Crimson Tears
Chapter Six: Assassins
The whole forest before then lay in shambles. All that was left of the beautiful trees that scraped the heavens and the wild life that had surrounded them for so long was a baron waste land.
"Oh my gawd. What happened here?" Misty whispered in shock touching the remains of one of the tall oaks.
She was shocked to feel it cold. She took her hand away as if she was burnt. She glanced in Aj's direction to find he was standing silent as stone looking over the destruction grimly. His fists clenched tight. A flame lit in his eyes.
Misty backed away slowly.
"Aj?"
He shook his head and then looked down as the ground.
"This is all my fault…"
"What?" Misty gulped.
"I- I can't…I should of stopped them…"
"Aj, it wasn't your fault… I'm sure it was a normal cycle of life."
Aj lifted his gaze to her eyes.
"People died in this fire. People lived on this plain… My Grandparents… Their graves…They were buried here and… now? We will never…" Aj's voice faltered.
"Aj. I'm so sorry."
Aj kept quiet his eyes firmly rested upon hers.
"It's not your fault."
Ash knew they shouldn't be here any longer. He knew that if they stayed much longer they would be dead meat.
"Uh…Misty. I think we should go. Like… now," Ash whispered.
"What?" Misty questioned.
"I mean… You're ready to go home, right?"
"No… Um. I think if someone did this intentionally we should figure it out."
"How about we report it and leave the snooping up to ummmm… iunno, the police or something," Ash said nervously.
"But-"
Ash spun around and leapt in front of Misty just as a black arrow came out of nowhere. It caught him in the shoulder. Misty let out a scream of surprise.
"Aj! Are you okay?!" Misty cried.
Ash yanked to arrow out of his shoulder and cringed at the pain. Blood began to sweep from the wound. He clutched it firmly and turned to Misty.
"Go. Run," He whispered.
He fell to his knees.
"No… I can't just leave you here like this!" Misty cried.
Ash bit his lip and glared up at her.
"I am fine. You can't defend yourself against them. Run while you still can!" Ash growled.
"I can too defend!" Misty snapped, "I can offend too."
"I believe that."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Pika?" A familiar voice said behind them. Ash and Misty turned to see Pikachu running towards them. He took one look at Ash and sighed, 'Not again. They are here, aren't they?'
"I think so, Pikachu." Ash answered.
Misty watched curiously as Ash had a conversation with the mouse.
'Was the arrow poisoned?' Pikachu asked a little worried.
"I don't think so. Luckily. I guess they were just intending it to slow us down."
'Is it here yet?'
"Nope. But-"
There was a loud screech from above them. Ash and Pikachu both winced.
'Darn it.' Both Ash and Pikachu hissed in unison.
"What the heck was that?" Misty gasped looking around to the high pitched wail.
Suddenly a black something flew inches over Misty's head as Ash pushed her to the ground.
"Ah! What?!" Misty cried.
"That- is a mean ass pokemon." Ash hissed getting off her quickly, "It's new."
'This time I'm gonna barbecue it!' Pikachu growled.
"And that worked so well last time." Ash snickered.
Pikachu sent him a death glare.
"I want some answers!" Misty hissed roughly getting to her knees.
"Get down!" Ash snapped pushing her back onto her stomach again. She felt something go right over her again.
'Tell her, Ash!' Pikachu snapped.
"I will later!" Ash retorted.
Ash got to his feet and then fell to his knees again clasping his injury that was still bleeding heavily. White hot pain surged from it. Ash let out a groan as his world began to spin slightly.
'Ash! Don't move so quickly!' Pikachu snapped.
"I wouldn't if we weren't under attack!" Ash hissed back.
"Guys…" Misty whispered.
Ash and Pikachu both looked over to Misty. She was standing up looking at the black bird that was hovering above them.
"What is it?" Misty asked worriedly noticing it's sharp talons.
"It's a Hakei. A bird/dark pokemon." Ash answered her, "It's most famous move is dark arrow."
Misty blinked. "That's why they arrow isn't poisoned… right? Because it's the Hakei's attack?"
"Yep." Ash groaned.
The Hakei began to glow a dark shade of purple. Misty looked over to Ash for a explanation to see him and Pikachu turning pale.
"I think we better go now." Ash muttered.
'I quite agree.'
Ash grabbed Misty's wrist and pulled her along while still grasping his wound which hadn't seemed to be getting any better.
"Where are we going?" Misty gasped.
"As far away as we can from that thing!" Ash shouted.
There was a sound like a huge explosion and a tree not far away from them shot up in black and purple flames. Misty let a shriek of surprise and began to speed up.
"Is the Hakei doing that?" Misty asked.
"Yeah," Ash answered. "Demon Blast."
"My gosh!" Misty cried. "That's what destroyed this place!"
"Most likely."
Ash glanced over at Pikachu who nodded.
"Misty, I want you to keep running, okay?"
"Why? You're not gonna try to fight that thing, are you?"
Ash didn't answer her. He kept his eyes with Pikachu's… Now!
Ash skidded to halt and Pikachu jumped onto his good shoulder. Misty stopped a good few feet away to watch.
Pikachu climbed up on to his arm as Ash swung up upward. Pikachu took off a good couple a feet into the air.
"PIKACHU THUNDER!" Ash screamed up to his pokemon.
The clouds parted as a beam of pure yellow electric energy surrounded Pikachu. Pikachu let out a wail and the lighting filled the whole sky. Hakei got struck by one of the bolts and let out anguished cry before plummeting to the ground. Pikachu landed softly a few feet in front of Ash.
"Is it gone?" Misty asked.
"I think so." Ash sighed.
'I got that thing good!' Pikachu laughed.
There was another cry and the bird was back up in the air again. Ash and Pikachu both frowned.
"Dang."
'Man, I was so close.'
Ash began running again. Misty and Pikachu followed his example.
"If we can get to the car we will be home free," Ash whispered to himself.
He began to steer them back to the way they came. The Hakei was still in hot pursuit. Ash prayed that it wouldn't figure out what he was up to.
They kept running. He heard Misty let out a scream as a blast missed her by inches.
Ash began to feel dizzy. How much more could he tak
"Aj!" Misty cried as she saw him stagger and fall.
She and Pikachu reached his side.
"I'm okay. Just tried." Ash whispered trying to push himself up but failed.
The Hakei zoomed down strait taking his stumble as a opportunity. Misty saw this and flung herself on top of Ash. The Hakei clawed her back at it sweep and then took off again.
Misty bit her bottom lip and fought back the pain as she got of him. Ash was shocked.
"You-Thank-"
"Thank me later," Misty sighed glad that she wasn't bleeding bad.
"Aw. How touching," A voice from the shadows hissed.
Ash cringed, "Pikachu please tell me that was you."
'Nope.'
Ash sat up finally to see the Hakei take a perch on a familiar wrist.
"Hello, Cassidy. Butch." Ash snarled.
The two villains emerged from the shadows laughing.
One was a tall sinister-looking blonde with dark purple eyes. She held the Hakei on her white gloved wrist. She was fairly young; maybe in her early twenties. She had a nice figure. She wore a pale pink earrings. Her outfit was a all black dress that reached her thighs. Her long legs ended with a pair of white knee high heel boots. A big red R stuck out on her chest.
The boy was about the same age a bit taller in height. They still towered a couple of inches above Ash and Misty. The boy had teal blue hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a outfit very closely resembling James'. Except for it was all black.
"Hope you had a good time running. It was definitely hilarious on our part," Cassidy chuckled.
"You looked like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off," Butch added.
They both continued to laugh as Ash eyed them carefully. They both held pokemon with them. Six a piece…maybe…
"Misty… you have to run," Ash hissed.
"But Aj…"
"Aj?" Butch asked, "Aj? You changed your name again?"
Misty cast Ash a sideways glance which he ignored.
The two villains doubled up with laughter again.
"Well," Cassidy smiled wiping a tear out of her eye. "At least we know why he needed Jessie and James' help."
"You two talk as much as you are stupid!" Ash shouted ignoring Misty's gaze again.
"I think that was a insult, Cassidy." Butch hissed cracking his knuckles in a menacing way.
"Yes. Let me maim him, Butch. He is the cause of our failures so many times."
"So what are you going to name him? Todd? Justin?" Butch asked.
Cassidy sweat dropped and turned to Butch with a look of disgust on her face.
"Maim… not name." Then she added, "Imbecile."
"Go Misty. Pikachu take her. Get into the car and go," Ash whispered.
"Uh… but you-"
'He can take care of himself,' Pikachu interrupted.
Misty looked at Pikachu curiously unable to understand a word of what he said.
"Go now!" Ash snapped.
"Hey!" Butch shouted as Misty and Pikachu ran off.
Cassidy eyes turned to the color of ice.
"Go after them," She hissed.
Butch nodded and ran into the dark woods after the two.
Cassidy whispered something to her Hakei and tossed him into the air. It took flight after Butch.
Then Cassidy glared at the boy in front of her.
"Do what you want to me, Cassidy. But know, if you kill me you will never find the crimson teardrop," Ash smiled despite his pain.
"And no one regrets that more than me," Cassidy growled. "You should of left your friends to us. We wouldn't of hurt them."
"Yes. As that may be true, I can not be sure you would use them as bait for me to give you the stone." Ash cocked a brow, "Isn't that so?"
Cassidy chuckled softly, her hard eyes upon his.
"You hate me so much and for so long, Ash, that you know almost every move I make."
"It has been six years, hasn't it?" Ash shrugged.
Cassidy was silent again.
"I see you haven't told your family you were alive… But someone has to know," Cassidy smiled, "Is your mom hiding you?"
"I wouldn't tell you if my life depended on it," Ash hissed.
"Well of course. You never were afraid of sacrificing your life… but did you know that's just another selfish act?"
Ash bit his lip, "If it saves a life… It doesn't matter."
"Didn't your dear father do the same for you?" Cassidy smiled, "Is that why you would do it so willingly."
Ash got to his feet weakly.
"Shut up." Ash hissed.
"You thought for a time that Giovanni was the murderer of your father. I remember it so well. Really, Giovanni may be bad but he isn't capable of murder. He is awfully soft," Cassidy smiled, "He did hate your father though. He probably wished he could of murdered him."
Ash closed his eyes. There was a time in his life where he had hate boiling inside uncontrollably. He tried to kill Giovanni. But Misty stopped him…
Then he found he was wrong. But Ash knew now who killed his father. And that man was dead now. He killed that man on accident when he was trying to kill him.
"My father is none of your business." Ash hissed. He titled and collapsed to his knees once more.
"Oh really?" Cassidy smiled, "Ashton… Poor little Ashton… Did Team Rocket ruin your perfect life?"
"No." Ash hissed, "I did that all myself. When I thought you wouldn't attack that day. It was so obvious you would. Perfect time to catch me off guard."
"Yes, wasn't it?" Cassidy smiled, "You don't have to worry about your little spies. Jessie, James, and Meowth had not been revealed of their true colors yet. I really don't intend to tell Giovanni. Cause if me and Butch do, he will send his best agents out to kill you while we get to sit back and watch. Me and Butch want to thrill of killing you ourselves."
"Glad to hear I am such a prize," Ash smirked.
"Killing you is a great honor, oh chosen one. Although not many know how hard it could be but under certain circumstances..." Cassidy looked over to Ash's wound which was still bleeding. "You could really use a band aid, couldn't you?"
Ash growled at this statement. She neared him.
"Um. You've lost a lot of blood. I'm surprised your still alive."
Ash shrugged, "I guess I'm lucky."
Cassidy reached grabbed his wrist and pulled him to his feet. Ash screamed in pain.
"Aw… Did that hurt?"
Ash glared at her, "You're lucky I'm dying."
"Yes. I have heard of that remarkable source of power you have." Cassidy grinned.
She grasped his shoulder. Ash let out another wail. She drew back her palm covered in blood. She smiled.
Ash fell back to his knees clutching his abused shoulder.
"Why are you tormenting me?!" Ash screamed.
Cassidy ignored him. She smiled down at the blood on her hand.
"So this is what it is like to play Lady Macbeth." She let out a nasty laugh before pressing her heel into his wound again. Ash screamed as she cried gleefully, "Out damned spot!"
When she released him, Ash hissed breathlessly, "She suits you. I saw what you and your team did at Pallet! I knew it wasn't Giovanni's plan! It was yours!"
Cassidy laughed mercilessly, "You're right. And… I don't really care about the crimson teardrop anyhow. I might never get this chance again. To kill the mighty Ash Ketchum. Cassidy kills Ashton. I can see it now." Her evil eyes blazed hatred towards Ash, "So... how should I do it?"
Ash bit his lip as Cassidy came closer to him.
Misty and Pikachu ran as fast as they could through the thick woods.
"Pikachu! Are you sure this is the way back?"
'Uh no… But you don't need to know that,' Pikachu nodded.
"Good. I was afraid we were lost."
'We are.' Pikachu sweat dropped, 'I just hope we get there sooner or later.'
Hakei came out of nowhere and soundlessly dived down towards Misty. Misty saw it at the last second and ducked. Hakei let out a angry shriek and turned about to attack again.
"Pikachu! We need to do something other than run!" Misty cried.
'Thinking, thinking.'
Pikachu climbed up a near by tree and flipped towards the bird. Hakei tried to flap away but Pikachu grabbed onto the bird that was about the same size of itself.
'You are going down, turkey!' Pikachu shouted powering up.
Pikachu let lose a volley of electric power into Hakei. The bird screamed and fell to the ground with Pikachu. They both hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Pikachu scrambled to it's feet as Misty approached. Hakei lay eagle spread on the ground.
"Is it dead?"
'I dunno.'
There was a scream of anger from behind them. Misty spun around just to find a knife pressed against her throat,
"That was Cassidy's special bird!" Butch cried.
"Sorry." Misty gulped, "I think it's still alive."
"Shut up!" Butch hissed, "And maybe I won't kill you."
Pikachu looked confused. It couldn't thunder bolt Butch without hurting Misty.
'Darn… Revenge isn't all it's cut out to be.'
Cassidy glared down at Ash and grinned.
"How shall I do it? Ah." She brought out a pocket knife, "Yes, this will work."
She flipped up the blade and lined it with her finger. Her finger dripped blood. She smiled and licked it delicately.
Ash cringed, "You're sick…"
"So glad you noticed."
Cassidy smiled holding the knife threatening up to his face. She pressed the smooth blade against his cheek and smiled.
"Maybe we can save the same faith for your girlfriend, that is unless Butch hasn't killed her already," Cassidy withdrew the blade quickly cutting Ash's cheek.
Ash winced as blood dripped slowly from the small cut.
"It might not be wise to bleed like that, Mr. Ketchum." Cassidy mocked Joy's friendly draw. "You might run out.
"Stop taunting and just kill me." Ash groaned closing his eyes tight, "At least then I won't have to pretend anymore."
"As you wish." Cassidy grinned preparing to stab him.
Ash heard a faraway scream. He flinched.
"You'll be with her soon." Cassidy smiled.
"No…"
Misty stepped back as Butch fought desperately against the Arbok that had come out of nowhere. It coiled around him carefully letting Misty free.
Misty quickly stood at Pikachu's side. Butch brought out his pocket knife and prepared to stab the Arbok but before he could slash it, it disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Jessie!" Butch cried, "Show yourself!"
There was no answer.
Butch turned back to Misty. He plucked a pokeball off his belt and flung it onto the ground. As the red light clouded their vision, Butch shouted, "Go Drowzee! Kill her and that Pikachu!"
Cassidy thrust the knife to Ash's chest. Time slowed, Ash caught her wrist inches before his chest.
"Wait," Ash grinned. "I'm not ready to die."
Cassidy pulled away from him, angrily. Ash jolted to his feet. He wiped the blood off his cheek and grinned.
"You seem to have forgotten, I have recover."
His wound was gone. All that was left was dry blood and his ripped sleeve. Cassidy let out a low hiss that formed a bad word.
"Naughty, naughty." Ash grinned.
"Well, at least you can't do that all the time." Cassidy grinned, "Recover takes to much out of you."
"And it takes too long. I was counting on your big mouth to spare me time." Ash smiled massaging his shoulder calmly. "It may be the only psychic move I know so far, but it sure comes in handy."
"I admit you tricked me, Ashton," Cassidy snapped, "Don't count on it happening again."
"Oh… but I do," Ash smiled.
He raised his hands up to the sky. The cloud parted back as they did for Pikachu. A huge bolt of lighting surrounded him. Cassidy backed away in terror watching as Ash's amber eyes burned gold.
"Now let's see how you like being at the end of the knife," Ash yelled.
He thrust his arms out pointing straight at Cassidy. The lighting followed his direction and knocked Cassidy clear off her feet. She ran backwards into a nearby tree. There was a smashing sound and Cassidy lay limp.
Ash knew she wasn't dead. He hadn't even barely touched her with anything. He had just gave her a mighty push. He was too weak to really attack her.
Ash swayed back and forth, the electricity around him disappeared. His eyes faded back into the amber color they usually were.
"Wow. So many pikachus," Ash fell back. He never remembered hitting the ground.
To Be Continued…
Please r + r!
This chapter was awesome not so much as the fighting scene comes later, but pretty cool.
