Cleanse The World

Ash had no idea what was going on, but he knew what he had to do. The thing was a giant bug. Electricity should do the trick. "Pikachu! Thunder bolt!"

The electric mouse nodded with a confident, "Pika!" Then shot a lightning bolt at the monstrous bug.

Like the little Shadow Heartless, this creature didn't seem to like electricity either. It stumbled back, turning to stare down its new oponent, a small rodent. It raised its arm and slashed down. Pikachu jumped out of the way, and the arm struck only rock and got stuck.

"All right, Pikachu!" Ash cheered. "Now use quick attack!"

The Pokemon obeyed and slammed right into the demon's chest (or thorax) and knocked it over. The bug was none too pleased and swung wildly with its other arm.

Pikachu would have been struck down, had it not been for Roxas. He summoned his two Keyblades, Oathkeeper and Oblivion, and sliced off the giant bug's arm.

The demon let out an inhuman shreik. Its skin was burning and breaking around the wound the Keyblades had inflicted.

For once, Ash used his brain. The monster had a metal rod sticking out of his eye. Two words came to Ash's mind: Lightning Rod.

"Pikuchu! Use thunder on that staff!"

The attack, as expected, fried the mantis to a crisp.

"Pikachu's a Pokemon," Ash replied brightly. "I'm a Pokemon trainer. Don't tell me you've never seen one before."

While Ash was distracted by Haruka, Roxas caught a glimpse of something on the edge of his vision. Just as he turned to see it, Kantarou collapsed, clutching his chest. Whatever he'd seen wasn't important right then.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked. Roxas knew a little magic, and he hoped a cure spell would do something. He lifted his Keyblade and shouted, "Cure!"

A green light engulfed Kantarou. Roxas watched anxiously to see if the albino exorcist was okay.

"I think I passed one down the street. They had a sign that said they had a pool and Pokemon could stay and eat for free." Ash grinned. Free Pokefood. That was good, since Brock wasn't around.

"Sounds good to me," Ash agreed with a nod. He didn't really know Haruka, but something told him he wouldn't be any worse than Misty. He felt a blush start creeping into his face. "A-anyway, how about we all grab a bite to eat." Fatal mistake of the embarrassed person: draw attention to oneself trying to distract from them.

Roxas agreed to the sleeping arrangements as well. When Ash suggested getting food, he realized just how hungry he was. "Food sounds good right now..."

At Haruka's suggestion, Ash said, "There's a restaurant in the hotel, too, and Pokemon get to eat free, so I'll stay here." Ash didn't want to sound like a jerk, but he didn't have enough money to pay for both himself and his Pokemon friends. "It isn't expensive, either."

"I think I'll join Ash." Like the Pokemon trainer, Roxas didn't have a lot of cash to blow on food, either.

When Kantarou explained about the scar, Roxas frowned. "Was that why you were in pain earlier?"

Ash's eyes lit up. Free food was always good, but free good food was rare for the Pokemon trainer. You'd think after all the battles he'd won, he'd be a millionaire, but he always wasted it on something silly.

"Awesome! I'm in! Right, Pikachu?" The electric mouse nodded excitedly.

"Well, if everyone else is going..." Roxas didn't like to take advantage of other people, but since Yuki had offered, he felt it rude to refuse. Besides, he'd be the only one left at the hotel, and he wanted to get to know the others he'd be working with. "I'll join you. Thank you very much."

Ash, meanwhile, was yawning sleepily as he headed to the rooftop as well. Noctowl, he knew thanks to his Pokedex, Brock, and experience, was nocturnal, and enjoyed chasing Ratata and other small Pokemon at night, though as far as Ash knew he didn't eat them. Once out in the chilly night air, Ash tossed the Pokeball in the air, releasing his owl Pokemon.

The bird hooted gratefully, then flew away, past Kantarou's head. "What're you doing up so late?" Ash asked, rubbing his eyes.