Ash's Gift
By MegamanZero
Part Nine: They Have Arrived part B
nmc_512@yahoo.com  
AAMRN

Ash: 15 Misty: 16   Brock: 20   Duplica: 15
Jamie: 16   Gary: 16    Jesse and James: 21
Richie: 17  Ashura: 15  Todd: 16

A/N: Hey there, all you rabid readers! I've devoted most of my school time to finishing this chapter, and I have yet to finish my research paper (stupid Modernism :P). * Sigh * This is what I get for being in I.B. Anyhoo, I'm fully aware that, once again, I have forgotten to put a disclaimer on the last chapter. Also, twerpshippers and sailshippers unite! You will see what I mean ^_~. Enjoy, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Jesus, how many more ways are there to tell you that I DO NOT OWN POKEMON!?

* * * *

Ash frantically searched the sky for the unseen assailants. Just a moment ago Jamie was above him, about to blast him into oblivion, and the next moment he was lying on the dirt and grass, unmoving. The boy's eyes darted around, scoping out the night sky. He saw nothing, but he could feel it.

That same nausiating feeling contaminated the air around him and seemed to defile his very being. The sensation seemed to grow viler and more disgusting by the second. It was getting closer. The air rippled and pulsed all about him, it made his skin prickle.

He quickly studied his surroundings. Misty, Duplica, and Pikachu were slowly peeling themselves off the ground. Jamie laid gasping and twitching a few feet away from them, a small red pool blossoming out from under him. Brock still laid unconscious, his own breathing slow and rasping. Abra had crawled back into his Pokeball.

Ash once again got the same feeling that this was all one horrible nightmare, which he awake from to see Misty lying next to him in her sleeping bag. Ash pinched himself. He nearly wept when he didn't wake up. He then snapped himself out of his daze and rushed to help the others.

"Misty!" he cried as he snatched her into a loving embrace. He held her close to him, savoring the smell of her hair, the softness of her form.

"Ash ..." she murmured into his neck as she laid a soft kiss upon it.

With great reluctance, the two pried themselves from each other. "PIKAPI!" the yellow mouse squeaked as he jumped into his trainer's arms. "Pi pi pikachu cha!"

Ash lovingly stroked his little friend's back. "I know, and I promise not to scare you like that ever again, buddy." His raptor's gaze focused on the girl clad in the black leather-like uniform.

"Who are you, Duplica?" Ash's question bored into the girl's mind. She looked away from him.

"I ... really don't know anymore, Ash." She looked down in shame. "Originally, I was supposed to be part of the team that took you in, but now ..."

Ash's stare seemed to pierce through her. This was definitely not the same Duplica he had met back at the Imitate House. "Take me in for what?" His words were both kind and deadly at the same time.

She looked at him with her deep crimson orbs. "To train you; to prep you into the ultimate killing machine." Her eyes took in his features. God, he's so handsome, she thought dreamily. "My mission tonight was to apprehend you and take you back to headquarters so you could be trained." Misty scowled as the girl's hand rested on his shoulder. "But ... now I just can't bring myself to do it."

Ash raised his eyebrows in curiosity. “Why?”

Duplica inched closer to him. “Because of this.”

Then Duplica did something no one expected her to. Her hands wrapped around the back of his head and neck as she pulled him into a deep kiss, in front of Misty, God, and everybody. Ash's cry of surprise was swallowed by Duplica as her kiss became more passionate. The boy almost screamed when her tongue attempted to dance with his.

"HEY!" Misty shrieked as she shoved Duplica out of the liplock. She turned to Ash, who looked horrified.

"She caught me by surprise, I didn't know what to do!" he protested. Misty ignored him and glared daggers at Duplica, whose look of sheer joy seemed to light up the forest.

"What was that for!?" the red-head screamed. Ash had to bite his tongue to keep from letting loose peels of laughter. That's the Misty I know, he thought. "Where do you get off kissing MY man?"

Duplica ignored her. "I love you, Ash!" she blurted. "And I want to help you escape. Soon there will be Elites swarming this place, and they will be after your blood. And the Cause will send in reinforcements to take you in." She made a fist and charged it with Psi. "I would rather be killed a thousand times than let anybody hurt you."

Misty was still histerical. "That still doesn't excuse you from sticking your tongue down Ash's throat!" she bellowed. "Who do you think you are and ..."

With lighting speed, Ash had put a finger on Misty's lips. She soon forgot what she was yelling about. "Misty, you know that you're the only girl for me." he said reassuringly.

Misty gave a dreamy sort of look. "Whaaa ...?" She had forgotten what she was yelling about.

Ash looked over toward the area that Jamie laid. He crouched down by Jamie's side. Ash then surprised everybody when he began to perform CPR on the boy.

Duplica was shocked. "What are you doing? He attacked you! Why are you helping him?"

Ash paid her no heed as he continued to breathe air into Jamie's mouth, then pumping his hands into the boy's chest.

Jamie, Ash thought, I forgive you.

* * * *

"Hello, HQ, do you read?"

Gary cursed loudly when static came as his only response. He tapped his wristcom.

"Hello, HQ, do you copy?" He yelled, the irritation imminent in his voice. He then cried out with joy when a face materialized into the screen of his wristcom.

"Gary?" the face said. "Agent, is that you? Jesus H. Christ, the Psi scanners are going haywire, and it's total bedlam back here, what's going on over there? We can't get a fix on the sources. Situation Report, now!"

Gary searched around the branches before speaking. "Sir, you're not going to believe this, but it appears that we have a threat bigger than the Ultimate on our hands."

"What! Just what the hell are you talking about, Agent?"

Gary wiped off the fresh beads of sweat from his brow. "Sir, the reason that the Psi scanners won't work is because the signature is too corrosive to scan. My Psigogs have blown out!" He lifted the shattered goggles to the screen of his wristcom with his injured hand.

Smith looked horrified. "What?" he said in a low voice.

Gary tossed the now useless glasses into the dirt. "I'm saying that there's no way to get near it without dying, sir! It's over a mile away, and already I'm beginning to feel sick!" Gary clutched his stomach. "And it's getting closer, sir. I can feel it."

The Major threw his hands up in the screen. "Then just how the hell are we supposed to fight this thing if we can't even get close to it, then!?"

A grim face appeared on Gary. "Sir, there is one way. And I think you know what it is, sir."

The Major gave him a quizzical look. "You're not really suggesting ... no, your ... ABSOLUTELY NOT, AGENT! We will not fight fire with an even BIGGER fire!"

"Sir, the Ultimate seems to be the only person that can withstand the deadly effects of the Psi emission. It's the only way, sir."

Major Smith was raging. "We will not train the Ultimate to become stronger than he already is, only to have him wipe us all out in three years. Hell, we might as well sharpen a murderer's axe while we're at it, and then maybe drink some cyanide too, because this will all eventually lead to our destruction, dammit! It's crazy. Absolutely nuts."

Gary regarded him with a look of stone. "Sir, I'm not seeing any other options, are you? If you have another plan, please inform me, sir."

Smith sighed in defeat. There was no other way to get out of it. They would have to find some way to deal with the Ultimate after this had all blown over. "FINE. We ... no ... YOU will train the Ultimate. Take him to Safehouse Beta and train him."

Gary saluted with his injured hand. "Yes sir."

Smith took notice of the bloody bandage that covered Gary's hand. "Before you go, agent, what in the world happened to your hand?"

Gary held up his bandaged hand and wiggled it. "It's the handiwork of the Runaway, sir; combusted my Ion Disruptor while I held it. Got a few shards of shrapnel in it, but it’ll be all right. "

Smith's eyes bulged outward. The veins on his bald head had become more visible than ever. "The RUNAWAY!? Oak, why didn't you say that he was here in the first place? Whatever happens, take him in, too!"

Gary's jaw slacked. "But, s-s-sir!" he sputtered. "Take him in? Wh-wh..."

Smith glowered at him. "Oak, you know very well that we have Lekarian agents in Silph." His crimson eyes pierced into Gary's. "I am a Lekarian as well, you know that. We need all the willing Lekarians in Silph that we can get. From the reports that I've read I've found that the Runaway is a very skilled fighter and Pokemon trainer. We could use him in the agency. Don't let your petty prejudices get in the way of your judgment."

The Elite lowered his head in shame. "Sir, forgive me. I'll take him to Safehouse Beta along with the Ultimate."

“I’m glad to hear it, Agent.” Smith reached over to shut off the communication.

“Um, sir?”

Smith gave an annoyed sigh. “What is it now, Agent?”

Gary flinched. “Um ... sir ... I’d also like to point out something else.”

“Make it quick, Oak.”

Gary licked his parched lips. “Sir, it looks like the Ultimate has chosen a mate.”

Smith angrily slapped his forehead. “Oh, GREAT. That’s just perfect. It’s gonna be one big party in Safehouse Beta now!”

The agent winced again. “Sir, I don’t think the Ultimate will be willing to go through with this anyway. If he has his mate with him, it will make the whole experience that much more bearable.”

The Major waved his hand as if he were trying to swat flies. “Fine, then. Take her too.”

Smith pointed a gnarly finger at him through the wristcom screen. "Just remember, Agent. If this fails, it'll be on YOUR ass."

Gary gave a bitter smile. "With all due respect, sir, if this fails, there won't BE anyone to get on my ass. Agent Oak, out." Gary stonily shut off his wristcom. Staring up at the stars, he pulled the crucifix from under his shirt and kissed it. Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?

He pulled out one of his Pokeballs. “Go, Umbreon!” he whispered. The black and yellow Dark type materialized before him, his red eyes peering up at him questioningly.

“Umb?” the Pokemon demanded. “Breon um umbreon?”

Gary had a grim look on his face. “Umbreon, we’re gonna have to use your long-range Teleport technique for this mission.”

Umbreon’s face scrunched up in protest. “Umbre!”

“Don’t ask me why, Umbreon. Only know that you performing it is of the utmost importance.” Gary hated having to make Umbreon perform its long-range Teleport. It severely drained Umbreon’s energy, leaving him practically comatose after using it. It was a grim decision, but Gary - like training Ash - could see no other alternatives. “Be ready on my signal.”

Umbreon regarded him with a spiteful scowl. “Umbreon, bre bre um breon!”

Gary gave a an apologetic sigh. “Listen, Umbreon. I know that I promised you that I would never make you do it again, but this is really important. Now be ready to do it on my signal.”

“BREON!”

Gary growled as he held his fist up, charging it with Psi. Umbreon’s lack of cooperation was wearing down his last nerve. “Do you know how to take an order!?”

Umbreon flinched slightly, but his reluctance still remained. “Umbreon.” He squeaked softly. It tore Gary apart. He loathed yelling at his Pokemon.

After witnessing so many times how Ash treated his, Gary had looked back on how he used to treat his Pokemon and almost kicked himself. Gary had always been jealous of Ash; the way he and his Pokemon got along, it was almost unnatural. That’s why Gary forever waged a silent war against him. Deep down in his heart, Gary knew that he could never make that kind of connection with HIS Pokemon, now matter how hard he tried.

But he learned to try his best to follow Ash’s example. Although Ash never knew it, or Gary ever admit it, Gary idolized him. Every morning Gary would stare into the mirror and tell himself that he would be more like Ash. He worshipped him.

“I’m sorry, Umbreon.” Gary whispered, lowering his fist. “Ok, I’ll try something else. I’m not ordering you to do this. I’m asking you, as a friend, and as a partner.” Gary patted Umbreon on his furry head. “Will you please do this?”

Umbreon’s eyes shimmered. “... Umbre!” he replied happily.

Gary beamed. “Good, Umbreon. Now let’s go help save the world.”

* * * *

“Pikachu, help me out, here!”

Ash was losing hope. No matter how many times he pumped air into Jamie’s lungs, he wouldn’t seem to start breathing. In despair, he turned to Pikachu.

“Give him a Thundershock!”

Pikachu blinked. Why was Pikapi telling him to help the same person that almost killed him? It confused the electric rodent. It just didn’t make sense.

“What are you waiting for, Pikachu?” Ash asked, exasperated. “Do it!” Pikachu sighed as he charged up his electric cheek sacs and began to empty them into Jamie’s body.

Misty and Duplica watched the makeshift operation take place. They both were in awe.

Misty had found it in her heart to forgive Jamie for what he had attempted to do, but forgiveness wasn’t enough to nullify her anger. Her heart skipped a beat when she understood just how close she was to losing Ash. The very same feeling that had seeped into her when Ash had been caught in the PokeBomb’s explosion had reentered her.

She was still sympathetic towards Jamie, though. In his lifetime he had suffered a lot. It amazed her that he could find his parent’s murdered bodies and not become some psychotic killer. It was a testament to his strength. Still, to see Jamie helpless and injured on the ground with Pikachu trying to shock his heart back to life pained her. She loved him like a brother.

Duplica, on the other hand, was astounded that Ash would try to help Jupiter in the first place. He had made a direct attempt on his life! This would not stand. And yet, just like she couldn’t take Ash in to become the perfect weapon, she couldn’t bring herself to try and stop Ash from saving the life of the Runaway.

The Runaway, notorious for being an unstoppable force, having killed many a Tri and Hunter, managing to live his life while constantly being attacked by people of her organization, had been taken down in a single blast. Duplica couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. After all, he was a Lekarian, like her. Lekarians were supposed to be strong. Seeing him lying on the grass and dirt in a puddle of blood sickened her.

Still, she was ashamed of herself for letting Ash come so close to death. She was a Cause agent, it was her duty to protect the Ultimate in these years. It made her more than a little angry to know that there was someone out there stronger than her. That Synaptic Shock move frightened her. While under it, she was helpless to rescue Ash from Jupiter. If it weren’t for the blast that came from the sky, he probably would be dead.

She choked back the tears at the thought of Ash dead; his lifeless corpse sprawled across the ground. No, with the blast that Jupiter had in store for him, there wouldn’t even BE a corpse. The Psionic energy would have consumed Ash.

Duplica knew that if Ash was killed, she was as good as dead. She knew that she could never find the strength to carry on if he were to die. Shortly after meeting him for the first time, she vowed that if anything were to ever happen to him she would take her own Phase Disruptor to her head and pull the trigger. She couldn’t live without her Ashy-Boy...

Duplica blushed slightly when she made a small mental note of how fine the Runaway was to look upon. Having two attractive Lekarian males in front of her was doing justice on her hormones. She then regained her composure, as the time to ogle boys was not now.

Ash cried out triumphantly when Jamie finally choked and gasped the blood that had filled his lungs.

* * * *

“This is it, Richie.” Ashura said, the glowing red dots that were his eyes burning with an intensity that no water could quench. “Are you ready?”

Richie regarded him with an astonished look. “ME? Ready? I should be asking you the same question, Ashura my man. You’re about ta meet yer bro for the first time!”

“I’m aware of that, Richie.” Ashura responded coolly as they floated down toward the group below them. He wanted to take it nice and slow. There was no hurry. Richie, however, wasn’t as patient as the smaller Lekarian.

“My bro.” Ashura said, mostly to himself. “Yes, my BRO.” He turned to Richie. “My ‘bro’ and I will have a nice ... talk. Before I kill him, that is. When we are done ‘talking’ then you may test your abilities on the others.”

Richie made a face. “Are you gonna be long?” he whined, much like a petulant child. “‘Cause I wanna KILL SOMETHING!”

“Like I’ve told you before, Richie, patience is a virtue—“

“Which I’m not.” Richie cut him off.”

“—so be patient!” Ashura finished, ignoring Richie’s interruption. “If you’re extra good, maybe I’ll let you take that red-haired one as your personal concubine. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

The taller teen’s eyes lit up. “Alright!” he cheered, firing a small Psi bolt into the air. Sparky yelped in surprise and almost lost his grip on Richie’s shoulder.

“Perfect. Now let’s not waste any more time discussing this. We go now.”

* * * *  

“Why ...<cough>... did you ...<cough>... do it?” Jamie coughed up a few more drops of blood before he could talk again. “Y-y-you ... s-saved me ...”

Ash blinked. “Of course I saved you! And what is it with this ‘why-did-you-do-it’ crap? Because it’s the right thing to do?”

Jamie wouldn’t buy it. “Ash,” he rasped, “I made a direct attempt on your life. For all you know I could do it again right now. I have the energy. You should’ve probably left me to drown in my own blood.”

Ash gave grim smile. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to take that risk, then.” He slowly helped the boy to his feet. “After all, I’ve risked my life plenty of times, so what’s another?”

Jamie couldn’t help but have respect for this person. Even though that he had tried to kill him right then and there, he still found it in his heart to give him a little CPR.

Jamie smirked. “I just hope that you didn’t enjoy putting your lips on mine TOO much.”

Ash’s smile turned wry. “Don’t push your luck, Jamie. You are still weak. I could do some serious damage on you right now.”

“You’d be surprised at what I can still do while injured, Ash.”

Just then he doubled over, clutching his stomach in agony. He gave a cry of pain that curdled Ash’s blood. In the sudden panic of the situation, Ash dropped him to the ground, watching him curl up in the fetal position, sobbing.

He spun around to see the others having the same reaction. Duplica was screaming, holding her stomach and chest like something was trying to burst out. Pikachu was giving off small bolts of electricity as he screamed his torture. Then he saw Misty, who wasn’t making a sound.

She lay down in the grass, blood trickling from her mouth.

“MISTY?”

Ash rushed over to her. He shook her desperately. She still wouldn’t move. Her eyes had rolled over to the back of her head.

“MISTY!”

* * * *

“Ashura, what’s goin’ on, man?” He pointed to the figures below. “Why are they getting’ sick aluva sudden? Don’t tell me that they’ll be dead before I have any fun with them!”

Ashura was calm as the descended toward them. “With these new powers that I now posses came new energies. It is death to even come close to me. My body now emits harmful Psionic rays that no life form can withstand for very long. It is similar to being around uranium, only worse.”

Richie cocked his head in confusion. “Well, then how come I’m not gettin’ all sick and stuff?”

The look that Ashura gave him made Richie want to cringe. “Because of the powers I gave you with this.” He held his Ragana before him. “You cannot disperse deadly Psi rays like me, but your body can hold its own against them.” His eyes gleamed. “Why do you think I gave them to you in the first place? I can’t have my personal bodyguard double over and die whenever he gets near me.”

“... bodyguard?”

“Yes, bodyguard! What part of that don’t you understand? You are my new bodyguard.”

Richie became meek. “Uh, with all due respect, Ashura, I don’t think that you really NEED a bodyguard.”

Ashura waved his hand in annoyance. “Have it your way, then. You can be just a figurehead, a representation of a protector. How’s that?”

The larger Lekarian didn’t answer, but merely nodded. Sparky nodded in unison along with his trainer. What had he gotten himself into?

* * * *

Ash looked up into the sky. Using his newly acquired vision, he could make out their forms.

One was considerably tall, sporting a matt of brown hair. Muscles bulged throughout his body, reflecting his strength. A Pikachu was perched on his shoulder. The boy wore a large, malicious smirk. Wait, a Pikachu?

Only one other person that he knew of carried his Pikachu on his shoulder. No ... it wasn’t ... could it be ...?

“Richie?” Ash breathed.

His eyes darted to the other figure. Wild black hair, with crimson streaks lining it here and there. Black lightning sparked around him his he moved closer to the ground. Red and black eyes stared down back at him. And that face. Where had Ash seen that face before? It was ... too familiar.

Ash then gasped when he realized what it was. It hit him like Jamie’s hook kick. Now he remembered where he had seen that face.  

A mirror.

* * * *

(A/N) ... and then Ashura blew him up THE END!!! Just kidding. Sorry for the wait, peeps. School has been overwhelming. Chapter ten will be done ASAP. SEE YA!!