CH 38: Origins
The morning after Ash had won his eighth badge he and May got up early and did some training with each of their pokemon. May had two weeks before the Hoenn grand festival began, but luckily for her she was already in Sootopolis city where it was being held.
"Blaziken use blazekick" May said. "Lucario use low sweep" Ash said. Blaziken ran first then jumped up with his right leg on fire. Lucario jumped up but was lower than blaziken and hit his left leg. The lower strike knocked blaziken back onto the ground and stood on top of him with his paw directly in front of blaziken's face.
"Nice job Lucario" Ash said. Lucario got up and extended his paw to blaziken. "You have to watch for counter strikes like that" Ash said. "Your right, I guess we'll have to work on that" May said. "Pikachu you ready?" Ash said.
Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder and had his game face on. "Pika Pika!" He said. "Ok vulpix let's see how fast you can go" May said throwing vulpix's pokeball. "Ok vulpix use quick attack" May said.
Vulpix ran at pikachu as fast as she could. "Pikachu dodge" Ash said. Pikachu used his incredible speed to evade the attack easily. "Firespin" May said. "Pikachu jump through the firespin and use thunderbolt" Ash said. Pikachu ran toward toward the fire spin then jumped through the narrow opening inside.
Pikachu landed on the other side unscaved "Pikachu!" He shouted as he unleashed a thunder bolt on Vulpix knocking her out. "Vulpix!" May said. She hurried over and picked her up. Vulpix opened her eyes "Vulpix" She said.
"I guess I still have a lot of work to do before the grand festival" May said. "Don't worry May we won't stop until you're more than ready" Ash said. Later at the pokemon center May was talking with parents over the phone. "You have your last ribbon , I'm so proud of you May" Her mother said.
"May I know you'll do great in the grand festival" Norman said. "Don't worry Norman I'm here to make sure May is ready for the grand festival" Ash said. "Ash I hear you also won your last badge, congratulations" Norman said. "May we have more good news, the former Petalburg gym leader has agreed to temporarily fill in for your father so he can see you in the grand festival" Caroline said.
"Really!" May said. "Yeah, we called Max he's coming to Sootopolis city to see you too" Caroline said. "We'd ask you to also help Max with some training Ash, but I guess he already has a teacher" Norman said. "Right Red, we've met him" May said.
"Well May, Ash we'll see you in a few hours we're taking a train to Slateport and the a boat to Sootopolis city" Caroline said. "We'll see you then" May said. After the phone call ended Ash said "I guess this means I'll have to get another room, for obvious reasons" Ash said.
"Right, though is us staying int he same room really that bad, It's not like we've been having sex or anything" May said. "Do you really want to take that chance with your parents" Ash said. "True" May said.
"May!" A familiar voice said. Ash and May turned to see Max and Red walking into the pokemon center. "Max" May said. "Hey sis, I'm here to see you win the grand festival. And to get my next gym badge here. I've been very busy training with Red and getting more badges" Max said opening his badge case showing he had seven badges.
"He's gotten allot better, I think he might even be ready for the Hoenn league" Red said. "Well, he'd better be ready because I've got all of my badges and I'm competing int he Hoenn league" Ash said.
"Hey May, remember the time we were here with mom and Dad" Max said. "Yeah we went here for mom's birthday 8 years ago" May said. "Yeah and we had dinner at that one restaurant mom and dad loved. I think we should try to get a reservation there" Max said. "We'll be sitting in line for hours, but it would be nice" May said.
"I think I might do some training on my own while you guys do that" Red said. "I can wait with you two if you want" Ash said. "It's ok Ash just meet us at Drecepies in a few hours" May said. Ash and Red walked out of the pokemon center together.
"So Red if we have a few hours why not train together" Ash said. "Actually now that I think about it there is a place I wanted to see here. The cave of origin" Red said. "Yeah I heard that is the place where groudon and Kyogre clashed, creating Hoenn" Ash said.
"That's right and I think it would be an awesome place to see" Red said. Ash and Red took a boat across the lagoon toward the cave of origin. The boat driver got to the edge of the cave entrance and stopped. "Alright you two take this walkey talkey and call me when you want to go back. Also be careful in there it's pretty easy to get lost in there" The driver said.
Ash and Red stepped off the boat and walked into the cave of origin. For the first few yards the cave looked like any ordinary cave. That was until Ash and Red got farther into the cave. "It's amazing" Red said. The cave interior was made almost entirely of clear , red, and blue diamonds.
"Wow the cave is made completely out of diamond but how?" Ash said. "Well it probably has something to do with the clash between groudon and Kyogre" Red said. Both Ash's and Red's pikachus were also amazed by the sights. Occasionally Ash and Red would see a zubat or golbat flying around the cave.
"There aren't many pokemon in here" Red said. "Hey Red I wonder why no one has tried to mine these diamonds" Ash said. "That is a good question. Maybe they're afraid to defile such a sacred place. I mean if the legend is true then this is where Hoenn was born" Red said.
"Plus, i'm sure a few people have taken some diamonds from this place" Red said. Eventually the cave split into two paths. "Two paths" Red said, "Why don't I go right and you go left then meet back here" Ash said. "Alright" Red said.
Ash went down the right pathway and saw that any clear or red diamonds got scarcer and scarcer. When Ash got far enough in, the cave was made entirely out of light blue diamond. The cave path went on for another ten yards and then ended at an edge.
Beyond the edge was a massive cavern made of mostly blue diamond with some blueish black rocks . Inside the cavern was a lake of water flowing from a few small waterfalls coming from the top of the cavern.
Because most of the cave was diamond the water glittered off them all over the room. "It's so beautiful, I wish May were here to see this" Ash said. "Pika!" Pikachu shouted. "What is it Pikachu?" Ash said.
A fast and strong stream of water hit Ash from above knocking him and pikachu into the lake below. The water came from a waterfall above where Ash was standing that had just began to flow.
Ash opened his eyes underwater to his surprise he could see clearly as if he had goggles on. He desperately looked around for Pikachu. Pikachu was trying to swim back to the surface. Ash quickly swam under pikachu using his head to lift him up out of the water. Both of them gasped for breath when they got above water.
"Well that was, exciting" Ash said. Ash saw the water was filled with Relicanth and a few Anorith near the bottom of the lake. Ash swam toward an island made of diamond in the center of the lake with pikachu holding onto his head.
When Ash got to the edge of the island a hand extended down toward him. "Need a hand kid" the man said. Ash took the man's hand and was pulled out of the water. "I saw what happened , you need to be more careful kid. You were lucky you didn't land on one of the diamonds in the lake" The man said.
The man was tall and strong-looking. He had short black hair and brown eyes. His skin tone was the same as Ash's. "Thanks for helping me , my names Ash" "Nice to meet you Ash my name is Felix". Ash noticed that Felix wasn't alone on the island, there was a massive charizard and a Raichu behind him.
"So what are you doing down here anyway?" Felix asked. "Well me and my friend Red were just exploring the cave of origin. This place is amazing" Ash said. "It is that's why I like to come here and train" Felix said. Pikachu jumped down from Ash's shoulder as Felix's Raichu came over to him. "Raichu" he said. "Pika pika" Pikachu said.
"So your a pokemon trainer too" Ash said. "Yeah i've been a trainer most of my life but about fifteen years ago I devoted my entire life to my pokemon" Felix said. "Charizard was my first pokemon and Raichu my second, of course he was still a pikachu back them" Felix said.
"So wait if your first pokemon was a charmander then your not from Hoenn are you" Ash said. "No I come from Kanto, I've just been traveling the world recently training on my own" Felix said. "Have you ever competed in a pokemon league?" Ash said.
Felix smiled "I did once, a my first year after becoming a serious trainer I competed in the indigo pokemon league and won" Felix said. "You did wow, I competed in the Indigo league once but I lost" Ash said. "That's ok Ash, there's no shame in loosing when you make it that far" Felix said.
"So if you've trained for so many years why haven't you competed in any other pokemon leagues" Ash said. Felix looked back at the lake "For a long time I thought I would. I thought I'd compete in every pokemon league there was. But after I won the Indigo league I came to realize something. I didn't need to" Felix said.
He turned back to Ash "I didn't need to show the world how good of a trainer I am. I just needed to know that I am a good trainer and that I will always have my pokemon by my side" Felix said. "So since then I just decided to travel the world . Just me and my pokemon from here on out" Felix said.
Felix reached down and picked up Pikachu. "This is some pikachu you've got , I can tell he's very powerful" Felix said scratching Pikachu's chin. "Pikachu was my first pokemon, he's been my partner and closest friend ever since I started my journey" Ash said.
"It's good you have such a close relationship with your pokemon. It shows that you are a caring and devoted trainer. In my book that is the most skilled kind of trainer" Felix said. "Your bond with your Pikachu reminds me of my bond with Charizard" Felix said. His charizard then grabbed him and lifted him up hugging him.
After a minute he put Felix down. "So Ash are you competing in the Hoenn league?" Felix said. "Yeah, I already have my eight badges. I'm just staying here because my girlfriend May is competing in the Hoenn grand festival" Ash said.
"Well I hope she wins , and I hope you win too" Felix said. Ash didn't know exactly why but there was just somthing about Felix that made him feel confident and safe. It was as if he had already known Felix some how.
"Thanks Felix, you know I may have just met you but you're one of the coolest trainer's I've ever met" Ash said. "Thanks Ash, say I never did get your last name" Felix said. "Oh right , I'm Ash Ketchum" Ash said. "Alright , Wait Ketchum!" Felix shouted. His eyes went wide after he heard what Ash said.
"Yeah, is everything alright Felix?" Ash said. "Kid where are you from?" Felix said. "Kanto, I live in Pallet town" Ash said. "Pallet town, is your mothers name Delia Ketchum?" Felix asked. "Yes, how did you know my mother's name?" Ash said.
Felix looked very confused and troubled. "No it can't be, it has to be a coincidence" Felix said to himself. He turned back to Ash, "I'm sorry kid but I have to go. The way out is across that patch of diamond and then down the path back into the cave it should take you back to where you came from" Felix said. He returned his Riachu and then got onto his charizard's back.
The charizard pushed off the ground and then flew out over one of the waterfall openings. "Woah , I wonder what that was all about?" Ash said. Ash got up and looked down the path that Felix showed him. "I guess we should go, but first let's bring something back for May" Ash said.
He looked at a large piece of diamond sticking a few feet out of the rest of the diamond island. "Pikachu think you could break off a piece of that" Ash said. Pikachu smiled then ran over and smashed the diamond with iron tail three times. After the third time a few small pieces broke off and landed in front of Ash.
"Perfect, thanks Pikachu" Ash said. Ash picked up the pieces and Pikachu jumped back onto his shoulder. Red was waiting at the point where the two path's diverted for Ash. He heard footsteps approaching and then saw Ash.
"There you are , the pathway I took led to a lava pit and it was entirely red diamond. "Then that must have been where groudon came up because the path I went down lead to a lake and was made entirely of blue diamond" Ash said.
"Really, that's cool" Red said. The two began to walk toward the exit "I met a trainer there named Felix" Ash said. "A trainer really?" Red said. "Yeah his name was Felix, and well. There was something about him. I don't know what but I feel like I already knew him some how" Ash said.
"That sounds strange" Red said. The two got out of the cave of origin and called for the boat. Before going to the restaurant Ash stopped by a diamond cutter and ring maker. He cut the largest piece of diamond into a proper shape and put it ona ring made of white gold.
Ash was able to afford it with the other pieces of diamond he got from the cave of origins. Hours later Ash was at Drecepies with May and her family. "I can't believe you two were able to get the family a table here" Caroline said.
"Well it is a nice occasion to have the family together for a nice dinner. Plus we have both of our children's closest friends" Caroline said. "Right friends" May said. Max shook his head. May saw him point to his watch again and again. "Not now we're in public" May said to herself.
May saw that Ash was feeling uncomfortable as well. "Well it is nice to meet the two of you. Norman according to Max you are some gym leader" Red said. "Well I'm a good leader but I don't like to brag" Norman said.
"So Ash you and Red went into the cave of origins today correct" Caroline said. "Yeah it was incredible, you have to see it" Ash said. "Maybe we can before we leave" Norman said. After dinner Norman and Caroline had checked out two rooms at the Brenton inn. "We can stay here until the contest our treat" Norman said.
"Our family can stay in the family sized room , Ash you and Red can share the other room" Caroline said. Red was taking a shower in the bathroom while Ash and May sat on the balconey alone except for Pikachu.
"This Felix guy does sound cool, but you said you felt like you knew him already. How could that be?" May said. "I don't know, it was weird I've never felt that way around someone before" Ash said.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out Ash, who knows maybe you were meant to meet Felix" May said. "Thanks May, Oh I almost forgot. I had this made for you"Ash said taking out the ring. "Ash it's beautiful how did you get this!?" May said excitedly. Ash started blushing "Well I had to take a few diamonds from the cave of origin" Ash said.
"I love y, I mean it" May said. Although May was very happy with being Ash's girlfriend she feared what would happen after Ash finished the Hoenn league and she finished the grand festival. She know that before the Hoenn league ended she had to tell Ash that she loved him.
May grabbed Ash's shoulders and passionately kissed him for almost an entire minute. When she went back both of them were blushing. May put in the key-card to her families room and opened the door. "May there you are" Norman said.
May walked in and shut the door behind her. "May are you alright it looks like something's bothering you" Caroline said. "Yeah May, care to tell mom and dad exactly what's bothering you" Max said.
May took a deep breath and then exhaled. "Oh I get what's going on. Your upset because you haven't been able to see Drew in a long time. Dear please don't worry I'm sure he'll be here for the grand festival and then you can" Caroline started.
"Mom no! I don't want to be with Drew and I never will!" May almost shouted. "I've tried to tell you for so long, but I just had to do this in person. Mom, Dad Ash and I are... Dating" May said.
"What!?" Both Caroline and Norman said. "May sweetheart you're dating him. But I thought you always liked Drew"Caroline said. "Mom maybe there was a time I thought I liked Drew, but deep down I know that there is only one person who I want to be with and that's Ash" May said.
Norman let out a breath of relief and sat down on one of the beds next to Max. "Ash, well that's a relief I was afraid that she you actually liked Drew. That show off little punk" Norman said. "Norman I thought you supported me on this" Caroline said. "I'm sorry Caroline , but if I had to choose who I wanted May to date. I would be Ash" Norman said. Caroline took sighed, "Well if you really are happy with him then I guess that's what matters most" Caroline said.
May was relieved how well telling her parents about her and Ash went. Her parents slept in the bed closest to the door while May stayed in the smaller bed near the balcony and Max slept in the coach pull out bed.
Back in the other room Red and his Pikachu were both asleep in the bed closer to the door. Pikachu was sleeping next to Ash's head on a pillow to the right of his head. Ash felt a bit alone, this was the first night in a long time that he and May didn't share a bed.
Ash was still thinking about Felix and how he somehow felt connected to him. This only kept Ash awake for a few more minutes before he drifted away into the night.
