Hi guys, I am back with a new chapter. I'm damn sorry about the updating schedule but just try to enjoy the rest. If you don't just start shipping Pikachu and Ketchup then thats just real sad. But a definite motivator is if you guys review because it really motivates me. Once again thanks to Althea Sirius for Beta-Reading this for me. And don't worry this is still going on, I just went on a little break. If you hate this BURN MY SOUL IN THE REVIEWS. Please try not too. I 'll be sad... But do so I Need Feedback!
Enjoy the rest.
Moonlight poured luminous textures, an eternal sea of pale light. Two indigo eyes staring at him, pitied with a sense of concern, the features familiar. A solemn, muted silence pulsed a recovery to the wounded mind of Ash Ketchum.
Mewtwo.
His amber eyes melted and his gaze repeated almost asking itself if it was an illusion or a mirage.
Mewtwo coughed.
Okay so the visible annoyance on Mewtwo's face clearly portrayed that it wasn't an illusion.
A sidetracked thought snapped into reality as the legendary Pokemon coughed several times in improbable irritation again lapsing his awe-stricken mind.
Ash laughed nervously, "Yeah sorry about that..." He then added after a thought snapped into his mind, "Wait... Was it you...Mewtwo back there? That was Teleportation wasn't it?"
A rich smile grew on the purple, feline-like Pokemon indicating to Ash that his guess was correct.
The sixteen year old, observed his surroundings, quietly taking everything in. He was currently residing in the centre of a dense prairie with huge chestnut trees swaying gently to the rhythm of the breeze. Aside from Mewtwo, there were no other Pokemon around creating a tranquil, surreal atmosphere that Ash momentarily enjoyed.
But out of the blue, a deep, sombre voice entered his mind echoing repeatedly in his head, "Ash, young man, you have quite a lot of explaining to do." Looking around in confusion, Ash stared at Mewtwo if asking it was communicating with him. Alas, Mewtwo shook its head in dissent.
It wasn't Mewtwo. It couldn't have been the legendary. Their connection felt more telepathic and in some senses it was more muted. This sentence connected more with his spirit. It felt distinctive, recognisable.
Suddenly, Ash felt weighted as a light jolted out from his body; hue looked down on it to see a blue hue immerse every inch of his body surrounding it completely.
However, Ash knew the cause of this and how the connection was made.
Aura.
Mewtwo hovered, levitating subtly in the cool breeze, then it moved slowly aside for Ash to capture a sight of a masked silhouette who was partially covering the surface of the pale crescent moon
Ash cautiously approached the stranger limping heavily, cautious of the possible consequences that stood ahead.
Gulping, he was about to motion the stranger's attention but before that happened the figured swivelled around to face him
Of course, the face he saw was one Ash hadn't seen in more than a decade.
He reminisced the younger version of himself listening in awe to the countless stories recounted by this stranger, all in due time was proven true as revealed by his achievements. And of course he was still the only person to own a Mewtwo.
Of course he would never forget the person.
Casually walking up to him, Ash muttered, "Hi dad..."
3 Days Later:
A blazing ball lit up the sky signalling the everlasting arrival of the solar giant. Dawn woke up slowly in her queen sized bed, as she rubbed her droopy eyes. It was a miserable, cold start to the day with frost surrounding the streets of Twinleaf Town and forecast was set to be a mixture of sun and rain; yet despite that the Fletchlings of the sleepy settlement had managed to tweet a merry song.
Dawn trudged over to the refurbished bathroom located within a small door at the corner of the room. With lacklustre she began to brush her teeth and once she had freshened up, makeup and hair routines were next on the agenda. After completing her daily session of Yoga, Dawn changed into more suitable day clothing and exited her bedroom.
The blunette was in a slightly tampered mood as she glided down the stairs in slight frustration.
The reason? Her mom had promised Dawn that both of them were to go shopping but alas as always her mom was preoccupied with some other stupid thing and had left the house early to attend.
She moaned as she stomped of to the large, contemporary kitchen situated in an open-planned living room accompanied by a glassed dining table. As she poured large flakes of cereal into a bowl, Dawn sat nearing the central island and with a mediocre yawn she turned to the flat screen TV placed in the modernistic lounge.
It was the news. Dawn was about to switch channels until she caught sight of the title signalled in the bottom-left highlighted in bold.
Pallet Town Catastrophe. Several people have been injured. One person has been confirmed as dead.
Dawn stopped her breakfast as she rushed to intake the information. Wide-eyed, she waited in anticipation to hear the report.
The news reporter then added concluding the news segment, "The fatality has been confirmed as Ash Ketchum, a prodigy in Pokemon battling. He has challenged 6 other leagues with a momentous 2nd place finish in the recent Kalos league. As well as that he is the youngest ever person to have defeated the Battle Frontier and the Orange League's champion."
Clutching an arm-wrest in shock, she shook her head in denial as beads of tears flowed in that first tear broke free, the rest followed in an unbroken stream. Dawn bent forward where she sat on the floor and pressing her palms to the mat, she began to cry, and nothing she could do would stop her."
Each gasp tore down her throat and her mind raced even as she lost herself in the storm. But Ash was just fine 2 weeks ago when she was called by him to announce his 2nd place finish in the Kalos League!
No. He couldn't be gone. Not when he promised her he'd fight and never give up dammit! She pounded the cold floor. Hissed a breath through clenched teeth. But the strength left her, even as she attempted to stand. Her throat held back something between a sob and a shout. Her body was wracked with an onslaught of sobs and tears culminating in parched sniffles.
Dawn was a 15 year old girl but even she understood the true dark face of fate. She had seen it personally whilst lying as a small child comforted by her mom as she mourned over her dad's loss in a tragic car accident 9 years ago. Despite her father's death being an event that occurred nearly a decade ago the lasting effect it would have on Dawn was everlasting.
Impacts were always the worst things in life. Ash was one of her best friends; she could even remark that she was only here today because of him. They had been through so much like the Team Galactic business and the entire Arceus arc but now... he was actually dead...
A shrill ring sounded at the front door. Dawn wiped away the water in her sapphire eyes and walked unsteadily to the modern front door located a few metres away.
She opened it reluctantly to open to the faces of three teens.
She instantly recognized two of them.
Brock with his tanned skin, tall demeanour and small beady eyes. She smiled warmly at him, Brock returned it. It had been a year since the two had met but she was definitely happy to see a familiar friend to talk to if she had worry, especially considering that Brock was almost an 18 year old and he was incredibly responsible.
She shifted her eyes to a tall, brunette with an Umbreon closely tailing him. She could briefly remember his name. Gary. That was it. Gary appeared fidgeting with a multi-coloured pendant hanging loosely of his toned neck, as he looked down almost attempting to avoid anyone's gaze.
The next one was...ugh. Paul. As much as she understood the rivalling relationship between the two trainers, Dawn was slightly confused in which why Paul would even bare the empathy for Ash. And by looking at his hardened smile, emotionless and muted expressions it appeared to Dawn that he came here solely to pay respects for his fallen rival.
So Dawn in appreciation of their efforts to come to her place and also because of the stale, cold winter air breathing down their necks; she let them inside and quietly closed the door.
The group made it into the living room and seated themselves in the couches located there. Dawn walked into the open-plan kitchen and asked, "Anyone want a drink?"
Paul was the first to refuse with a hasty shake of his head, Gary and Brock followed suit with a more polite refute. So once Dawn prepared a mug of Hot Chocolate for herself she sat down with the others waiting for someone to say something.
An awkward silence, but Brock stood up and broke it. "Everyone knows why we're here. We give our respects to not just a Pokemon Trainer, but a strategist who came up with the most unique tactics, a mentor who gave us more than just assistance and a hero who not just saved the world on multiple occasions but also changed people's lives. I'll give my share of the most wonderful, caring trainer that I've met." He stopped to brush of his watery eyes.
"Ash was different. Most trainers would tend to stick to 1 team to combat all regions but Ash... he wanted to experience the thrill of using multiple different Pokemon in different regions and doing that whilst ensuring the safety of his Pokemon. Putting them before his own life. On top of that, Ash had a battle-mindset like no other. His strategies and variation of moves were incredible. Some that I've seen, just blew me away." Everyone agreed including a reluctant nod by Paul. "But there was one thing, no one could ever replace from Ash. His personality. He was jovial, positive, full of optimism, kind-hearted and I dare say it, he was slightly dense."
A muffled laugh came from the surrounding people, Brock sat down in defeat concluding his speech. To continue Gary stood up, " He was my rival. My friend. And my solace in the darkness. At first I admit that when we started our journey, I was cocky and quite rude to Ash," Brock coughed slightly in which Gary saw and altered his words upon knowing that his last sentence was regarded as quite an understatement.
"I admit I was arrogant and I was discourteous to Ash. Anyway, at most occurences I was ahead of Ash in Kanto. However when he progressed further in the Indigo league and won the Orange League I felt a tinge of animosity and jealousy. But throughout the course of my journey through Johto, I got to know the real Ash. He was accepting and compassionate. When he beat me in the Silver Conference... it felt as if he had surpassed me. And a weight that always hung from my shoulder was now removed. So in order to preserve his memory, I have decided to recontinue my journey as a trainer. Being a professor is really not for me. I think Gramps should hang onto that."
Everyone in the room was surprised at the bold decision Gary made and applauded him knowing full sure that he made the best possible choice.
However even though he presented an intelligent decision, Gary hung his head low though, "Even if I do that, it will never bring back my best buddy Ash."
Dawn came to the rescue and intervened, " Hey Gary, if Ash looked at you now wouldn't he be happy? Wouldn't he be proud that you have continued to follow your true dream." Gary sniffed slightly but sat down.
Dawn caught Brock in the eye and he nodded hastening her to talk, "Well as Brock knows I actually met Ash when Pikachu accidentally fried my bike," Gary started chuckling and muttered, "Yep I've heard that a couple of other times from Ashy-Boy."
It was true in the case of Misty and May. So Dawn continued, "When I met him, I'll be honest I was sort of conceited like Gary. But as I realised later on it wasn't that easy to win contests as I originally thought from my mother's perspective who at my age became Top Co-ordinator. I learnt it the hard way. So I began to despair and I fell into a state of depression. But of course, the ever optimistic Ash lifted my spirits with a little help from Brock and May. But really the main lesson I learnt from him was to always trust my Pokemon and in turn they would trust me. So I started practicing techniques I never even thought were possible thanks to Ash and slowly but surely my confidence grew and eventually I started winning contest after contest. It was a real life-changing journey that I will never forget. And I owe it all thanks to Ash and Brock."
Dawn ended her speech and Brock seemed flattered that he was supposedly contributing to increasing Dawn's confidence levels.
But finally it was Paul's turn to speak, he stood up emotionless as ever. Dawn perceived almost that he was unwilling to come here.
"Ash was a good trainer at heart." The before monotone voice lightened up surprisingly, "Actually alteration, Ash IS a great trainer at heart."
Well coming from Paul, who possibly had a colder heart that couldn't freeze even if you poured a layer of molten lava, it was genuine.
It was a loss that struck everyone personally in such a way that it was almost unforgettable, a dagger sliced through the skin leaving an everlasting scar that would never go away as long as they existed upon this sinful Earth.
No one offered to speak to conclude their sudden congregation and Dawn was about to do so until she realized that trio of boys were looking at her with utmost ridicule that Dawn began to doubt if she had done everything right.
She was going to ask why the boys were staring at her simultaneously and she was going to say that it was getting a bit too creepy for her liking. But she was interrupted by a squabble of feet dancing around the staircase.
In an instant, a little blue penguin came hopping quickly down the stairs and waddled over to Dawn in an ecstatic manner.
Of course it was Piplup, Dawn rolled her eyes in disbelief as she tried to shake a miniature penguin of her attire.
'Pip...Pip...Piplyon...Pipiyon.' The begging voice of Piplup almost seemed to ask her to follow, almost beckoning her.
In questioning, the blunette turned back to the boys, "I don't wanna say this is strange but Piplup's excitement is like Pikachu's love of ketchup with steroids. And needless to say you three have also been extremely odd these couple of minutes."
Brock replied swiftly as he placed a leg on top of his other leg, "Well, to be honest I can't say much about what happened, but hey check what Piplup is wanting you to see, it might be surprising."
Dawn looked down on the desperate Piplup almost tearing her clothing off, the girl had to go mildly restrain him so her clothes wouldn't rip off.
She then asked, "Well I better see what Piplup wants otherwise I'll replace my brand new attire in a matter of seconds. Does anyone wanna come?"
Gary stiffened slightly, "No thanks, but you better go check what Piplup wants, me and the boys have to have litle chat."
Again with the odd behaviour, Dawn seemed extremely suspicious of the three teenage boys. But in the end she turned around and started walking in the path that Piplup directed her too.
A quick ascent up the stairs and a sharp left into the back door of the study. Piplup slowly pressed the door open.
And there among the heaps of bookshelves and other relics and stuff, lay someone curled up in the corner.
And that someone turned to reveal a person Dawn could only hope were alive.
His regular spiky hair was clipped slightly to a more conventional style. A cap and matching sets ot trainers emboldened him.
Splotches of dirt accumulating in a corner if his t-shirt. A toothy grin and a gleeful Pikachu sitting happily on his shoulder.
Dawn smiled in relief and happiness, there was only one person in the world that fitted this description.
So back from the dead, rose Ash Ketchum.
Dawn her eyes wide with disbelief and confusion. She slowly walked up to him, but the first thing the Sinnoh native did to him did to greet him was give him a well-earned slap on the face.
In response Ash yelped in pain and exclaimed with annoyance, "Ow. Holy Shit Dawn. I didn't mean to kill you. I was going to do our special high-five thing."
It really was him. A platter of euphoric bombs evaporated slowly as sudden realization caught instinct. She rushed to embrace him in a Giga-Impact hug and the raven-haired trainer heartily returned.
The blunette giggled and replied, "Stupid. I just wanted to check whether you were real or an illusion or a clone." She then gave a hug and Ash squealed, "Hurts... stop please..."
Dawn had tears in her eyes but she eventually pulled back, " I thought you actually died. What Happened? Actually forget I ever asked that then again. If I thought anyone could survive in this crazy world of humanity it would be you because you're Ash Ketchum." And with that sentence she wrapped him in another hug once they separated the two friends smiled and clasped their hands together in their signature high-five.
On the opposite side of the room, Pikachu and Piplup were both relieved in seeing each other and were happily playing with each other. After a few minutes of observing their respective Pokemon's playfulness, she then turned back to him with a pouting expression on her face, "Couldn't have it at least been of an essence to give us a call so you don't break my heart when you call."
Ash laughed, "Oh that I really enjoyed, in particular the empathetic speech. Though I had to convince Paul and Gary a tinge more."
That seemed odd. How did Ash speak to Paul and Gary beforehand. 'It doesn't mean anything' Dawn thought to herself.
Ash and Dawn slid down the stairs to find the trio of boys looking expectantly at them.
Gary smiled, "I see you met our acquaintance Ash." They looked at the Pokemon trainer as if they...
Dawn narrowed her eyes in even more suspicion, "How did you..."
Paul beat her to it, "We found Ash, healthy as ever sleeping his head if under a tree. As the pathetic slacker he is." After receiving momentary glares from the rest of the group Paul muttered, "Fine as the person he is."
Then he looked at the others like, 'Do you want me to say that he is the greatest battler to have ever existed and is on par with freakin' Arceus.'
Ash seemed in a jovial mood as he continued to chat to everyone learning even more about there current affairs. Even Paul as sparse as he said he also contributed.
Dawn then asked, "Uh. Ash if you don't mind me asking. What happened?"
Narrowing his eyebrows, the entire group knew that the question had hit a touchy subject.
At first with a loss of words, Ash recounted the events that occurred starting with the stab of betrayal and lead into the arc concerning the highly lucrative Team Rocket. He thought on impulse on his speech and made sure he didn't include anything about Serena. His emotions towards her hadn't vanished at all, it was different though a more faint recognition of feelings.
The conclusion of his statement brought Ash to his final topic.
Now staring at every member of the group with a resistant glint in his Chocolate-brown eyes, the Pallet town native beckoned them to come forwards in utmost secrecy.
He then whispered in a dramatically unsung effect, "Before the other major thing I need to inform you about, there is one major thing that I need to inform you about. In 2 days I will fly out to the distant region of Alola."
And Done. Holy Shit that took waay to long. I'm damn tired to write anymore. Thank you all for your support and help over the past 2 months. I know i havent uploaded in that spanse of time. But I just realized something. My writing of late has been pretty crappy so I think I need a co-writer. If u want to apply just pm me. Until then goodbye. Also btw this WILL NOT be a Pearlshipping story but I will pair Dawn of to somone else.