Silver Blood

by Neon Zephyr

The Prophecy of the Chosen is incomplete. Friends are reunited. Family secrets are revealed. The world hangs in the balance. A dark warrior holds a secret that could destroy the Chosen One. Rated M for Lang, Violence and Suggestive Content. Some AAML, and ect.

19. 18: Venom

Chapter 18:

Venom

Ash sighed as Aura and Jerzy threw angry words at each other.

I got a disobedient Charizard to chill out, but not one of us can keep them from fighting.

They were on the outskirts of Pastoria, having failed to get in the main entrance to the Marsh.

"Well, if you hadn't started talking-!"

"Talkin'? It was yer 'gressive a'tions towar's meself tha' dun it."

"Aggressive?" Aura picked up the Rattata off of the ground and brought him close to her face. "You want to see aggressive?"

Whock!

"Oh, shut up!" Misty grumbled, her hand still raised from slapping the Lucario on the back of the head. "Both of you! You both got us thrown out of the entry building to the Marsh."

That might work.

"Not a big deal," Nyx grinned, while Aura rubbed her head and grimaced at Jerzy.

"Huge deal!" Ash gaped at the Shiny Umbreon. "The Temple is somewhere in the Marsh. How are we supposed to get there now?"

"We could always go to the far north," Aura offered in a level tone. "Enter the Marsh where there's no security. We'll likely end up near there, anyway. It's further than any human would typically go into the Marsh."

"There's not a fence around the whole thing?" Misty looked at her. "I thought it was protected."

"Sort of. There's a thick forest surrounding the northern end of the Marsh. And, there are mountains surrounding that. No human's ever really been that determined."

"E'cept mebbe 'unters," Jerzy added.

"Well," Ash muttered, "they often have other ways to get in protected places like that."

"Like an airship," Pikachu added, twitching his ears from where he sat on Ash's shoulder.

"Unfortunately for us," Aura continued, "we have to be that determined."

"Naw we dun't," Jerzy argued.

"What?" Ash blinked at him.

"He's disagreeing with me," Aura said slowly, as if to a small child.

"I know that!" Ash groaned. "I meant, 'What do you mean?'"

"I'm a Mastah Thief, 'member?" The Rattata smirked from under his mask. "Dere's no place I kinno' break inta."

"Or a word you can't butcher," Aura muttered to herself.

"You can get us into the Marsh?" Misty smiled.

"Mebbe," Jerzy shrugged. "I kin git in meself, but I kinno' promise ya'll ta git in da same way."

"Is it illegal?" Nyx narrowed his eyes.

"Only if'n ya git caught."

"I suppose we should vote on this," Nyx looked at the others.

"Whatever," Aura scoffed.

"I guess…we do need to save time," Ash hesitated. "And I don't really want to go mountain climbing again anytime soon."

"My vote lies with the Chosen One," Nyx bowed his head. "I don't know the nuances of human law, but I do know that the Chosen One must serve the greater good above all, and I'm willing to do what I can to aid him."

"I'll vote for this," Pikachu nodded. "But, I think we should be extremely careful not to get caught until we're deep in the Marsh."

"I…I guess we should…" Misty said reluctantly. "I don't like the idea of breaking the law, but it's not like we haven't done things of…questionable legality…before."

They all looked at Aura.

"Of course," Aura narrowed her eyes. "I couldn't care less about your laws. I've broken a fair few myself over the years."

"You're siding with us?" Ash blinked.

"Don't get me wrong, boy," Aura grimaced. "I don't care if I vote the same as you or not, I just want to get through this and go home." She looked down. "I just want to go home."

Is she telling us…or herself?

"What is this wall made out of, anyway?" Nyx changed the subject with a light tone.

"I dunno," Ash shrugged. "Maybe some sort of metal?"

"I…wonder how malleable it is…" Aura grumbled to herself.

"Certain metals corrode, right?" Misty didn't hear her. "Maybe…I mean, the Marsh is filled with Poison-types. Maybe, just maybe, they've bored a hole in the wall somewhere."

"Ya tink I haven' fig'red dat ou' yet?" Jerzy turned back with an indignant look. "Wad'ya tink I've been lookin' fer?"

"What?" Ash blinked.

"He thinks we're stupid for not getting that already," Aura grimaced. "Though," she turned to the Rattata, "I already planned on using a hole in the wall to get us in. I even considered the possibility of the wall's metal being malleable and simply bashing in using powerful enough Fighting Attacks."

"Malleable?"

"Dolt!" Aura exasperated. "Do you pay attention to anything but battles and food?" She gaped at the teenage boy.

"Not really," Misty smirked.

"Hey!" Ash looked at her.

"Oy!" Jerzy called their attention back to him. "I foun' summat!" He was pawing at a jagged opening in the wall.

"You're going to cut yourself," Nyx warned in a gentle tone.

Jerzy vanished into the hole.

"Good riddance," Aura grumbled.

"Aura," Misty sighed at the Lucario.

"Oy!" The Rattata repeated upon his reappearance. "Dis 'ole goes all de way through!"

"Thank the Fates," Aura said dryly.

"I don't think we can all fit," Nyx inspected the hole. "It's maybe a foot or so across at most. And, it's irregular. You can fit through easily enough, and Pikachu will, too. I might even be able to squeeze through safely…with some effort. But, you three…you won't be able to make it without hurting yourselves."

"I thought you said I wasn't fat," Aura said.

"That's not what he means," Misty covered her face with her hand, "and you know it."

"It's just not big enough to be safe for you guys."

"Then, let's make it safer."

"What?" Nyx blinked.

"Stand back," Aura said calmly.

Nyx and Jerzy looked at each other, before dashing out of Aura's way.

"I don't know if this will work," Aura looked at Misty.

"Would you like help?" Misty reached for her pack.

"No!" Aura snapped quickly. "I've got this!"

Aura… Misty sighed. Don't do this.

"I've got this," Aura repeated to herself as she turned back to the wall. She closed her eyes.

Focus your energy, her father's voice echoed. Relax your body and establish your sense of balance. Feel the earth under your paws and remember where it belongs. Focus your energy, your strength, in every muscle…and let it go.

Aura opened her eyes, and started to pound away at the metal wall surrounding the opening. The metal groaned and bent under the pressure of her rapid and powerful punches and kicks.

Close Combat, Ash identified the Attack. Didn't think of that. I should remember that.

Wait. What am I thinking? This is basically criminal! I should forget that! In fact, I feel a bit dirty doing this, now…

"The wall's actually…metal surrounding concrete?" Nyx's voice brought Ash back.

"Aura's not done, yet," Pikachu assured him, even as the Lucario ceased her Attack.

Indeed, the metal had chipped away easily enough. Aura stopped attacking to catch her breath. Now, she just had to break through a foot or two of solid concrete to make a hole safe enough for all of them.

C'mon, Father! Aura clenched her jaw. Don't let me down now!

She raised her arms, crossing them in an X in front of her face. She exhaled deeply, focusing every ounce of Fighting energy into her hands. She inhaled sharply, before striking down at the wall with her flat palms.

Cross Chop, Ash blinked as the Attack caused much of the concrete to crack and break. The hole was now large enough for them to duck through, if they were careful. A strong one, too. Where is she getting this power? Who helped her with it?

And, what did they do to break her trust so deeply?

Aura panted, short of breath for a couple of moments.

"Why is that so hard for me anymore?" she said quietly, so the others couldn't hear.

"A'righ'," Jerzy sighed. "I'll a'mit, dat's impressive."

"Let's go," Aura waved a paw at them to move ahead. "C'mon, before a patrol comes along or something!"

"Right!" Nyx grinned, before carefully treading over the concrete rubble and into the Marsh. Jerzy followed behind him without a word.

Pikachu leapt from Ash's shoulder, and sprinted up to Aura. He jumped quickly onto the Lucario's shoulder.

"Looks like I'm not the only one whose power was tampered with, eh?" He muttered in her ear before jumping through the rubble after the others.

Aura blinked. The corners of her mouth twitched and her ears tilted downward at the slightest angle. She shook her head.

"You two lovebirds coming or not?" Aura scowled at the humans.

"We're not-!" They started in unison.

"Whatever," Aura groaned. "Let's go!"

Misty shrugged at Ash, before approaching Aura, who stood on the first piles of rubble. The Lucario gripped the overhang with one hand, and reached out to help Misty with the other. Misty took it gratefully, allowing Aura to aid her.

"Watch your step," the Lucario muttered.

Misty smiled softly, as she passed through into the Marsh.

Ash approached and reached out expectantly, but Aura neither offered her hand nor even looked directly at him.

"What's your…?" Ash started.

"I should think the Chosen One can handle walking over rubble by himself," she sneered, still staring past him instead of making eye contact.

"Thanks," Ash said dryly, as he walked past her and stumbled into the Marsh.

Hikari made me promise to serve you, Aura scowled as she followed after him. She never made me promise to be your protector or confidant.

We are not friends.

Aura scoffed, her eyes closed in contempt.

"Aura!" Misty's voice cut through her bitter mood.

"Hmm?" She started to open her eyes and look back, as she took another step forward. The ground beneath her paws gave way before she could realize what was going on. She slid forward and down at a diagonal, into the swampy water of the Marsh. She finally came to a stop after a brief moment, the water level at her waist. She made a face, shaking what appeared to be soaked moss off of one of her hands.

She turned back towards the others.

"I hate you," she grumbled at Ash.

"Right," Ash sighed. "Because I did that."

"This is rather disgusting," Aura turned away again. "Are we going to have to wade through murky water the entire way to the Temple?"

"Probably," Nyx admitted. "The Temple itself is probably actually underground."

"So…we'll have to find solid ground…and dig?" Ash asked.

"Well, hopefully we'll find a Temple Pokémon, or an actual entrance on our own."

"If we don't?" Aura was trying to shake off a Magikarp that was hell-bent on eating her arm whole.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure," Nyx shrugged. "I guess we'll have to, well…" he stammered.

"We'll have to…what?" Misty coaxed gently. She ducked briefly as the Magikarp flew through the air from Aura's sharp fling of her arm.

"Well, I've read that there are more…aquatic entrances to parts of the underground Temple."

"Swim?" Misty blinked. "Through the Marsh water? We can't see in that!"

"Quag!" A Quagsire lifted its head out of the water right nearby Aura.

"Gah!" The Lucario stumbled backwards, splashing the swampy water around.

"We should probably water-proof our supplies," Misty said. "Aura, you should let me put your jacket in my bag. Leather doesn't do well in water."

"I'm not…" Aura started.

"It already has a patched tear in the arm," Misty interrupted. "Do you want to completely ruin it?"

Aura pouted at her slightly for a moment, before exhaling with a groan. The Lucario waded back to solid ground. Her fur dripped with marsh water as she carefully climbed out. Without a word, Aura took off her jacket and handed it to the teenager. Misty took her pack off of her back, and swiftly put the jacket inside before zipping it shut.

"Should be safe enough there."

"That was a rather smart decision," Nyx smiled.

"I don't think we'd survive the meltdown if Aura ruined her clothes," Ash grumbled in a soft voice.

Aura shot him a death glare, but said nothing.

"Your necklace, too," Misty held her hand out again.

"What?"

"Your necklace," Misty repeated. "It could get caught on something if we do have to dive for an underground entrance to the Temple. It won't do us any good to have to save you from drowning if we can prevent it."

Again, the unspoken word hung in their thoughts.

Aura hesitated for a few moments, before relenting and reaching for the back of her neck. She fumbled with the clasp for a second before she got it undone. She froze for a moment, conflict clear in her eyes, then started to hand the string of pearls to Misty.

"Wait," Ash stopped her, grabbing the Lucario's arm.

"What?" Aura spat. Let go of me!

"I can keep a hold of that for you," Ash said.

"What?" Aura's voice softened.

"I…I have a…thing."

"That's wonderful, Ash," Misty smirked. "Glad to know you have a thing."

"Oh, shut up," Ash scoffed. "I mean, I have a sort of…waterproof box…thing. I keep some of my more…unique stuff in it. I…I could put your necklace in it…if you want."

"Why should I trust you with it?" Aura narrowed her eyes.

"Because I would trust him with it," Misty offered.

"You would?" Ash and Aura asked in unison.

"No," Misty smiled, causing Nyx to chuckle.

"Thanks," Ash said flatly.

"Then…" Aura started.

"Just give it to him."

"I…"

"Aura…" Misty sighed. "Please? I really want to reach the Temple by nightfall."

"Yeah," Ash nodded. "I don't think I can sleep if you smell like wet dog all night."

Aura thrust the necklace into Ash's outstretched hand.

"You don't want to know what you smell like," she grumbled to herself, turning around and trudging back into the Marsh.

"Ash?" Misty raised an eyebrow at her friend. He was staring at Aura, mouth agape.

"What is it?" Nyx added.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu looked to where his Trainer stared, but saw only the Lucario, who was nearly up to her shoulders in the swampy water.

Her…back…Ash tried to find his voice, to turn away, to do anything but stare.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu tapped his tail against Ash's shoulder, giving him a light jolt.

"Huh?" Ash shook his head. "N-nothing. It's nothing."

Aura glanced back at him, eyes softened. After a moment, however, she scoffed, and continued to trek through the Marsh.

"Are you guys coming, or not?"

Misty smiled.

"C'mon!" Misty chuckled, as she followed the Lucario into the Marsh water.

"Yeah!" Nyx cheered, as he ran to the edge of dry land and leapt in after her.

Aura scowled as the waves splashed into her, covering the top of her head with what appeared to be moss. She spat out mouthfuls of water with clear irritation.

"Ughn," she stuck out her tongue to reveal lichen that had attached itself to it. She scraped it off desperately. "I hate this place. I really do."

"Le's git dis ovah with," Jerzy reluctantly dived in after them.

Ash blinked, before reaching into his pack and pulling out a small box. He opened it swiftly and locked the pearl necklace inside. He zipped in back into his pack and flung it onto his back once more, before walking into the Marsh after the others. Nyx dogpaddled up to him.

"You know where to go from here?" Ash asked him.

"Not really," Nyx grinned, his ears drooping from the weight of the water in his fur.

"Great," Aura moaned.

"I just figured we'd go north," Nyx ignored Aura's complaint. "That is the way to go deeper into the Marsh, right?"

"Don't look at me," Misty shook her head. "I've never even been to this region before."

"I think so," Ash shrugged, splashing water as he raised his hands.

"He has been wrong before," Pikachu chuckled from on top of his Trainer's head. "Though, I have to admit that this seems to be our best course of action."

"Yep," Aura dragged the word out in a sigh. "We're screwed."

"Woop!" A Wooper rose out of the water in front of Aura. It was followed by others, all echoing its bright tone. "Woo! Woop! Woopah! Woop!"

"Psy!" A trio of Psyduck swam by in a triangular formation.

"Duck!" A Golduck burst up from under the surface, following its pre-evolved brethren.

"Well," Aura sighed. "This place sure is lively."

"There are a lot of Water Pokémon here," Misty agreed. "Are you sure this is where the Poison Temple is?"

"Affirmative," Nyx nodded. "They're probably just less common this close to…human territory."

"Well," Aura frowned. "We're not gonna get there and dried off just standing around here." She started to trudge through the water to the North. "Let's go."

Nyx paddled after her cheerfully.

"Mist," Ash said in a low whisper.

"What?" Misty turned to look at him.

"The next time you see Aura clean and dry, without her jacket…take a good look at her back," he muttered to her. "If you can."

"Why?"

"Just…please. It may…explain a lot."

"It's not often Ash has an actual idea," Pikachu added. "I think we should all keep our eyes open."

"Yeah," Misty nodded. "Let's go." I'll worry about why you're acting so…weird…later….

"Yeah," Ash followed her as they trudged through the muddy water.

"Nuraagh!" Aura cried out, as she stumbled forward, and collapsed into what appeared to be even murkier water. With a splat, her face revealed that it was actually mossy mud.

"Aura?" Nyx pulled himself up onto the muddy bank. "You okay?"

Aura regained her footing, and wiped the mud from her eyes. She shot the Shiny Umbreon a glare, but said nothing. With a loud inhale, she dove under the surface of the water.

"What?" Ash muttered. "Mwah!" He exclaimed, as Aura's underwater thrashing caught him off-guard, and he stumbled back a bit. "Watch it!" He yelled.

Aura resurfaced right next to him with another loud inhale.

"I really hate this place," She looked at her elbow to find that a Barboach was attempting to devour it. She pulled it off and threw it with great force. It splashed back into the water several feet away.

"Aura," Misty placed her hand on the Lucario's shoulder. "Relax. You're getting yourself worked up…again. Just…calm down."

"I am perfectly calm!" Aura snarled at her, jerking away. "Let's go, already!" She climbed onto the muddy bank, and stormed off towards the North, deeper into the Marsh.

"I'm worried about her," Nyx sighed, watching Aura as she continued to stumble through the mud and into the water on the other side.

"I'm sure she's just still sore over losing yesterday's battle," Misty muttered, as if even she wasn't convinced. She waded after the Lucario, the others following her.

"No," Ash shook his head. "I don't think it's like that. And, who sulks over a single battle like that?"

"Need I remind you of how you sulk over a big loss?" Misty smirked at him.

"I was just a kid back then," Ash grimaced.

"As opposed to now?"

"Yeah," Ash glared at her. "I'm much more mature than I was at the last league you were at with me. Three years kinda does that, ya know?"

"So, then," Pikachu smirked from on top of Ash's head, "explain what your mood after that defeat against Paul in Sinnoh was."

"I wasn't upset because I lost," Ash frowned, looking up at the Electric Pokémon. "I was upset because I felt that I'd let you guys down. I failed you just as much as I had failed myself. I…I guess I felt you guys deserved better."

"Maybe Aura feels the same," Misty said softly.

"She's made it very clear that she doesn't give a damn what I think of her."

"Does she? What do you think?"

"I…I want her to be a true part of our group, but…." Ash sighed. "I don't think she can so long as she keeps distancing herself."

"She seems to trust Misty well enough," Nyx smiled.

"Ev'n I trus' da girl," Jerzy lifted his head further out of the water as he continued to dogpaddle after them.

"So…why me?" Ash frowned. "I mean, she seems to tolerate Nyx rather well. I've even seen her talk to you, Pikachu. So…what's special about me?"

"You're the Chosen One," Nyx grinned. "I don't…hey!" The Umbreon's trail of thought was interrupted by a Pokémon catching his eye. "Croagunk!" He pointed out the Pokémon several feet forward to their left, which sat on a floating log and watched them.

"So?" Ash tilted his head in confusion, to the protest of Pikachu.

"It's a Poison type!" Nyx grinned. "We must be heading in the right way! I mean, we've mostly just seen Water Pokémon so far, right?"

"Yeah," Ash nodded, "except Croagunk is rather common here. I mean, the Marsh has a yearly festival for them, and everything. Tons of people in Pastoria have Croagunk."

"Better than nothing," Misty said.

"I guess," Ash shrugged.

"Cheer up," she punched him lightly in the arm. "You're starting to sound like Aura."

"Well," Ash smiled, "we certainly don't need another Aura."

"You say something to me?" Aura yelled back from her position a few feet ahead.

Ash shrugged, but said nothing.

After a few minutes, Aura stopped suddenly, staring at something right in front of her.

"What's up?" Misty asked, as they caught up to her.

A Roselia, Gulpin, and Skorupi were all sitting on a muddy bank in front of the Lucario, staring intently at her.

"Rose?" The Roselia looked at Misty.

"Hey," Nyx grinned. "What's up, guys?"

"Gulp!" The Gulpin said cheerfully in response.

"Well," Ash smiled. "I think these guys are still known to be living in the Marsh by humans, but they're at least a bit less common. Particularly Skorupi."

"Skor?"

"Wonder if they know who we are," Misty mumbled.

"I doubt it," Pikachu smiled. "I mean, Ash doesn't exactly look like how most would expect the Chosen One to look."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ash asked.

"It means you look like a kid still struggling with adolescence," Aura said flatly, "and not like some sort of hero destined to save us all." She allowed herself a small smirk. "I agree with him. I've fought beside those with a right to the name hero before, and you are not them."

"Perhaps," Misty offered, "judging by how you seem to act about those you knew in your past, that is a good thing. Or are you suggesting that these heroes were not the ones that betrayed you in some way?"

Aura looked at her, but said nothing.

"Skor!" The Skorupi began to scuttle about excitedly. "Skor! Skor Skorupi! Skor!"

"What's he so happy about?" Aura asked.

"SKOR!" The Skorupi yelled at a volume that Ash hadn't thought possible for the small Pokémon. It leapt into the water, and began to swim at a rapid pace to the North.

"Guess we're heading in the right direction, then," Misty shrugged.

"Guess we should keep going," Ash nodded, and they waded after it.

"Hmph," Aura scoffed, choosing to follow at the rear this time. "Chosen One," she grumbled, as if the words were a bitter curse.

Aura glared at him as she followed the group through the Marsh waters for the better part of an hour, ignoring the Marsh Pokémon as they took pause from their lives' activities to take note of the strange group in their home. A Tropius, eating fruit from a tree, turned to watch them as it chewed its food. A Noctowl, groggy from a mid-day nap, turned its head and blinked at them with a soft hoot. An Arbok hissed at them from the log it was wrapped around, daring them to stray from their path and approach it instead. A Carnivine hung by its vines from a tree and smiled at them with a warm greeting. A small group of Budew stopped chasing each other in play to watch the newcomers, a Roserade watching over them a few feet away. A Paras scuttled down a muddy bank to watch them briefly, before continuing on its way.

"Okay," Ash eventually sighed. "So we're seeing some more Poison types. But, I've still read about every one of these living in the Marsh. We could still be going in the wrong direction."

"I don't believe that," Misty said.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't read."

"I read!" Ash retorted. "I…didn't we have this conversation already?"

"I didn't enjoy hearing it the last time either," Aura growled at them. "I think we should—aaargh!" She cried out in pain, stopping in her tracks.

"Grimer!" A Grimer rose out of the water in front of her, a large rock in its grip. "Grimer! Grime!" It cheered before slinking off.

"Well…" Ash blinked, trying to string a thought together. "That's definitely unusual."

"Koff?" A Koffing peeked out from a hole in a floating log nearby.

"Okay, okay," Ash raised his hands in defense from the glares of nearly everyone else. "So, we're obviously heading in the right direction. I was wrong. Sue me."

Aura scoffed again, but said nothing as they continued on their way.

A Stunky awoke from its slumber in the sunshine on a rather bare boulder to watch them briefly. A trio of Oddish popped out of the mud, surprised at the presence of intruders. A Seviper slithering through the waters swam through their group, causing them to all lurch out of its way, with Aura cursing bitterly at it as it vanished into the distance. A Drapion lifted its head out of the water, soaked moss hanging off of it and dripping water down its face, and let out a brief roar before returning under the surface.

"Whadaya think he meant by that?" Ash asked nervously.

"They're probably just trying to scare us off," Aura shrugged. "Humans and other outsiders generally aren't welcome in Temples, after all."

"Yeah," Nyx nodded. "It's the price we pay to preserve the shadows of our culture's past, as well as to protect our charges."

"Charges?"

"The Orbs of the Elements, dolt," Aura slapped her own forehead in frustration. "Do you seriously have an attention span that short?"

"What is your problem?" Ash turned back to shoot her a dirty look. "Why do you have to—?" His angry question was cut short by his stomach growling in equal ferocity. He clenched it, doubling over as if in pain. "Can we eat lunch sometime soon?"

"That's it," Aura exasperated. "I'm drowning myself." She plunged herself underwater again.

"Give her a moment," Misty said reassuringly to Nyx, whose expression of sheer horror relaxed slightly.

A Skuntank charged the group, and leapt into the water in a crude cannonball, sending waves of water splashing everywhere. The force sent them stumbling backwards away from it. Aura was propelled out from under the water, coughing and swearing as she spat mouthfuls of water in every direction.

"Ughn," she moaned, looking at all four paws individually in disgust. "I'm never going to get this gunk out from between my fingers and toes…."

"Are they really fingers?" Ash shook his head, attempting to get rid of the water pouring from his hair. "I mean, your hands are really more like paws, so…"

"They're fingers," Aura insisted. "I'm not an animal," she added in a low growl. "Disgusting…" she sighed, pulling what appeared to be mud stuck on the top of her head.

The Stuntank chuckled, paddling away.

"Yeah, you better run," Aura spat.

"Ven! Venomoth! Ven! Ven!" A Venomoth flew down from a nearby, low-growing tree. It was chuckling as well, perhaps in shared amusement from the Skuntank's antics.

"Aaaaaagh!" Misty yelled out, dashing behind Aura and gripping her shoulders, putting the Lucario between her and the Bug Pokémon.

"What…the…hell?" Aura blinked at the teenage girl.

"Misty's not exactly a fan of Bug types," Ash smiled lightly.

"Bugs…bug me," Misty chuckled nervously.

"I'm not a bodyguard," Aura said softly.

"All right, boys," a voice sounded behind them, causing the entire group to jump in shock. "Fun's over. Leave them alone."

They looked behind them to see a large Nidorina standing calmly on a mossy bank, watching them with apparent disinterest.

"Who…who are you?" She asked.

"Ash," Nyx gently nudged the backside of Ash's legs with his forehead. "Go on."

"I…I am Ash Ketchum…of Pallet Town."

"And why should I care?" The Nidorina narrowed her eyes. "Why should I not kill you all for trespassing on sacred grounds? Humans are forbidden here. Outsiders in general are not welcome. Go now, and take your lives with you in gratitude."

"Ash…" Nyx repeated.

"I am the Chosen One." Ash said with forced confidence. "I…I must go to your Temple…to complete my destiny."

"Who are you to order us, anyway?" Aura stepped forward in anger. "You are not the Poison Sage. Your orders mean nothing."

"Oh, yes," The Nidorina sneered. "I've heard of you. You're Hikari's little…pet."

"I'm no one's anything," Aura growled. "I belong to no one…but myself."

"Aura," Misty placed her hands on the Lucario's shoulders again. "Relax. Don't get yourself worked up."

"Well…I have heard that the…Lucario that Hikari spared was traveling with the Chosen One and his other companions," the Nidorina eventually admitted. "I am Pilar, Head Aide to Sage Maeve."

"You…believe us…that easily?" Ash blinked.

"Should I not?" Pilar narrowed her eyes in a dark warning.

"He is the Chosen," Nyx stepped out from behind Ash.

"Nyx," Pilar identified him. "The son of Zyne. You are many things, boy. A traitor is not one of them. If you vouch for this human, that is proof enough for me."

"Thanks," Nyx grinned.

"Let us leave for the Temple, then," Pilar half-turned away. "You'll find that the deeper areas of the Marsh are not…hospitable after dark."

"I'd also love to wash this gunk out," Aura nodded.

"Follow me," Pilar turned completely away and walked slowly into the Marsh water.

"She seems friendly," Ash grumbled.

"Seems to be a common trait with Poison Types," Aura nodded.

"Naw," Jerzy poked his head up from the water. "I'm shure she's jus' as frien'ly as newb'rn Eevee."

"Your sarcasm is not appreciated," Aura slapped the surface of the water, splashing the Rattata.

"You can all swim well, can you not?" Pilar ignored the Lucario and Rattata's spat. The Nidorina looked back at Ash and Misty.

"Well enough," Pikachu muttered nervously from atop of Ash's shoulder. He glanced at Aura, but said nothing further.

"I was right, wasn't I?" Nyx muttered.

"We must enter the Temple here," Pilar said. "Our last remaining aboveground entrance suitable for your body types has collapsed…again. We have not been able to restore it for some time."

"Good thing we ran into you, then," Nyx chuckled nervously.

"Yes," Pilar narrowed her eyes. "Stay close, and be ready to hold your breath."

"Wait," Ash's eyes lit up. "Hold our breath? Are we going underwater?"

"Your powers of deduction are mind-boggling," Aura sighed.

"Yes, Chosen One," Pilar nodded. "We must take an aquatic entrance, unless you're suggesting you can sprout wings and fly on your own, or change your body shape to function similar to a Bug's."

"I don't think so," Misty said quickly. "I don't mind going underwater."

"Even in this water?" Ash asked. "I mean, look at Aura's fur!"

"Thanks," Aura grimaced.

"You know what I mean," Ash sighed.

"It doesn't bother me, Ash…much," Misty scratched the back of her neck.

"You will have a chance to cleanse yourselves if we reach the Temple before you die of old age," Pilar groaned with impatience.

"All right!" Ash raised his hands in defense. "Lead the way!"

They wordlessly waded through the water after the Nidorina for several minutes, until she came to a stop in front of a lone willow tree.

"A tree?" Ash blinked. "A tree just like any of the others here in the Marsh?"

"To any but a Temple Pokémon, it would seem that way, Chosen One," Pilar half-turned to face him. "But, having lived here my whole life, I know all of the Marsh's secrets…and many of the Temple's."

Seriously, Ash frowned. What is up with this Pokémon's attitude?

"We must dive here," Pilar said.

"How will we see?" Aura crossed her arms.

"Dra!" A Drapion rose out of the water just on the other side of Pilar. With a roar, it began to emit a strong light. The group had to turn away, blinded by the sheer brightness.

"Any more questions?"

"Can we go already?" Aura uncrossed her arms.

"Whenever you're ready," Pilar said flatly.

"Can we discuss something first?" Misty raised her hand slightly.

The others all turned to her in surprise.

"Why?" Ash asked.

"Trust me."

"If that is what the Chosen One requires," Pilar didn't bother to hide her growing impatience.

They turned inwards, forming a private huddle.

"What's up, Misty?" Ash blinked.

"Aura can't swim," Misty muttered so Pilar couldn't hear.

"What?" Aura breathed. "I'm not-!"

"Aura," Misty cut her off, "I saw you in the ocean before, when you were knocked overboard. You were thrashing around in a desperate manner. I've spent my entire life around the water. I recognize an inexperienced swimmer when I see one. Or, are you suggesting that you can swim and were just caught off guard?"

"I…Steel Types aren't exactly made for the water," Aura admitted quietly.

"Do you understand the basic concepts of how to swim?"

"I…I guess. I've crossed a few rivers and streams, and can tread water when I'm relaxed."

"Which clearly wasn't possible during that storm," Ash nodded.

"Brilliant deduction, detective," Aura said flatly.

"Shut up," Ash retorted automatically.

"Anyway," Misty hushed their rising voices, "I think you should stay near me while we're underwater. I'll help you, and try to keep the others from noticing, as well."

"…I…suppose that's best," Aura reluctantly agreed.

"And, I have these," Misty produced three small, red devices.

"Rebreathers?" Ash identified them.

"We don't know how long we'll be underwater," Misty explained. "I can hold my breath longer than you, Ash. You and Aura should definitely take one. Nyx, Pikachu, Jerzy…you'll have to draw for it or something."

"I kin hol' mah breath for ovah five minutes before I have ta start recycl'n' mah air," Jerzy shook his head.

"I've lived in caves with unreliable air supplies all my life," Nyx echoed the Rattata's action. "I can hold my breath easily, as well. Pikachu should take it."

"I'll be fine," Pikachu insisted.

"Oh, just take it, one of you," Aura exasperated. "I'd like to get this gunk out of my fur before I die."

"I insist," Nyx grinned.

"Well, okay…" Pikachu reluctantly agreed.

"What about you, Misty?" Ash asked. "Are you sure you can hold your breath long enough?"

"Trust me, Ash," Misty chuckled.

"I do, but…"

"I grew up around the water. I can hold my breath. I can even recycle my breath, like Jerzy said."

"That takes some serious determination," Nyx grinned. "I've only attempted it once, and honestly, the process scared me half to death."

"That's…great," Ash hesitated. "Are you sure about this?"

"Does Brock like Nurse Joy?"

"If you're that sure," Ash sighed.

They turned back to Pilar.

"We're good to go now."

"Good. Follow me."

Pilar dove underwater, the Drapion following her. Ash and the others looked at each other.

"Let's get this over with," Aura said before putting the rebreather in her mouth and following the Nidorina.

Misty nodded, taking a deep breath and diving after her. The others followed suite.

The Drapion illuminated their way with Flash, while Pilar swam in what appeared to be a dogpaddle. Ash blinked, trying to get his eyes to adjust to being underwater. He looked around, to see Pikachu swimming above him, Misty to one side, and Nyx to the other. He couldn't see where Jerzy went, but noticed that Aura was below Misty and…apparently walking on the bottom of the Marsh?

"Aura?" Ash's voice came out slightly distorted from the rebreather and surrounding water. "What are ya doin'?"

"I'm part Steel," Aura's voice burst out of her rebreather with a burst of air bubbles. "I have issues with sinking," she added as they swam into an underwater tunnel, the Drapion's Flash serving as their only source of light.

"Understandable," Pikachu nodded, sending bubbles everywhere.

Misty swam downwards, until she was swimming beside Aura's slow gait. The redhead gave her a look.

"I'm fine," Aura growled in a flurry of bubbles. "I'm just not going to fight to swim when the bottom's right here."

"You didn't seem heavy before," Ash glanced down at them briefly.

"I'm not heavy," Aura turned in a fluid yet rapid manner towards him. "I'm physically dense. Unlike you, who's mentally dense."

"Yeah, well—!" Ash started.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu swiped the top of Ash's head.

Misty shot him a look, before swimming ahead to make sure they didn't lose Pilar and the Drapion.

"Focus, Chosen One," Aura growled at him. "The others can't afford to have us drag them behind for long."

"Us?"

"Shut up and swim," Aura kicked herself forward and away from him, speeding up by a slight amount.

After another minute or two, Ash noticed a shaft of light from above just ahead. Pilar and the Drapion shot upwards into it. Ash hesitated, watching as Nyx followed after them with a hint of desperation in his speed.

"Pika?" Pikachu exchanged a glance with his Trainer.

"What?" Aura blurted as Misty grabbed her by the underside of her arms. The teenager was pulling the Lucario with her as she swam up to the surface.

"I guess we're here," Ash spoke with mild difficulty to Pikachu, before they followed after them.

The first thing Ash heard when he broke the surface of the water was the sound of someone coughing and gasping next to him.

"You okay, Nyx?" He heard Misty's voice.

"Fine," The Umbreon said in between breaths.

"Where are we?" Ash asked, taking the rebreather out of his mouth. "Where'd the light go?"

"Obviously, the Flash wore off," Aura's voice sounded from right behind him, causing him to turn sharply in surprise.

"We in the Temple, yet?" Ash asked, ignoring Aura's bitterness. "Or, are we just in a random cave to catch our breath?"

"No, Chosen One," Pilar's voice was accompanied by the sounds of large splashing and the Drapion's mutterings. "We are at one of the aquatic entrances to the Poison Temple. The torches were just put out. We appear to have splashed water upon them when we broke the surface."

"I can help," Nyx said softly, just before his blue markings began to glow with a like-colored light.

Ash looked around to see his blue-tinted surroundings. Misty and Aura were nearby, the former holding onto the Lucario's arm. Aura was looking at Misty, whose deep breathing was quite visible, though even. Misty's hair, tinted purple in the colored light, clung to her face and neck, water dripping off of the clumps of moss and algae that had attached to it in several spots. Aura's ears drooped with the weight of the water that was still dripping from them, and she held the rebreather in one hand above the water. Nyx was on Ash's other side, now pulling himself over the edge of a nearby bank, made of what appeared to be mossy stone. Pikachu was right beside Nyx on the stone surface, and was shaking water off his fur. Pilar and the Drapion were a few feet away from the water, messing with something on the tall stone wall.

Where's Jerzy? Ash thought, turning around in the water. If he got lost...

"Isa good t'ing our packs're watah-proof," Jerzy's voice echoed behind him as if on cue. Ash turned to see the Rattata pulling himself out of the water behind them. His mask and cloak dripped with an amount of water that seemed to be highly disproportional to their size, and clung to his small, lithe body along with his lavender pelt.

"Tell me about it," Misty chuckled.

"Glad I'm not wearing my jacket," Aura sighed. She didn't protest as Misty helped her over to the edge of the stone floor and out of the water. "You coming, Chosen One?" She shot Ash an impatient glare.

"Coming," Ash sighed, and he pulled himself out with little effort. Water seeped through his clothes and out onto the floor.

"Careful," Misty said to Aura. "Don't slip."

"I'm fine."

Yeah, same here, Ash thought with a bitterness he hadn't expected to feel. I'm not here, too, or anything. I'm totally...

A burst of bright light engulfed Ash's senses, and he flinched, trying to keep from stumbling backwards into the water again. He blinked rapidly until his eyes adjusted and allowed him to see in the room now illuminated by the unusually powerful torches.

The room appeared to be a simple, circular cave, with a roughly round opening in the middle with water, the way they had come in. There was also a single passageway that twisted out of the room, presumably into the rest of the Temple.

"Come this way when you've gathered your senses again," Pilar said flatly, as she and the Drapion walked down the passage and out of sight.

"Is it just me," Ash took off his jacket and wrung some more water out of it, "or does she seem to be...untrusting?"

"It's a rather common mindset for those higher up in the Poison Temple's hierarchy to develop," Nyx shook water out of his pelt, splashing an irritated Aura slightly.

"Why?"

"The Poison Element has the potential for great power," Nyx started. "But, like any power, it also has to potential to...well...poison the mind. And, the Poison Element focuses on poisoning your opponent in battle to start with. They weaken their foes, draining strength and stamina in one fell blow. So, naturally, they are as equally suspicious of others as we are of them."

"I'm not suspicious of her...or really anyone," Ash tilted his head back and forth, shaking water out of his ears.

"You should be," Aura was trying to pull clumps of what appeared to be moss out of her pelt.

What? Ash blinked at the Lucario.

"The more powerful and in-tune a Temple Pokémon here gets with the Poison Element, the more withdrawn and skeptical they typically become," Nyx said with a shrug. "There are some exceptions, of course, but that's just the way they are."

"That's…kinda sad, actually," Misty looked at the Shiny Umbreon.

"Yes, well, when your Element is abused by one of the greatest forces of evil to ever walk this Earth with an alarmingly high frequency in comparison to most other Elements…it's understandable."

"What are you talking about?" Ash turned sharply to face Nyx. "Who abuses the Elements? What evil? What aren't you telling me?"

"Are we gonna stand here and talk about old myths all night?" Aura groaned before Nyx could find his voice again. "Or, can we actually go and get washed and dried off?"

"Let's go," Nyx nodded. "We can talk later, I guess."

They carefully traversed down the stone passageway without another word, until they came to a large, open stone room, with various Poison Pokémon sitting and lying on dry carpets and pelts around the sides of the wall. Conversations ceased, as they all turned to look at the newcomers.

"I guess these Pokémon are just as unused to humans as the ones at the Flying Temple," Nyx mused softly.

"Come," Pilar stood at the other end of the room, near another hallway. "The Sage will see you now."

"Well," Aura sighed. "At least she doesn't beat around the bush."

"Small blessings," Pikachu nodded, before jumping up onto Ash's shoulder.

They followed after her, through various twists and turns down the halls of the Temple.

"Don't touch the thorns," Pilar warned.

The walls were now covered in an increasing amount of vines and roots, many of them covered in thorns and barbs of various sizes. The torches became less and less common the deeper in and down they went through the passageways, steadily replaced with the presence of a strange, bioluminescent moss that grew on the wall in between the vines and roots.

"Why?" Ash asked.

"They may poison you," Pilar sighed in frustration. "There are some venoms that even we would be unable to treat before you perished from its effects. Some of these are lethal nearly instantly."

"Why would you live with something so…dangerous living on the wall?" Ash furrowed his brows.

"Because Poison-types are immune to the effects of poisons and venoms and so forth," Nyx explained quickly, before Pilar could reply in irritation.

"Oh," Ash blinked.

They really don't trust outsiders here.

"How much further is it?" Aura sighed. When she didn't get a response, beyond a groan from Pilar, Aura continued speaking. "Are we going to get there before our grandchildren die of old age? Will we still be under the Marsh when we reach the Sage? Will we be able to breathe normally? Will everything be lit by this glowing moss?"

"Do you have anything worthwhile to say or ask?" Pilar finally snapped.

Aura blinked.

"Can I have a towel?" She flicked her damp ears up and down. "I'm still pretty much soaked, here."

"Yeah," Ash nodded. "We're all kinda…." His voice trailed off.

"Waterlogged," Nyx offered gently.

"Actually," Ash glanced sideways at Misty, "why haven't you said anything about being soaked? You haven't…complained…once." He found his voice faltering.

In the lower light of the bioluminescent moss, Ash mostly saw outlines and simple details of his companions. As for Misty, he noticed that her hair still clung to her face and neck, framing its form, and her clothes embraced her body…less loosely than when dry. He could see the contours of her shape, her soft, gentle curves. They weren't all that exaggerated, really; in fact, he might not have ever noticed she had any real…feminine shape to her at all if it hadn't been for the water her clothes soaked up, forcing them to cling to her like that.

Ash shook his head, and forced himself to look away.

What was wrong with him?

"I'm a Water-Type Gym Leader," Misty reminded Ash, not even bothering to look at him. "My clothes get soaked all the time. You have no idea how many challengers decide to try to have a Snorlax or Metagross or something else big jump into the pool."

Ash found himself grimacing deeply for some reason beyond him.

"Oh."

"What's that tone for?" Misty asked.

"Whadaya—?" Ash started.

"Chosen One," Pilar stopped suddenly. Ash stumbled to keep from crashing into her as the others stopped behind the Nidorina. In front of them was an opening in the tunnels, just like the many twists and turns they'd walked past and through already. This one, however, had a curtain of the moss that covered the walls and provided their soft illumination to the Temple caves.

"What's up?"

"The Sage is beyond."

"Okay." Ash blinked several times, staring at the moss.

"Go on!" Aura gave him a sharp shove on the back.

Ash stumbled forward with a shout of surprise, and tripped over Pilar. He fell head first through the curtain and into the next room. He cursed bitterly under his breath at the jolt of pain that surged from his ribs as he landed on the stone ground with a loud sound.

He looked up to see a flat stone with a soft teal glow, and a rather large Crobat sitting on top of it, looking down at him. It wore some strange jewelry on the arms of its wings, and a jeweled, gold collar that seemed to not fit it quite right.

"The Chosen One, I presume?" The Crobat spoke with a feminine, yet quite rough, voice.

"I'm Ash Ketchum," Ash dusted himself off as he got back on his feet, "of Pallet Town."

"I'm Misty," the redhead entered with a bit more grace, the others behind her.

"Pika Pikachu."

"I'm Nyx," the Shiny Umbreon nodded politely.

They looked at Aura expectantly.

"What?" The Lucario asked.

"This is Aura," Misty smiled in amusement. She held up Jerzy by the scruff of his neck. "And this little annoyance is Jerzy."

"Be welcome, then," the Crobat smiled warmly, "friends of the Chosen."

"I'm not…" Aura grumbled, before Misty elbowed her into silence.

"I am Maeve, Sage of the Poison Temple," The Crobat continued. "I see you've met my Head Aide. Pilar, you may now return to your previous duties. Thank you for your service."

"Thank you, milady," Pilar bowed her head slightly, before running back off into the Temple tunnels.

Nicest thing she's said so far, Ash thought to himself.

At least the Sage is friendly enough.

"Forgive my Aides for their untrusting nature," Maeve smiled at them. "The Poison Element has a way of warping the mind if you are unprepared, as well as the body. Those who are well-versed in its power are aware of this, and thus have a limited amount of trust in others. As well as their own hearts," she added softly.

"It's alright," Ash shrugged. "I'm getting used to not always being trusted."

Aura scoffed, but said nothing.

"I'm certain you must be tired from your journey here, and could use some food and perhaps a chance to rest and wash the grime of the Marsh from yourselves," Maeve continued. "Allow me to take you to the habituation burrows, where you may find yourselves something for your supper, and the washing areas to get the mud off. I shall return for your Test in the morning, Chosen One."

"Sounds good," Ash nodded. "But…can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Why are you being so…nice? I mean, you seem to trust us entirely, and we just met you. Didn't you say that…?"

"Yes, most would not, but then," Maeve chuckled lightly, "I have learned what many Sages have discovered throughout the countless centuries at this Temple, though they may never admit it."

"What?" Aura asked softly.

The Crobat looked from Ash to Aura, before turning her gaze back to the teenage boy.

"Fear is also a poison."

…

Aura scrubbed her pelt with the rough sponge in a desperate fervor. She was soaked in the water surging from the shower-like structure in the stone wall. Clumps of fur surrounded the small drain holes in the stone beneath her feet. She hissed sharply as the sponge, under the pressure of her force, ripped through the upper layers of her left arm's flesh.

A small surge of red spiraled around the drain. Aura dropped the sponge and gripped her arm. A little bit of blood oozed between her paw's fingers.

Why do you do this? A soft voice whispered in her mind.

Leave me alone, she responded automatically. Then, with a sudden jolt of realization, she continued. Who the hell are you?

A friend, the voice seemed muffled and distant, I'd like to think.

I have no friends.

What about the girl?

I….

Aura hesitated.

Shut up and leave me alone.

Why do you wish harm on—? The voice ignored her order.

Because I…hate him.

Not the Chosen One, child.

Who then?

Yourself.

Aura stumbled and nearly slipped to the wet floor. She shut off the shower using the rather simple, stone mechanism on the wall.

I don't. Leave me alone, Aura repeated, before focusing on closing her mind off to any outside influence.

It's been a while since anyone's tried to speak to me telepathically, Aura grimaced as she dried herself off with a towel. Forgetting, she rubbed it over the small wound on her arm, and she hissed in sharp pain again.

I need a bandage, Aura glanced around the empty room. And I finally got all my other bandages and wounds taken care of, she added with a sigh. It seems I'm still Fate's punching bag.

Aura wrapped the towel gently around her arm.

This will do. Shouldn't take long for the bleeding to stop. It's not that bad a cut.

I've had worse, she rubbed the top of her head gingerly.

She picked the sponge up off of the ground. Aura walked over to a small, slate bin in one of the corners of the shower room. She tossed the sponge into it with disinterest.

Aura sulked out of the room and started to trudge through the hallways and tunnels of the Temple. The passages were silent, save for the sound of her paws against the dirt and the soft breathing of the sleeping inhabitants. Eventually, she came to a small, empty hollow just large enough for her to stand and move around slightly in.

After glancing about her, she entered the small chamber. Aura walked to the far wall from the entryway and sat cross-legged, her back against it. She inhaled deeply.

It's quiet enough. Maybe I'll be able to concentrate here.

The Lucario closed her eyes.

I can still do this.

She exhaled deeply, her entire body relaxing with the motion. Her ears drooped down, her hands rested gently on her thighs. She bowed her head slightly.

Everything…tranquil, she tried to remember her instruction. Every muscle loose and relaxed. Every last thought released into nothingness. Focus solely upon the breath and the flow of blood in their veins. Focus solely upon the surge of energy within you.

Feel the current of life within you, and reach out to its energy without.

The Lucario's Aura Sensors were raised in a weak, blue light.

Eyes closed, Aura was still beginning to see the blurred, faint outlines of her surroundings in a sapphire glow.

Pain exploded through her, and she opened her eyes with a raspy inhale. Her senses were engulfed by the pain, blinding and deafening her entirely to her surroundings. The agony pulsed through her veins and muscles, and Aura couldn't determine where the source was. She couldn't really think at all. Every cell in her body felt as if it were being ripped apart.

She flailed around unintentionally, falling over to her side and grasping futilely at the stone floor.

…Help… she eventually managed a weak thought.

I'm…gonna die…

After countless ragged breaths, the pain gradually eased. Aura blinked as the sight of the room around her returned. She could hear her rough inhales and exhales again.

What…the hell…was that?

Gingerly, she stood back up.

What…happened? What did I do wrong?

She thought back to what she did.

Nothing. I followed my father's teachings exactly. What…what changed?

She blinked.

Besides the obvious, she added to herself.

She closed her eyes, and focused her thoughts, reaching out with her mind. She was rewarded with a soft, buzzing sound of muffled voices in her head.

I can still use Psychic. In fact, that power's returning rather rapidly to its old strength.

So, why can't I use my namesake? What is wrong with me?

With a sigh, Aura stumbled out of the room, rubbing her chest gently.

She trudged slowly down the passageways again, stopping every so often to glance down the various hallways before choosing one to continue through. She eventually stopped in front of a small, private room that their group had been allowed to rest in for the night.

The room was a gentle, circular shape, with a cot on either side where the human teens slept. Pikachu slept, as usual, curled up against his trainer, and Nyx slept in a similar position on the ground nearby them. Misty slept in her cot opposite them, turned away towards the wall. Jerzy was stretched out on his side under her cot, snoring noisily.

Aura looked at Ash. He slept on his back, his arms tucked loosely behind his head, serving as some sort of pillow.

Even in his sleep, he radiates with over-confidence.

That really shouldn't surprise me, Aura allowed herself a gentle smile.

She shook her head.

No, she told herself forcefully as she slumped herself against the wall near Misty's cot. I will not make this mistake…again.

She rubbed her forehead with one hand, trying to somehow soothe the ache that was humming in her skull.

I will not allow myself to…care.

…

Silver walked slowly, forcing himself to focus exclusively on the scientist speaking to him, and ignore that the person on his opposite side even existed.

"So, as you can see," the scientist droned on, "we have resorted to using primarily defunct structures on the surface, with the functional majority of our operations base being located underground."

The scientist stood a couple of inches taller than Silver, had a white streak in his short, black hair, and a petit goatee. He glanced over at Silver out of the corner of his eye a few times while he spoke, though he mostly focused his gaze through his small glasses to where they were headed. His white lab coat parted with each step to reveal the new Rocket Scientist uniform underneath: black trousers and shirt with white trimmings and a large red R on the shirt's front.

Silver glanced back once to see Red walking diagonally behind him. The Scyther watched the Scientist with narrowed eyes, but remained absolutely silent.

"Yes," Domino sighed impatiently from the Scientist's opposite side. "I can see the rusted, old, post-apocalyptic warehouses you expect us to believe are part of our high-tech base here. Tell me, Sebastian, does this have anything to do with the Rayquaza incident?"

Silver scowled, but didn't look away from the scientist.

"Something like that," Sebastian frowned slightly as he pressed a number of keys on the keypad near the door of one of the warehouses.

With a groan, the door slowly opened partway. It creaked and stopped roughly a third of the way up.

"Damn," Sebastian said in a tone that resembled disinterest. "Unfortunately, our covert tactics often have these…glitches."

Silver glanced at Red. The Scyther still didn't say a thing, but nodded his head in understanding anyway.

"Hold on," Sebastian sighed. "I'll get this blasted thing open a bit more…"

"Whatever," Silver ducked under it and entered the warehouse through its meager entrance. The warehouse was dimly lit by the sunlight through the half-smashed windows and the ceiling lights that flickered with damaged or dying light bulbs. There were rusting, long, metal tables all over the large room, most of them knocked around in various positions. Several wooden crates littered the area near the right wall, and near the small, windowless room on the left. Silver assumed that the smaller room's door actually led to the elevator to the underground base.

Domino swiftly appeared next to him, with a bit more grace than her fellow Elite. Before Silver could react, the shapes of Sebastian and Red rose up between them.

"Or not," the scientist scowled, dusting off his lab coat.

"Good boy," Silver said low enough that only Red could hear, as Silver gave the Scyther a fond pat on his forehead.

"Anyway," Sebastian continued walking towards the far wall, where various photos clearly printed from security footage were posted. "We have received various sources of intel that reveal the presence of a very powerful Pokémon in this area. We are not sure of its species, and the local rumors say that it is an unusual beast."

"So, you're trying to find and capture it," Silver stated the obvious. "You want to know if it's worth anything to the Team."

"Yes," Sebastian said dryly.

"Sounds easy enough," Domino smirked. "I bet that even those blasted grunts could do this on their own."

"Why are we here?" Silver added.

"We…have a persisting nuisance as of late," Sebastian hesitated. "We previously had our captured Rayquaza transported to a facility to the northeast of these mountains. But…we had it our possession for roughly three days before we were ambushed by a guerilla attack and…they released it."

"How many?" Silver asked. "How many were in the attack?"

"We're not entirely sure." Sebastian admitted. "Rayquaza was…well, pissed off, and the ensuring attack by it caused the all but complete and utter destruction of the facility it was held in."

"Honestly," Silver smirked, "I can't say I blame it."

"Yes," Sebastian's voice was level. "This was the clearest image we could salvage from what little security footage survived," the Scientist handing Silver a photo from the wall.

It was a close-up of the bust of a Swampert, which was winking directly at the camera with its tongue out.

It was mocking them, Silver refrained from a chuckle. I honestly have to say I admire their reckless bravery, whoever these people are.

"Do you think that they'll be able to track us here?" Domino asked.

"Not likely," Sebastian shook his head. "But, Giovanni requested that we practice more…subtlety from now on. The less attention we draw to ourselves the better."

That's rather level-headed of him, Silver narrowed his eyes. What the hell is up with my father lately? He's acting really…weird.

"In any case," Sebastian continued, taking the photo back and returning it to the wall, "I'm sure you two would like to get yourselves set up in the base now." He gestured to the door on the left wall.

Silver turned around and headed instead to the door back outside.

"Where are you going?" Domino grabbed his shoulder.

Silver turned sharply to face her, jerking out of her grip as he did so.

"I have a team of Pokémon that are barely acquainted with me, and that I have…rather minimal experience with," he said as calmly as he could manage. "I assume that you're more than capable of taking care of the Grunts, so I'm going to take this opportunity and train. The more experience I have with my team, the better we'll do in the field. Especially if this strange Pokémon is as powerful as the local rumors say."

Taking their silence as an agreement, Silver continued back under the partly-raised door and out into the mountainside again. Red gave the others a menacing glare, before following after his trainer.

"He certainly has the same tactical logic his father did at his age," Sebastian said flatly. "At least, if what I've heard of Giovanni's youth is true."

"Giovanni was raised and groomed as the perfect Rocket," Domino shook her head. "Silver was not. I don't know where he's getting his strategy, but it's not from experience or training."

"Maybe not his own," the Scientist countered. "But he does have the experience his old companion had from protecting him while he grew up."

"I…guess so."

"Not to mention, he did spend a lot of time watching tournament battles and reading," Sebastian smirked. "I don't think it's surprising to hear me say that research can be very useful indeed."

Domino smiled.

"I guess."

She looked at the door.

Just don't get yourself in more trouble than you can handle….

…

Ash fell backwards onto his backside, groaning as the Grass-type assailant continued her attack.

"BAY!" The Bayleef cheered excitedly, hitting Ash with another Body Slam.

Ash chuckled.

"Yeah, I'm excited to see you, too, Bayleef," He eventually got her to calm down enough to let him up.

"Some things never change," Misty smiled.

"What do you mean?" Aura asked, eyebrow cocked.

"Bayleef has been very…affectionate towards Ash since she was a Chikorita."

"…I see."

"MUUUUUUK!" Muk slithered to Aura, and wrapped himself around the Lucario in a smothering hug.

"Guuuhghghn!" Aura struggled to even yell out through the Poison Pokémon's sludge. "Ge' 'im…off!"

"Come on, Muk," Ash smirked. "Let her go."

"Muuuk!" Muk released the Lucario only to embrace his Trainer, though in a less engulfing manner. Ash continued to chuckle.

"Ughn," Aura lifted one arm in front of her face, only to see her pelt was still covered in chunks of Muk's grime. "Oh, come on." Aura sighed and turned around, walking out of the large chamber they were in and back into the Temple passageways. "I'm going to go take another shower," she yelled back in clear irritation.

"Great," Ash sighed. "I thought she was in a better mood today."

"I'll talk to her later," Misty offered.

"Anyone see where Jerzy went?" Nyx asked from beside Misty.

"Probably off to see what he can filch from here," Pikachu shrugged. The Electric Pokémon looked up at his trainer, contemplating whether or not he would make it to the teen's shoulder. After a moment, he decided against it.

"Well, Chosen One," Maeve spoke gently from atop a small perch in the corner of the chamber. "Are you ready to begin?"

"I…I am," Ash nodded, as Muk released him.

"Bay!" Bayleef cheered in agreement.

"Very well," Maeve chuckled in mild amusement. "Your path lies behind you. Take the tunnels there through the maze of the Tunnels of Toxin. If you survive, Chosen One, you will find yourself at the Temple Shrine at the end. You may use your entire team, but no one else is allowed to accompany you. You may set off whenever you wish. May the spirit of Hikaru go with you."

Maeve flew off back into the main hallways of the Temple without another word.

"Okay…" Ash blinked.

"Good luck, Ash," Nyx grinned, before starting to trot after the Sage. "Coming, Misty?"

Misty looked at Ash for a moment. Confused by her strange expression, Ash opened his mouth to say something, but closed it shortly thereafter, suddenly unsure of himself.

"See you," Misty finally muttered before following Nyx away.

"See ya." Ash blinked.

"Bay?" Bayleef looked at Ash.

"Nothing, buddy," Ash smiled again, rubbing the top of the Grass Pokémon's head. "Everything's cool." He turned to Muk. "You're a Poison Type. Can you feel the pull of the Poison Element, or however Maeve put it?"

"Muuuuuk!" Muk said in a gleeful tone.

"I'll…take that as a yes," Ash gave him a nervous smile. "Lead the way, then, buddy."

"Muuuuuuuuk!" Muk slithered off into the tunnel.

Ash and Bayleef exchanged glances before they ducked into the passageway after the Poison Pokémon. Ash shouted in pain as a hidden root extending from the ceiling made sharp contact with his forehead.

"Bay?" Bayleef asked in fearful concern.

"Fine," Ash rubbed his head. "Just…a brilliant way to start," he added to himself in an irritated tone. He stumbled after Muk again, blinking as the light levels changed frequently from the inconsistent sources of the moss and stray torches.

"Bayleef," the Grass Pokémon eventually muttered nervously behind him. "Leef…"

"Everything will be okay," Ash smiled. He stopped, turning to face her. "It always turns out okay in the end, bud."

The words were barely out of his mouth when the tunnels were alive with the roar of roots and vines breaking through the walls. They grabbed Ash before he could react, pulling at him from all directions. He struggled futilely as they lifted him slightly off the ground, pinning his limbs to his body.

"Damn it," he grumbled. "Bayleef! Razor Leaf!"

"BAY!" Bayleef obeyed with a roar, a flurry of leaves bombarding the offending vines.

A few vines and roots were severed, but most survived with barely a scratch. More ripped through the dirt and stone walls, and tightened their grip.

"BAY!"

"PIKAPI!"

"Sc…Scep…tile!" Ash struggled to even breathe with the roots tightening around his throat. He somehow managed to flick his wrist and knock a Pokéball off his belt. "Le…leaf…Bl…bla…de…."

"Tile!" The large, reptilian Grass-type Pokémon materialized in a flash of red light. "Scep!" The leaves on its arms merged with a green light to form a glowing scythe-like blades. "Sceptile!" Sceptile yelled as it swung the Leaf Blade at the roots repeatedly. The blows struck each offending vine with a resounding thwock that echoed through the tunnels.

Ash tried to hold on to his breath, but even what he managed to gulp down seemed to be pushed right back out by the vines' grip. His very bones moaned from the plants' squeeze and his vision began to blur and fill with bright dots. Just as the shadows began to engulf his sight, Ash felt the grip suddenly loosen, and he fell to the ground in a heap, gasping gratefully for air.

"Pikapi?" Pikachu rubbed his head against his Trainer's side.

"I'm…fine…buddy," Ash said in between breaths. His sight gradually restored itself to normal, and Ash turned to Sceptile. "Thanks, man. You were just in time."

"Sceptile!" Sceptile gave a short nod.

"Take a rest," Ash recalled the Forest Pokémon to its Pokéball. "There's not really enough room for you to join us in these tunnels."

Ash slowly returned to his feet.

"Bay?" Bayleef looked at him in concern.

"I told you," Ash grinned. "Everything will turn out okay."

"Muuuk?" Muk slithered back. Ash hadn't noticed that the Poison Pokémon had gone ahead and had thus doubled back.

"Nothing to worry about," Ash repeated. "Let's go."

"Muuuk," Muk slid away again, the others close behind.

Pikachu jumped up onto Ash's shoulder and gently rubbed his cheek against his Trainer's.

"Pi…ka…"

"I'll be fine, Pikachu," Ash scratched behind one of Pikachu's ears. "Don't worry about me."

Pikachu looked at him, but said nothing as they continued through the tunnels.

"Muuuk!" Muk eventually stopped, and the others followed suite behind him.

"What now?" Ash looked at him.

"Muuuuuk!" Muk seemed to dissappear down into the ground.

"Muk!"

"Pika!"

"Bay!"

Ash grabbed a torch from the tunnel wall, and held it out over where Muk had vanished.

"Wh-whoa!" Ash stumbled backwards, bumping into Bayleef. "That is deep!"

There was a sharp drop, the beginning of a ravine that claimed the next several yards of the tunnel. The light from the torch wasn't even bright enough to cut through the darkness to the bottom.

"Muk?" Ash called out into the chasm.

"Muuuuuk!" The Poison Pokémon's voice sounded distant.

"I guess he's going to slide down, across, and back up," Pikachu said. "I guess having a gelatinous, sludge-like body has its advantages. Still, won't work for us."

"So what do we do?" Ash looked down it, fighting the feeling of dread building in his chest.

"Bay!" Bayleef said cheerfully.

Ash looked at her for a few moments, blinking. His face lit up.

"Bayleef!" He smiled. "You can help!" He turned back to the ravine. "You can use Vine Whip, and grab something on the other side! Then, I can walk across…like a rope bridge!"

Like the first Temple.

"Then," Ash continued, "you can get a running jump and pull yourself across, and I'll recall you to your 'ball as soon as you're close enough."

"Bay…?" Bayleef tilted her head as she thought the idea through. "Bay!" She seemed to accept it wholeheartedly after a moment.

"Okay, then," Ash said, stepping out of the way.

"BAY!" Bayleef yelled out, shooting two Vine Whips into the darkness ahead of them. She jerked herself backwards slightly to check that, whatever she had grabbed was secure. "Bay!" She gave Ash a nod when she was satisfied.

Ash exchanged a glance with Pikachu, inhaled deeply, and took a first tentative step onto the Vines. He pressed his hands against the tunnel walls for support. With Pikachu clenched firmly on his shoulder, Ash slowly started to walk down the Vines across the gorge. He focused on making each step level and deliberate and keeping his breath even. Eventually, he made it across and carefully returned to solid ground.

"All right," Ash called over to Bayleef, pulling a Pokéball off of his belt. "Come one, Bayleef!"

"Baaaaay!" Bayleef yelled as she catapaulted herself over towards him.

"Wha?" Ash stammered as she collided with him, knocking him backwards onto the ground before he could react.

"Bay!" Bayleef said cheerfully.

"Yeah," Ash smiled, "I'm glad you're okay, too." He recalled her to her Pokéball. "Now, take a well-deserved rest."

"Muuuk!" Muk reemerged from the dark ravine and slid past Ash and Pikachu.

Ash got back on his feet, brushing off his pants. Pikachu jumped back onto his shoulder. They looked at each other with a chuckle before following after Muk once more. The vines on the wall became thicker, choking out most of the bioluminescence from the moss. Ash noticed that the ground had become softer, and knelt to investigate.

"It's…like sand," He held a small amount in his palm and let it flow out through his fingers. He stood back up. "I wonder if we're still under the Marsh."

"Maybe we're under the mountains just to the north, now," Pikachu mused.

Ash started to walk through the sandy area after Muk.

Thump!

Something flew past his face, his nose being brushed by the small gust caused by its motion.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu jumped down to the ground.

"Whoa," Ash examined the wall nearby his face. One of the roots climbing down the wall, had a rather large thorn wedged in its side.

"Back up!" Pikachu yelled.

Ash stumbled back, just in time to see several more thorns shoot out in attempt to poison him. They embedded themselves harmlessly in the walls and vines and roots.

"Okay…" Ash crossed his arms. "How do I get through this?"

He stared down at the ground, fidgeting his right foot in the sandy dirt.

Pikachu tilted his head at him for a moment, before smiling. The Electric Pokémon lightly tapped his Trainer in the leg with his tail, giving Ash a light jolt.

Ash's face lit up.

"Donphan!" Ash tossed a Pokéball up. "Dig us a passage underneath these vines! Rollout!"

Donphan materialized in the red light with a roar, curling up in his Rollout before even hitting the ground. Sandy dirt flew all over and created a ditch safe to travel through. Ash walked through it, Pikachu just behind him. Thorns flew across the passageway harmlessly above their heads.

"See?" Ash asked. "I'm smart. This was genius!"

Pikachu smiled, but said nothing.

Eventually, they emerged past the thorny vines, where the sandy dirt ended and solid ground began again.

"Thanks Donphan!" Ash recalled the Pokémon. "You were awesome!"

"Muuuk!" The Poison Pokémon's voice sounded far off.

Ash looked around, trying to determine which of the many, splitting tunnels Muk was in. Then, he noticed one of them had a bright, orange light coming down from the end of it.

The Shrine?

"Finally!" He looked down at Pikachu. "Race ya there!"

He started to run down the hall.

"I'm going to regret this…" Pikachu shook his head, before running after Ash. The small Pokémon quickly caught up and passed his trainer.

In moments, Ash saw the room at the end of the tunnel, the soft purple glow from the Orb in the Shrine beckoning him. His chest swelled with victory.

Suddenly, the image of the Shrine was wiped away by the appearance of a dark wall in his way. He collided with the rock wall, and fell backwards to the ground.

"I'm gonna get a concussion from all this falling," Ash mumbled. Then his face fell.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu's voice yelled from the other side of the wall.

"NO!" Ash slammed his fists against the wall. "Damn! I'm so close!"

He heard a thumping sound, and the room went totally dark. He looked fruitlessly behind him.

Another wall closed, he realized. I'm trapped in this tiny room. I'm gonna run out of air. I'm gonna die in here.

His heart accelerated as he struggled to fight the growing fear in his chest.

He heard a light hissing, and the air took on a weird smell. His eyes began to burn, and he felt his knees weakening. He stumbled to the ground, and began to gasp for breath. He clawed at his jacket, trying to find anything to help him out of his situation.

Poisonous gas. He realized what was going on. It's…the last defense of the Shrine. How…how do I beat this? Have…to get out. Have…to…

His thoughts became fuzzy, and he continued to grab at his jacket, reaching inside it, pulling at the interior pockets in desperation. He paused when his hand made contact with a different cloth texture. He pulled out what he knew to be a small square of cloth.

Even as his mind continued to cloud over, he heard a soft voice in his memory.

Makes it easier to carry.

He brought the handkerchief to his mouth, breathing through the cloth. His mind didn't clear, but he felt the build of the pain slow somewhat.

Think. THINK!

"Pikapi!" Pikachu's voice sounded horrified.

What would…the others…suggest?

Sceptile's strength might break the wall, Misty's voice offered.

A strong Rollout with firm determination and bring down even the strongest wall, Nyx's sounded as cheerful as ever.

That's not helpful, Ash frowned. I won't risk killing the others in this.

To' ya dat ya'd git killed, Jerzy would've likely offered in arrogance.

Some Chosen One, Aura sounded angry. Can't even break down a wall with his own power.

Break down the wall. The words repeated in his own voice.

I can break down the wall!

Ash focused on the faint feel of power in his left hand.

The Fighting Element should help.

Ash inhaled deeply through the handkerchief, held his breath, and thrust in his jacket pocket. He raised his hands and focused what mind power he still had. He brought the hands down onto the wall with great force.

Brick Break.

The wall groaned for a moment, before the stone split, light flowing through and filling the chamber. He heard the hissing stop, as the wall collapsed and allowed passage to the Shrine again.

Ash inhaled the clearer air gratefully.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu jumped into his Trainer's arms, relief clear in his voice.

"Muuuuk!" Muk engulfed them both in a large hug.

"I'm fine, guys," Ash chuckled. "I'll always be fine."

They released him, and he showed them the handkerchief that had allowed him time enough to figure it out.

"I'll always be fine, because I'll always have my friends," he smiled.

"Pikachu-Pi," Pikachu shook his head.

Ash stumbled into the Shrine proper.

"So this is what the Shrines look like," Pikachu mused.

"Yeah," Ash said.

Like usual, the Shrine was a square room, the stone walls decorated with carvings and torches, their messages in the same language Ash still couldn't read. The center had the Shrine's main statue, a silver, cross-legged Riolu holding the Orb above his head. The Orb was a swirling mix of lavender and orange, with the same opaque yet transparent effect as the others. The statue was surrounded by statues of various Poison Pokémon: Ekans, a male Nidoran, Golbat, a Venonat, a Koffing, a Gulpin, a Seviper, Stunky, a Skorupi, a Croagunk, and several others. In one corner, another silver statue depicted a Riolu–whom Ash suspected was a young Hikaru–with the child from before, though the latter appeared to be a little older than the last statue. The young Hikaru was helping the human youth with his fighting stance, the Dratini lying in a semi-circle just behind them with a soft smile on its face.

What does this mean?

"Pikapi?"

"Nothing," Ash looked back at Pikachu.

I'll figure it out eventually.

Ash looked at the Shrine and the Orb. He carefully walked around the surrounding statues to approach it.

The soft glow from the Orb beckoned to him. He felt something in his chest warm, and the overwhelming desire to touch the Orb burned in every cell of his body.

"Let's get this over with," he braced himself, and grabbed the Orb with great force from both hands.

As he expected, a searing pain exploded from his chest. He slammed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw in his struggle to keep from yelling out.

Ashura… a gentle voice whispered in his head. Ashura…

Who are you?

Ashura, you're doing amazing! The voice didn't seem to hear him.

The pain didn't ease, but Ash felt his body weaken, and his knees turned to gelatin. He fell to them, still unable to let go of the Orb.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu yelled in fear.

Ashura… the voice deepened.

What do you want? Ash forced the thought through the pain and weakness that was claiming his mind.

What…what are you doing? The voice didn't sound like it was talking to him. Ashura? What have you done? Why have you done this to me? To yourself? Why?

What…?

Ashura… the voice leveled off. You've done well to make it this far. You may yet fulfill your destiny.

Hikaru?

Yes. Ashura…You've finally secured…with me.

What? I didn't…get…all…that… Ash struggled to hold on to his thoughts though the building agony that threatened to weaken him into utter nothingness.

I guess…more of the…to maintain consistent…me. I'll…what I can get. Be careful…Traitor is building in…won't be long…makes contact. He'll know…will be in danger. Your…will all…terrible, mortal danger.

What…do I do? Ash asked him.

Let go…your Poisons, Hikaru hesitated.

Poisons? Ash forced the question through the sea of pain.

Fear, Ashura. Fear…but cannot be expunged. Acting despite…is the true antidote to…is real Courage.

I'm not afraid…of anything. Ash retorted automatically.

Hikaru's voice chuckled in his mind.

I forgot…the feeling of a youth's recklessness…to feel that surge again. …Been so long…so long since….

What? Ash interrupted Hikaru's fading voice.

We have…little time. Hikaru sounded panicked. The Orb's final defense…will claim…if you don't claim it. Beware of Hate…will blind you. Your strength in…building to your destined…be warned. You may harm…if you do not keep…in check. Hate can remove…restraint. Beware it.

I…don't hate anyone, Ash attempted to shake his head.

For now. You're growing…confusion is common. …Can lead to Hate. Worse…beware the…venom of Pain, Hikaru warned.

Pain? Ash wasn't sure he understood.

Not purely physical. Emotional Pain…felt by all. Simple Pain, from simply splitting ways from a friend for a while to helplessly watching a beloved die. …All know the burn of Pain at some point in life. Pain is universal. …Must learn to let go of Pain, or it will consume you.

The image of two pairs of eyes filled his mind, one blue-green, one dark blue. They both narrowed and turned a dark, burning red.

You must let go of Pain, Hikaru repeated, his voice clear at last in his head. Pain is the most corrupting Venom you can succumb to. If you do not learn to let go of Pain and act out of other motives, Pain will Corrupt and Curse you in a way you cannot comprehend.

Why are you so scared of this happening? Ash did not understand.

Because, Chosen One. You have great power in your blood, both literally and figuratively. You may yet affect the entire world in ways none can prophesize. But, that power can just as easily be used to condemn us all if you should fall. Learn to use Poison to strengthen your heart, and do not allow it to control you.

There is a Darkness in your blood, your name, Hikaru continued. You are the first in generations to not know the true depth of Pain your bloodline has known since it was ripped from its true home.

I…don't understand…

You will, Hikaru sighed. One way or another, I'm afraid you will. I just hope you're strong enough to let go of Pain before you do.

Hikaru…? Ash asked in concern.

Claim the Orb, now, Ashura. It is time. You cannot last much longer. I will try to make contact again…you're recovered. Then, maybe…answer your…little more.

Ash pulled up on the Orb with great force.

The Poison Orb popped out of the Shrine's grip with a soft sound.

Ash collapsed, as he felt the Pain ebb away slowly. His world went dark as it finally faded.

"Pikapi!" Pikachu ran to his Trainer. The Pokémon checked Ash for his pulse, sighing with relief when he was convinced that Ash was okay. The Orb glowed gently in the Chosen One's hand, and the light gradually faded. Pikachu gave Ash a light jolt.

Ash blinked awake.

"Pikachu?" he muttered. "You there?"

"Pikapi," Pikachu hugged Ash's shoulder.

"I'm okay, buddy," Ash reassured him. "I'm okay. Let's go back to the others, now…"

Ash's eyes drooped. Pikachu chuckled.

"No, Ash," Pikachu shook his head.

"Muuuuk!" Muk surrounded his Trainer in a hug, much lighter than usual.

"I'm…okay, guys," Ash mumbled.

"Rest, Ash," Pikachu rubbed his cheek against his Trainer's. "You've been through a lot today. You always tell us when we've earn a rest. Now, it's our turn.

"Take a well-deserved rest," Pikachu said softly as Ash faded off into slumber.

…

[A/N]: Huurgblurrg. I'm not even going to explain why this took so long. Many thanks to my Beta for not killing me. Next chapter will be easier to write. It's got a faster-paced fight, so get excited for next week. I WILL be on time next week. I'm pulling late nights to get ahead in school to allow for it. As usual, hope you enjoyed and feel free to drop me a PM and let me know what you think so far. See ya next week.