Chapter 8: Ashing for Trouble
It's a new day at Canterlot High. Everyone headed to school, including Ash, Fluttershy and Pikachu. However, a moment arrived for Sunset as she arrived. "Morning, Sunset!" one young man greeted.
"Hey, Sunset!" a young woman greeted.
"Good day, Sunset!" one more young man greeted. The people were giving Sunset a great morning and classes had yet to start. Yesterday, Ash berated students for their treatment to her. However, it had repercussions that Canterlot would learn soon enough. Sunset felt in awe about the kind gestures from the students.
'I can't believe this,' she awed. 'The students are… being nice to me. Ash is a miracle worker.' More students offered their welcomes to Sunset. Ash watched with a smile at Sunset's new treatment.
"I didn't think they'd listen," he admitted. "I was just upset with what transpired." Fluttershy didn't see the problem with Ash's honesty.
"I'm actually happy that Sunset is getting the recognition that she's receiving," she pointed out. "She became a friend after Twilight helped us out and we did the same with Sci-Twi after she transferred." That happiness became short-lived. Trixie confronted Sunset at the sight of all the students respecting her.
"So you and that little man have brainwashed the entire school to show you respect and dignity," she scowled. "You two may have won over the students but I won't be another statistic!" Sunset sighed to Trixie's ranting.
"Good morning to you, too, Trixie," she sneered. "Kinda funny how you have an interest to him despite not listening to a word he said."
"That's beside the point! I know what you've done before either Twilight Sparkle came to change you! I won't forget or forgive you!" She strutted off, feeling her piece had been delivered. All Sunset did was shrug.
"Can't win 'em all… I bet that's how Ash feels after losing a Pokémon battle." Ash sighed to Sunset's comparison.
"I know Sunset's ability but that might be digging a little deep," Fluttershy murmured. Ash turned to Fluttershy curiously.
"Her ability?" he repeated.
"We all have abilities when we attended Camp Everfree. I have the ability to speak to animals." Pikachu squeaked, astonished to her feat. "Well, how else can I address you and be on Ash's good terms." Pikachu giggled to the retort. Twilight spotted the two in discussion.
"So, anything new that I should worry about?" she asked. "Like the status of the play?" Fluttershy snickered to the question.
"The play will be saved," she answered. "Vice Principal Luna has found a new Indiana Jones." Pikachu pointed to Ash to add to the response.
"You're kidding!" gawked Twilight. Sweetie Belle overheard the conversation, disbelief on her face.
"Can it be?" she wondered. "He's the new Indiana Jones?" She figured this would be big news. "I gotta tell Scootaloo and Apple Bloom." She scampered off to tell friends. In the library, Ash, Twilight and Sci-Twi were at a table and Sci-Twi had pages for both to look at.
"This is him," she showed. "Doctor Henry Weston Jones, Jr., AKA Indiana Jones. He's portrayed by Harrison Ford and he's featured in four films." Ash and Twilight grabbed a few pages.
"We're familiar with the Raiders movie since that's the play we're using," Ash replayed.
"The others listed are… Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and most recently, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull?" read Twilight.
"Yeah, the last one wasn't as good as the first three," Sci-Twi shrugged. "Anyway, Jones is a historian, archaeologist and teacher of the latter subject at Marshall College in Connecticut."
"In other words, smart," Ash simplified. "Anyway, the treasures he found are the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail, the Sankara stones and the Crystal Skull. Let's stay focused on the Ark." Ash flipped through the pages but Twilight found it.
"Here it is: the Ark of the Covenant," she discovered. "It's a golden chest that uses the stone tablets depicting the Ten Commandments?" Sci-Twi nodded to the information.
"In the film, the Nazis are after biblical artifacts to empower themselves and the Ark would make them invincible," she explained. Ash shook his head.
"They believe a god will strengthen him," he groaned. "Seriously, I'm gonna be the guy who stops a group of bad guys who rely on religion as a weapon."
"No wonder they weren't successful in World War II," Sci-Twi nodded. Ash looked into the papers more.
"Indiana Jones starts with a statue in a rainforest before learning about…" he paused. "It's gonna be a lot to factor in at once." Sci-Twi came over and palmed Ash on the shoulder.
"We got time before the play," she assured. Suddenly, a pulse. Sci-Twi felt it.
"He's the source," the voice observed. "We must learn about him so that we can obtain the energy." Sci-Twi pulled her hand away and staggered a bit. Ash and Twilight looked on, confused.
"Excuse me!" yelled Sci-Twi before running off. She ran to the bathroom where she looked at herself in the mirror. She ran the sink faucet and splashed her face. "Why?!" Sci-Twi's reflection morphed into one with her hair acting like a campfire, the frame of her glasses was made of white fire and black wings emerged.
"Why, Twilight?" she sneered. "Did you forget that I'm always a part of you? Try all you want, I imbue you and forever will." She cackled while Sci-Twi gritted.
"You should've been sealed, Midnight. I have friends who are helping me and even have the magic!"
"Like I said, I'm imbued to you. Those… 'friends' cannot undo me. However, aren't you curious about… him? I am. He's not from around here, obviously… and he's got that energy, one of destructive value." Sci-Twi blinked to Midnight's point.
"Ash does?"
"Ash, huh? His energy I sensed is dormant. I need to know what it is… don't you?" Sci-Twi now felt this information couldn't be ignored.
"I mean… if true, we need to do something to make sure it's not used recklessly." Midnight snickered to Sci-Twi's theory.
"Now you see it! Perhaps it's an energy that can make me whole and not need you around for long! After all, you have that magic from the other side." Sci-Twi seemed conflicted. She doesn't want to hurt Ash, who's now in the music room with the rest. He and Twilight discussed the status of the play where Sunset became overjoyed.
"You're gonna be my Indy!?" she yelled as she hugged Ash while jumping. "You have no idea how I feel!" She released him while Pikachu watched on from Fluttershy's shoulder. "My dream is coming true, thanks to you!" The rest sighed to the sight of Sunset with Ash.
"At least the play's still on!" giggled Pinkie. "Kind of a surprise to have someone NOT of this school take the lead role." To Rainbow, it became evident.
"When you convince everyone to treat Sunset the way they deserve to be treated," she compared. "People will know." Twilight had more to discuss.
"Speaking of knowing, Ash and I noticed Sci-Twi acting weird when she touches him," she relayed. "I know you guys have known her longer than I have so I don't know if there's any kind of ordeal going on with her." The others became rather fearsome of Sci-Twi.
"And I thought we got rid of her after the Friendship Games," Rarity gulped. Ash and Twilight still felt left in the dark.
"Before you stopped by, Canterlot High and Crystal Prep had their Friendship Games that take place every four years," Applejack started. "We'd expect to get our tails kicked by them… like always."
"But we didn't anticipate Twilight- I mean, Sci-Twi, as a student over there," Fluttershy added. "That's when we got to the final event and Principal Cinch pushed Sci-Twi to compete or forgo going to Everton Independant Study Program."
"Something for super-smart students," Rainbow brushed off. "Her device she had for collecting our magic came back to transform her into Midnight Sparkle."
"She used her newfound- or stolen- magic to create rifts that connected our school to Equestria," Sunset continued. "Luckily, we stopped Midnight before things got seriously out of hand." Twilight shuttered to the thought of a merge of human and pony worlds.
"That would've been ugly," she shuttered. "I don't wanna know what consequences there would be if that carried out." Ash studied the story.
"If Midnight's that obsessed, I guess she could be after my aura," he believed. The girls glanced to Ash in wonder.
"Aura?" repeated Pinkie. Sunset decided to check on it.
"Let me take a closer look," she requested. "Arm, please." Ash offered his arm to Sunset who gripped it with one hand. That's when her eyes began to glow.
(Sunset's Vision)
In a throne room of a palace, a blond woman in a pink royal gown stood in front of a kneeling blue jackal-like creature. Ash, in blue garb with a blue fedora, stood with three others, a brunette girl in a pink dress and a tall tanned brunette young man in orange and looking like a friar. The creature had spikes embedded on its chest and wrists. "Lucario, one thing hasn't changed over the thousand years," the blond spoke. "This palace is your home. Please feel free to stay here as long as you like." The jackal, Lucario, bowed his head.
"I am deeply grateful, your highness," it minded telepathically. Ash came to the Lucario's side.
"Lucario?" he called. Lucario spun to him. "How come you thought I was Sir Aaron?" Lucario turned to the painting where Ash followed. "Is it… because this costume makes me look like him?"
"No… The aura I sensed in you is like that of Sir Aaron's." This made Ash ponder how.
Sunset released her grip after sometime and collapsed onto Ash. Fluttershy and Applejack reached Sunset to help her to her feet. "A little long on the vision, huh?" teased Applejack.
"Are you okay?" asked Fluttershy.
"I'll be in a little bit," Sunset reassured. "But that being… Lucario… and those other moments. I need a few." Ash sensed Sunset needing space, as did Rainbow.
"Ash, I'm sorry," she apologized. "Can you leave so that Sunset can tell us?"
"Sure," he agreed. He left the room and proceeded down with Pikachu on his shoulder. He proceeded down the hall…
"THERE HE IS!" a girl shouted. The girls came running to Ash and Pikachu and surrounded him.
"We found the new star!" another student cheered.
"You're playing Indiana Jones?" one more gasped. The girls continued awarding Ash praise for sometime.
"Now, come on, everyone!" he nervously tried to ease. "I volunteered since I don't want to ruin my visit." The girls awed the modest response.
"You're so awesome!" another student screamed before grabbing Ash's hands and holding them together. "Please, let me be your Marion Ravenwood!" She made her case by giving Ash a kiss on the cheek.
"No fair!" one more whined before she grabbed Ash and kissed him on the forehead. Other girls began swarming onto him and Pikachu and piled on top. It seemed like no escape but somehow, the trainer emerged from the pile and beat it. Lipstick painting his head, he galloped through the halls with the girls in hot pursuit. From hallway to hallway, Ash tried to stay a step ahead of the girls fawning over him. Out of nowhere, Flash emerged from the Janitor's closet and roped Ash by the shoulder into the room. The girls ran pass the door.
"THIS WAY!" one shouted. When the stampede started dying down, Ash turned to Flash grabbing the elbow that was injured.
"I know doctors told me not to, but..." he cringed. Pikachu became worried.
"You okay?" asked Ash.
"Yeah, but that was a risk I shouldn't have taken. Though, Vice Principal Luna listened to me and Sunset. After that speech you did, even I had to include you despite the obstacles."
"So I'm finding out." Flash came up with an idea to cheer Ash up.
"Let's get something to eat." They traveled to a burger joint where Sandalwood, Bulk and a few other young men ate burgers, fries and drink soda.
"So, our Indiana Jones has acted before?" wondered Sandalwood.
"I have," Ash admitted. "It's a little something from a friend named Luke where we did a movie Legend of the Pokémon Knight. Of course, we had interruptions and I struggled with acting a bit."
"Stage fright?" guessed Flash.
"Yeah… But I soon straightened out and with my friends, I managed to act my role," Ash sighed. "Pretty good first impression." Someone heard this and came to meet the star.
"Then that means you're a knight!" screeched Trixie. The boys turned to see the young white-haired. She came to Ash and also gripped his hands together. "Maybe the casting isn't right. You can choose to have me be Miss Ravenwood, the one who helps Indy in Cairo and Nepal!" The other boys didn't think it was possible.
"You didn't make the cut, Trixie," Flash denied. "And even though Ash is the new Indiana Jones, he can't do anything with the casting."
"Who says!?" refused Trixie. "He's the new star!"
"So he should make me the new Marion!" another girl argued. They turned to find two girls. One was a purple-haired, lavender girl wearing a yellow jacket over a black blouse and black shorts under a gray skirt. "After all, I'm sure Daddy can make arrangements to afford some fine styles for you." Trixie didn't appreciate the girl making a move on Ash.
"If it isn't Diamond Tiara," she snarled. She took note of the gray girl with silverish hair and glasses with blue frames. She wore a purple t-shirt and magenta skirt. "And her cohort, Silver Spoon."
"Now that's no way to address a girl who can get anything she wants!" bellowed Diamond.
"You may have the money, missy! You don't have the courtesy to be with a young man!"
"Says a blowhard who's too self-conscious to listen to common sense!"
"You BRIBE common sense!" While the two argued, Silver Spoon reached Ash and petted Pikachu.
"Just letting you know," she spoke up. "We're doing a cameo in the play. If rumor's correct, you'll be our teacher." Ash nodded to the claim.
"I'll have to see the film in order to understand Ford's role," he explained. Rarity entered and reached Ash and Flash.
"I had a feeling Flash would help out," she whispered. "Let's depart to Sunset's home. I got the movie and those in the play will be there." The boys nodded before sneaking from the scene. Silver Spoon stuck with Diamond. At Sunset's home, Rarity and the Crusaders began measuring Ash using string.
"Is this necessary?" he asked.
"It's a must!" insisted Rarity. "How else are we gonna make sure you have the right fit for the play?" Ash sighed as everyone began to arrive.
"I brought the popcorn!" cheered Pinkie. Flash arrived, much to Twilight's joy. Rainbow brought a DVD with the title of the movie matching the play.
"I forgot that I have the movie at home," she confessed. "My parents always bragged that I was a big fan of the series." Rarity capped her pen and covered her notes.
"Well, you're just in time, Rainbow Dash," she smiled. "I just finished my measurements. A trip to the mall is in order for tomorrow." As soon as everyone got their share of popcorn and Ash released his Pokémon, the movie began to play. Pikachu was in Fluttershy's lap, Tepig was on Applejack's, Scraggy sat on Silver Spoon's lap, Levanny sat with Rarity, Oshawott was with Sweetie Belle and Snivy snuggled with the wounded Flash.
"No offense, Snivy," Flash apologized. "But a head's up: Indiana Jones is deathly afraid of snakes." Snivy gulped but had to be good about it. The movie played to where everyone paid attention. Some of the members took notes on the movie.
"We can modify the drinking game," Sunset pointed. "No to the smoking." There were moments where the Crusaders got scared to some of the fighting and deaths in the movie. They clung onto Ash in fear. Then came a scene where Ash dreaded. He watched a gun pulled out and used to take a bad guy down.
"I… have to use… a gun?" he gulped. The rest turned to Ash in wonder.
"What's wrong?" questioned Sci-Twi. The rest of the movie filmed where they took notes of what parts to keep and what not to. Ash also studied the film, hoping to understand Indiana Jones before going into character.
"I think what can help as a professor is teaching us about Pokémon," Applejack suggested. Ash smiled to the thought.
"Great idea," he agreed. "I'll make arrangements with Luna about it." The film lasted over two hours. Plenty of material to look at. When the film finished, everyone wanted to compare notes but it got late.
"Okay, so we got plenty of film to work with," Sunset addressed. "In a few days, we'll be exercising our roles so that we know what we're playing. Got it?" All listened and agreed with Sunset. "We'll see you tomorrow, bright and early." As everyone left, Applejack and Rarity noticed that the Crusaders still clung to Ash. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had his arms and Scootaloo had his leg. The elder sisters and Rainbow took action.
"Sweetie Belle, we need to go!" grunted Rarity while pulling on Sweetie Belle.
"You can see him tomorrow, Apple Bloom!" ordered Applejack, also pulling on Apple Bloom. Bulk and Sandalwood also joined in pulling the Crusaders off Ash but their sleeping grips held.
"Now what?" wondered Rainbow. Sunset decided to let the three stay.
"Twilight, Ash and I can watch over them," she offered. "You'll see them in the morning." Rarity felt like she had no choice.
"We'll hold you on your word, Sunset," she allowed. Fluttershy came over and gave Ash a kiss to the cheek as he also fell asleep. Sunset and Twilight gathered blankets for Ash, the Crusaders and the Pokémon. Practice starts tomorrow for the play soon to come.
TO BE CONTINUED…