Second chapter of Returning from Shattered Dreams
Before we start I would like to thank you to all those who reviewed, of course that doesn't exclude those who didn't review, I appreciate that this fiction is being read, shame It says I have 0 views and hits even though I have reviews, strange :D well that's all.
The Dream Rekindled
"… On behalf of the Kanto Battle Frontier I ask you, would you like to be the eighth frontier brain?" Paul asked his former rival expecting nothing other than a firm yes.
"Paul…" Ash started, however indecision kicked in and he couldn't think of an answer to give. He was aware that this was a new chance to start again, yet despite this his mind was full of doubt, suspecting Paul had some alternative reason for calling, such as baiting him in so he could crush his hopes.
"Ash?" Paul questioned, wondering why it was taking him so long to answer.
"Huh… yeah sorry about that, umm what did you say again Paul?"
"I just said your name," Paul replied monotonously.
"No before that, I didn't quite hear you correctly," Ash lied. He heard perfectly well, he just didn't want to trust his old rival.
"Oh that," Paul muttered. "Would you like to be the eighth frontier brain?" Paul continued, his voice laced with impatience and frustration.
"About that Paul, I have a question for you. Why would you of all people offer me such a position?" Ash asked in suspicion.
(Paul's POV)
"About that Paul, I have a question for you. Why would you of all people offer me such a position?" my former rival asked. His voice sounded extremely suspicious. To say that I was surprised wouldn't be far from the truth. The fact that the dense kid from four years ago was nearly non-existent would be a shock to anybody.
"The Kanto Battle Frontier is always looking to expand. Scott came to me asking if I knew anybody up to the test of running a battle facility. You just happened to fit the description," I replied. To be honest I wasn't lying when I told him this; I just left out what wasn't necessary.
"You expect me to believe that Paul?" he replied. This surprised me once again. He didn't even buy the truth. This was far from what I was expecting to hear when I was told that I would be the one to 'inform' him that the Kanto Battle Frontier wanted him to serve as one of their brains.
"Believe what you want Ash, if you want to lose this chance go ahead. I'm sure we could find someone else to lead the new facility," I started with the hopes of defusing the current conversation, but before I could continue Ash intervened.
"Cut the crap Paul. Why would someone who treated me like dirt four years ago suddenly deem me worthy of a title that equals yours?" Ash questioned angrily. Once again his newfound attitude surprised me, but I didn't let that influence how I replied.
"You beat me in the finals. The best battle of my life is one that I lost," I started trying my best to talk in a calm tone. To be honest I was still quite bitter about my defeat, but at the same time I still see it as the turning point that got me to where I am today. "You could say revenge. I want to defeat you in an official battle," I wasn't lying, but at the same time, I was. Truth be told I already got 'revenge' and it tasted as bitter as my defeat to him.
(Ash's POV)
"You could say revenge. I want to defeat you in an official battle," my former tormentor replied. Now that sounded like the truth, but even then, it felt weird. Why would my rival acknowledge me now? Something felt odd but I was satisfied with his reply.
"Revenge, that does sound like you Paul, but there is just one thing that is bothering me. You said official battle, however I can't participate in leagues anymore and I don't think two Frontier Brains can just battle each other and ignore their facilities. So tell me, how do you intend to battle me?" I asked.
I heard a taunting chuckle through my Pokégear and the image of a smirking Paul and the younger, more immature image of me shouting in vain at him flashed in my mind. Before it got too heated Paul started to speak, "Don't you ever watch the PokéNews, or on that matter read the newspaper?" he asked in an emotionless tone, but I knew he was really just mocking me.
"Well it's kind of hard to do so when you're constantly travelling and training. Did you watch television often when you used to travel?" I asked in a sarcastic yet cocky tone thinking that I had beat him.
"I did in fact," he replied. Before I could protest he continued with, "I remember watching you make a fool of yourself in the Wallace Cup." His statement was followed with another taunting chuckle, which frustrated me to no end. At that moment in time I could think of nothing better than punching Paul in the face.
"Fine." I growled conceding that he indeed did have the time to keep up to date with things, which just made me curious as to what he was getting at when he asked me about the news. "What was on the Pokénews then Paul?" I asked, swallowing my own pride at the same time.
"I was wondering when you were gonna ask that Ash," he started and just as expected he laced his words with that mocking tone. "As you may or may not know, the Pokémon League Committee has been around for nearly 200 years, in fact it has been around for 199 years and one month." Paul continued with what seemed to be a history lesson, "Well in 11 months time, the Pokémon League Committee will hold a special 200th year anniversary competition." Upon hearing this, my interest had substantially increased.
"Well as I was saying, there will be a competition featuring the world's best trainers. Since last month a leader board was released, containing those who are currently in poll position to qualify. I heard that at a later date details will be released on instant qualifications for certain trainers, but that is irrelevant for now," he told me. However I still didn't understand what was so important even if the world's best were participating. Before I could query him he continued.
"What I'm saying Ash, is you cannot take part in the league challenge, meaning Gym Leader battles won't help you since you cannot take part in them since they are part of the Pokémon League Tournament. You cannot get qualification through that method." He stopped and waited for the gears in my head to get to work, it didn't take long before I clocked on.
"You want to battle me in the tournament, but I can't qualify through constant battles since they would be classed as invalid due to being banned from the league. However if I won battles as the one being challenged I can still qualify for the competition, right?" I asked in a cocky tone. I thought I was really smart for catching on.
"That's not all Ash. Do you understand how the leader board works?" he asked me the most obvious question ever. Of course I had no idea, I had just learned of it so instead I opted not to speak at all. "Judging your silence I would guess that's a no." he mocked before continuing, "Ash the higher ranked opponent you fight the more 'points' you will receive, however the higher ranked you are the more 'points' you will lose if a trainer should beat you. A reason why becoming a brain is so advantageous is that the trainers you face aren't ordinary and are much stronger than your usual gym challenger. Meaning the more points you can gain, you can make up for lost time." He finished in a know-it-all tone, yet still sounding bored and uninterested.
"So you are saying you want to battle me in the competition and to do this you are offering me an easier way to qualify… I don't know if I should believe you or not." I replied, though it did sound like something Paul might do, it still was too kind an offer for him. I knew there had to be something else he wanted. "Paul, one last time, why are you doing this for me?"
"I want to meet you in the finals and battle for the title of Pokémon Master. In doing so I don't just achieve my goal, but make sure you don't achieve yours." He replied.
"Pokémon Master?" I replied in a surprised tone.
"That's the prize of the competition. You are crowned a Pokémon Master," he finished and that was all that I needed to know, in knowing that he who won the competition was deemed a Master was all the convincing I needed.
"Paul," I started, my voice determined and strong. "Tell me more about this new battle facility."
"So you want to be the eighth Frontier Brain?" he asked, completely ignoring my question, another thing I've always hated about Paul.
"Yes, now tell me so I can get started already," I angrily replied. I just wanted to get started. I knew from experience that time flew by awfully fast, and before I knew it the eleven months of qualifying would be over.
"No can do Ash. If you really are accepting come to Battle Frontier Headquarters exactly a week from now. It's located in Cerulean City, be there at 5pm. There you will likely be appointed as a Frontier Brain, be briefed about your responsibilities and of course, you will be told about your battle facility." Paul told me in a monotonous voice.
Now that everything was settled there was just one last thing I wanted to tell him. "Paul, I never figured you to be the type who spoke on the phone for a long time. I thought you were totally anti-social."
"Shut up loser," he replied before hanging up. I obviously struck a nerve, which in my opinion meant I won the conversation, which left me quite satisfied. Now that the conversation had finished I looked down at my faithful companion and truly smiled for the first time in years.
"Let's go Pikachu!" I shouted enthusiastically raising my first into the air. Pikachu tilted his head in confusion. I replied with a bright smile and told him "Times are fun when we can dream." He seemed to understand perfectly and instantly jumped onto my shoulder.
"Alright buddy lets go to Pallet Town!" I shouted loudly enough for my voice to echo around my vicinity. I found my childish instincts kicking in and I shouted a few more times before continuing on my journey. When I was close to finishing the trip through Viridian Forest a loud screeching noise ripped through the forest's trees and I found myself falling to my knees shielding my ears from the sound. Pikachu followed in suit, yet he seemed in worse condition than me, this probably due to his great sense of hearing I thought.
(Normal Point of View)
A loud screech reached Ash's ears causing him to fall to his knees in pain, at the same time Pikachu mimicked his actions whilst squealing highly due to the immense pain it caused.
Seconds later a massive gust of wind sent the two flying into a nearby tree. Ash shielded his Pokémon pulling it to his chest tightly causing him to feel the full brunt of the impact. During the impact Ash hit his head hard on the tree nearly knocking him unconscious but he willed himself to stay awake for his own safety.
A loud shriek followed shortly after causing Ash to scream out painfully once again. This time the screech was less sharp and wasn't as painful, despite this it still scared the crap out of the young adult.
"Pikachu, are you alright buddy?" Ash asked as he pulled himself to his feet slowly to make sure he didn't further injure himself.
However before he replied the cry returned, this time it didn't hurt at all. What shocked Ash the most was that it sounded extremely familiar. Looking around he saw the silhouette of a massive bird. Gulping loudly, Ash turned on his heels and ran as fast as he could, keeping Pikachu secure in his arms.
"Don't worry buddy were going to be f-"Ash was in the middle of assuring his Pokémon of their safety when the bird swooped down and landed directly in front of him, "-ine." Upon seeing the bird Pokémon up close Ash's mouth dropped open. From the shock of it all, out of the many guesses he made to identify the creature when it was in the air, the creature that it turned out to be was totally unexpected.
Ah, what awaits Ash in the next chapter, what is that bird, and what is Paul hiding?
Stay tuned.
No misty this chapter, I know, but be patient, she'll show up soon, so like I asked, please just be patient and she'll arrive, I don't want to rush the Pokéshipping.
A reviewer thought that this fiction might include some AbilityShipping and after some consideration, I think I may replace the minor PearlShipping with AbilityShipping, since to be honest, I'm also an IkariShipper XD, but nothing beats good ol' Ash n Misty Love :)
Well until next time
This chapter was beta'd and submitted on 30/06/10
Please Review and Thanks for Reading.
-Fate xxx
