Hello guys! Welcome back to Chapter 7 where we will see the first ever use of a regional teleport! Hopefully we get that in real life someday and I won't have to take the bus to get to classes…
Last Time: We had an insight into both Cedric and Christine's back stories. The following morning Christine decided to challenge Ash to a 1v1 battle where she used her Pinsir against Ash's Pikachu except Pinsir could Mega Evolve. Christine won the battle leading to heightened respect for her as they realised she was a strong trainer. The group advanced to Fir Town where they met up with Bill the Pokemaniac who invited them all to test out his new Teleportation System. Beyond this Gary discovered a door from the live video feed scanning the Heaven Reaching Slopes which appears to be the entrance to the Hall Of Origin.
Chapter 7: Visions and The Hall Of Origin
After dinner with Bill the teleportation system had hit a minor setback so it would not be ready until morning. They had all agreed to stay at Bills home where Ash and May were sharing a room and Cedric and Christine were sharing a room. All five had fallen asleep in their rooms the blissful silence music to their ears after the busy restaurant and an evening of nonstop talking. However, this was about to be disrupted.
Ash appeared on the streets of Aldham City. Everything looked normal for once. "Great another dream, at least this seems right." But as he finished that word it went black. This was certainly not normal.
Ash heard an explosion, he spun round and the sky was filled by a violent eruption of fire that seemed as though it had burst from heaven itself. It was as he looked away he realised the destruction and horror. He could see the buildings of Aldham City were now ruins set alight by the blazing fire. Children cried as the adults tried to get them to safety. Explosions of the cities gas networks could be heard.
Ash tried to look away but everywhere he looked, he saw pain and suffering everywhere he turned. People screaming trying to escape this nightmare. Ash was confused and bewildered until he saw him. He looked up, and could see a shadowy figure at the end of the road stood motionless.
"Hey over here!" Ash shouted, he tried running towards the character. But with every step closer he was the further the figure appeared. Every step proved to be useless but Ash continued trying. But it was when the figure started to turn around, Ash froze. He was paralyzed by fear unable to turn his head away forced to look at the figure as it struck fear through every bone in his body. The light from the fire began to fade replaced only by the sight of the shadow. Consuming Ash.
"Please don't make me look! Please turn around! Please! Please!" Ash called but to no avail.
The face was almost visible now, he could make out the clothes. The man was in a suit carrying a cane whilst wearing a top hat. The view itself didn't scare him, it was his gut feeling that what he was looking at could only be described as pure evil. Ash was panicking, his breathing turned rapid and his heart was beating like an angry drum building up to a moment of dread.
The face had just crept into the light and instantly Ash knew the man. He had spotted him on newspapers in the Jiolt Region… The Mayor of Aldham City.
The dream cut to black but Ash still couldn't awake. He tried to move but could only remain motionless dreading what vision he would have next. Instead it cut to a door in some language Ash had never seen. He felt himself compelled to walk towards it and as he did he saw the door edge open, a relaxing light escaping through the door but just as he almost reached it everything faded to black once more.
"You have seen what will happen if the man in the shadows succeeds. You have seen what he is after now go and save us all." Arceus said.
It was then that Ash heard Red and Blue say "Yes Arceus!"
Ash woke up. The haziness from his eyes still clearing. Ash looked over at May who was staring back at him.
"Ash… are you okay?" May asked.
"Yeah May… It's just…" Ash proceeded to explain the dream and the fear he felt especially with the Mayor.
"Oh my god Ash that is horrible! Do you want to cuddle with me again?" May asked, a reddish hue developing on her cheeks.
"I do, but could we do it out by the window I just wanna look outside a bit." May nodded her head and stood up, took Ash by the hand and looked out the window with him. A faint trace of the aurora could be seen that night.
"Wow it sure is beautiful." May said.
"Yeah…. The company is even better though!" Ash gave a goofy grin. May responded with a light punch on the arm.
"You don't mean that!" May looked down a bit, almost disappointed at her lack of self confidence in this scenario.
"No May. I really do. You stuck by me when almost everybody else was turning on me and always have. I am so glad you came on this journey with me I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather be with than you right now."
May was blushing furiously now. "Thank you Ash."
"You don't have to thank me because it's the truth."
The two stood for a moment and looked at the stars and aurora looking up wondering what was actually out there. They then turned to look at each other and stared deeply into each other's eyes.
"You look beautiful May."
May didn't respond instead she tightened her grip on him and the couple stared out onto the horizon waiting for the coming sunset.
The following morning at Fir Town's teleporter
"Okay guys so just stay still and make sure you aren't touching each other! That's what I learnt all those years ago!" Bill said. "3…..2…...1…..Teleport!"
In a flash all four had disappeared. Bill stood anxiously for a moment, it had been tested before and in theory should work. At the very least it worked for all the inanimate objects they sent.
"Bill we just got confirmation they've arrived safe and sound!" Bill's aide said.
"Perfect! That's it we have just made history!"
In Silver City
"Hi welcome to Silver City!" A woman said.
"Hi! Thank you! Where's the gym?" Ash asked. This caused the rest of the group to face palm.
"Ash is that always the first thing you think of?" May said with a rather annoyed tone.
"No not always…. Sometimes it's you!" Ash said with a grin as May gave him a soft punch on the arm.
Christine and Cedric had remained completely oblivious still trying to process the teleportation that had just taken place.
"Yep! But let's get to the gym ask questions later!"
The woman proceeded to take them to the gym and explain about the history of Silver City. Like the other gyms this one was also attached to a Pokemon centre. However, as they entered the gym this one was different. It seemed like a regular battlefield and the gym leader stood opposite the four.
"So you are the famous Ash Ketchum?" The leader asked.
"Yes I am and I am here to challenge you!"
"Well then, I've heard all about your strength so I am going to use my full strength team. We will battle 3V3 neither may make substitutions. However, we will toss a coin on each round to determine who releases first."
"Perfect I love a challenge!" Ash said.
"My name is Blue by the way. You may call the coin toss." Blue said as he tossed the coin.
"Nice to meet you Blue let's get this show on the road. I call heads."
The coin landed. It came up tails so Blue would release first.
"Go Blastoise!"
"Blastoise? Well Pikachu you are up!" Ash responded.
"I hope you are not relying on type advantage that will not serve you well here!" Blue responded.
The two stood looking at each other neither making a move. Leaving Cedric and May confused as to why neither were attacking.
"It's psychological." Christine said. "Whoever attack's first might be frustrated and lose their cool."
"Well you can't win a battle without attacking! Pikachu Quick Attack!" Pikachu began darting forward towards Blastoise at incredible speeds.
Just before Pikachu hit Blastoise it retreated into its shell dropping down. This left Pikachu hitting the hard part of the shell causing Pikachu damage instead. However, Ash got lucky. Yellow sparks shot around Blastoise alerting Ash to the fact he got the paralysis.
"Okay with the paralysis this changes things. Blastoise Mega Evolve!" Blue revealed a key stone and Mega Evolved Blastoise. Blastoise now had one super-sized cannon instead of two and small ones at each wrist. "Blastoise use hydro pump!"
"Pikachu use thunderbolt!"
Pikachu shot a bolt of electricity straight at the hydro pump sending electricity running up the water hitting Blastoise. However, it could not stop the water that hit Pikachu. Both Pokemon stood across from each other looking worse for wear but with a serious determination within their eyes and smiles on their faces.
"Pikachu use quick attack!"
"Blastoise into your shell!"
"Pikachu wait for it…. Now Electro Ball into the shell!"
"Blastoise get out of there!"
Just as Pikachu reached Blastoise the Electro Ball was already charged and launched the ball of electricity towards it. Blastoise, with its bulky physique was far too slow to be able to protect itself from the attack. Blastoise had managed to get its head out just in time but could only watch the ball of electricity hit itself and faint it.
"Well Ash that was certainly well done but I'm just getting started." Blue said with a smirk.
"That's what I like to hear." Ash responded.
Outside Gary Oak's Laboratory
"Okay so if the path starts here…. I can follow it up here…. Left up here…."
Gary stood up, leaving the computer and analysing a map he generated and charted out the route to the door. Except unlike before he had covered all windows/doors and checked the room his office from top to bottom to ensure there was no cameras.
"Right so that's the route sorted. Bike? Check. Helmet? Check. Camera? Check…" He trailed off as he began to confirm the list mentally. "Well that's everything."
Gary collected his things and gathered them into his bag. He had plotted out what seemed to be a safe path to the entrance, but he had to make sure he was not followed. Luckily though he had a secret tunnel built under the laboratory that would take him into Foxedge Town without stepping foot out in the open. He could not risk being followed as the words "cruelty and greed" ran through his mind. Gary did not know how much information they had obtained but couldn't risk anybody reaching the entrance first.
As he set off down the tunnels he realised that it was very cold inside. Ice could be seen in the cracks between the bricks but luckily it seemed to be clear of Pokemon. He wasn't sure how secure the tunnel was but the consequences of certain people reaching the hall were too grave to consider.
It was a relatively short walk, only two hours and he had reached the town. After all Gary had spent years travelling and studying Pokemon out in the field, something that helped his stamina. He had made sure to cover his face as to not draw attention. Information from his lab was hot property now, before he left he read some of the articles questioning whether he had gone mad and that all the information should be released to the public. However, he had sent an e-mail to his mentor and friend Professor Rowan telling him to try and ease the pressure on his lab to release information as it was sensitive. Rowan had begun a press campaign to try and achieve this but was so far unsuccessful. It was disappointing, but scientists very rarely gained attention in the world press unless it was involving pop culture.
However, he had been spotted. A brief ten minute walk had taken him out of the town before he spun round releasing his Scizor. Scizor flashed in front of the person following him and pressed them against a tree. Gary walked towards him.
"Callum how could you?" Gary almost spat at him as he said this.
"For power. For money. My employer offers a lot more than anyone ever could. The control of Arceus. And I'd get to share in this."
"Well you are an idiot. No person will ever develop something that can control Arceus." Gary responded. He reached into Callum's pocket removing his phone before throwing it onto the ground and smashing it into pieces. He picked up the still intact sim card and snapped it in half. Gary also reached in and took his other belongings including keys/wallet etc before phoning Officer Jenny. He used a strange voice to mask his identity before tying Callum to the tree.
"You won't get away with this Gary!"
"You mean you won't. In your pocket there was a card from "the Mayor" and a note saying about your next objectives. So I'll just sit them here, just out of your reach and be on my way. Goodbye Callum."
Gary turned away from his former colleague with a disgusted look before thanking and returning Scizor. It would be another few hours until he reached the beginning of the path at the bottom of Mt Sivolt.
Back In Silver City
Ash, Christine and Cedric had all won their battles, and now along with May were sitting in a small room inside the Pokemon Centre alongside Blue. Ash was the first to speak up.
"So Blue, how have I been seeing you in my dreams?"
"Ash can we discuss this in private?" Blue responded.
"No, anything you say you can say in front of them." Ash seemed adamant in this.
"Trust me Ash… We should discuss this in private, it is quite sensitive information."
Christine, Cedric and May all looked a bit hurt but were about to leave until Ash gestured to them to remain seated.
"Okay then. Well there is a secret plot underfoot. Gary has been making huge discoveries about the Heaven Reaching Slopes concerning the entrance to the Hall Of Origin. But there was a mole, and they've been leaking the information to Devon Corporation under the Silph Conglomerate. However, the big thing is we believe they are working with a public official, the mayor of Aldham City. Their plan is to gain control of Arceus. Now Cedric this part is actually concerning you. Do you promise to work alongside us if you hear this?"
Cedric looked a little confused by this last statement but he agreed.
"The Mayor of Aldham City is your father, and we believe he is the head of this plot."
Cedric gaze turned cold. He looked down at the table, all the wind out his sails.
"Well now I definitely want to help. He abandoned me and my mother and robbed me years of my life being the man he couldn't be. Knowing he is trying something so evil makes me mad." He slammed his fist down on the table, Christine tried to pull him into a hug but he pushed her away. She looked hurt by the fact. "I'm sorry Christine, sorry guys just give me a minute." He stepped away from the table and exited to get some air.
Much to the surprise of the group, it was Blue who insisted on going after him. "Hey Cedric, I know this isn't easy."
"Well of course it isn't. I had convinced myself my dad left to go on and do bigger and better things, not anything like this." Cedric spat on the ground. "I'm just worried I'm like him."
"Trust me you are not." Blue responded. "I knew your father, back when I was young I was a trainer. I travelled the same region he was in when he met your mother. He was driven, but to the point of obsession, of borderline psychotic. He could not accept a loss. He would have his Pokemon undergo intensive training regimes that almost killed a few that he released. He would attack trainers much less experienced than him to fuel his ego. But when I beat him in the first round of the Pokemon League, he left without saying a word and released all 6 of his Pokemon."
Cedric looked in horror, he was nothing like his father. But this all fuelled his range. "Well I'm going to make him pay for all the wrong he has done."
"No you aren't. We are going to stop him, and let the law do its work. Revenge isn't an enjoyable dish. Trust me on that." Blue gestured for Cedric to follow him back inside.
After that brief moment Cedric and Blue rejoined the table.
"Well now onto you Christine. You came on this journey to find Red, your uncle. What I can say is that he is fine and is proud of you." Blue gave her a smile.
"What! You know him?" Christine's eyes wide in shock.
"Yeah I do! I was his rival, and now closest friend. He is in Jiolt working on business that I will get onto. Sadly though he cannot reveal himself to the public, with the leak from Gary's lab everybody is looking out for him."
Christine looked down at this thought.
"But don't worry when this is all done he will come meet you. Well the reason I got us this room to speak in is that I know it's quiet and soundproofed so nobody can hear. What Red is doing… What I do to, is we protect the entrance to the Hall Of Origin. Arceus cares for humans and does not want to cut off his last link with them, thus he revealed it to me, Red and now Gary. This is because we have it's best interests in heart. Now the reason why you have been having the dreams Ash is that Arceus set up the link between me, you and Red. This was because with you having both Cedric and Christine's trust and them being so close to their relatives deeply embroiled in this, we needed somebody to protect them who had a pure heart. As for you May, we know that you keep Ash in check which is why I can tell you this all."
The group had gone silent the realisation of the severity of this plot had just become apparent to them.