A CHAMPIONS RISE

CHAPTER FOUR: THE REVELATION

Brock, May and Max solidified again, but rather than the alleyway, they were standing on a rooftop of a building. They turned to see an already solidified Ash along with his 4 Pokemon. Suddenly the silence was broken.

"Are you alright? I was worried I was too late." Said a psychic floating Pokemon known as Mewtwo. While Brock and the siblings were gaping, Ash smiled.

"Right on time, as always. Thank you my friend. How was Johto?" Ash asked his feline legendary.

"My visit to Mt. Quena was good. The clones are really holding up by themselves. I'm just lucky Giovanni wasn't there this time." Mewtwo explained.

Ash nodded and thanked his feline Pokemon, before calling him back to his Pokeball per Arceus' speech yesterday. Afterwards Ash turned to the people he rescued.

"I suppose you have questions." Ash said, a little annoyed at being stuck with the people who turned their backs on him rather than his family. Seemingly oblivious to his annoyance, they fired questions at him.

"What just happened?" May started.

"Was that Mewtwo?" Max continued.

"Most importantly, who was that guy?" Brock finished.

They were all itching with so many other questions, but settled with one each for now. Ash sighed heavily while his Pokemon rolled their eyes a little, before Ash answered.

"You were attacked for your Pokemon. Yes. The Knight of Darkness." Ash answered dully in order.

"I've heard of him. He was wanted for 3 months in Ecruteak City for illegal Pokemon Poaching and was finally defeated by some mysterious trainer who didn't want the credit. What's he doing here?" Max asked, full of worry.

"The one in the same. He's here for revenge against the one who caught him in the first place." Ash answered. He waited a little while before it sunk in that he was the one who caught him.

"Red? You were the one who caught that guy? Why didn't you take credit?" May asked curious.

"Yes, I was. I just don't like to draw too much attention to myself." Ash answered.

"What Pokemon did you use to beat him? We didn't stand a chance! Did you use your Charizard? Salamence? Flygon?" Max questioned eagerly.

"None of the above. I used my number 1. My old buddy Pi here really showed him what's what." Ash answered proudly as he scratched Pikachu's head.

Brock, May and Max looked down in shame. Seeing the man with the Pikachu that shared a close bond reminded them of their mistakes. It was almost like the universe wouldn't let them forget. Suddenly a flash of familiarity came across them as they watched the man not only scratch and praise the Pikachu, but also carry a conversation with it. That was something Ash and only Ash could so easily.

"What's your name?" Brock asked suddenly, breaking Ash and Pikachu from their memories at Ecruteak.

"Red." Ash lied.

"Your real name." Brock corrected. When Ash raised an eyebrow at him, he continued. "Obviously 'Red' is some sort of code-name. I want to know your real name." Brock specified.

Sensing they were on to him, he covered for himself.

"It's a code name for a reason Mr. I don't believe I know your names, actually." Ash lied again.

After giving their names, Brock, May and Max went on to name the people Ash saw them with earlier, seemingly knowing they'd meet again.

"Ah. Well then Mr. Brock, it's a code-name for a reason." Ash repeated, but instead named Brock.

Brock nodded, showing he understood and was at least a little sorry for trying to pry into this mans personal business. He couldn't help but feel disappointed that he wasn't any closer to figuring out why this 'Red' fellow reminded him of Ash. He could tell Max and May was having similar feelings.

"Sorry Red, but you reminded us of someone we used to know very well." Brock told him honestly, hoping to at lease come a little closer to finding his best friend.

"Who might that be?" Ash asked, although he already knew the answer. He could see Pikachu holding back laughter and Aipom, Lucario and Houndoom holding back attacks for the Trio.

"Ash. Ash Ketchum." Brock answered after a little hesitation while May and Max visibly looked down at the mention of his name.

"You said 'used to know'. May I ask what happened?" Ash asked, trying to hide the irritation in his voice.

After seemingly thinking it over, Brock nodded.

"We let someone turn us against him. Not only that but when it didn't work… he made us get rid of him." Brock said solemnly.

"But now we feel bad. After he was gone we realized that he wasn't bad luck like we were told. You wouldn't have happened to see him somewhere have you? According to legends he's still alive." May added, speaking for the first time.

Ash and Pikachu zoned out and entered a conversation through telepathy that can only be achieved with a Pokemon and human partner that work so well together they could be considered 1.

"Do you think you should tell them who we are?" Pikachu asked Ash.

"I don't know Pi. They seem genuinely sorry, upset and I can tell they just want things be right again. On the other hand the others might find out and I think it's too soon for that." Ash debated.

"But on the other other hand if we just ask them not to tell maybe it'll work out. I am still mad though." Pikachu said, voicing his opinion.

"Me too Pi, but it's not like we were planning revenge so we either aren't upset because they feel bad for real, or we are stupid for not planning a revenge." Ash said.

"I say let's do it? Besides what have we got to lose? The Knight is already after them anyway. Next he'll probably go for the camera jerk and his 'faithful servants' next. At least if they know they can try and keep the others out of trouble. As pissed as we are we can't let anyone, even THEM, get hurt." Pikachu spoke honestly.

"I guess you're right again buddy. You win, we tell. Besides it's not in our nature to let anyone get hurt." Ash agreed, before he and Pikachu closed their mental barriers, breaking the telepathic chat and bringing them back to the real world.

"What would you say if I told you I could tell you information about 'Ash'" Ash said suddenly, surprising his Pokemon that weren't Pikachu.

They weren't too shocked though, they too sensed these 3 were full of sorrow and regret and trusted their masters' judgment. If he said it was okay to tell them, it was okay with them.

Now the 3 looked interested, but it was Brock who spoke up.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say 'We're listening'." Brock said cleverly, earing a grin from the Hoenn siblings and a smirk from Ash and his Pokemon.

"Listen carefully." Ash whispered. The 3 nodded and leaned in closer to hear well. Aipom jumped to Lucario's shoulder and Lucario and Houndoom backed up little by little.

"He's back." Ash whispered even lowed as his cloak fell from his shoulders. After the cloak fell it became easy to tell just what happened. He looked almost exactly the same accept more muscular, older and his facial features were more defined. To top it off he even had Pikachu on his right shoulder.

Without warning he was pulled into a huge hug by the 3, hearing nothing but 'I'm so glad your okay!' 'Thank God your back!' and "What happened?' repeated over and over again. The duo just smiled at their friends, now re-united.

After Ash was freed, somewhat, from his friends, he and Pikachu stepped back and let his Pokemon fall into position. Aipom jumped back onto his left shoulder and Houndoom and Lucario by his right and left sides respectively.

"I'll give you the short version of my journeys for now. Later you, my family and I will meet you and explain everything." They nodded eagerly. "I escaped, took a select few Pokemon and ran away forever. On my travels I took in a legal sister but emotionally she's my daughter, I married to Ursula and Paul is my best HUMAN friend. That's the run-down of it. Find me later if you want to talk, I'm in room 64 at the center." Ash explained quickly.

Before he could leave, Max spoke up.

"Wait! What's so important you're leaving right now?" Max asked curiously.

"I have to find The Knight of Darkness. I have a feeling he isn't in his 'innocent stage' yet. I promise I'll explain later. Tell you what? Lunch together. You, me and my family and all the questions you want. How does 12 sound?" Ash asked, getting excited to leave.

"Uh sure. I guess. Let me guess, don't tell the others about this lunch or who you are?" May asked knowingly.

Ash smiled at her and nodded rapidly.

"Pi, Escape Maneuver 2." Ash ordered calmly.

Pikachu nodded and jumped off Ash's shoulder with a flip. While spinning his tail changed to a metallic steel color and was holding an ElectroBall at the end. Suddenly the ElectroBall was shot right at the floor and created smoke from the power behind it that came from the Iron Tail. When the smoke vanished Ash and his Pokemon were gone, leaving only Brock, May and Max on the rooftop.

"What has be been doing?" May asked, impressed.

"How long did that take him to learn?" Brock asked dumbfounded.

"Why is he obsessed with cool exits?!" Max asked excitedly.

Suddenly there was an explosion in the distance, right by the woods they walked past earlier. No doubt Ash and Pikachu fighting that Knight guy. Thought the 3 trainers.

"We'll see them in a hour. It's already 11 o'clock. We have to go find Misty and the others and tell them we can't have lunch with them." Brock said, breaking everyone away from the smoke in the distance.

"How can we tell them that without telling about Ash?" May asked.

"Tell them we're having lunch with Morrison. We're the only ones who know him so they'll buy that." Max said smartly. May and Brock smiled at his idea and silently agreed to it.

Brock led May and Max off the rooftop silently as they contemplated on what they were going to hassle Ash about. They were definitely asking about his 'family' and The Knight of Darkness. Max was thinking about asking about his 'Escape Maneuvers' while Brock was thinking more on how he got his Pokemon looking so good and well trained and not to mention how powerful. May, however, was thinking about asking on advice for combinations. After she saw his ElectroBall/Iron Tail combination she couldn't help but think about the other combinations he must have.

Although confused on their questions and Ash and Pikachu's history, they could all agree on at least 1 thought. They were all relieved Ash and Pikachu were alive, healthy, powerful and most of all back. They all grinned at that thought as they walked back to the Pokemon Center to cancel on lunch with Trip and wait for lunch with Ash and Pikachu.

Meanwhile at the Center Ash's family was getting worried. He was taking a little longer than usual and they were guessing it had something to do with how dazed he seemed earlier in the woods.

"I'll go check and see if I can find him." Ursula said as she stood up. Paul shook his head.

"He's stronger than anyone I know, he can handle himself. Besides he's probably ran into them by now. I wish I could've been there with him." Paul said as he watched Ursula sink back down.

"Do any of them regret it?" Ursula asked. Paul nodded.

"I know for a fact Brock, May and Max do. I've seen it. Whenever I see them together, those 3 are always huddled around close to each other and a further away from anyone else." Paul said knowingly.

"Do you think Ash knows that? Think he'll forgive them?" Sarah asked curiously.

"Probably those 3 because they honestly regret it, but the others I don't think so." Paul answered, once again in an 'I know it all' tone.

"But he's not trying to get revenge on them so he can't be that mad right?" Sarah asked again.

"That's just because he's smart enough to know revenge does nothing but create more problems. Just because he isn't seeking revenge, doesn't mean he isn't mad. Like I said, he's probably already forgiven Brock, May and Max if he's seen them." Paul answered again.

Sarah and Ursula just nodded in agreement with his words. Although they were all still worried for Ash, they decided that Paul was right and that Ash could take care of himself.

LINEBREAK

In the woods there was an intense battle going on between The Knight and Ash.

"Arcanine, Flamewheel!" The Knight ordered. At his command the Arcanine ran at a fast pace while being covered in flames that circled around.

"Counter with Aqua Jet, Floatzel!" Ash countered. After his Floatzel jumped into the air and turned into a speeding bullet surrounded in water.

The water and fire attacks collided almost center field, and both Pokemon pushed as hard as they could but the other wouldn't budge. It seemed like they were at an impasse, but suddenly they were both forced apart at the same time. Floatzel was flung back to Ash, but he skidded to a stop. Arcanine was thrown to The Knight, but he flipped over in the air and landed on all fours. Both powerful Pokemon stood glaring at each other for a period of time before another attack was called.

"Flamethrower! / Water Gun!" They ordered at the same time.

Simultaneously streams of fire and water were shot from Arcanine and Floatzel but again they collided, fought to overpower the other, and exploded. Without even waiting for commands, the Pokemon struck with more attacks. Arcanine jumped with glowing claws, going for a scratch attack. However Floatzel was ready and swung his tail back and forth for a Sonic Boom that minimized the damage.

Again both Pokemon were forced back and again they both landed, growling and glaring at the other. Until finally, Arcanine and Floatzel both collapsed, unable to take anymore attacks. The Knight just returned Arcanine and ran as fast as he could.

Ash, knowing he couldn't catch up now, sighed as Floatzel was returned with words of praise before he turned to his 4 walking Pokemon.

"Let's go tell Ursula and the others out lunch plans, shall we?" Ash asked. Knowing it wasn't really a question; the Pokemon resumed their usual spots as they headed to the Pokemon Center.

Ash and his Pokemon made it to their room and when they opened the door they saw Paul, Sarah and Ursula watching T.V.

"Hey guys." Ash said casually. They all nodded to show they acknowledged his presence but then realized how long he was gone and decided to question him.

"Where have you been?" Ursula asked.

"What happened?" Sarah continued.

"Did you see them yet?" Paul questioned.

Ash just sighed. He knew this was coming eventually. As of right now he couldn't bring them to lunch without them finding out about The Knight of Darkness. He knew they had a right to know from him not from anyone else, even though he did forgive them, it was still his place to tell them, not Brock and the others.

After thinking it over in his head and with Pikachu, Ash gave a sigh and explained everything. He told them about The Arceus, The Knight, the rescue, the lunch and anything else important.

They took it better than he expected and had little to no problems eating with the people who once betrayed him, as if they knew just from his story they were truly sorry. They took The Knight of Darkness' return harder witch is understandable but they still looked more afraid than angry, but neither was good news to Ash and Pikachu. The duo had a plan worked out that they would each keep a Pokemon out with them whenever they weren't with Ash and if The Knight showed up, they shot an attack into the air.

By the time he had told them everything, they accepted it, they talked it over and came up with the plan, it was about 10 of 12, almost time for lunch with Brock and the others. Ash sighed and he and his family got ready and were out of their room in 5 minutes and met Brock, May and Max in the cafeteria of the Pokemon Center.

Ash sat across from Brock, while Ursula and Paul sat on the left and right of him. Sarah sat next to Ursula and Pikachu and Aipom hopped onto the table. Houndoom and Lucario sat at the end of the table waiting for food.

"Questions?" Ash started.

After that the entire lunch was a blur. He was bombarded with so many questions he could hardly think straight enough to answer them all.

He couldn't even remember all the questions there were so many. Among the ones he remembered were 'How are you so strong?' 'How do you train your Pokemon?' 'Did you get any new Pokemon?' 'Where do you think of those combinations?' 'Why do you use Escape Maneuvers?' and 'Where the hell have you been?'

Ash had decided to leave with his Pokemon to prepare for the first rounds tomorrow. He left his family to talk with the others. When he left Paul and Brock was exchanging training routines, Max was asking Sarah what Pokemon she had and Ursula and May were discussing a 'girls day out'. He was glad his family and his friends were getting along so well.

Ash walked a little further from the center and back to the wooded area that was a few blocks from where he was staying. He found the place he was at earlier, the small clearing in the area surrounded by trees, and he let out his 'Power Team' as Sarah had addressed them.

Out came Charizard, Sceptile, Feraligatr, Krookodile and Swellow. Pikachu was the 6th member of this 'Power Team' but he was already out. These Pokemon were put together with the 'Power Team' name because of their strength and abilities in battle. While Houndoom and Floatzel were 'stronger' than Krookodile and Swellow, it wouldn't be wise to have 2 fire and water types should someone have an easy counter.

"Im warning you a lot of you won't battle until later rounds, but when you do I'll do my best to allow you a lot of glory." Ash started and was met with mixed expressions.

The powerful elemental trio grumbled at not fighting for a while, Krookodile seemed okay with Ash's choice, Swellow was trying to be unfazed like Krookodile, but anyone could tell he was just as upset as Charizard. Unlike the others, Pikachu seemed to be sulking rather than launching ThunderBolt's.

"What's wrong buddy?" Ash asked, even though he knew exactly what was wrong.

"I just know I'm going to get an awesome battle in this tournament, but I can't wait to fight in it!" Pikachu complained.

Ash sighed. He could feel the battle up ahead too. He and Pikachu almost had a 6th sense when it came to battling and could tell who was a worthy opponent. They both knew someone more than worthy was on the island now. It wasn't Paul because this didn't make him feel like he did before they fought. It wasn't The Knight because he was more frightening than worthy. But who was it then?

"Think of it this way. I'll let you battle against anyone who we both think is strong enough so you're not tired from fighting the one's who aren't." Ash reassured him, desperate to make his best friend feel better.

Pikachu nodded excitedly, happy with Ash's battle plan.

"Okay guys, we should train for a little while. Charizard, Swellow fly to Mt. Coronet and back to work on stamina and speed. Krookodile practice Outrage some more. Sceptile you spar with Feraligatr and Pikachu work some more on LightScreen." Ash commanded.

With a ready nod, they jumped into action. Charizard and Swellow took off at top speed towards the Mt., Krookodile went a safe distance and practiced the dragon-attack, Sceptile and Feraligatr took battle stances while Pikachu called electric energy and formed a box around him. Ash smiled. This was going to be fun.

AND CHAPTER 4 IS DONE!

NEXT I WILL UPLOAD CHAPTER 7 FOR 'UNOVA: THE NEXT STOP' SO YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER FOR THAT. ALSO IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, CHECK OUT MY STORY 'A HERO'S RETURN'

I'M THINKING OF IDEAS FOR OTHER STORIES THAT AREN'T POKEMON. GASP! I KNOW BUT AS MUCH AS I LOVE POKEMON, I DO WATCH OTHER THINGS. SO FAR I HAVE SEVERAL IDEAS FOR SOME 'DANNY PHANTOM' STORIES BUT SORRY TO GET YOUR HOPES UP BECAUSE I'M GOING TO FINISH THESE 2 FIRST.

BUT STILL LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE THE IDEA DANNY PHANTOM STORIES AND I'LL PUT MORE TIME INTO THINKING OF IT. I'VE READ SOME AND I LIKE THE ONES WHERE HE'S IN THE GHOST ZONE WITH HIS CLASS SO I MIGHT DO SOMETHING WITH THAT.

THAT'S IT FOR NOW UNTIL I UPDATE AGAIN! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW