Welcome back!
I have to apologize for my absence. I spent the summer with my new puppy who didn't let me write lol, and then I had to go back to work as a teacher which has been insane. I have all of my major plans for this story solidified, I just need to find the time for it!
Part 11
As the four friends arrive at the outskirts of Fuscia City, it becomes blatant that this festival is no small event. They move deeper into the city to find all of the main streets blocked off and people crowding the area.
"How have I never heard of this festival before?" Quinn asks, eyes wide at the sight before her. "It's huge!"
"Maybe it's new?" Phoenix suggests quietly, observing the food trucks set up along the streets and the carnival games setup alongside the normal Fuscia businesses. The festival stretches down the main street through the entire city.
"Where are we supposed to go, Phoen?" Ferra asks, gaining his attention.
"Mr. Roque just asked me to be at the main stage by three," Phoenix says, throwing his arms out and shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, that leaves us with two whole hours to party!" Austin cheers, taking excited steps towards a jelly donut stand. "Who's coming with me?"
"Ugh, I guess," Quinn rolls her eyes playfully and follows after him.
"Meet us at the main stage at three!" Ferra shouts, waving at them.
Austin turns back and gives her a thumbs up before disappearing into the crowd.
"I guess it's just you and me," Ferra hums, stepping next to Phoenix.
"I guess so," Phoenix smiles down at her. He hadn't realized it until now, but he stands a few inches taller than her.
"Come on," Ferra tugs on his hand, "let's get Miltank Cheese Curds!"
"Oh man, those are the best!" Phoenix nods eagerly and willingly follows along.
Ferra leads him to a stand across the street that is advertised by a large, smiley Miltank pictured above the opening. There is a short line and it moves quickly.
"One cheese curd bowl please!" Ferra orders, exchanging a five bill for a large paper bowl of cheese curds.
"I'll get us a drink," Phoenix looks around for a stand that sells soda or water bottles.
A sharp gaze distracts him from his task. Phoenix spots an older man with black hair, a furrowed brow, and dark eyes. The hair on Phoenix's arms stands alert in response to the man's piercing stare.
"Did you find a soda place?" Ferra asks from his side.
"What?" he turns to look at her briefly, but immediately looks back in the direction of the man to find him gone. People move along in every direction. It is impossible to spot the man again.
"Is everything alright?" Ferra asks, trying to peer in the same direction.
"No," Phoenix responds, "I mean yeah. I just saw someone staring at us."
"There are a lot of strange people here," Ferra shrugs her shoulders, "maybe they just recognized you as a Ketchum."
"Maybe," Phoenix shakes it off, "I guess we shouldn't worry."
"No, we should only worry about eating these delicious cheese curds!" Ferra giggles, popping one into her mouth.
"Gimme those!" Phoenix laughs, reaching towards the bowl.
"Not until you get us a drink, mister!" she pokes at his ribs jokingly.
"Alright alright!" Phoenix chuckles, "but if you eat them all, I'm not sharing my drink!"
"Fine!" Ferra fakes exasperation.
Ferra links her arm in Phoenix's and, with slightly pink tinted cheeks, the two make their way to order a drink. Together they walk around the festival, playing games and trying new treats.
"Look at that!" Ferra points excitedly towards one specific game booth.
"Is that a giant Pichu stuffie?" Phoenix asks with a laugh, looking at the grand prize at the booth. It is a ring toss game. The goal is to toss a ring over the neck of a bottle. It is much harder than it looks!
"It is so cute!" Ferra exclaims.
"Check this out, Pichu!" Phoenix calls out Pichu who jumps up and down on the counter, excited to see herself represented by the much larger toy.
"Aww, she wants it!" Ferra smiles, rubbing Pichu's head.
"What would we do with it if we won it though?" Phoenix asks curiously.
"I don't know!" Ferra giggles.
"Alright, how about if Pichu can place a ring, we'll keep it!" Phoenix laughs, holding out a single bill to the blonde teen boy running the game, "One game please!"
"Sure thing," he flashes a bright smile and hands them three rings.
"It's all you, Pichu," Phoenix sets the ring in front of her. Each ring is the size of her small body.
"Pi," she scratches her ear, trying to figure out her strategy.
"You can do it!" Ferra encourages her.
"Pi!" Pichu grabs a ring, winds up and tries to throw it as far as she can. The ring doesn't quite make it to the bottles, falling short to the ground.
"You got this little, Pichu," the boy running the game says.
"Pichu Pi," she grabs another and concentrates.
With all her might, Pichu flings the ring towards the bottles. It clinks against the side of the nearest bottle and falls to the ground again.
"Almost!" Phoenix rubs her ears.
Pichu grabs another ring tightly and begins to spin around in a circle, "Piiiiiiiiiiiiii"
"CHU!" She shouts as she flings the final ring towards the bottles, electricity sparking from her cheeks.
"Pichu!" Phoenix shouts as an electric shock runs through each of their bodies.
All three humans fall to the ground comically and groan.
"Pi pi!" Pichu shouts, pointing towards the bottles.
"No way," Ferra shakes her head, seeing the final ring around the neck of the closest bottle.
"Whoa," Phoenix scratches his chin at the outcome.
"I have to say that is the most shocking win I've ever seen," the boy running the game concludes, "or felt."
"Pichu Pichu," she chuckles sheepishly.
"This is all yours, little Pichu," the boy unclips the large Pichu stuffie and sets it on the counter.
"Pichu!" she snuggles up against the body of it. The toy is at least three times her size.
"You said she could keep it if she won," Ferra reminds him with a smirk.
"I know," Phoenix slaps his forehead, upset with himself for underestimating the tiny mouse.
"Oh, hey Phoen," Ferra says quickly, "we have about twenty minutes until we have to be at the main stage. Maybe we should go find it."
"Yeah, good idea," Phoenix agrees.
"Pichu!" Pichu points at her new toy.
"You want us to carry your toy?" Phoenix rolls his eyes playfully and Pichu runs up to his shoulder. Phoenix wraps his arm around the large toy and holds it on his hip.
"Hey man," Phoenix talks to the boy running the game, "can you point me towards the main stage?"
"Oh yeah," he sticks his head out of the side of the stand and points down the street, "it is just at the end of the main street there."
"Thank you," Phoenix nods at the teen boy and the two wave as they reenter the crowd.
"I think I see it!" Ferra points enthusiastically to a stage set up at the end of the street.
The two friends push through the mass of people, using their elbows to help part the sea.
"That's a big stage," Phoenix states nervously, "do you think he really wants me to get up there?"
Ferra looks his way quizzically, "Mr. Phoenix Ketchum, you are a star on the rise. You will have to get used to the limelight! Besides, it is definitely in your blood to be a champion!"
"So you keep telling me…" Phoenix trails off in uncertainty.
"Look over there! It's a picture of the Elite!" Ferra points to the left of the stage where tall cardboard cutouts of legendary Pokemon trainers stand.
Phoenix's eyes follow Ferra's lead, but his heart leaps into his throat at the sight. Rather than the Elite catching his attention, he finds himself staring up at two cardboard faces he longs to see again.
"Mom and dad." Phoenix chokes unexpectedly. The cardboard cutouts show Ash with Raichu when he was mega evolved and Misty with her Golduck standing side by side.
"Oh Phoenix," Ferra sighs softly, "I should have seen that."
"There are hundreds of pictures and clips of them on the internet," Phoenix whispers while looking closely at his parents' faces, "but these almost seem real."
The capsule around Phoenix's neck wiggles once and then releases Raichu who senses the change in the atmosphere.
"Rai," he comments sadly, his ears drooping at the sight of the full-sized picture of his late best friend.
"Well Raichu, you're the real star here," Phoenix smiles warmly at the oversized mouse, "you're the only champion who really has a claim to fame at this festival so I want you to come on stage with me."
"Phoenix," a familiar deep voice interrupts them.
"Mr. Roque," Phoenix addresses him kindly, "it is great to see you again."
"You as well, of course." Mr. Roque responds, "I am very grateful you are here. You are the perfect person to be on that stage to honor the late and great champion and his elite wife."
"I was hoping it would be alright with you if Raichu came on stage with me," Phoenix requests, "he is a champion after all."
"Well of course!" Mr. Roque laughs heartily, "this party is to honor all of our champions -the Pokemon included!"
"Thank you, sir," Phoenix smiles, relieved that he would not be alone on stage.
"Now, when I introduce you, just say a few words in memory of your parents, from the heart." Mr. Roque instructs.
"I guess," Phoenix looks slightly pale at the thought of speaking about a sensitive subject in front of such a large crowd.
"You're gonna do great kid," Mr. Roque pats his shoulder and checks his watch, "I have to get up there. Just listen for your introduction."
Mr. Roque climbs the stairs and stalks towards the podium where a microphone is waiting for him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announces into the speaker, "If you would all turn your attention this way so we can start our main event - the honoring of the Elite!"
The crowd roars at the announcement. People begin to chant the names of the Elite.
"We have three Elite members who have agreed to grace us with their presence today. Please join me in welcoming our newest member, Kendra, the Fairy Elite!"
A blonde woman wearing all pink and sporting a large amount of ribbons and accessories enters through the part in the red curtain shrouding the remaining trainers behind it. The crowd cheers as she waves excitedly.
"Next we have Lorelai, the Ice Elite!"
The crowd screams even louder when and older woman dressed in an all black pant suit emerges. Her red locks wave behind her and reveal streaks of white that show her age. She nods gracefully in thankfulness and sits next to Kendra on stage.
"And finally, we have the longest serving Elite member and standing champion, the dragon master - Lance!"
The crowd goes wild at the sight of the middle aged man with flaming red hair who enters through the curtains and bows respectfully with a sly smile featured on his face.
Phoenix's eyes widen at the sight of the man, but Ferra cheers excitedly with the rest.
Lance waves at the crowd, but falters as his gaze meets Phoenix's. For a split second Lance's bravado softens before he turns to take his seat next to Lorelei.
"I'm guessing you know Lance personally?" Ferra asks, having noticed the connection between the two.
"Lance is the first person who was there that night..." Phoenix trails off, a distant look plastered to his face.
Ferra simply intertwines her fingers with his and leans against him slightly to assure him that she is there to support him.
"Hey guys! There you are!" Austin nearly shouts as he and Quinn approach.
"Shut up, you moron!" Quinn whisper yells at him and flicks him in the back of the head.
"What was that for?" Austin whines.
"Shh!" Ferra shushes both of them and continues to listen to Mr. Roque.
Mr. Roque continues to speak on the importance of heroes and goodness. He gives examples of how each of the Elite on stage have earned their titles time and time again. Then, each of the three Elites share their stories of how they achieved their success. The whole presentation takes about 30 minutes.
"Now, without delay, I would like to introduce you to our honorary guests who I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the last few months. This is a trainer who has been blazing his own path instead of travelling the one paved for him. Please welcome Phoenix Ketchum and the late champion Ash Ketchum's Raichu!"
As Phoenix and Raichu climb the stairs, the cheering becomes deafening. As Phoenix turns to face the crowd he feels the lump in his throat grow. These fans are not his. He does not deserve to be on this stage.
"Phoenix," Lance's soft voice snaps him from his panic, "go on."
"Right," Phoenix laughs nervously and clears his throat.
The cries from the crowd begin to die down.
"Hello," Phoenix speaks into the microphone and the crowd goes silent, "I am Phoenix Ketchum, Ash Ketchum's son, and this is my father's best friend and partner, Raichu. You might remember that he was once blue. Well, he isn't anymore."
A few awkward coughs sound from the audience. Phoenix's eyes lock on his friends who all give him thumbs up.
"Anyway," Phoenix scratches his head, "Until I was nine, I was raised by the Champion Ash Ketchum and Elite Misty Ketchum. To me, they weren't just Elite trainers, they were elite parents. They committed themselves 100% to everything that was important to them - their Pokemon and their family. For so many years I wandered around avoiding my true passions and strengths because my parents were gone. But when I realized that my best friend, Charvo, needed me, I became strong. I realized that the same strength that my parents had lives in me. And it lives in you too. The people and Pokemon that you love will bring out your true strength. Please honor my parents today by showing your true strength to those who are most important to you. Thank you."
The crowd cheers madly once again as Phoenix wraps up his speech and stares out at the sea of people; people who once looked up to his father.
Then, suddenly electricity races towards the sky, and the crowd of people have only a brief moment to register the events that follow. Phoenix is thrown backwards into darkness. Everything goes silent.
"What happened?" Phoenix speaks but does not hear his own voice. He rubs his aching head as he opens his eyes. Before him; mass hysteria.
People run as quickly as possible in all directions; trampling one another. There is a fire blazing on the stage. Men dressed in black with invade the area.
Phoenix rolls onto his stomach and tries to push himself up, but winces as his left arm won't hold his weight. He feels weak and nauseous. Raichu stands before him; cheeks sparking threateningly as the men near. Phoenix's ears begin to ring as sound returns. The sight of the fire burning in front of him causes his heart to race. The trauma that he had sustained nearly a decade ago returns in full. He trembles as the memories flood his synapses.
"The fire," Phoenix shakes as he stares into the orange flames, "Raichu, help."
Raichu's cheeks stop sparking and he grabs hold of Phoenix to comfort him.
"Green," Phoenix whispers as he stares, entranced by the fire licking the curtains of the stage.
"I found him," one of the men signal to the others, but he is taken out by an orange blur.
"Kuro?" Phoenix squints his eyes to focus on his friend's Charizard who has thrown the rocket grunt across the stage. He can see Austin in the background directing his Weepinbell and Graveller to attack the rockets' Pokemon.
"Marowak!" Ferra's Marowak screeches, chasing off another grunt.
"Phoenix!" Ferra runs up the stage, past the fire burning and kneels next to him, "are you hurt?"
"Ferra, they killed them," he cries out in agony, "they killed them!"
"Phoenix, everyone is okay," Ferra looks over him carefully, confused by his outburst, "are you hurt?"
"No," he finally answers, clutching his left arm, "not too bad."
"We need to get you out of here," Ferra says as she looks up at the flames that are claiming the ceiling above.
"I can't," his whole body shakes in defiance, "I'm so scared."
"You have to!" Ferra grabs his neck and looks into his eyes, "You have to."
When Phoenix makes no move to get up, Ferra reaches towards his waist and tears Charv's Pokeball off his belt.
"Help him, please," Ferra begs the reptile when he fully materializes. It takes Charvo only a moment to assess the situation, throw Phoenix on his back, and take off the edge of the stage to find a safer place for his master leaving behind their friends to deal with the chaos.
"I just need to grab my Charmander!" Phoenix shouts as he runs back up the stairs towards his room. Raichu follows at his heels.
"Hurry!" his father tells him urgently.
Phoenix races into his room and grabs a backpack. He throws a few of his essential items into it - his father said they were leaving for quite a while. Then, he carefully places his Charmander egg into the bag. It doesn't fit completely and won't zip, but he makes sure it is snug.
"I'm ready!" Phoenix shouts as he runs out of his room towards the stairs.
He freezes when his eyes connect with a blazing green light. It has a comforting glimmer that reaches out and calms his soul. He stares in wonder for what feels like a hundred years, but, in reality, is only a split second before he is thrown backwards by his father's Raichu.
Though Raichu uses light screen, the explosion still sends them hurdling out of the house through the side wall and into the backyard. Raichu holds his body wrapped around Phoenix until they hit the ground and roll across the grass.
Phoenix groans as he sits up. At the sight of his home crumbling to the ground and the fire blazing over it, he cries out, "NO!"
"Raichu!" Raichu limps in front of him and stops him from moving closer to the ruins.
"MOM, DAD!" Phoenix screams wildly, "RIVER!"
"Raichu," Raichu trembles and stares down at his blue paws as a strange feeling passes through him. His fur shines brightly for a moment and then the light blue fades to orange, and the navy blue darkens to black.
"No," Phoenix shakes his head, understanding the significance of the loss of Raichu's mega state, "NO! DAD!"
Phoenix runs towards the fire again, but a man on a large dragon Pokemon lands swiftly before him.
"Phoenix," he calls, "we need to leave. Now."
Phoenix breaks into wild sobs.
"They're all gone!" he screams, "they're all gone!"
Phoenix weeps in the grass for all of the loss he feels.
"Char?" a small, fearful voice cheeps from his backpack that still hangs on his shoulders.
"My egg!" Phoenix pulls the bag off and looks inside. The shell of the egg has shattered to pieces and a small creature is in its place.
"Charmander?" the little lizard looks up at him.
Phoenix pulls him out of the bag and holds him tightly to himself.
"I promise, I will always protect you," Phoenix cries as he holds onto the little Pokemon.
"That's one rare Pokemon," Lance informs him, staring at his glittery golden scales. He is struck by grief and awe in this moment.
"What do you mean?" Phoenix asks despondently.
"Come with me now," Lance orders him, "I need to get you somewhere you will be safe."
Phoenix: Charizard, Fletchinder, Luxio, Primeape, Pikachu, Sandshrew, Kabuto, Psyduck, Oddish, Rattata, Nidorino, Rhyhorn,
Ferra: Alolan Vulpix, Marowak, Clefairy, Charmeleon, Poliwhirl
Austin: Charizard, Weepinbell, Graveller
Quinn: Arcanine, Flaaffy, Wartortle, Spheal, Skitty, Deerling
We are getting to the meat. Stick around and stay patient!
Love, Alert, Review!