Crimson Tears

Chapter Twenty Seven: Midnight

"Wa toki tansu kuru. Wa tsuki shoyu shi yoto me," Cassidy hissed eyeing Ash mensingly. " Ima warera wa miru suru okii."

The time has come. The moon holds death in its eye. Now we shall see who is greater.

Somehow he understood every word that came out of her mouth. But Ash wasn't that great with Japanese. Ash inhaled the stale air to reach calm.

It was midnight now.

The moon was high over their heads leaking its light down into the temple small stain glass center. The light fell about the circle starting up a frosty barrier. Ash started to panic.

He glanced around at all the other elders but they still had their hoods hiding their faces. They hadn't moved a inch. It was like they were under some kind of trance. Cassidy turned to the first elder beside Ash.

Her eyes glowed red as she hissed, "Kaze."

The elder lowered their hood and Ash suppressed a gasp of amazement. For being a elder she was just a few years older the him. She had flowing white hair that spilled out to her waist when she lowered her hood. Her face was that of a child's. Smooth and beautiful. But her eyes were a empty gold staring at Cassidy with their haunting stare.

"I am Kimi. I give you the powers of Kaze," She lowered her hands and a small but blinding white orb hovered a few inches above her opened palms. Ash stared in incredulity. He had never seen such a power.

Cassidy reached out a hand and a breeze circled about her ruffling back her blond hair. The white ball's light diminished into a clear empty orb.

Ash bit his lip. He could bet that she had just taken that girl's kaze. What ever that was.

Kimi fell to her knees. She began to weep uncontrollably but her sobs her not heard. Her eyes back to their normal hew. It was then that it stuck him that he didn't sense anything from her anymore. She was empty. Her presence; Her being was gone. She was like…


'A ghost.' Richie thought to himself as he watched the horror happen.

The girl no longer was there fully. She was just a spirit. And soon that would be gone too.

He spotted a glimpse of red hair to his right to find Misty was at his side hugging Pikachu to her chest. She had a determined look on her face. She motioned to Richie to her neck. Richie blinked and scowled. She had lost her necklace.


Cassidy turned to the next elder. This one again was a female. Ash got the feeling they were all girls. The woman lowered he hood to reveal spiky green hair and vacant emerald eyes. She too was rather young.

"Chikyu," Cassidy muttered.

The girl lifted out her hands the same robotic way Kimi had. And in the same robotic voice she hissed, "I am Maya. I give you the powers of Chikyu."

The orb in her hands grew a bright greenish color. Cassidy lifted her hands to take it too but she seemed to be strained. Ash blinked as he saw some life return in Maya's eyes. She struggled to keep a hold of her powers.

So you can fight it…

Maya's ball wafted in and out of color. She began to sweat and grind her teeth but he attempt were in vain. Cassidy won. Cassidy pulled away and Maya staggered. She fell back onto her bottom and stayed there with her head between her knees.

The next elder lowered her hood. She was a blonde with glowing blue eyes. They were not empty like to others but staring at Cassidy with disgust.

"Akari," Cassidy hissed.

The girl's eyes went blank immediately but slowly wavered between focus. Ash watched as Cassidy muttered again, "Akari."

"I am Kari. And you are a bitc-"

Before Kari could finish a aurora surrounded her and she fell to her knees screaming in pain.

"Akari," Cassidy said again slightly annoyed.

"I am Kari," Kari said in a smaller voice. "And I give my powers of Akari."

She held up her hands and a golden light orb appeared. As soon as she held it up it went empty. Kari kept her face lowered. Ash couldn't tell if she was crying but she slammed her fist into the ground leaving a dent in the marble.


'Wind, Earth, Light, and Rain,' Lily thought to herself. 'The four elders. And then… Ash. We don't have much time to come up with a new plan…'


"Ame," Cassidy smiled to the last one. The girl lowered her hood to reveal herself. She had sparkling aqua eyes and her cobalt hair was put into two identical pigtails. She didn't say anything. Cassidy waited.

"Ame," She said again.

The girl stood firm and unflinching.

"Water do not fail me. Send this demon to hell where she belongs!!" The girl shouted throwing a punch at Cassidy's face. Cassidy ducked, and waved one hand simply. The girl's eyes went blank.

"I am Maria. I give you the powers of Ame."

Cassidy turned to Ash. Her stare was murderous. Ash's insides went to ice but he didn't cower.

"Now Ash, give me your powers. Genso no Shujin."

Ash stood firm. Nothing happened. Ash smiled and stuck out his tongue, "I guess you got the wrong person, Cassidy!"

Cassidy didn't make any notation that she had been spoken to. She waved her hand and suddenly Ash felt a incredible pain over take him. His eyes went blank…


Misty's heart throbbed. She couldn't just stand here and watch this happen.

Her eyes wandered over to a rope hanging from the beams on the ceiling.

An idea popped into her head. If she got up there Ash would be able to see her… and maybe it would be enough to being him out of his trance.

She raced away before Richie or Lily could make any intention to stop her. She jumped up and clung onto the rope. It was just strong enough to hold her rope. She strained with each pull as she tried to climb up the rope. He hands finally reached the cold wood of the beam. She pulled herself up cautiously and stared down at the horrible scene below.

'Ash…' She cried into her head.


Ash.

Ash heard a voice mutter his name. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the ghostly form of Kimi. She stood by his side, a hand on his shoulder,

We are here, Ash. Hold on.

Please Ash, Maya said. Fight her!

Don't give up! Hang in there, Kari cheered. You are stronger than you think. You can win.

Trust in your power, Maria whispered. Your heart knows the way.

Ash bit his lip.

I can do this…


Cassidy frustration was starting to grow.

She used more of her power on the hypnosis she had put on Ash but Ash still didn't move.

He began to smile.

Cassidy forced all that was in her power to keep Ash under control. She wasn't worried. Ash was losing…


Ash felt his hands slowly lift into the air. He fought it but his might was weakening.

Help me. Someone. Give me the strength to stop her.


Misty stood up on the beam and screamed out to Ash. But still no words reached him. The wind began to pick up. There was a slight ringing and sound returned. People were gasping in awe as Ash managed to hold Cassidy back from his powers.

"I am Ashton." Misty heard Ash mutter, "And I give you the powers of Genso no Shinj-"

"ASH!" Misty screamed.

Lineal looked up at the red headed girl on the beams of the ceiling. He looked down at his wooden flute and then back to her. In a split second he made up his mind. If he couldn't play his flute, she could.

"Here! Catch!" Lineal called up to her tossing the flute up in the air.

Misty looked down and caught the flute easily. She looked down at the boy. He winked. Misty smiled.

A heavenly tune filled the air. Everyone turned up to see this teenager playing a small wooden flute up in the banisters. The song filled everyone's hearts with joy and love. It brought tears to some of the elderly eyes. Misty played along her fingers moving by themselves. She didn't feel remotely scared anymore. She felt stronger. Ash blinked. His eyes went back to their normal hew and the orb in his hand disappeared.

"Misty!" Ash cried in joy.

Cassidy turned to see her. Her face frowned in anger.

A energy beam formed in her hands, "Die!

"Misty look out!!" Ash cried.

Cassidy released the beam aimed straight for Misty. Misty looked up from her playing and slipped backwards. She reached out and grabbed the beam with one hand miraculously. The flute fell to the ground and snapped into two halves. Lineal smiled.

"Its purpose was fulfilled, Father."

Cassidy turned back to Ash. Ash backed away as she advanced on him.

"I have the elders now, Ash. I don't need you to be the strongest in the universe."

Ash looked around. Midnight had past and the elder's ghosts had faded away. Ash looked saddened at their fallen bodies.

"Now you die…"

To Be Continued…

Please r + r!

Finally a nice and long chapter! . Hope you guys enjoy it!