A/N: Yet another chapter done. I apologize for my tardiness, life kept me in line and away from my keyboard. That is my excuse, and it's a true one. Any rate, I've decided, after some internal debate, that this story will end Pearlshipping. I apologized to the fans of other shippings in advance, but for some reason, Ash and Dawn in a relationship just seemed to sit well with me more than any other. I'd go into more detail, but I need to answer to a reviewer.
Partner555: I wouldn't say I was tired of that premise, just the attitudes towards Ash. Check out 'The Betrayed Champion' by itssupereffective. That story had a great premise as well as a legitimate betrayal intertwined to it. Yes Ash did drink in the past, which will be elaborated on. If you think Al died pretty gruesomely, you should see my brain. and yes, that concept of channeling marks just kind of came out of nowhere, and will probably create a history on the Aura Guardian, which may show up on my Deviant Art account.
Well, time to end my rambling and get on with the story.
Disclaimer: I do not, or will ever own the Pokemon franchise. that belongs to the Nintendo Corporation and Game Freak. Also, I do not own anything based off of Claudio Sanchez's The Amory Wars.
Ten minutes after Ash's explanation, Meri returned with a tray of food. The people who were sitting around Ash and Mac, looked at the food that was being put in front of Ash.
"Alright, here's your food." Meri said with a smile. "Is there anything else I can get you two fine gentlemen right now?" Mac and Ash looked at each other, then turned to Meri and shook their heads. "Alright, just call if you need anything." Meri left to tend to the other tables she was servicing. Ash tucked the underside of his bandana into the upper section, freeing his mouth to devour his food. He picked up a buffalo wing and sunk his teeth into its tender meat. Mac on the other hand, was playing with his food. He wasn't big on eating, but ordered something to keep up the illusion that he was human. Finally getting bored, he began eating his salad. By the time Mac was half-way through his salad, Ash was finishing off the remnants of the nacho platter he ordered. He rarely left leftovers.
"I'm surprised you don't get sick after eating so much." Mac said. In the year he has been with Ash, He could never get over how much the twenty year-old could eat. Ash finished his food, wiped his mouth and returned his bandana to its normal position.
"I know, but I can't explain why." Ash said with a chuckle.
"Could it have something to do with your aura?" Mac asked. Ash shrugged. He turned his attention to the T.V. In the bar. It was recapping tonight's fight.
"And in a stunning turn of events, Rage gets back up and goes to town on Domino." the commentator said. The scene of the fight shifts to a newsroom, where the commentator was sitting at a desk. The camera panned out to show two guests with him. The first one was a man in his late 20's with spiky brown hair, brown skin and slanted eyes. The other was a woman in her early 20's with red hair, pale skin and sea green eyes. "Now, let's turn to our guests for the night, acclaimed Pokemon Doctor, Brock Harrison and Cerulean City gym leader, Misty Waterflower." The camera zoomed in on Brock and Misty. "Thank you for coming." the commentator said.
"No problem." Brock said.
"Now, what are your views on this match?" the commentator asked.
"Well, it's safe to say that this Rage character is no pushover." Misty said. "Especially after getting up from Domino's famous 'Morphine Shot.'"
"Yeah, I'd hate to be int the ring with him." Brock said. "Arceus knows if I'd make it out alive." Ash chuckled at that comment.
"What was your reaction to Rage getting up from the champs punch?" the commentator asked.
"To be honest, it scared me." Misty replied. "I've seen the best boxers go up against Domino and the 'Morphine Shot' always knocks them out." Ash wanted to keep watching, but his train of thought was interrupted.
"You're Rage, right?" a voice said. Ash turned and saw a boy, about ten year of age next to him with a pen and pocket notebook. Ash nodded. "Can I have your autograph?" Ash shrugged.
"Sure, why not. Anything for a fan." Ash said. He held his hand out and the boy handed him the notebook and pen. "What's your name, kid?"
"Aaron." the kid said. Ash nodded and began writing in the notebook. After he signed it, he gave it back to Aaron. He had a grin from ear to ear.
"Thanks Rage. Good job tonight." Aaron said. Ash just chuckled.
"Thanks kid." Ash said. "Maybe, I'll make it that far again next season." The boy nodded.
"And maybe you'll beat him." he replied before running off. He smiled under his bandana. He remembered when he was ten and started his Pokemon journey. Hell, it almost killed him, on many occasions.
As he was reminiscing, he was approached by another person. This person, grabbed Ash's shoulder and pulled him out of his chair. Ash turned to see an angry looking man. He wore a leather jacket, a white shirt, blue jeans and black boots. Basically, he looked like a greaser. Ash could take a wild guess at why he was interrupted from his memories.
"You cost me $5,000 tonight." the man said. Ash shook his head and looked down. He was used to getting bet on, but he was never confronted about it.
"You made the bet." Ash replied. "It's not my problem." He turned to get his drink, but was turned around. The man's eyes were blood shot, his breathing was heavy. This guy was beyond angry, he was furious.
"Actually it is. You cost me money tonight, so I'm gonna pound it out of you." As the thug said that, he pulled a switchblade out of his pocket. Working on instinct, Ash socked the thug, in the jaw, knocking him down. He turned back to his seat, only to be grabbed by some guys he didn't see. They pushed him to the wall, pinning him there as their boss got back up, switchblade in hand.
"You think you're getting out of this?" the thug asked. "I control this ride and you ain't going anywhere." the blade popped, prompting Ash to struggle away from his restraints. The thug closed in on Ash, ready to thrust his knife somewhere fatal, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll advise you not to do that." He turned around to see Mac standing behind him. The thug sized him up, before chuckling.
"This ain't your concern." the thug said. Mac's eyes narrowed. He forcefully turned the thug around, landing a punch on his face. The thug fell, his face bloodied. Mac looked down at him with anger in his eyes.
"Actually, it its." Mac said. The others were too stunned to notice Ash break free from his restraints and socked both of them with two punches to the abdomen. Ash then made his way next to Mac.
"What do you think?" Ash asked. "Ten minutes.?" Mac turned to him and laughed. Ash joined in as the boss thug got back up into a fighting stance. Ash looked at him and cocked his head.
"Five minutes." Mac said. Ash nodded and turned to the bar.
"Hey, barkeep." Ash yelled. The barkeeps attention was turned to him.
"What's up?" He asked. Ash smiled under his bandana.
"You got a bell over there?" the bartender nodded. Ash got a better idea. "You got a timer back there as well?" the bartender nodded again. "Set the timer for five minutes. Ring the bell then start the time on my mark." The bartender, pulled something from under the bar, but Ash's attention was moved as the boss thug growled.
"What kind of joke are you pulling?" The thug asked. Ash turned to Mac and then back to the thug.
"Just a little proposition." Ash said. "If we beat you, in five minutes, you leave Saffron City for good." The thug chuckled.
"And if you don't?" he asked. Ash thought about a it for a moment.
"If we don't, you leave without any broken bones and with a little pocket money. $500." Ash pulled out a stack of twenty's and placed in of the table. The thug smirked.
"Easiest money I ever made." As he and his buddies got into their stances, Ash nodded to the bar and a bell sounded.
The thug made the first move, swinging at Ash. Ash dodged and slammed his fist into his opponents chest. Mac on the other hand, was assaulted by the other two, who were thinking they could gang up on him. They launched simultaneous hits at Mac's head. Mac merely smirk and ducked under their fists. As their fists missed their mark, the dim-witted duo began losing their balance. Mac took this opportunity to sweep both their legs. They both landed on tables, making them break. 'Idiots.' Mac thought as Ash was thrown at him. With his fast reaction time, Mac caught Ash and set him upright. They looked at each other then Mac turned his attention to the other two, who were getting up from their nasty fall. Ash turned his attention to his original opponent. They were both faced with a problem. They were out numbered. But they weren't out classed. As they closed in, Ash and Mac got into defensive stances. As the thug boss charged as Ash, Mac pushed him out of the way and socked the assailant in the face. Ash then turned to the other two, who were getting set for another assault, and sucker punched them in the chest. Mac had a firm grip on the boss' shoulder and started a slew of punches into the abdomen. The boss tried to block, but felt a crunch in his arm and cried out. Ash was slapping the other two silly (A/N: Think The Mask). He then knocked their heads together with an accomplished smirk on his face. Unfortunately, he didn't see Mac get thrown at him, causing him to fall, with Mac on top of him.
As Mac was getting his bearings, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He turned to see a switchblade sticking out of it. The thug boss laughed, thinking he hand won. Unfortunately for them, Mac had some hand-to-hand combat training and quickly got back up. As quickly as he got up, he pulled the switchblade out of his shoulder. He flipped the blade end into his hand and thew it at the boss. It hit him dead in the right torso, hindering his breathing. With the boss still in shock, He didn't see Mac coming at him. As soon as he was in impact distance, Mac thew a slew of hits that had many similarities to the Pokemon move, Close Combat. By the time he was done, Mac had reduced his opponent to a blooy, broken, whimpering heap. He then turned to the other two, ready to do the same to thing to them, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Ash. His glasses had been knocked off, revealing his brown eyes.
"Mac, I think they get the message." Ash said as he gestured to the other two. Mac knew Ash was right, but something inside him said to make them suffer. Ash seeing his friends internal conflict, Walked up to the other two and knocked them both out with swift, yet powerful uppercut to each of them.
As the two thugs fell to the ground the timer at the bar sounded. They had won their wager. On the outside, Ash was calm, but inside he sighed in relief. He grabbed the stack of twenty's from the table and went to bar. Mac saw the direction he was going, and grabbed his shoulder.
"What did I say?" Mac asked. Ash turned to look at him and pulled his way out of Mac's grip.
"I'm not getting a drink." Was all Ash said as he walked away from Mac and resumed towards the bar. As he got to the bar, he asked, "sorry about the damage. How much?" the bartender pulled his hand up as Ash was counting out some of the cash.
"Don't worry about it." the bartender said. "We're insured. All you have to do is pay for any drinks and food you consume. By the way, can I get you anything?" Ash shook his head
"No thanks." Ash said. "I've been off the stuff for about a year now. My friend helped me off of it and I don't want to relapse." The bartender nodded.
"I understand." he said. "I got off of the stuff about four years ago. Best of luck to you." Ash thanked him and went up to the cash register to pay for his and Mac's meal.
The left the restaurant and headed towards their hotel. When they got there, They were yet again bombarded with questions both personal and business. Mac, who was still in pain and bleeding, told them off, but his speech left the reporters in both shock and fear. Ash had a smirk on his face as they got into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, Both Ash and Mac cracked up laughing. They would have continued, but Mac winced at the pain in his shoulder.
"Let me see this." Ash said. He pulled on the collar of Mac's shirt to see the wound he was inflicted during their fight. Ash immediately pulled a hyper potion and a clean rag. He gave the rag to Mac. "Bite down on this, 'cause what I'm about to do is going to sting like a mother fucker." Mac nodded. He folded it until it was about an inch and a half thick and put it in his mouth. Ash stuck a hypodermic needle on the nozzle of the potion and stuck it into Mac's wound. Mac screamed as he felt the medicine being injected directly into his skin. In a matter of seconds, the wound began to heal around the needle. As soon as the wound was fully healed, Ash removed to needle from Mac's skin. Mac sighed as the pain in his shoulder went away.
"What on earth was that?" Mac asked. As held up the hyper potion.
"Direct contact from a hyper potion into your wound." Ash said.
"What compelled you to do something that could have been potentially life threatening?!" Mac asked in anger. Ash stood his ground
"I've seen this stuff heal scrapes and paper cuts. I figured direct injection would heal the wound with no scar." Ash replied. "If you look at where the cut was, you will so no scarring whatsoever." Mac nodded and decided not to question it further. By the time, they finished their conversation, they were at the seventh floor.
They went into their room and began to unwind. Mac transformed back into his true form, while Ash removed his bandana and sunglasses. He then went to his bed. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light, with dreams filled with his journey home. Mac chuckled and rested his eyes, waiting for the morning to come.
Meanwhile in Vermillion City
At the Vermillion City Pokemon Center, several individuals were sleeping. Well, almost everyone. In one of the several bunk beds, laid a young woman with hair that was blue as a Nidoqueen's hide. She was trying to sleep, but a certain person was invading her thoughts. To her side was a small penguin Pokemon, who has been with her since the beginning of her Pokemon journey. As she laid there, holding a hat in her hands she whispered, "Where are you?" After a few moments, she finally succumbed to her tiredness and fell asleep.
A/N: There you have it folks. Another chapter gone. By next Friday, I will have another chapter ready to post on site. If you like this story, you can either favorite it, follow it or both. If you have something constructive to say about the story, drop me a line. Remember, I'm writing for both you and myself and I want this story to be the best it can be.
Until Next Round
Phant0m