Chapter 19- Misty’s Tears
~The time of peace and love is over. It
has been over for many years. The world we live in is dark and desolate, like
the hearts of those that survive. I once believed in happiness and friendship,
but now I know better. I have no use for a heart that can be broken, and other
fragile emotions that impair my judgement. Only the ruthless can survive in
this world. The Kaiser Cult is the evil, and I must destroy it at all cost. I
don’t care about being a Pokémon Master. Being a champion of some sport will
not accomplish anything. Only one thing in this world will get me anywhere, and
that is to have a real purpose. Mine is obvious to anyone. I travel alone, I trust
no one, and I fight for none but myself. This is the path I have chosen… the
path of the strong… and I shall never
stray from my path like I have done so many times before. If my emotions
continue to burden me, I will kill them off… just as I will any servant of the
Kaiser Cult. This is my destiny, to the very death, I shall fight…
-Ash
Ketchum
(
It was nearly morning at
“Those damn Kaisers…” he spoke as he walked,
“Killing people… come on. Try and kill me. I dare you” he growled, “Just like
this rock I hold in my hands…” he held the rock up between his index finger and
his thumb
CRACK!
He crushed the rock to pieces and dropped them to
the floor, “The same thing I’ll do to your throats. All of you” he growled.
“You call us weak… yeah right. I’ll show you. I’ll show you my power… and I’ll free
this world… from your filthy grip!” He didn’t care about anything. He had
become ruthless and cold. Bit by bit, he was forgetting his vow to protect the
people. All he wanted to do was fight. Fight, perhaps to kill, it didn’t
matter. “I’ll show you…” he spoke, “Not only you… I’ll show the world. I WILL
DESTROY YOUR CULT AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT I AM THE STRONGEST!!!!!” his voice
echoed through the sky
(Meanwhile, in
Misty was fast asleep with her head on Amaebi’s
lap. Amaebi felt sorry for her. Ever since
“Hm?” Misty began to stir and opened her eyes.
She got up and looked around
“What is it Misty?” asked Amaebi
“Amaebi?” Misty turned around and saw her. She
didn’t even notice her.
“Is there something wrong?” she asked
“It’s nothing…” Misty sighed as she walked off.
It was strange. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t stop thinking of him.
Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt like she heard Ash’s voice. It had
an air of determination like Ash always did, but for some reason, there was
cold anger and full of hatred. She walked to the window and looked at the sky,
“Oh Ash…” she spoke quietly, “What have I done to you?”
In the meantime Ebi, Brock and Tracey were
gathered in one of the rooms. None of the group was asleep. Quite the opposite
in fact. “Guys… I checked around. This place has a serious Kaiser infestation.
Take a look” he used the EbiDex and aimed it at the wall. A holographic map of
the city appeared. Using a tiny laser pointer, he pointed, “Around the city,
people have been getting kidnapped or disappearing without a trace, never to be
seen again. This has been going on for weeks and people are terrified, yet for
some reason the authorities aren’t getting involved”
“Why not?” asked Brock, but Ebi shrugged
“That’s what bugs me. They keep trying to deny
everything that happened, and keep claiming there’s no proof that anything is
happening at all.” Said Ebi, “But I am starting to think I’ve figured it all
out” said Ebi, “It has nothing to do with hiding a panic from the people, but
they are definitely hiding something. Listen closely…”
As Brock and Tracey leaned closer to listen,
unknown to all of them, Misty stepped out of the building. She walked down the
street. She knew she heard him. Though everyone kept saying he was dead, Misty
just had this feeling that told her whether he was alive or not. Though she
didn’t know for sure, she intended to find out.
***
(Location- Greyrock Trails)
“…and that’s what happened” said Goth, “Ash
Ketchum asked if he could join us.”
“Ah yes” Sky Render crossed his arms as the other
Super Fiends sat around and listened, “I remember when he first defeated
Aquamarine in the Green Forest, the rest of the Fiends were scared to fight
him, so I got up and challenged him myself to show them he’s not invincible.”
He smirked, “I made an offer that time as well”
“Uh… yeah” said Goth, “I remember that time too,
but now it seems that he really does want to join. He says that he needs a
strong group to fight the Kaiser Cult”
“Yeah, well tell him to go back to his group. His
is strong enough” said Sky Render
“Perhaps you misunderstood what I said” said
Goth, “Ash Ketchum really wants to join us. He wants nothing more than to help
us fight the Kaiser Cult. It was thanks to him we defeated Blue Kaiser, so I
think we should let him join”
“Maybe… but I don’t think so” said Sky Render
“Why not?” asked Bonsai
“He’s no criminal, and if he’s seen with us it
won’t affect his record!” said Cleft
“He’s strong enough to be one of us!” said G.I.
Jolt
“He’s seen as a hero. If he hangs with us, it
might make other people think we’re not the real villains” said Twin Dreamer,
“It might reduce the number of Fiend Fighters out there”
“Maybe, or it will make HIM seem like a criminal,
and he’ll be the one who gets hunted.” said Sky Render, “And It takes more than
just strength to be one of us. Ash Ketchum may be strong, but the answer is no”
“You’ve said that already!” Goth was getting
annoyed, “Why not?”
“Because if I made the offer, he would refuse”
said Sky Render
“Huh?” all the Super Fiends stared at him
“I only asked in the first place because I knew
he would refuse.” he said. The rest of the Fiends were trying to understand.
“Any decision we make, it will end up with me or him refusing. In short, Ash
Ketchum was never meant to be one of us!” Sky Render laughed, “I realized that
the first time I saw him. The two of us share similar goals, but we both have
our own paths. He was never meant to follow me” Sky crossed his arms “Ash wants
freedom, and that’s why he wants nothing more to fight the Kaiser Cult. The
Kaiser Cult already owns most of the world’s power, and they claim to own the
people as well. Ash Ketchum refuses to belong to anyone. He left his group so
he could have total freedom to fight to his heart’s content… but all of the
sudden he decides to become part of our group, under my command? It won’t any
different from what he left behind. If anything, he’ll have even less freedom
since he’s not the leader anymore. In short, he doesn’t know what he wants.”
The Super Fiends were starting to understand what
he was saying.
“That’s only one part.” Said Sky Render, “While
he keeps saying he wants nothing more than to become stronger and destroy the
Kaiser Cult, what he desires so much he doesn’t realize it is to be back with
his real friends. He wants to become strong, but he cannot do that by joining
us. No, he has to be with his own friends, but not for the purpose of becoming
strong” Sky Render looked up, “Anyone can try to get strong by aiming for it,
but the only way to become strong… is not to aim for it”
“Okay, so let me get this straight,” said Goth,
“He wants to join, but he doesn’t wants to join. What he wants is to get
strong, but he has to NOT want it.”
“That’s right” said Sky Render, “Do you see
anything strange with that logic?”
“WHERE DO I START!!?” Goth shouted, but calmed
down and sighed. He shouldn’t let himself get too excited. Save it for the
battlefield… “Sorry about that.”
“Apology accepted” said Sky Render, “Let me
explain. Ash’s mind is confused. His heart is full of rage and his soul is full
of sorrow. All of these things are clouding his judgement. In reality, he has
lost his purpose to fight. He is trying to cling onto the thought that he
fights to become strong and protect others, while in reality he is only fighting
to satisfy his need for battle. He is taking it out on the Kaisers… and heading
down a path to self-destruction.”
“So then what are we gonna do about him?” asked
G.I. Jolt, “If he’s not gonna join, we can’t force him to go back to his old
friends”
“No, we can’t” said Sky Render, “You see, his
purpose is always changing. He was strongest when he was fighting to protect others.
When he aimed simply to defeat the cult, his strength along with his goal began
to drop… and fell even further as he aimed only for strength… Do you know why?”
The fiends didn’t know. Sky Render explained, “To attain your goal is always
exceedingly difficult. The relations between all those purposes, in the order
of get strong, defeat cult, and protect people, each one is a higher cause.
When he aimed for his highest cause, the other two were easy in comparison to
when he aims for it.” Said Sky Render, and the fiends started to understand.
“to get him back to his highest purpose, he would have to be reunited with his
friends, but even if he were to meet them, he would probably run away. It is
his decision, even though there isn’t a wrong one, his sadness still clouds his
judgement. Therefore, the best way we could repay Ash for all the help he’s
given us, is to eliminate the needless sorrow.”
“And how are we gonna go about that?” asked
Bonsai
“By calling in someone experienced in the
matter!” A voice called
Sky Render smirked, “Just in time.”
“Huh?” the rest of the Super Fiends turned around
and exclaimed, “AH!”
Aquamarine stood there with his arms crossed and
a smirk “Miss me?”
***
(
Ash sighed as he walked down the streets with his
hands in his pockets. He was bored. He didn’t feel hungry or tired or anything.
Nothing interested him. He just wished he could find a Kaiser Cultist right now.
Whenever he fought, he forgot about his sorrows, and he felt fulfilled whenever
he was in battle. Right now, he was looking for trouble. He wanted to fight.
Ash continued to walk. He had enough of this City. He’s been waiting patiently
for Goth to come with the answer if he could join the Super Fiends or not, but
that stuck-up, black-clad Super Fiend wasn’t ever gonna show up. Ash grumbled
as he walked northward. He wasn’t going to stay here any longer. If he was gonna
find an opponent, he would have to do it himself. “Stupid Super Fiends. No
wonder I was a Fiend-Fighter in the first place. Those liars… now I’m even
starting to wonder why I wanted to be part of them!”
As Ash walked, he stopped and smirked. What he was
waiting for has come. It was his trainer instincts kicking in. Warning him…
DANGER! Ash looked up a building and saw it. Standing on a rooftops, stood a
figure. Dressed in white, with a turban and a white cape, along with a
scimitar, it was none other than White Kaiser! White Kaiser jumped down the
building and landed neatly on his feet in front of Ash, drawing his sword. “Ash
Ketchum…” White Kaiser spoke, gripping his scimitar, “You will pay… for your desecrations
of the
Ash smirked. This guy came here with the
intentions of fighting, and this was what he wanted. “Blue Kaiser was weak,
like everyone in your cult.” he took a fighting stance, “Since I’m in a good
mood, I’ll send you to him quickly” Ash stood there as White Kaiser charged at
him. Immediately Ash’s eyes flashed with a fiery gaze, the energy that shone
through was so intense, it caused White Kaiser to stop in his tracks and gave
Ash a chance to attack him. Though Ash hit him many times, the Kaiser Knight
was still stronger, and jumped back unharmed and took his stance
“You dare challenge me?” asked White Kaiser
“It’s your challenge. I only accepted.” Ash
smirked. Suddenly, he felt his trainer instincts kick in once more… DANGER!
CHING!!!!
“WA!” Ash jumped out of the way as a broadsword
nearly split him into two. The pavement cracked as the sword hit it. Ash looked
and gasped. Dressed in a dark tunic and a flowing green cape, along with a golden
war-crown and holding a gleaming broadsword and round shield with the Cult’s
Emblem, it was Green Kaiser!
“After what you had done to our temple and
comrade Blue Kaiser, your suffering shall be long, and you will be begging us
to kill you” Green Kaiser spoke coldly. A number of people who were walking
around here gasped in shock, some screaming and shouting while others ran when
they saw the swords.
“HM!” Ash jumped back as Green Kaiser swung the
sword again, “WA!” Ash ducked, barely missing White Kaiser’s scimitar. He looked
left and right, “(Grrrr… two against one… far from being easy)” Ash
thought to himself, “AH!” Ash was hit on the head by the broadsword. Thankfully
the mesh in his cap held together and protected his head from being split in
two, yet it still hurt a great deal. Ash struck at Green Kaiser, but the Kaiser
Knight blocked each hit with his shield and slammed Ash back. As Ash stumbled,
White Kaiser slashed at Ash on the back, “AGH!” Thankfully the mesh held
together, neither of these two had hit with enough strength to penetrate the
Ebi-Alloy mesh, but there was tremendous pain from each hit and Ash was
unarmed.
“We will not kill you… no, for your crimes, you
will suffer… We will torture you beyond your worst nightmares” said Green
Kaiser “Whenever at the edge of death, you shall be allowed to heal, so the
torture may start again. The cycle shall repeat, until you lose your very mind…
and then finally you will be sacrificed”
“GRRR! I’VE HEARD ENOUGH!” Ash shouted as he ran
towards the two of them. They continued to strike him with their swords. Ash
dodged as best he could, and none of them were able to land a hit that pierced
the Ebi-Alloy mesh concealed in his clothes.
SMASH!
“AAGH!” Ash was sent flying and hit the ground
hard. He growled as he got up, his cap had flown off. He knew he was outmatched
in this one, but he REFUSED to give up to any Kaiser! Ash tried to concentrate…
to feel the Power of One strengthen him… but it just wasn’t coming! The two
Kaisers laughed, as they continued to swing their swords and smash him hard. They
were winning this fight!
WHAM!
“AAGH!” Ash cried as Green Kaiser slammed the
back of his head with the hilt of his broadsword. The blow was probably strong
enough to smash open a man’s skull, or seriously hurt him. Ash groaned as he
tried to stand, but fell. He was defeated.
“There. He is no match for us.” Said White Kaiser
“It is a pity the common man must bear the fury
of the Kaisers” said Green Kaiser as he approached Ash, raising his sword. He
wasn’t going to kill Ash, but surely cutting off his legs would be a good way
to start off the boy’s oncoming torture…
“HARPOON STRIKE!”
CHING!
…Or not. Green Kaiser screamed as a metal harpoon
shot out of nowhere and struck into his chest. The one who shot it was…
Aquamarine! As if shooting him with that thing wasn’t enough, Aquamarine reeled
him in close, “CORAL CUDGEL!!”
WHAM!
Aquamarine slammed him so hard with the
sword-shaped coral weapon, Green Kaiser hit the ground and the pavement cracked
beneath him. “GRRRR!” White Kaiser growled and readied himself, lunging forward
and attacking Aquamarine!
Unfortunately, White Kaiser’s skills didn’t
compare to Aquamarine’s. White Kaiser quickly slashed with his scimitar, but
Aquamarine caught it between the prongs of his trident, “TIDAL SPEAR!” he
shouted as his energy erupted from the trident and he attacked in a sweeping
motion, tossing White Kaiser back. As Green Kaiser got up, Aquamarine was
ready, “JAVELIN RAIN!” he shouted as he showered Green Kaiser with many
javelins. Green Kaiser deflected them with his shield as he continued his
furious charge… but when he reached Aquamarine, the Super Fiend turned to face the
Kaiser Knight… “DEEP SKEWER!”
CRACK!
“AHH…!” Green Kaiser gasped as the trident
pierced right through his shield, splitting it in half and stabbing into his
stomach. Aquamarine roared as he pulled the trident out hard, ripping him open
and tearing out many wires and circuits wrapped around the prongs. Green Kaiser
lay there, his metallic insides exposed. “THIS… CAN’T… BE…!” he gasped. He was
still alive, but there was no way he could continue…
“One down” Aquamarine said as he put away his
trident. Having the most weapons and techniques out of the Super Fiends, he was
easily the most diverse fighter, perfect for fighting against multiple
opponents
“Green Kaiser” White Kaiser said, “The
humiliation of your defeat by this heathen shall not go unpunished!” he said as
he held up his scimitar
“You want a piece of me?” asked Aquamarine, “Come
get me!”
“YAAAAA!!!!” White Kaiser ran towards Aquamarine.
Aquamarine held his coral cudgel and deflected all the strikes from the sword.
Ash gasped. These Kaiser Knights couldn’t even
touch Aquamarine! How did he get so strong? Ash then growled, though it was
nice to have his enemies fighting each other, no matter who won, the victor
would be the one who finishes him off…
“Such… power…!” Green Kaiser gasped… noticing
something else. Ever since that man came into the battle, he hadn’t moved from
his spot once! He just stood there and was winning without even trying! “That
strength… that skill… he’s at the same level as Red Kaiser…!”
“I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!!!” White Kaiser
screamed
“Me too. Let’s end this!” said Aquamarine
“HYREAAAAAARGH!!!!” White Kaiser charged, and
Aquamarine simply stood there…
CLASH!
“UGH!” White Kaiser’s eyes opened as he fell to
his knees, his scimitar falling to the ground. He was gasping desperately, and
obviously in pain. His chest had been torn open and his insides could be
clearly seen. There was no flesh, no blood under that false skin, simply
circuits crackling and wires hanging out. He growled as he bent over to pick up
his sword, but gasped in shock when he saw his hand was gone!
“Looking for something?” asked Aquamarine as he
held up White Kaiser’s hand, which was separated from the body.
“H… how…” White Kaiser gripped his wrist tightly…
trying to hide the humiliation of losing an arm, and salvage what little
dignity he had left
“Hm!” Aquamarine tossed the hand to the side
“OCEAN LANCE!”
BOOM!
The hand was blown to pieces when he shot it with
the beam. “That’s not the only injury you should be worried about. Feel the
back of your head” Aquamarine pointed
“Hmm?” White Kaiser wondered as he placed his
hand on the back of his head and felt something, “WHAT?!” he exclaimed as he
gripped it pulled it out. It was a javelin that was stuck in his head! And not
just one javelin, but many javelins! “How is that even possible?” White Kaiser
exclaimed, “How could you drive so many of these into my skull without me
noticing it, or even moving from your spot!?”
“I’m just that good” Aquamarine smirked. “It’s
not only the head. Look at your legs” he said. White Kaiser gasped as he saw
many more javelins that stuck right THROUGH them! “You Kaisers make excellent
targets. Even if it were a regular human or pokémon, I could hit in a manner
where it is lethal, yet they don’t even feel it. I’m on the verge of reaching
Level III… each day getting closer to Sky Render’s level. You Kaisers are no
match” White Kaiser pulled out all the javelins sticking out of him and tossed
them all down. He growled as he picked up his Scimitar with his remaining hand
and charged. Aquamarine reacted immediately, “DEEP SKEWER!” He lunged forward
and struck upwards with his trident, straight through White Kaiser’s head…
“Ah… AGH…” White Kaiser gasped one final time, as
the trident punched right through his skull and into his brain. His thoughts
faded. He was dead on his feet
“I’m not done yet!” said Aquamarine, “TIDAL
SPEAR!”
BOOM!
White Kaiser’s head blew up into hundreds of
pieces, part metal, a small part of it flesh. “Give my regards to Blue Kaiser down
in hell” said Aquamarine as he picked up the white pokéball hanging from White
Kaiser’s belt. “This is his Kaiser Beast?” he asked as he placed it on the
ground, “CORAL CUDGEL!” he shouted as he swung the cudgel, smashing the ball,
and the Kaiser Beast inside. “There goes the Beast, now for the real monster…”
he said as he tossed White Kaiser’s body into the air, “HAAAA…” he focused all
his energy into a final attack “TERROR OF THE DEEP!!!!”
CRASH!!!
Aquamarine focused all his energy and unleashed
the Terror of the Deep at its full power. White Kaiser’s body was completely
vaporized, leaving only some dust. “Whew…” Aquamarine sighed. “I might have
overdone it a little” he smirked
“N… NO!!!” Green Kaiser exclaimed as he got up,
“Y… YOU KILLED HIM!”
Aquamarine smirked, “He’s thousands of years old.
I’m just doing what nature intended. That’s what’s gonna happen to the other
Kaiser Knights, including you” he said, “No, I’m not gonna kill you, I don’t
fancy myself on fighting injured opponents, in this case broken toys.” Green
Kaiser was growling… he was wounded severely, and even without those injuries Aquamarine
was too strong. Now, the only one of the Knights who could fight evenly with
him was Red Kaiser! If Green Kaiser chose to fight him, he would die! “Go.
Run!” Aquamarine shouted, “Tell your master of this defeat! I give you to the
count of Ten to get out of my sight!” he said, “Ten! Nine…!”
Green Kaiser started running “THIS ISN’T OVER! WE
SHALL RETURN! AND WE SHALL AVENGE THE DEATHS OF OUR BRETHREN! WE SHALL
AVENGE!!!” he was out of sight
“Sky was right. Those Kaisers never do shut up”
Aquamarine sighed and turned to Ash, “Ketchum!” he exclaimed, “When did you get
here?”
“I’ve been standing here the whole time” Ash
crossed his arms, “Why are YOU here? Come to finish me off after the Kaisers
rough me up a bit?”
“Nah” said Aquamarine, “Came here for the
Ceremony of Blood. Was gonna put a stop to it myself, but seems like you
already did. I arrived here just a little late because I was busy polishing off
the remaining cultists at Temple Salvatis, when I noticed those two” he said, “Oh
yeah, and I was sent here personally by Sky Render”
“What is it?” asked Ash, “Come to make me an
offer to join the Fiends? Well tell that him I’m not interested anymore.”
“That’s not it” said Aquamarine, “Seems like
you’ve been having some SERIOUS personal problems, and I’m here to help… HEY!
Where are you going?!”
“Don’t need your help, don’t want it either” Ash
said as he walked off
“Hey! Listen to me!” Aquamarine ran up to him,
“I’m offering to help you! Not just in your fight against the Kaisers, but
YOU!”
“Yeah right!” said Ash, “Sky Render thinks so
badly of me that he sends YOU of all people to give me an attitude adjustment?”
Aquamarine scowled… feeling he had just been insulted. “Well you can tell that
pointy-haired freak to mind his own freaking business!” he shouted, “I don’t
need your help! You’re probably only here because you wanna have Misty! Well go
ahead by all means! I don’t care anymore! Take her for all it matters! Just go
away!”
“Wait!” Aquamarine grabbed Ash’s shoulder
“What now?!” asked Ash, “I said I don’t care!
Just take Misty and go!”
“You think I’m in this just so I could get Misty?
Well you’re wrong” said Aquamarine
“Oh? Well that’s a first” said Ash, “Fine. I’m
listening. Keep it brief though.”
“Listen. I’m not doing this to get Misty. Right
now, she is grieving over losing you, and though vulnerable at this point, I
will never take advantage of that.” Said Aquamarine, “If I ever want her to be
mine, I don’t want to simply be a replacement for you, but I want her to love
me for who I am.”
“That’s nice, but in what way does this concern
me?” asked Ash
“You know what I want more than anything else in
the world? More than honour or revenge, or to have her for myself?” asked
Aquamarine, “I want what’s best for her, and I want her happiness. I saw how
happy she was with you, and when I left on my journey to get rid of the anger
and hatred clouding my heart, I realised all this. This is why I want you to go
back to her” said Aquamarine, “I want nothing more than her to smile once
again. Come with me, I will help you eliminate the rage and hatred that clouds
your heart, and I will reunite you with your friends, and Misty too”
“And I said I don’t want your help!” Ash growled,
but Aquamarine just wouldn’t leave! Ash pointed behind Aquamarine, “Hey look!
It’s Misty!”
“Where?” Aquamarine asked as he turned around
“Huh?” Aquamarine turned around, Ash was gone. “DAMMIT!” Aquamarine cursed.
“Fine then! Be that way! You don’t want my help? Fine! Go fight the Kaisers and
get killed by them yourself! I’m leaving!” he shouted annoyed as he walked off.
As he left, Misty ran into the scene, “Ash?” she
called, “Ash, are you here?” She had heard the noise of battle, and wanted to
check what it was. “That’s strange” she looked around. “I definitely heard
fighting” As she was about to turn around and leave, she saw something. “ah…!”
she exclaimed, “that’s… that’s… Ash’s hat!” she ran over to it and picked it
up, “How did it get here?” she asked, “could it be that he’s… alive?” she
wondered. She looked left and right. “Should I tell the others about this?” she
asked herself. She thought about it for a second. How would the others react if
she said Ash was alive, even though technically she doesn’t know for sure? “No,
I don’t think they need to know. I’m not going to tell anyone!” she said as she
placed the cap on her head and continued searching for Ash…
***
(
“Whew… I think I lost that freak” Ash sighed. He
had been sprinting for nearly thirty minutes, and surely he had gotten away
from Aquamarine. He sighed as he sat down. “That jerk, Aquamarine… how’d he get
so strong?” he asked, “He just appeared like that out of nowhere and easily
beat the Kaisers that easily beat me!” he hit the ground, “What’s going on? Is
it the enemies who are getting stronger, or just me who’s getting weak?!” he
shouted, “I’ve abandoned all the weaknesses behind! How come I can’t win?” he
hit the ground with his fist. All the enemies were getting so powerful. Every
time Ash fought, it would turn into a really serious fight, and he’s been losing
lots of them. What’s happened to him? Why was he losing all his fights? “I’ve
been doing what I needed to get strong. I’ve levelled up and trained, but how
come I don’t feel it?” he sighed as the wind blew. Once again, the feeling of
uselessness came over him. “I’ve been losing battles more than ever. But why?”
“I think you know the answer to that!” said a
voice.
Ash turned around. “What?” he exclaimed at whom
he saw, “
“Long time no see Ash”
“I got better” said Ash sarcastically, “Nice to
see a familiar face.”
“Pika! Pikachu!” Pikachu spoke up
“Ash ignored Pikachu “What are you doing way up
here?”
“Pika?” Pikachu was surprised. Ash never ignored him
before!
“I was about to ask you the same thing” said
Gary, “For a while, I actually believed you were dead, but then after
remembering all those times in the past you managed to surprised me, I shook
the tears and went to find you”
“Well that’s nice, but what for?” asked Ash
“I’ve come to bring you back to the group” said
Ash looked at him, then turned around and crossed
his arms “I’m not going back”
“Huh?”
“That’s what I said” said Ash, “I want to fight
freely and to my heart’s content.”
“What about your friends?”
“There’s no such thing as friends.” Ash crossed
his arms.
Gary and Pikachu were shocked at what Ash just
said. “No.” said
“Well guess what? Haven’t you heard? Ash Ketchum
is dead” said Ash
“Pika! Pika-Pika-Chu! Pi Pika!” Pikachu spoke up
angrily, but Ash ignored him
“So you’re just gonna abandon us all?” asked
“And just what do you mean?” Ash asked angrily
“It’s true. Just what have you gained from leaving
your friends behind?” asked
“I haven’t lost anything” said Ash, “I’m
following my purpose, and it’s to…”
“Fight the Kaiser Cult, protect the people… yeah,
I’ve heard that excuse” said Gary, annoyed, “Or is it that you only want to get
strong, not to protect?”
“And just what are you getting at?” asked Ash
“I’m saying is that you care more about fighting
the cult than actually protecting the people!” said
“Like you said… I’m dead” said Ash, “Or if you have any moral objections to lying,
then by all means, feel free to tell them! I just plain don’t want to see…”
Pikachu couldn’t take it anymore.
“PIKA-CHUUUU!!!!”
BZZZZT!!!!
“AAAGH!!!” Ash exclaimed as Pikachu shocked him.
The attack ended, and Ash got up, “What was that for?!”
“Pika-Pika!” Pikachu said angrily
“Hmm…” Ash rubbed his head. Why were they being
so persistent? Why didn’t they leave him alone? What was with them? Ash then
remembered the others from the group. He sat down, thinking about what Gary and
Pikachu told him…
***
(
Gary and Pikachu walked down the street. “Don’t
be sad Pikachu. I know it’s tough, to accept, but life moves on and things
change. Right now, we’re in a time of war… and war changes people. We did the
best we could”
“Pi Pikachu. Pikachu-Pikachu-Pika!”
“Whoa, ease up on the language, There’re children
nearby!” said
“Tell me what?”
“WA!”
“You can learn a lot from Ebi…” said Misty, “So
what is it you were talking about?”
“Yes” said Misty, “I know he’s alive somewhere
out there… and I’m going to find him. Wherever he is. I’ll look for him, and I
won’t stop searching until I find him…”
“I don’t know how to say this…”
“REALLY?!” Misty jumped. She was so thrilled! Ash
was alive! “He’s alive! Yes! He’s alive!” she cheered as she hugged
“Huh?”
“You see… Ash is alive, but he…”
“What?” Misty gasped. She clasped her hands
together “What do you mean?”
“I mean that he doesn’t want us anymore. He is
running and hiding all he can from us” said
“Did he… did he say anything about me?” Misty
asked concerned
“No…” Misty’s eyes watered. “Ash is alive… but
he…” she trembled, “Ash… why?” she fell to her knees, “Why is he running? Why
is he hiding from us? Or is he hiding from… me?” tears fell from her eyes,
“Does he hate me that much?” she cried
Unknown to them, Aquamarine was eavesdropping. He
heard everything. He saw how happy Misty was when she learned for sure Ash was
alive, and felt her pain of the news of Ash hiding from them. Aquamarine
growled. He tried to help Ash, but that guy just ran away. Aquamarine looked at
Misty. Anyone who made Misty cry would regret it if he was around! Aquamarine
growled, painfully leaving the scene. He couldn’t stand to see Misty sad like
this! It hurt him even more to leave her when she needed help, but he was going
to help her. He would return a smile to Misty’s face, in the only way he knew
how. He would get Ash back, no matter what.
***
(
“Lousy annoying freaks… you get away from one of
them…” Ash grumbled, remembering his encounter with Aquamarine, then
Ash just didn’t know what he was feeling right
now. On one hand, he felt pleased that he could fight to his heart’s content
and the only people he had to answer to would be people who wanted to fight
him. But he felt so empty, and that shouldn’t be! “Just what’s everyone’s
problem? I’m fighting for a just cause here! What’s so wrong about that? I’m
doing what I really, truly want to do, so how come I feel so unfulfilled?” he
wondered, “It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong” Ash sighed as he sat down.
Once again, the thought of his fiends came back into his mind. Ash growled, why
couldn’t he stop thinking of them? “Damn! I get away from them, but why do they
keep haunting me?! Just get out of my head!” he shouted as he slapped himself
in the face. (Yes, he has passed the brink of insanity.) Ash calmed down,
mainly because his cheeks were throbbing and can’t take anymore slapping, “I
guess that’s one reason I might have stayed with them. They kept me from acting
stupid…” he sighed, “I did a lot of stupid things back then…”
He remembered his adventures with his old
friends, back when he used only his pokémon to battle and meeting new people
everyday. He pretty much got zapped on a daily basis by Pikachu, Misty was a
rough tomboy who argued with him all the time and wanted her bike. Brock wanted
to be the greatest pokémon breeder, and tried to get a date with girls, which
resulted in a spectacular failure every time, along with Team Rocket Blasting off
again…
Ash sighed as he let himself drop and lay on the
ground. Back in those days, things were never as serious as they were now. He’s
never faced true evil, and he’s never been in a life or death situation. He’s
never had to train so he could fight greater evils, and he was always happy
going on a new adventure every day, whether it be exploring and meeting new
friends, or just kicking back and relaxing. “I guess an adventure doesn’t
necessarily mean fighting all the time” he said as he looked at the clouds,
something he hasn’t done in a while, “I remember when I back with them. I used
to daydream about the perfect life for me. I’d have lots of friends and all 150
pokémon (considering that was how many known species back then) and I’d be a
pokémon master, and I’d be traveling with my friends seeking adventure.”
He then thought about Misty, “I guess I also
dreamed of dating her as well. I wondered how she felt about me, and I was
always too nervous to find out in case she’d break my heart…” Ash remembered
all those times in the past when he’s been happy. “She was such a nice
girlfriend. Not just for dating or stuff, but she was a companion, the best
there was, along with Pikachu. I guess she liked the old me better” he said,
“I’ll bet she misses the old days full of joy and friends, rather than what
I’ve been lately… fighting all the time, never paying attention to her and
concentrating on getting strong… I guess I have been a rotten boyfriend…”
Ash then realized what he was saying and
immediately sprung up, “NO!” He punched the ground, “What am I saying? It’s her
own fault she doesn’t like the fighting side of me! And it’s their problem that
times are changing, and so am I!” But another side of Ash was thinking
otherwise, “I really miss those days. Travelling alone is so lonely, and doing
nothing fighting makes me feel so empty” Ash’s fighting instincts were taking
over, “I fight alone because I don’t need anyone! I’m doing important work!”
Ash’s gentle side spoke “But is it worth burying my happiness?”
Ash started to growl. He was so confused and his
head was hurting. It was like he had two minds at once deciding what to do! One
wanted purely to fight, and the other wanted to be kind and happy.
Ash fell to his knees, clutching his head and
growling. His anger was taking over once more “Get these useless emotions out
of my head!” he shouted, trying to hold onto his anger. Ash then calmed down
and stood up, “No. Friendship is for the weak, and I am not weak. Those people
who held me back, they are the cause of this. They treat me like a child, and
they see me inferior to them just because I’m no intellect. They’re no better
than Kaisers, and it’s the same for everyone…” he looked up at the sky.
Somehow, the thought of protecting people just didn’t seem to interest him
anymore. The one thing on his mind it is to fight and to get strong. Nothing
more. Ash started walking. “Those memories … why don’t they just leave me
alone!” he growled. The thought of his friends angered him, “Why don’t they
leave me alone? Just the thought of them makes me sick!” he growled, “I’ll get
strong. I’ll get so strong, the Kaisers won’t live to regret their mistakes,
and I’ll stop those memories of those weaklings I used to call my friends, even
if I have to kill them to do it!”
“CORAL CUDGEL!”
WHACK!
“AGH!” Ash fell over
“I’m sorry. Just that thought of you killing your
friends just so the memories won’t bother you anymore just sounded SO stupid I
had to do that” said Aquamarine
“Aquamarine?!” Ash growled, “What do you want?!”
“To help you” said Aquamarine, “You’ve sunken
lower than I have, but it is still not too late. Let me help you” then held up
his trident. “Misty knows you’re alive, and she also knows you don’t want to
see her! You made her cry!” Aquamarine growled, “Her tears hit me harder than
your punches ever could. I will not allow this to continue! I will bring you
back to her, and make her smile once more!”
“Yeah right!” said Ash
Aquamarine growled “What you said earlier about
killing your friends to stop the memory, I know that was just a stupid thought,
but that also suggests hurting Misty! You’ve done enough damage! I will not
even allow you to think of it!!”
“Who are you to tell me what to think!?” Ash
growled
“Someone a lot stronger than you!” said Aquamarine
“So you’re a bit better. So what?!”
“That’s your way of thinking isn’t it?” asked
Aquamarine, “You don’t admit it, but you’re no different from Kaisers! You
think of yourself to be better than everyone else because you’re stronger, and
you’re determined to rise to the top in any way!”
“Don’t you dare compare me to the Kaisers!” Ash
shouted
“Why not?” asked Aquamarine, “If you care so much
about strength, then listen to me, after all, I am stronger than you! Those are
YOUR rules, aren’t they?”
“NO!” Ash shouted, “I don’t have rules! I don’t
belong to anyone! Kaisers may have secretly taken over and most of the world
belongs to them, but I don’t!”
“The part about not belonging to Kaisers is fine,
but do you honestly believe you’re above rules?” asked Aquamarine, “No one is
above rules. Not even us chosen ones!”
“Shut up!” Ash shouted, “What did you come here
for anyways?” he took a fighting stance, “You wanna fight?!”
Aquamarine sighed. Is fighting all this guy
thinks about?
“I challenge you then!” Ash growled, “If I beat
you, you leave me alone for good!”
“Fine.” Said Aquamarine, “If I win, you come with
me.” He looked at Ash, “You are unarmed, so there will be no rupture battle
with pokémon and weapons involved. I shall fight you with my hands alone” he
charged towards Ash…
Ash and Aquamarine fought. At first they seemed
equal, but Aquamarine gained the advantage. Bit by bit he was winning. Ash, who
was fighting at his fullest didn’t even compare to Aquamarine, even though
Aquamarine wasn’t even trying.
SMACK!
“It’s over” said Aquamarine, “You lose”
“GRR… NO I HAVEN’T!” Ash struck at him, but
Aquamarine caught Ash’s fist
“You simply refuse to accept the facts. Violence
is not always the way” said Aquamarine, “If you were with your friends, you
would have known that”
“SHUT UP!” Ash punched with his other hand but
Aquamarine blocked
“When you were with them, you were constantly
getting stronger and managed to surprise me when we fought. Ever since you left
them, you haven’t gotten any stronger. As a matter of fact, I think you’ve
gotten weaker even.” Said Aquamarine
“I SAID SHUT UP!!!!” Ash screamed and struck at
him
Aquamarine moved with the greatest ease. Ash was
predictable, and weaker than him. Aquamarine sighed, he grabbed Ash’s arm and twisted
it hard. Ash grimaced in pain but tried to struggle and hit with his other
hand, but Aquamarine caught that one too. Aquamarine twisted Ash’s arms and
pinned them down with one hand, and his other arm was locked around Ash’s neck,
“Stop struggling. The more you do, the tighter I grip, and if I grip any
harder, there’s a good chance you’ll die”
“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” Ash screamed and
struggled, but he couldn’t. Aquamarine was too strong. Ash knew he lost, but
his fighting instincts pushed him to go on.
“I said stop!” Aquamarine growled, “I am warning
you!” he said, but Ash didn’t listen. “HA!” he tightened his grip around Ash’s
neck. Ash’s body was tough and nearly impenetrable to attacks even against
people stronger than him, but when Ash was locked around the neck and couldn’t
breathe, that was the best way to beat him.
Ash tried to struggle, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t
able to breathe because Aquamarine was keeping him from doing so. Ash growled…
“I… I… G…” he couldn’t take it anymore. His arms were in pain and he couldn’t
breathe “I GIVE UP!”
“That’s better” Aquamarine let Ash go. He glared
at Aquamarine. “Don’t give me that look” said Aquamarine, “I beat you fair and
square. You promised you’d listen to me if I beat you, so do that.” Aquamarine
started walking away, “Come with me”
Ash sighed. He lost, and as much as he didn’t
want to, he’s have to listen to Aquamarine “Fine. Just don’t waste my time.” He
said as he followed him.
“I will help you get rid of your ultimate
weakness, your rage” said Aquamarine, but Ash wasn’t listening. Aquamarine
sighed, “He wants to get strong, and to do so he has to get rid of his hate.
He’ll get strong by following me! (sigh) he just doesn’t get the message.” He
looked up, “But I hope my other message reached its destination”
(
Misty was feeling very depressed. The thought of
Ash not wanting to return was too much for her. As she reached for her bag to
get more tissues, she noticed something, “Hm? What’s this?” asked Misty as she
looked at her bag. There was a letter attached to it, and it was addressed to
her. “I wonder what could it be?” she asked as she opened the note and unfolded
it. She gasped at what she saw. In two simple words, it told her what she
needed to know, and where to find Ash…
RAINBOW REEF
Aquamarine, having defeated Ash has
managed to get his attention, and hopefully Ash will listen to him. Aquamarine,
being a veteran at controlling emotions is now not only the most calm and
peaceful Super Fiend, but far stronger than before. Will Ash be able to
eliminate the darkness that resides in his heart? Will Misty convince Ash to
rejoin? Find out next time on Pokémon: Shadow of the Deceiver!
►TO BE CONTINUED