Disclaimer: You already know…
C. Cowboy: Hello again! Were about to the climax of the
story. Should be here by the next chapter or two. So as usual, just set back
and enjoy the ride!
Lugia landed just outside an old cave that was a few miles from Lavender Town. Ash jumped down from the Pokemon's back, "So, a key's in there?" Ash asked while looking inside the cave. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's get this over with!" Ash said as he started into the cave. Um…Master? Lugia asked as he looked at the small entrance. "Oh, you're too big to fit in here." Ash said trying to think "You could wait out here or…" place me in one of your Poke Balls. Ash couldn't believe what he had just heard "Lugia are you sure about this? You know once I catch you, you can't go free until I let you go." Lugia smiled at the young trainer, I know this, and even if you don't let me go, I could not think of a better trainer to call Master. Ash's eyes swelled up with tears, "Thank you Lugia," Ash said as he threw a Poke Ball at Lugia. The ball hit Lugia and he started to glow red and then vanished into the Poke Ball. "I promise I'll let you go once this is all over with." Ash said staring at the Poke Ball in his hand. He placed the ball in his coat pocket and went into the cave.
Brock, Amanda, and a sulking Misty, with an equally sulking Pikachu on her shoulder walked into Professor Oak's Lab where the Professor and Gary were waiting. "What's up?" asked Brock. Gary looked up at them "We found the jokers who are responsible for Ash." "WHAT!!!" Yelled the others in unison "Pi ka, pi ka." (Just let me at 'em.) He said as his electric sacks swelled with electricity, and Misty's expression echoed Pikachu's.
"They call themselves the 'Dark Legion', and they want to pretty much rule the world." Explained Prof. Oak, "Not much is known about their leader, except he calls himself 'The Dark Master' and some think he's a real Pokemon Master." Brock placed a hand on Misty's shoulder, "Any idea why that went after Ash?" he asked being careful what he said around Misty and Pikachu. Prof. Oak looked solemn, "Well, I'm not too sure about that, but we do know what they're after. They're after a lost artifact, called the Zion's Crown. According to legend it has the ability to control every Pokemon on Earth." Pikachu cheeks sparked at the thought of being forced to obey the very people that took his best friend away. "Before anyone can get the crown they have to get six keys. We have been informed that they already have three keys. The only ones left are the one at the temple where the crown was hidden, one in a cave north of Lavender, and one south of Pallet Town." Professor Oak said as he gave Misty and Brock directions "I'd like you two to get the one near Pallet, and Gary, I'd like you to get the one near Lavender." They all nodded and went on their way. "And don't forget, this one's for Ash."
Meanwhile, back at the cave…
After many pitfalls and traps, Ash stopped for a second to catch his breath. "Why so many traps?" Ash asked to no one in particular. Because they didn't want anyone to get the key. "Hey, why didn't you tell me you could still talk to me while you were in your Poke Ball?" Ash asked surprised. Well, I didn't know I could. I've never been in a Poke Ball before. Ash just shuck his head when poison darts zoomed past his head "WAAAA!" He yelled as he ran through the hallway, dodging poison darts.
He made it to the main room with a pedestal in the center. On pedestal was a golden key with a large jewel in its center. Ash whistled, "Man, is this the key?" Ash slowly picked up the key. He squinted his eyes shut, expecting another trap, but nothing happened. Ash breathed a sigh and turned to leave when the floor dropped out from under him. He fell into a river of fowl smelling liquid. He felt like he was going to throwing up as he pulled himself out of the river. "Well, at least we got the key, and nothing worse could happen." Just as he said that he turned to come face to face with a wide-eyed Gary Oak "Gary? What are you doing here?" Ash asked the other Pokemon Trainer who was obviously in a state of shock "A… A… A… Ash? Your… your…. YOUR ALIVE!!!!"
To Be Continued…
C. Cowboy: God, I love cliffhangers, don't you? Well, what
do you think so far? In the words of that robot thing off Toonami 'the best is
yet to come…'. So Bye-bye for now!