Crimson Tears

Chapter Thirteen: Forgive and Forget

Ash poked his head up into the attic looking about carefully.

"Ash! What are you doing?" Delia shouted.

Ash flinched.

"Just getting some decorations for the party." Ash called back.

"Ashton, your party is a week from now!" Delia snapped. "Why on earth are you suddenly so persistent."

Ash didn't answer. He scrambled up onto the weak floor boards pulling himself in the small space. It was dusty and cold up here. Even in hot July the attic felt like a freezer. Ash often wondered why.

He crawled carefully over to a huge black trunk with golden fastenings. A name was on a dusty plate by the lock.

This belongs to: Jeffery Satoshi Ketchum

Ash smiled a he lifted the lid slowly. He ducked as a couple of Zubats flew out and took out the small attic window. He let out a cough waving his hand through the air trying to get rid of the dust everywhere.

"Ash!" Delia voice sounded from below him. "Ash, are you okay."

"Fine," Ash snapped. "Just a little dusty that's all."

If only his mom knew the real reason he was up here. Then she would give him his space. Ash was on a mission… but not a normal mission. A personal mission that Agatha handed him. Protecting the Crimson Teardrop.

Ash reached into the trunk and pulled out a thick and dusty volume. He wiped his hand over the cover reviling the faded gold letters.

"Legends," Ash read.

He opened up to the first the page and scrolled down the table of contents. His finger found what he was searching for. He laid the huge book in his lap and flipped the middle of the book. Ash cleared his throat and began to read aloud.

"The History of the Crimson Teardrop." Ash read, "As legend tells it, the tear was formed by a Mew. One of the few surviving pokemon during the Legendary Storm of Raging Waters. It was said that one of Mew's tears formed into a red circle stone. This tear, since formed by the most powerful pokemon known to man, became a special and sacred stone that when threaten will take possession of the beholder's body for a period of time. The stone has a great fear of being broken or stolen. In its attempt to flea it will control the beholder using the person's every abilities. Even if the person is unaware of their abilities.

"There has been many attempts by researchers to prove that the stone lives but all attempts have failed. It seemed that the legend of the stone was losing its belief on the people. So was the Legend of the Raging Waters. Scientist believed that the stone was formed from a volcanic explosion under water and some how made it to the surface. Its tear shape and reddish color gave the natives the idea that it was a sacred stone and named it Crimson Teardrop. And from that name, tales rose of its importance.

"As author of Legends, I searched through the many languages to find the legend of this unusual stone. After many dead ends and wrong turns was finally able to translate the whole story. It is to be said that in years, maybe thousands of years from their time, the stone will be united with the golden glove carved by the great master Herutte. And then destruction of the planet will take place.

"It took many years to translate how the destruction will progress but with much research we were able to determine-"

"ASH!! COME DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!"

Ash let out a struggled sigh, "Coming."


Misty looked up and glared at the black cloak draped over her desk chair. She tumbled out of bed and gripped the cape angrily.

"You aren't in my life any longer!!" She flung it across the room and buried her face into her hands.

A soft clang caught her attention. She looked up to see something fall out of the cloak's pocket. It was a nicely wrapped box.

It was wrapped in silvery blue paper. On the top was a small piece of paper. She delicately picked the box up and looked at the card.

To: Misty
If we ever live through this.

She blinked and ripped back the wrapping paper and opened up the box. She let out an audible gasp.

Inside lay a golden heart shaped locket shimmering beautifully in the low lamp light. Engraved deep into the surface were two words, 'Together Forever'

She eagerly opened the locket and a soft twang of music filled the air. Just like before…

"He fixed it," Misty whispered.

In the place where Misty's parents picture used to be there was a picture of Ash and Misty. Misty blinked back her tears as she stared at it. Ash had his arm around her holding the Indigo League trophy high. Misty was winking and Pikachu was sitting merrily on Ash's hat. They all looked so happy in that picture. Just like her parents.

She dug into her dresser drawer and pulled out the small picture of her parents and tucked it into the slot next to the first picture.

"Ash I am so sorry. I never meant for things to happen this way," Misty whispered to herself. "This is all my fault… I was angry and-"

She caught sight of something beyond the picture. Misty shut the locket and opened it again. This time it showed a small red stone and a note. She opened the note and it said,

Misty,
Protect this with your life.

Ash

"What in the world?"


Ash sat with Pikachu back under the floor boards. He had got a terrible scolding from several people when he returned, but he could barely hear them. Things had changed. He didn't mind sitting here now. It was pointless to leave anyway. It had been about two weeks since that horrible night. He couldn't forgive himself for not standing up to her. If only she knew how much he cared.

"Ash?"

Ash looked up to see Brock climb down through the boards. He was bigger then Ash, and had a bit of trouble. He finally managed to squeeze through.

Ash peered at him curiously, "What?"

"Ash… um… I've been thinking and I want to apologize," Brock said nervously wringing his hands and keeping his head bowed in shame.

Ash blinked, "About what?"

"For… For not being there…" Brock muttered.

'Ash, he is talking about… you remember? The fight you had…' Pikachu whispered.

Ash looked over at Pikachu a bit confused. He turned back to Brock/

"That's okay. I got over that a long time ago. I'm not still angry at you, Brock… Why should I be? You are my best friend. And a stupid fight isn't going to change that."

Brock let out a dark chuckle, "You should be. That's your problem, Ash. You are so… so…" Brock faded off. " …so great."

Ash blinked, "I think you lost me…"

"You are too nice. You think the whole world is a play ground. Nothing bad really affects you that long," Brock sighed. "Even after being almost killed. You just get over it."

Ash laughed. Brock looked at him startled, "What?"

"You are jealous?!" Ash laughed.

"No."

"Yes, you are."

"Am not."

"Really?"

"Maybe just a bit."

Ash laughed even harder. Pikachu snickered a bit.

"Why?" Ash asked.

"Did you notice how many fans you have, Ash?"

"Yeah…"

"Did you notice how many of your fans were girls? And really cute girls too?"

"Uh… no."

"Course you don't," Brock groaned. He took a seat next to Ash on the floor and covered his face in his hands.

Ash patted his back softly.

"Don't worry, Brock. I am sure you will find that special someone… someday."

"If I was a carefree as you I wouldn't have any problem getting a girl!" Brock sighed.

"Your problem is that you try too hard, Brock," Ash grinned. "You need to stop chasing them and let them chase you."

"I have tried. It seems to be working… I have a girl friend now."

"Really?" Ash smiled.

"Yeah," Brock trailed off. "Her name is… Duplica."

Ash jumped back startled, "Duplica?!"

"Yeah… Sweet girl. I think she is too young for me though."

"Brock that's great! She said really liked you back when we were with her last."

"Yes… She is the only one."

"What about Michelle?"

"Uh…" Brock blushed. "I dunno. I haven't heard from her."

Ash sat in silence, "So why did you really come down here for?"

'To cheer you up a bit. I heard what happened to you with Misty," Brock bit his lip. "And I brought a late birthday present."

Brock held up a present wrapped in green paper. Ash looked at it.

"The postal service down?" Ash asked.

"No… Actually, I thought it would mean more if I gave it to you in person," Brock winked.

'Open it, Ash,' Pikachu begged.

Ash ripped off the paper and yanked open the box. Inside was a strange purple and pink pokeball with M right upon the button.

"What is it?" Ash asked picking the ball up carefully.

"It's called a Master Ball. Since you're a Master, I thought you might like a Master Ball." Brock shrugged, "But that isn't the beauty of it. This baby can catch any level pokemon without fail."

"Really?! I'd need more-"

"Sorry Ash. But that is one of the very few ever made," Brock interrupted. "Now I want you to use it well. No using it on a Rattatta or anything like that. That is... unless it is a really unusual Rattatta."

"Well, shucks, Brock. I had this great Weedle in mind."

"Don't you dare!!" Brock shouted tackling Ash to the ground.

Ash and Brock froze. Ash had Brock pinned to the floor in seconds but some voices upstairs caught them by surprise.

"Uh… Hello? Cassidy is it?" Gary stuttered.

"Shoot!" Brock hissed, "Stay here!"

Ash jumped off him as Brock ran up to the exit and climbed up through the floor boards and into the room. Ash hugged Pikachu to his chest as he listened carefully to the people upstairs.

"This isn't good."


Gary sat slightly annoyed as he heard Ash and Brock attacking each other downstairs. He rolled his eyes. Why did they always act like kids?

A sudden sound caused him to look up. A young teenage girl stood in front of him a smirk on her face.

"Hello, Gary," She hissed.

Gary blinked in shock and took a couple steps backwards.

"Uh…Hello? Cassidy is it?" Gary stuttered.

He heard scuffles from the other room as Brock exited the floor boards. He turned his gaze back to Cassidy.

"I heard a rumor that you were hiding a young master here. By the name of Ashton Satoshi Ketchum," Cassidy smiled a group of Team Rocket guards, dressed all in black with red R's on their shirts, came up behind her. "Have you heard of him?"

To Be Continued…

Please r + r!

Dun dun dun… not so good, huh?

Well, my head hurts and I think I need some aspirin. More later…