Pokémon Revolution
Adulthood-Reunions and Introductions Part 2
Flying high above the patch-work quilt of the world, Reiko, Ash and their pokémon wing their way to Pallet Town. To make sure she doesn't use all of her energy, Queena makes excellent use of air currents. The sudden rises and falls cause Pikachu to cling to his trainer's head and Ash wraps his hands tighter around Reiko's waist. During a long stretch of gliding Ash slowly and subtly moves his hands suggestively lower. Normally at this point Reiko would drive her elbow into the guy's face but, she figures that Ash may not be entirely aware of what he's doing. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. The journey takes most of the day it is nearly suppertime when they land. Queena finds a sizable field just a mile outside of Pallet Town to land in. Ash manages to note that Queena lands much smoother then his Charizard. Returning the monster to her pokéball, Reiko breathes in the air of Pallet Town. Then she and Ash head off to, as Ash puts it, "Home, sweet home."
As the two prodigals approach the familiar sight of Ash's childhood home there is something shocking awaiting them. "Where did all these pokémon come from?" Ash asks stupefied at the large amount of pokémon running around the house. Just as he is about to step forward someone pulls him back. "Listen to me, listen very closely. You have been declared legally dead. No one has heard or seen you in three years. Wait out here for my signal while I prepare your mom for what is about to happen. You also need to be warned that…" Reiko stops whispering in Ash's ear and steels herself for what could truly hurt Ash. "Your mom may not be able to accept that you're actually alive. She could reject you. Everyone might not be able to come to terms with you alive. You need to brace yourself for a long fight to get your life back. Remember, no matter what happens I am always by your side." Ash is frozen and chilled by these words unable to move. Squeezing his shoulder, Reiko slowly heads towards the door. The pokémon just ignore her as she walks.
Knocking on the door Reiko waits for a response. A middle-aged woman with fading brown hair answers. Gasping in shock as she recognizes the woman in front of her, Delia Ketchum cries out, "Reiko!" Hearing his mother's voice almost destroys Ash's self-control. As Delia urges Reiko inside, it takes everything Ash has to remain in control. Reiko sees that Delia has not really changed the house since Reiko first left Pallet Town at age ten. She also notices that there are no pictures of Ash in the house. Hesitating about the chaos she's about to unleash, Reiko almost decides to keep Ash hidden from the world, rather than wreak untold havoc on this poor woman unbelievably cheerful. Gripping the ancient symbol of her family, she forces herself to go through with it. As the two woman sit down in the living room with tea, Reiko starts to question Delia. "Mrs. Ketchum, I have something very important to tell you. It has to do with Ash." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ketchum goes deathly pale and her breathing becomes scarily shallow. Putting her hand on the older woman's shoulder, Reiko stares directly into Mrs. Ketchum's eyes and somehow calms her down. Leaning back Reiko decides to break the news quickly. "Mrs. Ketchum, two days ago, in Johto, I found him. He's back and he's alive." At this point standing right behind Reiko is Ash Ketchum.
"It's been two hours already, when is Mom gonna wake up?" Ash asks irately. Rolling her eyes in irritation, Reiko reminds him that, "I don't know when she'll come around so stop asking me already." The two young adults are waiting around for the older woman to wake from her shock. During this time Reiko has also broken the news to Prof. Oak and his assistant, Tracey Sketchit. Tracey fainted as well but, came around right afterwards. The aged professor, Samuel Oak closed his eyes and sighed in relief when he heard the news. Leaving his assistant to manage the lab, Oak came over to see the two trainers for himself. After reassuring Ash that his mother would be fine the professor tried to get some answers out of Ash. "Professor, I don't want to go through it more than once. Reiko's already told me that I'll have to make an official statement to Kanto's Prime Minister and the Indigo League. When we, you can come with us so you can hear it for yourself." Leaving is at that, Ash goes upstairs to check on his old room. Meanwhile, Reiko and Prof. Oak have some tea and start to cook up a nice dinner for them. After seeing that his room had been left unchanged, Ash slowly heads downstairs. Before revealing himself he surreptitiously eavesdrops on a private conversation between his old friend and the professor.
"Things are dangerous outside of Pallet Town Reiko, and I need your help to keep Ash here. He's just gotten back and once the legal junk is out of the way, he's going to need a real job. I can give him that, he can work at my lab and he'll be able to support his mother. Delia has been living on charity for the past several years; she wasn't able to keep her job due to grief." Feeling a flare of anger at this last comment, Reiko responds with, "Where are my parents? They've got plenty of money to spare; giving to charity isn't something new to them." Grimacing, Prof. Oak answers her, "Your parents are in Saffron now; Silph Co. is working on a major research project vital to a very dangerous issue that's plaguing the world right. The same issue that I don't want Ash getting involved in." Giving the old man a calculated look Reiko inquires as to the dangerous issue. At this point, Ash listens even more carefully.
"Two years ago, a number of individuals came forward to say that they had been attacked by pokémon, sexually attacked. As the outrage began pouring out others stepped forward to say that they also slept with their pokémon, however, in their cases it was voluntary. Since then many have chosen to take sides on the issue. The main camps are those that see nothing wrong with consensual sex with pokémon and some of those say it is more enjoyable than sex with other humans, on the other side are those who abhor any acts of "pokephilia" and claim it a horrific crime. Even some Gym Leaders have picked sides. Your parents have convinced enough people that Silph Co. can investigate the matter and it is based on the researches conclusion that any laws may be made. As for me and several other prominent individuals we are staying out of the conflict." As the professor concludes his speech Ash's expression of profound shock grows and Reiko gets increasingly pensive. Minutes pass before either Ash or Reiko responds. "You don't want Ash connected with madness because it will hurt him if these acts are made illegal and the whole situation is very inflammatory, right? So, I'm guessing that those who support this "pokephilia" have been forced into hiding and violent fights have broken out between these factions." Giving a quick yes, Oak asks her once more to help keep Ash in Pallet Town. Turning pensive once more Reiko answers with, "Neither one of us has the right to decide what Ash does with his life, only he does. However if Ash does choose to travel I will stay with for your peace of mind. Also, I'll make it a point to have him call in to his mother every so often. Of course, all this is provided that Ash decides to go traveling again, which he may not." Oak quickly takes this offer knowing that Ash will be safer if he is not alone. Just then all three hear a quiet moan from the living room. Mom, she's awake! Ash thinks with excitement and trepidation. The three go into the living room to see Delia Ketchum slowly pulling herself off the couch. The first thing she sees is her son's Pikachu twitching his ears and looking at her with concern while pointing in the direction of Ash. Following the pointing paw, Delia is suddenly confronted with her long lost son. "Oh Ash!" crying out as she races to hug him and make sure he's real.
Preliminary explanations are gotten out of the way as the four of them and Pikachu eat. Quickly accepting that her son is alive in sitting in a chair across from her, Delia has one major question to ask. "Ash, what exactly happened to that Cyrus?" Prof. Oak turns a stern gaze on the young man while Reiko closes her eyes, leans back in her chair and sighs in sympathy. Pikachu takes the tense break in the atmosphere to jump and to Ash's shoulder and tries to console him. Steadying himself with multiple deep breaths Ash tries to swallow his revulsion at the tragic memories.
As I got pulled into the Distortion World something caused me to black out. When I came around I saw Cyrus not too far away using the powers he stole from Dialga and Palkia to attack Giratina. It looked like Cyrus might have been able to take Giratina's powers as well when something really weird happened. I suddenly got so angry at Cyrus, I-I-I felt like I … wanted to kill him. My vision turned crimson, blood red, that was the scariest feeling I've ever felt. Then my vision suddenly cleared and then, Giratina was covered by a crimson aura. It used a move I've never seen before, it turned black and disappeared, then a shadow of itself went right through Cyrus, it went through him at least twenty times. When Giratina showed back up again two things appeared in the air, a diamond surrounded by a blue aura and a pearl surrounded by a pink one. Cyrus was on his back on a piece of floating ground, the same one I was on. Two different colored streams of light began to come out of his body; they came from his ears, eyes, nose, mouth and even the pores on his body. The blue stream went to the diamond while the pink ones went to the pearl. Cyrus started to reach for the two orbs, the Adamant Orb and the Lustrous Orb, I guess he was going to use them to get his powers back. I saw a shiny yellow prism-like orb next to my foot, and then I could suddenly hear three voices in my head. They were begging me to stop Cyrus for good. I picked up that third orb and walked over to Cyrus. I think I saw Giratina nod to me, and then I gripped the orb with both hands, kneeled down and drove it into Cyrus' head.
By the time Ash has finished, he's in tears and so is Pikachu. Mrs. Ketchum is profoundly shocked and regrets ever forcing her son to reveal what he had done, though not without feeling deeply disturbed that her baby could kill so easily. Prof. Oak, however, seems glad that Ash had helped the three dragons even though he thinks to himself, If only it hadn't come down to that, why did Giratina force a young boy, a child to do such a heinous act? Reiko, for her part, is impressed. "Not many people would have been able to do that. Most would have been too scared of Giratina to help it. As for the diamond and the pearl, Dialga has always been associated and represented by diamond and the same it true for Palkia and pearls. That third orb must be connected with Giratina; unfortunately the only legends left for Giratina are those describing it as a monster. As for Cyrus, you gave him a quick merciful death, if he had faced trial, he would have been torn apart by an angry mob on the first day." Saying this last bit with a harsh look, Reiko is able to give Ash some solace for his act. Just as his grief is about to overwhelm him, is mother squeezes him tightly. Nodding seriously, Prof. Oak tells him that, "I'll inform the appropriate authorities about this in the most judicious of terms. After all, if you had not obeyed the wishes of the Dragon Trio they might very well have destroyed you along with Cyrus right then and there." This, his mother's hug and Reiko's obvious admiration of him are sufficient to banish dark thought away.
The next few days pass uneventfully for Pallet Town. Reiko stays at the house her parents own in town and has is waiting to see what she will do next. Ash has reacquainted himself with all his other pokémon, even those who he had released previously have returned to be with him. Thinking carefully, Ash has made a major decision. Coming to breakfast Friday morning he announces to his mother, "Mom, I'm going to go traveling again. I want to compete in the Indigo Conference one last time. If I can't win there, then I'll see if that offer to be a Frontier Brain is still open. If neither one of those works then I'll get a traditional job here in Pallet." Saying the last part with distaste Ash awaits his mother's answer. Setting her cup down, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Looking at her son with her heart in her eyes she tells him, "I want you to be happy Ash. As much as I fear losing you again if you travel I know that you can take care of yourself. It makes me even happier that you now have a specific goal rather than just trying to become a pokémon master. However, I don't want you traveling with only your pokémon; therefore you have my permission to go only if Reiko goes with you." Looking at his mother quizzically, Ash doesn't get the reason for the last bit. Seeing her son's confusion, Mrs. Ketchum says, "Reiko is extremely dependable and she has the latest technology so with her around you'll be able to call be every few days. That way I won't have to worry about where you are or what you're doing. There are few people has skilled as Reiko is when it comes to dealing with dangerous situations so, since you most likely will get in at least a few, she is the perfect partner to have. She also has a very impressive battle record and her pokémon are well raised." Understanding Ash goes off to convince Reiko to come with him.
As he arrives at the mansion on the opposite side of town from Prof. Oak's lab, he finds two massive pokémon; both of them double the size of normal members of their species. He recognizes one of them as Queena, Reiko's huge Aerodactyl. The other, a giant green saurian is unknown to him. Neither giant seems to take any notice of him as he goes up to knock on the door. The door is opened by a Slowking who points him to the library. As he looks around the mansion he realizes that there is at least one of every known species of pokémon short of the legendary ones. On the opposite end of the house there is a massive tank for the purely aquatic pokémon. Slowly overcoming his awe he stumbles into the library to find Reiko in a maid's outfit with a flared skirt. Seeing her in such a getup and dusting stuff while humming some nonsense tune causes Ash to burst out laughing at the sight. Hearing the sound, she turns around and glares at the male and growls a foul oath, "Slowking." Meanwhile, out by the door the said Slowking is silently gwuaffing at how easy it was to pull a prank on his trainer.
By the time Ash has managed to stop laughing and get his breath back, Reiko as already changed into a plain blue/green shirt, jeans and sandals. Sighing in frustration, she re-enters the library to find her male companion lounging on a loveseat with a stupid grin on his face. Rolling her eyes skyward, Reiko sits down in a fancy armchair and picks up a book on the small table nearby. "Do you need something Ash?" she asks in exasperation as the grin still hasn't left his face. His expression finally turning serious he looks Reiko straight in the eye and tells her, "I've decided to go another round at the Indigo League; however, my mom doesn't want me to be with just my team. She wants you to go with me for safety precautions. So, will you come?" Looking off to the side as if making some mental deliberations, Ash is forced to wait a few minutes for the answer. Nodding once she says, Yes, I'll go. Do you know what pokémon you're going to take with you? You do know that Gary has that old Pidgeot of your, right?" Looking at her quizzically, Ash makes it plain that he didn't know. Stalling the obvious follow-up question, Reiko tells him that, "After you went missing Gary ended up teaming up with your Pidgeot to look for you. Eventually, they caught the eye of Agatha in Viridian City and she bamboozled him and the League officials into making Gary Gym Leader in Viridian."
Giving a quick nod to show that he's okay with that, Ash goes on to tell her that he doesn't know what pokémon he will take with him besides Pikachu. While considering this, Ash begins to make some preliminary plans for how to tackle the Gyms in Kanto.
Sorry for the long delay, I really don't have any excuse for it. If any of your want to participate here's your chance. Which pokémon should Ash take with him? Which order should he tackle the gyms? You the reader get to decide, please put your choices in your review. To help you with this here is some info compiled in one spot. I will list all of Ash's pokémon including the one that he is speculated to catch in upcoming Japanese episodes. Besides this pokémon and possibly Pikachu all of his pokémon are fully evolved. I am also willing to put the Larvitar he met in Johto and the Riolu he saved from Hunter J in his team.
Charizard-Fire/Flying
Blastoise-Water
Venusaur-Grass/Poison
Butterfree-Bug/Flying
Kingler-Water
Snorlax-Normal
Primeape-Fighting
Lapras-Water/Ice
Donphan-Ground
Infernape-Fire/Fighting
Staraptor-Normal/Flying
Torterra-Grass/Ground
Tauros-Normal
Muk-Poison
Sceptile-Grass
Glalie-Ice
Gliscor-Ground/Flying
Heracross-Bug/Fighting
Noctowl-Normal/Flying
Feraligatr-Water
Meganium-Grass
Typhlosion-Fire
Torkoal-Fire
Crawdaunt-Water/Dark
Swellow-Normal/Flying
Floatzel-Water
Gible-Dragon/Ground
(This pokémon is un-evolved it you choose to pick it)