Hey everyone! I know its been a little while, but I've been busy working on my movie. (Yes, if I haven't mentioned it before I make my own films as another hobby). It's almost done so it's had most of my attention.
We're going to be spending some more time with Ash and Misty for a while. The other group will be on the back burner for now, so you'll have to continue waiting to discover who the former Rocket is :p. There is a reason for it though! So just enjoy the latest chapter, and let me worry about the flow of everything :)
Oh! One last thing, I've been asked about Ash's Aura. No Ash won't be using Aura during this fic. Not for any reason in particular other than its hard enough tying everything together as is. Simply put, there's too much else going on lol. I thought about it though. If you're a big fan of Aura stuff though, just wait until we get to the point where I can open up on the 'powers of the world' stuff. I think you'll like it.
May 9th 11:32 a.m.
Misty's heart beat joyously, all concerns, fears, and worries flying out the window. Ash is awake! She was on her feet and sprinting across the grass faster than the words had even registered in Dawn's mind, but then a wide smile cracked across the bluenette's expression and she too was bolting for the cabin. Somewhere far in the distance, thunder boomed, but not a single one of them paid any mind. Lance had no more than a second to sidestep, the wind from Misty ruffling his spiky hair as she flew by.
"Careful with that cast" he shouted after Misty as Dawn crossed the threshold after her friend.
They ran down the narrow hall, Misty sliding to a stop and using her good arm to catch herself on the open doorway to Ash's room, Dawn right behind her. There he was, sitting up, looking around with an expression like he was taking everything in for the first time.
"Ash" Misty half shouted with relief, and half murmured with worry.
He turned to her, his brown eyes coming into focus as they locked onto hers. He didn't say a word, or make a sound, slowly rising to his feet off the bed. Kyle was there, offering his help to support Ash, but it was unheard by the raven haired man. Misty took a step closer, swallowing as she did. Was something wrong? Did he not remember anything?
Then Ash swept forward, taking her into his arms and exhaling a heavy sigh of content. Misty's breath was squeezed out of her, but she didn't care. Her love was awake! She embraced him back, a tear escaping from her eye. "You had me so worried you jerk. I thought you weren't coming back".
"I'll always come back to you" he whispered just loud enough for her to hear, and she sobbed a happy sob. Burying her face into the crook of his neck.
Lance appeared in the doorway beside Dawn, stopping from entering fully when he saw the scene before him. A smile flickered across the Dragon Master's lips, which Dawn caught, and she elbowed him playfully.
After a moment, the embracing couple pulled apart, and Ash placed a curled finger under Misty's chin. Lifting it up so that her eyes could see only him, he asked gently, "are you ok"?
The look behind his eyes told her the real question. Will you be ok after Giovanni?
She nodded, taking his hand in her unbroken one and kissing his knuckles before saying, "shaken up, but...I'll be fine".
Which was far from the truth, and from the way his brow twitched closer, he knew it. But he didn't say a word, and nodded before pulling her back to him in a tight hug. Little did he know Misty's mind was racing with the thought of a baby...his...or Giovanni's...
"It's good to see you up Ash" Lance decided to cut in, "and I hate to rush you so soon, but we need to get going. The world could be utterly destroyed for all we know".
Ash's brow knit together as Misty sighed and pulled away, he looked at Lance, "how long was I out"?
The seriousness in his tone scared Misty, like he had learned something during his sleep...
"Just over two months" the Champion replied with a grim expression.
Horror spread across Ash's face, and Misty's heart yearned for him. How many were already dead? Hundreds? Thousands? The entire planet? All this time they could have been fighting back, and yet they were waiting for Ash to wake up.
"T-Two months" Ash muttered, his expression growing distant as if he were recalling something.
"It's ok Ash" Misty tried, but he was talking again, "we need to get moving. Does anyone know where the Shrine of Arceus is"?
Bewildered stares greeted him from all sides, and his shoulders dropped when he realized no one was going to answer him. "Damn".
"I've never heard of that before" Dawn finally admitted, knitting her brow and wrinkling her nose as she looked off into space to delve into her deeper memories.
"I'm going to ask the obvious" Kyle spoke up, "why do we need to know"?
"There's another artifact there" Ash answered and then remembering, continued, "where is the Darkin"?
"We left it covered up in the jeep" Misty replied, "Dawn accidentally touched it, and went into a series of seizures".
The woman in question shuddered at the memory, "I hate that thing".
"Did it show you the three ancient Sinnohans using it and the Mew at the Temple" Ash asked, taking a step towards her.
Her mouth fell open, and she stammered for a second, "y-yes? How did you know that"?
The black haired trainers expression darkened, and he mumbled to himself, "so everything was true".
The room fell silent, and Lance decided to step forward, "alright, as eager as I am to get going. It seems you have some explaining to do".
He gazed pointedly at Ash, who blinked once then glanced around the room. His eyes stopped on Misty, and she looked worried, as if something was severely wrong with him. Swallowing once, Ash closed his eyes and breathed in. "Alright, this might take a while".
He jumped right into his story, recalling the pitch black he had found himself in, with no sight and no sounds save for the beating of his own heart. Then he told them the Darkin appeared, and he had a glimpse of Misty and Dawn standing over him, and they looked stunned he could remember what they had been saying at the time.
Next he told them of Arceus, and all the information the God had passed on. From when he came into existence, to him creating the four Mew. Dawn looked down at her own hand as he explained three of them gave their souls to create the known universe, and their essence now existed within three pure beings, which happened to be him, her, and Gary.
Then he told them of the Vitan, and that it was located in the Shrine of Arceus. How they needed the three pure hearts to wield the powers of the world, Fire, Ice, and Lightning. Misty audibly gasped as she connected those dots...and then proceeded to interrupt him, "wait! You don't mean the Shamouti Treasure's"?
"Arceus said three keys of Fire, Ice, and Lightning were the power of the universe, and that I had held them in my hands" Ash shrugged, "that sounds an awful lot like them to me".
She groaned, pressing her hand to her face, "I never wanted to see those things again".
"Same here" he nodded, but smiled weakly at her for some reassurance.
"But a lot of this makes sense now" Misty added, looking up and casting a glance at Dawn who looked bewildered, "three keys, three pure hearts. There were three people in your vision Dawn. We thought they might have been missing something? Well now we know what".
"Those treasure things" the bluenette questioned. To which Misty nodded, then furrowed her brow, "have we never told you about Shamouti"?
Dawn shook her head slowly as she pondered, but decided that she had indeed never heard the story.
"We'll do that later" Ash interjected as Misty opened her mouth to do so, "for now we need to find the Vitan".
"What makes it so special" Lance cut in, "how do we know it won't be as dangerous as the Darkin"?
"The Darkin is Darkness, the root of all evil" Ash explained, "it is connected to the Dominion's, all of them. It is their life force, this Vitan-".
Misty gasped once again, a revelation hitting her as Ash spoke. The room turned to her, waiting for an explanation, and she quickly gave it, "that explains so much! When you touch the Darkin, it shows you different things, right"?
She turned to Dawn, who looked taken back by the sudden action, but answered, "um yes. So far anyway".
She shivered at the memory once again, but Misty continued, "you've been seeing Dominion memories"!
A ringing silence followed, but Dawn quickly tried to knock that theory by saying, "but it showed me the battle at Pallet Town before it happened".
"Dominion's claim they can foresee the future, right" Misty chimed, "you saw a memory before it actually happened"!
"My brain hurts" Kyle grumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
"Regardless, that doesn't answer my question" Lance interrupted, "how do we know the Vitan isn't dangerous"?
"Arceus created it" Ash revealed, "should a pure heart be killed by a Dominion, the Mew essence inside of them would not pass onto the next generation. The Vitan can revive them, but only once".
"And we can use it to revive Gary" Misty realized, a spark of hope igniting inside of her for the first time in months.
"That's what Arceus wants" Ash nodded, "to revive Gary and have the three pure hearts battle against the Dominion's".
"Fire, Ice, and Lightning" Misty cited, "who'd of thought we'd been dealing with that again".
Ash couldn't help the smile forming on his face. Misty was acting like her old self, fiery and determined. A lot like himself, actually. The spark in her eyes was enough to fire Ash up any day. "So what are we waiting for? Let's do it"!
"We'll need to find a source of information where we could track down this Shrine" Lance mused to the group.
"Hold up" Kyle raised a hand, "you guys want to track down a Shrine we haven't heard of. Get another artifact to revive a dead guy, and then use magic to fight off the Dominion's? Lance you believe all this"?
"You don't" Misty asked angrily, fire seething from her eyes as she glared at Kyle. He quickly raised his hands in defense and stammered, "I do! I'm just surprised Lance does".
The Champion simply shrugged and said, "times are crazy".
"Where are we going to find information about a Shrine though" Dawn brought up, looking up at Lance.
"Where else to find information" he half said sarcastically, "a library. More specifically, the Canalave Library".
Dawn's expression shifted from wonder to 'oh duh', and Kyle mumbled, "if it hasnt been destroyed".
"One way to find out" Lance said, "time to go then. Everyone pack it up".
Suddenly, the thing Misty was dreading came flooding back. Ash took a step forward, but her outstretched hand stopped him in his tracks.
"I need to talk to you alone" she said quietly, not meeting his gaze, but shooting Dawn one that the bluenette understood perfectly.
"We'll be outside" she told Misty, and proceeded to yank the Dragon Master out by his arm. Kyle, sensing the uneasiness radiating from Misty, awkwardly walked himself out of the room. For the briefest of a moment, Ash looked for a dash of yellow to sprint out of the room as the door closed, but his heart fell as he remembered...
Misty's hand interlocked in his, and he turned his gaze to look down into her eyes. They were scared, and his heart fell more. He closed the slight gap between their fingers, and patiently waited for her to gather her courage. Whatever this was about, it was serious. She searched his eyes for the confidence she needed, and he gazed right back, letting her find comfort in him.
With a quick breath, she half whispered, "I'm pregnant".
Now the younger, denser Ash might have exploded with joy at this news, but the older Ash knew exactly what this men't. "And you don't know who's it is"?
She shook her head, finally breaking eye contact and looking down as if she was ashamed.
"Of course you wouldn't know, it was only a day apart" he mumbled more to himself, using his other hand to run through his hair. How he missed his hat.
Misty tightened her grip on his hand, pulling it to her chest, "I'm sorry...".
"Don't be sorry" Ash said softly, using his other hand to brush his thumb across her cheek and push a strand of hair behind her ear, "it's not your fault".
"I feel so...disgusting" her voice was low, barely audible to his ears, but he heard the heartbroken tone hiding underneath.
"Hey" he tried, but her head remained down.
"Hey".
This time he removed his hand from her cheek and placed a finger under her chin, raising her head so that she had to look at him. The expression on her face was almost too much for him to handle, so pitiful and so distraught.
"Don't. The baby is mine regardless" he said softly, quietly. Using their other still connected hands to pull her closer, "when all this is over, we'll have a family. I love you Misty, you don't have to worry about that".
Oh how he could make her chest burn. Tears welled up in her eyes, clouding her vision of his face, but she didn't care. Her lower lip trembled, and she dropped her forehead to his chest, his arms wrapping around her once more. Why had she been so worried? Of course Ash would understand, of course he wouldn't run away. He was the hero, a good person down to the core...a pure heart.
Thunder rattled the windows, growling somewhere far in the distance, but they stood there. Taking in the comfort that was each other. After everything, after all the bad, terrible things that had happened so far, they had each other. They would always have each other. Come Shamouti, Dominion's, Giovanni, or even death. Nothing was ever going to break them from each other's heart.
"Hey Misty" his voice vibrated against head, "what happened to my father"?
Her heartbeat skipped. She had completely forgotten about Red! Slowly raising her head to look up at him, she replied, "I don't know".
In all honesty, she was surprised he even remembered. Although, talking about a baby probably made him think about being a father, which reminded him of his...boom. A panic bomb went off inside her. The baby, Red, Giovanni, Ash's uncle! What if the baby had twelve toes! No! She couldn't think like that! Should she tell Ash what she knew? Should she tell Ash Giovanni was his uncle?
One look into his deep brown eyes told her no. Ash was strong, no doubt about it, but that information might just be the breaking point. No, Misty would hold onto that info until the day she died. He never needed to know, he never would know.
He sighed, "guess it doesn't matter, I'm used to him not being around anyway".
"Hey Ash! Misty" Dawn's faint voice called from outside, "you should come look at this".
Normally a dash of irritation would have shot through the red head, but there was something in Dawn's voice that didn't bring this about. Something urgent. Sensing the same tone, Ash broke their embrace, looking down at Misty as if to say 'we better go see'.
With a quick kiss to her forehead, Ash took her hand and led her out of the bedroom. Kyle and Lance were standing at the jeep, while Dawn was a foot from the front porch. All three were staring up at the sky, curious, worried looks plastered on their faces. Stopping beside Dawn, and following her gaze, Ash turned his eyes upwards.
Through the treetops an aura of greens and blues gently waved across the sky, glittering in the sunlight. It snaked its way for miles, leaving their visible line of sight. Storm clouds were slowly rolling in from the south, blocking the aura from view. Thunder rolled through the trees, shaking the higher up branches from the sound wave.
"What do you think that's about" Dawn asked, pulling her eyes away from the aura and looking to Ash.
It looked eerily familiar, he'd definitely seen that kind of thing before...he didn't have to think on it for long, because Misty was answering, "disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice, or Lightning. Ash, we've seen that aura before"!
"Shit. So you think the birds are fighting again"? He turned to her, fear etched on him.
"Something's going on at least" she replied, "I'd bet on it".
"Right" Lance pulled his eyes from the clouds, "I remember that freak storm twelve years ago. If this one turns out half as bad as that, we've got a problem".
Snapping from his own memories of dealing with those crazy weather conditions at Indigo so long ago, he swung open the vehicle door and ordered, "we need to hurry, load up"!
Dawn stepped up to the jeep, but immediately stepped back as Lance pulled out a cloth covered item. "Keep that thing away from me"!
"What do you think I'm doing" the Champion responded with a half eye roll. Dawn, very childlike, stuck her tongue out at him then pulled herself into the vehicle with a 'hmph'.
If there was one thing Misty admired about Dawn, you could tear her down, break her heart, but she was never going to change. Thunder rolled by once more, drawling on as it shook the top most tree branches. Kyle fired up the jeep as the others climbed in, Lance opening the glove compartment and stashing the Darkin away in there.
As Kyle shifted gears, let off the brake, and they they began to roll forward, Dawn shifted in her seat to face Ash. "So, you never told me how you knew about my vision"?
Ash's expression fell, and it was apparent he didn't want to elaborate, but he did anyhow, "oh, well, when Arceus left he said Darkness is here. Which was kinda obvious, the whole place was nothing but dark. But then I felt cold air and heard something, something rumbling its way my direction. So I ran, unable to see where I was going, just running. The Darkin showed me things as I ran, flashes of my past, you guys, Gary. That's how I know what you saw, because I saw it too".
An eerie silence fell in the cab of the jeep, with only the crunching of dirt beneath the tires for sound, and the distant rumble of thunder.
"I'm going to regret asking this, but, did you figure out what was after you" Dawn asked carefully, hesitation ladled throughout her voice, but Ash shook his head.
"No, I never did. I could sense it though, watching me". Misty's hand found his, giving him a reassuring squeeze to let him know he was safe. He was here.
"Ok, enough with the heavy stuff" Kyle spoke up, tapping the wheel with a finger, "I'm still curious about this Shamouti story"?
Dawn's face lit up at the mention, and she excitedly spewed, "oh yea! Tell us about that! I'm eager to hear it"!
"It's not something you should be excited about Dawn" Lance sighed, shifting in his seat to look at them in the back, "I remember that day well. I'm surprised you don't. The weather was catastrophic world wide".
Dawn put a finger at her chin, thinking for a moment before snapping, "I think I do! I was 7...I think. Anyway I remember mom made us go down to the basement because tornadoes were popping up all over Sinnoh".
"That was probably it then".
"Still wanna hear the story" she grumbled, folding her arms and glaring at the Dragon Master.
"What could it hurt to tell a story Lance" Misty came to Dawn's aide, letting the corner of her mouth tug upwards into a smile.
"Whatever" he sighed, turning back to face the road, "it's up to Ash anyway".
"Me" the man in question pointed to himself, "why"?
"Maybe because it's your story dork" Misty chastised, shaking his hand in hers playfully.
"Oh, right" he smiled that crooked grin, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"So spill it" Dawn demanded, uncrossing her arms and leaning forward, "pleeeease"?
"Yea, pleeeease" Kyle chimed in from the front, imitating Dawn's voice. With a halfhearted glance to Misty, Ash breathed out, "ok, I guess".
Dawn let out a squeal of glee, and Kyle muttered in victory, "Kylenated".
"How does that even work here"! Lance barked irritant.
"Ssshhh" Kyle shushed him, "Ash is going to tell a story".
And so he began, starting from the moment the storm swept them to Shamouti island. They talked, laughed, and even made jokes. Lance himself eventually joined in on telling parts of the story from the Indigo Plateau's point of view. Rain began to fall as Ash reached the part where he realized he truly was the Chosen One.
"So calling you that from now on" Dawn stated, earning a "please don't" from Ash.
For the first time in a long time, if Misty didn't allow her brain to wander to darker places, things felt normal. For all that mattered, they could just be a bunch of friends on a road trip together. Having a good time, and enjoying each other's company, you know, minus the bruises and broken limbs.
A couple of times Ash's voice would hitch at the mention of Pikachu, but otherwise he seemed to be doing ok. Of course, if Misty knew Ash like she was pretty sure she did, he was a wreck on the inside. Only showing the lightheartedness for the sake of the others. Which was fine with her at the moment, they all could use somewhat of a break. Even if it was only in the form of stories.
Finally Ash came to the part where he almost died, and Misty dove into the ocean to save him, Dawn grinned maliciously wide at Misty and asked, "soooo, it's always been a thing huh"?
Misty's face lit up a little red, and she said, "shut it Dawn".
"What's always been a thing" Ash asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.
"You and Misty" Lance, LANCE, blurted out from the front, "been in love for a long time".
"Oh" Ash's face turned red, "yea, I guess so".
"What do you even know about love Lance" Misty accused, trying to take the heat off them. Not because she was embarrassed, but because in the back of her mind this conversation made her think about how much she did love Ash. Which made her think about spending their lives together, which in turn made her think about the baby...
"I'm still figuring it out, I guess" was Lance's answer.
"Ohhh, that means you're thinking of someone" Dawn squealed, "who is it"?!
The Champion didn't respond, simply clearing his throat and turning his head to watch the rain slide across the window. Dawn's face fell, and she looked a little confused, but Misty elbowed the bluenette and then Dawn's cheeks turned a little pink.
"Anyway" Ash continued, "so after I didn't die, I marched up the snow covered stairs back to the shrine...".
He finished off the story, and Dawn spent the next half hour awing over all the details, until she had a realization. "Wait a second, why didn't you ever tell me this when we were traveling Sinnoh"?
"Didn't think about it I guess" he shrugged, "I was pretty focused on earning my badges".
"Check it" Kyle interrupted before Dawn could speak back, "we're close to Veilstone".
They drove past a sign that indeed said 'Veilstone City - 5 miles'.
As much as the thought of seeing civilization sparked a keen sense of excitement and dread in Lance, he thought of Sinnoh's layout and sighed. "Which means we have to cross the entire region".
"As long as we can find gas, I'll get us to Canalave faster than you can say Kylena-".
"Don't you finish that sentence Kyle" the Champion snapped, "just get us into the city".
The blonde's expression turned sullen and pouty. Turning his head slightly away from Lance, he whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Kylenated".
"KYLE"!
Veilstone City...was not what Misty had even half hoped it would be. Everyone knew that it should be a ghost town, with all of Sinnoh's citizens evacuated to Unova like the rest of the world. What they found, however, rattled each of them to their core.
The city was decimated, flames and smoke still rising above the building tops. Not a sound could be heard, save for the stormy wind, and the crackling of massive flames far away. No horns, no cars, no people...nothing.
The taller buildings had gaping chunks blasted from them, shattered windows, and cracking frames. Debris littered the streets, and abandoned vehicles lined the roads. The rain had stopped a short while ago, leaving behind damp concrete and discarded trash unable to blow away in the wind. Kyle rolled through the streets carefully, taking care to turn the jeep wide from other vehicles.
"This is bad" Lance commented to himself with a frown and a scowl.
"So, the Dominion's attacked here too" Dawn asked cautiously, her voice unneasily quiet.
"Looks like it" he answered, swiveling his eyes across the many buildings, "let's just hope they're not still around.
"Why are there no bodies" Ash asked, "if Dominion's attacked, their should be dead everywhere".
"Depends" Kyle replied, "if Veilstone was in the middle of evacuating, then the population would be in one place and that's where the bodies will be. Or, they could already of been evacuated and the Dominion's just decided to trash the city anyway".
"I'm betting on the first one" Misty mumbled, swallowing nervously after.
"Let's just hope the city is completely deserted" Lance half stated, "find us a working gas station Kyle".
"Got it".
They drove along slowly, maneuvering through the various obstacles while each of them simultaneously watched for a threat of any kind. Once Dawn thought she saw a small blue Pokemon scamper behind some debris, but she wasn't sure. They turned around a cluster of vehicles, heading into Main Street, and Kyle tapped the breaks. "Oh...".
"We found the evacuees" Lance's voice shook weakly.
The three in the back leaned around to see out the windshield, and Dawn immediately turned back, breathing heavily. Misty's hand gripped Ash's tighter, and his jaw locked hard like stone.
Main Street may as well have been painted red. Dried blood covered the sidewalks, the road, fronts of buildings, signs, and benches. Down at the end of the street sat four large busses, two turned on their sides, and all of them ripped open in gashes of harsh metal. None of that was the worst part...not for Ash. No, it was seeing the masses of flayed, and ripped apart bodies sprawled all down the street. Some torn apart so bad they were bits of meat speckled across the concrete. People of all ages, old and aged, down to a few infants.
"Reverse Kyle" the black haired man commandedd flatly, and the blonde nodded his agreement. Throwing the jeep in reverse, and backing away from the putrid scene.
Misty let out the breath that lodged itself in her throat, almost tasting the iron in the air. Dawn whimpered beside her, her head tucked down between her knees, silently whispering to herself repeatedly, "no need to worry, no need to worry".
"Find another route around" Lance suggested, craning his head to better see out his window. Kyle did just that, going four blocks down and turning onto that street instead.
Leaning over to speak only loud enough for Dawn to hear, Misty whispered, "no need to worry, right Dawn? We're going to be fine".
"I'm not worried for us" Dawn said back, but didn't elaborate. Misty decided not to pursue it, and let Dawn be for the moment. She could be thinking about anyone. Their friends, her mother, the whole world even.
So they continued on still in relative silence, with thunder rumbling around them every so often. The rain was now starting and stopping, as if it couldn't make up its mind. Snow even began to fall once, but it was brief, and strange since it wasn't THAT cold out. Looks like Shamouti really was acting up again...
Ash remained rigidly still, only his eyes flickering out the window, searching for something he hoped to not see. Finally, as Kyle reached the outskirts of the city, they spotted a gas station, with very few vehicles in the way.
"Here we are" Kyle exclaimed, "the life of luxury"!
"That would be if we still had our helicopter" Lance mocked, flinging open his door as the vehicle rolled to a stop, "I'll go see if the pumps are on, otherwise we'll have to siphon gas".
"Siphon gas" Dawn repeated, raising her head to look at Lance, who responded, "yea, you know, use a hose and suck it out of other gas tanks".
And he shut his door, heading towards the building. Dawn's face looked horrified, "he's joking right"?
The lack of a response was her answer. Ash opened his door and stepped out, instantly smelling the decay of death among the city. His nose wrinkled in disgust, but he maintained his grip on himself. Kyle followed his example and got out, and when the girls tried, Ash raised his hand, "no, you two stay in there. Something isn't quite right".
Now Misty could feel it, the unease, the tension. Quite possibly from the death hanging in the air, but there was the feeling of being watched. The silence was almost deafening, she could hear the ringing in her ears. Her eyes maneuvered over to the station building. Lance's fire red hair behind the counter was easily spottable trough the glass, and that was when she saw something else inside. Something dark, moving right for the Champion. "Ash"!
The urgency in her tone sprung him into action, with a quick glance at her to see where she was looking, he raced for the building. The gas pump by their jeep came to life, sputtering for a moment. Lance must of found the right button.
Inside the shop, the Dragon Masted clapped once in victory when the lights came on, but it was short lived. A metal screech hurt his ears as the isles were illuminated, and a Dominion was revealed. Its yellow eyes flashed, and lightning was launched at Lance, who barely avoided it as it blew apart a rack of newspapers. Ash flung open the door, charging inside and pulling out a PokeBall as he did so.
"Go Bayleaf"!
"BayBay"!
The grass type emerged fiercely, glaring with hate at the dark creature. Ash's eyes scanned it, and he was genuinely surprised. It was hurt, bad. Dried yellow blood covered nearly every inch of the Dominion, and its right arm had been ripped off.
The things jaw opened wide and through the razor sharp teeth, it screeched at Bayleaf, cracking the glass behind Ash.
"Lance get outside" Ash shouted, "Bayleaf, vine whip"!
The Champion's red hair appeared from behind the counter as Bayleaf aftacked, striking the Dominion across the chest and flinging it back into a rack full of chips and candy. Wrappers and crumbs flew into the air as the creature slashed its way out of the mess, yellow eyes flashing as it rose.
Yellow...
It raised its third arm, lightning crackling to life at the end of its sharp fingers.
Lightning...
As its arm was brought down, a bat cracked across the creatures head, throwing the lightning off course and detonating against a soda machine, blowing it open and spewing various pops all over the floor. The Dominion staggered and Lance swung the bat he must of found behind the counter, once more. This time the dark thing caught it, and yanked violently, tossing the Champipn into the air and over to the next isle.
Yellow...lightning...Ash's jaw tightened. Pikachu...these bastards were responsible for that, and it was high time they paid for everything they had done. Reaching back he unhooked his other four PokeBalls. Donphan, Totodile, Snivy, and even Charizard materialized in four bursts of light, each glaring at the Dominion before them.
"Kill it" was all Ash ordered.
Charizard attacked first, anger for his handicap, and vengeance for his longtime friend fueling the raging fire within. Flames billowed through the store, burning the contents of the isle to a charred crisp, but the Dominion was still fast. It vaulted over the flames, yellow eyes locked on Charizard as its two remaining arms stretched out to pierce the Fire Dragon through.
A jet of water slammed into the creatures side, deflecting it away from the fire type and crashing it into the registers on the counter. With loud clangs, and the scattering of coins, both the Dominion and the register hit the floor. Totodile jumped on its hind legs with glee.
Ash took his chance to check on Lance, jumping over Snivy who was launching a vine whip at the rising Dominion. Sliding to a halt at the start of the next isle, he spotted the Dragon Master getting to his feet, clutching his side.
"Lance, you alright" the raven haired man asked as he ran to Lance's aid.
"Knocked the wind out of me" he wheezed, grasping Ash's shoulder for support, "let's get outside"!
Something crashed at the front of the store, and Donphan slid into their view. Shaking its head as blood dripped down its cheek. It cried out and rolled up tight, spinning back out of sight. Ash turned to go around the other side of the store, avoid the fight altogether. He wasn't worried about his Pokemon, there was only one Dominion. They could take it on easily, but he would rush back inside as soon as possible regardless.
Lance winced and fell against the freezers in the back, his breath becoming ragged. Ash reacted just in time to stop the man from hitting his head, "Lance"!
"Ok, I might have a broken rib".
"Baybay"!
Ash recognized that tone. It was the tone of 'duck'! Only he didn't duck in time, something heavy crashed into his backside, and the pair was launched forward across the store. They crashed into one of the windows, shattering the glass as they broke through it. Instinctively he pulled his arms up to protect his head, and good thing too as he soon hit pavement and rolled a few feet across the shattered glass shards.
"ASH"!
"LANCE"!
Misty and Dawn's scared voices rang out, followed shortly by the screeching of the thing that hit Ash's back. The Dominion jumped through the broken window, its skin seeming to dim in the dull daylight. Thunder boomed overhead as it surveyed the scene before it, a low metallic hiss escaping its cracked lips.
"Sni-VY"!
Two pairs of vine whips wrapped around the Dominion's neck and midsection, raising it into the air with a snap, then slamming it back down to the concrete once, twice. It twisted and broke free from the vines, only to receive a torrent of water to the face from Totodile in the broken window sill. Donphan burst through the glass door, peeling out across the pavement and striking straight into the creatures chest with a crack. It was caught from the air by Bayleaf's vine whip and hurtled back to the ground. Charizard emerged from the store, and with a roar, covered the Dominion in spiraling flames.
Ash shielded his face from the heat, rolling to check on Lance. He too was shielding his face from the flames, his breathing still ragged. With another roar, Charizard ceased his assault, spreading his shredded wings and bellowing to the thunder above.
The Dominion lie motioneless, wisps of smoke rising from its charred flesh. Ash sat up, eyeing the thing carefully. A quick glance at the others told Ash they were fine. Misty was half out of the jeep, with Dawn clinging to her like she had been trying to hold the red head back. Kyle was crouched behind the drivers side, aiming his rifle across the hood at the creature. But, it did not move, merely continuing to smoke as the thunder boomed once more.
Ash fully rose to his feet, feeling the dozens of stinging cuts across his arms from the glass.
"Kyle" he called, "fill up the jeep".
Seeming to convince himself the Dominion wasn't going to move, Kyle nodded in agreement, and shouldered his rifle. Lance struggled to his feet, wobbling as he did so. Ash quickly rushed to his side, ducking under the Champion's arm for support.
"Thanks" Lance hissed as the weight left his rib.
"I'd say no problem, but I remember telling you to get outside" Ash remarked.
"And let you have all the fun? Dream on Ash" he scoffed, cracking a weak smile.
Ash returned it, being cut off for replying as they reached the jeep. Dawn was scolding them, "can either of you two go a DAY without getting hurt?! Dammit Lance, let me see".
She hopped out, helping Ash position Lance in the passenger seat, and raising he Champions tattered shirt without warning.
"Hey" he protested in shock, but she wasn't listening, instead running her fingers along his rib cage gently. He turned a light shade of pink, and half whispered, "I'm fine Dawn".
"No you're not" she stated, wrinkling her forehead in a frown, "this is a broken rib. I already know one reckless loony, don't be another one"!
Knowing exactly who she was talking about, Ash scratched his cheek, "you're not talking about me right"?
"I don't need another Ash" Dawn continued without acknowledging him, "I just need the people I care about safe, got it"?!
"Dawn, I'll be ok-".
"GOT IT LANCE"?!
Her outburst made all the men jump, and Misty giggle to herself. Then, it hit her, and the red head burst into a fit of laughter. All eyes turned on her quizzically, waiting for an explanation. Misty tried to hold her breath and regain control, but it was in vain. The situation was to much for her, and not in the insane kind of way. Well, maybe a little bit.
Here they were, driving through a decimated ghost town, planning on driving across Sinnoh, just killed a Dominion, and Dawn was scolding Lance like a child. DAWN, little, petite, blue haired Dawn was scolding the Dragon Master, the Champion of the Indigo League about a broken rib while the entire world was going to shit. Comical!
Ash's lips began to twitch, and he fought it, but soon he was laughing right alongside with her. Not for the same reasons, but because the happy sound of her laughter warmed his heart. He had almost forgotten what that felt like.
Eventually Misty was able to crack open an eye and Dawn caught the look, bursting into her own fit of laughter as she realized why Misty was laughing. The Pokemon shared a look amongst each other, raising their brows in perplexion. Kyle and Lance shared a similar look, only Lance spoke, "have you three lost it"?
"No, no we haven't" Dawn replied, catching her own breath repeatedly to calm herself down, "we just had a moment". She smiled at him, "just be careful from now on Champ, ok"?
And without waiting for a reply, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek swiftly. Misty caught Ash's eye, who as always, was a second behind in the love department. His expression turned to realization as Misty rolled her eyes at him.
"Did, you just call me Champ" Lance asked, his own confusion blocking out what just happened.
"Yep" the bluenette chimed, stepping away from the passenger seat, "I'm thinking about giving everyone nicknames".
"And I'm Champ"? He didn't sound very enthusiastic.
"Ash is Chosen One, Misty used to be Red, but I think I'll change that to Blue, since she likes water, and Kyle will be...hm"?
"What" Kyle exclaimed playfully, raising a hand to his chest as if he were hurt, "I don't have one"?
"I'll think of one" she reassured, and skipped past Ash to rejoin Misty in the backseat. The black haired man turned to Lance, who still looked a little confused, and flustered now that he was realizing Dawn had kissed his cheek. The gas pump clicked off, indicating the tank was full.
"That's that" Kyle stated, "we're off"!
He tossed the hand pump aside, and slid himself back into the driver seat. Ash turned to his Pokemon, bending down beside Donphan to give his cut a once over. "Nothing a little rest won't fix, you feel ok"?
"Phan"!
"Good" he stood up, "thank you guys. Pikachu would be proud of your teamwork".
They each called to him approvingly, and he smiled as he recalled each of them. His fingers lingered over Charizard's ball for a second longer, then he spun around to face the jeep. Hopping into the backseat by Misty, he frowned as he spotted Dawn digging behind them for something.
"Here" she exclaimed, pulling out a small blanket, "wrap this around your torso Champ. Be sure to do it tight"!
"I know how to wrap a broken rib" Lance barked, snatching the blanket from her, "and seriously don't call me Champ".
Dawn simply smiled and winked at him before turning her head to gaze out her window as Kyle fired up the vehicle.
"It's ok Champ" Kyle chimed in, "at least you have a nickname".
"Kyle I swear to-".
"To Canalave City" Kyle exclaimed loudly, and floored the gas pedal. The jeep spun out in place for a moment before taking off. Misty caught one last glance at the still smoking body of the Dominion as they sped away. How odd...after a life threatening situation, they were able to laugh like it had never happened. Must mean they were beginning to get used to the world as it was right now. They were getting used to death...she shivered. Somehow the thought was not enticing.
"Get us there fast Kyle" Ash spoke up, "the faster we can find this Shrine, the faster we can revive Gary".
And another chapter down! They now have a goal, which is exciting. It's a nice change of pace from running for their lives. It even reflected amongst them I think. Anyways, really do hope everyone is enjoying the story still and it moving in such a way that is keeping ya'll interested!
Like I said, we'll be spending the next few chapters with Ash and Misty, so buckle in. Things won't stay this relatively calm forever!