Ch. 5 (Epilogue)

As the gang made up camp for the night, Ash and Dawn talked about the upcoming Grand Festival of which, Dawn was excited. Ash, however, wasn't as excited since he could still remember the strange nightmare he had last night. After a while, he ended the conversation, and began to look up to the nightly sky. He was still unsure about what it was all about and he was very confused about the 'cult' he saw in the dream. Ash sighed. 'Maybe Luc will help clear things up.' Ash thought. He soon looked at Dawn, who was now looking glum since he had stopped talking to her. He had many questions in his head like why were there look-a-likes instead of his friends in his dreams? Why was he acting so strangely? And why did people saw that red Pyramid thing as himself? He pets Pikachu tries to calm his nerves. He hadn't really spoken about these questions or his dreams to his friends since they would end up being worried about him with no real way to help him. However, when he looked at Dawn again, he could see that she was very curious. "Ash, you've been very quiet for some time. Is…Is it about your currant nightmare? What were you're nightmares like? I know you told me one and you told us the most recent one, but what about the others?" Dawn asked. Ash looked down and stopped petting his friend. He sighed, and then smiled. He needed to get them off his chest, and this was probably the easiest way of doing so. "Well…In my nightmares, I was alone a lot, I was usually being hunted down by some kind of animal or trapped like an animal, and I was always looking for help. But oddly they always ended with me with my mom, talking about the current 'event' that happened to me. Thankfully mom still stayed the same, so nothing odd was happening. She was very worried if I was okay. Thankfully, I usually was." Ash said. He held himself. "But…the dreams were very scary and full of weird imagery. The beast that hunted me was a boogeyman I made for my nightmares when I was young, but thankfully I don't remember the images and he never 'truly' caught me." Ash said with a smile. Dawn sadly smiled. "Well, at least they ended happily." She said. Ash smiles as he looked at her. Dawn tilted her head. "But, why did you create this 'boogeyman' in the first place?" She asked. Ash thought about for a moment. He soon rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "You know. I kind of forgot. I think it had to do with me being a bad kid, but I don't remember ever being a brat, so I'm just confused as you. All I know is that he's been with me since the beginning." Ash said. Dawn nodded. "What about you? What were your nightmares?" Ash asked. She looked away, which made Piplup look sad. "Well…they were all about you, Ash, and they featured you turning into a monster of some kind. The first time was an animal like creature that attacked me. The next dream was about you becoming another creature that was similar to the first, but it could understand words and it could speak, but it still attacked me. I was able to free you from it, but then you forced Brock to stab you with a sword. I cried out for you, but it was too late. Then I woke up. Thankfully, it was a dream. The next dream, you attacked me again, but it was different than the others. You….you touched me in odd areas and licked my cheeks, and you kept scratching me. You…you were acting very horrible…I…I don't want to say anymore. Anyways, the next dream was of you trying to take over the world. The one I told you already. And in my latest dream, you…you turned into a strange monster. You still looked human, but you moved like a lizard and I could no longer see your face. It was covered by some kind of mask. You had these weird symbols on your shoulders and you held a large knife. I…I feared for the worst, but you did nothing. You showed me this picture of a woman and then pointed at me in confusion as you twitched. It…You soon hugged me and made really odd noises. I think I heard cat noises coming from it…Then suddenly, I saw this strange symbol. I think I saw it before, but I don't remember where it came from. Maybe a book or a pastel. Then I woke up." She said.

She soon realized something. "Now that I think about it, the latest one wasn't really a nightmare. It was just a weird dream and a creepy one to boot." She said. Ash realizes this as well. "Yeah, even my latest dream was weird." Ash said. Dawn looked down. "I wonder what it meant though." She asked. Ash folded his arms. "I don't know." Ash said. Then he looked at Brock who brings them food. "I don't know either, but just be glad it's over. I doubt they really mean anything anyways. They were just bad dreams." Brock said. Dawn nodded. "Yeah, you're right. So Brock, what were your bad dreams?" Dawn asked. Brock froze. "W-what are you talking about?" Brock asked as he sweated. The two kids laughed for a little while before looking at Brock again. "Brock, don't kid yourself. Darkrai told me himself that you were also having nightmares. Plus you look as tired as us. We KNOW you also had nightmares as well, so spill." Ash said. Brock blushed. "Okay. You got me." He said, "The first one started off good with plenty of Nurse Joys and Officer Jennies surrounding me, but it quickly turned into a nightmare as they turned into ugly and viscous monsters. I don't remember what they looked like, but scared me awake almost instantly. Then I had a dream where you guys were in danger because of some kind of monster, but I could do nothing about. I was chained to a desk and couldn't get freed. The monster soon came up to me and laughed at me. It said that I was useless as always and I could never truly stop it or save anyone. It then attacked me and I woke up. The next dream was even worse. Ash, you…you became that monster. You attacked all of our friends, and then you destroyed Jenny and Joy. I…I couldn't do anything. I couldn't stop you. I couldn't prevent it. I couldn't save you either. This time, I was trapped on a wall with a gun in my hands. I didn't want to use it, so I tried to reason with you, but you ignored me. In the end, after your rampage, you broke free of the monster's control and recognized what you had done. However, you were devastated by this. You begged me to end you're life, to end the suffering, but I couldn't. You then said that I promised to do this. I…I soon felt sorry for you and I had an odd feeling that I had to do kill you. But I didn't want to. I didn't want to end it like this. But I soon shot you in the chest and I saw you die before I woke up. Thankfully, last night's dream wasn't as bad. It was just about Crogunk poison jabbing me whenever I got close to a woman, and there was a lot of women. Oddly, I didn't fall over ever whenever he stabbed me nor did he take me away to somewhere. It was bad and weird, but much better than the last dream…but why did you guys have 5 dreams?" Brock asked. Dawn sighed. "We woke up in the middle of last night, so it stopped one nightmare and created another." Dawn said.

Brock soon noticed that Ash looked horrified and scared. Dawn notices this too. "Brock, Dawn, you…you both had a similar dream of me becoming a monster….why did you both have dreams of me becoming a monster? Do….do I look like a monster in your eyes?" Ash asked; he was scared. Dawn touches his shoulder. "Of course not…It's just…you can act kind of nasty to us sometimes, that's all." She said. Ash growled. "Hey! You two can act just like me! That means that you should have similar nightmares about each other! In fact, I should have nightmares about you guys becoming monsters!" Ash yelled as the fear began to control him. Something wasn't right in Ash's eyes. They looked monstrous and vicious. "Whoa, Ash calm down. You shouldn't take our dreams so seriously. Besides, I've seen you act like a monster before, so don't be so surprised." Brock said. Dawn nodded. Ash growled but then looked at Pikachu who was very worried. Ash sighed. "You're right; I am taking the dreams too seriously. I…I'm just scared that's all. My monster always resembles me in my dreams. So…maybe I see myself as a monster." Ash said. The others nodded. He looked at them. "But…what kind of monster did I look like to you guys?" Ash asked; he was a bit curious. Dawn looked down. "Well, in my dream, the monster looked the same as you, but with longer hair, claws for hands, and scary red eyes. It…you were also bigger than normal. You wore a big apron around your waist, you didn't have a shirt on, and you wore big black glosses. Plus in your hands was a big knife covered in blood," Dawn said, shivering. Ash froze as he remembers the description of that pyramid monster he heard about. Ash shocked his head. No, it…it wasn't the same monster, it was slightly different than it.

Ash turned to Brock. It was his turn to speak. "As for my dream, you became this huge reptilian creature. It looked like it was a Dragon like Pokémon, but I had never seen anything like it before. It had a long, smooth, slim tail; its head was long and slim, it had white slint pupils inside of blue eyes, large sharp teeth, and black horns on top its head. It was very scaly, it had large bat wings for arms, and it sounded like a lion." Brock said. Ash and Dawn gulped. That did sound like a very scary monster. Dawn turned to Ash. "Ash, what about you? What did your monster look like?" She asked. Ash sighed. "Well, it looked human like yours, Dawn, but…it wasn't human. Not in the slightest. It has large blond hair that covers a bit of its face, it has emerald green eyes that can stare into the deepest part of my soul, and it always wears my current clothes. I hardly see it standing, but its 3 inches taller than me. It hops around like a Mankey and slithers around like a lizard. It acts more like an animal and attacks anything it sees. And I always see it killing something in my dreams when it's there." Ash said. Dawn gulped. "That does sound scary." Dawn said. Ash nodded. Brock looked down. "Ash, we should stop talking about the dreams. They're over now. Besides, I bet you and Dawn are hungry." Brock said. Soon Ash's stomach growled. Ash blushed and then smiled. "Yeah." Ash agreed. The group soon began eating food. After a while, they talked about the grand Festival and about Ash's next gym as they ate their food. Once they were done, Ash began to train his Pokémon with Dawn. After some time, Ash and Dawn noticed the time and stopped. They were getting really tired. They soon returned their Pokémon and went to bed. Ash lay in his sleep sack as he thought about the monsters Dawn and Brock talked about. He sighed. He was getting all worked up for nothing. Besides, Luc would help him get his answers. Ash sighs and turns to Pikachu. After a while, Ash fell asleep.

(Ash's dream world.)

Ash woke up in the darkness. He was laying on his back and in one of his hands was a large knife. Sirens could be heard from the distance. Ash touches his chest with one hand. They were calling him, telling him that he was needed. Ash gets up and began anomalously walking. He didn't know where he was going, but he had to go somewhere, to do something. After a while, he saw some women walking around, talking but he couldn't tell what they were talking about. They looked…familiar. Ash held himself. Why did he see people he was sure he never met before, but looked so familiar? He soon saw Dawn as one of the women pulled a gun to her head. Ash growled. 'So that's why I was called. Those women are trying to hurt her!' Ash thought as his anger rose. He could feel something in his hands that was slowing him down. He didn't know where it came from, just the fact that it was in his arms when he woke up and he couldn't let it go. He felt like if he let go, then he wouldn't be able to protect anyone. Ash soon walks up to Dawn. The area became clearer with walls and a door visible. Ash was soon behind her. He was much taller than her AND the woman. He wanted to be confused by this, but all he felt was his rage. Ash growled at the women. "Who are you!? Why do you point you're weapon at her!?" Ash yelled. However, the women stare at him at awe, as if they were surprised to see him. "Answer me." Ash angrily said. He wasn't sure who they were, but all he felt was disgust and rage. They soon ran away. Ash growled, but he soon sighed. He wasn't going to waste his time with them. Besides, they didn't look worth it. Ash looked at Dawn. She was wearing a blue school dress with a red tie. The same one 'Alessa' was wearing. He wasn't sure why, but that name was still in his head. "Dawn, what happened? Who were those ladies?" Ash asked, as he made his confusion noticeable. Dawn looked down. She didn't look injured thankfully, but he was still worried about her. "One of them said that they were looking for a girl named Sharon. But…I know who she is. She was asking me if I knew what was going on in the town. But I…I don't know anything." She said. Ash was confused. "But…why was that one woman pointed her gun at you?" Ash asked. Dawn looked down. "She…she's a bad woman. She says she's a cop, but she doesn't act like one. She's pointed her gun since she saw me as a monster." She said.

"WHAT!?" He yelled. He touched her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Dawn, you are the prettiest girl I've ever known and you're also one of the kindest. There is no way someone could mistake you for a monster." Ash said. She smiled. "Thanks… but… isn't there a way for her to get justice without ruining my plans?" She asked. Ash smiled. "Don't worry. One way or the other, she will pay." Ash said, and then whispered, "Even if it's by my own hands." He was pretty sure he would never say that in real life, but for some reason, he said it. Dawn smiled, which was very odd. "Good. Just…don't hurt the woman looking for Sharon. We still need her." Dawn said. Ash nodded. Ash soon noticed that there were a lot of Caterpies, Wormples, Burmies, and small black bugs on the walls, ceiling and floor. He wasn't afraid of them, in fact he liked them, but they made him confused. Why were they here in the first place? He sighed. Hopefully Luc will come and explain everything. "You'd better go," Dawn said. Ash nodded and walked away into the Darkness. After a while, he was in a different area. The bugs were leading him to his next destination. He soon saw the two ladies and smiled. He felt a wicked feeling and a feeling of justice inside him. They tried to hurt Dawn, they deserved to die. "Ash, don't kill the blonde one. She is needed." Dawn's voice said. Ash growled and ignored it. He wanted his revenge. He wasn't going to let them get away. The bugs moved faster and he began to speed up. He soon noticed that he couldn't run or move any faster. Thankfully he was still pretty fast. The women notice the bugs and Ash. They soon ran away. They hide behind a big metal door. 'What, do they think I'm blind?' He asked himself. That was the only way they could honestly do that while he was looking at them. He moves to the door and forces his sword in. He soon noticed that it was big and very sharp. 'It…It kind of reminds me of Rose's description of me….but I had a spear in that world.' Ash thought. However, other than the door, he didn't hear the blade connect with anything. He didn't hear blood spirt out, he didn't hear someone scream in agony. No, he heard was panting. He growled. He was so close to at least one of the women. He smiled. 'I just have to push my blade in farther to get her.' Ash thought. He soon realized what he was doing.

'What the…NO! No, this can't be right! I…I want to kill someone, to hear their screams of pain and revel in it. It...It has to be that monster. It's making me feel this way. It's the one who wants to kill them.' Ash thought as he felt sick in his stomach. He pulls the sword out and puts it on the ground. However, he still didn't want to get rid of it. He growls in frustration. Suddenly, he sees Luc in the far distance. Ash smiled and walked towards his guardian. 'Finally, answers to this madness!' Ash thought as he approached the man. Luc was fairly average man with raven black hair like Ash's but it was straighter and more flowing. He wore very old and plain looking clothes, he wore a blue sash around his waist, and he had blue eyes. As Ash got closer, he noticed that Luc was very sad and that he was looking at a book on the ground. Ash froze. It looked like the book the Dawn look-a-like gave him, but it had a different circle pattern on it. It had a big triangle in the hoop like symbol and there were strange symbols on and around the triangle. Ash recognized the symbols as the 'symbol of Metatron' from his dream. Ash sighs as he walks up to the man. Meanwhile, Luc sighed as he sat down. Useless. He was useless against that Darkrai. He promised Ash that he would protect him from monsters entering his mind, but he had failed. He was especially angry with himself since he had already failed his master before when it comes to Darkrais, but, he couldn't do anything to stop them. He was normally okay with them since they normally can't control that factor. But he felt like there was a way to stop this one or to at least help the boy while he was in the nightmare world. But the guardian couldn't do a damn thing. He sighed again. 'But I can't continue to beat myself up. It won't help Ash.' Luc thought. He looked at the strange book. 'I have to know more about this strange "Order" the monster and Ash are afraid of. I never heard of it before, but I can't let master down.' Luc thought to himself. He grabbed the book, planning to open it, when Ash grabbed his hand. Luc was shocked by this. He growled. "Get away from me, monster!" Luc yelled as he kicked Ash; however, Ash wasn't moved by that. Ash growled in pain. "Luc, you idiot! It's me, Ash!" Ash yelled in rage. Luc looks at the boy in shock. "A-ash? Is that really you?" Luc asked. Ash nodded. Luc sighed. "I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to attack you. You just…you look like a monster." Luc said. Ash froze. "Wh-what? Really?" Ash asked; a bit scared. Luc nodded. "You still look humanoid, but you also look inhuman as well. I think it has to do with the helmet you're wearing. I can't see your face." Luc said. Ash titled his head. 'Helmet?' Ash thought. "Luc, I don't feel a helmet on me… Just that my head is heavy. How can I have a helmet on me if my vision is fine?" Ash said. Luc held his chin. "Well, I guess you can't see it. Must be like the collar that you wear. Oddly I don't see the collar or the chain when you have this thing on. But then again, you could see that, so I don't know what's going on." Luc said. Ash nodded, which made him even more confused. He could see the collar fine, so why not this helmet? 'Maybe because I didn't create it. It also must be giving me this headache.' Ash thought as to why he couldn't see the helmet. "So, what does it look like?" Ash asked. Luc soon materialized a picture of it in front of Ash. "It's big, it's black, it looks like a three sided pyramid with round edges, and two of the sides face me and look kind of like eyes but have bumps instead of eye holes. I think I see a value thing on the back of your helmet. Maybe I can get it off." Luc said. Ash smiled. "Good. My head is really hurting now." Ash said.

Ash soon turned his head to let Luc undo the helmet. Luc grabbed the valve. He looked at Ash. "I'm going to turn the valve left. After all, lefty lousy, righty tightly. If it hurts, say something." Luc said. Ash nodded. Luc soon turned the valve left. Ash grunted as the helmet became tighter. Luc turned left again. Ash screamed in pain. Luc stopped. Ash sighed. "Okay, I'm turning it right." Luc said. Ash nodded. Luc soon turned the valve to the right. Ash smiled as the pain eased. After a few more turn, Ash felt something wrong. The pain wasn't going away forever, it was just easing up. "L-Luc? W-what's wrong? I don't feel the pain going away." Ash said with concern. Luc looked away. "I…I can't get it off. It's stuck. No matter what I do, it won't go off." Luc said. Ash turned the guardian with shock and anger, which causes the guardian to lose his grip on the helmet. "WHAT!? LUC! LUC THIS IS YOUR FAULT! You didn't stop the nightmare in time! You…you didn't stop the Darkrai in time!" Ash yelled in rage. In fact, it consumed him. He grabbed Luc's neck. Ash growled. He roused his sword up, ready to slash at the man. Ash smiled. 'Kill…kill…kill.' The word echoed in his mind. Ash soon saw Dawn's face. Ash stopped himself and let's goes. He holds his chest. 'N…no! I…I won't become a monster! I won't let my anger control me again!' Ash thought. His head was now aching. He touched the head area, but couldn't touch his head as he touches a big piece of metal that felt bumpy. Ash growled. 'I can't even feel my face now!' Ash thought as his frustration rose. He was so conflicted on how to feel right now. Ash soon crashed to the ground and began to cry. Luc kneels to the boy. Ash looks down as he clutches his head. "Please….please, don't come near me…I…I can't handle the pain anymore." Ash said as tears flowed down his face. He wanted to smash the guardian so much, but he knew that it wasn't right. It wasn't Luc's fault for what's happening. Luc sighed. He looked at the helmet. "I must be missing something. A lock or chain. Something that is keeping this blasted thing on." Luc said as he scanned the helmet. Ash looked up, hoping the guardian was right.

"Ah ha! There are hooks that I can unlock. They were so tiny that I didn't notice them at first." Luc said. Ash smiled. Luc soon began unlocking the hooks. After a while, the helmet fell off. Ash gasps as his head was freed from the contraption. Ash soon panted as he regained his breath. His head felt dizzy. Ash looked at the helmet pieces. The helmet was split into two and had spikes covering the insides. In fact with the way the spikes were positioned, it looked like it was impossible for the boy's head to stay in peace. Ash touched his head. It was still there, but he could feel holes in his skin and in his neck. He was bleeding heavily, but thankfully this was a dream, so it didn't matter. Ash sighs in relief. Finally, the pain was over. Ash looked at Luc and smiled. "Thanks Luc. Man, I'm glad it's finally off." Ash said. Luc smiled. "You're welcome, master." Luc said. He soon kneeled and looked at the helmet. "I'm going to examine the pieces. There had to been a reason why it was on you." Luc said. Ash nodded; then remembered the women who were harassing Dawn. "I…I think I know why. I was being called for by Dawn, but… she was being harassed by two women. I came over to her, but oddly I was taller than the women. I…I then went after them, even when Dawn told me to stop. I…I wanted to kill them. I want to have revenge…Luc, what's going on with me?" Ash asked, confused. Luc touch the boy's face, causing him to flinch in pain. "I… don't know. This is way beyond anything I know and nothing like this has happened before. I…I need to do more research." Luc said. He looked at the book. "Ash, I'm going to examine the book you received. It may explain your fear of this made-up cult and what's going on with you. It may also be the key to keep you safe from that yellow hair demon." Luc said. Ash looked at the book."Luc, that's not the same book Serena gave me. That's…something else. Besides, I...I can't let you. As long as there is one cult item around, there is a chance for it to hurt me. To...to make me that monster again. That Darkrai used this cult stuff to turn me into the monster without releasing the collar. I…It cannot be left in this world." Ash said, terrified. Luc touched his shoulder. "It's alright. I'll get rid of it soon enough, but can't I at least read it? I won't say anything out loud, in case it's a spell book, but I do need to read it." Luc asked. Ash looks down. "Fi-Fine. But get rid of it once you're done and reseal the thing that Darkrai broke. I...I know he broke something to make the 'cult'. That's why that world existed." Ash said as he lets go of Luc. Luc nodded. Luc sighed and opened the book. The book was divided into chapters but written like a biographer or a journal. The first few real pages were the same story as the ride, the one of the holy mother, and the next few pages were the start of the first real chapter. The chapter talked about a girl named Alessa Gillespie, and it was very fixated on her, like it was from an obsessed stalker. There wasn't anything really interesting about her other than she was a psychic. Luc was a little confused though as to why Ash knew about her, or why he needed to say her first name to escape the nightmare. Then the chapter ends and the next chapter started. It was about a man named Travis Grady, but it didn't seem all that interested in him, it was more interested in the little girl who was going to birth 'god'. Oddly, the chapter ended with the girl splitting a piece of herself into a baby she apparently martyrized out nothing. Luc was very confused, and the chapter didn't help. He thought it was utter nonsense.

The next chapter was about Alessa trying to stop god from using the seal of 'god' and something called Metatron, which confused Luc. He was getting confused by the weird names this 'cult' used. The chapter also talked about man and strange girl were being drawn into the town because the man's girl was a part of 'god'. The chapter also had a man and a doctor in it, but the chapter wasn't really interested in the men. So much so that the book didn't even name the main man until the very end. The whole feel of the chapter was very angry, and the author was cursing the man's named near the end. He was also angry at Alessa and was questioning why she didn't want to birth 'God'. The chapter ends with the man, whose name was Harry, killing the 'god' and Alessa giving Harry a baby that was a mix between the girl and Alessa which confused Luc even more. The next story was a man being haunted by his dead wife and a 'red pyramid thing'. However, it wasn't all that interested since it was a short chapter. At the end, the author said that the full story would be written by 'Xuchilbara'. The narrator, however, was very cautious of Xuchilbara and wondered if he cared about him, which confused Luc. The guardian sighs as he stops reading. He needed a break. "Are you done yet?" Ash asked, impatiently stomping his foot. Luc shook his head. "No. I'm only a third in. I'm only stopping because the author's rambles tired me. Whoever wrote this is obsessed with a girl name Alessa, which creeps me out." Luc said. Ash sighed. "Fine, continue." Ash said. Luc nodded. The next chapter shifts to a girl named Heather and how she was the new bearer of God. It went into extensive detail of her life and how the narrator finally got to meet her in a mall. The narrator was apparently her guardian and her one and only lover. It was pretty creepy. It was soon angry that she refused to give god and he had to take a woman named Wolfe to be the bearer of 'god'. He wanted Heather to see the error of her way, but in the end, she killed 'god', which makes the narrator very angry and sad. It then meets Heather and they have a one-side conversation. The author admits that it couldn't talk so Heather was just asking him questions which it could only pantomime the answers back. This caused Luc to wonder what this author was since it says that Heather kept calling it a monster 'like the manifestations of her mind'. Luc sighs when the chapter ends with Heather leaving the creature alone. Luc was relieved because this was a very long, very creepy chapter and that the author was using a man named 'Stanley' to write his feeling s to her.

Luc was horrified when he first read the chapter, but now at the end, the chapter only made him more confused as what was wrong with this author and weather it was human or not. Luc sighed and turned to the next chapters. He briefly went through them since he didn't want to go more into the author thoughts than he already had. Thankfully most of the remaining chapters were short, except for the chapter after Heather's story. The longer chapter was more a raving against a cult member than anything else. The other chapters were about other people who came to the town, but the author wasn't really into them, only giving a brief summary of their stories and only going into more detail if 'Xuchilbara' appeared. The last chapter was about how the world was ending and God hasn't been born yet. The author was very sad, and hoped that it could go to another world to try and birth god right. And then it just ended. After Luc skimmed through the book, he went back to the raving chapter since it was the only one to really mention the cult. It talked about how a ceremony was false and how the 'stupid humans' were stupid for trying to teach 'the ceremonies' lies. It also talked about a man named Walter Sullivan who failed in birthing 'the devil' and was actually happy for a while before going on about how it hated that he was so close. Luc sighed after a while since he knew he was going nowhere with this. He soon looked at Ash and smiled. "Alright, Ash, I'm done reading. Unfortunately, this book is nothing but garbage. It didn't give me any real details as to what was going on and was more a rave about a girl named Alessa, then about a girl named Heather. The other chapters don't give anything else other than the author is apparently afraid of Xuchilbara, that huge executioner thing from the ride, and this weird ceremony that makes a 'devil'. I, however, don't know what that was all about. I think it mentions that this 'Xuchilbara' was a god of mist, but other than that, nothing." Luc said. Ash sighed. "Well, at least you can burn it now." Ash said. Luc nodded, and suddenly the book was on fire. Luc throws it to the ground, and the book burns into several pieces of ash. Ash sighed. "Well, we better go check on Satoshi; he might have some useful info." Ash said. Luc nodded. And with that, a green door appeared. Ash and Luc walk up to it, Ash dragging behind because of his sword, and they enter the door. It held a red living room full of relaxing items, but Ash and Luc ignored them and went through a red door.

They enter a large castle entrance hall and looked around. The hall was full of tapestries of Pokémon and bookshelves filled with books. Satoshi was sitting in a chair near a door, reading a blue book with the title 'Alice in Wonderland' on the front. Satoshi chuckles at something, probably something he read. Ash noticed that the king was wearing skin colored robes and gloves. Ash looked at his clothes and notices he was wearing the same thing but his was darker in tone and was covered in blood spots. Ash was disgusted that he was wearing this. Luc coughed, getting the king of Pokelantis' and Ash's attention. The king puts down the book. "Luc, boy, what brings you here?" Satoshi coldly asked. Ash stepped forward. "We want to know what you were doing last night and what you did with the book Dawn gave me." Ash asked coldly. The king blinked. "Last night…? Oh yeah, I nearly forgotten that we were supposedly sent to a nightmare. Truthfully, my dream was far from a nightmare, it was weird, but defiantly no nightmare." Satoshi said. Luc nodded. "Alright, then tell us." Luc asked. Satoshi sighed. "It started out with me riding in a carriage with the boy's male friends. They were asking me why I was moving to this Silent Hill, however, I, of course, was confused by this and asked them as to what was going on. They looked at me weird and 'reminded' me that they were my friends. I played along and just said it was a secret since I couldn't give them a real answer. After a while, we were at a mansion in 'Silent Hill' and I met a maid version of Dawn. I…was confused to say the least. She then asked me if I would like to go on a date, but I had noticed that it was getting late in the day so I refused. Oddly, I was scared of the night, but I only noticed it the next 'day' of the dream.

"Weirdly when I went to 'sleep' I had a 'dream within a dream' moment. It was about the first time I met my first crush but this time I was this monster. I don't remember what the monster looked like but I do know that she didn't even notice the change. Then I 'woke up', and Dawn and I had the date. We went to many fun rides at the amusement park, but then we went a strange one called 'the Holy Mother Ride'. It talked about some garbage about god being a woman born from guilt and how she died and is waiting to be reborn. And yet...I believe it. I know its garbage, and yet I believe the story will come true." Satoshi said. This caused Ash to be confused. "Did it mention about some gods named Xuchilbara and Lobsel Vith?" Ash asked. Pokelantis was held his chin. "Lobsel Vith, yes. Xuchilbara, not really. I had Lobsel Vith and Metatron. The last part of the ride talked about an executioner called Xuchilbara and a guardian called Valtiel, but the ride never mentioned that Xuchilbara was a god…wait…does that mean you saw the ride as well?" Satoshi asked. Ash nodded. "Yeah, but it happened later in my dream." Ash admitted. Satoshi was intrigued. "You'll have to tell me about it after I'm done." Pokelantis said. Ash blinked. "Wait? You didn't hear me explain it to Dawn and Brock?" Ash asked. Satoshi shook his head. "No. I was reading an odd diary 'Dawn' gave me. Oddly, it had a different symbol on it when I 'woke up'. But I'm getting a head of myself. After the ride, I was starting to feel a pain in my body. I sat down on a bench and then I was in my house again. I was talking to a look-alike of 'Misty'. She asked me if I was alright and I noticed we were in a bed together and that she… looked trampy. I asked her what was going on, and she said that she was about to have 'fun with me' but I passed out. She said she was waiting for me to wake up for hours now. I was obviously confused and asked her many questions. Not one of them was answered as she got onto my nerves. She acted like I was nuts. I got so fed up with her that I slapped her and left. She tried to make me stay, I refused, and then…I blacked out. The next thing I knew I was back in my 'home' with 'Dawn' overlooking me and giving me medicine. I asked her questions about what was going on, and she told me that I passed out due to a fever. At first that was a fine answer, but after I recovered and went into my living room, the news on TV said that 'Misty' was killed her 'lover'. I was confused by this, but didn't question it. Dawn noticed my concern though and took me too the local lake. We sat near the edge and I asked her about her family and the like. She gave me some strange ones, ones that I know are true and yet not true. I…I don't know how to explain it. She then gave me a red book with a strange circle symbol with a triangle on it. She said that I should read it. I was about to, when I got sick again, but this time I didn't black out. I…I don't know what happened next. All I know is that I was in pain and I could hear Dawn screaming. I remember begging her to do something to me. To …to kill me." Satoshi said as he started to remember the events. This shocked everyone.

"The rest is a blur. But when I 'woke up', I was back in my 'castle' and I had a slightly different book than the one Dawn gave me. I read it and was confused by it. When I finished, I decided to destroy it out of some fear that I don't understand. I've been here reading my books just to keep myself from going anywhere. A siren calls to me every time I finish a book. Asking me to go somewhere, and I fear that it's somewhere I don't want to be." Satoshi said, looking down. Ash looked the king with shock and a bit of anger. "What was this book about?" Luc asked. Satoshi sighed. "It was a diary of sorts, written by some inhuman hunter. He talked about his prey, which were humans, and how he dealt with them. There was talk of some cult who saw him as a god and him wondering if he really is the 'god' they refer to. He wasn't interested in them though. He was more interested in the sinners they brought to him. I think he refers to himself as Xuchilbara, but that could just be the name the cult gave him." Satoshi said. Ash realized something. "Hey, that's the name I heard about! …But I didn't know a guy who looks like an executioner would also count as a hunter." Ash said, surprised. Satoshi nodded. "But, what did you find out?" Satoshi asked. Ash soon told him about his dream, about the cops, the look-alikes of his friends and James from Team Rocket, the strange feelings he got, the cult stuff he learned, about the Darkrai, about the cops thinking he was some guy named Dark, and the little girl he kept seeing. Satoshi listened intensely. After Ash finished, Luc talked about the book he found and the contents of it. Satoshi didn't blink at all at the fact that some monster was in love with a girl. Ash deduced that the man didn't mind since he was technically the same as it since he loves Dawn. When Luc finished, the group sighed. "So, what does it mean?" Luc asked. Ash looked at him. "WHAT!? You don't know? I thought after ALL that info; you would have a theory or something?" Ash said, shocked. Luc sighed. "I'm sorry, master, but whatever power this 'Silent Hill' has, it is something that I cannot explain. All I can do is 'fixing' whatever was broken. So, why don't you show me what was broken." Luc said. Satoshi sighed. "I think Ash should go first, after all, he's the main soul." Satoshi said. Ash frowned. "Oh no. I think you should go first, after all, you could sneak a surprise attack me after whatever's broken is fixed." Ash said. The two growled at each other. Luc sighed. "Ash is right; we should fix this side first." Luc said. Satoshi growled at the guardian. Luc pulls out a sword from his belt. Satoshi soon sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I'll show you the broken area." Satoshi said. The king soon began moving. After a while, the two followed him. They eventually reach the 'dungeon' which was a long corridor with iron bared rooms. Ash gulped. He was glad he never got caught in one of these cages. They soon walked up to a large door with a strange symbol on it. It was the same symbol as the book Luc held. "It's in here. Now go dog and fix whatever's in there." Satoshi said. Luc looks at the man. "Why don't you do it? After all, you were able to locate this room." Luc said. Satoshi looked away. "I…I don't want to. I don't feel ready to face whatever's in there." Satoshi admitted. Luc sighed and opens the door. Inside was pitch black, which meant it was difficult to see what was in there. Luc pulls out a flashlight and turns it on. It illuminates the darkness, showing a bloodied room full of pictures of Dawn. Each picture had her in a different pose or outfit.

Ash glares at the king. "The thing should be past the pictures." Satoshi said. Luc sighed and goes into the room, shutting the door behind. Pokelantis smirked. "This was a trap, wasn't it?" Ash said angrily. Satoshi smiled. "Of course. I have no idea where this broken item is or what it even does. But, it doesn't matter, with Luc out of the way I can finally take over your body and get my revenge." Pokelantis said with a wicked smile. Ash lifted his sword in his hands so it was easy for Satoshi to see it. "No way! I'm not going to let you hurt my friends!" Ash yelled. Pokelantis forms his own sword. It had a red hilt with a blue blade made out light. "Hehe. It's not like I didn't know that. Now, let's settle this." Satoshi said. The king swings forward, Ash blocking the shot. Ash tosses the sword off. Ash stabs forward, but Satoshi rolled away from the door. They turned to each other and Ash lunged forward. Satoshi blocks. He swivels the sword around, and grabs the boy's arm. Ash grunted. "Ha! Best you again. I was always the better fighter." Satoshi said. Ash growled. He pushed his arm forward and pushes the boy back. Satoshi was surprised by this; the boy's strength was unusually stronger. Ash swiftly swings his sword and cuts off Satoshi's left arm, Satoshi screams as he holds the stump, thankfully there was no blood, and the arm regrew with remarkable speed. Satoshi pants as he holds his new arm. "Th-that's the first time you've ever done that." Satoshi remarked. Ash was too shocked from what just happen to reply. Ash looked down at the chopped off limb, which was dissolving into red dust. Ash looked back at the king with wide eyes. Satoshi sighed as he tried to regain his composer and get back to the swing of things. He looked down and saw that his sword was on the ground. Satoshi soon formed another sword. "Don't get distracted boy, this isn't over." Satoshi said as he stabs towards Ash. Ash was in too much of a shock to do anything, and the blade enters his chest. Ash screams in pain as he closed his eyes. Satoshi smiled as Ash falls to the ground. After a while, he lifts his head up and looks at Satoshi in anger. Satoshi chuckles. "It seems I win again." Satoshi said. However, his happiness ended when he saw Ash pull out the sword and then crushes it into nothing. Satoshi blinked as Ash gets up. Satoshi blinked. Was Ash…taller and muscular than normal? Satoshi shook his head. But then his neck was grabbed by one hand.

Satoshi soon realized that Ash was much bigger than normal and wasn't wearing his normal clothes. Satoshi gulped. He forms another sword and stabs the 'giant' hard in the chest. Ash screams in pain but didn't let go. Satoshi soon slices at the arm holding his neck, and dug deep into the arm. Ash roars in pain. Satoshi digs deeper and slices the arm off. Satoshi throws it to the ground and gasps for breath. The giant's arm soon disappeared into red dust as Ash quickly regrows his arm. Satoshi stumbles back and then turns around, ready to run towards the door, but he was stopped as Ash uses his other hand to grab the boy's leg. Satoshi screams as he felt his leg being crushed by Ash's hand. Suddenly Satoshi felt a pain in his chest, a burning pain that caused him to scream louder. Ash picks him up and throws him further down the hallway. Satoshi gets up, but falls down immediately. He clutches his leg in agony. Ash walked up the boy and grabs the boy's arm. Satoshi squired as he tried to get away, but Ash was too strong. After a few seconds, the door behind them began to creek. Satoshi pants heavily, his body was becoming heavier. Satoshi falls unconscious, unable to move. Ash frowned. He wanted more of a fight. He forms his sword again and was ready to slice the king in haft. "ASH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Luc yelled in horror. This stops the giant and causes him to turn around. Ash held his head. He soon looked at Satoshi with horrified eyes. Ash looked at his hands, they were clean, but the boy could still remember what he did. "I…I'm not entirely sure. I was fighting Pokelantis to make sure he didn't steal my body, but then things went way over hand and…and…" Ash felt sick in his stomach. He covered his mouth to make sure he didn't throw up. Luc sighs. "Well, at least I fixed what was broken. Turns out that Darkrai broke an altar that was sealing the power, but I was able to reseal it. Now all that is left to do is reseal the power in you." Luc said. Ash blinked. "But…Satoshi said that it was just a trap so you couldn't help me." Ash said, confused. Luc nodded. "Well, yes, the process did take some time which meant he could attack you, but it seemed that he was correct as to where the broken item was." Luc said. Ash looked at Satoshi who was on the ground, groaning in pain. "Whuh-what do we do with him?" Ash asked. Luc sighed. "The only thing we can, leave him be and go fix the altar in your mind. We can't control him remember." Luc said. However, Ash still felt guilty for what he did.

"I…I think you should go on a head. I…I want to apologize to Big B…I-I'm mean Satoshi." Ash said. Luc sighed. "Are you sure?" Luc asked. Ash nodded. Luc sighed again and walked off. "Okay, but don't stay here too long." Luc said. Ash nodded. After Luc leaves, Ash sighs and kneels to the broken man. The man was still recovering from his wounds; however, he was looking a lot better. Unfortunately, the boy still felt guilty for what he was doing. He soon remembered that they chopped off each other's arm. Thankfully, he was starting to adjust to the idea; however, he was still feeling sorry for what he had done. After a few minutes, the man opened his eyes and sees the boy overlooking him. He quickly crawls away in fear, stopping in front of the door that lead out the hallway. Ash sighed. "Satoshi, I'm not here to hurt you again…I…I want to apologize for hurting you so badly, actually." Ash confessed as he looked down. Satoshi was confused by this. "I…I was lost in the moment and let my animal instincts take over. I promise that I won't hurt you that badly ever again. Of course, I'll defend my body from you, but…what I did was too much. And I'm sorry." Ash said; he felt so awkward. Satoshi looked down. "I…I forgive you…but…should you need forgiveness in the first place? After all, I'm the King of Pokelantis. I plan on taking over the world after getting my revenge on Ho-oh; don't you think I should truly die? Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Pokelantis asked confused. Ash grabbed the man in fear. "No! Even with someone as bad as you, there's hope! I see big brother in you all the time. Hell, that's what your dream made you act like. Why can't you see that being a monster is not the way to be?" Ash asked, scared. Pokelantis growled. "I only acted that way because I didn't know what to do! I…I had revert to that weakling because I felt like I had no other option. I, however, will not be that wimp if I have any other options." Pokelantis said, glaring at the boy. Ash sighed. "I was hoping that you would've changed your mind by now. I mean, look at you; even after all that we've been though, you still refuse to be big brother. I…I don't want to keep hurting you," Ash said, tears falling from his eyes. Pokelantis sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'll never change my mind. I…I can't let myself be hurt anymore by lies of happiness." Pokelantis said. Ash sighs and began to walk towards the door. Satoshi froze. "Fine. If that's what you what, then fine." Ash said, angry, and then reached for the door handle. Satoshi scuttles away as Ash leaves. After navigating back to his mind, Ash found himself sitting in the darkness, crying to himself. He hated to admit it, but he loved that monster. He just wanted the monster to love him back. Ash let's out a loud roar as he holds himself. After a few seconds, his chest began to ache horribly. He felt like was set on fire. It wasn't the normal broken heart he felt whenever he and Satoshi had a fight, this was much worse. Ash howls as the pain increased.

Everything was becoming blurry. He wondered if this was what was happening to Satoshi before he collapsed. The agonizing brutal pain wouldn't let up. Ash screams out in agony as he falls unconscious. After a long while, Ash's body began to transform back into its boyish form. Soon a sphere surrounded the boy and a dream began to form. A dream that was about Ash becoming a Pokémon master. As the dream expanded to be as big as stadium, Luc appears outside the sphere with a smile on his face. "Good, everything is back to normal. Sweat dreams, Ash. Sweat dreams." Luc said. Behind the guardian was a large shadowy figure. He smirked. "Yes…Sweat dreams, boy. I'll be waiting to see when you're ready to become me. Hopefully that day will come soon enough, we have unfinished business to deal with." The mysterious figure said, and then disappeared into the shadows.