I made a small geographical error based on which the Drew Chapter will be written first.
I would also like attach a small disclaimer. This has nothing to do with the debate between Advanceshipping and Contestshipping. I am writing this down, for Drew has played a small yet pivotal role in my story, and secondly, Ash had lost a battle to him. That's all!
This contains strictly no bashing, and no offense to any Contestshipper. They have chosen their shipping, I have chosen mine. And I tend to maintain cordial relations with all the shippers. I hope you understand.
Location: Larousse City
Ash's Roster: Pikachu, Meganium, Heracross, Swellow, Floatzel and Muk.
Lets' Begin!
He was still a Top Coordinator, but he had to switch sides. Sides of the priority. He was a Top Coordinator later, but a heir to the Hayden family business first. Drew gazed on, amused at the couple of Pidoves perched on the aperture of his personal office, when he heard a soft polite knock on the door.
''Come in,'' he coughed, resuming back to the file he was leafing through.
The door opened slightly to for a young woman to enter. Drew pulled his head out from the file and gazed the lady, whose utterance told him she was a bit feart to stand in front of the boss. What could it be? Another news from the clients.
''Yes? Is there something bothering you, Stacy?'' he questioned, lugging himself out of the chair.
''Mr. Hayden, there is a call for you just now, and the caller asked if we could directly connect to Drew Hayden.'' She hesitated.
''Well, that is my name isn't it?'' the green haired lightly chuckled, ''So, what was this call regarding?''
''I didn't know if the call is important, sir, but it is from someone named Ash Ketchum,'' she supplied more.
Drew couldn't believe his ears, or maybe the fault was his employee's. ''What? What was the name again?''
''It's Ash Ketchum sir.'' Stacy repeated.
''Is he still on the call?'' Drew inquired. Can all of this be a joke? A prank? Was he being punked? Why would Ash Ketchum ever contact him?
''Yes sir…''
Transferring the call to his personal line, Drew picked up the phone and placed it against his ear, speaking into it. ''This is Drew Hayden…''
Drew just listened for a couple of minutes, discreetly glued to the call. ''I'll be there.'' He cleared his voice, and placed the holder back.
''Stacy,'' he gained the attention of his secretary. ''I'll be out of the office for an hour. Please manage everything around here and get me the file on the Smiths.''
''Sure,'' she compelled by the code. On his way, curiosity struck her, as she had to ask. ''Who is Ash Ketchum sir? Is he a friend of yours.''
Dropping a rose in her hand as he made his exit, Drew mumbled. ''A jerk who doesn't like to wait and claims to be richer than me.''
''aaaahhhhh….chomp!''Wolfing down a huge bite of the sandwich, Ash beat his chest while chewing. ''Lawousswwe Wity –ucks wut weir sa-wick awefome!''
''Pikka!'' the electric mouse chided, while sipping his cup of ketchup.
Quaffing it down, Ash scorned. ''don't sound like Mom, Pikachu! That meeting was samey! It took a lot of negotiation to seal that deal, so I am rewarding myself!''
''Pika..pika…pika..''
''What do you know about earning for a livelihood, you freeloader mouse.'' Ash muttered.
Larousse City in a decade had never stopped to change in a decade. Life here still depended on advanced technology, and no better place for Clemont to sign a deal with the hottest tech companies in Hoenn, known for their solar technology. And Ash, unfortunately closer by geographical boundaries had to step in, also being the proprietor of the companies. A nice partnership between Hoenn and Kalos if you see for the global cause.
''You got a lot of nerve calling me all the way over here,'' a hateful voice entered from behind, as Drew made their way to the bench Ash and Pikachu had occupied.
Their eyes met, scorns and hate not fooling anybody. Ash evaluated Drew's features. Still short, same silly hair style, and poorly choice of professional attire.
''Oh Drew,'' Ash chortled. ''Like it wasn't easy before. What swap meet did you get that suit at?''
''Don't waste my time Ash,'' Drew rebuked. ''Why are you here? Why are you back? After all these years, you decide to show up! You have no idea what May has went through after you disappearance! ''
Blood running in Ash's body warmed and his heart felt sinking inside. ''Oh yeah, tell her I'm sorry,'' Ash deadpanned with a tinge of sadness. ''What is she taking pilates now?''
''What?'' Drew spat, holding strong obloquy. ''How would I know?''
''You know something Ash, I'll never forgive you for what you did to her! She is in this state because of you. You abandoned her when she needed you the most! I can't stand here looking at you.''
''Did something to her!?'' Ash rose up, throwing away his half eaten sandwich. Pikachu got alarmed, as if a fight was about to break out. But this was good! Ash had to let it all out! All those feelings he had hidden inside him. He could jump in, but Ash had to confront these feelings all by himself.
''Did you say I abandoned her? No, you both did that to me. May was the one who broke my heart! She never responded to my feelings in the first place, always dilly-dallying behind you! She was…''
Ash couldn't finish as the shorter guy lunged forward and held Ash by the collar. ''I won't let you say anything disgraceful about May.''
''Oh, now you get to be protective of her don't you?'' Ash hollered.
Drew released his hold on Ash, glowering at the raven haired trainer. ''What could May have possibly done that drove you away?''
Brushing his hands off his own business suit, Ash hissed. ''Oh let me refresh that memory of yours! I was there that night Drew. The night she won the Grand Festival at Lake Valor. My flight from Kanto was delayed and I landed in Sinnoh much later, the Grand Festival started. I got a call from her and she said she has a surprise for me. I made it somehow-'' and then Ash's expression softened, and he sulked, choking on the lump in his mouth. ''and what do I see? Your hands around hers, and she's wearing your jacket. In her hands, are those bouquet of roses. You whisper something in your ear and she kisses your cheek. And then you lead her back inside the building. Tell me, Drew, how am I suppose to picture that?"
Slumping on the bench, Ash smiled as his Pikachu crawled to him, licking his cheek. ''There I said what I had to say. Go back home, and tell her I'm sorry. I want nothing more than her to be happy. If you is who she chooses, I'm not gonna be in the way.
Smacking his hand on his head, Drew mumbled. ''How could she possible fall in love with a guy like you?''
''Beats me,'' Ash smiled painfully, but just as his brain registered the sentence, his eyes shot up. ''Wait! What-!''
''May and I are not married,'' Drew grit, brushing off the fallacy. ''We haven't been in touch for the last eight years, because she retreated from social life.''
''Not catching up with you, Rosie….''
''Everything you said is true. Everything exactly happened like you said that night.'' Drew cordially placed his hand on Ash's shoulders. ''But here's something you got the wrong idea about. She did have a surprise for you, and she wanted to tell you she had won the Grand Festival and become the Top Coordinator. You were the first person she wanted to tell this too, but then being the unpunctual clod you are, you didn't make it in time to see her win.''
Drew took a seat next to Ash, as he revealed everything. ''She was desperately waiting for you outside Hotel Grande Lake, where you had promised to meet her. She even skipped the after event ceremony. But you still didn't make it. Truth be told, I was gonna propose to her that night.''
Ash listened to everything Drew had to admit attentively. He knew somewhere and he was right that Drew had the tots for May too.
''It was chilly that night, so I insisted she wear my jacket. We talked for a bit, until I couldn't hold any longer so I gave her the roses and popped the question. But…'' shaking his head, ''May turned me down, and said she has eyes for an idiot.''
''There's a third guy?'' Ash gawked.
''She meant you,'' Drew rolled his eyes.
''Oh…yeah, I was an idiot.''
''You still are,'' Drew coughed, as Ash scornfully snapped, not appreciating the comment. ''Anyway, I tried to reason with her. But she didn't budge. Always sturdy. But she tried to console me. She aid I would never be happy with her, and that I can do a lot better than her. I conceded. She took the flowers from me as appreciation and we hugged. Calling me sweet, she kissed my cheek and apologized. It was late, so I asked her to wait in the lobby for you. I had no clue you would get the wrong idea…''
It struck Ash. What an idiot he had been all these years. What misconception he was harboring in his heart. Is heart swelled with pride May had chosen him, and what he did? He ran away from her life! Oh Arceus, what had he done!
''Whoa…that's a lot to digest,'' Ash rasped. ''You're right. I do feel like an idiot.''
But then, Ash scratched his palm before he smacked Drew in the back of the head.
''Why?'' the Coordinator pouted.
''You messed up an expensive suit!'' Ash spat.
''Why are you in one?'' Drew groaned. The guy was an idiot but he hit hard.
''I am a CEO! I can't go in a conference wearing shorts!''
''Good to know,'' Drew stood up. ''So we done here?''
''Actually, I have been meaning to ask you, now that you cost me a sandwich and a girlfriend'' Ash cracked a smug grin, that fire back in his eyes. ''Do you still battle or you retired?''
''Okay, lover boy, how does a three on three sound? Still in the game or bent out of shape now?"
''I can take anything you throw at me,'' Drew simply took out a Pokeball, and tossed it in the air. ''Roserade, let's go!''
The ball spun clockwise, and light took the shape of Drew's signature partner, Roserade poising her flowers to get the battle underway.
''Well, then,'' Ash fished out a Pokeball from his pocket as well .''You aren't going to appreciate the gay Coordinator jokes. Swellow, I choose you!''
The Capsule released Swellow, who desperately longed for this matchup. He had to get back at the plant for using a Solarbeam at his back.
''Don't worry about any points Drew, coz there aren't any. Just plain simple knockout,'' Ash simpered. ''Do try to keep up with me, Tiktoker''
''I plan to,'' Drew smirked, brushing a hair past his eye. ''Roserade, Magical Leaf!''
"Roserade!" Invigorated by her element, Roserade twirled, attacking Swellow with a flurry of emerald leaves. Swellow doubled over, but it didn't seem he was in much pain.
''Got something else that can interest us?'' Ash stressed, not expecting Drew's first call to be so predictable. ''Aerial Ace!''
Squawking, Swellow disappeared in a blur, leaving a silver trial behind. His beak was concealed that familiar blue aura, as he zipped above the ground to stab into the plant.
''Yeah,'' Drew widened his visage. ''Stun Spore and Poison Sting!''
A bruise could turn this battle topsy-turvy, and Roserade, who was the one with type disadvantage, would do her best to prevent that. Leaping from the grass above, she twirled as Swellow passed under her. Arming the two roses as the Bird's back, two florets each shot different attack. While the golden powder sprinkled on Swellow, making him cry out from paralysis, the needles of poison were another punishment Swellow took.
There was a two on three probability Swellow would either be poisoned or paralyzed. Volts danced around the Swallow Pokemon, making Roserade cheerful for the second.
''You didn't see the hole in your plans, did you Drew?'' Ash snickered.
Drew usually confident in his strategies, didn't comprehend until he noticed the crimson aura had lit Swellow's figure. It's attack power would was a definite threat now.
''Shoot,'' he frowned, regretting his obvious mistake. ''It's got Guts!''
''For once, I don't argue with you!'' Ash hollered ''Refresh and Double Team!''
Chilling in the air, Swellow took a silver gray shine, recovering himself from the paralysis caused. Little by little, the feathers excreted the powder away from the bird's body as Swellow took off, coursing around in the air, fast enough to leave afterimages of himself.
''Roserade, use Petal Dance! We'll find out the real one!''
Knowing that particular improvised move, Roserade jumped into the air, rolling to incorporate the grass type move, releasing a dense flurry of energized pink petals firing at the agile clones. With any luck, then Roserade's Petal Dance strategy would prove ineffective against the blitzing flying type.
And now was the moment, Ash could take anyone offguard. ''Echoed Voice combo! Don't let the petals reach you!''
The clones stopped orbiting for a second, now completely surrounding the airborne Roserade and begin to leech out horrible song of echo's. The sounds rendered the petals ineffective as they rained upon the ground, sparkling into pink dust. With splitting himself into multiple clones, the power of reverberation became too strong for the trapped Bouquet Pokemon. The continuing effect elicited a squeal out of her, as she covered her ears with her roses, a futile defense through.
''Roserade, hang in there!'' Drew cried defiantly.
''It's dazed, go for an Aerial Ace!''
Only feet away from his smaller foe, Swellow clones merged into the original one and became a ruthless spinning top, jabbing his sharp beak into Roserade's torso, sending the shrieking plant hurtling across the grassy battlefield.
After the powerful echolation combo and a piercing Aerial Ace powered by Guts, could she be back up? Not a chance!
Returning the Pokemon, Drew was shaken a little, but e was smart enough to feign confidence. ''Impressive, almost makes me praise your abilities,'' Drew stroke his hair again, ''But we all have to admit that was a lucky shot. Maybe you'll learn with this.'' He flung another sphere on the field, and the lights escaped out.
The white furred dark type landed on the field with a clack of her claws, looking the scene over briefly before shaking her magnificent mane. ''sol…''
''Man…I am here for a rematch, dude.'' Ash scorned. ''don't make things too easy for me.'' Recalling the bird, Ash pulled out another Pokeball and chucked it in the air.
The giant plant dinosaur, appeared opposite, relishing the warm sunlight of Hoenn. The size of the Herb Pokemon, made Absol shift cautiously.
''Meganium, use Petal Blizzard!'' Ash threw a hand out, volunteering to go first.
Meganium twirled her neck, bringing a thick curtain of glowing pink petals in the play. Some of the petals whisked around, playing with the edges of Meganium's flower. She looked merry and whimsical, like a woodland sprite! Bright as they looked, they were just as deceiving, for they weren't any less sharp than a torpedo of Leaf Storm.
Rearing her head back and forth, the fully evolved Johto starter launched the vortex at the Dark Type.
''Dodge it and use Megahorn!''
Absol leaped to the side, crying out as she attempted to steer clear of the incoming blizzard. One or two petals bruised her side, but she was fine. She rattled around until the petals were settled and vanished in the grass, now grabbing the perfect opportunity. Sprinting as fast as she could manage, Absol charged her horn out. Homing closer, she threw herself at Meganium.
''Can you at least open your eyes and see I m about to kick your ass here. Geez take me seriously dude…Flash!''
''Watch out!'' Drew cried out.
Now, she sees. Her trainer wants this to play defensively, so why not? Projecting a light from her flower, Meganium blinded everything in the surrounding. The sudden burst of blinding light fell in Absol's corneas as she wailed, begging for the illumination to stop.
''It can't watch this!'' Ash smirked. ''Dragon Tail!''
If this were a Contest, then Drew's points would have creed down, as once again, Absol was caught under Meganium's wrath. Whipped by the glowing extension on Meganium's ending, the Disaster Pokemon was sent tumbling towards Drew's end of the field, flinching and laid back on the floor.
Drew grit, feeling as if he was pushed back by Ash himself. ''Absol, pick yourself up and use Shadow Balls!''
Absol jumped to her feet, tossing her head, firing out a hail of of violet, crackling orbs upon Meganium.
''Add Psycho Cut and combine with Shadow Balls!'' Drew hollered.
''Sol!'' the Disaster Pokemon swiped her crescent shaped horn, unleashing two large purple crescents into the ghoulish spheres. The arcs were eaten up by the spectral nature of Shadow Balls, creating two saw disks, leaving Meganium to confront a pair deep lavender shurikens, each consuming the light immediately around them.
''Oh, a combo?'' Ash quirked a brow. Is there anything that intimidated the man? ''Meganium, block it!''
Two vines beneath Meganium's flower fought the combination, disrupting their momentum. The merged purple crescents were sent flying to various corners of the park.
''Meg!'' the grass type furrowed its brows at the smaller quadrupled, manifesting her strength.
''It even blocked Absol's best combo? That's one strong Pokemon,'' Drew hated it, but conceded to compliment.
''I never get tired of hearing that,'' Ash cockily scoffed. ''Meganium, let's go for a Dragon Tail!''
''Meg!'' she compelled, stampeding towards Absol with all her might marshaled into her glowing tail.
''Not this time, Water Pulse!'' Drew interjected. Maybe dodging wouldn't, but interception will!
Pained by the move that was once again heading her way, Absol responded to Drew's call: tiny mouth parted, conjuring a glowing orb of water before firing on the ground. A pool of waves spanned on the grass, and the strong waves were barrier for Absol against the powerful grass type.
In all of her excitement, though, Meganium lost her footing by the hindering cold waves passing through her feet, letting out a squeal as she slid across the ground…
''Megahorn!'' Drew made Absol to follow.
The horn glowing green once again, Absol surged towards the fallen Grass type, free to ram into her side. With a toss, she slashed a portion of Meganium, as Ash picked up on her shrill cry. But what Absol failed was to end things. With her horn still knifing Meganium, the latter's glare meant she was not going to take that sitting duck! Absol, would better take her steps back.
''Gonna retaliate for that, aren't you?'' Ash playfully asked his Pokemon.
''Meg!'' she grunted, thumping the ground first with the weight of her feet, as she was back.
''Then how can I oppose?'' the trainer shrugged his shoulders. ''Full power Petal Blizzard!''
Her movements not just conservative, but also deriving wickedness. Not an ounce of excess energy was used. A bounty of petals were spewed forth. ''Nium!'' she sing-songed, kicking just so.
''Absol, no! Fire as much as Psycho Cuts you can!''
Not even the multiple blades could hold up against the vicious petals, who responded to Meganium's tunes. Her petal tornado poured forth with such force that Absol had to bring her claws up to keep herself from being shoved backward. The ferocity of the wind was too strong to resist, and the petals had begun the work of scratching and scraping Absol's skin.
She lost control on her claws and was knocked back, hurtling against the grass in high speed, out cold!
''Wow, that felt personal,'' Ash hummed, as the Coordinator opposite him, sadly but appreciatively recalled his Pokemon back.
Okay, Ash! I get it, you have grown a lot stronger. But this is where it stops. The Larousse native eyed the trainer carefully, trying to access a course of action. He released a third Pokeball of his choice, with a shout. ''Flygon, you're up!''
With a piercing cry, Flygon emerged in mid-air, eyes sharp and wings unfurled. With an obvious chagrin, it looked forward for a battle.
''With a speedy Pokemon like Flygon in the air, Meganium might only struggle on the ground. She'll win, but she may struggle. I better have Heracross take that one out.'' Ash explored his choices, before holding out Meganium's Pokeball.
The Herb Pokemon, sharp and astute, knew Ash wanted to switch out. So that meant she was not gonna be on the land for a while, so why not…
She thundered towards her trainer, only to her dismay, her speed couldn't match the red light and she was back in her capsule. Chuckling, Ash cooed. ''Alright, alright. After the conference okay?''
The kind words stopped Meganium's ball from quivering. The spectator, that only happened to be Drew, watched on with a confused expression, as Ash lobbed his final ball forward.
''Heracross, I choose you!''
The stag beetle emerged and took an imposing stance, hands drawn out as if to crush something ''Cross!''
''Hmmm…I better not take things lightly with Heracross. I have a surprise for it, though.'' Drew inferred. ''Flygon, use Dragon Breath!''
Without hesitation, Flygon readied itself to fire a jet of green flames towards Heracross.
''Dodge!" Ash muttered, cataloging the way in which Flygon kept its distance from Heracross, "Close Combat!''
Fluttering his wings to raise himself in the sky, the Bug cleanly avoided the draconic stream, hardened appendages of the stubborn exoskeleton, each spun to get their chance at attacking, jabbing into the dragon one by one. Gawking at the relentless barrage of blows dealt by Heracross to his dragon, Drew only shrieked for the Pokemon to maintain distance.
''Rock Blast!''
''Cross!'' another call from Ash, and Heracross's horn takes an orange glow. Several boulders, each larger than their predecessor were streaked at Flygon.
''This is bad. Dodge it!'' Drew cried defiantly.
The rocks were about to plummet but the green dragon proved to be agile, jumping far above the attempted range.
''Sand Tomb!'' Drew grinned, throwing a hand to the side.
A cloud of dust began to kick up, the moment Heracross's feet touch the ground. A miniature sandstorm brewed on the battlefield. A small ring of sand encompassed around Heracross first and like a life poured in the sand, the sand waves hurled at Heracross's legs, trapping the Pokemon and holding it secure.
''Flamethrower!''
Airborne, and growling, Flygon built up heat in its mouth. The next few seconds, Heracross was doused and shrieking, bathed in roaring hell of flames. Heat could be felt from all corners, forcing everyone to brace themselves from the scalding ashy winds.
''PIKA!'' the moue cried out to his comrade.
''Oh don't worry, Pikachu,'' Ash smiled t his starter, ''Heracross isn't gonna give up so easily.''
'Pika….'' The electric mouse's ears drooped. He wished Ash's words could make him feel better.
''So who's the tough one now?'' Drew mocked, once again at his hair.
''You're looking at him!''
The teeter made Drew open his eye, and when he did he couldn't believe it.
'Cross!'' with his powerful hands, the Single Horn Pokemon broke out of the assault. His body was trailed in smoke and covered in soot. But his eyes were still clamoring to continue.
''Break out with Close Combat!'' Ash punched forward.
With silica properties not being burned, but surely melted, Heracross directed all his frustration at the sand trap below. Thwacking the sand hill, Heracross freed himself once again, taking his flight in the air.
''Cross!''
''This can't be possible!'' Drew grimaced, eyes bulging out with disgrace. ''Dragon Rush!''
''Take it!'' Ash made the command.
Drew's pupils shrunk when he heard Ash. ''You have gotta be kidding me!''
''If I was kidding, I would have roses in my jacket, my hand would be flicking my hair constantly and I would struggle to squeeze my ass in tighties,'' Ash scoffed. ''Told you the Coordinator jokes wouldn't be appreciated.''
And right on cue Heracross cried out as Flygon became visible just overhead, cloaked in the brilliant orange energy of a full-speed dragon rush. Wheeling to face the oncoming charge, Heracross drew its claws in tight and set its feet just in time to meet Flygon's missile-like attack with a counter attack of its own. The explosion of energy as the pokemon collided left Heracross staggered, but from the way Flygon slowed down with a roar of pain told Ash that their opponent didn't escape the exchange unscathed either.
''Now Counter!'' Ash threw a hand out, recognizing the moment.
Wincing from the pain from the sudden ram, Heracross thrust his fist into Flygon's face with a solid punch, retaliating with the double the power Flygon had invested. The punch was too unbearable for Flygon, and Drew could only watch his ace drop on the park floor, weak and throbbed by the hard punch.
That landing signaled the match was over, and Drew could only look on his Pokemon's swirled eyes. ''…gon.''
He observed that his opponent had already recalled his Pokemon, and all Drew could now see was his back slowly gaining distance.
''You expect me to keep this thing under wraps don't you?'' Drew called. in a louder voice
''The only thing I expect you to come out of is a closet,'' Ash responded, passing another twit. ''But yeah. I also don't plan on seeing you ever again, but I'll give you a call if I wanna learn Samba!''
''He's changed,'' Drew finally pulled out a grin. ''He's a stone cold teabag now, but he's changed.'' Flicking his hair back to the side, he turned around as well, back on the path to the office.
That that is why the Drew chapter was necessary! Floods of the past, ladies and gentlemen! And the story will take a different turn.
And we are done with another chapter!
Ash has caught a Galarian Farfetch'd that's gonna be a Sirfetch'd. That's good too, but I was kind rooting for Sobble. What's Goh gonna do with it? The guy can't even train Pokemon. Let's wait for next Sunday to sort it out.
Q&A
When can we see more of Ash's Unova Team.
All other teams have filled the slots for Hoenn and Sinnoh. But I'll try. Another Pokemon (Farfetch'd) has enetered his team, who will take 5 battles so it's kinda hard to do the calculation but all I can say is you'll see them a lot in Unova battles.
Which region is going to be the next after Sinnoh?
Unova. I usually go according to the World Map. Unova and Alola represent United States, closer to Japan.
According to Manga, Ash also has a Fearow, Oddish and Slowpoke. Are you going to add them in your story?
Fearow possibly. Oddish and Slowpoke, hell no.
Next on Back in Action:-
Rafe
Katie
Elite Four Drake
Juan/ Wallace
Morrison
Brendan Birch (end of Hoenn)
Thanks for the support!