now I'm walking this path because of the war I started with team Rocket".

"They are badgering you too?"

"Badgering me? They are on my tail. After raiding their base…"

"Wait you raided their base?" Ash said in shock.

"Yeah".

"You beat them right?"

"It wasn't easy. Their numbers were huge. And their boss' power was almost unrivaled. I still have a long way to go".

"Their boss? They're have a boss?"

"Um yeah? A criminal organization usually needs a boss to function" Sonic said wondering what Ash meant.

"What kind of boss would hire them?" he asked petting Pikachu.

Sonic was now left dumbfounded once again. Ash was showing team Rocket so little respect it made no sense.

"Yeeeah. Ok. Anyway, how many badges do you have?"

"4".

"So you beat Erika. Nice".

"Um actually he didn't" Misty intervened again.

"Excuse me?"

"He didn't. Team Rocket caused a fire and Ash saved Erika's gloom so she gave him the badge in gratitude".

"Gave him the badge?" Sonic said in surprise "So Brock gave you his badge, Erika gave you hers. Did surge gave you his too?"

"No. I beat him fair and square. Without evolving my Pikachu".

"That's your choice. A foolish choice but still yours".

Why is it a foolish choice?" Ash said rushing in front of Sonic and stopping him.

"Because you're inhibiting yourself from reaching your full potential".

"I'm not gonna become like surge in the pursuit of power. And neither like you".

"Like me?"

"Did you even wonder if your Pikachu wanted to evolve?" Ash asked as Pikachu cried out at raichu as if it was saying "yeah did he ask you".

"Guys no need to argue we're all friends here".

"Not just yet Brock" Ash said "I want to hear what he has to say. Surge's raichu was arrogant and mean. I won't ever let Pikachu turn into that unless it's its choice".

Sonic was honestly surprised that Ash desired to stay as he was. The two of them were kind of opposites but he decided to test the waters.

"My raichu desired to evolve from the first moment I met it. Its personality is still like it was when it was a Pikachu. I see no problem with growing. And trust me when I tell you. You become arrogant and mean only if you let yourself become. I was like that for a while but no longer. I choose who I am not my abilities and same goes for raichu and my other pokemon. They have all evolved from their first stages and their personalities haven't changed".

"Well then fight me and my pokemon! I will prove to you I don't need to evolve to beat you?"

"Like last time?" Sonic said with a smiling expression of "result will be the same".

"No it will not be like last time".

"Guys enough" Misty said "let's just move for now or night will arrive before we arrive the city. Let's go Brock. Brock?"

In the midst of their argument, Brock had approached a passing girl in a pink dress and her oddish and was holding her hand on his knee.

"Oh vision of beauty I'm Brock. Let us sail into the endless beauty of the… ouch ouch!" he yelled as Misty pulled him from his ear while apologizing to the girl who was clearly uncomfortable. Ash laughed.

"Yeah same old Brock".

Sonic however was processing the sight with his mouth hanging open.

"What the fu…" he tried to say only for raichu to close his mouth his its tail bringing back to reality.

"That might have been one of the weirdest things I've seen. With all due respect" he said as Brock was mourning.

"My heart is in a million pieces".

"Don't worry Brock you'll find plenty of other girls to reject you" Ash said patting his on the shoulder. Sonic turned to his raichu.

"Buddy, it's official. I'm dreaming. Zap me so I can wake up" he said closing his eyes.

Raichu obeyed confused and Sonic felt the current coursing through his body. Though it was a huge shock and his hair started pointing upwards, he opened his eyes to see his was actually awake.

"Oh my god this is painful to watch" he thought as Misty was pulling Brock from the ear to move as Ash followed with a small laugh. Sonic followed regardless of the cringe.

As he walked past Ash, the latter noticed the wing dangling from Sonic's backpack.

"Hey what's that?" he asked intrigued as he looked closer.

"Spoils of battle" Sonic said trying to sound cool and mysterious.

"A battle with what?"

"What could possibly be the pokemon I fought to receive a wing from?"

Ash thought about it for a moment as Brock and Misty also observed the feather.

"An orange-to-yellow feather. Strong pokemon. OOOOh I see!"

"Wasn't that hard to figure out was it?" Sonic said with a hint of pride on his face.

"You must have fought a wild pidgeot!" Ash said with confidence.

Sonic tripped from the shock and landed head first to the ground to raichu's concern and Pikachu's laughing.

"A pidgeot?! Are you dense or something? Do you really think I would keep a pidgeot feather?"

"Why not? It is a powerful pokemon" Ash replied with a seemingly innocent voice.

Sonic slapped his forehead.

"This kid's an idiot I swear" he thought "alright I'll give you one more try. You can touch the feather if you want to get another clue".

Ash went ahead and touched the feather feeling how hot it was.

"A hot feather? Oh I see now!"

"Finally" Sonic said in relief.

"You fought a charizard!" he said with even more confidence than before.

Sonic slapped his forehead stronger this time and lunged at Ash, being held back by Brock.

"Let me at him Brock please! He is too dense to exist!"

"Calm down Sonic" Brock said holding him back as Ash looked in confusion.

"I'm wrong again? You fought a flying type and the feather is hot so it must have also been a fire type. Charizard fits the bill".

"Yes" Sonic said in disappointment stopping his effort to attack "except Charizard has webbed wings. They don't have feathers".

Brock then gasped in shock.

"Wait! There is one other fire and flying pokemon" he said observing the feather again. He then stepped back in shock.

"Is that a feather of the legendary moltres?!"

"Thank god at least you figured it out" Sonic said in relief.

"You fought Moltres?!" Misty said in surprise.

"Yes. I forfeit the battle to protect raichu from it after we were overwhelmed but it did leave me this feather afterwards".

"It acknowledged you. This is a huge honor for a trainer" Brock said in awe.

"It sure is" Sonic said with pride as they continued on their way.

After a while he could see the city buildings protrude from the woods next to the coast.

"Hey look we're almost there" Sonic said.

Raichu cried out in joy and Pikachu who had just climbed down to challenge it again agreed before trying to goad it into a fight. At that moment however a net came out of nowhere and captured the two mouse pokemon.

"Pikachu!" Ash said in terror as Sonic looked for the owners of the net.

A duo of laughters occurred as they saw the net being raised onto a meowth hot air balloon.

"Team Rocket!" Ash said in anger.

"These 3 idiots again?" Sonic said in disgust.

"Ahahaha! Prepare for trouble!"

"Make it double!"

"To protect the world from devastation".

"To unite all peoples…."

"Alright we get it!" Sonic said in anger "you're evil. Now let go of our pokemon or this time I won't be so kind!"

Team Rocket went to answer but meowth remembered Sonic.

"Gah! It's him! The twerp who threatened to have me ripped apart!"

"He is the twerp who destroyed the Celadon base!" James said remembering when Giovanni was fuming in the last meeting of the higher ups.

"All the better" Jessie said in excitement "the boss will be so pleased we bring the raichu he hates and this powerful Pikachu back!"

"Let them go team rocket! Go pidgeotto!" Ash ordered sending out his pokemon.

Sonic who was not in the mood for this, took out blastoise's pokeball.

"This is your only warning. Let them go, or you won't make it back to your boss!"

"Oh yeah what are you gonna do twerp! Give me here James! Go weezing!"

A weeing came out of the pokeball and floated down towards Sonic.

"Blastoise!" he shouted sending it out "water pulse!"

Blastoise easily knocked out weezing to team Rocket's horror.

"Last chance! Let them go!"

"N-never! Go Arb.."

"Ice beam!"

Blastoise fired ice beam at the net cutting it in half as the ice broke from the weight of the 2 electric types sending them plummeting to the ground.

"Alakazam! Use psychic to save them!" Sonic shouted sending it out.

Alakazam emerged and slowed the fall until Pikachu and raichu touched the ground gently.

"Ash will you do the honors of destroying these 3 idiots?"

"With pleasure! Pikachu thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaa…. chuuuuu! Pikachu cried out as it unleashed its attack zapping team Rocket and causing the hot air balloon to explode sending them flying. Sonic heard them screaming in horror as they launched away.

"We're blasting off again!" was all he heard as they disappeared into the sky.

"I wonder where they will land" Ash said with a smile.

"Hopefully somewhere where they can be taught a lesson" Sonic replied,

Team rocket crash-landed in the middle of the woods on top of a pile of berries.

"This is not fair we were so close!" Jessie went into a tantrum.

"As if one twerp was bad enough now, there's two of them".

"And the second one is worse than the first" Meowth replied "at least I won't be ripped apart today".

At that moment the 3 were ensnared in string shots as they looked around to see they had landed into the nest of a pair of scythers.

"Spoke too soon" Meowth said in horror.

"Mommy!" a scream was heard far away from the nest but never reach Sonic and the trio who reached the city. Sonic decided he would find somewhere to spend the night before visiting the safari zone as Reina had suggested. After bedding farewell to the trio and begrudgingly accepting a full battle with Ash next time they met, he found a room at one of the pokemon center in town. After a good dinner from the full day that consisted of sandwiches as they hadn't had any in a while Sonic checked his phone. He had a text from his mother asking how he was, which he quickly replied everything was going smoothly. Switching to Amy's chat he thought he had won the bet. There were 103 texts all of them being angry texts, challenges and her being triggered in general. Leaving her on read he went to sleep satisfied and beat at the long day he and his pokemon had had.

Chapter Text

The sun's bright rays hit Sonic's face waking him up from his peaceful sleep. Jolting up hyped for another day of adventuring battling and maybe even catching a new pokemon in the safari zone, he gently woke up raichu and the two exited the pokemon center heading to the safari zone. On the way he checked his phone to see if his friends or his brother had texted him. There were no texts from them but 200 unread messages from Amy the last one sent at 5:14 AM.

"Wha… ok it's official she's crazy. If she keeps this up I'm blocking the contact" Sonic thought realizing once again he had dodged a bullet.

Reaching the safari zone he paid the entry fee but was informed that even though raichu could join him it was not allowed to use any of its moves against the wild pokemon otherwise it would have to be recalled until Sonic's tour of the safari zone ended. Sonic was also given a total of 30 pokeballs dyed in safari colors or as the staff called them safari balls.

"Kind of on the nose" he thought.

Entering the safari zone the duo were greeted with an entire horizon of open space as well as several pokemon roaming around. Sonic noticed a normal nidorino and an actual nidorina pass by as well as a tauros running past him and raichu.

"So many options" he commented but is which one could be the best one for the team?" he wondered.

He observed a pack of tauros thinking one was an easy catch.

"Seems strong but it's a normal type. Don't know how much I want one. Nah there's got to be something better around these parts".

Proceeding further in they came across a lake where an orange fish observed them curiously, its head protruding from the surface of the water.

"Goldeen I think" Sonic thought "nope already have a water type".

After a few more steps he heard a cry behind a rock. Slowly looking, the duo saw a kangaskhan with its baby, eating and feeding its baby.

"That's actually cute" Sonic thought smiling "though again. Normal type".

After going back to the path they came across an interesting one.

"A rhyhorn" Sonic thought in surprise "that's actually strong. But how much do I want a second ground type? Oh well I think it too much" he said taking aim and throwing the safari ball.

The ball hit the rhyhorn and wiggled twice but rhyhorn broke out. Sonic was about to throw a second one but rhyhorn growled in anger and stomped its foot to the ground. Raichu took a battle stance.

"Oh boy this is bad" Sonic said as he remembered raichu wasn't allowed to attack "raichu. Very slowly. Walk away".

Raichu cried out its name in question but obeyed its trainer as the two started carefully retreating. Rhyhorn however wasn't having it. It started dashing towards the pair.

"RUN!" Sonic screamed as he started running for his life. Noticing raichu kept forgetting the rule about not attacking, he quickly recalled it and kept running. He heard from behind his shoulder the angry growls and the stampede of the rhyhorn but dared not look back.

Taking a sharp turn Sonic dived behind a rock as the rhyhorn, not seeing well beyond its horn, passed by thinking Sonic had kept on going forward. Sonic observed it run and after making sure it was away started taking deep breaths with his eyes closed trying to catch his breath.

"Oh man. That was a rush".

"Pin".

Sonic opened his eyes confused and his eyes met the eyes of a powerful looking pokemon with giant pincers. The two were looking at each other straight in the eye with the pokemon being right in front of him, not making a move. Sonic gulped.

"Pin. Siiir!" the pokemon growled as it used its pincers to try and grab Sonic. Acting on instinct Sonic dived out of the way and darted away.

"What is this crazy place?!" he said in horror as he saw a tree ahead.

Hiding on top of the tree, he observed the pokemon that had followed him but didn't think to look up. Not recognizing it he took out his pokedex and scanned it.

"Pinsir, the Stag Beetle Pokémon. A bug type. When Pinsir's horns clamp onto an opponent, they won't release until it's defeated".

"Woah what?" he thought in shock "so if I wasn't fast enough earlier this thing would have cut me in half".

He took one look at Pinsir which grabbed a rock with its pincers and smashed it with ease.

"Now you seem like a good catch" he thought smiling "ok. Ready" he said taking out another safari ball "Aim. Fire" he said as he threw the pokeball which hit pinsir.

The ball wiggled twice again and broke as Pinsir angered, noticed where its prey had disappeared at. Dashing to the tree, it nailed its pincers to the sides and with relative ease started uprooting it.

"YO WHAT THE FU… aaaahh!" Sonic screamed in horror as he was ejected by the force of the uprooting and crashed on the rocky ground scratching his arm. Pinsir let go of the tree and started approaching him. Sonic once again bolted away.

"I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead!" he screamed to himself in terror as he could hear the pincers sound behind him approaching.

Suddenly a rock came out of nowhere and hit pinsir on the head enraging it further but stopping it from pursuing Sonic and instead shift its focus on the person who had thrown the rock. Sonic tried to look at them as well but tripped and fell. Turning he saw a man dressed in a safari outfit throwing another rock at pinsir and which dashed at him. Smiling the man jumped out of the way causing pinsir to crash on a rock behind him. Taking out a safari ball the guy was about to throw it before pinsir fled. He stomped his foot to the ground in frustration before approaching Sonic.

"You ok there kid?"

"Apart from a scratch yeah" Sonic grunted as he got up.

"I assume you're new here. Noone else would be as foolish to try and catch a pokemon like that head on".

"Kind of figured that on my own" Sonic answered back.

"Heh. You got spirit though" the man said extending his arm "I'm Leo".

"Sonic".

"Are you doing the gym challenge?"

"Yeah. What about you?"

"I'm a pokemon collector. I have caught a lot of pokemon but don't have any of them as my partner. That's not a big problem for me though. I have trained a lot to catch wild pokemon without battling them".

"Without a battle? I mean it makes sense in here but outside? Making your life harder on purpose?"

"That's my style. I like a challenge".

Sonic wiped the dirt of himself.

"I see. Well thanks Leo. I'll be on my way".

"Weren't you trying to catch that pinsir?"

"Was planning to. But that thing is dangerous. I'd like not to be cut in half".

"Hm…"

"What?"

"What do you say I teach you how my techniques? They might just help you as much as they have helped me".

Sonic was caught by surprise.

"Teach me your style? Why would you do that?"

"I like to go for hard prey when I hunt for pokemon but sometimes I'd like to have a rival in the hunt. However because trainers like you usually catch something easy and leave, it becomes boring".

"So basically you want to teach me how to hunt pokemon to hold a little contest? No other catch?"

"No other catch. I'll be leaving Kanto soon so I want to have such a contest with a local trainer before leaving".

"I'm not actually from Kanto but if you really mean it, I'll take the opportunity" Sonic said thinking it could actually be a helpful ability to be able to catch wild pokemon without battling them or in case he was unable to battle them for whatever reason".

"Excellent. We're starting right now. So. Rule number 1 of hunting. Pick your target. You need to know what you're aiming for otherwise you will be unlikely to yield a good result".

"So I have to decide what I want to catch?"

"Yes".

"I mean pinsir would have been nice. What else good lives here?"

"Allow me to show you" Leo said revealing a chart of the place.

"So the species I have encountered so far are members of the nidoran family, both the male and the female families, the paras family…"

"Care to enlighten me on it?"

"It's a grass and bug type. Mostly a defensive pokemon".

"Nah I think I'll pass. Terrible combination of types".

"Moving on, there is also there are plenty of rhyhorns around these parts".

"That could be a good one but I already have a soon to be nidoking so another ground type isn't in the plans".

"Continuing" Leo said slightly annoyed "other common species are the venonat family, exeggcute and doduo. Also some rare species are tauros, kangaskhan, chansey, pinsir, your very desire" he teased Sonic "and Scyther".

"I see. Wait are there lakes here?"

"Yes. They contain mostly magikarp, psyducks and poliwag as well as golden which is a bit rare. However I recently heard a rumor that dratini has begun appearing. One visitor even mentioned seeing a dragonair".

"Dratini and dragonair?!" Sonic asked in surprise as dratini being a dragon type made it very powerful and hard to beat.

"That's honestly my main aim. I wish to find one of their kind. So rare. So pretty and precious".

"I'm honestly between pinsir and dratini at this point" Sonic said "I have a good team already, so I'd like something to cover my flanks when it comes to types".

"Alright. You have the targets. Rule number 2 of hunting. Know your target".

"Didn't we just cover that?"

"No. We picked the target. Tell me what you know about pinsir and the dratini family".

Sonic racked his brain.

"To be honest, today was the first time I ever saw a pinsir. I have seen dragonairs and dragonites battle on TV. They are dragon therefore resist a lot of types. Also…"

"Let me stop you here. You describe them with the eyes of a trainer. As a hunter you need to know other stuff like how to track them. As I previously explained, dratini and dragonair live underwater. Therefore if you want to find them you will need to know how to fish pokemon and what lures them. I have special dragon lures with me but they are still not making it very easy".

"Ok. But what about pinsir?"

"Are you leaning towards it or is it just me?"

"Kind of. Its aggressive nature is something I'd like to have in my party. Plus dratini takes a lot of care to raise and a lot of training to become strong as a dragonite and well… let's just say I'm on a deadline".

"Fair enough. Pinsir is a bug type. But unlike most bugs that are usually the prey in the pokemon ecosystem, pinsir and scyther are predators. Therefore they don't live in groups and therefore are hard to find. In their case you need to know about their nature. What they eat and if possible what kind of tracks they live behind".

"Tracks? We're gonna detect tracks?"

"Yes. For someone like you who's about to do their first hunt it sounds crazy. But knowing what your prey looks like makes it all that easier to hunt it. So here" Leo said handing Sonic a few pictures "most of them are pokemon with similar footprints. It's almost midday so I will retreat for lunch. I want you to learn to recognize the footprints. Also on the back I have several notes on where most of these pokemon can be found. Learn them as well. It will make your life a lot easier. That's all for now. Let's meet in 2 hours for our contest. Deal?"

Sonic would have preferred to just use the info to track down and catch a pinsir or even a scyther but after all the help Leo had given him, it was the least he could do.

"Deal".

As the 2 walked out Leo remembered something.

"Before I forget. Rule number 3. Vital one. Predatory pokemon are dangerous and therefore will go for you. Elsewhere your own pokemon would defend you but here you will need to know how to dodge attacks. I suggest you train with your pokemon as much as possible before we meet again. See you later".

Sonic remembering his encounter with Pinsir almost resulting in his death agreed nodding. After a quick lunch he went to a clearing in the woods with his pokemon and had them attack him with their moves. The training was mostly a disaster as Sonic's reflexes were not good enough to dodge incoming attacks like that but by the end he was able to dodge a psychic-thrown object from Alakazam. Deciding there was nothing more to do for now and at worst they would just flee a predator running, they returned to the safari zone were Leo was waiting.

"Finally. Woah you look rough".

"Can't dodge that well yet".

"Just stay away from the prey if it's a predator and you'll be fine. Let's go in" he said in obvious excitement.

After paying the entry fee once again, Leo decided to head towards the lakes to try and fish for dratini. Sonic headed for a rocky section of the zone realizing from Leo's data the pinsir either liked forests or rocky terrains for easy prey. After small walk through the rocks he heard the familiar pincers grabbing something.

"Oh boy" he thought hiding behind a rock and slightly protruding his head to see.

There was but one Pinsir. But to Sonic's surprise it was calm and its pincers were clashing calmly as if it was playing with them.

"A calm predator? I wonder if it has had prey" Sonic thought.

"Found something?" a voice whispered in his ear.

Sonic almost gasped but kept himself from it.

"You scared the soul out of me. Also don't you dare try to catch this I found it!" he whispered.

"Well if you fail to catch it here, it'll be free for all. So what are you planning to do?"

Sonic thought about throwing a safari ball but remembered how Pinsir was not caught the first time around. He didn't like having to rely on luck again.

"Let me give you a small hint about places like this. Pokemon here live free for the most part. Therefore when predators become prey they tend to run. But if you can confuse them but not have them flee, they will be unable to resist the ball's mechanism".

"Confuse them? Like.." Sonic said remembering when Leo threw a rock at the Pinsir from before "throwing a rock?"

"Yes. It angers and/or confuses them. Making them less likely to break out of the ball".

"But what if we tried to lure them with food or something?"

"If you bait it with food it will see you as a food source. Apart from predators seeing you as prey, it makes them harder to catch because they have seen you therefore not only is the element of surprise gone, but when they see the ball coming they will shake off the mechanism. What you have here is a perfect opportunity".

"Ok" Sonic said hesitantly picking up a rock. Winding his hand he threw it at Pinsir hitting it on the head.

Pinsir immediately jolted up looking around as its pincers clapped. Winding up again Sonic threw a safari ball. It wiggled once, twice, thrice.

But the pinsir broke out. However instead of attacking them, seeing as they were 2 it fled.

"Looks like the hunt is on!" Leo said in excitement as he chased after it.

"Damnit no!" Sonic thought as he raced after him.

However after a small run Sonic caught up to Leo who had lost track of the Pinsir. They were at a crossroad junction and Pinsir tracks led to both sides.

"Well that's a bummer" Leo said as Sonic finally caught up.

"So… which track's the right one?"

"Can't tell" Leo said as he examined both sets of footprints "they both look very recent".

Sonic however felt his gut telling him to go right. He started walking towards the right path.

"Where are you going?"

"It's this way".

"How do you know?"

"… I just know".

"Following your gut? Not my cup of tea. I'll stay here and figure this out. See you when I catch my prize" Leo teased him.

Sonic proceeded as the path became uneven after a while. Looking back and realizing he had taken a wrong turn, his eyes widened.

"I'm lost" he thought to himself.

Trying to navigate through the maze of the rocky terrain, he ended up in a small circle with even ground. On the side he saw a pile of berries as well as what looked like the remains of what was once a metapod.

"Oh hell no!" Sonic thought but before he turned to leave he heard the now familiar sound. The sound of pincers.

Pinsir, mad beyond imagination that Sonic had trespassed into its nest, charged pincers forward trying to grab Sonic. Sonic once again dived to the side. Pinsir's pincers were nailed into a rock. Sonic winded up his hand to throw a safari ball but Pinsir unearthed the rock and threw it at Sonic.

"Remember the training!" Sonic thought as he sidestepped, the rock slightly scratching him but leaving him most unscathed. Throwing the safari ball, Pinsir was unable to prepare for it as it was recovering from having thrown such a big rock. The ball made contact and wiggled thrice. Sonic expected it to break out again.

Instead the beep confirming the catch was heard. Sonic dropped to his knees in relief while grabbing his scratched shoulder. Hands clapping was heard.

"THAT.. WAS… INCREDIBLE!" Leo yelled in excitement as he climbed down on of the big rocks and approached Sonic "and you caught it too!"

"You stood there and watched?!" Sonic said frustrated.

"It's not like you needed my help. You even dodged the projectile. Almost".

"It's nothing. I'll just find a bandage or something" Sonic said.

"Let help" Leo responded taking a bandage out of his backpack and bandaging Sonic's arm.

"You were right about following your gut. But so was I about following the tracks. They looked recent because they were. I found a Pinsir myself. Caught it of course. But that one was on the hunt. You followed the one you caught to its nest. Unintentionally I'm sure. But still bold move".

"Thanks" Sonic said not knowing what else to say.

Afterwards the 2 safari goers returned to the exit with their catches.

"I didn't manage to get a chance at dratini or dragonair but it's ok. Pinsir is just as good".

"I agree" Sonic said "though I wonder how I will train this one. It's very wild and I just took it from its home in a way".

"I'm sure it will warm up to you. Predatory pokemon make some of the strongest team members for a reason. Hard to tame. But if you do tame them, you will send fear into your opponent's heart".

"True" Sonic agreed again.

After shaking hands again and bidding farewell to each other as Leo was to leave Kanto the next day, Sonic returned to the pokemon center for the night, beat by the day's events. Hunting pokemon was a rush and somewhat dangerous.

"I do have to admit though. Confronting Pinsir right then and there did feel good" he murmured as he petted raichu who was grumpy at not having the chance to battle any of the safari pokemon.

"Don't worry partner. You'll get to train with our new team member tomorrow. Our other friends too" he said as he looked to his remaining 3 pokeballs as well as the one safari ball. The training session that was to come would surely be interesting.

Chapter Text

Sonic woke up as he hand ached from his cut the previous day. Groaning he got up and took a look at the scratch as he changed his bandage. It wasn't deep. As he took his pokemon out of the city to begin training to fight the next gym leader, he was called by Jet.

"What's good bro?"

"Hey bro. Heading off to train".

"What happened to your arm?"

"Oh I got cut yesterday".

"What craziness did you get yourself into this time?"

"When I get to the clearing I'll show you. Oh also I met Mike again".

"Really? How'd he seem?"

"Like a totally different person. More joyful. And much stronger. Dude almost beat me with 3 pokemon".

"3 against 4 and you almost lost?!"

"Yeah. I have a lot of work to do to keep up. Good news is…" Sonic said sending out the first pokeball as he turned the camera to face Alakazam that was sent out "I helped him evolve his haunter and he helped back".

"Alakazam! So cool! I've never seen one before! I usually see kadabras only!"

"I know. Alakazam has peeked in terms of the moves it could learn on its own so I evolved it. Soon enough I'm sure we'll find its mother as well" Sonic said as he prepared to throw the next pokeball.

"Also this one grew too" he said sending out blastoise.

"Blastoise too? Your team is stacked! How did it evolve so fast?!"

"We fought something very powerful" Sonic said as he brought the moltres wing in sight of the camera. Jet was silent for a moment then gasped.

"You saw moltres again?!"

"I didn't just see it. I battled it. I tried to catch it as well but it escaped. It granted me its wing as a token of acknowledgement".

"So cool!"

"And something else crazy too" Sonic said as he sent out raichu and nidorino "after the battle another pokemon appeared. A flying red pokemon. Not moltres. But it healed my pokemons' as well as Moltres wounds".

"What?! A new species?! I got to check it out! I'll contact Tails and Knuckles to get some research done as well".

"Cool. Oh and last thing. How I got the scratch" Sonic said sending out his 5th pokemon.

Pinsir emerged and immediately got into agro mode as blastoise immediately stepped in front of it to prevent it from attacking Sonic. As raichu tried to deescalate the situation, Sonic was able to give Jet a clear view of his newest catch.

"WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?!" Jet asked loudly partly impressed, partly shocked and partly terrified.

"The safari zone. I wandered into its nest. A pokemon collector/hunter helped me the first time and taught some tricks to get around the rule of not using battling as a way to catch pokemon".

"You do know this thing is savage right? Can you really trust it?"

"I'll earn its trust. Even predators can form bonds with humans we've seen it before".

"Ok. Be careful though. Again this thing can be dangerous".

"As long as it's only dangerous in battle for my opponents, it'll be fine. Got to go. I have to get myself acquainted with it. Talk later bro. Give mom and dad my love" Sonic said as he hang up. Slowly approaching blastoise's back he motioned it to get out of the way. Pinsir was locked in a face-off with raichu as they used brick break and iron tail respectively, not one of them giving in at all.

"Oh boy" Sonic thought as he raised his hands to get their attention "everybody calm down we're all friends here".

Pinsir's eyes turned to him and broke off the contact with raichu attemting to slash at Sonic. However raichu's static kicked in exactly before the pincers touched him though he had already ducked out of the way. As Pinsir stood there paralyzed Sonic knew he had to make a choice. Having identified one of the berries he carried as a cheri berry which he had learnt could cure paralysis he pondered feeding it to Pinsir in an attempt to gain its trust. Raichu dashed to him and grabbed his foot trying to stop him.

"Buddy it's ok. Trust me".

Raichu hesitated but let go. It took a battle stance as Sonic approached the paralyzed Pinsir. Alakazam watching it all happen was ready to use its psychic power to lift and immobilize Pinsir. Blastoise and nidorino were looking visibly worried.

Sonic knelt in front of the pinsir which looked at him with savage eyes. It growled in what seemed like anger. Sonic offered it the berry as the pincers clicked threateningly. Pinsir slowly approached and Sonic put the berry slowly into its mouth. As the pinsir ate and the effect of the paralysis wore off, everybody was ready for a battle. Pinsir however just looked at Sonic in deep thought before clicking its pincers and growling as it walked a bit further away and tried to uproot a tree. Sonic thought about recalling it but stood in front of it to stop it instead.

"No. Don't uproot it".

Pinsir's pincers grabbed Sonic's sides before any of his pokemon could react. For a moment Sonic expected to feel them slashing him in half. Pinsir however showed obvious hesitation. After a moment it released him and just walked to the tree. It then shook it with its pincers causing berried to drop to the ground. Nidorino went to take one but Pinsir stopped it as they stared each other down. Sonic petted nidorino.

"I have some for you pal. Give our new friend some space" he said as they left pinsir alone.

After the first contact and a quick round of berries, the team started training, the pokemon battling each other to not only increase their power output but at Sonic's suggesting to try and sharpen their reflexes in order to dodge attacks. Pinsir observed silently and after a while, when it was sure everyone had forgotten it was there dashed at nidorino using brick break again. Raichu, drowning in adrenaline, easily blocked the attack and slammed pinsir with iron tail knocking it down. Pinsir got back up and slammed raichu back, curling and rolling in on itself holding raichu which took damage but broke free after a while landing a thunder punch at pinsir. Sonic identified the move but scanned the duo repeating the process with his pokedex.

"Last used moves?"

"Last recorded moves. Thunder punch and submission"

"Woah what? This thing knows submission? Isn't that a move they learn when they are at an advanced level of power?" Sonic wondered in surprise as he searched through the dex entry trying to see what kind of bug moves it could learn. To his disappointment it could only learn fury swipe and could only learn it by tutoring. However there were several other moves that made it a fascinating choice.

"Maybe I can't use it as a bug type, but a mixed type moveset on a bug type of such power has a lot of potential. Though for the time being I doubt it will obey me" Sonic thought silently.

In the meantime Alakazam and blastoise had managed to separate raichu and pinsir. Nidorino however was looking at them saddened that it couldn't do a lot to help. It approached Sonic, having warmed up to him during their travel to Fuchsia.

"What's is it nidorino?"

Nidorino pointed at his backpack lying on the grass. Sonic realized what it was thinking.

"You want to…"

"Nido".

"Why all of a sudden? We have had the stone for a while but you didn't pursue it until now" he said more to himself than to nidorino. Nidorino merely looked back at the bigger pokemon compared to it with the exception of raichu.

"Oh. You feel left out?"

"Nido" Nidorino growled in a bit of sadness.

"Nidorino" Sonic said kneeling to meet it in the eyes as raichu and pinsir had broken free from the grasp of Alakazam and blastoise and were clashing again "just because you're smaller at this point doesn't mean you're less strong or less important to the team. The choice must be yours alone" he ended his phrase.

"Wait a minute" he thought to himself "did I just sound like Ash right now?" he wondered as he considered whether or not to evolve nidorino.

"Hmmm" Sonic thought "to be honest evolving would make you less agile and the stall strategy wouldn't be as effective. But on the other hand we could have you fight back instead of dodging and just wait for the opponent to faint. And plus evolving will allow you access to earthquake when we visit mr Fuji again" he commented taking out the moon stone from his bag and laying it on the grass.

"The choice is yours nidorino. Go through with it only if you're sure".

He didn't give it the choice solely because of Ash's reasoning of their pokemon having their choice on the matter. Sonic and nidorino were working well already and the first would have no problem with the latter evolving right before learning earthquake. On the other hand having a fully evolved team sounded cool. And a small part of Sonic was dying to know what shiny Nidoking looked like.

Nidorino wasted no time. It immediately touched the stone and began glowing as the stone was absorbed into its body.

The other 4 pokemon all looked, even raichu and pinsir who stopped fighting and observed, pinsir showing no sign of surprise. Raichu, blastoise and alakazam however were surprised at this sudden turn of events.

The shape of nidorino became bigger and bigger until the glowing stopped and a sky-blue nidoking emerged as it roared, its roar piercing its teammates' ears and sending pidgeys flying from the trees.

"You look badass!" Sonic said in excitement.

Nidoking was approached by its teammates except pinsir who returned to its pile of berries and began eating them. Nidoking had indeed become slower but could take attacks better than before plus now that it was a ground type it could be a good wall for possible electric opponents. Raichu and nidoking immediately sparred as raichu, its thunder punch now not working had to resort to mostly iron tail so that it would be an effective attack and not get poisoned by poison touch.

While the team trainer pinsir observed the silent. After a while it once again dashed using brick break again on nidoking. Nidoking tanked the attack this time, raichu not intervening fast enough, and fired sludge bomb on pinsir. The two pokemon clashed with immense strength, the ground shaking by the ferocity of their attacks. After pinsir tried using submission which nidoking blocked with protect, it lunged at nidoking, closing it within its pincers. Adding a sudden bit of pressure caused the nidoking to instantly faint.

"NIDOKING!" Sonic screamed in horror as he approached it.

Feeling for the pokemon's chest he felt a heartbeat. As raichu clashed with Pinsir again, thinking it had killed its friend Sonic remembered Pinsir knowing another move, far more powerful than submission. Deciding to test its theory he looked around and saw a boulder sitting by a tree.

"Raichu! Lure pinsir towards the rock!"

Raichu obeyed and pinsir lunged again ready to grab raichu with its pincers. Raichu dodged and as Sonic recorded, pinsir smashed the rock with its powerful pincers.

"Last recorded move; guillotine" the pokedex reported.

"Guillotine" Sonic whispered as he stepped in between his 2 pokemon.

"Stop!" he ordered them as Nidoking got up with a lot of effort helped by Alakazam. Raichu saw this and sighed in relief. However its attention turned soon back to Pinsir.

"Raichu wait. There is no point" Sonic said as he turned to pinsir.

"You are strong. And I can see that. Wild and untamable. And with a one-hit KO move too" Sonic said realizing that having a predatory pokemon like that wouldn't be easy and that a test had to be taken to see if there was hope for pinsir. Taking out pinsir's pokeball he placed it on a piece of the rock pinsir had just smashed.

"If you want out you can have it. I won't force you to be with us" Sonic said.

Pinsir approached the pokeball and grabbed it with its pincers. Sonic was fully ready to see the pokeball break from the pressure. It sucked that he would lose such a powerful pokemon but it was for the best.

Pinsir however just stood there looking at the pokeball after a few moments it placed the pokeball back on the rock and returned to its spot with the berries. Sonic's pokemon observed it silently as Sonic took back the pokeball and headed to use a healing item on Nidoking.

"So it won't make up its mind just yet" he thought after healing nidoking as he started packing up his stuff to return to town to rest. Time had passed and it would soon go dark.

Once he returned to the path leading to the city Sonic heard someone call out to him.

"Hey you!"

Turning around Sonic saw none other than…

"Gary" he said in surprise.

"So we meet again spikehead".

"Look if this about your defeat at my hands, I know I stepped over the line with the trashtalking. But you had it coming a bit too".

"Who cares about the trashtalking. You beat Ash and you think that makes you someone?"

"You know Ash?"

"Yes. And now I will prove that your performance against him and me was just a fluke".

"Look" Sonic tried to reason with him "Ash had it coming when he battled me. Don't come at me with the same attitude".

Gary was ready to answer back but noticed the Moltres wing hanging from Sonic's backpack which strangely emitted a small glow.

"No. No. NO! That can't be… Ash has to have lied. This can't be a feather of the legendary moltres!"

"Oh but it is" Sonic said confidently "you can come at me if you want but keep in mind not the same person I was in Vermillion. I am much, much better now".

Gary however had made up his mind.

"I'm not afraid of you! I will show why I will be the strongest trainer in the world! Go Arcanine!"

Arcanine came out of the pokeball and roared.

"So you evolved growlithe. Good. Go Alakazam!"

Alakazam came out of the pokeball and hummed in peace.

"Alakazam?! How? How can someone like you have a friend to help you evolve it?!"

"You shouldn't judge someone without knowing everything about them" Sonic said "my friend was an actual challenge. Ash's Pikachu fell in one move. I can't say his entire team won't be a challenge since I have not seen it. So me if you will be a challenge".

"Arcanine fire blast!"

Arcanine released a jet of flames shaped like a star at Alakazam. Alakazam used its psychic power to redirect the blast dodging it.

"Alakazam show him a real move! Shadow ball!"

Alakazam fired shadow ball at Arcanine greatly damaging it.

"Weak! Extreme speed!"

"Extreme speed?!" Sonic said in surprise having never heard of that move.

Arcanine disappeared from sight moving like an orange blur. Alakazam tried to hit it with shadow balls and psychic but was unable to. Extreme speed connected resulting in a critical hit knocking Alakazam out with ease.

"No" Sonic said in shock at the power of the move.

"Ha I knew you were nothing. Using shadow ball with a psychic type. It takes a real trainer to know that moves used by a pokemon with the same type are stronger. It's called a same type ability boost Spike".

Sonic felt frustration crawl up on him again.

"Picked that up from Ash?!"

"Yes I did. Now hurry up and bring out your next weakling".

"Fine. I'll give you something to dread! Pinsir go!"

"Pinsir?!" Gary said in shock.

Pinsir emerged. Its pincers clicking threateningly and its deadly glare caused Arcanine to flinch despite pinsir not having an ability to affect its opponent.

"Pinsir demolish that arcanine! Guillotine!"

Pinsir however looked back at Sonic and proceeded to walk off the field.

"Pinsir?" Sonic said in shock as pinsir just grabbed nearby rock and smashed it.

"Pinsir we're in the middle of a battle" Sonic said in utter confusion. Gary started laughing hysterically.

"Pinsir if you want to smash, smash him!" Sonic said in anger as Gary wiped the tears off his eyes.

"You are such a moron. Don't you know powerful pokemon don't obey weaklings?!"

"Who are you calling a weakling?!"

"You. Obviously you can't assert your dominance to make it obey you. At least if you had more badges you would be experienced enough to handle it".

"Damnit he's right" Sonic thought calming himself down "Pinsir is too powerful for my current level. I need to build trust with it before it obeys me. Oh well" he said as sent out blastoise instead.

"What?! Your wartortle already evolved?!"

"Result of my battle with Moltres. You're lucky I wasn't able to catch it".

"W-Whatever! Arcanine sunny day!"

Arcanine used its move harnessing the sun's light to make the air around them hotter.

"Blastoise water pulse!"

Blastoise fired its move which shrank in size due to the heat allowing arcanine to dodge.

"Solar beam!" Gary said confidently.

Arcanine charged its solar beam but Sonic could tell that it would fire soon due to the surrounding heat.

"Protect!" Sonic ordered as blastoise blocked the attack successfully. Arcanine and Gary were left in shock.

"Don't stop now arcanine! Fire blast!"

"Rapid spin!"

Blastoise's enhanced defenses as well as its spinning rotation allowed it to easily tank the move.

"Solar beam!"

"Protect!"

The two pokemon repeated their earlier moves. At the end of the protect move the heat around them wore off as well as Arcanine had started getting exhausted. Sonic knew it was now or never.

"Water pulse!"

There was no dodging for the tired Arcanine. Just like with Alakazam the move was a critical hit resulting in it getting knocked out. Pinsir in the meantime observed silently.

"Arcanine return" Gary said returning it "you got lucky again! But your lack won't last forever! Go nidorina!"

A nidorina came out and Sonic still remembering the day he encountered his shiny nidorino could tell it was drastically different compared to its male counterpart.

"Nidorina poison sting!"

"Rapid spin"

Blastoise tanked the attack with its move, the poison stings not penetrating its shell.

"Not just yet! Thunderbolt!"

"Thunderbolt?!" Sonic said in surprise and before he could react the attack connected. Blastoise took a shocking amount of damage but was still standing.

"Return" Sonic said "you did well. Rest for a while. So you use a nidorina with thunderbolt? Let me counter with this!" he said sending out his shiny Nidoking which sparkled.

"What the?! A blue Nidoking?!"

"Wrong. A shiny nidoking!"

"F-Fine! It makes no difference! Nidorina use double kick!"

Nidorina attacked Nidoking with double kick, not even phasing it.

"Getting up close without knowing if you can knock out my pokemon. Big mistake! Nidoking! Mud slap!"

Nidoking used the move to devastating effects. It was a lot stronger than when it was a nidorino. Nidorina fainted immediately despite the move's relatively low damage.

"Wha… how?!"

"Me and my pokemon trained hard for a long time ever since our first battle! You are no match for us!"

"Grr. Go eevee!"

"Eevee? Seriously? Ash ok, he is a bit dense and wants to win with a Pikachu. But an eevee? Three possible evolutions and you keep it an eevee?"

"Shut up! Eevee swift!"

Swift had little effect on nidoking.

"Sludge bomb!"

Sludge bomb knocked eevee out immediately. Gary recalled it fuming.

"Who's the weakling now? All you got left is your starter. Unless you have something else".

"Go graveler!"

"Still a graveler huh? No one to trade it with to help it evolve? Wish you had a friend now right?" Sonic threw Gary's words back at him.

"Graveler rock slide!"

Graveler unleashed its move sending rocks hurling towards Nidoking. Though it didn't take a lot of damage it slowly started adding up.

"Nidoking. Mud slap!"

Nidoking fired back at graveler but the rocks prevent the mud slap from reaching its target.

"Now graveler! Magnitude!"

Graveler used its move and got lucky using magnitude 10. Nidoking took so much damage that it fainted. Before Sonic could recall it however to his surprise Pinsir approached and helped nidoking up, as the two pokemon shared a moment and an unspoken understanding.

"Dude" Sonic thought "it fainted it before… and now it's helping it back up. So poetic" he thought as he recalled nidoking.

"Will you help me out to avenge nidoking?" he asked pinsir.

Pinsir simply turned around and walked away from the fight. Sonic slapped his forehead.

"Blastoise is too injured. Raichu it's all up to you!" he thought sending it out.

"You bring out raichu instead of blastoise? You're just as stupid as Ash".

"Oh you'd be surprise at our growth" Sonic said having already formed a plan.

"Graveler use rock slide!"

"Raichu dodge!"

Raichu dodged the incoming attack, using iron tail from time to time to deflect incoming boulders sending them on the ground around them.

"Magnitude!" Gary ordered sure that it was the end!"

"Quick attack!" Sonic ordered "and jump from the rock!"

Raichu dashed forward as magnitude was used. Before the wave of magnitude reached it, it jumped off of one of the fallen rocks, flying through the air and fast approaching graveler.

"Brick break!"

Raichu smacked graveler on the head hard. Sonic wasn't expecting graveler to faint immediately despite raichu's training in physical combat. But he was proven wrong as graveler toppled. Gary was at a loss for words.

"This can't be. This isn't right!"

"Bring out wartortle" Sonic said wanting to finish this battle soon.

"No point" Gary said in disappointment turning to walk away "wartortle stands no chance against your raichu".

"Hm. At least Ash was willing to fight the fight".

Gary turned around to answer but saw raichu and immediately changed his mind.

"I don't know how you got so strong but I'll show you. Next time we meet I will beat you".

"Just make sure you don't need saving from something or something" Sonic joked.

Gary gritted his teeth and walked away. Sonic did a high five with raichu as pinsir approached them slowly. Sonic turned to it as he took out its pokeball putting it on the ground.

"Have you decided?"

Pinsir walked up to the pokeball and for a moment it looked ready to grab it with the pincers. Instead however it touched the button with the pincers being recalled. Sonic felt a spark of joy in his heart at having befriended a predatory pokemon like that. Sending it out again he smiled.

"Welcome to the team" he said as he attempted to pet it. Pinsir simply dodged his hand, walked up to raichu and did a nod of acknowledgement while Sonic experienced a small version of a heartbreak when he was again ignored. He smiled again though as he looked at the duo.

"Hopefully soon" he thought as he motioned for the duo to follow him to the city hoping that someday soon pinsir would accept him entirely.

Chapter Text

The sun rose over Fuchsia city as Sonic and his team completed their training over at the beach south of the city. Everyone of them was feeling energetic. His first 4 pokemon were all ready to tackle the next gym. Pinsir on the other hand while having gotten acquainted with them still refused to obey Sonic. He had no worries about though. He knew it would take some time but he would tame it eventually.

After his defeat of Gary the previous evening, Sonic was in high spirits. That arcanine had proved to be a powerhouse. Especially the extreme speed move. Quick attack paled in comparison. Sonic and raichu had tried to replicate it but found themselves unable to. According to data about it online, very few pokemon could learn it. Recovering from it quickly they decided it was time and after a quick breakfast headed for the gym.

Taking a path outside the city, he encountered Ash who was trying and failing to catch a wild passing venonat.

"Well look who it is. Finally feeling ready to tackle the gym…"

"Don't you dare call me Spike" Sonic said before Ash could complete his phase.

"Alright alright. I won't. But I'd like to see your battle with him".

"Aren't you going to fight him?" Sonic asked him as they started heading to the gym.

"Already have" Ash said proudly revealing the soulbadge.

"Huh. You got it. How did you get him to hand it over?"

"Beat him of course".

"That's new" Sonic teased him.

"I earned my badge fair and square whether you believe it or not".

"I don't. You were handed 3 of the 5 badges you have so far. One out of sympathy".

"Whatever. When we battle I'll show you".

"Yeah sure. Like your friend Gary showed me?"

"You battled Gary?"

"I stomped him to the ground. Honestly like don't either of you train? Me and my pokemon train every day and very hard".

Ash was about to answer but his Pikachu ran up to them and climbed on his shoulder. It then glared at raichu who glared back, tempers flared once again. Brock and Misty were waiting for them at the gym.

"Sonic what a surprise" Brock said visibly pleased to see him "going to tackle koga?"

"If he's ready for me yes" Sonic said with confidence "what are you guys doing here though? Ash already earned his badge".

"Oh Koga wanted us to be here today. He said he felt a powerful aura in town and that he wanted us here to witness the battle he would have with that powerful aura today".

"Sensed an aura? I thought he was a ninja not a seer".

"We don't try to understand him much. Just go along when we can" Misty admitted "he's a bit of a special case".

The door of the dojo behind them opened and out stepped a man dressed in a ninja outfit, eyes closed.

"K-Koga" Misty said thinking he had heard her "I-I don't know how much of it you heard but I can explain".

Koga however merely opened his eyes and scanned them head to toe until his eyes met Sonic's.

"So the aura I felt was real".

"I assume you're Koga the gym leader?" Sonic asked him.

"Yes. You come for my badge I suppose?"

"Yes".

"Very well then. Step in".

Sonic was surprised at the speed things were unfolding but wasted no time.

Stepping into the dojo he was requested to remove his shoes. The challenger and the gym leader stepped into the arena.

"How many pokemon?" Sonic asked.

"3".

"Fine by me" Sonic said picking his first pokeball.

"Send out your pokemon in 3" the referee said "2. 1! Go!"

"Go Venomoth!"

"Go Alakazam!"

The 2 pokemon emerged and stood opposite each other ready to clash.

"An Alakazam. A wise pick for my gym. But let's see how well it deals with bugs! Stun spore!"

Venomoth released a wave of powder which headed for Alakazam.

"Psychic!" Sonic ordered knowing he had to get that Venomoth out of there before any of his other pokemon hit the field.

The stun spore connected but so did psychic. The power of Alakazam having been doubled since its battle with Erika as a Kadabra struck true, knocking out Venomoth with one strike. Everyone in the room was speechless. Koga recalled his Venomoth.

"I knew the aura I sensed was real. But you should have not gone for the aggressive play. Go golbat!"

Goldbat appeared and screeched greatly annoying Sonic who remembered being stalked in the caves he been in by zubats.

"Confuse ray!"

Golbat moved first due to Alakazam's lowered speed because of the paralysis. To make matters worse paralysis kept it from moving.

"Now bite!" Koga ordered.

Golbat attacked Alakazam. It tried to raise a reflect wall but was unable due to the confusion. The attack connected causing it to faint. To everyone's surprise however Sonic was calm.

"A mere setback" he said confidently "raichu you're up!"

"Rai!" raichu cried out entering the arena.

"Good choice" Koga said "but I can't let you have your way. Return golbat! Go Weezing!"

Weezing emerged opposing raichu.

"I can switch too you know. Raichu back. Blastoise you're up!"

Blastoise appeared with a huge thud.

"Fine by me. Weezing poison gas".

"Blastoise protect!"

Blastoise protected itself from the attack.

"Now use water pulse!"

Blastoise attacked Weezing with its water move, not causing a lot of damage due to its high defenses.

"Weezing sludge bomb!"

Weezing unleashed a barrage of sludge balls.

"Rapid spin!"

Blastoise span really fast deflecting the attack. One sludge ball however happened to enter its shell though the opening of the head, dealing damage and poisoning it.

"Damn" Sonic said "blastoise, Use ice beam!"

"Protect!"

"Protect?!"

Ice beam was blocked by protect.

"You're not the only one who can use a defensive move properly young challenger. I'm still waiting to fight the aura I sense in you".

Sonic clenched his fist in frustration.

In the meantime Ash Misty and Brock were observing with great interest.

"He has some powerful pokemon" Brock commented "fully evolved too".

"Nothing unexpected of him" Ash said "I wonder how much he pushed them to evolve".

Sonic heard that comment but refrained from answering. Ash had no idea why he had trained so hard.

"Blastoise change of plan. Use water pulse!"

"Counter with light screen!"

Light screen deflected a big chunk of the move lowering the damage greatly. Blastoise felt its energy being drained by the poisoned and growled in pain. Sonic felt doubt creep up on him.

"Think Sonic. There has to be a way, Unless… of course!" he thought as he remembered something from his fight with Mike.

"Blastoise ice beam!"

"Protect!"

Ice beam connected with protect but before it could evaporate Sonic took action.

"Water pulse!"

Water pulse struck the concentrated ice smashing it, penetrating the shield. It damaged weezing but not to fainting point.

"Weezing use sludge bomb!"

Weezing used its move. Blastoise having gotten exhausted was unable to use rapid spin to deflect it. The sludge balls struck it head on causing it to topple with another thud.

"Ha. Spike's going to lose!" Ash said in a teasing tone "and to think you said you would stomp Koga down".

Koga however turned to Ash.

"You shouldn't underestimate this young trainer. My senses are never wrong. He contains a powerful aura. And so does his raichu. Bring it out and show me that aura" he said referring to Sonic.

"Raichu" he said turning to it "it's all up to you".

"Rai" it cried out in determination as it jumped into the field ready to avenge its friends.

"Raichu quick attack!"

Raichu moved faster than Weezing could react and slammed against it hard. Weezing fell to the ground and Sonic pushed on.

"Thunder punch!"

Raichu using its already huge momentum landed the attack damaging Weezing further. For some reason however it stood there.

"Keep striking it until it faints!" Sonic said not wanting to see what it was up to.

Raichu struck it continuously. Koga however smiled.

"Right into my trap".

"What?"

"Explosion!"

Weezing's body started shining as if it was an exploding bomb.

"Raichu take cover!"

The explosion occurred. When the dust settled Koga who had not even flinched keeping his eyes closed was waiting to see what the move had accomplished. Ash Misty and Brock on the other hand had taken cover and saw Sonic had knelt down to take cover from the smoke.

"Good try Spike. But there's no way your raichu would survive that".

A small smile formed in Sonic's lips.

"Don't be so sure" he said as he was looking at something protruding from the ground barely visible due to the smoke.

Koga hearing this in surprise grabbed a rug from the ground and started creating waves of air to clear the smoke faster. After the smoke cleared they all raichu with its tail nailed to the ground having used it as cover from the explosion first to limit the damage and then as an anchor to not be thrown out of the arena.

"No way!" Brock said in shock "raichu is still standing".

"RAI!" Raichu let out a small roar of determination.

Koga could never have anticipated such an outcome. Recalling the fainted weezing he looked at Sonic.

"This powerful aura I feel. The bond between you and your raichu. It is unmistakable. But even so you haven't won yet. Golbat come on out!"

Golbat emerged again.

"You might have the type advantage but raichu is weakened now. Golbat use bite!"

Golbat dived fangs out.

"Iron tail!"

Raichu raised its tail in defense as golbat bit it. Raichu cried out in pain but stood strong.

"Thunder punch!"

Raichu punched golbat hard but not hard enough to faint it. It staggered trying to stay conscious.

"Don't disappoint me now! Golbat screech!"

Golbat released a powerful soundwave causing raichu to cover its ears. Sonic knew this was bad. If raichu couldn't hear him they were sitting ducks.

"Raichu!" he screamed but his voice couldn't penetrate the soundwave.

Raichu knelt as it felt it couldn't take the sound anymore. The sound stopped but raichu's ears still buzzed.

"Golbat end this! Leech life!"

"Jump!" Sonic screamed instinctively.

Raichu didn't hear anything but as if running on the same instinct jumped as golbat crashed on the ground. With everyone watching it closed its eyes to sense its trainer. Sonic saw it and deciding to bet everything on their bond ordered the final attack.

"Thunder punch!"

Raichu peeked its jump and started falling, eyes still closed and ears still buzzing. However just like before it instinctively charged up the thunder punch and landed it with devastating effects. The wooden floor cracked under power as golbat went down giving Sonic the win. Sonic not waiting to confirm his victory approached raichu worried. Ash was at a loss for words.

"How did they turn it around?" he said in surprise remembering how he had won in a similar way that seemed impossible against Koga's golbat with his charmander.

Koga recalled golbat with a smile on his face and approached Sonic.

"I was right. Your aura is no lie. I sensed it since you arrived at the city but now I can tell without a doubt. You too have unlimited potential".

"Thanks" Sonic said "I guess" he thought as he still couldn't wrap his mind around what Koga called sensing his aura. From his experience or at least the movies he had seen, ninja training didn't allow sensing auras but decided not to question it.

"You have beaten me fair and square. The soulbadge is yours as well" Koga said handing it to Sonic.

"Thank you".

After the battle Sonic and the trio of Ash Misty and Brock went to leave as Sonic was fully prepared to go heal his pokemon and then have the promised battle with Ash. However before he could go Koga called out to him again. Approaching him, Sonic saw him visibly shaken.

"Everything ok?"

"I went to meditating after you 4 exited the dojo. I sensed your aura leaving. But you two were different. You are covered in darkness".

"Huh?"

"The 6th gym leader, Sabrina and I have one thing in common. We can sense what is to come. She can see it with her psychic powers. I can sense it through people's aura with my training. I sense something ominous in your near future. You need to be very careful from now on".

"Um ok" Sonic said kind of spooked.

After that weird interaction the 4 travelers left to return to Fuchsia city, Koga's words echoing in Sonic's mind.

"Something ominous? What does he mean?" he thought.

Reaching Fuchsia city they went straight to the pokemon center. After Sonic healed his pokemon, he finally relented and was about to head off to the south beach with Ash and his friends so they would have their battle. Before they exited the city however he got a phone call. Not registered number.

"What the? Is it Amy again?" he wondered as he answered "hello?"

"Sonic! Can you hear me?!"

"Reina?!"

"We need your help" static was heard after this "Mr Fuji" more static "help!" was help as the line cut off.

"Reina?! Reina!" Sonic screamed at the phone in terror.

"What's wrong?" Brock asked him concerned.

"My friend Reina! She needs help! I got to get to Celadon fast!"

"But what about our battle?!" Ash said in frustration.

"Another time I got to go!" Sonic said slightly annoyed by Ash's lack of empathy though under normal circumstances it would require a little context to understand the rush. But giving context required time that Sonic didn't have.

Racing back to town he knew the fastest way to Celadon was the cycling road to the west of the city. Problem was it required a bike which Sonic didn't have. At that moment however he saw someone coming out of a shop and riding a 2-seat bike. Sonic rushed to him.

"Sorry for the inconvenience but I need a ride!" Sonic hurriedly slightly scaring the boy who had the bike.

"W-What?"

"I need a ride to Celadon city fast".

"Celadon? But it's very far even with through the cycling road".

"I know but I need to get there now. It's a matter of utmost importance!"

The boy looked at who he saw as a raving lunatic in shock but relented.

"Fine but only because I was planning to go to Celadon's mega mart this week might as well go now. Hop on. And pedal hard. No freeloading".

Sonic hopped on the 2nd seat of the bike and after 5 minutes they had hit the cycling road. Passing by other cyclists like a blur, Sonic felt his feel melting from the force he was putting into it but knew time was against him.

Reaching Celadon in mere minutes, Sonic thanked the boy and run off before hearing his response. Racing to Reina's house he knocked on the door frantically until her mother opened the door.

"Sonic? What a pleasant surprise".

"Where is Reina?!" he asked frantically.

"A-At mr Fuji's place. Is everything ok?"

Sonic said a quick ok and sprinted off before even saying he would let her know if everything was ok. Reaching mr Fuji's house in exhaustion and slightly coughing, he went to the backyard and saw Reina and mr Fuji helping a pokemon learn a move. Reina turned her head and saw him.

"Sonic?" she said as he face lit with joy. As she approached him however she saw his worried face.

"What happened? Are you ok?"

Sonic dropped to his knees and coughed his soul out before getting back up and drinking some water mr Fuji brought him who looked worried.

"If I'm ok? I should be asking that after the call for help".

"Call for help?"

"Yeah! You called me almost half an hour ago asking for help!"

"Me? But I didn't call you".

"What?!"

"Here look" she said showing him her phone. Sonic looked and was hit with a ton of questions. Her last call was to her mom 2 hours ago.

"But… this doesn't make any sense. I got a call. With your voice. Asking for help".

"What was the number that called you?" mr fuji asked him.

Sonic showed them the number of the call. Reina read it carefully.

"That's not my number" she said showing him her number from her phone.

Sonic's eyes widened in shock.

"WHAT?! But… if you didn't call me… who did? And how was their voice… yours?!"

"Sonic" mr Fuji said putting his hand on Sonic's shoulder "take a deep breath. You're in shock. Sit down and relax and think it through carefully".

Sonic nodded trying to calm down.

"Ok" he said sitting down around a table that was in mr Fuji's backyard "since I'm here" he said remembering something "could you teach this no longer little fellow earthquake?" he said sending out nidoking. Reina and mr Fuji were in awe as it sparkled.

"Right away" mr Fuji said as he got to work.

Reina in the meantime sat next to Sonic who was trying to calm down and contemplate what had happened.

"It's ok" she said calmly "it's over now".

"Maybe but this is a serious incident. Who would call me and pretend to be you? And why?"

"Maybe a prankster?"

"Who pretended to be you? No something darker is behind this. And I aim to find out what".

His phone rang again. Different number. Still unknown number. With Reina watching Sonic picked up.

"Hello?"

"Sonic!" a voice was heard again.

"Who is this?!" he asked in anger.

"Sonic" static was heard again "Sonic it's Mike! I need help! The rockets bzzt… the rockets! Lav bzzt.. tower!"

"Mike? Mike?!" Sonic screamed at his phone but the line was cut.

"What the hell is going on?!" he yelled in panic. Reina tried to calm him down.

"Sonic calm down please".

"Someone is calling me and pretending to be people I know! That worked with you because we have not exchanged numbers. But Mike and I have exchanged numbers. So what the hell is happening?!" he screamed in confusion and anger.

Reina unexpectedly rushed in and hugged him, stopping him in his tracks. Her embrace helped his heartbeat calm down. As she let go blushing Sonic came up with an idea. Picking up his cell phone he decided to verify once and for all what was happening.

Before he could make a call however he received a third call. This time from Mike. Answering he was met with a panicked voice.

"Sonic! Team rocket is attacking silph co! They took over Saffron city!"

"What?!"

"Your raid on their base pushed their plans forward not backward! Whatever they intend to achieve they're doing it now! We need to stop them!"

"You bet we will. Get to silph co! We'll fight through them and meet you there!"

"Don't be crazy. There is a better way".

"What way?"

"Meet me at the meeting point of the tunnels under the city as soon as possible. And I mean it! We're racing the clock!"

"On my way!" Sonic answered and hang up just as Nidoking was done picking up the earthquake.

"Listen closely" Sonic said to the both of them "team rocket took over saffron. I'm going in with my friend Mike to stop them".

"Are you insane?!" Reina asked him in shock "you're going to attack the entirety of team rocket on your own?!"

"I won't be on my own" Sonic explained "Mike will be with me".

"The young man who came by earlier this week and told me you suggested me as a tutor?"

"Yes" Sonic said impatiently as he wanted to rush off "tell the police about the situation. The boss of team rocket will definitely be a part of the attack. He needs to be caught this time. I and Mike can slow him down until the police arrives. Tell them immediately!" Sonic said and rushed off but Reina caught up.

"I won't let you do this!" she said in determination and a hint of fear.

"Reina get out of my way this is bigger than you think!"

"Please just go with the police".

"I can't. I have unfinished business with Giovanni. And so does Mike" he said as he took her by the shoulders "I'm going to be ok. I promise you".

Reina looked at him worried but nodded. Before he could move however she grabbed him by the cheeks and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"For luck" she said blushing.

Sonic was caught off guard by that but nodded and rushed off towards the tunnels raichu by his side and the rest of his pokemon in their pokeballs ready for the storm ahead.

Chapter Text

Sonic was running as fast as he could followed by raichu as they approached the entrance of the tunnels leading to the underground of Saffron city. His mind was barely able to keep up with the fast pace the events were unfolding at. Just that morning he had beat the 5th gym and now he was about to take on team rocket again.

"It won't be like last time" he thought in determination.

Reaching the entrance to the tunnels he walked down the stairs and started running down the dimly lit corridor. After a while he saw figure on the crossroad the tunnels created.

"Mike!" he said as he arrived.

"About time. Things are bad. Team rocket has people everywhere on the streets. They barred the entrances to the city. Police won't be able to enter".

"Shit. What do we do?"

"We take the fight to them. The grunts that are roaming the city cannot abandon their posts. Whatever they aim to do at silph co they need time. Which means that we will only have to deal however many there are in there. It still won't be easy. But together we will crash them!" Mike said clenching his fist smiling.

"Ok but how do we enter the city?" Sonic asked him.

"Through here" Mike said as he pointed at a door on the wall.

"The section of the tunnel that leads into Saffron? You said it came down after an earthquake".

"I did. I never said we can't cross it".

"But…"

"No time. You'll see. Follow me" Mike said as they approached the door. Opening it they saw fallen rubble everywhere. Mike took out a pokeball and sent out a dugtrio.

"Woah a dugtrio cool" Sonic commented.

"Just wait till you see this. Dugtrio. Dig".

Dugtrio began digging through the rubble slowly but steadily clearing a path.

"This is risky" Sonic said "the whole tunnel can collapse on top of us".

"Then let's hurry" Mike said following dugtrio.

Sonic hesitated for a moment but crouched and entered the small opening. Fear of the tunnel collapsing and turning him into a mush of organs and blood crept on him but braved through it until they made it to a set of stairs beyond the rubble.

"Let's go. These lead right outside silph co" Mike said running up the stairs 3 at a time.

Sonic followed as quickly as he could trying not to cough again as he had raced from Fuchsia to Celadon and then here in the span of 2 hours. After about 5 floors worth of stairs they got to ground level and stopped to catch their breath. Mike slowly opened the door and peeked outside. No one was around. Just as he had suspected they were all guarding the perimeter.

"Noone around" he said sending out Jolteon who immediately cuddled with raichu before getting back to Mike ready to charge.

"On 3 we run to the side door of the building. We get in through the staff door and to the main lobby. We lock both that door and the front door just in case the grunts outside abandon their posts to stop us. Then we storm the building. Floor by floor if we have to" Mike said. Sonic nodded.

"1,2,3!"

The two friends darted to the side door of the silph co building. Mike revealed a key card that he had stolen from a duo of rocket grunts earlier. Giving Sonic one as well to open all locked doors, they entered the building. Slamming the door shut he turned to the electrical controls.

"Jolteon, thunderbolt!"

Jolteon discharged its electricity frying the controls. Mike tested the card again. Smiling he found the door unable to open. Going to the door leading to the main lobby they saw one grunt standing guard at the lobby desk.

"Ok. We rush him and lock the front door through the main console. Ready?"

"Now!" Sonic screamed as they opened the door.

Catching the grunt off guard, Mike tackled him to the ground knocking him out with one punch revealing to Sonic he was wearing rings under his gloves as an extra weapon for the raid. Smiling Sonic took over the controls and after a bit of searching found the controls for the door. Raichu afterwards slammed the computer with iron tail locking the front doors.

"Let's go!" Mike said as they took the stairs.

Reaching the first floor they stopped.

"Wait" Sonic said "we have to clear one floor each to double our search speed. We need to clear the floors, free pokemon and employees and get to the top to stop Giovanni".

"Split up? It's suicide".

"Maybe. But we have no time".

Damnit ok. Take this too then" he said handing Sonic a walkie talkie "we find any captured pokemon we call each other to our location".

"Yeah" Sonic agreed knowing full well the reason.

"See you soon!" Mike said as he went to the upper floor while Sonic started racing through the corridor.

Doors opened and a total of 7 rocket grunts emerged together.

"Intruder!" they all yelled at the same time sending out several weak first form pokemon with the exception of a sandslash. Sonic sent out his Blastoise.

"Ice beam!"

Blastoise unleashed its move freezing a lot of the opposing pokemon and 2 grunts but the rest attacked.

"Rapid spin!"

Blastoise deflected the attacks but Sonic knew if they got close they would be dead meat.

"There is a move it could use. But it doesn't know it" Sonic thought "unless it knows and just waits for me to order the attack?" he considered for a moment. The move surf should be something all water pokemon could use by simply being water types. They had never tried that but Sonic knew they had no other choice.

"Blastoise" he said without thinking "surf!"

And blastoise as if by instinct unleashed water from its water cannons, riding it and washing over all of their opponents in one swift strike. Sonic was left in shock that it had actually worked but started unlocking door and freeing the captured employees. He told them to go to the lobby and wait for the police there but not to try and escape as they had locked the building to prevent the grunts outside from intervening. Before all of them left Sonic grabbed on them by the sleeve.

"Why did team rocket take over the building?"

"I don't know. I think some experiment. Please let me go down".

Sonic let him go and kept unlocking doors until there was no one left on the floor. Racing to the next floor despite the crowd that escaping to the main lobby, he managed to rendezvous with Mike.

"Any luck?"

"No nothing" Mike answered "just captured employees".

"Damnit. Ok next floors then".

Getting to the 4th floor they came across a total of 10 grunts this time.

"Together" Sonic said sending out Blastoise and raichu while Mike sent out lapras and jolteon.

The grunts attacked but Sonic used blastoise's protect to shield them from the attack and then unleashing the new surf move. Raichu and jolteon used quick attack together knocking out one pokemon each while lapras used blizzard to freeze the remaining opponents.

"I'll take this floor. Go to the next one!" Mike said as he dashed towards the first door. Sonic wasted no time as well and ran up the stairs.

Getting to the 5th floor he encountered more grunts most of them using poison types. Sending out Alakazam the combination of psychic used on most of their opponents and raichu quickly getting rid of the rest allowed them to start unlocking doors. In one of them they encountered a grim sight; tons of captured pokemon. Alakazam floated in and started looking through the cage bars while Sonic took out his walkie talkie.

"Mike I've found trapped pokemon. They must have moved them here. This is bigger than I thought. Come quick" he said as walked in and started unlocking the cages.

The sound of his Alakazam humming loudly reached his ears. Turning the corner he saw Alakazam grabbing the bars of a cage and another Alakazam grabbing his Alakazam's hands from inside. Tears could be seen streaming down their faces.

"No way" Sonic whispered "we found her".

Rushing to the cage, the female Alakazam cowered back in fear before Sonic's Alakazam communicated with it explaining that Sonic was not their enemy. Sonic opened the cage as the 2 Alakazams embraced at long last. Raichu teared up at the sight and Sonic felt joy at the reunion. At that moment he heard a yell from the other side of the room. Rushing through the cages while unlocking more of them, he saw Mike hugging a beedrill.

"Mike!" Sonic said realization "is that your partner?!"

"Yes" Mike said with tears in his eyes "I found him at last".

"Alakazam!" Sonic called it from the other side.

Alakazam and its mother came floating.

"Your mother hasn't been trained so she must know teleport. Ask her to use it to take all of the pokemon here out of the city. Get them out then come back".

Alakazam hummed in a worried way.

"Don't worry I'll be fine. Mike we have to keep going".

Mike hesitated not wanting to leave his partner behind again. However he knew they couldn't stop now.

As they moved to exit the room Alakazam and its mother floated towards the lower floors.

"Alakazam! Teleport the employees out too!" Sonic called out to it.

At that moment grunts came running from above. Mike dealt with them easily using his lapras to beat them. Sonic however realized that in case some grunts hid from them earlier they would ambush and recapture the pokemon and the employees "Pinsir go with them. Protect them until they can escape" he said sending it out. Pinsir looked at Alakazam and nodded rushing to the lower levels to help the other pokemon and humans escape.

Alakazam nodded but hesitated to leave Sonic behind.

"Don't worry we got this" Sonic said smiling but as he turned to keep going up the stairs his smile disappeared.

"Please let us got this" he thought.

As they got to the next 2 floors more grunts blocked their way. Sonic took the 8th floor as Mike took the 7th. While Sonic started fighting through the grunts an electric attack came out of nowhere and zapped him sending him crashing to the wall. In shocking pain he looked up to see and electrode owned by a silph employee ready to attack him again.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Sonic yelled in anger.

"Stopping you! I support team rocket more than silph co!" the employee said as electrode unleashed another thunderbolt. Sonic dived and sent out Nidoking which showered the employee and the electrode in sludge bombs knocking them out. After freeing the rest of the employees and battling through the traitors as well as the rest of the grunts he found a lab with many broken pokeballs inside. Furthermore the pokeballs were weirdly shaped in purple and pinkish color. Sonic knowing this had something to do with team rocket's plans, sent out blastoise to cover the exit with raichu while he accessed a computer and started browsing through the files. Most were reports on the experiments made at silph co for team rocket. However Sonic also spotted a file named project two. Having a weird feeling, he opened it. It contained 3 voice recordings. He played the first.

"Project two is proceeding better than I could have ever expected".

Sonic felt the blood in his body go to his head from the anger. That was Giovanni's voice.

"Dr Fuji's job hasn't gone to waste. Old man disappeared with his research. But it was futile. The subject was successfully created and survived the process. It is stronger than the prototype dr Fuji destroyed. No. It's stronger than any other pokemon in the world. Stronger than we could have ever expected. But it's beyond our control. Experimental armor to control it has shown relative success but leaves too many factors unaccounted for. We need to find a new method" the recording ended. Sonic fuming and determined Giovanni's plan would fail played the 2nd recording.

"Giovanni, master ball research log. It is proceeding slower than I expected. Prototypes are unable to release the captured pokemon. Furthermore the captured test subjects showed symptoms of depression and rapid decay over time. Decay was slow at first but then accelerated. We cannot take a chance with project two. The master ball needs to be perfected. And I will not hesitate even if I have to sacrifice the entire stock of our captured pokemon to perfect it" the menacing voice of Giovanni said. Sonic was now beyond mad. Knowing he couldn't let this chance slip by he called Tails.

"Sonic?" Tails said when he heard the commotion behind Sonic. At the very moment he answered the call, a team of grunts tried to ambush Sonic only to be swiftly disposed of by raichu and blastoise "what is going on?"

"No time to explain. Listen I need you to anonymously send the voice recordings I will send you as well as some exposing data I found inside silph co about team rocket to anyone person or media that can spread then throughout Kanto as soon as possible" he said as he logged on to his account on a social media page and started attaching the files to send to Tails.

"Sonic what have you done?! You're raiding another base?!"

"No. Team rocket attacked Saffron city. The place is a warzone. I need you to expose them so that they go in hiding after this".

"Didn't you learn anything from the first time?" Tails asked him frantically as he received the files.

"I did. Mike is here with me. Don't worry about us. Just do what I asked. I will send the last recording in a moment. Talk soon" Sonic said hanging up. Everything was already sent. Contracts between team rocket and silph co, experiment files everything he could find. Only one recording from the project two file remained. Sonic played it.

"That kid defeated me!" Giovanni's angered voice echoed throughout the room. Sonic was caught by surprise despite his anger.

"I lost. I the great Giovanni LOST!" pause "but all is well now. The prototype is almost ready. The master ball is ready. Once I get it I will finally subdue project two and use it to take what is rightfully mine. And the first to fall will be the kid who insulted me like this. My beloved Persian fell to him. I will show him a world of pain for real next time. I will end him!" The recording ended. Sonic felt chill running down his spine. Whatever Giovanni had created he was planning to use the master ball to catch it.

"We can't let that happen" he said calling Tails again.

"Tails listen. I will leave my media page open on the computer here. I need you to send a virus through it to delete everything in here. Team rocket created a pokeball powerful enough to catch any pokemon. We need to destroy all data on it. I will kick team rocket out with Mike then secure the prototype to keep it from them. Did all the data reach you?"

"Yes. Saved already on a backup file. Sending a virus though will probably harm silph co's other data too".

"I know but there is no other choice here do it!"

Tails hesitated but said a quick yes and hang up. Sonic at that moment realized his walkie talkie was buzzing for a while. Opening it he heard Mike's frantic voice.

"Sonic! Where are you?! Ariana is here! I need backup! 9th floor quick!"

"Oh no!" Sonic thought in horror as he had taken too long to save and destroy the data. Racing towards the upper floor he found to his relief that Mike had already beaten Arianna though his gengar had taken heavy damage.

"Where were you?!" Mike asked in anger.

"Destroying team rocket for good. I found data about them I had to expose with the help of a friend. He will make sure to destroy the data here with a virus".

"…ok. Let's go. Next floor is the last one".

Sonic's eyes widened knowing what this meant but nodded in determination.

"Let's end this once and for all".

Racing to the upper floor they found only 2 grunts guarding the entrance to the CEO's office. They however sent out a Weezing and a sandslash.

"Final forms huh? Must be higher ups. Whatever" Sonic said sending out his shiny nidoking which quickly disposed of its opponents with an earthquake and a sludge bomb. Mike looked at it in pleasant surprise.

"I see my moon stone was used well".

"Sure was" Sonic responded as they approached the door. Sonic took a deep breath and kicked the door open.

The 2 people in the room turned to them. The captured CEO held at his desk and the man himself Giovanni. Locking eyes with Sonic he took a murderous expression.

"You" he said slowly but menacingly "you ruined my base in Celadon and now dare get in my way again?!"

"It's over Giovanni. Your plan is ruined" Sonic said confidently "I have already sent copies of the data out to the public. And ruined the rest with a virus. Whatever you were intending to use the master ball for you can forget it!"

Giovanni's mouth hang open for a moment but he quickly regained his composure. Quickly knocking out the CEO and grabbing a briefcase, he took out what Sonic identified as an ultra ball.

"You interfered with my plans for the last time! This time I won't just show you a world of pain! I will seal you in it permanently!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Mike said taking out one of his pokeballs too.

"Stay out of this boy" Giovanni threatened him "unless you want your fate to be the same as his!"

"You won't win Giovanni!" Sonic warned him "we're two and you're alone!"

"Ha! Strength is more than just numbers hedgehog!" he said sending out a Nidoqueen.

"Go dugtrio!" Mike said sending it out.

"Go Nidoking!" Sonic followed suit as nidoking sparkled.

"Ah yes I remember that one. A pokemon worthy of my team once I'm done with the both of you!"

"Earthquake!" Sonic ordered nidoking.

"Sonic no!" Mike said as dugtrio was damaged as well nidoqueen "earthquake hits us too!"

"What?!" Sonic said not knowing that.

"What fools" Giovanni said "Nidoqueen! Sludge bomb!"

Nidoqueen unleashed its attack focusing on nidoking. Nidoking despite being very resistant to the move took heavy damage.

"Nidoking leer!"

Nidoking used its move lowering nidoqueen's defense allowing dugtrio that had secretly used dig to damage it greatly. Nidoqueen however sprang back up immediately.

"Shadow ball!"

Nidoqueen fired the shadow ball at dugtrio which didn't have time to dodge or act. It fainted immediately to Mike's shock as he recalled it quickly sending out gengar which was still weak from his battle with Ariana.

"Nidoking now!" Sonic said realizing their chance as gengar had levitate "use earthquake!"

"Nidoqueen use mud slap!"

Nidoking's damage as well as gengar who joined in with shadow punch knocked nidoqueen out. Mud slap also made contact with nidoking lowering its accuracy.

"So you beat one pokemon! Go Nidoking!"

Giovanni's nidoking appeared and roared. Sonic's Nidoking also roared as the two variants, normal and shiny, of the same species faced down each other.

"Horn attack!" Giovanni ordered as Nidoking dashed with unimagined speed at Sonic's nidoking. It slammed hard as Sonic's nidoking was sent flying, the attack even breaking through protect as Sonic's nidoking tried to use it. Nidoking dropped to the ground knocked out as Sonic recalled it fear creeping up on him.

"So weak" Giovanni mocked him.

"Gengar use psychic!" Mike ordered it unexpectedly.

Gengar used psychic damaging nidoking greatly landing a critical hit too. Normal nidoking toppled as well. Giovanni looked at Mike in anger.

"You dare?!" he said recalling it "you do want to share the hedgehog's fate! Go Persian!"

Persian emerged. Raichu growled in anger as the two pokemon locked eyes.

"Later Persian. Your time with that abomination of an electric type will come! Use bite on gengar!"

Persian moved with such speed Gengar was unable to react. Its combined damage from the battle with Ariana's team as well as the bite from Persian caused it to go down. Persian growled in pride as it stood by its trainer.

"Stay down kid! My opponent is the hedgehog!"

"Why you!" Sonic said in anger. He was about to order raichu to pounce but remembered their previous encounter and refrained.

"Go blastoise!"

Blastoise emerged.

"Go lapras!"

Giovanni looked at the two water types and smiled. His two opponents had made a huge mistake.

"Sending out bulky water types to fight my Persian? Be my guests! Persian slash that blastoise.

Persian pounced at Blastoise intending to slash its other cheek as well. Blastoise stood its ground and tanked the attack holding Persian down.

"Mike now!"

"Lapras use blizzard!"

Lapras unleashed its power on Persian that was unable to dodge. Blastoise took a small amount of damage but managed to stand strong as Persian fainted infuriating Giovanni. However he smiled, knowing he had the two of them exactly where he wanted them.

"Good good. But you are so naïve. Now its over! Go rhyhorn!"

Rhyhorn emerged.

"Rhyhorn?" Mike said in a smiling confusion "you use something 4 times weak to both us and think you have us beat?"

"Why would he keep this for last?" Sonic wondered "Blastoise surf!"

"Lapras water pulse!"

Rhyhorn to their surprise dodged with incredible ease.

"Thunderbolt!" Giovanni ordered.

"Protect!" Sonic said on instinct.

Blastoise shielded itself from thunderbolt. Lapras on the other hand was struck head on, fainting instantly.

"What?!" Mike said in shock "how?! Lapras has strong defenses!"

"AHAHAHAHA!" Giovanni started laughing "I saved my 2 strongest pokemon for last! And you morons never even saw it coming!"

"Damnit" Sonic thought in a silent anger with a hint of fear "how could I forget rhyhorn and rhydon?! They are incredibly strong".

"Hehehe. I will admit though that you both have skill and spirit. I'll give you one chance. Join team rocket. Or suffer".

Those words brought Sonic back to reality.

"Join you?! Never!"

"You said it Sonic. It's not over yet! Go jolteon!"

"An electric type against a ground type? What an idiot" Giovanni laughed "but if that's all you had left I will make it quick! Rhyhorn horn attack!"

Rhyhorn charged at Jolteon with its horn.

"Blastoise block it!"

Blastoise blocked the attack but it still damaged it greatly.

"Now Mike!"

"Jolteon double kick!"

Jolteon jumped on top of Blastoise and kicked rhyhorn twice. Rhyhorn took damage and tried to escape.

"Surf!" Sonic gave the command.

Blastoise used its move. However while still holding onto it, rhyhorn unleashed thunderbolt again taking blastoise down with it. Sonic gasped in shock. As Giovanni recalled rhyhorn he sent out rhydon.

"And then there were 2 electric types. It's over".

"Not yet!" Mike said radiating defiance "Jolteon double kick!"

Jolteon attempted to kick rhydon.

"Mega punch!"

Rhydon moved faster sending Jolteon flying to the wall.

"Raichu it's now or never! Iron tail!"

Raichu charged at rhydon, tail glowing. Rhydon caught the tail with its bare hand taking slight damage to Sonic's shock.

"Mega punch!"

Bringing raichu in front of its fist, Rhydon used its move with devastating effects. Raichu crashed through the wall but came back in still standing.

"Interesting" Giovanni said.

At that moment a team of rocket grunts came through the door.

"Sir. Everything ok?"

Giovanni wasn't expecting their arrival as it meant that the police would soon be upon them since they abandoned their posts but decided grunts were dime a dozen so he would benefit from them.

"Seize those insolent fools!"

Sonic found himself charged at by the grunts as Mike started fighting them off, the rings under his gloves being an extra help. As Sonic tried to fight them off he turned to raichu.

"Don't worry about me!" he yelled as he pushed back one of the grunts and punched another one "beat rhydon! Brick break and iron tail in quick succession!"

Raichu obeyed and lunged rhydon with brick break first. Rhydon blocked the attack and tried to mega punch raichu again but the latter using its momentum used iron tail, pushing rhydon back. Giovanni found himself worrying when Jolteon also joined the fight.

"Seize the pokemon too!"

The grunts charged at raichu attempting to pin it down. Raichu started thunder punching them while jolteon used all of its moves to defend itself. It was however pinned down after a couple of moments.

"You coward!" Sonic screamed while dodging a punch from another grunt "fight us yourself!"

"Keep talking hedgehog. It won't save you!"

At that moment Sonic was caught off guard by a grunt who had managed to sneak behind during the chaos. Pushing him down, him and his colleague got on top of Sonic and grabbed his right hand rotating it backwards to lock him down. Mike saw it and attempted to rush to help his friend but had started to get tired. A moment later he was also subdued.

"You damn coward!" Sonic yelled as he tried to break free.

Raichu who was trying to block rhydon's mega punch and its newly revealed rock slide move was momentarily distracted seeing its trainer pinned down. That moment was all rhydon needed. Shoving jolteon aside and hitting with rock slide causing it to topple it mega punched raichu before it could react. Raichu crashed into the wall in pain as Sonic saw it occur.

"NO!" he screamed as a grunt grabbed his head and forced him to look at Giovanni.

"Now you will pay for my defeat at your hands last time! Say goodbye to your partner! Rhydon! Horn drill!"

Rhydon's horn started rotating until it looked like a drill. Sonic witnessed as it took a stance ready to pounce at raichu.

"NO! NO! NO! NO!" he screamed in horror as he started fighting even harder to break free. The grunts however pushed him back down and added pressure to his hand. Sonic felt a crack inside his hand and tears left his eyes. Not so much from the pain in his hand. Raichu looked at him weakly, tears in its eyes as well.

"It can't end like this!" Sonic thought as he tried to break free only to be pushed down again.

Rhydon charged.

Sonic closed his eyes.

The sound of electricity discharging was heard. And in the next moment the horn drill driving itself through flesh echoed in the room.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!" a scream followed.

But it wasn't Sonic's.

Sonic opened his eyes and immediately regretted it.

Rhydon was standing 2 steps way from raichu standing upright. Sonic and raichu both witnessed the grim view in fright. On Rhydon's horn laid the penetrated body of Jolteon, blood streaming down rhydon's horn and body!

"NO!" Sonic whispered. This couldn't be happening.

Jolteon looked at Mike faintly, crying out in pain. Giovanni was fuming with anger. That Jolteon had annoyed him for the last time.

"Rhydon! Get that thing off your horn and finish the job!"

That thing. That thing. The phrase echoed in Sonic's mind loudly. He felt his ears buzzing, his mind clouding in rage and at the same time clearing.

As rhydon waved its head throwing Jolteon aside, it crashed in front of the captured Mike. Raichu growled in anger.

"Rai!" it growled getting back up.

"Rhydon! Finish it now!" Giovanni ordered.

Horn drill was once again initiated. Rhydon charged at raichu. Raichu making a perfect 360 turn slammed rhydon's head with iron tail causing it to change its trajectory and crash on the wall instead.

"What?!" Giovanni said in shock.

Sonic felt a surge of power similar to that raichu had just displayed run through his body. Clenching his fist he started fighting back against the grunts holding him down.

"Hold him you idiot!"

"I can't!" the 2nd one said in fear.

Giovanni looked at Sonic and raichu waving his head between the two in shock and a hint of fear.

"Rhydon no more games! Finish the job now!"

Rhydon got up and tried to punch raichu who countered with brick break. The two attacks collided as both pokemon tried to overpower the other none giving in an inch.

"How is this possible?!" Giovanni said in horror.

"That's it raichu! Show him your power! Together we cannot lose!" Sonic said as he was about to break free.

Raichu growled a threatening "rai" and then all of a sudden was engulfed in a huge bolt of lightning. To everyone's shock so was Sonic. The lightning crackled for a couple of moments and when it stopped both were standing. Giovanni now had to resort to drastic measures.

"Rhydon! Kill the hedgehog! Horn drill!"

Rhydon lunged at Sonic who dodged remembering his training from dodging attacks for the safari zone experience. The grunts holding Mike immediately let him go and charged at Sonic, who despite the pain in his hand, dodged their attacks and delivered a strong punch to both grunts' jaws at the same time. Bone cracking sound filled the room as Sonic turned back to Giovanni who stepped back in terror.

"Rhydon kill him now!"

"Raichu thunder punch!"

Giovanni thought he heard wrong until he remembered Ariana's report from the warehouse. A Pikachu that could strike ground types with electric attacks.

Before he could give any command to rhydon, raichu charged its punch and delivered it to rhydon, unleashing more lightning throughout its entire body like a moment ago. Sonic's body was also engulfed in lightning. Raichu completed its attack and sent rhydon to the wall. The wall almost cracked sending rhydon down to the street below but managed to withstand the force. Rhydon tried to get back up but in the end fainted.

"How can this happen?!" Giovanni said in shock before being tackled to the ground by Sonic dropping the briefcase. Trying to reach for it, he found his hand being grabbed by Sonic and snapped. Bone cracking sound echoed in the room as Giovanni screamed in pain. Turning his eyes back to Sonic he saw a demonic face distorted by rage staring him down.

"You monster!" Sonic screamed punching him hard.

"You're an animal you hear me?!" Sonic screamed again as he punched him again.

Giovanni couldn't believe the situation he was finding himself in. Him the greatest trainer, pinned down by a kid, arm broken, unable to resist. All of his pokemon fainted. It was a nightmare.

"You're a fucking disease!" Sonic screamed slamming his fists down on Giovanni's face breaking his nose.

"I'll fucking kill you!"

The wall next to them exploded. The force of the impact as well as the debris sent Sonic to the wall. Raichu who had gathering its strength again its defeat of rhydon rushed to his side. Sonic with blurry vision saw as Giovanni recalled rhydon and attempted to pick up the briefcase.

"Quick attack!" Sonic ordered raichu.

Raichu tackled the briefcase sending it plummeting to the ground below.

"NOO!" Giovanni screamed in despair as the briefcase crashed on the ground below.

Outside the building a helicopter had appeared. A woman whom Sonic identified as Giovanni's secretary was inside visible from the open side door.

"Come quick sir" she shouted.

Giovanni took one last look at Sonic who tried to get back up to stop him. Dashing to the opening on the wall, he jumped into the helicopter. Sonic got to the opening as he saw the helicopter fly away while anger, despair and regret at not being able to stop him from escaping engulfed his mind.

"No. Come back" he whispered as he saw the helicopter fly away.

Inside the helicopter Giovanni was receiving the best care he could get from his grunts at the moment.

"Matori" he said groaning in pain "how much did we lose from this operation?"

"All the data on the master ball were corrupted sir. Even worse, data of the experiments were leaked to the public. Everyone knows about us now".

"Damnit" he said looking at the helicopter wall at the direction of the silph co building. At the direction of Sonic.

"That hedgehog took everything from me".

"Sir what do we do now?"

"Take us back to the main hideout. Prepare project two for assault".

"Sir the armor can only give you limited control of it".

"Didn't you hear me?!" Giovanni lashed out "I said prepare project two! I want it ready as soon as possible!"

Matori nodded despite flinching from her usually calm boss' demeanor. Giovanni turned back to looking at the ground fuming in rage.

"When project two is ready, I will finally take what is mine. But first I will end this hedgehog once and for all" he thought.

Sonic in the meantime had dropped to his knees.

"How did I let them escape? How?!" he yelled in anger.

Turning his eyes he saw a heartbreaking scene. Mike in front of his dying Jolteon. Raichu rushed to its side. Jolteon looked at its fellow electric type with a faint smile.

"No, no. Jolty please. You can't die" Mike said crying.

Raichu tried to share its electricity with Jolteon but it was no use. Jolteon let out a few more cried of its name some directed at raichu and some at Mike. After managing to touch Mike's hand with its paw, its head gently touched the ground and Jolteon moved no more.

"No" Mike whispered as he stuffed his face on Jolteon's side "no, no, no,no,no" he cried silently as his body shook from the crying.

Sonic felt time had stopped. It couldn't be happening. How did things turn out this way? They were doing so well. And it all went south too fast to comprehend.

Hearing sirens he looked back down and saw the police finally arriving. He knew that will all the blood across the room they would have a major problem.

"Mike we have to get out of here" he said.

Mike however wasn't responding. He was too overwhelmed to listen to anything.

Sonic was about to walk up to him and tell him they had to go when 2 Alakazams teleported in front of him, surprising him and snapping Mike out of his mourning state.

"Alakazam" Sonic said in surprise then urgency "get us out of here now!"

The Alakazams started using teleport, mostly the mother with the son using its own power to enhance her. Hearing footsteps from the corridon Sonic expected them to burst through the door and see them but instead were teleported before that could happen. Finding themselves in the woods west of Saffron city, Sonic looked around and saw the captured pokemon from the main silph co building along with his pinsir who was looking after them. Realizing they were safe he allowed himself to collapse. Lying on the ground he looked at the sky in despair as Mike kept mourning Jolteon.

How did this happen?" he wondered once again as he allowed the myriad of emotions he was suppressing until they escaped finally overwhelm him and let his tears stream down his cheeks.

A small part of him wanted to think what would happen now with team rocket. Sonic suppressed the feeling. There was no future. There was no past. There was only now. There was only the pain of loss.

"We won. But at what cost?"

Chapter Text

Minutes went by like centuries as Sonic was flooded and coping with all the conflicting emotions of hatred, rage, sadness, despair, disappointment and regret.

They had spent 1 hour at that clearing outside Saffron city doing nothing. Mike was mourning his Jolteon, not lifting his head of its side as his body shook while he cried. The surrounding pokemon, now freed from team rocket, had observed their fallen savior for a while until Alakazam, its mother and pinsir started telling them to get away and run towards freedom. In the span of half an hour they had all left and now only the two defeated heroes were left along with their fainted pokemon. Raichu was curled next to Jolteon also mourning the loss of its friend.

Sonic was feeling his phone buzzing in his pocket. He had looked at it once. He noticed a message from Tails stating that police had managed to enter silph co. After that he had no more strength to look at it again. He couldn't even bare the thought of telling his friends of how it all went down.

Hearing sirens Sonic lifted his head slowly. The police must had just finished their search of the building and rescued the CEO. Now they were starting searches around the city to find any escapees of team Rocket.

"Mike" he said. He was shocked by the sound of his own voice. Defeated and pessimistic with no energy.

"Mike the police is nearby. We have to go".

Mike lifted his head as his red eyes met Sonic's.

"And go where? And what does it even matter anymore?"

Sonic's heart broke but knew they couldn't risk it.

"The police could mistake us for rockets. What we did wasn't exactly legal. We have to hide".

"Hide where? Where could we go in such a short notice where we will be safe to hide for a while?"

Sonic knew the answer before he even pondered the question.

"I know a place. Let's go quick" he said mustering up all his remaining energy to get up. Recalling Pinsir he was faced with a dilemma. Alakazam had finally found its mother. He couldn't possibly ask it to follow him now.

"Alakazam" he said taking out its pokeball and letting it fall to the ground "I kept my promise to you. We found your mother. I can't ask you to follow me anymore. You should go with her".

He closed his eyes raised his foot and went to stomp on the pokeball intending to break it.

However his foot met the ground instead. He opened his eyes and saw Alakazam's mother having moved the ball with her psychic power.

"W-what?"

Sonic's Alakazam turned to its mother in surprise. The two communicated for a few moments and then hugged. Sonic noticed tears on Alakazam's face. The next moment, Alakazam's mother brought the pokeball to her child's face and it opened, Sonic's Alakazam turning into red energy and entering the pokeball. She then moved it with her psychic powers to Sonic's hand and Sonic heard words in his head.

"Take care of my boy. I will take care of the freed pokemon" he heard. His eyes widening he nodded and the female Alakazam floated away.

Getting back to their original problem he helped Mike get up and take the deceased Jolteon in his embrace. They then made a run for it through the woods avoiding the road in order to avoid any possible encounters with the police. Finally reaching Celadon city, they made their way discreetly to Reina's house's backyard. Jumping over the fence they knocked on the back door. After a few moments they were met with Reina's worried then shocked beyond imagination face. She covered her mouth with her hands. No words were needed.

"We need to hide for a while" Sonic said hurriedly "is it ok if…?"

Reina stepped aside immediately and they rushed to the guests' room. Looking outside the window they saw a police car pass by as they dropped officers including several that looked like officer Jenny that Sonic had met back in Viridian city at the beginning of his journey.

"What's with them looking all the same? Some kind of dress code?" he surprisingly managed to wonder.

The police did knock on Reina's house asking if she witnessed any strange activity regarding the assault on Saffron and silph co. Covering up for Mike and Sonic, she lied saying no. The officers then went on their way. After Reina had successfully lied to the police, she went to see Sonic and Mike.

Entering the room she found them both in terrible condition. Mike was in a state of catatonic depression unable to feel anymore, the lifeless body of jolteon next to the guest's bed and raichu still curled by its side. Sonic sitting on the couch next to the window with his eyes looking permanently widened from the shock. Reina closed the door and sat next to Sonic putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I know I shouldn't be asking… but what happened? For the last 2 hours rumors and news went back and forth about the attack on Saffron".

"We…" Sonic began talking but his voice cracked. He couldn't speak the words that would lead to him saying out loud what they were still in denial of "we… we invaded the silph co building… fought off the grunts… saved the pokemon and employees… I made sure that Tails… oh my god Tails!" he said taking out his phone remembering the barrage of messages from him.

"Who's Tails?" Reina asked him.

Sonic entered his chat with Tails apparently having not heard the question. Tails had sent him many messages asking if everything was ok and reporting on all developments of the situation. After sending the virus through the computer Sonic had connected from, he leaked the data he got from Sonic by sending it to Kanto's biggest news report program. In the span of 15 minutes the entire region found out everything about the master ball as well as team rocket's aspirations. Tails had mentioned that that was the reason team rocket abandoned their posts. Because they were fleeing the scene and made a detour to save their boss.

"Sonic!"

"What?"

"Who's Tails?"

"A friend of mine" Sonic answered hurriedly to read the rest of the messages "he helped me leak the info on team rocket to the public. Problem is after that we sort of performed a cybernetic attack on silph co to destroy all data on the master ball. All technical data that is. I couldn't let anyone possess such a creation".

"And that caused you to be too late!" Mike said in anger "my gengar was weakened! If it wasn't… Jolty could have still been alive!"

"I know" Sonic agreed believing it "I took too long".

"You should have let us deal with it later! If we had driven out Giovanni first…!"

"Then the master ball would fall on someone else's hands! I should have been faster! But I had to destroy it!" Sonic said but then gasped remembering something "Oh no! The prototype! I never got my hands on it! What if team rocket gets its hands on it?!"

"WHO CARES?!" Mike screamed on the top of his lungs "who cares?! Jolty is dead! Nothing will change it!"

Sonic lowered his head and once again let his tears drop. Reina hugged him as he released all the pressure he was feeling over his guilt.

"This is one the reasons we came here" Sonic told Reina after he was stable enough to speak clearly again "cybernetic attack is a punishable offense. My friend made sure to cover our tracks but our mere presence there if detected could put us in trouble".

"I see" Reina said not believing what they had gone through "and after that?"

"After sending 2 of my pokemon one of them being my Alakazam whose mother we found captive by team rocket to help the employees and the pokemon teleport to safety we confronted Giovanni. We tried our best but…"

"You lost to him?"

"No" Mike said grabbing the side of the bed hard "we beat him. But he used every dirty trick on the book. He ordered his goons to seize us and our pokemon. And he tried to use horn drill to kill raichu and Sonic. Jolty… he…"

"He sacrificed his life…" Sonic finally found the strength to say "to spare raichu from this fate".

Reina gasped as she covered her mouth with her hands again.

"What a monster. Horn drill is an illegal move in tournaments for a reason. All moves that knock out pokemon in one hit are. They are so strong they can actually kill".

Sonic made a note to the back of his mind to have Pinsir forget guillotine later if it really was an illegal move.

"After beating him…" Sonic continued "I tackled him to the ground. I broke his arm. His nose. I was ready to kill" he admitted in shame "I was actually ready to kill him. The only thing that spared him is the chopper that destroyed the wall freeing him from my grasp".

Reina was now crying herself. The two boys had experienced hell.

"That briefcase" Mike said in realization in between his crying "he tried to get it. It must have contained the prototype master ball. And you sent it to the ground!"

Sonic remembered this detail and grabbed his head on the sides.

"What have I done?!" he whispered in horror. That master ball was still out there. And so was team rocket.

"All of it was for nothing!" Mike screamed in anger.

Reina looked at them and decided to speak her point of view.

"It wasn't for nothing. You both said it" she said causing both of them to look at her "you saved all of the captured employees, all of the captured pokemon".

"We even found Mike's old beedrill" Sonic said remembering that detail.

"Not anymore" Mike said stuffing his face in the pillows "I didn't have its ball. It fled alongside the other pokemon".

"Damnit" Sonic said in disappointment.

Reina knew that even though they had saved so many the loss was too fresh to feel good about it. She sat back down deciding to just sit with them for the time being for emotional support. Sonic on the other hand got up and headed for the bathroom.

Once inside the bathroom, he allowed himself to collapse again. He let his tears shed once again relieving the pain over and over as if experiencing it would revive Jolteon.

After a while he felt stable enough. Looking at his wristwatch he saw it was 5 in the afternoon. The attack had been over for 3 hours and no one knew where he was. He called Tails, Knuckles and Jet at the same time.

Tails and Jet answered instantly. Both of them were mad, Tails the most of the two, but upon seeing their friend and brother's broken face of sadness they knew something had gone horribly wrong. Knuckles joined in the next moment.

"Oh no" he said worriedly seeing Sonic utterly broken.

Sonic spent the next hour explaining the entire attack with every detail. When he got to the point where Jolteon sacrificed itself Jet couldn't believe it. Once he was done he broke down again unable to keep going as his friends and brother remained silent.

"Damnit" Tails said "if we had known about the attack earlier. If we were there with you…"

"Tails" Knuckles stopped him with a serious look on his face "don't ask what ifs. The reality is painful. But it's also the one thing we need to focus on. Sonic you will need to accept it eventually. Or you will revert to your previous self before you started your journey. Trust me I know".

Sonic listened to his friend but felt it was impossible. How did you move forward from such an experience? Getting over a rejection was one thing but mourning someone's loss…

"I'll do my best Knuckles. Tails" he said finally deciding it was time to assess the damage "what were the results of our cyber assault?"

"All data on the master ball were corrupted beyond recovery. Unless there was actually a functioning prototype this plan will have failed for them".

"There was one. I think it was in a briefcase that dropped to the ground floor during the battle. I have to go look for it later".

"Shit this is serious. I'll try to dig in police reports to find out its possible location".

"Good. Was silph co affected a lot?"

"Very. It will take a while before it can recover as a company. It's not bankrupt but it will have to play the game very carefully to recover".

"Damnit" Sonic said thinking of how many employees' lives would become harder because of their reckless actions.

"But there was one good result. Exposing team rocket at such a level cause it to collapse almost entirely. Without the contracts and the resources of silph co their operations will go back months if not years. They are on the brink of total disbandment".

"Good" Sonic said still not convinced that the cost was worth it.

"Bro you do realize what you effectively achieved right?" Jet asked him "you brought down the mafia of Kanto".

"Maybe. But the cost was too great. And we're not done yet" he said getting up "I have to go back to Saffron and find the master ball".

From Tails' side a notification beep was heard.

"I wouldn't bet on that being a choice anymore. The whole city is on lockdown for the next week. You're going to have to lay low for a while. Rescued employees talked about one to two trainers saving them. The testimonies on the pokemon the trainer or trainers had are contradicting each other a bit but you should lay low for a while make sure they drop the search for you and Mike and focus on team Rocket".

"Shit. Fine. Anything on the briefcase?"

"Nothing. No report on it".

"Damnit. Ok thanks pal. Thank you all. I have to go for now. Talk soon" he said hanging up and returning to the guest's room.

While talking to his friends, mr Fuji had arrived, called by Reina. He was comforting Mike when Sonic walked in.

"Sonic my boy" he said approaching and putting his hands on Sonic's shoulders, his face full of sadness and something that Sonic took as guilt "I'm so sorry to hear what happened. You two were so brave to do such a daring thing".

"Thank you mr Fuji" Sonic said "but the damage is done. The plan was successful but reckless. We did more harm than good".

"What?!" Mike said in anger "after my partner literally dying you tell me we did harm?!"

"You're right. I did more harm than good. The cyber assault was my idea" Sonic admitted.

Everyone in the room looked at him in question. Sonic continued.

"I just contacted my brother and friends. One of them was the one who sent the virus to the company software. It corrupted more data than just the master ball data. The company will suffer economically because of me. Many innocent employees will suffer because of my choice. Because of my determination to stop Giovanni. To stop him from completing project two".

At the sound of the words project two mr Fuji's expression turned to horror and regret combined. Reina was the only one who picked up on it but didn't bring it up.

"So you're right Mike. Jolteon's blood is on my hands".

"Sonic" mr Fuji intervened "your idea was indeed harmful. But you're wrong. Jolty's blood is on the boss of team rocket's hands. He ordered his rhydon to attack with that illegal move" mr Fuji said and then sat back down on the couch.

"Mike" he said referring to the heartbroken trainer "I know I will sound inconsiderate. But I need to suggest you bury Jolty as soon as possible. Its blood will be all over the scene in saffron".

Mike wanted to burst out at mr Fuji for suggesting it so bluntly. But he knew deep down they had no other choice.

"Ok. But not at the tower in Lavender. They will look there first. And plus… I don't want Jolty to be buried there. With all the other pokemon. It died a hero. It needs a place no one will think to look. But to also be worthy of its sacrifice".

Sonic's mind went to such a place. A place where he first witnessed Jolteon being a happy pokemon with its trainer.

"I think the beach where we had our battle is an ideal spot" Sonic suggested "it is beautiful there. Jolty loved the place when we battled. I can't think of a better resting place".

Mike looked at Sonic and slowly nodded.

"We will take my car to get there" mr Fuji suggested "travelling by foot is dangerous for you two at this moment. I will be back in half an hour. Dusk will be the perfect time. Few people therefore few witnesses".

"Jolty loved sunsets" Mike said as more tears flowed down his cheeks.

Half an hour later all 4 were riding mr Fuji's car to the east coast. No word was coming out of anyone's mouth. Each one lost in their thoughts.

They passed outside Saffron city with the car. From the window Sonic spotted the hole on the side of the silph co building. He saw with the eyes of his imagination Giovanni's helicopter fly away towards the west even though he knew they could have flown anywhere after he took his eyes off them.

"At least he is finished for the most part. And if I can recover the master ball it will all fall neatly in place" he thought as he scratched raichu's head. He had gone so long without showing his partner some affection.

As raichu closed its eyes to the touch Sonic realized how important this moment was. Raichu could have been the one to die instead of Jolteon. He would be the one burying his partner right now.

"Buddy" Sonic thought as he kept scratching its head "I love you".

After an hour-long ride they reached the coast. Finding the spot Mike and Sonic had their battle, Reina kept watch for passing people, while Sonic, Mike and mr Fuji began digging a big enough and deep enough hole not only to fit but to make sure Jolteon's body wasn't found anytime soon. Mr Fuji suggested having Mike's dugtrio use dig. Mike bluntly refused.

"No way in hell! Every ounce of energy, every drop of sweat every moment we take to dig is a gift to Jolty" he said in a mournful tone.

After a lot of hard work the hole was dug. Sonic witnessed as mr Fuji put Jolty's limb body to the bottom of the hole and petted its head as if it would feel it. He then climbed out of the hole and started pouring the sand back into place. Mike broke down again, trying not to cry too loudly but at the same time to release the bottled up emotions. Sonic put his hand on his shoulder to let him know he was with him but Mike angrily shoved it aside. Sonic lowered his head as he felt Reina's fingers meeting his own and her hand taking his. He did not look at her but felt grateful for her support.

After the completion of the funeral mr Fuji drove everyone back to Celadon. Mike immediately went to leave. Mr Fuji and Reina tried to convince him to stay with them for safety but he turned them down. Sonic chased after him needing to ask one question. Mike stopped when he realized he was being followed.

"What do you want Sonic?"

"Are you leaving because of me?"

"What?"

"Reina and mr Fuji are kind enough to let us both hide here. So why are you leaving?"

Mike went silent.

"As mr Fuji said… Jolty blood is not on my hands. But it was my actions that led to that outcome. So I think it's only fair that you stay with them. I'll figure something out".

"… Yes. Your actions did lead to the outcome we have. But I don't care anymore. I have lost my partner twice now. No thrice. Beedrill left. It remembered me but still left. I can't take this anymore. This is why I'm leaving".

"But then… let me help you find it. Let me help you find beedrill".

"Like you helped me find it the first time?!"

His words pierced Sonic's soul like a sword of lava.

"And no. I'm not leaving because I don't have a partner anymore. I'm leaving because I can't bear to look at you and your raichu!"

"Me and raichu?"

"What you did back there... you broke free from their control. I don't know how. But that bond reminds me of me and Jolty. All we went through. And now it's gone. So I'm leaving".

"Mike…"

"Don't look for me Sonic. Or your raichu's fate could end up like Jolty's. That's what happens when you play hero. Others suffer" Mike said and left, leaving Sonic alone in the dark street.

Returning to Reina's house he excused himself and shut himself and his pokemon to the guest's room. Mike's words echoed in his mind over and over. Closing his eyes he went to sleep praying he would wake up back in Fuchsia and all that would have just been a bad dream.

Chapter Text

A new day was dawning as a familiar hedgehog figure was jogging around Celadon as fast as he could. Trying to not thing. Trying to forget. And trying to accept.

Sonic's last 7 days were the darkest he had ever experienced. Staying over at Reina's while the ongoing investigation for team rocket was continuing. Tails had informed him that the part of the investigation labeled vigilante trainers was marked as case unsolved due to lack of evidence and that the authorities had refocused all their efforts on finding Giovanni and the rest of team rocket.

Sonic the moment he learnt that ventured to Saffron to try and find the briefcase. He didn't find anything but ended up challenging the 6th gym. Sabrina the gym leader was a cold and calculating – "and can she even smile?" Sonic had wondered – trainer who used psychic types, mostly Kadabra, Alakazam and Hypno. Sonic using a combination of his own Alakazam, Blastoise and Raichu easily defeated her. Giovanni's words were proven right as much as he didn't want to admit it. His desire to never let anyone suffer again after their loss in the fight with team rocket had made his pokemon immune to the immobilizing effects of psychic, the damage of course being dealt normally.

After earning his 6th badge he returned to Celadon for a while as he felt he needed to stop for a moment. To process all that had happened.

Reina had tried approaching him a lot of times during his stay. But Sonic still remembering the kiss she had given him before his attack with Mike on team rocket, kept his distance. It was the absolute worst time for such emotions.

Eventually Sonic had decided he had stopped enough time and needed to proceed with his journey though Reina could tell he wasn't mentally well enough to travel. Undeterred he thanked her for everything and before leaving, visited mr Fuji once again to ask for his help in teaching Pinsir rock slide. Rock slide of course was merely an excuse. All Sonic really wanted was to get rid of guillotine. He didn't want to be like Giovanni at all.

After leaving Celadon he slowly began making their way to Saffron intending to go back north to Cerulean and from there all the way back to pallet in order to take the boat from there to go to Cinnabar island where his guide said the 7th gym was. Raichu was walking by his side silent, looking at its trainer with concern.

"Rai?"

"I'm fine buddy. I'm fine" he said with no life in his voice.

It was so bizzare but he could tell what raichu was saying. After spending so much time with it, it felt like they were speaking the same language even though they weren't.

His mind drifted back to Mike. Over the last week he had tried many times to get in touch with him but Mike had blocked him. Sonic remembered his words but still felt he had left because he hated Sonic.

Finally reaching Saffron, Sonic was immediately approached by someone.

"I know who you are" the stranger said.

Sonic was creeped out.

"Excuse me?"

"I know what you did last week".

Cold sweat dripped down Sonic's back. How could that man know?

"I think you're mistaking me for someone else" Sonic lied.

"If I'm mistaking you for someone else, how do you know I am?" the stranger responded.

Sonic knew he had messed up. Responding in such a way was revealing he knew what that man was talking about.

"I don't want trouble. I just want you to come to my office in silph co" the man said removing his sunglasses.

Sonic's jaw dropped. It was the CEO.

"Put your jaw back in place and be there in half an hour" he said and left.

Sonic spent five minutes processing the new development on the same spot, attracting the concerned views as well as laughter from passing people. Eventually he came to his senses and went to grab something to eat so time would go by.

After the half hour had passed Sonic went to the silph co building. The front doors were wide open.

"Of course they would be. I broke the system" Sonic thought with guilt.

Approaching the front desk he was asked the purpose of his visit. Hoping it wasn't a prank or a trap he explained the CEO was expecting him. The receptionist called the CEO and after a few moments Sonic was guided to the elevator.

Riding all the way to the top floor, he felt nauseous on the prospect of returning to that office after everything that had transpired there. As the elevator door open he could see with the eyes of his imagination himself and Mike rushing up the stairs and easily besting the two grunts outside the office. Walking with heavy steps he knocked on the door.

"Come in" the voice of the CEO answered.

Sonic entered. Inside was the CEO. And an officer greatly resembling officer Jenny.

"Crap" he thought "are they going to arrest me?"

"Take a seat" the officer asked.

Sonic with the eyes of his imagination replaying the battle, every last bit of it, approached the desk, his eyes falling on the hole on the wall. As he sat in front of the CEO and the officer, the latter began talking.

"We know it was you and another trainer who ran team rocket out of here".

Sonic remained silent.

The officer continued closing her eyes.

"And we know what happened in here. All of it. The tragic result of your confrontation with team rocket's boss.

Sonic looked over his back momentarily, the eyes of his imagination recreating the grim picture of rhydon, blood covering its horn and front of its body while Jolteon writhed weakly as the life was leaving its body.

"Furthermore we know it was you who initiated the cyber assault on the company" the officer continued with a serious tone.

"I see" Sonic said.

The officer put her hands on top of each other.

"You may not remember me seeing as many of my colleagues look like me. I am the officer who took Jessie and James into custody after you handled them in Viridian city about a month ago".

Sonic nodded remembering clearly. Knowing there was nowhere to go he decided to just get it over with.

"Am I under arrest?" he asked.

The CEO and the officer looked at each other not saying a word. The officer then turned her gaze back at Sonic as the CEO answered the question for her.

"No you are not".

"What?" Sonic said in surprise.

"While what you did will cause the company a lot of damage" he began explaining "the results of what you accomplished ran deeper than just that. Team rocket had completed the construction of the master ball. Once the prototype was secured, they would have started creating it in masses. No pokemon would be outside their grasp after that".

"And you and the other kid stopped that from happening. Not only that, you rescued all the employees and freed all the captured pokemon. Sometimes I guess… in some exceptional cases… the law must look the other way" the officer said with a sincere smile.

Sonic couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was so deep submerged in the darkness of their loss that he never saw it that way.

"And" the CEO continued "your bravery and spirit makes you the most trustworthy person for what I'm about to offer you" the CEO said.

Sonic raised his eyebrows in question. The CEO revealed the one thing Sonic expected the least; the missing briefcase.

Putting it on the desk and having it face Sonic, he unlocked the side-locks and opened it. Inside laid a purple pokeball with 2 small pinkish bubble-style protrusions.

"Is that…?" he asked in shock.

"The prototype master ball. The only one in existence. The data on it was destroyed and in the state team rocket is in they won't be able to recreate it in any way. And after the bravery you showed… I believe you deserve it" the CEO said motioning for Sonic to take it.

Sonic got up from the chair as raichu observed him picking up the master ball. Sonic looked at it intensely. That one small ball. That was what Jolteon's life was sacrificed for. And all it symbolized in his eyes was everything team rocket stood for.

"Thank you" Sonic said as his fingers loosened and the ball slipped to the ground. Before either the CEO or the officer could react, Sonic stomped the master ball as hard as he could.

The cracking sound echoed in the room as the metallic pieces of the ball came off and team rocket's ultimate prize laid in ruins before him.

"But I wouldn't ever use such a device. I came here to destroy team rocket's plans. And now my task is complete" he said grimly.

Both the CEO and the officer were in total loss for words, not expecting this outcome even in their wildest dreams. The officer however smiled again.

"This gives me another reason not to arrest you. You clearly had good intentions when you assaulted team rocket".

Sonic didn't answer. He merely looked at the master ball pieces without an ounce of regret. Turning to leave he spoke on final sentence.

"I'd suggest you incinerate the master ball pieces to destroy all evidence of its existence" he said knowing that even if they didn't it couldn't be repaired. His task was indeed complete. If only he could tell Mike.

Exiting the building he headed for the north exit of the city. On the way he ran into 2 familiar faces.

"Brock? Misty?" he asked hesitantly.

They both turned to look at him, pleasantly surprised but concerned when they saw his visibly sadder face.

"Sonic? We were looking all over for you. Why did you leave so fast back in Fuchsia?" Brock asked him.

Sonic however was in no mood to relieve it again at least for the time being.

"Forget it happened. Just sorry for running off like that. What are you guys doing here? Where's Ash?"

"Over there" they said pointing at Ash and Pikachu sitting by a man on a park bench. Sonic approached.

"Well, well" Ash said as he saw him "finally showed your face again Spike?"

Under normal circumstances Sonic would get mad but such a minor tease didn't affect him anymore.

"Nice to see you too Ash, just wanted to say hi. I'm taking the long way to Cinnabar island for the 7th gym so I wanted to apologize for running off like that".

"You're going for the 7th badge?!" Ash asked in shock.

"Yeah. Haven't you beaten Sabrina yet?"

Ash gritted his teeth in frustration while man sitting next to him looked down. He was holding a photo. On the photo there was a younger version of him with a familiar young girl. Sonic immediately could tell what was going on.

"Is that Sabrina's father?" he wondered.

"I lost to her twice. Even caught a haunter the 2nd time but it left me hanging".

Sonic heard it all remembering how easily he had beaten Sabrina. After a trainer like Giovanni and in his current state of mind, even her psychic team was a walk in the park.

"Psychic can be overpowered with strong enough will" Sonic advised "you need to want to achieve your dream of becoming a pokemon master enough to overpower her psychic and fight head on".

"How would you know that?" Ash asked him.

Sonic refrained from answering.

"From experience. Anyway I'll leave you to it".

Turning to leave he was stopped again by Misty and Brock while hearing Ash continuing his conversation with the man he was sitting with.

"Sonic what did you mean by what you said to Ash?" Misty asked him.

"I've already beaten Sabrina. In my current state of mind, me and my pokemon are immune to psychic lock strategies. If Ash can get into a similar state of determination he will have a chance".

"Sabrina had the same picture in her room" Ash told the man while holding the picture from before. Sonic knew that whatever was going on, Ash was about to figure it out too.

"If you have the same picture then that must mean you…" pause occurred. Sonic had forgotten to finish his explanation to Brock and Misty and just observed.

"Then that must mean you're a photographer!" Ash completed his phrase with a bright smile and a voice full of confidence. The man jumped in surprise and landed with his face on the hard ground.

"Don't you see? Don't you get it?!" he asked Ash. Sonic made the exact same thought in his head.

"Get what?" Ash asked back.

A switch was flipped inside of Sonic's head and he lunged at Ash with Misty and Brock grabbing him by the shoulders and waist.

"Sonic what's gotten into you?!" Brock said trying to hold him down as he tried to break free.

"Let me at him! Let me at him! He's an idiot!" Sonic pleaded, feeling the urgent need to beat Ash up.

"Spike's gone crazy again" Ash commented not scared in the slightest.

After they managed to calm Sonic down they all headed to Sabrina's gym so Ash could challenge her for the 3rd time. Sonic followed as he wanted to see whether Ash's determination would be enough to break free from psychic and beat her.

Reaching the gym Sonic was met with a creepy picture. Sabrina was holding a doll this time. A doll that eerily resembled her.

"What the hell?" he thought to himself "she practices voodoo or something? Thank god she didn't turn me into a doll too or something otherwise I would have to depend on this moron" he thought looking at Ash "to save me".

Ash sent our haunter as Sabrina sent out Kadabra. Haunter immediately bailed by disappearing.

"Haunter come back!" Ash pleaded "not again. No matter. Go Pikachu!"

Pikachu stood opposite Kadabra.

"Quick attack!"

"Psychic".

Pikachu and Ash were both lifted off the ground being rendered unable to move.

"Ash remember what I said" Sonic reminded him.

But nothing changed. Sonic's view of Ash was now cemented. He didn't have a strong enough will to achieve his dream, at least not yet.

"It's over" he sighed and turned to leave.

He was about to say see you around to Misty and Brock when haunter returned. It made a funny face to Sabrina who remained stoic and emotionless. Haunter then took a cartoony ball bomb out of its mouth with the fuse lit.

"Yo what the… get down!" Sonic screamed in terror, diving to the ground.

The explosion occurred but no force was applied to anyone. Sonic looked up to see Sabrina's dad Misty and Brock covering their faces but unharmed. Confused he looked at Sabrina who was now covered in black spots from the bomb.

"Seriously?" he thought to himself getting up "all this was just a prank?"

He smacked himself in his head remembering Mike's words of his haunter playing tricks on him. He should have remembered.

Then all of a sudden Sabrina burst out laughing. Sonic took in the view in absolute confusion.

"Wait so Ash's plan was to make her lose focus to fight the psychic? Unusual but I guess it worked".

Ash and Pikachu were freed from the psychic as Sabrina kept laughing. Her father seemed happy seeing her like that. All the happy emotions around Sonic started positively affecting him. He remembered happy memories of his own, the pain of the loss of Jolty going away momentarily.

While he recalled his happy memories he observed the trio and Sabrina's dad discuss as she was now rolling on the floor in laughter.

"Ok that seems like overkill" he thought to himself.

"Well" he commented getting everyone's attention "guess haunter didn't leave you hanging this time. You may not have used my tactic but that was a smart move nonetheless. Now show me your power against her" he said talking to Ash.

"Oh no. There will be no battle today" Sabrina commented in between her laughs "I'm unable to battle and therefore forfeit the match. The marsh badge is yours" she said taking one out of her pocket and throwing to Ash before returning to laughing at haunter.

Ash grabbed the badge and jumped in joy.

"Yeah my 6th badge!"

Sonic on the other hand felt his ears buzzing again, his rage returning.

"What?! You're going to hand it over? He didn't beat you!"

"Oh it's ok, he earned it" she said again between laughs.

He earned it. He earned it. He earned it. He earned it.

The phrase echoed inside Sonic's head fueling his rage which radiated like a whirlwind.

"How can you do this?!" he screamed in anger causing everyone to turn to him in shock and Sabrina to stop laughing.

"This is outrageous! It's unfair! I had to fight you to earn your badge! He makes you laugh and you just hand it over?! Is this some kind of sick joke?!"

Sabrina didn't know what to answer. Sonic looked at everyone expecting someone to agree but they all looked at him like he was a madman.

"I can't believe this!" he said and rushed to the exit with quick steps.

As he got out and the fresh air hit his face, he felt the rage shimmer down a bit. He stood still taking deep breaths to calm himself. Raichu rubbed its head against his leg to help.

"Thanks buddy" he said "that was a rush. Let's get out of here before I go completely insane" he said as they started walking towards the north exit of the city.

Right as they exited the city however a voice called out to them.

"Spike!"

"What does he want?" Sonic thought trying his absolute hardest to keep cool as he turned around.

"We now have 6 badges each. Last time you left because of that phone call, regardless of whether I think it was just an excuse. Now you have no excuse. Let's have our battle at long last".

Sonic however wasn't having it.

"No I think not" he said and turned his back to Ash to leave.

"What? You promised!"

"You're not worth my time".

Ash however wasn't ready to give up. Pikachu too caught up to raichu and stopped it. As the two electric types argued Ash got in front of Sonic.

"Just admit that you're afraid of me Spike".

"Excuse me?!" Sonic said, his fist trembling.

Brock and Misty had caught up and were observing the exchange.

"You heard me. You have no excuse this time. And yet here you are running away".

"I'm not running away. I'm merely saving my time" Sonic said remembering the last time he had spoken that sentence. Back then it was his arrogance speaking. Today things were way different.

"You're not fooling me Spike. You know I'm gonna beat you. After all I just earned the badge you yourself said required a lot of hard work for you to obtain".

Sabrina's phrase returned in Sonic's head.

"Take that back" he said menacingly "you didn't earn it. You were given it".

"I earned it" Ash said with an ironic look "and now you don't want to battle me because you know I can easily beat you in a full battle. After all me and Pikachu are now stronger than our first meeting".

Sonic was on the brink of exploding.

"Your Pikachu AND you were trapped by psychic. Haunter freed you on a technicality".

"The result is still the same. But suit yourself. I guess you really are a total chicken".

Sonic's hand moved before he could think. The front of his fist met Ash's left cheek with as much force as he could muster. Ash dropped to the ground in shock as Pikachu tried to get to his side. Sonic snapped his fingers. Raichu immediately used its tail to lock Pikachu to the ground rendering it unmovable. Brock and Misty moved in to stop them. Sonic with a cold look sent out Alakazam which lifted Brock and Misty rendering them unmovable as well. Turning back to Ash he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up.

"Listen closely you piece of trash" he said with a slow menacing voice "Don't you dare tell me you earned your badge. You were gifted half of six you have!"

"Half?" Misty asked confused.

"Brock's, Erika's and now Sabrina's. Wait a minute" Sonic said turning to Misty "why are you questioning it?"

Misty tried to play innocent but her face told Sonic all he needed to hear.

"Was he gifted all of them?!"

"No" Brock said "Just the 3 you said… and Misty's sister gave him Misty's badge out of pity".

Sonic was now panting in rage.

"You were gifted 4 out the 6 badges you have so far and think you and I are evenly matched?! Look at your Pikachu! It is helpless! You call this us being equal?!"

"Well maybe if you faced me in a full battle I would prove my power to you" Ash fired back, his left cheek hurting from the punch.

"No I won't face you! You are nothing! You have no idea what power is! I worked for my and my pokemon's power! I earned my badges! And even after all that…" his voice cracked "it still was not enough".

Alakazam as if it was synchronized with Sonic, let Brock and Misty down while Raichu freed Pikachu. All of them rushed to Ash side except for Brock who stood next to Sonic looking at him straight in the eye.

"What you did just now was not cool Sonic. I thought you were better than this".

"I don't care what you think of me. Not anymore. I won't accept your friend telling me I'm a coward after what I went through".

"What did you go through exactly that calls for such a behavior?" Misty asked him.

Sonic looked back at the tower of silph co for a moment.

"I and a friend of mine stopped team rocket's invasion in silph co".

The trio was shocked to hear this revelation.

"We faced down the boss of team rocket. Even after all our training… and facing him together… he played dirty… got the upper hand… my friend's partner was…."

"It was what? Fainted?" Ash asked thinking Sonic and his friend had merely lost the battle.

"IT WAS KILLED!" Sonic screamed in anger, rage and sadness combined.

Misty was shocked to hear this and got teary eyed. Ash was listening in shock as well not anticipating something like that.

Sonic took a moment to gather himself and push his sadness back. He then looked at Ash again in anger and disgust.

"We won the battle. We had trained hard. And despite all that… my friend's partner was killed!" Sonic screamed trying to get it off his chest.

"So don't you dare tell me we're equals. You didn't earn your power! You haven't worked to earn it like I have! Your battle with Sabrina proved it. Your will is weak. You will never best me in our current state" he concluded and walked past them. 3 steps after them Ash had one final thing to say.

"I may not understand what you're going through. But still. You judge me, my will to achieve my dream, Pikachu and the rest of my team without ever even seeing them. It's not fair".

"Life isn't fair kid" Sonic said grimly.

"I'll show you" Ash said getting up "you're wrong about me. I'll prove it".

Sonic knew that if they kept this back and forth they wouldn't get anywhere and he would get mad again.

"You want to prove me wrong?"

"Yes. If you give me this fight I will".

Sonic looked at him.

"Fine then. Earn the last two badges. And we will meet in the league tournament. If you really want to prove to me you deserve your power, then work for it. I won't face you with all my might unless you prove to me your determination" he said and walked off leaving the trio to consider his words.

As the calm breeze ran across his body, he felt his rage subside and the sadness return. The last week had left him not only broken but poisoned by negative emotions. And they had started taking their toll on him. And they would continue to do so for a while.

Chapter Text

Sonic left Pewter town with Raichu after spending the night at the pokemon center there. He proceeded to Viridian forest with heavy steps.

It had been three days since lashing out on Ash about the latter's gifting of the marsh badge from Sabrina. The road had led them back to mount moon but to their dismay, they discovered the main path was still blocked by the rocks Moltres had brought down when they met it there. Having to find another way, Sonic had discovered through his map that the diglett tunnel could lead to Pewter from Vermillion and would in fact be a faster way to get to their destination.

Going back south, they slowly walked the way to Vermillion, training a lot along the way. Sonic also had picked up dodging attacks from his pokemon extremely well. He did everything he could to avoid thinking. To keep his mind busy and the pain away.

Finally reaching Vermillion and restocking on resources, they travelled through the tunnel while being stalked by digletts and some dugtrios. The dugtrios reminded Sonic of Mike's dugtrio. And immediately after that Jolty engulfed his thoughts.

Finally managing to traverse the tunnel they stopped for the night at Pewter. And back in the present they were going back down through Viridian forest. Sonic looked around, remembering the beginning of his journey. How everything was so new and hopeful. How he was finally beginning to feel like himself again after Amy's rejection and his consequent withdrawal from his friends and brother. Now they were going through it again much stronger that then. But carrying a heavy burden too.

Midway through the forest they ran into the pikachus Sonic's raichu had originated from. Sonic let them have their moment while he tried to cope with all his emotions. Even after so many days the pain didn't let off instead getting stronger and heavier. Witnessing raichu happily reunite with the other pikachus despite their disapproval of it evolving, he wondered why he couldn't feel some of that joy. He had managed to feel it back in Sabrina's gym so why not now?

After about an hour sitting there Sonic and raichu bid farewell to the pikachus and continued their way towards pallet. Passing through Viridian Sonic took one look at the Viridian gym knowing that would be his final destination before the tournament.

Midway through the route connecting Viridian and Pallet however raichu walked a few steps forward before hearing a thud behind it. Turning around in surprise and concern it found it trainer lying on the ground looking at the sky with a sad and broken look, tears flooding his eyes.

"It's pointless raichu. I can't go any further anymore".

"Rai?"

"No. I'm not tired. I'm beaten. I can't take this pain anymore. We failed" he said as he reached for the sky.

"After all we went through… we couldn't stop them without casualties. And the fact… the fact that everyone thinks of us as heroes…" he said remembering started being recognized and called the hero of Kanto. The police had revealed his identity and role in team rocket's retreat and everyone hailed him. But the hails and the recognition only made the burden heavier. They had no idea what the cost of him and Mike playing heroes really was.

His friends and brother also learned of that. All 3 contacted him and tried to cheer him up but were unsuccessful. So they were quietly supporting him and ready to hear him out if he needed someone to talk to.

Amy of course too remembered him again after her outrage a while back. She had sent him a "good morning hero" the morning they had left pewter. A part of Sonic wondered why she even bothered to talk to him if she was dating Shadow but the rest of him just ignored the message and proceeded forward. But now his entire being had reached his breaking point.

Raichu cuddled against him to try and cheer him up. Sonic scratched it but remained there.

"What's the point of continuing?" he wondered.

He didn't know how long he had spent lying in the middle of the path looking at the sky when he heard a voice.

"Well that's not something you see every day".

Sonic looked to the direction of the voice. It was an old woman with a purple dress and a walking stuff. Ignoring her he got back to looking at the sky.

"What seems to be the problem young man?" she said approaching him. Sonic silently observed her face and found it strangely familiar.

"Nothing that should concern you ma'am".

"Oh my" she said after observing his face as well "I didn't expect I would meet the hero of Kanto at this day and certainly not like this".

Sonic felt nauseous at her words.

"Please don't call me a hero. I am no hero".

The old lay remained silent. Seeing as Sonic was looking at the sky she looked at it as well.

"What does this offer you?"

"What?" Sonic asked having not heard due to zoning out.

"What does sitting there and looking at the sky offer you?"

Sonic didn't answer.

"I know the pain you're going through all too well" she began saying.

"I don't want to hear it" Sonic cut her off rather rudely "I can imagine you having seen pokemon die either by natural causes or having their lives taken throughout your life. But can you really say that the blood of a pokemon is on your hands?"

"…No".

Sonic thinking that was the end of it got back to observing the clouds.

Suddenly the sound of a pokemon coming out of a pokeball was heard. The next moment a gengar came out of nowhere and blocked his view.

"Hey get out of the way" he said annoyed.

Gengar started making funny faces and annoying sounds teasing him. Sonic felt his patience running thin.

"Ma'am is this your gengar?"

"Why yes it is".

"Then would you please get it out of the way?"

"Make me".

"Excuse me?"

"Make me recall it".

Sonic couldn't believe his ears. This old lady was challenging him.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into lady".

"I think I do know".

"Fine" Sonic said getting up.

Gengar flew behind the old lady as she took out another pokeball.

"Time for you to relearn the first lesson young man. Come on out Arbok!"

An Arbok appeared. Sonic seeing it reminded him of team rocket who used a lot of Ekans and Arboks.

"This thing" he said quietly but in anger "I will break it! Go pinsir!"

Pinsir emerged.

"Pinsir use rock slide!"

Pinsir looked at Sonic and merely walked away.

"Are you kidding me?!" he yelled in frustration "we worked so well together during the raid and now you won't listen?!"

"Looks like your pinsir needs more warming up" the old woman said "you may bring another pokemon out".

Sonic wasted no time.

"Go nidoking!"

Nidoking emerged sparkling.

"That is one good looking pokemon. I've heard pokemon like it are very rare".

"Earthquake!"

Nidoking used earthquake. The ground started tremoring but the old lady had a plan to dodge the waves of power travelling through the ground.

"Iron tail" she said calmly with a smile.

Arbok used its tail to propel itself above the ground dodging the power waves of earthquake. Sonic and nidoking were caught off guard and the attack landed perfectly. Thankfully due to Arbok being more of a defensive pokemon, the attack did not do all that much damage.

"Leer!" Sonic ordered nidoking.

Arbok's defense was lowered.

"You shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch young man. Arbok wrap!"

Arbok wrapped its body around nidoking causing it great pain through the pressure. Sonic hadn't seen that move in so long he forgot about it and racked his brain as to how to break free from it.

"Think Sonic think there has to be a way".

Arbok kept squeezing as Nidoking growled in pain.

"Damnit how can I cause it to break free?!' Sonic yelled in frustration "nidoking protect!"

Nidoking raised its shield but with arbok being already on the inside, the shield was pointless. With one more tight squeeze nidoking fainted. As Arbok unwrapped its body from nidoking, Sonic dropped to his knees as pinsir looked on from the sidelines.

"Too weak again" he said in sadness feeling useless.

"Why didn't you instruct your nidoking to use earthquake on the ground under it to lose its balance and therefore shake off my arbok?" the old woman asked smiling.

"What?" Sonic asked in shock that he didn't think of it.

"You spent so much time thinking. You don't have to think in battles. Using a strategy is important young man but using your heart and gut is even more important".

"I have no heart to use anymore!" Sonic retaliated not wanting to hear it as he recalled nidoking "Go alakazam!"

Alakazam emerged.

"Psychic!"

"Dig"

Arbok dug its way underground dodging the psychic.

"Where will it come out?" Sonic thought "wait exactly under… Alakazam use reflect under you!"

Alakazam obeyed but Arbok pushed the reflect up with Alakazam sending it crashing to the ground.

"Psychic again!"

"Dig again!"

The chain of events was repeated but this time Sonic had a plan.

"Shadow ball!"

Alakazam fired shadow ball upward and just as Arbok emerged from the ground sending it flying again, the shadow ball came crashing down on Arbok, lowering its special defense and giving Sonic a bit of time.

"Psychic!"

The attack struck true and this time there was no dodging. Arbok fainted. The old woman recalled it while clapping her hands with one of them holding onto her stuff.

"Good, very good young Sonic. But this was just one pokemon. Go golbat!"

Golbat emerged. Alakazam raised its spoons ready for its attack.

"Confuse ray"

The confuse ray landed causing Alakazam to become confused.

"Now bite".

"Alakazam use psychic!"

Alakazam hit itself in its confusion as bite also connected sending it down again but not out.

"Sludge bomb" the old lady pressed on the assault.

Alakazam saw the barrage of sludge balls incoming and raised a defensive wall.

"Alakazam why did you use reflect? It can't stop…"

But the defensive wall deflected the sludge balls to Sonic's surprise.

"But… that means… that's not reflect. You learnt light screen!" Sonic said in awe.

"That was unexpected" the old woman said smiling "but that's the true beauty of pokemon. The unpredictability. Can't you see it young Sonic?"

Sonic wanted to say yes but once again the only thing that came to his mind was Jolty's grave.

"Alakazam shadow ball!"

"Sludge bomb"

The attacks collided causing a small explosion and smoke to engulf the field.

"Alakazam stay on your guard" Sonic said knowing golbat had the advantage in such an environment.

Alakazam once again raised its spoons in defense.

"Sludge bomb"

Alakazam raised another light screen but saw the attacks hitting the ground instead. Before it could raise its guard again, golbat was right behind it.

"Bite!"

Golbat bit Alakazam on the neck giving Sonic vampire vibes and creeping him out. Alakazam was knocked out. As Sonic recalled it he couldn't help but feel that battle was actually amazing. The old woman using the collision of their attacks to smokescreen him and knock out Alakazam was genius.

"Who are you lady?" Sonic asked.

"Not now young man. We're in the middle of a battle and you still have standing pokemon".

"Fine!" Sonic said winding up his hand to sent out blastoise before pinsir jumped into action, looking at him with determination.

"Pinsir" he said in surprise.

"Pin" it cried back.

Their gazes met.

"Let's do it! Rock slide!"

Pinsir unleashed its attack at golbat which easily dodged.

"Air cutter!"

Golbat directed wind currents at Pinsir damaging it.

"Submission!" Sonic ordered. He knew the attack wouldn't do that much but if he could get close it was over.

Pinsir jumped towards golbat. Golbat dodged and unleashed another air cutter attack. This time however Pinsir used its pincers to cut the air currents in two limiting their damage and jumping again. It grabbed onto golbat tackling to the ground as they rolled together.

"Don't let go pinsir! Rock slide on yourself!"

The old lady heard the attack order in surprise knowing that by doing that both pokemon would take massive damage.

Rock slide came crashing down on the two pokemon. At the last second pinsir still holding onto golbat rolled and had golbat take the most of the rock slide. The result was what Sonic expected. Pinsir threw golbat back to its trainer knocked out. She recalled it with a smile.

"Rest well my friend" she said warmly as her eyes met Sonic's.

"You have a lot of spirit young Sonic. But above all you have a good heart. You have merely lost the flare".

"The flare?" Sonic said in question.

"Yes. You have lost your reason for battling. Stopping team rocket was indeed a noble goal and you achieved it… but is it what you originally set out to do?"

Sonic allowed his mind to process the question. As that lady said, he had focused all of his efforts in bringing down team rocket. But before he started his journey he had no idea of its existence.

"I started my journey to escape a situation in my hometown" he said feeling trapped once again. He had successfully overcome that situation now.

"And has that situation been resolved?"

"From my point of view yes".

"Then is that it? Do you desire to stop your journey?"

The answer came out immediately. Sonic didn't think. It came from his heart.

"No. I don't want this to end yet".

"And why not?"

"Because" he said looking at his raichu "because I love pokemon".

"Good" the old lady smiled "and has that changed because of the tragic result of your battle with team rocket?"

"No. Not in the least" he said in determination for the first time in days.

"Then come at me with everything you've got. After all you're now facing my life-long partner! Go get him Gengar!"

Gengar flew back inside the field making a teasing look at Sonic. Instead of getting annoyed by it, he smiled.

"Let's do it Pinsir! Rock slide!"

Pinsir unleashed its rock barrage.

"Protect".

Gengar shielded itself from the rocks. Sonic went to use another move but realized his pinsir had a major flaw.

"Oh no!" he said in shock "Pinsir's remaining moves are all fighting!"

"I'm afraid that's checkmate then. Gengar shadow ball!"

Gengar unleashed its attack with immense speed before Sonic could react. Pinsir took it head on. Despite its greater level compared to the rest of Sonic's team the combined damage from the air cutters as well as the shadow ball proved too much for it as it fainted. Sonic recalled it.

"You were amazing Pinsir. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you. We will make a new moveset for you soon" he promised as he winded up his hand with blastoise's pokeball.

"You're strong lady. I admit I was rude earlier and I apologize. But I'm not planning to lose! Go blastoise!"

Blastoise emerged strong and immovable. Sonic looked at it and remembered the small squirtle he had started with.

"We've come such a long way" he thought to himself "and in a way by returning to Pallet even if we have a long way to go… we are coming full circle. Blastoise" he thought smiling "let's do this! Surf!"

Blastoise's surf came out stronger than ever before. Gengar was hit by it not expecting it to be this strong but remained standing regardless.

"Gengar sludge bomb".

"Blastoise protect!"

Blastoise shielded itself from the sludge balls.

"Protect strategies are useless against my gengar young Sonic. Gengar use taunt!"

Gengar started taunting Blastoise who got mad after a while and stopped shielding itself.

"Damnit. There goes protect" Sonic thought.

"Shadow ball".

The shadow ball was launched.

"Counter with surf then ice beam!"

Blastoise obeyed though surf instead of coming out of the lower half of its body came out of its water cannons. The shadow ball was canceled out but the lack of focus of the surf cause ice beam to miss.

"Why did it miss?" Sonic thought "that surf was weird. Unless. No. Blastoise couldn't possibly learn it yet".

"Gengar use shadow punch!"

"Ice beam!"

The shadow punch being impossible to dodge or block, broke through the ice beam and struck blastoise head on. Gengar started charging shadow ball to finish it off.

"Gotcha!" Sonic said deciding to bet everything on it "ready blastoise? Aim. FIRE!"

High pressure water came out of blastoise's water cannons blasting gengar in the face. Gengar was launched back but stopped itself from crashing to the ground. The old lady however was unfazed.

"So it learnt hydro pump too. Rare for a blastoise to learn it and use it successfully at this point in its life. But that's only to be expected when it is with someone like you" the old woman complimented Sonic "however it will take a lot more to stop gengar. Shadow punch!"

"Rapid spin!"

Rapid spin however didn't work as Sonic intended. Apart from damaging gengar when it landed the shadow punch, gengar actually sent blastoise rolling like a spinning top towards Sonic. Sonic dived out of the way with relative ease having trained a lot with his pokemon to dodge their attacks but was taken aback by the lack of impact rapid spin usually had.

"Hydro pump!"

"Shadow ball!"

Shadow ball countered the hydro pump, deflecting it and crashing into blastoise. It tried to remain sturdy but toppled and fainted. Sonic was at a loss for words at Gengar's power. But he still had his final ace up his sleeve.

"Raichu" he said turning to it "it's all up to you".

"Rai!" Raichu cried out and stood opposite gengar that made the come at me hand gesture.

"Only two of our moves work. But that doesn't mean the other two are useless" Sonic thought with a smile "Quick attack!"

Raichu charged at gengar. The attack passed through it as it was immune.

"Use your iron tail as boost and then thunder punch!"

The old lady was taken aback by the weird set of moves Sonic had ordered. Raichu used its tail to land then balancing on it pushed against the ground propelling itself towards gengar. Before gengar could react, raichu had landed a perfectly good thunder punch sending it crashing to the ground.

For a moment Sonic thought it was over until Gengar sprang back up.

"That was out strongest move and it's still standing?!" he said in shock.

"Gengar make it rain! Sludge bomb!"

"Make it rain?!" Sonic said in shock. He had only heard this phrase coming from one person, having seen her on TV when he was a kid.

"There's no way I'm fighting… her" he thought in awe at the prospect "Raichu use quick attack to dodge the sludge balls!"

Gengar had used sludge bomb facing upwards creating a rain of sludge balls. Raichu used its quick attack to dodge all but one that damaged it greatly. Gengar also seemed tired. The two pokemon faced its other panting. Sonic felt his heart racing.

"Raichu" he said determined to risk it all "let's fire the last attack! Thunder punch!"

"Then we will respond the same way. Gengar shadow punch!"

The punch moves made contact as the two pokemon put all their remaining energy in that one move, neither giving an inch. The ground started shaking from the output of energy. Sonic took it all in in absolute awe.

"This is incredible" he thought "and you're telling me we're at the finale?"

Raichu shared that sensation as it made a cry towards gengar which answered back while they pushed each other with their punches, as if they were acknowledging each other. It had however reach its limit.

Raichu's energy was completely depleted and despite not wanting to disappoint Sonic, let go of thunder punch receiving the shadow punch head on.

"Raichu!" Sonic exclaimed in shock at seeing his partner fly through the air and crash on the hard ground. Knocked out.

Falling to his knees to check if raichu was ok he found it to be merely exhausted as it opened its eyes and cried out its name in an apologetic way.

"Don't be sorry buddy. You were amazing" Sonic said as their foreheads touched. He felt the electricity course through his body at that moment but it felt rejuvenating. It intrigued him momentarily until he heard gengar being recalled. Standing up he smiled at the old woman.

"Thank you for battle and the wake-up call ma'am. Or should I call you Agatha of the elite four".

Agatha was unfazed as she expected Sonic to identify her.

"Brave, good heart, quick on your feet and perceptive. The perfect combination for a trainer".

"How come you are out here?" Sonic asked in question not expecting an elite four member to be at that place at the time.

"I was just passing by my old friend professor oak's lab".

"You know professor oak?"

"I do. He was a trainer before dedicating his life to his pokemon research. Our battles back then shook the earth. The final collision of our pokemon's moves reminded me of that time. And I can't say that for a lot of my battles".

"I appreciate that. Thank you honestly".

She started walking towards holding her walking stuff firmly, intending to pass by him. When she got to his left, she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Do not ever forget what you remembered here today young Sonic. Never forget it. And your future will always be bright despite the challenges".

"I won't" Sonic said with a determined smile.

She nodded and walked past him. However after a few steps she stopped.

"And one more thing. Whether you like to be called a hero or not, what you did at silph co made you a hero. So did that other kid that was with you. Abolish the title of hero if you so desire. But do it out of humility, not guilt" she said and continued on her way.

Sonic took in her words as he looked at Pallet town in the distance while the wind caressed his face. Closing his eyes he made on decisive thought.

"The hardest thing is not losing a loved one. The hardest thing is living for that loved one. We will live for you Jolty. And for ourselves" he thought finally letting go of his guilt for what had happened.

"We are not heroes" he thought smiling "we merely did what we thought was right".

With their optimism and hope restored the duo of trainer and pokemon continued on their way, heading for the pokemon center first. Next up would be the trip to Cinnabar island. And little did Sonic know, the island had two major surprises waiting for him.

Chapter Text

Sonic was observing the horseas swimming outside the ferry while petting raichu as they headed for Cinnabar island. It was relaxing and rejuvenating after all the negativity he had been through lately.

His battle with Agatha had helped him come to terms with Jolty's death, having decided to live their life to the fullest as much as they could. After all mourning and feeling bad was hard to bear but easy to do. Living and embracing the beauty of life was easy to bear but not always easy to do. Those who smiled in the hardest times were the strongest for a reason. And Sonic's journey so far, having taught him to smile in bad situations, regardless of the origin of the situation was an invaluable lesson.

Now he was burning with the desire to continue his journey and eventually get to the tournament and the first part was finding the 7th gym leader. A part of him was wondering how the battle would go. He had easily bested Sabrina back during his dark hour and while coming to terms with that darkness had a very close battle with an elite four member.

"She used only 3 pokemon though" he thought "I have a lot to learn before reaching her level. But where would the 7th gym leader stand in terms of power?"

As the ferry docked on Cinnabar island and the passengers disembarked, Sonic decided to first stroll around for a while and see if there was something cool to do. After all where was the fun in the journey if you rushed it?

Taking a walk through the town, they were recognized by a lot of people. Sonic graciously accepted the fame but asked not to be called a hero because in his own words.

"I'm no hero. I just did the right thing".

To his surprise that brought him even more attention than before. A group of kids wanted to hear details from the battle when he passed by the town's central square and several trainers challenged him. All of them fell to his pokemon.

While sitting at a restaurant to have some well earned food after a while, the waitress kept coming to his table, sometimes to bring him more water despite him already having a lot of it, sometimes to pet raichu and even decided to spent her whole break having a conversation with him. Sonic didn't mind though aimless flirting wasn't his thing but decided nonetheless to just enjoy the moment.

"So you have six badges already?" the waitress asked him. Sonic noticing the name tag after a while, responded using her name.

"Yes Sally I do. And soon enough they will be seven".

"Hmm. I like guys with determination. Hope you have the same determination to find Blaine".

"Blaine?"

"The gym leader. He isn't always at his gym. No actually he is almost never at his gym. It has reached the point the island is being addressed as having no gym leader".

"Oh I see" Sonic said while analyzing internally the new info "any idea where I could possibly find him?"

"Many places. The beach on the north of the island, the mouth of the volcano, the mansion…"

"He has a mansion?!" Sonic asked in surprise.

"No. It's an abandoned mansion. Used to be owned by someone until a few years ago. Weird thing is no one ever saw the owner".

"And why is abandoned?" Sonic asked her intrigued.

"Noone really knows but there have been rumors going around. Some said experiments were run there and one went horribly wrong. Another says that there was a massacre there".

"Massacre?!"

"Yes. Again no details but a rumor says a lot of dead bodies were removed once".

"Woah. If that's the case why does Blaine go there often enough that he can be found there?"

"He is a bit eccentric".

"Huh. Eccentric enough to go to a mansion around which such rumors are going?"

"I guess so. But I doubt the hero of Kanto would have a problem with an abandoned house" she said blinking her eyes in a cute way.

Sonic was flattered but asked again not to be called a hero. Sally eventually had to return to her shift but commented that she liked guys with determination and humility. Sonic smiled and checked if raichu had eaten.

After paying for their lunch and having to bid goodbye to Sally as she immediately darted out for the farewell, he too the chance to ask her where the mansion was found. She instructed him to the northwest part of the island.

"When you return I'd love to hear what you found. Maybe over a cold refreshment" she said winking and returning to her shift.

Sonic was impressed by her attitude and confidence and set out to find that mansion. The path was long and jagged but he didn't mind. While taking a five minute break to rest and relax looking at the sea, he saw a flying type pokemon flying amidst the clouds. For a moment he thought he noticed a little bit of fire on the pokemon but the next moment he was sure he had imagined it.

"Someday soon Moltres" Sonic thought looking at the wing hanging from his backpack "someday soon I will stand before you again".

After that moment of recollection the duo returned to following the path. The path eventually led them deep into the woods. As the shades of the trees were cast upon them Sonic was creeped out but braved on. They were sometimes jumped by wild pokemon but raichu valiantly drove them away. After all the crazy battles it had had, wild pokemon were a walk in the park.

Soon enough they came face to face with a closed metal gate. Pushing it they found it to be sealed shut.

"Damn" Sonic said annoyed. Looking around he saw a small hole in the wall.

Using the hole to enter the mansion grounds, they were impressed by the plethora of wild pokemon staying inside the mansion grounds. They curiously observed as Sonic walked through them and approached the giant mansion doors.

Pushing the doors open they walked inside to find a huge room with a set of stairs leading to the next floor, as well as doors to the sides of the room.

"Anybody here?" he asked loudly but got no response.

"Rai".

"I know raichu. I didn't expect to find him here. Well maybe he will come by later. What say you we actually explore a bit?"

"Rai" raichu cried out excitedly.

They started by taking the left door and finding the dining room. A giant round table with chairs around it. Dust covered the entire room. It covered the entire mansion as a matter of fact. Sonic wondered how long it was since the last time anyone had been here.

Noticing a book on the table his curiosity got the better of him and approached it. To his surprise the book's pages were either ripped or the contents were tampered with beyond understanding. One page however was visible. The first page. Blowing the book from the outside wondering who would do such a thing to a book he noticed it was a diary.

"A diary here?" he wondered as he got to the only readable page. It only had a date and a phrase.

July 5. We discovered a new pokemon deep in the jungle.

"A new pokemon?" Sonic wondered aloud "Could it be the flying pokemon I saw after my battle with Moltres?"

He went to put down the book but decided to take it with him instead.

"Nah. Flying types usually live in the mountains. I doubt such a majestic pokemon would live in the jungle".

Going to the other side of a dining room through the door, they found themselves in the kitchen. While approaching the counter he was disgusted to find moldy leftovers of what looked to be a stew once.

"Ew gross" he thought to himself as he looked around to see if there was anything else there. Seeing nothing but dust he proceeded to the next room.

Entering what looked like a gigantic living room, he realized its exit would lead back to the first room. Approaching a smaller table with 2 couches next to it by a fireplace, he noticed something inside the fireplace. Picking it up in question, he found it to be a piece of paper. It was readable. Again it was another phrase and a date.

July 10. We christened the newly discovered pokemon Mew.

"Mew?!" Sonic whispered in shock "I thought it… it was just a myth. How..?"

Raichu looked at him curiosity.

"It's ok buddy. It's just my mother used to read me and Jet a book called the tale of mew when we were kids. The book spoke about a mythical pokemon supposedly containing the genes of all pokemon. Like a common ancestor for all species. At least explained in terms kids could understand" he clarified looking back at the page.

"Could Mew be real?"

After that he searched thoroughly throughout the room, now intrigued to find more of the diary's pages.

"Why would someone scribble the entire diary but separate some of the pages like that?"

Afterwards he returned back to the first 2 rooms he explored just to make sure he had not missed anything. Confirming there was nothing else, he headed upstairs. The first room in front of him just after walking up the stairs, was the main bedroom. Entering he saw in front of him a huge four-poster bed. On the bed pillow was a piece of paper.

Sonic picked it up anxious to learn more but found it wasn't a page of the diary. It was a 3 digit number.

"A passcode perhaps?"

Exiting the bedroom he explored the rest of the floor but found nothing. Except for the last door. It was equipped with a 3 digit lock. Sonic entered the combination but found it not working. 3 red colored lights appeared on the door lock and one of them was turned off.

"Wait. So if I don't get it right within the next 2 tries it's locked permanently? Shit".

Thinking it over and over he decided to explore the floor again sure he had missed something. And he had indeed.

Visiting the mansion study again he saw a safe on the side of the room. He had previously thought it to be a box.

"Could the passcode on this be for the safe?"

He tried the combo on the safe holding his breath.

The lock unlocked and the safe opened. Raichu immediately put its head inside and to Sonic's surprise and excitement took out another piece of paper and handed it to Sonic's with its mouth. Scratching it as thanks he read the message.

February 6. The day everything changed.

We obtained a new pokemon from Mew. We have named this new pokemon 'Mewtwo'.

"WHAT?!" Sonic yelled in shock, his voice echoing throughout the empty mansion.

"What the fuck?!" he said still in shock as he dropped on the desk chair unable to stand. Raichu was looking at him ready to act in case anything happened.

"So… someone tried to play god? Create a new pokemon? This is the craziest thing I have ever heard… and they actually did it?" he muttered looking at the page.

February 6. The day everything changed.

"The day everything changed. February 6. 02/6. 026!" he said in realization "that could be the code to that locked room!"

Rushing back to the locked door, raichu following as fast as it could, Sonic typed the code. It was right. Bursting with anxiety he pushed the door open.

The room was empty. Not a single bit of furniture.

"What the?" he thought entering "why would someone lock an empty room? No,no,no. There has to be more than meets the eye" he said as began looking around to see if there were any loose parts of the wall he could push.

After about an hour of searching bit by bit, helped by raichu, Sonic found something; a loose brick. Pulling it out he found a lever. He pulled the lever expecting a hidden compartment to open. And it did.

But not on the wall next to him. Instead it opened right under his feet.

Dropping through the trapdoor screaming, he crashed on the hard ground in pain. Surprised he had survived, he saw a ladder leading back up to the empty room. Raichu's cry came from the hatch he had fallen inside.

"I'm alright buddy!" he screamed inside the hatch "wait for me I'll be back up soon!"

Seeking with his hands inside the absolute darkness, he found a small light switch. He pressed it but nothing happened. Knowing he needed a light source he went back to the hatch.

"Raichu! Change of plans! Jump down! I'll recall you so you won't crash!"

Raichu cried out and jumped. When Sonic could see its shadow approaching he pressed the button on its pokeball recalling it. Sending it back out it got scared by the sudden darkness and stuck to his feet.

"It's ok buddy" he said petting it to give it courage "Oh damn I forgot. You can't use thunderbolt to reactivate the circuit. Ok plan b. Alakazam!" he said calling it out.

"I want you to use psychic on raichu as soon as it charges its thunder punch. Then hold the electricity in place to dispel the darkness".

Alakazam hummed in agreement. Raichu charged its thunder punch. Alakazam used psychic on the electricity raising it in the air. The room was lit dimly by the rotating electricity.

"Woah what the?!" Sonic said in shock looking around.

They were inside a ruined lab. An old computer on the side desk was broken. A giant test tube was smashed. But to Sonic's horror the worst was the many skeletons lying on the floor. Some of them were horribly misaligned as if something had bend them the other way on every part of the body that could bend. Seeing a head being bent so far back that it must have snapped when the person was still alive, he got to his limit and puked. Raichu looked at him worried.

"What happened here?!" he asked terrified after drinking some water.

Cautiously approaching the giant test tube, he noticed the glass shards around it.

"It broke from the inside. Whatever was in broke free".

Looking around more, he found an old picture. Blowing it to clear it up, he saw a group of scientists around the intact test tube. Inside a white pokemon with a purple long tail was curled up like a baby.

"Was that…?" he wondered silently as he looked at the date the picture was taken on the down left side.

02/6

"February 6! That was Mewtwo's creation!" he whispered in disbelief.

Approaching the computer last, he saw a data floppy disc was still inside. Knowing he needed to take it with him, he forced the disc out. Thankfully it remained intact. And to his surprise, on the chair of the desk laid another page of the diary.

"What am in for this time?" Sonic thought as he read the page.

Septemeber 1. Mewtwo has grown too powerful. It's beyond even us. We have failed to curb its violent tendencies.

"Violent tendencies?" Sonic thought with a bit of fear "a pokemon this strong… violent? I can't imagine… they created a monster!"

Raichu looked at him worried.

"Rai?"

"It's alright raichu. I'm fine. Let's… let's just get out of here".

Going back out of the hatch, resealing the passage, hiding the lever with the loose brick and leaving the mansion, Sonic had realized how much they had lost track of time. It was almost nighttime.

"Guess Blaine wasn't here today. Guess we will try somewhere else tomorrow. Maybe the volcano".

Taking the path back to town, Sonic kept going over his discoveries.

"They created a new pokemon. Who would be crazy enough to play god like this? And Mewtwo… is it alive still? Is it out there somewhere? And… since Mewtwo is a thing… does that mean Mew is also real?"

So many questions at the same time bombarded his mind that Sonic couldn't think straight anymore. What had started as a fun search for the gym leader had turned into a dark secret revelation.

"Those skeletons… back there" he thought disturbed "they must have been the scientists. Mewtwo broke free… and massacred them".

Sonic tried to imagine what had transpired back there. From everything he had read about Mew on its myths it was considered a psychic type. Mewtwo being created from it must have been a psychic type as well.

"Dear lord" Sonic thought as his mind played an imaginary scene of Mewtwo breaking the tube coming out of that embryonic state he saw in the picture and killing everyone in the room in the horrific way their skeletons were suggesting.

"But what happened to it after?"

Reaching the town again he went to get a cold refreshment to clear his mind.

"Good evening hero of Kanto" a familiar voice spoke to him.

Caught off guard, Sonic turned to meet Sally's eyes.

"Oh… hey".

"I see you remembered our date. You're sweet" she said pinching his cheek. Sonic again was impressed by her confidence while he blushed.

"Y-yeah".

Taking a cold refreshment each, Sonic narrated his exploration of the mansion but chose to hide the secret lab, the messages as well as Mewtwo's existence. Sally surely was cute but Sonic barely knew her so telling her about such a dark and possibly dangerous secret was out of the question. Furthermore it was obvious to him that she was all flirty more because of his hero status than he who he was beyond that which again wasn't exactly his style.

Despite all those thoughts Sonic made sure to have a good time regardless. After splitting up, he went to see if the local pokemon center had any rooms. They didn't so Sonic decided he would just sleep in the wilderness for once. After all it had been a while he and his pokemon had gone camping.

Before leaving however he asked if there were any available computers for use to do some work on. There were but their use wasn't free. Sonic payed the fee for use, then requested for a computer with headphones available as he suspected that, whatever the floppy disc contained, it should stay with him.

Going to the far side of the computer room and putting on the headphones, he put the floppy disc inside the computer. Most of the date of the disc were corrupted. Sonic cursed in his mind before he noticed one uncorrupted file. A voice recording.

He looked around instinctively to make sure he was alone despite the headphones. He then played the message.

"September 3. Dr Fuji research log. I need to get this on tape. I have made a terrible mistake. Creating this… this monster. My benefactor intends to use it as a weapon. I can't let that happen. I must destroy my research… and my creation. Before their designs reach completion. May god, if one exists, forgive me because I will never forgive myself".
Sonic was at a loss for words. Dr Fuji whoever that was, had attempted to destroy Mewtwo.

"This must be the reason Mewtwo killed everyone" he thought "makes sense. It felt threatened. So it defended itself… all that loss" he said as he walked out of the pokemon center thinking of were to make camp.

"And that means that it still out there somewhere. But if it really is… how come no one knows about it?" Sonic thought as he built the tent he had bought at Pallet town. If he was going to go camping again he would do it right.

Curling inside the tent close to Raichu, he decided to stop thinking about Mewtwo for the time being. Today had been fun albeit dark too and all but he was on this island for a reason. And what would transpire on the next day would be his greatest achievement thus far.

Chapter Text

Sonic and raichu were battling using all of their power. Their opponent, a mysterious figure covered in the shadows wasn't going down.

"Raichu thunder punch!"

Raichu charged its opponent but was flung away into the darkness.

"Raichu!"

The mysterious figure then lifted their hand and Sonic was lifted from the ground. He felt his body being forced to bend in reverse. Putting all of his willpower in staying in one piece he heard a malicious voice.

"Choke the life out of him!"

Sonic was pulled into the mysterious figure's hand. He felt his airway close and his legs started shaking uncontrollably as he gasped for air. He tried to punch the mysterious figure only to have his hand hurt as if it had struck a piece of iron.

His vision slowly became blurred. Managing to take small breath he used to it to call raichu.

"Iron tail!"

Raichu came charging back through the darkness but was caught mid-air by the mysterious figure who used the same kind of power that held Sonic in place to hold raichu in place. In a small flick of their fingers, raichu's neck was snapped and it dropped to the ground not moving.

"Nooooo!" Sonic tried to scream but all that came out of its mouth were inhumane sounds as he had no air to expel to create a phrase.

The same malicious voice spoke.

"Did you really think you could win?! Finish him!"

The shock of dying at the figure's hands was so strong that Sonic burst awake inside his tent, gasping for air as if he really was being choked. In his sudden burst he had accidentally shoved raichu aside. It looked at him grumpy.

"Oh man. Sorry partner. I just had this nightmare… phew. Thank god it was just a nightmare. Felt so real too".

Raichu went outside the tent as Sonic soon followed. The sun was slowly beginning its rise in the sky in that beautiful orange color. Sonic stretched and called out his team to have their morning routine training before going looking for Blaine again.

After half an hour of training and a good breakfast consisting of sandwiches handmade by Reina when he was still in Celadon, Sonic thought he owed her an apology after the way he had treated her when he was lost in darkness. He wasn't rude back then but distant and cold.

"Next chance I get I'll apologize properly" he thought chewing a bite from the sandwich.

After the breakfast Sonic recalled the rest of his pokemon apart from Raichu and they began making their way towards the volcano. Sally had told Sonic the previous day that Blaine liked to go up to the mouth of the volcano.

Noticing the fumes coming out of the volcano he realized it was active.

"Is he crazy or something? Who would go to the mouth of an active volcano? One wrong move and…"

He didn't complete his thought. Thinking of ways to die was the last thing he wanted to do after the dream he had last night.

"What if he isn't there either today?" he thought realizing there was a chance Blaine wasn't at the volcano.

"Hmmm" he hummed as raichu ran ahead to explore the path to the volcano.

"Maybe if I went to the same place every day I would eventually find him" he considered the option. Under the current circumstances it really was the best chance.

"If he isn't up there" he said reaching the foot of the volcano as he found the path leading to the mouth "I'll just return to town and come back tomorrow. As for what we will do all day… I'll think about it when the time comes".

Beginning their journey to the top of the volcano the duo quickly started getting sweaty as the air slowly got hotter and hotter.

"He really is an eccentric person. No sane individual would come to this place often" Sonic commented as they continued on.

Going up the path in that heat was no easy feat. Raichu eventually got tired and Sonic recalled it to spare it the hard path and the burning heat.

After a rigorous walk and drinking 2 bottles of water to stay hydrated, Sonic finally reached the mouth of the volcano. Taking a moment to catch his breath and finding a spot where the wind actually blew cold, he admired the view. He could see the mainland of Kanto in the distance. His gaze shifted towards the mountain. He knew somewhere around that area the league tournament would be held.

Reaching out he recalled a song he heard back in his hometown. The name of the song was I'm here. And one the lyrics fitted his current state perfectly.

"I'm here. Reaching far across these new frontiers" Sonic muttered smiling.

Turning around he saw a man and a pokemon sitting and observing the endless ocean on the other side.

"Hello there" Sonic called out to be heard above the cry of the wind.

The man turned around.

"Hello".

"Are you Blaine the gym leader?!" Sonic yelled again as the wind wasn't making it easy.

"What?!"

"Are you Blaine the gym leader?!"

"Whaaat?!"

Sonic felt like an idiot for yelling so he just started walking around the mouth to approach the man. The man did the same thing and his pokemon, a magmar followed him. Sonic noticed the magmar and wondered if it really was Blaine.

"Magmar is a rare fire type. Who would have one if not the gym leader of a fire gym?"

When the two met face to face Sonic was able to ask the question without screaming.

"Are you Blaine the gym leader?"

"Why yes I am. And you" he said smiling "must be Sonic, the hero of Kanto".

Sonic tried to maintain his composure.

"Please don't call me a hero. I only did what I thought was right".

Blaine looked impressed at Sonic's humility.

"Forgive me that was unexpected. A kid was here the other day, claiming he knew you. He said you were an arrogant idiot and I wanted to test you".

"Did they mention their name?" Sonic asked wondering if he was referring to Ash though he found it unlikely Ash would have gotten to the 7th badge before him.

"No. But he had brown hair, purple shirt. And was a bit full of himself".

"Gary" Sonic said remembering their last battle. Made sense Gary would talk trash like that after both their encounters were not the friendliest.

"Anyway" Blaine said continuing "let us make our way to my gym. I have been waiting for the day to meet you on the battlefield" Blaine said with a hint of excitement.

The two began making their way towards the path down the volcano. However before they got to it, something flew up from the unseen part of the volcano and unleashed a huge flame, forcing Blaine and Sonic to cover their eyes. The thing whatever it was let out a very familiar cry to Sonic.

"No way!" he commented opening his eyes in shock as he looked up.

Sonic and Blaine looked at the source of the cry at the same time. In front of them, the legendary Moltres was flapping its wings, majestic as always, its gaze fixed on Sonic.

"Oh my" Blaine said taking a step back "the legendary bird of flames, Moltres. In our presence".

At that moment the wing on Sonic's backpack began emitting an orange light. Sonic picked it up as Blaine noticed it.

"Is that a feather from Moltres?!"

"Yeah" Sonic said not understanding why the feather was glowing "Moltres left it for me after our last battle".

"It left you the wing?!"

"Yeah. Brock, the rock gym leader said it was a sign of acknowledgement".

"The legend he spoke of is different from tradition" Blaine said.

"Tradition?" Sonic asked confused.

At that moment the feather caught fire forcing Sonic to let it go. The feather burned until there was nothing left of it.

"Oh my. It really is the case" Blaine said covering his mouth with his hand.

"What case?" Sonic said while looking at Moltres dead in the eyes.

"The original legend of Moltres was changed through the generations. People took Moltres leaving behind a feather as sign of acknowledgement. But it's not that at all. The original legend passed down through trainers who master the art of using fire pokemon, states that Moltres leaving a trainer its wing is a promise".

"A promise?"

"A promise of a rematch!"

"Rematch?!" Sonic momentarily taking his eyes off Moltres.

"The legendary pokemon only initiates the rematch by burning the feather when it knows you're ready. But to know you were ready at this moment…"

"You mean it was observing my journey?" Sonic said in disbelief looking back at Moltres which was still flapping its wings not taking its eyes off Sonic "ever since mount moon?"

"Apparently so" Blaine said "I guess before we can have our battle you will need to accept the challenge".

"Here? Now?" Sonic said in hesitation as his eyes went to inside the mouth of the volcano. He could see lava in the bottom of the pit thought it was very far down. Pillars were coming out of the lava and were reaching on the same height as the mouth of the volcano.

"Yes. This is one of the best possible locations to fight a fire type. On its own terms, inside its own turf. This is the place where I met and caught my magmar" Blaine explained.

Sonic looked around. He knew it was dangerous but at that moment Moltres cried out again in an impatient way. Sonic met its eyes again and his decision was cemented.

"Go nidoking!" he said calling it out "leer!"

Nidoking sparkling as it appeared, used its move weakening Moltres' defense. Moltres unleashed another cry and followed up with a flamethrower.

"Protect!" Sonic ordered nidoking.

As the flames engulfed the nidoking but not harming it because of the shield, while at the same time flying past Sonic whose quills billowed with the burning wind around them Blaine wondered if Sonic was not just challenged but chosen.

"Earthquake won't work on a flying type. Nidoking use sludge bomb!"

Nidoking unleashed the balls of sludge but Moltres dodged them with ease. Sonic knowing that they had to find a way to land the attacks decided to first try to lure Moltres below their ground level.

"Nidoking use sludge bomb slightly above Moltres!"

Nidoking aimed slightly higher than Moltres actually was. Moltres instinctively dodged by flying slightly below the mouth of the volcano.

"Got you! Nidoking use sludge bomb and make it rain!"

Nidoking having practiced that move with Sonic in secret as Sonic intended to only use it in the tournament as a secret weapon fired the sludge bombs vertically up and they started coming down on Moltres. Moltres was agile and dodge a lot of them but several found their mark damaging it without poisoning it. Before they could react however Motres used wing attack on nidoking with such speed and power that it fainted. It flew through the air fainted and Sonic, fearful that it would fall into the volcano immediately recalled it.

"Phew that was close" he thought sweating and not just from the heat "alright. Alakazam you're next!"

Alakazam hummed and observed Moltres' movements. Moltres unleashed a fire blast attack.

"Use light screen!"

Light screen was initiated but the power of the legendary pokemon was too great to perfectly shield against it. Alakazam was pushed back trying to maintain the shield.

"Quickly use psychic!"

Alakazam used its move damaging Moltres but not being able to stop it in its tracks. Moltres responded by going in for another wing attack.

"Reflect!"

Alakazam used its second barrier again being pushed back. It looked exhausted from the amount of effort it took to keep the barriers in place against such an opponent.

"Psychic again!"

Moltres however was already on the offensive releasing fire blast. Alakazam broke its focus to hold the barrier up. Moltres not giving it any chance to resist followed up with flamethrower.

"Shadow ball!"

The shadow ball collided with flamethrower as the attacks unleashed waves of power.

Back in town Sally was doing her shift wondering whether Sonic would be around today when she saw several people on looking at the direction of the volcano. Turning her head she saw a huge jet of flames and what appeared to be a flying type pokemon close to the mouth of the volcano.

Quickly and kind of rudely borrowing a customer's binoculars, she turned them towards the volcano and adjusted them to see what was going on. She witnessed the jet of flames and a shadow ball creating power waves. Adjusting the vision a little bit she witnessed Sonic and his Alakazam trying to maintain the attack while their opponent, the legendary pokemon Moltres was attacking with flamethrower.

"A hero and chosen by the legendary pokemon?" she wondered as she kept observing through the binoculars despite the customer's demand to return them.

Back on the volcano Alakazam had reached its limit. The shadow ball slowly faded as the attack engulfed it causing it to topple and faint.

"Return Alakazam" Sonic said "you were very brave. Rest well we're not losing this time" he said deciding to pull a risky move.

"Come on out pinsir!"

"Pinsir?" Blaine said in surprise. He knew Pinsir didn't learn any powerful moves to hit a moltres at least not naturally.

Sonic on the other hand knew his pinsir had a move to strike Moltres. However the play was risky. All of Moltres' attacks could knock pinsir out and their entire move was based on Moltres approaching them.

"Pinsir dodge the moves as best you can!"

Pinsir cried out as it clicked its pincers, challenging Moltres to make a move. Moltres responded by using flamethrower again.

"Dodge!"

Pinsir jumped off the cliff and nailed its pincers on the hard surface just enough to dodge the flamethrower. Using its strength it propelled itself back on the mouth of the volcano continuing to tease Moltres.

Moltres cried out in what felt like frustration and proceeded to use ancient power.

"Use your pincers to block or smash the rocks!"

Pinsir did just that. A lot of the rocks ended up smashed and its strong pincers kept some others from making perfect contact with it and knocking it out. The barrage took its toll on pinsir however as it knelt on one knee in pain.

"Just a little more pinsir" Sonic encouraged it.

Moltres to their luck used the one move they were waiting for next; wing attack.

"Now! Rock slide!"

Pinsir unleashed a barrage of rocks on Moltres which took insane damage however to make sure the rocks hit the spot, they had allowed their opponent to get too close. The wing attack connected and Pinsir was knocked back and crashed into Sonic, who fell back.

"You ok?" Blaine asked concerned.

Sonic with a lot of effort from under Pinsir, recalled it and got back up.

"I've been through worse" he said determined taking out blastoise's pokeball.

Blaine was in awe of Sonic's courage. Even though the move Pinsir pulled was daring and suicidal, Moltres was now flying unevenly due to its injuries.

"Blastoise come on out!" Sonic said calling it to battle.

Blastoise emerged and its water typing allowed it remain focused despite the great heat. Sonic however knew that heat from the volcano and heat from Moltres would soon be too much for Blastoise to resist. They had to pull a good move there and then.

"Blastoise hydro pump!"

Blastoise aimed and fired at Moltres. Moltres dodged for the most part but its injuries caused it to be scraped by the water attack damaging it further. It then unleashed flamethrower.

"Rapid spin!"

Blastoise span fast deflecting the attack. However the resistance was lowered due to the combined heat causing Sonic to curse in his mind at using that and not protect.

"Ice beam!"

Blastoise used the move which Moltres easily countered with fire blast. Blastoise was caught off guard by it resulting in a critical hit. It toppled but to Sonic's surprise was not out of the battle yet.

"Blastoise don't push yourself" Sonic said concerned for it.

Blastoise however wanting to make its trainer proud mustered all of its remaining energy and unleashed the strongest hydro pump it could. Moltres countered with a jet of flamethrower. The attacks proved to be even as the heat of the volcano enhanced flamethrower and weakened hydro pump. Eventually both the attacks evaporated as Blastoise fainted from exhaustion. Sonic recalled it amazed and proud of it.

"You did amazing buddy. Get a good rest".

One pokemon left. And Moltres looked too exhausted to continue. Sonic wondered why it was still continuing. He considered tossing a pokeball to try and catch it but decided he needed an opening first.

"Raichu" he said to its pokeball "it's all up to you!" he exclaimed sending it out.

Raichu and Moltres locked eyes, remembering their last encounter. This time however raichu was perfectly healthy and Moltres wasn't.

"Raichu what you're about to do is dangerous so I want you to be extremely careful. Blaine you might want to step on the path and clear the mouth of the volcano".

Blaine looked at Sonic confused but obeyed and allowed the mouth of volcano to be an empty circle.

"Raichu! Run around the mouth of the volcano! Quick attack!"

Raichu started running around the mouth of the volcano as fast it could. Moltres' eyes followed it but after a while it got tired and unleashed flamethrower. The attack missed as Raichu was going too fast.

Moltres then tried using ancient power and fire blast but both of those attacks also missed as raichu kept using quick attack. Sonic knew it would soon be frustrated.

And soon was the next moment. Moltres dived using wing attack on a collision course with the running raichu.

"Now! Use iron tail to propel yourself and jump on Moltres!"

Raichu made its tail hard and used it as a pole to launch off the ground using its built momentum. Dodging the attack it landed on Moltres' back. Moltres was caught off guard and tried to shake off raichu which held on as best as it could.

"Raichu! End this battle now! Thunder punch!"

Raichu charged its punch and struck at Moltres' neck. Moltres was damaged hard and started plummeting towards the mouth of the volcano.

"Oh no!" Sonic thought as he remembered where he was "raichu jump!"

Raichu jumped and was safely recalled then sent out again by Sonic. Moltres crashed on one of the pillars protruding from the hot lava. The pillar cracked a bit.

"No!" Sonic said in shock as he realized the amount of danger he had just put Moltres in.

Abandoning all sense of logic he jumped onto the closest pillar.

"Sonic no come back!" Blaine warned him.

Sonic however didn't listen. He wasn't responsible for Jolty's death. Certainly he wouldn't allow himself to become responsible for the death of a legendary pokemon.

"Don't worry Moltres. I'm coming!" he said as he jumped from pillar to pillar as best he could trying not to look down.

Moltres lifted its head in exhaustion and looked at Sonic slowly approaching. Its eyes, even though Sonic couldn't see it were glowing. If anyone knew, they would probably say it was surprise, disbelief and gratitude.

Sonic was now 2 pillars away from Moltres. He witnessed the pillar Moltres was on slowly cracking and breaking.

"No. no. no!" Sonic yelled jumping fast ignoring his safety and landing next to Moltres. Their combined weight caused the crack to expand and the pillar to tilt.

"Rai! Raichu!" Raichu cried out in fear for its trainer's life.

Sonic knew he was in too big of a jam this time. Kneeling next to Moltres he begged it to get up.

"Come on Moltres. Don't give up now!" he begged as he tried to lift it to help it fly away.

Moltres then did the unthinkable. It used wing attack on Sonic sending him flying back at the edge of the mouth of the volcano. Sonic crashed on the hard ground in pain but sprang back up. He witnessed the pillar give in.

Moltres plummeted inside the volcano unable to escape!

"NOOOOOOOO!" he screamed reaching out in despair.

At the next moment his world was turned upside down. Blaine had burst out laughing.

"My, oh my" he said after pulling himself together "you are something else. To best a legendary pokemon in combat? I have never seen that happen in my entire life!"

"What are you happy about?!" Sonic screamed in anger "I just killed Moltres!"

"Killed?" Blaine said in joyful confusion "don't you know fire types love lava?"

"Wait what?" Sonic said.

At the next moment a pillar of lava was erected from the inside of the volcano. Moltres emerged from it covered in lava and screeching like a phoenix.

"What?!" Sonic said taking a step back in fear. He wasn't prepared for something like this.

Moltres however shook the lava off, completely healed.

"Lava heals them?" Sonic asked over his shoulder.

"Of course. I'm surprised you didn't know it" Blaine commented.

Moltres then flew down and landed in front of Sonic. Their eyes met and Moltres lowered its head and closed its eyes.

"Is it… bowing to me?" Sonic muttered in disbelief.

"What does it look like it's doing?" Blaine asked laughing.

"Seriously though" he continued "you have got to be one of the most amazing trainers I have ever seen. Taking on the legendary bird of fire, on the top of a volcano AND beating it? You really are worthy of the title you bare".

Sonic turned to object but saw Blaine holding his hand out. Inside his palm laid…

"The volcano badge is yours".

"What?" Sonic said in surprise "I… I can't take that. I didn't beat you".

"You don't have to. What you achieved here today is a greater challenge than I could ever offer. If I could give you more badges I honestly would" Blaine said seriously, motioning for Sonic to take it.

Sonic was speechless but took the badge.

"Thanks. And thank you Moltres. Thank you for all the challenges and battles. It helped us grow stronger. I'll never forget it" Sonic said to the legendary pokemon that was simply staring back at him.

Turning to go to the path to get down from the volcano, he heard Moltres' footsteps behind him. Turning back to face it, he found its beak exactly in front of him. Moltres pushed him slightly with the beak. Sonic realizing what it was saying, despite his surprise, scratched it on the throat. Moltres closed its eyes to his touch and let out a grateful cry.

"That was so cool. Thank you again" Sonic said and turned to leave again.

Just like before he heard Moltres following him on foot. Confused he turned to face it again.

"What is it?" he asked confused.

"I knew it" Blaine exclaimed "it wasn't just a challenge. It chose you!"

"What?" Sonic turned to face him.

"It wants to join you".

"Join me? Moltres wants to join me?"

"Why the surprise? I told you the legend was more than common people know. Moltres doesn't just leave its wing for a rematch. It only leaves its wing to someone it feels it can trust. And I bet it now knows it can trust you".

Sonic didn't know what to say. Catch a legendary pokemon? That was a dream come true. Turning back to Moltres, he met its black eyes.

"You want to come with me?"

Moltres let out a cry. Sonic knew it couldn't speak his language but the cry sounded to him like "took you long enough to figure".

He smiled and took out a pokeball from his backpack.

"Wait" Blaine stopped him "use this instead" he tossed him an ultra ball "powerful pokemon deserve a powerful pokeball".

Sonic nodded smiling. He winded his hand and threw that ball at Moltres. The ball came into contact with the legendary bird and absorbed it as red energy. It fell on the ground and wiggled once. Twice. Thrice.

"No way it's gonna break out" Sonic thought.

But it didn't.

The sound confirming the catch reached his ears.

"I CAUGHT MOLTRES!" Sonic screamed in joy and started jumping ecstatically. Raichu followed suit and soon all his other pokemon came out. Sonic picked up Moltres' pokeball and called it out. The other pokemon all approached it one by one and had a one on one moment with it as Sonic observed happy.

He now had 6 pokemon. And they were all amazing.

"My team is stacked" he thought proudly.

"Well I guess it's time to go. Guys back in your balls" Sonic said as Blastoise, pinsir, alakazam and nidoking were recalled. Before he could recall Moltres however Blaine stopped him again.

"Are you planning to leave on foot?"

"Yeah why?"

"Nothing it's just… I assumed you would fly off".

Fly off? Sonic hadn't considered that. Never having a flying type before he didn't realize how easy it would make travelling from town to town. He turned to Moltres.

"Is it ok if we travel with your help?"

Moltres cried out and turned to face the mainland of Kanto. Moving its right wing out of the way so Sonic could ride it, it patiently waited for him.

"I'll take it as a yes. Thanks for the badge" he said shaking hands with the gym leader.

"Let's go" he said riding Moltres, his heart pumping with excitement at the prospect of flying.

Moltres cried out and took off fast, with Sonic and raichu holding on tight on its back.

Meanwhile on the ground Sally gave back the binoculars after Sonic and Moltres flew off. She got back to her shift processing the last hour. Sonic was indeed greater than the title of hero described. To be chosen by a legendary pokemon. Sally knew at that moment that she had barely known Sonic. She smiled as she saw Moltres fly off into the distance, wondering whether she and Sonic would meet again.

Chapter Text

Sonic was feeling the wind on his face, eyes closed as him and raichu were flying on Moltres.

After the addition of Moltres on their team they had attempted to locate Mike. Sonic, having fully regained the will to live his life to the fullest wished to help Mike escape his darkness as well.

Unfortunately they had spent 3 days looking throughout the region and have been unable to find him. They had even had a stakeout at Jolty's grave to see if Mike would go there but he never showed up.

Realizing after the 3rd day that if he didn't want to be found, they would never find him, Sonic decided to go earn his 8th badge and wrap up the requirements to enter the indigo league tournament when the time came.

As they flew towards Viridian city, Sonic took pictures and sent them to his friends and brother on their common chat. They all answered by cursing in a friendly way so as to express their jealousy as to what he was experiencing.

During the end of the first day of their search for Mike, Sonic had another camping with his pokemon and this time had all of them out of their pokeballs. Taking a picture of his team interacting, most specifically raichu peacefully sleeping on top of Moltres which sat on the ground observing the rest of the team with curiosity, he had sent it to their chat. Needless to say they were shocked beyond imagination at Sonic's capture of a legendary pokemon, let alone the fact that Moltres had its eye on Sonic ever since their first meeting at mount moon.

Sonic and his team of course didn't miss training sessions even for a single day. Seeing Moltres' power first hand, Sonic easily figured Moltres was a special attacker and already had a plan for a moveset. The search for Mike however had postponed his visit to mr Fuji.

Deciding he would visit after earning the final gym badge, intending to return to visit mr Fuji and Reina triumphant in his badge quest, he had Moltres land 5 minutes from Viridian city. Dismounting it and recalling it to avoid attention as he was now known as both the hero of Kanto and the chosen one of Moltres –"Blaine couldn't keep his mouth shut" Sonic had thought the first time he was called the chosen one of Moltres – he headed towards the gym.

Approaching the big garage style door that led inside he was pumping with excitement. The idea of testing Moltres in battle intrigued him. He also wanted to see how well the two would work together.

"Hey" he called out to the door thinking someone was operating it from the inside "I'm here to challenge the gym! Open the door!"

The door started being raised. Sonic hopped in place anxiously and when it was open enough entered. But what he saw wasn't what he expected.

On his end of the arena of the gym was a kid fallen to the floor and next to it a toppled Blastoise. Overcoming the first shock he rushed in to help, identifying a purple shirt and spiky brown hair.

"GARY!" Sonic screamed in shock as he approached the fallen trainer while raichu checked on Gary's Blastoise.

"Gary you ok? Say something dude!" Sonic said while shaking him.

Gary's eyes suddenly jolted open and he grabbed Sonic by his shoulders.

"Run!"

"What?"

"Run! It's a monster!"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"What's all the ruckus about?" a voice was heard from a pedestal on the other side of the arena. A familiar voice.

"No" Sonic thought as memories of silph co returned "it can't be".

Steps echoed throughout the gym as Sonic held his breath. It couldn't be him. It couldn't.

A black haired man appeared on the pedestal. His left hand was in a cast and he had a small sticking plaster on his nose. Sonic and Giovanni's eyes met as hatred for each other flared.

"You" they both said at the same time.

"Well, well" Giovanni said without an ounce of evil humor in his voice "the hero of Kanto finally crosses my path again".

"Look what has become of you" Sonic mocked him "having to take over a gym to hide".

"Take over? What a joke. Why would I take over my own gym?"

"YOUR gym?!" Sonic shouted in disbelief. It couldn't be true.

"You're lying. Someone like you can't be the strongest gym leader!"

"After everything that has transpired this is what surprises you the most hedgehog?"

Sonic felt the blood rush to his head.

"You got away from me twice before. You won't get away this time. You're gonna pay for what you did to Jolteon!"

Giovanni started laughing maniacally.

"Oh on the contrary hedgehog! It is you who will be paying for all team rocket has lost at your hands! And you're gonna pay for it with your life!"

"Bring out your pokemon then! I know them this time. You don't have the element of surprise!"

"His pokemon are already fainted! I beat them!" Gary said cowering in fear on the back wall.

"What?"

"I'm telling you Sonic! Run! You can't beat it!"

"Beat what?"

Another door similar to the entry door started rolling upwards opening this time under the pedestal Giovanni was sitting on. Sonic and raichu observed as the door opened completely. A pair of glowing eyes appeared from the room the door had revealed.

"What the?" Sonic said taking a step back instinctively.

Steps started sounding through the gym again, originating from the being with the glowing eyes. Heavy steps. As if the being was carrying something heavy.

Slowly the creature stepped into the light. An armored creature.

"Meet. Project two" Giovanni said maliciously.

Sonic felt fear creep up his spine momentarily until he noticed something familiar on the creature. A distinctive purple long tail.

"No… no… it can't be… Mewtwo!" Sonic muttered.

Giovanni stepped back in surprise as well, caught off guard that Sonic knew about Mewtwo.

"How do you know about this?!"

Sonic didn't listen however. His mind was racing as he recalled the data he had sent Tails during his raid on silph co and the diary from the mansion on Cinnabar island.

"Project two is proceeding better than I could have ever expected. Dr Fuji's job hasn't gone to waste. My benefactor intends to use it as a weapon. I must destroy my research… and my creation".

"You were dr Fuji's benefactor. You invested in Mewtwo's creation! Dr Fuji tried to stop you by destroying…" he said remembering Giovanni's words in that recording.

"The prototype!"

"Exactly. The old man destroyed the original Mewtwo. But by doing so he allowed my scientists to perfect it!"

"Yeah. Making it so strong you need to encase it in armor to weaken it!" Sonic said grimly disgusted.

"Heh. You are too perceptive for your own good hedgehog. If I wasn't intending to end your life here today I would be forced to. You know too much!"

The door behind Gary and Sonic slammed shut.

"Hey let Gary go! This is between you and me!"

"I'm afraid I can't. My business with you is personal. And by revealing how much you know you've sentenced that kid to death".

Gary gulped.

"No way in any life Giovanni! We end this now!"

"Mewtwo!" Giovanni ordered as Mewtwo slowly walked forward.

"Go Nidoking!" Sonic called it out.

"Mewtwo psychic!"

"Protect!"

Mewtwo's attack was not impeded by protect. Easily breaking through it, it lifted nidoking up and slammed it down hard knocking it out immediately.

"What?!"

"One down. 4 more to go. And…"

A capsule came out of nowhere and before Sonic could react encased nidoking before floating on Sonic's right, displaying the trapped nidoking like a prize.

"Give it back!" Sonic screamed in anger as he tried to recall it. However the recalling mechanism didn't function.

"No… the capsule is jamming the signal?!"

"Your nidoking is now mine! Just like I said it would be!"

"You absolute coward! Just wait until I get my hands on you! Pinsir your turn!"

Pinsir emerged.

"Rock slide!"

Rock slide was launched Mewtwo's armor deflected most of the damage.

"Flamethrower!"

"What?!"

Mewtwo unleashed powerful jet of flames that struck Pinsir. It was knocked out immediately. Just like before a capsule appeared out from behind Mewtwo and trapped Pinsir having it showcased next to Nidoking.

"No! Pinsir!"

"AHAHAHA! How does it feel hedgehog?! How does it feel to lose everything you have bit by bit?! I will make you experience every ounce of pain I experienced before I put you 6 feet under!"

"You're a monster! How can you live with yourself hurting innocent creatures?"

"Because they are nothing but a business"

"Nothing but a business?!"

"Exactly. Just as was your friend's Jolteon. Nothing more than a side casualty in my business".

Sonic's fist was trembling and spasming from rage. That monster had killed Jolteon and felt a total of zero regret for it.

"Mewtwo can use flamethrower" he said in his mind "mew's myth says it can learn every move that exists. Can Mewtwo also do that?"

"What's wrong headgehog? Ready to finally give up?"

"Never! Go Blastoise!"

Blastoise emerged with a thud.

"Mewtwo thunderbolt!"

"I knew it" Sonic thought in fear as Giovanni had ordered the attack before he could even think "it can learn a lot of attacks. He must have forced it to learn moves that cans strike anything".

Mewtwo however didn't respond to Giovanni's command. It instead looked around through its helmet.

"I said use thunderbolt you damn thing!" Giovanni shouted in anger, taking out a remote and pressing the button.

Mewtwo released a cry of pain. To Sonic sounded more like a roar but he could feel the suffering emanating like an aura from Mewtwo. Mewtwo used thunderbolt while Giovanni let go off the button.

"Protect!"

Protect shielded blastoise from thunderbolt as it wasn't a stab boosted move, though it was pushed back by the immense power.

"Use thunderbolt again!"

Mewtwo however still didn't respond as Sonic noticed it made spasms from the pain.

"I said use thunderbolt!" Giovanni screamed using the remote again.

Mewtwo roared in pain once more. Sonic, who noticed a small red light on the helmet activating every time the remote was pressed, didn't waste time to wait for the attack.

"Hydro pump!"

Blastoise fired 2 jets of water with its water cannons striking mewtwo head on. Mewtwo who had still not used thunderbolt was pushed back slightly as the attack connected. Mustering its power to stop the pain it used thunderbolt on itself. The attack coursed through the water and struck blastoise which cried out in pain as well and toppled before being captured by a third capsule.

"No!" Sonic screamed again this time in despair. Half his team was already captured as they helplessly watched their trainer and their team members fall to the strongest pokemon.

"This stupid thing!" Giovanni screamed as he pressed the button again to punish Mewtwo for striking itself too instead of just Blastoise.

Sonic who was watching the whole thing couldn't help but feel sorry for Mewtwo.

"Why am I thinking this way? Why am I feeling sorry about a monster?!" he thought to his own surprise.

"He's a psychic type. Maybe with my own psychic type I can turn the tables!"

"Go Alakazam" he said sending it out.

Alakazam appeared and Mewtwo stopped moving despite the pain it was still going through. The two psychic types stared at each other in silence, as Giovanni who forgot his anger for Mewtwo stopped using the remote.

"Using your Alakazam to try and save Mewtwo? Please. Mewtwo is my slave! Now and forever! Nothing you do can save it!"

"Save it?" Sonic thought "I'm not trying to save it".

"Alakazam use psychic!"

"Mewtwo counter with your own psychic!"

The two psychic types tried to use their best attack on each other. Mewtwo was leagues stronger than Alakazam. During the clash of the attacks however, Mewtwo's helmet was shaken a bit. Giovanni's eyes widened and immediately pressed a button that realigned it to make sure it wouldn't come off. Sonic noticed it but paid no mind.

Alakazam was hurt by Mewtwo's psychic while Mewtwo was barely phased.

"Flamethrower!" Giovanni ordered.

Mewtwo unleashed another jet of flames.

"Light screen!"

Alakazam created its barrier but Mewtwo's power was just too great. Being pushed back it looked at Sonic as if it was the last time. It then dropped the barrier and was engulfed by the flames.

"NO!" Sonic screamed in confusion and horror.

Alakazam had not dropped its defense to just faint however. Holding on barely it fired a shadow ball at Mewtwo who didn't see it coming. The attack connected damaging Mewtwo greatly and even removing a part of its armor on its right hand. Giovanni gasped in horror at this but regained his composure as Sonic's Alakazam fainted and was captured as well.

"One left. Your raichu will be my greatest trophy" he said maliciously.

Sonic, to Giovanni's surprise took out an ultra ball instead of sending raichu to battle.

"What?!"

"I'm not the same as I was at silph co. I'm not just the hero of Kanto" Sonic said not really embracing the title, instead just wanting to plant seeds of doubt in Giovanni "I'm the chosen one of this pokemon!"

The ultra ball opened and the whole room was lit by the flames of the legendary Moltres. Giovanni and Gary both looked at it in shock, Giovanni with a begrudging respect too.

"Chosen by Moltres huh? I will admit hedgehog. You really are something. And I also have to thank you".

"Thank me?"

"Yes. For bringing me the legendary Moltres as a gift".

"No I don't think so! Moltres! Strike down Mewtwo! Fire blast!"

Moltres unleashed his jet of flames shaped like a star. Mewtwo defended with ease.

"Don't let up! Flamethrower!"

Moltres unleashed a normal jet of flames. Mewtwo easily blocked that move with psychic as well though a part of his armor became black from the heat. Giovanni noticed it visibly shaken.

"Mewtwo enough playing around! Thunderbolt!"

Mewtwo used thunderbolt but Moltres dodged. Mewtwo unleashed another one and Moltres countered with ancient power, the barrage of rocks working as a barrier for the electricity as it couldn't course through them.

"Use psychic to throw the rocks back!"

Mewtwo was visibly exhausted and in pain both from the armor and forced use of its power. Giovanni losing his temper used his remote again causing Mewtwo great pain. Sonic now felt compelled to help Mewtwo but the memory of what it had done to its creators at that lab wouldn't let him see Mewtwo as anything more or less than a monster.

"Moltres quick before Mewtwo attacks! Wing attack!"

However the successful physical assault was a mistake. Mewtwo forgot about the pain dealt to him by Giovanni and unleashed thunderbolt roaring angry at Moltres. The legendary bird of fire was not quick enough this time and collapsed on the ground barely not fainted. Giovanni, not wanting to risk such a prize, had the capsule capture Moltres as best as it could, though it was too small for the bird which barely fit in. As the glass walls pressured it Moltres cried out in agony. Sonic shed a tear at the sound Moltres made.

"I will save you Moltres! I will save all of you hang in there!"

"Save them? Don't kid yourself hedgehog! You can't even save yourself!"

"Raichu! Let's save our friends! Quick attack!"

Raichu charged at Mewtwo too fast for the latter to react. It struck Mewtwo but merely pushed it back. Mewtwo simply flicked raichu aside with psychic. To Giovanni's horror however raichu merely got back up as well.

"That phenomenon" he said remembering how both Sonic and raichu had been engulfed by lightning at silph co and it somehow restored them "those 2 together will be my undoing".

"Mewtwo change of plans! Kill the hedgehog! Psychic!"

"What?!" Sonic was able to say before being lifted off his feet with psychic. Mewtwo who was reaching out with its right hand, its hand free from the armor was holding him in place as raichu saw it happen. Charging thunder punch, it jumped towards Mewtwo only to be flicked away again.

"Do it Mewtwo! Kill him! Like you did the fools that made you!"

Sonic felt his head tilt back, his arms bending the opposite way, his legs bend forward. He screamed in pain as Gary observed the scene unable to help as Mewtwo had defeated all of his pokemon and even knocked him down with psychic before Sonic arrived.

Sonic however remembering his advice to Ash, focused his mind on his goal of living. Not just surviving but living.

The effects of the psychic were reduced however Mewtwo was still too strong for him to break completely free. Raichu in the meantime was trying repeatedly to attack Mewtwo only to be flung away every time, each time more painful than the last.

Giovanni was unnerved by raichu's refusal to go down as well as Sonic actually fighting off Mewtwo's psychic attack.

"Drastic times call for drastic measures! Mewtwo! Choke the life out of him!"

Mewtwo stood still for a moment. Giovanni was ready to use his remote again. But at the next moment Sonic was brought to Mewtwo as its 3 fingers wrapped around Sonic's throat. Mewtwo then started putting pressure.

Raichu cried out in despair seeing its trainer gasp and cough for air as his legs started shaking uncontrollably. Sonic's other pokemon also started trying to break free but their battles with Mewtwo had left them too weak to escape.

A million thoughts crossed Sonic's mind as he was choked by Mewtwo. Panic, fear, his pokemon, raichu, his friends, his family, everything. An amalgamation of thoughts all spinning inside his head at the same time as he continued making inhuman sounds trying to breathe.

Then for a moment Mewtwo's grip was loosened. Giovanni noticed it as Sonic stopped struggling as much.

"Obey me you stupid thing! I command you!" Giovanni screamed using his remote.

Mewtwo roared in pain again and put more pressure on Sonic's throat.

Sonic put his hands on Mewtwo's hands trying to take them off long enough to create a phrase.

"Raichu use…"

But then he stopped. At that moment he was struck with a powerful feeling of déjà vu. His mind was suddenly working clearly and his mangled thoughts were somehow falling neatly together perfectly.

"Just like my dream" he thought as he continued his struggle to take a breath "if I order raichu to attack Mewtwo will kill it.

"I said obey me you piece of trash! Get it over with!" Giovanni's voice echoed in his ears. Sonic couldn't see him due to his vision becoming blurred from the lack of air.

He heard Mewtwo making a sad cry that Giovanni was too far away to hear.

"Mewtwo is suffering" Sonic thought.

Yes. The creature strangling him at that very moment was in as much pain as Sonic. Maybe even more than Sonic.

Under normal circumstances Sonic would question why he was being empathetic for a monster. But those thoughts had left his mind.

"Mewtwo is no monster. He is a pokemon. A pokemon held captive by team rocket".

His mind went back to all the captured pokemon he and Mike had saved at silph co. Alakazam's mother, Mike's beedrill.

"Mewtwo is a pokemon who needs my help!" Sonic made one last determined thought "and I will help it".

Grabbing Mewtwo's hands again, he started using all of his strength to stop the choking. He screamed as he gave it his all, determined to end the suffering of everyone.

Giovanni was observing the scene with a combination of sadistic pleasure with hints of anxiety every time Sonic looked like he would break free.

"Look at you hedgehog. One foot in the grave. That's what happens when you cross team rocket. Did you really think you could mess with us and walk unscathed?"

Sonic didn't respond as Mewtwo was beginning to overpower him again.

"Did you really think you could win?!" Giovanni asked him again both gloating and a bit frustrated as he wanted to get a response.

And Sonic did respond.

"I don't have to win".

"What?" Giovanni said as the smile disappeared from his face.

"I just need to free Mewtwo! Quick attack!"

Raichu who had been completely forgotten by Giovanni had managed to climb to the pedestal. Before Giovanni could react Raichu used quick attack on him, causing him to drop the remote. Sonic momentarily overpowered Mewtwo allowing himself to take a breath in and create another phrase.

"Raichu quick! Use iron tail on Mewtwo's helmet!"

Raichu jumped from the pedestal as its tail glowed. Giovanni screamed a fearful no and dived to catch the remote.

Raichu landed the attack creating a huge crack on the helmet. Sonic letting go of Mewtwo's hand, he grabbed the helmet from both parts of the crack and with a last surge of his strength, split it in two.

The metallic pieces fell to the ground making a clanking sound, as Mewtwo's face was now revealed. It had purple eyes and looked eerily similar to a combination of Mew and a human. Sonic would describe it as a humanoid version of Mew only much stronger. Its eyes were feral and full of fear and pain. The moment the helmet came off Mewtwo, having grown used to seeing through the lens of the helmet, was overcome by the sudden light and dropped Sonic covering its eyes.

As Sonic coughed to catch his breath Giovanni was fuming in rage.

"NO! MEWTWO OBEY ME! KILL THE HEDGEHOG!" Giovanni screamed as he pressed the button on the remote.

Mewtwo's roar was heard again. Only this time it was much louder. Sonic observed as Mewtwo's power was unleashed.

"The remote wasn't causing pain through the helmet. It did through the rest of the armor. The helmet was an inhibitor" Sonic said in realization.

With raichu hiding behind him, Sonic saw Mewtwo use its power to remove the armor, continuously roaring as it started sending psychic blasts throughout the room. Many of those blasts hit the capsules Sonic's pokemon were trapped in freeing them.

"NOOOOOO! YOU'RE RUNING EVERYTHING!" Giovanni screamed in despair this time. Sonic was actually surprised never expecting someone like Giovanni to sound like this.

Mewtwo having heard Giovanni's voice turned its feral eyes on him. Using a powerful psychic blast it blasted Giovanni from the pedestal sending him crashing to the ground not moving. Mewtwo then looked around with the same feral look until its eyes met Sonic's. Sonic got up, determined to protect raichu.

"Hey hey" he said calmly lifting his hands in front of his chest as if he was signaling to Mewtwo everything was fine.

"It's ok now. You're free. Get out of here".

Mewtwo's feral look got slightly calmer. Alakazam from the corner of the room took the chance and telepathically communicated with Mewtwo. Sonic observed the two psychic types look at each other wondering what they talked about. After a few moments Mewtwo sent a power wave towards the ceiling creating a huge hole. Then to Sonic and raichu's shock it flew away using its psychic power on itself.

"Woah it can fly?" Sonic said in shock.

A groan of pain brought him back to reality as he remembered Giovanni was still there.

Giovanni had already gotten up and called his flying device to him. Sonic rushed to tackle him to the ground but Giovanni merely flew out of the hole on the ceiling. Sonic cursed at the supposed escape until Moltres flew to the center of the room and then flew back down ready for Sonic to ride it. Sonic knew what he had to do.

"Raichu use your moves to get Gary out of here. Bring the door down if you have to! I will go after him!"

Mounting Moltres and recalling his other 4 pokemon he looked at Gary who had still not spoken a word throughout the entire battle with Giovanni.

"Gary call the police! Tell them to search the whole place!"

As he spoke the last word Moltres soared through the opening on the ceiling. They saw Giovanni riding his flying device in the distance.

"After him Moltres" Sonic asked his pokemon.

Moltres started flying as fast as it could despite its heavy injuries.

Giovanni heard the flapping of the wings and saw Moltres on his tail. Cursing he tried to speed up. Moltres however was a lot faster than his device even with its injuries. Getting in front of him, Sonic and Moltres cut off Giovanni's escape route.

"It's over Giovanni. You lose".

Giovanni gritted his teeth but then both archenemies heard sirens. Looking back they saw the police surrounding Giovanni's gym.

The boss of team rocket observed in shock as he knew he had now really lost. Every defeat left him to fall on another backup plan. But the seizing of the viridian gym destroyed all of his backup plans.

Closing his eyes and sighing he met Sonic's eyes.

"You're right. I lose. You win. So take these" he said tossing Sonic 2 shiny objects.

Sonic caught them with ease though his movement caused Moltres to momentarily lose its balance. After it steadied itself, Sonic looked at the objects. They were 2 earthbadges.

"One for you, one for the kid that beat my team".

"I don't care" Sonic said "you won't buy your way out against me. You're going in for a long time".

"And how will you catch me? Your Moltres doesn't look well enough to stop me".

Sonic clenched his fist. Giovanni was right. Mewtwo had damaged Moltres too much. They wouldn't be able to pursue him.

"I will escape here today. But…" Giovanni said closing his eyes "I never expected to say it. Team rocket won't escape here today. The seizing of my gym was the final nail in the coffin. As of now team rocket is disbanded".

Sonic listened at his archnemesis' words.

"Heh. And of course you would run away abandoning everyone on your team".

"They were mere pawns for my goal of world domination. Useless pawns too. Ariana lost to you when your team was much weaker".

Moltres cried out in pain as it started flying unevenly. Sonic knew once they fell down, Giovanni would escape.

"You may have brought down team rocket and ruined my dreams of domination. But after surviving my ultimate weapon, Mewtwo… I can't say anymore that you're only worth of my hatred. You have, as crazy as it sounds, earned my respect, Sonic the hedgehog".

"Your respect means nothing to me".

"I'm aware of that. But it is true. You were a worthy enemy. For that I will, as hard as it is for me, graciously accept my defeat… and go into exile".

Sonic didn't believe a single word but knew he didn't have any other choice to make.

"And I suggest you stay in exile. Cause if you try to rise again… you and team rocket… I will be there to stop you".

Giovanni begrudgingly smiled.

"I'm counting on that" he said with a combination of maliciousness and respect as Moltres' energy was completely depleted.

Moltres plummeted to the ground roughly as Sonic rolled on the ground.

"Not a happy landing" he thought as he looked at the direction he suspected Giovanni had escaped towards.

He had done it. Team rocket was gone. But Giovanni had escaped and if he was telling the truth going into exile. Sonic fell back down, his head resting on the exhausted Moltres. Looking at the sky he decided to heed mr Fuji's advice and try to look on the bright side too.

Team rocket was gone. Kanto was free from their reign of fear. From Giovanni's reign of fear. Sonic smiled, as he ached from the strangling he had gone through.

"Jolty" he thought "we have passed justice for you".

Chapter Text

Sonic and Moltres laid in the forest catching their breath after their pursuit of Giovanni. The latter had escaped and gone into exile, hopefully permanently as Sonic hoped.

"Moltres" he said after finally feeling strong enough to get up "are you ok?"

Moltres let out a weak cry as it looked at its trainer.

"You were amazing" Sonic said rubbing its long neck.

Moltres closed its eyes to Sonic's touch.

The duo heard steps coming from somewhere. Sonic and Moltres witnessed an officer – "is it officer Jenny? Or someone else? I really need to know if there is a dress code" he wondered – approach. Once she saw the duo laying on the ground she spoke into her walkie talkie and then turned to them.

"Hello Sonic".

Sonic knew at that moment it was the same officer.

"Hi officer".

The officer approached Sonic and Moltres, amazed by the legendary pokemon.

"You just keep one-upping yourself" she commented "the titles you bear don't even begin to describe you".

"This titles mean nothing to me. I only did what I thought was right. I believe I had already explained that".

She nodded.

"Let's get back".

Sonic recalled Moltres and followed officer Jenny towards Viridian city.

"Did you find anything in the Viridian gym?"

"Only their final base. Arrested as many as we could catch. Several escaped though. Gary Oak told me you went after their boss".

"He escaped again" Sonic said with a hint of guilt "my Moltres was hurt during our confrontation. It didn't have enough strength to pursue him".

"I understand. Locating him will not be easy".

"I know. But he said he was going into exile after this defeat. And even though I hate to admit it, I believe him".

"That's good news. Though that doesn't mean he won't be hunted down. We will have to appeal for a warrant to be issued for him internationally. He will have nowhere to go if we can do it".

Sonic nodded.

"What else did you find in the gym?"

"Everything. Plans for dominion of Kanto, black market pokemon selling documents and a lot more. But the scariest part was a drawer in Giovanni's office. It contained photos of you, a girl with brown hair and an old man".

"What?"

"And there's more. There was a recording. A girl calling for help, calling you for help".

"I received a phone call before the raid at silph co like that… they must have been planning to lure me away from Saffron by throwing me in a wild goose chase. My friend must have stopped them, learned of their plans and called me, sparking the events of the raid" Sonic concluded "and I assume they used a ditto to do it?"

"Yes we found a captured ditto in Giovanni's office as well".

Sonic felt a chill down his spine. Giovanni had a whole plan to destroy him. And it was ruined by Mike. Everyone called him the hero of Kanto but had it not been for Mike things would have ended way differently.

As they approached the Viridian gym, Sonic was surprised to find not only his raichu waiting but a huge crowd of reporters. Raichu saw him and run at him. Sonic knelt and hugged his partner, shedding a tear at their victory.

Of course the result of raichu's action was the journalists, who were up until that point asking Gary questions, immediately rushed to question Sonic.

"Mr the hedgehog what happened inside the gym?"

"Is the boss of team rocket arrested?"

"Is it true there was a powerful pokemon in there?"

Sonic hesitated to answer as he didn't want to get in trouble with the law for whatever reason. Officer Jenny pulled him aside for a moment and suggested he did make a statement. As he was one of the most known trainers throughout Kanto, his statement wouldn't only be real but make a positive impact. Sonic considered it and turned back to the cameras asking that he be allowed to speak. The journalists immediately stopped speaking.

"The Viridian gym was a front for team rocket. The gym leader, also known as Giovanni, the boss of team rocket was using it as a base for the team's operations. He was beaten by me. I gave chase but unfortunately he escaped. However team rocket has been compromised and has officially disbanded".

"Is it true there was a powerful new species of pokemon controlled by team rocket that escaped during the fight?"

Sonic knew immediately Gary had mentioned Mewtwo.

"That secret can't come out. Not yet anyway" he thought.

"It wasn't a new species. It was a powerful Alakazam wearing a suit of armor to control it and make it stronger" Sonic lied "it did escape during the fight".

"What do you plan to do next?" another reporter asked him.

"That is my move to decide" Sonic said "however I do have one last thing to say. Specifically to my friend and ally who fought bravely alongside me during the attack on silph co. And before you all ask no I won't reveal his identity".

Some reporters who looked ready to question Sonic on that front hesitated upon his statement and eventually pulled back. Sonic turned to the camera.

"My friend" he said "it's over. Team rocket is done. Jolty has been avenged. You don't have to suffer anymore mourning him. Mourning someone is a hard thing. But living your life to the fullest for them… that is a thousand times harder. But it is also worth it cause we only live once. If you're hearing this… I hope we have another battle one day. Because our first and only battle.. was by far the best one I've had" Sonic concluded.

Some of the journalists, who had come to know of what transpired in silph co, shed tears as they were moved by Sonic's statements. After that Sonic declared there would be no more statements and walked away, leaving officer Jenny to handle the crowd.

With raichu following him close by, Sonic approached Gary who was talking with professor Oak who had come as soon as heard about the incident.

"Hey Gary? A word please?"

Gary turned around and saw it was Sonic calling out to him. Excusing himself he approached Sonic.

"Have you come to gloat? That you beat the pokemon I couldn't beat?"

"No. I just came to give you this" he said handing Gary the earthbadge.

"I don't want your pity. I will earn it on my own".

"It's not pity. Giovanni gave me two before escaping. One is for you".

Gary took the earthbadge silently.

"Are you holding up ok?"

"I don't need sympathy either".

Sonic simply shrugged.

"Had to ask. You were in danger because of me after all. See you at the tournament".

"Huh? Where are you going?"

"To meet someone. Get some tutoring for my Moltres. And then somewhere secluded to train until the tournament" Sonic said as he headed towards the pokemon center to heal his team after the brutal fight.

"Wait" Gary called out.

Sonic looked over his shoulder.

"Why did you lie to the press about that pokemon? You obviously knew about it".

Sonic contemplated letting Gary in on the story of Mewtwo but decided against it.

"Some things are better left in the dark. That's all I'll say. And I will also ask one thing of you. Don't tell anyone about it. Not even your grandpa. At least not yet".

"Why?"

"Mewtwo has just been freed. It is a pokemon with intelligence. And immense power. So let's let it find a place it can call home and not disturb it. Maybe someday it will be able to trust humanity even after the pain it went through. On that day it will be ok for professor Oak to know about it".

"But when will that be?"

Sonic smiled mildly.

"Someday. You will know when".

"How?"

"You'll just know" Sonic said as he moved to go to the pokemon center.

After healing his team he went into Viridan forest and called out Moltres. Riding it with Raichu they soared to the skies of Kanto. The rejuvenating fresh air screamed around them as they flew with incredible speed towards Celadon city.

Sonic took the sights in hungrily, as his near death experience at Mewtwo's hands had really showed him how disconnected he was from the beauty of the world. The vast blue sea, the lush green forests, the mountains on the north side of the region. It was as if he was seeing their beauty for the first time.

He wondered where Mewtwo had retreated to, if he had retreated to a secluded mountain top or perhaps a deserted island.

"Wherever it is, I hope it can find peace in its freedom" Sonic thought.

His mind then drifted back to the confrontation with Giovanni as he relived it in his head trying to figure if Giovanni had said something that could be a hint to his location in exile.

While reliving the fight he recalled a specific detail that he had ignored for the longest time ever since discovering Mewtwo existed.

"Giovanni mentioned Mewtwo's creator had created a prototype. A prototype that was destroyed by that person".

His mind then recalled the audio file from silph co.

"Dr Fuji's work hasn't gone to waste".

"Dr Fuji" Sonic repeated though the wind didn't let his voiced out thought reach raichu and Moltres.

"But where would this dr Fuji be now? Unless…" his mind made a crazy thought.

"After our raid with Mike… mr Fuji… was shocked when I mentioned project two".

No, there was no way, his mind kept repeating.

"There is no way mr Fuji and Mewtwo's creator… are one and the same. Right?" Sonic questioned himself.

But no matter how much he thought it over he couldn't just rule it out either. He didn't know about mr Fuji's past. So it was entirely possible.

"I need to find out" Sonic thought as Celadon city appeared in the horizon.

Sonic landed outside the city and recalled Moltres. Landing in the center of the town on a legendary pokemon wasn't the best idea for going unnoticed. He then headed immediately to mr Fuji's house to have Moltres and Pinsir's moves adjusted and to dig for answers.

Reaching mr Fuji's house he found him and Reina there watching a replay of the broadcast in which Sonic had given his speech. Hearing his footsteps they turned to see him and smiles lit up their faces.

Reina rushed and hugged him unexpectedly as Sonic after a moment of awkwardness hugged her back. Mr Fuji approached as well.

"Looks like you were able to find the strength to move forward. And on your own too".

"No. Not entirely on my own" Sonic said as he recalled his battle with elite four Agatha "did Mike happen to show up?"

"Unfortunately no" mr Fuji said seriously "we haven't seen him since the silph co battle. But I'm sure he heard your message. He is a good kid. He will find his way back".

"I hope so" Sonic said.

After a few more questions, Sonic asked mr Fuji to help teach Pinsir earthquake, and bulk up, forgetting submission and revenge, while Moltres, which mr Fuji and Reina were impressed but not surprised as the news of Sonic's chosen one of Moltres titled had reached them as well and had not doubt they were real, was to be taught to use sunny day, solar beam and air slash, replacing ancient power, fire blast and wing attack. As mr Fuji got to work Reina noticed the bruises on Sonic.

"What are those?" she asked concerned.

That was the chance Sonic was looking for to start digging for answers.

"During the battle in Viridian city Giovanni's ultimate weapon tried to strangle me".

"That monster" Reina said in shock "twice you fought him and twice he didn't hesitate to go after you".

"Yeah. That pokemon was very strong. Even with that armor it was wearing".

"I wonder what kind of Alakazam was that strong" Reina commented.

"It wasn't an Alakazam" Sonic admitted.

Reina looked at him in question while mr Fuji, who was helping teach Pinsir earthquake, was so shocked he turned so fast that he lost his balance and dropped to the ground.

Sonic immediately thought that was suspicious.

"What did you say?" mr Fuji asked, clearly shaken.

"It wasn't an Alakazam. It was a bioengineered pokemon named Mewtwo".

Mr Fuji started breathing fast, having a panic attack. Reina rushed inside to bring him water, while Sonic who was calm, waved his hands to give him air.

After drinking water and taking deep long breaths to calm down mr Fuji refrained from looking Sonic in the eyes.

"Why did you get so shocked mr Fuji?" Sonic asked him.

Mr Fuji still didn't look.

"And in fact… should I maybe refer to you as dr Fuji?"

Mr Fuji's eyes widened in shock. Sonic knew.

"I discovered the hidden lab in the Cinnabar mansion. And team rockets data that I released to the public spoke of a dr Fuji who destroyed the Mewtwo prototype".

"You… you know?"

"Know that you helped create a bioengineered pokemon from the dna of the mythical ancestor of all pokemon? That your creation grew so strong and violent you couldn't control it? That you knew Giovanni, your benefactor, intended to use it as a weapon? Yes I know".

"I…" mr Fuji began saying "I didn't know he wanted to use it as a weapon. Not until… until it was too late. Until that monster was already created. When I discovered Mew in the jungle… I wanted to prove its existence to the world… my original plan was to clone mew… and prove to the world it existed. What I accidentally created… that monster… my benefactor's views changed upon seeing my creation. He continued funding it until it was fully grown. When I…" mr Fuji had now began tearing up.

"When I discovered what had happened, I tried to poison the prototype inside its tube. I was successful. However the poison was also intended to destroy the body. To dissolve it completely. I ran away with my research without ever knowing whether I had completely destroyed my work".

"Apparently you failed" Sonic said "Giovanni said the 2.0 version was truly perfect compared to the prototype".

Mr Fuji covered his face with his hands as he shook.

"My mistakes led to those bruises on your body. To all your injuries. To all the painful confrontations with team rocket… to Jolteon's death".

No mr Fuji" Sonic said kneeling down "you were not responsible for any of it. Even if Mewtwo didn't exist team rocket would still pull evil schemes around the region. So I would probably have clashed with them regardless. But none of it matters anymore. It's over. Team rocket has disbanded. And Mewtwo is free from them".

Mr Fuji looked at Sonic in horror.

"Free? What do you mean free?!"

"I mean that that part of my speech was true. It did escape. Because I freed it".

"You… you didn't kill it? You freed that monster?"

"I couldn't kill it mr Fuji. It was too strong. If had tried to kill it, it would have killed me first. And besides" Sonic said as he remembered the look of pain, suffering and terror in Mewtwo's purple eyes "Mewtwo's no monster. It's a pokemon. A bioengineered pokemon but a pokemon nonetheless. A pokemon captured by team rocket and suffering. A pokemon I knew I had to help".

Mr Fuji took it all in with a combination of admiration for Sonic and terror at the situation.

"What you did was noble indeed. But Mewtwo… is still too strong. Being out there… if it hurts anyone…"

"I don't think it will. It's sentient. More sentient than most pokemon. It's probably somewhere in hiding. This is why I lied. To keep it safe. To let it find its place in the world. I'm sure it won't cause any trouble away from people".

Mr Fuji nodded as it made sense. He got up with the help of Reina and asked Sonic for forgiveness for everything he had indirectily caused. Sonic accepted it immediately.

After Moltres and Pinsir picked up their movesets, Sonic opened the map of Kanto and searched through it, eventually finding a secluded coast northeast where he could make camp and train in solitude until the tournament. After bidding farewell to Reina and mr Fuji, he then went to a clearing in the woods and brought out Moltres. Before he could ride it with raichu however Reina unexpectedly showed up.

"What are you doing here?" Sonic asked her.

Reina was blushing trying to find the words. Sonic immediately understood where this was going.

"Isn't it… possible you could stay here and train?"

"…No. I need to follow my path. My gut tells me to go and train. After getting close to death so many times, I just want to be alone for a while with my pokemon. Build my bond with them. Train with them. Grow our power together".

"I… I mean…".

"I know what you mean" Sonic said seriously "I remember. Before silph co. You're a good person Reina. And very beautiful. But I need to follow my own path at this point. And that's something I have to do alone for now".

Reina felt a small heartbreak but understood. Sonic had gone through a lot in the month that he had been a trainer. Nodding she said she understood and turned to leave but before Sonic could ride Moltres turned around and gave him another kiss.

"For the farewell" she said with a teary smile and left to return home.

Sonic smiled closing his eyes. He turned and saw raichu and Moltres were observing the whole time.

"Got a good peek?" Sonic joked.

Raichu and Moltres looked like they were caught stealing berries. Sonic simply laughed as he and raichu rode Moltres.

The flight to the secluded shore was smooth and with no trouble. As Sonic set up camp and let out his pokemon to play or just hang out, he laid on the soft sand and looked at the sky, simply enjoying the peace. Not just the silence but the peace that came with team rocket's disbandment.

Feeling his phone buzz, he received a facetime call from Tails.

"How's it going hero?"

"Haha. Just fine bud. Just fine at last".

Knuckles and Jet joined the call at that moment.

"My guy! Driving team rocket out of Kanto? You're nuts and awesome!" Knuckles exclaimed drowning in hype.

"Too nuts. But too awesome" Jet added "the broadcast aired here too. Everyone in town knows about your deeds" he explained.

"Really?" Sonic said intrigued.

"Yeah. Amy especially has yet to swallow the news".

"What's she got to do with it?" Sonic asked confused.

"I saw her" Knuckles explained "arguing with Shadow while on a date. I heard your name being spoken so I assumed it's about your heroic actions".

"Knuckles…"

"Ok. Ok. You just did what you thought was right" Knuckles relented.

Sonic and Jet's parents appeared behind Jet on camera and took over the call for a while asking Sonic if he was ok and expressing how proud they were of him and that they were sure he'd bounce back up after what had started his journey. Leaving the 4 friends alone again, Sonic took the chance to tell his friends about what exactly transpired at the Viridian gym, his discovery at Cinnabar island and Mewtwo itself. Tails was intrigued that his dream of Mewtwo killing him was essentially a vision of a possible future which Sonic managed to twist just by being himself.

"So what are your plans now bro?" Jet asked Sonic.

"Just stay here at this beach until the tournament. Just training and hanging out with my pokemon. You're free to come if you want of course".

"We discussed the chance of coming early but unfortunately we can't" Tails said grumpy.

"Well that sucks. Guess it's just solo relaxing and training" Sonic said again.

"Make sure to train hard. After all we expect you to kick everyone's ass at the tournament".

"I know I will kick one Ash for sure" Sonic said as he recalled his challenge to Ash.

"Damn look at the time. I need to go now. Talk soon Sonic. Happy training" Tails said hanging up. Knuckles and Jet stayed online for a little longer and then hang up too.

Sonic immediately went to sleep after that. He instructed his pokemon to get a good rest as the next two weeks would include a lot of training. He entered the tent and fell asleep after a while, his sleep peaceful and dreamless.

Chapter Text

"Moltres solar beam!"

Moltres soaring high above the ground unleashed its attack with incredible speed under the effect of sunny day.

"Good. Again. And use sunny day again to harness more sunlight" Sonic said and moved on to observing Pinsir using brick break to smash rocks.

"More ferocity Pinsir. Imagine it's me in your nest".

Pinsir smahed the next rock on its training so hard it became peebles.

"Yeah that's neat! Try to turn it to dust next time" Sonic suggested.

Moving on he found Raichu and Nidoking sparring. Raichu was using iron tail to attack and deflect the incoming sludge bombs. On the other hand Nidoking, having acquired the move megahorn while training, was trying to slam into raichu using it. Raichu was using its speed and agility to dodge or clashing with megahorn using iron tail. Sonic smiled as the two noticed him and momentarily stopped.

"Don't let me distract you guys. Get back to it. I want to see ferocity".

The pokemon cried out and collided again, megahorn vs brick break this time, the megahorn used defensively to whip away the brick break.

Sonic then approached the final duo. Alakazam was using psychic to lift Blastoise which was incredibly heavy.

"Good. Ready Blastoise?"

"Blastoise" the huge water turtle cried out.

"Hydro pump".

Blastoise unleashed its water jets from its cannon, as Alakazam did its best to hold it steady. The combined weight of Blastoise and the force of the released water proved too much as Alakazam as it dropped Blastoise unpleasantly. Alakazam hummed saddened.

"Hey you ok?" Sonic asked it.

Alakazam hummed looking at its hands which held its spoons. Sonic understood.

"You're still thinking of Mewtwo?"

Alakazam hummed in a positive way.

"I understand. But don't let this bring you down for good Alakazam. You shouldn't compare yourself to Mewtwo. You and it are not the same".

Alakazam looked sad. Sonic realized it had misunderstood him.

"No wait. I didn't explain it right. What I meant to say was the only real comparison you should make is with your past self" Sonic explained.

Alakazam looked at him.

"Remember how you started? As a helpless abra? Look at you now. You have grown incredibly powerful. And you will only get stronger. I know you will".

Alakazam hummed and began trying to lift Blastoise again. Sonic stopped them saying it was time to eat.

Calling the rest of his pokemon, the team feasted as the previous day Sonic had gone to buy supplies via a flight on Moltres and therefore had picked a little extra for his pokemon as they had been working very hard.

After lunch Sonic usually let the pokemon play to relax and strengthen their bonds with each other. Usually he played with them while other times he let them play while he laid in his tent and rested, enjoyed the view, chatted with his friends and brother or just browsed the internet.

Over the past week of his stay on that secluded beach, a lot of articles had popped up online about his deeds against team rocket and more kept appearing every day. He had essentially become a celebrity throughout Kanto and the fact that he was confirmed to take place in the indigo tournament had increased the number of trainers taking the gym challenge tenfold. Sonic had discussed this with his friends but they concluded most of the newly registered trainers wouldn't possibly be able to collect the 8 badges fast enough to enter the tournament for a chance to face him.

"And plus" Tails had added the night before when they were discussing the specific topic "even if they enter, I doubt they will stand a chance against you. Your team is stacked, you literally kicked the pokemon mafia out of Kanto, came this close to defeating an elite four member... I can go on. I just think the tournament is in the bag for you".

"I won't count my chickens before they hatch Tails" Sonic had answered "after all who knows who else will join the tournament".

"No matter who enters, how many will possibly have a legendary pokemon? You got this Sonic" Knuckles had stated confident in his friend's chances of victory.

Sonic recalled all their discussions as he observed the endless blue of the sky, relaxed after a long half day of training with the other half having more training in store.

While observing the sky something flew so fast he was barely able to see it. His eyes were not fast enough to keep up with it. Wondering what it could be he let his eyes close intending to take a quick nap.

He was roughly awakened when he heard Moltres' battle cry pierce his ears. Rushing out of the tent he saw Moltres engaging a dragonite while his remaining pokemon were observing.

"What's going on here?" Sonic wondered as he prepared to give Moltres battle instructions.

However to his surprise, dragonite wasn't fighting back. It was merely dodging the attacks. Sonic knew something was up.

"Moltres down" he said as the legendary bird obeyed without taking its eyes of the dragon type pseudo legendary.

Dragonite landed close to Sonic and approached him with heavy steps. Moltres made a threatening cry which Sonic responded to by raising his hand to keep the peace. He noticed dragonite was wearing a bag over its shouder and around its body.

"What the… a mailman dragonite?" he thought in surprise while keeping his composure.

Dragonite took an envelope out of the bag and handed it to Sonic. Sonic not expecting this turn of events slowly took the envelope and the moment it was off dragonite's hands it soared faster than Sonic's eyes could register.

Looking up he saw nothing but the sky. Impressed with dragonite's speed, Sonic looked at the envelope.

"Who would send me an envelope through pokemon mail?"

He immediately guessed it was either mr Fuji, Reina or Mike. All of his guessed however were prover wrong as he ripped the envelope and read the letter resting inside. Or at least what he thought was a letter. Inside was a small device and a small piece of paper with the phrase play me on it. Curious Sonic pushed the device's play button.

The hologram of a woman appeared. Sonic was confused as he didn't know her.

"Trainer. You are being given the honor of being invited to New Island. On New Island you will be given the even greater honor of meeting and getting a chance at battling non-other than the world's greatest pokemon master. To get to New Island you will need to head to Old Shore Wharf and take a boat from there. My master will be expecting you" the hologram said and disappeared.

Sonic lowered the device as his mind was processing the new info.

"The world's greatest pokemon master wants to meet me? Seriously?"

He went back inside his tent and took his map out, locating Old Shore Wharf on it.

"A chance to battle the strongest trainer in the world huh?" Sonic considered it. He then smiled.

"Not a chance I'm missing this" he said starting disassembling and packing his tent.

After explaining to his pokemon where they were going he recalled all of them apart from Raichu and Moltres. Riding the latter, the trio soared to the skies heading for Old Shore Wharf.

"I wonder if anyone else got an invitation" Sonic thought "probably the elite four. Would be nice to see Agatha again. Maybe even get a rematch out of it".

His mind then drifted to Ash who had mentioned he wanted to become a pokemon master.

"No way he got an invite" Sonic theorized "he was literally gifted 4 of the badges".

While Sonic was ruling out the chance Ash had received an invite, the latter alongside Misty and Brock were arriving in Old Shore Wharf.

"Finally we're here! I can't wait to meet the world's greatest pokemon master! That idiot Sonic will regret doubting me".

"I won't deny that Sonic acted like a jerk last time but just because you got an invite to New Island doesn't necessarily mean he will just change his mind" Brock mentioned.

"And besides didn't you see all those news about him? If anything I expect his ego will be through the roof".

"He will be through the roof once we're done with him and his raichu" Ash declared undeterred.

"Pika pika" Pikachu cried out hyped.

"I wonder if those rumors about him catching Moltres are real" Misty continued.

"And this new title of chosen one Moltres. As much as Sonic was a jerk last time, he did have the Moltres wing. That proves Moltres did see something in him" Brock admitted.

"Who knows. Maybe he got an invite too and will come here as well" Misty commented.

"Well that's all the better. We'll beat raichu and the legendary pokemon. And sooner than later too" Ash still didn't budge.

Heading towards the boathouse to take the boats to New Island the trio noticed the town's nurse joy was reported missing. Blending in with the crowd they tried to get to the front to see why no one was boarding the boats.

Back on the skies of Kanto, the ride was long and painful as Sonic was wondering who the one inviting him was and who else would be invited. He let himself imagine meeting the rest of the elite four and even narrating his battles with team rocket to them. It would be like game recognizing game.

"Man how much longer?" he wondered though he knew it was about another 30 minutes to get to his destination.

Finally seeing Old Shore Wharf, he experienced a bittersweet feeling as he saw New Island in the distance alongside a storm coming their way. Not wanting to risk Moltres' health over an invitation and furthermore not knowing whether he would be welcomed if he just flew to the island Sonic landed somewhere secluded and recalled Moltres while wearing a pair of sunglasses and a hat for a disguise. He had no intention of being stalked or badgered.

Reaching the port town, he immediately headed to the boathouse to see what the plan was with the upcoming storm. To his surprise when he reached the boathouse he didn't find any known powerful trainers but instead a big crowd of unnamed trainers. Blending in with the rest of them, he was disappointed but not surprised to hear that the boats were not allowed to set sail due to the storm. Exiting the boathouse again he decided to put his thoughts together.

"Something's fishy here" he muttered.

He then heard a familiar voice.

"We're gonna find another way on that island Pikachu".

Sonic felt a mix of surprise, frustration and assurance that his previous assumption was right. Looking towards the direction of the voice, he saw Ash with his Pikachu on his shoulder, Brock and Misty discussing.

"This moron actually got an invite too?" Sonic thought.

He was ready to just walk away but the assumption that the invitations were a fraud made him reconsider. Deciding he needed to discuss it with someone he approached the trio.

"Well, well, well. Got an invitation too?" he said in an ironic tone.

Ash turned around.

"Sonic" he said sounding kind of ready to pick a fight.

"The one and only" Sonic answered. He was surprised that Ash didn't call him Spike. But after the fall of team rocket, he assumed Ash had no choice but to stop calling him nicknames.

"Hi Sonic" Brock said with no color in his voice.

Sonic knew Brock and Misty were upset about his behavior last time they had met. He sighed as he decided to swallow his pride.

"I see how this is. Look I know last time we met I acted out of line. And I apologize for it. I was mourning the death of my friend's Jolteon but that was no reason to act like it. I'm sorry".

Brock remained silent while Misty answered.

"It's ok. We could never understand what you went through. Especially after the fight at the Viridian gym".

"And I'm not asking you too. Let's just put it behind us".

"Fine it's behind us" Ash said "but you still owe me a battle".

"In due time Ash, in due time. I'll beat you all the same at the tournament".

"Big talk. But no action to back it up".

"No action?" Sonic asked laughing "I believe my actions a week ago should be all you need to know".

"I would count it an action if you stopped being a chicken and battled me already".

"Did you get all 8 of the badges?"

"Yes I did".

"Good. Then be a little bit more patient. The tournament's in a week. Unless of course you can't wait to get kicked" Sonic teased him.

"I think something else will get kicked and it's on you" Ash fired back.

Sonic was dying from laughter inside thinking he could keep triggering Ash all day. However there were more pressing matters.

"We'll see about it. On a serious note now did you get an invitation from the supposed world's greatest pokemon master too?"

"Yes I did".

"Hmmm".

"What?"

"There is something suspicious at play here" Sonic said.

"Suspicious? What seems suspicious about it?"

Sonic wasn't even surprised at Ash's density.

"Let me put it simply. Imagine you're the world's greatest pokemon master".

"I can do that. After all I will be that exact thing one day".

"Ok let's pretend I believe you for now" Sonic said "You decide to test your power and give others a chance to fight you. To do so you invite them to your island. Who would you invite?"

"Me?" Ash asked. Sonic face-slapped himself.

"Forget your dream for a moment ok? Please. Answer me and think the question over from an outside perspective".

Ash thought about it. However he wasn't answering.

"Oh dear lord. My question wasn't even that complicated" Sonic thought.

"Who would you wish to battle?" Sonic asked the simplest version of the question.

"The strongest trainers" Ash answered without a hint of hesitation.

"Finally. You're finally racking your brain. Now riddle me this. If this is the world's greatest pokemon master inviting us, why did he invite a bunch of nobodies and not…"

"Who are you calling a nobody?!" Ash got in Sonic's face angry. Pikachu growled at Raichu once again itching for a fight.

"Ok, ok. Let me rephrase. Why would he invite random trainers and not the region's strongest like the elite four, the gym leaders and any other known trainer?"

"I have to admit Sonic makes a valid point. That does sound kind of suspicious" Brock admitted.

"Maybe he is looking for someone to beat him who isn't known yet. Unlike someone else" Ash added.

"Ok. Maybe he is looking for rising stars. That is a possibility. But the fact that it could be a scam is still not out of the question".

"Scams usually aim to take something. What have we got to lose?" Misty asked Sonic.

Sonic struggled to counter-argue that. Sure there was a high chance the invitation was a fraud but what did the one sending the invitations have to gain from them?

"Regardless it's not like we'll be going to the island anytime soon" Sonic said pointing at the storm "not worth the risk".

"It's definately worth the risk" Ash countered "especially when there's a chance to fight the world's greatest pokemon master".

"Fine your choice, get there at your own risk. I will wait for the storm to clear".

"Wow. The hero of Kanto is scared of a little storm. And here I thought you knew to take risks".

Sonic stopped and turned to face Ash fighting to keep his cool.

"Stop calling me a hero. I may have driven team rocket out but the cost of it was great. You don't want to try and be a hero, I assure you".

"You think I will back down? I mean it when I say that the risk is worth it. I will go".

Sonic felt a rain droplet hit him.

"Fine. I'd like to see you try. I'm going to find somewhere to take cover for a while".

"Are you lot looking for a boat? Cause we will gladly offer our services" a familiar voice interfered.

Sonic looked to the direction of the voice as did Ash. They witnessed a man and a woman wearing Viking clothes pointing a boat docked outside the werehouse.

"Jessie and James?" Sonic thought immediately seeing through the disguises "what are these clowns doing here? Their team is gone".

Team rocket had also noticed Sonic and were doing their best not to panic.

"James, the hedgehog is here" Jessie said under her teeth.

"Just be cool. We get those brats on the boat and steal their pokemon no biggie" James tried to calm her down.

Meowth didn't add anything. All he could see in Sonic's eyes was the promise of being ripped apart.

"We'll take your offer" Ash said immediately causing Sonic to doubt his intelligence again.

"He is being stalked by these 3 idiots and still can't recognize them?" Sonic thought disappointed but shrugged "well it's his trouble".

While leaving the boathouse to find a place to cover he experienced a nagging feeling. The comment Ash had made about the risk being worth it didn't sit right with him.

"That moron will get himself killed" Sonic thought as he observed the boat leave the port. To his surprise many other trainers started calling out water pokemon to get to New Island.

"Oh what the hell. We're here now. Might as well go for it" Sonic said "come raichu".

"Rai rai" it followed.

"After all someone has to have his back. I doubt Misty and Brock will suffice if he gets way in over his head".

The rain started getting thicker by the minute. Sonic immediately ruled out flying to New Island. Moltres being a fire and flying type wouldn't react well to the rain. Taking their only other way, Sonic called out Blastoise. Riding on its back they started surfing towards the island following the other trainers.

Slowly overtaking some of them, he could feel their eyes fixated on him. He even heard some question themselves out loud if he was Sonic, the so called hero of Kanto.

"This just proves my point" Sonic said "if I'm the only one recognized something just isn't right with these invitations".

Looking around he tried to find the boat team rocket was using to give Ash and his friends a ride to the island. He couldn't see it anywhere however.

"Don't tell me it sank" Sonic thought in horror.

He was ready to ask Blastoise to dive to see if they were underwater until he noticed something that almost made him laugh. Ash and Brock were holding onto a squirtle while Misty was riding her Starmie to the island. Starmie was spinning in order to swim which Sonic found fascinating.

With his Blastoise slowly approaching them Sonic put his hands one on top of the other and sat his jaw on them.

"Fancy meeting you here" Sonic said with the air of someone who was saying I told you so.

Ash and Brock looked at Sonic who was riding his fully evolved pokemon.

"So a member of your team is Squirtle? And you wonder why I believe you cannot beat me?"

"Ha ha. Rub it in while you can. When we get on the island I will school you in front of the pokemon master".

Sonic found it amusing that Ash had such a high albeit baseless confidence.

"Well since the trip there is long, why don't you hop on board? It's ok right Blastoise?"

"Blastoise" his pokemon cried out positively. Carrying a few more people would be super easy for it.

"I don't need your help. We'll get there on our own".

"I'll take the ride" Brock said immediately grabbing onto Blastoise as Sonic helped him up.

"Brock whose side are you on?"

"Can I hop on as well?" Misty asked "Starmie isn't used to storms".

"Sure" Sonic said as Misty hopped on behind Brock.

"Some friends" Ash said grumpy.

"Come on Ashy just let go of your pride and hop on. You don't have to make it hard on yourself or your Pikachu or your squirtle".

Ash wanted to object but his squirtle had begun tiring itself out. With a heavy heart he climbed on the Blastoise and recalled his squirtle.

"How come you haven't evolved squirtle? Pikachu I understand, pride of its kind and all that" Sonic asked from behind his shoulder.

"That's squirtle's choice to make" Ash answered.

"It's kind of an inside thing" Brock explained.

"How so?"

"Ash's charmander's character drastically changed when evolving into Charizard. His squirtle and bulbasaur won't evolve because they don't want to change like charmander did" Misty explained in greater detail.

"Misty! You just exposed over half my team!"

"Ash no offense but the element of surprise would do you little good against my team" Sonic said over his shoulder.

"We'll see about that soon" Ash retorted undeterred.

Finally reaching the island, Sonic asked his blastoise to take them a bit further away from the trainers. Finding a temporary shelter from the rain, Sonic called out Moltres to the amazement of the trio. He then instructed them to approach Moltres. Afterwards he asked Moltres to dry them out. Moltres hugged them with its wings and started emitting enough heat to dry their wet clothes but not enough to roast them alive.

"I guess the chosen one of Moltres title was true as well" Brock commented, happy to be dry again "thanks for that. I doubt my drying pan would help here".

"Your what?" Sonic said in confusion.

"He used a frying pan to shield himself from rain once" Misty explained.

Sonic burst out laughing.

"A drying pan?! Ahahahaha. Sorry. That was just so funny! No pun intended".

Ash face-slapped himself while Misty and Brock laughed at Sonic's pun joke.

"Whatever let's go Spike. We can't let the pokemon master wait".

Sonic at this point wasn't even offended by Ash calling him Spike. He just laughed it off, recalled Moltres and followed the trio towards the island's palace.

Entering last of the rest of the trainers, all eyes fell on them as they entered. After Sonic was in clear view of the crowd someone identified him and everyone rushed to him asking him a million questions every moment.

Sonic asked everyone to be quiet and asked them to ask their questions one by one while he and his pokemon took a bite from the buffet. Sending out his pokemon, no longer needing to hide and thinking since Ash lost the element of surprise against him, it was only fair for Sonic not to have it. Everyone was ecstatic at the presence of a legendary pokemon amongst them.

To Sonic's disappointment very few trainers wanted to ask him questions. Most of them wanted a piece of him. He bluntly stated there would be no battles today and that if they wanted a piece of him they would have to earn it at the indigo tournament.

"That's not fair" a trainer named Fergus retorted "most of us won't even make it to the tournament".

"Sorry buddy but that's just how it is. I came here to see if this pokemon master is real and if not what they want with me".

"Sonic's gonna explain his theory to them?" Misty said worried.

"We might have to intervene" Brock added while chewing a bite of cake.

"No we don't. His mess, he should solve it" Ash countered anxious to see how it would all transpire.

"What do you mean if the pokemon master is real?"

"Has no one considered this could be a trick? If this pokemon master is real, shouldn't he also have invited the elite four?"

"Well maybe he chose us because he thinks we can stand against them".

"First of all" Sonic continued "you don't know if it's a man. Second don't make me laugh. I fought Agatha of the elite four before catching my Moltres. She beat all 5 of my other pokemon with just 3 of hers".

Everyone was shocked to hear the hero of Kanto had actually lost to someone.

"So yeah pal, you may want to think twice before stating you can stand up to any of the elite four".

Fergus was ready to say more until they were all approached by a woman. Sonic identified her as the woman from the hologram.

"Is that the missing nurse joy?" Ash wondered aloud.

"Welcome trainers, to New Island. My master will be here with us soon, so prepare for battle".

Sonic recalled all his pokemon except raichu who stood in front of him ready for its opponent. Ash and Pikachu observed them. As much they hated to admit it, they could learn a lot from someone with Sonic's accomplishments.

A round hatch opened on the ceiling of the room on the other end from the one the trainers were. A figure descended engulfed in blue light. Sonic immediately noticed the figure had a long tail.

"What the…?" he wondered taking a surprised expression.

"I forgot to mention" the woman said "my master, the world's greatest pokemon master, is also the world's strongest pokemon. Mewtwo".

"Mewtwo?!" Sonic said in shock.

Mewtwo emerged from the blue light his eyes sizing the trainers who were all looking at Sonic as it was clear he knew what was in front of them.

"A pokemon can't be a pokemon master!" Fergus objected and was about to send out a pokemon. Sonic raised his hand to stop him.

"Wait" he said calmly.

Hesitantly he started walking past the woman who was suddenly looking around in shock asking where she was. As its eyes met Mewtwo's Sonic spoke softly.

"Hey. Mewtwo. Remember me?"

To everyone's shock Mewtwo answered, his voice echoing through psychic waves.

"Remember you?"

"You… you can talk?!"

"Of course I can".

"Oh man this makes it so much easier. I'm so glad you're ok. I was wondering what happened to you after our fight".

"After your fight?" a kid next to Fergus asked aloud.

Sonic ignored it.

"Tell me please are you ok? You know after all that happened in Viridian?"

Mewtwo observed Sonic speaking in a slight confusion for a while.

When it got bored it lifted its hand and Sonic was lifted off the ground to everyone's surprise. Raichu tried to thunder punch Mewtwo but was lifted in the air as well.

"Hey what gives?!"

"I don't remember fighting you. And certainly I won't remember beating you" Mewtwo roasted the duo before flinging them hard to the other end of the room.

Sonic and raichu both crashed hard on the wall. Mr Fuji was right to fear Mewtwo. Its power was beyond imagination.

"That means war! Let's go gyarados!" Fergus ordered and everyone sent out their pokemon at the same time.

"No" Sonic thought "they don't know what they're up against".

Fighting off the pain he got up and dashed to get to the center of the room.

"Watch my back will you buddy?"

"Rai".

The duo got in between the trainers and Mewtwo who observed unfazed.

"Wait don't attack. I'm just fine".

"Who said we're attacking for you? Whatever this pokemon is has called for a fight and will have one" Fergus took charge while the others agreed with him.

Ash looked at Mewtwo.

"Sonic how do you know about this pokemon?"

The moment of truth was now. Sonic knew that the uproar of his lie would be massive.

"Mewtwo is the pokemon I really fought at Viridian city!"

"What? You statement was a lie?"

"I had to. In order to protect Mewtwo's secret. It was in pain. It controlled by team rocket and… argh!" he groaned as he was lifted again by Mewtwo.

"No one controls me!" it said in a mild anger before flinging Sonic forward again.

Sonic however landed on his feet this time. Him and raichu who had not taken any action as Mewtwo's action was too sudden, witnessed Mewtwo calling forth a charizard a venusaur and a blastoise. However those three final forms of the starter pokemon had strange marks on their bodies.

"You have come here to be challenged by me. So bring out your pokemon and fight".

"With pleasure!" Ash said sending out his charizard.

"Ash wait! We should try to resolve this peacefully!" Sonic pleaded.

"Like you did with team rocket?!"

Sonic knew where this was going again.

"Please listen to me Ash. Don't play hero. The cost is too great!"

"Charizard use flamethrower!" Ash ordered his pokemon, completely ignoring Sonic's warning.

The rest of the trainers followed suit. A huge battle broke out, with Mewtwo's pokemon fighting maybe even 5 opponents at once and effortlessly beating them. Soon everyone's pokemon save for Sonic's were beaten.

"Mewtwo this doesn't have to go down" Sonic tried to reason with it.

"Bring out your pokemon".

"No. I won't fight you again. This is pointless fighting".

Mewtwo responded by forcing Sonic's Blastoise out and pitting it against his Venusaur. Sonic tried to recall it but Mewtwo took the pokeball from Sonic and kept it out of reach.

"Blastoise be careful".

Venusaur unleashed a barrage of razor leafs.

"Protect then ice beam!"

Blastoise shielded itself from the leaves then fired an ice beam. To Sonic's shock it barely affected the Venusaur.

"How is this possible?" he asked aloud.

"Do not be surprised. My clone pokemon are much stronger than your pokemon".

"Your what?! Clone pokemon? Mewtwo what have you done?!"

"Win!" Mewtwo said as while him and Sonic were conversing Venusaur had charged and fired a powerful solarbeam knocking down Blastoise with ease. Sonic tried to reach for his pokeball to recall it but Mewtwo kept it out of reach still. Furthermore, Mewtwo called out forcibly Moltres and pitted it against his blastoise.

"That's so easy for you right Mewtwo?! If you dare pit it against your Venusaur!"

"We play by my rules!" Mewtwo countered as Blastoise fired hydro pump.

Moltres effortlessly dodged having trained against Sonic's Blastoise.

"Sunny day!" Sonic instructed Moltres.

Moltres made it sunnier inside the room. Blastoise again tried to strike it with hydro pump.

"Counter with solarbeam!"

Solarbeam was immediately charged and fired. Blastoise's hydro pump met the grass attack but was easily overpowered. The clone blastoise was struck head on and topped with a huge thud, to the trainers' applauds and Mewtwo's rage.

"You dare beat my clone pokemon?"

"Mewtwo please let's just end this now it doesn't have to be this way" Sonic pleaded.

"I agree. We end this now! Charizardtwo!" he roared as charizard took flight.

"Charizardtwo?" Sonic said in shock "he named them after himself?!"

Charizard flew towards Moltres as its wings glowed.

"Moltres counter with air slash!"

Air slash struck charizard but barely tickled it. Charizard struck Moltres head on with its wing attack. Moltres however was no ordinary pokemon.

"Flamethrower!"

Moltres and charizard both fired flamethrower. As the fire attacks collided Ash couldn't help but admit Sonic wasn't all bark and no bite.

Charizard then flew fast towards Moltres and used slash greatly damaging it. Sonic immediately responded by having Moltres use air slash in close range. It did damage the clone charizard but to everyone's shock it used seismic toss grabbing Moltres and diving down. Moltres crashed hard on the ground and despite its best efforts fainted.

Sonic was filled with fear at the sight of his second strongest if not his strongest pokemon fainting. Mewtwo didn't relent however, forcibly sending out Nidoking and Pinsir next.

The battles with Pinsir and Nidoking were swift and once again heavily on Mewtwo's side. Sonic was now left with just Raichu and Alakazam, the last line of defense.

Mewtwo once again decided to first force out all of Sonic's recalled pokemon. It called out Alakazam pitting it against Charizard.

Alakazam however coming face to face with Mewtwo again, after the initial surprise, started humming and communicating with Mewtwo. The latter felt the psychic connection and started being barraged by a whirlwind of visions. He found himself again in the pain inside the armor Giovanni had placed on him, fighting Gary's pokemon and then Sonic's pokemon.

Alakazam was intending to unlock the memory of Sonic freeing Mewtwo last however Mewtwo cut the psychic link before that could happen.

"You dare enter my mind! Charizardtwo destroy him!"

Charizard unleashed a powerful flamethrower which Alakazam shielded while using light screen. Sonic could tell that Mewtwo was intending to break Alakazam like it had seen in the memory.

"Raichu! Thunderpunch!"

Raichu charged to punch Mewtwo but was blocked by Venusaur using vine whip to grab raichu.

Raichu immediately used iron tail to free itself then started using iron tail while jumping and spinning to deflect the incoming vine whips and razor leaves. Sonic couldn't focus on both battles at once.

Ash witnessed Sonic trying his best and wanting to help rushed to punch Mewtwo.

"Ash no!" Sonic screamed.

Ash was thrown back by Mewtwo's psychic, crashing into Sonic. He immediately got up and tried to go after Mewtwo again.

"Ash stop playing hero!" Sonic said grabbing Ash by the arm "You're gonna get yourself killed!" he warned him.

"But we have to stop Mewtwo!" Ash declared and charged again only to be thrown further back by Mewtwo.

Their momentary lack of focus on the battle resulted in a knockout of Venusaur by raichu and charizard overpowering both raichu and Alakazam who was only defending trying to re-establish its psychic link with Mewtwo.

Mewtwo's Charizard roared triumphant.

"I win. Your pokemon shall now be taken" Mewtwo declared as a huge tube appeared from the hatch on the ceiling. Mewtwo then started lifting the defeated pokemon using its power, which the tube claimed by drawing them in.

"Pikachu no!" Ash rushed after his partner.

Sonic also rushed to stop his raichu from being absorbed, while looking around at the other trainers fighting to save their pokemon.

"What have I done?!" he thought. His freeing of Mewtwo had led to all of this.

Not being able to resist any longer he was lifted by Mewtwo's psychic as well. Ash and Pikachu were sucked into the tube behind them. The tube suddenly split into two with Ash being sent one way, and Pikachu, raichu and Sonic were sent the other way.

Sonic slid through the tube until he found himself trapped in one of those capsules Giovanni had used to trap his pokemon during their final battle. Looking around in panic he saw the team rocket logo on several places inside the lab the capsules were located in.

"What the… where did Mewtwo take us?"

The capsule was momentarily filled with water which was drained right under Sonic. After the initial shock he saw his raichu, Ash's Pikachu as well as his and many other pokemon also go through the same process.

Before he could process a voice echoed throughout the lab.

"Initiating cloning process".

"Cloning?" Sonic thought in shock "Mewtwo's cloning the pokemon? Cloning ME?"

"Warning, warning. Unidentified DNA found. Cloning result can be unpredicted".

Despite the warning however the machine started functioning. Sonic started knocking on the glass to break free but it was too thick.

Ash then burst into the room. Seeing Sonic trapped, he pushed the capsule which broke, freeing the hedgehog.

"Thanks" Sonic said after finally breathing fresh air.

"Now who's the hero?" Ash gloated.

"Rub it in. Listen, we need to free the pokemon quick".

Freeing raichu and Pikachu, the two rivals started using them to free other pokemon while simultaneously smashing capsules by breaking them. Sonic prioritized his own pokemon. After all the pokemon were freed the two trainers looked around at the chaos.

"What now?" Ash asked.

"Lead the pokemon out of here. I will find and destroy the cloning machine".

"Got it. Pikachu lead the way".

Pikachu made one teasing cry at Raichu and followed Ash out of the room while calling the remaining pokemon except Sonic's to follow. Sonic recalled his pokemon and exited the room.

Easily finding the room with the cloning machine he went to enter but heard a loud scary screech coming from inside. Raichu immediately hid behind him terrified.

"What the hell was that?" Sonic whispered as he slowly opened the door to the cloning room.

The cloning machine was on the other end of the room sending the clone pokemon through a tube towards the arena Mewtwo had fought them at. However there was also something else in the middle of the room, slowly crawling for the door. Something horrifying.

Sonic tried to scream but couldn't. He was literally petrified. On the ground slowly crawling towards him was a deformed monster. It's face looked like was once a cake before being baked, then some crazy baker decided to take a cake mixer and vandalize the cake then bake it. Its body was improperly shaped, resulting in what would have been a hunchback save for something familiar on its back.

"Quills!" Sonic thought in utter shock.

The abomination raised its eyes to meet Sonic's and let out another inhuman scream.

"EEEEEEEELP EEEEE"

Sonic took a step back reactively. His clone started crawling on the ground again slowly approaching

"EEEEELP MEEE!"

Sonic gasped. It wasn't just a scream. Sonictwo was screaming for help.

"Mewtwo what have you done?" Sonic thought in panic as he tried to think what to do.

In the meantime Ash was walking in front of the pokemon he and Sonic had freed and walked back into the arena in a magnificent fashion, staring down Mewtwo and his army of cloned pokemon.

"You're mine this time! Sonic isn't here to save you!" Ash said dashing to Mewtwo trying to punch him once again.

Mewtwo effortlessly flung Ash backwards.

"I don't need someone to save me human!"

Ash ordered his pikachu to attack Mewtwo only to be blocked by Pikachutwo. The other pokemon all rushed to help while getting in fights with their clones. The clones of Sonic's pokemon were still standing behind Mewtwo who looked around looking for Sonic.

"Where is that hedgehog?"

Sonic and raichu in the meantime were still petrified in shock from witnessing Sonictwo suffering. Its mangled deformed body was causing it excruciating pain.

"EEEEELP EEEEE! EEEELP MEEEEEE!"

Sonic was breathing fast in panic. He wanted to help his clone but knew there was nothing he could do. It was improperly created. All life would offer it was suffering.

He knew the only choice was to show mercy to his clone. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"This is wrong" Sonic muttered "I can't".

Another cry of help from Sonictwo reached his ears. In a robotic fashion Sonic started walking towards his deformed clone.

"What am I doing?" he thought as he stood over his clone who couldn't even turn his head to look him in the eyes.

Kneeling down, his entire being was screaming not to do it. That there had to be another way.

Hearing the sounds of the pokemon battling echoing through the halls of the palace, Sonic knew he didn't have time. Closing his eyes and gritting his teeth, he quickly grabbed his clone's head and turned it fast to the left, snapping Sonictwo's neck.

The action was too much for the hero of Kanto as he broke down crying at what he had done.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" he kept repeating.

The sounds of the pokemon clashing brought him back to reality long enough to fight off the sadness. Getting up he turned back to the cloning machine. Knowing he didn't have time to call Tails and destroy it via a virus, he grabbed a heavy box from the side of the room and started hitting the machine in several weak points. He used all of his rage, his sadness, his regret at killing his clone to strike the machine with all of his strength.

Soon enough the machine started emitting smoke and making strange sounds. After a while it stopped functioning. Sonic dropped the box panting heavily. It was done. There would no more cloning, no more playing god for anyone.

Turning to leave his eyes fell on something that seemed like a fridge. Or at least a capsule with a freezing circuit, essentially functioning like a fridge.

Wondering what Mewtwo had stored in there, Sonic opened it.

To his shock inside was Mewtwo.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Sonic screamed backstepping.

It was an actual 2nd Mewtwo. It was dead. Its eyes were shut and it was poised like if it was inside a coffin. Sonic felt he would faint. Had Mewtwo tried to clone itself?

"No that doesn't make any sense" Sonic thought taking deep breaths "he is fighting to dominate, he wouldn't create a rival".

His mind then recalled all the team rocket logos in the other room. And mr Fuji's confession from last time he was there.

"I tried to poison the prototype inside its tube. I was successful. However the poison was also intended to destroy the body. To dissolve it completely".

"And it didn't work" Sonic completed his thought aloud.

The Mewtwo he was looking at was the prototype. It all made sense.

"Team rocket created the prototype here with mr Fuji's help! They must have then used the Cinnabar mansion to create the one that called us all here. It broke out, killed everyone… then Giovanni subdued it with the armor. They must have returned the prototype here in case they had to recreate it a third time. As a backup plan. The living Mewtwo must have found the prototype…" Sonic said realizing why Mewtwo was doing all of it.

Rushing back out following the sounds of battle, he entered the arena again to find all the pokemon battling their clone copies. Mewtwo's eyes met Sonic's.

"There you are!" he said forcing Sonic's pokemon out again before Sonic could react and ordering his clones of them to attack.

"No!" Sonic yelled as his pokemon were called out and started fighting. His Moltres clashed with Moltrestwo above everyone else in a brutal air battle.

Sonic looked at his pokemon fighting their clones.

"Guys no stop please this pointless" he begged.

His pokemon heard him but the continuous onslaught from the clones kept them from stopping.

Even raichu was fiercely fighting raichutwo who even knew how to copy raichu's fighting style. As the two electric types traded blows, Sonic rushed to stand in front of Mewtwo.

"Mewtwo please stop this!" Sonic pleaded "don't you see this is pointless?! All the pokemon, even your clone pokemon are suffering".

"Your facts are trivial" Mewtwo said.

"Listen I know why you're doing this. I saw what you saw. The dead you. Team rocket made you suffer. But it doesn't have to be this way! You can choose to be better!"

Mewtwo momentarily thought about it until it noticed a movement behind the Moltres' fierce battle.

Sonic also saw Mewtwo's attention divert and turned to see what it was looking at.

A small pokemon flew down from behind the two Moltres. It was small pink and with a tail similar to Mewtwo's.

"No way!" Sonic said "it can't be. Mew?!"

"Finally my rival appears! Time to see who is really the strongest!" Mewtwo declared rising from the ground as it started emitting a blue aura.

"You said I can choose to be better hedgehog! I choose to be better! Better than Mew!" Mewtwo roared as he charged a shadow ball.

"Wait Mewtwo. Didn't you hear me? You don't have to prove anything to mew".

"I do! And I won't let you get in my head!" Mewtwo yelled and flung Sonic back.

Sonic crashed hard into the wall and landed roughly. Grabbing his right hand in pain, he was approached by Ash.

"You ok?"

"I'm fine" Sonic groaned.

He was momentarily blinded by the clash of Mew and Mewtwo as the collision of their powers created a blinding light. Once he could see again he and Ash looked around and saw what the rest of the arena looked like.

The pokemon and their clone copies were all heavily injured. Raichu was exhausted but kept trading blows with raichutwo refusing to go down. Moltres and Moltrestwo had crashlanded and were struggling to get up to continue.

"This is all wrong" Sonic said.

"They're not gonna stop. They look ready to fight to the death" Brock commented.

"And that's a battle that no one is going to win" Misty adde grimly.

"Yeah but how do we stop it?" Sonic asked.

"Someone's got to take a stand. Someone's got to say no. And refuse to fight. Just like Pikachu".

Sonic looked around and saw Ash's Pikachu along with Pikachutwo. To his shock however Pikachu was not fighting, allowing itself to get slapped by Pikachutwo.

Mew and Mewtwo's clash had reached its peak in the meantime. With the two pokemon staring each other down ready to clash again Sonic knew they had to find a way to stop them. The more they clashed the more all the other pokemon would follow suit.

"Think Sonic think" he said trying to figure out a way to stop it.

Ash on the other hand acted on pure instinct. Getting up he started sprinting towards the center of the arena.

"Ash wait!" Brock called out to him.

"Ash don't do it!" Sonic also called out.

Ash didn't hear either of them.

"You've got to stop right now!"

Mew and Mewtwo discharged their attacks.

"STOOOOOOOOOOP!" Ash screamed as he reached the center of the arena.

The attacks collided right on top of Ash engulfing him in another blinding light.

"Ash!" Brock and Misty simultaneously shouted "oh no!"

"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out at the development.

"No!" Sonic shouted as well.

When the light died down, they saw Ash momentarily stand, engulfed in a purple glow then slowly drop to his knees and then face down on the ground.

Mewtwo looked taken aback by Ash's rush action.

"Fool. Trying to stop our battle".

"Mew" Mew cried out tilting its head as if in confusion.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out as it rushed to its fallen trainer.

"Ash!" Sonic yelled as he rushed as well to see if Ash was ok.

Both him and Pikachu reached Ash at the same time. They looked on as the purple glow lifted and realized Ash had been turned to stone.

"Pika chu. Pika. Pika pi" Pikachu tried to awaken Ash by slightly shaking him.

Sonic touched Ash's cheek felt the stony feeling.

"No… this… this can't be happening" he thought.

"Pika pi. Pika… CHUUUU!" Pikachu cried out as it zapped ash's stone body.

But there was no result.

"Pika… chuuuuu!" Pikachu zapped Ash again.

Sonic had experienced a lot of pain over his month of being a pokemon trainer but was not ready to experience this.

"RAICHU COME HELP QUICK!" he screamed in despair.

Raichu immediately rushed to the center of the arena with raichutwo observing in curiosity.

"Help Pikachu!"

"Rai! Rai….chuuuuu!"

The two electric types kept zapping Ash together over and over as with each zap the reality was sinking in. The pokemon around them started crying out in sadness while that very reality sinked in.

"Pi…pika… CHU!" Pikachu cried out one last time before exhausting itself. Ash was still stone.

"Pika pi. Pika pi" it cried out as tears started streaming down its cheeks.

Sonic couldn't hold his tears either.

"You fool" he muttered looking down "I told you not to play hero… why wouldn't you listen to me?"

Under normal circumstances, he would blame himself for freeing Mewtwo. But this time was not like silph co. Mewtwo had caused this. This knowledge and the sudden spark of anger caused Sonic to lash out.

"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED MEWTWO?!" he screamed turning to face the bioengineered psychic type.

"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?! YOU THINK THIS MAKES YOU BETTER?! TELL ME!" Sonic screamed again as tears were now actually visible on his face. Everyone saw them but he didn't care.

Mewtwo observed the hedgehog screaming at him as the impact of what he had done started sinking in. The foolish child that had stopped their battle was not in the wrong. And it was his actions had led to Ash's demise.

Before Mewtwo could speak however, him and Sonic heard the sad cries of the other pokemon. They also saw the tears of the crying pokemon converge to the center of the room and entering Ash's stone body.

Ash was engulfed in a blue glow this time. With Pikachu, raichu, Sonic and everyone else observing he slowly reverted back to normal and looked around confused.

"What happened?" he asked.

Pikachu cried out in happiness and jumped into his hug. All of the pokemon started celebrating at the unexpected turn of events.

"How did this…?" Sonic began wondering when he heard Brock's explanation of this.

"Of course! Pokemon tears! Just like that old lady back in town said".

Sonic was surprised to hear such a fact but regardless took in the picture smiling while wiping away his tears.

Petting raichu who was now interacting nicely with raichutwo, Sonic's mind remembered the clone he had to kill. He still felt regret over it. But at least no one else would share Sonictwo's fate.

"And plus… I showed him mercy by ending him" Sonic thought remembering Sonictwo's screams of pain and its calls for help

Looking back up at Mewtwo he saw it being approached by Mew. Calling his pokemon back to him, he recalled them all, except alakazam and raichu. He asked alakazam to lift itself, Sonic and raichu to the two legendary and mythical psychic types. As Sonic was being lifted up, he heard Mewtwo make an existential question.

"What is my reason for living?"

"Mew?" Mew answered.

"You're right. I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are".

"Took you long enough to figure it out" Sonic added smiling.

Mewtwo and Mew turned to face him.

"I sure did. And you were right all along. It was pointless fighting that I was initiating".

"I'm glad to hear that. I freed you cause I believe in this as well. I wanted you to be free and make that choice on your own".

"Freed me? When?"

Sonic at first thought that Mewtwo was just powerhungry. But now it was evident its earlier statement was honest.

'You… you really don't remember?"

Alakazam hummed getting everyone's attention. Mewtwo looked at it and Alakazam re-established their psychic link.

Mewtwo's mind was once again invaded by the visions it had before. Only this time he saw himself holding Sonic in the air with his powers then trying to strangle him. As he heard his master's old voice, he was filled by rage until he witnessed Sonic making the one statement he couldn't expect.

"I don't have to win. I just need to free Mewtwo".

The rest of the scene played out as it had transpired. When Mewtwo came out of the vision he looked at Sonic in surprise and gratitude.

"I… I remember now. You… did free me".

"At last" Sonic sighed in relief.

Mewtwo looked down at the trainers and then back at Sonic.

"I owe you my freedom twice now, Sonic the hedgehog. Physical and mental freedom. I can never thank you enough for this".

"And you don't need to" Sonic cut him off "but what are you planning to do now?"

Mewtwo looked at Mew and then up in the sky.

"There are many pokemon out there like me. That have suffered at the hands of humans. I wish to protect them".

"That is a noble cause" Sonic said "and I'm sure these pokemon will be safe if protected by someone as strong as you. I can even direct you towards the forest northwest of Saffron city. Many pokemon freed from team rocket were last seen there. You should start there".

Mewtwo nodded.

"I will. Thank you again Sonic the hedgehog. I'm sure our paths will cross again sooner than you think".

"I sure hope so".

"And for that reason" Mewtwo continued "I will not erase your memories of today".

"Wait what?"

"I will erase the memories of all the trainers I hurt, to take the pain away and to make sure the clone pokemon I will take under my wing will be safe. But you have proven time and time again, you are my ally. So for that I will trust you with the knowledge of our existence".

Sonic felt a mix of the need to ask how Mewtwo could possibly erase the memories of everyone and gratitude for the trust. He decided eventually to stick with the gratitude.

"I'm glad to hear that".

Mewtwo and Mew then lifted all the clone pokemon with their combined power and started floating away. At the same time, they initiated a powerful teleport that sent everyone back to Old Shore Wharf. During that teleport Sonic saw everyone's face's except his and his pokemon's to become emotionless as if they were zoning out. Once the teleport was complete, they looked around. Many of the trainers started asking where they were and why they were here. Sonic took his leave at that moment as he didn't want to be followed by the other trainers.

To his surprise however Ash had followed him.

"Our roads finally meet again Sonic! It's time for the battle you owe me".

Sonic looked at Ash and simply smiled.

"In a week Ash. You will show me your power at the tournament".

Ash was caught off guard by this as he expected Sonic to doubt him.

"Is that a trick?"

"No trick. But train hard. I expect you to give me your all" Sonic answered honestly then turned to leave but raised his hand doing the see you around gesture.

"See you soon Ash" Sonic said and walked away.

As they went back in the woods and rode Moltres out of there, Sonic looked back down at the trio who were leaving the town.

Ash may have not been the most powerful trainer that had crossed Sonic's path thus far. But Sonic had learnt through this encounter that power wasn't everything.

"Ash… you're a greater hero than I will ever be" Sonic commented remembering Ash's heroic sacrifice to stop the fighting.

As they flew back to their secluded beach Sonic built his tent back up and immediately went to sleep, raichu curled next to him.

Sonic observed the starry sky, feeling actually excited to face Ash at the tournament if they were paired together.

"Don't you dare lose before facing me Ash".

His mind then drifted to Mewtwo and his foreseeing of another future crossing of their paths.

"Would be nice" Sonic thought as he closed his eyes, beat by the adventure.

Chapter Text

The sun appeared on the horizon as Sonic awaited for its rise, standing up facing east, eyes closed. He was awake for about an hour, his excitement and positive anxiety barely containable anymore.

Once the first sun ray reached his eyes, he opened them and smiled. The time of reckoning had come at last. As his pokemon slowly awoke to find their trainer observing the rising sun, raichu approached him standing next him.

"Today's the day raichu. All our work has led to this day" he turned and spoke to all his pokemon "are you all ready?!"

They all cried out in agreement. Moltres cried out the loudest.

"Good. Then let's have a good breakfast. We're gonna need all our strength for this".

After their breakfast, they had one final practice run of their moves and strategies. Deeming them perfectly ready, Sonic recalled 4 of them, rode Moltres alongside raichu and soared to the skies once again.

As Moltres slashed through the clouds, flying as fast as it could heading for the indigo plateau where the stadium was located, Sonic was taking deep breaths to calm his excitement.

As they flew over Celadon city he recalled he visit 3 days earlier. Reina and mr Fuji were glad to see him. Sonic had at first visited intending to let mr Fuji know that he had met Mewtwo again and that Mewtwo wouldn't be a threat to anyone. But at the last second remembering Mewtwo's placement of his trust in Sonic as well as Mewtwo's actions of erasing everyone's memories of it except Sonic himself, the latter changed his mind and simply chose to hang out with them for a while.

Flying over Pewter City too, Sonic knew it wouldn't be a long flight now. Raichu was restless, moving constantly and even almost caused them to plummet to the ground a couple of times. Anyone else in Sonic's place would be mad but Sonic was proud and excited. Raichu was itching for battle. It would be a force to be reckoned with.

Finally seeing Indigo Plateau, Sonic decided this time he would make a grand entrance. After all everyone was wondering where the hero of Kanto had disappeared at after the battle of Viridian city.

With Moltres slowly descending towards the stadium, they drew all eyes on them. They landed in a spectacular fashion outside the stadium as Sonic dismounted Moltres.

"The hero of Kanto is here!" a guy from the crowd excitedly said as everyone began cheering. Sonic smiled and chose to play along.

"Who's ready for some amazing battles?"

Everyone cheered as Sonic walked to be registered as present. After all the moment he had earned the earthbadge he was in the list of participants. Walking inside he was greeted by none other than…

"Surprise!" 3 voices said at the same time drawing everyone's attention.

"Jet? Tails? Knuckles?!"

"We weren't kidding when we said we would come big bro!" Jet said as they all rushed in to hug their friend after a month apart.

Sonic went to the counter to be registered as present. He then made his way to the stands with his friends and brother. The stadium was empty so far but was slowly filling up.

Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Jet talked for hours while the remaining contestants were arriving at the league. Sonic refrained from telling his friends about Mewtwo and wondered if he would ever be able to share that with anyone. They caught up regardless and even got the chance to see Sonic's pokemon up close. They were all amazed by the majestic legendary Moltres.

Slowly but steadily the stadium filled up and Sonic knew he would have to split with his friends for a while. Thankfully they had bought an extra ticket for him so they could hang out and observe the battles Sonic wouldn't be a part of.

Sonic made his way to the arena were the remaining 31 contestants were gathering. Amongst them were Ash and Gary. Sonic also noticed one of the contestants hiding his face under a hood. Sonic was of course immediately approached by many of the contestants. Several of them tried to make small talk, others wished him luck and hoped they would get a chance against him and several others trash-talked him, stating his achievements weren't all that great. Sonic having been humbled by his journey ignored their arrogant statements and stated their pokemon would do the talking today. After a while Ash and Gary also approached him alongside a third kid with a Pikachu on his shoulder just like Ash. Sonic noticed the Pikachu had a unique scruff of fur on the top its head.

"Nowhere to run this time Sonic" Ash immediately taunted him this time in a slightly friendlier way.

"Wasn't planning to Ash. The time has come. Just make sure not to lose before our battle".

"Not if I have anything to say about it hero" Gary entered the conversation.

"Your turn will come too Gary. Patience" Sonic added, confident in his abilities.

The third kid approached and offered Sonic a handshake.

"Hi I'm Ritchie. This is sparky my partner".

Sparky climbed down from Ritchie and introduced itself to Sonic's raichu which returned the gesture. Ash's Pikachu also climbed down from Ash's shoulder and tried to intervene. Sonic theorized its desire to fight his raichu again had to be at an all-time high.

"Sonic. Sonic the hedgehog" Sonic said as he shook Ritchie's hand.

"I know. Everyone knows you. What you did was amazing".

"I only did what I thought was right Ritchie. Nothing more nothing less".

Under normal circumstances Gary would object or trash-talk Sonic more. Although he was tempted to do so he stopped himself. After all he did owe Sonic his life.

"I really hope I get to battle you today".

"I don't think you will Ritchie. Unless you and I battle before any of us fights Sonic, I will be the one to kick him out of this tournament" Ash declared.

The pairings were announced on a big screen. Sonic was to be the first to battle against a kid named Joey. Ash's first battle would be against Gary and Ritchie with another trainer with the latter two pairings meeting on the next round. And to top it off the pairing after that was connected with Sonic's line in the tournament.

"Looks like you will all have to fight for the privilege to face me" Sonic joked referring to Ash, Ritchie and Gary.

"Get ready Sonic I'm coming for you!" Ash declared in confidence.

Gary looked at his childhood friend in silence.

"I hate to admit it Ash but I'm afraid none of us can beat him. He survived Mewtwo. I doubt any of us can really rival him" Gary thought begrudgingly. Sonic was just on a whole other level.

The rest of the contestants leaving, Sonic and Joey were left on the arena taking their places on either side.

After the announcer introduced them, Sonic's introduction taking a little longer, the two contestants sent out their first pokemon.

To everyone's amazement and surprise, Sonic used his Pinsir to sweep Joey's team by having it use bulk up first to tank hits better and then knocking most of his opponent's pokemon in a single strike.

Their training had paid off big time. A part of Sonic was disappointed by Joey and his pokemon's performance and hoped that in the later rounds his opponents would actually be stronger.

After going to sit at the stands with his friends, Sonic observed the battles, intending on collecting intel on his possible opponents. The more he watched however the more disappointed he got. A lot of the trainers didn't have a fully evolved team like his and some had even brought pokemon that were too unsuited for battle. Specifically a female trainer had brought her paras along. It was taken out in one strike by a fearow. And even worse she couldn't understand how.

"Either I have become too focused on the multilayer version of battling by adding too many variables or she is just clueless. With all due respect to her, there was no way a paras would best a fearow" Sonic told Tails.

"All the better" Tails commented "you really got this".

Sonic nodded and got back to observing.

Eventually the battle of Ash vs Gary took place. Ash's team really consisted of Pikachu, Charizard, bulbasur, squirtle , a muk and a primeape. Sonic thought it pity that Ash had such a brave heart as he had witnessed on new Island yet his team was so much less powerful that it could have been.

Gary's team on the other hand consisted of his Blastoise, his eevee, his Arcanine, a Golem, a nidoqueen and last but not least an Alakazam just like Sonic's. Sonic admitted to his friends that he gave the edge to Gary in this battle as it seemed overall stronger than Ash's.

He was proven wrong however while observing the battle. Ash was an incredibly special trainer, very quick on his feet on the battlefield and created the craziest strategies Sonic had even seen. And he and Jet had seen a lot of battles on TV.

The battle seemed endless but in the end Ash defeated Gary with an overwhelming defeat of Gary's blastoise at the hands of Ash's Pikachu. Pikachu looked for Sonic's raichu at the stands and started crying out as if it was publicly calling it out. Raichu went to answer but Sonic scratched it on the head to get his attention.

"In due time buddy. In due time".

Next up was Ritchie's battle with a girl named Valerie. Sonic after a while identified as one of the two girls he had met in Vermillion city after his defeat of Ariana and subsequent liberation of the pokemon captured team rocket during his first raid with Mike.

Ritchie beat Valerie and proceeded to the next round where he was going to face Ash. Sonic's turn eventually came again.

Once again he severely unimpressed by his opponent, a boy named Albert who had trash-talked him earlier. Sonic went a little bit overboard in the battle but decided Albert needed to be taught a lesson about trash-talking. Albert was easily overwhelmed by the power of Moltres.

Sonic once again returned to his friends after his battle. Tails who was observing the battles as well in great detail had opened his laptop and added any intel he had on Sonic's possible opponents. Comparing them with Sonic's team and the strategies he knew Sonic had developed with his pokemon, he concluded that the statistics were in Sonic's favor. The only one that actually worried him was the kid in the hood who was proving to be a formidable trainer as well, using only a dugtrio and a gengar so far.

"Don't count Ash out" Sonic said "his team might not look strong but he just showed he actually has a lot of potential".

After a few more battles, Ash and Ritchie's match took place. Ash almost lost as his Charizard at first seemed bored and unwilling to put in any effort. That was until Ash reminded Charizard that if they won they would face Sonic. Charizard immediately got up and sweeped Ritchie's team.

The power of Ash's Charizard sparked a little bit of anxiety in Sonic. He kept the faith however that his team and their combined power would prevail.

About another hour after Ash's victory over Ritchie, the time of reckoning finally arrived. Sonic got up from his seat and headed for the arena. Raichu was bursting with excitement. Sonic did too, but also felt another feeling he couldn't quite identify.

"Is it fear? I think so but I don't fear defeat" he whispered as he recalled his defeat at Agatha's hands and what he had learnt from it.

Finally entering the arena to the applauds of the crowd and meeting eyes with Ash who was waiting for him, with Pikachu on the ground next to Ash, barely able to not start the battle by attacking Raichu. Sonic immediately knew what he feared.

"Disappointment" he thought "I'm afraid Ash won't perform as well as I expect. He has such untapped potential. It's almost like I want to lose to him" Sonic realized.

As the two trainers stood opposite each other, Ash took out his first pokeball.

"The time has come Sonic!"

Sonic was still not used to hearing his actual name being spoken by Ash. Keeping his composure he nodded.

"I agree. Our long awaited battle has come at last".

"Trainers sent out your pokemon in 3" the referee said as Sonic took out Blastoise's pokeball.

"2" Ash smiled in anticipation.

"1" Sonic winded up his hand.

"GO!"

"Blastoise come on out!"

"Bulbasaur I choose you!"

The fully evolved form of the water Kanto starter alongside the first stage of the grass Kanto starter came out of the pokeballs. Blastoise made a huge thud as it landed on the arena. Bulbasaur appeared on the arena, getting slightly knocked up by Blastoise's landing.

"Battle start!" the referee shouted raising his flags.

"Bulbasaur! Razor leaf!"

Bublasaur sent his leaves towards Blastoise.

"Deflect them! Rapid spin!"

Blastoise started spinning deflecting the razor leafs with ease but not unscathed as they still did a small amount of damage.

"Use vine whip!"

Bulbasaur extended its vines towards Blastoise. The vines wrapped around Blastoise. Bulbasaur tried to lift Blastoise but it was too heavy.

"Is that the best you can do Ash? You disappoint me" Sonic said trying to egg him on.

"Tackle!"

Bublasaur charged into Blastoise. It headbutted Blastoise who didn't even budge or move. Sonic found it hard to watch.

"I knew it. Ash has amazing strategy abilities and the bravest heart I've ever seen but some of his pokemon just refuse to reach their full potential. Venusaur would have been a hard opponent to beat as was Venusaurtwo" he thought as he waited for Ash's next move.

"It seems the hero of Kanto is not making any moves. What could his plan be?"

Ash was getting frustrated by Sonic's lack of attack.

"Aren't you going to fight back?"

"Fight back? You're not even fighting forward" Sonic joked though he was confused by Ash's question. Ash really hadn't yet made any actual actions against Blastoise, or at least any actions that required a counterattack or a defense.

Ash clenched his fist.

"Bublasaur use solarbeam!"

Bublasaur charged its move slowly. Without sunny day active the move was taking a lot more to charge. Sonic resisted the urge to yawn.

Finally the attack was charged and fired.

"Protect" Sonic said calmly.

Blastoise shielded itself from the solarbeam which dissipated. Ash was shocked at the ineffectiveness of their strongest grass move.

"Well those are all 4 of your moves. I'm sorry Ash but this is checkmate for bulbasaur".

"Don't count us out just yet!" Ash retorted.

"I'm not counting you out. You ARE out. Escort them out blastoise! Ice beam!"

Blastoise fired its move with precision and speed catching Bulbasaur off guard and totally unprepared. Bulbasaur was hit head on by the ice move and fainted instantly.

"Bulbasaur no!" Ash exclaimed.

"Bulbasaur is unable to battle. Blastoise is the winner" the referee announced as the crowd cheered for Sonic.

Ash recalled bulbasaur.

"You will pay for this Sonic!"

"What are you waiting for then? I'm waiting".

"Go Muk!"

Muk came out as its stench covered up the field and annoyed Blastoise. Sonic had read about muk and its pre-evolution grimer stinking but didn't expect it to be this bad.

"Finally now that might be an interesting battle".

"Muk! Body slam!"

Muk started crawling towards Blastoise and then suddenly jumped, catching Sonic off guard as he didn't expect a living mass of goo to be able to jump.

Muk landed on Blastoise and started fully engulfing it.

"Valiant effort Ash but I'm afraid it won't cut it! Rapid spin!"

Blastoise once again started spinning shaking Muk off.

"Hydro pump!" Sonic ordered.

Blastoise aimed at Muk but then electricity crawled all over its body.

"Damnit! Body slam can paralyze! You sure are lucky!"

"It's skill not luck! Use sludge bomb!"

Muk unleashed a barrage of sludge balls at Blastoise. Unable to defend Blastoise toppled.

"Blastoise is unable to battle, Muk is the winner".

Sonic recalled it with a smile.

"Amazing work Blastoise. Leave the rest to us" he said turning back to Ash who was rubbing his nose with a smile of triumph.

"Still think we are weak?"

"I never thought you to be weak" Sonic admitted "I just believe you're holding yourself back from your true potential".

"Oh yeah?! Well then bring out your next pokemon and I'll show you what our potential is!"

"As you wish! Nidoking give me a hand!"

Nidoking appeared and sparkled. The crowd erupted in cheers and exclamations of surprise and shock at the hero of Kanto owning a shiny pokemon.

"Let's see you take this on! Nidoking! Megahorn!"

"Body slam!"

Muk once again jumped the same way onto nidoking which stabbed its horn into Muk. The attack barely affected Muk not only cause of its resistance to bug but its high defense and liquid body which also played a role in absorbing the attack. Unlike with Blastoise though, Nidoking's poison typing allowed it to better withstand the poison type Muk on it.

"Nidoking shake it off and use earthquake!"

Nidoking started hitting the ground causing waves of earthquake to damage Muk breaking its focus. Easily shaking it off afterwards it used earthquake to its fullest potential. Muk however was very defensive and withstood the attack.

"Muk use poison gas!"

Sonic thought he misheard. Ash was using poison gas against a pokemon that could not be poisoned.

The move was nullified the moment it touched Nidoking.

"Ash forgot poison types are immune to poison gas" Brock commented from his seat where he, Misty, Ash's mom and professor oak were sitting.

Sonic seized the opening.

"Earthquake!"

This time there was no survival for Muk. The ground move knocked it out putting Sonic in the lead again.

"Muk is unable to battle. Nidoking's the winner".

"Muk return. Get some rest" Ash said as he looked at Sonic who had his arms crossed at his chest.

"You think you're tough don't you?"

"I'm waiting to be proven wrong about you. You're the one who said you'd prove me wrong".

"Go squirtle!"

Squirtle emerged from its pokeball ready for battle. Sonic seeing it reminded him of the start of his journey when his blastoise was a squirtle.

"So long ago" he thought.

"Squirtle use bubble beam!"

Squirtle unleashed a barrage of bubbles heading right for Nidoking.

"Nidoking protect!"

Nidoking easily shielded itself from the damage.

"Now use earthquake!"

Nidoking struck squirtle with its strongest move as squirtle got back up not ready to quit yet. Sonic was becoming a bit annoyed that despite all their training this Squirtle didn't go down in one hit.

"Hydro pump!"

Squirtle retreated into its shell and started releasing hydro pump from all holes on its shell while spinning. Sonic and nidoking were caught off guard by this and Nidoking was blasted several times getting severely weakened.

Sonic was both impressed and mad at this development. That use of hydro pump was exactly what he expected from Ash, making the best out of his team in such an unexpected way. However he was also mad that Ash could easily have been stronger than himself if he actually grew his team to their full potential.

"Nidoking! Playtime is over!" Sonic declared. He was hoping to use that move only at the finals but Ash needed to learn the hard way.

"Make it rain! Sludge bomb!"

Nidoking unleashed the move it had practiced a lot after Sonic's battle with Agatha. Releasing the sludge balls vertically upward, they started coming down on squirtle like rain. Squirtle tried its best to dodge them but its low agility caused it to get hit and faint. Ash was at a loss for words.

"Squirtle is unable to battle. Nidoking's the winner".

"3 to 5. I don't like your odds Ash" Sonic said seriously.

Ash clenched his fist as the referee declared it was breaktime as 3 of Ash's pokemon had fainted.

As the two trainers took a break Ash reconvened with Misty and Brock while Sonic met with his friends.

"Un-be-lievable!" Jet screamed in awe "you actually managed to replicate elite four Agatha's signature move?!"

"I suppose I did" Sonic smiled proud at himself.

"You got him on the ropes. He's only got Primeape, Charizard and Pikachu left" Tails said looking at the screen of his laptop.

"And your team is kind of full. Best of all you don't even have to send out Nidoking to continue the fight".

"Wasn't planning too. I'll let Moltres sweep him".

His friends looked at him in question.

"You… will?" Tails asked confused.

"My biggest fear was confirmed. He is not serious about his dream yet. Thinks that just because he wants to win he will win. It takes more than that. I did want to beat team rocket but had to train hard and still never really beat Giovanni on my own".

"But you did beat him" Knuckles countered.

"Once by a status condition, once with the help of Mike and with Mewtwo I didn't even beat him. I freed Mewtwo. So technically I have not defeated Giovanni. Point is I trained very hard to survive and face Giovanni. Ash has not. He cannot win this" Sonic said closing his eyes in disappointment.

His friends remained silent.

On the other side of the arena Ash was hitting the wall in anger.

"This guy will beat me?!"

Pikachu tried to get his attention to show him it would be fine. Brock and Misty however were not as optimistic.

"Ash I hate to say this but Sonic has a huge advantage here".

"He actually beat all of the gym leaders and even tamed a legendary pokemon" Misty added.

Ash couldn't accept that he could possibly lose to Sonic.

"Charizard is still up. He will deal with that Moltres. And Pikachu…" he said turning to his partner "you will have the chance to beat that raichu. I promise".

"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out ready to go back out there.

As the two trainers reentered the arena to continue the battle, Sonic took out the ultra ball Moltres was stored in. Ash saw it and thought it had to be Sonic's Moltres. His hands went towards Charizard's pokeball but his anger for Sonic made him desire to prove him wrong in all ways. Choosing to go with Primeape instead he took out its pokeball.

"Send out your pokemon…. Now!"

"Primeape I choose you!"

"Soar Moltres!"

Primeape hopped onto the field as Moltres soared above the ground and shined like the sun, illuminating the arena. Everyone cheered for the reappearance of the legendary bird.

Sonic took in the picture of Primeape bracing itself to fight Moltres.

"I'll give you one chance Ash. Recall your Primeape and go with something else".

Ash raised his hand to his head and turned his hat backwards.

"Primeape use scratch!"

Primeape jumped towards Moltres really fast landing the attack. Sonic was annoyed that Ash had such a high speed pokemon and had it use scratch instead of an actually powerful move.

"Use flamethrower!"

Moltres released a jet of flames towards Primeape.

"Primeape dodge it then use mega punch!"

Primeape jumped out of the way and winded up its punch as it flew through the air towards Moltres.

"Predictable" Sonic said "air slash!"

Moltres slashed through the air with its wing sending a blade of wind towards Primeape. The fighting type pokemon was hit hard by the move and crashed to the ground but hopped back up albeit somewhat roughed up.

"Primeape use scratch again!"

Primeape jumped towards Moltres again.

"Air slash!"

"Dodge then seismic toss!"

Primeape was able to dodge the attack mid-air and grabbed onto Moltres' neck pulling it downwards into a collision course with the ground.

"It'll take more than that Ash! Moltres use flamethrower to soften the impact!"

Moltres sent a jet of flames towards the ground. The intensity of the flames was so great it was able to stop its fall. Primeape's hands slipped and fell off Moltres, crashing to the ground in a scary fashion. Once the dust settled Primeape had fainted as Moltres let out a victorious cry.

"Primeape is unable to battle. Moltres wins!"

Ash recalled his Primeape apologizing for their defeat and ensuring they would avenge it.

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep Ash. And to think I even gave a chance to come at me with a better matchup" Sonic said with his arms crossed at his chest.

"The battle's not over yet!"

"2 of your pokemon against 5 of mine. What exactly are your odds here? And even if you can bring down Moltres… you just won't beat raichu".

"That one especially I will beat! Pikachu has some unfinished business!"

"Pika pika!"

"Rai!" Raichu answered to Pikachu's challenge from Sonic's side of the arena.

"Contestant Ketchum send out your next pokemon" the referee instructed.

"Charizard I choose you!"

Charizard emerged and roared, taking to the skies as Moltres followed suit. As the two fire and flying types stared each other down while flying, Sonic felt a little bit of excitement. Charizard had sweeped Ritchie's team.

"Finally. A worthy opponent. Let's make this battle worthy of Moltres' legend status!"

"Charizard flamethrower!"

"Moltres show them a real flamethrower!"

The flamethrowers collided and both pokemon proved to be a match for the other as the attacks resulted in a stalemate.

"Impressive. Alright then Moltres! Air slash!"

"Charizard dodge it!"

Charizard dodged the air blades slowly approaching Moltres.

"Now use seismic toss!"

Sonic wasn't expecting this move which resulted in Charizard grabbing Moltres and diving with it. Right before hitting the ground, Charizard let go causing Moltres to crash down hard.

"Moltres!" Sonic called out to it in fear it had fainted.

"Ha! Told you I would beat it!"

Moltres heard that statement and fought to stand up, vowing to take Charizard down with it. It looked back at Sonic in determination.

"Got it" Sonic thought "Moltres use sunny day!"

Moltres harnessed the sun, showering the arena in sunlight.

"Empowering Charizard? Don't mind if I do! Charizard fire spin!"

Moltres was trapped momentarily in the fire spin. It however broke free the next moment. Sonic decided it was time to play sneaky.

"Moltres solarbeam!"

"Solarbeam?" Brock said confused from the stands "why is he using solarbeam?"

"Maybe the pressure is getting to him?" Delia guessed.

"No Sonic isn't the type of trainer to make such a mistake" Misty shut Delia down wondering what Sonic was aiming for.

On the stands as well, Sonic's friends were also wondering what he was thinking.

"Charizard resists grass moves 4 times. Solarbeam will barely affect it" Tails said analyzing the move and the types.

"What are you thinking bro?" Jet thought.

Moltres gathered the sunlight and immediately fired the solarbeam. Charizard was blinded by the sunlight and closed its eyes in response. The attack barely tickled it.

When the solarbeam stopped and everyone looked back at the arena Moltres was gone.

"Where did it go?" Ash asked confused.

"Now Moltres! Air slash!"

Ash and Charizard both looked up and saw Moltres sending a powerful blade of wind towards Charizard. The move found its mark and Charizard roared in pain as it had the wind knocked out of it. Before it could go down however, it used seismic toss again on its own, grabbing Moltres by the throat and holding on as hard as it could as they fell straight down.

The two fire and flying types crash landed with a thud that shook the entire arena raising a cloud of dust all over it. Ash and Sonic both covered their mouths and nose.

When the dust settled the referee looked at the two pokemon having simultaneously fainted.

"Charizard and Moltres are both unable to battle. The result is a draw".

Ash's face turned numb. Only Pikachu remained. And he had managed to beat only 2 of Sonic's pokemon.

"Pikachu it's all up to you now" he said.

"Pika pika! Pikachu!" it cried out immediately rushing into the field.

Sonic and raichu both knew what that meant.

"The time has come buddy. All the frustration you've been suppressing. Time to release it".

"Rai!" Raichu cried out in anticipation and dashed inside the arena as well as the two electric types readied themselves.

"Continue the battle… now!"

"Pikachu use quick attack!"

"Raichu use quick attack as well!"

Both mouse pokemon rushed towards each other, colliding head on. Pikachu was knocked back as raichu's bigger body compared to Pikachu allowed it to maintain its momentum and overpower its opponent.

"Use agility!"

Pikachu started racing around raichu trying once again to confuse it.

"You used that strategy once it didn't work. Raichu use iron tail on the ground!"

Raichu jumped and prepared to crack the ground again with its iron tail.

"Now Pikachu! THUNDER!"

Pikachu stopped running and released its move, putting all of its desire to beat raichu on that attack. Raichu was unprepared for this and the attack resulted in a critical hit.

A huge bolt of lightning fell from the sky on raichu. Sonic felt the electricity course through him as well as raichu. It didn't affect him as much as it did raichu but couldn't explain why he could feel his partner's pain.

Raichu however stood sturdy against the thunder and once the attack was over it cried out in defiance.

"How is this possible? That was our strongest attack".

"It will take a lot more than that to bring down my Raichu Ash. I told you! My raichu unlike any other raichu you have faced before!"

"This doesn't make any sense" Ash fired back "what is so special about you two anyway?"

Sonic's eyes momentarily met Tails as these two were the only ones who really knew raichu's secret. Sonic decided at that very moment revealing it wasn't that big of a deal anymore.

"My raichu is twice as strong as others of its kind! Its electricity output is twice that of other raichus. I am speaking literally. You've never faced a raichu like mine".

Ash took it all in but couldn't believe it. Why was Sonic's raichu so strong? Could Pikachu also grow that strong if it evolved?

"So you're saying you gave up your Pikachu's pride in return for power?"

Sonic sighed. The crowd around them had begun whispering at the revelations as well as the discussion the two trainers were having instead of battling. Sonic didn't care though. For him it was just the two of them.

"I've already explained my point of view Ash" he said calmly "my raichu desired to become raichu. I didn't force it too".

"What about your other pokemon? Did you force them?"

Sonic recalled all of his pokemon's evolutions. Blastoise evolved twice during their encounters with Moltres. Nidoking evolved of its own choice to be like its teammates. Alakazam's evolution was kind of giving a point to Ash. But back they were way different. Their aim was to take down team rocket. So they had to grow strong. Even if it meant shedding their former selves.

"No I did not. We were shaped as a team through our experiences. But I can tell you this. I would never force my pokemon to evolve... but that doesn't mean I wouldn't try to convince them to evolve. I believe in growth Ash. Unless we change and grow our potential will always have a threshold. And I refuse to not cross this threshold out of attachment to my current self".

"Throwing away yourself in pursuit of victory is no victory at all! You say that unless I evolve Pikachu I will never win! Well here is my point of view for you! Unless me and Pikachu earn this victory with our own worth then I'd rather lose! I will never become like you!"

Sonic closed his eyes and sighed in disappointment.

"Then prepare to lose. Last time I went easy on you. Now I will break your Pikachu and its pride!"

"Pikachu use thunderbolt!"

"Raichu! Brick break!"

Pikachu discharged its electricity while raichu jumped towards it winding up its paw. The electric attack barely tickled it as this time it was prepared for it. Bringing down the brick break hard, Pikachu was knocked down. It struggled but got back up crying out its name defiantly.

For a moment Sonic saw in Ash's Pikachu a glimpse of his raichu from back when it was a Pikachu. Now he believed his feeling of Ash having unlimited potential even more. He had felt it back in Celadon and now it was unmistakable.

"If only he didn't inhibit himself" Sonic thought "raichu thunder punch!"

Raichu charged but Pikachu dodged the attack and blasted raichu with another thunderbolt. Raichu once again was unfazed though Sonic did feel another small electric current cross through his body.

"Are we… connected?" he wondered in his thoughts, also recalling the time at silph co when both himself and raichu were engulfed in a bolt of lightning that somehow rejuvenated them.

Pikachu tried to use quick attack on raichu but Sonic wasn't having it anymore.

"Raichu pin it down with iron tail!"

Raichu used its tail and Pikachu was pinned down between the ground and the tail. It struggled trying to get out.

"Submit now Ash. It's over".

Ash saw Pikachu struggling to escape the predicament it found itself in.

"Pikachu! Use thunder!"

Pikachu charged its electricity ready to drop the lightning on itself and raichu.

"Not this time! Raichu! Dodge!"

Raichu immediately let go of Pikachu and jumped to the side. The bolt of lightning came crushing down on Pikachu.

Sonic observed Pikachu get engulfed in its own move wondering if it would still be standing afterwards.

The thunder stopped but Pikachu was still standing albeit it was clear a gust of wind would knock it out.

"Last chance Ash. It's over. Recall you Pikachu otherwise we will force it out".

Ash was torn. Pikachu wanted to continue and he desired nothing more than to prove Sonic wrong and beat him. But Pikachu had taken too much damage. As much as he hated to admit it, Sonic's raichu really was far more powerful than surge's. Than any raichu they had seen. Sonic and his raichu were the real deal. There was a reason they had earned the title of hero of Kanto as a team even though only Sonic was called that.

Ash finally relenting he walked up to Pikachu and picked it up as it let itself collapse.

"You did great Pikachu. I'm sorry we were not enough".

Sonic ordered his raichu to return as he was crowned victor of the round. Returning to his friends they all wondered if he had gone a bit too far.

"Maybe I did maybe I did not. But Ash had to realize his dream is not something he can achieve just because he wants to. He needs to put in the work for it. Maybe I'm being absolute when I say he can only win if he evolves Pikachu. But the fact that he didn't train enough for this tournament is undeniable" Sonic stated adamantly.

"Were you really going to strike Pikachu out of the arena if Ash didn't surrender?" Tails asked him.

"No. Pikachu would topple regardless. And also I knew Ash would surrender. He might be a bit of a moron but he has a good and brave heart. He values his pokemon and I know he wouldn't risk their health over a victory".

"How do you know?" Jet asked his brother confused.

Sonic remained silent. He knew because their adventure on New Island. But he couldn't reveal it to them. Not yet at least.

"I just know".

They looked at each other and decided not to question it further. The 4 of them them got back to witnessing the battles as they patiently waited for their friend's next fight.

Chapter Text

Sonic was talking with his friends and brother waiting for the announcement of the final to begin.

After his defeat of Ash he had decided to just get it over with and sweep the rest of the competition. As he expected most trainers didn't even hold a candle to the preparation he had done with his team for this day or against Moltres and raichu. They were an unstoppable force.

The excitement Sonic had felt one that very morning had completely dissolved. He felt like his soon to be triumph at this very tournament wouldn't be really earned. Having faced truly powerful opponents like Giovanni and Agatha, he just couldn't see anyone below their level as competition anymore.

"Look at the bright side Sonic" Tails said "you will win the tournament. Return home with a shiny trophy".

"It does sound cool… but I just feel like I haven't earned it. This tournament is supposed to host the best trainers to complete the gym challenge and not a single one has been able to beat more than 3 of my pokemon".

"You faced powerful and dangerous opponents which raised your threshold of power" Knuckles said arms crossed "I doubted from the start anyone would be a match for you here".

"That's nice of you Knucks but I just feel like I trained all that much just to stomp on everyone else".

The announcer declared the beginning of the final. Sonic and his friends parted way one more time before the end of the tournament. Afterwards they would all return home together as Sonic's journey would be complete with that. Sonic entered the arena under the applause of the crowd. His opponent, the kid with the hood also entered and stood opposite of him. Sonic could see a smile on his face.

"I hope whoever that guy is gives Sonic a good lesson" Ash said from the stands. He had stayed after his defeat hoping to see Sonic lose to someone.

Sonic took out Alakazam's pokeball intending to start with it. The strange kid also took out one of its pokeballs.

"Trainers send out your pokemon in 3, 2, 1! Go!"

"Go Alakazam!"

"Go gengar!"

As the two pokemon appeared, they looked into each other's eyes. Their eyes widened as they approached and shook hands as if they knew each other.

"Alakazam what are you doing?" Sonic asked it confused.

"Let them have their chat. It's been quite a while since the last time they met" his opponent said smiling under his hood.

"Last time they met?" Sonic asked him still confused.

"Well yeah. It's been a long time since their mutual evolution".

His words caused Sonic to gasp.

"No way! Mike is that you?!"

Mike smiled even brighter and removed his hood.

"In the flesh".

Sonic forgot about the final.

"How is that possible?"

"I saw your message on TV. You were right. Mourning Jolty is easier compared to living for it".

The referee cut them short and reminded them they were supposed to be battling not chatting. Mike asked to say something first through the microphone. The announcer of the match nodded to the referee and he passed Mike his earphone.

"Viewers of the tournament. My name is Mike. I'm other trainer who kicked team rocket out of silph co alongside Sonic the hedgehog".

Everyone of the viewers gasped and started speaking at the same time. Ash who was sitting at the stands with his friends, Delia and professor Oak remembered Sonic speaking about a friend of his who lost his Jolteon in that battle.

"Is that the guy Sonic was talking about?"

"Seems like it" Brock agreed.

"Our battle with team rocket's boss is exactly as Sonic has said. We won but my Jolteon perished in the battle. I was lost for a long time after this, mourning my partner. Until I heard of Sonic's accomplishments. Taming the legendary Moltres, kicking team rocket out of Kanto once and for all. It inspired me again. So I got back out there! Trained hard and made a full team as well! So I can fulfill your wish! Let's have the battle you desired!"

Sonic felt his heart pumping with excitement at last. Mike had almost beaten him in their first battle with 3 pokemon when he had 4. A full team would finally be a real challenge.

"You got it Mike! Ready Alakazam?!"

Alakazam raised its spoons and took its battle stance.

"Gengar shadow ball!"

"Counter with shadow ball!"

The shadow balls clashed canceling each other out. Sonic and Mike smiled as they knew each other would be their greatest challenge in this tournament. A battle worthy of the final round.

"Gengar use sludge bomb!"

"Use psychic to redirect it!"

Alakazam easily redirected the sludge balls towards gengar though they barely phased it.

"Shadow punch!"

Sonic racked his brain to make the best out of that situation as shadow punch was undodgable and not even reflect would protect them sufficiently.

"Alakazam use psychic around you!"

Alakazam released its psychic like an aura. Though it was hit by gengar causing major damage gengar was also hurt by the psychic aura. The two pokemon took a moment to catch their breath as they weren't particularly tanky.

"Gengar return" Mike recalled it "rest for now we'll get another chance soon. You impress me Sonic. But let's see how well you fare against this!"

The pokeball opened and a beedrill came out.

"Wait… is that..?"

"Yes" Mike said with a smile so wide it felt like it was reaching his ears "I found my beedrill again! And we trained hard for today so come at us with all you got!"

"Alakazam this matchup is not favorable. Return!" Sonic said also recalling his pokemon "come on out Nidoking!"

Nidoking came out sparkling. Mike smiled.

"Ah yes. The shiny nidoking. You know… it's almost poetic. Giovanni had a normal nidoking. You got a shiny nidoking. The two kings clashed. And the shiny one came out on top".

"That's not exactly how it happened" Sonic said with a smile as well "but I get your point. Now come get us!"

"Beedrill! Use pin missile!"

Beedrill unleashed a barrage of missiles heading towards nidoking.

"Nidoking make it rain! Sludge bomb!"

Nidoking used its move the same way Agatha had. Beedrill being a poison type resisted the move and also was able to dodge most of the sludge balls by flying in between them at great speed. Nidoking however took all the missiles head on. The damage wasn't big but Sonic knew it would add up if they let it go on.

"Nidoking use megahorn!" Sonic said intending to take the lead by putting Mike on the back-pedal. Beedril however dodged the attack with ease.

"Swords dance!"

Beedrill's attack was sharply risen.

"Damnit. Backfired" Sonic thought.

"Nidoking make it rain again!"

"Not this time! Aerial ace!"

Sonic witnessed in awe as beedrill flew high first then dived avoiding all the sludge balls as it flew so close to the ground one wrong move would cause it to crash. It then struck nidoking head on resulting in a critical hit. Nidoking toppled with a thud and fainted.

"Nidoking is unable to battle. Beedrill's the winner!"

Sonic was at a loss for words. He had gotten so used to sweeping everyone, Mike actually prevailing hit him like a truck. But that was exactly what he wanted to experience in that tournament.

"Nidoking return" Sonic recalled it as the viewers were processing seeing the hero of Kanto actually on the back-pedal in a battle.

"That was an amazing tactic Mike. But I'm not out of this yet! Go pinsir!"

Pinsir came out threateningly clicking its pincers.

"Ah yes. I never saw that one in battle. Let's see how well it stands up against my old partner".

Beedrill took its battle stance ready for instructions.

"Pin missile!"

"Pinsir use bulk up!"

Pinsir braced itself while increasing its defense and attack. The pin missiles struck but the combination of its pincers used to deflect the pin missiles and the defense boost helped it escape unscathed.

"Nah I don't think I will let you set up! Beedril use sludge bomb!"

Beedrill unleashed its sludge balls. Pinsir deflected as many as it could until one hit the spot poisoning it.

"Damnit" Sonic cursed.

"Now end it! Aerial ace!"

Beedrill used its move heading fast for Pinsir which seemed to distracted by the poisoning. Once beedrill was a breath away from hitting Pinsir, Sonic smiled.

"Gotcha!"

Pinsir used its pincers with lightning quick reflexes to grab Beedrill. The attack pushed Pinsir back due to the built momentum but Pinsir soon came to a halt. Beedrill struggled to escape.

"Rock slide!"

Pinsir unleashed a barrage of rocks above it similar to its battle with Agatha's goldbat. At the last moment it raised beedrill above it to take the most of the damage. Beedrill fainted and Pinsir threw back at Mike who was in awe at Pinsir's might.

"Man. That is some power".

Sonic thought of what could have happened if he had sent any of his other pokemon to guard the employees and the freed pokemon back at silph co and had Pinsir with him. Mike figured out the same thing.

"Don't think about what ifs Sonic. All our actions and our choices led us here! And I wouldn't have it any other way! I miss Jolty too. So let's give it out all for it!"

Sonic closed his eyes momentarily and smiled.

"As you wish friend! Come get us!"

"I thank you for waking me up Sonic but now I'm gonna make you wish you didn't! Go ninetales!"

The beautiful yellow fox pokemon appeared. Sonic considered switching Blastoise in but knew if he did Mike would simply switch in something else and they would just go back and forth. On the other hand, Mike now knew about rock slide. But he didn't know about their other super-effective move.

"Pinsir get ready".

"Pin".

"Ninetails use fire blast!"

Ninetails unleashed the star-shaped fire attack. The attack was coming fast and pinsir wouldn't be able to dodge.

"Pinsir brace yourself!"

Pinsir used its pincers to cut the attack in half though it was pushed back. It knelt.

"Should have switched Sonic" Mike said smiling.

"Should have seen the bluff" Sonic countered.

"Huh?"

"Earthquake!"

At that moment Pinsir started using earthquake. The ground rumbled as the ninetales was affected heavily by the attack. It toppled.

"There we go" Sonic said smiling.

"Ninetales is unable to.."

Ninetales however sprang back up, injured but still very ready to battle.

"It survived?!"

Pinsir then was engulfed in flames. The flames burned it momentarily and it toppled, fainting.

"Pinsir is unable to battle. Ninetales is the winner".

"Damn got lucky there" Mike smiled as Sonic's smile was erased from his face "Pinsir got burned by the attack slashing its physical power in half".

"Figured as much" Sonic said through his teeth recalling it. He was now 4 against 5.

"Alakazam help me out!"

Alakazam came back out fully rested and ready.

"Ninetales don't give them a fighting chance! Fire blast!"

"Light screen!"

"What?!"

Light screen was created deflecting most of the damage of the fire blast.

"Now use psychic!"

Alakazam raised ninetales above the ground damaging it with psychic and then letting it drop to the ground. Already weakened from the earthquake damage, Ninetales fainted.

"Ninetales is unable to battle. Alakazam is the winner!"

Mike recalled Ninetales.

"So much stronger than I remember it to be. But I expected nothing less".

"Good! Now bring out your next pokemon!"

"Gengar! Time to settle this!" Mike shouted calling his gengar back out.

Gengar reemerged. Alakazam raised its spoons in defense.

"Continue the battle!"

"Shadow ball!" both trainers screamed.

The shadow balls collided as the two pokemon were evenly matched.

"Sludge bomb!"

"Reflect!" Sonic ordered Alakazam.

The light screen deflected most of the sludge balls. Alakazam took one head on but survived and created the reflect barrier, making sure gengar wouldn't be able to use shadow punch as effectively this time.

"Psychic!"

"Gengar! Hypnosis!"

Gengar unleashed its move though it was heavily damaged by psychic. Alakazam however fell asleep rendering it defenseless.

"Gengar quick! Break through the reflect and use shadow punch!"

Gengar got to the physical move barrier and started punching it repeatedly. The barrier started cracking.

"Alakazam! Wake up! Please!" Sonic pleaded.

Gengar knowing that if Alakazam woke up it would be over for it started using Shadow punch even faster. With another one used the barrier finally cracked and shattered. Gengar winded up its fist creating another shadow punch.

"Alakazam! Shadow ball!" Sonic shouted hoping it would wake up.

Alakazam, the sleeping effect of hypnosis finally lifting, unleashed the shadow ball, giving up any chance of defense.

The shadow punch connected and sent Alakazam flying backwards. At the same time Alakazam launched the shadow ball which struck gengar. Both pokemon were sent flying backwards at the same time landing in front of their trainers. The referee observed the two pokemon.

"Alakazam and Gengar are both unable to battle! The result is a draw!"

Everyone cheered at the amazing development the final battle had taken thus far. Sonic and Mike recalled their pokemon and were told to take a break before reconvening for the 2nd part of the battle. The two rivals and friends met up at the corridor under the stands.

Sonic went to high five Mike but got a hug instead. Surprised he hugged back and as they let go he witnessed a face of gratitude and awe.

"You battle amazingly. I can't believe that we're actually tied".

"Same here. This is so stressful in a good way" Sonic answered "but where have you been all this time? I asked Reina and mr Fuji if they had seen you several times and they said they didn't".

"Oh they did. 2 days ago. They told me you had found a secluded place to train. I had brought them my team for moveset building purposes. It was nice catching up. But I also had a lot of training to do".

At that moment Sonic's friends and brother approached them.

"Sonic that was incredible!" Tails said "this battle is by far unlike anything I have ever seen!"

Mike outstretched his hand.

"Mike" he said.

Tails was caught off guard but shook Mike's hand regardless.

"Miles Prower. But my friends call me Tails".

"Tails" Mike repeated "you were the one who performed the cyber assault during our battle at silph co?"

"Guilty as charged" Tails admitted scratching his head.

Mike turned to Sonic again.

"You got some good friends man. Such an act could have landed you both in prison. And yet you did it without hesitation" he said referring to Tails.

"I made sure to cover my tracks".

"Nice" Mike complimented him.

Knuckles and Jet also got to know Mike. While they had a good chat, Mike asked for a moment with Sonic as the break in the battle would end soon. As Tails, Jet and Knuckles wished them both luck, the two rivals started walking down the round corridor.

"So now that it's just us again" Sonic started talking "where have you been?"

"It's a very long story. Immediately after our victory against team rocket, I merely took to walking aimlessly around the region. I was like a ghost. No worse than that. Like a zombie. Existing but not living. I didn't blame you for a moment regardless of what I said or didn't say. I blamed myself".

Sonic nodded feeling a bit of relief as Mike continued.

"Eventually the rumors of you being dubbed the hero of Kanto and the chosen one of Moltres reached me. And then I saw the broadcast of your speech. About how you made team rocket disband but Giovanni escaped into exile. And then you told me it's harder to live for someone you mourn than to mourn them. Instead of getting out of the darkness I slipped deeper into it".

"Oh man. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I wish I knew where you were" Sonic admitted.

"My path eventually led me to a power plant close to the northwest entrance of the rock tunnel. I was so lost that I mindlessly walked in. Several electric types tried to attack me while I walked through the corridors. But my dugtrio jumped out to defend me. When I reached the generator room, I broke down. Literally I had a breakdown. I started screaming incomprehensible things. I even stated… that I wish I had died instead of Jolty".

"What?" Sonic said in shock.

"Exactly. I wished to die so that the pain would go away. Then something happened. Something inexplicable. The electric type pokemon that live in the power plant – I later learned it was a self-sustainable power plant that only requires a monthly check to make sure everything is working properly so naturally pokemon moved in – all started emmiting electricity. The electricity entered the generator and then came back out. I saw it crackle in front of me as I was on my knees on the ground. The electricity then took shape… the shape of Jolty".

"WHAT?!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Yes. And it wasn't just a mind trick. The Jolteon made out of energy in front of me approached me and put its paw on my hand. I knew at that moment it was Jolty. I hugged it thinking it was calling me to it. But the electricity didn't course through my body. It was like a warm feeling instead. Jolty hugged me back in a way. And at that moment I realized what you were saying was true. I had to learn again to live for myself… and to live the life Jolty would have wanted me to live".

"And you managed to train so hard and in such a short amount of time… and even found you beedrill. How?"

"I first went home and took its ball with me. Then I went to the forest where I supposed it fled to after we freed it. To be entirely honest, I don't remember how I found it. I just remember finding it along with a plethora of pokemon… and the next thing I remember was my beedrill being back in its pokeball".

"Mewtwo" Sonic thought. Mewtwo must have had helped Mike find its beedrill and then erased his memories to tie up loose ends.

"After that I caught another pokemon to make a team of 6 as I had caught one immediately after breaking through the darkness at the power plant".

"I assume the 2nd one was Ninetales?"

"Yes?"

"And I can assume your last was an electric type from the plant. If I had to guess I'd say you caught an electabuzz".

"Maybe I did, maybe I caught something else" Mike said as he heard the announcer declaring the immediate continuation of the final "you'll see soon enough".

"Oh I hope it's something good. Cause what I said to Ash about my battle was true. My raichu really is twice as strong as others of its kind".

"All the better" Mike answered with confidence "it'll be all the more worth it when I beat it".

"Then less talking and more entering the arena" Sonic joked as the two opponents parted ways to enter the respective sides of the arena under the applause of the crowd. The two rivals looked at each other, each taking out their next pokeball. 3 against 3. The real battle was just beginning.

Chapter Text

Sonic and Mike were waiting for the referee's signal to send out their next pokemon. They were evenly matched so far and were now starting again with 3 pokemon each. Sonic knew that Mike knew his other 3 pokemon. He also knew that Mike still had dugtrio, possibly his lapras and an electric type from the power plant.

"Trainers send out your pokemon… now!"

"Go raichu!"

"Go dugtrio!"

Raichu jumped on the field as dugtrio emerged. Sonic immediately went to recall raichu in hopes of a better matchup. However the pokeball didn't function.

"Damnit. Arena trap" Sonic cursed.

"Got lucky. Your raichu is your scariest pokemon so having this chance to take it out is good for me. So I'm afraid so Sonic, you're stuck. Let's see what your plan is here!"

"Ha I'd like to see how Sonic is planning to fight back" Ash said to his friends from the stand "now is his chance to prove if his raichu is all that powerful".

Gary who was observing from the top of the stands with his arms crossed remained stoic to this development.

"A ground type sure is a powerful opponent for an electric type. But Sonic and raichu are not the average trainer and pokemon".

"Battle continue!"

"Dugtrio earthquake!"

Dugtrio attacked with its ground waves. Sonic having to think fast ordered raichu to use iron tail to crack the ground beneath him and balance on its tail. Having discovered this trick during their training, the damage was minimized as raichu wasn't fully on the ground to be hit by the earth waves. Taking advantage of the opening Sonic ordered the next attack.

"Raichu quick! Use brick break!"

Raichu used its still hardened tail to propel itself towards dugtrio at a greater speed than Mike could expect. Raichu slammed hard on dugtrio and it took and big amount of damage. Dugtrio however wasn't out of the fight yet.

"Dig now!"

Dugtrio dag into the ground and disappeared. Sonic however also expected this. He knew raichu would have to train especially for a matchup like this.

"Use iron tail on the ground but this time as hard as you can, no balancing!"

Raichu once again nailed its hard tail on the ground sending sound waves through it. Dugtrio was forced to emerge due to the severity of the sound waves.

"Finish it with another brick break!"

"Mud-slap!"

Raichu attacked dugtrio with all its strength. The powerful but glass-cannon ground type was knocked out, unable to survive 2 brick breaks in a row. However its own attack also landed blurring raichu's vision and dealing a good chunk of damage.

"Dugtrio is unable to battle. Raichu is the winner".

"Dugtrio return" Mike said "good job. You weakened it. We'll finish it! Go Lapras!"

Lapras came out. Sonic remembered their battle on the beach. He was sure Mike did too. It would be risky to try and clear raichu's sight through lapras' attacks.

"Raichu come back take a break and clear your eyesight" Sonic commanded.

Raichu rushed out of the arena as Sonic took out his ultra ball. Mike noticed it and his face took an excited expression.

"There it is".

"Go Moltres!"

Moltres soared with its wings blazing like the sun under the cheers of the crowd.

"Risky move" Knuckles said "lapras is part water".

"Maybe but remember raichu needed to switch out. Sonic is in a bit of a disadvantage either way. Mike has lapras and something else. Sonic needs raichu healthy just in case and blastoise as a reserve".

"Yeah but Mike saw Sonic's strategy of solarbeaming. Won't he be able to counter it?" Jet inquired.

"Not necessarily" Tails explained "maybe he doesn't have a counter-plan set. Maybe he will still take it head on. But there is also a chance he could set up for his last pokemon".

"That's certainly strange. If he knew of Sonic's team why did he risk sending out dugtrio first? If Sonic brought out blastoise or Motres, Mike would be at a huge disadvantage against Blastoise and Moltres. They both would have a good chance of beating Dugtrio".

"I don't know. Maybe he could be intending to set up as I said. We'll have to watch to find out" Tails said getting back to the match.

"Absolutely magnificent" Mike commented on Moltres' greatness "let's see how well it battles".

"Moltres sunny day!"

"Just as I expected! Lapras use calm mind!"

Lapras closed its eyes and focused increasing its special attack and special defense.

"Damnit he's setting up! My plan backfired!" Sonic thought terrified.

"Moltres end this before it gets too tanky! Solarbeam!"

Moltres charged its attack and fired. Lapras however was too tanky to go down in one hit like that. And Mike wasn't even done with that.

"Make it rain lapras! Use hydro pump above you!"

"Make it rain?!" Sonic said in shock.

Lapras unleashed its hydro pump vertically up. Once the attack got to a high enough point it started splitting like a fountain and water drops started striking Moltres and Lapras at the same time. Lapras was slowly healed while Moltres was slowly but steadily taking more and more damage.

"Moltres don't let up! Solarbeam again!"

They had to find a way to end it fast. The sunlight from sunny day had at first weakened the effectiveness of hydro pump but calm mind had restored it. If they allowed lapras to get too strong their defeat was certain.

Back at Sonic's hometown unbeknown to everyone, his parents were watching the final. Most of the townsfolk who knew Sonic did. They were all cheering for him hoping he would break through Lapras. After all his reputation as the hero of Kanto had reached his hometown too.

Amy was also watching the final on her phone. Her state of mind was slowly deteriorating from the development.

"That loser is a hero and now will win the tournament?"

She couldn't understand how it had all gone that way. She had chosen Shadow over Sonic because of his ability to assert his dominance, to take what he desired and nothing would stand in his way. And somehow Sonic had become that very thing too. And a hero nonetheless.

They of course had had a big fight, Amy and Shadow over it. He was slowly becoming jealous of Amy's constant keeping tabs on Sonic for no apparent reason. They had gotten over it but it was obvious this crack in their relationship would expand over time.

Back in the tournament Sonic was racking his brain on how to beat Lapras. He could only see one way and it was a risky play. Knowing he had to take the risk he commanded the attack.

"Moltres use air slash at close range!"

"Lapras strike Moltres down! Hydro pump!"

Lapras unleashed its water jet aiming directily at Moltres this time. Moltres dodged the attack using its speed and once close enough unleashed a might air slash. The attack didn't do a lot but had the desired effect; lapras flinched.

"Lapras use calm mind quick!"

Lapras however didn't respond because of the flinching. It couldn't take its eyes off the legendary bird of flames. That attack, though not very powerful, had bought Sonic a few seconds.

"Again Moltres! Don't let it take a turn! Use air slash in quick succession!"

Moltres started flapping its wings fast, creating air blades very quickly, all aimed at lapras. The water and ice type endangered species pokemon found itself taking a barrage of air slashes. Taking cover by lowering its head Mike couldn't believe what was happening. He had not calculated for such an attack neither for Sonic to use such a strategy. However he had one final ace up his sleeve. But for that to work, he needed Moltres weakened severely.

"Lapras listen! I know you're scared! Use one more hydro pump above you once again!"

He wasn't really expecting lapras would heal itself fast enough with the hydro pump drops that would strike it and Moltres, especially if Sonic went for one more solarbeam. But it would certainly weaken Moltres if it used its move instead of trying to preserve its health. And best of all for Mike, he knew Sonic would go for it as by leaving Lapras alive he risked it using calm mind again and this time there would be no beating it.

"Moltres end this! solarbeam!"

Moltres taking advantage of the last turn of sunny day unleashed its grass attack. Despite the continuous damage from the hydro pump rain, it put all of its might in the attack. Lapras took it head on and collapsed unable to take any more punishment. The combined barrage of stab boosted air slashes and 2 solarbeams were just too much.

"Lapras return" Mike said "thank you and sorry. Your hard work will not be in vain" he said as he looked at Moltres again.

"Your legendary Moltres certainly doesn't disappoint Sonic. I will admit I wasn't expecting a tactic of fear to work on my team. Flinching is indeed a powerful tool in battles".

"I was saving it for the best time" Sonic admitted "and your Lapras was that time. Now bring out your last pokemon".

"Hehe" Mike said taking out to everyone's shock an ultra ball.

"He's got an ultra ball?" Tails said in surprise.

"What could he have?" Jet inquired worried.

Sonic was quick to connect the dots.

"Ultra ball. You visited a power plant… no it can't be!"

"Soar to the skies!" Mike shouted sending out his last pokemon.

The sky darkened momentarily and lightning bolts crackled as if a storm was approaching. The legendary Zapdos descended onto the field, screeching loudly.

"You caught Zapdos" Sonic commented with a hint of fear. That was one of the worst possible scenarios with his remaining pokemon.

"Yes. After Jolty's energy spirit disappeared Zapdos appeared and challenged me. Our battle was rough until my Lapras learned calm mind, was able to tank Zapdos' attacks and heal itself with the strategy you witnessed before. After that I was able to best and catch it".

Sonic was at a lack for words. Both he and Mike were equally heroes of Kanto. That proved it. Both were chosen by a legendary pokemon.

"Zapdos let's do this! For Jolty!"

Zapdos screeched awaiting commands. Moltres also let out a cry of anticipation.

"Thunderbolt!"

"Flamethrower!"

The attacks collided and caused a small explosion and a lot of smoke. The power of the legendary pokemon was incredible.

"Smokescreens won't work on me! Drill peck!"

Zapdos darted through the smoke and started pecking at Moltres with insane speed. Moltres cried out in pain as it tried to fly away with Zapdos was in hot pursuit.

"Moltres! Use solarbeam to blind it!"

"Not this time! I saw what you did against Ketchum! Zapdos use thunder!"

Solarbeam was charged and fired but at the same time a bolt of lightning much bigger and far stronger than Ash's Pikachu had ever managed to conjure, fell square on Moltres. The legendary fire bird screeched in pain and after the thunder dissipated, fell to the ground motionless.

"Moltres is unable to battle. Zapdos is the winner".

Sonic couldn't believe the turn of events. He knew Mike would be a strong opponent but to have Zapdos, the strongest of the legendary birds… it was an almost hopeless battle.

"Great work Zapdos" Mike complimented it.

Sonic gritted his teeth as he took out Blastoise's pokeball.

"Blastoise help me out!"

Blastoise appeared as Zadpos stared it down.

"Zapdos no games this time! Use thunder!"

Zapdos dropped another bolt of lightning.

"Protect!"

Blastoise shielded itself from the attack. Mike however knew he couldn't do it again.

"Thunderbolt!"

Sonic also ordered an attack hoping Blastoise's good defenses would keep it from fainting.

"Ice beam!"

The attacks collided and thunderbolt prevailed. Blastoise was zapped and toppled.

"Blastoise is unable to…"

"Now!" Sonic yelled all of a sudden.

And Blastoise who had merely toppled and not fainted, just like during their battle with Moltres before it joined them, fired a powerful ice beam at Zapdos. The attack connected and did a considerable amound of damage. Zapdos annoyed at this struck Blastoise with thunderbolt again, causing it to faint for real this time.

The referee checked and verified Blastoise had fainted this time. Sonic recalled it. Just like last time. Electric vs electric would be their final clash.

"Raichu are you all cleared up?"

"Rai rai!"

"Then go get them!"

Raichu dashed inside the arena as Zapdos observed it closely. It sent a small bolt of electricity towards it. Raichu took it in and sent one towards Zapdos.

"What are they doing?" Sonic wondered before realizing "wait they are communicating".

"Why would they do that?" Mike inquired.

Sonic recalled the night his raichu evolved from Pikachu.

"The night raichu evolved from Pikachu… we were battling a Zapdos… your Zapdos… and the Zapdos I fought… are most likely one and the same".

"Woah" Mike said in realization "talk about a crazy coincidence if that's the case. Maybe you could even call it destiny. Zapdos granted your Pikachu the gift of growth… turning it into raichu. And now they meet again in a final test".

"A test" Sonic repeated "a test which we will pass won't we partner?"

"RAI!"

"Zapdos! Ancient power!"

Zapdos threw a barrage of rocks towards raichu.

"Deflect them with iron tail!"

Raichu deflected the rocks with ease having trained with Moltres before the latter forgot ancient power.

"Now use quick attack!"

Raichu dashed fast and jumped trying to jump onto Zapdos.

"I don't think so! Shake it off!"

Zapdos dived down. Raichu was unable to hold on. It crashed to the ground with a big thud.

"Thunder now!"

Lightning came down on raichu hard. Sonic felt the electricity travel through his body as well. It wasn't a big amount but he still felt it. Grabbing his shoulders in pain, it was clearer than ever before. Raichu and he were connected. Though he did wonder why he only felt electricity and not any other type of attack, he shoved the thought aside. They had a challenge in their hands.

"Raichu use iron tail!"

Raichu jumped and tried to slam Zapdos with iron tail but the legendary bird of thunder dodged the attack.

"Thunderbolt!"

Raichu was hit by the thunderbolt. Sonic felt once again the electricity crawl through him. Mike noticed it.

"Hey you ok?"

"I'm fine" Sonic retorted unwilling to stop the battle before the end.

"There's got to be a way to strike Zapdos" Sonic thought as raichu panted exhausted trying to figure out a battle plan.

"Zapdos don't give them time! Thunderbolt!"

"Launch yourself then use thunder punch!"

Raichu used its iron tail as a pole to jump avoiding thunderbolt. Reaching the same height as Zapdos it delivered a powerful punch. But it also left them defenseless.

"Drill peck!"

Zapdos pecked raichu repeatedly. Raichu dropped to the ground with a thud once again struggling to get up.

"That'll teach him!" Ash said from the stands satisfied.

Sonic looked at his raichu struggling to get up.

"Partner if you're unable to don't please. We fought our hardest. It's not worth getting hurt".

Raichu looked at Sonic in disbelief.

"Rai! Rai rai!"

Sonic couldn't understand exactly what it was saying. But he knew what it meant.

"We've come too far! We will go all the way! Whatever it takes"

"Yes" Sonic said slowly "whatever it takes".

"Rai!" Raichu growled.

Electricity started crackling on its tail. Both Sonic and Mike were bewildered by it.

The next moment 2 lightning bolts fell from the sky engulfing Sonic and raichu at the same time. Everyone at the stadium gasped some even screamed. Mike observed in terror what he perceived as his friend and rival being struck by a deadly bolt of lightning.

"SONIC!" he screamed.

The lightning bolts dissipated the next moment. Sonic and raichu were both unharmed. Raichu was standing proudly, albeit still injured.

"Is it rejuvenated? Or is it just running on will?" Mike wondered "but in that case what was the bolt of lightning? And why was Sonic also struck by it?"

"Raichu one last attack!" Sonic ordered "quick attack then thunder punch!"

Raichu was launched faster than eyes could see. Its speed had become insane. It jumped and latched onto Zapdos.

"Shake them off before they land the attack!"

Zapdos started trying to shake them off, eventually diving again. Raichu this time held on with all its strength.

"Do it!" Sonic shouted.

Raichu charged its punch and using its tail as a grappling hook to not fall off Zapdos, delivered a devastating punch just before Zapdos opened its wings to avoid crashing.

The legendary bird crashed with a thud that shook the whole stadium raising a huge cloud of dust. Once the dust settled, Raichu was standing on top of the fainted Zapdos as if it had done a superhero landing.

"Zapdos is unable to battle! Raichu wins! The winner of the tournament is Sonic the hedgehog!"

"The hero of Kanto wins the tournament!" the announcer called out as cheers erupted all throughout the stadium. Sonic took in the scenery with a blank phase.

"We… we won. We won! We won raichu!"

"Rai!" Raichu cried out as trainer and pokemon hugged in the middle of the arena. Mike recalled Zapdos and approached Sonic.

"And so you prevail again. Congratulation friend".

The two shared a handshake as a stadium worker brought Sonic the trophy. Lifting it high above his head, everyone cheered.

Amy of course back home was fuming. Shadow was also watching the video claiming that it was no big deal. Amy agreed and shut off her phone but didn't believe it.

As Sonic and Mike reconvened with his friends after his victory, Tails was ecstatic.

"Sonic that was unbelievable! What was that move you pulled back there?!"

"To be honest I too don't get it" Mike admitted "I saw you do the exact same thing against Giovanni".

Sonic took a moment to think.

"I don't really know to be honest. The only thing I noticed during the battle that was out of the ordinary was that every time raichu was struck by lightning I felt the electricity course through me as well. Not lethally but I still felt it".

Tails looked confused for a moment then remembered something.

"WAIT!" he yelled causing everyone to jump.

"That could be because of the way raichu evolve remember?"

"Remember what?"

"You two had a fight exactly before and then you dived in front of a thunderbolt to protect Pikachu. It then evolved by declaring you its friend. The bond that makes it twice as strong as other raichu's must have formed at that moment. You two have a connection".

Sonic recalled all of it and even though it sounded farfetched it wasn't exactly impossible either. Pokemon were mysterious creatures with unlimited potential after all.

"I guess we should investigate it back home" Sonic concluded.

"We sure will" Tails said doing a thumbs up.

At that moment Ash approached them.

"Well… congratulations I guess".

"Not to say I told you so but…"

"Yeah whatever. Next time we meet I will be much stronger just you wait".

"Oh I will wait" Sonic said smiling.

Once Ash left Sonic looked down closing his eyes.

"If only there was a next time".

"Huh?" Mike said in surprise "what are you talking about?"

"My journey has ended Mike. We're going home" he said referring to himself and his friends.

"Just… just like that?"

"Yeah. It started as an impulse when it started. I regret nothing but… it's over now. It's time to go home now".

Mike was speechless as he hadn't thought of what would happen after the tournament. He felt a small hint of regret as he had probably lost so much time with Sonic due to him being lost in darkness. He however managed to smile.

"I understand".

"Hey don't be sad. We're trainers right? Our paths will cross again someday. Just maybe not anytime soon".

Mike nodded. The two of them shared one final handshake before going their separate ways.

"See you around Sonic".

As Sonic and his friends headed for the airport to return home, Mike observed them fly off from Vermillion city.

"See you around Sonic" he said again as he mounted Zapdos and flew away, letting the wind guide them.

After a long and eventful flight as Sonic and his friends discussed every last bit of the tournament they landed home. When they all reached their neighborhood, Tails and Knuckles left the brothers to go to their houses. As Sonic and Jet headed for their home, Sonic still carrying his trophy and raichu curiously observing the new place, they heard a voice call out to them.

"Well, well look who returns triumphant".

Sonic and Jet knew who it was very well. Giving Jet the trophy to take home and telling raichu to go with Jet, Sonic turned around and came face to face with Amy.

"Looking good, been working out?"

Sonic giggled.

"You sure have a lot of nerve to show your face in front of me again" he said smiling.

"You should be honored. I am standing Shadow up a little bit to talk to you".

"Wow, talk about disrespect" Sonic commented "I should be honored because you treat your boyfriend like that? That's rough even for someone like Shadow".

Amy's smile slowly left her face.

"You think you're fooling me Sonic? Just because you played trainer for a month and won a tournament means you're anything but a softie loser?"

"Well that softie loser is known as the hero of Kanto and has tamed a legendary pokemon" Sonic said with a hint of gloating "so yeah. I think the only one fooling anyone here is you fooling yourself little girl".

Amy's face turned red. Sonic thought it was anger. And it was. But it was also a bit of turning on on her part.

"Who are calling a little girl?!" she said angrily approaching him, her face an inch away from his.

"You. And for that reason you're not worth my time doll. So mind your own business and leave me be. Ciao" Sonic toyed with her, putting his finger on her jaw as he spoke those words. She was left there trying to collect her thoughts. That wasn't Sonic she kept repeating. There was no way Sonic had become this confident.

"And this hot" Amy thought as she headed for her date with Shadow.

Sonic in the meantime entered the house with Raichu greeting his parents after a very long time.

Later that night, while Sonic and Jet were hanging out in their backyard, hanging out with Sonic's pokemon, their mother came out.

"I have some news boys. We're going on vacation".

"Vacation? Where?" Jet asked intrigued.

"And how come?" Sonic asked caught by surprise.

"To celebrate your victory of course. We're going to the orange islands for a week".

"Orange islands?!" Sonic repeated in pleasant surprise "they are a tropical paradise! For people and pokemon alike!"

"Exactly. We'll be leaving next week. So prepare your stuff".

"But… it's in a week" Jet said confused.

"Exactly. Only one week" she said and walked back in the house.

Sonic and Jet looked at each other silent for a moment then burst out laughing.

"Yeah same old mom" Sonic said.

Orange islands. Sonic couldn't wait. And neither could his pokemon desiring nothing more than to lay on a beach and relax. Back during their isolation on the secluded shore, they couldn't enjoy it as much in order to train. Now they would. At least for a little while.

Elsewhere a man named Lawrence was preparing his flying huge hovercraft, loading on high tech cages which could catch pokemon by encasing them with electromagnetic fields.

"Soon enough. Soon enough the prophecy will come true. And I will be there to collect my prize".

He returned to a map on his desk. He looked at it smiling menacingly.

"Orange islands here I come".

Chapter Text

The calming sounds of the sea waves crashing on the shore and the warm feeling of the sun's rays were engulfing Sonic as he lied on a beach chair, sunglasses on, hat on and eyes closed taking all the sensation in.

On the side of his beach chair raichu was sleeping peacefully finally getting a chance to rest after all the crazy adventures they had been through in their Kanto journey. It was a well-earned rest.

Inside the water his blastoise was swimming peacefully, with pinsir on its back enjoying the boat ride. Nidoking was also swimming alongside them, as Sonic knew it was viable to learn surf so it had that ability. Alakazam was meditating nearby. As for Moltres, Sonic had let it soar to the skies and enjoy the freedom and beauty of the orange islands' climate. Moltres of course never flew too far away but relished in the simulated freedom of being a wild pokemon again.

Jet came out of the water soaking after his swim.

"Man I'm never leaving this place" he said as he laid on his own beach chair.

"Yeah" Sonic agreed "it's literally heaven on earth".

Jet looked at his phone.

"Mom says she wants to go to the festival tonight".

"Festival?"

"Yeah. It's a Shamouti tradition. Didn't read the mythology behind all that much but I gotta be honest it sounds rather interesting".

Sonic didn't answer right away.

"Still wanting to avoid the crowd I presume?"

"I mean… everyone literally wants a piece of me after my triumph at the indigo tournament. I literally battled 3 opponents at once while you, mom and dad where checking into the hotel. I came here to relax not to battle".

"True. I mean you can just say you don't want to battle".

"True. Still getting used to saying no to battles".

"I understand. Wanting to be gentle and all. You know I might just read the mythology behind the festival before we attend".

Sonic nodded and got back to relaxing.

"Do you have any idea why that guy said when we first arrived I performed a blasphemy by catching Moltres?"

"Lol no idea. It's just funny. He treats Moltres like a deity or something. Who would do that?"

"I guess a madman but I can't get out of my head why it happened here of all places. Like literally I'm known as the chosen one of Moltres in Kanto and here that guy called me a blasphemer. Go figure".

Moltres then landed nearby raising a small cloud of sand.

"Speak of the devil. Had a good flight Moltres?"

Moltres cried out and laid down to relax closing its eyes ready to take a nap.

Sonic followed suit. Naps were his best friend now.

After a good amount of time – not actually knowing how much time had gone by – he felt a water drop falling on his forehead. He ignored it assuming Jet was about to prank him or something. But then another drop fell this time on his chest. And then another. And another. And another.

"Jet I swear if I open my eyes and…" he began saying but gasped once he opened his eyes and taking his sunglasses off to verify.

The sun had disappeared. Clouds had engulfed the sky. And powerful wind currents were slowly but steadily beginning to blow.

"Jet wake up!"

Jet woke up roughly.

"Why are you screaming? Wait… where is the sun?"

"No idea" Sonic said as his quills were billowing with the wind.

"We have to the return to the hotel! Now!"

Recalling his pokemon, the duo rode Moltres and flew back to the hotel just as the rain began showering them. As they arrived at the hotel, they quickly dismounted Moltres, Sonic recalled it and they went up to their room. Their parents were already there.

"Oh thank god you're ok" their mother said hugging them.

"What is happening?" Jet asked "the weather forecast when we came said there would be sunshine and a strong heatwave all week long".

"No idea" Sonic and Jet's father said "but we should stay in for now".

Sonic in the meantime believing it wasn't a coincidence or a wrong weather forecast called Tails.

"Yo champ. How's the vacation?"

The sound of thunder echoed in the room as a lightning bolt struck on the courtyard of the hotel.

"Was the lightning?" Tails said unprepared.

"Yeah. Something's going on. A storm appeared out of nowhere. Me and Jet where at the beach with my pokemon and in what I believe was 5 minutes the sun was gone and the storm appeared".

"I see" Tails said in deep thought "let me look into it. I'll call you when I got something. Stay inside just in case".

"Not like we have a choice" Sonic commented as Tails hang up.

The next two hours passed very slowly as the family was bored inside the hotel room. Sonic was playing with raichu to pass the time while Jet was watching the storm outside wondering if he could possibly see a zapdos somewhere in the dark clouds, the strong winds and the many drops of water falling from the sky.

Eventually the storm did clear and Sonic and Jet walked outside. The clouds were not entirely gone but for the most part Shamouti seemed unaffected. The people were once again setting up the festival, a fact that genuinely made Sonic's mom happy and she hoped the storm wouldn't restart and the clouds would lift.

Sonic however heard someone say that a ship was caught in a storm outside Shamouti. Feeling that he couldn't just sit idly by while someone was possibly fighting for their life in the waves, he took out Moltres' pokeball and approached Jet.

"Where are your binoculars?"

"Umm in the room why?"

"A ship was caught in that storm. That was no ordinary storm. I want to go and see if anyone needs help. So I'm gonna need to borrow your binoculars".

"Ok. Chill. I'll go bring them".

"I am chill".

"Then why is your hand shaking?"

Sonic looked down and noticed that indeed the hand the held Moltres' pokeball was shaking.

"What the… I'm not shaking it. It's shaking on its own".

"What? That's so bizzare. Why would it shake?"

"No idea. Regardless…"

"Yes. Be right back".

Moments later Sonic was soaring to the skies, not as high as the clouds but still very high. Using the binoculars he and Moltres headed to look around the perimeter of Shamouti. The sea was still rough from the storm. Sonic cursed as he knew it would be hard to locate anyone in the water.

After a full patrol of the sea around Shamouti, Sonic concluded there was no point to keep searching. He had tried but had found nothing. Turning back towards the mainland, he was about to take the binoculars off his face until he saw a mast floating in the water.

"The wreck!" he thought in a panic.

Looking around in the water he saw nothing. No body in sight. But turning his sight to the beach close to the floating mast, he saw 3 people face down on the sand.

"Oh no! Moltres down to the beach!"

Moltres reacted a second late as it was busy looking at one of the 3 islands opposite Shamouti. Afterwards the legendary bird flew down to the beach. Dismounting it and recalling it Sonic approached the trio of people that seemed to be the victims of the wreck. He also noticed a Pikachu next to one of them. And a particularly familiar hat.

"ASH!" Sonic screamed in realization.

He rushed to his side.

"Ash! Ash! Can you hear me?"

"Pika pika?" Pikachu looked at them caught off guard by their sudden arrival.

"Rai, rai" Raichu spoke to Pikachu who looked back at his fainted trainer.

Sonic took Ash's right hand and looked for a pulse. None. He took his left hand. Still no pulse.

"Damnit! Don't be dead you moron" Sonic said as he put his fingers on Ash's throat.

The throbbing of the pulse was felt. Sonic's pulse also calmed. And after that Ash's body slightly moved.

"P-pikachu?" he asked slowly raising his head.

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out in happiness hugging Ash's face and accidentally zapping his with lightning.

"Thank god you're alive" Sonic said.

Ash looked at him.

"Sonic?"

He now wished he had died in the shipwreck.

"Don't tell me you saved us".

"No you were lying in the sand. Wait. Us?"

The other two people which Sonic had ignorantly not checked for pulse started awakening.

"Misty?" Sonic said confused "and… who are you?"

The other boy with Ash and Misty looked at the direction of the voice. Once he met Sonic's eyes, his widened in shock.

"Oh my… oh my… you are Sonic the hedgehog, the hero of Kanto!"

"Not a hero" Sonic said getting bored of having to explain that part over and over.

"Oh… I see…" the boy said as he cleared his throat "I'm Tracey Sketchit".

Sonic resisted the urge to laugh. Not in a mocking way but he just thought Tracey's name was funny.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked.

"We were on our way to the orange islands" Tracey explained "I was sent here to study the climate and the pokemon living here by Professor Oak. I work at his lab as his assistant".

"Sounds nice" Sonic said.

"And I came here to challenge the orange league champion drake. But that freak storm sank our boat" Ash said.

"We must have been very unlucky" Misty guessed.

"Nah that was no ordinary storm" Sonic said looking up at the clouds "my friend Tails is already researching it on my behalf".

"What could be strange about a storm?" Tracey asked confused.

"Well nothing except for the fact that storms don't usually appear out of nowhere. There are signs. The storm caught me and my brother at the beach. In like 5 minutes since the moment I began napping" Sonic explained.

"Napping. Instead of training? You asking for a defeat?" Ash teased Sonic.

"You of all people should be telling yourself that Ash. I stomped on you at the league" Sonic teased him back.

"Well yeah but now I'm stronger!"

"It's only been a week".

"Enough!" Misty interfered deciding to stop them "as much as I would love to see you boys roast each other all day I want to go and dry myself from the seawater. Is there any civilization on this island?"

"Yes there is. Follow me" Sonic said leading them towards a path which led them to the main town.

While they were walking Sonic noticed again that Moltres was shaking in its ball.

"What is going on? Why is Moltres shaking?" he thought.

After reaching the town the trio looked for a place to stay while Sonic returned to the hotel to rendezvous with his family and let them know of his discovery. Jet was caught by surprise that Ash was here too and wondered if their coincidental meeting was more than a coincidence.

Later that afternoon, despite the cloudy weather the festival started taking place. Sonic and Jet were strolling around looking at all the local dances and the decorations. Sonic's parents were dancing together, with Sonic and Jet giving them some space.

The duo met Ash, Misty and Tracey and Jet got the chance to properly meet Ash. There was a little bit of teasing at Ash's defeat but unlike Sonic, Ash's Pikachu actually took a liking to Jet. The latter wished his parents would have let him travel with Sonic.

"Maybe someday bro" Sonic patted him on the back.

"Travelling with your friends and partner is amazing. It's honestly an experience for a lifetime" Ash said "wasn't it buddy?"

"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried out in joy.

A young girl then asked for everyone's attention.

"Welcome everyone to Shamouti's festival. Me and the residents of our island thank you for coming to honor the titans".

"The titans?" Sonic thought surprised.

While that girl kept talking, Sonic received a call from Tails. Moving away from the crowd he answered.

"Hey how's everything?"

"Mostly ok. The festival is taking place normally. And Ash is also here".

"Ash? How so?"

"He came to challenge the orange league champion. But the weirdest thing is I found him cast away on the beach. He, Misty and a guy named Tracey were caught in the storm from earlier".

"Oh man. This is more serious than I thought".

"What do you mean?"

Tails pulled up a printed piece of paper.

"It's a lot so will try to be clear. So you see the orange islands just like a lot of island complexes out there have their own microclimate".

"Yeah I'm aware of that".

"What you're probably not aware of is that microclimate of the orange islands is controlled by the titans of fire, ice and thunder".

"Yeah. A girl who I think is some sort of festival maiden said something similar".

"Well I'll tell you, you are already familiar with two of the titans".

"Me?"

"Yeah. The titans are in all actuality the legendary birds of Kanto".

"What?! Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres?"

"Exactly".

"Woah wait. So basically that confirms first of all that there are multiple legendaries of each species".

"I mean yeah. They're a species of pokemon. If only one existed, the moment it died it would be gone for good. And there are legends about pokemon from a long time ago".

"So those species of pokemon have been around for a very long time" Sonic concluded.

"Precisely".

"Ok but what does that mean about the recent storm?"

"I'm getting there. You see the titans are kind of heralds of the seasons. Not officially but they control the weather so… yeah. Moltres and Articuno are the heralds of summer and winter respectively though it's more complicated than that. I'm merely simplifying it. Now Zapdos, being the strongest of the 3, balances everything out as it causes storms and rain, which usually take place during the transition from summer to winter, aka during fall, and vice versa".

"Ok so essentially together they create the tropical climate with Moltres usually in control and Articuno and Zapdos sometimes interfering".

"Exactly. And if we take that logic and apply it to the recent storm… this is where things get a bit worrisome".

"Why?"

"You see, it's summer so rains should be very rare. For even though the titans have their balance, there are also territorial pokemon and sometimes fight over territory. That's when strong winds blow during summer, storms during summer or during winter the list goes on".

"So wait. You're saying that there is a high chance the storm was cause by the titan Zapdos and Moltres fighting?"

"No. It's not that. For you see, if it really was just a territorial struggle and Zapdos won, the climate wouldn't shift so drastically. And certainly the storm wouldn't be so bad in the middle of summer. I did find reports of unusual weather in the orange islands on specific seasons but nothing that severe".

"So... wait. The storm is abnormal I get it…"

"Before you continue are there cold wind currents? Doesn't matter whether they are strong or not".

Sonic licked his finger and raised it in the air. He felt a cold sensation of the wind blowing.

"Yeah. The air is a bit cold for a tropical paradise".

"Then it's the worst case scenario. Storm and colder weather can only mean one thing".

"That only 2 of the titans affect the climate at this very moment" Sonic said putting the pieces together.

"Yes" Tails said grimly.

"So something bad has happened to the titan Moltres" Sonic said "this is why my Moltres' pokeball won't stop shaking. It feels that the titan Moltres is in peril".

"Exactly. You might need to go to Moltres' island to investigate".

"I will first thing tomorrow. I need to verify if Moltres is ok or not and if not what the problem is. Ash almost drowned in that storm. And that was just the beginning. We can't let things spiral out of control".

"And we won't. There are more stuff about the titans in myths, but that's outside my field of expertise".

"Myths huh? Maybe Knuckles can help".

"Yeah! He is obsessed with myths and ancient history. Maybe he knows something. If not he will know where to find such answers!" Tails said excitedly.

"Ok it's settled. Let him in on everything and ask him if he has time to research the myths of the orange islands".

"Got it. Call you back when I got something champ. Have fun at the festival".

"Hehe. Talk soon pal" Sonic said hanging up.

Returning to Jet he saw Ash had been approached by the festival maiden and was talking to her.

"You missed the best part" Jet informed Sonic.

"What part?"

"She spoke in general about the myth of the islands and said something about a chosen one tradition. She selected Ash to be this year's chosen one!"

"What? That moron is the chosen one?" Sonic said in disappointment.

"Yeah as crazy as it sounds. The myth spoke about the chosen one taming the titans so they won't unleash their might upon the world or something".

Sonic felt a small pinch of jealousy. Ash was dubbed the chosen one even though it was Sonic who had tamed a Moltres and even made it a member of his team.

"Ash could barely stand up to my Moltres. How can he possibly be the chosen one?" Sonic wondered silently.

But then he reminded himself of the adventure on New Island. Ash wasn't the strongest trainer and his pokemon were not the strongest. But he had a good and brave heart. That was a thousand times more important.

"You know what? She picked right" Sonic said in the end smiling catching Jet off guard.

"Wait a minute" a voice belonging to the festival maiden reached their ears.

Sonic and Jet looked as the festival maiden walked through the crowd and approached them, followed by Ash and Misty. The festival maiden eyed Sonic top to bottom.

"How peculiar. Ash here is undeniably the chosen one. But I sense you" she said pointing at Sonic "will also play an equally important role in this year's festival tradition".

"Sonic is a chosen one too?!" Ash said in frustration.

While Sonic hadn't witnessed him being dubbed the chosen one, and Ash was a bit surprised, he was happy that he had the chance to one up Sonic by being Shamouti's chosen one. Now that chance was gone.

"No. There can't be two chosen ones. But he will play an important role. Maybe an equally important one".

"The sinner will play an important role?" another familiar voice said.

Sonic immediately identified the voice belonging to the middle aged man who scolded him for catching Moltres.

"This kid dared catch the titan of fire and you call him equally important to the chosen one?"

The maiden looked at Sonic.

"Is it true? You caught the titan of fire?"

"No. I mean yes. I mean… I have caught a Moltres but not the one you call the titan of fire".

Everyone was speechless. Sonic looked around confused.

"Don't tell you believed the titans were one of a kind" he said trying to explain himself.

The festival maiden then took his hand causing him to step back in surprise.

"Regardless of the circumstances it is unmistakable you will play an important role. Follow me both of you" she said referring to Ash and Sonic.

She started making way through the crowd. Jet attempted to follow them down a path leading away from town.

"I'm sorry but from this point forward only the chosen one can proceed. The only exception that can be made is for… your name?"

"Sonic".

"Sonic. I'm Melody. Only you and the chosen one can follow. The rest must wait at town".

"No way" Misty disagreed "we're coming with Ash".

"I assume you're the chosen one's girlfriend?"

Misty's cheeks grew redder than strawberries. Sonic held in a small laugh. He hadn't noticed or even considered that chance but Misty's reaction to Melody's probable correct guess was hilarious.

"Look ms Melody".

"Just Melody" she said.

"Ok. Melody. Look a lot of things are out of the ordinary so just let my brother, Misty and Tracey tag along. Whatever it is that Ash and I are meant to do we are capable of doing it with or without help. No offense" he said referring to Jet, Misty and Tracey.

"Hmm.. fine. Follow me".

Walking down the path, the eventually arrived at a shrine overlooking the 3 islands. Inside the shrine there were 3 small pedestals.

"Are these the islands the titans reside at?" Jet asked Melody.

"Correct. The chosen one needs to venture to the islands and collect the treasures of the titans. Then bring them back here where I will play the festival's song with this conch shell" she said revealing the shell "to end your task".

"And what is my purpose here?"

"I do not know. I just told you all I knew".

"I see. And what are those treasures Ash has to collect?"

"3 spheres. Each containing the essence of fire, ice and thunder".

"I see" Sonic said taking out Moltres' pokeball noticing it to be shaking somewhat faster than before "alright then. Step back Ash and get ready cause we have some treasure hunting to do".

"WAIT!" Melody screamed causing everyone to flinch "you can't fly to the islands. You need to travel there by boat. And certainly you mustn't bring out your titan of fire against our titans. They will not react kindly to its presence".

Sonic remained silent. He considered revealing Tails' discovery about the titan Moltres being in trouble but decided he would investigate himself.

"Alright then. We'll go by boat. I suggest we get to the island of fire first. I know how to battle Moltres best so if it gives us trouble I can limit the trouble".

"Agreed" Ash said eager to begin, even forgetting his earlier frustration.

The group returned to the main town where Sonic asked for a moment. Returning to the hotel, he took his map, his compass and the rest of his pokemon. Sonic's parents asked what had happened and he explained what had transpired and his upcoming visit to the islands of the birds. His mother, albeit worried wished him luck and to be careful on Articuno's island as it was the only bird Sonic didn't have an actual experience with. Sonic's dad also wished him luck but declared Jet would stay with them. Jet tried to argue back but their parents were adamant. Sonic consoled and Jet and assured him he would embark on his own journey sooner than he imagined. Afterwards with raichu following they arrived at the docks where Ash and Pikachu were waiting.

"At last. I thought you backed out".

"No way I'm backing out from this one. I was planning to go to the island of fire regardless".

"What for?"

"I have my reasons" Sonic said hiding his real reason for visiting the island.

Boarding the boat of a man named captain Maren. During the ride, Pikachu and Raichu were constantly arguing in their own languages and Pikachu even tried to zap raichu which Sonic asked raichu to just tank so that they wouldn't cause any damage to the boat. After a berating from captain Maren and the rest of the short ride, Ash and Sonic were dropped off on the island of fire.

"Alright! Let's go find the treasure!"

"Wait" Sonic stopped him taking out his map and putting it on the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"We can't just walk deep into unknown territory. We have to prepare. Ok so… did Melody give you any clues on the locations of the treasures?"

"She said they were at the shrines of the titans".

"And where are those shrines?"

"I don't know. She didn't say".

"I see. Ok" Sonic said looking up "from what I see there is a path there. The map doesn't contain it, though I'm not surprised. After all it is not too detailed. Alright plan b. We are on this beach here" he said pointing to a beach on the island of fire, the only one on the island ironically.

"From what I can assume the shrines will be at the center of the islands or close to it. In our case here… it must be in the volcano. Huh talk about déjà vu. I caught my Moltres on a volcano and now we're about to venture into another one to find another Moltres" he commented and refraining from adding "hopefully".

"To get to the center of the volcano we have to go…" he said looking at his compass "southwest, eleven degrees away from a pure west direction to the south".

Ash looked at him confused. Sonic face-slapped.

"Just follow my lead ok?"

"Why don't we just follow the path?"

That's the main plan. I needed to find the direction in case the path doesn't lead to the volcano or leads us astray".

"Why would it? What other purpose could it have?"

"Don't know and frankly we don't have to find out. Let's go".

Ash looked at him, his frustration returning. He felt Sonic was doing everything in his power to look better.

Started walking down the path, Sonic kept looking at the compass, making sure they were going the right direction. To his relief they were.

"How did you know all that about navigation?" Ash asked.

"Had to learn to navigate to travel through Kanto" Sonic explained "unlike you I was on my own with raichu".

Pikachu and raichu who were with them the entire time were struggling to get along as Pikachu was still sour regarding its defeat at the league to raichu.

"And just because you traveled alone I assume you think you're better than me?"

"My victory at the league is your answer" Sonic said making his way through a bush of leaves hanging by the nearby trees.

"I just don't get it. We started our journeys at around the same time. My mom told me how you got your squirtle from professor oak. Days later I got Pikachu from him. So how is it…"

"You got pikachu from the professor? How come? I thought usually trainers receive Bulbasaur, charmander or squirtle" Sonic said looking over his shoulder.

"I overslept and missed getting either of the 3. But professor oak had Pikachu still. And now I'm glad I overslept".

"Everything happens for a reason" Sonic said seriously.

He wholeheartedly believed that statement. His entire Kanto journey had begun due to his heartbreak from back home. And it had led to the present.

"So how is it we travelled at the same time maybe a few days apart in the duration of our journeys and your pokemon are so much stronger?"

Sonic sighed.

"Did you really expect us to be equally powerful when our journeys were so different? I will admit that…" he went to say his almost death at Mewtwo's hands was a really serious predicament but remembered Ash wouldn't remember it "that those 3 idiots of team rocket stalking you could give you some battle prowess but I literally tackled their boss 3 times, raided their bases 3 times too, trained every day. That's our difference. You talk the talk. But you haven't walked much of the walk. I did".

Ash heard all of it but still didn't believe the distance between them should be this big.

"So you went through harder challenges. I get it. But still… for your Blastoise to beat my bulbasaur in one move".

"Well let's see. Final form vs first form, hit you with a super-effective move and your bulbasaur barely scratched my Blastoise. Yeah I'd say Blastoise had the edge".

"But we trained hard. And we had the type advantage".

"Type advantages are not everything. Battling has more variables than just your bond with your pokemon and type advantages".

"I don't believe that. If you believe in your pokemon you can beat anyone".

"Like you beat…" again he almost revealed their adventure on new Island "like you beat my Moltres with your charizard? And to think I had hope that your charizard would give me trouble. But it was only evenly powerful with my Moltres".

"Perhaps you want a rematch to verify it!" Ash said getting in front of Sonic.

"Maybe another time. We have work to do here" Sonic said putting them back on track.

"Hm. You're still a total chicken" Ash teased him again.

Sonic then turned angry. Not at being called a chicken but at Ash's childish behavior.

"Alright, I've heard enough Ash. You claim you want to be a pokemon master right?!"

"Yeah".

"Then start owning up to your failures. You undertrained for the indigo tournament yes or no?"

"No".

"… Ok fair enough. Maybe you didn't undertrain for the others. But you did hear of my battles, of the challenges I had to tackle. Did you or did you not consider that you would have to cross a greater threshold of power to defeat me?"

"I… I know I can beat you ok? I just…"

"No. No just. No excuses. Answer me with the facts. Both of our battles. Our compared journeys. Do you really believe you were my equal in battle at the indigo tournament?"

Ash clenched his fist. He remembered his feelings during the break in their battle at the indigo tournament. How he couldn't accept that he hadn't worked hard enough yet. He knew back then that Sonic was way stronger but couldn't accept it.

"I'm going to be a pokemon master one day. I know I am. And that means I will beat you one day".

"And I believe you have that potential" Sonic answered "but that's all you have. The potential. And it can only be realized through hard work and training. I hope you understand that" Sonic said as they proceeded on their way, having spent enough time chatting already.

After about 5 more minutes of walking the path they reached the foot of the volcano. The path led them inside the volcano. After entering they saw that the volcano from the inside wasn't as deep as it looked. It wasn't filled with lava but rather, a small valley where the titan Moltres probably lived.

At the center of the small round valley, was a small shrine with a glowing sphere containing an orange to red shining energy was located. Ash went to grab it immediately as Sonic received a phone call which surprised him as he had no signal ever since getting the island.

"Hello?"

"Sonic… bzzt.. Sonic… bzzzt".

"Knuckles?"

"…ig problem…. a prophecy… the titans… guardian of the seas will appear.." the signal was cut. Sonic barely made anything out of it.

"Knuckles must have found something" he thought as he looked around looking for any signs of Moltres.

Looking closely to a small opening on the inner wall of the volcano he saw a bunch of familiar feathers on the ground.

"Moltres feathers…" he said picking one of them up.

Feeling one of the pokeballs on his belt shaking he was now sure, something bad had happened.

"I got the treasure!" Ash called out to him.

Sonic didn't answer as his mind was racing. Where was the titan Moltres? If the titans were supposed to be tests for the chosen one, why wasn't it here to guard the treasure? And that storm. Moltres' mere presence would have kept it from happening.

"Everything ok?" Ash asked approaching him.

"No. Everything's not ok".

"What are those?"

"Moltres wings. The freak storm from earlier was caused because something happened to the titan Moltres. The fact that it wasn't here to test you proves it. The damn weather proves it" he said pointing upwards.

Suddenly a net came out of nowhere, trapping Pikachu, Raichu and Sonic. Ash was left dumbfounded as team rocket appeared in their hot air balloon pulling the net upward.

"Ahahaha. Prepare for trouble!"

"Make it double!"

"To protect the world from devastation".

"To unite all people's 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 the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight".

"Meowth that's right!"

"Team rocket?!" Ash said in shock not expecting them.

"You 3 idiots again?" Sonic said calmly but annoyed from inside the net "don't you have anything better to do now that your boss is in exile?"

"Oh he won't be for long. Once we deliver you, your raichu and the brat's Pikachu to him, we will be greatly rewarded".

"Yes. What you achieved means nothing" James teased Sonic "team rocket will blast off again".

"Oh it certainly will if I'm not out of this net within the next 3 seconds"

"Yeah or else what?" Meowth asked gloating finally feeling powerful against Sonic.

"Or I will just let my Moltres feast on you, kitty cat".

Meowth's face became yellow in fear and he hid back inside the basket of the balloon.

"So I will count to 3".

"Ash!" Misty's voice was heard.

Sonic looked and saw Misty, Tracey and Melody arrive.

"Huh how did they get here?" Sonic wondered.

"Team rocket has caught Pikachu, raichu and Sonic" Ash said taking out a pokeball "Charizard free them!"

Charizard flew out.

"1. 2 more seconds team rocket I don't need Ash to free me".

"M-maybe we should let the hedgehog go" Meowth said in fear.

"Oh please or else what? He is all talk right now Meowth" Jessie said hitting on the back of the head.

"2"

Charizard flew towards the net only to be stopped by the James sending out his weezing to buy them time.

"3" Sonic said running out patience "raichu use…"

A thunderbolt came out of nowhere and struck the balloon causing it to lose air and crashland in front of Ash and his friends. Sonic came out of the net calm but confused wiping out the dirt from himself. Pikachu rushed back to Ash while raichu approached Sonic. Sonic then turned to meet team rocket's eyes.

"No please anything but Moltres!" Meowth dropped to his knees in fear.

"That was a quick escape as much as I hate to admit" Ash complimented Sonic.

"What are you talking about? That wasn't raichu that freed us. Neither was Pikachu".

"What?"

At that moment a powerful cry engulfed everyone. Sonic recognized the cry.

"What? No. That can't.. it shouldn't be here".

A Zapdos flew over the mouth of the volcano and then inside landing in front of the trio majestically.

"The titan of thunder" Melody said worried "what is it doing here?"

Pikachu and raichu immediately started communicating with Zapdos with electric shocks just like raichu and Mike's Zapdos had done during the indigo league.

"Hey" Sonic said looking at Meowth "translate now".

Meowth gulped.

"Pikachu is saying 'Zapdos what are you doing here? And where is Moltres? Raichu is saying that it shouldn't be here and it should go now".

"More".

"Zapdos says 'Moltres who used to rule the island of fire is no longer present. Therefore the island has no ruler and I have come to claim it".

Raichu then send another shock towards Zapdos.

"The island is not yours to take. Leave now".

Zapdos answered.

"And who are you who will tell me what to do, puny raichu?"

Raichu was offended by this and took a battle stance.

Sonic meanwhile was torn. He had come up with the idea to send Moltres out and scare Zapdos away but Melody had specifically instructed he does not call it out in front of the other titans.

And just as it seemed raichu and Zapdos would clash, a huge airship appeared over them. Square rings emerged from it, encasing Zapdos which screeched. Raichu tried to use iron tail on the rings but was thrown back.

"Oh the heck with it!" Sonic said and called out Moltres.

"No! You must not bring it out!" Melody warned.

Sonic not listening mounted Moltres as Zapdos was beginning to be lifted towards the airship.

"Raichu come quick!"

Raichu mounted Moltres alongside its trainer as more rings came out of the airship coming for them. Dodging them they soared fast. The rings instead trapped Ash and co. lifting them up towards the airship as well.

"Ash!" Sonic said as both the party and Zapdos were lifted towards the airship.

"Moltres quick! Use flamethrower to free them!"

The flamethrower however was deflected and struck them explosively. Sonic, raichu and Moltres were flung out of the mouth of the volcano. They crashlanded on the beach they had first arrived, Sonic losing his consciousness.

Ash and co were brought inside the airship looking down to see Sonic crash on the beach.

"Is he ok?" Melody asked.

"He is a tough one. But where are we?"

"Welcome" a disembodied voice welcomed them.

Ash looked around in surprise. He witnessed the titan Moltres trapped in a cage made off the square rings that had trapped Zapdos. As for the latter, the rings trapping it also had taken the shape of a cage. Both the cages were holding the birds in using electromagnetic, repelling forcefields.

"Sonic was right. Moltres was in trouble all along" Ash said in understanding.

A small floating cockpit was lowered from above. On it was a young man with green spiky hair dressed in a purple outfit combined with a sea blue jacket.

"Welcome aboard my humble airship. I assume you have already acquainted yourselves with the legendary titans of fire and thunder, Moltres and Zapdos?"

"You creep! Let them go!"

"Oh I am afraid I can't possibly do that. For I need them".

"Well we're freeing them right now!"

"If only you could. But perhaps if you listened to my reasoning you would understand my actions".

On the island of fire, Sonic started regaining his consciousness after the combined efforts of raichu, Moltres and the ringing of his phone got through to him. Getting up and thanking his pokemon, he observed the airship as he answered the phone.

"Sonic!"

"Knuckles?"

"Thank god I got through! Why weren't you picking up?!"

"No signal. Brrr.. what's going…" he said until he saw the clouds thicken and felt the temperature dropping. The weirdest thing was that the sea had turned to ice.

"Ok this might sound strange but I was out for a few moments and the sea turned to ice".

"WHAT?! TELL ME YOU'RE JOKING!" Knuckles said in a bit of panic.

"No why?"

"This is bad. Tell me all that happened in the last minutes".

"Well we were heading me and Ash to get some treasures from the islands and we began with Moltres' island where me and Tails had figured out something had happened and then Zapdos showed up trying to claim the island".

"Oh no it's worse than I thought".

"What is?"

"The titans Sonic! The titans' balance of power! Ever since Moltres disappeared the balance tipped towards the other two. And now the sea turns to ice?! Articuno has all the control right now!"

"That airship!" Sonic said remembering Zapdos was trapped and brought in "someone from in there captured Zapdos. And I bet they are also responsible for Moltres disappearing!"

"You need to free them quick! For if Articuno tries to claim any of their islands before they return, they will start fighting! And the prophecy will be fulfilled!"

"Wait. I have to go to that airship! Moltres!" Sonic said as Moltres allowed him and raichu to mount it and it soared towards the airship.

"Now tell me about the prophecy quick".

"The prophecy says that when the titans inevitably clash again for control over the islands, the guardian of the seas shall awaken again to quell their rage".

"What is the guardian of the seas?"

"A legendary pokemon. From the faraway Johto region. A pokemon named Lugia".

"Lugia?"

"Yes. It is said that its species was the ancestor of the birds' species. It is also able to control the sea currents and winds. So you must realize you can't let Lugia awaken. The risk of all 3 titans plus their creator colliding is too great. You need to free them before that happens!"

"On it! Sonic out!" he said hanging up "Moltres quick to the airship!"

Moltres cried out and flew fast towards the airship.

As Ash and co were hearing Lawrence's explanation of the prophecy of Lugia, they were all caught by surprise as Sonic, raichu and Moltres flew inside the hangar majestically. Sonic climbed off Moltres which immediately rushed to the cage of its captured titan counterpart. Sonic took a moment to look around, seeing the trapped titans and then turned to Lawrence.

"I don't know who you are, but I will only warn you once. Let the titans go now! You can't possibly hope to control them or Lugia!"

"Sonic you know about Lugia too?" Melody said confused.

"I am well connected" Sonic explained.

"Oh I recognize you. Sonic the hedgehog, hero of Kanto, chosen one of Moltres. I am Lawrence the pokemon collector. And I terribly sorry to disappoint you but I can't possibly release them. Not when I am so close. So close to fulfilling the prophecy. So close to meeting and capturing the legendary Lugia. So close to…".

Sonic while Lawrence kept monologuing, made gestures towards the controls to raichu and Moltres. The two pokemon slowly made their way around Lawrence who was too caught up in his speech to pay them any attention.

"So close to finally achieving the glory I rightfully desire. And that glory is upon me now!"

"Heh. Such a novice" Sonic thought about to give the order to attack until he heard an unknown screech coming from behind him.

Turning, he and everyone saw another bird approaching. Sonic noticed it was blue. When an ice beam was fired, he knew his time was only seconds.

"Articuno!" he thought terrified "RAICHU MOLTRES NOW!"

As Lawrence fired the square rings towards Articuno, raichu and Moltres attacked. Moltres used air slash to knock Lawrence away, while Raichu destroyed the controls freeing the other 2 titans but damaging the airship in the process.

"Sonic what have you done?!" Ash said as the airship started plummeting towards the island of thunder.

As the airship crashed and everyone roughly rolled out, with Ash obtaining the treasure of thunder in the process, Sonic thought he had done it. But he was dead wrong.

The now freed birds all saw the state of the islands and began attacking each other viciously, unleashing their most common moves like thunderbolt, flamethrower and ice beam towards each other but also taking opportunities to physically harm each other any chance they got. For a moment Sonic saw Articuno being ganged up by Zapdos and Moltres, Zapdos drill pecking it and Moltres using wing attack though Articuno bounced back up to continue the fight.

"No… I was too late" he said in terror.

Everyone retreating to the beach away from Zapdos' shrine, they were all suddenly engulfed in a giant water spout.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Sonic screamed as everyone including raichu and Moltres as well as Ash and co were engulfed and lifted of their feet spiraling through the water spout.

Sonic closed his eyes as felt he would be sick and that any moment they would either drown or crash land so roughly they would die on impact. However he felt gently touching the ground instead. Opening his eyes, he and everyone found they had teleported back to the Shamouti shrine where Ash was meant to bring the treasures. Sonic saw a weird pokemon standing on the temple overlooking the battle of the titans. Furthermore he was the water spout that had teleported them dissipate. From inside emerged a beautiful white and blue pokemon which let out a very good hearing cry. Sonic thought it to be a song for a moment until the pokemon flew towards the birds and began fighting with them.

"Lugia" Sonic whispered.

"I see you are aware of the identity of the guardian of the seas" another voice said.

"Huh?" Ash looked around "who said that?"

"Me of course" the weird pokemon overlooking the battle said and turned around.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD?!" Sonic said taking a step back and instinctively taking a crane stance, recalling a movie he had seen as a kid "what are you?!"

"Show some respect" Melody berated him.

"I am Slowking the guardian of this temple. I am the one who oversees the tradition fulfilled every year. Chosen one" he said turning to Ash "do you have the treasures?"

Ash silently walked up to the pedestals.

"The island of fire" he said as he put the fire treasure on the pedestal overlooking Moltres' island.

"The island of thunder" he said as he repeated the process with the other treasure.

"You still miss one" the slowking said.

"Yeah I know".

While they were talking Lugia was being overpowered as the birds were all striking it, choosing to ally first against the common enemy then continue destroying one another. Lugia plummeted and broke through the ice into the cold sea.

"NO!" Ash said seeing this development "we have to help it! We need to do something".

"We can't" the slowking said "only the guardian of the seas can quell the wrath of the titans. That is the prophecy".

"Yeah whatever Slowking" Sonic said heading to his Moltres "I'm not about to just let the islands be destroyed because of some prophecy".

"You can't possibly best the titans in battle alone" Slowking said again.

"And what am I supposed to do? Let them wage war? Kill their own creator? Everyone on the islands?"

"Still. You can't beat them alone" Melody warned him.

"If I have to I will".

Melody knew Sonic was going to head into a hopeless battle. Choosing to break tradition for once, she blew her conch shell.

The same song Sonic had heard coming from Lugia echoed through the air.

"What the… Lugia's cry? How?"

At that moment Lugia broke once again through the ice and approached the Shamouti shrine while still flying.

"The song has restored my health. But it alone cannot quell the rage of the titans".

"It talks… just like mewtwo. Is it a psychic type?" Sonic wondered.

"Then how do we stop them?" Ash asked Lugia.

"When all 3 treasures are placed on the pedestals my song will be able to calm the titans and end their conflict".

"One treasure remains" Sonic said "Articuno's".

"And it has to be the chosen one who gets it" the slowking clarified.

"So I have to go to Articuno's island and find the treasure" Ash summarized.

"And how will you get there with the titans obliterating everything they see?" Misty asked him worried.

"Maybe you can keep them busy. Or maybe even call your friend to come with his Zapdos and help you" Ash said referring to Sonic.

"Oh that's a great idea. Call Mike to come here in minutes from Kanto which is hundreds of miles away. Why didn't I consider it earlier?"

"Well at least I am considering an option this time".

"Just forget it. I will go to the island, get the treasure and you put it on the pedestal".

"The chosen one has to physically bring the treasure back" the slowking reminded them.

"Ash has to go? No other way? We're doomed" Sonic commented.

"Why exactly?"

"You cannot even stand up to my Moltres. You expect to go to the island unscathed by the battle of the titans and return still unscathed before they end up destroying the whole island complex?"

"Well I'm not the one who recklessly freed them!"

"Maybe one of you can keep the titans busy" Tracey suggested trying to calm them.

"And of course it has to be me because Ash is the so called chosen one" Sonic said frustrated "Some chosen one. I could go to the island and bring the treasure back in minutes but no. The fate of the entire orange island complex depends on this moron".

"Who are you calling a moron?!"

"You! You might have a brave heart but you are reckless and don't think before you act!"

"And you are too calculating and arrogant!"

"At least I can back up my words with actions!"

"You're an idiot!"

"You are a bigger idiot!"

"ENOUGH!" Melody screamed getting everyone's attention.

"I don't know what the history of the two of you is. But it doesn't matter. You Ash are the chosen one. But Sonic also has an equally important role to play. I know what I sensed. And I am never wrong in this regard".

Sonic looked down considering her words. His attention was brought back to Lugia who was still waiting for them to finish planning as well as the birds who were still trying to destroy one another. Sighing he decided it was time for them to stop acting like children.

"Melody's right" he said to Ash "whatever we believe of each other doesn't matter right now. What matters is saving the islands, the people and the pokemon living here. And whether we like it or not we have to work together to end this titan war".

Ash closed his eyes and sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, it was the truth.

"Ok then. We work together".

"Alright then first and foremost, we need to find a way to get you on that island. Now that I think about it… you all followed us to the island of fire. How?"

"With my multi-purpose boat. Unfortunately it's back on the island" Melody explained.

"Doubt it would be useful this time. The sea is frozen" Sonic said looking at the frozen surface.

"Frozen… that's it! Sonic you're a genius!" Ash said coming up with a plan.

"Excuse me?"

"I know what to do. There is a way to get to the island of ice".

Sonic would have loved to see the plan take shape but knew someone had to be the bait. He turned to Lugia.

"Lugia. Will you allow me to assist you against the titans?"

"Yes. We shall take them together this time. Your Moltres will prove a most useful ally".

Sonic's Moltres cried out in agreement, stretching its wings so Sonic could ride it.

"Then we have a plan" he said riding Moltres alongside raichu "good luck Ash. We're all counting on you".

Pikachu and raichu shared a nod of understanding.

"We will save the islands" Ash declared as he sent out Chrizard bulbasaur and squirtle "go and buy us time".

Sonic nodded and patted Moltres on the sides with its legs. The legendary bird soared fast and flew alongside Lugia towards the clashing titans.

"Lugia if I may ask?" Sonic ask loudly to be heard above the screams of the passing cold wind "what type are you and what moves do you know?"

Lugia was perplexed as a human asking a pokemon what type it was wasn't all that common but answered nevertheless.

"Flying and psychic type. I know the flying type move aeroblast, the water type move hydro pump, the psychic type move psychic and the water type move whirlpool".

"A pokemon known as guardian of the seas and is not a water type?" Sonic asked before he could refrain "sorry for that. Ok. Our main target will be articuno and Moltres. Take them out first then fight Zapdos together. I take articuno you take Moltres. If Zapdos gives you trouble try to dodge as much as possible and I will come to get its attention!"

"Understood. Your name?"

Moltres cried out before Sonic could answer.

"Sonic. I see your Moltres trusts you greatly. I will trust you too then".

"Good let's go!" Sonic said determined as they approached the clashing titans.

The titans immediately noticed the new arrivals including the non-titan Moltres. Immediately they rushed to attack the newcomers, aiming mostly for Lugia.

"Moltres! Get articuno's attention! Flamethrower!"

Moltres immediately unleashed a jet of flames that struck articuno. The legendary bird of ice changed its direction as a dogfight between them started.

"Moltres I know this is risky but try and use air slash while barrel rolling. Raichu hold on tight!"

Moltres immediately obeyed and started spinning unleashing a barrage of air blades that continuously struck Articuno. Several of them however went rogue and struck Zapdos instead getting its attention.

"Oh boy" Sonic thought as the two birds started attacking with thunderbolt and ice beam while pursuing them.

"Moltres we need to knock out Articuno quick!" Sonic said as they dodged a thunderbolt "flamethrower!"

Moltres turned around and fired another jet of flames at articuno which damaged it greatly. But it also left them vulnerable against Zapdos.

The legendary bird of thunder unleashed a powerful thunderbolt but before it could strike them, Raichu raised its tail and absorbed all the electricity as if it had lightning rod. Sonic did feel some of raichu's pain and grabbed his side. Moltres turned its head and looked at them concerned.

"We're fine Moltres. Don't worry about us. Focus on the battle at hand".

Looking down while in pain, he saw a pair of familiar orange webbed wings pulling some sort of makeshift sleight.

"Ash you maniac" Sonic said smiling.

While Lugia was doing its best to keep the titan Moltres busy, articuno noticed Ash and unleashed a powerful ancient power. The rocks landed in front of the sleight, causing Ash and his pokemon to stop their progress. Sonic cursed as he asked his Moltres to attack articuno again, considering the chance they would have to fly Ash to the island.

Caught up in their thoughts they were zapped again by Zapdos albeit raichu again absorbed the blast causing itself and Sonic some pain. Sonic decided that they had to try and take out the strongest opponent first. Articuno's ice beam could be tanked but not thunderbolt.

"Moltres fly close to Zapdos and burn it down!"

Moltres darted towards Zapdos dodging its attacks as best as it could, while Sonic and raichu did their best to hang on.

Finally reaching a breath away from Zapdos, Sonic ordered the flamethrower fired. Moltres' jet of fire hit Zapdos head on causing it to fall to the frozen surface. Sonic turned around to face the Articuno again when he saw it fleeing towards his island.

"What the… oh no Ash!"

Following Articuno over to its shrine on the mountain in the middle of the ice island, Sonic came across a very weird scene; Ash was there with Pikachu, Jessie James and Meowth. Thinking they were trying to catch Pikachu again, he ordered Moltres to attack articuno with air slash momentarily sending it plummeting down. Moltres then landed in front of Ash and team rocket with Sonic looking at them threateningly.

"Moltres take them out! They have annoyed us for the last time!"

Team rocket cowered in fear.

"Wait!" Ash stopped them "they are on our side. They brought me here".

Sonic was taken aback by the turn of events. He wished to question them further but the re-arising of articuno as well as the arrival of Zapdos changed his plans.

"Get back to Shamouti quick! I'll hold them off!"

Soaring back up, followed by Zapdos and Articuno, Sonic and Moltres flew towards Lugia and titan Moltres who were still clashing.

"Lugia!" Sonic screamed "Ash needs a ride!"

Lugia turned its head and saw Ash running down the side of the mountain of Articuno's island. Sonic saw the titan Moltres preparing to fire a jet of flames towards Lugia and had his Moltres counter with its own flamethrower to cancel out the effect. Doing so however had all 3 birds now on their tail.

Lugia flew towards the island of ice and flew side by side the running Ash.

"You got the sphere?"

"I did" Ash said revealing it.

"Good. Get on quick. Your friend won't be able to hold them off forever".

Ash witnessed Sonic, raichu and Moltres getting swarmed by the titans, doing their best to dodge, fire back and raichu specifically tanking Zapdos' electric attacks. Nodding he jumped on Lugia and rode it with Pikachu as did team rocket grabbing hold of Lugia's tail.

Sonic saw it happen looking sideways momentarily and smiled before having to help his Moltres dodge an ice beam from Articuno.

The titans however quickly figured out what was happening and charged Lugia together. Lugia did its best to dodge but the combined weight of Ash, Pikachu and team rocket was severely lowing its agility and flighty maneuvering ability. Sonic looked at Shamouti and saw it was still very far away.

"Shit they need more time!"

A crazy idea then came to his mind. Not exactly crazy. More like suicidal. But Ash needed time.

"Moltres I need you to get me above Zapdos ok?"

Moltres and raichu looked at him in question but Moltres regardless followed through.

Soaring above the other flying types, Sonic saw team rocket letting go off Lugia and falling down below losing them from his sight.

"What the..? Did they slip? Or did they… sacrifice themselves?"

Having no time to think about it as he saw Lugia getting swarmed, he looked down making sure he was right above Zapdos.

"Be ready to catch me ok?"

And before either of his pokemon could react, Sonic jumped off of Moltres and skydived through the air. His eyesight became blurred as the cold wind was burning his open eyes due to the speed of his fall. Eventually he achieved his target, falling onto and grabbing onto the Zapdos which lost its balance and started plummeting.

"GET TO SHAMOUTI!" Sonic managed to scream at Ash as Articuno and the titan Moltres followed the plummeting Zapdos.

Zapdos quicky regained its balance and flew back up only to be hit by an ice beam from Articuno which was aimed at Sonic.

Sonic's plan was working. The titans had forgotten about his Moltres and Lugia. That was all he could think. Making them attack each other.

As Articuno's wings glowed and it began darting towards Zapdos, Sonic balanced on it and jumped off, landing on Articuno. Articuno's steel wing slammed hard into Zapdos damaging it.

Sonic, now flying on Articuno's back as it tried to shake him off felt confident at his plan. He however had forgotten one very important factor; raichu was no longer with him to absorb Zapdos' attacks.

Zapdos unleashed another thunderbolt that hit Articuno head on. Sonic felt the electric current go through his body as his skin started roasting.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!" he screamed in pain while Articuno screeched in pain.

Raichu who was observing the ordeal with Sonic's Moltres felt the searing pain course through its body as well, crying out in pain.

Ash who was still on Lugia's back heard the scream and the screech of pain and looked over his shoulder. He could tell even though he couldn't see that Sonic had just been zapped by Zapdos and was getting the attention of all 3 birds at once alone without his pokemon.

"Lugia hurry! Sonic's in danger" Ash told Lugia, surprised at himself that he was actually worried about Sonic.

Lugia increased its speed, the shrine of Shamouti now visible. Melody, Misty and Tracey alongside the guardian Slowking were observing concerned.

Zapdos stopped its attack as Articuno fired an ice beam towards it while Sonic panted heavily trying to collect himself after that shock. Having been zapped by Mike's Zapdos before he could tell the titan Zapdos was much stronger.

Looking back up, he saw Moltres and Zapdos preparing to attack Articuno, their aim being Sonic himself.

"Damnit! I got to jump!"

Whistling, hoping his Moltres would take this as a signal to come to his aid, Sonic jumped off just as the attacks hit Articuno. Skydiving this time much more chaotically, he closed his eyes ready to crash onto the hard ice and be torn apart.

A familiar cry reached his ears. Opening his eyes he saw his Moltres, with raichu on his back diving next to him. Reaching for Moltres' back to ride it again, he managed to position himself on it.

"MOLTRES SOAR QUICK!"

Moltres opened its wings to increase its wind resistance, break the fall and soar again.

But it was too little too late.

Crashing hard onto the ice and falling into the freezing water, Sonic looked around through the water as raichu was swimming towards the surface. Moltres on the other hand had fainted and was slowly sinking.

When articuno was struck by the other birds' attacks, it accidentally unleashed an ice beam. Lugia was hit and plummeted down crashing into the freezing water. Ash surfaced to catch his breath. He was just quick enough to witness his rival skydiving, trying to be saved by his Moltres and then crashing through the ice.

"SONIC!" he screamed in terror. Instinctively he and Pikachu who was just next to him swam towards the temple shore. Misty came to help him out worried.

"Are you ok Ash?"

"I am… but I need to get to the shrine. Sonic just…"

"I saw it".

Ash, followed by Pikachu and Misty started walking up the steps towards the Shamouti temple. Halfway through he knelt in exhaustion and pain.

"You alright? Let me help you".

"I'm fine Misty" Ash said in gratitude "thank you. But it falls to me to end it. I am the chosen one".

"You are" Misty nodded while thinking how amazing he was.

"I will save the islands" he said getting back up in determination and continuing his climb towards the temple where Tracey, Melody and Slowking were waiting anxiously.

"And Sonic".

Speaking of him, Sonic was swimming down towards Moltres despite the freezing cold water burning every fiber of his body. Grabbing Moltres by the body he hit it a couple of times until it regained its senses enough to swim and float back up towards the surface. Rising and breathing heavily taking in the oxygen, coughing as well to get the sea water off their mouth they slowly but steadily climbed out of the frozen sea and onto a steadier piece of frozen surface. Sonic helped Moltres whose flaming wings were now almost entirely out of flames out of the water but it was too weak to move.

He took out his pokeball to recall it, but Moltres cried out looking up. Sonic looked up as well and saw all 3 of the titans flying above them like vultures ready to attack.

Looking at each of the titans he tried to come up with a plan to escape but couldn't think of any. His only method of fast transportation was Moltres which was now too weak to move.

Moltres cried out at Sonic as if it was telling him and raichu to run. Raichu instead got to Moltres' side and hugged it as best as it could.

Sonic followed suit. They weren't going to abandon it. No matter what.

Looking back up to the titans he saw them charge their attacks and closed his eyes.

"I love you guys" he said hugging both of his pokemon waiting for the attacks.

Suddenly the song of Lugia echoed through the air. The titans immediately stopped their attacks and witnessed their creator flying towards them, singing its song. The birds all cried out in unison as the clouds began slowly lifting.

"HAHA! YES!" Sonic exclaimed in joy "ASH YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT!"

The frozen sea surface under them melted returning to liquid state, causing them to fall back in. As the sky appeared again and the air got warmer and warmer again, Sonic, raichu and Moltres were lifted by Lugia's psychic and raised to the level he and the titans were. The titan Moltres flew closer to Sonic's Moltres. The two Moltres exchanged a few cries before the titan Moltres shared its flames with Sonic's Moltres restoring its flaming wings and its health. Lugia's song also restored Sonic's injuries as well as raichu's as the duo was helped to ride Moltres again and flew along with Lugia towards the Shamouti shrine.

Ash waiting on the shrine seeing Sonic and his pokemon return alongside Lugia.

Sonic dismounted Moltres and approached.

"Well I owe you my life. Congratulations chosen one".

Ash grinned with a hint of gloating.

Melody also approached them.

"You saved the islands and helped the guardian of the seas restored balance. I was wrong to be so absolute".

"Wrong?" Sonic said confused "but you weren't. Ash did manage to fulfil his task".

"But not without your help. You risked your life to help him do it. I said he was the chosen one and you had an equally important role. But it wasn't the case at all. You two together were this year's chosen one".

Ash and Sonic looked at each other. They smiled at each other.

"I guess we were kind of absolute about each other before" Ash admitted.

"Yeah. I keep forgetting that real power comes from the heart. And I know first-hand you got the biggest heart man" Sonic responded.

"How do you know?"

Sonic face-palmed in his head as he also kept forgetting Ash's memories had been wiped by Mewtwo.

"I just know. And I know that one day you will reach your full potential".

"On that day I will beat you".

"I'm counting on that" Sonic said smiling.

The next moment, Delia and Professor Oak, having arrived on Shamouti on a chopper, albeit through a not very pleasant landing finally made their way to the shrine. As they started talking to Ash, Sonic excused himself and rode Moltres to return to his family.

While on the air his eyes met Lugia's and then roamed towards the middle of the archipelago were the titans were now peacefully and graciously flying with each other.

"It was nice meeting you Lugia" Sonic said.

"The pleasure was all mine Sonic. You are as powerful and brave as your Moltres claim you to be. I wish you the best of luck".

"See you around" Sonic said and flew off.

Returning to the hotel, Sonic was reunited with his parents and Jet. He narrated every last bit of the search for the treasure and the fight with the titans. Remembering while narrating that Lawrence was still out there and had crashed on the island of Zapdos, Sonic made a quick trip to the island.

He found Lawrence had already left, leaving his wrecked airship behind. As they had no way to find him, he could only hope that he would not repeat this crazy plan anymore and continue his life normally. Afterwards Sonic, raichu and Moltres returned to Shamouti, intending to continue spending the rest of their vacation peacefully.

Chapter Text

Sonic was lying on the sofa in his backyard, raichu a bit more nearby trying to find something to do.

After their vacation at the orange islands life had gone back to normal for a while and was fun at first. Being able to hang out with Tails, Knuckles and Jet again like old times, before his rejection from Amy and the whole debacle that lead to his journey through Kanto, felt nice.

But after a while Sonic began missing travelling. How every day was an adventure, full of new experiences, new faces, new battles. The battle part wasn't maybe his most favorite part but back then he felt like he had found a purpose. And his pokemon felt the same way back then.

Now his pokemon were all bored trying to find something to do. While they did spar pretty often, but only when they left the house as Sonic's mother forbade sparring in her backyard, there weren't a lot of really interesting things to do. Raichu was a lot more content compared to the rest of its teammates but it too felt bored from time to time.

One particular thing they had found to pass their time was testing Sonic and raichu's abnormal connection. Especially after the orange island battle, Sonic immediately contacted Tails and asked him to set up equipment for tests. Tails immediately got to work but was ready about 3 days after Sonic and his family were back home.

They ran loads of tests starting from simple physical trials and eventually reaching the point where raichu had to spar against its teammates. Just like before Sonic didn't feel anything. When however Tails researched online how to teach a pokemon thunderbolt for research purposes and had Sonic's shiny nidoking forget leer in favor of thunderbolt, they did find something. The moment raichu was struck by the thunderbolt, Sonic grabbed his sides as if he was shivering. Tails, looking through the readings of Sonic's body functions identified an unusual spike of energy going through Sonic's body, affecting his pain receptors a little bit.

"It has got to be from the night raichu evolved. The way it evolved. It evolved by declaring you its friend and fighting to protect you. I heard lately that an evolution of golbat was discovered named Crobat which evolves if someone has a powerful bond of friendship with their golbat" Tails explained.

"New pokemon?" Sonic asked intrigued.

"Yes. From Johto".

"Like Lugia?"

"Exactly".

"Damn. So wait. Back to our original problem. Raichu evolved because of friendship in a way. That I get. How was that bond of me receiving its pain too created?"

"I think it's kind of a side effect of the double power thing. You know. There's always a catch with such deals. But it's too early to say for sure. There is a chance that the more you and raichu bond the more damage will be reflected onto you but also the stronger raichu will get. I doubt it will ever be lethal like it should have been from Zapdos back then".

"Or from Zapdos in the orange islands".

"Wait. You got zapped by Zapdos AGAIN? And you're still alive?!"

"Yeah. As crazy as it sounds".

"Oh boy there's a lot to find here. This is beyond just a bond. And that power boost, rejuvenation, whatever it was you did against Mike… that was also a result of your bond with raichu. We should keep running tests occasionally, maybe we'll find something".

And they did. Twice a week. But nothing new ever came up.

They also once gathered at Sonic's house to view the orange islands champion battle. The challenger was Ash. Tails having researched about the orange island challenge, found there were only 4 gyms but their challenges were sort of unique. Should one beat them all they had the right to challenge the champion, Drake, for the title of orange islands champion. Drake was known for his power as a trainer and his mastery of a dragonite. Sonic was impressed as Dragonite was one of the hardest pokemon to raise, which was a reason why he didn't try to pursue a dratini back in Kanto's safari zone.

After a long battle they all witnessed Ash's Pikachu prevail against Drake's dragonite, knocking it out and earning Ash the win. Tails tried to downplay this victory stating that Sonic would give Drake a run for his money as he had a team similar in some ways to Mike's and Sonic had prevailed against Mike and Zapdos so Dragonite would be an easy challenge. Sonic countered that Ash didn't win by luck or any other factor. He did have it in him. And Ash also had a lapras now. Lapras had proved almost deadly against Sonic so he couldn't underestimate Ash. Furthermore, Dragonite was a dragon and flying type. It was only weak to dragon, ice and rock moves, 4 times weak to ice to be more precise. Sonic did have an ice user on his party, his Blastoise but he did see in during his league experience that making his pokemon so one sided battlers was a tad bit dangerous, as he had admitted Moltres keeping ancient power instead of learning solarbeam would have been a lot more helpful. Raichu was a physical attacker so he could have had a good chance against Mike's Lapras.

They kept analyzing the match, Sonic's possible changes to his match with Mike and Ash's potential all night that night, all 4 of them. But after that life kept going.

Sonic recalled all that along with all of his adventures with his team nostalgically. He recalled everyone he had met. Mike, mr Fuji, Reina, Gary, Misty, Brock, Ash. His journey had earned him back his confidence and a new appreciation for himself and his real friends but now he felt like his life was kind of boring. Not in a not cool way but in a mundane way.

On the porch tables laid his pokeballs, their bright red color shining in the sun, with the exception of Moltres' ultra ball. They were stacked with the 4 pokeballs holding up Moltres' ultra ball. Raichu's pokeball was always on Sonic, be it his pocket or his belt when he wore one.

He closed his eyes though he didn't really want to nap. He needed some action.

The sound of a pokeball hitting the table was heard.

Sonic looked in confusion to see that one of his pokeballs was shaking, resulting in the formation being broken. Confused, he picked up the pokeball and sent out the pokemon inside.

The pokemon inside was his Alakazam.

"Everything alright Alakazam?"

Alakazam wasn't looking at him. The moment it came out it was in a meditative stance.

"Alakazam. Hello?"

Suddenly Alakazam started humming. Weird hums. Sonic feared something bad was happening until he started noticing the hums had some sort of pattern. He rushed to his phone.

"Tails. We have a situation".

Half an hour later, Sonic was in Tails' lab which was essentially his family's garage. Tails hooked up some equipment to Alakazam and bringing his laptop, downloaded psychic type translators.

"That's a thing?" Sonic asked him.

"As farfetched as it sounds, yes. Psychic types act with their mind so they are the closest scientists have ever gotten to communicating with pokemon".

Recording Alakazam's hums, the algorithm started slowly but steadily deciphering them. After a while a set of numbers appeared in the screen.

"Coordinates" Tails said intrigued "it's relaying out coordinates".

"Coordinates? To what? And where?" Sonic asked confused.

"To what I don't know. As for the where" Tails said adding the coordinates to an online map to give them a location.

The location was north of Celadon city in Kanto, deep into wild territory.

"What the…? Kanto?" Tails inquired.

Sonic then recalled a detail.

"Alakazam's mother escaped there after I freed her. Maybe she's calling to it!"

Alakazam was observing his trainer's and his trainer's friend's conversation when he received another psychic message like the coordinates.

"Bring him here".

Alakazam hummed again, relaying the message to Tails' computer.

"Bring him here? Someone's calling you Kanto".

Sonic remained silent. The only possible option to call him was Alakazam's mother. But why would she?

"Alakazam? Raichu?" he said to his pokemon.

A hum and a rai echoed in the lab.

"How would you like to visit your homeland?"

Raichu and Alakazam were ecstatic at the prospect of travelling again.

"Good. Let's go home. Moltres should be able to fly us there and back".

"Hey wait. It won't be able to" Tails stopped him.

"Why not?"

"Because" Knuckles' voice was heard as he entered the room to find his friends "it won't be able to carry 3 individuals at such a long distance".

"3?" Sonic asked before putting the dots together.

"You don't really think after all that's happened that we'll just let you go another possible death adventure alone, do you Sonic?"

"Guys" Sonic said in surprise "there will be no danger this time. Team rocket is disbanded. We're probably going for a reunion with Alakazam's mother".

"Regardless we're coming with you. And don't fight it. I've already booked tickets on the next flight" Tails revealed.

"But… we learned of the need to go to Kanto again like…2 minutes ago".

"Did I stutter?" Tails asked him savagely.

Sonic was left with his jaw hanging as Knuckles burst out in laughter. Sonic and Tails also joined.

"Alright then" Sonic relented in the end "get your stuff ready we'll be flying soon".

After returning home to collect his pokemon and let his family know of his departure, Sonic made for the airport. He met Tails and Knuckles there waiting for him, Knuckles even bringing a lot of camping gear.

"Why all the gear Knuckles?"

"You never know".

Sonic wanted to insist and get in an argument for fun that they would be going there and return rather soon so nothing would transpire out of the ordinary but a small part of him welcomed the possibility of adventure so he simply nodded.

About 2 hours later they were inside the plane. Since the flight was an overnight flight, bound to arrive to Kanto the next day, Knuckles knocked himself out to get a good rest, Sonic was relaxing listening to music including his favorite song, I'm here which he had just come to love even more after his Kanto journey and Tails who was pretending to sleep but was actually wondering why in any world would Alakazam's mother call them.

His slight jolt after some unexpected turbulence notified Sonic of his friend's pretending.

"Can't sleep?" Sonic asked him lowering his headphones.

"No. Something about the whole trip isn't clicking with me"

"What's not to click? Most likely we're just going to find Alakazam's mother".

"It can't be her".

"Huh?"

"She herself told you Sonic take care of my boy before fleeing with the other pokemon. So why would she you call you now? It doesn't make sense for it to be her".

"But then who? Or what?"

"I don't know. The only clue is that is has to be a psychic type pokemon. Only that kind of pokemon could have communicated like that with Alakazam".

Sonic's eyes widened momentarily when Tails mentioned that.

"Was it… him?"

"Who?"

Sonic had spoken the question out accidentally.

"Was it who Sonic?"

Sonic tried to speak but couldn't get the words out. He couldn't reveal that secret.

"There is another possibility. But I can't reveal it. Not yet".

"Why not?"

"It's complicated. But you're going to have to wait until we verify it".

"Verify what?" Knuckles asked having woken up.

Sonic was now trapped.

"Sonic you're caught now so spill it. Do you know who's calling Alakazam and you to Kanto?" Tails insisted.

Sonic sighed.

"Not for sure. But there is a pokemon that could be calling us".

"Who?"

"Look I will be as honest as I can. During the time after fighting Agatha up to my final battle with Giovanni, I have been keeping stuff".

"You've been keeping stuff from us?" Tails said in disbelief.

"I had my reasons".

Tails was hurt by that revelation. In all their time they had never hidden anything from one another.

"What did you hide from us?"

"Not just from you. From all of Kanto".

"You lied on that broadcast?!" Knuckles almost screamed but managed to just whisper it instead.

"I had to" Sonic tried to explain.

"Did Giovanni escape and is regrouping?!" Tails guessed.

"No. I didn't lie about that. I lied about what I fought".

"Yeah we know that. You lied about the existence of Mewtwo".

Sonic didn't add anything. Tails however was able to easily connect the dots.

"You met Mewtwo again?!"

Sonic kept silent.

"You did!" Tails said as he could read Sonic like an open book since he knew him for so long.

"I can't tell you anything about this. And if it really is him, I need to go find him alone".

"Why?" Knuckles asked.

"I can't say. But you know what he is capable of. So you should stay in Celadon when we get there" Sonic said and put his headphones back on ending the conversation.

The next day after arriving in Kanto, the team was sour from last night's revelation. Getting to Celadon city, Tails and Knuckles agreed with Sonic that they would stay and tour the town while Sonic went to see what Alakazam was pointing him towards. Sonic set out towards the north of the city, heading for the foot of Mount Moon.

The walk was long and hard, not physically but emotionally. Sonic had hoped to keep Mewtwo's secret and not break his trust forever. It had been so long since their encounter at New Island that he had forgotten all about it.

"If it really is Mewtwo why did it call me here?" Sonic wondered.

He heard a twig break behind him and turned around, raichu ready to attack. Sonic saw a bush moving.

"Raichu get ready".

"Rai".

Just as it seemed something would jump out from the bush, something did jump out. A small growlithe.

"Oh thank god. For a moment I thought we were followed".

Returning to their quest they eventually reached the foot of Mount Moon. Sonic saw on his phone that the coordinates were leading him inside the mountain. Following the foot of the mountain, he found a small natural cave opening.

"This must be it" he said to raichu.

The duo walked inside the cave. At first it was dark and raichu charged its punch with electricity to illuminate the darkness.

Eventually they saw light on the end of the tunnel. Emerging from the darkness they witnessed a beautiful spectacle.

A big cave, so big that it could fit a building, was extending in front of them. Like a world under the world. Sonic slowly walked forward, followed by raichu. His pokemon voluntarily came out of his pokeballs, interacting with the other pokemon which observed their arrival with interest. Several even went and rubbed on his feet with a lot of familiarity. Sonic found it cute but couldn't understand why they were all so friendly.

"What would an appropriate welcome be for their savior if not their friendliness?" a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

Sonic looked up and there he was. Purple long tail, white skin and those purple once filled with rage and hatred eyes. Now filled with kindness and a sincere smile written across its face.

"Mewtwo".

"Long time no see Sonic the hedgehog. Your accomplishments continue to impress me".

"My accomplishments? You mean my league victory?"

"I mean your brave stand against the titans of the orange islands".

"Oh that. How did you know about it?"

"Lugia told me. I can connect with any mind on the planet. I of course heard his thoughts about you. You really are someone worthy of trust".

Mewtwo's eyes suddenly jolted up towards the entrance. Sonic turned around and gasped.

Tails and Knuckles had followed him.

"Tails?! Knuckles?!"

"You know them?" Mewtwo looked at him.

"I do but.."

"You brought them here?!"

"No I didn't. I…"

"I will deal with you after" Mewtwo said as he charged a shadow ball and fired towards Sonic's friends.

"Duck!" Tails screamed dodging the shadow ball. Knuckles rushed forward and attempted to punch Mewtwo only to be flung away, roughly crashing into the wall.

Mewtwo then floated towards them only for Sonic to get in between.

"WAIT!" he screamed "let's all please take a deep breath".

"Tell that to this pale jerk!" Knuckles said unaware of the circumstances.

"Want to see how much of a jerk I can be?" Mewtwo's voice echoed inside Tails and Knuckles' minds.

"It… it talks?!" Tails yelled in shock, crawling away terrified.

"Mewtwo wait. There's been a misunderstanding" Sonic pleaded before turning back to Tails and Knuckles.

"I told you not to follow me. Do you have a death wish?"

"A death wish?" Tails repeated confused beyond belief.

"I told you what I learnt about Mewtwo from that lab! Did you not get the memo? No offense" Sonic apologized quickly to Mewtwo.

Sighing he looked back to his friends.

"Look. I know I lied to you and I'm sorry. But I had to. I promised Mewtwo I would keep his secret safe".

"His secret?"

"And since when are we not to be trusted?" Knuckles countered.

"It wasn't a matter of trust Knuckles. But you know I don't reveal the secrets of others. That's what trust means" Sonic tried to make them understand.

Tails looked around to the pokemon that were observing them hidden and in fear as before they were rubbing at Sonic's feet in joy.

"Are these the pokemon you saved from team rocket?" Tails asked Sonic.

"They are" Mewtwo explained before Sonic could answer "your friend directed me here after our second encounter".

"Your 2nd encounter?" Knuckles repeated unprepared for this "so it's true? You two really met again?"

Sonic didn't know what to say anymore. He hated lying but Mewtwo's case was just something not even his friends could know without Mewtwo's approval.

"Mewtwo… is it ok if I tell them?"

"No. I will tell them myself".

"W-what?"

"I can just as easily make them forget. So I want to see what your friends are made of before I choose to do so".

Sonic was caught off guard but nodded and allowed Mewtwo to begin.

"After your friend freed me from my former master I escaped to the island I was created at. Seeing my prototype body in an ice box there, I began doubting my existence. So I created clones of 3 pokemon I knew in my early days as friends".

"Charizardtwo, venursaurtwo and blastoisetwo were your childhood… pokemonhood… your when-you-were-little friends?" Sonic asked Mewtwo.

"Yes. They didn't survive. After creating their clones, I invited trainers to the island to battle under the guise of an invitation from the world's greatest pokemon master. A lot of trainers, including Sonic responded to the invitation. I won't get into too much detail as your friend can tell you in more detail. The important thing is he helped me find peace with my origins and directed me here to help the pokemon also once enslaved by my former masters".

Tails and Knuckles were in awe listening to Mewtwo's story.

"But then why did no one tell anyone about you after that?"

"Because I erased the memories of everyone who came to the island. Everyone's… except Sonic's and his pokemons' memories".

"So that's why you lied. To make sure all these pokemon would find peace away from villains like team rocket".

"Exactly" Sonic admitted finally free from the burden of hiding it.

After Tails and Knuckles got up, Mewtwo started guiding the trio through the cave. Sonic's pokemon after the initial scuffle had begun interacting with the other pokemon, including but not limited to their clones.

"This is amazing" Tails exclaimed looking around the vast cavern "and you did it all on your own?"

"Yes. I've spend the last few weeks travelling around the region and bringing pokemon here. Not just ones who were hurt by team rocket, but ones who were hurt by humans in any way".

"I don't understand how someone could hurt such wonderful creatures" Knuckles commented while petting a nidoran male.

"Giovanni said that pokemon were nothing but a business to him. I'm not surprised others like him exist" Sonic added.

While the trio were following Mewtwo around the cave, Sonic's pokemon were getting slowly but surely starting to wonder about the same thing.

After the tour, they all sat next to the entrance of the cave where Sonic once again congratulated Mewtwo on all he had achieved.

"You have done an amazing work here Mewtwo. And I am sure you will continue to. Especially now that you won't have to deal with team rocket anymore".

Mewtwo was smiling on the first half of the sentence but when Sonic mentioned team rocket, his smile was erased.

"What is it?" Tails asked.

"I haven't yet explained why I called you here through your Alakazam".

Sonic then remembered the reason of their visit.

"True. I completely forgot. What'd you want to tell me?"

Mewtwo called forth a small ratatta from the lot. Sonic saw a familiar collar on its neck.

"Team rocket" he said gravely "they still have warehouses around the region?"

"No. This one was on the sevii islands. It's a complex of islands not far from here" Mewtwo explained "however I did find something else after I freed the pokemon there. A message. A message I knew you had to see. Or at least hear".

Mewtwo then called forth a small device from his own space in the cave. It was a small recorder. He gave it to Sonic through his psychic powers. Sonic waited a moment and then pressed play.

"Petrel. Archer has just send in commands. We're regrouping in the Johto region. The boss has been defeated at the hedgehog's hands. Join us with your remaining forces as soon as you can. Team rocket will blast off again. Ariana."

"Ariana" Sonic repeated, his hand beginning to tremble in rage as his blood boiled "team rocket isn't done yet".

"What?! That's not possible. How can they continue without their assets? Without their boss?" Tails asked in surprise.

"What do we do now Sonic?" Knuckles asked grabbing him by the shoulder to calm him.

"I'm going to go to Johto and put a tombstone on this bloody organization once and for all" Sonic said determined "guys come on. We got to go".

His pokemon however didn't come at once. Every single one except raichu approached but only raichu came all the way to Sonic.

"Is something wrong?" Sonic asked his pokemon.

Alakazam hummed talking on behalf of the team.

"He says that they are sorry to tell you but they want to stay and help me".

"What?"

Alakazam hummed more.

"He says it's not personal. You are an amazing person and they would have never chosen anyone else to be their trainer. But they feel they need to stay and help. That they are meant to be here and help".

Sonic wasn't prepared for this. Saying goodbye to his pokemon? He never thought this was a possibility.

He looked down gathering his thoughts. Tails and Knuckles looked at him, glancing at each other momentarily, worrying for their friend.

After a few moments, Sonic looked up smiling. A tear had run down his cheek while he was looking down but now only the trail of it was visible.

"I understand. To be honest… I should be the one apologizing. We spent so many days back home doing nothing that I forgot to do stuff to keep you all feeling fulfilled and with a purpose. Now you have one. One for yourselves. I can't force you to follow me on this. I started this war with team rocket. And I will finish it. But you should stay here if that's what you really want to do. That includes you too raichu".

Raichu looked up to Sonic and then his teammates. Blastoise met raichu's eyes. They were Sonic's first 2 pokemon so they shared a unique understanding. Blastoise could tell raichu wanted to be with Sonic, to battle with him, to keep him safe.

Blastoise nodded and raichu looked up at Sonic crying out its name.

"Raichu says it will come with you to the ends of the world. To the ends of any world" Mewtwo translated.

Sonic was moved. He knelt and hugged his raichu. His other pokemon also moved in to join the hug.

"I will miss you all. I really will".

"This is not goodbye" Mewtwo said knowing it didn't have to be "come here".

Sonic obeyed. Mewtwo motioned at Alakazam to come too. Putting its hands on Sonic and Alakazam, Mewtwo's eyes glowed momentarily.

"There. Now you too are connected. If you ever need a really big help your Alakazam will sense it. Your pokemon will come to assist you. Leave me their pokeballs so that I can bring them easier to you if need be".

"You… you'd do that for me?" Sonic asked moved.

"I owe you my physical and mental health. It's the least I can do" Mewtwo said smiling.

Sonic also smiled sincerely.

"Thanks Mewtwo. Really. And don't worry about me or my friends. Your secret is safe with us" he said offering Mewtwo a power bump. Mewtwo looked at the fist confused as Tails giggled a bit.

"It's a humans' custom. An unbreakable promise".

Mewtwo closed his eyes smiling and power bumped Sonic back.

After a tearful farewell with his team, Sonic, raichu by his side, Tails and Knuckles walked out of the cave and returned to Celadon.

"So now what?" Tails asked.

"I'll go to Johto. I'll find team rocket and I will tear it down. I believe I already went through that".

"Ok. Let's book tickets then" Knuckles shrugged.

"Let's?"

"You don't really think we'll let you fight round 2 alone, do you Sonic?"

"This won't be like the first round Tails".

"Exactly. We will be there to help you this time. With my smart, Knuckles' strength and your bond power with raichu, team rocket doesn't stand a chance, especially with Giovanni out of the picture" Tails explained excited.

"There's nothing you can do that will change our minds Sonic" Knuckles said "someone needs to have your back this time. Mike won't be there. And if not your friends then who?"

Sonic couldn't believe his fortune.

"Alright then. But remember it will be a long peerless journey. There's a chance we will return home after months".

Knuckles put his hand on Sonic's shoulders.

"Riddle me this. You expect me to accompany you to the Johto region and not spend at LEAST 2 months there? Do you know what crazy mythology the region has?! Not to mention all the ruins! It's candyland for me. So yeah. I don't mind staying away from home for a long time".

"No problem for me either. Honestly there is a couple of places I'd love to visit in Johto myself" Tails added.

"Alright then. Choice made. Ticket booking time".

"Rai rai!" Raichu cried out excited.

The trio booked their tickets and let their respective families know about their new journey. Later that evening, they were on the plane.

Meanwhile back home, Jet went jogging. He had just heard from Sonic, Tails and Knuckles and had learnt of their trip to Johto to get rid of team rocket for good. Slightly jealous but understanding since his and Sonic's mom again didn't let him go, he decided to jog to relieve the frustration a bit. While jogging he ran into Amy.

"Jet" she called out to him.

"What do you want Amy?"

"I want to talk to Sonic".

"Well too bad. Even if he was here, my brother is not the loser you thought he was anymore".

"What do you mean he's not here?"

"I mean that he embarked on a new journey to the Johto region. With Tails and Knuckles accompanying him".

Amy felt like she had been struck on the head. Was Sonic going for another league?

"Well I have things to do so see you around. Hopefully not" Jet said continuing his jog.

Amy was left there processing the info. When did Sonic become so adventurous?

On the plane to Johto, while the team was planning what to do when they arrived on their destination, New Bark town, Tails had an idea.

"You know I've been thinking. Team rocket is a catchy name that spread fear throughout Kanto right?"

"Yeah?" Sonic and Knuckles said at the same time.

"Well since we have teamed up to take the fight to them we should use the same tactic. A team led by the hero of Kanto to destroy team rocket? The mere name could make them shake in their boots".

"That is not too bad" Sonic agreed "so any name ideas?"

"How about the paws of justice?" Tails suggested.

Sonic and Knuckles looked at him in question.

"You know. Cause your ace is raichu and raichu has paws… you know what it sounded better in my head".

"Maybe something cool sounding like defenders of pokemon" Sonic said.

"Nah that's stupid" Tails said "it sounds like a comic series title".

"Yeah it is actually kind of comic book related".

Knuckles grinned.

"What?"

"We don't need something flashy like that. All it take is the word team and the team name".

"Ok then what?"

"Team Knuckles".

Sonic and Tails were looking at him like he was retarded. Knuckles burst out laughing annoying the other passengers a bit.

"You guys should have seen your faces" he said gathering himself. Sonic and Tails looked at each other, jokingly doubting their friend's intelligence.

"But seriously. I'm not kidding about the team part. Let's ask ourselves. Who does team rocket fear the most?"

"The police?" Tails guessed

"Sure but they can evade them".

"Giovanni?" Sonic also guessed.

"Wouldn't they fear the one who defeated Giovanni more?"

Sonic laughed.

"So we name ourselves team Sonic? Come on Knucks".

"I'm serious. What better way to plant fear into our opponents if they have lost the war with just you before".

"But what does that have to do with…"

"No, no. He's got a point Sonic" Tails stopped him.

With both of his friends having settled on the name, Sonic smiled and agreed.

"Watch out team rocket. Team Sonic is coming for you".

Chapter Text

Team Sonic exited the airport and took the bus to new bark town, intending to get something good to eat before getting started with their journey to track down and finish off team rocket.

Selecting a burger joint, the trio ordered their lunch. As raichu waited anxiously for the lunch as it was starving, Sonic narrated his adventure on New Island to his friends, all that had transpired between him and Mewtwo, as well as his gruesome act of killing his deformed clone.

"Mewtwo's cloning machine must have been programmed to clone pokemon specifically. Identifying an unknown dna sequence and yet proceeding with it could cause a kind of catastrophic result like that and it did" Tails explained.

Sonic furthermore told them of Ash's heroic act of jumping between Mewtwo and Mew's blast, turning to stone afterwards, essentially dying in the process and that the tears of the pokemon had saved him.

"That's a local myth" Knuckles commented "I read about it once but didn't pay it much attention as it was only a myth of a small town like Old Shore Wharf".

"So that's why you said that Ash has potential and the bravest heart" Tails said.

"Exactly. If only he didn't hold himself back. His statement during the indigo league is his biggest drawback. He isn't willing to change himself for the better to attain victory".

"His charizard was certainly strong" Tails added "being able to go toe to toe with your Moltres and end in a stalemate. But not evolving any of his other pokemon…"

"Do you remember that battle of his Bulbasaur and your Blastoise? Bulbasaur could literally do nothing despite the type advantage".

"Type advantage is a good advantage to have in a battle but there are a lot of other factors that can lead to victory. Too many to count them down right now but you get my point. His Bulbasaur stood no chance".

"Yeah. You know since we're in Johto I wonder what kind of pokemon we will meet" Tails inquired "Crobat was a new one I saw online. And you saw Lugia. Who knows how many other new species can be encountered here".

"You know I remember another one" Sonic said "a giant flying type pokemon. After my 2nd encounter with my Moltres, the unknown pokemon appeared and healed us both my pokemon and the then wild Moltres" he explained remembering that night, missing his Moltres.

"Who knows. It could be a local species. Maybe even a legendary".

"I know all about the legends of Johto" Knuckles said proudly "but I will recount the stories when we have a good chance. Maybe during a ruin visit".

"That's all nice guys but let's not forget to keep eyes on the price ok? We're here to end team rocket".

"And we will. But a little fun never hurt anyone" Knuckles shrugged smiling.

At that moment a window breaking sound was heard. Team Sonic looked around in surprise for the source of the sound.

"Thief!" someone screamed.

Sonic, Tails and Knuckles nodded and immediately rushed off to see what was happening.

Reaching the source of the scream, they found a man wearing a lab coat coming out of a lab facility frantic.

"Stop that thief!"

Sonic only managed to see a wave of red hair before the thief took a turn and disappeared. He and his friends approached the man.

"Sir what's the problem?" Sonic asked.

The man looked at Sonic and a look of gratitude was sketched on his face.

"The hero of Kanto! Right on time! That thief stole one of my pokemon!"

"Stole?" Sonic repeated in surprise. That was low even for a thug.

"What did he look like? Where did he go towards?"

"Red hair, dark clothes. Stole my water type totodile. He went that way. Take these and use them to bring it back" he said handing Sonic 2 pokeballs.

Sonic tossed one to Knuckles.

"Wha…?"

"We need to trap the thief. Spread out. Use whatever moves the pokemon can use. Tails go with him and help him out. Raichu with me".

"Rai".

"Sonic wait! I'm not a…" Knuckles yelled but Sonic had already darted away "trainer".

"Come on Knuckles the thief can't have gotten far" Tails said taking a different direction as Knuckles followed hesitantly while observing the pokeball in his hand.

The duo run forward for a little while until Tails stopped, unsure where to go from here.

"How do we find the thief Tails?"

"Don't ask me. Sonic made the plan".

"Damnit" Knuckles said in frustration throwing the pokeball down.

The pokeball opened and a small green and yellow pokemon appeared. Flames erupted from its back.

"Woah" Knuckles jumped back "what is this?"

Tails quickly scanned the pokemon and looked it up online.

"A local one. Fire type. Its name is cyndaquil".

"Fire… what does it know?"

"It must be a starter pokemon. It probably knows something along the lines of tackle, growl and ember".

Cyndaquil observed Knuckles silently.

"Why is it looking at me like that?" Knuckles asked.

"I think it thinks you're its trainer".

"But… but I am no trainer".

Before Tails could answer, Cyndaquil jolted away. Knuckles instinctively chased after it, followed closely by Tails.

Entering an alleyway, they came across another duo of trainer and pokemon. A red haired boy and a totodile.

"The thief!" Tails said identifying totodile from the starter page he used to identify cyndaquil as well as the description of the thief.

"Damnit! Don't you people have better things to do than badgering me? Let them have it totodile! Water gun!"

Totodile unleashed water gun. Cyndaquil hid behind Knuckles who got wet from the water gun but it didn't damage him at all since it was merely a weak water attack. Angry and wet he walked to the red haired boy, passing by totodile and grabbed him by the shirt.

"Have I told you that I hate thieves?"

The raid haired boy smiled menacingly.

"Has anyone told you it's rude to not battle back? Scratch!"

Knuckles barely ducked away from the scratch attack from totodile. Unlike water gun that would actually damage him. Totodile lunged again.

Cyndaquil suddenly tackled Totodile out of the way. Knuckles and cyndaquil's eyes met and Knuckles felt an unspoken understanding. The only way to catch that thief was to knock out the pokemon, take it from him and then catch him.

"Cyndaquil use tackle!"

"Water gun!"

Cyndaquil was blasted in the face with water. Though its tackle attack went through unimpeded, totodile took it a lot better than cyndaquil did the water gun. The flames on its back became shorter as it struggled to get up.

The red haired boy thinking they had won, made a run for it. Tails warned Knuckles the kid would escape but Knuckles unexpectedly went to check on the cyndaquil.

"Knuckles he is going to escape!"

The red haired boy was almost to the exit of the alleyway until an iron tail knocked him backwards. Sonic appeared out of the corner, raichu and the chikorita that was in the pokeball he kept by his side.

"Nice work raichu" he said scratching its head.

Totodile lunged at raichu intending to use scratch on it.

"Chikorita vine whip!"

Chikorita grabbed totodile and slammed it down hard. Totodile took heavy damage but just like cyndaquil tried to get up.

Sonic grabbed the kid by the shirt forcing him to get up.

"Game over kid. Time to give that pokemon b…"

He froze as he looked at the face of the kid. That face. The traits. The eyes. Everything apart from the red hair. It was like he was looking at…

"Giovanni" he whispered.

The red haired kid's eyes widened in shock. Quickly punching Sonic who was caught off guard, being too busy being shocked seeing the similarity between this kid and his old nemesis, he made a break for it.

"Sonic!" Tails and Knuckles shouted running to their friend.

"What happened?" Tails asked Sonic.

"You let him get away?" Knuckles asked him.

"No… I… I froze".

"Why did you freeze though?"

"I don't know. I just looked into that kids eyes… and his face… and it was like being face to face with Giovanni".

"Don't tell me you're scared of a kid" Knuckles waved his head disappointed.

"No. I mean it literally. His face was exactly the same as Giovanni's".

"Weird. In any case the kid escaped with totodile" Tails said looking towards the direction the thief escaped towards.

"I'd like to see how you explain that to totodile's owner" Knuckles reminded Sonic.

"By telling the truth. I let him escape regardless of the situation. Let's go".

Team Sonic left the alleyway and headed back towards the lab facility. During the walk there, Knuckles was carrying the wounded cyndaquil which was curled in his hands, injured but with an obvious sense of safety.

Sonic too found the chikorita he had used to hold totodile down quite cute. His raichu had also taken a liking to the small grass type pokemon.

Eventually reaching the lab facility they headed inside. The man who lent them the pokemon looked up.

"Oh you're back. Did you catch that thief?"

"We did but he managed to trick us and escape. And I also kind of let him get away".

The man was disappointed but recovered quickly.

"It's a pity. That tododile was to be picked today".

"I'm really sorry. We can still try to find him and take it back for you".

"No it's ok. Don't actively look for him. But if you do run into him, take totodile from him if it's hurt in any way by him".

While Sonic was conversing with the man, Knuckles and Tails were busy petting the cyndaquil. Knuckles had started warming up to it. It wasn't that he didn't like pokemon he just didn't know earlier how to handle cyndaquil but he'd expect someone like Sonic to wield it in battle. Now he thought he could pet it all day.

"Well sorry again mr…"

"Elm. I'm professor Elm".

"Professor? As in a pokemon professor?" Tails asked intrigued.

"Yes. In fact I knew of your identity as the hero of Kanto from my colleague and good friend professor oak. He informed me of your achievements during the previous tournament conference gym challenge as well as during the tournament itself. Taming a legendary pokemon like Moltres? That is unheard of to me. Do you happen to have it with you right now?"

"No".

"Shame I'd love to have a look at it".

"Maybe one day professor. Well here's your pokemon back" Sonic motioned to give Elm chikorita's pokeball.

"Do we have to give them back?" Knuckles asked Tails quietly and hesitantly "I kinda like this little guy".

The chikorita put its front legs on Sonic, crying out its name as if it was saying no.

"I think it got attached to you. And I think same goes for your friend and the cyndaquil".

Sonic looked at Knuckles holding the cyndaquil. It did seem like it. But they were here for a reason, not to start another badge quest.

"Guys a quick fyi?" he said approaching them "I don't know how good of an idea it is we're here to end team rocket".

"Yeah but… this little guy".

Cyndaquil curled inside Knuckles' big hands was one of the most adorable things in the world. Sonic couldn't disagree but he didn't know if taking that cyndaquil and the chikorita along would be a good thing.

"I do tend to agree with Knuckles Sonic" Tails interjected "Plus… I don't know if your raichu will be powerful enough to beat team rocket alone. Your kanto team chose its path so… I think you will need to build a new team".

Sonic rubbed his chin. It was true. Just raichu and the 3 of them wouldn't be a good enough force to tackle team rocket. He didn't consider that.

"Hm… Ok. Since we essentially have no plan I have an idea. Knuckles how would you like for us to start a new badge quest?"

"You mean tackle the gyms?"

"Exactly. Team rocket is in hiding. Whatever their plans are can't really be region-wide. So why not make this an official trip through Johto? Meet new pokemon, visit the ruins like you wished and in general do whatever the heck we want while also looking for team rocket wherever we go".

"That does sound like a sweet plan" Tails agreed "as I said earlier I do want to visit a couple of places myself".

"Good" Sonic said "Knuckles?"

Knuckles remained silent. It was indeed a promising idea and the trip would certainly be something worth remembering for their entire lives. Especially since he had the chance to follow in Sonic's footsteps if possible.

"I'm in".

"Perfect" Sonic concluded and turned back to professor elm "we'll keep the pokemon professor".

"Splendid. I'm sure you and your friend will make excellent trainers. I mean I'm sure your friend will. Your reputation precedes you after all".

Sonic scratched his head saying thanks and the trio walked out of the lab.

"Ok so where to first?" Tails asked.

"Well first of we need a map of Johto" Sonic declared.

"I have one" Knuckles said taking one out of the massive mountain of supplies he was carrying.

"Knucks are you sure you can carry all that? Like throughout the journey?"

"That and maybe about another half more of this weight. In other words easily" Knuckles said giving Sonic a thumbs-up "here".

"Alright" Sonic said opening the map "ok… we're here in new bark. Tails do me a favor. Could you find the gym badge quest guide online so I can locate our first destination?"

"On it" Tails said immediately getting to work.

While Sonic was looking through the map, he looked at Knuckles observing the cyndaquil play in front of him.

"Hey Knucks, you know you should have cyndaquil practice its moves when we make camp later today. If we are to tackle the gym challenge, it will need the practice".

"Yeah. But… how do I do that? I have no idea".

"Is everything ok?" Sonic knelt next to his friend "ever since you got your hands on cyndaquil you've been acting weird. More reserved than usual".

"It's nothing. Honest".

Sonic remained silent but eventually got back up. He patted Knuckles on the shoulder.

"I believe you. But if anything bothers you, or if you need any advice with the training, we're here, me and Tails. We're team Sonic right?"

Knuckles smiled.

"Right".

"Got it" Tails finally said "first gym is in Violet city".

"Colors again? What is wrong with the people of both regions?" Sonic joked half joking half actually wondering why they named the towns after color.

The team burst out laughing for a few moments. Their friend had developed a unique sense of humor during his Kanto journey.

Chikorita in the meantime was rubbing its head at Sonic's feet, clearly liking him already. As it went towards raichu next to also cuddle with it, it tripped and rolled on the ground for a moment.

Raichu, knowing that since Sonic would build a new team it would have to be the big brother for the new team members, took on the big brother role and lifted chikorita up with its tail. The two pokemon rubbed their cheeks, chikorita getting a small shock from raichu's cheek.

"Back on track" Tails got them to focus again "Violet city is actually quite a way from here. We have to go from here west towards cherrygrove city –huh not all towns are colors here "he commented smiling "then follow the path north towards Violet city. It's a long way there so you guys will have time to practice for the gym battle".

"Awesome" Sonic said "hey we should actually buy some pokeballs. You never know what we could encounter".

Team Sonic immediately headed towards a market to buy supplies and pokeballs. Knuckles stashed the supplies into his giant backpack while Sonic stocked up on pokeballs.

"Aren't you buying a little too many?"

"You never know what we may encounter or how many pokeballs it could take to catch a pokemon. Most of my kanto team was caught under special circumstances so I want to be prepared for the chance we run into something hard to catch. Plus there's two of us who will have pokemon teams this time".

"True I guess" Tails agreed seeing Sonic's point of view.

With their supplies collected and ready to begin the adventure, Team Sonic left New bark heading west towards cherrygrove.

The road there was much longer than they expected. Sun eventually began setting. Deciding it was time to make camp, Sonic and Knuckles sent out chikorita and cyndaquil respectively. Sonic seeing limited potential for the time being in chikorita as it only knew vine whip, decided to use vine whip as a mobility tool. He hadn't had a grass type before so he theorized they would have to wait and see as it learned moves.

Knuckles on the other hand immediately got to having cyndaquil use ember after ember in quick succession. Cyndaquil was strong for its level. And the ember looked like a good move for start.

After the quick training session, which involved raichu also helping chikorita get better at using vine whip as a grappling hook to maneuver around fast, the team sat down to eat. Knuckles who lived by himself back in their hometown, had become adept at cooking so he prepared them a good dinner.

"Knucks this rocks!" Sonic said with his mouth full while digging in.

"That's so cool. Did you really learn to cook on your own?"

"All on my own" he said proudly.

"You know we so often hang out in your place but never saw your parents" Sonic commented "how come they're never home?"

Knuckles for a moment looked clearly uncomfortable at the question. Before either Sonic or Tails could notice, an idea came to mind.

"Hey Sonic what do you say we have a battle? Chikorita versus cyndaquil".

"A battle? Sure" Sonic shrugged smiling. That would be an interesting battle to say the least.

As they stood opposite each other, Sonic looked to the trees on the side of the path. He had a plan on how to combat the type disadvantage and the low levels of the pokemon.

Knuckles immediately went to the offensive.

"Ember!"

"Chikorita use vine whip to jump!"

Putting all of its strength on the move, Chikorita propelled itself a small amount from the ground dodging the move and landing closer to the trees.

"Don't let it get away. Tackle!"

"Chikorita growl".

Chikorita growled at cyndaquil, lowering its attack. The attack still connected shoving chikorita back.

"Ha take that! Now ember"

The attack was launched.

"Chikorita use vine whip to dodge again!"

"Not this time! Rapid fire ember!"

The attacks came in quick succession though not at the intensity Knuckles imagined. The attacks furthermore, being partially charged didn't cause as much damage as a fully charged ember. Chikorita was hit by the barrage but quickly recovered.

"Don't let them escape! Ember!"

However Knuckles failed to notice Sonic had deliberately pushed the battle towards the trees for a reason.

"Now chikorita! Vine whip!"

Chikorita used vine whip, grabbing from the branch of a tree and jumping over the ember, catching cyndaquil off guard.

"Now tackle!"

Chikorita used its move. In combination with the momentum it had built using vine whip and its own weight pulling it back down, it slammed hard into cyndaquil. Cyndaquil collapsed and attempted to get back up.

"Come on cyndaquil get up you can do this!"

Cyndaquil managed to get up.

"We're not out yet! Ember!"

Cyndaquil unleashed its move. Its weakened state however left it unable to knock chikorita out.

"Chikorita use vine whip to end this".

Chikorita wrapped its vines around cyndaquil and raised it on the air intending to slam it down.

"Wait!" Knuckles reached out "don't hurt it".

Sonic was impressed by Knuckles forfeiting to keep cyndaquil from being hurt. Chikorita realizing this as well, gently placed cyndaquil in Knuckles' hands. He pet it gently.

"You were great little one".

Sonic took in the sight remembering several moments from his Kanto journey. He never expected Knuckles to be this gentle and caring with a pokemon. He was always the tough, brave and adventurous echidna he remembered. Sure he was a loyal friend and an amazing person, but Sonic had never seen him being gentle and caring like that.

Shoving the thoughts aside, he approached Knuckles.

"Nice rapid fire idea there. It still needs some work but it has potential".

"Thanks. That move you pulled by swinging from the tree was crazy. And the way you managed to move the battle towards the tree to use it. You've become quite adept in battling".

"And I'll be happy to give you advice while we're on this journey" Sonic patted him on the back "but not all of my tricks. After all a trainer's power comes from their connection with their pokemon and their shared, attained power. And I can't attain that power for you and cyndaquil now can I?"

"Haha. No certainly not".

After the battle the team reconvened and relaxed for the night. Eventually they all retreated to rest inside their big shared tent. Knuckles commented before they sleep that he couldn't wait for tomorrow's training session before immediately falling asleep, snoring a bit.

Sonic smiled as he too was excited. If travelling alone with your pokemon was as fun as it was for his Kanto journey, despite all the challenges and bad times, he couldn't wait to experience a journey with his best friends. And to bury team rocket once and for all when he got the chance of course.

Chapter Text

The sun rose steadily over the Johto region as Tails and Knuckles woke up still sleepy. Exiting the tent they found Sonic and raichu doing their morning routine of training, raichu perfecting its iron tail to use like a second nature, and Sonic standard workouts.

While Knuckles was prepping their stuff for departure, he asked Sonic to help cyndaquil train. Sonic agreed but informed Knuckles that it would be best if he found his own training program for his pokemon. Possibly it wouldn't involve waking up as early as Sonic and raichu –excluding chikorita as Sonic wanted to first build its bond with him before getting into hard training – but nonetheless, Knuckles and cyndaquil would have to find their own training method.

Tails in the meantime looked online to see if there were any coffee shops in cherrygrove. While browsing, he noticed Sonic do his morning laps to keep himself quick on his feet. He couldn't help but notice Sonic was somewhat faster than normal.

After team Sonic got back up, they continued on their way towards cherrygrove city. While on their way there, a strange pokemon cry was heard. What was clear about it however was that it was one of distress.

"Let's roll!" Sonic declared, racing alongside raichu towards the source of the cry. Tails and Knuckles followed.

The source of the cry was found and Sonic was struck by déjà vu. Just like the first time.

A team rocket grunt was trying to catch a small brown pokemon using a net. The grunt was almost successful until he heard steps behind him and turned.

"Gah! The hero of Kanto! Zubat use bite!"

A zubat emerged from the grunt's pokeball. Sonic merely snapped his fingers. Raichu moving in the blink of an eye, thunder punched zubat knocking it out. The grunt took a step back in fear and tried to run away.

"Chikorita vine whip!" Sonic shouted as he sent out his new pokemon.

Chikorita appeared and wrapped its vines around the grunt's legs causing him to trip and fall. Knuckles managed to reach the grunt and put him in a headlock immobilizing him. Sonic approached him, wearing his angriest and deadliest look –"too bad gazes can't be lethal sometimes" Sonic thought – while Tails went to check on the pokemon being attacked.

Sonic knelt to meet the grunt's eyes.

"P-please" the grunt begged "please don't hurt me".

"Like you weren't just trying to hurt and catch that pokemon just now?" Sonic responded menacingly.

"What do you want me to do Sonic?" Knuckles asked him. Sonic, his hatred for team rocket burning hot was itching to have Knuckles break the guy's legs as a warning for team rocket to stop but knew that if their war against team rocket went public just like in Kanto they would probably be prosecuted for physical damage and vigilantism. Plus they needed to show they were the good guys.

"You will go back to Archer empty handed. Yes I know who is leading you. You will tell him that the one you refer to as the hero of Kanto is coming for him and the rest of team rocket. And this time he's not alone. Let him know that team Sonic is coming for all of you. Am I clear?"

The grunt shook his head positively. Knuckles' eyes met Sonic's as he didn't want to let him go. Sonic however waved negatively and Knuckles relented letting him go. The grunt crawled in panic for a moment and then escaped as fast as he could yelling in fear.

"Tails the coast is clear. Is the pokemon ok?" Sonic asked behind his back.

"Firstly it's a sentret. The name of its species. Second it's only physically ok. It is a baby. It's too scared to be left alone".

Sonic recalled his Alakazam hearing this.

"Maybe if we found its mother? Or one of its species to care for it?"

Tails agreed and they started looking around to see if another sentret or its evolution furret was around. But nothing turned up. Returning to the main path team Sonic was now facing a dilemma.

"What do we do with the little guy?" Sonic asked his friends.

"We can't leave it alone. It won't survive without one of its kind" Tails insisted.

"I agree with Tails. But what do we do later on? I mean sure we can care for it now but what when we need to complete a team of 6? Furret is a normal type as I read online. And it's not that great as a battle partner. I'm all about caring for it but when the time comes to strike the rockets or if we take part in the league I'd prefer to have strong pokemon".

"Honestly both of you make valid points" Sonic also agreed "leaving it behind is not an option but it's not battle material".

Tails looked at the little helpless sentret.

"Give me a pokeball Sonic".

Sonic looked at Tails.

"You sure Tails?"

"We can't leave it. I'll care for it".

Sonic stared for a moment then gave Tails a pokeball from his backpack. A baby pokemon like this sentret would be a certain catch. Tails took it and touched sentret with the pokeball's middle button, causing it to be absorbed.

The pokeball shook thrice and beeped confirming the catch. Tails picked up the pokeball smiling. Sonic was happy with the outcome but couldn't help but think Tails had an ulterior motive for catching this sentret.

After the new addition to the team, Team Sonic went on and finally reached cherrygrove, finally getting their chance at a fresh cup of cold coffee. They strolled around town for a while to drink their coffee in peace, while bonding with the sentret, which bonded well with chikorita and cyndaquil. Raichu felt a bit of an outsider since the other pokemon were all so young and low leveled. Sonic petted it on the head.

"Don't worry buddy, our new friends will grow as we continue our journey and you won't feel that way then. But keep in mind I'm counting on you to be a big brother for them ok?"

Raichu let out a happy cry, agreeing.

After the coffee, team Sonic started making their way north. Tails calculated it would take at least 2 days to reach Violet city and even when they did, Knuckles would still need training. Sonic himself also wanted to train or maybe even catch another pokemon as he considered using the already battle hardened raichu against the gym leader not exactly a fair fight.

The team made their way up the complicated path to the north. Along the way they met several passing trainers or trainers who trained. A lot of them recognized Sonic as the hero of Kanto and asked to battle him. Knuckles ended up taking most of the challenges as he managed to gently goad his opponents into proving themselves first by beating him before taking crack at Sonic.

Sonic of course battled a bit as well, but only using chikorita. Again he didn't think using the already battle hardened raichu was fair for anyone. He made an exception when all of a sudden the trio along with the last opponent Sonic faced were jumped by a wild fearow. Raichu immediately jumped into action, sending the fearow away in terror with one thunder punch.

While following the path which was not as straightforward as the roads of Kanto, passing through the woods, by lakes and several parts of the path were uneven, forcing the team to look for other way around, Sonic noticed a strange thing about the path; it was becoming less and less distinct.

Opening his map he looked and verified they were still heading north, which confused him. Deciding to press on, the team entered deeper into the woods. Raichu took the lead fighting off powerful wild pokemon, while Sonic let chikorita walk behind it and asked raichu to let chikorita fight weak enough wild pokemon. Since a lot of them were bugs, Knuckles also took the chance to practice the rapid fire ember strategy.

After about another hour of traversing through the woods, the team had become exhausted and hungry. Their patience was growing thin with each step they took. Sonic again opened his map. He closed it again wondering what had gone wrong. Until he noticed a small detail.

"Tails which way is north?" Sonic asked not taking his eyes off the map.

Tails looked at the compass.

"That way" he said pointing towards a mountain.

Sonic cursed.

"Damnit. I knew it. We're lost".

"How do you know?" Knuckles asked "we're still heading north aren't we?"

"Yeah. But we strayed off the path to the east. That" he said pointing towards the mountain "is mount Tensei. Running through it is a cave the map names as the dark cave. Our path was meant to pass by its west entrance and then head a bit west to reach violet city. But" he said punching a tree "the mountain was to be on our right hand as we moved north at all times. And if we look north it's right in front of us".

"Damn you're right" Knuckles admitted taking a look at the map himself "where did we go wrong?"

"Hold on. Couldn't we then use mount Tensei as a landmark? You know to go west and find the path again?" Tails suggested.

"Of course we can" Sonic said "hopefully it won't take us too much to reach the path. I'm starving".

"You're not the only one" Knuckles countered "I could eat bark right now".

"Then let's not waste time" Tails got them to focus as he turned so that his gaze was to the west.

While walking trying to find the path Tails remembered something.

"Hey Sonic how did you know who the one leading the remaining rockets is? You said his name earlier when we interrogated that guy".

"From the message Mewtwo showed us. Ariana is one of the admins of team rocket. If that Archer sent her and the receiver of the message Mewtwo intercepted commands that means these 3 have to be the 3 admins of the team and he assumed control after Giovanni went in exile" Sonic explained.

"I honestly think we should have broken something in his body. Like who would believe them and how would they even prove we did it?" Knuckles inquired.

"We have to try to be the good guys Knuckles. As much as possible. It's not like our actions are exactly legal. I still don't know how I wasn't arrested after the damage we did to silph co".

Knuckles looked down. Sonic had a point but for those monsters to go as far as to harm baby pokemon. He assumed Sonic went through a similar phase with his Alakazam when it was an abra.

After about 20 minutes of walking the trees started thinning out until they found themselves outside a small cabin. To their delight the cabin was next to the path. As the team went to enter the path again, they turned right and run into an old man in an old style suit, a bowtie, a hat and a cane. He looked at them in surprise.

"What are you thugs doing on my lawn?"

"Y-your lawn?" Tails muttered.

"Forgive our trespassing sir, we got lost in the woods" Sonic apologized.

The man looked at Sonic top to bottom and then noticed raichu.

"My, my. Wait a minute. You're not Sonic the hedgehog, the hero of Kanto are you?"

Sonic began wondering how far his reputation had reached.

"I am indeed sir. And you are?"

"Oh what a pleasant surprise. My name is mr Pokemon. Forgive my earlier thug statement. Samuel has assured me you are an example of a trainer".

"Samuel?"

"Oh you know him as professor Oak".

"You know professor oak?"

"Why yes he is a very good friend of mine. He told me all about your achievements during the duration of the kanto conference tournament season. And your legendary final round. Legendary birds Moltres and Zapdos clashing? This is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle".

"Thanks sir".

"And what brings you to the Johto region? Aiming to conquer a second tournament?"

"It's little complicated but our participation is part of the plan".

"Our?"

"I'll be entering the tournament alongside Sonic" Knuckles declared.

"I see. I shall warn you the gym challenge of Johto will be is considered harder compared to its Kanto counterpart. You and young Sonic will have your work cut out for you".

"We'll be ok sir".

"Why don't you join me inside my house? I have many questions for you and if my hunch is correct you also have at least one question for me".

Sonic considered the proposal. Apart from the fact that they were starving and would probably get something to eat, he did wonder what mr Pokemon knew about team rocket's presence in Johto.

"What say you guys?"

"No prob" Tails shrugged.

"Same" Knuckles also agreed.

"Then we accept your offer mr Pokemon".

They followed the old man inside the house. Knuckles was immediately fascinated with Mr Pokemon's collection of knowledge about pokemon legends and myths including several manuscripts about legendary pokemon. One of them was the story of the legend of Moltres, including the verse of its chosen one. Sonic felt nostalgic reading it as he still missed his old team. He wished that they were there with him but knew it was for the best that they stayed with Mewtwo for the time being.

One of the manuscripts caught Sonic's attention. It was the original one unlike most of the manuscripts that mr Pokemon had translated from ancient languages. Mr Pokemon's translated text only had one phrase currently.

The myth of the jade orb.

"I wonder that that is" Sonic thought "maybe if we meet again and he has finished translating the text I could learn about this jade orb".

"I have to admit that is an amazing collection mr Pokemon" Tails admitted.

"This is beyond candyland for me" Knuckles said not taking his eyes off the translated manuscripts "some of this stuff even I didn't know about. Like wow".

"I appreciate the compliment. But if I may be allowed, I have questions for your friend Sonic".

"Ask away then sir" Sonic said letting Tails and Knuckles to continue reading through the manuscripts.

"I would like to ask you several questions about your encounter with the legendary Moltres, as well as your ordeal with the titans of the orange islands".

"Ok. What would you like to know?"

"Is it true that the Moltres you are said to be the master of, previously acknowledged you by granting you one of its feathers?"

"Yes it's true".

"So the legend of it is real and has been proven true through you. How marvelous. Also is it true that you battled it on the mouth of an active volcano?"

"That is also true".

"Simply marvelous. Battling it on its home territory and coming out on top? Not a lot of trainers can claim such an accomplishment".

"I'm aware of that sir. Mind if I ask you a question of my own?"'

"One last question. Is it true that the legend of the orange islands has come to pass during the last festival there?"

"Yes. Lugia appeared".

"Oh how marvelous. If only I could witness that beast for myself. But it is very hard to come by. Not a lot people have seen it".

"Is it true one resides on the small complex of islands known as Whirl islands? Right off the coast of Cianwood city?" Knuckles asked momentarily taking his eyes off the manuscript he was reading.

"It is only a rumor but there have been sightings of Lugia in the vicinity of Cianwood and Olivine City. Though Lugia has been sighted many times across Johto. Therefore it's not for certain whirl islands is its home".

"I wonder if that Lugia and the Lugia Sonic fought alongside at the orange islands know each other" Tails asked rhetorically.

"Excuse me. Fought alongside?"

"Yes. Me, my raichu and my Moltres fought alongside Lugia against the titan birds. At least during the first half of the conflict. The other half of it was me, Moltres and raichu against them. We were the bait for lugia to take the chosen one to the Shamouti shrine to fulfil the treasure collecting tradition".

"The legendary lugia joined you in battle? And you fought all 3 of the titans at once?"

"Yeah. Almost perished doing so. The chosen one, Ash is his name, managed to complete the trio of treasures and Lugia calmed the titans down before they finished me off".

Mr Pokemon was at a loss for words.

"Taking on one of those legendary pokemon is hard enough as it is, taking on all 3 and living to tell the tale? You really are a tough and unique trainer Sonic. You two are lucky to be travelling with him".

Tails and Knuckles didn't know what to answer. Sonic spared them the need to answer.

"That's all very nice mr Pokemon but I really need to ask you a question of my own".

"Forgive me, I get carried away. Ask me anything".

"Is there any rumor around of the presence of team rocket here in Johto? Any sightings?"

"Team rocket? Didn't you force them to disband?"

"I did but I found out lately they are planning to regroup here and possibly start their team all over again. Me and my friends are here to stop them".

Mr pokemon was again at a loss for words.

"I…I can't believe it… I'm sorry my boy but I have not heard anything. But I know someone who might know something".

"Really? Who?"

"His name is looker. Detective looker. He is the leader of the search team for the boss of team rocket. His team's headquarters are in Ecutreak city. You are doing the gym challenge are you not?"

"We are" Knuckles verified.

"Excellent. Your path will lead you there eventually. You will have the chance to meet him somehow".

"More than perfect" Knuckles said rubbing his hands "I can't wait to get a chance to visit the city museum and the burned tower".

After the end of their conversation, team Sonic bid mr Pokemon goodbye and proceeded a little further, having forgotten their hunger. They kept going until nighttime came and their hunger returned even mightier than before. After making camp, Knuckles prepared dinner for everyone. While eating Tails posed a question.

"How do you guys think we should approach this detective looker once we are in ecutreak of course?"

"We won't" Sonic responded.

"What?" they both asked in unison.

"Why not?" Knuckles asked Sonic confused.

"This detective looker could be trouble. To him I'm the last person who saw Giovanni before he went into exile. Worse than that. I let him escape".

"You didn't let him escape. Moltres was too injured to pursue him".

"That's from my point of view Tails. As far as I'm concerned, he will probably be looking for an opportunity to question me. Currently I'm in the clear. But if looker finds out we're pursuing team rocket, he could arrest us. Or at least me. So meeting him is not an option. We will have to find team rocket ourselves".

Tails and Knuckles looked at each other. While detective looker's help would have been invaluable, Sonic made a valid point. Vigilantism wasn't exactly legal. Looker could have them in prison if he wanted to, Sonic especially for letting a mafia boss escape.

The trio spent the rest of the night mostly silent, going to bed each lost in their thoughts despite their exhaustion of the day's small adventure.

Meanwhile in Ecutreak City, in the police headquarters, an officer was heading towards the special ops room. Knocking on the door he was told to enter.

Approaching the detective and his assistant who were looking at a huge board of clues on Giovanni, the former turned to meet his eyes.

"Detective looker. A report just arrived. A report that you might find of the utmost importance".

Looker took the envelope the officer was holding. Opening it he saw nothing more than a picture. A picture of 3 individuals walking down the street in New bark town. The photo was from the previous day. And one of the 3 boys in the picture was undoubtably…

"The hero of Kanto" Looker whispered. He rubbed his chin.

"This should prove to be a most interesting turn of events".

Chapter Text

Jet opened his eyes still sleepy. Getting up, he looked at his brother's empty bed. Last he had heard he, Tails and Knuckles had been registered for the gym challenge in Johto as a front to pursue team rocket.

Oh how much he envied them.

Getting to travel to a new place, meet many new pokemon and have a fun adventure in general. For Knuckles especially, Johto was candyland. The region with too much mythology to get enough of.

If only he could have been there with them.

He had even considered running away to join them, but had decided to be patient instead.

Getting out to jog for a while before beginning his daily routine he ran into – oh what a surprise – Amy. And literally outside their house too.

"Jeez. Don't you have anything better to do?"

"I want to talk to Sonic".

"You do remember he is Johto right?"

"Yes. I want to call him. But he has blocked me".

"About time" Jet said and turned to leave. Amy grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Tell him to unblock me please".

"And why would I do that? Do I seem like the kind of person to hate my brother?"

Amy was dumbfounded.

"Look. I know I did some questionable things…"

"Questionable? You were horrible to Sonic before but now… now you are essentially chasing after him while you're dating Shadow".

"…I broke up with Shadow".

Jet wasn't expecting to hear that.

"You broke up with him".

"Yes".

"And now you want to talk to Sonic".

"Yes"

"So let me get this straight… you mean to tell me… you got together with Shadow, breaking Sonic's heart in the process, and now that Sonic is the best version of himself you want him? How much of a whore are you?"

Amy was shocked.

"Take that back!"

"No. And I suggest you stay away from Sonic. And me. And Tails and Knuckles… you get the point. Just stay away from us" Jet said, withholding his anger and turned to leave again.

"You want stop me from talking to Sonic when he comes back".

"Too bad Sonic's not the loser you thought he was" Jet shouted as he jogged away.

He of course wasted no time texting Sonic of this encounter. The latter heard his phone buzz and took it out. Reading the message he recited it to Tails and Knuckles while they continued on their way towards Violet city.

"It's official" Tails commented "she's lost it".

"I can't believe it myself" Sonic answered "she was our friend for so long… and was hiding such a personality. I can't believe I was in love with her".

"I wonder how Shadow is taking it" Knuckles wondered.

"I don't even want to imagine. Getting together with someone, beating the supposed rival to that someone, only to find that the person was just using you… and I still don't know or get why".

"Why?" Tails asked confused.

"Why she would do such a thing. Play with both mine and Shadow's hearts. Like I can't even imagine a good enough reason" Sonic explained.

"And you don't have to. You're beyond that now" Knuckles commented smiling, smacking his friend on his back, just under the quills.

"Thanks Knucks".

Raichu rubbed its head on Sonic's leg to get his attention causing him to almost trip.

"Don't worry raichu we're not forgetting about you" he said petting it while they walked "I owe you a big part of my growth partner".

"Rai rai".

"You do owe it a lot. Like the wake-up call it gave you when you were growing an ego. Oh wait a minute that was me" Tails joked.

The three friends laughed and joked for hours while heading towards the southwest foot of mount tensei. Reaching the foot, Tails realized he had miscalculated and they would be at the city in about an hour more of walking. Sonic and Knuckles were relieved as they were hungry but first decided to stop and rest.

And as if by coincidence, they stopped on the entrance of the dark cave. Or at least what they assumed was the dark cave. It was a logical assumption however, as none of them could see due to the thick darkness.

Taking out their pokemon to stretch, the pokemon got to playing with each other. Sentret was the most playful of the 3 as it was a bit younger than even chikorita and cyndaquil. As Tails fed it some pokemon food he had brought along, he turned to Sonic and Knuckles.

"What do you think we should do at Violet city?"

"I'd suggest taking on the gym leader but clearly we need more training" Sonic said.

"You mean I need more training" Knuckles corrected him.

"Chikorita also needs training Knucks. I want to avoid depending on raichu as much as possible".

"But it's crazy strong" Tails argued.

"Which is exactly why I want to use chikorita and any other pokemon I catch while here. I want an equally powerful team not one super-powered pokemon and 5 more support ones. This is what got me victory in kanto and against team rocket. Strength is not just in numbers".

He was a bit shaken by his own statement, remembering Giovanni quoting this exact same thing at silph co.

Looking down he felt this bondage of destiny that had in a way bound the two enemies together.

And then that kid… that had stolen totodile.

"Why did he look like him?" Sonic thought confused.

"Sonic?" Tails asked him.

"Huh?"

"You ok?"

"Yeah. Just zoned out".

"Well since we need training and therefore it will take us a while to be ready" Knuckles interjected "we should visit the nearby ruins. It's a life's dream to visit them. For me at least".

"Sure" Sonic agreed.

"Cool" Tails also agreed.

At that moment they noticed that cyndaquil and chikorita were sparring. They mostly used their already learnt moves. Until Chikorita unleashed a purple powder from its body. The powder made contact with cyndaquil poisoning it.

"Cyndaquil!" Knuckles shouted in a shocked surprise.

"Was that poison powder?" Sonic inquired.

"I think so. Many grass types can learn this move" Tails verified.

Chikorita didn't let up despite seeing its opponent in distress. It fired a seed towards cyndaquil. Once the seed came into contact with Cyndaquil, vines came out of it and constricted it. Then a small green glow emerged from cyndaquil. The glow then left it and flew towards chikorita entering its body and rejuvenating. Team Sonic was caught off guard but Tails quickly identified the move.

"That was leech seed!"

"What?" Sonic asked in surprise "isn't that supposed to be a rare move?"

"A rare and powerful one for this species".

Sonic looked at chikorita in awe as he asked raichu to stop the battle. Raichu intervened. The pokemon stopped and Tails proceeded to treat the injured cyndaquil.

"Leech seed. A healing move which drains the opponent's energy. Poison powder. Standard damage over time" he thought.

That chikorita had the makings of a powerful defensive wall in his eyes. He wondered what else he could possibly add to the mix. Protect was a good idea. But he would have to think it through before deciding.

After Cyndaquil was fully healed team Sonic recalled their pokemon and proceeded on their way.

Reaching the city, they grabbed a quick lunch. While eating Knuckles began explaining the legends of the ruins.

"So the ruins are called the ruins of alph. Their origin is unknown. Archeologists theorize they were built but the ancient people of Johto".

"Like a city of sorts?" Tails asked while chewing

"That's the interesting thing. No. They don't resemble a city resided by the ancients. It's a complex of buildings like underground temples. With many catacombs underneath them".

"Catacombs?" Sonic asked intrigued.

"Yeah. And trust me you don't want to get lost in there. Unless you're an experienced archeologist or an ancient cave expert, if you get lost down there, game over".

"We should totally descend into those catacombs" Sonic suggested "not too far in. Just look around the entrance or something. Maybe get a picture or two".

"I suppose that can't hurt" Knuckles shrugged.

Eating the rest of their lunch team Sonic headed off to the ruins.

Reaching the ruins, Sonic was surprised that there weren't a lot of people around. He was expecting tourists crawling all over the ruins.

"That's bizzare" Knuckles commented "usually there are plenty of people in such ruins".

While the team was making its way through the ruins, they heard a rustle from a patch of grass. Raichu took a battle stance.

"We've got company" Sonic said in caution.

Out from the grass walked a small blue pokemon. It looked at them in curiosity.

"What is that?" Sonic wondered aloud.

"You got a pokedex ask it" Tails looked at him with a look that read 'I'm not an encyclopedia'.

Sonic scanned the pokemon with his pokedex.

"Species unregistered no data found".

"Wha…?"

"Oh damnit I forgot" Tails face-slapped "this must be a johtonian species. Your pokedex originated from Kanto. Johto species are not in. Give me a moment".

Tails scanned the pokemon with his phone then entered an online database he had discovered during the incident in the orange islands. After a few moments, he got a match with the scan of the pokemon.

"This is a wooper. A water type".

Sonic looked at the small cute water type. He didn't know anything about Johto pokemon. He considered catching it but decided that there would be better water types out there.

"Raichu use thunder punch".

"No Sonic wait!" Tails tried to stop him having just read the other half of wooper's typing.

Raichu attacked wooper with its charged punch.

The attack was nullified.

"What in the world?" Sonic said confused.

"I wasn't done!" Tails explained "it's only part water. The other half is part ground!"

"A ground water type?!" Sonic asked aloud.

The wooper fled, scared of the massive raichu compared to its own size.

Sonic and Knuckles immediately chased after it, both desiring it for their team. This kind of type combination only had one weakness, grass.

The two friends soon realized it had fled somewhere in the tall grass. It could be very far at that point.

"Gentleman's bet?" Sonic asked Knuckles.

"May the best one win" Knuckles agreed heading off in a rush "and it will be me!" he shouted.

Sonic laughed slightly and headed off with raichu to find the wooper.

Tails who was left behind, tried to catch up to either of his friends.

Before they knew it, all 3 were lost.

Sonic, who was focused on finding the wooper, with raichu leading the way, got lucky. Wooper had retreated on top of a small stone monument.

"Raichu is too strong to weaken it, and chikorita will knock it out. One choice left" he said taking out a pokeball.

He aimed and threw.

The ball absorbed wooper.

One wiggle.

Two wiggles.

Three wiggles.

The catch was confirmed.

"Awesome!" Sonic exclaimed.

"Rai!" raichu cried outin excitement.

Sonic climbed onto the monument to retrieve the pokeball, eager to find Knuckles and gloat a bit of his catch.

As he grabbed the pokeball however, his movement moved a loose brick.

The roof of the monument collapsed.

"AAAAH!" Sonic screamed momentarily crashing on the hard rocky floor.

"Rai! Rai rai!" Raichu cried out as it attempted to climb on the monument which was now proven to be an underground dome.

Each movement raichu made trying to see inside, made the structure more unstable.

"Raichu stop!" Sonic screamed "find Tails and Knuckles and bring them here. I'll be fine!"

Raichu hesitated momentarily but rushed off.

At the same time, Knuckles was making his way through the grass and the ruins looking for the wooper. Cyndaquil was at his side, ready to attack at any moment.

A patch of grass rustled in front of them.

Cyndaquil's back erupted in flames as Knuckles ordered the attack.

"Ember!"

Cyndaquil unleashed the ember.

"OUCH!" a familiar howling echoed as Tails jumped from the grass, one of his tails having a small flame on the edge.

Knuckles in a fit of panic tackled Tails to the ground and stomped the tail repeatedly putting out the small flame. Tails got back up rubbing his tail.

"Jeez Knuckles. Why are you attacking blindly?!"

"Sorry mate. Thought you were the wooper" Knuckles apologized.

"You seriously try to strike a water and ground type with a fire move?"

"Hey I was planning to drive it out of hiding".

"Rai rai!"

Raichu came running up to them.

"Raichu? Where's Sonic?" Tails asked confused.

"Rai! Rai rai raichu!" Raichu cried out and rushed off.

"Sonic wouldn't leave it alone. He must be in trouble!" Tails concluded.

"Let's go then!" Knuckles said as the two started running following raichu.

Back in the underground cavern, Sonic managed to get back up after a while despite the pain. He looked up towards the dome. He was impressed by the actual accomplishments of the ancients. He remembered reading about a similar type of building in a faraway land, being used mostly as a tomb.

He looked around hesitantly but saw no coffin or sarcophagus or body container of any sort. Sighing in relief he got up and looked back at the ceiling.

"How am I going to get out? No ladder out of here".

He rubbed his chin wondering how he could get himself out this pickle. As he racked his brain he looked around. The walls of the chamber were covered in weird patterns of carvings.

Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he approached the walls. The carvings were consisting of what looked like a weird shape of letters of the alphabet. Though he couldn't make a lot of the shapes, he did make out one word.

"This is U" he commented examining the carvings "this must be an N. Definitely an O. A W maybe. And another N. Unown".

The moment he spoke the word he felt a presence behind him. Turning around he saw nothing. Turning back towards the wall again, he came face to face with a big eye.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD?!" he screamed jumping backwards.

The echo of his scream caused another loose brick to fall from the ceiling of the dome. Thankfully it fell a good distance away from him. Looking back at the eye, he noticed the rest of the being's body. It was a duo of circles the inner containing the eye and the outer one connected to the inner one via a point that made it so if you took out the outer circle the inner circle would look like a giant lollipop.

"Is that a pokemon?" Sonic inquired aloud.

The newly appeared pokemon attacked using a weird move. Sonic ducked out of the way, sending one of his 2 new pokemon randomly out to battle.

To his surprise, his new capture, wooper emerged.

"Wooper quick! Get that thing!"

Wooper however ran away instead. Sonic, dodging the barrage of power emerging from the body of the wild pokemon, wondered if it could even attack.

"Damnit chikorita help me out!" he said sending it out "vine whip!"

Chikorita used vine whip grabbing the pokemon with its move and easily swinging it around before slamming it hard on the ground. The pokemon however effortlessly got back up and unleashed the same move again.

The move struck the chikorita, revealed to be of fire typing as the moment it came into contact with chikorita it was engulfed in flames. Chikorita cried out in pain as wooper who was hiding behind a pillar to avoid the battle looked on.