Faith in a Child

Chapter Five: The Right Choice

"You feeling okay, kid?" Mew asked kindly.

Ash sat up rubbing his head. He cast a weary look around him and then turned back to Mew.

"What happened? That was really weird. I could of sworn I was a goner," Ash said perplexed. "Oh well. So where to Mew?"

Mew blinked and took a step away from Ash, "You remember me!"

Ash stopped talking to Togepi and turned back to Mew equally startled.

"I did?"

"You called me, Mew. I didn't tell you my name was Mew," Mew gasped.

"I did? Uh…"

"Do you remember the battle! And the clones! And the tears! Mewtwo! Anything?!" Mew said breathlessly. She was up in Ash's face trying to see he could remember anything else.

"Course I do," Ash barked in annoyance pushing Mew out of his face.

"But how?! Mewtwo used a memory wipe against you! You didn't know before!" Mew cried in bewilderment.

Ash thought for a minute and then smiled, "Maybe I fell on my head too hard?"

"No. That's too absurd to be true. Maybe when I brought you back-"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. Nothing."

"I died didn't I?"

"Maybe just a little."

"Not again," Ash groaned putting his face in his hands.

"I guess when I brought you back I gave you the memory back… hmmm. That is interesting," Mew smiled.

Ash looked around again.

"Where is Misty? And Brock? Pikachu?" Ash demanded.

Mew suddenly turned pale. She looked somberly at Ash and muttered, "I'm sorry. I couldn't save them."

Ash felt as though he had been hit in the face with a dictionary.

"D-dead?" Ash faltered.

"Mommy left?" Togepi questioned from Ash's lap.

"No. They aren't dead," Mew chuckled darkly. "You probably would like it better if they were dead."

"What?" Ash exclaimed.

"Look, Ash. I think I know who Zai is. It's best if you forget you ever met your friends. It will save you from a great deal of pain," Mew hissed in a way that made Ash shiver.

"Forget them? But they are my friends!" Ash blubbered.

"Ash. You are the Chosen One. You need to come to the valley with me. If you continue to dwell on your friends you will turn out just like them," Mew snapped.

"What if I don't want to be the Chosen One?" Ash hissed angrily standing up. Togepi whimpering from his arms.

"Ash, don't do this," Mew sighed.

"No. I don't want to be the Chosen One. I just want my friends back!" Ash shouted, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Ash. Your friends are gone. They aren't even there anymore. Their souls are gone! They don't even exist anymore!" Mew yelled.

"How do you know?!"

"Because we when up against Zai a long time ago. And we lost Keota… I didn't even know she was still alive but she is and she is… now just like him," Mew grumbled.

"I thought Zai was a-"

"Zai isn't a person. Zai is a force. A powerful force called the ultimate evil. It was created by some unknown force. It feeds on your fears, sadness, and anger. Keota is that girl you saw. Except she is now being controlled by Zai."

Ash glared at Mew in anger.

"I don't want to fight. What is to say I won't end up like Zai- I mean Keota?" Ash griped.

"If you let go of your fears and forget about worrying for your friends you'll be fine."

"I can't forget my friends!" Ash cried, "I can't forget them because… they're my friends."

Mew shook its head forlornly, "You're our last hope…"

Tears welled up in Ash's eyes, as he replied real slowly almost choking on his words, "Maybe you should rely on someone else for hope."

And with that Ash walked away from Mew.

The days that past were getting worse and worse for the people of Earth. No one could explain why suddenly the world was covered by shadow. No one could explain why people every where were suddenly going crazy and killing everyone claiming they were Zai. Every day more and more people were claimed dead or missing. Wild pokemon were suddenly dangerous to go near. Everyone was hiding in Pokemon centers where it seemed safe. Including Ash.

"Hey." Nurse Joy asked gently to the young boy, "Can I get you any thing?"

Ash looked up at Nurse Joy briefly and then quickly looked away, "No… I'm fine."

As Nurse Joy headed towards the other visitors she heard him say, "As fine as fine could be when the world is ending."

Ash held Togepi to him close. She was the only thing that seemed to be left of his past. He couldn't do anything but care for Togepi. Ash continually worried abut Mew. What had happened to the cute cat pokemon? Had she gone back to the valley? Did she and her group try to fight Zai again? Were they dead?

These questions often popped into his head without warning. He felt so away from the world. Ash felt as though he had broken into a million pieces and couldn't be put back together again. He kept trying to call his mom but he got no answer. Even Tracy and Professor Oak were gone. According to May, Gary's sister, everyone in Pallet was fleeing to Viridian. May didn't know where his mom went. Sadly, Ash feared that he might never see her again.

One day, during one of the frequent storms, another person can running into the Pokemon Center.

"I'm sorry Miss. But this Pokemon Center is closed. We are already packed as it is." Nurse Joy consulted the woman.

Ash glanced up at the woman once he put Togepi in the seat next to him. He couldn't believe his eyes.

"Please! I'm looking for my son!" The woman cried, "I came all the way from Pallet… I'm trying to find him!"

"I'm sorry. But I'm afraid you will-"

"Mom?!" Ash said mystified.

"Ash!" Ash's mom cried in astonishment. They both rushed to each other and hugged. Ash was crying silent tears. He clutched on to his mom as if he was afraid that if he let go she might disappear.

Nurse Joy smiled and nodded, "Sweetest sight I've seen in weeks."

Ash told his mom everything. She clung onto his every word just like Ash remembered her do when ever he told her his troubles. She smiled once Ash was done.

"So what should I do?" Ash asked.

"It's obvious, Ash. You need to go save your friends." Mrs. Ketchum beamed at her foolish child, "If you worry so much you should go help and save them."

Ash blinked back his tears and started at his Mother in confusion.

"But what if I get hurt? What if I- if I-"

Mrs. Ketchum pulled her son close and hugged him tight.

"What if something happens to you?" Ash whispered.

"You know," she smiled running her fingers through his messy black hair. "I worried the same for your father. But even if I tried, I don't think I could have ever stopped him from pursuing his dream.

Ash smiled and hugged his Mom tighter, "Do you wonder what Dad would do if he was still here?"

"He would be very proud of his son for making the right choice. Just like I am," Mrs. Ketchum sighed.

To Be Continued…

Please R+R! I will type up Part Six soon!