Chapter IV
The man led Ash to the back door of the arena, he looked out and seen no one.
"Ok come on quickly!" he was in a rush to get Ash out of the arena. Ash walked out then suddenly flash.
"Hey guys, he's back here" a bodiless voice yelled out. Then like a swarm dozens of journalists stormed down the alley.
"Awh crap!" the man yelled and he pulled Ash indoors. He slammed the door shut. Then there was a constant banging on the door. "I need security to the back door now!" he yelled into the microphone. Then six huge security guards stormed down the corridor.
"What's wrong?" one of them asked.
"What do you thinks wrong you duf!" the man yelled back. Ash then seen his name tag. His name was Mike. Then another flash, Ash turned. There was another man with a camera running down the corridor "Ash can I have an exclusive please!" he yelled.
"A what?" Ash asked still dazed by the flash.
The next thing he seen was one of the security guards run up the corridor and tackle the man. There was a wet bump sound as he hit the floor the six foot two giant of a man on top of him.
Mike turned to him "Ok looks like the only way to get you out is the front door, follow me" five of the security guards followed Ash down the corridor. The front door was the far side of the huge building. Pikachu was still sitting on Ash shoulder, he seemed to enjoy getting his picture taken.
When they reached the front door, there was a small army of security guards. Mike turned to Ash, I have an idea to get you out just do what I say ok". Mike walked over to one of his colleges said something and then came back. "Right once that dope with the eevee walks out, you're to run out ahead and take her car ok" he handed Ash back his duffel bag. He then turned to the five much larger bulkier men. "You five get him to that car. I don't care what you have to do. Its Reds orders, he has to get to that hotel as soon as possible. Ok!?"
The five powerhouses all said in chorus "Yes Sir!"
Mike walked of leaving Ash with a guard named Walter. Walter turned to him "You're my kids hero you know that"
"Thanks" Ash said he then dug into his pack and took out his hat "give him that" he handed Walter the hat. He took it and put it in his pocket.
"Thanks he's not going to believe this" he smiled. "All right" he said as the girl walked out with her guards "leg it". Then as the journalists were busy taking photos of the girl Ash and his five guards burst out. All eyes were on them. As they ran to the car he could hear their questions
"Mr Katchem, how does it feel to be made a gym master?"
"Ash can you comment on your opponent Red?" some woman with an American accent asked..
"Can you tell us more about yourself Ash?"
They had so many questions. The flashes of the cameras started to annoy him. Walter grabbed him and threw him rather ungraciously into the car "Good luck kid and thanks" he said as he slammed the door shut.
The driver revved the engine and sped of down the street. At the traffic light junction two police cars joined them. Ash was the most wanted man on the planet, even Red didn't get this much attention. The two police cars led the Ash's car to the hotel. He looked in the chair beside him, there was a bottle of the sticky beery drink he liked waiting for him. He took it and drank it while looking out the window at the city.
After twenty minutes of driving they reached the hotel. The hotel was a grand building that stood about twenty stories high, although it was still considered small in the huge metropolis of the city. Ash could see the huge crowd of journalists and photographers outside the hotel waiting for him. A group of security guards then tried to make him a path into the hotel.
"Hey Kid get out!" the driver yelled. Ash opened the door, just as he was trying to make his way to the hotel, the cops got out of their cars and escorted him in to the hotel. Ash felt as if he was a famous criminal due to the cops and the all the press.
He didn't remember much about the journey in it happened all so fast. Once inside things were so much quieter, he could finally breathe. Brock and Tracey were sitting in the lobby drinking coffee.
They were wearing the clothes they must have bought. Brock wore chinos and a black shirt, and Tracey had a white shirt and blue tie.
"Well if it isn't the two most famous people on the planet" Brock smiled as he took another sip of his coffee.
"You look nice" Ash said as he took a seat beside them.
"Yeah … your mom chose them" Brock and Tracey blushed.
"You look wrecked" Tracey said.
"Yeah getting here was … interesting. Ash said remembering the press swarming him
A short fellow then walked over to Ash "Sir I can take you to your room if you'd like.
"Yeah led on please "Ash said as he picked up his bag.
The man then took the bag out of his hands "May I?" it was a question he already answered.
Ash nodded then turned to Brock "Is Misty here yet?"
"Yeah but Dawn and May still have her." Brock said as Ash left.
The man made no attempt to speak to Ash in the elevator. They stopped on the fifth floor and he led Ash to his room. At the door he handed him the key card and his bag. "Enjoy your stay sir" he said as he walked of.
Ash walked into the room and closed the door. He finally could relax. The first thing he seen in the large suite was the bed he dived on it and enjoyed the softness and freshness of it. Pikachu however was more interested in seeing how high he could bounce on it. So never being one to pass on a bouncy bed, Ash started jumping too forgetting about how tired he was. Both of them laughed as they went up, and down and up again and then down again.
"Buddy" he said looking at Pikachu "I believe it's time for a snack".
And with that Ash called room service. It's just as well everything was free.
"Yes Sir. What would you like".
"Um forty eight cans of soda, and a chocolate cake plase"
There was a brief silence. Finally the reply came "Coming right up Sir the voice said.
It took three guys to bring the order up. Ash let Pikachu eat the cake and drink as much soda as he liked, after all Ash was getting dinner later. Ash lay on the bed as Pikachu drank soda out of a can with a straw, immersed in a TV show teaching you how to maintain that trademark yellow coat in tip top condition. Ash wasn't over his defeat but the pick me up experience of fresh sheets and bouncing on the bed with Pikachu, did give him the boost he needed.
He now had to turn his attention to the Misty situation. They didn't get to finish their talk and well what else is there to do then tell your Pikachu how you feel.
"What should I tell her pal" he then noticed some new clothes and shoes hanging on the bathroom door. As he got up to investigate he continued "I mean I always felt strongly for her" he wasn't going to tell Pikachu he loved her, he was sure he knew by now "but will I let her down, I mean I failed today what if I fail her".
"Pika" came the reply, Ash wasn't looking but Pikachu wasn't even listening.
He picked up one of the cards that was attached to the clothes. It read;
"Dinner for friends and relatives at 10 pm in restaurant 5.
Party for competitors and guests at 7pm tomorrow night in main lobby.
Please note, due to insurance purposes no Pokémon can enter the restaurant or main lobby.
We are sorry for any inconvenience."
Then he noticed another note attached,
"Ash,
We will meet you in the restaurant at 10, make sure you shower and shave and wash behind your ears. Hope you like the clothes, Brock and Tracey helped me pick them out.
So proud of my little boy.
Love
Mom".
He examined the clothes, he got a crisp new blue shirt and pants and a black tie. He then tried on the shoes, they were comfortable and just right. "I never stop thinking about her and she said the same earlier". To be honest Pikachu was still watching TV in a vegetative state, every now and then he would chim in with "pika" "pika".
"You know what Pikachu, am gonna tell her, am gonna tell her everything" he smiled and turned around. Pikachu was asleep on the bed. Nice to know you'll always listen to me pal. He picked up his phone of the bedside locker, it was 8:45. He went and had his shower and shave and then put on the clothes. He got a blue shirt and black pants and shiny new shoes. He skipped the tie, he never liked those. As he finished gelling his hair, he noticed something in the corner of his eye.
On the coffee table in the middle of the room there was a small box, about the size of a shoe box. He opened it and he got the most amazing present ever. It was a box full of memories, photos of his travels with his friends, Dawn, Max, May Brock Tracey everyone had put in something special. He smiled on the inside cover of the top a note was written.
"Ash,
It took a while but we got there
Your friends
Brock (We made it)
Max (I'll beat you someday)
May (so proud of you, you thought me so much)
Dawn (Brock did most of the work)
Misty (we'll finish our talk tonight, I left something special for you under the TV).
Ash then looked under the TV there was a smaller box and a photo of him and Misty that Brock took years ago. In the small box he found a beautiful watch with the inscription, "You still owe me a bike".
Ash smiled, he ordered some more soda and chocolate to be brought up to the room and wrapped Pikachu in a blanket. He then got his wallet and left the room to go to the party. The night was still young after all, and he was going to tell Misty three words.
I love you