Dark Shadows

Childsnake

Disclaimer: Yep I own it… what? You don't believe me? Does this look like a face that could lie???

Dark Shadows

Part 4. Cadmus

Misty opened her eyes and slowly sat up. She was still tired, she then groaned as she remembered her body clock was still set on dawn. She laid back down and tried to go back to sleep, after a few minutes of turning and tossing at least a dozen times, she gave up, besides she needed to keep in schedule. Misty rose and moved around for her back pack which she knew was near her bed somewhere, she found it and changed, praying she got the right clothes seeing as she was changing in the dark.

Misty quietly walked over to the door opening it slowly so as not to disturb her room mates. After she shut the door behind her, Misty turned and walked up the stairs, even though the main door was on ground level most of the rooms were under ground, aside from the main room, council's meeting room and the kitchen, so of course it was always naturally dark. Misty kept walking until she reached another door. She opened that one and closed it behind her, turned and faced the hallway which was lit with a series of small lights in the roof. Misty took a step forward and felt her foot hit something, she looked down at her feet, there was a tray that held two poke-balls and a note, she bent down and picked them up.

Misty,

         Your pokemon are fully healed and Joy wishes you good luck. Eevee didn't want to hang around and went exploring, I think Eevee wanted to play. I didn't know where Ash is, so I left Rapidash with you.

- Lass

Misty looked at the poke-balls and clipped her one to her belt. She then turned to her left and walked along the hallways, as she went she counted the doors starting with her own. When she reached the seventh door, she opened it and went down the stairs, passing other doors as she went down, it was ironic really that she actually remembered where Ash was sleeping, seeing how tired she was. At the bottom she placed Rapidash's ball on the wall in the groove that was specially made for the situation, she also hung a small bit of blue cloth on the hook above it to show it was her that delivered the message.

Misty then turned around back up the stairs, and continued walking along the lighted hallway. She entered the main room and instead of walking forward into the meeting room like she did before, she turned to her right and entered the kitchen. A small window in the top right hand corner lit up the room. Sitting on a long table where they mainly ate, were two young boys, they were both wearing dark purple robes which symbolised they were Sabrina's trainees, one was placing three cards on the table and the other was trying to read what they were, every time he got one right the other boy would flip over the card and place another one on top. It was a simple trick, mainly searching the other person's mind, to see if they knew what the cards was or if not, focusing on seeing the spiritual image of the card. It was common for people to be up this early, Misty reached over to the bowl of fruit and grabbed a green apple, she then moved over to where stools were facing a bench, and jumped on one. She swirled around to face the boys, biting into her apple, Misty looked down at the cards and saw that out of the whole 144 cards only 5 and been placed down. The boy was obviously tired, and the other one was getting annoyed, "Come on Justin, you're not even trying!" he said in a  voice that was obviously tired and annoyed.

"I am too, I'm just so tired," Justin stubbornly shot back.

"You can go rest, we might need you later." Neither of the boys had noticed Misty was there and were a bit startled when she spoke, they both stood up quickly and bowed, chorusing together "Morning, Mistress Misty," Misty narrowed her eyes,

"I'm not your Mistress, Sabrina is. I'm plain Misty." She moved her eyes to Justins' "Bed. Now." he bowed again and quickly left the room. Misty looked at the other boy "Same goes for you."

He shook his head and bowed as well. "I'm sorry Mist. But I don't have to listen to you as you're not my Mistress, you said so yourself." Misty sighed. He was right and she couldn't be bothered fighting with him.

'Suicune, cool him off.' Suicune appeared behind the boy and a waterfall of water appeared above his head, Misty nodded her head and the waterfall dropped down, soaking him from head to toe. "I guess you better go and have a shower instead then" Misty said sarcastically sweet, he glared at knowing she had something to do with him being wet and sulked out of the room, too ashamed to look back. Just as he turned round a corner out of view Misty called out to him "The name is Misty." She heard a yell as he was soaked again, "Boy do I love the way you know exactly what my mind's thinking, thank you Suicune."

'You're welcome Mistress.'

'Suicune,' she said telepathically, 'Is anyone else up?'

'Not that I can tell, Mistress.'

"Good, we'll have some fun then," Misty said changing to talk normally again.

She stood up and walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway again, on one side of the hallway there are bedrooms and on the other side there are other rooms. 'You might want to go,' Suicune nodded and disappeared. Misty keep on walking and took the 3rd door to her left, once again she walked down stairs. At the bottom was two doors, a double door on the wall and another single door on the side, Misty opened the doors wide and revealed a wide collection of weapons; guns, swords, bows and arrows, small ninja throwing stars, poison darts, and many different sized daggers. The gym leaders didn't really approve of guns and nuclear weapons, leaving that department to team rocket, but always kept them just in case. Misty looked over the bow and arrow section looking for her personal practise bow. She found it and took it off the wall, grabbing a big case of arrows as well. She moved over to the other door and swung it wide open striding inside, it automatically closed behind her. The room was very large and mainly used for training, it was tall and well lit, light coming from the many lights and also the windows high up. Every single type of training occurred here; pokemon battles, physical training and training of the elements.

Misty took her place on the line about 50 meters away from the wall, and on the wall were various shooting targets, some placed so they would sway from side to side. She lifted the string that was on the end of the bow and tied it securely, pulling it down to the ground, she stepped on it to make sure it was tight, then wound it  around attaching it to the other end. She pulled back the draw skin and made sure everything was correct, Misty knew she wouldn't have to do this with her real bow, but it was good to know how. She attached an arrow then pulled the bow up high, pulled the string back and aimed at her first target. It was a large circle stuck on the wall, with various colours painted in circles, and in the very centre was a black dot and in the middle of that was a small white one, just big enough for the tip of an arrow head.

Misty closed one eye and located the tip of the arrow inline with the black dot, she let it fly and heard a thud as it made contact. From a distance it looked like it had hit the black dot and maybe the white speck, she didn't stop after the first hit and drew an arrow from the quiver on her back and aimed for the next target, a swaying disk. The arrow flew straight and true hitting the middle and causing it to sway back wards and crash into the wall. Misty grabbed more arrows and tried her favourite trick, she locked four arrows into the bow and turned it side ways aiming for three human figures painted on the wall. The arrows flew across and hit each target directly in the head, she continued shooting until all her arrows were used up.

A loud clapping sound was heard behind her and Misty turned around to see Laytoa sitting on the steps on the back wall, she hadn't even heard her enter. "Well done," she congratulated. "From where I am it looks like you hit each target in the direct centre." Misty didn't even bother looking she already knew that was true, and instead looked up at the windows and judged the light. She had been shooting for half an hour, soon others would be waking. Laytoa oblivious to Misty's ignorance continued talking,

"How far can you shoot, with accuracy?"

Misty slowly made eye contact with Laytoa, "80, but I can shoot 130."

Laytoa whistled, "Wow that's pretty impressive, care to have a competition?" She stood up and walked down the large stairs, up to Misty.

"What sort?" Misty said, dislike clearly in her voice, she didn't like Laytoa, she had seen her a little while back and their encounter had not been friendly. "Just a friendly one, we can do against each other in every kind of competition if you like." Misty looked at Laytoa suspiciously. "I propose three types, shooting, combat and pokemon battle."

Misty nodded her head, "Sounds like fun, what's first?"

Laytoa grinned,

"Archery."

Ash woke up to the sound of Koga snoring, he sniggered at the thought of the man who was so powerful snoring. He looked around and saw there was no light but that was expected, as he had noticed as they came down that there were no windows. Ash hopped out of bed and pulled on his baggy pants over his jocks, hopping around trying to put the leg in he tripped over something and fell over with a thud. He groaned and got up, walking to over where he thought the door was. He took another step and banged into the wall, the room was smaller than he remembered. Light suddenly filled the room, Ash slightly blinded by the light fell on to the ground again with an 'ow.' He looked up and saw Sparky leaning over the edge of his bunk bed, hand covering his mouth trying not to laugh. Ash grumbled and rubbed his saw head, Sparky moved the torch out of Ashs' eye, and gesturing at Koga whispered, "We've gotta let the sleeping princess get her beauty sleep." Ash laughed and Sparky sat up and hit his head on the roof, "Ow."

"Serves you right for laughing at me."

Sparky leant over and grabbed his coat off the edge of the bed, and swung his legs around, jumping off the bed with a soft thud. He had slept in last nights clothes as well, and Ash noticed so did Koga. Sparky opened the door and turned off his torch, the soft light of a lamp slightly lit up the room, he tossed it on to where Ash had slept. Sparky looked at the pokeball on the wall, he grabbed it and tossed it at Ash, who turned around after closing the door just in time to catch it. "I believe this is yours," he lifted the blue cloth that was hanging on the wall "and you got the beautiful Misty to deliver it." Ash clipped the ball to his side and only then did he notice an empty space on his shoulder, he stared blankly at himself trying to figure out what was missing. Then it hit him, Pikachu. He remembered going to bed but not taking Pikachu with him. How could he forget? he silently cursed himself repeatedly and braced himself for the scolding he was going to get. Ash followed Sparky around as he leaded him to the kitchen where he grabbed some fruit and promptly exited. "I noticed," he spoke to Ash through mouthfuls "that the arena doors were open. We should check this out." Ash nodded his head with no clue what was going on, still wondering about his little buddy.

He didn't have to wonder for long, as they were headed for the arena they found, or rather quickly saw, Pikachu and Eevee playing tag, both using agility. Ash slightly relieved followed Sparky down another flight of stairs, through a door then through another. When they got in they were meet by an amazing sight, Misty and Laytoa were shooting at each other using their elemental bows. Ash moved to stop them but Sparky stopped him, "It's training," he gestured at the stairs and they moved to watch from there.

Laytoa had chosen well for what to begin with, it seemed she had chosen something she was obviously good at and wanted to scare Misty into believing she was the same with the others. Clear to all those that would be watching, Laytoa definitely had the upper hand, her arrows always went straight and true. Misty soon confirmed what she had already suspected, Laytoa was a master, and a great one at that. The archery had been, as expected, weapons made by their specified elements and done as in a battle, at each other. Laytoa's arrows made up by fire, flickering bright fire, and were very powerful and Misty was doing all she could to stop the arrows from burning her alive. So far she hadn't yet taken up the offence preferring to dodge Laytoa's attacks, and use her own to dissolve the flames. Misty was getting tired, not from the running and jumping around, but from the drain on her magical powers. She didn't have enough energy to hold both a water bow and a collection of arrows and had instead used her practise bow. Even still, the little arrows she created took a lot out of her, it seemed Misty would lose this round.

Misty jumped to the side as another arrow flew by her and then shot her own as she didn't have enough time to move again. Misty had never been a patient girl and now impatience for this to end was starting to creep up at her. She then decided to take the offence, and started firing arrows of her own straight at Laytoa. Trying as hard as she could, Misty summoned up all the energy she had left, and fired another shot at Laytoa. The moving water met halfway between Misty and Laytoa, coming into contact with her own arrow dissolving with a hiss. Laytoa was then taken by surprise as another arrow hit her full on, Misty instead of firing one arrow had fired two. Laytoa was not one to be beaten and the stronger one fired a strong flame at Misty but she missed as Misty had collapsed to the ground after using up all her energy. Laytoa slowly walked over to Misty and looked down at her, her bow still strong, she drew back the part of the bow that was meant to be a string and another arrow formed.

"I win."

Misty looked up at her opponent and slightly smiled, she pulled her self up using her bow as a walking stick.

"Now it's fighting time." Laytoa said, sure she was to win again. Misty threw her bow to the side and straightened her self. "No, my choice, pokemon battle two on two simultaneously."

"Sounds fair." Laytoa picked up a loose arrow from the floor and locked it in her still formed bow, she turned around and with out even aiming fired. Her arrow must have hit a switch as a door half way up the wall starting raising revealing what would be ground level above.

"CHARLA……" Laytoa's cry rang through the room and was answered by a deafening roar. A large orange dragon with a pink bow in between the horns on her head came swooping through the doors. "CHARIZARD!" before Charla's feet had even touched the ground another large beast had entered the arena and Misty recognised the charizard as Ash's old one. Both dragon's stood next to Laytoa and she looked smugly at Misty, "As you know this is Charla, she's gotten a lot stronger since you last saw her, as has Ash's charizard. I think we'll have an interesting battle. Who do you choose?"

Misty was unfazed by the two large monsters as she had great faith in her pokemon.

"Suicune." She said it simply and Laytoa blinked in surprise not truly believing Misty could have one of the legendary pokemon. She couldn't believe it when the water beast did appear next to Misty facing the charizards. "I hope Team Rocket is as surprised as you clearly are." Misty said, confidence in her voice. "Even though I know Suicune won't need any help versing those two it wouldn't be fair not to have enough pokemon, especially seeing I wanted a double battle. Go Togepie!"

Laytoa still speechless watched in amazement as the little thing not even fully out of its shell formed next to Suicune.

"You've got to be kidding me, that thing couldn't hurt a fly."

"Shall I go first." Misty more stated than asked, seeing no reason to reply to Laytoa's comment. With no response from Laytoa she took a defensive stand and the battle began.

It was a pretty quick battle.  Even though Suicune and Togepie had never battled together before they worked well together and came up with a battle strategy. Laytoa knowing Togepie would be the weak one pretty much ignored the little egg, and Misty used this to her advantage. While the Charizards attacked Suicune she had her using her power to avoid them and Togepie went behind them and using her strong psychic powers froze them. Then  it only took a well aimed blast from Suicune and the battle was all over. Misty hoped their physical battle would be better, but this one had proved resourceful, a sit gave Misty time to recuperate. Not much as it would take quite a few days to get her full powers back but her psychical strength came back quickly.

Laytoa had turned a little sour at her loss and she had sent both pokemon back out side, she now strode over to where her arrow had hit the button and ripping it out caused the hole in the wall to close. Misty raised Togepie's pokeball and Suicune disappeared at the same time the red light enveloped the egg.

Laytoa stood a few feet from Misty in her battle pose, both hands were clenched, one arm was held stretched out and the other close to protect her chest. Misty struck a similar pose.   Ash watched in amazement as he didn't know Misty knew how to fight. Naturally since the Dark Shadows had joined with team rocket and no place was safe it was expected every one knew how to fight. Laytoa was the first to attack she ran forward and did a faint punch at Misty's left then kicked with her right leg. Misty just managed to block the kick with her arm then returned with a punch to Laytoa's face. She blocked the punch and kicked again aiming low, Misty dodged this and kicked back just hitting Laytoa on the side. Misty face showed no emotion but Laytoa's showed anger. She punched and Misty blocked then retaliated, Laytoa dodged then ducked low swinging her leg around, Misty back flipped away. Laytoa charged after her and punched Misty in the stomach before she could regain her balance. Misty flew backwards from the force of the hit but managed to stop by sliding her feet along. Laytoa smiled, her anger was gone as she had now hit and the pleasure from fighting came back. Misty stood and ran forwards increasing the strength of her hit by running, she punched forwards and kicked at Laytoa's stomach. Laytoa blocked the hit and hit back, Misty raised her arm and their arms hit each other. Laytoa grinned as they both turned to push the other away with their strength. "Is he your boyfriend?" Laytoa asked. Misty was caught by surprise and then noticed Ash and Sparky watching. "No!" she replied and Laytoa smiled even more.

"Good, then he can be mine." She pushed off from Misty, swung and kicked at her legs. Misty jumped forward, over her leg, and punched her, Laytoa deflected the hit and then swung back.

"They look like they're having fun," Sparky said as Misty and Laytoa continued fighting.

"If you say so," Ash replied his eyes not moving from the pair.

"Hey!" a loud voice rang out stopping the pair mid stride. "That's enough!" Ash and Sparky turned to see Koga striding down the stairs an angry look on his face. "You both have done enough, now go clean up."

Misty stepped away from Laytoa, "You're a good fighter Laytoa. We'll have to do that again sometime." She stretched out a hand that was ignored.

"I know I'm good. Don't forget Mystica, that boy's mine." She turned and left. Misty clenched her fist and growled, it had taken all her energy to be nice to that wrench and she just shoved it in her face. She turned and stalked off.

'Mistress?' Suicune asked softly in her head, 'you're hurt.' Misty looked down at her leg and saw it was bleeding slightly. 'I'll be fine Suicune.' Misty said. Compared to the ache in her stomach this was nothing.

"Ash," Koga said, "I want to talk with you."

"Sure." Ash replied standing up.

"Please come with me."

Once they had left the room Koga led him to the same meeting room they had been in before, Ash noticed he held his staff in his hands. Koga indicated at the seats and Ash sat down, Koga moving to his own seat. "Something has come to my attention Ash. I noticed that yesterday when Spark's Jolteon got affected - " Ash held his breathe, had Koga noticed his ball of light? " – that Pikachu wasn't affected. Do you know why."

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Reply to reviewers! What! Only one….

Kit kat: I agree, authors not replying to questions is pretty annoying. *cringes* I know I haven't updated in a long time (4 months) I don't really have a proper excuse apart from the fact I was too lazy to sit down and write. I've been having trouble writing this lately so it's probably not as good as it should be plus I haven't written in a loooong time (I wrote the first three chapters about a year and a half ago.) Thanks for being honest about the beginning being confusing I'll try to not let that happen again.

I haven't figured out yet why Misty and Ash aren't getting along, I used to know but then I forgot… (I know, it's really sad…)

I did mention in the first chapter why they separated but it probably was confusing so here it is again. Brock left because of the Dark Shadows and he wanted to protect his family, which he is still doing and Misty left cuz Team rocket kidnapped Daisy and her air headed sisters were hopeless and needed her to get Daisy back. And that left poor little Ash all alone…

Misty with out Togepie is much better than Misty with. You'll notice I did in fact include the little rat but only cuz I was out of idea's on what she should use… (I'm getting really annoyed with my Togepie, I'm just gonna kill it and restart.) Once I figure why they hate each other I'll tell ya. AAML foreva!

I don't know why but I haven't been inspired to write this and the second I forced myself to sit down and write (seeing it HAD been 4 months) I got right back into it. Right now it's long holidays and I feel like writing so hopefully I'll keep writing. I've got everything planned out up to a point, once I get there I'll be screwed but until there I'm fine.

Ja ne!