DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon
Gently Passing Night
"So, Cyrus is planning on waging all out war tomorrow morning, is he?" Lance said, leaning lazily against the wall while Cynthia clutched her face in her hands at her desk. Ash and Aaron stood to the side of the room as Lance made the declaration of war quite plan. Steven scoffed in his wheelchair and Cynthia nodded as though she were in visible pain.
"Our side of the legendaries have been prepared for this eventuality for quite some time. Although, I don't think any of us expected Cyrus to obtain the Jewel of Life." Aaron told them before chortling a little. "Either way, whatever the order is, we're ready to do it."
"We're facing a joint force of legendaries, Koga's forces and the Jewel of Life!" Lance protested loudly as he slammed a fist on the desk. "What chance do you think we really stand?"
"We have to stand." Cynthia said, at last looking up at the other people within the room. "We have not come this far. I have not waded through a sea of mud to allow Cyrus to simply take what he believes is owed him. I am meeting his challenge."
"Cynthia, do you think they'll want to fight if they know what they're up against?" Lance challenged her, pleading desperation behind his eyes. Ash looked at Cynthia and saw her stare unflinchingly into Lance's eyes, a tear beginning to roll down her cheek.
"They have to…"
"That's the point," Ash said and all of the eyes turned towards him, "isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" Steven asked him and Ash gave a grim smile.
"What Cyrus gave us wasn't a challenge to meet him in battle, I know that now." Ash said, walking over to the center of the room. "Cyrus believes very deeply that humans, even Pokemon are simply creatures who only seek to benefit ourselves. He believes that none of us will care about the world at large so we'll all back down from this challenge."
"In other words, Cyrus has issued a challenge to see if we can band together and stop him." Cynthia said. "Because we're not perfect. We're only human."
"Cyrus can't understand that though. So we need to make him understand." Ash said, a grim look to his face and Lance nodded, convinced.
"Well then," came Steven's gruff voice and each of them turned to look at him getting out of his wheelchair with a groan. The others started to run to his assistance but he held a hand up to stop them. "I'll prove it. Cyrus hasn't broken my will yet and I'll make sure he hasn't broken others." Steven hobbled along, groaning each time he took a step until he reached Cynthia's desk and began to collapse against it. "I'm sorry I can't join you in battle tomorrow…but I can at least do this." With that, Steven pressed the intercom button.
-CT-
People of the Pokemon League, we have been assailed by these dark forces for quite a time. And tomorrow, we will be on that final precipice of war.
"Mom, I'll be fine. I know you can't get all the way here to Kanto but-" Dawn tried to say but the tears in her mother's eyes caused her merely to frown.
"Dawn, I just want you to be safe."
"I know you do, but just remember how many friends I have looking after me, okay?" Dawn gave a wide smile and Johanna seemed to calm down a bit to smile in return. "I'll come home, or at least give you a call, as soon as it's all over."
"All right Dawn, fight well." Dawn gave her mom a thumbs up as the call disconnected. With a great exhale of tension, dawn felt herself sink to her knees in trepidation. She never thought she'd be involved in a war. She never thought she'd be fighting for her life. But she couldn't stand around any more. She couldn't wait for other people to come and save her. No…she realized that by doing that it created problems for just about everybody else. She had to stand up and walk forward. She needed to save others. She had promised Misty that she would protect Ash. She had failed at Lake Verity because she wasn't strong enough. Not anymore.
"You gonna be okay?" came a voice next to her and Dawn noticed that Kenny had found her.
"Maybe. I mean, who can really say?"
"Yeah…I guess it all depends on whether we live or die."
"Don't say that! Kenny, we'll make it through. We have so far."
"Yeah…" Kenny fidgeted slightly next to her before clearing his throat. "Dawn, I'm sorry I put you in such a dangerous position. But I…I really care about you."
"I care about you too, silly." Dawn said with a laugh, standing up and giving him a slight push. "Besides, I promised you a date, right? So we both have to make it out alive okay." Kenny didn't say anything in response to that until Dawn threw herself at him, holding him in a tight embrace. Neither of them said anything as Kenny put his arms around her and held her tighter.
-CT-
I know, perhaps more than anyone, that this was can take a terrible toll. But we cannot let fear rule us.
Gary ran a hand through his hair in relief. His grandfather was going to pull through. Despite the heavy casualties and injuries sustained by the war the hospital was able to put him into surgery the day before. And he had made it. His only remaining blood relative had survived and made it through. The doctors did tell him that he would never be the same after that and that likely his lifespan would shorten considerably. But Gary didn't are. His grandfather was going to live. And so was he. Tomorrow they would go to battle, but Gary would make sure that he and all his others friends would make it out alive.
-CT-
Now, more than ever, we must stand tall to beat down these forces of evil.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me you were helping out?" Barry said with his arms folded, a pouting look on his face. "I'm fining you for that!"
"Oh, Barry, why would ever think I wasn't involved." Palmer said with a chuckle. "Honestly, son, sometimes I wonder where your brain is." Barry didn't respond to that and opted instead to remain fuming at his father. "But look at you. Look at how you've grown. Hah."
"What is that supposed to mean, dad?"
"When you first left home you were so green it was sad. But now you've turned into someone capable of using Pokemon to their full potential. It makes me proud of you." Palmer said with gusto, putting his hands onto his son's shoulders. Barry was shocked by his father's comment and gesture, misting up in his eyes. He raised his arm and wiped his tears on his sleeve. "I'm glad we'll have someone like you on the battlefield tomorrow."
"Yeah, you too dad."
"You'll be fighting with Ash, I'd imagine."
"Someone's gotta keep him safe. After all, how can I prove that I'm the best if he goes and dies off?" Barry insisted and Palmer threw back his head with a laugh. Barry punched his father lightly in the side and Palmer took his son into a headlock. For a moment there was a brief struggle until Palmer spoke the kindest words that Barry could remember.
"Don't die out there…I don't think a father could face the world without his son in it."
-CT-
No matter what faces tomorrow, at dawn we will prove that we are humans, yes, but we are a force that is united in caring about our world.
"I'm surprised you're not trying to make me stay back, May." Max said to her as they sat in the League cafeteria, eating a light dinner. May smiled at him, reaching her hand across the table and taking his hand in hers.
"I think you've earned the right." May said with a sad smile at him. "The only thing that was really keeping me back from letting you fight was me. I was too afraid that I wouldn't be able to protect you."
"But I don't need you to protect me!" Max huffed exasperatedly.
"I know that now. If I let go of that fear of not being able to protect anyone then I'll help everyone. I can protect people, but not if I'm so focused on it that I lose it when I can't." May let go of his hand and withdrew somewhat. "And I'm sorry for that. I was so stubborn and obstinate about it that I couldn't imagine that you were ready for this. But you're thirteen, older than even Ash was when he first saved the world. If anyone's ready to fight then you are." Max remained in dumbfounded silence for a moment at his sister's words. Then he scoffed slightly and proceeded to look down at his shoes.
"I have to apologize as well." Max said and May merely gave him an inquisitive glance. "I got really angry towards you and Drew, for no real reason. I just remembered how Drew treated you back in the day with that air of complete indifference. Then you were talking with him and flirting with him like it had never happened. I wondered why and I lashed out. I'm sorry for that. You two have me blessing."
"Well, thanks for that Max but I think it's dad's blessing that I'll need in any case, but," Max raised his eyes as May lifted a finger, "that's only if he can overcome his pigheadedness." Both of them laughed aloud at that. After all, laughter was the only think that could stop their hands from shaking.
-CT-
So do your duty to your world. Do your duty to your family and your friends. But most of all, do your duty to yourself.
"Sorry I can't be there, Paul."
"I wouldn't want you to."
"Is that a sign of affection? Or are you just afraid I'll drag you down?"
"Neither. Your job comes after the battle is over. Leave the fighting to people like us."
"And what kind of person would that be?"
"The stupid pathetic kind who are willing to throw our lives away." Paul said, his face set into a grim position and his arms folded. Reggie chuckled lightly on the other end of the phone.
"You've changed…" Paul made no comment but closed his eyes, as if a confirmation. "Even a few days ago you wouldn't have gotten involved. I don't think you would have cared whether the world lived or died."
"I didn't. Guess he rubbed off on me."
"In a good way."
"Hey, no comments from you." Reggie laughed loudly and Paul cracked a smile.
"Oh, I know that smile. Last time you really smiled like that was after you beat Ash at Lake Acuity. Which reminds me, what was the reason you smiled then?"
"You didn't know?" Paul said with a smirk leveled at his brother.
"I have my suspicions but it's not like you ever shed any light on them."
"Reggie, I thought you knew everything about me!" Neither brother said a word as they waited for Paul's forthcoming answer. "It was because when Chimchar evolved I realized one thing: I could never get that to happen. Monferno, in that moment, proved that it could do so much more than I had ever dreamed but could never do it for me. I realized then, Ash was the best rival I ever had."
"And that's why you're fighting with him tomorrow?"
"That's why I'm protecting him tomorrow." No more needed to be said.
-CT-
Do not pass from this world so easily; fight to save it till your last breath. Be strong, for at dawn tomorrow, we will be at war.
Ash leaned against the doors that led to the champion's balcony, folding his arms to give him some sense of comfort. He knew he should sleep but adrenaline, worry, and anticipation were coursing through his veins and he didn't think he would even be able to close his eyes, much less sleep. Brock was also leaning against the doors, attempting to steady his breathing while Misty paced up and down the hallway.
"Will you relax, Misty? The battle's note starting till dawn." Ash commented and Misty whipped around to glare furiously at him.
"That doesn't mean I can't be nervous!" Misty said bitingly and Ash couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. "I'm just, worried about what will happen tomorrow morning. I…"
"We're gonna be fine. We'll find Cyrus and we'll beat him until he's blue."
"So, that's the plan, is it?" came a different voice from one end of the hallway and Ash looked to see Cynthia striding towards them. "You plan to just rush straight towards Cyrus."
"I doubt it'll be that easy, but that's what we were figuring." Brock told her and she nodded, her lips pursed.
"Are you sure you'll be able to do this?"
"You doubt me?"
"I don't doubt your abilities but your persistence." Cynthia said with a stern glance in his direction. "We will be faced with a veritable army tomorrow, filled with those who wish to kill us. Will you be able to push through those ranks to the one who may be protected more than anyone else on that battlefield? Even if you do, will you be able to face the one who has the power of Arceus in his hands?"
"Of course he will, Cynthia. Don't insult him." Paul said as he came around the corner, a smirk rising to his lips. "Last I checked, that's my job."
"So, I'm guessing that you'll be joining us too, huh Paul?"
"Gotta keep the Chosen Blunder from getting killed." Misty sniggered slightly and Ash playfully glared at her, though his eyes were alight with pride.
"There's no way we're letting Ash go it alone."
"Yeah, we have to help him get to Cyrus."
"Ashy-boy's useless without us."
"Besides, if Ash doesn't get to Cyrus, I'm fining him!"
"Don't listen to Barry, he's a tad overeager." Ash's smile split wide across his face as he stared at the rest of his friends who had joined him in the hallway, each of them giving him smiles of reassurance.
"So what's the plan, Ash?" Brock asked and Ash heaved in a breath.
"What other plan does there need to be?" Ash said, gripping onto his hat while Pikachu looked at him from his shoulder. "We get Cyrus and stop him. If we need to take down others along the way, then we do. I don't think any of us have gone through what we've gone through to let it stop us now. So, who's with me?" A small silence passed until Misty stepped forward and extended her hand forward. The other eight followed suit and turned their hands, placing them atop one another. Ash smiled and with a flick of the wrist, switched his hat around before placing his hand in the center. "Let's win."
-CT-
July 4th, 2008. The Final Day of the War
Still. Silent. The large plain stretched before the army of the Pokemon League and those who were once Arceus' forces. At the head of the column defending the League building was Cynthia, her fur coat whipping wildly around her, her eyes cast to the south where the army would be coming from. Behind her stood Ash, Lance, Aaron, Team Rocket and the rest of the group that had agreed to storm Cyrus. Ho-oh flapped its wings behind them, carefully surveying the skies. Every participant seemed to be waiting with bated breath. Waiting for the hammer to fall. It had all come to this. This would be the final chance they had to protect the world that so many had lived and died in.
A shadow came over the horizon and Ash's gaze narrowed. At first it seemed only a small movement until his breath hitched and he realized what it was: an army. At the head of it, he saw the glowing golden green light of the spear in Cyrus' hands. Behind him then came all of Koga's troops, arrayed impressively before them with scores upon scores of soldiers and Pokemon serving as the backdrop. In front of him, Cynthia drew in a deep breath. A cry split the air between the two forces.
"Champions who shepherd your army!" Cyrus called and Cynthia took a tentative step forward. "Will you surrender now and avoid pointless bloodshed?"
"We will not." Cynthia answered calmly. "Cyrus, we do not misunderstand your intentions. You believe that each of us is here because we are afraid to lose whatever it is we are fighting for. But we have already beaten you. You gave us a challenge. You told us we could not band together. That we were selfish and would run from the battlefield. That we give no feelings toward our brethren. You were wrong.
"We stand before you here as an answer to your challenge. Look at us, Cyrus, and weep, for this spells the end of your plan. We are not idly sitting by while you take our world from us. You have no intention of sparing any of us should we surrender. So give it up. Our numbers may not be as large as your own but we have no fought through your countless assaults to fail now.
"Understand, Cyrus, we have come here to fight! We will not go without a fight! We will not pass gently into that good night!" At Cynthia's words a roar was raised from the crowd as they cried out as one. Ash smiled in pride and satisfaction. From the distance, Cyrus' body seemed to sag until he raised his spear above his head and gave a guttural cry. At once, the forces on his side surged forth, leaving Cyrus standing there, his spear held high. Cynthia held her arm out, as if to indicate that the army should not surge forward. Pikachu tensed next to Ash but he gave his best friend a small smile as he summoned his sword to his hand, just as Aaron did his staff.
"What are we waiting for, Cynthia?" Ash said to her but she held her ground steady and said nothing. Cyrus' forces passed over the halfway mark and continued their charge forward. Ash started rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet as they came closer and closer. Then, just as it seemed that they were going to be overrun, Cynthia let her hand fall.
"Break the ranks!" And at once the army came forward. In the skies above, blazing turrets of light fired forward, striking the ground in front of them, cutting through the ranks like bits of butter. A similar thing happened to their side though some of the shots were intercepted. Pikachu stuck forward, sending a hail of lightning at the soldiers running towards them. Infernape and Squirtle flew past on Charizard's back, striking with impunity and clearing a path for Ash to travel to Cyrus.
"Remember, we're here for Cyrus." Ash called out to his friends. "We'll each take a different path but we all need to make sure we get there."
"You got it, Ash!"
"Be there or be fined!"
"Move it, Barry!"
The ten members of their group split off and Ash rushed forward, creating a string of aura spheres in the air and sending them crashing into the unsuspecting foes. A white blur sped past Ash and he saw Mewtwo speeding around, aura spheres radiating around his body. Some of the soldiers ran at him and Ash ducked, slicing at them with his sword until the fell over unconscious. Aaron suddenly appeared next to him in a blur and his staff glowed with the color of aura. With a single swipe down scythes of aura flew out and into the opposing group in front of Ash. As soon as he had appeared, his teacher in aura had disappeared just as suddenly. Soon after, however, a group of Mightyena and Golbat had appeared around him and Pikachu, hemming them in.
"Pikachu, you ready?" Pikachu nodded and Ash ducked as the Golbat's Air Cutters were sent his way. He touched Pikachu and filled him with some small amount of aura as he wrapped a shield around himself. Pikachu gathered up his charge and sent it flying out, decimating all of the Pokemon that had surrounded them. Ash stood up and smiled at his companion until a large cry reached his ears. Ash turned just in time to avoid the blow that came from the giant fist. "Bruno!"
"So, Ash, it would appear we would be fighting each other again?" Bruno said with a feral grin stretched wide on his face.
"I don't want to have to finish you, Bruno. Don't waste my time."
"You want to end this cycle don't you. You want to defeat Cyrus. I can't let you do that."
"Cyrus will kill you too, if he wins this war! So why are you fighting for him?"
"Because we plan to kill him when we win. So I can't let you kill him first." Without warning, Bruno's fist came flying out of nowhere and Ash pivoted around, bringing his sword to his fist. "How weak…unless you plan to kill me, you'll never even hurt me." Ash snarled and drove his foot in the ground, pushing with his sword. Bruno smirked and Ash hacked at him with his sword. However, Bruno anticipated almost every move and blocked each of his strikes, soon shifting his defensive to the offensive. With a flash of fear, Ash realized just how much Bruno had been holding back in their previous fight. Bruno's next attack came quicker than before and Ash's eyes flashed blue, creating a shield right where the blow would have landed. Ash jumped back and swung his sword in an upward arc. Large columns of aura went sailing right towards Bruno, though the man crossed his arms in front of his fast as he was assailed by the attack. Ash didn't waste time waiting for him to recover.
"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!" Pikachu ran forward in a blaze of yellow sparks, slamming into Bruno who held off the attack with superior strength. He chuckled loudly.
"You never learn from your mistakes do you?" However, Pikachu was already on the move, using his momentum to fling himself in the air and come crashing down on Bruno with an Iron Tail. The attack stunned Bruno for a moment as Ash held both his hands in front of him and sent a line of aura spheres at Bruno. Bruno recovered just in time to bat each of them away with his hands. Ash screamed in frustration before dismissing his sword and holding his hands together. With another scream that rent the air, Ash thrust his hands forward, his Aura Cannon blazing forth and striking into Bruno. As the attack ceased firing and smoke filled the air a cry sounded out and Ash summoned his sword just in time to block Bruno's oncoming fist. Twirling around he blocked Bruno's large hand and pushed forward. Bruno was no longer smirking, his face twisted into a hideous visage of anger. Ash's eyes flashed blue again, an aura running along the blade and cutting into the flesh of Bruno's hand. With a cry, the former Elite Four member jumped backward.
Not one to miss the opportunity, Ash summoned a round disk of aura and jumped on it, Pikachu following him, taking to the air. He angled his hands downward and fired barrage after barrage of aura on Bruno but the hulky man either blocked them or shrugged them up. Ash dove at Bruno from the sky and leapt off, bringing his sword down on Bruno's face. Bruno raised both of his arms and caught the sword in them, trapping Ash in midair practically. His face split into a horrific grin as he realized that he had Ash right where he wanted him. But Ash smirked straight back at him and a second later he looked to see Pikachu aiming an Iron Tail at his legs. Bruno tried to move but the combined weight of he and Ash hindered him, causing Bruno to fall over. Ash wrenched his sword out of the man's arm and aimed to bring it down. However, Bruno moved quickly, throwing Ash down to the ground as he flipped back up to his feet. Bruno once more brought his fist down on Ash. Ash drew from the aura in the ground and pulled a shield up that stopped Bruno cold. An idea entered Ash's mind and he quickly used the shield to throw Bruno back.
Bruno was reeling for a moment but recovered as Ash stood and ran at him. Bruno aimed a punch at Ash and Ash countered with his fist. The two hands collided and a small blue light in the center grew until it created an explosion that rocked the both of them backward. Bruno was the first to move, charging angrily at Ash who had managed to actually counter him each and every time. Ash stood there, waiting until the punch came. As soon as he did, Ash caught it with his hand and Bruno ceased all movement. For a moment, Bruno just stayed still until his eyes widened.
"I…can't move."
"I'm filling your body with aura and paralyzing it. It's over, Bruno. You lost." With a quick jerk upward, Bruno was sent into the sky. Pikachu leapt onto Ash's sword and was thrown up, only to bring Bruno crashing back down with a powerful Iron Tail. Bruno attempted to stir, but his legs gave out and he collapsed. Feeling pleased, Ash turned back to the main din of battle. Bodies were already piling up around him but Ash grimaced. He wasn't going to let this turn out like that horrific vision. That vision he had three years ago. His eyes caught onto something and he saw Paul and Barry before the intimidating form of Lt. Surge. With a nod towards Pikachu, the two rushed forward.
"Paul! Barry!" Ash cried out and they turned towards him, briefly acknowledging his presence.
"So, the Chosen One has decided to grace us with his presence. This should be pretty fun." Lt. Surge said with a hearty laugh.
"Shut it, Surge, I don't have time to deal with you."
"Neither do we." Pal insisted but Lt. Surge laughed all the louder. "We don't need your help here, Ash. You should move on and get to Cyrus."
"No way."
"I really think you should listen to Paul. Hurry, hurry, hurry." Barry insisted, but Ash remained rooted to his spot.
"I think it's time the three of us prove we can work together." Paul smirked at Ash's stubbornness and nodded, Barry conceding with a sigh.
"How sweet...Now why don't you all just take a dirt nap!" With a quick movement, Lt. Surge pulled out a machine gun and began blasting it at the trio. Ash quickly brought a shield up to block them from the attacks.
"Torterra, Leaf Storm!" Paul ordered and Ash dropped the shield as Torterra sent the veritable maelstrom of leaves towards the bullets, scattering them into uselessness.
"Empoleon, Metal Claw, move it!" Empoleon dashed forward at Surge's Raichu and Magneton while Raichu started running at the water Pokemon, sparks surrounding its figure. Ash ran at Surge, his shield wrapping around himself as Pikachu dashed forward, meeting Raichu in a haze of sparks that created a smokescreen around the three friends. Ash vanished into the smoke and reappeared next to Surge, slicing cleanly through the man's machine gun. Surge cursed as he evaded Ash's next blow and pulled out a short sword, parrying with alacrity.
"You never do learn, do you Ketchum?" Surge mocked him, parrying each of Ash's blows with ease. "When you came to my gym you thought you were big stuff and you still think you're big stuff now! You…can't…win!"
"Yes, I can, Surge! Because I've got my friends standing by to help me and protect me. I don't need someone like you telling me something they don't even understand themselves."
"Ash, move now!" Ash disengaged the man from combat and leapt backward even as Paul ordered, "Torterra, Frenzy Plant!" The large roots came walloping out of the ground and slamming into Surge who tried to avoid them by slashing at them, though they still left deep gouges in his arms. Ash ran back to his friends, realizing that engaging the man in one-on-one combat was futile.
"What now?" Barry asked and Ash surveyed the situation quickly as Surge recovered.
"I have an idea…" Ash said tentatively and Paul cocked his head, ready to listen to it. "I think we can combine our three strengths but we need to push Surge and his Pokemon together. I can keep Surge occupied, can you take care of the other two."
"You got it." Ash didn't wait for any other kind of confirmation and he rushed forward and entered into combat with Surge again. Surge was now on the edge of desperation and attacked with a ferocity unseen. Ash filled himself with aura and was able to read each one of the attacks, always keeping his companions in the corner of his mind. Suddenly, things clicked into place and Ash kicked forward, forcing Surge to back off. Ash sent aura into the ground, pushing him backwards before using his mind to send aura racing along the ground and straight to Surge. Surge jumped to avoid the attack and Ash sent an arc of aura at the man which he blocked with his sword.
"Make it happen, guys!"
"Torterra, let's try it, Rock Climb!" Torterra reared onto its hind legs and slammed into the ground. Raichu was forced into the air as Torterra ran at it with blistering speed, slamming into the poor Pokemon which tumbled toward its master. Meanwhile, Barry issued orders quickly to a determined Empoleon.
"Empoleon. Drill Peack now!" Empoleon spun around with immense speed and went racing towards the unsuspecting Magneton. Surge laughed as he saw Barry's attempt at an attack. "Now Hydro Pump!" Suddenly, powerful torrents of water began spurting out of Empoleon as he raced towards Magneton. The water buffeted Magneton and obscured its view as Empoleon unleashed a final Metal Claw that pushed Magneton towards its trainer.
"NOW!" Immediately, Torterra whipped up a Leaf Storm. Following suit, Empoleon sent a powerful Hydro Cannon into the midst of the attack which Piakchu charged with a Thunder and Ash with a bit of aura. The attack sailed forward and before Surge had a chance to react the attack hit him and exploded in a powerful blaze. "All right! Nice work!"
"We'll take care of things form here, get moving." Ash didn't think to even argue, Pikachu hopping on his shoulder as he raced onward. He trusted that the two of them would be able to catch up with him eventually. More explosions filled the battlefield as he raced around them. Various opponents attempted to engage him but both he and Pikachu managed to easily fend them off until he caught sight of Misty and Gary facing more opponents ahead. Misty ordered Gyarados to use a Hyper Beam that seemed to have been avoided. Ash ran over to them prepared for a fight, though they caught sight of him before he made it there.
"Don't you dare, Ash Ketchum!" Misty cried as she followed with an order to Gyarados. Ash looked and saw that Misty and Gary were facing Janine and Karen. A scowl pervaded his face and he prepared to challenge her, had Gary not followed up.
"She's right. We can deal with these two losers." Gary said, ordering Electivire to use a Thunder Punch. "Go Ashy-boy! You have to get to Cyrus."
"You guys better win!" Neither of them said anything but gave him a slight wave and Ash ran off towards the glinting power to the south. A large explosion sounded behind him and he gave a quick glance to see who had won the battle as a result of that attack.
"Ash, look out!" came a gruff voice and Ash turned in time to see a kick aimed at him. He quickly stepped to the side and the assailant vanished as Lance appeared next to him. "It's Koga." Ash whipped around to see Koga standing on a small rock outcropping.
"Pity. I was hoping to catch you unawares, but no such luck." Koga said with a slight snarl.
"Step aside, Koga!" Ash ordered and the old ninja chuckled.
"I don't think so. You see, I can't have you ruining this chance for us. I'm afraid it is you who must step aside, Ash Ketchum the Chosen One and Lance, leader of the G-Men."
"That's not going to happen."
"Well then, battle on." Quick as a flash, Koga opened his cape wide and sent countless shurikens flying out at his unsuspecting opponents. Ash blocked the attacks with his shields of aura as Lance rushed forward. Almost immediately the two members of the Elite Four began battling it out. However, as Ash dropped his shield he ran forward and engaged Koga in battle. Koga easily used his experience to swerve away from the attacks, whipping out some kunai to block his enemies' blows.
"How are you stopping us?" Ash asked as suddenly his sword was caught and unable to move. Koga smirked in the young man's direction.
"Quite simple: you rush in too fast, Ketchum. It's all a matter of leverage." With those words, Koga flung Ash's sword from his hands and into the air, rushing forward. Ash saw the attack coming before happened but knew of no way to stop it. The finger pressed to his forehead and Ash flew backward, landing with a sickening thud on the ground. His sword landed next to him and Ash groaned as he tried to move. Lance took the chance to strike but Koga seemed to disappear in a whirl of shadow. Ash stood up again, grabbing his sword. Both of them looked around for any sign of Koga but couldn't find him. Ash extended his aura in attempt to find him and soon locked on to him, tossing his sword at the man. Just as before, Koga quickly caught the weapon and flung it away, tossing his own sword at Ash. Ash wrapped his shield around him and blocked the attack.
Lance ran at Koga once again and proceeded to kick at him. However, Koga turned and caught his foot in his cape. With a smirk he flipped Lance up and tossed him into the air. Turning to face Ash a sudden ripping sound was heard and Ash looked at him with a smirk. Ash pointed to his back and Koga looked to see that his cape was now torn off. With a snarl, he rushed at Ash who stepped forward as ribbons of aura raced along the ground towards Koga. Koga put his fingers together and disappeared in a sudden blast of shadow, appearing at a different location. Ash held his hands together and fired an Aura Cannon at Koga, however, when the attack cleared, Koga was nowhere to be seen.
"It should be noted that the bigger an attack, the more unwieldy it is."
"Then try this." With a swiftness unseen from Ash in the battle thus far he twirled around, a practical blade of aura spinning around as it cut through Koga where he stood. Ash smirked until he noticed the body dissolve into a haze of shadow. Ash's eyes narrowed, trying to find his enemy until Koga suddenly appeared next to him. Ash ducked the attack and plunged his hands towards Koga's chest, blasting forward with aura. Koga flew backward as Lance recovered and leapt into the air, slamming down on Koga and bringing him down to the ground. Koga staggered a moment as he stood.
"A shame…I severely underestimated you." Koga chuckled out, blood pouring from a wound on his head. "Well, no more playing around then." Koga went to rush at Lance and Ash moved to strike at his side when suddenly Koga changed trajectory. Ash had no time to react as he was forced to the ground and Koga pinned him with his kunai, tossing one in the direction of Lance. A guttural cry sounded as Koga leapt off of him. Ash's eyes zeroed in on Lance whose eyes were bloody and scarred, the offending object held in Lance's hand.
"NO!" Ash cried and suddenly great branches of aura erupted from his figure, stopping Koga in his tracks. Lacerations appeared on the ninja's arms as Ash's shirt sleeves fell away freeing him from his entrapment. The thorns disappeared and Koga turned towards Ash.
"What do you hope to do Ash? You know full well that you cannot stop me." Koga remonstrated him. "Two of you couldn't even beat me, so what makes you think you can do it alone?"
"Because I've got something that you don't!"
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Pikachu!" Koga looked confused a moment until he realized a second later that the yellow mouse was nowhere to be seen. A cry came from above him and Koga looked up in time to see Pikachu slam into him with an Iron Tail. Ash ran forward and suddenly grabbed Koga's face, his hand brimming with aura. "You're done." And with a sudden blast, the aura went off, flinging Koga away, his face smoking. He landed in a crumpled heap and ceased to move. Ash coughed slightly. He wasn't sure how many more of these fights he'd be able to take if he wanted to beat Cyrus. Ash stumbled over to Lance who was gasping heavily. "Lance…"
"I'll be fine…this is nothing."
"But-"
"Go, get to Cyrus." Ash frowned but nodded and sprinted away from the wounded champion. The din of battle still surrounded him but he blocked it out, only fighting what needed to be fought. In the distance he saw the hulking form of Regigigas and the group of people fighting him. And nearly before him was the form of Cyrus. Ash spurred himself faster until suddenly the thicket of enemies grew and grew. Sweat poured from his very hair and his arms were starting to feel disgusting from the dirt and grime. A flash of blue invaded his vision and he saw Aaron swoop in, cape and staff both swinging wildly. Lucario followed suit behind him the two of them joining up with Ash to fight off the horde of enemies.
"Figured you needed some help." Aaron said as he stood back to back with Ash.
"Thanks for that." Aaron nodded and the two dashed in. Aaron showed a powerful mastery over aura that allowed him to take down wide swathes of enemies with a single strike. A growl issued forth from his mouth.
"This is taking too long. Ash, Lucario, get close to me!" The both of them obeyed and Aaron raised his staff into the air. Large walls of aura suddenly surrounded the three of them like a cube. Aaron brought his staff down and large blasts of aura poured out of the walls. After a few seconds Aaron dropped the attack to the sight of a near empty plain towards Cyrus. "Let's move."
"Yeah." Ash nodded and started forward and froze at the perceptible change in aura. He then heard it before he saw it: the golden light that arched into the sky and slammed down into the battlefield. Ash had no time to react but stood transfixed as he saw Aaron save him by wrapping a shield around him, Lucario aiding him in his power. The golden light struck the two of them and Ash cried out, though he didn't even hear his own voice. He felt the attack keep assailing him but he was safe until the sounds of destruction died down. As the mist from the attack cleared, Ash looked over and saw his saviors, lying on the ground, barely breathing. "Aaron…no…"
"Ash…it's…over…" he breathed, blood trickling from his mouth.
"No, I can…I can save you…right?"
"Don't. You only have…one life to give…"
"But, you can't die!" Ash felt tears on his face as Aaron's breathing grew raspier.
"I must…" Ash's sobs finally reached his mouth, drawn in a near wail. "Ash…don't fear that dark abyss…don't fear when it comes to call them home. Instead, live…live for them."
"Aaron…"
"Lucario…you were my best friend. And Ash…my greatest pupil." With the last of his strength he grabbed onto Ash and the Chosen One felt his aura rush through him like a transfusion. "Defeat him…so that we will not have died in vain…" With one last exhaling of breath, Aaron passed, leaving Ash kneeling at him. To him, the sounds of battle seemed so far away, like a distant realm. Aaron was dead. Anyone who had ever taught him was dead.
And it was because of him.
Because he hated the world.
Because he wanted to prove its evils.
Because he wanted to kill everyone, so that he could have it all.
Ash straightened up and turned his gaze towards Cyrus, a cold blue gleam settling itself over his chocolate eyes. His mind was made up.
Cyrus was going to pay.
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait but this chapter had me stymied. Too many fights and a lot of broken dialogue. But fear not, I promise to write the next chapter this coming weekend. We're almost there: the final battle against Cyrus is next and it'll be a good one (once I've finished planning it). However, do note that there are still TWO chapters, not one. Now, I have something to say: I will finish this story but my update periods become longer when people lose interest in the story, which I'm sad to say has been happening. So, please, REVIEW and Dare to Be Silly.