uploaded from phone sorry for any issues.
Chapter 6
Ember was alone in an unknown place. The whole area was cast in gray and filled with an eerie haze.
"Hello?" she called out, voice lost in the void.
-nnnnd- A voice rang out.
-innnnnd uuuu- and another.
-innnnnnd uuuuuuusss, and another.
More and more rose up, surrounding Ember, until the first body appeared. Decaying, limping, and reeking of death, bodies lurched from the haze.
Ember felt the air freeze in her lungs and her legs turned to stone as panic set in. There were too many to count, Pokémon and humans coming at her with outstretched limbs, all groaning the same garbled words.
-ind us, -ind us, -ind us, the haze was beginning to turn a sickly blue as their bodies grew closer, each developing a violet orb around them.
A screech echoed through the haze and a shadow swooped over Ember. Before she could look up, something touched her stomach. A rotting gnarly hand pressed against her, eyeless sockets stared up at her, the same garbled words spoke from its motionless mouth. Ember tried to scream, tried to move, but nothing worked. More were coming. Closer and closer and closer...
BRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!
Leaf's alarm went off, jolting Ember awake. Her heart raced, and sweat drenched her body.
"Morning," Leaf grumbled, sitting up. Ember stared at the ceiling, chest rising in and falling rapidly, eyes fixed on a single spot on the ceiling.
There was an annoyed hiss from beside her as Neith buried her head into Ember's side, attempting to go back to sleep. Hades plopped his head on Ember's chest from his spot against her other side, only to perk up at her distressed state.
"What's wrong?" Hades asked.
"Nothing," Ember whispered as she sat up, much to the dismay of her Pokémon.
Leaf was already dressed by the time Ember glanced over, wiping the cold sweat from her brow.
"Why are you up already?" Ember asked, checking the clock. It was only 6am, though for once, Ember wasn't upset at being woken so early.
"It's time to train," she said. Her Nidorina - Prima - and Champ were at her side, looking ready to start fighting anything at the drop of a hat. The as-of-yet unnamed Kabuto clung to Leaf's backpack as she slung it over her back.
"We're going to head north of the city and get a few days of training before attempting the Cascade Badge," she said.
"Alone?" Ember asked. She tried to keep the worry from her voice but the flinch from Leaf spoke volumes.
"Yeah, alone," Leaf bit out, before sighing. "I… I want to get away from everything, just… return to the new normal, ya know."
"Yeah," Ember nodded. The remnants of her dream still lingered in the back of her mind as she said goodbye to Leaf and watched her leave their shared room.
Ember took a moment to breath, eyes closing as she reached for Ash's mind. He was still asleep, peacefully so at that, so Ember decided to pull back…
-innnnnd uuuuuuusssss, the voices started back up. Ember felt her breath hitch as she lost the ability to open her eyes. The same words, slurred and garbled, on repeat as her body screamed for air.
Ember! Hades' voice shouted and then next second a sharp pain in her arm brought her back to her body, gasping for air. Hades released his bite, licking the spot a few times with an apologetic whine. Neith squirmed her way onto Ember's lap to get a better look at her.
"Did you… you hear that?" Ember asked. Both cocked their heads in confusion as they tried to listen to whatever Ember heard. Hades heard nothing, and he had the best hearing of the three. "Guess I'm tired."
Ember kept her eyes open as she pet her Pokémon. She relaxed little by little as the two rested easily with each other. Their differences resolved after one fight wasn't necessarily true, but dark-types, while known for holding grudges, also respected outcomes when done on their terms. Neith held some resent for the loss, but she respected Hades for the win - for now.
She blinked once she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, sighing in relief when it didn't happen again.
"I'm going to shower," she said. "Why don't…" she cut off. "Do you want to come with me?" she decided to ask.
Both of her Pokémon went with her, concerned for their trainer and willing to brave the water should she need them. Lucky for both of them, Ember liked scalding showers so if they did need to jump in, they wouldn't be bothered much by the water.
XXXX
Ash and Gary met up with Ember a little after 8 in the cafeteria, neither boy much for mornings. They sat mostly in silence while they ate breakfast, but eventually Gary spoke up after Ember told them where Leaf went.
"I'm going to head out too," Gary said. "Teleport to Pewter and then make myself down to Viridian… Blue chewed me out about missing Yellow."
"Good, they wanted to see all of us," Ash said, pointing his fork at Gary.
"Well, now they'll get to see me after all the losers have passed," Gary huffed. "They'll see the truest pride of Pallet."
Ember flicked a wad of rice at his face.
"They are going to chew you out," she said.
"Please, I can handle anything," Gary puffed out his chest, "because I'm…"
"Gary-mother...fudging-Oak," Ember said.
"Aww is Emmy still afraid to swear," Gary teased.
"After Mom heard her say the b-word last year," Ash snickered.
Ember fake shuddered.
"She didn't even yell, just got real quiet," Ember said.
Gary winced.
"Ok that is bad," he said.
The three of them laughed as they finished their breakfasts.
Gary said his signature, "Smell you later," before heading over to the teleporting area, leaving the twins on their own once more.
"Right, time for our next badge!" Ash declared, punching a fist in the air.
"Uh yeah… about that…" Ember looked at her two Pokémon then at the front desk of the center. "Be right back."
A nurse was sitting at the desk, flipping through a magazine, the morning lull leaving the lobby quiet.
"Excuse me?" Ember said as she approached. The nurse put the magazine down with a smile.
"Good morning, how may I help you?" she asked.
"Do you have any info on the Pokémon found around here? I'm looking for specific ones," she said.
"Certainly, just give the names and I can tell you if any have been seen in the area," the nurse said, turning to her computer.
"Seedot or Cacnea?" Ember said. A few clicks and a shake of the head allowed her to continue. "What about Corphish or Carvanha? Or maybe a Froakie?"
"Afraid not," the nurse said after typing the names in. "Carvanha are ocean dwellers and Corphish don't travel this far north. Oh, there is a Froakie for trade on the GTS… nevermind." The nurse heaved a sigh. "Unless you have a Moltres you want to trade, I doubt you could get the Froakie."
Ember sighed as well. The GTS - or Global Trade System - was a nice way to trade Pokémon all over the world, but sadly a lot of people have taken to asking for ridiculous trades for desired Pokémon, especially after some collector actually traded a legendary away on it.
"What about, and I know I'm reaching here, but a Morpeko?" Ember tried.
"Sorry, Galar isn't connected to the GTS yet and Morpeko have yet to be discovered outside of that region," the nurse answered without even bothering to type.
Ember nodded, trying not to look too disheartened.
"Thank you anyways," she said and went back to Ash.
"Ok, so… let's get you that badge and then head out," she said. "I'll have to come back after I catch a couple more Pokémon."
"You don't even want to try?" Ash asked.
Ember glanced at her Pokémon, both of whom looked slightly offended by her lack of faith in them.
"Do either of you want to face water Pokémon on a water field full of water?" she asked.
Eyes widening, Hades and Neith shook their heads, happily accepting their trainer's decision.
"Right," Ash nodded, "guess you do have a major disadvantage."
"You aren't much better, but at least you have Pikachu," Ember said.
"Huh…" Ash paused to think over his team before nodding. "Aerodactyl isn't ready for a real battle and Collapse wouldn't be very effective with only water. Pikachu," he made sure his starter was listening, "do you want to try the gym alone or come back later?"
"Might as well try," Pikachu shrugged. He rubbed his cheeks, electricity sparking up under his paws. "Let's do this!"
They headed straight for the Cerulean Gym, Ash and Pikachu psyched up for their battle. The Cerulean Gym was also a theatre and aquarium, luckily the shows were only at night or weekends, so the only crowd the twins had to wade through were the school kids on a field trip.
"I'm here for a gym battle!" Ash declared to the poor lady at the front desk. She had to blink back her mild shock at being shouted at by a child, customer service face slipping back into place.
"Of course," she said, voice too chipper, "I'll just need your I.D." She arched an eyebrow as Ash placed his Pokédex on the counter, but didn't comment as she scanned it on the computer.
"You'll be facing the leader Misty, it'll be a two on two battle," she recited. "Please go through the double doors there, and spectators can go through the viewing doors in the back."
Ash was off the moment he got his Pokédex back.
"Don't start without me!" Ember shouted after him, rolling her eyes. As she made her way to the viewing area, an announcement came over the intercom.
"Attention, a gym battle will commence in five minutes, please make your way to the viewing area. This will be a tier 2 battle between gym leader Misty Waterflower and challenger Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town."
"Oh boy," Ember snickered as she rushed through the doors. The school group was right behind her, all of the kids excitedly chattering about a gym battle.
XXXX
Ash bounced from foot to foot, excitement and adrenaline mixing inside of him. Pikachu was feeding off that energy as well, cheeks sparking and tail twitching as he perched on Ash's shoulder.
The battlefield was a pool with four floating islands in it. The gym leader stood opposite of Ash.
Misty Waterflower, the youngest of the Sensational Sisters and the best battler of the four. Her confidence was clear in the way she held herself on the other side of the field, chin up, shoulders back, and gaze set directly on Ash. She twirled a Pokéball on her finger before catching it and directing it at Ash.
"This will be a two on two battle, you can switch whenever, got it?" Misty called.
"Got it!" Ash shouted back.
A ref stepped up to the side of the field to call the battle.
"Misty calls Goldeen!" Misty shouted as she tossed her Pokéball. A Goldeen landed in the water, eyes gleaming to match her trainer's.
Pikachu used Ash's shoulder as a springboard to propel him onto the field, landing on one of the floating platforms. No attacks were called as Pikachu took the initiative and blasted Goldeen with electricity. Misty smirked as Ash and Pikachu looked dumbfounded, Goldeen perfectly fine.
Electricity crackled over her horn, turning into a light glow around Goldeen's body. Energy gathered in front of her horn before releasing a Water Pulse back at Pikachu. Pikachu hopped out of the way in time for the attack to blast the platform away.
"Lightningrod!" Ash called. "No more electric attacks."
"Very good," Misty said, "most rookies don't notice that fast."
Goldeen dove under the water swimming quickly toward the next platform. She propelled herself from the water, hanging midair to fire another Water Pulse. Pikachu leapt to the third platform in time for the previous one to get sent further away.
"Wait for it," Ash whispered. Pikachu's ears twitched to show he heard, but didn't react beyond that. Goldeen leapt from the water again, energy gathered on her horn again.
"Quick Attack! Pin her!" Ash called.
Pikachu used Quick Attack to leap over the Water Pulse, barreling into Goldeen and knocking her into a platform. He stood on her tail, front paws on her belly, pressing her back into the platform. Goldeen thrashed about, but outside of the water she wasn't as powerful, especially not with her horn useless. Pikachu snickered, a dark look coming to his face.
"Shock her!" Ash called.
Misty scoffed, confident of her victory.
The lightning blinded everyone watching as Pikachu poured power into his attack. At first Goldeen felt nothing beyond the normal increase in her own power, and then came the tickle. That tickle turned into an itch which became sheer pain. Goldeen would've shouted were she able, instead she was left writhing on the platform until the electricity stopped and she knew blissful unconsciousness.
"What on earth?" Misty gaped. The ref called Pikachu's victory and Misty slowly lifted her Pokéball to return her Pokémon. She gathered herself, haughty tone returning.
"Let's see how you do against Starmie!" She threw her next ball, releasing the large purple star, red gem gleaming in the light.
"Starmie can't absorb electricity right?" Ash asked, more himself than anyone else.
"Don't think Starmie will be taken out by a little shock," Misty scoffed.
"Ok," Ash nodded. "Pikachu, big shock please."
The dark look returned, a dark aura forming around Pikachu as his cheeks began to spark.
"Starmie use Psybeam!" Misty called.
The dark aura grew darker before getting hit by the psychic energy, absorbing most of the impact. Pikachu smirked.
"Pi," the electricity built around Pikachu's body, "Ka," his smirk grew, "Chu!" With a shout he released his largest Thunderbolt to date, the residual energy blasted against the psychic barriers around the arena.
As everyone blinked the spots from their eyes, the ref was the first to react to the smoking, unconscious body of Starmie, and a tired looking Pikachu.
"Alright!" Ash cheered, leaping into the air. Pikachu chuckled and bound over to Ash, jumping into his arms to celebrate together.
"I'm loving Nasty Plot," Pikachu snickered, rubbing his cheek to Ash's.
"You did amazing," Ash praised. He scratched the spot behind Pikachu's ear as Misty made her way over to him, face red.
"What the hell was that?" Misty yelled.
"A gym battle?" Ash said, confused.
"You shocked my Goldeen! That is not possible. And nobody one shots my Starmie! Especially not some one badge rookie," Misty snapped.
"Ooooh," Ash nodded his understanding, "it's not impossible to shock something with lightningrod, you just need a strong electrical charge to overpower it. My Pikachu has a strong voltage already, so mix that with a few Nasty Plots and he can get past most things."
Misty floundered for a moment, not expecting a reasonable answer. She cleared her throat and fished out a droplet shaped badge from her pocket.
"Here, guess you earned it," she muttered, all but shoving it into his hand before turning away.
Ash looked at the badge, grin growing before cheering with Pikachu. He spun around, ready to flash the badge at the viewing area for Ember when he finally noticed the crowd.
Little kids were giggling and clapping for him, a couple pointing at Pikachu excitedly. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but decided to strike a pose for the kids. They loved it.
He spotted Ember, who was clearly laughing at him, good naturedly, as he continued to pander to the kids.
The twins met up in the aquarium again. Ember was followed by the little kids, who excitedly ran to Ash to congratulate him.
"You were so cool," one kid said.
"Pikachu was all bam and then whabaam!" A girl said, punching the air.
The kids spoke over each other, making it hard to hear most of them, leaving Ash a little overwhelmed, though he was good at not showing it.
"Kids! 1, 2, 3 eyes on me," the teacher called, clapping her hands. The response was automatic.
"1, 2, eyes on you," all the kids said, turning to look at the teacher.
"Let's all say good job to the trainer together and then go see the Seel show," the teacher said. She counted down and all the kids shouted "good job" at Ash before being led away.
Ember was snickering as Ash breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wanna see the Seel show?" Ember asked. Ash swatted at her, missing as Ember danced away, laughing.
The two left, heading back to the Pokémon Center so Pikachu could be looked at and they could discuss their next move.
They sat in the lobby as Nurse Joy took all of their Pokémon for a quick check up.
"We could head through Saffron then down to Vermillion," Ember suggested. "I want to look around Saffron a bit for a Murkrow."
"We can try for the Marsh badge too!" Ash said. Ember made a face.
"I might have an advantage over psychic types, but Sabrina is ruthless. I want to challenge her later when my team is stronger," Ember said. "I was thinking Surge then go to Celadon."
"Electric gym and grass gym," Ash mused. "Then do psychic next, swing up to Cerulean for you after, then poison and then boat over to Cinnabar for 7th."
"Leaving Dad as our last badge," Ember nodded.
"Sounds like a plan," Ash nodded.
Their names were called and they collected their Pokémon before hitting the road.
Xxx
AN: And next chapter. Sorry it is short but the next one should be a bit longer as it'll feature Saffron, Surge and the start of the ever famous SS Anne arc.