Every Shadow has a Light

By PokeMaster 13

Part 1

Disclaimers: Okay just about nothing in this story is mine. Even Riku is a character from Kingdom Hearts. But PokeFest is mine. The plot of this fanfic is mine. Don’t try taking it away from me.

Ash: 16 years

Misty: 16 years

Gary: 16 years

Brock: 21 years

Tracey: 18 years

Richie: 16 years

May: 15 years

Delia(a.k.a Ash’s mom): 39 years

Max: 10 years

Prof. Oak: 68 years

Prof. Elm: 54 years

Prof. Birch: 51 years

TR(Team Rocket)

Butch: 20 years

Cassidy: 20 years

Jessie: 20 years

James: 19 years

Riku: 19 years

Part 1:Enter the Shadow

Well we rejoin our heroes sometime after that devastating blow Misty dealt. Now the first day of PokeFest is over and done. Its time for the Day of Life to begin. Ash was walking around the house at night. He was sure no one would mind so long as he kept quiet. It was 12:01. Why shouldn’t he. As it was he was searching for someone.

Misty couldn’t fall asleep but she was too tired to get up either. Then she heard a small thump and her door opening. She cracked open her eyes to see Ash standing in the doorway. He walked towards the bed. First he looked at May’s sleeping form on the top bunk. As he came down to look at Misty she swore she could feel her heart beating through her chest.

Ash hovered over her for a moment. “she’s so cute when she’s sleeping” Ash thought. Then he saw her twitching slightly. “Or at least when she’s pretending to sleep” Ash corrected himself. He stood towering over her for a moment and then:

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping” Ash said.

“You aren’t even in bed” Misty pointed out.

“Yeah, well it’s the day of life so I decided to live a little” Ash retorted.

“And why did you come in our room” Misty said turning. At the sight of a shirtless Ash she began blushing furiously. She saw Ash was blushing to.

“Well I decided to let the pokemon live a little to.” Ash said sheepishly. “I let them out to kickback a little and my Snorunt wandered off.”

“You expect me to believe that you let your pokemon out in this house.” Misty asked.

“HEY, they have freedom rights too” Ash said slightly infuriated. “Get used to it. We all live in a pokemon world” he said. At that moment-

“Swellow, Swell” Ash’s Swellow swooped down and perched on Ash’s outstretched arm.

“Did you find it” Ash asked genuinely concerned.

“Swellow, Swellow” Swellow said while nodding.

“Great” Ash said. Swellow pointed to under Misty’s bed.

“Not so great” Ash groaned. Misty could understand. Ash had grown considerably and was now maybe 5 ’11. He kneeled down just the same and started speaking.

“C’mon Snorunt. Get out. Its no wonder Misty can’t sleep. Its me Ash” he said. Misty listened to the whole thing. “He’s so sweet and caring… and hot!!!” Misty thought dreamily. Then Snowrunt jumped out into Ash’s open arms. Ash held Snowrunt close to him. Then he looked up to see Misty dream staring at him.

“heh heh heh” Ash laughed silently. Misty finally caught on and began blushing again.

“G’night” Ash said leaving the room.

“Pikaaaaaa” said from Ash’s shoulder.

“Top of the morning” Misty said. Ash chuckled as he went to do god knows what.

On the large grassy hill just outside Ash’s house. A person was watching the house. His long silver hair whipped in the wind as he recounted old memories. He turned on heel and walked away from the house. The grass where he had stood was stained a bright red…

Misty and May both at the same time woke up. Somehow May got into the bathroom first. Ash was already eating breakfast. His eyes were, if anything, bloodshot.

“What happened to you” Richie said cheerfully.

Ash looked proud. “It took a while but I finally taught Pikachu how to… play video games” Ash said triumphantly. Everybody except Richie fell over anime style.

“Wow, really”

“Yep”

“You think you could teach Sparky’ Richie asked as his Pikachu hopped up on his shoulders. Everybody who had just gotten up fell down.

“Pika, Piiiikaaaaaa” Sparky said enthusiastically.

“We can try”

“Awesome” They went for the door but Misty was their ready to blow her top.

“You were playing video games the entire time.” Misty yelled.

“I know isn’t that cool” Richie said. Meanwhile Ash was wondering why Misty was so concerned.

“I’ll never understand guys like you. You need to get out more,” Misty said shaking her head.

“Guys like us “get out” too much so we need time to stay in” Ash replied as he took Richie up and they attempted to teach Sparky to play video games.

Everybody sighed as they left. Except Delia. She beamed proudly.

“This is great ever since… that happened and his father died I thought Ash might be reluctant to make new friends…” Delia’s voice trailed off as she went deep into thought. Misty wondered “ now what could ‘that’ be?” Before she could ask Brock pulled Misty too the side.

“What do you want” Misty sighed.

“I’m here to give you some advice” Brock said solemnly

“I don’t need ‘advice’” Misty replied.

“Yeah you do.” Misty tried to argue but Brock cut her off.

“Listen to me. I think that this secrecy has been going on long enough.” Brock said. Misty opened her mouth waiting for a witty comeback to come. But it didn’t so Misty tried using Ash’s method.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Misty said.

“Yeah you do. Look Misty you’re a nice person and all but you’re not that good at keeping secrets,” Brock said.

Misty sighed. “Is it that obvious.”

“To everyone except Ash,” Brock chuckled. “He’s to infatuated with you.”

Misty lightened up a little bit at this. “Really?” Misty said.

“Your just as inattentive as Ash” Brock said. “Watch how he acts around you.”

“Well, okay” Misty said.

“My advice is that you tell him how you feel before the 6^th day of PokeFest.” Brock said.

“ WHAT(gag) did you(koff, koff) say” Misty spluttered as she choked on her beverage (Don’t give darn what it is. The fact is she choked on it.)

“You heard me. Look Misty I know your afraid but you have to believe me. Ash like you just as much as you like him if not more” Brock said.

“But what if-”

“No buts! If he really doesn’t feel for you the way you do, do you really think it will change 5 years from now? Or 10? You have to tell him or he’ll give up on you” Brock said sharply. Misty reverted to “downcast” mode.

“Okay, but it’s not easy… like you and Nurse Joy!!!!” Misty said triumphantly. Now Brock was sulking and he walked off.

“But you’re right” Misty shouted after him.

At that exact moment Ash, Gary, May, Richie, and Max walked out the door.

“What’s going on” Misty asked.

Ash paused long enough to say “We’re going out to practice for the coliseum. Me and Richie verses May and Gary. Max is the judge. Uhhhhh…you could be like the substitute for whoever loses there pokemon first” Ash said grasping at straws.

“Well then Ash maybe you should just let Misty take your place because I’m blasting you and Richie to kingdom come” Gary snickered.

“In your dreams” Ash and Richie said simueltaneously.

“Thanks but no thanks” Misty said.

“Suit yourself” Ash said shrugging.

As soon as everybody had walked out the door a cloud of smoke blinded everyone. Then a voice boomed

“Prepare for trouble and a surprise”

“Make it double now open your eyes”

“You idiots I meant make an entirely new theme song” Ash yelled looking up. What he saw was about the biggest surprise ever. James was dressed in a purple tank top with black jeans. Jessie was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and blue sweat pants.

“Temper, temper” James said waggling a gloved finger at Ash.

“Wha- what’s going on. Are these more friends Ash” Delia asked.

“Uhhhhhhh… Yeah” Ash finally said. Then he pulled his two “friends” over and said “What the heck are you doing” Ash said.

James looked at his shoes. Jessie finally pucked up the courage and said:

“Look twerp, we are from Team Rocket but we’re not that bad. We swear we’re going straight until PokeFest is over” Jessie said almost apologetically to Ash. Ash was looking from Jessie to James continuously finally he smiled and said “Well are you coming. No offence but your pokemon don’t have a prayer at the coliseum.” They let the comment slide and followed Ash and co.

“This is a no time limit 3-way battle. Each team chooses 2 pokemon. BEGIN” Max shouted.

“Pikachu/Sparky I choose you!” Ash and Richie shouted.

“Umbreon/Combusken come out” Gary and May yelled

“Go Chimecho/Seviper” Jessie and James said.

“Sparky and Pikachu use double team” Ash shouted,. The field was soon filled with Pikachu. All the pokemon were trying to find the real pikachu’s.

“Chimecho use psychic and then astonish” Chimecho glowed and then all pokemon besides Seviper were lifted into the air. Then a rattling cry rang through the forest. All the pikachu’s were disappearing.

“Pikachu and Sparky use extreme speed” Richie yelled.

The pikachu’s began vibrating intensely. Soon Chimecho’s phsycic couldn’t hold and the real two rocketed out of control. And so the battle raged until…

“Pikachu/Sparky use zap cannon” Ash and Richie yelled

“Umbreon/Combusken use Shadow Ball/Fire Spin”

“Seviper/ Chimecho use Sludge Bomb/Wave Guiding Bomb”

A huge explosion rattled the area. When the dust settled all pokemon were on the ground. In another minute or so all pokemon were up except-

“Ha. Loser Ash. Looks like your pika pal was blasted into the sky” Gary said cracking up.

Ash returned the grin “Well it didn’t get blasted into the sky.” It took a while but everybody caught on and looked up to see a perfectly fine pikachu floating down. The pokemon also looked up for a crucial second.

“Sparky thunder wave and agility” Richie shouted triumphantly. Soon all pokemon were paralyzed and Sparky was zipping around pushing them closer for a more powerful finale effect. Right before touchdown Ash said two words that concluded the match:

“Pikachu, THUNDER”

“PiiiiiiikaaCHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU” Pikachu yelled letting loose all the electricity in its body. This time when the smoke cleared Pikachu and Sparky were the only one standing.

“Ash and Richie win” Max yelled excitedly. Soon Gary had stormed of Richie had gone to Ash’s house(the video game training) and Max had gone to see the professors lab.

So it was just Ash and May now.

“Nice night huh” May asked.

“Yep” Ash said

“What did I just ask you” May asked

“UHHHHHHHH” Ash replied.

“I knew it. Listen dofus its noon” May said laughing er head off.

Ash ignored the comment and stood up.

“Where are you-”

“I want to catch up on old times”

“Well… if you must” May said disappointed.

“Here go do something with your life” Ash said throwing her some money.

“Ohhhhhhhh Ash” May yelled pulling him into a small hug.

Misty was rushing through the forest. She wanted to see how much better Ash had gotten(though in her opinion Ash was already the best.) But as she expected the battle was over. But when she came May’s embrace wasn’t over. Seeing this a chord struck through Misty’s head.

“May loves Ash. Ash loves May. Ash already has a girlfriend” Misty thought and turned quickly and ran tears forming in her eyes. She didn’t hear what came next. She didn’t want to.

“Ohh sorry Ash. I know you wish that was Misty and all…” May said. Ash threw his arms in the air frustrated.

“How many freakin’ people know” He practically shouted.

“Well Ash you make it way too obvious. Have fun with your girlfriend” May said as she ran off to do who the heck knows. Ash waited for a moment than bolted off into the forest.

He found Misty sitting on a log. She was crying. Now this was something that was disturbing. Misty was a tough girl who wasn’t one to waste time crying. She looked up and turned away.

“Misty…” Ash said deeply concerned. She turned to face him but said nothing.

“Misty, what’s wrong” Ash said even more concerned. His hand came wiped her tears. This calmed Misty down… his touch, his voice… then she burst into tears again knowing that she wouldn’t be able to have those things the way May did.

“Pikachu help me out please” Ash said desperately.

*no answer*

“Pikachu” Ash yelled.

“hahahahaha” Yelled someone.

Ash looked up to see a balloon. “Butch, Cassidy give me back my pikachu or else…”

“Or what you’ll hurt us with these” they said laughing. They held up 2 nets filled with Ash and Misty’s pokeballs. Then to avoid any other problems they activated the rockets and began shooting across the sky.

“Pikachu” Ash said weakly. Suddenly a dark voice rang through the forest:

“Pidgeot use Hyper Beam.” Then the biggest hyper beam erupted from the bottom of the ledge. It struck the balloon dead-on. The resulting explosion sent the balloon one way, Butch another, Cassidy somewhere else, their pokemon in another place, and their loot (Ash and Misty’s pokemon) over the ledge. Ash ran after them even though he knew it was useless. He missed the loot and only succeeded in falling of the cliff as well.

“ASH!!!!!!” Misty yelled.

Ash could feel the ground rush up to meet him. He saw his pokemon and Misty’s hurtling down, too. Then suddenly they were gone. He could feel strong arms snatch him out of the sky and scale the cliff at high speeds. Before Ash knew it he was on the ledge again.

The man stood a good 30 feet away from Ash. A Pidgeot came over and dropped a net of pokeballs in one hand. An Umbreon came over and put another net in the same hand. And a Lucario handed the stranger Ash’s pikachu. Ash inspected the stranger. He wore a long black hooded cloak so not much could be seen of him. Actually nothing could be seen. He wore the black hood so his face was concealed his hands were gloved, he wore black pants, and he wore black boots.

Ash was expecting him to return his pikachu. But instead the figure pointed at him saying “Are you Ash Ketchum.”

“So what if I am” Ash said suspiciously.

“ Just answer the question” the stranger said pulling back his hood. Ash shivered. The man was ever so slightly tanned and had long spiky silver hair that went down to where his shoulder blades meet and also down to where his eyes should be. In there place was a large black blindfold.

“Yeah so what”

“I challenge you to a prize battle” the stranger said

“A prize-wha?”

“ You dope a prize battle. You battle and the winner gets the prize. The challenger gets to choose the prize” Misty shouted at him.

“Alright then name your prize” Ash said nervously.

“If you win then you get… $10,000. If I win *bows head and snickers* I get your Pikachu”

“What” Ash yelled. He looked closely at the stranger and said “Team Rocket can’t get me that easy. I’m not battling you even if my life depended on it freak” Ash screamed.

“Well your life doesn’t depend on it but…”

“BUT WHAT” Ash shouted at the top of his lungs.

“I think you don’t know the situation your in” the man said laughing. With that he let his arm with pikachu in it dangle over the cliff.

Well that concludes part 1. I’m sorry that there hasn’t been much romance yet but hey! we have to build on the plot and all first. I’m also really sorry about the prologue where all my HTML commands showed up because I used the wrong format. Hopefully the rest of the story can make up for that. So tune in again for part 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!