Hey there everyone! After being inactive for (insert time here) I hope that everyone has still managed to have a look at this. After all, this is the final of the arc that I wanted to have for a while. I mean, the last part wasn't really as action packed as 'The Wellspring Conclusion' or Chapter 4 so in the end, I hope that that slow lead up has managed to get everyone's attention here.
But I think that that's really enough from me. After all, in the end, we just have to see if anyone manages to capture Elton's ghost and have their aura twisted beyond the laws of the world. After all, those rules are things that can only be broken when one meets certain conditions. I always felt that through travel in different dimensions would affect Ash's friends in certain ways and that is now confirmed if you were wondering.
When (or…rather if) I get Dawn in the story, I wonder how things will turn out?
Anyway, I hope that everyone enjoys this final part. And it a final part indeed. Practically twice the length of the first part however I'm sure that everyone here wanted to have this arc end after so much building up. Even some of the reviews noticed that.
But the Best Wishes dub has practically finished. Maybe the XY anime will serve as a mark for the uni years should I actually get in. When I say it like that, Pokémon sort of travels with me. Hehehe.
Enjoy.
Mr Question Mark
Ash Ketchum was flung back, landing on his back as he let out a yell of pain. He looked up, gritting his teeth as he did so. The boy had already been dealt with. Although Ash did not like the thought that popped into his head, there was something that he had to consider.
The boy was no longer with them. He had been dropped from the fifth floor with something sticking out of his chest, or at least what Ash could see. That meant that the only person that knew that Molly was connected towards the incident that was happening here besides the one that had attacked that nameless boy was-
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" called Ash as he tried to stand up, doing so.
"Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" shouted Pikachu as it launched an attack toward however was there, a scream following. It was one of a girl's and Ash immediately recognised it, as he had heard it before.
"P-Pikachu! Stop!" Ash cried as he ran forward, towards the person that had attacked him.
Iris lay on her knees, smoke coming from her as a result of having been attacked by Pikachu's Thunderbolt. Axew on the other hand had its head poking out of her hair, smoking like Iris was.
"I-Iris?!" said Ash as he gripped her shoulders and shook her. She recovered quickly, looking at Ash in shock before she realised what he had done.
"Ash! What are you doing to me?!" she flung him off and held Axew in her arms, shaking the Pokémon in order to determine whether or not it was OK, and when it was confirmed that it was, she gave a sigh of relief.
"Axew Axew." Said the Pokémon as it looked at its trainer.
"Thank goodness!" said Iris before glaring towards Ash. "Just what do you think that you're d-" She stopped as soon as she spotted the broken window and what was there near it. She paled and then looked towards Ash who was in front of her.
"D-" she started however stopped as soon as she considered the thought, looking at Ash with a concerned expression on her face. "Are you OK?! Are you h-"
Ash shook his head before Iris could even make the suggestion. "No, you just pushed me back. You were probably surprised after seeing me in the dark. And that blood-" Ash stopped and looked at it, still quite pale after seeing the sight of the boy falling out the window. What was going to happen now? The boy was the one that seemed to have the greatest grip on the situation at hand while Ash was merely floundering around.
Dimensions? Aura? Ash didn't really understand fully what was going on however it was clear. Whoever would manage to get their hands on Elton would manage to do practically anything with their aura. At the very least, the séance had allowed more of Elton's aura pass into their realm, meaning that it could definitely affect someone with their aura.
But the question was, what to do now? What could he do now that the boy who had seemed to have an idea of what to do was gone?
Ash looked at his own hands. He was an Aura Zero. Was there something that he could do? Back at Wellspring Cave….something had happened with his blood and aura. Would the same thing work here? Ash shook his head. He had no idea how that worked at all and thus did not want to risk it.
At the very least, he had to make sure that he found Elton first. The fact that he could use his Aura Perception meant that-
"Ash? Ash!" called Iris. "What about the blood? Was it….was it the ghost?" she asked with a voice full of fear. "Because we saw it. Only briefly. It was in the séance. It appeared in front of us and we're all out looking out for it in order to try and get to it before it harms any of us!"
Ash's eyes went wide. Iris….had seen it? But hadn't the boy said that only he and Ash could? Ash frowned, no that was not the case. That was only the case before the séance but now that it had reached this stage…
"But what are you doing here?" asked Ash. "Why are you on the fifth floor?"
"We all split up so we could find the ghost and deal with it!" said Iris. "I got the fifth floor while Cilan is on the fourth. Agent Harrington is one the third while Henry and Julia are on the second, Mr and Mrs Hale on the first."
Ash looked at her. She….was the only one on this floor? But then could she be-
There was no way. There was no way that Iris would do something like that. Then if that was the case….
"Did you see anyone on this floor?" he asked her. "Right before I got here?"
Iris frowned but shook her head. "I used my aura to go up the steps and then saw you just as you were walking to the window. So just before I got here, we were all on the third floor together before moving out to look for the ghost." She informed him.
Ash's head spun into action. If that was the case, then who was it that had gone towards the fifth floor in that time? Who, when everyone was on the third floor?
Both of them jumped as sound of a ringing phone came into their ears, looking towards the direction where the sound was coming from. There, on the wall that was nearest to them, a small black box was hanging in the air, only one explanation for what it could be.
Molly sprang into action, taking the phone and answering it. "Papa!" she shouted into the phone when she learned of who it was on the other end.
"Molly?!" came the reply as Ash, Pikachu and Iris went towards the phone in order to overhear what Spencer was saying. "Thank goodness! Agent Harrington sent his Lucario outside in order to look for you after the ghost appeared! Where are you?!" he asked her.
"I'm here with Ash!" she said. "And….." She looked towards Iris however seemed to feign ignorance when it came to her name, deciding to not say it. ", the girl with the strange hairdo."
"STRANG-" started Iris as aura began to circle around her in response to the negative emotions that she was feeling however it was Spencer that spoke.
"Right!" said Spencer. "Your mother and I found Elton! He's here in a dazed state in the main hall that we met with everyone before! His shape….it's the same that we saw!" he shouted.
"Understood." Said another voice through the phone, clearly someone that was listening towards the conversation, Agent Harrington's voice. "Make sure to not approach it in any circumstances!" he said and then his voice disappeared.
Ash and Iris looked at each other. "We need to get down there!" said Ash in a raised tone of voice. He took Molly by the hand and clenched tightly. She was his responsibility. It was up to him to keep her safe.
"Come on Molly!" he said before she could even respond, Pikachu hopping onto Ash's shoulder as he ran down the hallway and onto the stairs as he went down the floors, Iris in hot pursuit. The fourth. They had just made it down the third floor when they saw Cilan, however his back was facing towards them.
"Cilan!" called Ash however it was Cilan that turned around, yelling towards Ash and Iris as they came down the stairs.
"Get back!" he shouted as something zoomed past his head, a sphere that was made up of a bright blue energy, missing Cilan by mere inches as it headed straight for the group.
Iris reacted faster than Ash or anyone else did, throwing her hands forward, a bright blue shield of energy forming at her fingertips as the blue energy hit it straight on. There was the sound of glass cracking in the air and the Aura Shield seemed to cave in however it was Iris that found the strength to push back, the ball of energy being thrown to the side and destroying one of the walls that was there.
Dust and bits of wood flew in their direction and Molly let out a scream as Ash moved towards protecting her body, looking in the direction that Cilan had told them to look towards.
Henry and Julia stood there with their Lucarios, with a yellow and orange band around their respective heads. Behind them stood their trainers however their eyes seemed dead and empty for some reason.
The group made their way towards Cilan and he grit his teeth as he looked towards them. "What's going on?" asked Ash.
"I don't know." Replied Cilan. "But it leaves an incredibly bad taste in my mouth. I got here and saw that Agent Harrington did as well. He left after seeing me and told Henry and Julia to make sure that I was kept back from interfering."
"Agent Harrington?! But why?" asked Iris as she looked towards both of the Exorcists. "He was the one that went ahead in front of all of us in order to deal with everything!" she said.
Ash looked at her in surprise. "What….you mean when everyone was deciding where to go, Agent Harrington wasn't with you guys?"
Iris shook her head. "He had written with his aura on the wall of the room that he smashed through that we should split up and that he had gotten the third floor." Ash frowned. If that was the case then the one that had thrown the boy out of the window was-
Ash shook his head internally. There was no way that he would have made it in time anyway. And besides, what reason would he have to hurt the body unless he was…..
"Unless he knew that Elton was someone who had his aura changed by the dimensions!" Ash said out loud and Iris and Cilan looked at him with a confused expression on their faces. What did that mean? However it was Ash that understood. If that was the case then it would explain a reason to harm the boy, someone that had the chance of finding the ghost easily as he and Ash had not gone towards the séance.
Furthermore, Ash would not be attacked with the harm of risking Molly's life. And that meant that the one that was downstairs with Elton's ghost was-
"We need to get to the first floor!" yelled Ash. He moved past Cilan without so much as a warning and moved towards the staircase that Henry and Julia were blocking however a command from both of their mouths prevented him from moving.
"Aura Sphere." They said simultaneously, both Lucario charging an Aura Sphere before throwing it towards Ash that was advancing, the boy turning his head to look at what was coming his way. His eyes went wide as he looked at what was coming his way however felt something grab the back of his hoodie, pulling him back where he landed violently on the floor.
The Aura Spheres landed on the wood, blowing apart part of it and also meaning that Ash could have made a dive for the stairs as they were now had Henry and Julia not stood in the way. Ash looked at the person who had pulled him back, seeing Iris with a great frown on her face as she looked towards Ash, aura circulating around her as she looked towards him.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE DOING?!" she yelled towards him. "What do you think they will do to you?! What-" Ash however was not listening as he got to his knees and maintained a running stance as he was clearly trying to make another go at it.
"Don't think about it!" said Iris as she used her Aura Hand towards trying to keep him back. "What do you think that you could do against a Lucario anyway? The only way to deal with this is to-" However she stopped to see that Ash was loosening his stance as he looked towards Henry and Julia.
She turned towards them as well, seeing that tears streamed down their faces as they looked towards the group. Their hands were trembling and twitching, almost as if someone wanted to reach out towards the people that were in front of them but could not.
"What….is wrong with them?" asked Cilan. "What's going on in this house?" The pained expression on his face made it clear that he did not have an explanation that science provided towards the situation.
Ash looked at them and only came towards one conclusion, no matter how crazy it sounded.
"They….must be hypnotised or something like that with Harrington's aura." He said. "That's the only thing that can be possible." Although Ash said that, one thing came to mind. That meant that Harrington had already been affected by the difference in dimensional aura, either by Elton's ghost or another source.
"W-what!?" said Iris as she looked towards Ash. "Don't be ridiculous! There's no way that aura can be used like that! The brain would collapse on itself due to the fact that the different aura's would be colliding and battling against each other in the skull!"
"No!" said Molly and both Cilan and Iris looked towards her. "Ash is right! That other guy…he said that Uncle Elton is allowing this to be so! We have to stop Uncle Elton!" Molly's face was grave one could tell that the reality of the situation was one that she did not want to face, the girl biting her lower lip as she stopped talking.
Cilan frowned. "I can't take that as an explanation." He said, yet at the same time he reached for a Pokéball that was at his belt. "But still…."He took out the Pokéball and held it in front of him.
"As one of the Striaton City Gym Leaders and a Pokémon Connoisseur, I am not going to let this poor excuse of a recipe stop me. Pansage, come on out and assist me!" The Connoisseur threw the Pokéball and it burst open revealing the Pokémon that assumed a battle stance as it looked towards the Pokémon.
"Pan, Pansage!"
"Yeah!" said Ash as he stood up. In the end, he had to deal with this problem before it escalated out of control. He wanted to deal with the problem that was Harrington as soon as possible however in order to do that he had to battle.
"Pikachu! I choose you!" Pikachu leaped forward, its cheeks sparking as it looked towards the two Lucario. Those Pokémon retuned the looks, however their trainers did not even seem surprised, tears still going down their faces due to Harrington's control over them.
"But Ash!" called Molly. "What about-"
"I'm sorry Molly." Said Ash through clenched teeth. "I can't do anything about your uncle right now. But I promise, as soon as I deal with this, then the fastest I will go in order to help him." In the end there was nothing that could be done. He had to-
"You…..really want to help?" asked another voice, Ash turning in order to look towards Iris. She looked towards Ash with a look that he could not describe however it was one that he had seen before. Misty, May and Dawn all had those looks ink their eyes before Ash had done something that they termed as "reckless" however Ash could still not explain why they didn't have that same look for say, Brock or Tracey or even Cilan.
Ash nodded. "Molly's uncle is suffering. There is no way that we can just sit down and do nothing." Iris seemed to take every word that he said into account before making her decision. She stood up and moved between the two trainers before speaking.
"Axew?" the Pokémon appeared out of her hair. She didn't even look at it as she stared at the other trainers.
"Can I ask you to help me out this time?" she asked. Axew looked at its trainer….
"Axew!" it said and leaped out of her hair, landing on the ground in between Pansage and Pikachu. "Axew ew!"
Ash smiled at her. "Thanks Iris. You too Cilan." He said as he looked towards the trainers.
Cilan nodded in response while Iris merely stared at Ash. This situation, these conditions, and the fact that Ash was here thanking her….Something filled her. Confidence, motivation, and the will to win.
However there was something else that did so as well. That mysterious warm feeling that Iris had yet to place a finger on came within her. What was this? Why did it make her feel this way?
However-
"What are you talking about?" asked Iris. "Who are you going to help?" she asked and Ash gave her a look that was clear that he didn't understand. On the other hand, it seemed that Molly did, gripping tightly onto Ash's side, something that made Iris twitch however this was hardly the situation was something that she would whine and complain about.
Cilan seemed to understand and yelled out.
"Pansage! Use Aura Bullet Seed!" he shouted.
"Sage sage sage!" said the Pokémon as it launched out a number of Aura Bullet Seeds, all at its opponents.
"Axew! Get in close and use Aura Scratch on the Lucario with the orange sash!" said Iris as she directed Axew towards Julia's Lucario.
"Pansage! Cover Axew!" shouted Cilan in response and Pansage directed the Aura Bullet Seeds towards making sure that Axew could move forward safely.
"Alright! Pikac-" Ash started to call out however fell something tug on his back of the hoodie that he was wearing.
"Good luck…..Ash." said Iris as she used her Aura Hand to throw Ash towards the gap in the staircase that was created, Pikachu using Quick Attack as a way to get there before Ash. Ash cried, clutching Molly close to himself as he was thrown.
"Lucario!" called both Henry and Julia simultaneously. "Use Aura Sphere!" They fired towards Ash as he was thrown however their attacks never hit their marks due to the fact that Pansage's Aura Bullet Seeds slowed down one of the Aura Sphere's before it hit Ash, it in turn causing both of the Spheres to collide with each, the breaking of glass that was created meaning that each attack hit each other, a burst of smoke from the collision appearing, Ash hitting the staircase with his shoulder as he tumbled down it.
He reached the bottom painfully and looked up the staircase at the smoke that had yet to clear.
"Thanks guys!" he yelled towards them. "Make sure that you get out OK!" he shouted as he took Molly by the hand and Pikachu ran forward, ready to move as Molly stood up. She looked up concerned at the staircase and then at Ash.
"Iris and Cilan….they are going to be alright right?" she asked and Ash nodded.
"For sure. But right now….." he said. "We need to-" He stopped as soon as he saw something was trying to move in the second floor hallway, telling Pikachu who had already seen it, moving forward with caution before looking at the person that was coming up with a surprised look.
"Pikachu pikapi!" it said. Ash took that to be a sign that it was OK to move forward, doing so and looking in surprise at the people that were there.
"Mama! Papa!" said Molly as she tore herself from Ash's side and moved towards her parents. However that was not all. Ash could not see that even David and the other staff that he had seen were there, the chef and the 2 butlers.
He ran towards them as well, looking in surprise at the state that they were in. Bits of dirt and rubble covered their bodies, numerous cuts over their clothes and body. Red seeped into the clothes that they wore, hard to see against the dark colours of the butler uniforms but not the same for Spencer and his wife.
Molly went to the side of her mother and shook her side. "Mama! Wake up Mama!" Her eyes slowly went open and she groaned. Looking towards Molly, her eyes widened and she gripped her daughter's arm.
"Molly…..you need to…get out of here. Agent Harrington….he….with Elton's ghost…he…." She could not find the words that were needed to describe what she wanted turning towards Ash.
"Please Ash. You need to…. protect my daughter." Ash nodded where he was kneeling next to David's side as he slowly regained consciousness. Ash did the same with the rest of the butlers, Pikachu assisting him as he did so, until everyone had achieved conscience.
Spencer looked was pale as pale could be and he looked towards Ash. "Ash, you need to stop Harrington. He….did something to Elton. I don't know what it was but-" There was a rumble from the first floor and Ash looked in that direction. He turned towards the group that were slowly catching their breath. If anything…..
"Alright Mr Hale. Iris and Cilan are upstairs, however they are battling Henry and Julia. Things have gotten out of hand. Molly." Ash turned towards her and she turned to him. "You stay here. This will be the safest place for you right now." Before Molly could eve object, Ash ran off, heading towards the first floor where everything had both started and finished.
Ash had something that he wanted to do.
There was no way that he would allow anything to happen to anyone any longer.
When Ash reached the first floor, the scene in front of him was something that he would not forget for as long as he lived.
In the centre of the room, Agent Harrington was on his knees, looking straight at his hands, a blue glow circulating around them. An Aura Hand extended from his own body and went towards…..
The painting that was on the left of the room had a hole in it due to the Aura Hand piercing through it however that was on the most significant thing that was there. It was the body that was pierced through it, squirming and moving its head in silent rage. Pikachu, everyone else and Harrington saw a body that was blue all over, a body of pure aura however that was not what Ash saw.
Due to using Aura Perception automatically due to the different aura that was being given off by Elton, the picture that was in front of his eyes was something that was different altogether. Just like before the body of Elton Hale was squirming in mid-air, brown hair a complete mess and his green eyes looking in hate straight at Harrington. The Aura Hand that connected to two was almost blinding to look at, the different aura of Elton's passing through the Aura Hand and being directed straight into Harrington.
"AGENT HARRINGTON!" yelled Ash towards the man as he made his way down the staircase, where he reached the bottom and stared straight at the man. The man turned, his brown hair a mess like Elton's was however his blue eyes seemed to almost pulse with that blue colour. Ash almost instinctively took a step back however stopped.
"Let Elton go! His aura is not something that you can take! Leave him alone!"
Harrington on the other hand got off one knee and looked straight at Ash. "Elton? Is that what this thing is? I can hardly think so. It's merely a shell of what it used to be, boy. It seemed that dealing with that other guy was something that I should have saved for later if I had known that you would interfere like this."
He clenched a fist and it seemed to almost glow in front of Ash.
"How did you even attack him? There was no way that you could have made it from the third floor to the fifth in that short amount of time!"
Harrington gave off a laugh. "Well then. It seems that you don't know everything. Did you know for instance, that once someone gets involved with a case such as this one, when the same conditions are met, they have their aura distorted again? When you make contact with something like this once, when the conditions match once again, then you can do stuff like this!"
Harrington's whole arm seemed to glow that same bright glow and there was a snapping sound, as if someone were crushing bone. Ash and Pikachu watched in horror as Harrington's arm was forcibly moulded into another shape, a long blade that seemed to replace it, that same blade being the left arm of Harrington's.
"Of course." He said without even acknowledging what had happened to his own body. "The abilities would have worn out over time. So there really was only time for me to do some actions that cannot be done using normal aura. Such as using my aura to teleport to the fifth floor and then to take control over those poor excuse of Exorcists. But now that I am once again in contact with this strange aura….the possibilities are endless!"
With one step, Harrington leaped forward and stopped using the Aura Hand that connected him to Elton while Elton still stayed hanging on the painting, Harrington crossing the gap between him and Ash before Ash could even guess what happened. He threw himself to the side as the staircase was sliced by Harrington's arm, Ash looking at him with an amazed and shocked expression.
"But now, you are an eyesore! So get out of my sight and GIVE ME MOLLY HALE!" he said as he swung that arm once again. Ash closed his eyes in order to avoid looking however something else made him open them.
"Pika!" He opened them, seeing Pikachu swing its tail with a metallic glow as Pikachu used Iron Tail, smashing its tail into contact with Harrington's arm. The explosion that followed threw Pikachu back, Ash catching it and repelled Harrington's arm back from the force of being so close.
His eyes were open in shock and Ash merely watched Harrington. That was right. What else was Harrington but using his aura? And if that was the case-
Ash stood up, a light entering his eyes as he looked straight at the enemy that was in front of him.
That was right.
He could…no. He would win this. His eyes gained a light that seemed to have been lost in this night and he reached for his cap and turned it around his head. And then….he called his command.
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"
"Counter with Aura Scratch!" yelled Iris towards Axew.
"Axew Axew!" said the Pokémon as it did so, the Aura Force Palm colliding with the Pokémon's claws, a cracking sound entering the air however it was short lived as Axew was thrown back, Pansage moving so that it could catch the Pokémon.
"Axew!" shouted Iris however the Pokémon quickly recovered, panting heavily as it looked towards Orange, Julia's Lucario. As they were both fighting Lucario, directing commands towards the Lucario made it hard so Cilan and Iris had merely named them according to their headbands, Yellow referring to Henry's Lucario while Orange was Julia's.
"Iris!" called Cilan as he looked towards both Lucario. "Axew's aura level is low right? There's no way that you would be able to meet Lucario's attacks head on in any case! You need to think of a way to avoid that! Pansage! Use Aura Bullet Seed on Yellow!"
"Sage sage sage!" said the Pokémon as it launched a number of glowing blue seeds towards Henry's Lucario, the Pokémon receiving them head on and being pushed back because of them.
"Use Aura Force Palm on Axew." Said Julia in a dead pan voice, those same tears flowing down her face. Her Lucario sped forward and its palm glowed a bright blue colour towards its opponent.
"Dodge that! Counter with an Aura Scratch!" Axew moved out of the way using its aura, the Aura Force Palm smashing into the floor with a burst of splinters ad wood, Axew moving and successfully hitting Lucario in the face with its attack, causing it to be thrown back as a result, moving right into the path of Pansage's Aura Bullet Seed.
"Carrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" it let out a scream of pain and fell to one knee as the Aura Bullet Seed stopped.
"Get in close with Aura Bite!" yelled Cilan and Pansage did so, teeth glowing blue as it attacked Lucario on the head with those glowing blue teeth, Julia's Lucario squirming and trying to get Pansage off.
"Attack Pansage with Aura Bone Rush." Said Henry in that same dead pan voice as Julia. Lucario moved forward, a glowing blue bone appearing in its hands as it swung it, hitting Pansage and throwing it against the wall as a result. Julia's Lucario recovered as a result and Iris called out her next command.
"Axew! Use Aura Scratch once more on Yellow!" she shouted and Axew moved towards Henry's Lucario with that same glowing claw.
"Respond. Aura Sphere." Came Julia's reply. Orange turned and fired that glowing ball of energy towards Axew, Axew turning at the last minute in order to receive it, striking the ball with its claw. There was another sound of glass cracking however Axew was thrown back as a result of the clash, smashing into the wall like Pansage had done.
"Pansage!" called Cilan towards his Pokémon.
"Axew!" said Iris.
Both Pokémon appeared from the wall, clearly beaten but not out. Pansage breathed heavily however it was Axew that was worse for wear, the Pokémon trying its hardest to simply not collapse.
"This is bad." Said Iris as she clenched a fist. "At this rate, both of our Pokémon are going to lose towards Lucario!"
"We need to find a way to change strategy." Said Cilan, sweating as he looked towards his opponents. "Whatever is going on with them, once we defeat Lucario then we can make sure that we can do something for them. But what? There's no way that we can use this power difference to our ad-"
He immediately stopped talking and Iris looked towards him, thinking the exact same that he was. However it was a risky idea. There was no way that the effects of their change in style would affect their battling.
However Iris nodded. "Yeah. It's our only shot."
Cilan nodded. "In that case…..I wonder how this change of ingredients will affect this recipe of a battle. Pansage! Use Bullet Seed!" he said. Pansage didn't even bother looking at its trainer for a confirmation, instead firing the seeds that lacked a blue glow towards Orange, Julia's Lucario.
"Counter." Said Julia. "Use Aura Sphere." Lucario threw the Aura Sphere towards the opponent however as soon as the attacks collided-
An explosion of air occurred, causing both attacks to be negated and a massive burst of air to occur, Pansage already prepared for it unlike Lucario that was thrown back. However Julia did not even twitch an eyebrow, the trance like state that she was in preventing her from doing so, the only part of her left being the tears that were going down her face.
Lucario smashed into the wall and Iris called her next attack.
"Use Scratch!" she called and Axew moved forward.
"Dodge and use Aura Bone Rush." Commanded Henry. His Lucario dodged out of the way and created that same glowing bone in its hands, swinging it towards Axew-
"Meet that!" called Iris, Axew twisting its claw in such a way that it could meet the attack. The attacks collided, however the explosion of air that was created, served to throw Axew and Lucario back from the close quarters battle that ensued, the difference in power meaning that Aura Bone Rush had yet to be fully negated, the attack being blown back by the effects and hitting Lucario as it was blown back.
The attack hit Lucario on the head and it cried out in pain as it was thrown back by its own attack, being thrown back as a result. Both Lucario had fallen however they stood up and faced their opponents as they awaited their commands from their trainers.
Iris and Cilan grit their teeth. At this rate there was going to be a while before both Lucarios were dealt blows that would manage to take them out. Did they have time? What was Ash doing? How was he faring?
At any rate…..
This was one battle that they would have to take to the end.
The Thunderbolt collided with Harrington, resulting in him being blown back by the fact that his body was circled by aura. He smashed into the wall that was under the painting, looking straight at Ash with a look of rage.
"What…? What are you doing? How are you doing that? Don't tell me….You have been distorted as well!? I see. I see how it is!" Harrington stood up and readied his arm, ready to thrust straight towards Ash.
"You want to take this away from me! I won't need Lucario at all for this so it can continue monitoring outside to prevent anyone from entering! I want the joy of doing this myself!" Harrington leaped forward and Ash called out another command.
"Use Volt Tackle and meet it head on!" yelled Ash, Pikachu's body lighting up with a yellow glow as it charged towards Harrington, jumping at the last minute and meeting the tip of Harrington's arm. The moment it did, that same explosion of air was created as a result, throwing both Pikachu and Harrington back, both of them smashing into the walls, Pikachu recovering while Harrington fell to his knees.
He let out a weak laugh before looking straight at Ash, a glare in his eyes. He stood up, rubble falling off him and clenched his right fist, the hand that was still in its original shape.
"You're really pissing me off kid. No more taking this lightly." Harrington disappeared and Ash went wide eyed as soon as he looked at that same spot where he had just been. Where was he? Where could he possibly have gone?
Such as using my aura to teleport to the fifth floor…..
Harrington's distorted aura allowed him to teleport. Which meant-
Fear practically filled Ash to the bone, seeing something in the corner of his eye, seeing Harrington's blue arm in the way as it was swung towards him. Ash's mind stopped thinking and he could think of nothing that he could do in the situation.
"PIKAPI!" called Pikachu as its began to launch a Thunderbolt however something else interfered.
Harrington's arm swung towards Ash's neck however something pushed him down, the weight causing him to fall as the blade swung and missed completely, Ash hitting the ground hard as a result. The next moment, the sound of Pikachu coming over and hitting Harrington with an Iron Tail filled the air, the explosion of air pushing against as he was on the ground, causing him to look up as he saw that Harrington had once again been pushed against the opposite wall to then painting.
There was still then weight on his back and he looked up to see someone that he did not recognise, however there was an edge of familiarity behind it. She was tall and her hair was wavy. Not only that but in her hair-
"M-Molly!?" he asked her. She obviously must have morphed again due to the fact that her appearance was different than her true form as a child. In fact, her appearance was that of what Ash had seen her with Entei inside her mansion for the first time, that of a practical adult. She was sitting on his back and stood up, using her aura to lift up Ash as well, Ash looking at her with a surprised look.
"What are you doing? This is dangerous! You should-"
"I'm not going to run anymore Ash. Uncle Elton is hurt because of me. There's nothing I can do to change that. But….you are fighting. So I will fight with you." Said Molly as she looked towards Ash. He said nothing except only looked at her eyes. She was definitely determined to get this incident solved, as much as he did as well. So then….
"Alright." Said Ash as he stood up and faced Harrington, Ash's back towards where Elton was. "But I will make sure that you come out fine. I said I would."
Molly nodded and Pikachu stood to attention, ready to attack Harrington at a moment's notice. He stood up and grinned as soon as he saw Molly.
"So….there you are. You definitely are the one that allowed that thing on the picture over there to be formed. I'm going to enjoy taking the aura from your body myself."
Molly maintained a battle stance, her fists glowing blue as she stood and looked at Harrington. "I'm not going to let that happen." Pikachu stood next to her, its cheeks sparking as it looked towards the person that had tried to harm its trainer.
"Well, then. There's nothing left for this then right?" asked Harrington as he disappeared once more. Ash bent his knees in the event that he would need to dodge in anyway or form however called an attack towards Pikachu.
"Thunderbolt! Use it to attack the field!" called Ash. Pikachu complied, letting loose the stream of electricity around itself in order to attack the field however nothing happened as Harrington appeared right in front of Ash in order to deal with the trainer, the weakest one there, swinging his arm however something blue struck him from the side.
Molly's leg which was infused with aura smashed into Harrington's side, the sound of glass cracking filling the air as Harrington was thrown back from the fact that Molly's aura was stronger and not fuelled from an external source, like Harrington's aura was. He smashed into the already ruined staircase, Ash looking at Molly in surprise.
While Ash could only react with his own fist, they were the equivalent of non-aura attacks. However non-aura attacks would not work between humans, only Pokémon. However the same was not said for aura attacks. Through them, humans could strike each other similar to the aura attacks that Pokémon had and the effects were the same, something that was confirmed by the fact that Pikachu's Thunderbolt could negate Harrington's attack.
"Don't touch Ash." Said Molly as she stood and faced Harrington, the man looking as though he was about to burst a gasket. He held up his left arm, the arm that was a sword and there was another cracking as the shape once again changed, changing into something that Ash did not recognise at first.
The tip was something that was a large circle and there were three smaller circles within it and Ash could see that energy was forming at the end of them. And there was one thing in his mind: this was not good.
Molly had yet to notice, because she did not have Aura Perception and at the last minute, Ash grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the ground. At that same moment, the shape that Harrington chose him arm to be was made clear.
The aura Gatling gun that the arm had become fired aura towards where Ash and Molly had once been, dirt and parts of the floor violently being thrown up towards them even though the aura that was being used as bullets missed, digging into Ash's flesh and causing him to cry out in pain as the rubble bit into his arm, causing blood to flow out.
However Ash called out his next command.
"Pikachu! THUNDERBOLT!" he called. Pikachu complied, firing the bolt towards Harrington who merely pointed the arm towards Pikachu and firing the aura through it, the Thunderbolt colliding with it and only negating some of the aura 'bullets', something that allowed the rest to hit Pikachu.
It was thrown back and slowly recovered at it looked towards Harrington however he had moved forward and looked straight at Ash and Molly, Ash moving in front of the adult-like version that she had become in order to protect her as she was still recovering.
"Cheh. Move kid. I don't need you anymore." Harrington fired and Ash used his arm in order to block his face however he did not feel pain from the bullets that were fired. Instead something else came out.
The Sound came from Ash's arm that he had held in front of him, Ash and Harrington being blown back as a result from the negation that occurred. Harrington once again slammed into then steps and Ash groaned painfully, the negation happening right where some of his wounds were. Something warm came down his arm he looked at it, seeing the red substance.
That red substance. His blood. He looked at it, once again confused at what effect his blood was having. Whatever it was doing, it was negating the effects of what Harrington's aura was doing however by no means could Ash go into hand-to-hand combat. Due to the fact that he had no aura there was no need to so he was sure that Harrington would manage to get the upper hand for sure.
However this was the only shot that he had-
Molly looked just as surprised, as Ash stood up and readied himself, Pikachu coming to his side while something moved under the rubble. Ash looked over towards where Elton was, slowly moving there as he lifted Molly up, making sure that she did not touch his blood as she stood up and they moved under the painting.
Harrington stood up from the rubble and something cracked within his body. He looked over to where Ash was, pure contempt in his eyes.
"What…..the hell is that?! What are you doing boy?! What effect do you have on this world? Blood having that effect?! There is no way that it is even possible in the slightest! What kind of sick joke are you playing on me boy!?"
Ash however completely ignored him. "Just leave Molly and Elton alone! What did they ever do to you?!" he asked.
"Nothing. But what they can do for me is something altogether. Gah! There's no getting it to you boy. In the end-" Harrington held up his arm, the sickening cracking sound from earlier being understood as Harrington stood with the Gatling gun replaced, a large gaping hole where his arm once was.
"Not even you can negate this." He said and there was a blinding light at the end of the arm.
Ash could merely look at it. What was that? What would it do? Ash knew that advantages of having a power difference but that worked best with close quarters attack. A projectile such as this would be negated however could continue its course or be directed upwards depending on the trajectory. Yet, Ash was not sure. Was there something that he would not do?
Had he….failed?
He was not sure even though there was a crash, followed by the blast that came from the end of the arm that filled his ears.
Pansage had received more damage than Axew, mostly because Cilan had accounted for the fact that there would be a power difference and thus, Axew would be severely damaged in the account of a direct hit from any of Lucario's attacks.
"Lucario. Aura Sphere." Called Julia and Orange, her Lucario, moved forward and threw the Aura Sphere. Their opponents were just as tired as they were, panting and covered however the will to fight was something that was not lost with the two trainers.
"Pansage! Bullet Seed and make it hit head on!" said Cilan towards his Pokémon.
"Axew! Get in close after the explosion and use Scratch!" said Iris. Pansage fired the seeds towards the Aura Sphere, meeting it head on, the explosion of air causing both of the Pokémon to be thrown back as a result, Axew moving through the smoke in order to attack the Pokémon that was its opponent.
"Lucario. Protect Lucario with Aura Bone Rush." Said Henry as he spoke in that monotone. Yellow moved towards Axew, its hands filled with a glowing bone of energy. Axew looked towards its opponent and straight at the attack that was coming its way.
"Dodge and go under!" called Iris. Thankfully, Axew's small frame meant that it was possible to execute such a request, Axew using aura in its feet in order to slide underneath Lucario just as the Aura Bone Rush hit the already damaged floor, splinters and bits of wood flying everywhere as a result, Axew kicking up and using Scratch in a sort of uppercut motion, throwing Lucario into the air where it landed on its back.
It let out a growl however Julia's Lucario, Orange, followed up by letting loose a kick towards Axew's stomach, something that was infused with aura as Axew was thrown back. It let out a cry of pain as it was thrown back, managing to stand up however both Cilan and Iris knew that another attack like that would manage to take Axew out for the count.
"Pan pansage!" said Pansage towards Axew in concern.
"Axew….. Axew!" came the weak reply and the Pokémon seemed to come to an understanding about the conditions that they were fighting in.
Iris analysed her surroundings. The walls were filled with dents and served as a major impediment towards the success of the battle, the closed space meaning that there was only really space for close-quarters combat, Aura Sphere and the Bullet Seeds only doing so much. Which meant that-
"Cilan. I need to get Axew close to the Lucario." She said. Cilan looked towards her with an amazed expression on his face however nodded. She had an idea, Cilan had no idea what it was however it was something that he needed to trust. They had only been travelling together for only a little and he was sure that there were things that he didn't know about her…however just as he trusted Ash, Cilan trusted Iris.
"Got it. Pansage! Use Bullet Seed!"
"Axew! Get close to Pansage!" shouted Iris. Pansage fired the seeds while saying its name and the Lucario's did not react, unable to dodge completely in the narrow spaces, Julia's Lucario moving in front in order to take the full force of the hit. It let out a cry and Axew moved behind Pansage.
At the same moment, Pansage's paw lit up with aura, something that Pansage put on Axew's tusks in and the next moment, Axew was thrown with the force of a Pokémon that had used its aura in order to increase the power of the attack.
Axew zoomed forward and Iris yelled her attack, using her aura in order to allow Axew to hear her despite the speed that it was travelling.
"Axew! Use Dragon Rage!" Axew nodded, a bright light gathering at its mouth as it flew.
"Counter. Use Aura Sphere." Said Henry in response.
"Same to you too Lucario." Said Julia.
Both Lucario charged the Aura Spheres as soon as Axew came towards them, ready to thrown them however Axew had already crossed the gap.
"Axeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….." it said as it tried to use the Dragon Rage however unable to truly let the attack loose.
"Chew!" it said as it closed its mouth at the last second, the area lighting up with a strange glow in the event of Axew closing its mouth before the attack could be released. At the same time, a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder entered everyone's ears. The same moment, an explosion caused by Axew's failed Dragon Rage followed, the effects of the failure amplified for the Lucario due to the fact that they had yet to launch their Aura Sphere's the Dragon Rage reaching them and negating, not only causing a negation but also the difference in the aura levels between the Pokémon meaning that the Aura Spheres were thrown back to them.
They cried out, the floor collapsing at the same time, the Lucario falling down while Axew was lifted up, Pansage kicking off the floor using its aura as the floor caved in in order to catch the Pokémon. Dust and wood was kicked up once more as a result of the battle.
Yet even then, there was a growl, the dust clearing to see that Lucario were standing there with a glare in their eyes that clearly signified that they were not happy and in the same position as Axew; one more attack, even from Axew would surely knock them out. However both Iris and Cilan seemed satisfied by the result.
"Pansage! Aura Bite!" called Cilan towards his Pokémon.
"Axew! Aura Scratch!" they said and their Pokémon complied, Pansage launching itself down in order to reach their level. The Lucario stood their ground however even though their trainers called out to react using Aura Force Palm and Aura Bone Rush for Julia's Lucario and Henry's Lucario respectively.
However the effects of smashing through the floor were clear, Axew and Pansage charging towards their opponents, Pansage's teeth glowing blue while Axew's hands were the same. The Lucario stumbled and that was all that was needed. The blows landed and both of the Lucario collapsed, Pansage and Axew doing so as well.
Iris and Cilan looked at their victory and their victorious Pokémon and at the collapsed Lucario that were clearly not getting up. They grinned at each however the response that came from Henry and Julia was something that did not seem to be a cause for celebration.
Henry and Julia stepped forward, in their hands Aura Swords that revealed how they were clearly ready to take on Iris and Cilan without their Pokémon. However that was not all. What was coming out of their eyes was not water from their tears but-
The blood that streamed down their cheeks seemed to show to Iris and Cilan that they were serious. They were not themselves, but they were serious. And so….Iris and Cilan had to be just as serious.
"Pansage return." Said Cilan as he drew out his Pokéball and recalled Pansage, the Pokémon too tired to protest, Cilan thanking it. Henry and Julia jumped down towards their level, the second floor and recalled their Pokémon. Iris and Cilan did the same, Axew moving towards its trainer side in concern however Iris merely bent down, and patted Axew 's head, thanking it for its good job.
She looked behind her and saw the surprised faces of Spencer, Mrs Hale, David and the 2 butlers and chef that they had seen on the stairs earlier. Everything that seemed to be happening was too much for them, clear on their faces and ripped clothes. Iris used her aura in order to create an Aura Hand that she used to move Axew over towards Mrs Hale who clutched onto the Pokémon protectively as if it was her own daughter.
"Don't worry." Said Iris as she stepped forward, an Aura Sword appearing at her hand. "We'll deal with this." Mrs Hale and Spencer looked towards them, reminded of what Molly had said before she had left in order to deal with what had been going on.
"Mama….Papa….." she had said as she had changed her form. "I'm…not a little girl anymore. I want to be strong. I want to be someone that can stand up and protect Uncle Elton. I….want to be there. By Ash's side and fight with him. So…..don't worry. I will handle this."
And before they could say anything, Cilan and Iris moved forward with Aura formed into a Sword shape and struck the already moving Henry and Julia. Cilan met Henry and Iris met Julia, the sound of glass cracking appearing as the aura collided with each other.
Although it was done as merely playing as children, this was not such a heart-warming situation. Iris kicked back from Julia, using her aura in her feet in order for there to be distance gained as a result while Cilan merely held up his other hand in order to push Henry back, using aura in order to do so.
Iris and Henry were thrown back as a result of aura and Julia moved forward, slicing the air above Iris. She parried and used her aura in order to cause Julia to slip while Cilan moved towards Henry, using the back of his Aura Sword in order to render Henry unconscious however he ducked underneath it, swinging his own blow towards Cilan, Cilan moving right at the right moment in order to block, the sound of glass cracking coming as the aura collided.
Cilan countered, Henry jumping upwards onto the remains of the second floor ceiling, kicking off as he headed straight for Cilan, Cilan putting up an Aura Shield at the last minute as Henry's strike hit it dead centre, their aura levels equal as they collided. Cilan's Aura Shield was splattered with some blood that was coming from Henry's eyes and Cilan saw the opportunity to attack.
He used the back of the Aura Sword once again in order to strike however Henry saw the move coming, spinning out of the way and slicing, Cilan only just moving out of the way in order to avoid him, stepping back and hitting the wall while Henry did the same with the opposite wall.
Cilan was no expert in sword fighting as he was sure that the same was with Iris, the only experience that they had being with themselves on the rare occasion and this situation that they found themselves in was hardly one that came up often.
As for Iris, Julia had already quickly recovered, throwing what could only be an Aura Sphere towards her, Iris gritting her teeth as she used her own Aura Sword to meet the attack, the sound of glass cracking resounding in the air. Julia raced forward and used her own leg in order to attack Iris, something that was strengthened with aura and Iris let out a pained gasp as she was thrown back.
Julia came in once again for another attack however Iris reacted, using her Aura to create an Aura Platform underneath her that she could safely land on before twisting her body so that Julia's thrust went straight over her head, Iris reacting by letting loose a kick of her own that smashed into Julia's chin, throwing her back in air where she quickly recovered and landed facing Iris in the hallway.
Henry and Cilan on the walls, Iris and Julia in the hallway. Their gazes intersected in the middle and both Iris and Cilan knew that this was no longer an issue that their Pokémon would have to face. This was their problem, one that they had entered.
Did they know that when they started travelling with Ash, this would happen? Of course not. However those thoughts were irrelevant.
There was no hesitation as they kicked off the ground in order to meet their opponents.
Ash could only watch in amazement as the energy that had gathered at Harrington's arm fired, being launched up and smashing into the roof above their heads. Rubble fell down and Molly reacted by using her aura in order to create an Aura Shield that covered everyone, Elton not even being affected by the rubble that fell down due to the fact that his aura state meant that while one could interact with him, physical phenomenon such as rubble could not.
Harrington had not missed on purpose. That was clear. In fact, it was something else that had caused him to miss. There had been a crack before the blast, the sound of wood smashing and the next instant, something had slammed into Harrington's right, throwing off his aim and causing him to hit the staircase.
He swore and all eyes went towards the now open entrance towards the mansion, the doors having been completely ripped open by whatever had been smashed through, the sound of the heavy rain and lightning outside.
"That worked…..so much worse in my head." Said a voice and someone stepped in, a flash of lightning outside allowing Ash to get a good look. And his eyes went wide.
The nameless boy stepped in, a sword sticking through his left arm all the way to the hilt and there was a large cut on his head that blood seemed to roll down, the Western style suit that he was wearing all but soaked by the rain. In fact, had Ash not seen that left red eye of his, he would have been sure that it had been affected by the blood as well.
Ash slowly looked towards what had come through the now broken door, almost just as amazed by the sight. Harrington's Lucario had fainted from…whatever the boy had done to it and it seemed almost impossible by the sight. The boy had walked in without a Pokémon and Lucario had been knocked unconscious. There was no way-
"But still. I was careless. Agents from the 'A' division show their ID as they like seeing the faces of people who still think that the division is a rumour. And you did not do that Harrington. But did I think that you had been exposed to dimensional aura before? That certainly caught me by surprise."
The boy's causal tone was almost soothing as he stepped into the room, looking over towards where the others were and nodding.
"Thanks Ash. You did what I asked until I could get here." The boy looked towards Molly and seemed to slightly acknowledge that the morphing that she had done was necessary and then at the shape of Elton, the frown on his face that formed reflecting the attitude that he felt towards the sight.
"What the HELL are you doing here?!" screamed Harrington as he picked up Lucario and threw it over to one wall. "I threw you off a fifth floor building! I pierced you with a sword without aura due to the fact that I could have used it for something else! How are you still alive?!"
The boy stopped walking. He nodded and pointed towards the sword that was sticking out of his left arm. "Well you were probably going for the fall and the shock of the blow to kill me. Even Ash, you probably thought it went through my chest from the angle that I was falling though right? But I guess you forgot one thing Harrington."
The boy smirked as he looked towards the false agent. "After all, you did the same thing. There are just some things that are better left unsaid. How I survived is my business. But….let's finish this. I don't care what you want, how long you have worked to get it but I'm going to stop you. Molly doesn't want her uncle to suffer. And any idiot can tell you that her wish overrides yours. So I will rip you from that way of thinking that you have. And I will show you what true liberty means."
The boy gripped the sword in his left arm with his right and without hesitation pulled it out, Ash seeing that he clenched his teeth as he did so, it obviously painful. And then, in an insane move, he ran forward with the sword in his right hand, his left dangling by his side.
Harrington let out a laugh and held up his own left arm, the one with the large 'cannon' like weapon on it.
"Well, you know what they say. True liberty is in death. Something that is headed your way." There was a glow at the end and another blast, the cannon firing at the boy, everyone only watching to see how he would react. And the boy did.
He swung the blade to meet the sphere of pure Aura that was heading his way and something impossible happened.
The Sound rang out and Ash's eyes went wide as a result of what he was hearing. The next moment, there was an explosion of air that almost threw the boy back however he did not stop moving forward, jumping in order to reach Harrington, moving his foot so that slid on the surface of the blade in mid-air, causing the boy's foot to be covered with his own blood.
Harrington noticed however it was too late as the boy let loose the kick, the Sound once again resounding in the air, the explosion of air kicking Harrington to the side as a result and throwing the boy against the wall however a quick adjustment towards his position meant that he landed on the wall feet first, the boy kicking off in order to continue his assault.
Harrington did not get up in time and neither did the boy reach him, realising that the gap was too large. He threw the sword, it spinning in the air and only the hilt touched Harrington on the forehead however that was enough. Harrington was thrown back once again from the explosion of air, the sword flying towards the roof and the boy landed on his feet, looking behind him towards Ash, Pikachu and Molly.
"Molly. Revert back to your original form. Your current form could have some adverse effects from being so close to your uncle." Molly seemed stunned but did as she was told, the bright light covering her body until it left her, revealing the shape of a small girl.
There was a groan from the other side of the room and everyone tensed up as they looked at the shape of Harrington, his left arm having gone back to its original form. Blood covered most of his body however he was still moving, something that must have been because of the difference in aura.
"What….the hell? You….and that kid bastard over there. WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOUR BLOOD?!" He yelled towards them.
Ash stopped looking at Harrington and saw that the boy was looking at him with a look of interest however merely looked back towards Harrington and held out his right hand, something that was covered with his own blood.
"Well. Why should we enlighten you? You distort things in order for your own benefit. It seems that the thing that distorts your distortion should be a secret at the very least. Besides, you're almost out of tricks." Said the boy with a frown. "This will end."
"You think so?" said Harrington. "Well then, let me show you one last thing that I have up my sleeve." Harrington stood with his arms outstretched and looked towards the roof in a move that looked as though he was searching for some higher power however he was closing his eyes.
Both the boy and Ash knew what that was. Ash had seen it during William's attack in Wellspring Cave. And it was-
Ash panicked, pressing Molly against his chest as well as Pikachu while the boy merely reacted quickly by pulling off his blazer and using it to cover his body as he knelt down, almost as if it was a make-shift shield.
And that was when it happened.
The false Agent Harrington let out the Aura Burst.
The ground beneath his feet cracked and the fact that Harrington's aura was by no means normal resulted in a 'wave' of aura to head outwards, although only with a small radius, as if it truly was Harrington's last trick up his sleeve. The boy was caught inside the radius, the blood on his blazer negating the aura attack that was being sent his way, the boy skidding along the ground as a result however he still held onto his blazer.
The hallway that was next to Harrington blew apart in a mess of splinters a strange cracking sound filled the air, different from the cracking sound that Harrington had used in order to change his own physical form.
It was more…ominous. Almost as if something different was coming their way. Almost as if something more and threatening was finally entering this battle. However no-one dared to look at the sight immediately, wind still blowing as a result of the Aura Burst.
The boy looked up and Ash blinked a few times before turning around in order to look at the spot where Harrington was, feeling something rise in his throat as he felt sick at what he was watching. Molly looked as well however Ash covered her eyes at the last minute in order to prevent her from seeing, Ash looking at the broken hallway, noticing Iris and Cilan and their green faces as they looked at the form that Harrington had taken, also the number of cuts on their clothes.
He had grown. He was practically twice the size of the man that he had once been, his clothes somehow changing with him, almost similar to what Molly had experienced with her own clothes when she morphed. However that was not all that had changed.
It was clear that parts of his body had not been able to take the strain of the transformation, parts of his clothes were ripped were something white was sticking out as well as the blood that came down his clothes. Harrington's eyes were bloodshot and looking straight at both Ash and the boy, Ash feeling a chill up his spine. What….what had Harrington done to himself?
"I….." Harrington tried to speak however it came out as a mess, like someone had shoved something done Harrington's throat as he tried to speak. The boy on the other hand merely stepped forward.
"You are insane. Doing something like that…..it's clear what this distorted aura has done to your mind. And I'm sorry that it had to reach this point." The boy turned towards the hallway and saw Iris and Cilan as well as Henry and Julia that seemed lifeless as they were still being controlled, their movements slow as if they were solely trying to maintain control.
The boy twitched a lip and got something out of his blazer, two test tubes that seemed to be filled with some kind of liquid, red in colour. Ash looked as the boy threw them, Harrington not even reacting as they were not thrown towards him and didn't even look as the test tubes smashed against the sides of the head of Henry and Julia, the Sound breaking out and a sudden movement throwing them against the walls.
Iris and Cilan looked shocked at what had happened and both Henry and Julia stopped moving allowing the boy to have complete attention upon Harrington and his monstrous form, leaving his blazer on the floor.
"I've dealt with that so….there's only the final boss left." The boy ran forward without hesitation towards Harrington and he let out a roar, sending a fist down towards the ground, one that the boy merely stopped running in order to avoid. Wood and parts of the floor hit him in the face however that did not stop him, leaping onto the arm that Harrington had sent down.
With the Sound erupting out as a result of aura negating against his blood on his shoes, the boy shot upwards like a rocket, hitting the roof with one hand before his legs reached the roof where he kicked off, holding out his left hand in order to touch Harrington. However the man reacted.
He sent a fist flying towards the boy, left hand meeting the fist, the Sound erupting out once more. The boy was flung back violently from the eruption of air while Harrington's arm was merely blown back a tiny bit, the boy letting out a groan of pain as he slammed into the wall and onto the ground, a large amount of blood streaming down his forehead.
He used the wall for support as he panted heavily before looking at Harrington. Ash looked at him. What was he going to do? Both of them had the same ability with their blood and that meant that the boy was one of what Ash was. An Aura Zero. There was no other explanation. So, what was he going to do in the face of this monster?
The boy took another step forward and broke into another run as he headed straight for Harrington, not even taking the time to think. Ash tried to call out however he knew that it would be no use. Was there simply going to be a repeat if what happened last time? Was there no way that Ash could help?
No….there was.
"PIKACHU! THUNDERBOLT!" yelled Ash into the night and his Pokémon responded. Pikachu wasted no time.
"Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" it let out as it fired the bolt towards Harrington. His body lit up yellow as the electricity surged through him and he let out a cry of pain, a negation occurring with the aura and Harrington was once buffeted by the explosion of air, resulting him in taking a step back, his large form meaning that it was harder for him to be blown back easily.
However that opportunity was all that the boy needed. He jumped, one of his feet hitting Harrington's broken shoe, being lifted as his blood was still there as he reached Harrington's eye level. Using his other foot, the boy managed to acquire footing as that foot did not have his blood as he jumped, using his own strength to jump above Harrington, slamming his other foot into Harrington's head.
The Sound came out and the boy was blasted towards the roof while Harrington fell towards the ground and landed with a crash in front of the painting, the boy hanging on the roof with the sword that was still stuck in there.
Ash covered his eyes in order to prevent any dust getting into them and he looked up, only to see some monstrous shape enter his vision. He did not even need to guess what it was, only choosing to react quickly, throwing his own arm in front of it in order to protect those that were behind him.
The Sound came out once more and Ash was thrown back as a result, hitting the wall with a large amount of force, to which he let out a cry of pain as a result of being thrown against the wall so forcibly. He wondered if his Scar of his wound had reopened however looked towards Harrington that seemed to be glaring at Ash with the same hate that one would direct towards their nemesis.
"Did you know?" asked a voice from ahead and all eyes turned to the boy that was looking at Harrington from the roof. "Just like aura, blood is weaker if it comes from an external source. If you use your aura in order to attack someone like an Aura Sword, it is weaker than what you did Harrington, using their own arm as the medium of the sword. Blood works in the same way. While my blood still works even though it's not coming straight from my body to you, it will still have the same effect despite not being that powerful."
Ash was reminded of what the boy had done towards Henry and Julia and then looked at the boy. What was he getting at?
"So, following that logic….should a large amount of blood from my own body reach you….." the boy didn't even finish the thought as he used his weight to eject the sword that had been used to attack him on the fifth floor from the roof causing both of them to fall before using the sword in order to cut the already damaged left arm all the way down.
Blood squirted out however that was all that Ash saw as the boy fell and thrust that arm sideways into Harrington like a stamp, right before, angling the sword so that it would stick into the ground and act as a weight, preventing him from being launched up.
The Sound came out once more however it was not the 'blaster-like' sound that came from sci-fi movies; a short burst that was quickly over. This one was long and drawn out, as if a number of these sounds had been happening simultaneously….or if aura was negated at such a rate that it created the long drawn out sound.
Harrington let out a scream and tried to struggle however the force of the explosions of air that must have been created pushed him down, while the boy sat on top with the sword preventing him from being thrown upwards as the blood continued to negate the aura. Those sickening cracking sounds came from Harrington and his body shrunk, bones cracking back into place and not long after, a man sat where the boy was, the boy's arm draped over Harrington.
Still, even though all that had happened, with blood coming out of the corner of his mouth, Harrington let out a small laugh.
"You ….. think this…is over?!" he hissed as he began to turn his head, clearly trying to get in one last blow towards the person that had thwarted him.
"Shut up." came the short reply and the boy used his practically uninjured right arm to smash a fist into Harrington's face, something that made him groan before dropping his head, unconscious. The boy let out a groan himself and rolled off him, coughing lightly as the ordeal ended. Ash came over to him and looked at him, his white short stained with blood. Had he broken some ribs in the occasion or was it blood from his arm?
Clearly the force of the explosions of air at close range repeatedly had affected Harrington and the boy equally however the boy did not show it. He let out a weak gasp and tried to stand however it was no use, he collapsed towards the ground but Ash caught him and moved him towards the crumbled staircase.
The boy showed his discomfort at the scene however did not complain. He looked at Ash and it was clear that he wanted to say something however he looked towards the figure that was still suspended in mid-air in the painting.
Elton's ghost hung there lifeless to the normal eye however the Aura Perception that the boy and the Ash had created another image, a figure of a man hanging there, mouth moving but no sound coming out as he looked towards Molly, who was sitting in shock at the entire scene that had played out. Pikachu did the same and Ash merely looked at the last remnant of what had transpired.
"I….wonder what he is saying." Asked Ash as he looked towards Elton.
"I'm sorry." Said the boy weakly.
Ash looked at him with a frown. "Wha-"
"That's what he's saying. Molly." The girl turned towards her and looked towards the boy, footsteps from his right telling him that people were coming down the stairs however he hardly cared. Ash looked towards the sound and saw that Iris and Cilan were coming down, looking at the figure and Ash simultaneously, before staring at the broken figure that was the false agent, Harrington. However they turned towards the boy who had brought everything towards an end.
"He says he's sorry." Said the boy once again and Molly's eyes went wide, the boy turning towards Elton as he lip read what he was saying.
"I….know this is painful." Said Elton as the boy spoke for him. "I didn't want this. I died…..nothing can change that. And then I was here. There was a pain all around me, I didn't know what it was. I….took out my anger and confusion on things around me." Molly looked towards the boy, thinking of the events that had led up the staff thinking that the mansion was 'haunted.'
"I didn't know what to do. And then you came. My niece who always had a smile on that face. I thought that you could….you could…." Molly thought of the message, the feeling of being watched the entire time that she had gotten here. But that meant-
"Why can't….why can't you just come back Uncle Elton?! I want to have those times of fun again! With Mama and Papa and you!"
"Molly. I….just want to go. Please. Help me."
Molly froze, her tears stopping as she looked towards the figure that was hanging on the painting. The boy groaned once more as he turned towards Ash, pointing a finger towards something that was on the ground near Harrington. Ash nodded and got the item, seeing that it was the blazer that the boy had on before, bringing it over towards him.
The boy was silent, both because Elton was not talking but also because he had his own thing to do. He reached inside the blazer and pulled out a test tube, the same one that he had thrown towards Henry and Julia. Ash's eyes went wide as he looked at it, Pikachu's eyes going wide as well while Molly merely sat silently as she looked at it.
"Molly." Said the boy as he looked straight at her. "Elton's message was for you. Why did you come down to the lower floors? You wanted to fight. You wanted to protect those around you. Elton's body has already become a shell. His aura doesn't want to return there. There's only one option and it's only you that can do it Molly."
Molly's eyes turned angry as she looked towards him, her aura circling around her as it reacted to her negative emotion. "You can't say that! You can't! UNCLE ELTON! COME BACK! COME BACK AND WE'LL PLAY TOGETHER LIKE LAST TIME!" She yelled towards the figure, group of Iris, Cilan, Pikachu, Ash and the boy watching her make her empty plea.
"Molly…." Said Ash and she turned to him.
"Ash! Last time, you did something! You brought Papa back! Why can't you….why can't you…." She started to cry once more, falling to her knees and sobbing however a groaning made her look up.
The boy was using the staircase in order to stand, his wounds not healed at all and blood continued to come out of them as he glared at Molly.
"Don't ….be selfish." Said the boy through clenched teeth as he spoke.
"W…what?" asked Molly as she tried to process what the boy had said.
"I said…..DON'T BE SELFISH!" the boy yelled towards her and then took a break in order to catch his breath. "You want your Uncle back. If something doesn't satisfy you, you can't accept it?! Is that the way that you think of things You you you? What about your uncle? What about the pain that he is suffering? You have this one moment to do something right and you are just going to BLOW IT OFF BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT IT?!"
Molly paled and almost shrunk back and Ash tried to hold the boy up in support however he rejected the help. The boy stepped forward slowly and glared at Molly with each step that he took.
"If you just want things to go your way….then you are no better than Harrington." Those words especially pierced into Molly and more water came from her eyes and dripped onto the floor. "Do you want that? Do you want to end up with that same pain, this regret that you did nothing to help you Uncle?" the boy asked.
The silence that followed was almost painful however Molly merely shook her head slowly before sobbing and rubbing her eyes. The boy held the test tube out to the side, Ash taking the hint and taking the object as he walked over to Molly where he placed it in her hands.
"This is the only solution. Do something that you can be proud of." Said the boy. "Give your Uncle that last push that he needs. And bring everything to an end." The boy sat down, clearly unable to walk from his wounds and breathed heavily while Molly looked up towards Ash.
He smiled towards her, the best one that he could manage in the situation and Molly merely looked at him as he did so.
"Molly. You can do it." Ash grabbed her hand and wrapped his own against it. "You can do things that you cannot even imagine. And! You have everything ahead of you. There's nothing better for you. And your Uncle would want the same. He wants you to do something. Because you're not a little girl anymore Molly. And you aren't alone."
Molly sniffled and looked Ash deep in the eyes before grabbing the test tube. She took it and looked hard at it and then Ash, hugging him. He seemed stunned at the action and then patted her on the back and she stood up, looking at her Uncle as she gripped the test tube tighter.
The boy looked up at the sight of Elton and spoke his words.
"Thank you Molly. You grew up right before my eyes. Make yourself into the best that you can." Molly silently nodded and with all of her might threw the test tube, it smashing against the painting and the blood seeped out, touching Elton-
The Sound broke out as did an explosion of air and in that next instant, Elton was gone. His aura negated, the faint light that had been there was gone and Molly fell to her knees, crying once more and Ash wrapped his arms around her.
Iris and Cilan looked on with awe at everything that had just happened, hearing something that was above their heads, looking and seeing the sight of everyone that was on the second floor, Spencer, Mrs Hale, David and the other staff looking down at them with amazed expressions as well as Axew that looked at its trainer with an expression of relief.
Because everything had finished now.
And the light patter of the rain outside was the only sound in the silence.
"What….happened here?" asked Officer Jenny. When they had received the report in the evening they had not come because of the storm and it was now morning, the sight of the ruined Hale Mansion absolutely stunning every single police officer there.
"Um….well….." said Spencer as he stood outside and scratched the back of his head. How was he supposed to explain this? He looked towards his wife and then she looked towards her daughter who merely smiled.
"Well you see-" started Molly however she was interrupted by the sight of someone coming towards them, wearing a brown trench coat and a beard, like one of those stereotypical detectives that one found in any crime drama. He had a toothpick in his mouth and a mean look in his eyes as he came up to the Hales, holding out some kind of ID and a badge that no-one recognised.
"Hello. Are you the people that experienced the event?" The Hales nodded. "Right. My name is Agent Harrington and I'm from the rumoured 'A' division of the AJD. I suppose you've heard the rumours?" The Hales went pale when he mentioned his name and Officer Jenny gaped after hearing who he was investigating from.
"Did you get any sleep guys?" asked Ash as he yawned. There had been a lot more to do even after the incident had finished. First and foremost there was the treatment of wounds, the nameless boy taking priority but the most that he had done was complain about the lack of professionalism in the treatment. In the end, all he had been given was a couple of bandages which was somewhat amazing that he had been able to move around after.
Similarly, Henry and Julia had been dealt with and sent towards the nearest hospital however their condition was determined as stable. As for the false Agent Harrington, he had also been taken away however it was clear what was going to happen to him. The only question was whether he would get 10 or 20 years in prison.
Iris and Axew yawned and shook their heads while wiping their eyes. "What do you think?" she said bitterly at Ash while Axew merely said its name in a weak state due to fatigue.
"I must say…no." said Cilan as he looked as though he had just run a marathon…twice. They had already been dealt with by the police and noticed that Molly was standing at the entrance of the mansion, looking up at it silently.
Ash walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, the other following. "You know Molly…..it's not your fault. Everything was ended because of you though."
"Yeah." Said Iris. "You aren't a little kid anymore Molly. However…." Said Iris as she glanced towards Ash and he somewhat twitched at her remark.
"I should say that your bravery though Molly, is a commendable ingredient of you." Noted Cilan as he tried to stay positive. "I'm sure that things would have ended differently should you have not been there."
Molly nodded slowly before Pikachu hopped off Ash's shoulder and went to Molly's snuggling its cheek against her face where Molly smiled and chuckled before scratching Pikachu's chin where it responded with a "Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa". Axew did something similar, hopping out of Iris's hair and jumping up and down in front of Molly as it indicated that it wanted a go.
Molly laughed at the sight of the Pokémon and the group responded by looking at each other with glances that they knew that everything was alright. They watched the girl play with the Pokémon and Cilan was the one that spoke up.
"You know….despite everything that happened…I think that there were some light and bright flavours in what happened." He said.
Iris merely gave a sigh. "Why do you always say stuff like that? People are going to start to look at you weird and think that you love food."
"Well I am a chef." Said Cilan. "Are you saying that you don't like my food?" he asked her with a suspicious look.
"WHAT?!" yelled Ash towards Iris. "How can you not like Cilan's food?! Alright then Cilan, I'll have all of Iris's helping from now on!" he declared.
Pikachu latched onto Ash's argument and said, while Molly was still hugging it, "Pika Pikachu!"
Iris frowned. "Just what are you saying?" she asked Ash as she came in close her negative emotions circling around her in response to her anger. Axew however did not seem to mind that much as it was still seeking attention from Molly.
"Can't you tell? It means that I want to eat your servings!" declared Ash boldly and Molly laughed, the group once more turning to look at her.
"You know Ash. You never change." She said with a smile. "And I'll make sure to grow up and achieve something that Uncle Elton could be prove of….." she said and then a sparkle entered her eye. "That and…." Her whole body glowed with a blue colour that enveloped her, her entire shape changing before she turned into the womanly figure that was clearest the oldest in her range of transformations.
"I'm become the best bride that I can be!" She said before wrapping her hands around Ash's head and giving him a peck on the forehead. Cilan went pale while Iris merely stuttered at the sight, going red in the face. [1]
Molly pulled away and looked at Ash who was partially stunned before grinning. "Sure thing Molly. I have no idea what you mean but sure thing!" Cilan and Iris face faulted at his denseness while Pikachu seriously gave a sigh. Molly on the other hand blinked a few times before letting out a laugh and changing back towards her child like form.
"Oh! But where is that guy?" she asked. "I wanted to thank him….." She spotted her father and he came over, molly asking him where he was, Ash's mind wandering over to then mysterious boy. His blood had worked in the same way that Ash's had. That must have meant-
"-y? He said he was taking the right path, the one that he used to take up here." Spencer said with a frown before crossing his arms. "I wanted to thank him as well but….I have no idea what he meant." Iris and Cilan looked at each other while Ash merely frowned.
The….right path? What did that mean?
Ash thought. He had to be an Aura Zero. There was no other way that it was possible for his blood to work like that. But what did he mean by the right path? No…scratch that….how had he even gotten up here in the first place? Ash had done so because of Iris but the boy had nothing of that sort. So what exactly did he have?
What path was Ash going to take originally?
Ash looked over towards the path that led down the mountain and towards the fork in the road with the sign. And to both sides, there was a forest path to the left and to the r-
"Let's look!" said Ash as he eyed the path. If they split up, then it would be easier for him to chat with the boy alone. "I'll look over here!" And without anyone butting in, he took off, the others sighing before going around to look for the boy, Pikachu moving in order to go with Ash.
Ash went onto the path, however it was hard to call it that. Like before, mud had gathered on it and it was less a path and more a slide. Ash tried to look through the trees however they were too close together that he needed to take another st-
He took it and slipped, Pikachu and him crying out in surprise as they tumbled down the path, through the trees and the mud as they headed towards the bottom.
Ash. He did not have a last name that the boy could remember. Did he even introduce himself properly? The boy had those thoughts as he carefully made his way done the forest path.
At the very least, he had not expected the night to turn in that direction. He was still sore however with the injuries that he had that was lucky. Still the boy had another issue to deal with. There was something that had been at the back of his mind for a long time now and it was greatly related the surge in Exorcisms. The Meteonite issue paled in comparison. Yes…
The true problem with the world was-
A cry from behind made the boy turn around, only to receive a kick to the face as a shoe planted itself comfortably there. He fell back, his chest hitting the ground and he cried out, the person on top of him doing so as well as the two of them sailed down the path, the boy being used as a make shift sled that was definitely not pleasant.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" both voices came out as they continued their descent and the boy could have sworn he heard a "PIKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" there as well.
They reached the bottom, the boy's face angled so that dirt entered it and he scrambled to get the person off him, doing so as he stood up and wiped all of the dirt of his face, looking towards his white shirt and looking stunned at the damage that it had received.
The culprit of the crime looked towards the boy and opened his mouth in surprise at what had happened. The boy solely turned his head, a dangerous gleam entering the red eye.
"Hey…..Ash." said the boy as he lowered an arm, one that was coming closer and closer towards Ash's neck.
"Y-Y-Y-Yes?!" said Ash in surprise and terror.
"You….do know what you did right?" he asked. Ash nodded vigorously and the boy gave a sigh before reaching out with that hand of his, one that Ash took and used to help stand up, Pikachu hopping onto Ash's shoulder.
"Well?" he asked.
"W-Well what?" responded Ash.
The boy groaned. "Are you saying that you used me as a sled for fun?!" There was emphasis on the last two words and Ash shook his head so fast that it became a blur.
"Nonononono! Well, it's just….." Ash looked at him and then the boy responded by pulling out something from his blazer, another one of those test tubes, Just how many did he have in there?
"This right?" Ash nodded. This was the issue. His…no, their blood. What was it? Why did it have the effect that it did? What was it? Why did it affect the world like it did? Was would happen if it was put against other aura related things? If getting Molly's blood into someone's system did that to Elton, then what would happen to someone if they swallowed Ash's blood?
"Well, let me start by saying that it's not lethal. People can eat it and stuff and nothing will happen." Started the boy. "Thing is though, I've never had this conversation before. I didn't think that another one of me existed."
"An Aura Zero?" asked Ash and Pikachu looked towards its trainer. The boy let out a laugh and then scratched the back of his head.
"Weeeeeeeeeeeell…I suppose that is an accurate description. Hahaha. Well I guess you can call it that. However the thing is, that is not why. I haven't come up with a term because there are no others apart from you and me."
Ash gulped at the words. "What…do you mean? How can there only be two?"
The boy frowned and thought about the words that he was about to say. "First. Aura is described as the life force right?" he asked him to which Ash nodded.
"Y-Yeah. Every living thing has it within them. It is what keeps us alive. But then h-"
"And that's your first question. How are we alive? Well the thing is, aura is NOT the life force. That is an inaccurate description. Aura can be controlled. Always has and always will. The temptation is there and everyone succumbs. And that it why it is the life force."
Ash frowned and Pikachu tilted its head with a "Pika?" "What do you mean?" asked Ash.
"Put it this way. Think….of a phone. Let's say that a baby has one at birth. By curiosity, the baby will use the phone right?" Ash nodded. "Exactly. And as time goes on, this baby will use it more thoroughly and discover new features yadda yadda." The boy waved a hand in the air as he spoke. "However this phone is not a normal one. The more one uses it, the more infused it gets with the baby. And soon….the baby will become so engrossed in it that once the phone is taken away, there is nothing that can sustain the body anymore. And the baby….." It was obvious what would happen and Ash did not answer.
"As we…..don't have that phone, we cannot access its features and thus we have been termed 'Aura Zero's."
"But how do you lose this phone? I've been an Aura Zero for my entire life-"
"Correction. The life that you have known has been the one of an Aura Zero. "The boy said and Ash's eyes widened at what he was saying. "That's right. The world is not selective in who the phone is given to. EVERYONE is born with aura. Otherwise if you weren't, your mother would have exploded from the inside out when you were in her womb."
"But then how….." started Ash silently and the boy merely waved a hand and showed two fingers.
"There are only two ways to get someone to lose their aura. One, have it forcibly removed before one can get it infused with the body. That is around before the age of one."
"A-And the second?" asked Ash, nervous at the answer and the boy raised an eyebrow as he looked towards him.
"Shouldn't that be obvious?" asked the boy.
"You die."
Ash flinched at the casual words that the boy said however he looked at Ash with a confused expression. "But which one are you from. You certainly don't look dead to me."
"That's because I'm not!" said Ash.
"Then it must be the other option. Obviously." Said the boy as he rolled his eyes.
"But who wou-"
"I don't know!" replied the boy with a frown. "At the very least….I don't it has to do with anything with 5 years ago."
Ash looked at then boy with a worried look. "F-Five years ago?" he asked. "What happened then? Wasn't that the time when the amount of Exorcisms grew?"
The boy nodded before shrugging. "That's the thing. No-one knows. At any rate, that's all I'm answering for now. I'm heading towards Castelia City so see you around."
"W-Wait!" said Ash before the boy could even turn around. "Castelia? W-We're heading there so why don't you-"
"No." replied the boy before Ash could even say what he was thinking. "I'm not going to travel with you." Said the boy as if he had completely read Ash's mind. "If I do, it would because you think I have all the answers. I don't. Our blood…reflects what we don't have. It negates and distorts the world as it is and that in itself is the biggest mistake that exists. What you do now that you know what you are is something that only you can learn. Not something that is an answer."
Ash looked down and mumbled something before saying it louder. "Am….I a monster? I….I am an Aura Zero. I've known nothing else but rejection ever since I was little."
The boy blinked before giving a sigh. "What do you think Ash? You saw Harrington, the false one not that other one. Are you like that? On the inside or the outside? I don't think so. We both stood up, despite what we have. We both stood up and protected that small girl. There's nothing monstrous in that. Nothing wrong or bad. So, Ash I can safely say that you are not a monster. People you say that you are because of what you have…they don't know you. You are determined by your actions, not by who are you born with or what. Being an Aura Zero is not a condition. It's a privilege. It doesn't change who you are."
The boy gave a pat on Ash's shoulder. "So don't lose that. Just move forward. And don't worry. There are still some answers I have but…." He reached into his blazer and pulled out a small slip of paper with a number of it. "Should you need anything, advice or a friend to talk to then there I am." The boy pointed towards the paper.
"Fr…iend?" asked Ash. The boy nodded.
"Well….we did fight Harrington together. Not so sure it would have gone as well if you hadn't protected Molly and used Thunderbolt when you did. No…I'm sure that last night would have gone much worse had you not been there Ash. So good luck. With whatever you want to do.
"Haha." Laughed Ash. "Well then I better tell you since we're friends. I want to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master! You better remember the name Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The boy seemed stunned for a moment before letting out a laugh.
"Sure thing. I won't forget it. But we'll definitely see each other again. Perhaps in Castelia? Or earlier if you try and catch up to me when I'm walking. Oh! And a thing to ask you. Answer me back whenever but….what is being an Aura Zero to you? What does it mean? Answer me that and then I'll answer whatever you like next time we see each other."
He turned and walked away, Ash calling back towards him. "How do you know that we'll meet again?"
"Don't underestimate the trouble that seems to follow us Aura Zeros Ash. You know what I mean right? The thing is about moving forward and resolving everything with a smile on your face!" The boy let out a laugh as did Ash as he knew exactly what he was talking about before realising something.
"I didn't get your name! Friends should at least be on name terms!"
The boy turned and walked backwards. "Liberty Knox. See you around…..Ash Ketchum. Keep in touch should I not see you." He turned back around put his hands in his pockets.
"Yeah! See you around….Liberty Knox." Liberty gave a wave and continued walking, Ash watching him go as he gave Pikachu a small pat.
"You know what buddy? Even though I have you and my other Pokémon…..I think that I'm not that truly alone. We'll be fine."
"Pikapi Pikachu!" said Pikachu with a smile and Ash grinned before nodding.
"But…." He turned and looked up the mountain that they had ridden down. "How are we supposed to get up?"
The incident had passed by without fail. But in the end, there was something that Ash had achieved without even asking. Connection. There was the connection with that boy called Liberty Knox that he did not understand.
They were both Aura Zeros. They both wanted to move forward without delay. And they both wanted to do their best to help other around them. There was that connection there at the least however that was enough to allow them to be friends.
While Ash had secrets, he was sure that Liberty did as well. What did that matter? There was still the fact that everyone had walked out happy.
And thus, the only thing left….was to walk forward.
[1] I thought that it might be amusing, what with Bonnie in XY doing something similar to Clemont, that Molly might have the same attitude in regards to Ash. Mind you though, the childish innocence that she has is what makes it all the more amusing.
Hmm. I have NO IDEA what to think. In the beginning this was kind of "Oh use Aura and Pokémon together" however it then escalated into Iris and Cilan sword fight. Not even sure what was going on there however it was used as a sort of plot point; people and use aura in the same way that Pokémon can.
But FINALLY! I finished. And I finally gave the boy a name. Which was a relief. But I hope that you guys are looking forward to the next arc. Which actually might be another Exorcism. Remember, there was a flashback back in Chapter 15…
Anyway, I hope that some of the mysteries of Ash and Liberty have been cleared up however there are still some more. Like one of the major plot points for later arcs, 5 years ago. What happened? You'll see.
Weell this was by far the longest chapter I HAVE EVER WRITTEN! With Pokémon battles and fight scenes and explosions (of air) we have had a good run here in the very least. But in the end, I hope that you guys await the next arc.
And definitely, things will be for better or for worse, pretty different now. In this AU I've made, the possibilities are pretty endless.
And as always,
Review if you please
And I'll see you when I see you and I won't if I don't.
But just a question. What do you guys think? Canon vs. original stories? Or should I just move onto the Kalos arc? In terms of shipping, everyone is going Serena crazy …..AmourShipping….hehehehe. Just want your opinion. But now that I've introduced my major OC, I'm pretty sure that the direction of the stories will be greater.
Thanks.
Mr Question Mark.