Chapter Disclaimer: I do not own Linkin Park.


Chapter 9: Aftermath, Ash and Hikaru Breakup?


Ak-gholun had been defeated. Pteroblade had been defeated. Haechaen was out there. Fang was out there. Chizeta was spared. Autozam had been spared. The team responsible for protecting Cephiro...in jeopardy of splitting up. No joke. Condor was escorting the visitors back to the mainland base. James and Meowth were on the bridge with the representatives from Autozam as Falcon was reporting the battle to Master Mage Clef via video feed on a monitor and other events from the engaged battle over the city against Pteroblade. It would sound that we've entered at the last moment of Falcon's report. "That is all I can report," he wrapped up. "I hope that you seek a perfect consequence for Jessie." Clef respected Falcon's wishes of giving punishment to Jessie for her act of backstabbing.

"Wait until I get my hands on you, you corrupt official!" Jessie, trapped inside a locker, roared in a furious manner.

"I respect your wishes to teach Jessie and Ash for their lapsing moments," Clef acknowledged. Yes, Jessie and Ash acted out of formation during the battle against Pteroblade. For those tuning in and passing the previous chapter, Ash, Pikachu, Hikaru and Team Rocket, minus Meowth who was watching the battle with Falcon at his base, battled Pteroblade. Ash was just about to finish Pteroblade with Pikachu's help. However, Jessie raced in, snatching Pikachu and prolonged the battle in Autozam. Ash had raced to Pikachu's aid, his care for Pokémon overriding his care for Hikaru. That left Hikaru to end Pteroblade's flight as Ash rescued Pikachu for the umpteenth time. While the battle in Autozam was over, the war over trust and compassion had begun. Hikaru was steamed at Ash for putting Pikachu ahead of her. It wouldn't be that big of a deal until you realized that the two had slept together the night before. If Primera saw the current status with the two, she'd panic for a solution. The Condor landed, allowing the few to file out. Zazu had gone to where Hikaru was resting for the trip back to the mainland. She was not in the best of moods, still upset at Ash for choosing Pikachu instead of her.

"Hikaru, we're back!" he tried to summon out. On her bed, she twisted her body away from the door, wanting some peace alone.

"Is Ash gone?" she grumbled.

"Yeah, he's with James and Meowth as they converse with Clef." She was frustrated. Doing her best to remain calm, Hikaru stepped out. Inside, Geo and Lantis did their best to keep Jessie in place: putting her in a medieval rack for prisoners. She struggled but the lock was on, no way for her to escape. Yet, she ranted and growled, barking for freedom. After what she did in Autozam, it's no surprise. In the throne room, Ash became apologetic to Clef for his actions with Caldina hanging around. Groveling, he knelt to a knee, pleading him for another shot.

"While I do respect the knowledge that you were defending your Pokémon, what you did was careless and irresponsible," Clef detailed. Ash knew to obey Clef. He did act irresponsible and careless when Pikachu was snatched by Jessie. James and Meowth were spared any punishment. They didn't go out of line.

"I'm sorry, Master Clef," he choked up. However, Clef saw the goodness in this misled desire.

"You did aid in the victory against Pteroblade and for that, I will award you another chance." This was good news, but Ash didn't lift any side of his lips. His mind was on Hikaru, who he thought he betrayed. Clef was giving him another shot, but would Hikaru?

"I wonder..." He turned back to Clef. A request? "Is it alright if I keep Pikachu here when Hikaru and I go to Fahren?" For safety reasons? Maybe he thought James and Meowth would act the same way Jessie did and try to snag Pikachu. Clef believed that with Pikachu in the towers and not in Fahren, he would concentrate more on supervising Hikaru. Yet getting Hikaru's trust was already a tough task. That shot to the face still stung him.

"You fail to realize that you're still overseeing Pikachu instead of Hikaru?" Clef thought Ash was still supporting Pikachu, not thinking for a second on Hikaru's feelings. Ash didn't look like he got Clef's understanding.

"What you need to do is try and talk to Hikaru, alright sugar?" Caldina advised. With Ash, easier said than done.

"Try and rest up for Aska and the dragon ship to take you to Fahren." Ash nodded, thinking that some rest could help him think better. James stood up, wanting to know if Jessie would get the same treatment as Ash as he got to his feet.

"Excuse me, Master Mage," he voiced. "What about Jessie? What are the chances that she gets a second chance?" Read Ash, Clef and Caldina's mugs. 8-ball says very unlikely.

"Highly doubtful," Ash clarified. "You saw what she did. She sabotaged the operation." Her own job clouded her judgment on the situation. The reason it didn't take long for Ash to regain Clef's trust was because he noticed his error. Jessie was uptight with what she did. James and Meowth surrendered. They were suppose to be a team and Jessie nearly destroyed them with her reckless and selfish act. Ash departed from the room, hoping to find Hikaru...and apologize for his act.

"Should we make sure he says the right words?" Meowth questioned. Not really.

"Ash has to look for the right words, himself," Caldina warned. "It won't be any good if he has backup." While Jessie may have taken Pikachu, Ash was guilty of abandoning the mission. Ash arrived at Hikaru's door, wondering if she was in, let alone ready to listen to him.

"Hikaru, are you available?" he asked as he knocked on the door. If she was...

"GO AWAY!" she screamed. Okay then. Not only was she there, she was still angry with him. Ash couldn't blame her for what she was feeling. He could be guilty of being reckless and focused on Pikachu.

"Hikaru, listen, I'm sorry about what I did. I won't let it happen again."

"GO A-WAY, ASH! Go back to Pallet Town where you belong!" Man, if she was this upset over a decision like that... She didn't take Ash's apology, in addition to tell him to return to the hole where he and Team Rocket came. Harsh. She probably needed more time to quell her anger. Respecting her first wish, Ash had walked away. He stepped outside the towers, severely thinking about what he did to really anger the redhead warrior. It didn't help that beforehand, they were snuggled under the same sleeping bag. Ash, leaving his adversaries and Pikachu, strolled toward the Forest of Silence.


In this farewell...
There's no blood, there's no alibi.
'Cause I've drawn regret,
From the truth of 1,000 lies.
So let mercy come and wash away...

What I've done!
I've faced myself,
To cross out what I've become!
Erase myself,
And let go of what I've done!

Put to rest what you thought of me,
Well, I clean this slate
From the hands of uncertainty.
So let mercy come and wash away...

What I've done!
I've faced myself,
To cross out what I've become!
Erase myself,
And let go of what I've done!

For what I've done,
I'll start again, and whatever pain may come,
Today this ends, I'm forgiving...

What I've done!
I've faced myself,
To cross out what I've become!
Erase myself,
And let go what I've done!

What I've done!

Forgiving what I've done!


As Ash started to wander throughout the forest, back at the towers, Pikachu and Mokona peddled around the halls, looking for Ash. They also came across Hikaru's room. Their immediate thoughts were that she knew where Ash had gone to. ("You think Hikaru had a chance to come to terms?") Pikachu guessed. Mokona pictured, getting a bad vibe from inside. Not a good sign.

("Not sounding like it,") the marshmallow studied. Though understanding Mokona, Pikachu chose to check personally. He knocked on the door. As if she believed Ash still hung around in a bizarre standoff, Hikaru became angered more, opening the door with enough force that could have torn the hinges from the frame.

"What part of 'go away' are-" she roared until she looked around. No Ash in sight. That's when she spotted the two furry friends. She turned from anger to stun. "Pikachu? Mokona, what are you two doing here?"

("We were wondering if you've seen Ash,") Pikachu squeaked. Mokona had the will to backup Pikachu. Hikaru grumbled at hearing Ash. She wanted to forget anything involving him.

"Look, what Ash did on Autozam I understand, but didn't like. Sure Jessie may have provoked Ash, but he could've helped finished first." She looked down the hall, her words of advice on Ash to return to Pallet Town being more or less coming to fact. "If he shows me that he can care for someone other than him or his Pokémon, I may reconsider." Be careful what you wish for. Back in the Forest of Silence, Ash found broken tree limbs. They were scattered in a few piles. That was where Ash, Team Rocket and the professors fell onto. He peered up, seeing a rope suspended in midair. That was where the gateway between here and Pallet Town was. He could climb the trees and reach the rope and get back to Pallet... but his spirits would object to going back home so soon, regardless of Hikaru's mad desire.

"Hikaru, what do I have to do to regain your trust?" he murmured to himself. As if an angel from above had actually heard the call of Ash, someone entered the scene.

"Who's Hikaru?" a young woman wondered. Misty? Nope. It was a ponytail brunette in a pink button-down shirt and beige skirt. Ash freaked.

"Mom! What the heck are you doing here?" This was embarrassing. For your own mother to come to an unfamiliar territory...

"Well, I heard that you had taken Team Rocket away from Prof. Oak's lab in a weird way, I had to come by and check things out. It's what any mother would do." Any mother would wait at home for her child. "By the way, where's Pikachu? He's not with you." Thanks for stating the obvious.

"Someone's watching him, right now. I was just out for a walk." He, too, was letting off some frustration. Suddenly, a scream echoed. For this place to be the Forest of Silence, it was getting pretty noisy. Ash and mother ran to the source of the yell. They arrived to find a very young redhead, eating dirt and staining her dress. She looked back, eying monsters about seven feet tall. The grotesque minions drove, getting closer to the downed child. Ash wasn't one who would stand back because he whipped out his staff. A maroon beast leaped at the girl. Ash leaped at the monster. This was going to be close. Ash lowered his staff, parallel to the ground. The monster opened its jaws, right where Ash's staff was. The monster got it's jaw locked and its mouth open as the staff entered the snout. Flipping, Ash rolled on top of the monster, gaining momentum. With one glorious yank, Ash tossed the monster into the others, bowling them over. "Steer-Ike!" Don't get too caught up in the excitement. The little girl got to a seat, watching Ash stand guard as the mother joined her. Ash would want to continued, willing to summon Rion to battle. Because they were in the Forest of Silence, he knew that borrowing Rion wasn't going to work. He needed to get out of there. "Let's book."

"Okay." The mother scooped the girl just as the monsters regained their feet. The mad chase was now on and that poor girl was along for the ride. The mother was wondering why they needed to retreat from the forest without knowing the true curse. "So, is there any reason we're running for our lives and why you're not using your Pokémon?"

"This Forest of Silence blocks the use of anything considered magical, including the Pokémon! Besides, they're with Prof. Oak!" It had taken a minute for them to return to the towers. Ash had refocused on the monsters fast coming. "Here we go!" With an inner focus, Rion and Hiki billowed out of Ash. He was quick with a strategy. "Hiki, protect my mom and the girl."

"Understood," Hiki complied as she floated over to the ladies.

"Ready to go, Rion?"

"Oh, yeah," Rion grinned. "These janitors are here and ready to mop this mess!" Rion reentered Ash's body, her aura emitting from the trainer. He was ready. A blue goblin-faced minion lunged. Ash smashed its face with the staff. Ouch... Grasping a dark fireball, he nailed the monster, engulfing it. As the monster roared in pain, Ash jabbed the staff onto it and used the leverage to sling it at the rest. On impact... BOOM! A small explosion. The minions were scorched...but survived. They got onto their feet, horse hooves, bird talons, you name them. "Tough bastards, aren't they?" They had no quit.

"Tell me about it." If Ash needed help, he was about to get it. Alcyone, Ascot and Lafarga filed out, coming to Ash's aid. The red monster was first, only to be met by Lafarga, carving the beast in half. One down. Ascot's turn.

"Beast, I summon thee!" he announced as two more minions sprinted toward them. A large circle of light emerged. Without hesitation, a giant lion/eagle hybrid exited the circle, shoulder tackling the fiends. "Griffore, crush them!" It listened and it smashed the two with overhand punches. Easy enough. Alcyone couldn't be left out, right?

"Icicle Onslaught!" she called. She was using those again? At least it was on the creatures, not Ash. The giant icicles pierced through the fiends. No way they were getting up. Five up, five down. Every...human was safe, at least.

"Man," Rion whined. "We didn't get one!" Another time, Rion. Hiki, proud to accomplish her mission, reinvested herself into Ash as Rion calmed down. As he sheathed his staff, he turned to the help.

"Thanks, guys," he praised. Hey, Alcyone did good.

"Sir Ash, what were you thinking?" Lafarga sneered. Oh, like it was Ash's fault that he had to tangle with forest dwellers?

"Before you start Lafarga, let me say that I was minding my own business when my mom happened to drop by. Anything else?" Alcyone and Ascot were somewhat stunned. Could this be what Hikaru wanted from Ash to make up for what happened in Autozam?

"Lafarga, Ash knew that it was a fight in the Forest of Silence that he couldn't win and had escorted the two females from harm," Alcyone explained. "Master Mage Clef had told me after Professors Oak and Birch visited. Trainers are not only known for their aid to the creatures of their land, they are strategists. Ash displayed not only selflessness, but intelligent fighting abilities." This was one truth that showed, regardless of Pokémon. The mother had released the child, standing up to meet everyone. Ascot was first, a little concern about the mother's condition.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" he asked. Of course, she's okay. She dusted herself of the dirt. She straightened out for greetings.

"I've hit more dirt when I was Ash's age," she defied. "I'm Delia, Ash's mother." The mother, Delia, and Ascot shook hands.

"I'm Ascot, a summoner in Cephiro." He twisted to the others who joined Ascot. "This is Sorceress Alcyone and Guardian Knight Lafarga. We're in charge of protecting Master Mage Clef alongside the Magic Knights." It was nice for the residence of Cephiro to meet others from beyond worlds. That's when the little girl tugged on Ash's sweat-tee. Feeling the firm tug, Ash's attention was turn to the kid...well, the smaller kid compared to Ash.

"Hey, what's up?" he wondered as he knelt to her level.

"Thank you for helping me from the monsters," she praised. How sweet of her. "Is Miss Hikaru inside?" Oh, boy. Taking this girl to Hikaru would result in some rather bad vibes. Yet maybe, if Ash brought her to Hikaru and told of how they met and how Ash was able to reach safety, she just might forgive him. It was worth a shot.

"Yeah, you wanna go see her?" The girl bobbed a yes. All smiles. This would be what Ash could wish for. "Okay, let's go." In some sort of bond, the girl got a chance to hold Ash's hand as they entered the tower once more. They arrived at Hikaru's room where the girl knocked on the door.

"Miss Hikaru?" Hikaru had to notice that it wasn't Ash. She opened the door, spotting the tyke right away, a smile brimming on her face.

"Mira!" she beamed as she knelt down and embraced the little Mira in a tight hug. 1...2...3...AW! "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you, Miss Hikaru. Have you found your friends yet?" Was she around when Hikaru rescued Ash?

"They're out there, somewhere. By the way, that was a bit silly to go through the Forest of Silence." From Hikaru's terms, Mira's home was directly across the forest from the towers.

"A brave boy and his mama got me here and beat up those monsters. We met on coincidence." Hikaru was a bit shocked. Ash went out of his way to save a young girl. When Mira said coincidence, it made Hikaru think that Ash acted in a sudden manner, protecting the kid. They looked to a side, eying Ash approaching them. There's a safe bet that Delia was with Clef at this point. It was about time Ash and Hikaru saw eye-to-eye since the battle. Ash got his apology ready.

"Hikaru, look," he gulped, trying to make sure his pride was in place. "I'm sorry about what happened in Autozam. I promise not-"

"Not another word, Ash," she murmured with a hand held out in front, palm facing Ash. Guess she wasn't about to forgive him for his actions. This was one more chance and he got rejected by the hand. "Look, I know that you want to apologize for what happened in Autozam." That's when she peered at an upset Mira, not understanding why Hikaru wasn't letting Ash speak his piece. "Well, to be frank, you did when you brought Mira here." Wait...Hikaru forgave him? Was this what he was looking for? "I'm...sorry I snapped at you. I know that Jessie provoked you into chasing her instead of Pteroblade when she nabbed Pikachu. While I didn't take that act too well, I did understand." Was this Hikaru giving Ash once more chance? He thought so.

"Hikaru, I won't make the same mistake like that again." Hikaru? Grinning like she was ready to save Cephiro.

"I'm counting on that promise." On that, they shook hands. Mira beamed a bright smile, happy to see the two get back to terms. So happy, she hugged Ash in the thighs. Ash couldn't help but smirk at the kid. For them to go to Fahren and tackle Haechaen, their teamwork needed to be up to date as Pikachu and Mokona arrived. It was a sweet moment. Same was absolutely not said about in the chambers where Jessie was still hunched down in that medieval rack. Yet, she continued to struggle to free herself.

"So, what's this about taking Pikachu from my son in the heat of battle?" Delia scowled as she entered the cemented brick room. She circled around to eye Jessie, none happy to see each other.

"Hey, I need Pikachu to get to the boss, alright mommy?" she scorned with a bit of mocking. "I don't care about what happens to the twerp." Oh really? He cared about you when the first nightmare rang up.

"Funny. I recall your motto being 'To prevent the world from devastation.' Sounds to me that you're doing the complete opposite." It did. In shear defiance, Jessie snorted her eyes away from Delia, unwilling to see the truth.

"So what if I am? It's my job as a Rocket to seek rare and valuable Pokémon, and that Pikachu fits the bill pretty well." Was that so? "I'd rather have him over a live volcano with his chestnuts roasting." Delia was pissed...yet she didn't rely on throwing a punch.

"Do it!" Do what?

("Okay, Mom!") Pikachu gleefully chirped. Knowing Pikachu, he's going to shock Jessie. It used Thunderbolt. Hitting Jessie with thousands of watts of electricity, Jessie was getting bolted heavily. You might want to save up on some of that electric juice. With Ash and Hikaru back on similar terms, this next battle was going to be intense.


TO BE CONTINUED... (Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!)