So, back from my 2 week vacation and now that I'm settled in again, it's time for the [possibly] last chapter of Judicium. I'll admit, I didn't think this part would come to an end so soon, but that's what happens when you do 2 chapters or so a day. What I will be doing with the sequel is writing the chapters in advance like maybe some days, no longer than a week in advance. That way, I'll have less problems with posting if I have to leave again. Though next time I'll hopefully be able to take my computer.
Any way, so it's time me to get this show on the road and start wrapping up. I will be calling the sequel 'Judicium :: The Final Frontier'. Yes, major Star Trek reference but there's a major reason and you'll all see what it is when we get further into it. Please expect a week or so of delay while i iron out the last minute details and pre-write some chapters, I'll post 3 for a start when i have the first 6 chapters written. They will all be one shots, like an episode of sorts and the sequel might not ever have an end to it. I'll keep it open for the foreseeable future and write whatever ideas I get or fans give me to put Ash and his family through. BTW expect some VERY special appearances in this new MEGA-crossover. I got my own world for this guys, too much time on my hands, no life, lots of imagination, and no restrictions in how to get it to work with logic. Oh yeah, it's on like DONKEY KONG!
On with the show, DO NOT OWN POKEMON.
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Chapter 8 :: Acceptance
Cameron City Bridge
Rota, Kanto
3 Days After the Ball
It was a solemn Riley and a [surprisingly] teary-eyed Lady Ilene that saw Ash and his family out of Rota and Mew couldn't help but be cheery regardless of the goodbyes. As far as she was concerned, it wasn't forever and she had more reason to be both smug and cheerful than to be depressed. The little Legend had lived a long time, and experienced more goodbyes than any other Legend but that was because she had never really distanced herself from humans completely. She'd always been fairly open with Rota and Rota had always made her their best kept secret so she was always able to make lots of friends and aquaintances with the palace residents and aura Guardians in particular.
Now this didn't mean that Mew was desensitized to goodbyes, far from it. She hated goodbyes but, at the same time, knew they were often necessary and temporary as well. This one was no exception, she'd likely degenerate into tears later on at some point but for now, smugness it was as she flitted around her clone who was making his very best effort to not descend on little Ashy like a ravening beast.
Mewtwo, for his credit, only glared at Mew before shifting again in obvious discomfort. The little psychic-type giggled like mad as she observed the Genetic pokemon and Ash attempt to ignore the breeding season that had started this morning for them. Now, Mew knew very well what had happened the night of the ball [who didn't? it was audible even through the stone walls and all the way down the corridor and Charizard and Pikachu hadn't been able to look their trainer/brother in the eye without descending into peals of laughter] but this was a whole new ballgame and both Mewtwo and Ash knew it. They were about to make a 5 or so week journey back to Pallet Town and that was Not a time for sickness and extra food.
Mew turned her attention back to the Queen and her [in Mew's opinion, soon-to-be consort/husband/mate whatever humans call it] Guardian Riley just as the farewells were ending and Ash was turning around to start their long journey back. Mew flew over and landed on Charizard's head before settling in for a nap. This was going to be a long trek, and she got cranky and wierd when she was bored, so really her sleeping through most of this was in everyone's best interests.
That still didn't stop the shivers that racked everyone's bodies as they imagined what hell would befall them when she awoke. Mew smirked at them before letting sleep claim her, let the games begin and psychological warfare had always been her favorite for pranks.
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Ash shook his head at Mew's antics but he did have to give her credit, the little Legend could play a crowd. Who knows what she could've accomplished as a human on the mainland. The hybrid boy soon found himself lost in what havoc and fame Mew could have reaped from the mainland before his thoughts turned toward the future. He knew he was going to be a Frontier Brain, even if he had no idea what his symbol or Frontier theme would be, and he knew he was going to go through the Leagues again. It was time to do it all right, and for that, he would have to train his family AND himself, and wasn't that a daunting task?
He needed to reconnect with everyone as a trainer and polish his skills, not only as a trainer this time, but a battler. But, if that was the price he paid for a second chance, then so be it. Ash would pay any price to make sure his pokemon family got the recognition they deserved. They were champions to him, they should be champions to the world. It was no longer just about a little kid's dream anymore, it was about all of them.
Ash still couldn't suppress a shiver as he imagined what hell Pikachu and Charizard would put him through. Those 2 had been roasting him in two way for years, now they had a chance to train him? Oh, Arceus, we are in trouble. And it would all begin in Pallet Town after they all greeted Professor Oak and welcomed him back to the Corral.
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Nearly 5 Weeks Later
Amy wasn't sure what to think, only that she needed to get away as quickly and quietly as possible. Pallet Town was only a couple miles away, maybe she could run thereto hide until it was safe again. The Gardevoir hybrid clung tightly to a not-so-disgruntled Darkrai as Mew flitted amongst the trees in search of her next victim. The little Legend had been kind and sweet for the first 3 or so weeks of their journey but then IT happened. She got bored. At least, that's what Mewtwo had said before teleporting away with what they all could have sworn was a 'glad-it-isn't-gonna-be-me' smirk. Ash had said that he was only going to check on and then return but that was nearly a week and a half ago and the leader of their group had since descended into cursing and mumbling under his breath while evading Mew's 'attacks'.
A dismayed squeak from the front alerted Amy to who had been Mew's latest victim in the pranking spree. Looking to that direction caused Amy to have to bite back what would certainly have turned into howls of laughter, an action that turned out to be pointless once the gravity of the situation caught up with the others as the air was filled with the sounds of howling, wheezing, tittering, and roaring laughter at the sight of Pikachu. It wasn't one to be forgotten either, as the electric type was no longer yellow [in most places]...nor did he seem to look like his breed. Pikachu's fur was dyed in such a way that the closest attempt to describing his color was more akin to describing the section of cloth the rainbow puked on and there were brightly colored ribbons in his fur, one at his throat and one at his ear, all told, he looked like a rainbow sylveon. A very unhappy rainbow sylveon as he glared at Charizard [who was laughing too hard to breathe properly and pointed from where he had fallen over] before promptly and smugly releasing what looked to be a very powerful thunderbolt. The result was a roasted Charizard who glared at the rodent, and the instantaneous silence that fell over everyone as Ash came forward to grab Pikachu and walk in the direction of the nearest river shaking his head.
After Ash's return [now clean Pikachu in tow], things settled down after he had a talk with Mew, possibly to ask her to refrain from more pranking since they were nearly there, a fact Amy [and Darkrai next to her] was very grateful for. It was only an hour or two later, mood still lightened from the bouts of amusement and laughter, that the peak of a windmill came into view, followed shortly by the tops of houses and the open expanse of roads and rolling hills that made up most of Pallet Town. A chorus of cheers filled the air as the stampede began with Ash, Pikachu and Charizard in the lead.
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Oak's Pokemon Corral
Pallet Town, Kanto
Samuel Oak felt a shiver run down his spine as he felt the walls and floor of his laboratory vibrate under the assault of an unseen force but as the elderly professor looked outside, he looked back at Tracey with a smile on his weathered face and said just two words.
"They're back."
Tracey looked at his mentor, confused it seemed, before realization dawned on his face and he ran to the door to greet everyone. Oak followed behind, Tracey would need help [and bandages] if he opened that door before they arrived. Doors, after all, are often a signal to stop [or else run smack into them] when closed.
The vibration ceased and Samuel opened the door, his vision assaulted by the many colors of Ash's pokemon before his eyes settled on the trainer in question. There were seven humans at his door, none of which he gave more than a cursory glance before threading his way towards the white and gold feline with a face-splitting smile adorning his features. He wrapped his wayward grandson [anyone who told him otherwise could bite it, family don't end with blood, nor does it begin with it] in his arms, tears trailing down both of their faces as the long awaited reunion came to a crescendo.
It was a few minutes later that Samuel pulled away and ushered the humans [and Ash] inside while Tracey ushered the pokemon to the Corral through a side gate, getting a infamous Muk 'Hug' in the process before making his own way inside. There he saw Ash and all of his prior travelling companions, sitting next to or around Professor Oak as he introduced the new arrivals to the guest he'd been housing for the last week.
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Scott looked around at the others in the room before making eye contact with Professor Oak and then Ash. Things had definately gone haywire for a while but it was all starting to settle down now. All he had to do now was introduce [or reintroduce] himself to those present and then he could pull Ash aside to brief him about his new position. He ran his fingers over the medallion in his pocket and the etchings of Ash's symbol that ran over the cool gold metal. It definately suited him.
The Battle Frontier was serious business, even if it's members weren't always so, and it was Scott's duty today to make sure that Ash knew what his part was in all this. As well as inform him of the dangers that would still lean against him in his travels and the remaining opposition. There would always be those who took their disagreement to criminal levels but there were also measures that could be taken against them as well.
It was after the sun began to touch the earth and the others were in bed that Scott was able to pull Ash aside [his personal favorite trainer mind you] and congratulate him on beating the odds. Ash, for his credit, remained calm instead of trying to pry it all out of the Battle Frontier's Manager and instead decided to make small talk until the older male was prepared enough to speak. Scott started by handing him a large, golden coin with curved markings on it. Ash looked up at Scott, questions gleaming in chartreuse eyes.
"It's your frontier symbol, guess what it means." Scott's voice was pleased and excited as Ash's eyes lit with realization and he took a closer look at the coin in his white furred hand, the gold was almost the same shade as his stripes but it was the engraving that caught his eyes, just like before. On closer inspection the markings weren't just curved, they were made up of intricate filigree that wouldn't have been visible to someone who wasn't looking for it or, in Ash's case, had excellent eyesight. The shape the filigree network took was that of a bulls-eye, 4 circles all inside one another, the lines of the first and third being the only ones etched in the metal.
"It's circles, all inside one another and the patterns of the filligree are different for the two etched ones. I see it, but all I can think of is a target." Ash looked at Scott, apology written in his expression as the older male just smiled.
"It's a deeper meaning, just like the others, good job on picking up on the differences in the etchings though since those are part of the meaning. It's layers, Ash. Different shells and each one is different from the last, be it in size or patterns. See, this symbol means Change and your purpose will be to test your challenger's ability to roll with the changes you yourself incite in a battle with your unique, or nonexistant if you ask Brandon, strategy. Each circle is different because it's representing a difference you make in the flow of battle. See, it was Brandon who noticed that you have a tendency to start off a battle with testing the waters and using seemingly simple strategies that actually are more complex than first glances reveal. Only by looking past the first glance, and maybe the first 4 glances, will your opponents be able to over come you."
Ash looked at Scott, eyes wide and expression somehow unsure but didn't speak. Scott smiled at Ash and reassured him that once he got back on the bandwagon he'd be just fine, insisting the hybrid was an excellent trainer with a great bond to his pokemon and that he just needed to get 'reacquainted' with the battlefield. Scott's smile dimmed a little as his expression took a more serious edge and he continued with the most secret and important part of the battle frontier.
"Ash, did you ever wonder why we call it the Battle Frontier?" Ash shook his head, clearly he hadn't given it much thought, if he had he might have reached some surprising conclusions.
"Well, we call it that because we explore the final Frontier of the world, the realm of the supernatural. See, there are events and things that go unexplained and unrealized for the most part, especially on the mainland. You might not have covered the mainland in school since you opted to be a trainer, but it goes like this." Scott pulled a map of the world out of his bag and explained about the continents and countries, various differences between them and their names like Japan, China, Germany and the United States.
"Technically Ash, we're a part of what's called the United Nations, the world at large calls us the Poke-Islands, because compared to them, we are tiny little Islands. But, they call us that because our own regions are the only place in the world where you can find pokemon." A chorus of gasps issued from Ash and the apparently eavesdropping pokemon outside. Ash laughed nervously and Scott rolled his eyes before continuing.
"Pokemon aren't found on the mainland because a long, long time ago humans tried to wipe pokemon off the face of the planet. It was a war between the two that was bigger than the one Sir Aaron faced those centuries ago. Pokemon lost but the Legends woke up for the first time since their efforts in molding the world. They gathered all the remaining pokemon in a corner of the world and broke that corner off, bringing it here before deciding to stay awake to watch over their kin. That may be why most Legends don't trust humans much, if at all. Can't say I blame them to be honest. Now, everything was fine until humans once again found the Pokemon and some settled the Island. Those on the mainland refused to have anything to do with those who chose to stay with pokemon and so for a while, the mainland remained forgotten.
"Those humans who stayed with the pokemon had resolved their differences with them, but not with each other. Another war broke out, this time amongst the humans alone. The pokemon who participated did so of their own will this time, not for any other reason. One side built a machine, one that now lies in ruins somewhere in Kalos, buried deep beneath the lush forests. The machine split the Island into 7 pieces that we now know of as Kanto, Jhoto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Orre. The Orange Archipelago was formed like the other little islands among the regions by being shaken off by aftershocks, like earthquakes for lack of a better way of putting it. That's our history up until about 150 years ago when the United Nations contacted us with a treaty of peace.
"Now, this is all important to you, Ash, because this is where you come in. It was the UN that discovered that pokemon have a unique effect on supernatural entities based on their typing. Elemental types won't do much, but a dark of psychic type? Hoo-boy, talk about ghost busting. You wouldn't have noticed, not all of them use them in official battles, but every Frontier Brain has a dark and a psychic type to use when they are sent to the mainland. Here's how it works: The mainland calls the League with a problem or an assignment and the League calls me. I choose which Brain will have a better chance of coming back alive, because make no mistake, this is dangerous stuff. We also have our own problems with things like ghosts, curses, demons, and creatures that have nothing to do with humans or pokemon for their origins but the mainland has the most. So about 8 or so times a year, maybe more, you'll be sent out there.
"Missions are stacked by the way. This means that we get about a dozen calls a month and divide those by type: hauntings, curses, demonic possessions, and creature complaints or infestations. We'll then take each catagory and figure out, by average, how difficult or dangerous those jobs are before assigning them to a Frontier Brain. Brandon, Noland, and Spencer generally deal with creatures and some curses. Tucker, Greta, and Lucy usually deal with a little of everything but hauntings and demons since those are usually tricky. Anabel so far has been the only one who can handle the majority of hauntings and possessions but there's somethings she isn't up for since she's well, human. As humans, we are particularly susceptible to things like ghosts, demons and several very nasty curses. It's generally safer to leave those to organizations like the mainlands X-Men or the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense. This is where you're different and will have to step up some.
"You, Ash, will be working solo sometimes, but half the time you'll be working with one of three organizations. They are the two I mentioned just now and another one called the White Council. We've heard of a guy who can help you with them, mostly because he's on their shit list too, but that's a whole other story. So, you ready for all this Ash?"
At first, it seemed as though the hybrid boy was in shock but Scott knew he was in thought. He knew that there was no way in hell Ash would turn this down now, Scott just hoped his favorite trainer would prove to have a way with diplomacy the way he had a knack for pokemon.
It wasn't long before Ash looked Scott in the eye and said in no uncertain terms that he was in and there was no leaving him out. Scott, for his credit, nodded in silent acceptance before giving Ash a bear hug [gently of course] and wishing him luck as he turned to leave.
"Oh, one more thing, your Battle Facility is the Battle Labyrinth, an ever-changing maze and obstacle course designed to baffle and confuse those who challenge you. I figured it'd suit you with all it's changes and need for adaptability. And, check the mail in about a month. I know you'll be training for your re-entry into the battle circuit but, I need you to look over the surplus missions that were too dangerous for either us or those organizations. You can decide if you want them or not since they're special cases."
With that, the Battle Frontier manager walked out of the lab and started his way home.
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Ash could tell his expression must be stuck somewhere between 'Seriously?' and 'This is going to suck, isn't it?'. The hybrid looked at his starter, the electric type looking back before asking his trainer if Scott was still sane.
"Probably not all the way Pikachu, but at least he's a nice friend. Anyway, it's late and I'm sure that you and Charizard are going to put me through my paces tomorrow." Ash couldn't supress the shiver that ran the length of his spine at his starter's expression.
"Actually, Pikapi. Mew said that she wants first dibs to teach you something special." The expression adorning that yellow furred face was downright sinister and Ash knew that if his skin could be seen through the fur, it would match it in color as his face paled to an unimaginable degree. Arceus was scary, Mewtwo was scarier. Mew? Mew was a veritable nightmare with her versatility, even if she denied that fact saying that Ash held the title of Nightmare King [she'd given him the moniker ever since the Giovanni incident in the Tree].
Ash shook his head, shelving the flood of anxiety at the prospect of being trained, as he walked upstairs to his room in Oak's house. As he threw himself onto the bed, he was lost in a field of dreams and barely noticed it when Mewtwo showed up and crawled in with him, the only sign he had noticed being that the hybrid turned over to bury his face in a lavender furred chest.
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The next day
Ash had always thought he was fairly nimble, also that he was imaginative, but he was quickly being put to shame [very badly and thoroughly might one add] by a small pink Legend with an imagination the size and depth of all the seas in the world. Mew had put him through some stretches before explaining that they would be learning Transform today. Ash had thought it would be easy and, maybe for a naturally born pokemon or psychic, it was but the hybrid was finding difficulty keeping an image of any pokemon in his mind. It was as he was struggling to keep a detailed image of Mew in mind that the little Legend huffed and stopped him saying she had an idea.
"Pikachu, can you come here a moment?" Mew's voice sounded patient, for once reflecting her years of experience, as the electric type made his way over to the two felines.
"Pikachu, I need you to stand still right in front of Ash. Ash, I need you to try holding a detailed image of Pikachu in your mind. I've come to the conclusion that the others weren't working because you weren't familiar with them on an intricate level so I'm hoping that it'll become easier if you try Pikachu first. Then maybe you'll develope a better method of keeping an image in mind for future use. Also, you'll also become familiar with what to feel for when transforming later. Now, START!"
Ash closed his eyes, a clear image of Pikachu in mind, but it was more than a mere image and suddenly, he knew what the others had been missing...heart. The image of his starter was so full and real and nearly tangible in his mind because he knew WHO Pikachu was as an individual. So Ash was starting to think that maybe he'd be able to add those personal touches to others and if he was right, then his only limit might turn out to be how personally familiar he was with the pokemon in question. It was as he was musing on this that he felt it, a small spark and a shift of perception. Eyes still closed, Ash noticed that he suddenly Knew what things were giving off electric currents as well as how much and where it was. He could Feel his starter in front of him, like a thunderstorm condensed into a small mouse, and he could also See the sparks floating around him and touching the air, small tendrils of electricity, barely contained, lifting up as if to feel the air and ground and Ash before snuggling back into their starting positions. Ash gasped and opened his eyes, only to find that he was at eye level with his oldest friend who was brimming with excitement and practically bouncing from foot to foot.
"You did it, Pikapi! Holy Arceus, Father of All! This! Is! So! COOL!" The electric type's feet must have decided it was a time for running, not sitting still, as they carried him swiftly in the direction of the others, presumably to brag about Ash's success and how HE saw it first. Ash and Mew shared a look, shaking their heads, before the little Legend congratulated Ash on a job well done and gave him the now not-as-daunting task of Transforming into Mew.
This time, Ash didn't just visualize Mew. The Origin pokemon was so much more than a mere image, she was spunky and fun [also funny when he wasn't on the receiving end of her pranks] and weird on occasion, the last being a fact that Mew would destroy [or utterly embarass] him for saying aloud [which he would never be stupid enough to do]. The image was clear now, and almost real, as Ash once again felt a spark and the shift. Just like before, the shift left Ash with a slight feeling of vertigo that Mew assured him would go away with time and practice but it was not the feeling of vertigo that took his breath away. No, it was what he Saw and Felt. He could Feel the prescence of the Legend in front of him, the Anti-prescence of Giratina and Darkrai in the field a mile away, the sparks of the minds of his family in that same field and the hurricane of power that surrounded the one he had chosen as Mate. He could See the tendrils and waves of power rolling off the two psychic Legends and nearly had a heart attack at the sheer volume of the two seperately, let alone combined. He nearly yelped when he saw the vacuums surrounding the two Dark type Legends as their Anti-prescence ate away at the stray Psychic energy that got too close.
Ash opened his eyes before he lost himself in those new senses and found it was difficult but still easier to maintain his grounding with his physical senses to offset the psychic ones. The hybrid boy nearly dropped out of the sky when he found himself floating, an amused Mew in front of him.
It took only a few moments for Mew to explain that levitation was like breathing to her species and that must have been something he picked up on when he transformed before she had him practice for hours, turning back and forth between himself and his various family members' forms. It was after a break [during which he turned into a Gengar and proceeded to join his prankster pokemon in fulfilling his namesake all over Professor Oak, Tracey and the rest of his pokemon] that Mew stopped him, a pensive look on her normally carefree face as she descended to the ground.
"Ash, there's something I would like you to try. It's going to be difficult, if not outright impossible, since I can't guide you. And before you ask why, it's because what I'm about to have you attempt isn't something my species can do. But, I'm curious as to if you can for one simple reason. Before Giovanni's success with Mewtwo, humans had already tried to clone me. Whether you think they succeeded or failed, I will leave to your descretion, but two beings came from their efforts. One is a pokemon, a well known one, Ditto. They weren't able to hold their shape since their creators had not actually used my DNA. They had gathered DNA from every type and species of pokemon in the world and basically threw it into a genetic blender. The result was an incredibly unstable pokemon that was also immortal and was capable of breeding with any species or gender. That is why a properly trained Ditto of sufficient age could give even me a run for my money.
"The other creature was not a pokemon. The humans were...disappointed with their failure and decided to try smaller. They took the Ditto DNA composite but combined with the Elements. Now, when I say Elements, I don't mean like types of pokemon. I mean like the Periodic Table, the ones you see in each and every Science classroom and chemistry hall. They took each Element, minus the radioactive or unstable ones, and blended those with the raw Ditto composite. The result was instantaneous. The DNA came to life, multiplying at an exponential rate that baffled and frightened those who watched, rewriting the Ditto Composite with Elemental DNA instead of pokemon DNA. They called it a Doppleganger, it was creature that multiplied by splitting itself instead of the typical means of procreation and could take the form of inanimate objects. The downside was it required an incredible amount of energy to function, energy it took by eating it's creators and any living thing that got close enough to grab. I...want to see if Giovanni took any leaves from those scientists. For your safety, Ash. If he did, your metabolism will sky rocket after this and you would starve to death on even your normal diet and you and I both know how much you eat, Ashy. So, please. Try. Just once." Mew's eyes were sad, nearly filled with tears, and Ash didn't know if it was due to the possibility of Giovanni having committed a worse travesty than originally thought or the thought of Ash dying that got to her so badly but he figured it wouldn't hurt him any to try so try he did.
Ash imagined a lantern like one of the old medieval ones his mother had from her grandmother's collection, 6 panels of black wrought iron joined together by welding with blue tinted glass shielding a small wax candle from the winds. The 6 panels twisting together to a point at the top and welded to a flat, hexagonal bottom. A ring of metal fixed atop the spire of the top for easy attachment to hooks and staves as the panels of metal that framed the glass danced around the blue tinted, tempered material in designs resembling Fluer de Lis. It was as he was recalling all the details and solidifying the image that he felt it, the spark and the shift.
Ash thought his stomach would drop out of his body and take his heart with it as he heard the slightly muted sounds of Mew's tears hitting the grassy ground around them. Ash tried to open his eyes before realized that not only did he no longer have any in this form, but he didn't need them. Just as he had been able to See and Feel the electricity in Pikachu's form and the Psychic and Anti-Psychic energy in Mew's form, Ash found himself able to See what appeared to be heat but on closer glance was really two different networks and he knew what both were. One he could see was the nerves that filled the bodies of each and every sentient being in the vicinity and the other was a glow of sorts, a haze that surrouded and filled everything around him, even the grass and trees around him, but moreso in Oak, Tracey and his pokemon, in shades of vibrant blue.
Ash shifted back and told Mew what he had seen, his breath still coming in short gasps as he tried to come to grips with how badly this could turn out. The hybrid's train of thought was derailed when he felt two tiny paws grip his head firmly as Mew spoke in a quiet and serious voice.
"I will explain what happened to the others, don't mention it yourself, we don't want to shock or scare them though the latter of those two is the more likely one. The first network you saw is one I expected, the second is both unexpected as well as encouraging. That, Ash was aura sight, as you well knew from your training with Riley, and it's pleasing and unexpected for that to be something you would see with in an inanimate form without trying to activate it first. Either way, now we know, I would like you to keep practicing with inanimate forms while I go inside and instruct the good Professor on what measures should be taken for your new diet."
At that, Mew flitted inside, leaving Ash to his own devices and the hybrid boy smiled as his brain made a decision to get a little...creative with practice.
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1 Hour Later
Mew flew back outside after a long conversation with the Professor who seemed just a millisecond short of lighting a light bulb in his own brain as he had whipped around and started mumbling under his breath and writing furiously in his little black notebook. As she got outside to where she'd left Ash, she panicked when she saw he was gone, the others would blame her if he got away for a 'Gengar Pranking Spree' on her watch again.
The little Legend searched all over before resorting to using her Psychic senses and gasping when she realized he was right where she'd left him. She flew back and looked carefully, confirming once again that he was Right There before letting loose a Screech of the ages. She was dumbfounded when the hybrid boy popped out a shadow being cast by the tree several feet away from them, slick looking black melting into existance from the shadows of many leaves and branches. He had been hiding as an inanimate ooze of sorts, had altered his coloration to exactly match those shadows, and had successfully moved with them when necessary. Mew was...Impressed didn't quite cut it here. This was prodigious.
Ash just sat there, looking a little the worse for wear and rubbing his ears, fervently trying to get them to stop ringing most likely, and Mew dutifully scolded him before moving on to grill him on how he'd done that, how he'd thought to do that, why he'd done it to her and not, say, someone who deserved it like Gengar or Charizard [the former who had pranked her and the latter who had called her 'kitty']. After she'd gotten the appropriate answers and done the right amount of scheming for a future prank against both Gengar and Charizard, she let him off the hook and the two followed the rest of the family for dinner and then went inside for bed.
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Pikachu had a lot of things he could say about the past 3 and a half weeks. One was that he had never laughed as hard ever in his life as he did when Mew and Ash pranked both Gengar and Charizard in the same day. The little Legend had said she couldn't find Ash and asked where he was or if they'd all seen him. Charizard had shot off to the skies to look that way and searched the forest while Pidgeot had stayed above Pallet to keep a bird's eye view that way. Gengar had looked just confused and worried for about 5 minutes until his eyes widened with fear along with everyone else's as the Ghost type whirled around to see a black mass emerging from his shadow. It had been a very chilling sight at first, to see that black mass emerging from the grey, it's color gradually turning darker as it reached the 'top' and two long, spindly arms with clawed fingers sprang out from it's sides and grabbed Gengar's face, scaring the Ghost pokemon out of his wits, before planting a big kiss on his purple cheek and shifting it's shape in a glow of white light. Ash had been standing there in the black mass's place when the light died down and Gengar had just stared at the white and gold feline along with everyone else before they all descended in maddened cackles.
Charizard had come right after as the victim as Ash's ears had perked up and a sinister smile stretched across his white furred face before transforming back and giving a 'play along' gesture to everyone else. It really hadn't been difficult since that form was so damn creepy, no, not creepy, Creepy. With a capital C. Charizard had landed and looked around to see everyone huddled together in front of a black Creature that seemed to be made of shadows that had long, spindly arms with long fingers tipped in gruesome claws and a sinister smile filled with razor sharp teeth underneath glowing red eyes and a top hat. To his credit, the Flame pokemon had shot off a flamethrower that made those in the know wince until they noticed, with barely or well-concealed shock, that there had been no damage as the Creature slithered forward croaking 'ba-ba-ba-DOOK-DOOK-DOOK'. The fire type's eyes had widened with fear and he'd scrambled back to get as far away as possible before Pikachu had been the one to ruin the charade [he'd paid for it as Darkrai had been the one to smack him, the Dark Legend had been enjoying a wonderful display of fear-pranking] with a howl of laughter at the expression on his friend's face. This had cause Charizard to look at the electric type like he'd gone nuts before looking at the now shaking Creature before him as it was enveloped in a white light that died down to reveal his trainer who had then collapsed into a lengthy series of breathless giggles that absolutely Killed any anger the fire-dual type had in the situation. That had been an awesome Series of Events, there was no other way of putting it and even Charizard had given Ash praise on a clever Transformation form.
The second thing Pikachu had found noteworthy was training their trainer, though he hadn't been the only one who'd had a field day with it since Charizard had gotten some [admittedly, well-deserved] payback for the prank the day before as he 'tested' Ash's 'evasion skills' with 'well-placed and timed' Flamethrowers. Now, when Pikachu said 'tested', he meant 'tormented in a mean-playful-mean-funny kind of way', when he said 'evasion skills', he meant 'Ash's seeming ability to take a lot before deciding to Teleport out the way or shapeshift into a spattering of flames clinging to grass before being forced out of it', and when he said 'well-placed and timed' Flamethrowers, he really meant 'Overheats and Flame Wheels that flooded and burnt anything within a few dozen yards'. So yeah, Charizard had his few hours of training during which Ash had actually gotten the upper hand and beaten him, much to the Flame pokemon's chagrin. After that, Pikachu [and Charizard since he'd gotten his revenge] had tried to teach Ash about Fire, Electric, Steel, Normal, Flying, and Fighting type attacks. To their surprise that part had succeeded after only a couple of days, after which the two had enlisted the help of the other in shifts to teach the other attacks from other types so he could learn them all. The greatest help had come from Mew who, after Ash had gotten a handle on the feel and use of the different types in battle, had taught their trainer not only all the attacks she knew personally [which was all of them] but helped him balance thinking like a pokemon and a trainer at the same time. According to Ash, it had been difficult at first to pay attention to literally everything [the field, the opponent(s), the attacks, attack trajectory, projected future attacks, position(s) on the field, debris, command sequences (Pikachu had commanded Ash to show what it was like and had shown a surprising aptitute for matching Ash's own battle style), and condition of his own health vs. that of the opposition], but after experiencing both the trainer and trainee part of the field he had caught on quickly enough. Mew had been satisfied that he'd be able to win in a tournament or Gym battle, so much so she had declared trainer over and that had been just 2 days ago.
Now, Pikachu had just been spending the remaining time the way he would spend it until they left, basic training [to keep all their skills up, use it or lose it they say] and watching Ash anxiously check the mail 3 times a day, every day. Today was different though, today they were seeing off Misty, Brock, Dawn, May, Max, Iris, and Cilan as they all went back home. To their credit, Pikachu had to acknowledge that they'd stayed for the duration of the crisis and, honestly, they weren't needed here anymore. The electric type listened as they all said goodbye to his trainer and brother before walking out the door amidst teary farewells before turning his attention to Amy, who they had all believed would be leaving as well, until the normally quiet Gardevoir hybrid spoke up firmly.
"I don't have anywhere to go, to be honest. I would much prefer to stay here, with all of you, and join you on your travels Ash. I think I can find my home and purpose here." Amy's voice had been soft, but unyielding and she had cast very pensive glances in Darkrai's direction. Pikachu's eyes went wide and he whipped his head in Mew's direction making eye contact and trying to silently ask if that was seriously insinuating what he believed. Mew had only looked back at him, a gleam in her eye, as she smiled innocently and most likely began plotting the best way to play matchmaker for Darkrai and Amy. And if he was being honest, Pikachu was doing the same thing from where he sat on the couch on the other side of the room.
Ash had followed his friends outside after that, only to come tearing back in a few minutes after the sounds of cars had vanished in the distance, a manilla envelope with a bright red 'Classified' stamp across it in his white paws. Everyone watched with baited breath as he opened it with shaky fingers and wide eyes perused the contents.
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Ash had been both waiting for and dreading this moment, when he finally discovered just how deep he was in for and how bad and only Mewtwo's reassuring paw on his shoulder brought him out of his mild, panic-induced, reverie. He opened the envelope and tried to still his shaking hands as he brought out the pages, of which there were 6. One page was a letter that read as follows:
"Dear Mr. Ketchum,
As the President of the Pokemon League it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Battle Frontier as the newest Brain and my solemn duty to remind you of your responsibilities. When you recieve missives containing missions, they will also contain your tickets for travel as well as information on locations for your stays in the alotted cities, states, and countries. If you are investigating a building that is livable, you will be staying in it as is the case in one or more request you have been sent today.
Normally, it is not an option to decline but, due to the danger and difficulty of the enclosed requests, you may choose to take all, some, or none at all. None of these choices will affect future engagements or opinions regarding your capability to perform your duties.
I look forward to seeing you at the next League Ball in August and hope all goes well with your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Charles Irwin Goodshow
President of the Pokemon League"
Ash then looked at the next paper in the stack which was more a note than a letter and read: "I also hear you'll be competing in the battle circuits again, Ash. Good Luck and I'll be rooting for you. P.S. Scott says hello. -Charles." Ash smiled and shook his head, dumbfounded, before turning his attention to what could only be 4 cases that had been deemed unsolvable to their danger and difficulty. The first was about a haunted house in Tokyo, Japan where a Saeki family used to live before the father found out his wife had been fascinated with another man and killed her before drowning his son and the family cat. The second was about a cursed tape that apparently killed those who watched it and was located around Seattle, Washington in the United States. The third was about an immense manor house [more aptly called a castle, Thornewood Castle to be specific] that was responsible for more than 25 deaths or disappearances in the last 60 or 70 years, located on the outskirts of the Sea-Tac area in Washington [again]. The fourth was likely the most disturbing and was located in Amityville, New York, specifically at 112 Ocean Avenue. Apparently a man, or boy depending on how you look at it, named Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed 6 of his relatives before being arrested and telling the police the 'voices' told him to do it. Later on, 13 months later to be precise, George and Kathy Lutz moved in and left not even a few months later without much in the way of explanation until they called the UN and the UN called the League.
Ash let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding as the information sank in and he noticed his hands weren't shaking anymore. Instead, the papers were crinkled in his grasp, nearly tearing from the pressure and Ash had to force his hands to let go as he put the papers down on table in front of him. He looked up to meet a myriad of shocked, frightened and determined expressions and came to the conclusion that, in his own shock, he'd been reading aloud. Now that he'd read the reality of what he would be doing, Ash knew he wouldn't be turning these requests down. People had been hurt, people had died, and if he didn't at least try to do something to stop it then any further blood or mishaps were on his hands. He met the eyes of his family and nodded before getting up from the couch. He had some calls to make.
Tomorrow, he would start his journey anew, and soon after, he would be leaving to go to the mainland and partake in some of the most dangerous places in the world. Ash knew three things for certain: one; he wouldn't be alone since his family would be with him, two; this was going to be one hell of an experience, and three; he Really needed to pack well this time, no more pissing around.
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END of the Final chapter of Judicium.
Almost sad to see it end, but it isn't really over is it? :3
Besides, I've practically sketched out the first 4 or 5 chapters of the sequel for you guys. I'll be taking requests for future chapters concerning what to put Ash through. Give me a movie or book title and I'll either read it, watch it, or research it to incorporate it if I think it fits. All creature, haunting, demon, and curse material is acceptable and it doesn't have to be in english is it's a movie. There are subtitles for a reason, and I love to use them. So here's the challenge. BRING IT ON!
Until next time, Enjoy.
