Bonds

Chapter 3 - Chaos

The wall was just as impressive as when it was seen from far away.

It was around 10 metres tall, casting a great shadow above everyone who came and went. Battlements lined the walls and the main entrance had an impressive arch with sculptures on the side as well as a mural of what seemed to be a magnificent bird-like pokemon with wings painted with the colours of the rainbow.

Ash's eyes widened as he realised that the mural looked exactly like the mysterious pokemon on Route 1. He suddenly felt a throbbing sensation everywhere in his body and stumbled before righting himself.

It felt as if his whole body had gotten a headache, and the throbbing sensation felt somehow agitated and excited. Ash suddenly felt drawn to something behind him and his eyes widened as he realised it was his bag.

The Feather! Ash thought and looked around startled for a secluded place.

Thankfully he noticed a red roof of a building close to the entrance of the gate and sprinted in a frenzy to the Pokemon Centre. When he was about to enter it however, Ash noticed a bunch of trainers and backtracked.

He found a bench in the shadow of the Centre that was next to a tree. Ash quickly set his bag down and discretely undid the clips and zipper before checking the inside of his bag, more accurately, the feather.

Just like he expected, the feather was glowing a beautiful assortment of colours.

Perhaps in another time he would have appreciated the beauty but at that moment all Ash could feel was terror. The feather was glowing softly until following another spike of his headache, it brightened drastically, creating a beam of pretty colours into the sky before fading quickly as Ash closed the bag.

Please stop, please stop! Ash begged to no one in particular and after one more quick burst of light, it faded.

He breathed a deep sigh of relief and sat there for a while on the bench, clutching his rucksack close to him.

He needed answers. What the heck was that pokemon on the mural? Where was that pokemon? What was with the Feather? What did the visions mean? Ash breathed deeply for a moment before getting up and heading to the Pokemon Centre.

He never noticed the lone security camera hidden from Ash by a tree.

Ash marvelled at the apartment blocks that stood a bit taller than the wall, the oddly smooth cement pavement that felt foreign to walk on, the trees that dotted the streets as well as the shrubbery with bright flowers. As the sliding door of the Pokemon Centre opened, Ash ran in, too slow to notice a mop of long brown hair coming his way.

Ash crashed into the person, eliciting a yelp of surprise from the person as they stumbled for balance

"Oi watch - Ash?" Leaf, who Ash had crashed into, stared at him in surprise.

"Leaf! When did you get here?" asked Ash, who had regained his balance.

Leaf dusted her skirt, "A couple hours ago. Visited my cousins here."

Ash nodded, remembering how Leaf had moved from Viridian City with her parents to Pallet Town to work under Professor Oak.

Ash remembered why he was there and asked, "Do you know where to register-"

"You can register with one of the Centre assistants." Leaf interrupted with a smile.

Ash thanked her and hurried over to the counter, calling over a Centre assistant. He handed over his pokédex and asked to register for the Gym Challenge.