Stranger past Bedtime {3} -- Revelation . Evolution . Transfiguration
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surzy-chan+mikari (all aliases)
++-- PG13 --++
[more reviews! I need to feed on reviews to continue story...] ^^;
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~~~ begin ~~~
Ash closed his eyes, and watched the world flutter through his brain. Everything was changing, disappearing, flying away, everything was just so... MUTILATING! He watched himself change into some dark creature, and his pikachu feared him - as did his friends. What Ash wanted to NOT happen was regaining strength, biding it's time, and conquering this world. Not HIS, THIS world. Some how he knew he wasn't made to be a part of this world, but of another realm.
Ash opened his eyes, and looked away from his friends. His pikachu. And stared at the glass of water with remorse. Sooner or later, he'd become something fearful. Something everyone could not resist to take their eyes off of. And Ash? He'd be a renowned freak.
"Ash?" Brock queried, as he put his hand on his shoulder. "Something wrong?"
He shrugged off Brock's quivering hand, and lifted the glass of water - without touching it. "Is this what you mean by changing?" He looked at Disficure, and raised his electrifying hand. Bolts of electricity shot out of his hand. He pressed his hand on Pikachu's heart, and everyone looked at Ash with fear, and disarray. But Ash just gave Pikachu a jolt, to wake him up. "Me? Turning into some kind of energy force field?" He looked at everyone with fire in his eyes, REAL fire. "You tell me - DISFICURE - if you know me so well now, what exactly did the girl change."
Disficure didn't speak. It walked up to Ash, and shook his hand, and more did you see? A ray of purple light emitting from his hand.
Ash stuttered, "I'm.. I'm-- I-I'm..?" He gulped, but no sound came out of his mouth.
"Disficure says you are now officially half pokemon, and your pikachu, half mortal - meaning," She paused, "Neither of you can really die..."
Misty gasped, and began to pelt questions, "What do you mean 'really' die?" She eyed Duplica carefully. She mistrusted everyone with a mysterious background; even herself.
"I mean - if they do die, they'll be sent to Purgatory. Like limbo, only closer to hell." Brock finished for Duplica.
"But why?!" Misty raged.
Brock shook his head, "I understood the writings on the walls, when we visited the Quartzite Isles.." he muttered something which sounded like, 'hodgepodge', and continued, "It meant something would happen. That's why the Isles were built. Each of the words was about a new story; a new era."
Duplica interrupted, and silenced everyone, Togepi was quite serious as well. "Disficure would like you to tell the story Brock."
Brock bowed, and began the night's tale.
"Long ago, in the medieval era, when Pokemon were used as steeds, and house hold chores - there was but one King. He lived a long prosperous life, in the land of Tishnova. But he was about to die, and he wished to live a little longer, only to see his daughter Verita, marry her husband, Prince Maximus of Kaito," Brock heaved a sigh as it was very depressing to tell the story at 22:00 (10:00pm) but went on, "But one night, the King's daughter was slaughtered - that's what the maidens heard. But truly, she had been banished by her own fiance, to the realm beneath this. She had died in that underground well, and her bones swallowed by wandering wolves. They story says she was reborn into a child, each child a girl, each child had a name starting with the three first letters: V. E. And R. Each child possesing powers Princess Verita would never use... some evil. Some good.
"Over the eras, only three were as severe as the medieval one. Each father, or mother, as sad and as depressed as the King of Tishnova. Each child was to bring extremely bad luck to each family who gained a twin child with her, or so, a single child which twas her.
"The first time she was reborn, was in the Renassaince Era. She was a great artist there, but each of her paintings were brought to life, destroying her family and her pokemon. She was left to mourn over the death, with her half cousin. Soon enough, she commited suicide.
"The second time she was reborn, was in the age of the Great Depression. One major thing about this one, was that she knew all about what was going to happen to her - sadness, death, and rebirth - but she decided to change her future. No sadness. Just death. Not her death. Others. She used her power of aging, and transformation to turn people into sludge. And I mean that kind of sludge that just burns away. Some had quick deaths. Some, long and agonizing ones." Brock drank a bit of water, and then lowered his voice.
"The third time she was reborn; which was her fourth era; was not far from now. She's probably related to someone among us. And she's the one who tried to deform Ash and Pikachu; but to no avail. Somehow she knew the two would play a great role in this Era, and that's where the fourth Era's writing stops... and it starts writing on it's own as soon as the present era has been destroyed; or saved."
Ash was listening intently with his teeth-gritting pikachu. He seemed to be raging mad at Misty. Why?
Misty began to mumble things out... some things like, 'not me', and 'please not her'. "Misty, are you alright?" Ash said, hearing her.
She looked up, and a bit of shock on her face, but shook her head. "Oh... uh. I'm alright."
Duplica couldn't help but notice Misty was in some sort of panic, some dangerous panic. Very dangerous.
Ash looked at the clock, and began to buzz. He picked up his Pikachu and ran out the hospital door, bumping into Daisy. "Hey- your not fully healed! Come back! ASH!!!!"
Ash paid no attention to Daisy, and kept on running. It was quarter to midnight, and he promised this 'girl' a meeting.
As Daisy entered the room, she said sarcastically, "Misty what'd you do? Your boyfriend ran out the door - and out the hospital. You scare him half to death?"
Misty never looked this morbid. She stared at Daisy. "Veradien's in trouble..." she had that same childish look she had back when she was little. "Big trouble, Daisy... I'm scared..." Misty's pupils were dilated and she was shaking.
Daisy never had seen her sister this scared; not since a couple of years ago. She got up, and placed Misty on the bed, and hugged her. She whispered into her little sisters ear, "You'll be alright - Veradien. She can take care of herself."
"Excuse me?" Duplica asked, "Veradien.. Misty you had a SISTER named Veradien?"
Misty nodded shakily, "Why?"
"You must destroy her!!!" Duplica yelled in outrage.
Daisy glared at Duplica with eyes of stone. "She's my sister, and she's been dead for over 10 years. We cannot destroy her."
Duplica glared back, and replied hotly, "Are they twins? Misty and Veradien?"
This time Daisy looked with remorse, "Yes..."
With a spitting mouth, Duplica retorted, "WHEN ONE OF THE TWINS DIE, THE OTHER MUST FOLLOW A YEAR OR SO AFTER! IF MISTY IS ALIVE, SO IS HER TWIN!! IT IS A CURSE ALL TWINS MUST BEAR!"
Brock couldn't understand anything at the moment. He paced back and forth, saying, "ah", oftenly but never finding some sort of solution. He never had seen Duplica act this angry in his .. in the few days that he knew her.
Misty nodded, "It's true..." she choked, "if a twin dies, the other will follow... kill me first to destroy Veradien."
Daisy looked at Misty with horror. "I WOULD NEVER KILL YOU!" Daisy never believed Misty's story of Veradien living, even after being injected with a lethal virus.
"Veradien is almost immortal..." Misty said with rolled back eyes, "Veradien will complete her process of immortality when the moon shines brightly, on the full moon of the next month. She is biding her time, learning how to destroy the missing link which will destroy her chance of being immortal." Misty's voice was growing deeper and deeper, making her sound almost -- possessed.
Duplica listened carefully. This was the reason she was here - with Ash and Brock and Misty. She was to help revive the missing link... but she didn't even know what the link was. In order to DESTROY Veradien; she must return the missing link and engage in battle. That was the reason why her Ditto had evolved; vigorous training and constant vigilance.
"MISTY! What's the missing link?!" Duplica yelled. "What is it!" She shook Misty harshly, and Misty replied with no feeling, just in monotone.
She gasped for air, Misty did. It was if someone was choking her, while she revealed the secret of Veradien. "The missing link..." she gasped for more air, "is --" and Misty lay flat on her face. She fainted. SHe was out of breath.
"Is she alive?" asked the Disfiguration Master. "Well.. is she?" She glared at Daisy, "I'm talking to you blondie."
Daisy gave a menacing look. She hadn't liked Duplica at all. Not at all.
She felt Misty's pulse, "Average." She felt Misty's heart rate, "Maximum." And finally, she poured a bit of water down Misty's back.
Misty shook, and opened her eyes. "What happened?"
Duplica was in rage. She was thrashing about, trying to hit Misty on the head - only to be restrained by Brock. Duplica wished for Misty to say exactly WHO the missing link was - or WHAT.
But Misty had already heard enough, and as soon as she was going to run outside, she felt that strange vibration in her brain, and began to speak in that monotone voice - saying the last word. Speaking it in a low raspy voice, very slowly she mouthed the words, "Duplica - the Disfiguration Master--"
Duplica fell to her knees, eyes wide - and her pulse slowing down. "What? Me? How -- can... it be?! Then tell me why did Ash Ketchum and his pikachu transform instead of me."
But Misty didn't seem to have finished her little possessed-speech, "Duplica the Disfiguration master is no tthe missing link. But she going to be the first to witness the death of one. Then the others will witness the death of the world. While Duplica will be in trance, the others will battle. The missing link will also kill those that are precious to thee. Even if it means a rival; a friend; or a relative. She will derive the world of it's pain; but die in doing so leaving her loved ones in great sorrow... the missing link is --" Misty stopped and swallowed, but never changed her tone, "Misty Tamachi."
Daisy gasped. It couldn't be her youngest sister. Not her!
-*-*-*-
Ash ran as fast as he could, ten minutes were up, and five were to be left. He ran to the Clock Tower, and ran in fear of finding the maiden who would probably destroy him.
Finally, running up the crumbling stairs, taking no precaution of what was ahead of him, kept on going, and lept on every other step, trying to beat the clock. When finally, he was on the very top of the Clock Tower - he met a stranger looking girl. Shimmering rain-bow like hair, same with her eyes - and her smile as sweet as ever. She looked almost like his mother; only more femininely like him. He seemed to have recognized her --
"Hello Ash." She hugged Ash as he stopped, panting, trying to suck in as much air as possible.
Ash nodded his head, and instead of another welcoming hello, replied, "Who are you?"
The girl looked sad, and began to pace back and forth - then with a click of her finger began to speak, "Ash, I'm your sister. Sashura."
Ash looked quite dumbstruck and stared. "But... I lost my sister long ago..."
Sashura made a gesture, and said, "I am her. Father died in a car accident the day he left, and I was left unharmed somehow. The paramedics finding me hours later, brought me to a foster home. Everyone at school that me to be a freak of nature. Beautifully enticing; at the same time a freak-a-zoid to the very core. So I grew up, and I ran away. And I knew you'd be here, so I came for you Ash." Her eyes were full of tears. But she looked quite strong, and she used the back of her glove and wiped it off.
He looked speechless. The drafty air spread all around the two - until it was almost like a cold barrier. Caked around them, the secrets and stories Sashura was to tell Ash would drift no where. No wandering children would hear the words she would say. Hopefully not, she wished.
Sashura waved a hand, and like magic, smoke rose from the top of the barrier, blocking any elements thinking of portruding the barrier from atop. "I want to warn you. But it seems almost hopeless right now, and too late."
Ash couldn't breathe. He didn't want to. It was too much of a moment to waste. Reunion. Soon Sashura would reveal something to him that might've been already done. He need not talk.
"Ash," she heaved as she started her chat, "have you noticed the cold barrier around us?"
All he could do was nod, and stare. He didn't want to interrupt her flow.
She put a finger to her lip, and thought deeply about her warning. Her hair was rising in tension, and the air around her hair was frosty, pale blue and an ominous glow was emitting from the frosty air. "This barrier is created by magic." She raised her hand, once again, and pointed directly for Ash, "Before I came to meet with you, I checked my DNA at a lab. Father was some sort of 'mage', giving us the power of the elements." It was almost half past midnight now, but Ash wasn't a tad bit tired. In order to find out what kind of freak he had become, he wanted to hear her out, "that is why you have changed. Unfortunately, your pikachu has gotten the best of the change. He has also been poisoned by evil - allowing him to have the dark powers of the maidens."
"But.." Ash interrupted for the first time, "What about that little girl I met?"
Sashura's eyes opened wide, and her pupils were directly in position of scrutiny. "NO!" She grabbed her ears, and muttered under her breath, 'this isn't happening', "Ash - did the girl... did the girl have GREEN hair?!"
He nodded solemnly with a grim face. He knew this wasn't supposed to be.
"Not good... Ash. Tell me this, do you know - or can you guess why the girl ran past you? Or even looked at you?"
Ash screamed a bloodcurling scream, and grabbed his hair, pulling his head back in frustration. "AHHH!" He yelled in terror, "HELP ME!!!"
Sashura grabbed Ash by his neck, and Ash looked into her eyes with suspicion, and horror. "Wh-wha-what are you doing to me?!!"
She smiled, "The old fashioned way of ridding thee of evil." Her grin disappeared, as she lifted him up with one hand, and suddenly dropped him.
Ash's face was covered in cold sweat. "What... was... that... for... ?" He panted nervously. Trembling, he picked up his pikachu, and showed him to Sashura.
Sashura sneered. "I already know that. What I never knew was that she would also connect the both of you." Ash looked dumbfounded. "I just shook out some nerves when I choked you."
His face contorted with anger, rage, and confusion. He wasn't sure if he should believe this 'Sashura', or not. "I take you don't believe what I'm saying. You think that I'm NOT your sister. I'm sure that I am. You wouldn't have gotten power over Pikachu's electricity if you weren't my brother; no one else but the mage's have power over the elements."
Suddenly, that angered face fell, and a look of suspicion overflowed. "You can read my mind?"
Laughing airily, Sashura, helped Ash up. "You and I. We both have powers over elements. You got the powers of electricity, fire, earth, and darkness - why, I don't know. You also got the ghostly element of rebirth." She then gave a grim look, but told some more, "I got the cooler - more calm side. I have psychic, or telekinatic powers, water, ice, wind, and strength. Some how - I think we should have gotten different elements. By the way, you see your pikachu - it has every element you've gotten. It's just adjusting to it's new ... 'temperature'."
Ash listened to these words as they filled his head with all sorts of thoughts. If he had the power of rebirth.... no - was that what Duplica had meant. They wouldn't really die..... purgatory? A ghostly reflection. Things weren't as superficial as he thought they would be.
"Exactamundo -- Bro." She smiled. "I know you think that my psychic ability is annoying, but I find it useful." She flicked a strand of hair away from her pale face.
Ash felt a bit odd. He took out a hand, and examined it. "Show me lightning." he said softly, as a bolt of electricity fled from his fingertips to the slate clouds and started a thunderstorm.
Sashura laughed again, this time looking proud. "I'm so glad you finally figured it out! I mean, it's been ages since I realized my powers."
He paid no attention, his ears were working, but his mind was surely blank. A wall of energy surpressing anything trying to enter his already blanked out mind.
"I have 15 minutes before we go... Let's get serious." she said in a gruff tone. "I have a bit to tell you before I leave."
Ash just nodded, his eyes now focusing on her shifting eyes. "Tell me."
Sashura kneeled, as did Ash, and began her small story. "Ash, I'll tell you this - many will die because of one person. It's not that little girl; who's actually a MAIDEN," she added hastily, "Misty is the missing link, and if she must die to protect the world from an evil force becoming immortal - she will. You will also die. I'm warning you know so you may beware incase of the time of death." She rubbed her hands together, "did you see when Duplica gave Misty a tear drop?" Ash nodded.
She swallowed some frozen air, "Misty must throw it in the water - she'll find her REAL gift there. Keep your pikachu out of site while you run back. I'm sure the maiden is looking for Pikachu so she may give it grief. As soon as she does - you'd be weak as a kitten. So if you see her, run like mad, or if your any smarter use your element of earth to drag you across the ground - to the hospital, 1-2-3 stat!
"And don't even thinking of allowing yourself to die. Even if you know that you've got the ability of rebirth, you will not be the same as you were before death." Her eyes twinkled, "And unfortunately, I'm coming with you. I'll take the sky route, while you take the ground route." She smirked.
Ash finally hearing the 'unfortunately' part snarled, "What? Your saying I'm bad to be with?"
"Technically - " she paused with a slight ease in her voice, "yes. You practically start the long awaited prophecy."
He shrugged off her pressure, and as soon as the frosty air removed it's self, and the barrier of smoke and ice evaded the vicinity - the two rose into action, Ash jumped from the clock tower, and summoned an ocean of earth to carry him towards the Hospital, and Sashura summoned a gust of air.
And in no time, the two were off.
-*-*-*-
Before the two entered the building, Sashura whispered into Ash's ear.
"We're not the only ones of this millenia with a mage for a parent." Ash gulped.
He let two words fly out of his mouth, "Then... who?"
Sashura grimaced, "Misty."
"BUT!"
She looked a bit dumbstruck as well. "The remaining elements are steel, and light. Fortunately, those two are good matches for me and you. The bad part is," she looked quite dead saying this, "she's also got the supernatural element; instant death and rebirth."
The chilly air surrounding the building smelled of salt and of the sea. As Sashura looked up, she saw a grinning figure. As soon as Sashura ventured to scream the words, 'Ash go!' - a sea of ice-cold water submerged upon the two. Fighting against the water, and with will - the two swam as hard and as fast as they could to reach the other side - the hospital. But the entire town wasn't drowning in a flood. Both of their minds lost in fury, and frustration.
"Why," Ash yelled before being pushed under water, "is it only me and you that are drowning!?" he yelled as his head bobbed back up.
No one answered. Sashura was floating atop the cold water. Her face ghostly pale, and the blue aura that was flowing from her body was growing faint. But as she opened her eyes, the water stopped. She too was in league with this maiden.
"Is this -" she paused for a moment, and looked at Ash, pointing towards the maiden, "the maiden you saw when you woke up?"
As Ash fell to his feet, wiping the cold debris off of him, he took a glance at the menacing face of the maiden, and then whispered softly, "Y-yes." This maiden was almost evil looking. Her teeth seemed to be in odd directions whenever she was mad. And right now she was stark-raving mad.
"Do you know who she is?" Sashura yelled in Ash's direction.
Ash closed his eyes, and waited for things to be over, but as he closed them, he could hear the screaming of others, and the crying of children. He felt petrified. He didn't want to open his eyes to a world of a paranormal wonders, and to a world where evil was easily shared. He clutched his Pikachu, hiding under his jacket. Suddenly a jolt of black electricity shot from it - like a lantern leading his way. Ash could now hear the soft murmuring of his mother, and the fading voice of Pikachu and his other friends. He wouldn't want it to end like this. Ash then opened his eyes and saw his sister yelling words to him - he couldnt' hear them. But what he did was force himself to listen.
"She's..." his voice was trembling out of shock, and now his entire body shook, "she's... Misty's sister?"
The familiar face, with the exception of green hair had no effect to him. It looked exactly like Misty - but evil.
"Are you SURE?" She asked with her hand about to pry open the hospital door, beckoning Ash over.
Ash ran across the street, seeing her actions, and said aloud, "I'm very sure. You really can't tell if who's Misty or --"
The two stumbled inside the Hospital, and groaned as each of them had fell down the stairs going downward. When both had recovered their sudden concussion, the two bolt upright, and began to speak of what was going on.
"Was that a plan?" he said disbelieving. "For us to get out of that mess?"
Sashura giggled, "One of my more brilliant plans fortunately."
Ash laughed a hard laugh, but then asked the single question. "Why can't maidens enter buildings?"
Brock walked into the room where the two were talking, and answered in a cold merciless voice, "Beats me." he smirked.
"Brock! Hey, this is my sister - Sashura." he smiled brightly, but as soon as he saw Brock's deceiving face, he stopped smiling.
With a swift movement, Sashura covered up her brother. Sensing an evil presence, she said a few words in an undertone chant and began to sway back and forth- following the steps of Brock, making sure he didn't leave a mark on Ash. "Begone - you are not Brock. Begone. You are not Brock the former Gym-Leader, begone."
The smirk on his face faded into a sneer. An evil sneer. "What pity." Duplica said suddenly as Brock's face disappeared and Duplica's revealed. "What pity that such a great power of sensitivity has to be used against me."
Ash's eyes became of fire and he stared straight into Duplica's schizophrenical eyes. "DUPLICA. Learning the ways of transformation has changed you a whole lot; and I tell you this, the prophecy said you shan't live - even if the missing link lives." Sashura spat out. "Unfortunately your father was a good man, too good a man to be seeing his daughter become a schizophrenic sadist." Her eyes were dimming, showing a complete disliking to Duplica.
Whispering into her ears, Ash asked softly, "How do you know her?"
"I knew this monster through highschool." she said with anger. " 'In order to get boys, I'll be whatever they want me to be.' " Sashura mimicked in a childish tone. And she continued her mockery of Duplica, " 'Then when I grow up, I'll become the greatest person ever, rich, beautiful. Neverending beauty!' " She yelled hoarsely.
Duplica's richly candy-coated sneer melted, yet again, into a grimace. "Pity, Sashura. What a pity." her lips curled into a face contorted with more fury and hatred, "You could've had any man you wanted - INCLUDING the greatest Pokemon master, if you only kept on studying the basics of transformation. See what a beautiful creature I've become?" She then spat at Sashura's feet, "While you- you took the other courses of elemental use, and capturing, and those other useless things. You could've been great, we could've been like SISTERS!" she laughed a masochistic laugh as she spoke, her words trembling with every yelp of hate and betrayal, "But you went your way, and as did I. And yes - my father was too good a man to see me. Fortunately," she sniffed, "he died." then smirked.
Ash hoping to talk stopped his sister from speaking, and spoke his mind. "Have you no remorse?" his lips trembled in anger. He'd never seen this side of Duplica- not ever. "Have you no love for your dead father? The one who let you become who you aren't. If he was alive, he'd probably send you straight to the fires of hell." Duplica chortled.
"Dear me, Ash. Now YOU'VE got it all wrong." She placed a hand under his chin and gave him a peck on the forehead, then laughed. "My father died because of me!" she laughed even louder. "He hated me for what I wanted to be... he hated the fact that I had the chance to become what he had never been - A DISFIGURATION MASTER!" Another salty, half-baked laugh. "So what did I do? I merely killed him... take this-" she said as her voice lowered, "I buried him alive. And I'm happy I did."
Sashura's eyes dimmed even more, and the fact that Duplica was still there - made Duplica laugh a high pitched laugh. Stopping her laugh was a bullet piercing her backside.
"It's begun Duplica, and they said you'd be in a killing trance." whispered Brock. "You will die first. You have done wrong beyond the gates of Purgatory."
Duplica looked at Brock with beseeching eyes, and fell flat on the floor, writhing, slithering, and coated in her own blood. Her eyes glassy with tears, and she took her last glance at the light.
With a last laugh, Duplica cried, "LET IT BEGIN! LET THE PROPHECY KILL THOSE UNWORTHY OF THIS REALM!" She laughed menacingly and her last breath was cut short by a foot placed on her stomach.
"Brock..." Ash gulped. "Why did you have to kill her?"
Sashura placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Besides that fact she was bad and all, it's because she was in league with the maiden."
Brock nodded with his cold eyes. "It has begun hasn't it..." he frowned. "Either way, it would've begun."
Out of the blue, Misty appeared infront of the three, bowing down to test Duplica's death. Her eyes glimmering with intrigue. Daisy came running into the room, huffing and puffing. Misty looked lifeless and emotionless, her face was gaunt and her hair flowing in directions. She placed a finger to Duplica's bleeding mouth, wiped off some blood, then tasted it.
"It's very bitter." she said monotone-ly. Everyone glared at Misty, backing up, leaving her space. "The enemy will have been waiting for us by now." her voice was almost masculine, sort of technical. As if she was omnipotent. "And I will fight her."
Before Ash could touch Misty, or even grab Misty, Sashura pulled him back, letting him sprawl on the floor. And Sashura shook her head.
"The next to be killed are always the innocent."
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please review! thanks for all who even *tried* to review. I hate this chapter, it's stupid, useless but anyhoo.
thankx.
--surzy/mikari
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surzy-chan+mikari (all aliases)
++-- PG13 --++
[more reviews! I need to feed on reviews to continue story...] ^^;
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~~~ begin ~~~
Ash closed his eyes, and watched the world flutter through his brain. Everything was changing, disappearing, flying away, everything was just so... MUTILATING! He watched himself change into some dark creature, and his pikachu feared him - as did his friends. What Ash wanted to NOT happen was regaining strength, biding it's time, and conquering this world. Not HIS, THIS world. Some how he knew he wasn't made to be a part of this world, but of another realm.
Ash opened his eyes, and looked away from his friends. His pikachu. And stared at the glass of water with remorse. Sooner or later, he'd become something fearful. Something everyone could not resist to take their eyes off of. And Ash? He'd be a renowned freak.
"Ash?" Brock queried, as he put his hand on his shoulder. "Something wrong?"
He shrugged off Brock's quivering hand, and lifted the glass of water - without touching it. "Is this what you mean by changing?" He looked at Disficure, and raised his electrifying hand. Bolts of electricity shot out of his hand. He pressed his hand on Pikachu's heart, and everyone looked at Ash with fear, and disarray. But Ash just gave Pikachu a jolt, to wake him up. "Me? Turning into some kind of energy force field?" He looked at everyone with fire in his eyes, REAL fire. "You tell me - DISFICURE - if you know me so well now, what exactly did the girl change."
Disficure didn't speak. It walked up to Ash, and shook his hand, and more did you see? A ray of purple light emitting from his hand.
Ash stuttered, "I'm.. I'm-- I-I'm..?" He gulped, but no sound came out of his mouth.
"Disficure says you are now officially half pokemon, and your pikachu, half mortal - meaning," She paused, "Neither of you can really die..."
Misty gasped, and began to pelt questions, "What do you mean 'really' die?" She eyed Duplica carefully. She mistrusted everyone with a mysterious background; even herself.
"I mean - if they do die, they'll be sent to Purgatory. Like limbo, only closer to hell." Brock finished for Duplica.
"But why?!" Misty raged.
Brock shook his head, "I understood the writings on the walls, when we visited the Quartzite Isles.." he muttered something which sounded like, 'hodgepodge', and continued, "It meant something would happen. That's why the Isles were built. Each of the words was about a new story; a new era."
Duplica interrupted, and silenced everyone, Togepi was quite serious as well. "Disficure would like you to tell the story Brock."
Brock bowed, and began the night's tale.
"Long ago, in the medieval era, when Pokemon were used as steeds, and house hold chores - there was but one King. He lived a long prosperous life, in the land of Tishnova. But he was about to die, and he wished to live a little longer, only to see his daughter Verita, marry her husband, Prince Maximus of Kaito," Brock heaved a sigh as it was very depressing to tell the story at 22:00 (10:00pm) but went on, "But one night, the King's daughter was slaughtered - that's what the maidens heard. But truly, she had been banished by her own fiance, to the realm beneath this. She had died in that underground well, and her bones swallowed by wandering wolves. They story says she was reborn into a child, each child a girl, each child had a name starting with the three first letters: V. E. And R. Each child possesing powers Princess Verita would never use... some evil. Some good.
"Over the eras, only three were as severe as the medieval one. Each father, or mother, as sad and as depressed as the King of Tishnova. Each child was to bring extremely bad luck to each family who gained a twin child with her, or so, a single child which twas her.
"The first time she was reborn, was in the Renassaince Era. She was a great artist there, but each of her paintings were brought to life, destroying her family and her pokemon. She was left to mourn over the death, with her half cousin. Soon enough, she commited suicide.
"The second time she was reborn, was in the age of the Great Depression. One major thing about this one, was that she knew all about what was going to happen to her - sadness, death, and rebirth - but she decided to change her future. No sadness. Just death. Not her death. Others. She used her power of aging, and transformation to turn people into sludge. And I mean that kind of sludge that just burns away. Some had quick deaths. Some, long and agonizing ones." Brock drank a bit of water, and then lowered his voice.
"The third time she was reborn; which was her fourth era; was not far from now. She's probably related to someone among us. And she's the one who tried to deform Ash and Pikachu; but to no avail. Somehow she knew the two would play a great role in this Era, and that's where the fourth Era's writing stops... and it starts writing on it's own as soon as the present era has been destroyed; or saved."
Ash was listening intently with his teeth-gritting pikachu. He seemed to be raging mad at Misty. Why?
Misty began to mumble things out... some things like, 'not me', and 'please not her'. "Misty, are you alright?" Ash said, hearing her.
She looked up, and a bit of shock on her face, but shook her head. "Oh... uh. I'm alright."
Duplica couldn't help but notice Misty was in some sort of panic, some dangerous panic. Very dangerous.
Ash looked at the clock, and began to buzz. He picked up his Pikachu and ran out the hospital door, bumping into Daisy. "Hey- your not fully healed! Come back! ASH!!!!"
Ash paid no attention to Daisy, and kept on running. It was quarter to midnight, and he promised this 'girl' a meeting.
As Daisy entered the room, she said sarcastically, "Misty what'd you do? Your boyfriend ran out the door - and out the hospital. You scare him half to death?"
Misty never looked this morbid. She stared at Daisy. "Veradien's in trouble..." she had that same childish look she had back when she was little. "Big trouble, Daisy... I'm scared..." Misty's pupils were dilated and she was shaking.
Daisy never had seen her sister this scared; not since a couple of years ago. She got up, and placed Misty on the bed, and hugged her. She whispered into her little sisters ear, "You'll be alright - Veradien. She can take care of herself."
"Excuse me?" Duplica asked, "Veradien.. Misty you had a SISTER named Veradien?"
Misty nodded shakily, "Why?"
"You must destroy her!!!" Duplica yelled in outrage.
Daisy glared at Duplica with eyes of stone. "She's my sister, and she's been dead for over 10 years. We cannot destroy her."
Duplica glared back, and replied hotly, "Are they twins? Misty and Veradien?"
This time Daisy looked with remorse, "Yes..."
With a spitting mouth, Duplica retorted, "WHEN ONE OF THE TWINS DIE, THE OTHER MUST FOLLOW A YEAR OR SO AFTER! IF MISTY IS ALIVE, SO IS HER TWIN!! IT IS A CURSE ALL TWINS MUST BEAR!"
Brock couldn't understand anything at the moment. He paced back and forth, saying, "ah", oftenly but never finding some sort of solution. He never had seen Duplica act this angry in his .. in the few days that he knew her.
Misty nodded, "It's true..." she choked, "if a twin dies, the other will follow... kill me first to destroy Veradien."
Daisy looked at Misty with horror. "I WOULD NEVER KILL YOU!" Daisy never believed Misty's story of Veradien living, even after being injected with a lethal virus.
"Veradien is almost immortal..." Misty said with rolled back eyes, "Veradien will complete her process of immortality when the moon shines brightly, on the full moon of the next month. She is biding her time, learning how to destroy the missing link which will destroy her chance of being immortal." Misty's voice was growing deeper and deeper, making her sound almost -- possessed.
Duplica listened carefully. This was the reason she was here - with Ash and Brock and Misty. She was to help revive the missing link... but she didn't even know what the link was. In order to DESTROY Veradien; she must return the missing link and engage in battle. That was the reason why her Ditto had evolved; vigorous training and constant vigilance.
"MISTY! What's the missing link?!" Duplica yelled. "What is it!" She shook Misty harshly, and Misty replied with no feeling, just in monotone.
She gasped for air, Misty did. It was if someone was choking her, while she revealed the secret of Veradien. "The missing link..." she gasped for more air, "is --" and Misty lay flat on her face. She fainted. SHe was out of breath.
"Is she alive?" asked the Disfiguration Master. "Well.. is she?" She glared at Daisy, "I'm talking to you blondie."
Daisy gave a menacing look. She hadn't liked Duplica at all. Not at all.
She felt Misty's pulse, "Average." She felt Misty's heart rate, "Maximum." And finally, she poured a bit of water down Misty's back.
Misty shook, and opened her eyes. "What happened?"
Duplica was in rage. She was thrashing about, trying to hit Misty on the head - only to be restrained by Brock. Duplica wished for Misty to say exactly WHO the missing link was - or WHAT.
But Misty had already heard enough, and as soon as she was going to run outside, she felt that strange vibration in her brain, and began to speak in that monotone voice - saying the last word. Speaking it in a low raspy voice, very slowly she mouthed the words, "Duplica - the Disfiguration Master--"
Duplica fell to her knees, eyes wide - and her pulse slowing down. "What? Me? How -- can... it be?! Then tell me why did Ash Ketchum and his pikachu transform instead of me."
But Misty didn't seem to have finished her little possessed-speech, "Duplica the Disfiguration master is no tthe missing link. But she going to be the first to witness the death of one. Then the others will witness the death of the world. While Duplica will be in trance, the others will battle. The missing link will also kill those that are precious to thee. Even if it means a rival; a friend; or a relative. She will derive the world of it's pain; but die in doing so leaving her loved ones in great sorrow... the missing link is --" Misty stopped and swallowed, but never changed her tone, "Misty Tamachi."
Daisy gasped. It couldn't be her youngest sister. Not her!
-*-*-*-
Ash ran as fast as he could, ten minutes were up, and five were to be left. He ran to the Clock Tower, and ran in fear of finding the maiden who would probably destroy him.
Finally, running up the crumbling stairs, taking no precaution of what was ahead of him, kept on going, and lept on every other step, trying to beat the clock. When finally, he was on the very top of the Clock Tower - he met a stranger looking girl. Shimmering rain-bow like hair, same with her eyes - and her smile as sweet as ever. She looked almost like his mother; only more femininely like him. He seemed to have recognized her --
"Hello Ash." She hugged Ash as he stopped, panting, trying to suck in as much air as possible.
Ash nodded his head, and instead of another welcoming hello, replied, "Who are you?"
The girl looked sad, and began to pace back and forth - then with a click of her finger began to speak, "Ash, I'm your sister. Sashura."
Ash looked quite dumbstruck and stared. "But... I lost my sister long ago..."
Sashura made a gesture, and said, "I am her. Father died in a car accident the day he left, and I was left unharmed somehow. The paramedics finding me hours later, brought me to a foster home. Everyone at school that me to be a freak of nature. Beautifully enticing; at the same time a freak-a-zoid to the very core. So I grew up, and I ran away. And I knew you'd be here, so I came for you Ash." Her eyes were full of tears. But she looked quite strong, and she used the back of her glove and wiped it off.
He looked speechless. The drafty air spread all around the two - until it was almost like a cold barrier. Caked around them, the secrets and stories Sashura was to tell Ash would drift no where. No wandering children would hear the words she would say. Hopefully not, she wished.
Sashura waved a hand, and like magic, smoke rose from the top of the barrier, blocking any elements thinking of portruding the barrier from atop. "I want to warn you. But it seems almost hopeless right now, and too late."
Ash couldn't breathe. He didn't want to. It was too much of a moment to waste. Reunion. Soon Sashura would reveal something to him that might've been already done. He need not talk.
"Ash," she heaved as she started her chat, "have you noticed the cold barrier around us?"
All he could do was nod, and stare. He didn't want to interrupt her flow.
She put a finger to her lip, and thought deeply about her warning. Her hair was rising in tension, and the air around her hair was frosty, pale blue and an ominous glow was emitting from the frosty air. "This barrier is created by magic." She raised her hand, once again, and pointed directly for Ash, "Before I came to meet with you, I checked my DNA at a lab. Father was some sort of 'mage', giving us the power of the elements." It was almost half past midnight now, but Ash wasn't a tad bit tired. In order to find out what kind of freak he had become, he wanted to hear her out, "that is why you have changed. Unfortunately, your pikachu has gotten the best of the change. He has also been poisoned by evil - allowing him to have the dark powers of the maidens."
"But.." Ash interrupted for the first time, "What about that little girl I met?"
Sashura's eyes opened wide, and her pupils were directly in position of scrutiny. "NO!" She grabbed her ears, and muttered under her breath, 'this isn't happening', "Ash - did the girl... did the girl have GREEN hair?!"
He nodded solemnly with a grim face. He knew this wasn't supposed to be.
"Not good... Ash. Tell me this, do you know - or can you guess why the girl ran past you? Or even looked at you?"
Ash screamed a bloodcurling scream, and grabbed his hair, pulling his head back in frustration. "AHHH!" He yelled in terror, "HELP ME!!!"
Sashura grabbed Ash by his neck, and Ash looked into her eyes with suspicion, and horror. "Wh-wha-what are you doing to me?!!"
She smiled, "The old fashioned way of ridding thee of evil." Her grin disappeared, as she lifted him up with one hand, and suddenly dropped him.
Ash's face was covered in cold sweat. "What... was... that... for... ?" He panted nervously. Trembling, he picked up his pikachu, and showed him to Sashura.
Sashura sneered. "I already know that. What I never knew was that she would also connect the both of you." Ash looked dumbfounded. "I just shook out some nerves when I choked you."
His face contorted with anger, rage, and confusion. He wasn't sure if he should believe this 'Sashura', or not. "I take you don't believe what I'm saying. You think that I'm NOT your sister. I'm sure that I am. You wouldn't have gotten power over Pikachu's electricity if you weren't my brother; no one else but the mage's have power over the elements."
Suddenly, that angered face fell, and a look of suspicion overflowed. "You can read my mind?"
Laughing airily, Sashura, helped Ash up. "You and I. We both have powers over elements. You got the powers of electricity, fire, earth, and darkness - why, I don't know. You also got the ghostly element of rebirth." She then gave a grim look, but told some more, "I got the cooler - more calm side. I have psychic, or telekinatic powers, water, ice, wind, and strength. Some how - I think we should have gotten different elements. By the way, you see your pikachu - it has every element you've gotten. It's just adjusting to it's new ... 'temperature'."
Ash listened to these words as they filled his head with all sorts of thoughts. If he had the power of rebirth.... no - was that what Duplica had meant. They wouldn't really die..... purgatory? A ghostly reflection. Things weren't as superficial as he thought they would be.
"Exactamundo -- Bro." She smiled. "I know you think that my psychic ability is annoying, but I find it useful." She flicked a strand of hair away from her pale face.
Ash felt a bit odd. He took out a hand, and examined it. "Show me lightning." he said softly, as a bolt of electricity fled from his fingertips to the slate clouds and started a thunderstorm.
Sashura laughed again, this time looking proud. "I'm so glad you finally figured it out! I mean, it's been ages since I realized my powers."
He paid no attention, his ears were working, but his mind was surely blank. A wall of energy surpressing anything trying to enter his already blanked out mind.
"I have 15 minutes before we go... Let's get serious." she said in a gruff tone. "I have a bit to tell you before I leave."
Ash just nodded, his eyes now focusing on her shifting eyes. "Tell me."
Sashura kneeled, as did Ash, and began her small story. "Ash, I'll tell you this - many will die because of one person. It's not that little girl; who's actually a MAIDEN," she added hastily, "Misty is the missing link, and if she must die to protect the world from an evil force becoming immortal - she will. You will also die. I'm warning you know so you may beware incase of the time of death." She rubbed her hands together, "did you see when Duplica gave Misty a tear drop?" Ash nodded.
She swallowed some frozen air, "Misty must throw it in the water - she'll find her REAL gift there. Keep your pikachu out of site while you run back. I'm sure the maiden is looking for Pikachu so she may give it grief. As soon as she does - you'd be weak as a kitten. So if you see her, run like mad, or if your any smarter use your element of earth to drag you across the ground - to the hospital, 1-2-3 stat!
"And don't even thinking of allowing yourself to die. Even if you know that you've got the ability of rebirth, you will not be the same as you were before death." Her eyes twinkled, "And unfortunately, I'm coming with you. I'll take the sky route, while you take the ground route." She smirked.
Ash finally hearing the 'unfortunately' part snarled, "What? Your saying I'm bad to be with?"
"Technically - " she paused with a slight ease in her voice, "yes. You practically start the long awaited prophecy."
He shrugged off her pressure, and as soon as the frosty air removed it's self, and the barrier of smoke and ice evaded the vicinity - the two rose into action, Ash jumped from the clock tower, and summoned an ocean of earth to carry him towards the Hospital, and Sashura summoned a gust of air.
And in no time, the two were off.
-*-*-*-
Before the two entered the building, Sashura whispered into Ash's ear.
"We're not the only ones of this millenia with a mage for a parent." Ash gulped.
He let two words fly out of his mouth, "Then... who?"
Sashura grimaced, "Misty."
"BUT!"
She looked a bit dumbstruck as well. "The remaining elements are steel, and light. Fortunately, those two are good matches for me and you. The bad part is," she looked quite dead saying this, "she's also got the supernatural element; instant death and rebirth."
The chilly air surrounding the building smelled of salt and of the sea. As Sashura looked up, she saw a grinning figure. As soon as Sashura ventured to scream the words, 'Ash go!' - a sea of ice-cold water submerged upon the two. Fighting against the water, and with will - the two swam as hard and as fast as they could to reach the other side - the hospital. But the entire town wasn't drowning in a flood. Both of their minds lost in fury, and frustration.
"Why," Ash yelled before being pushed under water, "is it only me and you that are drowning!?" he yelled as his head bobbed back up.
No one answered. Sashura was floating atop the cold water. Her face ghostly pale, and the blue aura that was flowing from her body was growing faint. But as she opened her eyes, the water stopped. She too was in league with this maiden.
"Is this -" she paused for a moment, and looked at Ash, pointing towards the maiden, "the maiden you saw when you woke up?"
As Ash fell to his feet, wiping the cold debris off of him, he took a glance at the menacing face of the maiden, and then whispered softly, "Y-yes." This maiden was almost evil looking. Her teeth seemed to be in odd directions whenever she was mad. And right now she was stark-raving mad.
"Do you know who she is?" Sashura yelled in Ash's direction.
Ash closed his eyes, and waited for things to be over, but as he closed them, he could hear the screaming of others, and the crying of children. He felt petrified. He didn't want to open his eyes to a world of a paranormal wonders, and to a world where evil was easily shared. He clutched his Pikachu, hiding under his jacket. Suddenly a jolt of black electricity shot from it - like a lantern leading his way. Ash could now hear the soft murmuring of his mother, and the fading voice of Pikachu and his other friends. He wouldn't want it to end like this. Ash then opened his eyes and saw his sister yelling words to him - he couldnt' hear them. But what he did was force himself to listen.
"She's..." his voice was trembling out of shock, and now his entire body shook, "she's... Misty's sister?"
The familiar face, with the exception of green hair had no effect to him. It looked exactly like Misty - but evil.
"Are you SURE?" She asked with her hand about to pry open the hospital door, beckoning Ash over.
Ash ran across the street, seeing her actions, and said aloud, "I'm very sure. You really can't tell if who's Misty or --"
The two stumbled inside the Hospital, and groaned as each of them had fell down the stairs going downward. When both had recovered their sudden concussion, the two bolt upright, and began to speak of what was going on.
"Was that a plan?" he said disbelieving. "For us to get out of that mess?"
Sashura giggled, "One of my more brilliant plans fortunately."
Ash laughed a hard laugh, but then asked the single question. "Why can't maidens enter buildings?"
Brock walked into the room where the two were talking, and answered in a cold merciless voice, "Beats me." he smirked.
"Brock! Hey, this is my sister - Sashura." he smiled brightly, but as soon as he saw Brock's deceiving face, he stopped smiling.
With a swift movement, Sashura covered up her brother. Sensing an evil presence, she said a few words in an undertone chant and began to sway back and forth- following the steps of Brock, making sure he didn't leave a mark on Ash. "Begone - you are not Brock. Begone. You are not Brock the former Gym-Leader, begone."
The smirk on his face faded into a sneer. An evil sneer. "What pity." Duplica said suddenly as Brock's face disappeared and Duplica's revealed. "What pity that such a great power of sensitivity has to be used against me."
Ash's eyes became of fire and he stared straight into Duplica's schizophrenical eyes. "DUPLICA. Learning the ways of transformation has changed you a whole lot; and I tell you this, the prophecy said you shan't live - even if the missing link lives." Sashura spat out. "Unfortunately your father was a good man, too good a man to be seeing his daughter become a schizophrenic sadist." Her eyes were dimming, showing a complete disliking to Duplica.
Whispering into her ears, Ash asked softly, "How do you know her?"
"I knew this monster through highschool." she said with anger. " 'In order to get boys, I'll be whatever they want me to be.' " Sashura mimicked in a childish tone. And she continued her mockery of Duplica, " 'Then when I grow up, I'll become the greatest person ever, rich, beautiful. Neverending beauty!' " She yelled hoarsely.
Duplica's richly candy-coated sneer melted, yet again, into a grimace. "Pity, Sashura. What a pity." her lips curled into a face contorted with more fury and hatred, "You could've had any man you wanted - INCLUDING the greatest Pokemon master, if you only kept on studying the basics of transformation. See what a beautiful creature I've become?" She then spat at Sashura's feet, "While you- you took the other courses of elemental use, and capturing, and those other useless things. You could've been great, we could've been like SISTERS!" she laughed a masochistic laugh as she spoke, her words trembling with every yelp of hate and betrayal, "But you went your way, and as did I. And yes - my father was too good a man to see me. Fortunately," she sniffed, "he died." then smirked.
Ash hoping to talk stopped his sister from speaking, and spoke his mind. "Have you no remorse?" his lips trembled in anger. He'd never seen this side of Duplica- not ever. "Have you no love for your dead father? The one who let you become who you aren't. If he was alive, he'd probably send you straight to the fires of hell." Duplica chortled.
"Dear me, Ash. Now YOU'VE got it all wrong." She placed a hand under his chin and gave him a peck on the forehead, then laughed. "My father died because of me!" she laughed even louder. "He hated me for what I wanted to be... he hated the fact that I had the chance to become what he had never been - A DISFIGURATION MASTER!" Another salty, half-baked laugh. "So what did I do? I merely killed him... take this-" she said as her voice lowered, "I buried him alive. And I'm happy I did."
Sashura's eyes dimmed even more, and the fact that Duplica was still there - made Duplica laugh a high pitched laugh. Stopping her laugh was a bullet piercing her backside.
"It's begun Duplica, and they said you'd be in a killing trance." whispered Brock. "You will die first. You have done wrong beyond the gates of Purgatory."
Duplica looked at Brock with beseeching eyes, and fell flat on the floor, writhing, slithering, and coated in her own blood. Her eyes glassy with tears, and she took her last glance at the light.
With a last laugh, Duplica cried, "LET IT BEGIN! LET THE PROPHECY KILL THOSE UNWORTHY OF THIS REALM!" She laughed menacingly and her last breath was cut short by a foot placed on her stomach.
"Brock..." Ash gulped. "Why did you have to kill her?"
Sashura placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "Besides that fact she was bad and all, it's because she was in league with the maiden."
Brock nodded with his cold eyes. "It has begun hasn't it..." he frowned. "Either way, it would've begun."
Out of the blue, Misty appeared infront of the three, bowing down to test Duplica's death. Her eyes glimmering with intrigue. Daisy came running into the room, huffing and puffing. Misty looked lifeless and emotionless, her face was gaunt and her hair flowing in directions. She placed a finger to Duplica's bleeding mouth, wiped off some blood, then tasted it.
"It's very bitter." she said monotone-ly. Everyone glared at Misty, backing up, leaving her space. "The enemy will have been waiting for us by now." her voice was almost masculine, sort of technical. As if she was omnipotent. "And I will fight her."
Before Ash could touch Misty, or even grab Misty, Sashura pulled him back, letting him sprawl on the floor. And Sashura shook her head.
"The next to be killed are always the innocent."
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please review! thanks for all who even *tried* to review. I hate this chapter, it's stupid, useless but anyhoo.
thankx.
--surzy/mikari