Well, this is my new story...I didn't really like the other one, because it was just a standard Scarfshipping fic. But this should be quite long and epic, so I hope you enjoy it. Shippings? Well, I'm a Pokéshipper, first and foremost, but what else? Contest, Cavalier, Luck? I have no idea... Characters featuring...this is going to have a lot. I am going to put in game characters or brief anime characters in, who will appear in a few chapters. Looking forward to Brendan or Lucas? And all your favourites will appear, Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Gary, Misty, May, Dawn and of course, the legends themselves, Team Rocket. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER- I, Arcane Rainbows, do not own Pokémon. Otherwise this would be on your T.V screen!

The Arbiter

Chapter One-Drifting Clouds

'Welcome to the final match of the Sinnoh League Conference! The great battle today to determine the winner of the conference will be held by Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town in Kanto, and Paul Shinji from Veilstone City here in Sinnoh! Let's take a look at the battlers today...

Here we have Ash Ketchum. A Pallet Town native, he has participated in the Indigo, Silver and Ever Grande Conferences, placing in the top 16 of the Indigo and the top 8 of the latter two. In addition to this, he has conquered the Battle Frontier, a famous challenge in Kanto against extremely tough trainers, and defeated the Orange Crew.

Paul Shinji is the brother of Reggie Shinji, a famous Pokémon Trainer and Breeder who has particapted here himself before. Paul has also competed in the same conferences as Ash, although at different times. Although he has not taken the Orange Crew or Battle Frontier challenges, Paul has defeated two Elite Four members in recognized battles- Glacia of Hoenn and Will of Johto.

Let the match begin!

'Pikachu, when will it end?' Ash sighed as he watched yet another Bidoof-shape float past the observation window on the bridge of the Chronos. He rarely came to the bridge- the ship's autopilot took care of all piloting duties, although he was perfectly capable of taking over in an emergency. His long-time companion let out a small 'Chu', it's attempt at a sigh, from it's position on Ash's shoulder.

'I know, Pikachu, I know,' Ash replied, scooching forward on his chair so he could lean further back. He shut his eyes and murmured to his Pokémon:

'Wake me if anything happens...' he said, falling into sleep's embrace. Pikachu nodded then got down and exited the room.

'When it swoops down, you can attack...NOW! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!' Ash commanded, as Pikachu blasted 10,000 Volts into Honchkrow's abdomen. It fell to the ground as two cries from the trainer's rang out. Paul's one of horror-

'No! You weak bird, don't fall!'

And Ash's of joy-

'Pikachu, chase it and finish it! Volt Tackle!'

Pikachu nodded, charging up electricity and radiating it across it's body. Then it rushed at the falling Honchkrow and hammered home a powerful blow. Dust flew up all across the battlefield and shrouded the view...

The Chronos was a medium sized airship, but it felt quite large when one considered that only Ash lived in it, along with his Pokémon. He had to keep some of his squad, like his Tauros in the ship's built-in cyberspace system for safety and size reasons, but most of his Pokémon simply hung around all over the ship. And his cyberspace system could project into real space anyway- Ash could easily check on Torterra, Tauros and Snorlax whenever he wanted to- and holograms of racing Tauros often zoomed down the corridors of the ship while the other two heavyweights watched battles and slept respectively. The Pokémon could easily be withdrawn for battles. Others dwelled in cyberspace to sleep, unless they could find a particular habitat on the ship- Staraptor, Swellow and Noctowl kept to the deck to roost, whilst hot tempered battlers like Charizard and Floatzel retired in the battle arena. More affectionate Pokémon like Muk and Bayleef slept in Ash's room, and there was one large room where a lot of the Pokémon slumbered, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Heracross and Corphish among others.

'Now before the final battle,we will provide a quick recap for all you television viewers at home!' the announcer shouted.

'First off, Ash's Gliscor took on Paul's Gliscor, ending in a tie. Then Paul's Honchkrow took on Ash's Staraptor, ending in a narrow victory for Honchkrow. However Ash sent in his Pikachu to quickly take it down- Ash's Pikachu then put up a gutsy performance as it managed to take down Paul's Weavile. However Paul sent in his Magmortar and defeated it, having been weakened in the intense fighting. Ash sent in his Torterra and defeated Magmortar through the use of Ground-type moves. Ash's Torterra then took on Paul's Torterra and the latter won after a fierce battle. Ash sent in his Floatzel to fight Torterra and won using a combination of unorthodox tactics, such as the Ice Jet, and determination. Paul sent in his last Pokémon, Electivire, and defeated Floatzel. Now Ash is about to send in his last Pokémon...there it goes! It's Infernape!

.............

'Electivire is on the ropes, folks! It looks like the show could be over for Paul and Electivire here! Trainer and Pokémon have become unsynchronized and are not working together!' came the commentary. It was true, Electivire was not obeying him- his most powerful Pokémon. Infernape's Blaze had severely boosted its power and Electivire was in a rage. When Paul yelled at it, he could see the hate in its eyes, even he could see it. Electivire hated him, he didn't know for how long it had, but it was obvious now. Was it weakness? Paul gritted his teeth and was weighing up his options when Ash taunted.

'Paul, you're losing! To me! Pathetic little Ash Ketchum! That's right! And do you know why? It's the same thing I've been telling you all this time and you never seem to get it. Pokémon are not tools, and they are not perfect! They are your friends, and until you start treating them like them, you'll never beat me now! Power won't make you strong forever, your Pokémon get too strong and you don't treat them right, they won't obey you! Hatred or stubbornness, I would know...' Ash yelled, thinking of Charizard and. He was angry now, that Paul was still so stubborn on being a cold-hearted bastard. Paul was confused. Time slowed down for him as he made a desicion, one he wasn't quite sure of then and still wasn't for a long time afterwards.

If you can't beat them, join 'em...

'You know what, I'm down, what the hell!' he replied, 'Electivire? It doesn't look good for us now but...' and here he dropped to a quiet tone,'I believe in you. You can do it!'

Electivire nodded and rose up from the ground after Infernape's last attack who Paul took a look at standing right ahead of him.

'I'm sorry, Chimchar, for everything' he murmured, 'and I wish you well for the future, but this is now and I'm not planning on losing. Electivire, Earthquake!'

............

'Flare Blitz!'

'Thunder Punch!'

.............'Electivire is unable to battle! Infernape is the winner! The title goes to Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town!'

Ash had won the Sinnoh League and defeated Paul. He had achieved it all. Yet it went downhill. First his friends left. They moved on- moved on from him. First Dawn left, looking for contests in other regions, then Brock, Ash's best friend and longest companion, as he had to return to looking after Pewter Gym and finally get a girlfriend. From what Ash had last heard, he and Lucy from the Battle Pike were getting on just fine...and Ash found himself alone again. He must have been desperate because he sought out Gary and travelled with him for a bit, but it didn't work in the end, and Ash drifted away from his friends, who seemed to be ignoring him, blanking him out like static. Time passed, and Ash's battling skills skyrocketed, but at the same time, his appetite for battling plummeted- he didn't have the old spark of wanting to be a Pokémon found the Chronos in the mountains, in pristine condition. It was deserted and unlocked, so Ash went by the the old 'Finders Keepers' philosophy and took it for himself. The airborne life suited him, drifting around the world, coming into port every so often to collect supplies, occasionally battling strong trainers to keep up his skills. He hadn't contacted his friends for 2 years, their numbers had all changed and he had no idea where most of them were, but neither had they contacted him at all. He'd made it perfectly easy for them to contact him- he still had the same phone and they all had his number. Did he miss them? Of course he did, there was no way he couldn't, but it was whether they missed him that he didn't know. Brock, Dawn, May, Max, Tracey, Gary and... Misty. Now there was someone he should have seen. It must have been at least 3 years when he last spoke to her and he had a growing feeling in the back of his mind only to do with her. Now, Ash wasn't dim, and he'd always known what love was and although when he was younger he would try to hide it from himself in his immaturity- he was of course youngest when he travelled with Misty- he was definitely old enough to be able to see what he felt for her and what she had felt for him, washed away by ignorance and time. But was it true love? It was too early to say. He only really knew that he sure as hell missed her, but he'd left her alone. She was probably the last person who wanted to see him.

'Ketchum!' came a voice, and Ash turned around to find Paul.

'Yeah?'

'Not too shabby, especially with your Infernape there. Congratulations...'

'Uh...thanks!' Ash was stunned. He didn't expect to hear this from Paul's mouth.

'Does this mean we're fri-'

'No! This isn't over Ketchum, we'll meet again,' Paul barked and strode out of the room. Dawn and Brock were speechless.

Paul...well, at least he was treating his Pokémon well now, but he had fallen off of the radar, just like Ash himself and no one really knew where he was...Ash did want another battle with him though, he was easily his toughest opponent ever.

Paul, Gary, they've changed, for the better. I was a part of that, and I'm glad. But I've changed too, Pikachu, I have. And...I think for the worse. I'm a bad person now, Pikachu, I could never face her again...Mi-

Ash was woken from his nap by the beeping of a fuel gauge, signifying that it would be wise to refill the ship soon, and that she only had a few days travel left in her. Pikachu had brought up a map of the Chronos's location by tapping the touch screen console with its paw. Most of the Pokémon could operate it.

'So the nearest city with a airport is Saffron, which we could make by tonight...I suppose we'll refuel there then. Computer, set a course for Saffron City!' Ash said, bringing up his arm and pointing out the window. Pikachu sighed.

It was always about the Pokémon in the end...it always was. Started with them, it'll finish with them. But it was nice to meet people on the way. If I don't see y-

The jet black airship descended out of the storm silently and unseen. It picked up the signal of their target, the so-called 'Chosen One' and began to follow it. It was large, yes, but it would blend in perfectly with the onset of night. A man sitting at the bridge looked over the files of his prey. Ash Ketchum...powerful Pokémon trainer, location unspecified, top priority, extremely dangerous, large caution advised...

He smiled and fired the engines.

Meanwhile the aviators within a very familiar Meowth hot air balloon caught sight of an airship descending that they'd seen 3 years ago, one that belonged to their eternal twerp enemy...Pikachu, watch out!

NEXT TIME-

The mysterious airship makes itself known as Ash touches down in Saffron. With wave after wave of enemies, Ash will be hard pressed to get out of this one! But what's this vision he's having and what's the bigger picture?

Chapter Two- Touchdown in Saffron!

The next chapter will probably be longer. Till then, bye!