And so the flashback continues. Again, thank you with the helpful reviews and feedback, even if I don't get around personally messaging my gratitude for you. Sadly, I don't even have time to PM now. Pretty disappointing, but that's life…
"… … … We began climbing up Mt. Silver…"
The mountainous trail was long and winding as expected, according to the opinions of every individual they talked to. Ash and Pikachu noticed also as they ascended further from Silver Town since starting earlier in the day, the rocky pathways were becoming steeper. Interestingly enough, they've also been discovering small forest areas based around the mountain as part of higher elevated lands. The fresh, greener areas of Mt. Silver were planned break points for their travel.
Or would have been a suitable place to take a break…
"… … And the Hiker's words were true…"
A few wild Pokémon they had discovered along the way were particularly aggressive, Aggron and Ursaring being particular examples considering that they were naturally belligerent in nature, especially when it came down to protecting their young, their territory, or a combination of both. Since they weren't exactly in large swarms, Ash chose to stay his ground and battle them for experience for his Pokémon. After all, it was the main point for him traveling to this difficult mountain anyway.
So to say, when they did clear off the area of the wild Pokémon, Ash took the opportunity to rest and review over his plans once again. With Pikachu and his daily rotating Pokémon by his side, he was sure he'd be able to survive for a couple of weeks before heading back down to Silver Town to restock on supplies if necessary, provided that he wanted to scale back up the mountain again.
"… … Just not right away… …"
At this point, he and Pikachu sat on a fallen log at a forest clearing. The air was colder as the elevation went higher. Snow was gradually becoming visible throughout the area, but did not give the white winter outlook just yet. Despite having lunch a couple of hours ago, he still felt hungering sensations in his stomach.
"Y'know, buddy? This trip has been really exhilarating," Ash told the Mouse Pokémon with a relaxed grin. "I'm glad we're taking the challenge. Are you?"
"Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed eagerly, sounding slightly out of breath from the excitement.
"That's the spirit. Just a few more minutes and we'll get going."
*Rustle*
"… Pikachu?" Ash whispered tentatively.
His brown eyes darted down to where Pikachu sat, and saw that his best friend gave him the barest of nods. He sensed something too, hidden and scouring about in the bushes.
"Pii," Pikachu grunted, standing up warily.
"Be on your guard, Pikachu. There's no telling what's coming at us this time."
They discovered the portion of leaves of the bushes rippling like an ocean wave as it came closer to the two of them. They were observant enough to determine the approaching creature would be fairly short in stature as it was easily concealed within the shrubs. But then again, it could've been a diversion.
The rustling died down as it reached the edge, right in front of Ash and Pikachu. Pushing away the remaining foliage that concealed it with an arm, it was indeed revealed to be small and seemingly harmless.
"Kyu…" it grunted, looking up with big innocent eyes behind its skull mask.
"It's a Cubone," Ash stated, amazed to have encountered a wild one here of all places. "Hey, little guy! You lost?"
Unbeknownst to him, as Ash attempted a friendly gesture to gain the Cubone's trust by approaching it, a spinning projectile came in from the side, to which Pikachu took quick notice and action. He quickly powered up an Iron Tail to counter and knock away the intruding attack, revealed to have been a thick spinning bone.
Ash caught on what was happening and sidestepped, facing where the offense came from. The bone fell back into the hands of a Marowak that had appeared from the forest. The Marowak fiercely glared at the human and his Pikachu, threatening to release another Bonemarang at them.
"A Marowak! What was that for?!" Ash yelled. Glancing back to the Cubone and then to the Marowak, the idea had connected itself within his mind. "I get it now. You're Cubone's mom, aren't you?"
"Maro," the Marowak grunted with an affirming nod, holding her bone-wielding arm to the side. "Wak! Maro-wak!"
"I wasn't going to do anything to Cubone. Honest!"
Ash could still see that Marowak still didn't trust him from the look of her eyes. He really didn't want to fight her unlike other wild Pokémon he had encountered here as they were either solo or in a small group. It was all due to finding and beginning to befriend her child. Until he had a better solution in calming her down, the only viable option was to leave.
Unfortunately, his attempt at an inconspicuous retreat backfired as he stumbled backwards on his feet and tripped right next to Cubone, startling the Lonely Pokémon. Immediately perceiving the act as a threat against her child, Marowak went into extreme parental action with another Bonemarang, this time with the intent to break in the young boy's cranium.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu shouted, leaping up.
"Err… Huh? Pikachu, no!"
*Bam*
*Thud*
The Mouse Pokémon was sent dragging along the ground, stopping next to Ash and Cubone. Having lacked the preparation to charge another Iron Tail, Pikachu brashly opted to take the Bonemarang with his entire body. The super-effective strike left quite a noticeable bruise on his side. That certainly also struck a sensitive nerve within the Pallet Town Trainer as he glared back at Marowak.
"Okay, now I'm mad," Ash muttered, standing back up and grabbing a Poké Ball from his belt.
The bystander Cubone was in a panic, glancing from its mother to Ash and to the fallen Pikachu. It had no idea how to quiet the situation without anyone else getting hurt. It tried squeaking out to its mother that the human was no harm, but it had already been apparent that Marowak had no intent to listen to anyone at the moment, not while her overprotective maternal instincts were at a fevered pitch.
Cubone also cried out to Ash, who appeared more than eager to fight against its mother as to avenge his best friend. Sadly, he too was intent on teaching Marowak a lesson for hurting Pikachu.
"Kyu! Kyu!" Cubone shouted as loud as it could to get them to stop.
Marowak narrowed her glare and leapt forth, taking the cry of her child as the signal. She jumped high with her strength focused into the thick bone held above her head, ready to strike with a merciless Bone Club.
"Sceptile," Ash began to call out, holding out the Poké Ball, "I choose y−!"
*Whoosh*
A blur leapt in front of both Ash and Marowak, right before the former could release his Pokémon to battle and the latter attempting her Bone Club attack. All action had come to a complete halt. Marowak landed back on the ground, her club tentatively held over her. Ash looked down at the newcomer with Sceptile's Poké Ball still held tightly in his hand.
"Lar!" the new Pokémon exclaimed, to which Marowak calmly lowered her arms.
"No way," Ash whispered in disbelief, eyes widened in astonishment.
Pikachu managed to be able to stand back up while still harboring a bit of pain from Marowak's previous attack. He went over and happily greeted the one that miraculously prevented a chaotic fight from taking place. The Mouse Pokémon, in turn, was swept up and spun around joyously by his old friend.
"Larvitar, hey!" Ash greeted, much to the Rock Skin Pokémon's delight.
"Lar Lar-vitahr!" Larivitar replied as it leapt up into Ash's arms for a hug and for quite a joyous reunion.
"So you were saved from Marowak's wrath because of Larvitar?" Anabel asked for clarification, completely fascinated with the ongoing story.
"… …Yes," Ash replied with an additional solemn nod. "… I knew Larvitar while I traveled Johto… … Larvitar and its mother… … they knew Cubone and Marowak…"
"Wow, imagine that. I guess that turned out to be a lucky break for you guys, huh? But what I'm curious in is why there were a Cubone and Marowak in Mt. Silver. I don't believe they're indigenous to that area."
"… Certain things happened… … …"
"Well, regardless," Anabel said, attempting to shrug it off. "If it weren't for Larvitar, things probably wouldn't have turned out as well."
"… Things eventually got worse," Ash added.
"What happened then? Did Marowak attempt to attack you again?"
Ash shook his head before looking down at Pikachu. The Mouse Pokémon gave a bare, but determined nod, showing his utmost faith in his Trainer's ability to reopen up his old wounds.
"… … Peace settled on us once all misunderstandings were cleared… at least for a couple of weeks… …"
Within the next couple of weeks of intensive training in Mt. Silver, Ash and Pikachu enjoyed watching out for Larvitar and its apparent best friend, Cubone. Most of their breaks from training included playing with them while under the watchful eyes of their mothers. While Marowak was calmer than before in letting her child play with a human, she always appeared to be on guard for some reason.
Even Tyranitar wasn't bothered too much with Larvitar playing with outsiders, granted that she knew Ash and Pikachu previously. Regardless, Marowak didn't seem to be letting up her tension any time soon. She always kept a very keen eye on where Cubone was, even with the boy and his Pikachu being around to protect the children if any threat made itself known.
"… Over time… I did find out about Marowak's distrusting nature… …"
*Rustle*
*Rustle*
*RUSTLE*
It happened so suddenly, within the peaceful play time. Rushing footsteps were heard about within the surrounding trees. The Pokémon had been quick to pick up and Ash had followed suit, determining that something unknown was heading towards them based on their expressions. Both Marowak and Tyranitar left the shadows of the forest and stationed themselves in front, mainly to protect their young and Ash, who managed to earn their trust overtime.
A pair of Houndoom leapt out from the forest shrubs, growling ferociously in front of Ash and company. More silhouettes of taller, human-shaped figures were also approaching their wide forest clearing.
"What's going here?" Ash demanded, confused with the Houndoom's sudden appearance and the tension shared by the Pokémon in front of him.
As if he wasn't already bewildered before, familiar wicked cackling in three different voices was heard coming slightly to the side from where the Houndoom emerged. He felt annoyed that after all this time that those three were still tailing him.
"Prepare for trouble, it's the time to strike!"
"Make it double, hope you're pleased by our might!"
"Team Rocket!" Ash growled as he saw the familiar and troublesome faces of the trio that plagued him throughout his journey.
"Pii-kaaah!" Pikachu hissed along, electricity crackling from his cheeks as he was poised to attack.
Jessie, James, Meowth, and a sizeable group of Rocket Grunts made their way into the clearing, surrounding the Pallet Town Trainer and the Pokémon. More Houndoom and a few Golbat had joined the pair that had started the first threat. Ash could barely restrain his uprising anger and hate towards the criminal organization that had threatened and abused Pokémon time to time.
"What's Team Rocket doing here on Mt. Silver?!"
"What are we doing here, you ask?" Jessie repeated.
"You should be thanking us, twerp," James said.
"After all, we're da ones dat told ya ta come here and train your Pokémon ta your heart's content," Meowth exclaimed triumphantly. "Now hand over dat Pikachu and every otha' Pokémon ya have on ya!"
"… … And it soon became my reason to distrust…"
"Not on your life!" Ash shot back.
"I'm afraid you don't have choice, kid," a new voice spoke up. "You're completely outnumbered."
"Oh, boy, one of da big wigs is here!" Meowth exclaimed gleefully.
Ash and company glanced to where the voice came from. Emerging from the line of Grunts in front of them was a man also dressed in the standard black Team Rocket uniform, though his uniform appeared to be more distinguished by having white arm gloves and boots with red bands. He also wore the typical black Rocket hat. His most noticeable features were his turquoise green eyes and matching long hair that stood and curved out from the sides.
"Executive Proton, sir!" the Rocket Grunts, along with the trio, saluted.
"At ease, men," Proton said, waving them down before directing his complete attention upon Ash. "Those three have told me about you, how you often interfered with Team Rocket's plans in the past."
"Yeah? What of it?" Ash demanded crossly. "I can't stand bad guys like you, going around and trying to steal Pokémon that don't belong to you."
"An aspiring hero, eh?" Proton chuckled. "Kid, I'm afraid this is where play time ends for you. See here, that Marowak and Cubone you have there with you actually belonged to us before they escaped."
"What?!"
Ash looked down to see both Cubone and Marowak notably trembling under the vicious gazes of Team Rocket. Cubone held onto its mother tightly while Marowak looked ready to beat them down with any means necessary. He knew now that top priority was to protect them from going back to Team Rocket.
"You see, Team Rocket had suffered major setbacks for a while now, one prime example being the failure of Operation Tempest in the Unova region," Proton explained, appearing to have some sort of crazy edge taking over him. "I was also told that you were one of those that interfered with Master Giovanni gaining control over the forces of nature there." His eyes then shot wide open. "Because of your interference, all the funds that went into research and preparation were all for naught! Completely wasted!
"As such, we lost much money and resources moving along to the point that we no longer had protection from the authorities. We fled and set up base here in Mt. Silver in order to regrow what we had lost: power. The wild Pokémon here are already fierce and formidable. With them added to our expanding army, Team Rocket will soon make itself known to the world once more! It takes little steps, but we're climbing back up the ladder now."
"You people are insane," Ash remarked, shaking out of anger.
"It's not going to matter what you think as we're going to deal with you… permanently."
Proton's threat left Ash ready to defend. The Rocket Executive had given a motion with his arm. A thin, narrow red laser emerged from behind. Ash narrowly evaded the shot with Pikachu's help by tackling him to the side. The laser was seen penetrating and searing cleanly through a very thick tree with the secondary effect of blasting off the part above where the laser struck. Ash's eyes had widened from the realization of what could've happened if he was struck by that laser. Surprisingly, Jessie, James, and Meowth were in great shock as well over what had just transpired before their eyes.
"Hold on a minute, what do you think you're doing, Proton sir?" Jessie asked in alarm.
"Ya could've damaged da Pikachu moichandise!" Meowth complained.
"Plus, he's just a boy!" James pleaded.
They were then suspiciously surrounded by Rocket Grunts, each of the three suddenly taken hold for their sudden comments and outbursts. Proton glared at them as they struggled from their bondage, palpably displeased with their current attitude.
"I take it that you three haven't been up to date with Team Rocket's latest policies," Proton surmised.
"'Latest policies'?" the trio repeated fearfully.
"Yes, the latest policies that I suggested to Head Executive Archer, who willingly passed them off to become official rules and guidelines for all of Team Rocket to follow."
"We weren't told of this!"
"I can tell," Proton muttered, chuckling snidely at the trio's bewilderment. "To share what I presented, the first policy is that when we get down to business, we mean business. You three expressed how much this kid has gotten in your way many times in the past. Now we're finally doing something about it."
"But to actually kill him off… for real?" Jessie mumbled in disbelief.
"I thought Team Rocket was above such barbarity!" James proclaimed. "This is making me furious! Outraged! Sick with anger even!"
"Oi, vey… Truth be told, we never tought ahead in actually succeeding in stealing Pikachu," Meowth cried out. "If da main twoip's gone, den we're pretty much jobless after dat!"
"And here's the second policy," Proton resumed, unaffected by the trio's complaining. "Any form of resistance, treason, or treachery within Team Rocket will be dealt with by every active and able-bodied member of the organization. Aforementioned form includes your incessant whining over the elimination of this brat."
"No fair!" the three of them sobbed. "You can't blame us for something we don't know!"
"Grunts, take them back to base to await further punishment."
"Yes, sir!" the Rocket Grunts saluted, carrying away the struggling trio away despite their consistent efforts at fighting back.
"I demand a lawyer!" Jessie whined.
"I demand a fair trial!" James wept.
"And I demand my momma!" Meowth grumbled.
"This is VERY BAD!" all three cried out, the distressed echoes resonating through the higher forests of Mt. Silver.
"I knew it was too good to be true in seeing them rise in ranking," Proton muttered under his breath once their cries were completely muffled out within the trees. "Should've known their progress in Unova was a huge fluke…"
"That was low…"
"Huh?!"
Ash was seen standing back up alongside Pikachu, Larvitar, Cubone, Tyranitar, and Marowak. All six of them were staring down at the Rocket members surrounding them, though unlike previously when they first ambushed them, they're determined to fight back Team Rocket regardless of their numbers and strengths. Ash sent an unwavering pointing finger at Proton.
"It was bad enough seeing you wanting to recapture Cubone and its mother and even taking away my life, but to turn on your own teammates like that, even those three," Ash drew out, turning his pointing hand into a tightly-clenched fist. "You're the worst of them all!"
"Why, thank you, brat," Proton replied with a smirk. "I do take pride in being one of Team Rocket's scariest and cruelest members. Now then, shall we resume?"
The Rocket Grunt in the back that had fired the laser prepared another shot, this time aiming straightforward upon the center of Ash's grim face. The Pallet Town Trainer could see the Rocket sniper had moved in closer on Proton's command. He wasn't going to allow a second attempt at his life this time around now that he knew that Team Rocket had begun crossing over the line with open assassination.
"We're not taking this again!" Ash announced to the Pokémon before him. "Everyone, let's show Team Rocket your true power! Don't hold back whatever you do!"
He was then greeted with a collection of eager squeals, yells, and roars from them right as they mobilized into action.
Leading off with Pikachu, he unleashed a widespread Thunderbolt.
Larvitar followed next with Hidden Power, conjuring multiple energy spheres and using them as a scattershot.
Cubone went after his friend with a simple, but persistent Bonemarang.
Following her child, Marowak went for a more destructive approach by showing off her true strength with Earthquake. One mighty club strike to the ground and visible seismic energy waves had resonated from the impact.
And finally for the grand finale, Tyranitar used her standard but powerful Hyper Beam to help sweep and sow devastation upon the Rocket forces.
"… … We briefly had the upper hand…"
The majority of Team Rocket's forces there were taken out from the free range powerful attacks unleashed. Proton and the handful of Grunts with him were able to survive the onslaught. The few Pokémon they had sent out before had been almost instantly defeated from the attacks and were promptly recalled by the Grunts that still stuck around. The Rocket Executive was frustrated from the counterattack and personally swore to end the young Trainer's life himself. Never before had he experience such opposition, and from a child no less.
Proton had glanced over where the Rocket sniper was, discovering that he stumbled over as a result of escaping the attack barrage. He then quickly stormed over to him, furiously swiping away the laser rifle that was supposed to end Ash from him.
"You're hereby relieved of duty, Grunt," Proton commanded. "Now get back to base!"
The frightened Rocket Grunt nodded before stumbling over again in his attempt to flee the irate Executive's wrath. Proton watched how pitiful his squadron had become after one counterattack from the enemy. They will certainly be punished for such embarrassing incompetence. He then looked back at Ash, who was too focused in decimating every last Rocket member left.
Proton smirked to himself as he took careful aim with the deadly laser rifle, locking the scope target upon the center of Ash's head. He slowly licked his lips as his finger gingerly pushed down upon the trigger. One of the Pokémon in the group was able to catch Proton's position and his intent to kill Ash.
"… … This is where it all began… … "
"It's time to say 'sayonara', kid!" Proton shouted maniacally, sending full pressure on the rifle trigger. "I'll see you in hell!"
"No!" a loud yell echoed in the skies.
Ash first responded to Proton's threat, discovering the same narrow red laser that nearly claimed his life before was just unleashed by the cruel Rocket Executive's hand.
*Beat*
*Beat*
This was it.
*Beat*
*Beat*
He was too caught up in his anger and hatred for Team Rocket's ambitions that he didn't even notice the death trap he allowed himself to walk into. He became no different than them with the destruction he caused.
*Beat*
*Beat*
*Beat*
Time felt painfully slow to him as the laser came closer and closer and closer to his head with the intent to blast out his brain and end his life as grotesquely as possible.
*Beat*
He knew he was about to leave this world… for real this time. He wouldn't be brought back to life this time since he wasn't a statute petrified as a result of overwhelming psychic power exposure. And he certainly wasn't playing around as a spirit with a trio of friendly Ghost Pokémon, that's for sure.
*Beat*
*Beat*
*Beat*
Ash of Pallet Town of Kanto lived a good and fulfilling life, with a loving mother and true loyal friends always supporting him in his endeavors. Though he still had to ask himself, would anyone truly miss him?
*Beat*
*Beat*
*Beat*
*Beat*
*BOOM*
You could probably guess what'll happen next despite the tension buildup if you've been reading closely since the start, but I'm starting to enjoy leaving these cliffhangers. I finally have a somewhat long chapter going on again, but I hope you're looking forward to the final part of the flashback, which should hopefully finish up next chapter; it's just getting good now, wait until you see what I have planned. I also hope that I didn't overdo the heartbeat effect. Anyway, I actually have a long note following this so please pay attention as you read along to the end:
Here's a quick question for you all. I'm curious on what you think on the subject that I'm about to propose. This is entitled to anyone to answer really, but it would be helpful for those that have been following along the current Pokémon XY anime (available in Japanese so far) at this point:
Since the arrival of XY, there has been much fan uprising concerning the romantic pairing of Ash/Satoshi and Serena, recently openly declared by fandom as AmourShipping, on the basis that they knew each other as children in Pallet Town. Many are convinced that this would be an actual canon pairing, thus rendering every other Ash Ships useless and tossed aside, only for diehard fans to hold on to. I'll admit that I have curiosity over its potential and may possibly support it.
Now then, for some reason, those into PokéShipping particularly (Ash/Satoshi and Misty/Kasumi) seem to take the arrival of AmourShipping pretty bad, according to various voices I find here and there. Here's the thing: I don't get it. Why them in particular that they're talked about in YouTube and DeviantArt comments that they would be "very butthurt" over this? What about those in AdvanceShipping (Ash/Satoshi and May/Haruka)? Or PearlShipping (Ash/Satoshi and Dawn/Hikari)? Or any other Ash Ship for that matter? How do they, and possibly you, feel about this, both this issue and of AmourShipping?
Let's be realistic here for just a moment, folks. Are PokéShippers and majority of fans honestly convinced that Ash would settle down in the end with Misty for real? I personally have nothing against them or Misty on the matter (I'm not a huge fan of her in the anime, but I don't hate her. Anime Iris on the other hand… well, that's a different story. This is the thing about being professional in writing as my brother taught me, I write her according to her established character and not from personal bias, so if you hadn't already noticed, I've been pretty tame with my treatment over her). Also, I also don't and can't see Ash settling down with her… or really anyone for that matter at the rate that his characterization's been going. That's both my personal opinion and using actual facts.
It just seems to me that some "fans" are getting riled up over a fictional romantic pairing that either appeals to them or opposes their own ideals. In the "wise" words of Trainer Paul, it's pathetic really, but to each his or her own… What can you do? Anyway, a thousand apologies for this long note, but I just had to vent it out. And I really want to know.
Please let me know in your reviews what you think about those issues in addition on how my writing and this chapter turned out. Please review!
L-ater!