And the World Shall Rise Again;

Part 2--Secrets
--Flamuh
=-=-=

Ash looked into the Umbreon's eyes, which no longer seemed like slits.  The Umbreon had a searching look on it's face as it studied Ash in the blackness of the room.  Ash's head felt a little itchy but he just blinked and let his fingers twitch nervously. The way this place hung in mystery gave him the creeps.  

Finally the silence was broken as the Umbreon suddenly said, "you are a champion."

Ash was startled.  "Why ye--" he started, but the Umbreon continued, paying no heed to him.  "And your father you know nothing of."

Ash started to say something again but was cut off once more.  "Your Pikachu... it wants you."

Tears choked in Ash's throat but he let it continue.  "And the redhead; she grieves.  The stony one has returned to his hometown leaving her with your Pokémon."

'Misty?!?' Ash thought incredulously, 'with my Pokémon?!?!? Oh, this is just great. I should have never gone... but I had a reason...'

Silence broke out again and Ash was not suprised when the Umbreon once again cut through it.  "You are chosen."

"Chosen?" Ash had heard this many times before, after beating every gym leader and League. As he walked through the streets people always muttered it under their breath, "there he goes, the greastest Pokémon Master of all time... he's chosen."

Misty used to tease him about it all the time, "the 'Chosen One' can't even cook a plate of spaghetti!  What a laugh!"

Ash clenched his teeth as a bead of sweat ran down his cheek. How could he think this?  He had told himself not to think anything of Misty; or Pikachu for that matter.

Or was he the one thinking?  The Umbreon had thought through him.  He was sure.

"As I said, you are chosen."  Ash turned around and faced the Umbreon.  He had never heard it this way; such finality, such... seriousness--knowingness...

"What do you mean?" he asked.  The Umbreon replied slowly.  "I mean... this."

=-=-=

They stood in a new room, a twin of the last.  It had the same blackness and dome shaped ceiling with the same rings of silver--like an Umbreon's--twisted here and there.  It had the same gloom and still, the only light source was an eerie silver light coming from a fire--but a silver one, not red and orange--in the middle of the room.

The Umbreon walked slowly and got slower until finally it came to a stop.  Ash reached it and looked at the Umbreon questioningly.

The Umbreon walked farther, then rubbed a paw over the dust that coated the wall.

Ash blew the rest off.  Words formed across it.

When Pokémon is man...
When the rising sun stays down...
When from the perils ran...
The Chosen One is found...
?«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»?

Ash studied the words and repeated them softly; "When Pokémon is man--what does that mean?... Erm... Umbreon--?"

The Umbreon broke him off curtly saying, "My name... call me Blacknight."

Ash nodded.  '"Call me"?' thought he, 'What is his real name?'

As if his thoughts were heard, Blacknight said, "my real name is a secret, Ash.  Names are better weapons than anything--even Pokémon.  Do you know what power I have over you? Yet..."--Blacknight had an almost-puzzled look as it said this--"you respond to a mere nickname... to easy to control.."

'Nickname?!?' Ash thought, 'Then what is my real name?'

Once again Blacknight spoke the answer for his thought.  "Ashiirukoe..."--here Blacknight sort of chuckled--"The Chosen One"

"Listen,"  Ash said, "Tell me what you're talking about."

Blacknight seemed to except this as a challenge and said, "then, once again, follow me."





*End of Part 2
=-=-=
Author's notes: well, I know these past two parts have been "rather" short.  I really think I should have put these together to make a prologue or something.  Dun worry; I'll make the next few parts longer... *grins evilly* >=)

Oh, and what about that cheesy name--Asiirukoe?  I think I should have stuck with Acey's "Ashura" from Pokémon Master.  Oh, dunno; I'm in the insane & original mood that comes to me around 3:00 every day. =\

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnyways, like last time, ya can send me any comments or something at g466y@yahoo.com!

Well, that's all, folks! (=P)