Red Eyed Master

Chapter 16

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I DO NOT OWN POKÉMON.

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"Hello" – Speech

'Hello' – Thoughts

"Hello" – Pokémon speech/Aura/Psychic communication

'Hello' – Pokémon thoughts

[Hello] – Pokédex Entries

:Hello: - Typed Speech

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Ash ignored the pity filled gazes of the police officers that were analysing the 'crime scene'. Instead, he watched unblinkingly as they carefully wrapped Bill's body up for transportation to Vermillion City – where the closest Police Station was located. Ash subtly shifted his gaze in Officer Jenny's direction and then to the opposite end, where the remains of Bill's device were still untouched by the Police CSI.

Ash wasted no time in silently moving over to the device – where he then knelt and gently touched the pieces of intricate machinery – probably of Bill's own design.

'You fool,' Ash thought as he lightly nudged a circuit board. 'What were you thinking getting involved with Team Rocket?'

Ash started when something wet hit the back of his hand and he slowly reached up to his equally wet cheek. Ash blinked numbly at the tears – he was crying! He hadn't cried since ... since the Spearow Incident. Ash slammed his hand down in anger – all this confusion and pain had started the day that unknown Ancient Pokémon 'uploaded' the Ancient Laws into his brain. Without realising it, Ash had started releasing his Aura. Ominous, thick waves of red energy flowed from him as he reached new heights of anger. Why? Why couldn't that damned Legendary Pokémon leave him be – why him? Was it because of his unproven link to Pokélantis?

'Whatever the reasons,' Ash's mind tried to reason in an attempt to quell his fury. 'They are not going to be answered while you linger here in your emotions.'

Ash blinked; trust his subconscious to be smarter than he was. Ash breathed deep – precious oxygen that he suddenly realised he had been needing filled his lungs and he released a harsh breath. He would be damned if he let Mr. Rocket have his way, but at the same time, he couldn't deny the man's outright challenge. Ash steeled his heart and focussed his mind to a razor sharp point. If he wanted to play ... then Ash would play Mr. Rocket's game.

It was only when Ash had refocussed his mind that he felt the waves of soothing energy and feelings coming from his Pokémon Team – minus Krabby, whose waves were limited to curiously reaching out.

"I am fine now," Ash spoke to alleviate their clear concerns. "Rest assured though that if we ever encounter Mr. Rocket again – we must be ready to fight and defeat him."

"Yes, of course Ash," he could hear Mismagius soothe – whilst Froslass and Combusken continued fretting over him. It brought a soft smile to Ash's face and it was almost enough for him to forget the current situation – almost.

"That means that your training will only get more intense," Ash reasoned – testing his team for their response.

"We are prepared to train as much as you deem necessary Ash," Snivy spoke in her cool tone of voice, he received a similar response from Mismagius – but it was the response by the others that he felt proud of.

"I will make you proud father," Combusken responded.

"Sounds like lots of fun," Froslass cheered.