This is rated R for violence, blood, cursing, and slight sexual references. Got it? Good.

Here is chapter three. It’s a pretty long one. Keep in mind that there will be death. I hope you all find it scary enough, yet touching too. I worked hard! Also, I have no intention of misrepresenting wolves by writing a werewolf story. I love wolves, they’re my favorite animal! I tried my best to make this something you all would like. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Bitten Under the Moon: the Last Night

No...they’re all dead...and I killed them...I killed a pokemon. Not just one, but dozens. I’m a monster! How can I possibly live with myself....all those mareep....oh god....what happened to me?

Now I see more...dead....people? Who are they...did I do this? Look closer....there are two...on the ground, dead. One girl, one boy. The boy is...oh please no...Brock...and that would mean that the girl is....god, please don’t let it be her, anyone but her....Misty...please don’t say that I’ve done this to you....NO! Look at me! I’m sorry! It’s all my fault..... I’m nothing more than a beast...a hideous, bloodthirsty, red-eyed beast......

****

Ash’s eyes slowly fluttered open. He looked around him...the field of slaughter that he last remembered seeing was gone....he could see a dim light filling the small space he was in. A room....he was in a room. He looked up and saw a figure leaning over him. Slowly, Ash’s vision came into focus. Misty was looking down on him, a concerned look on her pretty face.

“Unnngh....where am I?” Ash asked groggily. He slowly sat up and looked around again. He had been lying on a bed with semi-colorful sheets...the walls were covered with cheap wallpaper....there were a few dim lights on the walls, and a TV on the desk in front of him.

“You’re in a motel room Ash.” Misty answered. “Brock and I brought you here after you passed out....it must’ve hit you pretty hard, seeing all of that.” Ash didn’t answer. He just stared ahead blankly, not moving. There was a look of fear and worry plastered on his face. “Ash? Ash are you ok?”

Ash shook his head and turned to her. “Misty what time is it, tell me now!” Misty looked at him strangely, then over to the clock.

“It’s about 4:30...why do you want to know so badly?” Ash’s face looked very solemn and grim.

“Misty...when the clock hits six o’clock I’m going to leave....and I don’t want you following me.”

Misty looked confused. “What?”

“You heard me. I don’t want Brock, or Pikachu, or especially you to follow me when I leave tonight.”

“Ash, you’re making no sense. Why do you want to go off on your own and leave us all behind?”
“I’m sorry Misty...I just can’t explain it to you.”

“You’ll be coming back, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

Misty was more than confused, now she was getting hurt and angry.

“So all of a sudden you just want to leave all of us behind and never see us again? Not only that, but you have no reason for it either...am I right Ash?” Ash sighed dejectedly.

“Yes.”

“Well that makes no sense!” She fumed. “First of all, I see no reason for you to just get up and leave us. I was upset by seeing those dead pokemon too, but you don’t see me running away! And secondly, why not take Pikachu? He’s your pokemon, your best friend! You need him with you!”

“I’m not running away! And I have my reasons for not taking Pikachu, but that doesn’t mean that I have to tell you them!”
“So does that mean you’re going to tell him?” Ash paused. She had a point. He hadn’t thought about confronting Pikachu about this, since the mouse was down in the cafeteria getting dinner for Togepi. He couldn’t just tell Pikachu that he was leaving to go off without him and expect the little pokemon to listen. Pikachu would be just as stubborn as Misty was being.

“No, I’m not. I guess I just won’t tell him I’m leaving.”

“Ash, have you gone crazy?! You can’t abandon your journey like this, you can’t abandon us like this!” Ash looked at her, not speaking. Abandon? Misty’s face was starting to go from angry to desperate. It almost looked like she would start crying. “Ash...please don’t go....for whatever reason you want to...please don‘t.....” She snapped out of it and made a serious face again. “And if you do, I will follow you...because I’m not going to let you be alone.” Ash could see that there was no way he was going to persuade her to stay....he had only one choice left, and he hated to do it. He would have to lie to her.

“Misty, you’re right...I don’t know what got into me. I guess I was just upset about what happened...I don’t know what I was thinking, Mist.”

“So you’re not leaving?”

“No...I guess I went a little overboard there. I’m staying here.” Misty smiled and let out a big sigh of relief. Ash looked at her and gently smiled back. Wow...she really cares about me.....and that’s why I have to get away from her. Who knows what I’ll do to her if I turn into that monster again? That dream...it could come true. Misty, I wish you could understand...I’m only doing this so that I won’t hurt you....

Ash’s thoughts suddenly became very sad as he realized that this could be his last hour and a half with her. He wished that he could spend time with Pikachu...but he knew that his pika-pal would sense something wrong. At least he could have this time with Misty.

Reaching his arm out, he put it around her waist and pulled her into a loving hug. He wrapped his second arm around her and held her close, as a surprised Misty just stared into space. Soon, she came to her senses and returned his hug. Arms still around her, Ash lied down on his bed and snuggled close to her. He knew that this was something he would never normally do, but these circumstances were different. Misty was shocked by his actions. She had no idea what to think...maybe he just needed some comfort. Either way, there was no way she was going to fight it. She sighed and rested her head against his chest. Carefully, Ash leaned his head down and gently kissed her cheek, something he’d always wanted to do. Misty went into a full blush and tightened her embrace on him. She leaned her head upward and planted her own kiss on his cheek, hoping he’d take both of them as a sign of friendship, though that was not their true intention. Ash had the same reaction as Misty did. Both looked at each other and smiled, then laughed a little. Then Ash shut his eyes and snuggled Misty closer in his arms. Misty again nestled her head against his chest and closed her eyes as well.

****

Brock finally emerged from the bathroom, steam billowing out as he stepped back into the motel room.

“Ah, that was a nice shower. Hey, do one of you guys want to....” Brock stopped in mid-sentence as he spotted Ash and Misty asleep in each other’s arms. Speechless, he gaped at them for a while. Hm...wonder what went on here? Damn it, I always miss the real juicy stuff....

Later that evening, Pikachu and Togepi returned, both very full. Pikachu had been very worried for Pikapi....but when he came back and saw him sleeping happily with Pikachupi, he knew that his trainer must’ve gotten up and was now very happy. He made his own little bed out of a ripped up motel pillow and fell asleep.

Since no one had the heart to wake Ash or Misty, they remained asleep together until around 8:00, when Ash woke up. He was starting to feel sweaty. Hmm...what time is it...Oh my god! I’ve got to get out of here! The moon was starting to appear over the treetops. Ash could feel the pain in his arm beginning to grow...he knew that he would change again in a matter of minutes. Hurriedly, he broke his happy embrace with Misty and tore for the door of the room. Ash was making sure he used all of his energy to get out of the motel, before the transformation stopped him dead in his tracks. He flung the door open and darted down the hallway, ignoring the protests of people he nearly collided with. All the while his body was filling with pain again. He could feel the fur starting to grow from his skin, his muscles were pulsing, growing...his breathing was becoming a pant, and he could feel the two houndoom horns pushing their way out of his skull.

Bursting through the motel doors, Ash started running toward a nearby grove of trees. As his transformation progressed, his run became a walk...and then a stagger...he had just reached the trees when he couldn’t take it anymore and fell to the ground, crying in pain as the terrible transformation completed......

****

Misty had awoken mere seconds after Ash had pulled away from her, missing the warmth of his body. She steadily pushed herself up, hearing the door slam as she did. A horrible realization came upon her as she noticed that Ash was gone. He really was leaving...and she said she would follow....

Misty ran through the hallway, following a trail of confused people, guessing that Ash was the cause. She came to the motel exit, and walked outside, fearing she’d lost track of him. Looking around, Misty saw drops of sweat and heavy footprints on the ground. They were leading to a grove of trees. Desperately, she followed them hoping to find Ash....

****

Red...anger...it was back again...Kill...must kill.....must smell blood, taste it...wait for a scent...there was life all around him, life that he would take. The boiling pit of anger overflowing, needing to take his rage out on something, someone....Wait...somebody is approaching....

****

Misty carefully came to the grove of trees. She could hear something breathing in there....it didn’t sound like Ash. But she was sure he’d come this way. What if some other creature was in there with Ash? She had to look.... Stepping into the grove, Misty looked around. It was very dark inside.
“Ash?” She whispered his name into the darkness. “Ash, are you there?” Misty walked further into the trees. She only took a few steps before she froze in her tracks, feeling something’s hot breath against the back of her neck. Slowly, carefully, Misty turned around to see what was behind her. She gasped as her eyes met with two gleaming red eyes. A growl came from their direction. Misty started backing away from them, trembling. She backed into a slightly lit area of the grove, and the strange creature followed. She watched as a huge black paw-like foot stepped out into the moonlight. It was followed by another, both having a silver cuff at the ankle, and then two very strong and powerful looking black-furred legs, a pair of ripped jeans clinging to the waist. A long, devil-tipped tail whipped back and forth behind the creature, and his muscular black and tan chest came into view. The sleeve of a black shirt and blue vest were also hanging on to his torso, and he had another pair of silver cuffs on the wrists of both of his powerful furry arms. His front paws were more like hands, each finger ending in a razor sharp claw. Around his neck there was something that resembled a silver necklace, only it looked like it was partially embedded into his skin. In the center of the necklace was a silver emblem of a skull. Leading up from his broad shoulders and neck was his head, from which two pointed horns sprouted. Both of them curved backwards. But there was something different about his face....it almost looked human...but his mouth still formed a slight snout, and his mouth contained sharp fangs. Unlike other houndoom, he had wild spiky black hair on the top of his head. And his eyes...they were glowing red.

Misty was cowering. She was too frightened to move. What on earth was that? What happened to Ash? Why did it look familiar....

Suddenly, the houndoom creature dropped to four legs and approached Misty, who still remained frozen. His tail was swishing excitedly as he came inches in front of her. He dropped his nose to her feet and began rapidly sniffing, taking in her scent. His nose followed a trail up her body, not missing a single area. Finally, he reached her face, still sniffing, only slower now. Misty looked into his eyes with her own wide ones, watching in shock as the red in them faded slightly...and revealed a deep golden brown. Misty knew those eyes. She recognized the bits of clothing. She remembered how she had found Ash earlier that morning...clothes torn like they were now...Misty finally managed to say something.

“A-Ash?”

His tail wagged again, and the red faded completely from his eyes at the mention of his name. Shock, disbelief, horror....all these emotions filled her at once as she realized that this monster was the boy she loved. It was too much for her to handle. Misty gasped again...and passed out right in front of him.

****

What...is this? He could not kill this human...but why? It was a female, so of course he would have reserves. His kind was always like that...but somehow his anger had faded. Before, it seemed so great that he would’ve torn this female to bits in seconds, regardless of what she was. But now it was gone...and she was lying there. She looked so beautiful to him...so attractive. Why did he feel this closeness to her? It felt as if he were bonded to this female somehow...perhaps she was his mate? He could not remember. Either way, he did not want her dead. He looked over her body again... and thought of the puppies they could make. Strange, primal urges filled him.... But now was not the time. He had other duties to fulfill. His killing lust would soon return, and he knew that she would be harmed if it did. He must take this female somewhere safe, so that she won’t be a victim of his actions. Also so that no other male could find her and take her as a mate.

Carefully, Ash picked Misty up with his enormous hands. He carried her in a cradling position over to a small hollow tree. He placed her up in the hollow area. She would be safe there for now. Ash then ran as fast as he could away from the tree grove, the red glow returning to his eyes.....

****

“Pika pikaaa! Pika pika!!” Pikachu was tugging hard on Brock’s cheek in a desperate attempt to wake him. He had noticed that Pikapi and Pikachupi had gone and was unable to follow them. Brock was the only one able to open the door. He tugged harder and harder. “Pika pika!! Pikachuuuuu!!” Pikachu had finally had it and let Brock have it with a thundershock.

“Yeaaaaaaaah!” Brock screamed as the jolt woke him up. “Ugh....Pikachu what’s wrong? What did you do that for?” He demanded. Pikachu pointed to the bed where Ash and Misty had been sleeping. “Oh no! They’re gone!” Brock saw that they were no where in the room. “Holy shit...where could they have gone Pikachu? What are they doing?”

“Pi pika!” Pikachu hopped off of Brock’s bed and over to the door. Brock threw on some clothes, sent out Geodude to watch Togepi, and opened the door. Pikachu bolted out as soon as the door was opened, and Brock followed in hot pursuit.

Eventually, the trail of Ash’s scent led Brock and Pikachu to the grove of trees. Pikachu was about to enter when he caught Pikapi’s scent leaving the trees. It had that evil smell to it again. The mouse turned to Brock. “Pika pika, pi pikachu...Pikapi chu pika. Ka Pikachupi pikachu.” Brock thought for a moment.

“You’re saying that Ash’s trail leads away from here, but you think that Misty’s in there?” Pikachu nodded. “Alright Pikachu, we’ve got to split up then.” Brock released Vulpix from her poke ball. “Vulpix and I will follow Ash’s trail. If anything’s happened to him, I think that I’d stand a better chance against it. I do have four pokemon with me. You go in there and see if Misty is alright, and we’ll meet up around here later. Got it?”

“Pi.”
“Okay then. Come on Vulpix, get Ash’s scent and follow it!”

“Vul!” Vulpix cried as she caught the scent and took off in it’s direction, Brock following.

Pikachu ventured into the grove, sniffing around for Pikachupi’s scent. He could smell both her and Pikapi here, and he knew that they had been here together. But since Pikapi’s scent still had that evil aroma, Pikachu worried for Pikachupi’s safety. He continued to sniff around until he found an area where her scent was strong. It was around a hollow tree. Quickly, Pikachu climbed the tree until he came to the hole in it. There he found Pikachupi, eyes closed as if she were asleep. He tapped her face repeatedly, saying her name until she finally woke up.

“Ooh...what happened...Ash? Where’s Ash? Pikachu! You found me!” Misty scooped up the little pokemon and hugged him. Pikachu licked her cheek and she set him down again. They both climbed down from the tree. “Pikachu, something terrible has happened to Ash...” She said.

“Pi pika.”

“He’s become...some sort of monster...he looks like a houndoom. It was like he didn’t even recognize me Pikachu...and his eyes, they were red and evil looking. I’m scared Pikachu, I don’t think he can control himself. What is he going to do? What if he hurts someone, or someone hurts him?”

“Pi pika. Chu pika, pikachu. Pi, pika. Kachu.”

“An old pokemon legend? About a curse?”

“Pi.”

“Do you know anything else about it?” She asked him. Pikachu shook his head.

“Chu.” He answered sadly.

“Well come on Pikachu...we’ve got to find him before something awful happens.” Pikachu and Misty ran off to stop Ash.

****

Vulpix finally stopped in front of a pokemon center. The center was very secluded, having no buildings surrounding it. It was one of the pokemon centers that was mainly used for travelers looking to revive their pokemon on the road. Ash’s scent had lead them to that center, and he was most likely inside. Brock and Vulpix walked around to the door...and saw that it had been smashed open. It looked as if something had torn the wooden door to shreds, bashing it until the hole in the door was big enough for an extremely large body to fit through. Vulpix stuck her head inside the hole and sniffed around. She pulled back out, the hairs on her back bristling. A small vulpix growl came from her throat. (a/n: I know that baka brock gave Vulpix away...I wasn’t expecting him to do it for a while. I still think that I need her in this part so I’m letting him keep her...for whenever this takes place.) Brock thought to himself. There must be something really awful in there....but I’ve got to see if Ash is alright. He turned to his pokemon.

“Come on Vulpix, we’re going in.”

****

Misty and Pikachu were running at top speed in Ash’s direction. Pikachu was hot on his trail once again and they were moving quickly. Misty was breathing hard, thinking of nothing but Ash... Poor Ash....what had happened to him? How could such a caring, gentle boy become such a hideous monster? Was he the one who killed all those mareep? Would Ash ever kill a pokemon? Would he kill a person? I have to save him...there must be a way...

Misty was so lost in her thoughts and concentrating on running that she didn’t notice when she collided with someone else. Actually, the person was so short that she nearly tripped over them. Both people fell to the ground, Misty hitting hard.

“Pikachupi!” Pikachu stopped running and dashed over to Misty. “Pikachu?”

“Yeah, I’m alright Pikachu...”

“Argh...why don’t you young people ever watch where you’re going?” Misty got to her feet and immediately recognized the old woman who had warned them about the forest on Halloween. “Honestly, the nerve of people...no respect for their elders.” Misty walked over and helped the woman up.

“You’re the lady from before!” She exclaimed to her.
“Eh? What are you talking about, missy?” The lady asked.

“My friends and I...we met you before. Oh god, you were right. Ash...something terrible happened to Ash in the forest..”

“What? You mean that stubborn little boy who insisted on traveling through those hellish woods on All Hallows Eve?”

“Yes...something awful happened to him...please miss, you’ve got to help him! You seem to know a lot about the woods and what happens in there.”

“Tell me exactly what his problem is.” The woman replied.

“Last night he disappeared...and I found him far away, covered in blood with his clothes all torn...and he didn’t remember how that happened. Then tonight, he was acting strange...talking about getting away from all of us...I fell asleep and he was gone. I followed him outside, but when I found him, he wasn’t....he wasn’t human anymore!” Misty was starting to shake with tears.

“Please child, calm down. You must tell me what he had become.”

“He...he was a monster...like a pokemon, only he could stand on two legs...I could see that some of his clothes were still on his body...it was like a huge pokemon that was mixed with a human...barely human. But I could tell it was him. He had these huge horns and black fur, just like the houndoom he saw earlier....”

“Did you say houndoom?” The woman asked, sounding alarmed.

“Yes...that’s what he looked like.” Misty answered.

“Tell me, did the boy have any encounter with a houndoom while in the Black Forest?” She questioned further.

“Yes, he did. I wasn’t there, but he and his pikachu had gone walking...one of his pokemon came back later and told us to follow her...we did, and we found him lying on the ground, with a giant bite on his arm. Later he told us that he ran into a wild houndoom. It had attacked and bitten him before Pikachu scared it away.”

“Was there anything different about the houndoom he encountered?”

“There was one thing...he said it had red eyes....”

“Oh my, this is terrible. That boy has had a curse put on him, one of the worst I could’ve imagined. You must come with me quickly child.” The old woman started running. Misty and Pikachu looked at each other. Should they go? No words were needed to make the decision. If she knew a way to help Ash, then they had to go. Both nodded simultaneously and took off after the old lady.

****

There was nothing but total darkness inside the pokemon center....which was unusual. Centers out on the road usually stay open 24 hours a day. This one was pitch black, and deathly silent. Brock and his pokemon stepped further inside. Suddenly Vulpix curled up her nose and snorted, shaking her head. Brock sniffed the air as well, filling his nostrils with a horrible stench. He put his hand over his nose and proceeded. Vulpix tugged on his pant leg. He turned around and looked at her.

“Vul..” She said while shaking her head. It was as if she was telling him not to go in there.

“I’m sorry Vulpix, but Ash could be in there. We’ve got to help him...who knows what could happen to him in here?” Vulpix knew that she wouldn’t be able to persuade Brock to leave his friend behind here. And what kind of a pokemon would she be if she let her trainer go in there alone? Reluctantly, the little fox pokemon followed Brock into the darkness. Her fur was on end, ears flattened and her tails sticking straight out. Vulpix knew what that terrible smell was....it was the smell of death.

****

Misty and Pikachu followed the old woman for what seemed like miles. Finally, she stopped upon reaching a cabin. Standing by the door, she waited patiently for the young girl and pokemon to catch up with her.

“This is my cabin.” She said to them. “Come inside and I’ll explain what has happened.” Reaching for the knob, she turned it and creaked the door open. The woman stepped inside and motioned for Misty and Pikachu to follow. Slowly, the two entered the cabin.

Inside it was dark, and smelled of must and rotting wood. The old lady pulled out a match and lit a candle, then placed it on a table. Misty and Pikachu looked around them. They saw many dusty shelves, filled with old books and bottles. The bottles contained many strange looking liquids, powders, and other objects. There were labels on each of them, but they were so old that the paper had browned and the letters had faded. Beside the candle on the table there was another book, left open. It’s pages were yellow and tearing. It was obviously very old. There was also a stone bowl with a stone stick-like object in it, used for grinding ingredients into powder. Across the dimly lit cabin there was a small bed, which looked like it could’ve been infested with many bugs... Next to the bed was a small, scraggly looking tree. It had no leaves, just one branch sticking out over the bed. Perched on top of the limb was a Murkrow. The woman called for the Murkrow and it flew over to her, landing on her shoulder. She then sat down at the table and pulled out a chair for Misty to sit in as well. Misty sat, Pikachu jumping up onto her lap.

“You must listen to me carefully child.” The woman began. “The boy that you are concerned about was bitten by a cursed houndoom.” She turned a page of the rotting book on the table, revealing an ancient looking drawing of Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, all locked in battle with a group of other pokemon. “Many years ago, several pokemon rebelled against the legendary dog pokemon of Ecruteak city. Their leader was a supernaturally powerful houndoom who went by the name of Akuma. Akuma gathered many pokemon from across the land of Johto, in hopes that the legendary dogs would be overthrown and he and his rebels would take their place as Poke-gods.” The woman turned the page again, showing a drawing of all three legendary dogs firing attacks at a red-eyed houndoom, sending him into a pit of darkness. “But the gods overpowered Akuma and his army, then focused their powers on attacking Akuma himself. They cast a horrible curse on him, making it so that one night a year he would lose control of himself and destroy all that has become dear to him. They then cast him out into the Black Forest. His curse would be passed on to all of his children, and all those who he and his children infected. The one night they chose was All Hallows Eve. On that night, the descendants of Akuma become demons, attacking several humans and pokemon that they come across. Any who escape will have the curse of the Were-houndoom passed to them. The Were-houndoom is a terrible demonic creature, half human, half pokemon.” She turned the page again, revealing an illustration of a Were-houndoom. It looked almost exactly like Ash had. “It has the combined strength of both species, plus the supernatural power of Akuma gives it strength as well. All of this strength is then given a desire to kill, so strong that it overpowers the desire to live. The light of the full moon causes an infected human to transform into this beast. It will rampage through any area it is in, killing anything in sight. Even when everything around it is dead the Were-houndoom’s lust for blood won’t be satisfied. Once its night of killing is over the beast will return to human form. In the beginning phases the human may not remember of his actions the night before. But any jolt to the brain can bring the memory back. You must not go near him when transformed unless you have a death wish.”

“But miss, I did go near him before and he didn’t try to kill me. I was even unconscious for part of the time.” Misty said.

“Eh? Not even a scratch on you?” The woman asked.

“No...he was sniffing me over...when I realized it was him I must’ve fainted...then he put me up in tree and ran away.”

“Hmm....” The old woman was thinking. “In his human form that boy must have extremely powerful feelings for you....they were able to overpower the killing instinct. Tell me, what is your relationship with him?”

“We’re friends...I guess we’re a little close, but just friends.” Misty answered.

“I’m not sure....for feelings to be so strong....the boy must love you very much.” The old woman said. Misty blushed.

“Love me?” She said in disbelief.

“This makes things different....maybe you will be able to give him the cure.”

“Pika?”

“A cure?!”

****

Brock continued walking down the dark halls of the pokemon center. He could see almost nothing, there was no sound around him. The only thing he could follow was the terrible smell coming from further inside. Brocks steps were slow and careful....he was constantly turning his head to see if he was being followed. His steps didn’t stop until he felt his foot bump into something....something soft....almost like another person.

“Shit, I can’t see anything in here....” Brock said. He reached for a small beam sticking out of the wall. He pulled hard on the beam until it came off the wall.

“Vulpix, light this piece of wood so that we can see.” He ordered. Vulpix complied and shot a flame at the wood. Once lit, the beam acted as a torch. Brock pointed it toward what his foot had felt and saw......

“Oh my god!” Brock cried as he saw the body lying on the ground. It was a young man, most likely a trainer. He was sprawled out on the ground....and there was a gaping hole in his stomach. Blood was still pouring from it, showing that he had been recently killed. There were bloody slashes across his face, as well as his chest. Brock looked at the trainer’s arm and noticed that his hand was gone. Feeling sick to his stomach, Brock’s first reaction was to turn around and leave.....but he remembered Ash. He’d said that he was going to find him, and that’s what he would still do. Swallowing hard, Brock stepped over the dead boy and walked deeper into the center.

Further down the hall, Brock was met with more horror. Bodies of trainers were strewn across the hall, all of them ripped to shreds and some partially eaten, as the mareep had been. A partially relieving thing to Brock was that none of the bodies were Ash’s. It took all of the strength Brock had to walk into the pokemon storage room.....

Thankfully, no pokemon in the room had been killed, as they were all in their poke balls. Over in a corner, Brock noticed that there was a bag filled with poke balls, much like the ones Team Rocket used when stealing. Before he could go over and check it out, Brock heard a small noise come from behind the poke ball transfer machine. Carefully, he and Vulpix walked toward the noise....

Brock gasped. It was Nurse Joy.

“Oh, thank goodness!” Joy said quietly. “Someone here is still alive...you have to get out of here quickly!” The chansey that was hiding behind her trembled.

“Joy, tell me what happened here!” Brock said.

“It was awful.....I was checking on the pokemon in their balls when these two Team Rocket members came in...they held me up with a gun and demanded all of the poke balls in the room. I started doing what they said when we heard banging at the door...like it was being smashed open. Then, all of the lights went out....I could hear people screaming...and someone...something was roaring and snarling...It was a monster, a horrible monster. It killed everyone.....Then it came in here. Chansey and I hid in the closet. I knew that the door was made of steel and the lock was very strong, so nothing would be able to get in. While I was in there I heard the monster come in....and I heard the Team Rocket members screaming as it killed them....it killed all of them....” Joy began sobbing, and Brock held her.

“Joy, tell me what you mean about a monster....was it a pokemon?”

“No, not a pokemon....a pokemon wouldn’t do this....We have to get out of here now, while we still can! Chansey and I have been too afraid to leave, we know it’s still out there. If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!”

“Alright Joy, follow me.” Brock said. The two and their pokemon ran out of the room, passing the mangled bodies of Butch and Cassidy.......

Brock and Joy had moved quickly through the hall, walking over the bodies of the dead trainers. Brock hadn’t seen Ash here, so he was guessing that he may have made it out safely.

“There’s the door Joy, you go ahead.” Brock said pushing Joy and Chansey ahead of him so that they could get out safely. They ran for the door and made it out. “Now run Joy, don’t wait for me to catch up!” Brock yelled to her. Joy listened and ran as fast as she could for civilization. Brock started for the door as well when he heard a growl coming from behind him. “Vulpix...is that you?” He asked. Brock looked down at his pokemon and saw that she wasn’t making any noise at all. Nervously, he turned around. Staring back at him were a pair of gleaming red eyes. Brock held up his torch to the eyes....and saw the monster. Its fangs were bared at him, blood trickled down from his lips and onto his fangs. Brock backed away from the creature, but it walked closer to him. He noticed its strong resemblance to a houndoom, only it seemed to have a human look to it as well. Brock recalled Vulpix quickly. His sudden movement caused the creature to snarl at him. The trainer backed away again. This thing looked like it was partially pokemon, so maybe he could catch it. Taking a poke ball from his belt, he prepared to throw it. “You’re going down...” He said as he threw the ball at the monster. In an immediate reaction, the Were-houndoom smashed the ball to bits with its teeth. Without a second in between it lunged for Brock’s outstretched arm, jaws open wide.

“YEEEAAAAAAHRRRGGHHH!” Brock’s painful cry could be heard for miles.....

****

“Murkrow, get me the lyncanthropy potion.” The old woman ordered. The bird flew over to the shelf and picked up one of the bottles. It then flew it back to the old woman. She took the bottle and then reached into her pocket and took out a shot, such as the kind used in a doctor’s office. She opened the bottle and filled the shot with the liquid inside.

“You are very fortunate that I have some of this left, young lady.” The woman told Misty. “The ingredients are very rare, one of them has to be a hair from Akuma himself.” She handed the shot to Misty. “You must give this shot to him, child. But you must give it to him while he is in his Were-houndoom form. It will cure him of the curse.”

“But it has to be given to him when he’s still a were-houndoom?” Misty asked.

“That’s right.” The woman answered. “Which is why normally there would be little hope of curing him....but from what you said, you seem to have a different effect on him. There could be a chance that you may be able to save him.” The woman’s face became stern. “But you must be careful. He is very unpredictable and may very well attack you.” Misty clutched the antidote in her hand.

“Then that’s a risk I’ll have to take. I’ll do anything to save him.”

“Good luck child.” The woman said. The Murkrow on her shoulder cawed as a farewell. Pikachu smiled and said goodbye too. Misty stood from her chair and walked out the door, not knowing if she would live through all this....but knowing she had to take that chance.

****

The boiling anger...it was still there...could he never satisfy it? Kill...kill....KILL! The pain...it filled him when his lust was not fulfilled. The taste of blood filled his mouth...but the blood of all those humans was not enough. He could still remember them running, screaming...too panicked to escape with their lives. They were so much like the mareep had been... Slash! Crunch! One by one they fall....blood spilling, spraying, spurting everywhere. The taste of it invigorates him again....he must have more.... Yes, he could remember it clearly. That last one put up quite a fight...too good of a fight. There would be more....very soon there would be more.

****

Misty ran hard, panting as she went. Pikachu was leading, again on his trainer’s faint scent. The trail took them far into the woods, past a dark pokemon center that they dared not enter...

Continuing to follow, they were lead deeper into the woods. Neither Misty nor Pikachu had any visual sign of Ash....until they came across a dead pidgey. Nothing was left of it but its head..... The two of them followed a trail of dead pokemon...each one worse than the other. Pikachu chuued sadly. Misty again felt tears coming to her eyes as she remembered that it was the boy she loved who had done this....

Many more dead bodies later, Misty and Pikachu still had not spotted Ash. Misty was getting worried, knowing that Ash could find them instead...and it would be all over. She prayed that she would save him...and promised that she would tell him her feelings no matter what after all of this. Suddenly Misty and Pikachu froze as they heard a demonic howl cutting through the chilled night air.... They knew who it was.

“Pikachu, that was Ash. Come on, follow where the sound came from!” Both tore in the direction of the howl. They kept running until they came to a large rock sticking out of the ground, forming a sort of wall. “Damn it, where is he?” Misty cursed. All of a sudden, a growling noise was heard from their right side. Their heads shot in that direction...then the noise was coming from the left. Misty and Pikachu scanned all around for Ash, but the growling was coming from all directions.... Misty’s eyes were wide as she searched frantically....not wanting to be caught off guard. It was everywhere...he was everywhere...death was everywhere...Misty couldn’t take it. Her head was spinning. She saw Ash laughing happily, heard his gentle voice, felt his warm touch....but all that was replaced in her mind by that horrible growl. Unable to bear the torture any longer, Misty clenched her fists, shut her eyes, and shouted to the sky....

“ASH!!”

All at once the growling stopped. Misty looked ahead of her and saw two red eyes appear out of the darkness. They moved closer and closer until Ash himself came into view, teeth bared. His eyes glowed an angry red and his black fur glistened in the night. In one of his massive hands he held a Meowth, scratched and bloody but still alive. It squirmed in a fruitless effort to escape.

“Nyaa, nyanyanyaaaa!” It mewed in a terrified little voice. Ash’s hand tightened its grip.

“Pika pika!” Pikachu acted immediately, sending a shock toward Ash. Ash howled as the electricity forced him to let go of his prey, dropping it to the ground. Misty turned to Pikachu.

“Pikachu, get that Meowth to safety now!” She ordered. Pikachu looked unsure.

“Pikachupi....” He said worriedly. He knew that leaving her alone would be a terribly dangerous thing to do.

“Don’t worry about me Pikachu! That pokemon needs your help. Bring it to someplace safe as fast as you can, and don’t hesitate! Come on, go!” Pikachu nodded and ran to the Meowth. He helped it onto its feet and then used and agility attack to bring it far away from Ash.....

Ash, recovering from the shock, was now enraged that his prey had escaped. He turned to Misty, eyes glowing more furiously than ever....

****

How could this have happened....the prey had escaped! The killing instinct was punishing him now...filling his body with pain and anger....so many weak pokemon he had killed, their blood was hardly satisfying..... Such extreme anger....who had done this? Their blood would be the retribution for the kill he had lost. No....It was the female!! How was it possible? With a few words from her mouth she had heightened his anger to unbearable levels.....but she was his female, the one he had thought as his mate...no matter! She must be punished! The bloodlust came first and foremost. And now, it wished to be satisfied more than ever. Angry red filled his vision as he moved toward her.....

****

Misty saw Ash slowly advancing toward her, the blood on his fangs catching the moonlight. He opened his mouth and snarled at her viciously, spraying blood in her direction. She cowered and backed up...he kept coming closer....she moved until her back was pressed against the stone wall...she was trapped. Misty knew that if she ran he would be upon her in seconds and it would be all over. Staying by the rock would have the same outcome. Trembling, she tried to think of a way to stop him....nothing came to her. She looked into the eyes of the advancing beast and saw no trace of the one she loved....he had totally become this horrible monster. He was lost. Misty began to sob lightly.

“Oh god....Ash....look what’s happened to you....you were such a wonderful person...now I’ve lost you. I’ve lost you forever....How could I have let this happen to you?” She spoke to him in a desperate, distraught voice. Tears ran down her face. “I’m so sorry Ash. Sorry for not helping you sooner, for not going with you when you needed me....I’m sorry for everything I’ve ever done to upset you.” Misty looked deeper into his eyes, tears still pouring from her own. “This isn’t the Ash I know, the Ash you are. You would never want to cause all of this pain and death. You act like you want to, but I know that deep inside you know it’s wrong and you’re fighting to stop it.” Ash still stepped closer. Misty took another deep breath. “Go ahead and kill me Ash...do what you have to do. I’d rather die now than live with you like this.....but promise me that you will someday return to being the Ash I know....the Ash that I love...” Ash stopped in his tracks. The glow in his eyes seemed to fade a little...

****

She loves me....my female....Misty! She is Misty! Misty loves me.... No, love is a weakness, forget her and her silly feelings. Kill her now and get it over with... Must taste blood, must kill...must kill.....NO! I will not kill her! Yes, you must! I won’t! How could you ask me to do that to her? It is not a request, kill her or you will suffer! Then let me suffer!!! I will not kill her, I cannot kill her....I love her! MISTY!!!

****

Misty watched as Ash fell to the ground, clutching his head in his hands and crying in pain. He lashed his head violently, saliva and blood flying from his fangs. Ash dug his claws into the ground and reared his head to the sky, letting out an anguished, pain-filled howl. He lowered his head then, and dropped to the ground. Misty saw the red from his eyes completely fade back to their deep brown color. Trembling, he lifted his black-furred head slightly off of the ground, looking at her desperately. He reached a shaking hand out toward her, then spoke in a coarse, deep voice that was more like a growl.

“Misty....”

His hand dropped back to the ground along with his head. Misty rushed to his fallen body. She ran her hand through his hair again, and lifted his tired head onto her lap. She stroked the fur on his cheek and kissed the top of his black-haired head, soothing him with her words.

“It’s going to be okay Ash, I’m here now...don’t worry, it’ll all be okay.” Ash looked up at her with tired eyes, then reached out his hand and held hers. His eyes slowly closed themselves as his breathing finally relaxed. Misty pulled the shot from her pocket and held it to his shoulder. “It’s almost over Ash....this will return you to normal...just stay calm, I’m here...” She injected the antidote into his body. The pain from the needle seemed to insignificant to him now..... All he felt was relief as his body started changing back. His giant limbs shrank back to their normal size and his claws reverted back into fingernails. The black fur all over his body disappeared, as did his tail. The silver cuffs and necklace dissolved and the horns on his head shrank back into his skull. His fangs became human teeth once again, his long snout shrank back into his face. A giant wave of relief swept over Ash as his transformation to human was finally finished. Though very tired, Ash was able to sit himself up so that he was at eye-level with Misty. He looked into her beautiful blue eyes.....and began to sob. He cried for all he had done...for the pain he had caused, for the lives he had taken. How could he ever go on with his life after doing that? Tears of grief and guilt continued to pour down his dirty face, and he continued to look at Misty. She gently touched his arm....and he threw himself into her awaiting arms, sobbing into her shoulder. She hugged him tight, rubbing her cheek against his and stroking his wild hair. She rubbed his back and rocked him, and he held her tightly as well. Misty then pulled back and began kissing his tears away, one by one...kissing his face until her lips found his.....

 

Epilogue coming soon!!

 

For those of you that may be upset by what happened to certain characters, remember that not all is as it seems.....