Hello again folks. I apologize if the last few chapters have been boring. This one will have some action in it, so bare with me for the time being. Hopefully you will enjoy this one.
Disclaimer: Except for a few original characters, I do not own Pokemon.
Last time:
Ivy: Don't worry, Shocker. This time, we'll put him in his place.
Kendrax: I'm sure you will. Now go!
Shocker and Ivy: Yes, my lord!
Part 7: Proving Your Worth
Location: Cerulean City; two days after the Pokemon League Title Match.
??: WHAT?!
Misty cringed at the sound of her sisters' exclamations. She, Ash, and Chellsy had just returned to the Cerulean City Pokemon gym. At first, her sisters were glad to see them. They were especially happy to see Ash again after all this time. However, all of that changed when the two of them announced that they were going to get married. In an instant, the three of them started shouting objections. Of course, they were all shouting different things, so it was hard to tell what they saying, but the angry tone in their voices spoke for itself. Misty was beside herself as she tried to calm them down.
Ash, meanwhile, felt like crawling under a rock. He and Misty hadn't been there ten minutes, and he was already on her sisters' bad side. He turned around and noticed that Chellsy, Pikachu, and Lucario (who had wanted to be out to see this) were all covering their ears in an attempt to block out the loud din he had helped raze. He could tell that this visit was only going to get worse.
Daisy: How the heck can you think about marring this jerk?
Misty: Hold on, Daisy. Just how is he a jerk?
Lily: Oh, come on, Misty. The guy's been gone for 7 years, and now he suddenly comes back asking you to marry him.
Violet: This is probably just his way of trying to make up for stringing you along for so long then leaving right after telling you how he felt.
Misty: Okay, that's crossing the line. For your information, Ash was actually planning to ask me long before he decided to leave. He just wasn't sure how to do it.
Daisy: Well, that may be ok for you, but we don't like it.
Lily: And another thing. What about Chellsy? You can't expect him to know how to be her father, can you?
Misty: Um, that's the other thing we wanted to tell you.
A few explanations later…
Daisy: HE'S her real father?
Violet: Well, that's just one more reason we don't want you marring him. Because he left and didn't leave any way to contact him, you were forced to take of her all by yourself.
Lily: If he really loved you, he wouldn't have done that.
Chellsy just sat there, watching as her mother continued arguing with her older sisters. She was really worried that her three aunts were going to end up tarring her newly reunited family apart.
Lucario: This isn't going very well, is it?
Chellsy: Gee, how could you tell?
Pikachu: Pi-ka.
Ash had finally had enough of this. He stepped forward in attempt to cool the air.
Ash: Excuse me. Can I say something here?
Daisy: I suppose.
Ash: Look, I know you guys are angry at me. I would be, too, if I were in your shoes.
I know I've made some mistakes here, and that nothing I do can really make up for them.
Lily: You got that right.
Ash: Would you let me finish. I admit that I should have stayed in contact. If I had learned that Misty was going to have a baby sooner, I would have raced back here in an instant.
Violet: Would you, really?
Ash: Of course. If there is one thing that's absolutely clear to me, it's how much I love your sister and that I would do anything for her.
Misty: Oh, Ash.
Daisy: But what about Chellsy. You weren't there for her when she was growing up. You missed most of her childhood.
Ash: I'm aware of that, and I feel terrible about it. But even thou I have absolutely no experience being a parent, I want to try to be the dad she deserves.
He turned to look at Chellsy, who was grinning from ear to ear at the thought of having a dad like him. However, Misty's sisters still weren't having it.
Daisy: Well, you two may think this is a good idea, but I'm still not convinced.
Lily: Me neither. How do we know you would really do anything for our sister, not to mention your daughter?
Violet: Would you be willing to, let's say… put you own life on the line if they were in danger or something.
Ash: Of course I…
Ash suddenly stopped cold. Misty stared at him, puzzled as to why he didn't continue speaking. Her sisters thought he was starting to reconsider his own motives, but that was far from it. Over the last few years Ash had spent training his Pokemon out in the wild, his own senses had become more in tune with nature, and right now they were telling him that something very bad was about to happen. Lucario sensed it, too, and activated its aura vision, which allowed it to see outside the walls of gym. It didn't take long for it to notice that a bolt of electricity was headed straight for them.
Lucario: Everyone, get down now!
Daisy: Wait! What's going on?
Ash: Don't ask! Just do it!
All eight of them hit the deck just as the lightning bolt struck a section of the gyms' outer wall, blasting open a huge hole and sending pieces of charred brick and wood flying everywhere. When it was over, Ash got back on his feet to check the damage.
Ash: Is everybody alright?
Misty: We're all okay, Ash. Don't worry.
Daisy: Lucario, what did you see? What the heck just hit us?
Lucario: A bolt of lightning.
Lily: That's not possible. There's not cloud in the sky.
Violet: Maybe an electric Pokemon was aiming at something else and missed its target.
Lucario: That wasn't an accident. It went straight for wall that we were just standing by, and it had a lot of power behind it.
Ash: That can only mean one thing; someone was trying to attack us. Pikachu, Lucario, let's go. We have to check this out.
Ash raced outside to the field in front of the gym with his two companions following right behind him. Once there, they immediately took up battle positions, readying themselves for whatever happened next. Misty and her sisters hung back near the entrance, not wanting to get in the way. Chellsy was so scared that she was shaking like a leaf. Misty picked her up and held her tight, hopping that this would all be over soon.
Ash: Alright, whoever it was that shot that lightning bolt at us, show yourself this instant! But I'll give you fair warning right now that you have absolutely no idea who you're messing with!
For a few seconds, nothing whatsoever happened. Then suddenly, a surge of electricity shot up from the ground about 20 feet from where Ash was standing. I rose up to a little over Ash's height before dispersing to reveal a single figure that looked like someone who just stepped out of a medieval history book. The figure was man that wore yellow colored armor with a matching cape. The man also wore mask of the same color over his face, apparently to hide his identity. Lucario took up a fighting stance as Pikachu sent sparks flying from its cheeks, both ready to combat this fierce new opponent.
Shocker: I must say; you picked up on that thunderbolt quicker than I expected. You certainly have very keen senses.
Ash: Enough with the complements. Who are you?
Shocker: Oh, of course. Where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shocker, one of the 17 knights of the Grand Shadow Covenant.
Misty: The Grand Shadow Covenant?
Shocker: It's not surprising that you haven't heard of us. We're not a very well known group like Team Rocket, but we are far better than the likes of them.
Ash: Hey, wait a second. I've seen you before.
Daisy: You have? When?
Ash: During my training. About five years ago, I stumbled across him and a bunch of his pals while they were working with a machine that caused all the Pokemon in the area to go completely nuts. The second I figured out what was going on, I had Pikachu blast the thing to pieces.
Shocker: And you made us all look like total fools that day. But as much as I'd like to settle the score, we're on a mission and we would prefer to do it quickly.
Ash: Who's "we"?
Ivy: Finally. I thought he'd never ask.
Ash looked around wildly, searching for the source of the mysterious voice that seemed to be coming from all sides. He turned his attention back Shocker in time to see a tangled mess of vines sprouting from the ground right next to the warrior. They then meshed together and quickly pulled apart to allow another armored figure to appear before them. This particular person was a woman whose armor, cape, and mask were bright green in color.
Ivy: Greetings. I am the second of the knights from the Grand Shadow Covenant. You may call me Ivy.
Shocker: Enough small talk. We have a job to do, remember?
Ash: What kind of job?
Shocker: Glad you asked. We're here because we have been ordered to get rid of someone. Now, if you would be so kind, we would like to get on with it.
Ash: Hold on a sec. Who are you here to get rid of? Answer me!
Ivy: If you insist. We are here for only one person; her!
Ivy stuck out her hand and pointed a single finger directly at Chellsy, who let out a frightened yelp and held on to her mother even tighter than before.
Misty: What do you want with Chellsy?
Shocker: That is none of your business, young lady. Now, I'll make this simple for you; either you hand over the girl or we will be forced to destroy all of you.
Ivy: And do think about it before you decide. We would prefer there be as few casualties as possible.
Ash clenched his fists and stared angrily at the two villains before him. He may have just found out that he had a family, but he wasn't going to just stand by and let them tare it apart.
Ash: Tough luck, you two. If you want her, then you have to go through me first!
Pikachu: Pika!
Shocker: Very well. You've chosen your own fate!
Shocker raised his hand and sent a bolt of lightning straight at Ash, who jumped to side just before it made contact.
Lucario: What the heck! He fired that right from his hand!
Ash: What in the world are you guys?
Ivy: Our master has granted each of his knights the power of a single Pokemon type. You've just seen Shocker's power; now let me show you mine!
A long vine shot out from Ivys' hand and wrapped itself around Lucario. She then used it to lift Lucario into air and smash it against the wall of the gym. Lucario got back up, slightly battered, but still in good shape.
Daisy: This doesn't look good.
Violet: This is crazy. Who ever heard of humans that could use Pokemon attacks?
Misty: I don't know. I just hope Ash can think of something fast.
Ash quickly started thinking up a battle plan. I was obvious that these two warriors had the skills of electric and grass type Pokemon, and he had just the fighters to counter them. He quickly pulled out two poke-balls from his belt and threw them into the air, which opened to release Charizard and Sceptile. The two Pokemon stared menacingly at their opponents, having heard enough from their balls to know that these guys had to go.
Ash: Charizard, use Flamethrower on Ivy.
Charizard sent a stream of flames directly at the grass master, but her comrade was ready for it.
Shocker: Nice try. Thunder!
Shocker summoned a gigantic lightning bolt from the sky which struck the ground in front of his partner, stopping the Flamethrower from reaching her.
Ash: Sceptile, quick. Use Leaf Blade while he's distracted.
Sceptile summoned its energy blade and made a mad dash towards Shocker. But before it could make contact, Ivy leapt out in front of it and conjured up her own Leaf Blade. The two attacks clashed, causing the two to push each other back.
Ivy: This is getting boring.
Shocker: I know, and we'll probably have to deal with the others once we finish with this guy.
Ivy: What do you say? Should we take them all out at once?
Shocker: Allow me. You know what to do.
Ivy nodded and wrapped herself up in a cocoon of leaves and vines as Shocker began building up a huge amount of electricity. Ash knew what was coming next.
Shocker: Well, it's been fun, but its time to say goodbye. Discharge!
Shocker released all his stored up energy, sending bolts of lightning flying in every direction. Ivy was protected by her make-shift barrier, but it was a different story for Ash. He and his Pokemon were forced to duck down to avoid being hit, but then he realized that this was just what they had hoped for and that the Discharge was now heading straight for the others.
Daisy: It's coming right at us!
Lily: Let's run for it!
Violet: Too late!
Misty pulled Chellsy in close in an attempt to shield her from the oncoming attack. Shocker watched excitedly as the lightning closed in on its victims, but just before it struck, Lucario quickly stepped in front of them. Summoning his aura, he created a large energy field around him and the others, which protected them from the electric attack.
Misty: Wow. Thank you, Lucario.
Chellsy: Yeah, thanks.
Lucario: Don't mention it.
Shocker was absolutely outraged that his blast had failed to even put a scratch on them. Ivy wasn't in such a good mood, either. Having reemerged from her plant cocoon to learn that her partners attack had done little more than damage the scenery, she was instantly all over him, saying that she had gone into her protective mode for absolutely nothing.
Ash, meanwhile, was thrilled to see that everyone was still in one piece. After breathing a sigh of relief, he turned back to face his now furious adversaries.
Ash: Not as easy as you probably would have hoped, huh?
Shocker: A bit unexpected, but spare us the overconfident attitude. If you had any sort of real power, you would have used it on us at the start.
Ash: Talk about overconfidence. You haven't won this yet.
Ivy: True, but let me see what I can do to fix that!
Ivy started running toward Chellsy and the others while charging up a green energy ball in her right hand.
Ash: Uh oh. Quick, intercept her!
Charizard and Sceptile both moved in to block her path. However, she easily dodged their attacks and leapt right over them. Pikachu tried to zap her with a Thunderbolt, but she did a midair flip to avoid it. Lucario jumped up to meet her head on, but she wrapped him up in another Vine Whip and flung him into a nearby tree. She landed about 10 feet away from Misty and Chellsy and pointed her fully charged attack directly at them.
Ivy: I hope you two lived a good life, because it all ends here. Energy Ball!
Ivy fired the grass attack with extreme force. With all of his Pokemon too far away to stop it in time, Ash did the only thing he could think of. Running at full speed, he threw himself in front of the Energy Ball, which hit him square in the chest and sent him flying into the wall of the gym. Misty watched, horrified, as he slid down the wall and fell onto the ground, lying motionless on the cold cement.
Pikachu: Pika-Pi!
Misty: No!
Misty rushed to Ash's side as Ivy jumped back to join Shocker, who was completely amused by this sudden turn of events.
Shocker: What a fool; sacrificing himself to save those two. It's pathetic.
Ivy: Well, at least it will be easier to do our job now.
Meanwhile, Misty began to gently shake Ash, trying to get him to wake up while Chellsy, Pikachu, and Lucario looked on helplessly. While most people would have deemed this a lost cause, she absolutely refused to believe he was gone.
Misty: Come on, Ash. Wake up, please.
Chellsy: Please, dad. Wake up.
As she continued to try and revive him, her sisters just stood there, completely shocked at what Ash had just done. About a half-hour ago, they had been questioning just how far he would go if Misty or Chellsy were ever in trouble, and just now, he had put his life on the line to protect them. They now knew, without a doubt, that Ash truly loved both Misty and Chellsy with all of his heart.
Just then, Misty heard a very low groan. She looked down to see that Ash was starting to come around.
Chellsy: Dad, are you okay?
Ash: Uh… yeah. I think I'm okay.
Misty: Ash, that has to have been the most reckless thing I have ever seen you do, but I'm glad you're alright. Thanks for saving us.
Ash: Don't worry about it. I'm just happy you two are safe.
As Misty slowly helped Ash get back on his feet, Shocker and Ivy remained rooted to the spot, wondering how the heck he had managed to survive that attack.
Ivy: How on earth are you still alive after being hit by my Energy Ball?
Ash: You'd be surprised what I can live through. Now, let's finish this.
Ash let go of Misty and staggered back out onto the field, ready to continue fighting.
Shocker: Give it up, pal. You may have survived, but now you're in no shape to resist us.
Ash: You come here, threaten my family, and now you expect me to give up. Think again.
Ivy: Oh, please. You may be the Pokemon League Grand Master, but none of your Pokemon have the power to defeat us. You have nothing left.
Ash: You want to see power. If that's what you want, I'll be more than happy to oblige.
Shocker: What are you babbling on about now?
Ash: You said that if I had any real power, I would have used it from the start. But you guys need to learn that people don't usually expose their real skills until they need them the most. Allow me to demonstrate. Aura Blade, descend!
Ash raised one arm into the air and snapped his fingers. A split second later, a long, silver sword shot down from the sky and impaled itself into the ground in front of him.
Shocker: What the?
Ivy: Where did that come from?
Ash grabbed the sword by its gleaming gold handle and pulled it up from the earth. He then swung it around and pointed its long, silver blade directly at them. Misty and the others stared at Ash's new weapon with amazement. She then noticed a small gem set in the middle of the hilt. It looked just like the crystals he and Lucario wore around their next. Before she could comment on it, Ash spoke again.
Ash: You two are about witness something no human in this day and age has ever seen before. Lucario, get ready!
Lucario: Standing by, Ash. Go for it.
Ash: Here we go. Aura Force, Armor Release!
Ash lifted the blade over his head. Suddenly, the gem in the hilt began to glow bright blue. The light quickly grew brighter until it suddenly became so strong it temporarily blinded everyone in the area.
Daisy: What's going on?
Misty: I don't know. I've never seen Ash do this before. I just hope it's something good.
Misty couldn't have been more right. Within the lights core, Ash was undergoing a miraculous transformation. All around him, the aura energy released from the sword was forming metal plates that pulled together to create armor. His entire body became encased in a special metal that was stronger than steel. The energy also formed a shield that was attached to his left arm. Lastly, a helmet formed around Ash's head, complete with a retractable face shield.
When the light finally dissipated, Misty, along with everyone else, was surprised to see that Ash was now wearing a full body suit of armor, complete with its own cape. Its blue color was similar to that of Lucario, and looked to be very durable. Ash also wore a helmet with a face plate, leaving his eyes the only part of him anyone could see. He firmly gripped his sword as he spoke one final line.
Ash: Guardian of all life. Aura Knight!
Shocker and Ivy stood transfixed as they examined their new, more formidable opponent.
Shocker: I don't know what kind of power you now have, but we'll stop you before you can use it. Charge Beam!
Ivy: Solar Beam!
Both of them fired a powerful beam of their respective elements straight at Ash, but before they could hit, he raised the shield attached to his left arm which generated a large aura barrier, blocking their attacks.
Ash: Nice tricks; now let me show you one of mine. Aura Wave!
Ash swung his sword, releasing a powerful energy wave as he did. The attack hit the two villains, knocking them back a ways before dissipating.
Ivy: What power.
Ash: That's nothing. Watch this. Lucario!
Lucario: Right!
Lucario ran forward and jumped into the air. He then transformed into pure aura, which flew to Ash and was absorbed by the gem on the Aura Blade.
Shocker: What happened? Where did Lucario go?
Ash: My Lucario can merge his energy with the Aura Blade, allowing me to unleash its most powerful attack.
Suddenly, his sword was set ablaze with Lucarios' powerful aura. Ash griped the hilt with both hands as he prepared his final blow.
Ash: This ends now! Blazing Aura Strike!
Ash swung the sword with all his might, sending forth a tidal wave of aura at his opponents. The attack hit them with such force that they were blown off their feet and sent crashing thru a dozen trees before landing in a heap about 20 feet away from where they started. The two of them were unable to move from the sheer impact of the blast.
Ivy: What now?
Shocker: In my opinion, we should retreat.
Thru much effort, the two of them managed to get back to their feet before shouting at Ash one last time.
Shocker: Mark these words, Ash Ketchum. This has only just begun.
Ivy: We will not rest until your child is destroyed. We will return, and in greater numbers, but until then, you and family had better stay prepared for the worst.
The two then snapped their fingers and Shocker disappeared into another electrical charge. Ivy wrapped herself in vines again, but this time they transformed into flower petals. Ash watched as they were blown about by the wind, carrying the essence of their master away from the city.
Ash: Bring it on. I'll be waiting.
TO BE CONTINUED…