Chapter 43

It was almost too much to take in. They all came here to get stronger. To find bonds. To get past the wall that was blocking them.

Paul found himself cruising the knot in his hand the prince had passed on. How had Misty and Ash managed to escape them so quickly and easily?

He had been right next to Ash this whole time. Never expected, never saw that he was capable of such a thing. Seeing Ash kneeling in the lake and manipulating the whatever.

It made Paul feel so weak and useless. It seemed no matter how strong he became. He would never be able to copy that.

Misty too. He knew she was strong. He so badly wanted to battle her and win. But could he really win against her? Someone that had the inner faith and power she had?

Misty made a legendary Pokémon practically a pet. She had been blessed by Suicune. Accepted and now protected by Lugia and him. What had Paul done?

Nothing that could ever add up to this. Every time he thought he had been catching up. Had he been merely left behind?

Winning these tournaments these events. It really meant nothing if he could not get whatever it was they had inside.

Why them? Why was Ash there among something so powerful? Why was Misty, her whole body glowing in a soft blue light calling Pokémon from all around to watch?

Was he really deep inside lacking something? The emotions he so long ago discarded as to be holding back his training. Would he have to now go back for them?

How he expect to become a champion. If he could not step in the world that Misty and Ash were now basking in?

How could he be so stupid enough to think that strength and strategies were enough? Glancing over to where Dawn was with Kenny Paul felt even more depressed.

Dawn was so happy for her friend. Her eyes were shinning and her hands were clenched tightly. Paul knew she was thinking she herself would try harder. As if there was a harder to try for.

All of them that travelled with Ash had met a legendary. That just meant that he really was dark. But if it was to come to it. Paul forced a smile.

If he had to, that thing he was missing. He would learn all he could about it and find some way to use it as a weapon. No matter what he had to sacrifice.

Paul stopped himself. This way of thinking. Was he ready to go back to his old habits? Did he not just hear the call of the earth in the last town?

Paul scoffed. Jealousy made him almost lose his way. Misty was strong. Why should he be surprised she tamed the Lugia?

Now it was up to him to quell his own beast.

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That has to be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Iris whispered. Cilan squeezed her hand gently and she tilted her head up to him.

“Amazing. There was a subtleness to Misty’s character we never saw before. This Misty.” Cilan replied. Iris laughed inside.

The Connoisseur in him was itching to come out. This new Misty. He was itching to evaluate it. It was what he loved after all.

“I love it.” May whispered. “This just gives me so many ideas but, right now I just want a photo of this.”

“They really are cute.” Bianca said and Iris had to agree.

“This looks like something right out of a history book.” Officer Jenny commented fanning herself. “I never expected this though.”

“That such a girl could do this.” Nurse Joy whispered. “I never dreamed of something like this.”

“She truly is worthy of her name.” The king of the people from below commented.

“Speaking of names.” Iris asked curious. “What do you call yourselves?”

“We are named after the founder. Crystalife.” The prince answered.

“That name almost makes no sense.” Drew groaned.

“Aura, life is better controlled by Crystals. We control life by doing the founder’s work. Hence Crystalife.” The king stated.

“Let me inform you.” Drew spoke up. “You did a sucky job at giving life. All you did was hide yours away for hundreds of years.”

“Yes.” The prince said sadly. “Our obsession over being the chosen ones and being ones to unite the world turned our prayer inward. Tainting us.”

“Proving that everyone needs a breath of fresh air once and again.” May joked.

“Or a whole new way to look at things.” Iris said as they watched Misty. “Sometimes you need to really shake things upside down. Just like a kid.”

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Misty could feel the others. All of them. She could feel the people, the air, the water, the Pokémon. It was like they were pressing against her skin. Rubbing her senses.

“Not an easy thing to experience huh.” Ash said as he stood up. Misty heard the water roll off him. heard his steps as he joined her.

“How long have you felt this?” She asked apprehensive.

“I really don’t know.” Ash shrugged. “It only got serious after I met Lucario then I was able to manifest it. But I guess Crystala left ways for you to use it.”

“It feels so weird.” Misty laughed as she held Lugia’s head. “But this is what they feel. But bigger. Right now I’m limited. The bell and the memories of her is letting me go this far but I’m not strong at this.”

“I can feel the town.” Ash said and she felt his hands wrap around her. “I can feel further if I try. Through the water, the earth. If I push it. Crystala helped me fine tune it a bit but I’m worried about you Mist.”

“This Lugia was entrusted to me by the founder Ash.”

“In all due respect Misty I think she wanted you keep an eye on it not become a priestess.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying the bell. The original purpose of the bell. For the sake of those who would hurt Lugia.”

“You are right.” Misty whispered. Placing a hand on Lugia’s head she sent a small thread of Aura to it. A few seconds later Ash did the same.

Lugia, understood. Pushing them back a step Misty felt a bit sad as she watched her bell slowly rise into the air. Lugia breathed lightly over it and she watched as the runes changed on it.

“Ash!” She said confused.

“Misty, this is one very old Lugia. A powerful one too.” Ash said as he held her. “How long do you think he swam the seas? Watching the times change. This is not the Orange Islands. He must be even older than that.

“But still so beautiful.” She breathed.

“Only you would be able to see past the scars Misty.” Ash chuckled.

Turning around in his arms, Misty allowed herself a smile. “I can also see past the ashes.” She whispered.

“Say something? Just now.” Ash asked her as Lugia finished changing the runes and the bell was lowered towards them again.

“Nuh uh.” She chuckled.

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In the history of the most crazy things and journey’s Ash has ever been on.” May exclaimed shaking her head watching them.

“This tops it.” Dawn responded. “This is definitely a time to worry the most.”

“I still can’t get over how much they have grown by. I mean.” May paused to huff in frustration. “We were with them this whole time.”

“I know.” Iris breathed. “I never thought we would see that!” She finished as Misty and Ash both reached up and took the bell together.

Lugia lowered its head towards them again before actually flying upwards.

“Don’t tell me.” Cilan said as they all watched its ascent. “It is going to pick now to leave.”

“A classy move.” Drew said making admiring sounds.

May could not believe Drew. “Don’t you care about that Lugia at all Drew?”

“May, don’t you care about going to Misty.” Drew laughed. “Now would be a good time. After all the show is over.”

Looking around May saw he was right. The lights from both Ash and Misty were diminishing. The Pokémon from the surrounding areas were leaving. It was now just Ash, Misty and Pikachu standing together in the lake.

Misty. May felt the tears from before form in her eyes. Choking back a sob she ran for them. Her heart pounding tears flowing blurring her vision.

She was okay, she was alive. She could touch Misty again. She had no reason for guilt. Ash saved her. May was panting for breath as she charged into the water.

“Misty!” She called out.

Misty broke away from Ash’s grip and with a relieved expression opened her arms wide. That was it for May. She threw herself into Misty’s arms sobbing and crying.

The impact did not shake Misty back instead. She absorbed it and held May’s head to her chest as she whispered soft soothing words.

“Thank you Ash.” May managed to get out. “Thank you.”

There was a firm pat on her head. “Nothing to worry about May.”

“I’m fine.” Misty reassured but May’s tears continued to fall as she fought to get closer. It was Misty. Warm caring. Still with them.

“Misty!” Dawn’s voice came from behind and then May felt another impact as Dawn slammed into them.

“You did it Ash.” Iris’s voice came from behind her.

“As expected well done Ash.” Cilan’s voice too.

“A teenage managed to do all this.” Officer Jenny said sounding amazed.

“Ash, you know you have to fight me after this right? You know it.” Barry’s voice came from behind.

May snuggled in closer to Misty. Now she could say it was all over. Even though Misty had been actually rescued a few days before. Now she could actually say Misty was back with them. This whole nightmare. It was finally over.

“Looking good with that dance Misty.” Gary whistled. “What was that to do? Open a time portal?”

“Shut up you impure one.” Drew laughed. “After that lecture earlier you still can’t put away the girls?”

May could sense everyone now surrounding Ash and Misty. Their friends. Mystery over. Misty back home. Raising her head she met Misty’s tearful eyes.

“I’m so glad you are okay.” Misty whispered.

May sniffled. Then the tears flowed harder.

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“Now this is all over with. I say let’s get ready to get out of this place.” Gary said as they all sat back in the Pokémon centre.

“Come on. I’m not stepping one foot out this town until I enter the contest being held tomorrow. It’s a double battle.” Drew slowly flicked his hair back. “Absol and Zorua will not miss that.”

“I’m sleeping tomorrow.” Paul grunted. “Then I have to ask that Prince something.”

“Sure that is something someone unclean should do?” Cilan joked to the laughter of them all. Iris smiled in relief. They were all together and happy.

All of them except for Ash and Misty. They had been dragged away for questioning. It was almost sad though.

“Don’t worry.” Cilan whispered in her ear. “Everyone knows they will be just fine.” Iris hummed an agreement.

“You know though.” Paul said sitting up. “We all have been thinking this. Since this started. We guiltily kept it at the back of our heads but we have all been thinking it.”

“True.” Drew nodded.

“Well sure.” Dawn laughed.

“The possibility has crossed my mind rather often especially when we were underground.” Cilan admitted.

“What are you talking about?” Brendan asked curiously.

“Yeah what?” Bianca piped in leaning forward.

“Progress.” Iris laughed. “Ash and Misty. Leaps and bounds.”

“The amount of progress from this rescue. I have to admit. That mature Ash. Who knew?”

Drew broke into a tirade of coughs drawing attention to the flailing trainer. The coughs turned to laughs until Drew fell off his chair to the ground.

“No no no. May just this once. Just talk about what you saw. Don’t speculate.” Drew wheezed.

“You. You little holdback.” Cilan exclaimed. “You know something.”

“I knew you were being too calm about this. Something happened you little money thief!” Paul laughed.

“Hold on. Let’s get to now then we can think about then.” Dawn said trying to soothe.

“Everyone should have had the privilege of seeing him in that tunnel and facing those people.” Gary laughed slapping his knees.

“He was laying claim on Misty down there.” Drew laughed.

“I can’t believe I missed that.” Iris moaned trying to imagine it.

“It was all, my Misty, I’m taking Misty back. Misty doesn’t belong here.” I thought I could have smelt the cave man on him.” Gary laughed and Drew high fived him.

“To think that sort of attitude has its own charm. My woman. Rescue woman. Claim woman. Own woman. Don’t touch my woman.” Drew intoned in a deep voice causing the whole group to laugh.

Not the whole group. Iris could see Angie, Georgio and Brendan was not having such a good time. They kept shifting and looking uncomfortable. The fate of people new to them she guessed. Even though this them was a recent thing.

“Did you see when they came out the water?” May demanded. “I thought my heart was going to stop. The size of that Lugia!”

“Only Ash is stupid enough to get that close really.” Dawn laughed. “I mean we have seen bigger Pokémon and all but I wanted to run.”

“That dance Misty was doing was wicked though.” Gary sighed.

“Okay unclean one.” Drew poked at Gary. “Try to cleanse thy mind for a bit now. Now repeat after me. No dancing. No mermaids.”

“She does look like one doesn’t she?” Barry commented out loud.

“Didn’t I just say no mermaids? You have no idea how filthy this guy is.” Drew said pointing at Gary. “The prince even said so. It wasn’t his treatment of Pokémon making him dirty. It was the women.”

“No.” Dawn gasped. “Gary?”

“I was young, the grandson of an awesome professor, foolish with something to prove.” Gary defended himself.

“Cheerleaders.” Paul sighed. “Enough said.”

“I feel the need to be cleansed.” Cilan frowned. “Can’t tell a book by its cover I guess.”

“I hope they come back soon.” May smiled looking towards the Pokémon Centre doors.

“I have no idea why we worried in the first place.” Dawn laughed. “Did you see them? Glowing and talking to a Lugia like they were best friends. Acting like they went for a walk in a park instead of being unconscious for a while.”

“Well they are hard headed like that.” The voice of Brock commented.

“Huh?” May asked looking around. Iris did too.

“Relax. I called him.” Gary said holding up a large Pokegear.

“I was a little worried, but I’m not surprised about the results.” Brock said. “Wait, Angie! Hi”

“Hello Brock.” Angie said shifting before waving.

“Nice to see you around. As usual you are dragged into something ridiculous because of Ash.” Brock laughed.

“I, I don’t mind. Once Ash is okay.” Angie finished quietly.

“Well. Since it’s all cleared up. I just want to leave you guys with a warning. Next time something alarming happens. Try to keep it under wraps. Misty is a very important figure and she needs her privacy.”

“But we were worried!” Georgio protested.

“Like I said.” Brock said his voice cold. “If this information had gotten far out it could damage Misty. She is a top class Gym Leader with a lot going for her. We can’t have people all knowing about these things. Misty needs her privacy. So you know what happens about the Aura information.”

“It never happened.” Iris whispered.

“Exactly.” Brock sighed. “Harsh but we need to protect Misty from the people even though she protects the people. I know you don’t agree Georgio but it is the way we must go. The Gym means the world to her.”

“I’ll get Misty to call home.” Gary offered.

“Thanks. Tracey is there right now so that’s for the best. I have to go for now.” Brock said before the call ended.

“So that’s done with for now.” Iris sighed looking at the serious faces that had formed. “We really have to keep some of what happened since we came here secret.”

“Agreed.” Drew said.

“Not what happened between Ash and Misty you prick.” Gary said pointing at Drew. “You have to share that.”

“Nope.” Drew smiled.

“What do you think is happening to them?” Angie asked fidgeting. “It’s been a while now.”

“Well.” Iris said looking to the doors herself. “They need both versions of what happened. We know Misty was grabbed and knocked out from the smell of the deep sea water weeds. We know they both seemed to have met someone else.”

“The polite term I believe is ghost.” Drew smiled.

“Okay, so somehow they met the founder. Somehow Ash or Misty or both managed to calm it down. Somehow Misty and that bell are able to do freaky things.” Iris paused and closed her eyes.

“You know what?” She told them. “Let’s just chalk everything up to somehow. I’m not sure I even want to know the half of it.”

“Me neither.” Barry offered up.

“Well, I sorta want to know if anything cute happened you know?” Bianca said.

“Me too!” Dawn squealed.

“No, this is Ash. I somehow don’t want to know how he messed up.” Cilan sighed. Drew started laughing again earning him deadly glares.

“I ain’t telling.” He wheezed.

“Doesn’t matter if we wait or not.” Iris said as she stood up. “They are coming back. So we can get some food, get some rest, go training.”

“It doesn’t matter because they will be back.” Cilan finished for her as he too got up.

“Good point.” Brendan said as he got up.

“I could praise Crystalife right now. Yes amen.” Drew smirked watching Brendan.

“The wheels will go on turning.” Barry stretched.

“Especially since we finally got the wheels we were missing back.” Dawn said dryly. “We should really be training hard and getting ready.”

“I know this is the wrong time.” Drew said slowly not moving from his seat. “But doesn’t Misty have that challenge from that Ross guy coming up?”

Iris felt herself stop. She had entirely forgotten about that.

“After the Misty we just saw?” Dawn waved him off. “She’ll win no problem.”

“Still. Someone might want to inform her, so she can do some light practice. We know Ash by now. Misty is going to have an Ash and Pikachu leash on her for a long while.”

“We will be travelling together for a bit longer won’t we.” Iris mused.

“For the next five towns I think.” Drew said. “Then we have to branch off for a town then back together then separate again. At least I think so. I would have to check my PokeNav.”

“We can worry about that tomorrow at least.” Iris said. “It feels good to say that but we have nothing to worry about until tomorrow so relax the rest of this day away.”

“I’m off to train.” May announced standing up.

“Wait just a minute May.” Gary said stopping her. As Iris passed them on her way to the cafeteria she saw Gary whispering in May’s ear and May in concentration listening and nodding. Was he asking for a favour or for research?

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It was still early but May made her way to her bed. Dumping her bag onto the ground she was just about to collapse when the Pokegear in her bag began to vibrate.

Sighing  she answered it without looking and tiredly fell face forward onto the bed.

“Hello?” She said tiredly.

“Hey May.” The voice said. Sitting up in confusion May frowned. The voice was not unfamiliar but she did not know who it was either. Looking at the screen the face was unfamiliar as well.

“Um, hi?” She asked.

“It’s been such a long while.” the man laughed. “I was lucky to get your number from her when I ducked in to hide at their place again.

It would not have clicked for May if Gary had not been asking her all those questions earlier. He was a master of disguise after all.

“It’s been a long while. I remember you.” She said excitedly.

“I might have some good news for you May.” The man laughed.

“And I just may need your expertise and help here.” May responded laughing at the shock and confusion developing on his face.