Chapter 5: Not Alone
A/N: sometimes when you are alone you can become your own worst enemy.
The evening sun glistened on the glittering waters Ash found himself aimlessly wadding through. The haze of twilight pressed down upon him as the shadows grew longer casting mysterious images in his mind; his imagination running wild of images of things awaiting him in the darkness. He knew deep down these were just irrational fears, however there was something to be said about the way he was seeing the world now that he was completely alone.
He gazed upon the waters as the growing shadows danced awkwardly with the remaining light. Time passed slowly and not a sound was heard making the irrational fear seeded in his mind flower by the second. Never in his life had he felt more alone, then in this single moment. Even now he felt isolated from the world as its silence engulfed him and its icy grip held him frozen in his thoughts of despair.
He had to snap out of it. He was thinking too much, something he usually was not accused of, but his thoughts were his only companion as he tracked through the twisted labyrinth of the forest. He had been wondering around, navigating through fallen branches and wadding through the knee deep waters ever since he had woke hoping he could somehow stumble into the others, but now Ash was convinced he only managed to get himself even more lost.
Still, he had to keep moving. He did not like being alone with his thoughts, with the growing shadows of night growing closer. "There's nothing out there." He told himself trying to make himself feel a little better.
"Nothing except Hunter J's men which for some reason are after you." an inner voice thought callously. "And somehow just managed to disappear last night while chasing you," It continued "they could be out there now. Watching. Waiting. "
Ash shook his head trying to lose the thought, but he knew deep down he was right. He had to keep moving. He had to find Brock, Dawn and Pikachu.
"But what if you never find them." The voice asked. "What if Hunter J's men got to them? Then you will never see them again. And you will be forever alone." The voice continued, "Just like-
"Just shut up!" Ash angrily yelled out silencing the voice of his fears for the moment. "You're not helping and," Ash paused for a moment then let out a nervous laugh, "and I'm talking to myself. Great."
*snap*
Ash suddenly jerked his head around, to the intrusion. He scanned the area around him, only to find nothing. A deep sinking feeling began to twist in his stomach as he wondered if he had actually heard the noise or if it was his paranoid mind playing tricks on him.
"Don't look at me" his inner voice answered out in defense.
The shadows of the trees grew longer with the fading light as they consumed the forest; casting it into the premature night. The sound could have come from anywhere. There were so many places to hide under the veil of shadows. He stood there for what seemed like an eternity, afraid if he took his eyes off the shadows they would only claim him.
Still, there was nothing, and that's what bothered him. Maybe he had imagined the entire thing after all. Realizing he would drive himself crazy if he stood there any longer, Ash decided to press forward, cautiously. After all it was night now, and he had to find somewhere to sleep. Preferably someplace dry.
How he longed for dry feet, and a warm fire. Exhaustion seeped through every bone in his body as he trudged along. His stomach gave a massive growl; thoughts of a warm fire had stirred thoughts of Brock's cooking.
He had been walking for a while now when he finally caught a break. It seemed he had wondered towards some bluffs, and most importantly a spot to sleep where he would actually be dry for a while. Ash nearly ran towards protruding rocks, and clumsily climbed atop of the flattest rock he could find.
Ash let out a small smile, it wasn't much but at least he was out of the water. He peeled off his water logged socks and shoes and laid them out next to him, as he sprawled out on the rough surface. The weather beaten surface grazed his skin releasing the warmth it had absorbed from the sun during the day as Ash gazed at the night sky.
The black silhouettes of the branches pressed against the brilliant moon, making Ash feel as if was looking through bars of a prison. Although he supposed in a way he was. His thoughts once again turned to his friends, wondering where they were, and how much longer he would have to be apart.
It did not take long for his exhaustion to overwhelm him and he fell into an uneasy sleep.
The chilled wind of night brushed against his already damp skin causing him to stir. The warmth once provided by the rock had faded with the night. What little comfort he had earlier he had lost. He woke up in the dead of night shivering. It did not seem fair to him, he felt he had only fallen asleep a few seconds ago, but a glance at the sky told him, it had been a few hours.
He sat up hugging his knees clinging to what little warmth he had left, wondering what he should do next. He wanted to go back to sleep, but he knew there was no way he could. It was still too dark to be wondering around, and he had no idea how much longer until the sun rose. The cold wind cut right through him as he sat there wishing he were still asleep, when he heard it again.
*snap*
Was he hearing things again, or was there something out there? He slowly brought his head up and scanned the area, but once again he saw nothing. His stomach churned with unease as another chill ran down his spine, whether it was from the bitter cold or his fear he had no idea, but he did not like either of them.
He no longer felt safe. Ash listened intently for any signs of what was out there, but was only met with the sounds of the wind rustling the trees. He couldn't stay there. Slowly he reached for his socks and shoes.
*snap*
Ash paused a second time, hands hovering over his shoes. This time he knew for a fact he had heard something, as he turned around a second time, heart pounding in his chest, only to find nothing once again. He did not like it. He scanned the area two more times, knowing that there was something out there; watching him.
A sudden chill shot through him as he became overcome with the desire to get out of there. Ash grabbed his shoes and bolted up, no longer caring it was too dark to wonder about; he had to get out of there when suddenly it bolted out from the shadows.
The massive shadow let out a mighty bellow as it launched itself high into the air directly where Ash was standing. He leapt, desperate to get away, only just as the enormous force landed where he had stood only moments ago. The rock exploded from the impact of the beast as debris rained down atop of him.
Ash tucked and rolled failing to dodge the debris now battering his body as he turned to face the monster from the shadows. The early morning grays played awkwardly off the beast but through it Ash could just make out the outline of a very angry Drapion, just as it sprang back one of its many lethal limbs for another attack.
This time Ash barely dodged it with the water once again working to slow him down. He could feel the rush of wind hit him as the massive claw soared behind him, the force once again making the ground explode.
The muddy waters that littered the forest floor rained down upon Ash as He desperately looked for safety. Behind the poison pokémon Ash caught a glimpse of a crevice; the only trouble was he could possibly be trapping himself. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place; try a rock and one very pissed off Drapion.
Ash's decision was quickly made for him as Drapion lashed out another attack only this time nailing its target. Ash sailed through the air from the force of the blow and was only stopped by a tree, knocking the breath out of him. He gasped for breath and his body cried out in protest as he tried to quickly get up before another attack could land. His vision blurred as he watched the Drapion loom ever closer struggling to get up from his knees, the water constantly struggling against him.
Drapion let out another angry roar as he unleashed another attack to his dazed target. Using whatever strength he could find Ash dashed towards his oncoming attacker, throwing the shoes he had managed to cling onto as a weapon. The water logged projectile nailed the target square in the face causing Drapion to bellow out in frustration, as Ash ignoring the pains jolting through his body pumped his arms even harder heading straight towards the angry poison type. As Drapion's confusion grew Ash's resolve grew stronger, as he inched closer. Drapion bellowed out once more recovering from its state of confusion and its resolve once again on Ash charging right towards him. Just as Drapion pulled back his massive arm for a finishing blow, Ash immediately dropped down skidding beneath the massive pokémon, the momentum of his speed and the muddy waters helping him sail beneath him.
His momentary victory though was cut short as Drapion swung down his tail, just grazing his bare skin as he sailed by. Ash cried out as the sharp edge tore through his tender skin. Drapion twisted it's torso around and took another swing at him. Ash just barely rolled out of the way as the claw crashed down once again a rush of the murky water surged around Ash and pulled him along, as he struggled to keep his head above the water.
Drapion searched around frantically for its target, momentarily lost in the chaos, but quickly found him again as Ash struggled to get up coughing up the rain waters of the last month and a half, and then lunged forward for another attack.
Ash desperately tried to get his bearings through his blurred vision when he could just make out that crevice. He was only a breath away. Not wasting any time Ash made a leap towards the crevice, just barely missing the lethal claws of Drapion.
Ash landed with a thud in the stone chamber, as Drapion's attack shook the rock face. Drapion cried out in frustration when it realized his prey had escaped him. He pounded the walls of the narrow crevice in blind anger trying to get at him.
Ash crept back as Drapion clawed at the entry way blocking all light within, wondering what exactly to do now, and hoping that wall could keep Drapion back when suddenly the whole world began to shake as a loud crashing noise echoed within the cave. Boulders came crashing down pounding Drapion and caving in the entrance.
Ash heard one last cry from the Drapion, and then nothing. His ears still ringing from the loud noises was his only companion as he sat in the dark cavern wondering what exactly he should do next.