Chapter 4: The Saga Begins A few weeks passed at the adobe house by the sea. Ash became more talented at his craft as did everyone else, teaching themselves how to use their powers. James actually became quite the agile flight expert and he, Jessie, and even Meowth, the sharp-tongued Pokemon everyone had hated, had all become great friends. Jessie too, though her sarcastic attitude and acidic personality remained, was friendly towards Ash and his friends. Master Lotus enjoyed watching them, teaching and nurturing them like they were his own children. He also knew, that like children, someday the group must leave to fulfill their part of the legend. Ash came in from training behind the house as beckoned by Misty. "Why? I'm starting to do so well!" he complained loudly. Misty slapped a hand over his mouth forcefully. "Quiet! Master Lotus says he wants to talk to all of us, and it's important," she hissed. Ash nodded. "Now, are we going to listen respectfully?" Misty asked, her voice dripping with honey. "I wn't unlss ou lt go of m mouff!" Ash mumbled through Misty's webbed fingers. "If you promise I'll let you go," she said grinning sadistically. Ash snarled and resorted to the last defense he had, licking Misty's palm. She shrieked and drew her hand away, swiftly wiping it on Ash's jacket. "You jerk! How dare you!" she yelled pushing him backwards by the shoulders. He stumbled back, trying to regain his balance but failed, tripping over Brock who sat on the floor near Master Lotus. He landed on the floor on his back, staring up at the ceiling to regain his vision. Jessie appeared in his field of view grinning like a child. "Have a nice trip?" she asked using an ancient pun. Ash rolled his eyes and sat up. "lovers spat," Brock said. James snickered as did Jessie and Meowth. "Lovers? Yeah right," Misty said taking her seat next to Brock. Ash groaned and slid to a spot in the rough circle. When Master Lotus was positive all were present, he sighed deeply and closed his eyes. "The time has come for you to leave," he started. Murmurs of protest arose from the group and Pikachu leapt into his lap. "You're sending us away?" he asked looking up with wavering black eyes. Master Lotus patted the young thing affectionately and set him on the floor. "You forget that you are part of the legend. You were sent here to help the world of Aradain, and that is what you shall do. I have limits on what I can teach you, and I have helped you all I can, it is time that you ventured out, to begin your quest. I have something for each of you before you leave, Jessie, you shall receive yours first, come with me," Master Lotus slowly stood and cautiously walked to the back of his home. Jessie looked to James for reassurance. He nodded with a smile and she stood, following the path Master Lotus had taken. The door of a room she had never bothered to venture into stood ajar, a soft yellow light spilling forth from it. It cast its eerie presence on the ground silently lurking. Jessie didn't have to have anyone tell her that that was her destination. She drew a short breath and stepped inside. The room was dark, save for what little light came from a candle. It reminded her very much of Mr. Lao's shop, except minus a few artifacts. The same kind of silk shrouds laced the ceiling and the strong presence of incense lingered in the air. Master Lotus stood with his back to the red-headed girl over a bundle of something wrapped in leather. "Jessie, now where is, ah here we go," he said turning to face her. Her breath caught in her chest as she realized what he held. "It's...It's a-" "Sword," Master Lotus finished for her. Jessie took it, cradling it gingerly in her arms. The sword itself was thin and seemingly delicate, actually rather long. It was an elegant blade for an agile fighter. "These weapons were forged long ago, for the seven powers. Not only are they a weapon, they are a key. I leave you this sword, new clothes and my blessings. You may change and meet outside," he said quickly escorting her out the door. Jessie's mouth hung open in disbelief and she retreated to the room she had shared with James to change. Her new attire consisted of a laced leather bodice with intricate metal designs fused into it. She wore a soft suede skirt with thigh high leather boots that matched her old Team Rocket ones. There were even loops for the belt that held the sword's sheath she noticed and fastened the buckle at her waist. It was a rather dashing outfit she thought, very hero-like., though it reminded her very much of her old uniform. She took one last at herself in the mirror, smoothed out her long red hair and proceeded outside. It was odd weather for a coastline climate, being warm and exceedingly moist, like a tropical forest, with thick clouds hanging like gargantuan blobs of cotton in the sky. No wind stirred, and James was going to have a tough time flying Jessie deducted. She found a smooth rock, weathered by the sea and perched herself daintily on it. Slowly, as she gazed at the sky, her hand moved towards the hilt of her new weapon. She drew it quickly, sharp metal hissing against the leather fiercely. It hung uselessly in her hand until she curled her fingers around the leather bound hilt and raised it slowly, letting the beacon of light travel the length and explode at the tip in a blaze of glory. Upon examining the intricately carved area near her hand, she discovered it to have a deep purple stone inset at the very tip. The hilt itself had a gorgeous eye pattern, the swirls of decoration forming a makeshift guard for her hand. A beautiful and lethal weapon. Jessie looked up to see James step out of the same door she had followed by Meowth. He too had new garments on and a blade on his belt. James' garb consisted of a soft white shirt and the same suede pants, but, like his Team Rocket uniform had been, his boots came slightly above the ankle. He too drew his sword as soon as he was far enough from any obstacles. It was also a long thin blade as Jessie's was, but instead of the swirling patterns, James' had a pair of elegant wings curving around the handle. It also had a shimmering clear stone set at the very end. "I like this," he mused quickly re-sheathing it. Jessie smiled and drew hers. "En guard," she said thrusting it James' way. "Touche," he replied touching his blade lightly to hers. Jessie and James had a small duel with the very tips of their blades before Ash, Misty, and Brock followed by Pikachu came to join them. They each sported a new outfit and sword. Master Lotus had really gone all out to please them with the gifts. The fire sword had intense flames adorning the hilt, with the bright red stone at the end. Each person's had the same color stone at the end as they did in their rings and a design appropriate for the type of power they had received. Pikachu and Meowth were even equipped with a small dagger each for emergencies. Master Lotus stepped out to address the group. "That mountain, is where the queen resides," he said pointing. Ash recalled the part of the legend where the queen had returned to rule with an iron fist. "Learn skills with the blades along the way, and the seven powers will be able to defeat her!" he said curling his ancient wrinkled fingers into a fist. Ash smiled and drew his blade. "We won't fail you, or Aradain," he said thrusting it symbolically into the air. "I must tell you all something before you leave. Your rings are what give you your powers, should they ever fall into the wrong hands, it would be disastrous. You don't have to and probably shouldn't wear them when you have a secure place for them. Take care my friends, and be off to save the world!" Master Lotus said making sweeping motions toward the ominous mountain. Misty stepped forward and embraced the frail old man lovingly. "Take care of yourself," she whispered. "You too," he replied and Misty slowly slipped from his arms. Ash and the rest waved a fond farewell as each turned sorrowfully over their shoulders. "Goodbye," Ash whispered under his breath. They walked away from the only home they had know in Aradain slowly, not wanting to believe it was over. Ash listened to his new boots clacking softly on the cobblestone path that used to lead to Aqualique. He looked up to the mountain looming far in the distance and smiled wryly. He couldn't wait to be deemed as a hero. All his life all he'd ever wanted to do was be somebody, he'd hoped it would be as a Pokemon master, but his dreams had been crushed at his loss at the league games. He'd be better than Gary now, he'd show everyone that he could do it and he would. Jessie, James, and Meowth had similar thoughts as they traveled alongside their newfound friends. They were relieved and happy to be in this world where they were able to leave all the pain of their old home behind. They were nobody back home. Very poor nobodys at that. They viewed this as their chance for a second chance. It seemed that what's their life was composed of, second chances and failed promises. No, they hadn't enjoyed being in team Rocket, they'd wanted more friends than each other, and they'd wanted a decent life. It was in Aradain that they were sure they'd find it. Brock and Misty's minds were absorbed in the families they'd left behind. Brock had his siblings, as did Misty. Unfortunately, Misty didn't have parents like Ash and Brock did. Even James had a mother and father, even if they weren't exactly the best parents, they were parents none the less. She would be happy here in Aradain, and she even had a chance to be a hero. She was a kind and benevolent person and was willing to help. Brock missed his brothers, sisters, and father, but he figured, he hadn't seen his father enough to really be close to him. Everyone present was able and willing to help, and help they would. "So, where to now Ash?" Misty asked to break the silence. Ash shrugged and smiled. "Where ever the wind takes us," he mused winking at James. "Hey! I resent that! This isn't going to become an ongoing thing is it?" he asked sarcastically. "Oh you bet! Anything to poke fun at you!" Jessie said laughing. James rolled his eyes and punched his friend playfully in the arm. The group traveled the rest of that day, and just as dusk was falling, they were suddenly alerted to the fact that they had nowhere to sleep that night. They searched for hours for a town, a cave, anywhere to call shelter. The search proved fruitless and the group stopped at a small river, disheartened and forlorn. Ash perched himself dejectedly on a small rock near the babbling water and sighed audibly. "Now what do we do?" he asked noting the sun was making its last presence known in the form of elongated, orange shadows. James sighed and pressed his back against a nearby tree. He slid down slowly feeling the rough bark scratch his skin soothingly. Suddenly, near the bottom, he felt a sharp pain in the small of his back. "Ouch!" he exclaimed jumping up. "What? What happened?" Jessie asked concerned. James worked his hand under his shirt and gingerly rubbed the offending spot. He winced and brought his hand to his face to find a small spot of blood on it. He scowled and turned back to the tree. There was an odd plant growing at the roots. A beautiful yet deadly parasite feeding off of its precious nutrients. It was a long green vine with many fierce looking thorns on it. At the very end, was a delicate red flower. A moving, deep, crimson that looked like silk soaked in blood. "What on earth?" Misty queried as the vine began to move, curling around the tree tentatively, craftily, like it knew something no one else did. It coiled round and round the trunk and continued into the very top branches. It stopped there when no part of the original tree was visible, completely enveloped in a spiny, green, writhing mass. It began shimmering green and with an emerald flash that paled even James' eyes, the vines solidified into a glossy, scaled hide. Slowly, ever so slowly, after the transformation was complete, the tree toppled to one side. Slim, lithe limbs sprouted forth from the sides of the massive trunk bearing deadly claws, and an enormous tail shot forth violently from the rear. It whipped about madly as a fearsome head seemed to melt from the foliage. The thing that had been an innocent flower had become a dragon-like creature composed completely of plant material. Ash's jaw dropped as the magnificent being spotted the group, blinked in confusion and bowed its head respectfully. "D...Does it want to be friends?" Misty asked backing away fearfully. "I tink it wants dinner!" Meowth replied shrilly. The dragon opened its fiery red rose eyes and looked to the skies. James' face went pale as the winds themselves fled in fear. "Something's coming," he whispered. A low moan was heard rising from all nature around them, a moan of fear, of pain, of a longing to be free. The sky clouded over as the fleeing winds brought storms from the oceans. The was a sudden quietness as the foliage held its breath in waiting. Ash's own breath caught in his chest as a deep rumbling was audible. He braced himself as if for a large impact and closed his eyes. The rumbling intensified and Ash's eyes snapped open as the ground exploded between him and the vine dragon, sending all present sprawling backwards to the ground. He saw Misty and Brock land on either side of him with a small shriek of surprise and pain. The dragon seemed pleased and thrust its head into the air, howling in victory, or a welcome. Ash looked up as the dust cleared to see a huge red object looming before him. It looked like several think red quilts entwined around each other with green leaves around the base. A flower? Ash couldn't be sure. It resembled a young rose bud multiplied in size thousands of times, the petals thick and leathery with the strength of the strongest metal. "W...What is that thing?" Pikachu croaked. "I'll show you soon enough peasant!" Everyone jumped at the honey-coated voice emanating from the pod before them. It was then they heard the maniacal laughter for the first time. A sound that would haunt them for all their days in Aradain, the rest of their lives, and even in their dreams. Jessie sensed the air of evil around the flower bud. It reeked of malevolence and hatred, and she backed away fearfully. It began to unfold, releasing a cloud of glittering spores into the air. It uncoiled slowly, majestically, as if leaving whatever was in the center for them to see very last. When the petals had completely unfurled, the enormous rose served as a stage for the young woman who stood in the center. Long tendrils delicately curled about the entire profile of the foliage, glittering in the pale moonlight. One crimson appendage bent respectfully allowing the flower's occupant to step down on a 'red carpet' of sorts. The young woman herself was a deep emerald, vines adorned with leaves and flowers embracing her body lovingly. She wore a short dress that looked very much like a deep red tulip. She walked over tentatively, inspecting each person on the ground before her. Cocking her head to one side thoughtfully, she stooped down to the nearest person, which happened to be James, and hauled him roughly to his feet. He clenched his teeth in fear as she lowered her face seductively to his. Her eyes were filled with flames and they glittered with an odd kind of red eye shadow. Had the colors been less rich than they were, one would have thought she was wearing a cheap Christmas play costume. James recoiled in terror and the maiden dropped him to the dust condescendingly. He yelped softly in pain and crawled backwards fearfully. Jessie received him kindly, wrapping her arms around his quaking shoulders in comfort. The woman snickered to herself and stood completely upright. "Pretty lousy for the 'seven great powers' if you ask me," she said laughing spitefully. James looked hurt and Ash decided he'd had enough of this woman whoever she was. He stood boldly, his flames flaring with a furious intensity. "And just who are you?" he demanded angrily. The woman seemed amused by the question, running a hand through her long, glittery pink hair. Flowers grew in it as did vines and beautifully crafted leaves. "Why me? I am the legendary queen of Aradain! I am your worst nightmare, the rightful ruler of this world, and the most beautiful woman in the history of this planet. I am the great Vinetra!" she exclaimed thrusting her hands into the air. The winds howled a protest and lightning from the storm gathering illuminated the dark landscape. "I am also egotistical and conceited!" Jessie muttered, mocking Vinetra under her breath. Only James, who pressed himself further into the security of her arms and wrapped his around her in reply to her friendly gesture, heard the sassy remark. "You destroyed Aqualique! You killed all those people! You're not a queen! You're a monster!" Ash yelled defiantly. Vinetra, hearing these bold and stupid words, turned her frosty glare, full of flames to the youth. "Watch it boy, I have tortures far more agonizing than you could even begin to imagine. You would not die peacefully I assure you," she hissed. The fear entered Ash's mind with those words and he backed away hesitantly. Moving for the first time, the vine dragon stepped forward, allowing Vinetra to stroke it lovingly. It seemed to purr with pleasure as a deep, contented growl rose from its throat. "Good boy. You twerps should provide an interesting toy for my pet here," she mused. Jessie and James' voices quavered in unison as they clung to each other as usual for comfort. "Ash," Misty whispered his name for comfort. The beautiful beast looked longingly at his prey, waiting for the moment his master would set him loose to devour it. Jessie could sense the evil in this as well as the Queen. A surge of excited energy emanated from it which nearly knocked her free of senses. "Run!" she shrieked sensing the dragon was ready to attack. Upon hearing her shrill cry, James sprung to his feet hauling Jessie with him. Ash, Misty and Brock swiftly turned over their shoulders following the initial people to flee. The last they heard of their beloved Pokemon was an anguished cry from Meowth and the zap of electricity from Pikachu. Ash stopped dead in his tracks, he knew the sound of a defense shock and that had been one of them. "Pikachu!" he cried reaching out. The rose dragon stood victoriously where the Pokemon had once been, thick crimson blood dripping grotesquely from its jowls. "Meowth!" Jessie and James cried. James felt tears sting at the corners of his eyes, Meowth had been one of his best friends. Jessie too felt the loss deeply already. "It's too late they're gone! Go! Now!" Brock hollered shoving Ash and Misty forward. Ash ran, he ran despite the tears streaming down his cheeks, he ran though his felt like breaking down and crying. He'd lost the first friend he'd ever had on his Pokemon journey. He'd filled the empty space Gary had left when he betrayed him, he helped take the edge off of his stress at trying to be the best all the time. He'd hoped with Pikachu, he could rise to be the best, but not with cruel training, with knowing what was in each others hearts and mutually fighting battles as one mind, linked together they could not and would not loose. The little electric rodent had been Ash's best friend, and now he was gone. The group ran until they thought they could run no more. The fear drove them, but presently, they discovered they were not being followed by the monster. They slowed slowly to a stop, taking short labored breaths from exhaustion. Ash looked back, no trace of the fiend was discernable. "It's...It's gone," Misty breathed fanning herself with her tail. Ash swallowed hard with a tight throat and slowly sank to his knees. "Pikachu!" he cried. He folded into a small protected ball over his feet and wept bitterly. As if remembering what had happened Misty and Brock both also burst into tears. They fell dramatically to the ground, wrapping their arms around Ash. "He's gone! He's really gone!" Ash wailed. Jessie and James stood silently, watching the group of friends attempt unsuccessfully to comfort each other. James closed his eyes slowly, letting the tear gathering in them fall. "Meowth," he whispered. He looked out of the corners of his emerald eyes to see Jessie's lip quaver, and a tear slid down her cheek. This was a rare sight, Jessie was letting her emotions come to the surface. "Jessie?" James queried. Jessie slowly sunk to her knees, the near silent sobs wracking her body. James let the tears fall freely as he knelt next to his friend. "Oh James, Meowth was the only friend I ever knew besides you!" Jessie sobbed. "I know, I know!" James wailed right along with her. He took her into his arms gingerly and she wept onto his shoulder, her hand resting comfortably in the glossy blue hair. The peace was to be short-lived, instantaneously, the ground erupted and the vine dragon stood before them, hate burning in the otherwise gorgeous rose eyes. Whipping its tail madly, it honed in on its next victims, narrowing its eyes at Jessie and James. Time seemed to move in slow motion for the blue- haired youth as he silently watched the dragon lunge in their direction. "Jessie, No!" he cried shoving her out of reach. She let the momentum take her off to one side and instantly regretted it. James' pupils narrowed as the shadow of the beast descended at unfathomable speeds toward him, and the last Jessie heard of her winged companion was the crunch of the gravel and dirt blended with his blood curdling scream as the predator disappeared beneath the earth with its prey. A morbid silence settled over the group as the death of yet another friend hung in the air. Jessie sat up from where she had fallen. The realization of what had happened sunk into her skull, percolating into her mind like a lethal poison. "No...No!" she yelled scrambling weakly over to the spot where the tragedy had occurred. All that was left was a few scattered blue feathers and a small puddle of blood. "James," she whispered to herself picking up one of the larger feathers. As if in a final goodbye, it glittered a bright cerulean in the moonlight. Jessie traced it along her cheekbone longingly, letting the silky fibers caress the scar of the wound James had taken care of. "No, no no no no!" Misty wailed pounding her fists onto the ground. Jessie drew her sword angrily and stood, tears streaming down her face. "You guys run, it's coming back," she hissed through clenched teeth. "But Jessie you'll-" "Run! Now, damn it!" Ash reached out to her somberly. "Ash come on!" Misty said tugging at his shirt. "But Jessie-" "She can take care of herself! Let's get out of here!" Brock answered and they fled the area. Jessie stood waiting, waiting for the murderer of her two best friends to return. She let the tears flow freely, she didn't have anything left to live for now. "Show your ugly head coward!" she yelled, her voice tight with emotion. As if in an answer, the vine dragon burst from the ground, the lower half of its sinuous body hidden in the earth and rock, its jaws still red with blood, now with shimmering specks of blue. Seeing the feathers, Jessie shrieked a last war cry and lunged toward the beast's chest, driving her sword deep into emerald flesh. The dragon flung its head back, howling in agony and frustration. It slowly curled its razor claws about the sword, ripping it from its bosom, hot, thick, white blood pouring from the wound. Jessie backed away fearfully, using her long tail to guide her. She gasped in pain as it jammed sharply into a tree, her knees buckling with the pain. The vine dragon drew in a deep breath, the wound sealing with fresh vine material. Jessie gasped in terror and froze to the spot as it slunk deviously from the hole. It's jaws opened to a gaping abyss and Jessie closed her eyes as its wrath was brought upon her. "Jessie? Where is she?" Ash began to panic as he realized the red-haired companion was missing. Brock and Misty's faces grew sullen. "She...She must've not made it," Brock whispered. "No! She had to! I know she made it!" Ash demanded balling his fists angrily. "Just like James made it? And Meowth and Pikachu made it too?" Misty sneered contemptuously. Ash literally snarled and leapt on Misty knocking her flat on the ground. "Misty how dare you! How dare you! God damn you Misty!" he cried punching her firmly in the cheek. She cried out in both physical and mental pain. The flames flaring about Ash beginning to sear her scaled body. Misty threw the hysterical youth off her easily and just for good measure, kicked him firmly in the side. He buckled under the force and lay still, sobs wracking his sides. When Misty was certain the assault had ended, she struggled to her feet brushing the dirt from her clothes and let him sob bitterly on the ground. "Stop it Ash!" she yelled slapping him vengefully across the face. He recoiled at the blow falling to the ground again sobbing harder than ever. A few moments later he pulled himself from the ground slowly and looked into her azure eyes mournfully. Misty softened, her eyes glistening with tears. "They're gone...They're all gone!" she whispered dropping to her knees next to Ash. Brock was forced to keep to himself, his wiser, older mind preventing him from becoming hysterical. He was just as hurt, upset, and completely grief stricken as his friends, but they had a duty to fulfill. He sat on the ground, looking up at the moon, he'd never felt more remorse at a loss since his mother had died. Though he hadn't known Jessie and James and been truly friends with them for long, their deaths, as well as Meowth's and Pikachu's, had left him emotionally wasted. He heard a small rustle in the dense foliage of the forest where they sat. Turning around sharply, he observed nothing out of the ordinary. The man of stone never knew what hit him. He heard a roar behind him and then all was darkness. Ash looked up and leapt out of the path of the Dragon as it swooped past them, gathering Brock and Misty in its wake. It dove beneath the crust with its prize and instantly surfaced leaving two gaping mouths of holes. Ash lost what little was left of his mind seeing the snarling beast. "Come back to finish your meal huh?" he shrieked drawing his sword. The dragon seemed to laugh at him, flicking a long forked tongue into the youth's face. "I do what my master obeys. My name is Thorangon, but you may call me the bringer of death!" the lithe creature hissed in a venomous voice, slowly advancing upon the helpless human. Ash swiftly drew his arm up, carrying the sword with it. It grazed over the rose-eye of Thorangon. He recoiled in pain, roaring in protest. Ash scrambled to his feet holding the blade in front of him for safety, the red stone illuminating brightly with his fury. "My eye! Foolish child! You will pay for your offense!" Thorangon screeched clutching the wound. Seeing his chance, Ash lunged forward with a great battle cry, his sword poised for the kill, the hate and sorrow driving his body. The boy was fast, but the dragon was swifter, batting him away as he approached with the back of a foot like a mere insect. Ash sailed through the air as if he weighed nothing, his flight ending in the top of a tree. He felt the branches strike in random places on his body as he tumbled down to the ground. The beating was interrupted by a short, smooth fall, broken by the hard cold ground. He lay at the base of the tree, nestled in a tangle of roots, bleeding and out of breath. Thorangon laughed spitefully and raised his tail high above the beaten youth. "Some great leader of the seven powers! Now boy, you die!" he yelled bringing the thick whip of a tail down upon Ash's already bruised and broken body. He felt the sharp scales slice easily into mortal flesh, breaking several ribs in the process. He cried out in agony, every move biting at his mind and body with pain. It hurt to move, it hurt to breathe, it practically hurt to think. Ash opened his formerly tightly shut eyes to survey himself. The side of his chest was drenched in blood from the wound, as well as slightly collapsed with the broken bones. He looked through blurring vision at the ever widening pool of nearly black liquid beneath him and slowly rested his head on his arms, the life slowly draining from his body. "I...I can't die now. What happened to the seven great powers?" he whispered to himself. His breath grew short and labored as the youth's lungs filled with blood. He closed his eyes as his broken body lurched forward, retching the life fluid from his mouth. Thorangon laughed and raised his tail once more. "You really are just a boy aren't you?" he asked smiling. Ash let the blood flow freely from his mouth in a crimson river across the dirt as he drew his last breath. The dragon roared in victory and brought his tail down. Ash closed his eyes as he felt it strike him in the head, then all went black.