Chapter 21: North Pole, South Confidence
At the beginning, two boy-girl teams were complete strangers to each other. Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon trainer that had lived on the edge, willing to protect the innocent. Misty Waterflower, Ash's friend and a Pokémon trainer, that specializes in water-type Pokémon, and a mother to her Togepi. Takeru Ishida, a Digidestined that is emotional to whoever enters his life. Hikari Kamiya, Takeru's friend and Digidestined, who's innocence disguised her gritting determination. Alongside were their four creatures. Pikachu, Ash's first Pokémon that has been with his trainer, through thick and thin. Togepi, the baby Pokémon that was fearless. Patamon, Takeru's Digimon that's protected his partner upon every obstacle. Gatomon, Hikari's partner that was once with evil, but has stayed by her partner since that battle over Tokyo. As they got along with each other, they had gone through just about everything in RainBellian, a world that was turned upside down by a faction called the Vendetta. These Vendetta, lead by Rage, had kidnapped Crystal, princess of RainBellian, and turned the world into a scenery of a 1910's movie, all black and white. They thought that they could overrun these young people. Time and time again, the kids beat the odds. During the time, the kids had another mission to accomplish: obtain the four Fusion Orbs. Misty was the first to get a Fusion Orb, when she dove into the oceans, and awakened Aquos, the guardian of water. Then, Hikari got her Fusion Orb in the Dark World, outside of Reda, awakening Holion, the guardian of light, as she and Ash faced off against Dragomon. After that, Takeru, or T.K. for short, got his Fusion Orb, awakening Windalyr, the guardian of the sky, as he protected Misty from Vendetta Masqurn, who's still alive, and Calos at the inn in Yelkow. Lastly, and just recently, Ash got his Fusion Orb in a rock pile on Blugar, awakening Ergaia, the guardian of earth. Then, the chosen heroes flew off of Blugar, leaving Yolei Inoue, a member of the second-generation Digidestined that befriended T.K. and Hikari, or Kari for short, immediately, and tends to do harm to Davis(who didn't make the trip), Izzy Izumi, a member of the first-generation Digidestined that was highly intelligent, Max Maple, Ash's friend who had gone with him since he and his sister, May(who also didn't make the trip), started their journeys in the Hoenn region, Meowth, a human-talking Pokémon that was still bent on snatching Pikachu, along with Team Rocket, and Sarin, a one-time Vendetta who fell in love with Max. The heroes were making the final stretch, on saving Princess Crystal.
On board Kabuterimon, Izzy's Digimon in Champion form, and Halsemon, Yolei's Digimon in armor form, Ash and Kari, still in armor forms of Pikachu and Gatomon, T.K., and Misty, along with Togepi and Patamon, were heading to the North Pole. Never in the journey, so far, was Ash's face looking like he was going to commit a massacre. Since the journey was coming soon to a close, he knew he had to be on his A-game. "Princess Crystal," he silently muttered to himself. He must've been willing to pray for Crystal's safety. "We're coming." Everyone was ready to go, as soon as the North Pole was seen. Then, the only area, where there was no color, was in range. North Pole.
"Kabuterimon, Halsemon," T.K. addressed. "Take us down!"
"You got it!" Kabuterimon obeyed. Both flying giants started to descend to the gray grounds, the last of the tampered lands. When the fliers landed, everyone hopped off. This was it. Ash, Misty, T.K., and Kari were ready to finish, what they've started. T.K. turned to Kabuterimon and Halsemon, willing to send them back to Yolei, Izzy and the rest.
"All right, you two. You can head back." Kabuterimon was wanting to know why he and Halsemon weren't needed anymore. Was it that the Digimon were only transport for the chosen? The giant bug wanted to know.
"But, why, T.K.?" T.K. huffed a chuckle. This wasn't a time to be funny.
"Well, if you guys de-Digivolve, your partners are too far away to reach." Oh, so, T.K. was worried about the two. Halsemon gritted in humiliation. If the next Vendetta attacked, and those two were in Rookie forms(Tentomon, Hawkmon), they would be done for.
"I see your point," Halsemon groaned. "We'll hurry back."
"Guys, be careful out there," Kabuterimon prayed. With that, the two flew off, back to Blugar. The heroes saw the fliers leave, knowing that they were on their own. Ash knew, in sense, that all they needed to do, was move on.
"It's time," he muttered. "Let's go." Leading, Ash turned to the land, and proceeded to the castle, seen upon the top of the mountain. The last push. The last clash. End, here they came. On the base of the mountain, was a staircase. That flight of stairs appeared to lead into the castle. Standing in front of the stairs, was an old man, about his mid-70's. Aging wrinkles covered his face, and gray hair covered his head, and sported a white goatee. He was about the sized of a giant, but was so skinny...you get the idea. Was he the next Vendetta? Ash and the gang were in view of the staircase, as the old man opened faded blue eyes to them.
"Chosen warriors," he greeted the gang. "Welcome to the North Pole, your grave site." This had to be the next Vendetta, the way he threatened the heroes. Did Ash and the gang stop? No. Instead of facing the geezer, Ash, T.K. and Kari walked right by the old man, without facing the messenger, but not without some parting words...
"We'll keep that in mind," Ash groaned.
"Thanks for the warning," Kari greeted.
"You should get the news of our victory, soon enough," T.K. promised. Jeez, they didn't bother giving a thought about the mysterious man who foretold the warning. Misty didn't approach the same way. She watched the others, not thinking that the old man was a threat. She appeared to be the only one who thought the messenger was more than that. Was it experience?
"Guys, I don't think he's just saying that as a warning," she pointed out. The man started to believe that Misty was cautious of him. He was willing to show, what he was. In a blink of an eye, the man appeared, from the bottom of the staircase, to the stairs, in front of Ash and the Digidestined. What the-? How did he get up passed them, so fast? He looked so old, yet, he moved like the speed of light. Even the kids, on the stairs, received quite a shock. Who was he, that moved, as though, time and space meant nothing to him?
"You already gave us the warning," Kari complained. "What more do you want?" No one, on the stairs, was ready for what was coming. In a split second, the kids were sent flying backwards, down to the bottom of the staircase. Landing on their backs with sickening thuds, the kids felt the sharp pains from whatever hit them. The man stood firm, like it was his intention to hurt the children. He had to be the next Vendetta.
"You kids have dwindled us, Vendetta, down to three," he scowled. "I am one of them, Vendetta Chronan." So, he was the last Vendetta that they were meeting. That also meant that Masqurn and Rage were after this Chronan. This wasn't good. The Vendetta was pretty strong, despite the appearing age. Groaning in pain, Ash was trying to get up. The blow had taken the wind out of the trainer and the Digidestined. Ash was wondering what the heck hit him. That old guy couldn't have done that kind of heavy damage. He looked so frail. Chronan appeared to be showing off...something. "Just because I'm old, doesn't mean I can't spank you brats in the rear, for what you have done." Who doesn't like to have a spanking, once in a while? Well, the chosen, for sure.
"I've already had my share of spankings, for one lifetime," T.K. growled. He rose to his feet, before charging at the Vendetta, staff in hands. Chronan saw the Digidestined, but instead of bracing for T.K.'s attack, he smiled. Was he looking for death? T.K. was closing in. Just when he was in reach...T.K. was launched backwards, sky high! As he was descending, the girls were fearing the worst.
"T.K.!" they screamed in a unified horror. T.K. hit the ground so hard, you could clearly hear his rib cage collapsing from broken bones. T.K. wrapped his chest, feeling the excruciating pain from that strike. That strike, as Chronan appeared, one foot in front of the other, and both hands reached out, palms up. Here was the thing: One instant, Chronan was standing firm, seeing T.K. on the move, at him. The next instant, he was in that new stance, as he was in the same spot, T.K. was before, only, it looked like he did some sort of double-palm thrust, into the blonde's mid-section. If this guy was old, he wasn't showing it. The power, the speed. Ash knew that a frontal attack was useless, thanks to T.K.'s issue.
"That Vendetta..." he painfully gritted. "How was he..." Kari groaned as she was rising to her feet. She eyed the enemy with an opened eye. She got set, hoping to hurt Chronan. Instead of the same frontal approach, she tried a zigzag technique, moving side-to-side to confuse the enemy. Ash thought it wasn't gonna work. "Kari, don't!" Kari was right there, ready to strike. That's when, she was zipping back to Ash, glowing brightly. When the glowing stopped, Kari and Gatomon were back apart. Ash got up, catching Kari, as Kari caught Gatomon.
"Thanks," she gasped. Chronan was now standing, with his legs fanned apart. He had one of his arms stretched out, with the palm facing the heroes. The fingers on the palm were folded into the palm, like fangs of a snake. The other arm was closer to his body, probably for balance. Kari was wondering how Chronan was so quick. "It's virtually impossible to move that fast." Just because it's virtually impossible, doesn't it's absolutely impossible. If there was a time for Classic Ash, he would need to summon it, now. The way he moved, got into Ash's head. That's when he had an idea.
"Let me try something." Ash got up, and faced Chronan. Sparks started to illuminate from his body, as he glared at Chronan. The sparks of electricity were traveling to the arm, willing to try a different view of attack. Then, feeling the power in the arm, Ash cocked his arm back, but instead of running at the Vendetta, the mistake the Digidestined made, he held his ground, like Chronan. That's when he fired his arm down, where the electric power was transferred to. Chronan was surprised. Learning from Chronan's actions, Ash decided to do a range attack. Then, rumbling from below. Ash's attack was fast approaching. Chronan thought quickly, and dove away from his spot, and just in time. Shooting from the ground, a column of yellow lightning emerged. When the column flew up to the sky, Chronan was a tad flustered by Ash's strategy, but was impressed a bit.
"Nice work, warrior," the old Vendetta complimented. "It seems you had been studying me, for a while. However, have you learned enough of me?" Oh, a test. Ash wasn't willing to disappoint.
"We'll see." He crossed his arms, near his chest. Then, with a flash, many Ashs emerged, and circled Chronan. If Chronan was fast, he could take out all those Ashs. Misty thought that Ash's use of moves were a great idea.
'Double Team,' she realized in thought. 'Nice move.' While Ash and Chronan battled, Togepi was sensing something wrong. He began to glow a blue aura. Chronan was as calm as ever. It was like, he wanted Ash to perform that ability.
"Impressive," he humbled. That's when he revealed a wicked grin. "But not impressive enough." Chronan snapped his fingers. The scene was covered in gray scaled, and frozen, like time had stopped. It had stopped. Kari had stopped moving. T.K. had stopped moving. Patamon had stopped moving. Gatomon had stopped moving. Even, Ash had stopped moving. The area was frozen in time...except for Chronan. Chronan looked ahead, eying Kari, with her eyes, expressing worry. He, then spotted Ash, to his left. There was only one Ash there, not 10 or 20, just one armored trainer. As Chronan approached him, Misty opened her eyes. Wait a minute...Misty was still moving. Wasn't she suppose to be stopped in suspended animation, like her friends? When she saw Ash, frozen in time, and Chronan approaching, she had to wonder what was going on. As if her movement in still time wasn't amazing, she peered at Togepi, still glowing blue. In front of them, was a small thin shield, floating in mid-air. When Chronan was in striking distance of Ash, Togepi chirped. Chronan heard Togepi, and turned to the sound. He was in shock. Misty and Togepi were still mobile. Togepi may have just saved Ash's life. "Impossible!" Misty saw Chronan, now with the truth exposed. She growled at the Vendetta, for good reason.
"So, you're a time shifter, Chronan." That's right. Chronan wasn't fast, or powerful. He was manipulating time. Togepi had stopped glowing, which, in turn, caused the shield to disappear. Misty never believed that Togepi had powerful abilities, since he hatched. She was wondering how Togepi knew that one. 'That was Safeguard, Togepi used. Does...' If Togepi was able to do Safeguard, effortlessly... 'Does Togepi know anything else?' Chronan was getting fearful of the young redhead. However, Togepi was feeling a bit of a growth spurt, when he chirped a hiccup. It began to glow white. This had happened to Larvitar, before it evloved into Pupitar. Was the same thing happening to Togepi? Was Togepi...evolving? As the glow got brighter, color, and movement, got back to the others. Ash stopped his Double Team, when he saw the glow. Everyone was eying the glowing Pokémon, as it morphed.
"What's going on with Togepi?" T.K. asked, with a strong wince of pain. The body grew by a bit, and so did the limbs. It was a real shocker to everyone, when wings materialized on it's back. When the light dimmed, Togepi was whiter, bigger, and had wings. Seeing this, Kari had one absolute idea of what happened.
"Togepi must've evolved," she awed.
"But, into what?" Ash questioned, as he grabbed his Pokedex. He pointed the scanner to the evolved Togepi. That's when the machine registered it.
"Togetic, the happiness Pokémon," it computed. "Togetic is the evloved form of Togepi. Togetic shares happiness and good fortune to people with pure hearts." Togetic, huh? Togetic floated down to T.K., willing to comfort the injured Digidestined.
("Hold still, Takeru,") the Pokémon ordered. A small beam shot out of Togetic, and hit T.K. Was Togetic trying to heal T.K.? He was. Feeling the bones mending inside, T.K. gritted in sharp pain. After a minute, Togetic was done with the beam treatment. T.K. was breathing slowly, making sure that the injuries were not as bad as they had felt. He rolled to his side, and got to his feet. He was surprised. He was back to good health. Thankful, he turned to the happiness.
"Thanks, Togetic," he smiled. He turned back to the Vendetta, who injured him, by the use of his time shifting powers. "Tell you what, Chronan. My friend will fight you, alone." Misty knew who T.K. was talking about. It was her. If she was going to battle Chronan, she needed to bond with her child Pokémon.
"Togetic, we came this far together," she mentioned as Togetic floated to her. "Let's show what a mother and child can do." Her Fusion Orb was glowing brightly. She was ready to merge.
("I'm ready,") the winged Pokémon nodded. She began the chant.
"Aquos...Togetic!" The orb flashed a shine, as a blue aura surrounded both trainer and Pokémon. Both of them, then, began to glow brightly, as Togetic morphed into a ball of light, before it struck Misty. In the cocooned light, the band in Misty's hair snapped off, letting the ponytail fall to the rest of her hair. That's when new armor began to take form: Togetic's wings grew out of Misty's white armor, as red and blue arm and leg guards emerged, too. Her head was fitted with a white spiked helmet, almost shaped like a crown. In addition, her hands were fitted with blue gloves, as her feet were dressed in red heeled boots. Outside, the cocoon broke, exposing Misty, now in Togetic armor. Everyone was surprised at the new looking, sleeker Misty. Chronan, secret already exposed, wasn't about to let this fight get out of hand.
"You may have merged with your creature, but that is as far as you go," he threatened. How could he beat Misty, now that his time shifting abilities were immune to her? He tried it, again, snapping his fingers, stopping time. Not Misty. She performed Safeguard, a split second before the time freeze. He was in trouble, and probably in some soiled diapers. That's when, Misty swirled an index finger around. With a flash, Misty formed her hand into a fist. Oh boy, what was going on? That's when her eyes sparkled eerie purple. Was it a sign? Something started to emerge in Misty's hands. Before anyone was wondering, and not just because they were frozen in time, Misty tossed two black energy balls at, and hit, Chronan. Chronan was driven backwards from the impact. What was it that Misty had thrown? She knew that attack, rather well.
"That was Shadow Ball..." Something didn't seem right to Misty. Shadow Ball was a Dark-based attack. What did she do to summon that attack?
"You performed Metronome, mother," sounded a voice that was like...Togetic? Wasn't Togetic turned into armor for Misty?
"Togetic?"
"I'm sorry, for keeping this a secret from you, but I learned Metronome from reading Brock's Pokémon moves guide, he had put down by his giant pot, one time." Well, there were some highly intelligent Pokémon in that world. Who knew that Togepi, or Togetic, would be one of them. Misty smiled. Her child Pokémon had saved her and the group, many times, because of Togepi's hidden ability.
"I'm sorry, I, ever, doubted you." Now, the thing about Metronome, is that the using Pokémon could summon anything, from something as worthless as Splash, to something as devastating as Explosion. In other words, it's like playing Russian Roulette, or Pandora's Box. You decide. Movement was restored in the rest, as Misty was going for more damage. While Chronan was rising, Misty wasn't going to let the Vendetta get another move in. She did another Metronome. There's no way she could be lucky, again, right? Oh, the luck of Togetic would not be denied. Misty's eyes were shining bright red. What was it? She blew out fire, in which shaped into a Japanese symbol. The fire made direct contact with Chronan, in front of the active crowd. Ash knew what that attack was.
"Fire Blast?" he noted. "Since when did Togepi know that attack?" Little did Ash know, that was not something Togepi, or Togetic, could learn. Chronan was not moving. Kari ran over to check out the fallen Vendetta. Placing two fingers around Chronan's neck, she was willing to know if he had a pulse. A small groan told the tale. No pulse. No life. One more Vendetta was dead. With that, there were only two more Vendetta left: Masqurn and Rage.
"The nightmare is almost over," Gatomon muttered. Misty helped T.K. up, glad that they were okay. Ash, and Kari regrouped with the others. Ash was willing to know about that Fire Blast.
"Misty, how on RainBellian were you able to teach Togepi, Fire Blast?" Misty was ready to tell her friend the real deal.
"Actually, Togepi learned Metronome, under our noses," she clarified. Obviously, the Digidestined were wondering what Metronome was.
"What is Metronome?" T.K. asked blankly.
"Metronome is a technique, in which can summon any attack known in the Pokémon world." Needless to say, how awe stricken Patamon and Gatomon were. Misty knew that standing around, wouldn't accomplish a thing. Crystal was close by. "We need to move out. Crystal can't save herself, right?" Everyone agreed with a nod, and bolted, not willing to know how much of the North Pole would be restored. They raced up the stairs, ready to storm the castle. As for Chronan, he simply disintegrated. No light beaming out of him. Nothing was restored. As the heroes closed in on the final showdown, and the rescue of the sleeping princess, what plans of attack do the heroes progress? And Rage...what inhumane powers will he display, when the gang meet him in person? No one had a clue, that a bigger threat was heading toward RainBellian.
TO BE CONTINUED...