Copyright~ Nintendo and 4Kids own Pokémon not me (sigh)
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The Encounter
By Vidalark
	Ash and team were walking through a frozen mountain wasteland.  They had decided that they needed to take a short cut to reach the next town before Gary Oak.  They hadn't realized how cold it would be so they hadn't thought to rethink their plan of action.  Fortunatly they had recently stocked up on new supplies and under much advisement from a Nurse Joy bought some new winter clothes.
	They were all heavily bundled and yet they were still cold.  Pikachu was burried in Ash's coat and Ash hugged Pikachu as close to his body as he could without crushing her.  Misty held Togepi close to her and then ended up placing the baby pokémon in a pokéball to keep it warm.  Brock didn't really have to worry about his pokémon but he was worried about himself and his friends.  They were lost and their supplies would only last for so long before they would have nothing.
	"Ash are you sure that we are going the right way?"  Misty asked him as she walked a bit closer to him.  They had been together for a couple of years and she had felt herself drawn to him.  He still hadn't paid her back for her bike but she didn't care, it gave her good reason to stay with him.
	"Not anymore.  Someone messed with our map and now we're lost."  Ash said as he pointed to a bunch of black ink lines that were scribbled all over the entire area of the ice region.
	"What?!"  both Misty and Brock screamed.
	"We're going to freeze to death in these mountains and it is all your fault Ash!"  Misty screamed.  She instantly regreted what she said.
	"Fine it's my fault.  I admit it everything is my fault.  I broke your bike so you have had to follow me around for two years and now I have gotten us lost again so we can all die!  Are you happy I have admitted that it is all my fault!"  Ash screamed and began to run.  Snow blinded him along with his tears.
	"Misty we had better find him before something bad happens to him."  Brock said.  He thought of Ash a younger brother and Misty a younger sister.  He didn't like seeing either of them hurt physically or mentally and right now Ash was torn up inside and he knew it.
	"Right.  Man how could I have been so heartless?  It isn't Ash's fault that someone screwed around with the map."  Misty said.  

	"Pikachu kachu?"  (Ash are you alright?)
	"Oh Pikachu, Misty must really think that I'm a real jerk now.  We're all going to freeze to death and it is my fault."  Ash said as hot tears fell from his eyes and landed on Pikachu's head.
	"Pika, pi chu.  Kachu pi."  (Ash, don't worry.  It isn't your fault.)
	"Man how can I tell Misty how I feel about her now?  She can't possibly feel the sameway I feel about her.  Man she has hated me ever since I broke her stupid bike.  If we ever get out of these mountains I'm going to pay her back and she can just leave and go on and follow her own path."  Ash said.
	"Pikachu chu chu pi!"  (Ash she loves you I just know it!)
	"No she hates me!  I'll prove it to you."  Ash said as he stormed off to find Misty and Brock.

	"Ash!  Where are you?"  Misty and Brock shouted out.
	"Where can he be?"  Misty asked.  She felt that she had finally driven him compeletly away from her.  Her heart felt like it was caving in on its self from her grief.
	"Wait there he is!"  Brock said as he pointed to the figure of Ash.  Misty's heart lept with joy at the very sight of him.  
	"Misty I want to talk to you right now."  Ash said.  His voice was unsteady. They couldn't tell if it was from the cold or from having had done extra walking.
	"Sure."  Misty said.
	"Brock I want you to stay as a witness so I don't have to hear anything from Pikachu."  Ash said as he handed her over to Brock.  Pikachu instantly sought out the warmth of inside Brock's coat but kept her head out so she could see what would happen.
	"Uh sure."  Brock said as he watched Ash.
	"Alright I'm only going to say this once.  I don't expect anything from you and you can do what ever you want after I'm done talking alright?"  Ash asked.
	"Sure."  Misty said uncertain as to what Ash was up to.
	"Alright, Misty I love you alright.  I don't know why I do, but I do.  I know that you hate me and most likely want to leave the group as soon as you can so when we get out of these mountains I am going to give you the money for your bike and you can leave and I'll stay out of your life forever."  Ash said.  Tears were comming from his eyes as he spoke.  He felt like he was being torn up inside.  He stood stone stiff and the only sign that he gave to being alive was the onslaught of tears that was streaming from is eyes.
	Misty stood in shock as she thought of what Ash had just said to her.  He had told her that he loves her.  What hit her harder then those words however was when he said that he believed that she hated him.
	"Ash I...I...I love you also."  Misty said as she threw herself into his arms.  She burried her face into his shoulder and cried.  Brock was feeling kind of left out but Pikachu hugged him as if to let him know that he wasn't forgotten.
	"Don't play with me.  I know you hate me.  You yell at me everyday, hit me, and insult me.  If you even cared about me you wouldn't do those kinda things to me."  Ash said as he pushed her away from him.  Misty, Brock, and Pikachu stared in shock.  They hadn't ever thought that Ash would act this way.
	"Ash I'm not lieing!  I love you with all of my heart."  Misty cried.
	"No you don't.  You just want the money for your stinking bike.  I'll be out of your life in a few days so just leave me alone until I have your money."  Ash said.  He felt guilty about his harsh words but he felt certain that after Misty had her money in hand she would leave him so he didn't want to disillusion himself that she really loved him.
	"Ash, Misty isn't lieing."  Brock said.
	"Oh so you want to make me feel bad too huh?  Fine go ahead.  I don't need anyone!  I know that I have been keeping you from your dream because I see how you act when you see breeder shops.  You think you have to watch me and Misty because we fight all the time, well you're as free to go as she is."  Ash said.  His emotions were so stirred up in him by this point that his words weren't all ment be spoken.
	"Ash..."  Brock began, but was cut off when Ash turned and ran off.
	"What is wrong with Ash?"  Misty asked.  She was still crying but she desperatly wanted to know why he was suddenly trying to defend himself against his friends.
	"I don't know.  Pikachu do you think you can find him?"  Brock said.
	"Pi."  (Yeah)  Pikachu lept from Brock's coat and led them to a cliff.  Ash was standing on the edge of the cliff looking down.
	"Ash no."  Misty said.
	"What think I'm going to jump?  You wish.  I always keep my promises so don't worry you'll get your money."  Ash said with a bitter laugh.
	"Ash what the hell is wrong with you?"  Brock asked.
	"Nothing!  What makes you guys think that there is anything wrong with me?"  Ash asked.
	"For one you are acting like the entire world is against you."  Brock said.
	"So what."  Ash barked out.  He was choking on his own tears now.  He really didn't know what was wrong with him.  He also felt afraid now.  Misty said that she loved him and he couldn't tell if she was teasing him or not.
	"Ash please we can help you."  Misty pleded.
	"I don't need help.  Just leave me alone."  Ash said.
	"Come on Misty we had better set up camp.  Hey that cave over there looks like a good spot for now."  Brock said.
	
	"Pikachu what is wrong with me?"  Ash asked her as he held her tightly in his arms.
	"Pika pi pi chu."  (How should I know.)
	"I.... what the... hey look there is something at the top of that mountain."  Ash said as he pointed to a blue dot that stood out.
	"Chu."  (I don't know)
	"Hey its kicking up the snow.  Its tying to cause an avelanch!  Misty Brock get out of there now!"  Ash screamed as he ran to them.

	"What is he hollering about now?"  Brock asked.  He was a little upset with his friend and didn't really want to hear Ash ranting about anything at the time.
	"Don't know but he looks like he is trying to tell us something."  Misty said.  Her heart was broken and she didn't really know what to do.
	"Hmm... let him come to us and then talk.  I just got this fire going and I'm not moving."  Brock said.
	"Yeah."  Misty said.
	At this time snow ice and rock was falling down the side of the mountain at an alarming speed.  Ash and Pikachu couldn't reach the cave in time to warn his friends.  The entrance was swiftly blocked.
	"AHHHHHH!!!  Brock we're trapped!"   Misty cried when she saw the rush of snow land in front of the entrance way.	
	"And this is the only way out."  Brock said.  His voice was filled with fear.

	"NO!!!!   Misty, Brock!"  Ash screamed as he reached the cave.  
	"Ash are you there?!"  a voice screamed.
	"Yeah!  Are you guys alright?"  
	"Yeah.  We're trapped.  You have to go and get help."  the voice told him.
	"Right."  Ash said.  He was about to turn and run but decided that trying to get help would take to long.  He pulled out every pokéball that he had and opened them all.
	"Char?  Charizard?"  (Huh?  What is going on?)
	"Squirtle."  (It's cold.)
	"Guys we have to move these rocks.  Misty and Brock are trapped and we have to save them."  Ash said as he looked at his pokémon.  They looked at him and then they all realized that they were the only ones who could save their friends.  Ash had started to throw ice and rocks away from the cave opening.  All of the pokémon pitched in and began to help Ash clear the way.  Ash sent Pidgiotto out to bring back help.

	"I'm so cold Brock.  Whay did we have to put the fire out?"  Misty asked as she huddled next to Brock in the dark.
	"Because the fire would burn off our air faster then us breathing."  Brock said.  Their teeth were chattering and if they had some form of light they would have noticed that they were slowly turing blue.
	"I hope Ash gets back here soon."  Misty said.
	"Me too.  Hey did you really mean what you said to Ash?"  Brock asked.  He knew that talking would use up more air but they both had to stay awake if they were to survive.
	"Yeah I did."  Misty said as she looked down.
	"I thought so."  Brock said.
	"Huh?  What do you mean by that?"  Misty asked.
	"You two act like a pair of love birds.  You fight but you stay together dispite what happens."  Brock said.
	"Yeah, I just hope that Ash gets over his attitude and realize that I really do love him."  Misty said as she began to cry.  The scene of him announcing his love to her replayed in her mind but it wasn't the scene that she had dreamed of, but it was the one that tore at her.
	"Hey look I think I see some light."  Brock said as he popinted to a thin stream of grey light.
	"Who's there?"  Misty asked.
	"It's me Ash!  Is everything alright?"  Ash asked.
	"Yeah.  We had to out our fire out so we're really cold but other than that we're fine."  Brock said.

	Ash was very tired from the work that he was doing.  His Pokémon were in the same shape as he was, but none of them were about to give up.  He had a few cuts from sharp edge ice and rocks but the minor pain didn't stop him.  Pikachu knew that if Ash didn't stop soon he was going to collapse, but if they did stop Brock and Misty would most likely die.  Pikachu knew that their trapped friends had all of their food and water so they couldn't get anything to drink.
	"Charizard use fire spin to melt more of this ice.  Try to heat up some rocks too.  Guys Charizard is trying to heat up some rocks, try to find them and stay next to them."  Ahs said as he thought of how cold they had to be.
	"We found them."  Brock shouted out.
	"Good stay there and try to keep warm."  Ash said.

	"Articuno?   Cuno arti cu, cuno!"  (What the?  Oh no you don't, die human!)  the blue dot that Ash and Pikachu had spotted was none other than the ledgendary Articuno.  It had gaurded the mountains for many years and had made sure that any humans that got to close to its nest were killed.  It didn't care since humans in its minds eye, were all cruel and caught what ever wasn't human.
	
	"Thank God Ash is still here to save us."  Misty said.
	"I wouldn't cheer to much.  We have been stuck in here for quite sometime and if he and his Pokémon are trying to get us out then that means he's becoming exhausted and since we have the water he is going to be dehydrated and probably near the point of hypothermia."  Brock said.
	"No he can't.  He is going to save us and everything is going to be fine."  Misty said as she pressed her body closer to the warm rock.

	"Hey I think if we can move this rock they'll be free."  Ash said as he looked at the largest ice covered boulder.
	"Bulba bulbasaur!"  (Then let's do it!)
	"Right, guys we need you to push at the largest rock that is blocking the exit.  If we can get rid of it then you'll be free."  Ash said as he pushed his hand through and opening to point to the boulder.
	"Right.  Give us a minute to gather our stuff and we'll be ready."  Brock said.  they quckly threw their things together and hollared when they were ready.  They pushed the largest rock until it was finally moved from the entrance.  Misty and Brock were blinded momentarily when they were free.  Ash and his Pokémon cheered, they had saved their friends and everything was going to be alright.  What no one noticed was that above their heads was an angery Articuno who decided that the two freed humans weren't the ones to be feared but the one in the red cap who had saved them.  Dashing at them in a blistering desent the angery mother rushed to Ash.
	"What the?  Everyone get out of the way!"  Ash had noticed that the blue spot he had seen was now rushing them and not knowing what it was, but knowing his Pokémon were tired he knew that the only corse of action would be to get them out of the creature's way.  Ash oushed his friends to the ground and covered them with his body.  
	Ash felt sharp claws slash at him and red hot pain followed.  Icy wings beat at his prone form and soon he felt himself being lifted into the air.  He looked up to see what it was that had captured him.  His eyes opened wide in awe and fear.  It was no other than Articuno the ledgendary bird of ice.  Blood enticed the bird to peck at him even in flight. Articuno's talons squeezed Ash in a death grip.  Ash learned quickly why this bird was an ice bird due to the fact that the feathers and talons made the wintery air around him seem warm while the bird seemed to emit nothing but pure frost.
	
	"ASH!"  Misty screeched.  She saw the large bird carry him away as if he were nothing more than a rag doll.  When Ash had shoved them down and covered them she saw fear in his face but it was more covered but the sheer determination that she had known Ash for.  Brock had seen tha same look in the young boy's face and knew that Ash wouldn't let the bird hurt them as long as he still lived.
	"Look it is taking Ash to the top of the mountian.  How are we going to save him?"  Brock asked.
	"Pidgott!"  (Never fear help is here!)  Pidgiotto could be seen flying towards them followed by and Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy, and a whole rescue team.
	"Are you kids okay?"  Officer Jenny asked.
	"Yea but Ash is up there.  A large bird attacked us and stole him away!"  Misty cried.
	"No... Articuno not again."  Nurse Joy said.
	"Articuno?"  Brock questioned.
	"Yes Articuno attacks anyone and everyone.  She doesn't care who you are.  If Ash was the one who got you guys out of that cave then she feels that he is more of a threat than either of you."  Nurse Joy said.  
	"No!  We have to save him."  Misty shouted.  Charizard saw this and flew up into the air.  Breathing threatening breaths of flames it rushed to the aid of its mater.
	
	"Cuno!  Arti no cuno!"  (Death!  I demand than the of this human!)
	"Please my friends and I didn't mean... (gag)  you any harm.  I have proof.  One of your mythical kind once saw it fit to give me... (cough) the honor of seeing it fly.  I have a feeling that your fellow mythical birds only allow those who they deem worthy to see them.  After I saw it I found one of its... (cough sputter) golden feathers.  I carry it as a sign."  Ash said as he pulled out a bloodied feather.  Articuno looked at the feather and sniffed it finding that it was in fact a feather token that was only given by the mythicals to the humans which have a very important purpose to the Pokémon.  A very special few avtually have a purpose which serves the Pokémon and Ash was one of them.
	"Articuno cuno cuno arti."  (Please forgive me I had no idea I only wanted to protect my young.)  Articuno said as she sat Ash in her nest.  Blood was pourign from his wounds at an alarming rate.  
	"Char!"  (You'll pay for what you have done!)  Charizard screeched as it finally reached the sumit of the mountain.	
	"Carizard no!"  Ash shouted.  His voice was weak and he knew it but it still held the strength of comand to stop the enraged dragon.
	"Cuno? Arti no no cuno."  (You stop your fighter to save me?  Even after what I have done to you and your companions you wish me to live.)  Articuno was touched.  She pulled out a few of her blue feathers and placed them on Ash's bloody form.  Ash was surpirsed the the cold the feathers had emited before was gone and only warmth was contained in the feathers.
	"I wish I could understand you.  I don't know why you wanted to hurt my firends and me but I am glad that you... (cough)  aren't hurting me anymore."  Ash said and then fell unconcious.
	"Rizard!  Char char char!"  (Ash no!  If he is dead I shall kill you to avenge him and I will bring your chard corpse to the ground to be seen as a symbol to others of your kind that  I avenged his death and that any that cross my path will meet the same firey fate!)  Charizard spat.
	"Cuno no no articuno."  (The boy sleeps my feathers shall aid his healing go down and tell his compainons that he lives.)  Articuno said.  Charizard didn't like beign given orders by an unfamiliar but it also didn't want to risk Ash's life.
	"Charizard rizard char chard."  (Alright but I will come back and if I find him dead then you'll be right behind him in the tunnel of golden light.)  Charizard said and rushed down to inform Pikachu.

	"Dear God no Ash he can't be dead."  Misty cried.  Brock was holding her tightly as she sobbed into his jacket.
	"Look it's Charizard!"  Brock said.
	"Char char rizard zard."  (Ash is alive but he is injured.) Charizard told Pikachu.
	"Pi pi pi chu pika pika pi."  (Ash is alive but he is hurt I'm gonna go up to stay with him Charizar take me up.)  Pikachu told them.
	"What did Pikachu say?"  Misty asked.
	"Pikachu says that Ash is alive but hurt and that ti is going to go up and stay with him."  Nurse Joy said after a Chansey translated the entire dialog for her.
	"Pika."  (Let's go.)  Pikachu told Charizard as she lept on to Charizard's back.  The two went off into the air and when they reached the nest Pikachu lepted to Ash.  Ash's breathing was very shallow which alramed Pikachu more than the large bird which stood over them.
	"Cuno?  Arti cuno no no arti."  (Who are you?  Oh you must be this boy's gaurdian.)  Articuno said.
	"Pi chu hu pika pikachu."  (I wouldn't call myself a gaurdian but I am his friend.)  Pikachu said when Charizard left.
	"Cuno cu articuno.  Articuno no arti no cuno cu cu no."  (The two of you were thrown together by fate which makes you his Pokémon gaurdian.  I see it writen in this boy's blood he and you are one you gaurd him and he will one day will serve the Pokémon purpose which has been all but forgotten by my sisters, brothers, and cousins.)
	These words left Pikachu at a lose for words so she simply remaind silent and snuggled into Ash's black hair after she removed is cap.  Pikachu remainded by Ash untilthe time when he finaly opened his eyes.  Misty and Brock had returned to he cave and stayed there determined to be there when Ash finally made it down the mountian.  Officer Jenny had made sure that freash supplies were sent to them weekly.
	"Uhnn where am I?"  Ash asked as he sat up.
	"You wake finally."  Articuno said.
	"You talk?!"  Ash shouted.
	"Actually your recovering mun my nest has granted you the ability to understand the language of the Pokémon.  It was the only way I could think of to grant your wish."  Articuno said.
	"My wish?"  Ash asked.
	"Your death wish.  You wished to understand me while you were dieing and I knew how to save you with my feathers and in doing so also granted one wish."  Articuno explained.
	"Ash oh thank goodness you're still alive."  Pikachu said as she hugged him.
	"Pikachu I understand you.  Why did you let me live?"  Ash asked.
	"I spared your life because you had the token which shows that one day you will serve a great purpose to all Pokémon.  Pikachu remember your duty and may you both be strong in all things you encounter.  Before I forget one of my young hatched while you slept.  I wish you to raise her.  She will aid you in your purpose when the day comes.  She needen't stay in your catching ball she will stay by you."  Articuno said as a small fledgling hopped out from behind her mother.
	"Daddy!"  she chirped and hopped on to Ash.
	"I... I.. I don't know what to say."  Ash said.
	"Just do what you are ment to and that will be thanks enough for me."  Articuno said.
	"I will.  I swear to you that I will so what ever it is that I'm suposed to do."
	"I see you don't know what it is yet but you will when the time is right.  Here I shall carry you all down."  Articuno said and then the large blue bird gently lifted Ash, Pikachu, and the baby Articuno and carried them to the ground.

	"ASH!  You're alive!  Thank God."  Misty said as she hugged him.
	"Welcome back Ash."  Brock said as he shook the young boyu's hand and ended up pulling him into a feirce hug.
	"I'm sorry for what I said before.  I need you guys."  Ash said.
	"Mommy!"  the baby Articuno said as she lept at Misty.  Only Ash understood what she said though
	"Hehehe looks like she thinks you're her new mother."  Ash laughed.
	"Huh?"  Misty said.
	"I'll explain everything."  Ash said as they walked back into the cave together.
The End