The Aftermath of the Afterlife

by CHROMUS

This is it, a short and sweet ending to this fic. Enjoy the tears as Ash and Misty are reunited many years later, and see what our favourite people did with their lives after Ash' passing...

6. Chapter 6: AJ

CHAPTER 6: AFTERMATH OF THE AFTERLIFE

Coming at you, the next chapter of the happiest, charming and joyful stories of all time. And if you believe that, you're reading the wrong fic.

This time, it is A.J. For those you can't remember, A.J was one of the earliest 'minor' characters introduced in the series, he had his own gym outside Cerulean City, and his main pokemon was a sandshrew. He had 98 wins, beat Ash easily (despite Ash having the type advantage), and was later seen as a cruel trainer because of his methods. However, it was proved that he was actually a good and caring trainer, and when Team Rocket insulted sandshrew, he beat em easily as well for his 100th win.

Now, it's his story. His reflections of the deceased Ash Ketchum.

* * * *

I stand there, cold as the night, looking on at the coffin of the one known as Ash Ketchum.

The only one that I would answer back too…well, except for the wife of course. My arm around her, facing someone that in the years I've known him, I have gained the upmost respect for him.

I have been given a reputation as the toughest of the Elite, as tough as Ash, but more hard-hitting in my ways. I had always been this way, although not as cold as some people suggested.

It all began when I was just a young boy back in my house of the Viridian suburbs…

* * * *

My father was a lumberjack, which was useful around our area because of the woods surrounding, and cut down trees, and sawed it for profitable wood. He made charcoal as well, using his Pinsir rather than the more traditional method of a Farfetch'd now.

My mother I loved. She was such a kind woman, who seemed to be able to put up with anything, and always give us a smile. I missed her.

Things were fine around the Johnson household. Oh, my real name is Andrew Johnson. Yeah, now you see why I prefer A.J. Apparently he was named after a famous soccer player or something…

(Yes, a cheap plug! Andrew Johnson…or Andy Johnson, is my football team, West Bromwich Albions, tough-tackling midfielder, where the chant in the East Stand is 'There's only one A.J!')

…but no one calls E.T Extra Terrestial, so no-one called me Andrew. A.J stuck, and frankly, I liked it.

What I didn't like happened after my 7th birthday, where my life took a violent turn for the worst.

My father, who I won't name because I don't even want to mention in any sort of context, had received the news that his business was floundering, because it was simply too 'old-school.' His methods were seen as slow and unfoundering, where quicker companies could do it for similar prices compared to his home-made system.

At first, it seemed all right. He simply continued, hope upon hope, and also looking for other methods of work.

But days of frustration turned into weeks, which turned into months.

As the money got less and less, and my mother trying everything in her power to keep her family together, he snapped.

His life had seemingly ended, and he took his frustration out on the least most deserving people he could have taken it out, myself and my mother, Rebecca.

Rebecca Johnson always a smile, never hated anything, but the fear in her eyes as a 6 foot 4, near 280lbs husband came into view to shout out his anger, was a sight that I have never forgotten.

Neither did I forget the sound of flesh upon flesh, as my father's fist sent my mother into the wall. Or my own flesh smash just as badly as I tried in vain to stop him. I remember blacking out after that…

…the next thing I remembered was waking up in a bed, where my mother leaning over me, tears in her eyes, hugging me. Our father was gone, didn't know where. Drinking perhaps, or finding someone or something else to vent his frustration. We were lucky we were still alive.

The next day, we got a call from the Jenny of the Cerulean area. A man reported as 'Mr. Johnson' (I still refuse to reveal his name) had been on a tear of vandalism and destruction in the drunken hours of the morning. He had been promptly arrested and charged. When we explained the attempted assault on us, he was charged more severly, and a court order was later approved to keep him away from us.

He mostly kept to that order, but when it was my 8th birthday, he seemed insistant on trying to come to see me for my birthday. My mother, was obviously scared, and we had to escape to Vermillion to avoid him.

He followed us, and seeing him on the pier, where we watched the St. Anne pass by in happier times, his face was one of a broken and desperate man. His eyes glazed and tired, upset. His life was seeming just to torment ours. When the police came, he took the easy way out.

He plunged into the sea, hooked onto a boulder, and sank.

The sight of my father drowning, dying, was one that scared me throughout my young life, and to a degree, even now, I see his destroyed face, looking at me, one more time.

Every time it's my birthday, I remember that, and for that day in the year, the scars reopen, and I can never enjoy getting older as long as I remember that.

Ash once asked me when he first met me, he wondered why I was owning a gym at a young age. I was 13 when I met Ash for the first time, the two years after my father's passing was one struggle, and one heartache.

My mother couldn't raise me on her own. She had worked in the cooking industry before giving birth to me, and people during her life said she was a brilliant cook, and I tended to agree. So much that I intended to following in her path and make my own recipes. To a degree, I would follow in her footsteps.

However, as you can tell from my past tense, her life didn't last long. She became ill, diagnosed with an illness unknown, suffering from depression, and she couldn't handle anything in life anymore. Brock told me a story once about how his mother died, but that was with 11 children. With just one, my mother was on death's door.

(flashback)

"Mommy, you can't…what's wrong with you?" My 9 year old eyes were struggling to hold back, my tears shedding would have formed their own current if I could.

"A.J, sweetheart…Mommy hasn't been well…but Mommy will always be with you…" her harsh whispered voice didn't comfort me, as I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Mommy…be with me now…" I said.

"Don't worry…I will watch you…from the stars, all the people and Pokemon up there are watching us…I will join them soon…and I will continue to love you as I always have, and I will continue to be proud of you."

That was where I first heard the word Pokemon.

I decided I want to be around them, as they could have contact with my mom. A childish idea, and one that still to this day, not too many people believe.

But yes, that was the reason that I started to take an interest in becoming a pokemon trainer. To see if it could bring me closer to my mom.

When she died, I was all alone. I wasn't brought for adoption, and instead was raised on a farm with my grandparents in Cerulean. It was a fish farm, and seeing the Magikarp and Goldeen up close made me more and more wanting to become a trainer.

My grandparents certainly loved the idea of their grandson becoming a trainer, and told me how to enrol as a trainer when I became ten. This was the only birthday where the scars were overridden by my desire to become something.

I had started to cook as a way of remembering my mother. I soon started helping my grandparents in making some of the recipes for the fish pokemon. It was there where I started my own recipes and techniques for my pokemon, or soon to be.

At one point, I thought that I'd probably be better as a pokemon breeder, but I stuck as a trainer, and when I was 10, my grandparents took me to the Cerulean City Gym, where new trainers could register for a new pokemon.

They specialised in water pokemon, which was good, because working on my grandparents farm had me develop a small love for the fish there, and water pokemon were fine by me.

However, as I applied for my licence…

(flashback)

"Like, we're totally sorry, but all new pokemon have been taken out for this years entrants!" the blond valley girl had told me on the desk.

"But I applied at the desk, I'm an official pokemon trainer!" I wailed.

"Fine. What's your name?" she asked.

"A.J. Andrew Johnson."

"Well, let's see…ahhh…I see the reason."

"Huh?"

She explained in a stupid way that I wasn't born in Cerulean, and that first come, first serve came to the trainers of the city. That was stupid, I wasn't born in the city so I lost out…that was ridiculous…but I knew I couldn't do anything. Along with the Celadon gym, Cerulean became my place to hate soon because of their seemingly sexist rules…of course, I soon got my revenge, but that's for later.

At 10, I was still going to be a trainer, and my grandparents had remained willing for my dream, and made a field where I could train. It would be similar to the fields that my wife Lara and I use for the ranch and breeding centre we use as a business, side of course to my own job as an Elite.

And then, it happened.

I was running back home, tears in my eyes, not just for being refused a pokemon, but that my dream was over before I started, I couldn't even get a little bit closer to my mother…

And then I fell. Over something.

Not a rock, a stump, but a pokemon.

The yellow creature was snoozing, and was slightly disturbed by whatever fell over it, but more by my crying more than anything, from a cut knee, and a day's worth of nothing.

And it poked me in the shoulder.

"Rwww…" it said, an inquisitive look in it's eyes.

Although I had been refused a pokemon, I still had a pokedex, and I flashed it at the creature. It would be one of the few times I would actually use it.

It was a Sandshrew.

It looked me, and it seemed a feeling of familiarity came into it. It was young, inexperienced, and had been left alone in the world.

I took a risk.

"He…hello, little fellow?" I asked.

The sandshrew waddled up to me…and jumped into my lap, and cuddled into it like it was the most comfortable thing in the world.

"You…wanna…be with me?" I asked.

The sandshrew nodded, and hopped onto my shoulder. I smiled.

"We're gonna be the best ever Sandshrew!" my 10 year old voice said happily as the day had finally worked out.

"Rew, rew!" it chortled as I picked it up and headed back. It never occurred to me that I didn't have a Pokeball, or any pokeballs at all. However, it didn't seem to matter, because for the first time in quite a while, I had someone.

It was the team that would strike fear into the hearts almost everywhere we went and everyone we faced for over 10 years…

Let the training begin.

* * * *

After my 'capture' of Sandshrew, my grandparents had seen how I liked to train with it. I wanted us to be unbeatable, and thanks to a bit of advice from my grandparents, I was able to train on the farm itself, and capturing a few pokemon.

From my newly bought pokeball, I caught three young rattatta, a caterpie and a weedle, but then I decided…not to go out into the world yet.

I would train, become stronger, and become ready.

Getting older however, doesn't necessarily mean getting stronger, as my grandparents were to find out.

My grandmother, Naruki, died shortly after my 11th birthday, from a severe stroke. It would lead my grandfather, Souga, into severe depression and into a home. He would die within the year.

However, the farm's balance were under the Johnson name, and with that, the balance of it came under my name. Which meant…a bit of security.

From there, I used a bit of land a few miles from the farm, and used the capital to build a small gym. My now, my rattata were stronger, and I now had a beedril and a butterfree.

However, my main weapon was Sandshrew.

With my family wilting away, and my gym close to opening, my own demeanour changed. I began to become a bit of an outcast from the world, my own fear and darkness taking around me.

I began to be harsher towards my pokemon, beginning to avoid the process of being weak, where my family had been, my own love for them being buried further deeper in my heart.

Once, when my sandshrew fell into some water by accident, I laughed and brought out the poor thing. But I saw that as a weakness. We began training in storms, despite it's protest. We did make that vow, and we aimed to keep it.

A lot of people thought that it was cruel. However, I couldn't see that because I myself was also doing the same or similar things as my pokemon. I began training myself, in fitness and in endurance, to fit my pokemon. I was tough but fair, I worked myself as I worked my pokemon. And despite the contrary, I still cared and loved them.

When I started battling, I was coming up to 12, and the memories came again. It made me more determined. One year later, I would have 90+ wins and the first Ash/A.J meetings, which in our teenage and Elite years, would have been the equivilent to a PPV boxing or wrestling main event.

The first meeting however wasn't surrounded by cameras, a huge field or 20,000+ fans screaming on.

It was shown with just me, Ash, and his two friends…oh, and later on, two idiots named Team Rocket.

Like almost every other challenger, Ash was beaten easily by not realising how strong Sandshrew was, and how it avoided all the weaknesses such as water, air and grass. When I defeated Team Rocket, that was my 100th win, undefeated, and ready to challenge the world.

With fond goodbyes to Ash and company, I remember heading in the opposite direction, to head to Brock's home town, Pewter City, and my first badge.

* * * *

"Sandshrew, finish it!"

That was a phrase I said many times in my battles. Sandshrew destroy the man known as Flint, (Brock's father as I'd later find out) and slashes through those airheads known as Misty's sisters. Yes, the same airheads that refused me a pokemon a few years ago…I felt no remorse when a slash attack smashed a crystal of their Staryu, it just felt like divine rights.

By then, I made a pact. To make sure my pokemon got the respect and freedom they deserved. They had put up with me for so long, they deserved to get on the right track.

Any pokemon that I didn't think would be in my squad, I would ask if they would like to be. Some did, some wanted to remain with me, but of course, they had no-where to be transferred to.

That's when I met Bill.

A famous pokemon researcher who specialised in keeping pokemon and research. He would be the first out of two people who would look after some of my pokemon. He let them roam on the cliff face, usually my rodents or my flyers.

By Vermillion, and my Sandshrew humilating Surge's Raichu, and evolving into what people had called 'The Scurge of Sand' in other words, my Sandslash, probably apart from Ash' Pikachu, and maybe Gary's Umbereon, the most well known attacking pokemon of the Elite.

Celadon was taken out almost as easy. Erika's gym had a habit of refusing people who didn't like perfume. This reminded me so much of my past, and I didn't really want to go through that again. I grudgingly managed to get through and challenge Erika. Grass pokemon were a weak point from ground, but Sandslash cut through the leaves with ease, and I still had a powerful Beedril as well, which I would soon give to someone else.

Flareon was another pokemon that I was using now, the fire eevee scorching through Erika's squad.

The Marsh badge was more challenging, and the first time I really had been challenged. Sabrina was as tough as nails, although I heard she had just gone through a life-changing experience, so I decided not to bother her much and just beat her as quickly as possible.

Only problem was her Kadabra was very strong, and Sandslash was every so nearly defeated. A lucky fissure got me out of jail and got me the victory, but the battle had told me that despite my record, I could be beaten if I wasn't careful, and always needed to improve.

I got my water pokemon by now as well, a Gyarados I was determined to show how strong a true water pokemon could be, despite my hatred for the Cerulean gym. It was hard to hate them when I learnt that Misty was a trainer there as well. Really hard to accept that it was her family who nearly stopped me from looking ahead to my dream.

Koga and Aya were barely challenges, and with my newly acquired Golem (traded for my Rhyhorn), it and Sandslash just crushed their poison pokemon. The sport was what I began to call it. My team was now Sandslash, Golem, Flareon, Gyarados, Electabuzz and soon…a Tauros.

I got it from the Laramie ranch, it was the first time I would meet my wife, Lara there. I was a few weeks early for the race, but I felt it was a decent time to relax.

Seeing all the pokemon free ranging, it made me remind that I hadn't called Bill in a while, so I began running, searching for a pay phone…

…and nearly got tramped over by a Ponyta.

(flashback)

"Ow….hey, watch it!" I called, as I looked up.

"What you mean you watch it you little sidewinder, you ran into me!" said a southern voice, similar to my own, but obviously, distinctly feminine.

I looked up, and saw a very beautiful, slender, blue haired girl.

I first thought, 'mother'. She looked like her, except obviously younger. When I told this to Ash once, he wondered if it was more an Oedipus love at first sight, but he shut up soon when Lara smacked him over the head with a Ponyta plushie. Heh.

For the first time in a very long time, I honestly felt some warmth in my body other than the feeling of victory, or compassion for my pokemon.

I felt that I needed to meet her, I needed to know her. I stood up, dusted myself off, and actually apologize. (Now, my wife doesn't think that word is in my vocab…)

"Oh….er, sorry…"

You could tell I was good at this apologizing lark.

"…Er, you see I was in a hurry, and I wasn't sure where I was looking…" I said, but thankfully, she interrupted me.

"Sugar, don't you know where you are? We're in the Laramie ranch, it isn't exactly hard to look where you're going…"

"Er…well I was looking for a payphone to check to see how my pokemon were doing…oh, is this your Ponyta…" I decided not to touch it, I knew Ponyta's reputations…obviously Ash didn't when we all got together for our nicer moments in life, everyone together for company.

She smiled. "Yep, this is my pride and joy! The names Lara Laramie, daughter and heir to the famous Laramie family of the breeding side of the Laramie Ranch." She hopped off. "Well stranger, what they call you then?"

She sounded like a regular cowgirl. A real cute one though, and her approaching me made me feel embarrassed.

"Er…I…well, my names Andrew. Andrew Johnson, but you can call me A.J." I said.

"Well, the payphone A.J is…" If what happened next hadn't happened, I probably would have left it at that, however, a certain mouse type pokemon decided to put it's pesky nose into our business.

"Slash…slash…" it said, looking up at the Ponyta.

It neighed as the Sandslash hopped onto my shoulder, to start what I thought, was probably a conversation with the fire horse pokemon.

However, Lara had a different take upon it.

"Wow, that's your pokemon! It's so strong! And adorable as well!" Lara lifted my mouse pokemon as I felt a bit nervous for her. Sandslash had a habit of being annoyed by strangers, and whilst never attacking them, liked to throw a bit of sand in their eyes…

"Er, miss Lara, please be careful, Sandslash isn't too fond of…HUH?"

Seeing Lara and Sandslash giggle like that may have ruined my tough guy image for the rest of my life as Lara hugged it, but at least it made us have at least one thing to talk about.

"Wow, we have our own Sandshrew and Sandslash colony around here…would you like to see them?" she asked…well, I dunno if it was me or Sandslash, but we both said yes, in our own tongues of course.

"Come on then!" she said, and for the moment, my phone call with Bill had been delayed.

I was entranced with her long legs and walk, as we walked as I saw all sorts of breeders and trainers around.

"Wow, you got a lot of people coming here miss Lara." I said, keeping as polite as possible. I felt that this was a girl who deserved a hell of a lot of respect.

"The Laramie Ranch has become the most popular house of pokemon breeder and researchers where people want to strengthen their pokemon and for us to look after them. For a fee of course…" she said with a sly smile.

"Of course." I smiled back.

As we walked on, it became known that we actually had quite a bit in common, especially with our own habits for cooking pokemon recipes. Lara was working as a cook as well, which made her resemblance with my mother all the more scary.

"O.K, we're here you couple of darlings…" she said.

I remember feeling hotter then, but I ignored it and saw the free ranging pokemon, and seeing how happy many of them. I then got the best idea of my whole life.

"Hey Lara, I have some pokemon which I can transfer from somewhere near my home town. If it couldn't be much of a bother, and of course I'll pay you, could you look after them? I think they would love it here."

I wouldn't know it yet, but this would provide me the close communication between myself and her.

She smiled. "Wow, we made such an impression on ya already?"

Well, technically it was her. However I must admit, I was telling the truth that my pokemon would love it here. Seeing the baby sandshrew cuddling with their parents, seeing all the raticate, tauros and nido-pokemon, it was almost like a paradise for the guys.

I was planning to head to the safari zone to see if there was some strong pokemon I could get, and was happy to give my Beedril to Lara first hand.

And when I touched her hand, it felt like it was meant to be. It only lasted a moment, but it was so weird feeling for someone I barely knew.

Yet I wanted to know here, that's for sure.

I finally got round to my call, and manages to wrangle Bill from his latest experiment to tell him that I found somewhere where my pokemon would enjoy even more. Bill agreed, he was a researcher first more than anything, and although my pokemon had enjoyed going through a few trips to Professor Oak, it was great to see them in pastures now.

I said my goodbyes to them, and I gave my regards to Lara, and continued on my journey. She asked if I could come back for the big race in a few weeks. I admitted it was unlikely because I hoped to be on the first ferry (or in my case, the first Gyarados) to Cinnabar Island. However, I certainly appreciated the offer, and I hoped that I would see her again.

It wouldn't be the first time that I would see her though…

* * * *

Getting my Tauros in the Safari Zone was tough, but thanks to my own home-made recipes treats instead of the garbage bait that the Safari Zone gives you, I managed to get the hands on a prized Tauros.

I decided there and now that this was going to be the team to take to me in the Indigo finals. With Sandslash by my side, and 5 top of the range tough to beat pokemon alongside, there wasn't anything that could stop us.

Or so I thought.

Good training made my Tauros strong, and a bit of TLC as Lara calls it made our bond even stronger. I was enjoying my own life as well, not just as a trainer, but making my recipes for myself and my pokemon. It seemed like my own parental heritage was calling for me whenever I lit a fire, and the excited eyes of my pokemon, even my huge Gyarados, was warrant enough for happiness.

Anyway, taking the ferry to Cinnabar Island, I discovered that there supposedly wasn't a gym. Bullshit.

Any idiot can say that, but only the true trainers know about Blaine's gym. I knew it was somewhere, and when a weird man told me (in a stupid riddle none the less) about it, impressed by my determination, he led me to a volcano lair.

He later explained that he was of course, the gym leader, and that his secret gym had to be fixed after an incident with two certain members of Team Rocket (as Ash was glad to tell me later on), but underneath a volcano was a bit extreme even for me. The match itself I had to be careful, a lot of my usual ground based tactics wouldn't work because of the arena. If it smashed, my pokemon could fall to their doom.

However, my love for them seemed to spur them on, and wanting to win. The first match surprised me as he sent out Rhydon. I guess it was pokemon who could survive in this environment, not just fire types. I sent out Sandslash, who's iron like defence was good enough against Rhydon's own. He couldn't attack from the underground, so instead wore him down with superior speed and movement, before winning with an almighty seismic toss on the ground.

His next pokemon was Ninetales. That battle alone took a lot out of my Sandslash, which proved that Blaine was a good gym leader. His Ninetales trapped Sandslash in a cocoon of fire, via it's fire spin attack, and confused it's tired body with the confuse ray. A series of lightning fast quick attacks told me that enough was enough and I returned my buddy before setting out Golem.

Golem's weight proved a problem for the field, but even more so for Ninetales. It withdrew everytime it went for confuse ray, and it's fire attacks could hardly scratch it. Golem finally got in range and smacked it with a mega punch, sending it flying, forcing Blaine to return it.

Finally, his star, Magmar. It managed to blind Golem with a smokescreen, but it's attacks weren't doing anything to Golem. Golem couldn't hit it with it's usual attacks, so he went for the toss again, and connected. He finally managed to cause the win with it's powerful take down, enough for me to win, quite literally, a hot match.

Finally glad to be out of that, and 7 badges to my name, I decided to relax a bit and then head south to Viridian.

However, first I wanted to stop by the Laramie Ranch and see my pokemon. O.K, I had an alternative motive as well, but trust me, it didn't get that far. And I almost followed in my parents footsteps, by losing my dreams…and nearly get killed as well.

* * * *

The attack started as I was walking down, remembering the way to the Ranch close to Fuschia gym. I didn't have a flying pokemon, so it was just simply good exercise for me and my pokemon.

I had let them all out, my Tauros in particular loving to come out just as much as my sandslash. I saw the bushes and the trees overhead, and I remember now nice the country life was.

However, the noise of overhead explosions wasn't exactly what I had envisioned on a trip to the countryside…

I looked up and saw the infamous 'R'. Team Rocket. And trust me, it wasn't our favourite idiots either. They're was 40 or so of them, and they were heading….for the Laramie Ranch?

O.K, we have a lot of Team Rocket bandits, known for stealing pokemon, and we have my pokemon over there, ready to be plucked.

Everyone got that? Good. Now watch what happens when they add one angry pokemon trainer into the mix.

I saw Team Rocket scaring people and pokemon alike, and it made my blood boil. I didn't attack right away, as I watching them, waiting.

I saw, what I presumed was the leader, jump out of a balloon, walking with a flower towards the entrance. She looked no older than I was, but I had already learned that looks can be deceiving, and her 'R' uniform definitely held the belief that she was the enemy, and that look of hers certainly looked dangerous.

"Well, well, what have we here?" she said in a snide voice. "Lots…and lots…of well bred, well kept pokemon of a famous family…and we have Team Rocket, ready to cash in on your hard work. That is wonderful…"

Suddenly with a speed I had never seen, she threw about 5 of those black roses or whatever she had, and shocked 5 of the pokemon, including some of the young ones. 5 agents threw pokeballs and captured them.

"Hey you can't do th…" said someone, but was shut up by another flower, and also some threatening guards. Crap. This wasn't good.

"Hey, hold it right there you troublemakers!" said a familiar voice.

I saw Lara escaping from a hatch on her Rapidash, and looking at Domino as if she was the scum of the earth. At that point, she probably was.

"Ah, do we have the queen of the castle?" Domino said, before throwing another flower. The Rapidash jumped out of the way…I noticed Lara clutching her arm slightly in pain, but her eyes burned with fire at her enemy.

Suddenly, I saw a Beedril fly over her head….my Beedril…

It flew, attempted to sting the girl…

…and got it's wings clipped by a net from one of the Rockets. And then…

….seeing the flower hurt my pokemon was boiling my blood to the point that I just wanted to kick the crap out of her. I still had my whip as a weapon as well of defense, I had only ever used it in that or to intimidate would-be opponents, I had never attacked with it. I had a feeling that today was going to change that situation.

"Well, another one bites the dust…now where were me, Miss Laramie, I take it that's you, the daughter to the Laramie family…" said that girl.

"You call me Lara you sniveling little pest…" her anger was obvious, but I didn't think that it would do too much.

Rapidash shot a flame shot at them, which surprised me…however, the rocket girl span the flower like a baton…and somehow deflected the fire away…

"Huh? What the…"

That girls laugh was like scratching on a black board. It was horrifying to hear it.

"You see, us specialised Rocket agents know how to deal with threats. Let's see how you prissy little upstarts like a taste of your own medicine…"

The next sight was another one of those hideous memories that I had suffered enough in my life. I didn't want another one.

The flower shot into Lara's arm like knife into butter, and the shriek I heard was the most frightening thing I had heard.

The pain had to be incredible for her, because she was screaming like mad. The rocket bitch just laughed.

"Well, now we have another victim to the Black Tulip, Domino. I think any more resistance will be unncessary. Let's just take the pokemon back to the boss and then we'll…"

That's it. Hurting pokemon, hurting my pokemon…and hurting a girl….crimes that must be punished.

"FISSURE ATTACK!"

Sandslash' claw into the ground made a shudder as the Rocket turned around…

…and then dropped into the ground as 20 to 30 guards fell into the giant hole my pokemon created. However, the girl, Domino, jumped out the way like an Olympic gymnast.

She clapped, as the look on my face was one of distaste.

"Well, what do we have here…someone who knows what they are doing…well, shame I do as well…."

Her tulip flew at me at breathtaking speed…fortunately, my pokemon also did the same.

In a movement known as the bare-hand block, usually reserved against swordsmen, my mouse pokemon had caught the tulip in it's bare claws before slashing the thing into shreds. In the first showing of true anger I had in a long time, I drew my own weapon as Sandslash advanced on her.

She blocked the slash with her staff/tulip she had, but she didn't see my attack. My true attack.

"It'll take more than one mere pokemon to take me do…huh?" she felt her weapon being tugged from her arms.

My whip had ensnared it.

Domino was stronger than I expected, I guess she didn't get to being a Team Rocket agent from looks alone, although I wouldn't have been surprised if she had been screwing her boss to get into the high ranks, but I was still stronger. Pulling, Domino released she was in trouble.

"You hurt pokemon, including my own, and you hurt a friend of mine who has been looking after them…you will be punished as with one strong tug, I removed the staff from her hands.

She fell down, but quickly got up, snickering.

"Well, well, I guess we'll have to take this one seriously."

My Sandslash looked on as I released my Electabuzz and Tauros. Any sense of movement would be stopped by my two quickest pokemon.

Then, I heard the whispered pain.

"A.J…hun…that you?"

Lara's nervous system seemed to be affected by that attack. Her arm was in extremely bad shape.

We had talked every time I called asking both a) how my pokemon was and b) how she was, so I could definitely qualify her as a friend now. She called me hon every time I called as well, which I thought was a bit annoying at first, but I guess my tough guy ways made it like that. Misty always called it cute though.

However, seeing her like this made my blood boil even more so.

"You…are so going…to pay…"

Domino smiled. She grabbed a pokeball.

"Let's see how good you really are…" she said.

She threw her first pokemon, a Scyther.

"Tauros, go easy on them. It's not their fault they've got such a despicable trainer." I said.

Domino may be seen as a Rocket agent, but as a trainer, she was no match for me. Tauros' improved abilities made it hit a skull bash into the tree, and when I used fire blast, even Domino seemed a bit shocked.

Her next pokemon faired even less when she sent out Nidoqueen. Tauros proved to be the stronger in a test of strength, and a blast of ice beam froze it solid, unable to move. Domino I thought was ready to blow a gasket.

She didn't. She was laughing.

"You are good….however, who said that was my plan?"

Suddenly, I felt something and above me, was a blast of Butterfree shooting stun spore above me. I felt the pain, as it is quite effective and painful on humans, and I should have known they would be doing something like this.

My Electabuzz was trying it's beside to stop the effect as well, as it was thundershocking every agent trying to get close or to climb out of the hole that Sandslash created. However, it was getting too much for even that.

"Damn it….Lara…" I called, as I felt a blow to the head from Domino as the spore stopped, a lot of the other trainers were trying to get close, but inhaling the spore didn't help.

Lara was about as close to unconsciousness as I was, and Domino only needed one more blow to finish me off.

The blow came and I desperately tried to raise my arm…and in doing so, one of my pokeballs dropped.

I heard my Sandslash trying to fend off the guards and their pokemon on it's own…but the last thing I heard was a mighty roar…

* * * *

The next thing I knew, was that I was in a bed. Not a hospital bed, or a hotel bed, or even my own bed back home. This was a strangers bed.

My arm felt like it was on fire, and my head was in a daze. The taste in my mouth felt like blood, and it was very difficult to move.

A stirring by my side became a movement, which became a licking of my face.

I had to giggle. "Hey Sandslash…you still here?"

It made a few happy gestures, as an opening of the door came, and a girl in a sling walked up to me.

"So you O.K sugar?"

I moved slightly, although it was difficult. I could tell my arm had broken, or my shoulder separated. Either way, the pain I went through wasn't enough to stop to see how she was.

"Lara…you're…O.K…"

She had to chuckle. "Well, compared to you, I get a re-break of my arm is O.K."

A re-break?

"I broke it when a sneaky little person tried to sabotage my efforts into winning a race. This isn't the first time that Team Rocket has tried to ruin my life." She sighed. But then she smiled. "Mind you…they didn't get away with it then, and they didn't get away with it now."

"So….what happened?" I asked.

"Well, after that girl tried to hurt you, one of your pokeballs came out. Your Sandslash wasn't affected by the spore, but it couldn't fight them all off. But then…er…well, your Gyarados came out."

I had to chuckle. "Oh dear for them."

She laughed as well. "Yeah. Their reaction was classic. Sandslash jumped onto it's back and it shot a surf attack, flooding them in the fissure. It turned to the girl with the flowers, and she panicked, and ran, jumping out of there. Sadly, we couldn't catch her, but the others remained in the fissure after your sandslash' mud slap and sand attacks made sure they couldn't escape."

"You're a smart boy aren't ya Sandslash?" I said.

"And you're a brave boy, aren't ya A.J." she said.

I felt nervous as Lara came up to me, and bend down. She gave me a little kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you sugar…" she said.

The heat on my head seemed to make my injuries feel like nothing. However, they came back in a hurry when I tried to move as I screamed and fell out of bed.

"A.J!" Lara said and had to struggle (along with my sandslash, who mumbled something about eating too many of my own recipes…) to get me back in. After my head had cleared, I realised I could hardly move.

"Er….what have I done…or should I say, they done…" I said.

Lara looked sad as she sat on the bed by it's side. "Well, that Domino girl nearly fractured your skull, she snapped the shoulder, and there is a slow paralyzing effect running through your body, and your knee joint has been dislocated. Altogether, it'll take you 3 months to fully recover."

I was stunned. In 2 months, the Indigo championships begin, and I hadn't even got my last badge. Once again, my dream was going to be denied.

"Lara…I have to keep going…my Tauros will get me there…I WILL COMP…ahh!"

She managed to catch me before I collapsed. I could almost feel the blood coughing up my throat. Damn, those rockets done a number on me…but the loyalty and friendship of my pokemon were what saved me.

"The doctors say you should leave off anything for the time being. You can stay here for the moment, hun. Your pokemon can remain here, don't worry about the rocket attacks. With a lot of them roped in thanks to your heroics, I'm sure they won't bother us for a long time now."

My tiredness came back in a hurry as I struggled to hang onto consciousness.

"Thank you…" was all I could say before collapsing back into the bed. All I could feel was the tugging of my sandslash, and a soft hand on my forehead…

* * * *

Yep, now you know. My no-show at the first Indigo Championship that Ash competed in was because of that, which lead to someone other than myself win the thing. I hadn't told anyone this until a recent drunk escapade with myself, Ash and Richie a couple of years ago made me blurt it out. I never thought of the person who could quit, but I was forced to…for now.

For those 3 months, it was a slow build of rehab, but the best cure was the simple life. The fresh air, relaxation, and the comfort of my friends.

All my pokemon I finally had a good chance to watch in actually, moving peacefully along the Laramie Ranch.

I got to meet Lara's parents, who were surprised to meet the 'hero' of the siege. I dunno, maybe they expected someone more heroic. As I told them, heroism costs extra.

Lara and myself were getting along real well. Turns out because of her life and heritage, she really didn't have much time to bond well with people and trainers. However, now that I was 'grounded' (forgive the pun, Sandslash made it up not me…), she was enjoying being with someone her own age. To be honest, I was as well.

I had to walk on crutches, but I refused an arm chair. I wanted to get about my own way, by myself. I sounded like someone incapable for asking for help, but I was always appreciative of the companionship that the Laramie girl had given me.

After 2 months, I started to really feel affection for her. Yep, I was falling for her in a major way. Our similar interests and a common bond had really gotten us closer. Actually, it started with a tale about Mr. Ketchum, how it was him that won the P1 substituting for Lara. Damn Ash, is there…or was there anything you couldn't do back then?

But the first time that we truly connected was a small thing in nature, I was busy in the Laramie home, the chef's area, where some of the cooks prepared both the family and the pokemon their food. I decided to make some of my own recipes, to see if the pokemon would like them…

My hands busy at work, enjoying the comfort of something I enjoyed, were interrupted by a southern female voice coming up to me.

"A.J….you in here? I thought so. Someone said you had gone into the chef's area…well, you did say you liked to cook…"

"Yep, I was just seeing if any of your ranch pokemon would enjoy the stuff that I made. It's my own secret recipe of course…"

She smiled. "Really, what's in it?"

I slapped my head. "It's a secret!"

Her smile turned sly. "Oh, so the person who has helped you get better, into rehabilitation, helped look after your pokemon…and you can't even do this teeny weeny favour for me?"

Uh oh. Why do the words 'guilt trip' spring to mind here?

"Er….well….it's just…eep…"

Eep? That was because Lara had grabbed my hand with the spoon in it and began to stir my liquidized mix.

"Don't worry sugar, I won't tell anyone." She said. It was like she had me under her spell, and I was trying to fight it. It was like the old devil and angel over my shoulder, one saying 'Fight it' and the other one saying 'Give in'.

"Oh no…the wicked Laramie charm isn't gonna work this time…anything else yes, but not the recipe!" I said, with a smile.

"Oh…you are so mean…" she said, in a mock huff. Her eyes still trying to go through the ingredients.

She then tossed a little flour at me.

I couldn't block, and it went in my face, and as I wiped it off, I saw her charming little giggle snickering out of the corner of her mouth.

"Oh…so you are that stubborn are you?" I said, and I retaliated.

Lara came out with an angry look at her, as I tried hard not to laugh. Soon, it was war.

"You'll pay for that A.J!" she said, and with a cry of attack, it became a flour warfare.

For some reason, none of the cooks decided to stop us, and instead vacating the room was better. I learnt later than one of them had said 'It's nice for Miss Laramie to lighten up with a young boy like that.' Maybe being rich wasn't exactly as cracked up to be as you'd expect.

After the flour madness, which left my stiff limbs needing a bit of a rest, I saw a giggling Lara like it was the most fun thing she'd done.

"Hey, thanks A.J…although your recipe is probably nothing more than flour now…" she said.

"Hey, I can always try again tomorrow…no, not another round, this time I'm making it as a thank you, so you can't stop me." I said.

"Yes sir…" she said and began to walk away, but then…she slipped on some of the flour.

Instinct came about despite my still not fully fit body. I caught her on the way down, felt a small pain in my shoulder, but held her much lighter body up so that she wouldn't break her neck.

"Oh my stars…that was close…" she said.

I didn't answer her, as my hands clutching hers had almost frozen me. I remember this moment so well that I could have told it you a thousand times.

Lara turned to me, a small blush on her cheeks, and despite our faces covered in flour, she leaned in…and held a sweet kiss on my lips.

I didn't expect it, that's for sure, but I enjoyed every moment of it. It was so innocent, so sweet, and so unexpecting.

It was perfect.

She let go softly, her beautiful eyes staring into mine. I didn't know what to say.

"Lara…" was all I could manage, her hands still in mine.

"Shh…" her long finger stroked my flour covered cheek. "It's O.K darling…"

She leaned again and this time I accepted it with pleasure. This was love as it was meant to be. How ironic that one of my greatest hardships would turn into one of my greatest memories and moments in my young life.

Any pain that was in my body had vanished without a trace, as I slowly but surely wrapped my arms round her. Her own arms were as tight as a belly drum around me, but the warmth that was surrounding me made it near invisible. It was like cloud nine.

However, I slowly did let go of her. I looked into her eyes and pulled back a stray hair.

"Thank you." Was all I could say.

"Any time." Was she said back. I guess words weren't much after a scene like that. All of a sudden, I was glad for the privacy.

With that, Lara slowly got some cleaning stuff, and we began the slow job of cleaning this mess up.

I couldn't stop myself looking at her, like some beautiful goddess. I was hooked. I didn't want to let go of her either.

However, I still had something to do first.

* * * *

OPEN UP!

The doors to Viridian Gym opened like a temple. This gym had apparently been destroyed a few months ago, but had been rebuilt thanks to some unknown welfare to the gym leader Giovanni. I didn't know it yet, but I was up against the leader of Team Rocket, the same assholes who attacked the ranch and nearly crushed my body.

I still had the 7 badges with me, and although I was too late to enter, I could easily train and prepare myself back at the ranch after this battle. Lara…well, she kinda of insisted that I stayed there. However, this time I had to finish what I started. She kindly lend me one of the Fearow here, and a swoop to Viridian City led me to the gym leader.

"Well, another victim for my growing taste of victory." Said the man, Giovanni, who I took an instant dislike to.

"Screw this, can we just get on with it?" I said.

My rehab, determination and my pokemon thriving on the Laramie Ranch made this VERY one sided, as Gyarados absolutely went wild on his Golem, Nidoking and even his own Sandslash. I didn't even need to change pokemon, it was so quick. I think a bit of that pent up frustration had been transferred to my pokemon, and they were just glad to kick the crap out of someone.

Giovanni begrudgingly gave me the earth badge. I knew there was something about him that I would grow to hate. Fortunately for me, it would be Jessie and James, those two goofballs of all people, who would destroy Team Rocket for good, with help from Ash and friends.

My ride back to the ranch was greeted with me giving Lara a goofy smile, and her look of amazement as I was unscaved, and 8 badges full.

"That's terrific!" she said, hugging me in full view of the family.

Now this was a problem. Although everyone acknowledge our friendship, no-one had known about our…well, yeah, our love for each other since that fateful day. Her parents watching their daughter and this guy hug with blushes on their faces was a situation which could get ugly in a hurry.

There was one grace. Lara herself. Her smile and her happiness (plus her refusal to let go of me, not that I wasn't complaining…) on her beautiful face was enough to prove to her parents that their daughter had found the love and life they wanted to her. She may be the heir to the Laramie clan and fortune, but she was still a young lady wanting to see the world, and learn what life can bring. I always called her a princess, but initially, that could be true, considered how she was sitting on a fortune, but didn't seem to be able to go anywhere else. However, with me by her side, that chance was going to happen.

* * * *

When I challenged for the Indigo Title 6 months after the original one, Ash was going onto his Johto journey. However, I was determined to win my battle with both injury and the tournament. The Laramie Ranch has really helped me exercise both myself and my pokemon, and it was time to see how it would work on the tournament.

I remember that first time that I went out, the thrill of the feeling of going out against the best of the rest. I felt confident, but even more that Lara had reserved a seat for every match that (hopefully) I would be in.

My first round match was obviously a rookie against me. His Beedril, Butterfree and Fearow were no match for my Flareon on the grass field along in my first match. The skull bash which finished off the diving Fearow sent the crowd into some sort of jubilation, like there was something special with this guy, and the cheers were being led my Miss Laramie, Row H, seat 101.

She had offered to loan me some pokemon as a representative of the Laramie Ranch, well her parents had, but I refused, simply putting that it was my way to win, not anyone elses, and I wanted that to prove it.

At last, the shadows of my past were being exorcised.

My next round match on the rock field was perfect for my massive Gyarados, who simply wrapped himself round the rocks and blasted bubblebeams at the Golem in the first round. Even when he sent in Exeggutor I didn't worry, as the height of my pokemon was hard for it for it's grass attacks to work. An ice beam changed his perspective of the match, and he finally sent out his last pokemon, Nidorino, who was no match for the powerful body slam of my Gyarados. So far, two one-sided victories, and I'm sure the black market bookies had shortened my odds by now.

As the rounds progressed, I kept switching pokemon because the breeders of the Laramie clan had made my reserves almost as strong as my first choice. It was with great pride when I saw my Raticate's thunderbolt defeat my third round opponent's Starmie after my Gyarados finally lost.

And I was hearing the crowds reaction behind me, seeing my dominance yet my congratulations to both my opponent and my pokemon showed that I wasn't an arrogant so and so like some of their past favourites. I remember watching Ash battle that Mandie creep…heh. Trust me when I was cheering for young Ketchum.

Finally on the ice field, Electabuzz beat a young girls' Cloyster, and after a close battle, beat a Vileplume. It finally lost to a Jolteon, so it was Sandslash's debut.

"Sandslash, sand attack!"

"Jolteon, agility.."

The plan was obvious. She wanted to get Sandslash in the water. And lo she got it…but she also got one heck of a surprise…

"Now, Jolteon, send it to the edge with a quick attack!"

As Jolteon nailed Sandslash, it slipped into the water, as I feined ignorance.

"Oh dear…what just happened?"

"Your Sandslash is in a lot of trouble now isn't it!"

"I don't think so."

"Huh?"

The next thing she saw was Sandslash smashing through the ice, it's claw slashing away on the Jolteon with a barrage of fury swipes. The final slash attack send the electric eevee down for the count, dripping wet, and the shock of both my opponent and the crowd.

And lo, did the crowd roar.

* * * *

"Wow, that was really impressive, Mr. Johnson! That Sandslash of yours survived a total ice water assault and came back easily! What's your secret?"

Interviews. Even today as a member of the Elite, I couldn't stand them, and hated every person who tried to. However, both then and now, I had a secret weapon.

"O.K guys, back it up. He's a member of a prestigious company and I need him outta here…" said a southern female voice, as Lara, in a businesswoman's uniform (making her look extremely sleek and sly, gorgeous nonetheless though…) was like my rep, trying to get me out of tough situations.

As soon as the doors closed into my locker room, I picked her up and twirled her around, ectastic from a) my win and b) getting away from those leches. Lara laughed as I put her down and she gave me a sweet kiss.

"This is the life." I said. Realising I was now in the final 16 was a scary thought. I knew I could win it, but the next match, would be the final 3 on 3 in the Indigo Stadium before the big 6 on 6 matches in the quarterfinals onwards.

"I know. Just don't lose sugar, we've worked so hard through everything…" she said.

"I know…I don't want it to end here, but somehow, if it did…" I remember looking her in the eyes. "…I still got the best prize of them all right here."

"Aww…" she said to me and gave me a long hug. It was this feeling which was the real victory to me in the tournament. Despite everything, I had found something more precious to me than any victory.

* * * *

Guess what? I had another victory.

I said that she was more precious, but that doesn't mean I didn't like to win. On the stadium, Sandslash crushed all three of my opponents pokemon, first a Raichu, then a Farfetch'd, and finally a Wartortle. People judging my Sandslash' strength weren't really hoping to meet me in the following rounds, I could tell, and so could most of this audience.

More wins gained me more popularity and confidence, my injuries now a fairway away from my mind. Relaxing in the Pokemon Village with Lara was more treatment than I could ever withstand anyway.

When the quarter-finals came about, it was clear that there were two people who were seen to be in the final. Myself, and the masked man Darien, a prospector trainer from Vermillion City, who invested part into the St. Anne building. He was an extremely talented veteran trainer, and I had a feeling it was destined.

The blood inside me was fuelling the adrenaline I was going into this next battle, as Sayoko, my opponent grinned an arrogant grin, claiming he'd be the one to knock me off my high horse.

Knock me off it? He didn't even reach the saddle. I only used 2 pokemon (Sandslash and Tauros) to defeat his six. I used Tauros first because I hadn't used him yet and his all round abilities would stop any surprised. His Golbat was blasted out of the sky via ice beam, so out came Graveller. O.K…hands up all those who thought that was a stupid move after seeing an ice beam attack. Everyone…good, because this idiot didn't. An earthquake from Tauros also helped finish off the rock pokemon.

He finally wised up slightly and used Machoke. Despite his type advantage, Tauros still defeated it with it's superior speed, mobility and powerful take downs. However, it was finally getting tired, and using his Kadabra, finally defeated it just.

Sandslash came out and sliced a hole through it, it's digs too good for it's psychic attacks. Out came his Seadra, hoping to take it out in one blow. Obviously he didn't watch the last match. Sandslash's Slash again was the key factor.

Finally…Haunter. ^_^

"AND THE WINNER IS A.J!" the announcers screamed out as the crowd cheered, as a dominant performance meant a semi-finals spot for me, and one step closer to leave the stadium with my dream still intact.

As I left, and felt the many cheers on my back, I knew that this may be my dream for now, but seeing a smiling face at me, felt like I knew what my dream may be in the near future.

* * * *

The semi final match was my hardest to date I had to say. The trainer, Chris, was a European making his debut and was the European Champion. It was a pretty good match, that I eventually won. First was Electabuzz vs. Jynx, it was close but Electabuzz shrugged off the psychic attacks and one final thunder punch was enough.

He send out Dugtrio which wiped out Electabuzz with one earthquake. I sent out Gyarados, and despite a couple of good rock slides, it's hydro pump was eventually enough. Next came Jolteon. Damn. Thunderbolt wiped it out.

So I chose Golem. Amazingly, he used mimic and copied my earthquake and did some decent damage with it's double kick, but Golem finally took it out. Out came his own Gyarados, and wiped it out. So, it was either Flareon, Sandslash or Tauros. Hmmm…

Tauros did the job with a lucky thunder. Next came Snorlax. A normal vs. normal battle…except his normal had a powerful submission attack, which beat my Tauros in the end despite the powerful skull bashes it was using. Sandslash was up then. Snorlax fended off the slashes well and really gave Sandslash a tough time, but finally, the fissure sent him snoring back into its pokeball.

Finally, Charizard. His starter sent Sandslash into a spin…a fire spin so to speak, and dived in at a huge speed. Sandslash however hit a rock slide which damaged it's wing badly. However, in a surprise, Sandslash lost for the first time thanks to it's own move, a powerful slash from the fire dragon.

Lastly, fight fire with fire. Flareon came out and trapped Charizard with a fire spin of it's own. It fought out, but fell to a flying skull bash, it's wing still hurt, I hit smog attack and aimed a flamethrower at it.

The resulting explosion was enough. I had won. I, Adrian Johnson, had made it into the final round.

After a congratulations for a great match, I returned to my home for the time, for a quiet night in.

Lara, however, had other plans.

* * * *

"Congratulations sweetie, you did it! You made it this far…"

Getting hugged is nice normally, but when the air of your body is being squeezed out of you as well, then…

"Lara…air…"

She let go with a slight apology, she knew I liked it mostly, but had seen my victory, and after I put my pokemon with Nurse Joy at one of the village's pokemon centres, I sat in with my girlfriend for a nice night in.

However, she had prepared such an extravagent dinner I felt it was someone's birthday.

"Isn't this a bit much…O.K, I made it to the final.." I started, a bit embarrassed about the attention she was giving me.

"Not at all, it's something else special. How long has it been since we first saw each other?" she said with a smile and a blush.

It was then I remembered. It had been….

"That's right. It's our 1 year anniversary. Well, 7 months as a couple, but hey, I'm counting it…AND YOUR NOT ARGUING WITH ME, GOT IT!"

"Got it dear." I said, in those panicked voices that guys use when the girls use threats of certain violence against their significant others.

"So…let's eat then!" she said.

I didn't argue with her. Like I said, she also was pretty involved with most of the givings of the Laramie Ranch and that including the cooking of recipes for the pokemon. However, this time, her divine skills were used for one person. Me. I felt like the happiest and indeed luckiest guy on earth.

After it finished, I softly kissed her. "I love you, you know that…"

"Of course I do sugar, I love you too." It was the first time that I can remember when we actually said that to each other.

When I kissed her, it was like, forget everything. Forget the tournament, just whisk her away to another country or planet where everything can just be us two. However, for now, it was just us two.

I held it for a bit longer before smiling at her.

Now before anyone gets any sick ideas, despite our genuine passion, we were both still 15 years of age, and despite what people have thought of me, I am a pure hearted man, and we slept in separate bunks. We held hands, that was it.

But that night, sleeping comfortably, with no pressure of tomorrow's match, I knew that it was the final piece of the jigsaw needs to finish what I had started all those weeks, months and years ago.

I wasn't going to let the curse of the family get to me, they had suffered, I had…but the difference…I'm here, and I got over it.

Mother, it's time to make you proud of me.

* * * *

As expected, it was A.J vs. Darien in the final round.

My stern steel look was compared with the smile on the magician look alike face. I turned to see Lara looking at me. The representative of the Laramie family had stayed with me thick and thin, not really caring about anything else but to be by my side. Even now, she refused to leave me despite everything, I loved her then for it, I love her now for it.

Now, let the final battle begin.

"Butterfree, I choose you!" Darien said, as the cheers of the crowd became impossible to deal with.

"Go Tauros!" I countered.

The bug pokemon versus the bull pokemon was a good match to say the least, as none of the bull's power attacks could get through because of Butterfree's aerial ability. However, Tauros' speed managed to avoid the bug's stun and sleep based moves. Although it's psybeam did connect, I nailed an ice beam which stopped it in it's tracks. It slowly fluttered down, and as it was recovering, a knockout take down got the win.

Round 2 was his Raticate. His Hyper Fang attack was so quick and sent my Tauros in a bit of pain. Tauros was quicker though with it's take downs, however, Raticate finally got the final sting in after a good battle, by digging underground and smashing my Tauros' belly.

I didn't send out Golem, the obvious choice, because I knew that his Raticate had a blizzard attack to combat it's main problem of physical attacks against rock pokemon. Instead, I sent out Flareon. Raticate again dug, however I used double team and as it unearthed, it couldn't hit the real one. A quick attack sent it into a spin, and although Raticate countered with it's own quick attack, another double team confused it even further, and one powerful flamethrower finished it off.

Darien smiled and complimented me, but now he was getting serious. Onix was his next pokemon, and I knew that Flareon couldn't win this match. I tried a bit of hit and hope, using the smog/fire combo, however Onix was barely scratched. Instead of seriously hurting it, I returned it, forfeiting that round.

Gyarados came out. This time the mismatch was in my favour. One rock throw did some damage, but it's hydro pump took out in one hit.

He sent out…Dragonite. And he had two of them as well, not quite Lance with three, but that's why he was dangerous. Gyarados nearly beat it with ice beam, however, it's thunder quickly ended it.

I had Sandslash, Golem and Electabuzz left. However, it had an ice attack to deal with Golem, and even Sandslash would have a few problems. However, I had a surprise of my own in Electabuzz.

I sent it out, and the flying element of the dragons was an advantage to my electric pokemon. With Gyarados' ice beam still affecting, a huge thunder from my quicker pokemon caught the large target and sent it down for the count.

He had two pokemon left. And his other was….

Aerodactyl. Not too many people had believed it when he sent this flying rock into the tournament, however, as it was a registered pokemon with the authorities, it was allowed, and he sent it out. Now, it is a flyer, but it is also a rock, and it was quicker than Electabuzz.

However, as it dived down, I was gonna try a shock move.

The debut of an electabuzz ice punch attack.

Yep, Lara had told me of the Johto TM's and had a selection acquired to her ranch, fire, ice and thunder punch. As she knew that ice would work with electabuzz, she gave it to me as a free sample. The rock smashed into oblivion as it came into a halt.

However, it still was strong and sensing desperation used a hyper beam. Which beat it, but I quickly sent out Golem after returning Electabuzz and congratulating it, who hit a hasty seismic toss on the lowered pokemon to end that chance.

And then came forth his second dragonite.

Golem simply wasn't quick enough to avoid it's water and ice based attacks, and was beaten in a hurry. Which left…

"Slash?"

I scratched it's ears, as I always did in a comforting gesture before a match. It meant 'do your best', which I always knew it would.

"I choose Sandslash!!" I called out as the crowd knew that the match was coming to an end, and the roars were deafening.

I glanced at Lara who face was one part stern, one part concerned, and one part anxious. O.K, this is it.

"Sandslash, use your defense curl and turn it into a tackle attack!"

One of my unique moves, increasing it's defense and it's mobility to leap into an attack. I used this on Ash in our first battle which took out his Pidgeotto.

"Dragonite, water gun!" Darien said.

The water attack normally would have stopped a Sandslash in it's tracks. However, it simply spun through, to an audience which seemed amazed, they would see this move many times in the Elite, with both myself and Giselle training ground/rock based pokemon designed to tough it out against water opponents.

When it slammed it's sturdy spikes into the powerful dragon, sending it down to ground, the crowd roared, realising this was a true climax between the two best trainers of the tournament.

"Dragonite, try ice beam!"

"Sandslash, countered with rock slide!"

The ice attack could have stopped Sandslash, but with a barrage of rocks coming it's way, it couldn't hit it, and had to avoid the stray rocks attacking it as well, giving Sandslash the time to get away.

I heard the panic in his voice when he called his next attack, nothing he was doing was even getting through to my first pokemon, my strongest, my best friend.

"Dragonite, fly as high as possible and crash down with a body slam!"

Dragonite's can crush a pokemon with their flying body slams with the force of a jumbo jet. However, that works on most pokemon.

My Sandslash was unlike most pokemon.

"Sandslash, curl and roll when I say…" I called out.

My Sandslash stayed poised as the Dragonite came flying down. I had to time it right, all our hardships and training had come down to this…

"NOW!"

Sandslash jumped and curled as the impact was prepared for the Dragonite's attack.

And then Dragonite remembered something...Sandslash have spikes.

Dragonite screamed and fell down as the pain of the attack send it down to the ground, pausing for a few seconds trying to get feeling back.

But I only needed one second to get the advantage.

"Sandslash, sand attack!"

The sand almost came about like a storm as my Sandslash spun and sent if flying into the Dragonite's eyes. Now it was hurt and couldn't see. Dazed and confused, Darien didn't realise what was happening.

Normally, Dragonite's have the advantage over ground types because of it's aerial ability. However, confused and grounded….

"SANDSLASH, FISSURE!"

Darien called desperately for Dragonite to fly away, but the lack of sight and increase of pain made it unable to comprehend any instructions.

The earth cracked…

The dragon fell…

…and the match was over.

And the crowd roared.

"INCREDIBLE, WITH ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND DEVASATING COMBOS IN HISTORY, WE HAVE A NEW INDIGO CHAMPION! THE MAN KNOWN AS A.J, HAS DEFEATED THE LEGENDARY DARIEN IN ONE HECK OF A MATCH!"

I did it.

The dream had happened. I felt it, the emotion in my eyes, I felt the slight tears. After everything, I had done it.

I walked over, and picked up Sandslash and gave him the biggest hug as it gave it's best performance of it's life. We made a promise the day we met each other, and damn it if we didn't keep it.

I glanced at Lara whilst the celebrations began. She too, seemed to have tears as well. Tears of pride I later learnt.

Everything. My father's prisonment and suicide. My mother's and grandparent's death. Refusing to get a pokemon. My own gym. The badges. Team Rocket's attempt to cripple me. The rehab at the Laramie Ranch. Everything had come down, and finished just like this.

Lara jumped from the stands before security could stop her, and despite everything we had denied in the interviews, joined in the group hug, sharing each others tears. I'm not normally the guy who gets emotional or even teary eyed, but I certainly felt it here.

I think if either of us felt Sandslash' spikes, we ignored the pain. I certainly never felt as good as I ever did than this point in my life.

As the crowd continued the cheers (and some wolf-whistling), I saw Darien returning his Dragonite. He smiled at us, despite everything.

Reluctantly, I broke from the group hug as I shook his hand. He was extremely amazed and impressed with my skills, and knew that I was going to be one ready for the Elite in the near future.

I looked at Lara, and I could see my future…looking the brightest they had ever had.

* * * *

The award ceremony was tiring. Chris, who won the 3rd/4th place play-off got the bronze trophy, Darien got the silver one, and myself, the honour of the huge gold trophy, all 6 of my pokemon engraved on it as well, plus a picture-frame of the moment I won it.

I was told that I would be put in the books and that as the Indigo champion, now had certain rights which would be of interest to me. One of those rights came into play the night I was ready to leave…

I was going to go back to the Ranch, enjoy some time with my pokemon and Lara, when the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Mr Johnson…A.J…is this A.J speaking?" said a rough male voice over the phone.

"Yes." I said.

"Congratulations of winning the Indigo Championship sir, we are representatives of the Johto league, and soon the Johto tournament is about to start sir, and we'd like to permit a request of you if you don't mind."

I wasn't sure what he had in mind, but I had been bombarded with interviews and request in just one day, so another one wouldn't hurt.

"O.K, I'm listening."

"Normally, to enter the Johto tournament, you would have to win 8 Johto based badges. However, as you just won the Indigo tournament, we would like you to enter the tournament to help bring in the ratings as the Indigo champ. It would show you if you really are the best in the world."

The best in the world? It was true that I was top of the Indigo rankings now, but the Johto league was a heck of a lot different. If I wanted to become stronger, that would probably provide the best opportunity.

"It's an interesting proposition, I'm not sure…" I stammered, and I saw Lara coming up to me now, interested in what was happening.

"Well, it's no worries sir, we will immediately fly out to the Indigo Plateau, and pick you up by limosine and fly you to the Indigo Continent, where you will take part in the tournament as a special guest. We know this is kind of short noticed, but we felt that your presence…"

"…would increase viewership." I finished. Another scam in sorts, and it felt a bit bad to be used like part of a sponsorship deal. However, it did offer one thing I wanted. More competition. If I wanted to be proved to be the best, beating the best at the Johto tournament would continue that run.

However, what would Lara say?

"Hang on a sec…" I started, but then I felt a hand on my back.

"Sugar…say yes. I know we promised some time, but the Johto tournament is a place for relaxing as well, and I'll always be at ya side anyways, so go sweetie." She said.

I was a bit surprised, stunned and even embarrassed, but deciding to go against my better nature.

"Very well, I accept."

"Good sir, we'll pick you up tomorrow at 10 am sharpish. Be ready and I'll see you then. Goodbye!"

I hung up, and turned to her. "Lara, are you su…MMMM…."

After she let go of the figure-four lip lock, she smiled. "Of course. Don't worry. Let's just enjoy the final night here shall we?"

I smiled back. "Of course." We kissed again, knowing that from one tournament to the other, it didn't matter. Nothing changed one thing.

We were together.

* * * *

The trip was as expected, the prestige and class that you get from being a champion did have its benefits I would admit, but the only benefits I liked were my pokemon and Lara by my side. This way, the problem of loneliness was always battled and defeated.

The Johto tournament was similar to the Indigo, where 8 badges needed to be won. However, the pokemon here were all from this unique region, and whilst using Indigo pokemon was fine as well, fortunately for me, I saw all the unique creatures, Ledian, Heracross, Aipom, Murkrow, you could tell this was going to be a special and diverse tournament.

Lara and I went through the crowds, having registered simply because as the Indigo champion, I could. I made myself an inconspicious as possible, wearing some sunglasses and flattening my hair as best as possible (Lara came up with the name Spikes for me, and Spikes Jr. for Sandslash. Even now, she still calls us that…), and despite my recent win, I was hoping to not blend in too much with the crowd.

Tell that to a girl who sees an old friend of both hers and mine.

"Huh…hey wait a second? Hey, that's…" she said.

I turned slightly and then I heard her. "ASH!"

Now she had my full attention.

I saw a young male, grown up a bit but still not as tall as I was with a Pikachu on his shoulder, a sleek redhead with a ponytail carrying a Togepi, and a muscled elder teenager coming our way. I knew instantly who they were.

Sadly, so did Lara. Oh boy…

Lara had ran up to them practically dragged me through the crowds, as I groaned, realising the problems of women today (of course, if I said that to her directly, I wouldn't even be alive to tell you this story).

"Hey, Lara….and….is that you A.J?"

What do you know? The kid has a memory.

O.K, that was a bit harsh, it just I failed to see how serious Ash can be considering how easily I beat him the first time we met, and now, I was a champion. However, if he made it this far, he may have got as good as I hoped.

"Hey, we heard you won the Indigo league, congratulations…but how come you're here…and how come Lara is with you?" Misty said.

"Well…it's kind of a long story…" I said.

* * * *

Actually, we both had our stories told, because unknown to me, Ash had also won a League, the Orange League, not the most well known leagues, however he did it, and had himself immortalized in the Orange League Hall Of Fame. Misty joked it was horrid because there was two of them now.

I noticed how friendly Ash and Misty were. I recognised the signs easily because…well, I also displayed these signs around Lara.

I feel so sorry for Misty, who is probably going through hell today. If it was Lara, my façade would have been destroyed, and people would see beyond the hard exterior I show in my Elite matches, and see the true Andrew Johnson.

Back to the tournament, and Ash had certainly gotten better according to his friends. He had a better range of strong pokemon, and didn't mind exchanging one for another. I said I was looking forward to battling him hopefully. The rematch we always wanted, Orange vs. Indigo champion.

I was surprised learning from Brock about Ash and Misty together, they were really surprised hearing that me and Lara were together. I guess life is just full of surprises.

The biggest one came at the tournament.

* * * *

As people realised that the Indigo champ was entering the Johto tournament, it was like people were glued to their boxes. I'm sure a few underground bets were made for me to win the tournament.

The skills of the trainers were higher because of their more diverse range of Pokemon, however, my 'Super Six' as the press had dubbed it, were still near damn unbeatable with the range of attacks.

I slowly went up the ranks, and found myself in the final 8. My opponent was a man named Atoshi. The most interesting thing was that I would face in the semis either Ash Ketchum or Casey Bata, who would become a close friend and colleague of mine in the Neo-Elite.

However, as I got further, trainers were getting stronger, and Atoshi was no different. I eventually won 6-4, after in a true classic round, Sandslash span his Marowak into a storm, and hit a powered up slash attack, sending it down for the count.

However, seeing Ash battle on the television that night showed me how dangerous he can be. Casey was the surprise competitor of the whole tournament, and I could tell she had unbelievable potential, and she gave Ash one hell of a ride. However, I knew tomorrow's battle would be the rematch that Ash had been begging for since he lost to me.

Ash had a reputation of very rarely losing twice to anyone. So, I was always on my nerve for that night. Lara was in the room next door in the Johto Hotto hotel, and it kinda sucked that we couldn't share like we did at Pokemon Village, but I could always pop in whenever I wanted (apart from when she was in the shower, which I found out once the hard way…)

In fact, I was off to see her, when the phone rang.

"This better not be another interview…" I had to say. I was getting close to winning my second tournament in two months, and I had been bombarded with questions about everything and anything, including things I didn't want to dwell on anymore, such as my past.

But as I picked up the phone, the voice I heard was kind, caring and a bit cheeky.

"A.J, you there? It's me Ash."

Ash was calling me? Why?

"Yeah Ash…saw your battle the other day, I am so looking forward to facing you again."

"I know…this is the rematch of the century, whether anyone else knows it apart from us. I just want to say good luck."

Wow. Ash had changed, he had matured a bit. Maybe one Misty beating too much finally settled into his brain.

"Well…thank you Ash."

"Don't worry, as long as we go out there and give them the best we can, we'll both put on a great show. And if I lose, hey, it's good to lose to the best."

That was one of the nicest things anyone had ever said to me, and I never forget about it.

"Thank you Ash. I'll see you tomorrow then…and good luck to you as well."

"Of course. See ya!"

As I put the phone down, Ash was right. This would be the rematch of the century, whether it was just Ash, Brock, Misty, Lara and myself and our pokemon were the only ones in the world who knew it.

And I was so looking forward to it.

* * * *

I probably didn't get much sleep that night, for the first time in a long time I had felt the power of nervousness. I never got nervous in a match normally, not even in the final of the Indigo Tournament.

However, as I entered Johto Stadium, and the fans cheering these two champions of two leagues, I felt it. The tension, the suspense and the atmosphere which made these types of matches legendary.

Ash and I shook in the centre of stadium, because if anything else we respected each other. We returned, and I was hoping that the battle would be everything and more.

And it sure was.

First match was Noctowl (Ash) vs. Tauros (me). Ash had been adding to his crew obviously. His Noctowl small size and speed made it hard for Tauros to nail it's ice beam attack on the flying pokemon. Noctowl's hypnosis was the kill factor, as it sapped it's energy via the devasating Dream Eater attack. One full fledged tackle later, and I knew that this was going to be hard.

That was the first time I had actually lost the first round in my entire career.

"Ash, you are good, no doubt about that…but not good enough!"

Noctowl vs. Electabuzz. Although I could have tried to paralyse him, I just aimed with thunderbolts until Noctowl got in range. Finally I got it, and it flew down slightly. I got in range for a thunder punch, and the pesky bird finally fell.

Next, he sent out…Snorlax! Whoa…this had memories of my semi-final match in Indigo. Electabuzz paralysed him with Thunder Wave, although Snorlax's speed probably didn't make that really matter. Snorlax however surprised the heck out of me when he used an Earthquake, which sucked in my electric fighter. He didn't even need to move!

I was 2 for 1 as I recalled Electabuzz. The temptation was Sandslash, but I had a hunch he'd use Pikachu near the end. I sent out Gyarados instead, maybe to lure Pikachu out.

Snorlax vs. Gyarados was one heck of a match. Snorlax' lack of speed and manoeuvrability didn't seem to matter as it's strength to hold off the tackle and bites of my Gyarados was enough. Its harden move was also being a pain. I nailed it with a hydro pump however which sent it to the ground. Finally, I defeated it with a hyper beam attack.

He sent out Pikachu, as expected, and took out Gyarados in one attack. I sent out Golem instead of Sandslash, which surprised a few people.

Pikachu didn't really have anything to hurt Golem, although I was really surprised when a few of his electric attacks did seem to hurt it, I guess that Pikachu has been trained really well. However Golem final tackle attack ended it.

When he sent out Bayleef, I realised that I might have been the one that was had. Although Sandslash was tough, it was still weak against grass pokemon, and so was Golem. I still fortunately had one ace up my sleeve.

Bayleef defeated Golem with one hell of a razor leaf, before I sent out Flareon out. We were showing us our best and defeated them. Bayleef actually put up a good fight with it's sweet scent and synthesis moves, but Flareon finally beat it's resistance with a mighty fire blast.

I wasn't too surprised to see him bring out Croconaw out. It's hydro pump was comparible to some high level Blastoise, Gyarados and Ferilagt'r, so not too surprised when it beat Flareon.

I had one pokemon left. It hadn't let me down before, and I know it wouldn't again.

"Final pokemon, you know which one it is Ash, go Sandslash!"

My trademark pokemon emerged to a roar of the crowd, a lot of people knew how strong my Sandslash was and it was time to see it in action.

"I know your Sandslash can stand water, but what about ice? Croconaw, ice beam attack!" Ash said.

Well, Ashy has been improving. Sandslash however moved out of the way, and with it's defence curl/tackle combo, smashed through the second one. The third one was countered with a rock slide before I called for earthquake.

The already damaged field sent Croconaw into the depths…but it crawled back up, energetic to say the least.

"Sandslash, sandstorm!"

This would clog the water beast up a bit. As the move blinded it, and it shot water guns blindly, my pokemon dug underground.

Ash never saw what hit his Croconaw…literally.

"THE WINNER IS SANDSLASH! IT'S 5-5 AND NOW ASH WILL CALL OUT HIS FINAL POKEMON!"

Watching Ash' battle against Casey made me think it was Espeon. Whilst powerful, my Sandslash could defeat it without too many problems with it's powerful attacks to Espeon's poor defense.

However, Ashy had a few tricks up his sleeve to say the least.

"I guess it's time for a ground attack…I CHOOSE YOU DONPHAN!"

Whoa. That surprised me.

The evolved form of Phanpy came out, looking ready and powerful.

"Well, Ash, I guess it's my strongest ground vs. yours. And again, I will win! SANDSLASH, UNDERGROUND!"

But Ash smiled.

"Not this time. I may not see, but neither can you…DONPHAN, EARTHQUAKE!"

Oh crap.

Whilst underground, Sandslash can't defend itself from earthquake attacks…and because of the sandstorm, it couldn't get out of the way without risking meeting Donphan's attack.

I heard the earth open, and I felt all of his pain as Sandslash screamed, still battling, but hurt.

"Sandslash…are you O.K?"

I felt his pain. Defeat was rare in my vocab, but it could be…to Ash of all people as well. Well, it's not over yet.

"Sandslash, use double team and surround Donphan!"

I had a few tricks of my own as well.

"Donphan, use rollout and aim for all of them!"

Aw crap…again.

Donpahn's speed when in it's rollout was faster than my Sandslash, and as it could attack all of the images, my Sandslash emerged quickly to get out of the way, but Donphan was getting stronger with every roll…and it speed made it hard for Sandslash to escape.

Sandslash instinctively dug underground, but as soon as he did that, Donphan stopped rolling and nailed another earthquake.

Aw cr…well, you know the drill.

Sandslash emerged battered, and bruised…but it still stood, waiting for Ash.

I was so proud. Despite nearing defeat, it was willing to fight, not just for it's own pride, but for me as well.

"I'm sorry A.J…DONPHAN, ROLLOUT!"

Sandslash went flying from the shot…and stood again.

Nailed. Stood again.

A third time. It stood again…the crowd getting hot for the end of this match.

A fourth time…

…and this time it collapsed.

It was over. I had lost.

"THE WINNER, ASH KETCHUM!"

I saw Ash hug Donphan, but my main concern was my best buddy, hurt, but it's heart never beaten.

"Sandslash, you O.K?" I said.

It responded with a lick of my cheek and a hug. I turned, to see Lara, with Brock and Misty for this match, with tears in her eyes. The Orange champ had beaten the Indigo champ.

But to be honest, I too was asking to be beaten by the best. And today, I certainly had.

"A.J…is Sandslash alright?" Ash said with kind words, someone like him cares as deeply for his pokemon as I do.

"Yeah…it's just not used to losing. However, today you are the better man, and deserve to be the final. Just win it now Ash."

I extended my hand, and we shook to the joy of the crowd. It was like a torch being passed between two of the best in the world.

And to be honest, losing that match made me feel as good as winning.

As I returned to the hotel, Ash and company all came with us, and offered their praise and condolences, and as Sandslash and my other pokemon slept soundly in the Pokemon Centre, I also slept soundly, ready to cheer young Ketchum on in his final match tomorrow against…

* * * *

But I can't say. Misty will tell you all about the final match and the aftermath of it as well.

After Johto, myself and a few others were accepted as an Elite trainer, apart from me and Richie, no-one lasted as long as we have to this present day. With retirements of elite members, and newer blood like Will and Karen coming in, performances made people take notice, and training in the Elite scheme after winning the Indigo championship was another step to strength, as I was training to challenge the best of the best.

As the years went on, the Elite now have 6 different types of pokemon, rather than the one type they were specified, and people have changed through it. The current line up was myself, Gary, Richie, Casey…and Ash. We have had plenty of people though come and go. Shingo, Giselle, Koga, Sabrina, Whitney…

But there was only one Ash Ketchum.

When Lara and I got married, I insisted that Ash was my best man, because that day, he's definitely was the best man. Ash since then has probably been the best man at too many weddings, Richie & Casey's, Suzie and Brock's, Todd and Duplica's, and my own as well.

It just shows how popular he was. A genuine nice guy with so much ability and talent.

And my friend as well.

* * * *

So, the so called loner of the Elite, stands before your last remains Ash.

You left us way too soon, no doubt about that. Considering all my tragedies in the past, you'd think I'd ever get used to this.

But I'm not. Every close one has some effect with me, and Ash…whilst Richie and Casey were probably closer to him than I was…I certainly cared about him.

Lara by my side is tearful as heck. When she told me how Ash rode her Ponyta and even caused it to evolve to win the tournament, I knew he'd hold a special part in her heart as well. It was like a part of our souls had been ripped apart…

I know there are people who will mourn Ash more than I will. But today…

….the tears have come.

There will be no other one like him.

* * * *

And thus ends another fabled chapter. Sigh…I've got so much to do now…

Next chapter;

Prepare for trouble as Jessie, scurge of Ash' side for many a year, was part of the reason for the downfall of Team Rocket. What happened when Jessie and James helped Ash in the Team Rocket end? And what of Jessie's life beforehand…she always talks about being unaccepted…why is that?

Leave that for you to think about.