"Phew, a hot bath really hits the spot."
"Wouldn't you agree, Froakie?"
"Fro, fro..."
Froakie was currently soaking in a wooden tub. Both of its arms rested lazily on the rim. Hearing Ash's voice, it simply raised a hand in a dismissive wave. It sank halfway into the warm water, its eyes narrowing into contented slits.
As a Water-type Pokémon, Froakie naturally loved being in the water.
Besides, soaking in a hot bath was the true romance of a master swordsman.
Ash smiled at the relaxed frog. Feeling a sudden squirming sensation in his hands, he quickly looked down.
"Stop moving around, Mimikyu. We are almost done."
Ash was currently giving Mimikyu a much-needed scrub.
Even though the Bug Catcher had stitched the torn rag back together, the fabric still looked dingy and gray. Ash had wanted to wash it ever since he caught the Pokémon, but he hadn't found the right opportunity until now.
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu resisted the scrubbing at first. However, since the rag was properly sewn up, the terrifying, bizarre power it possessed seemed completely sealed away once again. Its current struggle was no more intense than a grumpy housecat receiving a bath. It was a little troublesome, but Ash managed to get the job done.
Realizing it couldn't overpower its Trainer, Mimikyu slowly ceased its struggling. But it certainly wasn't enjoying the process. In fact, it looked incredibly miserable.
"Mimi..."
Mimikyu clearly remembered what happened when it lost control. It felt deeply guilty for nearly hurting Ash.
"Don't worry about it, Mimikyu." Ash couldn't speak Pokémon, but he could easily feel his partner's heavy emotions. He smiled reassuringly.
"It doesn't matter if you can't take a hit. We just have to make sure you get so fast that no attack can ever touch you!"
"Oh, right! Froakie, I'm going to need your help training Mimikyu." Ash looked over at the tub. "Can you help train its speed?"
"Fro, fro." Froakie waved a hand in lazy agreement. It would have done so even if Ash hadn't asked. After all, cutting down a mindless, berserk enemy just didn't feel as satisfying as cutting down a rational, skilled opponent.
"Mimi?"
Seeing that Ash didn't blame it in the slightest, Mimikyu blinked its beady eyes. It stood on its tiptoes and gently nuzzled its head against Ash's cheek.
"Haha, stop it, Mimikyu! That tickles!"
"Mimi!"
...
After finishing up their baths, Ash ate a hearty breakfast at the Pokémon Center and quickly set out on the road.
He had run non-stop through the forest the previous day, finally arriving at the Pokémon Center by nightfall. He rented a room, got a full night's sleep, and recovered his energy. His next step was obvious. He needed to train, and then challenge his very first Gym.
"Goh!"
"Pika!"
Ash hadn't been walking for long when he suddenly heard shouting. He turned his head and spotted a girl with bright orange hair calling out into the trees. A Pikachu was standing right beside her.
Ash's eyes locked instantly onto the Pikachu.
"Pika?"
Perhaps Ash's stare was a little too intense, because the Pikachu suddenly stopped and turned its head. Seeing Ash, it tilted its head in utter confusion.
"Did you see Goh, Pikachu?" Following her Pokémon's gaze, the girl turned around. She paused for a moment upon seeing Ash. "Who are you?"
"Uh... I'm Ash." Startled out of his daze, Ash scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"I'm Misty." The girl introduced herself in return before getting straight to the point. "Ash, have you seen a boy with dark skin running around here?"
"No, I haven't..."
Before Ash could even finish his sentence, the nearby bushes violently rustled. A dark-skinned boy stepped out, aggressively scratching his head with a look of pure annoyance.
"What are you yelling for? I'm right here."
Seeing his unapologetic attitude, Misty instantly flared up. "Why did you just vanish without saying a single word?!"
"I just went to catch a few Pokémon. Stop making a big deal out of nothing."
"You can't just leave Pikachu behind! It's your Pokémon!"
"Pika, pika!"
Faced with his companion's scolding, Goh couldn't be bothered to argue. He looked around the clearing and then shot Ash a sideways glare. "Anyway, who is this guy?"
Noticing Ash continuously glancing at his Pikachu, Goh furrowed his brows.
"Don't tell me he wants to catch my Pikachu too."
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?! Do you think everyone is an evil thief from Team Rocket trying to steal other people's Pokémon?" Misty scolded him mercilessly. "Ash is obviously just looking for a standard Pokémon battle!"
"Right, Ash?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Another battle? Seriously, why do we have to go through the trouble?" Goh shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "We all know exactly how this is going to end. Can't you just surrender right now and save us the time?"
"Cut the crap!" Misty glared at him. "Just send out your Pokémon!"
"Yeah, yeah." Goh let out an exaggerated sigh. "What a pain. Go take care of this, Pikachu."
"Pika!"
Pikachu bounded forward, taking a battle stance a short distance away from Ash.
"What are you waiting for, Ash? Bring out your Pokémon and teach this arrogant jerk a lesson!"
"...Got it." Truthfully, Ash didn't fully understand the strange, heavy feeling sitting in his chest. But since a battle was starting, he forced all his distracting emotions away.
If they were going to battle, he was going to give it his all.
But as he made that resolution, a problem arose.
Ash looked at the Poké Balls on his belt, then glanced down at Froakie sitting by his feet.
"Froakie, do you want to take this one?"
"Fro, fro."
Froakie stared intently at the Pikachu on the field. After evaluating it for a few seconds, Froakie slowly shook its head.
This Pikachu... its battle purity has plummeted.
It has absolutely no value to be cut down.
"Are you serious..."
"Pfft. You can't even command your own Pokémon?" Goh laughed out loud. "I'm asking you, Misty. Are you sure you want me to battle this total amateur?"
"Shut up!"
Misty turned her attention back to Ash.
"Ash, tell me you have more than just one Pokémon."
"I do have another one, but..."
"If you have one, then throw it out already." Goh dug a finger into his ear, looking completely impatient. "Can we stop wasting time? I still have more Pokémon to catch today."
Ash didn't say a single word. He simply pulled the brim of his cap down slightly.
He grabbed a Poké Ball and called out Mimikyu.
Crouching down, Ash looked his partner directly in the eyes. "Mimikyu, are you okay to fight?"
"Mimi..."
Mimikyu looked up. Its simple mind couldn't completely decipher the complex whirlwind of emotions in Ash's eyes. But it could clearly see his worry mixed with hope. Mimikyu thought for a brief moment before actively shuffling forward to face Pikachu.
"Mimi!"
It was accepting the challenge.
"Mimikyu."
"Alright!" Ash stood up behind his partner, his fighting spirit instantly igniting.
"Let's do this!"
"Huh? What kind of Pokémon is that? It looks like a creepy Pikachu." Seeing Mimikyu's appearance, Goh's eyes lit up with curiosity. He quickly pulled out his Pokédex. "Mimikyu? A Pokémon from the Alola region? It wears a rag to look like Pikachu so it can be more popular? So it's literally just a cheap knock-off."
"Mimikyu is not a knock-off." Hearing Goh's insult, Ash's expression hardened. "Mimikyu is Mimikyu. Don't you dare mix that up."
"Whatever you say. That's exactly what the Pokédex implies." Goh pocketed the device, looking incredibly bored. "Alright, both Pokémon are out. Can we just get this over with? Pikachu, use Thunderbolt."
"Pika... CHU!"
Seeing the massive surge of electricity erupting from Pikachu, Ash didn't dare underestimate the attack. He immediately issued a command.
"Mimikyu, use Double Team!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu instantly split into over a dozen perfect illusions, successfully dodging the devastating lightning strike.
"In that case, use Electro Ball."
"Pika!"
A sphere of crackling yellow electricity rapidly condensed at the tip of Pikachu's tail. Pikachu hurled the orb forward in a perfect arc. The ball of energy swept across the field, obliterating every single illusion until only the real Mimikyu remained.
"Now, Thunderbolt!"
"Don't let him use it! Mimikyu, Shadow Sneak!"
"Mimi!"
The instant Ash gave the order, the shadow directly behind Pikachu violently stretched upward. It grabbed Pikachu by the shoulders and delivered two vicious, echoing slaps right across its face.
"Pika!"
Pikachu was sent flying across the grass.
"Now is our chance! Mimikyu, use Wood Hammer!"
"Mimi!"
Mimikyu's wooden tail instantly morphed into a massive mallet. It leaped high into the air, aiming the heavy hammer directly for Pikachu's head.
"Damn it! I am not losing this!" Seeing himself fall into a disadvantage, Goh's face contorted in anger. He glared at Ash and ground his teeth together.
"Pikachu! Hit it with Thunderbolt right now!"
"Pi... Pika!"
In the nick of time, Pikachu scrambled back to its feet. Looking up at the descending Mimikyu, Pikachu slapped its own cheeks. Sparks instantly flared from its electric pouches. In the very next second, Pikachu released a blinding, point-blank explosion of electricity.
"Pika... CHU!"
"Mimikyu!"
Seeing the massive surge of electricity about to strike his partner, Ash's mind flashed back to the horrifying moment Pinsir had landed a hit. The hesitation in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by an iron resolve.
Moving faster than lightning, Ash whipped out his Poké Ball and aimed it perfectly.
"Return, Mimikyu!"
Click!
A beam of red light enveloped Mimikyu. A fraction of a second before the deadly electricity could make contact, Mimikyu was safely recalled into its capsule.
"Huh? Why did you recall your Pokémon?!"
Misty looked on in complete bewilderment.
"Mimikyu could have totally kept fighting!"
"I'm sorry. My Mimikyu has a slight problem. It absolutely cannot take a direct hit." Seeing that Mimikyu hadn't gone into a blind rampage, Ash let out a massive sigh of relief. "I forfeit. You win this match."
"What a joke. I told you a knock-off is just a knock-off." Hearing Ash admit defeat, Goh's previously panicked expression morphed back into arrogant superiority. He shrugged his shoulders, looking completely dismissive. "It can't even take a single attack without running away. Pfft, what a pathetic, weak Pokémon."
"Can you just shut up for one second?!"
"What? I'm just telling the truth."
Ash completely ignored Goh's mockery. For some reason, he just felt that wasting words on someone like this was entirely pointless.
He pulled the brim of his cap down, completely ignoring the two bickering companions. Ash turned his back on them.
"I'll be taking my leave now. Let's go, Froakie."
"Fro, fro."
Froakie followed closely behind Ash. But before leaving, it threw one final look back at Pikachu.
It locked eyes with the electric mouse for a long moment before turning its head away.
Fro, fro.
Following a Trainer like that... it is inevitable that your battle purity would rot away.
How utterly pathetic.
But then, a sudden thought struck Froakie. It tilted its head up to look at Ash's back.
If it stayed with this boy... would its own purity eventually rot away too?
Froakie thought about it very seriously. A moment later, it shook its head with complete relief.
That will definitely never happen. And if it ever does... I'll just have to assassinate Ash to end the disgrace.
"Gah!" Ash suddenly shuddered violently, aggressively rubbing his arms. "Why did it just get so incredibly cold?"
...
A short while later, Ash arrived at the base of a small, roaring waterfall. Looking at the open clearing beside the water, he nodded in satisfaction.
"This is the perfect spot for training. Let's not waste any time. Come on out, Mimikyu!"
"Mimi!"
"Mimikyu, we are starting our special training right now!" Ash raised a fist enthusiastically. "If we can maximize your agility, not only will we be able to properly battle, but you will definitely become incredibly strong!"
"Mimi!" Mimikyu looked back at Ash with equally determined eyes.
Bring it on. It was completely ready!
"Alright!" Ash turned his attention to his other partner. "Froakie, I'm counting on you!"
"Fro, fro."
Froakie stood opposite the two of them. Seeing Ash standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Mimikyu, Froakie tilted its head and let out a questioning cry.
I have no problem being the sparring partner. But if you don't step back, you're going to get sliced to pieces too.
"Bring it on! I can handle it!" Ash struck a ridiculous bodybuilding pose. "If Mimikyu is training its body, then as its Trainer, I can't fall behind!"
"Besides, I still can't even track your movements," Ash smiled brightly. "If I want to be your Trainer, I need to at least be able to see your attacks before I can command you, right?"
"...Fro?"
Froakie froze in complete surprise. It looked deeply at Ash's earnest, determined expression. A second later, a small smirk tugged at the frog's mouth.
Fro.
You actually still want to be my Trainer? How amusing. You really talk a big game.
Froakie placed its left hand behind its back and flicked its right hand downward. A brilliant, glowing blade of light materialized in its grip. It slowly stepped toward Ash and Mimikyu. Its aura instantly condensed into the heavy, suffocating pressure of a peerless master swordsman.
In the blink of an eye, Froakie vanished from its spot.
Whack!
Both Ash and Mimikyu were instantly hit by a heavy, blunt impact.
"Ouch!"
Ash stumbled forward from the force of the blow. But he didn't give up. He threw his arms up to protect his head and violently spun around to face Froakie!
"Fro, fro."
Seeing the unyielding fire burning in Ash's eyes, a flash of genuine approval crossed Froakie's face. In the very next second, that approval was replaced entirely by the razor-sharp focus of a swordsman.
Slash! Slash!
It delivered two more lightning-fast strikes straight at Ash.
And it didn't stop there. The moment Froakie's feet touched the ground, it violently changed direction, continuing to deliver merciless, rapid-fire blows to both Mimikyu and Ash.
And the vast majority of those heavy blows were aimed directly at Ash.
After all...
If you don't grow stronger quickly, you will never have the right to command me.
Hurry up and get stronger. I am waiting for the day we can finally fight side by side.
You foolish boy.
More PS = More Chapters!