Four people sat behind a table in a large room of the castle. The room was fit for kings and had the armor of many knights around it while banners decorated the large arches of the highly placed windows. The four are talking quietly amongst themselves but from the looks of their faces the topic is anything but pleasant. The door opens and they all break off their conversations with one another to lock eyes with the expected pair.

In walked Brock and Ash(pikachu on his shoulder) and they walked straight up to the majestic table and bowed at the four. They stayed in their positions for a few seconds before one of the four spoke.

“It is good to see you have returned without any major injuries Ash,” said the person seated on the extreme right of the table. It was Agatha, formerly of the elite four, who had spoken.

Ash raised his head to look at the aged woman and spoke in an almost growling and unpleasant tone. “It wasn’t easy mistress. But there are more important things to talk about.”

Everyone stared at Ash intently. The information he was about to give was the reason he had been sent out in the first place.

“It is as you had feared. Mistress Claire was captured by the Shiabu clan,” he said a little slower.

His face grew softer after saying this and his eyes closed as he unknowingly took a deep breath. It was unusual to see Ash acting on emotions and the elders were a little anxious as to what he would say next.

Ash swallowed hard and hesitated to say anything further. It was like he planned to stand there all day without saying another word. After a few seconds they whispered amongst themselves but Ash, however, was not aware of the elders making comments on his behavior. In fact, his mind was replaying the horrific scene which involved Claire, one of his idols and a true Dragon Master.

The elders however waited in anticipation for what had happened to Claire. Lance just couldn’t hold his composure as he got agitated and screamed, “Well what the hell happened to her?!!!”

Ash swallowed again while everyone could see his throat getting red as well as the fire in his eyes.

“She’s dead,” he said deathly. The elders gasped and Lance stared into thin air. “I see,” he croaked out as all became quiet. Even the wind had stopped blowing it seemed.

Agatha shook her head and Lorlei tried to hold in tears that desperately wanted to escape. Eventually the silence that had fallen upon the room was lifted as Lance regained himself after the initial shock. He looked at Ash who was already looking at him. “Did you see how she died?” he asked softly.

Ash’s eyes flashed with a sense of regret for less than a second before it had disappeared. Still looking at Lance, he bit down on his back teeth before slowly nodding. Lance closed his eyes briefly and opened them while asking slowly, “Can you tell us how it happened?”

Ash’s head kept straight but he could not look at Lance. His eyes roamed the room as everything besides the former Pokemon Master had suddenly become interesting.

“Please?” asked Lance one more time noticing that Ash had no intention of agreeing.

Ash looked at him and saw Lance’s eyes practically begging and pleading.

Ash inwardly sighed as he realized that he could not be selfish and had to share the information no matter how painful it was to relate. “Yes my lord.”

Relief written on his face, Lance motioned his hand while saying, “Go ahead,” as he fought back tears.

Ash closed his eyes to remember the details of what he saw. His fist clenched and Pikachu could feel his body tense as he began to speak.

“I arrived at the location where her team was to decipher the old markings. No one was around so I figured that they went inside the old tomb. I was about to go in when I heard the roar of a Pokemon, so I turned and ran into the bush towards the sound. From the cover of the trees I could see the clearing on the other side of the bush as well as the source of the mighty roar. Claire’s Dragonite had fallen and in front of her were many bodies. Some belonged to her team and some to the Shiabu. It was only then did I see her opponent. In front of the fallen Dragonite were two Dragons. And their Master was none other than Kartik himself.”

The elders bit down hard and growled at the mention of their enemy.

Ash then continued, “Kartik told her she had slain many of his animals and she was a top catch for the Shiabu. He then ordered his men to hold her and she did not fight back because of the Dragons, but she would have if she knew what was in stored for her. I grabbed Haunter’s pokeball to try a hypnosis attack on the Dragons but when they turned Claire around to tie her hands she spotted me and shook her head side to side to tell me not to do it. I obeyed her…………though I wished I did not. Because after that, Kartik led her to the jetty not one hundred meters away from the tomb and muttered some words. He made her look into the water and her face turned grim. I looked at the water and I saw why she was frightened. Right below the jetty were many of the fierce animals called sharks…….” Ash clenched his fists even harder now and his body was hard as stone. But he willed himself to continue for the benefit of the elders. He then nodded to one of his henchmen who threw a bucket of blood from the fallen people onto Claire. Claire screamed but because the blood was smeared all over her face she could not open her eyes. Kartik then kicked her off the jetty and into the water.”

Ash opened his eyes and saw tears making their way down the faces of Lorelei and Lance. Bruno and Agatha had sad expressions on their faces as they stared at the table and their hands.

“She was torn apart bit by bit. She did not die until quiet a while after. It was only when I saw all the henchmen running towards me did I realize that I was screaming her name at the top of my lungs. Then………………………………………I ran.”

Ash’s eyes went to the floor and a look of disdain came across his face as he muttered the last sentence. It was clear to the elders that he was disgusted at himself for doing nothing to help someone whom he looked up to since he started his Pokemon journey so long ago.

Bruno was the next to speak as he tried to relieve Ash of inflicting blame upon himself. “Do not blame yourself Ash. You could not possibly take down two Dragons as well as members of the Shiabu.”

Ash swallowed again and made sure he regained his composure. “Yes Master Bruno,” he uttered with a small nod.

Ash now fully composed then delivered good news. “Claire did however manage to drop the deciphered old markings before she was taken to the jetty.”

Bruno opened his mouth but was cut off. “Where is it?!” Lorlei asked urgently.

“I gave it to professors Oak and Birch. They should b….”

Just then the door burst open and Tracey ran in with the paper in his hands.

“Speaking of great timing,” said Ash but no one paid attention. Tracey whispered something into Lance’s ear before leaving. Lance’s face turned from sad to a look that had a sense of knowing to it. A sort of ‘I was afraid of that’ look. Tracey then took his leave and Lance sighed.

He looked at Ash and spoke, “Ash I think it is about time you heard the real story of how these animals started appearing in the pokemon world.”

Ash, though a gopher for the elders, was kept in the dark as everyone else in the regions was as far as this topic went. He only knew of rumors of how and why these creatures suddenly appeared. Some said that it was the sign of the apocalypse while others simply stated that they came from unknown islands because their food sources ran out. So it was needless to say that Ash was more than ready to hear what really happened and he indicated this to Lance with a simple nod of the head.

Lance returned the nod and began his explanation. “Years ago Kartik was a very wealthy man due to a family fortune that was passed down from generation to generation. But to him, that was not enough, so he spent everything he had looking for something that was considered a myth. It was five years ago when Kartik found what he was looking for……….the amulet of Amak Anra. This amulet is what allowed him to bring these animals here. It is the key between the realms of animals. He brought all the animals here from another realm and as you know he uses it to destroy any opposition in his quest to rule the Pokemon world. But when he awoke the powers that were dormant in the amulet he awoke positive energy as well as negative. That is why people suddenly started have certain gifts and powers. It is because they are descendents of elves and wizards.”

Ash looked at Lance like he was going mad. He had heard rumors of the amulet but wizards and elves were taking it a bit far.

“I know you think I am crazy,” Lance said as Ash wondered how he knew what he was thinking.

“But it is true. And thanks to the paper you retrieved we now know how to send the animals back to their own respective realms.”

Ash looked intently at Lance. He nodded his head and said, “I’m listening.”

Lance just like before took his turn to nod and continued.

“The old priest Amak Anra was buried with his amulet but he created another amulet to send the animals back to their realms in case it ever got into the wrong hands. This is located at one of his temple. Gary has managed to find the location of the temple which was buried underground by earthquakes more than a millennia ago. It is vital we get the amulet to cast away these animals and defeat the Shiabu clan so we can restore peace in the Pokemon world.”

Ash, still thinking about what he had just been told, absentmindedly nodded in agreement while staring into thin air. That is until he noticed everyone, including Brock, was looking at him and Pikachu. He was confused for a while but pretty soon he looked to the ground and delivered a heavy sighed before saying, “When do I leave?”

Lance, “Right away.”

Ash looked up slowly and a tired face watched the elder. Though he was a little annoyed he did not bother expressing it. He bowed and was about to leave the room when he heard Lorlei speak. “The others should be waiting for you in the garden.”

Ash stopped dead in his tracks.

He turned slowly while looking at the elder. She wore a face that said you can’t talk your way out of it but that did not bother Ash.

“Others?” he said through gritted teeth while she nodded. He shook his head slowly while locking on a death glare with her. “I work alone lady.”

She then put on a devilish smile on her face. “You don’t have a choice,” she said slowly while emphasizing every single word.

Ash growled but he knew he couldn’t do anything about it. “Fine. But when I come back alone and you hear they are all dead I would prefer you say nothing of it.”

Lance raised his hand. “That is enough Ash. The people we have chosen are all the people that are going to be needed. Even you can say that they are extremely skillful trainers as some of them have even beaten you in your youth. Brock is also going with you so you should feel safe once he is around.”

Ash looked at his friend then back to the elder. A skeptical look crossed his face before words left his mouth. “I’m sorry. But I would take my chances alone. More people equals more chaos. And Brock might be my friend and a great trainer but I don’t see how I could feel safe if we were to run into a Dragon.”

When Ash finished speaking he saw a light from the corner of his eyes. When he looked at Brock again he had completely changed outfits. He was now in dark colored clothes with a long flowing cape, sword at the waist and a staff in his hand.

Ash was shocked to say the least but did not show it in his face.

“Brock is the strongest wizard we have Ash. He is more than capable of handling a Dragon while the rest of your group could definitely handle another one. You alone have killed two Dragons and are somewhat legend in the castle. Everyone knows of your stealth work over the years and you have even earned a nick name amongst your peers as Whispering Death. All this added to the fact you were well on your way to being the Pokemon Master is why we have chosen you to lead the group Ash.”

Lance turned to Brock and spoke again. “Brock, why don’t you show Ash the team he will be leading to the temple.”

Brock nodded and went out the door with Ash following.

They reached the stairs to the garden and saw many people with back packs waiting to leave.

Ash looked around at all the faces. All had dark hard material clothes with cloaks on their backs as well as bows and had swords at their waist. He knew each one of them and knew each one of them were incredibly strong.

‘May, Richie, Erika, Brock, Gary and Max. Oh great. They picked all my friends for a mission which some are not going to live. My God, what am I going to do.’

May was the first one to notice Ash’s arrival and ran up a few stairs and hugged him.

“We were worried about you.” She said while still hugging him. He returned the hug lightly before breaking it off and looking down the few steps remaining and watched all his friends looking up at him with smiles.

“Why are you all smiling? You guys do realize that we might not come back from this. That and the fact that my ideas are always very dangerous.”

Gary laughed before speaking, “Well Ashy boy, if it is our turn to die then it is our turn to die. But whether you like it or not you are going to need us for certain aspects of the journey. I am the only one who knows the location of the temple as well as any idea of how to navigate through it. Erika knows all about healing herbs as well as deadly and Brock can fend off most of the animals by himself. But even with us three and yourself it still would be too dangerous. So you also need three other top class trainers who can be compared to you and I. May, Max and Richie have beaten both of us once or twice in life so they are quite capable of helping. So what else do you want to tell us to try and make us back out of this?”

Ash looked hard at Gary before grunting. Why the hell Gary had to be the smart ass. “Let’s go,” he said silently.

And they were on their way. To anyone else, they would wonder how Ash could be considered a friend with the way he treats the others. But they all knew why he had been so for the last two years.

They exited the clearing from which the Dragon had chased Ash earlier, just going a little more westward. Everyone was more or less silent while having their hands close to their pokebelts.

One week later

It was already late in the day and was coming up to sunset.

“I’ll go on and search for the river that should be close by. There is an enchanted area around there which will allow no harm to be done to us as we sleep.” Everyone decided it was a good idea and nodded to Brock. He then went off.

Fifteen minutes later everyone was enjoying the rest from walking.

They all sat down on tree roots and rested. Richie bit his lip and wondered if he should even attempt to make small talk. He decided to go ahead because he couldn’t stand the silence and annoying Ash would be fun.

“Still a little shocked by the ‘mighty Brocks’ powers?” he asked Ash

Ash nodded a little while stroking Pikachu who was in his lap.

“Yes. I was not even aware that wizards existing. And within a few minutes of finding out of their existence one of the people I thought I knew most of all made me realize that I had no clue who he was anymore. In fact, it made me realize how I’ve neglected you guys since that day in City A. I can’t even remember any……..”

Ash furrowed his brow and snapped his head to his left. They were all sitting under the trees but a little distance away was a very small clearing and high grass. Ash stood up slowly while scanning the moving grass.

Everyone got up and Erika approached Ash. She looked to the field and only saw the high grass swaying from the breeze.

“What are you looking at Ash?” asked Gary.

Ash kept his eyes on the field but answered Gary’s question. “We are being watched.”

Gary grew serious. “Animal or Shiabu?”

He asked.

“Animal.”

Max who was a generally quiet person at his present age reached for a pokeball.
“What kind are they?”

Everyone wanted an answer to Max’s question so Ash had no choice but to answer.

“You see them too buddy?”
“PIKA!”

Ash growled “That is what I thought.”

He turned his head slowly to everyone else. “We are being stalked by a pack of lions. They are coming in closer but we cannot fight here. The space is too small and we would hit each other with our attacks. We have to split up and when you get to a big enough space release your pokemon.”

They heard a growl quickly followed by Ash’s voice.

“RUN!”

Everyone darted into different directions and Ash saw the field rustling violently.

He ran in the opposite direction of the field, occasionally zipping through trees to the left then the right. He heard May scream. “MAY?!?!”

He continued running but looked at the mouse on his shoulder.

“Pikachu go and find May! I’ll use Bayleef for the lions.”

Pikachu nodded and flew off his shoulder into the bush on his right. Ash glanced behind. Only one lion chased him but it was close.

As Ash looked ahead he saw a clearing where he could stand and fight. He felt a tug on his waist but figured the branch almost caught his shirt. He ran straight into the clearing and spun around while reaching for Bayleef’s ball.
“What?!!! Where is my belt?!”

As he looked up at the lion he saw it pass a branch that now held his pokemon belt that was tugged off when he was running. The lion sprinted into the clearing and leapt at Ash with claws extended and fangs showing from an open mouth. Ash closed his eyes waiting for the pain.

The lion sprinted into the clearing and leapt at Ash with claws extended and fangs showing from an open mouth. Ash closed his eyes waiting for the pain.

But all that happened was him hearing a thud and something sliding to his feet.

Ash opened his eyes and looked at his feet. There he saw the lion lying dead with an arrow in its neck.

“That was careless Ketchum,” said a feminine and sweet voice.

Ash was startled but at least he had enough time to pull out his sword unlike when the lion had leapt.

He looked to his right and saw a slim figure shorter than he was with a hooded cloak and a bow in hand. Also a sword unlike the ones he was used to hung from her waist. It was curved and the side was not as broad as his but it looked unbreakable. She also had his pokemon belt as well as her own.

He was thrown out of his thoughts when he heard footsteps and the gang burst through the trees. They all came around Ash while Erika and Gary had their bows out. They were about to release their arrows when they noticed Pikachu trotting to the figure.

“What are you doing?!?! Pikachu get back here!!!” screamed Ash.

The figure bent down and took Pikachu in its hands. Pikachu nuzzled under the hood onto the figure’s face. Ash was completely dumbfounded as to how his Pokemon could trust so someone like that. But that was nothing compared to the shock he got next.

“Pikachupi” said the mouse.

Ash stood there as though he saw a ghost. “Pikachupi,” he said silently to himself but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone was confused and stared at Ash while he looked like he would faint.

“Ash, what is going on?” asked an slightly annoyed Gary.

Ash shook his head clear. He locked his eyes onto the figure for a little longer before taking any further action. It was though he was afraid of what might happen.

It was a good while before Ash could finally utter out some words ever so slowly. “Remove your hood,” he said with an emotion that could not be deciphered.

The figure seemed to look at Ash, and while one hand held Pikachu the other pulled the hood back.

Everyone was in shock except for Ash. He did not know what he was feeling. All he was aware of was long red hair and emerald green eyes as well as the name that came out his mouth.

“Misty.”

Everyone was silent. They did not know what to do until Misty smiled a sweet smile. “Hello Ash.”

After they overcame the shock everyone took turns to greet the friend they had not seen in two years.

Everyone hugged and greeted her except for Ash. He stayed on the opposite side of the clearing looking at the ground.

Everyone looked between the two expecting a more eventful reunion but Misty remained smiling and walked up to him and handed over his pokemon belt. He looked up from the ground to see her and she caressed his face with her hand. Her smile turned to a sadder smile but she wore it none the less.

She turned around to the rest of the group. “I shall lead you all to the enchanted area. Brock is waiting for you there now.” Everyone nodded happily and followed Misty while Ash brought up the rear.

A few minutes later they reached a small community in the forest but it was a remarkable site. Everyone was dressed in white and the clear water flowed through a stream ceaselessly. No one needed someone to tell them these were descendents of elves of the forest.

Misty showed them to a large hollowed out rock where they would stay under and they got a fire going. Everyone asked Misty what she had been doing for the last two years and why she did not seek them out.

She laughed lightly. “I am not a wizard Brock. I cannot simply go out in the wilderness by myself like that. And I cannot jeopardize other people’s lives to escort me across the forest. Plus I did not know where you guys went after we were separated at city A.”

Brock looked at Misty poking the fire. She had a wonderful cape and even more graceful clothes. She had to be of some rank here. But that would mean……

“Misty,” he spoke. Her head shot up to Brock while still wearing a smile that lit up the forest more than the lanterns they were using.

“Yeh Brock?” she asked

“I was wondering. Everyone here calls you Lady Misty.”

Misty looked like a child being found during a game of hide and seek. Happy but disappointed at the same time.

“Care to explain?”

“<Sigh> Guess you guys would have found out sooner or later. They call me Lady because that is what I am. A Lady of the elves. A noble.”

“Ah. I see. You’re a descendent of the noble family of the elves. In other words you are what men call queens and princesses except you have a major role in the elves lives,” Gary said.

Misty nodded, “That is correct.”

The so far silent Ash now got up and started walking away. Pikachu was following him but stopped.
“Stay here Pikachu. I am just going for a walk.”

The mouse pokemon’s ears dropped as well as a certain red head’s smile after hearing the cold tone used.

Ash then walked away from the center of the community and through the bridge of the stream.

Erika sighed. “I hope he does not leave the enchanted area.”

Misty shook her head, “I doubt it. The enchanted area stretches in that direction. It goes well beyond the stream so he is not in danger.”

Everyone nodded before Misty spoke again.

“So May,” she said while drinking some tea from her cup. “How long have you been in love with Richie.”

Richie’s tea went out the shadow of the rock since he was at the end of it.

“How did you know that?!?!” he exclaimed.

Erika then got into the mix, “I think the question is how come we are now hearing about it.” Everyone laughed and Misty spoke again.

“Oh come on. You two are almost as obvious Gary and Erika.”
Two more people spat out their tea.

“The only two people who don’t have someone on the journey are Brock and Ash,” May pointed out.

Brock looked at her and waved a hand while chuckling. “I don’t mind. I have a loving wife and two kids to go home to. You all still have to go through child birth.”

When Brock mentioned this, both Erika and May got up and rearranged the sleeping arrangement so they were on one side of the rock and the guys were squashed on the other.

With the mention of wife Misty grew excited. “How is Suzie anyway?”

And the night continued in similar fashion until Misty said it was time everyone to get some rest.

Everyone agreed while she busied herself by taking up Ash’s blanket and his pillow.

Brock noticed her and wanted to know why she was taking it.

“Hey where are you going with that?” asked Brock.

Once Misty had everything in her arms she used one of her hands to pull a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Knowing Mister Ketchum he probably fell asleep under a tree. No need to wake him but I don’t want him to feel cold.”

Brock agreed and Misty said her goodnights to everyone.

She walked slowly and enjoyed the breeze as she crossed the first bridge of the stream. The stream curved around the trees she was going into so she would have to cross a second bridge. As soon as she entered the clear to the second bridge she was grabbed roughly and pulled away.

She thought about fighting but did nothing as she felt lips upon hers and a tongue that did not belong to her in her mouth. She felt the passion of longing in each kiss and the two held each other tightly as though they were afraid the other would run away. Clothes came off bit by bit and they both released their passion that had been trapped within them for two years.

Hours later, Ash and Misty lay under the stars with only the blanket she had brought for him to cover their naked bodies. She lay on Ash’s right arm while Ash pulled her as close as possible. His left hand stoked her hips as they shared gentle kisses. Ash slowly pulled away and looked at her. He moved his left hand and caressed her face. She smiled sweetly and kissed his fingertips ever so gently.

“No one knows how much I missed you,” he told her.

She shook her head slowly while closing her eyes and resting on his chest.

“I do. For two years I have waited for us to be together again. Though it was hard not knowing whether you were alive or not.”

“I know what you mean. But from here to the castle is less than a week’s walk. Why did you never check for us there?” asked Ash

He lay on his back while Misty lay on her side pushing her face into Ash’s face while pressing her breasts into his side and chest.

“I could not abandon the elves like that. They look to me for leadership. If I were to take some of them to escort me across the forest what would happen here if someone uses black magic to negate the safety of the enchanted area. I am the only one who could do the spell right now to counter the black magic. What kind of leader would I be? And even if I could get another noble here then there would be so many lands to search.”

Ash looked into her eyes and saw she still had the sparkle in them that would take his breath from him. “You are right. That would not make you a good leader. But now that I have found you, how do I let you go again? How do I leave tomorrow knowing you are here and that I might not return to spend my life with you?”

Ash was very sad with the discussion but noticed Misty seemed pretty happy.

She kissed Ash again very gently.

“Because Steven is coming tomorrow. He has the most knowledge and he is the highest rank of all us elves.”

Ash was confused by this. “Doesn’t that mean you two are married since you are also a noble?”

Misty laughed, “No. He is my uncle.”

Now Ash was really losing it. He thought she said uncle.

“How can he be your uncle? The guy is not that old.”

“That does not matter Ash. Daisy’s daughter is my niece and she is twelve years old. So if she was my child I would have had her at twelve.”

“Daisy and your sisters are here?” Ash again asked.

“You will see them in the morning before we leave.”

Ash looked at her through the corner of his eyes. “WE?” Ash stressed.

Misty smiled, kissed him for the…….whatever time it was……..and laid back down on his chest. “Well with Steven coming I won’t need to be here. And if your journey is to end the war the elves want to help. Anyway, we have to rest because tomorrow marks the end of our quiet days for a long time. Only danger and near death greets us. So we have to be on our best.”

Ash smiled and turned to his side and pressed Misty against him.
”Well if near death awaits us then I don’t want to be on my best. I would like to make up for two years of missed opportunities.”

He kissed her a little harder that before.

Misty smiled and put one leg over the side of Ash under the blanket.

“Hmmmh. Maybe you are right. And I can feel that you are more than UP to the task,” she told him seductively.
“Since when does a noble act so vulgar?”

They both laughed. “A lady in the street, a freak in the bed,” she whispered.

Ash smiled and held her face in his hands and looked into her eyes.

“I love you,” said Ash.

And Misty replied, “I love you too,” before they consummated their love for the second time that night.

AN:if you all are wondering why I have so many disclaimers in the middle of the page its because this was three separate chapters. But to make it more enjoyable for you guys to read I made it one so you could have a nice long chapter. By the way everyone’s fav. red head is 24.

Ages

Ash, Gary and Richie are 23 (So when the animals now appeared they were 18)

Brock 27

Erika is 25

May is 20

And Max is 17

Misty 24