Part 2 of 3  Please direct all C&C to dangermouse42@yahoo.com.


jcaliff@nsai-petro.com       http://www.topher.net/~jcaliff/iserlohn.htm

----------

"I can't believe we're doing this."

Brock was forced to agree with Misty's statement.  The whole situation
had been strange and disturbing to him.  He shifted slightly on the
clover-covered ground, converting his legs to a lotus position.  He was
getting tired of sitting here.  

The clothes Robin had sold them really weren't that bad.  They were more
like robes that a monk would wear.  They were thin and light -
comfortable in the cool spring air.  The fabric was a very high quality
and Brock felt he could get along with wearing them year round, if not
for one slight draw back.

They were green.  Very, very green.  Bright green.  Ash had insisted
that this was necessary to keep the mysterious pok�mon from running away
when they were finally able to see it.  To top it all of, they were
forced to paint their faces and hands green with a body paint also sold
to them by Robin at a "very reasonable price."  Luckily, they're robes
had hoods.  Misty had not been fond of the idea of dying her hair green.
 Brock sighed and shifted again, laying on his stomach and watching Ash.
 This was just too weird, even for the bizarre little group they'd
formed.

Ash clapped his hands together to begin the ceremony.  Reading from a
small paperback book in his hands (also courtesy of Robin), he began to
raise his voice in song:

"Shing shaa-la, Shing shaa-la, Shing, Shing, SHING!
Cry of the Sprits, Rose covered Ring!
Rod of Power, Man's Mighty Glow,
Large living Mecha, Magic Girl's Bow!
Tricky schemer, twice, twice paid!
Evil laugher drifts through the glade!
Here me now, my mirthful call,
Servant's freed.  Goodwill to All!"

Brock groaned and allowed his head to collapse in his hands.  He heard a
similar action from Misty.  This really was too much.  Ash clapped his
hands to complete the ritual, uttering the sacred chant:

"Spirit of Greatness.  
Power of Dios.  
Awaken within me.
Crack the World's Shell,
Free the mind.
In the name of the Moon,
I will raise my mallet high,
Cry the call of the ages,
Free the soul.
With Alphonse, Majer�,
Charlotte & Flower,
With a song to banish
The Darkness away,
Come to my call,
Listen to my song.
Free All."

Brock briefly considered digging a whole in the ground and burying his
head in it.  He thanked every deity he could imagine that nobody he knew
was around to see this.  Slowly, almost against his will, he looked up
at Ash.

The pok�mon trainer in training had completed the ritual and waited
expectantly.  In his hand he clutched a green-painted pok�ball.  The
green robes he wore fluttered around him.  All in all, Brock was forced
to admit that it did look very dramatic.  He found himself holding his
breath.  After all they had gone through, this pok�mon would definitely
be something.

The trio gasped suddenly as a cold wind blew across the field.  Pikachu,
(also dressed in a green outfit), clutched to Ash's leg, trying not to
be blown away.  A bright light filled the field and Brock could have
sworn heard Misty crying out.    Brock buried his head in his hands.
The light was so intense!  A voice spoke, so soft, Brock wondered how he
could have heard it over the howling wind.  Yet, it broke through the
noise, piercing his very soul.

"Well, well, well," it whispered, a great deal of merriment in its
voice. "What have we here?"

*    *    *    *    *

*DING*

"Bull's eye!" 

James smiled smugly, gave the small hand gun he held a 540 degree spin,
and thrust it into an imaginary holster at his side.  Jessie laughed
lightly and clapped her hands.  After delivering a thumbs up sign to his
partner, he handed the toy gun back to the carnie.  The man smiled
brightly, little yen and dollar signs flashing in his eyes.  This
sharp-shooting boy with the purple hair had put on quite a show and a
large group of people had started to gather around his booth.  He smiled
a warm, oily smile at the young couple.

"Well, young man, that's some fancy shootin'.  Tell me now, where did
you learn to do that?  I don't think I've ever seen someone your age hit
a target with such deadly accuracy as yourself."

James just shrugged.  "Life experience?"

"Uhh..." the game carnie felt a sweat drop fall down the back of his
head.  He swallowed hard and forced the smile to come back.  He laughed
lightly.  "Good joke, kid.  Good joke.  Now, why don't you pick out a
prize for your young, beautiful lady friend, hmmm?"

James exchanged glances with Jessie, who shrugged in return.  James
looked at the prizes.  He immediately saw what to get and gestured at
it.  As the oily carnie pulled it off the shelf, Jessie began to shake
with laughter, covering her hand with her mouth and turning from the
sight.  The carnie looked at her strangely for a moment and handed the
prize to James.

"Uhh, one large prize for the winner," he said, gazing at Jessie's form.
 She looked like she might fall over in hysterics.  The carnie wondered
if maybe he missed out on some kind of joke.  James held the toy close
to his chest with one arm, put the other one around Jessie's waist, and
led her away from the fair ground.  The both sat down on a hard bench at
the edge of a park.  Jessie had pulled herself together, still
snickering slightly.

"Well, we caught one, ne?" said James, grinning from ear to ear.  He
held the prize out to Jessie.  She took it from him and mirrored his
grin.

"Hai, we did," she laughed, hugging the stuffed toy pikachu to her
chest.  "Thank you."  She leaned over and kissed James on the cheek, a
gesture he was obviously not expecting from the surprised expression on
his face.  He put his hand behind his head and laughed again, blushing
slightly.

The two criminals looked over the fair ground.  It was noisy and
bustling - and it was only early afternoon! Jessie sighed.  She and
James had been all over the fair and had a small, but expensive, lunch
at one of the booths.  They had played a few games and went on a few of
the rides.  The day had been very busy.  She looked with a longing gaze
at the quiet sheltered woods of the park.  The day had warmed up to a
pleasant 72 degrees, the sun was shinning, and the pidgies were singing.
 She nodded happily.  Standing up, she grabbed James' arm, pulling him
to his feet.  He looked at her curiously. 

"Come on," she said, jerking a thumb at the park.  "Let's go for a
walk."

He smiled and nodded in response, taking her arm in his.  Jessie
continued to hold the toy pikachu and she leaned against James'
shoulder.  He looked at her fondly, happy for this vacation beyond
belief.  Together, they walked onto the trail and made their way into
the park.  A cold wind blew through James' hair.

*    *    *    *    *

Ash took a step back and looked at what he had summoned.  It was
definitely not what he expected.  He threw a glance over his shoulder at
Misty and Brock.  Brock looked surprised.  Misty had an "I told you so,
you big lunkhead," look on her face.  Ash sighed and turned back to
face... well, whatever it was.

"You're... not a pok�mon, are you?" he asked swallowing hard, watching
the thing as it hovered lightly above the ground.  Ash had to turn his
head to watch it as it made a lazy circle in the air above his head.  It
smiled at him - an evil, twisted, knowing kind of smile that Ash
immediately did not like.

"Not exactly, Sherlock," it said, rubbing a sore spot on it's head where
Ash had thrown a pok�ball at it.  Ash winced as it began to hover not
two inches from the tip of his nose.  "Well?" it asked, slightly
irritated.

"Well, what?" asked Ash, starting to feel uncomfortable.  It was an odd
looking creature.  At first glance, anybody could have mistaken it for a
normal human child.  It was small - two inches or so shorter than Ash -
and had all human characteristics.  Well, almost.  It had pointed ears,
ice-blue eyes, and very, very green hair.  It was long and straight,
held up in a topknot by a golden band.  Its clothes were mostly green
with gold accents, except for the soft brown leather boots it wore.
Plus the fact that it was hovering three inches above the floor may have
been a dead give away that this was, in fact, not a human at all.  (Of
course, with psychics around, it was kinda hard to tell - but let's not
get technical).

"Well," answered the thing, slightly frustrated, "what do you want?  You
summoned me after all.  I'm a very busy fairy, you know.  I don't have
time to float around here all day.  Either make some wishes or let me
go."

"You really do grant wishes?" Ash asked excitedly.  He paused for a
moment.  "A Fairy? Let you go?"

The thing sighed and rubbed its temples with its fingers.  "Didn't you
read that book you have in your hand?"  Ash looked down at the small
paperback he had bought from Robin.  He shrugged helplessly and looked
back at the fairy.

"Uhh... no?"

The fairy sighed and did a backflip in the air, mumbling something to
itself in a language that Ash couldn't understand.  It sighed again and
looked at the boy.

"All, right, my young illiterate friend, I will sum-up for you."  It
crossed its legs and leaned back on his hands against an invisible
table.  "I am a fairy.  My name... well, let's not worry about that.  I
will grant you, and only you, three wishes.  I am tied to you for today
- in other words, I will go where you go and do what you wish, but only
for today.  However, if you want, you can let me go reading the
incantation on page 42 of the manual in your hands.  Said manual will
disappear once I am freed.  If you make a wish and want to take it back,
you can, but it will be one wish total used."

Ash smiled a greedy look coming into his eyes.  He turned around a faced
Misty, a big smile on his face.  "HA!  See, I told you this was a good
idea! I'm gonna get wishes!"

Misty crossed her arms a look of concern crossing her face.  The fairy
behind Ash was smiling a little too much.  It had a strange gleam in its
eyes.  "I don't know, Ash. You better be careful what you wish for," she
said softly, dread eking its way into her system.

Ash just scoffed at her and turned around.  She's just jealous because
I'm getting wishes and she isn't, he thought.  He looked at the fairy
and smiled, the first wish already coming to mind.

"I wish to be the greatest pok�mon trainer in the world!" he cried.
Only one thought permeated the mortal minds of the field at that time.
Was there ever any doubt that would be Ash's first wish?  The fairy
smiled evilly again.  Misty felt a chill go up her back and wondered if
Ash saw it, too.  He was too wrapped up about getting his wish to
notice.

"Granted."  

Misty looked up suddenly as the fairy looked in her direction.  It
winked once.  Then, Misty felt nothing at all.

"Pika!  Pika, pika chuu!" Ash looked down at Pikachu, its frantic cries
echoing across the field.  Ash looked around.  Misty and Brock were
gone!  He looked at the fairy, who had a very innocent look on its face.

"What happened to Misty and Brock?" demanded Ash, fear collecting in the
pit of his belly.  The fairy floated in a circle, whistling softly.  It
stopped abruptly and got right in Ash's face.

"You're the best pok�mon trainer in the world now," it said simply.  Ash
blinked twice, confused.  Suddenly, his face got contorted in the most
unusual of expressions as the impact of what the imp said sunk in.

"NOT AT THE LOSS OF MY FRIENDS!  I WANTED TO BE THE BEST OF ALL OF THEM,
NOT THE ONLY ONE IN EXISTANCE!!!  TAKE IT BACK!!" yelled Ash, grabbing
front of the fairy's shirt.  The fairy just sighed.

"Details, details, details," it murmured.  

"Detnarg."

After it said that strange word, Misty and Brock reappeared, both
looking slightly confused.  Brock shook his head and ran his fingers
through his hair.

"Now, that was _really_ disturbing," he said quietly.  Misty nodded in
agreement.

"I'm really sorry guys," said Ash, looking at his friends.  "I guess it
take more than a wish to become a great pok�mon master.  It's something
I should work hard at and be proud of.  I can't take the easy way out.
I'm sorry."  Brock just patted Ash on the shoulder.  Misty smiled at
him.  The fairy looked positively sick.

"Gag," it said.  "So, do your last two wishes or what?"  Ash looked at
his friends.  Suddenly Misty had an idea.  Pulling Ash and Brock over to
her, they huddled in a circle, Misty whispering her plan.  Smiles inched
across all of their faces.  Nodding in agreement, Ash turned to the
fairy.

"I wish Team Rocket wouldn't bother us anymore."

The fairy looked thoughtful for a moment.  Then it smiled.  The trio
stepped back, quickly learning to detest that smile.

"Granted."

*    *    *    *    *

Jessie sighed in containment.  The park was really quiet.  Everybody was
at the St. Patrick's Day Fair.  She looked over at James.  He was quite
adorable when you got right down to it.  She remembered that Jessiebell
character.  Her blood was boiling at the thought of anybody else with
her James.  But, she had remained quiet about it.  After all, the
marriage was an arrangement by his parents.  She had no business
interfering.  Of course, James had decided for himself.  After all, they
had been best friends since she saw him wandering the streets one-day
after he ran away.  At least now she understood a little more about
where he'd come from.  She clutched his arm tightly and buried her head
in his shoulder.  He had made his decision.  She was his and visa versa.
 Jessie vowed to never, ever let him go.  

James looked down at Jessie as she tightened her grip on his arm.  He
knew Jessie had been concerned when she found out about his arranged
marriage.  Jess had never asked him about his past and he had been
grateful for it.  He didn't want to hurt her.  But, she was a tough
woman - smart, too.  It didn't take long for her to realize how much he
disliked his fianc�.  He gave Jessie's arm a reassuring squeeze.  He
loved her more than anything.

Suddenly, a strange light cascaded around them.  James felt oddly
light-headed and dizzy.  He looked over at Jessie.  She didn't seem to
be in any better condition.  The light suddenly faded.

"Woah," was all Jessie could say as she slumped to the ground.  James
collapsed next to her.  Yet, seconds later, the dizziness was gone, just
leaving an odd feeling.

"What the heck was that?" asked Jessie, allowing James to help her
stand.  He shook his head and leaned on her for comfort.  Jessie
clutched the pikachu close to her body.  James smiled and leaned on her
head.

"I don't think we should eat at that food stand again."  Jessie nodded
in agreement.  They started to continue their walk, but paused, both of
them hearing something.  James opened his mouth to speak, but was
shushed as Jessie put her fingers to his lips.  Together, they snuck
quietly towards the large open field on the opposite side of the path.

*    *    *    *    *

The three good-doers and Pikachu gazed at the fairy.  They stood in the
field, wondering if the wish had come true. None of them moved, almost
afraid.  The fairy looked back at them, wondering idly what their
problem was.

"Did it work?" Misty asked the fairy nervously.  Brock and Ash held
their breaths, waiting for the answer.  Pikachu just sat there, one of
his ears cocked in confusion.

"The infamous 'Team Rocket' is no more, I assure you," answered the
fairy, smiling again.  Misty couldn't believe it.  Neither could Brock.
Ash let out a cry of joy.  Pikachu leaped into Ash's arms and together
they waltzed around the field.  Misty and Brock joined in on Ash and
Pikachu's impromptu celebration, cheering wildly.  Team Rocket wasn't
going to bother them anymore!

"TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM DEVISTATION!"

Ash stopped suddenly, nearly dropping Pikachu.

"TO UNITE ALL PEOPLE WITHIN OUR NATION!"

"But you said..." cried Ash, turning to look at the fairy.

"TO DENOUCE THE EVILS OF TRUTH AND LOVE."

The fairy just smiled again.

"TO EXTEND OUR REACH TO THE STARS ABOVE."

Misty got a terrible sinking feeling in her stomach as she turned and
saw Team Rocket posing on the edge of the clearing.

"JESSIE!"

"JAMES!"

Ash tried to say more, but the fairy shushed him, gesturing for him to
listen carefully.

"ROCKET GANG, BLAST OFF AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT!"

"SURRENDER NOW OR PREPARE TO FIGHT!"

Brock, Ash, Misty and Pikachu face faulted as they realized the fairy's
newest pun.

"Uh... Meowth, that's right," finished James off-handedly.

"Let me guess," began Misty, pointing an accusing finger at the fairy.
"'Team Rocket' is no more because you changed their name to 'Rocket
Gang,' right?"

The fairy shrugged.  "Well, 'Team Rocket' won't be bothering you
anymore."

Ash looked about ready to tear his hair out of his head.  Jessie and
James looked the floating... thing with green hair, looked at each
other, than looked back at it.

"What...?"  They asked simultaneously, pointing at the fairy.  Ash just
sighed.

"Just take the wish back, okay?  'Team Rocker' sounds better in the
motto."  Ash found himself developing a very bad headache.  The fairy
chuckled.

"Detnarg."

Jessie and James felt the strange light come over them again.  Jessie
stood up to enter the field, her mind grasping for someway to snatch the
pikachu and find out what that floating kid was.  She very nearly
tripped on something.  Looking down, she saw the stuffed pikachu James
had won for her at the carnival.  She knelt in the grass and picked it
up.  She looked over at James.  He nodded slowly, instantly
understanding her plan.  Jessie stood up.

"Screw it."  Jessie took James' hand, gave her toy pikachu a hug, and
walked with him out of the field.  It was their day off, dammit.

"Pikaaa..."

Misty, Brock, Ash, Pikachu, and the fairy all stood in stunned silence
watching their departure.  Slowly, the trio and the pok�mon turned to
look at the fairy.  It looked no less shocked than them.

"Did you do that?" asked Ash.  Team Rocket just giving up on them was
really weird.  The fairy shook his head.

"Wasn't me," it answered.  For whatever reason, Team Rocket wasn't going
to figure into this situation.  It didn't care.  "So kiddos," it began,
rubbing its hands together, "You have one more wish to go."  The Fairy
floated upside down and looked into Ash's eyes.  "What's it gonna be?"

END OF PART 2

***************************************************************

I'm evil aren't I?  One more part and it should all be wrapped up.  I'll
have it out by tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow evening!  Ja ne!

DangerMouse, The Great Immortal.
http://members.xoom.com/Starsong/home.html
"We were once so close to heaven,
Peter came out and gave us medals,
Declaring us the nicest of the damned."
- They Might Be Giants, "Road Movie to Berlin"