Chapter 2: The stuff Legends are made of It was most likely the pounding in Ash's skull that awoken him. He groaned loudly and rolled over squeezing his eyes shut against the bright sunlight. "Ash get up!" the voice was unfamiliar. "Please Ash this is really weird!" Ash opened his eyes to see Pikachu sitting in front of him, an utterly terrified look on his face. "Ash, I can talk!" he gasped. Ash's eyes widened in amazement, up until now Meowth had been the only Pokemon he knew of that could talk. Suddenly, the fiery ring pulsated quickly and flashed again. Ash closed his eyes as fire ignited itself along the lengths of his arms. It swept across his eyes making a brilliant flame pattern from the corners to his temples and then with a burst of embers. The tips of the normally black unruly hair went a bright crimson with flames. The last change to take place was a long fiery tail like that of a Charizard extended out behind him. It was on fire at the tip like his Pokemon, but the fire also continued up along the vertebrae like the spines along the backs of traditional oriental dragons. Pikachu screamed. "What was that?!" he exclaimed. Ash looked in wonder at his arms and tail. "I...I think I just evolved," he replied. Misty awoke, took one look at the new and improved Ash and shrieked. "It's okay Misty, it's just me," he said. He stood up and brushed himself off and watched as the same thing happened to Misty. Her ring pulsed then flashed and he watched as she transformed into a beautiful water creature. She had the long mermaid-like tail resembling that of a Vaporeon with the sleek crests to match. Her entire body grew a light blue in color as her skin was replaced by slick, streamlined scales. The last thing to transform were her hands and feet, they became webbed, with small, yet sharp looking claws. She fiddled with her tail a moment obviously liking what she saw. There were several flashes of light in succession and Ash knew it was the others going through the same metamorphosis. Jessie and James sat up in unison, then as Ash suspected, screamed at what they saw. "Jessie! What happened to you?" he asked. "Me? What about you!" she cried pointing. James shrieked shrilly as he noted what had happened. Jessie had a long whip-like tail extending from the end of her spine. It was a beige color with dark brown band around it near the end. Her forearms and hands had also been replaced by the armored hide and claws of an Abra. To finish that look, she had the tiny pointed cat ears atop her head. James, however, was actually stunning. He had great Cerulean blue wings extending great lengths from his shoulder blades and a long shimmering blue tail of feathers to use as a rudder. The shade also nearly perfectly matched his hair. Meowth and Pikachu remained unchanged, except for the fact that Pikachu now had the ability of English. "Brock?" Misty called. Ash snapped out of staring at the two humans at Misty's cry. He noticed the Brock was in fact missing. "I'm right here!" he called and stepped forward from the shadows. He looked embarrassed at his new appearance, being simply a stone gray color. "What is going on?" he asked fearfully examining his new complexion. James stood and helped Jessie up and they walked over to join the group. He seemed quite interested in his foreign appendages, spreading them to their full length then folding them back in again. Ash took a deep breath and addressed his friends. "Okay, we all know something really weird is going on here, but first things first. We should really try to figure out where we are," he said. "And no fighting," Misty said forcefully staring in particular at Jessie and James. "I promise we won't cause trouble, we're not even Team Rocket anymore remember?" James said extending his hand. Ash smiled and shook it, Jessie followed with her claws and Ash shook them as well. No one really knew what to say, so Ash took notice of his surroundings for the first time. They were in a small circular room, the statue standing sentinel in the center. "It's...It's us!" Misty gasped dashing over to it. Ash ran with her and touched the cold stone forehead of the figure that resembled him. The whole statue was like new, a seemingly fresh coat of paint defining every detail. There were even two Pokemon figures that hadn't been on the original. One a Pikachu, the other clearly a Meowth. The rest looked exactly like each of his friends who had inherited the powers. "Hey, pretty good likeness of me," Pikachu said. Ash smiled at his friend, he'd have a much clearer idea of his personality now that he could speak. The room had a nauseatingly high ceiling with long thin windows extending up to the rafters. Sunlight filtered in and came to rest lazily on the cold cobblestone floor. "Is this like a church or something?" Brock asked. Jessie elbowed James in the ribs. "Fly up there and see what's outside," she said pointing to the high windows. James flinched in mild pain and scowled. "Why don't we just go outside?" he asked annoyed. "Because we don't know what's out there," Jessie answered. James spread his wings and began beating them furiously, but to no avail, he just managed to kick up the thin layer of dust coating the floor. He laughed nervously and ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I have to get the hang of these things," he said a rather large sweat drop sliding down the side of his face. Jessie rolled her eyes. "I guess you can't teach a new bird old tricks," she sighed. Ash took a deep breath and exited the room. He came to another room where an altar stood in the very far corner. It was delicately carved with intricate swirling patterns depicting a war. He walked over to it and ran his fingers along the groves deepened by age. Surprisingly, the fire that laced his arms and legs did not ignite the ancient wood. He shrugged, it must have been like the Ponyta he'd once ridden, he could burn things only if he wanted to. Ash continued to scrutinize the altar, and the rest filed outside. "Where are we? What is this place?" he heard Misty say. Ash finally managed to draw himself away from the place of reverence and walked outside. They were on a secluded shoreline, the temple being on a large escarpment. James closed his eyes and spread the majestic blue wings again. "What might I ask, are you doing?" Jessie asked. "It's a beach, perfect place to try and fly again," James replied stepping to the edge. He took a deep breath and leapt off. Jessie shrieked as she saw him disappear below the edge. "James!" she cried rushing to where he had jumped. She knelt and sighed exasperatedly as she watched him flutter weakly downwards. He lost his breeze several feet from the ground and slid roughly into the fine white sand. "Are you okay?" Jessie called through cupped hands. James got up swiftly and folded his wings back in. "I'm fine! I meant to do that!" he called. Misty chuckled to herself. Ash smiled, Jessie and James weren't so bad after all. "I think we'd better find a way to get him back up here," Pikachu pointed out. "He's certainly not flying," Brock added. Meowth sighed at the pathetic humans and began climbing down the cliff. It wasn't very steep being one that had been carved by the sea. "Meowth? Wait for me!" Jessie called clambering down after the agile cat. Ash shrugged to his friends and they followed. James saw the rest of the group descend to meet him and he met Jessie and Meowth halfway. "Don't scare me like that again," Jessie said with a smirk upon reaching her friend. James smiled and winked. Ash couldn't help but notice how they acted towards each other when they thought no one was watching. There was no doubt in his mind they were the best of friends, but could there be more there? Only time would tell as they assumed the proper indifferent attitude as he and his friends caught up with Team Rocket. Misty took one look at the ocean and left the group as they discussed what to do. She slipped off her shoes to discover her feet were webbed and clawed just as her hands now were. She tossed the sneakers up a little so they wouldn't get wet and tested the water with her foot. She sighed happily and closed her eyes as she tentatively slid her entire foot in. Ever since she had been a little girl she had wanted to be able to glide through the water effortlessly like her favorite Pokemon. Now she knew she had the power and she dove into the surf vivaciously. She closed her eyes against the stinging salt water and with a powerful push of her streamlined tail she swam out far enough to have freedom of movement. She opened her eyes carefully to discover she had another adaptation to the water. She could see as clearly as when she was on land. Her throat, also, was slatted with gills. She smiled and dove down to the white bottom. She touched the sand and it rose in a vague cloud of white in the clear blue water. Misty reeled back in surprise as something whizzed past her head. "Neeeeeon!" it cried making itself visible. It was a tiny seahorse creature, only it shimmered in all the colors of the rainbow. Upon seeing Misty is cocked its head to one side quizzically. "Neon?" Misty laughed and rocketed to the surface. She gasped in the air through her mouth and closed the gills. "I could get used to this," she mused. Ash looked to the sea and heaved a sigh of relief when Misty came back out of it. "Misty don't disappear like that please. We need to figure out where in god's name we are and we don't need to be losing people," Ash reprimanded. Misty simply smiled and looked back to the water where the Neon leapt gracefully out of the water and dove back in with a great splash. "The first thing we should do is get off this beach," Jessie announced. The rest of the group nodded silently in agreement and began walking along the shore, firmly convinced that they'd find an easier way than climbing back up the cliff. James flapped his wings continually during the walk, trying desperately to figure out exactly how they were used properly. He never did, only succeeding in getting about a foot off the ground. "James will you kindly knock it off?" Jessie asked as she was whapped firmly in the face by a flurry of cerulean feathers. James gave up and folded his wings back where they belonged. Soon, the group came to a low bank where they could easily get off the beach. Misty whispered goodbye to the ocean and the little Pokemon she had seen there and allowed Ash to help her up over the small hill. "Oh...My god," she breathed cupping her hands over her mouth. Before her, lay a beautiful world. Ash recognized it as the same one he'd seen on the map. The same mountain range loomed to the North and directly in front of them, lay the ruins of a city. "Let's go check it out," Pikachu yelled bounding forward. "What? Why? It could be dangerous Pikachu!" Ash called after him. "There could be survivors! It doesn't look like it was destroyed too long ago!" he retorted. Ash's mind cleared with realization and began to follow. The rest of the travelers came along as well. They came to the great gates of the city and stopped respectfully. "Welcome to Aqualique?" Jessie read the sign discerningly. "Welcome ta what's lefta Aqualique," Meowth added. Pikachu stopped when he realized no one was following him as he had asked. "Come on!" he called and took off again, already beginning to scan the ruins of the first house. Ash followed to search the house with Pikachu while Misty and Brock took another and Jessie, James, and Meowth went off to search on their own. The wind whistled across the land, the silence drilling a hole in Ash's mind. It was positively unnerving. It was the silence of a great tragedy, a beautiful lifestyle coming to a brutal end. Closing his eyes, Ash could see it, the people working side by side peacefully everyday. They talked happily of their daily lives, sometimes a bad event, but nothing really tragic. Storeowners practiced their craft unmolested and provided a decent service. Then, his vision turned dark as hoards of soldiers destroyed the once peaceful city. Something creaked, groaned loudly under pressure and fell, startling the tense Pikachu. For the first time the loneliness of this new world set into Ash's mind causing a shudder to run up and down his spine. "Hello? Is anyone here?" Pikachu called. No answer came, so he looked remorsefully at Ash and bounded to the next set of debris. The youth turned to follow, but stopped as a hand exploded from the rubble and quickly entwined itself around his ankle. He shrieked in terror and drew back apprehensively, only succeeding in tripping himself. "Please...Help...Me," a masculine voice asked. Ash peeled the fingers off of his leg, careful as not to burn them and began clearing away the charred bits of wood and other household items. "Don't worry, I'll get you out, just hold on!" he called valiantly. Pikachu heard the struggle and directed his attention to where the racket was coming from. He gasped as he saw Ash struggling with a young man, trying to free him. "I'm coming Ash!" he yelled and soon he was by his friends side, clearing the smaller bits away with his paws. Ash clenched his teeth and the youth began to respond to him, opening his eyes and reaching out to Ash, who took his arms and dragged him free of the prison. "Thank you," the man said slowly. Ash laid him down gently, cradling the upper portion of his body. "What happened here?" Ash asked. The young man moaned in pain and squeezed his eyes shut, clutching his side. Pikachu put a paw to the youth's stomach and pulled it back bloodstained. "Ash..." he muttered showing him. Ash winced in sympathy and looked carefully at the young soul. He wasn't much older than a teenager, raven black hair pulled haphazardly behind his head. The soft brown eyes glazed with pain and death. He was mortally wounded and Ash and Pikachu both knew he was not long for the world. "We...We were a resistance town, they...They found us, we were too few, and without...Without the seven powers we're useless," he whispered. He looked forlorn for only a moment before looking up at Ash and smiling. "But, now we'll rise into power again. Find other resistance groups, we need you, we...Can not...Survive on...Our own. Please avenge all those who died...In vain," he muttered and his eyes slid shut. Ash let his head turn to one side, letting the blood that had accumulated there flow out. Ash lowered his limp form to the ground and crossed his arms respectfully over his chest. "He's gone," he whispered. "What did he mean by 'resistance groups'?" Pikachu asked. Ash shrugged. "I don't know, but I don't think we're going to find-" "Wrong," Ash looked up to see the rest of his companions. Jessie and James stood close to each other, Meowth at their feet. It was Misty who had spoken, standing closest to him, but she moved aside to let Brock step forward. He cradled a young girl in his stone arms, blood dripping from a gash in her forehead. "We found her, she needs help," Misty said. James looked thoughtfully at the corpse on the ground and knelt by it. "He won't mind if I borrow this," he said backing up as not to get his blue jeans he wore instead of the white uniform stained with the small puddle of red that was collecting beneath the body. He took his coarse wool shirt and ripped a small clean bit from the hem. He folded into a neat square and pressed it against the little girl's head. She groaned and pressed herself farther into Brock's body. Jessie's ears suddenly pricked up and she looked sharply to the side. She could've sworn she heard something snap. She looked towards the direction of the sound and saw a shadowy figure with what looked like a bow and arrow aimed directly at Ash's skull. "Ash look out!" she gasped and in a split second, Ash heard the twang of the bow and watched as an arrow sped towards him. He closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable pain of the tip piercing vulnerable flesh. When none came, he opened one eye cautiously to see that the arrow was suspended in air before him. It began glowing a bright blue and dropped to the ground inches in front of his face. "I...I saved him?" Ash exhaled forcefully and looked to Jessie whom he was sure had spoken. She had a strained look on her face and had her hand outstretched toward him. "Well, I guess we know what Jessie's power is now," James mused adjusting his wings. He was constantly fiddling with them, Ash guessed it was either because he wasn't used to it, or he wanted to show them off. The shadow that had fired the arrow leapt down from the remains of a brick wall on which it had stood. He silently and slowly slunk tentatively from the shadows. It was an old man, with grayed hair and ragged clothing. His small eyes widened upon seeing the girl who rested in Brock's arms. "Melinda!" he cried dashing over quite quickly for such an old looking man and greedily snatched the girl from Brock's arms. No one minded the man taking the child, they were relieved to have someone to ask questions to. "Excuse me sir! Could you please tell us what happened here?" Jessie called. "You should know, you caused it!" the harridan man snapped. Everyone exchanged confused glances before turning back to the man. "We couldn't possibly have sir, you see, we've only been here a very short time and-" "Let me guess, you need a place to stay. Where the girlies can primp their pretty red hair and the men can get drunk and slobber all night?" he spat derisively. Jessie looked momentarily hurt by the comment about her hair, but quickly changed, lunging forward and griping the man's arm. She whipped her tail about angrily and stared into his eyes. "Please, tell us," she hissed trying to control her anger. "You! You are the root of this! The rebellion is useless now! I won't tell you anything! Leave us alone!" he cried tearing a dagger from his ragged cloak. He drew it swiftly across Jessie's face. A tiny red spray leapt from her skin as hard metal sliced into mortal flesh. She cried out and reeled back in pain. "Jessie! No!" James cried catching her. He cradled her gently as he watched the color drain from her face and the life leave her eyes as she passed out in his arms. The old man set the unconscious youth on the ground and smoothed her hair back reverently. He suddenly began sobbing and raised the dagger high in the air. "I'll end this for us now Melinda dear," he hissed through clenched teeth and violently plunged the dagger into the child's chest. Misty shrieked at the sight of such a brutal murder. "Oh dear god," she groaned burying her face into Ash's shoulder. The thought of deliberately and ruthlessly murdering someone, be it child or adult, sickening her. As the blood seeped away from the small body, the killer looked up at Ash through wild eyes and slowly stood to his full height. "No more will I endure this torment!" he proclaimed rising the dagger above his head once again. He brought it down in a wide arc, ending through his own stomach. His eyes widened in pain, the realization of what he had done hitting his psyche with tremendous force. A single tear ran down his cheek as he coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground. Ash carefully slid two fingers beneath Melinda's chin. Feeling nothing he closed his eyes and shook his head somberly. Misty gasped and looked away, the tears streaming down her pale blue cheeks. "Jessie? Are you okay? Answer me Jessie!" James' panicky voice was heard above all other noises. He was cradling her inert form in his lap, blood streaming from the shallow cut along her cheek. He wiped it away with his thumb and ran a hand through her hair affectionately. "Is she alright?" Misty asked with genuine concern and knelt by her side as well. Jessie's eyes squeezed shut harder then they fluttered open. "What...What hap-ow!" she groaned putting a hand to her cheek. James smiled, relieved his friend was okay and helped her up, embracing her briefly as he did so. Jessie seemed mildly amused by the furtive show of affection and smiled crookedly at her friend. "I'm glad you're alright," he said cleaning the fresh blood away. "Thanks for being worried about me," she replied slyly. Brock stood by the bodies of the two disturbed people, deeply moved by what had happened. Misty noticed his forlorn look as they began to leave the village. "Brock? Come on let's go," she said softly tugged him away. His eyes remained fixed upon the people who'd once had happy lives, but were forced to die in the end. They'd had lives, the child had parents, and the old man had to have had a family. He turned over his shoulder sadly and followed his companions. Jessie felt her knees weaken, still dizzy from having fainted and she sunk slowly to her knees. James saw her struggle, knelt and allowed Jessie to put her arm over his shoulders. He stood, supporting her weight and helped her walk out of the city. "What'll we do now Ash?" Misty asked as they slowly strolled away. "Try to find another town I guess," he said also deeply moved by the double suicides. Misty sighed, but turned around as a quiet voice called out to them. "Wait! Please, do not leave," the group whirled around to see an ancient oriental man in a flowing crimson robe standing at the outskirts of Aqualique. It buttoned up all the way to his chin and had long and overly wide sleeves. He stood with both hands inside them and bowed to the voyagers. "I am honored to be in your presence, please, if you need a place to stay, come with me," he said. He, like Mr. Lao, spoke with a heavy Japanese accent, but this man had only the long thin moustache, the beard was absent. Ash, without saying a word, followed the man. Misty instinctively followed as did the rest. He led them silently to a small cabin on the shores of the great ocean that bordered the continent. Not a word was said the whole trip, Jessie was getting used to her new, acute, cat-like hearing, swearing she heard a wind chime. No one believed her until they came to the old mans house. A set of silver chimes shaped like odd Pokemon dangled from a hunk of polished driftwood. It was a rather large home, crafted out of clay bricks obviously fashioned with a base of beach sand. Ash wondered how it continued to stand being near a moist environment, but didn't ask. "Please, come in," the man said and bowed, allowing the group to enter before him. James scanned the room quickly and soon found what he was looking for. He located and immediately led Jessie to a small sofa which sat in the center of the room. She sat down heavily and James accompanied her along with Meowth. The man walked over to see if they were quite all right and noticed the blood still seeping from the slash. "Ah, I'll get you something to clean that up," the man said gesturing towards the wound. Jessie sighed in fatigue and closed her eyes. James wrapped his arms around his companion and eased her into a reclining position, her head resting against his shoulder. He rested his head against hers and closed his eyes as well. He buried his face in Jessie's glossy red hair and breathed in deeply. It smelled like flowers and he smiled as she lifted her face up. Her nose touched his chin briefly and she settled back down. James smiled contentedly and settled himself. Misty put a hand to her chest and sighed. "They're so cute when they aren't acting evil," she whispered. Ash looked at Misty, stunning with the long beautiful tail. "If only you knew Misty," he whispered under his breath. The old man returned from the back of his home with a terra cotta dish of water, some bandages and some ointment. He walked briskly over to the pair on the sofa, tapped James on the shoulder and set the supplies on the floor. James opened his eyes suddenly and nodded thanks to the old man upon seeing the dish. He reached down, picked up a bandage, and dipped it in the water. He brushed a non-existing hair away from the cut and dabbed it tenderly with the folded cloth. Jessie opened her eyes as she felt the cold dampness of the cloth and smiled at James. "Feeling better?" he asked her. She nodded and took the cloth from James to finish herself. Ash, Misty, and Brock seated themselves at the large table in the room that was obviously the kitchen. "Welcome to my humble home, my name is Lotus, welcome to my home," he said bowing. Ash raised an eyebrow. "Lotus? As in the flower?" he asked. "Yes, it is a beautiful name yes? May I offer you something to drink?" Lotus asked shuffling to a wooden cabinet. "No thanks, by the way I'm Ash," he mumbled. "Just some water, and I'm Misty," she answered. Lotus came back with a carved wooden glass full of water and handed it to Misty. "Brock, and those two would be Jessie and James," he said extending his stone palm for Lotus to shake. Misty took the water gratefully and put the glass to her lips, letting the cool liquid slide down her parched throat. She looked to the main living room to see Jessie and James, both sound asleep on the sofa, James' wing wrapped protectively around both of them. "Magnificent!" Lotus breathed walking over to James. "Simply gorgeous!" he added stroking the longest feather tip. "You're all just as I suspected!" Misty finished the water and pushed the glass to the center of the wooden table. It was a deep red and shiny with age, the grain showing beautifully. "Heh, too bad he can't use them," she mused pushing her chair away from the table and getting up. "Well, I don't expect any of you are in any condition to fight," Lotus said plucking a loose feather from the middle of the great cerulean wing. "Fight?" Brock raised an eyebrow. "Well yes, that's why you came here isn't it?" Lotus asked. Ash's stomach tied in a knot as he looked towards the setting sun. It would be night soon, his first night in this strange, foreign and unforgiving new land. He stood and pushed his chair in. "Do you have any answers?" He demanded suddenly. "Ah, it depends on the question," Lotus answered sitting in a cross- legged position on the floor. "Why are we here?" Pikachu asked joining him. Lotus patted the woven grass mat that served as a carpet next to him and beckoned the friends to join him. "Come, and Master Lotus will answer all," he said closing the thin eyes wisely. "Should I wake Jessie and James?" Misty asked. Ash shook his head. "They've had a hard day, let them sleep," he answered. Misty smiled at the couple peacefully asleep on the sofa, Meowth also asleep at their feet and took a seat close to Ash. Lotus inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, as if gathering his thoughts. He seemed peaceful and wise, Ash trusted him. Perhaps he'd gained a sixth sense with his powers of the flame, but he trusted Lotus, and he knew he was trust worthy. "Now, what do your young minds wish to know?" he asked. "What is this place?" Brock asked. "Ah! This is the world of Aradain! You are on the Caracass shore, by the Neonthian Sea," Lotus answered. "Neon? I saw one of those when I went swimming today!" Misty exclaimed. Lotus seemed to understand what she was talking about and smiled warmly. "Friendly little creatures aren't they?" he asked lowering his eyes at her. "Oh yes! And it was beautiful too!" Misty said closing her eyes happily. "Legends have been told of a creature known as an Argon, the evolved form of a Neon, which roam deep waters. Huge and fearsome, they resemble water dragons and are quick to devour humans. None have ever been seen. Still think the Neons are so cute?" Lotus said smiling slyly at Misty. She blinked rapidly in bafflement and coiled her tail around herself for comfort. "Uh...Well, I..." she stammered. Lotus looked proud of himself, it was as if he already knew Misty. "Bet you never see that much do you Ash?" he asked. Ash laughed for the first time that day, finally beginning to relax. "So, how did we get here?" he asked. "You ended up in the temple correct?" Lotus asked. Ash nodded. "Well, this is a world of magic, open your heart, learn to accept things that you never thought possible, just take a look at yourself and you'll know what I mean," Lotus explained. Ash looked to the great blazing tail behind him and the flames along his arms and legs and understood. All doubt he had in his mind cleared, he understood. "What is our purpose?" he asked being more assertive than need be. He felt the surge of a world in turmoil rise in him. He felt the cries for help, he felt the pain. He knew which was the right question to ask. Lotus looked deep into his eyes and saw the fire of the heroes burning in the backs. He knew already, he looked to Misty, she knew, Brock, and the young Pokemon knew. They all had the fire he thought had perished long ago. He closed his eyes, Jessie and James didn't even have to be awake for him to know they knew as well. "You, my friends, are the seven powers."