Fellow reviewers, I have returned after four long months with another great chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Pokemon except for my own characters.
Chapter 8: The Maiden's Love Returns
Last time, Angelina defeats Dome Ace Tucker for the Tactics Symbol at the Battle Dome and performs her Crystalline Concert. Later that evening, Seamus leaves with his father to set up the next concert while Angelina travels to the next facility with Christina, Jeremy, and Dani.
"I know where we are, just surprised you two don't remember," Jeremy said, looking disappointed at the girls.
"Sorry if I don't Mr. 'I've traveled every region twice'," Angelina replied, answering a text message on her Poke Gear. "Not counting Sinnoh because we have yet to go there."
"Enlighten us, Jerry-bear." Dani said, smiling while Angelina and Christina stifled their laughter.
Jeremy cursed himself for letting his girlfriend fashion him a pet name. "R-right, okay," he calmly looked around the landscape, then smirks, "Do you see how the trail splits up a few feet ahead?" they took note that Jeremy made a correct observation. "And do you see how the woods seem to become less thick on the left trail? I bet if we go that way, we'll be at Maiden's Peak."
Dani smiled in amazement, remembering last time's visit to Maiden's Peak she was able to control her emotions when Tracey was under the maiden's spell. She also snickered that Amber didn't find out about anyone's dreams they had about whom they would marry. Although during her first journey in Kanto, Dani almost married Rainer of the Eevee Brothers but the wedding was stopped when Jeremy arrived saying he loved her, which relieved her friends as well.
Angelina, however, looked like the living daylights were scared out of her. She remembered a Gastly put Brock and James of Team Rocket under a spell, which made them fall madly in love over the 2000 year old maiden. She, along with Ash, Misty, Jessie, and Meowth put ghost stickers all over the shrine to ward off the maiden's spirit. Angelina realized at the time she was falling in love with Brock, but confused with her feelings because she didn't want him hurt, and it was revealed that Gastly was just trying to help the real maiden find her lost one true love.
"Come on, Lina!" Christina yelled, startling Angelina from her thoughts as the others had already began running toward the path to Maiden's Peak.
"Hey, wait up!" Angelina began to run to catch up with them.
POKEMON
It's a battle, winner or lose
It's the friends you make
It's the road you choose
We got the right stuff
So make your mind up
Find the courage inside of you
If you're strong you'll survive
And keep your dream alive
It's the Battle Frontier
POKEMON
Be the best you can be
And find your destiny
It's the master plan
The powers in you hand
POKEMON
The quartette was now on the border of Maiden's Peak and the outskirts of it looked as beautiful as it had when they had first came there. The trees were lush with green leaves, the ocean water was sparkling blue, and of course the statue of the maiden (who the town was named after) stood proudly on the cliff where she waited patiently for her love to return to her.
"Well we're on the outskirts of Maiden's Peak, just like Jeremy said. Let's find a place to stay before we have to sleep outside." Dani suggested, walking into town. Jeremy and Christina followed behind her with Angelina. Chocolate scampered back onto Angelina's shoulder as they were edging closer to the place they had been long ago, not knowing that they would later run into Ash's gang and Team Rocket.
Walking into the heart of Maiden's Peak, it was exactly the same. Lanterns were strung everywhere, the food stands were out, and it was more crowded than it usually was. Which could only mean one thing, and they all knew what time of year they had returned at. Maiden's Festival.
"Beware of a young and beautiful woman in your future!" a voice called out among the crowd. "She'll lead you to a cruel fate."
"N-no way, it just c-can't be…." Angelina said, looking around everywhere wildly in panic. She couldn't feel her sister tugging at her skirt or her friends yell for her attention. Everything went in slow motion, especially the appearance of the familiar old woman with long white hair.
"Your eyes are not deceiving you, my dear--" cackled the woman, transforming into a dark purple ball floating within lavender gas. Its large white eyes glowed a bright red. "And not only I, but also the maiden honorably asks you to summon your friends to the shrine and you shall be greatly rewarded in due time."
"Yes…. Whatever you wish." Angelina whispered monotonously, her eyes glowed a brownish-red and suddenly her world blackened out. Then she awoken in mid-air, the beautiful sight of the ocean before her, while she heard familiar voices from behind. On one side was Brock standing with determination in front of Ash and Misty. On the other side was Jessie holding James back from reaching out to the rock.
"I don't care if she's made of stone!" James yelled. "I'm still in love with her!"
"If she were my girlfriend, I'd make sure she was never out of my side!" Brock demanded.
Angelina blushed deeply, she hoped more than anything to become that special girl in a guy's life. Her own feelings arose for Brock when he was cast under Gastly's spell, fearing she'd lose him forever. Then there was James, her childhood friend whom she also cared about very deeply but wondered if there was something from their past that would bind their friendship even further.
"No one will steal her away from me, not even Team Rocket! I've fight them to keep her safe!" James cried, his hands flailing dramatically.
"Gastly, is it true that what's said in the past sometimes predicts what'll happen in the future?" Angelina asked.
"Hearsay, my dear," the ghost Pokemon replied. "But then we never know what the future may bring and sometimes be patient in the present and cherish out past."
"Oh, I see." Angelina said, then she looks at Brock and sighs. "I'm still in love with him, and no matter what I do there's just no way he'll understand."
"Love is but a mere goal being dangled for you to keep reaching what you really want to achieve in life." Gastly explained, feeling slight pity for the young girl. "I bid you adieu until tonight's' festivities, pleasant dreams." he disappeared, leaving Angelina stand in front of the maiden's shrine.
"Wait, Gastly! Don't leave me…. Please don't…." Angelina lost her breath and felt her eyes closed. She stirred and moved in her surroundings; something very comfy beneath her.
"Don't worry, Angel, we're right here for you."
"H-huh? Wha-?!" Angelina slowly opened her eyes. She was greeted by her friends and little sister. They were inside the shrine, a fireplace was lit to keep everyone warm; sleeping bags were set up an they were accompanied by the old woman.
"You really scared us, Angelina." Jeremy said, smiling in relief. "Freaked out during the painting's unveiling, but luckily we had help and brought you up here."
"It's the maiden's spirit I tell you! Calling out to young girls to find her long lost beloved soldier and the men falling under her wicked spell." the old woman explained.
"N-no! Stay away from Brock!" Angelina yelled, pointing a shaking fist to the old woman. "I…. don't want to lose him again, you've done enough, Gastly!"
"Gastly?!" Dani asked, taking out her Pokedex and gasped. "She's a Pokemon alright, an honest to be Gengar!"
The old woman cackled as the girls huddled behind Jeremy, fear etched on their faces as they watch the woman's transformation into a roundish purple-and-black creature with spiky hair and pointed arms, ears, and legs. It cackled ripples of purple waves towards Angelina and friends put them out of consciousness.
"Only a few more hours, dear children," Gengar smiled, watching as they fall into a deep sleep. "And the maiden will truly thank you for this…."
Angelina was staring out at the ocean as the sun was setting. She pretty much had the same expression and stood exactly as the maiden (many years before her death) awaiting her beloved's return. She was no longer alone when a familiar group is seen running towards the shrine. They skidded to a hault when they saw Pikachu had stopped and stood with Angelina at the cliff looking at maiden's peak.
"Hey guys! Angelina's here, too!" Ash exclaimed, smiling.
"So where's Christina and their friends?" May asked.
Loud banging and screams for help can be heard from inside the shrine. Max pointed out the door was padlocked, so May called out her Combusken to break the lock with a combination of Flamethrower and Low Kick. The lock shattered after the performed attacks and the doors flung open. Christina ran straight into Max's arms with tears streaming down her face and her Togepi was frightened as well. Jeremy was escorting an upset Danielle, but they were relieved to see Ash's gang.
"What's wrong with Angelina?" Brock asked, noticing the girl had not move upon their arrival. She was still gazing into the horizon and the magnificent view of the moonlit sea.
"She was fine and dandy earlier today, but soon as that old fortune teller appeared, she freaked out that you'd be taken away from her again." Jeremy explained in slight worry. "I just don't know what it is now, but maybe--"
"Meowth! Come back here!" voices shouted in unison. Jessie and James came out of the bushes chasing after Meowth.
"Its Team Rocket!" everyone shouted.
"Ugh, it's the twerps!" James said annoyed.
"Hey what's wrong with Meowth?" Ash questioned as he pointed to the feline Pokemon.
"How should we know, he just ran away and he followed him here" James answered as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Same thing happened with Pikachu." Ash said.
"A-a-sh!" May said as she was shaking.
"What's up, May?" Ash asked confused as he turned to the brunette.
"L-o-ok!" May said as she pointed a shaking finger at the maiden.
"I don't see any-bwaaaaaa!" Ash screamed as he and everyone else were shaking like mad about. The ghost of maiden's peak was coming out of the rock and was floating in front of the rock. "Is-is th-that Gastly?" he asked in a whisper.
"I-I don't th-think so, l-look!" Brock stuttered. They saw a Gengar had appeared on the left-side of the ghostly maiden.
"D-does that m-make her the r-real ghost of ma-maiden's p-peak?" Dani asked while stuttering.
"I g-guess s-so." Jeremy stuttered back.
"I know that you are there," the ghostly maiden spoke as she turned around to the group.
"Ahhh d-don't hurt us!" Ash stuttered.
"No, of course not," the ghost replied with a smile. "My name is Camisha Yuseto, and I have called you here because I need your help." she continued. "As you probably already know, I have been waiting 2000 years for my love to return and that day has finally come after all this time."
"So you mean tonight's the night when your love comes back?" Ash asked.
"Yes, and oh how long have I waited for this day,"Camisha replied back with a dreamy look in her eyes. "That day so long ago I pleaded him not to go, but then he said that he had to, to defend Cameron Palace and win the war at that time. As he left on his ship, I stood on this very peak and promised that I would wait for him at this very spot to return no matter what, that I would always be on this peak until he returned to me."
"Wow." Ash said, then realization struck him. "Hold on, you said he went to Cameron Palace?"
"No way! Could it be Sir Aaron?" Dani asked, then whispered to Jeremy. "We know he sacrificed himself to save the kingdom and stop the war between the armies, hopefully he wasn't engaged at the time."
"Yeah, that'd be really sad." Jeremy agreed.
"Yes, I'd think so too, but this ghost Pokemon always kept me happy, he also passes on my story to all of the future generations." Camisha said as she looked at Gengar.
"My pleasure, I still enjoy keeping your legend alive all of these years." the Gengar bowed slightly.
"Oh I see." Ash said, knowing from his last visit Gastly went through two evolutions.
"Well now all that matters is that tonight is the night I can finally be with my beloved once again." Camisha said as she looked up at the stars twinkling in the sky.
"So when is he supposed to get here?" Jeremy asked.
"That I do not know, but I know that he will come to me tonight," Camisha replied looking into the vast horizon of the now dark sea.
"Well okay," Jeremy said. "But did Gengar really have to put Angelina under hypnosis?" he and everyone looked over at the girl in worry.
"My apologies," Gengar bowed, then waved his spiky hands as Angelina's eyes returned normal. She suddenly felt weak all around and caused her to collapse to the ground.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Ash and his friends; they were relieved when Brock immediately caught Angelina in his arms.
"He's lucky, ya know, catching a fallen angel," Jeremy grinned as Angelina awoken in confusion and blushing. "Guess its practice for their wedding day, eh?"
Dani giggled, "I wouldn't be surprised," she smiled at the scene. "She'd have a better chance than with either Seamus or Tyson, maybe, but that's something her heart needs to decide." she felt a light tapping on her shoulder, and saw James. "Yes?"
"I need to talk with you, if its okay though."
Dani smiled, knowing something was on James' mind, they walked away from the group, ignoring everyone's suspicious glares, and inside the shrine.
"Okay, well not too long ago, Jessie, Meowth, and I chased Ash over to Maiden's Peak. We had no idea about the legend of dreaming about the one you would marry if you slept in the shrine. I was completely infatuated by her, it was the summer's end festival, after all, and her magic began to work. Then Brock and I fell asleep in her shrine, and Jessie and Ash found us in the morning. Brock really couldn't remember what happened, but I could. I had a dream…."
"Tell me…."
"A dream about the woman I would marry." James looked down at the ground. "It was Jessie. That's why I started being afraid of the Maiden, and snapped out of her curse- the thought of my bride-to-be helped me."
Dani blinked, her expression in slight concern, "Is there something wrong with that? I mean, did you tell Jess?"
"No, and I think it's better that way." James said. "You and Angelina are really the only friends we have outside our little team. That's why I can come to either one of you in such a comfortable manner."
"Wow James, I'm flattered." Dani said, smiling.
They walked back outside when they heard the sounds of the clock tower striking midnight.
"Maybe he's not coming tonight maybe she was w-" May said as she got cut-off by the maidens voice.
"He is coming, at last." Camisha said in a tone in which happiness shone in. And then they saw in the distance a ghostly white figure floating towards them.
"Is that him?" Jessie asked.
"Yes, finally after waiting oh so long he has come back to me, like he promised." Camisha said as she moved a little bit away from the rock.
Moments later, a ghostly yet very familiar man no older than twenty-five with messy hair at last reached the peak. He was dressed in a medieval tunic, cape, boots, and a hat. "My love, I have come back for you." he said smiling.
"Yes, I am so glad you came back, I have waited for your return ever since the day you left," the maiden said smiling. The knight extended his hand as she took it.
Everyone couldn't believe it, but there Sir Aaron was plain as day. Had been engaged to the maiden and left her waiting for him over 2000 years. They had many questions, but knew now wasn't the right time.
Camisha turned around to the young trainers and said, "Thank you for waiting with me, I have at last gotten my wish and now I hope yours are fulfilled too." she said as she turned to face her love and they both started to ascend into the waiting heavens and leaving earth. "Gengar, thank you for everything. Please keep my legend alive."
"Yes, madam, always," the ghost Pokemon said, then he turned to the trainers and Team Rocket. "I now bid you goodbye as well before dawn arrives."
"Sure Gengar, no problem!" Ash exclaimed, remembering how the Pokemon hated sunlight.
"Wow, I'm so glad that she finally found happiness." May said.
"Yeah, she deserved it." Ash agreed.
"Yes, twerp your right, she did deserve it," said James.
"Well I suppose we should get back to the Pokemon Center," Angelina suggested, stiffling a yawn.
"Yeah your right, Angel," Jeremy said, nodding towards Christina and Max as they looked very sleepy.
"Yeah, let's go before Nurse Joy has a fit," Ash added.
"See ya later twerps!" Jessie waved as she, James, and Meowth jumped into their hot-air balloon and sped off into the sky.
"You know guys, we saw something amazing tonight." Dani said as they were walking towards the Pokemon Center.
"Yeah, actual ghosts." Christina said, still holding hands with Max while Pikachu jumped up onto Ash's shoulder.
"No not that," Dani retorted. "What I meant was that tonight we saw that true love could conquer all, even time itself." she smiled and held hands with Jeremy.
"You're right, Dani." Angelina said, still blushing from earlier's events and even now as she was holding Brock's hand.
Ash suddenly stops, "Hey Camisha, where ever you are I hope that you are happy!" he yelled, everyone else sweatdropped.
Then as they continued walking to the Pokemon Center, the wind whispered back to him. "Oh I am, at last."
§To Be Continued§
Hey guys, thanks for reading! Comments are welcomed and very much appreciated! Here's a summary of this chapter:
*Angelina and friends (except Seamus) arrive at Maiden's Peak
*Explanation of what happened three years ago at the same place
*Gengar, the final evolution of the talking Gastly, hypnotizes Angelina to help the maiden
*Pikachu and Meowth guide Ash's gang and Team Rocket back to the maiden's shrine where they find Angelina's gang and they meet the ghost of the real maiden, Camisha Yuseto
*Camisha explains to everyone that her lover will finally return to her, explaining how he had to defend Cameron Palace and fight in the war, the gang thinks its Sir Aaron
*Camisha's lover finally arrives, and to everyone's surprise the warrior was Sir Aaron; they depart into the afterlife and Gengar disappears until next year's summer festival
*James admits to Danielle he dreamt of whom he would marry (which is Jessie) and it helped him snapped out of the maiden's curse long ago
*Danielle remembers when Jeremy stopped her from marriage with Rainer of the Eevee Brothers
*Angelina still has feelings for Brock though she is also dating Seamus too