Part 5! Yep, I know it was a cliffhanger! *Giggle* what can I say? I’m evil…

Disclaimer: Destiny, Tempestwolfe, etc. are mine. Pokemon is Nintendo’s. This is non-profit fanwork, I’m not infringing on their copyright, and since I wrote it its mine.

 

Notes: <> indicates telepathy, ** indicates thoughts, and italics indicates poke speech.

Link Masters – thanks!

Dragi – well, thank you!

SS2 Megami-sama – well, I don’t want to give away something in CCA…

Clueless97 – that’s prolly another fic, but I’ll work on it!

 

Part 5: In which Misty and Brock find out that Ash likes to be left alone

 

            Misty, Brock, and Pikachu all stared. Ash stood there in silence, cloak billowing in an invisible wind.

            “W-well, this is certainly a nice place.” Brock finally said, in an attempt to shatter the deafening silence.

            “I never knew you had this much money!” Misty said, not thinking. “If you were this rich, why didn’t you pay me back for my bike sooner?”

            Ash raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I leave you money?”

            “Yes, but you procrastinated for like more than a year!”

            Pikachu ran towards Ash, but before she had gotten more than a few feet, a blast of wind knocked her over.

            < Stay away from him! > Tempestwolfe spat.

            Pikachu slowly pulled herself up. She would have shocked Tempestwolfe, but she had already used up most of her electricity in the battle against Pika and Star.

           

            Ash didn’t move. He calmly stared at them as Pikachu tried again. This time, Sunny jumped in front of Ash protectively.

            < You traitor, I can’t believe you have the audacity to approach his presence! >

            Pikachu started feeling uneasy. * What did I do wrong? And how did they know that I led Misty and Brock here? *

            Ash still didn’t move.

 

            Misty and Brock watched in apprehension. “Ash?” Misty ventured to ask. “What’s wrong?”

            Ash stared at them with unblinking amber eyes. “Wrong? Oh, nothing’s wrong. Aside from the fact that one of my own pokemon violated the sacred laws and led humans into the sanctuary, absolutely nothing is wrong.”

            < I knew she couldn’t be trusted. > Sunny growled from Ash’s side. Ash laid a hand on her ruff to restrain her.

            < After all, what good is a pokemon who only sticks by its trainer in peace and not in war? > Tempestwolfe asked, as he spread his wings and prepared to attack.

            < Absolutely no good at all. > Ash replied.

 

            By now, Brock was feeling kind of disturbed. “Ash? Are you all right? Something’s wrong. Maybe I should take you to the doctor…”

            “When did you get psychic powers?” Misty asked in surprise. “That was telepathy, wasn’t it?”

            “Very perceptive, Misty.” Ash said. A blue glow surrounded him and he levitated into the air. “And now, I hope Pikachu has a good explanation for leading you here.”
           

            Pikachu shivered. This was why she had left! Ash was acting too strange! So cold and cruel, inhuman even… and where had those psychic powers come from?

            < Well? > Sunny asked. < Do you have an answer? >

            < It had better be a good one. > Tempestwolfe added.

            < Because you hurt several innocent pokemon to lead those humans here. >

            < And master never lets debts like that go unpaid. >

 

            Misty and Brock were speechless.

            “Hmm, this is the first time this has happened.” Ash mused. “I wonder… should I just use the amnesia treatment?”

            < I say kill them all. > A telepathic voice growled. From the shadows out stepped a Houndoom.

            “Calm down, Houndoom.” Ash said. “I’m still thinking.”

            < Well, why show mercy? At least exterminate the rat so something like this will never happen again. >

            Sunny growled accordingly. Tempestwolfe was calmer, but he was also pacing back and forth.

           

            Pikachu tensed. They were talking about her! But why don’t you allow humans into this cave? It belongs to them too!

            Oh, does it? Houndoom asked, switching to gravelly-sounding pokespeech.

            Of course it does! Plus, not all humans are evil! Misty and Brock are two very nice people!

            That’s what you say. This is nice? Sunny asked. On one of the shiny walls, images began to form. Misty hitting Ash with her mallet, Misty hitting Brock with her mallet, Misty taunting and teasing Ash, the two arguing, Brock convincing Ash to release his pokemon, Brock convincing Ash to trade his pokemon, Brock trying to use Ash to get girls…

 

            “Hey! Nobody’s perfect!” Misty said, offended.

            “Yeah! And there’s nothing wrong with trying to get a girlfriend!” Brock protested.

            They were prevented from speaking when a chilling wind began to blow. Ash’s eyes flashed blue as he began to speak in a soft voice.

            “I will let you live. Amnesia.” In a flash, Misty and Brock were both out. Ash waved a hand, and they were teleported back to their respective cities with no more memory of him.

            “But as for you…” Ash turned to Pikachu as he floated back down. “You have failed.”

            < I knew it! > Sunny said triumphantly.

            “The thing is, I don’t need another pikachu. Especially one that will betray me… so, goodbye.” Ash said. Pikachu gasped as she began to fade away.

            No! Ash, please, don’t do this! She begged.

            Ash didn’t seem to hear her pleas. When the light cleared, a black and yellow egg lay there.

 

            “This is usually the best way.” Ash said as he picked it up. “After all, the newborn pokémon has no memory and will grow attached to its caretaker. It’s very handy.”

            Houndoom growled, but was restrained by Tempestwolfe.

            < Now, now, calm down! >

            Houndoom sighed. < I’m sorry, just kind of anxious. >

            “It’s okay. I understand perfectly well.”

 

Two months later…

 

            “A challenger?” Ash asked in surprise.

            < Yes. > Jasper said. < He says that he want to challenge you. >

            “I thought I erased the memories of everyone who knew I was here.” Ash said, in mingled surprise and annoyance. “Very well. Come on, let’s go greet him.” Ash changed into a pair of dark red corduroys and a black t-shirt, plus a dark red vest attached to a black cloak. Sunny and Starlight trotted by his side.

           

            “Well, well. What brings you here, Gary?” Ash asked. Sunny growled softly, but Ash shook his head.

            “Ash, why aren’t you going home? Your mom is worried sick!” Gary said. “Plus, Professor Oak is going to deactivate your pokédex and revoke your license if you don’t come home within three days!”

            “But she knows I’m training.” Ash said. “Didn’t she get that note?”

            “Yes, but. Ash, this isn’t like you. What happened?”

            Ash raised his eyebrows. “Gary, you actually want to know? I thought you didn’t care about me anymore.”

            Gary looked down. “Well… what I said about us not being friends anymore… I didn’t really mean it.”
            Ash nodded. “I see. Okay, you know how I lost in the fifth round to Richie?”

            “Yeah. What about it?”

 

            Ash closed his eyes. “That was devastating. Now, I’m too scared to show my face in public again. That was a televised match, Gary! Now everyone knows what a horrible trainer I am.”

            Gary looked uncomfortable. “Well, I lost too.”

            “But you’re still training, right? Why? I don’t have a purpose to do so anymore.” Ash said. * Besides to protect pokemon, but that doesn’t require league battles or championships or badges *

            “I don’t know…”

 

            Ash sighed. “Gary, I’ll come home once I sort out this mess. Tell my mom not to worry.” With that, he began walking back into the cave.

            Gary sighed. * Ash, you have changed. What’s wrong? *

            “Are we still friends?” Gary asked.

            Ash turned around. “Gary, we have always been friends. If you ever want to call, I’ll talk to you. But please don’t follow me. I would be forced to do… unavoidable things. And give my mom that message!”

            “What about our match?”

            “I’ll see you again! Until then, Sayonara!” Ash said, waving.

            Gary nodded and began walking down the mountain. Then, he thought of something.

            “Wait a minute! What am I going to tell Gramps?”

            Ash shrugged. “If he can actually deactivate it…”

            Gary caught the hint and smiled. “Okay, see ya! Come on, Arcanine, we’re going back to Pallet!” They left.

 

            Ash put up the elemental barriers as soon as he crossed each one. Fire, water, ice, and electricity were not that strong, perhaps he needed another wall. Ash placed a fifth barrier of psychic energy in place, just for precautions. After all, no interruptions were welcome… there were things he had to do…

 

End Part 5! So, what do you think? Drop me a review! Ooh…

Completed 10/5/03, started 11/4/02

 

Remember. I’m studying for AP tests and finals, so most of these are just ones that are already completed, k?