Chapter 6:
Aid
Ash struggled, carrying Misty as he wandered, looking for help. He found himself at the base of a mountain, and hope faded from his heart.
"Ash…" Misty breathed quietly, betraying her thoughts as she slept restlessly in his arms. "Ash…Ash…Ash…."
"Mist?" Ash gasped.
Before he could do anything, a Ninetales came into view.
"Chosen One?" It spoke!
"You!" Ash suddenly knew who it was. "You're the one who's been stalking me every time I've come home."
"Stalking is an ugly word."
"What do you want?"
"She's sick!"
"I know!"
Azar dashed away.
"What the hell?" Ash muttered under his breath.
"Pika?"
The Ninetales returned with an Umbreon, with blue markings instead of yellow.
A shiny Umbreon, Ash realized.
"Come, Aura," The Ninetales beckoned behind him. "Meet the Chosen…"
"!" A blurred figure leapt out of the forest, hurling itself at the two humans. Ash raised his hand just in time to grab the shaft of a very large, slightly crude, and very deadly looking spear. The attacker on the other end of it was not a human.
It was a Pokémon. A Lucario.
A female, too. She wore a crude cloak, made out of what appeared to be an old, faded green sheet. It was ripped in several places and stained with something reddish. Blood? The Lucario herself looked thin and almost undernourished, yet her arms-and legs-had clear muscle from living a tough life. Her fur was ragged and scruffy, with a small stain of red around her paw spikes, but otherwise clean, and it smelled of Beedrill honey. Her fangs were bared in a deep snarl, between gasping breaths. Her eyes were what freaked him out most, though. Her eyes-the usual Lucario's red-were even more bloodshot, and filled with rage…the look of a cold-blooded murderer.
"The hell?" Ash breathed.
"You wanna find out what Hell's like, filthy human?" The Lucario snarled.
There was another blur, a growl and a yelp, and the Ninetales tackled her, sending her flying. The Ninetales grabbed the spear that she dropped in her shock, and handed it to Ash, who took it, still in shock.
"AURA!" The Ninetales barked. "Show some respect! This is the Chosen One! You gave Hikari your word!"
"He's…?" The Lucario – Aura – rubbed her head, her eyes wide in disbelief. "He's the…Chosen One?"
"Yes. He has both the Mark of Ho-oh and Lugia."
"Hmm…" The Umbreon hummed, keeping back from the other two wild Pokémon.
Good idea, Ash thought.
"Azar!" Aura gasped. "You…must be mistaken! He's a boy! I thought the Chosen One would be a man, a hardened hero…"
"We said nothing about who or what the Chosen One would be."
"I'll…I'll let him live," Aura muttered reluctantly. "Only if he promises to get him and his girlfriend outta my territory, and never return!"
"She's…" Ash started protesting weakly.
Misty! She was still sick, of course, lying gently on the soft grass.
"You gave your word."
"No, Azar. He's nothing." Aura turned her back.
"You have to help my friend…she's really sick," Ash knelt next to Misty. The Umbreon-Nyx-walked towards her, and inhaled.
"I know what this is, Azar. I can get the herbs. But, I'll need some help. And, she'll need some decent shelter for the night…at least one night."
"Please?" Ash said to both Azar and Aura.
"No," Aura said flatly.
"You gave Hikari your word!" Azar repeated. "You are bound to the Council and the Chosen One!"
"Rrrrrgh!" Aura half-growled, half-scoffed. "Fine! They can crash at my den! One night!"
"May I…?" Nyx started. After only a glare from Aura, he continued. "The girl…what's her name?"
"Misty," Ash muttered, still in shock about what was happening.
"Misty might need more than just one night to recover. She might be better by morning, and it may take over a week."
"A week!" Ash and Aura yelped.
"No human is living anywhere near me for a week!" Aura snarled.
"I'm so cold," Misty whispered weakly, startling the others.
Especially Aura.
"Puh," Aura turned her back.
Ignore it, Aura thought to herself. They're all the same. Worthless wastes of space, useless brain cells, weak and untrustworthy. Damn them all to Hell!
"So… cold," Misty continued. Her eyes were closed, and Ash couldn't tell if she was sleeping or not. Either way, she was definitely out of it. He took off his jacket and covered her with it.
"There, is that better?"
"Don't leave me." Her hand weakly grabbed his arm.
"I won't. I promise."
Aura was now visibly shaking. Those were his words. His and hers! They didn't deserve them! No human…
Aura stopped. That wasn't fair of her, was it? Her anger was uncalled for, right? Maybe…there were…. No. Humans couldn't be trusted. She knew that from experience. Humans saw Pokémon as tools, as weapons…as food and fur…and nothing more. Not the equals they truly were.
Maybe we are the superior ones, Aura thought darkly.
"Please…" Ash repeated to Aura.
Azar noticed just a single tear forming in Aura's eye, and that it fell softly to the grass below, before she turned back towards the humans and Nyx.
"Wait here."
She ran off towards her shed. She dashed in, and took a look around. She tossed all her junk into a wooden box against one wall, and put her weapons and materials for such into the one next to it. She ran outside again, to the back side of the shed, where an old mattress Azar had brought for her was leaning against the side of the shed.She drug the mattress into the shed, and put it against the wall where she normally slept. She took out the rug made from the pelts of her former prey, which she slept on in the winter, and placed it on the mattress, to make it a little more comfortable.
She ran back towards the others.
"Follow me," she said in a low voice, before leading them to her hidden home. "Set…Misty…on the bed. Put the spear with the others in that box." Ash did as he was told, remembering her ferocity, and never forgetting for a second that it was only her word to Hikari-whoever the hell that was-that kept her from killing him, which was something she seemed determined to do. He wished he knew why, though.
Nyx came in with the herbs he'd brought earlier.
"I knew that these would come in handy. Ash, could you help me?"
"How?" Ash had now gotten used to the shiny Umbreon talking in English-mostly.
"Grind these herbs into a fine powder. I'm sure Aura has the necessary tools," he added, turning towards her.
Issuing another growl-scoff, Aura dug around in her box of junk, producing a small wooden bowl she used for food, and a large polished rock that she had indeed used for such a purpose as grinding herbs for medicine. Ash gratefully accepted them, and began to do as Nyx told him.
"However," Nyx added, "the powder will be quite difficult for Misty to take, even if we can fully awaken her, and get her to sit upright. Worse, they're a trifle…bitter."
Aura's face lit up.
"Honey," she whispered.
"Hehehe," Nyx chuckled. "I said I wanted to be your friend, but if you insist."
"No, dolt!" Aura exasperated. "The Beedrill honey I…obtained earlier today!"
"Yes! Perfect!" Nyx grinned.
"Misty's gonna be okay?" Ash asked, hopeful.
"Yes. Most definitely," Nyx muttered.
Azar was silent the entire time, thinking. Then, he motioned for Aura to come to him.
"That medicine works better if one eats shortly after taking it," he muttered to her so only they could hear. "Perhaps if you hunted, and brought back some dinner…just for you and the others. Nyx and I can take care of ourselves."
Aura remained silent. After a moment, she nodded and set out.
"What's with her?" Ash asked when she had gone.
"Aura has a very cold heart," Azar muttered. "But, this is not her fault, I do believe. She came here three years ago, half-wounded, and in a crazed state. It took me days-almost weeks-to gain her trust. And then, she was still cold towards me. But, in rare moments, I see all the proof I need that she…has a heart. I know that she sees me as an uncle-maybe even a surrogate father-and loves me as such. But, she is scared to let those kinds of emotions show. I believe she was betrayed. Maybe a human trainer abandoned her. Maybe she ran from an abusive mate. I'm not sure. She won't say. But I do know that as long as you treat her with kindness, and don't overdo it, and allow her to keep her pride, she should come to accept you, too."
"She wasn't a Riolu when you met her?" Ash asked.
"No, she was evolved. That does imply that she was happy once, in her old life. But, sometimes, such happiness-induced evolutions can still occur without friends or love, if the Pokémon in question is determined enough."
"Which," Nyx piped in, "leads to my theory that she was simply an orphaned Riolu that grew up somewhere to the south, but was attacked by a hunter, or perhaps a poacher, and was forced to leave her home."
"How long have you known her?" Ash asked Nyx.
"I knew of her a little less than three years ago, when Azar told my mother of her. I only met her earlier today."
"Yes," Azar muttered. "I suppose we weren't properly introduced. I am Azar, the Fire Sage, Protector of the Fire Orb. This is Nyx, apprentice and aid to Nila, the Dark Sage, who protects the Orb of Night."
"I'm Ash Ketchum, Pokémon Trainer. My friend Pikachu has been with me since my journey's start. My best friend," Ash looked towards Misty's sleeping-he thought she was still asleep, anyway-form on the bed, "is Misty Waterflower, Leader of the Cerulean Gym. I met her mere hours after Pikachu."
"How?" Nyx tilted his head in curiosity, smiling softly.
"I fished him out of a river," Misty moaned, slowly sitting up, as she woke. "After which he stole my bike to get his injured Pikachu to a Pokémon Center in time. I found my bike a while later, barbecued by a Thundershock attack. I followed Ash, at first, only because I wanted my bike replaced or paid for. After a few weeks, however, we became friends, and I continued to travel with him for that new reason."
"The entire time you still teased me about that bike," Ash muttered. "And now you have it back, and I hardly ever see you with it."
"I outgrew it," Misty muttered. She still looked very sick, but was at least able to concentrate on a conversation. They discussed bits and pieces of things, as Misty took the powdered medicinal herbs, mixed with honey. Shortly after, Aura returned, with a well-roasted Raticate she had been fortunate to catch. Using her crude daggers as knives, and plates made of wood and stone, Aura, Ash and Misty ate their meal in peace. Pikachu ate the normal Pokémon food that Ash gave him, and the rest of his team-and Misty's-did the same, outside, where Nyx and Azar also ate, supposedly. After a while, Aura picked up the tail of the Raticate.
"The tail is-as I know from experience-the best part. And, I think that the one who deserves it most is…the patient." Aura handed the roasted tail to Misty just as Azar walked in.
"I…couldn't…possibly…" Misty stammered.
"I insist," Aura was unaware Azar was standing behind her, until she turned around. She appeared momentarily surprised, but then left the shed she called home without another word.
"She has taken a shine to you, Waterflower," Azar said softly. "I have never been offered her favorite part of her prey. Not even a morsel. She has only ever offered me scraps, and then in a rather unorthodox fashion."
"Unorthodox?"
"It means 'unusual,' Ash," Misty supplied.
"I know," Ash said calmly. "I meant, how was it unorthodox?"
"She usually just leaves in the middle of eating when I'm around, abandoning the leftovers. I've come to learn that…heartfelt actions and words are difficult for her frozen spirit to allow."
Misty broke the tail in half.
"Would you like some?" Misty offered half to Azar.
"No thank you, young Waterflower. Perhaps Master Ketchum?"
"Ash," the young teen corrected. "Call me Ash."
"Very well. Since your friend is healing properly, the two of you may rest here for the night, and then I heavily suggest returning to…no…." He had the Chosen One here! Now! He should tell him of the prophecy, of his destiny!
"Are you sure?" Ash asked Azar, as he slowly took half the tail Misty offered him.
"Yes, young Ash. I only ever eat cooked meat on special ceremonies, and when I dine in Hikari's Keep."
"Who is Hikari?" Ash asked. "What is Hikari?"
"Hikari is the Head Sage, the Light Sage, which leads me to where I was about to go. You are the Chosen One."
"That was years ago."
"Once the Chosen One, always the Chosen. Ho-oh marked you…then Lugia. I'm sure you've come across other Legends, and they too have most likely approved of the Chosen."
"What does it matter now?"
"It is time for the true prophecy of the Chosen One to come to pass. You truly believe that the Prophecy of the Beast of the Sea is the only one of the Chosen? The Prophecy of the Chosen is one of a much greater quest."
"What kind of quest?"
"The world. The Sages of the Elements are scattered around the world. They each protect a Shrine of their Element. In each Shrine rests an Elemental Orb, in which the power of each Element is kept. If disaster falls upon an Orb, then legend has it that the power of that Element will be lost to any and every non-Legend in the world. But, in the hands of the Chosen One-as well as any true Light Sage in heart-they will lend their powers to their destined wielder. And, according to the Prophecy, the Chosen One will acquire them all, and bring them together at the Great Shrine near Hikari's Keep, and will bring about the Time of Peace and Rebirth."
"What makes you think that I want to…?" Ash started.
"I know how much you enjoy traveling and adventures. I know how much this idea intrigues you. And, I know that deep down, you want to. One last adventure…you are rapidly growing up. Your world is changing. You want to know what will remain the same, and what won't. It's natural human nature. Don't be afraid."
"Ashura Ketchum is scared of nothing!" Ash barked defensively.
"An action says more than mere words and monologue," Azar said with the wisdom of a Sage. "The first Shrine is to the southeast, just north of what humans call the Safari Zone. Go and pass the Test that Saki has for you. Rise up, Chosen One; your destiny is calling!" Without another word, Azar left.
"Eccentric, isn't he?" Ash muttered.
"Maybe we should…" Misty started.
"What?" Ash was caught off guard.
"I would love to go traveling again…for a full year at least. Daisy can watch the Gym. Violet and Lily will help as much as possible."
"And, I'm sure Tracey would be eager to help, too," Ash grinned.
"So? You want to go on this quest that Azar talked about? Even if the Prophecy is just old legend, it'll be a good excuse to travel the world."
Ash didn't realize it yet, but the seeds of a plan had just been planted in his mind.
"Yeah! Let's do it! We'll leave in the morning, and head to Pewter City. We'll tell Brock, and call home from there, too."
"Sounds good," Misty smiled, yawning.
"Get some sleep, Mist," Ash said softly. He headed outside.
"Azar!" He called, and the Ninetales came up to him.
"Chosen One?"
"I'm game!"
"I beg your pardon?" Azar didn't understand that slang term.
"I thought about it. And, I accept your challenge!"
A/N: First, sorry about the abrupt ending. And, as for Ash's full first name, what can I say? I never liked Ashton and I'm a huge Sonic fan. I know I'm probably not the first to use Ashura, so don't bother (I think the Legendary Pokémon Master might've…). To learn another reason I liked it, look up "Ashur." (Whatever happened to me hating to write Author Notes?)