Chapter 16- The Ultimate Sacrifice

 

~The principles of the Kaisers are to eliminate the weak, and that’s what they’ve labelled the species of humans as. Emotions such as friendship and love is seen to them as a delusion, and now I know why. They see us as weak because we rely too much on them. I refuse to be labelled as weak in their eyes, and I will show them. Friends? Don’t know what that is. Love? That’s just some pathetic feeling. Freedom has been turned into nothing but a mere illusion ever since that damned Cult came into existence, and I’m going to stop it. I stand for freedom, and I have abandoned my friends who have held me back, and I can fight at my fullest. For too long I have let weak emotions impair my judgement, and I will show the Kaiser Cult. They think I’m weak? I’ll show them. I am a Chosen one, and I am strong. I don’t care what that Cult tries, because in the end, I will be the strongest…

-Ash Ketchum

 

(Location- Whitesand Pokémon Centre)

 

Ebi sighed as sat working at the desk, building the new weapons… he didn’t know why he even bothered with this. It’s not like they had any use for them… after all, the only one among them really capable of fighting was Ash. Maybe it was just because it distracted him from the depression he was feeling. “Ow” he pulled his hand back when he cut his finger. He really ought to start wearing gloves.

 

Tracey was also sitting in the room, but he was keeping quiet. “Hey.” Brock said as he stepped into the scene. No one spoke, and Brock sighed as he sat down. For the next few minutes, none of them spoke.

 

They were all really depressed, but Brock, Tracey and Ebi’s sadness combined didn’t compare to Pikachu. Words couldn’t describe how he felt, being abandoned by his best friend. Not just Pikachu, but the rest of the pokémon as well. They were all out with Gary, in search of Ash. Knowing Gary, he’d most likely return in a few days, but the chances them coming back with Ash were slim to none.

 

Everyone was saddened greatly by the recent events. They heard Ash and Misty arguing. The whole town could hear them. They could also hear it when Ash smashed the wall open and ran out. It’s been two whole days, and none of them have heard at all from Ash. All they knew was that he was out there, armed with the QuickSilver and a burning desire to fight. After the blows to the heart dealt by Misty, there was no telling what Ash would do. Though he’s jumped into many fights that could have easily killed him, for first time ever, they were truly scared for his sake. No one talked to Misty ever since the argument. Ash was out there doing what he thought was right, and Misty was sitting in a different room, believing that she was right. Even if Ash didn’t run away, chances are that they still wouldn’t be talking to each other. Amaebi had given up trying to help her. There was no getting through to either of them. Misty was every bit as stubborn as Ash, and this wasn’t a good thing.

 

Ebi got up and stepped to the sink to wash off his cut and bandage it. As he did, he finally spoke up, “Guys?” everyone looked at him, “With Ash…” he paused at the mention of the name, “…gone, you probably know the only real fighter next to him is Gary, and he isn’t really part of the group, he just comes and goes.” Said Ebi, “Though we’ve gotten better, we’re still without real fighters. We’ve been recognized as enemies of the Kaiser Cult, and we are in danger anywhere we go. We are not strong enough to withstand the might of a Kaiser, but we have to be careful. We have to be cautious, so from now on, we have to stick together.”

 

As Ebi sat down, the same thought passed through each of their heads, “(Stick together? Then why isn’t Ash here? Without him, not only our strength is diminished, but also we have no spirit either! Ash… where are you?)”

 

***

(Location- Greyrock Trails)

 

Ash walked beneath the hot sun without a word. Sweat poured down the side of his face and his mouth was dry, but he simply ignored it. The weather was hot in this region, and he had been walking all day. He was far from Whitesand, and he had no intention of turning back. He was travelling alone, and constantly search for battles. He had encountered a few people and challenged them. Though it was quite a shock to the opponent trainers that he didn’t have any pokémon, he defeated whatever they used without any trouble. After the first few battles, Ash ignored anyone else he passed. Chances are, they weren’t worth challenging. He’d get no experience from weaklings… No. He needed to find a stronger opponent…

 

Suddenly, Ash didn’t know what was it. He felt a strange twinge. “Is somebody there?” he turned around, nothing. Ash definitely felt it was his trainer instincts that kicked in, but it faded as suddenly as it appeared. Strange, it’s not like they have ever failed him before… but it was a warning. There was trouble coming up, and it was closer than he expected, “Good…” he said. That’s just what he wanted.

 

Meanwhile, behind some rocks, two people in dark grey uniforms, each bearing the familiar emblem of a chained sword surrounded by a ring of fire, the simple coloured blue, remained hidden. They were following him, watching his every move. “Is that boy really the infamous Ash Ketchum?” asked the first guy

 

“There is no mistake about it” answered the next, “The hat, the jacket, that peculiar weapon… it is definitely him”

 

“This… CHILD, is the one that defies our Cult!?” the first one growled and held up his rifle, “Even if he is just a child, such crimes cannot be forgiven. That’s is. I am going to finish him off myself!” he said as he fixed the bayonet on the end and got up

 

“Wait!” the second Kaiser Cultist grabbed him, “The child is a Chosen One, a vicious demon! We are merely scouts, we cannot fight such a monster alone!”

 

“Very well… I shall signal the others!” the first Cultist took a mirror and flashed it in the light, working as a signal. From the rocky field, a number of other cultists emerged, quickly and silently moving through the field in military formation, so as not to be seen. Laying low on the rocks above Ash, they aimed their weapons down at him. It was then when the first cultist leapt down from his hiding place, and ran towards the path, stopping on the path Ash was walking.

 

“No! You fool…!” the second cultist exclaimed. He was perhaps the only one among these cultists to have seen firsthand the fury of a Chosen One in battle. Anything less than an army was too little! “These men… it’s all over for them! I must alert Lord Blue Kaiser!” he quickly retreated, away from the battlefield…

 

Ash eyed this stranger carefully. This person in a uniform and holding a rifle… he could tell he wasn’t here just to talk. “What do you want?” asked Ash.

 

“Divine retribution” said the first Kaiser Cultist. He smiled. On the ledges all around Ash, the Kaiser Cultists got up to their knees, aiming down at him…

 

“Divine retribution?” Ash asked, thinking what it meant… when he noticed symbol on the chest of his uniform, the emblem of the Kaiser Cult! “You’re Kaiser Cultists!”

 

“Yes!” the first Kaiser Cultist laughed and raised his rifle, “FIRE!”

 

BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!

 

From every direction, Ash was getting shot. Again and again they kept shooting at him, showering him with bullets. “HAHAHAHA!!!!” the Kaiser Cultists all laughed maniacally! “Justice has been served! The demon is now… WHAT?!”

 

“Dead? I don’t think so” Ash smirked… “That barely itched”

 

“W-what?! How… how?!” the Kaiser Cultist stuttered

 

Ash darted forwards and slammed the Kaiser Cultist, slamming downwards on his head with his fists. As the cultists on the ledge to the left of him took aim, Ash immediately kicked off the ground and flipped through the air, landing right in front of them! “HAAA!!!!” He roared, attacking them up close, grabbing two of them by the hair and slamming their heads into each others and dropping them unconscious. Another one lashed at him with the bayonet, but Ash evaded it easily, his hand shot forward and grabbed him by the front of the shirt. “YAA!” he flung him through the air to the group of cultists on the opposite ledge, crashing into them! Then, taking out a Nitro ball, he then whipped it in their direction…!

 

BOOM!

 

“It’s all over” Ash smirked, hopping back down to the trail. Five seconds… that’s all it took for him to take down the whole squad… “You shouldn’t have come to fight me. The one that ran was the smartest” He said, his hands in his pockets. “Rather than shooting at me knowing nothing, you should’ve done your research… like about the mesh in my clothing that protects me from bullets! Shooting at my head’s an even bigger waste of time, my hat’s got the most mesh and is the most well protected…”

 

BLAM!

 

The first Kaiser Cultist had fired from pistol straight at Ash’s face! “HAHAHA!” he laughed, “And what do you think YOU’RE doing, telling us all your weak points! The deed is done!” he laughed hysterically, standing up, “Let this be a lesson, to all you weak and useless humans who defy the Kaiser…! WHAT?!”

 

Ash simply stood there, totally unscathed. “Compared to Sky Render’s sword, a bullet moves in slow motion…” he said, having dodged it from point-blank range. “A weak and useless human am I?” he asked, “I’d say it’s you who’s weak and useless!” he hit the pistol out of the Cultist’s hand. The Cultist pulled out a combat knife and slashed at Ash, but Ash caught his wrist and twisted his arm hard. “HA!” he punched him, causing him to drop. Ash growled as he twisted the Kaiser Cultist’s arm harder…

 

-SNAP-

 

“AAAAAUUUGH!!!!” The Kaiser Cultist screamed when Ash broke his arm.

 

“Face it Kaiser. You can’t defeat me. Even if I wasn’t protected by armour, do you really think I could be killed by mere bullets?” Ash crossed his arm as he let go of the Kaiser Cultist, “You don’t have an enhanced body like Red Kaiser, you’re nothing but a normal human thinking he’s something else. I’ve got no interest in crushing weaklings. Beat it. Run home, and go cry to your Kaiser God or something”

 

“Such blasphemy… WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED!!!” The Kaiser Cultist screamed and pulled something out, “KAISER BEAST GOREBAT! I CHOOSE YOU!” he threw the black pokéball before he collapsed and fainted. The ball had designs of black batwings and a red spot of paint that represented a drop of blood on it. The ball opened up, and darkness seemed to come out of it. The creature materialized, a large bat creature. It was black in colour and had bloody red patterns on its two wings. Along with the wings, it had a pair of long arms and a set of razor sharp claws. Its face was long like a rat or fox’s and its mouth was full of jagged fangs. Gorebat swooped forwards, extending its claws as it flew towards Ash.

 

“WAH!” Ash jumped and dodged the Kaiser Beast’s slash. He struck at Gorebat, and his hit did seem to do some damage, but not very much. Gorebat slapped Ash with its wing and knocked him off his feet. Gorebat seized the opportunity and dove down on Ash, its claws were extended, its fangs bared…

 

CHOMP!

 

“GOOORE!” Gorebat screeched angrily. It had bit the QuickSilver and did no damage

 

Ash observed the Kaiser Beast. Gorebat was bigger than him, and possessed much strength and speed. There didn’t seem to be any weak points, but judging by the build of the Kaiser Beast, it had no strong points either.

 

“GOOOOREBAAAT!!!!!” Gorebat slashed at Ash. Ash ducked this time and the claws tore right into the wall. Ash ran as fast as he could to get away from this Kaiser Beast, but it flapped its wings and flew into the air to pursue him.

 

“GRRR!” Ash ran as fast as he could. Three words could describe this Kaiser Beast, ‘out of control’. It continued to slash madly as it pursued Ash, and it didn’t matter who it hit. As Ash ran by a Kaiser Cultist, Gorebat slashed and tore into the unfortunate person. Gorebat simply tossed the useless corpse to the side and continuing its fierce onslaught. Ash growled, he couldn’t defeat this crazed monster just by running away. Ash stopped running and took a fighting stance. He wanted to fight the Kaisers? Well that that included any monsters they created!

 

“BAT!!!!” Gorebat snarled as it dove towards him, ready to tear into human flesh…

 

“HAIYA!!!” Ash struck with his right arm. Gorebat stumbled back from Ash’s strong hit. It shook its head and attacked once more. “AH!” Ash exclaimed. Gorebat slashed his arm, causing it to bleed. Gorebat jumped back and licked the blood off its claws and screeched once more. The taste and smell of blood drove it wild. Ash was having a hard time defending himself. Fighting a beast was nothing like fighting a human. While this Kaiser Beast was nowhere near as powerful as the giant Charrannosaurus, it was still aggressive. Ash growled, but remembered he fought an enemy like this once before, Chaos Reaper! Chaos Reaper fought with fang and claw, like this Kaiser Beast… but there was no comparison between them. In terms of power and kill, the dark Super Fiend was infinitely stronger than this stupid bat! However… remembering his fight with Chaos Reaper, Ash got another idea…

 

“SCREEEEECH!!!!” Gorebat dove towards him, opening its mouth wide. It was going to tear the human’s head right off and feast on his remains…

 

“TAKE THIS!” Ash shouted as he threw the explosive nitro ball right into the Kaiser Beast’s mouth…

 

KABOOM!!!!!

 

Gorebat dropped to the ground. Biting into the nitro ball had exploded its head, and this Kaiser Beast was dead. Ash sighed and wiped himself off, “Ew…” he said as he looked at the mess from the Kaiser Beast. Ash sighed, the Kaiser Cult have really done it this time. Making seemingly normal human beings believe so strongly in whatever that they’d attack someone and try to kill him for no good reason? Creating creatures for the sole intent of killing? Ash had seen many pokémon before, and thought lots of them were bitter towards humans, they all had a soul. But this Kaiser Beast, when Ash looked into its eyes during the fight, he didn’t see anything. The only thing that the Kaiser Beast could think of is to kill.

 

“Damn you Kaisers…” Ash said quietly. Bringing creatures into this world that shouldn’t exist… he felt sorry for the Kaiser Beasts. They were created unnaturally. Unlike certain Kaisers, these ones didn’t have any choice. They were slaves to the Kaisers Cult as much as they were slaves to their needs to fight. Ash sighed. Though he wanted to fight some Kaisers, this victory was empty, and he felt so hollow, but that’s how he felt ever since he ran away, and the only way he could escape his sorrow was through battle. After dropping a red Fire Attack ball onto the beast and burning up the remains, Ash continued walking, he would continue searching for more opponents. Just like the Kaiser Beasts, he needed to fight…

 

***

(Location- Jade Cliffs)

 

“I’m sorry Pikachu, but he just isn’t here” said Gary as he left the scene, Pikachu walking close behind him

 

“Pika…” Pikachu sighed as he walked with Gary.

 

“I know what you mean” said Gary

 

“Pikachu, pika…” said Pikachu

 

“Yeah. I understand how you feel” said Gary. Gary was every bit as good as Ash when it came to pokémon, maybe even a bit better, and he could understand what Pikachu was saying to him.

 

Pikachu was very depressed that Ash was gone. He was not captured or wounded or anything, but gone on his own free will, abandoning all of them. Out of all the people in this world who was the least likely to do something like that, Ash did it.

 

“You can’t really blame him” said Gary, “You can’t really blame anybody”

 

“Pika! Pikachu! Chu pika-pika! Pi!” Pikachu said angrily

 

“No, it’s not entirely Misty’s fault. Ash is as much to blame as her… well… no, it’s actually mostly her, but still. You have to look at it from her point of view” said Gary, “She loves Ash dearly, but only one side of him. You noticed the difference of Ash when he’s fighting and not fighting? The gentle side of him is a pure and innocent soul while the fighter is mighty and cunning in the ways of battle. They are very similar, both being selfless people who thinks of others before them, yet they are still very different. The transformation Ash goes through when fighting is almost… frightening” said Gary, “Not to mention he fights so much that the ‘fighting side’ seems to have become the norm, we almost never see the calm Ash anymore because he was always fighting…”

 

“Pikachu! Pika! Chu!”

 

“Misty probably felt scared or threatened by this fighting side. I mean, who is he? What has he done with the sweet and gentle Ash we know? Like I said, the kind one is the one she fell in love with, and that kind one fades out of existence when the fighting starts, which is almost always. Still, you are right about Misty, that she shouldn’t have acted that way. You can’t help but wonder if she really loved him if she hated another side at the same time.” Said Gary as they finally reached town, “Still, I wish I knew where Ash went.” He looked into the air, “Ash. Where are you?”

 

“Pika…” Pikachu looked into the sky as well. Wishing, hoping… that Ash was okay.

 

***

(Location- Greyrock City)

 

In a few hours the sun had set, and Ash had reached the entrance of the next town, Greyrock City. This place reminded him a lot of Marble City, being so hot and all, but this one was in the mountains instead of the desert. Ash sighed. He had left all his stuff behind, including his money. He had a bit left, but it was too little to buy much food or any other supplies.

 

Ash was really thirsty, and decided that he might as well use the money to get something to drink. As he stepped out of the store and tossed the finished bottle of water to the side, he noticed something strange. On the walls were many posters of missing people. Not just children, but many adults. The whole wall was covered in them, “Hmmm…” Ash stared at them. As he walked, he overheard some people

 

“You heard me! That man I saw wearing the cape isn’t human! He’s the one responsible for kidnapping all those people!” said the first guy, “I saw that guy fighting unarmed against a pokémon trainer and beat them! After beating the pokémon, the trainer himself attacked with a knife, but the caped guy disarmed him by twisting his torso AFTER the guy’s knife was stuck in his chest!”

 

“You’re kidding me!” said the second guy, “So you’re telling me he doesn’t use pokémon, yet he’s invincible?”

 

“I never said he didn’t use pokémon! He called out these GIGANTIC monsters! I mean, my pokédex had no idea what it was! After they beat the helpless trainer, his men just dragged him off! Just like that!” said the first guy

 

“Where did you see them?” Ash asked as he stepped in

 

“Huh?” the first guy turned around, “Who are you”

 

“The Kaisers. Where did you see them?” Ash asked

 

“Kaisers? That’s what they’re called?” asked the first guy, “I’m sorry, I don’t know where they are…”

 

“Wrong answer” Ash said as he grabbed him by the neck and with an impressive display of strength, lifted him up, “Now, where did you see them?”

 

“Gah… KUH!” The man coughed, now scared, “N-north side of the city! That’s where all the disappearances have been happening…! No one goes there anymore because they’re all scared…! Everyone who disappears is never seen again…!”

 

“North side…” Ash released him, letting him fall to the ground and ignored him as they ran. “Never seen again, huh? Sounds like just about the right place to look” he said to himself as he clenched his fist “The Kaisers… I’ll put a stop to them…”

 

Two hours had passed, and Ash had walked all over the city, questioning people about the missing people and sightings of Kaiser Cultists. By the end, it was safe to assume that this town had a pretty unfortunate rapport with the Kaisers. “So you saw them over there?”

 

“Yes…!” the guy he was questioning, said nervously as Ash put him down, “They held at gunpoint and dragged her off!”

 

“Hmmm…” Ash growled as the guy ran away, “I must find them” he said and started walking… “Those damn Kaisers… they won’t get away from me. Not this time…”

 

***

(Location-???)

 

“So you saw Ash Ketchum?” asked Blue Kaiser

 

“Yes your lordship” the second Kaiser Cultist from earlier bowed, “He was alone”

 

“That does not sound like him. He always travels with companions” the Kaiser Knight growled, “You’re sure you aren’t mistaken? You’d better not be wasting my time…” Blue Kaiser pulled out his rapier and pointed it at him

 

The Kaiser Cultists backed off nervously, “It was him! He had the same hat and jacket and metal object on the back! The other scouts attacked him, but I listened to your orders and came straight back here!”

 

Blue Kaiser sheathed his rapier, “Ah…” he said, “So he really has arrived.” As he started walked, he stopped and turned to the Kaiser Cultist, “You said the others attacked, while you ran?”

 

“Yes, I immediately left to inform you” the Cultist answered

 

As Blue Kaiser ran his fingers through his hair, his hand suddenly shot up and grabbed the Kaiser Cultist by the neck, “Though you followed my orders, you still ran from battle, and cowardice is something I will not tolerate!”

 

“AH!” The Kaiser Cultist exclaimed

 

CRACK!

 

The Cultist’s head hung limp after Blue Kaiser snapped his neck with his hand. Blue Kaiser sighed and dropped the Cultist’s body, “Hmmm… Now why did I do that? He did follow my orders. Ah well, CULTISTS! This mess is in my way! Pick it up!”

 

“Yes Lord KN-04” the two Kaiser Cultists quickly came and dragged the dead cultist to the side, and Blue Kaiser started walking

 

“Ash Ketchum… sinful Chosen One… you shall pay with your life!” said Blue Kaiser

 

***

(Location- Greyrock City)

 

“Come on Kaisers, where are you hiding?” asked Ash. It was the late evening now and still no sign of the Kaisers… “What’s the matter! Are you afraid!?” he shouted in anger. Ash then sensed something… killing intent! Ash spun around, looking around him. There was a malicious presence… coming his way…

 

“Looking for someone?” a voice asked. Ash’s eyes opened wide, as an individual stepped out of the shadows of the buildings and stood in front of him.

 

“You…!” Ash snarled, “Blue Kaiser!”

 

“Impressive that you’re still alive… truly impressive, for a filthy heretic” said Blue Kaiser, “To have survived your encounter with the great Red Kaiser… it’s true what they say about cockroaches. Too stubborn to die… and here you are, continuing your crimes against the cult, and one of them is simply being a human”

 

“It’s a crime to be human now?” Ash growled, “Is that what your damn cult is all about? What the hell kind of stupid belief is that anyways?!”

 

“Such foul words.” Blue Kaiser gracefully drew his rapier, “With this sacred weapon, I shall save this world…” Ash felt his trainer instincts warning him… DANGER!

 

CLASH!!!!

 

“WA!” Ash deflected the stab from the rapier with the QuickSilver

 

“By purging it of your tainted presence!” Blue Kaiser, brushing his hair back

 

“AH!” Ash gasped, nearly falling over as he dodged another quick thrust! Blue Kaiser had tried to kill him just there!

 

“These barbaric civilisations must be destroyed, so that we Kaisers may usher a new era!” He shouted as he continued to thrust his rapier. Though he was nowhere near as strong as Red Kaiser, he was still an amazing fighter. Most of Ash’s punches were dodged with ease, and the ones that hit barely hurt him at all. “You possess great strength… but it is tainted! That demonic power you call ‘Power of One’! We Kaisers believe in purity. The flesh holds weakness and temptation… both of which I have cast aside. You filthy savages… Your existence alone is a sin. And there is only one possible way to atone for your sins…” he glared at Ash… “That is through death!”

 

“You’re completely insane!” Ash shouted “That Kaiser Beast that attacked me today is a monster that you people created! Pokémon were never meant to be used as weapons… but YOU turn them into monsters! You have no place to pass judgement on my race, because even more so than Gorebat… YOU’RE the real monster!”

 

“Gorebat? Pfft, don’t make me laugh” said Blue Kaiser, “That creature is nothing but a lesser Kaiser Beast, fit for meagre cultists.” he said, “Cultists are at the bottom of the cult… still holding their own flesh… weak as any human and just as disposable… their only strength is in their numbers, but at least they are faithful… To think I was once like that, no better any mere human… so many years ago… but that has all changed. Over so many years my faith has been tested, and I have completely abandoned my past as a human. More and more my body is being strengthened by the gifts of our divine ruler… and from a meagre disciple I have become a prominent knight! Blessed with this immortal body, I have fought in the name of the cult for centuries, and with it I shall so continue for the many years to come!!!!”

 

“Immortal? Centuries? What are you talking about?” Ash shouted, “I know it was you Kaisers who are responsible for the kidnappings! Bring back those people you took!”

 

“I am afraid that is impossible” Blue Kaiser said calmly

 

“And why is that?!” Ash shouted, “And let me warn you, if any of them are dead…”

 

“And what of it?” Blue Kaiser asked coldly, “They are no use to us alive.



We prefer to think of it more as… becoming one with the true god”

 

“You had them killed?!” Ash screamed

 

“If that’s what you want to think…” Blue Kaiser places his hands in his pockets. As Ash ran towards him, Blue Kaiser raised his hand, “Stop. Do not come any closer, or else…” Blue Kaiser pulled out a blue pokéball. This one had designs of waves and water, and a symbol that resembled a turtle shell, “You remember that Kaiser Beast you fought earlier today? This beast here, I personally trained myself, and it holds more destructive power than that pathetic bat creature ever will. If insist on continuing to fight, I shall release it and it will destroy you”

 

“Go ahead and try it Kaiser! I’m ready!” said Ash

 

“You have been warned” Blue Kaiser threw the pokéball high into the air, “KAISER BEAST ARKTOISE! I CHOOSE YOU!” The blue pokéball opened up, released a huge flood, like a waterfall. From the water, a shape was emerging, and and as the water itself fell to the ground, there now stood the mighty Kaiser Beast… Arktoise

 

“AAAAARRRRKTOOOIIISE!!!!” Arktoise roared. Ash gasped at the sight of this fearsome monster. Though it stood not as tall as Charrannosaurus, it was far bulkier, and had to have weighted many tonnes, as the ground underneath its feet was cracked. Arktoise looked down at the puny Ash. The shell opened up and several large cannons stuck out. Instead of just two water cannons like the regular Blastoise, Arktoise had six in total! Two of them were by the neck, two of them were in the place of the regular Blastoise’s cannons, and the last two were just over the arms. Arktoise roared as it stamped down with its foot.

 

CRASH!!!!

 

“AAAAH!!!!” Ash jumped into the air, barely missing being crushed. Arktoise swung its arm, and swatted Ash to the side. “AGH!” Ash hit a building, leaving cracks in the cement as he fell to the ground, but got up, “TAKE THIS!” he took out four nitro balls

 

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

 

The balls exploded over the Kaiser Beast’s shell, but did no visible damage. “Damn! I’ll have to think of something else!” said Ash as he jumped to the side. Arktoise roared and stamped on the ground. Ash jumped and dodged it easily. The noise had gotten the attention of many, and people were staring out of their windows in shock at the sight of this gigantic monster.

 

“Kaiser Beast Arktoise!” Blue Kaiser shouted, “I COMMAND YOU! ATTACK NOW!!”

 

“TOISE!” From Arktoise’s shell, all six cannons took aim, and from one a water gun that looked more like Hydro pump fired, and there were six!

 

“AAAAAGH!!!!!” Ash screamed as the wave threw him off his feet and sent him spinning violently in the fierce torrent it had created. The water attack ended and Ash lay on the ground, drenched… “Heh… is that the best you got?!” he shouted.

 

“We are only starting!” said Blue Kaiser, “ARKTOISE! BUBBLEBEAM!”

 

“ARRRK!!!” Arktoise aimed all six cannons at Ash. From each cannon, hundreds upon hundreds of bubbles were being fired.

 

“AAAGH!” Ash screamed, bracing himself as each rock-solid bubble hit him with like a bullet. The attack soon ended, and Ash was on his knees, panting

 

“You are no match for the power of a Kaiser Beast!” Blue Kaiser shouted, “Give up now… you cannot possibly survive another attack!”

 

“Just watch me!” Ash smirked as he got up. Though he wasn’t afraid, those attacks had such destructive power… Ash didn’t know if he could keep this up.

 

“VERY WELL!” Blue Kaiser shouted, “CRUSH THE HERETIC! HYDRO PUMP!!!”

 

“ARRRRK…” Arktoise growled as it aimed all six cannons towards Ash…

 

“Come on. Hit me with your best shot” Ash said. Behind his back, he held six EC balls, each of them were ready to grab a blast of water.

 

“TOOOIIIIISE!!!!!” Arktoise roared. All the blasts of water flew towards Ash…

 

“CAPTURE!!!!” Ash threw the six EC balls. Each ball hit a blast of water from the water cannons, “Yes!” he captured all of them, but there was one more! “WHAT?!”

 

CRASH!!!!!

 

“AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!” Ash screamed as the seventh of water blasts hit him. It was more like being hit by a train than water! The attack ended, and Ash was on the ground, unable to go on. “What… what happened?” he asked himself, “I hit all of them… where did that seventh come from?” then Ash realized it, “AH!” the biggest, strongest water blast he missed because he was focusing on the cannons… it didn’t come from any cannons, it came from the mouth!

 

“You lose” said Blue Kaiser, “Look at you. So pathetic…! Cold, drenched and unable to continue, you can fight no more. Surrender now.”

 

“N-never!” Ash struggled. It was the hardest thing in the world to do, but somehow he got back up to his feet, “I’ll never surrender to you, Kaiser!”

 

“Hmmm…” Blue Kaiser couldn’t help but admire Ash’s spirit. “Fine. It is your choice, but if you don’t give up…” each cannon on Arktoise’s shell aimed at a different building, “I shall command the strongest Hydro Pump attack, and erase the presence of more of the filthy humans that taint this world.”

 

“WHAT?!” Ash shouted. Arktoise showed no signs of reconsidering what it was about to do. Blue Kaiser was asking him to surrender. If he didn’t, the attack could easily break those buildings apart, and many innocent people would lose their lives… “No…”

 

“HAHAHA!” Blue Kaiser laughed, “You didn’t think I would do that? No. Not yet. Though they will be slaughtered in the name of our all-powerful god, but not in this crude manner!” he said, “This city has been taken in the name of the Kaisers, and all the inhabitants shall be mass-sacrificed after the ceremony of blood is performed! None of our offerings so far were enough to complete the ceremony, and we need a worthy offering!” He pointed his rapier at Ash, “It shall be you!”

 

“Go to hell” Ash grabbed the QuickSilver, “So you can’t go through with this city’s sacrifice till I’VE been sacrificed first? In that case, I’m not gonna let you! If you’re gonna take me anywhere you’ll have to kill me first!” Ash then smirked, “And that’ll ruin the ceremony, won’t it?” he took a fighting stance, “As long as I fight, it’s a win-win situation! I destroy you, and I’ll continue fighting your cult! I lose and die? You can’t sacrifice me or these innocent people! RAAAAARH!!!!” he charged

 

“HA!” Blue Kaiser kicked Ash in the stomach and slammed him hard in the chest. “And who said I would have to kill you in order to win?” he asked. Looking at Ash growl and struggle, it was clear he would fight to the death! “Such determination… such spirit… such stupidity…” Blue Kaiser deflected Ash’s hits and slammed him again, “Your essence will greatly please our god!”

 

“Oh shut up! I’m not gonna satisfy anything that has to do with you Kaisers!” Ash shouted. He was heavily injured, but he refused to stop fighting no matter what. “I told you! I’m not helping any of you carry out your sick, twisted plans!”

 

“Oh but you will!” Blue Kaiser grabbed Ash by the neck and slammed his head to the wall, smashing right through it. “I will make sure of it!” he slammed Ash’s head again and again, smashing many holes into the wall. By the time the beating ended, Ash was heavily wounded. He had suffered some serious injuries that could kill

 

“Heh-heh-heh” Ash laughed weakly

 

“What’s so funny?” asked Blue Kaiser

 

“Any more fighting and I’ll probably die” said Ash, “I can’t beat you… but you still won’t win! Hopeless isn’t it?” He asked, “I die right now, and you can’t do your ceremony without me! I’m sacrificing my life, but not to your god! Even if you somehow beat me without killing me, by that point I’ll be so injured that I’ll probably die in the process of you taking me there! You can’t win!”

 

“We will see about that…” Blue Kaiser Growled, “RRRAAAAAH!!!!!” the floor cracked when he smashed Ash to the ground… and then he flung Ash’s body into the air, “ARKTOISE! CLEANSE THE UNCLEAN! PURIFICATION HYDRO PUMP!!!”

 

“ARKTOOOOOOIIIIIISE!!!!!” Arktoise fired the seven blasts of water at Ash. This purification version of the attack was far stronger than the normal one, and Ash was slammed with several tonnes of water with more force than a cannon. The water smashed right through one building after another, with Ash in the front.

 

The attack ended, and Ash lay on the ground, many bones had been broken. “HAA!” Blue Kaiser stabbed into Ash’s body with his rapier right through his chest puncturing his heart. He continued to plunge his sword into Ash’s chest again and again. After countless thrusts, Blue Kaiser smiled, sheathing his rapier. “Kaiser Beast Arktoise! Return!” he called Arktoise back. He snapped his fingers and several Kaiser Cultists appeared, “Take this boy. The ceremony of blood shall be completed with him”

 

The Kaiser Cultists picked up Ash’s body and carried him. Ash’s eyes were closed, yet he smiled. He was defeated. His heart was punctured many times and he’d die from the wounds. Though barely alive, he wouldn’t survive the trip to wherever they were going, and would surely die before they reached it. The people would be spared, and this loss was a victory after all. Ash’s thoughts faded as his mind went blank. His mouth and breath was of blood, and he wasn’t breathing anymore. His heart stopped struggling to beat. It has happened… against the Ancient Kaiser Knight, Blue Kaiser… the Chosen One has fallen in battle. Ash Ketchum… was truly dead.

 

“Lord Blue Kaiser!” one of the Cultists said, “We cannot offer this lifeless corpse!”

 

“Oh, but I have a plan” Blue Kaiser smiled. “Go ahead and smile Chosen One… you thought you could escape us through death… but you have failed! The Kaiser Cult has won! Take him away!” Blue Kaiser ordered, and the cultists obeyed. The sky echoed with the haunting laughter of the immortal Kaiser Knight…

 

The might and ruthlessness of the Kaisers have proved to be too strong against the righteousness and spirit of Ash Ketchum. Defeated and lifeless, Ash’s body is carried off to be used as a sacrifice to the god of the Kaisers. Though he had given up his life to protect the people of the city, was his sacrifice in vain? Wasn’t the ceremony only supposed to work if Ash is alive? Just what is Blue Kaiser planning? Find out next time on Pokémon: Shadow of the Deceiver!

 

► TO BE CONTINUED