Chapter 8:
Beginning…Again
Moonsbane was old. Very old. He couldn't even remember the year he was born, not without extreme effort. He had to be at least a hundred years...maybe two.
Then again, he realized, even three hundred wouldn't have surprised him. He glanced into the puddle of water, catching sight of his reflection in it.
The man that looked back at him definitely did not look anywhere near old. In fact, he barely looked like an adult.
He appeared to be in his late teens, maybe somewhere from seventeen to nineteen. He could, on the occasion that he desired a drink, pass himself off as 21, but that was just about his limit. He face was usually clean-shaven, though he had grown a beard a few times, and a moustache once or twice. His eyes had a tendency to slightly change in color, between a rich green and a dark blue, though they usually stayed somewhere in the middle. He had let his dark reddish-almost the rich, deep scarlet of blood-hair grow out a considerable length, about halfway down his back, and had it tightly held in a ponytail. He had muscular arms, legs, and torso, but was otherwise thin.
Behind him, leaning against a tree, was a very special motorcycle. He'd built it himself, including the engine, which was silent. He had even adapted it to a secret power source: a magical artifact he'd...obtained a few decades back. Hidden in one of its compartments was a gun he'd bought a few years before, just in case. He wasn't fond of guns. Moonsbane was too old-fashioned, he supposed. He preferred his old, double-headed battleaxe, which he'd earned in a battle that nearly cost him his life. He would occasionally wonder where his fallen foe had obtained it himself, due to the strange runes carved in the blades and handle, and the stranger icon carved into the middle of the axe's head: a strange, humanoid figure holding up what appeared to be a sun or a star. The blade was still stained red in some spots, blood from battles long ago.
He remembered the Sages...little more than legends to most humans...but Moonsbane was not "most humans." He'd seen many Light Sages come and go. He witnessed the rise of Hikari...the bitch. He hated her. She was obsessed with the Prophecy of the Chosen One...and those two punks she'd taken in at the same time as him. But that was years ago. The girl probably didn't remember him, and the guy certainly didn't want to, after the pain he'd caused his son. He wondered how such a whiny little child could be the Chosen One. Maybe if he hadn't left Hikari's Keep so soon, he could have researched it more.
"Well, that's how the wave breaks," He muttered a phrase he'd heard on an island, and mounted his bike. He turned the ignition, and the bike came soundlessly to life. It seemed to move by magic, as it dashed away without another sound.
...
Nyx and Misty were packing back up after lunch, when Aura wandered off, Ash following her-without Pikachu.
"Pikachu-pi!" The electric mouse said suddenly. "Pika-pi pi Ka-pichu!"
"I'm sorry, what?" Misty asked. "I didn't catch."
"First," Nyx started translating, "he called your name, then said 'Ash and Aura!'" Misty looked at Nyx, either bewildered or concerned (he couldn't really tell), and he simply added, "It's what he said."
"What if they get in trouble?"
"Ash will probably call for us," Nyx clearly didn't know the teen as well as Misty. "And, Aura knows the Code of the Sages."
"Hmm? What Code?"
"Well, it's a series of code phrases for communication. Only they're only taught to Sages and those in their charges. Azar and my...and Nila taught Aura a few, and Hikari personally taught her a very important one to know, both to use and to answer."
"And that is...?"
"Well, it's a cry for help. It's..." Nyx started.
"HARK!" Aura's voice-from far off-cut Nyx's sentence in two. "HARK THE RED MOON!" She was clearly in extreme pain.
"That," Nyx said dryly. "Damn!" He ran off towards the source.
"Ash!" Misty breathed, following him.
Why am I always the one left behind these days? Pikachu thought to himself.
Nyx ran fast and hard, his paws slamming against the earth in a mad attempt to go faster than was physically possible for him.
He had to save the Chosen One! The world depended on it!
The first thing that hit Nyx was the smell. The heavy scent of blood, mostly Pokémon-Arbok, Nyx decided-clouded the air, blocking out any other aroma to Nyx's nose. IT made him slow down, almost forcing him to stop completely as the smell overwhelmed him.
And, that's when he saw it: the headless corpse of the Arbok, its head about a foot away on the ground. The Shiny Umbreon stopped, gasping on what was just beyond him and the dead body.
Ash and Aura were lying facedown in the ground, both bleeding from wounds on their sides. Slithering around them was a hefty female Arbok-and a pissed off one at that.
"I'm going to have fun with you…" the Arbok hissed, not even noticing Nyx. She licked Ash's cheek, causing him to moan in pain and disgust. They were paralyzed!
"Damn… you," Aura choked out with great difficulty.
"NOT TODAY!" Nyx roared, jumping towards them, causing the Arbok to turn slightly in shock. Then, the Umbreon suddenly vanished.
"What the-?" The Arbok hissed in surprise. She didn't finish, as Nyx completing his Faint Attack, hitting the Arbok head-on, knocked the wind out of her.
"Leave them alone!" Nyx barked.
"Sealeo!" Misty yelled from behind Nyx, throwing a Pokéball. "Aurora Beam!"
"SEAL!" The Water/Ice Pokémon barked happily as it shot the multi-colored beam from its mouth.
"Chaaaaabok!" The Arbok moaned in pain, shaking its head.
"Hmm," Nyx hummed to himself, twitching the frozen particles off of the tips of his ears; the Aurora Beam had just barely glazed them.
"CHAA!" The Arbok roared in anger. "You bastards! Why do you insist on trespassing?"
Damn, Nyx growled slightly. We're in Arbok territory. And, it appears that Aura had to go and kill their leader, which must have pissed off its mate.
"Leave now," Nyx said in a low, calm voice. "Go back to your…herd."
"If I refuse?" The Arbok challenged.
"We'll kill you," Nyx's voice rumbled in his chest.
The Arbok narrowed its eyes, unsure if the Umbreon would go through with that threat. When a black, spherical attack beam started to form in the Dark Pokémon's mouth, the Arbok backed off a few feet, before slithering off without another word.
"What was all that about?" Misty asked.
"It's Arbok mating season, and we seem to have traveled right through their mating grounds," Nyx explained.
Aura gradually struggled to stand up, fighting through the paralysis.
"Well, then," she said slowly, "let's not waste any time getting the hell out of here." She glared at Ash. "Get up!"
Ash took a while longer to overcome the short-lasting venom, and stumbled around. Misty took a few steps towards him, offering to help. Ash put up a hand, silently refusing it, preferring to stagger some more. He started to fall, and Misty reached out, her hand gently catching his chest, steadying him before he could fall again.
"I'm fine, Misty," he muttered. "Why'd you…?"
"You did the same for me."
"Not to ruin the moment," Nyx interrupted. "But, I have to agree with our bitter friend here. We should get to Pewter City as soon as possible."
"Yeah," Ash nodded. "Didn't Brock leave the same day as us?"
"Uh-huh," Misty nodded back. "Hopefully he'll be home…and more than willing to have two friends over at such short notice."
...
Brock was, indeed, back in Pewter at that time. However, he was not at home. Instead, he was at a Pokémon shelter. It took in strays that were abandoned within the city's limits and the surrounding wilds. The Control Center also gave warnings of feral Pokémon in the area to avoid. Lately, though, there was only the usual: just the one that the locals called the Mountain Spirit, a real urban legend of sorts, a new-age myth. The stories said that she would seduce humans-particularly males-to her mountain home, only to kill them and consume their blood. Brock didn't believe it at all. It was more likely just a new form of the bogeyman, someone mothers used to scare little kids into obedience.
Sighing and deciding that some training would keep him from worrying about his two best friends for a while, Brock headed over to the Gym. However, it didn't last long. His Pokémon all sensed that something was bothering him. He wasn't even sure himself why he was so worried about Ash and Misty. He hadn't been the last time they went traveling without him. But, that was...four years ago? No...five? The fact was, Misty hadn't changed a whole lot, just matured a little bit. But, Ash...he was still Ash...but he wasn't 11 anymore. He was 16. Brock remembered what it was like to be 16...and given the chance to be alone with a girl. Before, other than rumors from Tracey, he would have never thought that his two best friends could have any sort of mutual attraction for each other. But...while traveling in Hoenn, Brock started to notice a slight difference in the young teen, one that became a bit more noticeable in the years to come...even more so in the past few months. It wasn't at all unrecognizable. Ash was heartbroken and lovesick. While being reunited with his best female friend seemed to do wonders-if not too much-for Ash's mood, he still seemed to prefer to spend a lot of time alone. But, Brock still had a hard time imagining the two...involved.
Yet, he was worried all the same. He knew that, if it did happen...and it ended badly, then it would ruin their friendship, forever. Brock didn't want that to happen. They had been way too close for all these years.
Brock rubbed his head, feeling a headache coming on. He walked towards the Gym's Kitchen. Sometimes, he'd have to eat at the Gym, but he didn't feel so bad, now that both his parents were home, helping him with his siblings. He opened the fridge, and pulled out the bottle of wine his dad had given him for his 21st birthday a few months before. He wasn't super fond of alcohol, but a few sips of wine made him worry a little less, especially if it was bad enough that his worries gave him a headache. He poured a slight amount into a tall glass, putting the rest back in the fridge.
He took a sip.
No, there was nothing to worry about. Ash seemed just as put off by the idea of a relationship with Misty beyond friendship as he was years ago….
…Right?
Brock took another sip.
Aw, who the hell was he kidding? Misty was head over heels for the kid, and Ash was just as smitten with her. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Perhaps it would last. Granted, they were young, but at the rate they were going, they could well be adults long before anything came of their feelings.
One more sip.
"And, hey," Brock chuckled to himself. "I could be the best man!"
Ding-Dong! The doorbell rang.
Brock glanced at the wall clock. Who could it be at nine at night? Brock downed the last sip, and placed the glass in the sink. He walked through the lobby, as the doorbell was on the side door, near the personal quarters of the Gym. A police video show was on the television, but Brock paid little attention. He could hear voices on the other side of the door, even before he opened it.
"...Still really hate..." a female voice was saying.
"Hello?" Brock answered.
"...This idea." The voice finished.
As if by some strange psychic coincidence, just outside the door stood Ash (Pikachu on his shoulder) and Misty. However, Misty had not spoken before; they were not alone.
"Hey, Brock!" Ash and Misty chimed together.
"Pika-chu!" Pikachu greeted cheerfully.
"H-hey!" Brock was in shock. And not just because of his friends' sudden appearance and ironic timing. Not even from the Shiny Umbreon that had joined them sometime in the last few days. No. It was their other companion. The Lucario.
The Mountain Spirit.
Brock made a mental note to throw out the wine. Definitely way too good a year.
He stared–dumbfounded–as they all walked in, and the Lucario-a female wearing a battered old cloak and carrying some sort of spear or lance sat in front of the T.V., interested in the show, and completely ignoring the others.
"Hey, guys!" Brock greeted again, shaking his head. "Who's your new Pokémon?"
"My name is Nyx," The Shiny Umbreon spoke, shocking the Rock Trainer once more. "I belong to no one. I am the assistant and apprentice to the Night Sage, Nila. I am following the Chosen One as a favor to her, and to our friend, the Fire Sage, Azar...and for personal reasons." Nyx glanced briefly at Aura, and then returned his gaze to Brock.
"The Mountain Spirit...exists?" Brock choked.
"Surprise," Ash said dryly. "She about killed me when we first met."
"If it wasn't for Misty here being ill," Nyx started.
"Misty was sick?" Brock barked. What had happened?
"Was," Misty emphasized. "Azar-he's a Ninetales, by the way-and Nyx nursed me back to health. And Aura there helped," she jabbed her thumb in the Lucario's direction.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Aura waved behind her at them, never taking her eyes off of the screen.
"I'll admit," Ash grumbled, "if it hadn't been for the dog, Misty and I would have had to spend the evening in the cold, where she would've gotten worse. I don't I could've... OH!" He suddenly caught eye of the television. "Car chase!" He grinned, and jumped over the back of the sofa, landing with great excitement-right next to a disgusted Aura.
"How long are you guys staying?" Brock asked. "I figure you'd rather hang here than back at the house. Get some more sleep, you know?"
And, hopefully, you'll literally sleep...and not together, Brock couldn't help from thinking. Man, he hoped he hadn't gotten buzzed on such little wine. Maybe he should go lie down...
"Just tonight."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Misty sighed. "We're passing through."
"Where ya headin'?" Brock was curious.
"It's a long story..." Misty started.
...
Gary decided to get some time around town, while his grandpa was well enough to manage the lab on his own. The teen didn't want to hurt the professor's pride, and he thought he'd talk to some people around, too.
Few people seemed to remember anyone named Gyles. Many of the town's residents moved to Pallet after Ash's birth and his father's...death. Everyone just thought that Delia Ketchum was a widow trying her best to raise her son, and knew nothing else. A couple of people remembered Gyles-faintly. One older woman, who had been in her front lawn, gardening, mentioned something about how Mr. Ketchum had been a "real hell-raiser back in his day," and that "he's probably doin' the same from his grave...or wherever."
So, there was someone that thought that Ash's father might not be dead.
But, no one knew anything else. Except for Delia herself, and possibly his grandfather, and Gary Oak was no fool. He knew that those two wouldn't budge. And, he just couldn't figure out how to get more answers.
"Hey, Gary," A female voice cut through his thoughts.
"Hey, sis," Gary barely noticed her. "Huh?" It suddenly hit him. He turned to face her. "You're home!"
"Yep, little bro." Her long brown hair flowed as she turned back.
"Since when?"
"About five minutes ago."
"Oh."
Gary was excited to see his sister again, home from her own journey. But, it also brought pain. They hadn't been close since...since their parents had died in that scary car accident with a drunk driver when he was little. Which was also why both of them absolutely refused to touch alcohol. And Sasha was 23, for Murkrow's sake!
"Hey, Sash!" Gary called after her before she could continue back towards home.
"Yes, Gar?"
"Do you remember Ash's dad?"
"Mr. Ketchum?" Sasha almost seemed confused. "Vaguely, I suppose." Good God! His lucky break! From his sister! Who'da thought? "I remember...he was a little scruffy, but...tough-looking, too. Like the way I'm sure Ash will when he grows up." Ash. Tough. Right. Gary scoffed, but let Sasha continue. "And, despite his serious personality, he certainly loved Mrs. K a lot. Then, one day, after Ash was born, I was swinging on that old tire swing we used to have in the front yard...actually, it was night...and raining. I wasn't supposed to be out there. But, I saw him. He seemed to be in a hurry, carrying some sort of package...and he seemed upset. I never saw him after that, and Grandpa later told us he was dead. I guess he got real sick, or something."
"Oh..." Gary sighed. Dead end. Damn!
"But, there was something else."
"What?" Gary suddenly perked up again.
"When I first saw Ash, a few days before his dad died, he looked...sick. No, sickly. But...after the funeral...the next time I saw him...he seemed healthy again. Too healthy."
Gary didn't know whether to feel relieved or horrified.
...
Aura would have liked to been traveling faster, but she refused to expose her back to the Chosen One. She clearly didn't trust him. Nor did she like him, barely speaking to him. Misty wasn't much better, but Aura didn't expect her to drive a dagger into her back while she slept. Not that Aura slept much, and when she did, it was in some place that would not easily allow humans: up in trees, in small, abandoned dens, once even on a slight ledge protruding out of the face of a sheer cliff.
Nyx was clearly worried about her. She refused to go the path they had originally planned on. When they mentioned that they meant to take the Pewter-Cerulean-Viridian crossroads to the east and visit Misty's sisters, Aura flat-out refused, insisting that they took a more direct route. Nyx suspected that it wasn't time that Aura was worried about.
Aura also had a problem with Brock's offer to rejoin the group. While Ash and Misty would've liked to have their friend along (not to mention, he was the only one who could cook something edible), Aura claimed that the extra person would cause more delays, not to mention use up more of their precious supplies. Brock knew almost right away that supplies and time were not Aura's main concern. He knew-from the area legends and from the way she acted-that she didn't like him, simply because he was human. He didn't push the matter. Maybe Ash and Misty needed some...time alone.
Please, he thought, as he watched them walking off into the horizon. Please, for Mew's sake, don't do anything...rash...
...
A few days, maybe three, went by...
And, the group hadn't even seen a building since they left the limits of Pewter City. They had traveled in relative silence, and little distractions. Aura saw to that, and Nyx decided to not fight her...for now. They were almost there, now, anyway. Nyx just knew it.
"Where are we?" Misty asked Ash.
Before the trainer could respond, Nyx sniffed the air, and responded.
"We're a few miles to the northwest of the boundaries of the Safari Zone," he decided. "We're almost there."
"Good," Misty sighed in relief. "I could use a breather."
"And food!" Ash grinned. "I'm starved!"
"Leave it to you to think about your stomach," Misty shook her head.
"He never changes, does he?" Pikachu chuckled.
Aura tensed.
"Early evening," she muttered to herself, looking around. "Must be dusk patrol." She inhaled deeply through her nose. "Kangaskhan," she muttered to herself. She opened her eyes again. "Nathe!" Aura breathed.
However, the others paid no attention to her.
"Maybe, if we head this way," Nyx suggested, taking a few steps.
He never heard the crackling noise of a twig breaking. But Aura did.
"Grah!" Aura barked, leaping in front of the group for the first time in days, turning her body around in a spinning kick. Her right paw came into contact with a swinging fist, successfully blocking the attack.
Aura looked right into the eyes of a Kangaskhan, as she predicted.
"Oh, my god!" Misty breathed.
"Sara?" Aura breathed. "Where's Nathaniel? He's got dusk patrol, doesn't he?"
"Aura?" The Kangaskhan apparently knew the Lucario. "Nathe's stuck with the other males at the Temple. There are humans around."
"You mean them?" Aura jabbed a paw at Ash and Misty.
"No. Well, yes. But, no."
"You know her?" Misty asked.
"I met her and Nathaniel along with Saki at Hikari's Keep," Aura said nonchalantly. "Once."
"Who's Nathaniel?" Ash asked.
"A Kangaskhan."
"What?" Misty breathed.
"A Kangaskhan," Ash repeated. "Named Nathaniel. A male name? For a female-only species?"
"Now, that's misleading," Aura almost smiled.
"Indeed," Sara nodded. "Just because you've never seen a male Kangaskhan-nor has any other human for over a century-doesn't mean that they don't exist."
"Then, where…?" Misty started.
"At the Temple, of course," she smiled. "This is the Chosen One, isn't it, Aura?"
"The boy?" Aura seemed to not care. "That's what I've been told."
"Hikari will be thrilled!" Sara breathed. "At long last!"
Ash noticed that the Kangaskhan's pouch was empty. Either her baby had grown up, or she simply hadn't had one yet. He couldn't decide, and didn't have the heart to ask, as she led them through a maze of trees and rocks and tall grasses. He looked at Misty.
She was….
"Togetic!" His friend breathed.
"Huh?" Ash stopped, turning forward again, following her view. Before them was a stone temple, three times the size of his house-at least-nestled safely in a canyon of stone. A Togetic had flown out to meet them.
"Have you come to greet us?" Ash half-expected it to speak in English.
"Indeed, I have," it smiled. She smiled. Its voice was definitely feminine. "I am Saki, the Normal Sage. Welcome, Chosen One and allies, to the Temple of the Normal Element, home to the Orb of Support!"
A/N: Yes, the whole No-Male-Counterpart (as far as I know) to Kangaskhan thing always bugged me. So, yeah. Expect more Attempted-Answers to these Though-Inducing Questions in the future. But, more importantly, this is the first chapter with a dedication. Chapter 8 is dedicated to my best friend, as it's her birthday today – September 6th! Whoo! I didn't forget! Happy Birthday "E-E" (Pronounced "Double E," long story there). As for the rest of you, see you next time with Chapter 9, Support.