After ending with the Wellspring Conclusion and a very persuasive review (you know who you are….) I have written this one right for the holidays. I hope that you can forgive me for the hiatus due to the fact that I have a lot on and also the fact that these stories take quite a bit of time to write. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chapter of Aura less and look forward to the next one, which may/may not be uploaded these holidays.
As for the Disclaimer: I DON'T own Pokémon or anything related to this.
THIS DISCLAIMER RELATES TO ALL FUTURE CHAPTERS OF THIS STORY.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaa. There we are. Now I don't have to write any more disclaimers…..
Anywho, enjoy.
Ash Ketchum sat at the table at the edge of the river staring silently at his hands. It had been less than two days since the incident at Wellspring Cave however the events of such had attracted numerous gazes of attention.
On Cilan's map, they had access to the Internet and although no-one wanted to be reminded of the incident itself they still observed the information. It turned out that the lowest floor where Ash had battled William had been discovered but the authorities had no information to pass around about it.
The AJD and the Pokémon Rangers had released a media statement however Ash, Iris and Cilan all knew what actually happened and the facts that had been released in the statement had been a manipulation of the facts and not the whole truth.
Ash had, of course, experienced such events before such as when he went to Johto and the other regions however this event left a mark on him.
Ash, using his bloodied hand tried to alter the course of deadly hand. Ash's hand hit William's and as soon as it did, a Sound came out.
The Sound came out and William's eyes went wide. So did Ash's. Because in front of them, William's aura was gone. The aura that was previously in his hand was gone, just disappeared. Almost like it had been negated.
Ash's hand had negated William's own attack. It had also negated an entire Aura Spring, a natural source of Aura that had lasted for who knows how many years.
It was a mystery to the nature of his new found power as Ash had never been faced with such an event like that one before. Of course he had been through a lot and numerous times had ended up with him bleeding but he had never seen such an effect upon Aura as he had never made contact with it.
Just what meaning did it have? He was an Aura Zero yet he had that power. His wounds and scars were all gone but still, that thought was a mental mark that it had left on him.
Cilan and Iris had faced the same result. They had been through the same experience but not to the level that Ash had and they were shaken up. But they still tried to maintain an image of normalcy.
Ash knew that that image would soon grow into reality. After all, his previous travels and experiences told him that as long as they had each other, then everything would be alright.
"Sorry for the wait." A voice interrupted his thoughts and Ash looked up to see Cilan above him with lunch in hand. It was sandwiches and although Cilan had been starting to monologue about the ingredients, Ash and Iris had notice that he did that a lot, Ash hadn't been paying attention.
Ash looked up and saw that Cilan had an expression that he put on whenever he saw Ash pondering about something. It was one that seemed like he wanted to put on a straight face yet pushing down a bad memory.
"You still thinking about it?" asked Cilan.
Ash didn't say anything however that seemed an answer for Cilan. He smiled faintly. "You better eat up. Your appetite will cause you to stop thinking for a while." Cilan said.
Ash let out a chuckle. "Yeah. Thanks Cilan." He picked up the sandwich that he had been passed and took a bite out of it, the feeling of food in his mouth lifting his spirits.
"Man, I always enjoy your sandwiches Cilan!" he said as he chewed.
Cilan bowed. "Naturally. I did work in a café."
"What do you think about his Pokémon food?" asked Ash to Pikachu who was sitting across from him. In recent days Pikachu had been eating a lot slower lately thinking about what he had seen about his trainer, the same thoughts that Ash had filling the Pokémon's brain.
Regardless, it smiled and answered. "Pika Pika!"
Axew next to Pikachu let out a similar cry. Out of everyone it seemed that Axew had been the least affected by the incident as it ate heartily.
Iris walked over to the table with a sandwich in hand and smiled. 'Looks like you like Cilan's cooking as much as I do." She said. For some reason, ever since the incident, Iris had been hanging a bit closer to Ash than before and although he didn't ask about it, it was clear that out of all of them, Iris had been the most shaken up about Wellspring.
Although her Pokémon was quite alright, the opposite could be said for Iris. Cilan and Ash had tried to help her subtly and for the most part it seemed to be having an effect. However in both of their views, it seemed that the girl had lost a lot of energy.
Axew nodded and looked up while putting Pokémon food into its mouth. In front of them, next to river was a large boulder that blocked the way in front of them. The group had thought to go around it but something was there. Axew could hear it, using its Aura Listening.
Getting off the table with Pikachu following in concern, Axew headed towards the boulder and peered around it.
"Hang on Axew!" called Iris from afar however Axew didn't listen as it looked past the boulder.
Pikachu joined in as well as both of them looked in surprise as they saw a small orange Pokémon hitting a rock repeatedly. There were footsteps behind the two Pokémon and Ash and his friends appeared.
Ash was going to ask something but then noticed the same Pokémon doing the same action. "Huh?" he asked. "What's that?"
"A Dwebble." Answered Cilan. "However it is quite a mystery as to why it doesn't have a rock on its back."
"A rock?" asked Ash as he brought out his Pokédex.
"Dwebble, the Rock Inn Pokémon. It's said that the rocks that Dwebble acquire for their backs are used as an extra source of aura should the Dwebble reach its Limit. The larger the rock, the more aura that can be stored but Dwebble usually choose their rocks based on convenience rather than power."
Ash blinked a few times. So, they used the rock for aura in case they used it all up? It was like how Pidgey put away food in the winter when it wouldn't grow. The group looked up from the Pokédex.
"Does that mean that Dwebble is going to choose that rock?" asked Iris. It seemed that the event had piqued her interest as her voice had some more liveliness to it. Ash smiled and looked at Cilan. If this was making her happy then the two of them decided that they may as well utilise the situation.
"Hmm." Said Cilan. "Then this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not many people get to see this."
The Dwebble tipped up the rock that it was observing, circling it one time before it claws started to shine with a familiar blue glow. It hit the rock with one glowing claw and tiny parts of the rock were chipped off, a process that was continued.
"Look at that!" said Ash in amazement as he tried to move closer but a pressure on his head shoved him down. The pressure was not that of a physical hand but one different.
"Don't move closer you kid! Dwebble will run if you do!" Ash looked at Iris who was using an Aura Hand to push his head down. Iris had rarely done so in the past few days so the event told him that she was gradually returning to her normal self. Ash chuckled and ran a hand through his hair as he peered over the rock.
"So Dwebble is building its home…." Said Cilan in wonder.
"Pikaaaa." Said Pikachu followed by an "Axeeeew" in awe from Axew.
Dwebble had been at the rock for a while now and it backed away, panting from its work. With a satisfied nod it stepped closer, spitting a greyish blue liquid out of its mouth.
Ash could hardly see it and had to use Aura Perception to get an idea of the movement of aura and managed to see a faint blue line coming from Dwebble's mouth.
"What's that?" asked Iris. Due to the fact that she didn't have Aura Perception and that Ash saw faint traces of aura circling her eyes, she was using Aura to enhance her sense of sight.
"It's a liquid that Dwebble uses in order to shape the rock to its desired shape." Said Cilan, he too using Aura to enhance his senses.
"Wow." Said Iris. "Dwebble must put a lot of work into that. Like an expert craftsman."
"Indeed." Noted Cilan. "With Dwebble using it to store aura and protect itself from enemies, having the right thickness and strength is imperative."
Dwebble stopped and looked at the front of the rock, slowly nodding before approaching the rock with its tail. There was a soft blue glow from inside the rock and Dwebble stepped back out. It narrowed its eyes before stepping back in, that same blue glow appearing however this time, brighter.
Smiling to itself, Dwebble lifted the rock up and it appeared to look like a large backpack. It walked around, testing out the rock as the three travellers watched.
Cilan indicated to the current Dwebble. "With the rock on its back, that's what Dwebble looks like normally."
Iris smiled. "Aww, it looks like a little pastry. It's too cute!" she exclaimed and Axew seemed to have the same reaction with a cry of "Axew!"
Ash and Cilan as well as Pikachu looked at her with soft smiles on their faces. The normalcy of the situation had seemed to pull Iris out of her slump and that was all that they needed.
A soft rumbling sound came from the round and Ash saw, using his Aura Perception that something was coming from ground.
Sure enough, other Dwebble appeared, their claws glowing blue and the three new Dwebble had different rocks on their backs compared to the smaller Dwebble, each of them having a rock which inside glowed blue.
"Huh." Said Ash. "Looks like Dwebble's friends are here!"
The reality through was just the opposite. One of the Dwebble, the largest held out a claw.
"Dweb Dwebble!" it announced with vigour and the two smaller Dwebble leaped forward, aura in their back claws as they rammed into the other Dwebble.
It let out a cry as it was pushed back, rolling across the ground. It slowly got up and as everyone else saw, the two Dwebble that had attacked approached again, their front claws shining with a blue glow.
Dwebble responded by hiding inside its own rock, a greenish blue glow shining over it, an Aura Protect. As soon as the Dwebble attacked it, the sound of glass breaking echoed in the air as the Dwebble's aura was dispersed upon clashing with a more powerful aura in the aura.
"Hey! What's going on?!" exclaimed Ash. Pikachu had the same reaction with a high pitched "Pika?!" coming from it.
The Dwebble that had been attacked came out from its shell, approaching the Dwebble that had attacked it with glowing blue claws. The Dwebble merely dodged out of the way and appeared behind the other Dwebble, that Dwebble starting to turn around the face them.
However the leader Dwebble rammed its rock into the front of the other Dwebble, the force of the attack pushing Dwebble into the air. Dwebble fell to the ground as its rock falling off as it did so.
Dwebble slowly looked up and the others saw the largest Dwebble approach. Dwebble tried to get up but the larger Dwebble reacted first.
It put on claw upon Dwebble's back, its claw shining with that same blue glow and all of a sudden a large amount of Aura suddenly burst from its claw. Dwebble let out a pained cry as it received the attack and Iris and Cilan looked on in surprise.
"W...What is that?" asked Iris. She had never seen an attack like that before. She looked at Cilan that had the same expression of both surprise and horror but it was Ash that explained, both of them looking at him.
"It's a concentrated Aura Burst." He said. The larger Dwebble stepped back and lifted up Dwebble's home. "Basically instead of using Aura Burst as a basic attack, it focuses that attack upon a certain area. This is bad." Said Ash, sweating. "That means that that Dwebble's aura level is at least in the 'Very High' range."
"Hang on." Said Iris, her voice shaking a bit upon the mention of 'Aura Burst'. "Both Cilan and I have that Aura Level yet why can't we do that?"
"Have you ever used your Aura Burst?" asked Ash, not looking away from the Dwebble. Iris nodded and so did Cilan. "But only once right?" Again they nodded. But how had he-
"When one first uses an Aura Burst the effect on the body is large. Feeling light headed and dizzy." Ash recalled what he had learned from Professor Oak. Naturally Ash wanted as a young child had wanted to know as much as he could about Aura as he had none and on occasion the knowledge that he had was useful, applying it to battle tactics and the like. "As such you instinctively try and avoid it as well as people telling you not to because of the effect on the environment around one. However if one were to use it and train it then- Hey! What the-?" Ash stopped his explanation and Iris and Cilan looked at the group of Dwebble.
The largest one had put Dwebble's home upon its own back, the same faint glow of aura coming from it and, unhesitant, the other two Dwebble spat out that aura liquid to fuse the rock to the Dwebble's back.
"Th-that was the house that Dwebble just made!" announced Iris with shock.
Ash gritted his teeth. "Ganging up on someone. How can they?" Ash stood up. "Oi! Stop that!" he yelled.
The three Dwebble looked up at the trainer and turned away. Their claws shining with Aura they once again dug into the holes that they had come out from. The Dwebble without a home slowly stood up with claws shining blue dug into the ground.
"What?" exclaimed Ash. "With that other Dwebble having a concentrated Aura Burst, it'll need help!" Ash looked at his friends.
Cilan nodded and stood up, throwing a Pokéball that he had. "Pansage! Come out and assist Dwebble with your Aura Dig!"
The Pokéball burst open in a bright light and with a cry of "Pan Pansage" the monkey Pokémon's hands grew bright blue as it burrowed into the ground.
Silence filled the air and anxiety as well, especially Ash. With that Dwebble knowing a concentrated Aura Burst attack, this was no walk in the park. He doubted that Dwebble knew that non-aura attacks would counteract it but Pansage did. But that didn't relieve Ash of his thoughts.
Ash focused his eyes and sure enough it was not long in that silence that he saw a faint blue outline in the rocks and sure enough Pansage's head popped out.
"Pansage?" asked Cilan.
Pansage nodded. "Pansage sage sage Pan." It said. It looked to its left and Ash looked there as well, his Aura Perception picking up a blue outline in the ground.
Dwebble popped out, its claws turning back into a normal orange and it panted heavily.
"Is that?" asked Ash.
"Hmm. I think that's the first Dwebble. But it still doesn't have its rock." Answered Iris.
Cilan slowly approached the Dwebble and held out a hand. "I really am sorry about your house." He said.
Dwebble looked up and the first thing that it did….was panic. It let out a cry and raced ahead, using its aura to quicken its pace.
"Hey, wait up!" said Ash as he gave chase but not being able to keep up with the aura. Cilan followed using his aura but still couldn't catch up, only maintain an adequate distance. Iris reacted by using her aura to leap across rocks in the ground, covering more land than Cilan, which resulted in her landing perfectly in front of Dwebble.
Smiling, she knelt down. "Hey there, it's OK. We're not scary." Axew came out of her hair and responded with an "Axew ew ew."
Dwebble on the other hand had a different idea. With a "Dweb!" in surprise it backed way only to see Cilan approaching with Ash in the distance.
"Calm down now." Said Cilan. "It's fine." Ash finally managed to catch up and Pikachu leaped from his shoulder, holding its hands out in a peace keeper fashion.
Dwebble on the other hand did not react as one might expect. With one claw shining a blue colour it attack Pikachu but at the last second Pikachu dodged, Dwebble hitting a stone. The surprise in the attack made it more powerful and Ash, Cilan, Pikachu and Pansage all covered their bodies to avoid being hit by stones.
A few bounced off harmlessly on the humans and Pikachu however a sharp piece of stone hit Pansage square in the forehead.
With a cry it collapsed onto the ground and Dwebble let out a shocked gasp. Cilan wasted no time in running to Pansage's side, holding its head with is hands.
"Pansage! Are you alright?" he asked. In response there was a weak "Saaaaaaaaaaaaage".
"Iris!" called Ash. She generally knew the location of all the Potions and such and it seemed to him that she knew a lot more about medicine than he did.
"Got it!" she said, sentences not having to be said in the time of crisis.
The Super Potion was applied to Pansage's forehead where a nasty bruise had begun to form.
It winced but was reassured. "It's fine." Said Iris. "I've seen worse." Although Ash didn't say anything his mind went back to Accumula Town and the wound he had gotten.
"Hmm, indeed. Glad to see that you're fine." Said Cilan. There were sounds of small feet approaching the group turned to look at Dwebble approaching with a solemn expression on its face, bowing.
"It's fine." Said Ash. "It was an accident, for sure."
"Yeah. We know that you were just upset about your home being stolen." Said Cilan. Dwebble looked at him and then its face fell.
"Say, why don't you just make a new one?" asked Iris optimistically.
Dwebble shook its head furiously to which Iris smiled. "You just want that one don't you?"
"Well, we did see how much Dwebble worked on it didn't we?" said Cilan. "There would be an attachment to it."
"Sure." Said Ash. "Say why don't we go and help out Dwebble?" asked Ash to the others.
Iris sweatdropped. "Why is it that you always just want to help out?" asked Iris.
"Hmm? Is that so bad? I'm going to do it." answered Ash as he looked at Dwebble not seeing Iris's blush. "Well, there you go. We'll help."
"Pikachu pika." Said Pikachu from his place on Ash's lap. Dwebble however waved its claw in the air and its claws gained that blue glow again as it dug into the ground.
The group watched it go and when it was gone Cilan spoke up. "Regardless of Dwebble not wanting us to help, I still think that we should follow Ash's suggestion. We must go and find those thieves."
Everyone agreed without hesitation.
The sunlight of the day shone down. In front of the subway tunnel that had a line over it saying 'Danger. Do Not Cross' stood a man on one side of the tunnel and a group of people on the other.
The man nodded and in response, the girl on the other side with long red hair did as well.
Then, wordlessly they descended into the tunnel.
"Where are we?" asked Jessie. The tunnel they were in comprised of broken glass, ruined railways and dirt with a foul smell in the air.
"An abandoned subway tunnel. Perfect to avoid any unnecessary…..interruptions." said Pierce.
He walked until he felt it necessary to stop before turning around and addressing the Team Rocket trio. "The boss has told me that your present mission involves gathering data on the Meteonite."
"Meteor Metal…." Said Meowth.
"Yes." Said Pierce. "The data is the deciding factor of the newest project by Team Rocket." Pierce raised a hand, a ring on his middle finger producing a holographic image. On it a research facility could be seen and numerous blueprints of the layout.
"And that is?" asked James.
"The Antimony Research Lab, the place where every piece of Meteonite data is stored." Informed Pierce.
"And you want us to retrieve that data?" asked Meowth.
"Indeed. The mission is to merely hack the data server and obtain that data."
"Seems simple." Said James as he adjusted the brow of his hat.
"Sounds fun." Said Jessie.
Pierce let out a sinister smile. "Let's just see how well the new guys do then shall we?"
The rest of the group nodded and wordlessly began to head down to the entrance of the subway. However on the way there Meowth turned around.
"Meowth?" asked James however there was no reply. And then in a fast motion, Meowth reached for something underneath his coat, firing it at the subway tracks.
A large spark of blue electricity shot out, fuelled by Meowth's aura and it hit the tracks, every part of the track lighting up blue. There was the sound of buzzing and then it died down.
Jessie, James and Pierce looked at Meowth. "Hmph. Thought I heard something." Said Meowth. "Must've been my imagination." He kept on walking and although Jessie and James were wondering what Meowth had 'heard' they didn't think too much into it. After all there was a job to do.
"Oh maaaaaaaaaann. What am I doing what am I doing what am I doiiiiiiiiiiing!?" The Boy hissed that thought to himself.
He hadn't left the town where he had been 'arrested' yet. The appearance of Team Rocket had left a shallow taste in his mouth and his first thought was that they would decide to take a rest. After all, the incident with the truck would have raised security.
So then, the Boy had spent the rest of the time finding places where one could not be disturbed. And the abandoned subway tunnel was the best bet.
Although he had waited less than a day, sure enough Team Rocket had showed up. He had eavesdropped upon the entire conversation and just as he was staying still, he had the misfortune of thinking that something was running down his leg.
He had moved to it but nothing had been there, but a loud banging and the tracks lighting up with a dangerous form of Aura energy made the Boy back away under the platform.
There had been nothing then apart from the voices and Team Rocket had walked away.
But seriously? What was he doing? There were no traces of his vehicle in the town he was in judging by his scan so the next stop was Nacrene City. He needed his vehicle to travel but, only on occasion, he would get wrapped up in these situations. Well, he said on occasion…..
What was he going to do? And how was he going to do it? Those ideas went through the Boy's head. Why was he compelled to do something? Just tell the authorities and that was that. However…..
The Boy smiled to himself. "The Antimony Research Lab eh?" He felt a chill down his back. "Oh boy, you've done it now Team Rocket."
That Boy looking to be around 16 in that suit of his stood up. His eyes shone with interest although they were not the same colour, his left eye blue and right red. He cracked a stiff neck, straightening his necktie as he did so.
"You've really piqued my interest. And that's something you don't ever want to do."
Ash, Iris and Cilan stood in the rocky field, the sunset shining down on them. Pidove circled above them and then lowered down and judging by its downhearted expression, it hadn't found anything.
"Man." Said Ash. "Where are they?"
The sound of the ground bursting open behind him made him turn around to see Pansage appearing from the ground. Pansage shook his head and Cilan frowned. "No luck underground either then."
Iris crossed her arms. "Where are they?" to which Axew popped out of her arm imitating her and saying "Axew ew."
The ground next to Pansage broke open as well as Dwebble appeared, hanging its head in disappointment.
Cilan scratched his head and then sighed. "Say, it's getting late. Why don't we have a break and dinner?" Ash and Iris nodded and Cilan turned to Dwebble. "You should join us Dwebble."
Dwebble merely tilted its head at the suggestion but made no argument as it was taken along.
They had moved away from the rocky field and the group enjoyed a hearty meal next to a fire.
"Say Dwebble, doesn't Cilan make some good Pokémon food?" asked Ash. Dwebble nodded and a genuine positive mood filled the air. However Pansage's slow eating gathered Cilan's attention.
"Pansage are you al-" began Cilan as he reached out towards the Pokémon but stopped.
"Cilan?" asked Ash. He too approached Pansage but noticed it as well, using his Aura Perception upon noticing something strange. With Cilan's reaction, he had focused his eyes and was surprised at what he found.
A blackish aura surrounded Pansage, swirling around the Pokémon. Ash knew what it was. An aura that appeared around someone when one was sick. It contaminated the healthy aura that one contained and as a result it resulted in said person becoming sick which in turn resulted in other people becoming so as well. And if Pansage were to have the aura…
"Pansage? Are you OK? Where are you sick?" Cilan, due to the fact that he had sensed the sick aura asked Pansage that question but got no reply. In fact, Pansage collapsed. Of course, Cilan attempted to reach out but Ash had a feeling that he wouldn't and he was right.
After all, the more someone was in tune with their aura by having a higher level, they were prone to contamination. It was the reason as to why doctors usually were of a low level aura however if one were to have an extremely high level aura it was possible to block the effects of the 'black' aura. But people of Cilan's level of aura could not accomplish that. And so if Cilan were to touch Pansage in the condition he was in now….
Ash saw that Cilan's hand was clenched. Although Cilan wanted to help there was not much that he could do if he got sick as well.
"Cilan? What's up with Pansage?" asked Iris. She too had sensed the crisis at hand however she was standing behind Ash, apparently not liking the presence of the black aura. It was a natural reaction.
"I-I don't know." Said Cilan. "But can you get me a towel or som-" Cilan's plans to lift up Pansage using some protection were foiled as Ash came forward and without hesitation put his hand upon Pansage's brow.
"Hey!" started Cilan but didn't reach too far as to not be in the range of the black aura. Ash, as an Aura Zero was not affected by such but didn't elaborate on the point.
Ash frowned. "Pansage's forehead is really hot. I think it's burning up." He got straight to the point, not wasting time for the others to ask questions.
Iris looked wide-eyed at Ash and his actions however she turned to Cilan. "Do you think it was because of earlier with that rock?" she asked.
"I don't have any more Potion. We used it all up." Said Cilan, the mood around the campfire grim.
"That's fine." Said Iris. Ash and Cilan looked at her with confused expressions. "In the village that I live in there are a lot of herbs and it's common knowledge to know of their effects upon someone. So just leave it to me. Come on Axew." Said Iris as she turned and ran off, Axew following.
It was not long before they returned and Iris took out a grinding kit for herbs from her backpack that Ash was surprised to see. He sat on a rock and supported Pansage's head with his hands while Cilan had managed to reduce Pansage's warmth by cooling it off using his aura and some water in a canteen to constantly wash over its head.
Iris came to where Ash was and held out a spoon. The distance that she was from Pansage suggested that she didn't want to be exposed to the 'black' aura either but Ash made no objections as he took the spoon.
"Now, open up Pansage." Said Iris as Ash moved the spoon closer. In it was a dark green liquid and Ash had the better sense to not ask, the knowledge that Brock had told him had overloaded his brain after all so he reckoned that he would not be able to get it. Pansage did so and Ash put the spoon in its mouth. "It's going to be bitter but you'll have to endure." She said.
Pansage drank the liquid and showed some distaste to it but ate it anyway. It closed its eyes and its head drooped in Ash's arms.
"A good night sleep should do it." Said Iris as she spoke to Cilan to which he smiled in relief.
"Thanks Iris." He said as he turned to Ash. "And thanks to you too Ash. A-Are you sure you'll be OK though? Did you make enough for another person Iris?" he asked Iris thinking that Ash would get sick.
Ash merely smiled. He had seen the effects of the herbs upon Pansage as the black aura had receded. "It's fine." He said. "After all, we're all worried about Pansage. I think it should be alright now but…." Ash looked at the table cloth on the table near him and Pikachu got the message.
"Pikachu pika" it said to Axew.
"Axew?" asked the Dragon Pokémon as the two of them moved to the table and slowly got all of the items on into one corner as they lifted the tablecloth. They brought it to Ash who wrapped it around Pansage's body and handed it to Cilan.
"Good night sleep right?" he said with a smile to which Cilan returned it as he took Pansage. Ash looked at Iris, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"I thought that you knew about medicine!" he said excitedly. "But you really did a good job there Iris!" Iris turned away mumbling a "Thank you…" and she hoped that the darkness that now covered her face was successful in hiding the blush on her face.
Yet although there was a mood of happiness among them, the only one that showed its unhappiness was that one Dwebble, looking with concern at the resting body of Pansage.
Although everyone had managed to get to sleep with Ash going to sleep first, Iris and Cilan had then followed.
Dwebble on the other hand was the only one who stayed up. As Ash had noticed it was now safe to be within arm's reach of Pansage and this had been noticed by everyone else and as such, Dwebble wasted no time in staying at Pansage's side.
It was in the late hours of the night that Cilan, upon concern for Pansage woke up, finding Dwebble there. He smiled.
"I'm sure that Pansage is alright." He said making Dwebble turn towards him. Although Cilan had a lingering thought inside of his mind, this was not the time to discuss and besides, he wanted to do so with Iris. "What with Iris and Ash helping out it'll be fine. So you rest. You need your energy to get your home back tomorrow."
Dwebble still hung its head in depression and did so. However it did not stray from the position it had at Pansage's side.
That same night, an odd feeling had come over the Antimony Research Lab. Not to mention the fact that a strange scientist had visited but tensions were high due to the fact that this scientist had asked to have unlimited, unrestricted access to the database. In private. No-one had any idea what was going on and they didn't like it.
However the two humans and Pokémon outside had no way to know that. Sitting upon the wall that they had just crossed, putting on the goggles that enhanced their sense of sight so that it was able to register any technology surrounding the area.
James grunted. "Lots of security in this place." He noticed the number of trip wires that had been placed around the facility.
"Hmm. This just proves how important this information is." Noted Jessie. "One touch of those wires and we've failed the mission."
"Hmm. No pressure." Sad Meowth as Jessie wasted no time leaping off the wall.
They moved fast. The basic tripwires at the beginning were easy to transverse, no need to waste their aura to reach the part of the complex that they wanted to reach.
The main computer's hard-drive had been located elsewhere in the complex. Although all the data could be accessed in different parts of the facility from computers, it was all accessed and connected from that one hard-drive.
James, Jessie and Meowth all looked down at it from the place in the roof that they had managed to secure.
"A bit harder this time…." Said James.
Meowth smiled. "Leave it to me." He held out his paw and James handed him the device that they were going to use to hack into the system, a small black box.
Meowth nodded and went down the hatch that they had opened. His first move-
Meowth used his aura to leap from the roof onto one of the walls, a straight line that had no trip wires. He dropped to the floor and looked ahead, wasting no time to jump once high into the air, spinning as he did so as he angled his body down. Ahead was a trip wire and one that Meowth was surely going to hit however-
Meowth manipulated his weight as he spun in the air. He was able to adjust his movement by a little by focusing his aura to make him gain some weight on one side thus making him tilt in that direction.
Meowth couldn't fly. But he could glide. He dodged each and every trip wire that way until he reached the hard-drive, putting the box onto it.
Jessie looked below as Meowth stuck a thumb up. "He's got it." She said.
The rapid sound of keyboard tapping filled the area as James went to work. "Although there are some guys still here, it'll be nothing if they don't notice. Alright, password protected….let's go."
James went to work, quickly cracking the password but his face frowned. "What is it?" asked Jessie. "A problem?"
James looked at her but shook his head. "No really…I'll talk to you about it in front of Pierce. I don't want to have to repeat myself."
Jessie nodded and crawled over to where James was. He had managed to break into the hard-drive and was copying all the files.
Jessie's face broke into a smile however James's was not that pleased. What had been the problem? Jessie was determined to know but was going to figure out later.
"Alright. All the data that has anything to do with the Meteonite has been successfully copied." James nodded to Jessie.
"Tell Meowth it's time to get out of here." Jessie did that immediately after he asked.
Pansage was the one that woke everyone up in the morning the next day. Its energetic movements and cries of "Pan Pansage!" made everyone's mornings.
Most of all, it appeared that the depression mood over the last few days had gone. Even Iris, the boys had noticed, had not mumbled in a scared fashion about Aura Bursts and the like in her sleep.
"It's good to see that you're fine." Said Cilan. "And it's all thanks to Ash and Iris for helping you out."
Ash smiled. "It's more Iris actually. She's the one who helped you."
Iris did the same and smiled, turning as Dwebble approached Cilan's Pokémon from the side.
"Dwebble was up all night right next to you." Said Cilan. "What do you think about that?"
"Pan?" asked Pansage to the Bug Pokémon to which it replied with a "Dweb Dwebble!"
Pansage laughed and Dwebble smiled. "Alright then!" said Cilan. "Let's go and get your rock back Dwebble!"
Finding the plateau in which they had first encountered the Dwebble was easy. It was just a matter of getting the Dwebble to come to them, something that was accomplished using Pansage's Aura Dig.
"There's your home." Said Ash as he looked at the largest Dwebble's back and the rock that lay on the top of it. Pansage popped out the ground, its hands glowing blue.
"Good work Pansage." Said Cilan as he praised his Pokémon. "Now! Give Dwebble back its home!" yelled Cilan.
The Dwebble merely smiled, turning around and using their aura to make a run for it.
"Oh no you don't!" said Iris as she gave chase, Axew following behind with both of them using their aura to speed up their movements.
The Dwebble disappeared behind a rock as Iris and Axew reached it, looking around for the Dwebble. Upon finding that they weren't there Iris frowned. Where had they gone? There was no holes in the ground so they hadn't used Aura Dig. But they couldn't have just disappeared right?
Iris turned around and was about to report back to the guys but stopped. The rocks to her left seemed suspicious and awfully familiar.
"Got you!" she shouted as she launched an Aura Fist at the rocks however it was blocked as all of the Dwebble used Aura Protect. They appeared from underneath the rocks, Axew stepping forward with its claws glowing blue.
"Ax Axew!" it shouted at the Dwebble.
The Dwebble merely smiled and began to turn around but stopped.
"You're not getting away this time!" said Ash as he and Cilan ran forward, blocking their path. Dwebble stepped forward and launched the first assault.
"Dweb!" it used its aura to launch itself at high speeds however there was a counter.
One of the smaller Dwebble did the same, launching itself into the air to meet the Dwebble head on with its shell but the homeless Dwebble dodged, only to be smashed in the face with the shell of the other Dwebble.
It sailed into the air and straightened out, using aura to cushion the impact on the ground.
Ash clenched his fist. "Pikachu! Help Dwebble out!" he shouted.
Cilan held out his hand. "No Ash. This is matter of pride for Dwebble. We have to leave it be."
"But-"
"Ash. Just leave it to Dwebble." Ash looked between Cilan and Dwebble before reluctantly nodding.
"Alright. You make sure to win Dwebble!" said Ash.
Dwebble nodded to both Ash and Cilan, before leaping forward again, its claw glowing blue. When they were close the other Dwebble cut its claw to the side taking Dwebble by surprise and hitting it head on. Dwebble was intercepted, spinning due to the impact, bouncing on the rocks, a cloud of dust rising from the impact.
Cilan frowned. "This going to be a tough one. Dwebble has no defence due to losing its home."
The three Dwebble looked at the cloud of dust and upon no challenge being made from it, they burrowed into the ground. The dust cleared and the group sighed as they saw that Dwebble, for lack of a better phrase was most certainly unable to battle.
"How are we going to do this?" asked Ash. "We can't have Dwebble take on all three of them at once. Even the largest Dwebble can use a concentrated Aura Burst so we have to be careful."
"Hmm." Iris frowned and crossed her arms. "We need to find a way to split them up. Have any ideas?" she turned to Ash who shook his head but Cilan on the other hand smiled.
"I actually have an idea." He looked down at Dwebble. "What do you say Dwebble? Can we at least help out in this regard?"
Dwebble nodded. With a "Dweb".
"Alright then guys. Here's what we're going to do….."
Ash, Iris and Cilan hid behind three rocks and each of their Pokémon had a rope inside their hands. And connected to that rope was a large bowl of Pokémon food.
"By dragging them out into the open like this, we'll manage to split them up." Said Cilan from his rock. They had been split up into an Ash team, an Iris team and lastly a Cilan team.
Ash and Iris nodded, silently waiting. Patience was not needed in this case. It was hardly 5 minutes before the ground burst open with a faint blue glow and the Dwebble appeared, looking at the food in glee.
They took one step forward….
"Now!" yelled Cilan. Pikachu, Axew and Pansage all pulled on their ropes, the Pokémon food moving along with it, causing each and every Dwebble to chase after their prize.
One of the first Dwebble that ate its food with pleasure was rudely interrupted by Dwebble. It attacked with a claw that shone with aura, leaping forward but was ruthlessly counterattacked.
Dwebble was smashed against the rocks and was followed by the other Dwebble, using the rocks as cover. Time after time the other Dwebble tried to attack but to no avail as the rocks protected the other Dwebble.
Ash, Iris and Cilan looked on from where they were. "Dwebble's using the landscape as a substitute for the lack of its own rock…." Said Cilan. "That is one intelligent Pokémon."
"Yeah, but it's not going to do much good if Dwebble can't get in an attack." Said Iris. Ash nodded and in agreement and they kept on watching.
Dwebble backed up against one small cliff in the rocks surrounding it. It looked up and saw a weapon that it could use to its advantage, a loose rock.
Dwebble saw its opponent. "Dweb Dwebble." It said as it indicated for the other Dwebble to come closer. The Dwebble complied, leaping into the air, crossing both of its claws, a purple and blue light coming from them.
"That's Aura X-Scissor!" said Iris in surprise. The attack landed onto the ground, kicking up dust everywhere for a moment. The ground shook slightly and that was enough. The rock that was loose shifted and tumbled down the formation it was on, smashing into the Dwebble, it having no reaction in time to counter.
It sailed into the air, landing on its side and looked up, only to receive a back to back attack of Aura X-Scissor and Aura Slash to assault its opponent. The other Dwebble let out a cry but ultimately fainted from the onslaught.
"Interesting." Said Cilan as he looked on while the others celebrated the victory. "The unique combination of Aura Slash and Aura X-Scissor does result in a unique recipe for Dwebble."
"That's good enough for me!" said Ash. "Come on, only two left!"
It had been while another Dwebble had been chasing Axew, the source of its food that it had been ruthlessly attacked by Dwebble. An Aura Slash cut into the ground and knocked it against the wall in such a brutal manner that no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't get free.
"What now?" asked Iris. "It's stuck." Ash and Cilan were silent, watching further.
Dwebble started to launch its own attack but the thief Dwebble had its own trick up its sleeve. The rock on its back began to glow again with an extremely bright glow, causing the others to cover their eyes.
Dwebble was momentarily blinded and stumbled but its attack still landed. There was a cry of "Dweb!" and then nothing.
The others peered over from the rock that they were on and saw that the second Dwebble had been successfully taken out.
"Was that Aura Flash?" asked Cilan.
Ash wasn't sure but he shook his head. "I don't think so. It seemed more to me that the aura in the rock was unleashed in a burst like attack but not an Aura Burst. Similar to an Aura Flash."
Iris and Cilan looked at Ash in surprise at his knowledge of aura but he didn't notice.
"Alright!" He said as he came back to his old self. "Just one more left! Let's go Dwebble!" causing the others to sweatdrop.
The head Dwebble was indulging itself in its food when it heard footsteps from behind. It turned to see the midget Dwebble whose home lay on its own.
"Time to return what you stole Dwebble!" said Cilan. "The end of the line is here!"
Dwebble looked to its side and upon seeing that it was alone, gained a smile on its face.
"Let's go!" said Cilan.
Dwebble leaped forward and it waved its claws, the lack of rock on it back its reason for fighting.
The head Dwebble attacked first. Spinning around it leaped forward, using its shells as a sort of projectile as it leaped forward. However Dwebble dodged, its lack of rock making it more nimble than before.
It launched an Aura Slash but the speed that the head Dwebble was moving made it too hard to hit. Both Dwebble skidded along the ground and stared at each other. However it was the homeless that made the next move.
Using an Aura X-Scissor it went forward with as much gusto as it could however the counter was simple. The larger Dwebble turned its back around and held the original home up front. Dwebble stopped and it was in that moment of hesitation that another flash of light sprung up from the head Dwebble's back from its rocks causing the smaller Dwebble to stumble to which it received a smash against the side of its body.
It sailed into the air and the larger Dwebble took the opportunity to attack again, a ball of orange-blue light coming from its mouth and hitting Dwebble head on. Dwebble fell to the ground.
"What was that?!" asked Ash.
"An Aura Smack Down! That Dwebble has a variety of moves at hand." Said Cilan.
Dwebble fell at the feet of our heroes and struggled to get up but did so regardless. "Are you OK?" asked Cilan.
Dwebble nodded and took off again, heading towards the larger Dwebble. It raised a claw that was an Aura Slash attack and swung it down but only to find that Dwebble had moved to the side and was moving away.
The larger Dwebble gave chase, but found itself in a narrow part of the rocks, stuck inside them due to the large size of its rocks on its back.
"Alright!" said Iris. "Now's your chance!"
Dwebble took no hesitation in turning around and launching an Aura X-Scissor towards its opponent. However something unexpected happened.
The very tip of the Dwebble's claw glowed a vicious blue and Ash's eyes widened.
"Get down! It's an Aura Burst!" he said as he grabbed onto Pikachu and thrust himself towards the ground. Judging by Ash's reaction the other Aura users reacted in the same way that Ash had, going to the ground instead of using an Aura shield that would have first come to mind, Cilan taking Pansage and Iris Axew.
Dwebble had a similar reaction upon seeing its human friends ducking for cover. It shifted its attack to the side, hitting the ground resulting in a burst of dust before focusing its aura to launch itself from the rocks into the air. It felt the movement of air next to its face just as the concentrated Aura Burst hit the rock face.
It was like a tiny bomb had gone off in the ground. There was a massive explosion of dust and rocks which sailed everywhere, Dwebble using Aura Slash to divert them away from itself.
Ash and the others cried out as large parts of rock fell upon them and the ground shook. They all had felt the same experience before.
At Wellspring Cave.
The sheer fact that it had hit the ground resulting in such a force was something that had to be admired. Before, it had hit Dwebble so the effect would have been weakened by such but it was clear that this was a much stronger strike.
The shaking subsided and Ash looked over to his right, at Cilan who had successfully protected Pansage. There were cuts and dust on his face but he was otherwise unharmed. Ash sighed in relief and turned to Iris on his left.
"I…ris?" he asked.
She was shaking and holding Axew who was visibly choking. She had her eyes closed and it appeared that the confident girl was almost on the edge of tears.
"Iris!" called Ash. He let go of Pikachu and went to her side, trying to pry her grip from Axew. "Come on! It's over!"
Ash looked over at the Dwebbles, the larger Dwebble stumbling from the mass use of its power and the smaller still high in the air form the effects of the attack.
Ash shook Iris and leaned in close, putting his hands around hers. She opened her eyes and Ash smiled as best he could to comfort her.
"Ash…..?" Ash nodded and squeezed on her hands.
"Come on. We decided to help Dwebble. You probably knew that something like this was going to happen. But you still chose to help. So let's see this through. Together."
Iris looked up at the boy that had pulled her out of the danger that she had caused herself and then at the Dwebble in the distance. The small Dwebble and the fight for its home. She had decided to help. Her and her friends. And she was going to do so.
"Right." She said. Confidence entered into her body again and Ash wiped her eyes so that no tears fell.
"Then the first step is forward." Ash started to stand up and pulled Iris up as well, Ash looking over at Cilan, giving him a nod. Cilan's concerned expression faded and he nodded back with a smile and they all looked over at the scene with the Dwebble.
Dwebble fell to the ground, scratches on it due to the attack. However it angled its body down as to increase its attack power when it did attack.
Suddenly its body glowed a white and blue colour and what appeared to be cracks on the surface of its new 'skin' appeared. These cracks spread all over the body of Dwebble until it all cracked off with Dwebble's body gaining a new glow to it, one of red and blue.
"What was that?" asked Ash to Cilan. Iris was merely looking on without a word, observing what she had set on finishing.
"Aura Shell Smash. It sacrifices defence for additional offensive power." Said Cilan as he too continued watching.
Dwebble raised its claws and cried out its name. White and blue energy gathered at the tips of its claws and they extended with a light blue glow. It crossed its new claws and leaned forward, ramming into the shells upon the larger Dwebble's back.
They shattered as if they were made of glass and the only thing left was Dwebble's original home as the aura inside of the shells dispersed into the air.
Dwebble landed on the ground and looked at the leader Dwebble. It grit its teeth and panted heavily, the effects of the Aura Burst having a more effect upon the body of the Dwebble that it originally thought.
Having no other way out, it burrowed into the ground and at the same time, a rock that was perfectly carved and had the shine of aura inside of it landed on the ground.
Dwebble smiled and approached its home, inspecting its home before putting its tail into the hole, a bright glow filling up the area as Dwebble charged up the rock with aura again.
"You did it!" cried Iris as she ran forward. She smiled.
"Yeah, that was great!" announced Ash.
"And you did it all alone. Remarkable." Commented Cilan.
"Pan Pansage!"
"Pika!"
"Axew axew!" The Pokémon shared their joy in the event as they announced their happiness.
The group turned to Dwebble who smiled back at them.
Ash smiled back and then turned at Iris. "Are you OK now?" he asked her. Cilan looked at her as well and Iris found herself looking down at the ground.
"Yeah. I just think I bottled up my feelings too much." She said. "I didn't tell anyone about it and burdened myself with something I couldn't handle." Although she was looking sat the ground she wanted to speak loud enough for the guys to hear.
"Well, you know Cilan and I are here for you. Right Cilan?" asked Ash.
"Indeed. Whatever you need Iris; you just ask me or Ash. OK?" Cilan smiled at her and she returned it.
"Alright. I'll do that." She said.
"Oh and Iris?" asked Ash.
"Yeah Ash?"
"Can I have my hand back?" Iris paused and looked down at the hand that she had continued to hold after Ash had gripped hers.
She flung her hand out of his grip, face red as she backed away panting.
The only thing that came to the boy's minds was to laugh, a laugh that was eventually felt by the entire party.
It was as the sun set that the group made their way on.
"Alright then Dwebble, I guess this is goodbye." Said Cilan.
"We'll see you again alright?" Ash spoke with hopefulness in his tone.
"And make sure that you keep an eye on your home OK?" said Iris with a smile. For some reason that Ash didn't understand, she was standing further away than she normally was but he didn't ask about it. After all, she had been standing too close to him in recent days and he needed the space.
The group turned and walked, not reaching far before a familiar voice called out to them.
"Dwebble!"
They turned and looked down at the Bug Pokémon that had followed them. "Is there something the matter?" asked Cilan.
"Dweb Dweb Dwebble." Replied Dwebble with a grin.
Cilan tilted his head in confusion however it was Iris that put in her opinion. "I think what Dwebble wants is to come along with you Cilan."
Cilan crossed his arms and it appeared that he was brooding over the thought. "Hmm. Getting your home back all by yourself shows determination and your concern for Pansage reveals you kindness."
Cilan turned to Dwebble and held out both of his hands. Ash had an idea of what he was doing, having seen something similar back in Striation City. He was using aura to establish the connection that Dwebble would most likely have with him. Ash used his Aura Perception to see how Cilan use his aura to circle around Dwebble.
It retreated soon after it started and Cilan smiled. "Perfect. You, Dwebble would be the perfect Pokémon for me. So…."
Cilan threw the Pokéball that he had gotten from his belt into the air. Dwebble wasted no time in jumping up, the Pokéball opening as soon as it hit Dwebble. A bright red light surrounded it and it was sucked into the Pokéball.
It landed on the ground, shaking once, twice, three times before clicking in a pleasant manner.
Cilan picked up the Pokéball and smiled as he looked it.
"Hmm. My Dwebble….What exquisite taste!" Cilan smiled as he held the Pokéball into the air.
"Wow! Congratulations Cilan!" said Ash.
"Well Pansage? What do you think of our new partner?" asked Cilan.
"Pansaaaage!" said Pansage in excitement. This was answered with a cry of "Axew!" from Iris's Pokémon.
"Yeah. It is fantastic isn't it?" laughed Iris.
"Hmph. I have a really good feeling now! Let's get going to Nacrene City!" shouted Ash as he ran ahead, the group behind smiling and chasing after the Pallet Town trainer.
And thus ends the 12th chapter. I managed to get some NegaiShipping moments in here as it is such a fic so I feel pretty good. Anyway I hope that you enjoyed it but it isn't over. As usually, I have a little section at the end which includes the conversation that Cilan wanted to have with Iris as well as the results of Team Rocket's infiltration of the Antimony Research Lab. Maybe my OC will have more appearances in future chapters…..
And for those wondering about the Exorcist Arc, that will start soon, after a few chapters. And here are some character updates…..
Iris
Aura level: Very high
Aura abilities: Using aura to strengthen her attacks
Uses aura to create physical objects like fists and platforms
Uses aura to run faster and leap higher
Uses aura to create shields
Uses aura to flush out any unwanted substances in Axew's body
Uses aura to project voice
Uses aura to help close wounds
Uses aura to create light
Uses aura for an AURA BURST!
Uses aura to enhance senses
Cilan
Aura level: Very high
Aura abilities: Uses aura to analyse a connection with a trainer and their Pokémon
Uses aura to create shields
Uses aura to create physical objects like fists and platforms
Uses aura to distinguish and memorise smells
Uses aura to help close wounds
Uses aura to run faster and leap higher
Uses aura to set up sound barriers
Uses aura to fix materials
Uses aura to create light
Uses aura for an AURA BURST!
Uses aura to enhance senses
Cilan's Pansage
Aura level: High
Aura abilities: Aura Bite
Aura Bullet Seed
Aura SolarBeam
Cilan's Dwebble
Aura level: Medium
Aura abilities: Aura Protect
Aura Slash
Aura X-Scissor
Aura Shell Smash
And here are the two extra parts of this fic, starting with Cilan's conversation and then Team Rocket.
After a long day and the fact that Cilan had wanted to spend some time in the evening bonding with his new Pokémon, Cilan was the last to go to sleep. However this was something that he did not do immediately.
Ash and Pikachu were sleeping soundly and Ash was mumbling something about food as usual.
Cilan smiled and moved to the tree that Iris was sleeping in.
"Psst! Iris!" he said as loud as he dare.
There was movement and Iris sleepily opened her eyes and looked at Cilan. "Hmm? Cilan? What is it?"
"Come down. I want to have a talk with you."
They started up a fire in their pyjamas and moved their bags in an attempt to make sure that Ash was not exposed to the light and thus did not wake him up. Cilan made some quick tea and then looked at Iris with quite a serious gaze that she didn't like.
Axew didn't like it much either and it shied away with a timid "Axew…."
"Cilan?" asked Iris. "What is it?" She hadn't had that dream about William, feeling quite relaxed for the future ahead of her although she had no idea how she was going to face Ash after she had gripped his hand.
"It's about Ash." Sad Cilan.
Iris's face gained that same serious expression that Cilan had. "W-What about him?"
"I'm sure you've noticed it too." He said. He held up two fingers. "First of all, there's his knowledge on aura. I mean, although it does leave a mysterious flavour in the air, why doesn't he use it? And there's also-"
"The fact that he didn't get sick." Finished Iris. She had thought it was suspicious, the fact that Ash hadn't gotten the least bit sick from Pansage's sickness. After being exposed to the 'black' aura why hadn't he gotten sick? Although both of them were thankful for it, it was still a suspicious point.
That in turn meant one of two things. Either Ash had the lowest amount of aura level possible: low, and thus he wasn't affected to the extent that they were in response to sick aura or he had the level of Champions, extremely high and thus had learned to suppress it. But either option in turn created a contradiction.
If he was able to use aura, why didn't he?
The fact that he had dodged from the concentrated Aura Burst earlier in the day was suspicious despite the fact that he could have used an aura shield. In that case why hadn't he? Was there some pressing reason? And there was also his knowledge. It was extensive. He knew something that they didn't. But-
"You do know that Ash comes from Pallet Town in Kanto right?" asked Iris. "You do know what that means right?"
Cilan nodded. "Professor Oak. A leading expert on aura. I've even read some of his novels. But then why doesn't Ash say anything? We wouldn't hold it against him at all. He probably knows that." Cilan took a sip of his tea and Iris did as well. Somehow it seemed a bit bitterer than it had when she started.
"You….don't think he trusts us?" asked Iris. For some reason that hurt her harder than the incident in Wellspring Cave. Why was it that she needed Ash's trust? He was a friend, of course, but even she had kept her goal for the future away from Ash and Cilan. It was natural to keep things to oneself.
So why did it hurt so much for that obvious point to be voiced? Iris didn't know.
"I have no idea." Said Cilan. "But it has bothered me for some time. I have my own opinion on the matter but I would like to hear yours."
Iris took another sip of her tea and set it down. "Well….I think that Ash also has this problem with us. How much does he know about us? Or trust us? There's very little that we have told him about us. So I don't think that we should hold it against him for that. I've decided to travel with him apart from that. Although I would like it if Ash trusted me, it will take time. But I'm still his friend. "
Iris was silent as she looked at the fire and listened to the crackling that it gave. "What about you?" asked Iris. "You said you have an opinion. What was it?"
Cilan blinked a few times before answering with a chuckle. "Basically that. I've also decided to travel with him and it's up to him to tell us facts about him and his life. Besides, a good mystery exhilarates the mind. So I have no objections to it. I'm glad to call myself a friend of Ash Ketchum."
Cilan smiled at Iris and she did the same.
"Mmmmmm, no Cilan, don't give the sandwiches to Iris….I'll clean the table….." That mumble was heard from that boy and the two listeners stifled laughs from their mouths. They looked at each other with smiles on their faces.
Iris picked up her cup and took a large gulp before setting it down. "Thanks Cilan." She said. Cilan nodded towards her and he looked up at the sky. The moon was in the middle of the sky, so it was probably midnight.
"Hmm. Mysteries?" asked Cilan as he put out the fire and went to bed.
A few minutes past until someone actually stood up.
Ash Ketchum had heard the entire conversation and he looked at both of his travelling companions.
No, he thought to himself. That was wrong. After the conversation that Pikachu had woken him up for, they were no longer just 'companions'.
They had decided to trust him besides the secrets that he had kept from them. That in turn gave them his respect.
They were his friends.
Ash smiled to himself inside the darkness of the night.
"Well then guys. I'll try to give you as much about me that I can." He rubbed his back, feeling the rise in his skin from the Scar that was there.
The first step would be that.
Ash Ketchum would start with that Scar on his back.
The tunnel was as abandoned and ugly as ever. Somehow in the eyes of Team Rocket it seemed more ruined than before even though there was no change in the scenery. They shook their heads. It was just their imagination.
"Here's the information." Said Jessie as she handed Pierce the USB that they had transferred the data onto. "It contains all of the data that we took from the Antimony Research Lab."
Pierce received it and pocketed it. "Hmm. I can see now. Why you were the guys that were the ones to infiltrate the Unova region. You have definitely proved your worth." He said. "Were there any problems?"
Jessie and Meowth turned to James. There had been something on him mind but he hadn't given anything in the regards to such.
"Actually there was one thing." Said James.
Pierce raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"The password."
Pierce frowned. "What about it? You clearly cracked it so what was the problem?"
"When I cracked it, the password itself showed up on the screen. And it was what it said. 'The gauntlet has been dropped'. That was the password. Someone's challenging us. Someone who knew about this meeting." James's words made the atmosphere freeze.
Pierce reached for his belt and nodded towards Meowth. Then without hesitation, both of them leapt off the platform and pulled out the device that Meowth had used on the railway before, pointing them at the underside of the platform, the only place that had not been been by the ooperatives
But-
"Nothing." Said Pierce. He closed his eyes and Aura Listened for anything. The sound of breathing, a heartbeat or even a sound of a drop of sweat falling to the ground. But there was nothing.
"Although what you did hear was suspicious before Meowth I'm sure it was just a Patrat or other Pokémon moving in the tunnel." Pierce pocketed the device that he had used. "There's nothing. And it is possible that the phrase was the actual password. Phrases are used to complicate them." Pierce looked at Jessie and James.
"But be careful. Things might get more serious here. I'll report to the boss and stay undercover until you receive your next instructions." He turned and walked away, each step resulting in him getting further and further away due to his using aura to quicken his pace.
Jessie, James and Meowth turned to each other, nodding as they walked out of the tunnel.
"What do you think?" asked James as he felt the sun upon his face, walking through the streets of the town.
"Probably a coincidence." Said Jessie. "No-one knew we were coming. And if they did, wouldn't the Lab have more security? It's too strange. Only an idiot would outright challenge Team Rocket without hesitation."
"Don't say something like that. We already know one idiot like that." Meowth's tone darkened as he hinted towards the boy and his Pokémon that had thwarted their plans numerous times.
"It's unlikely that the twerp will be involved in this." Said Jessie. She looked up and saw a middle aged man in casual wear heading towards them with a cane, limping past them. However the man slipped and fell to the side hitting Meowth and James as he fell.
"Oi! Watch where you're going geezer!" said Meowth as he stood up and shoved the hand that the man had used for balance off of him.
"Hmph."said James as he approached the man, kicking the cane out of the man's reach. "Enjoy your day." He mocked the man and the group left him there on the side of the sidewalk as he merely looked at them go.
"….." The man stood up without the help of his cane and walked normally to it. When he looked up he saw that the people that had bumped into him had disappeared.
The man split up the cane into smaller pieces and took off the clothes that he was wearing, only to reveal that he was wearing other clothes underneath. He removed the contacts that he had used for his eyes to avoid people seeing its discolouration as well as rubbing his face, the colour of it appearing darker than it appeared although it was still fair.
A sharp suited Boy was revealed in the place of the man and the Boy put all of the clothes and other parts of his disguise in his blazer however there was no bulge from his blazer as he did so, almost as if it held a bottomless hole inside of his clothes.
He reached into the other pocket of his blazer and pulled out two things. One a smaller transmitter with a red dot upon it and a folded piece of paper.
The Boy smiled. When he had fell, he had done so as close to Meowth as possible. When he had reached out, he had hit Meowth in an inconspicuous manner, placing a small transmitter on him. The Pokémon hadn't noticed of course and the Boy wanted it to stay that way.
Although the Boy had no idea what was going on, he wanted to make sure that Team Rocket was on the same page that he was. Thus, eavesdropping was needed.
He would listen later and then looked at the other piece in his hands. That piece of paper.
"Hmm. Going to the Antimony Research Lab with a fake ID….. Not something I'll do again." He had managed to break in using an ID that he had received from someone that he had seen as a mentor. It was a multi-use fake ID and something that was definitely useful.
The 'scientist' that had visited had been him. And with unlimited access to the hard-drive around 6 hours before Team Rocket had broken in, he had made some changes.
The first was changing the password. The first challenge that he had made.
The next had been sifting through the files and files of information, isolating information that he may need. However there was only one thing that had jumped out at him, something that he had wiped from the hard-drive and printed off.
Officially, the record of the information in his hand did not exist.
The Boy opened the paper and looked at the contents.
The Meteonite, of course from origins unknown does have its inherent weaknesses though. Despite being exposed to a number of environments, there is still the fact that as a whole, the Meteonite starts to act irregularly when exposed to a large direct electrical current. For example, an Aura Stun Gun or any electrical attack from any Pokémon will cause the Meteonite to act irregularly. The effects of a small charge have resulted in a large burst of energy which injured the 12 scientists to the point that they cannot use some of their limbs. Obviously the effect of a large one has not been tested.
Analysis: Avoid any electrical equipment making contact at the Meteonite AT ALL TIMES.
"Electrical charge huh…." Said the Boy with interest. With pocketed both the transmitter and the paper a smile on his face, however it dropped.
"What am I doing!? I have to find my-" He stopped as he began to turn. He had gotten this far. He had delved into this problem. He had used items that he had been given by his 'mentor' to investigate, something that he only did when he was curious. Although he had only used one of them, he had yet to use the most useful of those items.
The Boy groaned and took something out of his blazer, anyone who had seen him do so before wondering how there were no bulges inside his clothes.
"Nacrene City…..The Meteonite….."
Although the Boy was going to just investigate whether or not his vehicle had been there, it seemed that he had now gotten a new objective. He sighed.
"Whatever. Looks like I'm a part of events now." He turned to look at the direction that Team Rocket had walked in.
"And may this end spectacularly."
The Boy in that suit with black hair that matched his clothes and different coloured eyes said that.
After all;
The gauntlet had been dropped.
And that'll be the end. What with Cilan and Iris's suspicions about Ash's nature and their eventual acceptance of him, I'll feel that I've moved past from them just being 'people' for Ash to friends. As such, maybe, little by little, his secret will be revealed?
I bet you guys can't wait for that.
In addition, we've got the Boy, who is still nameless for the moment, moving against Team Rocket in his own way. I have a feeling that this OC will be much more useful as a character to me in the future….
Anyway, I hope that you guys enjoyed this and will stick with me in the future, despite my slow updates. This is my first fiction after all and I intend to work through it.
And as always,
Review if you please
After all, the fight has just begun!