Darkest Night - Amourshipping

Life in the Dark

6 Months Later

"Its getting cold isnt it buddy" Ash says to Pikachu as he feels his rodent partner bury itself further into his jacket searching for warmth. As the duo continue their trek to Lumiose City Ash notices the continuing effects this ever lasting night is having on the world. The once vibrant nature route connecting Vanville Town to Lumiose City is continuing to slowly die from the lack of sunlight. Trees that where once covered in green leaves are now norhing but shadows of their former selves as they continue their fight to live on. Ash can see his own breath as he walks along the trail and pulls his cloak around himself to help keep a little warmer. "Hey Quilava, can you amp your flames up a little bit, its abit colder today" Ash asks his loyal fire type that is leading the way with its flames being used as a light and heat source. "I know Serena hates me doing these supply runs on my own but its to dangerous for her out here anymore and if anything happened to her I couldnt forgive myself" Ash thinks to himself as he continues his supply run to Lumiose City.

As Ash nears the city, he senses a Pokemon approaching him from behind "your not as sneaky as you used to be Lucario" he says as he turns and sees his latest pokemon aappear from the black veil. "Your aura powers are getting stronger every day master, you should be proud" Lucario responds thru their aura connection "their arent any hostile auras around us master, a few hungry pidgey and fletchling but nothing of immediate danger". Ash nods at Lucarios report and sighs at how bad things have gotten. Wild pokemon have had it the worst, with the lack of food and warmth around some wild pokemon have been forced to attack trainers just for food as they travel along, what few ppl left that do still travel around. With the threat of an attack appearing from the darkness, the crippling cold and the collapse of social order that has resulted from these last 6 months of darkness Ash couldn't bare to let Serena come with him, despite her insistence. He just couldnt stand to see her hurt again and with how hard medicines and stable electricity were to come across lately, he just couldn't risk it. Besides after the darkness fell the airports were shut down so Ash couldnt return home to Pallet Town, instead he was allowed to stay with Serena at her mothers house in Vanville Town, he's been in constant contact with his mother and Professor Oak but a part of him wishes he was there to help them as well.

As Ash and his pokemon walk over a final hill they see the lights of Lumiose City ahead of them and a small smile appeara on his face " We made it guys, safe and sound, let's get to the food depot and see Clemont and Bonnie again" Ash says cheerfully to his 3 pokemon who all reply with a nod or in Pikachus case pokes it's head out from his jacket and has a big smile on its face. As Ash approaches Lumiose tower where the food supplies are distributed each week he looks at the depressed, hopeless faces of the townsfolk around him "Its as if they've all given up hope, the Professors will figure something out, Professor Oak said last month that they are close to figuring out this blanket thats covered the planet" Ash thinks as he joins the line at the base of the tower to wait for the supplies. "Ash Ketchum hear to pick up the supplies for the Yvonne residence in Vaniville town" he says in a monotone voice to the guard, he's been thru this process way to many times now. "Your supplies are waiting for you at the loading dock and I was told to tell you that theyll be waiting for you there as well" the guard says in a rush knowing he has alot more people to get thru yet.

As Ash enters the loading dock he hears an excited squeal and suddenly a little blonde girl is hugging his waist. "Hey Ash, we missed you" an excited Bonnie says as she lets Ash go and stands by her brother who has a sad and guilty look on his face "Ash we need to talk" Clemont says as they start the walk towards Ashs supplies. "I dont know how much longer we can keep this up Ash, the artificial crop systems just arent holding up anymore and now with the power up and down the Sunlight bulbs i invented just arent working enough anymore, things are looking good" Clemont says with a moan. " It'll be fine Clemont, the professors will figure this all out soon and things will get better right away, you'll see" Ash replies trying to keep Clemont and himself positive. As they arrive at Ashs allocated supplies Ash does notice that there is indeed less than usual but keeps a smile on his face as he packs it all away and handing some of the larger items to Lucario. "You're leaving already?" Bonnie says nearly in tears "you only just got here". Ash can see how upset Bonnie is, the situation they have found themselves is tough on everyone, especially a young girl who cant fully understand whats happening. "I know Bonnie, I wish I could stay longer to but I told Serena I'd be back in a few hours and I don't want to worry her" Ash says as he kneels down "besides once we figure all this out we all still have our adventure to finish don't we". After saying this a smile appears on Bonnies face "yay another adventure" She cries "just make sure to bring Serena next time you come here". Ash throws his backpack on as he nods with his signature grin at the girl and shakes Clemonts hand as he prepares to leave. "Take care Ash" Clemont says "Give Serena a hug for us" to which Ash nods as the siblings leave and Ash starts his trek back to Vaniville town.

While Ash and his trio of pokemon are on the road back to Vaniville town Lucario suddenly stops and holds his paw up to signal for the others to do the same. "There is an aura in distress up ahead Master, we should be cautious" Lucario says to Ash thru their aura connection. "In distress Lucario? What do you mean" Ash questions " The aura I'm sensing feels as if it's owner is in great pain and stress master, what do you wish to do" Lucario replies. "Where is it Lucario?" Ash questions having already decided to help and is putting down his backpack " About 50 metres this way " Lucario points as Ash runs ahead. After arriving at his destination Ash tries to spot the pokemon that Lucario felt with his aura and finds nothing. After searching fruitlessly for a few minutes Ash is ready to move on until he spots what he recognises as a pokemon egg under some brush. After picking the egg up and taking it back to the others Ash gives the newly discovered egg a closer inspection. "Be careful Master, that egg is starting to hatch" Lucario warns and sure enough Ash can see cracks forming on the eggs shell. Pikachu pokes his head out of Ashs jacket once again to look at the egg and Quilava stands close to allow its heat to help warm the new pokemon that is about to be welcomed into the world. Sadly however the newly hatched pokemon which is already weakened by the cold weather that has been surrounding it the last few weeks and now the exertion in trying to hatch prematurely was to much for the pokemon and after finally breaking free of its egg, the newly hatched Fennekin died in front of Ash and his pokemon.

No words are spoken, the rest of the trip back was in a complete somber silence, Ash carried the poor Fennekin the entire way with a look of sadness on his face and obviously holding back tears. Ash finally makes it back to Vaniville town and enters Serenas house and puts his acquired supplies down and walks upstairs not saying a word of greeting to a shocked and saddened Serena and her mother. Following Ash upstairs to the room her mother gave him, she knocks on his door and walks in "Ash what happened, are you ok?" Serena asks worriedly. Ash turns to her and shows her the dead baby fennekin to which Serena gasps in shock. "This fennekin didnt even make it out of its egg Serena, it never had a chance" Ash says finally letting his tears out "I cant live like this anymore Serena, this world is dying, someone needs to bring the light back, i need to bring the light back".