The red-head shook water from her hair as she pulled herself from the pool. There was a look fo frustration on her face. Her training today had gone well. She had even managed to squeeze in two gym battles which she had handily won. It was becoming more and more rare these days for a trainer to be able to challenge her. But that was the life of gyms in the Pokemon League. As the gym leader got older, the gym often became more and more respected, coming later and later in most trainer's attempts to gather all 8 badges. Then the gym would be passed on and suddenly it was once again more often challenged.

Misty Waterflower, the water pokemon master, had been a gym leader now for 12 years. At 24, she was still one of the younger gym leaders. Most trainers did not settle down, let alone get the chance to become a gym leader before they turned 20. Most weren't good enough. But Misty had been. So not only was she younger, but with over a decade as a gym leader, she was considered the most experienced gym leader.

Well, except for Viridian.

Gary was still leading the gym there. Sure, complications arose when his grandfather had wanted to retire, but the two had worked things out. Gary Oak was becoming quite the celebrity as the strongest trainer in Kanto as well as a highly respected pokemon researcher. The two had actually become close recently, with most other gym leaders now being far less experienced than the two of them.

Misty climbed up to her apartment at the back of the gym, slipping quietly through the door and stealing into the shower. Her head was hurting. She wasn't really sure why she was feeling so frustrated.

That wasn't true, the red-head knew exactly why. It was all related to one raven-haired trainer on this exact day nearly 8 years ago. Her eyes watered a tad as she thought back to the last time she had seen the trainer.

FLASHBACK

Misty was on her feet cheering! Brock and Deliah were beside her. They were all cheering on the one trainer they all knew and loved: Ash Ketchum. The rest of Ash's friends from previous journeys were there as well – May, Dawn, Cilian, Iris, Max, Bonnie, Clemont, Serena. At 13, on his second trip through the Sinnoh League, Ash had won his second pokemon championship. This had officially made him a Pokemon Master.

Being a pokemon Master required, once upon a time, a trainer to win every single championship. Of course as things changed, the league realized that with a growing number of leagues, this was too high a task. After 23 years without a master had led Charles Goodshow to adjust the rules a bit and sure enough, the next week Ash would go on to win the Sinnoh league.

Now they were in the tournament of champions. It was really a fundraiser event where each league's champion and elite four members came together every 4 years and the funds raised from ticket sales were donated to various charities. Not that any of that made it less competitive. The winner often won the right to be called the strongest trainer in the world for the next four years.

Ash had just won his semi-final match over Lance, the winner of the last two tournaments. The crowd had gone wild. It had been close, but Ash had ultimately taken out Lance's Dragonite with Pickachu. Now for a short break to heal before Ash would be facing down Jason in the final.

Jason was the champion of Johoto. In recent years, Johoto had separated from the Indigo league championship and formed its own. Jason had become the first champion. He and Ash did not get along. Jason was 18 and had hoped to be the youngest until Ash crashed that dream. Jason also had to win at all costs, something Ash abhorred.

So the finals began. It had been a long and intense battle and things were coming to an end. Ash was down to Greninja and had just knocked out Jason's Rapidash. Technically, Ash had two pokemon left. One of those, however, was Pikachu, still far too hurt and exhausted from the last battel to fight. And Ash cared too much. As such, he had decided that if it came down to Pikachu, he would forfeit. The electric mouse probably would not be too happy about that, but Ash loved the tiny yellow fur ball too much not to.

So Imagine Ash's shock when the next pokemon who Jason sent out was Raikou. The electric legendary was terrifying and Greninja, for all of his fight, quickly went down.

Then the unthinkable happened. Before Ash could do anything, Pikachu took off into the arena. As Ash began to shout for the ref to surrender, Pikachu's Thunder and Raiku's electric charge met. The stadium was coated in smoke at the explosion.

And Ash sprinted into the smoke.

No one heard the red-head whisper. "No Ash. Pikachu…"

Everyone else was too caught up.

"I told him to trade out Pikachu."

"That looked bad."

"Why would he let Pikachu run out there?"

"He should have just stopped the fight."

No one caught the recorder and cameras in the back of the room. Everyone did, however, fall silent as the smoke cleared.

There in the center, on his knees, was Ash. In his arms, they could see yellow fur.

And when Ash let out a heart-wrenching scream, everyone knew what had happened.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

It had been a painful trip home. It was only with Misty and his mom forcing him forward that Ash managed to make it home. His friends were gathered in his living room. Ash had needed to get away. He had spent the past few hours locked away in his room. It was late when there was a knock at the door.

"Ash?"

Misty had been at the door, worried about her friend. She heard the door unlock, but not open. She took it as a sign and carefully opened the door. Sitting on the bed, not even wearing his hat, was Ash. Misty could hear the sniffles. She slipped over and wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

And Ash had given in. He turned and broke down, crying onto Misty's shoulder. Misty couldn't take it. It broke her heart to see him like this. She had seen Ash overcome just about anything and everything. He had even managed to become a pokemon master.

But this was different.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

It had been the next morning. No one had left and were gathered n the living room as Ash came down. His face showed how little sleep he'd had during the night, but to his credit, the young man had a smile on his face.

Of course it didn't really reach his eyes.

"Morning everyone!"

The room took him in carefully. As the silence became painful, Misty decided to jump in.

"Morning Ash! Food?"

She offered him a tray which he gladly took. She slid over and let him settle down on the couch beside him. Suddenly they hear on the TV.

"I told him to trade Pikachu out."

"That was just one of the comments made by the Pokemon Master's friends following the scene in which Pikachu was killed. We'll be back with this story as more develops."

The room became even more silent than before.

Ash just looked around the room. The smile was gone and the tears were back. No one moved as he rose to his feet. He moved toward the door of the house and no one moved. No one had noticed he was already fully dressed, still bearing his pokeballs. Ash let out a sigh as he reached for the door.

"The sad thing is, you are all right."

With that, he had run out the door.

It was the last time she had seen him, 8 years ago.

End of Flashback

Misty had run after him, trying to catch him, but by the time she got out the door, all she saw was Ash's form disappearing on Charizard. She had fallen to her knees and cried. Misty had never admitted it out loud. Heck, until that moment, she had not even admitted it to herself. But she was head over heels in love with that trainer. Her raven-haired best friend.

Her tears that day had been interrupted, but not by whom she had expected. Standing there was Gary, Ash's first rival. He had stood there until Misty had started crying again. The old rival had pulled Misty up and let her cry. He did not say anything, but as she began to cry herself out, he sent her home.

Based on what Misty heard later, Gary had gone back. The room had been quiet and no one made a comment. While there was a hope to have Ash back, no one seemed to disagree with anything that had been said.

In the years since, Misty learned that the only thing that had really kept their small group together had been Ash. Everyone had returned to their home regions. What was worse, however, was no one seemed to understand how much the raven-haired trainer had encouraged them.

Gary seemed to be the only one who really became better. Even Misty felt like she had not lived up to her own standards. Sure, she was a powerful gym leader, but she had given up on a lot of other things. On top of that, she had not hear from the rest of the friends in the last few years.

And they had watched Jason win yet again at the last tournament. Apparently he was a bit of a tyrant, according to the Indigo elite four. But no one was really able to say anything.

Charles Goodshow had reverted to stating a trainer had to win all the leagues in order to become a master, just because of Jason. After Ash had left, Jason had easily claimed the Sinnoh and Kalos titles.

But here was coming another tournament. Misty and Gary still attended, since the money raised went to such good causes. This year, they had even managed to convince Deliah and Samuel Oak to attend. Misty tried to smile at that. These were the only two people, besides Gary, who did not accuse Ash of anything. In the aftermath and based on the comments, the media had turned on the golden child of the pokemon league. They called into question his ability as a trainer if he allowed Pikachu in and to get killed.

The saddest part had been that Ash's friends, rather than supporting Ash, had doubled down on their statements. Over the last 8 years, it had caused arguments and rifts as the group had gone their own directions.

Misty finally pulled herself from the shower Gary was driving up with Deliah and Samuel anytime and then the four would be off to the tournament.

XVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

"Misty?"

Misty's eyes jumped up. She was sitting in the passenger seat beside Gary. He, oddly enough, had been one of the few to never blame Ash. He had also supported her over the past 8 years. Deliah and Samuel were in the back, relaxing. Samuel was reading something that looked like a science journal while Deliah was reading on her tablet. Misty turned her attention back to Gary.

"What's up Gary?"

"You've been staring off at Mt. Silver for the past hour. What are you thinking about?"

Misty just gave him the 'do you even need to ask?' look.

"Ok, ok. Sorry."

Silence reigned for a minute. Then Gary smiled.

"Have you heard about the mysterious recluse?"

This seemed to catch the ear of everyone.

"No?"

"Oh yeah, I believe I have heard mention of him." Samuel spoke up from the back seat.

"What about him?" Deliah asked from her seat.

"Well apparently he is said to avoid all people. He hides at the top of Mt. Silver. But the saying goes that he is the ultimate challenge."

"Hmmm?" Samuel and Deliah were really getting into the conversation

"Ok, I'll bite, why is he the ultimate challenge?" Misty decided she might as well jump into this conversation rather than going kicking and screaming.

"Well," Samuel continued, "they say that after overcoming a league champion, people can try to find him. See, only gym leaders or higher are even allowed access to Mt. Silver. The pokemon up there are just too strong."

"Wow." Deliah seemed surprised that there was any place considered that dangerous. "And they let someone live up there?"

"They aren't really sure anyone lives up there. Supposedly, as the story goes, trainers go up there looking for him. They say they find him, a stoic man. He never even turns to look at them. He just throws out his pokemon and they are all absurdly strong. No one has ever even been able to beat one of them. But no one knows what happens once they lose. They pass out and wake up safe and sound in the pokemon center of their hometown."

This drew a long pause from the rest of the car.

"And do you think he exists?" Misty could barely register it was her voice which said it. She hated to admit the story intrigued her.

"Haha, no idea, I've only been to Mt. Silver a time or two and the pokemon are absurdly strong. I know some of the trainers who have been up there and they are not the ones to make things up, but someone living among those pokemon…well, it seems farfetch'd to me." Gary snickered at his own humor, leading Misty to smirk.

Had she still been watching Mt. Silver, Misty would have caught the large pokemon taking off from the top.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

It was later than they had hoped when the car arrived at the Plateau. Misty carefully exited the vehicle and stretched. She shook out her red hair and waited while everyone else got out. Then, taking all of their supplies, they made their way inside to get a few rooms.

Checking in at the desk was almost a sport. There were so many people involved and getting to the counter was nearly impossible. After a good struggle, they made it to the counter with Nurse Joy.

"Excuse me Nurse Joy, can we get three rooms please?" Gary called out as he approached the counter. He offered a gentle smile which caused Nurse Joy to giggle.

Giggle? What? Misty had never heard a Nurse Joy giggle before.

But sure enough, a few minutes later they had keys for three rooms. They made their way over to the elevator. They were standing there, still debating the mystery trainer from Mt. Silver when the door opened.

There stood Jason. He had become a true pain in everyone's butt since the last tournament, but he was the heavy favorite for this year's tournament. He had a cocky grin on his face which only got larger as he saw who was in front of him. The only league he had not won at this point was the indigo league. He, oddly enough, had two badges he still had to win to do so. The Earth and Cascade badges.

"Glad to see you both here! Should be one heck of a tournament this year." Misty ground her teeth at his cocky statement. She really wished someone were strong enough to knock this cocky bastard off his pedestal.

"Indeed it should be." Everyone snapped up to see the trainer who had joined them. He was around 6', wearing a tight black t-shirt and jeans. He had 6 pokeballs wrapped around his belt and a jacket thrown over his arm. His dark hair seemed to glisten in the light, not quite giving away its color, and his eyes were hidden behind some glasses. He had a big grin on his face which, for some reason, Misty found infectious.

"Private conversation dude." Jason's grin suddenly seemed strained. That made Misty feel really good.

"Sorry, didn't you hear?"

"Hear What?" Now Gary was interested in what this new guy had to say.

"Apparently, word on the street is that a pokemon Master is in this year's tournament."

Misty froze at that. So did the rest of their party. To their knowledge there was one pokemon master in the last 31 years. This new information was so much. Too much. Misty felt herself starting to sniffle. Gary heard this and turned to his grandfather. Samuel and Deliah immediately moved beside the red-headed gym leader and steered her toward the elevator.

As the doors shut, Gary turned back to the others.

"It's not nice to raise rumors like that. In fact, depending on who is around, it can be downright cruel."

This seemed to snap Jason into action.

"Who are you?"

The new guy just smiled at both of them before turning and walking away. In that moment, Gary and Jason turned back to glare at one another. It took a few minutes before they broke their eye contact. Jason stormed off to the lobby while Gary turned to the elevator. He was still steaming that this new guy would work Misty up like that.

Then he noticed the envelope. On the ground, just beside the elevator was an envelope and the name on it caught his eye: Misty Waterflower.

VXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVXVX

Jason stormed off. He was pissed. He had been trying to win the Indigo league for nearly 2 years now. He knew he could take everyone, but for some reason every time he arrived in Cerulean or Viridian, those two pesky gym leaders weren't there. There was always some excuse.

But he was the champion. He had won every other league. He had managed to destroy Iris in Unova. He was awesome.

Of course there would always be that thorn in his side. He was not considered undisputed in Sinnoh or Kalos, since he did not win those from Ash.

As he was mumbling to himself, he wandered down a hallway when something caught his eye.

There, at a door with Nurse Joy was the guy from earlier.

"Please Nurse Joy, no one can know. I need to reveal all of this in my own time."

"Ok Red, you got it. Please just be careful."

And with that, Jason saw the man give Nurse Joy a quick hug before dashing off. It made Jason twitch. He wouldn't admit it, but he really liked Nurse Joy. To be fair, he really liked any of them, but seeing as this was the place he stayed most often, he liked this Nurse Joy the most. It made him angry to see this.

Then he paused. She had called him Red.

Red was the name of the guy from Mt. Silver.