Rising Hero

H-hey guys, I'm back! This was a fast update wasn't it? Yeah, I just feel like I owed it to you guys because I might not be able to update during this week. I won't tell you what they are, 'cause it will just bore you. So, I'll just summarize it to you guys in two words: school; homework. And I'm pretty sure I told you my reasons last chapter. Oh well.

Anyway, I would just like to thank you guys for all the reviews. They have been really helpful! Because of the reviews, I have been able to identify some of the mistakes I have made in previous chapters.

And now, on with the chapter!

Chapter Four: Dreams Of A Resolution

The moon was out, casting a faint glow over the Kanto skies. It was a full moon, providing enough light to see what was ahead you. The stars were also out, casting their own unique kind of light throughout the world. They were twinkling, like they were winking down the to the world.

Ash lay on a hill not too far from his house. He couldn't help it. He needed someplace to think. Whenever he had something on his mind, he would come out to this little hill to stargaze. People have their way, Ash's just happened to be stargazing.

Lugia watched him as he lay. He also noticed another figure approaching the hill. Either she couldn't sleep, or she wanted to talk to Ash, Lugia guessed. The latter, he assumed.

But before she could reach Ash, Lugia stepped forward to meet her. And where are you going, Dawn? Lugia asked, though he did know the answer. You should be sleeping. We have a big day ahead tomorrow.

She couldn't sleep, and she usually goes outside to clear her head. When she walked out of the house, she noticed Ash walking towards the hill. She followed quietly.

Dawn was surprised. She wasn't expecting Lugia to talk to her. She thought he would be resting from his journey here, too.

"Oh, Lugia," Dawn said. "I was just going for a midnight stroll. I couldn't sleep, so I thought a walk could clear my head."

Lugia smiled. Try to get some sleep. Who knows how long we will be on this new adventure. You need all the sleep you can get. There's no telling what awaits us.

"Right," Dawn agreed. Then she realized something. "Shouldn't you be resting? I know that you're tired from your flight from the Orange Islands."

You're right, Lugia admitted. Then he winked. But at least I can admit to something. I believe it's your turn.

Dawn blushed. Lugia's words from earlier whispered in her head: It doesn't take a psychic, or a psychic type to know your intentions.

"I-I'll try," Dawn said sadly. "But what if—"

Dawn stopped herself. Asking a Pokemon for advice? She didn't think she would be asking a Pokemon for advice, much less advice on love.

She asked a different question. "How do you know that I have a—you know—crush on Ash?"

If a trainer randomly approached you and Ash, even that trainer would know, Lugia answered. The blushing is the most common hint. It's obvious.

"Well except for Ash," Dawn grumbled.

He is dense, Lugia agreed. You just have to be patient. He needs a little push. He knows he's feeling something. An as soon as he realizes it, the better off he will be . . . for all of us.

"What do you mean by that?" Dawn questioned.

All will be answered in due time, Lugia responded. He looked up at the night sky. Love is the most powerful thing out there, don't you agree?

"What?"

Again, all in due time. Lugia faced Dawn again. Try to get some sleep. And I'm sure Ash could use a sleep himself.

Lugia waddled away, surprisingly not disturbing Ash.

Love is the most powerful thing out there, don't you agree? Lugia had said. What could he mean? Dawn shook it off. She'd know in time.

Dawn headed towards the hill. She stepped on a twig, snapping it. This caused Ash to look in her direction and say, "Huh?"

"Hey Ash," Dawn said casually. "What are you still doing awake? I thought you'd be sleeping. We have a long day ahead of us."

Ash looked back at the stars. He said, "Couldn't sleep, you know? And I guess I have a lot on my mind."

Dawn nodded and laid beside Ash, and also started watching the stars

"The stars are beautiful, aren't they Dawn?" Ash asked.

Dawn was taken back. Who knew Ash could act this way? But she answered, "They are, Ash. They are beautiful."

"Why aren't you sleeping Dawn?" Ash asked, realizing that she was awake.

"The same reason as you—I couldn't sleep."

There was a silence. But it wasn't an awkward one. It was relaxing. At least Dawn felt that way. It was like she could just be herself when she was with him. Like anything was possible. And that was how she got the courage at the end of the Sinnoh League. And it also gave her the courage ask her next question.

"Is there anyone you like, Ash?" Dawn asked. She had to know. Earlier in their journey, she had asked this. All that Ash said was he liked someone. But he didn't tell who he liked.

"Huh?" Ash was confused. Why would Dawn be asking something like that? He knew that she had asked this question before. He wasn't expecting to be asked again. "You know the answer, Dawn. I do like someone. But I'm not telling you who." 'Because it is you.'

Ash hoped Dawn didn't notice his blush. He hoped that it was too dark anyway to notice.

"I'll tell you this though," Ash said, gaining confidence from somewhere unknown to him. "It was one of my traveling companions."

"Oh," Dawn said sadly. Was. It was one of his traveling partners. So it wasn't her after all. But unknown to her, Ash didn't mean to say 'was'.

Time went by without anyone talking. Again, it wasn't an awkward silence. Dawn just wanted to spend more time with Ash.

"Maybe we should head back to your house, Ash," Dawn suggested. "I bet your mom will be wondering where you are."

"Yeah, well," Ash said, "a few more minutes won't hurt, will it?"

"I guess not."

And they laid there, just watching the stars.

Ash awoke first. When he opened her eyes, he realized that he slept on the hill. He also realized that Dawn was with him. 'I guess we slept here.'

Dawn's head was in the crook of Ash's neck. Ash had his arm wrapped around Dawn. She was still sleeping peacefully. And he thought it was cute. Her light breathing. The way her head fit into Ash's neck. The way they were cuddling. He was almost disappointed when she woke up.

She sat up, Ash following her lead. She was rubbing the sleep out of her eye when she realized she slept on the hill . . . with Ash. Dawn also noticed Ash's arm around her. She, of course, blushed.

"Um, Ash?" Dawn said awkwardly. "Shouldn't we head back to your house? I thought we were going to stay here for a few minutes."

Ash laughed. "I guess 'a few minutes' is the whole night."

Dawn laughed with him. "Let's go."

They both stood up. Then Ash said, "Race ya?"

Delia and Lugia were waiting for the trainers outside the door. Delia wasn't worried, though. She was used to Ash not being in the house. She noticed two figures running towards her house. "Ash and Dawn are here," she said.

Lugia and Delia watched as the trainer and coordinator were racing to see who would reach the house first. Delia smiled as she witnessed her son laughing and running and just having fun with his friend. 'My Ash is growing up,' she thought.

Once Ash and Dawn reached the house, Lugia said, Are you guys ready?

Ash looked at Dawn. She nodded.

"We're ready," Ash replied.

"Hold on," Delia said. She was holding two backpacks—one for Ash and the other for Dawn. "I took the liberty in packing your things. You too, Dawn. And there are some new clothes for you."

"Wow, thanks Mom!" Ash exclaimed.

"And thanks Delia," Dawn added.

Delia smiled. "Don't mention it."

Ash and Dawn changed into their new clothes. (Ash in his Best Wishes outfit; Dawn wearing what the female wears in the Black and White games.)

I see that we're ready, Lugia said. Hop on my back, and we'll be on our way.

Ash and Dawn said their goodbyes and saddled onto Lugia's back. Ash was first and helped Dawn up. "Thanks Ash," she said.

Ash smiled. "No problem, Dawn! What are friends for?"

And with that Lugia flapped his wings and they were off to the Orange Islands—to a new adventure.

A figure walked along a dimly-lit hallway. There was silence except for the man's footsteps. Once he reached the end, a set of double oak doors awaited him. He opened it, making an eery, screeching sound over the silence. He stepped into the next room.

The room was as lit as the hallway—barely anything could be seen. The room was made of marble: the floor, the ceiling, the columns. Nothing but polished rock. A strange aura emanated from the end of the room where a man sat on a throne—also made of marble. The man from earlier started walking. He appeared to be a scientist of some sort. As he walked, statues could be seen on either side of him. The statues were between the columns. It was an alternating pattern—a statue, then a column, then another statue, and so on.

The scientist reached the man on the throne, bowed and knelt respectfully. "My lord," he said.

"Rise," the scientist's lord bellowed. There was something in his voice—ancient, evil. The scientist disregarded it. He knew better than to question his lord. He spoke from experience.

"It is complete," the scientist said. He held an item wrapped in cloth. He then gave it to his master.

The man on the throne took the item and dismissed the scientist. "You have done well, Charon."

Charon snickered. "Always at your service," he said. He bowed once more and left the throne room with a smirk on his face.

The lord studied the item that he now possessed. He had been waiting for the item to be made . . . or rather restored.

He studied the craftsmanship. It looked like a regular Poke Ball. But that was where the similarities ended. It was a Poke Ball, yes, but it was far from it. For one thing, it wasn't red and white. And it was stronger than a regular Poke Ball. Way stronger.

The man on the throne looked at one of the statues. They were statues of Pokemon. One particular Pokemon. Arceus.

He looked back at the Dark Ball in his hand. He smirked. Nothing was going to stand in his way. Nothing.

Lugia was flying over the seas. They had left Ash's house a few minutes ago. But the flight to the Orange Islands was going to be a long one. Two hours at the least.

Ash didn't get much sleep last night. Sure, he did sleep, but he was still tired. He used this as an opportunity. He used Lugia's neck as a pillow. Once he was in a comfortable position, his eyes closed immediately. But he wasn't expecting a dream.

He was five years old again. He was outside his house, looking for his dad. He spotted him tending his Pokemon.

His father noticed him approaching. "Hello, Son," he greeted.

"Hello Daddy," little Ash said. "Can I play with your Sandslash for a bit?"

Ash's dad laughed softly. He knew that Sandslash was the friendliest of his Pokemon. And he knew that his son wanted to become a master like him. He let him play with his Pokemon—Sandslash, mostly—so Ash could familiarize himself with Pokemon for when he goes on his own journey. "Sure thing, Ash."

A Sandslash waddled its way to Ash. Ash clapped his hand and they began running around. Ash's father couldn't help but smile. "He's going to be a champion," he whispered. "He's going to be the greatest of them all."

Ash's father suddenly tensed. He sensed something was coming. He said sternly, "Stay back, Ash!"

Ash's eyes widened in fear. Before he had a chance to say, "Daddy, help me!" he blacked out.

The 5 year-old Ash opened his eyes. He checked his surroundings; he was in a cave. He tried to stand up, but his head hurt and his body was stiff. He then noticed two figures before him. One was his father no doubt, but the other was unfamiliar to Ash.

Torches were to only source of light. And the flames provided enough light so Ash could see what was going on.

The figure laughed maniacally. "Do you really think you could beat me?"

"My father has beaten you before," Ash's dad countered. "I know I can, too."

The figure smirked. "You must be really brave, or really foolish, if you think you have a shred of chance surviving my wrath."

Ash's dad gritted his teeth. He knew this may be his last battle. He had to protect Ash . . . and also the world. "My fathers before me all have defeated you. What makes you think I can't?"

The figure just laughed. Even with the torches providing light, the figure seemed to be masked in darkness. "We'll see."

Ash was completely terrified. Every move he made seemed to hurt. But he got up anyway. He painfully walked towards his father. "Daddy!" he exclaimed.

He looked at his son. "Stay back, Son!" his father yelled. "Stay back. I don't want you to get hurt."

Ash reluctantly nodded. He didn't want his father to get hurt either but he did what he was told.

The unknown figure laughed once more. "Pathetic! Do you honestly think you can save the world as well as your pride and joy son?"

"I'll show you what I can do!" Ash's father yelled. "Rapidash, I choose you!"

He threw a Poke Ball and a flaming horse-like Pokemon appeared. Rapidash looked at its target with anger.

"Do you think that that Rapidash could stand up to me?" The figure stepped out of the shadows. An aura emanated from him. A dark aura. "I'll show you what real power is! Houndoom, show us your true power!"

The figure released his own Pokemon. A dark hound-like Pokemon appeared at the feet of the cloaked figure.

"Flamethrower!" both trainers yelled.

The two Flamethrower moves collided. The collision was so powerful the cave started to shake. The walls were starting to crack.

"You raised that Houndoom well, I'll give you that," Ash's father stated.

"Ha! You have seen nothing yet! Fire Blast!"

The figure's Houndoom nodded and unleashed its destructive Fire Blast.

"Rapidash, counter it with your Overheat!"

Rapidash's eyes glowed before it unleashed the powerful attack.

The two fire type moves collided once more. And this time the foundations of the cave were being compromised. The walls were cracking. The ceiling started collapsing. Rocks and stalactites fell from the ceiling, creating an earthen barrier between Ash and his father.

Ash started towards his father, but he stopped him. Ash's father locked eyes with his son. He gave Ash an encouraging smile. "Leave this place, Ash. I'll be fine, I promise. Just know that I love you. Keep hoping, Ash. Keep the light shining through."

The wall of rock completely barricaded Ash from his father. "Rapidash, let's finish this! Overheat!" Those were his last words.

Ash heard screaming, though he couldn't identify whose it was.

Then a rock fell and hit Ash on the head, almost knocking him unconscious. "Dad," he said weakly, "come back . . ."

More rocks fell overhead. He thought this was his downfall. He knew he couldn't do anything. He was weak, he had no one and had no Pokemon. And he was completely alone.

Just before he blacked out, he heard someone scream, "Dragonite, help Ash!" He saw an orange blur hovering over him, protecting him. "We need to get him out of here!" That voice sounded familiar . . . And with that, he blacked out.

Ash woke with a start and was sweating. "Dad!"

And there you have it: chapter four of Rising Hero! I really hope you enjoyed reading it. I'm not sure when my next update will be. I might be able to on Thursday or Friday. I'm not making any promises, however.

So, tell me what you think: Love it? Hate it? Please review! And please inform me of any mistakes. Also, if you don't get what's happening, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll be happy to explain things to you as best as I can.

Yeah, I left you with more questions than answers, haven't I? But like Lugia said earlier in my chapter: All will be answered in due time. Just tune in to find out!

P.S. Don't you just love the SatoHika moments? I know I do!

Sincerely,

~Lux