Disclaimer: don't own pokemon.
AN: ARGGGGG! I'm apologizing before hand for the way this chapter came out. It is sooooo much CRAP! I can write better than this. I guess I have yet to show my true quality. I just don't know what to do right now. Anyway after this chapter
we can get started on the quest again. Finally. Anway it doesn't matter. Only two people reviewed anways.
Shucks. Thought I'd get more. But that caused a major lack of inspiration. But my friend kept bothering me to put this chapter up. I hope I get some more reviews because I'm thinking of writing a Naruto fic instead.
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Dust hovered above, though not covering the star filled sky. Nothing blocking the stars gave the night a tranquil feel to all except those in the realm of what used to be known as Viridian city. The unlucky party members were far from peace at the moment and were in trouble.
The earlier battle was long and this battle was hard. Brock knew this so he tried to formulate a plan quickly while he rested.
At his sides were Misty and Ritchie. In front of him the battle waged on between Ash and the others. Gary was the one who always looked like he would break through but Ash would knock him back to square one. Misty knelt on one knee next to Brock. In the beginning her mind would not let her keep up with Ash's actions. Though shaken up she had regained composure and knew what she had to do. She was just waiting for the others to tire and give them a rest.
"He's like a stamina fiend," she said coldly into the night.
Brock turned his head to see the elf. No longer did she have a look of bewilderment and hurt. Her face was back to the emotionless but beautiful state which had become one of the warrior's characteristics.
"It normally isn't like this," Ritchie stated which caught Misty's attention. Brock on the other hand just watched as May attacked with a downward swipe which Ash countered with his sword, deflecting it to his right while spinning on his left heel delivering a roundhouse kick to her face. She flew back and skidded on the ground before rolling to her feet. She spit out a mixture of spittle and blood before growling with animosity.
"Stop. I will take him alone while you rest."
May watched as Gary held his sword to his side and walked up to Ash, stopping only a few feet in front of him. May, Erika and Max were all resting after being knocked about by Ash for the last half hour.
Gary put his sword in front of his face.
"We have unfinished business Ash."
"I don't care about your petty challenge. I'LL KILL YOU NOW FOR EVEN THINKING YOU'RE MY EQUAL!"
Ash almost vanished but Gary did the same. Swords were heard clashing and the moonlight seem to reflect off their swords sometimes but their bodies remained invisible to the naked eye.
"This is not good. The Hiten Mitsirugi style is not suppose to match Gary's Shukuchi for speed. This evil power gives him extra agility. He is almost invincible."
Brock processed what Misty had said. He nodded slightly for no reason but asked the all important question. "Can you stop him Misty?"
Misty turned to watch Brock in the eyes. "No."
She did not sugar coat it and she was as serious as ever.
Brock and Ritchie turned their heads back to the battle dejectedly briefly before their attention was once again on the elf.
"At his current speed I would not be able to stop him without killing him. However…"
Misty seemed to go into her own little world. No doubt thinking of a plan.
Brock and Ritchie's eyes seem to plead to hers. To give them hope that they would not have to seriously injure Ash or worse……..kill him.
"If I can slow his speed by just a split second I may have something. It's dangerous for the both of us though, so it is imperative that I slow him down. Can you cast a spell for a short time Brock? I only need a fraction of a second."
The red head was disappointed when the wizard shook his head.
"I'm barely breathing as it is after that Cyclops hit. I haven't had any time to recuperate. Sorry Mist."
Just then Gary grunted in pain. The trio watched as Ash had thrust forward, making Gary deflect the sword with his own. But Ash's skill was shown to the fullest as he turned his wrist at the time of impact leaving a deep gash in Gary's shoulder.
"Gary!"
The green haired girl jumped in the fray.
"Erika go back!" Gary managed while holding Ash's sword.
"You can't take him by yourself!"
Gary scowled at her remark. It may have been true but Gary did not care. Her well being was more important to him than his own life.
"No but I can buy you time! Just leave me a-…"
"No!"
They all turned to the red head.
"Let him go Ashura. If you must test your skill then it should be against me. We are both masters of the Hiten Mitsirugi. It is time to end this fight."
The demon's eyes looked at Misty. Her body surged with power. It would be good to consume it and add it to his own.
He tossed aside Gary like a piece of crumpled paper.
"Little girl, do you not know who I am?" he sneered.
Misty looked at him with the utmost contempt.
"I don't know nor do I care. I will defeat you so Ash can return to me."
The elf threw out a pokeball and out popped her Starmie.
The demon Ash chuckled. "You send a pokemon against me? Very well. After your annihilation I will slice off each of its points before killing it.
Misty's outer expressions remained the same as she took her sword and sheathed it.
Her left foot went forward a bit and bent while her right spread out.
Last but not least she turned her sheath over.
"That's very dangerous she-elf. You're blade is curved and the slightest mistake means you will slice off your leg. Also you may be able to use batou-jutsu to injure me with the intent to kill but flipping your blade and trying to keep this body alive will be your doom. Die now!"
"Let's go," came the death whisper from the red head.
The demon sprung into action leaving behind just a blur. "RYU TSUI SEN!"
Ash neared his target. Closer, closer, clo….nani?
A water gun hit Ash. The Starmie being the source. It could not stop Ash's assault but he realized what Misty was trying to do.
With the decrease in speed because of the water pushing against the demon Misty crouched lower until he was in range and in a flash, "Hiten Mitsirugi style! Ultimate Attack!"
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They all sat by the fire, occasionally glancing at the unconscious man behind them that lay on the ground. He had a diagonal bruise across his chest. The result of a devastating attack.
One by one they all fell asleep until only two remained. Side by side they sat yet for an hour there was naught but silence.
Without removing her eyes from the fire the female spoke.
"So that is what the curse seal on Ash's arm was for?" she stated more than asked.
The man in white next to her smiled slightly. "I guess it was foolish of me to think that the elves had no knowledge of curse seals. sigh "
"How?" she asked, turning her attention from the fire to Brock.
Seeing her movement out of the corner of his eyes he did the same. When his eyes locked onto hers he no longer saw the warrior.
He saw pleading, sadness and hurt. This was the Misty when she was not on the battlefield. The Misty that let her emotions display through her emerald eyes.
Seeing his friend like this Brock had no choice but to answer her question but with another question of his own.
"Do you know anything about the battle in Celadon?"
Misty nodded. "Yes I do. I was told that in the end it came down to one battle. The leader of the Kanto army and the leader of the Shiabu army. It was also said it was an amazing battle that saw the end of both warriors. That in turn resulted in the one decent thing that the Shiabu had ever done. They walked away from the fight out of respect for their fallen leader. What does this have to do with anything?"
"Misty. All those things happened. But some things could not be seen by mere men. The leader of Kanto's army had fallen, yes. But he was not dead. Something happened that only a wizard as myself would be able to see. Sheku placed a curse seal on the man and gathered all the negative energies from the men who died that night into him. All that hate rolled into one and lies dormant in him. He never knows what he is doing. When he is consumed by emotion is when the demon comes out. By now I don't have to tell you, but the leader of that army was Ash."
Misty was surprised. "I see," she said while looking back into the fire.
She took a deep breath before she could slowly ask her next questions.
"What about what Sheku said? About Ash killing people? Is it true?"
Brock noticed the tension in her voice, the look on her face silently pleading that it wasn't true. He was about to make her very unhappy.
"Yes."
They both spun around and saw the tall figure of Ash. He glared at Misty with tenacity but she paid it no heed.
"I'm going to retire now. You both have some things to say to one another," said the wizard as he got up and disappeared into his tent.
Misty looked back to Ash. He was staring into the fire without really seeing it. It was a while after Brock's lantern went out before the silence was broken.
"It was a normal stealth mission right after the incident in Celadon. It was to find a traitor and put his overly active mouth to a rest. I reached a small village. It was peaceful. Suddenly I saw the man I was to kill and………my blood boiled, my hair raised, I couldn't control my anger. I remember feeling an indescribable amount of hate before blacking out. When I woke up I was tied up and standing over me were Gary and Brock. I asked them what was going on but they did not answer. Instead they pointed in front of me. I sat up and wished that my hands were free so I could kill myself. There they were. Everyone from the village. Slaughtered. Like animals."
Misty's eyes burned but she did not allow her tears to reach the surface. Pushing them back before they could even threaten to fall.
Ash's voice got heavier with disgust and resentment. "Most of them were children. My sword, my clothes, my hands, all decorated with their blood. I killed them all! A whole village!"
Misty could see his throat turn red, swallowing to keep his emotions in check. He turned to Misty. In her emerald orbs was the thing he never wanted to see.
He gave a smirk that was bitter and regretful.
"Your eyes are full of fear. As it should be. Gary was right when he told you. In two years a lot could happen for people to change."
Misty shook her head slightly at her lover's words. "I don't fear you Ash. I fear for you."
She rose to her feet and approached the swordsman. Her right hand found its way to his face. "I can't imagine the pain you go through when it crosses your mind."
Ash felt mixed emotions at her touching him. He wanted her to do it because he loved her. But he wanted her not to because he loved her. It all depended on his question.
"Mist?"
"Hn?"
"Did I attack you?"
Misty's hand jerked back slightly at his question. Her being startled was his answer.
He looked down at the ground dejectedly.
Seeing his reaction Misty scolded herself for her carelessness. She then put on a small smile and stood in front of him, grasping his neck and looking up at him in the eyes.
"You did not attack me. What lies within you did."
He moved his hands upwards to take hers. "Are you not frightened? Frightened that I might snap at any moment?"
The elf smiled while putting her forehead on his chest. "No I am not."
"Why?"
"Amin na lle," she responded while closing her eyes and rubbing affectionately into his chest.
Ash rested his chin on the top of her head, stroking her hair with one hand while the other pulled her in lightly by the lower back. "What does that mean?" he questioned absent mindedly while taking in the scent of her hair.
"It means I love you."
She looked up once again for emerald to meet amber.
"And I know that Ash Ketchum has a big heart. He will get over this demon. His love alone is greater than the world's hate."
Ash smiled at her. A sincere and happy smile. During the two years apart he would always find a way to make himself sound bad. But after being reunited with Misty he could not. She always pointed out the good in him. Ash was happy for that.
Misty watched his eyes sparkle with joy for a second, but watched it fade. He gazed into her shoulder but his thoughts were distant.
"Mist. Do you know about curse seals?"
She tilted her head a little to one side, brows furrowed before nodding.
"Is there a way to get rid of the demon then," he asked hopefully.
Her face turned serious but her eyes said she was hesitant.
"There are three ways I can think of."
She moved back a little and gave herself space. Ash immediately missed her warmth but tried not to show his disappointment.
"Tell me," he all but whispered.
The elf slowly looked at the crackling fire and folded her arms. The silence in the short period of time driving Ash mad. Crickets and frogs made sounds that eventually became louder than anything else in the world of the living.
"Mist?"
"The first is for Sheku to die. If he placed the curse seal on you then his death should erase it. The elves believe that the world would go back to normal if the amulet is destroyed. The realms would be separated completely and magic would be gone so one could assume so would the seal."
The cold night stayed still as Misty finished speaking. She turned with a loving smile to Ash. "I'm going to retire now. Are you coming?"
Ash was confused. She said three reasons.
"Wait. What's the third reason."
Her smile faded and her eyes almost glared at him. She put out the fire with a bucket of water that her companions filled earlier for that same purpose.
As she walked to the tent Ash heard her mutter something.
"The third is not an option."
Ash was irritated by the comment. "What is it Misty?" he spat out a little rougher than he meant to.
She opened the flap of the tent and glared daggers to the man, "If you kill yourself," and she went in.
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Misty had long fallen asleep before Ash laid next to her. He, however, did not follow her action. His head rested on his hands while he thought over what had happened.
"If you kill yourself."
Ash sat up while and put his hand behind him to support. The wind was slightly strong tonight making the brown flap wave and make cracking noises. He then looked down at the bandage that wrapped his chest. He had not to be told that Misty was the one who knocked him out. Obviously with her Ama Kakaru Ryu No Hiro Meki. The only technique he could not perform in their style.
His eyes wandered until they found something of interest. The one who had inflicted the injury across his chest. His hands slowly made their way to her hair, gently caressing it.
'I almost hurt you. If my love can overcome the strongest hate how could I not stop myself. Is it that I don't love you enough? I don't think it's possible to love someone anymore than this. What am I suppose to do?'
His hand drifted from its track down to her pointed ear. Ash thought it looked cute. It lingered for just a little while before moving to her smooth face, the outside of his fingers brushing her cheek. The wind blew strong and it seemed to make straight for Ash's face. His eyes closed as he listened to the whispers of the wind. He could almost make out words.
No sooner it came had it dissipated. The scene was still, making it peaceful but when the man's eyes opened gone from it were the emotions of uncertainty. All that was present, was determination. He looked down at Misty and her peaceful face.
"I'm sorry Mist. But I can't risk hurting you," came the soft whisper.
He kissed her softly on the forehead before taking his gear out of his bag.
Ten minutes later. Ash had his small bag on his back, his sword, dagger and clothes adorned his body.
He proceeded to exit the campsite but…..
"Sneaking off are we?"
Ash stopped in his tracks. His back towards his addressor. "Go back to sleep Gary," he stated in a rough voice. He had turned on leader mode.
"Sure. I'll just go to sleep and let you have all the fun yourself."
Ash was getting agitated. He turned around to see Gary nearing him in full gear. This surprised Ash a little.
The brown haired man stopped in front of Ash wearing a smug smirk.
"You are going off on your own to the temple aren't you?"
Hearing Gary's question only made Ash chuckle. He looked to the ground and back up to his friend. "Your insight skills are exceptional. Almost as good as mine."
Gary managed a snort through his smirk. "I'm going with you."
Ash immediately frowned. He was leaving so he wouldn't hurt anybody. He couldn't let Gary come along.
"No. I'm going alone."
"Ah…." Gary started with a cocky tone. "Well I guess you can go ahead to the temple if you want but seeing as I have the map it would do you no good."
Ash glared daggers at the man so Gary decided this was a perfect time to continue so he could further annoy his oldest rival/friend.
"So to keep you from getting lost I'll come along and I'm sure since we are the best fighters out of the group as well as best trainers we stand a better chance at successfully completing this mission."
After hearing Gary's proposition Ash's eyes softened and he gave a small smile. Gary was always the thinker between the two. "You are an egotistical prick you know that?"
Gary's eyes went to the heaven with a dreamy look in it and he sighed. "I know."
Ash closed his eyes and chuckled. "Although we may not be the strongest fighters anymore. Misty did manage to perform the ultimate attack whilst not killing me."
Gary's smug smirk returned. "She has improved but there were circumstances in that battle. You and I both know that in physical combat we are the best of our peers."
Ash sighed and put a smirk of his own on. "I hate it when you are right."
"Heh."
Ash motioned with his left hand for Gary to go ahead. "Lead the way navigator."
"It's about time you know who goes first around here," he said while walking ahead, "I should be treated like roy-…."
A throbbing pain in the back of Gary's head made him crumple to the ground before blacking out. Ash threw the rock away and dragged Gary to a tree and sat him up against it. He then shifted through Gary's bag before pulling out the map.
He walked to the edge of the campsite. "Sorry Gary. But I can't risk hurting any of you. I won't."
He looked at the tents set up thoughtfully. Thinking of each of its members as though he were seeing them in front of him.
Max, his student. Brock, his Mentor in life. Erika, the person he confided in. May, the one who shows her support above everyone else. Ritchie, the one who seemed to be able to light up his mood talking about randomness.
He turned his head to his left and saw Gary. His rival and friend throughout everything. His equal in almost anything he did.
He turned his head straight again to stare at the last tent. The one whom he loved above all things laid in it. The fiery red head. The elf that would have his heart until time stopped. The one whom he hoped, if he could not break the curse, he would never see again.
'I can't risk hurting you Mist. I love you too much.'
He sighed and looked to the ground. His eyes burned, his throat scratched and his chest hurt. He had no problem controlling his emotions before but since she had been back, he couldn't help but be emotional. His heart hurt. It felt a burning pain, dull and smothered all around his chest. The kind that brings tears to your eyes just thinking about it. But he did not falter.
'I love you mist. And that's why i'm leaving. Because as much as it pains, your safety is more important than my happiness.'
He then turned around and jogged out of the clearing.
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AN: Please review if you want me to continue. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO BLOODY SPACE THINGS OUT
PROPERLY. Although I'll still try to continue this for my friends its such an inspiration when I get reviews. Also if you are reading this right now that means you've read the chapter. If you don't review I can't know if you want me to continue or your thoughts for future chapters(which I'm open to by the way).