Recap: Ash, his friends and their Pokemon were all enjoying a peaceful day in a forest near Pallet Town.  All the Pokemon except Charmeleon had a good time playing hide and seek with Ash, Misty and Brock.  Vulpix told Charmeleon that it wondered what he would do if Ash's life depended on him.  That came to pass when Team Rocket dumped Ash on an island in the middle of nowhere, and he was shot with a poisoned arrow.  Ash and Charmeleon got to the temple, but Ash fell off the cliff that seperated it.  Charmeleon became Charizard to save him, and he gave Ash the antidote in time.
' is human thoughts
(' is Pokemon thoughts
( ) is Charizard talking
Pokemon language followed by ( ) is Pokemon talk and the translation




                                                Chapter 2: A New Foe

       It was a beautiful night in Pallet Town.  Ash, Misty and Brock were in the forest out in the forest enjoying the weather.
       "Let's release our Pokemon.  They deserve a break as well," Ash said.
       "That's a great idea Ash.  This is a lovely night, and I bet that they would love to frolic around anyway," Brock said.
       "Yeah, we can all have a good time," Misty added.
       Ash, Misty and Brock released their Pokemon.  The Pokemon were all glad to be out in beautiful weather.  Charizard was a little worried though.
       ('I'm worried about Ash.  What if something similar to the poison arrow incident happens?  He will need all the help he can get, and I am more than willing to help him when the time should come.  I have let him down too much.  I'll do my best not to intentionally let him down again') Charizard thought.
       "I'm going for a walk.  I'll be back in time for dinner," Ash said. 
       "Okay Ash, have fun," Brock said.
       Ash's Pokemon were just relaxing when they overheard the brief conversation.
       "Pika p Pikapi pikachu (I think that two of us should go with Ash)," Pikachu said.
       (Why don't you and I go with him?) Charizard suggested.
       "Pika pika pikachu (That's a wonderful idea)," Pikachu said.
       Ash was getting ready to leave when he heard two of his Pokemon call out to him.  Pikachu and Charizard were walking toward him.
       "It seems that Charizard and Pikachu want to go with you Ash," Misty said.
       "All right guys, we can all go," Ash said to his two Pokemon.
       Ash, Pikachu and Charizard set off together.  They enjoy the warm night air as they are walking.  In a nearby area of trees, Team Rocket was up to their usual planning. 
       "What are we going to do now?  We won't be able to get away from Charizard is involved," Jesse said.
       "We'll just follow them for now.  Maybe we can catch a break when they stop for a break," Meowth said.
       "Yeah, this might be the day we can finally pull off something even with that Charizard there," James said.
       "For once, we have something better than the 'hole' trap.  All we have to do is lasso that Pikachu when they least expect it," Jesse said.
       "Yeah, and we won't get electrocuted thanks to these rubber gloves and outfits," James said.
       They were so into their planning, that they didn't realize that a group of Mankey were sleeping nearby (A/N: As usual).  The Mankey woke up very angry and quickly found the sources of the noise.
       "Man key mankey (We're going to clobber you)," the group of Mankey said.
       "Oh no, we must've disturbed those Mankey," James said.
       The Mankey gave them a nice Mega Punch.  Team Rocket was sent sky high.
       "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Jesse, James and Meowth said.
       Meanwhile, Ash, Pikachu and Charizard were still walking.
       "This is great isn't it?" Ash asked.
       The Pokemon nodded happily.  They were enjoying the clear sky and quiet conditions as well.  They were unaware of the sinister presence nearby.  The presence was a man who made even the toughest Team Rocket member look like a toddler.  However, he wasn't what he appeared to be.  He watched as from the first day of being a Pokemon trainer. 
       'I've been watching you Ash.  I cannot continue to let you live.  A person as pure as you will be a big threat to my plans,' the man thought.  Then he takes out his crossbow and arms it with an arrow.  He aims for Ash's heart and fires.
       At this time, Ash, Pikachu and Charizard are sitting and taking in the scenery.  Suddenly, Pikachu and Charizard hear something streaking towards them.
       "They looked in the direction of the barely audible object.  Charizard sees the arrow first.  He then sees that it's aimed at Ash's heart.  Charizard flies and tackles Ash to the ground.  The arrow sails over them and sticks into a nearby tree.  Charizard lets out a sigh of relief and helps Ash up.
       "What was that for?  Was there something bad waiting for me?" Ash asked.
       Charizard simply points to the tree.  Ash looks at the tree to see an arrow sticking from it.  He immediately knows that whoever shot the arrow meant to kill him.
       "Thanks Charizard for saving me," Ash said.
       Charizard nodded.  Not too long afterwards, he suddenly scooped Ash up and flew into the air.  Ash and Charizard looked down and saw another arrow sticking out of the tree.  Charizard flew in the direction he heard the arrow coming from.  Not too long afterwards, Ash and Charizard found the person who shot the arrow.
       "Charizard, fire a warning Flamethrower at him," Ash said.
       Charizard nodded and fired the warning shot at the man.  It was a warning shot because it missed the man by only a few inches.  The man looked up and saw Ash in Charizard's arms.
       "Alakazam, teleport us away," the man said as he released his Pokemon.
       "Alakazam (Got you)," the Pokemon said as it teleported its trainer and itself away.
       Then Charizard flew for where Pikachu was.  He arrived in not too much time.  He landed and placed Ash on the ground.  Pikachu was just glad that his best friend was all right.
       "Pika pi pika pika pikachu (Thank you for keeping him safe)," Pikachu said.
       (It was nothing.  I'll do anything in my power to help him) Charizard said.
       Ash was just about at the stage of total panic now.  He didn't want to think about the poison arrow incident.  Unfortunately, the two close calls with the arrows reminded him of just that.
       'The poison arrow incident was bad enough.  That was because I was trespassing.  This time, I wasn't trespassing.  Apparently, someone wants to flat out kill me,' he thought.
       Charizard saw Ash's state of panic and immediately understood the reason.  He also hoped that nothing similar to the poison arrow incident would happen again either.  He only worried more about Ash now.  ('I'm more worried about Ash now.  Someone's after him this time.  The only reason for the poison arrow is that we were trespassing, but the archer never shot Pokemon.  I still blame myself for that') Charizard thought.
       "Let's head back guys," Ash said.  He started to walk.
       Charizard gripped his arm.  Ash understood that gesture and climbed on Charizard's back.  Pikachu jumped on Ash's hat, and Charizard flew off.  They returned to the camp in about 15 minutes.
       "It's still a little early Ash.  What happened?" Misty said.
       Ash told Misty, Brock and the other Pokemon what happened.  The Pokemon were more worried now.  They also thought that the poison arrow incident was bad enough.  Now, they will have to deal with someone who wants to kill Ash.
       Meanwhile, the mysterious man was back at a secret place that no one but he and his Pokemon knew about.  He was angry about the fact that he was very close to his goal.  'I would've killed the boy if that Charizard of his didn't intervene,' he thought.  'Oh well, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.'  His Pokemon were ready, willing and able to do his bidding.  He trained all his Pokemon to fight and to be killers if the time should come.  The Pokemon knew that the time for them to act was only a manner of time away.  They would fight until their death if necessary.
       Back in the camp area, it is just about time to settle in for the night.  Ash, Misty and Brock prepare to turn in.
       "Why don't we have our Pokemon take nights?" Misty asked.
       "That's a good idea.  That way, they can be ready to take action if the man who tried to kill Ash tries again," Brock said.
       Charizard was all over that idea.  So were Ash and the other Pokemon.  The Pokemon were ready and able to protect Ash when the time came.
       "Who wants to take the first night?" Ash asked.
       Charizard raised his hand.  Ash saw the worry and concern in Charizard's eyes.
       "All right, Charizard will take the first night," Misty said.
       Then everyone with the exception of Charizard went to sleep.  The fire was starting to go down, and Charizard used his Flamethrower to light it back up again.
       Meanwhile, the man who tried to kill Ash was nearby in a tall patch of bushes.  He was furious to see Charizard still awake.  'I've got to take care of that Charizard if I'm going to get my chance to kill Ash,' he thought.  "I know; I choose you Venosaur," he said.
       Venosaur came out of its Pokeball and silently awaited orders.
       "Venosaur, use Sleep Poweder," the man said.
       Venosaur nodded and sent its powder through the air.  Charizard heard the man and was ready for the powder.  He used his Flamethrower to completely dissolve the powder.  He wanted to go after the man, but he knew that Ash would be very vulnerable if he did so.
       ('I would go after that guy, but I don't want to leave Ash') Charizard thought.  He stayed with Ash and the rest of the group.
       The man was furious that Charizard didn't try to come after him.  'It must know my intention to get the boy if it leaves.  Unlike most villains, I am willing to go as long as it takes to kill that boy.  I will not let him live,' he thought.
       The rest of the night was peaceful.  In the morning, the sleeping group awakened.  Charizard was up all night, so he was starting to get sleepy.
       "Take a rest Charizard.  We won't be going anywhere anytime soon," Ash said.
       Charizard nodded and went to sleep.  Ash smiled at Charizard.
       'It's amazing to think that Charizard used to be so rebellious to me.  Now, he's more than willing to protect me,' Ash thought.
       Meanwhile, the stranger decided to reveal himeself to Ash and the others soon.  'The time to reveal myself is almost here.  I'll lure Ash away before I do so,' he thought.  He had Alakazam teleport them to where Ash and company were.  He saw Charizard asleep and thought that it was now or never.
       Venosaur put them all to sleep with its sleep powder and captured Ash with its vines.  Alakazam then teleported them to a very tall cliff.  There was a three-mile drop with jagged rocks on the bottom, a sure death for any human and most Pokemon that fell off the cliff.
       A few hours later, the sleep powder wore off.  Ash woke up to find his friends and Pokemon nowhere in sight.
       "Where am I?" Ash asked.  He looked down and wished he hadn't.  He looked around and saw that a Venosaur held him by its vines.
       "I see that you know about my Venosaur," a voice said.
       "Who are you?  Where are you?" Ash asked.
     The source of the voice stepped out from behind a nearby tree.  It was the same man that Ash and Charizard saw yesterday.  It gave a little nod to Venosaur, and Venosaur stepped even closer to the edge of the cliff.  It waited to throw Ash over the  edge and to his death.
       "They call me Demon," the man responded.
       "Why do they call you that?" Ash asked.
       "They call me that for two reasons.  One is that I have the heart of a demon; two is that I am a demon," Demon responded as he became his true self.
       Ash gasped so loudly that it could've easily been mistaken for a scream.  Demons' true form was that of a terrifying goblin.  Demon had green slits for eyes, sharp teeth and claws and a muscular body.  He then became human again with full green eyes, light brown skin and a muscular body.  Back at camp, Misty, Brock and the others were out of their minds with worry.  Ash was nowhere to be found, and they had no clue what happened to him.
       "We've got to find him," Misty said.
       "I know Misty, but we have no idea where he could be," Brock said.
       "Our Pokemon could help us," Misty suggested.
       "Good idea," Brock said.  "Are you guys ready?" he added.
       The Pokemon nodded.
       "Pika pi chu pika chu pikachu.  Pi pika pichu pikachu.  Pika pi chu pikachu (Charizard, Onix, and I will go to find Ash.  Bulbasaur and Vulpix are also good trackers.  The rest of you stay behind in case Team Do-Do shows up)," Pikachu said.
       The other Pokemon nodded.  Brock and Misty got on Onix, and Pikachu got on Charizard.  The Pokemon, Misty and Brock set off to find their friend.  Charizard flew high in the air while Onix, Bulbasaur adn Vulpix followed from the ground.  Charizard was low enough for Onix to be able to see him.
       "There's no use struggling.  You won't escape my Venosaur's grip," they heard a voice say an hour later.
       "Where did that voice come from?" Misty said.
       "It came frm straight ahead," Brock responded.  "Let's go," he added.
       Charizard flew on ahead.  He Pikachu soon saw the source of the voice.  Charizard gasped because it was the same man that almost killed Ash with an arrow.  He flew down to free Ash from the Venosaur's grip.  Pikachu jumped off and gave Demon a Thundershock.  Demon only shook it off.
       "You'll have to do better than that to stop me," Demon said.  "Send him over Venosaur."
       Venosaur nodded and prepared to throw Ash over.  Charizard hovered in front of it and prepared to use a Flamethrower on it.  Venosaur was ready though.  It put Ash in the way of the attack.  Charizard didn't want to hit Ash and didn't attack.  But Charizard was still in the way so Venosaur couldn't throw Ash over.
       Demon fired a concentrated electric beam at Charizard.  Charizard didn't see it because his back was facing it; however, Ash saw it.
       "Charizard, fly up quick!" Ash shouted.
       Charizard flew up, and the beam missed him.  It was bittersweet however as Venosaur could now throw Ash over.  Venosaur wasted no time and threw Ash over the cliff.  Demon fired electricity at Charizard.  That way, Charizard couldn't just fly down and save Ash.
       "Ash!" Misty and Brock cried in horror.  They could do nothing to save him now.
       It seemed as though Ash was going to die.  Suddenly, he stopped falling.  He floated up and was put down away fom the edge of the cliff.
       "Ash, how did this happen?" Brock asked.
       "I don't know," Ash respoded.
       Demon stopped attacking when he saw Ash safe.  "How can you still be here?  I told Venosaura to throw you over the cliff," he said.
       "I am just as confused myself," Ash responded.
       Charizard seized the confusion and gave Venosaur an Ember attack.  Venosaur fainted from the attack.  Pikachu powered up for a Thunder attack.
       "We'll meet again," Demon said as he revealed his true form.  He returned Venosaur, and Alakazam teleported itself and him away.
       "He's a hideous monster," Misty said.
       "I know, and he's nothing like Team Rocket.  He's far more evil and he's very deadly," Brock agreed.
       Ash got on Charizard, and Charizard flew off.  Onix followed wiht Bulbasaur and Vulpix on its back as well as Misty and Brock.  They all wondered about who saved Ash from certain death.  Something watched them leave.  It read their thoughts about Ash being saved and smiled.
       'Don't worry Ash; I'll tell you all about me soon,' it thought.  It spread its wings and flew off, ready to reveal itself to Ash and the others the next day.



Well, I finally got chapter 2 out.  Sorry for the long wait.  Preview for Chapter 3: A New Ally:  This is a contrast from chapter 2's title.  Ash, his friends and Demon get to know about the one who saved Ash from falling to his death.  She is a cross between an angel and a human.  I know that this sounds like Angewomon from Digimon but its not her.  This hybrid is purely psychic because she only knows psychic moves.

Oh and also, I've been thinking about a new Yugioh fic to all you Yugioh fic readers.  I'm getting my thoughts organized and will have the first chapter out soon.  So look for: Not Really A Demon.