TITLE: THE SPIRIT OF THE HAUNTED PAST
How everything began…. 10 years ago at Mt. Mortal.
A new discovery, a new myth in the pokemon world, called Fyrice (Fire-ice), a very rare pokemon, so rare that nobody knew it even existed…. until now.
Worker:” Come on men…PULL!”
The site was crowded with workers, scientists and historians..Hey!
Professor Oak looks a lot younger and with him is mum, dad and…me!
Well l was also younger then…I am around 3 years old, strong, curious, playful and brave (“some things never change, huh?”)
When we arrived by car, some workers ran towards us and gave us safety helmets.... mine was huge for my head. Mum, Dad and Professor Oak laughed a lot at me and l enjoyed being funny and cute. While entering the mysterious cave, some professors approached us.
Prof.1:”Hello, Professor Oak.. who are they?” pointing at my parents and me.
Prof.Oak:” Hello, to you all.. Let me introduce you to the Ketchum family- this delightful man is Tom, and his beautiful wife, Delia. This young fellow is Ash.
Prof.2:” And why they are here?”
Prof.Oak:” Well…Tom is the recent Pokemon Master and also a researcher, so I called him because l thought we might need his help. But he wouldn’t miss the event without having his family present.”
Prof.1:” Okay then, lets start. .Professor Oak, we saw those strange marks on the wall over there. The odd thing is that the wall is made from an, as yet, unknown substance and covers the whole cave. We will know more about it later on from the Terrabio labs results.”
Prof.Oak:” Very interesting….. What do you think, Tom?”
Tom:” Well, we don’t seem to have much information about this cave. Any luck with the marks?”
Prof.2:”Well we tried but..”
While the professors and my parents are talking about the new discovery, everyone had forgotten about me. I was sleeping quietly in the tent, but eventually woke up. . I was very energetic for my age and I am the type of toddler who would sit there doing nothing. While I was looking around, I spotted a Rattata and I toddled after it to play. Without realizing how far away from the tent I was, I found myself going deeper into the cave.
I looked at every inch of the amazing wall, which was a strange glittery bluish-purple colour. Every time a ray of light hit the wall, waves of colour were emitted and I was stunned by the sound of a hauntingly, beautiful song. So, a curious child such as me, I wanted to see where the singing was coming from. But no luck, I had reached a dead end. I could hear the melody coming from the other side of the wall.
After listening to it for a while, I thought:” What will happen if l whistled the same tune? Well I never know if I don’t try.. so here goes”
I took the whistle and put to my lips and as I listening, I was tried as hard as I could to keep up with the rhythm of the song and guess what!
I actually succeeded and started to whistle the same song,
Then I realized that the melody had stopped and an eerie silence remained. I began to cry as it was then that I realized just how alone I was.
I was still crying and calling for my parents in vain. Remembering the melody, I put the whistle back into my mouth and began to whistle the song I had heard and liked it so much.
When I finished whistling and I began to cry again. This time the walls began to change and started to come closer to me. I tried to escape but something stopped me: something told me not to be scared, but I couldn’t be sure of my feelings, so I…
Prof.2:”and that’s what we’ve found so far. More info will be sent later when we dig a little deeper and perhaps uncover more answers to this mystery.”
Tom:” Okay then. I will use my ground-type pokemon to help us out.”
Delia:” Oh, I almost forgot…Ash will wake up soon and I’m sure he will be very hungry”
Tom:” Well, I don’t think that Ash is the only person who gets hungry, honey.”
Delia:” Lucky for you my dear, I brought food with me. Just wait for me to go and bring Ash.”
Prof.Oak:” Anyway, is almost 1 o’clock that means lunch time!”
Then a claxon was heard and everyone left their work and gathered around the dinner table, while Delia went to the tent to see her sleeping baby..how wrong she was.
Delia:” Ashy-boy wake up, its dinner time! Ash? Ash?ASH!!”
She started to panic and ran towards to her husband..
Delia:” TOM!TOM! I can’t find Ash, he is gone!! Then she started to sob in his arms.
Tom:” Don’t worry, Delia, he couldn’t have got very far. He must be …..”
Then a loud wailing noise was heard coming from the cave.
Ash:” WHHHOOOAAAAAAA!!!”
Tom:”…in the CAVE !?”
Delia:” Oh-no! How can we find our son,Tom?
Tom:” This…GO ARBOK!!
The pokeball bounced on the ground and a large, long purple snake appeared.
Arbok:”Arrrrbok char bokssss?(what’s wrong,what’s the fuss about?)
Tom:” Go underground and listen to the sound from the cave.”
Arbok:”Charcharsss bokss chaaarbok? (What I supposed to look for?)
Tom:” My son.”
Arbok:”Chaaarrrbokkk ssschar! (I’m on it!).
It jumped high into the air and upon returning to the earth burrowed into the ground.
Tom:” Good luck Arbok, find our son” he whispered to his trusty pokemon whilst holding his tearful wife and staring at the hole.
Well, by now you must’ve figured out in how I received the gift to understand the pokemon language.
Meanwhile inside the cave, the walls continued to get closer and closer until I started to feel them touch me. I screamed as loud as I could. Suddenly the walls started to shine so bright that I couldn’t see and I was forced to close my eyes.
Everything had became blurry and as I slowly opened my eyes and looked around.
I seemed to be in a different place. Although the walls appeared to be the same, I was now in field full colorful flowers.
The field was in fact a small island surrounded in mist arising from a rippling lake of steamy hot waters. On the top of the hill was a crystal ball, such as the type that witches and wizards use to tell the future, but this one looked more like to crystal pokeball.
I tried to pick it up to have a closer look but it was too high for me to reach.
Then I started to cry again, not because I was alone but for being short!
Then an eerie voice came out of the pokeball.
Voice:” Don’t cry, little one, there is nothing to be afraid of.”
Ash:” I’m.. not afraid ..of anything.. it just I miss my parents and I can’t reach you…I’m too shhooorttt!!”
Voice:” Don’t worry about it you will see your parents again and you have years ahead of you and you will grow tall and strong”
Ash:” You think so?”
Voice:” Of course I do. They don’t call me legendary pokemon for nothing.”
Ash: ”What’s a legendary pokemon?”
Voice:” You don’t know what a legendary is? How old are you and who are you anyway?”
Ash:” I’m Ash and I’m 3.Who are you?”
Voice:” Well, Ash, I’m Fyrice the legendary ice keeper of this cave and if you free me from this pokeball, I will obey you no matter what.”
Ash:” Okay, but why you are in a pokeball in the first place?”
Fyrice:” l was a trained pokemon decades ago like all pokemon; I had a goodhearted trainer called Casmir Mishibo. He was my best friend and taught me well such as talking in your language. Years passed and Casmir became old and then sadly passed away. All my life I had lived next to him and when he passed away, I was depressed. Many trainers tried to catch me but nobody was able to control me. So one day an old man came near me and said that he had fixed a time-pokeball and to stay in until someone worthy enough found me and could control me. To that person, I give my complete loyalty to obey him as I used to with Casmir. And I accepted his proposal. The same person who made my time-pokeball, is the same person who made this secret cave.”
Ash:” hmmhm”
Fyrice:” What are you doing there?”
Ash:” I ‘m trying to release you…I’m almost there..”
Fyrice:” But aren’t you too young to control a beast such as me?”
Ash:” You must have been feeling very lonely all these years and I’m also alone. Can I be your friend?”
Fyrice:” Nobody had the heart to say this to me after Casmir. You are very brave for your age.”
Ash:” Alright I gotcha now.. how I will release you?”
Fyrice:” I don’t know. Just throw it .”
Ash:” I will do what my father always does in a pokemon fight…Fyrice I choose you!!”
He took the pokeball and in the usual pose which he has memorized from his father,
and tossed it far away and landed on the ground. When it bounced the ground, it burst open and a red beam flashed out, then out sprang a gigantic blue-gray dog-like pokemon with eyes like liquid gold. It was even bigger than a Charizard.
Ash:” Wow!” was the only thing I could say when he appeared of front me.
Fyrice:” Thank you Ash, for freeing me. I will be your friend forever and I will protect you at any cost. Nobody will ever separate us again.”
Ash:” But, I want to see my mum and dad.” I said with tears rolling down my cheeks.
Fyrice:” No any more. I will be your family now.”
Ash:” WHOAAAA!! I WANT MY MUMMY!!WHOAAHH”
FYRICE:” Be quiet or the cave will…. Huh!?”
It wasn’t an earthquake but Arbok, who just exploded from the ground.
Arbok:” Charrrboook ssssbok char ( Come on little one I’m taking you to your parents)
And grabbed me by my blouse and pulled me into the hole.
Fyrice:” Don’t take the child, he is my friend and I won’t let him go without a fight!!”
But as he said that, I was whisked far away inside the dark tunnel and away from Fyrice.
Everything was dark and cold. Then suddenly, I felt warmth and I could hear my mum’s voice calling me.
Delia:” Ash, Ash. Please wake up. Its me mummy.”
Ash:” Mummy? Daddy?”
Tom:” You made us worried you little rascal.”
Ash:” But…where is Fyrice?”
As I spoke, everyone looked at each other in confusion. Who or what is Fyrice?
Delia:” Who is Fyrice, dear? A friend?”
Ash:” Yes.”
Workman.1:” There must be another person down there…dig deeper to take him out. Quickly!
Ash:” But he isn’t…” I whispered so only my mum could hear. But as she was trying to hear what l was saying, an earthquake followed and everything seemed to fall apart.
Tom:” Quick everyone run to a clear spot!”
Prof.Oak:” But this isn’t a earthquake, something is coming up through the ground.”
Tom:” Are you sure about this, Prof.?”
Prof.Oak:” Yes. All ground-type pokemon, such as Dugtrio, when they using the dig attack cause earthquake tremors. This one is similar but ten times stronger!”
Tom:” But what kind of pokemon is it?”
Then a huge blue-gray dog-like pokemon burst out of the ground and roared.
Tom/Prof.Oak:” What the..”
Ash: “ FYRICE!!”
Delia looked at me in shock.
Delia:” THAT’S your friend?!”
Tom:” Delia take the child and drive away as fast as you can!”
Delia:” What about you?”
Tom:” I will try to take him down with a pokemon fight while the rest of you get to a safer place. I will come over when Fyrice is no longer a threat to us.”
Delia:” Please be careful.”
Tom:” Don’t worry, dear. I will be back so soon that you will not have even noticed my absence.”
He smiled and kissed her like as if for the last time.
Tom:” Go, Arcanine, use your agility and then fire –spin!”
Arcanine:” Arca nine arcan!”( I’m on it!)
These were the last words I ever heard from my father while Professor Oak and the others took us to a safer place We hadn’t gone very far and I could hear still voices and roars and then..
Fyrice:” Hyper beam!!”
Tom:” NO STOOOPPP!!”
CCCAAAAMMMBBBOOOOOMMM!!
Delia:” TOM!!NOOOOO!!!”
There was a huge explosion and after that everything came black ..again.
The only thing l could remember after that was a newspaper with a headline:
“ FROM A SCIENTIFIC EVENT TO THE MOST CATASTROFIC BATTLE EVER!!
There were many injuries from an explosion that killed over ten people, one of them being the famous pokemon master, Tom Ketchum, from Pallet town. He tried to save the others while battling the huge pokemon, called Fyrice. Even though the bodies were recovered, there was no sign of the creature. The police are currently investigating the matter….”
This was the biggest mistake of my life. I will never forgive myself…
PRESENT-14 YEARS LATER…
Ash’s thoughts::
“ Well well this is a familiar scene to all this morning, my friends and I are heading towards new adventures and a whole new world called the Johto region, where I have earned my other eight badges with my best er… pokemon friend, Pikachu. Until now I have gained a lot of experience in battles and earned approx.14 gym badges. My friends are also travelling with me on my journey. On my left side, the redheaded girl carrying a Togepi in her arms is Misty (17) and on my right side, the tall boy with brown spiky hair is Brock (19). The boy with the black hair, wearing an official pokemon –league hat and a Pikachu on his head is me!!(17) Yep, that’s me, the trainer and the future pokemon master from Pallet town, I’m..”
Misty:” ASH KETCHUM!! YOU IDIOT WE ARE LOST AGAIN!”
“ …Still daydreaming”
Ash:” It wasn’t my fault, Misty! I’m not the one who is holding the map. So stop saying all the time it’s my fault.”
Misty:” Well…YES! You wanted to take this short cut!”
Ash:” Yeah, but YOU didn’t want to walk for another week and YOU said to go though here!”
Misty:” I did not!”
Ash:” Yes you did!”
Misty:” No I didn’t!”
Ash:” Yes!”
Misty:” No!”
Ash:” Yes!”
Misty:” No!”
Pikachu:” Pikapi pikaa…PIKACHUUU!!”(Ash, Misty…QUIET!!) and sent us a thunder shock in order to stop arguing. The ones who are enjoying this scene most are Brock, Pikachu and Togepi.
Ash/Misty:” AAAAAAAHHHH!!”
Brock:” It’s about time.. Thanks Pikachu. Lets check out the map.”
Pikachu:” pik pika chu chu pikachuu.”(no problem, Brock, its my pleasure.)
Togepi:” Toge toge priiii togeprii tog… !( Uncle Pikachu fried mummy and…)
Before it said the last word, Pikachu put his paw on its mouth and was looking at me with a sheepish smile on its face. That made me very suspicions.
While Brock was looking at the map and at the same time cooking delicious rice balls ala Brock, I was looking at Misty who was playing with Togepi and Pikachu. I suddenly realized that I was watching her for a long time and I thought I should say something before she figures out that I have been watching her like a lovesick puppy..
Ash: ”Hey, Brock. Have you figured out where are we?”
Brock:” Yes we are in a forest near at the Mt.Mortal. If we follow this path, we will soon be at Cianwood Island …I hope.”
Ash:” D-did y-you said t-that we a-are at M-Mt.M-Mortal?”
Brock:” No, we aren’t there yet but don’t worry we will not go through the mountain to reach the city.. Why are you afraid all of a sudden?”
Ash:” ME?! AFRAID?! Are you serious? No, I was considering Misty and her stupid fear of bugs.” That was the absolute lie but it seemed to be working pretty well..
Misty:” What?! I think I can manage to take care of myself…and my bug fear isn’t stupid!” she scowled at him but he wasn’t fighting back (how strange for a person like Ash, who was just standing there looking at the forest suspiciously. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Something was bothering him and it sure does scare him.)
Misty:” Hello.. Earth to Ash, are you still with us?” She asked him waving her hand front of his face.
Ash:” Huh? Oh yes I’m still here, what’s wrong?” Looking at her with an expressionless look on my face. Still staring at the forest.
Misty:” Well something’s bothering you, so tell us what’s wrong with you?”
Ash:” There is nothing wrong with me, Misty.”
Misty:” Yeah right and Pikachu will evolve into Charizard. Why are you so touchy if nothings bothering you?”
Ash:” Stop it Misty, just leave me alone!” Saying it with such anger that I even scared myself
Misty:” Huh?”
Ash:” I’m sorry Misty for yelling at you. But there are some things that are better kept locked away in your mind and forgotten about …but still I was wrong.”
Saying that as I was walking towards to my sleeping bag.
Misty:( He must be sad or dead scared, I never understood him but one thing I know..
I love him.. and now having said that, I’m even more worried about him.)
Brock:” Hey, Ash aren’t you gonna eat?” Holding out holding a nice big bowl of hot rice balls A la Brock, from where arose a mouthwatering aroma. But memories of the past killed my appetite.
Ash:” No thanks Brock, I am going to sleep now. Thanks for asking though. Goodnight all – see ya in the morning.”
Brock:” Is it my imagination or..”
Misty:” Yes, Brock, Ash just actually said NO to food. Now I am definitely sure that Ash is keeping something hidden from us. Hey, Pikachu. Do you know what is bothering Ash?”
Pikachu:” Pikaa pi pi pikachu pikapi, pika chu chu pi.”(Misty I don’t know what’s wrong about Ash, but he’s sure acting strange today.)
Brock:” I think I know what’s wrong…or a part of it. Do you remember how he reacted when I mentioned the Mt.Mortal? As if he was petrified, even though he didn’t want to admit it. I can’t ever remember him being so scared before.” Pointing to the place on the map to Misty and the others.
Misty was looking at the map and then she turned to see Ash fast asleep in his sleeping back. Turning back to Brock and whispering also to the others.
Misty:” Do you think there is a connection between Ash and this mountain?”
Brock:” I’m positive or my name isn’t Brock!”
Misty:” Be quiet! We don’t want to wake up Ash, you numskull!”
Brock:”(whispering) Oops, sorry. It looks like Ash really needs that sleep, so what we will do?”
Misty:” I don’t really know but meanwhile lets get some sleep too and we’ll will figure it out tomorrow morning. Goodnight Brock, goodnight Pikachu.”
And took her snoozing Togepi to her sleeping bag, tucked herself in and slept almost immediately. Then, Pikachu turned to Brock, who was looking carefully at the map for answers.
Pikachu:” Pichu pikaaa pik pikachu”( Brock, Misty is right. Lets go to sleep”)
Brock:” You are right too Pikachu. Goodnight.”
Pikachu run towards to his trainer and best friend, who was sleeping, he looked at him with a worrying voice said:
Pikachu:” Pikapi...pi pikachu pii?”(Ash…what’s scaring you?)”
And wiggled into his sleeping bag next to him as it did every night by the campfire.
Meanwhile, not too far away, Team Rocket is on their way….
Meowth:” Let’s take a nap…I ‘m too tired even to think”
James:” Your right Meowth. Jessie why don’t we stop for now and just eat and sleep.
We can’t do anything in the dark anyway.”
Jessie:” URRRGGG!!! YOU NUMMSCULLS! Have you already forgotten what the boss told us this morning?”
James:”(imitating the boss) Bring me rare pokemon or you are fired!”
Meowth:” Oh, boy. If we continue like that, I will never be the top-cat!” began to whimper.
James:” And we won’t be T.R members any more!” Also crying and cuddling Meowth.
Jessie:” Get a life you two! We are still the famous T.R and we will get the twerps Pikachu no matter what!” Making a pose with a T.R flag in her hands.
James:” Jessie, you’re right! T.R will never give up until its mission has been completed even if it takes years.” Standing proudly next to Jessie pointing to the stars.
Meowth:” Not even if we are blasted into the sky a lot by the twerp and his friends?”
Jessie:” No, T.R is and will always exist and be ready to take action!”
Meowth:( sighted) You guys are masochists.
A red beam lights up in the area and a pokemon appeared next to Jessie.
Woobuffet:” Woob-a-ffett!”( Hooray for the T.R!)
Jessie:” Who ask you to come out, return to your ball!”
She took her pokeball and a red beam reappeared and took the pokemon inside.
Woobuffet:” Woooaaaabbb?”( But why?)
Jessie:(sighted) ” Sometimes I feel like the red-headed twerp with her Psyduck.”
James:” Now what we gonna do?”
Meowth:” We need a plan.”
Jessie:” I have the perfect one to capture Pikachu.”
Meowth:” I hope it isn’t a hole again.”
Jessie :” No this one is even better. Lets go lazybones, we don’t have all night.”
Almost morning….
I was having a bad nightmare about…well you know…. what had happened 14 years ago.. with the all too familiar turning around my head, sweating and shouting in my dreams.
Ash:” No…please don’t….my friend….my dad…NOOOO!!”
Woke up shouting loud enough to scare Pidgyes but not my friends. Covering my mouth quickly so that even if someone awoke, they wouldn’t know that it was I screaming. But I looked around and saw that everyone was still sleeping soundly. And I sighed.
Ash:” Maybe if I walk for a while, get washed and dressed, I will feel better.”
I got up slowly so as not to awaken Pikachu …I not in a mood for a thunder shock right now… and I took my green bag and I walked quietly towards to the lake.
When I tiptoed passed Misty, and looking at her made me feel like I as if I was in paradise.
Oh-god, I’m blushing…I-I love her.. yes I do love her.. no I can’t tell her that she will get scared, laugh or may even reject me.. I don’t know, she mustn’t know yet at least.. I love her so much, I could….run and take a cold shower fast!!
As I started to run, I didn’t realize that when I screamed someone had in fact woken up and that person was Misty. Not only that, but she pretended to be asleep, and she had seen me staring at her while she was “sleeping”.
Misty:( whispering) What’s wrong with you, Ash? Well I will have to find out the hard way.”
Then she got up slowly so as not to wake up Togepi and silently followed me.
Near by the lake….
Ash:” Great. The sun is rising and the water is cold but enjoyable. Okay then..1, 2, 3..”
SPLASH!! Diving into the water and come up again laughing because I feeling so much more relaxed than last night. And instead of swimming around, I decided to have a bath near to the shore, where was there was a shallow warm spot in the lake. I didn’t know how relaxing it could be and I was only having a bath, only if …” Snap.. crack! (Twigs breaking underfoot)
Ash:” Huh? Who’s there? Speak up or else!”
Misty:” Ash, its me.. I hope I didn’t scare you.”
Ash:” Ah, its you Misty. No I was just thinking.”
Misty:” About what?”
Ash:” Something you wouldn’t understand.”
Misty :” Why don’t you talk me about it?”
Ash:” Why are you bothered.. its not your problem.”
Misty:” It isn’t my problem?! You are my friend, and friends always stick together. Please don’t back off, we will help you. No matter what, I will be always be there for you.”
She had never spoken to me like that before. She really was worried about me, I know her too well.
She usually beats me up to confess when I did or said something wrong, but why is she talking like this all of a sudden? It’s breaking my heart keeping this secret from her. I wade out of the lake and walk next to her without saying a word but only thinking again of my past. Suddenly I feel her arm around my shoulders, comforting me…My eyes widened in disbelief, I can’t believe Misty is hugging me.
Misty:” Please, Ash. Don’t face it alone.” Said with tearful eyes. (Why are you so stubborn?)
Ash: (teasing)” Okay then. I give all the worry to you, my trustful red-headed scrawny.”
Misty:” What?! I said that I would help you? And I am not a scrawny!”
Ash:” You volunteered for the job, you asked you got it.”
Misty:” GRRrrrr, you…(leaving few worried and angry tears rolling down her cheeks)
Simpering trainer from Pallet town! It is a miracle that you qualified to take part in the Johto champions league!” Walking one step closer to me.
Ash:” I’m not the one who screams once a while or complains about bugs!” Walking one step closer to her.
Misty:” Oh, yeah? I’m not the one who wrecked my bike, Mr. pokemon master!”
Taking another step closer to me, we were now nose-to-nose.
Misty:” And I should have gone to Cerulean City ages ago, but now I have to follow you around until you pay me back for the bike!”
Ash:” Oh, yeah? Well, if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t do this.”
Misty:” Yeah? Do what?”
(Ash’s thoughts: I have nothing to lose, now or never, and let fate to decide what will happen.) Walking nearer to her and looking into her eyes seriously.
(Misty’s thoughts: And why is he looking at me like this?)
Ash:” This!..” And I grab her quickly around her waist and hug her, closing my eyes and kissing her passionately on the lips. She was struggled a little, then at that moment I thought she didn’t care and I was just about to release my lips from hers when I felt her respond and kiss me even more passionately.
Then she realized what she had done…She was not only hugging Ash but also kissing him, a dream she had wished for, for so long had finally came true..
The hours slipped away and we were still kissing passionately not wanting to be separated from anyone or anything.. well until we opened our eyes and blushing at the realization of what we had done. Misty was so confused and embarrassed as I was and we were lost for words.
Misty:” Well…I umm…I didn’t…I shouldn’t…”
Ash:” I don’t know what to say…hmmm. .err.. it isn’t want I was thinking of doing, it just came on me.”
Misty:” I’m sorry I didn’t know what I was doing either.” And just as she was releasing him from her hug, I turned and hug her back. Something surpassing but pleasant for her.
My head on top hers and holding her in my arms, at last I’m taller than her. I haven’t felt this way towards her before.
Ash:” Don’t be sorry, Misty. Thank you for being so supportive, it means a lot to me.”
She slowly taking her head off his chest and looking into his brown eyes
(Misty’s thoughts:” I wish I had his courage to say three simple words to him”)
When she took her head of my chest, I thought that she will leave me but instead we were looking into each other’s eyes.
(Ash’s thoughts:” I’m brave kid towards dangerous situations but when is about Misty…things never going as planed. If only I could say my feelings about her, and never be separated from her beautiful aqua-blue eyes again….)
Ash/Misty: “ I love you”
At last we admitted our love for each other after more than 7 years of friendship.
We will be together, forever. Embarrassingly staring into each other eyes, we were about to have a second kiss but…
(A loud voice in the distance)
Brock:(shouting)” Ash! Misty! Where are you ?!!”
Pikachu:” Pikapi!…Pikaa!! (Ash!…Misty!!)
And returning to reality, sighing and looking at Misty, I smiled at her.
Ash:” Should we tell them?”
Misty:” No. Let them figure it out themselves.” Giving me a light kiss on my cheek.
Misty:” Are you feeling better now?”
I smiled but still had that worried look in my eyes.
Ash:” Yeah, but please promise me that neither you or anyone else will interfere in my problem.”
Misty:” If that’s what you want, but don’t let it get you down like this. You are making us all worried.”
Ash:” I will try not to show it. Lets have some breakfast, shall we?
Misty:” Good idea, I’m starving.” Grabbing my arm and heading towards to the camp.
Butjust before we reached the campsite, I took my arm away from hers.
Ash:” I think is better to keep this a secret. I don’t want to behave or treat you differently because of our relationship until it’s the right time.”
Misty:” But do you promise me that at every opportunity we are left alone, we will behave like a couple?”
Ash:” But I thought we were already a couple..” staring at her with a smirk on my face.
Misty:” Well yes, if you promise first..” staring at me with a angry glare.
Ash:” Okay, I promise you from the bottom of my heart and scout’s honor, we will behave like an official couple.” Keeping a serious expression and raising my fist to my chest in mock oath.
Misty:” Ok, then lets go eat.” Giving me a quick kiss on my cheek and running off to the campsite.
Ash:” Hey wait for me!” following her as fast as I could.
Meanwhile in the campsite, Brock, Pikachu and Togepi started to be worried about us.
Brock:” That’s it! We’ve been calling them for over an hour and they still haven’t returned. We must go and look for them; maybe they’re in trouble. It had better be something important, it’s a pity to waste such a nice breakfast, don’t you agree with me, Pikachu?”
Looking at the two dishes full of food for Ash and Misty, which are getting cold and turning back to pick up his stuff in his bag.
Pikachu:” Pik pika chu pikapi pi pikaa chu..”(I’m more worried about Ash and Misty than..)
Togepi:” Priiii toge toge priii priii togeprii “(I think I can hear them coming)
Pikachu:” Pipipi kachu?”( Togepi where?)
Togepi pointed to the forest and then Misty appeared from around a bush.
Misty:” Good morning to all.” And hugging everyone quickly which made Pikachu suspicious.” Well, Brock, where’s breakfast?”
Brock:” Is over there getting cold. Where were you? I was calling you for a long time.”
Misty turns her back to him so as not to show him, or to the others, her embarrassment. She sat on a log and started eating her breakfast.
Misty:” Hmmm, just wandering around and lost track of the time.”
Brock:” Okay. Then, where is Ash now?”
Misty:” Hmm, I don’t really know. I haven’t seen him since I woke up.”(Gee, I hate lying to them) and continued eating.
Although her act worked on Brock, Pikachu was not fooled.
Brock:” HEY! ASH WHERE ARE YOU!”
Pikachu:” PIKAPI!”(ASH!)
Brock:” A!, By the way. Thank god, Ash was missing.”
Misty:” Why?”
Brock:” Because I thought of a way to find out about the mystery of Ash’s behavior and the connection with Mt. Mortal.” picking out the map from his bag. The route they were to take had been which was marked with a colored pen.
Misty:” How?”
Brock:” It’s simple really.”
------START- FLASHBACK---
“When I got up and I found out that Ash was missing, and I said to myself what the heck here’s goes nothing. I snatched the map from my bag and followed the path we’re gonna take this morning. It isn’t far from here. And here’s my plan. I found out that the end of this road forks into two different paths: one leads to Mt. Mortal and the other one leads to Cianwood Islands. So, my idea was to change over the road signs. Not bad, huh?
And the reason I did it was because when we reach there I’m sure he will choose to take us to the islands. However, we will really be heading towards to the Mt. Mortal instead.”
--------END-FLASHBACK-------
Brock:” Than I ran back here to make a quick breakfast before Ash showed up. Mentioning Ash where on earth is he?
Misty:” He will be here soon, don’t worry. He never loses his way back especially for food.”( he was right behind me, what is stalling him?)
Looking back to the forest, I w as looking for my hat.
Ash:” Where did I put my hat? I thought I had put it next to my clothes under this tree, where else can it be?”
Searching around to see where it could be but finding nothing, as if it had disappeared. Until it landed upon my head.
Ash:” Huh? How..what..who?”
I looked up and there was nothing in the tree nor was any hint of a wind.
Ash: “ That’s strange. It doesn’t matter now, I’ve got my hat back. Better return to the others or they will be worried about me.”
When I started heading towards the campsite, a slight wind arose, followed by a swirling mist.
I looked at the trees.
Ash:” That’s strange, the trees aren’t moving. But how come I can feel the wind getting stronger?”
Soon enough the fog had engulfed me and I couldn’t see beyond my nose.
I looked around to find the path through this fog and suddenly a shadowy figure appeared before me.
A very familiar shadow, a shadow I wanted to forget and its eerie cold voice.
Voice:” ASH!!”
Ash:” Huh? It can’t be…Fyrice?”
Fyrice:” Go back…”
Ash:” What do you…”
Suddenly the wind becomes so strong that I cover my eyes in case it turns into a sandstorm.
Ash:”mean, huh?”
When I open my eyes and look around everything has gone back to normal. I have seen many things in my life but nothing compared that experience.
I thought that the best thing to do was to return to the campsite as quick as I could in case anything had happened there too. As I was running I remembered Fyrice’s words (“ go back”). Go back where? To Mt. Mortal? No way – I’m not going to head back to that nightmare.
I was running so fast that I reached the others in no time.
Brock:” Well its about time you showed up, where were you buddy? We got worried about you.”
Ash:” Huh? Ha ha ha.. err I found a pokemon to catch but it got away.”
Misty and Pikachu looking at me suspiciously because of my obvious story telling. As you see I’m not a good liar.
Misty:” What kind of pokemon?”(That’s a fib! You left your pokeballs and pokemon here.)
I knew it, I’m busted. Now what? I know!
Ash:” I think it was a water-type and a very fast one. I didn’t manage to get a good look as it quickly ran off. And as I’m here - where’s my breakfast? I’m starving.”
Pikachu:” Pikaa, pikapi pi ka chu pika.”(Misty, Ash isn’t that good liar, is he?) Misty: (whispering) ” Yes but he takes a B for the trying, though.”
Misty said to Pikachu and they were laughing behind my back, I was busy packing my stuff quickly in my bag.
Togepi:” toge toge priii”(mummy carry me.)
Misty lifts up her baby pokemon in her arms and picks up her bag ready to continue the journey with the others.
Brock:” I think we are ready to go.”
We left the campsite and continued to walk along the path. For the zillionth time we fell into a hole in the middle of the road. A cloud of smoke appears.
Ash:” Why now, and my day started so well.”
Jessie:” Prepare for trouble!”
James:” Make it double!”
Jessie:” To protect the world from devastation!”
James:” To unite all people within our nation!”
“ Jessie!”
“James!”
Je/Ja:” Team Rocket!”
Jessie:” Blast off at the speed of light!”
James:” Surrender now or prepare to fight!”
Meowth:” That’s right!”
While they were saying their motto, I was helping my friends to get out of the hole and for the first time…I totally ignored TR. Shocking for them, huh?
James:” Hey you twerp! And where you think you are going like that! We are the famous T.R and no one ignores us!”
Ash:” Then it was about time I’m starting to ignore you, let’s keep up moving, we have no time to waste.”
Misty, Brock, Pikachu and even Togepi looked at me like I was an alien or something.
Jessie:” Hey, James. Is this twerp okay? He looks a little pale to me.”
Meowth:” I don’t even care if he turns to purple!” turns to me ” Give us that Pikachu or..”
Ash:” Did your motto mention the phrase ” T.R blast off at the speed of light”?”
Everybody falls in an animate style.
Jessie:’ Of course it does!”
James:” You should know that twerp, you heard it about a zillion times!”
Ash:” Well isn’t about time you blast off?”
Je/ Ja/ Meow:” Huh?”
Ash:” Pikachu, I choose you! Thunder attack now!”
Pikachu:” PIIIKKKAAACCCHHUU!(YOU WILL BE FRIED!)
James:” It looks like T.R blast off again!”
…while flying in the air from their pathetic poke like robot, which was exploded from Pikachu’s thunder attack, as usual.
Mew:” I told you that your idea is stupid!”
Jessie:” And you have a better one, meowthhh?!
Ash:” Well that took care of them. Let’s go. We’ve lost a lot of time because of them.”
I was walking little bit further from the others who were talking whispering to each other.
Brock:” We shouldn’t be too far away now...the sign will soon appear.”
Misty:” I’m still not sure about this..”
Pikachu:” Pika chu pi pikachu kachu chu?”(It wouldn’t cause any troubles, wouldn’t it?)
Misty:” Yeah that’s the last thing I want from Ash.”
Brock:” Yeah like wouldn’t be the first time.” Misty frowned at him, biting her bottom lip in annoyance. This means that Misty is getting really mad, well you know why…
Brock:” Hahaha.. err hmm.. okay I was just joking, Misty, don’t get that angry.
Hey! We finally arrived!”
Misty:” You Brock….huh?”
I had stop in the middle of the road, looking at the sign pointing in two directions:
<- This way to Cianwood Island
This way to Mt. Mortal ->..
Brock:” Where to now, Ash?” (Let’s see if my plan works)
Ash:” Well..there aren’t any gyms towards to the mountain, so lets go this way to the Islands!”
Brock:”(my plan worked!)
Pikachu jumped on my head from Misty’s shoulder:” Pika!”(Lets go!)
So without my knowing, we were heading towards to Mt. Mortal, followed again by T.R.
Jessie:” That’s great! They are going towards to the city and you know what that means?”
Meowth:” Yeah! FOOD!”
Wubafet:” Wuuuubaaafet!!”(Hoooorraaayyy!)
Jessie:” Who asked you? Return!”
And she pulled her pokeball and a red beam took her pokemon inside again.
James:” Hmmm..”
Jessie:” What’s wrong?”
James:” Well.. when I was a kid, my parents usually took me to Cianwood Islands for vacation almost every year. And I remember everything going towards…”
Meowth:” Cut it out and go to the point”
James:” The path where they are going it doesn’t lead to the city but to the mountain.”
Jessie:” Are you sure? But the road sign said…”
James:” I’m positive. Someone has changed the sign and the twerps are going there without knowing it.”
Meowth:” What shall we do then?”
Jessie:” What else…follow them!”
James:” Wait a moment, Jessie. Mt. Mortal isn’t an ordinary mountain.. its haunted.”
Meowth:” H-hau-nted?”
Jessie: “ Who cares! We need that Pikachu or our boss will haunt us!”
And she grabbed their hands and started running behind us, preparing their next plan.
Meanwhile, as we carried on walking, the scenery became more and more familiar to me. Then I thought to check with Brock who always holding the map.
Ash:” Brock, how long will take us to arrive to the city? “
Brock:” Err-hmm.. well.. I don’t really know, Ash.”
Ash:” What do you mean “ You don’t know? You.. huh?”
PUF! A cloud of smoke appears and three shadows are revealed.
Jessie:” Prepare for trouble!”
James:” Make it double!”
Meowth:” Forget the motto and grab the rat!”
James:” We might loose but never give up!”
Jessie: WHAT?!”
Jessie:” Meowth is our trap ready yet?”
Meowth:” Give me few minutes and the rat is good as ours.”
James:” Okay this will be your greatest pokemon fight ever!”
Misty:” Or you mean the stupidest pokemon fight ever!”
James:” That’s it! Victreebell, Arbok, Sneasel, Weezing attack!”
Vic/ Ar/Sn/ We:” Reee!/Charr!/ Snea!/ Wee!”( Alright!/ I’m on it!/ Losers!/ Attack!)
Ash:” Oh, yeah!…Meganium, Golem, Golduck and Pikachu attack now!”
Me/ Go/ Gol/ Pik:” Megaaaa ium um mega!/ Lemm golem !/ Gol duck gol!/ Pika pika chuu pi pika!”( Say your command sweetie!/ nothing stops me!/ I blast you sky high!/ prepare for the shock of your life!)
Ash:” Meganium, use your vine whip!”
Misty:”Golduck, use your hydro pump!”
Brock:” Golem, use your strength!”
Jessie:” So you choose to play hard, prepare to loose! Arbok, Sneasel use Bite attack!”
James:” Weezing and you Victreebell use body slam!”
And the battle begins, even I know who will win.. again.
A few meters away, Meowth was preparing to operate the trap when our pokemon are attacking the T.R, he will press a button and a big iron cage would trap them including Pikachu.
Meowth:” Little bit closer…little bit more… now!”
Well, he pressed the button but nothing had happened.
Meowth:” WHAT?! HEY WHY DOESN’T WORK?!”
Jessie:” Are you sure you had fixed it as it should be?”
Meowth:” Of course, I did. I’m not stupid, you know!”
Jessie:” Give me that you fur ball, this is a woman’s job!”
Meowth:” NO! I WANT TO PRESS THE BUTTON!”
Jessie:” Leave it!”
Meowth:” NO WAY!”
James:” Stop it you two, we are loosing again!”
Je/ Me:” What?!”
During the battle, Meganium vs Sneasel and Sneasel has been hit critical from her vine whip, then was Golem vs Arbok but Arboks bite attack had no effect on him and Arbok was slammed hard against the rock. Victreebell vs Golduck, first Victreebell used razor leaf against Golduck, but he jumped high giving a powerful hydro pump, sending it far away with Weezing and soaked all T.R’s pokemon.
Ash:” Okay Pikachu, lets finish it, use headbutt! Then Meganium use your vine whip and capture all T.R until Officer Jenny comes here, we aren’t far from the nearest city.”
Je/ Ja/ Me:” HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Ash:” Why are you laughing for?”
James:” Haha...Well Officer Jenny can’t arrest us!”
Ash:” And why is that?”
Looking at them clueless but Misty and Brock seemed to know what they were talking about.
James:” You just took the wrong turn of your journey, twerp!”
Ash:” But the sign….”
James:” We know what the sign said but it seemed like someone changed it so that it points in the wrong direction.”
Jessie:” And that means your heading at Mt. Mortal, hahaha!”
Ash:” That’s not true, isn’t it Brock? Misty? Not you too Pikachu.”
Brock:” Its all my fault, Ash. I changed the sign. I was so curious about this place and your change of behavior ever time its name was mentioned
Misty:” Its my fault, also. I kept it secretly from you, but I was so worried about you and I thought this would be your opportunity to face it.”
Pikachu:” Pikapi pika pika”( Ash we’re on your side.)
I was shocked. First by the appearance of someone I hoped never to meet again and secondly by my friends setting me up, even though they mean no harm, just thinking that they are helping me to face my biggest fear.
Misty:” Will you ever forgive us?”
Looking at her with an angry expression, and noticing her tears, my heart breaking, I become calmer and forgiving.
Ash:” I forgive you, you meant no harm. You’re my friends and friends help each other. Thanks for caring.” Giving her a wink and a smile, which always make her smile.
Even though Brock saw it, he pretends not to, and turned to me.
Brock:” Ash, what shall we do with them?”
Pointing at the T.R, who are been tied up by Meganium’s vine whip.
I was about to answer him when a wind suddenly arose and almost everyone was blown over, even Golem! Misty, Togepi had fallen into my arms and I am protecting them from being hurt. Meanwhile, T.R was released from Meganium and were holding onto a tree to prevent them being blown away. Brock caught Pikachu just in time. The fog appeared and then the shadow. Then the wind but the fog and shadow remained, There appeared two shiny yellow eyes which froze you to the spot.
Misty:” Ash what’s going on? Who or what is it?”
Fyrice:” AAAASSSSHHHH!” a chilling call breaks the silence,
That’s a surprise. Everyone is staring at me. I take a brave step forward and with my determination, I decided to face him once and for all.
Ash:” WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?” that sounded pretty loud and angry.
Fyrice:” Go back…” an icy coldness in its voice…Walking towards us as the fog slowly disappears but the Pokemon slowly reveals itself.
Ash:” Huh?” Clueless as usual.
Fyrice:” …To the beginning!” the words freezing in the air
All:” Huh?” Everybody was confused, afraid or lost as to what is going on.
Ash:” What do you mean < Go back to the beginning>? Do to what?”
Fyrice:” Regain your lost memories! ”
Ash:” Huh?” [Thinking]: So many years have passed since then and he still remembers…to take revenge for what I had done.
I was looking at the ground and experiencing lots of flash backs, my mind reeling, brow sweating and tears started to roll down to my cheeks, tightening my fists with angers and grimacing, Of course!. How stupid of me to forget such a….
Misty:” Ash, look out!” Her scream “woke” me up on time.
Ash:” What the-”
Fyrice:” Ice-beam!”
Pikachu:” Chu, pika pi pika!”(Oh, no you don’t!)
A big ice-beam blasted from Fyrice’s mouth against me, next thing I felt was Pikachu, who pushed me away and threw me to the ground.
Pikachu:” Pikapi pichu pi!”(Ash lets attack!)
Ash:” No Pikachu he is too strong!”
But Pikachu was running at full speed, jumping up into the air avoiding Fyrice’s stomp attack and blasting a thunder against him.
Pikachu:” PIKACHUUU!”(YOU GOT FRIED!)
Fyrice:” GRAAA!” Shouting from Pikachu’s attack but it shook it away unaffected.
Fyrice:” Grrahaha, think again!” staring at Pikachu as he is ready to attack again.
Pikachu:” Pii?”(Huh?)
Meganim:” Mega mega nium me!”( Lets attack together, Pikachu!)
Pikachu:” Pika!”( Right!)
Meganium:” NIUM!”(Razor leafs!)
Golduck:” Gol duck duck golduck!”(I’m with you, hydro pump!)
Golem:” Go go lem, golem!”(Count me on, rockslide!)
Pikachu:” Pikachu!”(Thunder!)
A combination of four different types of attacks causes Fyrice to back down, but still it isn’t strong enough to hurt him. I realize that our Pokemon will get hurt very bad, so I run in the middle of the battle.
Mi/Br/T.R:” Ash stop!”
Ash:” Meganium, Golduck, Golem and Pikachu stop! Now Pikachu and Meganium return, Brock and Misty call off yours!”
Br/ Mi:” Golem/ Golduck return!”
The pokemon return to their Pokeballs (well most of them) as Fyrice prepares to fight counter attack. I run near it to beg to stop fighting and try understand why he is hunting me.
Ash:” Fyrice! STOP! I’ll do anything you want. I’ll go back!”
It just stood up, staring at me, repeating the same words as before.
Fyrice:” Go back…”
It slowly disappeared and rose upwards into the sky. I just stand there looking at it until it has completely disappeared. My friends run towards me concerned (especially Misty). I didn’t realize that I was hurt. Well, there were two long, deep cuts on my right shoulder and left ankle.
Ash:” How did I cut myself like this? I don’t feel pain.”
Brock:” That’s because your body is in a shock. In a few minutes you will feel them.”
.. looking in his pack for bandages or anything could help to recover our pokemon and me.
Brock:” Lets see.. Hmm.. Packet soups, clothes, pans, and towels…”
Ash:” How was I cut then? I should had felt them but I didn’t.”
Holding my left arm to stop the bleeding, I sat on the ground. Meanwhile, Brock was still searching for those bandages, throwing everything he had out of his pack.
Brock:” When Fyrice’s ice beam attacked you, even though Pikachu pushed you away you were slightly hit a little from it and because, everything happened so fast you didn’t even notice it until now… Where I put those stupid bandages!!”
Misty comes near me after calming down her crying Togepi. She put it down and it cuddles Pikachu and me with joy. We laugh at this scene until I felt begin to feel the pain from my injuries.
Misty, concerned looks at me hopelessly and got even angry as I am still bleeding and Brock hasn’t found those bandages yet.
Misty:[whispering] Ash, we must take you to a hospital and fast. Brock! [shouting] forget the bandages, lets go straight to the hospital.” Giving him the map and taking a scarf out of her bag to tie it round my ankle.
Brock:” Good idea…but the nearest hospital is on the other side of this mountain.”
Misty finished tying a piece of an old blanket around my ankle but it didn’t help very much. She seemed to cry in despair until she noticed that T.R was there, still frozen in fear from the sight of the creature.
James:” I – I can’t believe it. Fyrice was real.”
Jessie:” Everything you had said, James, was true.”
Meowth:” Do you know what this means?”
Ja/ Je/Me:” Lets get that Pokemon for our boss!”
They ran towards their Meowth air balloon until Misty went in front of them with starmie by her side.
Misty:” Hold it there, we’ll take the balloon!”
Jessie:” No way, its ours! Buy your own!”
James:” Yeah we won’t give it without a pokemon fight!”
Misty:” As you wish. Starmie, water gun!”
James:” Weezing, GO! Use your sludge attack!”
But Weezing was too slow for Starmie, and as a result of its water gun attack, Weezing fell down onto James. Jessie couldn’t handle James’ failure and turning she sees Misty shouting " Good job, Starmie!" and cuddles it to congratulate its victory.
Jessie:” My turn. I choose you, Go Arbok!” and a huge purple snake appeared from the pokeball, ready to fight “ Use your poison sting attack!”
Misty:” Return Starmie. Go Politode!” and a big green frog with a curl on top of its head appeared from the pokeball “ Avoid the attack, then use hypnosis!”
And Politode did as she ordered and Arbok fell asleep. Jessie became even angrier than before and Misty congratulates her pokemon for her second victory in a roll.
Jessie:” You won again but the balloon stays here.”
Misty:” You still don’t get it, do you?” ..getting up, retrieving her pokemon back into its ball.
James:” What do you mean?” ..looking at her baffled, as did Jessie and Meowth.
Ash:” She means…”getting up a little.”.... That if she can beat you with these ordinary attacks, what chance do you have of capturing Fyrice?”
Meowth:” He has a point” Jessie looks at him angered by his statement” Look I’m not the one who loses all the time”
PAOW!! Jessie and James’s both punched Meowth on the head to knock some sense into it.
Ash:” Stop it! We have no time to spare. Take me to the hospital and let’s reconsider what to do about Fyrice.”
They all agreed, even though we had to pull Jessie into the balloon by force. Travelling by balloon could take a long time, so we needed tr.’s help and experience (for once!).
It didn’t take us too long to go to the nearest hospital in a small town called Genoa, in the foothills of mountain. A beautiful town l must say.
Inside the hospital, in the waiting room in fact, my friends; (Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Togepi) are waiting for a doctor to give them his report about me. While the others (Jessie, James and Meowth) were whispering together.
Meowth:” You know I was thinking something.”
Jessie:” Like what, Meowth?”
Meowth:” Why don’t we corporate with them?”
James:” What! Are you crazy? Anyway, they wouldn’t do such a thing!”
Jessie:” He’s right, why do you think they will do such a thing?”
Meowth:” Well.. Ash said that our pokemon aren’t enough strong against Fyrice, right?”
Je/ Ja:” Yeah, so?”
Meowth:” Combine the twerp’s pokemon and ours, the attacks will be more effective.”
Jessie:” You’re right! And battling so many pokemon and so many attacks, he will surely
get tired..”
James:”.. And then we will gonna capture it for our boss, who’ll give us a rich bonus and the respect we deserve.”
Meowth:” And I will be again the boss’s top-cat, meow!”
They return from the fantasy world as the nurse came in. And you know what this means.
Brock:” Oh, how are you today, the most-beautiful-nurse-in-the-world {at last someone other than Nurse Joy} who brings sunshine into my dull life and the warmth into my cold heart and…”
Misty:” Come back here, Romeo.” Pulling his ear and turns to the nurse with a worried voice
Misty:” Please, tell us. Will Ash be okay?”
Nurse, smiling, puts a comforting hand on Misty’s shoulder.
Nurse:” Don’t be worry. Your friend will be okay. His has had some stitches and they are just dressing the wound with clean bandages now.”
Misty:” Can we see him?”
Nurse:” Of course, you can. He is in room 415c. To be honest, he can leave the tomorrow morning. Do tell him that, ok?”
Misty:” Thanks a lot, nurse. Lets go everyone!”
Brock:” How can I thank you? How about dinner this evening?”
And saying so, grabs the nurse’s hand in his, a blush on his cheeks. The nurse doesn’t know what to say, she just stands there giggling with embarrassment.
But, Misty knew just what to do. Pulling his ear….
Misty:” Grrr.. BROCK GET OVER HERE!”
I just woke up from the anesthetic and my leg and arm were numb a wrapped in bandages. Well, it’s a nice and simple room with a great view of the…mountain. Great.
I heard a knock on the door and Brock came in first.
Brock:” How are you feeling, bro?”
Ash:” I’m fine thanks for asking, Brocko.”
… followed by Pikachu, Misty and Togepi, all smiling. Well Pikachu jumped onto my lap and cuddles me. Surprisingly, so did Togepi.
Ash:” Okay guys.. Hahaha…I’m fine…hahahaha.. You’re tickling me!”
Pikachu:” Pikapi pi pika chu pi!”(Ash I’m so happy you’re ok!)
Togepi:” Toge toge priii togeprii!”(I’m happy, everyone is happy!)
Then I notice Misty, standing to the corner of the room, smiling with relief.
Ash:” Brock?”
Brock:” Yes, Ash?”
Ash:” Is T.R still here?”
Brock:” Yes, why?” Looking at me with one of his curious looks.
Ash:” Could you go and call them to come in here, please?”
Brock:” Why?”
Ash:” Just do it. I have something really important to say to all of you.”
He looks me curiously as I had spoken to him in a serious manner, not something I often do.
So, he just agreed and left the room. Pikachu and Togepi were left to play outside with the other pokemon.
Misty comes near me and kisses me gently on my lips and slides her arms around my waist. Laying her head on my chest, I lovingly stroke her hair with my other hand
Misty:” Ash, is it that serious?”
She lifts her head a little and studies the bandages on me, afraid of what might happen next.
Ash:” I can’t tell, Misty. Don’t worry I will be fine...”
Before Misty could speak, there was a knock on the door. Good timing, too.
When Brock and T.R come in, Misty and I pretend that nothing has happened between us.
Jessie:” What is it so important?”
James:” Yeah…I hope it isn’t about sending us to the Police, is it?”
Misty:” No, but it’s a good idea.”….looking at them fuming. I felt trouble brewing.
Meowth:” Who asked you?” angrily pointing at Misty. Yep, it’ll be a catfight all right!
Ash:” Calm down. This isn’t why I called you all here.”
Jessie:” So speak up all ready. We have a pika… er.. umm… a job to do.”
Brock:” That’s new.”
James:” What do you mean by that?!”
Brock:” What do….”
Ash:” BE QUIET!!”
The tone of my voice was so stern and loud that even Spearows got scared and flew away from a tree outside my window. After that everyone went quiet.
Ash:” Do you or don’t you want to hear what I have to say?”
All:” Yes we do.”
I sighed. Standing up, I begin to relate my story as I stare out of the window, towards Mt. Mortal.
Ash:” Do you know, James, why it is called the haunted mountain?”
James:” Well…not much about why and who, I just know it is.”
Meowth:” Very enlightening, Jimmy-boy.”
Ash:” I’ll tell its story, then.”
Ash:” All begin 14 years ago, when a discovery was made on this mountain. A mystical cave was discovered by accident. Workmen were digging there for marble when they found it. Within hours, professors and scientists came from all over the world to examine the cave. They couldn’t understand what the markings on the wall nor the strange coating on the walls. Among them was a recent Pokemon master and his family, who didn’t want to miss out on such a historical event.
A historical event, indeed. At one point the child’s life was in danger and a Pokemon saved it. But by that same Pokemon, the child’s father and many innocent victims died in a pkmn fight. Nobody knows from that day to this what had happen to that creature. To ensure that such a disaster would not occur again, they sealed the cave forever. It’s said that Mt Mortal is haunted as on some cold winter nights, the villagers and passerby’s can hear the ghostly roar or see the phantom of Fyrice in the moonlight, roaming the mountain until the child returns.”
I sat on my bed, looking down to the floor. Everyone was on a state of a shock.
James:” And where is the child?”
Everyone fell in animate style except James and I.
Meowth:” You moron, somewhere near to the mountain!”
Jessie:” That’s great, and who do we know which one is?”
Ash:” You don’t have to look. He is already here.”
Meowth:” WHO? ”
Brock:” Its you, isn’t… Ash?”
Ash:” Yes, Brock, its me.”
James:” How did you know that Ash was, Brock?”
Brock:” Well I had two clues: 1. When I was near to Fyrice, I thought I could hear it repeating Ash’s name again and again.
2: 14 years ago, I was 5 then, and there was only one Pokemon master and his name was..”
Ash:” Tom Ketchum, my father.”
Misty:” And we made you come here. I’m sorry, if I only knew.”
Brock:” Me too, little bro.”
Pikachu:” Pika pi pikapi.”(Me three Ash)
Jessie:” Please stop being so sensitive and tell us what you want with us? I don’t think you just called us in here just for this, right guys?”
Looking back towards Meowth and James, who had pulled out their tissues and wiping the tears from their eyes.
Meowth:” W-we d-didn’t know..”
James:” A-a l-last someone w-with an even worse p-past than ours.”
Jessie:” Control yourself, you numskulls!”
POW PAW! Jessie’s mallet hit their heads and fell in animate style.
Misty:” Jessie’s right. What did you call them for?”
Ash:” For help.”
James:” You’ve gotta be kidding!”
Hratch! Using his sharp claws, Meowth scratched James’s face, leaving three red marks.
James:” Aaaahhh! Why did you do that to my beautiful face?!”
Meowth:” That’s for your stupidity.”
James:” WHAT?! YOU LO---“
Jessie:” Of course, we will help you. Come on you two out of the room and leave the patient to recover.”
Dragging her companions by the hands she opened the door.
Jessie:” Goodnight, twerps.”
…. closing the door behind her.
Brock:” That’s strange. I’m sure that they’re up to something.” said with a crooked eyebrow and looking back at the closed door. Pikachu, who was sitting on the bed, also nodded its head in agreement.
Pikachu:” Pika chu.”(Yeah, weird.)
Misty, sitting by the window near my bed with the Togepi on her lap, looked worried.
Misty:” What shall we do now?”
Ash:” I don’t know… Right now I need a rest. Goodnight, seeya in the morning.”
I start to feel weary. My eyes begin to close. The nurse comes in.
Nurse:” I’m sorry, visiting time is over. You can see your friend again tomorrow morning.”
Brock:” Thanks, nurse. We will leave in a minute.”
Misty stood up and walked to the nurse, who was standing at the door with a smile on her face.
Misty:” Are there any rooms for us?”
Nurse:” Of course, there are. Nurse Joy is waiting you at the Pokemon Treatment Center”
As Misty and Brock were walking out of the room, the nurse notices Pikachu on Ash’s bed. She stops them with her hand and points towards Pikachu.
Nurse:” I’m sorry, but you have to take his pokemon out of the room. Its hospital policy, you know. Pokemons are not allowed to stay here. I hope you understand.”
Misty handed her Togepi to Brock.
Misty:” You go along, I will bring Pikachu with me. We will meet at the center later on.”
Brock nodded and left. Misty returned to Ash’s room, where she saw Pikachu looking at his sleeping trainer.
Misty:[whispering] “ Pikachu, come here. You can’t stay here, we have to go to the pkmn center.”
Pikachu:” Pi pikaa pi ka pika pikapi.”(No I’m staying with Ash.)
Misty:[whispering]” I know you want to stay but they don’t allow pokemon here.”
Pikachu:” Pi pika chu!”(I don’t care!)
I heard Misty’s and pikachu’s voices getting louder and louder until I woke up.
Ash:” Misty… Pikachu go with her, I will be fine. I’ll see you in the morning, pika-pal.”
Pikachu:” Chuu..”(Okay..)
And as it jumped in Misty’s arms, she looks at me with tears in her eyes as at that moment she realizes how much I trust her. She moved closer to me and kissed me gently on the lips. Pikachu was looking at us suspiciously.
Pikachu: pi pika pika pika ka chu? ( Did I miss something here?)
Misty:” Thanks Ash, sleep tight.”
Ash:” Be careful, though. I think that T.R will attempt to capture Pikachu again.”
Looking at her, I noticed the wink she gave me and with a smile she answered.
Misty:” Don’t worry, I will give them the usual blast off. Goodnight, Ash.”
Ash:” Goodnight, Misty. Goodnight Pikachu…. Don’t let the bed-bugs bite you, haha”
The next day, my friends and I had left the hospital and went up to the mountain. To the cave, where all started.
James: I still think this is a VERY bad idea.
Meowth: Ooh, shut up and keep walking.
Jessie: James is right. My feet are aching, we could go faster with the air balloon.
Meowth: And why didn’t we take it then?
Brock: Because if Fyrice sees the balloon, he will attack and then you will be blasting off again. And that wouldn’t be a problem if we didn’t need your help, you…
James: Be careful what you gonna say, spike –head or…
Misty: Cut it out or I will…
Ash: We are here!
Mis/ Ja/ Jes/ Bro/ Meo: Huh?
As they rounded a bend, a huge cave was on the side of the cliff. Although many years had passed, the remains of engines, tracks and even the tents are still there. Wrecked and abandoned. The scenery hasn’t change at all.
The field was still burnt and I could feel and smell the ashes under my feet. It wasn’t pleasant for anyone.
James: What had happened here?
Jessie: Isn’t it a little obvious, James?
Meowth: It looks like a war has taken place here.
Misty: Everything had been burnt to a crisp.
Brock: Who or what caused all this?
Ash: This, as you can all see, is the result of anyone or anything that goes against Fyrice.
You can’t imagine how lucky we were. And that’s why we need each other’s help?
Pikachu: pikapi pi ka chu pi chu ka pi (Ash, look there is a huge hole here.)
Everyone runs towards to Pikachu, who is pointing at a huge hole near the entrance to the cave. It was large enough even for an Onix to fit in.
Misty: What a big hole!
Ash: Yes, I remember now. Fyrice came out of here, just before he began to attack.
Brock: What do you suggest to do Ash?
Ash: What else? Let’s get to the bottom of this.
James: WHAT? You want us to go down there?
Jessie: Don’t tell me you are afraid, James?
James: Nononononnnononn
Jessie: Then… Stop complaining and get down there.
Brock: Onix I choose you! Let’s go on Onix’s back, he will carry us down the hole.
James: Well, ladies first…
PAAAOOOW!!!
Jessie: Don’t be such a chicken, James!
Misty: Yeah.
Jessie: You think I’m right?
Misty: Of course. He should had said” Witches first”!
Jessie: WHAT?! Why you litt…….
Meowth: WILL YOU COME ALREADY OR SHALL WE LEAVE YOU HERE?
Pikachu: pi chu pikaa! (come on Misty!)
As everyone mounted on Onix’s back, no one noticed the golden eyes behind the shady trees. Fyrice saw and heard everything and is now preparing to end this once for all.
After a while we came to the end of the hole.
They all stare the cave in amazement. The cave seems to have changed. In fact, it was even more beautiful than I remembered it.
Ash: Well this is it. Lets go we have to find something that looks like a pokeball.
Misty: A pokeball? What does it look like?
Ash: Well…it is blue and unique. It isn’t similar to any of the other pokeballs.
Meowth: That’s very enlightening, twerp.
Ash: I was 3 then. How on earth could remember small details?
Jessie: Whatever…How we will catch him if we can’t find him.
Ash: We won’t have to look, he will find us.
Misty: Huh? It is just me or this place gets colder by the minute?
Ash: No… It’s Fyrice!
Then we looked down to our feet, which were covered, in a swirling, icy fog. Then a sudden wind made the fog gather up into the air, giving it shape and form. The form of a big, bluish-gray, dog-like creature.
He stood in front of us for a while, but we couldn’t move because we were afraid of what it might do. Then, his golden eyes opened wide in recognition, but only one word passed from its lips….
Fyrice: AAASSSHHHH!!
Ash: I’m here, what do you want?
Fyrice: Gooo baackk!
Ash: But… I’m here; I’m back to where all started.
Fyrice: RRROOOAAAARRR!
James: He isn’t angry, is he?
Brock: Oh, crap. Here we go again!
And Fyrice throws an ice-beam attack but he misses and hits a rock.
Meowth: Take cover!
Misty: Ash, if he doesn’t get it with words, he will get a pokemon fight!
Ash: You are right, but will have to choose all our pokemon!
Brock: Are you sure about this?
Ash: No, but is our only hope.
All: POKEMON WE CHOOSE YOU!
Meowth: Okay, I will fight with you, Pikachu, but remember that we are temporally allies. When this is over, we will be enemies again.
Pikachu: kachu!( agree!)
Ash: Pokemon, hear me! This is our only chance to win and it’s all up to you! To achieve this you have to fight with everything you’ve got.
And the fight begins. The pokemon run towards to Fyrice, then separate and surround him. Fyrice was looking at them and was about to attack, but the pokemon leave him to do so. They all attacked the same time. Even though strong, their attacks were dodged easily. Things weren’t going as planned.
Ash:[thoughts] The pokemon won’t fight for long, I have to do something and fast!
Misty: Ash? What are you thinking?
Ash: There must be away to win, to calm him down…
Then, a flash came to my mind. I remember Fyrice’s words when my father’s Arbok took me away from me. He isn’t angry but sad. I have heard that everyone acts differently when there are sad or happy. Take for example Misty. She has hidden her love for me by yelling or hitting me most of the times. Such as love, sadness is also a very powerful emotion; it can be turn to hate very easily. There is a fine line that separates the two emotions. I have to stop this before it happens, if the battle continues, Fyrice will be unstoppable.
As I was thinking, I notice something blue glittering on the grassy hill. It was the blue pokeball.
Ash: The time-ball!
All: Huh?
Before anyone could speak up and ask me, I had started to run towards to the time ball. But there is a minor problem. I have to pass through the middle of the fight. But I didn’t think of that. I just run and grab the pokeball, without taking any notice of the ice-beam attack fired at me.
Misty: ASH! LOOK OUT!!
I manage to grab the time-ball and at the same time, Typhlosion grabs me in an effort to save me from being hurt. He carries me over to the others and puts me down. Misty comes near me.
Misty: Are you nuts or totally stupid? You could have been hurt or even killed! (starting to cry a little) Why you have to be so brave and stupid the same time?
And hugged me tight, almost crying on my chest. Then I hugged her back.
Ash: Misty, don’t cry now. We have still have an unfinished job to do.
And I kissed her on the lips. At this moment I should have a camera with me to take picture of T.R’s and Brock’s face when they saw Misty and me.
James: Is the twerp and the…
Jessie: I never thought it would happen…
Brock: All those years…..AAAAAHHH!
James: WHAT?
Brock: I’ve just remembered that I still don’t have a girlfriend!
And James and Jessie fell in an animatedly.
Misty: Ooh, Ash what was the thing you wanted?
Ash: You, Misty…
Misty: No, silly. I didn’t meant that.[deep blush covers her cheeks] I meant this blue pokeball in your hand.
Ash: Ooh, that. He-he [laughed with an even deeper red blush on my cheeks] This is the time-ball. Fyrice’s pokeball.
Misty: You mean that Fyrice was freed?
Ash: Not for long. Wait here, Misty.
And I run again to the battlefield with Typhlosion by my side. I see our pokemon are in a bad way but they are still fighting. Until Fyrice gave his last shot and gave them a K.O hit. They barely could stand up.
Ash: Fyrice, stop this at once!
Fyrice stopped attacking the pokemon and went over to me.
Fyrice: AAASSSHHH..
Ash: Yes, that’s me…my friend…do you remember what you had told me 14 years ago?
Fyrice: Neveerr tooo beee alonee…alwaysss friendsss…
Ash: Yes, Fyrice. Friends. But why are you destroying our friendship then?
Fyrice: I-I-I… wanteedd tooo bee yooour frienddd but theeey tooook yoooou awayyy…I wasss lonelyyy forr decadesss….I-I-I got soo saddd and then ..I-I-I-..lost my temperrr…..
I-I-I’m soo soorry [starting to look down and weeping small frozen teardrops] Will-will youu evveerr foorrgiive meee? It pleased in its hauntingly chilly voice.
Ash: Don’t be sad, Fyrice. Nobody knew about our friendship. Even though, 14 years has passed since then, my heart was filled with sadness and loneliness. But now I learned something new, my friends showed me the way to follow my heart from the first day of my pokemon journey. They showed me that friends always stick together and become even stronger.
Fyrice: Yooou’ve gott greeeeat friendsss. (his frosty breath hung in the air.)
Ash: You are a great friend, too. So, I was wondering….
I pulled the time-ball out of my pocket and Fyrice was looking at me curiously.
Ash: …. to join with us, to be friends as I had promised.
Fyrice: Aree youu suree aboutt thiss, Ashh..
Ash: Positively sure. What is gonna be Fyrice?
Fyrice: Buuut a trainerrr cann caaaary ooonly 6 pokeballssss and I doooon’tt waaant tooo beee leeeft beeehind or in someooooneee else’ssss handssss..
Ash: No Fyrice, I will always had and have a special place for you.
Fyrice: huh?
I took out also a silver chain, which I had bought it from Ecruteak City Mall, and I made the pokeball into a necklace. Like Drake from Orange League had his Dragonite’s pokeball-necklace around his neck.
Ash: In this way, you will always be to my side and close to my heart. What do you think?
Fyrice: It will beee myyy honooour..
Meanwhile, the others including T.R are healing their pokemon and returning them back to their pokeballs. Misty, Brock and Pikachu come to find me. I am still standing in front of Fyrice. Then they saw my hand outstretched and a huge, red beam hit Fyrice just like the pokeballs do when its trainer recalls their pokemon back to their pokeballs.
Misty: Hey, Ash, what happened?
Brock: Where is Fyrice?
Then, I turn to them. I didn’t have to answer. They understood.
Brock: Well it looks like we’ve got a new friend.
Ash: Yeah…
Later outside of the cave…
Jessie: Well I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this ended quite well.
Brock: Yeah, now we can go to the Ceanwood City.
Misty: I can’t wait.
Ash: Yeah, I heard that there is a nice beach hotel. And a gym.
James: So that means..
Jessie: Prepare for trouble!
James: Make it double!
Meowth: And I’m too tired, can we do it tomorrow?
Jessie: Well, you are right. We don’t have any pokemon able to fight.
Ash: Okay, so that means…
Ja/ Je/ Meo: Uh-oh!
Ash: Pikachu, thunder now!
Pikachu: PIKACHUUUU!( OKAAAYYYY!)
Je/ Ja/ Meo: It looks like Team Rocket blast off again!
Jessie: We gonna be back, twerp!
James: Don’t forget we never give up!
As I look up at T.R flying to the stars and above, I smile and give a last glance at the cave.
Ash: You know something, Mist. I ‘m sure I gonna miss this place.
Misty: Yeah, a lot of things have happened here today.
And we kissed again.
Brock: I have to use to see this scene from now on.
Pikachu: pi (yeah)
Brock: But I hate if this gets in every episode.
Pikachu: pi(yeah)
Togepi: to toge tog toe priii!(mummy and daddy we’re family!)
Pikachu: pi (yeah) zzzzZZZZzzzzzZZZZ
THE END
Well what do you think about it. Well you could send an e-mail at natlo@internet.gr! Maybe I will send another one later on. See ya! (^_^)