Who's a Pokémon Master?

Chapter 5

Authors notes:- Well I suppose I've got some explaining to do where the long absence is concerned. Real life, it sucks. My computer got struck by lightning in a storm, no not literally but a power pole did and it sent a power spike through my computer, don't know the damage yet since I don't have the money to even get a tech to look at it. On top of that there are family problems that I just can't escape and dealing with them is draining. Another, and the only really self inflicted reason I haven't been updating for quite a while is that I simply burned myself out with too many stories. Have I fixed any of these, well no, not really so I'm unsure if this is a one off and then a big gap or if I'll work to finish one story before moving on. Don't expect an update soon, just be glad if you get one, lol.

/ Professor Oak's research centre \

"I hope that answers all your questions," the professor looked at his house-guest with thinly veiled hope.

"Snerk, er, ah yes," Ranma blinked a few times as her eyes refocused on her supposed idol. Looking around she noticed how late it was and decided it was probably time to beat a hasty retreat before the suddenly suspicious loking professor asked her any questions about what he'd told her. "Er, Professor Oak, I'd like to make an early start in the morning."

"Ah yes, then I suppose I'd better show you to your room." He quickly rose from the seat at the kitchen table and headed for the door.

"Can I say good-night to Skye first?"

"Of course you can. It's very important to bond with your new Pokemon as soon as possible." He watched as the young girl headed for the first aid station and her Pikachu while he waited for her to return.

Ranma turned the corner and entered the room where Skye was attached to a piece of machinery that wouldn't look out of place in a hospital. Taking note that the professor hadn't followed her she spoke to Dex. "Hey Dex?"

"Yes Ranma," the small black box spoke quietly so as not to draw any attention if the professor had keen hearing.

"So what was all that the Prof. was talking about?"

"Weren't you listening? I could have sworn you were paying close attention." The machine asked in a snide tone.

"Nah, that's a technique I learned when I went to school to stop me from getting detention for sleeping in class."

"But you were saying 'uh-huh' and such when it was appropriate."

"Yeah, and? I taught myself to respond to the questioning tone of voice like that so it looks like I'm paying attention."

"But the professor just spoke to you for four hours straight about what he was doing to Skye and why."

"Er, really?" Ranma sweat-dropped at the thought, 'No wonder the professor looked panicked and worn out. Probably thought I was just gonna say uh-huh again and ask him to continue.' The problem was that he'd really needed the sleep.

"Maybe I should give you a run down on what he told you?"

"Yeah probably a good idea."

"The machine Skye is hooked up to is based on the defibrillator used in hospitals to resuscitate heart attack victims. Basically it administers a low energy charge that interrupts the electrical impulses causing the heart-attack. You understand so far?"

"Yeah, got it. Where do Pokemon fit into this?"

"Alright, first of all electric type Pokemon have a few things in common. The important one is that they store energy like a battery, and just like a battery they leak electrical charge constantly. The amount of leakage varies across species, if you check the dial on the machine here you'll find several other modes to cover them. Pikachu normally leak electricity at one hundred and fifty joules."

"Okay how's that fit in with recharging them?"

"Another characteristic they share with batteries, or at least the rechargeable type is that if you feed current into them at above their normal drain they gain charge, hence them being called rechargeable."

"Right, I got it." Ranma grinned as he pondered the information he'd been given. "Hey Dex, I'm gonna get to bed now, we can cover the rest of the information sometime tomorrow. I'll just say good-night to Skye before Professor Oak comes looking for me," she walked over to the examination table and looked down at her currently sleeping Pikachu. Skye's instincts must have been pretty good because as soon as Ranma was within two feet of her, her eyes popped open and regarded her trainer with a renewed sparkle. "Heya Skye. How you doing?"

"Pika!" The yellow rodent made to get up but Ranma waved her back down.

"You stay there Skye, you aren't fully recovered yet and I don't want you to get hurt anymore."

"Pi Pika." 'Alright' she lay her head back down on her front paws and watched the person who was becoming a special person to her.

"I just wanted to come in and say good-night," It still freaked Ranma a little to speak in Japanese and hear the words translated almost as soon as she spoke them into English, "Now you get some sleep, we'll be leaving early tomorrow." Ranma turned to leave when she heard a faint murmur of assent from the Pikachu. She was smiling when she left the room and noted that the automatic lights had dimmed the room. "Sleep well little warrior," she murmured as she watched her friend settle for the night.

"All finished Ranma?" Ranma almost jumped through the roof as the man spoke behind her.

"Uh! Yes Professor. Could you tell me how long she'll need to be on there?"

"Well taking into account how drained she was when you brought her in I'd say another five or so hours should see her right."

"Um, good. I just wanted to say thank-you for all your help. I'll be leaving really early tomorrow morning to get a good start on the day so I probably won't see you in the morning."

"Think nothing of it, as your mentor it is my place to answer all your questions and render any aid I'm able to. If I don't see you tomorrow I wish you luck on your Poke-journey."

"Thanks!" Giving into the urge she hugged the man again, it proved easier than it ever had to do the star-struck fan girl since she actually liked the elder man. He was like Tofu-sensei in so many ways. Not that he was perfect or anything. Earlier he'd voiced his disbelief in her ability to take on a Graveler, not that Officer Jenny had believed her either until she'd shown them the stone-breaker technique she'd used, sans the ice fist. She didn't want to give away too many secrets this early in her career.

"You're welcome. The guest room is up these stairs and it's the third door on the right. Good night Ranma."

"G'night." Ranma bounded up the stairs feeling renewed by the four hour long kip she'd just taken. She'd still try to sleep since she'd learned while on the road to sleep and eat when the opportunity presented itself but it would probably prove to be futile since she needed so little sleep nowadays.

The room she entered was plain, or rather neutral in its furnishings. The décor was all pastel shades of green and was very restful looking. Ranma didn't bother to get undressed since she only intended to lie on top of the comforter and meditate on what had happened since coming to this new world. A few minutes later her breathing deepened and she appeared to be asleep, which was fairly accurate since she'd been more drained by her activities earlier than she'd been willing to let on. Just after the incident with Team Rocket she'd been prepared to press on with her journey but the professor insisted she return with him and get a good nights sleep. She'd only acquiesced after he'd brought Skye currently depleted state up in the argument.

/ \

A few short hours later a slight pinging sound drew Ranma's attention and woke her from a peaceful sleep. Looking around groggily she noted that Dex seemed to be the originator of the infernal noise.

"What time is it Dex?"

"Just after four in the morning. It has been five and a half hours since you went to sleep and I do believe that Skye should be fully recharged now."

"I wasn't sleeping."

"Ranma, did you know you snore?" the handheld computer asked innocently.

"I do not! You take that back!" The Pokedex interrupted her tirade with a recording of her snoring, and it proved that she was nearly as bad as her father. "That ain't me, and you can't prove it's me." She yelled indignantly.

"Well I probably could but I think you'd rather go and get Skye so that we can leave."

"Er, right." Ranma leapt from the bed and dashed from the room in her haste to be reunited with the Pikachu. A second later she raced back in and picked a snoring Dex up with an indignant, "That's not funny!"

"Says you."

Ranma sniffed lightly as she turned off the light and closed the door. A short time later she opened the door of the infirmary and walked over to Skye who once again proved to be aware of her surroundings as she looked up at her trainer.

"Hey Skye you ready to go?"

"Pika!" Skye nodded in assent, and if the grin on her face was any indication she was ready to take on the world, 'Guess I'll have to watch her closely, don't want to end up with too many Pokemon the second day I'm a trainer,' Ranma thought as she removed the weird looking headpiece the professor had placed on the rodent the day before. Pausing for a moment to scratch between Skye's long ears she noted the mouses eyes closed in bliss.

"ka Chhuuuu-uuuuU!!" Which didn't really translate but roughly meant, 'Yeah, right there, oh yeah you just keep doing that!' and a number of unvoiced threats of what would happen if Ranma stopped anytime soon. The little Pikachu's foot began to twitch as Ranma hit a particularly sensitive spot. One thing Skye had missed about being part of the troupe was that there was no one to groom the hard or impossible to reach places. Her fur had begun to itch sometime yesterday and she hadn't been able to reach it to scratch it, a sensation that had been driving her slowly bonkers since.

"I guess you like that huh?' Ranma asked with a pleased expression on her face. She'd never had a pet of any description, not that she thought of Skye as a pet, but she could definitely see why some people kept animals. It was pleasant to have something that felt affection for you for doing something as simple as scratching them behind the ears. Ranma yelped and drew her hand from Skye's fur as she looked between the offended hand and her Pikachu in shock.

"What was that?" as she shook her suddenly numb fingers. Skye looked up with a silent apology in her eyes.

"That is the Pikachu's natural Static, it has been known to paralyse an opponent or at the least limit its mobility." Skye sat and watched her trainer shaking the feeling back into her nerveless fingers and

"Hey, don't sweat it Skye. It wasn't your fault." Ranma shook her hands and started clenching them as feeling returned slowly. "I suppose we'd better get going if we want to get anywher today." Ranma resettled the straps on the large pack she was carrying as she walked towards the door.

/ \

They'd been walking for nearly an hour and Ranma had to admit she was confused and getting irritated because of it. She stopped moving and listened intently for the fifth time but the sound had stopped again.

"Is there a problem Ranma?"

"Not sure. I keep hearing something strange but every time we stop the sound stops too. It's like we're bein' followed or something." The red-head frowned as she peered suspiciously into the undergrowth, her ki senses stretched to the maximum. There were plenty of ki sources around but none of them seemed to match what was making the sound, or seemed to be interested in them for that matter.

"I shall run a scan and see if there are any anomalous sounds in our vicinity." Its owner just glared at its inert surface since she really couldn't figure out how to insult it for telling her it doubted her abilities. "Ah…."

"Ah? What?"

"I believe I have ascertained the cause of your discomfort. Skye could you please raise one of your paws."

"Pi." They could hardly see the yellow rodent in the pre-dawn darkness but Ranma definitely saw the sparks of light as electricity arced from the tips of her claws and she also heard the sound that'd been driving her nuts for a while.

"What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing is wrong with Skye. Just let me explain what I suspect. A number of years ago a man named Professor Rowan worked with Professor Oak on a joint project. They developed the system that Skye used last night to recharge. The research is ongoing at this stage so some things haven't been discovered yet. One of those things is a process called over-charging."

"Over charging…" Ranma rolled the unfamiliar term around for a few moments to familiarize herself with it. "I can guess what that means but what does it mean in terms of my Pikachu and why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Put simply I forgot, okay." If the portable device could have blushed Ranma had a feeling that now was the time as she looked at it with incredulous eyes.

"Er, how does a computer forget something like that?"

"Like I said its new technology here but 'when' I come from there are safety guidelines in place."

"Safety guidelines?" Ranma asked quietly as a threatening undertone entered her voice.

"Yes, over-charging was discovered by accident and later revealed in the autobiography of a Pokemon Master who chose to reveal some of the secrets of his success at such a young age. Others soon followed suit and over-charged their Pokemon thus increasing the power of their pokemon's electrical attacks. After a number of years some people noted that their Pokemon became sick and listless, then Pokemon started dieing, sometimes centuries before they should have. The Poke-centres issued a ban on the technique but people can be unscrupulous when it comes to winning. Skye was only over-charged a little so there'll be no ill side effects, it's only dangerous if repeatedly used. I missed it because I assumed that they had the same guidelines and rules for over-charging here."

"Alright we'll drop it for now but we ain't ever gonna let that happen again you hear?"

"I couldn't agree more. Now as for the noise you heard she'll be doing that until her charge returns to normal. If it is annoying you, you might want to let her ride on your shoulder."

"Maybe but we ain't gonna get too far if she paralyses me."

"It shouldn't happen if she doesn't touch your skin."

"Right," Ranma tried not to sound too sceptical, "Hey Skye? You wanna ride for a while?" His answer came as a grin in the darkness, 'Now that's just plain creepy,' she thought as she watched electrical discharges roll down the Pikachu's incisors and arc to her lower teeth. 'Cool but creepy'

For answer she leapt up to perch on Ranma's shoulder.

"Perfect." Dex said as it took a number of pictures. The first was of Skye landing and the last in the sequence showed the two of their shocked faces as they stared at each other. Ranma's hair had almost seemed to attack the little rodent the moment she'd landed and now they were connected by a curtain of bright coppery red hair.

"Dex!" Ranma yelled in outrage.

"Yes?" the word had definite overtones of plum.

"That ain't funny!"

"You know something? You really need to lighten up Ranma, have a little fun. Oh alright buzz kill," Dex responded to the glare his owner was sending his way, "To bring her charge down quickly to where it doesn't do that anymore just have her use Thunderwave a few times and she won't be overcharged anymore."

"Okay, you heard the…" Ranma trailed off uncertain how to finish the sentence before restarting, "You heard Dex…."

"I wouldn't do that with Skye still on your shoulder Ranma. I know we're not in a hurry but if she paralyses you we'll be here for hours."

"Uh, sure. Why don't you go and scare up some breakfast Skye?"

"PikachU!" the small rodent said as she leapt down to the ground causing a small flash of light and accompanying crack of lightning before she headed into the bushes. Ranma watched as a final flash of yellow fur could be seen in the shadowy underbrush as she continued walking along the forest trail. A tenuous link between the two allowed her to follow her friend from a distance and reassure herself that there wouldn't be a repeat of the incident yesterday.

/ Skye \

Skye pushed through the last of the bushes that edged the path into the forests cool interior in search of a snack. Truth be told she didn't really need anything to eat but certain instincts were hard to suppress, especially when you were only just getting used to the concept of being with a trainer who would ensure you were fed and cared for, at least they would if they were any good.

The peace and quiet in the forest was a balm to her nerves, after the action of yesterday. It didn't seem real to her in so many ways. Sure she'd always craved excitement and change but the previous day had been total overkill in her opinion, not that it hadn't been a lot of fun. She'd gotten to see her trainer in action again and even learned a few things such as never attack a mobile rock since her electric attacks didn't work so well. The problem was that she felt weak because of it, and one thing she wouldn't let herself feel was weak. A new fire was lit inside Skye as she considered what she wanted to do, she wanted to get stronger, to be stronger and if possible be the strongest.

Wandering through the forest and not paying attention was not normally considered a smart thing for a Pokémon to do, it was downright dangerous in fact. She'd already had a taste of that the previous day, but it was hard to be wary when she could 'feel' her trainer even at a distance, she felt a little like she had earlier when he'd been scratching her ears. She was so busy focusing on her thoughts of being the strongest and also analysing her feelings where Ranma were concerned that she almost missed the sense that she was being watched.

Looking around Skye discovered that she'd entered a small clearing, by the looks of it one of the forests gigantic trees had died and finally fallen thus creating a gap in the forests canopy to let in light. It couldn't have happened too long ago either since there wasn't much sign of new growth to take advantage of this opportunity. Apart from the fallen giant there didn't seem to be anything else of note in the clearing, but that sense of being watched only got stronger as she looked around more intently. Peering through the undergrowth before switching to the trees surrounding the clearing she failed to note anything that would worry her. Well other than the fact that she seemed to be the only Pokémon around at the moment, which was unusual in itself, normally this place would be used by all kinds of Pokémon.

Having checked her surroundings she turned her attention to the fallen tree itself and began to study it closely, walking around the perimeter of the clearing to be able to view both sides of it in case there was a dangerous Pokémon on the opposite side of the trunk. It was then that the Pikachu's sensitive ears twitched, and then again as they sought the source of the sound. It'd sounded a lot like giggling and it was definitely coming from near the tree. More determined than ever Skye tilted her head as she searched for some sign of whatever it was that was watching her, she knew for a fact it was now since its giggling had only gotten louder. Tilting her head back to the right she thought she saw a distortion in the air, tilting back the other way and she was sure of it, there was indeed a strange shimmering shape and it was sitting upon the tip of one of the trees exposed roots as it thrust into the sky some twenty feet. Skye was truly wary now since she couldn't truly defend herself against something she couldn't see and she was getting agitated.

(Relax youngling, I mean you no harm) the soft melodious words seemed to hang in the air all around her, it took a moment to realise she hadn't actually heard them at all, but she had, it was all so very confusing.

"Iika?!" 'Who?!" Skye tried to sound like the voice didn't startle her but the high pitched squeak in her voice gave her away.

(There is no need for fear) the voice reiterated the initial message. Skye got the feeling that the 'voice' was female in origin though she couldn't realy tell how she knew that. The distortion in the air became much easier to see as she approached closer and she could almost make out the shape of the hidden Pokémon, for that was what it must be. She'd just never heard of a Pokémon with the ability to make itself invisible before. (As I said I seek only peace) The suns rays glittered off of the glass like head of the hidden Pokémon as it tilted slightly.

"Pi, KAchu PikA," 'Then show yourself' Skye challenged, it was easy to distrust a voice in your head. Powering up her cheek pouches Skye took careful aim, if she didn't get it in the first move then she'd likely lose track of it and be vulnerable to a counterattack.

(Alright, but please don't attack me) The distortion in the air became stronger as it seemed to become like heat haze on a hot day, she'd noted before how the effect often tricked the eyes making her think that something was closer or further away than she thought. She'd never realized that heat haze could also hide something. (It isn't heat haze, it's called Blend, and it is one of my powers) when the shimmering got even stronger and Skye could see flashes of pink that became larger until whole sections of the Pokémon were revealed and it was…was…like nothing she'd ever seen before, which wasn't really surprising.

It was actually smaller than she was, but the sense of power just washed off of the little creature as it regarded her with startling blue eyes. If she had to hazard a guess she'd have to say it was a mouse type but she wasn't sure, it could also have been a cat type. One thing she was sure of though was that it wasn't anything she'd ever seen before and she'd certainly never seen a Pokémon that could hover like that. Certainly there'd been enough flying types around as she grew up but this was a first for her on so many levels.

Skye didn't release her power levels even though she could now see what had been watching her, the truth was even though it protested peaceful intentions there was the fact that what you didn't know could get you killed. It was better to be wary than sorry, "PiKAchU!" she introduced herself.

(I am pleased to meet you Skye, I am "Mew") Skye blinked, it was the first sound the other pokemon had made other than the giggling.

"Pi-iI kA CHuuu?" ' What are you?'

(I told you, I am "Mew") the Pokémon repeated patiently, Skye had to admit that now that she could see this Mew that she was feeling much better, in fact she was feeling quite exuberantly bubbly and playful, enough that she wondered if that were her of the pink Pokémon she'd found.

She was just about to repeat her question when she was interrupted by Mew, (You do know that you don't have to speak your questions. Just think them and I will hear you)

'Really?' Skye thought sceptically.

(Yes really, I'm a psychic type Pokémon)

"CHUUUuuuuuu!" Skye whistled in an approximation of, 'Whoooooa!' She'd never actually met a psychic type before so wasn't quite sure what that meant but it was neat to be able to think her questions instead of speak them.

(Indeed, so what would you like to know little one)

'Little one? I'm bigger than you!'

(I apologise, I was not referring to your size, but to your age. I am much older than you are)

'Oh. Um, can I ask something?'

(You just did, but you may ask another question) the Pokémon answered with a cheeky smile.

'Um, what are you doing here?' Skye asked even knowing it was an impertinent question, she really didn't have a right to ask that, and the answer might be something as prosaic as this being the place the Mew lived. She was sorry she'd asked a moment later as she watched the cheery looking Pokémon become dejected as its shoulders slumped.

(I travel the world seeking others of my kind)

'Oh,' it was all Skye could think to answer at the sad tone of the thought.

(I have searched for centuries, but have not found any signs. I fear that I am the last of my kind. I am "Mew" and since there are no others like me I have no need of another name) Mew sighed mournfully before it seemed to pull itself together again, it wasn't as cheery as it looked before but then it wasn't as sad as it was just a moment ago. (Enough! I will not feel sorrow for myself, I will continue to search in the hope that one day I will find what I seek)

Skye watched Mew with shimmering eyes as her natural empathy meshed with the emotions emanating from the pink Pokémon.

'I wish I could help you,' Skye thought softly.

(I thank you Skye but you have your own journey to make and your human needs you. Speaking of which, I believe he is on his way. My, he's quite fast isn't he?)

'His name's Ranma, and he's the most special human I've ever met' though she had to admit grudgingly that she hadn't met all that many humans.

(I'm sorry, I must leave now. I cannot allow a human to see me or they will hunt me down and try to capture me) Skye watched as the Mew began to float away.

'Please wait, just meet him, he won't hurt you.'

Mew snorted in disbelief, she had much more knowledge of humans and what they were like, (I know you believe that to be true, but I know better little one. Maybe one day we shall meet again, but for now I bid you good-day) The Mew left a slight trail of sparkles as it floated for the far side of the clearing just as Ranma cleared the bushes opposite the Mew.

/ Ranma \

"Alright Dex, as soon as Skye returns we'll make a move. So what do you suggest?"

"Well Ranma, at this point I think it would be wise to head North directly from here that way we'll avoid all the trainers that'll challenge you."

"Uh? I thought I wanted to be challenged," Ranma said thoroughly puzzled.

"Ordinarily that would be so, but lets face facts you are hardly ready to face a skilled opponent now are you?"

"Hey! I can handle anything!"

"Really, so then that being the case, what would you do if Skye was facing an Onix?"

"Um, well I'd have her do that lightning bolt thing she did yesterday," Ranma stated, it was the most powerful attack that she could do at the moment, Dex had already told him that.

"And Onix has just crushed Skye under his body," Dex said.

"Huh, but why?"

"Onix is a rock type Pokémon, and as you saw yesterday electric type attacks have little to no effect on rock types. It would take the full power of Raichu, that's Pikachu's evolved form, to even make an Onix tingle. Of course there are ways to get around that, but for the most part Skye couldn't battle a rock type as she is. There are attacks that she can perform that work much better, would you care to name them for me? How about some of the attacks for your other Pokémon?"

Ranma was now completely flummoxed, this wasn't new territory for him but he had to admit that Dex had a point. He was a master of improvisation in his own fights and could usually snatch a win out of the direst situation but that was because he knew what he could do intimately. His pokemon were a whole new kettle of fish, he really didn't know what they could already do, let alone what they were capable of learning. Deep down she knew that the little computer was right, that wasn't going to stop her from pouting about it though.

"Are you pouting?" the little black box asked curiously.

"Hey, I'm a guy! Guys don't pout!"

"Well I hate to point this out but at the moment you're a girl and I hear it is appropriate for a girl to pout when proved wrong," Dex's view was cut off after that as Ranma flipped the case closed. Though that wasn't the only way for him to sense things, for example the fact that Ranma kept shifting his grip, "Um, Ranma? What are you doing?"

"Tryin' ta figure out how far I ca throw ya'. I'm sure Professor Oak'd be more than happy to get me a replacement when I tell him the big bad pokemon ate mine," the red-head growled.

"Now, now there's no need to be hasty. If you throw me there's no telling how long it'll take you to find me again when you calm down…" he trailed off after he figured that Ranma was no longer listening to him, "What's wrong Ranma?"

"Dunno, I just felt a disturbance in the Wa," Ranma frowned as she stepped away from the paved road and headed into the forest.

"Wa?"

"Yeah, it's a, well um, it's kind'a hard to explain. You know how some places just have a feel to them?"

"No, I believe we've covered this Ranma. I don't have 'feelings' because I'm a machine."

"Uh, right. Then take my word for it, some places just feel a certain way."

"And something just disturbed the Wa of this place?"

"Yeah, you got it," Ranma stopped talking for a moment as he began walking faster, a sudden feeling from his link to Skye had him moving even quicker towards the centre of the disturbance.

"I'll run a scan and see if there's anything ahead," a short pulse of sound was emitted by the pokedex that sounded like a speeded up version of a sonar, it started quietly and got louder as more pulses of sound were emitted before they began to quieten down again, the sequence repeated three more times as Ranma hurried through the thick underbrush.

"Ranma there is a very powerful emanation in close proximity to Skye, it's about a mile ahead," Dex subsided as Ranma went from a rapid jog to a dead run, where the underbrush was too thick he'd go over as he flashed past tree trunks thicker than his arm-span with barely a thought to the consequences if he missed.

Ranma went pale as he considered what might be happening ahead of him with his new found friend, he didn't want to lose anyone who mattered to him especially not since she was one of the better people he'd met in recent history.

"Can…You…Tell…Me…Any…thing...about…it?" he managed to ask between steps.

"Not really Ranma, but I know I've felt it before, or something very similar. From the power levels I'd have to say it's one of the legendary Pokémon," Dex stopped speaking as the trees began to thin out ahead of them and he didn't want to distract the boy if he needed to act quickly.

The first thing Ranma saw when the trees opened up was the bright yellow form of Skye sitting on her haunches as she watched something.

"Pika PiIiii!" as she pointed at what had her captivated. Ranma tried to figure out what she was talking about but as he looked around he came eye to eye with a pair of intense blue eyes, blinking quickly as she tried to focus on the eyes set in a pink face she took a step back and began to notice certain characteristics.

"Aaaaaaah1 C-C-Caaaat!" The diminutive red-head scrambled backwards trying to escape the hellish flying cat. Ranma paused at the thought of flying cats and shivered in dread, never once taking her eyes off of it she noticed that it only had a slight resesmblance to a cat, in the same way that a Pikachu only superficially looked like a mouse. The creature took a good look at Ranma and then with a slight giggle it started to vanish until only the eyes were visible and it began to move away.

"Mew!" The eyes closed and Ranma felt the massive energy field that had scared her recede into the distance before completely vanishing.

"What the hell was that Dex?" Ranma asked in a slightly more high pitched voice, the adrenaline had yet to leave her system and it was affecting her more than she'd like to admit.

"That was Mew, a rather playful Pokemon that is rarely seen. It is one of the legendary Pokemon that are believed to be extinct."

"Hate to break it to ya but I think the rumours of its extinction are greatly exaggerated."

"I believe you're correct Ranma. Also, if I have the timeline correct then it will only be a couple of years before Team Rocket manages to genetically create a new Pokemon from fossilised remains of Mew. They mistakenly call it MewTwo."

"Mistakenly?"

"Yes. The one you just saw was a female, whereas the one that they 'create' will be male. The scientists of my time were unsure but they believed that there are as many as three female Mew alive at present. By time I was built there was an entire colony of them in a preserve that no one dared to trespass upon, no matter how good a trainer they thought they were."

"Cool. So are there many of these legendary Pokemon?"

"There are quite a few, but they are mostly unsubstantiated sightings and no one really knows how many there are. If truth were told, even in my time we haven't seen all the species of Pokemon that are out there."

Ranma got a thoughtful look on her face for a moment as she contemplated the possibilities and slowly began shaking her head, 'Nah, got enough on my plate without chasing after daydreams. Focus on what's in front of me and if I come across them then that's fine.'

"Right, lets get moving Dex!" Ranma yelled s she headed off into the bush.

"Speak for yourself, you're the one with the legs."

/ To be continued \

Authors notes:- Just a quick note explaining the need to have Mew in the chapter, well it could have been any of the legendaries, but I like Mew so there. Ash in the original Pokemon cartoon gets to see Ho-oh on the first day of his trip so I thought that Ranma should see one as well. Next chapter a little training, a little mayhem and some more of Ranma's Pokemon make their debut as they're fully recovered from meeting Skye.

I can't believe it took over six months to write a hundred words and proof-read this chapter. It won't take that long for the next one, promise.