Chapter 20:VIII. Last Guardian: The game begins
The never-ending blizzard still raged at the top of Mount Coronet. Snowflakes became bullets that were hitting the face of the young man and his two Pokemon that were now going back to his cave. As he was looking at the frozen boulder right in front of him he began thinking. It wasn't just a cave. It was his second home. Three years of memories are stored behind this boulder. He stopped for a moment looking at the cave letting his boots sink into the deep snow below him.
"Guys. I think we should give the cave a name." said a new deep voice of Ash Ketchum.
"Right now? Can't it wait few seconds? I am FREEZING here!" said Pikachu in his pokespeech. Pikachu was on Ash's shoulder under the cloak. They were outside for a few minutes, but the cold here is unbearable. Even when he is under the cloak. How the hell isn't Ash freezing too? And how the hell isn't Lucario freezing!
"You are hidden under the cloak and you still complain? The cave spoiled you Pikachu." said the Ash still not moving a muscle towards the cave.
"Don't mock me, Ash. If you won't tell Mewtwo to let us in, I'll take care of it myself." said irritated Pikachu.
"Don't make me laugh. If you would destroy the boulder, then we would be freezing a lot longer. You are not that stupid." said Ash. The blizzard was still and Ash was still standing in one place mocking Pikachu. Ash looked to his side to Lucario, but the Aura Pokemon doesn't seem to mind being here as Pikachu does.
"I am not. However, there are other means how to get inside. Let me tell you one of them. If you don't want Thunder in your face than you'll tell Mewtwo to open the cave right now!" said Pikachu.
"Jeez you're no fun when you are all frozen and grumpy." said Ash. "Mewtwo. The door please." said Ash through the link.
And as Ash requested, the frozen boulder was slowly lifted from the ground letting him and his Pokemon inside. Once they were inside, boulder dropped back to the ground and Ash began speaking again.
"Happy, Pikachu?"
Pikachu, however, didn't answer. He was in no mood for teasing. He wants to rest. Finally. After the 3 years, he can finally rest for a bit. So he just rolled his eyes and jumped from Ash's shoulder.
"Wait. I want to still name the cave." said Ash and Pikachu stopped when he heard his trainer and looked at him.
"Why?" asked Lucario in pokespeech. It startled Ash. He nearly forgot that Lucario went with him outside.
"Well. I spent a 3 year here already. And we'll spend even more time here. So I think that it would be fitting to name my temporary home." said Ash to his Pokemon.
"Yeah. About that. I don't think a home is an appropriate term for this place." said Pikachu in pokespeech.
"You are right. It is more like a hideout. A sanctuary. A ..."
"Haven?" said Pikachu.
"Yes! The Haven! That's it!" exclaimed Ash. He doesn't really know why he liked the name so much, but it captures the beauty of this place perfectly. His now deep voice echoed through the cave that everyone heard him. It woke some Pokemon up from their nap and so everyone went to the entrance where Ash was.
"Soooooo... we are calling this place The Haven?" asked Pikachu. And around him, every single Pokemon was standing. However, they were not here because of the new name of the cave. Training has ended. And now is the time to talk about what's next. Does Ash even know how they'll begin this attack?
"Yes. We are calling this The Haven." said Ash.
"Great. Now if you'll excuse me I would go for a nap." said Pikachu.
As Pikachu was walking to his room, all the Pokemon inside the cave were eyeing Ash with a keen eye. Waiting for him to say something. Ash himself now registered their curious glances at him. And he could tell what they were waiting for.
"I thank all of you for coming. But for now, go to sleep. When all of you will have a proper rest, then we'll talk about it." said Ash confidently. And as Ash said, nearly everyone went to their places to have a proper rest after the last training session. Even Lucario. But there was still one Pokemon who stood there.
"It seems like you have a plan." said Mewtwo through telepathy.
"I do. Go to sleep Mewtwo. I'll tell all of you when we'll be all rested." said Ash as he himself went to his room to sleep.
And as Ash wanted to take a nap he realized that he couldn't. Ash laid there, on in his rather new sleeping bag. Mewtwo stole even that for him. But he couldn't complain. He stopped complaining a long time ago about stealing. If they'll win than all of it was worth it. But there's that IF. Ash knows that he and his Pokemon are stronger than ever and ready to take on the whole world. But this is Team Rocket. A criminal organization that is working within shadows since before he was born. Police, Rangers and even Pokemon League tried to stop them. But without success. Ash knows one thing. If he wants to beat them, he has to move fast. The leader of this group is incredibly cunning. He has to be an intelligent man to keep all of this secret for so long. Not to mention that he has hundreds and thousands of workers that Ash has to go through to reach the boss. And some of those workers aren't like Jessie, James, and Meowth. These people won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Ash has an idea how to start. But it isn't a reliable one. If the Plan A won't go according to plan, then there is a plan B. But that would include him sitting on Charizard's back as they would be flying and he would be meditating and trying to find a group of people with twisted emotions. And that would take a lot of time. Ash hopes that the original plan work. He is eager to go back home as soon as possible. He doesn't want to be alone anymore. It's not that he wouldn't appreciate the company of his Pokemon, but he wants to meet the people again. He can't talk with his Pokemon about some things. And as much as he likes The Haven, it isn't home. It isn't Pallet Town. Arceus, how much he wishes to go back home. He has to make another step towards his home and it terrifies him to no end. What if he's not strong enough? This single question triggered something. Somewhere from the depths of his mind a memory came up and he remembered the time when he went ice skating for the first time with his father.
Flashback
"Be careful you two." said fearful Delia to her two boys. She was terrified beyond words. Her overprotective nature just kicked in when she saw them putting on the skates. It was just the beginning of the winter and her beloved husband had a crazy idea to went ice skating on a nearby lake. She quickly turned the idea down, but little Ash was pleading so much that she eventually gave in. "I hate when he goes full puppy eyes on me." thought Delia. She was on a small hill overlooking the lake watching them carefully.
"You worry to much, darling. Come and join us. It has been some time since you and I were ice skating." said a black haired man near the lake with brown eyes with a mini copy of himself sitting next to him. The man then went to the happy boy and began tying his laces on the ice skates.
"No thank you. Someone has to be responsible, stay here, and call the ambulance if needed." said terrified Delia. And the man chuckled a little at this. But then, out of nowhere, his mini copy began speaking
"Dad?" asked little Ash.
"Yes, my little Pokemon Master." said the man playfully.
"How do you know it'll hold us? Mom said that there is no way it'll hold." asked a curious mind of Ash out loud.
"She said that there is no way she'll let us go ice skating too and look where we are." replied the man. The man then looked at terrified Delia. She didn't bother to hide the fact that she is scared for their safety. He just smiled at her and then looked at his son. Ash still waited for the answer. The man then leaned to his son's ear and whispered.
"So. Do you want to know a secret how I know the ice will hold?" whispered the man.
"Of course!" exclaimed Ash loudly.
"What are you two whispering about?!" exclaimed Delia loudly.
"Man... stuff." said the man nervously as he looked at his wife. He then looked at his son again and whispered. "Ash, the first rule of keeping secrets is being quiet." whispered the man. He now took the other skate to tie the laces.
"Sorry. Will you tell me? Please?" asked Ash excitedly. This time in a whisper eager to find some of his dad's secrets.
"I actually don't know if the ice will hold." whispered the man.
"What?!" replied Ash loudly again. Scared, because of what his father just told him. How could he be calm when his father doesn't know if the ice will hold. His father always knew everything in his eyes.
"What is going on?" asked Delia once again when she heard something.
"Nothing darling. Prepare your phone just in case." said the man jokingly. And Delia just puffed her cheeks and looked away. But she couldn't be angry for a long time on the two most beloved people in her life. So after a few seconds, she turned back to them.
"Ash! You have to be quiet. If mom would find out that I don't know the ice will hold you will be calling an ambulance for me!" said the man forcefully but still in a whisper.
"Sorry." apologized Ash in a whisper again with his head down in shame and fear.
The man finished tying the laces and looked at his son. He was looking down. Sadness and fear were radiating from him that the man felt it as clear as the summer sky. So he grabbed his chin, lifted it up and looked in the younger mirror of himself and said.
"Ash. I know it's dangerous and scary to step on that ice when you know nothing about it. Especially the first step into the unknown. But sometimes you just have to hope it's strong enough and you'll make it through." said the man calmly, soothing the child and telling his secret to his son.
End Flashback
"Sometimes you just have to hope it's strong enough and you'll make it through." reminded Ash himself in a slight whisper. Nevertheless, he still wondered. He was ice skating with his father a lot since that day and not once the ice broke or even crack. It even seemed like his father had a sixth sense on these stuff. When everyone believed it would not hold, his father knew when it would hold and they went skating. He was never afraid to go skating with his father after that day, despite his father's confession. But now it was his time to take the first step and hope that the ice is ready. Without father overlooking everything. He could drown now if this won't go according to the plan.
Thinking about all of this exhausted Ash a little and so with thoughts of Pallet Town and his parents he finally closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Office of Charles Goodsnow
As the new day arose in Kanto region, Charles Goodsnow was out of his bed since 6 o clock in the morning. Duties of the head of the Pokemon League are nearly endless. Especially now. Unova's first conference is around the corner. Not to mention the fact that he has to choose the people to send to Kalos since the Kalos officials in the region of romance told him they want their own conference. And that was not all. Scott requested a meeting with Charles for whatever reason he has in mind. And as Charles knows this guy, it will be something big. Last time it was a Johto Battle Frontier so God knows what he has in mind this time.
Charles is behind his computer in his office writing all kinds of documents concerning the new conferences. His office is equipped magnificently. Some would say it was too much. Carpet from the best material the Pokemon world has to offer and walls with beautiful ornaments all over them. Desk from the finest wood you can cut down, Computer with the greatest technology you can think of, crystal chandelier and all kinds of expensive trinkets decorated the office. Perks of being the head of Pokemon league. Even though everyone is envious of Charles and his wealth, it didn't fall from the sky. He build his wealthy empire brick by brick and the result was the endless income of money. But on the other hand, it cost him his private life dearly. He never has a spare time for anything. As a result he has basically no real friends, hobbies or love life. He didn't even marry or has any children. But after so many years of hard work, he got used to this and accepted the life he has. It was his choice to build this all in the end.
And as he was writing a document on the list of things Kalos officials have to do to build to host a Pokemon conference, someone called him on his computer. He stopped his work for a while and picked the call.
"Good morning. What can I do for you Officer Jenny." said Charles as the video chat began.
"Morning Charles. I have something you should see." said Officer Jenny. And as she did, Charles got a notification on his computer screen. Officer Jenny send him some kind of video. Charles then opened the file and clicked on the play button and let the call with Officer Jenny be in the background if she would have some commentary on what he is about to see.
First few seconds nothing was happening on the black-white screen of the video. It was just a physical storage of all kinds of files on the criminals they captured at the Police Headquarters. But then someone out of thin air appeared. He materialized right before the security camera to Charle's surprise. But whatever this was it wasn't a man. A long tail was swinging back and forth from the dark cloak this creature was wearing. It wasn't stupid, it had a dark hood to cover its identity and a grey scarf to cover its mouth. This creature then slowly went to the shelves with all kinds of files and was looking through them. Trying desperately to find something. Eventually, this creature found a file and took it under its cloak and just as it appeared it disappeared.
"When did this happen?" was the first question out of many questions that Charles asked as he minimized the video and got back to the video chat with Jenny.
"This night." answered officer Jenny.
"Any leads or suspicion on what that could be?" asked Charles.
"No. The only lead we have is this video footage. This... thing disappeared as fast as it appeared without a single clue left behind." replied officer Jenny.
"What file did it take?" asked Charles.
"Team Rocket one."
"And I suppose that's all it took." asked Charles.
"Yes. We ran the complete file check up and everything is in place."
And before Charles could have any more questions another person called him on the computer. Even though this matter with officer Jenny was urgent, this could be even more important. So he picked it up and began video chat with another person.
"Morning Solana." said Charles.
"Morning. I have a burglary to report." said the young blue haired woman.
"I'm listening." said Charles. The work just keeps up coming up these days.
"We were doing our usual businesses at Ranger HQ when a silent alarm went off. Some broke in our secret storage of files against different Pokemon poachers and thieves. When my co-worker got there, he saw someone. He saw only a back of a dark green cloak and long purple tail. Then this person disappeared right in front of his eyes." said Solana the shorten version of a story.
"Purple tail and dark green cloak you say?" asked Charles.
"Yes." replied Solana.
"When did it happen?" asked Charles again.
"This night."
"Jenny. Send the video to Solana. I have a feeling we are dealing with the same person." said Charles. And Jenny nodded and began typing something on the computer.
"That's not all. He stole the files of Team Rocket." said Solana.
"Hmmm..." Charles now knew that this had to be the same person as the one in the storage of Police HQ. But why? Team Rocket exist so long that they wouldn't just come out of their hiding and stole the files. Informations there aren't that valuable. The only thing they knew about Team Rocket is that they have 4 bases in each region and some secret headquarters. And they don't know the location of any of them. Only the approximate location of them circled on the maps there. Basically, nothing else is in those files. But these locations were scouted through and through and nothing was found. So even these locations might be useless. Some of their crimes are there too but that's it. Nothing worth stealing for Team Rocket. Either Team Rocket sent someone to get rid of the evidence and they plan something or someone is interested in Team Rocket. The later seemed more plausible. They still have the digital copies of those files so there is no point in trying to steal the physical ones if you want to destroy them. But who is interested in Team Rocket. Or more importantly WHAT. Charles highly doubts it's a Pokemon. Pokemon can't read and they don't wear clothes. And why on earth would it want the files against Team Rocket?
"Excuse me for a moment, ladies." said Charles when he remembered something. He got up from his chair and went to a giant shelf of files in his room. He went to the T section and looked for a Team Rocket file. And as he was expecting it's missing. The only files on Team Rocket are owned by Police, Rangers and him. So the creature must have been here too. He then went back to his computer and informed Police and Rangers of his recent discovery. The investigation began shortly after.
Ash was now outside of The Haven in the forest somewhere in Kanto region. He was meditating again. His favorite thing to do when he has some time for himself. He was there for quite some time already. Four whole hours of just sitting there. But to him, it was worth it. He finally sensed Pallet Town. And immediately as his sight reached his hometown, he focused on finding his mother. The thought of the first ice skating brought so many memories of his parents that he had to see her. And how pleased he was when he did. He saw his mother and Mimey on the garden planting new flowers into the ground. Aura's of them both was filled with joy. But when he focused on his mother more he could still sense the sadness and sorrow deep within her. The sadness of not just his own death, but his father's too. He was watching her for some time until something interrupted his focus on his mother. Or rather someone.
He was surprised when another woman's aura came into his sight. This new woman exited Ash's former home with a flower in her hands and went to his mother. Even though his initial goal was to watch his mother, he couldn't help himself but focus on the woman near his mother. Something was just drawing his Aura senses to her. He couldn't explain what was happening logically but he just couldn't focus on anything else when she exited the door. He couldn't focus on her emotions to find out what she was feeling or even finding out if her Aura is familiar and if he had met her before. All of this was overpowered by the warmth she was emitting. So, so much of a pleasant warmth that he couldn't even describe it properly. It was one of the most pleasant feelings he ever felt and Ash was drawn to her by some indescribable force that he couldn't control and, what was surprising, he isn't fighting against it. He let this woman enchant him from miles away by whatever spell she has on him. He didn't even consider to stop focusing on her because of how good it felt. Like a drug, he couldn't get enough of. But unfortunately, he couldn't enjoy this feeling more because something was beginning to poke his head. So he opened his eyes slowly and looked at the Pokemon who ruined the moment of peace he had.
"Have you found anything, Gliscor?" asked Ash quickly shifting his focus from his meditation to the much more important matters at hand. His Gliscor then licked his eye as he always does and nodded slightly.
"Great job." said Ash and petted Gliscor on the head. But even though he began focusing on why he was initially here, he couldn't forget that pleasant feeling of warmth that the woman had on him from such a long distance.
Hours went by and more flying Pokemon came back to Ash. And when they were all in one place, they were teleported back to The Haven. All Pokemon surrounded Ash, awaiting the news. And Ash was ready to tell them the news and their next step. His flying Pokemon will need a rest from the flying all over the Pokemon world, however, after the rest, the show will begin.
"We'll attack tomorrow in the afternoon. Sleep well, my friends. Johto base is first."