Nemesis

By Trish.

Disclaimer: Pokémon does not belong to me. The storyline and the character of Neil Ketchum does.

ooo

Chapter Three

The sun was high in the sky when Ash finally stumbled out of bed. Stubbing his toe accidentally on the edge of the bed, he hopped around the room, swearing incoherently as Pikachu rolled with laughter.

"That was not funny!" the dark-haired Trainer glared at his first Pokémon. "Chu are so mean!"

'Pikahahaha' the electric mouse took no notice of him and clutched her tiny paws against her stomach.

"Yeah right, go ahead and laugh," Ash grumbled. "See if I care next time you catch your tail in something."

A snort. 'Suuuure Pikapi, the day you stop caring is the day Psyduck uses his brains. You're a sap and you know it.'

"I am not a sap," he pouted as he padded into his bathroom and ran some water into the washbasin.

'Chu are.'

Ash grinned. "Stop throwing my words back at me."

'Nyah.' A little pink tongue.

The teenager ignored his furry companion and bent down to wash his face. A creeping sensation that someone or something was watching him slowly took hold. He knew it wasn't Pikachu; after all these years her presence when he changed or bathed didn't bother him. No, it was something else…

He slowly straightened up and gazed into the bathroom mirror, and his eyes widened. For behind him, in his bedroom, a shadowy figure was materialising out of thin air. A low growl came from beside him and he knew that his favourite Pokémon would be ready to help out if need be.

The form finally assumed solidity and Ash found himself staring at the one person he never thought he would see again. His mind struggled to comprehend what his eyes were telling him, his body felt as if rooted to the spot, so shocked was he. "...D...Dad?" he finally managed to whisper.

The apparition smiled and nodded once before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Mobility was restored to Ash's limbs and he sat down heavily on the floor. Pikachu scampered onto his lap and licked him gently. 'Pikapi?'

The dark-haired Trainer exhaled loudly. "Did that just really happen?"

Pikachu cocked her head slightly. 'What do you think, Pikapi?'

"I saw him," Ash finally answered. "Though why now? Why after all these years?"

ooo

Ash was rather rattled by the experience, and he chose to talk it over in the company of his male friends, Brock, Gary and Tracey. The trio heard him out in silence before Tracey spoke up, rubbing his chin.

"Y'know Ash, spectral appearances are often the result of a phantasmagorical sequence."

"A whatta? Speak English please," the Grand Master gaped.

"These so called apparitions are purely a figment of your imagination," the Watcher spread out his hands. "You saw the ghost of your father because you wanted to see him. You were dreaming."

"No, I was wide awake. And I know I was because it hurt when I stubbed my toe."

"You wished him into existence. There's the rational behind it."

"Tracey, would you stop with all this psychoanalytical babble for a moment? Can't you accept that there may not be a rational explanation for everything?" Ash put his mug down in frustration. "Of course not, you're a Watcher."

Tracey opened his mouth to defend himself but Ash continued.

"Maybe you can't, but I can, because all my life, strange things have been happening to me." He ticked the strange occurrences off on his fingers as he stated them, "The day I set out on my Pokémon journey, I saw Ho-oh. I've seen Mew and Mewtwo, Zapdos, Entei, Suicine, Latios and Latias, Jirachii. I think that names just about all the Legendary Pokémon. I died at least twice, and come close on too many other occasions…"

"At least twice!" Gary's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he interrupted his friend.

"Oh yeah, you weren't there," Brock remembered. "It's true though."

The chestnut-haired trainer still looked shocked. "What are ya, some kind of immortal?"

"Nope, just Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town."

"Does your mom know about this?"

"No, and she's not going to know," Ash told his longest friend firmly. "If Mom ever found out, she'd kill me!" He grinned wryly, "Only this time I think I would be staying dead."

"I won't tell," Gary promised. He knew how protective Mrs Ketchum could be. He had been lectured by her one too many times for doing something that, from a mother's view point, was potentially dangerous or stupid.

"Good," Ash nodded in satisfaction. "So like I said, strange things happen to me all the time. Trace, have you forgotten what happened in the Orange Islands that time? The world was in danger and only the Chosen One, as stated in the ancient legend, could tame the 'Beast of the Sea.'" He did air quotes for the last four words.

The Watcher had a far-away look in his eyes. "I remember. 'Disturb not the harmony of Fire, Ice or Lightning. Lest these Titans wreak destruction upon the world in which they clash. Though the water's great guardian shall rise to quell the fighting. Alone its song will fail. Thus the earth shall turn to ash."

"For some reason, that sounds like a bunch of bad song lyrics," Gary said, then looked over at Ash who had sighed deeply. "Am I missing out on something?"

"Well just look at who happened to be the Chosen One. Me, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." He shrugged. "At that time I wished that Mom had named me something else."

"Aww, but Ash is just so cute!" Gary batted his eye lashes, "It makes all the girls swoon."

"He is the Chosen One," Tracey nodded. "Saving the Earth since he began training."

"You're the Chosen One?" Gary's eyebrow raised in disbelief once again. "Chosen for what? VCR programming?"

"Haven't you been listening to anything Ash and I have been saying?" Tracey glared at Gary. "We told you already, would you like a transcript of it all?"

Gary glared back at Tracey, but amazingly said nothing.

"What was I chosen for?" Ash shrugged. "Saving the world because I just happen to be there at the right time and place?"

"And here you used to complain that I had all the fun because my Gramps is Professor Oak."

"You did have all the fun!" Ash grinned, "Look at the way you grew up! You had all those Pokémon at your fingertips."

Gary raised an eyebrow, "With me taking care of them. Trust me, Ashy Boy, it wasn't as fun as you think it was."

"But still, you had a head start over everyone else when it came time for starting Pokémon training."

"Maybe."

"And you probably got to choose the one of the best lower level Pokémon for your starter," Brock added.

"I dunno about that," Gary drawled. "Look who Ashy Boy here ended up with for his starter!"

"Yeah, but she didn't like me at first!" Ash protested. "Took us a while to bond."

"Even so, she's one of the most powerful Pokémon I've seen. You two were destined."

"Hey guys, I think we're digressing from the subject here," Brock brought them back to business. "We need to work out why Ash saw the ghost of his dad."

"I think we can ditch Tracey's idea," the Grand Master took another sip from his mug. "Sure I miss my dad, but he died when I was 4. I don't remember him much and as the years go by I don't think of him as much as I used to."

"Did he look like a nice ghost?" the Watcher asked.

"He didn't look like Casper if that's what you're hoping."

"I remember the time we were at Maiden's Peak for that End of Summer Festival," Brock reminisced. "And the ghost of the Maiden…." His eyes glazed over. "She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. If only she'd have married me…"

"Knock it off , Brock," Ash said, not unkindly. "She was dead."

"But she liiiiiiked me!" the Pewter City breeder wailed. "She appeared to me. Brock the Rock!"

"'She' appeared to James too," the Grand Master smirked. "And your lovely Maiden turned out in the end to be a Ghastly."

"Sounds like it had ghastly taste in men," Gary added with a grin.

"HEY!"

"You really do have the most rotten luck with women, Brock," Tracey shook his head. "Countless rejections and then the first one who likes you is a Pokémon."

"The story of my life," the spiky-haired breeder grumbled. "Rejected outright by every woman…except…" he sat up. "Your mom, Ash. And she's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen…Do you think she'd marry me?"

Ash almost choked on his coffee and Gary patted him on the back. "Disgusting thought, isn't it?" the chestnut-haired researcher said cheerily.

Ash gasped for breath before answering. "I'll say it is! Brock, that's my MOTHER you're talking about it."

"So? She's so beautiful and kind and sweet, and soft…"

Both Ash and Gary choked. "Soft?" the Grand Master croaked. "What have you been doing with my mom?"

"Nothing!" Brock protested his innocence. "I was in Pewter until just the other day. But I would imagine she would feel soft…"

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Gary muttered.

"Me too," his best friend agreed.

"Can you imagine him as your stepfather, Ashy Boy?"

"Ooooh don't say that! I could be scarred for life!"

Brock glared at the two younger men. "You guys suck."

ooo

The next day, Ash decided to pay a visit to an old friend of his. He bade his mother goodbye and with Pikachu in tow, hopped on Pidgeot to fly to Saffron City.

The giant avian landed thirty minutes later outside the Saffron City Gym, where a tall green-haired woman was waiting. "Hey Ash, great to see you," Sabrina smiled.

"Good to see you too," Ash said warmly as he jumped off Pidgeot before returning him to the Poké Ball.

Just then a large paper fan appeared out of nowhere and thwacked the Grand Master on top of his head. "HEY!" he grouched to which raucous laughter surrounded him.

Ash's grumpy expression faded as he recognised that voice. "Gengar old buddy, show yourself out here!"

A squat purple Ghost Pokémon with red eyes and a cheesy grin slowly materialised on the other end of the paper fan. It pointed at Ash and started laughing again. 'GENG GENG GENG…'

The dark-haired Master shook his head and looked at his female companion. "Still the practical joker after all these years."

"You got it," Sabrina grinned. "He often invites his two friends Ghastly and Gengar over from the tower in Lavender Town and they have comedy nights."

"Do they try out new routines on you and your family?"

"Of course."

Ash smiled as he remembered when he had first met the would-be comedian Pokémon. He was ten-years-old and had not long set out on his Pokémon journey. Along with Brock and Misty and Pikachu, they had travelled to Lavender Town in order to catch a Ghost Pokémon to defeat Sabrina.

Venturing into the derelict tower, Ash and Pikachu had unknowingly disturbed the three resident Ghost Pokémon. Ghastly, Haunter (as he was then) and Gengar were three rather lonely Pokémon who loved watching comedy shows on the television, and who wanted nothing more than some playmates and an audience to try out their routines on.

Crushed under a falling chandelier, the two friends were to all intents and purposes, dead. But Haunter had pulled their spirits out of the bodies so they could play with the Ghost Pokémon.

Haunter had so much fun with Ash, that he decided to go with them to Saffron. He took a shine to Sabrina and in fact, had been the one to break the psychotic shell she had locked herself in since she was a little girl. Having found an appreciative audience for his gags, the Ghost Pokémon decided to stay with the Saffron Gym Leader, adding to her already formidable line-up.

ooo

Half an hour later they were sitting in Sabrina's comfortable living room, a fresh pot of coffee brewed and some cookies set out. "So how are things with you, Chosen One," the psychic smiled. "Being troubled by apparitions?"

Ash nearly dropped the mug but then steadied himself. Of course Sabrina would know about his identity as the Chosen One as well as the ghostly apparitions, she was psychic. He wondered if there wasn't anything about him that she didn't know. Which was rather disturbing. "Yes, and I'm hoping that you can help me to understand why."

Since Agatha's death, Sabrina had come to the fore as the pre-eminent expert on paranormal activity. Haunter had helped her to hone her skills in communicating with the dead. Besides her role as Saffron Gym Leader, Sabrina ran a thriving business, holding séances and psychic readings, as well as classes.

Sabrina leaned forward. "I can't promise anything, but I can certainly try."

"Well, I saw my father's ghost a few days ago. He died when I was four, so I have no idea why he would decide to appear to me after fourteen years. Tracey says that it's just a phantas…phantas….whatever…"

"Phantasmagorical."

"Yeah, that," Ash was grateful that Sabrina knew the word. "A phantasmagorical sequence. He thinks that I've wished my father's image into existence."

"What do you think about that, Ash?"

The dark-haired Trainer cupped his chin in his hand. "I … really don't think it is. My dad died when I was four. I don't really remember him at all, all I remember is that he was a great guy and played with me a lot. Otherwise I have to rely on photos and memories that my mom or Dad's old friends have shared with me. How can I wish for someone who I don't remember well?"

Sabrina leaned back in her chair. "Do you mind me asking how your dad died?"

Ash shook his head. "Not at all. He was murdered while on some top secret police operation. Mom never knew the details."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thanks," he took a deep breath and Pikachu patted his arm. "Sometimes I've wondered what things would have been like, had he not gone on the mission. Would things have been better had I grown up with my dad around? But then again, being a police officer was his dream, and he died doing what he loved."

The Saffron City Gym Leader was quiet for a moment. "I don't think you're imagining things, Ash. I think that you are seeing your father's ghost and for a reason too. Perhaps he's trying to tell you something, something that you wouldn't have been able to understand when you were younger."

"Well, he could have said something, rather just appear then disappear," Ash grumbled. "Gave me a real scare."

"It can't be easy for him either," Sabrina reproved gently. "Think about it, Ash. You've been watching and waiting to tell a person something important for so many years, and the time comes and you can't quite bring yourself to say it."

"True," the Grand Master admitted, remembering just how hard it was for him to admit that he liked Misty more than just a friend. "So what are the general facts about ghosts?"

"Ghosts are spirits who have failed to move on from this world to the next. Usually for two reasons. One is that they have unfinished business here and they cannot move on until it's been completed by someone else. Two is that it was not their time to go, as is the case with murders or accidents."

'Haunter, Haun, Haun…' the Ghost Pokémon added.

"What did he say?" Ash was curious.

Sabrina sighed. "Haunter says there is a third reason."

"Oh?"

"The afterlife is boring as hell and they can have more fun here."

"Well in Dad's case, the second one probably fits best," Ash mused.

"Or it could be a combination of one and two," the psychic added.

"So what do you suggest I do?"

"You have to be ready and willing to hear what he has to say. He's just waiting for you to say the word and he will appear. Most of all, you have to believe in him. A spirit cannot appear to those who refuse to see or accept them."

ooo

A few days later…

"Okay what are we doing here in the middle of the cemetery at eleven at night?" Gary demanded.

"We're here to talk to a ghost," Ash said simply. "Or rather, we're here to talk to my dad's ghost."

"So why couldn't we do it during the day?" the chestnut-haired researcher asked. Pikachu patted his leg soothingly.

"Because we've got our jobs to do during the day," Ash said. "And because there are less likely to be people around to disturb us."

"I hate it when you're right," Gary grumbled good-naturedly. "So why am I here and not Red?"

"Misty?" the Grand Master snorted. "You couldn't pay her enough to go a hundred metres near a cemetery. Especially at night. Besides, you believe in ghosts."

"What about Brock?"

"He fell in love with a Ghost Pokémon. Need I say more?"

"Eh…no." Gary stuck his hands in his pockets. "So it's just you and me."

'Pika', came a tiny grump from near his feet.

"Okay, so it's just you, me and the 'chu here."

"Uh-huh."

"In the middle of a cemetery at night."

"Yup."

"Waiting to talk to a ghost."

"You got it."

"Sounds like a perfectly normal Friday night thing to do."

"I thought so too." Ash stood up and stretched. "Well, I guess there's no time like the present." He hesitated a bit. How does one summon a ghost? "Uh…Dad? It's me Ash, and Gary's here too. We think you…uh…might be wanting to tell us something."

A cool breeze swirled around them making them shiver. A faint glimmer of light appeared, growing and solidifying until Neil Ketchum was standing before them. Looking exactly as he had appeared in life so many years ago.

Memories came flooding back to Ash's mind. Memories of carefree days spent playing in the backyard with his father. Of evenings when he would go running to the door to greet him after a hard day's work. Of the afternoon when he found out from his mom that his beloved father would never be coming home again.

A lump began to form at the back of his throat, and the dark-haired Trainer tried to fight it down. All these years he had managed to keep his emotions about his father in check. Now they came rushing back with an overwhelming force. He remembered how it felt to grow up without a father. The pangs he felt when he was over at Gary's and Gary would rush to greet his father. The sadness he hid at school on days where fathers were invited to spend the morning with their children.

There was nothing he would not have given to have had his father back. If only his father had been there on the day he got his Pokémon Trainer's Licence, or the day he left on his journey. If only his father could have been there on the day he realised all his dreams and became the Pokémon Grand Master.

After all this time, Ash had thought that the pain of missing his father had diminished to bittersweet nostalgia. Now he knew how wrong he was.

"…Dad?" he choked out, feeling the tears burn in the back of the eyes.

Neil Ketchum was also feeling emotional. How many times over the years had he wanted to hold his wife and child in his arms again. How many times had he wanted to reassure them that everything would be alright? Now standing here before him was his only son, grown from a boy of four to a young man of eighteen.

"Ash…my little boy…you've grown so much. Delia's raised you really well," he smiled. He then turned to his son's companion who was trying not to gawk, and failing miserably. "And Gary Oak! You've grown into a fine young man as well. Your parents must be so proud."

"Er…thanks, Mr K," Gary stuttered. He wasn't sure on the proper etiquette of addressing a person who was dead, but he had always been taught to respect his elders. "You're looking…er…swell, yourself!" 'You're talking to a dead guy!' his mind screamed at him.

Neil just laughed and bent down to Pikachu's level and the small electric mouse came bounding up to him with a friendly chirp. "Good to see you too, Pikachu. Thanks for taking care of my son for me all these years."

Ash looked at his first Pokémon. "You knew all along?"

The electric mouse shrugged.

"So what did you want to tell me?" Ash asked his father.

"You boys better sit down," the ghost suggested. "For I am going to tell you exactly what happened to me fourteen years ago,"

The two did as they were told, sitting down on the grass with Pikachu nestling in her trainer's lap.

"Did they ever tell you or your Mom what I was doing when I died?"

"No, just that you were on a top secret undercover police operation and that you'd been found dead in the woods."

"I was asked to do this assignment by the Police Commissioner himself. My mission was to infiltrate this criminal organisation, monitor and report its activities back to police headquarters. Had everything gone to plan, I would have called in a police strike force against them, closing this outfit down for good."

"What was this organisation doing?" Gary asked.

"Top secret medical experiments using Pokémon as guinea pigs," the ghost informed them. "They would do things like inject massive amounts of thallium or cyanide into one of the creatures and calculate how long it took to die. They even tortured a baby Kangaskhan to death in front of its mother."

The two boys felt sick to their stomachs. How could anyone be so cruel to a living being?

"That's just utterly despicable!" Ash spat out, cuddling Pikachu close to him.

"It is, isn't it? But that's not the worst of it. They were going to use the end results on humans. To assist in their scheme of world domination, they would use these serums to wipe out those people they saw as unfit or as opposition."

"These people are monsters!" Gary growled low. "They're not fit to be called humans."

"I was so close to finalising the mission," Neil went on, a tad wistful. "I had the names of the major players, the names of the major scientists, the names of the serums and their antidotes. I had everything…"

"What happened, Dad? Did you slip up or make a mistake?"

"No, what happened was that I was betrayed by a member of the police, who was in league with this criminal organisation. That's why they had managed to get away from so many earlier stings and operations we had organised against them. This slime of a police officer was tipping them off."

"Then what?" Gary asked this, on behalf of his friend who he could see wanted to know but didn't want to ask.

"I was thrown into their dungeon, and tortured," Neil stated after a few minutes silence. "The leader had me dragged out to the courtyard and executed. They slit my throat."

"Who did this to you, Dad. Who is this leader of this criminal organisation?" Ash demanded. The anger that had been building inside him throughout his father's story, was close to boiling point.

"Giovanni Castoni. None other than the Viridian City Gym Leader and leader of Team Rocket."

ooo

To be continued…

Author's Note: Yes it's taken me a while but here it is. Most people blame school/college for their prolonged gaps. I blame a full-time stressful job.