The Incredible Poke-Odyssey chapter 22

The Meeting of the Mind

"What is it Meowth?" moaned Jessie as she entered a room covered with 
bandages while leaning on a crutch.

"Yeah, I was in the middle of a wonderful dream where I wasn't hurt", 
whined James who was also covered with bandages and was in a wheelchair 
with an IV tube in his mouth.

"James!" groaned Jessie. "You're supposed to stick that thing in your 
arm.  Not your mouth!"

"I can't help it", smiled James, "This stuff tastes like ginger ale!" 
and he started to happily slurp it some more.

"What is it you want to show us Meowth?" groaned Jessie. "We want to 
get back to our beds soon so we can recover and become feared tyrants 
once again."

"It's about your little so-called loyal intern Reiko", smiled Meowth.

"What are you saying?!" said Jessie in an angry voice. "Reiko would 
never betray little old me!  I've trained her too well."

"You don't believe me, eh?" smiled Meowth. "Then I can't wait to see 
the look on your face when I show you this video!"

"How could you've taped Reiko's every move?" asked James.

"I just placed a hidden micro-camera on her boot when you and I were 
traveling with her Jimmy", smiled Meowth. "I figured that that hot 
little Japanese tamale would be trouble."

"Prepare for troub... No, wait.  We actually don't have time for that", 
said Jessie. "Just show us this tape and I can prove to you that our 
trustworthy Reiko has been doing her job so I can rub it in your fur-
shedding face."

"Okie-dokie", said Meowth as he popped the tape into the monitor and 
played it.  First they saw Meowth in a huge golden circle with MEOWTH 
in big gold letters underneath him.  He was trying to roar like a lion, 
but all he could do were squeaky Meowths. "Meeeeowth, uh, Meowww, uh, 
er, Roarmeowth!  Oh, just start the film already!" he grumbled.

Meowth had fast fowarded the parts when he and his teammates were 
spending time with Reiko and slowed it down to the times when she 
wasn't with them.  First they saw Reiko and her encounter with Cameron 
alone on Machoke Island where the Machokes took them prisoner and it 
looked like they were having a romantic moment in their cell.  Then 
they saw where Team Rocket had captured the rebels in the Celadon game 
center and Reiko went over to the tied up Cameron and secretly kissed 
him.  Then they saw scenes where Reiko was helping our heroes catch all 
those dark Pokemon, helping them escape the cage they dropped on them 
by sticking a key into Cameron's glasses.  They even saw where Reiko 
was passionately treating Cameron's injuries at the Fuchsia gym and how 
she saved him from those killer Pokemon in the Safari Zone.  

"You mean Reiko's fallen for that four-eyed twerp?" gasped James.

"No, I refuse to believe that!" grumbled Jessie who was turning red in 
the face, even redder than her hair. "I am much more important to her 
than that scrawny little brat!"

"Well then get set for the grand finale!" smiled Meowth as he fast 
fowarded to where Reiko secretly threw one of her metal stars at the 
land mine they had buried for our heroes causing them all to fall to 
their doom.

"It's Reiko's fault we look like this", whined James as he looked at 
his bandaged self. "Jessie, what do you think of this?  Jessie?!" 
Jessie didn't say a thing.  She was boiling mad.  In fact, she became 
so enraged that she pumped herself up and broke free from her 
bandages making her 100 percent healed.

"Wow", said Meowth. "I knew she'd be mad, but not mad enough to make 
herself heal real fast."

"Where is she headed now?" asked Jessie in a quiet voice.

"Cinnabar Island", said Meowth nervously.

"Come on James", she grumbled. "We've got a little traitor to set 
straight!"

"But I'm not fully healed yet!" whined James.  Jessie just silently 
pinched the side of James's neck and he yelped and immediately jumped 
out of his wheelchair all healed as well.

"Happy now?!" grumbled Jessie.

"I'm all better", said James. "But what did you just do to me?"

"We've got a mission", said Jessie, "There's no time to explain how I 
did it."

"Mainly because the writer doesn't know either", laughed Meowth.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Aerodactyl had finally flown our heroes to Cinnabar Island. "Well here 
it is everyone", said Jenny quietly. "Cinnabar Island.  The place where 
Mewtwo is supposedly residing."

"Uh, huh", said everyone for none of them had said a word throughout 
their whole flight from Seafoam to Cinnabar.  They were thinking about 
the dangers that lie waiting for them the minute they come face to 
psychic face with Mewtwo.  They all looked at the huge island.  It had 
a large volcano and every inch of the surface was covered with ash.  
Just like Blaine had said.

"I don't see how someone like Mewtwo would want to live in a place like 
this", said Stella. "There's not one sign of any place that's livable."

"Look down there", said Cameron as he pointed to what looked like a 
mansion.  It was the only spot on the island that wasn't covered with 
ash.

"That must be Mewtwo's hideout", said Brock. "Sabrina said that Mewtwo 
hides out in an abandoned mansion on Cinnabar."

"It must've used its psychic powers to protect itself and the mansion 
from that erupting volcano", said Seymour. "Very fascinating!"

"Though I find all Pokemon in the world delightful and want to get to 
know each and every one of them", said Bill. "I believe that Mewtwo 
will be my only exception."

"Well, we'd better land so we can defeat this monster and save Ash", 
said Jenny. "Cameron, have Aero take us down."

"You heard her Aero", smiled Cameron as he patted his Pokemon's head. 
"Take us down in front of that mansion over there."

"Aero!" said Aero as she started to come in for a landing.

"Hold on Ash", whispered Misty. "Your friends are on the way to save 
you!"

*      *      *      *      *      *

Cameron had pulled Aero back into her ball and now our heroes were 
slowly walking up to the huge spooky mansion. "You got Slowking with 
you all ready?" Jenny asked Cameron.

"Right here." said Cameron holding Slowie's Pokeball in his right hand. 
"I sure hope your new mindzero attack will help us defeat Mewtwo, 
Slowie.  Whatever that thing does."

"That was awfully nice of Sabrina to program it into Slowie's head", 
said Seymour. "I just can't wait to see what it does!" and he excitedly 
took out his pad and pencil ready to jot down the secret power of 
mindzero.

"I wonder if it'll turn Mewtwo into a doll", wondered Misty nervously. 
"Including everyone who's around it!" 

Soon they all had passed the front step and were standing in front of 
the huge door with a golden knocker that was being held in the mouth 
of a golden Zubat. "Do you think we should knock?" asked Cameron.

"No, I think we should just sneak in quietly", whispered Jenny. "We 
officers normally don't like breaking and entering, but I think it'd be 
safer if Mewtwo didn't know we'd be approaching him."

"Uh, I think we're a little too late, cause I already knocked!" said 
Stella sheepishly.

"WHAAAT!" shouted everyone.  But no one could hear each other's 
screams cause a loud booming voice came from the door. "WHO JUST 
KNOCKED ON MY KNOCKER?!" it shouted.

"Uh, it was me", said Stella nervously.

"I'm Officer Jenny from the Pallet police", said Jenny. "We believe 
this mansion might be the home of the dangerous Pokemon Mewtwo.  
Would you know anything about it?"

"Hmmmm", said the voice that became much quieter. "I believe I can help 
you vict..., I mean, fine people out.  Please step inside." The door 
suddenly flew open and our heroes stepped inside.  Then the front door 
closed itself.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Reiko had just set foot on the island right after our heroes had 
entered the mansion.  She looked at all the ash that surrounded the 
entire place except for the area around the mansion. "This looks like 
a lot of trouble!" she said.

"Did you say trouble?!" called out a familiar angry voice.

"Queen Jessie?" asked Reiko surprised.

"And your king makes us double!" said another familiar voice.  Then a 
smokebomb went off and Reiko saw two familiar figures standing in the 
darkness.

Jessie: "To protect ourselves from rotten traitors!"
James: "To punish those who are monarch haters!"
Jessie:  "To denounce the evils of turncoat rats!"
James: "To extend our fists to ungrateful brats!"
Jessie: "Queen Jessie!"
James: "King James!"
Jessie: "Royal Rockets blasting off from our cozy castle!"
James: "Just to do away with you mutinous hassle!"

"LICKIE!" shouted Lickitung as it stuck its long tongue out from the 
smoke and quickly tied up Reiko.  When the smoke cleared, she saw her 
King and Queen all healed and looking very angry.

"Uh, greetings my loyal monarchs", said Reiko calmly. "I am so glad to 
see you're looking all better again."

"Can the sucking up Reiko!" shouted Jessie. "It just hurts me to know 
that all that shameless groveling you've done was all insincere!"

"I just knew you were trouble from the very beginning", shouted James, 

"Oh Reiko", wailed Jessie, "Why did you have to go and do this?!  And 
over a blonde haired little twerp too!  I'd thought you'd at least have 
better taste than that!  If it were Mel Gibson I could understand, but 
some little bony runt named Cameron Fusterman?!"

"Do not call Cameron-san that!" shouted an angry tear-filled Reiko. "He 
wasn't the one who forced me to love and worship him and to agree with 
everything he says!  Like you made me too.  All this time I've been 
doing your evil and demeaning deeds because I felt like I had no 
future, no purpose in my life.  All that changed when I met that 
wonderful boy.  I now want to donate my life to helping Cameron-san 
and his friends!"

"And just what about your so-called ninja's oath?!" said Jessie angrily. 
"Don't tell me you're gonna actually break it and disgrace your 
family's honor forever?!"

"I've already disgraced my family by running away and joining the likes 
of you in the first place!" scowled Reiko. "Just this once, I'm going 
to forget my ninja's honor and do what's right in my heart!"

"That was so beautiful!" whined James while blowing into a hanky. "Did 
you know that was the first time you said something long and heartfelt 
without using one of your corny metaphors?"

"Well you won't be saying any more metaphors when I get through with 
you!" shouted Jessie. "But I'll lessen the tortures I have planned for 
you if you'll tell me where the rebels are heading right now."

"Never!" shouted Reiko. "I will no longer do anything that'll lead you 
to the destruction of Cameron-san.  That is my new ninja's oath.  And 
I do not plan on breaking this one!"

"I see", said Jessie calmly. "I guess this means we get to go back to 
our cozy palace where James and I get to sit on comfy beds while we put 
you on an uncomfy iron maiden."

"Since when did we get robot maids?" asked James. "Will they be sassy 
like the one on the Jetsons?" Jessie just silently bonked James with 
her mallet.

Reiko just smiled down at the Lickitung that had her wrapped up wet and 
tight.  She managed to pull a metal star out of her pocket and stuck it 
on the tongue.  Lickie yelped and let go of Reiko causing her to land 
on the sand.  "Kingler, I choose you!" shouted Reiko as she released 
her Kingler who sharpened its claws ready to defend its beloved master.

"Lickie, how could you let her do this to you?" shouted Jessie as she 
quickly applied a bandage to Lickie's boo-boo.  "Now get it with your 
lick attack!"

"Lickie!" shouted an angry Lickie as it fired its tongue at Kingler. 
"Kingler, vicegrip now!" shouted Reiko.  Kingler had quickly grabbed 
onto Lickie's tongue while Lickie was trying its best to pull it out of 
the huge crab's grip.

"Quick Lick", smiled Jessie. "Show that crab your new thunderbolt 
attack!"

"Thunderbolt?!" gasped Reiko.  Lickie started to charge itself up and 
sent a current of electricity through its tongue and right into 
Kingler's wet body causing it to let go and faint.

"Kingler!" cried Reiko as she pulled her poor electrified Kingler back 
into its Pokeball.

"Score one for the tongue!" smiled Jessie and James as they danced 
around while holding paper fans with Rs on them.

"Tentacruel, I choose you this time!" shouted a desperate Reiko. 
"Tentacruel!" said the huge squid.

"Lickie, give it another thunderbolt!" commanded Jessie.

"Quick Tentacruel, create a barrier!" commanded Reiko.

Lickitung released a thunderbolt at Reiko and Tentacruel, but it didn't 
affect them for Tentacruel had created an invisible barrier protecting 
them from the bolt.

"Okay Tentacruel, use your acid attack", said Reiko.  Tentacruel fired 
some acid at Lickitung who managed to step out of the way.

"Oh thank badness", said Jessie relieved that her Lickitung didn't get 
hit.  But unfortunately Lickie eyed the puddle of acid on the ground 
and thought it was dark chocolate.  It started slurping it up and then 
fell to the ground holding its stomach making groaning noises.

"Lickie, return", moaned Jessie as she pulled her poisoned Pokemon back 
into its ball. "I bet that was even harder on its poor huge tastebuds." 
She sighed.

"My turn up to bat", smiled James as he took out a Pokeball. "Go 
Victreebel!"

"No, wait!" shouted Jessie as she tackled James onto the ground while 
holding his wrist. "Haven't you learned from these past five years that 
your Victreebel always tries to eat you whenever you release it?!"

"But not today", smiled James. "I just mixed some Pokemon repel potion 
in with my hair gel so Vic won't dare try to eat its beloved master.  
Watch!" and he released his Victreebel.  The huge plant was about to 
chomp on James until it sniffed his smiling face and then backed away 
from the repel potion that only a Pokemon can't stand.

"See, what did I tell you?" said James proudly.  "Uh, Jessie?" asked 
James.  He opened his eyes and found his Victreebel chomping on 
Jessie's head instead.

"Get me out of this smelly fly trap!" shouted Jessie from inside the 
plant's mouth.  "Oops, sorry Jessie", said James as he quickly yanked 
Victreebel off of Jessie's head and sat it in front of Reiko and 
Tentacruel.

"Okay Victreebel, use your razor leaf on that kid and her squid", said 
James.  Victreebel made a loud scream and started firing razor sharp 
leaves at the barrier Tentacruel had just created.  Reiko and 
Tentacruel were still protected, but it looked like the barrier was 
cracking. "Now finish it off with a solarbeam!" said James.  Victreebel 
started gathering sunlight into its huge body.

"Uh, oh", gasped Reiko. "Quick Tentacruel, return!" But it was too 
late.  Before she could recall her Tentacruel, Victreebel had fired a 
powerful golden beam destroying the barrier and knocking Tentacruel out 
cold.

"Tentacruel!" cried Reiko as she quickly pulled Tentacruel back in its 
ball as well. "It looks like you're all out of usable Pokemon", laughed 
James. "Now it's time for you to black out!  Victreebel, would you do 
the honor?"

Just as Reiko was about to launch a flying kick at Team Rocket, 
Victreebel sprayed its sleep powder at Reiko causing her to fall onto 
the sand ready to meet the sandman. "I am sorry Cameron-san", she 
yawned. "I don't think I will be protecting you any more", and she fell 
right asleep.

"Nice work James", smiled Jessie evily. "Now let's take her back to the 
palace so we can do some painful interrogation on her!"

"Say Jessie", asked James. "You don't suppose Reiko had followed those 
rebels to that old mansion right over there?"

"Nonsense", said Jessie. "That's what she'd want us to think.  There's 
no way those rebels would hide out in such an obvious place."  Then she 
released Kadabra from her Pokeball. "Kadabra", she commanded. "Next 
stop, the Rocketville Palace."

"Kadabra!" said Kadabra as it teleported away taking Jessie, James, and 
the sleeping Reiko with it.

*      *      *      *      *      *

Our heroes found themselves inside the mansion next to a huge stairway 
that lead upstairs. "I'm so glad to have company." Said the mysterious 
voice. "I sure hope you'll stay for a long long while.  I insist!"

"Who are you?" asked Brock.

"And where are you?" asked Cameron.

"I like to call myself the World's Greatest Pokemon Master", said the 
voice. "And as for where I am.  I'm up on the top floor.  Won't you 
please come on up so I can get a closer look at you?"

"Why don't you come down here?" asked Jenny.

"Because I don't really like leaving the comforts of my safe room", 
said the voice. "I'm sort of a shut-in."

"How can you become the World's Greatest Pokemon Master if you can't 
leave your room and collect Pokemon?" asked Misty.

"I have my methods", said the voice. "Now you've all come here to meet 
Mewtwo, right?"

"Yes, that's right", said Jenny. "Is Mewtwo in this mansion with you?"

"But of course", said the voice. "And he would very much love to meet 
all of you.  Please come upstairs and I'll introduce you to him." 

Our heroes did as they were told and walked up the stairway. "I just 
wonder who our host is?" whispered Cameron.

"I'm wondering how he could tame such a powerful Pokemon like Mewtwo", 
whispered Bill. 

When they got to the top of the stairs, they came across a huge door.  
Jenny pushed it open and they all stepped inside.  There, they found 
themselves in a huge boiler room. "What are we doing here?" asked 
Misty. "I thought this door would take us to a much more fancier room."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you", said the voice. "I don't just let anyone 
see Mewtwo.  Only the cream of the crop Pokemon masters are worthy of 
seeing his powerful beauty.  First you must defeat each of my minions." 
And suddenly the boiler started spraying out fire and out flew a 
gigantic bird made of hot orange flames.

"I can't believe it!" gasped Seymour. "It's Moltres!  One of the three 
legendary birds!" 

"Wow!" gasped Cameron as he aimed his Pokedex at the huge fiery bird.

"MOLTRES", replied Dexeena. "Known as the legendary bird of fire.  
Every flap of its wings creates a dazzling flash of flames."

"Uh, I think I left the headlights on my limburger outside", said Bill 
nervously. "Be right back." But Moltres started its fire spin attack 
trapping our heroes in a huge wall of fire.  Bill quickly jumped back 
to the group. "Oh gee", he said while breathing hard. "I'm glad I got 
out of that unburned." But then they all pointed to Bill's whisker that 
was on fire. "YIPE!  He shouted. "Quick, someone spit on me!  PLEASE!" 
Psyduck quickly jumped out of Misty's backpack and squirted a tiny bit 
of water on Bill. "Thanks Psyduck", said Bill wringing out his wet 
whisker.

"Psy", smiled Psyduck not realizing the huge wall of fire that 
surrounded everyone.

"Slowie, I choose y...." , but Misty grabbed Cameron's wrist before he 
could release his Slowking. 

"No Cameron", she said. "You need to save Slowie's energy for when we 
face Mewtwo.  I'll handle this since my Pokemon can take out any 
flame." And she released Staryu, Starmie, Seaking, Seadra, and Poliwag 
who put out the entire firewall with their water gun attacks. "Nice 
work everyone", said Misty. "Now put out that bird's fire!" All of 
Misty's Pokemon started squirting at Moltres, but it didn't affect it 
one bit.  All the water just turned to steam the minute it touched 
Moltres's fiery skin.

"That's impossible!" gasped Misty. "Water types always beat fire types!"

"Moltres is no ordinary fire type", said Seymour. "In fact Moltres is 
no ordinary Pokemon at all!" Then Moltres flew up to the ceiling and 
started glowing a bright color.

"Uh oh", said Seymour. "It looks like Moltres's getting ready for a sky 
attack!  A very painful flying attack!"

"Rock types are strong against flying attacks", said Brock. "Maybe our 
newly caught water and rock type combinations can defeat it."

"That could work", said Seymour as he, Brock, Stella, and Jenny 
released their Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, and Kabutops.  "Omanyte, 
Omastar!  Withdraw now!" commanded both Brock and Seymour.

"Kabuto, Kabutops.  Harden yourselves!" commanded Jenny and Stella.  
All four Pokemon started to concentrate and suddenly made their rocky 
bodies a lot bigger and tougher.  

Then Moltres started to swoop down at our heroes.  But Brock and 
Seymour had ordered their Omanyte and Omastar to use spike cannon 
knocking Moltres sharply in the stomach causing it to fall right on its 
back.

"Let's get it while it's weakened!" said Jenny.

"Right", said Stella as they commanded their Kabuto and Kabutops to use 
hydro pump to put out the weakened Moltres's flame until it was just an 
unconscious charred bird.

"Yes, we did it!" cried Jenny and Stella as they high-fived each other.  
Brock and Seymour did the same thing.

"Congratulations", said the voice.  "You've actually managed to defeat 
my first minion.  Now lets see how you do against number two." And 
another door opened up leading them to another room.

The room they were in now was a game room.  It was full of old pinball 
machines along with classic arcade games like Pac-Pikachu, Mankey Kong, 
and Poliwagger.  "Wow!" smiled Seymour. "I haven't seen any of these 
games in years!  They bring back wonderful memories!"

"Ah, a fan of the golden age of video arcades", said the voice. "Do you 
remember this one?" and a door opened and a lot of smoke appeared and 
out slid a video game that put Seymour in a hypnotic trance.

"Dragonite's Lair!" whispered Seymour. "A game that's so elegant and 
fair.  I spent many hours controlling that knight.  Mastering the 
secrets and making him fight.  I thought I would see that glorious game 
no more.  But now it's back.  The game I adore!" and he slowly 
approached the game with a quarter in his hand.

"Can you imagine being obsessed with a video game?" said Stella.

"I know how that feels", said Cameron for that's how he got into this 
world in the first place.  Just as Seymour had put his hand on the 
joystick.  A bolt of electricity went soaring into his body.  He 
screamed and got thrown back.

"Seymour, are you all right?!" asked Jenny as she ran up to him with 
his hair all sticking up like Albert Einstein.  He took out a mirror 
and looked at himself.

"So that's why Mr. Einstein wears his hair like that", he said while 
smiling.

Suddenly all the games started shooting out electricity.  Everyone 
backed into a wall while they watched the electric bolts take the form 
of something.  It was another large bird with a long beak and wings 
made of lightning bolts. "ZAPDOS!" whispered Bill.  Cameron took out 
his Pokedex again.

"ZAPDOS", replied Dexeena. "A legendary bird Pokemon that is said to 
appear from clouds while dropping enormous lightning bolts."  And 
Zapdos demonstrated by shooting bolts at all seven of our heroes.

"Sandy, I choose you!" shouted Cameron as he was about to throw his 
Pokeball but stopped for he became paralyzed.  Sandy did manage to come 
out of his ball only to find Cameron and his friends all paralyzed 
stiff.  He then looked up and saw Zapdos spinning its beak around 
preparing for a drill peck attack.

"Oh no", gasped Cameron. "What have I done?!  Sandy's gonna become 
Swiss cheese thanks to me!  Quick Sandy!  Run away now!"

"Shrew!" shouted Sandy for he had no desire to abandon his beloved 
master.  He was about to use his rock slide attack on Zapdos, then 
smiled and had a neat idea.  He disappeared off screen and came back 
on screen in a toga and headband.  He put a tiny pebble in a sling and 
hurled it into Zapdos's forehead causing it to fall down unconscious. 

"Wow!" smiled Cameron. "Reading those Bible stories to you every night 
sure paid off.  Thank you Sandy and thank you Lord!"

"Sandshrew!" smiled Sandy as he reached into Cameron's backpack and 
sprayed paralyze heal potion on everybody.

"So your Pokemon are both strong and clever", said the voice. "So far 
you've defeated two of my minions, but once you take on my third and 
last one.  You will truly be worthy of battling Mewtwo." And yet 
another door opened and our heroes slowly stepped through that one as 
well.

This time they found themselves in a huge kitchen. "I wonder where the 
last minion will pop up?" said Brock.

"I don't know about all of you, but I could use a nice drink", said 
Misty and she was about to open a large refrigerator.

"No Misty, don't!" cried Cameron as he held the fridge door shut. "I 
have a feeling that the last minion will be waiting in there!" For he 
had a pretty good idea on who the last Pokemon might be.

"Well at least let me get a glass of water from this faucet over there", 
said Misty as she picked up a nearby cup and filled it with water.

"Happy now?" asked Brock.

"No not yet", said Misty. "I like my water with plenty of ice", and she 
placed the cup under an ice dispenser which happened to be attached to 
the same refrigerator she was about to open.

"No Misty, don't!" cried everyone.

"Hey, I'm not opening the fridge", protested Misty. "I'm just using the 
ice dispenser.  I definitely don't think a huge scary Pokemon will come 
out of that tiny square shaped hole." Suddenly, the dispenser exploded 
and tons of ice cubes started bouncing off Misty's head.

"AAAAAH!" screamed Misty. "Do something please before I get an ice cube 
headache!" and then even more cubes started shooting out of the fridge 
causing everyone to slip and fall onto the floor.  And when the machine 
finally stopped.  Everyone found themselves standing waists high in a 
pile of frozen ice cubes.

"I wish I wore a long pants uniform instead of the skirt today", said 
Jenny freezing.

"At least only half of you is cold", cried Bill who just swam up to the 
surface with blue fur.  Everyone looked annoyed at Misty.

"Uh, at least I didn't open that fridge door", said Misty while 
twiddling her thumbs.  Just then, all the ice cubes started to float up 
in the air and they formed into yet another large bird that was made 
of ice.

"And so it begins", said Cameron as he aimed his Pokedex at the 
Pokemon he was expecting to see.

"ARTICUNO", replied Dexeena. "A legendary bird Pokemon that is said to 
appear to doomed people who are lost in icy mountains."

"Well why couldn't it have stayed in the mountains?" said Stella 
nervously while holding onto Brock who was smiling.  Then Articuno 
started to blow a huge blizzard at our heroes making them shiver.

"Growlithe, I choose you!" shouted Jenny.

"And I choose you Vulpix!" shouted Brock as the dog and the fox 
appeared in front of Articuno.

"Use your flamethrower attacks now!" shouted both Jenny and Brock.  
Growlithe and Vulpix complied by breathing large amounts of fire at the 
blizzard Articuno was blowing.  It shortened it a little, but not too 
much.

"Vulpix and Growlithe can't keep this up much longer", said Brock. "We 
need a stronger fire type!"

"Cameron, doesn't your Aerodactyl now know fire blast?" Misty asked him.

"Yes, that's right", said Cameron. "Aero, I choose you!" And he 
released his Aerodactyl who was hovering right in front of Articuno.

"CUNO!" shouted the bird as it stopped its blizzard and flew right at 
the big stone flyer.

"Okay Aero, give it your fire blast!" shouted Cameron.  Aero blasted 
her fire at Articuno, but it just sped out of the way causing the fire 
to hit a nearby wall.  Then Articuno started appearing and disappearing 
from Aero's sides pecking her to death.

"What's it doing to Aero?!" cried Cameron.

"That must be Articuno's agility", said Seymour. "I'm afraid Aero won't 
be fast enough to defeat it!" Aero fell to the floor all tired and 
beaten.  Then Articuno started preparing itself for a frosty ice beam 
attack.

"I gotta do something", gasped Cameron. "I think I know!" He quickly 
reached into his backpack and pulled out the X-Defend device that Koga
had given him.

"Here you go Aero", called out Cameron as he aimed the device's light 
at his Aerodactyl just as Articuno released its ice beam.  The beam hit
Aero, but it didn't freeze her one bit. "Cuno!" gasped Articuno 
nervously.

"There you go Aero", shouted Cameron. "You'll be harder to damage now 
that I've increased your defense.  Now try out your fire blast again!" 
Aero smiled as she blasted another clump of fire from her mouth and 
this time it did hit Articuno. 

"CUNO!!!" screamed Articuno as it melted and fell to the ground like 
a blueberry slushee.

"AERO!" shouted Aero as she spread her wings long and proud while 
everybody cheered.

"I couldn't've said it better myself Aero", said Cameron with pride 
also.

"Congratulations", said the voice. "You've actually defeated all 3 of 
my minions.  Usually most trainers don't make it past Moltres.  I am 
truly honored to have a group of worthy Pokemon trainers in my home.  
I am proud to say that you're ready to take on Mewtwo!" and the final 
door opened and they all walked through.

The final room they were in was very fancy.  It was a den with 
beautiful furniture, a big screen TV, a bookshelf filled with books and 
a nice warm fire in the fireplace.

"Wow", said Misty, Stella, and Jenny with stars in their eyes imagining 
the den they'd like to have once they're married.

"You like my humble little pad?" asked the voice who was behind the 
huge red chair. "I'm touched.  Actually I can't take all the credit.  
The original owners of this mansion probably decorated it themselves.  
I'm glad I spared this place when I caused that volcano to erupt five 
years ago."

"You caused the volcano to erupt?!" gasped Brock. "How could you do 
such a thing?!"

"Simple question", said the voice. "It was there!  I hope that clears 
it up."

"Just exactly who are you?!" demanded Jenny. "And how could you've 
recruited the all powerful legendary birds?"

"And where is Mewtwo?!" demanded Misty. "We need him to get a good 
friend of ours back!"

"You want Mewtwo?" asked the voice. "Your last wish is my command!" 
And the chair turned around and everyone's jaws dropped when they saw 
their host.  It was Mewtwo himself wearing a red housecoat while 
smoking a pipe.  He got out of his chair and slowly levitated himself 
to our heroes looking down at them.

"Y...You're our host?!" gasped Cameron.

"I'm full of surprises, aren't I?" smiled Mewtwo who didn't move his 
lips when he talked.  He was speaking to them telepathically. "I just 
love it when Pokemon trainers come to challenge me.  That way, when 
they lose, I add them to my fine collection."

"What do you want with trainers?" asked Brock.

"I want their skills, strength, and intellegence", smiled Mewtwo. "Once 
I have all the world's greatest Pokemon masters in my power.  I will 
become the world's most powerful creature on Earth.  People and Pokemon 
alike will bow down to me, serve me, and dance for me in demeaning 
little outfits!  Doesn't that just sound delicious?!  HA HA HA HA!"

"Well we're not going to let you do this you monster!" shouted Misty. 
"We came here to free our friend Ash Ketchum and we won't rest until 
we defeat you and make you release him!"

"Hmmm, Ash Ketchum", said Mewtwo while putting a finger up to his lips. 
"That name does ring a bell.  Maybe he's in the back of my mind 
somewhere.  Just trying one pathetic scheme after another to escape.  
But I'll make you a deal.  If one of your best Pokemon can defeat me 
in a match, I'll let this Ash loose along with all my other victims."

"And what if we lose?" asked Brock.

"Then you'll all be joining him in my little prison forever", laughed 
Mewtwo. "What do you say?  Either way you'll be reunited with your 
friend."

Everyone huddled together and discussed while Mewtwo just stood there 
admiring the mounted human heads over his wall. "Okay Mewtwo, you've 
got a deal", said Cameron with a determined look. "And I'm going to 
challenge you!"

"Ah, so it seems the youngest cub of the pack wants to challenge me", 
smiled Mewtwo. "Let's just see how talented you really are."

"Please win Cameron", Misty whispered into Ash's ear. "For ours and 
Ash's sake."

"Don't worry Misty", said Cameron. "I got my secret weapon right here.  
Slowie, I choose you!" And Slowking appeared right in front of the 
unimpressed Mewtwo.

"You're sending a simple minded Slowking to battle me?" laughed Mewtwo 
out loud. "This battle should be over soon enough.  Go ahead boy and 
call out the first attack."

"Okay Slowie", commanded Cameron. "Show him the mighty power of 
mindzero!"

"Slow?" asked Slowking as he scratched his crown while question marks 
surrounded it.

"Slowie, I said use your mindzero attack!" cried Cameron. "Don't you 
remember Sabrina programming it into you?!"

"Slow?" asked Slowking as the question marks completely covered him.

"I can't believe it!" gasped Seymour. "That mindzero doesn't seem to do 
anything!"

"Maybe that attack doesn't exist!" said Misty nervously. "Maybe Sabrina 
made it up just to fool us and trap us!"

"Is this the best your mighty king can do?" said Mewtwo disappointedly 
as he gave a psychic flick with his finger knocking Slowking over 
causing him to roll right into Cameron knocking him down.

"Slowie", cried Cameron. "I'm sorry!"

"Slow", said a sad Slowie who in the first time didn't feel clueless 
about the agony of defeat.

"It looks like I win", said Mewtwo with evil glowing eyes. "And now may 
I introduce you all to your permanent home!"

"Everyone scram!" cried Bill as he and the six humans started to run 
for their lives then realized that they were running in mid air.  They 
were all trapped in Mewtwo's mindjail beam.  

"NOOOOO!" they all shouted as they shrunk down and got pulled into 
Mewtwo's evil mind.

*      *      *      *      *      *

When our heroes awoke, they found themselves in a brand new world. 
"Where are we?" asked Cameron who found himself lying on what looked 
like a soft pink gooey mattress. 

"I believe we're all in Mewtwo's mind!" gasped Seymour.  Everyone 
looked in panic at the nightmarish scenery of the huge walls and 
ceiling made of brain cells and the red roots sticking out from the 
floor like evil trees.

"This can't be!" cried Brock.

"It's so gross!" whined Stella.

"I've always wanted to enter the mind of a Pokemon", said Bill. "But 
not like this!  No wait.  I'm already sharing the brain of my Rattata.  
So never mind what I said."

"So this is the place Ash has been living all these years", whispered 
Misty. "I hope he's still alive!"

"Don't worry Misty, we'll find him", said Cameron.

"And we also have to find a way out of this brain", said Jenny. 

"And to fight off any invaders", said Bill.

"What invaders?" asked Jenny.

"Those coming right at us!" cried Bill as he pointed to the tiny little 
dots at the far distance that suddenly turned out to be miniature 
Mewtwos with razor sharp teeth.

"What are those things?!" gasped Stella.

"Those must be Mewtwo's mind minions", said Seymour with his knees 
shaking. "I believe that they're gonna feast on our bodies so only our 
thoughts, skills, and intellects will be left so that Mewtwo can absorb 
them into his own brain!"

"NO!" cried Misty. "I want to keep my intellect along with my body as 
well!" 

"Clefairy, Clefable!  Use your light screen to protect us!" cried 
Seymour as he released his two fairy Pokemon who created their light 
dome around our heroes.  The Mini-Mewtwos tried to chomp through the 
light screen like mad but with no luck.

"Nice work Seymour", said Jenny. "That should keep us safe for now."

"Thank you", said Seymour. "But I'm afraid Clefairy and Clefable can't 
keep this screen up for long."

"Fairy, Fable!" said both Clefairy and Clefable trying really hard to 
protect their friends.  

Just then they heard a voice call out. "Charizard, use your 
flamethrower attack!" A huge flying lizard flew out of the darkness and 
burned up half the Mewtwos turning them into black dust.

"That Charizard!" gasped Misty. "Could it be?" The surviving Mewtwos 
stopped biting at the light screen and stared angrily at Charizard and 
the shadows standing at the distance.  They were in the shapes of giant 
Pokemon while the final shadow was in the shape of a teenage boy.  The 
Mewtwos suddenly stopped attacking our heroes and started flying 
towards the shadows.  Then both Clefairy and Clefable undid their light 
screen and fainted from exhaustion.

"Nice work you two", said Seymour as he pulled them back in their balls.

Just as the Mewtwo's were about to attack the shadows, the first shadow 
stepped out of the darkness and revealed itself as a huge tortoise with 
cannons on its shell. "Blastoise, use hydro pump now!" commanded the 
stranger. "BLASTOISE!" yelled Blastoise as it gushed out powerful jets 
of water at some of the Mewtwo's completely dampening them.  Then 
another flock of Mini-Mewtwos came attacking.

"You're up next Venusaur", said the stranger. "Get 'em with your sleep 
powder!"  "SAUR!" said the huge lizard with a giant flower on its back 
as it sprayed some pollen all over the Mewtwos putting them to sleep 
right next to the dampened ones.

"Okay Pidgeot, blow them away with a whirlwind!" commanded the 
stranger.  The giant pigeon cooed as it flapped its wings hard blowing 
away the weakened Mini-Mewtwos to another part of the brain.

"Great job you guys!" said the stranger proudly as he recalled all four 
of his Pokemon back in their Pokeballs.

"That guy is amazing!" said Stella.

"He's got the same group of Pokemon Ash has" said Brock. "Only they're 
fully evolved!"

"I think I know who that is", thought Cameron smiling.  Then the 
stranger stepped out of the shadows and approached our heroes.

"Hi guys", said the teen. "I just knew you'd find me one day."

"ASH!!!" cried Misty who got down on her knees in joy.

TO BE CONTINUED!

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Well it finally happened.  Our heroes have finally found their long 
lost friend only to be sent to the same trap he's been in for five 
years.  Will they all escape Mewtwo's mad mind?  And what will happen 
to poor Reiko who's now in the clutches of Jessie and James?  And why 
didn't Slowking's mindzero attack work?  For the answers to these and 
many more questions, stay tuned.  ;)