I sit on the terrace of the inn I am staying at and watch the rain trickle down. The wooden planks of the building creak and sigh but it is dry and that's enough for me. I'm glad just to be out of the wet, to tell the truth. It was a long journey from the ice-clan's stronghold to this dismal inn, and not made easier by the reason for it.

I look at the Pikachu held tight in a bamboo cage and sigh.

"I should do something about feeding you," I tell it. "Though after all the time you've cost us I don't know why I'd bother."

I'm a rock master, sent for by the Ice-clan because of my pokemon's strength against the lightning attacks of this type of creature. Yet it's repeated attacks wore down my Onix's strength in the end and forced us to spend more time in rest than I would have liked. Fortunately my Onix was not the only one tired by the attacks and about mid-afternoon it fell asleep.

The Pikachu glares at me from behind the cage bars. It really is a remarkable Pokémon. There is something almost human in the look of malice and resentment it gives me. Knowing I am foolish for even thinking of this I go in search of the inn-keeper to get food for the little rat. I'm hoping that I can use food to bribe it into behaving well until we get to Viridian.

"Watch the Pikachu," I tell Onix. "On second thought, don't bother. The Pikachu can watch itself."

After my long and tiring day I would like to see anyone try to take that darn rat. It would be very amusing.

I get my wish.

When I return with a selection of the more edible of the inn-dishes I catch a faintly burnt smell on the air. I am familiar with the after-smell of a lightning attack, having encountered more than my fair few on the journey hair. I reach for my hatana.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

"I haven't done anything!" A small boy, looking slightly coal-smudged-another after effect of handling an irate Pikachu--stood. I paused, than put my sword aside. This boy, only a few years elder than my brothers and sisters, was obviously no threat.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Bringing your tea. Compliments of the inn," He points to a tray.

"Oh," I say. Something warm to drink would be good right now.

"I saw your Pokémon and well . . .got distracted. You're not mad at me?"

"Not if you're bringing tea," I say. "Don't let me keep you."

Tea requires ceremony. This boy knew what to do --I was confused. What was this kid doing in an Inn like this? He was obviously from somewhere else.

"Thank-you," I said as I accepted the offered cup.

"You're welcome." He paused. I had a feeling he wanted to stay and look at the Pokémon.

"Are you required elsewhere?" I asked. "If not I would not mind some conversation . . ."

He smiled. "The other guests are looked after by Tanako-san. I would be happy to keep you company."

"Good," I took another sip of the tea.

"You've obviously travelled far," My companion asked, bringing a mat over to sit on. "Where have you come from?"

"The ice-master's stronghold," I answered.

"Wow," he said. "Did you see the ice-warriors? Are they as good as they're supposed to be? What sort of Pokémon did they have?"

I laugh at his exuberance. "Hai. I saw the ice-warriors. It was a festival day, they wore their armour and their banners flew, all white with the emblems of the different ice-type Pokémon sewn into them. There Pokémon were there two, the wraith-like Jynx, the valuable Lapras, Starmie . . . they even carried a replica of the great bird of ice, Articuno, made of silk."

"That would have been worth seeing," my companion said wistfully.

"It was a sight I was privileged to see," I said. "The ice-clan are very secretive. Not many outsiders have entered their stronghold since the Storm-clan's tragic fate fifteen years ago. The destruction of an entire clan . . . and a master-clan at that. They have taken steps to protect themselves from a similar fate. I believe there is no stronger fortress in this land."

"How did you get in?" the boy asked. "You're not an ice-trainer."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I noticed your Onix."

"Of course. Onix does give it away . . ." I smile ruefully at the giant boulder-snake and my mistake. "I was asked to undertake a task for the ice-master. I'm the son of the rock-master you see, the ice-clan are allies of ours. That reminds me . . .I should get on with the task."

I turn to the food I have brought and taste it thoughtfully, then pulling a bowl from the Pikachu's cage put the bits the most likely to appeal to the rodent's sense of taste in it.

"Here you go," I told it, jumping back just in time to avoid another lightning wave.

"What's the matter?" the boy asked going down on his hands and knees to look at the angry Pokémon.

"It's just the most ill-behaved Pokémon I or the ice-clan have ever encountered," I said. "Leave it alone, it's safer."

"If it's ill-tempered, there's probably a reason for it," my companion said, and before I could stop him opened the cage. "Maybe it doesn't like being confined. I've heard storm types don't . . . what do you think?" he asked, picking it up. "Would you like to come out?"

The Pikachu looked at him, this sort of surprised look on it's face. I could just see it thinking 'this is too good an opportunity to pass up . . . ,' and winced. But the expected flash of light didn't come. I opened my eyes to find the rat sitting happily on the floor letting the kid spoon feed it.

"How did-- Are you a-- You're not a--" I said then remembered my rock-master (almost!) dignity. "How did you know that?" I said weakly.

"Know what?"

"That they didn't like being confined."

"I don't know. I think I heard it somewhere."

"Are you sure you don't remember? With the Storm-clan gone, knowledge of lightning type Pokémon is very valuable. If you could tell me who the person was you heard it from it might be very useful . . ."

"I really don't know. It was so long ago. I'm sorry."

I sigh. "That's okay . . . uh, I don't even know your name."

"Here they call me Ash."

"Ash, huh? That would be to do with your hair, right?"

"Right."

"I'm Takeshi, son of the Rock-master."

"I'm honoured to meet you."

"Thanks, though I'm not sure I shouldn't be honoured to meet you. I've been wrestling with that Pikachu all day and it hasn't been that well behaved for me."

I look at the Pikachu, chewing quietly on an apple as Ash pats it. "It actually looks well-behaved now," I say, reaching out to pat it. "I bet I could handle it now--"

"CHUUUUUUUUU!!!!"

"AAAEEOOUURRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!"

"Um, Takeshi-san?"

I sit up gingerly, a smoky taste in my mouth. "Uh, maybe not."

It takes Ash, myself and Onix to get the Pikachu back into it's cage . . . the kid was right, it really doesn't like being confined. However since I don't trust the malignant little bugger to roam around free it'll have to remain there.

Ash sighs as he leaves me to sleep.

"Too bad you're going tomorrow. I won't get to see you or the Pokémon again. What's going to happen to the Pikachu?"

"I'm taking it to Viridian where a member of the fire-clan will collect it," I said. To tell the truth I wasn't exactly sure why--The ice and fire clans were sworn rivals since way back.

"There, you hear that?" Ash told the Pikachu. "You're going to the fire-clan and they'll take real good care of you. They did of me."

"Pika?"

"You're a member of the fire-clan?" I asked in disbelief.

"No, not really. But Ookido-daimyo took me into his household for a couple of years. It was good . . . " Ash sighs. "Then I wound up here."

"How does a one-time member of a fire-master's household end up in a crummy hotel like this?" I asked.

"Oh, they got stolen with the clan's Pokémon," Ash shrugs although he looks sad.

"The thieves kept Charizard and sold me. Then Matisse-san found me. He's taking care of me, left me here while he takes care of business in the South. I'm the inn-keepers until he gets back."

"Why were you in Ookido-daimyo's household?"

"Lot of reasons. I was his grandson's friend and I was being trained as his groom . . . you wouldn't mind telling the fire-clan messenger I'm here, would you? I'm sure Ookido-san would have done something if he knew . . . and at the least he'd tell my mother."

"I don't mind," I said. "But what's your real name?"

"Oh," He laughs. "Of course. Satoshi."

"Satoshi," I murmur. "I'll tell them."

"Thank-you very much, Takeshi-san. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

He bowed to me and left. I settled down and like the Pokémon, quickly drifted off to sleep.

As I'd feared the rain hadn't improved much by the next morning. We'd discovered the hard way--while mid-way through crossing a stream actually-- that water somehow boosts the rat's power. I was not looking forward to the journey.

Strangely enough neither was the rat. Yesterday the thought of me and Onix struggling with water misting all around us a continuous spray would have kept it smirking happily throughout breakfast and well into our journey, with the knowledge it only had to sneeze to disarm us entertaining it no end. Today . . .

"Pika-pika," it sighed, scratching morosely at the edge of it's cage. "Pi."

"Can't you stay even a day more?" Ash said, watching us. "Surely the ice-clan won't mind that much."

"I have to meet the fire-clan's messenger on the day of the Jigglypuff festival," I say, finishing my breakfast. "That means I can't loose any time."

"Oh," he looks disappointed.

"Sorry," I say. "But you don't mess around with the master-clans."

"I guess not."

"Pika."

We finish our breakfasts, and leave. The journey is every bit as hellish as I imagined it would be.

In one hour we have managed to get about 1000 metres down the road. I am struggling to stay out of unconsciousness when I hear a female voice purr "Looks like this will be easier than we thought."

"Someone's done all the hard work for us!" Another voice agrees gleefully.

"Now let's just grab the Pikachu . . . it's even been put in a cage all ready for us to steal."

"How convenient . . . AAARGGGHHH!"

"Coulda warned you," I mutter, head still fuzzy. Then I hear a sound that makes my heart freeze. Breaking wood. They've wrecked the cage . . .

"Oops."

"Don't just stand there! Use Wheezing to capture it!"

"Right. Wheezing, go!"

Wheezing? I think. They're samurai . . . I try to sit up and look at them but am too exhausted to move.

"Pi-ka-CHUUUUUUUU!!!"

The lightning flashing around the clearing is very pretty when you're not on the receiving end. From the yells I gather the attempt to capture the Pikachu is not going well.

"Do I have to do everything?" The female samurai asks no one in particular. I wonder vaguely if she's good-looking . . . you'd have to hope so with a personality like that . . . still I couldn't get a girlfriend at the ice-clan . . .

"Arbok, attack!"

"Chhaaarr-bok!"

"Poison-sting!"

"Pi! Pika! CHUUUUUUU!"

Poor wet Arbok doesn't stand a chance. I hear a thump as it hits the ground and it's trainer curse using a whole heap of expressions thoroughly unsuitable for a woman -- I decide to pass on asking her out.

"Where'd it go?" The male samurai asks confusedly. I guess they're talking about the Pikachu.

"Little rat ran off this way. Come on."

They leave.

After about ten minutes there is a heavy sound at my shoulder, like a mountain shrugging. Onix has recovered enough strength to crawl over to me.

"Rrrrrrr," he says.

"Yeah . . .I'm okay. Yourself?" I reply. Oof. My head still feels like it's been either filled with sawdust or banged repeatedly in a door . . . it's takes another few moments before the rain falling on me really gets uncomfortable and I summon enough strength to get vertical. With Onix assisting me I start to limp back to the inn. I'll have to journey back to the ice-clan, tell them I lost the Pikachu . . . the thought is not cheering.

"Takeshi-san! Takeshi-san, are you all right?"

The kid from the in hails me anxiously. I blink as I try to focus on him. "Yes. No. I think so."

"What happened? The Pikachu came and got me, it was pretty worried and I thought you might be in trouble."

"The Pikachu--what?"

"Came and got me."

I look and see the rat sitting--sitting!!!--on the kids shoulder.

Onix blinked at it. "Rrrrrrr."

"That goes for me too," I say, stunned.

"Takeshi-san, let me help you back to the inn. You don't look so good," Ash says. I'm willing to let myself be ordered. My mind is still grappling with the fact that the Pikachu is sitting on his shoulder looking more unlike a homicidal maniac than I've ever seen him.

Back in the inn, the ache in my head still clearing I still can't believe it. But I'm beginning to have my suspicions.

"Who is this Matisse-san you mentioned?" I ask as I sip warming tea.

"I'm not sure myself. He doesn't tell me much," Ash--Satoshi rather-- shrugs.

"Is he a samurai?"

"A ronin. I don't know who his master was, or if he had one. He doesn't have a Pokémon, at least not one that I've seen."

"Is he at all familiar with the Vermillion district?"

"I don't know. He's gone there at the moment, but he's travelled so much, I bet he might have been there before. Why? Do you think you know him?"

"No. But I wonder if maybe . . . " I broke off abruptly. "Would you accompany me to Viridian? I could do with your help handling the Pikachu."

"Pikachu!"

"That'd be great!" His face lit up. "But--" he frowned. "Matisse-san left me here."

"It wouldn't be for that long. I bet we could get you back before he came back. I'll talk to the inn-keeper."

The innkeeper had misgivings similar to Ash's but my generous payment put an end to them. After lunch we set out, the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, me, keeping an eye out for the two samurai we'd encountered earlier, Onix, following us, keeping a sharp eye on the Pikachu and shaking his head saying "Rrrrrrr."

"Relax," I told him, patting his thick sides. "I don't know what it is, but I have a feeling about this kid."

I'd already made a mental note to stop at the Viridian Clan archives and look up everything to do with the lost Storm clan.

"Do you have a family, Takeshi?"

"What do you mean? I'm too young to have kids . . ."

"Oh no, not like that. I mean, parents and siblings."

"Hai," I laughed. We had stopped for the evening. I was cooking our meal while Ash gathered firewood and the Pokémon scrounged for their own meals.

"I have a father and numerous siblings . . ." I smiled as I described them for Ash. I hadn't realised how much I'd missed them . . . or how nice it felt to have someone to share the journey with. Ash made an admirable substitute for anyone of my younger brothers . . .

"Pika-pi!" the Pikachu chirped returning to us. I watched as Ash accepted it into his lap happily.

"You'd be wise not to get too attached to the Pikachu," I warn him. "We will be handing him over to the fire-clan."

"I know."

"Pikachu."

I frowned. He was already attached . . . and the Pikachu seemed to like him too. None of us were really sure what happened when a trainer and a Pokémon formed a bond . . . but the effects on either if separated or, even worse, if one was killed were severe. In my opinion neither a trainer nor a Pokémon could be forced to form a bond so it was best just to stand back and let what happened, happen . . . I could only hope the fire-clan saw things that way. Then again . . . the two samurai pursuing the Pikachu were a reminder of the importance that had accrued to this lightning-Pokémon. A child could not handle the responsibility of defending the Pokémon against them and who knows what else?

"Thank-you," Ash murmured as I handed him his meal. I wondered what he thought but refrained from asking. I decided to let him come to deal with the idea of giving up the Pikachu slowly.

We were making better time thanks to Ash. The fact that the Pikachu no longer shocked us every five minutes really improved our pace. In fact we reached Viridian late afternoon the following day. I left Ash and the Pikachu at our hotel with Onix and strict instructions not to wander while I made that visit to the Viridian city records. I'd heard that a member of the Venonet clan had made an extensive collection of records concerning all of the clans.

He frowned as he led me through long shelves of paper. "The storm-clan genealogies? That's an odd one."

"Do you have them?"

"We have what I believe is the only record ever made apart from the ones kept by the Storm-clan . . . which were of course taken by the Poison clan when they assumed the place of third master-clan. Here you go. I hope these books are of use."

"So do I," I thank him then get to work.

The archivist has provided me with a general work that listed the characteristics of each of the master-clans. The fire-clan are there, with their trademark Moltres, their attributes red-hair, strong tempers and a fierce pride. The ice-clan are there, underneath the banner of Articuno, listed as cool-tempered and deliberate thinkers, implacable and determined. Their characteristics are especially fine skin, light-coloured hair. And finally, the storm-bird, Zapdos.

"The storm clan are known for a certain impetuosity, as natural for a clan whose specialty are the creatures who strike with the speed and suddenness of lightning. However this is balanced by a determination to succeed no matter what the odds. Members of the clan are distinguished by coal-black hair-

"I knew it!" I exclaimed, then read on.

--and grey eyes.

"Damm."

I sighed, and flipped open the genealogies to the most recent pages, the record of births. No Satoshi is listed anywhere . . . but flipping further back another thirty or so years I find a Matisse mentioned, a samurai who trained Raichu . . .

Interesting. I think my father will find this very useful. I thank the archivist and make my way back to the hotel walking slowly as I think. I decide not to say anything about my suspicions to Ash--Satoshi just yet.

The next day is the Jigglypuff festival. I've never seen this festival in a big town before. It is an experience not to be missed. Brightly coloured banners, the different clans of the city parade through the streets under the banner of their Pokémon, with the Jigglypuff banner foremost. Giant floats depicted the pink song-Pokémon are pulled through the streets and people wearing brightly coloured masks through gifts to the crowd.

"Rrrrrrr."

"Cheer up, Onix," Ash laughs. "I'm sure you'll get a parade one day."

"Hai," I say, patting my morose Pokémon. "You haven't forgotten the rock festivals back at Pewter have you?"

"Rrrrrrr."

Ash and the Pikachu look at each other and snicker. I have to admit the idea of my staunch rock Pokémon wanting to be given the kind of attention the little pink Jigglypuff receives is kind of humorous . . .

"Hey, food!" I say, distracting them before Onix gets annoyed. I've learned this is a sure fire way to distract Ash, and Pikachu will like whatever he likes . . . the two seem to have mutually decided to make the most out of what little time together they have left and are inseparable . . .

I sigh. I am sorry for both of them but today is the day the fire-clan will collect the Pikachu . . . "So, what do we want to eat?"

As we finish our snacks I tell Ash and the Pikachu that it's time we go to meet the Fire-clan. The Pikachu's claws tighten around Ash's shoulder but Ash just follows me reluctantly.

"This is where we meet them?" he asks, looking curiously at the compound. Built of stone it is a building that obviously hasn't been used for a while.

"Hai. It's the quarters the Storm-clan used when they were in this town . . . empty now of course. But it's quiet and out of the way. We can conduct our business here in peace . . . "

I pause as I hear a rustling noise behind me. From the roof of the building a row of silent purple clad warriors have appeared, Pokémon trained on us. More creep from the building . . . I draw my hatana-blade and shove Ash and the Pikachu behind me. These aren't the fire clan . . .

"Give up the Pikachu! You are outmatched and out-numbered, samurai!" one commands.

"Not without a fight!" I return. "Onix! Get ready for battle!"

"If that's how you want it. Arbok! Poison-sting!"

"Pikachu!" The Pikachu leaps out of Ash's arms to stand beside my Onix, light crackling from its cheeks.

"Ash, what are you doing?" I demand. "Non-samurai can't command, it's against all the clan laws . . ."

"Pikachu and I want to help you! Thunder-shock!"

As Arbok's assault crumples I decide that if we get out of this alive I'm going to forget this ever happened . . . then the rest of the samurai attack and I have more important things to worry about . . .

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