Howdy all! How you doin? *chuckle chuckle*

This chapter isn't very exciting, but here it is!

Outside the Stadium:

Ash and Co made their way out of the stadium. They started down on a dusty path and they could hear the distant cry of Wingulls.

"Hey, Melody!" Ash suddenly realized something. He turned around and looked at Melody, who seemed deep in thought.

"Yes, Ash?" Melody looked at Ash.

"The tournament is taking place during the Shamouti Island ceremony. Who's doing the performance for the ceremony? Few years ago, it was your turn to perform. So who's doing it now?" Ash was curious.

Melody was a little abashed.

"Well, you see, we haven't really found another candidate for the ceremony, so I'm doing it this year for the fourth time in a row. But this will be my last year," Melody blushed.

"That'll be interesting," May commented.

"Melody, are you going to do that whole fruity thing, where you flirt with Ash? I mean, Ash is with May now..." Misty whispered to Melody.

"Don't worry, now that all the bird problems are gone, we...sorry I won't need to do that," Melody replied.

Ash noticed Misty and Melody whispering fervently and shouted. "Come on! We gotta get going!"

The large group (consisting of Ash, May, Max, Dawn, Brock, Misty, and Melody) started running in the direction of the village.

Near the Village:

A tree swayed in the wind.

Swoosh!

Yellow eyes peered out of the tree and focused on the road. A wispy, shadowy body appeared and it crouched down to get comfortable.

The creature could hear faint laughter in the distance.

It swivelled its head, slowly, and focused on the bend of the road.

Footsteps.

Ash Ketchum, the Prince of Aura had arrived.

The creature focused on its inner, purple aura which was now visible, enveloping it in a dark hue.

"Maaster...the target has been spotted..."

A reply from the master.

"No, maaster... I sense no sign that he knows that I aam here..."

Chatter only heard to the creature.

"I will continue my surveillaance maaster."

With the group:

Ash was listening to Melody's storytelling (which, ironically, happened to be about the time when Ash had gone on the adventures to Fire, Ice, and Thunder islands) when he felt something sinister very close to the group.

Ash looked up and maintained a ruse of ignorance.

"Where have I felt that before?" Ash pretended to laugh in a depreciating manner as Melody detailed a particularly amusing point in Ash's journey.

Ash looked at his right shoulder and saw Pikachu perked up as well.

"Pikachu, can you pinpoint where that dark aura is coming from? I believe whatever it is would be able to sense my aura if I tried doing it..." Ash murmured lowly to Pikachu.

"Kachu..." Pikachu's sense of smell and great instincts located something very sinister located in the branches of a lone tree.

Pikachu's eyes flicked towards the tree and Ash nodded.

He held his hand over Lucario's Pokéball, waiting for something to happen.

Nothing ever did.

The group passed the tree, ignorant of something dangerous lurking in the willowy tree.

Ash sighed a breath of relief.

"I'll have to go investigate that sooner or later."

At the Shamouti Island Village:

Ash and his group walked into the large bazaar set up in the town.

Various street vendors shouted out, enticing tourists to purchase a snack or souvenir.

Melody excused herself from the group, saying that she needed to go prepare for the ceremony at the festival house.

It was still mid-afternoon, so Ash and friends decided to enjoy the festivities and food.

They stopped in the middle of the town and observed several people laugh and dance while carrying a blue Gyarados puppet.

A few hours passed and people began heading to the festival house for the Chosen One ceremony.

Ash and May headed towards the festival house as well and sat in the center with their friends.

Apparently, being friends with Melody had its perks too.

People were chattering quietly, and eating delicious food until the lights dimmed.

The stage brightened and a bittersweet melody rung eerily throughout the festival house, quieting everybody.

Slowly, Melody (dressed in the traditional costume) walked onto the stage and continued playing Lugia's theme on her white ocarina.

When the last note faded away, Melody spoke in a clear voice.

"Disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice, or Lightning.

Lest these Titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash.

Though the water's Great Guardian shall arise to quell the fighting, alone its song will fail.

Thus the Earth shall turn to Ash."

May, seated next to Ash whispered to him.

"Ash? As in you, or volcanic Ash?"

Ash grimaced. He had hoped that Melody had told May about what happened, but alas – his hope was crushed.

"Me."

Melody walked off the stage and made her way to Ash's table.

"O, Chosen One, into thine hands bring together all three.

Their treasures combined, tame the Beast of the Sea.

From the trio of islands, ancient spheres shall you take,

For between life and death, all the diff'rence you'll make.

O, Chosen One, climb to the shrine to right what is wrong,

And the world will be healed by the Guardian's song."

Melody bowed and Ash nodded.

The lights brightened again and Melody made her way backstage, only to rejoin the group minutes later.

"Hey, great job Melody!" complimented Tracey.

"Thanks, Tracey." Melody sat down and promptly began eating a pear.

"Hey, Ash?" May looked at Ash.

"Yes, May?" Ash replied, knowing what May's question was going to be about.

"What's the whole Chosen One thing about?"

Ash was about to answer when he remembered the dark aura that he had felt from the tree.

He felt a yearning to go to it, like it was calling to him…

"Misty, could you explain for May?" Ash asked in a low voice.

"Why can't you do it?" Misty complained. She was still eating.

"I've got to check something out…" Misty was about to refuse when she noticed something weird.

Something about Ash seemed…off somehow.

"Sure, Ash." Misty replied.

Misty turned and looked at May, then shrugged. Both watched as Ash slowly sauntered away, head down.

Pikachu was feasting on a ketchup bottle when May asked something.

"Pikachu? I think Ash is feeling alright. Could you go catch up to him and report anything bad?"

Pikachu nodded happily. It had noticed Ash's confused and dark demeanor and jumped off the table.

Outside the town:

Pikachu followed Ash, keeping the distance so there would be little chance of Ash noticing that he was being followed…or stalked.

Pikachu saw that Ash stopped next to a lone tree and just stood there, looking up at the branches, apparently waiting for something.

Suddenly, a purple thunderbolt came out of the branches and struck Ash.

Pikachu jumped to life immediately.

Pikachu sprinted towards the tree as Ash was bathed in a purple sphere and lifted up. Apparently, Ash was unconscious.

Before Pikachu could help Ash, a beam of dark energy blasted out of the tree and collided with the ground on which Pikachu was running on.

KA – BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Pikachu went flying and landed many yards away with a dull thud.

Ash's most faithful partner tried to get up, but collapsed with pain.

Through dreary and irritated eyes, Pikachu could only observe helplessly as the dark aura surrounded Ash once again, then disappeared, this time carrying Ash with it.

"PIKA!"

Yay! Not much of a cliffhanger, I know…

Anyway, three Rs! Read, Review, and Recommend!

Oh yeah, and check out Pokémon Apokélypse! Great!

Peace out!

-LegendsAlmighty