* If you read the prologue, you should know what we’re talking about*

• Riachu

The Legend of Crystal Paradise

Chapter one

By Riachu

Ash groaned as he opened his eyes. He propped himself up from lying on his stomach, and coughed the dry, grainy substance out of his mouth. Sand? Where was he? How long had he been out? He was alive for one thing. He shook his head, spraying the sand and water from his hair, and looked around. Covered up to his knees with water, he was facing the bright white earth covering the ground near the entrance to a strange transparent cave. What struck him harder was the sight of his friends and enemies scattered about, randomly strewn in black palm trees and sandpits. He sat up, wondering in panic what to do about them, and looked down into his coat, where Pikachu still slept. Unzipping it, he removed the limp little Pokemon and held him in his hands. Pikachu still breathed slow little gasps, but was fainted. Ash put Pika down and reached into his backpack, which was wet but still carried all his possessions. He dug out a ‘revive’ and opened the cork. Placing the top on Pikachu’s lips, he poured the liquid down the little monsters mouth. After a moment he was covered in a soft pink light, the sat up with a cheerful, " Pikapika!!" Pikachu leapt up and hugged Ash tightly.

" I’m glad to see you too." He said.

Pikachu looked around. " Pikapika?" (What are we gonna do?)

" Well, we’re going to have to wake them up. Them we’ll try to find out where we are."

Pika nodded. Ash got his feet brushed himself off, and walked over to where Brock lay. Pika bounded over to Jessie.

" Pikachu?" (How do I wake her up?)

" Try a small thundershock." He said, shaking his friend. Pikachu exploded with electricity and shocked Jessie, who leapt up with a shriek.

" What the hell did you do that for, you little rat?" She spouted, rubbing the back of her head. Pika rolled his eyes.

" Pik…Pikachu" (sure…don’t mention it.)

***

It took a while, but eventually everyone was on their feet. But now Ash and Pika were running around like maniacs trying to find Misty. Team rocket yelled for her, but eventually just stood there, not really caring.

" Misty!!!" Brock cried.

" Pikapikachu!!" (Misty, where are you?)

" Misty!!! Misty, please, where are you???" Ash sighed and collapsed onto the sand. Brock helped him up.

" C’mon. Don’t give up. She’s bound to be out there somewhere."

Ash blew a fuse. " Out where??? Where are we? There’s a lot of uncharted land out there, with lord knows what looking for a meal, and we’re out here without a clue…She’s probably not even on the island! What if she didn’t make it!.."

"PIKACHU!!!" * Pikachu thundershocks Ash* (Get a grip!)

Ash pushed his way between Pikachu and Brock, and headed for a grove of trees.

" I’m going to find her…."

" No need. She’s all washed up. More than before." James joked. Ash looked relieved and terrified as Misty washed up on shore. He bolted across the beach and took her in his arms.

" Misty, Misty are you alright? Please wake up! Oh…"

Misty lay stone still. Ash’s heart caught in his throat. After a moment she began sputtering and coughing up water. Then she fell silent again. Brock knelt down as Misty coughed again and slowly opened her eyes. Looking at her two friends hovering over her, She smiled. Brock and Pikachu smiled back. Misty had obviously not notice where she was, because she turned her head and konk! bumped foreheads with Ash. He smiled and hugged her tightly.

" I’m glad you’re okay." He said. She paused for a moment, absorbing the aquard situation before tentatively hugging him back. Brock looked at Pikachu, who nodded. The two parted, and Misty stood, looking around.

" Where are we?"

" Were on a deserted little island with a cave and the three biggest nut cases in the world." Jessie said. Ash scowled.

" If you two get any closer I’d ask you to get a room." Meouth retorted, folding his arms. James just stood, silently watching the looks on their faces.

" C’mon, you want a battle?" Ash challenged.

" Sure, go for it." Jessie said.

James rolled his eyes. " Grow up."

With that he turned on his heel and entered the cave, leaving Jessie and Ash speechless.

" Meouth, hey wait!" Meouth and Jessie turned and ran after him, soon followed by Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu.

***

Water dripped down upon them form the ceiling, and they looked around.

" Have you ever seen anything like this?" Brock asked, as in awe of the natural wonder as the rest of them.

" Meouth, this is amazing!" Meouth spoke up from his place by Jessie.

" Wow…." Misty breathed.

The entire cave was made of clear, shimmering crystal, and the stalactites and stalagmites dripped with ice blue fluid, which just accented its beauty. The many facets of the quartz wall disoriented the inside view but the way they toyed with the sunlight was nothing short of breathtaking.

"Pikapika…" (beautiful)

Jessie looked down at the silvertoned floor, and the odd way it was almost completely smooth.

" Fearsome creatures with awesome powers…" James mumbled.

" What?" Jessie asked, cocking an eyebrow.

" Look around..." he said. " It fits the legend perfectly."

Jessie got the same look of realization James had.

" Do you really think...do you really think it’s true?" She asked

" What’s true?" Misty asked, happening to overhear the two lagging behind.

" Nothing!" Jessie took the offensive towards Misty, as usual, so she sighed and caught up with Ash.

~~

The two parties had walked for about and hour, slowly, as to admire every new turn in the path. But now it was getting dark, inside and out, and they had come to realize the tunnels had been getting wider. They had lost their way back and were now trying to decide whether or not to use Ash’s escape rope.

" I don’t think we should." Brock said. " We’ve come this far, and who knows what’s on the other side. Adventure, new Pokemon, *looks hopeful* girls…"

" On this deserted little place? I doubt even the magikarp would waste their time here." Jessie said thoughtfully.

" You don’t know that. There could be and entire civilization just waiting to be discovered on the other side!" Misty opposed.

" Knowing our luck, it’ll be a tribe of topless natives." Meouth said. The rest of them just stared blankly. He smiled sheepishly. " Never mind."

Scurrying and husky breath echoes through the darkness. Everyone tightens up.

" W...What was that??" James asked.

" I don’t know." Ash replied.

" Let’s just keep walking. Stay together." Brock said.

But what they couldn’t see were the shadows following them, and the eyes stalking them throughout the uncharted cavern….

***

To be continued….

* What will happen? Where are they? Will they all die or find their way home? Is something going to jump out of the shadows and kill someone?

Am I going to tell you? NO! If you care, please read chapter 2!