This is the fifty-third chapter in the Pokemon Heroes story. This will be bringing in a new character. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the songs.

(Opening song)

It was still the same day, and Ash and Misty were still on Mr. Briney's Wingull boat, heading towards Misty's uncle's island. Ash was standing, looking out into the mist, seeing nothing at all. Misty was napping, since the ride has been for about an hour.

"Land!" called out Mr. Briney, and Misty quickly popped up and looked ahead, where she saw an island. She smiled.

"Finally," said Misty as she turned to Ash, "That's where my uncle lives. He'll fix you up, I hope." Ash continued to look out. Misty looked out into the lake again.

"I have to go back to mainland after this," said Mr. Briney, "I have business I have to attend to. Tell your uncle I said hi."

"No problem Mr. Briney," said Misty. As Ash looked out, he suddenly felt a strange feeling. A feeling that overcame him for some reason: he was angry. His eyes flashed blue.

Sephiroth

Ash and Misty finally made it on the island. Mr. Briney left, so now they were just walking through the forest-like area. They continued to walk on a path until they finally got to a house that was a huge log cabin.

"There it is," said Misty, and they got to the front door. Misty knocked, but no one came to the door. She knocked again, but no one answered. She sighed.

"He must be sleeping or out somewhere," said Misty and she started to look in her bag, "I'll just open it with my own key." As she was, Ash suddenly turned around, and Misty looked to see where he was looking, and they both saw a man walking towards them. He had on a long blue robe. The sleeves of the robe covered both of his arms. He had long, white, silvery, flowing hair. He had a stick on his shoulder, which had six, caught fishes on them.

"Uncle!" said Misty as she quickly stood up and looked at the man, who stopped and looked at her.

"Misty," said the man, "You came here quite quickly." He looked towards Ash, who just stared at him.

"And this must be Mr. Ketchum," said Sephiroth as he came closer and looked into Ash's gray eyes, "You were right. He sure doesn't have a heart anymore." Ash stepped back from the man's glare.

"Ash," said Misty, "This is my Uncle Sephiroth (from Final Fantasy VII. I gave him clothing). Uncle, this is Ash. The boy I was telling you about." Sephiroth then stood up straight and started to walk into his home.

"I see," said Sephiroth, "Bring him in."

"Does that mean you can help him?" asked Misty.

"Of course," said Sephiroth, "Anything for the son of my old friend." Misty noticed that the way he said that last part, referring to Sir Aaron, was with a low growl, but she just shook it off. She walked back and took Ash's arm.

"Let's go in," said Misty, "You'll be as good as new." She started to take him into the open door, but Ash suddenly stopped. Misty put her hands on her hips.

"Now you're giving me attitude?" said Misty, "I know his face is scary, but he's nice if you get to know him. Now get in." She pointed towards the door. After a second, Ash walked in. Misty smiled.

"I still got it," thought Misty, and she walked in as well and closed the door behind her.

Ash's friends were still in the rebuilding Ecruteak City. Lnoki was also with them, and they were all at the Pokemon Center, except for one. May was at the lake, sitting on a big rock. The same lake where Ash left on. She had Pikachu and Eevee by her, and she petted their heads. Dawn then came behind her.

"I knew I would find you here," said Dawn, and May turned back towards her.

"Hey Dawn," said May as Dawn walked towards her and sat by her, "What are you doing out here?"

"I should be asking you that," said Dawn, "You've been here since Ash left. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," said May, "I just—I can feel that Ash is feeling uneasy. What trouble did he get himself into this time?"

"Hey May," said Dawn, knocking May off her train of thought, "I need to ask you something. And you have to promise to be very honest, okay?"

"Okay," said May.

"Are you and Ash an item?" asked Dawn. May's face immediately turned all red.

"Uh…" said May, trying to figure out what to say. Luckily, she began to hear rustling in the bushes and quickly turned around to check.

"Do you hear that?" asked May, trying to dodge the question. Dawn looked back as well, and out from the bushes came Lnoki.

"I didn't expect you girls to be here," said Lnoki as he walked towards them.

"Why are you here?" asked Dawn, "What happened to Brendan?"

"He went out," said Lnoki, "He said something about meeting the gym leader in this city. I came here looking for the princess." He began to look out into the lake.

"Lnoki," said May, and Lnoki looked back at her, "What will happen to Ash if he doesn't come back okay? Will he act like those Dark Signer people?"

"Maybe," said Lnoki, "Because The Dark Signers are Nobodies, meaning they don't have hearts at all. They have no emotions. But…"

"But what about when they laugh and stuff," said Dawn, "They look like they have emotions."

"That's because they're mad," said Lnoki, "Mad crazy. Nobodies only have one emotion, and that emotion is hatred. Pure hatred. They hate everything. They have no sense of compassion. That's what worries me about Ash. He could go mad. He could act just like them. He could never be the same." May lifted her legs up and wrapped her arm around it. She held them tightly, trying very hard not to show them she was extremely worried.

"But the Aura Beast is another problem as well," said Lnoki, "Because Ash will only have hatred in his blood, that gives The Aura Beast a chance, a chance to finally take over Ash. Ash has been able to keep The Aura Beast down by willpower, but now that's not possible. Ash won't have the power to push it back. It could consume him. He could go full berserk." Eevee looked up at its trainer, who was beginning to shake. Eevee was worried that she might cry. It looked at Pikachu and it nodded its head. Eevee and Pikachu then suddenly jumped off the rock and started to run away. May looked over at them.

"Where are you guys going?" asked May as she quickly stood up and ran after them both.

"Ash could very well become a Dark Signer," said Lnoki. Dawn began to shiver, imagining it.

"Please don't let that happen," thought Dawn.

Back with May, she was with her Eevee and Pikachu. She was holding Eevee while Pikachu was on her shoulder.

"Thanks guys," said May, "I could've exploded if I stayed there for another second." She looked up and found herself in the city. She started to walk down the streets, which began to have less rubble than it did last time. As she was, she saw a familiar face up ahead, a face with green hair. He was looking up at people fixing a building.

"Drew?" said May when she got close enough. Drew heard and turned around to find May looking at him.

"May!" said Drew as he ran towards her, "What the hell happened? I just came into the city. Where's Ash?"

"He's gone," said May, "H—"

"He's dead!" yelled Drew, "I knew he was reckless, but not stupidly reckless. No, wait, he is stupidly reckless."

"He's not dead," said May with a smile, since Drew's stupidity cheered her up, "He went off with his friend, Misty, to her uncle's island."

"Misty?" said Drew as he scratched his head, "Wow. I haven't heard that evil name for a long time. Why is he with her? Did something happen?" May lowered her head.

"May?" said Drew. He then felt someone lightly karate chop his head. He looked behind him and saw Brendan.

"I hope you do realize that she doesn't want to talk about it," said Brendan.

"Hey man," said Drew, "Glad to see that you're alive."

"Glad to see you're alive too," said Brendan, "Since I heard that you always go through near-death experiences."

"Yup," said Drew.

"Hey May, are you returning to the Pokemon Center?" asked Brendan.

"Yeah," said May, "I'm on my way right now. I'll see you boys there." May then began to walk off. Brendan took his hand off Drew's head.

"Are you staying here for the day?" asked Brendan.

"Yeah," said Drew, "I tried to sign myself up at the Pokemon Center, but Nurse Joy told me that they were full."

"You could stay with us," said Brendan, "Ash is not with us now, so you can take his bed."

"By the way, what did happen to Ash?" asked Drew, "Did something bad happen to him?"

"You could say that," said Brendan, "I'll tell you while we go back to the Pokemon Center. Come on."

Brendan and Drew made it to the Pokemon Center, and Drew was a little pale after Brendan told him everything that happened.

"This is seriously true?" asked Drew.

"I am being dead serious," said Brendan. Drew looked towards the ground while sitting on a chair.

"Dammit," said Drew, "I hope he still remembers me. That boy really does have a pure heart."

"Don't worry about it," said Brendan, "I know one hundred percent that Ash will come back. I understand Ash. He wouldn't just give up. He'll be back. Maybe even better so that he can beat those jerks and we can get this over with."

"Yeah," said Drew, "You're right. But…" Suddenly, Lnoki walked in. Drew and he faced each other. Drew then immediately stood up.

"You!" said Drew, "I'm not finished with you yet!" Drew then ran towards Lnoki at full speed. Lnoki sighed and was able to take Drew and toss him aside into a bookshelf filled with books. It collapsed on him. He lied upside down on the ground.

"Out of all the people I've met today, why does he have to show up?" said Lnoki as he started to walk away.

"I heard that!" said Drew. Brendan just sat down on the chair, trying very hard to hold back the laughter that was building inside him.

"Hey!" said Drew, "Can you at least help me up?"

"Um—yeah—I'm coming Dawn," said Brendan as he started to walk away. Drew sighed.

"Fine, whatever," said Drew, "I'll just get up myself." Drew then began to wiggle around, but his foot hit a plant vase, making it fall on his stomach, and then to the ground, shattering into pieces and putting dirt on the ground.

"Fuck," said Drew.

Back to Ash, he was in a room with a blanket on the ground. He was lying on that blanket, looking up at the ceiling, without his vest and hat, only leaving his black t-shirt and jeans. There was a marking around him, with candles as well. The room was black, with light only coming from the window by him. Sephiroth was near him, pretzel legged and his hands put together. Misty walked into the room.

"Would you like me to get you anything?" asked Misty.

"Nothing," said Sephiroth. Misty looked over at Ash and bent down, still seeing nothing in Ash's eyes.

"Did you make any progress yet?" asked Misty.

"I haven't started yet," said Sephiroth, "I've been preparing the ritual."

"What will you do to him?" asked Misty.

"Revert him back into a human," said Sephiroth, and he started to do some hand movements, and the chalk around Ash started to glow. Misty was mesmerized in it. She always thought of his spells as beautiful. She saw Ash struggling to keep his eyes open.

"He'll be asleep for a while," said Sephiroth as he closed his eyes, "Don't bother me. If someone calls, tell them I'm busy. Understand?"

"Yes uncle," said Misty, and she looked back at Ash, "Everything will be alright Ash. Just take a little nap." Ash then closed his eyes.

Two hours later, Ash quickly opened his eyes. His eyes were still gray and dull, but they were no longer lifeless. He quickly sat up. He looked at both of his hands. He noticed that he was only in his t-shirt and jeans. He quickly looked around, and noticed Sephiroth looking at him with a quite devious smile.

"I see that you're awake," said Sephiroth, "Misty was beginning to get worried." Ash clenched his fist and looked at Sephiroth angrily.

"Where the hell are my friends?" asked Ash in a threatening voice. Sephiroth chuckled.

"You're welcome," said Sephiroth. Ash suddenly jumped up from his blanket, materialized his Aura Blade, and pushed Sephiroth against the wall, with his blade (Description of it in in the second season, second chapter) on Sephiroth's neck. Sephiroth showed no fear at all.

"Let me ask you again," said Ash, "Where the hell are they!" Just then, Misty walked in with two teacups.

"What the hell Ash!" yelled Misty, and Ash turned to see Misty. His eyes went back to gray.

"Misty?" said Ash. Misty placed the teacups down and went towards Ash.

"Ash, don't you remember anything?" asked Misty as she touched his forehead. Ash took her hand and pushed it away.

"What are you talking about?" asked Ash.

"He doesn't remember anything," said Sephiroth, "He has a little amnesia." Ash's eyes once again turned blue.

"Where the hell are May and the others?" asked Ash in a menacing voice. Misty took his hand.

"Ash, please sit down," said Misty, and she took Ash and placed him sitting on the ground, "This is my uncle, Sephiroth. Do you at least remember what happened in Ecruteak City?"

"We're not in Ecruteak?" said Ash after his eyes turned gray again, "Yeah. I'm supposed to be dead, I think."

"At least you remember that part," said Misty, "May was able to bring you back, but your heart was destroyed. You no longer have a heart, Ash." Ash immediately touched his chest, and he felt nothing.

"You were then just a lifeless body," said Misty, "So I just brought you here to my uncle so that he could help you get your heart back. We're on an island by Ecruteak City."

"Where are my friends?" asked Ash once again.

"They should be in Ecruteak now," said Misty, and she bent down to look into Ash's eyes. He looked the same as he was before in Ecruteak, but Misty was glad that he was able to pay attention.

"I don't think you're finished yet," said Misty, "You should…"

"No," said Sephiroth, "He is finished. His heart was destroyed beyond repair. I can't fix it. The boy will remain a Nobody for the rest of his life."

"What!" said Misty, "You can't be serious! Can't you do something?"

"No," said Sephiroth, "I was able to bring back his memory and make him skip the phase of being a lifeless body. He will no longer have emotions. He may very well be like The Dark Signers. They only have hatred in their bloods. They are pure mad. You may very well become mad yourself." Ash lowered his head.

"You hear that," said The Aura Beast in Ash's mind, "You may turn mad. This will just give me an opportunity to take over you."

"Shut up," thought Ash. He then stood up and walked over to his vest and hat. He put them on and started to walk out of the room.

"I'm leaving," said Ash, "Misty, take me to Ecruteak City."

"But Ash," said Misty, "You have to stay. You're not fully healed yet."

"I don't care," said Ash, "I don't feel comfortable with that man anymore."

"But—"

"Don't worry Misty," said Sephiroth, "You may go with him. He should be healed enough to leave. I understand why he doesn't want to be here. I absolutely understand." Misty could've sworn that she saw her uncle smile, but she decided to ignore it.

"Okay then," said Misty, "Whatever you say. I'll be back after I drop Ash off."

"Very well," said Sephiroth, "I'm going to be expecting someone tomorrow." Misty nodded and ran out of the room. Sephiroth then started to chuckle.

The next day, May and the others, including Drew, were in the lounge. They were talking, but then Brendan saw Lnoki walking towards them with his traveling bag.

"Where are you going?" asked Brendan, "Weren't you going to wait here for Ash."

"I have important business to attend to," said Lnoki, "I really don't have time on my hands at the moment. I also got a call from Misty. She told me that Ash is doing fine." May immediately jumped up.

"Really?" said May, "How is he doing?"

"She didn't have time to tell me the details," said Lnoki, "But she did tell me that they can't enter Ecruteak City because of the rebuilding, so she asked if you guys could continue on. They'll see you guys outside of Ecruteak City."

"Okay then," said Brendan, "We can do that."

"Where will you be going though?" asked Dawn.

"I'm going to find clues of what The Dark Signers are planning," said Lnoki, "I'm beginning to piece their next plan together already."

"We should leave now as well," said Brendan as he stood up and began to stretch.

"I should go with you guys," said Drew, "I can't leave a boy with two girls alone. You'll be too outnumbered."

"I'll be going now," said Lnoki, "Tell Ketchum I said hi. I'll meet up with him another time."

"I'll tell him," said May. Lnoki then left. The others then packed up their things and proceeded to exit the city.

They finished packing up, and they headed towards the exit of the city. When they went towards the exit, May looked back at The Bell Tower. Pikachu looked down on her, who was on top of her head.

"Pika?" asked Pikachu.

"It's nothing," said May, "I just feel weird." She was feeling weird. In her mind, she was thinking about Ho-Oh, her real mother, and her other mother, Caroline. She didn't know if she should tell her mom about this. She smiled.

"I don't have to," thought May, "I'll just let this stay a secret."

"Let's go May," said Drew, "We have to go." May turned to him.

"Coming!" said May, and she ran towards her friends to continue on.

Ash and Misty were on the shore of Sephiroth's island, waiting for the boat that Misty had ordered. Her uncle was by a tree with his hand in his sleeves. Ash didn't even want to look at Sephiroth. He didn't know why, but he felt weird about him. He felt like his aura was telling him something. Misty stood up when she saw a boat heading towards them.

"There it is," said Misty, "We should go now." The boat docked, and it was Mr. Briney again with his Wingull-shaped boat.

"I see you're looking as healthy as ever Sephiroth," said Mr. Briney.

"Nice to see you too, Mr. Briney," said Sephiroth.

"Hop on," said Mr. Briney, as Ash and Misty proceeded to go on his boat, "Remember that I can't put you on Ecruteak City. That place is heavily guarded."

"We know," said Misty, and she looked back at her uncle, "I swear I'll be back. Maybe a week."

"Take as long as you like," said Sephiroth.

"We're off," said Mr. Briney, and he started to ride his boat into the fog. Sephiroth watched until they were out of sight, and then he turned back, heading towards his cabin. He smiled evilly.

"I hope this Aura Guardian is actually a match for me," thought Sephiroth, "Unlike his father." Sephiroth then began to laugh.

Ash was standing on the boat, looking out at Ecruteak City towards The Bell Tower. He felt as if someone else was watching it the same time he was. He shook it off and touched his chest, still feeling nothing. He sighed.

"Mom will freak the fuck out," thought Ash, and pulled up his shirt and saw the x-shaped scar on his chest. He remembered when he struck his two blades through his chest, and he shook that image out.

"Promise me that you won't show me that scar anymore, okay?" he heard May say in his mind. He touched his head, shocked. He looked around but didn't see May.

"May?" thought Ash, and then he looked down at his scar. He then pulled his clothes down. He was never going to show it to anyone.

Gary Oak (Kanto clothes) walked through the ruined streets of Ecruteak City. He was able to get past the guards guarding the entrance to the city, but he needed to come. He checked his map, the map he was given by the king, and saw that it ended here. He ripped it up and threw it into the trash. He still had his sword, which was given to him by the king as well by someone. He entered the Pokemon Center and headed towards the video phone. He didn't even give a damn about what happened to the city. He had business to attend to. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a number. He dialed it in and heard it ring. Someone picked up. That someone was in a dark room, so Gary could only see the outline of that person's body.

"Have you made it into Ecruteak City?" asked the man.

"Yes," said Gary, "I have completed the journey here. Where can I meet you?"

"I'm not going into the city," said the man, "You have to come to my island. It's off the coast of Ecruteak City. I shall send you a boat. I only let few people on my island, you know."

"Yes Master Sephiroth," said Gary.

(Ending song)

Next Time on Pokemon Heroes: As Ash's friends journey though Meteor Falls, they bump into the notorious Team Rocket, who are finally making a comeback. They are up to no good in Meteor Falls, and Ash's friends decide to stop them. Will they be able to stop them, or will they fail because they don't have Ash with them? Next Time: The Return of Team Rocket.

That was that chapter. If some of you guys wanted them to enter The Bell Tower, I promise that they will, but not now. In a future chapter they will. I'm going to finally bring Team Rocket back, so they shall now become one of the main antagonists now. See you guys next week!

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