A/N: Hey guys. SPG123 here. Here is the next chapter for you guys. I'm still going to follow the one chapter per month thing until my college transition is stable. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I hope you'll like the chapter :D
Disclaimer: ...Do I really need to say that I don't own Pokemon at this point?
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." - Maya Angelou
Chapter 22: Tree of Remembrance: Day 1
Day 1…
Ash forgot how large the Tree of Beginning was. He wasn't sure if Mew made an exact replica of the real life landform, but so far, he had the same awe like he did three years ago. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew that he needed to keep moving.
Ashton stayed right behind him, making sure Mew wasn't anywhere near them. Ash had never seen Ashton this determined about anything before. He wondered what got into him… other than the fact that their lives were in jeopardy. He wasn't sure what they were going to do against a Tyranitar without his Pokémon, but he wasn't keen on finding out. Ash decided their best course of action was to stay put in a small cave. The problem was… how where they going to find a small enough cave to hide within an hour without Mew catching them?
Although he had no idea how a Tyranitar was connected to him, he could always try to figure that out later. Ash and Ashton continued to traverse the Tree of Beginning's cave like formations in hopes of finding one small enough to hide in. The cave looked incredibly old, way older than any Pokémon on the planet. The path and the cavern itself were incredibly rugged; anyone could trip if they weren't being careful. They could observe several blue crystals glowing all over the cavity's walls and ground. They continuously glowed, then dimmed. It gave the impression that the cave itself was alive.
After a while of walking, they both shuddered at a roar reverberating in the distance. They both gulped and realized that time for a head start was over. They began to run as fast as they could. They kept running until they were able to see some light.
Peeking through the exit of the cavern, both Ashes entered a large and open grassland that had entrances to multiple caves. The wind was blowing the grass softly and there were barely any clouds in the sky. They could see several Ledyba flying above them as well as several grassland Pokémon like Nidoran and Nidorina lightly nibbling on the grass. Ash and Ashton had their mouths wide open. They didn't expect the tree to be so full of life. Granted, they were in the Tree of Beginning, but still. There were so many Pokémon that they almost forgot that these creatures weren't real. Ash and Ashton didn't know which cave would be the best one to go through, so they took their chances and went to the central-most cave.
Fortunately for them, the cave was small enough for them to be safe from a Tyranitar's advance from the outside. However, since all the caves in the Tree of Beginning were connected, the cave would eventually lead to a larger cave. Ash hated the labyrinth style of the caves, but hoped that would provide them enough coverage to hide. He wondered if there was some way to manipulate the caves in their favor. While traversing the cave, Ash suddenly stopped Ashton in his tracks. He pointed to the cave's wall and created small sparks from his hands. Ashton seemed thoughtful, but shook his head.
"I know you have the same thoughts as me, but I don't think we should close ourselves off on the chance Mew manages to find us. We'll need space to move." Ashton shook his head.
"Ya got that right." Another voice suddenly intruded in their conversation. They both grew a shiver down their backs and turned around. They noticed a hole appearing in front of them. Out poked out a monstrous green reptilian head with a murderous grin.
"Whoa!" Both Ashes jumped up in surprise. The transformed Pokémon giggled slightly. Her black eyes flickered blue and seemingly grew cat-like before returned back to a normal Tyranitar's.
"Too predictable. Thankfully a Tyrantiar's movepool is very versatile, what with me digging the cave's structure." Mew winked. Ash and Ashton looked unimpressed at the attempt. She seemingly shrugged before saying, "Meh. I tried. So long, boys…"
Mew prepared a beam of energy in her mouth. Scrambling, they started to run as fast as they could. Ashton left his balance in the dust. Ashton had sprinted so far that he didn't realize Ash was significantly behind him when he exited the cave. He gasped, hurried back, grabbed Ash's hand, and raced out the cave again. Ash could barely keep up with his counterbalance, but trudged the best way he could. At the last moment, the duo escaped the cave and Mew's Hyper Beam. The beam shot out through the exit of the cave. Both of their hearts were pounding. Neither of them expected Mew to actually be serious about killing them.
When they left the cave's interior, they noticed they were on several slim icy platforms with a strong wind blowing in the background. He remembered this place as being where he saved Pikachu in the tree the first time. He also realized there was no way Mew could catch them here unless Tyranitars could fly or suddenly became as light as a feather.
The crystals were still glowing dimming in contrast to the high afternoon sky. Ashton pointed up and made his hands glow blue. Ash gasped as he was immersed in a dark blue aura and sent upward to a higher icy platform. Ash got the idea and tried to emulate what he just felt. He brought out his hands and concentrated. Ashton slowly levitated in the air, but stopped once Ash's hands began to shudder. The red eyed boy sighed and looked up at his balance. Ash tried again. He managed to lift Ashton a little higher before dropping him again. This time, he was more visibly tired. Ashton sighed and decided to take things into his own hands.
He suddenly leaped into the air and fluidly jumped from icy platform to icy platform. Ash watched the sight in awe. He never knew he could be so agile. The whipping winds didn't seem to bother the counterbalance, too. It was almost as if he was manipulating the winds to aid him further with his jumping. Higher and higher, the red eyed Ash traversed the icy beams until he was able to meet his balance face to face. Ash's mouth was gaping open at the athletic display. Ashton sweat-dropped at the look Ash was giving him.
"What?" He asked quizzically.
"How did you learn how to do that?" Ash asked, flabbergasted.
Ashton made a small chuckle and shook his head. He sat down on the edge of the cave and said with a bit of a pant, "Trust in yourself… and your aura will trust you. That's what Ruru always told us."
"She told you that?" Ash widened his eyes and pointed at him. Ashton adjusted the finger point one hundred eighty degrees and shook his head.
"Correction: She told you that. I was a silent onlooker back then. Just don't think too much. For a boy who have no idea of how many hearts he's stolen over the years, it's surprising that you're thinking too much." Ashton chuckled.
"Wait… what?" Ash, in his usual obliviousness, wasn't aware of how many girls had some sort of crush on him. With Serena as his girlfriend, it was a bit weird to think about that.
"Do you know how many of your female traveling partners had some sort of crush on you without you realizing? Even while dating a hot blonde, you are dense as ever. How you are the dominant one is a mystery I'll never solve." Ashton shrugged with an arrogant smirk. At this point, Ash was annoyed.
"Hey!" He seemingly ignored the two sentences and honed in on the last. Ashton laughed and shook his head, expecting this response from his balance.
"Take an observation with a grain of salt, dude. It goes a long way." Ashton smiled. Ash frowned, but decided to go with it. Ashton's face turned serious. "I think we're safe on these beams, but I'm not sure how we are going to find something to eat here."
Ash thought about it for a moment. Before he could properly voice his thoughts, they noticed a Larvitar coming out of the cave they just left, looking up. Both Ashes grew alarmed and used their cave to hide from plain view. The baby pseudo legendary seemed intent and focused, listening for the most sudden of sounds despite the whipping winds. For a split moment, it looked up toward Ash and Ashton's cave. The boys flinched, but made sure not to move. Thankfully, Larvitars couldn't see long distances too well and they used that to their advantage. After several tense minutes, the green dinosaur-like Pokémon walked back inside the lower caves.
Both Ashes sighed in relief and went back outside to the biting winds. Ashton seemed unaffected while Ash was getting increasingly cold. He rubbed his hands against himself in an effort to maintain some warmth. Once again, Ashton looked at him quizzically, but realized what was affecting his balance. Then, he suggested, "How about we go a little further inside?"
"I don't want to be a sitting duck for Mew again," Ash said immediately.
"Well, do you want to freeze?" Ashton replied snidely.
"No…"
"Either learn to heat up your body up or go inside."
"H-how are you…?"
"'So warm?'" He finished. Ash blinked his eyes. Ashton continued, "You and Ruru often had to do this whenever we were really cold and had no way of wearing coats or sweaters. She showed us to make our normally stagnant aura focus on keeping our skin hot." Ashton touched one of Ash's fingers. Ash retracted his finger in pain almost instantly. He frowned at partially getting burned.
"You think you could have told me that instead of showing me?" Ash sucked his finger a little to help get rid of the burning feeling. Ashton chuckled slightly. He seemed much freer and friendlier in their dream than in real life. Ash asked out of curiosity. "Ashton… how much did Aurora teach us?"
Ashton solemnly smiled, "She showed us so many things. You have no idea. Perhaps as we hide from Mew, I can play the part of a teacher."
Ash smiled and nodded. He was eager to find out what he'd been missing out. He figured the best thing to start out with was being able to insulate his body without any sweaters or coats. He wanted to learn how to control his inner aura to keep himself warm. He told his red-eyed counterpart his desire.
"Just… focus on letting your aura flow through you. Don't think. Feel." Ashton instructed. He watched the brown eyed boy close his eyes and concentrate. He shivered, but his shivers gradually stopped as his eyes remained closed. Ash's body blazed with warmth. Ashton raised an eyebrow, impressed, then gasped when he looked at his shoes. He said with a hesitant voice. "Uh… Ash?"
"Yeah?" Ash still had his eyes closed.
"You're melting the ice." Ashton couldn't stifle a chuckle as he continued to see the ice melt below Ash. Ash opened his eyes and realized what he was doing. When the cold structure began to break apart, he yelped and jumped into the cave. Ashton continued to giggle, "Haha! That was awesome."
"How was that awesome?" Ash asked incredulously.
"It's funny you repeated the same mistake the first time you did it." Ashton continued to chuckle. Ash frowned. Ashton said with a more serious voice, "With a bit of practice, I think you can get that down again within the next few days… if we survive, of course."
Ash nodded. His stomach suddenly began to growl. Ashton's stomach did the same. Ash asked with a bit of a laugh, "Ashton, did Aurora teach us a way to forage food?"
"I know a few ways… but if we are to do that, we're gonna need to leave this cave and move." Ashton replied. Ashton gestured his balance to follow him. Ash complied and the two continued to traverse the cave.
After a couple of hours of traversing different caves, they finally left what seemed to be a never-ending labyrinth into a dense forest. Ashton had a toothless grin on his face, stretched his arms out and placed them behind his head. He hummed a little melody to himself and strolled along the forest path. Ash observed how comfortable his counterbalance was in nature and wondered how often he was outside when he was younger. Ashton continued forward. Ash kept pace with his red eyed self.
Ash and Ashton continued their trek through the primordial tree, but stopped when Ashton noticed something. Ash asked, "What is it?"
"Check this out." Ashton gasped.
Ash also gasped at what he saw. He didn't realize it, but they had traveled from the base of the tree to the tree's 'leaves'. They were so high up that Ash's head began to feel dizzy. Even Ashton looked slightly woozy. They both were in awe at how much they managed to climb and even more in awe at how beautiful the sun was while setting. Even though he never really paid attention to the smaller things while traveling, after walking along the same structure for several hours, it made them appreciate the sun more.
"Amazing, huh? Ruru often alluded to this tree when we were smaller. I didn't really understand it until you visited this place three years ago. She said how our ancestors used to live here and that's where Ketchums' get their sense of adventure from. Maybe from Mew herself." Ashton chuckled.
"That makes sense, considering we are the humans closest to Mew. You think that's where Aurora is headed?" Ash asked. Ashton nodded.
"Probably… though I think you will need to follow her once you reach Kanto…" Ashton's voice tapered off slightly and he almost caught himself. He cursed under his breath and covered his mouth. Ash looked at his counterbalance suspiciously.
"Why…?" Ash asked in a suspicious tone.
Ashton looked down for a few moments, then shook his head. "You'll understand once you get your memory back."
"You and Aurora keep telling me that. What won't I understand?" Ash could feel himself getting annoyed. Ashton growled, grabbed Ash by the shirt, and knocked him against a tree. Ash's feet dangled in the air. Ashton's eyes glowed slightly and his eyes were narrowed. Ash glared back at him. He struggled to force Ashton to let go, but the counterbalance's grip was solid.
"You ever wonder why Ruru would be so adamant about telling about your past, but would easily answer any other question you have?" Ashton glowered at him. Ash didn't know what to say, so he made a small shake of his head. Ashton's eyes seemingly glowed as he continued, "It's not what you won't understand. It's what you would accept."
"What won't I accept?" Ash answered. Ashton's arm shook as he released his hold on his balance. He then started to walk away from Ash. Ash, quickly becoming irritated, decided to follow him. Ash blurted, "Hey, can you at least answer me?"
"If I answer you, do you promise not to ask again?" Ashton growled in a low voice. His fists were slightly trembling.
"I…" Ash grumbled.
"Ash." Ashton hissed.
"Er… fine." Ash snorted.
"Good." Ashton snorted. Ash stayed silent and made no movement. "Ruru has always been one to think about someone else before thinking about herself. You think Ruru doesn't want to tell you anything? I see in her face every time I look at her… she's holding back everything."
Ashton continued and shifted uncomfortably, "I'm reluctant to tell you because I felt empty after you lost your memory. If I felt empty losing Ruru, I know you're going to feel empty remembering Ruru. You're gonna re-remember all the pain… and being unable to save her…"
Ashton had angry tears in his eyes and stared at a specific point of a tree. His body began to crackle with electricity and Ash grew increasingly alarmed. He said with a bit of a whisper and seemed eerily child-like, "If we had been a little bigger, we could have saved her. We could have fought them better… and beat them. We… we… would have still been together… and… and… explored more places…"
"Ashton?" Ash was getting worried for his red-eyed counterpart.
"Ruru…" Tears started to drop on the ground and he was shuddering even more.
"Ashton, are you-" Ash asked, but stopped when Ashton collapsed on the ground. Ash, alarmed by this sudden change, tried to help him up, but Ashton was too wrapped up in his emotions to respond. At this point, he couldn't control his tears and let them fall freely. He slammed on the ground and every time he made contact, he made a minor earthquake. Ash involuntarily jumped up each time Ashton hit the ground and quickly tried to make him stop.
"Ruru, I'm so sorry!" Ashton wailed.
"Ashton, calm down! Mew is going to find us!" Ash tried to get Ashton from the ground, but he had to endure an intense jolt of pain. Ash braved through it and lifted Ashton back on his two feet. He still seemed transfixed.
"I... I…I'm… so… sorry... Mom…" Ashton said in such a hoarse voice that Ash couldn't decipher what he said. He assumed it was some pained babble. Ashton inwardly slapped himself for the slip-up, but was thankful Ash didn't hear him. He wanted Ash to enjoy his life under an ignorant veil, but still had thousands of thoughts running through his mind. He seemed trapped in his own mind. Ashton was brought out of his bubble when Ash gave him a large bear hug and squeezed as tightly as he could.
Ashton's ruddy eyes broadened when he felt this foreign contact. He didn't know what to think of it and chose to stand there. Ash continued to firmly embrace him. He was surprised that Ashton didn't push him away.
"Ashton, snap out of it. What's done is done." Ash said to him in a small voice in his ear. Ash could feel Ashton's head nodding. He continued, "All we could do is try to fix what happened."
"You're… right." Ashton fully acknowledged his words and broke the embrace. He said in a tired voice, "Sorry. Whenever you ask about the past, I get reminded of that… unfortunate event… and I'm sure Ruru does, too. It hurts every time. Please… stop asking. Once you find out, you'll be glad you didn't remember."
"I'm sorry, Ashton. I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I'll be patient." Ash replied. Ashton seemed relieved.
"Thanks. One more thing, though…" Ashton suddenly elbowed Ash in the stomach and flipped him over his head. Ash landed on the ground with a grunt and groaned at the pain in his stomach. Ashton seemed slightly remorseful when he said, "Don't ever hug me again. That was super weird... but I do appreciate the sentiment."
"Ack…. N-noted, you red-eyed jerk." Ash heaved. Ashton smiled and helped him up. Ashton wrapped his arm around Ash's shoulder and assisted his walking.
"I was afraid I was putting off my 'countering and being annoying to my balance' duties. I'm glad we have some normalcy again." Ashton made a toothless grin. Even though he was annoyed, Ash couldn't hide a smile himself. He appreciated Ashton's efforts to help him with walking, though.
As they continued to walk, they noticed several bird and bug Pokémon's nests in the canopies of the trees. Ashton's face lit up as he pointed to them, "We're getting closer to food."
"How can you tell?" Ash blinked his eyes at Ashton's sudden enthusiasm.
"Any living thing will live near a food and water source. I can imagine that Mew made this tree identical to the real one, so we can use that to our advantage. Ruru used to sing a melody that made Pokémon come packing to her to assist us, similar to a Pokémon Ranger using a styler." Ashton explained.
"Like during the League match." Ash realized.
"Exactly. I'm not sure if I remember the tune, but I'll try to copy it." Ashton said.
Ashton felt a little self-conscious with Ash watching him and sweat-dropped anxiously. It felt odd to be nervous about anything, let alone because of Ash. Ash and his reassuring smile made it even more awkward, even though Ashton knew he was trying to be supportive. He blotted out the other raven haired teen and focused on the environment around him.
Ashton deep a deep breath, closed his eyes and began to hum. His voice began to caress the breeze with its baritone pitch. The once silent tree was graced with Ashton's voice and the leaves seemed to shudder with every note, high or low. A myriad of Pokémon peeped out from their hiding places, curious about the wondrous tune. Some Pokémon were perched on trees, some came out from the ground, while others just came running to Ashton.
Ashton began to lose himself to the sound of his voice. He subconsciously released a soothing wave of energy to the environment. More Pokémon tumbled in to listen. Ash blinked his eyes when he observed Ashton had made a bit of an audience for himself. They were crowded with several Pokémon, both large and small, wanting to listen to the raven haired guardian. Ash beamed heavily at his counterbalance.
As Ashton continued, Ash knew he recognized the song. It sounded exactly like Meloetta's Relic Song, except he wasn't repeating Meloetta's name over and over. It sounded like he was singing a translated version. Ash heard Ashton warble the full version:
Over to the sun and the beyond
The wind
Caresses to the sound of my call…
Over to the sun and the beyond
The trees
There's a ruffling light of faith…
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Please hear all my pleas
Please aid all of us…
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Fortuitous change
Determination!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
The sound of your hope
Fills me with passion!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Through all of your aid…
The battle is won
The battle is won…
Ash felt an obligation to supplement Ashton. Although he hadn't heard the lyrics in a long time, it felt like he had never forgotten it. When Ashton began to sing the song a second time, he instantly chimed in with his own voice. Ashton opened his eyes with surprise and the Pokémon seemed to chirped even more with happiness. Ashton proceeded to smirk and went along with it. Their aura attracted a hoard of Pokémon.
Ash's slightly higher voice combined well with Ashton. His more tenor-esque voice brought out the deeper undertones of the simple melody. High and low, yin and yang, both sides worked together to be one and all the Pokémon felt it. When they finished the song a second time, they were applauded by the forest Pokémon. Both Ash and Ashton made a small bow and smiled. They all nodded their heads to the sound of both Ash's, but their eyes were slightly cloudy.
"(What shall we do for you, masters?)" A lone Pidgeotto spoke up for the entire ensemble. Ash and Ashton both blinked their eyes in surprise, then sweatdropped. All of the Pokémon seemed hypnotized thoroughly.
"Uh… we aren't your masters. Can you help us find food, though?" Ash asked.
"(Aye aye!)"The Pidgeotto chirped. The Pokémon flew high in the air and regarded all the Pokémon. "(You heard the man! Find food for the humans!)"
"(Yes ma'am!)" All of them scrambled from their spots to please their temporary masters. Both Ashes sighed.
"Wow. That was potent." Ash blinked his eyes and scratched his head.
"Yep."
"Think we overdid it?"
"Yep."
"Never sing that song together again, especially in our aura allegiance?"
"Oh yeah."
"I didn't know you could sing, by the way," Ash noted with a sideways smile. Ashton bashfully laughed.
"I didn't know you could harmonize, Ash. I can't believe you remember the lyrics." Ashton noted with broadened eyes. Ash couldn't believe it himself, but he had done what his heart told him… and that opened himself a bit more to his past self. He wondered the longer he would be in this dream-like Tree of Beginning, the more he would remember about himself. He wasn't sure if that was Mew's intention. Heck, he wasn't sure of Mew's intention at all other than to test him.
Ashton sat down and looked up at the dimming sky. "Mew most likely knows where we are now… but strangely, I'm alright with this. Think we could try this on her? There are so many possibilities with…"
"Ashton…" Ash growled in a warning tone. Ashton sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't control Pokémon and blah, blah, blah. It is against our responsibility and blah, blah, blah." Ashton shrugged. "Aren't you just a little curious it could work?"
"No. Pokémon isn't tools," Ash said flatly.
"I'll back off that idea, then. However, we can ask these Pokémon to help us prepare for the rest of the week. Of course not constantly, as I agree that is morally wrong." Ashton argued. Ash raised an eyebrow doubtfully. Ashton sighed, "I would never want to see a Pokémon lose itself, but I am thinking about this strategically."
Ash thought about what Ashton said, but still looked somewhat disgusted. He didn't like seeing the blank look in the Pokémon's eyes. However, he really couldn't argue with Ashton. He didn't know too much on how to survive without any supplies. Ashton only knew some things with his limited time with Aurora. Ash decided to trust his counterbalance's judgment. He grumbled to himself and made a slight nod. Ashton perked up at his balance's change and made a nod himself.
"If we do need any Pokémon's help… and only when we truly need it, that's when we could sing again." Ashton made a reassuring smile. Ash grunted with acknowledgment.
It was at this time that the Pokémon were beginning to come back with several herbs, spices, and berries. They made a small pile that slowly grew as time went on. Ash and Ashton were both amazed at how determined the Pokémon was to please them, but had to remind them that they weren't their masters. The forest dwellers paid no heed to their words, though was still obedient. When the height of the berry pile grew to be around Ash's waist, that was when the Pokémon stopped.
The same Pidgeotto asked, "(Do you need anything else, masters?)"
"No, I don't think-" Ash started.
"Can any bug and grass Pokémon help sew us something? Think you can make us each a backpack of some sort?" Ashton interrupted him and asked the crowd of Pokémon with an easy going smile. Several Caterpie, Weedle, and other bug Pokémon crawled in front of the pile and began to use their String Shot attack for a silk-like material. They noticed other Pokémon gathering up different leaves.
Ash and Ashton were amazed at the synergy all the Pokémon had. Smaller and younger Pokémon passed leaves to the larger and older Pokémon. They were surprised that they were working together so efficiently. Eventually, all the Pokémon managed to make to make two leafy backpacks for the boys. The Pokémon helped to place all the forged berries into the backpack. Both Ashes looked incredibly appreciative.
Seeing their job was done, the Pokémon dispersed into their hiding places. However, the Pidgeotto lingered longer than the others. Ash and Ashton began to walk off, but the bird Pokémon followed them. Ash and Ashton sensed this and stopped in their tracks. It seemed like she wanted to tell them something, but she was hesitating.
"(Oh, if you need any water, just continue north. Is there anything else you need, masters?)" The bird asked.
"Thanks, but please stop calling us 'master'." Ash requested gently.
"(Whatever you say, Master… Ash.)" The Pokémon perched herself on Ash's shoulder with a smile.
"Ugh. Never mind." Ash groaned. Then, his face grew suspicious. How did she know his name? He took a closer look at the bird. He knew this Pokémon. Ash pointed out. "You look awfully familiar, Pidgeotto. Can it be-"
"(Yep. You've seen me longer in this form. I have eternal loyalty to you… in any form, subconscious or otherwise.)"The Pidgeotto flew off of Ash's shoulder and changed to be slightly larger with a longer blond plumage along her head. She winked at Ash and Ashton. Ash had widened teary eyes and hugged the bird almost instantly. The memories of his first bird Pokémon came flooding back and he couldn't hold it in. Although she was surprised, she snuggled against him. Then, she disappeared, but not before saying, "(Glad to see you again, Ash, even if this is a dream.)"
Ash and Ashton had no words. Just a warm fuzzy feeling. Then, a wave of despair. Ashton murmured, "You…"
"…Should definitely visit Pidgeot when we get to Viridian Forest." Ash finished his statement for him. Ashton was surprised, but nodded. Ash acknowledged this and frowned, "Yeah. I feel like a jerk. It's been… what? Six years? I haven't visited her once, thinking so much about my journey."
"Yeah. I wonder how she's doing. Is she protecting her original flock, or did she fly to another one? Why would Pidgeot be at the Tree of Beginning, though?" Ashton pondered. Ash shrugged his shoulders.
"That's your mind calling out to forgotten bonds. The Tree of Beginning can also be called the Tree of Remembrance, you know." A third voice entered herself into the conversation. A Larvitar head suddenly popped up from the ground. The green Pokémon crawled out of her hole and regarded the two Ketchums with a murderous grin. Ash and Ashton were prepared to bolt, but the Larvitar called out, "Can you begin to pay attention to the little details? It's already beginning to work, but we'll need to delve deeper into your mind. Take a close look at me. Before you run, do I remind you of any Pokémon in particular?"
Ash and Ashton relaxed slightly, but still kept their guard up. Mew made no signs of attacking. Both Ashes looked at the transformed Pokémon more closely. Mew had a point; she did look like a very familiar Larvitar. Then it hit Ash like an arrow was shot into his heart.
"You exactly like the Larvitar I raised from an egg. Why…?" Ash realized. Mew smiled and nodded.
"Exactly. Why would I transform into his shape, you may be wondering? It has something to do with how close you are to him."Mew asked.
"How is Larvitar close to me? I may like the little guy, but I only stayed with him for a few weeks back in Johto." Ash recalled. Ashton watched Mew closely and seemed to be in deep thought. Mew sighed in sadness.
"How unfortunate. Your rational mind rules over your heart. Perhaps as the days go on, you'll figure out what I want you to figure out. For now, brace yourself for impact." Mew's body shifted slightly. Ashton caught on to the change and quickly pushed Ash out of the way. In the same moment Ashton pushed Ash, Mew's head glowed a steely gray and barely missed them. Ashton growled at the transformed Pokémon. Ash thanked his counterbalance under his breath. Mew prepared the same attack and looked at the two of them with a wicked grin.
"Heh. Dance for me, boys." Mew chuckled.
She hurled herself to attack both Ashes repeatedly. Ash leaped out of the way multiple times. So did Ashton. Eventually, the red eyed guardian got sick of just dodging. When Mew went in for another Iron Head, Ashton intercepted the attack with his hands. Ashton was pushed back slightly by the force, but had a firm grip on Mew. Mew was surprised at his sheer strength and struggled to force Ashton to let go. Ashton narrowed his eyes.
"We'll dance for you, all right." Ashton turned around and around and around. Mew had a feeling what he was about to do and hardened her eyes. She didn't even scream when Ashton hurled her away with all of his might. Mew fell to a lower portion of the tree and landed with a large thud. Ash immediately got frightened for Mew and would have checked if she was alright if it wasn't for Ashton grabbing his arm. Ash growled in irritation and snatched his arm away.
"Ashton!" Ash punched him on his arm. Ashton groaned at the hit and rubbed his arm.
"What?" He looked at his balance incredulously. Ash frowned and gave him a stinky look. Ashton defended himself, "She was going to kill us. Would you rather find out what other moves a Larvitar… or possibly a Tyranitar can learn?"
"What if she's hurt? Or worse?" Ash grew fretful for the transformed Pokémon. He then grew alarmed when he heard a mighty roar that ruffled the leaves in the trees. A beam radiating with enormous power was shot into the sky. The message was clear as the now darkened sky: Game on, boy.
"There's your answer, partner," Ashton replied snidely. Ash didn't know what to think of the situation.
"You're… unnervingly cold for someone that just threw a Pokémon off a cliff." Ash pointed out with a shiver down his spine. Ashton shrugged his shoulders.
"And you're annoyingly concerned about a transforming pink demon who wants to kill us. I'm only like this if someone threatens me. We need to continue moving." Ashton began to walk off with his backpack in hand. Ash peered over toward the direction Ashton threw Mew, then walked with him.
"You... are something else, Ashton," Ash grumbled under his breath.
They continued to trek until the moon completely illuminated the sky. Ashton suggested they should rest for the night to which Ash accepted. They both were feeling thirsty, but they were glad that Pidgeot told them the location of some water. Ashton and Ash both quickly climbed up the tallest tree they could find. Then, they decided the best course of action was to alternate between each other to keep watch all night. Ashton took the first shift. However, as the night progressed, he decided not to bother Ash.
All night, he looked up at the stars, reflecting on what happened in the past week and about Ash himself. He looked at the sleeping Ash, smiling. He mumbled to the boy, "When you find out everything… I hope you'll accept Ruru our real mom. Maybe we can finally get back to being a real family. That's the one hope I've always had…"
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It definitely revealed some interesting things...
Small note for anyone who cares: Since Ash's trial chapters are technically one large chapter, there will only be the one quote you saw at the beginning of the chapter. With that, I hope you guys each have a wonderful day and happy reading~
Next Chapter: Tree of Remembrance: Day 2