Ashen Lilies and Scarlet Parsely (PG-13)

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

Sorry for being a really late reviewer, I really enjoyed reading the latest chapter though! Again...

At least you remembered at all.

I'm not sure if I've seen Ash in fear before, maybe go through depression so reading that was a surprise and something new for me.
Also, it was nice to read the Pokemon's feelings and how they reacted with it in little detail, mainly Unfezant though since I don't see much of it in the anime.
"But by who?" caught my attention, almost the whole chapter was suspenseful like this. I still have no idea what's going on with Cat-Like, he's funny while talking to Ash was it?

Ash has been in fear before. Or at least he should've been...
I like to treat the Pokemon like intelligent creatures, because I believe them to be extremely intelligent, only topped by humans slightly. I'll give them some personality too, if the writers haven't done so already.
Cat-Like was being himself.

Poor Cilan, making him such a suspicious character, its like Burgundy replaces as well.
It was scary when Ash almost got caught from one of the members of the Shadow Triad and then N smiling. "Hello there" at Ash was scary and creepy. N and his personal issues with Pokemon, taking it out on the world, sad guy...

It's not a replacement...and Cilan is the suspicious one because he's working for Team Plasma. He's gotten sloppy is all.
N...he's kind of creepy, yeah...I was trying to display that...N was raised incorrectly, Pika, don't hate on him.

The Elemental monkeys don't seem like frightening Pokemon for Team Plasma to be in alliance with. The battles were good, I read a lot of Emolga though.
Pikachu's aim was off? But... But he always using his attacks on Ash... Always... ;~; Ash enjoys getting hit by them.

Come on, man. They practically have only Elemental monkies. What else could they use? ...So?
Pikachu is allowed to miss, and the heat and rush of battle can throw one's aim off. I generally think that if he used an attack at full-killeron power, it wouldn't be very enjoyable to be hit by.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the next chapter! I really like this chapter though, a really good chapter!

Thanks for the kind words and review. Next chapter chapter is kind of moving along...Not really...

[Night Flower]

I really love this story. I know you have things to do, but could you write the next chapter soon? I haven't read a better romantic story between Cilan and Burgundy. Sommeliershipping is my favourite Shipping. That's why I can't wait for the next chapter, but I know I have to be patient (not like Burgundy XD).

Oh... I almost forgot: Burgundy spoke and seemed like she hasn't ever hated Cilan, so I have a question: Was that what you were aiming for?

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

Hello there, I haven't seen you around before

I really love this story. I know you have things to do, but could you write the next chapter soon? I haven't read a better romantic story between Cilan and Burgundy. Sommeliershipping is my favourite Shipping. That's why I can't wait for the next chapter, but I know I have to be patient (not like Burgundy XD).

Thank you for your kind words, and I am really, really, REALLY sorry about the ridiculous delay in the next chapter. Hopefully, if things wirk out the way they should, the chapter should be finished and up sometime in the next two weeks or so. SommelierShipping will be given a better focus in the next few chapters, so I hope I please you. Again, I am sorry about the wait ^^'

Oh... I almost forgot: Burgundy spoke and seemed like she hasn't ever hated Cilan, so I have a question: Was that what you were aiming for?

I feel stupid asking this, but what exactly do you mean? Please explain.

Would you like to be on the PM list, btw?

[Night Flower]

Hello there, I haven't seen you around before

That's because I'm new... sorry.

Thank you for your kind words, and I am really, really, REALLY sorry about the ridiculous delay in the next chapter. Hopefully, if things wirk out the way they should, the chapter should be finished and up sometime in the next two weeks or so. SommelierShipping will be given a better focus in the next few chapters, so I hope I please you. Again, I am sorry about the wait ^^'

Thank you! Really!

I feel stupid asking this, but what exactly do you mean? Please explain.

Well... apparently no... kind of disappointing...

Well, I explain:

Burgundy found her voice first. At first, all she managed was a quiet cough, but on her second try a word full of restrained rage came out.

“…Why…?”

Cilan started. “….What….?”

This time Burgundy’s voice rang out more clear than it ever had before. “Why didn’t you tell us about this?! Why?!”

Cilan swallowed again. “…..I….”

“We would have understood, you know! We would have helped you!! But you didn’t trust us, apparently?! Why not?!”

This wouldn’t be surprising if Burgundy has been always seen Cilan as a friend, but she always saw him as an enemy. When I read that, I said to myself that maybe you were doing that purposely.

Would you like to be on the PM list, btw?

PM list? What’s that?

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

That's because I'm new... sorry.

Do not apologize, we were all new once.

Well... apparently no... kind of disappointing...

Well, I explain:



This wouldn’t be surprising if Burgundy has been always seen Cilan as a friend, but she always saw him as an enemy. When I read that, I said to myself that maybe you were doing that purposely.

Well...you see...

I tried to convey in previous chapters that they were starting to get along better (Cilan saving her, Burgundy saving his butt, having a friendly/rival battle, etc.), and even if that wasn't the case to most, I still personally feel that she doesn't totally despise him; that is what she keeps telling herself and everyone around her. I would go into further detail, but more will be explained in later chapters. I'd hate to spoil, so...

PM list? What’s that?

It means I PM you whenever a new chapter comes out in the fic...Not that it will be soon

[Night Flower]

Er... another question: about that dream...?:

She was dreaming. She was twisting and thrashing as the churning water swirled around her. Eyes shut tight to prevent the water form getting into her sight, she spluttered and coughed as the salty water went into her mouth, and she struggled to get even a single gulp of air.

She wasn’t sure how she had gotten into this sea of turmoil, but now that she had entered the tossing liquor, it seemed impossible to escape. She desperately searched her memory for a trace of why she was here, what this place was, but found nothing. Even more horrifying, she couldn’t remember anything; not her name, her home, her friends…she couldn’t even remember what she looked like.

The dismay at her discovery seemed to drown her worse then the water surrounding her, and she slowly opened her closed eyes, and made yet another startling finding; it wasn’t water at all she was swimming in-- it was blood, scarlet and brackish. She gasped in repulsion, accidentally swallowing the crimson liquor. Dread clouded her mind and she could barely see- only red was in her sight and the saline stench filled her senses. All of a sudden, she felt a hand strike out of nowhere and grab her, pulling her back on the land. She saw, through the cherry coloured haze, a pair of bright green eyes. At this point, in her exhaustion, she thought she was delusional, but the hand, the ground that was now beneath her, was so real…someone had saved her life. But who?

As she gazed deep into those green eyes, the rest of the face obscured by shadows, she saw her own reflection. She saw her face that she didn’t remember. She remembered everything, and the name of her rescuer became caught in her throat.

“…Cilan?”

Does that means that he will rescue her, not only from danger, but from death? Sorry if I'm too curious...

It means I PM you whenever a new chapter comes out in the fic...Not that it will be soon

I like that! Thank you!

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

Er... another question: about that dream...?:



Does that means that he will rescue her, not only from danger, but from death? Sorry if I'm too curious...

It was kind of just there to set the tone of the story, and also to hint of things to come. Feel free to ask questions about the story, I really don't mind

I like that! Thank you!

No, thank you, for reading!

[Night Flower]

Feel free to ask questions about the story, I really don't mind

Thanks... I was worried if I was too curious...

No, thank you, for reading!

I won't read until you update this wonderfull history!

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

I PUKED 4000 WORDS FOR YOU GUYS HA *dead*

The name is deprived from a Higurashi theme that I love that fits the sentimental section of the chapter, and fits the "YOOOOOOOOUU" vibe later in it. ENOUGH OF MY BABBLE REEEEAD

~*~

Chapter Fifteen
You
After a shocking betrayal
The group is in distress
Will they decide with the enemy, a referral?

Burgundy gnawed on the inside of her cheek, and adjusted her position on the log she was sitting on. Dewott and Stoutland gazed at her, concerned. The Connoisseuse merely bit her lip, refusing to look from the ground to her Pokémon. Her usual lavender eyes appeared a much darker shade of purple, like a storm darkening the vivid water in the ocean.

Ash was leaning against a nearby tree, and scuffed at the ground moodily. His eye was narrowed, and its shade was dulled with sullenness. Cat-Like’s constant jabs at his pride weren’t improving his temper at all. Pikachu silently watched the night sky, the white specks of stars reflecting in his dark eyes. Unefezant was perched in a nearby tree. Her eyes were closed, and her wings were open. The Normal/Flying Type was tipping her head up to the sky, refreshing her aching body from the battle a few hours ago with the chilly night breeze.

Iris was sitting on the ground, her knees brought close to her, and Axew snuggling against her chest. Emolga was patting the little Tusk Pokémon on the head as she balanced on her Trainer’s shoulder. Both Pokémon’s eyes were half-closed; they appeared both sleepy and gloomy, as were Iris’s.

All three were mute, not daring to say a word, as if that would confirm that the previous startling events were real, and not a mere dream or illusion. Authenticity or impracticality? That was a question they didn’t dare answer.

Burgundy set a finger on her forehead, and shut her eyes tightly. I can’t believe I said all that, she griped to herself. That was really insensitive of me…why do I always say things like that without thinking? Je suis tellement stupide; why?!

In truth, the Connoisseuse had to admit that she had said many things in the past, all that she had said without thinking. But her pride always got in the way of the apology, and she always ended up defending her silly reasoning.

Dewott’s eyes narrowed as her Trainer’s stress became more and more apparent. She stroked the troubled teenager’s arm, in an attempt to comfort her. Stoutland laid his head on her knees, looking more sullen then ever.

The scar Cilan had left with his sudden betrayal was deep, for all of them. Even though they had been speculating…about Cilan having some connection to the Pokémon kidnapping, but still…to think that all along…!

The Connoisseur’s last words also left a blemish in their memories. It rang in their minds as clearly as it had in the cave, their meaning as clear.

“That…is impossible. It always has been. So, in sense, it would be futile to even think of such impossible ideas. I don’t understand how all this happened. I don’t think I ever will. But I will say this; leave now, and Team Plasma might spare you just this once. But never again. Next time it’ll be for the kill. While you can, leave. Leave this place. If you’re wise, you will never return. But if not…I’m afraid there won’t be a lot left of you.”

The shock that had went through Burgundy as those words sounded out, and she found her own word’s ringing in her mind, as if taunting her own arrogance.

“Why didn’t you tell us about this?! Why?! We would have understood, you know! We would have helped you!! But you didn’t trust us, apparently?! Why not?!”

The Connoisseuse winced, and her hand crumpled into a fist, striking softly against the log, it was shaking so much.

Stoutland looked at Dewott, and the pair exchanged apprehensive gazes. Pikachu and Axew did the same. Emolga covered her eyes with her paws and shook her head sadly, and Unefezant tucked her wings in and dipped her head.

Ash was watching Burgundy, who hadn’t noticed. The Kanto Trainer saw her distress, but Cat-Like’s ranting was making him rather aggravated, too aggravated to try any attempt to talk to the distraught Connoisseuse.

Come on, you pathetic creature. I warned you, didn’t I? About this betrayal. About this—

Shut the hell up, you damn fiend.

Oh, now you’re getting a temper with me?

Yes.

There was silence. Ash could imagine the creature shaking his head and twitching his tail in sick amusement.

…You expected this even before I told you. Right?

Sort...of...

So, thus, why so stunned?

Because…well…Team Plasma—

Team Plasma what? Was an “unlikely” option? Or did you know deep down it was the truth, but you’re so stupid you chose to disbelieve the obvious?!

You…!

Ah-ha!

Ash gritted his teeth at Cat-Like’s insolence. But…was that the truth? Did I really actually believe that? I…I have a feeling that I did…!

Or is it just some memory Cat-Like has implanted in my head? Ugh, I don’t know what I feel anymore! What’s with Cat-Like anyways?! What’s he doing in my head?!

Have I even been myself anymore? Is Cat-Like…doing things to my mind?!

A sudden sharp kick in Ash’s stomach made him almost gasp out in pain, but he held in, fearful that Iris or Burgundy might hear and ask him the problem, which he didn’t know.

Suddenly, there was the sensation of someone grabbing his shoulders, and then hot breath on his face. Ash held back a whimper of fear; there was no visible contact on him, not a wrinkle on his sleeves or a flutter of his bangs…but he felt it…!!

Burgundy, meanwhile, had chewed so much on the inside of her cheek that it was bleeding. The salty taste of the liquid made her cringe as she remembered her dream a few nights before…and she jolted right out of her slump upon the memory.

Now that she thought about it, the Connoisseuse had undergone that dream several nights in a row. All of them were extremely similar, but the ending was always a little different. That first one had Cilan’s brilliant green eyes in it…and another she remembered them like slits, like back in the cave. Another had her suddenly tumble down a waterfall of blood…and yet another had her…wait a second…

Burgundy forced the last one out her mind, blushing rather noticeably. Now wasn’t the time for starry-eyed reminiscing; now was the time to act.

The Connoisseuse stood up, and Iris started at this. Ash didn’t even react; his upper face was hidden from the shadows of his hat.

Burgundy looked to both of them, the silence deafening. “Vous deux,” she began, “What do you think?”

Iris raised an eyebrow at the question. “What do you mean?” she asked, and gave Ash a rather curious glance, as the Kanto Trainer was still silent.

Burgundy took a deep breath, and spoke. “What do you think we should do about Cilan? Should we just leave him, ou devrions-nous essayer, should we give him another chance? ”

“Why bother?”

Ash’s words sent a chill through both girls’ bodies. It didn’t sound exactly like his voice…it sounded colder, darker. Not him at all…?

“Why bother giving him another chance? It’s obvious that he’s turned his back on us. If we give him another chance, he’s just going to crush us. Don’t you remember what he said?! Fools!”

Ash had lifted his head up, single eye a startling shade of scarlet, rather than his usual brown. A cold laugh was vibrating out of him…that was odd. Odd for Ash, anyways…

Iris swallowed hard, and approached the Kanto Trainer cautiously. The air around him felt warped as she set a hand on his shoulder. “Ash…are you…?”

Ash suddenly jolted, and lowered his head, shaking it as if to clear it. When he looked up again, his eye’s colour had returned to its usual auburn. “Nevermind…” he mumbled, looking unnerved. From the Kanto Trainer’s expression, he was just as troubled about the sudden…conversion as the other two were.

Iris took a breath and turned back to Burgundy, who was eyeing Ash the way a mouse eyed a cat; like he was going to pounce and eat her any second. Funnily enough, Cat-Like’s feline characteristics suited the previous sentence and thought perfectly.

Ash gave Burgundy a rather apologetic shrug. “Um…” he began, cringing as Burgundy’s judgmental gaze made his insides squirm. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t. I have no idea where…that came from. Though I feel as if I should have a vague idea.”

The latter utterance came out in the same eerie tone as Ash had spoken in a minute ago. The Kanto Trainer slapped himself, muttering something about stroke. Iris and Burgundy gave him a rather worried glance before continuing the conversation.

“You want to give Cilan another chance?” Iris prompted. Burgundy nodded, and ran a finger through her violet curls before speaking.

“I mean, I know he said all that…toutes ces choses cruelles, but for some reason, I don’t really think he meant all of it.”

Ash nodded slowly. “It doesn’t really seem likely that Cilan’s been with us for so long, even though he’s been with Team Plasma for pretty long, I think he would feel guilty after…y’know.”

The word “betrayal” was refusing to come out of his mouth for some reason. It aggravated Ash. His irritation was ignored by his female companions, much to his further annoyance.

Burgundy nodded herself, and continued. “Personnellment, I think that, if we run into him again, we should give him another chance. Oui?”

Ash looked to the ground, at Pikachu; the Mouse Pokémon was gazing at him with a look of sadness, and he nodded in agreement to Burgundy’s suggestion. Unefezant fluttered down, alighting near her Trainer; she nodded in agreement as well.

Axew bobbed his head energetically, and Emolga smiled and let out a twitter. The pair of Pokémon were concurring to the Connoiseuse’s proposal. Iris stroked them both on the head, grinning.

Burgundy felt a small smile form on her formally gloomy face. Nous le ferons! We’ll set Cilan right! I know we will; Je le crois!

~*~

I don’t think I will be able to handle this any longer…All this deceiving, all the lies, all the pain I inflict upon my friends, and myself…I cannot take this any longer!

Cilan bit his lip, and crumpled his hand, which had been resting at his side, into a fist. His green eyes were alight with emotional conflict; they were like little emerald fireflies in the darkness.

But I have my promises and my vow…I can’t take back what I said so many years ago! I’ve sworn my loyalty, so I’m in a lifelong commitment…

The Connoisseur looked at his hands, and narrowed his eyes. The fireflies became smaller. …Right?

The wall he was leaning against suddenly felt as unreliable as his mind. Everything seemed to clear at first…but now Cilan wasn’t sure what to do. Right and wrong were jumbled and hazy; they seemed to dance just out of reach before him. Whenever he tried to grasp them, they slid away from his clutch like sand.

The sudden sound of footsteps brought Cilan out of his mind. When he looked up, he saw his brothers looking at him with concern.

“…Mm?”

Chili was the first to speak of the two, with Cress nodding in agreement as he did so. “Hey, Cilan, are you okay, man? You’re…kinda quiet.”

Cilan looked down. “Uhm…”

“Seriously, man…It’s not like you.”

“Y-yeah, I guess…”

“Seriously.”

“Oh.”

It had taken Cilan longer than normal to realize that by “seriously”, Chili meant, “Tell us what’s wrong”. Typically, Cilan would realize what his brother was saying right away, but this time he was unmindful to it. That really emphasized how off he was; Chili was even more worried, as was Cress.

“…I’m not sure what to do anymore. I-I…I don’t know what…what I should…What I should think or say or do…I just don’t…know…”

Cress’s hand was on his shoulder. The Water-Type user’s blue eyes sparkled with concern. “Cilan…don’t forget who we are. No matter what, we’re still tied to what we must do; it’s who we are.”

“…How dare you suggest I’ve forgotten,” Cilan muttered, his tone unusually dark. “I will never forget any of it. Never…

…But I wish I could…”

The threatening utterance became an aching whisper in the Connoisseur’s throat. The words he had spoken felt profane, and wrong, wrong to everything he believed in, but they were so, so, true. They were so true they hurt.

In an instant Cilan felt a sudden rush of memories pervade his mind, his thoughts. He cringed and set a hand on his forehead, wincing as the painful recollections gathered from somewhere deep inside him. His eyes were not seeing what was in front of him anymore; what he saw, were things no longer there.

“Momma! Papa! Wake up, wake up!”

“Noo…” Cilan hissed under his breath, not hearing the gasps of fear from his brothers. “Get out of my head…”

“Momma? Papa? What’s wrong? Why are you still sleeping?”

He gritted his teeth. “No…no…”

The gentle gurgle. The salty stench. The red…the crimson liquid seemed everywhere at once, following his every sense. It seemed to be taunting him…

“No…no no no no…”

“Cilan!” Both Cress and Chili cried, but their brother could no longer hear them. His mind was consumed by things best left forgotten. How ironic that he had been saying only a few short heartbeats ago how he would never forget. Ah, but that was the trigger.

“What am I gonna do? What about Chili? And Cress? And me? What are we gonna—Hhh!”

“Oh God…n-no…g-go away, go away!”

“Cilan, dude, snap out of it, man!!”

“C-Cilan..?!”

The rush of terror soon becoming a spark of hope. “Help me…help me…”

“I’ll help you. I’ll help you all…I just…need something from you.”

“..Huh?”

“I need something in return, little one.”

“In return…I’ll…I’ll…help you.”

“…No…Not again, not this again!!”

“CILAN!”

The two person-powered scream was what snapped Cilan out of the past; that, and a sharp slap from Cress. The Connoisseur was reeling from the sudden turmoil and from the shock of getting out of the tide, like someone just being released from warm water currents and brought up to the freezing air above the surface.

For one heartbeat the triplets were staring at each other with an expression of pure fear. The heartbeat seemed to last for hours. The moment passed, and the sudden sharp thud of footsteps brought them out of their short trance.

It was Ghetsis. The sage was approaching them, and he nodded in recognition as the trio quickly bowed to him. The silence didn’t last very long before their Master spoke.

“I need you right away, Shadow Triad; I fear we may have a problem with… certain people discovering our location because…of certain reasons.” he stated, and though he spoke calmly, a leering eyebrow raise at Cilan made the room seemingly drop in several degrees.

Ghetsis gave a composed smile before speaking again. “There is a place nearby, by the name of Victory Road,”—here all three brothers stiffened—“and we are heading for that very place. There are many Trainers there, and we can fulfill Team Plasma’s goal…”

The sage trailed off, and Cilan exchanged a worried glance at Chili, and Cress gave the floor a look of anxiety. Now the line between their Shadow Triad selves and Striaton Gym Leader selves was becoming thicker. It felt like…there were two different people now…six people in three bodies…

“Before we go…may I ask you all a favor?”

That really got their attention. Ghetsis’s didn’t ask for favors; he decreed, he ordered, but most definitely didn’t ask. Something was up.

Ghetsis’s smile suddenly seemed to contain a trace of superciliousness as the trio before him looked up with curiosity.

“May I hear it once more? It has been many, many years since I last heard it…Besides, I feel as if the loyalty of my followers has been… wavering the last few months…”

Cilan swallowed hard. It was painfully obvious where Ghetsis had gotten that idea. Very painful, and very obvious.

Nevertheless, the triplets were the servants of the unpleasant sage, and they had to comply with their orders…no matter what.

Three voices normally distinct from the other blended into one, defeated vocal sound, and the words were as such.

“I am Shadow. I am the servant of my Master, the follower of my Lord. I have sworn to obey, and obey in unison with my fellow Shadows. I am the night that binds the soul, and I will submit.”

Cilan’s heart gave a beat, and at last broke into a many, many pieces, and scattered every which way. They seemed to be fleeing, running away from him. Because he didn’t need it anymore. It didn’t matter.

Nothing, he thought grimly, will ever matter.

~*~

Burgundy ducked behind a tree at the sound of possibly unfriendly footsteps. Ash sidestepped in the wake of a tree to her right, and Iris did the same to the Connoisseuse’s left. Her eyes darted to the treetops, and she was relieved to see Pikachu, Axew, and Dewott safely hidden in the convoluted tangle of the tree branches and leaves.

The group had decided to try locating Team Plasma, because Iris was certain they had to be nearby. After all, it isn’t humanly possible to appear fifty miles away from your current location on foot without traveling for a very long time.

Burgundy narrowed her eyes as she thought, Merde…We can’t confront Team Plasma right away, or else we will be crushed! We just have to figure out if they’re going to steal more Pokemon, and if Cilan is actually standing for it!

The Connoisseuse shook her head slowly as Ash made a gesture to move ahead. As the Kanto Trainer backed away, the sound of feet against earth reached their ears. A flash of gray told them all they needed to know; a Plasma grunt!

Of course there was a Plasma grunt; where there was Ghetsis, there was at least a dozen grunts. Burgundy cursed silently, and then the Connoisseuse made a gesture at Dewott.

The Water-Type understood, and leapt forwards to the tree nearest to the grunt, and balanced above his head. Her dark eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene before her.

There wasn’t simply a single Plasma grunt; it was a threesome, all pacing about, discussing something too quietly for her to hear or understand. Dewott lifted her scallchop upwards, and prepared a Razor Shell, and then, figuring it was better to go simple, withdrew the Razor Shell, and just dropped the scallchops on two of the grunt’s heads.

The grunts only had the time to barely lift their gaze to the see the Water-Type when the scallchops smacked the back of their skulls hard, knocking them out cold. The third one, startled, began to look up as well, but Dewott jumped and belted the grunt in the face, the impact stunning him. The Sea Otter smacked him hard on the forehead with her tail, and he blacked out.

Dewott smirked and turned to her Trainer, who nodded in appreciation at the deed.

Then, Burgundy, closely followed by Iris, who was tailed by Ash, crept by the unconscious grunts and proceeded forward into foliage. Each adolescent hid behind a tree, pressing themselves against the rough bark to cling to the shadows. Dewott adhered to her Trainer, Pikachu hopped onto Ash’s head without a sound, and Axew jumped into Iris’s hair with naught more than a squeak.

There was a lengthy silence, only broken by the wind making the branches above them quiver, and the occasional twitter or call of a wild Pokemon, as well as the scuffle or flutter as they departed. Everyone held their breath as they waited for the assurance of no corrupt company.

A voice suddenly came up into the air, and Burgundy felt a rush of…fear? Eagerness? Or was it something else?

But as the sound of the voices became clearer, the rush became definite fear. They weren’t the voices that she had been anticipating to hear.

“So, Master Ghetsis said that we would find ‘em ‘round here, eh?”

“Shut up, you imbecile! They’ll hear you!”

Dread prickled inside Ash, Iris, and Burgundy, inside their minds. Ash dared a peek from behind the tree, and spotted two men in grey and blue uniforms…Team Plasma grunts!

He ducked behind the tree, and mouthed those three words to his companions. Pikachu attempted to regain balance on his Trainer’s head as he moved it. The Mouse Pokemon was tipping precariously over the left side of Ash’s head tail-first.

Iris and Burgundy exchanged worried glances as the grunt voices became louder, and crackling footsteps approached them. Though they didn’t seem aware of the trio’s position, they most certainly were searching for them, and if something wasn’t done, all three Trainers would be found.

Pikachu was beginning to slip, now, and in an attempt to regain balance, swung his lower end over to the rim of Ash’s hat. Unfortunately, his feet pushed the brim down, obscuring Ash’s vision and sending him stumbling backwards, hissing in surprise.

The footsteps and voices stopped, and Ash fell on his rump at Iris and Burgundy’s feet. All three stiffened, and Pikachu inwardly cursed himself for being careless.

There was a crushing silence, and then soft footsteps approaching them. Their presence was now known; it was no longer a surprise attack, because they had lost the element of surprise. Now they were caught between two decisions; they could either remain in place and fight, or flee the scene as fast as they could.

It took them three seconds to agree on which option to pick. The Plasma grunts crashed through the foliage, and as soon as they came into view, all three Trainers bolted in the opposite direction.

Burgundy swore silently at their luck; the bombshell factor they had held for a few short moments had vanished, and now the forest had never seemed so frightening before. Every shadow felt like the enemy, and every noise, even the ones she made herself as she fled, made her heart race against her feet in speed.

A blast from an attack struck the ground in front of her; she fell to the ground as debris flew from where the attack had struck.

A tail was on her shoulder, and Burgundy turned to face its owner; a lean purple and white feline with a smug expression. She was quickly followed by her Team Plasma grunt Trainer.

The Liepard’s smirk seemed to grow as Burgundy’s eyes narrowed in grim anticipation. The Connoisseuse reached for a Pokeball in her belt, but it turned out there was no need; Dewott jumped forth from seemingly nowhere and pounded the Cruel Pokemon on the skull with a Razor Shell.

The Dark-Type twirled and sped backwards, wincing, before flashing yet another sneer, jumping at her opponent with shadowy claws. The Night Slash attack raked empty air; Dewott was already above her opponent and smashed a Water Pulse at in her face.

Liepard backed away again, this time gagging and blinking furiously as the water engulfed her simpering expression. She shot the offending Dewott a hateful glare.

The two Pokemon leered at each other for a few stretched heartbeats before Dewott raised her paws up and summoned up another Water Pulse, and thrust it at the Dark Type before her. Liepard jumped and slashed it, sending water droplets everywhere with another Night Slash.

The Water Type cringed and stepped back. Liepard landed neatly on the ground, and didn’t waste a moment as she spun and opened her maw wide, blasting the Discipline Pokemon with a shining crimson-stained ray.

The Hyper Beam sent Dewott sprawling. She gave a cry as she fell on her side, sliding at her Trainer, stopping directly before her.

Burgundy’s eyes widened, and even though she uttered her Pokemon’s name, the said creature did not respond, merely twitching weakly in an attempt to do so.

She trained her eyes upwards, and Liepard and her Trainer sneered at her, making her flash a grimace.

That was when the Cruel Pokemon lived up to its name, because it placed its front paws on the fallen Dewott and sunk her claws into her fur. Burgundy opened her mouth to yell in outrage, but the Dark-Type thumped her hard across her face with a firm tail.

Than everything went totally, utterly, black.

~*~

Gaaaah, this chapter feels rushed...please give my some help on that. I gave you all moar DentCab because of reasons. I gave you depressing crud because of reasons. I'm babbling because of reasons. I FEEL LIKE AN A-HOLE NOW.

This chapter has nice quotes though XD "Wavering that last few months. WAVERING! Though I feel like I should have a vague idea."

I'm going to go back to being dead now. *dead*

[midnightjewelz]

Yay, another lovely chapter! Anyway...POOR DEWOTT. My heart goes to him.

And also I loved how you ended the chapter. Such a cliffhanger. Ugh.

Anyway keep up the great work. I'll be looking forward to the next chapter.

[Night Flower]

To tell you the truth... this chapter wasn't as wonderfull as the previous ones... sorry if I offended you...

But yet, thank you for the new chapter!

And one question:

Now that she thought about it, the Connoisseuse had undergone that dream several nights in a row. All of them were extremely similar, but the ending was always a little different. That first one had Cilan’s brilliant green eyes in it…and another she remembered them like slits, like back in the cave. Another had her suddenly tumble down a waterfall of blood…and yet another had her…wait a second…

In the fourth one... Were they kissing? Sorry, I'm sickly a SommlierShippier...

[Winter Storm]

I actually got to read it before the weekend! *feels accomplished*

It's been so long since the last chapter so I kind of had to go back and re-read parts of chapter 14. ^^; I was glad I at least managed to understand this chapter because apparently when I'm sick, my brain decides to just act stupid. :P

Anyways, it was a great chapter all together, and I definitely felt like it wasn't rushed like you mentioned it to be. Your descriptions are still getting better; to be honest, I could actually picture the first scene pretty well in my head as if I had been watching it on TV!

For some weird reason, I started laughing when Cat-like was speaking for Ash. Just the thought of Ash saying things like that after knowing his actual personality in the anime or him being possessed was somehow funny for me. Especially the part when he said "Fools!" xD

I literally cringed at the image of Leopard sinking her claws in Dewott. That poor creature! I don't even know what to say about that scene except that now I no longer like Leopards... *shudders*

I liked how you were sort of trying to explain Cilan's past of how he became part of Team Plasma. It was nice how you inserted it in there quite smoothly.

Gah, you and your cliffhangers Moonlight! Now I have to wait another couple of weeks or maybe even months for the next chapter! But as long as they keep turning out like this, I wouldn't mind the wait. Keep up the great work~

[Ninja Bulbasaur]

Ash gave Burgundy a rather apologetic shrug. “Um…” he began, cringing as Burgundy’s judgmental gaze made his insides squirm. “I didn’t mean it. I didn’t. I have no idea where…that came from. Though I feel as if I should have a vague idea.”

Sweet baby Mew, you killed me on that part :U

Anyways, I personally think this chapter was a nice (?) breather chapter after the shock from the previous. I'm very happy that this finally got up fast enough-even though the gap was huge- and it was very intresting. The DentCabe was nicely balanced in this chapter, with the SatoAi. Very pleased with how this ended up. Only thing I can say is that there is quite a handful of two-setence paragraphs in this chapter. Try and lengthen your paragraphs so they aren't as...short.

Now for the other quotes.

In an instant Cilan felt a sudden rush of memories pervade his mind, his thoughts. He cringed and set a hand on his forehead, wincing as the painful recollections gathered from somewhere deep inside him. His eyes were not seeing what was in front of him anymore; what he saw, were things no longer there.

“Momma! Papa! Wake up, wake up!”

“Noo…” Cilan hissed under his breath, not hearing the gasps of fear from his brothers. “Get out of my head…”

“Momma? Papa? What’s wrong? Why are you still sleeping?”

He gritted his teeth. “No…no…”

The gentle gurgle. The salty stench. The red…the crimson liquid seemed everywhere at once, following his every sense. It seemed to be taunting him…

“No…no no no no…”

“Cilan!” Both Cress and Chili cried, but their brother could no longer hear them. His mind was consumed by things best left forgotten. How ironic that he had been saying only a few short heartbeats ago how he would never forget. Ah, but that was the trigger.

“What am I gonna do? What about Chili? And Cress? And me? What are we gonna—Hhh!”

“Oh God…n-no…g-go away, go away!”

“Cilan, dude, snap out of it, man!!”

“C-Cilan..?!”

The rush of terror soon becoming a spark of hope. “Help me…help me…”

“I’ll help you. I’ll help you all…I just…need something from you.”

“..Huh?”

“I need something in return, little one.”

“In return…I’ll…I’ll…help you.”

“…No…Not again, not this again!!”

“CILAN!”

My heart...oh Cheezus, that hurt.

“Before we go…may I ask you all a favor?”

That really got their attention. Ghetsis’s didn’t ask for favors; he decreed, he ordered, but most definitely didn’t ask. Something was up.

Ghetsis’s smile suddenly seemed to contain a trace of superciliousness as the trio before him looked up with curiosity.

“May I hear it once more? It has been many, many years since I last heard it…Besides, I feel as if the loyalty of my followers has been… wavering the last few months…”

WAAAAVERING

Now that she thought about it, the Connoisseuse had undergone that dream several nights in a row. All of them were extremely similar, but the ending was always a little different. That first one had Cilan’s brilliant green eyes in it…and another she remembered them like slits, like back in the cave. Another had her suddenly tumble down a waterfall of blood…and yet another had her…wait a second…

Burgundy forced the last one out her mind, blushing rather noticeably. Now wasn’t the time for starry-eyed reminiscing; now was the time to act.

Oh dat nosebleed moment /SHOT UNTIL DEAD/

Anyways, I do believe this fic is almost/is one years old?

Ninja

[Moonlight Amaryllis]

Yay, another lovely chapter! Anyway...POOR DEWOTT. My heart goes to him.

I'm glad you liked it, and yes, I felt bad for poor ole Dewott myself. Except she's a chick ^^

And also I loved how you ended the chapter. Such a cliffhanger. Ugh.

Cliffhangers are my speciality. 8D

Anyway keep up the great work. I'll be looking forward to the next chapter.

Thank you for reviewing, and I'll try to get the next chapter done...err, faster than this one.

To tell you the truth... this chapter wasn't as wonderfull as the previous ones... sorry if I offended you...

It's alright, I wasn't a fan of this chapter myself. It felt too rushed and the like.

But yet, thank you for the new chapter!

Ha-ha, you're welcome!

And one question:



In the fourth one... Were they kissing? Sorry, I'm sickly a SommlierShippier...

That is entirely up to the reader to decide. I will share nothing, and neither will Burgundy. Take your pick of what you think.

Anyways, thank you for reviewing!

I actually got to read it before the weekend! *feels accomplished*

*insert Fluttershy's cheer*

It's been so long since the last chapter so I kind of had to go back and re-read parts of chapter 14. ^^; I was glad I at least managed to understand this chapter because apparently when I'm sick, my brain decides to just act stupid. :P

I don't blame you. Three months is a very long time ^^

Anyways, it was a great chapter all together, and I definitely felt like it wasn't rushed like you mentioned it to be. Your descriptions are still getting better; to be honest, I could actually picture the first scene pretty well in my head as if I had been watching it on TV!

Are you sure the chapter didn't feel a little rushed or bland? Because that's the way it felt to me, but I couldn't think of how to edit it, and I knew you were all clambering to read it, so--!
Thank you, I was trying to do that! I'm glad I've improved!

For some weird reason, I started laughing when Cat-like was speaking for Ash. Just the thought of Ash saying things like that after knowing his actual personality in the anime or him being possessed was somehow funny for me. Especially the part when he said "Fools!" xD

My sister and I cracked up while reading that part, especially with, "Though I feel I should have a vague idea." Granted, that section wasn't meant to be funny, but it actually turned darkly humourous in its own weird way. Ha-ha, fanfiction X)

I literally cringed at the image of Leopard sinking her claws in Dewott. That poor creature! I don't even know what to say about that scene except that now I no longer like Leopards... *shudders*

*rubs hands together evilly*

I liked how you were sort of trying to explain Cilan's past of how he became part of Team Plasma. It was nice how you inserted it in there quite smoothly.

*nervous laugh* I thought it was too obscure and random, but I'm glad you thought it wasn't so ^^

Gah, you and your cliffhangers Moonlight! Now I have to wait another couple of weeks or maybe even months for the next chapter! But as long as they keep turning out like this, I wouldn't mind the wait. Keep up the great work~

Ha-ha, I enjoy making you all suffer XD. But thank you for being able to wait, because I fear this one will take...as long...*cringes*

Thanks for reviewing, though!

Sweet baby Mew, you killed me on that part :U

I killed myself.

Anyways, I personally think this chapter was a nice (?) breather chapter after the shock from the previous. I'm very happy that this finally got up fast enough-even though the gap was huge- and it was very intresting. The DentCabe was nicely balanced in this chapter, with the SatoAi. Very pleased with how this ended up. Only thing I can say is that there is quite a handful of two-setence paragraphs in this chapter. Try and lengthen your paragraphs so they aren't as...short.

LOL, "nice(?)". I apoligize for the horrible length of time this took; writer's block -_-. I was trying to balance the shippings more as the fanfic progressed, but DenCab will get more and more spotlight...and then it won't. It is too difficult to write about two pairings at once! I'm happy to hear you liked it, and yes, still the fecking one/two-sentence paragraphs. They look longer on Word! D:

Now for the other quotes.

Uh-oh.

My heart...oh Cheezus, that hurt.

MWAHAHAHA!!

I mean, oh, sorry...

WAAAAVERING

WAAAAAAAAAAAVERING.

Oh dat nosebleed moment /SHOT UNTIL DEAD/

*points at your shot body* WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!

Anyways, I do believe this fic is almost/is one years old?

Ninja

The first "anniversary" of my fic.

Was like three or four days ago.

WHY I NO KNOW THIS?! *wallows in shame*