Ash watched as Pikachu launched off an immensely powerful Thunderbolt at Dexter, who simply hovered there and absorbed it.
Thanks to a Traced Lightningrod, it did nothing at all, and Dexter waited until it had finished before responding.
Better than last time. You're improving the ramp-up of the Voltage on contact without running it at full power the whole time, which will increase your endurance. Dexter then shimmered into a dozen images. Now, you need to spot which one is the real Double Team. They're electrically perfect duplicates, as well, so don't rely on your voltage wells.
All the duplicates began to glow. You will of course be under Zap Cannon attack.
Pikachu hopped out of the way of a series of thunderbolts and began running around frantically.
Meanwhile, Ninetales sat next to Riolu. "For us non Dark types, to create a Dark Pulse is hard. It involves being able to create a null structure without any psychic signature in it at all, then to make it self propagating. It's a subset of Aura use, but as it involves draining all the emotion out of the Aura in question, it's not something those with enough Aura to use otherwise are normally very good at."
"I see, because they have so much Aura from the very strength of their emotions." Riolu sat down in seiza, and began to focus.
Squirtle and Brock's Geodude went past, shades clashing against rock arms, and fire and wind exploded overhead as Charizard's Flare Blitz hit a Brave Bird coming the other way.
Pretty much a normal day's training, really.
Then, with a yell, Gary's Blastoise charged into the area. "Rival!"
Squirtle spun, knocking Geodude back with his tail as he did so and settling into a stance. "What is it, fellow member of team Gurren?"
"I wish to challenge you!" Blastoise' cannons began bubbling with water. "I too have learned the finishing move!"
As Blastoise began to coalesce the water he was creating into an enormous drill, Squirtle flipped his shades off his eyes for a second. "You really think you can beat me? I'm the badass leader of team Gurren!" With a moment's effort, Squirtle formed his own drill. "Giga…"
Blastoise swung his enormous drill to face Squirtle's smaller one, and spoke along with him. "Drill…"
Ash and friends peered over the lip of a small hill. No fools they, the entire group had run for it at the word "challenge".
"Breaker!" both Turtle Pokémon bellowed, charging one another in matched vortices of water.
With an almighty crash, they met. The two drills ground against one another for several long seconds before Blastoise' finally destabilized, and Squirtle pressed forward…
Only to meet another drill inside the first. "What?"
"Two cannons means two drills! And both have the entirety of my strength behind them, to match your blazing spirit with my own!"
Ash's lips moved for a moment. "Does that make sense?"
"No." everyone answered him dully.
"Just thought I'd check."
The now-familiar enormous eruption of water signalled the duel was over, and Ash tossed Squirtle's Poké ball into the air to release him again.
"What was the number of the cathedral that ran me over?" Squirtle muttered to himself, shaking his head.
Gary strolled into the clearing, sending out his own Blastoise again. "Hi, everyone. Wondered where Blastoise went, suppose I should have guessed."
"The cathedral that hit you was the Cathedral Terra, of course!" Blastoise said, wincing in pain, but nevertheless confidently.
It still knocked you out too…" Squirtle muttered to himself.
"A minor inconvenience!"
"That was just amazing!" a voice shouted from nearby. Everyone turned to see a man with glasses and a large, crew-served camera. "Positively inspirational!"
Brock frowned. "I know you. You're the director, Cleavon Schpielbunk! You made my favourite movie!"
"Oh?" The producer was pleased. "Which one was that?"
"I Saw What You Ate Last Tuesday. I was particularly impressed by the ending."
"Ah, yes. One of my better works."
As Brock and Cleavon fell to chatting, Ash sidled over to Gary. "Should I know this guy?"
Gary shrugged. "Grandad mentioned him once. Apparently his films do better with the critics than with the crowd."
"Tell me," Cleavon said, looking at the large number of Pokémon around the clearing, "I had an idea for making a film wherein the Pokémon are the main characters. Would you and your friends be willing to help?"
After a frozen moment, most of the friends' Pokémon nodded enthusiastically and split into groups, talking intently.
Dexter hovered over to one. Yes, I'm fine with providing camera work. I assume you are as well, Dee?
Gary unclipped her core from his necklace and dropped it. She formed before it hit the ground and braked to a halt. Perfectly. CGI work too?
Sounds good.
Riolu was the first to walk over to the producer. "I have an idea for a film."
Cleavon looked blank for a second, and Ash began to translate. "What I want to do is make something set in the Meiji era, around a Ronin."
"Hmm. Sounds interesting, and certainly might help my films break into the mainstream more."
Gary, meanwhile, was approached by Squirtle and Blastoise. "Gurren Lagann movie!"
"Won't that be a bit difficult? I mean, the series is only a few months finished."
"We'll contact them and do it ourselves! All we'll need is the voice actors!"
"Sorry, guys. Bit to difficult to arrange."
Pikachu came over to address Dee first. "Mind sending a message to the Rockets asking them to come over here? I have a plan that needs a few of them."
Sent. Hm, that's strange.
"What?"
"I tink it's cause we're right here." Meowth said, strolling out of the bushes. The rest of the Rockets followed.
Explains how quick the transmission was, then.
"Can I speak to Cubone, and Abra, and I think Arbok, please?" Pikachu asked. "I think Riolu could use you in what he's doing as well, Meowth, though I have a role for him as well."
Gary rolled his eyes. "I can see this getting confusing quick."
I'll take notes.
Lara picked up the phone. "Darn good thing ah was in the house… oh! Howdy, cousin!"
On the other side of the phone, Ash blushed slightly. He was still getting used to that term, even the second time around. "Uh, yeah. Hi, Lara. Listen, I was wondering – I had an idea for a film, and there's a producer interested in seeing what we come up with. How many horsemen and women do you have in the area who might be interested?"
Lara blinked, and ran the numbers in her head. "Good few dozen, if we're talking immediately. Ah could scrape up maybe a hundred in a few days."
"Great! I was thinking about something…"
As Ash continued, Lara's eyes widened and she began taking notes. "Sounds fun, Ash. Your place or mine?"
He muttered something at the other end of the phone for a few seconds. "We'll come over to you, if that's okay. Pidgeot and I should arrive in a day or so."
"Sure!"
"Are you sure we have time for all this?" Misty muttered to Ash. "I mean, it's not all that long before the League."
Ash nodded. "To be honest, I was starting to worry about overtraining. This is a great way to let off stress, really. And we have a couple of months." He finished checking his bag, and climbed aboard Pidgeot. "Oh, get Gary to ask the Professor if he can lend us Damos, a third Porygon camera would speed things up, especially since I'm taking Dexter."
She nodded in return, then snapped her fingers. "You could probably pick up Muk while you're over there."
After a moment of utter stillness, Ash slapped himself in the forehead. "I can't believe I completely forgot him! Must have been because we had that whole kerfuffle with J."
"I don't remember him all that well either." Pidgeot chirped reassuringly. "Now, it looks like the weather's good at the moment. Let's get going."
Ash braced himself, and shot off to the east.
"How do you see me incorporated into this film you wanted me for?" Cubone asked, looking over the first part of the script Riolu had hurriedly transcribed.
"Well, actually, as two characters. The female lead – though that's a somewhat irrelevant term with this, really – and as her."
He pointed to a second one of the characters. Cubone closed her eyes for a second. "I see. It appears to have been written with me in mind, then."
"Well, yes, that's the point of the main events actually."
Abra came over – walking, for a wonder. I like my part, myself. And Cubone? Don't just refuse outright. You said you wanted to handle your weakness, well helping with this might be a good catharsis. That and it lets you get out your views to a wider audience, at least.
She stood still for a moment, then read through the rest of the script silently. Finally, she raised her head. "How do you propose to have me fight myself? Will it not be confusing?"
We can get Meowth to teach you Substitute, he knows it. And as for confusion, the director has something he picked up in Isshu a year or two ago for situations like this. It comes up a lot in filming.
"Oh?" Riolu asked, interested. "What is it?"
An Eviolite crystal. In essence, it makes you seem to have evolved.
"That would actually work very well." Cubone looked down at her paws for a second. "What about the weaponry?"
Dee answered that one. Everyone uses bones or something similar, I'll edit them into the proper forms that we need. The bow's going to be a bit harder but I'm sure we'll come up with something.
"One last question. What about the dialogue?"
The wonders of dubbing. Don't worry, I'll use something that's basically what your Aura-translated voice comes across as.
"Very well." She sighed. "Then it seems I have no convenient excuse. When do we start?"
"In a bit. I have to check on the other project as well."
Misty, walking back over, frowned. "You're doing the lead on two separate films?"
"I'm a Riolu. Humanoid, exotic and with the appearance of nobility. That and my first life was in a noble warrior culture – I know a bit about heroic storytelling." He formed a bone in his hands, and walked off. "I also need to see someone about sword-fight practice…"
"It's a poor replacement for a Gurren Lagann movie." Squirtle sulked.
Pikachu tried to make him see reason. "You still get to break physics, though. And it's every bit as impossible in setting as out."
"Fine, I'll do it." Squirtle got up, took his shades off and swiped once-three times at once, somehow, all three blows hitting empty air at the same time. "That what you wanted me to do?"
"Er, yeah." Pikachu closed his gaping mouth, and continued. "You sort of need to know how to fight in kendo style as well, though, that's the backstory. And your opponent, Riolu, is going to be using European style broadsword. I think you'll have to work something out together."
"Sure. I'll see him when I get a chance."
The mouse hurried off, already thinking through his own choreography. So, I need to emphasize the speed the spear point moves… but the key is to be able to do that while still making it look good.
Run an electric current down a metal pole to make it glow red hot? Possible.
Ivysaur frowned. "I think I understand. So I'm cast as the evil Chinese guy?"
Taking the script back, Riolu nodded. "He's distributing anti-pain drugs to his forces, and you make the most sense for that."
"No, I have no problem with it. It's just… who's going to do the climactic duel? I've got no arms."
Riolu considered. "I thought Squirtle, but he's unlikely to like it if he has to lose in every plot he's in."
"I have a Kadabra." Both Pokémon turned to see Gary. "Would he work? I mean, he's got a spoon and with a bit of work from Dee...?"
"Works for me."
Cleavon shook his head, and turned to his film crew as the Pokémon continued running all over the place, organizing, hammering out their scripts and beginning to practice the choreography.
"You know, I could swear I had a plot to work from this morning. It was fairly generic, but at least I knew what was going on."
One of the cameramen shrugged. "We get post production done by Porygon, these films are going to look amazing."
"True." The producer rubbed his chin. "And there's that Abra, as well, so I suppose I could see if he'll be the other lead for Pokémon in Love."
Forget it. Use Psyduck or something, he's not got a part yet.
"Uh, okay then."
"Oh, I have a great idea for that scene!" Jigglypuff enthused, and turned to her backing band. "Ready?"
The two humans, one Loudred and a Farfetch'd on drums all raised their fists.
"Right! One, two, three, four!"
A loud guitar solo began the piece, then the drums and other instruments came in. Jigglypuff nodded along for the first fifteen seconds or so, then broke into song.
"I wonder what a person imagines, after finally reaching their dream's end…"
Meowth began translating the song as she went along, trying to work out how to refigure it into something for her to learn that humans could understand – while still fitting the music, of course.
But the real arbiter here was Cubone. It was, after all, essentially her theme – both her two characters and, in a way, hers. Both her characters in the film were based off her, after all.
With a final chord, the song reached its' end. Jigglypuff thanked her band, then turned expectantly to Cubone. "Well? What do you think?"
"It will do. I understand the lyrics are derived from what Abra told you about my past?"
"Yes, somewhat." Jigglypuff deflated slightly. "Sorry - if that's a problem, I mean."
"No, it is not." Cubone then nodded, seemingly to herself. "As it is, it will work. Let me know when you have the translated version." She walked away.
Jigglypuff huffed. "Well, that's a bit rude!"
"Eh, dat's pretty much how she is." Meowth picked at his teeth for a second, then wiped his claw and was all business. "So, how's dis work for you? First line, we go for…"
Mewtwo looked at the sheaf of paper in front of him. You want me to what?
"The part would fit you, you know." Pikachu said. "Besides, if anything's going to convince the Rocket boss to leave you alone, it's this."
I have to admit, he's less likely to be able to control a Pokémon who's a film star, and less likely to see me as a danger if I'm participating like this.
Mewtwo turned, and levitated into the air, Pikachu and Abra with him. I will let Mew know that I will not be here for a week or so. Do come along, I'll handle the return teleport.
"Uh…" Pikachu said, anxious. "Last time, Pikachutwo was really antagonistic towards me."
At least this time you'll know what he's talking about. Mewtwo smirked. Besides, he's the one who places a lot of our orders to the outside. I built an aerial – so far as anyone's concerned, we're a reclusive shrine to Suicune who use a drop box. It means we can access a lot of the luxuries of the outside world.
The Genetic Pokémon sighed. In all honesty, the inclusion of Pokémon like Abratwo, Cubonetwo and Riolutwo to who was here last time around has been an amazing stabilizing influence, especially Riolutwo. He can tell if anyone's getting too stir crazy and defuse the situation.
They topped a rise and saw a number of wooden treehouses, along with two temple gates leading to a cave. That's the route to the healing water – hence our choice of Suicune. The treehouses are largely Ivysaurtwo's work, he has a real talent.
Pikachu gazed at the little village in amazement. "I'm really impressed, Mewtwo. Especially since last time you had none of this."
Last time it took me a year or so to come to terms with what had happened on New Island. Ah, here they are.
The passengers looked. A Togekiss drifted over, a little Mew bobbing next to her. "Hello! You must be Pikachuone and Abraone!"
The two blinked. "I've never really thought of myself that way, but yes, that's us. We're borrowing Mewtwo for a while, is that okay?"
"Of course! He's happy with it, and if it makes someone happy it's okay!"
Mewtwo had apparently finished talking with Mew. Would you mind if I got the coordinates from you?
"Oh, go ahead."
Thank you. Mewtwo tapped one of Pikachu's ears, then the two of them and Abra vanished.
"Sorry, Ash. Ah just don't think we can get used to firing a bow from Rapidash or Ponyta. Not so's it would be safe to shoot at someone else, anyway."
Ash shrugged. "It's fine, Lara. I knew there were going to be problems."
I may have a solution.
The two looked at Dexter. "Oh?"
Yes. It is possible, with a great deal of care, to take several segments of film shot in the same place and isolate the differences, to apply on top of a blank area. I can effectively clone the entire cast several times over, for the battle scenes.
"That's pretty neat. Right, let's give it a go. Scene seven point one, second take, everyone!"
The various Laramie clansmembers, friends and locals replied with a hubbub of general agreement, and everyone corrected their costumes and got back onto their mounts. Dexter hovered into the air and zoomed in.
"Alright, everyone, this one we're the opposing force!" Ash called. "So put the horsetail banner down, Mara!"
The indicated clanner dipped the ornate prop in salute and rode over on her Rapidash to a nearby fence, exchanging it for a simpler one. "Like you remembered every time yourself, cousin!" She called back with a grin.
This drew chuckles, but soon the horsemen and women were ready. Ash signalled Lara; this bit was her show. He was concentrating at least halfway on staying on his borrowed Rapidash.
"Left guys, y'all gotta go first! Run in front, then circle back behind us and take up position on the right! Right guys, you swap places with them when they get to ya!"
As the hundred or so Rapidash flowed across the landscape, shooting volleys of arrows at the other side of the field and wheeling constantly, Ash and three others waited their turn. This particular run, they were in the second left 'horn' of horse, and their role was to-
With amazing suddenness, it was time, and they joined the second partial charge at nothing, firing their bows, before spilling from the saddle one at a time as 'casualties'.
That short scene over, Ash rubbed his ribs ruefully. He'd learned to fall well, of course, but it still ached. "How was that, Dexter?"
Very good. It was most convincing. With a shimmer in the air, Dexter projected a series of copied versions of the sally.
"Looks a bit too reg'lar for my taste." Lara commented.
That's why we're doing two more takes. I mix their order up and start them at different times, it'll look for all the world like a steppe skirmish.
"That's the plan." Ash said. "Hey, guys! Looks like we're doing it right!"
"Figures!" someone shouted back. "Even a sack of potatoes kin act if all you gotta do is fall!"
"Ah, go jump in a lake!" Ash replied to him. The Laramie clan was different, but after a few days working with the boisterous ranchers, Ash was getting used to them.
"Good ta see you're back, Ash!" Lara called as he rode back in. "Ah was after wonderin' if you'd be back in time for the next scene!"
Ash grinned weakly and pulled some glop out of his outfit. "Sorry, took a trip to Gringey city. I found what must have been the last Muk there and caught him." He jumped off the Rapidash he'd been lent with rather more aplomb than he had the first time, and led him over to the stables. "I think we both need a bit of a clean, right boy?"
The equine Pokémon snorted and followed him, looking forward to a good sand bath – water was used on the fire types, but for the mane base only sand would do.
Lara looked after them. "Well, you two are certainly getting' along…" And a good thing, too. Ash wouldn't be able to hide away behind the anonymity of an extra's part much longer – the remaining scenes were solo or small groups.
"Ah well. Time ta let everyone know bout the smaller scenes. We kin let them get a bit of shut-eye between them."
Riolu tugged experimentally on the peace-bonded hilt of the mock sword at his side. "It's not coming out easily."
Ivysaur shrugged. "That's the point. Does it feel like it'll break accidentally?"
"No, but if I really tried I could."
"Good, that's exactly what we need. As you well know." Ivysaur flipped through the script. "Okay, we cast almost everyone… made sure the people who are going to get slaughtered en masse are able to produce Substitutes to do it for them… is Growlie done with filming his bit for the other film?"
"I think so, yes. And Abra with him completes the list."
Ivysaur suddenly snickered. "This is going to be weird. A Psychic type and an Arcanine being protected from me by a Riolu."
"You mean a Ronin. That's the point. This whole exercise is partly about the way people's perceptions are different to how they should be."
"True, true. And the Viridian shrine is still fine with using them for those scenes?"
"Last I heard."
The Grass type ticked off something else on a list. "And I think Geodude and I will be able to handle all the rest of the terrain between us, at least as far as the structures go. Dee can do the rest in post-production."
"Ready?" Cleavon asked, looking over the shrine area by the moonlight.
"I am ready." Ninetales replied.
Cubone, cloaked in the energy of the Eviolite, glanced across at her merely-Cubone shaped Substitute. "I, also."
"Okay, now where's Mewtwo?"
Here. The Genetic Pokémon floated past, stretched out his hands and effortlessly levitated Ninetales into the air.
"I have to say, this is much easier than wire work." The director said happily, slashing his hand down for the scene to start.
Dexter flickered through the archive of stored footage. I think we have it all.
"Finally!" Ash collapsed into a chair. "I swear I've been walking for five hours a day, and riding another seven!"
Surprisingly close, actually.
"Right. Well, how are the others doing?"
One moment… it seems that the only remaining filming to do is from the original Pokémon in love. It seems that the final battle scene is giving some problems.
"Why?"
Trying to stop everyone showing off, mainly. It's supposed to be a small battle between two families, not the Battle of Sekigahara that everyone's treating it as.
Ash frowned. "Wasn't Sekigahara between retainers of the Toyotomi? So sort of a family feud itself?"
Not the point.
"Ah well. Guess we'll head back tomorrow, then."
Tomorrow afternoon. Thanking everyone who helped is going to take all morning.
"Well, night." Ash yawned, making a bee-line for his bed.
"No, no, no, no!" Cleavon said, exasperated. "While your… what was it? Delta variant of Shock Wave is impressive, and yes, you'd probably want to use it in a fight like this, that does not justify electrocuting the entire Water type army!"
"Sorry." Pikachu shrugged.
"You're supposed to be doing the weather! Aaargh!"
Pikachu, stop tormenting the poor man. We've finished everything else. Damos pointed out.
"Fine. But Squirtle better stop going on about the manifest destiny of Water types, and stop Gary's Eevee from doing the same with the Normal types, would you? I'm just the weather technician."
Wait, what are they doing in the cast anyway? Damos flashed a tight-beam message to Dee, and after a second or so Gary returned his Eevee and Ivysaur dragged Squirtle off.
"Finally! Now, can we please get it right this time?" Cleavon signalled to the pair of Porygon. "Your discretion for shots, start take in three… two… one…"
As normal, all hell broke loose. Fortunately, this time it was merely the chaos of a battlefield and did not involve drills, explosions or lightning strikes.
And then Psyduck got shot tragically with an arrow, though what arrows were doing being fired in the middle of a melee was never actually explained, and there was the tragic death scene.
"And… cut! Excellent!"
Ash swooped back in on Pidgeot just as Cleavon was leaving the next day, and handed him a slim memory card. "Here. Working title is Sea of Grass, see what you think."
"Oh, thank you. Well, I certainly got more than I expected." The producer smiled. "Four films, how wonderful. I'll invite everyone to the première, of course."
"Don't forget everyone from the Laramie Ranch and surrounds who worked on that film. I'm afraid we might take up most of the cinema if they all come, but they deserve it."
"Yes, I suppose they do. Well, I'll contact you in a week or so."
Ash glanced at Dexter's base unit. "Do we have a week? I lost count."
Two and a half to go before the opening ceremony of the League. Since we three Pings-
Ash snickered. "You what?"
You heard nothing. I most definitely did not mention a silly nickname we have for ourselves. Anyway, since we were working on the post stage even as the filming was going on, it shouldn't take long to get it out there.
Dee floated over. Good going, Dexter, I told you not to mention that joke.
"So, you do call each other that?" Ash said innocently. "And here I was all ready to think I misheard."
Damnit.
AN: Can anyone tell what the extra films are? Two of them are animated films, and the third is pure historical adaptation. You'll get your answers in a couple of chapters, so if you want to puzzle over it, wait a bit.
It's really hard to keep track of the timeline when the main character never seems to age. I mean, in the anime he somehow went a year without having a birthday. So I'm starting to slip into mutable time - oh well, I'll make it up in the later areas, where things go a lot faster.
Cleavon is actually a direct and not very well hidden parody of Spielberg - though apparently without the other's success.