When thinking about the Ghost Pokémon that were still haunting the lower levels of Lavender Castle, it seemed like a miracle to Usagi that she was able to find some sleep at all.
She, Rei and Luna were given a chamber on their own, directly next to the one Ash was sharing with Pikachu, Sir Brock and Princess Misty. As it turned out, the three royal offsprings knew each other, as Luna could overhear a friendly conversation between them. They were talking to each other like they were close friends, not only the representatives of three allied castles.
Usagi had asked her friends about their own decisions, but they could tell that she was already determined to help Lord Oak by retrieving whatever they needed to protect their country. Luna was worried if the bracelets Ash had given them would really work as they had been told, but she and Rei were ready to follow Usagi wherever she wanted to go. She was their princess, after all.
When the three of them stepped into the entrance hall of Lavender Castle the following morning, they could see that it was empty. Not a single ghost was nearby.
Ash and Pikachu were waiting for them next to the gate. As they looked past them, they could see how the other humans and Pokémon they had seen the previous night were getting ready for the journey.
"Did they all come because of us?" Usagi asked in awe.
Ash nodded. "Yup, that's correct! Those are all soldiers from my mother's court that volunteered to escort you to Pallet Castle. And they're the best of our warriors."
Pikachu grinned. "If some Rocketeers decide to ambush us on our way, they might be in for a little surprise."
Just then, two other people came down the stairs. Usagi instantly recognized Misty and Brock, both of them armed and prepared for the journey.
Ash frowned. "You two are coming as well?"
Misty shrugged. "It was Lord Oak's wish... not much we could do about it. Don't ask me why he decided that we should come along as well..."
"Seems like Lord Oak wants to make sure that Princess Usagi and her companions arrive at our castle safely," Pikachu said with a wink. "After all, the three of you are the most skilled fighters of us all."
"Aw, don't say that!" Brock grinned while blushing. "You're embarrassing me."
Pikachu shrugged. "Well, it is true..."
Usagi then spoke up: "Please, don't call me 'Princess Usagi', okay? It makes me feel weird..."
"Usagi..." Luna sighed. "You ARE our princess and the last heir to the moon kingdom. It's about time you're getting used to such formalities."
"But she's right," Misty giggled. "I'm not too fond of those titles either... I was born as the daughter of a king and queen, so what of it? I can still treat my friends as friends, right?"
"She has a point," Rei grinned, and they laughed.
Just then, five unicorns with manes and tails of burning fire approached them. Their leader lowered his head and addressed Usagi in a gentle voice: "Please, allow us to be your mounts, princess! We will take you safely to Pallet Castle."
"Um, they're not going to burn us, are they?" Rei asked skeptically.
"Rapidashs can control their flames up to the point where they can let them burn without actually harming anyone," Brock explained.
"We assure you that you won't feel even the slightest burn, Princess of Mars," the Rapidash leader said, while he winked at Rei.
"C'mon, Rei!" Usagi mocked. "Don't they call you the 'Senshi of the Flames'?" She giggled. "Or is that 'Chicken of the Flames?'"
Rei threw her blonde friend a dark glare and quickly approached one of the fiery steeds, who helpfully lowered his front body to help her mount his back.
When it was Usagi's turn to get up, she hesitated. "I've never ridden before..." she admitted.
"Hah!" Rei snorted. "Who's the chicken now?"
Misty chuckled, but winked at the blonde princess, who blushed sheepishly. "Here, I'll show you how it's done."
----
A few hours later, the group was already riding through the calm woodlands that surrounded Lavender Castle.
The forest wasn't as lush as the one on Lady Joy's island, but still beautiful. Usagi looked at the giant trees that rose above their heads in awe.
But she could also feel something else... like a dark shadow that was lying on this place. She felt as if someone was watching them, and the sun wasn't shining as brightly underneath the leafy canopy.
She suddenly was aware that Ash was riding directly next to her. She didn't even hear him coming.
"You're feeling it too, right?" he asked.
Usagi shrugged, then shook her head. "I just thought I saw something..." she murmured.
"That's not what I meant," the young prince said. "What you saw was just a group of Pokémon that's following us at a distance. I mean the darkness... the cold."
"You mean...?"
Ash nodded. "Yes. This area is controlled by the Rocketeers. We have to be careful so they don't find us."
Pikachu, who was sitting directly behind his friend, looked sad. "These woods were once such a peaceful place... and now all of the Pokémon and forest animals are scared of the Rocketeers."
Now Usagi realized why everyone was on edge. No wonder, if they were riding through their enemy's territory.
At noon, they stopped on a small clearing. A few soldiers were riding ahead, on Ash's command, to look for possible scouts of the Rocketeers that might be waiting for them. But everyone else dismounted, and they lit a few campfires.
"We'll rest here for a while," Brock explained. "The second half of the journey is going to be difficult, so we're going to need every bit of our strength... and you two look like you could use some rest."
"You can say that again..." Rei groaned. "Nothing against the warmth of the Rapidash, but my behind's all sore..."
"I'm sorry that I don't come with some padding," her Rapidash mused.
"Well, not everyone is a born rider," Misty smirked. She then took a waterskin out of her bag and gave it to Rei. "Here, drink some water!"
"Aaaaah, thank you!" Rei sighed, snatched the waterskin and took a deep gulp.
"Hey, leave some for me," Usagi shouted. She was thirsty as well.
Luna looked around. "What's wrong?" Pikachu asked curiously as he approached her.
"Um, I'm just wondering..." the black cat said. "Aren't the other Pokémon that are supposed to protect us coming as well?"
Misty shook her head. "No, they wouldn't. They are Wartortles... Water Pokémon from my kingdom, you know? And the Rapidashs wouldn't be that comfortable with them around."
"Why not?" Usagi asked curiously.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Ash asked. "Fire and Water don't mix. Besides, there are some among them that don't really like each other."
Usagi sighed. So, not everything was perfect in this beautiful world after all... even without the Rocketeers.
"And what about you?" Rei suddenly asked Ash.
The boy was taken aback by that sudden question. "What do you mean?"
"You're not too happy that we are here either, are you?" the Shinto priestess asked.
Ash shook his head. "That... that's not true! I have nothing against you."
"Really?" Rei replied doubtfully. "You didn't seem to pleased when you brought us to Lavender Castle."
"That's different," Ash sighed. "It's because... well..."
Pikachu patted his friend's side. "It's okay, Ash!" He looked at Rei seriously. "Not everyone in Kanto agrees with Lord Oaks plan, you know? It's not about you, but many of us disagree with him... and I must say, I am one of them. What he's planning to do is just wrong."
"But why?" Usagi asked in astonishment. "I mean, if it can save your country...?"
Brock and Misty exchanged a look. "He... didn't tell you what he's planning to do, right?" Brock asked.
"Well, he didn't say much," Usagi admitted. "But he said that there is something that could help you. A... weapon, I believe."
"A weapon?" Ash laughed. "Oh yes, I guess you could call it that."
When he saw the confused faces of Usagi and her friends, he sighed. "I guess he really didn't tell you much... fine." He stood up and looked down at Usagi. "Come, I want to show you something."
"What?" Rei asked. "Now?"
"Yes," Ash nodded. "It's important. Everyone, please wait here for us... we're gonna make a small detour. Don't worry, it won't take long."
Usagi wasn't too sure about that, but she realized how important this had to be for Ash.
"Okay, fine," she sighed. "Rei, Luna... you don't mind, do you?"
"Um, that's okay," Rei shrugged. "As long as you're safe..."
"Don't worry!" Ash smiled and put his hand on his sword's handle. "I'll protect her!"
"Usagi, be careful!" Luna said in worry. Usagi nodded and followed Ash as he lead her through the forest.
"Where are we going?" she asked as they reached the edge of the forest. Ash didn't reply immediately, but he looked over the desolate plain that was in front of them. He then pointed at some hills in the distance. "It's over there!"
As they were walking over the dry earth, Usagi realized just how bleak this place looked. Only a few patches of grass were visible, and only a single tree here and there. She shivered. She didn't like this place one bit.
They then reached the hills. "Just on top, and then you'll see," Ash said in a grim voice.
Usagi was more confused then ever, but at the same time, felt slightly uncomfortable, as if whatever Ash was going to show her wouldn't be a nice view.
She was right.
As they reached the top of the hill, Usagi was looking at a scene that might have been in one of her nightmares.
The land was pitch black, and smooth as a polished marble floor. Only a few charred trees were rising out of the monotony, or some rocks that looked as if they were half-melted. And behind the horizon, a red glow of fire was visible, as if the whole world behind there would be aflame.
"Oh my god..." she whispered. "Ash, what... what happened here?"
Ash didn't respond, but gestured over at a pile of rubble, which Usagi could identify as some old, scorched ruins.
"Over there," he said. "And hurry! Being here for too long can be dangerous."
Usagi believed him, so she followed him quickly. The air around them was very warm, but she shivered.
When they reached the ruins, Usagi realized that this had to be a town or village once, as she could see the charred remains of various buildings.
"Look closely at it," Ash said with a strained voice. "I want you to remember this... every single part of it."
"But what...?" Usagi stopped in mid-sentence, as she saw a dark shape in front of one of the ruined walls.
Ash nodded towards it, and she approached the dark shape fearfully. She let out a gasp of terror when she realized what it was.
It was a human. At least the remains of a human. He was leaning against the wall, with raised arms and a look of terror on his face. He was standing there, as black as the charred stone, burned into the glazed rock around him.
"A former resident of this town," Ash said quietly. "The very last one that had left some trace. Looks like he was standing in front of that wall, when the fire came."
"F-fire...?" Usagi stuttered. "What fire?"
"Dragon Fire!" Ash spat. He took her hand. "Come, we have to go back. Being here for a long time can be dangerous."
The two of them ran back, until they reached the edge of the forest. Usagi was breathing heavily. She closed her eyes, but the horrible image was still in her mind.
"Who... who did that?" she finally asked.
"Lavender..." Ash replied. "The people of Lavender..."
"Wha...? Why? Why them?"
"It happened a long, long time ago," Ash sighed. "Thousand years, maybe even two thousand. Back then, Lavender was a powerful kingdom, respected by all the other kingdoms... their warriors were mighty, and their psychics even more. But... they had enemies."
"The... the people of that town?" Usagi asked.
Ash nodded. "No one can remember why they fought, but it was a long and horrible war. And no one could defeat the other one. But then, one day, Lavender seemed to succumb. Desperately, their psychics combined their powers and... they summoned a dragon."
"A... dragon?" Usagi gasped. "You mean that a dragon has...?"
"Destroyed the town, yes," Ash said grimly. "They say his name was... Rayquaza! Within one single night, he destroyed their army and burnt down their land and the town itself. The flames were consuming everything, and the curse he left behind is still killing everything that lives. Farther away, near the coast, the earth is still burning, even today."
Usagi was terrified. A dragon? How could a single dragon do all of this? A single creature, so powerful and evil... could she imagine a being like that?
But then she got reminded of Metallia and Pharaoh 90, and she sobbed.
"Why?" she finally asked. "Why are you showing this to me?"
"Why?" Ash asked. "You're really asking me why?"
He then shouted at her furiously: "Because that's what Lord Oak wants you to do: He wants you to find Rayquaza... and bring him to Kanto!"
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Shritistrang
(Posted Tue, 20 Feb 2007 18:43)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.