Deathspector
<-- Blastoise O.o
Out-Of-Context: Before I post the story, I have several things to say. Although this is based off characters from the Pokémon Animè it is in no way tied up with the storyline of the animè. For starters, is is based in a medieval time, yet has the characters that we are all used to. Also, if I make any of these characters seem bad in your eyes, and you feel that I wronged them, please do not take anything personally, for I have merely used them to fuel the plot of the story. Finally, this is suitable for readers above thirteen years of age, or have a maturity of one above thirteen, for there are several swear words, a mention to a concept that under-thirteens should not know of in too much detail, and a wee bit of gore at the beginning; although I do not believe that that should be too much of a hindrance to people. Anyway, without further ado, I introduce you to...
Ash
What is a Friend?
A Tragic Tale of Death and Betrayal
By Deathspector
Ash
What is a Friend?
A Tragic Tale of Death and Betrayal
By Deathspector
“When the time comes for their need, your friends shall desert you…”
The words rang in Ash Ketchum’s head, seconds before the fatal blow. He felt the sharpened point of the sword pierce through his thin cotton tunic, and into his skin. For one elated moment, Ash saw no blood from the wound, and then, with a vengeance, the crimson liquid burst forth angrily, sending spasms of pain up and down Ash’s body. He saw the cruel steel blade being pulled from the gaping hole, and felt thousands of germs flood his system, through this new entrance. He looked up with pain in his eyes, and saw his killer. Those wild emerald eyes, and those curling green locks. Drew. The words was thought like a curse in Ash’s mouth, and felt his mouth turn bitter at the very thought. He struggled against the mounting pain, but to no relief. The throbbing continued to flow freely through his body.
”…you shall be utterly alone…”
Ash paused for a moment, to think about where these words were coming from. They seemed to dominate his mind completely, preventing him from thinking of anything else. As his brain struggled through this dilemma, his body fought another problem, desperately trying to keep him alive, even though his brain knew it was impossible. As lay there, on the battlefield, while the battle still raged on, he felt an odd calm rest over him, and suddenly, the pain was lifted. He stopped writhing and squirming, and paused for a second, to contemplate what had just happened. It took him mere milliseconds to do so, but to him it felt like a lifetime. He had been fighting against Drew, a former friend of his, in a battle with the two kingdoms of Hoenn and Kanto. He remembered having killed two of his other friends, and then facing Drew, with a weakened arm; several singers had been severed by Max’s halberd as Ash had plunged his sword into Max’s neck; and a weakened heart; having seen his love, Misty, ruthlessly murdered by May; he had then rose from his wounded state, to kill May.
“…despite any words of comfort they ever gave you…”
In his calmness, the words sounded loud, and deep, as if layered with emotion, and hidden meaning; although the words made perfect sense to Ash. Yet he did not believe them. He knew that his friends would have been there for him if they were not fighting for their own lives. He knew that they would have leapt in-between Drew and him, if they had been there. But then he paused. He didn’t really know who his friends were. People who he had thought were his friends, had tried to kill him in battle, and one had succeeded. He felt anger rise up inside his chest. How could he have been so easily seduced by people who he had met on the road. He should have known that they would not be loyal and true to him, especially that ******* Drew, and his harlot, May. He felt his heart (how on earth, aren’t I dead?) pound against his ribcage (again?) as his emotions swirled in this sudden realization.
“…not a single one will honourable enough, to be true to you…”
What about Pikachu? he thought. Wasn’t he loyal and true to me? Of course he was, but he was not a friend, he was family, and family can never betray you. Ash calmed down slightly, realizing that there was at least one living being out there, who would have died for him, except, if he had already died for him three years previously. Ash shuddered at the memory. Out of all of the experiences that ash had ever lived through, the death of his beloved Pikachu was the one he wanted to remember least. He had loved Pikachu with all his heart, to such an extent that Pikachu was a part of his heart, only to have him ripped apart at the slimy teeth of that cursed Mewtwo. Again his heart pounded with rage (…this is getting too much…) as he remembered how the Mewtwo had dared to dine on his friend, his lover, his brother, and his heart. At the time, all Ash had done was weep, but now, after reuniting with Pikachu in the World of the Dead, he would make that foul beast pay.
“…not a single one would throw away their life, in order to preserve yours…”
That was true enough. Not even Misty, or Brock, would step between a flying arrow, and Ash’s chest, despite the show of affection that they had put on. Ash ground his teeth angrily, and the sound seemed to reverberate through his entire body, sending tremors down all the way to his legs. He would make those two pay as well. He would make them pay for making him feel like he had friends, and then not even be there, weeping over his ruined body as he lay, pooling blood on the dusty battlefield. At the though, he remembered the battle that was raging around his dead body. To Ash, it now seemed something small and insignificant that would claim the lives of many, and give food for the carrion-birds to feast on, and nothing else. He wondered why he had agreed to fight for the King of Kanto, when all that he was doing was causing death, and staining his land with the foul stench of decayed meat.
“…and yet you call them friends.”
Don’t make it seem like it was my fault, thought Ash angry at how blunt the voice was being. They seduced me, and made me believe that they were my friends. But the harder Ash thought, the more the voice made sense. It was his fault, for falling for the traps laid out by the various traitors. It was his fault for believing the rotten lies that they had told in order to gain his trust. It was his fault, for being a complete dunce, and not seeing through the veils that they had held to cover their true faces. The thought made him want to roar with frustration. Why hadn’t he thought of this before the fatal moment? He could have prevented it then! Why! Why! WHY! Anger seemed to envelop Ash, preventing him from thinking about anything but the betrayal of his so-called friends. If he had learnt about this, he could have protected himself more carefully, and he and Pikachu wouldn’t have had to suffer the pain and hardship that they had suffered.
“Why?”
All of the power of the universe seemed to be contained in this monosyllabic, three-lettered , no-vowelled word. The power of the words was staggering, and Ash had to hold on to something, to prevent falling down (I’m lying dead on a battlefield…I’m already fallen down). How was he supposed to know the answer. Whoever was talking seemed to know everything. Why don’t you just tell me yourself? Ash felt angry at how the voice was stabbing painfully at all of the places where it hurt most (ouch…oh, you meant metaphorically), and causing him to think more and more towards what the voice wanted him to. But then, isn’t the voice also seducing me? he thought carefully. If so many others have done it before him, then why can’t he, or she? But the voice didn’t seem to be forceful at all. All it seemed to be doing, was telling Ash about all of the bad points in his life. It made Ash even more miserable (how can I be more miserable, I’m already dead if you haven’t noticed).
”The answer is simple…”
Oh by the Gods! Tell me if it’s so simple, you evil *******. TELL ME! Ash’s frustration was building up to a point, where he could contain it no more. He no longer felt angry towards anybody who had betrayed him in real life. All of his energy was channelled into anger, directed at this goddamned voice that seemed to be toying with him.
”…it’s because you believed…”
What…what in the name of the Great One, is that supposed to mean…”it’s because you believed”…it makes no sense, roared Ash angrily. This voice was really starting to bugger him. He felt like giving it a good punch in the face. But of course, the voice was a coward, and would not reveal itself.
“…you believed that they were your friends, which they were…”
What……?
“You were the betrayer…”
And with that, Ash Ketchum left the world for good, and entered a void of blackness…
Author's Notes: Meh, another morbid one-shot by yours truly. I have no idea why all of these sad and depressing ideas come to me. I'm not disturbed in real life (hopefully)...maybe it's just magic...XD. Anyway, I tried to add a bit of humour to it, in the brackets, but if you feel that it ruins the feel of the piece, please tell me, and I'll change it. Also, please review. I don't mind if you didn't like it; just tell me why, and I'll try to get better for the future, 'kay? Anyway, go ahead and review...I shouldn't take up all of your time, now, should I...?
DS