Chapter 10 Ash woke to something. Something he didn't know how to describe. It was warm, wonderful and refreshing. Ash began to regain consciousness and was totally exhausted. Ash was mostly tired from the last three days. He had won a tournament, defeated the district D camp and was chased down by team rocket. Ash sighed and snuggled something that was warm and soft. Ash's rational mind kicked in when he suddenly felt the warm mound he was on suddenly move. 'What?' Ash thought. Then more memories flooded his being, His power, his rescue, and his dream all came back clearly. Ash eyes fluttered open and he saw nothing but white. 'White?' Ash thought curiously. Ash rolled over to look up, what he saw startled him awake. It was a glass dome, or what appeared to be a glass dome. Over the glass dome it was raining. Ash saw a beautiful thunderstorm outside and was immediately awed. Ash smiled and watched the storm for a while. It was collage of mystifying light and flashes that seemed to chase each other. Ash felt himself doze when a familiar face interrupted his view. 'How are you?' Ash would have jumped if he didn't recognize his pokemon. It was his Mew. Mew had been there when team rocket captured him and when he won the tournament. Ash was glad to see his pokemon. "I'm fine. Where are we?" Ash asked. Ash got his reply from someone quite unexpected. "He's awake is he?" Ash sat up to look for the voice that asked the question. Ash then remembered the white he was sitting on and turned his head around to see a face staring right back at him. "Welcome home master." It was Lugia. Ash smiled as he remembered his rescue. "Home? Where are we?" Ash asked puzzled. Lugia motioned to the sky with a twitch of his head. Ash looked up to see the storm. "We are in rain valley young one. It's a place that is unknown to all humans and very few pokemon know about it. It's your new home." Ash stood up and looked up at the storm with awe and realized that it wasn't held back by glass. "What keeps the rain out?" Ash asked. Mew motioned to the ground and Ash couldn't believe his eyes. More pokemon he had ever seen in one place were gathered at a point in the grass. Ash walked to Lugia's back and was let down his tail. Lugia smiled and followed Ash. Ash went to the circle of pokemon and saw a small pond. Ash was nuzzled forward by Mew and he walked up to the waters edge. In the pond were thousands of water pokemon. It seemed incredibly huge! It was like watching through a glass bottom boat. "Look deeper." Encouraged Mew. Ash turned to see Mew beside him and then a thought struck him; where was Pikachu? As if on cue, Pikachu popped beside Ash. "Do as Mew says Ash." Pikachu said with a smile. Ash looked down at the electric pokemon and nodded. Ash couldn't help but gaze back at the pond. It was like there was something that drew him to it. Ash gaze wandered through the water and suddenly, he spotted something. It was a shimmering and as soon as Ash saw it, it disappeared. "What?" Ash asked in wonder. Ash didn't realize that he was staring at another pond of pokemon and that his powers were released even more. The pond suddenly vanished before Ash's eyes and he felt not pain but-something. It was a tingle that started from his feet that traveled all the way to the top of his head. Ash shivered once it was over and gasped. "Easy there." Crooned Lugia as Ash stepped a few steps backwards. Lugia moved a wing to help steady the chosen one. Ash caught the wing and moaned. "I think it best if you go back to sleep." Ash saw feathers fly over his face and he instantly surrendered to the calm. Ash was picked up by another psychic pokemon and was placed back on Lugia. "I never thought I'd see the day you would become a throw pillow." Teased Mew. Lugia laughed and sent his reply back at Mew telepathically. 'I never thought I'd see the day you would be caught by a human.' Lugia teased. Mew snorted and giggled. 'Things really do change don't they?' Asked Mew. To their surprise, it was Ho-oh who joined the conversation. 'They do when you live in the time of legends.' Interrupted Ho-oh. Mew looked up to see Ho-oh come through the barrier and drop into the clearing. "So?" Asked Ho-oh. Ho-oh shook off some of the water that was on its feathers before replying. "The friends and mother are worried about him." Pikachu walked up to Lugia. Lugia's attention was adverted to the master's first pokemon. Pikachu climbed up Lugia's side and went to Ash. "I'm not surprised." Said Pikachu. Pikachu turned his attention back to the legendary pokemon in his presence. "He has a wonderful mother and very close friends. They would have died for Ash if necessary. Deep down he left for their sake and not his. With Ash the top mystery in the world right now, they're probably going to be in trouble with or without him. Can we keep a close watch on them?" "I don't see why not." Said Lugia. "After all, pokemon all over the world are at his bidding right now. I don't think it will be too hard to get them to look after the family and friends of the chosen one." Ho-oh preened his feathers. "I suppose it's going to be my job to go out and alert the pokemon?" Asked Ho-oh and Lugia nodded. Ash sighed something in his sleep and Ho-oh quickly lessened the tone of his voice. "I'll be back later. Protect him." The legendary bird flew out into the storm once again with little notice of the rain and thunder. Hello. Not again. What's wrong? Is thing going to be a repeat of the last time? Last time? What do you mean? I mean are you going to do what you did last time and taunt me? I don't appreciate being teased. You are mistaken. This is the first time we have spoken. I'm not so sure about that. What happened? Someone contacted me like this a while ago and threatened my friends. Well, they actually belittled me first but that's beside the point. Krofost! Who? Never mind. Wait! Did you force him out? Is he….here? What do you mean by here? I yelled at him to leave me alone and he left if that's what you mean. Then you did! Good boy! I am Talana. I'm pleased to know you young one. Why are you people bugging me? I want a good nights sleep for a change. Sorry. I'm just curious. About what? I want to know what your like chosen one. Whoah! Wait a minute! How do you know me? I wouldn't be speaking to you if I didn't know who you were. Great! Why am I so popular all of a sudden. Pardon? Never mind. Why so curious about me anyway. I want to know your personality before we meet. We meet? Are you on your way to meet me? No. You're on your way to meet me. What? We will meet soon young one. Be brave. You have a long journey ahead of you. Not another one. Farewell. Turquoise eyes. We will meet soon. Ask for me at Grass castle. Castle? Ash woke again in white. Ash snuggled deeper into Lugia's soft feathers when he heard a flapping. Ash turned his head to the side and saw Ho-oh land before Lugia. "We've got trouble." "What's wrong?" Asked Mew. Ash looked up to see Mew hovering over Lugia's head. A splotch of yellow was seen on top of Lugia's head too; Pikachu. "It seems that team rocket had grown impatient for our chosen one. They've taken over the place called Pallet Town and demand his return." That got Ash's attention. Before Ash had time to react, an outburst from the pokemon around Ash filled the entire valley. "Blasphemers!" "Slime!" "Monsters!" 'How dare they!' Bellowed one voice above the rest. Ash shook off the feeling that he had heard that voice before and looked for the voice. Above the rest was a pokemon Ash had never seen before or so he thought. 'First they kidnap him and then try to kill him! Humans! How dare they demand something like him from pokemon around the world! They created me and now they want the one person who can bring pokemon and people closer together! I won't stand for this greed!' outraged Mewtwo. "They must be stopped!" Rang out a small voice from the crowd. Lugia bellowed for silence. "We cannot awaken the chosen one before his time! Be silent all of you!" Ash laid on Lugia and rolled over suddenly. Lugia felt Ash's movement and turned his head towards Ash. "Too late." Ash mumbled. The entire congregation went silent with awe. Ash was angry and in turn made the pokemon around him angry. 'I've got to try and control my emotions.' Thought Ash as he stood up. 'No! That's not right. My feelings are the key. I've got to trust my feelings.' "How long have they had control over Pallet Town?" Ash asked Ho-oh. Ho-oh looked at the young boy as if frightened; the silent fury that Ash felt was seething out to the other pokemon. Instead of making the pokemon go berserk like minutes before, it calmed them. "They were still fighting when I left." Ash nodded and sighed. "Take me there." Lugia started to protest and then saw the look in Ash's eyes. Ash was truly angry and anger like this could trigger the portal to open. Lugia wanted more time with Ash before that happened. "As you wish young master." Lugia motioned to Ho-oh to take off first and let a few other pokemon onto his back. They were going to need all the pokemon they could get to help. "Lets go." Ash ordered and Lugia let out a cry of battle before launching himself out of Rain Valley. Pallet Town Gary was exhausted. His pokemon were in much worse shape then he was though. It had been three months since Ash had disappeared and team rocket had just set their plans into motion. Gary held his breath as a team rocket grunt passed his hiding place. "Do you think this plan will work?" Asked a furry voice. "It had better or we're in trouble." Answered a sweeter voice. Gary looked out of the rubble he was hiding in and saw someone familiar. "Misty? Brock?" The two tensed at the voice that knew their names. They both turned startling fast with pokeballs in hand and prepared for the worst. Gary left his hiding spot. "I thought I would never see you guys again!" Gary exclaimed as he brushed off some debris. Misty and Brock relaxed. "It's just you. I thought we were in trouble." Brock said in relief. Brock looked around to see the remains of a pokemon feeding corral that Gary had been hiding in. "What happened. "Rockets got me off guard. Do we know what they want? They didn't take any of gramps pokemon and they were coming after me." Gary added in a hurry. Misty lowered her head. "They want Ash." Misty said in a sober tone. Gary snorted and crossed his arms. "So does everyone else in the world. If I can't find him, none can. What makes them think Ash can come back anyway? He's probably off on some wild and crazy adventure with those rare pokemon he was saved by." Brock and Misty hated to agree with Gary but for some reason, they thought Gary was right. Ash would never come back on just a threat from team rocket; he was too important now. "Question is what do we do now?" asked Brock. "We can't take team rocket head on with our pokemon in their conditions. We need help." "I say we find the pokemon from Pro Oaks lab and convince them to help us." Suggested Misty. Gary shook his head at the idea. "No good. That's where their main base is. They struck there first to take it over." Gary said with a little venom showing. "With Ash missing, they won't stop just with Pallet." "And Ash won't come back unless something was taken from him or they have something important to him….." Misty trailed off. "OHMYGOD! They have Ms Ketchum! That means Ash will show up!" Misty exclaimed in surprise. "How do you know that they have Ash's mom?" Asked Gary in surprise. Misty balled her hands into fists. "I saw them take her. And I was helpless to save her." Tears of anger and bitterness rolled down Misty's cheeks. Brock suddenly punched the closest debris that resembled a wall. Misty and Gary jumped in surprise. "Damn it! Why aren't you here Ash!? We need you!" Growled Brock. The noise brought more rockets to the area and the reunited trio soon found it necessary to run for their lives. Brock was in the rear with Geodude protecting and deflecting attacks. "Next time Brock, just hold it in." Growled Misty. Unaware that their scene was being watched from above, Misty, Brock and Gary were finally cornered. A ring of rocket grunts in black encircled the trio. "This doesn't look good." Whispered Gary. "How many pokemon do you have that can fight?" "Just Geodude." Brock replied. "I have a Staru but, that's about it." Misty whispered back. Misty knew that Psyduck and Togepi were going to be useless in this battle. For about three minutes nothing happened. "What are they waiting for?" Gary whispered to Brock. 'What indeed?' Brock thought as he studied the rockets around him. They were calm and cool as a cucumber. 'Not good.' They were all prepared to win and they all had confidence that Brock had only seen in Ash before. Then a van pulled up through the debris of Pallet that was followed by a limo. "You're in for it now." Sneered a rocket grunt. The van stopped and backed up to the outer edge of the rocket circle. The limo simply stopped in front of the van. The van's back doors were swung open to reveal three rockets in red with two prisoners. "Gramps!" Yelled Gary in alarm. "Mrs. Ketchum!" Echoed Misty and Brock. The tied up duo were thrown into the circle. Misty, Brock and Gary ran to their friends and untied them. As soon as the gag was removed from Mrs. Ketchum's face, she spoke strong words. "You will never get my son you-you monsters!" She spat at the rockets. Misty and Brock began to untie her bonds when a smooth voice shattered the silence. "Now, now my dear. There's no need for such venom with team rocket. Especially since your son is about to become a permanent member." Laughed a voice. The entire group shuddered at the tone of voice that was being spoken; icy needles pricked the back of everyone's neck. A man emerged out of the limo that looked familiar to Gary. He had a Persian at his side and he was in a brown suit that Gary had seen before. "Its you! The Vermilion Gym leader! You're behind this!" Accused Gary. The man in the suit laughed an evil laugh. "Oh yes. I am behind this. I am after all, the leader of team rocket." Misty and Brock seethed with anger. This was the monster that kidnapped their friend and made him a hunted boy. "Ash will never join forces with you!" Spat Misty. Giovonni looked at the girl that defied him and was met with an aqua cold gaze. Giovonni had never in his entire business life come across any person who had this much defiance for him in the face of his power. He was impressed. "Oh yes he will. I have everyone in the world he holds dear to him in the palm of my hand. He will join team rocket if he wants some certain people to remain healthy. Misty realized the truth to his words an almost threw up in disgust. 'He's going to blackmail Ash. He's going to use us to blackmail Ash!' Her mind screamed. Misty and Brock froze in their tracks when Giovonni laughed a cruel laugh. "Oh Ash! I have your friends here! Come and save them if you can!" Mocked Giovonni in a cruel tone. The effect on his prisoners was his intended effect. The group went silent in fear and regret; regret that they were going to be used against Ash and that they had no choice in the matter. Then something happened that was unexpected. "DON'T MIND IF I DO!" yelled an all too familiar voice to the group. Giovonni was suddenly knocked over by an Arcanine that was attacking the Persian. A commotion started when the rockets realized that they were surrounded by pokemon. Overhead was a legendary bird, two of them actually. Ho- oh was landing to save the group. Ash was on Lugia and he was joined by Mew and Pikachu. "Hold your ground! Bring out your pokemon fools!" Roared Giovonni. Ash watched as the rocket grunts pulled out their own pokeballs and released the pokemon inside. 'Not a very smart thing to do.' Ash thought as he surveyed the scene. It was their pokemon against the pokemon of the wild that Ash asked for help. 'I'm the supposed Ultimate Trainer! They wouldn't use pokemon against me if they didn't know…' Ash's thought trailed off. 'They don't know! They have not a clue of who I am now! This is going to make things easier.' "I order all of the team rockets pokemon to stop attacking the other pokemon and turn on the rockets." Ash yelled so all the pokemon could hear them. "I am Ash Ketchum! Do as I say!" Giovonni laughed and looked up to the boy on the legendary bird Lugia. It was inconceivable that their pokemon would follow his orders and it was preposterous for trying. "S-s-sir?" Squeaked a scared voice. Giovonni's attention was directed back to the battle at hand and saw the impossible. The pokemon the rockets had released were doing what the runt had ordered. Giovonni's own Persian was growling and holding him at bay. Ho-oh took off with five people in tow. Ash wasn't done yet. Ash was prepared to stop this and stop it now! "You! The leader of team rocket!" Giovonni looked up to the voice that addressed him. "What say we settle this here and now!" Giovonni had a look of surprise on his face that quickly turned to a smile. "What did you have in mind?" Giovonni called up to Ash. Ash responded with as much authority as his voice could muster. "You leave my family and friends alone and I leave you alone." Ash called back. Giovonni's smile faded. He was hoping for a silly pokemon battle that all trainers did; the all or nothing type. Of course Giovonni would have cheated because the stakes were great but that didn't matter. "All I want is you Ketchum! I'll let your loved ones go if you swear allegiance to me." Giovonni yelled back at Ash. Ash was shocked by his reply. Ash was holding all the cards and yet this man was demanding his surrender. Ash wasn't impressed to say the least. "Never! I would never swear allegiance to the likes of team rocket! If you hadn't noticed, you lost your bargaining chips and I don't have to stay here and listen to this. All pokemon! Go back into the wild and never allow yourselves to be caught by team rocket again!" Ash ordered. As soon as the words left his lips, the pokemon ran into the forest and debris of Pallet. Most of them were never seen again and Ash simply flew away from Pallet. 'Masterful job!' Praised Mew. 'They were totally caught off guard.' Ash held tight to Lugia as they caught up with Ho-oh. They met in mid air and Ash's mother immediately got him in a bear hug. "My baby!" Ash was thoroughly embarrassed as he was given hugs and kisses by his mother. Ash was being hugged so tight that he could barely breath. "Mom!" Gasped Ash finally. His mother didn't let him go however and only loosened her grip. Ash was then bombarded with questions. "Where have you been?" Demanded Brock. "Where are we going?" Asked Misty. "Ash?" Everyone went silent as Pro Oak spoke up. "What's going on?" Oak put a hand on Delilah's shoulder so he could get an answer. "You guys won't believe it! It's a long story but I'm alright. Are you guys OK? I'm sorry I should've been home sooner." Ash was silenced by another hug by his mother. "It's alright honey. I understand. What have you been doing for the past three months?" Ash fell over at his mother's question. "Whaaaa! I've been gone for three whole months?" Ash said in surprise. Pikachu tugged on Ash's pant leg. Ash looked down and saw Pikachu nodding his head, which in turn made Ash groan. "How did this happen? Mew?" The group turned to see a pink pokemon with a long tail and beady blue eyes. "It was when you released more of your power Ash." Misty, Brock, both Oak's and Delilah jumped at Mew's words. "Since when can you talk?" Asked Gary in awe. Ash turned to see Gary still on Ho-oh. Ash had totally forgotten about him. "Since before you were born." Snapped Mew. "Mew!" Scolded Ash. Mew simply turned away from Gary and meekly put her paws on her mouth. "Sorry about that. I think that was my fault." "Why? It was Mew that said it." Asked Misty. Ash sighed and looked out to the sunset. Everyone noticed the sudden mood change in Ash and remained silent. "I'll tell you later. Right now I just want to relax." The others decided no to press the matter so they sat down and enjoyed the ride. "Ash?" Asked Mew. Ash was on the utmost part of Lugia that would hold him. Ash had Pikachu in his arms and a glazed look in his eye. "What is it Mew?" Ash asked. Mew flew up behind Ash's head, perched on his shoulders and put his tail around his neck. "Once this is all over, will you still want me as a pokemon?" Ash turned his head to Mew. "What do you mean 'once this is all over'? I thought that this was a permanent job." Ash was interrupted by a loud yell from his mother. "Ash! What's going on?" Ash turned to see them heading right into the middle of a storm. When Ash realized that they were heading back to Rain Valley he sighed in relief. "We're just heading home. I've been with the pokemon here for all the time I've been away. Why? Something wrong?" Ash asked. Delilah Ketchum pointed to the sky and Ash could barely make out a silhouette on the clouds. It was etched in silver so it was hard to make out. Ash could make out a shape of a flying pokemon, what was strange was that the shadow was almost iridescent. With a thunder flash the shape was gone. Before Ash could ask what it was he just saw, Lugia gave out a cry that was echoed from the pokemon from below. Ash was back! 'Trainer! You're just in time.' Sent the one Ash recognized as Mewtwo. 'I remember now.' Ash thought as he stared into the pokemon's face. The memories of New Island washed over him like a wave. 'So this is where you found your heart.' Ash felt himself be lowered to the ground by Mew. "I'm just in time for what?" Ash asked aloud. Misty, Brock, Gary, Delilah and the Prof were let down as well. Ash smiled when Pikachu took his normal perch on his head. Ash's full attention was, then commanded by Mewtwo. 'For the adventure of a lifetime and the explanation why.' Mewtwo sent telepathically to the group. Ash was led to a circle of logs that looked like they had been recently been cut just for this purpose. Ash and co sat down and waited for the story to be told. 'Can I start the story?' Mew asked Mewtwo. Mewtwo nodded and let her take the middle of the circle. 'Of course, you were there so you can explain best.' Ash watched Mewtwo as he took a seat beside Misty. Misty shifted her weight onto the other side of her seat, nervous of the pokemon. Mewtwo didn't seem to mind at all. 'Long before you were born Ash, there was a world not so tranquil and peace loving as it was today. In fact, it was a downright nightmare. People argued with one another for no apparent reason, there was unnecessary violence and brutality was common. Then the people evolved from bad to worse, they began to grow in technology and in population. After a few hundred years, their world was irreversibly changed. They had run out of fuel for the society to run on and wars broke out all over the world. It was havoc.' Ash began to grow pale at this story, it didn't sound too good. 'Who would do such things?' Ash wondered as he resumed listening to the story. 'There were people who didn't want to fight and they banded together to make a new way of life. The barbaric ones didn't agree though and before the violent ones could attack, the peaceful ones did something drastic. The peaceful ones split worlds and simply went away into another dimension. Things happened before they split the world though. You see it wasn't just a simple matter of splitting worlds, their world was affected by the wars. Their dimensional world reverted back to its former glory with the trees and water resources but, the animals were forever changed. Wild animals had been introduced to unnatural circumstances over the years and had irreversibly mutated. That's when we pokemon were born.' Ash let out a gasp with the rest of the group. "Pokemon were-were mutates?' Professor Oak asked in awe. Gary and the others were silent anticipating the answer. 'In a sense yes. Both worlds have pokemon as they evolved in sync with both worlds. I am a Mew from the barbaric split, this is the peaceful split. I am able to travel between worlds and that is why we need the chosen one.' Ash was confused as he was looked upon by all his friends. "Why me?" Ash asked. It was Mewtwo who replied. 'In splitting the worlds, they also split people. Misty, Brock, Gary even your mother have alternate personalities on this second world. However, Ash you do not. The chosen one must bring pokemon and people together in the barbaric world in order to save both worlds. You must travel to the barbaric world and save it Ash.' Misty and Brock immediately were against it. "You've got to be kidding me! Ash save an alternate world? A barbaric one at that!" Growled Brock. "It's unheard of!" "I agree. They'll eat him for dinner!" Misty echoed. Ash fell over on his seat. "Thanks a lot you guys! I can just feel your confidence in me." Ash said sarcastically. 'He will have help. Pokemon are extremely rare on the second world. Finding one in the wild is almost impossible. Most pokemon are bred and passed down in the hierarchies. If Ash has his pokemon with him, people will respect him a lot; you're considered a king if you even have one pokemon.' Mew said quietly. 'And I will be with him of course.' Ash looked around him to all his friends and family and decided what he had to do. "Lets get something to eat before I go." Ash's company all sweatdropped at Ash's words. "How can you think of stuffing yourself at a time like this!" Misty demanded while her head grew three times its normal size. Ash fell over and brushed himself off. "I'm about to enter a barbaric world, with little chance of knowing what I just got myself into. I may be on the road for weeks before I meet anyone so I think it might be wise to eat something first. Besides I'm starving!" Everyone fell over and Ash got a confused look on his face. "Was it something I said?" "For once in your life, you sounded intelligent and you had to blow it by opening your mouth." Gary sneered. "You're going to have to work on that if you hope to survive." On another plane of existence. "You have a right to worry so much! I can't believe you contacted him through his dreams! The whole bloody council will be down on us for this." Growled a man in tanned leathers and armor. A sword of gold and silver was on his hip that swayed dangerously as he paced back and forth in front of his wife. "Talana! Are you even listening to me?!" "I am listening dear. It's just that I don't care right now. You see, I contacted him." Answered a woman in a royal deep purple dress. She was rocking in a rocking chair weaving a blanket in front of a fireplace. "That's what I'm angry about! How dare you contact another person from the other side!" Talana held up her hand for silence. "I mean, I contacted HIM, Love." The man stopped pacing. "What do you mean him?" The woman looked up at him with her brown eyes shining with a bright hue. The man was shocked when he realized what his wife was talking about. "Not…" "Yes. He's coming and soon." Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon or anything related to pokemon. Pokemon and its associated characters are copyrighted by Nintendo/Game Freak. This is a pokemon fanfic created by my mind only.