==PM: DARK==

==Written by: Aman Brent Waraich==

=4 weeks later=

It's a brisk summer morning in Pallet Town as Ash and Gary churn their bikes uphill towards the southern rim of the largest woodland in the entire continent, Viridian Forest. That was one of the many perks Ash enjoyed about his hometown, in the same distance it takes to get to Viridian Forest –where he found his lucky mouse- he can ride in the opposite direction and reach the scenic beaches of the Kanto Ocean.

After checking to see that Pikachu is till secure in his backpack he turns to Gary, "My mom's worried about us going to the woods so much. She keeps telling me about how dangerous the hornets are."

"Ash, how many times do I have to tell you to stop worrying about it? We're barely going deep enough in the brush to be out of sight, alright." Gary says with deceptive reassurance.

On their way to the woods they cross a stone bridge built over a streaming river, a general store whose owner is always waving from the window and a diner that has been closed for years. As they pull up to their usual clearing in the woods, Gary dismounts his bike and turns to Ash with a sneer. "So are you finally ready to battle me?"

"Not yet no. Squirtle's still little, but when he's older he'll be ready."

"That squirt is never going to be ready. It's a turtle. Get that through your head. I've seen turtles when they get old, rocks have more vigor than them."

Ash pulls his CB out of his backpack and summons Squirtle, whom appears in front of them instantly. He bends down to his knees and lifts Squirtle to his hind legs then wraps and arm around his shoulder/shell. "You're going to regret that one day, you're talking about a future tournament league champion here." He gestures a fake punch at its chin while Squirtle makes a dismal face. Gary can't help but laugh. Ash ignores him as he turns to Squirtle and commands, "Bubbles, Do Bubbles Squirtle. Bubbles."

Squirtle leans forward in a burping/gargling motion and an abundant stream of bubbles jets from his mouth. Ash claps in enjoyment and frolics around popping them as Gary gives a nod of utter disapproval while water splashes to his feet. "So that's the big move you've been hyping? Remind me, does this come before or after he rolls around on his back for ten minutes struggling to get up?"

Ash doesn't let him ruin his mood, "It's progress, and it shows he's learning. I don't see you getting anywhere with Charizard. You just feed him until he's too full to move."

"Well he's not some common pond turtle. It's a dragon, there's a difference."

"The difference is my animal actually likes me."

"It doesn't matter whether they like you or not, they need to respect you. If you've noticed over the last month Charizard hasn't been acting out as much." He smirks with self-assurance.

"That's because you call him back into the ball before he has a chance to!"

"Sure fine, next time he starts eyeballing that rat of yours as breakfast I'll just let him do it."

Gary reaches to his side and grabbing his CB from his belt and extracts Charizard. After coming out of its temporary daze from the transition, it instantly cranes its neck to the southeast: showing, for the first time, signs of fear in its eyes. The dragon turns and begins running away in a frantic hurry that catches the two kids off guard. They immediately begin chasing after it, until Ash realizes he left Squirtle behind, and heads back to retrieve him. Gary continues running after it into the thicket of the brush and out of sight.

Ash decides it's probably best to hold back and wait in the clearing with his animals. Moments later he hears a loud shriek rise above the trees coming from the distance. That had to be Gary! Adrenaline starts flowing through him as his fruitlessly attempts to lift his turtle before giving up and calling it into his CB. Frantically he chases after the scream into the thickness of the woods.

"Gary! Are you alright?" He yells to no response.

"Where are you at?"

"Gary?"

Call after call goes unanswered and he can feel the anxious sweat beading on the back of his neck. The deeper he goes into the woods the more the tangle of roots and low hanging branches begin to clench down with a claustrophobic embrace. Pushing himself through a bush of pink marigold flowers he emerges into another clearing with sparse rays of light piercing through the canopy. From this vantage point he can see Gary sprawled out on the ground about twenty yards away.

"Gary! Couldn't you hear me?" Ash yells out half frustrated, half hoping for any kind of reply.

"Yes, Ashley. I can hear you" Gary mutters in a barely discernable voice dripping with disdain, his face still firmly planted in the grass.

"Well… Are you all right? What happened? Did you get Charizard?"

Gary slowly lifts his head, "No. To all of your questions, no."

"No happened? I heard you scream, did he attack you?"

"NO. He was running on all fours at full speed; I couldn't keep up. He kept flapping his wings too; I think he was trying to fly away, or something. I don't know. Then I trip over this fucking root, which, where this root came from when there is not a single fucking tree close by, I'll never know. And now I think I twisted my ankle, but I'm fine."

"There's a tree stump right there." Ash points to a tree that had been cut down years ago with sprawling roots coming from its base, partially covered by overgrown moss.

"Thank you Ashley for solving the riddle of the root." Gary quips sarcastically as he pushes himself up from his exasperated position. Ash tries to help him, but Gary shrugs him off, "I got it."

Gary attempts pacing around in a circle but is burdened by an obvious limp. "We have to go home now."

"But we just got here and you said yourself you're fine. What about your dragon? We have to find him."

"I'll come back for him later. I have to get home before my parents; I can't let them see me coming in limping like this. They'll know something is up."

"Just tell them you tripped. It's no big deal."

"Of course you wouldn't understand you're just a kid. See if you can get this through your thick head; I only hang out with you so my parents won't catch on to me and Charizard. I told them we're out here bug catching, cause it's what you like to do. You know since you don't have a dad and all."

Ash fights back a tear, "What's that suppose to mean?"

"Look Ash, forget it. I'm going home, OK. Are you coming or what?"

"No. I'm staying, and you can figure out an excuse without me from now on."

Stubbornly Gary limps to his bike and mounts it, riding off without looking back. Ash stays behind and calls Squirtle back out, to Pikachu's delight.

As Gary rides off he can hear Ash commanding "Bubbles" over and over.

==Later that Evening==

"Mom, I'm back" Ash yells out after taking off his shoes and leaving them on the porch.

His mom steps in from the other room and sees Pikachu scurrying around on the carpet, "What did I tell you about that mouse tracking dirt in here."

"Sorry." Ash scoops down to pick him up and heads off to the washroom to wipe it off. He returns to find her in the kitchen preparing dinner, "He's clean now. See."

"What a little gentleman you are. Now school is starting in a few weeks; is there anything I need to get you from the market?"

"Do I really have to go back? Can't I just be home schooled?"

"Honey, you know I work extra hours while you're away at school. How am I supposed to teach you and support this home at the same time?"

"I can help you work, I'm old enough now. Look at how I take care of Pikachu; that shows I'm dependable."

"Which is why you need to stay in school Honey. You have so much potential and with their help you'll become a bright young man. Plus you get to see all your friends from last year. Don't you miss them?"

"Sure, I guess." Ash lets out an exaggerated sigh of anguish. "Well can I at least take Pikachu to the beach tomorrow?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea Ashley. I heard on the radio that sailors were reporting high waves at sea, so it's probably best that you don't go out there."

"It's the ocean mom. There are always high waves." Ash says becoming overtly distraught.

"We have to be careful living this close to the ocean Ashley. You are not going out there."

"Fine. Thank you school, sailors on the radio, and of course you, mom. Thank you for ruining my summer."

"Ash, don't be so dramatic you can go to the beach whenever this clears up."

"It hasn't rained in over a week and its not even cloudy outside!"

"You've lived here long enough to know that that doesn't matter."

Ash pauses for a moment, "I'm going to my room."

"All right Honey."

Ash leaves and she stays in the kitchen cleaning the leftovers from dinner. A few moments later he pops his head back in the doorway, "Goodnight Mom. I love you." She smiles.

==The Next Morning==

Ash is abruptly awoken by Pikachu's paws scratching at his face in an exaggerated attempt to get his attention. He instinctually pushes him away screaming, "What's wrong with you?"

Pikachu begins to bounce around the room in an uncharacteristic outburst that concerns Ash. Unsure as to what the actual problem is; he decides he must need to go outside to relieve himself. As he walks to the backdoor Pikachu continues to circle around him in an anxious pace. Ash can hear his mom bustling around in the other room. He means to greet her, but as soon as he opens the door Pikachu races into the field heading west. Afraid of losing his prized mouse Ash takes off after him in such a hurry he leaves the door wide open. As he reaches the crest of a hill behind his house he glances back as his cabin once last time, mentally kicking himself for leaving the door open, before he sprints down the other side in pursuit.

A few minutes later his mom passes through the hallway and sees the door sitting agape, "Ashley! What did I tell you about leaving the door open? Are you trying to air condition the entire town?"

Noticing his absence she steps out of the doorway, "Ashley?" She paces forward a little more, "Ashley?"

"ASHLEY!"

==Gary==

==20 minutes later==

Gary steps off his bike and parks it next to the entrance of Ash's house, but before knocking he takes a few moments to mentally collect his thoughts. He gives three light taps and inside he can hear Ash's mom going off on a hysterical rant, before reaching the door and stopping herself with an embarrassed sigh.

"Oh, it's you Gary. Sorry sweetie Ashley isn't here. He left in a hurry with that mouse of his. If you see that boy tell him he needs to speak with me immediately."

Gary tries to wipe the frightened look from his face, "Yes, ma'am."

He leaves the house and doubles back uphill until he eventually runs into a pajama clad Ash a few kilometers up road. Ash's house slippers are soaked in mud and in his arms he's holding his shivering mouse. As they approach from opposite sides Ash remains silent pretending not to have noticed Gary.

"I went by your house. Your mom seemed pretty upset." He hollers from across the road.

Ash lifts his head up and looks Gary's way as he crosses the street and pulls his bike up next to him.

"There's a payphone over at the old diner. I can pay for you to call her so she quits worrying." Gary insists.

"Why would I do that? I'll talk to her when I get home. I don't need your help." Ash retorts quickly.

"I know, OK. It's that.. I need yours. That's why I went by your house; I wanted to apologize for yesterday. I was just frustrated about losing Charizard." Gary stares at him earnestly and lets out a groan, "And, to be honest he does seem to like you more. That's why I was thinking, maybe, if I had you with me; we'd be able to find him."

"OK, but only after I talk to my mom."

==Pallet Town Harbor==

Most ships are docked due to the storm warning, but otherwise it's a usual morning on the coast of Pallet Town. Single passenger fishing crafts linger reaping the benefits of the low competition as the gentle tide rolls into the shoreline.

==Viridian Forest Outskirts: Pallet Town==

Ash and Gary turn back uphill and head over the stone bridge, past the general store, to the diner's outdoor payphone. Gary steps up to it to drop in a coin for Ash who begins spinning the rotary dial. After a long ringing an elderly man picks up the phone.

"Hello, Mr. Renner..." Ash answers in a tedious voice.

"No, it's me Ash… From across the road"

"No, AaSH…" He finds over pronunciation tends to help, "…. Yes, I'm fine…" Ash becomes visibly annoyed as he listens to the old man jabber for an extended time.

"Sir, I don't mean to…" He stops midsentence and continues listening.

"Sir… Yes, I know… Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to talk to my mom…. No, it's OK. I'll wait."

Ash is put on hold as the old man sends someone down the road to retrieve his mom. He can still hear him talking in the distance off phone, he just hopes he doesn't pick the handset back up and continue where he left off; although, he is a nice old man. After a few minutes his mom comes to the line and Ash is shaken by the severity of her tone, which Gary can hear from as far as he is.

"I'm sorry! I know, but he just took off on me…" His face is screaming out in woe.

"I know, but he kept running. I didn't want to loose him."

"Yes, I got him."

"Yeah, I saw him on the road he paid for the call… I will… I will. Now?..."

Ash turns to Gary and grumbles, "Thanks Gary."

"Gary wants me to stay out here and help him find.. some dragons flies."

"I already ate. I had some blackberries I found… Yeah mom, I can tell the difference."

"We're just barely going into the woods and it's not far from his house."

"OK, yeah, I will… All right, bye Mom."

Ash hangs up the phone and looks over to Gary who eyes him with curiosity as they start walking toward the forest. "So what exactly happened with Pikachu?" He asks finally

"I don't know he was scratching at my face this morning and when I let him out he started running away."

"Maybe he doesn't want to be your pet anymore, some birds just can't be caged."

Ash looks down at the squirming mouse in his arms, "I don't think so. He would never get too far away from me while he was running. Like he was wanting me to follow him out here."

Gary gives him an odd look, as if having doubts of recruiting Ash's help. Unnoticed by either of them, the single power line that runs the length of the road; usually teaming with birds, is now empty. When they reach the path, Gary chains his bike down to a tree, and they begin their press into the forest.

"It's quiet out here" Gary says no longer giving off his typical poise.

"Yeah," Ash looks in wonder at the silent trees around them, "it's like everybody is gone."

"It had to be Charizard. He must have scared all the animals off."

"Is that even possible?"

==Pallet Town Harbor==

The tide has dropped at an alarming rate and the single passenger crafts are frantically clogging the bay trying to dock their boats. The pillars of the harbor are now visibly exposed, revealing the barnacles and starfish clinging to the wood. The sky remains calm.

==Viridian Forest Outskirts: Pallet Town==

Ash and Gary continue navigating the woods searching for Charizard, yet there is still no sign of any life, which doesn't sit well with Ash. As he's climbing over a massive tree root, with Pikachu still in his arms, a blaring siren comes from far off startling the two boys.

"What is that!?" Ash screams in dismay as the deafening noise carries on.

Gary has already begun running at a full sprint and Ash wastes no time in deciding to follow.

"It's the emergency alert siren, something is happening! Hurry up!" He shouts back over his shoulder to Ash.

Gary quickly unchains his bike and hops on while striding at a full pace, leaving Ash behind, as he careens downhill towards the cliff edge and its vast view of the area. He reaches the outlook first and his jaw drops as he's astounded by the catastrophe unfolding beneath him.

"What is it? What is it? What's going on down there?" Ash screams as he reaches the cliff edge a few minutes later while panting out of breathe.

"It's the ocean." Gary replies as he gazes dumbfounded into the distance.

Ash -finally catching sight of the scene below him- gradually moves forward and grabs hold of the handrail to brace himself.

High up from their vantage point the wave that swallows Pallet Town advances almost slowly, as if peaceful. But, the closer Ash focuses in, the more devastation he can see as the debris and crushing water reek havoc on everything he's ever known. It's his trembling that alerts Gary attention.

"Ash, we need to get inside. My house is close by, let's leave now." He doesn't respond, he just keeps staring into wasteland like a mute.

"ASH! Look at me we need to go!"

Yet Ash can't move, in his mind he frenetically searches for his home but to no avail. All the usual landmarks are either submerged or missing. Gary's yelling is indiscernible, as his eyes dart back and forth, until he sees it. The thatch roofing of his mom's cabin, by now the rest of the house has become completely engulfed. A thousand thoughts begin to pulsate through his mind as his legs start to creep forward, towards the crashing waves.

Gary grabs hold of him, "Ash, are you crazy!? You can't go that way, we need to go to my house!" Ash tries pulling himself away.

"Damn it Ash, your rat's getting away again. See." Gary points to Pikachu who is using Ash's distraction as an opportunity to run back uphill. With this Ash snaps from his trance and chases after Pikachu.

"My parent's will know what to do, just come with me. Please." Gary pleads.

==Gary's house==

Gary's sister Daisy is staring out the window from the distance as Ash and Gary become visible from the crest of the hill. By the time they reach the house Gary's mom and dad are waiting outside for them.

"Thank God Son, when I heard you went into town I feared the worst." Gary's Dad wraps his arm around his son.

"Dad.. Ash's mom is still down there." Gary nods over to Ash's downtrodden appearance.

"Oh. Yes, of course. Well I'm sure everyone down in the town is all right. After all, they did put out that broadcast, so I'm sure they're fine." Gary's dad gives no hint in his tone that he actually believes his reassurance.

Gary's mom gives his dad a sour look as she kneels down to Ash's level, "Ashley, you can stay here as long as you need. OK? And I promise you; as soon as those waters subside we will take you down there personally and find your mother for you. I just know she's all right; I can feel it in my heart."

Ash mutters out a pitiful thanks but his sunken body shows his true temper.

== A few hours pass ==

The entire family, including Ash, is seated in the living room listening to the news broadcast from their radio.

The broadcast is coming from the Kanto mainland; which was also hit by the waves, but was unharmed due to their massive seawall. Kanto's top meteorologists are still unable to determine the cause or actual origin of the tsunami.

"May I go to the restroom?" Ash finally speaks up after remaining quite up until now.

"You don't need to ask for that, just go on ahead." Gary's mom insists gently.

Ash walks away down the hall, but after an extended absence Gary's mom catches on. "Gary, could you go check on your friend? Make sure he's all right."

Gary steps up to the bathroom door and knocks, "Ash, you OK in there?" After no reply he opens the door to find the room empty. Instead of telling his parents he slips out the back door, grabs his bike and heads down the only road. Confirming his hunch, he finds Ash a few hundred yards down the road running towards his house.

"Ash wait! You can't go back yet. You heard the radio there could still be more waves coming and the town's still flooded."

"So what do you want me to do? Go back and sit in a little circle with your family until it's too late to do anything?" Ash wails out heavy in desperation.

Gary has nothing to say, so Ash proceeds on his way. Reluctantly Gary catches up with him on his bike, "Come on, we can get there faster if you ride on my handle bars."

Together they ride the rest of the way downhill until they come up to standing water. Here Gary dismounts his bike and chains it to a tree and they continue on foot. What starts off as only ankle high water becomes waist deep as they draw closer to the harbor itself. They trudge past the diner and general store, whose owner busy doing what he can to sacrifice what remains of his interior, though luckily the buildings remain intact. Once they reach the stone bridge the water around them has subsided to about knee level as it flows passed them to the swollen river. Once they cross over the bridge they come by the first major piece of debris on their path; an enormous fishing boat flipped on its side resting in a meadow. The gaping holes on its side paint an apparent picture of the devastating path the boat travelled on to reach its current destination.

Once Ash's house is in sight it is obvious that something is wrong, he begins treading through the water at a hurried pace calling for his mom. From Gary's perspective things look bleak; the roof is partially gone, the picket fence that once surrounded their garden is missing, and most of the eastern wall is a mess of rubble and debris. Ash has no need for the door -with the wall hanging half open- and by now his cries for his mom are becoming strained and hopeless.

"She could have left. She must have. After the alarm went off she had to have escaped." Gary suggests.

"MOM!" Ash persists to no avail.

From the water, buried under what was once a white wall adorned by a family photo, lays an unmoving hand with painted fingernail tips. Gary is the first to spot it as he leaps toward the rubble calling out to Ash. Together they go through the fruitless effort of freeing her mangled body from the wreckage. But, after realizing that what lay beneath the water may scar Ash far deeper than the traumatizing events that have already unfolded, Gary pulls Ash away from revealing too much.

"It's too late Ash. There's nothing we can do."

"I can't leave her down there. Not like this!" He bellows as he reaches out for her lifeless sodden hand.

"No! I'll come back and take care of her. I promise." Gary urges, "You don't need to see her like this. It won't do you any good."

Ash stares down in dismay as his childhood floods out of him.