Finally! Don't worry guys, I'm still alive, but I've been drowned in work. OMG much. I feel that if I type too much here, my brain will exp-
Sorry about that. Just picking up fragments of my brain. Anywho, this chapter is the last one before the original story coming up so be excited. This will mostly focus on neagtion and the appearance of Trip (which I have not done) so I hope that you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. Now leave me alone so I can cry myself to sleep.
Wellspring Cave, for lack of a better word, was dark. There was no light source whatsoever besides the opening of the cave where a tiny bit of light came in. that problem was solved by the fact that mostly all the Rangers and police present could use their Aura as a sort of portable flashlight. By lighting up their bodies with the familiar blow glow of Aura, they could see in the dark. Of course, the higher the level of Aura, the brighter the light became.
Of course, with Solana being a high level Aura user (can't remember the level I gave her before. Sorry guys but I'm pretty sure it was high) her 'Aura light' was nothing to laugh at. Of course there were people who couldn't use this ability and flashlights were still effective in this regard.
Solana stepped out of the cave, her Aura light receding as she put her arm in front of her face due to the sudden brightness she found herself in. She turned and looked at the nearest officer. Some others were coming from other towns but she was sure that this one was from Nacrene City. The site of the 17th victim. There were other officers coming from...Luxuria Town or something but that was all she knew.
The man and the 'friend' were conversing near to where she was and she walked over to them. "What's going on?" she asked. "Where's the police tape?"
Indeed in the area where they were, there was no police tape but rather an abundance of police officers. As such, many bystanders and visitors to Wellspring Cave crowded around the area. Probably to investigate the rumoured 'Aura Spring'. (This will be explored more next chapter but speaks for itself. A spring of aura that can increase level exponentially if retrieved and absorbed). Whatever, Solana thought, she was here to catch a killer, not investigate some unfounded rumour.
"Indeed" said the man with a scowl. "At this rate, the media will jump on this faster than a Darmanitan using Body Slam. Hey! Where is that tape!?" the man stormed off and lectured one of the officers and Officer Jenny. Solana looked on with an amused expression but the same could not be said for the 'friend'.
"Worried about the tape too?" she asked.
Almost as if he was snapped out of a trance, the 'friend' looked up. "Yeah, something like that." He said before walking off. Of course, the 'friend' wasn't worried about the tape at all, but rather the media. He didn't want there to be any immediate attention after he killed again. It would draw too much suspicion and he would definitely be caught. And then he would never ascend to the top ranks of the AJD. He clenched a fist. Regardless, the Aura Taker was going to be caught soon.
Either dead or alive. (Remember, he is trying to frame someone)
Ash ran through the streets of Luxuria Town, Pikachu on his shoulder as he did so. His destination lay up ahead; he had gotten the directions from Cilan so he knew where he was going. He had left Iris and Cilan behind but he was sure that they could catch up if they used their aura to increase their speed or if they just put in the effort and ran. Ash figured that it was probably the former that they would do.
"So that's it!" he cried as soon as he stopped in front of the building. Similar to the one in Accumula Town, the Battle Club has the same logo on the top of the building, the only difference being that it was probably larger than the one in Accumula Town.
"Pika!" cried Pikachu in the same agreement. Without hesitation he entered the Battle Club and looked around, absorbing the environment. He walked off to the side and stood in front of a terminal, pressing buttons and observing the information that it gave.
"This'll be the best training for the Nacrene Gym Pikachu!" he said as he continued to look at the screen.
The doors to the Battle Club opened again and Iris and Cilan stepped in panting heavily.
"Finally *pant* *pant* caught up." Said Cilan in between pants.
"How can *pant* someone be so fast *pant* without using their aura? He even got ahead of us even though we were using aura." wondered Iris aloud and the two of them walked slowly to where Ash was. "What was the rush anyway? The Battle Club is going to leave you know. Man, you really ate a kid." She scoffed. Axew let out an "Axew" in agreement.
Ash ignored her and let out a cry of surprise, earning cries of exclamation from both his travelling companions.
"Wh-What are you shouting for?" she yelled at Ash. "'Don't do that!"
Ash brushed off the comment and looked at the trainer on the screen in front of him, Cilan and Iris looking at the screen as well. "Didn't think I'd find Trip at the Battle Club!"
"Trip?" asked Iris.
"It's quite a surprise." Said Cilan.
Ash turned to him. "You know him?" asked Ash, curious as to how his friend knew his rival.
"He challenged the Gym, same as you. Even won himself the Trio Badge." Informed Cilan.
"Really? I thought that he might." Commented Ash.
By this time, Iris was pouting. She was being left out of the conversation and that annoyed her,
"Oi oi oi." She said. "Who's Trip?"
"Oh yeah." Said Ash as he turned to her. "I met him before I met you." Iris rubbed her head subconsciously when she remembered their meeting. "I battled him at Professor Juniper's lab. My first battle in the Unova region. But now it's time for a rematch!" said Ash with enthusiasm.
"Pika pikachu!" said Pikachu with that same enthusiasm.
"Alrighty then." Said a gruff voice behind the three and they all turned around. A mountain of a man stood behind them, with a voice that Ash recognised. The man continued. "You've come to the right place for all your battling needs. Want a battle with Trip huh? What's your name?"
"Ash but-" said Ash.
"Hmm? Something the matter?" asked the man.
"No, but didn't you and I meet in Accumula Town?" At the moment Ash mentioned Accumula Town, Iris flinched, an action that both Ash and Cilan saw on the corner of their eye. Although Cilan didn't know what the foundation of the flinch was, Ash had an idea. Obviously the incident in Accumula Town had affected Iris much more than Ash. Of course, Ash ad dealt with that kind of thing before so it was natural that Iris would have bad memories of the incident.
"Accumula Town?" said the man. "Oh, you mean my cousin."
"Cousin?" asked Ash, confused.
"Yeah. Check out that wall." Said the man and all three turned to the picture on the wall. On it were numerous men, all with the same face. They were practically the same in all accounts. Amazingly however, the man identified the 'cousin' he had spoken of perfectly.
"That there's the Don George you've already met." He said. "And this the Don George of Luxuria Town, me."
"Just like Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny." Said Ash. "You all look the same."
Don George smiled at the trainer and walked over to the terminal, pressing some buttons as he did so. "I'm contacting Trip for you now of the XTransceiver. It's a device that allows one to communicate with anyone anywhere. Like a phone on your wrist." Explained Don George to Ash you had a confused expression.
Outside the Battle Club, the wrist of a boy started to ring. The boy himself had dark blonde hair, wearing an orange hoody along with a purple shirt and light pants. He looked at the XTransceiver and answered it.
The body of Don George covered the frame. "Hello there Trip. I have a challenger for you, here." Don George moved out of the frame and Ash entered it.
"Hi there Trip. Good to see you again!" Pika!" said both trainer and Pokémon.
Trip was surprised. What was he doing here? "Ash." He said. "Are you here in Luxuria Town too?"
Before Ash could answer, he felt something push against his side. He turned to look and saw that it was an Aura Hand. As far as his travelling companions went, the only person who would do that now would be….
"That's correct.' Said Iris as she pushed Ash out of the way. "Ash's travelling with us and I'm Iris. Nice to me you Trip." She said. Axew provided its own form of hello with an "Ax Axew."
Cilan was on the frame as well, looking at Trip. "Good to see that you're doing fine Trip." He said.
"Cilan!?" said Trip in surprise. "From the Striaton City Gym?" What was he doing here?
"That's right. You see, I'm travelling with both Ash and Iris and-" before he could finish his sentence, Ash moved them both out of the frame. Apparently he had moved around the blockade that was Iris's Aura Hand and pushed them so he could talk to his rival.
"So Trip, wanna have a battle? Come on." Said Ash eagerly.
"No thanks." Said Trip. "There's no point. After all, your Pikachu did lose to my Snivy, who had no battle experience."
"No way!" said Ash. "That only happened because we couldn't use electric type moves because of Zekrom!"
Cilan's eyes went up in surprise. He turned to Iris. "Zekrom? The legendary Pokémon?"
Iris nodded. "Yep. In Nuvema Town."
"That's…quite impressive." Said Cilan. He turned to look at Ash. Another reason as to why he would continue to travel with the Kanto trainer. He was full of surprises.
"And besides, Pikachu's not my only Pokémon. I've got heaps more and-" as Ash started to cause a commotion, Don George placed a hand on his shoulder.
"C-calm down now." He said. "I don't want to have to use my Aura to restrain you."
"And quiet down too." Said a voice from the entrance. All heads turned to see that trainer that ash wanted to battle at the entrance. "I could hear that mouth of your down the street. And to think that you didn't even use Aura to make it louder too." Complained Trip.
"Great!" said Ash. (What's so great about being called loud?) "So, wanna have that battle?" asked Ash.
Trip shrugged. "If it's a six-on-six full battle, I suppose I'll do it."
"Sorry Trip." Said Ash as he rubbed the back of his head. "Can't do. I only have five." He let out a laugh.
"Only five?" said Trip.
"Yeah. But see?" he reached into his own hoodie's pocket. "I have a badge." Ash pulled out the Trio Badge and showed it to Trip.
"So? I've got two." Said Trip with a smirk.
"Two!? Really?" said Ash. Even Pikachu was surprised letting out a "Pikaaaaaa".
Trip shook his head. "It's basic Ash. Don George, I'm taking a pass on this one."
Ash's face fell, disappointed. "Really?" asked Don George.
"There's no point. With only five Pokémon and one Badge, there's no reason to have a battle." Said Trip, sounding bored.
"So what if I have five Pokémon? I'll still win." Said Ash, determined to battle his rival. Even Pikachu contributed with a "Pika!"
Trip sighed. "Amazing. Where do you get all of that unfounded confidence? Are all Kanto region boonie trainers like you?" mocked Trip.
"What was that?!" said Ash, hearing his voice rise. Although the others were looking on at the scene, Iris couldn't help but frown. She could hear Ash's voice rise, as could everyone else. That meant that he was angry, or at least a little. So why hadn't his aura manifested around him? Cilan had always said that Ash would use his aura when ready but no-one could prevent their aura manifesting around them when negative emotions arose. So where was it? She was slightly annoyed that he hadn't told her, or Cilan, about his aura level. Didn't he trust her?
"I think I'll look elsewhere for a more worthy opponent." He said and started to walk off.
But before he exited the doors. Iris spoke up. Although she hadn't seen Ash's aura manifest, she wanted to see him battle use aura. Determine to what extent he could use it to his advantage. If it was to a high extent, then he probably had a high level, a low, then as low level. But he hadn't used aura. So she couldn't determine what his level was. And she wanted to know.
"Why not have a battle?" she said. "You talk big but in the end, all talkers are just little kids." She smiled at Trip.
Trip narrowed his eyes, the air around him getting a gradual blue. Ash didn't need Aura Perception to see that. He was angry. "Little kids?" he asked.
Cilan saw it to and decided to say Iris's point in a less provocative way. "Well, I would be interested in seeing to two of you battle." Although he didn't say it, he too was eager to see to what extent, Ash used his aura, and what his level was. During Trip's battle at the Gym, Cilan had determined that he was probably in the High level range but with Ash, it was a mystery. "It's like two different flavours colliding to form a brilliant recipe and taste in my mouth. I have to say that it would be interesting."
Trip sighed, his aura disappearing. "Fine." Trip turned and walked towards Don George. "Sir, please be the ref for our 5-on-5 battle."
Don George nodded. "Thanks Trip" said Ash in gratitude.
"Tch." Said Trip. "There's no point. I already know the result. It will only be a waste of time." He walked off towards the battlefield and Ash smiled, touching the brim of his cap.
"The 5-on-5 battle between Trip and Ash will now start." Said Don George from the sidelines. Substitutions are allowed and 5 Pokémon are to be used. The winner is decided when 5 Pokémon on either side can no longer battle."
"Now BEGIN!"
Trip took the first move to throw a Pokéball . "Tranquill, I need your assistance!" The Pokéball burst open and the Pokémon that Trip sent out appeared from the light. (You guys know what it looks like…..hopefully)
"Tranquill huh?" said Ash as he reached for his Pokédex.
"Tranquill, the Wild Pigeon Pokémon and the evolved form of Pidove. It is thought that Tranquill live in places without conflict. Tranquill flocks are usually separated in Aura groups, with Tranquill of similar aura flocking together."
"In that case." Said Ash. "Oshawott! I choose you!" Ash threw his own Pokéball and from the burst of light came his Water Type starter. It folded its arms confidently.
"Hey, isn't that-" started Trip but Ash interrupted him.
"You got it! It's the Oshawott from Professor Juniper's lab!" said Ash. "But for now, let's use Water Gun!"
"Oshaaaaaaaaa!" Oshawott said as it sprayed the Water gun at Tranquill. Trip, Iris and Cilan all frowned. He was using non-aura attacks again. (Of course he did so with Trip but Trip doesn't know about the negation part as their attacks never collided). Regardless, trip called his next command.
"Dodge it!" Tranquill did so and Trip called out again. "Try an Aura Aerial Ace." Tranquill nodded and launched itself towards Oshawott, its whole body enveloped in a blue light that began from its beak and covered its whole body. It hit Oshawott's scalchop, causing it to become detached before it came in for another strike, hitting Oshawott in the back. The mere force from it threw Oshawott's body into the air and Tranquill came in for the final strike, hitting Oshawott's body while it was in the air. Oshawott cried out as it hit the ground and when the dust around it cleared, its eyes were swirls.
"Oshawott is unable to battle. Tranquill wins." Announced Don George.
Ash was stunned. That Aura Aerial Ace had taken out Oshawott like it was nothing. There was no way that should have happened normally.
Seeing Ash's face, Trip explained. "My Tranquill's ability is Super luck see?"
"Super...Luck?" asked Ash. Iris turned to Cilan for an explanation.
"Well, it raises the chance of a critical hit occurring drastically." Said Cilan without taking his eyes off the battlefield.
"Oshawott return." Said Ash as he recalled his Pokémon. "You did great." He turned to Trip. "If you think that Super Luck's gonna stop us, you have another thing coming." Reaching for another Pokéball, Ash threw it. "Go Tepig!"
The Pokéball burst open and the Fire Pig Pokémon appeared.
Trip smirked. "First a Water Type, now a Fire Type? That's pretty straight forward."
"Straight forward's just fine for me." Said Ash. "now, Tepig! Use Ember!"Flames headed for Tranquill but it dodged them as easily as it had the Water Gun. It flew around the battlefield without so much as a care.
"Ember again!" cried Ash. It dodged each Ember that was fired at it and waited for Trip's next command.
"Aura Double Team!" Trip said and Tranquill's body shone with a strange glow. Then, suddenly, other Tranquill's appeared, all looking the same except for one difference, they all held a light blue glow. It would be thought that that would make the battle easier but it was not the case. Because the original Tranquill had also developed a blue glow.
"Now Aura Work Up!" The Tranquill's bodies suddenly lit up again, shining brighter blue now.
"Aura Work Up?" asked Ash.
"It's an attack that raises the attack power of a Pokémon." Said Cilan.
The Tranquill's all hovered in front of their trainer, all with the same blue glow. Trip smiled. "Now Aura Aerial Ace." Tranquill yelled "Tranquiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilll!" and flew forward. All of the Aura Double Team's converged at the same spot but there was no need for them now. It flew forward at an amazing speed.
Ash gritted his teeth. With Aura Work Up as well as Super Luck there was not much to be done. It was all or nothing. "Tepig!" Ash called. "Use Ember!"
"Keep on going Tranquill!" said Trip. Tepig knew its trainers plan, after all the effects of non-aura against aura attacks were made clear during the Striaton City battle. Tepig also knew that the force would blow Tepig back but at the rate that Tranquill was moving, it would most likely continue to advance. Even so, if there was a little damage, that would be just as fine.
Tepig fired the Ember at the approaching Pokémon and as soon as it hit, the whole battlefield burst from the explosion of air. Ash, Don George and Trip all covered their faces while Iris and Cilan put up Aura Shields in front of them as soon as they had heard that Ash was going to counter with Ember. After all, he had told them about aura negation before (He has, I just haven't mentioned it.). Trip looked on in surprise at the battlefield.
"What the-." He said. "What was that?"
As soon as the dust had cleared, the results of the battle were clear. Tepig was on the ground and Tranquill was in the air, seemingly unscathed. But Ash knew better, Tranquill had taken some damage and that was enough.
"T-Tepig is unable to battle. Tranquill wins." Said Don George, he too surprised at the sudden explosion of air.
"Tepig!" said Ash as he ran towards the fallen Pokémon. "Are you OK?" he asked.
Tepig let out a depressed nod. Ash smiled. "Don't worry, you did your best. Now have a rest." He returned Tepig and was about to return to his place on the battlefield when Trip spoke.
"You should definitely start over." Ash glared at him. Trip smirked and wagged his finger. "Ba-sic."
"Yeah!? Well, we're just getting started." Said Ash. "Well Pikachu? Wanna have a go?' Pikachu pumped its fist and said "Pikachu!" in agreement.
The junkyard was empty except for the Team Rocket trio standing in the middle of it. They looked around.
"Empty." Said James. "We're too early." Jessie was about to say something but someone else interrupted her.
"Team Rocket!" said a voice behind them. They turned to see Officer Jenny surrounded by other police officers. "You are under arrest! Your activities in Striaton City have put you on the Most Wanted list throughout Unova!"
"I never knew there was a welcoming party." Said Jessie with a grin.
"Unfortunately, it seems we have to crash this one though." Replied James. They looked at each other and grinned.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" said Ash.
"Well what do you know? Pikachu can use Thunderbolt." Said Trip with a smile. (Remember, Zekrom made Pikachu unable to do so.) "Alright then, Tranquill, use Aura Work Up!"
Tranquill's body glowed as it had done before and Trip sent out his next command. "Use Aura Aerial Ace!" Tranquill complied, quickly heading towards Pikachu, striking it twice before flying off. Pikachu lay on the ground and struggled to get up.
"Come on Pikachu!" said Ash, 'Let's go!" Pikachu tried to do so but was finding difficulty.
"That win number 3 then." Said Trip sounding bored. "Aura Aerial Ace again!"
Tranquill flew towards Pikachu again and Ash sent out his next command. "Pikachu grab Tranquill." Pikachu nodded and waited for Tranquill to strike it. As soon as it did, Pikachu grabbed a hold of Tranquill's talons and was lifted into the air along with it. The extra weight caused Tranquill to fall back to the ground and Ash took this opportunity.
"Now, throw it!" Pikachu used its entire body strength to throw the Pokémon into the air. "Volt Tackle!" he cried. Pikachu cried "Pika" repeatedly as it charged towards Tranquill.
"Dodge it!" said Trip. It was no use however. As Pikachu had disturbed Tranquill's balance it was unable to straighten out in time and was hit head on with Volt Tackle. That along with the extra damage from the explosion of air earlier meant only one thing.
Tranquill collapsed to the ground, it eyes replaced with swirls. Don George called out the result. "Tranquill is unable to battle. Pikachu wins!"
From the sidelines, Cilan let out a laugh and Iris let out a "Yes!" in enthusiasm. Both of them had wondered how Ash would counter the problem of Tranquill's Aura Aerial Ace and Ash had surprised them with his tactic.
"Great job Pikachu!" said Ash. "He turned to look at Trip. "As you can see, Pikachu's different from back in Nuvema Town!"
Trip recalled his Tranquill and nodded in agreement. "You're right there of course. But you'll never beat my Servine!" Trip threw his Pokéball and in a burst of light, his new Pokémon appeared. It let out a cry of "Servine" and Ash and Pikachu looked at in shock. Trip's Snivy had...evolved?
"Why do you look so surprised?" asked Trip. "I trained Snivy and then it evolved. Basic stuff."
"No way we'll lose to Servine again." Said Ash. "You ready buddy?" Pikachu nodded.
"This is gonna be intense!" said Iris. "I'd like to see Ash use his aura though..." she added.
"Now, now." Said Cilan. "When Ash is ready to use his aura he will. But it is odd though..." Cilan trailed off. "Regardless, trip used that Servine to battle Chili's Pansear and he won. I can imagine the robust and delicious flavours that this battle will produce. They best be careful."
"Team Rocket. Come quietly and no-one gets hurt." Officer Jenny's tone suggested that she meant business and wouldn't take no for an answer. However, before anyone could move, a truck's horn blared through the junkyard as a truck ploughed through the gates and skidded to a top in front of the trio, ending police officers running to avoid being run over.
The door opened and a man with long, dark-blue hair appeared in the driver's seat.
"Who are you?" asked James.
"Questions later. Just get in!" the trio replied.
"Oh no you don't" said Jenny. "Men! Let's get after them."
The truck fled, followed by Officer Jenny on her motorcycle and numerous police officers in cars followed her.
The truck broke through a barrier on a freeway, Officer Jenny following close behind. She pulled up to the side of the vehicle and yelled, "Stop! This is resisting arrest!" Almost as if answering her, the truck sped up. Officer Jenny looked ahead to see where the truck was going.
"Are they crazy!?" she yelled. "The bridge is out!" indeed, road that they were one ended in front of them. Still the truck sped on ahead.
The Boy sat on the end of a broken highway, his legs dangling over the edge. He sighed. He was wearing a sharp suit consisting of a black blazer and long black pants. This along with black shoes and socks and necktie as well as an untucked shirt may have given the impression that he was uncomfortable but he didn't care. He had lost his mode of transport. It had just gone and disappeared on him.
"Again..." he said. "It happened again..." there were sounds behind him but he didn't really care. What he needed wasn't mindless noise but a vehicle. Something to help him find his own vehicle. He had a tracking device placed on the inside but there were no readings on the scanner he had in his hand.
"Anyone want to give me a ride?" he asked mindlessly, knowing there would be no answer. However, surprisingly there was. A truck roared past him on his left, kicking up air and dust into the Boy's face. There was screeching sounds behind him as well as police sirens. Still, his eyes were stuck on the truck as it fell off the end of the bridge. But suddenly the top of the truck opened out and 3 people and what looked to a Meowth shot out of the top. Still the truck fell and exploded as it hit the ground. Mostly all the faces went from the truck to covering them. But not the Boy's. His face went to the people and Pokémon flying away. He put on some glasses from his blazer and looked at the mode of transport they were using. Aura powered jetpacks. There was also something else. He could have sworn he saw what looked to be an 'R' on one of their clothes.
"Team Rocket?" the Boy whispered. In Unova? There was also something strange. What was that burning smell? He looked down and realised what it was. The flames from the truck exploding had gotten reasonably tall, about the height of the Boy's shoes. No, not about. Exactly the same height.
"GYAAAAAAHHHHH!" the Boy cried in panic and tried to stand up and stamped his feet on the concrete of the bridge, the soles of his shoes burning. "Can thus day get any worse!" yelled the Boy. First, his vehicle disappears and then his soles burnt. He kicked the side of the road in anger, not one of his best choices. Great, now the bottoms of his shoes were burnt and his foot hurt. Sometimes he just hated the world.
He caught the glimpse of someone approaching him, one of the numerous Officer Jenny's. He had just been near an explosion. Maybe she was checking if he was alright?"Don't worry Officer." Said the Boy. "I'm good. Just hurt my foot." The Officer smiled.
"That's good. Now is it OK if you can come with me? I want to know if you saw the faces of those people who just flew off." Said Officer Jenny.
"Eh?" said the Boy. Was he...going to be interrogated?
Anime tears ran down his face. He didn't just hate the world right now. He despised it.
The said people were currently flying over a forest, their Aura powered jetpacks making flight easier. The dark-haired man gave James a briefcase.
"The boss said this is for you." He said bluntly.
"Thanks" said James holding the case tightly.
"Are you the new agent?" asked Meowth.
The man nodded. "Name's Pierce." He said before taking off ahead of the group. "Best do well to remember it." He was soon out of sight.
"The new team member huh?" said Jessie aloud. The others just smiled and took off themselves, disappearing in the clouds.
"Alright Pikachu! Iron Tail!" said Ash.
"Counter with Aura Cut!" replied Trip.
While Pikachu's tail gained a metallic glow, Servine's hands glowed blue and sharpened. It ran forward and thee two attacks collided. A soon as they did an explosion of air occurred again, throwing back both Pokémon. Pikachu landed perfectly, used to the ordeal but it was Servine that toppled and then quickly stood up, unused to the experience.
Trip frowned. There it was. It had happened again. Regardless, he called out his next move. "Servine! Aura Leaf Tornado!" Servine jumped onto its head and started to spin around, the end of its tail doing so as well until a large amount of leaves converged on that spot. Not only that but the substitute tornado glowed blue, just like all other aura attacks. It struck Pikachu and it was lifted into the air and flung back down, leaves from the aura Leaf tornado as well as aura assaulting Pikachu's body.
"Come on buddy!" cried Ash. "You can do it!" indeed it could. Slowly, but surely, Pikachu managed to get back up onto its own two feet. "Great! Now Volt Tackle!" Pikachu leaped forward its body immerse in electricity.
'Counter with Aura Cut again!" cried Trip. Servine's hand glowed with the same glow and it sliced Pikachu as Pikachu charged at it. The resulting explosion of air was immense. Ash covered his face, his cap falling off his head as he could only cover his face and Trip, although still not understanding what was happening, brought up an Aura Shield, the others doing the same. Both Servine and Pikachu were thrown back, both falling to the ground. However, Pikachu was the one to not stand up, its eyes swirls.
Don George called the victory. "Pikachu is unable to battle, therefore Servine is the winner!" Ash ran onto the battlefield as Pikachu rubbed its head.
"You OK?" asked Ash to which Pikachu replied with a "Pika pika". Ash smiled at his starter. "That's good. You did great buddy." Pikachu smiled at his trainer.
"You still want to continue?" asked Trip. Ash glared at him, gritting his teeth. "You have 2 left, and I have 4. The result is clear."
"Oh yeah?!" said Ash. "Well the match isn't over 'till it's over." With that, Ash and Pikachu headed back towards their place on the battlefield. Ash reached for his Pokéball and was about to throw it when Iris called out.
"Ash your hat!" Ash looked at her with a confused expression before patting his head. Indeed, his hat was not there. He must have been too preoccupied with the battle to mind it. He turned around and was looking for it when Pikachu spoke up, holding his hat.
"Oh thanks Pikachu." He said as he took it from his Pokémon. "You too Iris!" he adjusted it and Cilan looked at Iris with an amused expression.
"What?" she asked. "He doesn't look right without his hat."
"Hmm." Agreed Cilan. "A knight isn't a knight without his armour." He watched the trainer as he adjusted his hat.
"Wh-what?!" said Iris as loud as she dare without attracting the attention of Don George who was near her. "Who said he was a knight?" she tried to force down the image of Ash as a knight in shining armour, and the blush that came with it.
"No-one." Responded Cilan. "Just saying how Ash isn't Ash to us without his hat." He glanced at Iris. "Why? Does Ash appear to be a knight to you?"
Iris stuttered. "Let's just focus on the battle."
Cilan smiled and arched an eyebrow. "If you say so..."
By this time, Ash had already fixed his hat and was ready to throw his Pokéball. "Alright then, Snivy. I choose you!"
The Pokéball burst open and Ash's Snivy appeared from it.
Iris was surprised. "Snivy? Why that choice? Why not Pidove?"
"Axew" said Axew, wondering the same thing.
Cilan put a hand to his chin, thinking. "No, it must be part of Ash's strategy. He must have some sort of plan."
"What could he be thinking?" wondered Iris as she looked at Ash.
"Alright Snivy, start with Vine Whip!" vines appeared near Snivy's neck and it used them to assault Servine, other rather attempted to. No matter how much Snivy tried it never hit with the vines. Ash changed strategies. "Alright, use Leaf Blade!" the tip of Snivy's tail glowed green as it headed for Servine.
Trip issued a command. "Dodge and then Aura Leaf Tornado." Servine jumped out of the way, just as Snivy's tail hit the ground resulting in dust rising. It spun on its head again, the same glowing tornado appearing. And just like before, it slammed that tornado towards Snivy, lifting it up before smashing it down, leaves and aura assaulting its body.
It cried out and as the leaves cleared Ash cried, "Come on Snivy!" Snivy picked up its collapsed body and glared at its evolutionary form.
"I've already told you. My Snivy evolved due to training, you can't beat me." Said Trip with confidence.
"Becoming strong is more than just about evolving." Said Ash. He knew better than most people about that. Pikachu did to. "My Snivy's gonna win, no doubt about it! Vine Whip, again!" he said.
Snivy's Vine Whip assault began again, Servine dodging again. That was when Ash used his Ace in the hole. "Snivy! Attract!" he called.
Snivy winked, pink hearts emerging from the action as they all converged towards Servine. They circled it and all pushed towards Servine, its eyes changing into hearts.
"Attract!?" said Trip, not expecting the attack.
"Oh yeah! Attract!" said iris as she realised Ash's plan.
"I told you Ash had a plan." Said Cilan with confidence.
"Alright then." Said Ash. "Use Vine Whip!" Met with better success than before, Snivy assaulted Servine, Servine unable to do a thing. It was not long before Servine was the ground.
"Servine snap out of it!" snapped Trip. (Get it?)
"Alright Snivy! Finish with Leaf Blade!" Snivy's tail glowed green and smashed into Servine, causing it to cry out in pain and collapse, its eyes swirls.
Servine is unable to battle. Snivy is the winner!" said Don George.
"Yes!" said ash as he pumped a fist. "Great job Snivy!" Pikachu was doing its own victory dance repeating its name while Snivy puffed out its chest in pride.
Trip recalled Servine. "Impressive." He said. "using Attract caught me off guard."
Happy with Snivy's performance but wanting to keep it for later, Ash switched out Snivy. "I'll use you later" he said. "So have a rest." He turned to trip. "Look like I'm catching up!"
"We'll see Go Frillish!" said Trip, throwing a Pokéball. After the light burst Ash's next opponent hovered in front of him.
Ash rummaged in his pocket and pulled out his Pokédex.
"Frillish, the Floating Pokémon. Frillsih constrains opponent using its tentacles and its aura. The higher level of aura, the tighter the constraint. It is said to live in dens at least 5 miles below sea level."
Satisfied with the new Pokémon, Ash reached for his last Pokémon. "Alright then, Pidove, I choose you!"
The Pokéball burst open revealing the familiar Pokémon. Ash wasted no time calling an attack. "Use Air Cutter!"
Pidove flung its wings, the Air Cutter flying towards Frillish.
Trip remained calm as he said. "Aura Protect." Frillish quickly became covered with a bluish green sphere that the Air Cutter smashed against. As soon as it hit however, the explosion of air that came with negating occurred but because of the distance between Pidove and Frillish and the effects of Protect, neither were effected by the small explosion of air.
"Aura Water Pulse." Said Trip. Using its tentacles to focus its energy, Frillish launched a water sphere that glowed blue towards Pidove. Pidove was hit dead centre and trapped with the sphere, crying out inside of it but unable to escape. It was not until the sphere burst that Pidove was freed, smashing against the wall. That was all it took before it slowly fell to the ground, eyes swirls.
"Pidove!" cried Ash
"Pidove is unable to battle so Frillsih wins." Said Don George.
"What power!" exclaimed Cilan. "What sharp tastes to boot!"
Iris looked towards Cilan her voice filled with concern. "So this is it for Ash..."
Ash recalled Pidove, complimenting it for its efforts in battle before turning to the battlefield.
"Had enough?" asked Trip. "Why don't you just go ahead and quit while you're behind. For your own sake."
Ash gritted his teeth. "I told you this isn't over!" He threw his last Pokémon. "Snivy, I choose you!"
Snivy appeared from the same burst of light again and Ash wasted no time calling an attack. "Vine Whip!" he commanded.
""AH!"" said both Iris and Cilan from the sidelines.
"ASH!" called Iris. "Call back that attack!"
"Huh?" said Ash as he looked in confusion. But it was too late; the Vine Whip had hit its target. As soon as it did Ash, wondering what everyone was so worked up about, focused his eyes. There! It was faint but there was aura coming out of Frillish's body after it had been hit. What was that? Ash now looked at Snivy. The same aura was hovering around Snivy and it was walking about as if in a daze.
"What's wrong Snivy?" asked Ash.
"You don't know any basics do you?" asked Trip. "I mean, attacking a Pokémon with the ability Cursed Body."
"Cursed Body?" asked Ash with a raised eyebrow. What was with this weird terminology being thrown at him?
The reply that he got almost threw him off his feet; the voice projected being that loud.
"Cursed Body can disable moves that attack it directly! You are such a little kid! Far out!" Iris shouted at him. Ash sweatdropped. Shouldn't he be the one panicking? Cilan was sweatdropping as well. "C-calm down Iris. Calm down." He consoled her.
"Direct attacks huh?" wondered Ash. "Alright then, Snivy, use Leaf Storm!" Snivy spun around, leaves forming around it that it then fired towards Frillish.
"Aura Protect." Was all that Trip said as the same bluish-green sphere surrounded Frillish. The explosion of air that followed was lager this time but the results were the same. Frillish was unaffected although Snivy was slightly pushed back from the force of the air.
"Aura Night Shade." Said Trip. Frillish's eyes glowed red and it cried out its name as mysterious pink waves with a blue outline came from its body. Snivy covered its ears (do Snivy even have ears) and its body was immersed in the pink waves. It keeled over, supporting itself with its hands.
"Come on Snivy!" said Ash. "Give it one last push! Leaf Storm!" Snivy spun around, sending the leaves towards Frillish.
Unexpected by the quick recovery, Frillish was hit full-force by the leaves. "Now Attract!" said Ash as Frillsih was recovering from the blow. The hearts approached Frillish while it was recovering but it did so quickly and moved out of the way.
"It dodged them?" asked Iris.
"That Frillish's speed is incredible!" commented Cilan. "Quite a difficult opponent."
Ash gritted his teeth and looked at Frillish. "I'll have to go all out." He said. "Snivy! Leaf Blade!"
Snivy's tail glowed green and Snivy attacked Frillish.
"What the- Not Leaf Blade!" cried Iris.
"What is he thinking!" said Cilan.
Without anything to stop it the Leaf Blade hit Frillish head on. It cried out and Ash, with his eyes still focused, hope that the cursed Body wouldn't work but to no avail. The same aura that came off Frillish hit Snivy as well as it cried out.
"Now." Said Trip. "Aura Water Pulse."
The same ball of water with a blue glow appeared in Frillish's hands and it launched it towards Snivy. It was immersed in it and couldn't escape only able to after it had exploded. That was not all, after it had done so, Snivy's eyes were replaced with stars and it walked around in a daze.
"No! Snivy's confused!" said Ash.
"Let's go." Said Trip, ignoring Ash's remark. "Aura Hex."
Frillish's eyes turned a dark red and it raised its tentacles a strange energy that had a blue outline appearing from them. The converged at the top of its head and from that energy emerged a large blue eye. In addition, a strange blue light came from that eye, aiming right for the defenceless Snivy.
"And since Snivy's confused, aura Hex does double damage." Said Trip. Snivy cried out as it was hit and collapsed, its eyes swirls.
"Snivy is unable to battle, Frillish wins. And therefore the winner of the match is Trip!' announced Don George.
Ash sighed and walked over to the battlefield, leaning to where Snivy was. "Thanks Snivy. Have a good rest."
"Pikachu and Snivy were alright." Said Trip and Ash looked up to the other trainer. "But you're other Pokémon? A joke. Reflects their trainer."
"What!?" yelled Ash.
Trip ignored him and turned to Don George. "Thanks very much." He said. He turned and walked off.
Still angry about that previous remark, Ash shouted, "Trip! Let's battle again someday!"
Trip turned back to Ash. "We'll see." And with that he walked off.
Cilan and Iris turned and watched Trip's back receding.
"Better luck next time though." Said Cilan.
"Yeah. All you'll have to do is train extra hard." She looked at Ash's face. "Don't be mad."
Ash waited a bit before answering. "Don't worry about me. There's no way that I'll let Trip stay ahead of me forever, so we'll just have to put in the work and get a lot stronger!"
"Pika pika!" came the reply from Pikachu.
Iris and Cilan smiled at their friend and his optimism in the situation and lose that he had just faced. That was Ash. And they wouldn't have it any other way.
Solana sighed. They had finally managed to get all the tape up but with some commotion. Both the man and the 'friend' were visibly relieved and that relaxed Solana. She turned and looked at the Cave. There were life forms registered in there, both humans and Pokémon. And it was one of those life forms that was the Aura Taker. But that would be tomorrow. It was mid afternoon now and any premature investigation might cause some media attention. After all, not all of them had left but they were gradually losing interest.
Tomorrow, Solana said to herself. Tomorrow this guy will get what's coming to him. And then this will all be over.
The Boy sighed. He had been questioned but somehow the questions had been cut short by Officer Jenny having to head towards Wellspring Cave. Apparently they needed all the help they could get for some kind if flush-out operation. The Boy shrugged and walked off. If he knew any possible location that his vehicle would be, it would be Nacrene City. After that if it wasn't there he would head to Castelia and the Nimbasa until he found it.
He sighed and looked up at the clouds forming above him. Team Rocket? In Unova? That was like finding a hot dog in a cookie jar. It didn't fit. Something was up and he didn't like it.
"Seems like a storms coming." He said as he headed off. "Wonder who'll be struck down by lightning this time.
And that's the end so far. Well, here are some more Aura information about Trip, just the level mind you as he's not going to be in every chapter.
Trip
Aura level: High
There will be no preview for the next chapter (or possibly chapters) as I don't want to spoli anything. But I can tell you possible future ideas. Look out for the return of fears that Ash and friends have already faced, exorcism and even a battle tournament not between Pokémon but between the trainers, using their aura to battle each other out. That'll be interesting won't it? Well, I hope that you look forward to the next chapter-which I haven't thought of a name for yet...
Did you like the cameo appearance of my OC, the Boy? (who will remain unnamed for now but you probably know who he is) He will probabaly appear in later chapters, that is original chapters.
Anyway, although there is no preview though, maybe I'll have a tiny one-shot with Ash and Iris...
When Iris woke up, she was sweating. She had had that dream. Ever since Accumula Town, whenever someone mentioned it, she thought back to that on incident where she had met that Kanto Gym Leader.
The time where she had almost died, due to an Aura Overload. She hugged herself, not wanting to remember what had happened but the memories came back anyway. Of course the incident itself was not that scary but the thought of her own morality being so vulnerable at that one moment, it made her cringe. She didn't want to remember it but that experience was a part of her. It was part of what made her grow, as a person and trainer. She looked down from the tree that she was sleeping on to see that the boys weren't sleeping in their sleeping bags.
Wondering where they were she dropped from her tree and walked around, waking up Axew in the protest. She apologised to her Pokémon and kept on searching. Nearby was where they had sat down and had their dinner, where Cilan and Iris had given advice to Ash about how he could counter Trip's Pokémon. Of course one solution was obvious: just use aura to power up attacks.
But since Ash never used aura they never mentioned it. But somehow the shine in Ash's eyes almost dared them to do so. But they never had. Thinking that maybe they were talking she headed to where they were and heard voices.
So they were talking, she thought. But what about? She came in closer, Aura Listening.
"That's…quite horrible." Said Cilan. What was horrible? It can see why she would be averse to mention it."
"Averse?" asked another voice. Ash.
"Yeah. It means reluctant. She didn't want to remember it and I can see why. I don't think I would want to do so. How can you be so calm?" Cilan asked.
She heard Ash sigh. "I've dealt with worse. But the first time something like Accumula Town happened to me, I was only 6. 2 months after I got out of hospital actually. Man, I stayed awake for 2 days straight I was so scared."
"What…..happened?" asked Cilan. There was a silence followed by footsteps. Was Ash getting closer to Cilan so that he could whisper or something? She increased her Aura Listening and stopped as soon as a face appeared over the bushes. It was Ash's.
"Iris." He said. (he found her due to his Aura Perception finding her Aura Listening)
She looked down, not wanting to look him in the face. "Sorry. I woke up and you guys weren't in your sleeping bags." She looked up to glance at Ash's expression. Was he angry? Upset at her eavesdropping.
Instead she found him smiling a soft smile. "Wh-What?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just thinking about how listening to people makes you such a little kid." Said Ash.
"Hey!" said Iris in protest. Ash grinned and moved back towards the fire, where Cilan was sitting, like Ash, also in his pyjamas. She followed him without being asked and they sat around the logs that Iris and Cilan ad managed to collect using their aura. Pikachu was curled up near Ash's feet on the ground but she could tell he was still awake.
Cilan's gaze was serious. "I heard about what happened at Accumula Town." He said. "I have to say I understand why you would be uncomfortable at the Battle Club."
"Uncomfortable?" asked Iris.
"You flinched when Don George mentioned it." Pointed out Ash.
Iris shuddered. The incident must have had more of an affect than she had expected. She tried to smile but found the boys looking at her with worried glances. Obviously it hadn't worked.
"Anyway," said Cilan as he stood up. "Thank you for trusting me with that story Ash."
"No problem Cilan." Responded Ash.
Cilan nodded towards him and then looked between Ash and Iris, smiled and walked off.
The fire crackled softly in the night, neither Ash nor Iris saying anything. Axew had jumped off Iris and was sitting next to Pikachu, both of them watching the fire.
It was Iris who broke the silence. "Why did you choose today to tell Cilan about the Aura Overload?"
Ash looked at her. "He and I both saw you flinch at the Battle Club. He asked about what happened after he asked. We'll be travelling together so I thought to tell him."
Iris nodded. The reason was clear and reasonable. But she wasn't satisfied. "But why did you choose to tell him at this time?"
"Because I knew that you wouldn't go to sleep."
"How? I might have dealt with it better than you thought." Countered Iris.
"Then why did you flinch?" Ash asked. Iris had to answer to that. Ash turned to the fire. Besides the first time I dealt with something like Accumula Town was when I was 6. You probably heard me but I stayed up for 2 days straight."
"What happened to you?" asked Iris. Like Cilan, she was curious.
Ash smiled, not looking at Iris as he stared at the fire. "Maybe I'll tell you. That story isn't one to tell now though." He turned back to her. "Are you scared?"
The question was so sudden but Iris immediately understood what he was talking about. It regarded the Accumula Town incident. Was she scared of dying? Losing everything? The answer was obvious.
She looked at the fire and let out a weak nod. Never in her life had she felt so powerless than at that moment before Chris exploded with aura. She bit her lip so hard that it might have split.
"I-I just didn't know what to do." She said. "I mean there it was. If I don't think about it, then the problem goes away. I was fine yesterday and the day before that but whenever I hear Accumula Town I just think back to that one incident. Not you capturing Tepig, just that one incident."
She was about to say something else but stopped as soon as she felt Ash's hands around her. It took her a while to realise what had happened. Ash had hugged her. In fact, he was still doing so. She was so stunned that she didn't do or say anything until Ash pulled her out of the embrace and even then Ash spoke.
"Iris. There's one thing you need to remember now. That is that you're alive. Nothing from Accumula will get you know. Aura Overloads? Psychic powers? You don't have to deal with them ever again. Nothing like that will happen to you. I promise."
Iris looked into Ash's brown eyes. There was truth there. There was no way that Ash could have known if anything like that would happen again but there was truth. He believed it and through him, she did too. It was like the person who had saved her during the Accumula Town incident had saved her yet again. From herself and her own feelings.
He turned back to the fire. "The only thing that you can do is move on." He was silent after that. So was Iris. She was still looking at the young trainer from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. In his presence she felt calm. Almost as if, like Cilan had said, Ash was a knight.
Iris felt something warm rising in her chest. She didn't know what it was but she felt consoled. Better. What was this feeling? She didn't know.
Smiling she rested her head on his shoulder, ignoring the surprised expression he gave.
"Umm…..Iris?" he asked.
"Don't talk." She said. "I just want this memory to cover the one in Accumula Town."
She thought that Ash must have smiled in that moment. "I can do that."
The only sound that remained was the fire crackling. Ash felt that the fire was the most soothing sound there.
He glanced down towards Pikachu and he was looking at his trainer with an expression that said 'Really? Just like with Misty, May and Dawn?'
"What?" mouthed Ash.
Pikachu let out a "Pika" and shrugged, before checking the sleeping Axew. When had it fallen asleep?
Ash looked up the bushes ahead of him and could have sworn he saw Cilan with a satisfied expression peering out of the bushes. Even though Ash used his Aura Perception, he couldn't tell.
He looked at his travelling companion on his shoulder and found that she was asleep. Ash smiled. But when had she fallen asleep?
"Come on Pikachu. Time for bed."
Iris slept better that night. She didn't know why Ash's presence did what it did to her but she wasn't complaining. She didn't know what this feeling was but you know what?
She didn't care.
And that's it? Well what did you think?
I focused this on being 'Iris faces bad situation and how does Ash react?' Basically he consoles her. also, there's another plot point here. the mysterious 2 months after Ash got out of hospital, which makes him still 6. that was when he first faced an incident similar to 'Accumula town'. that will feature later.
Anyway that's the end for now and I'll get back to writing soon.
Do you think Iris and Cilan's troubles have gone away? Or just started?
Anyway,
Review, if you please