Author's Note:
What's going on everyone? Well the chapters are rolling out pretty fast now which is great because I really like the way that this story is turning out! After chapter 3 the views on this story doubled so were at over 1000 views now which is awesome and I'm really glad that you are all enjoying the story!
As always, thank you to all of you that reviewed, followed my story, or made it one of your favorites, I really appreciate it!
That's about it so enjoy the chapter everyone!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon and I don't plan on starting a campaign to try and buy Pokémon or anything like that so the point is that I don't own Pokémon.
Crossroads Chapter 4: The Choice That Starts It All!
Previously on Crossroads, Ash and Gary had a 3v3 battle which ended up being decided as a draw. After the battle Gary began to tell Ash about Scott and the Battle Frontier.
Professor Oak's Laboratory – Kanto Region
"You mean Scott from the Battle Frontier?!" Asked a startled Ash. He really wanted to find out what in the world Gary was talking about.
"Yup, that's the one alright. I met Scott awhile back because he wanted me to tryout the Battle Frontier. Sorry for not telling you sooner Ashy-boy, but at the time that was confidential information" said Gary while sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
"WHAT?! When did this happen?!" Asked Ash frantically. He was now extremely interested on what he was hearing.
"Well one day, when I was working in Sinnoh on a research project that supposedly is able to evolve Eevee into Glaceon, I ran into Scott just outside of Snowpoint City. Scott said he was looking for the same thing. He needed to get a piece of it to bring home with him. Supposedly, the shard we found is now at the Battle Frontier headquarters being examined" said Gary informatively.
"Alright, alright Gary, would you get to the story already!?" Asked a now frustrated Ash.
"Alright jeez, cool your head Ashy-boy. Anyway, while we were looking for the stone, I told Scott about who I was and the first thing he asked me was if I knew you Ashy-boy" said Gary.
"Really?! What did you say?" Asked Ash.
"Well I said that of course I knew you! From there, we got into a whole conversation about how you challenged the mighty Battle Frontier defeating each of its members one by one until you came to the last two members Anabel and the secret leader which he couldn't tell me about because of Battle Frontier policy, who you had a little more trouble with but still managed to win against. By the time we were done talking, we had already found the stone and were heading back to Snowpoint City. Once we got back to the city, Scott asked me that if I would be interested in taking a break from my research and challenging the Battle Frontier once I got back to Kanto" said Gary.
"No way! Well did you decide to do it?" Asked Ash eagerly as it seemed he was full of questions today.
Gary didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a badge case. He then proceeded to open it and the contents inside made Ash's mouth drop.
"NO WAY! You already have five of the Frontier Symbols!?" Yelled an extremely surprised Ash.
Ash was not mistaken as within the badge case held the Guts, Tactics, Spirit, Knowledge, and Luck Symbols respectively.
"Wow Gary, I almost can't believe that you already have five symbols. However, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised either knowing you" said Ash.
"Come on Ashy-boy, I mean what did you expect? It is me we're talking about after all!" Said Gary with a smirk as he closed and pocketed his Frontier badge case.
"Anyway, it's great that you're doing the Battle Frontier Gary, but why are telling me now?" Asked Ash.
Gary just shook his head and said "Come on Ash! Don't you remember the offer they gave to you? Scott told me all about how after you beat the secret leader; he asked you if you wanted to become a Frontier Brain although you declined because you said you could never stay in one place at a time. Well, now I figure would be a perfect time to take Scott up on his offer!" Said Gary hoping to encourage Ash to take to position.
"I don't know Gary… I mean being something like that has just never appealed to me before in my life. Why should I do this now? Asked Ash.
"Why do you think Ash? This would be a perfect chance for you to become stronger! Getting to learn from the other Frontier Brains about how to conduct yourself, growing up Ash, isn't that what you want to do?" Asked Gary.
Before Ash could respond, Professor Oak came up from behind Gary and said "Ash, if I may, I think I am going to have to go with my grandson about this. My reasoning is simple; I have watched you grow up from a small child and I think of you as another son to me. This is a chance for you to experience other aspects of life that will help you become a better person. I feel that if you take this position, you will grow up into the man that everyone is waiting for you become. We all know that you have the ability to do so, Ash."
"You really think I should do this?" Asked Ash now looking right at Professor Oak.
"Ash, this could be one of the most important decisions of your life because of where you are as a trainer and I believe that this is the right choice!" Said Professor Oak confidently all the while keeping the same cheerful smile on his face.
Ash looked from Professor Oak back to Gary who gave him a thumbs up and finally said "Alright, Gary do you have Scotts number? I would like to give him a call" said Ash with a smile now as he realized that this is something that he had to do.
"Here, I have his number on my videophone inside. You are more than welcome to talk to him for as long as you like" said Professor Oak. With that Ash, Gary and Professor Oak went back inside so Ash could make his call.
Once they were in Professor Oak's office, Oak gave Ash the number and he and Gary stepped out of the room so Ash could make the call.
Ash, deciding to not waste any time, immediately punched in Scott's number. After a few rings Scott picked up and said "This is Scott of the Battle Frontier, who may I ask is calling?"
"Hey Scott, it's me Ash Ketchum!" Said Ash enthusiastically.
"Hey! What's going on Ash? How has everything been my friend?" Asked Scott as he was excited to see Ash's face after such a long time.
"Everything has been great! The reason why I called was because I wanted to ask you something" said Ash.
"Ask away my friend, anything for one of the only people who have ever beaten the Battle Frontier in its history" said Scott with a smile.
"Well umm…. I was kind of wondering if it was too late to take you up on your offer to become a Frontier Brain. I completely understand if it's too late as I have just been really busy with going to Sinnoh and participating in the league over there" asked Ash while scratching the back of his head.
"Hmm I don't know Ash. It has been awhile since you beat Brandon and a lot of good trainers have come through the Battle Frontier since you left" said Scott while rubbing his chin.
"Really oh… I understand. Well thank you anyw…"
Ash was cut off by Scott's laughter. Once he finished laughing, he said "Ah come on Ash! Of course my offer to join the Battle Frontier is still valid. I was lying when I said that a lot of good trainers have come through recently. Nobody that has participated in the Battle Frontier has been as skilled as you. It would be an honor if you would become a Frontier Brain!" Announced Scott proudly.
"Wow really?! Thanks a lot Scott! I really appreciate it!" Said a now excited Ash.
"Well you are most welcome kid. Now in order to for you to begin your Frontier Brain training, I'll need you to come to the Battle Frontier Headquarters in Vermillion City. If you can get there by 6:00 PM tomorrow, that would be great!" said Scott.
"You got it Scott I'll be there at 6:00 PM on the dot!" Said now a very excited Ash.
"Excellent! Well then now that, that is all settled, I'll be seeing you tomorrow Ash" said Scott as he bid Ash goodbye.
"Alright, see ya Scott" replied Ash and with that cut off the connection with his now new boss.
Ash got up and exited Professor Oak's office to see Gary and Professor Oak waiting for him outside. Professor Oak then asked "how did it go Ash?"
"He said that they would be honored to have me join the Battle Frontier and that they will be expecting me to be in Vermillion City tomorrow at 6:00 PM!" Announced Ash excitedly.
"Alright! Congratulations Ash!" Said both Gary and Professor Oak.
"Thanks a lot I really appreciate it. If you don't mind Professor, there is another call I would like to make." Asked Ash.
"Not a problem at all my boy. I'll just be in my lab working on a project that I have just recently started" said that Professor.
"Here Gramps, I'll come with you as I want to see what you have been working on as well" said Gary. With that the pair walked off while discussing Professor Oak's new project. Ash went back to the videophone dialed in another number and waited for it to answer.
Once the man picked up, he saw Ash and said "Hey Ash! How has everything been going?"
"Hi Brock! Everything is going great! I wanted to give you a call because I wanted you to be the first person to know about what I'm going to do" said Ash with a smile.
"Oh, and what would that be?" Asked Brock.
"Well… I'm going to be a Frontier Brain!" Said Ash excitedly.
"No way?! Really Ash? When did you make this decision?" Asked Brock, now very curious about why Ash chose to become a Frontier Brain.
"Haha, it's kind of a long story but anyway it started off like this…" Ash then proceeded to tell Brock about everything that just happened from Gary talking to him at the river, all the way to him just calling Scott about the Frontier Brain position.
"That's really about it, so what do you think about my decision Brock?" Asked Ash.
"Honestly Ash, I have been waiting for you to make a decision like this on your own for a very long time now. From my perspective, about everything you just told me seems like things that were meant to happen to you. You becoming a Frontier Brain will help you grow up like Professor Oak said. When he says that you have the ability within yourself to accomplish great things, he is absolutely right. Throughout my journeys with you, I have seen you do some incredible things and now I feel that this is the perfect time for you to take the next step in not only your career as a Pokémon Trainer but in your life as well" said Brock wisely as anybody could tell that he has been waiting a long time to say that.
"Thanks a lot Brock! I'm not going to let you or anybody else down! I'm going to go to the Battle Frontier Headquarters in Vermillion City tomorrow and no matter what I have to do, I'm going to overcome it and become a Frontier Brain!" Announced Ash passionately.
"That's good to hear Ash, I am very proud of you" said Brock.
"Thank you Brock. I never could have gotten this far without your help" said Ash with a smile.
"Haha, you know it Ash. Also before I go, I just want to remind you that since you're going to become a Frontier Brain that somebody special might be waiting for you there" said Brock secretively.
"Somebody special? Who exactly are you talking about?" Asked Ash now very confused as he was hit with his innate denseness.
"Sorry Ash. I can't spoil that part for you but remember, once you realize who this person is, you will understand what I'm talking about and realize it is all a part of growing up" said Brock wisely.
"Ugh Brock. You're really confusing me now?" Yelled Ash now holding his head in his hands.
Brock could only laugh and said "Like I said, you will figure out what I am talking about soon. I have to go be a referee for a Gym Battle so I'm sure I'll talk to you soon. Take care Ash!"
"Alright I'll talk to you later Brock" replied Ash. With that the videophone shut down once again.
Ash, now feeling good about everything that was said, headed outside to give his Pokémon the news. Once he was outside, all of Ash's Pokémon skirted up to him and once they were all in front of Ash, he told them all about the good news. In response, all of Ash's Pokémon cheered and seemed ready to take on the unique new challenge.
"Alright everyone now lets train for the rest of the day. Then we will head out tomorrow for Vermillion City!" Yelled Ash as he pumped a fist in the air and all of his Pokémon continued to cheer around him.
Tohjo Falls – Kanto Region
In a small log cabin seemingly in the middle of nowhere sat the sixth member of the Battle Frontier, Salon Maiden Anabel. She was talking to Scott on a videophone.
"Ah Anabel, how have you been doing?" Asked Scott.
"Well, I have been pretty busy lately with all the new challengers that you have recruited, but it's nothing I can't handle" said Anabel with a laugh.
"That's good to hear. Anyway, I have some news that I think you will like very much" said Scott with a smirk.
"Oh? What might that be?" Asked Anabel curiously.
"Well, somebody that passed through the Battle Frontier about a year and a half ago just called me today telling me that he has decided to accept my offer of being a Frontier Brain" said Scott.
After hearing that Anabel now became very attentive as she had been waiting for this news for a very long time hoping that 'he' might accept Scott's offer. Just to be sure though, Anabel asked with a light blush on her face "Scott, you wouldn't happen to be talking about Ash would you?"
"You bet! I figured you would want to be the first to know. I am asking all of the Frontier Brains to cancel any and everything off their schedules and report to the Battle Frontier Headquarters tomorrow at 5:00 PM in order to prepare for Ash's arrival."
Upon hearing that, Anabel froze up for a second before saying with an even brighter blush now on her face "O… ok Scott. I'll be there."
"Very good, I'll be excepting you at 5:00 PM. Also don't say anything to the other Brains, but if I were you I would start thinking of things for him to do now. You know, to save time and all that" said Scott with a smirk.
Anabel, knowing exactly what Scott was referring to, blushed even brighter while thinking of what it would be like if Ash did indeed choose her.
However, she realized what Scott was trying to say and said "You know Scott, that is really mean to pick on me just for my feelings, regardless I'll be there at 5 like you said." said Anabel. Before Scott could respond, Anabel cut the connection between them.
Anabel knew that Scott wouldn't care about what she did as he knew all about her feelings for a certain raven-headed trainer.
Anabel then looked out her window and said to herself "Ash… if you do indeed choose me, then I'll do everything I can do help you become the best Frontier Brain you can be. I know that this time when you try and read my heart, you will be able too. If you can't, then I'll stay by your side until you are able to. Ash… I'm not going to let you go again like last time without telling you my feelings first."
With that Anabel got into her pajamas and then into bed all the while thinking about what tomorrow's events may bring.
Author's Note:
Alright so I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter! I think that this is a good place to stop as next chapter will mostly involve what is going to happen at the Battle Frontier Headquarters.
If you can leave a review, or favorite/follow the story! That would be awesome as I really want this story to get as big as it can as this story is for you guys so tell me what you think!
That's about it so like I said if you need anything then just PM me or check out my profile for updates as it usually gets updated daily.
As always here is the next chapter title!
Crossroads Chapter 5: That Special Someone
That about it everyone so I'll see you later and as always have an awesome day!
Cyclone20