Crimson Tears

Chapter Twenty Three: Destiny Bond

Ash's heart leapt into his throat. He was too late.

Asa charged at Cassidy her fist raised. It happened so quick Ash almost missed it. Cassidy caught her fist inches before her face. She with drew and held out her hand. A gust of wind circled about Asa sending her hurling to her ground a few feet away.

Ash regained his breath, "Cassidy! Stop it! She's only a kid."

"Stay out of this. This is between me and little Asa." Cassidy smiled as Asa struggled to her feet.

Asa winced at her strained back but her rage seem to give her more determination… and carelessness. She shoot back up the her feet and did a high kick down the Cassidy. Asa's foot seemed to go right through Cassidy's image in till suddenly Cassidy was behind her. Asa felt the presence and did a round house kick hitting Cassidy in the side. Cassidy didn't even flinch.

"That was annoying." She smiled. Again she held out her palm as a gust of wind blew Asa up against a nearby building.

Ash watched in horror. He knew he had to do something…

"Die!" Asa shouted sending a punch at Cassidy's stomach. Cassidy pushed the hand way and returned with a punch in Asa's stomach. Asa's eyes widened as the pain sank in. Cassidy kneed her up into the air and then with two fists slammed her back into the concrete. Asa lay limp.

Ash stood his jaw dropped. He had barely followed the whole thing. Cassidy smiled sinisterly dusted off her hands.

"That was almost too easy."

Suddenly Asa stirred. She shakily pushed herself to her knees.

"No! Asa stay down!" Ash cried.

Cassidy smile turned upside down. She glared at Asa angrily. Asa's lip was cut and her arms, legs, and cheeks were scratched and bruised. Her eyes were drooped as if she was on the verge of consciousness.

"This time I'll make sure you don't come back," Cassidy screamed using a confusion attack. Asa was lifted off the ground with a strange purple glow and then hurled through the air.

"ASA!!" Ash yelled.

Suddenly another aurora surrounded Asa. This one a pure gold. She was slowly lowered to the ground.

"What!" Cassidy hissed angrily.

She turned to see Ash with one green fingerless-gloved hand outstretched. His eyes had gone a bright gold like the glow around Asa. Asa was laid gently on the ground and the aurora released her. Ash's eyes went back to their normal hew.

"YOU!" Cassidy hissed.

Ash looked slightly dazed but snapped back into attention when Cassidy shouted. Ash's face formed a slight smirk.

"My own confusion attack," Ash grinned. "I am getting better Cassidy. My powers are slowly coming to full max. This will be a interesting fight."

"Yes. Not toady though. But you aren't ready yet, Ashton." Cassidy lifted her fist and pointed one index finger at Ash.

"Destiny bond!"

A white aurora formed bout the two of them.

"You fool!" Ash screamed.

"3 minutes and this place blows. Use your time wisely, Ashy boy," Cassidy smiled. "This is only the beginning. Tonight the real action begins… See you there."

She blew a false kiss and then teleported away. Ash let out a angry growl, "Three minutes is plenty of time."

Ash lifted Asa into his arms tenderly. She was out cold. There was no time to seek out anyone else. He just had to get out of here.

"Ash!" Misty's voice exclaimed.

Ash spun about to see a snow speeder coming over towards them.

"Perfect…" Ash groaned "What are they doing here?"

Richie brought the snow speeder to a sudden halt in front of Ash.

"Hey Ash! We have been looking all over for you!" Richie snapped.

"Pika-pii!" Pikachu cried in joy leaping onto Ash's shoulder and snuggling against his cheek.

"Hey Pikachu." Ash smiled.

Misty suddenly recognized who was in Ash's arms.

"Asa? Is that Asa? Oh my- is she okay?!" Misty said panicky.

It was then that Ash remembered.

"We have to get out of here now!"

Ash leapt onto the back of the speeder behind Misty and Asa was leaning between Richie and Misty. It was an very tight fit. Ash didn't fit at all. He was just standing on the bumper. Pikachu on his shoulder.

"Go! Go!" Ash shouted.

Richie gunned up the engine and off they went. After a few seconds of wind and silence there was a distant boom. Ash looked over his shoulder to see the section of the town they had just come out of blow up in blast of white. Only seconds in time. He wiped the sweat from his brow.

But some words still haunted him. What did Cassidy mean by that?

"This is only the beginning. Tonight the real action begins… See you there."

Ash shook the words away. She was only bluffing.

Misty gazed behind her to look at Ash's distressed face, "You okay, Ash?"

"Fine," Ash smiled. The smiled looked slightly forced.

"Ash… I was worried. I thought that I had- We had lost you again," Misty stuttered.

Ash's smile looked less stressed, "Don't worry. I won't leave you guys. Not any time soon, anyway."

"I wish I could believe that," Misty whispered under her breath.

Ash didn't hear her…

To Be Continued…

Please r + r!

Yes! I am getting to the end! :dances for joy: