Chapter 98 – Lean on me!
"It's a…forest," Ashachu mumbled in disbelief.
His paws became damp from the moist grass beneath, as his body adjusted to the cool humid air. His vision was filled with green; his ears were filled with a rushing sound and he could smell a mixture of scents on the air; grass, freshwater and something flowery.
"Yep, it's a forest alright," said Hunter. "What happened. Is this. Another planet."
Ashachu looked over his shoulder. "I don't think so. Look."
Hunter turned around. Behind them was a stark white wall, higher than any of the trees, reaching up to the night sky. And overhead those same still stars streaking across the sky…
"I think we're still aboard the ship."
There was a door in the wall revealing the elevator out of which they had just stepped.
"So, the humans grew a forest in the middle of the spaceship," said Hunter. "Why would they do that."
Ashachu shrugged. "No idea."
"Unless. Wait." Hunter closed his eyes and bowed his head. His two aura sensors flew up as if caught in a strong breeze. "I sense. Something." His eyes suddenly snapped open. "Ashachu I'm not sure we're alone down here."
Ashachu noticed the apprehension in his voice and it made his heart beat faster. "What do you mean. There's someone else down here. Human or Pokémon."
Hunter bit his lip. "I'm not sure. I only feel aura in waves. And I just feel something. It's really faint. I dunno maybe we should get outta…"
But before he could finish his sentence, there was sound of bell and the door to the elevator suddenly slid shut. Hunter's eyes widened. "What the. NO." He ran to the door and beat on the metal with his paw. "Don't do that. Open up."
Ashachu examined a small panel beside the door. It was yet another computer screen. And printed across it in red letter
Elevator called. Bridge
"Elevator called. But. Shit." He experienced a lurch of fear in the pit of his stomach and he realised what must have happened. "Hunter," he cried reaching out and tugging on his best friends' fur. "We gotta get out of here."
Hunter stopped banging and looked at him. "Yeah I get that but…"
"Hunter it gone back for Shadow. We have to go now."
"Where? Wait. Not into the forest." The Riolu's expression became more fearful.
"We don't have a choice," said Ashachu urgently.
"But we don't know what's in there. There could be more of those team flare goons."
Ashachu swallowed. "I know that but. I'd rather take my chances with them than Shadow!"
Hunter put on a brace face and nodded. "Okay."
And with that, the two set off into the trees…Almost.
Pikachu's tails contain a large amount of muscle, particularly at the end, and are, relatively to their bodies, quite heavy. This gives the mouse Pokémon balance when walking on their hind legs.
And so, without his tail to balance him, Ashachu tripped and fell over after taking the first few steps…
"Ashachu. What's wrong," Hunter asked concernedly, as Ashachu tumbled to the ground.
"I'm okay," Ashachu replied, breathing heavily. "I just tripped."
"Here, let me help you." Hunter promptly lifted Ashachu back to his paws.
"Thanks," said Ashachu. But no sooner had he taken a few steps then he fell over again.
Panic started to set into the poor mouse. His heart thumped in his chest and he begun to have difficulty breathing. "Ahh. Hunter! I don't think I can walk properly."
"It's Okay. I'll help you." Hunter pulled him to his foot paws once again and put himself arm around him to support him. "C'mon. Just lean on me buddy. That's right. And breath. Breath."
Hunter squeezed him tightly. Ashachu took a few deep breaths, trying to get his heart rate to settle. "I love you," he whispered before giving Hunter a lick on the side of the muzzle.
They set off, again, thought the trees, looking like contestants in a three-legged race, and moving much slower than either would have preferred. The combination of thick trees and uneven ground impeding their progress.
How much time did they have until the elevator brought Shadow to this part of the ship? Minutes…Seconds…
Ashachu was sure he would hear the cold voice behind him at any moment now. See the dark red eye. Probably the last thing he would ever see before he died. He gripped Hunter's fur in his right paw tightly.
Sensing his friends' emotions, Hunter tried to take his mind off their situation. "So why is there a forest inside a spaceship," he wondered again.
"No idea," Ashachu repeated. "Maybe…" He looked around. The forest looked like they had traveled through with their trainers back home. And the air smelt like fresh water, meaning there must have been a stream nearby. "Maybe its for Pokémon to live in. If the humans were planning to bring Pokémon into space, this is for the Pokémon."
"Why would they want to bring humans into outer space."
"I don't know," said Ashachu. "But what else would it be for?"
Ashachu was starting to feel quite unnerved. The forest may have been like any other forest, but it had one key difference. Back home the forests had been teeming with Pokémon. Pidgey nesting in the branches of trees, Rattata scurrying across the ground, Wurmple eating the leaves, Bunneary dancing in the moonlight and pachirisu living in hollows in the trunks.
Here the forest was just empty. Silent. Not so much as a paw print in the grass to indicate anyone else was here. They were the only Pokémon there. Yet if that was true, what had Hunter sensed in here among the trees?
After walking for what felt like a long time, the trees finally thinned out…And Ashachu and Hunter found themselves standing at the edge of a giant pond.
"Well that explains the smell of water," said Ashachu as they came to a halt.
The pond was enormous. More like a small lake than a pond. Directly opposite they could see more trees. To the right was another grey wall a small waterfall. An opening in the wall near the ceiling pouring water over several rocks and cascading into the pool.
Hunter knelt down and sniffed. "Smells fresh."
"Never mind what it smells like," said Ashachu. "How do we get…Hunter, what are you doing."
For at that moment, Hunter had lowered his muzzle into the pond and started to drink.
"I'm thirsty," he replied a moment later raising his head after he'd drunk his fill and wiping his muzzle. "Try it its really good."
"Err. I'm not sure that was a good idea. You don't know what's in it."
Hunter rolled his eyes. "Always the worrier. Nothings in it. Smell it. There aren't even any other Pokémon to piss in it."
Seeing Hunter drinking reminded Ashachu how dry his throat felt. He knew they wouldn't last long without food and water…Something else he'd been trying not to think about. He dropped to his all found and lowered his nose to the water.
He inhaled through his nose. Hunter was right. The water smelt fresh and clean. Better than some of the streams back home. He lowered his maw in and took a few sips. The water was clear and crisp, and terribly satisfying. He suddenly felt a lot better.
"Ahh. You were right. That's better."
Hunter clapped him on the back. "See I told ya. As for getting across. Don't worry. I've got an idea…"
[Pokémon]
Meanwhile…
Pyre fidgeted with his claws, tapping the long nails together nervously.
The charmander had always known his friend and have a dark, cruel streak…Well more than a streak. Shadow could be…well there was no other word for it…evil on occasion. Pyre had trend to never let that affect their friendship.
He was used to looking the other way and to spending long hours trying to rationalise whatever terrible deed Shadow had committed…
That Hunter was after Raiee's egg…Shadow was protecting her when he pulled his organs out of her…well out of her.
That Absol nearly killed Blade…Any loving partner would have removed its spine…
But this was different. Ashachu…or Hikari, or whatever his name was…was a kit. Just a scared kit who wasn't to blame for Blade's predicament. How could he allow his best friend to do this awful thing to him?
"Typical humans and their contraptions," The Darkrai muttered darkly as he pressed the touch screen to summon the elevator. "Complex and overbearing for the simplest of tasks."
"Hey, listen Shadow mate," Pyre said nervously. He found his throat had gone very dray and it was difficult to utter the next word. "Do you think, maybe…"
He fell silent the red eye trained itself on him. He had no idea how the Darkrai had done it. Remained in the same position yet made it obvious that that his entire attention was on the Charmander.
"You seem rather nervous their Pyre. Fearful what you have to say will displease me. I have often found it perplexing that after so many summers of friendship part of you is still deathly afraid of me…"
"I-I'm not afraid," Pyre protested, though the beads of sweat all over his scales told a different story. "I…"
"Oh, come no," said Shadow dismissively. "Let us not pretend. Friends should speak openly should they not. I have seen you flinch when you look at me. Felt you shudder when you touch me. Now you stand their perspiring and unable to utter what it is you have to say to me…"
"No. I…I" Pyre tried to speak but the words got caught in his throat.
"Allow me to make a guess. You do not approve of the punishments I intend to inflict on Hikari. Is that correct."
"Well ummm…" Pyre swallowed and nodded.
"I thought so. You have always had such kindness in your heart. Such compassion. It is one of the things I find endearing about you. But you were right to be frightened. I confess I would find such a confession to be irritating and of no consequence. And you know what happens you you become irritating to me Pyre."
The tone of Shadow's voice had not changed. It had even remained friendly. But something about his words made Pyre experience a chill through his entire body. As if he'd been plunged into a pool of ice-cold water. He shivered, which Shadow noted to his satisfaction.
"I have not intention of sparing that worthless piece of trash Hikari any torment or suffering. That rodent deserves nothing more than for his worthless life to come to an excruciating end for what he did my dearest Blade."
"But…He's just a kit." Three words uttered in an inaudible whispered. It was the most that Pyre had ever stood up to his friend in all the time they had known each other. And as soon as he had said it, he regretted it. He closed his eyes waiting for Shadow to inflict his punishment.
Fortunately, it never came. Shadow replied simply, "And death comes only for adults?"
There was a loud DING at that moment. Pyre opened his eyes. The elevator car had arrived, and the door had slid open.
"You know Pyre many have asked me how I justify taking lives." The Darkrai placed a cold paw on his shoulder and pushed the Charmander into the elevator. "So, I lie and tell them: I don't kill those I hate, I simply move them forward to a time when they're no longer alive. Now onward."
[Pokémon]
"Yah…Yah...Yah…Oh man."
Ashachu coxed his head at the spectacle of Hunter jumping into the air and sticking out his paw repeatedly. "Hunter. What are you doing?" he asked after the Riolu's tenth jump.
"Trying…Yah…To learn…Yah…Assist," said Hunter as he continued to jump and jab at the air with his paw.
"Assist," repeated Ashachu.
"I saw some Skitty use it…Yah…It means you can call on the moves of other team members…Yah…And if I can get it to work…Yah…Samurott knows surf…Yah…That's get us across the…Yah…Lake…Ugh."
The Riolu's face had turned red with the effort of trying to learn the new move and he was panting heavily. After a moment of catching his breath he punched the nearest tree trunk in frustration. "UGH…How hard is it to learn a new move!"
Ashachu signed. "Hunter. We don't have time to waste trying to get you to learn a new move. Shadow's coming. We have to keep moving."
Hunter started at him incredulously. "yeah but. Where can we go. This lakes in the way."
Ashachu bit his lip. "I think we're just going to have to swim."
Hunter frowned. "Are you sure that's a good idea. With your…" he eyed the nub that had once been his tail. "Injury. You could."
"I know," Ashachu snapped, trying to keep his emotions out of control. "But it's the only way and…" He took a deep breath. "I'd rather drown than have Shadow kill me."
Hunter grimaced then sighed and said, "Okay. Grab onto me." He put his arm around Ashachu again, pulled him to his foot paws and together they waded out into the pond. "When it gets too deep to stand put your arms around my neck okay…"
[Pokémon]
The pond wasn't particularly deep. Ashachu and Hunter had managed to wade out a significant distance before the water was up to their necks. Ashachu did has Hunter had told him. He wrapped his arms and around the Riolu's neck and gripped his fur.
Swimming with Ashachu was not easy. Poor Hunter felt like there was a heavy weight tied to his neck, threatening to drag him into the deeps below. He had finally reached the point in the lake where his foot paw no longer touched the bottom.
With Ashachu holding onto back all he could do was tread water with his legs and paddling like crazy with his paws. Ashachu wasn't exactly helping either. The mouse was just clinging to him like a dead weight. He had to fight hard to keep his muzzle and Ashachu's head above the surface.
"Fuck…Why…couldn't my dad have fucked a Floatzel instead of Lucario," Hunter half panted half muttered to himself. He regretted doing so as soon as he opened his maw and it flooded with water.
Progress across the pond was slow despite Hunter's furious paddling. The opposite shore didn't seem to be getting any closer. Within a few minutes of paddling, Hunter's arms and legs were starting ache as the lactic acid built up. Ashachu was like a brick dragging him down.
And then, after what felt like an eternity, and with his muscles threatening to give up, he felt his foot paws finally connect with the bed of the pond. A few paddles later and he was able stand up.
"Okay. Ashachu, you can get off me now," he panted.
"You wish your dad had fucked a Floatzel," Ashachu asked him, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously Hunter."
"Yeah well. That would have been easier for a water type," replied Hunter mareepishly. "Especially with you clinging to me like a geodude."
Ashachu rolled his eyes. "You do realize that if Cameron had fucked a Floatzel you wouldn't be you, right. And since when do Geodude cling."
"Figure of speech."
The looked at each other for a moment then laughed. Then Ashachu put his paws on Hunter's shoulders and kissed the Rioli on the end of his nose. "Thanks Hunter. You did great."
A slight blush appeared on Hunter's face and he smiled. "Any time buddy." He returned the favor by licking the top of Ashachu's head.
"Sorry I was such a pain."
"Don't worry about it."
They trudged out of the pond. Their fur was heavy with water and slick against their bodied. They shook themselves dry, spraying the trunks of the nearby trees with water droplets.
And it was then that Hunter felt it again…
"Ouro…" He froze suddenly as he was shaking his fur, raising his head, his aura sensor flying up.
"Hunter," said Ashachu, his heart skipping a beat. "What is it?"
Hunter was quite for a moment. Then he said slowly, "It's that feeling…from earlier…Ashachu. I don't think we're alone here."
"It's not Shadow is it."
To Ashachu's relief, Hunter shook his head. "I don't think so. It doesn't feel as…dark."
"Where's it coming from?"
"Not sure. Somewhere close by, I think. Feels stronger than before."
Ashachu grimaced. "Let's just keep going. If we stay here too long that Darkrai will catch us."
They kept moving. Within a few minutes they were back among the thick foliage of the trees. If anything, the trees were thicker than before. The pond quickly disappeared into the thicket of green behind them.
Worse still Hunter was more apprehensive and jumpier than he had been before. Every so often he would stop and look to his right or over his shoulder, staring at something Ashachu couldn't see. His aura sensor seemingly refusing to go down.
"Hunter. What's wrong," Ashachu asked.
But Hunter just shook his head again. "It's nothing Ashy. Just. A feeling…I dunno."
[Pokémon]
Later…
"Is it just me," said Ashachu. "Or is it starting to get dark in here."
"I think its just you," Hunter replied. "I can see perfectly fine."
Ashachu grimaced. "I swear it was brighter when we came in…"
The shadows cast by the trees were getting longer. Less and less of the path before them was visible. Even Hunter's face and fur was becoming harder to make out…He wondered why Hunter couldn't see it…Either he could and was in denial, or Riolu's had better night vision than Pikachu's.
He gripped Hunter's fur tightly. So tightly he was surprised he didn't pull it out.
"Ow…Watch it," Hunter grumbled but made no move to brush Ashachu off.
Ashachu wished he had bigger, stronger claws – if he did he would have used them to dig a burrow to wait until it got lighter. If it got lighter. Or better yet knew secret power like Hikari or Nova…Then he could make a secret base to hide in.
And then, from out of the shadows, came a familiar voice…
"Hikari!"
Ashachu felt a lurch of fear in the pit of his stomach. Hunter, for the second time that day, moved him aside to position himself protectively in front of Ashachu.
"Whose there. I'm warning you," he barked.
The familiar voice replied sarcastically, "You know. There's honestly nothing more pathetic than a weak kid who acts like he's tough."
This irritated Hunter. He bared his teeth and growled, "What did you say. Who are you! Show yourself!"
From out of the shadows stepped a certain Sneasel, with a wide grin on his face. "Because seriously. I could knock you flat on your arse with my eyes shut…"
"Blade," Ashachu gasped, unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive.
Blade stared at him for a moment, his arms folded. Ashachu's heart pounded in his chest and his mouth suddenly felt very dry.
"B-blade," he choked out. "I…I…I'm…" What was he going to say? He drew a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Blade I'm so…"
But before he could finish his sentence, Blade was upon him. The Sneasel moved so fast that neither Ashachu nor Hunter had any chance to react. Blade shoved Hunter in the chest so hard he nearly fell over, before raising his claws.
"Pika!" Ashachu wince, shutting his eyes as he braved himself fro the strike.
Hunter let out an angry bark, "GET…Wahh!"
Rather than feeling sharp claws digging into his flesh, Ashachu felt Blade embrace him. The Sneasel was actually hugging him, like a friend. Not unlike the way Hunter did.
"Pi." He opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of the grinning Sneasel.
"Ahh it's good to see you again kid," exclaimed Blade happily before giving him a lick on his forehead. "How the heck did you here?"
"Hmph." Hunter snorted disapprovingly and put his paws on his hips.
Blade released him, turned around and shouted into the trees, "Meowth. It's okay their friends. It's them!"
Ashachu was in too much of a shock to notice. "You're…You're not mad," he whispered to Blade.
Blade coxed his head. "Mad. Why would I be…" He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock. "Oh, my Arceus. What the fuck happened to your tail."
"Maybe you should ask your boyfriend," barked Hunter.
Blade looked over at him, but before he could say anything, they heard yet another voice from out tree. A deep nasal voice with a Castelia accent. "Nya. Well well. Twerpachoo and the Riolu."
"M-Meowth," Hunter exclaimed in surprise as the scratch-cat Pokémon emerged from the shadows. "How did you get here?"
"Same t'ing as you," Meowth replied. "We were kidnapped by da fashion freaks."
"We've been here a month," said Blade. "We considered letting you out of those tubes, but we didn't know if it would be safe."
At this, Ashachu and Hunter turned to stare at each other, before turning back to the other two and saying in unison. "A MONTH!"
How could that be possible. How could they have been here that long?
"Th-that's not possible," stuttered Hunter. "It's only been a few hours. We were captured by Team Flare in Mossdeep City a few hours ago."
"Actually, it was three years ago," replied Meowth. "Come with us. We'll show ya..."
[Pokémon]
Blade and Meowth led Ashachu and Hunter a little way further through the trees until they reached a clearing in the forest. Here was the first sign of any technology they had seen since entering the forest.
The end of a large metal walkway emerging from the trees, with a large computer monitor fixed to the railing. It reminded Ashachu of the walkways he's seen in the conservation area of the Aether Paradise.
Meowth poked his head under railing and climbed onto the platform, before gesturing to the others to follow. Ashachu put his front paws on the edge of the platform and quickly realised it was too high to pull himself onto.
Fortunately for him Hunter saw his predicament and gave him a paw up. He took hold of Ashachu just under his haunches and lifted him onto the walkway.
"Thanks buddy."
Once they were all gathered around it, Meowth tapped the computer screen with his paw. The familiar image of Porygon appeared.
"Master Meowth. How can I help you…"?
"Porygon," Meowth replied. "Tell my friends here where we are."
"Your friends are aboard the interstellar spacecraft the Centurion…"
"It's already told us that," groaned Hunter.
"Currently traveling through the Ultra Space one hundred light years from earth…"
He and Ashachu both inhaled sharply. "Okay that part was new," said Hunter.
"And where they are going?" Meowth asked.
"The Centurion is en-route to the Ultra Jungle. We will arrive in thirty hours…"
"And how long we been travelin' for?"
"The journey has taken us eight thousand years…"
Ashachu felt as if the ground had just collapsed from under his paws, opening into a gaping abyss. He was falling through a world of his own nightmares. How could the spaceship have been travelling for THAT long? He could remember Mossdeep. That could only have been a few hours ago.
And wait…If they had been here for eight thousand years…That meant his parents Ash and Pikachu…His friends Sniveon and Nova…His rival Geyser…Gym battles and badges and everything he had ever know was…gone. His little mouse brain refused to process it.
"No way," Hunter declared scornfully, folding his arms and scowling at the monitor. His voice sounded oddly distant to Ashachu. "No way we've been here eight thousand years. It's been hours. Days maybe."
"I told ya we've been here at least a month," said Blade again sounding a little irritable.
"Yeah and Ashachu here's a great detective," Hunter replied sarcastically. "There's no Pokémon that can live for eight thousand years!"
"Nine thousand years," Porygon corrected him. "While in transit you have been in Hyper sleep."
From a project at the very top of the monitor, a large green holographic projection was beamed above their heads, causing Hunter to gape and Ashachu to gasp.
"Whoa."
"Pika."
Ashachu recognized what it was supposed to be – the glass capsule he had found himself trapped inside earlier that day. He shivered.
"A series of drugs were administered to induce a coma and preserve cells allowing your bodies to exist beyond their natural life expectancy. You were then placed inside one of these sleeper pods. The temperature inside the pods is then lowered to help preserve you bodies. This allows humans and Pokémon alike to be transported on space flights thousands of years in duration."
"So that's what the capsule was for," breathed Ashachu. He gripped Hunters fur. "oh Hunter. What are we going to do?" Tears welled up in his eyes.
Hunter scoffed. "You really believe this crap."
Before Ashachu could reply Blade raised his claws and said calmingly, "Settle down their kid. It's not as bad as ya think…"
