SpencerDorman - thank you for pointing out my punctuation error! For the longest time I could have sworn that was the way to do it. So I looked up how to 'properly' write dialogue and I'll be correcting that going forward. If you notice anything else slightly off, feel free to point it out!
JordanMax - Good call, trust me, you don't wanna know! When, how, or who. It'll be awful, that's all I can say.
Dawny1999 - I'll miss Kyle too! He was fun to write in so many ways, but that's the nature of this kind of story. Some deaths will just be meaningless and tragic.
Hope everyone enjoys the newest chapter! :)
May 14 5:43 p.m.
His ears were ringing, ringing with the sound of cracking bones, and bruising of flesh. The girl's cries of terror barely penetrating through, serving only as a distant reminder he was still on Earth, he wasn't dreaming. Curses flew from his mouth as he fought against the men holding him back, his fists punching and scratching at their dirty faces. Ash was getting free, he was going to get them out of there!
Lance was nearly passed out, his breaths hardly existent as he fought to remain conscious. Rorik strode up to him ignoring Ash's fury, apparently unconcerned for him getting free, and he spoke to Lance, "Punishments are severe in my city. You'll do well to learn that."
And he turned to the crying Dawn, eyeing her with a mix of pity and lust, "Hey now. That won't bring your friend back."
He motioned to the mess of what was once Kyle's head. She still refused to look at her friend, but Misty's eyes were locked to the bloodied, flattened mess of flesh and bone. Her red hair strung across her face, obscuring the same rage of Ash she was wearing. Rorik strode past her, kneeling before Dawn. He used the wide tip of his bat, placing it under the bluenette's chin and forcing her to look at him, "Did I punish the wrong one? Should it have been him?"
He nodded his head backwards to the rapidly feinting Lance, who's dark eyes caught Dawn's. She swallowed, non blinking as the tears continued to fall.
"Look at me," Rorik asked quietly. She silently refused, keeping her stare fixed on Lance, his eyes fluttering as he fought to keep them open.
"I SAID LOOK AT ME!"
And he flung the bat back, gripping it tight to swing at her. Misty snapped. She jerked her head to the side, sinking her teeth into her captors hand, and dug her one handed nails into his forearm. Blood squirted into her mouth, and fingers became sticky as she broke into the muscle. The man howled in pain, letting her go and stepping back. She lurched forward, on her feet, and intercepted the bat by gripping the handle with her unbroken arm and sliding right up to Rorik. Inches from his face. Too surprised to react, he screamed in rage as Misty's bloodied teeth bit into his cheek.
Out of reaction he shoved her backwards, her teeth pulling flesh from his face. Only too late did he realize what he had done. He let go of his bat to shove the girl away, and she had held on to the handle tight. CRACK! The bat struck against his temple, crashing him to the floor. Misty screamed in rage and one handedly raised it high to hit him again, but four Archer's rushed forward and tackled her to the ground. Her head smacked the floor with a thud, and the bat rolled away. Multiple hands pushed her down and pulled her hair, shoving her face first into the dirty tile, smashing her broken arm between them.
Ash roared, flailing every part of him violent enough he slipped from the six men holding him. Dodging through their grasps, he slid to the bat and swung it on the way up. Smacking one of the Archers upside the chin and breaking their jaw with a loud crack.
Coming back to his own senses in the confusion, the Archer with the arrow pointed at Dawn shouted, "HEY!"
Reacting on instinct, Ash spun and flung the bat across the room, hitting said Archer in the face. The arrow let loose, but flew drastically off course, high above anyone's head, and before the man could recover, Ash was on him. Taking him to the ground and snapping his bow in two.
The Archers circling the chaos took aim, but never fired for fear of piercing one of their comrades. They followed Ash as he jumped back to his feet, but gripped their drawn strings tighter as he maneuvered behind the advancing guards. He threw all his body weight into the four men holding Misty down, toppling them over and freeing her.
Dawn noticed she was free to stand, all eyes were on the rampaging Ash as he was once again on his feet and assaulting the Archers. She noticed the bat lying two feet from her, and quickly reached for it, but it was unnecessary, as Misty screamed in fury, "GYARADOS!"
Her PokeBall on the table burst open, materializing the mighty Water Type in a terrifying roar. Shaking books from their shelves, and sending the Archers in the immediate area flying into the air. The tussle instantly changed course, from the men trying to regain control of Ash, to them running for the library exit. Rorik was leading the pack, shoving the one or two men ahead of him aside. The two holding Lance tried to drag the Dragon Master with them, but Ash and Misty each reared back a fist and broke the men's noses. They dropped Lance and scattered after their comrades, pinching the blood back as they ran.
Gyarados roared once more and launched a HydroPump after the retreating Archers, blowing the last few out the already broken doorway. The water splashed over books, the librarian desk, even Ash and Misty. They were breathing heavily as the water dispersed and Gyarados growled lowly, eyeing the door like a guard dog.
They locked eyes, Ash silently asking if she was ok, and she nodded. Adjusting her arm in the now soaking sling that was Lance's cape. He made sure Gyarados was indeed guarding the door, and ran back to Lance, now officially unconscious on the puddled floor.
Dawn was already at his side, pushing fiery red hair out of his face. She was still crying, her hands resting at the sides of his head. Misty came up beside her, her good hand finding her friends shoulder. Ash knelt down, placing two fingers at Lance's jugular, and feeling a pulse.
"He's ok Dawn", Ash said quietly. "His body probably shut down to block some of the pain in his ribs."
She didn't verbally reply, but she nodded. Misty's fingers squeezed the bluenette's shoulder, and she spared a glance to Kyle's body a few feet away. It was no wonder Dawn was refusing to look at him, the sight was horrendous...
"We need to go," Misty told them, her eyes coming back to Dawn. "We can't stay here."
"What about Lance," she croaked. "We can't leave him."
"Of course not," Ash replied. "Hang on."
He rose to his feet, his eyes now traveling to Kyle's lifeless body. In the short time he had known the man they had become good friends. Kyle was a good man, one of the best. Would give you the shirt off his back if necessary...he didn't deserve his fate.
He grabbed for one of his PokeBall's on the desk, tossing it open. Bayleaf appeared beside him, blinking a few times at the scene before her, "Baybay?"
"Bayleaf, we need you to carry Lance for us. Can you do that," he asked.
"Bay!"
"Thanks Bayleaf. Dawn, help me get Lance on her back", Ash instructed, grabbing under Lance's arms. While they did that, Misty collected the remaining PokeBalls, her eyes lingering over the shattered remains of her two. Horsea and Corsola...were they really just gone? Just like that? Misty had never before contemplated the effects of destroying a PokeBall with a Pokemon inside...
One by one she minimized them and stuffed Ash and Dawn's in her pockets, clipping her own back to her belt. Gyarados' Ball remained in her hand, as she was not about to recall their guard dog.
Dawn's eyes finally traveled to Kyle's body as they hauled Lance onto Bayleaf's back. She froze, the vomit in her throat teasing to come out.
"Dawn? Hey Dawn," Ash snapped to get her attention. "Don't think about it yet. Believe me I know how you feel, but we have to get out of this city before we can let ourselves feel it, ok?"
Hearing his words, she nodded, swallowing the disgust and distraught back down.
"We should leave along the bay line," Misty suggested. "Gyarados can keep protecting us from there."
Ash agreed, "Good call. Until we reach the bay...Charizard! Totodile!"
Two balls opened in Misty's pocket, their lights trailing out to the floor between them. His two longtime friends called their greetings, Totodile not dancing this time around. The little gators expression hardened with anger as he noticed Kyle.
"We need you guys to keep watch for anyone trying to hurt us while we go to the bay, can you do that?"
"Toto!"
Charizard snorted smoke from his nostrils, nodding once to show he could.
"Totodile watch Charizard's back carefully ok? He can't fly away from danger," Ash told his smaller Pokemon, causing his Fire type to growl. "Hey! We've lost enough, I'm not losing you too."
The Fire Dragon seemed to accept that grudgingly, snorting once more.
"The coast looks clear enough," Misty called from the door. "Now would be the time to go before they reorganize!"
"Dawn, you still with us?" Ash asked as her eyes were now glued to Lance, glazed over. She nodded slowly, turning her back to the shelves of books and Kyle behind her.
"Move quickly," Misty told them, pointing her Ball at Gyarados and recalling him.
Leaving the city turned out to be much simpler than they had anticipated. A fight was expected, but never came. Gyarados, Charizard, and Totodile followed them along the bay and out of the city, not stopping until they were miles away along the shoreline. It was here that Dawn collapsed to her knees in the sand, her hands to drawn to her face as she bawled like a child. Neither Ash nor Misty blamed her, they certainly had their moments in the recent past...
The bluenette had seen death since this all started, but nothing quite so barbaric, and committed by another human being! She found some way to handle watching the archeologists be torn apart by those mutant Sandshrew, she barely had time to process Quilava or Pikachu's deaths, and witnessing Dominion's die wasn't very saddening.
In the Temple with those Sandshrew she had been fighting back with Lance, Kyle, and an entire team of people trying to capture them. Quilava and Pikachu went out fighting, doing what they could to keep the others safe and alive. Kyle...She couldn't reason it like the others. It just wasn't fair, none of it was fair! She just wanted them back, all of them!
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her to a warm body, her forehead resting against them. She didn't open her eyes to see who, only embracing them by collapsing against their chest. The amount of tears was enough to immediately wet his shirt, but he didn't seem to mind, only tightening his grip around her.
Anoter arm, much more feminine, came around her sides. Locking her between the two bodies. It was Ash and Misty, it had to of been. She could hear the rapid beating of Ash's heart, and feel the feint sobs from Misty. In all honest thought, Dawn presumed they would be telling her to move on, to push it aside. They had important things to do, a world to try and save.
But now she realized how dumb that thought was. Of course they would know what was going through her, she could only imagine the way he felt watching his Mother die. Or Pikachu. Or any of the now countless deaths either Ash or Misty had seen since the beginning. They knew how Dawn felt, and even if they didn't, they would always be there for her, and vice versa. And you know what? Deep in her heart she knew Kyle was still there, all of them were still there.
The Pokemon remained on guard, their own tears silently spilling from the emotional reaction out of their trainers. Bayleaf leaned down and carefully allowed Lance to slide into the sand, making sure he was lying on his back.
Time passed, and the sun was beginning to set before either of the conscious humans moved. Dawn had long since stopped crying, but could not find the strength to break from the comfort Ash and Misty provided, and neither one said anything. Occasionally sharing a look to each other, silently thanking Kyle for the friend he had become.
It wasn't hunger, or thirst, or cold that finally made them move. It was Lance groaning softly. Dawn's eyes flew open and her head shot off Ash's chest. He looked from her bloodshot eyes to the Dragon Master, who was now slowly raising his arm. Together the three rushed to him, Dawn lifting his head and placing it in her lap carefully. Lance's eyes fluttered open, looking straight up at the bluenette's raw red cheeks.
It was Ash who spoke first, "Lance? How do you feel?"
After swallowing once, he replied, "Terrible."
He tried to sit up, sucking in air trough his teeth as a searing pain courses across his rib cage. Dawn's hands pressed against his back, helping him forward, "Try not to move so fast."
A growl came from the back of his throat, and he went to stand. The bluenette gasped, "Lance! You need to mind that rib!"
"It's fine" he muttered, grunting as he stood to his full height. "We need to keep going."
As he began to shamble away, Misty spoke to him, "Lance! Dawn's right. We need to rest for the night. You need to heal."
"I'll heal on the way," he replied without looking back. Misty shot Ash a 'help' look, so the raven called, "I want this to all be over just as much as anyone, but we can't win already half beaten."
At this the Dragon Master stopped, slowly turning back to them with his hands clenched. He glared, his dark eyes sliding from one person to the other, "Then you stay here."
And he was walking away again, one hand clutching his rib. Dawn stood up, pressing her hand on Ash's shoulder as he called for Lance once more.
"I'll handle this," she said, then hurried after him.
She cut him off by stepping directly in his way, halting his progress unless he wanted to run into her. He looked down at her, avoiding her eyes and focusing on her shoes.
"I understand you're want to keep going," she told him. "But you're hurt. I'm hurt. Ash and Misty are hurt. All in different ways, but still. We need a day at the least. We can't fight in this condition."
He didn't reply, his dark eyes staring unfocused at her feet. Pondering something in the back of his mind.
"Champ, will you look at me," she asked softly, and he did. Raising his gaze to her, his eyes flicking between hers.
When she was sure he would hear her words, she said, "We only want you to rest because we care. I care..."
Again he didn't reply, but his jaw twitched once. Carefully, she extended her hand, her fingers tapping against his. His jerked from the sudden touch, but he let her take his hand and pull it in front of him just slightly.
"So come sit back down, please," she asked quietly, her dark blue eyes sparkling from the tears still in them.
The sun vanished, leaving them in the dark as Lance finally replied, "I...can't Dawn."
And his eyes left hers, traveling back to her feet. She assumed his want to continue on was because of Kyle. Only now did she know for certain she was right. He wanted to get as far away from this place as possible, he wanted to run from the memory.
Swallowing once to help find her voice, she said, "I understand how you feel Lance. But we need to regather ourselves. Kyle wouldn't want-"
"Shut up." His head snapped up so fast she gasped from the shock. "Shut up Dawn. What do you know what Kyle would want?"
She was taken back by outburst, but quickly regained her composure, "Because he was my friend too."
"For like what? Five, six months? I knew him my entire life," Lance spat, taking his hand back from her.
"Time doesn't define a friendship," she defended, his hurtful tone piercing into her heart. "He was as good a friend to me as he was to you. As you are to me..."
He didn't have a comeback, opting to glare at her instead. She stared right back. He was angry and sad, and she knew deep down he didn't mean the things he was saying. He sized up to her, lowering his head enough so he could whisper threateningly, "Get out of my way Dawn."
She sized up right back, the tears in her eyes trickling down her cheeks, "No. You're not going anywhere tonight."
"Don't test me Dawn."
"Don't patronize me Champ."
Over by the Pokemom, Misty leaned over to whisper in Ash's ear, "He's done. We're staying here tonight."
"How do you know that," Ash asked, narrowing is eyes as he watched Dawn try to meet Lance's height.
"You think Lance would let someone size back up to him like that if he hadn't already given in," she mused to him. "Dawn's got him calmed down, he just doesn't know it yet. She's good."
After a few minutes of eyeing each other, and Dawn decided Lance wasn't going to retaliate, she pointed back to Ash and Misty and demanded harshly, "Back."
Lance's teeth clenched, and his jaw tightened, but he slowly turned back to the others.
"She's scary," Ash commented, "how did she manage that?"
Lance stumbled and gasped as pain shot through his torso. The petite bluenette jumped forward and helped catch him, allowing him to use her to regain his balance, but he shoved off her. Wincing from the jolt of pain he caused himself.
"Because of how he feels about her," Misty noted to Ash. "It's a power we women have over you men."
Ash's brow furrowed, "So have you used that on me?"
"We need to make a fire," she ignored him, turning to Charizard. "Mind helping out?"
The fire type growled with a nod, emblazoning his tail flame to a higher degree. Lance sat back down beside Ash, his focus ahead of him directly not making eye contact with anyone. Dawn sat opposite Charizard's tail fire of him, pulling her knees to her chest and burying her face in them.
The next day came sooner than Ash anticipated, mainly because Lance woke up first shouting, "RORIK STILL HAS THE DARKIN!"
Gyarados, who they had left out to watch them just in case, roared from the shout. Which in turn woke up the sleeping girls too.
"What's the big idea Lance," Misty growled, rolling onto her side to look at the suns position. "It's barely even past 6:30 in the morning."
The Dragon Master was getting to his feet hurriedly, "The Darkin! We left it back in Canalave!"
"Do we really need it?" Dawn asked sleepily. "I hate that thing anyway."
"You know we do," said Ash, jumping up as well. "We'll go back and get it. Hopefully they haven't lost it."
Lance spun to face him, "No."
"What do you mean no?"
"I mean no," Lance iterated. "I'll go back and get it. You three continue on and find the Shrine."
"Have you lost it?" Ash asked bewildered. "You can't go back there alone!"
"I didn't plan on it," he revealed, turning away from Ash and facing Misty. "Do you trust me enough to lend me Gyarados?"
"W-what?!" She stammered. "You want to borrow Gyarados?!"
"Only until we meet back up in Unova."
"Hold on Lance," Ash interjected. "We can't split up regardless. We may need you at the Shrine."
"No, you won't," he sighed. "You need the Darkin, and I can get it. We can't waste anymore time traveling together to both places."
"I'm with Ash," Misty said. "We're stronger together."
Lance pinched the bridge of his nose and took a long sigh, "I need you both to listen to me very carefully. Nothing else matters but stopping the Dominion's."
Thunder clapped overhead as lightning flashed in the distance. A light sprinkle began as he continued, "The losses we've had. The losses we've yet to face will be in vain if we don't succeed. Without the Darkin you can still fight, you can still try. But if you come back to Canalave with me and die then it's over. Right then and there. I need you, the world needs you, to continue on to the Shrine. You should know by now what sacrifices are sometimes required for being the Chosen One Ash."
More thunder boomed by them, vibrating the sand beneath their feet. Neither Ash nor Misty said anything, feeling his words wash over them like the breeze on their skin.
"I give you my word I will place my life on the line over Gyarados'," he added. "I am the Dragon Master after all."
Still they said nothing, trying to find a reason, a counter argument. Until a soft voice spoke behind them, "He's right."
Dawn stood up, avoiding eye contact with anyone lest she change her mind, "I don't want to admit it either, but the less time we waste the better. The storm is constant now, and things will only get worse. He can get the Darkin, I have faith in him, and we need to find the Shrine quickly."
Her eyes slowly traveled up, meeting Lance's shock filled ones. After they way he treated her the night before, she was still on his side...
"Just be careful," she told him. "I still care..."
His dark eyes softened immensely, burning as he stared back into her dark blue orbs. He blinked to rid the burning and gave the bluenette a single nod, then he turned to Misty. She fidgeted for moment, curling her fingers in and out before sighing, "Gyarados...listen to Lance ok? Keep him safe."
The Water Dragon growled with a nod, turning to the Dragon Master. Misty removed her Pokemon's PokeBall and went to hand it to Lance, but she pulled it back before he could grab it.
"I expect him back," she threatened. "Alive and healthy."
"I promise Misty," Lance said determinedly. "I will keep him as safe as he keeps me"
Then she handed it over and he recalled the massive Pokemon. Ash stepped forward, "I expect to see you in Unova in a few months. Don't be late."
"Don't be early," the Champion smirked, nodding regardless. His eyes went once more to Dawn, who was holding her arm with her other hand. For a moment, no one said anything, only the thunder above making any noise. Kyle's words dancing through his mind.
Time is a Bitch and plays by its own rules...tell her...
Then Lance half whispered, "I love you." And whisked away before she even had a second to register his words.
He what?
Love...I love you...
Lance...the sound of thunder jarred his words into her brain.
"He what?!" She shouted, turning a bright pink that clashed with her blue hair. "Lance!"
But he was already gone, sprinting back towards Canalave, too far to hear her add, "Stop running on that rib! You're going to make it worse!"
She fumed at the sight of him still running, turning into an ant as he got farther away. Stomping her foot in frustration, she looked at the other two to find them looking back with half smirks on their faces. Realizing she was still pink faced, she crossed her arms and huffed, "What?!"
Misty answered, "So why didn't you say it back?"
"Say what back," she asked, trying hard to sound innocent.
"Someone's channeling their inner Ash."
"Hey!"
"Who says that at a moment when they don't even know if they'll be seeing that person again?!" Dawn snapped, throwing her arms into the air. "What was the point?! Because now if I don't see him again-Aagghhh! He gets me so worked up I swear to-"
"Now someone's channeling her inner Misty," WHACK. "Ow! I was just kidding Misty."
"We'll see him again Dawn," the red head reassured, pulling her hand back to her side from hitting Ash. "Now he has a reason to make it back."
"He better, or I'll...I'll...I'll do something!"
Misty laughed, going over to Dawn and wrapping her arm around the smaller girl, "Come on. The sooner we get to that Shrine, the sooner we can get to Unova and Lance."
"Champion or not, I'm kicking his butt," Dawn warned, letting Misty lead her away.
Ash blinked a few times, watching the women walk. He was never going to fully understand them, never. Good thing he understood Misty to a point. What a disaster that would be if he didn't!
Lance heard her, but didn't acknowledge her. Ignoring the pain in his ribs as he ran. He said it, he friggin said it! Dammit Kyle! Why did you tell him those things! He said it, he friggin said it! What a time to say it too you dolt! You may die, and never see her again...or she may not make it...
He shook his head, focus! If he wanted to make it through Canalave again alive, he needed to clear his head. Concentrate on retrieving the Darkin, worry about emotions later. Emotions...huh, never did he think he would be using that word to describe himself. What have these people done to him?! Of course, it wasn't a bad thing...he kind of liked it.
Focus Lance! Ignore the pain. Ignore the swelling in your heart. Ignore it all! You promised to make it out alive with Misty's Gyarados. You have to return it to her!
And on he ran, only slowing when the building tops came into view. Breathing hard, and torso burning like a white hot sword was plunged through it, he proceeded into the city limits.
Ok, so once he had the Darkin, it would be at least a months trip to reach Unova if he was lucky. Then he'll have to wait on Ash, Misty, and Dawn for a few more months as they travel across Sinnoh and head to Unova themselves. So...aproximation of seven months until everything could be over? He could handle that, first to find Rorik and his Archers.
He moved through the streets, grasping Gyarados' PokeBall tight. If someone tried to ambush him he wanted to be ready. Someone was watching him, he could feel it, around every corner. Just out of sight.
He stopped, standing in the middle of of the street, his eyes scanning the ruined building tops. A harsh clap echoed out, followed by another, then another. He turned towards the source, spotting a man exiting a flower shop to his right. Rorik!
"Well, well", Rorik said. "You came back. Alone and defenseless, foolish."
"You're foolish for thinking I'm defenseless," Lance retaliated.
"Oh now, without that girl's Gyarados you don't have a chance."
Lance couldn't help but smile. This man was so arrogant he hadn't even considered the option Lance had borrowed the water dragon. That would be his mistake.
"I came for something you took from me" the Dragon Master said loudly, clenching his fist.
"You're friend? Good luck getting him back," Rorik laughed, and then snapped his fingers loudly.
Archers swarmed the roofline, aiming bows and drawing back their strings.
"I'll give you one chance to beg for your life," the leader grinned. "You have two words. Impress me, humble me, your pick. Make them count."
Ok, Lance had ran into some pretty self confident pricks in the past. Giovanni? But this guy took the cake. Everything about his attitude, his smug grin, his words, pissed Lance off beyond even he thought possible. This man was a blight on the world, this man was scum, this man...killed Kyle. He raised the PokeBall, letting what little light there was coming through the storm clouds glint off it. Rorik saw the Ball, and immediately put two and two together, his expression growing petrified.
He wanted two words? They'd be the last two words he was ever going to hear.
"Kylenated Bitch."
Days passed, weeks, then a month. Ash, Misty, and Dawn made their way across Sinnoh once again, this time avoiding towns and not traveling at night. Best to avoid any Dominion's at all cost. Their progress was slowed immensely as they trekked through the mountain pass. Reaching the mountain was pretty simple, surviving the rain storms and constant thunder and lightning was simple. The nonstop blizzard flurrying in their faces and hiding their path was proving to be difficult.
Weeks had already passed by since they last saw Lance, and Dawn's worry was only growing more as Misty's belly began to protrude. She fussed and scolded, saying Misty shouldn't be working so hard in her state, that they should find shelter and let her rest up, but the red head constantly told her friend she was fine. In truth Ash agreed with Dawn, but Misty's emotions were beginning to jump, and he didn't want to open an oppurtunity for her to yell at him.
The only reason they knew the month and day, was because Dawn was keeping track by scribbling on her hand
"You're nearing three and a half months," she tried once more as they hurried through the snow. "Are you sure you don't want to stop for a moment?"
"Dawn, for the last time I'm fine!"
It was the same conversation, over and over. Ash swore it would be forever burned into his head and he would be dreaming about it in twenty years...twenty years...hard to imagine that far ahead under the circumstances.
So they continued on, reaching the peak of their mountain pass and the coldest point of their journey. The thunder at this height was intense enough to knock them off balance, making Dawn slip into the snow once.
"I wish this stupid storm would stop already!" She shouted, her voice echoing once, then being drowned out in another blast of thunder.
"It won't until we can get Ash back to the Orange Islands," Misty told her friend.
"Don't remind me," Dawn grumbled, getting back to her feet and brushing the snow off.
"Hey!" Ash called from up ahead. "I see a light...I think there's a house down there!"
He pointed down the ridge to what did appear to be the outline of a log cabin among a wooded area below them.
"We should stop for a bit," Dawn said. "I need to defrost."
Agreeing they should rest for a few hours, the trio carefully made their way down the slope. Misty slipped once, but Ash caught her good arm, pulling her back by his side.
"Thanks love."
The thought of the warm interior, and maybe a soft bed sped up their pace, though they were sure to be careful. The light grew brighter as they got closer, and Dawn even made out a smoke stack through the billowing snow, "I think they've got a fire going!"
There was a fire burning, but not one they hoped for. Reaching the bottom of the slope, they stopped twenty feet from the cabin, flames burning high as the wood charred away.
"Dammit," Ash whispered to himself, feeling Misty shiver beside him.
"Where are the owners?" Dawn asked. "And how'd it catch fire?"
"Maybe we shouldn't stick around to find out," Misty suggested, teeth chattering.
"A few minutes should be ok," Ash reasoned. "At the very least we'll use the flames to warm up."
"No more than five minutes," she warned, scooting closer to the burning cabin nonetheless.
Ash kept an eye on the surrounding trees, keeping watch for a sign of another person. No one came as the cabin continued to burn, maybe it had been the owners who set it on fire? Or maybe it was an accident and they were stuck inside...
He pushed the thought aside, choosing to feel the warmth of the flames. Survival was key, and he couldn't afford to think of those types of things.
"Ok, time to move on," Misty demanded, pulling her hoodie tighter around her neck.
So they did, leaving the flaming cabin behind them to burn away. Still there were no other signs of life as they continued down the mountain. No people, no Pokemon, no noises except for the howl of the blizzard and the boom of thunder. The air was growing warmer as they descended, the snow eventually flurrying and just falling softly until there was no more.
Days and weeks continued to go by, some slow, some fast. Still no run ins with Dominion's or other forms of life, which they silently were grateful for. Finally they reached the bottom of the mountain, taking a day to swing wide around a town they had spotted from one of the ridges. Food was beginning to grow scarce, and what little they had they gave to Misty, who was now clearly pregnant.
"4 and a half months," Dawn declared as the red head tried to decline the extra can of beans. "You're eating for two, so take it!"
She waved the can in front of Misty's face violently to help display her point. The red head sighed, but took the can gratefully, "Thank you Dawn. At least one of us is keeping track."
"Someone has too! I'd like to be around a doctor before the nine month mark," she exclaimed. "God forbid if Ash and I have to deliver a baby."
He hadn't thought of that! How had he not thought of that?! What if he did have to deliver the baby? Was he qualified for that kind of thing? No! No, definitely not! And what if it looked like Giovanni...Stop! It doesn't matter Ash...
"Wait..." Misty realized something. "4 and a half months...shouldn't I have been able to take this stupid cast off a while ago?"
Dawn thought for a moment, "Yea, I suppose you should have. Oops, guess we forgot about it."
Misty groaned in annoyance, but her expression was full of relief. She ripped the makeshift sling of Lance's cape off, tossing it at Dawn. The bluenette caught it, realizing what it was and her expression fell as she held it. Misty however, was not paying attention, instead furiously pulling at the old pieces of cloth wrapped around her forearm. Ash came to assist, and soon she could feel the breeze against her skin.
Not having felt air there in so long it tickled at first, causing Misty to curl her fingers from the sensation. Sighing a breath of relief, she turned to Dawn with a smile, but it faltered as she looked at the bluenette. Who's expression was distant and sad as she held Lance's cape in her arms.
"I'm sure he's ok," Misty tried. "He has Gyarados after all."
"Yea...".
Ash, in a stroke of what he would call brilliance, walked over to Dawn. Taking the cloak from her hands, and wrapping it around her. Fastening the link around her neck.
"If he would want any of us to take care of it, it'd be you," he said.
Misty couldn't help the light snigger, "Cheesy Ash."
His expression fell flat and annoyed, but Dawn smiled anyway, "We'll see about him getting it back too. I kinda like it."
Ash opened his mouth to say something, but instantly forgot as he heard the chilling familiar sound of a metallic shriek. It rang through the air, traveling just ahead of a thunder clap, making it impossible to tell which direction it came from. The three of them froze in place, circling back to back, and listening intently. Rain began to fall, a torrent of pouring water, making it harder to hear the surrounding sounds, but Misty heard the Dominion.
"Over that direction," she pointed to their right as lightning flashed in the clouds.
"Should we check into it," Dawn asked timidly.
"No," Ash stated. "Best we go the other direction."
"Agreed," Misty nodded, placing one hand on her PokeBelt just in case. They did just that, swiftly moving the opposite direction. The creature never cried out again, so they had no idea if it was following them or not. Hopefully not.
It seemed so, as they hurried through the rain, their footsteps drowned out from the booms above. The wind picked up speed, causing Misty's hair to slap Ash in the face. His own hair whipped around frantically, feeling like needles pricking against his skin. Guess they needed haircuts...
Lightning flashed violently three times around them, the resulting thunder vibrating their hearts.
"Holy shit," Dawn cried out, pressing her palms to her ears.
"This is getting bad," Misty noted, turning her head to the fast darkening sky.
The rain fell harder, pelting against their skin like tiny rocks, stinging upon impact. Lightning lit up the clouds once again, striking a tree too close for comfort. The earth quaked from the blast, knocking them off balance.
"We need to find shelter!" Ash shouted over the now screaming wind.
If shelter was to be found. They ran through the storm, staying close together in the hard to see through curtain of rain. The trees were getting thicker the farther they went, further and further into the forest. Over the sound of the gushing wind, the harsh downpour, and the rumble of thunder, they heard the metal shriek of a Dominion...no Dominion's!
Lightning split across the sky, illuminating the clouds, and they saw them. Dozens of the dark creatures soaring through the air, high in the storm. They hadn't seemed to notice them yet, which was good news.
"We have to get out of sight now," Misty called.
"Hey! Over there," Dawn stopped, squinting to see better. A large oak tree stood among the others, a large crevice carved at its base. "What about in there?"
"That'll work," Ash said. "Come on, hurry!"
His clothes felt as if they were going to be ripped off him from the wind, even rain drenched and heavy as they we're. Their feet sloshed with every step, slipping in the rapidly growing layer of mud. In the next flash of lightning, Misty saw the Dominion's circling overhead, like they were searching for something...It couldn't be them could it?!
Ash made it to the large oak tree first, stopping at the crevice entrance and turning back to the girls, making sure they made it inside safely. He followed them in as they raced into its confines, escaping the rainfall.
Once inside, Misty frantically began speaking, "Those Dominion's are looking for something! It has to be us! But how did they know where we were?! They can't track us can they?!"
Before replying, Ash leaned a peak back outside in the storm. In the illumination of lightning, he saw the creatures were still circling high above.
"I don't think it's us they're after," he said. "They seem to be scouting a really wide area."
"Could it be the Shrine," Dawn questioned as she wrung the water from her hair. "We should be getting close to the Ruins."
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see."
"Hopefully they'll get struck by lightning," Misty grumbled, mimicking Dawn and twisting some of her hair to push the water out.
Dawn shivered, "In the meantime could we use Charizard's tail for some warmth?"
"No," Misty said quickly. "If they see the light they'll attack. We can't risk it."
Dawn muttered something that Misty couldn't hear, but she assumed it was a curse about the Dominion's. Shivering herself now, she pulled her soaking clothes tighter around her.
"Well, get comfy," Ash said as he peered out once more. "They aren't going anywhere, and we shouldn't either until this storm passes."
"If it passes," Misty reminded him as she sat down, leaning against the trees inner trunk. "Sooner or later it will be this bad constantly."
"Don't curse us," Dawn complained, joining her on the ground. Ash shook his head to fling the dripping water off his face, and he too sat down beside Misty.
The trio inched closer together for warmth, as their wet clothes weren't much help. The tree oscillated from the thunder outside, vibrating against their backs. Dominion's screeched into the storm, sending goosebumps crawling down Misty's arms.
"So.." Dawn started. "Have you guys thought about names for the baby?"
The two of them blinked, and shared a look.
"Seriously? You haven't considered any names?"
"We haven't really had much time to think about it," Misty admitted. "I don't know though, what do you think Ash?"
"I don't know either," he scratched his head. "I haven't thought of it with a name, only as the baby."
"Sheesh, I expected Ash to not have names picked, but that's like girl 101," Dawn rolled her eyes playfully. "Shame on you Misty."
"Hey!" They both defended in sync, except Misty continued, "I used to go over different names when I was younger."
"When was that?" Ash asked.
"Oh, ummm," Misty blushed deeply. "Right around the time you came back to Kanto with Brock, May and Max."
Ash quickly did the math in his head, "So you were thinking of baby names when you were about 15?"
"I told you, it's a girl thing," Dawn giggled, coming to Misty's aid. "What were you thinking about at 15 Ash?"
It was his turn to become a shade of red, but he didn't answer. Misty joined in teasing him by adding, "don't tell me it was fantasizing either me or May naked?!"
Ash coughed and rubbed the back of his head, looking away from the girls.
"That's typical," Dawn chastised lightly, and her and Misty giggled as Ash turned redder. When they finished, the bluenette added, "So seriously though, you need names!"
"Well," Misty started. "There was one name I really liked back then."
"And that's?"
"Kaiden," she answered. "I pictured a little boy with jet black hair, running around after Ash, and for some reason I just saw him as a Kaiden."
"You thought of having a kid with me at 15?!" Ash suddenly asked quickly, making both girls giggle again.
"No you dork," Misty flicked him. "It was just a fairytale. Something I didn't think was going to happen, ever."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense."
Dawn sighed with a smile, shaking her head, "so what about a girl?"
Misty thought for a moment, but it was Ash who answered quietly, "Delia."
Misty's breath stuck in the back of her throat as her heart skipped. Dawn went oddly silent, biting the inside of her bottom lip.
"If the baby is a girl, we should name it Delia," Ash reaffirmed, looking at Misty to make sure it was alright. A single tear formed in her eye as she looked back into his somber brown eyes. She nodded, saying, "I like it."
She leaned over against him, resting her head on his shoulder, and snuggling up against his warmth. The storm raged on outside the tree, lasting for hours that they lost count of. Eventually the trio drifted off to sleep, despite trying to remain awake in case a Dominion found them. And in the midst of the harsh storm, they somehow slept peacefully as they huddled together.
May 15 8:27 a.m.
The waves rolled harshly against the sandy beach, pushing the tiny grains too and fro beneath the lone wooden dock. A fog horn blasted from an approaching ship, scurrying the dock crew out of their cabin. Wearing all black uniforms with a red R emblazoned on them, they rushed to greet the arriving boat.
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the ocean under the stormy sky. The foghorn blasted again, the sound being lost among the boom of thunder. In another flash of lightning, rain began to pour heavy, soaking the rushing Rockets as they scrambled to ready the dock.
The ship floated up beside the wooden pier, Rockets on board tossing ropes down to the men waiting below. They tied it off quickly, rushing to get out of the downpour faster. Something on board shrieked, a terrifying, blood freezing cry. The men on the docks froze in place, eyeing the ship fearfully, scared of what might be released upon them.
One Rocket onboard lowered the ramp, being the first one to step off. He walked tall, and mighty, unaffected by the rain drenching his clothes.
"Who's in charge here," he called out, glancing among the Rockets still frozen in fear.
"I am," a woman in the back, with long blonde hair, stepped forward. "Agent Domino reporting. And who are you?"
"Agent Denton," he replied. "Assigned to transport the mutant Sandshrew to the Sevii island base, under Matilda's orders following Giovanni's death."
"I take it that's what's on board then," she asked carefully, turning her gaze to the ship.
"Yes ma'm. Already caged and ready for transport."
"You heard the man," she snapped as thunder clapped. "Move those things inside the base."
A series of yes ma'ms rang out, and the Rockets on the dock raced aboard the ship.
"Agent Denton," Domino mused. "Don't think we've had the pleasure. Can't say your name has traveled."
He smiled, "Richard Denton. Fairly new, but on Matilda's goodside."
"Good to know. Gotta keep the new boss happy," Domino smiled back. "Domino Tulip, and it's a pleasure to meet a man as handsome as yourself."
Denton took off his Rocket cap, revealing shaggy, rain soaked, jet black hair. "The pleasure is all mine beautiful."
"And he's charming," she giggled. "You're going to fit in nicely here. Matilda has ordered all troops back to the base in Johto, save for us."
"That's good news," Richard nodded. "I get to spend more time with you."
"Count on it cutie," she blew him a kiss and wink. Swaying her hips as she walked away.
Once he was sure she was gone, he scowled, replacing the wet cap back on his head. The Sandshrew screeched as more thunder and lightning boomed across the sky.
Well, he was here. As long as Domino didn't double check his story, he was in the clear. Red would act out his plan no matter how long it took having to pretend being a Rocket.
You wanna know the one moment in this chapter that was kind of a revelation for me? As far as character development goes? The moment when they just get out of the city, and Lance is trying to keep going. While him and Dawn are clearly not handling Kyle's death well, Ash and Misty are having a somewhat casual conversation. Getting used to terrible things to the point that you can almost brush them off is terrifying, here's to hoping things will go back to normal someday...wait, I'm the writer! I already know if they will or not :p
I really enjoyed this chapter for some reason, hopefully ya'll did too lol. I think maybe because it had a bit of everything in it.
Ok, so you guys ready? Next chapter we'll be hopping back over to our other group. We're finally going to find out who the former Rocket is, so stay tuned!