So like it said in the summery, this is a very old piece of writing of mine that was inspired by a goddamn amazing AshxLatias fic that i cannot remember the title of. I won't be finishing this as I forgot it even existed for literal years. I cannot remember any sort of plans I had for this plot. Its about 8.8ishK words, kinda hefty for a one shot but I hope you enjoy dear reader!
As Ash let out a sigh and lowered his clawed arms. The supposedly perfect clone of Arceus lay dead beneath him, as did Geovanni, his highest ranking admins, along with the scattered corpses of their total eighteen Pokémon.
"We did it Ash," Pikachu said from his shoulder. "Kanto… The world… We saved it… Again"
Ash nodded, faintly aware that his feather covered neck was, well, covered in feathers, and also much longer than he was used to.
"we should get out of here" was all Ash said.
"I like the idea… But there is one problem we should probably address first" Pikachu pulled on his down feathers near the end of his long ear, drawing attention to what exactly needed to be discussed.
"right" Ash agreed quietly, as if not entirely there. He turned his head to the left and saw his battered human body sitting against the hard rock wall of the large, battle scarred cavern. He looked down at his clawed hands and clenched them. He was no longer a human. He had pushed his human body to its limits throughout the war for Kanto. In a moment of divine intervention Arceus itself entered the fray, giving Pikachu its divine blessing and creating from nothing a Latios body for his soul. A gift, Arceus stated, a body more fitting for a valiant soul such as his. Then, as suddenly Arceus appeared, it left.
Now Giovanni was dead, Kanto and the world were safe once more thanks to him and Pikachu.
"I'm tired, Pikachu" Ash said hollowly.
Pikachu would've snorted if he had the energy to do so. Instead he looked up, where the cavern ceiling once was, now revealing the gorgeous night sky complete with a glowing full moon. "so am I Ash. Seems the world is intent on wrecking itself. And each time it falls to us to fix it"
Ash let out a pulse of psychic energy. His friends were safe, the few Pokémon of his to survive to this point were unharmed as well. A perfect victory. "None of our friends are unharmed. They won too. It's a complete victory."
Pikachu was silent for a moment, baffled as to how Ash could say that with so much certainty before it clicked. "right, you're a Latios now. Part psychic." He muttered to himself "well" he started again, louder. "that means our victory party will actually be a real party… After we explain your situation I guess"
Right, Ash being a Latios would warrant an explanation. Latios. Ash's eyes widened. It could work between them now. There were no more obstacles now that he was a Latios. "or… I could just leave" Ash suggested.
Ash could feel Pikachu's shock from his perch on Ash's shoulder. "why the HELL would you do that?"
"because the moment the public learns that the World Champion and Master of Masters Ash Ketchum was turned into a Latios, a legendary dragon Pokémon, by Arceus itself I will never get out of the public eye and every lab in the world will want a literal piece of me" Ash explained.
"… good point" Pikachu conceded "but you cannot seriously suggesting we let your friends and family think you're dead"
"Not all of them," Ash answered. "But Ash Ketchum needs to be dead. If we take my very dead human body and bury it in an unmarked grave somewhere that will just spark a manhunt. If I am going to get any peace I need to be dead to the known world"
Pikachu nodded in agreement. "any ideas?"
"Brock" Ash stated "He'll know the truth. To everyone else, I'm dead"
"How do you plan on telling the-right, psychic type." Pikachu answered his own question. "Brock makes sense. He's been the only constant during our years of travel. With us since the very beginning"
Ash nodded "like our third musketeer" Ash quieted quickly and focused in on Brock. Next thing Ash knew Brock was in front of them.
"Wow!" Pikachu exclaimed, jumping on Ash's shoulder "you're… Pretty comfortable with your psychic type already" he commented uneasily "please never teleport me"
"huh?" Brock was looking in circles and froze at all the bodies "no…" he gasped, spotting the body of the Arceus clone "please… Let that be"
'That is the clone Brock' Ash was relieved to find out he retained his human voice during telepathy.
"Huh?" Brock spun and faced him "a Latios? So that was you? But you sounded like…" Brock suddenly glared and put a hand towards his belt "how do you sound like Ash?" his tone was much more stern when he made the demand
'I sound like Ash because I AM Ash. You were right Brock. I should have taken a break, and rested more. I drove my human body past its limit. Arceus created this body for me. Thanks to this body Pikachu and I were able to finish the job… And save the world'
There was a long moment of silence after that before Brock responded "You have his eyes, voice, and Pikachu perched on your shoulder. I believe you Ash. So why did you teleport me up here?"
'I'm tired Brock' Ash could see the empathy on Brock's features. No doubt he could relate. Brock, Ash, and Pikachu had been through everything together. 'the moment the world finds out Arceus turned me into a Latios to save my life, something that never would have happened if I had just listened to you, I will never get a day of peace'
Brock took a deep, shaky breath. "I can understand why" he agreed, looking to the side. "damn it Ash… I'm sorry. If I had been more strict with you… More forceful… After your mother died she made me promise that I'd look after you." Brock was beginning to choke up "Ash…" a sigh "fuck"
Ash looked away, beginning to feel emotional himself. 'There is a silver lining Brock. I'm a LATIOS now'
It took Brock a second to understand what Ash meant by that, but when he did he couldn't help but wipe away his tears and let a hollow chuckle escape his lips. "you always were better with Pokémon than people Ash, I shouldn't be surprised. So that's where you plan to spend your well-earned retirement? In Altomare with that Latias?"
'her name is Lia, feel free to visit after my whole death thing blows over' came Ash's implied confirmation 'Maybe we'll name one of our kids after you' he added
"Aren't you a little young to be thinking about kids Ash?" Brock asked, with as much humor as he could manage.
'From what Lia has told me during our phone calls, seventeen is a pretty normal age to start having kids for Lati' Ash countered with a smirk.
Brock just nodded "but what about Pikachu?"
Pikachu was startled by his sudden mention and not being the center of attention "I'm with Ash. All the way"
"Are you sure? There is no going back on this. If you're pronounced dead then caught by the media's eye it'll raise suspicions of my own death and that will bring Brock under suspicion. You'd never get to see Glaceon again. You two seemed to be getting pretty serious"
A thoughtful pause "shit… yeah, we are" he muttered, rubbing the side of his head with a paw. "and she might be laying an egg soon. We mated…" he counted the days on his small fingers and sighed "if there is an egg it'll be due to lay any day now… Shit, unless it was early then there may already be an egg… I… Let me think Ash"
"Hold on… It's been a long time since I've heard Lati speak but I think I heard my name there" Brock cut in.
Ash took a look at Pikachu's scrunched face showing how hard he was thinking about this. Ash held back a sigh and knew he had to make this decision for Pikachu. No matter what choice Pikachu made he'd feel like he was betraying somebody. So if it was out of his hands it would alleviate some of the pain. Pikachu wouldn't react well to this, so Ash had to be firm.
'wait Brock, this is about to get heated' Ash warned. "Pikachu, you're staying"
As expected, Pikachu looked equal parts affronted and shocked. "That is not your choice to make!" he declared along with an accusatory finger pointed at him.
"Don't care. I made it and you will follow it. This is my final order as your trainer Pikachu. Stay with Glaceon, make her the luckiest Glaceon in Eeveelution history. Be the perfect man she believes you to be and raise your kid to be the greatest Pokémon it can be in body and soul. THAT is my final order for you Pikachu. I expect you to carry it out TO. THE. LETTER. Do you understand me?"
Pikachu looked absolutely steamed. "what do you mean 'as your trainer'? MY trainer was a human! A human who is now dead, sitting against a rock wall twenty feet away from me! By law I am a free Pokémon so I will make my own Arceus-damned decisions!"
Ash expected Pikachu to react badly but what he said absolutely infuriated him. Ash spun once, rapidly, bucking Pikachu off his shoulder. A testament to Pikachu's skill he reacted immediately to the sudden upheaval and landed on the ground with near unnatural grace. What Pikachu didn't expect and didn't react to nearly as gracefully was having Ash's new draconic face inches away from his own no more than half a moment later.
"I. AM. NOT. DEAD!" Ash roared right in Pikachu's face with enough force to make the sides of Pikachu's shocked lips to wave slightly. "I may be in a new body, but I am still Ash! I am still me!" he hit himself in the chest to emphasise the point more for himself than anyone else. "And until I say Arceus damn otherwise I am still your trainer and even when that is no longer the case I damn well expect you to carry out my final order if for no other reason then out of RESPECT for all the times we fought, bled, and cried together throughout the years kicking the asses of every league and hell-bent Legendary we came across! Or am I really asking too much when I expect you to NOT walk out on the woman you knocked up who, need I fucking remind you, is half your age Pikachu!"
Shit. Pikachu had to admit, Ash had him there. 'Half your age' was a bit of an exaggeration though, but this was hardly the time to point that out. Before Pikachu could try and fix the situation Ash spoke with steel in his voice.
"you will carry out that final order because we both know it's the right thing to do" Pikachu watched him fly as he spoke, picking up his tattered, bloody human body as he did, before making his way to Brock. "but you're right, Ash Ketchum…" Ash looked at his human face as he placed the body in a smartly silent Brock's arms "…Your trainer is dead. So you have no reason to follow it." Ash flew back towards Pikachu, a steely glare fixed on him. "But if I find out from Brock that you didn't follow it… I don't know if I'll be able to forgive you"
That made Pikachu's blood freeze in his veins. Ash looked serious, and he just said that he might not forgive. Ash not forgiving is like Paul not kicking a bidoof that happened to be in his way.
Ash looked at Pikachu's expression and was confident he got the message across. What Ash said was true though. However Ash knew Pikachu and he knew Pikachu would do the right thing. Ash was not the least bit worried. But that didn't mean he wasn't angry at the mouse for what he said. Ash could feel his draconic instincts shout at him to eat the mouse for his transgression, but Ash resisted. Making his way back towards Brock Ash rummaged in his body's pockets and found Pikachu's ball. He sighed, remembering the day he was first given Pikachu, then looked up at a very confused Brock. 'my final words were 'Pikachu is May's now. Let Pikachu live a simple life Glaceon and their child' alright?'
Brock didn't move as Ash put the shrunken, blood covered ball in the folded hands of his human corpse. Ash didn't blame him for being silent. Ash looked at Pikachu and the glossy look in Pikachu's eyes told Ash that the small mouse had seen what just transpired and just to make sure he knew what it meant: "you are May's now" Ash told the small mouse. Although, seeing Pikachu's pokeball got Ash thinking. 'new plan. Meet me in Altomare as soon as you possibly can. I mean that. ASAP.'
Brock was visibly surprised by the stark change but he nodded all the same. Then there was another moment of silence, during which Pikachu made his way onto Brock's shoulder. "The base camp must be growing concerned about me at this point. It wont be long before they start calling my 'Gear" Brock sounded lifeless.
'I should have listened to you' Ash said.
Brock weakly smirked "if you did that you wouldn't be able to give it to Latias like you can now"
Ash chuckled in spite of himself and the entire situation. Even Pikachu grinned, probably knowing what Ash said from Brock's response.
'I'll see you soon Brock. Try and get me buried in Pallet after its rebuilt. Move my mother's grave there too if you could.'
Brock nodded "of course, see you soon Ash"
Ash nodded, and only spared Pikachu a passing glance as he turned and shot upwards into the night sky leaving Brock and Pikachu alone in the large cavern.
"lead the way Pikachu" Brock instructed.
Pikachu nodded and hopped off his shoulder, Brock followed at a slow pace not very enthusiastic about having to lie to the entire world about something as serious as the Pokémon World Champion and Master of Masters being dead. It was going to take a considerable amount of will power to restrain himself from pulling the crying girls aside at the first opportunity. Brock sighed as he continued to follow Pikachu.
They were nearly out of the cave now. Misty, May, Dawn, Iris, Serana. Seeing them all breakdown into tears was going to wring his heart. They were basically his sisters. All of them had accompanied him, Ash, and Pikachu at some time. What about the few Pokémon Ash had left? Brock couldn't let them be released and separated. Not after what they had all been through in this war.
Perhaps Brock could add a bit to Ash's final words, if it benefitted the Pokémon he was leaving behind Brock knew Ash wouldn't care. No, he couldn't. At least, he couldn't think of a natural 'final request' way to phrase it. Brock would say something to Gary. He was his father's successor and it was Gary's father who sponsored Ash's journey.
As Brock wordlessly continued to follow Pikachu down the mountain who seemed to be purposely putting a great deal amount of focus into the task as if it was consciously the only thing on his mind Brock took a moment to look into the distance as he slowly, mechanically put one foot in front of the other. The landscape was beautiful, picturesque. The ocean was calm, the night sky was free of cloud letting all of the stars shine bright alongside the brilliance of a large full moon with only a slight, gentle breeze to accompany it all. The only obstruction was the silhouette of Cinnabar Island in the distance.
Brock stopped dead in his tracks and looked down at Ash's beaten, and bloody body. His dirt covered, blood soaked clothes so severely tattered and torn they were more like rags than clothes. It was moments like this, when all the fighting was done, the world saved, and everything was at peace again where he expected to see Ash's chest suddenly rise and feel him stir in Brock's grip. But Brock knew better. He had just spoken to Ash. With a shake of his head Brock continued to follow Pikachu down the mountain until the base camp was in sight, fires already started and small silhouettes surrounding them.
Pikachu got back on Brock's shoulder and with each step Brock felt his chest continually tighten along with rapidly growing nerves and sorrow. With each step he got closer to telling the greatest lie to the world and breaking at least five girls' hearts.
Another step.
Another step.
All Brock could hear was his shoes grinding against the ground beneath him as the camp grew closer and closer. How would some of Ash's remaining Pokémon react to this? He hadn't even considered that. Infernape? Infernape would be absolutely destroyed. Charizard… Maybe he would shed a tear in public but with how proud dragons are that's about it. Behind closed doors though… Sceptile would probably be in denial for a while until May's Blaziken got to comforting him. Arceus… damn it all! Brock was fine with lying to the media, screw the media. But the girls, all the Pokémon, they were his friends! Family! This lie would absolutely ravage their hearts. But he had to do it. He had to lie to them or the media would be suspicious and that would lead to a series of events Brock didn't want to ponder.
"Guys! Brock is back! He has Ash and Pikachu!" Max's announcement brought Brock back to reality. He was so deep in thought he hadn't realized he was in the camp already. Brock could see people turn to face him, people running to him, people in various states of health covered in bandages exiting tents to greet the heroes.
But the happiness and relief quickly disappeared when they saw the state of the boy in Brock's arms. It was odd for Brock, he wasn't on the verge of tears because Ash was 'dead'. He was about to cry because of what he was about to destroy so many people's worlds.
"Brock, why are you standing there, we need to get Ash to a medical tent he looks bad!" Max exclaimed. Brock didn't move. He looked to the side and was greeted with Ash's five female companions all running together, Misty's arm no longer in a splint fully recovered.
"you must be tired carrying him down that mountain, I'll take him then. Pass him over and grt some rest man, you've earned it."
Anymore silence and things would get weird. Brock had to start talking. Looking around Brock could see some adults begin to look away or cover their mouths in horror. The older people were beginning to catch on.
"hey… HEY… brock! BROCK! Ash isn't breathing! We need to hurry! We might still be able to save him!" Max was in a full on panic pulling on Brock. "Pikachu! Help me here!"
"pika…"
"He hasn't been breathing since I left the cave Max… It's no use" Brock finally spoke, biting his lip when he felt a single, hot tear escape down his cheek. No going back now. Ash's future safety depended on this lie being believed. He had to go through with it. Suck it up!
There was a collective gasp from the crowd that had gathered. Brock saw Gary close his eyes and look down from the corner of his eyes.
Max though, still held onto his arm. But without the earlier force and fury. He froze. "what…?"
Brock looked at the panicked group of girls, clutching each other for support. "Ash and Pikachu won. They killed Team Rocket's Arceus clone, they killed Geovanni, his Pokémon, his top brass and all of their Pokémon. Their bodies still litter what's left of the cavern up the mountain. Ash and Pikachu killed them all by themselves." You're welcome Ash "We won. Kanto and the world is safe… However, Ash… Ash paid the ultimate price" Brock could feel the froakie in his throat.
"NO!" Serana screamed, holding onto Dawn's arm, tears falling freely down her cheeks. "There has to be a way to bring him back! There has to! This is Ash we're talking about! The Master of Masters! The World Champion!" she collapsed against Dawn after a long moment of silence and continued to cry. The five of them huddled together and began to cry.
"his last words Brock" Brock turned and saw Gary approach, his expression unreadable.
"he passed… during our trek back down the mountain. We… Spoke about many things. He said he was sorry, we talked about Altomare and Lia. His final words were" Brock paused until he had May's attention 'Tell May that Pikachu is hers now. Let Pikachu live a simple life with Glaceon and their child' that's all" Brock explained with a heavy heart. There were many gasps brought by that news, but none was louder or more shocked than May's who quickly began crying even more.
"Ash left P-Pikachu… To me?" May sounded like she had trouble believing it.
Brock gave a somber nod. "He was thinking about what was best for Pikachu I imagine. Your Glaceon and Pikachu are mates, this way the two will never have to worry about being separated"
May slowly separated from the large tangled hug and took shaky steps towards Brock, looking only at the battered body of Ash as she slowly put one foot in front of the other, her horrified and fearful expression getting exasperated by the tears and the continually closer proximity between her and Ash's corpse until she was right in front of him.
Slowly, tentatively, as if she expected his chest to heave with life right as she touched the bloody pokeball in his cold fingers, she reached for it and slowly pried the cold metal capsule free. Ash's limp fingers simply collapsed making the faintest of noises when it was no longer there to hold them up.
"Pika…" Pikachu said sadly, loud enough to get May's attention so she wasn't caught off guard when he proceeded to hop onto her shoulder from Brock's.
It was at that moment that what was left of Ash's Pokémon approached. Totodile, Quilava, Oshawat, Infernape, Noivern, Sceptile, Staraptor, Charizard, Greninja and Talonflame. Totodile, oblivious to the mood around him happily with wide spread arms ran over and hopped onto Ash's body with an absolute glee that deteriorated when Ash wouldn't respond to Totodile. The scene was heartbreaking and bystanders couldn't help but look away.
With a sigh Brock opened his mouth to break the news again but was stopped by Pikachu who had left his post on his new trainer's shoulder and was standing on the ground between Brock and the group of Pokémon.
Brock watched Pikachu look at Totodile and order him off of Ash's which he somberly obeyed, apparently figuring out why such a heavy sadness was in the air.
Pikachu sighed, looking at all of Ash's officially free Pokémon. Parting with Ash like that on such bad terms… Hell, he might as well have actually died on that mountain 'far as Pikachu was concerned. Would Ash ever want to see him again? Time would tell. "Ash is dead" no sugar, no sweets, no easing into it. "I watched him die. He is gone"
"Bull shit!" Infernape immediately shouted
"why the hell would I lie to you? Look behind me, Brock is carrying his corpse!" Pikachu pointed at Brock as he shouted.
"how did he die?" came Greninja's solemn question
Pikachu looked away. He knew he wasn't much of an actor so he really needed to sell this. "I messed up my positioning. Left myself open. Ash used his aura to put himself between me and the blow. He kept on fighting after that, but a wound that severe, combined with the other wounds he sustained over the fight and his plethora of partially treated injuries from the course of the war? He ran himself ragged… And he finally stopped running"
"so its your fault?" Sceptile asked with a growl
Pikachu did not take kindly to that.
"now is not the time-" Greninja was interrupted
"I don't give a damn about the goddamn time! Our trainer is dead! Dialga can go fuck a gogoat!" Sceptile screamed at the amphibious ninja.
"If thinking Ash's death is my fault will help you sleep at night Sceptile then by all means, think it" Pikachu warned with a low growl of his own.
"are we sure there's no way to save him? You saw him die once already didn't you Pikachu?" Oshawat asked "can't we use that method again?"
"that time the hate filled attacks petrified him. Our tears, filled with opposite emotions, reversed the petrification. Dead is dead but I don't think tears will undue this kind of dead" Pikachu hated thinking back to their first encounter with Mewtwo.
"Anything else before I leave? I need to find Glaceon" Pikachu said
"we can all take solace that Ash has been reunited with his mother and Donphan, Bulbasaur, Heracross, and the rest of our family cooking up arduous training regimens for us when our times come to return to him" Greninja said with a somber calm, offering a small eulogy.
"thank you Greninja" Charizard nearly whispered, before turning to leave.
"I never thought I'd be looking forward to death…" Quilava mumbled
"that better have been a joke" Pikachu snapped at the elongated fire type.
No response. He left as well, as most of the team started doing. "Totodile, Oshawat. Keep an eye on Quilava, I think he might try to fast track his reunion with Ash'' and if Quilava succeeded it would probably earn Pikachu a spot on Giratina's high council.
"I don't get it" Totodile raised an eyebrow.
"it's not a good thing Totodile, just stay with me" after receiving a nod Oshawat turned to face Pikachu "we'll help Quilava"
With a nod Pikachu couldn't even take a step before he was spoken to. "you watched our trainer die"
It was Greninja. Pikachu held back a sigh "not the most pleasant experience in recent memory. Ad that memory is quite recent" Pikachu replied severely
"I will confess… I was hoping that honor would have been mine. Though under very different circumstances" Greninja continued as if Pikachu hadn't just tried to tell him off. He was always like this. If Greninja approached you it was for a reason, and that reason alone. And nothing would sway him from that reason. He'd conduct his business and go. Always serious, always following one long, continuous plan. For those reasons Pikachu always had trouble trusting Greninja even though he was also one of the first Pokémon Pikachu knew would have his back if things got bad. Quite a paradoxical relationship.
Pikachu raised an eyebrow "oh yeah, how'd you picture Ash's death if not in a blaze of glory saving the world for the thousandth time?" Pikachu asked sarcastically.
"old" he started "head of wispy grey hair, laying in a hospital bed surrounded by the two of us, his children and grandchildren. Words would be shared and he'd give me one final look before closing his eyes and drifting off to the beyond"
"Ash would have hated a meaningless death like that" Pikachu said coldly "Ash i-was a man of action. A death like the one he got, saving us, the world, he got a death he would want, if not too soon" Pikachu had to be more careful, he nearly slipped up. "no one, especially Ash, deserves to die before knowing the joy of raising a family. That's what hurts me most. I always imagined that I'd have to put up with gurgling Mini Ash's that thought I was a squeaky toy at some point, chasing me around a large house until they cried when they couldn't catch me. So I'd have to walk on over, plop myself in their lap as they nibbled on me, drooled all over my fur and pulled on my ears until they got bored." Pikachu sighed. "Now instead of mini Ash's it will be mini Mays." Pikachu looked at Greninja, about to continue complaining that the mini Ash's from his previous scenario were now going to be little dragons that could keep up with jets so if anything it got a lot worse. That is, if they could mend things when they met next, if they met next. Luckily he bit his tongue before he said something he'd regret. "why are you here anyway?"
"I'm curious is all" he answered
"can your curiosity wait? I'm worried about Glaceon. Her egg may have come early"
"you do not seem to be in mourning"
Shit. Pikachu kept up his façade, praying Greninja did not catch his momentary shock "you have your ways of coping, I have mine. Now if you don't want to get thoroughly cooked by a lightning bolt twice the size of you I'm going to advise against suggesting that I am not mourning the loss of my trainer that I've known longer than you've been evolved"
Pikachu leveled a heavy glare "unlike you I have a pregnant mate to look after. I am in mourning, I've been mourning before you even knew Ash was dead. But sorry if I can't join you and the others is moping around aimlessly because I have a family to look after"
Without waiting for a response Pikachu walked away towards May's tent. When Pikachu was sure he was out of earshot he let out a sigh. That was too close. When Pikachu reached his destination he smiled at the sight. In the corner opposite May's bed was a thick bundle of blankets set in a concave, rough circular shape. Resting in the middle with a small egg was Glaceon. HIS Glaceon and damn was she ever beautiful in her sleep. It was odd but the egg added to his attraction to what he was seeing, even more so because he knew that egg was theirs and held their child.
He walked over to her and carefully climbed Into the makeshift nest and slowly, gently got comfortable. Cuddling up to his sleeping partner and carefully making sure the egg was safe between them. Yes, he probably should have seen a nurse first and that might be the first thing Glaceon told him to do when they woke up if she wasn't too overjoyed at his safe return, which she probably would be. but seeing as how he was absolutely right about the egg laying early meaning he missed it Pikachu figured she deserved waking up to see him with her and their egg between them after going through that hell alone. That, and he was TIRED.
Pikachu had no idea how much time had passed but when he woke next it was to the gentle sensation of a tongue running across his fur. A gentle grooming from none other than his Glaceon. When he finally opened his eyes her head was mostly out of view, but could see the rhythmic movements in time with the pleasant sensation of her tongue cleaning and straightening his fur. "I could get used to waking up like this" Pikachu mumbled, quickly followed by a mellow "mmmm"
His response was a giggle. Her head immediately shot up into full view. "it isn't my greatest grooming, we're on our sides and our… Child is between us. Both made it kinda difficult"
"I'd take your sloppiest grooming over someone else's best" Pikachu knew she loved sappiness "the only tongue I want anywhere near me is yours"
The huge smile, soft giggle and quick nuzzle he got in return for that cheesy line made delivering it more than worth it.
"you're back, so this means you won right? You and Ash saved the world again, like you always do?" her eyes glowed as she spoke and Pikachu loved it. He got lost in them.
Pikachu was about to answer when he realized that if Ash hadn't chosen this for him… He would have lost this. The eyes, the giggle, HER. Ash was right. His orders were the right ones, like they always were. So why did he get so angry when Ash chose for him and gave his order?
"Babe?"
And snap, Pikachu was back in reality "huh? Oh, yeah, right. We won, Ash and I saved the world again… But"
She tilted her head and her eyebrows furrowed in worry "but?" she hesitantly asked
He looked at her, opened his mouth and closed it. He couldn't do it. HE couldn't lie to Glaceon. Brock and Ash would understand right? Glaceon was his mate, the Pokémon equivalent of a wife!
Pikachu looked around as best he could to make sure they were alone. He'd have to be quiet as the tents were quite thin. Pikachu sighed and he noticed Glaceon immediately react to his serious face. "May never returned last night, did she?"
"how did you know?" Glaceon asked, implying the answer
"because you aren't in a state of depression and aren't bathing me in kisses" was his frank answer.
This made Glaceon jump and blush "sh-should I be?" she asked, suddenly a bit timid
Pikachu smirked, they mated and had an egg but the mention of a lot of kissing still made her shy. IT was adorable.
"every Pokémon in this camp would say yes…" Pikachu paused, taking silent amusement in her shocked expression and red face "but honestly? No."
"I… don't understand" Glaceon admitted, baffled at how that could be possible.
"look…" Pikachu was whispering now, his face mere centimeters from Glaceon. "what I'm about to tell you is secret. I don't mean the 'tell Skitty the moment you're back at May's house' kind of secret. I'm talking about a secret so secret that not even the human governments know this. Only three people know this secret" well, that Pikachu knew of. Depending on how long he was asleep every Lati in Altomare could know by now. "Brock, me, and Ash"
Glaceon had stars in her eyes. "That is so cool" she whispered giddily "I have the greatest mate ever. So, you're telling me this because you're going to tell me the secret, right?"
Pikachu withheld a sigh. Sometimes he forgot that she really was quite a bit younger than him. "I'm not supposed to. But, you're my mate. I love you. I could never lie to you. But I need you to know just how serious this is, okay? If this secret gets out it could DESTROY Ash's life FOREVER. And I mean forever. If this gets out Ash will never get a day of peace until the day he dies. I say that in no joking manner. I mean it. I am not exaggerating here. It might even be an understatement"
There was a long silence. "its that big?"
A slow nod
"I… I should have expected this. Getting caught up in stuff like this I mean. Someone as amazing, powerful, and handsome as you. I should have known becoming your mate would lead to stuff like this, knowing a secret that could destroy someone's life… Not just anyone's life but the WORLD CHAMPION's life… It's kind of scary" Glaceon said, her voice quivering a bit.
Pikachu frowned "I never thought of that…"
She gasped and quickly spoke "wait, wait, I want this, US I mean. We have an egg after all, our child. Pl-please babe, I'd fight Arceus if I had to if meant getting to be your mate"
Pikachu let out a relieved breath. "to be honest I was scared you were about to back out on ME there"
She seemed a bit surprised before giggling herself. "I l-l-l… I l-l"
Pikachu smiled at her and put a finger on her lips "I didn't tell you I love you so I could hear it back, I told you that I love you so you knew. Don't force yourself. Now, we need to get back on track"
She agreed with tinted cheeks and nodded.
"the secret…" Pikachu double checked his surroundings, they were alone. "Ash isn't just alive, he's alive and was turned into a Latios by Arceus itself"
Glaceon gasped, and immediately looked confused "that… That makes no sense… Why would…? But that would mean the lie is that…" she trailed off and looked at Pikachu with a baffled expression "babe… What the hell happened up there?"
"if I'm going to tell you what really happened up there you need to hold this information just as secret, okay?"
She nodded twice, wearing a neutral expression.
"the fight was going well. Ash was using his stupidly powerful aura to shoot aura spheres from his hands and jet around the cavern by shooting aura from his feet. It was almost like he was a Pokemon. After we took down the clone Arceus… I got careless. We just killed a pseudo-god so who could really blame me?"
Glaceon couldn't hold back a giggle "my mate, the god stomper"
Pikachu exhaled sharply and smirked, a bit amused "damn right, I think I got the better catch though"
Pikachu felt her lightly kick his shin "flatterer" she mumbled, timidly
"anyway… I got careless after we killed a clone of our god Arceus" he smiled when he saw her light up with pride. "that carelessness left me open. If the attack had hit… I'd be dead right now"
Silence.
"what… What happened then?" she asked quietly.
"Ash got between me and the attack. He took it for me" Pikachu licked his lips and looked away from Glaceon when he felt the tears coming on.
"but humans are so fragile" she panicked
"Ash used his aura to slow down the attack and absorb the impact but it still wasn't enough. He died a minute after he landed"
Glaceon was baffled and her panic grew "b-but you said"
He put a finger on her lips ever so gently "that was when Arceus, the real Arceus, appeared. He created a new body for Ash's soul. A gift, Arceus called it, a body more befitting such a valiant soul as Arceus explained it. It was the body of a Latios. Arceus put Ash's soul in the body of a Latios Arceus made specifically for Ash. Then, he spoke to me"
An Ecstatic gasp "Arceus spoke to you!?"
Pikachu immediately panicked "yes! He said with purposeful volume "in my dream!" Pikachu looked at her and pantomimed turning a volume dial down.
She nodded, quite embarrassed. "right" she said with a hushed voice "but, I mean, Arceus, our god, spoke to you. MY mate" and there was pride again. He loved seeing her so proud of him
"well, he told me that he was proud of me. That I have achieved more and have grown to a level of strength that no other Pikachu before me had achieved. He then gave me a blessing that he said would make me stronger and allow me to continue to grow even stronger"
"I cannot begin to tell you just how proud and happy I am right now. If our baby wasn't warm and cozy between us I would"
Pikachu cut her off "before that, I want to remind you… Everything I just told you has to remain absolutely secret. If this gets out, that Ash isn't just alive but was turned into a legendary dragon by Arceus, Ash would become a test subject passed between labs for the rest of his life"
Glaceon nodded and let out a long sigh "right… and Ash is, or I guess was, your trainer. Darn. I'd love to be able to brag about this to Blaziken. I doubt Sceptile…" she trailed off "wait… Babe… If the secret is that Ash is alive does that mean…?"
A Slow, grim nod
"oh no! poor May! She must be so sad, she never came back last night… Should we find her?" she was already on her feet and ready to exit the tent.
Pikachu slowly got to his feet and shook his head "when Brock brought Ash's human body down from the mountain May and all the other girls must have all crashed together in one of their tents. Who knows maybe they went to Ash's tent?"
She looked down, and with a concerned frown looked back up at him "then what do we do?"
"we stay here. I'm not the greatest actor and as Ash's starter I should be more depressed than anyone over his passing. But again my acting skills aren't great and Greninja, damn him, is already suspicious of me." Pikachu explained "it'd be best we remain here behind closed doors until we need food or something. No one would think twice about two mates spending a great deal of alone time together after one of them just lost their trainer"
Glaceon nodded "Well, you know… If you're bad at acting" she started taking a few sensual steps towards him "I could always…" she stopped and suddenly looked a little embarrassed "I mean I could help with…"
Pikachu held back an amused chuckle for her sake. Her attempts at seduction were pretty cute. "I understand, I'm all yours"
And just like that a foxy smirk played at her lips. "the absolute Alpha of all Pikachu kind recognised by Arceus, all mine"
Yeah… maybe Pikachu shouldn't have made Arceus' blessing such a big part of the story…
On the outside of the tent Greninja figured now would be a good time to leave lest he be accused of being a voyeur. Walking through the camp still primarily lit by candle light Greninja chewed on what he learned, thankful his stakeout paid off. If Ash was alive and a Latios of all things where would he go to hide? What kind of question was that? His mate-to-be was a Latias in Altomare.
How to get there though? Greninja was a powerful swimmer but he just wasn't designed for the open ocean. Greninja knew he could get to Cinnabar, from there he could reach the ruins of Pallet with relative ease and getting to Johto from there would be a piece of cake for him. But after that he had no idea how to get to Altomare. If the distance wasn't so long perhaps he could swim it but the distance was too long for him to swim. Could he stow away on a cruise ship? No. Too dangerous. If Ash is officially dead that means he is free and open season.
"So what did you learn?" a deep, gruff voice asked from behind him.
Greninja didn't turn around to face them, already knowing full well who had addressed him so bluntly. "I beg your pardon?"
"don't play dumb with me Gren. Now is a bad time to be anything less than straight with me" Charizard warned
Greninja withheld a sigh. The two of them had a complicated relationship. They didn't mix, like water and oil. They were too different. Charizard was blunt, direct, rash, and headstrong. If he had something on his mind he'd say it regardless of how opportune the timing was. His mouth truly had no filter. They often clashed during strategy meetings, Charizard always in the camp of barrel right through them while Greninja preferred more of an analytical approach. In all honesty the two despised each other and avoided the other whenever possible. Yet, they fought together on the field more than any other of Ash's Pokemon. Overtime that led to a silent, unspoken respect between them. Neither of them would ever dare voice that though.
"Compared to any other time?" Greninja sarcastically replied
"I mean it Gren. Pikachu wasn't whispering when you went to talk to him and even Totes could figure out what you said to him from what Pikachu was shouting at you." Of all the times that Charizard could decide to use that small brain of his. "so, if you learned something you damn well better tell me right now"
Greninja lowered his head. While it hurt Greninja to not be part of the initial 'inner circle' per se, he could not knowingly enlarge it. That would put Ash's safety at risk. The more people who knew the more danger Ash was in. Did Charizard deserve to know? Perhaps. But the same could be said of all of Ash's pokemon and even Ash's friends. If Charizard wanted the truth he'd have to work for it, like Greninja did. Greninja looked back up at Charizard. "I learned that Pikachu was being honest. He slept for four hours, was woken up by Glaceon, told her what happened and then I left"
"why did you leave? You could have-"
Greninja cut Charizard off right there "I left because Glaceon was seducing Pikachu, and it was working"
That shut Charizard up. There was a long moment of silence after that. "Damn" Charizard finally said, looking away. "How're you holding up?"
"death is a natural part of life. It's only a matter of time before it's our turn to depart this world and reunite with Ash in whatever lies beyond. And I look forward to seeing him again when that time comes"
Charizard rolled his eyes "that's some fancy bull shit in my opinion"
"its healthier than wallowing in despair, like you and many of our siblings have been doing"
"why you pretentious-!"
Charizard was cut off again, this time by Brock and Gary. "Charizard, we need a favor" Brock said loudly, knowing what was about to break out.
Charizard stared quizzically at the pair.
"to Altomare" Gary picked up "we need to… Break the news to Lia"
Charizard noticeably deflated at this, but nodded.
Brock Greninja could understand. But why Gary? Could he have got the truth out of Brock? Wasn't inconceivable. Perhaps Gary thought it was only right to accompany Brock in the very believable white lie of informing Lia of Ash's death for what other believable reason could Brock have for going to Altomare of all places at this time? But what was Brock's true purpose behind this meeting in Altomare so soon after his official death? Greninja had to know.
"I'm coming" Greninja stated.
"you want to come? I'm sorry Greninja but"
"If Greninja wants to come let him. I know how he his. He wants to meet Ash's girl and apologize, don't you?" Gary interrupted Brock partway, giving Greninja a forlorn look.
Greninja simply nodded
Brock let out a very believable sigh "alright then, if you're sure you can handle the open ocean you're more than welcome to come Greninja. We're leaving now"
True to his word Brock made sure the four of them were gone and moving in the next ten minutes. The silence was awkward for Brock at first. He had trouble hearing much of anything over the wind screaming in his ear thanks to Charizard's incredible speed.
"Hey Brock! Got a sec to talk!?" Gary shouted into his ear.
Brock raised an eyebrow. Gary usually though small talk was too much of a hassle and waste of his time. "what's on your mind!?" Brock asked
"I was just thinking… Maybe its better that Ash died!"
This nearly made Brock fall off Charizard's back from equal parts his own shock, and Charizard's flinching no doubt unhappy at Gary's words.
"hear me out here Brock, remember Ash two and a half years ago before the war!? He was a happy, goofy, dense brick of a kid!"
"as most fifteen year olds are! I wasn't much different when I was fifteen!" Brock pointed out
"Whatever, I'm not talking about you here. Just compare that kid to your more recent memories of Ash for a sec"
Brock was silent, and the contrast between the Ash's his head created was mind blowing. They hardly seemed like the same person. The Ash from before the war wouldn't hurt a joltik. His most recent memory of Ash prior to his death was Ash killing the machamp that caught Brock and his Pokémon off guard right before the path up the mountain was clear. Even his eyes. Brock was still able to recognize them immediately but in Ash's shining brown eyes there was something different. A sharpness to them, a sort of steeled look behind them that wasn't there before. Even the way he spoke was different. His usual upbeat cheer was gone, in its place was a subdued undertone that made everything he said sound slightly forlorn. You could easily miss it though if you didn't know him or simply weren't trying to hear it. It all made Brock wonder how severely he had failed Delia.
"the difference is pretty crazy, isn't it!?" Gary asked, bringing Brock back to the conversation
"Why bring it up!?" Brock asked, avoiding the question
"imagine the media's reaction to that. Their young, happy go lucky world champion returning as a cold, disillusioned killer! This way Ash will be remembered in the history books as who he really was, not what the war made him into!"
Brock had to admit, that was a level of insight he had not expected from Gary. "It's a heartwarming thought!" Brock acknowledged "but not really something I'd expect you to take time to consider!" looking down at the nearby ocean Brock made sure Greninja was still keeping pace. Sure enough, running on the surface of the ocean was Greninja, his legs nearly a blur as he sprinted.
"Charizard! Greninja! Slow down for a sec!" Gary shouted. A reflection of their incredible training before Gary could even close his mouth the two Pokemon slowed and for the first time since they took flight Brock could hear properly.
"what's so important Gary?" Brock asked, almost hesitantly.
"with the world saved and our names being immortalized in history it made me wonder, that's all. I realized that in the books we'd all be side panels in Ash's grand history textbook. But I began to wonder how Ash would be remembered"
"right, and because he's dead…" Brock chimed in
"right, we went over that" Gary interrupted impatiently "my point is… I was wondering if Ash would still be remembered as such a paragon of paragons if everyone knew what I knew"
That concerned Brock. He noticed both Pokemon listening closely as well as they continued to travel at a moderate pace. "and what could you possibly know that would conflict with that?"
Gary sighed "after the mission at the underwater Rocket lab Ash and I were guarding our hostages… Him and I were discussing the losses incurred on that mission. Specifically, his Bayleef"
Charizard let out a sad growl at that. Brock too looked to the ocean and frowned, holding back a tear. The poor girl…
"We get a message on a nearby monitor" Gary continued "I go over to check it and the moment my back is turned I hear this horrible squishing sound, splattering noises and a scream. I immediately turned back around and I had to fight the urge to vomit. Ash's entire right arm and most of his right side was covered in blood and one of the Rocket hostages was on his back with a hole in the left side of his chest." Brock could see Gary start to look a bit queasy "and in Ash's right hand, clenched tightly was a fleshy, pink organ. It took me a couple seconds to piece together that Ash just used his aura powers to rip a grunt's heart right from his chest. After I freaked right the fuck out I asked Ash why he did it… Ash's reasoning was that the Grunt gave him a taunting smirk. I was able to sweep it under the carpet, and filed it as an incident with a rebellious hostage." Gary sighed
Brock nodded "I think I know the report you're talking about. I remember reading about it before our old base was overrun. I thought it looked fishy, but I never imagined…" Brock didn't want to believe it, but alongside the sketchy report filled out by Gary who rarely filed reports in the first place back then it all came together.
"yeah. I guess I just wondered how much of the history we know is true, when small yet hugely impactful stories like mine will never be told and lost to time letting Ash be remembered as this shining paragon that could do no wrong."
Brock hummed in contemplation "it's something to think about"
"Yeah well all four of us can think about it while we're deafened by the wind" Gary said, and on queue Charizard and Greninja sped back up.
Brock couldn't help but wonder as he readjusted to the high speeds what the history books would say about Ash if the historians knew what he knew.
Well, hope you were able to enjoy this old piece of writing of mine. I have some other really old docs in my OneDrive, but this one I think is the best of them so its the one I chose to upload now that I'm older and no longer so insecure and self conscious (lol). Hope you're all staying safe and healthy in these rough times, take care!