Chapter 8: Battles of Epic proportion

	Ash stomped his foot angrily on the wooden bottom of the ship.  He began 
feeling hopeless, like no matter what he did it would always fail.  He's felt so 
proud of himself when he'd decided to check out the presence of the ship, now he 
felt as if he had let down his whole team, his friends.  He hung his head and 
sighed.

	Jessie surveyed the disheartened band of travelers in the tiny vessel and 
frowned.  Here was the group that had pulled together, after being bitterly 
opposed to each other, now close friends.  They'd managed to get out of 
Vinetra's palace together, nearly losing one of their own, but they'd done it.  
She grinned and worked a claw loose from the rope.

	Jessie looked to see who was seated next to her.  Brock sat with his head 
hung, hunched over in defeat.  Jessie gritted her teeth as the rope bit into her 
skin as she worked her entire hand through the binds.  When she finally had one 
free she positioned it so she could reach the ropes that held Brock.  She worked 
her claw under one strip and began sawing.  IT was difficult, because her claws 
were intended for weapons, not as tools, and they were razor sharp on the tip, 
but dull along the curvature, much like a cats'.  With one final jerk of the 
claw, the ropes fell from Brock and to the bottom of the boat.

	He immediately removed his gag and spit the foul taste of fabric out into 
the ocean.  "Everyone okay?" he asked.  The only answer he was able to receive 
was a mutual nod.  The young man knelt by his rescuer and untied her ropes 
first.  She seemed grateful and ripped the cloth from her mouth.  "God that 
thing tastes horrid!" she spat.  A low whimper reached her acute hearing and she 
looked down to see James curled into a small ball  Hang on James," she said and 
commenced to untying her friend.  He was looking quite uncomfortable, having his 
injured wings bound securely behind his back.  His face was twisted with pain as 
Jessie worked the ropes.  "I'm sorry, I'll try to be more gentle, but it's not 
going to be easy," Jessie muttered. 

	Ash stood and rubbed his slightly rope burned wrists.  "He's got Misty," 
he snarled, his hazel eyes never leaving the Virtue.  He heard James sigh in 
relief as his bonds finally dropped and his injured wings were freed from any 
more stress.  "Ash what can we do?" Brock said turning to his friend for 
leadership.  He frowned deeply.  "I...I don't know," he groaned and looked up to 
the moons once more.

	The red one was touching the silver one ever so gently, as if they were 
two cats meeting one another for the very first time.  Cautious, yet friendly, 
they seemed to touch and move away.  Suddenly they plunged into one, the red 
disk sliding with force into the center of the larger.  "When the crimson moon 
rises, framed with silver," Riley muttered staring into the inky blackness of 
sky, devoid of any stars due to the brightness of the double moons.

	"Oh no, please don't tell me that," James whispered standing slowly.  
Jessie let him out of her arms where he had been resting comfortably and he 
leaned over the edge of the dinghy until everyone was sure he'd fall off.  
"James?  What's wrong?" Meowth asked.  James shook his head.  "Great a storm, 
just what we need," he muttered.  "A storm?  That can't be true!  There's 
practically zero clouds in the-" Ash's sentence was cut off by a loud clap of 
thunder.  Everyone in the boat gasped in surprise at the loud sound and looked 
to their winged companion, who had made a correct prediction, much to their 
astonishment.  James grinned crookedly and looked his bewildered friend in the 
eyes.  "I told you so," he said.

	Brock looked into the clear blue waters fearfully.  A storm, and they were 
miles from any land whatsoever.  They'd never make it out alive.  Unless they 
could manage to get back to the Virtue, he deducted.  "Guys, we're sitting ducks 
in this tiny thing, we've got to at least try to get back to the ship," he said 
making his way to the edge.  "Brock what on earth have you concocted now?" 
Pikachu inquired.  "If all help row, Ash excluded because of obvious reasons, 
with the help of the water, we may just be able to get back.  Look," he said 
pointing.  The Virtue sat in the calm waters, sails drawn down, anchored for the 
night.  "He thinks we'll drift away and he's safe!" Brock said already dipping 
his gray hand into the water.

	Jessie smiled and plunged not her claws, which were useless, but her tail 
into the water, overjoyed someone other than her had refused to give up.  "Yeah!  
We'll get Misty back!  How dare dat cap'n Roker do dat to our friend!" Meowth 
declared readying himself for the task at hand.  James silently prepared, a 
large grin on his face, the thrill of another adventure seeping into his brain 
and delighting him.

	Brock smiled and made sure everyone was in an optimal position.  "Okay, 
ready now!  All together!" he shouted and began counting.   "One, two, three!"  
The hands, and the tail, mutually dipped into the cool, smooth water, pushing it 
back, and inch by inch, the dinghy crept toward the Virtue.  "One, two, three!" 
The thunder sounded again, and all stopped, startled.  "Oh damn, hurry!" James 
shrieked looking quite uneasy.  They all knew he knew the winds, and if he was 
frightened, they should be terrified.

	They rowed harder, the light of the moon slowly dimming beneath the thick 
cover of angry clouds.  Before it disappeared from sight, Ash could clearly see 
the crimson circle framed with the silver of the larger moon.  The sea grew 
black, and began tossing the small vessel as if it weighed nothing as a light 
mist of rain began to fall.  "Use the waves!  They can help us!" Ash called over 
two rapid strikes of thunder.  It was becoming much more frequent now, tearing 
at the fabric of the sky fiercely.  

	A large wave caught the tiny boat and swept it ever closer to the Virtue.  
Roker had neglected to raise the cables that held the boat.  "We can climb up on 
those!" Jessie noted pointing.  The wind began to howl, and the rain beat upon 
their faces with a new tenacity.  "Keep going!" Ash cried over the winds.  The 
group gritted their teeth with the strain as another huge wave smashed the tiny 
vessel against the side of the other with tremendous force.

	Ash was tossed from his position at the front and slammed into the side of 
the Virtue.  He cried out in pain and surprise and reached blindly for the 
ropes.  He found them, and held on for life itself, for he knew if he 
extinguished the flames, his life would go out with them.  "Ash!" Brock called 
gabbing onto the rope beneath him.  He jumped out of the boat and landed against 
the hull, both friends now hanging on for dear life.

	Jessie and James sat in the boat, still intact, but every bolt was 
loosening with the repetitive beating it was receiving from the angry current.  
"I suppose we'd better get out of here," James said as a small stream of water 
burst from a seam in the bottom.  Jessie stood up to receive a rope that Brock 
tossed to her, catching it artfully.  "Very observant James, now tell me, what 
color is the sky?  I don't really seem to ever remember it," she said grinning.  
"Very funny Jess," James replied taking the portion of rope beneath her.

	Ash summoned his strength and slowly began climbing up the cable, the edge 
of the railing just within reach.  He smiled evilly and placed his hand on it, 
and though it was slippery with the rain, he hauled himself up so his stomach 
was resting, rather uncomfortably, over it.  The air was forced out of his body 
and he flung himself over quickly, landing quite unceremoniously on his back on 
the deck.  He lay there unmoving, letting the rain fall freely on his face and 
closed eyelids.  "Slick Ash," Brock muttered as he guilefully leapt over the 
rail, landing deftly next to Ash's head.

	He opened his eyes and slowly pushed himself up off the wooden planks, 
only to be pounded rather rudely back down by Meowth, Pikachu, and Riley landing 
on his head, who were quickly followed by Jessie and James.  They too cleared 
the railing skillfully, only to come to rest on Ash's back.  Brock could only 
cover his mouth firmly and look away to prevent himself from laughing.  
"I...I...I'm...s...sorry!" James sputtered trying not to laugh himself.  Jessie 
covered her mouth and dashed over to join Brock in attempting not to ridicule 
their friend for his blunder.  Seeing each other trying to restrain the laugher 
only caused them more difficulty and they burst into a small fit.

	Ash pulled himself off the ground as James joined them.  "Ha ha we've had 
a great laugh now we've got to save Misty!" he said demandingly.  Brock wiped a 
tear from his eye and nodded.  "Yeah, I wonder where's he's holding her?"  
"Right here!" Brock fell to the ground as an indigo flash swept before the 
groups eyes, taking their comrade with it.  "Brock!" they cried and the cold 
eyes and wrath of Raine were brought upon them.

	She looked confused that her sword hadn't entered flesh and turned her 
blade on the other members of the team.  "Raine!  You know this is wrong!  Don't 
kill us," Brock shouted sitting up behind her.  She squeezed her eyes shut and 
lowered her blade.  "I...I know, but, it's captain's orders, and I can't...I 
can't," she said looking hurt.  "Let us help, you can come with us!  We just 
want our friend back," Ash pleaded as the rain picked up speed, there was now 
not a single person that had any piece of dry clothing on.  Ash's flames had 
flared up to remain burning, but they were faring well against the element they 
were weakest to.

	Raine looked furtively over her shoulder and slid her sword back into its 
sheath.  "Come on," she said and ran to the door of the captains quarters.  The 
lightning and thunder ripped the black strata in their fierce battle, leaving 
nothing in their wake as the ship began rocking violently with the tides.  The 
group slid silently to the door and pressed their ears against the door to hear 
any conversation.  They recoiled in fear at a shrill shriek from Misty.

	She had been released from the tank, and Roker stood nonchalantly in the 
corner.  "You freak!  I can't believe I accepted the lift from you!" she 
screeched pointing her clawed finger at him.  "Yes, it was probably because of 
my grace, elegance, and utterly charming ways, not to mention my sinfully good 
looks," he replied looking into a nearby mirror.  Had Misty not been friends 
with James now, she would've sworn it was him, with a moustache and blond hair.  
He had the same attitude when he was in Team Rocket.  "Oh give me a break!" she 
said wrinkling her nose in disgust.  "I'll give you a break as soon as you give 
me a kiss!" Roker said leaping forward and swiftly wrapping her arm around 
Misty's waist.

	"Oh god leave me alone creep!" she shrieked and fired a small blast of 
water straight into his face sending him reeling back into the wall.  He cried 
out in pain and slumped to the ground, dripping wet.  Misty saw her chance and 
tried the doorknob, only to discover it was locked.  "Oh great, somebody get in 
here now!" she yelled nearly deafening all whom stood listening.  "Misty you 
don't have to yell we'll get you out!" Ash called back and cupped his hands at 
his waist.  "Ash I wouldn't," James warned but his words were ignored as he 
blasted the door with a surge of fire from his hands.

	The mere wood of the door succumbed easily and the group burst heroically 
through it.  "Hands off of Mi-" Ash stopped mid sentence as he realized Roker 
was nowhere near his friend.  "Ash," Pikachu coughed to get his attention.  The 
boy looked to his Pokemon who looked away and pointed down furtively.  Ash 
directed his eyes downward and he gasped in surprise.

	The only parts of Misty that were visible were her arms, legs, and tail, 
sticking comically out from underneath the demolished door.  He hopped off it 
and flung it quickly to one side.  "Misty!  Are you okay?" he asked stooping 
down to help her up.  "Bah, I'm fine," she mumbled and slapped his hand away, 
standing on her own accord.  "Slick yet again," Brock mumbled careful as not to 
let Ash hear him.  

	Roker narrowed his eyes bitterly and stood up, spitting water from his 
mouth.  "How dare you," his sentence was cut off by a loud fit of hacking, " 
interrupt us!"   Misty stood up and practically snarled at him.  "I, kind sir, 
am outta here," she spat and turned to go out of the door.  Ash looked at Brock 
who had a perplexed look on his face.  "Just, follow her, Jessie, James, keep an 
eye on our captain here," he said.  "Roger," James replied and Brock led Ash out 
after his friend.

	Misty stood looking into the vengeful water and frowned.  "Something 
wrong?" Ash asked.  Misty jumped at the sudden question and turned around.  
"Geez Ash!  Don't scare me like that!" she snapped.  "Touchy," he replied and 
leaned against the rail with her.  "I don't like the looks of this," she said as 
a bolt of lightning illuminated everything in view.  Ash shuddered and drew his 
arms in close to his body, trying fruitlessly to ward off the cold.  "Jessie and 
James have the captain under control, we've got control of the ship, Raine said 
she'd get us to land," he said calmly.

	Misty merely nodded, and slowly laid her head on her crossed arms.  
"Something is definitely wrong," she whispered again and looked to the water. It 
had flushed a deep crimson red, as if it were made of blood and not water which 
put her on edge.  Just as James had a connection with the winds, she discovered 
she could also feel with the water.  The lighting continued its theatrical dance 
across the sky, its deafening roar booming in the ears of all present on the 
Virtue.  It played with other bolts, tossing each other and tackling the 
landscape in some celestial game.  It dipped low and plunged into the water, 
boiling it in a flurry of energy.  The wail of electricity deepened until it 
drowned out the lightning.

	Misty drew back from the railing pointing fearfully out towards the black 
ocean.  Ash looked in the direction of her finger and backed away fearfully, 
tripping over a loose plank as he did so.  The water swirled in a thousand 
colors in an intense vortex.  The center pulled inwards sharply then rocketed 
skyward coiling with a long tendril of chrome-like material.

	It rippled with a rough scaly texture and began a final metamorphosis.  
The creature was long and impeccably thin and streamlined, looking as if it 
could glide through anything with ease.  So fancy decorations adorned the snake 
save for the long limbs complete with slender webbed claws.  The water dragon 
opened a crystalline eye of the lightest blue Misty had ever seen and the water 
stopped its circular motion with a great splash.

	The dragon drew in a deep breath and snapped its head towards the ship.  
"The lust for battle in me is strong, after the war of ancient time, there has 
not been a worthy opponent in all of Aradain.  Perhaps this night will be 
different," the dragon spoke with a tongue that had the infinite knowledge of 
age behind it.  "The legend," Ash breathed.  "What?  What legend?" Misty asked.  
"On the scroll Riley read it, it said that this would happen.  The water is red 
too!  The crimson tide!" he shouted pointing.

	Misty slowly brought her eyes level with the dragon's and backed up even 
with her friend.  "This guy means business, get everyone on board and the ship 
ready for the worst," she said quietly.  Ash nodded silently and as soon as he 
was standing again, took off running for the captains quarters to warn the rest 
of his companions.

	The dragon slid effortlessly through the water, eyeing the Virtue with a 
hunger for the thrill of battle after thousands of years.  Misty knew what she 
had to do.  Though her conscious mind was not aware of it, deep in her psyche 
the part of her that had been in touch with her new world all her life, she 
knew.  She walked slowly to the edge of the ship, the liquid metal body of the 
dragon mere feet from her.  She heard the background noise of the crew shouting 
commands and ignored it, silent communication passing between the two water 
creatures.

	The dragon rose to meet Misty's cold gaze.  He looked at her discerningly, 
searching into the depths of her soul.  "You have power young one, more than 
you'll ever know," he said calmly.  "I should, I'm one of the seven powers!" she 
called back coolly.  The dragon smirked and lowered his eyes seductively.  
"Foolish mortal, its funny the way your minds can be so corrupted by lies," he 
said.  Misty's confident stature dropped visibly.  "What do you mean?" she asked 
her voice breaking slightly.  "I, dear girl, am one of the seven great powers," 
the dragon said.

	Misty felt dizzy and dropped to her knees on the deck.  "That's not true," 
she whispered, "it can't be true."  "Oh but it is, and if you value yours and 
your friend's lives, you'll treat me to the fight of my life!" the dragon said.  
"Do you have a name or are you just a pompous son of a snake?!" Misty shouted 
standing up.  She shielded her eyes from the driving rain, and was forced to 
shout to be heard above the howling winds.  "Heh," the dragon snorted, "I have a 
name, but a human would never be able to pronounce it.  You, mortal, may call me 
Icthsique."  

	Ash ran out onto the deck, his feet sliding on the wet wood and gripped 
the mast for stability.  "Misty?!  What are you doing?!" he called through 
cupped hands, "get in here before that thing kills you!"  Misty continued to 
stare coldly at the beast, her gaze never leaving his icy blue eyes.  "Misty!  
Misty, please!" She turned around at the fearful words from her friend.  She was 
silent as she walked into the cabin.  "Thank god you're alright, why the hell 
were you still out there?" Ash asked once he had her safely inside.  "Icthsique, 
he...He said we weren't the seven powers, and he was one of them," she replied.  
Brock was swiftly at her side with a blanket and led her by the shoulders to the 
low couch in the corner.  She sat, but the disturbed look never left her eyes.

	Ash ran a hand through his fiery hair thoughtfully.  Several people had 
all given them the same message, that they weren't the seven great powers.  "I 
just don't get it," he muttered.  He sat down next to Misty, who finally looked 
up realizing that she was again in captain Roker's quarters.  "Where is that 
scumbag Roker anyway?" she asked suddenly.  "Right here Misty, nothing to worry 
about," she looked to where she'd heard James' voice come from.

	The blond-haired young man sat bound in the corner, guarded fiercely by 
Jessie and James, who both had their swords drawn and resting in their laps 
should the time arise to use them.  Misty smiled, relieved that he was being 
punished and relaxed.  "Cowards!" Icthsique roared from outside and the ship 
lurched violently as he slammed into the side of it.  "The ship's not going to 
hold out very long against that," Brock whispered.  

Misty let the ship ease its rocking.  The beast outside wanted a battle, but if 
she wasn't one of the seven powers, what could she do?  The best she could hope 
for, was her best effort.  She would try for her friends, if she battled the 
dragon perhaps he'd spare their lives, and if she died to save her friends, so 
be it.  "Ash, I have to go," she said standing slowly.  "What?  You can't!  That 
thing'll kill you!" he shouted grabbing her hand.  "Ash I can take care of 
myself, you worry about our friends, keep them in here," Misty said softly.  Ash 
felt tears in his eyes as he shook his friend's hand and dropped it.  "This 
could be the last time I see you Misty," he whispered.  Her gaze softened and 
she looked at her long time friend.  He looked small and scared, the aspect of 
her death frightening him beyond his imagination.  She felt sorry for him, being 
the youngest out of everyone there, an somewhat forced into a leadership 
position.  She smiled vaguely and wrapped her arms around him lovingly.  He 
returned the act, biting his tongue to quell the sobs that threatened to give 
away his feelings.  "If it is, take care of everyone Ash, but if I have anything 
to do with it, I'll be with you now, and the last step of this journey, and 
every step in between," she said.

Ash hugged her tightly one last time before letting go.  The ship lurched again 
and the angry howls of Icthsique were audible from inside the cabin.  "You'd 
better get out there before we all get killed by that thing!" he said smiling.  
Misty winked and dashed quickly out the door.  Ash turned back to the group who 
sat in various positions around the room, all looking scared and nervous.  "It's 
in her hands now," he said and sat back down next to Brock on the couch.  "You 
mean you're just going to let her go out there and get herself killed?" James 
asked.  Ash looked at him, and raised an eyebrow quizzically.  "She can handle 
this herself," he replied.  "Are you so sure?  I mean, why leave it just up to 
her when we can help?" Jessie added to the conversation.

Ash thought for a moment.  "I...I don't think she'd want us to interfere...But 
she's my friend, and if she's your too, we'll get out there and help her!" he 
said drawing his sword as he stood.  Brock stood and drew his sword as well.  
"What are we waiting for?" he asked smiling broadly.  "Raine, you can look after 
the traitor here," Jessie said handing the bound captain over to her.  "Yes 
Ma'am!" Raine replied saluting.  Jessie winked at her and both she, James, and 
the Pokemon followed as the group filed outside to assist their friend.

The dragon had been thrashing near the ship angrily, daring anything that dared 
move, whether it was living or inanimate, to a fight.  "Hey you!" Misty called.  
Icthsique stopped suddenly, looking about frantically for who had issued the 
challenge.  He spotted Misty standing valiantly on the deck of the Virtue.  "Ah, 
the pretty little mermaid is back," he mused sidling up to the ship's battered 
hull.  "Nice to see you again too creep!" Misty replied.  Icthsique looked 
momentarily hurt, but promptly resumed his indifferent attitude.

"Misty!" she turned around the familiar voice.  "Oh no," she breathed even 
before turning around to meet Ash.  "I told you to stay out of this!" she yelled 
above the now furious wind.  Ash same up next to her and smiled, the wind 
whipping his two-toned hair about his face.  "You said to me, we're in this 
together, every step of the way, and if you don't like it Miss Misty than you 
can send yourself straight to hell!" he shouted grinning broadly.  Misty smiled 
back at him and patted him firmly on the shoulder.  "You're a great friend, now 
lets get this guy!" she replied.

Icthsique chuckled and shook his head at the humans.  "They think they can win, 
well they have another thing coming!" he said to himself.  Misty ignored the 
comment she had heard and turned to instruct her friends who were waiting.  
"Jessie and James, climb the mast with any long range weapons you can find, I 
think you'll be the best at long range aiming!" Misty said pointing to the long 
shaft of wood in the center of the ship.  "Right!" they replied and hurried 
away.  "Brock and Ash, do whatever you can from the deck, I'm going in!" Ash 
gasped in surprise.  "No!  You'll be killed for sure!" he said grabbing her 
wrist.

She drew it away and glared daggers at him.  "I have to Ash!  I'm the only one 
who can fight in his own world!  I can breathe under there, I won't drown, and 
there's one danger out of the way!  Trust me!" she replied taking his hands 
reassuringly.  "I'm not the weakling you think I am!  I'm not as helpless as 
everyone thinks I am!  I have to do this!  Don't worry about me!  Just help in 
any way you can!" she said the pleading look in her eyes sinking into Ash's 
skull.

He tried to believe her, he even wanted to believe her, but his heart wouldn't 
let her go.  He wanted to spill his heartfelt feelings for her as he watched 
her, standing dramatically and courageously against the wind and driving rain, 
but he remembered his vow never to hurt himself with her.  He remembered hearing 
his mother's words as a child, what she'd said about his father, when she had 
thought he wouldn't understand, or when he wasn't listening.  He had promised 
himself that when he fell in love, it would be mutual, and they'd always love 
each other truly.  He knew Misty did not love him, and he wouldn't hurt either 
of them that way.

"B...Be careful," he said rubbing her knuckles affectionately with his thumbs.  
Though his words were barely audible over the din of everything else around her, 
Misty understood what he had said.  "I promise I'll come back, now lets cut all 
this sappy junk and save this ship!" she shouted slipping from Ash's grip.  
"Good luck Misty!  We're behind you all the way!" Brock called as she stepped up 
on the railing.

The liquid silver dragon pranced anxiously beneath the ship, eagerly awaiting 
his prize like a dog that knew there was a scrap of food on a tabletop it 
couldn't reach.  "You want a fight?  Well I'll show you a fight!" Misty called 
and closed her eyes, drawing energy from the water.  The points of light that 
rose from it, circling round her body like tiny fireflies, each carrying a 
ribbon suspended in air.  They drooped a little and as the girl took a deep 
breath, the drew in violently and with a dramatic flash of glimmering water, 
Misty's figure stood composed completely of water, just as they'd seen on the 
beach so long ago with master Lotus.

Icthsique seemed horrified by this drawing back as if his long forked tongue had 
just been burned.  "It couldn't be, that old coot couldn't have been right!" he 
thought to himself, "bah, no matter, I'll enjoy killing her."  Misty smiled and 
dove headfirst into the angry waters, completely disappearing.  The dragon 
searched fiercely for her, but to no avail, even his wise and intelligent eyes 
could not discern the entity beneath the waves from the water.  "Show yourself 
maid!  You show cowardice in the face of adversity!" he called spitefully.  When 
no answer came, the beast became more infuriated than ever before.  "If I cannot 
fight you, then I will attack those you love the most!" he said narrowing his 
eyes bitterly at the slight form of the Virtue.

Ash had escaped the storm's fury below deck, and now stood ready and waiting at 
the ancient metal cannons that seemed hadn't been used in decades.  "Damn," 
Brock whispered seeing the rage of the monster intensify.  "They ready to fire 
after all this time?" Pikachu asked lightly kicking an ancient, rusted ball.  
His foot collided with a bit more force than he had intended and he keeled over 
backwards in pain.  "Pikachu will you please be quiet!" Ash hissed.  Pikachu 
clamped a paw tightly over his mouth as he continued to writhe on the floor in 
pain.  "I think we'd better get ready," Brock stated noting that Icthsique had 
rage and death laced in his eyes.  Ash nodded and hefted a ball from the ground, 
loading it into the cannon.

"Jessie I don't like the looks of this," James said eyeing the water beast 
carefully.  "Misty can handle it, we're just the backup," she replied.  "Okay, 
if you're sure," James said leaning casually on the rim of the Crow's nest.

Misty sat waiting near the bottom of the ocean, merely watching as Icthsique 
whipped his long tail into the side of the ship.  It buckled under the pressure, 
and she noted the small flash of light that came from the side of the ship.  He 
reeled back in agony and was stunned momentarily.  He sat for a moment, 
gathering his second wind with the icy eyes tightly shut.  "Cowards all of you!" 
he screeched and whipped his tail up, coiling it securely around the mast.  "Oh 
no!" Misty gasped.

Jessie and James shrieked in terror as the secure base of their only support 
broke and gave away.  It tilted suddenly to the side nearly hurling both 
occupants out.  "James!" Jessie cried as she slipped down the rain slicked wood.  
James reached his hand out to her and she gripped it, sliding out of the crow's 
nest, clinging to life only by James' hand.  "Jessie hold on!" he yelled above 
the bright flash of lightning and the pounding knoll of thunder that followed 
immediately.  He wasn't nearly strong enough to support all her weight and she 
nearly took him with her.  He fell forward landing on his stomach, his arm 
dangling precariously over the side of the wooden planks, Jessie's only life 
line.

"If I never ask you for anything else again, please don't let me go James!" she 
hollered over the howling wind.  He gritted his teeth and gripped her wrist with 
his other hand.  "Just hang on!" he yelled, "Give me your other hand!"  Jessie 
begrudgingly obliged, weakly lifting her trembling hand to meet James'.  He held 
it firmly, relishing only briefly the joy of holding her hand in his.  He raised 
onto his knees, and leaned backwards hauling his gravely engrossed cargo with 
him.  Icthsique snarled as he watched Jessie's legs and tail disappear safely 
atop the crumbling wood.

The young girl sprang forward eager for the safety of a solid surface again, and 
wrapped her arms around James' neck in a slight panic.  "Oh god, thank you 
James," she whispered into his neck.  She held her tightly, he himself beginning 
to fear the entity that held their fragile lives in its tail.  "It's okay 
Jessie, it's okay," his words did little to comfort her as their perch slowly 
began to tip again.  "Holy-Jessie!" James had little time to scream before 
having to latch onto the pole at the very tip of the mast.  Both of their 
screams echoed across the boundless ocean as the mast was ripped completely from 
the ship.

Misty reacted finally at this point, gathering a bright aura around her, the 
only clue to her location.  "Leave my friends alone!" she screamed, and fired 
the bolt of iridescent beam at the beast.  It hit hard in the scaly hide and the 
howl of pain was muffled by fathoms of water, but Misty saw the mast drop from 
his grip.  "No!  Jessie!  James!" Misty cried rocketing to the surface, her body 
feeling weak with fear.  It was a struggle just to get her limbs to move, but 
she made it, surfacing, this time visible, next to the hull.  Icthsique allowed 
the girl to be hoisted onto the deck, for he was still recovering from the blow 
of her attack.  "She's strong, I under-estimated her," he muttered.

Misty dashed to the debris, already scanning for her friends.  "Jessie?  James?" 
Meowth was already there, "Please yous guys!" He was obviously distressed.  
"Ugh, M...Meowth?" the ruined basket of the crows nest moved and Jessie emerged, 
dangerously close to the edge of the ship.  He yelped in shock and dove into her 
arms.  "Where's James?" was the first thing out of her mouth.  Meowth leapt out 
of her lap and began his petrified search once more.  "James?" she called 
obviously distressed.  Ash began gathering the folds of the old sail, his face 
twisted in fear.  "That dragon's gonna pay for this!" Misty snapped as she bent 
over to help.  A small clue emerged, a tiny, yet loose blue feather, Ash picked 
it up and both he and Misty looked at each other concerned.  With further 
peeling back of the soaking wet sail, they mutually gasped in terror as a 
lifeless hand was revealed.  

Misty's own hands flew to her mouth and Ash was left to continue to uncover 
James.  "Oh god," she breathed as she stepped lightly over to him.  James lay on 
his side, his face still twisted in fear, his jaw open wide in his last attempts 
for air before he slipped out of consciousness.  Ash knelt and picked his upper 
body up off the wet deck, brushing his sopping blue hair away from his face.  He 
felt James' chest rise and fall with breath, and Ash's  stomach untwisted with 
relief.  "It's alright, he's still alive," he said noting the small shriek of 
terror from Jessie.  His breath came in short raspy gulps, but he had survived 
being buried beneath the suffocating wet fabric of the sail.  "Better get him 
inside," Brock said briskly walking over.  He bent down and scooped the inert 
youth from Ash's arms as if he weighed nothing.  Ash gasped in surprise, James 
was thin of course, but he hadn't expected anyone would be able to lift him with 
that much ease.

Brock rolled his eyes and carried him to the captain's quarters.  "Better go 
stay with him Jessie, he'll need you when he wakes up," Misty said winking.  
Jessie scowled at her slightly, but more than willingly followed Brock to tend 
to her friend.  He set James gingerly on the couch and Jessie immediately 
followed, resting his head gently in her lap.  "James?  Come on, can you hear 
me?  James?" she whispered stroking his forehead lovingly.  He seemed to 
respond, groaning loudly, but his eyes remained shut tightly.  Jessie's face 
brightened and she held him closer, as if she were anxious for him to see her 
again.  He pitched forward, hacking water from the attempt to breathe through 
the soaking sail from his lungs.  He flinched as if it hurt him, and fell 
backwards into Jessie's arms.  "J...Jessie?" was all he could stutter.

She tried and failed to hide her overjoyed expression and hugged her soaking wet 
blue-haired friend tightly.  "Oh James, you're alright!" she gasped.  He coughed 
again, this time only a small amount of water spilled from his lips and Brock 
left the two to be alone.

He walked back outside to find Misty standing near the edge of the ship, glaring 
at the beast and exchanging angry words.  "Jessie and James weren't involved in 
this!  Why did you have to hurt them?  Your fight is with me!" she called 
angrily.  "Exactly!  This is your battle not theirs!  Now are we going to 
concede to abide by my rules?  Or do I have to kill them next time?" Icthsique 
spat, his long forked tongue lingering on every word.  "Fine!  You wanna play?  
Be warned, I play rough," she shot back spitefully.  "Bring it on, as you in 
your world would say," Icthsique said grinning mischievously.  "I'm sorry guys, 
unless you want to be killed, you gotta stay out of this," Misty said and took a 
deep breath.

She opened her gills and dove headfirst into the water.  The dragon welcomed the 
challenge beneath the surf and dove downwards to meet his opponent.  Misty 
pulled her limbs in close to her body, using her powerful tail to propel her 
farther into the depths of the ocean.  "Why do you run little mermaid?" 
Icthsique called swimming effortlessly after her.  Misty ignored the comment and 
swam faster, hoping for anything she could use to her benefit for a 
battleground.  She heard a aloud screech and felt the white hot pain of a 
immense beam of energy as it hit her square in the small of her back.  Her 
scream was muffled by the fathoms of water between her and her companions on 
deck.  The dragon grinned with relish and took the opportunity to seize her 
within his grip.  He whipped the end of his tail down, catching her body as she 
drifted lifelessly towards the bottom.  She opened her eyes and found herself 
staring right back into the ice that composed Icthsique's.

"Not so high and mighty now, are we?" he hissed squeezing harder.  Misty glared 
at him, hate practically dripping from her body.  "You're nothing, everything 
you've been told is a lie," Icthsique snarled.  "No!  I am one of the seven 
powers!  I am!" Misty defended.  "You're not even close to the messengers!  But 
no one told you about them did they?" the dragon hissed flicking the long forked 
tongue out into her face.  Misty softened her look in confusion and the dragon 
grinned with relish.  "The powers are much more powerful than you will ever be!  
In the ancient times of old, the ancient sorcerer created the seven powers.  But 
they were too strong, and they created even more havoc than the evil queen had 
herself, so he channeled the energy of the forces of good in the land into seven 
gems, which he then put into rings.  Seven individuals were chosen not by him, 
but by the stones to seek out the seven powers, and quell their restless 
spirits.  Only in this way, were the powers able to be used for the defense of 
the land.  Aradain, how I've missed it.  Anyway, my story does not end there.  
The rings were passed on through the generations, until the queen secretly 
disposed of them.  The event occurred after the seven powers were sent to sleep 
again, and the messengers, being mortal, had died.  The rings are gone little 
mermaid, now I can finally have the world as my playground.  You can not do 
anything about it," the dragon hissed. 

Misty grinned at the end of the story, and slowly wriggled her hand free.  The 
blue stone in her hand glowed a brilliant deeper blue as she closed her eyes.  
"I wouldn't say all that," she said as the aura enveloped her body completely.  
She smiled at the perplexed dragon and lifted her ring to his eye level.  "It 
couldn't be!" Icthsique gasped and released his hold on the girl.  She didn't 
move, but simply drifted a few feet away from his body, floating disturbingly 
calmly.  She crossed her arms over her chest and held a regal posture suspended 
in the water.  "I do have power," she said evenly as the water began rising 
about her, taking her hair and her tail upwards.  "No!  This can't be true!  It 
can't!" Icthsique repeated backing away in terror.

Misty slowly opened her arms, the energy gathering at her chest quickly.  
Everything stood still as she flung her arms out to either side of her, and the 
brilliant blue energy surging from deep within her.  It shot through the murky 
red water, leaving it pure behind it, abating the red tide.  Icthsique screamed 
loudly in pain as it pummeled into his side, flailing backwards desperately.  
"No!" was the last word from his fierce jowls as time froze, and the world stood 
at a standstill as the energy surrounded the gigantic dragon in a wide sphere.  
"Damn you!" he cried as it expanded in a cataclysmic explosion, completely 
covering the beast.  The blue aura shielded its wearer from the blast, directing 
all harmful elements around her.

Back on the deck of the Virtue, James had insisted upon getting up to watch, and 
the entire group, including Raine, stood at the railing, and had no choice but 
to stand and witness the event take place with nothing they could do to stop it.  
"I wonder if that was Misty or-" Pikachu ventured.  "It had to be her, I know it 
was," Ash replied as a disquieting stillness settled over the ship and its 
occupants.  

Misty opened her formerly tightly shut eyes to the very much welcome sight of 
blue water.  She looked up to see the faint trace of the silver moon on the 
surface f the water, the storm finally abating.  The dragon no longer caused an 
imbalance in the delicate weaving of the world.  "I admit, young Misty, you 
indeed are the messenger of the ancient legends.  Use your power wisely, and 
good luck," she smiled at the crystal in front of her, glowing with a soft 
docile blue light.  It pulsated warmly with the syllables of Icthsique's speech 
and with a small flurry of bubbles, the crystal propelled itself to its new 
owner.

Misty took it and held it to her chest affectionately.  "We're one step closer," 
she breathed and took her time swimming to the surface.  The Pokemon of Aradain 
slowly began emerging again, coming forth from their recluse dens and various 
other hiding spots, and began swimming joyously, celebrating their ancient 
hero's return.  Misty held the stone in her hand triumphantly before breaking 
through the surface.  "I did it!" she cried.  "Misty!  Hold on right there!  
We'll get you out!" Ash said smiling happily.

His face fell, however, as his back was turned to retrieve a length of rope from 
the mangled mass of the broken mast.  He shook the feeling of jealousy away, 
this was Misty's victory, and who was he to take it away from her?  His 
inferiority complex resurfaced, and again he was forced to beat it back down 
again.  It was the part of him he hated most, the part that made him act so 
cruelly to Misty on occasions.  He knew in his mind if she was better than him 
he wouldn't be able to stand it.  He sighed and put on a mock smile as he 
returned with the cord.

He jogged briskly over to the edge of the ship and tossed the rope over.  "Grab 
on Misty!" he called cheerfully.  She used the clawed hand that did not hold the 
shimmering crystal and looped it securely around her wrist.  Brock, since he was 
the strongest, took it upon himself to haul her up.  By literally walking up the 
hull, Misty found herself back on the solid deck of the Virtue.  

She cried out happily as she found herself also, in the arms of everyone 
present. Their cries of joy and congratulations echoed in her ears as she 
welcomed the praise. "Misty! What's that?" Pikachu asked among the din.  She 
squeezed through her friends and handed the crystal to the little Pokemon, which 
was obviously what he was inquiring about.  "This, is one of the seven powers," 
she said gently.  The gasp from every person on deck was enough to echo across 
the water.  "W...What?" Ash stuttered, he being the most liable to disbelieve 
her words.  "It's a long story," she replied.  "Well, let's get you and James," 
Raine stated glaring at him, "back to the cabin and you can tell us there."  
Jessie took James' hand and led him back to the warmth and security of the 
captains quarters.

Ash couldn't help but notice how kind Jessie was to him when he was in peril.  
Twice now she had helped him, once when he had been soaked, and now, when he'd 
nearly lost his life on the mast.  He beat his feelings for Misty back down and 
his contempt for her success and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.  "Well, 
time for a cup of cocoa and a good bedtime story eh?" he asked brightly.  Misty 
laughed and shoved him lightly.  "No, this is more of a...Drama if you will, 
everything we've been told has been a lie," she said, her face falling and 
demeanor growing serious.

Ash grew sullen at this remark and began walking towards the cabin where 
everyone else had disappeared.  "Well, we'd better hear it, hadn't we?" he said.  
Misty nodded and they both walked back to the cabin.

Misty related her story to the group, that they were not, as they had previously 
thought, the seven powers of justice that were destined to deliver the land from 
evil.  They were the messengers, destined to find the crystals, and quell the 
wild spirits of the rampant powers.  They would aide in it, and indeed their 
lives were deeply intertwined with this legend, even if they were just the 
pawns.  A chess game cannot be won without pawns.  Though they play a minor role 
in the game, they are still the main line of defense between the king and death.  
Since the king can only make one move, the pawns must be versatile, sometimes, 
even as much as the queen.

Misty drew in a deep breath as she finished the tale.  "And that's what he told 
me, and this crystal proves it all," she said holding it up for all to see.  It 
was identical to one off the carved crystal dragons in Mr. Lao's shop.  James 
had long since fallen asleep in Jessie's arms and she held him around the waist 
with one arm, while she played with a strand of blue hair absent-mindedly as 
Misty told her story.  "Well," she announced, "if that's our lot in this world, 
I say we do it even better than the original messengers!"  Ash smiled as a cheer 
of agreement rose to the proposal.

He knew now what their purpose was in this land, and the duty he had to protect 
it.  It was now his home, and he, as well as everyone else, accepted that.  He 
didn't look upon it as an obligation.  It was his destiny, not to be a Pokemon 
master as he had once thought, but to rescue this land, where he belonged.  
"Well, where to now?" he asked breaking the silence that had followed Jessie's 
statement.  "Wherever the tides decide," Misty said dreamily.  "We'll find you a 
port, and you can continue from there," Raine offered hopefully.  "I guess our 
adventure ends here then," Brock said dejectedly.  "Hardly," Misty said 
practically, "this is only the beginning."