Chapter 14

Ash was in high spirits as he and Serena left their seats to go and get some lunch. They had just watched the conclusion of Dawn's match which she had won in an exciting victory over her opponent from Hoenn. However, moments later he felt an intense, throbbing pain in his head. "Ah", he cried, "Ah, it's terrible, make it stop!"

"Ash!" Serena cried. "What can I do?" The pain was getting no better. Suddenly Ash began to see visions. He saw all kinds of images coming at him in quick succession, too quick for him to really process the meaning of any individual one. He saw happy pictures, of him and his friends. He also saw images of Serena and Pickachu. But he also saw terrifying images, images of warfare, of Silver City under attack, people running for their lives. Then he saw images of other cities where the same things were happening. He also saw May crying uncontrollably and him trying to console her, then he saw himself leaning over a cliff screaming something but he didn't know what. Finally, he saw the legendary pokemon he had seen a long time ago, ho-ho, and flying beside it were more of its kind and he and Serena were riding on one, May and Drew on another, while Clement, Bonnie and Misty were on yet another. Then, the visions suddenly came to an end. This was quickly proceeded by the conclusion of the excruciating pain. Ash was now taking in deep breaths as his girlfriend put her arm around his shoulder to comfort him.

"That was the worst pain I've had in my entire life", he said.

"Ash, I think you had better see a doctor", Serena replied in a concerned manner.

"No, no, I don't think it's anything like that Serena. I think someone or something wanted me to see this."

"See what?"

"Never mind. I'll talk about it later. It's complicated." Instead of arguing with him, on this occasion Serena respected Ash's wishes and decided not to argue the matter any further. "It's ok Ash, I won't pressure you until you're ready ok."

"Thanks Serena, now let's get some lunch, I'm so hungry."

When Ash and Serena arrived at the main eatery on that level, they saw a number of familiar faces staring in their direction. Among them were May, Drew and Bonnie; but much to their surprise, team rocket also. There was also another man who they did not recognise. Ash couldn't determine why but they too looked surprised, almost shocked, by his and Serena's arrival. "Hey guys, is everything ok?" he asked.

"You really do have the aura don't you?" James said, looking in the direction of the unknown man, who answered with a smile. This amazed Ash, who had often wondered whether he himself possessed the aura. "Oh wow Sir, it's so amazing to meet someone with the aura."

"Thank you young man. By the way, my name's Luke and I believe you're Ash and Serena. And of course this must be Pickachu."

"That's right", Ash answered. I guess my friends have been filling you in huh?"

"You could say that."

"So how did you guys all come to be together?" The others then told Ash the whole story bit by bit. Ash was stunned by what he heard. "So I guess", he answered nervously, "that explains those things I was able to do, but I never suspected May had the aura as well. Actually, I think there's something else you should know as well Luke. Just before I came here, I had this really bad headache and then I started seeing all these terrifying visions. Did that have something to do with you?"

"It was and it wasn't."

"I don't understand."

"You will when it is time for you to know. Now…" "I had visions too", May exclaimed, "and I saw really bad stuff too. Luke, you don't think these things we saw are actually going to happen do you?" She asked, almost in panic.

"I'm afraid what you saw will come to pass." May was in tears now, obviously she had seen something terrifying. "Don't worry May", Luke said comfortingly, "what you saw was not the end of the story, only things that must take place between now and the end." But this seemed to do little to cheer her up as Drew consoled here. "Why would you do something like this to them?" he asked angrily, "how is this supposed to profit us?"

"It's to prepare you for what's to come. And now we get to the real business. What I brought all of you here together for in the first place."

"Wait a minute", Meowth interjected, "don't tell me you rigged the schedule of matches to get us all together in this place at the same time?"

"No I most certainly did not, but I did study the schedule of matches closely and I knew that this would be my best shot. Of course, I could have waited until you were all back at the hotel but we're running out of time. So now, onto the order of business. Soon, very soon, Silver City will come under attack, most likely in the week after the conclusion of the tournament."

"How can you know that?" Meowth interrupted once more.

"Ok, if you insist Meowth I'll backtrack a little bit further. About a fortnight ago, me and a number of my fellow villagers received visions from the pokemon. They showed that things were about to get a whole lot worse. They also showed visions of a number of you children, so we knew to come here. But unfortunately I had to make the journey alone, because our other villagers are needed elsewhere right now. The journey itself isn't all that difficult at this time of year, about a week on foot but the problem was many of those tripods and alien pokemon from the first wave of attacks were still around at that stage. I passed a number of them on my way through the mountains. In fact, I had to fend off two of those rabbit-like ones as I was crossing over a bridge, and may I say not exactly the sturdiest bridge ever built either. But I made it across, plus a few cuts and bruises", pointing at his cheeks. "So eventually, three days ago, I arrived here."

"I'm sorry to hear that", Ash replied. "But something you said was funny. We assumed that the tripods never made it that far north, that's why we were heading for Silver City."

"Yeah", Drew added. "The reports on the radio seemed to suggest the attacks were moving northward, but by the time they were getting further North it seemed like most of them had already been defeated."

"Hmmm", Luke responded, "very interesting indeed. I guess a few of them slipped by the more populated areas."

"What", Serena bellowed. "You mean there are still more of them out there."

"In all likelihood young lady, yes. But the few still wandering around at the moment are of little concern compared to the number that will be roaming around after the next wave", Luke was starting to raise his voice now. "And if this world is going to survive, then this plan needs to work!"

"What plan?" Ash asked.

"The plan which involves you lot. Clearly a number of you are the ones mentioned in the prophecy because you're the ones the pokemon showed in the vision."

"How do you know about the prophecy?" Ash pressed. "Do you have a copy too?"

"I need no copy, because the pokemon in our village are the very pokemon who made the prophecy in the first place. We've known for years this war was coming and that the attacks couldn't be prevented. But we've been waiting a long time for the ones who would be able to bring an end to the war and save the world." This was all making Ash incredibly nervous, and he could see a number of the others were shifting uncomfortably in their seats also. "Look", Luke continued, "I know you all must be feeling unqualified but it's natural and we know prophecy so often picks the unqualified. But you wouldn't have been selected if you weren't going to be equipped with what you need to claim the victory."

"What types of pokemon do live in your village Luke?" Ash asked.

"None other than the ho-ho." Ash's heart was pounding now. Filled with excitement he leapt out of his chair, "Yes!" he exclaimed. "That explains everything. That's why I saw ho-ho those times. And that's why I had a vision of ho-ho before I came in here. But I never realised there was more than one."

"Oh yes, we try to keep it a closely guarded secret. There are seven ho-ho in total living with us. All of them are thousands of years old. A whole family of legendary pokemon, the most majestic creatures", he proclaimed admiringly, as his eyes lit up.

"Wow", Ash replied. "I never knew. So, getting back on topic, what is the plan?"

"Ah, finally, what I've been waiting to talk to all of you about: the plan. So once the attack in Silver City happens, all of you need to leave, together. But after a while you will come to a fork in the road. Team rocket, you take the northern path. James, you know what you have to do. As for the rest of you, you will need to take the road back to Kanto. It will take you straight to Viridian City. I will meet you guys there."

"But Luke, I'm not sure if you're aware that at the moment I'm carrying the GS ball, and as I'm sure you know, the heir is meant to use this ball to defeat the enemy. My main priority has been to find the heir. Do you think that you would be able to help us with that in some way?"

"Of course Ash", Luke responded calmly, "finding that heir is of vital importance. But as I'm sure you will remember, the prophecy also notes that the heir has to remain in hiding until just the right moment."

"But that's so stupid. If we could find him sooner then we could defeat the enemy before more lives are lost."

"I know Ash. But no matter how much we want to know, the GS ball isn't going to reveal its secrets until it's ready to. You just have to trust me and take it step-by-step ok. Now, I will meet you in Viridian City. Your first step is to get that ball, yourself and all your friends there safely. You and May in particular." Ash was getting more and more irritated by what he was hearing but he didn't want to compound the situation, so instead of saying what he thought he simply said "I promise Luke."

"Good man. Now, I think it's just about time for us to head back to our seats. Your friend Clement has just won his second match, so if he wins this one he will be through to the second round."