Crimson Tears

Chapter Seven: Ashes

"Jolteon has been defeated. Pikachu is the winner. Ash Ketchum is the new Master of the Indigo League!" The flag man shouted lifting the green flag into the air.

Ash found it hard to believe. His whole body had frozen from the inside out. He blinked several times and stared at the bill board in disbelief as his name and picture flashed across it. A small smirk inched across his face. He let out a small sigh and blinked back his tears of joy.

"We made it…"

Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms. Ash hugged his best friend tight and screamed,

"We did it, Pikachu! We're masters!!"

'Yeah! We rock!" Pikachu grinned holding up a peace sign. The two spun around in circles screaming and laughing their heads off.

It was bliss. Ash had imagined this image all his life but strangely this wasn't what he expected. It was so much better.

Ash spun around once more and then stopped. He was staring blankly down by the sidelines where a man stood with his mother. He was rather tall with straight black hair. He wore a normal off white shirt with a black pants and tie. And atop his hair he wore a green base ball cap turned backwards. Ash blinked several times.

Delilah turned to see Ash staring and waved. She didn't seem to see the man standing right next to her. The man looked over to Ash and waved his hands in the air laughing.

Ash smiled.

"Dad?"

Pikachu looked over Ash's shoulder to where he was staring. Pikachu rubbed its eyes. It looked like a older Ash. But that couldn't be.

The man held up a peace sign and grinned. Ash waved back happily.

Ash climbed down from the trainers box to be brought into a tight embrace.

"Ash! You did it." Delilah cried planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

Ash blushed, and pointed to pikachu.

"Weren't you forgetting to hug pikachu first?"

Delilah let out a heartily laugh,"I only did that to annoy you so you wouldn't be so fussy when I gave you a hug."

"Ash!" A voice called.

Ash spun around just to be brought into another huge hug.

"You did it! You did it! Ha, ha, ha!" Misty cried.

She began spinning him about with her round and round till he let go and they both toppled over.

"You were awesome." Tracey smiled holding up his sketch book, "I got the whole thing!"

Professor Oak, Tracey, and Brock had come up while Ash and Misty were dancing.

"So Ash, how is it like to be a champion?" Professor Oak asked.

"Yeah. You are gonna need to answer this a lot, so better start practicing now," Brock grinned.

Ash glanced over to were his father still stood watching. He hadn't moved but Ash knew he was only here for a while.

"Great… Just great," Ash grinned.

Misty blinked and looked over to where Ash was staring.

There stood a man that looked surprisingly like Ash. She blinked again and he was gone.

"Ash that was-"

"A friend… fulfilling his promise," Ash smiled staring sweetly at her.

Misty nodded and grinned, "What a guy."


The red light faded and in front of them stood a yellow and brown creature standing at 2'2". It's beady eyes glared at the fiery haired human in front of him and let out a low hiss, "Droooowseeee!"

Misty took a step backward almost tripping over Pikachu. Pikachu's back arched and it let out a growl. It leapt in front of Misty its cheeks sparking.

"That aint your pokemon. You shouldn't use it. You don't even know its attacks." Butch snapped.

"I do too!" Misty snapped, "I know several of its attacks."

Pikachu looked uncertainly at Misty.

'But Ash taught me moves beyond your knowledge…'

"See! Pikachu is even agreeing with me!" Butch laughed triumphantly.

'I did not!' Pikachu barked.

"Pikachu is far more advanced then you know, Misty." Butch smiled, "You must of thought- what did he call himself… Aj was it? You must have thought he was just a trainer. But he is more than that."

Misty blinked.

"You mean he was telling the truth?"

Pikachu hissed and charged up a thunder bolt at Butch.

"Drowsee protect!" Butch commanded.

A frosty barrier formed from Drowsee's fingertips. The electricity bounced off harmlessly. Pikachu growled deeply again.

'Don't tell her anything!'

Misty blinked again, "What do you know about Aj?"

Butch smiled sinisterly down at the yellow mouse,

"We'll make this fair. If you can beat my Drowsee, I'll tell you all you want to know about Aj. If you lose, lets just say you don't want to lose."

Misty looked thoughtful, "Deal."

Pikachu couldn't believe its ears.

'No Misty! Don't fight him! He'll trick you!' Pikachu cried.

"Pikachu. This is my battle," She looked down at Pikachu sadly, "I'm sorry. But I need to know."

Pikachu shook its head, 'Do you really think he will really tell you the truth. Ash is best not described in Team Rocket's eyes.'

Misty froze. For a second she thought she understood what pikachu said.

"Pika-pii?" Misty breathed, "Pika-pii is-"

But by the time she had turned to Pikachu, he was gone.

Misty was looking pale. Pikachu wondered what he said that made her look so shocked. It wasn't like she understood… or did she?

A rustling sound caused Pikachu to turn. A black shadow zoomed off over the tree tops and off into the distance.

'Darn it! I knew it! The turkey lives!' Pikachu hissed.

Pikachu hustled off in the direction the bird, forgetting its promise to protect Misty.


Ash's eyes fluttered open. At first he was confused. He wondered how he fell out of his sleeping bag but slowly his mind kicked back the events that happened over the years. Ash shut his eyes again. He wanted to be back there. On the road with Misty and Brock, not in hiding…

Ash opened his eyes again and stared up at the bright blue sky that stretched out before him. He had always wanted to touch it but now that he had; it was cold and not worth it. Ash bit his lip. His head was throbbing painfully and his arms and legs felt like jelly. He didn't want to move from this spot. He just wanted to lie in memories that he had never really treasured as important before.

Every hug. Every victory. Every friend. Every pokemon. Every kiss.

Ash smiled happily surrounded by his dreams till a screeching sound woke him. He blinked.

"Oh shoot!" Ash screamed.

He rolled out of the way as four black arrows struck the ground which he had just been lying. He pushed himself to his knees keeping his eyes on the falcon like creature the hovered over head.

"You can't let a guy have some sleep?!" Ash groaned.

Hakei answered him with its high pitched wail. Screech. Ash covered his ears and screamed in agony.

"Bad question. Really bad question!"

The bird stopped leaving Ash's ears ringing. He sat dazed and flattened himself onto his belly just in time. The bird missed its dive and let out a angry squawk again

Ash sat up and glared up at the annoying bird. He stuck out his tongue.

"Ha. Ha. You missed," Ash taunted.

The bird flashed up the inside of its wings which were pure silver. The moon's rays reflected off it and made a very powerful flash attack. Ash bent over covering his eyes expecting this move. He could feel the hot rays of the flash zapping around him.

"Bothersome bird. Stupid, baka, bird." Ash chanted to himself.

Hakei dive bombed Ash again. This time it hit Ash sending him hurling back into a near by tree.

"By gosh! Did Cassidy feed you spinach?" Ash coughed.

Hakei took to the air again turning gracefully with the wind. It turned back to face Ash powering up its demon blast attack.

Ash tired to stand up but his legs failed him.

"Great. Killed by Cassidy's bird," Ash hissed. "Should of just punched her instead of using up all my energy. Had to be dramatic, didn't I?"

The Hakei let out its death cry. Ash now knew why Hakei's were often called the bringers of death and birth. Dark Hakei's had the most eerie death cry and although Ash had never heard the Light Hakei's cry he knew he wanted to listen to that one more.

Ash shivered.

'Now, boy you die…'

Ash blinked. Did the Hakei say that?

The bird's beak hadn't moved… maybe.

"Telepathy?"

The Hakei released the beam. Ash covered his face as it hurtled towards him.

I guess this is the end…

Pikachu leapt in front of Ash and let loose its most powerful attack. Lighting Blade. A beam of lighting forked across the sky and fell upon Pikachu. Pikachu's eyes went from a light black to a pure red.

The electricity surrounded Pikachu like a psychic glow. Little blue flicks of sparks flickered around him as well. Pikachu concentrated all its might on forming the blade. In its palms formed a blade made of pure electric energy.

'I hope you like your turkey well done.' Pikachu shouted.

Pikachu slung the blade back and threw it with all its might up at the blast tearing down at them. The dagger jetted through the blast. Electricity flowed off the blade bounding around the blast making it shrivel up into smoke.

What was left of the blade stabbed through the Hakei. The bird let out screech of agony and flapped it wings in rapid circles trying to keep in the air. After a few seconds its attempts were proved futile. It plunged to it death. It hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Ash uncovered his face in amazement.

"Whoa. Did I teach you that one?" Ash gasped.

'Yep… Except I improved it a bit.'

"A bit?! It wasn't supposed to be a killing move!" Ash cried.

'Sorry Ash,' Pikachu sighed, ' But unless you forgot, turkey was gonna roast you if I didn't do something.'

Ash forced his face into a slight smile, "Yeah…I guess that was okay…"

Ash stood up and glanced over to where the Hakei laid immobile. Its body was still slightly smoking and crackling with electricity. Ash sighed. He was about to turn his gaze when the bird caught fire.

"Ah! Pikachu!"

'Don't worry Ash. That's how Hakei's die. They burn themselves away so that the earth can use their ashes to heal the damage they may have caused. Watch.' Pikachu replied wisely.

The black flame slowly died and sure enough, from the ashes spouted a small fern.

'Even a Pokemon must realize the damage it does. Although it isn't much, Hakei usually will try to build life after its death.'

"How do you know so much?" Ash asked.

'Because I'm a pokemon.' Pikachu replied curtly, 'I don't need a pokedex. It's all in my head… well most of the time.'

Ash scratched his head.

"That's cool. Why didn't you ever give me advice before?" Ash asked.

'I did. But you didn't understand me at that time.'

"Yeah right."

'Did too.'

Ash scanned the area. It then struck as peculiar. Like something was missing.

"Oh my God. Cassidy is gone!" Ash hissed.

'What?!' Pikachu yelped.

"She is gone! I flung her into that tree over there… See how its broken? She must of left without us noticing," Ash fumed.


"Go Togetic!" Misty shouted tossing a red and white sphere into the air.

It split open with a crack and a beam of red light. The red light formed a small white animal. It had Togepi's markings all over its belly but the egg shell was gone. Togetic had tiny wings and the same spiky head. It stood a bit taller at about 2 feet. It looked up at Misty and let out a pretty squeal that formed together like a musical notes.

"That's right, Togetic! This is a battle." Misty smiled, "Just do your best."

"A Togetic?" Butch laughed, "Drowsee will crush you."

"That's what you think!" Misty snapped, her fist clenched, "You just need to see who has the advantage."

"And who do you think has the advantage?" Butch smiled.

"Why don't you shut your yap and find out?" Misty snapped.


"I thought I told you to stay with Misty?!" Ash cried as they raced through the woods.

'Hey. If I had, you would be dead now!' Pikachu hissed, 'Besides she is just in a pokemon battle."

"But Cassidy's loose and most likely she'll join up with Butch and- and-"

There was silence between the two. Pikachu looked at Ash somberly, 'You really like her, huh?'

"Huh? What?! No! Yuck! Gross! Misty and me? No way!" Ash blushed.

'Oh come on! Stop denying it. Ya know you like her. Why don't you just admit it?' Pikachu asked.

Ash was silent. He stopped to catch his breath leaning against a nearby tree.

"Maybe because…" Ash whispered, "I don't want her to know so she can't get hurt."


"Drowsee Zap Cannon!"

"Togetic Fly!"

Togetic took to the air as the electricity hit the ground she had been on only seconds before. Misty had to jump up to avoid shock as the zap cannon shot past her.

"Togetic dive!"

"Protect yourself Drowsee!"

The battle progressed inch by inch. Togetic obviously had evolved from the spunky baby pokemon it had once been.

"Togetic fly up and avoid its attacks!" Misty shouted.

Togetic took flight avoiding a power confusion attack by inches.

Butch smiled, "No more playing Drowsee. Use hover."

Misty took a step back as Drowsee frosted a globe around itself. Slowly the orb and Drowsee took of the ground and in to the air next to a stunned Togetic.

"What attack is that?" Misty gasped.

"As I said before Ms. Misty, you are behind the times," Butch grinned, "Drowsee use Despair."

"No!" Misty screamed. "Togetic fly away!"

Togetic took off the other way as Drowsee's eyes narrowed and turned pure red.

"There is no escape," Butch hissed.

Togetic froze a red aurora surrounding her. Togetic let a shrill cry as if it were in intense pain.

Misty felt a aurora cover her as well. Pain. Incredible pain over came her. It felt as though someone was stabbing her over and over again with white hot daggers. She found it hard to remember where and who she was. All she knew that she was in pain. She wanted it to stop. Die if that was the way to stop it.And then… as suddenly as it had started it stopped.

Misty fell to all fours coughing and breathing deeply the scent of the forest floor. Her vision slowly came back to her. She could make out a blurry white form out of the corner of her eye. Togetic.

"Fool. You think you can beat us." A voice from over her hissed.

Misty lowered her head. Every thing was spinning too fast.

"Get up," The voice hissed again.

Misty didn't answer or obey. She kept down on the ground where she could breathe.

"I said get up."

Some one kicked her in the side. She felt the burn of the kick but she didn't understand it. She couldn't remember what had happened. Someone pulled her to her feet and force her face upward. Her distorted vision slowly focused in on the face a young man with blue hair. It all came back to her like a smack in the face. She backed away from him just to lose her balance. She tipped backwards and fell on her back.

"Funny." Butch snickered, "We worked on that attack for… Aj."

The way he said his name made her shiver.

"It works on a Pokemon as it does its trainer. The closer the bond the two share the more pain they are put through. We intended it for him. But hm… we needed to test it first."

"You mean you are gonna- use that on someone else? You can't! What if... that might kill someone!" Misty protested.

"Yes… And to me and Cassidy's observations it will kill Aj and his Pikachu quite effectively," Butch smiled.

Misty suddenly remember Togetic and scramble over to its side. It was out cold. Misty let out a sigh, "Return."

"I hope you realize you've lost."

Misty spun about on her knees to face Butch smiling down at her.

"Yeah…"

"Now, the price is your life."

Misty recoiled backwards away him.

"You're gonna kill me?!" Misty whispered.

"That is what you promised me," Butch grinned.

Misty gulped and backed farther away.

"GO STARMIE!" She screamed flinging out her pokeball.

Butch caught it in mid air.

"I don't think so…"

"I do." A voice hissed behind him.

Butch froze. He tried to suppress his rage with a smile. It all happened in a blink of an eye. Butch swung about the blade of his pocket out ready to stab Ash. Ash jumped back and grabbed Butch's wrist as he attempted to thrash at him again.

"That was a mistake. I think you need a spanky little Butchy." Ash grinned squeezing his wrist tighter. Butch let out a snarl of disgust. He pulled out of Ash's grip and fell back besides his Drowsee.

"Drowsee teleport!" Butch commanded.

And in a flash of light, the two had disappeared.

Ash let out a sigh and gazed over at Misty, "Come on. Let's get you home…"

To Be Continued…

Please r + r!

I am so excited! I am slowly getting somewhere with this! Yeah!