Chapter 5: Christmas with the Waterflowers
Ashura, as usual wakes up early in the morning at sunrise. He went to the restroom to clean himself off and put on his clothes. Ashura slowly stepped in the house, for most of the normal residents were still asleep. After a long tedious duel with the doorknob with two broken arms, Ashura went outside to catch the morning breeze, crisp and refreshing. He knew he and Pikachu couldn't stay much longer with Misty Jr. or Bryan. He figured they would slow him down, but yet, something in him prevented him from just leaving. He couldn't figure out what. Ashura looked at the amulet necklace around his neck. There was something strange about his object. It showed him visions of another boy who looked exactly like him. Ashura had no clue of how he was related to the boy, but figured that the amulet will give him more answers with time. Ashura sat down and let the cooling morning air fill him again and relaxed his thoughts. He closed his eyes and wondered what lay ahead of him on his journey.
"What to do next? I feel like going to a place called Cerulean City, but something feels strange." Ashura thought, with a cold presence lurking in his mind. "There's something there, like I know it and deeply connected to it somehow, but what? It's the same feeling as when I entered Pewter. There's someone there connected to me somehow." Ashura sat there for hours, pondering about his weird gut feeling. Then, his thoughts were interrupted with Pikachu jumping onto his shoulder. Ashura pushed himself up with his legs and went inside, following a good-tasting aroma.
"Hey, come on in! Bryan's cooking breakfast now!" Misty Jr. greeted him and showed him to the kitchen. On the table were dishes of gourmet breakfast food, scrambled eggs, bacon, blended fruit juice, and other delicious looking cuisine.
"Are you sure this is edible? I have never seen food like this before." Ashura and Pikachu sniffed the aroma coming from the table. Pikachu was convinced enough and dove in; munching on whatever food his little arms can reach.
"There's kind of a problem. I can't use my hands and well, that food looks disgusting, no offense Bryan."
"None taken, but you're the very first person to ever resist my cooking, especially recipes from my grandfather." Bryan said as he dove into his own creations with Misty Jr.
"I'm not very hungry anyways. Pikachu finish up, we're leaving soon." Ashura said and walked to the door. Pikachu paid no attention and continued on with munching.
"What's the rush? It's not like something bad is on its way." Bryan said, while chewing on some bacon.
"Yes, there is its snow." Ashura said, growling a bit.
"Snow? I love the snow! How do you know that it's coming?" Misty Jr. asked him.
"I can smell it in the air, the cool crisp smell. It brings disaster for me." Ashura looked angrily at the sky through a window.
"How? Snow is wonderful!" Misty Jr. said, prancing around the room and pretending making snow angels.
"You have your little fun. Pikachu and I need to get to the next city before the snow sets in." Ashura nudged Pikachu to come, but Pikachu paid no attention and continued feasting until the table was wiped clean of food. Then, Pikachu lay back with a full, plumped, and content belly.
"Well, aren't you the cutest thing?" Misty Jr. then tickled Pikachu's fat belly, making it laugh out.
"Argh! Pikachu isn't a cute play thing to mess around with! Show her with a Thunderbolt." Ashura commanded and Pikachu listened, but not the way Ashura had in mind. Pikachu shocked Ashura with a thunderbolt, charbroiling him.
"Pikachu! You know how many times you shocked me when I asked you to demonstrate! You're supposed to use it on her!" Ashura ordered and Pikachu listened again, shocking Misty Jr. this time. She puffed smoke and fell over.
"Hey! That wasn't nice!" Misty got up fuming with rage. "I'll show you pain!" Misty Jr. then reached into her backpack next to her and pulled the mallet out, smashing Ashura right in the face.
"You know, that doesn't actually hurt me physically?" Ashura smirked while his face was under the mallet.
"This isn't fair! Damn you!" Misty Jr. shouted at him.
"Certain pokemon attacks and gun shots hurt though." Ashura added. "That doesn't matter, right now, Pikachu and I need to go. Come on Pikachu." Ashura gestured and Pikachu solemnly followed him.
"You can't just leave us again! You need help to get through this journey!" Misty Jr. shouted at him. "Especially handicapped like that."
"She's right Ashura." Bryan added. "That's why I phoned my grandfather. He's coming back from his business trip and allowed me to follow along you too. Just to make sure nothing happens." Bryan said and grabbed his backpack under the kitchen table.
"Whatever, the faster we get to the next city, the faster I'll figure out what these visions mean." Ashura growled and gestured Pikachu to help him open the door. The little pokemon had the capability of reaching the doorknob through jumping, but was unable to turn it.
"Let me help." Bryan requested and opened the door for him. Ashura nodded at him, and Pikachu and Ashura left.
"He left already? Can't he just relax for once?" Misty Jr. sighed, and Bryan and she followed him.
Misty Jr. and Bryan soon got up with him and Pikachu. They walked a good part of the day across the route to the next city. Soon, they reached an impediment, Mt. Moon. It was exactly a mountain anymore however.
"Ah yes, Mt. Moon, it means we're close to the next city." Bryan announced, putting his map away into his backpack.
"Hmmm, it doesn't look like much of a mountain to me." Ashura said looking at the low, rising lump of land.
"That's because of meteor a long time ago colliding into the mountain. It decimated much of the mountain and made a road across this area, cutting the travel time by half." Bryan explained.
"Darn it, I hoped we get there later than sooner." Misty Jr. mumbled.
"What was that?" Bryan asked.
"Nothing, it's just getting a bit chilly." Misty Jr. said, rubbing her arms.
"Look, I know why you don't what to go, but it's the holiday season. What better way is there to spend the holidays with your family?" Bryan said.
"…family…" Ashura serious face turned solemn and gloomy. Pikachu noticed this and nuzzled his face, but making him less happy.
Ashura turned away and walked quickly towards Mt. Moon. Misty Jr. and Bryan looked at him and kept pace. After walking through the long crater, they reached the other side with Cerulean City in the visible distance.
"Good, we're almost there." Ashura mumbled.
"Well, if you didn't walk so fast, we would have taken about three more days. How do you go so fast without getting tired? What's the rush?" Misty Jr. huffed.
"If you're too tired to keep up with me, then don't follow me. I can go faster, but I was waiting for both of you. You'll only slow Pikachu and me down." Ashura glared angrily at them.
"All you thing about is yourself Ashura! Can't you see your friends are too tired?" Misty Jr. pointed at Bryan lying face down, huffing and puffing.
"Do you want to get suck in the snow? You'll be frozen." Ashura shouted at her.
"I don't have to worry." Misty Jr. pulled out two big puffy jackets from her tiny backpack. "I got these from Bryan's home."
"Doesn't matter. I'm going to get to the next city in time. Stay here if you like." Ashura and Pikachu were just about to leave, when an old friend of Misty's arrives.
"Hi! Misty!" The pony-tail, blond hair girl exclaimed.
"Hey Pauline!" The two old friends then ran up and hugged each other.
"Who's this person?" Ashura asked Bryan.
"Oh, Pauline? She went to summer camp with Misty and they were the best of friends. She also beat me in a gym battle. I'm really losing a lot these days." Bryan explained and Ashura nodded.
"Hey Bryan! Long time no see either!" Pauline high-five Bryan. "And who do we have here?" Pauline asked Misty Jr.
"Oh, he's Ashura. Don't mind the casts on his arms though, he got into many accidents." Misty Jr. explained.
"So, we have a big tough guy on our hands." Pauline said sarcastically, and whispered something into Misty's ear, leaving a blank look on Ashura's, Pikachu's, and Bryan's face.
"He's not my boyfriend. Why does everyone think that?" Misty Jr. whispered back into Pauline's ear.
"Well, he's a real snag, even with those casts on. If he's single…" An evil grin appeared, making Ashura give an even more clueless face. Pauline then giggled.
"You really need to stop thinking about guys. Even in summer camp you never stopped talking about them." Misty Jr. sighed.
"Then let's have a battle!" Pauline announced, shocking everyone except Ashura, retaining his aloof manner. "It'll be a double battle since we have four trainers here. I call Ashura." Pauline pointed at him and grabbed his arm, claiming him.
"Fine, I got Bryan as my partner. Let's battle." Misty Jr. said and they all got into positions.
Misty Jr. called out Squirtle and Bryan called out Onix. Pauline sent out her starter Charmander and Ashura sent Pikachu. Onix went first with a Rock Throw, slamming its tail at Pikachu, but Pikachu disappeared into thin air. Onix looked around, unable to locate the Pikachu, then Charmander scratched Squirtle. Squirtle retaliated by withdrawing into its shell. Charmander then backed off. Squirtle popped out and fired a bubble at Charmander.
"Pikachu, save Charmander." Pikachu reappeared and knocked Charmander out of the way. Then disappeared with lightning speed.
"Wow, your Pikachu is really, really fast." Pauline complemented.
"This isn't good; I knew his Pikachu was fast, but not this fast. It's almost like its past level 100." Bryan face flared up as he frustrated not being about to locate the fast poke on.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt." Ashura ordered and Pikachu then reappeared behind Squirtle, shocking it with its powerful attack. Then scurried away, leaving a fainted Squirtle in its wake.
"Alright! Misty's Squirtle is out." Pauline clenched her fist. "Charmander! Ember!" Charmander then fired flaming pellets at Onix. Onix felt none of it and slammed its tail on Charmander, but was his tail was stopped. Under it was Pikachu holding the tail up with both its small paws and threw Onix away.
"Thanks Ashura. Charmander finish it with Metal Claw!" Pauline commanded and Charmander clawed Onix, defeating it.
"Wow, good battle." Bryan congratulated and recalled his Onix. Misty Jr. recalled her Squirtle and Pauline recalled her Charmander.
"Ashura! You're the best partner there is." Pauline then hugged Ashura's arm. Ashura and Pikachu gave a blank stare at each other and looked at Pauline. "Let's go to Cerulean! Your sister is waiting to be defeated Misty!" Pauline exclaimed and dragged Ashura with Pikachu on his shoulder. Misty Jr. and Bryan, once again had to keep up with Ashura. They soon reached the city limits of Cerulean where Pauline slowed down.
"Ashura? How long have you had those casts on?" Pauline asked him, while clenching on his arm, but received no answer. "The hard-to-get type, that just makes things better." Pauline thought. She then picked at a cast. Ashura gripped his fist, contracting his muscles, and the casts shattered, revealing a pretty muscular arm for an eleven-year old. "This guy works out, which makes matters a lot better." Pauline leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Show off! Why is Ashura letting her act this way?" Misty Jr. said, steaming up, walking behind them with Bryan. "I rather go up there and give her a taste of my mallet."
"Calm down, Ashura is just clueless when someone likes him this way and doesn't know how to react." Bryan explained.
"Then how come he doesn't act this way when we're around him? He just argues with us." Misty Jr. pointed out.
"I don't know?" Bryan rubbed his chin. Then something fell on his head and he looked up. The snow had begun to fall.
"Darn it, the snow has arrived." Ashura mumbled and let go of Pauline and raced into town at top speed with Pikachu.
"He runs fast, but what for? It's just snow." Pauline thought and Misty Jr. and Bryan caught up with her.
Ashura soon lost them, and was deep inside town. Pikachu then got off his shoulder and pranced around in the snow. Ashura however gave him an incensed look. "He doesn't remember what happened all those years ago, but I surely do and I hate this snow and these people going around, shopping. This season sickens me." Ashura looked around at the bustling streets of downtown. Shoppers were lining up everywhere the winter sales. He and placed Pikachu on his shoulder and continued on the crowded streets.
"Where is he?" Pauline searched the bustling streets.
"Why do you want him so badly?" Misty Jr. asked her desperate-looking friend.
"Why do you think? He's the catch of the century! He's a tough, hard-to-get, muscular type!" Pauline told her. "I'm surprised you haven't tried anything yet."
"Me? No way!" Misty Jr. giggled back.
"I guess you're right." Pauline and Misty Jr. then laughed together. Bryan returned and found Ashura. Misty Jr. and Pauline followed him and found Ashura on a bench, all alone in the snowy setting. Tears were rolling down his eyes, as he was petting Pikachu.
"What's wrong?" Misty Jr. asked him consolably, but received no reply.
"Come on you can tell us!" Pauline demanded him, but Ashura turned his face away.
"We'll catch a cold if we stay out here too long." Bryan said, rubbing his arms.
"Go away…" Ashura muttered out. "You wouldn't understand."
"Understand what? Tell us." Misty Jr. sat down beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"I said Go! None of you will understand!" Ashura shouted at them, and Brock and Pauline went off, but Misty Jr. remained there.
"You know, you try to act all tough on the outside, but deep inside, you're scared, confused and hurt. Just like me." Misty Jr. told him and Ashura turned his head around, looking down on his Pikachu. Pikachu was focusing on Misty's tears rolling down her eyes. "I lost my father, not too long ago. He went somewhere for a trip and got lost. I never saw him again. I was only eight years old." Tears flowed more rapidly from her eyes. Pikachu held its finger out and caught the tears.
"Lucky for you." Ashura said harshly. "You actually have family that cares for you. I have none of that. I have nothing except the clothes on my back. That's also why I hate the snow and this season. I lost my grandfather around this time. He wasn't my actual blood-relative, but he took care of me. He made me stronger, taught me self-defense to survive out in the cold, unforgiving world. My grandfather had no family of his own and also was old. His time was up and he died, when I was five. My Pikachu, a Pichu back then, was my only companion. Pikachu took care of me and help raise me. He was there since as long as I can remember. I never put him in a pokeball because he's my protector and doesn't deserve that." Ashura finished his tale and Pikachu ran up onto his shoulder, nuzzled his face. Misty Jr. smiled and got up.
"Thanks for sharing that. That's a pretty big secret. I won't tell anyone, promise." Misty Jr. said and walked away. Pikachu then gave Ashura a weird look.
"Pikachu, I know that wasn't the whole story, but if I ever told anyone the true story. She'll lock me away, just like everyone else before." Ashura gripped his fists and got up, with Pikachu still on his shoulder and followed Misty Jr. He soon found her outside a pretty large building with a Dewgong picture on it.
"Where are we?" Ashura asked her.
"This is my home, the Cerulean Gym." Misty Jr. told him and was greeted by Pauline. However, Pauline just brushed against her and turned around.
"You and I are rivals from now on, and not only on the battlefield Misty!" Pauline turned and strutted away.
"What's her problem?" Misty Jr. looked at her blankly. Ashura shook his head and Misty Jr. entered. Ashura however, stood outside, staring at the gym building. It seemed, somehow that he once was here, and the feeling wasn't good. Ashura hesitated a bit and started stepping backwards. "What's wrong? Don't you like my home? I know it's a little imposing, but it's still a house, just very big with a built-in swimming pool."
"It's not that, but something's not right, and it feels like it's driving me away." Ashura backed away some more, even Pikachu's fur was standing on end.
"My house, it's an object, not alive. Come on in, I can smell Bryan's stew cooking right now." Misty Jr. dragged him in, and the alluring aroma kept Ashura and Pikachu inside. Ashura and Pikachu followed the scent to the kitchen, where Bryan seemed to be in a trace will serving another blond hair girl at the table.
"Hey little sis!" The blond girl ran up and hugged Misty Jr.
"It's so good to see you Dannie!" Misty Jr. returned the embrace. "Ashura, meet my older sister, Dannie."
"So, another trainer who wants to beat me? You're lucky you have a Pikachu with you. You look familiar somehow…" Dannie slowly walked around Ashura and Pikachu, examining them. "Wait I remember!" Dannie left and returned with an old photograph. "You look exactly like this guy with grandmother when she was younger." Ashura looked more closely at the picture, and realized that it was the same boy from his visions. He also had a Pikachu in the picture, just like Ashura.
"Imp…Impossible…" Ashura muttered out. When Pikachu looked at the photo, its jaw just gapped open.
"This is a really weird turn of events." Dannie blurted out. "Well, I guess you can stay. It's getting cold outside and I would like my next opponent to be fit and ready."
"Big sis? What's going on?" A younger boy, with brown spiky hair came done the stairs. He appeared to between Dannie's age, fifteen, and Misty's age, ten. "Who's this guy? Don't tell me he's another suitor." The young boy stepped in between Ashura and Dannie.
"Don't worry Greg. He's not like Bryan. He's my friend Ashura." Misty Jr. told him, but Greg still angrily stared at Ashura. Ashura also angrily glared. Something about Greg flared an intense rage in Ashura.
"Enough!" A red-orange hair woman in her mid-ages shouted. The room then settled down except Ashura, who still angrily glared at Greg. "Who is this boy?" The woman demanded.
"This is Ashura, mom." Misty Jr. told her mother.
"Ashura…no…" The woman softly muttered. Her face stiffened with fear and anger as she examined the very familiar looking boy. "Get out of my house now!"
"What! You can't just kick out a guest mom!" Dannie and Greg argued.
"I'm your mother and I know what's best for you! Escort him out will you please?" Their mother demanded and Dannie obeyed.
"I'm really sorry. I don't know what's gotten into my mom." Misty Jr. said.
"Don't worry; I know when I'm not wanted around. I have felt rejection enough before." Ashura motioned Dannie not to get close and he escorted Pikachu and himself out.
"That wasn't a very nice thing to do." Bryan awoke from his trace and lectured the mother.
"You do not know the history of this, kids. That boy is a dangerous freak of nature. Mother, father, come here quick! I have something urgent to tell you." The mother called out. An old lady with a walking support and an old man in an electronic wheel chair entered the kitchen.
"What is it Ashley dear?" The old woman asked her daughter, Ashley Ketchum Waterflower.
"Misty, mom, you know who has returned." The old man and woman then gasped in horrification.
"Grandma, grandpa, what's wrong? Who has returned?" Misty Jr. asked her grandmother Misty.
"This doesn't concern you, kids; please go to the living room. We need help with the decorations with the Christmas tree." The old grandfather requested.
"No! Mr. Gary sir, you need to tell us what's going on. Your daughter just sent a friend of your granddaughter's out into the cold. I don't think my grandfather will like this when he gets here for the Christmas celebration." Bryan informed the grandfather, Gary.
"Don't worry. I'm sure your grandfather, Brock, will understand with these circumstances." Gary said and dismissed the kids to the living room.
Ashura and Pikachu sat gloomily outside of the nice, warm gym. The cold wasn't anything he wasn't used to, for there was no insulation in his old home, but the fact that he was rejected by a friend's family, just like everyone else rejecting him now. Passer-by's gave evil glares and ominous taunts at Ashura, sitting alone in the cold next to the gym. Ashura got up and walked around to the side of the gym. Looking through a window, Ashura and Pikachu saw the Misty Jr., Bryan, Dannie, and Gary merrily laughing around a tree in the middle of the living room. Ashura's fierce anger intensely flamed, like an oil spill on fire. Then he noticed a deceit-sized rock nearby. After the window crashed, Misty Jr. ran to the broken window and saw two lone shadows making their escape.
Ashura and Pikachu continued to run; knowing that was a mistake, but the intense impulses going through Ashura's head at the time led him to do it. "Why did I trust her, or even him? I shouldn't have listened to my gut and left. Darn it." Ashura thought as he continued running. "Bryan, you loveless dope and Misty, you heir to a horrific family, damn you all!" Ashura's anger boiled and his speed hastened, leaving Pikachu behind. Ashura past many bustling people in his path along the way. "All you people with great lives, celebrating Christmas, screw it! I never had a Christmas for six years and all of you are mocking me with your stupid shopping!" Ashura slowed down and stopped for Pikachu. He stood alone in the middle of town, with white, glittery snow falling above. "Snow, how I despise you." Ashura thought. "You made my life a living hell during winter. With no insulation, my home was a freezer and no food was available." Ashura clamped some snowflakes in his palm. "You forced me to go into town to get what little food I could get with my small amount of cash my grandfather gave me. There, everyone ignored or flicked me off. Even at the stores I couldn't get good food because of your stupid prices." Ashura then sat on a bench and Pikachu jumped onto his lap. "I guess I stay here until tomorrow, where I can then battle for that badge. Wait! I'll do it right now!" Ashura got up and carried Pikachu the long road back to the gym. Once he arrived, Ashura saw them have a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Anger then fumed from his head and Ashura knocked down the door with a forceful kick.
"Alright Misty's mom! If you want me to go, then I'll battle the leader of this gym for that badge right here and now." Ashura announced.
"Do you really what a battle now? It's Christmas Eve. You some something to eat?" Misty Jr. answered.
"Christmas! I give a damn! If you want me out, battle me right now!" Ashura said angrily that seemed to shake the house. Anger, rage, and hate filled Ashura's face. Pikachu seemed to be agitated by its master's actions as well.
"Okay Dannie, battle him, and use your strongest pokemon from our gym." Their mother answered. Dannie reluctantly obeyed and entered the large swimming pool battlefield.
Ashura started with his one and only Pikachu. Pikachu hopped onto the floating rubber rafts. Dannie started with her grandmother's Gyarados and the giant aqua-serpent pokemon raged onto the water-filled field. Gyarados started with Twister causing cyclones of water whipping in the water. However, Pikachu's lightning speed evaded all the twisters crashing at him. Gyarados attacked again with Surf. An enormous Tidal Wave formed and raced at Pikachu. Pikachu leaped from raft to raft, taking the wave head on. With a powerful electrical charge, Pikachu destroyed the tidal wave. Dannie, getting frustrated, ordered Gyarados launch its most powerful attack, Hyper Beam. Gyarados began charging the energy for the assault, but Pikachu attacked first with a Thunder, taking out the enormous serpent.
Dannie returned Gyarados and called out another one of her grandmother's pokemon, Kingdra. The dragon sea horse pokemon swam into battle. Ashura knew Kingdra's resistance to electrical attack, so Ashura ordered Pikachu to launch powerful sets of Quick Attack mixed with Agility. Pikachu ran at an unprecedented speed, even out running the incredibly fast Kingdra. Kingdra soon grew tired from trying to keep up with Pikachu, and Pikachu finished the exhausted sea horse with a full speed Quick Attack, sending Kingdra crashing through the gym wall.
"This is not good." Dannie thought. "This little power-packed Pikachu took out two of the most powerful pokemon in this gym without breaking a sweat. That little pokemon is not tired at all." Dannie squint her eyes at her opponent and called out her final pokemon, her grandfather's Blastoise. The giant turtle pokemon landed on a raft, causing waves to form as it landed.
"This pokemon looks strong, really strong, but its time to finish this off for good." A yellow flare appeared in Ashura's eyes. The skies then began to crackle with lighting and the sound of thunder.
"Oh no, he's using an attack from the past, and one of his most powerful." Misty, the original one, contemplated. "However, something's wrong. This kid, he looks like the man I once knew from a long time ago, and not the man that I liked. He acts like the one that we had to outcast for the sake of the world. I just hope this Ashura kid hasn't come back to haunt us."
"Let's get this final battle going Ashura! Blastoise Hydro Cannon!" Dannie commanded the most powerful water attack, which was sometimes known as the elemental hyper beam. Blastoise aimed its back cannons at Pikachu and water energy began to charge.
"This battle is over." Ashura softly murmured. He lifted his head up and opened in his eyes, completely glowing with a yellow flare. "Pikachu! Send that Blastoise out of the sky! RAIJENGEKI!" Pikachu's body surged with electricity flaming everywhere. The electricity delved into the gym floor, causing many deep furrows. Water in the pool swirled around the electrical energy Pikachu was emitting. Then, he fired the all powerful electrical beam attack at Blastoise. Blastoise intercepted the beam with the Hydro Cannon, but the water attack acted as a trial and led the attack straight to Blastoise, and the beam exploded on impact. After the smoke cleared, the aftermath revealed a much dismantled gym and a very injured Blastoise. All the eye witnesses of this battle quaked in their shoes, seeing the great intensity of the rage of Ashura.
"So, this kid truly is the reincarnation of the man I once knew." Misty, the old grandmother, thought in her head. "He may not remember his past, but his power is still devastating through his Pikachu. I can assume than that this pokemon is also the reincarnation of its predecessor."
"Great battle! I can't believe how easily you beat me or how much you dismantled the gym. Claim your prize, the Cascade badge." Dannie walked up the side of the gym up to Ashura. Pikachu ran up onto Ashura's shoulders. Ashura snatched the Cascade badge from Dannie. Then, a weird glowing shape appeared under his shirt and Ashura pulled out the amulet. It was glowing again, just like when he received the Boulder Badge. Ashura then stood completely still, staring into space, not even blinking.
"This amulet, I have seen it before." The old Misty gasped and held the amulet in her hands, while Ashura was having another memory vision.
"Gah! Get off!" Ashura snapped back to reality and knocked the older Misty's hand away. "I don't have time to waste with you. I'll keep my promise and leave, since I won the badge." Ashura walked away with Pikachu on his shoulder. He then stopped by Misty Jr.'s side.
"If you want to beat your sister, then you'll need a lot more training with the level of pokemon she used today. This is the last advice I can give you. See yah later, until it'll be our turn to battle." Pikachu waved good bye as Ashura left.
"Oh well, good bye, and Merry Christmas!" Misty Jr. waved good bye.
"Merry indeed, feh." Ashura muttered and quickened his pace down the snowy road, out of the city.
Back inside the gym, Misty Jr.'s family and Bryan Slate returned to the special dinner. The family was merrily passing around the food, until an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Grandpapa!" Bryan exclaimed. The very old Brock placed his coat on his chair and took a seat at the table.
"Hello everyone, it has been awhile." Brock smiled and took some food.
"Yes it has." The grandma Misty said. "So you're back from your business trip."
"Yeah, I guess I can give Bryan here a chance to see the world, and maybe find some girls." Brock snickered, making his grandson slump. "Oh, I almost forgot. Your presents are in the car kids." Dannie and Greg got and up and ran to the car, but Misty Jr. remained on the table.
"What's wrong with her Bryan?" Brock asked his grandson.
"Um, a friend was forced out of this house by her mom and grandparents. But, I'm not sure why." Bryan sighed.
"Who is this friend?" Brock asked.
"His name was Ashura. He's the only friend Misty Jr. made on her own personality, not because of pity." Bryan answered.
"What does he look like!" Brock suddenly burst out.
"Hold on Grandpapa! He looks like the guy in the picture on the counter." Bryan pointed to the photo and Brock examined it. Brock began to sweat once he looked at the picture.
"I don't blame them for kicking him out. Bryan, when you're older, I'll tell you the dangerous history of this young boy, but all I can tell you is that, his name was Ash." Brock hoarsely choked out.
"What's wrong with this Ash guy? Is he somehow related to Ashura?" Bryan asked.
"Don't worry, just go and join up with the Waterflowers. Also, bring Misty Jr. with you. Tell her that there's nothing to be sad about." Brock ordered, and Bryan listened. "So, he has returned, not in the form I expected, but hopefully, he's not as powerful as before."
Brock contemplated on this thought. Meanwhile, Ashura and Pikachu were curled up in the cold outside of town. Ashura still angry and slightly confused of what happened at the Cerulean Gym. Ashura took out his newly won badge and recollected the vision he say when he received the badge.
"Hmmm…one day Misty Jr., I know we'll have to battle each other in a very heated battle." Ashura slightly smirked. "Until then, train hard, you'll need it. Oh yeah, Merry Christmas."
To be Continued…
Sorry it took so long to update, stupid school work. I hope you all like this chapter. Too bad Ashura got kicked out. If you viewers what a better explanation why, then look at my other story around the middle chapters. But the connection between this story and the other one will be revealed later. Please R&R. Here are some character illustrations to help viewers get a better handle on the characters.
Ashura and Pikachu
Age: 11
Description: Ashura is a young boy from a hidden cottage. Pikachu is his pokemon companion that lived with Ashura since the beginning. Both found at birth alone, with no family, a compassionate old man found and raised them, until he died. Then both of them had to learn how to survive on their own. Ashura starts his journey with a determination to find out about his past. Also, he's determined to win with only his companion, Pikachu, and no other pokemon. Ashura's history is pretty vague. Ashura is yet somehow related to Ash Ketchum, after Ash's unknown disappearance several years ago. Ashura and Pikachu to have a weird, inhuman strength and abiltiy. Ashura wears around his neck the soul amulet that once belonged to Ash Ketchum (from previous story). The amulet gives visions of the past whenever he gets significantly close to his past. He also sports white gloves and boots, with yellow tips on the boots. Ashura wears orange T-shirt, with a blue, sleeveless shirt over it. Also he wears black vest with orange ruffles on his sleeve-openings and on the neck opening and running down the zipper part. Ashura wears white sweatpants tied to his waist with a blue sash. (basically Gogeta's vest and pants mixed with Vegito's gloves, boots, and shirt. DBZ and DBGT are the best shows ever made!)
Misty Jr. Waterflower
Age: 10
Description: Misty Jr. comes from a long heritage of gym leaders, with Misty, the previous Cerulean Gym leader, and Gary Oak, the previous Viridian Gym leader, as her grandparents. Her mother is Ashley (character from previous story), and her father is dead. She began her journey to become the best water pokemon trainer, just like her ancestors, and starts off with Squirtle. Misty Jr. starts this journey off to prove that she is the best, since she is the youngest, and her sister and brother are gym leaders. She wears yellow tank-top and long blue jeans.
Bryan Slate
Age: 12
Description: Bryan Slate also comes from a long heritage of gym leaders, with his grandfather Brock. He specializes in rock-type pokemon, with Larvitar, Bronsly, Geodude, and Onix. Bryan replaced Brock as gym leader until Brock returned from his business trip. Now Bryan is free to travel and see the world. Brock wears green hiker vest, brown shirt, and orange pants.