- 6 -
Ash sat down near the spring to rest. He looked up when he heard someone walking over. Cursing her silently, Ash muttered. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I came to see where you were," May replied, frowning.
"Why?" May looked at him.
"I got worried when you left." she stated, "Are you OK?"
"There you go again!" Ash yelled, "Stop it! Stop asking what I'm thinking! Stop pushing yourself into my business!"
"I just want to help." she whispered. Ash glared at her.
"You can help by going away, and stop bugging me!" he said coldly. Out of the corner of his eyes, Ash could see the tears forming in her eyes. His icy voice cut May like a knife. "What are you going and crying about?"
"Oh," she whimpered. May looked at her feet, blinking back tears. "Nothing. I'm not going to cry."
Ash rolled his eyes. He stood up and walked over, standing several inches taller then May. "Don't lie to me," he said, holding her.
The only reply to it was the soft cry. "I'm sorry, May."
"You can become so temperamental sometimes, over almost nothing. It's scary sometimes," May whispered. Ash froze.
- Flashback - "Mommy, I'm scared." the five-year-old whimpered, "Daddy's mad again."
"I know honey," the mother said, pushing his dark-brown bangs back, and kissing his forehead, "Go down in the basement, and hide. I'll get Daddy settled down."
"DELIA!"
"Go, quick!" Delia hissed. He hurried down the stairs, and ducked into the crevice between the stairs and floor. He hugged his knees to his chest, and listened carefully to hear what was going on. She looked at her husband, as he stomped in.
"Where is that brat of yours?" he snarled. Delia looked calmly at him.
"Ours, Sean" she corrected. ((AN: Here, Sean is pronounced as 'seen'.))
"Yours! He doesn't look a thing like me or have ANY similarity to me!" Sean growled, "Just you. He even got named after what's-his-name."
"My brother's middle name. If you hadn't noticed, he is growing up, and starting to look more and more like you by the day. Just take a glance at his baby pictures."
"What have baby pictures got to do with this?" Sean asked, eyeing her. Delia sighed.
"His hair use to be a much lighter shade. It's nearly your color by now."
"So?" bitter laugh, "Still looks like you."
"Just because he's young. Just wait till he gets into his teens!" Delia gasped. Sean muttered. "On his birth certificate, it says you're his father. I named him after you and my brother! Honey, come up here a moment."
The toddler came back up timidly, looking cautiously at his father. Delia smiled reassuringly at him, and said, "You remember what I showed you earlier?"
He nodded. "Could you go get it?"
With another nod, he disappeared. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a folded sheet of paper with him. Delia took it, and read, "'Full name of child, Ashton Sean Ketchum. Date of birth, January 25, 1991. Time of birth, 5:57 AM. Father and mother, Sean and Delia Ketchum.' See?"
Sean frowned at her. "But why does *our* child only look like you?" he asked.
Delia shrugged. "I don't know, and I don't care, about why Ash doesn't resemble you!" she said, then turned to her son, "Isn't it time for your nap?"
"No!!!"
"Really?" Delia replied, "I say it is. Let's go get you in your pajamas."
"But Mooooommmmmyyyy!!!" Ash whined, "I ain't tired! Can't I just go play?"
"Its 'am not', not 'ain't'. And no." Delia said firmly, taking his hand, "It's amazing, just how much of a jack rabbit you are."
Letting the giggles subside, Delia looked at Sean, and left. - end of flashback -
"Please tell me you are kidding," Ash said, frowning. Shaking her head, May looked at him.
"I can't. You are like that," she replied.
"How the heck do you put up with me?" he asked. May hugged him, and smiled.
"Luck?" Ash laughed.
"Uh huh, that sounds just about right."
"By the way, Virginia had to leave for some reason," she told him.
"To bad. Did she say why?" he asked. May shook her head.
"No. We should head for Saith so we can get to Nanza."
"Huh? Oh yeah, the Red Dragon Cave." Ash let go reluctantly. He took hold of her hand, and started the short walk back to Burg.
"Ewwww! No way! Get away from me, you slime ball!" Heather screamed. The man talking to her walked away.
"I say we should leave Nanza this instant!" Cirrus suggested harshly. Walking quickly, they left.
The next day, in Iluk, Nimbus went to go look for a plane. Knock, knock, knock. "Come in."
"Hi, Simon, how have you been?" she asked, stepping in. He looked up at her, and grinned.
"Nimbus!" Simon stood up, and walked over to hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to ask you for a favor," Nimbus said, sitting down. He looked at her.
"Anytime! What is it that you need?"
"A plane."
"A.plane? Sure! Give me a minute though."
"Take your time." Simon looked up from the book.
"What do you need it for?"
"Me and a couple friends need to get to the Red Dragon Cave," Nimbus told him.
"Yup, I still have that plane of mine, here-" Simon tossed her the keys. "- get to that cave!"
"Thanks, Simon," she said, standing up. Simon led her out the door.
"Hey, she made it!" Heather said, as Nimbus ran toward them, wiggling the keys in the air, in front of her.
"Let's get to the Red Dragon Cave and pass that Trial!" Cirrus yelled, taking the keys.
"We head West, don't we, May?" Ash asked.
"Good memory! Yes!" she said.
"Why are you treating me like a child in First Grade?" he questioned.
"Come on, the Red Dragon awaits!"
- Three hours later -
"Where is the door?" Heather whined. Two floors down in the cave, and there was no way to get farther in, they were searching for the door to keep going.
"There," Ash said. They looked at him.
"Where?" they asked.
"See that wall of flame? The door is behind it!" he said, walking toward it. Ash paused, before proceeding to walk. They gasped. It was like that fire wasn't even there!
"Cool!" They all followed through.
"Hahaha!"
"Not them!" Heather sighed. Figra, Jagar, and Violet were back.
"What do you want?" Cirrus asked.
"We are here for a test of strength, that you need to take it," Jagar said. They groaned.
"Let's go, there is no point in wasting our time here." Nimbus muttered. Figra took a lance of fire out, and pointed it at them.
"Don't move!" she hissed. Figra and Jagar looked at Violet. "Who should go first?"
"Um, Cirrus," she said.
"Huh?" The startled group looked at them.
"OK then." Jagar said, "I'll test her, if you want."
"Yeah," Violet said.
"You're on, Jagar!" Cirrus said, stepping forward, and started the match.
"I can't tell who is better at martial arts: Cirrus or Jagar?" May admitted, frowning.
"Let's get two of them done at one time, shall we, Violet?" Figra asked, grinning. Violet shrugged.
"Whatever you say," she said. Figra glared at the rest of them.
"Who wants to go against me?" Figra asked. Nimbus and Heather looked at each other.
"I will!" Ash growled, pulling his sword out of its holder.
"Ash, don't!" May said, pulling on his arm. He looked at her.
"The faster we beat these idiots, the faster we can get to the Red Dragon. Or would you prefer to argue about this?" he asked. May shook her head, and backed off.
Nimbus and Heather walked over by her, and watched both battles.
"No!" Figra grabbed her side, the lance falling to the ground. Blood seeped slowly out of her open wound. She picked it back up, and charged at him.
Cirrus made one last hit, and Jagar fell to the ground. She whimpered in pain.
"What's going on? Cirrus asked, limping over to May, Nimbus, and Heather. They looked at her, then back at Figra and Ash.
"Another 'test,'" Nimbus said. Cirrus's eyes went wide. Both warriors looked quite beaten up, but neither looked ready to quit.
"Ready to surrender yet?" Figra asked.
"No way!" Ash replied, his breathing becoming forced. Figra slashed at him with the lance. "Oh, that hurt!"
"Duh, it was suppose to!" Figra grinned.
"It's going to be awhile." Heather whispered.
"Yeah," May agreed.
An hour later, both Figra AND Ash collapsed, and the battle ended. May trotted over. She fell down onto her knees. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Ash looked at her, and frowned. He pushed himself up against the wall. Violet and Jagar got to Figra.
"You are stronger then we thought." Jagar said.
May helped Ash up. "Do you want me to-" she started.
"Good idea." he wheezed. She closed her eyes, concentrated, and used her healing magic. Figra, Violet, and Jagar looked at them with wide eyes.
"She's a healer?" Jagar gasped.
"We have to take this back to you-know-who," Figra said. Violet and Jagar nodded.
"'Til we meet again." Jagar voiced, as they disappeared. Ash pulled himself up.
"Ow." he said, wincing, "I have more cuts and scrapes then I have anything else."
"It'll take a day or two for them to heal entirely, then you won't even know you had them!" May said, "Let's go see Ruby."
"Hi!" Ruby roared. She moved on her platform, her giant tail wrapped around herself. "It is so good to see you all!"
"Hi, Ruby. Um, have you talked to Nall lately?" Ash asked. She looked at him, and frowned.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Um, a fight," he said. Ruby laughed.
"You took a beating in a fight? Who it was, must be strong!"
"You got that right!" he muttered sourly. Ruby shook her large head.
"Well, you already did the Trial when you went through that fire wall without hesitation, without fear, so I guess that means you get the Red Dragon Shield.? I'm sorry, I'm new to this," Ruby apologized.
"That's OK!" Heather said.
"Well, let's see.ah! The shield!" Ruby said. The shield appeared out of no where in front of the dragon. "If you go east, through Meryod Forest, and go North East to Lyton, the Blue Dragon Shrine is there."
"Thanks Ruby," Nimbus said.
"Well, um, did Nall tell you guys the news, or is he leaving it to me, like the jerk he is?" Ruby asked.
"What news?" they asked.
"Around 18 years ago, Althena assigned the power to be able to see the future to a child born around that time. Us dragons have been trying to find that child for years now." Ruby said, "Nall thinks he has an idea of who it is."
"Who?" Nimbus asked.
"Why, I think she can figure it out." They looked at each other. May took a few steps back nervously. Ruby noticed it immediately. "Is something bothering you?"
"Oh, um.I-"
"Hmm? You know what I am talking about, don't you?" she asked. Nodding, May looked up at Ruby.
"Those dreams." she said, ".and nightmares."
"Yes, you are right," Ruby admitted, "You are a true Seer."
The group looked at Ruby. Shaking her head, she finished, "Ah! I guess I told you what you needed to know. So, go on ahead to Lyton."
They said good-bye and left.
Ash sat down near the spring to rest. He looked up when he heard someone walking over. Cursing her silently, Ash muttered. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I came to see where you were," May replied, frowning.
"Why?" May looked at him.
"I got worried when you left." she stated, "Are you OK?"
"There you go again!" Ash yelled, "Stop it! Stop asking what I'm thinking! Stop pushing yourself into my business!"
"I just want to help." she whispered. Ash glared at her.
"You can help by going away, and stop bugging me!" he said coldly. Out of the corner of his eyes, Ash could see the tears forming in her eyes. His icy voice cut May like a knife. "What are you going and crying about?"
"Oh," she whimpered. May looked at her feet, blinking back tears. "Nothing. I'm not going to cry."
Ash rolled his eyes. He stood up and walked over, standing several inches taller then May. "Don't lie to me," he said, holding her.
The only reply to it was the soft cry. "I'm sorry, May."
"You can become so temperamental sometimes, over almost nothing. It's scary sometimes," May whispered. Ash froze.
- Flashback - "Mommy, I'm scared." the five-year-old whimpered, "Daddy's mad again."
"I know honey," the mother said, pushing his dark-brown bangs back, and kissing his forehead, "Go down in the basement, and hide. I'll get Daddy settled down."
"DELIA!"
"Go, quick!" Delia hissed. He hurried down the stairs, and ducked into the crevice between the stairs and floor. He hugged his knees to his chest, and listened carefully to hear what was going on. She looked at her husband, as he stomped in.
"Where is that brat of yours?" he snarled. Delia looked calmly at him.
"Ours, Sean" she corrected. ((AN: Here, Sean is pronounced as 'seen'.))
"Yours! He doesn't look a thing like me or have ANY similarity to me!" Sean growled, "Just you. He even got named after what's-his-name."
"My brother's middle name. If you hadn't noticed, he is growing up, and starting to look more and more like you by the day. Just take a glance at his baby pictures."
"What have baby pictures got to do with this?" Sean asked, eyeing her. Delia sighed.
"His hair use to be a much lighter shade. It's nearly your color by now."
"So?" bitter laugh, "Still looks like you."
"Just because he's young. Just wait till he gets into his teens!" Delia gasped. Sean muttered. "On his birth certificate, it says you're his father. I named him after you and my brother! Honey, come up here a moment."
The toddler came back up timidly, looking cautiously at his father. Delia smiled reassuringly at him, and said, "You remember what I showed you earlier?"
He nodded. "Could you go get it?"
With another nod, he disappeared. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a folded sheet of paper with him. Delia took it, and read, "'Full name of child, Ashton Sean Ketchum. Date of birth, January 25, 1991. Time of birth, 5:57 AM. Father and mother, Sean and Delia Ketchum.' See?"
Sean frowned at her. "But why does *our* child only look like you?" he asked.
Delia shrugged. "I don't know, and I don't care, about why Ash doesn't resemble you!" she said, then turned to her son, "Isn't it time for your nap?"
"No!!!"
"Really?" Delia replied, "I say it is. Let's go get you in your pajamas."
"But Mooooommmmmyyyy!!!" Ash whined, "I ain't tired! Can't I just go play?"
"Its 'am not', not 'ain't'. And no." Delia said firmly, taking his hand, "It's amazing, just how much of a jack rabbit you are."
Letting the giggles subside, Delia looked at Sean, and left. - end of flashback -
"Please tell me you are kidding," Ash said, frowning. Shaking her head, May looked at him.
"I can't. You are like that," she replied.
"How the heck do you put up with me?" he asked. May hugged him, and smiled.
"Luck?" Ash laughed.
"Uh huh, that sounds just about right."
"By the way, Virginia had to leave for some reason," she told him.
"To bad. Did she say why?" he asked. May shook her head.
"No. We should head for Saith so we can get to Nanza."
"Huh? Oh yeah, the Red Dragon Cave." Ash let go reluctantly. He took hold of her hand, and started the short walk back to Burg.
"Ewwww! No way! Get away from me, you slime ball!" Heather screamed. The man talking to her walked away.
"I say we should leave Nanza this instant!" Cirrus suggested harshly. Walking quickly, they left.
The next day, in Iluk, Nimbus went to go look for a plane. Knock, knock, knock. "Come in."
"Hi, Simon, how have you been?" she asked, stepping in. He looked up at her, and grinned.
"Nimbus!" Simon stood up, and walked over to hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to ask you for a favor," Nimbus said, sitting down. He looked at her.
"Anytime! What is it that you need?"
"A plane."
"A.plane? Sure! Give me a minute though."
"Take your time." Simon looked up from the book.
"What do you need it for?"
"Me and a couple friends need to get to the Red Dragon Cave," Nimbus told him.
"Yup, I still have that plane of mine, here-" Simon tossed her the keys. "- get to that cave!"
"Thanks, Simon," she said, standing up. Simon led her out the door.
"Hey, she made it!" Heather said, as Nimbus ran toward them, wiggling the keys in the air, in front of her.
"Let's get to the Red Dragon Cave and pass that Trial!" Cirrus yelled, taking the keys.
"We head West, don't we, May?" Ash asked.
"Good memory! Yes!" she said.
"Why are you treating me like a child in First Grade?" he questioned.
"Come on, the Red Dragon awaits!"
- Three hours later -
"Where is the door?" Heather whined. Two floors down in the cave, and there was no way to get farther in, they were searching for the door to keep going.
"There," Ash said. They looked at him.
"Where?" they asked.
"See that wall of flame? The door is behind it!" he said, walking toward it. Ash paused, before proceeding to walk. They gasped. It was like that fire wasn't even there!
"Cool!" They all followed through.
"Hahaha!"
"Not them!" Heather sighed. Figra, Jagar, and Violet were back.
"What do you want?" Cirrus asked.
"We are here for a test of strength, that you need to take it," Jagar said. They groaned.
"Let's go, there is no point in wasting our time here." Nimbus muttered. Figra took a lance of fire out, and pointed it at them.
"Don't move!" she hissed. Figra and Jagar looked at Violet. "Who should go first?"
"Um, Cirrus," she said.
"Huh?" The startled group looked at them.
"OK then." Jagar said, "I'll test her, if you want."
"Yeah," Violet said.
"You're on, Jagar!" Cirrus said, stepping forward, and started the match.
"I can't tell who is better at martial arts: Cirrus or Jagar?" May admitted, frowning.
"Let's get two of them done at one time, shall we, Violet?" Figra asked, grinning. Violet shrugged.
"Whatever you say," she said. Figra glared at the rest of them.
"Who wants to go against me?" Figra asked. Nimbus and Heather looked at each other.
"I will!" Ash growled, pulling his sword out of its holder.
"Ash, don't!" May said, pulling on his arm. He looked at her.
"The faster we beat these idiots, the faster we can get to the Red Dragon. Or would you prefer to argue about this?" he asked. May shook her head, and backed off.
Nimbus and Heather walked over by her, and watched both battles.
"No!" Figra grabbed her side, the lance falling to the ground. Blood seeped slowly out of her open wound. She picked it back up, and charged at him.
Cirrus made one last hit, and Jagar fell to the ground. She whimpered in pain.
"What's going on? Cirrus asked, limping over to May, Nimbus, and Heather. They looked at her, then back at Figra and Ash.
"Another 'test,'" Nimbus said. Cirrus's eyes went wide. Both warriors looked quite beaten up, but neither looked ready to quit.
"Ready to surrender yet?" Figra asked.
"No way!" Ash replied, his breathing becoming forced. Figra slashed at him with the lance. "Oh, that hurt!"
"Duh, it was suppose to!" Figra grinned.
"It's going to be awhile." Heather whispered.
"Yeah," May agreed.
An hour later, both Figra AND Ash collapsed, and the battle ended. May trotted over. She fell down onto her knees. "Are you alright?" she asked.
Ash looked at her, and frowned. He pushed himself up against the wall. Violet and Jagar got to Figra.
"You are stronger then we thought." Jagar said.
May helped Ash up. "Do you want me to-" she started.
"Good idea." he wheezed. She closed her eyes, concentrated, and used her healing magic. Figra, Violet, and Jagar looked at them with wide eyes.
"She's a healer?" Jagar gasped.
"We have to take this back to you-know-who," Figra said. Violet and Jagar nodded.
"'Til we meet again." Jagar voiced, as they disappeared. Ash pulled himself up.
"Ow." he said, wincing, "I have more cuts and scrapes then I have anything else."
"It'll take a day or two for them to heal entirely, then you won't even know you had them!" May said, "Let's go see Ruby."
"Hi!" Ruby roared. She moved on her platform, her giant tail wrapped around herself. "It is so good to see you all!"
"Hi, Ruby. Um, have you talked to Nall lately?" Ash asked. She looked at him, and frowned.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Um, a fight," he said. Ruby laughed.
"You took a beating in a fight? Who it was, must be strong!"
"You got that right!" he muttered sourly. Ruby shook her large head.
"Well, you already did the Trial when you went through that fire wall without hesitation, without fear, so I guess that means you get the Red Dragon Shield.? I'm sorry, I'm new to this," Ruby apologized.
"That's OK!" Heather said.
"Well, let's see.ah! The shield!" Ruby said. The shield appeared out of no where in front of the dragon. "If you go east, through Meryod Forest, and go North East to Lyton, the Blue Dragon Shrine is there."
"Thanks Ruby," Nimbus said.
"Well, um, did Nall tell you guys the news, or is he leaving it to me, like the jerk he is?" Ruby asked.
"What news?" they asked.
"Around 18 years ago, Althena assigned the power to be able to see the future to a child born around that time. Us dragons have been trying to find that child for years now." Ruby said, "Nall thinks he has an idea of who it is."
"Who?" Nimbus asked.
"Why, I think she can figure it out." They looked at each other. May took a few steps back nervously. Ruby noticed it immediately. "Is something bothering you?"
"Oh, um.I-"
"Hmm? You know what I am talking about, don't you?" she asked. Nodding, May looked up at Ruby.
"Those dreams." she said, ".and nightmares."
"Yes, you are right," Ruby admitted, "You are a true Seer."
The group looked at Ruby. Shaking her head, she finished, "Ah! I guess I told you what you needed to know. So, go on ahead to Lyton."
They said good-bye and left.