"Stop it," Gary scolded as he flexed his arm a few times while rolling his shoulder.
Ann leaned against the dresser. "I don't like this…"
"I'm not fully healed but healed enough to get out of this bed." Gary pointed out.
"It's only been three days." Ann started to protest and Gary stood, pulling her into a brief kiss.
When they pulled apart he smirked. "I'm not able to use Aura, but I am superhuman in my own ways."
Ann groaned and fell onto the bed ungracefully, "Don't remind me."
"Let me guess," his smirk grew as he sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. "I'm not the only one who's displayed this odd behavior."
"Kaz's ribs are almost healed and Ash's arm is healed. Both of them, Brock, Tracy, and Dawn have heightened senses." Ann confirmed.
"Lovely," Gary winced at the thought of everyone having inhuman hearing. "It's old magic then?"
Ann nodded, "Ancient cultures mention such a thing as superhuman. Something that was between the strength and abilities of a human and a Pokémon: appearance of a human yet power and senses like a Pokémon."
He glanced down at her, "Do you have any heightened senses?"
"To a point but not to the full extent as you and the others," Ann paused and sat up, "Or my brother."
He whirled around to look at her, "Brother?"
She tied her hair back in a braid as she spoke, "Half-brother actually, his senses are of equal level to a Pokémon. Last I knew; he could hear things that were a mile away. His fire attacks were no different."
"You've never mentioned him before." He watched her as she changed from her PJs to one of her gowns- one that didn't require tight lacing in the back.
"Yoru was Clair's second child, Ace wasn't his father. He was raised by an aunt and we didn't see each other often, but when aunty died Ace adopted him. Grandma thought he knew just who Yoru was, but he'd never say it aloud." Ann explained and looked up from the gown's front lacing. "He was a year younger than us: silvery black hair, ice blue eyes, always looked sick."
Gary paused as he searched his memories. "I vaguely remember a boy like that…"
"He didn't leave the farm often. Grandma drilled his magic lessons into his skull. After he learned everything his health got better. He still left for the northern regions first chance he got." Ann tossed a shirt at him and smiled. "C'mon, breakfast is going to get cold."
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"Reports are coming from all over Kanto," Ash sighed, "The whole region went up in flames. Several cities were turned to ash overnight and the surviving towns and cities were forced into submission by Team Rocket and those beasts."
"The safest thing would be to retreat to a friendlier region." Gary pointed out.
Kaz sighed and nodded, "Sadly the only regions that weren't in the first wave of attacks were the regions in the Great North."
"Carvanahavea is one of those regions, correct?" Brock wondered.
"It is," Kaz confirmed, "Perhaps it's best to retreat to Carvanahavea while we think of a plan of attack."
Ash looked up at Ann, "How soon could we get there?"
"It'll take a week for a ship to come our way. I can send an urgent message to Lord Marshal with the request for the fastest moving ship the region has." Ann replied.
Ash nodded with a sigh, "Good, until the ship comes we all should keep a low profile."
"Easier said than done, Ash- Giovanni knows we're still alive." Gary pointed out. "Plus everyone in Pallet knows where we are because we're the only ones with medical supplies."
"Giovanni ran," Brock added, "We're more equipped than he thought."
"Modern technologies have a shorter life now. Dyre's effect on the world has changed it to the way it was six hundred years in the past. Cars will only last for as long as they have fuel, then they'll merely be statues that are a testament to what was." Ann commented without lifting her gaze from the letter she had started to write. "Modern technology will become rare, only way for it to survive would be with turbines."
"We're deadlocked on power then," Kaz sighed, "Giovanni had plenty of bases built by a wind or water source. He can make more of those things but we have the tools and weapons to kill them. It took months for those things to be made in labs."
"Once we get to Carvanahavea we'll look for more ways to make weapons to fight Giovanni. Until then we have to use everything to our advantage." Ash added.
"What about survivors?" Gary wondered. "We can't leave them here to fend for themselves."
"An open invitation will be given. The fastest ship isn't large but is large enough to hold everyone who survived." Ann said while folding the letter, "If there are people who don't want to go then there is nothing we can do."
"But what if there are those who want to stay? Are we going to abandon them?" Dawn wondered solemnly.
Ash sighed, "We can't force anyone."
"If there are a few who wish to stay, I'll leave several of my Pokémon here to watch over them." Ann added.
"We'll spread the word and record how many want to come." Tracy assured and everyone nodded.
"Let's continue our daily lives as if nothing happened. That way if we're being watched Giovanni won't be tipped off." Gary added.
"Agreed," Everyone stated and then went back to what they were doing before.
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Ann sighed as she watched her messenger fly toward the sea. 'Be safe,' she prayed before going down into the basement.
Ancient items were stored among the boxes. Staff here, magical cloak there- not a single bit of space was not storing the protective items.
'Take what I need,' she reminded herself as she pulled out the items she would need before moving the rest of the boxes to the hidden room.
"What is this?" Gary wondered when he found her an hour later. He looked over an oak staff and balanced it in one hand.
"It's called precaution." Ann stated while the wall slid back into place.
He raised a brow, "Alright…What's up?"
She paused, standing in the center of the cement room. Wordlessly she shook her head and moved over to where her gear was.
"Annalisa, tell me." Gary urged.
She shook her head slightly. "It's nothing to worry about. Being clairvoyant is a heavy burden."
"What did you see?" He watched her pick up the messenger bag.
"It's fuzzy but what I could make out told me to be prepared." She sighed and leaned on the stairs. "We'll be getting a visitor."
His brow rose. "Good or bad?"
"Unknown," She sighed and finished the climb back up to the kitchen.
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Brock scanned the small group of townsfolk that had gathered for treatment. 'There must be thirty or so people…'
"We'll run out of supplies at this rate." He sighed and went back to stirring the stew.
Tracy looked up from the blades he was cleaning. "We'll figure something out."
Several people paused when they heard frantic cries for help as a young man ran ahead of two other men, one was heavily leaning on the other.
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The young man, covered in soot and grime, collapsed when he reached the makeshift tent that was made outside of the barn for treatment. Brock knelt next to him then called out to Rene to get water.
"Please, help my father." The man plead before anyone could check him for wounds.
Brock looked up and saw Prof. Oak guiding the two men who were behind the man into the tent. He nodded and helped the young man to his feet, "He's in good hands now let's get you cleaned up and see to your wounds."
Wordlessly the man followed him to a cleaner section of the barn, once there Brock helped him get out of his filthy clothes without grinding the filth into the open gash on his shoulder.
"It came so fast…" he said numbly. "We didn't see it coming…"
Brock nodded silently and when Rene came he met her at the door and took the pail of warm water from her.
"What's your name?" Brock asked after the man was cleaner and as he stitched up his wounded shoulder.
Ice blue eyes looked up from behind dripping grey locks, "Yoru."
"Brock," he said in reply. "You and your father are safe here. There are three members of the Pokemon League here and there are two professors here."
"Tell me, does a woman by the name of Ann still live here?" Yoru asked.
Brock blinked and nodded.
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Dawn and Ash watched as Ann read Dawn's aura and then the infant's. When she sat back both leaned forward more.
"Well?" Ash urged.
Ann smiled at her friends, "I'm no midwife but from what I can tell both little ones are healthy."
Dawn smiled and leaned over to kiss Ash's cheek before he broke into a grin and picked her up- swinging her in a circle.
"Once we get to the castle I'll summon for a midwife to double check, but I'm certain that it's twins." Ann continued, "Congratulations you two." She moved over to the table and started writing down a lengthy script on a page. "Also, when we get to the castle this can be made more official but until then this will do." She stated and handed the document to them.
Ash looked at the semiofficial marriage document, "Thanks so much."
Dawn slid out of Ash's arms to hug the blond, "I wish there was some way we could repay you."
"Seeing you two happy is payment enough." Ann replied as she returned the hug. "If I had a ring to give you two as a wedding gift I would."
Dawn laughed softly just as the kitchen's back door opened. Brock poked his head in, "Hey Ann, there's someone here that wanted to speak with you if you had the time."
Ann nodded and the door opened wider, revealing Yoru. She froze for a moment before stepping away from her friends.
"Yoru…" she breathed softly.
Wordlessly, he walked over to her and embraced her. Yoru drew a shuddered breath, "You're alive." He laughed in insane relief. "Thank god," he squeezed her tight, lifting her up and tucking her head under his chin.
"Yoru!" Ann protested and smacked his back, "Put me down."
Yoru set her down and took a step back, "Where's Re?"
"Living room, but" Ann started and was cut off when he rushed further inside the house.
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When the squeal of "brother" was heard all looked at the blond as she sighed and moved into the doorway to see the reunion- Like with Ann, Yoru embraced Rene and lifted her up into his arms. Rene squealed in delight and wrapped her arms around his neck.
As Ann sat down on the bed Gary was laying in, he raised a brow at her before looking back at Yoru and Rene.
"Yoru, don't get me wrong- this is a pleasant surprise and all…"Ann drifted off briefly and when she had Yoru's full attention she continued. "But what are you doing here?"
Yoru's expression turned solemn as he lowered Rene to the floor, "It's…complicated."
"Humor me." Ann said as she got comfortable and as Rene crawled back onto the bed where she took the book from Gary.
"I overheard Rocket grunts talking about making an attack on Pallet." Yoru explained and he sighed while rubbing his neck. "Actually…I wasn't the one who heard it, someone else heard it and called me."
Ann nodded in understanding, "I thank you for the concern, brother, but this isn't the first time my life has been endangered."
"I know but he insisted on checking on you." Yoru began before the back door flew open. The trio looked at the doorway to the kitchen as a few words were exchanged with whoever entered. Seconds later the severely wounded man that came with Yoru was leaning against the door frame.
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His clothes were shredded, dark blond hair and short beard matted, and dark blue eyes scanned the room. When his eyes fell on Ann's, the dark pools went from being frantic to remorseful. While his voice was silent, he tried to say her name- Mouthing it when his voice had abandoned him.
Ann froze, 'Those eyes…' she looked from the man to Yoru. Yoru's expression went solemn and apologetic. Behind her she heard Gary's quick intake of breath and Rene's soft murmur of 'papa'. From the kitchen she heard Ash try to convince Dawn and Brock to leave to go help Prof. Oak.
"Father," Yoru said worriedly as he moved to keep the man upright. As he did Ann stood and walked toward the back door.
"Annalisa-" The man grasped her wrist, eyes pleading, "-Let me explain."
"There's nothing to explain." Ann stated coldly before she yanked her wrist free. Again she walked to where her boots and coat were.
"Annalisa Meav Carvanha, let me explain." He commanded.
Ann whirled on her heel, "Or what, father? You'll throw me over your knee?"
"Ann," Yoru started before he was knocked back by a wave of wind that was summoned through Aura. As he recovered Ann slid out the door and slammed it shut.
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Gary stood and looked at both men before pulling Yoru to his feet. Ace held his side and attempted to take a step but Gary placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sit down and rest, Ann may not want to hear but I'm sure that everyone else will." He stated. "But first you should get some strength and clean up."
Ace eyed him for a moment before nodding, as soon as he sat down weariness appeared on his face.
"Re," Gary knelt down and looked the girl in the eye. "Can you go get one of the water and fire Pokemon to get a bath started in the upstairs bathroom?"
Rene looked at everyone else in the room and then back at him before she nodded. Silently she left and the moment the back door shut Gary looked back at Ace.
'You have a lot of explaining to do…' He fumed silently as worry for Ann ebbed at his mind.
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Gary sighed when Ace was finished explaining to him, his grandfather, and the others.
Once Ace had cleaned up, shaved and dressed, he looked no different than before minus a scar on his cheek.
"While it was safer for everyone to believe I was dead, I didn't leave my children fully alone." Ace continued. "Yoru found me at one of Ann's tournament battles; it took a lot of convincing for him to keep it a secret. When I caught wind of what Team Rocket was doing I knew it was time to stop hiding. Unfortunately for me, my guise wasn't as well as I thought it was. Several grunts recognized me and decided to chase me down."
Gary frowned, "It may have been safer physically but emotionally it did more damage than the physical ever could."
"Gary" Prof. Oak hissed.
"He's right Samuel," Ace sighed. "What I did was unforgivable- which is why when things were safer I didn't show up."
With a single nod, Gary stood and went over to the back door. After a bit of shuffling he pulled his boots on.
"And where are you going?" Prof. Oak asked.
"Ann doesn't have any of her Pokemon with her and she's out there alone with no supplies either." Gary stated.
"I'll come with." Ace said and he stood. When he got closer to Gary, the younger man punched him- knocking Ace to the ground.
"Gary-"
"She was nearly killed that night as well. She fought a whole civil war against a mess you left her with. And to top it off she had to finish the wars you began- both on a personal level with your wife and then on the professional level as a member of the Elite." Gary stated. "You may be her father, but what you did abdicates your right to even claim such a title. You claim you faked your death to protect your family. My question is from whom? Giovanni still got his hands on her enough times to mar her. He's come close to killing her and if not for her Pokemon pushing her out of the bullet's way she would be- so your sacrifice, the sacrifice of being with your family for eight years- watching your daughters grow up, was useless."
Ace sat on the floor stunned and holding his jaw as Gary grabbed a traveling pack and went to the back door where he grabbed a coat and then the belt that held Ann's Poke balls.
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Gary didn't know why he knew where to go, but he was glad that whatever possessed him knew to go to the shrine. Dragonair knew from the moment he released her. He spoke the place's name and the dragon flew there without hesitation.
From the sky he saw the valley and he saw a duller light among the crystals. As Dragonair got closer he saw that it was a bonfire and motioned for Dragonair to land further away.
When his feet were on the ground, he returned Dragonair and walked toward the bonfire. Ann sat motionlessly before the blaze, watching the flames consume the logs. He was loud enough to alert her that he was there as he made his way to sit next to her, wordlessly moving her slightly cold frame onto his lap.
He pulled the pack off and dug in it for a moment before pulling out a large blanket and wrapping it around her. As he did, he noticed the local Pokemon that had been watching over her but he also sensed a powerful strength in the air. When he looked past the shrine, over a span of water that isolated a single cave, he saw a multi colored shimmer.
"He's sleeping but aware." Ann said in reply to the unasked question. She sighed and curled closer to his chest. "He's pleased to see you're alright."
He nodded and wrapped his arms around her. He sensed Ho-oh's thoughts and felt the words as clearly as if they were spoken, "Thank you for your concern, Ho-oh." He said in reply to the Pokemon thoughts.
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After several minutes passed she sighed, "Were you the only one who was looking for me?"
"Yes, I decked Ace when he tried to follow." He replied and when he felt her muscles clench he rubbed her arm. "He told us, explained his reasoning."
"Do you believe him-that it was better this way?" She asked.
"I don't. I see his reasons and I understand them, but what he did was cowardly. He left you to fix his messes." He held her tighter for a brief moment. "Some of those messes could have killed you."
"But it killed others." She stated sorrowfully. "Their sacrifices have less meaning now, their memory tainted despite the honor that surrounds it. All of those who died in the war…"
"Don't," he cut her off. "Our friends that died wouldn't want to see you filled with guilt. They fought to do something Ace couldn't do- erase the council. If anything, Ace's disappearance was for their benefit because you were willing to act on the council's abuses instead of call them out on it."
"That doesn't change the fact that what he did hurt more than just me. What he did led to the deaths of hundreds if not thousands-and that is not including those who died fighting Team Rocket or going after Giovanni. What he did cannot be forgiven." She stated near hysterics. "Despite everything…I can't bring myself to hate him."
"I know," he pressed a calming kiss to her hair. "I know."
She clung to him, "I can't hate him but I can't trust him."
"Shh," he rocked her gently to calm her. She broke down into sobs and he stroked her hair gently. "It'll be okay, I promise."
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A.N.
Okay, I've been procrastinating. I know, I'm bad- but hey, I'm doing my first Dreams update from film school land. I'll do my best to not forget while doing freelance work and college assignments.
;) Thanks for the reviews while I've been gone guys.
R&R