The Beginning Of The End
The next morning they prepared to leave for the temple. Misty was still noticeably shaken after her encounter with the spinarak. Ash has relapsed to his previous emotionless state, similar to when they had started their journey. As they were due to reach the temple that day, everyone's mood was noticeably sombre. They cleared away the campsite and took off just after dawn.
Their progress was slow. Nobody talked much as they made their way through the jungle. Their heads hung low and they dragged their feet along the uneven jungle floor. Hour after hour passed by in the same monotonous way.
Eventually they reached their destination. They stopped at a slight cliff over looking the confluence of two rivers. Hunched down, camouflaged by vines, ferns and creepers, they observed the scene before them.
The two rivers met amid a vast over hanging of trees and flowed together as one. On the nearer banks an immense temple stood roofed by a vast net of intertwined branches, so that light only fell only in patches upon the ground beneath. The temple was tall and ancient. It's shape was pyramidal, but with a flat top. Large steps ran up the sides. Strange carvings seemed to adorn the outer walls, but were unintelligible at their distance.
The temple itself stood in the midst of a large stone plaza. Other smaller buildings surrounded it but they were all in a state of disrepair.
Using binoculars Ash examined the area. Many people were milling about; each one dressed in heavy, dark robes, completely unsuitable for the jungle. They appeared to be stock piling as they walked back and forth form the dilapidated buildings and the temple.
Ash handed the binoculars to Brock, crouched to his right.
"So what's the plan?" he whispered as he turned to look at Brock.
A twig snapping behind him differed his attention. He turned just in time to see the butt of a spear connect with his head.
Ash groaned as he began to regain conscienceless. His head was killing him. Gingerly, he moved his hand to his head only to find his cut had been re-opened. He winced as he connected with it, gushing dark, fresh blood down the side of his face and into his hair.
Sighing he sat up, but immediately regretted it as a wave of nausea over took him. Ignoring the sick feeling in his stomach he took stock of his surroundings.
He was in a small, low roofed room. It was constructed of stone, completely absent of windows. It was light by two flame torches suspended by iron rings on the walls.
He became aware of others presence. Squinting, he looked around the room, his eyes unaccustomed to the dim light. He noticed two bodies strewn on the floor. Crawling he moved closer to them. He instantly recognised them as Brock and Gary. But where was Misty? And Duplica? Frantically he looked around the room. Where was Pikachu? And the rest of his pokémon?
Slowly he made his way over to Brock and shook him awake. He was some what dazed, a poppy bruise on his temple. He murmured incoherently to himself.
Leaving Brock to regain his senses, Ash moved over to Gary. He hesitated, before roughly shaking him awake.
Gary rubbed his eyes as he sat up. His lip was split and he had the beginnings of what looked like a nasty black eye.
Spitting out some blood, Gary turned to Brock and Ash.
"Where the hell are we?"
"I dunno" Ash stood and began examining the walls for any anomalies.
"Where are the girls and our pokémon?" Gary remained sitting on the floor.
"How the hell should I know? I just woke up before you, Gary! Use your brain, idiot!" Ash stopped his detailed examination of the wall and glared at Gary.
"I suppose it doesn't really affect you. You'll just go back to living on your own in the Indigo Plateau after this anyway. Why should you care!" Gary stood to full height and glared back at Ash.
"It must really eat you up inside that I beat you, Gary. It must be terrible for you to know that I'm better than you."
"Hardly, Ash. It must eat you up inside to know Misty dumped you for me! I kinda feel sorry for you, seeing her with me all the time must be hard. Especially you still loving her and knowing she loves ME!"
Ash made a run at Gary but Brock quickly grabbed his arm, restraining him.
"Ash, I will personally help you kick his ass later but we really need to get out of here now."
Ash threw Gary a filthy look before returning to examining the wall. He made little progress though, as most of his thoughts were centred on what Gary had said.
After many minutes of searching Brock yelped in surprise. "I think I found something!" he was sitting on the floor, gathering dust and gravel into a small pile.
"Real interesting, Brock" Ash added sarcastically, hunching next to him.
"Listen!" Brock picked up the pile of dirt and began sprinkling it around a large floor tile. Pebbles echoed as they bounced and hopped of stones far below. "I think something's under here!"
Brock removed a penknife from his vest pocket and began running it along the seems of the tile. With much effort he managed to wedge it between the two tiles. Painfully slow, he began to lift up one side of the tile.
Ash and Gary immediately began prying the tile out of the floor, splitting and breaking their nails as well as scouring the skin of their fingers and knuckles.
They had only lifted it about twenty centimetres when it slipped from their grasp. Immediately Ash jammed his hand under the tile in an effort to stop it becoming lodged in the floor.
He screamed out in pain as the tile came crashing to the floor, trapping his hand between it and the floor. He winced as bone cracked under the force and weight of the tile.
"Hold on, Ash!" Brock and Gary began to heave the tile of his injured hand. After some minutes they managed to slide the tile out of place, freeing Ash's hand and reviling a dark passage below.
Ash tended to his hand while Brock and Gary caught their breath. His hand ached dully; the back of it was already bruising a deep purple. He bandaged it using material he ripped for his now discarded vest. Once he was satisfied with the result he turned his attention to the passage.
Brock had retrieved one of the flame torches and was shining it down the small cave.
"What do you think?"
"We haven't got a choice." Ash took the other torch off the wall. Cautiously he began climbing into the cave. It was dry and dusty. The cave was just large enough to allow them to crawl. Their progress was slow. After about twenty-five metres it began to steadily slope upwards.
Eventually they came to a dead-end. Ash began to panic as claustrophobia took hold. He pushed against the walls and found, with some effort, the wall directly in front of him moved.
"Is there a way out, Ash?" Brock's voice echoed eerily in the darkness.
"I think so…" Ash pushed against the wall. It screeched as it moved causing him to cringe. It teetered on the ledge for a second before toppling forward and smashing into a thousand pieces. Ash slowly, silently climbed out of the cave. He found himself in a dark, humid room. The walls and floor were of highly polished stone. Strange hieroglyphics adorned the walls showing strange scenes with demons, people and pokémon. In the opposite wall, perfectly rectangular piece of stone was absent, serving as a door.
He heard a huffing and puffing behind him. Turning he saw Brock and Gary climbing out of the cave.
"Where do you think we are?" Gary asked, inspecting the walls.
"I don't know but let's find out." Brock quietly tiptoed to the door. Gingerly, he looked around the frame. Once he was satisfied they were alone, he signalled Ash and Gary to join him.
They looked out. Long, tall halls ran to their left and right. The walls were also made of glassy smooth stone. The strange hieroglyphics continued on each wall. The halls were dark, being lit only by flame torches.
Quietly, they began making their way down the hall. The utter silence was almost oppressive. Their shoes echoed loudly down the corridors.
They were about to turn down another hall when Brock stopped them. He quietened them with a finger to his lips. He pointed down the hall, indicating he heard noises.
The slight echoing of footsteps could be heard. They were distant at first but gradually increased in intensity. It was difficult to ascertain exactly how many were approaching. Brock ushered them back the hall. Silently they entered a room, off the corridor.
The room was large and less dark than the halls. A sunken pool dominated the centre of the room. A large fire was located in the centre of the pool, causing the shadows to dance menacingly across the walls. The walls themselves were more fantastically decorated than all the others were. The pictures repeated scenes of a huge demon-like figure, sometimes being worshipped, mostly being feared.
They had little time to ponder the meanings of the scenes as the voices rapidly approached. They quickly ducked behind a set of large pillars. Pulling themselves as small as possible, they prayed the people would pass them by. Their prayers went unanswered. They heard voices rapidly approach. Suddenly, they were in the room.
Ash tried to hold his breath in an effort to remain quiet. He was almost certain they would hear his rapidly beating heart.
"Has anyone seen them?" one of the voices asked. It was deep and had an air of importance to it.
"No, your worship. They were reported missing about half an hour ago. Since then we have sent out search parties but as yet we have not located them." A snivelling voice replied.
"This will not do. We are mere hours away from the ceremony! I will not have anyone mess it up. The next chance to open a portal is in over five hundred years! At least tell me their pokémon are secured."
"Yes, your worship. They are being contained in the basement room adjoining the ceremonial chamber. They shall provide fodder for the first bless'd ones though the portal."
"That is something to be thankful for, I suppose. Are the sacrifices ready?"
"Yes, your worship." A different voice answered, more confidant. "They have been prepared for the ceremony. Although they have proven somewhat…difficult. We have been forced to restrain the red-head."
Ash and Gary snapped to attention, drawing a dirty look from Brock. He silently sushed them.
"They must not be harmed" The important voice boomed. "Diabhal must NOT reject the sacrafices!"
"Yes, your worship." Many voices replied as one.
"Now, retrieve the scrolls and we shall begin final preparations."
They heard stones being moved. Then shuffling as the others exited the room. They remained silent until they were certain they were alone.
"They've got Misty and our pokémon!" Ash jumped up.
"What about Duplica?" Brock stood.
"They probably have her too." Gary faced them. "What now?"
"We have to get Misty!" Ash insisted, earning a glare from Gary. "…and Duplica. They said they were going to scrafice them to that Diabhal guy!"
"We should try and get our pokémon first though." Brock added. "We're gonna need them to rescue the girls ad stop the ceremony."
"Do you think we're in the temple now?" Gary asked.
"Probably, there's no other structure round here this large." Brock answered.
"So then we head down, to the basement." Gary stated.
"Right." Ash agreed, surprising himself.
"Come on." Brock began cautiously exiting the room. "I think they went this way" He began walking down the hall.
After a few minutes the ground began slowly, sloping down. It continued in this fashion until they got the impression they were deep under ground. During their descent they were forced to hide in the shadows many times as robed figures passed up and down the hall.
While hiding for what seemed like the hundredth time, they decided to attempt to get some robes for themselves, so they could continue uninterrupted through the halls.
As they were walking through the halls again, continuing to descend a lone robed figure came towards them. Hiding in the shadows they prepared to pounce. They caught the man unaware and managed to knock him unconscious. As he was roughly the same height and build as Ash, he took the robe.
Some minutes later a couple, man and woman, came up the hall. Ash dressed in his robe distracted them giving Brock and Gary ample time to catch them off guard and render them unconscious. Pulling the heavy hoods down over their faces they continued.
Now disguised, their progress was much faster. The deeper they got, the more people they met. They all seemed very excited, if not a little nervous. Few acknowledged them, none spoke.
Eventually they came to a junction. The hall separated in four, each new hall leading even deeper. Bustling into a dark corner, they disguised their plan of action.
It was decided each one would take one of the side corridors. The largest hall, which ran directly of the junction was a virtual traffic jam of people. They assumed the ceremony would take place down that hall.
They would continue down a hall for fifteen minutes then report back to their present location to disclose what they had found.
Ash took the hall to the left of the main hall. It was darker than the others, occasionally being lit by flame torches. The roof and walls grew smaller the further he went in, until he could easily touch the roof, causing a claustrophobic feeling. He began to think it was a lost cause, when he came upon what looked like a guard. The man was sitting in a chair, head resting on his shoulder snoring occasionally. He sat in front of a large, cast iron door. He seemed to sense Ash and fumbling jumped to his feet, attempting what Ash could only guess was a solute.
"Eh, Sir! Have you come to inspect the prisoner?" He asked nervously.
"Eh, yeah. Yes I have." Ash attempted to sound confident. He didn't want to say no and end up explaining his presence.
"She's a feisty one! She might end up giving Diabhal heart burn!"
Ash was unnerved by this comment but tried to appear unaffected.
The guard retrieved a large set of keys from his belt and began to unlock the door. "Just bang on the door when you're ready, sir." He stepped back to let Ash through and then locked the door, closing it firmly behind him. He promptly settled down in his chair and went back to sleep.
Ash stepped inside. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. Before he could take stock of his surroundings he doubled over in pain as someone delivered him a swift kick between the legs. He collapsed groaning to the floor, but the prisoner began furiously kicking him in the stomach.
As he saw the foot retract back in preparation for another kick he shoot his arm out and grabbed it. Twisting his hand he knocked the prisoner to the floor. But in one fluid movement the prisoner had him pinned to the floor. The figure stared down angrily at him for a moment, then quick as lightning pulled back his hood.
"Ash?"
"m….Misty?" Ash croaked out, upon hearing her voice.
"Ash!" She threw her arms around his neck and embraced him. "I was so worried about you!"
"I was worried about you, too." He pulled out of the hug and looked up at her. "Are you ok?"
Her eyes widened in shock and she jumped off him, embarrassed. "I'm fine" She extended her hand in an attempt to pull him up. "But what about you?"
Ash took it but quickly relinquished his hold when the pain in his groin prevented him from moving.
"No, I'm gonna have to sit here for a minute" He joked.
"Ash, I'm so sorry!" She blushed.
He looked up at her. They had apparently treated her well during her imprisonment. She had bathed and her skin glowed in the dim light. She had been dressed in a simple full length, white robe, pulled tight around her waist by a golden thread rope. She kneeled down beside him.
"What happened to you?" She asked, lightly touching the open wound on his eyebrow, causing a small amount of blood to trickle down the side of his face.
"I'm fine." He pulled back from her. "We've got to get you out of here." He took her hand in his uninjured one and led her to the door.
"What about Duplica?" She stopped him. "They had us in a cell down the hall before…" She trailed off.
"Before what?" Ash asked concerned.
"Before I kinda did to one of the guards what I did to you when you came in the door."
"Oh…" He smiled. "Poor guy" he looked out the small window in the door. "You hide behind the door. I'll call the guard in, once he steps inside hit him hard in the back of the head. That should knock him out."
Ash called the guard and with some effort Misty managed to knock him out. Locking him inside the cell they continued on towards Duplica's cell. The guard was dispatched in much the same way being even sleepier than the last.
Duplica greeted them characteristically, laughing and giggling. She was dressed much the same as Misty. They retrieved the guard's uniforms in order to blend in with the crowd. Covering their bright hair with hoods, Misty and Duplica led by Ash made their way back down the hall to the rendezvous with Brock and Gary.
They once again entered the main junction. They looked around for the others. Duplica noticed Brock at the entrance to the opposite hall. Keeping their heads low they made their way over to him.
He ushered them into a dark corner. "We've got a problem. Something's up. Guards are everywhere" He hid his face as a trio of guards ran past.
"Where's Gary?" Misty asked quietly, avoiding Ash's eyes.
"He's…not back yet." Brock answered quietly.
"We need to get you out of here." Ash addressed Misty and Duplica.
"We can't just leave Gary here!" Misty hissed.
"I'll get him out." Ash began to get angry, because he was so worried about Misty, and because she was worried about Gary. "It's too dangerous for you here. Brock'll take you out and I'll follow as soon as I find Gary."
"I'm not leaving you either!" Misty whispered angrily.
"Ash's right." Brock took her arm. "You two have to get out of here, but I'll stay to find Gary. Ash, you're injured. You take Misty and Duplica-"
"Eh, Brock, don't look now but-" Duplica tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
They all turned around only to be confronted by a team of guards. One stepped out of the crowd, a Magnamite hovering by his shoulder.
"Name and destination." He ordered.
"Huh?" Brock looked at the other guards, calculating their odds.
The head guard suddenly punched him in the face knocking him off his feet. Blood began to pour from his nose. Duplica ran to his side and attempted to stem the flow of blood.
Ash strode forward. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Magnamite, thundershock!"
Ash yelled in pain and collapsed to the floor as the inorganic pokémon unleashed a powerful electric attack.
"Ash!" Misty moved to run to his side but the head guard grabbed her hood, pulling it off her face. He took a fist full of her hair and snapped her head back. "Inform his worship I have the escapees and the sacrafices."
One of the guards ran off down the largest hall.
"No!" Ash struggled to his feet.
"Magnamite, if you would do the honours!" The guard said amused.
Ash collapse to the floor again, writhing in agony as the electric attack continued.
"Stop!" Misty pleaded, tears staining her cheeks. "Please, you're killing him!"
The guard grudgingly nodded to his Magnamite who discontinued it's attack.
Ash groaned on the floor, residual golden sparks still crackling over his body.
"We wouldn't want you to miss your girlfriend's big moment, now, would we?" The guard teased, pulling harder on Misty's hair. He looked down at her. "It's a shame really. She quite a looker"
"You found them!"
The guards suddenly stood to attention as the leader of the cult came into view, followed by a large entourage.
"Yes, your worship. The escapees too." The head guard indicated to Ash and Brock.
"Where's the third?"
"He's still at large." The head guard added meekly.
"Well what are you waiting for? Find him!" The leader ordered. "Bring those four to the ceremonial chamber."
"Including the escapees, your worship?" The head guard asked uncertainly.
"That's what I ordered. I want them to watch their women die! They should know better than to mess with the forces of Darkness!" he turned and began down the main hall.
The head guard began dragging Misty after him by the hair. Brock and Duplica were forced up by three other guards. Ash, semi-conscious, was picked up by two guards and dragged after them.
Gary watched from a dark corner only ten metres away. Down the hall he had chosen he had found the group's pokéballs, and a very ticked off Pikachu. It had taken some time but he managed to retrieve all the pokémon without being seen. Pikachu, retaining his dislike for his trainer's rival, had, with some amount of coercion, agreed to go in his pokéball. Gary had made his way back to the rendezvous point just in time to see Ash get fried. He had been tempted to charge in among the crowd of guards, "guns a-blazing" but quickly realised the futility of that plan. Instead he remained shrouded in darkness, biding his time. He began silently following the as the others were led down the hall.
The crowd moved down the hall until they came to a massive doorway. It was decorated with sinister carvings of strange serpentine creatures and inlaid with precious stones. They passed through the doorway and found themselves in a massive cavern. It was lit by a strange red glow that seemed to emanate from the far end of the cavern.
The cavern was filled with crowds of people. They parted like a tide allowing them to easily pass though. They came to a set of steps leading to a large stone altar. To the left and right of the altar winding stone staircases led to two stone platforms. The altar itself was on a cliff. The glow emanated from behind it. The cavern seemed to continue on indefinitely behind the cliff. Far below molten magma bubbled and swirled, heating the room to uncomfortable temperatures.
When they reached the altar Brock and Ash were bound to iron rings fastened to the rocky floor, one on each side of the altar. Ash collapsed to the ground still unrecovered form his "shock". He looked up groggily to see two guards escorting Misty to one of the platforms.
"m..Misty!" he struggled against his retraints.
"Ash!" She attempted to escape the guards but was unsuccessful. "Please let me go to him for a second. I just want to tell him something; I'll only be a second. Please!" She pleaded. The guards continued to lead her up the stairs.
Ash continued to struggle until another guard kicked him hard in the gut causing him to keel over coughing.
Duplica was led to the opposite platform. The guards proceeded to restrain both Misty and Duplica to their respective platforms. Behind them was a sheer drop, the strange red glow seemed to pulse up from it.
The leader quietened the crowd by raising his arms. Utter silence filled the cavern. Gary slowly made his way through the crowd, desperately trying to conceal the pokéballs.
"My children" began the leader. "Today marks a new dawn for the followers of Diabhal. After centuries of waiting, our time has finally come!"
A mass of cheering and roaring erupted from the crowd. A dozen figures, dressed in midnight black robes made their way through the crowd and to the altar.
Upon reaching the altar two remained while five made their way to Misty's platform and five to Duplica's. The two that remained at the altar produced a large crystal from within their cloaks. Bowing they handed it to the leader. He took it and raised it high above him. A strange blue glow seemed to engulf it. The leader slowly took his hands from it and it remained suspended in the air.
The men in the black robes began to chant in an obscure language while scattering strange, glittering dust around Misty and Duplica.
The crowd joined in the chanting and the cavern became filled with voices. Suddenly the ground began to tremble and shake. Geysers erupted from behind the platforms filling the cavern with dense mist. The most horrifying wails and screams appeared to come from deep within the ground.
Misty and Duplica struggled against their bonds as the dark robed men began to leave the platforms and join the two on the altar.
The screams and wails increased in intensity causing most present to cover their ears. The leader stood at the centre of the altar and screamed at the top of his lungs "ARISE DIABHAL"
The screaming and wailing reached a crescendo as the mist began to turn a reddish-black colour. The air grew stale and hot. Out of the mists a figure began to form, huge and inhuman.
Misty and Duplica screamed as it suddenly materialised.
It was huge, over ten metres tall. It's body was humanoid, but it's skin was a dark red, the colour of congealed blood. On the end of it's fingers and toes grew razor sharp claws. From it's back wicked, bat-like wings protruded. It's face was grotesque, short back horns grew from it's skull. It's eyes were solid black, vacant. On it's face serrated teeth were twisted into a cruel smile.
"Who has released me?" It's voice was deep, reverberating through the ground.
"I, oh great one!" The leader stepped forward, seeming unaffected by the appearance of such a creature.
"Where are the sacrafices?"
The leader grinned and pointed to Misty and Duplica.
"Good" Diabhal looked from Duplica to Misty. "I no longer have any use for you" he looked to the leader, now slowly retreating.
"But..but what about the riches and..the the-"
"Fool! You really believe I would let even one measly human live? You should know better than to mess with the forces of Darkness! You shall all be destroyed! Starting with you." Diabhal stared at the leader, his eyes glowing a deep red. Out of the murky depths shadowy figures began to emerge. They took a hold of the squirming man and dragged him into the depths. He screamed for a few seconds before they heard a sickening gargling sound, then silence.
The crowd stared at Diabhal for a few seconds before screaming and all attempting to run through the doors at once.
Gary quickly ran forward. He ran to Brock and cut the ropes securing him and then to Ash.
Brock took charge while Gary gave them back their pokéballs. "Ok. I'll get Duplica. Gary you get Misty. Ash, I dunno why, but I think you should try and destroy that crystal. We don't have time to argue. Go!"
Immediately, they each set off for their respective targets.
Diabhal, who had been watching the fleeing crowd with amusement, immediately turned his attention to Ash and the others.
He laughed to himself as Gary and Brock attempted to free Misty and Duplica. Brock had released Vulpix, who was melting the chains restraining Duplica, Gary was using Arcanine.
Sighing lightly, Diabhal used his physic powers to take hold of the pokémon. Vulpix and Arcanine were engulfed in a red glow as they were sent soaring through the air. They landed unconscious on the cavern floor. "Child's play" he mused. Using his mind he levitated all the remaining pokéballs and landed them next to Vulpix and Arcanine. Utterly defenceless, Gary and Brock began tugging frantically on the chains restraining Misty and Duplica. Diabhal watched them amused, increasing the strength of the chains using physic energy, toying with them.
Only then did he notice Ash. Ash, in spite of loosing his pokémon, had made his way to the altar. Diabhal, enraged, screamed as he anticipated what Ash was going to do. Raising his arms in front of him, he sent a blast of physic energy in Ash's direction. Ash dove forward avoiding the blast and grabbing the immense glowing crystal. It discontinued to glow and Ash smiled triumphantly. He looked up expecting Diabhal to have disappeared. His heart sank as the demon remained; now completely enraged.
Diabhal screamed in anger and frustration. "If you drop that I'll kill you before I return to the Underworld."
Ash smiled. Thank you, Diabhal. It was very nice of you to tell me how to kill you! He laughed to himself.
"You'll kill me anyway, so I fail to see the threat" Ash retorted seriously.
Diabhal stared at the creature; he was being out smarted by a puny human! Ash smirked at him causing him to scream again in anger.
Diabhal intensified his stare on Ash. Suddenly Ash felt as if a great weight had overcome his body. His limbs became heavy and numb. He tried to move but it proved increasingly difficult. Diabhal laughed evilly as a panicked look over came Ash's features.
He stopped laughing though as Ash continued to move slowly. His eyes fixed dead ahead, Ash with immense concentration lifted the dead weights of his legs one at a time. With each step he felt the physic grip Diabhal had over his body loosen. As he neared the edge of the cliff, Diabhal's hold was completely gone. He raised the crystal high above his head and prepared to plunge it over the cliff.
A sudden pain pierced his skull as Diabhal frantically began to access his memories, searching for his Achilles heel. Images began to play across him mind as he fell to his knees, one hand clutching his aching skull.
He saw before him his first day at school, running around the school yard with Gary, his big fight with Gary, getting Pikachu from Professor Oak, running from the flock of Spearow, getting pulled from the river by Misty, trashing her bike, his first gym battle against Brock, his second against Misty, battle after battle with Team Rocket, losing in the Indigo Plateau, that stupid dancing gym leader from Trovita Island, winning in the Orange League, defeating Gary and becoming Pokémon Master, finally building up the courage to tell Misty he liked her, kissing Misty for the first time, asking her to marry him……coming home to the empty house when she ran away, seeing her kiss Gary, seeing her hold hands with Gary, watching over and over again as Gary announced Misty was engaged to him……….
Diabhal smirked as Ash, panting, struggled to his feet. Laughing he turned to the platform containing Gary and Misty. Engulfing Gary in physic energy, he flung him back to the other side of the cavern. Using his powers of telekinesis he removed the chains fastening Misty's wrists. She attempted to run down the steps but Diabhal seized her around the waist. She screamed and attempted to free herself, drawing Ash's attention.
"Misty!" He took off in the direction of the platform.
"Stop!" Diabhal boomed. "If you come one step closer, I'll crush you little girlfriend. Or should that be ex-girlfriend?" He snickered.
Ash stopped in his tracks. He looked from Misty to Diabhal to the deep pit and then to Misty again. Diabhal tightened his grip on her, causing her to whimper.
"Stop!" Ash pleaded with the monster. "Leave her alone!"
"Give me the one thing I treasure most in the world" Diabhal pointed to the crystal, "and I'll give you the one thing you treasure most in the world" he squeezed Misty.
Ash looked at her. She closed her eyes as tears flowed freely. He didn't know what to do. If he gave Diabhal the crystal, it would be the End of the world, but if he didn't, Diabhal would kill Misty, his world. He remained speechless staring at Misty, willing her to just look at him.
"I can give you all you will ever want. You and little Misty her, together, forever. I can give you that future you were planning. The house in the Indigo Plateau, the two children…..Anything. Without me you will never have those things. All I ask of you is that crystal."
Misty stared in disbelief at Ash as Diabhal spoke. Ash lowered his head, diverting his eyes from hers. He felt his own tears stream down his face as his dreams were lain out before him. It was all he had every wished for him and Misty.
"Without me you can never have her. You know she loves the other boy, not you. You lost your chance. She will never love you. But I can change that. I can make her love you. I give you my word. All you need do is give me the crystal"
"I can't." Ash spoke barely above a whisper.
"Then you will both die. I think it only fitting you witness your true love die for you first!" Misty screamed in agony as Diabhal began to close the fist in closing her, crushing her bones.
"STOP!" Ash ran up the steps of the platform.
"Humans, you're all so predictable!" Diabhal laughed. "Give me the crystal!"
"Give me Misty first!"
"Ash, don't!" Misty screamed. Diabhal dug his talons into her, silencing her.
Releasing his grip Diabhal let Misty fall. Dropping the crystal, Ash dove forward and grabbed her hand, halting her fall. Using all the strength he could muster, Ash began to pull her up.
Diabhal picked the crystal up using his powers of telekinesis. Before he could get a physical grip on it, a crackling filled the air. Suddenly the crystal was engulfed in a golden electric glow. Losing his physic hold, Diabhal dropped the crystal.
Pikachu had through his dislike for pokéballs managed to break free from his prison. He immediately went in search of Ash.
Ash, having managed to pull Misty up, rolled to his left and grabbed the crystal. Jumping up, he ran to the edge of the platform and, glaring at Diabhal, threw the crystal into the lava far below.
Diabhal screamed in rage and agony as the reddish-black misty began to engulf him. Reaching out with his mind he picked Ash up, just before he dematerialised and flung him off the platform. Diabhal screamed and flailed about as he disappeared, leaving behind only a faint glow.
Misty stared over the ledge for a second before taking off in the direction Ash had landed in.
She found him at the bottom of the steps. He was barely conscious, mumbling incoherently. Blood flowed freely from the old cut above his eye and from a new one at the back of his head. Gingerly she lifted his head into her lap.
"Don't worry, Ash. You're gonna be ok." She whispered, tears flowing down her face. He was in bad shape.
Ash looked up at her, his eyes focusing and unfocusing. He tried to speak but his body didn't respond. His breathing slowed as his eyes fluttered closed.
Sniff, sniff. Poor Ash. Ok, I know this chapter was kinda all over the place, but I'm in major study mode, with barely any extra time. But after tomorrow I'll be finished my oral Irish exam and as of next week I'll be finished school!!!!! YAHOO!! [Only the Leaving Cert after that (sweat drops)]
Only one more chapter to go. It won't be very long and I'll have a lot more free time so it should be up soon! Please don't judge certain things said in this chapter too harshly, all will be revelled soon! And then my first fic will be finished! Sigh!
As always reviews are welcomed. With each review you receive a bundle of love from me, so start reviewing! And a big THANK YOU to all of you who have reviewed so far. Your bundle of love is in the post/mail!
