Shamouti Island
The gall of that pink thing with a pathetic excuse of a crown. It wanted her to wear a dress. Sorry, ceremonial garb. Not that there's any difference. It's freezing for crying out loud! How the heck is a melody played by some random girl in a dress supposed to stop raging Legendary Pokemon anyway? These thoughts and more plagued Melody's mind as she listened to Slowking's prattle, backed up by the ever-nodding elder of course.
"MELODY! ARE YOU LISTENING?" Oh yeah… her sister was here too. Melody sighed.
"Yeah Carol. I'm listening."
"Is that right? Well then, would you mind repeating the last thing the esteemed guardian said?" her disbelieving older sister asked.
Crap…
"That's what I thought! So, pay attention!" yelled the irate woman.
"You know thing by heart. Why can't you do it?" spat back Melody.
"I-I… It's no longer appropriate for me to fulfill such a role. My time has passed," stuttered the girl with a noticeably reddened face. An interesting smile grew on Melody's own features as she interpreted those words.
"Oh, I think I get it now. You can't be the maiden because you and your beaux have gotten to know one another on an intim—"
"ENOUGH!" roared Tobias, having previously been content to stay in the background. He now looked upon Melody with a severe look.
"The world is ending around you child and duty has called you to play your part! Enough of this time-wasting nonsense and pay the guardian the respect he is owed!" Melody, stubborn girl she is, would not leave it there though. Her ire, visible to all, was about to be unleashed on the old man.
"Peace," called Slowking, placing a calming hand on Melody's shoulder.
"Walk with me?" asked the Pokemon, looking at the reluctant maiden.
"Uh… ok?" awkwardly agreed Melody. Slowking sent the others a reassuring smile when they looked at the duo with worry, and then led his charge away. They walked off towards the edge of the cliff, overlooking the three islands. Light snow fell from the sky and Melody shivered as she looked off in the distance.
"I can tell this isn't really your thing," dryly spoke Slowking, sharing Melody's gaze of the islands.
"Where did you get that idea?" was the sarcastic response. Slowking chuckled.
"You remind me of her Melody."
"Who?"
"The first maiden of course."
"Some prim and proper chick back from the stone age? Really?"
"The stone age? You exaggerate. In any case, I speak true. The first maiden was skeptical, free-spirited, and had no interest in taking up this duty. Just like you."
"Then why did she go through with it?" the exasperated girl asked.
"Look around you Melody. What do you see?"
"Great… a mystic voodoo non-answer. Whatever. I'll play along. I see snow, the elemental islands, the ocean, and you," rattled off the girl with a roll of her eyes.
"Now look behind you. What do you see then?" prodded the Pokemon. Melody was really starting to get annoyed now, but she obliged.
"I see the path back to home, that old rickety shrine, my annoying sister, the random boat captain, and a senile old man."
"Interesting descriptions, but accurate enough. What you saw is the answer to your question Melody."
"No, it isn't!" blurted back the girl.
"But it is," smiled the Pokemon with a twinkle in his wizened eyes.
"You see your home and the people that love you Melody. That is what the maiden saw as well when I asked her the same question. She cared for these things deeply, and so do you Melody," softly spoke Slowking.
"I guess," frowned the girl, looking back at Carol for a brief moment.
"Do I really have the power to make that much of a difference though?"
"Have faith my dear. The power of one is something not to be underestimated."
BOOM! Thunder rumbled loudly in the distance and lightning flashed. Everyone turned to see a cloud of electricity hovering over Fire Island.
"Teach me what needs to be done," gulped Melody, putting on a brave face.
"Very well."
Fire Island
Ash felt a mixture of fear and anger as he knelt by his fallen Pidgeot, seeking to assess the damage done. Pidgeot was breathing, but he wouldn't be any help going forward. Calling back his Pokemon, Ash looked up to see the terrifying visage of Zapdos, resting on top of the shrine where he had retrieved the orb.
CRACKLE! Ash flipped backwards, dodging another strike of lightning. This time it had been intended for him.
"What gives!" growled the boy, eying the Legendary Pokemon with apprehension. Zapdos screeched in response, glaring at Ash all the while.
"Zapdos came to take over Fire Island since Moltres is gone, but there's more. H-He can sense the orb daddy and he's angry. He wants it," Espeon spoke. Ash narrowed his eyes, looking back at Zapdos and mustering his courage.
"Then he's going to be disappointed, because he isn't going to get it!" bellowed the boy in defiance.
"ASH!" cried Misty.
"Don't antagonize it!" echoed Brock.
"He's going to get himself killed," muttered Tracey. Indeed, Zapdos was not too pleased with that response, sending more electricity at the boy, which he dodged with ease.
"I can do this all day," smirked Ash.
"I'm sure you can Apprentice, but it won't get us off this island and your friends haven't conditioned themselves to dodge attacks, much less from a Legendary Pokemon," cautioned Lucario with a whisper in his ear. Ash grimaced at the advice, realizing the wisdom of his master.
He's right. We need to get out of here before they get targeted. I need to create a distraction. INCOMING! Ash rolled to the right, narrowly avoiding more lightning.
"On my signal, make for the beach and sail for Thunder Island."
"No way Ash! Pidgeot is down and you would have no way to escape Zapdos!" fired back Misty.
"Misty, just do it!"
"NO!"
"Guys," said Tracey.
"You are so pig-headed!" screamed Ash, ignoring the Orange Island boy.
"Pig-headed? That's rich coming from you. You're a stubborn idiot!" spat Misty.
"Ash! Misty! Focus!" scolded Brock, physically grabbing them.
"WHAT!" screamed the duo. Brock turned their heads upward.
No…
The giant red-gray behemoth had arrived. The floating palace with the red-eyed man was here, completely obscuring the clouds overhead. Zapdos had also noticed its arrival, now completely ignoring Ash and his friends, opting to send bolts of electricity upwards.
"Its's absorbing the attack," observed Ash. As he said, the electricity was conducted through metal rods protruding from the machine. Zapdos gave a cry as even more electricity left him.
"His Aura is weakening. That machine is sapping Zapdos of electricity," Lucario noted. Ash was conflicted. On one hand, they could make their escape now and head for the next orb. On the other, Zapdos sounded like he was in pain. Letting the red-eyed man get his hands on the Thunder Titan didn't seem like a good idea either, especially since he likely had Moltres already. There was no choice.
"Princess, use Shadow Ball on those rods!"
The Floating Palace
"Electric drain process has commenced on Zapdos," emotionlessly sounded the computer. Ghetsis grinned. Zapdos was within his grasp. Soon he would look upon the second titan of his growing collection. The third would follow shortly, and finally the ultimate prize. All was proceeding to plan. An alarm abruptly blared, red light flashing in the background.
"Damage sustained to multiple electrical absorption devices," echoed the computer.
"WHAT? HOW?" snarled Ghetsis, his face turning nasty. As if to answer his question, a screen popped down in front of him. It turned on displaying the ground directly below them. There was Zapdos, as expected, but children and Pokemon were present as well. A young boy and his off-colored Espeon were firing Shadow Balls. It appeared the other children were getting into the act as well, releasing more nuisances and unleashing further attacks.
"How dare they interfere!"
"Zapdos sufficiently weakened," interrupted the computer.
"Excellent! Fire the capture devices but target these interlopers as well. I have questions that need answering," darkly ordered the man.
Fire Island
"Ice Beam Dewgong!"
"Fire Blast Ninetales!"
"Bug Buzz Scyther!" Misty, Brock, and Tracey quickly got in on the action, aiding Ash and Espeon in disabling lightning rods. Even Lucario was chunking Aura Spheres with abandon. Sadly, it wasn't enough. The more rods they destroyed, the more that seemed to appear. Zapdos cried out once more, and this time in clear pain. Then, the electricity ceased, and it slumped down off the shrine, falling to the floor with a thud.
"Zapdos is down?" uttered Brock in complete shock. The others shared his disbelief, particularly Ash and Misty. Those three knew the power of legendary Pokemon firsthand. Seeing one dispatched with such little effort was quite frankly disturbing.
"Watch out guys! Looks like more trouble," warned Tracey, looking back at the flying machine. All eyes moved up, seeing what the teen meant. The electrical absorbing rods ascended back to where they had come, but they were quickly replaced. Countless flying metal bars strung together, teeming with electricity, flew out of crevices from the machine. Most made they were towards Zapdos, but the clearly quickly drained from everyone's faces when they saw a good deal heading their way as well.
"Shift your attacks to the bars!" snapped Ash, staying in his element. All the Pokemon obeyed, striking the oncoming devices, and taking them down. Like the rods, they didn't stop coming, and inevitably, the humans and Pokemon gave. Zapdos fell first, offering no resistance as the bars closed around its unconscious form, taking it up into the ship. Nobody paid that any mind though, because…
"TRACEY!" screamed Ash in terror. Tracey and Scyther were caught, shocked, and knocked out, pulled up the way Zapdos went. The old Bug Pokemon's old age and low stamina just wasn't enough.
"BROCK!" cried Misty, seeing the oldest of their group go down with Ninetales, struck from behind in a moment of surprise. They too disappeared into the ship. Ash, Misty, Espeon, Pikachu, Dewgong, and Lucario remained.
"This is not a fight we can win!" grunted Lucario, blasting away, multiple oncoming bars with multiple Aura Spheres.
"It's no longer about winning! It's about saving our friends!" growled Ash, rolling to the side as Pikachu struck down a bar with his Iron Tail that nearly hit Ash.
"Less talking and more attacking," panted Misty, exhausted from her own ordeal of dodging and instructing Dewgong. On and on they fought, pushing themselves to their absolute limits. Misty and Dewgong finally fell, and Ash, his master, and his Pokemon stood alone. Time slowed down for Ash, watching dozens of devices come at them from all sides.
Lucario's right. We're going to lose this fight, but that doesn't mean we need to lose the war, and we're going to need our energy to win it, thought the boy. Accepting his fate, Ash ceased his movements, ordering his Pokemon to do the same. Lucario shared a look with his apprentice, nodding in approval. Then, everything went black, and they were taken.
Somewhere Above the Orange Island Seas
The two humans and their Pokemon soared through the Orange Island skies. Snow and hail were now falling in far greater quantities. The temperature was beyond freezing. Countless Flying Pokemon weaved between them, all heading in the same direction, and making it difficult to not crash. Some good news though. The thunder and lightning had ceased.
"How are you holding up Delia?" yelled out Professor Oak atop his Dragonite. Delia kept her eyes forward, her face tight in concentration and determination. It was a fire her own Flying Pokemon shared along with Red's Pikachu.
"Just fine Samuel. How much longer now?" Professor Oak furrowed his brow, looking down and trying to study the passing ocean and landscapes. His poor eyesight, the white of the constant snow, and the rapid speed at which they traveled made it quite difficult to determine. All he could make out was the water and thousands of tiny shapes, presumably Pokemon, traversing the seas.
"I'm afraid I can't say my dear, but we're getting closer. I would wager another hour or two at the most?" offered the man.
Shamouti Island Skies
"We are reporting live from up above Shamouti Island, where a world-wide storm, dwarfing the Kanto Super-Cell from a few months back, has originated. Here at the epicenter, there is no true respite. As you can see all around me, snow and hail continue to fall at a blistering pace, and the temperature is getting worse by the moment. What's causing this catastrophe? Stay tuned to find out," winked the reporter.
"And we are clear," called the overweight man, holding a camera steady. The reporter visibly relaxed, pulling out her supplies and reapplying make-up.
"This broadcast is absolute gold! George, have we heard anything from HQ?"
"Yeah boss. Record numbers are tuned in, and from all around the world," answered the man.
"As they should. It doesn't look like we have any competition around," noted the woman, peering outside the helicopter. No other media seemed to be in the vicinity. All she could see was snow, Shamouti Island, three islands in the distance, a giant flying machine, and…
"What on earth is that?" The ever faithful and despondent camera man looked out, spotting what his boss had mentioned.
"Looks like a Flying Castle or something," muttered the man.
"Well don't just sit there gawking George! Roll the camera! Pilot, get us closer!" barked the woman. George sighed
Why did I sign up for this job again?
Celestic Town – Sinnoh Region
Cynthia frowned at what the tiny television screen showed her. That machine. She hadn't seen it before, but she certainly recognized the design philosophy behind it.
Hunter J. That's her work, thought the Sinnoh Champion. Perhaps she should have been more involved after all. Sending Meran in her stead seemed positively negligent right now, especially since the weather was impacting Sinnoh now as well! The region's northern location and already cold climate didn't help matters either. Even if she wanted to help though, it would take days at her max speed to reach the Orange Islands. No, that wouldn't do at all.
"Lost in thought dear?" asked a kinder old voice, placing a cup of coffee, with plenty of sweetener of course, a few scoops of ice-cream, and some biscuits in front of Cynthia. Her grandmother certainly knew Cynthia and her sweet tooth well.
"Sorry Grandma, but I can't help but think I could have done more to prevent this," sighed the girl, taking some minor comfort in the treats before her.
"If I know my granddaughter, and I sure hope I do, then you would have done all you could child. Furthermore, complaining won't do you or the world any favors, so why not do something productive?"
"I do believe you're right, and there is something I can do now," smile the woman, pulling out a cell phone.
"That's my girl. Now go ahead and do what needs to be done while I check on those cookies in the oven," chuckled the elder, walking away to the kitchen. On Cynthia's end, she had already dialed a number, pulling the phone to her ear.
"Hello Mr. Goodshow. Yes, this is Cynthia. I would like to speak with Lance regarding Shamouti Island and a few young trainers."
The Floating Palace
Ash's body spasmed as a jolt of electricity passed through his body, bringing the boy back to consciousness. His muscles were tight, and he felt drained. Opening his eyes slowly and forcing himself to stand, the boy took in his surroundings. It was a large and spacious room that he found himself trapped in. It appeared to be made entirely out of marble in shades of green and yellow. There were also plenty of windows showing a darkened outside in the distance. More pressing though were the metal cages scattered about. Ash himself was entombed in such a device. He could see his friends and Pokemon in their own cages as well, and of course Zapdos. Finally, as he had suspected, Moltres was also secured. Nobody else seemed to be awake. Nobody but him.
A metal screeching alerted Ash, prompting him to look upward. The ceiling was beautifully illustrated, depicting angels among the clouds. The art wasn't his focus though. Rather, it was the slowly descending metal platform, and the people on it. Sitting content on a throne-like chair was a man Ash had seen before, though not in the waking world. The man had long, pale green hair with locks near his eyes, a strange device shielding one of them, and a prominent red eye that gazed down at Ash. He was garbed in heavy robes of purple and gold, shielding his body from sight. Behind him, standing on the dais in unison, were three silent and motionless figures. They almost reminded Ash of Koga with their ninja-like appearance, but their hair was pure white. Masks covered most of their faces as well. Eventually, the platform came to a halt, stopping on the level Ash found himself on. Nobody spoke at first, choosing to observe instead. Eventually, it was the red-eyed man who broke the silence.
"Comfy?" he asked with a sardonic smile. Ash said nothing, glaring at the man for mocking him.
"Not a talker then? Very well, I shall do the speaking. My name is Ghetsis. I am here in the Orange Islands to achieve a great destiny. All was proceeding to plan with no interference. Moltres, the Titan of Fire, was secured quite easily. Then came Zapdos. Though his capture was no issue, your interference gave me pause. Why, I asked myself, are children and their Pokemon in the middle of the Orange Islands, interacting with Legendary Pokemon at the same time I am out to collect them? Is it perhaps a coincidence?" Ghetsis paused here, studying Ash's response. Again, the boy did nothing but glare. Ghetsis merely smiled and continued, standing up and walking in front of Ash's cage.
"No. I do not believe in such things. You are here for some purpose, like me. Otherwise, why bother interfering when I sought to capture my latest acquisition? Now then, you will tell me this purpose and if anybody else seeks to aid you in it." Ash spat at him. The shadow triad moved in unison, drawing knives, and moving fast, but they stopped just as quick when Ghetsis raised a single hand. The man took his other hand and pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the fluid off his face, turning his visible eye to Ash.
"So, you wish to play games? I can play too. Computer, send a shock to cage 7," called out Ghetsis.
"AHHHHHH!"
Ash's eyes widened as Espeon was lit up with electricity, bringing the Pokemon to consciousness and making her cry in pain.
"STOP! PLEASE STOP!" screamed Ash.
"Now you choose to speak? I'm not sure I want to. You've been awfully rude for a guest."
"JUST STOP AND I'LL TELL YOU!" roared Ash.
Cease the shockwave," chuckled the man. The electricity stopped flowing through her body, and Espeon fell to the floor, panting in pain and exhaustion.
"Speak." Ash thought quickly, coming up with a story on the spot.
"My friends and I happened to be in the area. One of my friends Tracey, is a native of the islands, and he told us about a unique festival on Shamouti Island. When we got there, they spoke of some prophecy and an annual tradition of a Pokemon Trainer visiting the three local islands to appease the legendary Pokemon. I thought it was joke, but we went along with it. We were just there to have some fun. I swear!" vowed Ash, his voice never wavering.
"Just there for fun? Are you lying to me boy? I can get quite nasty if I need to," warned Ghetsis.
"It's the truth!" affirmed Ash.
"Again, I ask, why did you attack my vessel then?"
"You were hurting Zapdos. My friends and I always come to the aid of a Pokemon in need."
"Is that right?" pondered the man, studying Ash intently. Eventually, he shook his head in amusement.
"Well then, you and your friends are foolish in more ways than one. Pokemon are powerful tools to be utilized by great men to achieve great things. Aiding Pokemon for no reason is a waste of time and resources. That prophecy the locals spoke of is very real and I intend to see it through, achieving my destiny as the chosen one that will bring together the titans, summoning the beast of the sea itself! I have one titan left before the real prize appears, and I can't have noble children and their Pokemon interfering. Enjoy your stay boy. You will have the privilege of witnessing history up close." With that, Ghetsis departed, taking his minions with him, and they all ascended back to where they had come from.
Waiting a few more moments to see if they had really gone, Ash relaxed, releasing a breath, and letting his shoulder slump. He quickly sobered, realizing the need for escape and to stop this mad man's plans. Checking his sides, he still appeared to have his Pokeballs on him. Funny. He would have thought that the red-eyed man, or Ghetsis as he was called, would have seen to them being taken. If he remembered correctly, these things had the potential to send electric jolts through them. With that in mind, Ash sent out a Pokemon. Ryhorn materialized in the cage next to Ash, fully rested and ready for action.
"Ryhorn, listen carefully and keep quiet. We've all been captured and are currently on board an airship. We need to escape asap, but these cages can send out electricity at any moment. Since you are a Ground/Rock Pokemon, you should be able to resist the effects. Think you can help spring us?" True to his trainer's instructions, Ryhorn gave a silent nod.
"Great!" whispered the boy aloud.
"I need to use to Bulldoze on the cage." Ryhorn charged, shaking the ground beneath him, and quickly slammed into the cage, drawing electricity into his body, but doing nothing to the device's structural integrity. Ash ordered a halt, looking up for a minute to see if the loud noise would draw his captors back, but nobody appeared. Thus, he quickly ordered another strike, and then another.
Not even a dent. Guess he wasn't just being cocky when he let us keep our Pokemon. How the heck do we escape then? Maybe another attack? Ash ordered a fourth Bulldoze, but this time he paid close attention. When Ryhorn connected with the cage, Ash briefly saw some of the bars come apart, but electricity quickly drew them back together.
It's like a magnet, powered by electricity! If I can cut the power, then maybe this cage will fall apart? Luckily, I have just the right set of skills to do it. Ash assumed his stance, placing one hand out near a bar and the other behind him. Taking a breath, Ash slowly pushed his hand forward and then his hand touched cool metal. Electricity coursed into his hand, down his arm, into his stomach, and up the back arm, exiting in a single stream out the back hand. The flow continued, unending for well over a minute as it was dissipated against a nearby pillar. Sweat poured down Ash's forehead, but the boy did not waver, maintaining his stance and focus. After what seemed like an eternity, the flow ceased, and the cage fell apart. Ash collapsed onto a knee panting and breathing heavily. Ryhorn brushed his head against Ash's in comfort, seeking to console the boy.
"Thanks pal, but I'll live. Not sure I have the energy to free everyone else though, which means I'm going to need help," said the boy, patting Ryhorn on the head. Standing up, Ash moved to his master's cage. There was so much to do and so little time.
Floating Palace – Upper Chamber
"Fascinating," marveled Ghetsis, seeing the boy free himself from his cage through a hidden camera, which displayed the results on screen. Similarly, there were several devices picking up the sound in the room allowing Ghetsis to overhear everything said within. Thus far, nothing too important had been said. Yet, there was that power the boy showed. Now that was something.
"I believe our interloper is an aura wielder. I had thought them extinct, or at least the human variety. This certainly changes a thing or two," mused the man aloud.
"Lord Ghetsis, do you wish us to eliminate the threat?"
"Now why would I want you to do that? No, my faithful friends. An actual living aura wielder can be of use. Allow him to carry out his task for now. We will step in when I deem it necessary," concluded the man with a tone of finality. The shadow triad bowed, ever obedient to their master.
This boy and his powers… I will make them MINE!
END CHAPTER
Hello my friends! It's been a hot minute since the last chapter was posted and I apologize for the inconvenience. Onboarding at the new job has been rough and my new life routine has left little time for much leisure. Wake up at 4:30 AM to workout, leave the house at 6:45 AM, get to work at 7:45 AM, leave work at 5-7PM, and get home exhausted. I admit I was lazy and uninspired last weekend, but now I am back and enough excuses!
Today's chapter ended on a cliffhanger that was different than I intended, but I thought this new development was a good stopping point.
Next Time – Ash and Ghetsis clash, Delia and Oak arrive, the world reacts to Legendary Pokemon, and a character we haven't seen in a very long time will learn something that angers them quite a bit.
Espeon860 – Thanks for the review! Loved the game for sure! Hope you liked the initial meeting. Stay tuned for the action round.
Guest – Thanks for the review. Please don't spam requests in reviews lol.
Tenjo – Thanks for the review! Very convenient escape method indeed. Feel free to offer critique when you catch up to the story.
Talesfanjmf – Thanks for the review! Glad you liked Slowking and the Aura. I saw your PM. Guess I was confused about what you were pointing to. Oh well lol.
Sidryuu14 – Thanks for the review! I will consider Kleavor. Loved PLA, so I want to incorporate elements in this story.
Tyuo – Thanks for the review and the congrats! Very excited with this new job, even if it is a lot busier. Hope you liked the chapter!
Reader – Thanks for the review! Yeah, I noticed the naming convention as well lol.
Remember to review with your thoughts and critique : )
Smell ya later!
