Prodigy
Chapter 7: . . . I can fly
Ash woke up to Misty's gentle tugs on his arm. When he finally opened his eyes he saw his fiancée looking down at him smiling.
Misty: Wake up sleepy head, its morning.
Ash: Good morning Misty.
The two had their morning kiss then sat up against the head of the bed. They were still dressed from the previous night, it was a exhausting day of repairing the city that they just slept and forgot to change clothes. Ash looked up at the ceiling then back at Misty.
Ash: My Dad came to me in a dream last night.
Misty: Really? Did he tell you something?
Ash: Yup. He just told me a few stories of when he was adventuring and stuff. Told me he was a prodigy too.
That was a bit surprising to Misty. There was no proof if genes were involved in prodigy selecting but so far Ash's family has three prodigies; Ash, Lina, now Ash's dad.
Ash: He was a fire type. He even knew Reed from long ago.
Misty: That's surprising. Maybe you could ask Reed about your father then.
Ash: If I need to. I'm pretty sure I know my dad pretty well though.
During Ash's travels and earlier child hood his father appeared to him dreams comforting him when he needed it. Even though Aston wasn't around for Ash during his child hood physically he was there in a different way. This helped Ash from being too lonely and as he traveled the world with Misty Aston appeared less in Ash's dreams; Aston realized it was not necessary for him to visit Ash from being lonely now that Misty is with him.
Ash: I only found out he was a prodigy through the dream. Mom probably didn't tell me cause I would've been too curious about the about it. Well alls fine in dreamland its time to face reality. So what's for breakfast?
Ash didn't want to spend his entire morning thinking about his dream even though it was important; he understood what it meant and that's all he cared about. Misty tapped Ash on his head, got out of bed, and then went in the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
*****
Inside Jasmine's house the ambitious G/S named Silver headed for the door to leave when Jasmine called out to him, stopping him from going.
Jasmine: Where do you think you're going Silver?
Silver: I'm going to surf a few waves.
Jasmine sensed the sarcastic tone of Silver's voice. She's worried about Silver getting hurt again, normally he would be able to take care of himself and he proved to be very strong though he never ended up that thrashed when she found him near the light house the other day.
Jasmine: Don't lie to me, your going to get into more trouble aren't ya.
Silver: Do I look like I'm the type to just look for trouble.
Jasmine: Yes!
Silver sighed putting his hand off the door knob, he turned around and sat back down on the couch not even looking at Jasmine but just staring at the floor.
Jasmine: Stop acting like a big baby. You can drop the whole macho act with me. Its not like I don't know you have a soft side.
Jasmine sat down next to Silver and tried to look at his face. Silver simple avoided eye contact and just looked at the floor.
Jasmine: Are you just gonna avoid me all day.
Silver: Why do you care anyway?
Jasmine leaned back and rested her head on the head of the couch. Silver asked that question so many times in the past and she would always say the exact same thing.
Jasmine: Cause I just do. Why not just stay here with me, its not like its boring here.
Silver: I just have things to do that's all. Like pay Gyzer a visit.
Jasmine: Gyzer? Who's Gyzer?
Silver: Oh I guess I never told you. He's the guy that roughed me up before the lighthouse. He's also my brother.
*****
Ash sat at his desk typing out the current updates on the aquatic pokemon he's been caring for. It took him a bit longer writing out his report for every so often he'd be distracted by other thoughts. Nearly completed he stopped typing and stood up from his seat. He walked over to a counter that had a thermos with some coffee in it. Pouring himself a cup Ash walked around the room thinking about the day before, the dream, and what will happen in the near future. After a sip he paused and looked at a mirror in the room. For a few minutes he started noticing his facial features and looks.
Ash: I really do look like my dad.
Ash looked down at his hand thinking about his potential element, lightning. His father was a fire type, probably one of the strongest ones too. Fire can be a very devastating element, almost nothing can resist fire, and it seemed virtually invincible. Lightning had its drawbacks; for one thing it can be resisted with proper equipment or type differences. Thinking about all the different type of elements there are, Ash gave major thought of the psychic type. Psychic was practically all in the head, if they had strong mental skills then pretty much anything can be done. Psychic power can cancel out other attacks, inflict high damage, and even fly. It just seemed overwhelming when thinking at what psychic potential can do, and how can lightning stand up to psychic?
Another strange thought that popped into Ash's mind was the previous night's dream where he saw his father pull down the wild prodigy at the cost of his own life. Aston is a fire type, so why not just make Moltres like wings and fly like the way Ash made Zapdos like wings? Maybe Ash was more advance than his dad but how could that be when Ash only realized his own power not too long ago, and even then he has problems controlling the surges. Ash knew he wasn't even at full strength, he had many other things to learn so it just seemed so strange to him that he could produce lightning wings and fly yet his dad couldn't.
Misty: Ash? Ya in here?
Misty entered the room a bit soaked from working with the marine life. She saw Ash holding a cup of coffee and looking right back at her with a smile. She smiled back, it was time for a break.
Misty: Oh are you working?
Ash: Almost done. Just taking a break. So what's up?
Misty: I'm taking a break from work oh and Kurai's here to see you.
Maybe the son of the City Master may know something, plus he also has to explain what's happening around the city ever since that sudden strike. There was also one other thing that Ash wanted to know and that was if Kurai knew something about Reed knowing his father, Aston.
Ash: What's up Kurai?
Kurai: A whole lot, with everything going on I haven't gotten any rest, how about you?
Ash: Opposite from you, I actually had a peaceful nights sleep . . .
Kurai looked over his shoulder to look at Misty pouring a cup of coffee.
Kurai: I can see why you probably could sleep.
Ash rolled his eyes, even Kurai was making fun of him and his relationship with Misty.
Ash: . . . also my late father visited me in the dream.
Kurai: Really? Your father huh, must be important if he visited you.
Ash: I think so. I was wondering, do you know if your dad knew my dad?
Kurai: My dad knows a lot of people, I'm not sure if he knew your dad.
Ash: Have you ever heard him mention the name, Aston?
Kurai: Is that your father's name? If it is yes he has mentioned that many times. When I was a young boy about the time when he adopted me, he often told me a few reasons why he took me in. One reason was he felt guilty over something that he had done and that Aston's son was fatherless. I thought at first he might have killed Aston but later I found out Aston had to sacrifice himself to prevent a wild prodigy from becoming a threat. Hey, if your Aston's son that means . . .
Ash: Strange twist of fate huh.
Ash gave some thought to what Kurai had just said, things where finally making sense about why Reed acted the way he did. When the destructive power of the DREAMER was unleashed and an entire city was destroyed, Reed possibly felt sorry for Kurai when he found Kurai alone in the ruins. Not only because he was probably at fault for causing the great ruin but also when he saw Kurai he thought of the young boy back at Aston's home who no longer had a father. That young boy is Ash.
Ash: I have something else I want to ask you. That other prodigy from the other day, he was able to fly despite him not being a flying type but rather a psychic type. Is it due to really strong mentality or cause it's just his elemental type.
Kurai: Both actually, its all because his strong psychic potential that he can carry out multiple tasks with less concentration. Since psychic potential can perform telekinesis and levitation he is able to fly by that skill.
Ash: What about other elements like fire or lightning, can those fly?
Kurai: From what I know, no they can't. They don't share any property in which gives the prodigy the ability to fly. But . . . as I recall weren't you able to fly that one time when you fell off the airship?
Ash: That's what I'm wondering about. How is it that I was able to produce wings and fly and yet no one else can? I can fly.
Kurai looked away for a moment then turned around and started to pace around the room. He stared at the ground while pacing then turned back to Ash. Puzzled by the question and couldn't come up with any reasonable solution, Kurai simple said what he thought that moment.
Kurai: Maybe because you're different. I can't think of any other reason.
Different, it was such a vague term to describe Ash's extra capability. Kurai thought back during the time when he followed commands like a mindless machine. He had to fight Ash twice and on both occurrences Ash managed to best him. Kurai had been training his potential strength since he was young yet someone like Ash was able to beat him when his own potential was still untamed within him. On another account when Ash had to fight a wicked G/S from using the DREAMER, Ash fought hard and came out victorious even if the stronger elements were against him. Maybe Ash was just something more advance than a normal prodigy; after all, within his family so far three have been prodigies.
Ash: Different? Is that all you have to say?
Kurai: Yeah. I just don't know the answer. Maybe you're more advance than the other prodigies or simply we just don't know how to do things you know how to do. Our lives haven't been threatened enough for us to do whatever it takes to survive, maybe that's the reason why.
It is an amazing thing what people will do to live. When threatened enough anyone will force to live, to survive against all odds. It may even be selfish at times just trying to live and not caring about anything else but it was a basic instinct within all.
Ash: But my father died from a fall, if he was such a powerful prodigy then why didn't he know?
Kurai: Maybe his life wasn't threatened the way yours were. After all, he wanted to make sure the corrupt prodigies went down. His life wasn't threatened; he just wanted to sacrifice himself so others would live.
Ash: I see. I guess that makes sense. This conversation has me overwhelmed, let's just forget about it now and take a break. There are other things to worry about.
Kurai: You could say that, if you only knew what's being planned.
Ash: What?
*****
Gyzer walked into the testing lab of Trueno University awaiting the completion of a device made for his project. Looking through the glass he wondered what would the world be like when this project was done. Within his soul he knew what he wanted to do. Return the way things were, it was a phrase that he had considered many times over. This project he was creating will return things to the way it once was. For the good of humanity this will be the greatest turning point of history. Curious at the device, Gyzer walked into the testing lab main desk to question the engineers.
Gyzer: Is it completed yet?
Engineer: The mechanism to drain and cease all mechanical and electric powered devices is done but the power regulator is not. We're having problems keeping the energy flow stable; if there's too much power then it will malfunction and be very unpredictable.
Gyzer: I want it completed soon. I just found out that not only is a G/S in PKMN Society but a Crystal as well. Killing two birds with one stone is far more convenient than with two stones.
Engineer: Yes sir.
Gyzer: Don't disappoint me.
*****
Ash stood in the office of Head Master Reed looking over plans on a holographic grid map. He was surprised what he was seeing and opposed to what Reed had in mind.
Ash: I can't believe your planning this! What will the entire city think about war?
Reed turned of the hologram and sat back down at his chair. He folded his hands and rested his elbows on his desk.
Reed: War is a terrible thing. Though we can't avoid it. I'm trying to view this in the whole picture. If someone were to attack us, whom they did, that would mean they are generally attacking the world.
Ash: And why is that?
Reed: They don't call this the highest academic school for a reason. All the modern technology out there was created here in this city. From the cell phone watches to the easy fold bikes, they all originated here. The funding for this city comes from companies who wish to buy our discoveries and thus the company sells the product as if it was its own creation.
Ash: So what's this about attacking the city is the same as attacking the world?
Reed: If we are destroyed then who will provide the world with their new technologies and advancements? The entire world is connected to this city as its supplier of ideas, concepts, and even social values. Attack us, then it's like doing a head blow to the world, a near fatal strike.
Ash: No wonder the city has to remain powered all the time. Okay that clears up that mess so now what are you planning for our maverick prodigy, Gyzer?
Reed: Once we find the location where he's taking refuge we'll strike. Just in case he has help, which I think he does, our military can take care of it, but as a safety precaution I'm having everyone train for an emergency, so do expect some extra assignments.
If everyone was set and a plan was made to take care of Gyzer, the only thing now was to figure out why Gyzer appeared and attacked in the first place.
Ash: So exactly what does this prodigy want anyway; didn't you say he wanted someone?
Before Reed could answer Kurai typed in a few commands on a computer and booted up a bio about Kris.
Kurai: This is the person I met while I was outside the city. Her name is Kris. She's very smart for her age, a worthy student of PKMN Society. Perhaps too worthy.
Ash: What do you mean?
Kurai: Well . . . I did a little more research of her life readings and DNA show that she is part of the Crystal Lineage.
Ash remembered a discussion about lineages in the previous day. The Crystal Lineage is the highest form of G/S, a very rare person indeed. First he meets up with another G/S named Gold and now a Crystal named Kris, things were getting very complicated.
Ash: A Crystal? I can understand the value of such a person but why would this prodigy want her? I can't think of any reason why he'd want her so bad to blow up part of the city. Is she his girlfriend or something?
Kurai: I don't know, I asked her if she knew Gyzer but she said no. Gyzer has some twisted plan for her and I'll figure out what it is. We'll keep Kris safe for now but try to be prepared for anything. I'm going to find out more about this whole situation. Return to your friends and tell them to be prepared too, this is very serious. And Ash, this is a prodigy we're dealing with . . .
Ash thought for a moment about what his father said and did in the past.
Ash: Reed, you know my father right?
Reed: Aston? He was my best friend. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am today. Any reason why you brought up your late father?
Ash: I know he sacrificed himself to stop a wild prodigy. I understand why. I'm willing to do the same.
Reed: So you do know about that. I didn't expect you to know that much but, he did it not just to save me, he did it to save the world. Ash . . . what's happening now is also a personal matter for me. You don't know the pain of having to live with yourself knowing your best friend died in front of you all because of a maverick prodigy. This is why I really must take care of this problem immediate before something far worst happens than just structural damage.
Ash: Hmm, I understand . . . I'll be here when you need me.
Before Ash left he turned around and questioned Kurai about one last detail.
Ash: You know when you were fighting me trying to have me remember or awaken my potential, that wasn't abusing your own power was it?
Kurai: I thought it was before but father told me that if I haven't done that then you might not have realized your potential. In the end it was all for good that I had to fight you for a bit. Unlike Gyzer who attacked innocent with a threatening cause and justification, so in that sense he's abusing his power, not us.
Ash: I see. Well I'm going to go back with the others; I've missed enough work as it is. Oh um before I forget could you give a personal examination for enrollment to a friend of mine, his name is Gold.
*****
The sun started to set, day soon became night replacing the light with the dark. The city lights turned on lighting pathways, walk ways, and roadway. Misty and Lina were on their way out of the mall after doing some shopping after work. Nearly at the exit doors Misty caught a glimpsed of a tasty dessert parlor. Craving for some sweet treats she started to walk in that direction, Lina followed knowing where Misty was headed.
Lina: Don't you ever worry about your girlish figure?
Misty: Back when I was younger Ash always called me scrawny.
Misty stood in line waiting her turn; she looked up at the menu trying to decide which dessert she'd order.
Lina: What are you going to get?
Misty: I haven't decided, everything sounds yummy.
Lina: I know this place, it has a very popular shave ice treat. Its mixed in a special way, above average from your normal shave ice.
Misty: You mean not like the ones you make at the stand.
Lina: Bingo.
The two girls made their order and waited for it. As they waited they observed how the staff worked trying to spot some type of key ingredient for their special ice delights. One of the workers appeared holding up a mini wooden plaque.
Worker1: Crystal's employee of the month again.
Crystal: Ah put that down, its embarrassing to hang that up.
Worker2: Come'on you should be proud of it. Weren't for your special recipe this place wouldn't be such a hit.
Misty and Lina got their orders and exited from the mall. They slowly walked home taking their time with their snack.
Lina: I didn't see what they put in. How about you?
Misty: I think it's the person that makes it. I think her name was Crystal or something.
Lina: Crystal? As in that problem that Ash and Kurai are having?
Misty: Yeah. I don't really understand the whole detail but I bet the boys can figure it all out. All we have to do is just get ready on a moments notice, which isn't too bad.
Lina: Ah, well I'm going to train extra hard at the Dream Gym, the way Ash puts it I think we're all going to war.
Misty: I think he's just exaggerating a bit.
*****
In their apartment the two soon to be married couple ate their dinner in front of the TV watching some comedy sitcom that Ash had normally watched since he lived there. Misty laughed a little but noticed Ash wasn't laughing but starring off above the TV set. She snatched his glasses of him and got his attention.
Misty: Ash! Are you watching? You seem totally out of it.
Ash: Oh um sorry, I was just thinking.
Misty: Ash, I know what your thinking and would you please give it a rest. Your stressing out way too much with this whole Gyzer thing.
Ash: This is serious! I mean look at the assignments, they started to add in training for offensive fighting and pokemon weapon usage. At this rate we may just lose our peaceful society.
Misty: I'm sure Reed knows what he's doing. Listen, Ash, relax okay. Don't think about it any more than you have to. In fact I want you to not think about it anymore. You do better when things are more on the spot like when we use to travel.
Ash: Still I think I . . .
Misty: You don't get any "fun" later tonight if you think about it! How can it feel good when your stress'n out.
Ash: . . .
Misty: Now that's what I thought. Well I better go get dessert.
Ash smiles half evilly and rushes to the freezer.
Ash: Allow me!
In the next chapter: Even in these hard times everyone has to live normally and that's no different for the prodigies of PKMN society. It maybe comical from day to day but what else is there to till the incoming war.
Authors Note: Nothing much happened in this chapter but things are becoming a bit clearer. The next chapter, well I'll humor everyone with some comical scenes just to break the tension of the current flow of this fic. Hope you enjoy and please visit my site!
PKMN ROMANCE
www.angelfire.com/pokemon2/pkmnromance/