This is the seventy-sixth chapter in the Pokemon Heroes story. We are half way there to finishing up the Chronicles. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the songs.

(Opening song)

Ash charged towards The Dark Signer, but he was just kicked away. Ash immediately stood and ran towards the man again. The Dark Signer crashed his foot on the ground, and a boulder appeared in his hand. He threw the boulder at Ash. Ash had his Aura Blade and sliced right through it and was about to slice The Dark Signer, but The Dark Signer materialized his curvy, purple blade and the two blades clashed. They said things to each other, but it wasn't audible. The Dark Signer then materialized another curvy, purple blade and swung it at Ash, who backed up and threw a kick at The Dark Signer, who was pushed back. They said more things to each other, and then three other people appeared in the picture. A brunette, a girl with blue hair, and a boy with white hair. They released Pokemon, and they started fighting The Dark Signer. There was more fighting, and she saw the kids getting beaten to a pulp.

"Ash!" yelled May.

Knock, Knock, Knock

The sudden sound forced the girl to sit up from her bed. She looked around in the darkness of the room. She was tired, and her eyes didn't adjust to the darkness yet. She rubbed her eyeballs and looked around the room again. She didn't see anything, prompting her to fall back into her slumber, but then there was a knocking at the door again. She sat up and looked towards it.

"Hey, Xion," said Ritchie from the other side, "Drew got a mission, and we were hoping you were free today to come." The sound of his voice made her smile, and she rubbed her eyes again and looked towards the door.

"Alright," said Xion cheerfully.

"Cool," said Ritchie as he walked away from the door, "We'll be waiting in the lobby." As soon as he left, Xion stood up from her bed and yawned. She was in a black gown that went throughout her whole body. She went to get her Dark Signer outfit. Ritchie and she still haven't mastered the way to summon it on their body, so they had to manually put it on. She put her nightgown away and put on her coat. She was about to leave her room, but stopped after remembering her dream.

"Ash," thought Xion, and then she opened her door and left her room.

The Ritchie Chronicles Part 3: It Starts

It has been two weeks, two weeks since that mission the three friends have gone on. Ever since the mission to get a Shadow Magmortar, the three have been going on multiple missions together, and they still hang out with each other at the clock tower in Haruka City. Xion and Richie's training days were over, and they could go on missions now. They could also go on missions together if they wanted to. It wasn't technically against the rules to do so. Xion walked out of her room and walked towards the lobby. When she went there, she spotted the two boys talking to each other.

"Gone on any sweet missions yet?" asked Ritchie.

"Not yet," said Drew, "I'm planning to go on an epic mission. I wonder which one I should go to though."

"Ha," said Ritchie as he grinned and placed his hands behind his head, "Stop lying. You're just going to sit around until someone gives you one."

"You've got a bit mouth, don't you?" said Drew. Xion smiled again. She was amazed at how Ritchie grew these past two weeks. He was now carefree, his speech got way better, and he was always smiling. It amazed her how he didn't even know he was smiling, and he still doesn't. His fighting style got better too. He mastered his weapon way better now. Xion got a feeling that he was beginning to behave like someone now.

"Hey guys," said Xion as she neared the two.

"Hey Xion," said Ritchie, "What took you so long?" Xion then flicked her hair to show it off.

"A woman doesn't stay this pretty by herself," said Xion, and she then turned towards Drew, "So where are we going?"

"We're heading towards Pacifidlog City," said Drew, "We're going to get a Shadow Gyarados there. It has been bothering the harbor for a long time, and we've got the job to take it with us."

"Let's go then," said Ritchie. Drew then opened up a portal, and Ritchie and he walked into it. Xion was about to walk into it as well, but then she heard a voice.

"Damn you, Dark Signers," she heard someone say in her head. She looked around to find the source of the sound, but she saw no one. She was going to ask the others if they were playing a trick on her, but she remembered she was with Ritchie and Drew, and she immediately ran into the portal before it closed.

The Shadow Gyarados roared as it crashed its huge tail on the water, creating a huge wave. The wave was heading towards three kids, and they materialized each of their weapons: Drew with his Chakrams and Ritchie and Xion with their Aura Blades. They dodged the incoming wave, and they jumped towards the top of a building.

"This big guy is way tougher than I thought it would be," said Xion, "I don't think we stand a chance against it."

"You're right," said Ritchie, and he looked towards Drew, "Smart idea to take on a mission with a water-type Pokemon when you're main power is fire, Drew."

"Shut up and stop being pussies," said Drew as he jumped towards Gyarados to attack it with his Chakrams, only to get smacked into the water by its enormous tail. It was a Gyarados, only the blue in its skin was purple, and its eyes were white.

"Damn it, Drew!" yelled Ritchie, "You know what? Screw it! Bring it on bitch!" He then jumped from the building and headed towards Gyarados, who grabbed him with its tail immediately. It started to crush him, as it charged up a Hyper Beam. Ritchie couldn't do anything about it. He yelled in pain. Before Gyarados could shoot, Xion came and kicked it across the face, losing its focus and dropping Ritchie towards the ground. Xion stood in front of him.

"Thanks," said Ritchie.

"No problem," said Xion. Gyarados looked angrily at the two and was about to charge at them, but was stopped when a huge pillar of flames engulfed its whole body. It was thrown out of the water and into the air because of it. Drew then jumped out of the water and went towards the other two.

"That's what happens when you try to drown me," said Drew, and then he looked towards Ritchie, "Let's do this." Ritchie nodded and stood up and ran towards Drew. He jumped and landed on Drew's hand, and then Drew threw him towards the Gyarados in the sky. The force of the throw made Drew fall over and land back into the water. Ritchie flew towards the top of Gyarados and prepared a kick.

"Sayonara!" yelled Ritchie, and he kicked it towards the ground. As it flew towards the ground, Drew surfaced from the water and looked at Xion.

"Knock it out!" yelled Drew. Xion nodded and jumped up towards the falling Pokemon. She was about to hit it, until another vision came into her head.

She saw Drew in this one this time. She saw Ash running towards him, on a rooftop as their weapons clashed with each other. He saw how he kicked Ash towards the ground and beat him up, and Xion could see Ash holding back for some reason. She saw him get engulfed in a huge pillar of fire. In the end, she saw him try to deliver a punch, but once again holds back. It wasn't audible once again, but she could hear Drew faintly.

"See ya later, buddy," she heard Drew say, and then put his hood on and left through a portal, leaving Ash there.

End of Memory

Xion was still heading towards Gyarados, but the vision made her forget what she was doing.

"What?" she said. Without focusing, Gyarados crashed on her, and they both fell back into the water. Gyarados arose from the water, and then started to swim away. Drew and Ritchie didn't understand what just happened, and then they saw Xion floating towards them.

"Xion!" yelled Ritchie as he jumped into the water to get her. Drew finally got everything together, and then he groaned.

"Well shit," said Drew, "She just screwed up the mission for us."

"Shut up, Drew," said Ritchie as he lied her down on the ground. He started to shake her, and Drew started to check if she was drowning. After a while, she started to cough. She then opened one eye just a little bit.

"Thank Arceus you're okay," said Ritchie. Xion looked towards the two, but then when she laid her eyes on Drew, she felt angry for some reason. She glared at him, and then closed her eyes. The two noticed the glare and looked at each other.

"Did I do something wrong?" asked Drew. Ritchie just shrugged his shoulders.

The three went back at the castle, and there was a quiet atmosphere around them. They were all walking down a hallway, and Xion was walking in front of them while the two boys stayed in the back. They didn't know what was going on with her, and they were too afraid to ask. Ritchie looked towards Drew to say something, and he sighed.

"So," said Drew, "How have things been?" Xion then stopped, making the others stop as well.

"What do you know about Ash, Drew?" asked Xion. Drew heard, and looked away.

"We should rest," said Drew, trying to avoid the question, "I'm tired." Xion then turned towards them.

"I'm serious, Drew," said Xion, "I had a memory while I was on that mission. It wasn't me in this memory, but a guy who looked like Ritchie. I've seen other people as well, and I've seen a girl who looks just like me. I sometimes hear them say his name, and his name is Ash. I've been having these visions since I've joined The Dark Signers, and I just ignored them, but now, I'm beginning to feel like they are telling me something. I didn't know who would tell me the answers, but I saw you fighting Ash, and you called him buddy, so you know who he is. Who is he?"

"I'm going to ask Saix to get me another mission," said Drew, still avoiding the question, "I can't get a reputation for failing missions." The constant changing the subject started to make Xion furious.

"TELL ME!" yelled Xion, "YOU DO KNOW SOMETHING!" Drew finally turned towards her, and this time, Xion could see the fury in his eyes.

"Ignore it," hissed Drew, "The less you know about him, Xion, the better." Xion still didn't back down, and they stared furiously at each other. Ritchie began to feel the tension in the air, and knew they would start brawling any minute, so he had to do something now.

"Let's calm down," said Ritchie as he started to get in the middle of them, "Let's not go crazy here." They continued to stare at each other, and then Xion turned and walked away. Ritchie watched her walk away, and turned towards Drew to calm her down, but he saw Drew already walking away. He still saw the fury in Drew's eyes, but this time, it had more. He then ran towards Xion and walked behind her. They didn't talk at all for awhile, and then Ritchie started to speak up now.

"Hey Xion, are you..."

"Hey Ritchie," said Xion sweetly, and Ritchie stopped, amazed at how sweet her voice could be after being furious a second ago.

"Yes?" said Ritchie cautiously.

"I'm going to be out for a while. Don't follow me, because I really need some serious thinking to do."

"Um, okay. Where are you going?"

"Somewhere. Don't worry, I'll be back."

"Why?" asked Ritchie, "Is it because of this Ash guy?" Xion then stopped. Ritchie stopped as well. Xion then turned halfway to look at Ritchie.

"Do you have visions of anyone?" asked Xion. Ritchie thought for a few seconds.

"I think so," said Ritchie, "I remember seeing someone else in my memories sometimes, but they are often hazy. But those are dreams. I don't think they're real." Xion looked in front of her again, and then started to walk again.

"All the pieces are coming together," said Xion, and she walked away again. Ritchie didn't understand what was happening, but he just hoped things would get better soon. He then turned the opposite direction, and walked to go find Drew.

It has been three days since Xion left to go thinking. Ritchie began to get suspicious. Every time he tried to ask Drew about her whereabouts, he always said he didn't care or it wasn't his problem. Ritchie began to wonder if she was hurt, or if she got herself into trouble. He should've followed her to make sure she was safe, but he had to go with his better judgment. He finished what he was writing in his journal and tossed it to the side. He then lied down on his bed and took a deep breath. He kept on turning, trying to relax his mind about Xion, but thoughts of her kept clouding his mind. He looked outside into the dark sky, and then sat up.

"If she's gone, then as a friend, I have to go and find her," thought Ritchie, "I wonder if Drew would help me find her." He then stood and walked out of his room. He walked down the hallway to where Drew might be, possibly in the lobby. When he arrived, he saw Drew there, but talking to Saix. He stood behind them, not wanting to intrude, but he heard what they said.

"Go and find Xion," said Saix, "We've been hearing reports of her disappearing, and that won't be good in the organization."

"Can we just leave it alone?" asked Drew, "Why push me into this?"

"Because I know you are close to her," said Saix, "I could ask the boy, but I know you won't hold back if force is needed." Drew didn't say anything, and then sighed.

"Fine," said Drew, "Whatever."

"Good," said Saix, "She's in Kasumi Town. Leave immediately." Saix then walked away. Drew sighed and turned around, seeing Ritchie there. He started walking towards him, and then walked past him. Ritchie was shocked. He didn't understand what was happening, but he already wasn't liking it. When Drew walked past him, Ritchie turned toward Drew.

"What's happening?" asked Ritchie, "Did something happen?"

"It's nothing, Ritchie," said Drew calmly, not turning back to face him, "Just go and sleep or take a mission. I got this." He then left. When Drew said those words, Ritchie felt his spine tingle. He started to feel uneasy about this situation, and he wasn't going to sit back and watch it unfold.

"Now it's my business," thought Ritchie angrily, and he ran off, off to find Xion in Kasumi Town before Drew could.

Ritchie landed in Kasumi Town, and wobbled as he tried to regain his balance. He was breathing heavily. That was his first time creating a portal by himself. He got lucky he landed in Kasumi Town this time, since he went to a bunch of other places first. He gave himself a pat on the back, literally.

"Good for you, Ritchie," thought Ritchie, "Good for you." He then stopped and looked around seriously. He shouldn't be playing around right now. He had a mission now, and it was to find Xion before Drew did. He set out to find her. After a while, Ritchie began to give up. He couldn't find her. He was beginning to think Drew found her first.

"If I was a girl, where would I go?" thought Ritchie, "Maybe get some makeup, or..." He then felt something strange in his stomach. It was strange, yet familiar. He held his stomach, trying to remember it.

"Do I have to use the..." thought Ritchie, before he saw a shadow appear from above him. He looked up to see where the shadow was coming from, staring at the one person he was looking for: Xion. She was on a rooftop, not noticing him. Her hood was over her head, but her feminine figure and height made Ritchie know it was her.

"Xion!" yelled Ritchie, and Xion looked down towards him, and then immediately started to run off. Ritchie was surprised to see her run away from him,

"Why is she..." said Ritchie, and then he started to chase her. He jumped up on the rooftop and gave chase. They kept jumping from roof to roof, and Ritchie began to see that Xion wasn't going to stop.

"Wait up already!" yelled Ritchie. She then jumped down from a building and ran into an alleyway. Ritchie followed.

Xion kept on running. After a while, she started to not hear footsteps behind her. She stopped and turned, and didn't see anything. She continued to walk ahead, until she got to the end, which was a huge, square-shaped opening between buildings. She looked up to the sky.

"You thought you lost me?" asked Ritchie as he walked towards her. She wasn't surprised. She knew he would follow. She sighed and pulled down her hood and looked at the boy with a smile.

"How's things?" asked Xion. Ritchie frowned.

"You told me you'd come back," said Ritchie. This time, Xion frowned.

"There's a reason I didn't come back," said Xion, "Ritchie, I've been getting more visions, and I'm starting to understand them. I pieced some of them together, and got one thing. The Dark Signers aren't what they say they are."

"We're looking for our hearts," said Ritchie, "We don't have any." Xion looked away from him.

"That's only half true," said Xion, "I don't know what they're true intentions are, and I'm trying to figure it out. The memories just come random to me. It's incredibly difficult to piece them together. I swore to myself I would come back for you and save you, but only after I find him."

"Him?" asked Ritchie, but he already knew the answer.

"I'm looking for Ash," said Xion, "I've been having memories about him, and I've been thinking that maybe it was a long time ago, like a past life, but it isn't. I've been having recent memories, like Drew being in them. Drew came to the organization a few days before us, so he has to still be alive. I've been looking for him to ask for his help, and we can both go and save you."

"But..." said Ritchie, but was stopped when Xion turned towards him.

"I'm beginning to understand something else as well, Ritchie," said Xion, "I'm beginning to think that we are something closer to Ash, you and me. I can feel a connection to him and us. I'm beginning to think we belong to him, but I'm not sure."

"Belong to him?" said Ritchie, "What? That would mean he would technically be our father. Oh my Arceus. If he's our father, then that would make you my..."

"Ignore her, Ritchie," said Drew as he dropped down to where they were. He stood up and materialized his Chakrams and walked towards them.

"I told you to ignore this, Ritchie, and let me take care of this," said Drew.

"Drew, I..." said Ritchie, but was stopped when Xion pushed him aside and materialized her Aura Blade.

"You're not taking me with you," said Xion.

"I knew you would say that," said Drew. They then jumped at each other, and their weapons clashed with each other. Ritchie watched in shock as his two friends fought. He couldn't let the words out to let them stop.

"Wait," said Ritchie as they continued to strike each other, "I...you don't have to...maybe we can...do we really have to do...please stop." They continued to hit each other, Ritchie felt helpless. Anger started to build up inside him.

"STOP!" yelled Ritchie. His sudden yell made Xion stop for a split second, giving Drew a chance to go behind her and hit her on her neck, knocking her out. She fell to the ground as her Aura Blade disappeared. Drew sighed and de-materialized his Chakrams and took Xion and threw her across his shoulder. Ritchie watched in shock. What the hell just happened?

"You just..." said Ritchie, but stopped when he saw Drew walking away, "Why'd you do that?" Drew stopped but did not face him.

"Ritchie, go back to the castle," said Drew, "Pretend this never happened. This will all be over soon. Just go and take a nap or something." Drew then opened up a portal and walked right in, and then it disappeared. Ritchie still stood there, wide-eyed, not believing what happened.

Ritchie slammed his door shut and fell into his bed. He brushed his hair with his hands, trying to think things over. A lot of things happened, and he tried to put them together the best way he could, but he just couldn't. They placed the knocked out Xion in her bed, and no one was allowed to see her. Roman was going to speak with her, and Ritchie was worried. Ritchie gave out a big sigh.

"What happened between all of us?" thought Ritchie.

"I'm beginning to think that we are something closer to Ash, you and me," Ritchie remembered Xion telling him, "I can feel a connection to him and us. I'm beginning to think we belong to him, but I'm not sure." He looked up to the roof, and thought about it.

"Ash," thought Ritchie, "Who are you?"

Visions zoomed through the girl's head, and they were perfectly ordered this time. All of his adventures were perfectly ordered, and she began to understand them all. Finally, a scene of Ash piercing his own heart appeared in her head, and then a light appeared in the air. She saw Roman take a piece of it, and the light enters the girl, which brought her to life, and Ash started to disappear. She saw the girl bring him back, but he had gray eyes, and he no longer had a heart.

Xion woke up on her bed and immediately sat up. She was breathing heavily. She held her chest, where her heart was supposed to be. She then felt it, a light beat, like a heart beating. She then looked at the ceiling.

"I get it all now," said Xion.

(Ending song)

Next Time on Pokemon Heroes:The choice has finally come to Ritchie: should he stay loyal to The Dark Signers, or help Xion. It's time for the curtains to fall, and the fate of Ash's Nobodies to be decided. What will Ritchie choose, and how will it affect both of their futures? Next Time: The Ritchie Chronicles Part 4: The End.

That was that chapter. The next chapter won't literally mean "the end". Each title has its meaning to the chapter itself, so "the end" would mean "the end" of something in the next chapter. Next chapter will come out next week, and sorry for making this late. I had to fix errors in it, and there were a lot. See you next week!

Read and Review please :-)

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