Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Shimmer ❯ Chapter 1

Whee! Another fic

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon, it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics, yes? This is non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanwork, and its mine since I wrote it.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Alternate Universe, Warnings: Death, darkfic, angst, etcetera…

Title: Shimmer

 

He fidgeted.

Misty put a comforting arm on his shoulder, but her shook it off, shaking his head. He stared at his wrists, at the cords of blood stained silver wrapped around in a twisted parody of beauty. So cold…

“Ash…”

“No, don't say anything Misty. Don't say it wasn't my fault, because it _was_ my fault! And I couldn't do anything to stop it!”

Misty sighed.

Togepi trilled a high note, earning a glare from the brooding trainer.

How had things gone so _wrong_?

 

So cold…

Sacrifices always had to be made, didn't they? Didn't they, the little voice asked, don't you know by now that its too good to be true?

Stupid little mortal…

 

What had possessed him to go after Articuno? He really couldn't remember, but it must have been some childish, childish prank. Or maybe it was a foolish boast he had made, drunk on success.

In any case, they had set off, easily, he had just won Johto at age fourteen and the hubris all went straight to his head.

Lapras surfed them to Seafoam. Everyone knew Articuno lived there, but most people wouldn't try. And with good reason…

Of the last professor who had gone, only bone fragments had been found.

But I was a stupid child, because despite all that, and Misty did urge me to consider backing down, and Brock just didn't come with me because he thought it'd be a foolish act….

I still went.

I think that's when it all went wrong.

 

So we entered Seafoam islands, and Pikachu and Bulbasaur got a good workout beating off all of those water pokemon that we ran into, and it was going fine, until misty fell down a hole and so did Togepi. So then I went after them.

I think I should really get rid of that hero complex.

In any case, we hit some boulders, and slid off the wrong side. We were trapped in a small area, not more than ten feet by four, and across was Articuno.

I supposed I shouldn't have attacked right off the bat. It hadn't done anything to use. But I was so proud, always wanting more glory.

So I did.

 

Pikachu's Thunder had knocked it out, and I had thrown the poke ball, and that's when it all fell apart.

What I had been battling hadn't been Articuno, just a decoy. We were completely unprepared when the real legendary bird swooped in and attacked.

The blizzard was, well, what can I say? The bandages tell their own story.

In any case, I don't know how it managed to knock out all my pokemon, even the ones still in their poke balls, but I knew we had to get out of there. Misty was still unconscious, so I grabbed her and Togepi and started running.

It's impossible to try and lose someone in a maze they built themselves.

But I tried! I really did! And I managed to get Espeon to teleport us back to the Plateau where I thought we'd be Safe.

How was I supposed to know that an Articuno flies four times as fast as Pidgeot? Barely had I healed my pokemon and explained my failure to the Elite Four when it caught up and attacked us.

I say us because that's what it was. They had no fault in it, it was all my rash actions, but…

It killed them.

And it's my fault, you know, I caused the death of three of my fellow trainers who hadn't done anything, and!

And!

The media thinks I'm a hero! They think I caught Articuno in revenge for the Elite Four! Oh, how I wish they knew…

I'm no hero…

Yes, I caught Articuno, but not really… it wasn't me.

That's just another lie.

 

I don't know how he did it, I really don't! But he obviously deserved the championship more than me… or he would…

It's my fault he died.

He… I don't know why, but he protected me from that last attack, I'm so grateful Articuno has PP limits like everyone else or I really _would_ be dead! And his dragons subdued the bird, somehow…

I only had to throw a poke ball.

I! I…

I think I cried. I can't really remember now, but he told me not to worry too much.

How can I not worry?

It's my fault he died, isn't it? Why would he protect me? Why? And… I couldn't do anything, just hold him.

I wish I could have done more…

It's my fault he died… I can't reverse time though, and I certainly can't raise the dead. But why would he die for me?

I deserve death but I got life…

I'm alive while they're gone…

Life's not fair, is it? Well, I wish it were unfair to me, I deserve it.

 

I…well, I don't think I know why, but I kissed him. He was in so much pain, and I really didn't know what to do…

And he smiled, at the end. He said to take the bracelets, because they would remind me. And oh, how I deserve that.

They're cold. The metal chills my skin…

But that's as much as I deserve.

Misty's writing it all down, and I'm sure tomorrow the world will know the truth. I can't wait.

If death waits for me, I'll walk that path and take the plunge. I've overstayed my welcome, in any case.

I didn't tell Misty the other little bit though, I don't think I want the world to know about that. I mean, relationships should be kept secret, right? And it wasn't really anything…

You know, I might have loved him.

It might have worked out. But it's too late now…

 

What's this?

It's warm… and light… and it's so sweet…

Is this… real?

Please… let me… oh!

That was real.

Are you?

You don't hate me? You don't hate me for what I've done? Why?

But…

But… it's nice.

Dreaming

And… it's so warm…

 

 

“Ash!” Misty screamed, throwing open the door to his room. “It's already ten! Time to get up, sleepyhead!”

The reporters crowded in, like leeches, eager for prey. They found the champion still in bed, covers pulled up to ward off chills.

“Now, Mr. Ketchum, what was your relationship with the Elite Four? Please give us an interview!”

One of the reporters shook her head. “Idiot! Let me go first! “

“Now, now, don't push!” Misty said. “I'll just wake him up, and in a few minutes he'll be awake.”

With many muttered scowls, the reporters all exited.

Misty sighed. “Well, you wanted the truth out. I hope it doesn't ruin your future like I think it will.”

She yanked up the covers and grabbed bucket of water. “Rise and shine!”

 

 

A legend is often told, of the child of light and the Dragon Master, who together crossed the threshold of death and brought life back to the world.

Of course, it is a tale only the pokemon know, and they tell it as the story goes on and on in the world.

Then, they mention the episode, where the Siren broke the child of light and what really happened. Of course, no one knows the truth, completely, but it was very interesting…

Is it true, that when she found out, her hair turned white? That would make an interesting story, wouldn't it?

 

 

Charizard looked at the three charmander eagerly looking up at her. Now, now, it's past your bedtimes.

But we want to hear the rest!

That's for tomorrow dears, and now, good night.

A light went off.

 

End Chapter!

Vagueness, I know…

Started 5/6/04, completed 5/8/04