The next morning, the competitors awoke to the sound of explosions. Running outside, they were met with the sight of a certain blue and ebony haired man. Everyone watched, horrified, as Mewtwo and a Lucario launched attacks at him. Right as they were about to hit, he created a glowing shield and stood against most of the attacks. As most of the attacks had been dissipated, Ash deactivated his shield and kicked the rest back, his bare foot covered in a slight fiery blue aura which resembled a blaze kick. Lucario, Mewtwo and Ash bowed to each other, accepting a draw. He recalled Lucario and seemingly made the Pokéball vanish into thin air. Ash, having had enough physical exertion for the morning, sat down on a rock and splashed water on himself. He arched his back and threw off his loose muscle shirt. All the female eyes widened, his shoulders were wide, he had a hardened eight pack, and his pecs were well-defined. He let out a large sigh as he enjoyed his time in between training.
"Ash, what was that?" Bruno asked.
"Training, for me." he replied, opening his eyes to show amber, not blue. "Takes my mind off things." He switched his eyes back to blue and wrung out his shirt, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the small stream of sweat that dripped from the shirt.
Just as was about to speak again, Bertha yelled out, "Ash! Look out!" But he was already on the move. A Hitmonlee and a Hitmonchan circled him, as he back flipped away from a kick courtesy of Hitmonlee. He flicked his eyes between them, when Hitmonchan made the first move. He threw a series of punches at the young man who promptly dodged them all, while slowly backing up.
"What's he doing? He's going to back up into Hitmonlee!" Bruno yelled, looking really into the battle. Ash was just about to crash into Hitmonlee, who was preparing for a low sweep. Just as Hitmonlee was about to kick, Ash jumped and flipped off of Hitmonlee's shoulders, landing behind the two Pokémon, making them attack each other with their momentum. Bruno was fixated on the battle, while all the girls were fixated on his flexing muscles. He finally went on the offensive, getting between the two again and making them land hits on each other while he ducked and jumped. He leaped into a handstand and spun on his hands, while throwing kicks to both Pokémon. If he wasn't stuck fighting two pokemon, he could easily pass as a breakdancer. Everyone was awed at the sight, and gasped when he attacked with a low sweep, knocking both Pokémon off balance. He grabbed Hitmonchan's arm and flung him over to Hitmonlee, promptly creating a pile of fighting types. Ash sat on the mound of Pokémon and cheered, but Hitmonchan threw him off and proceeded to wrestle him, who laughed and tackled Hitmonchan in return. Hitmonlee lay on the ground, groaning, faking his own death. Ash laughed at Hitmonchan's feeble attempts at wrestling him, and laughed even harder at the groaning Hitmonlee. Pikachu got excited as well. and threw up an electro-ball, which exploded in a shower of sparkles.
Everyone looked on, surprised at the mood Ash is in with his Pokémon, compared to his coldness towards humans.
"Hey, did I miss anything?" A voice broke the thoughts of many. Cynthia was jogging towards them, but that wasn't what caught their attention. It was her outfit. She was wearing a black spaghetti strap top and a pair of white shorts, showing off her pale, smooth, long legs. She had her hair back in a ponytail showing off the frame of her face, although her bangs were ever present on her face, covering her right eye. Lance started sputtering incomprehensible words, sporting a large blush. Clair raised her eyebrow at the change.
"Uh...Cyn-Cynthia…I um- just want to say um-" Clair pushed her love-struck cousin aside and whistled at Cynthia.
"Hot damn, girl! What happened?"
"I had a fun night!"
"What sort of fun?" Clair hinted, wiggling her eyebrows.
Cynthia winked, much to the surprise of everyone, and responded, "The best kind." She looked toward Ash, who was shamelessly checking her out, much to Lance's dismay. He sent a quick wink and smirk at her when the groups' attention was off of him. Cynthia rolled her eyes, he was such an arrogant asshole, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She turned her attention to Clair and watched as her mouth dropped open. The dragon trainer stared at Cynthia's grey orbs, alarmed at the sudden spike of confidence and dirty suggestions.
Sabrina raised her eyebrows and looked at Ash. She caught the wink he sent her and frowned. What was going on?
Before Sabrina could say anything, Brock voiced a question that he had been holding onto for these last few days, "Cynthia, how did you know about our spat with Ash anyway?"
The old "friends" of Ash nodded their heads, just recognizing the weird circumstance that had befallen them.
Cynthia pursed her lips and sent a glance to Ash, who nodded. She sighed and admitted reluctantly, "This isn't the first time I've met Ash after the betrayal. We ran into each other in Sinnoh when he was hunting for a pokemon. I demanded to know why he was off the grid for half a year and we got into a pokemon battle, that I won narrowly. I made Ash tell me what happened to him," her eyes hardened as she looked at them, her usually warm and welcoming eyes became stormy. "Frankly, I'm disgusted with all of you. I've been putting up with you for a while, but if I see something I don't like, don't be surprised if I call you out on it," Cynthia finished and turned to face Ash, but saw he went back inside already. She sent one last glare at the group and walked back into the house.
Everyone that had been friends with Ash hung their heads in shame, a fresh wave of guilt washing over them. Delia had started to cry again, while Professor Oak and Gary tried to calm her down.
Sabrina wasn't satisfied, something else happened then, something that made them closer. She was sure they were involved in a relationship now, but why would Cynthia hide that? Why was she in a relationship with him in the first place? Most importantly, how did Ash get all of his power? When she followed Cynthia back inside, she wished she had a camera, because right in front of her, a black haired man and a blonde were in a heated make-out session. Sabrina narrowed her eyes and cursed herself for not bringing her phone. When she tried to creep away, Sabrina felt a three fingered hand close over her mouth, and inhaled a sweet smelling powder. Sleep powder, she realised, before falling into the darkness.
Mewtwo rolled his eyes at the kissing couple, Can't keep their hands off of each other for two seconds. He erased Sabrina's memories of entering the house and seeing his master and mistress kissing, and teleported her to her room. Pikachu started snickering loudly, and Ash broke away from Cynthia, who was gasping and unresponsive to what was going on around her, still feeling the effects of the kiss. Pikachu started chanting loudly, "Ash and Cynthia sitting in a tree, F-U-C-K-I-N-"Before he could finish, he was caught by the tail and hung upside down by a certain trainer of his.
"What did Pikachu say, Ash?" Cynthia spoke breathlessly, recomposing herself from the electrifying makeout session.
"You don't want to know, as I can't guarantee my partner's safety from your anger if you found out. Besides, it's nothing that we don't already know." Ash replied, smirking at the wiggling Pikachu.
"Ash! Let me go now! I'll shock you into next week!"
"Won't work pal. Aura, remember?"
"Mewtwo! Some help!"
"Sorry Pikachu, you had it coming," Mewtwo replied, smirking.
"Rape! Someone help me! I'm getting harassed!" Pikachu screamed, hoping one of his fellow pokemon would help him, but everyone was out in the forests and gardens. Pikachu slumped. accepting defeat, "Oh, woe is me!" Pikachu moaned, putting the back of his paw on his forehead, where he started fake crying and sniffling. Ash rolled his eyes, "I'm surrounded by a bunch of idiots,"
"I think it's cute, Ash," Cynthia said, hugging Ash from behind and resting her forehead on his shoulder blade.
"I think it's plain annoying," Ash deadpanned, placing the yellow mouse on his head. Pikachu immediately stopped "crying," and snuggled into his trainer's warm hair, only to recoil when he found that it was drenched with sweat. Immediately, he jumped off, shook himself to get rid of the salty liquid, and started another rant about how inconsiderate Ash was to him. The auburn eyed man ignored his best friend and turned to Mewtwo, "Do we have any last-minute jobs that we can squeeze in before the tournament starts tomorrow?"
"We can probably do this one," Mewtwo handed a piece of paper to Ash, "We only need to capture around 10-12 eevee, it doesn't matter if they are evolved or not. Pokemon rangers need a new shipment to give to the newbies."
Ash hummed at that, "Alright, how much are they paying?"
"1,000,000 yen."
"That's acceptable, get back to them and tell them to expect pokeballs to arrive at their Kanto
branch office."
"Alright,"
Cynthia walked in front of him and smiled sadly, "You've really changed,"
Ash softened his eyes and replied, "This world is a cruel place. If I don't bend it to my will, it
will bend me to its will, and I am not one to be bossed around. This is who I am Cynthia, It's what I've become."
"And I wouldn't have it any other way," the blonde haired beauty whispered, kissing the corner
of his mouth. She exited the room with soft footsteps, leaving Ash to his thoughts.
Ash snapped out of his daze and went to change into his "work" clothes, which consisted of some upper body armor and all black clothing. He strapped on his empty gun holsters and sheathed his combat knives. He quickly laced his combat boot and shouldered a small backpack filled with snacks, water, potions, berries, herbs, pokeballs, and a small first aid kit for himself.
When he walked into the living room, everyone was gathered, socializing over the lunch Mewtwo and co. set out. Ash stood on a table to announce his temporary departure, "I hope you are enjoying your afternoon. Unfortunately, I need to step out for a few hours in order to complete a job for a client. I should be back before dinner, but if I don't return by then, please continue with your activities. I will guarantee my arrival before the tournament. Tomorrow morning, you shall find your name on a roster sheet in this room. You will be put into groups of your type specialty and you will fight against everyone else. The more matches you win, the more points you get to ensure your ascension into the top sixteen. All elite four and champions, including myself and my four, will be interspersed within the type groups as to balance out the system. Two people from every group will make it out of the group stage, and in the quarterfinals and onward your opponent will be randomly selected. If you have any questions, you may ask Mewtwo or me."
Mewtwo floated into the room, carrying two specialized silver guns, throwing them to Ash, who expertly spun them in his hands and checked the ammunition quickly. He secured them in his holsters and went to jump off the table, when his mother's voice cut through the silence, "Ash, what are those for?" she asked, frightened at the thought of her son using firearms.
"As I have said before, my occupation is none of your business," he replied curtly, trying to keep his anger in check.
Brock was the one to speak up this time, "You're not poaching pokemon, are you Ash?"
Ash tsked, smirking, "You really have that little faith in me, Brock? I'm wounded...not really. I could care less about what you people think, but for your ease of mind, I do catch and sell pokemon. They go to homes all over the regions. Pokemon Rangers, Nurse Joys, Officer Jennys and even your G-Men have some of my caught pokemon in your ranks. Who do you think caught the Tyranitar mother and her clutch for your reserve?"
Lance gasped at the realization, he had made a business transaction with who he thought was a mysterious but reliable pokemon catcher, but was in fact Ash Ketchum.
"Why the guns though?" Max piped up, with Norman standing behind him. May still refused to meet his eyes, which made him smirk, "I run into poachers often. I don't like to do this, but one gun has tranquilizers, and the other has live ammunition. I use the more lethal gun if they're experienced, and don't mind blood on their hands, pokemon or human."
Delia started crying again, causing Ash to roll his eyes, but also feel a pang of guilt for making his mother worry. He shoved that feeling as deep as possible into his mind, and walked outside to gather the team he had selected for this hunt. Once he stepped outside, however, he was interrupted by two figures racing towards his home island. One coming by sea on top of a blastoise, and one coming by air on a charizard that was about as large as his, maybe even a bit bigger. Ash grinned widely, already knowing who those people were. The Blastoise docked first, and an auburn haired man with a striking resemblance to Gary leaped off and returned the water pokemon.
"Hello Blue," Ash greeted stoically.
"Ash," Blue nodded.
"Dad?" Gary breathed, seeing his father for the first time since he was a child. Professor Oak couldn't speak, his voice failing him as he studied his long-lost son.
The Charizard made a more intimidating entrance, landing with a large thud, causing the ground to rumble. It let out a jet of flame up into the sky and snorted smoke out of its nostrils in a show of power. A figure leaped off of the flame pokemon's back and returned the lizard. He pulled back the hood covering his face, and everyone let out a gasp. There stood the presumed dead Kanto champion in all of his glory. Delia sobbed loudly, while smiling, not sure whether to be happy for her husband's return, or to break down thinking what he would do to her once he found out what she did to their son. Ash smirked at the man.
"Hello Ash," The red eyed trainer spoke, his voice scratchy and coarse. A smile graced his sharp, handsome features as he looked over the strong young man standing in front of him. A change from the struggling child he met on top of Mount Silver a couple of years ago.
"Hey Dad."
A/N
Things are heating up! The guns are modeled after Tatsuya's Silver Horn guns from The Irregular at Magic High School.
If you have been confused about the lack of a start, this story is a continuation of a story by the same name, by KingFatMan25. The beginning chapters are contained in his story.
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Please review & leave comments/suggestions!
See you next time.