Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Pokémon.
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Last time on The Rise of Chaos: With the war having begun and the first battle behind them, Naruto and his companions must now move on while dealing with the aftermath.
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'They deserved it…'
'That's what I keep telling myself anyway.'
Shifting onto his back, Ash slid his hands behind his head, in-between it and the pillow as he stared at the ceiling. The look on his face was serious to the point of simply looking wrong in his usually carefree features.
'But, I know they deserved it. If we hadn't intervened they would have continued torturing the civilians.'
I know that… It is an unquestionable fact… So why do I still feel like shit?'
Not far away, Denkou was curled up into a ball, in the same position he had been in when he had first passed out after entering the suite.
Sleep had come so easy for him.
'Because he hadn't killed.' Ash thought bitterly, before clenching his teeth and slapping himself in the face twice. 'They deserved it.'
Ash clutched his head as he began to shift himself onto his stomach. But, a sudden feeling of warmth halted his action.
Tilting his head to view the entrance of his room, his vision was blocked by the sight of a very distinct figure.
"Hey Naruto." Ash mumbled, a lot quieter than he had intended.
"Can't sleep?" Naruto asked, making his way to the side of Ash's bed.
His voice was the same. Ash noted in wonder as he shifted onto his side to get a better view of him. Naruto had experienced even more of the battle than he himself had and he wasn't even fazed. Nothing about him had changed from before the battle had started to now.
He was still exactly the same.
Really he shouldn't have been surprised. Naruto had already explained his past; he had already experienced battles similar to the one that ended only a couple hours ago. He had already experienced and surpassed death and guilt. He had already done his emotional growth.
And now it was his turn.
"Nope." Ash said, attempting to sound somewhat cheerful.
"Thinking about the battle?"
"Yeah."
"Its only natural." Naruto said. "You have just killed numerous people of your own race and species. In the very core of your being you think what you did was wrong even though you know that if you hadn't done it others would have been killed instead. You see it as the lesser of two evils, but you still see it as evil."
"That is what makes you human." Naruto continued as he began to head back towards the door. "That is what makes all of us human. What you are feeling now will never and should never leave your conscience from this day forward, but it can be altered and ignored. Everyone handles things in different ways, death is no different."
An appropriate silence fell over the room as Ash milled over Naruto's words.
"Come into the living room once you're ready." Naruto said, while exiting Ash's room. "I want to show you something."
And with that, Naruto closed the door.
Ash continued to stare at the door as his mind tried to digest the entirely new flavor it had just been provided with.
Shifting back onto his back, Ash looked up to the ceiling for solace as he had just moments before.
It was blue.
He hadn't noticed it before.
Pausing for a few minutes to collect his thoughts and gain the will to move, Ash rolled to the side of his bed, careful not to disturb Denkou as he dismounted.
()
Silence greeted him as he entered the living room of the suite. Nearby, both Misty and Brock were sitting on the couch, barely even seeming to register the fact that he had entered the room.
Tear streaks were blatantly apparent on the sides of Misty's face, but she seemed more angry than sad. While, on the other hand, Brock simply looked mildly guilty, as if he had just been caught stealing a cookie from a cookie jar.
Frankly, Brock looked a lot more stable than Ash felt.
"Come out here, I want you guys to see something."
Naruto's voice had broken all three out of their stupor in the matter of an instant. And, before the next had passed, each one found themselves making their way towards the sizable balcony overlooking Vermillion City.
The sight was breathtaking.
In the commotion of the previous day, Ash had never actually realized just how massive the city was. Even at night after the events of the day, the city was still very much alive and well.
Massive factories, skyscrapers, hotels, and malls were alight with vibrant, neon colors that perfectly contrasted the midnight sky. Cars were nothing more than streaks of light as they zipped across the city streets in perfect coordination as though they were one.
"Is it worth it?"
Once again, Naruto's voice became the predominate force in the minds of everyone present.
"What you are feeling now will never truly leave you. You will have to deal with it forever, but in return you have ensured the continued existence of this…" Naruto said, motioning toward the bustling city. "Sure our enemies may not have outright destroyed the city, but they would have made the existence of what you see now impossible."
"So what do you think? Is it worth it?"
Taking one more glance at the city before turning away, Naruto promptly exited the balcony, leaving the three to their thoughts.
"Tomorrow will be an off day for you, so you're free to do whatever you want. Just make sure you don't destroy anything important." Naruto said before closing the door behind him."
No one knew exactly how much time had passed before Misty broke the silence, but when she did they all suddenly became aware of the chilly breeze that had been present the entire time.
"Well, what do you guys think?" Misty asked as she began to rub her arms to try and fend of the cold.
"I think the answer is simple." Ash said, seeming to reclaim his carefree demeanor. "I have no idea how I got dragged into all of this, but the fact remains, here is where I need to be if I'm going to properly save the world."
"I agree." Brock said gesturing for them to come back inside as a particularly strong breeze floated over the balcony. "And, while three children may not be the best choice for an army we will grow up pretty fast if this continues."
"It feels like I already have grown up." Misty mumbled bitterly, while making her way back onto the couch.
"Cheer up Misty." Ash said mirthfully as he followed her in. "I personally assure you that you are not grown up. You still have a long way to go, especially in the physical aspect of the phrase."
()
The body was never found.
Just kidding, it was lying motionless on the street after falling from the third story of the Pokémon Center.
Misty assured Naruto that Ash would find someway to pay for the broken window and balcony railing he had caused.
'Note to self.' Ash groaned when he finally woke up a few hours later. 'Never provoke a ninja-in-training.'
'…Unless you are prepared for the results of course.'
()
"Today's going to be a long day." Naruto sighed as he made his way outside of the Pokémon Center and through the waiting crowd.
Having transformed his clothing into a nondescript orange shirt and jeans and having removed some of his more unique features so as to shift through the crowd with minimum effort, Naruto began his journey towards the place of his interview.
The interview had been scheduled within the first sentence he had exchanged with the local news crew after leaving the battlefield. And, after that sentence, Naruto and his allies had simply disappeared.
No one was in the mood to deal with an overly enthusiastic crowd, not even Ash.
Breaking himself out of his thoughts, Naruto swerved into a nearby alley before dropping his henge and blending into the shadows. If he was to have any chance of making it to the news station within the course of the day without the use of a car, walking like a civilian wasn't going to cut it.
A strong breeze began to make itself known as Naruto picked up the pace, allowing his subconscious to guide him toward his destination.
The distinct lack of weight on his right shoulder also worked its way into the front of Naruto's current state of consciousness when the feeling of strong wind currents across his exposed skin began to lose its luster.
Brining Pikachu to an interview would have no purpose outside of stating the fact that he was partnered with a Pikachu. Besides, Pikachu had better things to do than model for the news cameras.
He and Denkou had heard the Pokémon Center had just replenished their supply of ketchup.
How they got ahold of this information is still a mystery. What they are going to do with the information is even more so.
Nothing but a near inaudible thud announced Naruto's presence outside of the news station and nothing but the sound of automatic sliding doors announced his entrance.
But, somehow, everyone was already ready and waiting.
Naruto was immediately ushered into an elevator and shot skyward onto a floor he was hardly able to clearly identify before being directed down a relatively short hallway and into a large room.
The room was covered with all sorts of camera and microphone equipment, leaving numerous lines of wires trailing across the tiled floor. Only a narrow strip of blue carpet designated a clear route toward the back of the room where the carpet panned out before giving way to a massive wall-mounted plasma screen TV bordered by polished mahogany wood strips.
In front the TV sat a man inside a leather lounge chair behind a semicircular table.
It didn't take long for Naruto to realize that the seat to the man's immediate left was meant for him and it took even less time for Naruto to occupy said seat.
"You ready?" The man asked pleasantly, while swiveling his chair to face Naruto.
"Yeah."
"First time?"
"Yeah."
"Nervous?"
"No."
"Need any tips?"
"No."
"Good man."
()
"And we're back. This is Sanford Radcliff with Vermillion Times, bringing you the most up-to-date information on all the things that matter."
"We've got a real treat for you today. The rumors of a massive battle containing more than just pokémon have reached the ears of people far and wide. But what is fact and what is fiction? What really happened yesterday just outside of the walls of Vermillion City?"
"That is what we are going to answer for you today, by bringing you exclusive details of the legendary battle straight from its frontlines. Ladies and gentlemen, joining me here today is the very man that, near single-handedly, fended off the vast legion of unknown soldiers from the gates of Vermillion. Please give a warm welcome to Mr…"
"Naruto Hisame."
"So Mr. Naruto, would you kindly start off by explaining what exactly happened this past afternoon?"
"I can't really tell you much more than is already known. A company of foreign solders with supernatural abilities marched to just outside of the city limits and began tormenting bystanders."
"Me and three of my associates intervened resulting in the near-complete obliteration of the attacking force. And the rest is history."
"Indeed it is. But, you speak as if this is some simple day-to-day experience for you. Such an interaction has never been reported outside of this event and even the core elements of this event have never been heard of previously. For instance, you said that the attackers had supernatural abilities, how did they acquire such abilities and how did you go about combating them?"
"You bring up some good points and I hope to answer them appropriately."
"This occurrence is anything but ordinary, I am aware of this, but the problem is that these events will very soon become ordinary. I may not know a great deal about the organization that attacked yesterday, but I do understand some of their core aspects."
"I assume you are aware of the basic history of mankind and the Pokéarth."
Gaining a nod, Naruto continued.
"In some of the more tumultuous times of history dealing with human conflict and the resulting pokémon conflicts, the legend of an organization containing men with pokémon-based abilities serves as the predominate force in causing the previously separated nations to ban together."
"The organization was said to have been disbanded in the final battle of the war and the world has lived in peace ever since. And, as you could probably guess the first part of that statement is likely to be untrue. As far as I can tell the attackers from yesterday belong to the same organization seen in world history."
"Their core objectives still remain unclear, but judging by their display yesterday, it can be safely assumed that morality doesn't seem to have a major place in their possible rule."
"Now, you may be asking what this all means. So I'll some it up as best I can. If no immediate action is taken, this organization will come to power all across the globe. The power of their army is vast and the events of yesterday were just mere slivers of its overall strength."
"So, the question might arise: "So what?" If this organization obtains global rule, the world as we know it will be no more. Imagine the torment the attackers of yesterday provided to the civilian population before me and my associates intervened. Now imagine it happening on a larger scale everyday."
"Sounds pretty terrible." Sanford said, leaning back in his chair as he attempted to absorb the new information.
"Damn right it does. And, if nothing is done to stop it then it will become a reality."
"So how exactly do we stop it?"
"I'm glad you asked." Naruto said, allowing himself to lean back a bit more in his chair. "You asked before how we were able to combat the attackers when they were using such strange techniques. The answer to that question is that we used our own. Like the pokémon of this world humans have a lesser ability to utilize a source of power called Aura."
"Aura is found in every human being on the planet no matter who or what they are they all have it. And, if trained properly, they can have the ability to preform extraordinary feats."
"So what does this mean for the average Joe wanting to make a difference?" Sanford asked leaning forward a bit. "Aura training doesn't seem to be in common practice. In fact the last time I heard of it outside of this conversation was inside a children's story book."
"Your correct. The organization has gone to great lengths to monopolize their hold over Aura-trained humans. And, as far as I now they have been completely successful… Outside of me of course."
"You're the only one left?"
"As far as I am aware."
"So you are able to train regular people to properly utilize their Aura?"
"Yeah, in fact my three associates are living proof that my training techniques are substantially effective."
"You keep calling your fellow soldiers 'associates.' Who are they exactly?"
"I haven't used their names for a reason." Naruto said, giving Sanford a dry look. "As I have said before, the organization has proven itself to be ruthless. I would not put it above them to hunt them down outside of the battlefield if they had enough information to pinpoint them."
"But yet you have given your name."
"Of course." Naruto said, his gaze never wavering. "I am sitting on national television trying to rally together an army to fight of impending doom, if I'm to squeamish to tell them who they are suppose to be rallying behind then who am I to lead."
"Well said." Sanford said, dropping back into his seat. "While I may not be joining your army myself, I wish you luck in succeeding. Getting taken over by an evil organization doesn't really appeal to me that much."
"As it shouldn't." Naruto said swiveling to face the camera as he continued. "If anyone is willing to fight alongside me and my allies against this organization, then they may contact a recruiter that looks exactly like me at one of four locations within Vermillion City: the Pokémon Center, the sight of yesterday's battle, any city park area, as well as any designated pokémon battling area."
"Similarly in the cities of Viridian, Pewter, Cerulean, and Saffron, recruiters can be found in identical locations. Me and my three associates will not be able to fight off the organization for you, unless we get help, events such as those of yesterday will not have such happy endings."
"Well that's all the time we have today folks." Sanford said also turning to face the camera. "You heard it here first, this is Sanford Radcliff with Vermillion Times bringing you news on all things that matter."
()
Hisashi chuckled as he switched off the TV, leaning over to properly view the face of his bedridden companion.
"Looks like we just got some competition don't you think?" Hisashi asked mockingly, while placing the remote just outside of the reach of his victim.
"So that was the plan all along?" Nobou muttered unable to find any lingering anger towards Naruto.
After getting soundly throttled the day previous, his intense hate for the boy just seemed to float away. He wasn't quite sure if or when it would return.
"The lives of me and all the men under my command were sacrificed, simply so that we would have an enemy."
"Don't sound so depressed Nobou." Hisashi scolded. "Your still alive aren't you. You were the only one there that somewhat mattered to the us and you know that. Everyone else was exceedingly expendable."
"And besides, now life won't be so boring."
"That may be true, but now life also won't be so easy." Nobou said, quiet partially because of his damaged lungs and partially because of his damaged emotions. "Now that Naruto has begun to rally together an army to oppose us, our goal just got a lot harder."
"Oh please. You flatter him. He would need millions on par with his own skill level to prove any true opposition to our goals." Hisashi said. "If the Ace truly wished it, Naruto and any of his followers could be crushed at a moment's notice."
"So then why aren't they?" Nobuo asked heatedly. "Why would the Ace want an army to oppose his and come between his goal and objectives?"
"Simple." Hisashi said taking his leave of the hospital room.
"What is success without glory?"
()
"Naruto Hisame huh?"
"Yep."
"I must say, I never expected this."
"I would be quite surprised if you had."
"So what exactly don't I know about you?"
"A lot."
"What do I know that is wrong about you?"
"Nothing. Everything you know is the truth besides my surname."
"What about Konoha?"
"That is true."
"Would I be able to go there?"
"Professor Oak, I don't even know how to get there anymore."
"Well I'm sorry to hear that Naruto."
"Don't be Professor, we have other things to worry about at the moment."
"So I have heard." Professor Oak said as he leaned back in his chair, away form the videophone. "What do you need?"
"Your support." Naruto responded. "Action wise, nothing about your life should change, no one knows about our connection and, as long as we only communicate as pokémon trainer to pokémon professor, no one should care."
"Are you sure you don't need any of my help?"
"I'm sure."
"And, what about, your 'associates.'" Professor Oak questioned, choosing his words carefully.
"You probably already know who they are."
"By Arceus. But they are so young… you're so young."
"Young, but not immature… at least not anymore. They have chosen their path Professor, as have I. Now all I need from you is your continued support of our actions as a pokémon trainers and nothing more."
"What about the war?"
"It will be hell and if nothing is there to offset it, I'm afraid even I will not be able to deal with the pressure."
"I see… Well if there is anything you need from me, don't be afraid to contact me. Tell the others as well. Abandoning you kids now wouldn't be go for any of us."
"Thank you Professor."
()
The line was a long one, Ash was sure of that much.
Snaking outside of the Pokémon Center doors and continuing numerous blocks down the streets outside, people of all shapes and sizes waited for their turn to make a difference.
"You really know how to influence others." Ash said, as he stood dutifully beside Naruto while he signed another application.
Naruto was seated at a simple wooden table near the edge of the center desk of the Pokémon Center.
Reserving the space for the purpose of recruiting wasn't that hard, but that wasn't the most pressing matter. What really proved a problem was figuring out where to put the resulting army.
Naruto had spent a small fortune reserving hotel rooms all over the city for the sole purpose of housing the new recruits. Where he had gotten all the money still remained a mystery for Ash.
Speaking of Ash, he had decided to check up on Naruto after sharing something of a celebratory lunch with Misty, Brock, and all the pokémon. They had been in their civilian clothes at the time so as to not draw attention to themselves, seeing as there would be time for that later…
Namely, right after Ash got done giving Naruto moral support.
Naruto had been especially adamant about being physically present for at least one of the recruiting stations for as long as he possibly could. He had even felt guilty about the fact that he wouldn't be present to address over ninety percent of the people signing up, despite the fact that a shadow clone would be their to take his place.
He had said that everyone that signed up put their lives in his hands and if he wasn't even there to take it then he had no right to have it.
"I never figured you as the motivational type." Ash mused, stealthily trailing a girl through a passing crowd, before allowing his eyes to drift towards a nearby Parasect.
"Neither did I." Naruto said, shaking the hand of the newest recruit before giving her the address of her new hotel.
It was strange really.
In all reality, nothing about his life would lead him to become or even need to become motivational in anyway. But, yet, it just came naturally sort of like his love for orange and the carefree nature of his civilian transformation.
They went against everything he stood for, but yet he never attempted to change them.
It was like they needed to be there.
"Hello, I would like to sign up."
The voice quickly broke Naruto out of his mild stupor, as he prepared his pencil and made responded almost out of pure reflex.
"I appreciate your willingness to assist our cause." Naruto said, extending his hand for the initial handshake. "Your name is…"
"Tedric Linton." The man answered, gladly taking Naruto's hand in a firm grasp.
Tedric was of an average build, wearing a simple blue polo and jeans everything about his body language told of an easygoing nature. He had slightly unshaven look as though he had been too lazy to pick up a razor over the past month and his eyes had a half lidded look, making it seem as though opening them more would have been nothing more than a pain for him.
"Okay Tedric you've got three choices. You can partake in the army itself and participate in the fighting the organization. You can assist in the construction of structures and bases used to support all members of the army. Or, you could help with supplying the army with the supplies necessary to maintain it." Naruto informed after his split second size-up. "So, which would you like to do?"
"I would like to fight."
Quick and to the point, although exceedingly unexpected judging by his laidback appearance.
But, who was he to judge.
"Okay then, just know that you will be expected to have at least six pokémon in your possession at all times and it is preferred if you have others. Varying types within your pokémon team is also preferred."
"It seems I'm an overachiever." Tedric said jokingly, while running a hand across his belt. "There's a first time for everything I suppose."
"Indeed there is." Naruto said, jotting down a few more things on the application. "Now I just need your contact information and that of any of your relatives, friends, or any other significant others."
They both knew the reason behind that request, but the mood didn't seem to drop in the slightest as Tedric ranted off a few numbers and addresses in good nature.
"Okay your all set Tedric." Naruto said, signing the application and shaking Tedric's hand once more. "Here is the address to your hotel room. Make sure you to get to know everyone you see in the hotel as they will all be your comrades from this day forward."
Gaining a nod from, Naruto continued.
"Training sessions will start at seven o'clock tomorrow morning. At the aforementioned time, either I or one of my associates will be present in the lobby of the hotel to direct all present towards the training sight."
Tedric gave another nod before departing with one last handshake.
"Next please." Naruto called, silently noting Ash's distinct lack of presence inside of the Pokémon Center."
'That can't be good.'
()
"Ladies, ladies, please." Ash laughed, as he made another half-hearted attempt to push away his new fan club. "I was only doing my job. Saving the world and everything."
It was amazing what a mask and cloak did to hide the figure. Despite his slightly diminutive size, the distinct lack of numbers in Ash's age didn't seem to be perceived by those that approached him.
Or at least he hoped they didn't.
If sixteen-year-old girls were knowingly trying to force themselves upon a ten and a half year old boy, then something was wrong with society.
Nearby Brock was taking the reception in a much less controlled manor.
"Come as close as you want ladies, it only costs five dollars to sit on the lap of this hero! Oh, who am I kidding, its free!" Brock yelled enthusiastically, having to do a double take when a girl actually decided to take him up on his offer.
Meanwhile, Misty was having a similar experience with a fan club of a completely different sort.
"I love you!"
Misty bit back a groan at that, instead replacing it with a forced smile, unseen because of her mask, but still somewhat apparent.
"And here a few hours ago I was wondering if this was all worth it." Ash laughed, subtly encouraging the advances of his club members.
It was all a game to him, sort of like how he imagined wining the Pokémon League would be. The physical pleasure their actions gave him, went unseen by the boy.
For now at least.
'Who would have thought?' Ash mused fondly, momentarily tuning out the roaring crowd surrounding him and his friends. 'War is hell, but apparently the road running through it passes through heaven.'
()
AN: Well, there's the chapter hope you liked it.
As always reviews are welcome and appreciated.
Side Note: My apologies to KitsuneNoYomeiri, I wasn't able to fit it into the chapter. School really takes up a lot of my free time.
Until next time...