AUTHOR'S NOTES: And now we come to the (much anticipated?) chapter where the butt kicking begins. The wait is officially over for those of you who want action. As for those who want more AAML scenes, I promise there will be more. Now give me some feedback people! I want to hear what you think, no matter what it is you think.
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Through Azeroth – Chapter 10
Written by daBOSS
No, this could not be home.
Ash and Misty glanced at the environment surrounding them. It was definitely Pummelo Island, the same island they arrived on days ago for their honeymoon, yet while the land remained stable, the skies above and the seas around were not. Dark storm clouds raged violently from the once crystal blue sky, shading away any signs of the sun. Gigantic waves crashed mercilessly against the rocky cliffs almost as if trying to tear the land apart, and a rise in the tide had completely inundated the nearby beach that was almost always packed with tourists. It did not take a trained eye to realize that this was no regular weather pattern that swept through another tropical climate zone. These conditions only lived in nightmares.
The last members of the thousand-strong volunteer army from Azeroth exited the portal, gasping with the same shock as the Pokémon trainers. Thrall and Jaina ordered the portal destroyed and the dust collected, severing the link between the new world and Azeroth for the time being.
"The Legion is definitely here," uttered Thrall. "The spirits of this world are restless. I can taste the taint of demon-spawned corruption is in the air."
"I hope we're not too late," said Ash.
"There they are! Ash! Misty!" a voice suddenly hollered from somewhere off in the distance.
Every head jolted toward the voice and noticed a small group of people dashing toward the cliffs where they were all standing. Four of them were the most familiar faces to Ash aside from his wife: his mother, Brock, May, and Max, accompanied by Pummelo Island's Officer Jenny. Pikachu was with them and wasted no time leaping into Ash's arms.
"Oh my goodness, you're all right!" Delia cried with relief.
"It's good to see you too Mom, but why are you here?" asked Ash.
"I'm here looking for you!" she exclaimed. "Where have you been, young man?"
Ash's hand flew to the back of his head, the same gesture he always made out of nervousness. "Uh, it's a long story," he answered. "A few days ago, Misty and I were transported through a portal to another world. We…"
"A few days ago?" quizzed Brock in disbelief. "Ash, you and Misty have been missing for three weeks!"
"What?" Misty interjected.
"Yes, the hotel called your mother three weeks ago and said you hadn't checked back into your rooms for two nights," explained Officer Jenny.
"How can that be? Misty and I only saw a few days pass on Azeroth…"
"Azeroth?" stated Delia with the same confused expression on everyone else's faces.
"I can explain that Ash," Jaina spoke up for the first time. "You see, time passes at different rates in different worlds. A day on Azeroth could be a second or a full month elsewhere. For the average living individual, time is nothing more than a constant ticking of the clock, but in actuality, time is a phenomenon that's as chaotic and disorderly as the universe's natural state itself."
Jenny was quick to step in between everyone, noticing the oddly dressed woman and the army she seemed to be leading.
"Who might you be?" she sternly directed her inquiry.
"I'm Lady Jaina Proudmoore," the sorceress replied. "I come from the world of Azeroth, where Ash and Misty were transported weeks ago through a portal that opened at this very spot."
"They're friends," Ash quickly added, knowing that Jenny would either interrogate the newcomers to death or throw the book at them. "They're here to help us."
The young Pokémon master watched his mother and friends eye the thousand-man army with the same surprised looks he had upon first glance of the bizarre humanoids. Then again, it's hard to imagine someone who wouldn't, having never seen such strange creatures before, let alone in such a large number.
"I don't know what you're up to young man," said Jenny, "Even if you are a Pokémon master, I can't just let you go with nothing for bringing in an entire army."
"Yes, Ash, what is this all about?" his mother asked, not hiding the rising anger in her voice.
"It really is a long story," Misty answered for her husband. "We'll tell you when we can. Right now, please trust us when we say that they are all here to help us."
The cliff was silent for a few moments, aside from the stormy clouds and thrashing waves, while everyone engaged themselves in their own thoughts.
"All right Ash," Jenny finally spoke up. "Since I know you and you are a very dependable individual, I'll trust you for now. However, don't test me or any of the other police officers; if any one of these guys makes one false move, I'm holding you responsible. We have enough problems to deal with already."
Ash only had time to nod when Jenny's radio called out to her. She listened to the police orders coming from the other side before giving a huge sigh and delivering her response.
"Not again," Jenny cringed once the dispatcher hung up. "Lavender Town has fallen under Team Rocket control."
Everyone gasped.
"That's all of Eastern Kanto," the officer cringed. "We can't figure out how they're striking so quickly."
"Wait a minute, what's going on here?" Misty interrupted. "We're gone for only three weeks and Team Rocket has half a continent?"
"Believe me, you're not the only one surprised," Max spoke for the first time. "They seized Fuchsia overnight last week and then took every town one by one up the coast."
"And this time, they're not just stealing Pokémon," May added. "They're massacring the populations of each town they take."
"To say we're all shocked by this sudden assault is an understatement," Brock commented. "Kanto isn't safe anymore, which is why all of us are here right now. There's no telling where they'll strike next."
"I'm not quite sure it's safe here either," Jenny cut in. "Boaters have been reporting sightings of odd creatures beginning to populate a few of the Orange Islands. None have gotten a solid look at them, but they say their silhouettes look almost demonic."
Jenny's final word clanged a huge cord with Ash, Misty, and the Azeroth population.
"Did you say demonic?" Thrall asked, jumping to his feet.
"Yes, demonic," Jenny confirmed. "Why? Do you know something about them?"
"It's the Legion," Ash remarked. "The Burning Legion is here. Jenny, which islands have they been seen on?"
Jenny gave Ash a confused stare. "Who…what…? Ash, if you're thinking of battling, you need to forget about it. They have some sort of strange power that keeps everyone away."
"Jenny, Mom, you guys, listen up," said Ash, now voicing himself in a stern and declaring tone. "We need to contain those demons now or the whole world is finished. They come from across the universe, as a part of a large army known as the Burning Legion." He turned toward Thrall and Jaina. "These friends I've brought from Azeroth have dealt with the Legion for generations. They've volunteered to come and help save our world."
The words slowly seeped their way into the minds of the quintet. All showed a number of expressions that went by rather quickly.
"Ash, we realize that supernatural beings and powers could possibly exist," Brock finally spoke up, "but it's hard to believe that there's actually an army of demons sent in from outer space to kill us."
"Yet it's true," Jaina calmly responded. "The Burning Legion is known to travel from world to world, destroying all forms of order and harmony and leaving the universe in flames. They've been after our world for over ten thousand years. They've destroyed and corrupted a large portion of it. It was only a matter of time before they discovered your world, and I'm afraid the time is now."
"Misty and I have seen those demons up close and personal as well," added Ash. "We had a near death encounter, so we know it's true."
The others paused for a few moments, trying to digest the large amount of new information. Ash could understand what they were going through, self-consciously admitting that he would feel the same way if he were in their position.
"Hmm, I could let you go check them out," Jenny finally spoke up. "But no one we've known has any power to get near them. Everyone's Pokémon have been brought down before they could get within attacking range."
"We know how to break through," declared Thrall. "We've fought their kind far too many times to count."
Officer Jenny stood and pondered for nearly a minute while everyone awaited her answer.
"Okay, I'll let you handle them Ash," she said at last. "You have my authority to deal with them as you see fit."
"Thanks a ton Officer Jenny, we won't let you down!" Ash exclaimed. "Now which islands have they started appearing on?"
"Our radar detects that they've spread to Mandarin and Pinkin Islands," Jenny informed. "However, the source of the spread seems to be Trovita, although none of us know where they originate."
"Trovita?" gasped Misty. "Ash, Rudy and Mari live there!"
"Right," nodded Ash. "This could be trouble. We need to go help them."
"But how are we going to get there?" Misty pondered aloud.
"We can teleport you," Jaina answered. "Just picture Trovita in your minds. I can link my mind with yours and transport you there."
The human sorceress turned to the rest of the army.
"Everyone, get in contact with a mage," she ordered. "Mages, link your minds with mine. Ash, Misty, Thrall, place your hands on my shoulders."
"Let us come with you Ash," said Brock. "We want to help too."
"Yeah, could we?" asked May.
"This is more dangerous than anything we went through when we were younger," Ash informed. "Are you sure you want to put your lives in jeopardy?"
"Ash, we're your friends," said Max. "Whatever you and Misty are willing to go through, we're willing to do the same, no matter how risky."
Ash could only smile. Even though Max was now a fully grown teenager, some of his childhood never vanished with him. The desire to seek more adventure augmented in their travels, and his cravings for more were present within every conversation.
"Okay, you can come help if it's fine with Thrall and Jaina," Ash declared.
"We have no problems," Jaina responded. "Your friends are our friends, Ash. Go ahead and place your hands on my shoulders."
Everyone did as Jaina directed. Ash and Misty tried their hardest to concentrate on an image of Trovita Island, closing their eyes to maintain focus. Jaina linked her mind with theirs and channeled her spell, prompting the other mages of the thousand-man army to begin as well.
"Teleport: Trovita Island!" shouted Jaina seconds later. In an instant, almost everyone who stood atop the cliff vanished, leaving behind only Delia and Officer Jenny, both of whom had their faces in shock.
"I've known Ash since he became a Pokémon master, but I never thought he'd pull something like this," Jenny admitted. "Aren't you worried about him at all Delia?
"Of course I am," his mother confessed. "But Ash strong and knows how to bail himself out of these situations. I pray for his safety everyday."
"I do trust that he knows what he's doing," said Jenny, "but I have a bad feeling about what's going to happen on Trovita. I fear something unexpected will catch him off guard."
Jenny had no idea how accurate her omen would be.
- - - - - -
Rudy remained the gym leader of Trovita. After becoming a gym leader herself, Misty met with Rudy at least once every year during the annual global gym leaders' convention. She saw him other times during regional gym leader gatherings. Ash joined them once he ascended to his Pokémon master title, and the three had forged a solid friendship.
Mari remained affectionate toward Misty, whom she now looked up to as a role model. Mari announced two years ago that she would pursue a lifelong devotion to water Pokémon as well, crediting Misty for initially triggering her interest.
Trouble on Trovita thus meant danger for the lives of two friends, and Ash was the last person who would turn his back on a friend.
Ash and company were met with a sight of pure horror once they landed. The whirlpools in the sea were unnaturally large and indescribably violent. The peaceful paradise that nature had created and blessed was destroyed. Not a single living tree remained, and even the most desolate areas were scorched to a crisp. Though they were few and widespread, human remains nonetheless showed through the surface, adding more pain to the already tormented landscape. Demons of all kinds--dreadlords, felguards, felhounds, and infernos--ran rampant, hurling balls of fire at any object taller than the height of the ground, mercilessly destroying fauna, flora, and artificial creations. A first time visitor would never be able to picture Trovita Island as a tropical haven.
"Those are definitely the Legion's creatures," Jaina spoke first.
"Tell me this isn't happening," said Brock, completely unfamiliar with the Burning Legion.
"Tell me we're still in Outland," Misty whispered.
"This place will become Outland if we don't stop them now," said Thrall. "The army is ready. Ash, give us the word and we'll slay them all."
Ash needed no hesitation. His eyes had never witnessed such reckless destruction. Not even the combined powers of the three greatest evils in the Pokémon world, Teams Rocket, Aqua, and Magma, would be able to produce the sight in front of him.
"Slay the demons," he responded coldly. "Leave not a single one alive."
"All right men, just as we've trained for!" Thrall turned to the army from Azeroth and commanded. "Warriors, grab your weapons!"
The front line immediately drew out their axes, swords, maces, and shields.
"Rogues, get in stealth mode now!" Thrall cried, watching as a group of rogues vanished into thin air.
"Charge now! Go, go, go!"
Nearly two hundred warriors picked their targets and rushed forward in blazing speeds, catching the demons by surprise and driving their weapons into their foul bodies. Every warrior was donned in durable plate-mail armor, which protected them against any physical counterattack from the felguards. The first lines went down without a hitch, but by then the demons had noticed the sudden intrusion.
Infernos, flaming figures that stood well over twice the height of any tauren and made from rocks held together by nether powers, charged through to the front lines. The warriors took the battle to them as expected, and continued to hold their ground against a much stronger physical counterattack, but the added magic damage began taking its toll on the melee combat units. Seeing their brethren in trouble, paladins, shaman, druids, and priests snuck forward until they came within range and provided the warriors with necessary heals. The infernos' pure power sent several warriors flying through the air, yet none of them wasted any time in picking themselves back up and resuming battle.
Mages, hunters, and warlocks continued attacking from range while the warriors stood and commanded the attention. Rogues stuck from demon to demon, appearing at random and assassinating them one by one. Thrall had joined the battle as well, single handedly sending several felguards to their deaths with one strike of his gigantic two-handed hammer.
Jaina on the other hand seemed to be in a trance. A small group stayed behind to cover her while she meditated for a few minutes. Finally, her eyes opened and she turned to Ash and company.
"I picked up all traces of supernatural energy on this island," she informed the Pokémon trainers. "I've pinpointed the exact location of the portal through which they're entering this world. Unfortunately, their reinforcements are pouring in, and we'll never be able to fight our way up there in time before they outnumber us."
"There's got to be another way," Max declared.
"Pikapi!" the electric mouse atop Ash's shoulder cried before anyone could plan anything.
"What is it Pikachu?" Ash asked his long-time companion.
Pikachu pointed its paw toward the right side of the raging battle, where a young man was struggling in the arms of two dreadlords.
"It's Rudy!" Misty noticed first. "Those dreadlords have him!"
"I'll handle this," said Jaina calmly.
Standing up, the sorceress fired two frostbolts in the direction of the demons. Seemingly startled, they released their grips on the young man and he ran toward Ash and company. Before they could give chase, two dwarf paladins intercepted them and cast their holy spells to taunt them off the helpless gym leader. Infuriated, the dreadlords went after the paladins, joining the battle.
Rudy collapsed in front of Ash and Misty. Everyone was eager to hear how he survived for so long, but everyone also knew that this was not the time to interrogate.
"Rudy, are you all right?" asked Ash, trying to help his friend up.
"I'm…fine…" Rudy panted. "Oh god…they destroyed…everything…"
"Don't worry Rudy," said Misty. "We're here for you. Stay with us and you'll be safe."
"Wait, where's Mari?" Ash suddenly noticed the missing sister.
Instantly, Rudy's eyes were moist with tears. He raised his head to look at Ash and Misty, then lowered it again and let his tears freefall.
"No…" was all Misty could utter. "No…she can't be…"
"She is," Rudy responded barely above a whisper. "They killed her. At the very least, it was quick and painless, but they took her from me."
Misty now found tears of her own forming within her eyes. Mari, the bright young girl who was so determined to follow in her own footsteps, the girl who saw Misty as both a big sister and a stand up role model for female Pokémon trainers everywhere…gone, taken away well before her time was supposed to come.
Anger burned inside both Ash and Misty now. The Burning Legion had ended the life of one of their closest friends. Having seen what the Legion did to Azeroth and Outland, they knew the group would not stop until every part of their own world was charred.
Reinforcements continued showing up along the front lines where Thrall was leading the volunteers in battle. The Azeroth army's initial advancements had come to a halt, and although the only casualty has been an undead rogue, fatigue was beginning to catch up to the adventurers. Wave after wave of demons came pouring after them, barely giving them time to rest. Gradually, the army was falling back, and it seemed that what little area it could seize from the demons when the battle began would be lost once more.
"They can't hold out like this," said Jaina once she noticed the standstill. "We need to get to that portal and close it. Otherwise, the Legion's troop quantities will be unlimited."
"Yeah, but how?" asked May, not really expecting an answer. "We can't fight through their lines."
Just then, fate seemed to throw the group another curveball. A small band of felguards and felhounds, no more than thirty in number, broke through the volunteer army's defenses and rushed for Ash and company. The back line of the army, consisting of hunters, mages, and warlocks, had to send a number of fighters to give chase. Unfortunately, they failed to catch the demons in time, and Ash and the others themselves outnumbered.
Jaina's defenders immediately reached for their weapons, readying themselves for battle. The demons just stood their ground though, deciding to approach the group slowly.
"Pika," Pikachu cried, sparks flying from its cheeks.
"No Pikachu," said Ash. "They're too strong. Pokémon don't stand a chance against them. They can knock you out with one hit."
"What?" gasped Rudy. "Then what do we do?"
"Pray," Misty answered. "Have faith that Jaina and the others can fight them off."
"Rudy, Brock, you guys, get behind us," Ash ordered. "Let Jaina handle it. She'll call for us to help if she needs us."
Everyone did as Ash told them without hesitation. Ash watched as Jaina's guards formed a semicircle around her while the demons gradually closed the distance.
At that moment, the entire group received the shock of their lives.
- - - - - -
It was only a few seconds, but Ash had no idea what happened. When he opened his eyes, he was on the ground in pain with Pikachu beside him frightened and concerned. Brock, May, and Max were around him, also badly injured. Brock's arm looked dislocated, May was holding her clavicle as if it was broken, while Max screamed with both his hands covering his spine.
Ash shook his head to clear his senses. His pain was not severe, perhaps indicating that his injury wasn't relatively speaking either. He was about to get up and help his friends when the sight in front of him clarified.
There was Rudy surrounded by a dark violet aura with Misty around his right arm struggling to free herself from his grip. He had her around the waist, and she pounded his arm in desperation, but he seemed to be feeling no pain from her resistance.
Ash's mind had no time to even process what he saw before Rudy took on a new form of his own. Horns grew and curled upward from his forehead. His body mutated into an even larger, leaner form. Wings twice his width emerged from his back. When his eyes opened again, they were glowing blood-red. This was not the Rudy anyone knew. This figure was filled with nothing but hatred.
"Ash, help me!" Misty shrieked.
"Misty!" Ash called back. "Rudy, what the hell are you doing? Let her go!"
Rudy only cackled maniacally in response.
"I don't know what she saw in you, you pathetic fool," he bellowed hoarsely. "Now I can finally make things right, the way it was supposed to be."
"What in the world are you talking about Rudy?" asked Ash demandingly. "You're not making sense."
"You'll never understand," Rudy answered. "Eleven years ago, I met the girl of my dreams when she saved my sister. She was supposed to stay here with me for good, but no, she wanted to be with some dense moron. My heart's ached for her all these years."
"Oh my god," Ash murmured to himself, realizing what he was up to. Looking up, he noticed that Misty had stopped struggling, having also been listening to Rudy's words.
"The Burning Legion was willing to help me reclaim what's rightfully mine," Rudy continued. "And this time, with the Legion's blood flowing in my veins, I shall have her at last!"
"Rudy you idiot, she's my wife now!" Ash cried despite being convinced that he was now beyond reasoning.
The demonic man ignored him. "You were always naïve to trust me Ash," he said. "Some things never change. Now I'll make you suffer what I went through."
With those words, his left hand planted itself atop Misty's head and an infusion of energies flowed outward from him to the helpless woman. Misty screamed in terror, covering Ash's pleas for him to cease his torture. After several agonizing seconds, he finally stopped, releasing his grip and dropping Misty to the ground.
"Misty!" Ash yelled, running toward her.
"I wouldn't come near her if I were you Ash," Rudy spoke with a sinister smile. "Misty my dear, let this man know where he belongs."
"Of course honey."
Misty's words surprised everyone. It was not only what she said, but that she spoke in her normal voice as if nothing changed. Additionally, she sounded completely determined; her tone showed no indication of joking around.
"Gyarados, go!" Misty shouted, throwing a Pokéball. "Use hydro pump on Ash now!"
Ash had no time to even gasp in stunned horror before the powerful jet of water slammed into his chest, sending him flying and tumbling along the charred ground. Pikachu, seeing its trainer taking the abuse, fired a thunderbolt back at the giant Gyarados.
"Misty!" Brock cried. "What are you doing?"
"What my lover wants," replied Misty.
Ash ran back as quickly as he could, surprised himself that he sustained no additional injuries.
"Misty!" he hollered with Pikachu standing protectively in front of him. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," she answered coldly, linking her arm with Rudy's. "I've just finally seen where I truly belong."
"Misty, you love ME!" Ash exclaimed. "We just got married days ago!"
Ash was determined. He could have taken a thousand hydro pumps and simply run back to plead with her every time. But what she did next shattered him completely.
Misty reached for her left ring finger and removed the diamond from it, then threw it at Ash.
"I'll never make that mistake again," she said. "Get out of my life, Ash. I love Rudy."
This time, Ash could pop his eyes and gasp, but this time, he was too stunned to move. He simply held the ring he caught in his hands and stayed on his knees with the pain of her words having not yet completely hit him.
Rudy cackled once more and opened a portal behind him.
"She's mine by right, Ash Ketchum," he laughed. "You'll learn sooner or later." He took Misty's hand and turned his attention to her. "Looks like sacrificing Mari to my demon masters was worth it after all. Now they've brought you to me."
With a playful laugh, the two leaped into the portal hand in hand.
"After them!" Jaina ordered, drawing everyone's attention in the sorceress' direction.
The hunters and casters who had been pursuing the runaway demons who broke through their defenses had caught up and slain them with Jaina's guards while Rudy was taunting Ash. Having seen what happened, they ran for the portal to give chase.
Instead, they rand into an invisible shield around the portal, knocking them backward off their feet. They raised their weapons and attempted to break through the magic shield, but to no avail.
Jaina could only sigh in frustration. Soon, the portal closed by itself, leaving the group shocked and demoralized.
Misty's words, although induced through Rudy's spell, finally hit Ash like a ton of bricks. His heart felt as if it was slowly ripping itself apart, and he fully collapsed on the ground.
"Misty," he whispered to no one in particular. "Why?"
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, I'm the first to admit that I can't write action scenes. I don't think too highly of my descriptions. Anyway, did I surprise you at all? If I didn't, then I didn't do my job. Do tell me how I can get better if you believe you have some good advice. I take all your words to heart, so even if you don't, let me hear from you. I love all reader feedback, no matter how gentle or harsh.