Category Pokemon, rating G, drama
summary Ash is in a Pokemon battle. Something goes
very wrong. . . .
THE BRAVEST POKEMON MASTER
Ages Ash--16, Misty--18, Brock--20, Tracey--19
"Hey, are you Ash Ketchum?" The boy came up to Ash,
Misty, and Brock while they were eating lunch in the
park in Violet City.
"Yeah, I'm Ash. What can I do for you?" Ash asked,
looking up from his sandwich.
"I hear you just won the Johto League championship,"
the boy said.
"Yes, that's right." Ash smiled proudly.
"Yes, for the third time," Misty added proudly.
"My name is Darren," the boy said. "I challenge you
to a Pokemon battle."
"All right. When?" Ash was always ready for a Pokemon
battle.
"How about right now?" Darren asked.
"Ok, I'm ready." The two boys faced each other. Ash
studied his opponent carefully. Darren looked to be
about 12. Ash wondered briefly how much experience
the boy had in battles.
"Three Pokemon each, no time limit," Brock said.
"Ready?"
"Yes," Ash said. "Darren, you go first."
"Ok," Darren said. "I choose Totodile." He threw his
Pokeball and the water Pokemon appeared.
"Then I choose Chikorita," Ash said, releasing his
Pokemon.
"Chiko!" the little grass Pokemon said as it appeared.
"Totodile! Water Gun!" Darren called. Chikorita
easily dodged the stream of water.
"Ok, Chikorita, Razor Leaf now!" Ash called.
Chikorita let loose several leaves. They hit
Totodile. It fell, but got back up.
"Your Totodile is good," Ash said. "But Chikorita is
better. Chikorita! Vine Whip!"
"Chiko!" The little Pokemon sent out vines from its
neck and whipped Totodile. Darren's Totodile was
still stunned from the Razor Leaf. It didn't take
long to knock Totodile out.
"Totodile is unable to battle!" Brock called.
"Chikorita is the winner!"
"Great job, Chikorita!" Ash called.
"Totodile, you battled well," Darren said, recalling
his Pokemon. "Now it's time for. . .Charmeleon."
"Come on, Chikorita! We can win this!" Ash called.
"Charmander! Ember!" Darren said. Charmeleon sent out
fire from its mouth. Chikorita dodged it easily.
"Ok, Chikorita, try Razor Leaf again," Ash called.
Chikorita sent out its leaves again, but Charmeleon's
flames burned them up.
"Great job, Charmeleon," Darren said. "Now Fire
Spin!" The Fire Spin attack was too much for
Chikorita. It collapsed.
"Oh! Chikorita!" Ash cried.
"Chikorita is unable to battle! Charmeleon is the
winner!" Brock called.
"Chikorita, you were great. Now it's time to rest,"
Ash said as he recalled Chikorita. "Now it's your
turn, Pikachu! Go!"
"Pikachu!" The little mouse was ready for battle.
"Charmeleon! Flamethrower!" Darren ordered.
"Use your agility, Pikachu!" Ash called. Pikachu
easily avoided Charmeleon's Flamethrower attacks.
"Now, Pikachu, give it a Thundershock!"
"Pika---chuuuu!!!!" Pikachu yelled, shooting
electricity at Charmeleon. Charmeleon fell.
"Charmeleon is unable to battle! Pikachu wins this
round!" Brock called.
"Charmeleon, return!" Darren recalled his Pokemon.
"You did a great job. Now I choose Tyranitar!" He
threw the Pokeball.
"A Tyranitar, hmm?" Ash said, looking at the huge rock
Pokemon. "Ok, Pikachu, ready?"
"Chu!" the little Pokemon responded.
"Tyranitar! Use Tackle Attack!" Darren called.
"Pikachu! Agility!" Ash called. Pikachu easily
avoided Tyranitar's Tackle. But the Pokemon was going
too fast to stop. It slammed into Ash, knocking him
to the ground unconscious.
"Ash!" Brock and Misty both screamed, running to Ash.
Misty knelt beside Ash, Brock only a step behind her.
He fellt for a pulse and found a faint one.
"Somebody call an ambulance!" he yelled at the crowd.
"Ash! Oh, Ash!" Misty reached for Ash's hand. "Hold
on, Ash, please be ok."
"Oh god, I'm so sorry," Darren said, recalling his
Tyranitar. He ran to kneel beside Ash. "I didn't
know this was going to happen."
"I know," Brock said. "I just hope Ash is ok."
Officer Jenny pushed through the crowd.
"Stay back! Let them have room!" she said. "The
ambulance will be here any minute."
"Pikapi! Pi kachu Pikapi?" Ash! Are you ok, Ash
Pikachu ran to Ash. Brock picked up Pikachu as the
ambulance arrived. The paramedics did what they could
for Ash and got him in the ambulance and left for the
hospital.
"I'll take you to the hospital," Officer Jenny said.
She had one of her officers drive them to the hospital
in his police car.
+++++
"We're looking for Ash Ketchum," Brock told the nurse
at the desk as he and Misty hurried in.
"You'll have to wait here," the nurse said. "I'll see
what I can find out." Brock and Misty found seats.
Brock still carried Pikachu.
A few minutes later a nurse came to tell them Ash was
being taken to surgery. She told them how to get to
the waiting area on the surgical floor.
"Go on, Misty," Brock said. "I'll be right up. I
have to call Mrs. Ketchum." He gave Pikachu to Misty.
"You go with Misty."
It was almost three hours before the doctor came to
talk to Brock and Misty.
"How is Ash?" Brock asked. The doctor looked solemn.
"He's critical," the doctor said. "There was a lot of
internal bleeding. We barely pulled him through
surgery. He has six broken ribs, both lungs are badly
lacerated, and there was a lot of internal damage."
"Is he going to be ok?" Misty asked.
"We're doing all we can," the doctor said. "But it
doesn't look good. I'm sorry."
"Can we see him?" Brock asked.
"Yes," the doctor said. "He's still unconscious, but
you can sit with him. He's in ICU."
"Thank you," Misty said.
"Have you called Ash's family? They should be here,"
the doctor said.
"Yes," Brock said. "His mother is on her way here
now." The doctor nodded.
A nurse showed Brock and Misty to the room where Ash
lay unconscious. Misty had to fight back tears when
she saw him and Brock looked stunned. Ash lay very
still, his face white. Threre were IVs in both arms
and he was hooked up to machines and monitors. A tube
went down his throat to help him breathe.
"Hang in there, Ash," Misty said as she sat beside
Ash, holding his hand. "Hang on." Brock sat nearby
holding Pikachu.
+++++
Deliah Ketchum arrived in Violet City late that
evening. Tracey was with her. Brock and Misty were
in the ICU waiting room.
"How is Ash?" Mrs. Ketchum asked after she and Tracey
had greeted Brock and Misty.
"He's really bad," Misty said. "The doctor said it
doesn't look good." It was obvious she had been
crying. Brock told Mrs. Ketchum and Tracey what the
doctor had told them earlier.
"I want to see Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said. "Where is
he?"
"We'll take you," Brock said. He and Misty took Mrs.
Ketchum and Tracey in to see Ash.
+++++
For several days Brock, Misty, Tracey, and Mrs.
Ketchum took turns sitting by Ash, talking to him,
trying to get Ash to wake up. Finally on the third
afternoon Ash's eye opened. He looked around,
frightened, unable to speak because of the breathing
tube. Brock was sitting by Ash's bed.
"Hey, it's good to see you're awake, Ash!" Brock
smiled. "Take it easy. Just lie still while I get
the doctor." He hurried to tell a nurse, who paged
Ash's doctor. The doctor had Brock wait in the
waiting room with Mrs. Ketchum, Tracey, and Misty. It
was a while before the doctor came out.
"Well, Ash is awake," he said. "But he's still
critical.His chances of survival are still very slim."
"Can we see Ash?" Tracey asked.
"Yes," the doctor said. Brock picked up Pikachu and
headed into Ash's room, followed by Tracey, Misty, and
Mrs. Ketchum. Ash was still hooked up to the IV tubes
and monitors, but the doctor had taken out the
breathing tube. An oxygen mask was over Ash's face.
"Hey, Ash. . ." Mrs. Ketchum said softly, taking Ash's
hand.
"Mom. . ." Ash managed a smile.
"Hi, Ash. How are you feeling?" Tracey asked.
"Not. . .very good. . ." Ash replied. "The doctor. .
.says I'm hurt. . .pretty bad."
"You're going to be ok, Ash," Brock said. "You're
tough." He sat Pikachu on Ash's bed. "Pikachu has
been anxious to see you."
"Hey, Pikachu. . ." Ash reached to pet his Pokemon.
"Pika pi chu pika, Pikapi?" Are you going to be all
right now, Ash Pikachu asked, looking at Ash with
worry in its eyes.
"I hope so," Ash replied. "I. . .hope so."
"Ash, you need to rest," Mrs. Ketchum said. Ash
looked exhausted.
"Will you. . .stay with me?" Ash asked.
"Of course, Ash," Misty said. "We'll all be here.
Just take it easy." Ash nodded. In just minutes he
was asleep.
Ash slept most of that afternoon and into the evening,
waking only for a few minutes at a time. Late in the
evening Mrs. Ketchum noticed Ash's breathing was
getting more difficult. She laid a hand on Ash's
flushed cheek. He seemed too warm.
"Brock, get a nurse," Mrs. Ketchum whispered. "Tell
her Ash is having a hard time breathing." Brock
hurried out. A few minutes later he was back with a
nurse.
"I think Ash has a fever," Mrs. Ketchum said as the
nurse checked Ash's pulse and listened to his labored
breathing. The nurse took Ash's temperature.
"He does have a fever," the nurse said. "I'll page
the doctor."
It wasn't long before the doctor arrived. He sent
Mrs. Ketchum, Tracey, Misty, and Brock to the waiting
area while he examined Ash.
"Pikachu, you have to come with us," Misty said. "We
can go back in to Ash soon." She picked up the little
mouse.
It was a long time before the doctor came out.
"Ash is very sick," he said. "He has pneumonia.
There's fluid building up in his lungs and around his
heart."
"Is there anything you can do for Ash?" Mrs. Ketchum
asked.
"We're giving him medication," the doctor said. "But
it doesn't look good. I'm sorry.
"You mean. . .Ash is dying?" Mrs. Ketchum asked. The
doctor nodded.
"No!" Misty sobbed. Tracey put his arm around her,
trying to comfort her.
"How much time has he got?" Mrs. Ketchum asked.
"He may not make it through the night," the doctor
said.
"Does Ash know?" Brock asked.
"Yes," the doctor said. "You should go to him. Ash
needs you." Mrs. Ketchum, Brock, Tracey, and Misty
went back into Ash's room. Misty set Pikachu on Ash's
bed, where he could reach it easily. The little mouse
curled up by Ash.
"Hi. . ." Ash whispered. He looked like he had been
crying, but still managed a smile.
"How are you feeling, Ash?" Brock asked.
"Pretty bad. . ."Ash said. He was quiet a minute. "I
guess. . .the doctor. . .talked to you?"
"Ash, you have to get better," Misty said, crying
again. "You have to."
"I'm trying. . .but I don't know. . .if I can. . ."Ash
said softly.
"Honey, don't try to talk, " Mrs. Ketchum said. "Just
rest. We're right here with you." Ash nodded. After
a while he fell into a restless sleep.
+++++
By morning Ash was clearly worse. His fever was
higher and he was slipping in and out of
consciousness.
"There's nothing more we can do," the doctor said when
he came to check on Ash. "It's just a matter of
time."
"How much time?" Tracey asked.
"Hours," the doctor said. Misty started crying again.
Tracey took her hand as the doctor left.
Just before noon the doctor came to check on Ash. Ash
had been unconscious most of the morning. The doctor
checked Ash's pulse and shook his head. It was
getting very weak.
Ash opened his eyes, looking around at his mother, his
best friends, and his beloved Pikachu.
"I. . .I love you all. . ." Ash said softly.
"Goodbye." He closed his eyes, took in a final shaky
breath, and let it out. Then he was still. The
doctor reached to check Ash's pulse, but the monitors
already told him Ash was gone.
"Time of death 11:43am," he said quietly.
"No!" Misty screamed, shocked out of her silence.
"No, Ash! You can't be gone."
"Misty. . ." Tracey held her and they both wept.
"You were brave to the end, my son," Mrs. Ketchum
said. She kissed Ash's cheek and smoothed back his
hair. "Goodbye." Then she gave in to her grief.
Brock held her as she cried. He stared at Ash in
stunned silence, unable to believe his best friend was
really gone.
"Please give us a few minutes," Brock said to the
doctor.
"Of course," the doctor said. He left. Brock picked
up Pikachu, who was sobbing with grief.
"Goodbye, Ash," Tracey said softly.
"I'll never forget you, Ash," Brock said. After a few
minutes they left.
"Brock, can you please call Professor Oak?" Mrs.
Ketchum asked as they took the elevator to the lobby.
"I. . .I don't know what to say right now."
"Yes," Brock said as he walked towards the phones.
"Hello?" Professor Oak picked up his phone. He saw
Brock's face, still stunned by grief. "Brock? How is
Ash?"
"Ash. . .Ash is gone," Brock said. "He died. . .about
ten minutes ago."
"Oh. . .I am so sorry." Professor Oak looked shocked.
"Is Deliah there? I'd like to talk to her, please."
"Yes, just a minute," Brock said. "Mrs. Ketchum?"
"I'll talk to him," Mrs. Ketchum said.
"Deliah, I am so sorry," Professor Oak said. "This is
a great loss for us all. Is there anything I can do?"
"Could you. . .start the arrangements?" Mrs. Ketchum
asked. "I can't even think where to start." She was
crying again.
"Of course, Deliah," Professor Oak said. "I'll take
care of everything."
+++++
Ash's funeral was held two days later. It was a
private funeral. Mrs. Ketchum, Misty, Professor Oak,
Brock, Tracey, and Pikachu were the only ones there.
"Misty?" Tracey knocked on the door of the guest room
at Mrs. Ketchum's house. He, Brock, and Professor Oak
had just arrived to pick up Mrs. Ketchum, Pikachu, and
Misty to go to the cemetery.
"I'm in here," Misty called from across the hall. She
was sitting on Ash's bed, crying.
"Misty, it's time to go," Tracey said.
"I can't," Misty said. "I miss Ash so much. If I
don't say goodbye, I can pretend he isn't really
gone."
"I miss him too, Misty," Tracey said. "I still can't
believe he's gone. But you know Ash would want us to
accept his loss and move on." He held Misty until she
was able to stop crying.
"You're right, Tracey," Misty said. "I guess we'd
better go now."
"That's it, Misty," Tracey said. "You can do it.
I'll be right beside you." They walked down the
stairs together.
It was a simple service, but very beautiful. Misty,
Pikachu, and Mrs. Ketchum cried all the way through,
and Brock and Tracey shed a few tears.
When it was time for Ash's casket to be lowered into
the grave, Misty turned away.
"I can't bear it," she sobbed to Tracey.
"Shhh, I know, Misty," Tracey said. "Come on, let's
go for a little walk." He led Misty away from the
grave. They walked over to Professor Oak's car and
stood waiting for the others, talking quietly.
"Misty? Are you all right, honey?" Mrs. Ketchum asked
as the others arrived about ten minutes longer.
"I'm sorry," Misty sobbed. "I couldn't take any
more."
"You don't have to be sorry, Misty," Mrs. Ketchum
said. "We all understand how hard this is."
"Come on, we should go home now," Professor Oak said
quietly. "It's been a rough day."
+++++
The public memorial service for Ash was held the next
day on the grounds of Professor Oak's home. Many of
the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys Ash had met were
there, as well as a lot of the friends Ash had made on
his Journeys. The gym leaders from the Indigo League
all showed up (except for Giovanni, who still ran the
Viridian City gym). The Orange Crew were all there,
and Drake, who Ash had battled for his Orange League
Championship trophies. All the Johto League gym
leaders were there too.
Just before the service was to start, Jessie, James,
and Meowth slipped in and sat in the back row.
When it was time to start Mrs. Ketchum stepped on the
temporary stage Professor Oak had set up.
"Thank you all for coming to remember Ash's life," she
said. There were tears in her eyes but her voice was
steady. "I am honored to see how mamy lives Ash has
touched. He was only 16, but he accomplished a great
deal in his young life. We are all very proud of
him." She sat down and Professor Oak stepped onto the
stage.
"Ash Ketchum accomplished a lot at a young age,"
Professor Oak said. "His Pokemon Journey got off to a
rather 'shocking' start, but Ash more than made up for
it, winning the Orange League twice, the Indigo League
last year, and the Johto League three times. Ash was
a caring, compassionate young man. He was a friend to
everyone he met, human and Pokemon. He always helped
those in need, even if it meant putting himself in
danger. In his final moments Ash met death bravely,
finding the strength to tell his loved ones goodbye.
Ash, we love you and miss you." Professor Oak sat
down and the service continued. They sang several of
Ash's favorite songs and several of the gym leaders
and Officer Jennys had asked to speak. Then Brock
stepped up to the stage.
"I've traveled with Ash for most of his Pokemon
Journeys," Brock said. "I didn't think much of him
when I first saw him. Ash was just another kid trying
to get a Boulder badge. But after I got the chance to
travel with him, I realized how dedicated he was to
training and battling Pokemon. He loved to travel,
too, and we had some great times together. He was a
loyal friend, too, and one of the bravest people I've
known. If any person or Pokemon needed help, he would
do anything he could." Brock paused, fighting back
tears. "Ash, I miss you, buddy. I'll never forget
you." Brock sat down.
Misty stepped up next.
"I. . .I just wanted to say a few words. . .about how
much Ash means to me," she said, trying to control her
tears. "I. . .uh. . .I met Ash on the first day of
his Pokemon Journey when I fished him and his Pikachu
out of a river. He wrecked my bike, but he was trying
to help his Pikachu. I said I would follow him 'til
he got me a bike. . .but that was six years ago. I
traveled with Ash for so long because I really like
him. Oh, Ash. . . ."She broke into tears. "I miss
you so much."
"Misty. . .come sit down, honey," Mrs. Ketchum said,
leading Misty back to her seat.
"Well, I guess it's my turn," Tracey said nervously as
he stepped on the stage. "I didn't know Ash as well
as Brock and Misty. I only traveled with him when he
won the Orange League trophy the first time." He
paused, uncertain. "I spent most of my time alone
when I was a Pokemon Watcher. I never really had any
friends until I met Ash and Misty. Ash was my closest
friend. I always admired him. He was really good
with his Pokemon. Ash was so proud of them when they
helped him win the Orange League trophy. I was really
proud to know Ash. He was a great guy. I'll always
miss him." Tracey sat down.
"Grampa, can I say something?" Gary asked. He had
been sitting behind Professor Oak.
"Of course, Gary," Professor Oak said. Gary stepped
on the stage.
"Even though Ash and I have been rivals for the past
six years, I want to say a few words," Gary said. "I
always liked Ash. When we were kids I would visit
Grampa and Ash and I would spend hours playing with
Grampa's Pokemon. I never admitted it, but I was
proud of Ash when he won all his league titles. Ash
was really good with Pokemon. I think it's because he
really cared about his Pokemon, not just if they could
win battles for him. Pokemon respond to that, you
know. They want to be loved, just like we do. And I
know Ash loved his Pokemon. I miss Ash a lot. I'm
glad I knew him. He was a great guy." Gary sat down.
"That was beautiful, Gary," Mrs. Ketchum said. "Thank
you." Gary nodded, embarrassed.
After a few minutes Mrs. Ketchum stepped back on the
stage, followed by Professor Oak.
"It's been a joy to hear such wonderful memories of my
son," Mrs. Ketchum said. "We miss Ash deeply, but he
still lives in our hearts and our memories. Thank you
all for being here to share this service." She sat
down.
"Let's have a moment of silence to remember Ash, then
we will end with a prayer," Professor Oak said.
Everyone sat quietly. After a few moments Professor
Oak said a short prayer.
After the service Jessie, James, and Meowth walked up
to the table where several pictures of Ash, as well as
his badges and trophies, were displayed.
"Team Rocket?" Brock looked surprised to see them. He
took Pikachu from Mrs. Ketchum. The little Pokemon
tensed, ready to use its Thundershock if necessary.
"What are you doing here?" Tracey asked.
"Don't worry," Meowth said. "We're not here to get
Pikachu."
"Yeah," Jessie added. "We just wanted to pay our
respects to the kid."
"We actually miss him too," James said as he placed a
white rose on the table in front of Ash's pictures.
"Mrs. Ketchum, we're sorry about Ash."
"Thank you," Mrs. Ketchum said. "Were you friends of
Ash?"
"Not exactly," Meowth said. "Come on, Jess, James,
we'd better go."
"Thank you for coming," Mrs. Ketchum said. She looked
slightly confused.
"See ya' around," Meowth said as he, Jessie, and James
left.
+++++
Time passed slowly as Mrs. Ketchum, Brock, Misty, and
Tracey all tried to get used to Ash being gone and go
on with their lives. Tracey stayed with Professor
Oak, gradually taking on more of the responsibilities
of caring for the Pokemon. Pikachu wouldn't leave
Mrs. Ketchum and neither would any of Ash's other
Pokemon. At first Pikachu refused to leave Ash's
room, and Misty spent most of her time in there. But
her sisters convinced her to come to Cerulean City for
a while and she finally began to accept Ash's loss.
Brock settled down in Pewter City and married the
Pewter City Nurse Joy. Misty moved in with Mrs.
Ketchum, but visited her sisters and Brock often.
When Misty's sisters all were married, Misty and Mrs.
Ketchum sold the home in Pallet and moved together to
Cerulean City to run the gym. With many tears and
many memories they packed Ash's things to take with
them. Misty never married, but in time learned to be
content in her life.
The End
I hope the end isn't too lame. I just got a little
stuck on it. I know the rest of the story is good. I
hope you like it. Please read and review. I really
appreciate your comments.