Against my better judgement (I was going to release this all at once, but have yet to write much more than this) and the fact that it's Christmas (cheers, by the way). I give you my rewrite of The Dark Lord. I'm trying my hand at a different writing style, less of a psychological look at the characters (I'll leave you to determine what's going on in their heads) and more of a physical look (i.e., their actions, how they react to certain things, etc). The story will change a bit, so you're not just reading a couple new paragraphs. Here's the rough draft. Enjoy the first chapter, and Merry Christmas!
* * * * *
DREAD
Chapter 1
The battered blue Ford rolled into the driveway of 312 Merill Drive and came to a slow stop. The engine cut and there was a moment before there was any movement. Then there was a ruffling noise and the door opened. Ash Ketchum stepped out onto the gravel driveway, his boots grinding against the small rocks as he picked his way out of the vehicle. He pulled a duffel bag out from the backseat and slung it over his shoulder. After closing the door he stood there for a moment, taking in the sights.
He was home.
Before he could take another step, a small child came running out of the house.
"Daddy!" the child beamed, arms waving wildly. Ash dropped his duffel bag and scooped the boy up in his arms. He laughed.
"How's my little soldier doing?" he asked, hugging the child tightly. The boy giggled in response, too enthused for words. With his free hand Ash grabbed the duffel bag and approached the house, the young boy still tucked in his arm. There was another figure waiting in the doorway. She leaned into the frame, exhausted. Though she was beyond belief that he was home, especially so early, she was excited to see him. He paused at the entrance, their eyes meeting warmly.
"Hey." he said, his grin widening.
"hey," the woman echoed, a smile creasing her lips.
They embraced on the steps, the three of them, as a family. When they broke, she grabbed his duffel bag and followed him inside.
There was a yellow rodent asleep on the couch and Ash went to stroke its fur. The woman stopped him.
"He's been having a lot of headaches lately," she said softly. "Nurse Joy says that it's a bug going around…a lot of the poke'mon are sick with it. Just let him be for now."
Ash frowned, but quickly turned his attention back to his family. He kissed his wife on the cheek.
"Alright, so how've you been?" he asked. He set the boy down and embraced her.
"Better," she reported, returning the embrace. "It's been long, Ash…too long."
"I know Misty," he replied. "But I'm done." he glanced down at the boy, whom was beaming up at him. "For good."
Misty hugged him tightly.
"I'm so glad to hear that," she said softly. "Who's going to replace you?"
"I don't know," Ash responded, loving the smell of his wife's orange hair. "Ian Surge is in charge of enlisting the best candidates, he wants me to meet with him next week to help him pick."
Misty pulled away briefly.
"I thought you said you were done?"
"I'm done with the field," Ash frowned. "From now on, if I'm involved with anything, it's…" he looked at the boy again, who had taken a seat at the kitchen table. His voice went softer. "It's bullshit like this, just…meetings and paper work. I'm still needed, but whatever I'm needed for, it will allow me to be home for dinner."
Misty frowned. Ash caressed her face.
"It's okay," he said. "It really is. No more late nights, no more field exercises, no more leaving for weeks at a time."
Misty's eyes crept over to Pikachu on the couch.
"I just worry is all," she whispered. Ash kissed her on the cheek.
"About what?" he asked. "Honey, this island hasn't seen combat in over 50 years. The Seafoam Island Confederation are allies with us now, along with the majority of the other islands under the Union. There's nothing to worry about."
"I was talking about Pikachu," she said. "He's really been missing you, and his headaches….he's been acting very strange lately."
Ash looked over at Pikachu, whom was stirring on the couch.
"How so?"
Misty gave him a helpless look and watched Pikachu jump down.
"Pika!" he chimed, jumping into Ash's arms. Ash smiled and caressed the poke'mon, returning Misty's look.
"So what do you want for dinner?" Misty turned to the kitchen. "I was prepping some rice and vegetables..."
"Sounds good," Ash replied. "Anything's better than MRE's."
"Chu," Pikachu agreed. Ash grinned and set the rodent down. He walked over to the boy, who was coloring on a pad of paper.
"Hey Foxx," Ash ruffled the boy's hair. "Whatcha' drawing?"
Foxx beamed at him, proud of his work. Ash studied the picture.
It was a crude drawing in red crayon of two stick figures holding hands. One of them had cat ears.
"What's this?" Ash asked, pointing at the drawing.
"My friend," Foxx replied, returning to his work. "We're playing."
"Who's your friend?" Ash mused.
"Tooth."
"Tooth?" Ash grinned. "That's quite a name."
Foxx nodded, "he's really cool, he takes me flying and we explore outer space."
Ash nodded, impressed.
"Sounds like fun."
Foxx giggled and continued scribbling. Ash turned around to face Misty, whom was watching them carefully from the stove. She beckoned for Ash to follow her.
"Things have been different," Misty whispered as she closed their bedroom door. "Foxx…he's been having nightmares, he's been sleeping with me almost every single night."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked. "Nightmares? he NEVER has nightmares."
"It's the same thing with Pikachu," Misty held his hands tightly. "I'm really worried, Ash."
"About what, some headaches and bad dreams?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "It just feels…wrong. I can't put my finger on it. He talks about his friend Tooth all the time, and I can see him out in the yard talking to him and--"
"A lot of kids have imaginary friends, Misty." Ash said firmly. He cupped her chin in his hand. "There's not many kids around here Foxx's age to play with. C'mon…I know it's been tough with me away and everything, but I promise it's all going to be okay now." he kissed her again. "Trust me."
Misty lowered her gaze to the ground, falling into Ash's arms.
"I've missed you so much," she said softly. Ash nodded.
"I know." he replied.
* * * * * *
The next day Ash wiped the sweat from his brow as he toiled in the afternoon sun. It was unseasonably warm for fall, and he found himself already getting frustrated at the amount of leaves caught in his gutters. Behind him Foxx marched around the yard, waving a stick in the air as he fought imaginary enemies.
"Hey Mr. Handy," Misty called from the window. "How's it going?"
"Could be better," Ash grunted and adjusted his work gloves. "Do the leaves really have to be wet AND stuck in here?"
Misty giggled and went back to her work. Ash pushed himself further up the ladder until he was on the roof, sitting on his haunches along the shingles. Before him he could see a horizon of homes, stretching all the way into the bustling downtown city of Pallet. Cars and pedestrians buzzed along the streets as people went about their daily lives. Ash mused at the thought of the sleepy town he had left here when he was younger. Times had changed, but Pallet Town had taken it in stride.
"Daddy, look!"
Foxx was pointing at something in the sky. Ash looked and saw a flock of bird Poke'mon. There were so many they seemed to blot out the sun as they soared by.
"Leaving for the winter?" Foxx asked.
"Guess so!" Ash called down to him. He looked back up at the sky and realized that the birds weren't flying south, but east.
"That's weird," Ash thought to himself. He threw his legs over the side of the roof and called down to Misty,
"Hey, honey! do the birds…."
It was just now that he saw what Foxx was doing with the stick.
"Foxx! hey! what're you doing? stop that!" Ash yelled out. He climbed down the ladder and jogged over to the boy.
Foxx was drilling into the dirt a crude image of two large ovals.
He snatched the stick from the child's hands and grabbed him roughly by the shoulder. Foxx had a dazed expression in his eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ash asked firmly. "You're ruining the yard!"
Foxx blinked and looked over at the ovals. He looked back at Ash with unfamiliar eyes.
"What happened?"
"What do you mean 'what happened'?" Ash said gruffly. He knelt down in front of the boy, holding onto his shoulders. "You can't just tear up the grass like that, buddy, you'll ruin the yard."
Foxx shrugged.
"Sorry." he said dumbly. "Tooth told me to."
"Well don't listen to everything Tooth says," Ash replied, absently tossing the stick behind him. "If Tooth told you to jump off a bridge, would you?"
"He said he'd hurt me if I don't."
"What?"
"Tooth says that I'm a bad friend if I don't do what he says." he glanced over at the ovals in the ground. "Tooth wanted me to draw his eyes so he can always watch me."
Ash licked his lips and looked at the ovals in the ground.
"Tooth…this is your friend with the cat ears?"
Foxx nodded.
"Tooth IS a cat."
Ash was searching for the words to say something when Misty stepped out of the kitchen.
"Hey guys!" she called. "Lunch is ready!"
Ash sighed and stood up. He ruffled Foxx's hair.
"We'll talk about this later. Just no more digging around the yard, okay?"
Foxx nodded and ran over to the house. Ash stuck his hands in his pockets and looked down at the ovals in the ground. There were the beginnings of what looked like pupils in the center of the eyes. What was odd about them was that they were almost perfect ovals; there were no crooked lines, despite the fact that they were drawn with a stick. Ash observed it for a second longer before heading inside. The image of the eyes stayed with him all day.
After lunch Ash was taking out the garbage when he noticed a dark, burly man leering at him from across the street. He emptied the garbage and closed the lid, feeling the man's eyes wash over him the whole way. Finally he returned the gaze and it was a moment before either man said anything.
"Brock?"
Familiarity washed over the man's face and he marched across the street to wrap Ash in a large hug.
"Oh man, it's been so long! I didn't recognize you at first!" Brock swooned, setting Ash back down. Ash grinned and looked Brock over. He had gained a lot of weight since their travels as children. Rather than looking like a Casanova ala his childhood dream, he looked more like a cross between a lumberjack and a Norseman.
"Same here," Ash replied, slapping the man on the shoulder. "How've you been, BIG guy?"
Brock gave him a shrewd look, and jiggled his belly between his hands.
"Can't help it," he jerked his head down the street. "Duplica spoils me. You haven't lived until you've tried her roast duck."
"You're dating Duplica now?"
"Have been!" Brock said proudly. "Hell, man, we've been at it for about…3 years now? finally decided to move in together." he cast another glance at his own gut. "The love of my life is going to be the death of me."
The men shared a laugh and Ash ran a hand through his hair in recollection.
"It's good to see you," he said. "We should catch up…"
he looked back at his house.
"Misty wants me to clean the gutters and do some other work around the house…I gotta run into town and pick up some tools, you wanna come?"
Brock shrugged.
"Sure," he answered. "As long as you don't mind running to the gym first. I'm training some youngsters there."
Ash led Brock to his truck and the two piled inside.
"So you're not a gym leader anymore?" Ash asked, starting the engine. Brock shook his head and pulled out a necklace. Adorned on it was the Boulder Badge.
"Nah, man, that was a long time ago," he explained. "After you left for the army, I kinda went through this whole, 'What am I doing with my life' kinda thing, and realized being a Gym Leader wasn't for me. Now I coach gym class at the high school."
"That's ironic," Ash teased. Brock grinned.
"Always a kidder," he punched Ash in the shoulder. "So what's going on now, are you done?"
Ash nodded as he pulled out of Merill Drive.
"Yessir," he replied, rolling the window down. The cool autumn breeze relaxed him as they coasted through town. "Now I'm in charge of…kinda some secret stuff, y'know, deciding who gets on Alpha Unit and what not."
"You'd think they would have somebody else for that."
"Normally Ian Surge would do it," Ash agreed. "But he wants me to help him pick. I guess he doesn't wanna mess up."
"Ian Surge?" Brock scoffed. "Lieutenant Surge's son? what the hell?"
Ash shrugged.
"He was in Enforcer Unit just like me. He graduated at the top of his class, and he looks good on camera. Makes one helluva Public Relations guy."
"I just thought he'd be a general or some shit by now." Brock sighed. "Never did like the guy, he was always way too uptight. Remember that time you invited him to your Christmas party?"
Ash laughed and shook his head, recollecting bad memories.
"Hey, is this the gym you were talking about?"
He guided the blue Ford into the driveway of a run-down building. Brock sighed again and gave Ash a helpless look.
"Nobody really gives a shit about Poke'mon training anymore," he admitted. "We're right in the middle of Pallet, for chrissakes--definitely not what it used to be--most people just have Poke'mon as pets anymore."
Ash stepped out of the car and examined the building. Several parts of the structure were in various states of disrepair. The weed choked parking lot didn't help the look of it either.
"On base we have several units of just Poke'mon," Ash said, making his way around the building with Brock. "We fire train Squirtles and Blastoise, Machamps and Machokes as infantry…"
Brock pushed open the door, giving way to a large gymnasium. Inside an Onix was doing battle against a Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto!" a kid commanded, waving his arms wildly. "What're you doing? I said use whirlwind!"
The large bird cawed furiously as it soared around the gym. There were windows near the ceiling that it kept ramming its head into. The Onix' head was swaying back and forth, as if the beast were intoxicated. Both trainers on the ground looked very confused.
"What's going on in here?" Brock demanded. The kid gave him a helpless look and shrugged.
"I dunno, sir, I was just doing battle against this kid here, and suddenly both Poke'mon started going nuts."
The Pidgeotto dive bombed at the trio's heads, swooping around the lower half of the gym.
"Jesus!" Ash yelped. "Call it back to its poke'ball!"
The kid plucked a ball from his belt and returned the Pidgeotto. The Onix roared and crashed into the side of the wall. Debris from the ceiling drifted down.
"You too!" Brock called to the other trainer. "Return your Onix!"
"My Poke'ball's not working!" the kid wailed.
The Onix reared up and smashed its body against the wall. The building trembled.
"Give me your poke'ball." Ash demanded. The child obediently handed it over and Ash hurled the ball at the Onix. The ball bounced off the beast's side, opened, and sucked the Onix in. The gym was enveloped in a blinding purple light, then a silence fell over the room.
"Sometimes you have to just do it the old fashioned way," Ash said, scooping the ball off the floor. "Promise me you'll take it to the Poke'mon Center and have it checked out?"
"Yessir," the boy chirped. "Guess it kinda worked out for me..I was losing that fight anyway!" He scurried away with his friend, idly chatting as if nothing happened.
"Kids just don't give a shit about their poke'mon anymore," Brock sighed. "Wonder where he caught the damn thing." he walked over to the wall and ran his fingers alongside it. "Damnit," he muttered. "This place is already falling apart, the last thing I need is a condemning notice on the front door."
"The Onix really did a number on that wall," Ash agreed. "Have you heard the thing going on with the poke'mon lately?"
Brock nodded solemnly.
"Yeah," he turned back to face Ash. "They're saying it's something in the water..or…something," he ran a hand through his hair. "It's just a bug that's going around, that's all."
"One helluva bug."
"You're telling ME," Brock sighed. He patted Ash on the back. "Well thanks for your help back there, bud, I guess I'm not really needed here at the gym today."
"Let's get going then," Ash pulled the truck keys out of his pocket. "Misty will kill me if I put off any more work."
* * * * *
Misty sighed as Ash nuzzled into her neck, kissing and licking his way to her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him, intertwining her wrists across his back as he loved her.
He kissed his way along her neck and then back down the front of her chest, listening to her moan quietly between breaths.
"Stop it, you'll wake up Foxx," he teased. Misty giggled quietly and pulled him in closer.
"I've been waiting months for this," she cooed. "Fuck it."
Ash let out a soft chuckle and kissed along her belly, moving his hands down to softly grasp her hips. For a moment he placed his head along her stomach to feel it contract in steady rhythm. Her body was warm and inviting. She quivered, anxious for his touch. He could feel her fingers tugging at his boxer briefs, and he was happy to comply.
They were almost off when a croak from downstairs disturbed them.
Ash paused.
"Did you hear that?"
Misty stopped, running her hand over her face. She was sweaty.
"Hear what?" She groaned. "C'mon, baby..."
Another croak.
This time both of them heard it. Misty sat up, pulling Ash with her.
"What was that?" she whispered. Her eyes were narrowed. She looked at Ash helplessly. Ash looked at the clock. It was 3 in the morning. He bit his lower lip, looked at her, and rolled out of bed. He tugged on a pair of pants and touched her shoulder softly.
"Wait here." he said quietly. He pulled open the door and stepped into the dark hallway. Moonlight spilled across the steps leading downstairs. Silence was ringing in his ears and as he approached the steps he could hear a shuffle of movement downstairs. His heart pounded in his chest and his hands balled into tight fists.
Of all the homes to break in, this motherfucker had picked the worst one…
He marched down the steps and was startled at the sight of Foxx standing at the window in the living room. The boy stood less than a foot away from the glass, peering into the yard. His jaw was crooked, like he was trying to speak, but words were coming out in a low croak. He didn't move or look up when Ash came down the steps.
"Foxx? What're you doing down here?" Ash demanded. Foxx leered over at Ash, his eyes lazily washing over his father.
"Tooth was outside." He pointed. Ash walked over and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. The yard was illuminated in the blue light of the moon. It was empty.
He knelt down and looked Foxx straight in the eye.
"Alright Foxx," he said firmly. "That's enough. I don't want you playing with Tooth anymore, you're really upsetting mommy and I."
"But Tooth won't leave me alone." Foxx refuted.
"There IS NO Tooth." Ash hissed. "Now c'mon, get upstairs and go back to bed."
He led Foxx upstairs and tucked him in. When he left his son's room he stood at the foot of the steps and thought for a moment. He walked back down the steps and looked through the window into the yard. He didn't notice that Pikachu's bed was empty.
He returned to his bedroom where Misty still sat up, terrified.
"What was it?" she asked.
"It was Foxx," Ash sighed. "I think I'm gonna take him to Nurse Joy tomorrow. I've only been home a few days and this is already getting out of hand."
"I told you!" Misty folded her arms. "You leaving for the special forces was a bad idea."
"It was what was best for us," Ash argued. "If I didn't go, there's no way in hell we'll be able to pay for Foxx's college." He fell to his pillow. "Damnit, Misty…why can't everything be okay? this is the last thing…it's my son…"
Misty lay by his side and ran a hand along his chest.
"He loves you," she whispered. "I love you."
Ash took her hand in his and breathed in deeply.
"I know," he said softly. "I know."
The next morning Ash made a call to Nurse Joy's office and set up an appointment for that afternoon. Foxx and Misty were sitting at the table eating their breakfast when Ash came in.
"So was that you last night making all that ruckus?" Misty smiled cheerfully at Foxx across the table.
"Wasn't me," Foxx responded through gulps of orange juice. "It was--"
Ash gave him a stern look and the boy paused.
"It was me." he admitted in defeat. "Where's Pikachu?" he set down his spoon and looked under the table.
"I don't think I've seen him since yesterday," Misty was looking at Ash, who shrugged.
"I've been so busy around the house that I haven't seen him either." Ash said. "I'll keep an eye out for him, you know how he likes to wander around."
Misty shrugged dismissively and leaned toward Foxx.
"Hurry up, you have school today."
"I don't wanna go." Foxx moaned. "I wanna stay and help dad."
"And help me out with what?" Ash laughed, pouring some coffee. "I've got grown-up things to do today, bud, I'm not gonna be around the house."
"What kind of things?"
"Grown up things," Ash repeated, taking a sip. "I'll tell you when you're older." he winked at Misty, who blushed.
Foxx finished his cereal and Ash got his backpack. They both saw Foxx off to the school bus and when it disappeared from sight, Misty wrapped her arms around his waist.
"So we got interrupted last night," Misty cooed, kissing him softly. "How about we catch up?"
"I was thinking the same thing." Ash kissed her back. They fell onto the couch, kissing passionately. Ash's shirt was almost off when the phone rang.
"Let it ring," Misty panted, unzipping her pants. Ash nodded and kissed her on the neck, suckling and tickling with his tongue. The phone rang until it hit the answering machine. Misty was moaning as Ash loved her.
"Hello Ash, this is Nurse Joy's office," a troubled voice echoed on the machine. "We're calling about your appoint---no, no, just keep them in their poke'balls--sorry--we're calling about your appointment this afternoon. I'm afraid we're going to have to cancel--what? I'm on the phone here--just KEEP THEM inside their poke'balls!--sorry again, sir--we're going to have to cancel. Please call us back to reschedule. Thank you for your time--"
"Goddamnit!" Ash muttered. He released his arms from around Misty and just lay on the couch, Misty straddling him from the hips.
"Honey…" she started.
"What the hell's so important that they can't look at Foxx today?" Ash asked. "I mean, really?"
Misty fell against him, her warm body pressing against his. She hugged him tightly. He sighed and reluctantly put his arms around her.
"Our boy's in trouble and he needs help…and we can't help him," Ash said. Misty bit her lower lip.
"Maybe it IS just a phase."
Ash looked at her.
"He was standing at the window last night, staring outside. He was making these croaking noises. He says that his friend Tooth was out there."
Misty gave him a hard look.
"I'm gonna run up there." He said finally, sliding out from under her. He tugged his pants back on and stood up. Misty groaned and covered her face with her hands.
"I know," Ash admitted. "I'll be like, 20 minutes, okay? It's right downtown. I'm just gonna go kick some ass." he kissed her softly on the forehead and left the room. He closed the front door behind himself and stood outside, jingling his keys in his hands as the cool autumn breeze ruffled his hair. Merill Drive was uncharacteristically silent. There were no Growlithes barking or Spearows cawing. Only in the distance could he hear the faint mummer of traffic.
Without a second thought he climbed into his truck and pulled out into the street.
Ten minutes later downtown traffic was as usual and he was put a little at ease with this. Shoppers roamed the downtown area, characteristically peering into shop windows and talking amongst themselves. Children played in the city park and there were street performers on the corner. It didn't strike Ash as odd that there were no poke'mon in sight.
He turned off of main street and onto Pichu Lane, where the Hospitality Center was located. There was a line of Poke'mon trainers out the door, with police directing traffic. Ash parked on the curb and marched up to the doorway. He flashed his Military ID to the officer at the front.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
"I don't know," The officer admitted. "Do you need to get inside?"
Ash nodded and the officer let him in. Inside was a large room filled with stretchers. Most were occupied by poke'mon that were strapped down. Several nurses gathered around a Primeape that was thrashing wildly on its bed.
"HOLD HIM DOWN!" a male nurse roared, desperately trying to buckle the Primeape's limbs against the cot. Ash grabbed one of the nurses running by.
"What the hell's going on in here?" he demanded. "Where's Nurse Joy?"
The nurse looked overworked and exhausted. She shook her head.
"I don't know," she replied. "Sir, if your poke'mon needs--"
"I don't have poke'mon," Ash said firmly. "I was calling about my son."
"I can't help you," The nurse replied, tugging away from Ash's grip. "You should try the hospital."
Ash frowned. He had been going to Nurse Joy's office since he was a child; he confined in her. However, she was nowhere in sight and Ash had an increasing feeling that he was just getting in the way.
He returned back home where Misty was waiting for him.
"Well?" She asked. Ash closed the door behind him and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
"I think…" he paused, compiling the words together in his head. "I think we need to get out of town for a few days."
"Why?"
"Things are pretty bad down there," Ash replied, moving to the couch to sit with her. "They have their hands full. Whatever this…plague? is with the Poke'mon…it's getting worse." He pulled her close to him. "I don't think it would be a bad idea for us to just…get out of town for a while, at least until this thing with the Poke'mon blows over."
"When do you want to leave?" Misty asked, watching him carefully.
"Tomorrow afternoon?" Ash asked. "Foxx will be out of school for the weekend, and we'll just take an extra long weekend, just the three of us. Think of it as a family outing."
Misty nodded, "That sounds fine." she agreed. "I could use to get out of this house."
The two of them began packing. Ash pulled some dusty briefcases up from the basement and they packed a weeks' worth of clothes. It was about noon when Foxx knocked on the door.
"Foxx!" Misty exclaimed, coming to greet her son. "You're home early! what's wrong?"
"Some poke'mon broke into the school." Foxx sulked, unloading his backpack onto the floor. "It was snack time and there were a buncha bulbasaurs in the hallway. They were breaking stuff…so they canceled school for the rest of the day and I'm still hungry."
Ash and Misty exchanged glances.
"Well let's get you something to eat." Misty said as she led Foxx into the kitchen. Ash looked outside the window, watching the school bus drop off the rest of the kids. Two police cars with sirens wailing drove by.
Tomorrow.
They were leaving tomorrow.
Ash turned to the kitchen where Misty had sat Foxx at the table with a plate of animal crackers and milk.
"Where's mine?" Ash asked with a smile. Misty grinned at him and poured him a glass of milk.
"So that must've been pretty scary, huh? The bulbasaurs breaking into your school?" Ash asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Foxx said as he munched on crackers. "We were going to start art class and we had to go home. I was going to make something for mom."
"And what's that?"
"It was going to be a surprise." Foxx gulped down his milk. "But I guess I'll just have to do it tomorrow."
"Hey bud, I have a surprise for you." Ash sat down across from Foxx. "We're going camping tomorrow!"
"Really?" Foxx's eyes lit up. "OH WOW!…but what about school?"
"I don't think you're going to have school tomorrow," Misty reported, looking out the window. "How about you go upstairs and pack?"
Foxx nodded and scrambled up the stairs to his room. Ash grinned as he watched the boy run.
"Y'know, this can't all be bad." he said. "At least I'll be able to make up for lost time."
Misty nodded and a grin creased her lips. "Yeah," she said softly. "let's just hope things get better."
* * * *
The next morning Ash woke with a start.
Croak.
It echoed through the hallway and was amplified in his room, which he found odd as Misty hadn't woken by it. Early morning light was spilling in through the crack in the curtains and though this was comforting, he still sighed in spite of himself. This obsession with Tooth was going to end now once and for all.
He tugged on a pair of jeans and slipped out of the room, careful not to wake Misty. At the foot of the stairs he could see a shadow stretched across the living room floor. When he reached it, it wasn't Foxx standing at the window, but Pikachu.
Croak.
"Pikachu…?" Ash asked quietly.
The yellow rodent was shivering softly, patches of fur were missing from its back. As it turned, Ash saw its eyes were sunken deep into his skull.
"Pikachu…?" Ash asked again, taking an uneasy step forward.
Croak.
Pikachu's head lolled to one side, leering at him. He held a blank stare.
"Are you okay?"
A zap of electricity shot across the room, hitting the wall next to Ash's head.
"HOLY SHIT!" Ash stumbled back, hitting the steps. "PIKACHU, what the hell?!"
Another bolt of electricity seared the framework of the steps below Ash's feet. Pikachu croaked again and stumbled forward, bolts of electricity bouncing off the walls around him.
"Pikachu, calm down!" Ash cried out, pulling himself up the steps. "What's wrong with you?"
Croak.
Pikachu's eyes rolled in their sockets and he stared at Ash.
Another bolt struck Ash's leg and he cried out, grabbing his calve in agony.
Pikachu's head lolled to the side, his blank stare haunting in its vacancy. Ash scrambled up the steps and saw Misty was waiting for him at the bedroom door.
"What's going on?" she asked, tugging a robe around herself.
"Get back in the room." Ash ordered swiftly. The look he gave her offered no other option, she closed the door. There was a thumping noise coming from the foot of the steps.
Pikachu.
Ash looked around himself and grabbed a framed picture off the wall. He held it in throwing position and waited for creature's head to appear at the foot of the steps.
The rodent's ears creased over the steps and then Pikachu's head came into view.
"Pikachu," Ash said slowly. "I'm going to say this one time. Stop and I will not hurt you."
A bolt of electricity dropped Ash's hand.
He cringed on the floor.
"Jesus!" he grunted, feeling his muscles burn and stiffen. The rodent grew closer, and with a burst of strength Ash swung the picture frame and struck Pikachu across the face. The yellow rodent smacked against the wall with a buzz of electricity.
Ash lay there for a moment, panting, trying to recollect himself.
"Ash?" Misty called from the other side of the door.
"It's okay," Ash groaned. "Come out."
Misty opened the door and held her hands to her face.
"OH MY GOD!" she yelped.
"Don't look at it." Ash grunted, pushing himself up. Pikachu's face was a bloody mess. He didn't look dead, but he definitely wasn't going anywhere.
"What should we do?" Misty asked, reaching down.
"Don't touch him!" Ash warned, holding his hand out. "He's a living conduit of electricity--he's a fucking bomb, honey."
Misty retracted her hand as Ash climbed to his feet.
"We're leaving. Right now." Ash said, opening the door to Foxx's room.
"Daddy?" Foxx was holding a teddy bear, standing in the center of the room.
"How much did you hear?" Ash asked softly.
Foxx shook his head.
"Get your things, we're leaving right now, buddy." Ash said, limping back to his room. His calve burned and twitched.
"What happened to your leg?" Misty asked, quickly throwing on a fresh pair of clothes.
"Pikachu zapped me," Ash said, putting on a shirt. "I should be fine, it just hurts like a bitch."
Misty zipped her suitcase closed and tied her hair back into a ponytail.
"I'm ready to go," she said, briskly walking past Ash to help Foxx finish packing.
Ash grabbed the luggage and carried it downstairs, taking careful note to not look at Pikachu on the way down. He wanted to scoop Pikachu up; he wanted to place him outside. The best he could do was pick up the phone and call the Poke'mon Center, but the line was busy.
Of course it had to be busy.
He couldn't bear the sight of making a bloody mess out of his best friend, so there he stood in the entryway. He set the luggage down briefly to open the door and stepped outside.
Sirens buzzed and wailed in the distance, and there were people running out in the alleyway.
Ash quickly tossed the luggage into the back of the truck and watched a stray Ponyta gallop across Merill Drive.
Down the street a house was on fire, a woman was screaming.
Ash ducked back into his house.
"C'mon guys, let's go!" he called. Misty was leading Foxx down the steps.
"But what about school?" Foxx asked.
"Don't worry about it, sweetie." Misty replied, scooping him up and carrying him outside. She stopped briefly.
"Oh my god..."
"C'mon, let's go." Ash said, pushing her along.
Ash quickly locked the front door and climbed into the truck. They pulled out of Merill Drive just as a Dugtrio erupted out of the cement in their driveway.
"Don't look, buddy." Ash said firmly. Misty covered Foxx's eyes.
Their quiet residential community had turned into a war zone.
Several homes were on fire, while others were a theater for destruction.
A Primeape was attacking a woman.
Behind them a Voltorb rolled into a yard and exploded.
Two Police Squad cars, followed by an ambulance, rumbled by Ash's blue truck. People fled into the streets, screaming, looting, rioting.
Several diglets were burrowing underneath the street, making thick lines in the asphalt.
A Rhydon roared as it stampeded through a crowd of fleeing people, howling in its fury.
Ash swerved the truck to avoid an abandoned car and drove up onto the sidewalk to the next street over.
"Where are we going?" Misty asked shrilly.
"To the Indigo Plateau." Ash replied.
"We can't camp there." Foxx said.
"We're not going camping anymore, buddy, there's been a change in plans."
Ash accelerated through a stop light and came out onto the freeway. Behind them a Raichu buzzed and blew out half the lights in the downtown area.
The freeway was more open, but every car that was on it was driving wildly. Pidgeots soared through the air, swooping down between lanes, trying to distract the drivers.
An Electrode rolled into the far right lane and exploded, engulfing a nearby car in flames. Ash swerved to avoid the wreckage as it tumbled past them.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.." Misty whispered. Ash took one hand off the wheel and squeezed hers.
"What's going on, mommy?" Foxx asked, pressed against Misty's bosom. "Why are the poke'mon hurting people?"
"I don't know, sweetheart." Misty replied softly. "Try not to look at it, okay?"
As they distanced themselves from Pallet Town, a red haze burned in the sky.
"Are things going to be safe at Indigo?" Misty asked.
"It's Enforcer Headquarters," Ash said. "Next to the President's Quarters in Saffron, it's the safest place on the island."
Misty squeezed his hand harder.
"I hope you're right, honey." She answered.
"Me too." Ash said under his breath.
* * * * *
"PLEASE FORM A LINE!" The uniformed soldier called over a megaphone. "WE HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED TO USE LETHAL FORCE, PLEASE FORM A LINE!"
The gates of The Indigo Plateau were congested with people. Ash, Misty and Foxx had abandoned their truck half a mile back with the rest of the halted traffic. Now they pushed their way to the front of the crowd, Ash squeezing Misty's hand every step of the way.
"PLEASE FORM A LINE!" the soldier repeated fruitlessly. Above him armed soldiers watched from towers. Helicopters roared overhead.
Ash brought Misty and Foxx beside him.
"SIR, PLEASE FORM--"
"I AM ASH KETCHUM!" Ash yelled over the sea of people. He held out his Military ID. "ME AND MY FAMILY NEED--"
The soldier quickly dismissed his ID.
"Sir, get to the back of the line!" he demanded. Ash looked around himself.
"There IS NO line!" he yelled back.
"Sir, get to the back of the line."
"I'm not gonna tell you again--"
Two soldiers readied their rifles.
In a fit of rage, Ash shoved his ID into the megaphone soldier's face.
"STAND DOWN!" he roared. "I AM ASH KETCHUM WITH ENFORCER ALPHA UNIT! IF YOU DISOBEY MY DIRECT ORDER, I WILL HAVE YOU DEMOTED SO FUCKING FAST IT WILL MAKE YOUR FUCKING HEAD SPIN!" His throat burned. "STAND DOWN!"
The soldier's eyes were wide.
He slowly took Ash's ID card, read it, and gave him a salute.
"Apologies, sir." he handed Ash back his ID.
"Noted, soldier."
The soldiers stepped aside and Ash led Misty and Foxx behind the gates.
"So what now?" Misty asked, scooping Foxx up.
"We find Ian Surge." Ash replied. Before them was a courtyard buzzing with activity. Two soldiers driving a jeep rolled by and Ash flagged them down.
"How about a ride to Section A?" Ash asked, waving his ID. The soldiers agreed and they piled in. They drove through the courtyard, and along the perimeter of the plateau. All along the rim of the structure were soldiers unloading from buses. The jeep dropped them off at the entrance and Ash led his family to the building.
Inside was a large reception room filled with workers. Ash led his family through the crowd to a woman behind a desk.
"I'm looking for Ian Surge," he said, tapping on the desk. The woman gave him a quizzical look.
"Sir, we're very busy right now and--"
"It's alright Maggie, he's just in time."
Ash turned and watched a Ian Surge stride up to them. His head was freshly buzzed and he was buttoning up his formal attire, adorned with medals. On his chest was the 'Enforcer' patch.
He took off his hat as he greeted Misty, and ruffled Foxx's hair.
"You guys look like you've had quite a morning."
"We've had better." Ash replied. Ian nodded with a light smirk.
"Helluva morning, but it's good that it brought you here--I need to talk to you." he looked over at Misty and Foxx. "There's a room behind me that has coffee and doughnuts, if I can borrow Ash for a bit."
"Whatever you need to do," Misty waved him off. "C'mon, Foxx, let's get you something to eat..."
"So what's going on?" Ash asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Not here," Ian muttered, beckoning Ash to follow. Behind the reception desk they walked up a staircase that led to a hallway with several offices branching off it. Ian went to the door at the far end and let Ash in first.
Inside was a large table with several uniformed men. Several folders were strewn about before a whiteboard. Ash took a seat and watched as Ian closed the door behind himself.
"Gentlemen, this is Ash Ketchum, he is the reinstated head of Alpha Unit."
"What?" Ash looked around himself as the men went in to shake his hand. Ian didn't give him time to protest. He grabbed a marker and started scribbling on the whiteboard at the head of the room.
"We don't have a lot of time so I'll make this quick. About a month ago were the first reports of strange Poke'mon activity, centering in and around Fuchsia City," Ian reported, drawing a quick diagram. "From there, in the weeks that followed we began seeing a pattern of similar activity in surrounding cities, until it was all over the island. This included random attacks, public disruption, etc. At 2200 hours last night, a herd of Onix and several flocks of bird poke'mon halted both ground and air traffic around Fuchsia. This brings us reason to believe that the city is the center of what's happening."
"Just what IS happening, Surge?" A uniformed man asked. Ian turned and placed the marker between his hands.
"It's difficult to say," he replied. "From what we've gathered in the past few hours, the poke'mon are…rebelling. They're abandoning their homes, their trainers..if they're not simply leaving, they're attacking civilians and migrating to the southeast corner of the island."
"Rebelling?" Ash asked coldly. Ian nodded grimly.
"From what we've gathered, yes…that is what they appear to be doing. At 0600 this morning, we lost control of all our Machoke and Machamp infantry. Also MIA are the Squirtle and Blastoise firefighter units. They made one helluva mess leaving our outposts south of the Plateau and around Fuchsia. Poke'mon going AWOL delivered a huge blow to us, we've lost many basic services on large parts of the island. As far as the military is concerned, this brings our overall fighting force down over 50 percent."
"Jesus." someone breathed.
"That's the situation as of right now," Ian finished. "The President is on his way over here via helicopter and should arrive in a few minutes. I'd advise you all not to worry, as at this time we don't know the Poke'mon's intentions."
There was a low mummer in the room and Ash took this as an excuse to confront Ian.
"Reinstated?" Ash demanded. "What the hell, Ian?"
"Reinstated because your replacement is dead." Ian said firmly. His eyes narrowed. "And besides, we don't have time to properly train a new leader in light of recent events, do we?"
"My family--"
"Will be safe here." Ian cut him off. He put a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Trust me, Ash. They're in the best care on the island. You just need to work with me here."
Ash frowned.
The door opened behind them and two armed soldiers stepped in.
"Make way for the president." They ordered.
Ian and Ash stood against the wall as an elderly man stepped through the door. Beneath a white lab coat was a business suit. Had he not been the president, someone would have deemed this as anal and brought it to his attention immediately. Instead his uniform was welcomed with salutes.
"Put your hands down, Gentlemen, I'm not a general." the man said tiredly as he waved them off. The men respectfully withdrew and helped themselves to a seat as President Oak found his.
"Should I brief you on the situation, sir?" Ian asked, shuffling a couple of manilla folders.
"I was briefed on the way over," Professor Oak sighed. "As of now, where do we stand?"
"The MIA status of our Poke'mon units and services cut our Military Force nearly in half," Ian reported, shuffling through a folder. He paused on a page, scanning over it quickly. "As of now we have about 4,000 active duty troops." he glanced over at Ash. "400 of which are Enforcers."
Another man leaned forward.
"That's it?"
"That's it." Ian frowned. "Of course I'm not taking into account our reserves…but with the situation in most of our cities, I think it would be wise to cut our losses on that."
"The reserves will find their way here," Professor Oak said. "Poke'mon are tenacious creatures, but they're of habit. They take orders. Right now they're not acting on impulse, someone's ordering them to perform these…atrocities. Things will cool down long enough for these reserves to find their way to the Plateau. Those are the numbers I want, Ian."
Ian glanced back down at his folder and ran a hand over the growing stubble on his chin.
"Our reserves are at about one thousand," he looked back up at Oak. "Not including how many may be lost in the chaos that is ravaging our Island at the moment."
"I choose to stay optimistic." Oak replied. "So we have a fighting force of 5,000. That is, however, on hold."
"Sorry, sir," a man spoke up. "What do you mean by that?"
Professor Oak removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
"Like I said, Poke'mon are creatures of order, son. However they do have a firm understanding of what is right and what is wrong. Whatever's ordering them to attack people will soon cease."
"How can you be so certain?"
"You elected me because I am the foremost authority on Poke'mon," Oak said gently. "They make up the majority of our population on this Island. You also elected me because I am level headed, understanding, and above all, logical." his eyes narrowed at the man. "It would be very illogical for me to even consider what it is I know you want to ask me."
"With all due respect, sir," Ian said softly, but firmly. "The News has been reporting this since the morning. There are several civilian casualties, and it's growing."
"I'm not about to start killing Poke'mon." Professor Oak said coldly.
"Well then sir, they certainly jumped the gun on us!" Ian exclaimed. His expression was twisted with a grin, he was furious in his disbelief.
"Have you forgotten, Ian, that the Poke'mon are the life force behind our island?" Oak growled. "To get at the root of a disease you don't just kill every single person infected. Killing the Poke'mon would eliminate our source of food, electricity, and manpower. We NEED them."
Ian ran a hand through his buzzed hair.
"What will you have me do, sir?" he asked finally.
"My council has already advised me to take precautions in this situation. Arm your soldiers with riot control gear," Oak explained. "They are to assist police in maintaining order. Dispatch them to hot zones in cities and use force only if absolutely necessary. We're not killing any Poke'mon today."
Ian nodded slowly and looked over the men at the table. His attention went to a middle aged man at the far end.
"Colonel Thompson?" he asked slowly. "How quickly can you have your men mobilized to Saffron?"
"Yesterday, sir." Thompson said as he stood up. He tucked his uniform hat under the crook of his arm and reached over to shake the president's hand. "I can get them combat ready in one hour."
Oak nodded and a thin smile creased his lips.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Colonel." he said firmly, casting a despising glance at Ian.
"The rest of you," Ian said as he stood up. "We'll organize your men in accordance to cities with the highest activity. Activate your units and await orders at 1400 hours. You are dismissed."
Professor Oak stood up and Ian reluctantly shook hands with him. Afterwards he beckoned for Ash to follow him out.
"Fucking Professor Oak," Ian spat as soon as they were out of ear shot. "The bastard doesn't know how to hold a meeting let alone realize we have a fucking crisis on our hands--what fucking cabinet was he talking about? WE ARE his fucking cabinet---Jesus Christ, I'm glad didn't vote for him!"
Ash listened as he strode quickly down the hall. It was difficult to match Ian's pace.
"So what are my orders?" he asked. Ian bit his lower lip.
"At least I have your support on this." he replied. "Go tell Misty that you're being dispatched. She and Foxx can stay in the service room with the rest of the refugees. In twenty minutes I need you in the hangar to meet with a unit of Enforcers."
"You got it." Ash replied. Before Ian departed he stopped and placed a hand on Ash's shoulder.
"I know that you're finished with the military, but under these circumstances, you're the best we have. Telling Misty's not going to be easy, I'm glad that you came to your calling."
Ash said nothing. Ian nodded and walked away.
The thought of telling Misty the news made him feel sick. Ash left the hallway, crossed the lobby and entered the service room; a large hall normally intended for large conferences. Now it housed several dozen people trying to escape the chaos from the rest of the island.
Misty and Foxx were waiting on one of the cots that had been set up. When Ash appeared, Misty grabbed Foxx's hand and stood, anxiety washing over her.
"I'm being dispatched." Ash reported.
"What?" Misty was in disbelief. "Ash, you can't! We, Foxx---"
"You don't understand. It's getting bad, I HAVE to do this." Ash said firmly. Foxx was looking up at them. He didn't understand what they were talking about, but he knew something was wrong.
"What's going on, daddy?" he asked. Ash grimaced and knelt down in front of his child.
"I have to go, buddy. There's a lot of people getting hurt, and daddy has to go help them."
"Can I go with you?"
"I'm sorry bud, this is grown up stuff."
"Ash.." Misty was watching them, holding herself. She was on the brink of tears. Ash stood up and embraced her.
"They can't get anyone else?" she asked softly. "Tell them to get someone else."
"There is nobody else." Ash replied. "You saw how crazy things are here." he pulled away from her slightly, holding her firmly at the arms. "Listen, Misty…I'm the best, okay? I'll be fine."
"But Ash..."
"I'll check in with you when I'm done." He said. "I don't have a lot of time, Misty, I really don't. I have to do this…if I don't," he paused, and glanced down at Foxx. "…If I don't, many more people are going to get hurt. Right now they need all the help they can get. It's going to get bad, Misty."
Misty sobbed and held Ash tightly. Ash returned the embrace and Foxx joined in.