Pokémon Darkshade

Chapter 3: Faces Old and New

The soldiers threw their pokeballs, unleashing an assortment of Darkshade Pokémon. Ashe growled, and threw a pokeball of her own, releasing Blocka, which stood to attention. It looked at her.

"You are my master now?" It asked. "No matter. As long as I fight, I don't care who I serve."

It turned back to the assembled enemies, and Ashe flexed her claw. She held Vulpix close to her, so that she may better protect her.

She and Blocka charged, dodging the enemies' attacks. Ashe struck a Cubatii down, and Blocka launched a barrage of missiles, taking down several Darkshade types. The soldiers readied their guns, preparing to enter the fray. The police brought out their Growlithe and Arcanine.

Ashe gritted her teeth. So even the police were helping these monsters? So be it. She would fight whoever it took to protect Vulpix.

She swung her arm, striking down three Darkshade types. And then the soldiers charged, shooting.


An old man watched from the crowd, though he couldn't see too well.

"Lika, what is going on?" He asked a young girl with blue hair that was kinda wavy.

"The police and the Syndicate are fighting someone. Looks like some girl with a weird arm." She blinked. "Wait a sec, she just sent out a Machine type. And now she's fighting everyone. But that's not all."

"There's more?" The old man was intrigued. Someone who actually fought against the tyrannical Syndicate was rare, but someone using a Machin was doubly so, especially if they weren't allied with the Syndicate.

"Yeah, she's winning." The girl sounded impressed. "She jumping, fighting alongside her Pokémon, and not just letting it do all the work."

"Fascinating." He tapped on someone's back. "Excuse me, can get through please?"

The person turned to the old man. "Professor Ketchum? Of course you can move forward. Though, if you want to get in somewhere, it's blocked off by the Syndicate."

"That's alright, I know. I just want to see the fight."

"Of course." The young man smirked. "Good to see someone sticking it to those bastards."

The Professor moved forward, and did so for a bit until he could get a good view of the fight. His eyes widened, seeing the young woman. Her claw was of interest, yes, as was her Pokémon and unusual mode of attack, but that was not what interested him most.

It was her face.

"Stop this at once!"

The soldiers, the police, and even Ashe turned to the old man, halting in their battle.

"That young lady is with me." The Professor said. "I would appreciate it if you stopped this violence at once, as I would very much like to speak with her."

The lead soldier scowled. "And what, you think we'll roll over and do what you say, old man?"

The old man brought up a large, golden badge that was about the size of his hand. "This gives me absolute authority over this city. Any order I make int hsi city is to be followed, understand?"

"Fine, you can have her." The soldier turned away. "And I suppose you want us to leave?"

"I would appreciate it, yes."

The soldiers nodded, and proceeded to leave. Ashe simply stood, very confused. She looked at the old man as he approached.

"That was very brave, young lady." The old man said, smiling. "Though a little foolish. You were far too outmatched to win this time, but still it was very heartening to see."

Ashe rubbed her head. "Uh, thanks, I guess?"

"Would do me the honour of giving me your name?"

"Uh, it's Ash Ketchum, sir?"

The old man smiled. "What an interesting coincidence, for that is also my name. Professor Ash Ketchum, at your service." He said this with a bow.

Ashe blinked. Now that she looked at him more carefully.....she gasped, eyes wide.

"Y-you're me!?"

The old man chuckled. "Seems so. Pleasure to meet you, Ash."


The Buzz Bomber Trio stood over their opponents, who had fallen easily. Bombarde grinned.

"Well, you guys have imporved a lot over the years, haven't you?"

The Trio's leader shook her ehad. "It didn't take us 10 years to become this skilled, in fact, we have been this strong for a lesser amount of time."

"Who cares?" Bombarde said, still grinning. "We, who serve the Syndicate, will not fall to losers like you."

The leader chuckled. "Why, because your plan is too important? The Resurrection, correct?"

Bombarde's eyes widened, and he looked at her, scowling. "H-how do you know that? Where did you come across that specific phrase?"

"And that is precisely why we can't allow you to succeed." The Buzz Bomber leader went on. "If we don't stop you, then you will bring him back, and that is something we must try and avert at all costs!"

The Trio charged at the Head of Military, who dodged the leader's attack, but the other struck him from behind, hitting him with an electrified punch. Bombbarde scowled in pain and anger, and leapt upwards. Two large cannons burst from his back, and were aimed at the Trio.

"Your little hero game ends here, losers!" He shouted. "Bombarder Burst!"

Twin balls of yellow energy were shot from the cannons and at the Trio, who dodged. When the energy hit the ground, a massive explosion was released, destroying much of the surrounding vicinity.

Bombarde smirked. "And that's why they call me Bombarde, losers."

He laughed sardonically as he leapt away.

Below, the Trio kept themselves hidden. They hadn't been expecting his attack to be quite so powerful.

Even so, that changed nothing. No matter how dangerous it got, they would not back down. They were heroes of justice, they would not rest until evil was defeated.


Ashe had been brought to Professor Ketchum's home. She sat opposite him, with Lika making something for them to eat.

Ashe was very confused by something. "You...you're me, right?"

"Yes, I believe so?"

"But, how? I mean, it's not possible. Besides, you're too old to be me."

The old man sighed. "When Darkshade commenced their experiment on me, I had passed out. When I awoke, I had been aged rapidly by the process, and had been separated by my friends and family. At the time, I had also lost my memory, save for my name, I remembered nothing about myself. I started a new life here, and worked hard to become a Pokémon researcher. I even fell in love and had a daughter, Lika. Eventually my memories returned, but it was too late. I found out that they had moved on and made some terrible decisions. Besides, I had a life here which I couldn't abandon no matter what." He sighed. "Eventually, Darkshade came into power and took over, and I had to do whatever it took to protect my home. I made a deal with the Syndicate to allow me to keep my village safe from them, and in return I'd share my research with them."

"That's horrible!" Ashe cried. "You know what they're like, you know what they might do with that research, and you still agreed!? How...how could you!"

He sighed sadly, tears in his eyes. "Don't you think I know that? It was a deal with the devil, but I had to ensure my home's safety. Everywhere else, the Syndicate oppresses humanity and practices absolute control over humanity. They are cruel creatures who rule with an iron fist, who are willing to even harm anyone they see as a threat, or simply to demonstrate their power. What could I do, in the face of all that!? Lika is all I have left now, do you realise what would happen to her if the Syndicate were left in power!? What would have me do!?" He gripped Ashe's shirt, crying.

Ashe frowned. "I dunno what I'd do in your place, but I'd try something!"

He smiled. "Of course you would. You are the part of myself I lost that day. It truly is amazing, where fate can bring a person. Ashe, I believe you were brought here, to this time, to see what would happen, and then you could try to prevent it."

"Prevent it?" Ashe was puzzled. "How?"

"Chronus was meant to grant the subject the ability to travel through time. At the moment, you exist outside of time, and are thus affected differently. You ARE me, that is true, but you are not the current me. You are the Ash from my lost past, the Ash who had been subjected to that wretched experiment. I'm sure that you can go back in time and change things for the better, and stop Darkshade before it's too late!"

"How am I supposed to do that?"

He shook his head. "I don't know, but I do know that it will be dangerous and difficult. Darkshade was powerful, even back then. I'm not sure if you even CAN fight them, but still, you have to try."

Ashe looked down at Vulpix, who slept in her lap. She remembered the Cubatii, and how she ahd changed it back into a Cubone and a Zubat. Her future self was right; no matter what, Darkshade had to be stopped, if only for the evil things they had done to Pokémon and to humanity.

Lika entered, carrying a tray of snacks. "So, who's this girl, dad? Someone from your past?"

The old man nodded. "Yes, in a way." He turned to Ashe. "My dear, would you take care of my daughter?"

"What!?" Ashe was taken aback by this sudden outcome.

"Lika has always wanted to see the world, and has harboured a deep hatred against Darkshade because of what they've done to me and to....others. I want you to take her with you, show her the world, and free her from her hatred. She is a sweet child; I do not wish to see her become twisted by hate."

Ashe nodded. "I understand....I think." She looked up at the girl. "I...I suppose I could..."

"Wonderful!" The old man said happily, clapping his hands together. "Lika, go pack your things."

"What?" The blue-haired girl asked. "Why?"

"You want to see the world, right? Young Ashe here is going on a journey, and I'd like you to accompany her. That way, you get to see the world, and I won't have to worry about your safety. After all, we do know that Ashe can defend herself, correct?"

Lika sighed resignedly. "I can't say no, can I?"

"Nope."

"Fine, I'll go with her." She walked over to Ashe, extending her hand. "I'm Lika Ketchum."

Ashe took the girl's hand and shook it. "I'm Ashe...just Ashe. I look forward to travelling with you." She smiled.

At that instant, the door came crashing down, and several Darkshade soldiers stepped in, but it was the last person to enter that caused Ashe to stare, pale faced.

It was Misty, her old friend and the first travelling companion she ever had. She still had her same usual hairstyle, though her eyes seemed...colder. She wore a dirty brown duster jacket over her shoulders. She grinned.

"So, we finally found ya, after 10 long years, Ketchum. You're coming with us. Both of you. We'd love to see how successful the experiment was after all this time."

"Misty..." Ashe breathed. Her older counterpart glared.

"What are you doing here, Misty? Don't you realise that this is trespassing? You could get in trouble with you darling CEO.."

The orange haired girl laughed. "Who do you think authorised this? After we had heard of a woman matching your houseguest's description, we realised that she was our missing Chronus Experiment, or at least, the missing half of it. Have you touched her yet, I wonder?"

"What happens if I touch her?" The old man asked, brow raised.

"Try it and see." Misty said with a shrug.

The old man turend to the girl, and inched his hand close to her claw. He looked her in the eyes. "No matter what happens, protect Lika."

Ashe didn't respond as he grabbed ehr claw, and then there was a falsh of light, and then...he was gone.

Lika turned angrily to the Darkshade employees. "What did you do to him!?"

"Nothing." The orange haired girl said, smirking. "He was simply reunited with his missing half, and a paradox was averted. That girl there...is your father, after he was changed by our experiment and transported 10 years into the future."

Lika turned to Ashe, stunned. Ashe frowned sadly.

"Sorry, but it's true, I think. I'm Ash Ketchum, and that old man was me. I..I don't know what happened, but please understand, I didn't mean him, or you, any harm." She screwed her eyes, forcing the tears back. "I don't even understand what's going on any more!"

Misty laughed. "Well, let me explain. You were sent to the future, and to avoid a time paradox, an advanced aged version of yourself was created to fill the hole that you had made, until such time as you reconnected. You see, you're special, Ketchum, so special that we need to send you back 10 years in the past, so that we can complete our plans. You exist outside of time, Ketchum, and we need that quality of yours in order to....retrieve something of ours."

Lika growled. "I won't let you hurt my dad... whoever he/she is now!"

She ran over, fist raised. Misty sneered, and spun around her, tripping her up and hitting her in the neck. Ashe ran over to her, holding her in concern. Lika held her throat, glaring at the orange haired girl.

Misty smirked. "Well, if you're quite done, we can finish up here." She brought up a communications device to her mouth, and began speaking. "It's Bombarde. We found him. He's a girl now. No, I'm not joking or using a metaphor, I mean literally female. Yeah, you should probably have Oily look into it." She looked up as something crashed through the wall, looking like a strange black manta ray/ ghost creature with wing like membranes that ended in sharp, long claws.

Bombade spoke into the phone again. "Yeah, the Stalker's here. I'll call back." Misty, or Bombarde, Sneered down at the two girls. "Looks like we can finish this quickly. This is the end of the line, Ketchum."

Ashe and Lika glared at the approaching figures of Bombarde and the Stalker, fear and anger rising.


Well, next part's up.

Who are the Buzz Bomber Trio? Bet you can't guess.

Yeah, Misty is Bombarde, but that doesn't mean Misty is evil. Then what's going on here? Wait and see, for all will be explained soon.

Yeah, no file reports this time, I'm saving those for next time.

Hope you liked it, and please comment!