Chapter 24: Let the Games begin.
Summary: deciding fates between three people, one road heading towards the last Showdown with the Dark Aura Master, Ash, Salvia and Dusk begin their trials facing their own problems.
Exiting the pokemon the day's first light hadn't broken through, Ash was first to exit the medical facility with his gaze firmly on the mountain that dominated the skyline, "alright you three, time to end you," Ash whispered, a serious expression was becoming more obvious. He started walking not waiting for his allies to follow him.
"Wait up, we need to follow the plan," Greed called for Ash.
Ash halted his advance to the mountain thinking about the people he needed to save, "Yeah I know, but, the longer we take the lives that will be lost," he argued back.
"One day Ash, you will need to lead this region, that is what I am willing to put my being on the line for," Greed informed Ash, he looked back to see the rest of the group ready to emerge from the Pokemon Centre, "you will not be alone my friend," Greed whispered while keeping his gazed fixed on the princess.
"I have no intention of being a leader," Ash snapped back, he turned away and started walking towards the mountains on his own.
(Top of Mount Coronet)
Dusk remained quiet, she watched her former allies preparing to start the plan for the Shadow Lords, "Willow, everything is in place, we just need our guest and the other two to jump," Shade explained to his leader with a calm tone.
"So they know I am here, come on Ash and Salvia, they aren't going to wait forever," Dusk whispered at herself, she peered around the corner and watched as the trio sacrificed a member of the town. Dusk placed her hand over her head as pain shot through her mind, 'what is this?' Dusk closed her eyes with images of the person's life entering her mind, in the image she noticed a woman wearing black and with long blonde hair.
"Oh so this person was related to the Champion of this region," Hollow pointed out with bloodthirsty smile running across his face.
"Bastards, they murdered Cynthia's relative," Dusk gritted her teeth as she grew more upset with their actions.
"Your friends better hurry up Dusk, the longer they take, the higher the number will be!" Shade started to taunt the Aura Master.
The bluenette slid down hitting the wall next to her in frustration, "hurry up, I cannot hold my anger back much longer," Dusk reminded herself. The hours passed as she continued to hear the cries of mercy from the people in the town, Dusk now shaking in anger continued to hold herself back from interfering, "how long must I wait?" Dusk asked herself furiously, clenching her fists making her palms bleed, 'hurry up you fools.'
(At the Base of the mountain)
Ash with his back to the log was watching the clouds hovering in the night sky, the group was resting as they continued on towards their destination, Ash slid down his thoughts on the road ahead, "I wasn't thinking," Ash admitted to himself as he felt the cold wind picking up, his vison soon turned to his friends, but soon noticed the princess with a bowl of food, 'I wasn't thinking about Salvia, how much I was hurting her and maybe even considering her feelings,' Ash thought with a frown.
"What are you thinking about?" the young royal asked the trainer.
Ash scratched the back of his head and started to laugh at himself, "nothing much," Ash answered the princess softly. Ash slowly got up and started walking back to the campsite, "come on, there is a fire, maybe we should sit in front of the fire," Ash suggested, leading the bluenette back.
After making back to the campfire Ash, was given a plate of food, the rest of their friends entered their tents leaving Ash and Salvia to watch the fire, "Hilda was teaching me how to cook," Salvia informed the raven haired man.
"That's great," Ash replied with excitement.
Salvia watched the young man eating the food, seeing that he was enjoying the meal, a grin crossed her face, "so what do you think?" she asked the trainer.
Ash swallowed the food and nodded, "it's great," he replied positively.
Breathing a sigh of relief Salvia turned her eyes to the flames, "you know, we have been beating ourselves up for so long and yet, we have never even thought of anything positive," Salvia explained to Ash who was still enjoying the meal, "I have been thinking," Salvia clenched her fists and gulped at the thought that had entered her mind, "what it would be like if….if we were to get married," Salvia stated nervously, not noticing the friends watching from their tents.
After hearing the words of the princess, Ash spat out his food in shock, almost choking on the remaining food in his mouth, swallowing the food, he grabbed for a bottle of water, "Salvia, what are you getting at?" Ash asked the princess.
Salvia started laughing at her own comment, but was soon turned to a hint of guilt, "nothing, just thinking of a possibility," Salvia answered the raven haired Aura Master, she looked up to the stars and took a deep breath, 'a possibility, am I really that stupid?' she asked herself, she turned to Ash who was a little upset that he had lost his food, "how about I get you some more food?" she made her offer to Ash.
"Thank you Salvia," Ash replied, he watched the princess walking towards the remaining food and piled onto the plate a large amount of rice with a spicy curry.
Returning with the plate, Salvia handed Ash the food, "this isn't something I could ever eat, so I made it especially for you," she confessed, allowing Ash to enjoy the food, not wanting to risk the chance of any more food wastage, she held back her comments. Salvia sat next to Ash and placed her arms around her legs, "I haven't learned much about this world, I really want to learn from the best person I know," Salvia lowered her head onto her knees.
Ash swallowed the final portion of food and looked up to the clearing night sky, "I wasn't thinking clearly either," Ash remarked his own faults.
The two made eye contact and started laughing, after their quick fit of laughter Salvia was quick to notice a few grains of rice on Ash's face, "you're a messy eater," the princess teased the trainer.
"How so?" Ash asked the royal.
"Let's see you have a few grains of rice on your face," the princess pointed at the trainer's face. Placing a finger on his face, she removed a grain of rice, "you see, you need to start eating with a sense of grace," the princess informed the trainer, before cleaning off more bits of rice from his face, "then there is the curry," Salvia pointed out with a smile, she grabbed a piece of cloth from her pocket and started cleaning the raven haired man's face with it, causing the two to start laughing at Ash's expense.
(The Next day)
After sleeping in, Ash quickly got up, he prepared for the next part of the mission, Ash exited his tent and looked around to find that everyone was enjoying breakfast, "I guess you all couldn't wake me for breakfast," he complained about his friends' lack of interest in getting him up.
"Here Ash," Salvia offered Ash more food.
"Thanks princess," the trainer replied with gratitude directed at her, he looked at the pancakes, "you made these too?" Ash asked the young royal.
"Yes, I had help, but I asked them to not wake you until I finished making you pancakes," Salvia explained to the man, she took her plate of pancakes and sat next to Ash, she looked up at her friends enjoying their breakfast, "soon we will be facing against the Dark Aura Masters," the bluenette stated with a concerned tone.
Ash watched the clouds surrounding the mountain, "yeah, it isn't like we have all day," Ash replied trying to keep his cool.
(1 hour later)
Entering the caves Ash and the princess walked ahead of the group, "seems like we need to go our separate ways for some reason," Ash whispered.
"Why? Wouldn't it be better if we remained together?" Salvia asked the young man.
Ash continued to walk on through the cave, 'it isn't like they are making an attempt at getting me and Salvia closer together,' Ash thought. The cave started to get darker with the light from the outside becoming less prominent, "stay close alright," Ash instructed the princess.
"So do you think the strategy will work?" Salvia asked Ash, feeling worried about the implications of the plan.
"Greed is a trusty ally, he hasn't let us down yet," Ash informed the blue haired princess.
(Flashback)
Sitting in one of the rooms of the Pokemon Centre Greed rolled out a map with certain points highlighted on the map, "alright Ash, you and Salvia will be taking a separate path which will be the most dangerous, it will lead to a series of cliffs that will lead you directly towards the battlefield," Greed explained the direction the group will be taking, pointing to the map, he looked over to Paul who was placing his left hand over his chin, "this road is the safest, so what is the reason some of you ask?" Greed asked his allies.
Paul nodded and then glanced at his friends, "because there is something you need to get on that road right?" Paul asked the Shadow Lord.
"No, it means, we can set up a safe passage for the people to escape, instead of taking the more dangerous routes, Hilda and Hilbert will provide air support to make sure the people get out safely," Greed answered the purple haired trainer, "you have the strongest pokemon amongst us all, so it should be easy for you to create a path through the mountains," Greed informed the Sinnoh native.
"What does that make my pokemon?" Ash asked the Shadow Lord.
"I see, so, with Ash and Salvia being the target, they cannot be held back," Paul remarked with a smirk, he glanced over to his shoulder, "so that basically means that you and Salvia need to play by their rules while we save the people," Paul informed his friends, frustrated at the situation.
"Exactly, while Ash, Salvia and Dusk are playing their little games, it means the people will be unguarded, not only that, we cannot have a battle because they would simply use the remaining survivors as shields," Greed explained the problems in using their pokemon as part of their plans.
"A cliff, that's the worst," Salvia whispered as she glanced over at the determined Ash.
"What's the matter princess?" Ash asked the young royal, noticing a certain amount of fear etched on her face.
Salvia gulped as she realised the danger of the mission revolved around cliffs, "nothing Ash, just nervous that's all," Salvia lied, but that didn't stop the suspicion arising from Ash, 'I cannot tell him that I am afraid of heights, not yet,' Salvia reminded herself, taking a deep breath as the plan continued to be fleshed out by her friends.
"Alright, the next part of the plan revolves around us meeting up with Ash, Salvia and Dusk to finished off the Dark Aura Masters," Greed informed his allies as he started to roll up the map, Greed looked around at his friends who were nodding at the plan that was presented to them, "alright, remember Ash and Salvia, defeating the Dark Aura Masters is key, so if they enter those dimensions, you need to play your part as well, as for Dusk I have already told her the plans, so she is aware of the situations at hand, the other thing is, you two will most likely be separated," Greed explained to Ash and Salvia, the two nodded as the map was placed back into Greed's bag, "remember your roles and this will be an easy mission," Greed stated with an immense amount of confidence in his allies.
(Return from the flashback)
After exiting the cave Ash and Salvia were greeted with the impressive cliffs that spiralled around the mountain, Ash looked back to see the princess remaining close to the entrance, her eyes widened by the height they were at, "you alright? You don't look so well," Ash questioned the young royal.
"Just amazed at the sight that's all," Salvia hesitated sticking close to the mountain walls.
'Is she afraid of heights?' Ash wondered to himself, he walked towards the narrow path that lead to the other side, "seems like we have to cross here," Ash informed the young royal, he approached the ledge feeling the cold winds blowing in from the south, "that is enough to push us down the ledge," Ash grew concerned with the danger of the situation. Ash looked back and extended out his right hand to the princess, "hold my hand tightly," Ash instructed the princess.
"Um Ash, there is something you need to know," Salvia stated with a trembling in her voice.
"I know, you're afraid of heights, that is the reason while I will stay close, so that way I can keep you safe," Ash replied in an assuring tone, leading her towards the narrow path, 'that is at least ten metres, but it is also very narrow,' Ash thought as he placed his back towards the wall of the mountain, "if it seems like it is too much, close your eyes and keep taking side steps, and please don't look down" Ash instructed the princess.
"Alright," Salvia followed Ash, she took small steps towards the other side with her hand gripping Ash's tightly, she closed her eyes like Ash told her and continued to follow Ash.
Ash and Salvia continued on with the winds kicking up, Ash made sure that the princess remained safe and held onto her hand, taking his time to make sure the princess was safe, he noticed how much closer they were getting to the other side, after making it to safe ground Ash helped the princess back onto safe ground, "you can open your eyes now, we are on safe ground," Ash informed the royal.
"How long before we stop this? It is really scary," Salvia's fear became more obvious to Ash.
Ash looked around and noticed a much longer path towards a cave, "seems like we have a much longer path princess," Ash answered the princess, 'damn you Greed, you didn't even ask Salvia to see if this was alright with her,' Ash clenched his fists, but noticed how the princess was tightening her grip on his right hand, looking back at the princess who tried to hide her fear even more, "listen, I am going to cross first alright? I have some rope that Greed handed me, I am going to give up one end while the other will be with me," Ash informed the princess of the idea.
"No, I don't want to do this alone," Salvia snapped back in fear.
"I don't think we have much of a choice, that path looks like it could give way if too much weight is put on it, our combined weight could cause it to collapse sending us to our death, I have no intention on meeting Dawn yet," Ash responded calmly, Salvia lightened her grip on Ash's hand, allowing him to pull his bag off, he opened it and pulled out a the rope, "give me your hand," Ash requested the royal.
"Okay," the blunette replied.
"I will tie your hand with the rope, you keep a tight grip on it," Ash smiled at the princess he took the other end and started to walk to the other end, "you wait until I call for you alright?" Ash asked the princess.
Salvia nodded and watched Ash walking towards the narrow path, "be careful," the concerned and fearful princess gave out her worried wishes.
Ash took the first steps with the rope in hand, "now remember to watch where you step, I don't want you tripping over," Ash whispered, he continued on concentrating on the path that he needed to take, 'I am not going to give up, I have a reason not to die yet,' Ash thought to himself as he slid across the path, slowly.
Salvia watched Ash sliding her hand became sweaty as her nerves started to cause her to shake almost uncontrollably, 'you can do it, don't give up, I will help you,' a female voice rang in the princess' mind.
Salvia looked around to see where the voice was coming from, "who was that?" Salvia asked around, but the only person in the area was Ash, but no one was around to tell her that she shouldn't give up, "was that you?" She whispered to herself, but feeling assured enough to follow the path that Ash had taken.
"Alright Salvia, you can cross now, I have the rope, and I promise that I will not let go!" Ash yelled at the top of his lungs, Ash prepared in case something were to happen, 'I will not let anything happen to you,' Ash watched the princess shuffling across the narrow path. Watching the princess holding onto the rope she slowly walked towards the other side of the path.
Slowly moving one step at a time, tightly gripping the rope, "am I almost there?" Salvia asked the trainer.
"You're doing fine," Ash announced, he continued to hold on to the rope as he watched the princess move slowly. Salvia gulped noticing that the wind had picked up, preventing her from moving any further, "come on my princess, you can do it!" Ash called to the young royal.
"Alright," the bluenette started to move slowly towards her destination again. She stopped moving again this time, she looked down at the incredible height that she was at and she started breathing heavily as she started to get dizzy.
"Oh no Salvia!" Ash yelled out for the royal, not hesitating to tighten his grip on the rope, "don't let go of the rope," Ash tried pleading with the princess, she used his other hand and pulled out a pokeball, "Bulbasaur, help me out," Ash called for a blue pokemon with a green bulb on his back, "use Vine Whip to bring Salvia to safety," Ash instructed his pokemon.
Caught by the vines of the grass type pokemon Salvia looked up to discover that Ash was trying his best to pull her up with the assistance with one of his pokemon, 'I looked down, because I was so scared,' Salvia started beating herself up getting closer to safe ground.
After making it to safe ground Salvia collapsed into Ash's chest, ebrassing him with tears rolling down her face, "we aren't too far from the destination my princess," Ash embraced the visibly shaken royal.
"I am sorry for being scared of heights," Salvia apologized to Ash.
"hey you two, don't rush things, Greed and Paul are still an hour away from their destination," Hilda informed Ash and Salvia, looking down to see the young royal in the arms of Ash.
"Alright we will take a break inside that cave," Ash led the princess to the cave with Bulbasaur following closely. Entering into the cave Ash allowed he princess to sit down, "sorry for not realising the fear of heights," Ash returned with his apology to the young royal.
Salvia now sitting on the ground looked up to Ash who was waiting for the signal to start the plan, "say Ash, is it a habit you picked up?" Salvia asked the young man.
"What habit?" Ash replied with his question.
"I have noticed that every time something happens, you call me, 'my princess,'" Salvia informed Ash about a certain habit he picked up.
"Why do you ask?" the raven haired man questioned the royal quietly, he sat next to the princess and looked towards the Sky Pillar entrance, "not too long my princess," Ash grew nervous bringing up the same habit the bluentte was asking about.
"There, you did it again," Salvia quickly pointed it out again, "I want to know why?" Salvia requested but Ash looked away with a slight redness on his face, "are you alright?" Salvia asked the trainer but Ash still ignored her.
As the time passed quickly Ash looked back at the young royal, "oh your question, yeah, it is a habit I picked a while ago," Ash replied, but still wasn't telling her the full extent of his reasoning, "you don't like it?" Ash asked the royal.
"It's just strange, so can you just call me by my name? I want to hear you call my name," Salvia requested softly, Ash walked ahead, trying his best to ignore the request, "I am sorry," the blunette apologized, before ducking as a flock of Zubat flew overhead.
After ducking Ash turned to the princess with a positive expression, he signalled for her to follow him, "alright time to go Salvia," Ash responded to the request, leading her to the exit.
"Finally you two made it here," Dusk greeted her allies with a hint and frustration.
Ash looked up and noticed the skies glowing, in the background, the colours that changed from purple, red and even green, "when did this start?" Ash asked with a fearful expression.
"Forty five minutes ago," Dusk answered the raven haired man, she waited for the two to walk up the stairs, "they have already killed numerous people, just to achieve this, I can also sense the aura's of three powerful pokemon coming with another more powerful aura heading here," Dusk watched the Dark Aura Masters preparing for another sacrifice.
"Do you know the plan?" Ash asked quietly.
"Yeah, we are to play along with their rules, while we keep them busy, Greed, Hilda, Hilbert and that other guy will be helping with the evacuation," Dusk whispered, she looked over the steps, determined to get the plan started, "no point waiting for them to kill more people, we are heading in now," Dusk jumped up and charged in to prevent more of the people becoming victims.
"Damn, why couldn't Dusk wait?" Ash hissed, he and the princess leapt into the fray, surrounded by the innocent people of the small town, "alright, we are here, now there is no need to kill more people," Ash stated as three portals appeared behind them, Ash looked back to see a piercing darkness pulling him into the portal.
"Good, now the games begin," Willow informed the trio, watching Ash being pulled into the darkness, she watched her teammates rushed towards the two women as she remained standing laughing at the trainer, "now you three enjoy the last moments of your lives," the female Dark Aura Master stated with laughter directed at her three enemies.
"Don't worry Willow, once I am done with Shade, I will be coming to destroy you later," Dusk declared her plan to defeat her former ally, allowing herself to be taken into the alternate dimension with Shade pushing her in.
Salvia and Ash glanced at one another and nodded, "stay safe Salvia," Ash whispered as he watched the royal being taken into the next dimension.
"Don't worry Aura Master, we no longer need the people, we already know of this plan," Willow smirked at the young man before he was finally pulled into another dimension.
Ash looked around seeing a distorted world, parts of land floating sideways as well as parts of lands hovering overhead, "I remember this place, this is where Dawn and I became trapped," Ash whispered to himself, reminiscing on the past, he was now alone, but couldn't help but search for the princess who was almost always there for him, "Salvia, I hope you're alright," Ash wished for the safety of the bluenette, but the lack of response, his voice echoed around him, but there was still no female voice replying to his call.
Meanwhile in a dark world filled with different planets was Dusk, she looked around trying to figure out where she was, "am I trapped in another dimension? This seems like the spatial dimension," Dusk quickly noticed the colourful planets and the stars that twinkled around her, "if so, then why am I not dead?" she asked herself as she slowly floated towards a planet.
In the same dimension Shade followed the woman without her knowing, "that's right Dusk, this game is going to be fought on my terms," Shade followed the Aura Master from a safe distance.
In another dimension the princess who was unconscious was floating around a mysterious place, she slowly woke up to discover that she was in another world, it seemed like time was standing still, she looked around to see where she was, it was then she noticed that someone was missing, a raven haired trainer, "Ash, Please be safe," Salvia's thoughts turned to Ash, she grew more concerned for the missing trainer, 'so what was the reason for us to get separated?" she asked herself, feeling like something bad was about to happen.
next up chapter 25: the trials of Space
Alright ladies and gents the next three chapters will focus on the three characters, hope you all enjoy.