AN: Hey everyone it's good to see you all again as the writer of this lovely story. I'm sorry for the long wait; things came up as precedent and very important. Also, my life has gotten horrible lately. Fighting my depression, my cousin has passed away, and so on. I apologize for the wait and I hope this chapter makes up for it. Also the poll is at its end and the winner is...ZINNIA (congratulations to her!) Flannery was a close second while Diantha was left behind honestly. The harem is as follows:

Cynthia

Anabel

Korrina

Serena

Ursula

Elesa

Roxie

Dawn

Hilda

Sabrina

Skyla

Zinnia

Pokémon- Attack

"Pokémon"- Pokémon speaking (people won't understand unless told otherwise)

"Pokémon"- Human Speech

'Pokémon'- Thinking

"Pokémon"- Pokédex Entry

P.S. Thank you QUEENSPELLER67 for your suggestion for the title of the chapter. (I was stomped on what to call it!)

Chapter 14:

The Aftermath

Snapping from their stupor, Delia and Alex ran over to Jacob (who was trying to force himself to stand up) to check if he was okay. The man in question was leaning his body on the tree behind him with an angered and pained expression on his face. Blood dripped down from his forehead, making his face look more fierce. His lip was busted open as he could most likely taste the blood in his mouth, his left eye was shut from either the blood or the pain he was feeling. He looked towards his Vaporeon who was making his towards his downed trainer, more or less limping.

A flash of light caught Alex's attention from the tree above Jacob as a Gengar appeared from the bag dangling by the branch. The Gengar floated down to the limping Vaporeon with worry written on its face. It gave a quick look to Jacob and the worry intensified.

"What happened here Vaporeon," Gengar asked his friend. He knew the Water type wasn't a pushover, so for someone to do this to them...

"Jacob and I were thrown into a tree by some nutcase with an Espeon," Vaporeon responded with his voice slightly strained from the pain. He was something else, never felt a creature with such an evil feeling from them like that before. He even killed that Gengar over there for losing in a two-vs-one battle."

Gengar growled menacingly when he heard that. "It's humans like that that disgusts me the most! Villain or not, that Gengar didn't deserve to die!." Both Pokemon heard Alex's voice and looked to the humans that were still there.

"Don't push yourself so much," Alex said as he helped Jacob to his feet by wrapping his arm around her shoulder. All her training with her brother and Pokémon (not to mention everything in her past) has made her exceptionally strong for her age.

"She's right young man," Delia said as she ripped her shirt sleeve and used it as a rag to wipe off some blood from Jacobs forehead. "You took a really nasty hit to your spine and head." She didn't know him, but he did try to help stop that Shadow man and that's good enough for her. Plus seeing someone hurt made her motherly instincts go full blast.

"Its fine, I'll be okay," he said as he saw them worried for him. Looking Alex, "how are you two doing? How's your Umbreon?" He looked towards the still unconscious Umbreon as his Vaporeon changed its direction to check on it. His Water type looked over Umbreon before nodding his head in his trainer's direction, indicating that the Moonlight Pokémon was ok.

Alex smiled in relief before returning him to his Pokéball as Jacob finally got Delia to stop wiping him (it was starting to get embarrassing).

"So what is going to happen now," Delia asked.

Looking to the mother, she responded. "We need to tell Ash about this and fast. We can't let someone like Shadow stay on the loose, that man is a monster." Neither noticed that at the mention of Shadow, Jacobs fists tightened in anger.

"Your right, we could use Ash's help with this," Jacob said as he tried to turn around. "I'll go look for Shadow while you alert As..." before he could finish he was yanked back around (flinching from the pain).

"Oh don't you dare even think of going after him in you condition," Alex said as she started dragging Jacob away. "And I swear if you give me that tough guy act of 'I'm fine I can handle it', I will bob on the head so hard it will like a Snorlax fell on your head! You are coming with us to get your wounds healed up. Ash's campsite is much closer to us than the town, plus another eye witness will be very helpful." Vaporeon nodded it head since he too was worried for his trainer, Gengar slightly chuckled at the girl's actions towards his (sometimes) stubborn trainer.

Seeing his Pokémon agree and seeing that Alex won't budge on the manner, Jacob relented begrudgingly and made his way with less resistance.

Gengar floated towards Jacob's bag in the tree. "I'll go collect your things, Jacob."

'Fine,' Jacob relented as he sighed as he looked at Alex who still has a tight grip on him, indicating that he would prefer her to let go now.

"Alex could loosen her grip, but then again you might run off if she did that," Vaporeon said to his trainer who rolled his eyes at his Water type.

"Do I need to get Havoc to carry you Jacob," Gengar said as he floated down, next to his trainer. Jacob's eyes widened and his skin paled slightly at the mention of his solely nicknamed Pokemon.

"No Havoc doesn't need to come out," Jacob said aloud. Alex and Delia looked at him, confused by the name. "Havoc is my pseudo-legendary. I'll go with you guys and you can loosen your grip. I know when I'm outnumbered and besides, Gengar can use Psychic to stop me if I even tried anything."

Alex nodded as she loosened her grip in Jacob. The trainer's and Pokemon then made their way to Ash's camp.

Delia gave the group a sad look before she sighed and took out two Pokéballs and returning her Mr. Mime and Ninetales. She turned to head back to the city, understanding that Alex would not want her to see Ash from their conversation earlier.

Seeing her leave, Alex gave a sigh as she looked to Jacob to see what he thought on the matter. Jacob looked into her eyes before nudging his head towards the leaving Delia, as if saying the one thing Alex was hoping he wouldn't.

'Go stop her, you know we need her.'

Alex nodded her head and called out the sad mother. "Delia, wait please!" Alex yelled, getting Delia's attention. "I said WE need to speak to Ash. That also means you." Delia's eyes widened as she moved to reject (worried for Alex), but Alex raised her palm and continued. "Listen, not only did you help me save my Umbreon, but you were even hurt in the process. Also, this threat cannot be ignored. Shadow is powerful, scarily so and he attacked both of us. My brother won't leave you behind to be hurt by that horrible man, even with your past. So come on, we got to get to my brother and get Jake here some help."

Not seeing Jacob sigh slightly at the mistake of his name. "It's Jacob not Jake, Alex," he corrected. Alex nodded at his words and sent him an apologetic look at her mistake.

Delia's words were stuck in her throat; she could only muster out a happy sob. She's going to see her son, her baby boy up close again. Tears of joy fell from her eyes at the thought. 'Please, oh please Arceus-sama give me a chance. Let this be my chance.' She nodded her head as she wiped the tears from her face.

Alex smiled as she reached out and grabbed Delia's hand, while giving Jacob a quick warning look (to let him know he better not try anything) and nodded her head. Jacob stuck out his Pokéball and returned Vaporeon to his confines.

Delia went up to the Gengar and held out her hand. "Would you like me to carry the bag," she asked the Ghost type. The woman wasn't blind, she could tell that this one was much friendlier than the one they just battled.

"Yes," the Gengar said. Delia looked to Jacob for a translation (to her ears all she heard was 'Gar'), she could understand her to a degree, but not a Gengar.

"Gengar said 'yes'," Jacob explained. He didn't turn to Gengar when he said, "Psychic when she let's go." Gengar understood the order and trailed his trainer and the other two humans.

As they walked thought, Alex couldn't help but to worry. 'I really I hope I don't regret doing this.'

(Back in the city)

Near a restaurant, a sudden flash of light shined through the building. From the light, Shadow and Espeon appeared. His was still off, showing his amused smirk. He took notice that the building was filled with people, who gave him their full attention due to entrance.

Shadow walked towards the front door, ignoring all the looks as his Espeon sat where it landed. Shadow chuckled as the the sign on the door from "Open" to "Closed". Raising his left hand, everyone in the building nodded at the silent command as they rose from their seats. They all turned completely black, clothing and all, before falling over and hitting the ground. Everyone who hit the ground turned into a pitch black and rushed towards the smirking Shadow, who still had his back turned to them.

In a second, the building was empty due to Shadow absorbing all the black mass into his body. The only ones left were Shadow and the still sitting Espeon.

Seeing no one left in the building, Shadow's body was covered in a red aura of power. Stretching his left hand forward, the red aura rushed forward and began to take form of a human body. The human had his face covered by a red cape and hood.

"What is that you need Shadow?" the man asked. Shadow chuckled at the cold tone of his master.

"Just wanted to know what our next step is going to be." he responded. "Oh yeah, I also need a new Gengar or any other Pokémon will do. My last one kind of, broke."

"You ate the Gengar, didn't you?" the man asked as he shook his head. Shadow smirked as he licked his lips.

"He was delicious! His best use since I got him," he responded cheerfully. The man sighed, annoyed at his subordinate devouring his Pokémon, again.

"I'll send you a Mismagius as a replacement," he said. "This one just finished its conditioning and is ready for deployment. Your mission is to capture and transfer more Ghost types for conditioning."

Shadow lost his cruel smirk and adopted a more serious one and nodded his head. "That won't be a problem, but out of curiosity sir, what are you going to be doing?"

"I'm just playing the waiting game," the spoke calmly. "Waiting for my prize to finally arrive."

(To Ash in the forest)

Ash rolled under an axe kick from Mike and quickly jumped away by pushing off the ground, just in time to dodge a punch from Mia. Mia and Mike paused and stared at each other for a moment. Then, as if a shot had been fired, Mia hit Mike in the chest with a powerful spin kick.

Using the momentum, Mia grabbed Mike's arm before he could recover and flipped him over her shoulder (slamming his back into the ground). Before Mia could follow through, a kick courtesy of Ash sent her flying into a tree. Looking to the downed Mike, Ash saw he was no longer on the ground.

Mike had recovered and jumped away from the Champion when he was distracted. He got into a fighting stance as he waited to be attacked from either of his opponents.

Mia had gotten up from her injury and took her usual fighting stance as her eyes darted back and forth between Mike and Ash. She was PUMPED! This was one of the best spars she has had in a long while. Granted she wasn't fighting nearly at her best, it didn't take the enjoyment of this fight away. The last spar that came close to this was her usual spars with her Hitmontop.

Ash, he was in his own world at the moment. His eyes were focused on the match, keeping tabs on his two opponents. His mind however was on something completely different. He had sensed aura signatures heading this way and was attempting to identify them.

The first aura signature was one that he would recognize anywhere, due to it belonging to his adorable little sister. 'It seems she's done training. Hope it went well?'

The second signature belonged to his friend Jacob. His aura felt strange, not the calm feeling he usually has. 'Something has him ruffled if his aura is that erratic. Still though, Alex and Jacob is a strange combination?'

The third aura was the only one he didn't recognize right away. It was even more sporadic than Jacob's was, meaning this person is feeling a lot of emotions at once. Focusing a bit more, he finally recognized who the aura belonged to which made his eyes narrowed in anger. His fists clenched tightly as he grit his teeth in his rage. Ash's once calming aura became cold and chaotic.

His Pokémon that felt the change in their master's aura reacted with wide eyes. The younger ones began to shake and cowered away while the older and more experienced ones gained a sharp and calculating gaze. The more motherly Pokémon quickly stepped in front of the younger ones, meaning to protect them from a possible threat.

Mia and Mike grew worried and confused at Ash's sudden change in behavior. They can't sense or see aura, but their fighting instincts were on full alert and telling them to run and hide for their lives. That alone was enough to raise alarm that something was wrong.

Mia grew the most worried though due to the last time Ash got like this, she got seriously injured in a sparring match with him. 'What's going on to get Ash so mad, he would go into this state?'

The only ones who knew why Ash was getting like this were his Lucario, Zyon, and his Lucario (due to them sensing the same approaching aura signatures and recognizing who they were).

'Why would she bring HER here of all people,' Zyon thought confused. 'She knows Ash's feelings towards his mother, so why? It doesn't make any sense. Plus with the way Ash is acting right now, this meeting will not go well at all.'

While Zyon was calmly trying to figure out why Alex was bringing Delia to their location, Ash's thoughts weren't so forgiving or calm.

'How DARE she! How could she bring that woman here, to me?! She knows I want nothing to do with Delia and yet she does THIS!' Ash thought angrily. His thoughts began to become clouded with his anger as his aura began to darken and he growled before a cruel smirk made its way to his lips.

Ash raised his right palm in a random to direction to others, but he was actually raising in the direction he felt the aura signatures. Seeing his actions confused everyone, accept Zyon and the Lucarios whose eyes widened at Ash was about to do. They were about to intervene, but they were too late.

An orb of aura formed quickly from his raised palm, though the color was much darker than the normal color. As soon as the fist sized orb was done, he shot the attack forward. The Aura Sphere quickly raced towards its targets, who just appeared from the woods.

Alex and Delia froze, too surprised to move due to seeing the attack, as the Aura Sphere neared them at a faster rate. Luckily Jacob wasn't shocked enough to be frozen as he yelled "Look out!" and grabbed both girls before diving to the ground just in time to dodge the incoming orb.

The attack soared over their heads, just barely missing them. The attack hit a tree and not only obliterated it, but also left a huge pit in the ground while uprooting four other nearby trees. The trees all fell to the ground with a resounding 'THUD' as they crashed into the ground, causing the ground to shake slightly.

Everyone, besides Ash, watched the trees fall in complete shock. That was more than a simple knockout attack, which is already going too far, but that Aura Sphere could have seriously hurt them! It wouldn't have been enough to kill them, but enough to put them a serious condition in the hospital. To make it worse, Ash did it on purpose, with the intent for the attack to do just that!

Alex, who stared at Ash with wide eyes, began tearing. The attack wasn't just aimed at Delia like many would think, no that attack...that attack was meant for her too! Ash's ability to sense aura would have told him the identity of all of them, so he knew she was there. That attack was meant to take all of them out.

"Ash, big brother," Alex whispered in sadness. Her teary eyes could no longer hold back her tears as she looked into Ash's rage filled eyes. No longer were they the warm and inviting brown that she was used to, no these were uncaring and cold.

Jacob glared heatedly at Ash, he did NOT like how he just attacked them liked that(even if he had issues with his mother). Even if he was mad it did not give him the right to attack them with that kind of intent. Plus he's already in a bad mood from that incident with Shadow and this little episode was only pissing him off even more.

Delia was just as teary eyed as Alex was at Ash's actions. She knew Ash hated her from their last encounter, but she didn't realize that it was THIS bad! To not only attack just her, but his own sister in his rage spoke volumes of his hatred towards her. Staring into Ash's darkening eyes caused her already breaking heart to shatter. The pain was so excruciating for her, but looking into his eyes made everything pause for a moment as a single though crossed her already damage mind.

Ash's eyes were supposed to be hazel-brown, so why were they nearly pitch black.

Quickly, Delia's motherly instincts flared through all of the pain that she was feeling in her heart; something was wrong with her baby boy. Worry and determination caused her eyes to sharpen and her gaze became protective as she took in Ash's entire appearance to see if she could find something, anything. Something was wrong with her son, and she is going to find out what it is!

"Don't call me that!" Ash yelled towards Alex, causing her to flinch at his tone. He's rarely ever yelled at any of them, especially at her. "You brought that, that, that WOMAN HERE! You know what I think of her and you still brought her here! You broke my trust in you, just like them! So don't you DARE call me your brother!" Each word Ash spoke became darker and more hate filled.

"You better watch your tone Ash," Suzaku said as he stood a few inches behind Ash. He had a tight grip on the hilt of his katana as he glared at Ash. "You are already on my shit-list after the stunt you just pulled; don't make your grave any deeper." Ash's response was to glare at the Dragon specialist from over his left shoulder.

Ash's aura, which was blacker than it was blue now, began to become denser and flowed out of his body. Everyone watching this confrontation felt a cold shiver run up their spines at what they were feeling. Jacob discreetly activated his own Aura Sight and his eyes widened at what he saw.

'Dark blue aura!? Just what is going on!?'

Suzaku stood his ground against the powerful and cold feeling that Ash produced, ignoring his own instincts telling him to run away, as he intensified his own glare and began to go through his own changes.

His teeth lengthened and sharpened as they became fangs similar to what you would find on a predator. His once dark, brown eyes changed to a grayish-green color with a silver slit pupil in each eye. His nails also grew in length and sharpened and became claws. His once black hair began to gain hints of orange throughout its locks. A powerful pressure could be felt coming from him, but the aura users could tell that the feeling wasn't aura.

Suzaku pulled his blade from its sheath, revealing a black and red steel blade. The blade was curved upwards slightly and began to release its own powerful pressure. Getting into a stance he called 'Dragon's Dance', where it mainly focuses on his agility and flexibilityand quick slashes.

Ash's dense aura grew into a dark blue rod, as he swung it lightly behind him. The dense power of the rod caused the ground behind him to crack from the powerful force of the aura.

The two trainers were about to charge each other before two powerful Aura Sphere's crashed in the middle, causing a huge explosion. Looking to where it came from, Ash's and Zyon's Lucario's were glaring at the two actions.

"What is the meaning of this Lucario!?" Ash yelled out in anger. His aura became even darker than it already was, making it near black now.

The silver Lucario didn't so much as flinch and instead intensified his own glare. He decided to use his Telepathy so everyone, instead of just Ash, could understand his words. "You are being absolutely childish right now Ash!" he yelled at his trainer. "You don't let Alex finish talking and then you go and attack with the intent to seriously harm her! This isn't you master; this isn't the trainer that gave us all a family. I won't let you lose yourself to your own petty anger, not after you did for us. For me!"

Ash narrowed his eyes towards his partner, his aura moving wildly and completely uncontrolled. The ground beneath him shook violently and began to crack under the pressure of Ash's rage.

Zyon walked next to Ash's Lucario, hoping to reason with his teacher. "Ash, you have to look around you! You taught me that an Aura Guardian see's life as a sacred thing, that we give everyone a chance; but what you are doing right now is the exact opposite. You are not protecting a life, you're doing everything you can to harm one! This is not my Aura Guardian teacher, not the loving trainer that cares for life; Pokémon or otherwise. If you want proof Ash, look at yourself! Look at you Pokémon, your family; feel your own aura!"

Ash looked at his Pokémon with his dark brown eyes and they widened at what they saw. His Pokémon (mainly the younger ones) were either shaking or hiding in fear from the dangerous threat, from him. The motherly Pokémon were hiding the younger Pokémon from Ash as they stared directly at Ash, non-flinching. Ash's more veteran Pokémon, while not visibly shaking, was very tense and their eyes were sharp. Even Pikachu's cheeks were sparking.

Looking at his hands, Ash saw that his aura was no longer its natural blue color. He couldn't even recognize his old aura signature anymore; this aura was so dark and so hateful. Flashes of what he was doing entered his mind, and the mere thought made him sick. He felt nauseous.

"What," Ash spoke softly. "What have I done?" Tears began to flow from his eyes as they began to return to their normal hazel color and he clenched his fists in frustration. His black aura changed from its near black color, back to its blue color. The aura flowed over the field, still in its wild state, allowing everyone to feel the sorrow that he felt.

Many of Ash's Pokémon, especially the younger ones, wanted to run up to their trainer. To console their trainer as much as they could and tell him that its ok, but one look from Lucario told them that they should stay put. The same could be said for Zyon, who didn't go to his master for the same reason.

Delia was about to make her way to Ash, her heart shattered as she saw her son crying. She couldn't stand to see her baby boy so upset, no matter what has happened, even if he hates her. She took one step toward her son, but felt a hand on her shoulder (stopping her from moving). Turning to the perpetrator, she saw that the hand belonged to Jacob.

Jacob shook his head at the distraught mother, seeing the reasons that Ash's other Pokémon were stopped. He pointed to the right and Delia followed suit (to see why she was stopped). Delia nodded her head at why, 'I guess it's for the best that this get addressed first,' she thought.

Ash dared not to move, all he could do was stay on his knees and cry his heart out. He couldn't stop himself from crying nor could he control his powerful leaking aura. He couldn't believe what he has done; he could not believe his own actions. That cold feeling coursing through his body, that powerful hatred that fed on his very soul. The anger that swept from his body as it tried to suffocate and destroy everything around him! It felt so horrible, so sickening (though it felt worse that it came from him). To make matters worse, he had done something unforgivable.

He had attacked his own little sister! His own anger caused him to attack his little sister! Someone that he had sworn to always protect and take care of and he attacked her with a very dark intent.

Due to his actions, he made his own Pokémon see him as a threat. He attacked one of his closest friends, he threatened his Pokémon, and he attempted to hurt his sister. All due to his own anger and hatred.

Grabbing his head, Ash had only one thought 'what is happening to me?'

In Ash's sorrow, he didn't take notice of the presence that came up behind him until a pair of slender arms wrapped around his shoulders. Ash's eyes widened as he quickly, on instincts, used his aura to sense who it was (and to his shock), it was Alex.

Alex was holding Ash in as tight as an embrace as he could, pressing his back to her. "I love you big brother," she whispered in his ear, causing his eyes to widen. "I love you so much, not just because you saved me all those years ago. You gave me a family, you taught me and took care of me. It's thanks to you that I'm here today. Ash Ketchum, I would never do anything to hurt because you are precious to me. My precious older brother. You are my hero and inspiration."

Relief and pain, these were the two dominate emotions running through Ash's body. Relief that his dear sister still loved him. She still cares about him so much and held him in high regard, even in his most shameful moment. The pain at the fact he could hold such anger, such resentment to this wonderful girl before him. The pain was also quickly followed by deep regret and remorse, he tried to hurt her or worse. He yelled at her and wanted nothing to do with her, even though he loves her so much.

Ash's tears flowed faster as he whispered "I'm sorry," over and over. He repeated it like a mantra, like a spell that he hoped could fix everything. Praying that his sister never vanished from his grasped, still not comprehending how she could forgive him so easily. Alex began to shush Ash while squeezing tighter, trying to show her sobbing brother that she was still here.

Everyone watched as the two siblings held each other, as their cries echoed through the quite field. Only two people were not looking at the scene with warm eyes.

Suzaku, while having a smile on his face due to the scene, had a dark look in his eyes that he kept focused on Ash. He refused to take his eyes off the Kalos champion. He refused to take his eyes off of him, not after his attack on his girlfriend. He knew one thing very well, hostility like Ash showed does not just vanish so easily. 'But it also doesn't appear suddenly like that either, what's going on with you Ash?' he thought.

Jacob looked at Ash with a calculative gaze. He may not know Ash as well as the others do, but he knows Ash isn't the aggressive type (due to the time they did spend together). The Ash they witnessed had no care if he attacked or even took a life, a complete contrast of the Ash they knew of (especially for an Aura Guardian). 'Also aura has a light blue color from what I know of, so what was going on with his being almost black!? The feeling I got from it was, unsettling to say the least,' he thought.

Something was going on with Ash, and it wasn't good.

AN: And that my dear readers, is the end of this chapter. I'm sorry that this story took so long, things come up and happen you know. I hope this chapter makes up for it, and I hope you all enjoyed it. Review, follow, and so on. I don't have much to say anymore other than I'll also be rewriting previous chapters to correct mistakes. With the help of my Beta reader, the lovely QUEENSPELLER67.

Dragon Soul94 is out!