Chapter 26
"Champion"
I was full. That was something that didn't happen often, and I was very happy about it. After a major pig-out at one of the best restaurants, we headed back to the stadium so the Elite Four could give me "something very special." It didn't take too long to find them. They were waiting for us in the lobby.
Hey guys! I said.
"Hello, Ash," Lorelei nodded.
"…Agatha's got your…surprise…" Lance informed me.
Cool!
I floated over to Agatha. She was sitting down with one hand behind her back.
"Ash, when you beat a gym leader, what do you get?" she asked.
Uh…A badge?
"Correct…That was an easy one. Now, when you beat the Elite Four…what to you get?"
Uhh……A……badge? I guessed.
"Correct once again!"
She leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Don't ever let anyone tell you you're stupid."
I blushed.
"Ahem…Now…I'd like to present you with this badge, as proof that you have earned our respect…Take it, and wear it with pride."
How can I wear a badge? I can't wear my jacket anymore…
She held out her hand. Resting in it was a golden badge, shaped as the official league expo. Attached to it was a short, golden chain.
"…What are you waiting for?" Agatha asked with a smile, "Take it already. You've earned it."
Uh…Okay……
I picked up and held it by the chain with both paws. The expo dangled from the small loop and flashed in the light.
…Is this real gold…? I wondered.
"You can bet your bottom, it is," Agatha grinned.
Uh…I'd rather not…
"…Well, come on, Ash," Bruno said, "Put it on already."
Oh…
I glanced at the latch on the chain, worked it open, then tried to put it on…It was easier if I cheated a little and used a little psychic ability. It fit perfectly. It didn't fall very low, and it didn't feel tight either.
"…I think you look good in it," Agatha said.
Thanks… I said, blushing more.
I turned around so I could see my friends' reactions.
"You did it, Asha!" Mayo exclaimed, "You really did it!"
Yep…
Mom began sobbing into a tissue.
…Mom?
"Don't worry about me, Ash," she said, "I'm just so happy……"
Uh…Okay.
"I knew you had it in you all along," Brock nodded.
Thanks…
Billie started crying too. I guessed that it was for the same reason as Mom was…
Richie gave me the thumbs up.
"Congratulations, Ash," he said.
I returned it.
Thanks, Richie…
Misty was just kind of smiling at me…She wasn't saying anything or anything…
"Pikapikaa!!"
'We did it!!'
Pikachu rushed up and tackled me to the ground. I laughed and 'fought' back.
"Meeeww!"
'We certainly did!'
"Pi-ika…!" Pikachu laughed.
* * *
I played with my new badge as I lay in bed…Everyone else had fallen asleep a while ago, but I didn't even try…
I did it…I really did it……My life's dream's been completed……so now what…? Did I go for it too fast? Maybe I should've stopped to smell the roses……After all, it's the journey that counts more than the destination…
I sighed. I was becoming way too philosophical…
…Was Nekiro really right all along?…Maybe I shouldn't have been so stubborn……but if I hadn't kept insisting on doing things my way, I wouldn't have this badge right now……
I held it up to the light. It shone a slightly silver color from the moonlight…
It was all worth it, right…? How many people become champions at the age of ten…? And, it's my dream, too…Fulfilling your dream makes everything worth it, right?…That has to be true……It has to be………
A dark spot appear on my badge, and I heard a small tapping noise from behind me. I glanced at the window.
Nekiro!? I hissed.
Yeah, it's me. Come out here…
I sat up and turned all the way around.
No way…What are you doing here?
Come outside and I'll tell you.
…This sounds a lot like a trap, Neki…
Uh-! This isn't a trap, and my name isn't Neki!
I sighed. Fine. But one false move and I'm coming back in.
I didn't want to bother with the window, so I just Teleported myself outside.
…This way.
Nekiro floated over to a nearby tree and sat down on a branch…I couldn't see how that could be a trap, so I followed him.
…So what do you want, Neki?
Nekiro.
…Nekiro…
He didn't say anything for a moment…He looked at my badge…
…You won, didn't you?
Not really…
No, that's not what I meant…
He pointed at it.
You got your badge…
Yeah…?
……but you didn't win the match…
Uh-huh…
……so…how…? Why……?……They know you're a Mew…Why did they…?
Not all humans…are like my dad……
Nekiro looked away again.
……A lot of…them…us…whatever……really care about…others……both human and Pokémon…… I continued, ………Do you see?
………It doesn't seem possible…
………Nekiro…maybe………Maybe its time the Mews came back…
What!?
Maybe if we give each other a chance……we'll be able to work things out……I know we won't be able to if we don't even try……
…………You really are different, you know that?
I stood up.
That may be true, but somebody's gotta take a chance try to accomplish the impossible!
………Maybe……
…You're gonna help me, right, Nekiro?
……………Maybe…
I blinked.
…That's better than a no! Alright, Nekiro! I know we can do it!
He sighed.
…Maybe…
……Tomorrow…maybe you can meet my-
No!
……Why not? I thought you said-
No, I didn't! I said maybe! As a matter of fact…I changed my mind. I'm saying no!
But-!
It's not going to work, Ashura! It won't! Just give it up, before you make a fool of yourself!
He stood up too. I'd made him angry somehow…
…I'm not going to try to stop you anymore, Ashura, but I'm not going to help you either. Just do what you like, and pay the consequences yourself.
Nekir-!
It was too late…He'd already left.
I'll show you, Nekiro……Somehow……
I sighed and sat down again.
…Look at this I'm a cat up a tree…The fire truck should be coming soon…
…Sarcasm wasn't helping…
I held up my new badge again.
……I'm going to make sure that I really earned this……because I'm not sure that I did…
I felt too guilty to fall asleep again…I got the feeling that it was going to be a long night…