The Yin and Yang of Ash Ketchum

Chapter 5: Is the King Really Gone?

By WarriorLoverInc

"So why did you want to stop Brock?"

They had paused for a rest in a camp site along the path they were taking through the prairie. Ash had wandered off somewhere while Brock and Dawn sat to discuss important matters, such as the possibility of Ash going bad.

Brock glanced around to make sure they were alone and said in a low voice, "I told you about what happened at the Battle Pyramid, right?"

Dawn nodded; he had told her that Ash had been possessed by the spirit of the King of Pokélantis, and how it took May, Max, Brock, and the Frontier Brain and Battle Pyramid owner Brandon to finally pull it out of him. They all assumed that the King's spirit was trapped in the stone orb where it had come from in the first place, and where Brandon had absorbed it to after defeating the King.

Brock leaned closer to her, "Ash has the same look in his eye now."

Dawn felt a twinge in her stomach, "Do you mean to say… you think he's still in Ash?"

"I don't know, but we need to be careful around him from now on."

She was all frantic now, first the blood problem, now this? Ash was slowly deteriorating, leaving behind a trainer they didn't know. Oh Ash, what's happening to you?

…..

Ash was glad that Brock had suggested a rest, his head was throbbing, his legs were cramping, he was hardly aware of where he was. He leaned against a tree for support, what's going on…?

Sliding down the tree, he found himself sitting on the ground. He wanted to lie down and sleep, but he felt short of breath, and his heart felt like it was doing jumping jacks. He pleaded with it, please slow down… All of his thoughts seemed to drift off at the end, drift off to his nightmare again.

It was like the memories were hurting him, he would remember, then feel increased pain. Ash tried to clench his hand, but it was all tingly. Maybe I should return to Dawn and Brock.

With difficulty, he finally stood up from his previous sitting position. Through half closed eyes, it was hard to make out the path, but he eventually found it.

When he entered the camp site, emerging from the tall grasses of the meadow, he spotted his two friends—backs turned to him—having a conversation; I should probably apologize for what I did to Brock earlier today too…

They noticed his arrival, and turned. "Brock, I—" He was about to apologize, when suddenly a volcano of heat erupted into his face, and he blacked out.

…..

They rushed over, "Ash! Ash are you okay?" Dawn got no response from the boy.

Brock turned to her from Ash's other side, "He's out cold, or should I say warm?" He had a hand on Ash's forehead, "He's burning up! We have to get him somewhere with help now!"

Dawn agreed, and helped Brock place Ash on his back. Making sure he was firmly in place, they started with a dash down the path. Unfortunately, it didn't seem as if they would encounter civilization for a while, but they doggedly kept on.

Ash, no matter how much he changed, would always be their friend. Now, he needed help, so that's what they would do.

…..

Authors Note: Chapter 5, complete! *Big sigh* Hey, there's a new opinion poll on my profile anyone can vote on about Ash's dream, I mean, nightmare. VOTE NOW! Yes, please do.

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