Chapter 3: Save-Inn


To say that it's a new adventure for Ash Ketchum is an understatement. Heading down the New Jersey Turnpike in Matsuya's car, he only had a few things in mind: his missing team, his new team and the voice that entered his mind on the way to see Prince Koenma and Lord Illpalazzo. "Help me," spoke the voice again. Ash twisted his head around, trying to find the source of the voice. Watching his head dart one way then the other, Ruby and Pikachu didn't understand the reason.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"It's that voice," he claimed. Ruby provided a deadpan look to Ash. Only the second time that he heard the voice and still he couldn't find the source.

"What voice?" The reply left Ash looking like an idiot.

"You... didn't hear it?" Even Pikachu shook his head.

"Are you sure you didn't imagine it?" Matsuya questioned. Ash slumped a little, wondering if perhaps it was in his head. The vehicles reached a hotel and everyone but Botan exited. Ash recalled Turtwig who rode with Chad before they proceeded to a valet who approached Matsuya.

"Do you want me to park your car, miss?" he kindly asked.

"There's no need. I'm registering them a room before leaving." They walked passed the valet as he turned to Botan.

"I'm just escorting them here," she briefed before driving off. The group got key cards from the front desk and entered the elevator which lifted them to the ninth floor. They found room number 925. Matsuya inserted and removed the key card quickly, then opened the door. Inside were two queen-size beds, a couch, a sofa chair, a 36-inch TV and a coffee-maker on a desk.

"Nice digs," Gray complimented. Pikachu hopped on one of the beds, the rubbing of cotton and silk tickling the mouse to his delight.

"Soft beds, a running bathroom..." listed Chad. "I could do without the TV." Ash walked to the window, eying a stadium in the middle of the city, the giant letters emitting blue reading "GIANTS STADIUM."

"This is an awesome view of that stadium," he pointed out. Matsuya came over to view said stadium.

"Giants Stadium is where two American Football teams call home, the Giants and the Jets," she informed. To Ash, there was a different nostalgic feel to it.

"It reminds me of the stadiums I battled in back home: the Indigo Plateau, Silver Stadium, Evergrand Stadium..." The reminder prompted Matsuya and Ruby about back at his home world.

"So you were surrounded by the crowd, not part of it." A nod from Ash confirmed Matsuya's guess. She left after giving Gray the key cards. A while later, Ruby stepped out of the bathroom cleaned up while wearing a white tank-top and pajama pants.

"Just what every girl needs," she sighed with a smile. "A nice, hot shower." Gray lounged on a bed without a top, exposing a tattoo of a bird with an extended talon. Chad relaxed on the chair and Ash looked out the window over Giants Stadium while sitting and occupying the couch to himself.

"We just arrived to help him out," Gray groaned. "Unless you helped yourself to him already." In response, Ruby flung the damp towel and nailed Gray in the face. "Hey!"

"Chill it, Ice Boy!" As Gray peeled the towel from his face, perhaps to throw it back at her, Ruby saw the face of a disturbed trainer. This was different for Ash. Last time, he had Edward, Rin and Sakura to support him. Now those three were held by Queen Beryl and now he had Chad Sado, Gray Fullbuster and Ruby Rose. Ruby reached and sat on Ash's lap. "That voice still bothering you?" Though not facing her, Ash figured she was talking to him.

"Yeah," he answered. "Why am I the only one hearing it? I mean... Pikachu and I share a bond but if he can't hear what I can..." He's worried about this bond like it's not strong enough for both to share.

"Hey, relax! No one says that we don't believe you. If you can hear that voice, it may be one of your teammates calling out for you." It would but there was a problem.

"It's not Rin or Sakura." To him, the voice was a girl. "In fact, I've never heard that voice ever." This started to trouble Chad from the information.

"It's possible the voice may be the key to defeating Beryl," he pondered. "Though it is bothersome to know the voice is only with you and not the rest of us. Did those other three who brought you to the location hear it?" If Pikachu didn't pick up the voice, the chances that either Rally, May or Becky catching it was poor at best. Still, Ash shook his head.

"It may have been transitioned through his other teammates, the ones taken by her generals," Gray theorized. "Who were the other three that teamed up with you before?"

"The Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric," Ash listed. "The healing ninja in training, Sakura Haruno and the magical swordsman, Rin Kamishiro." It was just like last time with four heroes. Only difference is that one of them knows the routine.

"Not a bad lineup," Ruby awed. "I mean, we've been in four-man cells before, right? I'm the leader of Team RWBY back at Beacon as I'm training to be a huntress to protect the people with Weiss, Blake, and my sister Yang." An interesting team for Ruby to have.

"Always a good thing to have family to help out," Gray huffed. "I wish my friend wasn't so cold to me. We both perform Ice-Make magic, though his is more alive than mine." Gray's explanation left everyone awake confused.

"Living ice?" Ash tried to make sense of the issue.

"If there's a way to compare, I'd show you. As for the team I'm in, Natsu Dragneel's the leader. After all, our team's call Team Natsu. We're also teamed with Lucy Heartfilia who's a summoner and Erza Scarlet, the magic swordswoman known as Titania. She keeps the Fairy Tail guild in check." The lineup from Gray's home had powerhouses and it nerved Ash and Ruby. Chad remained stone-cold in the emotions.

"Whoa," Ash and Ruby gasped. Chad? Still indifferent.

"How would they deal with Soul Reapers?" he brought up. Gray blinked at the sound from the big teen.

"Soul Reapers? Like they abscond your souls?" Chad stood, ready to tell of his team.

"Let's just say that I help out Soul Reapers like Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki. They try to keep peace with us humans in Karakura Town. Soul Reapers battle Hollows like the Arancarr. There's also a Quincy in Ūryū Ishida and our healer in Orihime Inoue. While every Soul Reaper uses a special sword called a Zanpaktō, my fists do the most talking when transformed." The rest could only imagine what his arms would look like.

"I guess we can admit we have powerful teams," Ruby concluded. "I can only wonder how much of a powerhouse we are right now." Ash started losing feeling around his legs from Ruby seating herself on him. He didn't want to stay silent.

"How long are you gonna sit in my lap?" he complained. The raven-haired girl gulped before jumping off.

"Sorry. It was just so comfortable." Now that introductions ended, they can plan on how to attack Beryl and her generals. However, eyelids began to weigh on the team. It's been a long day. Arms stretched, shut-eye became a priority.

"I think it's safe to assume we're exhausted," Gray motioned. "Let's get some shut-eye and concentrate on our battle." The rest agreed. Ruby jumped on the other bed from Gray's claim mattress and tucked herself in. Ash and Chad fell asleep on the couch and recliner. The group began the start of rescuing everyone, including the voice. They may not get enough sleep. Levitating outside, Jadeite and the female soldier found the group at the hotel.

"So he's the one Her Highness wants captured?" she sneered, studying Ash.

"That is, Zoycite," Jadeite answered. "I would say the misdirection to hide in New Jersey was ingenious. Besides, they'll need a lot of rest if they stand a chance to face one of us, let alone our queen." To Zoycite, Jadeite had a plan.

"I suppose your next ploy isn't a screw-up like last time." Jadeite snorted his head away from the scorn.

"That woman was an addition. Without her in the way now, those three are just mere obstacles. I'll be back with the boy." Zoycite scoffed, willing to enjoy how this would end up.

"That or an explanation on how one little boy is such a big deal that you can't grasp your hands on." With a giggle, Zoycite vanished before Jadeite could deck her with a backhand.

"The nerve of her. How does Neflite deal with her attitude?" With that rant, he disappeared. As the night pressed on, everyone in #925 slept soundly. 2:50 AM.

"Help me," the voice called out again. Though his head jarred a little, Ash still slept. It may be a dream but it was her again.

"Where... are you?" he whispered.

"With your friends..." The reply got him to snap awake. He looked around, seeing nothing but his new team. That's when another question popped up.

'Which friends? Ed, Rin and Sakura... or Brock and Dawn?' He clasped his head to focus. He could fall back to sleep and forget. He got up and entered the shower. The splashing water from the head tried to pound away, not just the grime from his hair but the confusion of what the voice was asking for. The running shower stirred Ruby. Her groggy silver eyes spun to the sound. She looked through the room, counting those in the same place. There's Chad, Gray and Pikachu, but no Ash. Looking at the clock, she wondered why the shower's running at this time at night.

"Did the voice tell him to wash up?" she weakly thought. "He's starting to lose his mind." That's when the shower stopped running. Ash stepped out wearing shorts and a towel drying his face.

"Maybe it's like before, finding Yukina with my friends." As he returned to the couch, he sensed Ruby watching him.

"Is everything okay?" A nod of Ash's head was his reply. "I just don't want to see our leaderlosing his marbles come crunch time." Ash was taken aback with her offered title.

"When I was with the other three, at no point did we have a leader. All we did was look out for each other. I'm only a leader with my Pokémon, no one else." The reply bemused the other raven-haired that she laughed a little.

"Well, considering the circumstances, someone like you with experience with new co-workers or team members would help control the pace. It's funny that you didn't want to be labeled as leader." The bemused trainer shrugged his shoulders, surrendering to anymore denial. "Why don't you tuck in with me tonight? I promise not to do anything with you." Unfortunately for Ash, he wouldn't get the chance. The fire alarm had gone off. Sirens and lights from the hotel blared loudly to wake the others.

"What the hell!?" Gray bellowed. Realizing they needed to escape, they quickly got the clothes on their bodies and exited, thinking trouble. The crowds raced to the emergency stairs and journeyed down in a panicked state. There's a good reason since the group smelled smoke from below. There's an actual fire engulfing the building. Scores of people reached the exits and filed on the next block, seeing flames gushing out of windows. Inside, the group reached the emergency stairs, ready to escape when Pikachu heard crackling noises. He looked back and found the cause of the fire: two hideous greenish-skinned women wielding what looked like tennis rackets created by flames of some sort. The shark-tooth women swatted fireballs at the group.

("Behind us!") yelled the mouse. Everyone saw the two serving the fireballs, Gray stepping up.

"I got this! Ice-Make Shield" Gray palmed the floor before a mist formed in front of him. Just as the fireballs were going to make contact, a wall of ice sprung up and intercepted the flames, snuffing them.

"Okay, that's cool," Ruby awed. "No pun intended. Now allow me." The two ugly women looked on, shocked at the blocked attack. Ruby grabbed a black block from her pouch and hit a button which unfolded. When done, she held a giant scythe. The creatures quickly grew in fear at the new weapon just as Ruby raced at the two. She swung the scythe, catching one in the ribs. Cut open, it was a surprise no blood exited the wound. Regardless, that creature fell, dead from the strike. The other raced passed Ruby to target Ash but Chad stepped in front and caught the enemy in the head with a giant black hand. Now in his clutch, he slammed the enemy face-first on the floor. He picked "her" back up as Ash grabbed his new elbow blades, jabbing one in the gut before twisting the handle. Something starting winding up when Chad let it go. With one thrust, the elbow blade released a blast of wind. Ruby saw the oncoming enemy, the blade of the scythe still sharp. She swung, the slice carving through it. Both enemies laid dead and bought enough time for the crew to escape. They reached the ground level and outside, upset that their sleep was interrupted and the hotel had gone up in flames as fire trucks and ambulances arrived on the scene. People had mixed reactions to the fire. Some scared, some mad, some wanting to get back to sleep.

"That could have gone better," Chad mulled.

"For sure," Ash groaned. "Apparently, this was a deliberate attack while we were asleep." Now the group had to think about their next move. Fortunately, the van Botan carried the heroes to found them in the crowd. Unfortunately, Excel was the one driving and Hyatt sat in the passenger seat, slumped over.

"Teacakes!" gasped Excel. "Get inside and hurry!" The group entered the van and Excel reversed and peeled away, escaping the confusion. Excel drove back toward the Turnpike, hoping the general who attacked the hotel didn't follow. "Excel's glad all of you are safe."

"That makes two of us," Chad huffed. The sigh of relief would be short lived as Jadeite flew, chasing the van in hopes of obtaining Ash. Hyatt woke up with blood trickling from her mouth and found Jadeite hovering above by the side mirror.

"That ignorant mass is fast approaching," she alerted. Realizing the danger, Ruby chose to take matters to her own hands.

"Allow me!" she offered as she slid the van door open and climbed to the roof while the van traveled at high speed.

"I'm here for the boy!" scolded Jadeite. "Don't get in my way!" Ruby snagged and unfolded her scythe. Knowing the scythe couldn't reach him, Jadeite scoffed. "That's your weapon? Oh, that's intimidating!" The sarcastic remark to Ruby her enemy didn't take her seriously. She twirled, folded and adjusted her scythe and the result became a rifle. The new weapon could now reach him with one shot and Jadeite concluded with serious concern. "Okay, that's intimidating." No sarcasm from that. Ruby pulled the trigger. The shot rang out and nailed Jadeite in the shoulder, green-colored blood gushing from the wound. Jadeite clasped his shoulder in the attempt to control the bleeding. Ruby aimed again but not wanting to become Swiss cheese... "I'll retreat for now." He vanished before she could pull the trigger once more. Victorious, Ruby folded her rifle back up before climbing back in the van.

"That should let him know who's here to stop the Black Moon," she smirked, getting a high-five from Gray and Ash.

"So your scythe can turn into a rifle," Chad understood, vehemently bemused. "I guess you'll be our long-range specialist if we need it." Ruby nodded before taking Pikachu from Ash's lap.

"Thanks. But we shouldn't relax yet."

"She's right," Ash agreed. "Let's get to New York and ACROSS HQ underneath." Going back didn't sound thoughtful from the rest in the van until Excel knew one way.

"The time vortex!" she guessed with enthusiasm. "That should buy you time to rest up!" Ash nodded to Excel's answer. Hyatt had some concern to the idea.

"Senior Excel, if they enter the time vortex," she muttered. "Is there a way they can get back safely without the time watch?" Ash cringed at the overlooked piece of equipment crucial to their chance of victory. Not to Excel, apparently.

"Don't sweat it, Hat-chan! Someone is waiting back at the HQ! Excel won't say who!" To Ash, it may have been someone they know. Still, they had little choice but to get help if they want the Black Moon to fall. Right now, getting to Manhattan is top priority. The mysterious voice offered a clue to Ash but the clue was shallow. As the van entered the turnpike, the wounded Jadeite watched, his hand covered in green blood from the shot in the shoulder.

"Damn girl," he scowled. "Intercepting the boy is proving more difficult than it needs to be." He contemplated what his next move should be. "Do I continue after him or rest and let Neflite take over so I can heal myself?" While recovering from the bullet wound sounded favorable, Zoycite entered if only to mock his latest failure.

"These 'mere obstacles' seem to be enjoying your torture," she mocked. "One little boy and somehow you can't ring him in. This is comedy gold!" Jadeite seethed from the teasing.

"Like you know how it feels to get a bullet in your body! I never suspected the scythe that lone girl carried doubled as a rifle!" Zoycite removed the hand from the wound to see the caliber of the shot. A whistle wasn't good to him.

"I've got a good feeling how bad that must hurt. You recover while I try my luck seducing him." Jadeite didn't want to give up on taking Ash but his wound told him to fall back.

"Very well." Jadeite vanished, leaving Zoycite to plot an attack. What could the lone female general have in store for the group?


TO BE CONTINUED...