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...

10. Chapter 10: Richie

AFTERMATH OF THE AFTERLIFE

Let's see…I got odds of 50-1 for the arrive reading public to consume the whole toilet paper amount in Britain, odds of a 1000-1 for my fic to be the cause of the destruction of the Amazon rainforests….

O.K, joking aside, it's another day at the office for what seems to be considered the saddest pokemon fic in quite a while. And for me, that was the reaction I was hoping for. Take this 'kids' anime and turn it into something dark and drastic. Judging by the reviews, I think I've accomplished that, so thank you.

And as surprising as this may be, this fic is only 5 chapters away from finishing after this one. That alone has surprised me, and whilst I'm tempted to write more chapters, I do have other projects sadly which I'm planning so I need to focus on this 100% and just do the dammedst job I can.

Now it's young Richie. I'll be honest, from one of my favourite minors last chapter to one of my least favourite here. However, he has to be here because of his friendship with Ash, and I'll still write him to the best of my ability, don't worry, no early deaths here. (Oh wait, this entire fic is about an early death…^_^)

WARNING: This is Chromus' first (but not last…hint…hint…) experimentation with feelings of the same sex (in other words yaoi and yuri). The yaoi hints in this chapter are minor (very minor) but I've covered just about everything so far, rape, child abuse, aristocracy, parental death, success and failure, paedophilia, insanity, loss of children, loss of husband/father, so what's homosexuality another thing to add? Sheesh…maybe I am running out of ideas…just kidding!

* * * *

A connection.

That's what you need to start a friendship.

And for many of these people, that's what they got with Ash Ketchum. But aside from maybe Brock and Misty, none more so than me. I know that may be biased, and my wife may argue that, but I truly believe it.

To see him here, lifeless, it was unreal. For some reason, I always though Ash would live forever. He was a larger than life figure, who seemed to scream at you to like. Even in his early adult years, his child like attitude was beaming and I couldn't remember ever saying a bad word to him.

That attitude was what made his connection to me even greater. I know some people have called me an Ash clone…although many forget that I was the person who first beat him in Indigo.

However, in later years, it was true who the real Pokemon Master was. However, I was among there as well, and as part of the Elite, it felt that he was a part of me.

But now….

…it seemed all so pointless.

* * * *

I think when you compare myself with people like Sabrina, Duplica, A.J, Jessie or Giselle, you could say I was of the lucky ones, as I lived a normal childhood.

My parents were Curtis and Hannah Williams. They worked as accountants towards Silph where they worked out the finances of merchandise, as well as supervised the pay that the gym leaders of Indigo got. People like the Cerulean Sisters didn't get as high as pay because of their disastrous record (and because they earned a lot from their water ballets), and if it wasn't for Misty, I wouldn't have been surprised if they hadn't closed it down. Misty's travels however made her the best water expert in perhaps the world, and saved the gym from closing down…that was before she married Ash though of course.

As for me, I enjoyed going through childhood with a nearby pokemon farm, enjoying playing with the growlithes. My parents were busy, but they always made sure they had time for me, and I appreciated it a lot.

I lived in Celadon City, where as it was where Silph was based, meant that age 10 was an important time for all youngsters wanting to become Pokemon masters. Whilst Ash was one of 4 to go on a journey in Pallet Town, Silph had a lot more options but it was based on a first come, first served basis. Fortunately, as I hit 10, I was one of those first come. (Mainly because my parents had rushed me in with their security cards)

My first pokemon was a Charmander. Yep, Zippo. I didn't have the heart to try and evolve him, when he did eventually it was a surprise yes, but when he went into Indigo still the same cute self, I wasn't complaining. Most of my pokemon squad was in the 'basic' category, and I still did quite well.

My training came in the same way Ash' did, starting from Viridian Forest into Pewter City, etc. A lot of my main pokemon came from this area, including my Spearow, Butterfree (Happy) and of course, Sparky, my Pikachu.

I met Sparky for the first time when he was trying to find some food. It was trying to climb up to reach some apples, but it was obvious tired. Despite the obvious risk, I gave it a helping hand. Instead of shocking me, he shared me half an apple. I didn't, I think he needed it a lot more, but it was the start of a bond as close almost as Ash and his Pikachu.

I didn't have the heart to catch it, but it kept following me. Eventually, I gave in and 'caught' it in my pokeball. I didn't keep it in much, it was just like the proof that it was mine. Nowadays, he travels with me on my shoulder, just like Ash. (I think you can see why the clone theory was always tested on me)

Pewter was tough, but Butterfree managed to hold out for me to get me the upset win. As for Cerulean…

"All right Poliwag, show him…"

"KACHU!"

"Er, Goldeen, horn at…"

"KACHU!"

"Shelder, help?"

"KACHU!"

Needless to say, when I fought Misty a few years later, she was a LOT tougher.

I began catching more pokemon, not sure of my final squad. I always had one pokemon to deal with the element I was facing. I had my Geodude and Sandshrew for Lt.Surge, whilst Zippo dealt with Erika. I was on a roll.

And Sabrina shut me up.

Fortunately this was after her 'doll experiments' as Ash scarily called them (I found out later what they were, and I was only 2 weeks after Ash so the relief on my face I think was good enough for me). But there was a reason why Sabrina was seen as the top gym leader not just in Kanto, but the best leader period. Sabrina is also the highest paid gym leader I think for her psychic school (which freaked me out) compared to say Erika, who used her wages to help develop her flower arranging and perfumes.

It took me two more attempts (a la Ash) but finally I broke her Alakazam's defences with Butterfree and finally managed to take it out. It took everything I had, but it was enough. Eventually.

After that, Koga was a piece of cake…O.K, not that easy, but at least I did it on my first attempt. Cinnabar Island was a lot more different. I met up with a strange man who talked in riddles after I inquired about the gym. Eventually, I was led to his hotel where I found out about the underground gym. After quite a bit of soul searching, I discovered not only the gym, but that the riddle-master was the gym leader. By now, I had my Tentacruel, so I managed to take out his first two pokemon, but Magmar was a hell of a lot tough. Good job the rebuilding of the volcano gym was working otherwise I think Tentacruel may have been flooded into the lava. I finally managed to beat it with my Rhyhorn, who evolved into Rhydon after the match.

Finally, Viridian Gym. Or the rebuilding of it by the looks of things…

"Er, excuse me?" I asked a nearby person. "What's going on?"

"The gym is being rebuilt after part of it was destroyed. The leader Giovanni is out on business, so if you are after an Earth badge, here."

And if you had all 7 badges, they just gave you one. That felt…cheap. I really wanted to fight this Giovanni guy, but now it seemed so…empty. I had done yet, yet I hadn't. It was weird.

I didn't know until the infamous battle that this was the main base of one Giovanni, as in Team Rocket's Giovanni.

I had done it…although it felt like a half-hearted achievement. However, I still done it, so that meant…

I looked upon the horizon.

The Indigo Plateau.

My next step to victory.

* * * *

People have wondered why I became a Pokemon trainer. In my youth, I was pretty good at fixing things, and made a habit of fixing the lights in both my families househould as well as the farm where I spent a lot of my youth. Even when I first met Ash, I used those skills to help us out of a lift. People wondered why I went with pokemon training rather than studying to be an electrician.

Simple. I wanted to enjoy myself.

Both careers are seen as tough, struggling and demanding lives, especially if you're successful. However, to me, going on a journey against wild creatures wasn't a chore, it was an adventure. It was no more different than summer camp or the boy scouts.

My parents weren't too thrilled with the idea that their only son wanted to do this, partly overprotective and partly hoping I would follow in their footsteps. Oh well, as all children have to disobey their parents one day…

As I look at the sunset read to camp for another night, I really hoped this was truly my destiny.

As I said goodnight to my pokemon, that was my only thought for the battles soon to come…

* * * *

The Indigo Plateau was everything I hoped it to be, a true Pokemon enterprise. I knew my parents would be working on everything here, but at the same time, hope their son would do well.

I planned to go alone, but that didn't mean I couldn't have friends here. There were a lot of nice people I knew, but I also knew there were a lot of jerks here too. Gary Oak I initially perceived as an arrogant jerk, as well as Ash' first opponent, which after Ash creamed him, was the 'Not-so Astounding Mandie'.

When I faced my opponents, they were all decent trainers, with good hearts, but it seemed when it came to bonding with their pokemon, they weren't the best. It was obvious in my first match against Neil Young, a junior trainer from Viridan, who specialised in bug pokemon, that he had no idea what to prepare against a type disadvantage. Hence Zippo's clean sweep.

My second opponent again used all water pokemon on a water field. Up against Sparky, it wasn't the best strategy, and again, swept the boards.

My third round opponent on the rock field used a decent amount of pokemon, but Happy's attacks were too varied and strong, and it moved too quickly for even his Onix to get through, and after Happy's confusion attack, it couldn't do anything else. As my wife might say, I think I swung for the fences in that one.

The fourth round, and I had won all my matches with just one pokemon. My opponent was a young girl named Sarah, who used fighting and rock types mostly. However, despite good training, against Happy, it wasn't good enough. So I had come into the last 16 with a perfect 12 out of 12 without changing one pokemon, and quickly, people were becoming interested.

And a literal chance meeting with Ash made the next round a lot more interesting.

* * * *

"Hold the door please!"

I just needed to use the elevator. But it was my first meeting with Ash, and a meeting I'll always replay in my head now.

I remember patting his Pikachu, which quickly made me good in Ash and his friends book. Fixing the elevator just came naturally (believe it or not, this wasn't the first time that I had to do this, an elevator in a Silph store had also broken down and with Sparky, I managed to hold everyone down before we could call for repairs), and leaving just as quickly.

I was just as surprised when reunited minutes later, and then we managed to stumble on a Team Rocket plot.

I will admit, I think Ash was a little hot-headed, which was obvious after his kamikaze like attempt to catch up with Team Rocket's van. I dived and stopped him and we got into a little argument. However, later he apologised and the beginnings of a friendship were beginning.

It was nice to sleep outside with a friend, just him, and the stars. Of course my pokemon were irreplaceable, but this was a close second for me. Human companionship was rare for Pokemon trainers as most felt it was a solo journey of the heart, body and soul. However, outside in the sleeping bags, with nothing with a can of tuna and Ash Ketchum as company, it wasn't too bad.

The next morning, we were almost caught by Team Rocket but thanks to the debut of my pokemon (well, in front of Ash) and a bit of teamwork, we sent them blasting off.

However, Team Rocket ruined what could have been a crowning achievement for either me or Ash.

Team Rocket had managed to delay (and exhaust) Ash and his pokemon enough to try and slow him down, and he wasn't 100% ready for the match against me. It was obvious when Pikachu went up against Zippo. And as a last resort, Ash chose his Charizard. I had never seen it in action, so I didn't know what to expect.

So Charizard taking a quick nap against Sparky was the last thing I expected.

It seemed…so pointless. So unexpected.

So familiar…

After the debacle on the Viridian Gym, this wasn't how I wanted to win. And Ash' tears certainly re-affirmed that. However, despite everything, he managed to force his cheerful self and shook my hand. Not only was it a sign of friendship, it was a sign of respect and acceptance.

I heard he took it fairly hard, mainly because I think he felt he would have had a better chance if it wasn't for Team Rocket. And I think he blamed himself for what happened with his Charizard.

Ash may have been seen as a sore loser in his early days, however, since then, his maturity came and not gone, and has learnt from his mistakes. His bond with his pokemon is…sorry, was…the best I had ever seen. And now…

As far as my defeat went, it was close, and I used my full squad (Sparky, Zippo, Happy as well as Squidly, my Tentacruel, Bladebeak, my Spearow, and Rocky, my Rhydon), but in the end, with just Sparky left, it was defeated soundly by a well trained Ivysaur. I had no regrets, I got to the final 8, made a friendship for life, and I knew this was just the beginning.

My goodbyes to Ash were truly heartfelt, but I knew my place was somewhere else, on my own.

Training was part of all Pokemon Master's life, and it was a never ending journey. You can always improve yourself, if not your pokemon.

So onward and upward to the world of the unknown…

* * * *

I returned home to a pretty big crowd thanks to my parents. They were all proud of me, and once again I have to thank the gods for the loving family that I had. I know a lot of people at the funeral would have loved to have had my life.

Telling them about meeting Ash was a good talking point for me, because my parents were always worried about me not making friends. I think that changed when we started talking regularly, entering the Elite, and also at his wedding…and vice versa.

However, after about a month, I had the itch to travel again. It was like I was addicted to the lifestyle, it is a drug that takes over your body, except the only thing that you're hooked on is clean air and a sense of adventure.

It was a fond farewell, as the dream continued. I think by now my folks were proud of their little boy, and the old 'make him into their image' has gone from their minds completely.

However, they did say 'Making friends is nice, but I think you should meet a nice girl on your journey as well'

I did the old 'Mommmm!' voice whenever the children get embarrassed or talk about girls. Heck, I saw how Misty treated Ash (heck, I felt how Misty treated Ash at the beginning of our match, and trust me, it hurt…and that was the female psyche…i.e. women beating up on guys they liked…).

So to say I was a bit scared of the opposite sex was an understatement. I always felt more comfortable around men anyway, at least they didn't beat you up over nothing much.

Now I know what you're thinking after saying that. No, I'm not gay. However, I know Misty was sometimes worried about whenever me or Ash travelled together (she seemed to do that with the three witches, so it applied to both sexes then…), and yes, it was a strong attachment. However, people thought James was gay for years and he hooks up with Jessie.

For me, girls were life and death. Causing your death so they can continue in life…

Of course, that view changed completely when I met my wife (although she does beat me up occasionally…I think I kind of expected that…but she used to beat up Ash as well so it didn't matter to me)

Initially however, it was life again for me and my pokemon. A life that would take me eventually to the Johto League.

First stop, the Mountains of Iknea.

The mountains were basically an island 500 miles south west of Kanto island, and a famous training ground for the trainers who could hack it both for themselves and with their pokemon. Ash did a similar thing with the Orange Islands, where they tested the trainers as much as the pokemon with Lapras surfing and mountain climbing.

These mountains were torturous, but it was where I was going to start before going onto the road to Johto.

After getting off the special ferry, the island was basically all mountain, it was the motherload. You had to sleep wherever you could, and hope you packed enough food. I was planning on spending as long as I could, and as soon as I couldn't take it no more, I was outta there.

However, my pokemon's strength was just as credible, as I was planning to train with Sparky and Zippo. My others were left in their pokeballs….except for one.

Happy. With the tournament over, I wanted (no pun intended) to see happiness for my butterfree. So I released him, hoping it would find the swarms in time for the breeding season. Ash told me a similar story with his Butterfree, and it certainly was fair for one of my earliest and best pokemon to have a good life. Happy, good luck and god's blessing.

Which meant I had one spot open. Believe it or not, it was filled on this journey.

The first layer of the mountains was tough already, and whilst Sparky was a natural, Zippo and I seemed to be full of lead climbing up here.

"Next time I have a bright idea like this, you have my permission to fry and grill me…" I said to my two pokemon, who responded accordingly.

You slept whenever you could here, the weather wasn't mountain like, it was almost tropical with the storms, but it got worse depending how high you got. Breaking out the instant soup and pokemon food, I wondered how Ash was doing, and what he was doing.

Training on the mountain, reminded me of my loneliness. I think having a taste of true friendship, well, human friendship, my pokemon were buds for life, it brought me back down to earth.

I hadn't met anyone here yet, and sleeping in a makeshift cave despite Zippo's warmth near me wasn't really fulfilling.

I realised now what this training really entailed.

Toughness. Both physically and mentally. If you can get through not just the physically problems that the mountain causes for you, you can get through the loneliness as well.

I slept with renewed strength, hoping to take my next steps to becoming a Pokemon master.

* * * *

Keeping a time schedule, on when to eat, sleep and climb, was something necessary. Increasing my endurance, and Zippo now starting to develop a tolerance for rock, which led to my next surprise.

On the 3rd day, Zippo was catching up with Sparky, but suddenly had to stop, a bit out of breath. I caught up and got to the next cliffside, and checked on him, and was ready to take out my medicine.

However, I realised I didn't need it.

It was evolving.

Zippo, the charmander, was becoming Zippo the charmeleon.

Now, I was a little nervous. Evolving usually meant the pokemon losing a part of themselves. And after seeing Ash' Charizard, I wasn't sure what to expect.

As the transformation completed, the bigger Charmeleon opened his eyes from the glow and looked at me.

"Er….hi?" I tentatively asked.

It suddenly raised it's paw and said "CHAR!" with a smile on his face. I was relieved. Maybe it was just Ash' luck and he got the weird pokemon (case in point, his Chikorita and Totodile…then again, Misty's Psyduck and Brock's Pineco weren't much better)…

I wasn't expecting it, but the training was working. Not only was Charmeleon Zippo stronger, our bond was as strong and compact as ever.

I hugged my laughing pokemon as Sparky gave the V sign to us, as the mountain terrace wasn't scaring us anymore. Bring it on!

However, one major incident played on not longer after this…

* * * *

Jessie and James were no-hopers of Team Rocket. Butch and Cassidy weren't much better, they just had a ruthless streak. Domino was sneaky, but smart. She knew how to get to the top and stay there.

These two however, were of the famous Noble Blood of Team Rocket.

And would become the thorns of my side similar to Jessie and James. However, whilst J and J are more annoying, these guys were deadly. I feared for my life many times with these.

The first time I saw them were on these mountains…and where I also acquired my most famous pokemon of the Elite.

I was on the right side of the mountain, ready to go for another day. Zippo was now much better with his stronger claws and it was fair game for us now…although my two 'friends' laughed at my expense as my speed was a hell of a lot slower than theirs.

And as I was panting as I managed to get to the next stage, I heard them.

"So this is where a number of unknown pokemon are supposed to be…" said the woman.

"Well, I'm sure Giovanni can find out what they are even if we can't." said the man.

I stuck close. Giovanni…where had I heard that name before…

Suddenly, I heard something move.

"Hey, is that one of them?" the woman said.

"Yeah, quick…"

As luck (good or bad) would have it, the pokemon had scuttled and sensed a human. Me.

It was a weird looking thing, I thought it was a rock type at first but I realised what the danger I was in.

I picked up the thing, prayed it wouldn't give me away…(I thought it might bite me, fortunately, it didn't)…something told me that whoever those guys were had been here a few times looking for pokemon…or for trouble.

Wait…were they from Team Rocket?

I recognised Jessie and James from various posters and records (e.g. newspapers) but I had the impression that Team Rocket certainly weren't as blunderous as those two were.

And these guys would prove to me the downright evil of Team Rocket.

"So, the mouse has been caught."

I turned as they had managed to catch up with me with impressive speed.

"I hope you excuse our rudeness, after all, that is not befitting for ones with noble blood such as ourselves…" the woman said.

"…but we feel we should kindly extract that rare pokemon that is cowering under your leg." The man.

"Otherwise…" The woman.

"…we'll have to extract something from you…" The man said with an evil tone that I sure as heck didn't hear in Jessie and James.

I was scared. No doubt about it.

Suddenly, the creature pointed down as Sparky and Zippo went into battle mode.

I looked, and sure enough I was on the slope part of the mountain.

I guess I'll have to cut my training a bit early.

"Sorry, no time to discuss…BANZAI!"

The jump may have been something Ash probably did more, but it was a similar story as I risked my own life for the pokemon. The two rockets stood there for a second, before one of them followed me, the other watching…and waiting.

"CHAR!" Zippo fired flamethrowers to put off the man, as he obviously hadn't counted on the speed of the slope. To be honest, neither did I, but the pokemon holding onto my leg didn't help matters.

However, I needed to make sure they didn't do anything. Team Rocket were stronger than I thought…and these guys seemed like the true evil which I would experience a number of times later in my young life.

"You are a silly fool…" the man said and began to release a pokeball.

The wings of a Scyther were come out as the pain of travelling down the slopes meant that the aerial advantage of any flying pokemon on this area meant trouble. Now I wish I had remembered my Fearow…

…on the other hand…

"I hope when your blood runs dry, you'll realise what a mistake it was to try and defeat the Royal Blood of Team Rocket…"

He shut up when Scyther landed above him, toasted from a fire spin.

I smiled.

"Sparky?"

"KACHU!"

The lightning sparked down as the Rocket agent was fried, enough time for me to escape down the mountain.

* * * *

I didn't stay there to hang about. I knew I was hurting, but I took the quick route (instead of waiting for a boat, I used my Tentacruel after retrieving my pokemon. By the time they got down, I hoped to be outta there quicker than Ash at a buffet…)

I felt a bit of blood and cuts on my knees and feet. The water was doing it's job to stop some of the pain, I just hoped that some mantine didn't want to get attracted to it.

"Tentracruel, take us over to the nearly mainland. From there, let's go and try to continue our journey…."

I took the newest pokeball, and via the newest upgrades of Pokedex Technology, my Larvitar as it was called, was safe and snug.

I was planning to attempt the toughest league at the moment, the Johto championships. There was many new pokemon situated mostly in the Johto area, and I was ready to take them all on.

However, first I had to figure out how to get there….

* * * *

"This is a port towards the three main areas of the leagues young sir. Johto one will be out in about half an hour, but at the moment, everyone is watching that so it would probably be an easy time to get on…"

Nurse Joy had told me that I had landed (lucky me) on a island port where Pokemon trainers who trained on the mountains came here a) to relax and b) to travel to the leagues. The Orange League however was currently not in service, because the tournament final was on.

Imagine my shock when I saw who it was.

Ash Ketchum's Tauros had just defeated a Venusaur, and the crowd huddled around the television cheered. The opponent, a legendary young trainer named Drake The Great, legendary for using a Dragonite, one of the rarest and strongest pokemon around.

Drake hadn't used it yet. However, Ash had defeated 4 of his pokemon, Ditto, Onix, Gengaar and now Venusaur. Drake sent out Electabuzz as Ash recalled Tauros and sent out Bulbasaur.

Watching the match, I saw really how much stronger and more mature Ash had seemingly become. His determination was still there, but his cockiness seemed to have melted a bit, his concern for his pokemon was still there, which was witnessed after Bulbasaur was defeated.

When he called out Charizard, I nearly had a heart attack. Charizard? Was he insane?

No, he just seemed to have trained it better. Charizard took it for a ride with the seismic toss, finishing it off. Ash had four pokemon left, all of them not 100%, to deal with the definitely 100% full strength Dragonite.

Charizard gave it a real run for his money though, and tired Dragonite well enough for me to think 'Our Ash can win this'. Although Squirtle and Tauros were then defeated, Pikachu managed to hit one hell of a Thunder after a tired Dragonite missed the hyper beam, to send the dragon down, causing it's first defeat I think ever, and Ash had done it.

Ash had won the Orange League.

But I knew that it wouldn't be enough for Ash.

"Ladies and Gentleman, all passengers ready to take the ferry out to the Johto region may board now. Thank you for your patience and hospitality."

I looked at the retreating people as I stepped up.

"Ash…I'll see you in the Johto League."

* * * *

I wasn't planning for badges early on, it was training (as my last attempt at training at a mountain area was cancelled a bit earlier than I expected) around the rear end of caves, strengthening my pokemon who were weak against flame and ground (i.e. Zippo and Sparky). However Larvy was also getting some training in as well since my collection of him, and during this exchange, it was where I met…someone special.

No not Ash, but a young girl, who would make my thoughts go all hazy when she ever comes into the picture, not just now, but back then as well.

"Larvy, let's take a break!" I said as myself and my pokemon were working up quite a sweat under the sun of the Johto region. Whilst not the heat of the Orange Islands, it was still testing my resolve. However, I was always prepared (Ash called me 'overprepared' which Misty countered he was jealous because Ash was always 'underprepared') The mineral water was good enough for all of us, even my pokemon who didn't like being attacked by water needed the drink.

And then I heard something.

"Chikorita, please don't get hurt…"

It was the voice of a young girl, sounded my age, but she was on the verge of tears. I put my water back.

"Larvy, someone's in here…let's check it out!" I said.

"Lar!"

The ground/dark type hopped on my shoulder as I checked into the cave. One of my traits is a decent vision in the darkness, and in the distance, I just managed to make out a few figures.

I continued on a little bit, and saw a large Geodude, a bruised Chikorita…

…and a very cute bluenette.

I blushed out of instinct, apart from Misty, I didn't have too much experience around girls…but I quickly got out of that because she was in a bit of danger.

And I didn't like that.

"Larvitar!" I ignored the nickname out of seriousness. Larvitar also understood the sign as it jumped…and smashed the main problem, the Geodude into the wall, knocking it out.

I saw the girl look up to me. I tried desperately not to try and study her face as I called out to her. She was obviously a rookie trainer, probably one of the starter three of one of the neighbouring areas of the Johto region if she had a Chikorita.

"Quick miss, catch it!"

She stuttered a bit, but retained her composure as she did catch the rock type, as I bid her an early farewell.

I felt myself a bit hotter than normal, and I wanted to go check back if she was alright, but something stopped me. Maybe it was a powerful instinct that knew that this was a girl who was strong and probably stubborn, a trait I would learn to be far more accurate in my later years to say the least.

However, I couldn't stay as I had my own training to do…and my own badges to collect as well.

"Come on guys, let's go." I said, with a tad bit of disappointment that I didn't get to know the girl.

Fortunately, it wasn't our last meeting for a long shot…

* * * *

As I was a final 8, the gym leaders pokemon for me were in the expert range. Instead of the pidgeys, we had a well trained Hoot Hoot, Dodrio and Pidgeot to face against Falkner. My Fearow took care of both the Hoot Hoot and Dodrio but lost to Pidgeot, which Sparky defeated in the end after a good match.

Bugsy again used his stronger team of Spinarak, Metapod and Scyther. I had Tentacruel to defeat Spinarak, and after a much harder battle than I thought it would be, defeated Metapod. Scyther managed to just beat it after a Toxic attack had weakened him considerably, and despite it's Sword's Dance move, Zippo managed to defeat it.

I told you that Sabrina was the deadliest one of the Kanto region. Whilst if she was bad, then Whitney was pure evil!

O.K, actually she was sweet, cute and a bit dizty, but she was fun, and tougher than nails. Like Sabrina, I was actually defeated by her main pokemon Milktank, and had to apply for a re-match the next day. Even with three pokemon against her one, I was nearly beaten. However, Fearow's aerial abilities managed to stop the rollout attack in it's tracks and Sparky managed to beat it in the end. I had to wipe off quite a bit of sweat for that to say the least.

I was going back to try and purchase a few goods after my win, when I overheard a familiar voice.

No, not Ash, but…

"Yay, Chikorita! We won! We won!"

That voice…I'm sure I heard it someone. Sparky hopped onto my shoulder as I ran, looking for the source of it.

And yep, it was that girl I had helped in the cave. And this time I had a good look at her.

And she wasn't just cute, she was gorgeous.

Her blue hair which whilst flowing in the wind, it looked so healthy and natural on her kawaii face, where she coolly wore her yellow and black striped jacket over a white shirt by the looks of things, with a striped white pair of shorts (I sensed a theme here…).

Define cute, and she'd probably have a picture of it in the dictionary. (Although Tracey, Gary, Todd, Brock, A.J and Ash all tried to counter that as we had many 'arguments' about whose wife was cuter…sadly, they all ended in the same way…mallet space…)

"Come on Chikorita, let's get out of here!" I heard her say. Get out of here? Something was up…

"Oh no you don't!"

"You're not going anywhere!"

"You humiliated us, and now you will pay!"

Oh crap. A few bullies now came into view. It seemed that the girl had just beaten all three of these guys in a pokemon battle, and they didn't like it. Pride of being beaten by a girl? Sexist bastards…but on a much younger girl to boot. That was descipable.

It was an easy decision to make…

"Sparky, thunder wave!"

The next movements were "CHUUUU!" , three stuttering guys wondering what the heck happened and me looking over in disgust.

"That'll do until I call Officer Jenny, I hate anyone who picks on girls half their size…especially pretty ones…"

I panicked slightly, saying the word 'pretty' so I headed out of there as quickly as possible. I didn't even look at the girl, but I knew that Sparky was going to tease me for sure later…

* * * *

I had been working in capturing new pokemon, and my way of training was giving all my pokemon a good workout. Also, my Larvitar had now evolved into it's second stage evolution, Pupitar. I had learned about the third stage, Tyrannitar, and it was like another Dragonite, powerful and ultra-rare. I got lucky when finding Larvitar, but now it was like my skills were rapidly increasing.

Training and battling are two different scenarios. I felt 'in the zone' as my wife says when I was battling, but when I was training, it was me being me. Enjoying myself and having fun with my friends, in this case, my pokemon.

When I say lucky, I do mean lucky. Jessie, Brock, James, Sabrina, Molly, Delia, Duplica, Todd….Misty…they've all had their problems…even my wife. I didn't have such a life when I was young, however, that didn't mean I didn't have trouble.

The Noble Blood had put me as a target, which would culminate at the takeover at Team Rocket, but I digress.

I usually challenged a gym leader, and depending on whether I won or lost, I would either prepare for a rematch, or I would head back into the hills, mountains or lakes, and continue training.

After my win over Jasmine, I headed into the area of the mountains…where once again, fate would interviene…

* * * *

The first of two fates was the return of one Ashton Satoshi Ketchum.

Ever watch an episode of Card Captor Sakura? It was like as we saw each other, we went 'Hooooooeeeeeee…' in unison…

However, it was nice to see the youngest Ketchum again, and I sure as heck missed him. However, it was mostly business in reunited, as we stopped another Team Rocket plan.

No, not J and J, B and C. Butch and Cassidy were the ones involved in an experiment involving a legendary pokemon, Lugia.

It was the discovery of a youth Lugia, which I thought was impossible. Ash even told me that the original Lugia had assisted him during a certain attack on the Orange Islands, but I think Mel-chan and Tracey can tell you more about that.

However, with the strength of all our pokemon, old and new, plus our teamwork, Butch and Cassidy became a resident of the jail cell once again.

Whilst leaving Ash was a drag, I had to continue. However, not too long later….

* * * *

I didn't rush in trying to complete my gym journey. It was a long challenge for me for both myself and my pokemon to get stronger.

Although I'm no psychic or martial artist, I did believe that that the spirits watched over the holy places and I felt like it was an experience with the gods every time I worked and trained around the mountains.

I often did volunteer work for people (almost like Ash did) in helping out with pokemon training. After the Indigo tournament, I had become a minor celebrity and I was always at hand to help people, especially in schools, to try and get people to discover the true joy of pokemon as I did…

"Pika?"

"Don't worry Spark, I'm just admiring this."

As I sat in the cave enjoying some green tea, I wondered if this would be how I lived. Wandering around like a drifter, unnoticed except on the days when pokemon was involved.

My thoughts of life changed when I heard her for the third time.

"Bayleef, that Quilava is too strong for you, don't fight!"

That voice…I know it from somewhere…

"Flame wheel."

And that one as well…

I was trying to put 2 and 2 together and make five…but the battle seemed pretty intense, and certainly the male voice sounded very…sinister…

Shit…it was…

"Bayleef, trip it up! Vine whip!"

.

"Quilava, trap it with your fire spin attack."

It was those bastards from the Noble Blood…and it was…

I realised the girls voice now, and Sparky noticed my movements. It tugged on my arm as I looked on.

"Looks like we're playing hero…"

I saw the pokemon, Bayleef screaming in pain. Although the pokemon themselves seemed evenly strong, because of the type disadvantage of Bayleef, it was still a fair mismatch. My fist clenched, especially I finally caught sight of the girl and her oppressors.

"This is too easy. Girl, I suggest you give up before your Bayleef becomes plant food…"

"BAYLEAF RETURN!"

The pokemon didn't return, intent on protecting it's trainer to the end obviously. She was special, like all the others, Ash, Misty, Brock, A.J, Duplica…all those with a special bond with their trainers would gladly die for their trainers.

Sparky flared up. I nodded as no other explanations were needed. Fingering a pokeball, I launched out, ready for my battle with the blood.

Well, it seems that my partner has crushed your pokemon, and I'll just remove your Poke-belt to claim your other pokemon. You shouldn't have come in our way, now you will be a victim…"

The woman's shriek voice was enough.

"TENTACRUEL, HYDRO PUMP!"

The water from my main water pokemon put out the fire spin/flame wheel move that Bayleef was caught in, and as it wasn't weakened by water, it seemed alright. As for Quillava, whilst trying to attack a pokemon never made me happy, the attack on this girl when their beef was with me wasn't something I could take.

"Quilava? What the…" However, Bayleaf was quick off the mark and disarmed the woman (who actually had a sword or sabre with her…these guys were the real deal in evil for Team Rocket)

"Hey, whoever did that…" she screamed.

"I'm the one you're looking for aren't you?"

I stood, as Casey told me a few years later, like a knight in shining armour. O.K, so my clothes weren't exactly armour, but hey, it's my story and I make it count anyway…

"You harm this girl, who had nothing of your evil, and you want me for what I did to your colleagues, well this is the pokemon you want, here, HAVE IT! PUPITAR, ROCK SLIDE!"

In short, I was pissed.

The rare pokemon emerged and a torrid rage of rocks slammed through the two rockets, sending them flying off the rocks onto the floor. Whilst conscious, they were dazed and hurt, which gave me time to check on the girl.

"Are you O.K miss?" I offered my hand to her. She nodded to me and I helped her get to her feet. Bayleef and Tentacruel, in a sight which was similar to Casey and I in the future, stood side by side, and Pupitar (still nicknamed Larvy) in the middle

The rockets did a bit of trash-talking and released Bellosom and Scyther, again with the type advantage.

However, a knowing look and smile from both of us may have realised that it wasn't as easy as they expected.

"Tentacruel, blizzard! Flow them through!"

"Bayleef, use reflect, protect us!"

Bayleef used protect as Tentacruel's powerful ice attack flooded both pokemon slamming them back into the trainers.

"THIS CAN'T BE?"

Oh, but it was. And I wasn't out of wisecracks yet.

"You don't like ice? Then should I warm you up, Zippo, go!"

They say paybacks are a bitch. In Miss Given's case, this was quite appropriate.

The next sight I saw was of their carcasses and their pokemon try to recover, and a glowing light towards Casey's Bayleef.

Evolution is a marvel…and now the Bayleef had all grown up. Enter Meganium.

"Mega!"

Couldn't have said it better.

The girl squealed and hugged it, as the Rockets were now really losing their cool. Now up against a Meganium, Charmeleon, Tentacruel and Pupitar, the odds weren't exactly in their favour now.

"Meganium, I guess it's time to crush the creeps!" she said.

"My thoughts exactly!" I said.

The two Rockets obviously realised they didn't have a chance any more, but Zippo put the (fire) spin on them. As the flames thinned, they looked extra crispy for Meganium's vine whip, snagging up a couple of creeps. They decided to go away now, I decided at first to go after them, but I stopped.

They knew they couldn't win now, it was pointless. They were no longer a challenge.

"Yay! We won!"

Plus her happy nature kinda stopped the hatred in one quick step. And now the introductions…

"Good work…er…"

Oh yeah, I never knew her name. Baka Richie.

"Oh sorry…the names Casey." She held out her hand as I smiled.

"Richie. Nice to meet you…"

"Although it isn't the first time we've met each other is it?" She said before I could. I guess she did remember me.

It was time for the Q & A, and my first true female friend…and the one I treasure now and for all time…

* * * *

Casey has already explained our meeting in the cave, and how we knew about me saving her a few times. (Since then, she's a lot better…and scarily she's physically stronger than me…so now it's the other way round…^_^). However, I still have to recap the time where we left each other for the first time.

"Do you have to go?" She told me of her fondness for yellow/striped pokemon and her Electabuzz fetish, but I felt it was quite cute. So did Sparky, who loved being fussed about by the girl.

"Yeah, I'm training for the Johto League, and I know you're going to be as well, so I hope that we meet there…I never want to know what pokemon you have now, so we'll meet there…"

On instinct, I smiled and winked. I loved seeing her blush, she was just so cute…then I remembered that she did tell me she had a Growlithe…and I had something that I didn't need. Call it a parting gift…

"Hang on. I've got something here which may help you…hold out your hand."

As she clutched the fire stone, I saw tears in her eyes. She said she did this everytime someone gave her a gift, it was a showing of genuine care. She did it when Ash gave her the Beedril, and now it was the same.

"Your Growlithe is as strong as my Charmeleon, that will help…but only use it if you want too. I have no need for it."

"Thank you so much!"

I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life as she hugged me. I was stunned as her tears of joy flowed down that pretty face. Her scent was one of true purity, a rare beauty. I nervously put my arms around her, her warmth was like an addiction which I would get used to throughout the years.

"I'll hope I'll see you again Richie." Trust me, the feeling was mutual as I nodded. Waving one last goodbye, I never felt so much goodness coming out of anything. Human comfort was nice…but between a boy and a girl, it was different. And compared to Misty, she was like an angel.

It was like the strength had been doubled and I was ready to take on the world.

Beware gym leaders…this is one guy you don't want to mess with now. Because once you experience it, you can't be beaten.

It of course, I wasn't sure of before, but now I know.

It was the moment I was in love.

* * * *

My ritual of training and then going to a gym continued, but with renewed strength and vigor. The gym leaders of the future weren't going to stop me.

The final leader Clair, went up against me, where two of my pokemon evolved into their strongest forms.

It was a rarity as Clair used Kingdra up against Pupitar. It was tough, as the water attacks were a problem for the ground pokemon.

And it showed as Pupitar was taking a beating. However, you know what they say…in the heat of the moment…

Suddenly, the final stage of one of the toughest pokemon had emerged.

"RATAR!"

Tyranatar.

"No matter. My dragons are still the best, Dragonbreath it Kingdra…"

"Tyranatar, crunch it!"

Tyranatar was caught in the attack, but it smashed it's way through to slam the Kingdra to the ground.

"Now, use rock slide!"

The mighty dark/ground pokemon cried out a mighty roar, before a barrage of rocks blasted the water dragon into blissed unconsciousness. Clair was very surprised.

I was one up, but knew that Clair was no slouch. Whilst on the scale of every gym leader, it was tied between her and Whitney for toughest in Johto.

And she wasn't giving up yet.

"Not too bad young man, but that doesn't mean you'll win. Go Dragonair!"

The second stage dragon emerged against the fully staged rock monster. I felt like I had the advantage.

"Just because Dragonair isn't fully evolved doesn't mean it isn't dangerous." I thought. I heard that Dragonair didn't evolve because it simply didn't want to, like Ash' old-school Bulbasaur.

"Dragonair, use ice beam!"

Aw nuts.

The point blank attack stopped my ground based monster in it's track as I saw it powering up.

"Larvy, try and get out of it!"

Clair chuckled. "Larvy…how cute. But cute doesn't cut it. Dragonair, SKULL BASH!"

The mythical dragon struck dead centre of my Larvy, and this time, it was enough to take it out of the match. I guess I didn't count on the amount of damage it had already sustained against Kingdra. I sighed.

"Well done Larvy, you brought out all your strength today. Thank you…" I returned it with affection as I looked on. I guess it was time to get physical.

"To counter ice, you must use fire…ZIPPO, GO!"

My Charmeleon came out, as Clair looked amused to say the least.

"After that match with your Tyranitar, I expected much more from you. However, I guess I will have to make this quick. Dragonair, wrap attack!"

"Zippo, double team!" I countered.

From one Zippo, became many as Dragonair's wrap was foiled because it was snagging thin air.

"That won't work forever. Dragon pokemon are mythical and they can sense out the real pokemon any time." Clair said.

"Then it won't be able to attack…flamethrower!"

The trademark fire attack slammed into the dragon pokemon who couldn't fly away. Clair was stunned.

"That won't work forever. Dragonair, blast him with ice beam!"

"Fire spin it!"

"CHAR!"

The trapping attack worked perfectly as Clair found her strategy was literally been thrown into the flames.

"All right Zippo, we've got her…SLASH IT!"

"This…"

"CHAR!"

"can't…"

"CHAR!"

"…be…"

"CHAR!"

"happening…."

But it happened.

A collapsing eel like dragon, felled by a second stage fire pokemon. From what I knew, Ash had used Charizard against Clair and found it tough. Just to satisfy our rivalry, it was nice that Zippo in his second stage won.

However, the second stage lasted for no more than 3 seconds.

"We did it Zip…po?" I looked strangely as Charmelon glowed a bright white. Am I this lucky?

For now, I was. I now had a Tyranitar AND a Charizard.

"Er…Zippo?" Again, I was a bit wary about the pokemon after Ash' Charizard problems.

But Zippo smiled goofily as it scratched the top of his head. I smiled as I held out my hand. It's much larger hand/paw came on top of mine and we shook…well, he shook my body up and down, it seemed pretty funny though.

Clair returned Dragonair without too much of a word. A rare smile was rewarded for my pokemon's accomplishments. Today, this was certainly their victory.

"The rewards of a pokemon journey are great young man, and today you have earned the right to take this badge and go onward to the Johto League Championships. And with the strength of your pokemon now, I wouldn't be surprised to see you doing well. Good luck to you young Richard."

I smiled and bowed in gratitude to the veteran gym leader. "Thank you very much."

The Rising Badge. The final step to my accomplishments…I needed it to sink in a bit though…

One Pokemon centre sleep for me and my pokemon later, and it was official. I was now ready to enter the Johto League Championships.

* * * *

"Tentacruel, barrier!"

Sparky's quick attack bounced off as I was working once again in making me stronger, to give the best possible performance against everyone and everything.

Sparky knew how to attack on it's own, and although it seemed obvious with the type advantage, this was what I was going for.

"Tentacruel, mirror coat!"

The attack was reflected with twice the power, laying my buddy down but not out. I smiled.

"I think that will do for today, we've got to get ready for the championships, but that doesn't mean we should overwork…"

A few agreeing faces as we sat outside Mt. Silver, looking up through the darkness, ready to take on the New Plateau, the Johto Ring…

It was time to take on the best.

* * * *

I realised after the rules were discussed as I headed into the stadiums that there were many people who had to go through qualifying rounds to be accepted into the Johto League. That kinda sucked if you managed to get 8 badges yet couldn't get in because you lost a qualifying match. It ruins all the bonding and hard work you've achieved as a team.

Fortunately because of my name as a final 8 in the Indigo League, I bypassed it. Ash also did. Alas, I didn't think Casey would have that luxury.

But as I went outside into the square, I needn't have worried.

I turned, and there she was. Out of the stadium with a huge smile on her face. If that wasn't a good sign I didn't know what was.

"Richie!"

O.K, I take that back. Glomping me was probably the best sign anybody could have given me…even though she was cutting off the air to my body.

Hey, it least gave me an excuse to why I was going red…but blue?

Finally, she relented a little but I had to smile as she told me that she was in. Although a little bit sad as well because I realised…

"That's great Casey! That means we may have to battle in the tournament."

However, she seemed to worship the idea.

"Yeah! I won't go easy on you because you're a friend!"

I blushed at her wink and was hoping to crawl down a hole…however another voice stopped both of us this time.

"I hope you don't either if you face me as well…" said another familiar voice.

I turned, and there they were. Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Togepi. Ash gave us a thumbs up. "So, you and Richie are that close huh?"

Now where was that hole I was just mentioning…

I quickly turned away so that they wouldn't notice my blush. Casey seemed to panic a little bit as well. It seemed that Ash loved teasing her, and it was nice to have a bit of a giggle with old friends.

In the pokemon centre, it was obvious about the close friendship that we had all seen. It was also obvious about the movements between Ash and Misty that they were a couple. I was really pleased for them, and realised that anything I felt for Ash was more than friendship. At least it meant that I needed the perfect girl for me.

And I think my blue haired shoujo princess next to me was a perfect girl in every way for me.

Of course, when I learnt that we were roomates, I was panicking. Of course, Casey didn't seem to mind at all. Actually, I felt a bit on tinge that she might have considered me only a friend as well…

However, I pushed that aside because the fact I was with someone I knew, and that 3 places west Ash and co were nearby. Of course, I let her have the top bunk (Ash had warned me that these girls seem to always have a violent nature…seeing her baseball bat in her bag, I didn't need to ask…)

I talked with Casey about the tournament and the rules I know. A straight knockout tournament, each on a different field suited to specific pokemon. There are 256 people in this tournament, the matches take place over a period of days and times, tomorrow we'll find out what day, who we are up against, and what field.

Casey was obviously nervous. This was her first tournament and was seen as a rookie. With her determination and stubbornness I know she wanted to do well. Instinct made me clutch her shoulder and smile.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine…I know you will…"

I wasn't sure what those words were for, but they seemed to have done the trick as that smile of hers came up again.

"Thanks Richie, I couldn't have done it without you, you know. You've helped me out so much I dunno how to thank you."

I think I turned into a statue there as I was a bit flabbergasted, I guess I wasn't that used to compliments. "Er…well…er…eh…"

I swore I heard her say something else, but when I questioned her, she quickly (and embarrasingly) dismissed it. I did do, thinking it was something I shouldn't really pry into.

So instead, we talked long into the night, and both of us began to learn more about each other, our family…it was really insightful to look at this girl in a different way. The fastest way to avoid embarrassment with a girl is to quickly become friends. Or save her life…(or in Ash' case, steal their bike…the critics are still trying to work that one out…)

A pleasant evening was had by all…but I knew by the next day, it would be ruined by the sounds of battle.

Bring it on…

* * * *

The tournament was a scale that was very familiar to me, as it was a simple case of elimination. I had to decide on my team though at least.

My team was;

Tyranitar (Larvy), Charizard (Zippo), Tentacruel (Squidly), Fearow (Drilla), Rhydon (Rockna) and of course, my Pikachu, Sparky.

The skills of every pokemon learned are etched in the memory. Whilst not revealing them to anyone, including my friends, it was obvious how much I wanted to win, despite telling myself.

Then, I considered myself a young veteran. It was tricky in the Johto territory because only people with inate memories of pokemon (thank you very much Miss Dexter and Miss Imite…) could actually prepare for this with the upmost skill.

However, for me, it was just use what I knew…and hope.

I witnessed both Casey and Ash progress as I strengthed myself and vowed to keep up with them. I expected Ash to do well, but Casey's passion and newly found maturity made her continue the trade.

As I got to the final 8, however, that all changed.

Casey told me she was up against Ash.

That was probably the worst scenario I could come up with. If I was put up against either of them, it wouldn't have nearly felt so bad because I knew we were rooting for ourselves, and just wanting the best match possible.

However, I couldn't choose one or the other over my friends. As they met, I ran refusing to watch it, as Brock and Misty looked in from the crowd. I heard the roaring of the crowd, but I resisted the temptation to go and have a look.

After 15 minutes of pure hell, a winner had been established.

And the worst thing was it was time for my match next…

* * * *

The match vs. James Morgan was well done, now believe it or not, this wasn't James from Team Rocket, but a high ranking pokemon deulist for over 6 years. This was the furthest he got, but I eventually made him fall by the wayside.

As I got back from a hard-fought battle, I saw Ash Ketchum, showing contrasting emotions.

"Ash…." I said.

"Richie, I'm sorry….but…" Ash was obviously not too happy with the fact that he beat Casey in the final four.

"Hey, it's O.K…it was going to be hell for me either way…I just hope she hasn't taken it too hard…"

Ash sighed. "Richie…Casey is probably the most stubborn person I know…except for Misty and maybe myself…and she takes losing well at first, and she's certainly grown up from when I first met her…but I think it's still a shot to her pride in coming so far and slipping in the end. Giselle and Atoshi have also lost, and they feel down, but they are more stronger. Casey…she's an innocent. And she needs someone to be with her."

I felt stunned. "Ash…."

"She cares a lot about you Richie…I can't think of anyone else better." I felt Ash clasp a hand on my shoulder.

If there was a moment when I became a man, that was it.

I needed to be a friend to her…

* * * *

Passing by Johto Village, as Ash was ready to just relax with his friends Brock and Misty, and he said he'd invite me and Casey afterward for a night around the carnivals.

I didn't realise what his plan was until later. Let's just say that Misty must have taught him the ancient art of matchmaking.

We came outside our quarters, as I smiled. I was nervous, I wasn't sure what Casey's state was going to be, but I had to be there.

"You O.K Richie?" Ash said.

"I'm fine Ash. And if I'm not, Sparky here has permission to shock me." Richie said.

"Pika!" agreed Sparky.

"Pika…pikachu?" Ash's Pikachu said.

"No, that doesn't not mean you can shock me if I get confused…" Ash tutted as I giggled. Those two were the definition of a close bond between human and pokemon.

"I'm O.K Ash, thanks for the advice…and I'll see you in the final…" We laughed as it was almost a given. I knew I would be up against Ash' rival Gary Oak in the semis. All I knew what that he was damn good.

"As long as we both get that far…see ya Richie!." Ash said. I saw him walking away…but unknown to me, as soon as I turned with a 'See ya Ash!' he was walking back, trying to listen in on my conversation with Casey.

I opened the door and saw a sight. The poor girl had practically cried herself out, her trademark cap was on the floor, wet as if it had been in the rain. This was more of a problem than I thought…

"Casey…" I said quietly.

"You won…congratulations…" It was fairly half hearted to be honest, I guess she took the defeat way more harder than I expected. It was like a side I never saw of her…and a side I didn't really like to see.

I started on one of my 'lectures' as Ash called them. "Case, you're not going to get anywhere with feeling sorry for yourself. I've lost before many times, but I've not once collapsed in despair. This happened to me and Ash before in Indigo, so I'm not going to let you get yourself down as well. You did brilliant, the furthest a first year has ever got before, the furthest of all the beginners here if you didn't know!"

I was making her performance looking good, which it was. A final 8 for a first time rookie was very impressive as I knew, she was about the level I was back in Indigo.

I continued to stare. It was horrible seeing her like this, but as her tears glistened, her cute self was still in front of me. I was determined to make her snap out of it.

"Don't let one loss get you down. What happened to the strong girl I help during the mountains, the one that showed up against those goons…the crybaby doesn't exist in you anymore Casey."

Nothing was working. Then I let slip.

"What happened to the girl I fell in love with during this tournament?"

Eep. I didn't mean to say that…but I guess the old cliché, in the heat of the moment, yep, I screwed up.

Although it did it's job in bringing Casey to her senses. On instinct, I covered my mouth as a look of shock and wonder sprung to her cute features. It was better than her tearful exterior a few minutes ago.

It didn't last long as her tears started flowing again…however unknown to me…it was for a different reason.

"Richie…did you say…"

I panicked. "I'm sorry Casey, I didn't mean to say that, I'd better go…"

"YOU MOVE ONE STEP AND I'LL SWEAR I'LL KILL YOU!"

O.K, now I panicked.

I turned to see a new girl…the original cute, sweet, innocent (if slightly high-strung and obsessive) emerging from the abyss, as a small smile came up. I was still very embarrassed, but she seemed a bit calmer.

"Why did you say that? Did you…mean it…"

Her voice was nearly whispered it was so quiet. With a glup and a flush to my face, I answered her.

"Yes. I love you. I love you Casey Bata, your strength, your determination, your….well, you are a beautiful girl as well…you're like no-one I've ever know before, but if you're offended…"

The next thing I knew was what was this wonderful soft feeling touching me…Casey's lips with a scent of almond and just pure Casey scent was filling me with bliss…

…on instinct, I returned the kiss, not believing I was doing this. She wrapped her hands round my neck…and I returned the favour by gently wrapping my arms round her waist. So soft…so lovely…so beautiful…

…and guess who ruined it. I think Ash must have waited for it to go quiet because he decided that was the moment to interrupt…

"Hey, Richie, is Casey alr….eep!"

Looks like Brock and Misty were also in on the act as they were watching us with full intent. Misty in particular had a bright smile on her face as Casey and I both opened our eyes, and let go.

I think there was only one thing we could say.

"DO YOU MIND?!" we said in unison.

"Yeah right. Come on guys, let's leave this two alone.." Misty said, dragging both boys away, with Brock mumbling how the younger guys have got girlfriends and he hasn't…..heh, poor chap.

My romantic bones hadn't gone as I took her in my arms and looked down in those emerald eyes of her.

I touched her soft skin on the cheek as I smiled at her. "Now, where were we?"

We kissed again, this time making sure no-one interrupted us. The next time we would move was to go to the pokemon centre to check on our pokemon…but my hand never left hers as we walked out.

Not even the possibility of being a winner in the tournament…no, this was the happiest day of my life.

* * * *

Nidoking, Clefable, Umbereon, Alakazam, Gyarados and Arcanine: Gary's line up.

Tyranitar, Rhydon, Tentacruel, Charizard, Fearow and Pikachu: My line up.

Gary apparently had defeated his own girlfriend in the quarter-finals and Ash had told me everything that he knew. I knew that if Ash won, he said he was looking forward to the final no matter who it was. Gary, his eternal rival…and me, the guy that beat him in the Indigo Tournament.

Ash was up against fellow current Elite and then Indigo champ, A.J. I see him out of the corner of my eye, still stony silent, but this time because of his depression. In the match, Ash showed how much he improved…and pulled off what many considered an upset.

So now, both Gary and I were going to be fired up as we headed out to the Johto Stadium.

"WELL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ASH KETCHUM IS CONFIRMED AS ONE OF THE FINALISTS, AGAINST ONE OF THESE TWO! AND BOTH OF THEM ACTUALLY HAVE A CONNECTION WITH MR. KETCHUM WHICH MAKES THIS EVEN MORE INTERESTING! GARY OAK HAILS FROM THE SAME TOWN AS ASH KETCHUM, AND RICHIE SPETIDE, WHO DEFEATED HIM TWO YEARS AGO IN THE INDIGO TOURNAMENT IN THE LAST 16! IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!"

I looked on as Gary was raised on the podium with his trademark smirk. I was raised as well.

"Well, Ash's clone friend…well I'm sorry, but I have to have the pleasure of defeating Ash." Gary said.

"Heh…we'll see about that." I said as I fingered out a pokeball.

"BEGIN!"

"Go Arcanine!" Gary called out.

"Go Squidly!" I countered, cheering with my luck.

"Aw nuts…" Gary called out.

The rules in the semi finals were that there were no recalls. So that meant if you had a type disadvantage, tough luck. You gotta stick with it…

"Arcanine, dig!"

Of course, that didn't mean I was free and clear. Tentacruel's poison stats plus the fact that on land it didn't move so well made this a tricky battle. Still…

"Squidly, lets make it more on your turf…use your surf attack!"

Squidly summoned the waves as Arcanine emerged, smashing into the jellyfish like pokemon…but fell back via the currents.

"Use Curse!"

The Arcanine slowed down considerably, but it's defence had strengthened to the point that it with-held the water attack…

"Extreme Speed!" Ignore what I said about the speed thing. I had to end this before it could dig again.

"Surf it again!"

Fortunately for me, the attack was quicker than the Arcanine, and just before it could smash me into oblivion, I had been declared the winner of the first round.

"Oh well, just like Ashy-boy, a bit of beginner's luck. I CHOOSE YOU!" Gary called out.

Next up was Alakazam. I gulped.

I don't need to explain the result of that match do I? O.K next match.

"Go Sparky!"

Time for my Pikapal to get in the action.

"Alakazam, Psychic attack!"

"Sparky, use your agility!"

The yellow trademark as not even the psychic pokemon could target where Sparky was.

"All right, now let's confuse it with double team!"

"Pika!" The cloning effect I thought would confuse the psychic pokemon, but Gary was keeping it's eyes on.

"Pikachu may be an electric pokemon…but that doesn't mean I can't shock a surprise for it…"

"Quick attack!"

"Thunder Wave!"

Surprisingly, it was Gary who gave the thunder wave command. Sparky had smashed into Alakazam, but as it did, the power had sent it back…and the shock of it had left him static and paralyzed.

"Sparky!" There was no items allowed so I had to hope.

"Quick attack again!"

"Alakazam, use barrier!"

Crap.

I heard from the banners Casey waving in an enthusiasm only matched by her love for the electabuzz baseball team. It didn't seem to be going my way though, Ash was right. Gary was that damn good.

"Alakazam, psychic attack!"

This time, Sparky didn't get up. I didn't get a chance to use one electric attack…and I think I was as stunned as the crowd.

"Pikachu is out of the match!"

It was 2-1 to Gary. But I wasn't beaten yet.

"Go Hawkeye!" My Fearow came out.

Gary seemed to study it before making a decision.

"Alakazam, recover!"

As the psychic pokemon was recovering, I had to try and take it out with one blow.

"Use Drill Peck!"

And this time it was me with the lucky break as the beak smashed through it's core, critically beating the psychic as Gary was the one in shock this time.

But Gary smiled.

"Well done, but now I've beaten your Pikachu, there is no reason why I can't use….THIS!"

"Holy mama! Gary has just unleashed one of his strongest pokemon, his Gyarados!"

I sensed that he needed to beat Sparky as quickly as possible. I'd seen his Gyarados in action, and asides from electric pokemon, it's seemed really difficult to battle. I saw Fearow, no fear in it's eyes against this monster.

Thus, there would be no fear in mine either.

"Gyarados, use ice beam!"

"Hawkeye, mud slap!"

Whilst Gyarados was obviously stronger, my Fearow had the speed advantage. Hawkeye shot the mud in it's eyes and the ice beam was way off target. I needed to weaken it more.

"Steel Wing!"

The glow of the wing as it flew by like the hawk I named it after, smashing into the mighty water dragon. Gary wasn't too happy, but it was only the beginning of the battle.

"Try Surf!"

This attack didn't need to be seen as it was a summoning of a wave. Fearow almost drowned in it, but I wanted to get fighting.

"Try Razor Wind!"

The two slashes of air split apart the wave but did little damage to the Gyarados. I called for another Steel Wing as Gyarados screamed.

"O.K, aim for the final blow! Drill Peck!"

However, it seemed that the surf had another purpose. To clean it eyes.

"As it comes, use body slam!"

I was so close to victory…and yet so far. The mammoth bulk of the Gyarados smashed into Fearow before it could hit it's strongest attack. Fearow fell down as Gary was proclaimed the winner of that round.

I realised that all my pokemon were weak against the water element that Gyarados had. However…

"Zippo go!"

Anything Gary can do, I can do just as well…

"Hah, that is a mistake. Gyarados, get ready to…"

"FIRE SPIN!"

That shut him up. Whilst not doing much damage, it made sure that it couldn't move for a few turns.

Enough for 'Operation Moves to hurt water pokemon'.

"Slash!"

Ouch.

"Now rock slide!"

Yep, the old Gyarados is part flying came into play and as the fire spin broke up, the fact that Fearow had done a ton of damage before, made Gyarados fall to the mighty Zippo. Once again, we were dead even.

"Well…that surprised me. You are better than I expected…go Nidoking!"

One of Gary's trademark pokemon, probably his most well know apart from his Umbereon. I looked on and hoped for the best.

"Nidoking, focus energy!"

The poison/ground pokemon powered up as I dived in for the kill. "Flamethrower!" It gave the heat up, but Nidoking was still ready to fight.

"If you're keeping to the air, then I'll use thunderbolt!"

No way.

Way. The pokemon's horn glowed as a bolt of pure energy shot towards my flying pokemon as one of the wings seemed to slow down as Zippo was forced to go to the ground.

Which was where Gary loved to fight with his focus energy.

"O.K, take down attack!"

Charizard wasn't quick enough to move out of the way as the full weight of the mighty Nidoking sent it down, hurt.

"Zippo, get out of there!" I panicked.

However, the fire pokemon got up and gave me a claw up.

"Are you sure?"

His nod assured me that it could fight on. I was worried, but Zippo was sure…it's judgement hadn't let me down before, I hoped it wouldn't again.

"Zippo, fire blast!"

Known as a desperation move, the kanji signed attack was met full force on Nidoking's chest as the roar in pain made Gary panic.

"Nidoking, you O.K?" Again, the nod of his pokemon confirmed it could fight on. It seemed that Gary also had a good bond with his pokemon too.

"Nidoking, use thunderbolt!"

"Charizard, one last fire blast!"

I think even a blind man could see what happens next.

"BOOM!"

Double KO. Once again, we were dead tied. And I think we were getting dead tired.

"Go Clefable!"

"Go Rhydon!"

At first, you make think this as a match in my favour. But not with Gary. His Clefable as I had seen was extremely strong and I knew I was going to have my work cut out.

"Rhydon, substitute!" I said, playing it safe for the moment.

"Clefable, sunny day!" Gary countered.

The sun brightened up as the power from the mythical pokemon glowed. I wondered what Gary was up to…

"Clefable, shadow ball!"

"Rhydon, submission!"

The sub-rhydon took it out before anything happened, but shadow ball stunned it. Clefable wasn't beaten yet.

"Moonlight!"

And that was why.

"Rhydon, another submission!"

I just had to keep it like this and I could…

"Solar beam…"

Drat. Forgot about the Sunny Day. And I only had one pokemon left, another ground based….

However, it was still weak from the submission, which may be quick enough for…

"Go Larvy! Use Ancient Power!"

Phew…got the boost…Clefable was defeated.

Gary smiled. "Well done…a bit lucky…I guess it's time." He fingered his last pokeball as the crowd gasped. Like with Drake's Dragonite, Gary always seemed to save his Umbreon for last, it was like a trademark. And I knew Tyranitar was in for the fight of it's life.

"Go for it Gary!" I said smiling. Gary smiled back.

"Go Umbereon!"

The two dark masters were ready for the fight of their lives.

"Umbreon, use curse!"

Umbereon was one of the best defence pokemon in the world, and with increased defence, even Tyranitar's super attack wouldn't deal with it that well. I had to nail it quickly and fast.

"Earthquake!"

The crumbling earth send shivers down the crowd spines, but Umbreon was just a little shaken up.

"Use confuse ray!"

Uh oh. This wasn't good. Even the strongest pokemon are stopped with this move. I tried Ancientpower, but no good as Tyranitar was a bit tied up. Gary pressed his assault with a faint attack and then a shadow ball, but then Tyranitar came back up…

"Moonlight!"

Another healing pokemon….with that defense, this was going to be a long battle.

I took a risk.

"Larvy, dynamic punch!"

Suddenly, the favours were turned as Umbreon was now badly damaged and confused. I knew my stars wouldn't last forever so…

"Body Slam it!"

"Umbreon, agility!"

Gary got the break this time as his own confusion wore of and dodged the attack expertly.

"Now use double team!"

Taking a leaf out of Sparky's book. This made things much more difficult. He followed up with a pursuit, as Tyranitar was looking worse for wear.

"Larvy, use thrash!" I was getting desperate. A continous attack but with confusion. Umbereon clones vanished as it got the right one but Gary smiled as the enslaught stopped.

"Moonlight!"

Damn it. This was getting me no-where. Wait…whilst he was powering up, it was vulnerable. One last chance…

"Tyranitar…"

The crowd paused.

"…HYPER BEAM!"

I very rarely used this attack…but Gary was near impossible with his Umbreon, and I had to chance it.

Gary couldn't counter it because he was healing. And the mighty blast…

…connected.

The stadium rumbled, debris flew by as both Gary and I looked on, trying to see what had happened.

As the dust cleared, we saw…

…a tired Tyranitar on it's knees…

…and Umbereon down…

..but slowly getting up.

It…withstood that….

"My turn. Hyper beam…" Gary said with a grin.

I wasn't so lucky.

Tyranitar fell down to the dark eevee, and I sighed. It was over…once again, I had come so close…yet so far.

"THE WINNER…GARY OAK!"

I turned the crowd, with a smile. Ash, Misty, Brock and Casey were all there, smiling and applauding. I turned to Gary who was hugging his Umbreon before returning it. He hopped down and walked to me.

"Richie…excellent match. Hey, one of us had to win…and one of us has to face Ash. Sorry it wasn't you…but next time.."

His hand was held out.

"…you may not be so lucky." I smiled and shook his hand as the crowd errupted. It was a hell of a match, and me and Gary would have more battles ahead in the Elite. Some I won, some I didn't, but I knew that I wasn't disappointed.

It just meant I had to get stronger.

As I turned into the stadium with a wave to the crowd, I knew that coming here was ten times better than Johto. I had gotten stronger, I had reunited with old friends, made a worthy rival…and of course…

"Richie!"

I was down in the tunnel as I saw Casey who had rushed down to see me, the sweetie.

"Are you O.K? I never like losing…but you…" she started.

"Hey, I'm O.K. Just need to go to a Pokemon Centre, then we'll grab something to eat, O.K?" I said with a bright smile.

"You're not upset…" Casey asked.

I giggled. "Losing is part of the battle Casey, I came close…but this just means I can get better. Besides, I don't think this has been a total loss…"

I put my arm around her as she blushed.

"Yeah…I think so as well…" Casey said.

We walked out of there, without a care in the world. Losing makes the heart grow fonder it seemed in my case…

…and she was my case. My sweetheart Casey. And one that would remain to this dying day….

* * * *

TEAM ROCKET SIEGE: RICHIE

When I was coming up to my 16th birthday, Ash and myself were both (along with Gary) coming up to the Elite, along with the fourth semi-finalist A.J (Casey hadn't got in yet) but with the recent increase of the Team Rocket plague along all worlds, it was time to shut them up.

Former agents Jessie and James had been very helpful in the location of the main base, as many operatives were sent to takeover their Silph based operations in Celadon, let by the gym leader Erika.

However, for the main base, in Viridian, Ash had only wanted his trusted friends. Armed with a legion of Jennys, and the best pokemon trainers Ash could collect, we collectively went to attack Giovanni De Roche.

However…

(flashback)

….I didn't want Casey to get involved. She had heard about it from Misty, and refused to let me go without her…

I remember holding my arm refusing to budge, she was 14 now and a lot stronger (she was always strong) and it was really hard for me to leave her in that Pokemon centre alone.

A surprising saviour solved that problem for me.

A wash of sleep powder over the young girl as her Meganium washed it over her eyes as she fell into a deep sleep. I carried her to the bed and kissed her on the cheek, wishing her goodbye in case anything does happen.

I told Meganium to look after her as I headed out to do battle once more.

I hoped it wasn't the last time I would see her beautiful face…she had grown so much…

* * * *

Everyone had their own purpose. Jessie, James, Tracey and Duplica had all seperated, with their own goals in mind. This left Ash, Misty and myself left ready against the main boss man.

However, I caught something out of the corner of my eye.

"Guys, I think I need to go.."

They didn't know what I was on about, so I added a little bit more info.

"Time for some unfinished business…"

I headed to the west wing, with my Rhydon ahead of me, crushing any idiotic Rockets who tried to attack us. I burst through a door where I heard the clashing of metal.

And there they were.

The Noble Blood wing of the Rockets. And at the head, Lady Unfor and Sir Given. There were about 8 others, all armed with sabres, perhaps doing some last minute planning.

And then they saw me.

"Well, if it isn't an old friend…" Given sneered.

"Yeah, I mean we haven't seen each other in so long, we thought we'd never get the chance to say goodbye…" Unfor also added.

"Cut the crap. Rhydon, take 'em out…"

Before any of the flunkies could react (perhaps not expecting a quick move), Rhydon's fissure crater had sent the room into splitsville, and the 8 flunkies into the ground, trapped. However, Unfor and Given managed to react to the move in time and nimbly jumped onto two platforms behind them.

"Very well…like the pheonix reborn, we shall finish our wars in the sky!" Unfor said as she released his Noctowl.

"The grace and splendour of an aerial dog-fight…" Given finished as his Murkrow came out.

I sighed. "Very well…Hawkeye, Zippo go! Screw the commands, just beat them as you see fit!"

Both Nobles were surprised, but laughed.

As the Charizard came out, they weren't laughing so much.

The battle was fierce, Noctowl's wing attack however was deflected by a reflect from fearow, which ended it with a drill peck. Murkrow's Shadow Ball and Drill Peck attacks in the end were stopped by a flamethrower and a slash. The two Nobles were shocked.

Literally when Sparky came up and Thunder Waved them. Zippo then trapped them inside a flame circle of fire spin as I looked on.

And they looked terrified.

"You know…" I started, with a smile. "I should thank you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have met with my girlfriend. Ironic isn't it? You hunt for me…yet I get the reward. I just hope your noble blood doesn't get tainted in prison…"

I walked off, hoping for the best…

* * * *

Misty can tell you about Ash and Gio, but for me, the last piece of the puzzle had been fitted.

Well, almost…

"Er…sorry about that…."

"YOU BETTER WELL BE!"

Casey (not too surprisingly) was a little pissed off. When she awoke, Meganium had to tie her up with it's vine whip…and even then her rage was making her too strong. And Misty keeps wondering why I compare Casey to her…

"LISTEN, WHY DID YOU GO? WITHOUT ME…YOU COULD HAVE BEEN HURT…OR WORSE…I…I…I…WOULDN'T…I…"

She was sobbing now. Her concern and worry was so touching that all her anger seemed to melt into the surroundings. I took her into my arms as Meganium and Sparky looked at this scene straight out of a shoujo manga with mock disgust.

"I hate you you know…." Casey sobbed into my arms. I sighed.

"I know. I'll guess I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you right?"

She nodded as I kissed her. After everything had happened, to this day, I still have the knowledge of the comforting embrace the two of us share.

Which is something that sadly…Misty cannot have now…

* * * *

I stare upon the ashes. Today, I am a senior Elite, with a loving wife. Today, Misty is a widow.

I looked at the red head, her tears making her seem much older than her 27 years of life indicated.

Ash…taken from us…

I loved him…loved him like a brother. A lot of people called us twins…strange as it was, I think our bond was something closer than twins could share.

And now…that bond physically had been shredded.

However, in my mind, it will always be there…and forever more.

My hand touched the edge of the coffin.

"Ash…nothing I could offer could make up for your loss…a friend, brother, partner…you were all these and more…"

I looked down, the scent of death was something I didn't want to get used to.

"….Ash, farewell, let's God's wings take you to where you deserve…"

I put one of my custom poke-balls in the coffin, with a star, signed R.S, Richard Spetide.

And as I left, the tears finally came.

If only tears could bring you back…

* * * *

And that's it for another chapter. Hope you enjoyed it…

NEXT CHAPTER;

Three girls have had very different lives. However, all of them learned something when Ash first came into their lives. Next time, the femme fatales of the pokemon world, Giselle Dexter, Sabrina Saffron and Molly Hale tell short tales about their encounters with Ash and about how their lives were changed…

Next chap was originally going to be Giselle, however, I felt I couldn't write too much about her without repeating myself from Gary's chapter. So, I've added in Sabrina and Molly as well, as Sabrina is my fave gym leader, and Molly is going to be such fun to write about…

Until next time….