Pokemon: The Lord of the Elements

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Chapter 5

The Breaking World and the Search for Ash Ketchum

It had been four long years since Delia suffered the loss of her husband and the disappearance of her son. Four long years and no one heard a word from or about Ash. While Professor Oak could have easily traced where Ash might have been through Ash's Trainer ID on his pokédex, the task became completely impossible when it learned that Ash had left the device at home. If Ash did not want to be tracked by satellite, he certainly made sure it could not happen.

Immediately after his disappearance, Misty exercised her right by the Pokémon League to request conduct of a search for the missing potential Champion of Kanto. Professor Oak, having the authority to grant her request, gave her permission to take leave from her gym duties in order to look for Ash since he couldn't track the young man. However, since Misty's sisters were far less than adequate as gym leaders, Professor Oak could only give Misty the leave of a year to conduct the search or risk the Cerulean City Gym being shut down. Thankfully for Misty, however, Serena, Brock, and Tracey eagerly volunteered to help her in the task. However, since Misty and Brock had very limited time to search for Ash since they would have to return to their duties within a certain time, the four had to split up. It was agreed, therefore, since Serena and Tracey had more time in which to search for Ash, that Serena would look in the Johto region, Tracey would search the Kanto region, Misty would search the western Orange Islands, and Brock would search the eastern Orange Islands. It was also agreed that Serena, Misty, and Tracey would meet back in Pallet Town in eleven months since Brock had to return to his duties as a pokémon doctor far sooner.

When Misty and Brock met each other at Shamouti Island at the middle of the Orange Islands both had reported to the other that neither had found Ash. However, much to the surprise of the pair, they both realized on their journeys how quiet the world seemed to them both. Every day they saw less and less wild pokemon. While Misty did not think much about it originally, the fact that both she and Brock encountered few or no wild pokemon on each island gave the redhead pause. Worry began to fill her heart. She recalled the sounds of all her travels in the Islands, but the jungles were strangely quiet. There were no chirpings made by bird or bug pokémon, and the sounds that were made were made by the ever-searching trainers. Even the sea was quiet except in times of storm.

However, Misty pushed aside the nagging doubt of her mind and continued her search for Ash even after Brock left, going to every island in the southern Orange Islands that the pair had missed. Not finding anything that might give her news of Ash, she made her journey back to Kanto, as much as the failure of the task pained her already fragile heart. Of course, Misty wouldn't dare to cry in front of her friends. She had placed the hope that her tears would all be shed before having to tell Ash's mother that she failed to her promise to find the son of Delia Ketchum. Yet, Misty was not the only one who had failed to hear any word about Ash. It was not long before Serena and Tracey found their ways back to Pallet Town after Misty returned, and the news was the same: Ash was nowhere to be found, and the regions of Kanto and Johto were oddly quiet as well. According to Tracy, however, who had more luck at finding wild pokémon, those pokémon that he did see would immediately flee from him out of fear. Again, Misty felt a deep discomfort in her heart, though she could not place as to why such fears clouded her heart and mind. Still, her time was up in searching for the overly dense trainer she cared deeply about was up, and she had to return home to Cerulean City to take care of the gym. Tracey, too, had to return to his work with Professor, and had to quit the search for his missing friend, but Misty asked Serena to continue the search.

Serena, of course, accepted the task. Misty, however, before leaving, made several calls to Ash's previous companions, telling them what happened and asking for their help. The friends more than happy help, though their own fears gripped their hearts as much as fear gripped the hearts of Misty and Serena. Serena, despite her own sadness at the loss of Ash, couldn't help but feel a little better at the fact that she would not be alone in her search. Still, Serena wanted to be the one to find Ash so she could yell at him about how much she worried about him. Though, even Serena knew that was unfair. Everyone had a right to be angry with Ash for his actions. Still, even if she was furious at him out of her love for him, it was that same love that pled earnestly for his safety. It was that same love that caused Serena anger that made her swear to do nothing but hold onto him until she was sure he was home and safe.

"I'm not even sure where to begin," Serena told Misty sadly. "I don't know where Ash might have gone."

"You're right," Misty nodded. "Ash could have gone anywhere: Kalos, Alola, Sinnoh, Hoenn, Unova, or he could be where we already looked. Maybe he could be somewhere he has never been before. Ash is only one person. If he doesn't want to be found, he will try to hide as best he can. One person, after all, is hard to find when you aren't sure where that person is. But we have numbers. Too many people care about Ash to simply allow him to have vanished the way he did."

"But where should I go?" Serena frowned. "We have no clues to make a guess."

Misty couldn't help but look down in frustration. Serena was right, they couldn't run anywhere blindly without something to make a guess. All they could guess at was that Ash, if he wanted to find out what his father died for, would go anywhere that his father went. However, Rob Ketchum was known by Delia to have traveled all over the world.

"Mrs. Ketchum," Misty turned to the woman she had long considered a motherly figure, "do you know anywhere that might have been important to Ash's dad? Special in some way?"

"Not by name," Delia answered the young redhead. "But I do know that Rob was often fond of ruins and old things. I do remember one thing, though: Rob once studied something in Kalos called 'the megalith.' There was evidently a ruin near it that people often kept quiet about for reason."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Serena said softly, looking down in thought. "There is much of the history of Kalos that is shrouded in mystery and tragedy, and probably for good reason. Legends of a man who created a super weapon that could drain the life of pokémon and grant immortality to mock the very pokémon it was designed after? War after war fought for lands that brought only the deaths of innocent people and pokémon? Only for peace to be obtained by Zygarde, who came to hate all humans until Ash and I helped to stop Team Flare from destroying the world? And even then, it was still Zygarde who saved the world! There is much Kalos would like to repair and forget."

"Yet it is those who forget history who are doomed to repeat it," Delia answered. "I don't know where Ash went, but I do know Rob was the most interested in the megalith."

"But why?" Misty asked. "Why would he be interested in it?"

"Mega evolution," Serena replied. "It is common knowledge that mega stones are made from the same material the megalith is made from."

"And the necklace can evolve an Eevee," Misty said, looking to Delia.

"Yes," Delia nodded. "Rob was always interested in evolution. How and why pokémon evolved, how it was that stones could evolve pokémon, climate in concern to evolution, time of day…. Rob was not easy to stop when it came to the subjects he loved. But it was devolution that held his greatest attention, primarily why the necklace was able to evolve and devolve Eevee."

"Mega evolution isn't permanent, though," Serena pointed out. "A pokémon who enters the state is eventually pulled out of it."

"That would have been more of a reason for Rob to go," Delia said. "Unlike 'mega evolution,' the necklace could make the evolutionary change permanent until Rob wanted to change the form of Eevee."

"Then I guess Kalos is your first stop," Misty turned to Serena. "Going home may be good for you."

"No," Serena shook her head, "I won't be okay until I know Ash is safe."

Delia and Misty couldn't help but nod with Serena. Ash was dear to everyone who called him "friend," and he was dearest to Delia. So, after the agreement, Serena returned to Kalos and Misty went back to the Cerulean City gym. Misty attempted over the next three years to gather what information she could, and the news she received only succeeded in getting stranger and casting a shadow over her heart. The second year of Ash's disappearance saw the lowering of crime rates across the world. Misty couldn't help but wonder why criminal organizations would just vanish as if they were disbanding, but she always pushed back the worry that gnawed at her heart. Of course, fragments of the criminal organizations remained, but the fragments weren't big enough to cause the police more than a headache. As such, those fragments were quickly defeated and it seemed that the world could enjoy a time of peace. Still, Misty had the nagging feeling that everything just seemed far too easy and strange.

In the third year of Ash's disappearance, the news Misty received caused her worry to grow greatly. Across the world were reports of wild pokémon who had become aggressive and began attacking travelers, farms, and towns. Most pokémon remained hidden, but now their fear was directed more at the pokémon that were aggressive and cruel rather than humans. Yet, their fear of humans was still great despite the fact that they were now hiding in fear of other pokémon. Of the most troubling news that Misty had come by of that year was the news that owned pokémon were becoming afraid to the point that they would refuse to battle. Other owned pokémon, however, would simply refuse to listen to their trainers. Some rumors, however, claimed that pokémon that were already disobedient to their trainers had come to attack their trainers. As such, those pokémon were forced either to be released back into the wild, where they could possibly become worse and attack people, or be sent to laboratories under sealed pokéballs so scientists could study what it was that was driving the pokémon to such violent behaviors.

As such, Misty's thoughts often strayed to the many friends that Ash had made over the years. She often wondered if they were okay. She often wondered if Ash was okay. Serena, May, and Dawn, however, would often make calls to Misty to let her know how the search was going. While they would explain to Misty that they didn't find anything that might give a clue to where Ash was, the girls did confirm any news that Misty might have come by that affirmed the growing chaos of the world. It was Dawn, however, who informed Misty, Serena, and May of a strange man who was going around Sinnoh, cloaked in a grey robe and hooded, and would save towns and farms from the marauding pokémon that would constantly attack humans. The "Grey Wanderer," the people of Sinnoh called him, and he quickly became a legend in the world. However, no one truly knew who he was, and those who did see him in daylight saw when he would protect settlements from the inexplicably aggressive pokémon. The only people who did see the Wanderer often were the Nurse Joys of the region, and always at night. Quickly it had become common knowledge that the violent pokémon were not only attacking humans, but also other pokémon as well. The more Dawn told of the trouble in Sinnoh, the more Misty began to listen to the fear in her heart, and that fear told her that something far worse was going on.

It was not until the fourth year of Ash's disappearance, however, that Misty's doubt was confirmed. There were reports of more frequent natural disasters: storms of terrible proportion, floods, droughts, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, blizzards, avalanches, and many other horrors that spread across the world. Yet, the stake that was driven into her darkest dreams were the reports that the Red and Blue Orbs atop Mount Pyre were said to glowing brightly and visible to any that were within sight of the mountain. Others who further claimed to see the clashing lights of the Orbs on the horizon. Similarly, the three spheres of the Trio of Islands near Shamouti Island were said to emit lights that could be seen from each isle in the Orange Islands, as well as the great heights from Mount Silver. What made that news frightening, however, was the report that Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno were perched visibly on their respective islands, gazing towards the shrine at Shamouti Island, which was occupied by the presence of a Lugia. None of the great birds attacked each other, but they all gazed hostilely at one another. Misty could all too well recall the horror that took place at those islands now thirteen years ago, and made her wish earnestly for Ash to reappear so he might be able to calm the birds before an attack broke out. Even after the rumors of such appearances, however, there were reports made that legendary pokémon began to appear across the world, each of them glaring at their counterparts. Some of these rumors were confirmed, such as at Shamouti, others stayed, thankfully, rumors. In Hoenn, however, even though Groudon and Kyogre did not appear to attack each other, their brightly glowing orbs suggested that they were wake and angry.

And so all Misty could do, much like the rest of Ash's friends, was wait and hope that the world was not about to be destroyed.

…...

Under the stars, in the Ilex Forest, Celebi hovered in a meditative stance over the lake at the center of the forest. The waters of the lake were warm to the touch, and the wind allowed for the sound of gentle, relaxing waves to be made across the water. In the distance, some pokémon could be seen at the edges of the lake. Galvantula, those pokémon were, and their lightning bug qualities allowed them be seen across the lake as their lights danced at the water's edge. Of all the places of the world, it seemed that the Ilex Forest was the only place left uncorrupted by the darkness that was quickly spreading. Here time stood still and remembered the days of peace. However, as strong as Celebi was, she could not hold back the darkness that thrusted itself against the doors of her beloved forest forever. Still, she was the guardian of this place, and she would protect the Ilex Forest until her last breath.

Still, even though she knew she was fighting an ultimately losing battle, the clean, healing waters of the forest gave her the strength to keep on fighting. The light of the full moon shone down on Celebi and its light danced upon of the rippling water as the many stars glittered upon the lake as light would glitter through a crystal prism. It gave Celebi some calm that such beauty could still be preserved. Still, Celebi couldn't help but feel pity for the pokémon of the forest, as they had no idea what evil desperately wanted to threated and destroy their peace. She was happy to allow them to play in blissful ignorance for as long as she could, but was it right to not allow them to know what was happening in the outside world? Was it right to keep them from preparing for the coming conflict? However, Celebi did not have the moment to answer such questions, as she felt a coming presence behind her.

"You have been away for four years, Mew," Celebi said, neither turning around nor opening her eyes.

"I hate when you do that," Mew answered, the pink cat watching his friend closely.

"I'm a pokémon of time," Celebi said, a slight smile painting her green face. "It's my business to know everything that is going on around me."

"Then I'm sure you know about what I have been doing these past for years," Mew chuckled.

"I'm a pokémon of time, not space," Celebi said. "If I could control space, I could know everything everywhere. When I see time in a space I do not occupy, I can catch flashes of events, unless such events are already in the past and I project my spirit into the place with my psychic powers. Otherwise, no, I do not know."

"Interesting," Mew observed. "Though, I must admit that I did not know that you had knowledge of the difference of past, present, and future considering that you live in all time."

"I am aware of when the present is," Celebi answered. "All Celebi have that knowledge, for it allows us to know when a timeline is incorrect. We observe the future, and make sure the past is lead to that future."

"Then you have more to worry about than you reveal," Mew said quietly.

"You already know my mind, Mew," Celebi said with the warm summer breeze that passed the two. "You know what troubles me. Why are you here? Did you find the Elder Ones?"

"No," Mew answered plainly. "I did not find them. But I know who knows where they are."

"As I said before," Celebi scoffed, "'the Elder Ones have forsaken the world.' Who would both know of them and know where they are? I warn you that your 'source' is a lie."

"The Mew of the lake at Mount Silver," Mew answered.

At that point, Celebi opened her eyes and looked turned around to look at her friend. The Mew of Mount Silver, though a legend to many, was the one pokémon that all other wild pokémon would warn one to stay away from. In truth, any wild pokémon that happened to find the lake at Mount Silver would immediately turn around run away as fast as that pokémon could. The lake there was crystal clear with a small waterfall of equally clear water pouring down from the mountain to fill it. The lake would then flow to a small stream that would eventually find its way to the river mouth between Kanto and Johto that flowed into the sea. The grass surrounding the lake was filled with flowers of many different colors that bloomed all year round. Time, the seasons, did not touch this place. It was ever in a state of between spring and summer that kept the air cool and the water warm. So hauntingly beautiful was the lake of Mount Silver that any human that happened to discover it would immediately be captivated by its spell and would never return after. Yet, despite its great beauty, no sounds were made there except for the waterfall, the ripples of the water, the stream the lake flowed into, and the gentle wind. No pokémon dared go.

The Mew of the lake was, of course, the reason why no pokemon would have gone, assuming that pokemon knew of the legend of the Mew that resided there. It was whispered in fear that the creature had powers that many would consider unnatural. It was said that the Mew of Mount Silver held both life and death in his hands, and that his eyes alone could turn anyone to stone. It was also said that he would often speak to the dead, and enter into the Distortion World to speak with Giratina, and would learn from the Renegade Pokémon. Of course, there was also the rumor that the Mew of Mount Silver had control over both time and space, which is why he was able to keep the lake in the beautiful and perfect state that it was always in. And it was indeed, in so much as the humans that would enter that cursed place only to never return, a lure of paradise and a trap from hell.

"The Mew of Mount Silver," Celebi said slowly. "A creature that could easily kill you with a thought…. What foolishness has taken hold of your mind that you would seek out one of the most dangerous pokémon in the world?"

"Knowledge," Mew answered. "As dangerous as he is, he is also amongst the wisest and most intelligent of pokémon. If there is anywhere that knowledge could be found, it is with him."

"Do you even know what you are getting yourself into?" Celebi frowned. "There is a reason he sought out seclusion! If you go there, you will not return."

"Perhaps," Mew nodded. "But even if the old tales are true, he can still see reason."

"And he kills to remind all to stay away," Celebi said. "What possible reason could he see that would make him to not kill you?"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Mew smirked at his old friend.

"Ketchum," Celebi said quietly. "What could that boy possibly do that could sway the Mew of Mount Silver?"

"Maybe nothing," Mew answered. "Maybe everything. Has it ever occurred to you only humans ever enter the grounds of that lake?"

"Humans don't know what's there," Celebi argued. "If they did, they wouldn't go to that place."

"Exactly," Mew answered, "but he knows what's out there."

"The medallion?" Celebi frowned. "Why would that be important to the Mew of Mount Silver?"

"That is a piece of the puzzle I am still trying to fit," Mew smiled. "Mew and Celebi… we remember far, you and I. But even history can be made to mislead, if the right creatures are allowed to tamper with it. Where ever the Elder Ones are, the Mew of Mount Silver knows how to find them. But, I think he is looking for someone and something. Remember when I told you that that medallion was part of the shame of all living things? He knows of that shame better than anyone. If anyone knows why the world is becoming as dark and chaotic as it is, it is him."

"If what you are saying is true, how do you plan on finding Ketchum?" Celebi asked.

"I think I know the answer to that!" Mew exclaimed, his smile growing larger. "But I will need your help. Celebi, I know you want to protect the Ilex Forest, but your strength is no good to the world if you stay here. It isn't just this forest that is in danger, it's everything."

Celebi looked away from Mew for a moment and to the dancing lights at the shore of the lake she held dear to her heart. Yes, as much as she wanted to protect each and every pokémon here, she knew she couldn't always protect them. With each day, the evil that threatened the world grew stronger, and these pokémon needed to be able fight back.

"I will help you," Celebi said quietly after the long moment she spent turned from her friend. "But I can't leave until they know the danger they face."

"I will help you with that," Mew smiled and placed a comforting hand on Celebi's shoulder. "We will make sure they are ready."

"Thank you," Celebi whispered and grasped the hand of her dear friend. "So how do you plan on finding Ketchum?"

"That's easy," Mew chuckled. "We need to find a pokémon who has a connection to him. From darker news that I have heard from the Kalos region, there is only one who could find him: Greninja."

…

Dark storm clouds hung over the whole of Mount Coronet as Dawn slowly trudged up the road. It was an uphill climb and she was nearing the end of physical strength with as much as she had recently been walking. Still, Dawn knew she keep up her feet. The day was as cold as it was dark, and no worse for wear.

"So much for summer," Dawn grumbled as she finally found the top of the hill, and for good reason. Ever since the light shows that started from the Orbs at Mount Pyre, and the spheres of the Trio of Islands in the Orange Archipelago, storm clouds formed and came to rest over Mount Coronet, shrouding its highest peaks in their darkness. Though, if one looked at the clouds long enough, one could see flashes of lightning, particularly over Spear Pillar.

She found herself standing over a cliff that overlooked a small mountain town. While it was not ideally the place for her stay considering how aggressive pokémon were becoming, the weather forced her to quickly rethink her options. Biting wind that came down from the mountain thrashed against her cheeks as river water would thrash upon a stony shore, causing her blood to quickly rise to her skin to provide warmth for her face. It was a vain response of her body, however, for the wind continued again and again to lash at her. Each strike from the wind was akin to being slapped by cold fish. It also attacked her eyes, causing unbidden tears to shed in another desperate attempt of her body trying to protect itself.

She squeezed her eyes shut for the moment, waiting for the gust to pass. Dawn was an attractive young woman who had recently turned twenty years old. She had dark blue eyes and long, straight, blue hair that was even darker and reached down to her lower back. She wore a white snow cap to protect her ears and a red jacket over her normal sleeveless black top and short pink skirt. She wore no leggings, though she did have on a good pair of pink boots that came up to her upper shins. Of course, now she mentally kicked herself for not wearing legging to protect her entire body. The wind snapped at her again, wildly and violently whipping her hair around. The humidity from the mountain storm was no friend to her hair, either, causing curls to start to form at the end of her beautiful hair.

Much like Serena and Misty, Dawn searched vigilantly for Ash, trying to get any news that she could of him. However, the best lead she had in maybe finding Ash was tracking down this "Grey Wanderer" who had been traveling dangerously around Sinnoh. Though, much to Dawn's frustration, the Wanderer always seemed three steps ahead of her. However, Dawn resolved to find the Wanderer and find Ash. Again, like Serena and Misty, Dawn had come to have feelings for the boy she traveled with, though, in their beginning, Dawn's affection for Ash was more like a child who developed a crush on her babysitter. When she and Ash had parted ways, however, though she spent a time in grief, Dawn felt a certain freedom in the fact that she could forget her childish crush. However, as she grew older and began to hear more about Ash during his journeys in Kalos and his victory at the Indigo Plateau, along with the letters they would write to each other, Dawn's affection for Ash Ketchum came hurtling back to her heart as a rocket ship comes back to the world. So, despite how tired she was, her loyalty and affection for Ash drove her on.

Still, the faint lights of the town called out Dawn and, to get out of the weather, she eagerly ran as fast as her legs could carry her, leaving only a flash of pink, red, and white to the eye. Taking shelter at the nearest local establishment she could find, she let out a sigh of relief. When she turned around to see where she had wound up at, however, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of disappointment.

"Great," Dawn grumbled again, "I'm in a bar!"

However, when she turned to leave, a crack of thunder pealed through the sky that sounded like a window being shattered right next to her. The sounding thunder acted as a gunshot signal in racing to let the rain start downpouring upon the town. Much to Dawn's annoyance, however, the rain was accompanied by penny sized hail. She was going nowhere. Defeated by the elements and ready to have some food and water, she turned slowly and came towards the bar. The smell of alcohol filled the air along with the smell of cigarettes that stained the clothes of the customers in the bar. Dawn wasn't sure if she wanted to vomit or not at the invading smell. Still, she had nowhere else to go, and she was hungry. Her resolve made her stay, even if she hated herself a little for it.

"Can I get you a drink, young lady?" a bartender asked warmly.

"I'm not twenty-one," Dawn answered. "But if you have some water and maybe something to eat, I will pay."

"How old are you?" the bartender asked Dawn, looking out the window at the howling storm before looking back at Dawn in pity.

"Twenty," Dawn said, showing the bartender her ID.

"Good enough for me," the bartender smiled. "At least you don't need a parent to be in here with you. What can I get you to eat?"

"Anything you think is good," Dawn smiled softly. "Trust me, after the hike I went through, any food is good!"

"I believe you," the bartender laughed. "I'll get the grill going for you. Maybe a good hamburger and fries will cheer you up?"

"That sounds perfect!" Dawn nodded. "Thank you."

The bartender smiled warmly at the bluenette and went into the kitchen while Dawn took a moment to observe her surroundings. It was still the middle of the day, so the establishment was still in a more relaxed state, but some customers were indeed there to either grab a bite to eat or drink away the sorrows of the day. Of course, the world had been in nothing but sorrow ever since the wild pokémon of the world began their strange behaviors. Most people feared to leave cities or towns because of the hostile pokémon that kept attacking any humans they could find. It had become so bad that, for the safety of the children of the world, that anyone who wanted to a trainer, unless they already were, could not be a pokémon trainer until that person was least sixteen, and even that age was still highly debated by politicians.

Still, despite the rampaging wild pokémon, it seemed that captured still, for the most part, obeyed their trainers. Yet, Dawn couldn't help but wonder if the same power that caused the wild pokémon to act the way they were was trying to cause chaos amongst captured pokémon as well. Doubt filled her mind. What if wild pokémon hurt Ash? What if his own pokémon turned against him? Would even his bond with Pikachu save him? And even if he was safe, why didn't he contact his friends or his mother to let them know he was alright? Everything seemed cause fear for Dawn. Doubt ever gnawed at her troubled mind when it came to Ash, and everything seemed to have something to do with Ash ever since the pair parted ways to fulfill their dreams. However, she held onto hope that she would find the friend that was so dear to her heart, and her best lead to Ash, at the moment, was this "Wanderer" that she heard rumors about.

Another crack of thunder sounded, and the rain started falling faster and harder in response. Through the ceiling, Dawn could hear the drops of raining pounding against the rooftop, causing her to look up in concern. The storm clearly wasn't going to let up any time soon, and Dawn felt she was already late enough as it was in her search for the Wanderer.

"We have been getting a lot of storms like this one lately," a voice said behind Dawn. The bluenette turned to see the bartender with plate of food, who merely smiled at Dawn. "They come down from the mountains and rage for two to four hours before disappearing. Funny thing is, they always seem worse than what they give. Almost like the storms are holding back, or something is holding them back. You can't tell because of how hard it is raining, but that storm is full of funnel clouds. Tornados are begging to be unleashed from that thing. But, believe or not, not one has touched the ground. This town should have been destroyed a while back ago from the weather, but we have been oddly lucky."

"Tornados?" Dawn asked with worry as the bartender set her food in front of her. "Why hasn't anyone evacuated if this place is so dangerous?"

"Like I said," the bartender shrugged, "we have been lucky. But with has many storms there have been, and all of them full of possible tornadic activity, the fact that nothing has touched the ground makes me believe that a pokémon is somehow involved. Plus, the people here love this place too much to leave. It's their home, so they stick to it."

Dawn couldn't help but nod. Of course people wouldn't leave! When you are born and raised somewhere, you develop a strong bond it that allows you to call it your "home." Of course, when you are a traveler, "home" is the road. Still, Dawn understood that home to her, as far as being born and raised goes, was where her mother was. However, Dawn could have also just as easily considered being on the road with Ash as her home. As for the oddity of the storms, however, Dawn definitely agreed that there was a pokémon involved, or even several pokémon considering the fact that Mount Coronet was cloaked in storms ever since the events at Mount Pyre and Shamouti Island.

"You made this awfully fast!" Dawn smiled after taking a bite of her food and swallowing. "Let me guess, was a fire type involved?"

"My secret weapon for when I need fast food for a customer," the bartender winked. "Cyndaquil is the perfect answer to a hot grill when I need it!"

Dawn couldn't help but giggle, thinking about how smart it was for the bartender to use a fire type for cooking. She had been an absolute help to Dawn in her moment of trouble, and Dawn couldn't thank the bartender enough for her efforts. Dawn happily took another of the hamburger, thinking about how much Ash would enjoy it here.

"So aside from the storm," the bartender smiled, "may I ask what brought you here?"

"Business, actually," Dawn answered after swallowing her bite. "I'm looking for a friend of mine who disappeared a while back."

"A friend?" the bartender asked. "May I ask who?"

"Ash Ketchum," Dawn answered sadly, tightening her hand around the glass of water that the bartender gave her.

"Ash Ketchum?" a man asked from a corner of the bar. Dawn turned to him. He was tall and wore darker clothing with a padded vest and a construction hat. Hikers of the mountain often wore such an attire for protection, though no hiker attempted to climb Mount Coronet ever since the storms appeared along with the pokémon that would attack humans.

"Yeah," Dawn blinked. "Have you heard anything about him?"

"I've 'eard a lot o' things, miss," the hiker frowned. "All o' them unpleasant. But Ash Ketchum, that one is a 'ard tale to tell, I'd wager."

"Please," Dawn cried desperately, "any information you have will be useful!"

"Well," the hiker started hesitantly but nodded after a moment, "alright, but it's an odd story. It started 'bout three weeks ago, I'd reck'n, and much on a stormy day like today is. Though, every day has been stormy since them clouds settled on Coronet. Ain't ever seen nothin' like it since the day the waters down in the Orange Islands went crazy. Messed with the climate and everything! Anyway, I come to the town and feel the earth shakin' 'neath me. 'Bout lost all me supplies to them cliffs, too! After the earth quit shakin,' out came the meanest lookin' Steelix you ever did seen! Bloody wanker 'bout took me arm off when I tried to get away from 'im! And 'e was mad, too, like somethin' was drivin' 'im to attack me.

So I tried gettin' away, and stared 'eading for the town. Bad idea, though, as 'e kept chasin' me. Felt like whips were at me back the entire time, the wanker! So, as I got closer to the town, out o' the forest came the Wanderer! 'E 'ad pokémon at 'is side and took to drive that Steelix away from the town before 'e could do damage. After 'e saved me, 'e vanished back to the forest. I thought I'd seen the last o' 'im, but no! 'E came back later that night and started askin' anyone 'e could 'bout someone named 'Ketchum.' Strange thing, that was, but I'm lucky to be alive, methinks!"

"I actually remember that night," the bartender frowned. "I told the Wanderer that someone by that name came a week before he showed up, asking about the ruins that appeared in the Coronet range after the storms showed up. As soon as I told him, the Wanderer just left. It was strange, even for me. If they went into that mountain range…."

"Better get used to the idea o' yer friends bein' dead," the hiker finished.

Hey, everyone! Sorry for the wait. It was a bit of a struggle trying to think of how this chapter would go. I knew where I wanted it to go, I just wasn't sure on how to write it. However, I think a four-year jump went as well as I could have managed it. As you can already tell from this chapter, it takes a bit of turn of dividing into separate stories. I will try to make so a character's own storyline will have their own chapter, but it seemed fitting to keep the different storylines apart of the same chapter to put emphasis on the fact that a lot is about to happen. (Also, I apologize for the bad grammar (and spelling) used for the hiker character. I cringed at the grammar as I wrote it, but I felt that he needed his own uniqueness. I just went along with it. But, he was still fun to write!)

In either case, I am thinking that I will devoting future chapters to Ash, Misty, Serena, Dawn, May, and any other characters that need such attention respectively. However, at the moment, I think it can be said the those five are my main human characters. Currently I am trying to figure out when I am going to put the backstory history of this story into place. It may not be for a while, but I will try to reveal more when I feel it appropriate. If there is anything you want revealed, please, feel free to drop a comment on the subject in the reviews! As always, comments, criticisms, and all else are welcome. Please review! Thank you again for reading, and have a good day!