Chapter 10
A Knight Of Shadows
That voice he just heard. It couldn't be, it was probably his mind playing tricks on. Yeah, he had an amazing time with Harleen that he wasn't focusing properly. But it sounded so real and so close too. Out of pure curiosity Ash turned round. To his surprise he saw another group of his friends. Serena, Bonnie, Tracey, Cilan, Kiawe, Lana and Sophocles. They were here and they were standing right in front of him.
"Ash?" Serena asked.
"Ash do you know these people?" Harleen asked.
"Yeah I do, these are more of my friends from back home." Ash said.
"What does she mean more friends?" Cilan asked.
"Everyone is here, they're all together I can take you to them." Ash said excitedly.
"We not going anywhere until you tell us what we just saw." Serena said.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"I think she's talking about that kiss." Kiawe said. Ash blushed. Realising they have seen the whole thing.
"Oh, guys let me introduce you to Harleen." Ash said.
"Nice to meet you all." Harleen said.
"Hi I'm Tracey."
"Sophocles."
"My names Cilan."
"Lana, hi."
"Kiawe here."
"I'm Bonnie."
"And I'm Serena. So what's going on between you two?" Serena just asked an important question. Ash and Harleen were suppose to be on a pretend date. But the moment they kissed. What was that all about? Ash was only suppose to give her a kiss on the cheek. Yet they happened to passionately kiss each other for 2 minutes. Ash didn't know what to say.
"I think I better head inside." Harleen said. Ash was thankful that she broke the tension.
"Ok, I'll see you back at the watchtower." Ash said.
"Absolutely, we can talk more there. Goodnight." Harleen said.
"Goodnight." Ash said. Harleen gave him a kiss on the cheek then headed inside.
"Watchtower?" Bonnie asked.
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." Ash said.
"Ash we saw you on the news using powers and fighting robots. At this point we'll believe anything." Sophocles said.
"We can head there now. But I don't know if everyone will be up there know." Ash said.
"You mean the rest of us?" Tracey asked.
"Sort of." Ash said. Pulling out the receiver for the Watchtower.
"What that?" Lana asked.
"The key." Ash said. Ash pressed a button and everyone disappeared.
Watchtower
Ash and the others arrived in the teleportation room. Everyone except Ash looked confused. How did they get here? And where is here? Ash pressed another button on the receiver.
"Anyone still in the watchtower head to the observation deck. I got a little surprise." Ash said closing the line. "Follow me guys." Ash walked out the room and the others followed. As soon as they got out, there was a big window next to them so they can see outside. They were in shock.
"Ash are we in space?" Tracey asked.
"Yeah. There's a lot of things that will surprise you here." Ash said.
"This is so cool." Sophocles said.
"My brother would love this." Bonnie said.
"He did say when I brought him up here." Ash said. "Come on, they might be there now." Ash led the way to the main room. They entered the observation deck and saw everyone there.
"Clemont." Serena and Bonnie said.
"Bonnie, Serena." He replied.
"Hey Tracey." Misty said.
"Good to see you Misty, you too Brock." Tracey said.
"Like wise." Brock said.
"Cilan." Iris said.
"Hi Iris." Cilan said.
"The groups back together." Mallow said.
"This is so great." Lana said. Flash came running in.
"There's more of you now. Ash, are you hiding them somewhere?" Flash jokes. Everyone looked at him in shock.
"You're fast." Kiawe said.
"That's why I'm called the Flash." Flash said.
"I think the stations getting overcrowded now. It's nice to meet you all." Diana smiled. Flying in.
"You can fly?" Serena asked.
"I can't wait for you to meet the rest of them." Ash said.
"There's more?" Sophocles asked. Martian came flying in.
"Everyone, Batmans called in for help." Martian said.
"Oh cool an alien." Bonnie said.
"Bonnie, manners. Sorry about that Martian." Clemont apologised.
"It's no problem, actually I kinda of liked it. Anyway Batman needs help urgently." Martian said.
"If we head to the Pokemon room, I can do a mass return and one of the Pokemon can teleport us there." Ash said.
"Let's head there now." Flash said. Ash and the heroes headed to the room.
"What are we suppose to do?" Lana said.
"Stay here. Everyone can tell you the rules of the watchtower while I'm gone." Ash said. Running to the Pokemon room.
"Don't worry, he always does this." Lillie said.
Castle
Batman and a demon were fighting spirited suits of armour. They were trying their best to hold them back but there were too many of them.
"Where is your backup then?" The demon asked.
"Just hold them back, they'll be here soon." Batman said. And with him saying that a bright light emergered and Ash, Mew, Bulbasur and the heroes arrived.
"This should be easy." Flash said. Running towards a armour suit. He punched and hurt his hand. "Ow. Ok might be tougher then I thought." Bulbasaur leapt up and tackled the armour breaking it to pieces. Bulbasaur looked at Flash, grinning. "Show off." Diana started punching through the armours. She was getting cornered and was in trouble. She changed to a defensive stance. Before the armours could attack her. They were hit by a hydro pump. Breaking them apart. Diana looked in that direction and saw Mew. Giggling at what happened.
"I don't get what's funny." Diana said. Martian flew through the crowd and reached Batman and the demon.
"Whose your friend?" Martian asked. Punching a suit.
"Etrigan." Batman said. Etrigan looked at Martian.
"You're a weird one." Etrigan said.
"Look whose talking." Martian said. Ash wanted to end this fast to find out what happened. He was compressing the aura together.
"Everyone get down." Ash said. Everyone hit the ground. Etrigan didn't know what was going on so Martian had to drag him down. Ash let out a wave of aura, hitting everything in the room. All the suits collapsed. They were defeated, everyone got up. "That's it? They seemed really weak if they went down in one hit."
"Don't be fooled, you somehow cancelled out the magical energy that was within them." Etrigan said. Approaching Ash.
"We're they cursed?" Diana asked.
"No, enchanted." Etrigan said.
"Who made them anyway?" Flash asked.
"A witch, Morgaine. She's after the philosopher stone." Etrigan said.
"I thought that was a myth." Flash said.
"It's all too real. She wants to use it to bring the world back to the medieval times and give the kingdom to her son, Mordred." Etrigan said.
"We followed a lead that led us here. Fortunately we have other clues." As Batman was saying this. Ash vision started to melt. It was changing from one scene to another. It started to look like. His home. He was back again. Ash went over to the sofa. He can touch it, he can actually touch the furniture. He couldn't believe it.
"I'm home." Ash said.
"Ash is that you?" Ash recognised that voice. It was his mum. She came into the room. "Oh I see you just came back. How was Professor Oak?"
"Mum what's going on?" Ash asked. Delia looked confused.
"I believe you said that you were going to visit your Pokemon at the raunch. It's ok if you forgot. Everyone has those moments." Delia said.
"Yeah, you have no idea. What are you doing now?" Ash asked.
"Me and your girlfriend are making you lunch." Delia said.
"Girlfriend?" Ash was confused. When did he have a girlfriend?
"Don't tell me you forgot her as well. That reminds me." Delia pokes her head through the door. "Dear, Ash is back." Delia said.
"Coming." Wait, Ash knew her voice. It couldn't be. How? The door was starting to open. But it stopped, actually everything stopped. It was like someone hit the pause button. Suddenly flames erupted in the room and Etrigan appeared.
"You weak minded fool. How could you let yourself be fooled by this illusion." Etrigan said. Grabbing Ash and bringing him back to the real world. Ash came to his senses and saw he was kneeling down. He also saw Etrigan standing in front of him. Ash stood up.
"What did you do to me?" Ash asked.
"It was Morgaine. She found your weakness and expoilted it. She will do anything to gain the upper hand. She doesn't have any boundaries." Etrigan said.
"Why did she target Ash though?" Martian asked.
"She knows he somehow disturbed her magic. And she's probably scared of that fact so she's playing mind games with him." Etrigan said.
"We better head back to the watchtower now to figure out our next moves." Batman said.
"Let's head back now. Mew." Ash said looking at Mew. Mew used her powers and made everyone vanished.
Watchtower
Ash and the others got back to the watchtower. Batman and Diana were in another room to discuss strategies. They knew how important it was to find this stone so they need to plan everything by the second. Ash sent Mew and Bulbasaur back to the Pokemon room to rest. Ash, Flash, Martian and Etrigan were in the observation deck to see if they can find anymore information about Morgaine. Etrigan only told them that she was a ruler and would use her beauty to manipulate men. Some of Ashes friends were also in the room. Max and Bonnie were holding each other. Not because they liked each other, but because they were terrified of Etrigan. Etrigan was just looking at them.
"Hi." Max said.
"Are you doing good?" Bonnie asked.
"Max will you stop staring." May said.
"You too Bonnie. I'm really sorry about that." Clemont said.
"It's fine. I'm used to it." Etrigan said. Turning and walking to the others. "Did you find anything else?"
"No. She's been around for centuries and hardly found anything on her. The only things we were able to find were the things you already told us." Flash said.
"She was good at clearing her tracks. She didn't want her enemies knowing anything about her." Etrigan said.
"The one thing we do know is that she's scared of Ash." Martian said.
"I still wonder how my aura was able to cancel out the magic." Ash said. Looking at his hand.
"No idea, but it's good. Now we know there's something that can disrupt her magic." Flash said.
"We still don't know that, that was only a amount of magic she used on those suits. She posses a lot more power and your power might not be enough." Etrigan said. Batman and Diana walked back into the room.
"We sorted the teams and locations." Batman said.
"Give is the details." Flash said.
"You, me and Martian are going to find Harv Hickman. He's throwing a costume party so might be hard to find." Diana said.
"And the rest of us are going to the home of Henry Moss. Reports say these two have or might know the location of the philosopher stone." Batman said.
"When are we leaving?" Ash asked.
"Now." Batman said.
"Ok we'll see you guys in a bit." Flash said. Both teams went in separate direction. Etrigan pulled Batman to one side.
"Be careful of that boy now. Morgaine been in his head now. So she can control him at will. If it comes to it, take him down." Etrigan said. Batman didn't like what he heard. He yanked his arm away and followed Ash. Etrigan lagged back.
Moss's Apartment
The apartment was particularly empty and a person was sitting on the sofa. There was a knock on the door. Then someone broke the door down. The figure walked into the room. It was Morgaine and she was wearing a purple dress with a golden mask.
"Dr. Moss. Sorry for the intrusion but I believe you've got something for me." Morgaine said. The person stood up from the sofa.
"I know why you're here, but I'm afraid the stones not here. But there's something you got that I want." The person turned round and is revealed to be Ash. "Payback."
"So I finally meet the mystery boy. I must say I was quite surprised when your power took care of my magic." Morgaine said.
"You want to see what else it can do?" Ash asked. Ash brought up a aura shield and sword.
"Men and your swords. You all are so weak. Especially that demon in the corner." Morgaine said. Firing magic at the ceiling. It was heading for Etrigan. He jumped out of the way and was heading towards Morgaine.
"This is your end you witch." Etrigan said. Sword ready to strike her down. She waved her hand and swatted him to the side. Ash charged in. Morgaine saw him and made him float. Ash quickly dissolved the shield and changed the sword to a whip. He flicked the whip at her, wrapping around her arm. It was burning her.
"AHHHH!" She shouted. She lost her focus and and Ash fell to the ground. Batman appeared and threw batarangs at her. She saw this coming and stopped them in mid air. She then pushed Batman against the wall. Ash got up and charged in again. "I'll have to deal with you now." She waved her hand and Ash just suddenly stopped. Batman and Etrigan saw this.
"What happened?" Batman asked.
"She's put him under again." Etrigan said. Morgaine made Ash float again.
"Put him down." Batman said. Morgaine looked at him.
"I plan to." Morgaine said. Then suddenly she pushed Ash in the air. Pushing him through a window and falling 20 floors up. Ash finished falling and landed on a car. Almost breaking it in half. "The stone isn't here. Time to see Hickman." She just then vanished. Batman and Etrigan went to the window and saw Ash down below. He was in bad shape.
"We need to get him back to the watchtower." Batman said. Etrigan nodded and jumped to the ground. Batman jumped out of the window and glided down.
Watchtower
"Bring me the stone and I will restore what you have lost." A voice in Ashes head said. He saw images of his old world. Travelling through the forest, having Pokemon battles, winning the league. Ash finally woke up and saw he was in the recovery room. He also saw Harleen. She finally noticed he was awake.
"Ash, your awake." Harleen said. "You got to stop scaring me like this."
"What? What happened?" Ash asked trying to get up but found it really painful. "AHH!"
"Ash be careful. You had a nasty fall." Harleen said.
"Don't worry I already had plenty of falls." Ash said.
"Yeah but not on top of a car." Harleen said.
"Ok, yeah. That's a new one." Ash said. "Where is everyone."
"Don't rush yourself. Remember you just had a nasty fall." Harleen said.
"You know we got to stop meeting like this. In the recovery room." Ash joked.
"I don't know. I can think of worse places." She also joked. They both laughed. Brock then walked in the room.
"Ash, good to see your up. I checked your report and nothing seems to be wrong." Brock said.
"Thanks Brock." Ash said. Trying to get out of bed. Almost falling over but Harleen caught him. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Harleen said. Ash finally regained his balance.
"Where's the others?" Ash asked.
"They're heading to the vault. Diana's team were successful in retrieving the stone." Brock said.
"That's good, I better head there myself to let them know I'm fine." Ash said. Harleen followed him out. Ash got to the vault and saw everyone there.
"Ash are you okay?" Barbra asked.
"Yeah I'm fine a few minor bruises." Ash said.
"It's good you're back up bud." Flash said. Harleen came up to him.
"Are you sure you're okay? No one will think any different if you need to rest a little longer." Harleen said.
"I'm fine, promise." Ash said. Harleen smiled in response and took his arm. Ash looked at the stone. "So this is what all the fuss was about?"
"It might look like nothing but trust me. It's the most powerful thing on this station." Etrigan said.
"But it's here safe. This calls for a celebration. Lunch in the canteen." Mallow said. As soon as she said this Flash races towards the canteen.
"Hurry up." Flash said. Everyone except Ash, Batman and Etrigan laughed at his antics. Everyone left the room but Ash stayed behind. He turned and looked at the stone. Everyone got to the canteen. And Mallow and Cilan were handing out the food.
"So you worked at a restaurant as well?" Flash asked Cilan.
"Yes with my brothers. We were quite popular." Cilan said.
"Did you make any of the food?" Flash asked.
"Yes, I made that burger." Cilan said. Flash took the burger and inspected it. He liked the way it looks. He took a bite.
"Why is everyone from you're world such good cooks? Please stay and work with Mallow in the kitchen. You can't leave after making this." Flash said. Pleading to Cilan.
"I'd be happy too. I must say you have got a wide arrange of people in your team." Cilan said.
"Yeah, and it's all thanks to Ash. Actually where is Ash?" Flash asked. At that point the lights went out in the watchtower.
"What's going on?" Kiawe asked.
"Everyone stay calm." Diana said.
"Don't worry I got this." Sophocles said. Removing a panel and playing around with some of the wires. He managed to fix the lights.
"Well done." Martian said.
"Flash, go round the watchtower and see if anything's missing." Batman said. Flash nodded and ran out the room. 10 seconds later he returned.
"The stones gone." Flash said.
"What?" Dawn said.
"And Ash is gone as well." Flash said.
"I knew it, he's taking the stone to Morgaine." Etrigan said.
"Can't we reach him to see where he is?" Misty asked.
"Doing it right now." Martian said. Grabbing a receiver and trying to contact Ash. It connected. "Ash where are you?"
"I'm in one of the javelins. I'm taking the stone to Morgaine." Ash said.
"Ash why are you doing that for?" Tracey asked.
"She can take us back home. We can have our lives back." Ash said.
"Ash you fool, this is what she does. She lies to get her own way." Etrigan said.
"If she can restore my world, then I need to give her the stone." Ash said. Harleen took the receiver from Martian.
"But Ash what about me? Don't you care if you ever see me again?" Harleen asked.
"It's been good meeting you, Kate and Barbra but if you were in my position, then you'd know why I'm doing this." Ash said.
"But Ash." Harleen said.
"I'm sorry Harleen." Ash said. Closing the line.
"ASH!" Harleen shouted. Throwing the receiver and running out the room.
"I'll go get her." Barbra said. Running after her.
"What do we do now?" Kate asked.
"We wait to see where he lands." Batman said. Harleen stopped and leaned back against the wall. She slid down to a sitting position, crying her eyes out, head to her knees. Barbra found her and sat down next to her. Putting her arms around her trying to comfort her.
London
Ash arrived in London. He landed in front of the big castle at the centre of the city. He exited the javelin with the stone still in his hand. The draw bridge came down in front of Ash and he walked over it. When he entered the castle, he saw he was in a giant room with two giant thrones in the centre. He saw Morgaine in one of them. And a little boy in the other.
"Who is this peasant mother?" The boy arrogantly asked.
"A peasant whose got soap to wash your mouth out with." Ash replied.
"Mordred, that is no way to speak to our guest. My apologies Mr. Ketchum." Morgaine said. Standing up from the throne. "Do you have the stone?" Ash pulled out the stone and showed it to her.
"We have a deal? I give you the stone. You restore my world and send me and my friends back." Ash said.
"You have my word." Morgaine said. Ash went to step forward.
"Don't give her the stone." Ash turned around and saw the League, Lucario and Etrigan. "You give her that stone and the whole world will be under her control." Etrigan said.
"I don't have a choice." Ash said. Making his way over to Morgaine.
"NO!" Etrigan shouted. Charging towards Ash. He tackled him to the side.
"Do not try to stop me." Morgaine said. Ready to attack Etrigan. She stopped when a aura flew by her. She looked over and saw it was Lucario that did it.
"You will fail." Lucario said. Bringing up a bone rush and charging at her. Martian, Batman, Diana and Flash followed. Flash reached her first. But she fired magic at him, sending him flying. Batman fired his grappling gun at her. But Mordred stopped it from hitting her.
"You humans and you stupid toys." Mordred said. Mordred grabbed Batman and threw him across the room. Diana reached Mordred and tried to hit him. He dodged it and moved away. She followed. Lucario reached Morgaine. She fired magic at him. But he ducked underneath the power and hit her hand with the bone.
"Ah! You filthy little animal." Morgaine said.
"I'm a Pokemon." Lucario replied and went in to attack again. Ash and Etrigan were in a intense battle themselves. Ash went to punch Etrigan but he caught it. Etrigan then punched Ash knocking him back.
"Why are you trying to stop from going back home?" Ash asked.
"I'm not, I'm stopping you from dooming this world." Etrigan said. Charging in again.
Back at the watchtower. Everyone was watching the fight via satellite. Mewtwo was in the room too. He was put in charge while the heroes were away.
"They're going to kill each other if they keep this up." Iris said.
"Do you think she can actual take us back home?" Lillie asked.
"I don't know. But if she does then that means this world will be under her control." Brock said. Harleen and Barbra came back in.
"What's going on?" Barbra asked.
"They found Ash in London. They're trying to stop him now." Max said. Etrigan was winning against Ash. Ash could barely stand.
"I don't want to hurt you anymore. She will backstab you. She's playing you like she played me." Etrigan said.
"You don't know that." Ash said.
"I do know that. She's done it many times before. Your world is gone and you're going have to get used to it." Etrigan said.
"But my world..." Ash started.
"YOU'RE NEVER GOING BACK!!" Etrigan shouted. This broke Ash. He suddenly found a second feat of strength. He charged in at Etrigan. Etrigan went to punch him again. Ash dodged and landed a aura punch on him. Etrigan was in major pain. "AHHHHH!!!!" Ash then made a aura sphere and hit Etrigan with it. Etrigan landed on the ground. Ash was walking towards Etrigan while powering up for an aura beam. The others on the watchtower saw this.
"Ash, no." Serena said.
"He's not." Tracey said.
"Ash would never do this." Lana said. Ash reached Etrigan and pulled him up by his shirt. Ash was ready for the final blow. But before he did anything. Etrigan was changing. Into a human? The man was unconscious. Ash just let him drop to the floor.
"Good work Ash. Now give me the stone and everything will be right in the world." Morgaine said. Ash started walking over to her. As he was walking to her, he saw the damaged that was caused. The people that took him in, that looked after him, his friends. They were on the floor defeated. Lucario was also down. Was he doing the right thing? He wanted to go home. But this the cost that had to be paid? His friends suffering for his desire? He reached Morgaine. He lifted up the stone.
"Here, now keep your end of the deal." Ash said.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. But for your effort, I will make you a servant." Morgaine said.
"I'm going to make your life hell." Mordred said. Morgaine places her hand on top of the stone and tried to take it. But Ash wouldn't let go. A blue light was starting to emerge from the bottom of the stone.
"I am sick and tired of people using my home as a WEAPON!" Ash said. He destroyed the stone with a aura beam and burned Morgaine's hand.
"AHHH!! You simple fool." Morgaine tried to attack Ash but nothing happened. Her magic wasn't working. "What's going on?" Mordred tried to attack but the same thing happened.
"Why can't I use my magic?" Mordred asked. Suddenly a blue light pierced through Ash. What was happening? Then another light came out from another part of his body then another. Lucario and the League started to get up and saw what was happening.
"Oh no." Lucario said.
"What's happening?" Diana asked.
"Ash broke his limiter. He outputting his entire aura. He's going to kill himself." Lucario said. Running towards Ash. Everyone on the watchtower heard this.
"What?" Kate asked.
"Ash is killing himself?" May asked. Harleen went over to Mewtwo.
"Send me down there now." Harleen said.
"I can't, it's too dangerous for you." Mewtwo said. Ash had gotten to the point where his entire body has been engulfed by the bright blue light. His aura was going haywire and destroying parts of the castle. Lucario trying to reach Ash along with the League members, but his aura was keeping them in place. Morgaine and Mordred was looking on in pure horror. The energy he's emitting has stopped them from using their magic. Making them mortals. The castle was starting to warp. Bricks were falling from the ceiling. One of the aura lashes struck Morgaine and her son. Making them hit the far end wall. They fell on the floor.
"Mother what do we do?" Mordred asked. Frightened.
"We need to get away from here. He's too powerful in that condition. Down the trap door now." Morgaine said. She opened a door in the floor and they both went down. They were gone. Lucario and the others are having a difficult time.
"How long has he got left?" Batman asked.
"Not long." Lucario replied. Dodging a attack. Back at the watchtower.
"Mewtwo please send me down there." Harleen pleaded.
"Your life will be in danger if I take you down there." Mewtwo said.
"If you don't take me down there, he will die. Please, I know I can reach through to him. But you need to take me there now." Harleen said. Mewtwo said nothing. He just looked at her. All of a sudden him and Harleen vanished.
"Oh no." Bonnie said.
Mewtwo and Harleen appeared in the castle. They saw the others on the other side of Ash. And they saw them.
"What are doing here?" Flash asked. A aura lash hit him. Another aura lash was heading for Mewtwo and Harleen. Mewtwo put up a barrier before it hit them.
"I'll cover you, now run. GO!" Mewtwo shouted. Harleen started running Ash. She knew time was running out but she had to save him. Another aura lash was heading her way. But Mewtwo blocked it with another barrier.
"What is she doing?" Martian asked. Harleen finally reached Ash but she was getting pushed back by the force of the energy.
"ASH! ITS ME! IM HERE!" Harleen shouting.
"No home." Ash blankly said.
"PLEASE ASH, YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!" Harleen shouted.
"No home."
"YES ASH! YOUR HOME IS GONE AND IM SORRY THAT YOU CANT GO BACK! BUT YOU DO HAVE A HOME! AND YOU HAVE FRINEDS THAT CAN HELP YOU! AND YOU GOT ME ASH! YOU GOT ME IN YOUR LIFE AND IM NOT LEAVING YOUR SIDE EVER SWEETIE!" Harleen shouted. She's able to be face to face with him.
"Harleen." Ash said. A bit more life into his voice. "I'm sorry."
"Sweetie I'm right here." Harleen said. Taking his hands. "Just please come back to us. Come back to me." Harleen said with tears in her eyes. It worked. His aura was starting to retract back into him. The castle was still warped but was stable. The last bit of light went back in Ash and his body fell down lifeless. Harleen went down to the floor and put him on her knees. The heroes, Lucario and Mewtwo reaches them. "Do something, he's not breathing." Harleen was panicking. Was Ash dead? Lucario came up and knelt down. He put his paws on Ashes chest and head and started transferring some of his aura into him. After a minute Ash started breathing, but still unconscious.
"He'll be fine now. He gave him enough so he can recover by himself. Keep him there." Lucario said. He put his paw on his head again. His paw started glowing.
"What are you doing now?" Harleen asked.
"Restoring his limiter. For now he needs this to stay alive." Lucario said. Harleen then just looked down back at Ash. She nearly lost him for good.
Watchtower
Ash was starting to wake up. What happened to him? The last thing he remembered was him about to hand over the stone to Morgaine. Did she succeed? Has she taken over the world now. Ash opened his eyes. He was back in the recovery room. He was all alone in there. He wanted to sit up but his arms felt like led. He had much trouble moving them. He heard the door open and saw Harleen enter.
"Hey Ash." Harleen said.
"Hey, we really need to choose a different meeting place." Ash joked. He laughed a little but she didn't. "Is everything alright?" Harleen came over and sat on the end of his bed.
"You were going to leave me." Harleen said. Looking down at the ground. Ash heard her and remembered what he said to her.
"Harleen." Ash said.
"Let me finish." She said. "You were thinking about yourself. You weren't thinking about anyone else, only yourself. You were about to leave everyone behind. Just for a chance to get back. I do get your missing your old world. But do you know how I felt. Heartbroken, you willing to leave without saying goodbye. It made me feel like nothing to you." Harleen let out a few tears.
"Harleen I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you. That's the last thing I wanted to do." Ash said.
"It's not just me, you hurt everyone here. You never even asked the others if they wanted to go back." Harleen said.
"I've been a real jerk to everyone. Harleen I'd understand if you don't want to be my friend anymore, just kn..." Ash was interrupted.
"I like you Ash. I do." Harleen said. This shut Ash up. "When we first met, it was only a playful thing. But since I've gotten to know you, this feeling inside me has been growing. I don't know what it is or what it's going to lead to. But I think you can help me solve it and I want to see where it leads to." Harleen said. Ash mustered the strength to sit up in his bed and looked at her.
"Ever since I was ten, I've been on my journeys, trying to become a Pokemon master. That was my only dream, so I was always determined. Nothing else on my mind. Since coming to this world, that feeling has grown smaller and other feelings have grown. A lot of them I have no idea what they are. But I think I might have the same feelings." Ash said. Putting his hand on Harleens. They both made eye contact. "What are you feeling now?"
"I just want to hold you and never let go, in case I start to lose you." Harleen said. They just stared at each other.
"Sorry." They both heard a voice at the door. They both looked and saw a man in a brown suit. "Can I come in?" Ash recognised him.
"Wait a minute, you're Etrigan." Ash said. Harleen moved behind Ash on the bed.
"Etrigan is my demon half. The names Jason Blood. And I want to thank you for your help against Morgaine. Your power really sent her running." Jason said. Ash suddenly remembered what happened. He let his emotions get to him. He almost died. He hurt his friends. He almost hurt Harleen.
"Your welcome, but I think I'm going to step away from the Justice League for a while." Ash said. This shocked Harleen and Jason.
"Why are you thinking about that?" Harleen asked.
"I lost control, I hurt a lot of my friends and worst of all. You put yourself in danger to save me. I don't ever want to put you in that position ever again. So until I can control my aura. I'm out." Ash said.
"Ash it's admirable that your willing to step down for the sake of others." Jason said. "But Batman told me about all your exploits since arriving. You have been major game changer in those missions. You may not think this Ash, but you have saved them a lot of times. And I know that if you left, they would be out of sync with each other. Plus Morgaine's still out there. And you're the only person I know that can counteract her magic."
"What do you think?" Ash said. Looking at Harleen behind him. Harleen hugged him from behind.
"I think the team needs you more then ever now. And you need them. But I'll stick by you either way." Harleen said. Putting her head on his shoulder. Ash took moment to think about it.
"I'm not going to leave. But I do need to increase my training. I'll make sure to be the best hero there is." Ash said.
"Excellent news. I'll leave you two here. I think his names Brock, he should here any minute to let you out. Have a nice day." Jason said before leaving. Leaving Ash and Harleen by themselves.
"What do we do now?" Ash asked. Harleen had a smile on her face.
"I got an idea." She said before pulling Ash back down on the bed.
10 minutes later
Ash was walking towards the training room. Brock had just released Ash. Harleen was heading to the deck to meet the others. Ash entered the room and saw Lucario and Batman training together. When did this happen? They saw Ash in the room.
"Ash, good to see you're up." Batman said.
"What are you doing in here?" Lucario asked.
"I want to control my aura quicker. I put everyone in danger and nearly hurt someone I care about. So I want increase the intensity." Ash said.
"That's good to hear. We can increase the training tomorrow." Lucario said.
"Thanks." Ash said. About to leave the room.
"Ash, catch." Batman said. Throwing a batarang. Ash saw the batarang and brought up a aura shield and caught the batarang. "Training never ends."
And that concludes the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. And we're getting ever closer to Ash meeting Vandal Savage. And that will be a showdown not to be missed.
This story is a AshxHarley story. I would of announced it sooner but in all honesty I was jumping back and fourth about Ashes pairing, even considered multiple female companions. But I decided on them because I think they have the best chemistry. They can have really interesting storylines. And having a hero x villain/anti hero together can lead to multiple possibilities.
Thank you for all of your support in this story. And I'll try to keep the same level of quality throughout the story.
But next chapter Ash gets caught in the middle of a blackmail scandal in 'Metamorphosis'.