Chapter 42

For people who wanted to only be left alone. Paul could not understand why they kept flaunting themselves. He was sitting outside the room when the royal progression from the cult strutted in.

It was only the prince and his progression but Paul almost wished to be elsewhere. Except he could not. Because Dawn was off playing hostess with the others. And that guy was there too.

“So they are awake.” The prince said as he adjusted his robes and sat.

“I don’t even want to know.” Paul informed him closing his eyes.

“I really thought she would be a help to us you know.” The prince sighed.

“Not interested in hearing this.” Paul grunted.

“She would have made a fine princess.” The prince mused on.

“You would have looked nice in a casket.” Paul responded sitting up.

“I guess I might have ended up there. Even though I saw the founder as a child. Never have I been able to make it to the beast’s lair. Was not strong enough I guess.” The prince laughed.

“I thought she would be able to guide us in the way. She looked like the founder. Summoned the beast. I thought she might be able to quell it. But we should have been doing less currying of favour and more trying to return to above.”

“Did you see that Lugia’s eyes?” Paul asked feeling amusement. “Only Ash could have done that. He’s an idiot who cares only about making friends with Pokémon and using their inner strength while keeping them safe. If anything your founder was in him not Misty.”

“Your soul is dark.” The Prince informed him. Paul’s lips tipped up in a smirk.

“I know. I prefer it that way.”

“It’s not pitch black though.”

“I’m betting my soul was once the darker of the darkest.”

“Do you not seek redemption?”

“I have goals I want to achieve. When I achieve them and I’m satisfied. Who knows.” Paul tipped his head to face the Prince. “Maybe then I’ll cleanse my tainted soul so it won’t offend people like you.”

“When you do.” The prince said getting to his feet. “You might discover a power you never knew could exist. But who knows I could be wrong. Your soul is so dark I might be reading it wrong.”

Paul narrowed his eyes watching the Prince and his procession take their time and head back down the corridor.

In the beginning he thought they were there to annoy Ash and Misty. But could it be there was another purpose?

What was that nut talking about? Honestly all Paul wanted was to get away from the wacko people. Moving his hands across the bench in irritation he frowned when he hit something.

A strange piece of rope tied in a knot he could not recognise. That Prince. Somehow the freak had dropped it when he was having his little talk with him.

It could be by means no accident. Whatever this rope did. It was supposed to help him. what an annoying cocky freak that prince was. Paul shook his head in exasperation but he was still smiling.

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Drew wanted to swear terribly as he and Gary approached the clinic only to see the array of freaks just about to leave it.

White robes and all. Maybe Officer Jenny should have instructed them to keep living in the hole. They were such eyesores.

Drew estimated their distance and the distance to the nearest bush. Could he dive in to avoid them? It would be so tacky but to avoid them he was ready to do anything. Had they spotted him?

“You wouldn’t.” Gary hissed seizing his shirt when he made a side step to the bushes.

“Every trainer for themselves.” Drew responded struggling to get out of Gary’s grip.

“Stop it! They have already seen us.”

“But if they see me hiding from them. They will get I don’t want to talk to them and annoy only you!”

“Not happening. I’m not talking to those freaks by myself.”

Drew stopped struggling. “Rather harsh coming from you.” Getting away from Gary he straightened himself and slowly flicked his hair back. Maybe it was worth facing the freaks after all.

“Greetings those that are ungifted.” One of the attendants called out and Drew gritted his teeth. Nope it was not worth it. Never was.

“On your way to check on those two I’m guessing.” The prince greeted after sharply glaring at his attendant.

“More of getting away from so much people.” Gary said.

“Really busy. Sorry.” Drew grinned as he faced the prince. “Places to go, people to see. All a great distance away from you, you understand.”

“Your soul is dark too.” The prince mused.

“Sure is. Keep looking and you might lose yourself in it.” Drew laughed aloud.

“This does not surprise you in the least.” The prince said his eyes brightened.

“If you want to gain the world and rule it. You have to get hands dirty and gain power. Only complete idiots like May can blissfully come in all clean and sanctified and expect to stay this way. This world calls for force to rule.”

“But it does not need to be that way.” An attendant pointed out only to be waved back.

“I guess it does. The world can be so dark. You must have special blends of the dark and light to keep the dark from flooding the world and wiping out the light. Like you.” The Prince smiled placing a hand on Drew’s shoulder.

Drew winced. The freak was getting all touchy feely now. Would he want to pass on teachings or something. His hand was warm but not clammy. Was he doing this looking into the soul thing? What a cheeky bastard.

“You are not as tainted as you think.” The prince said removing his hand.

“If I’m not now I will be eventually.” Drew shrugged.

“You are also impure.” The prince shuddered looking at Gary.

“Wait, I never got that.” Gary protested. “I’ve been friends with Pokémon all my life. My Pokémon like me. How can I be impure?”

“I don’t mean your interactions with Pokémon alone.” The prince responded closing his eyes. “Your interactions with people, your thoughts to normal people. The you inside. The things you have done and thought. That is what makes one unclean or tainted not just relations to Pokémon alone.”

“Our people, deal with the spirit.” The attendant piped up again.

“So, my attitude from my journey.” Gary winced. “That makes me unclean huh.”

“Not just that!” The prince snapped. “Your whole body! All those women.” The prince shuddered in disgust. “Your mind was continually polluted and your thoughts filled continuously with filth and lies.”

Drew slowly raised an eyebrow. Women? This guy? Women as in plural? Gary flushed uncomfortably and Drew soundlessly whistled. Guess they were more alike than he thought.

“That was only for the first leg of my journey. The car the women. I gave it all up after I lost the Indigo League. I was not as cocky afterwards. I learnt my lesson. So how can I still be unclean?”

Drew eyed Gary. Car? At 10? Women? Good grief this guy had to be the most tainted of them all. Gary spotted Drew’s look and winced.

“I was caught up in all of Granddad’s fame and stuff. I let it go to my head. The cheerleaders. My rivalry with Ash. It all got to me.”

“It didn’t go away. You mean it toned down.” The prince corrected shaking his head. “The arrogance is still there too. And the pride.”

“I love my work. I like girls.” Gary shrugged. “If my doing that makes me unclean then so be it. I don’t live according to your standards anyway.”

“Good answer.” The prince nodded. “You don’t possess Ash’s power but your will is just as strong.”

“What do you guys plan on doing now.” Drew asked. “You have been parading back and forth into town. Can’t hide from the town anymore.”

“We won’t. We will explain as much as we can. My father has spoken to Officer Jenny and we have enlisted the help of a protection agency for the Pokémon we wish to hide and protect.” The Prince reached into his robes for a pokeball.

“This is what is used in these times we were told. This is for your Grandfather. If anything we wanted to show our thankfulness towards his guidance of Ash. This is our way.”

Gary took the pokeball gingerly. “Thanks. But how do you know old Gramps is not impure too?”

“We don’t” The prince said gently. “But the Lugia has been quelled. Now that we have come to the above the guardians speak their words. If anything, we will withdraw where we can live in peace with our faith.”

“That Lugia.” Drew whistled. “What’s it doing now?”

“Waiting for them.” The Prince sighed. “He knows they are awake and he waits for them to come. The girl of the water and Ash.

“Wait, Wait. Wait a moment.” Drew interrupted throwing his hand out. “I know, it’s really hard to mistake her for a mermaid. I know but she is Misty. She is not one of your people. I bet she wishes she was of the water but she is not.”

“Her name is getting her into a whole load of trouble.” Gary sighed. “Look Misty is not of the people of the- wait. Hold on. Are you in anyway related to the tribe of the people of the water?”

Drew frowned. What was with the scientist nut? Had he just thought of something? Was there really a people of the water?

“We know of them and share many many similarities some of our people come from descendants of that tribe.” The prince frowned.

“In that case. I really need to speak to you later about a matter.” Gary said. “Before I remember one of them telling me about it. It might be farfetched. I might just be reaching at straws but the mystery of the people and the world. You may be the key I was looking for.”

“Those who know the secrets of this world.” The prince tilted his head in curiosity. “There are many many secrets of the world. To learn them all you would have to talk to at least all the guardians. A feat that you must know would be impossible to achieve.”

“Don’t give me that.” Gary gritted out. “There is always a way. There are Pokémon that control time. To learn the mystery of the world. I was told learn the mystery of the people. That led me here to you. I now know I must learn the mystery of Pokémon. To learn that I need to know more about us and them.”

“Then what?” The prince asked as his progression made to leave. Leaning in next to Gary his voice was cold and harsh. “When you unravel that. Then what?”

“We can move forward.” Gary assured.

“From the past? You must be joking.” The prince scoffed.

“No, once you learn from the past you can move on. But you can’t let it tie you down or you will fail. Like you guys have.” Gary whispered back to the Prince.

“Then those two should be a great start shouldn’t they?” The prince asked as his progression moved on their white robes swaying.

“You know. If you are going to be here for a while above the ground.” Drew called back helpfully. “You might want to do something with those white robes. The hem are sweeping the streets. Unless that is the intention. Sanctifying our impure grounds and all.”

“Farewell.” Was all he got back in response from the prince. Drew rolled his eyes. Facing the clinic he was all set for storming inside when Gary grabbed his shirt sleeve.

“This again? Don’t tell me there is someone you want to hide from now.” Drew gritted out struggling. “If it is forget it. I wanted to hide in a bush and you wouldn’t let me just now.”

“No, no that is not it.” Gary said distractedly. “I want to see the Lugia again instead.”

“Well it is not like I was in a hurry to see Ash anyway.” Drew said slowly. “But why now? Why right now?”

“I’ve got questions. Lots of them.” Gary said his tone sounding lazy but Drew could feel the anticipation rolling off him in waves.

“In that case. Why not?” Drew asked just as the clinic doors slid open and Paul strolled out.

“Saw them too huh?” Paul asked. Drew was unable to put his hand on what felt so off about Paul until his eyes fell on the guy’s smile.

That was it. Paul was happy. Gary was happy. He was happy too. It was almost like that guy had come and unleashed a box of smiles in his heart.

Or just maybe. His soul. For all the talk about unclean and impure. The Prince guy, that aura thing. Might not be so bad if it made one feel like this. Like all the world’s answers and questions were just under your nose.

Like if all you had to do was turn around and you could do anything. Defeat anyone. Your heart was so free. Your mind so clear.

Was this, how it felt to be untainted and pure? Was this how May felt all the time?

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“I could just go for a walk right now! I feel great!” Ash announced as he sat up in his bed stretching. His eyes flashing in excitement he tried to swing his legs off the bed.

“Just forget about it Ash Ketchum.” Misty snapped throwing a pillow into his face and effectively stopping Ash’s escape.

“But Misty, I’m fine now.”

“Don’t give me that! Just a day ago you were pale and unconscious stay in the bed!”

“But I’ve got to Misty! I can stay in a bed for long. So boring.”

“Wait until Pikachu comes back from Nurse Joy then. Im sure you two will come up with something completely ridiculous to get rid of your boredom.” Misty huffed as she sat on Ash’s bed.

“But Misty.” Misty’s eyes flew open as she was tugged so she fell her head cushioned by Ash’s chest.

“Ash?”

“I’m much stronger now Misty.” Ash whispered tipping her gaze to look at him. “I didn’t fight. Just ran out of juice. But.”

His arms tightened and Misty was slowly pulled up until their foreheads touched. Her heart beat was going mad. This atmosphere. So tense. Time moving so slow.

“I’m fine now Misty. See?” Ash pulled her limp left hand to cover his heart. His heart beating so calm and steady. But hers, it was so wild on the verge of panic.

Ash lightly butted her forehead with his laughing. “Don’t look so panicked. I’m fine. Trust me Misty.”

“I do trust you! Just that......” She couldn’t finish.

“Yeah I guess our adventures grew up too. Lot more danger.” Ash mused as he brushed back some of her hair.

“But I’m fine. And so are you.” Ash lightly kissed her cheek before hugging her tightly. Inwardly she sighed. It was not that she was expecting him to really kiss her or anything.

“Thank you.” She said into his shoulder smiling.

“I can feel you smiling.” Ash sulked.

“Sorry?” Misty laughed before he bit her shoulder in retaliation causing her to yelp out.

“Seriously though Misty.” Ash said pulling her back to look at her. “We need to get out of here for a while. We can come back.”

“But Ash.” Misty protested.

“We need to Misty.”

Misty kept quiet and pulled away. Standing up she watched as Ash went to the other room to clean up. Something was bothering him. since he woke up he had been giving her strange looks. He had not wanted to talk about their ideal.

Things that was not Ash behaviour. But the aura around him, told her this was not the time to pry or ask questions. She would find out in time. Also, not once had he put up a fuss whenever she had to leave the room.

The way he watched her when she came back in however. Gave her a reason to believe this whole thing was not over. His question still nagged at her.

How could she be anyone other than herself? Did he think he was dreaming? Why was he so cautious around her now? Not deeply cautious but this Ash. Misty was not too sure if she was ready to deal with and Ash like this. So deeply intense.

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Looking into the mirror to his reflection Ash winced at his expression. This was wearing thin on him. he knew just now had been a bit too rough on her.

After everything that just happened. Even though she was out of that place. Away from those people. It was not over. One last thing to do, then it would be over.

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They were visiting the friend. Misty felt Ash’s hand in hers as they made their way through the town with Pikachu to the lake.

They needed no map. She knew that. She could feel Lugia’s presence and so could Ash. She snuck a look at him. he had been quiet ever since they left the clinic.

The evening had just come but Misty saw not one person on their way to the lake. It was almost as if they were all asleep or inside on a curfew.

“Just relax Misty.” Ash whispered.

Misty nodded but as they approached the lake she grew more and more apprehensive. The things she felt. No word could simply explain it.

Ash they stepped from the path to face the lake Misty felt something in her heart bloom as she saw the water. As she saw the beast.

It sat in the water waiting. Now she was seeing it with calm eyes, Misty saw just how huge it was. Much bigger than the one Ash had ridden. Much larger than the mother of the baby they had saved.

Those people wanted her to quell that? Misty wanted to shake in fear even though she knew the danger was over. That huge thing.

It turned eyes on her and she felt the warmth in her seem to spread out. Right. This was a friend. That was what her heart said. In those dreams it was her friend. Misty was dimly aware of Ash letting her go.

On tottering legs she ran to the Lugia even though her mind screamed at her for such insanity. She truly had lost it.

“Lugia. I’m so sorry.” Misty whispered as she stood knee deep in the lake water. The Lugia lowered its huge head and Misty cradled it’s huge jaw in her embrace.

“I’m so sorry for everything, friend.” She whispered. “For everything you have suffered.” The feelings of hundreds no maybe thousands of years of pain was flowing into her.

“I’m so sorry, but I’m not your little girl am I?”

The Lugia gave a low cry that vibrated the waters and the trees. Misty could feel the energy of the sound. So scary.

“So you really are Misty then.” Ash’s voice came from behind her. Misty tensed up by just a bit.

“Who did you expect me to be Ash?” Turning so she could see him standing behind her Pikachu on his shoulder and his hands shoved into his pockets his face blank. “Crystala? Does she really look that much like me? Or maybe you were hoping it was?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Ash said angrily.”I had to make sure. You have no idea what I went through down there. I had to make sure. Ghosts should never mess with the present or the future. I had to know.”

“Why? Because I can now sense auras? Because she gave me a gift and you wanted to know if sharing my body would be it?”

“Misty.” Ash whispered but Misty turned her back on him.

“Lugia. Lugia-san.” She giggled. “I’m honoured by your gift. By your voice.” She whispered as the Lugia’s thoughts memories and intentions flowed into her.

“I know how it feels to lose people. I would love for you to stay by my side but. I cannot be so selfish.” Misty said her tone hardened.

“You know, I’m a gym leader. I cannot be so lenient to deprive the world of someone who has a sacred duty. Am I honoured you passed through time and space for me? Yes. Can I stay with you forever? No.” Misty sighed heavily.

“Not that I don’t want to but, Crystala passed on to me you have many a deep job to complete in the deep seas. However in Kanto, Cerulean City. You are welcome to visit me whenever you feel lonely.”

“I will ease your loneliness and pain. After all you really love humans don’t you?” Misty said hugging the Lugia again. “If I’m ever in danger I will carry on from Crystala and ring for you.”

The cry of Lugia rent the air and Misty felt herself being slightly pushed back. Still she did not move. Lugia was shedding tears deep within its heart.

“That bell is not just for summoning Lugia is it?” Ash said from next to her. Slanting him a look she frowned.

“No, from the things I can feel.” She mumbled as she pulled out the offending item. “If I shake it like this all it does is ring but-“ Misty shook it once and froze.

She could feel so strongly. The water. It was alive.

“Misty?”

Misty shook the bell hard once, paused and turned to shake it lightly. She could feel the fish and the lake Pokémon. Their presence their feelings. Closing her eyes she shook high up and whirled around to shake the bell hard to the left then the right.

“This bell. It’s to understand those in the water.” She breathed excitedly. “She was alone all this time. The bell was to summon in times of danger and help create friends when she could not be with him.”

Closing her eyes Misty felt deep down in her. The place where the memories were coming from. It was not like a person, more like a locked box containing information. Struggling to open it she found what she wanted.

Backing away from Lugia and Ash. Misty once again closed her eyes and gave herself up to the memories and the bell.

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They had gotten there too late. Officer Jenny had alerted them that the two had escaped the clinic and had rushed to the lake. Cilan himself had been worried only slightly but for them all to rush there.

Drew, Paul and Gary. The cult people. Officer Jenny and her team. Nurse Joy and hers. And he himself and all the rest.

It was slightly dark when they arrived but what they found Cilan knew he could never expect. Before they even saw the lake they could see the lights and hear the bell.

But seeing it was still harder. The Lugia standing on the water lightly flapping only lightly. Ash knee deep in the lake a soft blue glow to him and Misty.

Her eyes closed small sparks of light flowing from her to the water and slowly shaking the bell. But that was not fully it. She was dancing, a sort of ritual dance and the Pokémon were coming and watching it.

From the lake, from the land and her light was touching them all. Her hair was flowing but the picture she was presenting.

“It is almost like we gave up on her too easily.” The cult prince whispered.

 “From here. She really looks like a mermaid quelling the beasts.” Drew laughed as he shook his head. Misty spun and the bell itself glowed. She lifted a leg and water sparkled and danced. The biggest shock to them had to be when Ash fell to his feet and the water lit up in a blue light.

Fell not in fatigue but for what reason Cilan could not tell. The Lugia bowed it’s head and that was it. For such a beast to look so humble.

Misty’s dancing slowed until she was facing the beast. The Lugia, her shaking of the bell halted but the light from her still glowed.

“Where ever you go Lugia. I am one of your homes.” Misty’s voice flowed across the whole Lake. “Crystala is dead but her memories will live on in me. I am not her.” Misty reached up to the Lugia and it lowered its head so she could touch it.

“I am not her but you are my friend Lugia. In your journey, your goal. I pray you never  forget me or Crystala. For we will never forget you.”

Ash she released the Lugia’s head Cilan swore he saw a huge tear form in the Lugia’s eyes. Misty was truly strong and one of a kind. The Guardian was calmed by her.