Chapter 14: The Cold Calamity
Time went by like wind in the air. Morning soon turned to noon before anyone could even notice.
While Brock was making his special brunch meal (everything he makes is special) Ash lay down on the soft grass as his wounds were being treated. "Yeowww!!!" Well… I didn't say he had the best treatment now did I?
Ash was yelling out like a cry baby as May cleaned up his wounds. The cuts and bruises he got from the big chase were deep. "Oh stop crying, it's only a small wound for crying out loud!" May gave the wounds a few more disinfectants before putting band-aid over it. "There, all done!"
Just as Ash got up, Duplica came by and placed one more band aid on Ash's face. "That's for luck!" she said with a smile. Ash blushed slightly to her child like attitude. His left arm was patched up quite well by May but that was all he wanted. He didn't want to be a burden to the group so he pretended to be fine by doing some streches. Dawn warned him not to take things too far or his wounds will open up again. After a reassuring smile by the young boy they all went back to camp which was a little far from the ruins. Brock just finished cooking his stew.
Tracey burst into tears as he took the entire plate and stuffed it in his face. For the past three weeks he's been eating nothing but scraps while working in the ruins. Brock's stew was the first real food he had in a long time. The gang laughed at him but Tracey ignored them as he was enjoying every last bit of his food. Just then, Todd came by and took a picture of Brock's lovely stew. He was gonna recommend it to the restaurants back in Kanto. Brock blushed at all of his friend's compliments.
"Hey Tracey, you were researching on a message left by some legend right?" Todd was now getting excited. Tracey nodded dumbly in return, "Well, do you mind if I took a picture of some of the tapestries there? I want to print an article about it!" the idea of publishing a story was a fantastic idea. The others agreed to his plan. Tracey was impressed of himself and agreed to show them what he had found out in the ruins which he calls, 'The Relic'.
While the humans chit chat over breakfast, Pikachu, with his highly powerful ears, detected something near him. He looked around but saw no one that looked suspicious. "Pika?" (What was that?)
"Pikpika?" (What was what?) Sparky added. Pikachu just rubbed its ears, thinking that it was just the wind.
Just when he was about to return to eating, he saw something sparkle on his bowl. A pendant that seemed to be part of a bigger set was strangely placed on his bowl. It had the image of a Moltres on it and not only that, it was even made of silver!
Pikachu grabbed the mysterious pendant with his mouth and gave it to Ash. "Hey buddy, what ya got there?" he saw the pendant dangling on his Pikachu's mouth and took it.
"What is that Ash?" Max said still half way through with his sandwich, "Dunno, but it looks cool!" May glared at the beautiful pendant with amazement. Her eyes were clearly saying, 'I want it!' Ash noticed May's undivided attention on the pendant and smiled. He took it off his wrist and handed it to her with a smirk. "Here May, you can have it" the brown haired girl blushed with excitement,
"Huh? No Ash, your Pokemon gave it to you so it should be yours" she said those words hesitantly but Ash knew her better than that,
"That's true, and now I'm giving it to you. Besides, take it as thanks for fixing me up hehehehehe" May couldn't possibly get any redder than how she was now. She gracefully accepts the pendant and gave a stare to everyone that screamed, "NO ONE TOUCHES THIS! THIS IS MINE AND MINE ALONE, AND IF YOU DO I'M GONNA HURT YOU SO BAD NO ONE IN THE WORLD WOULD EVEN RECOGNIZED YOU!"
Just beyond their sight… a single figure chuckles with glee as it disappears into the darkness of the forest.
After breakfast, Tracey decided to give them a tour around The Relic for a closer observation. Todd took several photos of rock patterns and wall carvings. Tracey handed them flu masks to cover up the smell from the old ruins. It was damp and it looked like the place hasn't been used for over centuries. "Alright guys, this is the thing I wanted you to see" he pointed his flashlight onto the west wall where the tapestries were a bit different from the others. The whole gang looked at it with awe but none of them were like Ash's. "This is the work I've been translating for the past three weeks. And so finally! I was able to know what the people of the old were trying to say!" just before Tracey could begin his translation, Ash cut him off.
"May the people who read this spread the words of this message. I leave this world with a heavy heart and I will not find peace. So long as humans shall remain impure … I will return. I will be their judge, their jury and their executioner if need be. I shall be the darkness of man and their darkness shall be their downfall. For when they are gone… the others shall be free… Hsa…"
Tracey's face twitched with humiliation. "Th… that's… that's right! Ha… how did you do that?" Ash didn't reply, he just stood there… shock on what he just said. Pikachu stood on his shoulders trying to get a response but Ash wasn't there. His body was, but his soul was gone to another dimension.
Ash floated down on the wide open field once again. The Pokemons came back and everything was beautiful. Even Chu was there! "Hey Chu, how's it been?" Chu looked up to him and smiled he ran towards Ash to give out a big hug but then… he just passed through him. Ash was a ghost… more of a spirit to be exact. He turned around and saw Chu hugging one of his friends. He was about Ash's height and age. He was wearing a crown and a royal gown that made him look like a prince in king's clothing.
The moment Chu let go, the boy lifted up his head. Ash nearly had a heart attack when he looked at the boy. It was like looking at a mirror except it had a hologram ability that would make you see yourself in the clothes you want. "Come one Hsa, the water is great!" said Chu with a giant smile on his face.
"Don't worry Pallet, the world isn't gonna run away hehehehe" the king who is now known as Hsa said to Chu/Pallet.
"But the sooner we play the more time we'll have!" the kid yelled out jumping up and down like a kindergarten student out on recess, "Come on I'll show you the new Pokemon babies! (pulls Hsa to a nearby meadow) See? Look look over there! (sees a lot of newly born Pokemons playing with each other) Aren't they cute?"
"Yes they are" Hsa agreed with him almost instantly. The newly born Pokemons were sleeping peacefully on the meadow scratching each other like brothers and sisters, "Come on let's go play already!"
As the two childhood friends played tag with each other, Ash felt a warmth that was coming from inside of him. Like he could feel what the other Ash look-alike was feeling. He couldn't help but be happy for Chu. He gave out a smile that would've lasted him a life time.
Just as the two played around on the field another figure approached the two friends. A man twice as tall as Hsa with a cape that flowed freely through his back approached them with eyes that could cause even the Gyrados to keep quiet. "I told you not to disturb us!" Hsa shouted out to the man, he bowed slightly with an evil grin,
"I'm sorry your majesty, but the council requests your presence immediately…"
"Then they can wait, I'm currently enjoying myself right now. Now leave us!" the man took the words hard but kept his pose,
"The council says that it is of utmost importance…"
Hsa was clearly getting irritated by the man's presence. Pallet/Chu was also scared of him. "Very well… tell the council I'm coming" the man walked away still keeping his grin up. Hsa approached Pallet with a sad look in his eyes, "I'm sorry Pallet, but we have to cut our game short for today"
Pallet was on the verge of crying, "But why?! You said you were gonna play with me all day!"
"I know I did, but I also have my duties. Please don't cry on me" but Pallet already had tears falling down his cheeks. He sniffed three times before facing his friend,
"Then promise me!" Hsa tilted his head in confusion, "Promise me that you'll come back and play with me!" Hsa smiled back and nodded in reply, "Pinky swear!"
Ash looked at the two best of friends as Hsa departed. In a few moments Ash grew blind by the bright light that suddenly appeared. He covered his eyes and looked away as the room and scene around him slowly changed. He was now in a room with a giant round table with four old men sitting on their respective chairs. Ash's eyes focused on the current events and was taken by surprised when he saw Hsa slammed his fist on the table, "I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT!!" said the young king to the elders.
The council members were not surprised to see the boy react so furiously, "This meeting has no point, no matter what you say I will never allow it!" Hsa was angered… then one of the council members spoke up,
"Your highness, if I may be so bold. If we do this, then our chance of survival will greatly increase…"
"So you're saying that us humans deserve the chance to live while the Pokemons suffer?! Never! This meeting is over!" Hsa began walking towards the door with four Lucarios following him.
He was suddenly blocked by the hooded red eyed man. One of the Lucarios took up fighting stance immediately until he was interrupted, "So are you saying that you are going to abandon the human race?" said another councilor.
"I did not say that… councilor" Hsa countered back at him. He then walked around the hooded man and left the room without another word.
"I knew he would never approve…" said the other councilor,
"How are we going to deal with this? The kingdom will surely be destroyed if we do nothing!"
"The king is unreasonable! He cares more about the Pokemons than his own kind!" the room went silent for a short while until the hooded man decided to speak.
"Perhaps… I could make a suggestion…" they all turned their attentions to the hooded man as he gave out an evil grin, "What plans do you have this time… councilor?
Just before he could speak, the hooded man turned his attention to Ash. The young trainer could feel his eyes gazing right through his soul. Ash took a few steps back before the scene flashed again with a bright light. Ash once again tightly closed his eyes and waited.
The boy soon found himself standing on a hill top over looking an ancient city. A dark and powerful storm shadowed the city, making it impossible to travel. Ash soon found himself to be surrounded by a greater numbers of Pokemons. Thousands… perhaps even millions of Pokemons looked at the direction of the city. The four Lucarios stood side by side. These four were different from the other Lucarios. They wore armors and had blades attached to their arms.
"We have failed…" said Lucario Y.
"Do not blame yourself… it was his majesty's wishes" the green Lucario tried to cheer him up but failed
The pink one was the one taking it the hardest, "Still… we have failed on our duties"
The three of them began to draw out tears. The White Lucario who seemed to be the eldest of the three came up front. He had a scar on his left eye and katar blades on both of his upper paws. "We must go my friends…" the others nodded in reply, he took from his back a large bundle of amulets (12 pieces) then place it in a wooden box and gave it to the large bird like Pokemon, "Take these with you… and we shall wait for his return" the Ho-oh gladly accepted the box and flew into the distance. "Go… great bird of life. Find our king and we shall be ready!" in just one blink of an eye the Pokemons disappeared along with the next flash of lightning. Ash looked around but saw no one. He walked around the open plains aimlessly until he saw… Chu.
The boy was crying openly under his arm with his head between his legs. He didn't say anything… he just sat there crying over and over. Ash tried to comfort him but he forgot that he wasn't able to touch anything. Chu stood up and wiped away the tears from his face. He yelled out in an intelligible language in anger and sadness. He yelled as loud as he could to the dark sky and raised his arms against it. Once he finished, the lightning struck down directly at the boy. Ash covered his eyes and yelled out in panic, "CHU!!!!" in a mere instance he was back… back to the ruins where it all began.
Ash felt an unbearable embarrassment when he saw his friends starring at him confusingly. He placed his hand behind his head and smiled, "Uh… so what did I miss?" it seemed he was gone for hours but in reality he was only standing there for one minute.
Dawn sighed, "Well that's Ash for ya" she thought. She had known Ash to be quite a day dreamer during her travels with him back in Shinou region. "Well I guess he hasn't changed much ever since that day he left. But who woulda thought that he'd be such a great trainer. He's so cute and cuddily when he's sleeping and so handso… WHOA! What am I thinking?! I gotta shake this off or he'll know! Or worst yet… maybe they'll know!"
Just when Ash recovered from the unnatural trauma, he decided to shake the feeling away and just thought of those visions were just his minds playing tricks on him. If people knew about this they would really have a reason to call him dense!
(Back in Pallet town, Professor Oaks place)
Delia stared out into the distance, watching every Pokemons Ash had caught in the past four years of his life. He was able to catch the smallest of bugs to the biggest of birds. Delia looked beyond the ranch where a storm cloud had gathered. It didn't look like to be heading towards Pallet town but it was still unnerving. She worried constantly about her son the moment he left the house but this time… it was different. A cold chill on her skin, the constant sweating and the increase of heat beats. This was all clear signs that something bad was going to happen to her little boy.
The professor hung up the telephone after he had talked to the two Jennies. They have been staying at his lab for a few days ever since their encounter with the Pokemon thief. One of them had a sprained ankle and the other had a twisted arm. They help around the house and dress up as normal regular people. Delia helped them change their hair style so they would look different and the professor wouldn't get mixed up all the time. One had a ponytail and the other had it pigtailed.
"Well I finally got it Delia" said the professor, "I managed to book four tickets for Valmarian city by next month! You wouldn't believe how much people would pay just to get th…" he soon noticed that the woman wasn't even lisening to a thing he was saying, "Delia?"
"Huh? Oh professor, were you saying something? I was just thinking hehehe" she forced out a smile from her heart but Sam could read her like a book.
"You're worried about Ash again aren't you?" Delia nodded in defeat, "I wouldn't worry too much about him, he's faced danger many times and has managed to overcome even the greatest of obstacles this world had to offer"
Delia pouted her lips with a slight irritation, "You know… that isn't exactly making me feel better professor!"
Sam laughed at her comment, "Well worrying about him won't exactly make you feel any better now would it? Besides, I think Ash would also be worried if he saw you like that"
Delia was surprised by the old man's last statement. She knew what he was saying is true. If Ash saw her like this he would quit the league without second thought and come back to see her right away. After realizing this, Delia pulled herself together and let out her sunny side take over, "You're right professor, I should be more spirited just like my Ash should be!"
Sam was happy to see Delia's smiling face again, "See that wasn't so hard now was it. Anyway, I managed to book us four tickets for Valmarian city"
"Four?" Delia stopped herself and looked at the professor with a quizzled look,
"Yes, the Jennies are also coming with us. No one would want to miss this opportunity to see the league that only comes one in five years"
"Besides, we haven't had a vacation ever since the Pokemon thief came" said the first Jenny who came from the back door
"I hope we won't cause too much trouble" followed the second younger Jenny
Delia let out a soft smile in agreement, "Oh not at all, you two have been helping me and Mr. Mime with the house so I think it's appropriate"
"That's great! Because we're gonna have a family reunion there!" said the second Jenny. When they said family reuonion, Delia and Sam thought it was gonna be a few Jennies but when she held out a picture of the her entire family lineage, the professor's jaw dropped to the ground with a huge thunk sound.
"Family… reunion?" he managed to stutter out. Delia simply took the picture and squeeled in delight
The older Jenny smiled and nodded her head, "Yes, all our sisters will be there to guard the stadium and we wouldn't to miss this kind of opportunity now would we sis?"
"You bet Jenny!"
Sam gave out a large sweatdrop from his head. In his life time, he had only seen one or two Jennies at a time. Delia chuckled at the two police officers as she couldn't wait to see the entire family.
(Somewhere along the road to Mauville city)
"Come on everyone, there's a Pokemons center just ahead!" Brock shouted at the rest of the gang who were falling behind. A freak storm suddenly appeared during their stay in The Relic. The rain poured down on their camp site and the nasty wind blew most of their supplies away. Drew used his purple jacket to cover him and Max as the storm grew stronger.
Misty could've sworn she saw the clouds forming a face of a person with and evil grin. She was terrified by it. Togepi cried to Misty, telling her to move but she couldn't. It was as if she was hypnotized by one of Alakazam's amnesia attacks. Suddenly a branch broke off from a tree and flew right towards her. Ash quickly saw the branch and WHAM! he used his back pack as a shield and covered Misty from the impact. The branch flung right over and crashed onto a sign post,
"Come on Misty wake up! Let's get to the Pokemon center before things get worst!" the water Pokemon trainer was snapped right back into reality. Ash quickly took her hand and pulled her against the wind.
The entire group arrived at the Pokemon center wet but safe and unharmed… well not exactly. Ash's arms were in severe pain from the impact from the branch. Even though the stuff in his bag were enough to suppress the branch from hitting him but the force it gave out a made his hands a little numb. Brock massaged his arms a little bit with a little technique he learned from his dad. Ash felt Goosebumps coming out as he heard the cracks Brock made. He felt like his arm was now just a play toy for a Pokemon to chew on but after a few cracks… boom the pain was gone.
"There ya go, feel any better?" Brock stated out. Ash twisted his arms a few times and nodded with amazement. "Wow Brock, my arm feels like new! How'd ya do that?!"
"Just something I learned back when I was in pre-school Ash takes off his jacket (sees Ash's unusal tattoo) Hey Ash, where did you get that mark on your arm?" the boy also stared at the tattoo, seeing that it some how grown into onto his arm.
Ash was freaked out but kept his face calm and collected. He didn't want to put himself in an awkward position. "I don't know either, I've had it for a long time now"
"Well why don't you remove it, tattoos doesn't really suites a guy like you" Brock crossed his arm raising one eye brow at his friend,
"I tried Brock! I used a whole bar of soap and it still won't come off!" Ash tried to defend himself.
"Why don't we see Nurse Joy, maybe it's some kind of infection"
"Don't be silly Brock if this was an infection I would know"
"Oh no you don't mister! (Drags Ash to the counter) Nurse Joy can you do a little check up on my friend Ash? He has this strange infection on his right arm"
"I told you it's nothing!" the boy protested but failed
Nurse Joy took a look at the infection and analyzed it with her own two eyes, "Well I never actually treated people but I believe I can give him a check up. Just let me finish changing and I'll be right with you"
"Oh when you're done maybe you and I could (Gregguru punches him) Oh… my stomach feels numb… (falls to the floor)"
Nurse Joy gasped at the poor man's misfortune, "Oh dear… Ash do you mind if I treat this man first?"
"Sure no problem Nurse Joy, just take your time"
The Chanseys took Brock into the treatment room where they used their special abilities to heal him.
While Nurse Joy was busy with the squinty eyed boy Ash took a relief sigh. He's been blasted by powers that could destroy cities, turned into stone, bashed by a horde of Tauros and even drowned in the ocean but he was always afraid of doctors and nurses. He could already imagine the shots he received when he was still a kid he never liked to go to hospitals ever since.
Just when he was on a short road trip on his memories, a hand tapped his shoulders. "Hey Ash, wanna talk for awhile?" it was Duplica. She was still holding one of her Dittos on her arms like Misty holding her Togepi like a baby. They walked onto the second floor balcony where the atmosphere was breath taking. There was a roof over the balcony so they didn't have to worry about getting wet. Well… they were already wet when they got there anyway.
"So Ash… are you excited about the Valmarian league?" she spoke out with her usual smile. What kind of a question was that?
"Of course I'm excited! Who wouldn't be? This league comes only once every five years, and if I win this I will…" he stopped like he didn't want to finish his sentence, "I'll… I'll become a Pokemon master!" he said it out loud.
Duplica looked at the boy as he did his heroic pose. Pikachu jumped on his head (Pika pikachu!) The little mouse wanted to remind Ash not to get too careless like he did the last time. When he fought the Elite Four at the Indigo Plateau he was bursting with pride after beating the first two. Agatha and Blaine were his first competitors. Agatha was the first of the Elite Four that Ash fought back in Varidian city. He remembered the fight very well and remembered how her Gengar was able to withstand so many attacks. He lost at first but after two years of non-stop training he was able to beat her with ease.
Ash could also remember when he offered to be also one of the Elite Four. Some of them were already grand parents and were ready to give up their title for a nice retirement home. Ash honestly refused to them. Being an Elite Four would give him all the luxury and fame he wanted but Ash wanted more. It was like a thirst of power that couldn't be quenched by mere titles. He needed to prove himself to the world that he was the best of the best and the only way to prove that was to win the Valmarian league and finally earn that title.
Ash looked at Duplica with the determination flaming up again. Duplica could see the seriousness of Ash. When she looked at the trainers that she passed by she could see their determination burning like a torch but Ash was not like them. His determination wasn't like any torch. It was burning… burning brighter than a thousand suns put together. Duplica couldn't help but blush brightly. She traveled with him to get to know the boy a little better before moving on, but she didn't need to interrogate him. Every answer was right there in his golden eyes.
"Umm… Ash…" she said quietly, "Do you want to uh…" just before she could ask her question Max popped in from behind,
"Hey Ash, do you mind helping me with May's Eevee? She's loose again and we can't find her!" Duplica cursed the boy in her mind. She was just about to ask Ash for a date and this guy pops in from nowhere!
"Sure thing Max, where did it go this time?" Ash rushed in with Max and searched the lobby. Drew was chasing the little furry Pokemon along with Richie but they didn't get close to it. The Eevee jumped onto a cabinet and started barking at them.
"Eevee, come here come to mama. No one's gonna hurt you" May tapped her legs as a gesture of good will to the little Eevee but it didn't work. It just kept barking louder and louder.
In a few seconds, Ash and Max arrived on scene, "Hey May what's wrong with Eevee?" "I don't know I let it out of its Pokeball with the others but then it began acting strange on me" the little Pokemon growled at both of them like it was preparing to attack.
"Whoa ok… Hey May, why don't you try calling it back to its Pokeball" May slapped herself mentally, it would've been so much easier if she'd known that earlier, "Oh yeah, that's right! Eevee return!" but the little Pokemon refused to give up. It dodged the beam of light and jumped off the cabinet. It quickly ran out of the door and before anyone noticed Ash, May and Drew ran after it,
"You guys (pant) go on… (pant) without me…" Richie was exhausted after chasing the little critter through the entire building. He sat on the nearby bench and waited for his friends to return.
Eevee ran a few kilometers away from the Pokemon center with Ash right on its tail. On May's mind she could only think on what she had done to make her Eevee run for its life. She didn't do anything wrong, she just let it out of the Pokeball to get some fresh air like everyday. While dozing off into dream land, the entire group stopped as the Eevee was backed into a corner. Drew took a little step closer to it but that was a wrong move. Eevee kicked a pebble on his face leaving a red mark right between his eyes. "Why you little…! I'm gonna…"
"Drew stop it! You're only going to make it more scared!" Ash took out a tone he didn't even realized he had. He took a few steps near the enraged Eevee and slowly held out an empty Pokeball. "Hey come on there little pal, no one's gonna hurt ya"
Just when he was about to put it back in a Pokeball, the little Eevee jumped onto his arms after the thunder struck. It was shaking dangerously and soon Ash knew why it was so afraid. He could actually feel what the Pokemon was feeling. It was like all the information was going through his head with a strange rhythm. After what Ash just felt, he quickly put the scared Eevee in his Pokeball.
After that strange incident Ash and the other two returned to the Pokemon center soaked and wet, "Where have you three gone to?" Misty stared at them with worried eyes. "We went to get a little pest…" said Drew who quickly took out his towel from his back pack and placed it on his head.
"Hey May, I think I know what's wrong with Eevee" Ash said to her with a calm look, "I think it's afraid of the storm…"
May: "How do you know?"
Ash: "I don't… I just have a feeling that it doesn't like the sound of thunder very much (Pika pikapi!) Hehehe… of course it's not afraid of you Pikachu. I just think it doesn't like the dark clouds and haaa… haaa… haaa…. HAAACHOOO!"
"Are you alright Ash?" Misty walked up beside him
"I'mff… fine Mifty sniff Itf's notfthing… haaa haaa haaa HACHOO!!!" the Pokemon trainer had a cold
"That's clearly not 'nothing'. You got a cold mister!"
"Ouch! Yu don't haft to shout yu know"
"Are you calling me big mouth!?"
"No… sniff not at all I wazz… haaa… HACHOO!!"
"Ash, we're ready for your check up!" announced Nurse Joy
Misty looked at the boy confused, "Check up? What check up?"
"Oh, Bwok is making me haft a check upf with Nurse Joy so I coul… haaa… haaa… HAACHHOO!!!"
Nurse Joy quickly noticed the boy's cold, "Looks like you have a little cold there Ash. Come to the treatment room and I'll give you some medicine that might help"
"Oky Nurse Joy, I'm coming…"
The boy entered the room that smelled like medicine. Brock was lying on the hospital bed surrounded by three Chanceys who were still using their abilities to help his aching stomach. Joy was still searching through her cabinet when Ash walked in with a red nose.
The moment his feet touched the inner part of the room the Chanceys stopped their healing process and looked at the boy. Ash looked at them in return with a confusing look and to his surprised they bowed to him with a polite 'chancy' Ash didn't know how to react to that so he just bowed his head dumbly like a mime doing air push ups. When Nurse Joy turned around to give Ash his medicine, the Chanceys returned to their duties and continued to heal Brock.
"Here you go Ash, take one every six hours and you'll get better in no time. Oh and I think Brock will be back on his feet in an hour or so"
"Thaft's good to hear. (takes one tablet) Ahhh…"
"Ok, now let's have a look at that mark on your arm. Just sit there while I do some tests"
'Tests' Ash began to quiver slightly on that last word. He began thinking that Nurse Joy would pull out a giant needle and begins putting in strange chemicles into his body, or perhaps even a giant mechanical device that would make him scream like a baby again. Ash tried to calm himself down but was losing greatly. In a few moments he would've ran as fast and far as he could to get out of here.
Just when the young trainer was in a deep and terrible thought he heard a voice sneak up from behind him, "All done…" said Nurse Joy with a smile. Ash couldn't believe it… he didn't even know that the test even began. Nurse Joy pulled out the results of the x ray and hung it over to the light. Ash waited on what she had to say.
"Hmm… that's strange…" Nurse Joy began, Ash knew that this could only mean terror, "Wh… what is it Nurse Joy?"
"Huh? Oh nothing I was just reading the latest news on the Pokemon weekly" Ash dropped on the ground heavily with a sweat drop, "Nurse Joy!" the boy was beginning to feel impatient but the nurse only let out a small chuckle,
"Don't worry Ash, I'm having your x rays covered in just a minute (the screen pops up) Oh here it is! Now let's see… hmm" there was a long pause at the moment. Joy shuffled through a few papers of the test results and looked back and forth on the x rays and the documents she held.
Ash was now becoming restless on her actions but before he could speak, Nurse Joy interrupted him, "Well mister Ketchum I don't find anything wrong with your arm"
"Really? That's great!" then the nurse took out one paper from the documents, "Hmm? What's this? reads carefully at the paper Now that can't be right!"
"What is it Nurse Joy?"
"Oh sorry I was just reading the news paper. It says here that there's a trainer in Valmarian who challenging anyone that's strong enough to fight him"
"So what's wrong with that?"
"Well according to rules, no one is allowed to battle outside of the arena, but the court seemed to allow this one to slip (shows him the picture)"
Ash was startled as he looked at the head lines of this week's news. 'Challenger of The League!' was the title of the story. The challenger was none other than Gary Oak himself. He was posing on the picture with all of his Pokemons smiling. "Gary is in Valmarian? Already?!! I got to tell the others!"
"Well your test results are done and it looks like those things are just stain marks but just to be sure please go to the hospital as soon as possible" Ash departed with the newspaper after he had said his thanks.
The boy called all of his friend's attention and showed them the article. They were not surprised that Gary was already in Valmarian city. Since the gang had been taking several side trips and being attacked by Team Rocket stronger than before, their trip had been delayed more times then they could remember. Ash was in deep inner rage, he knew the moment he got there Gary would laugh at his face and rub it in for life. Everyone knew that Ash was really not happy about this it was already showing through face.
"Alright everyone, let's go!" he stated out but Misty blocked his way, "Oh no you don't Ash! The storm out there will kill you before you even reach Petalburg city, and with Brock still out and with you having colds, you're not taking a single step out of here!" the gym leaders nodded in agreement. Ash tried to control his emotions but he really wanted to get to Valmarian as fast as possible. A hand held his shoulders, "She's right Ash. Besides, Valmarian isn't going anywhere" Dawn tried to calm the love of her life.
Ash then noticed that everyone had a worried expression on their faces. If he had walked out of the Pokemon right there his friends would've followed him. Heck they would even follow him through the longest desert of the world if they had the chance.
Ash quickly admitted to the error of his way, "Ok… I understand. I guess we could use a little sleep" he said with a smile. After what had just happened they all picked out a room from Nurse Joy and quickly went to deep sleep. Ash however wasn't getting much of it. He was still awake and starring off into the moon through the second floor balcony. The storm had past and the sky was clear letting the stars twinkle at the darkness above. The boy was in deep thought. He was thinking of the strange things that had been going on around him lately.
First were those strange dreams that he'd been having but it seemed to have stopped for some reason. A few days later he's been getting a short term memory lost. He couldn't remember any of those great accomplishments he did back in the Cerulean gym, Goldenrod city or on the board the Notilus. After that he made a new friend in his dreams. A boy named Chu… He tried to shake it all off but the memories kept pouring back in. "Ash?"
Misty called out to him. The boy nearly fell off by the surprise. He was in the moment and that girl just had to ruin it for him.
"Oh hey Misty, I thought you would be asleep by now"
"No, I'm not really that tired. I just wanted to walk around to pass the time"
She lied she was actually dead tired to the bones. She just made up an excuse to talk with him… alone. Misty took her place a few meters beside Ash leaning her elbows on the balcony. "So what were you thinking Ash?"
"Nothing much…" Misty smirked at him "About Pokemons again?" Ash just nodded dumbly at her statement. It wasn't entirely true but it wasn't entirely wrong either. He was just thinking of the past.
Dawn walked out of her room feeling a little thirsty. May and her waited for Misty to return so they could sleep. Duplica was staying with them and Todd was with Max and Brock. As she walked down the hall to the water dispenser she heard a slight rumble coming from the main gate. She turned around and was shock to see what was starring back at her!
Ash and Misty were still enjoying each others company on the balcony. They let out a few laughs and traded jokes at each other. They giggled for a few good minutes and then they both stayed silent. There was a long pause between them. Misty felt the strange sensation around her once more. The same feeling she had when they were both alone in Goldenrod city. Without even realizing it she was starring at Ash for almost a complete minute. Ash stared back in to her aqua blue eyes with his heart rate slowly rising. Ash really wanted to say something but then he couldn't. They just stood there starring at each other for a really long time until Ash could finally move his lips, "Uh… why are you starring at me like that?" "Nice going Ash!"
Misty looked away with a slight blush. The scene was perfect for a courting date. The moon was up and everything was so quiet you couldn't even hear the sound of silence. Just when she was about to reply to that question the boy just had to ruin the moment, "HACHOO!!" he sneezed out a spray of his germs into the air. "Oh… I'mf sforry, I guessf my colfd ish back… hehehehe" Misty sighed but later found herself trembling after an explosion came from down stairs.
Dawn let out a scream before ducking away from the hyper beam that Regirock unleashed. Nurse Joy and the other trainers that were traveling with Ash got out of their rooms in their PJs to see what had happened. They were all struck with awe when they saw the reception table completely destroyed. Ash helped Dawn get on her feet and noticed the giant Regirock roaring (the sound of a Regirock is really inteligible) at them. Everyone was terrified by this sight. What could a Regicrock be doing here?
Pokemons attacking humans has been heard of for sometimes but Pokemons that assault homes and building was never even thought of. None of them could have a chance against this Pokemon unless they had another Pokemon to counter it.
The beast tore through the gates and broke the wall that lead to the Pokemon center's infirmary. The Regirock prepared to break into that room until Ash and Richie stepped forth to block its path. "I won't let you through!" Richie yelled out as he summoned Sparky to fight, "Sparky, use thunder shock and drive Regirock away!" Sparky charged up and let out a few good jolts that made the stone Pokemon take a few steps back but it also made her (yes the Regirock is a she) angrier.
"Watch out everyone it's gonna use some kind of attack!" Brock ordered everyone to back down to more protective positions but Ash and Richie stayed put to protect the injured Pokemons that were still in the infirmary.
"Alright that does it, Dit, morph into Regirock now!" the Ditto quickly changed in a beam of light into the Pokemon that Duplica ordered and tugged with it in a battle.
"Good thinking Duplica!" Drew commented, "But now it's my turn. Come out Absol! (a wolf like Pokemon appears) Absol use your Razor wind attack!" Absol quickly hurled its head and threw several gush of sharp winds which damaged the intruding Pokemon. By the time the smoke cleared up everyone in the room had only one thing to say, "Oh o…"
With the smoke gone now none of them could figure out which is the Regirock and which is the Ditto. Duplica could've easily ordered it to drop its morphing abilities but with the Regirock so close she couldn't risk it getting hurt.
The battle now took place outside the Pokemon center. Brock was glad since now the injured ones can finally get some peace and quiet. While the two Regirocks fight for victory Ash and the others could do nothing but wait until one falls.
From here I'll tell you guys the Ditto and Regirock battle…
Ditto (who was still in the form of Regirock) fought against Regirock using its near equal strength. Ditto decided to use its head (literally) to break the grip. Regirock took a few steps back before recovering from the headache. It charged up to Ditto and tackled it with its body. Ditto fell to the ground but got back up quickly and let out a little roar. They glared at each other for awhile before charging at again.
Ditto jumped over and let out a hyper beam on Regirock's back but the creature didn't even flinch. It grinned and let out a more powerful hyper beam attack which missed Ditto by just a centimeter. Ash and the others looked at the action carefully but were still very afraid. They just hope if the one that wins would be on their side.
Ditto was now getting nervous. If he didn't moved out of the way, the blast would've sent it back to Johto. Without second thought Ditto released a good old zap cannon. Regirock took it all head on and pushed itself forward. Ditto kept the fire up and made it even stronger but the Regirock just smirked at his effort. With Ditto still busy keeping up its fire power, Regirock began to glow and soon it became nearly twice as strong (technique: Ancient Power) before anyone could even begin to believe, Regirock knocked out Ditto with one punch making it turn back into its original form.
Duplica rushed towards Dit and held it in her arms. It was beaten and exhausted. Regirock began charging up its hyper beam and aimed for Duplica, "Duplica get out of there! It's gonna attack you!" Brock yelled out from behind but Duplica was too shocked to even listen. She was scared out of her conscious just like how Misty was when she was facing that strange Pokemon in Varidian city.
Regirock opened its mouth (if it had one) to release the beam but then a blur got between his eyes. Who would be stupid enough to stand against such a powerful attack so willingly? It was none other than the risk taker Ash Ketchum. He was ready to take on the full blow of the beam. "Stop it right now!" he yelled out. But it was too late… Regirick couldn't hold the beam back any longer and so she released it.
Misty nearly broke down when she saw Ash being caught in the line of fire. Everyone couldn't believe it. Was the great Ash Ketchum really gone? No one knows… only time will tell.