Chapter 9

"Hello" they continued to call out to the figures. Ash's heart was beating a mile a minute, he was contemplating whether to run or to wait for the figures to reach them. He decided on the latter. May began to run, but Drew pulled her back: "hang on, I'll look after you." Suddenly, when they were maybe ten yards away, the one in the middle finally spoke: "Is that a group of children I see?" It was a woman's voice, she sounded fairly advanced in years.

"Yes, kind of" Serena answered, "but who are you?"

"My name is Mary. And these are my two sons" pointing to the two figures on either side of her, "Steven and Gerald." "Hello there" the pair introduced themselves.

"We're sorry to startle you" Mary continued, "but given the current state of events we're on high alert, so when we heard noises coming from the lake we came to make sure that none of those dreadful machines or alien pokemon were in the vicinity. Speaking of which, why are you children wandering around the countryside in such dangerous times?"

"We're trying to get to Silver City" Ash answered, "we were attacked by one of the machines back in Azalea Town and we've been on the run ever since."

"Azalea Town!" the old lady seemed startled, "well you lot sure have come a long way in such a short period. All of you can come back to my place and rest for a couple of days. It's a short walk, just on the other side of the valley."

"There are others with us as well" May answered, "five others in fact."

"Well aren't you a big party, it's a miracle you're all still alive out here after this long. Let's go and find your friends and they'll come back with us."

They headed back to camp where they introduced the others to Mary and her two sons. They then changed clothes and packed their belongings and began the relatively short trek to Mary's residence. It was about a twenty fifteen minute walk in the end, not long at all. The house itself was on the slope on the other side of the small valley. It was two stories, but quite average sized. Ash wondered how they would all be able to stay there.

AS they entered, Mary escorted them through the narrow hallway to a large dining room on their right. The kitchen was on the left. "All of you are welcome to sleep wherever you wish" she began, "we've got a spare bedroom upstairs, and Steven and Gerald can share with anyone who wants the second bedroom, or if you prefer, you can remain down here and sleep on the couch."

"We've also got two spare pullup beds for anyone who would like to sleep down here if there's not enough room on the couches" Steven informed them.

"Thank you very much you guys" Brock answered, for all of this." The others also thanked the family for their kind hospitality.

"But you don't have to worry about pullup beds" Ash answered, "we've all got sleeping bags, we don't need you to go to all that extra trouble."

"Suit yourselves", Steven responded.

Not a few minutes later, Mary brought them cups of hot chocolate and some roast potatoes and vegetables. It was a hearty meal, just what they needed to satisfy their appetites: they had been on rations for almost a week now. While they were enjoying their evening supper they decided to turn on the TV. A number of stations were still reporting on the invasion. They were reporting 'breaking news': apparently, as of that night, all of the tripods had been defeated, and there were now estimated to be only a small handful of alien pokemon remaining. But the news was not all cheerful: "for the first time since the attacks began five days ago, the military and emergency service workers have gained access to all of the areas worst hit: the total death toll across Johto is estimated to reach past half a million people and a similar number of pokemon." That news sent a huge chill down Ash's spine. Serena began to weep, and most of the others had tears in their eyes also, "that's so many" she said weakly, "I wonder how many of those people from the party made it, it's just so surreal."

"It won't do you any good thinking about it Serena" Sara answered her, "it's just morbid."

"I'm sorry, it's just that…I never thought I would live to see something so horrible in my lifetime, I can't believe how much we took it for granted before."

"The important thing is that the world survived and that things will continue to be good in the rest of the World, and even Johto will eventually recover and be as it once was." But Ash was still not certain about that.

About half an hour later, Bonnie had fallen asleep and the others were starting to get tired also. "I'd better take Bonny up" Clement said.

"I'll go and make the beds" Mary answered warmly.

She soon returned, and May and Drew also decided to head to the room upstairs, which they would share with Bonnie and Clement, while the rest of them elected to sleep in the dining room, either on the couches or in their sleeping bags.

Ash slept restlessly that night. Most of the others now seemed relieved but he wasn't. He wished this was the end, he truly did, but deep down he knew it probably wasn't. Despite this, a part of him kept telling him he was just being superstitious, that it was now ok. Ash found it amazing the things that the mind can convince one of if the person is desperate enough to believe them. But in spite of all that, he knew he couldn't rest.

The next morning Brock informed Mary that he and the others would be leaving after breakfast, although Mary protested they stay at least one more day. "I'm sorry" he answered, "I wish we could, but I won't be able to feel relaxed until I've got these guys into Silver City. I know it sounds a bit superstitious now, but better safe than sorry."

"Oh my dear young man" she responded gently, "I think you can be almost certain you've got nothing to worry about, but I accept your decision. Please let my sons take you out to the edge of this range, it should only be a four or five hour journey from here."

"Would you like to come with us Mother" Gerald asked, in a slightly nervous tone, "I don't think we should get separated you know."

"Ok Gerald, I'll come along also."

"You're right to be weary" Stephan noted, looking at Brock, "I myself aren't convinced we've seen the last of those things yet. So don't worry, you're certainly not on your own.

"Oh brother" Gerald interjected, "don't bring up that prophecy again."

"Gerald!" His Mother bellowed, "don't go worrying these young heroes here with any of that talk. And you too Stephen; they've already endured enough for one whole lifetime."

"You guys know about the prophecy?" Brock questioned curiously.

"Oh so you know about it too?" Gerald replied.

"Yeah, funny thing, a friend of ours back in Azalea Town mentioned it to Ash and Clement the day before all this began, how about that for timing. So how do you guys know about it?"

"The prophecy of the great war has been common knowledge throughout much of Johto for many years" Stephen answered. "It's kind of a tribal folklore you know, something that gets passed down from generation to generation. But when people started moving into the cities and became too busy with their own lives – as well as becoming more sceptical of so-called wives tales – it was kind of forgotten over time. But I always believed it to be true, and the evidence is surprisingly compelling. And now, well, I guess we know."

"Who wrote it?" Brock asked.

"A group of ancient men and women, who lived in the borderlands between Johto and Kanto, in areas such as what is now Silver City and the Indigo Plateau and other surrounding areas. They were considered amongst the most intelligent, kind and also the most civilised of the ancient tribes, but what truly distinguished them was their relationship with the ancient pokemon. Some amongst their tribes were said to possess the ability to read the thoughts of pokemon, while others could even feel their pain." Some amongst their descendants made up the first royal families of Johto and Kanto."

"Wow. But how does this relate to the prophecy itself?"

"Because it was said the prophecy was actually given to them by a group of ancient legendary pokemon by means of some form of telekinesis and told them to remember the words of the prophecy. The men and women then wrote the prophecy down on ancient tablets, and throughout time more copies were written."

"But I guess when you're dealing with such great time periods, you can never know for certain huh?"

"Well this was ancient folklore over a very wide area, both in Kanto and in Johto, and even in other areas of the world. This we know because it was not only passed down by word of mouth, but also noted in multiple ancient texts from around the world. And I think the greatest proof we've ever had has been in the past week. I know these are dangerous times, very dangerous times, but in a selfish kind of way, it gives me a warm buzzing feeling to be a part of history, to be a part of prophecy being fulfilled." He was almost screaming now.

"It's a dangerous thing to insert oneself into prophecy my son" his Mother warmed him. "Prophecy is supposed to be a source of divine guidance, that gently leads one in the right direction. It is not something to be forced for man's own glory, to play that game is very dangerous indeed."

"Ok, relax Mom, don't get all philosophical on me."

"But she's right" a voice from behind said, it was Clement's.

"What do you know kid?" Stephen responded condescendingly.

"I was there when Kurt gave us this warning. I thought he was mad, but that very night, I saw the world thrown into chaos, and I know if his remaining predictions turn out to be correct, that things are going to get a lot worse. And if that scenario does eventuate, people should be getting as far away from the danger as possible, and no one will be safe until the source of this so-called "alien" technology and a way of shutting it down or overpowering it is discovered."

"What do you mean so-called alien?"

"I have my suspicions about the source of the machines. We fought one a few days ago and up close it seemed to be composed of many metals and alloys you would find here on Earth just slightly more advanced."

"Well I suppose" Brock interjected, "that the universe is only made up of so many metals. Perhaps the composition of the planet these things came from isn't that different from Earth's."

"And what about the strange pokemon?" Steven noted, "no one's seen them before."

"Both reasonable arguments, but I'm still not so sure." With that, the conversation came to an end, and Brock decided they should be on their way.

A few minutes later, Ash, Brock and the others set out with Mary, Stephan and Gerald, who guided them through the hill lands until they reached a point at the end of the range. Looking out over the escarpment, they saw that from there, the land gradually fell away until it became relatively flat plain land. But that was still many miles off. It was still a fairly steep climb down the hill they were standing at the top of, so Stephan and Gerald volunteered to guide them down. About ten minutes later, they had reached the bottom, where the land began to smooth out. It was here they said their farewells. "Good luck" Gerald said kindly.

"Thanks Gerald" Brock answered as he went to shake Gerald's hand, "look after yourself."

"You too."

"I will. And Stephan, shaking his hand also, "thank you for everything. Please take care of yourself."

"Ok Brock" he answered somewhat dismissively, "thank you, all of you. You're a tough bunch of kids, just make sure you get to Silver City in one piece."

"I'll do everything in my power to get them there," Brock finished.

With that, Stephan and Gerald began their climb back up the hillside, while Brock, Ash and the others went on their way, as they continued their journey to Silver City.

James was in a world of his own, as he Jesse, Meowth and Wobberfett continued to fly in their hot air balloon. They were now nearing team rocket's base in the Northern part of Johto, but James felt little happiness or relief at that thought. All he could focus on were those whose lives had been lost, in part, because he had not spoken up about what he knew. The guilt gnawed away at him, but even after all that had happened, he couldn't bring himself to tell his friends the truth. But the part that depressed him the most was that in all probability, the little twerps hadn't made it.

"You still depressed James?" Jesse asked, with a hint of compassion in her voice.

"You know, as annoying as they were, it's heartbreaking to know the twerps are probably gone."

"Yeah" Meowth lamented, "and our shot at Pikachu, it's like now we've lost our purpose."

"I'm with you James" Jesse answered, "for all their flaws, they weren't too bad, and it's like without them, we've lost a part of ourselves. But that being said, they always had a knack of getting out of tight situations, so maybe they survived, at least a few of them." This gave James a small ray of hope, but deep down he still knew he had to prepare himself for the worst. They themselves were very fortunate to be alive: their balloon had passed three tripods and dozens of alien pokemon on their trip north, not to mention their initial escape from Azalea Town.

About an hour later, the base came into view. They landed on a helipad, where there were two escorts waiting for them. They gave the customary salute and were then led inside. They were led to the office of Giovanni himself. After a short delay, they were let in.

For a few moments he just stared at them, they in turn. Then he spoke: "Well, well, the scallywag crew survive again. For such screw-ups, you guys have always had a knack haven't you?" They were unsure of how to respond to that. "Anyway, congratulations, it must've taken some guts to survive all of that?"

"You can say that again Sir" Jesse replied.

"What did you want us for Sir?" James asked.

"To fill you guys in on a little secret."

"I know" James answered, "the whole thing was team rocket's doing." Giovanni looked stunned now: "Who told you?" he screamed.

"Nobody, I overhead a conversation between you and one of the team leaders, a couple of weeks back."

"You sneaky little bugger. Oh well, at least it made no difference." Those words put things into perspective for James: he knew he could've done something but chose not to, he was now overwhelmed with guilt. Jesse and Meowth were staring intently at him now, their expressions indicated however, were not ones of anger as James was expecting, but ones of compassion and understanding.

"So what now Sir" Jesse asked Giovanni.

"What now. Plan B, that's what." James trembled with horror: he didn't know there was meant to be a plan B.