Halves In Soul

By Timberwolf220

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon. However, the plot is entirely mine.

Chapter Four

Beyond the Veil

'There have been several reports of recurring earthquakes and other natural disasters taking place all throughout the globe. Experts have called from all across the country to discover the origin of this unknown phenomenon. Many theories have been made, but no one can pinpoint the truth. This is Sarah Harrier, reporting live from----.'

The channel was promptly switched.

"Jessie, why did you do that?"

"Sshh!! Here comes the best part!!"

"Not The Bold and the Beautiful!!"

"No!! Ridge!!! Don't fall for her!! She's from the dark side!!!"

"What makes you say that?"

"She's been divorced three times, broke the hearts of five men and she never gains weight!"

James scratched his chin, "Oh."

"Anyway, Ridge is too good for her."

James sighed, "He's just a guy in a show…"

Jessie snapped her eyes from the T.V, "What did you say?" She said a feral gleam in her eyes.

James slowly edged away. Why did he open his big mouth?

Because the author told him to.

(ME: ^____^ James: v___v;;;)

Ash chuckled as he playfully tossed Pikachu up in the air, "You two were meant to be at each other's throats."

They blushed.

"Kin!!"

Ash caught Pikachu before the little yellow mouse hit the ground, "Eien? [1] What is it?"

Eien mumbled something incoherent. Ash furled his brow, "What's wrong?"

Eien straightened himself and said, "Butch wants to challenge you to a sparring match."

James shook his head, "Idiot. He knows that the twerp is ten times the fighter he is."

Ash stood up, "Butch isn't the idiot though. He's up to something…"

Eien scratched his silver blonde hair, "Maybe. He isn't like us, you know…"

His voice trailed off. Ash bent his head, his golden hued eyes hidden from view.

Not fugitives from the law. Not forced to take up this life. Not forced to drag themselves in mud to survive.

Not a murderer…

Eien shrugged, "Are you coming?"

Ash was trapped in his thoughts.

Grab my hand!

You can do it!!

Don't…

"Kin?"

Ash blinked and returned to Earth. Muttering a, 'I'm fine' he followed Eien to the training arena.

Don't…

Cassidy brushed her long hair back from over her face.

She huffed, "Remind me again why you're doing this."

Butch rolled his eyes, "Because I have no choice."

"Oh. That's a pretty good reason."

Butch said nothing. He flexed his muscles. But he couldn't fight the despair that invaded his very being.

Why did the Boss pick him to be the guinea pig?

Cassidy surveyed the arena with pursed lips. Then, she smirked.

"He's here."

Ash entered the arena with Eien, James, Jessie and Pikachu hot on his heels.

Butch tried to put up the façade of calm that helps him in the climax of a pokemon battle.

"Hello Kin," he said his voice neutral.

Ash nodded.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Butch smirked as he launched himself at Ash's feet. Ash flipped easily, allowing Butch to hit the floor hard. Butch got up, his eyes staring unwaveringly into Ash's cider gold.

Then he attacked.

He threw a fine powdery dust into Ash's eyes. Ash yelled as his eyes started to burn.

Butch cocked his head, "Not so tough now are you?"

Ash was struggling. His eyes felt like they were placed on a barbeque platter.

He would have to use his psychic powers if he is to win this match.

He concentrated. It was a blur, and then it started to come into focus.

Come on…

Suddenly, the image appeared in his head. Ash unconsciously grinned.

He could see Butch aiming a punch at him. He blocked it.

"Wha—," Butch couldn't believe. He blocked his punch!! With his eyes shut!!

Oh, he was going to get it…

Ash smirked as he grabbed Butch's wrist and deftly flipped him onto the floor.

HARD.

Ouch.

 He opened his eyes slowly. The burning sensation had faded away. He heard clapping in a corner.

It was Giovanni.

Ash could have killed himself then and there. Giovanni was trying to see if he had unusual abilities. And Butch was being used by Giovanni.

*Lovely Ash. You walked into that like a kid* He cursed himself.

He kept his expression neutral.

"I must congratulate you on your success," Giovanni said humorlessly as he saw Butch struggle to get off the floor.

Ash waited for his boss to make the first move. His golden orbs flickered from the exit to his boss.

Giovanni waved a hand, "You may go Kin."

Ash didn't need a second dismissal. In a flash, Ash vanished.

Giovanni watched Ash disappear. He frowned lightly at Butch, who was still trying to get up.

"We know now for sure."

Butch grimaced, "Are you sure you want to tangle with him? He's a power to be reckoned with. I mean, look at me!"

Giovanni leered, "I too have a power. And Kin better think twice before he refuses my offers."

"Great. Now, can you help me get up already?"

Namida watched Ash enter her room.

"I was wondering how long you would take," She commented, rolling her eyes.

Ash scowled at her, "It's not as easy at it looks."

Although Namida won't admit it, she had grown fond of Ash. He was the only one who didn't treat her as the 'boss's daughter'. She hated that.

Over time, Ash had learned how to rise, create power balls, form illusions and lock minds. He was a quick learner and she was a good teacher.

"So," Ash said as he stretched his body, "What are we doing today?"

"Prediction."

Ash frowned, "Can we really do that?"

Namida nodded, "But it takes a great deal of power. Giovanni comes here every time before he embarks on an expedition, to see what would happen if he left. That way, he doesn't make careless mistakes."

"How come you don't call him father?"

"Because…"

Why didn't she call him father? She knew the answer. Deep down, she knew that it would be like Blasphemy to call him that.

"I don't understand."

Namida snapped her gaze back at him, now angry, "Were you reading my mind?"

Ash shrugged, "It was too plain to see."

Namida's voice had frosted, "Do it again and Giovanni might see your dead body in his office."

Ash said nothing.

Namida waited for an answer. Then she continued, "Prediction is a difficult power and hard to control. You can, at the most, make out vague images and voices."

"How does it work?"

"It works by touch. Everything in this world has a past. Hence, they have a future as well. By sending out psywaves, you can sense that future."

"Can I sense my own future?"

Namida hesitated. This one was tricky.

"It's…possible."

Ash swallowed.

"Show me. Sense my future."

Namida flinched, "Are you sure? There's no guarantee it'll be a happy one."

"I need to know."

She nodded. She touched Ash's forehead and glowed. A piercing silver aura surrounded their bodies. She breathed…

She saw Ash.

And He was waiting for him to come. There wasn't much time. They had to reach Ilex Forest if the world is to be saved.

"I'm here."

He spun around to see a brown haired teen with the most beautiful soul blue eyes he had ever seen.

"Gary." He said.

Gary bent his head slightly, "Ash, are you ok?"

He shook his head, "I was thinking about…"

"'Bout what?"

"My mistakes," He lifted his eyes to meet Gary's cerulean eyes.

Gary's face grew dark, "You can't go blaming yourself forever."

"Why not?" He insisted.

"Because it won't change things. No matter how hard you wish it, it doesn't change things."

Gary gently cupped Ash's face, "I spent my whole life regretting. I refuse to see you waste your life just like I did. There's a future. Count on it."

Namida gasped as the vision faded from her sight. Ash looked at her in concern, "What's the matter? What happened?" He insisted.

"Kin, do you know a boy named…Gary?"

Ash's face paled of all colour.

"You saw Gary?" He said his voice barely above a whisper.

Pikachu noticed that Ash had begun to tremble. Namida saw that as well.

"Kin…"

"Was he…was he alright?"

Namida wondered whether she should tell him.

"Yes," She said, remembering the flames of passion in Gary's sea blue eyes, "Yes, he's fine."

Ritchie pulled the hood over his head.

It had been a long while, but he made it.

He had arrived at Saffron City.

He could feel the vibrations coming out of the building. Finally, his quest was at an end.

Yet, there were unusually high vibrations coming out of the building that…matched the item he was looking for.

Could there be a connection?

It was night and even the shadows had fallen asleep. Ritchie entered the building with no apparent problems. The vibrations grew stronger.

Suddenly, a blast of wind knocked him off his feet.

"Oof!"

He looked up to see a girl with blackish-red hair and vivid green eyes.

The same pair of eyes that were shooting very deadly glares at his direction.

"Who are you? You don't belong here. Go home."

Ritchie smirked. At the back of his hand, he removed two black spheres from his belt.

"I would, but could a beautiful girl like you show me the way?"

Namida narrowed her eyes at him, "Oh, I'll show you the way, all right. How 'bout a one-way ticket to Hell!!!"

Ritchie grinned, infuriating her more "No, I don't think so."

Namida growled as she summoned her powers, "Like I care what you think, Blondie!!"

She had done it now. Ritchie's eyes flashed with undiluted anger, "Don't call me that."

Namida smirked, glad that she had gotten the upper hand in his emotions, "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your poor widdle feelings?"
Ritchie snarled, "When I'm done with you, it won't be me who's hurt!"

Namida sneered back, "I'd like to see you try."

Ritchie smiled and bowed, "As you wish."

Then, he flung the black spheres. They rolled on the floor, releasing…

Namida cursed as her vision was clouded with smoke. He was smarter than she accounted for.

However, not smart enough.

Ritchie had almost made it to the doorway, when a large wind flung him against the way. The smoke cleared away to reveal Namida. Her eyes flashed silver.

Ritchie's voice got stuck in his throat. She was psychic…

Oh, he was in trouble now.

"Namida, wait!!"

Namida turned around, "Kin?"

Ash came huffing and puffing. Ritchie looked at him with interest.

He looked familiar. But he couldn't be…

"What is it Kin? Why did you tell me to stop?" Namida asked, puzzled.

"That's—that's my friend." Ash wheezed.

"How can you be so sure?" Namida asked suspiciously.

"I know him. Ritchie?"

Ritchie jolted. He knew that voice.

"Ash?" He queried.

Ash nodded. Joy filtered into Ritchie's face.

"They said you were dead!!"

"Well, 'they' are apparently wrong," Ash said dryly.

Namida observed the exchange and knew that this was a close friend of Ash.

"Well, I guess I can't kill him," She sighed.

Ash got an evil glint in his eye, "I'll tell you when you need to."

"Hey!" Ritchie chuckled as he jabbed Ash hard.

Footsteps were heard.

Namida gestured to the two teens, "In my room. They won't catch us there."

They nodded, following her.

There was a lot they needed to catch up on.

"How have you been Ritchie?" Ash asked, sipping his tea.

They were in Namida's room. It was the only room which isn't filled with hidden cameras and speakers. Thus, it made it the safest place to talk.

Ritchie leaned back on a very comfy armchair, "I've been…busy."

Namida and Ash shot Ritchie odd looks causing the reddish-blonde to sweatdrop.

Ash cocked an eyebrow, "Busy with what?"

Ritchie's sky blue eyes clouded, "You've heard of the recurring natural disasters?"

Ash nodded.

"I've discovered why they're occurring."

Namida's turquoise eyes flashed, "What is it?"

Ritchie met Namida's gaze, "The forces of nature are withering. The legendary pokemon kept the balance but for some reason the balance is upset."

Ash flinched at the mention of legendary pokemon. He remembered them well. He was one of the few people who knew the truth behind the legend.

Namida noticed Ash's reaction, but kept it to herself.

Ritchie waited for the emphasis to sink in, "Anyway, there is a certain orb of power than contains these forces of nature. We have to release them if the world is to survive."

"So you're here to save the world," Namida sneered.

"Well, I don't see you volunteering," Ritchie shot back.

"Maybe I should, seeing how incompetent you are."

"Incompetent?!! You spoilt brat!!"

"Blondie!!!"

"Don't call me that!!"

Ash sighed. Sometimes Namida can be so childish.

"Namida, cut that out and you too Ritchie. Honestly, you two fight like a married couple," He said wearily.

Ash winced as both Namida and Ritchie sent two deadly glares at his direction.

Ash tried changing the topic, "What is this orb called? Is it here?"

Ritchie nodded, "It's here. But I don't know what it's called. Some real old name…"

Namida shook her head, "I don't remember sensing this orb if it has that much power."

Ritchie shrugged, "That's funny because I did. I guess you're not that powerful after all."

Namida glared, "Take that back Blondie!!!"

It was Ritchie's turn to glare, "Don't call me that!!"

"Blondie!! Blondie!!!"

"Shut up!!!"

Ash sighed, "And to think he wants to save the world."

ME: *panting* Done!!!

CS: 'Bout time too.

CT: Reviewers receive—

ME: Smoke bombs!!!

CS: Used for escaping detention and classes.

CT: *pockets the smoke bombs* Review!!!!

[1] Eien: Everlasting; Eternal.